Be Mine

American colonists made homemade candies with love notes scratched in the surface ~ much like the conversation hearts we give on Valentines today!

2005 Year of the Rooster

Chinese New Year, which is dictated by the lunar calendar, falls on February 9th this year. This holiday is another great reason for feasting....and we are fond of celebrating! Chinese New Year is steeped in traditions that have been practiced for centuries. It's a time of year when families gather, and preparation for the celebration starts days and weeks in advance. You can celebrate this year by picking up some of these symbolic foods, meant to bring you prosperity in the new year.

Tangerines & Oranges are frequently displayed in homes and stores in China. Tangerines are symbolic of good luck, and oranges are symbolic of wealth.

Uncut Noodles symbolize a long life.

Whole Fish is meant to represent togetherness and abundance.

Dumplings are prepared with a variety of fillings, often with a silver coin tucked inside to signify good luck in the coming year.

Lettuce symbolizes prosperity because the Chinese name is similar in sound to the word for 'thriving'.