Ringing in 2012

I might be alone when I say this, but I actually love New Years Eve! If nothing else, it's a good excuse to have a great party! Hunter and I spent the evening a little more low key this year. We started the night enjoying some drinks and apps at Serpas, then rang in 2012 with all of my friends at Erin's. We had a blast!

Everyone loved the mini champagne cupcakes that I brought, and we had so much fun playing with all of the 2012 goodies that Erin supplied.

Hunter had a little too much fun at my expense :) 

Today, we recovered.

For dinner, I made a traditional southern-inspired "lucky' meal: Hoppin' John, Collard Greens, & Pork chops w/chive & dijon butter.

The recipes for the collards & the hoppin' john came from Hugh Acheson's cookbook, A New Turn in the South. Believe it or not, the collards were out of this world! Maggie gave me the book for Christmas as part of this awesome spread:

Isn't she so creative?

Just like everyone else, Hunter and I are working on our resolutions. Hopefully this meal got us off to a lucky start. Welcome 2012!