It’s nearly here! The old year is winding down and the new one is headed our way...time to prepare for the annual celebration! Miss Kitty is excited to be the hostess this year…can’t you tell? lol
It’s time to head to the grocery store and stock up on the necessary supplies. Here in Georgia, we only get fancy sparklers, but they are still fun. And…I’m only wishing I had bought that yummy cake!
And…many of us Southerners will also be filling our carts with the traditional talismans for luck in the new year…collard greens, black-eyed peas and ham hocks! And…dear readers…I will be among them...well, except for the ham hocks. I use a HoneyBaked hambone instead. I’m not sure what a hock is and I don’t think I want to know!
This is last year’s New Years Day dinner, but the menu is always the same…collard greens (click here for my recipe), black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, macaroni and cheese ( Patti LaBelle’s recipe), rice, cornbread and ham served with sweet tea. Yum! Yum! We mix the rice, peas and stewed tomatoes and call it hoppin’ john. I can’t wait! I am a stomp down good country cook, if I do say so myself!This year I will have eight for dinner…my little family, two dear friends and my daughter’s in-laws. I will make sure that everyone around me gets a big helping of peas and collards because they bring luck and represent next year’s money…the peas are the coins and the collards are the bills. Now, I am not saying I’m superstitious, but the one year I didn’t have them was not a good one! lol I’ll have an extra helping of collards for dessert…but just because I love them!
You may recognize my son-in-law’s plate from last year. Can you see the collards and black-eyed peas? lol lol Yes…teeny tiny waaaaay up at the top of his plate! Do you get the impression that he doesn’t really like them? I have to say it again…what a good man to take one for the family!I want to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and how much you have come to mean to me! I find it hard to have a conversation with my non-blogging friends without bringing up a funny story or a great recipe that one of you has shared. Isn’t it amazing how close you can feel to people you have never really met? I have been very fortunate to meet some of you in person, and it has been like hanging out with old friends. I wish a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to each of you, my dear friends, and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2010!
Warmest wishes and big hugs to you all!….Debbie
Hello Debbie.
ReplyDeleteGreat tradition.
Nice and yummy!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Cheers and regards.
Regina
HAPPY NEW YEAR DEBBIE!
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the first bloggers I met online and I am still hoping to meet you someday in person! Great Post, looks yummy, not so sure about the collard greens but I would give them a try! Heck, my hubby loves Lutefisk, (Norwegian Tradition) and I tried that! I don't recommend it though! Heehe. How did you get that cute kitty to wear that crown? And post so pretty? You are one smart cookie! Hugs, Cindy
Hi, Debbie. I just found this website and your blog 2 days ago. You and I have met before, a number of time, back in the early to late 80's. I am a graduate of SHS and used to sub there, plus I had to observe classes sometimes for GSU education courses, so I observed yours, as I was getting a certificate to teach French. I am sorry your mom has passed away since I last saw you. Cindy Clark
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy New Year to you Deb,I know that this year will be a wonderful year with the arrival of a new grandson, you can't get any better than that!! Love the pict of you SIL plate, that is too cute. Have a wonderful time with your family,Love Ya,Kathysue
ReplyDeleteDebbie, This sounds exactly like the meal I will be having on New Years day. I don't eat ham hocks either, usually some country ham.
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty doesn't seem to excited about being the hostess, maybe too much Christmas partying, LOL :)
Your staff members have been very good sports this year, I don't know that I could get mind to wear a crown even though they are treated like Kings and Queens.
Enjoy your day with your family and may you have good health, much happiness and lots of fun in 2010.
Happy New Years to you my dear friend...and like you I can't help but not talk about my blogging friends just like they were my family..which they have become to me...Girl you eat some greens for me...I will eat my beans and ham hocks for you ha ha!! Many blessings to you for a very great coming year Debbie...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too Debbie. Like you I am so glad I came into this bloggingworld and got to know so many wonderful people.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a wonderful and healthy New Year.
Riet
Debbie, we have the same tradition with the black-eyed-peas, but not the collard greens. Hmmm they preprestent the bills? Guess I may want to add these to our New Year's Day menu. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt goes without saying how much you have come to mean to me, Debbie. You truly are the dearest of people. I feel so fortunate that we have connected. I enjoy our emails. I eagerly await each new post on "Confessions" and am so inspired and happy when I read each one. Your photography is that of a professional! What a treat you offer to each of us. ~ Hugs and Happy New Yer! ~ Sarah
Debbie, this all looks grand! So delicious!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your hostess in her tiarra. LOL! At first, I thought it said "Happy Mew Year!" LOLOLOL!
I hope this is a great year for you. It's been such a pleasure getting to know you throughout this one.
Love you much...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Debbie, OMG - look at Miss Kitty! She looks thrilled to be hosting the New Year's festivities! Hope you had wonderful Christmas celebration and that Santa was good to one and all!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Bonnie
Salut Debbie! Quel repas délicieux! J'aime tous - les fièves (?), le macaroni, le jambon, le riz, les tomates. Comment dit-on "stompin good cook" en français...un chef extraordinaire? Et comme dessert? un gâteau du roi? Je me suis reposée et je suis prête pour lundi! Linda
ReplyDeleteOh yes there will be Hoppin' Johns on our table too!! YUMMY!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, too. I so enjoy your blog - every post!! But, I sure don't know about those collard greens - I live in the west, you know - meat and potatoes country!! Take care, Sally
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post....love reading about all the different recipes and ideas from your area of the world...sending New Year greetings to you.....hugs Teresa U.K xx
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, how I wish I could be there to have diner with you, we will have basically the same meal and it really is one of my all time favorites. You are one of my biggest blessings from 2009 and I have come to love you like family. I hope your new year is blessed with your new grandson Austin and all of your wildest dreams come true. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteYep Debbie, she looks thrilled lol! Your menu sounds like ours, except for the stewed tomatoes. Got my yankee boy to at least tolerate greens, and he actually likes black eyed peas now, but he draws the line at the stewed tomatoes! I hope you have a wonderful New Year, I know that you are receiving your greatest gift in that new grandbaby. I do feel like I've known you for years! And can't wait til the day we can meet in person. Hugs to you! Kat
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year (almost) my friend!
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that this past year that you and I and Kathysue had the opportunity to meet and spend a few wonderful days in Asheville. It was a time I will never forget. And even though I have not been a very good "neighbor" the past few months, you guys are always in my mind. I hope that somehow, this year, we can take that trip to Savannah or Charleston we talked about. That would be a hoot! I have to run out tomorrow and get my NYE cooking supplies. I have my ham bone too. :) BTW, I cook my stewed tomatoes for my hoppin' john with finely chopped onion and green pepper. I like the extra taste and color. Give it a try. Hugs and kisses, dear friend! Barb
Yes Ma'm that's some good cook'n!! From your neighbor in Alabama! That's my kind of gourmet meal!!
ReplyDeleteYour southern News Years Eve dinner looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteHope you and "The Staff" have a wonderful new year! We're having hoppin' John (although I add salsa and call it Hoppin' Juan) and collard greens -- think I'll add the corn bread and perhaps the mac and cheese too! Looks like an exciting year ahead for your family -- can't wait to hear all about it! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHey Sweet Debbie! I've decided to catch up on my visits to a few bloggers today of past posts. YOU, especially my dear favorite blogging bud! :) Love the story you shared on the festive menu for New Years...I'll have me a few of those their collards for my main menu AND dessert as well! :) I'm excited to meet later in January for coffee/tea! Let's schedule the time so we don't get usurped~ :) ~Hugs... ~CC Catherine (HAPPY NEW YEAR of 2010)
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteI always love to read your posts and you have really captured the feeling of "community" among bloggers so well. I find myself talking about blog friends to those I actually see face to face as though I did see the blog friends in person. May your 2010 be the best ever! It will certainly be a new chapter in your life as you assume the role of grandmother. You know, there is a reason it is called "grand". It really is grand!.
Sharon
Hi Debbie! I feel so ignorant. I live in the south but I have never tasted black eyed peas. Your plates full of food look so good. Happy New Year!...Christine
ReplyDeleteDebbie- this food looks amazingly delicious-
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful Happy New Year.
I also wanted to thank you for your visits to my blog. You were one of the first people in blog land to visit, and your support kept me going.
Laura
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tradition.
- The Tablescaper
DEbbie,
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty looks adorable in her New Year's crown:). I hope that you and your family have a wonderful New Year!!! I look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts in the year ahead:).
Blessings,
Kim
AHHHHH I just wrote you a long message and bang it's gone.......NO WAY
ReplyDeleteWell I will summarize....
My hubby LOVES collard greens, we can't get them here.
Kitty...precious.
Meeting you in 2009, a blessing.
Future... fun, laughter, friends.
Happy New Year Debbie
Love Claudie
xoxoxoxoxox
So nice to meet you~~~first time to stop by:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful blog you have!
Happy New Year!
Blessings,
kayellen
Dropping back by to say, Happy New Year to you, Debbie, and Happy Mew Year to the kitty babies! ;-)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila
Great tradition.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy and healthy 2010!
Our blackeyed pea family says to yours...
ReplyDeleteRing the holiday bells...
And lift your glass high~
As we toast to your prosperity and good cheer this upcoming year!
May we forever be blogland friends.
Hi Debbie, wonderful tradition. Happy New Year my friend..you are such a blessing..hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!! I ate a sandwich today. Not too traditional!! Hugs
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for coming over and introducing yourself to me! Aren't we the lucky, or blessed, ones to have Kathysue as a friend! And now, she has sent you over...you must be pretty special! One thing we have in common is the french language. I went to school in Switzerland, in Montreux, after high school. It was a swiss finishing school, but I learned to speak french and had the time of my life!
I look forward to getting to know you this year. We're off to a great start!!!!
xo
Terri
Isn't it wonderful to continue the same tradition year after year. I don't know about you, but I find comfort in that...makes the menu planning easier. Your meal looks soooooo delish! So does Kitty!
ReplyDelete