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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

New Year's Traditions

What's It Wednesday #197
Hello All!
I hope you had a happy and blessed Christmas and are ready to turn the page towards 2016. To make sure you have a most prosperous New Year here are a few tips to get you started.

First make sure your home is clean from top to bottom, it symbolizes the ridding of evil spirits and a fresh start to the New Year. My mother always swept and mopped the whole house and threw the water out the front door cleaning out the old year. She always bought a new broom to start the year, "Nothing sweeps clean like a new broom!"

 Now comes the most important part, the food. Pork is the meat of choice. Why? Pigs root forward, signifying progress, unlike chickens or turkeys which scratch backward. I usually serve ham.

For sides, you must serve greens (they represent money) and black-eyed peas (or Hoppin' John) for good luck. My mom always put a dime in for extra luck for the person who found it. (No, no one even swallowed it!) You should eat 365 peas, one for good luck each day of the New Year.

 End the meal with something sweet, for a sweet new year. Mama always made a fresh coconut cake, yum!

Make sure your decor shines with pops of silver and gold they represent fortune and wealth

or red for luck in love.

While the champagne chills, (very auspicious for toasting the New Year) dress in your “new” (very important) finery, even down to underwear which should be yellow (like gold) for prosperity in your personal finances or red if you want to find a soulmate or have an amorous year. Be sure to carry a stash of money in your person to ensure economic success.



As the clock approaches midnight, be sure to have your grapes ready. Twelve exactly for each stroke of the clock representing good fortune each month of the new year, (add one more for extra luck) but remember, they must be eaten by the last chime!

Then, the kiss. Be careful, it’s the one you’ll spend the new year with! Followed by the singing of Auld Lang Syne, clinking flutes of champagne and toasts for the New Year almost drowned out by the shouts, noise makers, car horns, and fireworks (all to drive away the evil spirits!)

The 1st day of the New Year is symptomatic of the next 364. People try to spend it in the best possible way, in the company of friends and family. But, if the doorbell rings and your first visitor is a tall dark-haired man, welcome him in. It’s another good luck omen!

Here are this Week's Features:







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Ivy and Elephants

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

What's It Wednesday #196

Welcome to What’s It Wednesday #196. Yipee! Three days until Chrismas Break. I can't wait until I'm able to visit you all. Until then, enjoy the features and the party!
Hugs,
Patti


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Ivy and Elephants

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Christmas Crackers

What's It Wednesday #195


This has been a rough week. A friend fell suddenly gravely ill and is really struggling right now. So this post is a break from the worrying and praying. 


My cousin was recently visiting us from the UK and promised to bring Christmas Crackers. I was so excited to get them. I know my family and friends will be so excited to receive them at the dinner table. I mean who doesn't like a nice surprise?

There will be different Christmas Crackers at each Sunday meal between now and Christmas and the Christmas dinner.

It's a decorative and colorful tube that you pull at both ends. When the cracker breaks you hear a "pop". The kids love it. 


After the cracker pops a little gift falls out. It may be a small trinket, toy, joke, or riddle. 

Christmas crackers can also be made at home. I saw some super cute ones on Pinterest. But for now I will keep asking family members to bring them across the pond.

xoxoxo
Paula

Here are this week's fabulous features:
Everyday Living

Kleinworth & Company

It's All Connected

Penny Wise

Home on the Corner

155 Dream Lane



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Ivy and Elephants

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

What's It Wednesday #194

Welcome to the 194th What’s It Wednesday! Thank you all for partying with us. I’ve finished my first class with an “A” and am on to the next. 
“Oh, Lordy!” 
Have a Great Week!
Hugs,
Patti

Here are this Week's Features:







Don't Forget to Add a Feature Button!
Ivy and Elephants

Thanks to all of you who partied with us last week. Please link-up and join us again. Remember, it's not a party without you!

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Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart ~ French Proverb ~ We are so grateful that you stopped by ~ Please visit again soon! ~ Much Love, Patricia and Paula