Our belated Family New Year party was wonderful as always although we missed my sister-in-law who had caught a cold and didn't want to come and possibly expose mom to whatever germ she might be harboring. My nephew's wife also had a prior engagement.
Everyone brought a lot of traditional Japanese food which we really appreciated. Mom used to love making her traditional nishime which is a classic Japanese dish with root vegetables like gobo root, seaweed, carrots, chicken, etc. It's a lot of work and she's forgotten how to make it. It didn't matter. We have a wonderful cousin and niece who are from Japan and provided a lot of the wonderful traditional dishes.
Art and I cheated and bought (non Japanese) orange chicken, walnut shrimp from Panda Express and teriyaki beef from L&L. My brother brought sushi that he also bought.
There was a time in Illinois where for many, many years Art and I would make tons of sushi and pass them out to our friends. When we were preparing to move back to Hawaii, one of our friends asked, "But who will make sushi for us this coming New Year?"
Sigh... we just don't have the energy anymore. It was time to pass the torch to the younger generation.
The Japanese have a LOT of traditional New Year dishes and we decided to buy the kuromame and kazunoko for everybody.
But wouldn't you know that I totally forgot to take it out until everyone was just about done with their meals? 😏
Sigh... What does that foretell of my memory as well?😳
Whatever the case, everybody was just happy to be together again. The best thing of all was the younger members of our family taking over the packing away of food, helping to dish out desserts, and getting the pot luck left overs packed for everybody to take home.
And yes, mom loved it all and we took photos to remind her of what a happy time she had.
Happy 2025, everybody!
It's good when everyone pitches in to help.
ReplyDeleteGreat get-together and family connections.
ReplyDeleteIt is refreshing that people choose to stay home to not pass on their germs. I find that doesn't happen very often anymore these days which I find odd considering how fresh Covid still is in my memory.
ReplyDeleteWe love sushi but also dislike the preparation aspects of it. Our solution is to make "sushi bowls". Kind of like bibimbap but with more traditional sushi ingredients.
Wonderful celebration. The hardest part is finding enough containers for everyone to have take-home.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. A few Thanksgivings back, I had made some dish ahead of the big day. When the turkey was finished and pulled out of the oven, I pulled that pan out of the fridge and put it in the still hot oven to take the chill off. Someone mashed the potatoes while someone else carved the turkey. I was making gravy. We sat down to an overflowing table because people had brought things to pass. In the end, probably 3 days later, I opened my oven door and found the dish which had never been pulled from the oven. Save me a spot at the dementia day care program.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2025!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gathering of folks. And the youngsters got to learn more about the proper Japanese foods. So, your momentary forgetfulness was because of enjoying your family, and then they had more goodies for their take-home containers! My Sam's and grocery store has wonderful sushi prepared. That is a lot of work to prepare them. Here's to a jolly 2025. Nice that the sniffling folks stayed home. ( After 9 covid vaxes, my RSV and flu shots, I still got COVID for the first time, as I retired, from a coughing college student who came home to my home health patient! Paxlovid and my vax history helped a lot. My doc's nurse said the hospital has 1/3 covid cases, 1/3 RSV, and 1/3 flu cases. The germs are still flying around! Wear a good mask in public.) Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI do notice that in Illinois, no one wears masks. However, I see lots of seniors here at Sam's Club and some other stores where we do still wear them.
DeleteWhat a feast! I would love to try those dishes since they are all unfamiliar. I bet your mom loved being with the people and having the wonderful variety of food.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a grand celebration! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gathering. Sometimes I wear a mask to family gatherings. I and a brother in law at 82 each have become more cautious after COVID appeared. But still we gather and make memories.
ReplyDeleteI think your gatherings are so wonderful and cherished. I am such a grinch that I try to avoid doing anything for the holidays, birthdays, etc. My poor kids do without or have a lot of take out traditions.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful meal!
ReplyDeleteForgetting to serve at least one dish is a tradition in my family - sometimes its being stored in the fridge, sometimes on top of the fridge for things that don't need to be called (we are all short so the top of the fridge is no man's land), etc. It's best when the over looked thing appears before everyone leaves so they can take it home.
ReplyDeleteCeci
I do now post a list on the fridge of things I needed to put out... but of course, I forgot to check the list. Sigh...
DeleteAnd a Happy 2025 to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKay, what a nice gathering. And I like it too when those who aren't feeling well stay home. In these days of Covid, flu, etc. it is very considerate. As for forgetting things in the oven - guilty too! But it looks like you had more than enough food. ; )
ReplyDeleteFamily gatherings are the best.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! A lovely get-together and the food looked delicious but best of all, it is being with your family ands all your happy faces, that said it all. Happy New Year to you all!
ReplyDeleteOur New Year's celebration was going to Dave and Busters on the first
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to know you started a wonderful New Year, Kay. Flu has been going around since last Christmas, which prevented three out of ten family members from getting together at my home. I wish you and your family love, peace, and good health throughout the year 2025.
ReplyDeleteYoko
After an accident on new year's eve day, I slept right through midnight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely get-together, great pictures.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan