Happy New Year to all my dearest readers!
I hope you had a wonderful New Year celebration with your friends and family. The New Years (Shogatsu) is one of the most important annual festivals in Japan, probably equivalent to Christmas or Thanksgiving in the US. We follow unique customs including eating special food called Osechi, and decorate the house and entry way to the house with special decorations. One of the decorations we decorate inside the house (see the picture above) is called Kagami Mochi, which literally means “mirror rice cake”. It is considered to bring good luck and prosperity in the near year.
Kagami Mochi is made from two rice cakes of different sizes with the smaller one placed over the larger one. The mochi are placed on a konbu sheet, a symbol of pleasure and joy. The decorative mochi is taken out on January 11 and hammered into pieces for Ozoni or traditional Mochi soup. It is extremely unlucky to cut Kagami Mochi with a knife so people break it into smaller pieces with a hammer.
This year we couldn’t get to celebrate Japanese New Years in the traditional way since my mom is visiting from Japan and we are in San Diego for a short vacation. My children had a blast spending the past few days in all the local attractions like LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego Zoo, and Sea World.
I just wanted to take a moment and say a special thank you at the beginning of the new year. I’m thankful for your comments and emails, your encouragement, and finally your support. I started my blog last year without knowing what a “blog” is. I had no audience besides my husband, a couple of friends, and myself back then. My blog evolved throughout the past year, and without you, I wouldn’t be able to celebrate the winning of CBS San Francisco’s Most Valuable Blogger 2011 and 1st Blogiversary today!!
I wish to meet each one of you to thank you, but that’s not possible, so I prepared this giveaway in a token of appreciation. Thank you from bottom of my heart!
*****
YOU could win one of three: one (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card or Cash via PayPal or two (2) $25 Amazon Gift Card or Cash via PaPal.
To enter, please leave a comment on this post with any feedback or suggestion for me to improve my blog.
For Bonus Entries to maximize your chances of winning, please:
1) Subscribe to Just One Cookbook by Email and leave a comment.
2) Tweet this giveaway daily through January 15th (one entry per day) and leave a comment for each entry. For example:
I just entered to win $50/$25/$25 Amazon GC or Cash via PayPal @justonecookbook. #giveaway https://www.justonecookbook.com/happy-1st-blogiversary-giveaway/
The Rules: This giveaway is WORLDWIDE and expires on Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 11:00 pm PST. Entries that do not meet the entry requirements will not be considered. Winners will be selected by random.org and announced on Monday, January 16th.
Full disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by yours truly.
Can’t imagine how to improve…….just continue as you are.
I just subscribed by email. Thanks again for a great site!
I am Just One Cookbook email subscriber
Happy Happy Blogiversary..wow is it already a year? Congrats and keep going!!!
Also I am wishing you and your family happy, healthy and successful New Year! and Finally what a giveaway..you know I follow you everywhere..
I’ll tweet right now!!!
Congratulations on the blogiversary. You have really achieved a lot the past year. I am trying to think what comments and constructive criticism to give but unfortunately I can’t think of any, your site is great.
You’re the best Nami!!! I still remember when we first “met” through pur blogs. A very happy day because you are an inspiring, talented, and genuine person. I’ve learned so much from you and you have always been so generous with your time and knowledge….even answering silly questions I had as a novice blogger! 🙂
I know that exciting things are in store for your readers and fans as we head into 2012 and I always look forward to each and every one of your recipes!
Happy New Year to you and your family! Cheers, Terris
i think it’s pretty good on your blog 🙂 it’s nice and organized and clean with easy to navigate structure
Happy blogiversary, Nami. SO, so happy to have met you this year. You are a wonderful blogger and I am looking forward to all of your posts in 2012. xo!
Congratulation on your win, easy to see why u won as i truly enjoy and benefit from your blog. Your clear pictorial and written recipe makes it easy for me to replicate.
Wishing you a wonderful 2012!
Many congratulations on your 1st anniversary! I absolutely love Just One Cookbook…it’s one of the most beautiful(the photos will make the best chefs drool!) and well organized blogs in the whole blogosphere 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful 2012!
I’m relatively new to your blog but I love all your recipes. Keep up the good work.
Congratulations Nami! You are amazing and do not have to change a thing. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and learn so much about your culture. I wish you continued success and look forward to more great recipes and awesome pictures.
Happy Blogiversary, Nami! Your recipes are awesome!
I have referred to them over and over as I try to recreate some of the favorite dishes that I ate while living in Japan (92-02). Your attention to detail, especially in presentation, is superb; and yet the recipes are simplistic and easy to follow.
Thank you for bringing the art of Japanese cooking (and other) to out kitchens!
Your blog is wonderful, and the recipes are unique. I have a sweet tooth though, so more desserts is always awesome!
Happy New Year! I am very surprised that you have only been blogging for one year. I love your blog and read it daily (through google reader). Thanks for working so hard to make a good blog.