Do you have a traditional way you start a new year? For sure ours is a meal with black eyed peas. Now, I know that is considered very southern which makes me curious to know what is typical in other places.
When it comes to black eyed peas, my thoughts immediately go to comfort food that has the same feel, so what could work better than a farm feel table? The wooden animals ended up here, whether by mistake or on purpose I don’t know, but this night a table setting will center around them.
They graze in a field of muslin and their night will be lit by soft candlelight.
Roosters strut on the dishes which at one time belonged to my mother. That woman did like roosters, and a few of them have learned to like it at my house.
Napkins, really dish cloths, are tucked into cute cow napkin rings that have been hiding in a drawer for who knows how long! They are quite happy to be among friendly farm animals!
The black eyed peas are simmering, a pork tenderloin is roasting, cornbread is baking, the table is ready. I think we’ll have a glass of wine to toast the new year while we wait for all to be ready.
No matter where you are, no matter how you celebrate, my wish for you is the same and that is that you greet the year in good health and with good spirit. I look forward to journeying with you in 2014.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Joining
Lulu's Musings 
I have never even tasted black eyed peas, Lulu, even though we lived in FL (not really considered “the South) for almost 10 years! One of these days I’ll try making some. For us, pork & sauerkraut are traditional New Year’s Day fare, along with some pierrogi cooked in butter & onions. Oh & don’t forget the horseradish…the hotter, the better!
I agree with Jenna…your plates DO look like Pistoulet dinnerware!
love black eyed peas and I eat them with cornbread! Sweet table my friend, Thank you for sharing and joining in the fun at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. I am leaving some hugs on your sweet blog
I love those beautiful wooden animals~what a lovely way to start the year~the plates remind me of Pistoulet dinnerware. I’m not a black eyed pea fan, but I DO think about them on New Years Day, figuring that might count for something!
Jenna
We don’t have a New year’s meal either. I would come over for the pork tenderloin though! I really like those wooden farm animal toys.
We don’t really have a traditional new year meal, unless you count trying new kinds of craft beer on new year’s eve. My sister-in-law has a tradition of eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes 12, and we have joined in during those years we’ve been together to celebrate.
I love the rosters dear Lulu, how sweet and cute they are, I love the centerpiece! I love your mom’s gorgeous dishes and the memories they carry for you always…hairlooms are my fav! I never had black eye peads, I do guess it’s a southern tradition as some other lady mentioned too! Thank you for visiting and have a splendid 2014!
FABBY
The farm table is lovely . . . and a lovely way to ring in the new year. I’ve never had black-eyed peas except in a bean salsa mix — does that count? Our new year tradition is always, always, always to have pork and sauerkraut, with a little kielbasi thrown in. Where it came from, I don’t know; will have to look up. Whatever its origin, my husband would have a bad year if we didn’t. Could you find some more little piggies for the table?
Your little wooden animals are adorable, and I like the idea of the muslin. Very clever! Pretty dishes from your mom too. This is a happy table to begin the new year.
Happy 2014!
Lulu, you are the second person that I read starts the new year off with black eyed peas. Can you believe I’ve never had them. I know it’s a southern dish, but I must try! Love your sweet farm animals. Great idea to use the muslin! Happy New Year!
hugs,
Jann
Happy New Year’s, Linda! I love your farm style table and it’s a sweet tribute to your Mom’s rooster dishes. I had some Texas cavier for good luck, but I’m going to be fixing pork and sauerkraut this weekend. xo
Very nicely worded! Black Eyed Peas are definitely a staple in Southern New Years! But I love the muslin and the farm-house feel. So comforting
Place bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat; cook, turning, until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-covered plate. Set aside. Add celery, green pepper and onion. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add peas, vinegar, broth, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium high; heat to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes; add 3 1/2 cups water; increase heat to medium high. Heat to a boil; lower heat to a simmer. Cook stirring, occasionally, until peas are tender but not mushy, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Serve over rice. Makes 10 servings. Note: I’ve used both of the following two methods for soaking dried black-eyed peas. Overnight: Place dried peas in a large bowl; cover with water. Let stand overnight to rehydrate. Drain. Quick: Heat a large pot of water to a boil; add dried beans. Cook 2 minutes; remove from heat. Let stand 2 hours. Drain.
I love those little wooden animals, and your table is delightful with roosters and cows. We had black eyed peas, cabbage (both cooked with hog jowl), Jambalya with sausage, and cornbread. I can’t remember a New Year’s Day when I didn’t eat all of those things. I didn’t like cabbage as a child, but I always took a tiny bite for luck! Happy New Year, Lulu! laurie
Hi Linda, I think we were on the same wavelength with our theme “starting the New Year right” this week! I love your wooden animals and the muslin. It is so soft and reminds me of a snowy landscape. We are in the middle of a blizzard right now! I’ve never had black eyed peas, but now I’m curious to try some! Happy New Year! Linda
It’s nice to have roosters to crow in the New Year! Your Mom would be happy that you showcased them this way.
We have always eaten black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day to ensure prosperity. We also eat collard greens on that day…for the same reason, I think. We take it one step further with a thing my great-Grandmother always used to do: Wrap an uncooked black-eyed pea in a piece of raw collard green leaf and then wrap it up really, really well in plastic wrap. It needs to ultimately be wrapped up really tight and not much bigger than a quarter. Put the thing in your purse or wallet. It is purported that you will never be without money through the year if you do this. Weird, but all the years I’ve done it – money. All the years I skipped – money problems. I”m going to wrap a WHOLE BAG of those peas in a big ol’ bunch of collards to make sure this year goes well!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Happy New Year!
I’m heading out to get some collards!
I love your farm table setting. Happy New Year.
Besa
How fun to have a traditional meal for New Years! Yes, that definitely sounds like a southern dish! The roosters and cows are so charming and the muslin is great. I hope 2014 is a wonderful year for you and yours!
We went out for dinner with friends on New Year’s Eve…Tex Mex, and I slept until almost 11:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day while Sweet Mister went duck hunting. We brought in Outback steaks for dinner, and Beatrice Emaline came to spend the night, so her mama and daddy could have a rare evening out with just the two of them. No tablescaping this year. I love the wooden animals, and I need to remember how wonderful the muslin works. Thanks for inviting us for a peek, and Happy New Year! Cherry Kay
Great way to start the new year. I ate black eyed peas and cornbread and other New Year’s food. Happy New Year.
Beautiful table and love how you wrapped the muslin around the farm animals…I so love the Southern New Year’s Day tradition..Happy New Year!
Hi Lulu, this southern girl served up black peas! A tradition from southern roots. Your farm table setting is so sweet, I love it. Your rooster plates are gorgeous, your mom had great taste. Lovely colors and great boarders.
Happy New Year!
Emily
The French Hutch
I live in the south but I do not cook black eyed peas, don’t know how. I love your table thought, the wooden animals are so cute. Happy new year!…Christine
No special foods for the 1st of January. When Dad was alive it was their wedding anniversary so we would go out to celebrate but that was also the day the tree came down and the gifts we had received made their ways to our own rooms or homes. A day to celebrate our parents and the fresh start of a new year. Happy New Year!
Sounds like a very good way to start a new year.
No black eyed peas here, never had them! Our tradition was always a big family dinner, a Fresh Ham was always served, with all the trimmings. The decorations were still up, and it was a holiday second to Christmas. My dh always had creamed herring, but he is of Ukrainian heritage, so I think that is where that came from. Definitely not mine, lol, I couldn’t eat that or black eyed peas!
Your farm table is very sweet, and Happy 2014! Thanks for linking to Let’s Dish, see you in Feb.
Kathleen, black eyed peas aren’t that bad, especially when shared with people you love!
Now I’m hungry…
I like the farm feel table!
Love hearing from you. Of course, black eyed peas!!!!!!!! Happy new Year!