Year of the Rabbit

Happy Year of the Rabbit! Chinese New Year is in full swing. New Year's Eve was February 2, with February 3 being the first day of the 15 days of celebration. Fireworks have been our nightly (and sometimes daily) companion, but are not too bad around our neighborhood. Spring Festival Eve we made jiaozi (dumplings) with our foreign neighbors, the first day (Chu yi, or day one) we visited a party at a Chinese friend's home, where we ate a lot, Sunday we visited another Chinese friend's home and their parents were in town and ate some more. I learned this year that usually fireworks are loudest on Chu wu or day 5, because that is the day of wealth and good fortune. So people are especially anxious to scare off the bad gods or bad luck with fireworks to ensure a year of more money and prosperity. It was louder and longer that day. It will culminate on Chu shiwu (day 15), also known as the Lantern Festival. Today ( the 8th day) a lot of stores started opening back up (like our local vegetable market) though our yogurt delivery has still not started back. However, eating and visiting are the hallmarks of the New Year and we have been taking part. Here are some photos of our jiaozi party.

Angie made "guo tie" or iron pot, jiaozi (partially fried and partially steamed) JUST LIKE HER MOM's. They were amazing and definitely my favorite.

As you can see, there was a LOT of wrapping going on. We had quite a variety- egg and spinach, italian sausage, spicy peppers and pork, pork, shrimp and cabbage, and of course I made my fried apple jiaozi for dessert. All homemade and MSG-free, fortunately for Chris.

Hard at work stuffing, wrapping and sealing.

Lots of fun too!