looking forward to the new year

Japanese tradition dictates that you shall not work the first three days of the new year. To keep cooking chores to a minimum and to celebrate the new year, a layered box full of traditional foods are prepared before the new year. There is no way on earth that I can replicate the myriad dishes, so I have treated myself to a catered box, reserved for pickup on oo-misoka, the grand last day of the last month of the year. One week to go!