New Year's Eve and Kwanzaa, Day Six

For many people, New Year's Eve is a big night. W and I are at loose ends; we have no parties to go to or family to celebrate with- and are happy, really, to be alone together tonight. That said, we do want to show in the New Year with some fun and fanfare. We thought we might drive to the coast, but decided that was too much effort. 

Now our plan is to visit the hot tub, cook a simple dinner together, watch a movie on TV, and toast the New Year with champagne at midnight.

The sixth day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah), creativity. I can use my creative energies to build a beautiful and vibrant home and community.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal:
What creative ideas do I have to improve my house, my relationships, the school I work at, my faith community, and my neighborhood?

Look at my intentions for the New Year from the perspective of an artist (that is, upside down). What does my crazy wisdom tell me?

2. Ceremony:
I light the first candles, plus the last red candle, and say this affirmation-

I will use my creative talents and energies to improve young minds and hearts, and make my home and community more beautiful and vibrant.

3. Choose my New Year's Resolutions:

I've been thinking about this all week, and this is what I've decided-

In the New Year, I resolve to:

1. Get preventative health care- take advantage of my new Obama-insurance while I can.
2. Finish some house projects- complete one small painting or repair task each week.

3. Improve my thinking skills- in order to communicate better and feel more self-confident. 

4. Creativity project:
This year I decided to make a visual reminder of my New Year’s resolutions, an eye-catching magnet to put on the refrigerator. I chose appropriate adinkra symbols from Ghana, West Africa, to illustrate each one. Here's what you will need to make one for yourself-

Supplies:

• nice paper
• pencil and pen
• adinkra symbols (You can find drawings of the symbols here.)
• glue
• recycled flat magnets from advertisements

1. Choose symbols that illustrate each of your resolutions. Draw the symbols, and type or write out the resolutions.
My symbols:

• HWE MU DUA "the measuring stick" - symbol of examination and quality control.

• MFRAMADAN "the wind-resistant house" - symbol of fortitude and readiness.

• MATE MASIE "What I hear, I keep" - symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

2. Glue flat magnets onto the back.

5. Make wassail:

The wassail bowl is an old Gaelic tradition still observed in Scotland and Great Britain. The word wassail comes from the Old English wes hál, meaning to be whole, and it was a toast made at medieval feasts to welcome the guests. People would carry a bowl of hot cider or ale outdoors on New Year’s Eve to share with neighbors, and groups of wassailers would go door-to-door singing to get their bowls filled. Tons of different recipes abound, but I like this simple one:

Ingredients:

• 1 quart of hard apple cider (or use non-alcoholic cider)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar (I used less)
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 8 cloves
• 8 allspice berries
• apple slices

Yield: 4 servings-

1- Peel and slice the apples, and cut in thirds. Heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds on high, to soften.

2- Combine all ingredients in a pot. Smash the apples to a pulp. Heat just to warm.

3- Strain directly into cups and serve warm. Save the last bit to pour onto an apple tree to ensure next year's crop.

6. Wassail my apple tree:

I really love my apple tree, and so sometime on New Year's eve I will probably slip out to  toast it's health, pour some cider on it’s roots, and give it a "Hurra".

"Here’s to thee, old apple-tree,
Whence thou mayst bud, and whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats-full! Caps-full!
Bushel, bushel sacks-full!
And my pockets full, too! Hurra!”

7. Make noise: 

Noise-making is considered an effective way to drive off the spirits of the old year and awaken the sleeping new year. We will gather horns, bells, pots, pans, and whistles, throw open the door at midnight, count down the final seconds of the old year, then let loose with whoops and cheers, bangs and toots, to welcome in the New Year.