posted on December 31, 2000 10:22:38 PM new
Every January 01 for as long as I can remember it's been a family tradition to have black eyed peas with at least one meal. The idea is that it's supposed to bring good luck for the new year. Without them, you're doomed! I can't say they've ever done a thing for us... Still, we'll be having them tomorrow... just in case. Do any of you have any January 01 family superstition/traditions?
posted on December 31, 2000 10:37:56 PM new
Hi Calamity - Good to see ya/talk to ya again! I have to admit that until a few years ago I thought "everyone" knew to have black eyed peas on New Years day... My husband says I need to get out more. LOL
He loves the Explorer - it's a 99 with 26,000 miles on it - so isn't new new - but it's in great shape. My dream car is the PTCruiser - I've never seen a car I wanted before but that ones on my list now. I love anything that looks old, so it caught my fancy.
posted on December 31, 2000 10:39:18 PM new
Every January 1 (since I've been a teenager) I've set aside part of the day to review my financial situation, make sure everything is in order and records are up to date, and then to set targets for the coming year. Must sound dull but I need to set goals. I enjoy the challenge of trying to meet them.
posted on December 31, 2000 10:46:48 PM new
Hi Irene - That sounds like a good New Years Resolution for me to adopt... getting more organized and setting goals. I set them - but never on paper... then I forget about them and just bump into walls as usual. Happy New Year! Still, no black eyed peas? Where are all the black eyed pea people???? LOL
posted on December 31, 2000 11:07:47 PM new
Mybiddness,We bought our blackeyes early.The
Stores run out every New Year.We add a ham hock.Maybe this is a Texas tradition.It is suppose to bring wealth,And happiness all year long.
posted on December 31, 2000 11:26:51 PM new
1. Eat black eyed peas.
2. Review financial situation.
3. More black eyed peas. Lots more.
Serendipity & Peace...
posted on January 1, 2001 12:08:12 AM new
Oh well I will ask. What are Black eyed peas? I asked my husband, and he said that they are some kind on pea. Well no kidding, I already figured that out, but are they fresh or dried.
junquemama, you said that you add ham hock to them, we have what we call split pea and ham soup, I am wondering if it is the same thing. Maybe we just call it a different name. Mind you not many Australians would be eating it while it is so.. hot. It is definitely a cold weather meal.
posted on January 1, 2001 01:45:59 AM new
An old tradition in our family was that of "First Foot".
What the tradition maintaned was that if the first visitor to your home after midnight on New Years Eve had with them a piece of coal, then good luck and well being would be guaranteed for the next twelve months.
All my family have their origins in the North of England, so I'm wondering if this custom is a variant of the Black Eyed Peas tradition?
Bob, Downunder but never down.
posted on January 1, 2001 04:56:36 AM new
mybiddness,
Yes to the black-eyed peas.
Mother always had them with ham hocks on New Year's Day. I didn't like them then but I can't remember what they tasted like. Do you know if they taste anything like purple hull peas or crowder peas?
Onezippyone,
I just have to ask. Are you also Zip elsewhere?
Stockticker,
Now that sounds like a good idea.
Calamity,
We got a 2000 Explorer last year after we out grew our extended cab Toyota we bought when dh retired thinking we would keep it for 5 or 6 years. We forgot to factor in one thing, make that two and soon to be 3, Grandchildren!
We started buying Bronco's then went to the Bronco II then the Explorer's and except for 2 Toyota's inbetween that is all we have driven. I just wish we had the 4 door one but the Explorer fits us as a cross between a truck and a car because we need this type of vehicle for where we live.
nettak,
I hope I got your name right. No, split pea soup is completely different. I know you can buy them dry like pinto beans or in cans already cooked. To me, they along with the crowder peas and purple hull peas would fit better in the bean category but maybe it's because to me all Peas should be green.
I have forgotten who mentioned the coal but I have heard of that. I never knew anyone that actually tried it though. Maybe that is why my luck is why it is. I wonder if it is possible to buy one lump of coal?
posted on January 1, 2001 05:28:24 AM new
Black eyed peas are a white bean with a black spot on it. They are a little grainier than a
great northern or other white bean but not as
gritty as a lima bean. The cooked liquid gets a little grey tone from the spot I guess.
I see them dry bagged and in cans cooked.
They are a staple of Southern (US) and/or black cooking. If you eat them with rice it is called Hoppin' John.
There are variations. Almost always some kind of pork but some people like red pepper, some like onion,some celery.
Maybe I should list some on eBay for people in other countries. I had a fellow who goes to Japan tell me a lot of tourists take rice back home because it is not subject to duty as a carry off and costs about $2.00 a pound there. I can buy it for $.25/lb.
I see stores around here pushing corned beef/cabbage and pigs feet as traditional foods, but have no idea of the origins.
posted on January 1, 2001 06:01:42 AM new
We always make bean soup from the leftover ham bone from Christmas dinner. The bean dry bean soup mix I buy has 15 different types of beans in it, one of which is black-eyed peas, so we had ours yesterday.
As far as New Years, tradition in this area is pork and sourkraut. We'll have that for dinner today.
I also review our financial status, throw out old utility bills, start a new folder for 2001 taxes etc.
posted on January 1, 2001 06:11:19 AM new
On New Year's Eve, my grandmother would clean her house, sweep the floors, and pile the dust near the back door. At the stroke of midnight, she would open the back door, sweep out the old dust, close the door, then go open the front door to let the New Year in.
This appears to be a Scandinavian custom. I've also heard of a variation in which the old broom is tossed out the back door along with the dust, and a new broom is sitting ready on the front porch for entry with the New Year.
As for the Southern blackeye pea tradition: The spot on the eye of the pea represents a coin. For each pea you eat, you will be a penny richer in the new year. Greens (collards, turnips, spinach) are often eaten with the peas to represent "folding money."
posted on January 1, 2001 07:33:47 AM new
SilkMoth,
Thank you for explaining why the black-eyed peas are eaten for luck and the spinach.
Wonderful traditions from all.
Meya,
That 15 different bean soup sounds like what I make called Hillybilly Beans only in the recipe I use little smoked sausages for the meat, tomatoes , onion and a little vinegar or at least that is what I am recalling.
posted on January 1, 2001 08:14:05 AM new
Here in Northeast Florida we ate blackeyed peas cooked with hamhock, collard greens and cornbread on New Year's Day. According to my mother, it was suppose to bring you money in the New Year. Still waiting for the money to come rolling in.
posted on January 1, 2001 08:22:07 AM new
On a news program the other day a chef said her family always eats ham on New Years because a pig cannot look back, only forward.
Two years ago my daughter suggested changing our Christmas tree to a winter tree around New Year's Day. Removing the ornaments and adding snowflakes and icicles. She had gotten the idea from a magazine. But, last year we got our artificial tree up, and never decorated it. And this year, because we no longer have the fake one, we didn't go out and purchase a live/cut one at all. Kids decided to just use our 36" bird & nest decorated tree and a smaller natural tree we have instead. Guess that new tradition will have to wait. They are busy enjoying their college boy/girl friends and I wasn't up to it. Have a very happy day....LabRat4
posted on January 1, 2001 08:45:09 AM new
There's a superstition that you shouldn't do laundry, iron clothes, or sew on New Years Day. Something about whatever you do on the first day of the year you're doomed to do for the rest of the year. I don't know the origin of the superstition but my mother practices faithfully. She also calls Mrs. Pat every year to remind her not to engage in such activity on this day.
But I've always wondered about the logic to this one. After all, everyone does plan to keep their clothes clean, pressed and in good repair for the rest of the year, don't they?
Good to see you again. Sorry I've been so scarce. It is difficult to be away from my favorite people.
Gotta run out to get green leafies. Precious little chance of setting the trends I'd like to see for the year. Must not be time yet. Might as well eat. And avoid wrenching today, which I was actually considering. Dang van is in the shop for an indeterminate time. I'm living kinda rough. Choosing my own way, though. Look back sometimes, but not turning around.
Serendipity & Peace...
Because a picture conveys with an eloquence that I am not up to.
[ edited by onezippyone on Jan 1, 2001 09:46 AM ]
posted on January 1, 2001 07:46:04 PM new
Spent the day with relatives and enough black eyed peas to feed an army. I'm good to go for 2001.
I accidently learned about another superstition while I was there from a relative of a relative (at least twice removed I think)
I walked in and dropped my purse on the floor and this crazy woman I had NEVER even met before rushed over like a mad dog - swooped it up and informed me that it was bad luck to put your purse on the floor.
That was a new one for me.
junquemama - yes, definitely a ham hock has to go in the pot!
posted on January 1, 2001 09:35:16 PM new
mybiddnes
You are surely doomed! Dropping that purse will be the end all of you.
Pat,
Okay, I am safe! No washing, ironing, mending. Thank goodness. Laundry is not my favorite but my d who has been visiting will be doing laundry for the rest of the year. I don't think my washer can hang on much longer but apparently I don't have to worry about that.
Hi zip,
Nice to see you! Actually see you that is. Hang in there all will come together soon.
femme,
Well I am doomed. I decided that today was a holiday so:
I am still in pj's
No pockets, no money
Didn't clean house
Didn't cook, dh did it
Watched a movie
Talked to friends and relatives
Had the grandchildren until noon
Children's parents finally came to pick them up after a fun night.
I did eat.
Some would call it laziness. I prefer to call it TB after celebrating until 12:30a.m. with a 23 month gs and a 4 yr old gd. They had a late nap. We didn't and I feel like I partied on drinks rather than punch.
Good grief, are we to have the grandchildren 24/7 and dh paid bills tonight!
This thread is entirely too much to deal with.:lol
On a much more serious note.
Dh always gets a call around this time of year from a friend that he met in boot camp in the Marine Corp and then went to VietNam at almost the same time.
The call tonight told dh that he has lung cancer and a 40% survival chance. A sad night for a brave man.
posted on January 1, 2001 10:54:43 PM new
Shar9, Everyone deserves a day of staying in their jammies. I tried it out a few days ago and when hubby commented I told him that I'd tried to think of a good reason I should get dressed... but couldn't - so, there ya go.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dh friend. Lung cancer can be so cruel. Hang in there - prayers ascending.
