Happy New Years, 2009

Well, have we managed to survive another year?  Yes, we have.

We all managed to get through Y2K.  Then, we had 9/11, which was a great tragedy for our country.  We've managed to live & continue to survive through the war on terrorism.   We are still at war in Afghanistan and Iraq.  One of our sons did 2 tours in Iraq.  He is now home; so we are thankful for that.  However, the Jihad continues to remain in force, and terrorist alert is at Orange.  We are now at 9 years into the new Millennium. 

In less than a month, our new president will be inaugurated.  The whole country has been in a recession for over a year before it was admitted to on the news.  We are already in an "economic crisis" & predicted to be heading for worse, possibly worse than the Great Depression. 

All this stuff going on in the world just reinforces the need to be prepared.  For what?  For anything that might come along.  Loss of job/loss of income are probably the two biggest things nowadays.  Being prepared just becomes more important every day. We have been in our new homestead for well over 3 years now, and it is coming right along.  It is more remote, more secluded, and even further out in the sticks - but we like it that way.

We can't wait to see what this next year brings!  Every day's a surprise, that's for sure.  Each year is all about new hopes and new dreams.  Each new year, they might be fulfilled this year.  If you have faith and you work hard at making your dreams come true, eventually, they do.  Hope your dreams are ALL fulfilled this year!

 You all have a Happy New Year, and so will we!

Traditional New Year's fare:

For luck with money, eat greens and black-eyed peas.  The greens represent greenbacks, and the black-eyes peas represent coins in the new year.  Ham or pork represents wealth and prosperity (never going hungry).  Potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables represent home, hearth, and family.  

This recipe is reported to bring good luck. Recipe from the collection of Joan Mershon

TRADITIONAL HOPPING JOHN

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients needed:

4 Bacon strips

1/4 c Onion,

diced 1/2 Bell pepper,

diced 1/2 Red bell pepper,

2 cups FRESH Black-eyed peas or purple hull peas -OR- 2 pk (10 oz) frozen black-eyed peas

1/2 cup Uncooked white rice

2 cups Water

Salt & pepper, to taste

Louisiana Hot Sauce or Tabasco sauce, to taste

Instructions: Dice bacon. Brown in Dutch oven with onion and peppers until bacon is crisp and vegetables are soft. Add peas and rice, then add water. Cover and simmer over very low heat about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. Salt & pepper to taste. Add a dash of hot sauce (to taste).

Have a Happy New Year, and May Good Luck Follow you Throughout the whole millennium!