Happy New Year! Congratulations and Be Prosperous!
Chinese New Year was officially on Thursday the 7th but we had our Year of the Rat New Year celebration today. We were honored by the presence of Papa Lu, Grandpa Chuck, Uncle Adam, Gramma Jan and Great Gram (Dorothy).
Before our meal the kids smeared honey on the Kitchen God's (Zao Jun) picture so he will say only good things about the family to the Emperor of Heaven. The picture is then burned so it can begin its journey to Heaven.
We served a whole chicken (it stands for family unity and togetherness), rice, Chinese rice noodles, steamed broccoli, and veggie egg rolls. For dessert we had Nian Gao (Traditional Rice Cake) which Annie and I made fresh this morning with Glutinous rice flour, eggs, baking powder, pecans and raisins. We also enjoyed candied haws, almond cookies and dried persimmons.
After our feast the children received lucky money envelopes (Hong Bao or Lai See) filled with good-luck money. They also received small silk heart boxes filled with lucky money and their very own Buddha statues from Grandpa Chuck.
Special thanks to daddy for helping to make this celebration one to remember!
Happy New Year! Congratulations and Be Prosperous!
