With A Bang

I don't remember how this started - we used to bang pots and pans to usher in the New Year. I sort of remember doing this as a kid. We also used to eat what we called "pick it" plates which was nothing more than an assortment of cheeses, summer sausage, and crackers. Sometimes we would have a giant sub sandwich, and other times we had fondue.

That was a long time ago so the details are fuzzy. I could be mixing up my traditions here.

Then I moved to the Left Coast, got married and inherited kids. We carried on some of the family holiday traditions - like making red and green cookies. They're ball-shaped cookies made of nothing more than butter, flour, sugar, and ground almonds rolled in either red or green sugar. I made it with my stepsons and I've made it with my grandson. I don't think any of the boys will carry on this tradition but now I have a granddaughter so I'm hoping the red and green cookies will continue with her someday.

For New Years Eve, I used to take the kids outside at nine pm and call my parents where it was midnight and we'd usher in the New Year by banging pots and pans over the phone line. This was probably highly annoying as I can imagine they would rather be sleeping. The kids thought it was great to be making all that noise and the neighbors didn't mind because it was only nine pm.

For years, the kids thought the New Year started at nine which was great because then we did go to bed.

My stepson tried banging pots and pans with his son last year but he was only three and it scared him a little. Thankfully, he didn't call me at midnight for the demonstration. I wonder if I'll be that lucky this year. What goes around comes around.

To my family members who are on the Right Coast - don't worry, I won't be calling you to bang pots and pans. Sleep easy and have sweet dreams of whatever your future holds. Good health, I hope, and prosperity if you're lucky. Love, and family to share it with.

May you have many blessings in 2013.