We hosted a Chinese New year dinner party for friends, Jain and Scott from a Quiet Life Blog, and our neighbors, Karen and Maury. As many of you know, Jain in an avid gardener with gorgeous gardens. Scott is an electrical engineer and very talented at welding and fixing anything around their house.
Karen owns a flower farm, called Bodacious Blooms . Karen is a 4th generation Californian with an MBA from CSU Sacramento. She
spent a large part of her career at UC Davis where she served as
Associate Vice Chancellor.
Maury is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Biomedical Engineering Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Orthopaedic Surgery
I decorated the table in red, gold and black with Chinese lanterns. The place mats are bamboo.
Paul greeted our guests dressed in his Asian costume with a glass of plum wine. He is such a good sport. Paul is a civil engineer and retired from HP. He is also very handy around the house.
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Jain and Scott
Maury & Karen
Paul bought hats for everyone, so we could all be dressed for the occasion.
Chinese New year emperor hat with braid for the men, who all happen to be engineers and red coolie hats for the women.
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Each place setting featured a customized place card with the guest's name and their Chinese Horoscope animal, plus a customized gift bag filled with chocolate coins, fortune cookies & homemade almond cookies.
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We had our Chinese Horoscope book nearby in case anyone wanted to read more about their Chinese Horoscope animal. Paul and I are both Tigers. Jain- horse, Scott- Dragon, Karen- Rooster and Maury- Pig. Do you know your Chinese Zodiac animal?
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The menu consisted of these items. I made the soup, Chow Mein and also egg rolls. The rest was take out. Jain brought dessert, Key lime pie. The pie was fabulous and so decadent. Thank you Jain.
Jain also brought me some Meyer lemons. I need to visit her blog and find more lemon recipes. She wrapped everything up so beautifully.
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What a wonderful dinner party! Love the red, black, and gold palette, the paper lanterns, the orchids, oranges and arrangements. The full or semi dress-up of each guest was a super addition, as were the customized horoscope cards (I'm a rooster). And lastly, that menu -- yum! I know your Year of the Dragon will be extra special for you with such an introductory ceremony!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Debra. You would fit right in. We had another rooster at the table.
DeleteYou’re the hostess with the mostest Linda! Such a fun dinner and festive table to celebrate the Lunar New Year, love your lanterns and everyone’s hats! I’m the Year of the Ox and also a Taurus. so my middle name is ‘stubborn’. 😊
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mary. We celebrated this holiday in style. How fun to be an Ox. Find it so interesting to know each person’s Chinese horoscope animal.
DeleteLinda, you & Paul both did a famous job! I love the hats for everyone to get into the spirit of the wonderful tablescape and menu you prepared. I am the same as Jain's sign, the rooster. What a fun evening!
ReplyDelete*fabulous, not famous. But it could easily be famous!
DeleteThank you Rita. It was a fun night and Paul really gets into the hat thing for everyone.
DeleteOh Linda you know how much we enjoyed ourselves, you truly out did yourself with all the grand and small touches to make the tablescape just soar! The food was delicious, conversation scintillating and decor over the top! I have so enjoyed our friendship, its fun meeting another dish addict! On to elephant seals for us!
ReplyDeleteJain, you are so welcome. It was a fun night. Yes, it is nice to have a friendship with another who loves dishes and tablescapes.
DeleteOutstanding celebration..But..you always make your guests feel so special:)
ReplyDeleteLinda, you are an amazing hostess! I love every detail of which there are many. The table is fabulous and the menu sounds delicious. Those seated around your table were treated to your table styling skills, wonderful food, and delightful conversation! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Paul ❤️
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a great job you did with your dinner party! I love the cute hats and the gorgeous table you decorated. The food sounds amazing and I'm glad you all had a fun time. I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the week.
ReplyDeletePaper lanterns elevate anything into a party, don't they? So beautiful and the food and company look magnificent. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteA party at your home would be a coveted invitation at any time but for Chinese New Year? Wow! I wondered if you would use your lanterns but you went above and beyond that. I love the festive partygoers, too, with your super cute hates! Favor bags, table mats, everything -- perfection. (And great hostess gifts, too!)
ReplyDeleteLovely table setting! Everything elegant as always. The menu sounds wonderful and very enticing. Great color palette... Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteYour table is show stopping Linda! I love that you had hats for everyone, and I also love how you always decorate your chandy, the Chinese lanterns look fabulous! I'm sure everyone had a ball~ you are definitely the Hostess with the Mostest!
ReplyDeleteJenna
You guys all look great! Linda, as usual, you throw a fabulous party. I love how your husband gets into the spirit, too. What fun you must have!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful table setting! I hope you had a good time celebrating the Chinese New Year.
ReplyDeleteYour table looks lovely and it sounds like you had such a wonderful and yummy celebration.
ReplyDeleteLinda, eres genial, has recreado un ambiente chino impecable, imagino lo bien que lo pasasteis con tus amigos, Paul se ve genial, mi marido también es ingeniero. No has cuidado detalle, menú, regalitos, sombreros... ¡¡¡fantástico!!!. Si me dices la dirección del blog de tu amiga Jain buscaré sus recetas. Un beso
ReplyDelete