.: Blut ist dicker als Wasser :.

Care for a sip?

"Kuih Bangkit." One of the many choices of cookies baked during Eid. Mum used to bake it by the dozens, and I'll pile it up in the cookie jars. Nowadays, mum prefers to make the chocolate-based varieties since most of my little cousins favor it. There's really nothing wrong with the chocolate ones. Only that I much prefer the ones I had when I was a kid. I guess I am still deeply rooted with our traditional fare. Insya'Allah, I'll badger my mum to make some when she comes over. *nothing beats mum's cooking, I'll help out of course.*

All along, I never know the origins of the cookies that my mum bakes. Whenever I ask her, she'll say it has been in the family, or that she got it from someone. Our conversations often get sidetracked along the lines of the family tree and history.

*direct translations of Kuih is cake, but it can also be cookies or biscuits. Bangkit really means rise, as in the cake rises, so "Kuih Bangkit" can be referred to as raised cookie.*

Did a little research of my own.

Kueh Bangkit were originally used for altar offerings for the ancestors. Then they were made in the shape of currency. Today they are made in various animal or floral shapes with their own symbolic meaning such as goldfish, peonies and chrysanthemums. They can be sprinkled with sesame seeds to symbolize fertility. Tan (1991) stated that kueh bangkit are typical of the evolution of the cultural osmosis from mainland China to overseas Chinese communities.

Source :: Asian Festivals and Customs A Food Exporter's Guide by Grant Vinning and Kaye Crippen

Like the pineapple tarts that my mum makes, the "Kuih Bangkit" is in fact a Chinese New Year Goodie. The justification of us taking it as our own can most probably be traced back to our ancient ancestral roots, particularly on my dad's side. All that mattered to me is how scrumptious they are. *they're really good ... all light and crumbly, they seamlessly melt in your mouth.*

Here are my little cousins. *they aren't that little anymore, are they?* Time sure pass fast.

Eid is most likely the only time I get to see all my relations. Now and again, we do have family functions, yet not everyone are present. Though we hardly meet, the bond is very much intact. Alhamdulillah. :)

I reckon in a couple of years time, these girls will be much bigger than I'll ever be. As it is, they're almost the same size as me. *some have surpassed me.* Is it just me or are kids today becoming bigger? *haha~*

Love the smiles. ^^

12.50am Malaysian Time