Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!!

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to start a blog I would have....well, maybe enough money to buy a cute scarf at Target; but a few people have suggested that I start a blog over the past few years and I don't want to let down the masses (ummm, handful) of people, so here.it.is. 

In 2007 I stumbled across The Pioneer Woman's blog and developed a deep blog crush.  Why didn't I think of that?  


As you can tell from some of my previous posts I dabbled in blogging in 2007 and 2008, but never made a commitment to it.  Many years later and it remains at the top of my bucket list.  I am excited to start this new chapter in 2016.  I am a blogger-in-training, and have so much to learn.  I haven't written in a while.  Well, except for the "Please excuse my child for being tardy" type writing.  My sentences might contain too many commas, my verbs might not be the correct tense and I'm sure to have some spelling errors.  I'm also a little technology-challenged.  I change diapers for a living; that doesn't require me to be up to date on the latest trends.  Therefore, my blog might look like something out of 2002.  Just like the title of the blog, this is a rough draft.  I'm learning as I go.  After "researching" (that's code for binge blogging) all these years I have learned that readers just want to see everyday people live.  That's what I can offer you.  So, I hope you'll come along on this journey with me!

First up, New Year's traditions and black eyed peas.  A few years ago we had some family over to celebrate New Year's Eve at our house.  Charles (my Dad's cousin) and his wife Nona brought an amazing black eyed pea dish. I'm going to be honest, I am not a huge fan of onion, celery, tomatoes, or cinnamon, but somehow when combined in this recipe with black eyed peas it is amazing!  

Shout out to Charles & Nona and a little, tiny Kendall.


Nona told me the recipe was in her church cookbook that she had given me years ago!  Fun Fact:  Baptists can actually cook out of Methodist cookbooks!  Everything I have ever made out of this cookbook has been phenomenal! 


This is the original recipe.  I made a few alterations to it.  First of all, our local grocery store (bless it's heart) did not have black eyed peas with jalapeno's, so I used regular old black eyed peas and added a few chopped jalapenos.  I used Rotel instead of tomatoes for an extra kick.  Also, I decided at the last minute I did not need to add the bacon grease and flour to thicken it up.  I'm pretty sure those two ingredients would just thicken me up, so I think it was a wise choice.  The subtle cinnamon and nutmeg are the stars of the show!



Here's the Motley Crew that I would have never in a million years thought I would love together so much!  (As an avid blog reader I always see bloggers say, this post is sponsored by Rotel or Bush's Beans or whoever...so just to clarify, obviously this post is not sponsored by any of those brands, BUT wouldn't it be cool if it was one day.  Just hang in there, I'm going places).


Chop up the veggies and saute in butter.


Once the veggies are tender, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for an hour or so.


While you're waiting, look lovingly into your favorite little boys eyes.  Well, that's what I did.  Feel free to fold some laundry, watch a bowl game or create a FarmersOnly.com account (if you're single, if not that would be awkward).


After the flavors have married, plate it up!  We love it as a dip with tortilla chips, but I think it would be great as a side dish or over cornbread, too.



Thanks for reading, friends!  Please check back often!

6 comments:

  1. This my friend is sure to be entertaining, I'll be back for more... Blog on!

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  2. Great job Emily! Looking forward to MANY more posts!

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  3. You'll be a great success at this! You have an innate knack for writing with both humor and sensitivity, keeping us engrossed. Love you!

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  4. Emily, you definitely have the gift of gab, I mean the blessing of blogging, or whatever. I really enjoyed reading your blog and your "turn of phrases" as you wrote! Keep it moving, kiddo! I love you!
    --Dad

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  5. Thank you all for your support! It means the world to me!

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