The time of the year has come

It's been weeks since my last blog post and that long too since I last went on my blog rounds. It's the time of the year indeed, lots to do, work is hectic as usual this time of the year and it's bad time too for upgrading the company's software, but  the boss insisted now rather than a month later. It's not easy especially when this old brain of mine has finally found  a comfort zone and to start all over again, feeling dreadful here.

Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year falls on February 8th this year and the firm will be close for the whole week, which means I am off from the 6th until 14th, Valentine's day. Big smile here, LOL. Spring cleaning began slowly some two weeks ago. Every year, during spring cleaning I discarded lots of load and yet there's so much to throw out again this year. Now, how did all those stuff gets accumulated ??? Seriously, I don't have a clue !

Red in Chinese New Year is an expression of joy. Hanging red lantern are believed to drive off bad luck and couplets ; couplets are brush works of Chinese calligraphy in black ink on red paper placed either on both side of the front doors or on the door to symbolize  good luck or bring luck and auspiciousness in the Chinese culture. I never hang couplets but  an eighteen feet red sash on my front entrance, a traditional practiced from my side of the family for as long as I can remember .

I changed the curtains too, store bought this year, a chiffon with needle punch embroidery in moroon red with a tinge of bluish discarding the white semi-sheer lightweight from two years ago. The staircase gets a dressup too with those  ornaments . Now let's hope my lil' Princess Milo don't get the idea that I have put up some toys for her to play.

Going a little out of tradition this year, I baked for the first time Cinnamon cookies. You'll find this recipe from All Recipe.com . My Seaweed crackers is half done and am planning a pineapple tart later of the week.

Some crafting news, for the first time I finished this crocheted tunic in two weeks. I didn't have enough yarns in my stash and opted for this simple pattern where the yarns was just sufficient to complete this. I added two doily motifs just to give it a bit of a something to look at. 

Yarn : Cotton Juicy Boucle (Blue (5)) from Daiso

Something small I finished this January

A chart named Brin de Bonheur a freebie found   Here

I missed calculated and doubt I have enough space for the wordings

A round robin, my theme of Winter Home from a long ago rounds when I was still with a local group. It holds great memories from these wonderful ladies,  Anna, Margaret and especially Janet. Although it's been some two years or three ? since the dreadful cancer took Janet's life, yet I can still vividly remembers her warmth and kind smile that drew people to her, she will always be remembered.

This is something I need to ponder during the long holidays as to what I should do with the space below the houses. Thot of adding the lace did came to mind, will see how it goes and what sets my mood by then.

Had a three days weekend  last and I took mom out for some festive shopping. We had some me time and she even agreed to play along with some selfies with the festive decorations in the mall before we had lunch at Nandos.

Nando's Specialty Grilled Chicken Cataplana for mom

Mushroom soup with garlic bread for both of us

and I had the Chicken wrap

Something I missed out from my trip to Koh Lipe island.  While at the Walking Street, we found this little one man craft shop who crafted these  and both mother and daughter was spoilt by choice before we finally hauled these home.

That's it for now, doubt I'll have time to squeeze another update before the festival and so till then, take care everyone, especially those effected by the dreaded snow storms, stay warm please and stay safe, while those experiencing the heat wave like us here, drink lots and lots of water .

Till I see you next, have a good rest of the week.