An Untraditional New Year

In the South we have a tradition of cooking black eyed peas for good luck, and greens or cabbage for an increased in money. Although I'm not superstitious, for years I have gone a long with the tradition... NOT THIS TIME!!!

After cooking and eating the traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, which was pretty much the SAME menu, I was ready for something different. My family felt the same way! I had the big idea to have a shrimp boil, and they were game. It was so simple!

Shrimp Boil

• Crab boil, or shrimp boil seasoning to taste
• 5 pounds new potatoes
• 3 packages of kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces                                
• 8 ears of corn
• 4 pounds of shrimp

1. In a large pot of water (can be done inside or out) add seasoning, and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, and sausage, and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the corn and shrimp, cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until shrimp are done.
2. Drain off the water, pour contents onto a table covered in newspaper, or on a platter. Dig in!

It was delicious! I think we've just started a new, New Year dinner tradition. But we can't wait till January 1, to have another shrimp boil!

Does your family have New Years traditions that you've strayed away from?

Recipe courtesy of All Recipes.com iPhone app.  


                      

Getting Rid Of ALL The Clutter

I've not made it an official New Years Resolution... but I'm declutter my life, one thing at a time. This weekend it was the attic. OMG, I threw a lot of shit stuff away! Today, I'm decluttering my Google Reader, and clicking "unsubscribe."

I'm not just going through all willy-nilly and unsubscribing blogs and websites. I'm unsubscribing to the blogs and sites that haven't posted in like FOREVER! Seriously, if a blogger or a website hasn't posted anything since 2010, or 2009, it's dead... and cluttering up my reader.

So, if you've not posted in a very long time, and I "unsubscribe" don't be offended. When you start posting again, I'll gladly resubscribe (is that a word?). Until then I'm destressing (again I don't think that's a word), and decluttering. Smooches!

Happy New Year!!!

I am looking forward to 2012, and all that it has in store. Today, I'm not looking back at all that I didn't accomplish in 2011, only looking a head. If you haven't guessed, I'm a half full kind of person, instead of half empty.

I also believe that there is a time and season for everything. Those things that didn't happen in 2011, weren't supposed to. The new year will hold it's own opportunities. And if those things I had planned for 2011, and I have planned for 2012 don't happen... they weren't meant to be... right now.

I am excited about new adventures, and possibilities, as well as continuing to grow those opportunities I've been fortunate to have already.

In 2011, I cooked some great food, met awesome people online and in real life, and had some wonderful experiences. And I blogged about it all. That being said... I am anxiously waiting 2012!

Happy New Year

I still can't believe, another year has come and gone, and I'm face to face with a brand new year. Twelve brand new months of opportunities, possibilities and adventures await me. Before I look forward, I have to look back.

2010 was great! I received my very first blogger award, and in the same year wrote my 100th (January), and 200th post (December). I embarked on a cooking adventure, Project What's For Dinner, and had the best Spring Break, Staycation EVER.

Mr. Husband gifted me with a FLIP video camera that I have used to record the kids, vlog, and make a video of my 2010 Race For The Cure experience. I even vlogged a four-day series of clearing a small landscaped plot in our yard. That turned out to be a huge undertaking.

One of the highlights of 2010, was Michelle Obama coming to town to speak at UAPB's graduation. Although I was peeping through a camera man's legs in order to see her... I was there!

I've learned so much about social media, and grown as a writer. Understanding where I fit in, my purpose and direction has been a huge boost of confidence. I became the Mayor of my WalMart on Foursquare, attended two blogger meetups in my area.

Jennifer James, has a quote by Donald Trump on her blog, "If you're going to be thinking, you might as well think big. Ready or not, 2011 here I come, full speed ahead.