Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year! 2016. Impossible. It's cliche, but every year the time seems to go faster, speeding up like a runaway train. 2016, retired 5 years, 53 years years old… the list of impossibilities goes on. I was in my 20s just the other day… Y2K was in recent memory… well, you know!

It was a quiet night with only one friend over. Cathey has been with us to toast in the new year for many years. I was glad it wasn't a big do as I wasn't feeling very well. We started a new tradition last night, instead of heaps of rich, fat filled foods, we ate the new year in vegan style. What could we possibly eat?

We started with cucumber and celery with a hummus dip, plus I made salsa using the recipe from the Acapulco (roast tomatoes and jalapenos with a bit of garlic. Process in food processor. Eat while smiling broadly at the deliciousness.

Lemony Lentil soup was the second course. Rich tasting with the brightness of lemon. A bit filling but since we were spreading the meal over a few hours it was okay.

Roasted portobello mushrooms, red pepper, and brussels sprouts was served with brown and wild rice. A thyme scented mushroom gravy and peas finished off the main course. It was actually pretty good.

Vegan black bean brownies were enjoyed for dessert. They aren't like a rich, chewy traditional brownie, but I guess they are better for the waistline. Plus there was no butter, flour, or added sugar. They were sweetened with a couple of dates and a ripe banana.

Not exactly pork roast stuffed with a sausage, wild rice, fennel dressing, but a healthier start to the new year (a part of me says pish posh to healthy for a big occasion, but I was catering to our friend).

After a night that almost met daybreak I watched the Rose Bowl parade then switched the channel over to TCM for some black and white classics. Mindless entertainment for a mindless day.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.  ~Helen Keller

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