Taking a break...

So sorry for the MIA (missing in action) again!

My sincere apologies, please bear with me while I revamp the blog. Been meaning to do this during the CNY break, but I was so busy 'eating' and catching up with my old friends. I'm making some changes to the outlook and layout which I hope is better.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to get things done very soon.

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Prosperity & Luck knocking on my door?

Is “prosperity & luck” knocking on my door?

I found this beautiful ‘pineapple flower’ or ‘pineapple crown’ in an attractive shade of red amidst thick, long, hard and thorny leaves in my garden on the 1^st day of Chinese New Year. Hehehe! … I think it’s good omen!

I planted this in my garden over a year ago from the leftover crown after my hubby devoured the yellow juicy flesh of this tropical fruit. And, I watered the ‘touchy’ plant (you can’t get too close! ) faithfully for 398 times, (no, actually I didn’t keep count but 398 seems a very auspicious number and it’s more than 365 days a year, lol!)… and treated it some hi-grade organic fertilizer.

Pineapple in Cantonese means “welcoming good luck or glory is coming” and Chinese likes stuff which symbolizes and carries good meaning. Thus, a ‘must-have’ for many Chinese homes here, it’s normally placed on the altar as one of the offerings to their ancestors especially during Chinese New Year. But I don’t have one at home. L

Nevertheless, I hope it’s a sign of forth-coming good luck and prosperity in the year of Tiger …hehehe!

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Going down memory lane...

Hello again! I know I’ve been missing for a while…

(Source : http://www.greetings.ca)

I’ve been busy lazying lol! J, feasting and catching up with friends/relatives, giving out ang-pows and visiting during the 15 days of CNY celebration over here. I always look forward to CNY as it’s a time to catch up with them at least once a year especially if they have moved overseas for work or migrated and only get to come home once a year or every few years.

I’m so happy I got to meet some of my kindergarten, primary, secondary school class-mates and some college-mates as well recently. It’s unbelievable and I can’t imagine meeting them again after all these years.

Most of us haven’t changed much, just a couple of lines more (alright, we’ll call it wrinkles, I’m sure we’re mature enough to accept the term! Lol!), a couple of kilos more (that’s called ‘prosperity’ in Cantonese), if we hold our breath, I’ll bet the spare-tyres would vanish too, but we’ll attribute them to the eating sprees this festive seasons and some even sporting a few silver strands which could be the reflection of lights and some with a dust of white hair which we termed as ‘experience’! Lol!

It’s great fun remembering the time we had in school, our teachers who must be in their 60s or 70s now, the pranks we pulled in school, our mischievous deeds … we’re quite convinced we didn’t study much back then! It’s amazing how we got to where we are now… hahaha! J

Most of us are parents now except for a few who are convinced marriage is not for them… mmm, now I know why their neat jet-black hair has not lost its natural colours. Lol!

For my friends who celebrated CNY, I hope you have had a wonderful time too, just like me. :-)

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CNY Celebrations

As I mentioned in my earlier posting, I took some nice shots and hope to share with you what I saw and feel and hope you’ll enjoy them too.

(Here's hoping Tsai Sen Yeh or God of Prosperity bringing you prosperity & money luck to your home)

Having started Primary 1 in a Chinese school, the kids were encouraged to participate in CNY-theme art work, and here is one of Max's.

Traditional Lou Sang (Yusheng), normally included in CNY Dinner but have since been included at least a fortnight earlier in most Chinese dinners. Many companies hold thank you dinners for their staff or suppliers or valued customers in appreciation for the support the past year with Yusheng. I’ve had my share too…this was one of the dinners.

(This was taken just before another 8 pairs of chopsticks appeared!)

This year, I only went to one shopping mall, just 2 weeks before CNY. The celebration air was lukewarm …there’s no frenzy shopping yet then…moderate scale decorations at mall compared to previous 2 years…things, admittedly are pricier with prices of basics like flour gone up and recently the price of sugar too!

These were taken in Mid-Valley Megamall and the Gardens, an adjacent mall.

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Spring is here and everywhere and I love the colours of new year...

Hah, the labour of love...CNY cookies from my kitchen. ta-da!

Candy tray with sweets and chocolates to sweeten the year J.And, to sweeten the mouth of everyone who visit, may all words be sweet-sweet....hahaha lol!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I made these cute cupcakes for Hubby and my little prince and brought a tray over for my Mom, nieces and nephew.

I saw this in Anncoo’s Hobby and decided to give it a try. I have a previous recipe that a friend gave me, quite similar, with a little more icing sugar and with added almond flakes which I found kinda difficult to mold or cut. This is lovely and melts in your mouth. It's vegan, I like it very much. Thank you my dear friend for sharing a lovely recipe. (Thumbs Up). Anncoo’s Almond Cookies is a definite keeper.

(Anncoo's Almond Cookies)

I started off like this, cute, sweet dainty heart-shaped ones…then, it ended up like this… well, it was 2am in the morning J.

I didn’t make these. Bought them as they are “must-have”…what is CNY without pineapple tarts (rolls), traditional kuih bangkit and addictive arrow-root chips! 

I hope you have enjoyed these pictures. Do visit again as I'll be posting some recipes later on.

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