I spent the last few days after Christmas taking down all the Christmas decor. The house seems so empty now.
We’re staying home tonight and watching football. That is totally okay with me. I’m wearing champagne-motif PJs that I got from Target a couple of years ago.
I decorated the bar and we’ll celebrate the new year sipping champagne.
All my Christmas trees are down and out of the house because Mama always said it’s bad luck to have the Christmas trees up on New Year’s Day. Following Mama’s other traditions, I hope I don’t forget to open the doors at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in. Also, tomorrow I won’t be washing clothes or taking out the garbage because that’s bad luck.
Southerners are very superstitious about what they eat on New Year’s Day. I was always told not to eat chicken on New Year’s Day or I would experience financial difficulties in the new year. Pork, black-eye peas, greens, and cornbread are a must if you want good luck in the new year! This is a little history about these “lucky” foods.
Black-Eye Peas:
The tradition of eating black-eye peas dates back to the Civil War. When General William T. Sherman led his Union troops on their destructive march through the South, the fields of black-eye peas were left untouched because they were deemed fit for only animals. As a result, the humble yet nourishing black-eye pea saved surviving Confederates from starvation. The peas are said to represent coins. More coins, more Starbucks!
Greens:
Greens represent wealth and paper money, as they are flat and green like U.S. currency. Any greens will do, but in the South the most popular are collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, and cabbage. I’m having lots of turnip greens and hopefully some extra paper money will come my way!
Pork:
Throughout history, owning pigs and livestock was a symbol of prosperity, so today pork is eaten in the hopes of prosperity and a bountiful harvest in the coming year. Pigs are also a symbol of progressing into the year ahead since they move forward using their snout to root for food. Here’s to hoping the Honeybaked Ham I’m having will bring prosperity.
Cornbread:
Cornbread symbolizes gold and is used for soaking up the pot likker from the greens. When wheat was a rarity in the South, Southerners made cornbread as a regular meal staple. I love cornbread with my New Year’s Day meal...going for the gold!
Happy New Year to everyone and wishing you good health, happiness, and prosperity!
5 comments:
Hope you have a wonderful 2018. I am glad you are back blogging. Now, having the tree up at New Year's Day is bad luck is a new one for me. Tradition for my family was that it was taken down on the second, but I blew that away when I had a home of my own because I taught school. I wanted my house and life all back in order before I went back to work, so I got up bright and early on the 26th to take it down and get busy cleaning. I like your mama's take on this tree thing much better!!!
Dear Miss Janice,
Thank you for sharing the southern 'good luck' traditions. I'm having ham and cornbread, so I'm half way there. So, no wash today and I'll open the door to let last year out.
Happy New Year to you and your family. I'm keeping Miss Pauline in my prayers.
We can all use a good 2018!
Warmly, Kathleen
Happy New Year Miss Janice! I didn’t know you were still blogging. I loved reading about the history behind some of the traditions where you are. I’ve been travelling over the holidays, so it will be next weekend before I can pack up Christmas. All the best in 2018.
Miss Janice, I love your blogs and I'm so glad you came back to us! I admire your southern lifestyle and I try to emulate you as much as possible. I always take my tree down by New Year's Eve- I didn't know that was for luck, I just want my house back in order! But my mother always says to leave it up til January 6, Epiphany.
How did I not know all of this?? Thank you - how delightful!
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