In January I always feel like I need to clear the clutter and have a more pristine style of decorating around the house. My mother was always a "blue" person, and she surrounded herself with shades of soothing blue in every room of her home 12 months out of the year. My taste runs to warmer colors (red!), but in January I channel Mom and get out my blue things.
The little shelf in the photo above is in my kitchen. At first when we moved in, I was all set to take it out, but now that I have lived with it for six months, I can see its possibilities for seasonal decorating. It is right above my kitchen table, and is the perfect spot for little do dads and nick nacks.
Here is a close up of my favorite cachepot and a little ivory colored cast iron owl. Can't remember where I got either one, but they have been around for years. Just sitting in the cupboard, waiting to be taken out on occasion.
My husband has headed off on a trip to Southern California for the week, so I will be dining alone until his return. No reason not to set a nice table, even if it is just for moi.
I picked up the dishes at Marshalls last winter. They are by Johnson Brothers–the dinner plate is Blue Willow and the smaller plate is Devon Cottage. Two different patterns by the same company, but I think they look cool together. And cheap? The smaller plates still had the price sticker on the bottom: $1.99. No kidding. You can get amazing deals at Marshalls and Home Goods and TJ Maxx if you keep your eyes open. If you can stand to go into the places. I have to take a deep breath and steel myself first. Actually, Home Goods is fun. They make a concerted effort to keep their stores clean and tidy and well stocked. At those prices, I can afford to have a few extra sets of dishes to keep handy for special table effects or holidays.
Goodness, I am off on a tangent. Guess I haven't had anyone to talk to for awhile…What I wanted to share with you is my traditional New Years dish that I always make for good luck on January 1. You have to have black eyed peas for New Years you know. This is real stick to your ribs, flavorful stuff. Try it, it's seriously good! Plus it takes about 10 minutes to throw together. The jalapeno is essential, but you could just use half, and ease up on the cayenne if you don't do spicy. Please do not worry that it won't be good luck since January 1 has passed. Just make it this week, the good luck will still be in effect.
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
6 cups chicken broth
1 pound dried black eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced fine
6-8 ounces diced ham
5 slices of bacon, chopped, uncooked (it comes out just fine at the end of the cooking time)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
Pour the broth into the slow cooker. Add the black eyed peas, onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeno, ham, bacon, cayenne pepper, cumin and pepper. Stir to blend. Cover and cook 6 hours on low. Some folks like to serve this over rice. Oh, and it does not need salt. Trust me.
58 responses to “New Year’s Food and Decorating”
Love, love, LOVE blue & white, especially blue & white transferware dishes! Thanks for sharing!
Love, love, LOVE blue & white, especially blue & white transferware dishes! Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I’ve mostly always been a lurker, but it’s good to have you posting again. The dishes are pretty, as is that quilt!
Hi! I’ve mostly always been a lurker, but it’s good to have you posting again. The dishes are pretty, as is that quilt!
I love your ‘blue’ decorating for January. I also love the look of a red flower when I use my blue and white pieces – just pops.
We cooked our black-eyed peas in the crock pot this year – why did we not know about this long before now? So,so good and next time I will try them with your seasonings. Thanks for all you give – Judy C
I love your ‘blue’ decorating for January. I also love the look of a red flower when I use my blue and white pieces – just pops.
We cooked our black-eyed peas in the crock pot this year – why did we not know about this long before now? So,so good and next time I will try them with your seasonings. Thanks for all you give – Judy C
Mmmm that recipe is tempting me to ask my daughter to let me borrow my slow cooker back! Maybe if I invite her home for some too and some luck wouldn’t hurt.
I’ve always strived towards the less is more look, though raising 4 girls never did help and these days with one of my girls and her little family living with me along with my youngest I still haven’t achieved that look.
One of my weaknesses though is dishware and I’ve had a lot of luck and fun finding cool dishes in the thrift shops..
Nicole it is so nice to see you back..you have been missed!!!
Mmmm that recipe is tempting me to ask my daughter to let me borrow my slow cooker back! Maybe if I invite her home for some too and some luck wouldn’t hurt.
I’ve always strived towards the less is more look, though raising 4 girls never did help and these days with one of my girls and her little family living with me along with my youngest I still haven’t achieved that look.
One of my weaknesses though is dishware and I’ve had a lot of luck and fun finding cool dishes in the thrift shops..
Nicole it is so nice to see you back..you have been missed!!!
Hi Nicole, so lovely to have you back blogging and sharing your life with us. You’ve inspired me to take the Christmas decor down tomorrow – I don’t have clutter (except in my sewing room)but might change the couch pillows to make a brighten things up a bit.
I’ll also give your recipe a go as I have some left over ham I need to use up.
Hi Nicole, so lovely to have you back blogging and sharing your life with us. You’ve inspired me to take the Christmas decor down tomorrow – I don’t have clutter (except in my sewing room)but might change the couch pillows to make a brighten things up a bit.
I’ll also give your recipe a go as I have some left over ham I need to use up.
Hmmm, looks delicious. Quick question…is the bacon cooked or put on the slow cooker uncooked?
Hmmm, looks delicious. Quick question…is the bacon cooked or put on the slow cooker uncooked?
The bacon is uncooked when you add it to the slow cooker. I wondered how it would be also, but after 6 hours of cooking, it was just fine. Not crisp, but definitely “done”.
The bacon is uncooked when you add it to the slow cooker. I wondered how it would be also, but after 6 hours of cooking, it was just fine. Not crisp, but definitely “done”.
MMmmm those beans sound so good! I do lots of crock pot meals this time of year so I am going to try yours. Very time saving for more sewing lol. I am liking blue more as I get older because it is so soothing. Looks lovely on the table too. Enjoy! G
MMmmm those beans sound so good! I do lots of crock pot meals this time of year so I am going to try yours. Very time saving for more sewing lol. I am liking blue more as I get older because it is so soothing. Looks lovely on the table too. Enjoy! G
What lovely blue and white dishes, goblet, and glorious quilt! I, too, love red but have found my decorating colors seem to now be shades of red, green, blue, and cream with blues taking center stage in the winter and spring.
I’ll be sure to make that recipe as it looks delicious!
It is such a delight to find you “at home” in the mornings again!!
Hugs!
What lovely blue and white dishes, goblet, and glorious quilt! I, too, love red but have found my decorating colors seem to now be shades of red, green, blue, and cream with blues taking center stage in the winter and spring.
I’ll be sure to make that recipe as it looks delicious!
It is such a delight to find you “at home” in the mornings again!!
Hugs!
Nicole, so good to have you back. I missed you.
Nicole, so good to have you back. I missed you.
Ozzie!!! There’s the boy!!! Now THAT is a happy New Year pix I really enjoy seeing!!! Give him a pat from one of his blog fans, ok?!!!
…oh, yeah…nice dishes and recipe, too.
Ozzie!!! There’s the boy!!! Now THAT is a happy New Year pix I really enjoy seeing!!! Give him a pat from one of his blog fans, ok?!!!
…oh, yeah…nice dishes and recipe, too.
I am SO glad to see you posting again!!
I hope that 2012 brings you much better times than 2011 did and that your “new” normal is full of satisfaction and content.
The blue & white dishes are so pretty. They wouldn’t work in my home; but perhaps I can find green & white in my travels for my kitchen.
Happy New Year
I am SO glad to see you posting again!!
I hope that 2012 brings you much better times than 2011 did and that your “new” normal is full of satisfaction and content.
The blue & white dishes are so pretty. They wouldn’t work in my home; but perhaps I can find green & white in my travels for my kitchen.
Happy New Year
I have always had a fondness for blue and white as well. Perhaps it is my love of Delftware from the Netherlands. I am so glad you are back at blogging I enjoy reading your posts. Happy New Year
I have always had a fondness for blue and white as well. Perhaps it is my love of Delftware from the Netherlands. I am so glad you are back at blogging I enjoy reading your posts. Happy New Year
The blue is very pretty. I’m sorry to hear of the sadness that’s come to pass in 2011.
The black-eyed peas look good! I wonder if this recipe would work with another type of bean? Navy beans? Pinto? I may have to dig out the crockpot and try it! I don’t know if my family would eat the black-eyed peas. I have to mash and mask them for New Year’s day to get any one to eat them!
The blue is very pretty. I’m sorry to hear of the sadness that’s come to pass in 2011.
The black-eyed peas look good! I wonder if this recipe would work with another type of bean? Navy beans? Pinto? I may have to dig out the crockpot and try it! I don’t know if my family would eat the black-eyed peas. I have to mash and mask them for New Year’s day to get any one to eat them!
Love the finds you always get at Marshals. I typically hate going in thier because I don’t do well with clutter but I dropped in the other day looking for some items for a gift bag and noticed the kitchen area overflowing with All Clad pans and Le Crueset dutch ovens! I was ready to buy up the lot but my sister stopped me and said I had to FOCUS! LOL!
I will defintely be stopping by more often.
I also had Black Eyed Peas this year. My sister made some dip from a recipe over at Pioneer Woman. It was actually really good. I’m not a huge chips and dip person but I was tempted to seconds on this occasion.
Anyway, Nice to see you decorating!
Love the finds you always get at Marshals. I typically hate going in thier because I don’t do well with clutter but I dropped in the other day looking for some items for a gift bag and noticed the kitchen area overflowing with All Clad pans and Le Crueset dutch ovens! I was ready to buy up the lot but my sister stopped me and said I had to FOCUS! LOL!
I will defintely be stopping by more often.
I also had Black Eyed Peas this year. My sister made some dip from a recipe over at Pioneer Woman. It was actually really good. I’m not a huge chips and dip person but I was tempted to seconds on this occasion.
Anyway, Nice to see you decorating!
Ozzie!!!!! I have wondered how he and Sophie have been doing. My mom gave me her Liberty Blue dishes and I love them. Mix them with my red Johnson Brothers from TJMaxx and they look great for the Fourth. I also have some of her blue willow that she didn’t want anymore that I was going to sell at a garage sale that didn’t that I still have that I could pass on to someone……..
Ozzie!!!!! I have wondered how he and Sophie have been doing. My mom gave me her Liberty Blue dishes and I love them. Mix them with my red Johnson Brothers from TJMaxx and they look great for the Fourth. I also have some of her blue willow that she didn’t want anymore that I was going to sell at a garage sale that didn’t that I still have that I could pass on to someone……..
Those beans look so good! Good to have you back.
Those beans look so good! Good to have you back.
What a wonderful way to freshen up the New Year, Nicole! Looks like Ozzie is waiting for someone to play with, too! Love this recipe, too!
Cheers!
What a wonderful way to freshen up the New Year, Nicole! Looks like Ozzie is waiting for someone to play with, too! Love this recipe, too!
Cheers!
I have that Johnson Bros Blue Willow dinner set which I bought for $20 before I was married – dare I say – 20 plus years ago. I priced a side plate at the department store last year (to replace a broken one). $23 -yep, more than I paid for the whole service. You got a good bargain.
I have that Johnson Bros Blue Willow dinner set which I bought for $20 before I was married – dare I say – 20 plus years ago. I priced a side plate at the department store last year (to replace a broken one). $23 -yep, more than I paid for the whole service. You got a good bargain.
Thanks so much for the crock pot recipe. My husband’s relatives are from New Orleans and it’s such a pain in the “b…” to may them the old-fashioned way. Your recipe is excellent and takes away all the pressure. They will never know the difference. Bless you!
Thanks so much for the crock pot recipe. My husband’s relatives are from New Orleans and it’s such a pain in the “b…” to may them the old-fashioned way. Your recipe is excellent and takes away all the pressure. They will never know the difference. Bless you!
We have missed you! It is so wonderful to read your posts again!
We have missed you! It is so wonderful to read your posts again!
Welcome back to blogging land, Nicole. So sorry to read of your losses and other difficulties in 2011. May 2012 be much better for you!
Welcome back to blogging land, Nicole. So sorry to read of your losses and other difficulties in 2011. May 2012 be much better for you!
Oh Nicole, I have missed you! Here’s to a better 2012 for us both – I was glad to slam the 2011 door and it sounds like besides the birth of your granddaughter, 2011 is a year you’re glad to bid farewell!
Happy New Year – looking forward to seeing what you quilt up this year!
Oh Nicole, I have missed you! Here’s to a better 2012 for us both – I was glad to slam the 2011 door and it sounds like besides the birth of your granddaughter, 2011 is a year you’re glad to bid farewell!
Happy New Year – looking forward to seeing what you quilt up this year!
I’m glad you are back to blogging and hope you have a wonderful new year in store. I am a lover of china as well. It’s just so hard to resist! Your quilt is beautiful as is your table setting. Can’t wait to try the recipe. I’m also going to make the rounds to Marshalls etc.
I’m glad you are back to blogging and hope you have a wonderful new year in store. I am a lover of china as well. It’s just so hard to resist! Your quilt is beautiful as is your table setting. Can’t wait to try the recipe. I’m also going to make the rounds to Marshalls etc.
I was just remembering a friend of ours when I was a child who made black eyed peas every New Years and now here is your recipe! It looks wonderful and I can’t wait to try it! So happy to see you back! :o) Ozzie looks cute looking out the window! Can’t wait to see more pics of your beautiful grandbaby, too! I’m sorry things have been so difficult last year and pray for a peaceful new year for you.
I was just remembering a friend of ours when I was a child who made black eyed peas every New Years and now here is your recipe! It looks wonderful and I can’t wait to try it! So happy to see you back! :o) Ozzie looks cute looking out the window! Can’t wait to see more pics of your beautiful grandbaby, too! I’m sorry things have been so difficult last year and pray for a peaceful new year for you.
I love your blue and white scheme and your table setting. The bean casserole looks delicious, I’ll keep the recipe for our winter, thanks for sharing it.
I love your blue and white scheme and your table setting. The bean casserole looks delicious, I’ll keep the recipe for our winter, thanks for sharing it.
Did you know that ‘cache’ pot is actually a replica of a foot bath? Mom gave me one too – mine is cream and red and I have it on my mantel in my bedroom.
I love clearing out the Christmas decorations and having a calm, serene house in January.
Did you know that ‘cache’ pot is actually a replica of a foot bath? Mom gave me one too – mine is cream and red and I have it on my mantel in my bedroom.
I love clearing out the Christmas decorations and having a calm, serene house in January.
Hi, Nicole. It’s a new year and a new beginning for everyone. I hope 2012 is brighter and sunshinier for you. I really like your blue and white quilt that’s on the chair that Ozzie is standing on. Please share the name of the pattern and who it’s by. I love big block quilts! Thanks for keeping your blog inviting!
Hi, Nicole. It’s a new year and a new beginning for everyone. I hope 2012 is brighter and sunshinier for you. I really like your blue and white quilt that’s on the chair that Ozzie is standing on. Please share the name of the pattern and who it’s by. I love big block quilts! Thanks for keeping your blog inviting!
The blue and white quilt Ozzie is standing on is in my Quilt Album (right hand sidebar). The pattern came from Nancy Martin’s book Time Crunch Quilts and is called Corner Star.
The blue and white quilt Ozzie is standing on is in my Quilt Album (right hand sidebar). The pattern came from Nancy Martin’s book Time Crunch Quilts and is called Corner Star.