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20 Apr

Easter Bunny Treat Jars

Categories: Inspiration
April 20, 2019 Tags:
Satu lagi yang bisa kamu bikin untuk dekorasi saat Easter, jar dengan siluet bunny atau kelinci. Coba yuk, bikin seperti dibawah ini. Sumber : https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/g524/easter-fun-stuff-0406/?slide=6
These cute Easter bunny treat jars are a sweet way to deliver a little bit of springtime cheer to your loved ones. Fill them with candy, fresh flowers, a DIY candle or homemade sugar scrub for a quick and easy gift idea that’s sure to please. These cute Easter bunny treat jars are a sweet way to deliver a little bit of springtime cheer to your loved ones. Fill them with candy, fresh flowers, a DIY candle or homemade sugar scrub for a quick and easy gift idea that’s sure to please.
Start with clean glass mason jars and vinyl stickers. I cut these adorable bunny stickers using my Silhouette CAMEO and bunny shapes from the Silhouette Store (#16785 and #58555). Apply the stickers to the smooth side of the jar, and press firmly on the edges to make sure they’re completely adhered to the glass. Apply a coat of Chalky Finish paint, allow to dry for 10 minutes, and then carefully peel up the vinyl stickers while the paint is still slightly wet.  Spray paint will also work; however, when using spray paint, be sure that the glass jar is placed upside down so that no paint gets inside of the jar! Add a ribbon or some lace trim, and it’s all ready for gifting. Easy peasy! [ ... ]
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03 Feb

Chinese New Year Snacks

Categories: Inspiration
February 3, 2019 Tags:
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. The most important meal of the year is the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner (年年夜饭—Nián yèfàn or 团年年饭—tuán niánfàn). No matter where they live, all family members must return to their hometown. If they truly can’t, the rest of the family will leave their spot empty and place a spare set of utensils for them. In the legend of the Spring Festival’s origin, this was when the monster  Nian would come and terrorize the villages. The people would hide in their homes, prepare a feast with offerings to the ancestors and gods, and hope for the best. This is the most important meal of the year. But the Spring Festival is 15 days long! It’s the longest holiday and people take advantage of the break. In the lull between activities and celebrations, people will just relax at home and watch TV.
And that means snacks. Of course, everyone has their own favorite snacks. Here are a few that are popular and commonly seen.  

Baked Seeds ⽠瓜⼦子 (guā zǐ)

Eating baked seeds is a favorite pastime of most Chinese. They even have a term specifically for the act of cracking the seed open with your teeth and eating it—嗑 (kē). No matter where they are, they can take out a handful of seeds and start “ke”-ing.
 
The seeds of choice for this vary by region and personal taste.
  The most popular are sunflower seeds. Not only do they make a good snack, they can be added to cakes and desserts. Diaogua (吊⽠瓜— diào guā; hanging melon) seeds are known as the “king of seeds” due to its meat and taste. Other choices include seeds of pumpkins, watermelons, sponge gourds and cucumbers.
Seasoning can be added after frying or baking, but the natural taste is good enough for most. The love for baked seeds started in the Ming dynasty and is most popular in the North. There’s an abundance of free time for farmers in the winter. They try to keep themselves warm at home and ke seeds while talking is the best way to pass time. The same applies in modern times. A plate or bag of seeds is taken out if there’s a guest. It’s on the table between meals; it’s there by the TV. People say that baked seeds are great snacks because you can start and stop eating as you wish. But it’s addictive and you probably won’t stop until it’s time for the main meal!  

Malt Candy ⻨麦芽糖 (mài yá táng)

Though not common in everyday food nowadays, malt is China’s traditional sugar. Before the Chinese New Year (⼤大年年—dà nián; big year) officially starts, there’s the “little year” (⼩小 年年—xiǎo nián). It takes place on the 23rd of Lunar December and is the day of the Stove God. People must make malt candy on that day. It’s also known as Guandong candy (关东糖—guān dōng táng). Grains, peanuts and jujubes are mixed into squares of malt candy. This will sweeten the Stove God’s mouth so he will praise the family when he reports to the Jade Emperor. He returns on New Year’s Eve to give out blessings or deal punishments.  

Malt melon gourd 糖⽠瓜 (táng guā)

In other parts of China, such as Beijing, the malt is shaped into melons. It is an offering to the Stove God, but also a snack during the Spring Festival. After much pounding, twisting and stretching, tube-like strips of malt are blown up like glass. The tube is quickly snipped off into hollow balls and the excess malt at the end makes up the stem. These candied melons are sweet with a hint of sourness. Kept outside in the winter air, the malt stays hard but chewy. The small air bubbles trapped in the malt add to the unique experience. It used to be a very common snack. But due to the long and tiring making process, malt melons are rarely seen nowadays.  

Candied figures 捏糖⼈人 (niē táng rén)

Malt syrup is also a resource for more delicate art. 捏糖⼈人 —literally “squeezed candy people”— have more than 600 years of history. In the winter, they can be seen alongside busy streets and small neighborhoods. Through blowing, stretching, squeezing and use of tools (ex: toothpicks and chopsticks), the malt is shaped into various figures.
In the hands of an experienced maker, the malt can become anything you want. During Chinese New Year, they’re commonly shaped into the zodiac animal of the year or auspicious symbols. Not only are they a fun snack, they’re also important cultural artifacts.  

Candied haw 冰糖葫芦 (bīng táng hú lú)

Traditionally a winter-time snack, candied haw can now be enjoyed in any season. Hawthorn ball kebabs are drizzled and coated with malt syrup. The balls can be substituted or added to with red bean paste, walnuts, grapes, begonia fruit and even Chinese yams. Met with the brisk winter air, the malt hardens quickly. The resulting snack is cold, sweet and sour. Candied haw is like a magic pill. According to folktales, the favorite concubine of a Song Dynasty emperor fell sick. None of the imperial doctors knew what to do. The Emperor issued a public notice for all doctors in the country to come and try. One prescribed iced candy and red fruit. Everyone was doubtful, but the concubine liked this taste. They tried it and after eating 10 pieces before every meal for half a month, she really did recover.
Candied haw (malt sugar coated hawthorn fruit) are a popular new year snack.
 
Candied haw are usually sold by street vendors, or at tea houses and small restaurants. In the past, some would carry around a large wooden box or bamboo basket. One side would have many kebabs stuck in it. The other has a stove, pot, cutting board and knife and ingredients. This lets him put on a show and make candied haw before curious onlookers.  

Peanut candy 花⽣生糖 (huā shēng táng)

Peanut candy is another simple yet ancient snack. The basic ingredients are only peanuts and syrup.
Mixed together and cut into squares, it is a sweet and crispy treat. Sometimes it is not hardened and retains the texture of strong taffy. Of all the local varieties, Zherong (柘荣—zhè róng) peanut candy is the most famous. Also made of malt, it is another offering to sweeten up the Stove God’s mouth. There is a 9 step making process and has a unique taste. Other types include: cream, black sesame, fruit, lard, and twisted soft candy (扭结软糖—niǔ jié ruǎn táng).  

Popped Rice 爆炒⽶米 (bào chǎo mǐ)

Rice is an undeniable part of Chinese cuisine. It can be steamed, cooked, boiled, fermented, stir- fried, pan-fried, and the list goes on!
“Poprice” is made the same way as popcorn, but much healthier. Rather than drenched in butter, salt or caramel, the popped rice keeps its natural flavor. It’s a simple and easy snack to make. Children can also play games with the rice, making it perfect for the Spring Festival atmosphere. However, many have abandoned this folk snack for more fashionable treats. Now, in addition to the fresh and aromatic taste, popped rice also brings nostalgic feelings. Fried rice candy is popular in the Guangxi province of Southern China. On the Little Year, people will make the candy with popped rice and malt. It represents a year of wealth and prosperity, and sweet days. The candies are large enough to keep you satisfied between meals. Crispy and chewy at the same time, it’s loved by adults and children alike. The traditional making process is complicated and difficult. It includes soaking, steaming, flattening and popping of the rice. There is now a machine that performs all of those steps. You can also substitute the customary glutinous rice for short-grain rice. This simplifies the process, but takes away from the special taste and experience. During modern Chinese New Year, fried rice candy can be bought at any local store. Many rural households continue to follow the ancient steps and pass down the traditional taste.  

Ginger Candy 糖姜⽚片 (táng jiāng piàn)

Originating from Changsha, ginger candy has been around since the Ming Dynasty. They are created with fresh garlic, white sugar, salt and natural seasoning. After mixing, the candy is put under the sun until it’s entirely dry. In the past, practically every ginger famer would be drying or pickling ginger pieces.
They make great gifts for friends as a small treat.
For those who have colds or stomachaches, the ginger also makes for a quick prescription. With a unique taste and the ability to warm you up, ginger candy is the best snack for the winter.  

Fried Dough Twists 麻花 (má huā)

In the past, the region of Daying (⼤大营—dà yíng) was supposedly infested with poisonous scorpions. To place a curse on them, every household stretched dough into long strips. They twisted them into the shape of a scorpion’s tail, deep fried it and ate it. With time, these “scorpion tails” transformed into what we now know as fried dough twists (or braided dough). The curse was placed on Lunar February 2. Traditionally, they were eaten on the summer solstice. In modern times, they can be enjoyed anytime you have a craving for it. Rich in protein and low in fat, it’s a good snack for the Chinese New Year.
The basic is just strips of dough twisted together and fried. But of course more can be added to it. Fried dough twists can be both savory and sweet. They are usually fried until golden. A green type made from herbs has become popular recently. The city of Tianjin is known for their twists. They’re made of big and thick strips, filled with other healthy and tasty ingredients. Of the Tianjin twists, the most well-known are from the 18th Street (⼗十⼋八街麻花—shí bā jiē má huā). They twist white and gold together. In between, they add osthmanus blossoms, walnuts, melon slices and more.  

Ox Tongue Pastry ⽜牛⾆舌饼 (niú shé bǐng)

This particular pastry is shaped like an ox’s tongue. Dough is rolled into long flat strips and smeared with sauce and sesame seeds before baking.
Ox tongue pastries are a traditional Beijing snack. It has since spread throughout China, becoming popular in Taiwan, Shanxi and more. As a snack, it can be eaten by itself. The sugary coating gives enough flavoring. Sometimes, it can also be eaten with fried dough (油条—yóu tiáo). They can even be filled with stir-fried meat and onion (葱爆⾁肉—cōng bào ròu). The pastries from Yilan and Lukang, both cities in Taiwan, have especially large differences.  

Yilan ox tongue pastry 宜兰⽜牛⾆舌饼 (yí lán niú shé bǐng)

The characteristics of these pastries are: narrow, long, thin and crunchy. A long cut is made in the middle of the pastry. With no filling, they’re more like crackers. The dough is mixed with honey and sugar, giving it a very sweet taste. Some pastry makers also add in milk and cream.  

Lukang ox tongue pastry ⿅鹿港⽜牛⾆舌饼 (lù gǎng niú shé bǐng)

While the dough is similar to Yilan pastries, these also include a malt filling.
The characteristics of these pastries are: wide, short, thick and soft. After wrapping in the malt, the balls are flattened into small eggs. They can then be pan-fried or baked.  

Persimmon Cakes 柿饼 (shì bǐng)

While waiting for midnight on New Year’s Eve, many will snack on some persimmon cakes. Fruits are always an auspicious treat. Persimmons (柿⼦子—shì zǐ) represent the phrase “everything goes according to your wishes” (事事如意—shì shì rú yì) because of the pun for the word “shì.” There was also a king named Zubing (祖丙—zǔ bǐng) who was well loved by his people. After his death, the people chose lunar December 5 as the memorial day. Persimmon cakes were used as offerings because the name sounds similar to 思丙 (sī bǐng)—to commemorate Zubing.
To be made into cakes, persimmons must be skinned, dried, flattened and frosted. Farmers believe that cakes made when real frost appears have the best taste. If dried further, they become dried persimmons (a boring name) and the white powder that forms is called “persimmon frost.”
The color may not be the most appealing, but you won’t be able to stop eating them. But be careful! Eating too many persimmons can cause stomachaches.  

Fruit Platter ⽔水果盘 (shuǐ guǒ pán)

Of course, persimmons are not the only fruit with a special meaning.
A platter is usually offered to the ancestors and gods, in addition to being snacked on. Dried fruits are most common in the season. If you’re looking to create a platter full of blessings, here are some you can include:
  • Kumquats, tangerines, oranges: Because of the golden color, these fruits represent wealth and prosperity. 桔 (jú) also looks similar to 吉 (jí), which means luck and auspiciousness.
  • Peaches: They are said to be the fruit of the gods. They represent longevity and health.
  • Grapes: Grapes come in bunches. They represent bountiful harvests.
  • Pomegranates: This fruit represents a large family, the ultimate blessing for most Chinese. In Chinese culture, you must respect your parents. And the most important thing you must do to show respect is passing down the family name. Most Spring Festival dishes and desserts have legendary origins and symbolic meanings. While it’s less heavy with snacks, they’re full of the flavors and memories of childhood. In our modern fast-paced lifestyle, it’s a treat itself to slow down, eat some snacks and reconnect with family.
https://chinesenewyear.net/snacks/
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02 Feb

Chinese New Year Decorations


Categories: Inspiration
February 2, 2019 Tags:
Apa aja sih yang biasanya di siapkan saat merayakan Chinese New Year ? seperti saat Natal ada pohon Natal, gimana kalau dekorasi saat Chinese New Year? Nah simak yuk dibawah ini,

WHAT THEY MEAN AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM

Every year, the horrendous monster 年年 (Nián) would terrorize villages. It would eat everything, from mosquitos to human beings. As time went on, the villagers realized that the monster came every 365 days to wreak havoc before disappearing back into the forests. So the villagers decided that on that day, they would prepare a feast and dine before the ancestors for protection. After years of hiding like this, a youth came up with the idea to use firecrackers and scare the monster away once and for all. Such goes the legend of the origin of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. Because the purpose was to scare off Nian and prevent it from returning, the holiday decorations are typically a bright and loud red. The color red is much loved by the Chinese in general as it represents happiness and good fortune. Below are some popular decorations used to create festivity for the celebration.  

Paper Cutting Arts 窗花 (chuāng huā)

Paper cutting is a folk craft that can be seen in every season, but are especially prominent during the Spring Festival. Usually seen on windows, the literal translation its name is “window flower.”
The craftsmen will painstakingly create these beautiful works and paste them on using sticky rice glue.
Paper cuttings of the Chinese zodiacs.
 
These decorations are usually of auspicious symbols and words and made of red paper. Images include fish, peaches, grains, dragons, phoenixes and more. Some, such as fish, are puns for blessings. Others, like dragons and peaches, are symbols from folktales and legends. Grains and related images, on the other hand, represent hopes for a good harvest. More on that later.  

Door Gods ⻔门神 (mén shén)

Chinese folk religion includes various types of gods, as well as revered historical figures (either real or legendary.) One type is Door Gods. As the name implies, paintings of these gods are pasted onto the main door of a home. The main entrance traditionally consists of two doors, so the gods always appear in pairs.
Door gods from Chengdu.
The most famous demon hunter Zhong Kui (钟馗 – Zhōng kuí) has a terrifying face. This is why door gods all have angry eyes, twisted features and hold traditional weapons. They are ready to protect the family against any demon or spirit. In another story, the Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (唐太宗 – Táng tài zōng) heard the cries of demons at night. He ordered two generals to guard him outside the door. The cries were never to be heard again and the Emperor decided to paste portraits of the generals on the door. Although these decorations are not as popular in modern times, some regions of China still do this to bring peace and fortune into the household.  

Fortune 福 (fú)

Similarly, Chinese people decorate by hanging up certain words. The most common word is fu, happiness and good fortune. It is written with calligraphy onto a square piece of red paper. These can then be pasted onto walls, doors or windows.
Upside down fu.
 
Fu is often incorporated into other decorations, such as paper cuttings and paintings. As a play on words, many like to put fu upside down. The word for “upside down” (倒 - Dào) is a homophone of “here” (到). This pun represents that good fortune is coming, or is already here. This clever play apparently began as an accident though. The story goes that the servants of a prince decorated the manor for the holiday by pasting fu onto all the doors. However, because they were illiterate, one of the fu’s ended upside down. The prince was enraged at this, demanding why they were so careless. Thankfully, one servant was able to think quickly and made up the explanation for the pun. “I’ve always heard people say that Your Highness is full of fortune,” he said. “And now, the fortune really is here.”  

Spring Festival Couplets 春联 (chūn lián)

Originating from the Shu era (more than one thousand years ago), Spring Festival couplets have a long and rich history. In ancient times, these couplets were carved into tablets made from peach trees.
Spring festival couplets, door gods and fu.
 
According to myths, there was a giant peach tree in the spirit world. Every morning, the spirits who visited the human world must return there. The entrance guarded by two gods. Spirits who did harm during the night would be captured and fed to the tigers. People began to carve the names of the two gods into peach wood to protect against angry spirits. This transformed into writing blessings and, later, poetry on red paper. Nowadays, you can see them alongside the doors of nearly every household during New Year’s season. An optional shorter third line is placed above the doorframe. Much thought is put into these poems. The number of words of each line should be the same; if you're writing your own use a word counter to make sure each line contains the same number of words. The format and rhythm should be either identical or complimentary. Some writers even take the challenge of using alliteration or the same side radical for each word. There are countless different versions and styles, but every couplet conveys the writer’s wishes for the new year.  

Paintings 年年画 (nián huà)

The literal translation of this specific type of painting is “[new] year drawing. ” They are also known as “New Year prints.” This is a craft with a history of at least one thousand years. In line with all New Year decorations, these paintings are used by the people to express their wishes for the future year. The traditional Chinese art style is used, but with the invention of printing technology, the style and image depicted diversified. Some call these paintings the encyclopedia of folk life. Concepts can go from heavenly creatures to folktales to everyday activities. A large majority of prints depict either a chubby doll-like child or a beautiful woman. These images express wishes of healthy children and a loving a family. There are three distinctive major schools of nian hua: Táohuā wù (桃花坞) from Sūzhōu (苏州), Yángliǔqīng (杨柳柳⻘青) from Tiānjīn (天津) and Wéifāng (潍坊) from Shāndōng (⼭山东).    

Kumquats ⾦金金桔 (jīn jú)

The English name of this golden fruit comes from its Cantonese pronunciation gam kwat, which translates literally to “golden tangerine.” As you may guess, this fruit is popular in Southern China, especially Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking regions. Guangdong is known to be the home of kumquats.
Kumquats and red pockets.
 
The character 桔 (jú – tangerine) looks similar to 吉 (jí), which means “luck,” while the golden color is festive and represents wealth and fortune. Add to that the fruit's delicious flavor on its own and in various desserts, and it’s really no wonder why so many will buy a small tree to plant in their homes during Chinese New Year! Other auspicious plants include mandarin oranges (桔⼦子 – júzi), which are popular for the same reasons as kumquats, chrysanthemum flowers and peaches.  

Lanterns 灯笼 (dēng lóng)

The Spring Festival celebration spans a total of 15 days, with different activities for each day, culminating in the Lantern Festival (元宵 – yuán xiāo). There are many styles of lanterns, from basic shapes like spheres, to lotuses and even dragons! Some people write the word fu (福 – Fú), poetry or other calligraphy on the lanterns before releasing them.
People setting off Kongming lanterns during the Chinese New Year festival.
 
The Kongming Lantern (孔明灯 – Kǒngmíng dēng), named after Confucius, is especially important during the Lantern Festival. People write down wishes on each side of the lantern and let it fly to the heavens, hoping their wishes will come true in the new year.  

Symbols

As touched upon throughout this article, there are various symbols that can be seen from Spring Festival decorations. All have auspicious meanings, but can be divided into two general groups: play on words and objects from legends. Due to the nature of the Chinese language, there are countless homophones. It’s a goldmine for those who like to think of clever puns. Take, for example, the fish mentioned in the paper cutting section. New Year paintings will sometimes be of a child holding a large fish as well. Why? The word ⻥鱼 (yú) has the same pronunciation as 余, which means “extra. ” The common phrase is年年年年有余 (Nián nián yǒu yú), meaning to have “yu” every year. Here, the character for “extra” is interchangeable with “fish.” So if you have fish every year, you’ll also have extra money, harvests and luck! As for things of myths, dragons and various gods can always be expected. Zodiac animals, especially the animal of the year, go without saying as well. Chinese culture has a history that spans thousands of years. The Spring Festival, being the most important holiday, is infused with cultural essence. Ancient traditions are passed down and still influential today. By taking a closer look at Chinese New Year decorations, you can glimpse at the stories behind each carefully thought out detail.   https://chinesenewyear.net/decorations/
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