New Year's Traditions in Other Countries

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are of Tuesday's Cheese Rice Soup. Easy and delicious... as promised. I wanted to serve the soup with different colored tortilla chips, but I couldn't find any. You know me... presentation, presentation, presentation!

RANDOMNESS - I'm not a coffee drinker. I never have been. I've tried over the years to become a coffee drinker because it seemed like the grown-up thing to do, but I ultimately fail, time and time again. I even tried to convince myself that drinking Caramel Frappe's from McDonald's was the same thing as drinking coffee... but, in reality, it is more like eating a large slice of mocha cheesecake with caramel drizzled ALL over it.

I was reading my new Southern Living Magazine, and I came across this list. (You know how much I love lists.) It is called "Coffee's 5 Best Perks."

1. It may reduce your chance of developing diabetes. (I could just kick myself!)

2. It helps reduce muscle soreness after workouts. (I desperately NEED something to help with this after Body Pump.)

3. It's a great source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect your body from heart disease, stroke, and a slew of other diseases. (Hello!)

4. It's a brain booster. It increases short-term recall. (I currently have no short-term recall.)

5. It may reduce your risk for developing certain cancers.

This post is going to be a little late today. I'm going to make a pot of coffee right now... and I'm going to drink the whole pot before continuing with the post.

Wednesday Wisdom - Last night, Mikie and I went on a mini-date to Books-A-Million, and I found a little book called Poisonous Quotes. It had some interesting insights, so I thought I'd borrow some for today's Wisdom.

"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, an acquaintance, or a friend." Franklin P. Jones (This quote is so "me," it isn't even funny.)

On miniskirts - "Never in the history of fashion has so little material been raised so high to reveal so much that needs to be covered so badly." Sir Cecil Beaton (1969)

"A bad review is like baking a cake with all the best ingredients and having someone sit on it." Danielle Steel

I either thought they were funny or painfully true... especially the "miniskirt" quote. Ouch!

New Year's Traditions in Other Countries

It might be fun to try one or two of these customs on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. It would be a "teachable" moment for your little ones, and a new, fun way to bring in the New Year!

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 folks 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 that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. (I'm thinking Tom Selleck!)

The Netherlands - Many cultures believe that any food in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating doughnuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. (Did you know I'm half Dutch? Not really. Did you know I want to be half Dutch?)

NOTE - A family/friend run to Krispy Kreme around 8:00 or 9:00 on New Year's Eve would be fun. Each person could pick out their favorite doughnut, and at the stroke of midnight you could bring in the New Year with doughnuts and milk.

United States - Many parts of the United States celebrate the New Year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog is 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 also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. (Don't put all of your Christmas candles away. You're going to need them if you participate in this custom.)

Greece - St. Basil fills the children's shoes with presents at midnight. (I wouldn't necessarily fill the shoes with presents, but a few pieces of candy would be fun to find the next morning.)

Denmark - It is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes on New Year's Day. Old dishes are saved year round to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Year's Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends! (This custom is interesting. I am not suggesting anyone do this. As I said, it was simply interesting.)

Spain - When the clock strikes midnight, the people eat 12 grapes. One grape for every stroke of the clock to represent each month in the year. Each grape is said to bring good luck in the New Year.

Switzerland - The Swiss believe good luck comes from letting a drop of cream land on the floor New Year's Day. (I could certainly handle this tradition.)

France - People eat a stack of pancakes for luck and good health. (Did I mention my other half is French?)

I think we are going incorporate the Dutch and French traditions into the Faulkner Five festivities this year. Yep. I'm pretty sure we're going with the Dutch and French!

Have a fantastic Wednesday. Enjoy the time off from school with your kiddos. As always, Blog Linkage and a fun date will appear on Thursday's post.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda