A new year is before us. There are endless opportunities and possibilities and a fresh start! I’m sure most of you have traditions for the day; I certainly do. For me it’s a time of reflection and the memories made. It’s being thankful for what I have. It’s about the people in my life that matter. I want to spend my time wisely and not worry about the things I can not change. I want to be worthy of the life I have been given.

We are once again going to Aruba in January. It’s our favorite place to be. This year we have some new travelers coming to stay with us. We truly will be spending the New Year with the people we love, the people who matter most. Family and good friends, I can’t think of a better way to start 2019. Before we go, there are other traditions that need attention.

Once the New Year rings in I turn off the lights on my Christmas trees. They are dismantled in the morning and put away until next Christmas. A daunting chore but necessary. I am reminded by each ornament of time gone by. Some remind me of happy times. Some remind me of people who are no longer here. They are like a picture album full of memories. I cherish each and every one.

I also make a pot of black-eyed pea soup and some homemade bread. Black-eyed peas are said to bring good luck when eaten New Years Day. Who am I to argue?? My Grandmothers and my Mother always made it. It’s a tradition I like to carry on. It’s also pretty tasty and healthy.

I like to make mine in the Crock-Pot.  You can easily convert it to your Instant Pot or stove-top. If you use the Crock-Pot or IP you don’t have to soak the beans. Just rinse and sort them to make sure they are free of any stone or debris. The stove-top requires soaking them in water over-night.

I always have a fresh ham on Christmas. I save the bone and put that in the pot with the beans. It gives it a nice flavor. You could use bacon, a beef bone, chopped ham, or leave it out all together. I like to live by the “waste not, want not” theory. So in the pot the ham bone goes. You can also add chopped tomatoes and kale. It’s soup; make it yours!

[recipe title = “BLACK EYED PEA SOUP” serving = “6-8” time = “8 hours” difficulty = “easy”]

INGREDIENTS:

• 72.5 oz chicken broth
• 16 oz package of dry black-eyed peas
• 1 ham bone (optional) (can use diced ham or other meat of choice if desired)
• 4 medium carrots, 1 inch dice
• 2 stalks celery, 1 inch dice
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• OPTIONAL: chopped kale, canned tomatoes. (If using tomatoes, add them to the pot the last 15 minutes of cooking)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place all the ingredients in your Crock-Pot except for the tomatoes if using.
2. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low.

NOTE: if using canned tomatoes, (I like fire roasted), add them to the pot 15 minutes before the cooking time is up. Give it a good stir.

[/recipe]

Whatever your traditions are I wish you Happy New Year. Thanks for reading my thoughts and leaving comments. It’s nice to know someone is out there. Have a wonderful 2019.

Til next time

Ciao xoxo

Viki D