#53: New Years Traditions: Hogmany
#53: New Years Traditions: Hogmany
More New Years Traditions at Pie Cottage plus a bread recipe
And here we are…the last day of 2021…and oh how I look forward to the clean slate of a brand new year as so many of us do.
Yesterday, I received a text message from a dear baking friend. As she finished cleaning up after a baking session, she told me of the sense of peace she felt simply due to the comfort of making pie. I know that feeling well. The small ritual of placing an empty bowl on to a cleared counter and taking a few breaths before I begin centers me. I celebrate good times and, like so many during these now nearly two years, the challenging times, with bread, scones and muffins, cookies, cakes, and pies, too.
Today, I will make a version of bread from a recipe in the copy of The Joy of Cooking that my mom gave me in 1972 on my nineteenth birthday—fifty years ago. It’s still one of the best breads I know and I’ll give a version of how I make it at the end. But, first let me tell you about a few more of our New Year’s traditions.
Hogmanay-First Footing
Chose one person to be the First Foot.
Assemble gifts for the First Foot to bring into the house. These generally include small items that represent the wishes for the new year.
A piece of coal, or in my case a piece of firewood for a warm hearth.
Bread and salt for all in the house to be fed.
A coin for financial prosperity.
And a drink (commonly whiskey) to represent good cheer.
Send the First Foot outside before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
The First Foot knocks on the door after midnight. Three knocks are traditional, but they can knock however they please.
Open the door for the First Foot.
The First Foot steps over the threshold saying “A Happy New Year and Good Tidings to you and yours.”
The First Foot hands the gifts to the keeper of the household and accepts a drink (typically whiskey) from them to toast with them. This is symbolic of accepting blessings and “inviting good luck to stay.”
On New Years Day
Put a new penny in your pocket and those of your children for wealth in the New Year.
Change all your passwords.
Make a pot of black eyed peas and greens, traditionally called Hoppin’ John, and serve with cornbread. Folklore says the combination of eating peas and greens will bring luck and money in the upcoming year.
Here are a few others that have been shared with me.
In Italy wear red underpants (although some say pink) and eat lentils for good luck.
Eat long grain rice for long life. I think this is a very good one right now!
