Black eyed Pea Casserole and a year of luck?

 

January 1st was a day to catch back up on things.  Laundry was caught up, Hubby finished replacing the brakes on the truck, I mended a shirt, and cleaned up "party central" in the kitchen. 

We started the new year by trying a new recipe.  Had to laugh though.  It was a crock pot recipe, and all day I thought it was not.  I had to make a few changes and wha-la, black eyed pea casserole baked in the oven.  It tasted good too.  Original recipe is online with Food.com.  I used fire roasted tomatoes and added my own jalapeno's that I froze (and cooked along with the ground beef and onions first).  Healthy and delicious.  Will it bring us good luck all year?  I guess we'll find out.  I've never been one to believe in such things, but after last year it was worth a try.

My new 2021 planner is being filled up with plans of travel, and a bright shining year of possibilities.  The weather was absolutely miserable yesterday with pouring down rain, dreary, cold, and lots of ice.  It was a perfect day to set out some plans for entire year.  Yeah, I know we may have to cancel some, but I am prepared (2020 gave us experience for sure).

January for starters will be my time to get back on track with regular exercise.  Funny how it really is the month they over advertise it too, but I'm finally out of my "funk" after Dad passed.  However, I cannot (I repeat cannot) watch a funeral on TV (When Calls the Heart) without bawling.

I know we will be busy this year regardless, with a long list of home renovations, painting, coop building etc.  I still have a root cellar and green house on the list.  Root celler is iffy as we my have limestone and cannot dig.  It's been on the wish list forever, but things happen.  Weather happens.  Work happens and so forth.  I'm still looking forward to whatever we do accomplish.

I have a new journal to start the year off with too.  You all know I have a journal for just about everything.  It's a gratitude journal, but it involves doodling, and stickers and a whole lot of fun.  I bought each of the girls one too.  Each week involves a random act of kindness too.

The beginning of 2021

It's a new year!  The beginning of something new I hope for all of us.  I spent yesterday (New Year's Eve Day) driving my 21 year-old to her therapy and surgery.  She had the pins removed from her hand.  She is completely healed and has no restrictions using her hand.  So thankful for that.  

Today, I am making black eyed pea casserole for dinner.  It just sounded good.  I'm thinking of rolling out the pastry cloth and making us some biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

I inherited this door from my Dad.  He was a pharmacist.  It's very old.  I grew up working in the store.  The store had a fountain, photo center, cigar counter, penny candy and sold other items.  The fountain (what we called it) is where there were booths to sit and eat, and a long counter with seats to sit and eat.  We sold sandwiches, ice cream, snacks, soda etc.  We had the best hot fudge sundaes.  Anyway, Dad's pharmacy had a swinging door for years until we got robbed (at night when it was closed) and Dad had to enclose the pharmacy with glass and a door that locked.  One daughter had a grand idea.  She said it would be a great door for a room where my medicinals (natural remedies) would be kept (my dried teas, tinctures, etc).  She said it was my own sort of pharmacy.  I just have to figure out where and how.  I just love the idea of it.

A closer look at the colors in the bathtub rag rug.  It just makes me smile, so I am so glad I got it finished.  We need more "happy" in the home right now.

I bought myself a new 2021 planner and already have things planned.  Hoping and praying the new year is much better than 2020.  Happy New Year!