Hearts…

No, I’m not into Valentine’s Day but yes, I do think that our society in general and the world at large do need a lot more love…

…these days so Happy Valentine’s Day, all. Keep the peace and spread the love!

It does seem a little quiet this year unlike in previous years, when all the florists and the gift shops and the restaurants would cash in on this special but over-commercialised occasion to fleece those willing victims and that is probably because it coincides with Chinese New Year and everybody was busy celebrating and they did not realise that Valentine’s Day was fast approaching…or perhaps, times are hard and with our frail economy, everyone is feeling the pinch and is careful enough not to squander everything away and would rather choose to be a little bit prudent and save what they can for the rainy stormy days ahead?

Or maybe it is the season of Lent for Christians beginning on Ash Wednesday which was a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics…but elderly people over 60 years old like me are exempted. Nonetheless, I did abstain from meat and had light and simple meals for breakfast and lunch…

…till the sun went down.

I also took a break from my Chinese New Year open house that day and sadly, I had friends from Sarikei and Miri who wanted to drop by but they did not do so as they saw what I had posted on Facebook and by the next day, they had all gone back. I guess I would have to wait till Chinese New Year next year before I can get to see them again then.

My open house resumed the following day and that morning, I fried this plate of tom yam bihun…

…for breakfast but no, we did not serve any more of the food we had on the first and second day so those who dropped by only had the cookies and cakes to help themselves to.

We had a lot of rice left in the fridge – it sure looked like everyone would go for the dishes and not so much the rice so on another day, I whipped up my usual fried rice, Chinese-style in line with the festive season, with luncheon meat cut into small cubes, leek and egg…

I would have used lap cheong instead but my girl is more into luncheon meat plus I am keeping the precious wine-infused ones I got from my friend, Annie – still in the sealed plastic pack and kept in the fridge, for other days.

Thank you so very much especially to those who took the trouble to drop by my house and extend their good wishes for Chinese New Year…and thank you once again to those who sent cards and gifts for this very special occasion, thank you for being so thoughtful and so generous..and thanks also to my old friend (kawan lama, not kawan tua…wink…wink), Siti, who brought these lovely chocolate almond cookies…

…that her nieces made, for me when she came visiting…and thank you, everyone, for all for the greetings via Facebook or smses. Let us hope and pray for a wonderfully awesome Year of the Monkey for all of us! Cheers!!!

My girl will be going back to her school today so I guess that would be it for Chinese New Year visiting this year…

…but of course, anyone, family or friend – is free to drop by anytime. Our doors are always open and all can be assured that they would be warmly welcomed.