End of a Season, Beginning of a Year:

It was a bitter sweet start to 2013: with a Nole victory at the 2013 Orange Bowl, so too came the closing of the 2012 football season. Hopefully the new year will be full of hope, opportunity, and new adventures to be had! And maybe a National Championship next season? 

In honor of game day and the new year we planned a traditional southern New Year's feast, with a bit of a football theme.

On the Menu: 

Corn Casserole

Lucky Black Eye Peas

Smoked Ribs

Collard Greens

Yum.

And of course a southern meal wouldn't be complete with out a tablescape. 

The Seminole table:

Again, I used what I had around the house for the table setting (if you do your wedding right, you really do get a lot of good pieces). My mom made the burlap runners for each table at the wedding and we used the garnet & gold shakers for our wedding"exit."  The mints and napkins used were leftovers from tailgates this season, and the Bobby Bowden signed football was a gift Phillip received.  Oh, and of course I had to add the oranges in honor of the "Orange Bowl". 

Below is the corn casserole recipe (via Paula Deen). All you have to do is mix all the ingredients and pop it in the oven for 45 mins! Easy as can be! 

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.

Note: We actually decided not to add the cheese, used low sodium corn, and substituted regular sour cream with light sour cream. Have to save calories where you can! 

Go Noles,

Katie M.