Third Annual Hoppin’ John Party
January 1, 2012
“Eat poor that day, eat rich the rest of the year. Rice for riches and peas for peace.”Southern saying on eating a dish of Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day.
IF YOU FEED THEM, THEY WILL COME
Camille had the kitchen in full swing with huge pots of black-eyed peas, rice and greens on the stove in preparation for the party. For the third year in a row, we were serving up lucky Hoppin John, with greens to represent folding money. And the rice was extra special this year – Koshihikari the most flavorful of Japanese rice and grown right next door by Jason and Haruka!
Before we knew it, the house was full of happy people getting lucky! Sharing the stories, luck and beans are Dave, Joe, Lisa, Haruka, Mary Bee, Jason, Camille and Andrew.
The story about eating this as your first meal of the year to bring good luck stems back to the Civil War. Back then, people lived off the land and when hungry soldiers came through, they stripped the landscape bare of edibles. Fortunately, the army left the field peas and collard greens behind, as these were considered to be animal feed. The land owners considered themselves extremely lucky to have anything to eat and began a tradition of starting out the year with this meal.
ALL IN GOOD FUN
Jill and Tami compare bellies and we all agreed – it was no contest.
Tami and Carol took on Lyle and Glen at the Crokinole table.
PROTOCOL
Here’s how this party works, everyone helps themselves to a glass of champagne and orange juice and a bowl of black-eyed peas.
If our guests are lucky enough to find themselves here for the first time, we take their picture with our yard art, Spot. Welcome to Trouts Farm, Tom and Cathy!
FROM AFAR
Sarah joined us from Austrailia. Jeremy from New York and on his way to Ghana.
Dave and Lisa moved here from Minneapolis to open the incredibly cute and delicious Small B&B Cafe.
TO NEAR
Doug and Betsy are icons of the local community
Jeffrey, too!