On the day of the First Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, the pot boils and warmth fills the ordinary life.
Wrapped in the wind on the first day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, the aroma of the porridge spreads vigorously, penetrating through the windows of every household. There is no grand ceremony, but with a bowl of bubbling hot porridge, the ordinary days gain a warm glow. On this day, time seems to slow down by half a beat. Some people are busy cooking on the stove, while others rush towards the aroma to seek warmth. The old tradition collides with the new life, and the coldness of the winter is smoothed out and softened.
In the early morning of the First Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, it is awakened by the aroma of the porridge. The kitchen has already become lively. The clay pot is placed on the fire, and rice, red beans, lotus seeds, and dates are poured in one by one. The bubbling sound accompanied by the rising steam becomes the most comforting background music of winter. The elderly stand by the stove, occasionally stirring the pot with a spoon, fearing it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and fearing that time will slow down; the young people are busy adding new "flavors" to the porridge, placing a poached egg in the sweet porridge and sprinkling crispy peanuts on the salty porridge. The traditional taste contains exclusive little creativity. Outside the window, the morning market also exudes a festive atmosphere. The vendors set up their stalls, and the freshly made New Year's Eve porridge steams, accompanied by freshly cooked dough sticks and buns. Passers-by casually take a bowl, and the warmth spreads from the palm to the heart, opening up a day full of vitality.
A bowl of New Year's Eve porridge is the most vivid bond of the New Year Eve, connecting the warmth of neighbors and relatives. Neighbors always share the porridge they have made at home with each other. The sweet porridge of Zhang's family is dense, and the salty porridge of Li's family is fragrant. You give a bowl and I pass a dish. Without too many words, the warmth flows through the knocking door. In small families, children gather around the stove, curiously looking, reaching out to pick a red bean from the pot, and being patted open by the adults. However, they also scoop up a spoonful of the cooled-down porridge and feed it to their mouths. The sweet aroma spreads on the tongue, and it is the most profound festival memory of childhood. Even online is bustling with excitement. Everyone shows their "New Year Eve special porridge" and shares the porridge-making tips, from ingredient combination to fire control. Even through the screen, one can feel the over flowing， adding a touch of new vitality to this traditional festival.
After the New Year's Eve， the year's flavor becomes increasingly intense， and this bowl of hot porridge becomes a gentle transition at the end of the year. People， in the process of cooking and sharing， quietly start preparing for the New Year： housewives calculate to pickle the New Year's Eve garlic and make sausages， and the garlic cloves in the glass jar are soaked in vinegar， waiting to slowly turn green； elders start to purchase New Year goods， prepare new clothes for children， and hide their expectations for the coming year in the trivial busy work. There is no deliberate pursuit， only a calm journey， just like the cooking of the New Year's Eve porridge， not in a hurry， slowly settling down， to be able to cook out the most rich flavor. On this day， we sort out the past， cherish those tiny warm feelings， and look forward with anticipation to the coming reunion and joy.
As dusk falls， the aroma of the porridge still lingers. People who have been busy all day can still eat a warm New Year's Eve porridge at home， dispelling all the fatigue. The family sits around the table， drinking porridge with side dishes， chatting about the past of the year and expressing expectations for the new year. The light is warm yellow， and the laughter is abundant. It is the most touching ordinary scene. After the children finish eating the porridge， they beg their parents to tell the customs of the New Year's Eve， from the origin of the New Year's Eve sacrifice to the details of making the porridge. Ancient stories are passed on in the joyous laughter， allowing tradition to take root and grow. Occasionally， a gentle wind knocks at the window， carrying the coldness from outside， but it cannot dispel the warmth and excitement inside the house.
The pot boils on the New Year's Eve， warming the years. On this day， there is no distinction of status， no separation due to busy work， but only a bowl of hot porridge and a touch of warmth， connecting all the ordinaryness and joy. It is not as grand as the Spring Festival， but it has its own aroma of fireworks， allowing us to slow down our steps in the cold winter， feel the true nature of life， and cherish the warmth around us. May the sweet aroma of this New Year's Eve porridge drive away all the coldness； may every ordinary day have such a warm glow accompanying it. From this moment on， with this tenderness and anticipation， wait for the arrival of the year and go to the reunion together.
