Happy New Year one and all.

We are blessed each January 1st to have a fresh new year ahead of us. Like a book with unwritten pages. Pages we can fill with what we want to be there. Of course there may be a few footnotes along the way but it's your book....so make it one that will make you happy!!!

Today is also one filled with traditions and being from the South....boy...do we have some traditions to uphold today. I already have a small pot of black eyed peas a cooking, some greens and later on will be adding to our New Year's day dinner some corn bread and pork chops. Now most, no matter where you're from probably know why we eat all these things today but just in case you don't...well....let me tell ya. The peas represent pennies we want to have during the year, the greens represent well of course "green" as in dollars, the corn bread represents gold (who doesn't want gold, eh?) and pork well that represents moving forward. Piggies root always in a forward motion and moving forward is a good thing, especially in a new year. Keep the past in the past and that brings another tradition in mind. Did ya take down those Christmas decorations before the 1st? My grandmother use to say to always remember to take them down no later than Dec 31st because you don't want the old year following ya into the new. A very good point for some of us, ri iight?? A new one I learned when the mister and I got married was one that his momma was very strict about. Never and she would stress NEVER do any clothes washing on the 1st because if you did, you were washing a loved one right outa your life. Not sure about this one but just to be on the safe side, I always make sure all the laundry is done on the 31st and not a stitch more is done until after the 1st. I know that may sound silly but HEY....traditions, some are not made to be broken!! (at least I know I'm not going to tempt fate)

This time of the year brings those loved ones I've lost (temporarily....I will see them again) to mind more for me than just about any other time. I guess because it is a new year starting and one that I know they are not going to be here for. I have learned to let my heavy heart and sadness go and remember all the good memories and that is a wonderful way to walk into a new year. One memory I would like to share with YOU is one that you could make part of your new year's day feast. My big mama's heavenly corn bread recipe. Now of course she made this more than just new year's day because I don't think I ever spent a January 1st with her but she did make it each time we came to visit and "Boy oh Boy" (smacking my lips) was it good. There were times I just ate corn bread and milk. (the corn bread was in my glass of milk too...makes it taste even better..hehe) Here's the recipe so you can just find out for yourself how good.

Ingredients needed:
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt

Directions to make:
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square pan.
*Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well      blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture. Stir in cornmeal, flour and salt until well blended and a few lumps remain. (which means don't over mix) Pour batter into 8 inch square pan.
*Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Eat and enjoy!!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful, prosperous and adventure filled 2014 year. I hope that you will come here and visit often too throughout the year. YOU are always welcome!!!

Until next time............Hugs,
Regi