Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo Credit:
Apple

Valentine 2011: 'Give' (Gift) With L.O.V.E!

My dear blog readers out there, are you doing last minute shopping and wondering what you can get for your loved ones? Are you tired of traditional red roses and a box of chocolate, and you are looking for something outstanding to present to your valentine or loved ones? Martha Stewart has some brilliant ideas for us!


Give seeds, watering plants, and growing into colorful roses...

Heart Bookmark, Necktie Envelope, Vintage-Label Keepsake Boxes, Seashell Valentines, Heart Candles and Message in a Bottle, Heart-Shaped African Violets, Quilled Flowers, Keepsake Boxes Lined with Velvet Ribbon, Lace Picture Frame Mat, Roses Wrapped with Poems, and Sweet Surprises!

Here are some other great Valentine's day inspirations within blog-sphere:
DIY Sewn Heart Garland
Pink, Orange, and Coral Hanging Hearts
Red and Coral Heart-shaped Pillows
Valentine's Rose Champagne and Breakfast in Bed
Valentine's Tea For Two
Sweet Chocolate Display For Your Loved Ones


Photo Credit:
Martha Stewart

Valentine 2011: Pack With L.O.V.E.

Either homemade or store-bought baked goods or sweets, you want to present them in beautifully decorated packaging. Don't you?

Today, we pulled together some wrapping/packaging ideas from Martha Stewart and would like to show you how you can dress up simple-looking cookies into something unique and delicate!

Modern Twist on Valentine Candy, Rocky Ledge Bars Packaging, Cookie Boxes, Glassine Treat Envelopes, Heart-Covered Wrapper, and Heart-Shaped Treat Box

Photo Credit:
Martha Stewart

Homemade Little Something For Your Valentine!

Month of expressing your love to your valentine (traditionally), parents, friends, and colleagues. For those who are still experiencing the bitter cold winter, what is better than a warm and sweet gesture to make your special someone something homemade and delicious? (For those who hardly ever bake or cook: Well, the thought of gifting counts!)

Are you making/getting something delicious for your loved one? I have pulled together some tasty little bites from Martha Stewart for you! Check it out!

Valentine Cookies, Brownie Heart Cupcakes, Pecan Linzer Cookies with Cherry Filling, Calimyrna Fig Hearts, Heart Pancakes, Heart-Shaped Meringues Filled With Passion Fruit Curd, Coeurs a la Crème, Meringue Heart Ice-Cream Sandwiches, Valentine Cake, Raisin Heart Pockets, Personalized Chocolate Pops, Grandma Friendship’s Raisin Pie with Heart Cutouts, Heart-Shaped Raspberry Napoleons, Spicy Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, Chocolate Sweet Hearts, Chocolate Cookies, Shortbread Hearts

They are not only looking yummy, they are looking good too!

Photo Credits:
Martha Stewart

Happy BUNNY Year! (Lunar Chinese New Year)

Wishing all my dearest readers who are celebrating Chinese New Year:

GONG XI GONG XI

新年快乐 心想事成 身体健康 幸福开心

Toss For Prosperity - Yu Sheng!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

If you were to ask me which Chinese New Year dish I miss the most, I would say Yu Sheng
(besides my mom's home cook food, hers is still the best)! Yu Sheng symbolizes abundant luck, prosperity, health and all things auspicious.

The tradition is for all family members gather around and toss Yu Sheng up high in the air with joyful exclamations of "Loh Hey" or any other auspicious wishes. The higher the tossing, the greater the luck and happiness for all. The enjoyment of Yu Sheng during Chinese New Year is an age-old custom back in ancient Chinese tradition and culture.

So what's the history of Yu Sheng? Let us check it out from Spring Toss!

According to Chinese legend, the goddess Nu Wa spent six days creating animals out of mud, while on the seventh she created humanity. Ren Ri, the Day of Humankind, is correspondingly celebrated on the seventh day of Chinese New Year. To celebrate this day, the Chinese enjoy a special dish comprising seven symbolic delicacies which we know as Yee Sang. When Yee Sang is eaten, the ritual is to toss the mixed ingredients high in the air with a shout of "Loh Hey" which literally means to ‘move upwards’. It is symbolic of the wish for our fortunes to rise and expand during the forthcoming year.

Steps of preparing Yu Shang for the tossing:

The joyful toss!

It's officially a brand new year now (past 12am in Malaysia). My family and friends are celebrating the joyous Chinese New Year! May the year of rabbit brings everyone good health and great happiness! Gong Xi Gong Xi!



Photo and Video Credits:
Spring Toss
Youtube
Dorsett Hotel

Chinese New Year Celebration - Foodie!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Chinese New Year is around the corner. It is the time of the year where each household is getting busy to get ready for the New Year! Are you done preparing the house to welcome the New Year?

Photo Credits:
Sticky Rice Cake (Nian Gao) via China Ancient, Yu Shang via Go Eat Out, Chinese Mochi (Angku Kueh), Steamed Rice Cake (Fatt Gao), & Peanut Cookies via Bread et Butter, Chicken Floss Rolls via Jo Deli Bakery, Coconut Biscuits (Kuih Bangkit) via Carolyn Chan Blog, Chinese Love Letter (Kuih Kapit) via My Foodilicious Blog, Mandarin Oranges via The One Love Blog, and Togetherness Tray via Barbara Beery Kids Cooking Blog.