Fruity Tea for Two

 

Tarts from Shinammon

I got these cute fruit tarts from my favourite bakery recently.  The toppings are strawberry, lychee and peach sitting on a bed of cream.  Very nice with a cup of tea!

Lunch Today

 

Food from 7Village

With most eateries closed for the Chinese New Year, I was lucky to get this Chicken Bento from a nearby outlet.  Simple and nicely presented.  I finished up with warm Tong Sui (lotus seed and dried longan tea).  Now I know where to find food when CNY comes around again!

Happy Chinese New Year

 

Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Horse filled with good fortune, health and happiness!

GONG XI FA CAI

Tea Break

 

If you've been dusting and cleaning to get ready for the Chinese New Year, it's time for a break!  These lovely pineapple tarts go down very well with a cup of tea and are just right for your afternoon tea.  They symbolize wealth, prosperity and good fortune.  In Hokkien, the name "pineapple" is "ong lai", which translates to "prosperity arrives"!

So get yourself some pineapple tarts and have a prosperous Chinese New Year!

Good Morning

One Day at a Time

 Hello everyone!  Has the new year started right for you?  If you're having misgivings or feel discontented or just plain dissatisfied with your present situation, here's something to perk you up.  Someone sent it to me and I thought I'd share it with you.

"As we step into 2026, it’s okay to admit that the world can feel heavy and unfair. Some days, it really is. But unfairness does not mean hopelessness - and pain does not mean the end of your story.

If you’re feeling tired, discouraged, or overlooked, remember this: the fact that you’re still here means something in you hasn’t given up yet. Even when you feel weak, choosing to keep going is an act of quiet strength. You don’t have to be loud, confident, or fearless to be brave. Sometimes bravery is simply getting through the day.

Life doesn’t move in straight lines. Growth often happens in the moments that feel slow, confusing, or lonely. What you’re facing right now is not a measure of your worth, and it is not permanent - even if it feels endless. Seasons change, people change, and so do circumstances.

Be gentle with yourself this year. Celebrate small wins. Rest when you need to. Ask for help when it’s heavy. And hold on to this truth: your presence matters more than you realize, and the world is better because you’re still in it.

2026 doesn’t need you to be perfect.

It just needs you to keep showing up - one step, one breath, one day at a time."

So cheer up, it's not the end of the world!

Happy New Year 2026

 

Let the new year be about love, let it be about joy.

Let it be about hope, abundance, faith, trust, understanding.

Let it be about people you love.

Let it be about gratefulness and blessedness.

Here's to new beginnings, new adventures!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!