two thousand twelve

 One Christmas, many years ago, I had the chicken pox. I remember my mom smearing my little face and body with pink calamine lotion so I wouldn't itch and she made sure I bathed in warm oatmeal every few hours. The lotion left a pasty residue that made me look even more sickly and pale. My poor mom ended up with the chicken pox that Christmas as did my younger sister and brother. I remember my father piling us into the living room on Christmas morning, snapping pictures of everyone in front of the tree. Our eyes were droopy and we were itchy and tired. We whined about having to do such a thing but he assured us that we would look back at those pictures with funny stories to share. He was right. We rang in the New Year with paper hats and lackluster smiles, but we were together and that’s all that mattered. And for as long as I can remember that’s how we celebrated the new year-together as a family. I think that’s why I’ve never had the desire to do anything but spend New Years Eve with my loved ones. 

This year was no exception. We spent NYE in the company of our amazing extended family, preparing a gourmet Asian feast-a collective effort that left us feeling full and satisfied. Of course the best part, was that we had loving arms to embrace and sweet little faces to kiss at midnight.

On January 1^st, we woke up to homemade waffles with chocolate sauce, fresh fruit salad and whipped cream. I’m sharing a lovely recipe for homemade chocolate pudding because it reminds me of the sauce we had on New Years Day with our waffles. It's decadent and delightful.

My grandmother always said, that the way you ring in the New Year and celebrate New Years Day, is a strong indication of how the rest of the year will play out. If her theory is true, 2012 is sure to be filled with sweet surprises.