Liz Day

04/28/2024

You can't focus on what's in front of you if you're fixated on the past.

04/26/2024

Inquiring minds want to know ...

12/31/2023

THE SOUTHERN WAY OF
PREPARING FOR NEW YEAR’s DAY

Why do Southerners eat Black Eyed Peas, Pork, Greens & Cornbread on New Year’s Day?

History Unlocks The Mystery …
The story of the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas, pork, greens & cornbread for lunch/supper on New Year's Day is believed to date back to the Civil War era, specifically the winter of 1864 - 1865.

That’s when General Sherman (of the Union Army) led his invading troops on their devastatingly destructive march through Georgia.

The Union foragers plundered the land, taking everything that was of value and/or use to them that they could carry or haul away; and, whatever they couldn’t take with them was either set ablaze or left in broken or ripped to shreds & scattered in the wake of their march.

But two things did remain, the lowly black-eyed peas and good ol’ Southern salted pork. (The fields of black-eyed peas were largely left untouched because they were deemed fit only for animals & apparently they didn’t find the savory pork of the South particularly tasty.)

As a result, the humble yet nourishing black-eyed peas saved surviving Southerners - mainly women, children, elderly and the disabled veterans of the Confederate Army - from mass starvation that Winter and were henceforth regarded as a symbol of good luck.

The black-eyed peas are said to represent good fortune. Having a stockpile of these was certainly fortunate - dare I say lifesaving, to many Southern families and soldiers during that dreadful Winter … for without them, many more Southerners would have died of starvation!

According to the tradition and folklore, the peas are served with several other dishes that symbolically represent good fortune, health, wealth, and prosperity in the coming year. Some folks still traditionally cook the black-eyed peas with a silver dime in the pot as a symbol of good fortune.

Greens represent wealth and paper money. Any greens will do, but in the South the most popular ones are collards, turnip greens, spinach, and cabbage.

Cornbread - a regular staple among Southerners in the absence of wheat - symbolizes gold and is very good for soaking up the juice from the greens on the plate.

You should always have some cornbread on hand in your kitchen anyway. Good substitute for dinner rolls, when buttered! 😊

Pork symbolizes bountiful prosperity and progressing into the year ahead. Ham is typical with the New Year meal, though sometimes bacon will be used instead. Pigs root forward, so it’s the symbolic moving on from the past & forward for the New Year.

Tomatoes are often eaten with this meal, too. They represent health & growth.

So if/when you sit down at your family table to enjoy this humble, uniquely Southern meal on New Year’s Day, take time to reflect of the history behind this tradition. Be thankful for what this year brought you in spite of the bad things you endured; yet hope and pray for better days ahead for you, your loved ones, & our nation.

That was what the ol’ Southern kinfolk did each year … and in light of the internal division & animosity brewing in our nation currently - coupled with the fact we are heading into another bitter election cycle this year, I wanted to share these traditions with all of you - regardless of the place of your birth on this, God’s footstool, called Earth. ♥️

Yes, we have our differences (big & small) but we decide what to focus on each day. If we focus on our differences, we’re sowing seeds of discord, division & destruction. But if we choose to focus on what we share in common, we’re sowing seeds of hope, harmony… and giving our nation an opportunity to heal. I choose the latter & I hope you will, too.

Despite what Satan would have us believe, open dialogues / discussions do NOT have to result in discord. On the contrary, they provide an opportunity to hear another person’s perspective, contemplate their reasoning, discover common ground or misunderstandings, &/or build bridges of mutual respect with those who hold opposing views … all of which is good. We may never agree on certain topics - which is fine, let an honest vote decide the outcome of those, but there’s no reason to be hateful & disrespectful to each other in the process!

Above all else, I pray that you & your loved ones experience a closer walk with Jesus in 2024 than ever before. May your days overflow with health, wealth & wisdom so there is always enough to spare whenever there’s a need to share! ♥️

—————///—————
*This post is straight from my heart but it was originally inspired by & subsequently adapted from a post made by my friend, Sandy Aiken.

08/14/2023

No thanks … As long as it’s Monday out there, I’m staying in here! 😂

08/14/2023

So THAT’s what all the buzz is about! 😂🤣😂🤣

08/12/2023

Dear Truckers,
Just because you’re older & have mobility issues doesn’t mean you have to stop traveling in style. Be the envy of everybody with this big rig!!! 😍

08/12/2023

♥️♥️♥️😂🤣😂♥️♥️♥️

You are a genius lyricist & a dang good vocalist, too!!!

08/12/2023

This is cool, BUT … I’d need the turbo version because even if I were doing this from the comfort of my easy chair on the back porch while sipping a tall glass of sweet tea, I still wouldn’t have the patience to wait on this model to finish the job. 😂

08/08/2023

For loved ones struggling with Dementia or Alzheimer's, this is a BRILLIANT idea. My only suggestion is that you use decals in a color that they can clearly see.

For anyone moving into a new home ... this is how you skip the "which switch learning curve". Brilliant, right?!

You're welcome! 😄

07/16/2023

Happy National Ice Cream Day!!! Remember, sharing is caring. (This video, not your ice cream.) 😋

🎵Now on Spotify: http://bit.ly/GatoSpotify👇Este es mi equipo Home Studio👇🎧Audifonos: https://amzn.to/2G5HUZU🎹Teclado MIDI: https://amzn.to/2TZv4zZ🔈Moni...

07/16/2023

So, this (uninvited) critter stopped by today while we were tending to the rose bushes … scared to shiitake out of me!!!

Close Encounters at the “Country Cottage” so far include: ✅Deer ✅Hummingbirds ✅Lightning Bugs ✅Rabbits ✅Frogs ✅Squirrels ✅Chipmunks ✅Cardinals ✅Blue Birds ✅Hawks ✅Raven ✅ Geckos ✅ Raccoons ✅Armadillo ✅Groundhogs ✅Opossums ✅Turtle ✅Beaver ✅ Foxes (red & grey) ✅Granddaddy Long Legs ✅Bumble Bees ✅Millipedes ✅Wasps ✅Yellow Jackets ✅Vultures and now a ❎ SNAKE - 8 feet long!!!

I hope he’s friendly bc I didn’t see which way he went as I was too busy shrieking and running way. 🫣😊 (Much to our neighbors’ amusement, I’m sure. 🤦‍♀️)

Is this a friendly snake or not? 🥺 Until I know for sure, my redneck hot tub plans are officially on hold!!!

07/14/2023

07/13/2023

Why is she doing that??? Inquiring minds want to know!!! ...

07/13/2023

Gadgets & gizmos that make cooking & doing the dishes more fun? Yes, please! All can be found on Amazon!

07/12/2023

Pictures of scenic roadways always inspire me to start thinking about where to go next. What about you?

'Winding Down'

Since we're already on the road themed images I figured lets keep it going with another banger of a road ; A winding down road. Winding roads are easily my favourite road, and it is absolutely the most ironic thing ever.

Why is it ironic you ask? So, when I was around 10 - 12yrs of age roughly, I was living in the kibbutz at that time and there were a lot of things that were only accessible in the city. So you have context, I was a bit of a troubled kid in my younger days admittedly so. I was being sent to see a children's psychiatrist for approximately a year I believe, I don't remember a lot of the details exactly. Her job was to help me find ways to study, retain information, concentrate, help me 'behave better' if you will. I have 0 shame in that, I was a kid, kids can be troublesome, and to be honest with you I wouldn't be who I am today without the help I received. I went way off topic didn't I?

So, these weekly appointments were happening in the near by city to us, which was about 45min drive give or take. I hated it! I don't know why, to this day I still don't know if or how I got over it completely, but the roads to this city were just winding none stop for 45 min. Turning lefts and rights, and I would get super car sick..Almost every time I had to go. I dreaded it each time.

Nowadays I drive myself, and I have no problems sitting in a car through winding roads and when I see winding roads, like this one, instead of dread or getting sick, instead my mind gets blown right the 'f' off! It is just astonishing to see a road like this, with the landscape and the layers of the cliffs and mountains it's just super epic and majestic.

I can't wait to go back there, this is only an hour away from home and I intend of making the most of the opportunities I get to go and visit and photograph this location. One of the reasons being is this road is only accessible in the summer months, the window is short.

Are you good with winding roads?! Also, should I post more roads, are you enjoying the theme? Tell me about your favourite or most memorable road you've been to, can't wait to hear your stories.

07/11/2023

Without question, item #3 is my favorite out of all these. It has held up very well - despite rough handling by my family!

07/11/2023

Ain't nothing like that very FIRST bite of ice cream! (Psst ... National Ice Cream Day is coming up on July 16th, so head to the store to stock up now!) 🙂

07/11/2023

You know this happened to someone right?! ... 🤣 ...
"Like" if it WASN'T you!!

07/10/2023

They say time is money, right? Do these trendy gadgets live up to their hype? Watch the video to find out!

07/10/2023

Ladybugs are amazing ... "Like" if you agree!

07/10/2023

A bit harsh if you ask me ...

07/10/2023

😂 My Husband, Children & Closet Can All Testify This Is A Very Accurate Description Of Me ...

07/10/2023

The right tools for the task makes ALL the difference. "Like" if you agree! 😂💩 ?

07/06/2023

😂 That’s EXACTLY right!

07/06/2023

This plumber really knows how to get the “Browns” in the “Super Bowl” to go “downtown”!!! I give them a 💩💩💩💩💩 rating!!! 😂