New Year’s Day makes me think of this song:
So, let’s get it started, shall we? Welcome, 2012!
How did you celebrate the new year? We rang in the new year with friends. Our friends Kevin and Alice hosted a Bunco New Year’s Eve party. I had never played Bunco before, but I was reassured that it was, in fact, very easy.
Turns out it IS easy. My luck was not great—I won $10 for the most losses. So… unlucky… but also lucky! :)
Of course the traditional midnight toast followed.
The night was lots of fun, even though I was reminded that I am not as young as I once was. But it was fun pretending.
I pretty much slept through breakfast, so I started with lunch.
This is what I am calling a “Hummus Bowl” and it may be my new favorite lunch. It’s pretty simple. I put 2 Tbsp. of Hummus in a bowl and then threw in stuff on top (tomatoes, cucumbers, feta), and ate it with these Pita Rounds. Very tasty. And so pretty.
I had to conserve my cooking energy because I was planning a big dinner with the traditional NYD eats: pork, collards, black-eyed peas, and cornbread.
Everything turned out so delicious. I slow-cooked pork shoulder until it literally fell off the bone.
See? It literally fell off.
The black-eyed peas simmered while I worked on my collard greens. I used this recipe last year for Kickin Collard Greens and it was amazing so I went with it again. I have had collards different places, but I am telling you… this is the BEST recipe I have ever tasted. If you are scared to try cooking greens, try this recipe. The flavor is delicious, due to onion, garlic, bacon, and red pepper! Plus, I used my own homemade chicken stock! (Proud moment for me!)
Two hours of cooking=20 minutes of actual eating and lots of dishwashing. But that’s ok. And according to tradition , we’ll have luck and money this year. Works for me!
By the way, have I mentioned that Ryan and I are trying to participate in Eat-In Month again this year? My friend Diana hosts this challenge each year. We made it through about 2-3 weeks last year and then we (I) caved. We’re hoping to make it through the month this year. (We do make a few exceptions—dinner at church each Wednesday, and Sadie’s got a birthday this month, so that may be an exception, too.) Would you like to join in? It’s a great way to start the year with saving money and eating healthier after the holidays.
Happy New Year to ALL of you! I look forward to a new year of blogging, cooking, dancing, and snapping photos!
