Mile High Hamiltons: Hoppin' Johns 2015

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Hoppin' Johns 2015

Happy New Year!!

In southern tradition on this snowy day, we served up Hoppin' Johns.

Southern, you question? Well, Mr Hamilton may have been raised in the western state of Wyoming, but he was born in the south and raised with southern cookin'. His Dad is from Texas and his Mama is from Louisiana. When you move that north to Wyoming, you're bound to continue some of the southern traditions. Hence... Hoppin' Johns on New Years Day for Health, Wealth and Luck in the new year. We don't miss this meal. We need all of the health, wealth and luck we can get. Doesn't everyone?

Since we think that everyone and anyone could add some health, wealth and luck to their New Year, we invited friends over to join us. The Heineman's, Martin's and Wells' were quick to knock on our door and join us for the festivities.

Prior to dinner, we kicked the big boys outside to play in the snow.

Recently, I heard someone say, "kids don't go outside to just play anymore." I responded with, "our kids do." Here is proof... sometimes... they just have to go outside to play.

We didn't kick Kellan out with them since he was fighting a cough and sniffle. He got the free pass to stay inside where it was warm. Cole rode on that free pass with him and they played inside.

Outside, there was a blanket of fresh snow.

I took ZERO photos of the outside activity, but Kellan took photos from inside.

From between the blinds, he caught Oliver in action.

The snow shovel was in use.

Eventually, this snow shovel went to the hill at the park behind our house where Oliver and Owen spent an hour building a sledding hill with a jump. They had a blast!

On the inside, Kellan and Cole were taking turns modeling and being the photographer. They took numerous photos. Some are blurry, some or off center, some selfies, some cute like these two.

Kellan taken by Cole.

Cole taken by Kellan.

Keith and his ham taken by Carrie :)

We mixed it up this year and had a spiral cut ham instead of ham hocks. Hopefully this doesn't sway our health.

Doesn't it look delish?

It is! :)

Hot on the stove we had some collard greens, black eyed peas and rice with beer battered bread in the oven.

Everyone loved it! They loved it SO much that we didn't have any leftovers :(

This made Keith sad as he was hoping to eat black eyed peas and collard greens for DAYS!

This does not make Carrie sad as in her opinion, this meal is great once a year and that's about it.

The next generation of Hoppin' John diners:

Owen, Oliver, Jin and Owen

It's like an Owen Sandwich! :)

After dinner, we sat down to enjoy the Oregon Ducks take on Florida State.

Oliver had on his new Oregon shirt, compliments of Uncle Jerry.

It was a close game going into half time, then, the Ducks dominated.

Oliver said that this was "The best game of my life!!!"

We are taking donations for out of state tuition as Oregon will likely be on Oliver's college list. We expect Uncle Jerry to start saving now as it's his fault that Oliver even knows about Oregon, even if it did start as "O" for Oliver.