Welcoming spring with flower arrangments

There are few snowdrops emerging in my front porch area to signify the beginning of flower season in spring.  Then I saw crocus in a cluster group sprouting out like school children at recess for fresh air.  I can't bear to pick some out away from their buddies for my indoor display. So, how should I proceed with my flower arrangements to welcome the spring?  My friend pointed out that there are many beautiful branches of dogwood and plum tree full of buds in my yard.  Also the perennial heavenly bamboo's red berries are just heaven sent to lighten up the barren winter white.  Here are few photos to share with the readers about my recent "home decor refreshment".

Celebrating Chinese New Year

If someone asks me how would I like to celebrate Chinese new year in a fun way, my choice would be to invite a few friends to enjoy a hot pot meal or make dumplings, spring rolls together.  Traditional foods from childhood memory and share together with friends create new memorable moments.  Here are the pictures I took recently to welcome the lunar new year of ram.  Enjoy!



Eight Treasures Hot Pot Soup as a center piece

 

Fruits and nuts portray wishes of long life

Shanghainese wontons arranged by a young in house artist
 



This bowl of wonton soup covers all essentials for a yummy Chinese dish: appearance, aroma and flavor!





Spices used in tea egg braising liquid in addition to black tea



 

tea eggs soon to be revealed for the unique marbled look

marbling on the tea egg and on the shells 



home fried shrimp chips--look and taste good




Happy Year of lunar year of Ram (4713)!
(drawn by my friend Yiling)

Enjoying Tea in Chinese Culture

With the leaves turning colors in autumn glory, my recent daily choice of tea tends to be a darker oolong with thicker mouth feel and deeper character profile.  During my talk at Homewood Retirement Center about enjoying tea in Chinese culture, I showed off a rare Puer tea brick gifted to me a few years ago when I was in Taiwan during the tea plantation visit. 

 

A fun thing I just discovered by looking at the above picture is that my choice of outfit and tea displays harmoniously reflect the seasonal color without any purposely intention.  What an instinct when dealing with the subject of tea!