Happy 2007!!!

Wow... I really cannot believe that number. Weren't we just celebrating 2000???

So I've got lots to do today, but I wanted to squeeze in a quick hello since I feel like I've been absent for a while.
We're having a big New Years dinner party this afternoon with some friends, and I'm so excited! Ryan and had been talking the last couple of years about how we really wanted to have one holiday that was more of a "friend" holiday where every year we gather together and have a big ol' dinner with lots of friends. Since no one ever does much for New Year's, we thought that would be a good one to pick. So we're trying to start a tradition here. Ultimately I'm thinking it will be so neat to look back years from now and remember who was here with us each year, how the group has changed, how things have changed (including the kids!) and things like that. I just thought it would be nice to have the same "background" for those memories and host a fun dinner every year.

Our menu consists of good wishes for the new year...

• Shrimp Martinis seafood stands for good luck and shrimp specifically signify a year filled with laughter
• Vegetables with Arugula Broth green foods like arugula and spinach mark growth and wealth
• Grilled Pork Chops with Garlic Mashed Potatoes pork is considered good luck and symbolizes "moving forward" since pigs root and push forward. Also, traditionally, a family that owned a pig would be eating "high on the hog" for the whole year. Interesting note- they say main courses to avoid for a symbolic New Year menu are chicken because then you would be scratching around all year like a chicken scratches around for food, and fish because your money might swim away like a fish, and especially lobster because they move backwards.
  
• Cornbread I think the saying in the south goes "peas for pennies, greens for dollars, cornbread for gold"

and for dessert

• Champaigne Shooters champaigne (or in our case non-alcoholic sparkling juice) just to celebrate mixed with sorbet
• Gingersnaps ginger reprsents a sharp mind and intelligence and cookies mean sweetness of nature and a good disposition

also I'm going to do some sort of centerpiece incorporating oranges (gold and wealth), peanuts (hope and luck for the birth of children in the coming year- that one's for you Leslie!) and red candies (good health and good luck).

I've got to get busy though; I still have to run to the store this morning.
I'll try and remember to get lots of pictures and I'll post them later...
maybe with some more reflections on the past and the coming year once I have some time to actually sit down and think about those things! We spent the last three days up at the cottage hanging out and playing lots of games... and I spent the last three days fighting off (not very successfully) this horrible cold. I was miserable last night, but I'm feeling much better today except for the headache I can't get rid of. So after our dinner today, I'm looking forward to just relaxing and resting up and enjoying looking ahead to our New Year.

Have a wonderful first day of 2007 everyone!!