Happy New Year to Everyone! I began to wonder "Why do we say Happy New Year!" What better way to find out then using my favorite "encyclopedia" Google. Here are a few traditions:
Hogmanay (Scotland)
The birthplace of "Auld Lang Syne" is also the home of Hogmanay the rousing Scottish New Year's celebration (the origins of the name are obscure). One of the traditions is "first-footing." Shortly after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each other and impart New Year's wishes. Traditionally, First foots used to bring along a gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country, and consists of an all-night street party
Oshogatsu (Japan)
The new year is the most important holiday in Japan, and is a symbol of renewal. In December, various Bonenkai or "forget-the-year parties" are held to bid farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year and prepare for a new beginning. Misunderstandings and grudges are forgiven and houses are scrubbed. At midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times, in a effort to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year's day itself is a day of joy and no work is to be done. Children receive otoshidamas, small gifts with money inside. Sending New Year's cards is a popular tradition—if postmarked by a certain date, the Japanese post office guarantees delivery of all New Year's cards on Jan. 1.
Spain
The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.
The Netherlands
The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.
Greece
In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the traditional foods served is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year.
Well at our house there we didn't receive coal or shortbread (although Susie brought the shortbread at Christmas) and there was no tall, dark, handsome man that entered the house after midnight. (there were a few cute ones that entered before midnight) The house wasn't scrubbed clean (that's on my todo list) and nobody was striking any gongs and if they did, it would have been alot more than 108 times!!! I don't believe anyone ate any grapes - but if we were counting margarita's I might have been close to 12! Burning down the Christmas tree was on my mind, but somehow I didn't think it would be environmentally safe considering what they are made of these days! And I didn't find any gold coins in any baked goods. But I better check the banana loaf that susie brought over!!!!
So what did we do for New Years!!!! Well Bill didn't want a party - so we didn't have a party. I did invite Anne and Brian and Susan over. Also Wayne and Susie joined us. Patrick and his girlfriend also joined the "non party!" Ashley went out with friends. We played a new "non" party game - Apples to Apples. Alisa introduced us to this game last year and this year. So that's what we played. It was so much fun. Needless to say, I didn't win any of the rounds.
I did make a New Year's resolution this year. Normally I don't, but this year it just seemed appropriate. I resolved to never leave a spoon (specifically a porcelain chinese soup spoon) in the blender any more. Why you might ask. Well after my first batch of margaritas I conveniently left the spoon in the mixer waiting to make the next batch. But after a blender of margaritas one tends to forgot there was even a spoon used. While I watched the second batch of spirit's, I thought my blender was breaking. I could have a tapping sound - and it was only after 30 odd seconds I remember the missing spoon. Well the spoon is still missing - but based on three small 1/2 inch pieces, I'm pretty sure I could guess where the spoon is. What a waste of tequila!
So that is how the new year started. I'd like to include a quote that I found in a book I received from my good friend Shaunan. The book is called "The Friendship Book" It's a a thought for each day in 2011.
Monday January 3
A traveller once asked a wise man sitting at the city walls what the people inside were like. "What are the people like in the city you come from?" replied the wise man. The stranger then pondered a moment. "They're generous and kind, they're patient and good folk," he said. "Well that's how you'll find them here, " the wise man said.
A few days later another traveller came to the city and asked the wise man the same question. "What are the people like in the city you come from?" the wise man wanted to know. Again there was some hesitation. "The people are fairly mean, and grumpy a lot and pretty miserable." "Well," said the wise man, "that's just how you'll find people here!"
How true this is
Till the next blog.
Stacey
Love Apples to Apples!
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