I have never been one good with traditions, frankly I suck at them. Since young I never saw the significance of Chinese New Year. To me it was (and is still is) merely another flipping of the calendar day. I only enjoyed the extended days of holidays that came with it. Before marriage it would mean holidays overseas with friends, but after marriage everything changed. I needed to be a responsible daughter-in-law and mother ……. certain chinese new year must-dos needed to be done even though I do not believe in them.
During Chinese New Year it is customary to prepare “goodie bags” for family and friends. I enjoy putting together personalised gifts each year. I find store bought hampers expensive and boring! This year I made Valentine’s Topiary filled with traditional CNY cookies and nuts.
I spent a week cutting circles from 5 yards of velvet plus many, many hours assembling them. It was fun but my biceps were aching by the time I completed all nine of them. This was the most time consuming part. The rest was quite a breeze.
I painted and decorated metal pots from Ikea, planted the topiary with a thin layer of cement, filled it up with the cookies and nuts, then covered it with dried moss.
My girls had a lot of fun in the entire “planting” process. They would work through their homework (from school) in record breaking speed so that they could help out. We had some awesome time bonding ……
I included this tea set as part of the gift too. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it at the mall. It is SO PRETTY. I hope my friends feel the same too. *keeping my fingers crossed*.
Happy CNY and Gong Xi Fa Cai to you too, may this new year brings you good health and happiness.
hey! Gong Hei Gong Hei! Gong Hei Fatt Choy!
will keep you inform! sunny & sid
We are wondering where are you now? Hope you and your family will have a great time this festive!
Exciting things are going to happen soon with us!
thanks!! may the tiger keep your safe, healthy and prosperous all the time. can’t wait to hear all about your exciting news ….
wishing you & your family a prosperous and wonderful new year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
noobcook´s last blog ..Mango Sago Pomelo ????
Hi Celine,
I really salute you hehehe but you’re really doing great with all the crafts and cooking and baking! May the new year bring you and your family abundance of love and with love, abundance of success, happiness and wealth will follow!
babe_kl´s last blog ..Banana Pancake (Jamie Oliver’s USA style pancake)
thanks!! i love craft and baking ALOT…. can’t say much about cooking though. guess i will never be a good cook, only able to handle simple dishes only.
Happy CNY to you and you are getting better with your camera … nice shot you got there
email2me´s last blog ..Mum’s Seafood Noodle House at Kota Damansara
Happy CNY to you too!! Nice shot? Improved a little, but not there yet …. I “can’t stand” the shadows. I took the shots past midnight, didn’t see the shadows till it was too late!!
BTW, my hubby is soooo envious of your coming trip with HK’s Gourmet King. Fill me in with all the details when you get back, okay?