Those who know me well won't find it strange at all that it has taken me 11 days to make a New Year's post. That's par for the chaotic course, isn't it? Unfortunately, in the past I've taken better pictures. Sadly, all of those pictures would require scanning and I'm just not up for that. Instead, I'll share over 40 other shots  from our New Year's celebration in Iwamizawa.


These are kani...crabs. They are not my friends because I  have a seafood allergy.  Over the years, we've more or less learned how to co-exist. Kani are essential for any country-side New Years Eve celebration. Soba noddles, traditionally eaten at midnight, came later, only I didn't take pictures of those.