Of rice balls & roasted peanuts

We celebrate the winter solstice or "tung chieh" festival today. The occasion falls on third day of the eleventh month of the chinese lunar calender. In Malaysia, the festival is normally celebrated in the month of December, close to Christmas. The highlight of the celebration includes the preparation of a special dish of boiled glutinous rice balls dipped in crushed soya bean, roasted peanut and sugar. Alternatively, the boiled rice balls could be eaten in sugar syrup. For once, I am not quite sure how this dish originated, but I must admit that I enjoyed this sweet and special dish at least once a year. This festival, together with the traditional lunar new year celebration, moon-cake festival and rice dumpling festival or "tung Chiu chieh" forms part of our rich chinese culture and heritage.

With Christmas just around the corner, we had been busy with carolling and church activities. Our program includes visitation to several homes and families to share the Christmas spirit and message. Ruth and her friends were also busy teaching some of the younger girls the tamborine dance, which will be presented during the Christmas morning service on 25 December. Merry Christmas!