2022 Lunar New Year - Dinner for 2

A humble nod to Chinese culture to welcome the Lunar New Year!  Inspiration was sought everywhere.  I learned a lot by putting together this table, mostly that my inventory of Asian dishes is sadly lacking.  Still, it was fun to discover so many new things about Chinese traditions.

In traditional Chinese culture red symbolizes good luck and wealth.  So, out came napkins, ramekins and water goblets.

The dragonfly is a symbol of prosperity, good luck and harmony.  The Kim Seybert napkin rings are still a favorite, and seemed to work well with the red napkins.

My mother bought me this trinket box back in the 70s, in a Chinese import store on Clark Street, in Chicago.  I still remember vividly that shopping expedition with her, and the discovery of the little box in the midst of fans, slippers, silk purses, and a myriad other tchotchkes.  It was intended to hold my fortune-telling cards, however, it turned out to be a tad too small for them.  I still love the little box with the flying swallows, and it usually lives in my dresser, where I keep my special treasures.  I remembered it today, as I was running around trying to find Asian things for the table, and although it served no purpose whatsoever, I set it on the table to look at because it makes me smile and reminds me of my mom.

A few years ago, the owner of the nail spa I frequent, gave me this envelope as a token of appreciation and to wish me luck on the Year of the Rooster.  Apparently, despite its peculiar appearance, it's legal tender.  The search for inspiration continues.

The mandarin orange is an important symbol of the Chinese New Year.  The small, round fruit looks like the sun, and is a symbol of abundance and happiness.  Mandarins should come with stems and a few leaves, which is part of the symbolism and denotes freshness.  They are frequently given as gifts during this period to wish the recipient a long life and fertility.

I placed the mandarins in a Blue Calico plate.  The plate was manufactured in the pottery district in England, however, the cherry blossom pattern is evocative of Asia, where the flowers grow in abundance.

I just learned today that in a traditional Chinese table, you are not supposed to place a knife.  Supposedly it's bad luck to cut your noodles.  Imagine my chagrin when the noodles in my takeout Pad Thai came already cut!  This restaurant is not following the rules!

So, the menu consisted of Char Siu (Cantonese BBQ Pork), which I made myself, Chicken Pad Thai, Shrimp Dumplings, Egg Rolls, and Steamed White Rice.  

Then, to finish the meal, we shared almond and fortune cookies, and those delicious mandarins.  Oolong tea was served in my little red ramekins.

Happy Year of the Tiger!

Gold Chargers - Marshall Field's many years ago

Black Dinner Plates - The Dollar Tree, many years ago

Red Water Goblets - HomeGoods

Red Ramekins - Emile Henry, available through their site or Amazon

Napkin Rings - Kim Seybert

Fork - Treble Clef, by Gourmet Settings

The Frog Prince Is Having a Tea Party

You may recall an earlier Tea with the Prince, in which I introduced you to His Royal Highness.  Well, it seems like he's done it again.  He's hosting yet another tea party!  I'm beginning to find that the Prince is a bit of a troublemaker, and when he and his friends get together, there are some interesting goings on in the court.

This time, not only has he brought his usual entourage . . .

But he's also invited some new guests, including Prince Cornelius, the Chameleon, from the nearby Pond Kingdom of Williams-Sonoma . . .

Prince Cornelius has been a worry from the very beginning.  Out of 8 napkins, only one had his image.  I wonder if he was getting rid of the competition.  And now, I'm not sure I've enough cucumber sandwiches on hand to satisfy his appetite.  He seems to be eyeing the guests suspiciously . . .

Some of the guests seem to have decked themselves out in all their finery . . .

Miss Bee is standing scandalously close to that frog - and with no chaperone in sight!  Fly, Miss Bee!  Do not stay too close to that ne'er-do-well!

Everyone is anxious for a spot of tea, and they are staying very close to my new Botanical Porcelain Duo Teapot and Cup, a gift from my husband on our recent anniversary . . .

They hope I may be serving my preferred Oolong tea, but I'm not sure if caffeine is the thing to have this crowd imbibing.  Perhaps a nice, soothing cup of chamomile would be best.

Uh-oh!  Prince Cornelius is getting ready to pounce!

Here, Your Highness, have some of my Cucumber Sandwiches!  I have plenty, and when you are done, I'll read you a story . . .

Once upon a time . . .

Tea with the Prince

I'm about to sit down for a quiet tea in the Library. There's magic in this room. All my books are kept here, and characters come to life in the afternoons. Today, I'm keeping company with His Highness and his entourage. Won't you come in for a peek?

First, let's select the tea, shall we? My son, David, sent me this box of tea from England when he visited a while ago.

Once the teabags run out, I guess I'll have to go in person to pick up another box. I can't wait to see my husband's reaction when I break the news to him.

How about Afternoon Tea? It seems appropriate.

I try to allow myself a small flower budget to supplement the seasonal offerings from my garden.  Nothing picks up the spirit like fresh flowers.

And, when I can't get fresh flowers, I improvise.  Even pictures of flowers can improve my mood.

His Highness follows me all over the house, especially he likes to be around flowers. There’s a perfect rock set for him in the backyard, at the base of the clematis vine, but the opossum that lives under our deck keeps knocking him off his throne, so, in order to save his crown, literally, I've brought him inside.  I'm rather fond of him, you see, and I dislike bullies.

Once he settled in, the Prince invited other courtiers to follow him, and set up his court.  He brought with him the Chief of Protocol . . .

Madame Pompadour Butterfly . . . His Highness can be quite naughty, and I had to remind him that this was a respectable household.

Miss Bee, the Lady-in-Waiting . . .

And the Court Gossip, Mr. Dragon. He spends the day buzzing about, and knows the latest "on dits."

Perhaps I can get Miss Bee to bring in another cup for you . . .

Or perhaps not.  I'm terribly sorry, but I've been overruled. Miss Bee complained that I didn't give her enough notice, and the Master of Protocol says you are not wearing a hat. No hat, no tea. He’s very strict.

I guess I'll be eating the cookies by myself today, but I'll invite you for tea very soon, once I clear it with the staff.

Tea with the Prince

I'm about to sit down for a quiet tea in the library.  There's magic in this room.  All my books are kept here, and little creatures come to life in the afternoons.  However, I'm not completely alone because His Highness is here with me.

The Prince follows me all over the house.  There's a perfectly wonderful rock set for him outside, at the base of the clematis vine, but the opossum that lives under our deck keeps knocking him off his throne, so I've brought him inside to give him a break from the bully.

Once he realized he was safe, he immediately made himself at home, and invited some of his courtiers to tea.  Imagine that!  Without a by-your-leave, I had a house full of guests!  The Lord Chamberlain felt they should have checked with me, but the Prince brushed aside all his concerns.

Madame Pompadour came, too, hoping for a tryst.  Unfortunately, her plans were doomed to failure . . .

She brought Miss Bee along, her lady-in-waiting and chaperone, and that prickly creature was not about to let any shenanigans take place on her watch!

Besides, the Court Gossip was flitting about.  Mr. Gossip is a useful person, when one likes to know the latest “on-dits,” as long one is not the object of the gossip.  Therefore, all in all, it's best to stay clear of him.

Shall I ask Miss Bee to bring in an extra cup for you?  Oh, dear!  I'm so terribly sorry, but I've been told that it won't be possible.  Miss Bee says she needs more advance notice, and the Lord Chamberlain says you are not wearing a hat.  No hat, no tea!  He's very strict.

I guess I'll be eating the cookies all by myself.  But don't worry, I will invite you back very soon, once I clear it with the staff.

Watermelon Tablescape II

Watermelon:  Sweet . . . juicy . . . yummy. . . what's not to love about this quintessential summer fruit?

And, not only is the fruit delicious, but the color palette that it evokes is so, so summery!  This is my second watermelon tablescape.  I cannot get enough of this fruit, and I love these colors! Click here to take a peek at my earlier post.

I was inspired to try making this centerpiece by some fabulous bloggers:  Michael Lee of Rattlebridge Farms, and Mary of Home is Where the Boat Is.  Please stop by to see their wonderful creations!  You'll know in an instant why I was so enthralled.

Most of the flowers came from Costco, but the hydrangea came from my very own garden!  We just planted them last year, and these came from our very first crop!  Aren't they beautiful?

I added some Queen Anne's Lace, picked up from an empty, undeveloped lot not far from our house.  I always look forward to the appearance of this wild flower.  It's so delicate looking, and makes a great filler for arrangements.  It also helps mark the passing of time.  I know when I begin to spot them that we are in full summer!

All that fruit MUST be put to use.  It would be awful to discard so much deliciousness!  So, one thing that immediately came to mind was . . . MOJITOS!  And I have just the recipe, thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch!

A salad was also an easy (as all summer cooking ought to be) addition to the menu.  This one was composed of field greens, watermelon, Feta cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette.  The salty Feta cheese was perfect on this salad, especially for those, like my huband, who always salt their watermelon.

I should have stayed away from Tenley's everything-must-go-before-I-move-to-Florida-sale.  The cute watermelon salad bowls just begged to come home with me.  What could I do?

We had some unexpected guests show up at the luncheon, but they were so cute and friendly we allowed them to make themselves right at home . . .  What's summer anyway, without a few fluttery friends?

Pink ruled the day, from the petunias growing next to the deck . . .

To the lovely gerbera daisies in the centerpiece . . .

To the pillows that I borrowed from the Living Room sofa . . .

It's not too late to enjoy more watermelon this summer.  Enjoy it while it lasts!  I'm going back for a little more . . .