Already I’m feeling like I’m starting the new year a bit disorganized, in the month of January I have two major life events happening, one of which I can’t speak freely about till it’s done and the other, well it’s either going to rock my world or destroy it, so I’m hanging on to that announcement until later.
Regardless of my huge upcoming events I always look to the New Year as a good time for rejuvenation, a starting off point, a beginning to no end.
I found this poem by accident on the internet; it cleverly spells out Happy New Year with the first letter of each line.
How Beautiful the Turning of the Year by Nicolas Gordon
How beautiful the turning of the year!
A Moment artificial yet profound:
Point upon an arbitrary chart
Passing like a breath upon the heart,
Yearning with anticipation wound,
New hope new harbored in old fashioned cheer
Even when the boundary line is clear,
We recognize the oneness of the ground.
Years, like circles do not end or start
Except we lay the truth across our art
Adjusting dates as they go round and round
Revolving to a tune long sung and done.
If you are making up some of my Creole Style Black-eyed peas I highly recommend this spicy cornbread as an accompaniment. The sour cream in the cornbread makes it moist, add more or less jalapenos to suit your spice taste and the chunks of cheese create beautiful cheesy pockets (I’m never using grated cheese in my bread again, I love the way the cubed cheese melts and oozes out). Served with honey butter this is a real winner.
Best of the New Year to you!
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup small diced cheddar cheese
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeno
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup honey
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in a 12" cast iron pan (either in the oven or on the stove top), if using a 9x9 dish, melt butter in a small pan or microwave.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl mix the milk, sour cream, egg and all but 1 tablespoon of the melted butter until smooth and homogeneous. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, add the cheddar cheese and jalapenos, stir until just mixed (do not over mix).
- Coat pan or baking dish with remaining butter. Pour the batter into the pan (it will be thick) and spread evenly. Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Honey Butter: in a small bowl mix together the softened butter and honey. Refrigerate until needed.
Wow—hope its rockin’ news and not heartbreaking news. Hang in there. 2014 is full of positive possibilities. Happy New Year, Rhonda! (Sendin’ good thoughts your way!)
Debra, thanks for the good thoughts! I’m entering 2014 with a lot of uncertainty and risk but those who never take risks never realize great success (this is my current mantra…)
This sounds fabulous. Can’t wait to try it! Good luck with your future endeavors – may 2014 be the best yet, for all of us. 🙂
Thanks Betty, hope your 2014 is filled with all that’s good.
Sounds like you had a very delicious meal yesterday–setting the stage for an already exciting 2014. Looking forward to hearing your great news.
Janice…you already know my great news (shhh). Hopefully next week goes well for me also! Guess what, I went to a Timeless foods taste testing last night, met some of the farmer’s! Glad a little bird told me about them so I was in the know 😉
Would love to hear about the Timeless Taste Testing. What a lovely synchronicity. And am still excited about your great news coming into fruition.
Wow, your upcoming events literally have me on the edge of my seat. I’ll be watching for a post about what on earth is going one. For now – yes to this cornbread.
Excited for you. I hope it ‘makes’, not ‘breaks.
And this looks lovely. I like cornbread, especially freshly made! with some kick.
hhhmmmm…creamy, creamy in my mouth till melt the great taste and aroma of that delicious cornbread, yummy 😉