Saturday:) New Year’s Day Superstitions and Resolutions

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”

~Vern McLellan

***************

I’ve completed the first item on my very short list of New Year’s resolutions. There were only 2.

The first was to stay in my jammies all day, sipping green tea, when I had no pressing engagements. The second was to never make more than one New Year’s resolution.

Done and Done!

I do have a few New Year’s traditions that I like to follow, though. I have a GOOD JAR that I place little notes to myself of good things that happened throughout the year, along with notes that others have placed inside. I also put my lucky pennies and coins that I find. On January 1st, I read all the notes and smile.

Everyone should try this. It’s really a great idea.

Another tradition that I adopted when I moved to Texas was eating black eyed peas for good luck on New Year’s Day. . I make my homemade Texas Caviar. Some know the back story for the tradition, and some don’t.

My secret ingredient is Bernard’s Jalepeño Habanero Salsa. I just add about 3 tablespoons for a huge pot of roasted corn, onions, diced tomatoes, black eyed peas, black beans, and northern beans, and apple cider vinegar. It’s pretty potent stuff. 🌶

“The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. Originally they were used as food for livestock and later as a food staple for enslaved people in the South. Because of their lowly reputation, the Union Army troops of General Sherman ignored the fields of black-eyed peas while razing or stealing other crops. During the harsh winter, the Confederate soldiers survived on the remaining black-eyed peas, promoting this humble and nourishing legume into a symbol of fortune and prosperity in the American South.”

Now, to finish out my day and resolutions. I’m sitting in my jammies, sipping wine, eating black eyed pea/corn salsa (Texas Caviar) with chips, binge watching “Yellowstone.” A good way to start off the New Year.

Happy New Year, my friends. May all your dreams come true. Dream BIG!

Friday:) Fabulous New Year Ahead

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

– Edith Lovejoy Pierce

*********************

When I woke up this morning, I knew that today, January 1, would be the start of a bright new beginning. The relentless rain of the past couple of days had stopped, it was cold and cloudy, but my heart was warm and optimistic. Sounds schmaltzy, I know, but “My perception is my reality.” It’s going to be an awesome year.

As per my tradition, New Year’s Day is the day I pour out all my little messages and good thoughts out of my GOOD JAR. Several years ago, I saw this neat concept of starting a good jar to write down good things that happened during the year. I painted it myself, of course. I also asked friends and loved ones to add a little note when they visited. It’s heartwarming to read all the comments, accolades and loving messages on January 1. I even store my lucky pennies and coins that I find along the way. When I’m done reminiscing over the year’s awesome events and friendships, I put the notes in a small ziplock bag and label with the year. Then, time to start anew, with a brand new clean slate. An empty jar that soon will be filled with more beautiful memories.

Here’s one of the many ideas for starting your own tradition.

I’m looking forward to opening the new book with blank pages. I get to write the chapters myself, and my many friends will be the characters, (I know quite a few characters) and my family will brighten the pages with the joy they bring. This is my story and it will be …. AMAZING!

Happy New Year, my friends!