Taking time with friends

As we continue the big clean (osouji) of our house, we are keeping busy with lots scrubbing and dusting and even a little bit of purging.  I love how places that are often forgotten are getting a good cleansing.  It makes me so happy that my family and I Konmari'd our home earlier this year.  Although we are not minimalists by any stretch of the imagination, I appreciate knowing that we keep what we need and release the things that no longer bring joy to our lives.  It also makes the annual osouji go much, much smoother.

But we don't spend all our time cleaning.  We took the time today to invite our neighbors over for a gyoza (potsticker) folding and eating party.  My husband made the filling, with the help of our son.  Then the five of us sat around the table talking, enjoying music, laughing, and folding.  While it takes a bit of practice to make "pretty" gyoza, they all taste the same.  The only real requirement is that they are properly sealed.

We are so lucky to have such wonderful neighbors that we enjoy spending time with.  We really lucked out in that department.  In fact, at this time of celebration and reflection, we find ourselves to be so grateful for all the friends we have near and far.  It can make a person pretty weepy just thinking about all the love in their life.  (Sniff, sniff)

After our delightful dinner, we headed over to our neighbor's house for dessert and tea.  It was a wonderful way to end the day.  She made black sesame pudding that was amazing!

I assume we will wrap up the cleaning tomorrow.  Of course, we might get distracted with some other fun thing to do and leave it for another day.