Frannywanny

The Hungry Ghost Month is finally over! *phew* As much as I try to avoid being overly superstitious, it's hard not to feel a bit fearful towards this dreaded month every year where we're warned to avoid making big decisions, signing contracts, moving to a new home and of course, getting married or doing anything wedding related. It's also this month when Chinese all over the world would take extra pre-caution against accidents and sickness. Finally, it's over and it's time to celebrate! In a week's time, we will be having the Mid-Autumn Festival and it's so interesting to see how one holiday is being celebrated so differently across the region. Here in the Lion City, it's customary for families to light up pretty lanterns and to eat as much mooncakes to their heart's delight. Meanwhile, in Manila, most of us love this time of the year as it's when we play the Mooncake Dice Game (pwa tiong chiu) . I'm so happy that my Fil-Chi friends w...

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...