Happy New Year!

There’s something about a clean, “fresh start” that inspires all of us.  A New Year AND a long weekend.. nice!

From Australia to New York, Tokyo to London, Paris to Madrid, and Florida to Venezuela… we’ve all said good bye (sometimes in much choicer spicier words) to 2011.

WELCOME 2012!

Adriana and I wish everyone best wishes for the New Year.  May the blessings of a “fresh start” in a brand New Year fill your hearts and homes with happiness, prosperity and love.  After a worldwide year of hurricanes, tsunamis and economic turmoil, we’re happy to join everyone in saying good frickin’ riddance to 2011!  hahaha

Our final day of 2011 was both busy and fun.  Nice combination, huh?  Well, it’s what we chose in flipping out (or off, depending on your point of view) the old and welcoming in the New.

I love traditions!  Aside from being my greatest business partner, friend and the love of my life… Adriana has blessed me with the gift of learning the Venezuelan (and some Spanish) customs of New Years Eve.  Yes!!

So, this year I decided to use my videography obsession and document the fun too… these traditions are really what all of us want for a New Year and a fresh start… Happiness, Health and Prosperity…

It started with a long cooking process of making Lentil soup.  And then adding to the menu the traditional Venezuelan Christmas bread – Pan de Jamón, the age old Spanish tradition of 12 grapes to eat at the midnight hour, and of course a bottle of champagne!  Sweeeet!!

So, here are some of the traditional facts, and a lighthearted look at our New Years Eve funfest….

Lentil soup.  This is my own recipe/version of Lentil sausage soup (as in add Charizo)
Lentils are said to bring good luck and prosperity… the little Lentils do kind of resemble coins.

Pan de Jamón.  It’s the holiday season and the Venezuelan Christmas ham bread is perfect for a New Years Eve meal.

New underwear.  Oh yeah.  Yellow is the tradition, meaning you’ll find happiness in the New Year.  And red is also worn… also bringing love and happiness in the New Year.

Money.  Carry lots of bills in your pockets.  This will bring you wealth in the New Year.

Suitcases.  Set and ready to go at the door at midnight.  I love this fun tradition.  Out the door and down the street, toting your empty suitcase with you… this ensures a good New Year of travel coming your way (and you get a pretty good little workout along with the funny looks from the neighbors).

Grapes.  As the clock strikes midnight (and of course the Kiss)… with the twelve strokes of the midnight hour you eat all twelve grapes… this to promise 12 full months of happiness in the New Year.

Champagne.  And yes, this is the pretty much a worldwide tradition… the toast to the New Year.

So that’s our New Years Eve… kicking out the old and embracing the new.

Happy New Year everyone!!