Frannywanny

It's currently the ghost month in the lunar (Chinese) calendar and this means, it's the season where we try to avoid traveling, making big decisions, signing contracts, making big purchases and getting married. It's the most feared for month of the year as this is when they say, the ghosts and spirits would be most active. Yesterday, the 15th of the 7th month is said to be the worst day of all. During this time, people would offer food to the gods to ask for extra protection and would avoid places like hospitals, wakes and cemeteries. Come the 15th of September (a month from now), the ghost month has officially ended and it's time to celebrate! This day is called the Mid-Autumn Festival  where families gather to have a good meal and enjoy an abundant supply of mooncakes. While I love Chinese New Year food such as sticky tikoy  (glutinous rice cakes), tang yuan (glutinous stuffed rice balls), dumplings and yu sheng salad, Paul's favorite Chinese holiday is actual...

I know I'm a few days delayed but allow me to still wish you all...祝你中秋節快樂 (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)!!! Next to the Chinese New Year, this is one of my much-awaited festivals as I love love love shopping for and eating mooncakes. Back in Manila, I thought there was just one kind -- the traditional baked kind that's filled with white lotus paste, salted egg and melon seeds. It was when I moved to Singapore that I was introduced to a whole new universe of mooncakes! From snowskin wrapped mooncakes filled with coffee, ice cream, truffles, durian and even for some, even bacon. I really have to give it to the mooncake chefs and his creativity. This year was made extra special by 1872 Clipper Tea Co as it allowed me to take a step further and to learn how to make mooncakes. I was really excited upon receiving the invite and it coincidentally fell right on Paul's birthday making it a really happy day. I joined a small group of fellow bloggers at the very cozy flat of The...

Last Thursday (September 19, 2013) was the Mid-Autumn Festival and this was widely celebrated across Asia. What makes it interesting is how exactly each country celebrates this special day. Back in the Philippines, the Filipino-Chinese community would have rounds of Dice Games . This is one of my favorite activities as it's a fun game of luck and whatever happens, you get to go home with lots of goodies, items or if you're really lucky...more cash. Here in Singapore, I don't think Dice Games are played but instead they tie this day in with the Lantern Festival . As early as a month ago, we have seen a lot of colorful lanterns being sold in mall atriums. I'm not quite sure yet what the lantern stands for but it sure looks really good to see the entire Chinatown district decorated with these colorful lanterns especially at night. However, the main focus of this season are on these hand-crafted baked treats that we would give to friends, families and business partners...