Nashville Hoppin' John

A tradition in my family, and most other Southern ones, is that we eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year's Day for good luck in the coming year.  The only problem is that I have never had a spouse or child who likes these little legumes as much as I do. In fact, they hate them.  But in my wonderful generosity, I am going to share a very old recipe with you in the hopes that someone out there might want some luck for 2009.  I know I need all of it I can get.

2 cups dried black eyed peas

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 green pepper chopped

1 clove garlic chopped

crushed red pepper or Tabasco to taste

5 cups water (or more)

1/4 pound boiling pork (you can use bacon or pancetta as well)

2 1/2 cups rice (I use brown, but white is traditional)

2 tablespoons canola oil (I sometimes omit depending on the pork)

Cover beans with water and soak overnight.  Drain and rinse when ready to cook.  Place first 6 ingredients in heavy pan and bring to a boil, then simmer until beans are tender.  Then add pork and rice and cook until rice is done. Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve to everyone needing some luck!

There is also a tradition that if someone finds a dime in the bottom of their bowl, that they will have a great financial year as well.

Another thing I am adding to my chances this year is a little service that my church is having later today.  We are being invited for a small service to say goodbye to 2008 and welcome a new, hopeful year.  At the end of the service, we are going to write down everything we want to get rid of, and there is going to be a fire pit as we leave where we can burn the bad things!  I am writing my list, and will take any of your 'stuff' too if you leave me a comment.  I figure between myself and you all, we could create quite the bonfire!

But now, I am going to go get my beans so I can soak them tonight.

Be safe, everyone, and I'll see you next year.

Love, Mental P

God Bless Us Every One.

As promised:

And....

Thank you so much for your donation to The Humane Society of
the United States (HSUS). With your donation, you've joined
millions of others from around the world who share our
vision of a truly humane society. Your receipt information
appears below.

Thank You!

I'm a little tired what with all the Blogoversary celebrating, but want to thank you all--today I am sending $100 to both the Humane Society and the ASPCA.  Even better, Flash Stitcher is matching a donation as well.  Dora and Noelle want to thank you, too.  They know what it's like to finally get to your Forever Home.  And don't mind Noelle.  She's shy.

Now I have to deal with these animals today.

They are eating me out of birdseed and home.

But, truly, thanks again for your support.

Double.....

Please spread your comment love.....I am holding my animal love fest open through the 30th,  and I will take challenges.  Like you, Tommy;) Please leave a comment, and I will give to the HSUS ,and I will also donate the same amount to the ASPCA.  I am willing to double my donations. Anyone want to match me?

I love my helpless, fellow travelers.  You? 

Dora thanks you.  She was a rescue pup--abandoned at birth and sent to New York as a baby dog.  She is our special baby pup,  and she wishes every puppy and kitten a safe haven today.  Please help out.

Who Knew?

Today is my one-year blogoversary.   Who knew I would stick with this for 12 months and 411 posts?  Who knew I would learn how to take pictures and post them?  Who knew I would learn how to make a hot link, like this?  Who knew I would be addicted to learn how to do Blogger strikethroughs?

But the last thing I knew when I started this blog was that I was about to make some amazing friends.  Thank you all for coming along for the ride.  I hope we spend many more years together doing what we do best....read, write, sigh, cry and laugh.

Love to you all, Mental P.

And now, some memories from the past year...

I like shoes

I like Cabo and cocktails

I like a little Mickey D's at times

I don't like these

I like these.  Sometimes.

The Mental P Mallards

Laundry oops

Disposal oops

Friendly Bird

The Finch Wars

 A truce

We play bridge

Squazz plays on his bike

Company

Mama's boy

Boy's laundry

Boy's 'project'

 sigh

Mama's peeps

Flea's gift!

Mama's new toy

In honor of our big day -- and Dora, Noelle and Cupid --the Mental P Pets,  and all our bloggy pets out there, I will donate a dollar to The Humane Society of the United States for every comment made here today (until midnight EST).  Share the love!

Perspective

Joyful, joyful, joyful,

as only dogs know how to be happy

with only the autonomy

of their shameless spirit.

--Pablo Neruda

Scoreboard

The Holidays  1

Mental P Mama  0

The puppies are gone and their webcam is quiet.

I concede and am going to take a nap.

See you later;)

source

Boo-Yah

Santa came through.

Now I need someone to come over and show me how to do this.

I have plenty of wine to share.

Merry Christmas

May your day be merry and bright.

A Christmas Card for my Girlfriends

Love, Mental P

Mama's Grocery Store Adventure

It is a sad day when you come home from the grocery store and photograph your favorite purchases.  But I can't help myself.  

Whole wheat!

Fiber!

Chewable!

I'll spare you the shot of the Lemon Flavored Cod Liver Oil.  

But trust me, I have it.  

Grocery confessions anyone?

Arlington at Christmas

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell,

the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell!

Originally posted at Christmas at FreedomFolks

With much love, respect and regard for those who have given their lives for us.  For those who continue to make the sacrifice.  And for those who will.

40 Years Ago Today

40 years ago today was the last day of school for the year.

I was in third grade, and very excited this Christmas.

Not only was Santa due in a few days,

but my mother was in the hospital this very day.

And I was sure she was bringing me a baby sister.

I already had a younger brother.

He was of no use to me.

So when I got home and was informed that I had another baby brother?

I cried.

I sat down and had myself a big ol' pity party.

Little did I know, that in a few short days,

I would have my own doll.

And I have never looked back.

Happy 40th Birthday Baby Lamb!

Enjoy your day.

I love you.

Did Someone Say Snow?

Here's the update:

I'd say we have about six inches right now.

And we may be half way through this.

But I am a Connecticut Yankee now.

I can handle anything.

Right?

So, Annie and Jules came to pick me up.

Annie kept her eyes on me the whole way to lunch.
Lunch.
Home.
Pretty?
Augie makes himself useful.
Holiday Inn.
The Bird's eye view.

That inflatable Santa is across the street and buried.
Look at that boy go!
Oh.  What are these?
Meanwhile, The Bird is busy.

Making a mess.
I have a pork roast in the crock pot.

I have a nice supply of olive juice.

I may be baking soon.

Life is good.

Happy Friday, everyone!

The Snow Day

All the weatherpeople have been atwitter for days.

Big snow coming today.

The Bird's school was cancelled yesterday.

Augie's exams were called off at 5:30 this morning.

And the snow?

Not so much as a flake.

Is 10 AM too early for a drink?

I'll keep you posted during the day.

I know how curious you'll be.

This-n-That Thursday

Rattling around in my head this week:

• I never knew what a ponzi scheme really was until last Friday.
• And along those lines, am I the only one who sees the sick irony in the name Madoff?
• Every time I see a Smart Car, I smile.
• It's never too late to get in the swing of things.
• I don't sift flour.  Ever.  And I'm not sorry.
• While we're at it, what is "figgie pudding" and do I really want someone to bring it to me?
• I am getting my Google MD in all things thyroid.
• Two dogs are a lot more work than one.  I am sorry.
• Does anyone else like that SkyMall catalogue as much as I do?
• I love the Christmas music on the Weather Channel.
• What exactly is the swing of things?
• I am obsessed with this hippo mom.

And I wonder what this means.  Psychologically.