Happy Winter Solstice = Go Tong = Dong Zi

It's 'Go Tong' tomorrow (winter solstice/dong zi). People always says, 'go tong tai ko nien'. Meaning, Winter Solstice is bigger the Chinese New Year. Therefore, I made some 'tong yuen' (glutinous rice balls) before we left for An's house. I didnt make them from scratch. I always confused with all the various flour. So I never know which is which.... flour, baking flour, plain flour, rice flour, corn flour... seriously, I never know which is for what except corn flour. So I simply bought the ready made dough from the fruits stall.

The tong yuen turn out alright. Anyway, it is not that difficult la.... basically just boiled some water with pandan leafs & sugar & ginger. Usually I would just smashed the ginger and throw it in. But unfortunately the only ginger that I can find in the house are some already slice leftovere gingers in the fridge. What the heck... i just throw them in. Better than none.

(Lee taking a photo of the yummy food before we charge at it. From clockwise, Sidney, Isabel, Chin, Harrison, Lee & An. Another couple were feeding their baby)

An invited us for a sit down dinner tonight. She says it is dinner for those who have no Christmas this year. Cause this year we wont be having any Christmas party among ourselves cause two families will be going away, and our house is still a mess, not ready to have any parties yet... lols...

The dinner was fantastic. I expected to be poisoned but it was quite a disappointment. The food were indeed good. She served us yummy roast pork with carrots and mashed potato for main course and followed by a super delicious brownies topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Anyway, anything that has ice creams are always exceptional delicious for me. I am a sucker for ice creams. After dessert, she entertained us with this cute flower tea & served us the tea later.

(a ball of flower tea which just been dropped into hot water)

(after awhile, the flower ball slowly bloomed.. quite entertaining la... lols)

Overall, it was a perfect dinner... main course, dessert & tea. Oh, she also served us very refreshing drinks.. some sparkling lime or something. We also met some of their friend who were very pleasant and fun to be with. Anyway, it is always nice to meet new people and widen our circle of friends. Can't wait for another session of An's cooking with this bunch of friends.

*

We left An's place at bout 10:30pm and popped by at Alina & Mike's to drop off their X'mas presents. Everyone is so surprised for getting presents from us since I have stated earlier that I won't be getting any presents for anyone. Just that I came across that lovely present for them after I made that statement. So I told them to treat it as a bonus for having me as a friend...hehehehehe........

*

Another day ended pleasantly. Thank you for the wonderful dinner An. Thank you for the company Alina & Mike.