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New Year’s Toasts
The gentle clinking of silver to crystal can silence even the liveliest party. Obedient guests the world over will raise their glasses in salute of the host, a happy couple, an honoree or fellow guests. On this occasion, let’s raise our glasses …to toasts!
Before we sip our champagne, let’s take a moment to reflect on the tradition of toasting. In ye olden days of yore, everyone from kings and priests to nomads and shepherds drank deeply to honor deities, elders and warriors. Rites and rituals changed with cultures and regions. Our cheerful clinking of glasses was originally meant to ward off evil spirits, and in some cultures, looking away during a toast was a sign of poor character. America’s toasts most likely evolved from an ale house custom in Elizabethan England. A bowl of mead or wine came with a floating piece of spiced or sweetened toast. After the bowl was emptied, the host ate the toast in honor of his guests.
Today we toast at nearly every occasion. From crystal flutes filled with champagne to paper cups filled with apple juice, there is a toast to suit. Wedding toasts are perhaps the most rehearsed and revered, but words of advice, humor and love are welcome at almost every occasion. They can be a simple “cheers” or elaborately researched and poetic speeches. Often an impromptu toast from the heart is the most memorable and touching. Don’t wait until the next holiday! Raise your glass to your mother at lunch, your best friend at afternoon coffee, and your family tonight at dinner. Here’s to you!
Cheers! Skål! Kampai! Salud! Here are some of Paula’s favorite toasts.
There are very few moments in life as good as this. Let’s remember it. To each of us and all of us, never have we been more close, may we never be farther apart.
-Hugh Marlowe as Lloyd Richards in All About Eve
Here’s looking at you, kid.
-Humphrey Bogart as Rick in Casablanca
Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Year, everybody.
-Phyllis McGinley
May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine.
-Frank Sinatra
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
-Traditional Gaelic toast
I would rather be with the people of this town than with the finest people in the world.
-Fred Willard as Mayor Deebs in Roxanne
I love ya, I ain’t above ya, but I’m tired of ya.
-Paula Deen
Read More From New Year's.
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Reader Comments:
Why do people think they have to drink alchol to have a good time. I am very concerned about so much drinking these days., and I see younger and younger people drinking the wrong things, and our society seems to think it is ok.
By Pat Baugues on December 31, 2011
Happy New Year Paula and your family. Last year I ask for your measuring spoons for Christmas and got them, this year the measuring cups were on my list and I got them. Today my 3yr. old grandaughter and I hung them up on my kitchen wall, we both think they are beautiful. I got her mom your cookware set in oatmeal and it matched her Tuscany canister set, she was so happy. Thank you Paula for allowing folks like us to be able to afford your products. Makes us feel special. May you all be blessed this year with joy and peace. Love from a southern memaw in Texas.
By Helen Goldsmith on December 28, 2011
AS MY MOM USED TO SAY IN RUSSIAN, " NOZADOVIA". THAT WAS HER TOAST, MEANING, HERE'S TO LIFE !!!
By Margaret Ann Maroney on December 28, 2011
I love your show and I like you to sow me how to Mack your food Paula Deen.Paula your food looks good to eat Paula Deen
By Melissa Zvara on December 06, 2011
Dear Paula, I love your show and your fabulous foods! I want you to know that we all do love you and wish you Happy New Year to come "2011"
Love and Hugs, Cherie
P.S. I wish I was there so I really like to meet you in person so I can give you a nice hug!
By Cherie Hilton on December 29, 2010
Great toasts Paula! Here’s a few of our family faves.
“Here’s to all that wish us well, and all the rest can go to hell.”
-Grandpa Vito Lapinskas
“May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
-Traditional Irish toast
“Weather the wine’s red or white, with good freinds it awalys tastes right”
By Gina Lapinskas on June 22, 2010
Dear Paula my hubby brought me your cooking set for christmas and we made popcorn in it and it burn and i can not get the stains out HELP love it
By christina on January 03, 2010
Love your toast! I will be in Savannah the week of Jan.18th, hitting all the tours hope I get to meet you.
By Marlene Evans on January 02, 2010
Ms. Paula, Happy New Year to you and your family. My husband and I both really enjoy your cooking shows. My husband loves oyster dressing and the oyster dressing recipe you demostrated on a recent cooking show should be easy to follow.
From down south,
Carol Peay (pronounced Pea)
Rocky Point, North Carolina
By carol peay on January 02, 2010
Everywhere I go, people tell me,” you remind me of that Southern Lady on Food Network.” I am a Mississippi Gal,( now in OK), so here is one for all you Southerners…“may you always have good greens, good grits and belly-laughin’ grins to season life’s journey.” Happy 2010 to all you belly-laugin’ Paula Deen fans. Patty Poston
By Patty Poston on December 31, 2009
Hi Paula,
When i make my speach i include the good times and the bad time. I always toast my 3 girls, and i end with a rememberance for our love ones who had past.
Thank you for all your dishes and beautiful personality you show everyday.
Lisa Warsaw
By Lisa Warsaw on December 31, 2009
Kim- Maybe you can stir your brother up some of Paula’s recipes- I am sure that would make him happy. It always makes me happy!
By Paula Fan on December 30, 2009
Dear Paula Deen,my wife enjoys wacthing u on food network i bought her ur cooking set she talks about u all the time she would be thrilled 2 meet u in person my wife is in poor healh and im not much better we will be watching u on food network. p.s. my wife likes cooking alot shes a fabulous cook, LOVE UR TOAST FROM LAVERNE DILLON 1 618 923 3529 .
By LAVERNE DILLON on December 30, 2009
Paula,
I’am looking so forward to going to Savannah, GA. New Years Eve, and I have r.s.v.p. to The Lady & Son’s Lunch 12/31/09. I can’t wait, I have “BUTTER” butterfly’s!!! hope I will be able to eat!
P.S. I’ve been in Albany, GA. for 23 years now, and I have never meet you, would’nt that be
a hoot to see you in Savannah.
P.S.S. My brother has always said he would only marry Ms. Paula Deen, (now Mrs.)He has never married yet @53yrs old.
By Kim McKeown on December 30, 2009
Paula ,may your continue to send good recipes from your kitchen,to mine and may God continue to Bless you ,and your Family.Praying for good thing’ this upcoming year for your family,my family,and around the world.Happy New Year 2010.Val McKinnie,New Haven Ct.
By Valerie McKinnie on December 29, 2009
I appreciate the traditional toast, if I am in the hollow of His hand I am protected on all sides in the new year.
Thank You
By Heather on December 28, 2009
Great article, i loved paula’s favorite toasts….
especially the one she created…“im sick of ya”
Simply great.
By sonna wheeler on December 28, 2009
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doris in The Secret Garden on May 19, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I love reading about your family and seeing your pictures. I respect the fact that you are teaching your son's family values because so much of that seems to be going by the wayside anymore..maybe someday we will meet and by that time your son's may even have their own cooking show.lol..wishing you lots and lots of love from this country girl's kitchen to Brooke Deen's kitchen of love.
Linda Miller in The Makings for a Perfect Father’s Day on May 19, 2013 at 11:44 am
Love this idea. I want to do this for my sister n law for the new addition of the family. What a wonderful way to celebrate a new baby in the family.
Kimberly McKinney in How to Host a Sip and See on May 19, 2013 at 10:54 am
I love Orchids but fine it hard to kept alive for very long. I love the way you display
Syndie Reynolds in Paula’s Love of Orchids on May 13, 2013 at 10:59 pm
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