HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow...can you believe it?  Twenty-ten is here.  Two thousand nine is past.

Looking back on 2009, I see milestones of growth....huge financial obstacles to overcome, a new church, enormous spiritual growth, deep new friendships formed, a death in our family, blessings upon blessings to our family by the generosity of others and potty-training nightmares challenges. We were blessed with great relationships, health, and a rich family life.  I am thankful to God for His provision, care and protection.

I am so excited about twenty ten!  Are you someone who likes to make resolutions?  I so am.  I'm a list maker. I'm a freak for keeping track of life on paper.  (Which explains why we have a minor paper organization problem in our house...I make sub lists for my lists.)

I have chosen a theme for myself in twenty ten.  Believe it or not....it is S-I-M-P-L-I-F-Y.  Yes, I know that is hard to believe.  How often have I talked about it this past year?  I did actually begin the process of simplifying our life around here in two thousand nine...but that is my THEME for this coming year.  I hope to help make life for our family as sweet, simple, non-complicated and faith/family focused as possible!  I can't wait to share the process with you. 

We have had a low key New Year's Day around here.  I have a sicky little one...he has a cold.

He has a low-grade fever, a horrendous cough, a pillow around his neck, due to a crick...AND a nasty bruise on his forehead from a slamming door last night.  Happy New Year, baby doll!  May it only go uphill from here! 

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Did you have your black-eyed peas today???  We had our favorite black-eyed pea soup.   

OK...so it doesn't take the best pictures...but YUM!!!!

BLACK-EYED PEA SOUP

16 -ozs. dried black-eyed peas

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 T minced garlic

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 T olive oil

6 cups water

32-ozs. can chopped tomatoes, undrained

3 cups chicken broth

1 T chicken bouillon granules

2 jalapeno peppers, unseeded and chopped

1 T salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Bring peas and water to cover to a boil in a Dutch oven; cook 10 minutes.  Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.  Drain and remove from Dutch oven.

Saute onion and next 3 ingredients in hot oil in Dutch oven until tender.  Add peas, 6 cups water and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasinally, 1 hour or until peas are tender.  Yield:  10 cups

May twenty ten be a blessed year for you!  I look forward to all God has in store for us.