For the first time ever we can truly say 2020 is behind us!
There is a vaccine coming to all of us very soon! With the vaccine, when most people are vaccinated, will come a shift towards life as we knew it before the pandemic. I don’t want to dwell on all the negativity that has been part of all our lives right through today.
Instead, what are we going to do going forward? I have come to appreciate my friends and family so much more. I’m hoping my weekly zoom meetings with family and friends will continue. As I am always uplifted after seeing their faces and hearing their voices.
I intend to keep up my daily walks and i always find something new to be thankful for. Sometimes a deer in a neighbor's yard or a bunch of tiny pinecones that fell from a tree. The blue sky and fluffy white clouds, so many things to be thankful for. and so many more things too many to name.
I want to learn new skills. My friend and are holding each other accountable for spending time on writer related things. The book I’m working on will be published in 2021, which is exciting. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hopeful for a peaceful world.
There is some joy in every day. If one can find even that small amount of joy it is uplifting. One thing I enjoy is cooking. I must say during the pandemic I’ve cooked new deserts more often than healthy meals. That is one thing I am changing.
I’d like to share a New Year’s recipe with you. It is from my recipe book “A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook”, by Patricia Telesco.
As you go forward into the New Year I wish you the Magical attributes of this recipe which are: Strength, courage, vitality, and fire magic.
Red Bean Rally (Cuba)
1lb red beans Pepper
½ lb cooked, cubed pork
1 large onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 red pepper diced
½ tsp dried thyme
2 tbls olive oil
½ tsp dried basil
1 tomato chopped
1 bay leaf
4 ½ tsps. Vinegar
Salt
3 cups cooked rice
Soak the beans for 12 hours and then drain.
Combine the beans, pork, garlic, thyme, basil, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and 5-6 cups of water in a large pot. Simmer. Saute the onion and pepper in the oil. Add to the beans with tomato and vinegar. Simmer till the beans are done, 20-30 mins. Serve on a bed of rice with a hard boiled egg or lemon slices as garnish.
Yield: 6 servings
Celebrations: Solar and fire festivals, Feast of Banners, Feast of Juniper
Enjoy the recipe!!!
"The bookshop has a thousand books, all colors, hues and tinges
And every cover is a door that turns on magic hinges." by Nancy B. Turner
What things are you doing for yourself in the New Year?
