Entering the NEW YEAR with JOY!

Oh, my goodness! Christmas is over. How did that happen?? A mad dash for the decorating…baking…preparations for my home to have more feet under my table. It was glorious. Not as many feet as usual. But, plenty of quarantined family members to make for a joyful celebration of food, laughter, games and fun. And I find myself grasping for that word again as I prepared to ring in the new year. JOY. So, I’m over here entering the NEW YEAR with JOY!

You know, there is a favorite Bible verse for me that says,

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”.

My hand is raised. Does anyone else need JOY and strength to survive the shrapnel of 2020 besides me? I may even leave this ornament up to remind me that it needs to stay around this year.

This time of year I find myself reflecting on what happened in 2020. Most of the year is a blur of face masks, hand washing, sanitizer, and PROJECTS. Goodness, soooo many PROJECTS! Did that happen to anyone else, but me?

But, so much good happened in the middle of it all. Including, finally, beginning this blog.

We are ringing in the new year with a new focus. Improved vision. A better outlook.

Because, truly, you choose your outlook. Your attitude. The way you perceive life.

I’m choosing to enter 2021 with JOY. With an outlook of blessings, positive views, and looking for the good.

I’m not necessarily one for resolutions, but, I do believe in setting a tone for plans.

My January go to is always to add LIFE to my home. There will be lemons to use and decorate with among fresh flowers; and, those are usually ferns. Rabbit foot ferns and Austral Gem ferns are my new ones for this year. They always bring me joy. New life. New plants. With a touch of yellow for brightness during those dreary winter days. Yep! My favorites.

We can look at the future with “high hope”…or with “pessimism for all that can go wrong”. Nope. Not doing that pessimistic thing here. Looking for good. Celebrating life. Prayers for blessings and a hope and a future.

So, this New Year’s Eve, there will be a quiet celebration with JOY. Fewer feet under my table. Perhaps less fun and games. But with great food, peace in our hearts and a focus on all that we have been blessed with for the New Year.

Part of that celebration will include a tradition. We begin the holiday appetizers and charcuterie boards with this favorite in December…but, it will be shared as a part of ringing in the New Year, as well.

My mother in law’s recipe is ALWAYS a favorite. And, this recipe is one that when all of us made it, found that it was the REAL recipe. No ingredients changed in writing them down. Preparing always brings the same delicious results. My only change is that favorite Peruvian Chile Lime Seasoning.

Anyone else have family recipes that when you tried to recreate them, weren’t the same?? Well, thankfully this one has remained the same. And anyone who has had it at my home, runs straight for it when it’s served at a gathering.

Hope you’ll give it a try.

We’ll be enjoying any leftovers of that cheese roll with that sweet potato chili recipe I have shared before. Perfect compliment.

As you enter the New Year…what will be your word?

What would you shout from the mountaintops? For all to hear from you? JOY will come out of this megaphone, loud speaker or karaoke machine mic! And perhaps from the words on the page of this blog….

HAPPY JOYFUL NEW YEAR, friends! And may you enjoy this Cheese Roll as you ring in the New Year or pair it with a bit of comfort food.