Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!

Lang May Yer Lum Reek



The absolutely terrible...but only...picture we took on Hogmanay

We had a very traditional Hogmanay; the day was spent sweeping out the old, i.e. ensuring the house was spotless before the bells...'out with the old, in with the new' and 'start as you mean to go on' the old adages I remember hearing ever since I was but a wee lass.

Steak pie is the meal of choice on this night or the next; we prefer to have it on the 1st as a good start to the year soakin' up the hangover food more like and had a light supper before heading over to our friends Val and Ian's for a party and a late dinner. We brought shortbread as it has became the new year equivalent to 'black bun', the traditional offering...along with whisky or wine of course.

Having settled in really quite comfortably, we reluctantly had to shift ourselves to do a few rounds of houses before settling at another friend's house for the bells and to see in the new year. Every house we went to, kilts were in full flow and it was lovely to see the Englishmen who were visiting also donning the tartan and loving every minute of it.

The host Ken had to go and wait outside just before the bells so that he could 'first foot' ; first footing is the first foot in the house after midnight. To ensure good luck, the first foot should be a tall, dark (and preferably handsome) man. A blonde man meant trouble; in the days of the Vikings, a blond stranger arriving on your doorstep was no good thing! The first foot should bring a lump of coal or shortbread, salt, black bun and whisky or one of these things.

A hearty rendition of Auld Lang Syne was sung and haggis, neeps and tatties were put on for the late night snackers.

The kids were in their element, being allowed to stay up so late but by 12.30 I could see Fraser struggling to stay awake and so we bundled them up to walk home in the freezing weather; the streets were paved with ice and it was treacherous but also quite good fun with people calling out "Happy New Year!" as we passed them.

I had promised the kids anything they wanted for breakfast and when Brian tried to offer them a paltry bowl of cereal this morning, they retaliated; my morning was spent making pancakes with various fillings including chocolate chips, marshmallows, raisins and scooty cream! We always go for a big walk on New Years Day (Ne'er Day) and when our friends called about the trip to Mugdock, we just couldn't bring ourselves to hike in -7 degree weather so for the first time in a long time, we're staying in.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year and I wish you the very best to come.

18 comments:

The Vintage Kitten said...

Happy New Year! Lots of Love TVK x

Janice said...

Happy New Year. We only sat up till ten past 12 but had a wee dram to bring in the New Year. Hope 2010 is a good one for you.

JudyH329 said...

A traditional New Years! Sounded like fun! Me, I was in bed by 9:45 PM and asleep by 10:00 PM. I think my Mom called me at 12:15 to wish me Happy New Year and I wished her a Happy Birthday, she was a new year baby. I had pancakes with chocolate chips for the first time over Christmas. My granddaughter made some. They were quite good! Definitely don't need syrup! I hope you have a good year in 2010. Missing you on LBC!

Helen McGinn said...

TVK, thank you hon, it is so good to see you back on.

Janice, a wee dram is a must! We had one ourselves.

Judy, even with choc chips, my lot still want it smothered in Nutella...! Happy Birthday to your mum! xx

confused homemaker said...

Happy New Years!! We did our version of traditional, which means we barely managed to stay up. Yours sounds more fun with more food :)

Beth said...

Sounds like so much fun! I like the walking home part ...sounds festive!
We went to a small family party and then home to watch the ball drop in Times Square NYC on the TV. The kids stayed up and we blew horns and kissed a peck on the cheek. It was a simple one this year but sweet.
Happy New Year and glad to have found your blog!

Beth

Kileen said...

I wish we had such traditions! it sounds like loads of fun! Happy New Year!

Melissa B. said...

Worry less, relax more. That's my recipe for the next 12 months. Here's to 2010...Happy New Year!

Conrad said...

Ah, Helen, what a joy to journey over here!! And, I must say, I think my lum did reek after last evening!

I wish you a happy and healthy new year and send the hope that your family will come into clearer and clearer focus as the annum progresses!

And, you should put a glossary over here! Delightful.

Mise said...

Ah, steak pie! I think you need to become a consultant chef for Marks and Spencer. A hangover is when you feel lightly peckish after an invigorating swim, right? Happy 2010!

Ginger said...

Mmm. Haggis. Yes. That is what I took from this post. Actually, that's where I got stuck, my mouth watering.

It sounds like your New Years was fantastic! What wonderful traditions!
Happy 2010!
Xx

Claudya Martinez said...

Happy New Year!

Killara girl said...

You were keen, walking around in cold weather...but it sounds like it was worth it!!! esp. the steak pie!!! Breaky sounded great too...my dd made belgian waffles...her first time (she's my gourmet chef...thanks to the cheesy Easy Bake...oh an some good genes!)


Cheers to a better than ever new year!!

Jan McIntyre said...

Happy New Year! I am happy to have found your blog in 2009. Thank you and I look forward to reading more of your entertaining posts in future. All the best for 2010.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you all! :)

Zuzana said...

We do the same, the house has to be completely clean before the clock strikes midnight. Our saying goes; "As for new year, so for the whole year".
Happy 2010 to you and yours dear Helen,
xoxo
Zuzana

KarieK said...

Happy New Year my friend! I am still chuckling over your email to me...I am overly excited to read more this year.

Anna said...

happy new year my loves!!
did you get your christmas card??
xoxo-