Christmas Countdown - 2011

[MerryBells]

I live in Pittsburgh, PA and I have always grown up eating pork and sauerkraut for my dinner on New Years Day. My grandma always said that it was what she ate on New Years Day growing up, so she continued the tradition with her family. My mom now does it and I can't imagine having a New Years without it! Eating this meal is supposed to bring you good luck for the upcoming year.

A lot of people hate sauerkraut because it is so bitter. The trick (if anyone wants to try it) is to dump the sauerkraut out of the can/bag into a strainer, rinse it with cold water, shake that out, rinse it again a few more times. That takes the horrible bitterness out of it and it actually tastes really good.

We usually cook it on the stove with the pork and also some hot dogs, but a crock pot works really well, too!

I think this originated from the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Edit -- Here is what the PA Dutch supposedly thought about it - "Pennsylvania Dutch superstition says that eating pork brings good luck because a pig roots forward to look for its food, while chickens scratch backward and cows stand still."

My family puts a can of plain cooked tomatoes in the sauerkraut along with the pork. Tomatoes give it a smoother flavor.

 

[MerryBells]

Oh, and I forgot to say that my family eats pickled herring on New Year's Eve for good luck. I'm not sure why-maybe because it's so nasty that nothing else worse can happen to you all year!

 

[RadioJonD]

Oh, and I forgot to say that my family eats pickled herring on New Year's Eve for good luck. I'm not sure why-maybe because it's so nasty that nothing else worse can happen to you all year!

You ain't just whistlin’ past a graveyard!

 

[CJ498]

Good morning everyone!

Catching up on this thread, drinking Starbucks Christmas Blend coffee (almost out have to get some more while they still have it). Not much exciting for me to share just sitting here by my tree, Christmas music playing, all is quiet and peaceful!

Hope everyone else is having a great day!

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

African American families do the black eyed peas thing too, but also collards or cabbage (symbolizing money in the New Year). My late FIL used to make head cheese for New Years and give it away for luck. I don't know the tradition behind that one though.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA and I have always grown up eating pork and sauerkraut for my dinner on New Years Day. My grandma always said that it was what she ate on New Years Day growing up, so she continued the tradition with her family. My mom now does it and I can't imagine having a New Years without it! Eating this meal is supposed to bring you good luck for the upcoming year.

A lot of people hate sauerkraut because it is so bitter. The trick (if anyone wants to try it) is to dump the sauerkraut out of the can/bag into a strainer, rinse it with cold water, shake that out, rinse it again a few more times. That takes the horrible bitterness out of it and it actually tastes really good.

We usually cook it on the stove with the pork and also some hot dogs, but a crock pot works really well, too!

I think this originated from the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Edit -- Here is what the PA Dutch supposedly thought about it - "Pennsylvania Dutch superstition says that eating pork brings good luck because a pig roots forward to look for its food, while chickens scratch backward and cows stand still."

Oh, and I forgot to say that my family eats pickled herring on New Year's Eve for good luck. I'm not sure why-maybe because it's so nasty that nothing else worse can happen to you all year!

Thanks for the replies!

Do you mind adding it to the thread link I provided? It will get buried big time in the countdown and would be much easier for me to look up on the thread. I want to make some of these different things to add to my New Year dinner. Save you time, just copy and paste your replies to here:

Lucky Food for New Years

Thanks!!!!

About the pickled herring, I loved those as a kid!! Ha ha! My dad ate them all the time.

 

[jennifer91]

Thanks for the replies!

Do you mind adding it to the thread link I provided? It will get buried big time in the countdown and would be much easier for me to look up on the thread. I want to make some of these different things to add to my New Year dinner. Save you time, just copy and paste your replies to here:

Lucky Food for New Years

Thanks!!!!

About the pickled herring, I loved those as a kid!! Ha ha! My dad ate them all the time.

Won't let me add my reply!

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

Won't let me add my reply!

I just realized you have to have Platinum Membership (or above) to post in that area. Sorry about that.

You can always join! =)

 

[MerryCarey]

Thursday ... just a regular old workday. Mr. is off today and tomorrow, though. His office is redecorating, so they gave everyone Thursday and Friday off. I hope we close early tomorrow---and if we do, I hope I can leave instead of having to stay for another two and a half hours, as I did on the 23rd.

Here is what the PA Dutch supposedly thought about it - "Pennsylvania Dutch superstition says that eating pork brings good luck because a pig roots forward to look for its food, while chickens scratch backward and cows stand still."

The reasons behind some traditions combine imagination and logic in interesting ways! This actually makes sense in a cockeyed sort of way. Good old country logic.

 

[CoJack27]

Here is a very powerful video. RIP Ben.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5HLT-TyRs

 

[Meceka]

The snow is coming down again - beautiful, big flakes laying:

 

[lauriebear]

African American families do the black eyed peas thing too, but also collards or cabbage (symbolizing money in the New Year). My late FIL used to make head cheese for New Years and give it away for luck. I don't know the tradition behind that one though.

Head Cheese is given as a gift during New Years Day to those you wish to have a prosperous new year. It is said that Head Cheese goes as far back as the middle ages and it was often given as gifts.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA and I have always grown up eating pork and sauerkraut for my dinner on New Years Day. My grandma always said that it was what she ate on New Years Day growing up, so she continued the tradition with her family. My mom now does it and I can't imagine having a New Years without it! Eating this meal is supposed to bring you good luck for the upcoming year.

A lot of people hate sauerkraut because it is so bitter. The trick (if anyone wants to try it) is to dump the sauerkraut out of the can/bag into a strainer, rinse it with cold water, shake that out, rinse it again a few more times. That takes the horrible bitterness out of it and it actually tastes really good.

We usually cook it on the stove with the pork and also some hot dogs, but a crock pot works really well, too!

I think this originated from the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Edit -- Here is what the PA Dutch supposedly thought about it - "Pennsylvania Dutch superstition says that eating pork brings good luck because a pig roots forward to look for its food, while chickens scratch backward and cows stand still."

I do Stuffed Cabbage rolls. I will post the recipe in that link in a little bit. This was made by a good neighbor of my Nana's and we had it every New Year's Day, even now I make it for we were told it was for good luck.

I love sauerkraut, especially with grilled sausage, and onions & peppers. Mmmm, mmmm! cheesy

Now your talk'in I like a little spicy mustard with a nice German type roll!!!

My family puts a can of plain cooked tomatoes in the sauerkraut along with the pork. Tomatoes give it a smoother flavor.

I didn't know that, I wondered why the tomatoes were added!!!

Oh, and I forgot to say that my family eats pickled herring on New Year's Eve for good luck. I'm not sure why-maybe because it's so nasty that nothing else worse can happen to you all year!

That was too funny my boss looked at me because I laughed so hard!!!!

Thanks for the replies!

Do you mind adding it to the thread link I provided? It will get buried big time in the countdown and would be much easier for me to look up on the thread. I want to make some of these different things to add to my New Year dinner. Save you time, just copy and paste your replies to here:

Lucky Food for New Years

Thanks!!!!

About the pickled herring, I loved those as a kid!! Ha ha! My dad ate them all the time.

NO way, I really wondered who ate that stuff!!! Tee Hee

 

[sugar142286]

Hey everyone! Hope you're all having a great day! I just got up about a half an hour ago from my 4 or so hours of sleep (wish I could sometimes sleep longer!) Never seems to happen that way. Anway, I am here now to spend sometime.

DH is work, so the kids are at daycare until around 5. Nothing new is here. I am going to HOPEFULLY get caught up on the count - I should. cheesy

 

[xmas365]

Xmas, hope you got some rest & are feeling better today. BTW, we have a Taco Bell around the corner from our house..so good!

I have been getting at least 8 hours a night, and sitting after some grocery shopping earlier, when my wife and I lived in Chicopee, MA, we had a Taco Bell about a mile away. That was her number one craving when she was pregnant with our first, I loved that! The closest one to us now is over 10 miles away.

 

[ballcoach]

As fast as this week is going, Christmas 2012 will be here in no time!

Working....no ballgames tonight.....be back later to catch up!

 

[xmas365]

Here is a very powerful video. RIP Ben.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5HLT-TyRs

Thanks for sharing.

 

[lauriebear]

I have been getting at least 8 hours a night, and sitting after some grocery shopping earlier, when my wife and I lived in Chicopee, MA, we had a Taco Bell about a mile away. That was her number one craving when she was pregnant with our first, I loved that! The closest one to us now is over 10 miles away.

You know I use to live in Michigan and I loved going to Stake & Shake we do not have them in NY or at least by me anyway. But, back in 2004 I worked with a company who did a lot of construction in Las Vegas that is how I came to visit there a lot and well my #1 bad food joint there was the Jack In the Box, OMG!!! Oh just thinking about it, I know it is bad, but I do not care boy was it good!!! When I lived and in FL I loved going to the Daily Queen, we vacationed in Maine this year and one trip was to the Dairy Queen!!!

 

[xmas365]

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

Good afternoon,

Just sitting here catching up on today's posts, while watching the Christmas music videos I recorded from VH1 Classic on Christmas morning, I do that every year, and watch them the next few weeks after Christmas. I also recorded 4ours of Music Choice Christmas music to get me through the year until next November when the music comes back. My wife is playing with her Wii Fit, she is loving it, I will start doing it once my pain goes away, which I hope is soon. My brother-in-law is coming over for dinner tonight, mmm burgers and fries, and we will be watching the newest Harry Potter movie. I hope all of you are enjoying Christmas week, I know I am, it may be the last one I get to take off in a while, as I have been told they will not approve it anymore. I will try to request it off again next year, doesn't hurt to try, right? I haven't worked it since 2002. I have been very lucky.
Enjoy your day, Merry 5th day of Christmas!

 

[xmas365]

You know I use to live in Michigan and I loved going to Stake & Shake we do not have them in NY or at least by me anyway. But, back in 2004 I worked with a company who did a lot of construction in Las Vegas that is how I came to visit there a lot and well my #1 bad food joint there was the Jack In the Box, OMG!!! Oh just thinking about it, I know it is bad, but I do not care boy was it good!!! When I lived and in FL I loved going to the Daily Queen, we vacationed in Maine this year and one trip was to the Dairy Queen!!!

My favorite fast food joints are Taco Bell and Wendy's, I used to love a place called Rally's that was in Worcester in the early 90's. For a real treat and probably the best burger it's a long way away it's 5 Guys Burgers & Fries, you know its good when the brown bag they put it in turns translucent from the grease, I haven't been there in over a year, but it is so good.

 

[xmas365]

Attention, Attention: cheesy

In case you didn't know or you forgot "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" is on tonight at 8pm est on ABC, I didn't know it was on until I read today's paper. It's not one of my favorites but it is Charlie Brown.

 

[MerryCarey]

For a real treat and probably the best burger it's a long way away it's 5 Guys Burgers & Fries, you know its good when the brown bag they put it in turns translucent from the grease, I haven't been there in over a year, but it is so good.

Drive east---there's one in Natick and one in Framingham! Too darn convenient ... they know us by sight when we walk in ...

First time we went, we each ordered fries, if you can picture that! Big mistake! (For the uninitiated, an order of fries fills a brown paper lunch bag.) Good burgers. And the one nearest us just got the new touch-screen soda machines.