When I reviewed my photos from 2024 in a search for the “Best Meals I Made at Home”, delicious dishes were few and far between. While I had quite a few gatherings at home last year, most revolved around my family. At these gatherings, tried and true family recipes prevailed. The other way we entertained last year was with Tailgate Parties, either at home and at the stadium, but then again, not too many gourmet meals.

It was a hectic year, to say the least! At the beginning of the year, there was a wedding to plan in two months time, then a Baby Shower and finally, my first granddaughter Celine was born in July. During the first part of the year, we were empty nesters, contemplating moving from our empty-feeling home.

Meals seemed to be an afterthought; we just did Happy Hours or ate out. In the second half of the year (September) my daughter and two grandsons moved in with us, so dinner turned into more of survival mode. Thoughts of selling our house vanished instantly.

There were some constants of the food we ate last year.

Lots of pizza, since I wanted to use my Onni pizza oven. My favorite was the GOAT, a take-off of a pizza we had in Washington D.C. with Goat cheese, pesto, pistachios and truffle oil. It is to die for! We also made our fair share of ice cream, since I wanted to use my ice cream maker. I even took a class with Salt and Straw’s co-founder (at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival) and made my version of a Key Lime pie ice cream which I named “Conch Crack”. My favorite and most-made ice cream from last year, however, was Labneh (strained yogurt) with sesame pistachio brittle. I even gave a class on how to make it for a couple friends.

“Family first” seemed to be my motto last year, with lots of dinners with Emma and Guillermo alone and then some with the baby, lots of Spaghetti Sundays, there was also Thanksgiving and other celebrations. We had Phoenix’s Dinosaur party here in April, a Birthday Dinner for my Mom in August, Thanksgiving and a birthday party for Wyatt’s birthday in December. The only Dinner Party I hosted was for my friend Martha’s birthday and there were only six of us.

I love my family, but I did miss friends and having them over, so this year I’ve resolved to put more of an effort into hosting parties- dinner or the like- for friends. I would also like to branch out to invite friends I’ve never had over. This is sometimes scary and doesn’t always work out, but “nothing ventured, nothing gained”, as they say.

Last year was the Year of the Dragon, which symbolizes strength, power, luck and wisdom. This year, The Year of the Wood Snake begins on January 29th. Every year has a different animal and every animal has a different element modifying it.

The snake is the 6th animal in the Chinese Zodiac and it represents mystery, complexity, initiation and transformation. Sounds kinda scary, yet exciting. It also sounds like a call to “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone”! The wood element of it brings growth, balance and a connection with nature. Like the snake, it’s time to shed our skin and transform with personal growth and renewal.

There are lucky foods associated with the Lunar New Year, should you want to increase your luck.

1. Long noodles. These are a wish for longevity. Cooks don’t break or cut the noodles.
2. Spring Rolls. These deep fried goodies are said to resemble gold bars- bringing wealth and good fortune.
3. Dumplings. Since they look like silver ingots, these are said to lead to prosperity in the New Year.
4. Fish. Fish, especially catfish, is supposed to increase prosperity.
5. Tangerines. These little orange gems are supposed to increase happiness and prosperity. It is common for friends and family to give each other tangerines (best with stem attached) for the New Year.

As for all the meals from last year, my favorite may have been from our last tailgate at Hard Rock Stadium, before the UM game. We had delicious Egg Sandwiches on gourmet English Muffins flown from Model Bakery in Napa. The recipe was from a Food Truck called Egg S**t. Oh my! Not a nice name, but yummy sandwich.

Maybe I will post it in a Future Foodie in Miami. Or, maybe not! Time to look forward, not back.

I heard this song at Trader Joe’s last week and can’t get it out of my head. I asked the cashier about if they had a Trader Joe’s playlist and she said their manager let them pick out play lists of the music they liked to play throughout the day. Which I thought was pretty cool.

“Do you like this playlist?” she asked.

“I love it,” I said.

And now I can’t get it out of my head!

Still thinking about not living without it, Outside looking in, ‘Til were talking about it, not stepping around it. Maybe. I don’t want to take advice from fools. I’ll just figure everything is cool, Until I hear it from you (hear it from you)

Gin Blossoms

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