Orange Chocolate Cookies

Someone gave me a hamper from Duchy Originals last Christmas and I fell in love with their orange biscuits coated in dark chocolate ever since. It is one of the most yummy cookies I have ever tasted. The combination of the aromatic yet slightly bitter flavor of orange and dark chocolate makes this a heavenly treat. I had some free time yesterday and decided to try baking some of these delicious cookies myself. These are definitely not as polished looking as the ones from Duchy's, but the taste of the combination of butter cookies with orange zest, orange marmalade and bittersweet chocolate came pretty close. I find them quite irresistable and finished off at least a dozen in one afternoon. I am feeling very guilty now. I need to go on a diet.

Birthday Cupcakes for my Dad

This coming Monday will be my dad's 66th birthday.  I made this set of orange and passionfruit cupcakes to wish him a very happy birthday.  The golden coins on the cupcakes denote longevity.  The chinese words came from the chinese idom "福如东海长流水, 寿比南山不老松", a blessing used commonly on elderly's birthdays and it can be simply translated to mean: (May your) happiness be as boundless as the eastern oceans and your life as long as the long lasting southern mountains.  

Thirty four years ago my dad became a first time father when I was born.  He was about thirty-two years old then.  He devoted the next thirty over years taking care of his family.  He worked hard to provide for us and never complained no matter how tough things were.  A calm and steadfast man is what I known him to be.  Strict but never loses his temper or raise his voice on me except on instances where I went way over board.  I respect my dad a lot and I love him so much.  But ever since I started my own family, I tend to neglect him a bit due to the busy life I have now.  Many times, I took him for granted, and always procrastinate in making that phone call to check on him.  I do understand that for elder folks like my dad, material things no longer weigh as much as compared to the love and concerns from family and children.  I must constantly remind myself to always be there for my folks... 

Today, I spent a whole afternoon with my dad.  We watched F1 on TV, enjoyed the company of my sons, his grandsons, and we had a good meal together.  I feel really happy, and i think my folks are happy too.  So once again, 生日快乐, 老爸!