The boat and black eyed peas.

Chris has had this old steal john boat for years. The problem was the guy he bought it off of never had it registered and there was no title. So... after being told year after year that we would have to do a lengthy and expensive title search that would involve police and lots of money. We finally were told get some affidavits signed that will prove it's ours. So we did and now it's all legal. Yeah!

We could have still used it with out an motor and floated around on private lakes with it but... we want to go exploring on public water ways and springs and lakes and even the intercoastal water way. Well maybe the water way, it is just a john boat.

 Being a steal boat there is no rust to worry about, pretty much all it needs is a good paint job. There is no dents or wholes or anything.

There is one piece of wood in the back I don't know if we will have to replace that or not. It's in pretty good shape as well.

Reese's is ready to go for a ride!

Almost ready for a New Year.

This year we're not going to our usual party. :( Chris has to work New Years Day. So...........We're just going to have a nice relaxing holiday at home. We're still going to make the traditional black eyed peas with rice and greens. We don't like collard or mustard so we cheat and have spinach. When I was little my grandfather used to always make the black eyed peas he'd say "The peas were for prosperity, the rice was for the riches and the green is the color of money." and I think I've eaten them every year on New Years Day that I can remember. 

I've heard a lot of stories of how this tradition came to be. Some say it originated with black people. It's definitely a southern thing. Up north they eat sauerkraut and brisket. I heard that during the civil war they ran out of food and were on the brink of death when some one turned up with a sack of black eyed peas and saved them all. So it was lucky for them. But that doesn't explain why you have the rice and greens so I don't buy that story ether.

Any way it's good to put them in the slow cooker on New Year's Eve and then they are all done and good to go on New Year's Day when your all hung over and too dead to cook. I've also heard your suppose to eat a fluted fruit cake on New Year's Day for the fruit of life. I don't know about that.

If you've never made black eyed peas it's very easy. You can cheat and use the canned kind or you can get dried ones and do the whole soaking thing. That's what we usually do. Once they are all soaked and ready to go in the slow cooker. We add our ham bone from Christmas. Or at least some left over Christmas ham. Gives them that festive taste. If you don't have Christmas ham it's also really good with a hog jowl or ham hock. We also add onion, garlic, bell pepper, salt, black pepper, some times Chris puts a bay leaf or other spices. Then you let it cook all night while you party. Check to make sure it doesn't run out of water and then next day it's mmm... good. 

Have a Happy New Year Everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1