Cuban style New Year's

Welcome to my Cuban-style New Year's Eve celebration!
I have practiced some crazy-sounding rituals as far back as I remember, passed down to me by my big Cuban family, and these days I enjoy sharing those practices with those who celebrate the holiday with me.

First I spend a night full of good conversation with friends,

pets,

and loved ones. We do the traditional kiss at midnight. I love my big smoochies from hubby!

Immediately following my juicy hubby kiss I rapid-fire devour 12 grapes. The hope is to eat them before 12:01 am. I make a wish for the New Year with each grape eaten. This tradition dates back to Spain when there was once an abundant grape harvest and the king decided to give grapes to everybody to eat on the holiday. Today we eat them in the hopes of a prosperous and abundant year to come, one grape for each month.

My mother-in-law (Grammie) and my friend Misty seem a little burdened by the task of coming up with 12 wishes. Just look at the excitement on their faces.

After our wishes are made and our grapes are consumed we pour out a bucket of dirty water.

The significance is to throw out the dirt of the past year, and help usher in a clean fresh start. Out with the old and in with the new!

Lastly, we pile wads of money (or a$20 bill) in a suitcase (or gym bag) and walk around the house in hopes for a year of excellent travel and prosperity. For the past two years I've walked to the end of my neighborhood instead of around the house to avoid a muddy yard. My neighbors had every right to laugh about me behind my back. What a weirdo I am!!

Hubby was extra pleased this New Year's to see a Mississippi State fan on tv celebrating her New Year's Eve at Times Square. We took her photo to commemorate the special event.