Sometimes, I fall asleep before the clock strikes 12, but I can usually muster getting up to watch the sunrise on a new year!
Years ago, actually decades now, a friend told us about the Japanese tradition of viewing the first sunrise on the first day of the new year. This welcoming of the first sunrise, called Hatsuhinode, is a time to be grateful for what the old year brought, and to look forward to the blessings of the new year ahead. It is good luck to watch that first sunrise.
My husband and I got up early that year, drove to a beautiful spot nestled between three mountains: Bromley, Magic, and Stratton. Bromley was at our back, and the sun rose beautifully pink and red and purple that year over Magic. We then drove to a small local diner and ate a lovely breakfast. I realized only than I had forgotten my camera!
Since then, our tradition has taken several forms, watching the sunrise with inn guests, by ourselves, but more often with friends who brave the cold to get up early on the holiday and make their way to the porch, steaming coffee and croissants promised on arrival, with a brunch to follow. Some years, it was bitter cold and we stayed out only long enough to verify that indeed the sun had risen. Other years, we lingered in relative warmth, a full-blown party!
This year, it was just my husband and myself, but we were rewarded at 7:21 a.m. with a beautiful sunrise over Fall Mountain and the Connecticut River. It’s a good reminder that the days are getting just a bit longer as sunlight returns to our frozen landscape! Mount Fuji will have to wait another year.
Our customary sunrise brunch dish is a Crab or Salmon Cake Benedict complete with Hollandaise sauce. A treat, and very popular with all. For the vegetarians, I make a similar version with mushrooms. This year, we kept it simple and had omelets!
More Sunshine
More sunshine came my way this week. Smitha of Smitha’s Bake Love nominated me for a Sunshine Blogger Award. Smitha is an incredibly gifted baker, and I thank her so much for the recognition, it is so nice to be thought of this way. If you are not familiar with her blog, please check out her delightful creations!
She asked the following questions, so here goes:
- What motivates you everyday? I am usually motivated by a little voice in my head that tells me I should not be idle, but should give something to the day. That voice sounds suspiciously like my mother’s…
- Any Goal setting for new year or you let it flow? Let it flow!
- What did you gain/let go in 2020? I think I gained a deeper appreciation of how very much I need my family and friends to be physically near me!
- What title will you give for your life in 2020? The Practical Year of the Patient Pisces.
- Your favorite Food, Candle & Travel spot?? Anything from the sea, lavender, Ireland
- Do you love/hate Instagram? And Why? Indifferent. I don’t think I’m an instant type of person.
- Would you diversify your blog or let the course be as is? Probably stay the same unless the spirit moves me otherwise.
- What would you do differently if you are 25 again? I’d be less critical of myself!
- Do you follow a strict schedule for blogging? Publish, comments, connecting with other bloggers etc. Not really. I do try to read and comment on what others have posted while I enjoy my second cup of coffee each morning, but otherwise, my schedule is very mood and brain-willing based.
- What do you think captivates your audience in your posts? I think that folks have told me they enjoy the background stories which gives the recipes some heart, and often they like the photographs as well.
- If there is one piece of advise you want to give for fellow bloggers, What is it? Just have fun with it all.
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Happy new year, dear blog colleague. I love your ‘go with the flow attitude’. 🤗
Thank you! Usually that’s how it ends up anyway, so why not expect it? A safe and Happy New Year to you and yours!
Beautiful tradition. Happy New Year! 🙂
Happy New Year to you also my friend!
Happy 2021 from your neighbor to the east. 🙂 I enjoyed a smile when you wrote about Bromley because way back when, I use to ski Bromley. Fond memories from my younger self. 🙂
Isn’t it wonderful to look out over the other mountains? Such a special place.
What a lovely tradition! I must try it next year. The sun rose here at 9:00 am this morning. I could do that!
Wow! I guess I have it lucky! Still, it is hard this time of year waiting for more light. What time does your sun set right now, here, it’s about 4:30?
Sunset is about 5:30 in the afternoon. Our days seem so short from mid-December to mid-February and then bam – we are waking up to daylight and enjoying it until later in the evening. 🌞.
I know, once it happens, all is right with the world!
For me, for sure! I love the sunshine!
I’m lucky in that I have a sun porch. Even on bitter cold days, when there’s a lot of sunshine, I can sit out there and enjoy the warm rays! I think every house in the north should have a sunporch!
We have a window over the kitchen that faces south, but we don’t get a lot of sun in the winter – it is either dark or cloudy. (Usually)
It’s been really cloudy this year here too!
It usually is here in Saskatchewan – but our winters have been relatively mild for the past few years so that is definitely a bonus. And I do not have to drive to work this winter – YAY for retirement!
Same here, we’ve had much less snow and the temperatures have not been as cold. Even this year, I’m still harvesting parsley from my cold frame!
I still have some thyme and lavender but it is way past harvesting😂
I think I am more likely to see the sunrise as I did this morning than see midnight…sigh…Happy New Year, Dorothy 🙂 x
It comes with age I think, and what is important. Usually I have the house full of grandkids and their friends, cooking up a storm for the evening! They always want to make Chinese because they love rolling the dumplings and making the egg rolls and rangoons. It makes a big mess, but we all have fun, try to stay up, then go to sleep!
What a great tradition! The breakfast looks amazing 🤩 Happy New Year 🎆!
Thank you so much! It has become something to look forward to, and we enjoy it.
what a lovely tradition! happy new year!
Thank you1 and wishing a wonderful and safe new year to you too!
What a lovely tradition, watching the sun come up on the New Year! Congrats on the Sunshine Blogger award and Happy New Year!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna! Here’s to lots and lots of hope and hugs for the coming year!
Such a lovely tradition Dorothy! I might just copy the idea for our entire family next year. Thank you for the sunshine always.
Loved reading through your answers. I like all of them. And I too am fan of your stories, recipes, photos and your warm comments. I have to confess I look forward to your comments on all my posts 🙂 Thank you so much!
Ah! Thank you so much! I hope your family loves the tradition as much as mine. It’s so nice most mornings when I check in with so many wonderful bloggers, and yours is a favorite one! Here’s to more great articles!
Thank you dear Dorothy!
You’re very welcome!
That frosted window looks wonderful ❄️ And this year sunrise is magical 🥰
This year I will let it flow too 😍 Have a magical and happy new year dear Dorothy!
All the magic and wonder of the new year to you too my friend!
I’ve rarely made it till midnight on new year’s even, even as a young person. But, I am awake before every sunrise! Sometimes I wish I was a night person, but I do love mornings so much, that I’m just fine the way my body works. A beautiful photo. Happy New Year Dorothy!
Thank you Mimi! Enjoy all those sunrises of the coming year!
Beautiful photos, love the icicles. Lavender and Ireland great picks too. What a great way to start each day too, with a beautiful sunrise. Have a Happy New Year.
Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well! May it be filled with hope and hugs!
What a beautiful sunrise! I love the Japanese tradition of viewing the first sunrise of the new year.
I do too, Sheryl, such a lovely way to look at the coming of what’s in front of us.
Nice post, Dorothy (as always). As an early riser, I love the idea of the New Year’s Day sunrise appreciation. Will do that next year, for sure. Re: your Q&A, what I love about your blog is the way you set the scene. I feel like I know more about New England from reading our posts 😀 Happy New Year!
Ah, thank you so much Stacy! I know that is one of the things I love about reading other blogs, getting a feeling of another place whether it is Thailand, or Hawaii, or Canada, or right here in New England. I’m pleased to be able to offer a little of Vermont to others. Happy New Year to you too, and watch that sun rise next year!
I like your sunrise tradition, even if it does present a challenge. 🌞
Thank you Gail! Yes, there’s been a few years where the will to rise so early was not there, but it has always been worth it!
I can see it through your photos! 👀🍃
Thanks!
A wonderful tradition! Happy 2021, Dorothy 🙂
Thank you Christy! A wonder filled New Year to you!
Hatsuhinode is a new word for me. I like it very much.
I agree wholeheartedly with your answer to the question about blogging advice: “Just have fun with it all.” Amen, sister. Would that more bloggers understood that.
Isn’t it a great word Ally? Just writing it made me smile.
Really lovely. May you have a peaceful and prosperous year
Thank you, and the same to you in the new year!