CNY Party with our American Friends

28 Jan 09 – I invited some of our American friends over for chinese lunch today. I took this opportunity to introduce our traditional foods and meaning to them.

1. Noodles for longevity
2. Dumplings shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingot, so they are called Fortune God Dumplings
3. New Year cake represents an increase in status every year
4. Spring rolls symbolised good harvest and prosperity
5. Sweets in candy box for prosperity in the new year

The girls also brought yummy desserts. I prepared way too much and we had a lot of left over. I was very happy to celebrate this special day with them. However, Tina and Amy would be moved back to States within a month. I am glad to know these wonderful ladies but feel sad to see them go. sob sob…..

CNY Presentation in School

26 Jan 09 – Today was the first day of Chinese New Year. I was honoured to give a little presentation to Y1 & Y3 children in school. I introduced some CNY traditions, decorations, and sang ‘Gong Xi, Gong Xi’ with them. During the Q & A session, all the children seems very interested in ‘Nian’. (According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian or “Year” in Chinese. People hang red lanterns and, spring scrolls on windows and doors and used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. )

Me with Supermodels

Chinese New Year Re-union Dinner

This is the second year we were away from home for Chinese New Year (CNY) and we do miss home a lot, especially during this festival. For Chinese, this is the most important meal in the whole year. We invited the Wong’s over from London. Danny, again, cooked the traditional Foo Chow Dishes while I in-charged of the Pudding. We talked about some interesting topics, like how many years been away from home in CNY, how many years been married and so on. We had a great evening.

Cake for Office

I’ve baked a chocolate cake for Danny (my ‘another kid’) to bring to office today, coincide with their ‘Happy Friday’ celebration in CNY style. Besides, Danny also brought some Chinese cookies, New Year sweets and coconut cup cakes too. I hope they’ll like it.

I’ve made another steam layer cake yesterday with more colours and more layers.

Cookies for School

I’ll be giving a short presentation about Chinese New Year for YH & YX’s class on first day of CNY. I’ve made some cookies for them too. I intended to make ‘Dragon Cookies’, but maybe because I didn’t have the right tool (pipebag), it turned out to be more like ‘Snake Cookies’ instead. Anyway, they are real handmade cookies!!!!

Besides, I’ve also made some festive crisps, I called it ‘firecrakers’. Very easy to made, roll up spring roll skins (using a chopstick), deep fry them and sprinkle with sugar.

More Baking….

Cashew Nuts Cookies
Popular cookies in Chinese New Year

Kuih Bangkit
Traditional Malaysian cookies.

Festive Food

This Saturday, I had made some Chinese New Year must have cookies and cake.

Almond cookies
YH & YX kept coming to the kitchen and ‘steal’ this cookies.

Ah Chu’s Coffee Cake
This was from my sister-in-law cake recipe. She always made this cake during CNY in Sibu.

Kids Say 2

One day, we were talking about our future and Yi Hong said to me…

YH: Mum, when I grown up I will be studying in University of Cambridge and I will be staying in a student accomodation by the River Cam. But, don’t worry, I promise I will call you everday.

I was happy that he will call me EVERYDAY but I’m not so sure about Cambridge University ……………..

_______________________________________________________________________________________

We were watching Biography Channel about Simon Cowell.

YX: Hey, he is the X-factor judge, Simon ‘the Cow’ !!!
Mum: Erm……. are you sure he is the ‘Cow’ ???
YX: Really!!!! Simon ‘the Cow’, last name is ‘Cow’ !!!

Sorry, Simon.

New Toy For My Kids (including Danny)

The most noisy Rock Band in the world!!!

Kuih-Kuih

As Chinese New Year is approaching, I had tried out some recipe that I found from Singapore/Malaysia blogger, eg Do What I Like and Baking Mum.

Steamed Taro Cake

Steamed Layers Cake