A new president, a new economic era, and a Chinese New Year. The Year of the Ox begins next week on January 26th. According to Wikipedia, "The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work." But since all work and no play would make the Ox a dull year, here are some fun things that can accompany you into the new year:

Soap
In anticipation of the New Year it is important to clean everything. Nordea's Soaperie has just the thing for you: Citrus Laundry Soap

Clothes
The New Year is also a time to acquire a new outfit, if possible in red since this color is known to scare away the mythical beast Nian. Nian devoured everything in sight on the first day of the new year but was afraid of red. So protect yourself with one of these garments:

Graffiti Flower Shirt from KimmChi, Red Lace Cowl from Knitting Guru, Red Thistle Dress from Better Than Jam

Jewelry
A new outfit needs to be adorned with matching earrings:

Celebrate China Earrings from Box of Joy, Poppy Earrings on Dimes from Wabisabi Brooklyn, Lucky Stars from Paperelle.

finish it off with a ring from Lia and Adornments NYC's dragonfly necklace (but careful, dragonflies symbolize rapid change).

Home
Now it's time to decorate your newly cleaned home. How about a koi fish painting symbolizing love and friendship by C Line Creations.

Or Bill as crafted by Karen's Monsters, who stands for, well, Bill.

If all this cleaning, decorating, and shopping has made you hungry, maybe you should fortify yourself with my mother's wonton soup:

Wonton Soup

Soup Ingredients:
8 cups of chicken stock
3 shallots
1/2 tsp. sesame oil
Wonton Ingredients:
25 wonton wrappers
1 beaten egg
1lb ground pork
1/4 small cabbage, finely shredded
1 TB soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp fresh grated ginger

Combine the ground pork with the cabbage, soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger. Mix well.
Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of the wonton wrapper. Brush around the edges of the wrapper with some beaten egg. Fold the wrapper diagonally in half forming a triangle. Brush some beaten egg on the left and right corners of the triangle, bring the corners together and seal them with a pinch.

In a large saucepan, bring the chicken stock, shallots and sesame oil to a rapid boil. Drop the wontons into the boiling soup and cook them until they float to the top (10-15 min).

Serve them in one of May Luk Ceramics' beautiful bowls.

恭喜發財

Simone
groundsel.etsy.com