new years feasting

Happy New Year!!! How did your 2010 begin? Thanks to my dear mom, my day 1 of this decade began with a traditional Japanese new years feast full of symbolic foods. My favorite is ozoni {toasted mochi rice cake in a clear soup}, but we all also enjoyed black beans {mame = which also means "health"}, chestnuts, seaweed {konbu = associated with the word yorokobu, meaning "joy"} lotus root {renkon = when sliced it lookes like a wheel with spokes and gaps, and wishes for a "clear, good future"} and nishiki tamago {an egg dish that separates the yolk and the whites, where yellow symbolizes "gold" and white symbolizes" silver"}. All Japanese families gather together {New Years is the biggest traditional holiday - almost the equivalent of Thanksgiving here in the US} for a meal heavy on symbolism to wish for a joyous, healthy and prosperous year. So I share some photos from our table and wish you all a super year {of the tiger!} with amazing experiences, joy, laughter and happiness in all ways~...cheers!