Mid Autumn /Moon Festival Celebrations

This year the Moon Festival is celebrated on September 14, 2008. In Chinese culture, the full moon is a symbol of peace and prosperity.

I recently asked Anli (our guide while in China) how she would be spending this holiday and she shared with me that her in-laws were coming to her house where they will have a family banquet. One of their main dishes will feature crab. Later, she said they will spend time in their back yard with fruits, snacks and moon cakes. They will spend their evening chatting and enjoying the bright full moon.

Emma and I celebrated this festival for the first time last fall while preparing for the arrival of Josie. We made paper lanterns and created our own version of Moon cakes. This year, the whole family got together to celebrate our nephew's birthday and we also took time to enjoy this special holiday. Be sure to click on the pictures to make them larger.






After the kids finished decorating their lanterns, they had a mini lantern parade

Moon cakes come in many flavors, most of which are not very pleasant tasting. We've made our own variation using strawberry jam.

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 cup flour
jam

Mix butter, sugar & 1 yolk. Add flour. Form a ball; wrap in foil & put in fridge for about 30 min. Make small balls & place on cookie sheet. Use thumb to make a small indentation & fill with jam. Brush with remaining egg yold. Bake at 375 for about 30 min.



Crazy Momma has an even better idea for Moon cakes, their family enjoys Moon pies. Yummy!! Be sure to click on Crazy Momma to see some really sweet pictures of their Moon Festival celebration.


This picture was actually taken from our driveway the past December. Our current weather is so wet, I'm recycling a beautiful picture taken many months ago.

Happy Moon Festival, everyone!