Jan. 1, 2009 - A New Year And Old Traditions
I have never really put much into the New Years traditions, but this year I give it a try . With the passing of my Grandmother a year ago many of our family traditions have been changed. It got me to thinking of starting new traditions for our family.
With New Years being the first official holiday of the year no better time to start . We are very rural so not a lot of events going on. We don't drink so no partying . I used to sit up and watch the Dick Clark New Years Count down, but with no Dick Clark it doesn't have the same flare. Add to that I am getting older and don't often stay awake that long...lol. Hubby won't stay up and watch it with me so that doesn't make it much fun. My daughter kept asking what we all meant by "the ball dropping". I decided to let her stay up and watch it.
There was however one tradition I knew I could handle...lol..the Southern New Years meal. There is a Southern saying " Eat poor on New Year's , eat fat the rest of the year." A Southern New Year's meal consist of black eyed peas, ham hocks, corn bread and collard greens. Each one of those has a significant meaning for the coming year.
The black eyed peas are thought to bring wealth because they look like little coins and swell when cooked.
The greens of course represent money .
The ham hocks represent prosperity .
Not sure what the corn bread represents other than it taste really good with all the above.
All these together are supposed to bring luck and financial prosperity for the coming year. Now who among us could not use some of that ?
I prepared black eyed peas, collard greens and bacon ends for our meal. Caroline and I were the only two to eat any.
Now with all this said I believe any blessing to come to my family in the New Year will come from God. I just thought it would be nice to help carry on old traditions and start some new ones for my family.
I wish each and everyone of you a New Year filled with many blessings.
I am curious how others reconized and celebrated the New Year. Please leave a comment and let me know what you did. I love learning how other families live.
Comments
Jan. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kristenph
Truthfully, we didn't do much of anything for the New Year. We got tired and went to bed! We do Yearly Reflections and Goals on Christmas Eve with my in-laws. (It's their old New Year's tradition moved to when everyone is together.) I think next year I'll let my older children stay up and I'll plan something special to do.
Jan. 3, 2009 - New Year's Dinner
Posted by karen0317
We were traveling on New Years Day, so I think we ate... Whataburger? LOL Being a southerner, I knew exactly what you meant about the humble new year's dinner that brings about prosperity. I suppose my family is in for a rough year financially! :-)
Jan. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by loripearce
Happy New Year! It is always nice to start new traditions. I have always heard about the special foods but didn't know the meanings behind them. I am glad you shared. We acutally celebrated east coast time with our kids (so 10:00pm here) they are little enough and didn't know any better except our oldest. Then we were able to put them to bed. If you are ever looking for new traditions with things just google it. Google is awesome you can find anything! LOL
Blessings in the new year,
Lori
Jan. 3, 2009 - Encouragment
Posted by loripearce
Vicki,
I want to encourage you strongly to look into Weight Watchers. My husband has always struggled with his weight, he has tried things off and on over the years with some working but the weight ends up going back on. We started weight watchers together in September (I have a total of about 45 pounds to lose from babies, my hubby needs to lose about 120lbs give or take.) In less than three months we both lost about 20 lbs. It is so easy and something we can stick with because it isn't a drastic diet. We do the on line program and don't go to any meetings. Check it out and if you have any questions I could go on and on about the ease of it.
Feel free to email me @ mommyto5blessings@gmail.com
Lori
Jan. 3, 2009 - New Years
Posted by twistedsisterinChrist
THis New Years Eve I decided to help at the church lock in for the youth group. My three younger boys were allowed to attend with me. We had such a blast that I know we will be doing this event for at least eight more years. Good, clean, wholesome fun for teenagers and adults alike, and a worship service and sermon to kick the new year off right.
Twisted
