Tuesday, January 01, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR !








Christmas decorations don't last long here in Japan but make way for traditional New Years decorations pretty soon after Christmas day. Yesterday I took down the Christmas tree and decorations and put in their place, Kagami-mochi which is an offering to the gods made of pounded rice and topped with a mandarine and hung on the door a festive decoration made of straw. O-Shogatsu (New Years) is a family time here and a time to go to a temple or shrine to pray for good health and happiness for the year ahead. We didn't go out last night but stayed at home with the girls and ate Toshikoshi soba (long buckwheat noodles eaten on New Years Eve) that represent a long life. Jazz and Dixie had their own doggy version and sucked up all those yummy noodles. After that they crashed on the sofa and shortly after we all crashed.
Happy New Year to all our friends.

12 comments:

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy New Year to you!
--JB

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

Happy New Year, cute Beagle girls! 2008 is gonna be GREAT!

DMM

Lorenza said...

Hi, friends
Thanks for telling us about the traditions there in Japan. Sure they are interesting!
Your dinner sounds yummy!
Happy New Year!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all a happy and safe 2008 and thanks for being such great pals in 2007 - we love coming to your blog and learning about life in Japan and seeing the wonderful photos of the girls.

I'm glad you enjoy HM's photos and we're sorry they make you homesick sometimes.

Hugs & licks River

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Yepper nappy time is the best time!!
Happy New Year!!!

Big Sloppy Kisses and Hugs,
Gus and Louie

Simba said...

Happy New Year Jazz and Dixie!! All the best for 2008!!

Urban Smoothie Read said...

happy new year to u guys...

may u have a pawsome year ahead

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Woh the new year decorations in Japan sure is very nice. Hope you gals have a pawsome 2008

~ Girl girl

umekotyan said...

あけましておめでとうございます
It prays for happiness and the health of one year this year.
My best regards this year. :)

from loved ume tyan

chiyo said...

Happy New Year Jazz and Dixie! :) hee we have a tradition of eating long noodles to signify long life too in Singapore, but it's eaten on that person's birthday instead of the new year :)

love..
chiyo

Katherine and Pippa said...

Hey we love that information about your Japanese New Year culture - that is so interesting and the pictures are great

And the sofa ones of J&D are wonderful

Happy New Year to you all

Pippa

TokyoMade(東京メイド) said...

Happy New Year! We did the same as you guys on the big night, was much warmer inside!
Hope you are all well and warm.
Love your decorations. Look forward to catching up soon.
love d
xxxx