Judy P's Tickle Trunk

…..or But I Haven’t Used Up My 2015 Day PlannerYet!!

Well, we were  a long way from family and friends as we ushered in the new year so I didn’t have my usual gathering with a hike and baked beans and fishcakes to follow. I thought I would try a Southern tradition and brought in the new year with a big pot of black-eyed peas (cooked up like baked beans.)

Black eyed peas in the pot, half a day old.

Lance says his mother would have said the meal was not complete without hog’s jowls but I didn’t completely drop the ball because I meated up the pot with smoked hog’s necks. So tasty and fun little bones.

Smoked hog’s necks. Mmm-mmm good.

In keeping with my re-purposing obsession, I recycled something to make dessert. I had made gingerbread cookies earlier in December (in keeping with my pineapple obsession) but they were floury and bland because my spices cooked themselves to death in the heat over the summer.

Don’t these somehow remind one of Sideshow Bob?

They crumbled up quite nicely with Milton apple-butter and cream-cheese/yoghurt for parfaits.

Apple butter and ginger cookie parfaits.

Aah, another occasion to justify having a formal dining and all that Thrift Store/Craig’s List shopping.

Is that Sammie in the tray on the sideboard!? Bad Kitty!

But it’s not all about the food folks. For me, New Year’s Day is all about rebooting my attitude and gearing up for new projects. I will keep you apprised of my progress.

Wishing you and yours a prosperous and healthy New Year.

© Judy Parsons