It’s almost Chinese New Year, and if you’d like to celebrate, I have a few ideas for you. I should add right up front that my knowledge about this is pretty much based off a Wikipedia entry, and while we know everything on the internet is accurate, if you’d like to correct any of my information or add to it, feel free!
*I used italics there in case you have disabled the sarcasm detector on your computer.
The Chinese New Year is sometimes called the Lunar New Year, and because it’s based around the cycles of the moon, the date changes. This year it begins on January 23rd. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.
There is also a big festival in Seattle next weekend (more local events have come and gone).
In Tacoma, you’ll want to keep an eye out for special, glass orbs hidden around the city by local artists. It’s a real-life treasure hunt, and if you find one, I’d love to hear about it! For all the scoop on this tradition, known as Monkeyshines, check out this just-in post over at Exit 133 blog. At least one reader was lucky enough to score one! I’d sort of assume they’ve all been found by now, but you never know…..The ones I read about were mostly found in planters by area parks and businesses.
Want to get crafty to celebrate? I found some cute Chinese New Year crafts over at Kaboose. I’d do the dragons; the rabbits are sooo 2011!
I’d also suggest a quick stop by your library. I just know your clever librarian has already pulled some titles that would be excellent to share.
If you cook up great Chinese dishes, I’d love to hear about them. Around here, Chinese means take-out. One tip I learned years ago is to get a bag of chopped, frozen cauliflower (or fresh, I ‘spose) and stir it into your entrees. It won’t be noticeable, and besides making the dishes a bit healthier, it will stretch the meal. I read this in a magazine-it might have been Real Simple-but I’m not sure. If it sounds familiar to any of you, chime in!
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