Hoppin' in to 2014

New Year's Day is a pretty important holiday in our house as it not only signifies a fresh start, but is also our wedding anniversary.  Graham and I are celebrating nine years!

After getting all gussied up last night for a fantastic New Year's Eve, one might conclude that today was a bit of a bore, but I'd say it was pretty nearly perfect.  Graham started a roaring fire this morning around 8 and we read books and relaxed there until near noon while the kids played amazingly well with each other downstairs.

 Henry and Maddox were the official "cookie nabbers" of the morning as they disguised themselves in various forms so that the real oatmeal cookie thieves would remain a mystery.  (Um, mystery solved).
Meanwhile, Harper changed into countless princess costumes and sang songs from the Frozen soundtrack, a movie she has yet to see but believes in her heart she is Anna, the Norwegian princess.  We stayed in our jammies until 3 o'clock and then finally ventured out for a walk in the woods at nearby Wilderness Battlefield where we stayed until dark.

Then it was home to make a New Year's Day dinner, the traditional southern Hoppin' John.  The main staple of the dish is black eyed peas, said to bring good luck and prosperity if eaten on New Year's Day.  The history of this interesting tradition dates back to the Civil War and can be found here.  Though the peas are somewhat of an aquired taste, I tweaked the Hoppin' John recipe based on what I had in the pantry and fridge, and the kids didn't even seem to mind.  In fact, they searched for peas in the dish after they determined that they indeed brought good luck.  

Hoppin' John (Crouch style)

1 box dirty rice

1 cup pancetta, diced

3 tbsp butter

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups black-eyed peas (I did from dried beans, but you could just buy a can too)

1.  Cook rice according to directions on box.  Heat pancetta in separate pan.

2.  Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat.  Add celery, pepper, onion, and garlic and saute until vegetables are tender (5-7 min).  Stir in rice, peas, and pancetta and saute a minute more.  Add hot sauce!  Enjoy!

So, if New Year's Day determines the direction of the year ahead, I'd say we are looking forward to a (slightly) more calm, relaxed, and favorable year.  And that's okay by me.  Happy 2014!