Happy New Year???

As a child, I never really understood why my parents and their friends would still wish each other a happy new year well into the year... I'm talking about giving happy new year greetings in March.  It wasn't until I got a little older that my parents explained to me that in the Nigerian tradition the first time you see anybody during the year, it's appropriate to tell them happy new year because it's the first time you're seeing them that year.  Hmmmm,  it still doesn't make 100% sense to me buuuuut I will use it as my excuse to wish you a happy new year today; 5 days into the New Year.  

How's that for a long rabbit trail? :)

American tradition dictates that black-eyed peas are to be eaten on the first of the year for good luck.  For my family this means akara.  Akara is a dish made by  first soaking black-eyed peas in water and  peeling off the skin from each. individual. pea. Yes, it takes as long as it sounds.  The skinned beans are blended & spiced and then deep fried to produce yummy goodness.

Basically you start like this

And end up like this!

I'm not the hugest black-eyed pea fan (no pun intended), but I never turn down some freshly cooked Akara.

Here's to wishing everyone lots of luck in 2012!

If you're wanting a more detailed recipe for Akara check out this recipe here.  It's not quite as good as my mom's but it will do ;)

The most wonderful time of the year

I think of Christmas as such a romantic time of year. I get so excited thinking of all my couples who will celebrate their 1st Christmas as Mr. & Mrs.  You know those photo frames that say "our first Christmas"? I confess to finding reasons to buy them for others. Yes, I am that girl.  

However, I gotta say that the whole Christmas card thing is always a huge dilemma. I love, love, love getting and receiving cards and of course the holidays are the perfect occaision. Here's the problem: as a single girl, I'm never quite sure what to do. The photo Christmas cards I get with cute little family photos, or couples on the front are just so stinking adorable.  But I don't think me dressed in red & green in front of a Christmas tree will have quiiiiite the same effect. Some may even think it's a sympathy card; as in please have sympathy on me for standing here. alone. looking totally lame. Yep, definitely not the look I'm going for.

Then I thought, maybe I can make some cute and crafty cards and send those out.  Well, I made the cards, but instead of them looking artsy; they say "I like glitter glue".  Fail. again.

Sooo this year, I think I'll pass on the whole Christmas card thing and stick to what I know and love: photography.  I know, it's a novel idea :)

And really, while I do feel like receiving the 1st Christmas card helps to officially mark the start of the season (people who have holiday cards in the mail by December 1st~I am in awe!), there are so many other things that help me feel that Christmas is here.

For me it's not Christmas until: I drink some apple cider, bake some holiday goodies, attend a holiday get together, eat a candy cane, listen to Christmas carols, shop for gifts, listen to the Christmas story, attend the Christmas eve service, eat a yummy meal with my family, and sniff a tear or too as I agree with George Bailey, that yes, It's a Wonderful Life.

So whether you send cards or not, and whatever the holidays mean to you, and however you choose to celebrate them, I hope they are filled with much joy and laughter!