Its the New Year

Unlike many millions of other people, I was in bed when the New Year struck. I am not a partyer-never have been either. I rather be with my boys, and watch it on TV. What's great about being in the central time zone is we get the new year an hour early (well, watching the ball drop in Times Square).
For New Years Eve dinner, we had a rubber ham. Actually it was a spiral sliced ham with a honey glaze and it was yummy. The Big Man made his famous fried potatoes and we had some veggies too. My mother had ordered a veggie tray for Christmas so this was the last of it. (boy do I know how to stretch things!). So for New Years Day I made ham and scalloped potatoes (from scratch, not out of a box thank you very much)
Ham & Scalloped potatoes

4 large potatoes scrubbed peeled and sliced thinly (I used a mandolin)
1 1/2 c milk
1/4 flour
1/2 butter or margarine
1 tsp parsley
1 c shredded cheese
ham
frozen peas

Soak the potatoes in cold water for 15 minutes.

Heat the milk flour & butter together in a saucepan and stir constantly until thickened. Drain potatoes. Put in a baking dish. Add the bechamel sauce to the potatoes, mix. Add ham and peas, mix again. Add cheese.
Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes

Last night we took a break from the ham to have take out at home-I made a yummy sesame ginger chicken stir fry, with steamed broccoli, rice, peas and egg rolls(they were frozen). For dessert, we had mandarin orange fluff.

Tonight we are having split pea soup (the last of the ham!) with homemade bread and cupcakes (little man's request).

Split pea soup
1 pkg split peas, sorted, rinsed and soaked
1 large ham bone
some ham meat
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dill
chicken broth

add all the ingredients together in the crockpot. cook for 8 hours. serve with rustic bread and butter and a dollop of sour cream.

Yummy!!

Since dinner was in the crockpot all day, I had a chance to get some cleaning done. I sorted all my craft supplies by holiday (like Chinese New Year or Valentines Day to mention 2 coming up real soon). I also set up a mail station in the kitchen for stuff that needs to get mailed. I am trying to avoid bad aunt syndrome this year. 08 was just an off year. It started on New Years day with my mother having her stroke and I don't think I ever got past that. It ended with my mother now living with us and my sister contemplating transferring to North Dakota State in Fargo, which is about 3 or so hours away (vs. 1300 miles in West Virginia). On a positive note, ww all well and healthy and its going to be an amazing year full of comfort and joy.

Time to take the bread out of the oven and serve dinner.

And hug my little man