WARNING! You're about to enter a forest of photos and hear me reflect on the year of 2014! Guys, the last day of the year has come. Today is December 31 of 2014! Are you ready for starting a brand new year? Got your party hat (and pants) on for the countdown? But seriously, how does everyone usually celebrate this day? You got any secret traditions that we should know about?!
This post is all about celebrating the holidays with hundreds of cookies, being creative, being generous, and a tiny dab of reflection (man, that sounds kinda cheesy, doesn't it?) But hey, at least I got you reading this! GOT CHA!
You know I don't kid around when it comes to holiday baking. I make a massive batch of goodies every year. I love the process of digging out ideas (meaning spending way too many hours on Pinterest), and the best part is designing the packaging which I always try to do something different than the previous years. These holiday cookie towers were inspired by a collection of ideas, and I really liked the way they turned out.
Before I hand you a champagne glass full of photos and words, I just want to thank you for being such a good sport and hear me yap from time to time. I know most of the food I make and share here on Saucy Spatula isn't mainstream American cooking so they might not always be everyone's cup of tea. And I understand that the majority of the food blogging world here in the States are not gonna look at Hakka Stuffed Tofu (釀豆腐) or Curry Beef Brisket (咖哩牛腩) like the way I look at Hakka Stuffed Tofu and Curry Beef Brisket, and that's okay. As long as I'm able to inspire someone with my cooking, spark someone's childhood memories (especially those who has a similar background as me), I feel like I've made myself (and my mom) proud. I really am looking forward to learn more about my Chinese/Hakka/Cantonese/Hong Kongese background, and the food I grew up eating.
2014 really went by quick for me. I got a new job (well, that was at the end of '13), a new apartment, good health, a wonderful family (including my almost 3-year-old dog Chip), amazing friends to share my weekends and holidays with, a new blog design here on Saucy and another new design for my travel blog, gave my friend Petra's photography site a facelift, celebrated our friends Matt and Alex's engagement with a South African braai party at Prospect Park, continued my support for Hong Kong's fight for genuine democracy, cooked up a storm for Thanksgiving when the family was in town, watched and became obsessed with Vivian Howard's PBS series A Chef's Life which reminds me a whole lot of the pork-eating Hakka farmer culture that I grew up in, gained some new Saucy Spatula followings, launched the Meet My Inspiration blog series, got accepted for a bunch of Food Gawker submissions, and this amazing article mention on Mochi Magazine. I think I can say that 2014 has been good to me! And in a handful of days, I'll also be saying goodbye to my 20's (OHH. MAHH. GAHHH!!) I think that is freaking me out WAY more than the starting of a brand new year (sigh.) But I guess 30's are the new 20's? (I try not to think about all the adult stuff that people in their 30's are supposed to think about) And don't you worry, I'm not gonna borrow your shoulder or your tissues here. But you got any ideas for a 30th birthday? :D
Welp. THIS IS IT, my friends! Dust off that party hat and get ready to toast because 2015 is coming for you rather you like it or not!
Goodbye for now :) See you on the other side! (Cue Auld Lang Syne + Fireworks)
Bye bye!
Cookie recipes are from 5 different sources:
Two-bite Nutella Chocolate Cookies - The Kitchn
Chai Spice Snickerdoodles - Jelly Toast
Lemon Lime Basil Shortbread Cookies - Bon Appetit
Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies - Parent Pretty
Jamie's Old-Fashioned Ginger Crinkles - Food Network
Clear boxes are 3x3x4", purchased from Clear Bags.
Gold and white shredded paper, purchased from Paper Source.
