Candy flossed clouds billowed uncompromisingly through the blue wondrous skies
Tawny yellowed leaves litter the pathways
Once brightly shone of fruitful promises,
late brambles now in desperate attempt to grasp the last of summer’s rays
Grey squirrels dance joyfully in autumn’s feast
Scented air with hazel wood and freshness of fallen leaves
Aromas of roasting chestnut is just a mere waft away
Logs piled high by the fire place, sheep skin rugs lay
In anticipation of cosy nights with head nestled upon my lover’s breast
------------------------------------------------------------------
To many, autumn brings dormancy and time of re-pause
To some, it’s an emergence of life itself.
I’m the latter, I simply love autumn.
My sister tells me that the 3rd October will be the Moon festival
In traditional times, this is the harvest festival. The new moon marks the new season and moon cakes eaten at this time embodies all that the year’s harvest brings. Made from a concoction of rich masses filled with nuts and preserved egg yolks. Though tiny in size, about 8cm by 8cm, it weighs an absolute tonne and is to be consumed in small pieces washed down with gallons of green tea.
On this night, food offerings are made to the moon.
I remember at 13 years old, sitting on the window ledge, with a tray full of cooked chicken, pork, offal, waiting hours for the moon to appear from behind the clouds. I was instructed to light the incense and bow three times when I saw the moon.
“Why me?” I said as I sat impatiently
“Because you’re the only female in the house who’s not menstruating” my mum said
Right, that’s a perfectly logical reason!
Bloody purity thing again!
Tawny yellowed leaves litter the pathways
Once brightly shone of fruitful promises,
late brambles now in desperate attempt to grasp the last of summer’s rays
Grey squirrels dance joyfully in autumn’s feast
Scented air with hazel wood and freshness of fallen leaves
Aromas of roasting chestnut is just a mere waft away
Logs piled high by the fire place, sheep skin rugs lay
In anticipation of cosy nights with head nestled upon my lover’s breast
------------------------------------------------------------------
To many, autumn brings dormancy and time of re-pause
To some, it’s an emergence of life itself.
I’m the latter, I simply love autumn.
My sister tells me that the 3rd October will be the Moon festival
In traditional times, this is the harvest festival. The new moon marks the new season and moon cakes eaten at this time embodies all that the year’s harvest brings. Made from a concoction of rich masses filled with nuts and preserved egg yolks. Though tiny in size, about 8cm by 8cm, it weighs an absolute tonne and is to be consumed in small pieces washed down with gallons of green tea.
On this night, food offerings are made to the moon.
I remember at 13 years old, sitting on the window ledge, with a tray full of cooked chicken, pork, offal, waiting hours for the moon to appear from behind the clouds. I was instructed to light the incense and bow three times when I saw the moon.
“Why me?” I said as I sat impatiently
“Because you’re the only female in the house who’s not menstruating” my mum said
Right, that’s a perfectly logical reason!
Bloody purity thing again!
Many Chinese would say that they are Buddhist. But they’re simply not. Ancestral worship and superstitions are the main believes. Still, I like the fuss they make during auspicious days. Which involves elaborate food preparations; furthermore some foods are dedicated solely to certain event. Like moon cakes at the Moon Festival. Any excuse I’d say, but it’s good fun and it presents a good opportunity for family gatherings.
Apparently we will celebrate the moon festival with a family meal in my new home.
My contribution to this day will be an attempt to make a first class Peking Duck. Yulp, I’ve decided that I’d like to master this emblematic dish. It will take two days to prepare and two hours to cook. I will even attempt to separate the skin from the fresh by blowing it. No doubt that I will have to consult the master chef: my dad. He's such a perfectionist, especially when it comes to food, that with luck, he may just offer to come and do it himself!
The 3rd October is also my best friend’s birthday. So, I’m going to kill two birds with one stone. My friend is a vegetarian Sikh.
So the menu may consist of something like this:-
Peking Duck
Scallops with Mangetout
Crispy Roasted Pork belly
Steamed Sea bass
Sweet & Sour Pork with Pineapple
Boiled Corn Fed Chicken
Chicken Offal stirred fried with Celery
Pak Choi with Beef
Shark Fin Soup (NOT!)
Vegetable Biryani
Ocre Masala
Cucumber Rita
Chocolate Forest Fruits Gateau
Last, but not least, Moon Cake!
Having just drawn up the menu, it has dawned upon me what I’m letting myself into……..I wonder if Tesco can deliver all the ingredients?
Hmm…… I wonder if they wouldn’t mind me substituting for the following menu:
Soupe a L’oignon a la Lyonnaise
Canard a L’orange
Chocolate Souffles
Hmm…..perhaps I will be accused of blasphemy.
Having just drawn up the menu, it has dawned upon me what I’m letting myself into……..I wonder if Tesco can deliver all the ingredients?
Hmm…… I wonder if they wouldn’t mind me substituting for the following menu:
Soupe a L’oignon a la Lyonnaise
Canard a L’orange
Chocolate Souffles
Hmm…..perhaps I will be accused of blasphemy.
