Here's to Luck and Prosperity

New Year's Day. A time for gathering, wholesome good foods, and thinking forward to what the upcoming annual might have in store. But the wholesome good foods around the compound didn't start with this holiday, but on Christmas. Sadly, I could not be with family due to the limited amount of days off around this time. But I did have a great meal with good friends. On Christmas Eve I started dough for cinnamon rolls. Oh geez, these two days in the making rolls were amazing. I added pecans to the mix this time, totally a winner. And of course, Isa's recipe from Vegan Brunch. Coupled with blue potatoes con green onion and (veggie) sausage patties, this feast turned into brunch while a conversation was had with gypsie and her road dog from the Pacific Northwest. Then the real meal occurred: chickpea cutlets with mushroom gravy, wicked awesome green beans and almonds, truffle-oil mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and one kick ass pecan pie. Thank goodness there were two people pulling this one off.

My cute nut grinder found at Acacia (cool store in town)

Rolling up the goodness

All rolled up and ready to rock

Now back to New Year's Day. My good friends the Evans' Family started me out on this little tradition, which most folks in the south probably partake in. It never failed, each year we would stumble over to Lee's mom's house and eat a pile of black eyed peas for luck. Fast forward many years later, I found the fabulous findings in greens, and now greens are added to the mix. So, lying on the stove is a double batch of greens (collards, kale, chard, mustard) for a double batch of prosperity, and a large batch of black eyed peas for the continuance of luck. 2011, you treated me pretty well. With good foods to start the new year, bring it on 2012, bring it on. 

New Year's Day Goodness

Tired pups on New Year's Day