New Year’s Traditions

The first Pizza and Pie of the year happens to be on New Year’s Evening.  While I feel the need to honor my Southern roots by having some form of blackeyed peas, hamhock, and greens on New Year’s Day, my family doesn’t exactly share my feelings.  No one really likes any of the above in the traditional forms.  So, I change things around a bit, and share stories of my Alabama born grandparents while serving food they would never have eaten. 

Black-eyed peas make an appearance as a dip served with tortilla chips.  Ham hock is really left over Christmas ham served up with fresh spinach (it’s sort of a green) on a pizza.  The original New Year’s tradition supposedly comes from a farmer eating the last food he had in the house (black-eyed peas with ham hock and greens) before returning to post hole digging and discovering a cache of coins buried in the ground.  I guess we honor the spirit of the tradition by using what we have to get everyone fed.

Blackeyed Pea Dip

1 can blackeyed peas (drained and rinsed)

1 small can white whole kernel corn

2 Tbsp. chopped red onion

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp.  agave nectar

1 Tbsp.  red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Mix all ingredients well and chill.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

You can double or triple if your family will eat more than a token amount. 🙂

Cheaper Eucalyptus Baths

I love those eucalyptus scented baby bath oils by Johnson and Johnson.  The only problem is I can easily use a bottle in about three baths which leads to expensive comfort during a cold.  Did I mention I don’t have a baby and I use them for myself or my older kids?  Anyway, a cheaper way to get the same luxurious smell is to go to your local health food or aromatherapy store and get some eucalyptus essential oil.  Add  a FEW drops to a bathtub of warm/hot water.   Essential oils directly on the skin can be irritating, but a few drops in a tub of water is sufficiently diluted.  Enjoy this cozy comfort knowing you are saving money as well.

Frankenstein’s Monster’s Neck Bolts

My 9 year old daughter wants to be Frankenstein’s monster for Halloween.  We can pull together a pretty good costume with left over dance costumes and just cast off clothing.  We are still pondering the hair, but I think I have an idea for the neck bolts.  I’m going to get some magnetic tape and make it into a necklace then stick a couple of short bolts on the sides.  As long as she is careful and doesn’t wipe out anyone’s hard drive by standing too close I think we can pull it off.  Photos to follow once the idea actually comes to life.

Franken-Bag

 

 

Recycle a child’s t-shirt into a cool trick-or-treat bag.

You will need:

•   A cast off t-shirt
•   Scraps of felt  
• Random Buttons
• Black thread
• Basic sewing supplies

 

 

 

 

 

Use a plate to mark where to cut the sleeves and neck.

Sew on hair and facial features cut from felt. Don’t worry too much, Dr. Frankenstein didn’t.

Turn inside out and stitch the bottom closed.

You can fold and stitch as pictured for a squared off bottom.

Ready for Candy. Don’t forget to brush.

                                                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Pie

This is my husband’s favorite pie. It was his grandmother’s recipe. I wrote it down as she dictated because it wasn’t written down anywhere.

I think it is a little different from other chocolate pie recipes and it is a world apart from pudding/pie mix.
You can make it on the stove-top, but I also make it in the microwave.
You need a baked pie shell. (In another post we will tackle how to make pie crust — it’s easy really.)
Filling: 1 can evaporated milk and enough water to equal 2 cups.
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
3 eggs separated
Mix the dry ingredients and add to the milk. Warm.
Add a small amount of the milk mixture to the beaten egg yolks (this keeps the hot liquid from cooking the eggs)
Simmer until thick. Pour into baked pie shell.
Whip egg whites until stiff. Gradually add 4 tablespoons of sugar.
Top pie with meringue and brown in 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or until merigue is browned.