New Years Day

Bitterly cold outside, with a wind-chill that took my breath away earlier, it's warm indoors.  Belle and I are following a tradition that her parents, and my parents followed. We're cooking.  Plain humble fare to remind us to be thankful, to be humble, and to give us strength.

Belle and I became engaged during a New Years celebration, in the minutes after midnight, January 1, 2003.  The next day, we announced our engagement with a meal of blackeyed peas, cabbage, and corn bread.  We still cook on New Year's Day, and our good friend, the honorable mayor of Pollock attends the feast.  Sometimes more folks, sometimes less, and today there will be simply we three.  We saw the kids yesterday, and while they were all invited, they deferred, having other plans.

I have removed the bone from the leftover Christmas ham.

The peas are done, but the cabbage is still cooking.  Cabbage cooks quickly, and Belle starts by frying a little seasoning ham in oil, then layers cabbage, onion, with a little salt. and occasionally just a pinch of sugar.  She'll add more as the cabbage "melts" down in the pot and in  an hour or so, she'll be ready to mix up her corn bread.

Good, clean white cabbage.  This will cook down nicely.

We'll spend the day hanging out with friends, and tonight go to church.  Today is rest, and tomorrow starts the working year.  I hope that 2018 is good to each of you, and this year is filled with laughter and love and challenge.

Happy New Year!