Anyways, back to New Years. I know it's a little late, but this is mostly for our family memories. For our "Year of the Holiday" I wanted to serve a traditional New Years Dinner. Turns out I was sick on New Years day and didn't end up making the traditional dinner until the next day. Same difference though, right?!
Matt's family always had a big breakfast New Years morning so he requested that we do the same. Here is our delicious breakfast. Among other things, I made donuts because many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXAIfFacqXI/AAAAAAAABqA/N6n45TVIlAs/s320/breakfast.jpg)
On to dinner! Everything I made had some significance. I read that if you eat poor on the first day of the year (or the second in our case) then you'll eat rich for the rest of the year. I made Hoppin' Johns with black-eyed peas, ham, and rice. Hog is considered lucky for prosperity and I also read that in some parts of the world rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXAIfKED6oI/AAAAAAAABp4/OF4ITu_LYwY/s320/hoppin+johns.jpg)
Collard greens are lucky because they are green, like money. And they are my new favorite veggie! I boiled these with water, bacon, and pepper and then we squeezed lime on it. Yum! I can't wait to make some more! I'm sure cooking it with the bacon takes away a little bit of the nutritional value, but it gives a really good flavor!
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXZhe8x4-UI/AAAAAAAABqI/QUW2rD_Yj3U/s320/collard+greens.jpg)
Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXAIeZyFPUI/AAAAAAAABpo/kAWpXfJ9MIQ/s320/cabbage.jpg)
That same day we also got our second visitor! Matt's dad drove in from Seattle to spend a few days with us. Hooray for visitors! We just love 'em! He also, along with a friend of Lexi's and Chris', got to enjoy our traditional feast. The kids friends ate most everything (even though I told them they didn't have to!) but I think they thought it was pretty strange!
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXZhfHyQM-I/AAAAAAAABqQ/MSB8sxptzaE/s320/g+and+a.jpg)
Grandpa Ray had some fun games up his sleeve! He brought Bingo and a box of presents for the winner to choose from which the kids thought was so much fun!
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXAIeFgvAVI/AAAAAAAABpg/IyYRT_XLShE/s320/bingo.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hf2yLM8sCGc/SXZhfH1mrRI/AAAAAAAABqY/8dVXsB7pNC0/s320/bingo2.jpg)
We all went to bed early because we had an adventure planned for the next day... stay tuned for more of those fun Rays Days!
2 comments:
Wow, you put so much thought into your food. Looks good. I am sure everyone had so much fun too. congrats on the 100th post. and don't think I won't take you up on that offer sometime. ;)
Heard about all of that food from Kels. Some of it she said was good. :) She had lots of fun and even got some sleep. :)
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