Happy New Year!

 Hello to you and to a brand-spankin'-new year!

I am so excited for this year! Last year really was great in so many ways! This year, I hope will be something marvelous!

So, I am a nanny. Have I ever told you that? Well, anyway I am. A very part time one.
The Lady I work for, who I love to pieces, lived in Japan until she was 14, so I always ask her things about Japan and how they celebrate holidays and so forth. One day I asked her about Christmas and New Years and the thing she remembered the most was the Kagami Mochi. It's a decoration they have the whole month of December and then when New Year's comes they break it up, cook it and eat it! So, I decided to try my hand at making one. And here it is...

I used THIS recipe (the microwave one believe it or not). (One day I'd love to make it with ice cream!)It's made out of Mochiko (sweet white rice flour (Bob's Red Mill has it.)), sugar, water and a little potato starch (to cover the outside so it's not sticky). Then I used a Mandarin orange with a leaf for the top and made an origami paper fan and tag for it. I had to wrap it in plastic wrap as well to keep it looking spiffy. Fun, huh?

I also made some Mochi squares to snack on, but the were a dismal failure! They tasted really good, but after a few hours they got all soggy and bleh. (I hope that didn't happen with my Kagami Mochi! I'll have to ask...) So, I'll have to try them again. Probably with this recipe.

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment and let us know what you're doing or trying this new year!

Love.
Margo