I may not have been a Santa’s little helper this year — slaving over a stove for holiday meals or baking up a storm like I usually do during this time of the year — but I was definitely an Osechi elf on New Year’s Eve! I spent a few hours on Sunday and an afternoon on Monday to partake on this annual ritual, as part of the Osechi-making crew!

I got to take on a few new tasks this year. I got to help make lotus flowers, crane-shaped potatoes, roll a freshly-pounded mochi, and other fun tasks – quite a promotion from last year. I was amazed at the detail that goes into each individual item. Osechi is definitely a work of art, and it makes me appreciate this traditional Japanese New Year culinary ritual even more.

We wrapped things up around 6:30 p.m. and Kevin (who joined us after he returned from work) and I headed to my parent’s, then to his friend’s, for a quick Osechi drop off.  We got home an hour later, and commenced our ghetto New Year’s Eve party with Domino’s pizza and hot wings. We toasted to the New Year with a bottle of apple cider. By the time the world welcomed the arrival of the New Year, we were peacefully passed out on a couch in a living room, waking up just in time to wish each other another happy, healthy, and prosperous 2013 together.

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2013 filled with good healthy, peace, and love! Thanks for your continuous support of the Time for Dinner blog, and looking forward to sharing more fun times together in the new year!