Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year's Eve, 2010 Style (and an awesome recipe for Hoppin' John)

Yes, I realize I have yet to post Christmas photos...I have so many photos I am starting to freak out about organizing them and posting about the day!!  I will.  That is next on the list.

But first:  New Year's!

I made a new Hoppin' John recipe- Vegan :) and SO GOOD!  We will be making this many times this year, thus bringing much luck on our family.

Hoppin' John
(serves 6)


1T olive oil
1 med onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 15 oz cans of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 c veg broth
1t salt
1/2t freshly ground black pepper
2 green onions, thinly sliced 
1/4c flat-leaf parsley, minced
Cooked rice
Shredded white cheddar
Hot sauce


1.  Heat olive oil in a large saucespan over med heat.  Add onion, red bell pepper, and garlic.  Saute until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
2.  Stir in black eyed peas, broth, salt, and pepper.  Reduce heat to low; cook 10 more minutes.  Stir in green onions and parsley.
3.  Serve on top of rice and garnish with cheese.  Add hot sauce if desired.


We spent NYE at the Lally's house, who we met through Ian and Chase's preschool.  There are three families in our little preschool tri-pod, and the Coreys were there, too.  It was so awesome, because the kids all go to different schools now, but when they get together, they pick up right where they left off, even the siblings.  Bonus:  another family that also attends the Lally get-togethers has 2 teenage girls that don't mind keeping an eye on the kids while they play upstairs.  Awesome!

Our plan was to hang out with food, drinks, and games, and let the kids play until they crashed on the floor somewhere, and then cover them up with blankets.  That worked for Gavin, who fell asleep sitting up in Bryan's lap.  Ian and Chase, however, kept the party going until 2AM when we got in our car to leave.  Seriously!!

Some highlights:
*The food...oh!  the food!!!  Shrimp, multiple yummy, fattening dips, mint brownies, cookie cake...and Jim made his famous tiramisu...Heaven.  (Note to self- you may NOT continue to eat like this in 2011!)
*Finding out our friends' true personalities while playing Loaded Questions
*Watching the men do Irish Car Bombs
*Playing dangerously with dry ice (used to make the traditional NYE witches' brew...)
*Catching Ian and Colin doing crazy boy stuff
*Chase stealing a large piece of cookie cake right in front of everyone
*Gavin getting scared by the dog (he walked up to the crate and said 'hiiii!' and Whiskey started barking...Gavin backed up, shaking his head from side to side vigorously, yelling, 'Nooo nooooo noooooo!'  Bad parent moment- I laughed.  It was kind of funny, the way his hair goes all over when he shakes his head...!)
*Bryan peer pressuring everyone to partake in his new Christmas tequila
*Testing Jim's Breathalyzer before driving home (awesome party trick, btw.)

All in all, it was lovely for everyone to ring in the new year with friends and family.  Ian was a little weirded out when I said he had to kiss someone for New Year's, and looked at his friend Katherine sideways...but was much relieved when I said it could be me.  I got kisses from 3/4 of my main Maddex men (I grabbed one from Guy when he woke up later), and can't think of a better way to welcome 2011.

Bring it on, baby!  It keeps getting better and better (or maybe my sense of humor is just improving...?)  Either way :)  Many happy new year's wishes to you!

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