New Year’s Eve

I know it’s New Year’s Eve today, because…

…my mum has hung up the bunch of Chinese leeks (suan). Every year, on the day before the start of the brand new year, nine stalks of Chinese leeks are tied together with red ribbon and a hong bao, and hung in the kitchen.

They are not hung before New Year’s Eve, as the leeks dry out and wilt fairly quickly, and it is not considered auspicious to have dried and wilted things in the house during the 15 days of the Lunar New Year celebrations. By hanging them at the last moment, they can usually last through the 15 days, before being taken down.

Since dawn the house has been a hive of activity. Chaos reigns! Last minute spring cleaning is still underway. Preparations for the most important dinner of the Lunar calendar has started since early morning… cutting, dicing, grinding, mincing… Yep, this is the big annual cook-out. It’s messy, it’s chaotic… it’s fun! Everyone gets in on the act, each with their designated duties… often unspoken, but simply understood. Almost poetry in motion.

There will be loh hei (but of course), fish, prawns, chicken, lamb, vegetables and soup… it will be a feast. I can barely wait!

Yay! It’s New Year’s Eve!