At the end of the year I always like to reflect back on the past year and take a look at the lessons that I can bring forward into the new year. I have made so many new friends this year and you have made it a very special year for me. Let's take a look at your Top Ten Favorites. Texas Star Chili Cook Off Link: Texas Star Chili Cook Off Green Chili Enchilada Chicken Link: Green Chili Enchilada Chicken Slow Cooker  Pork Chop Dinner Link: Slow Cooker Pork Chop Dinner Christmas Eve Tamales Link: Christmas Eve Tamales Butternut Custard Link: Butternut Custard The Pickle Pot Link: The Pickle Pot Green Chili and Cranberry Turkey Chalupa Link: Green Chili and Cranberry Turkey Chapula Yogurt Pie Link: Greek Yogurt Pie Cranberry Bites Link: Cranberry Nut Bites Brisket and Vegetables Link: Brisket and Vegetables  This year if you have stopped by to have tea with me and visit for a bit, left me a lovely comment, became a follower, or just came by to get a recipe

I always remember my Grandmother and my Mother having Black Eyed Peas cooking on New Years. After I had my own home my Mother would call and remind me to be sure and "cook a pot of peas for New Years". There are many traditions around New Years food. If you eat buckwheat soba noodles in Japan you are thought to have long life. Eat 12 grapes at the strike of Midnight in Latin America and it is thought that you will have success in each month of the new year. In our family we ate the Black Eyed Peas for good luck in the New Year. If you added pork of any kind that would bring prosperity in the new year, while some believe that if you add greens that will also increase your pocket book with green bills. My Grandmother always put pork and collards in her black eyed peas while my Mother cooked her peas with pork without the collards. I am happy to share my Good Luck Black Eyed Peas with you. We cook these in the slow cooker and will have them ready to eat from midnight a

This is such a busy time of the year, we are very busy entertaining or being invited to other events. Sometimes we are asked to bring  little Holiday Goodies. I often times have left over ham in the freezer and this is a great way to use it, other than in my beans or a casserole. Ham Lettuce Cups Ham Salad Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 3 cups coarsely Chopped Baked Ham 2 tablespoons Spicy Mustard 1/2 cup real mayonnaise 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt 2/3 cup Sweet Pickle Relish or Dill Pickle Relish 2 tablespoons fresh parsley 2 tablespoons fresh chives Dash Cayenne Pepper 1/2 cup chopped roasted pecans 1/2 cup dried cranberries Directions In the food processor place the chopped ham and process until finely chopped Remove the ham and place into mixing bowl Stir in the remaining ingredients and mix well Chill before serving Print Recipe Process Ham In Food Processor Mix Well With Other Ingredients  The Puff Recipe is Posted a

We are having a wonderful holiday with family and friends. We are so glad that you could stop by today. We have so many Christmas Goodies to eat you just sit right down and we will have a little snack with our tea. I am working on the menu for next week so we will get right to it. Feature Recipe New Years Day Baked Ham Steak With Spicy Hot Fruit Sunday Vegetable Beef Soup Cornbread Left Over Christmas Goodies Monday Baked Zita Tossed Green Salad Garlic Bread The Last of The Pie Tuesday Tamale Casserole Mexican Cole Slaw Baked Tortilla Chips Chocolate Chip Cookies Wednesday Chicken 'N Rice Casserole Tossed Green Salad Hot Biscuits Mixed Fruit and Cookies Thursday Shrimp Scampi Wild Rice Steamed Mixed Vegetables Garlic Stix Lemon Pudding Friday New Years Eve Going To The Party I will bring  The Black Eyed Peas Link: Good Luck Black Eyed Peas Green Tomato Chow Chow  and Corn Bread Saturday New Years Day We Will Serve The Good Luck Black Eyed Peas All Day Link on Friday

Christmas memories are made of sounds, smells, pictures, food, reflections, family and friends. The feelings of celebration, joy, giving, receiving, love, acceptance, hope and peace. I  invite you to join me in quiet reflection of  some of my Christmas Memories. The Snowman Is Over Twenty Years Old He Is Called "Tiny Snowman" Tiffany Made It When She Was Five Years Old The Village Choir Fourteen Years Old Reece and Tate   Decorating The Christmas Cookies Lauren and Stephanie "Brin Man" A Texas Christmas Kyleigh 2010 Making Her Gingerbread House Family Fun  Trevor, Nikki and Ben Whats In The Box Jerame? Ready For The Ornament Exchange Memories With Friends That Warm My Heart And To All...A Good Night From our Cottage to yours...Merry Christmas and may God Bless You! Peace and Joy  Miz Helen