WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEAR'S TRADITION?

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason it has become common for people to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed the first visitor on New Year's Day would either bring in good luck or bad luck for the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that person happened to be a tall dark-haired man. NOW THAT'S LUCKY!!

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring good luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring brings good luck because it symbolizes "coming full circle", completing a year's cycle. For that reason the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's day will bring good fortune.

Many parts of the U. S. celebrate the new year by consuming black eyed peas.NO, NOT THEM!!

These legumes are accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black eyed peas or other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures.
The hog and its meat are considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's day by many. Cabbage leaves are considered a sign of prosperity, representative of paper currency.
In some regions, rice is another lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

Whatever your tradition, I hope you have fun. May it bring luck and prosperity to you this year!

CHEERS TO YOU, 2010!
TO MY BLOG FRIENDS, I SEND YOU A WISHBONE FOR GOOD LUCK, PROSPERITY, GOOD FORTUNE AND THE BEST OF HEALTH
MAY 2010 BRING ALL THE BEST THINGS YOU DESIRE TO YOU THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

GOING GREEN THIS CHRISTMAS

There are so many beautiful ways to decorate for the holidays using natural elements. Evergreens such as pines, firs, boxwood, hollies, and junipers are so traditional. You can mix them for an interesting, textural look all over your home. Use them inside and outside to give a festive look without spending a lot of money. Why not add fruit, pine cones, twigs or shells to add color and interest? Bright colorful ribbons give the greens a great finishing touch.

Now that we only have a week before the big day, I'm going to start spreading my greens all around the house. I try to hold off as long as possible since the heat in the house tends to dry them out. I hope to stretch it out until New Years day, but by then it's pretty much seen it's day. The fruits look great in glass jars, canisters and over sized vases. You can float cranberries in water with candles too for pretty colorful look. Just remember to change the water often. For special events only lasting a few hours, freeze the cranberries in molds for a festive center piece. Don't discount milk cartons and plastic recycle-able containers as your molds...bonus... they're free! I hope you have fun going green this holiday in your own special way!

HAVE FUN!