Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013! I took yesterday off blogging because I didn't get to sleep until 2:15 sm...which is pretty late for an old fart such as myself.

We spent New Year's eve at our friend Ronna's with a group of our friends. It was a blast! Ronna and Richard organized a potluck supper, and we all had to bring foods from the US south. 

Ronna and Richard made fantastic mint juleps...

Gordon and Richard clearly approved!

I don't drink much, but I think I drank three of these... it was the most hard alcohol I've had in ten years! Brought back memories of the B52 party Gordon had just for me in 1990. I've never been much of a drinker, but I have my moments.

Bottoms up, baby!

And the party was just starting at this point! Don't worry, Gordon was my designated driver. I really didn't hammered, just lubricated enough to start singing selections from "The Sound of Music" with Ronna.

The food was divine.

There were fabulous crab cakes...

Acorn-shaped cornbread: crispy on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside.

Deep-fried okra. To die for!! Even more amazing is the fact that Ronna found okra in our very small town.

Sweet potatoes with pine nuts, garlic and parsley.

Sigrun's signature ribs.

Shrimp and grits. Ronna found grits! It's amazing. There were two cups of whipping cream in the recipe and it was so delicious...

Sigrun and Richard set the table...

Richard made the green bean casserole. It was a huge hit.

Black-eyed peas to welcome in the New Year:

And buttermilk coleslaw. What a wonderful spread!

And then came dessert...

I made caramelized banana pudding, complete with the requisite Nilla wafers.

Carolynn made the most beautiful (and delicious) lemon meringue pie.

Sue made upside-down apple-pecan pie.

Then we all exploded! Kidding. Sort of. But I should have worn pants with an elastic waist.

Cheers! Slainte! L'Chaim! 

Hope you all have a wonderful 2013 and thanks so much for reading my blog and leaving so many great comments.