Lentils and Red Panties

Most Americans are familiar with the southern tradition of black-eyed peas and ham and I've jumped off a chair while eating an apple at midnight to celebrate the new year in the Norwegian way with our friends, the Lindmarks. However, I hadn't heard about the significance of lentils and red panties until last night.

Dan, Diana & Jen ensure lots of money
for 2009 by eating all their lentils.

Thanks to Veronica and Vito, we embraced the Italian New Year last night. Lentils, like black-eyed peas, stand for prosperity in the New Year. Hopefully, if enough people eat them, the world economy will improve. One can only hope!

Veronica wore a sexy dress but what color are
her panties? Only she and Vito know!

Unfortunately, I didn't know to wear red underwear last night to guarantee a year of great lovemaking. I guess George is off the hook until next year! Veronica says red panties are a hot item for sale in Italy this time of year. Now you know what to buy next Christmas!

Party genes are strong in Veronica's family,
shown with her niece and great niece.

As usual, the food at Veronica and Vito's was amazing with an array of appetizing morsels - cheese trays, an antipasto platter, and egg rolls for starters, prawn & mango with spinach and pear & walnut with watercress salads, and baked ziti. Desserts included decadent profiteroles, a wonderful carmel mint mousse and tiramisu which I skipped since I hate coffee. Somehow I missed this great-looking tart and bypassed Pauline's scrumptious chocolate mousse cake but was given some to take home. Good thing I didn't make my New Year's resolution to lose weight!

Lena (right) brought the profiteroles and I assumed she made them. She replied in her still very Italian accent, "I don't make those anymore. I am an Aussie now!" She and her husband, Romano, have lived here 50 years and own one of our favorite Italian markets.

Andrea's daughter is helping to improve international
relations by marrying an Englishman in April.

His parents are enjoying their first visit to Oz so
much that they are considering moving here.

The boys steal a quiet interlude to talk fishing. Maybe someday George will get his fishing pole that's sitting in Sydney with the rest of our shipment.

Pauline, Pat, Judy and Veronica enjoy reminiscing.

Yes, the Macarena made it all the way Down Under!

There were also other dances including old rock, 40s dance music, Latin beats and disco. Vito does a Travolta-worthy disco - he's staying alive!

Dan relaxes after spending most of his time at the gold mine.
It reminds me of - "Working in a gold mine, going down, down.."
I know I'm dating myself with that song.

Everyone awaits the countdown to midnight
with their noisemakers and crackers.

Vito opens the official 2009 bottle of champagne.

The English tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne while in a circle holding crossed hands was not caught on film as I was a participant but it was fun. I didn't really know the lyrics but here they are for future reference:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old times since ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
And surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine^† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Our littlest partier lasted until the bitter end. Her eyes
weren't that red; I forgot to push the red eye button.

It was so worth slaving in a hot kitchen in almost 100 degree heat and almost getting flashed by an Aborginal drunk on the bus after taking the wrong bus to be there! But that's another story. It's time for bed!