Happy Chinese New Year 2011!!

Chinese New Year has arrived! Thank you for reading me whether you have been with me for the past few years or whether you have just started reading my blog. Welcome and Thank you!

Without you, my blog would not have the readership that had enabled me to bring you some interesting products and services through the years. It was you that had made possible for me to enjoy them and for me to spread the joy where possible through prizes or giveaways.

I entered this Chinese New Year with great anticipation as it may be our last Chinese New Year celebration here in Singapore with our impending move this year.

With every year, Chinese New Year celebrations are filled with all types of treats, cookies, sweets and cakes. My mom in law's place was certainly filled to the brim with a full table full of sinful treats! The strangest thing that I noticed this year was that there was NO bak kwa on the snack tables this year... I was looking forward to sitting by and snacking on them... :(

The day before Chinese New Year Day 1 was the day for reunion dinner and it was a table filled with so much food. I fell asleep literally 1 hour from eating, completely crashed out on the living room sofa. I absolutely could not stay awake with the immense amount of food that was consumed that afternoon. For our family, we usually have it as a reunion lunch rather than dinner as my sister in law goes to her inlaws' house for dinner.

A must have at every Chinese reunion table, a leek and tofu dish for good luck & fortune.

This bitter tasting fish for luck.

Cauliflower, prawns and mushrooms for prosperity.

Cabbage, mushrooms, black fungus with dried prawns for abundance.

My mother in law makes a mean braised duck which is highly requested for during the Chinese New Year period so she made a huge one for the meal. I don't like duck but everyone else did! I loved the braised sauce with the quail eggs and tofu...

Steamed pomfret fish for more abundance...

Braised mushrooms with dried oysters and black moss for more prosperity...

Cuttlefish balls to represent gold nuggets for fortune and also popular with the kids too!

Home-made Ngoh Hiang which my mother in law made the week prior just for the dinner. It would not be the same without her home made meat rolls each year so we look forward to them alot! Dipped with Rose Brand black sweet sauce and Tiger brand chili sauce makes the best combination.

And whats a reunion dinner without the customary Yu Sheng platter which is filled with raw fish- usually salmon, radish/cucumber/carrot strips with a medley of various preserved ingredients topped with peanuts, sesame seeds, plum sauce, cinnamon & white pepper powder and packs of crispy fried crisps. Each ingredient represents a certain auspicious "saying" and each year, we amuse ourselves by attempting to remember them all while we lay out each ingredient in the serving dish.

And each table must be filled with alot of meat so we have platters of roasted pork which everyone loves.

And tender boiled chicken...

My mom in laws house was filled with gorgeous flowers too... Chinese New Year Day 1 started out at my mother in law's house where we exchanged greetings before we started the day of visiting...

The hubster CJ and his sister, Serene.... before we all started traveling about Singapore to visit relatives...

The hubster, CJ and me... still looking and feeling fresh before visitations...

My one and only sister in law and me...

And my next stop for the day, my aunt's house where all my side of the family gathered with my grandmother for the New Year celebrations.. and I got to meet up with my youngest sister, Alex.

This year was particularly fulfilling as I was pleased to note that most of my relatives took a while or at least took a second take at me before realising it was me. Compared to my 80kg size last Chinese New Year, this year entering the festivities at 67kg made a lovely difference and delightful change for the new year.

A picture with my grandmother who turns a golden 80 years old this April. I'm looking forward to celebrating her golden 8-0 in 2 months time! She has indeed lived a golden life and is well loved by many.

Group picture with my Dad, my youngest sister Alex and my grandmomma... and a review of what I wore for Chinese New Year Day 1! Black & Gold floral halter top with blue Levis jeans, gray 4 inch heels topped with twin buns on my head with mini red rose clips and red chopsticks for the occasion. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!