I Resolve

Those darn resolutions... we all have good intentions don't we? At some point some of us are better at them than others. The ones chosen last year lasted for more than 6 months for me, but yes, eventually, one by one, they fell to the way side.

Holidays don't feel like holidays to me now. There is no trek over the hill country and through the barren woods to grandmother's house we go. Even though I have trekked over an ocean now, it just isn't the same. 

So Halloween came and went and was hardly a blip, even though I tried. A lonely pumpkin to be carved and some orange and black wrapped candy made it look a little bit like my favorite holiday, but not enough for it to feel like Halloween. 

Thanksgiving was a day of work for me and then a dinner in Abu Dhabi that was anything but traditional. I tried to make the most of it, but somehow it just wasn't. 

Christmas was great and everyone was festive. Having trekked over the pond to Lubbock Tx to spend time with people who are more my family than my family is/was, I enjoyed my time with Justin and Laura and especially Jacob. A child in the house creates magic that is hard to duplicate any other way. As much as it was close as it could get to looking like Christmas, complete with snow on the ground that morning, it just didn't feel like it to me. 

In a couple of weeks it will be my birthday. I don't dread the years or the numbers because there is no use in it, but I now dread the day... simply because I want my holidays back... I want to feel them, to be excited about them. 

I gave them up for a year when my mom died and now I want them back... and they haven't returned. 

So my only resolution this year is to find my festiveness for the occasion each and every time and make the most of it. I will feel festive, I will feel each and every hoidayish feeling and enjoy the little things associated with it. It may be only in my flat, with my friends, but it will be festive. 

A Pot To Pea In

I am a Texan.
I was born in Texas.
I lived in Texas all my life
until last August...

Nearly a half century, but not quite.
and nearly 50 pots of Blackeyed Peas
made on New Years day of each year.

My mom made them every year until she didn't.
When the passing of the torch was officially done
I don't remember
If you want your spoonful of good luck
you better make a good pot of peas

A fully equipped condo on the Texas Coast
has two different meanings
depending on who you are

To make a good pot of Black-eyed peas
pork, onions and simple seasoning of salt and pepper are involved

Having ridden the rental bike to the store
to retrieve said items
I returned to the condo to find
the one "pot" in the place
was a small half quart pot
that simply would not do

Thankfully a friend offered a pot for me to use

So here you go, the simple, good recipe for
Blackeyed Peas

1 large onion
Pork, either a ham bone with some meat on it, bacon (as much as you want, a third of a package of Hormel Black Label is what I use) or salt pork (my mom's favorite)
and a bag of Blackeyed peas, either dried or frozen or shelled fresh
If they are dried, soak them in water over night before cooking (if possible)

Cut up the onion,
put the peas in the pot with the onion
cover with water until about an inch over the peas
bring to a rolling boil
add the pork
salt and pepper
simmer with low rolling boil for at least a couple of hours

When peas are soft and brown they are probably done.
Add water as needed while cooking

Happy New Year everyone!

And Yes, Josh, you eat them on NEW YEAR'S DAY, and however many days after that the pot lasts. They are better the second day than the first.


and this year a big thank you to Pam for providing me a pot (big enough) to pea in !