Happy New Year - Again!
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
February 3, 2011
Hello Everyone!
The beginning of the lunar year is Feb. 3, and the Chinese mark the occasion with parades and parties-and a long list of traditions intended to bring good fortune in the months ahead.
This is the year of the Rabbit.
I'm joining Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday with a little Chinese tablescape and a few customs to observe:
1. Sweep for success.
Clean your house from top to bottom to expel the dust and disappointments of the past year and usher in the bright future. ~ We bloggers have been cleaning for a month now.
Decorate with plants or flowers, symbolic of rebirth. But remember: All work must be done by midnight on Feb.2. If you clean on New Year's Day you'll push luck right out the door.
2. Dress for the occasion.
Buy new clothes to wear on New Year's Day; they represent new beginnings. Even better, get something red-it's considered a lucky color.
3. Add luck to your menu.
Have dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve with your family, consuming fortune-boosting foods like mian gao (sweet sticky rice cakes), dumplings, and a whole fish, symbolic of progress, togetherness, and abundance.
Chinese Tea pot, tray and cups: A gift from dear friends for our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Chop Sticks: China Town in San Francisco years ago
Orchid: Michael's Craft Store last year
Art Work: A dear friend was moving to assisted living and wanted me to have the fabric painted water color.
Black stand: The stand from my $5.00 Nativity Scene I bought at a garage sale.
Table Runner: A 2011 Chinese calendar turned over. I will be giving it back to my Granddaughter this week.
It's amazing where my inspiration comes from.
For more traditions, go to Parade (Click here).
Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner and I hope you have enjoyed our little Chinese New Year celebration.
I'm also joining
My Cottage Charm for Treasures and Trinkets Thursday
Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Bargain Hunting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
and
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
Please link back to these inspirational blogs.
Have a great weekend
xo
Betty
Thanks for this great post ... and for the info on customs! I'm wearing red tomorrow! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all this information. Learned a lot. Your dishes are lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Great job. We will be having our Chinese New Years next week, my little guy is having his tonsels out tomorrow. Boy you aren't kidding about the cleaning thing.
ReplyDelete:) Michelle
Hi, Betty, and Happy New Year!!! Lovely, peaceful, calm table. Very nice. I have a Chinese New Year luncheon planned for tomorrow afternoon that I'll post next week, but I'm worried that no one will come because of the 12 inches of snow we got yesterday! I've assured everyone our street and driveway are completely clear, but who knows...they may still stay away. I really don't want to have to eat all the Chinese food by myself! :-( I hope you have a wonderful time, and a great week!
ReplyDeleteI learned something new with your post tonight. The tea set is lovely. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty Asian dishes! Aren't you glad you hung on to those chopsticks? They are so pretty. Nice job..thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Lovely post and lovely teaset. Very informative post. ~~Sherry~~
ReplyDeleteVery pretty tea set and table. So serene. I love the addition of the orchid. Nice!
ReplyDeleteHi Betty, I linked right after you on BNOTP and I have enjoyed your post! I did a half-chinese table but it is so nice to read the customs. We are eating with our chopsticks tonight! Linda
ReplyDeleteGreat post Betty! Love the traditions and pretty setting-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteThat makes the prettiest vignette! Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely! You have a great blog. I am hosting a giveaway on my blog...hope to see you there:-) hugs Anu
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Lovely tea set.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
What an interesting post. So nice to learn about other traditions. I just love that tea set. I linked over from Romantic Home. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks. Looking forward to keeping up with your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis was just beautiful Betty and so fun to learn some history and traditions! Thanks so much for sharing it at Inspiration Friday this week! It is always a treat to have you stop by! :-)
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Betty, what pretty Chinese accessories you have. I love the way you put this together with the pretty fabric painting and tea set on the black slab. It was also interesting to learn some of the customs of the Chinese New Year. thank you for linking this to Favorite Things. Have a great weekend. laurie
ReplyDeleteBetty, this is so pretty! The orchid was a lovely touch.
ReplyDeletei am your new follower. i love all your design ideas. will come back often:)
ReplyDeleteGreat table! Love all of the accessories.Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper