E is for Envelopes of Red and More

This post is linked to both Alphabe-Thursday and Tablescape Thursday.

is for

Envelopes of red to celebrate 

Chinese New Year

The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year began on February 14 this year. Red, an auspicious color, is the predominant color for the New Year celebration because it is a symbol of joy, virtue, truth, and sincerity. The red envelopes called "Ang Pow" are given out during the New Year celebrations. The elderly and married couples give the red envelopes to the children and single young adults. It is customary for the red envelopes to contain money. The amount in the envelopes should be an even number, and the number eight, which is associated with wealth, is considered to be very lucky. These red envelopes were filled with chocolate coins covered in gold foil.

is for

Exchanging small gifts of food or

sweets with friends and relatives

During the celebration of the Chinese New Year the practice of "New Year Visits" takes place. Families and friends visit one another, and in addition to the envelopes of red, gifts of fruit and some various types of sweets are given when friends and family visit each other's homes. Mandarin oranges are one of our favorite fruits here at HFTS this time of year. They are also one of the most popular fruits during this celebration. These fruits represent luck and good fortune.

is for

Egg Drop Soup

The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, as this is a time for Chinese families to clean their homes (as in spring cleaning) and to welcome the coming season of spring. Toward the end of the fifteen day celebration it is tradition to serve Egg Drop Soup. The ribbons of eggs in this tasty soup represent fertility.

is for

Engaging

2010 is "The Year of the Tiger". 

 Those born in the "Year of the Tiger" are said 

to be engaging, lucky, and brave.

is for

Entertaining to celebrate the 

Year of the Tiger

Gung Hee Fat Choi

Congratulations and be prosperous!

For more Letter E Lessons join Mrs. Matlock's class here. To see more table settings visit Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

You can read about the Chinese New Year celebration in detail here at Wikipedia.

A Silver Sunday Valentine

It's Silver Sunday here at Hyacinths for the Soul, and we have a special message for you . . .

On Valentine's Day

my wants are few,

Just three small

lettters, just

Y~O~U

Happy Valentine's Day

from ~

Hyacinth

Beth has graciously offered to host Season II of Silver Sunday. We can now all look forward to Silver Sundays the second Sunday of each month. Stop by and visit The Gypsy Journal to see others sharing silver delights this Valentine's Day.

TALES OF PASSION, TALES OF WOE

Sandra Gulland's Trilogy of Josephine Bonaparte is available here @ Amazon. I give each of these books *****.

I'm linking this book review to both Food for Thought and Pink Saturday this week.

Josephine and Napoleon have just been married as the first book in Sandra Gulland's Josephine trilogy ends. The second book, TALES OF PASSION, TALES OF WOE, begins as the couple starts out on a life together, and Josephine begins her journey as, Madame Bonaparte. For the romantics, the story of Josephine and Napoleon is truly an irresistibly heartwarming love story, and thus most fitting for this Valentine's Day weekend.

As in each of these three books, the author tells Josephine's story through fictionalized diary entries. One can easily visualize the lovely Josephine sitting in silence at her escritoire as she pens her thoughts.

Gulland gives us the essence of Josephine's life as the wife of Napoleon in the title of this work. Passage after passage, we learn that Napoleon is most passionate about his love, Josephine. He adores her and is devoted to this woman who intrigues and enchants him. Napoleon, frequently away fighting battles, pens ardent love letters to his bride, his Lady Luck, his destiny.

Josephine, at times overwhelmed with the situation of her life, struggles with both the intense love Napoleon shows for her and the public life she has been thrust into as the wife of the militarily successful General Bonaparte.

Unfortunately Josephine's life is not all hearts and roses. Post Revolutionary France is in a state of political upheaval. Napoleon is off to far away lands fighting wars, while Josephine is left to manage life on limited resources. Suffering from ill health due to the harsh conditions of her prison confinement during the Terror, Josephine also must endure various spa treatments. The trauma of the Terror most likely left Josephine infertile and thus unable to provide Napoleon with the heir he desperately desires and the child she so fervently wants to conceive.

As the pages of Josephine's diary reveal, her marriage to Napoleon is a tumultuous one. She longs to please Napoleon and grows to adore and cherish her new husband. Josephine, a shrewd business woman, is sophisticated and connected to those of influence. The Bonaparte family, on the other hand, is both jealous and vindictive toward Josephine. Not pleased that Napoleon and Josephine married, they plot to destroy both the marriage and Josephine's reputation.

There are few passages related to food aside from the occasional mention of dining . . .

or a mention here and there to coffee or hot chocolate.

There is however a reference to a formal dinner hosted by Citoyen Director and General Barras. Such an extensive menu is not the usual here at Hyacinths for the Soul, so we opted to spotlight the first dish, onion soup.

French onion soup is a favorite of ours, so it was an easy choice.

There's nothing better on a cold, wet evening than the warm rich broth and the sweet onions paired with large crunchy toasted bread topped with gruyere cheese.

As the book comes to a close, Napoleon and Josephine have moved into the Tuileries with great celebration. "The age of Fable is over . . . the Reign of History has begun." Sandra Gulland's portrayal of Josephine during these years is a new look at this controversial period of Josephine's life. I find it touching. Through these works I've come to love, adore, and admire Josephine Bonaparte. I think you will too.

Next time we look at the conclusion of this trilogy, THE LAST GREAT DANCE ON EARTH. But for now, you'll find more edible book reviews at Food for Thought and more pink at Pink Saturday. For more information about Sandra Gulland and her work, click here to visit her personal web site and blog.

D is for Doilies & . . .

D is for Doilies . . .

Do doilies make you think of Valentine's Day?

Paper doilies have been around for decades 

and are styled after the crocheted or lace doilies of 

Victorian and Edwardian times.

These delicate lacy papers come in many

sizes, shapes, and colors. 

 The designs resemble fine lace.

Doilies are often sold in packages 

of 20-40 and usually cost only a few dollars. 

 I like to pick them up when I see them. 

 They are useful to have on hand to line a silver serving tray 

or bowl or just the thing to make some handmade valentines.

You can find lots of doilies during the month of February 

because they are perfect for Valentine's Day.

I fondly remember using doilies as a child to decorate my yearly Valentine's box for school. As an elementary teacher I'm sure I've purchased dozens of packages of doilies through the years to have on hand in my classroom each February for Valentine Day projects. Boxes were decorated with these lacy delights, and special valentines were made with love for moms and dads and grandparents.

With this in mind I decided to make a few doily inspired valentines this year when a friend suggested that a group of us exchange handmade valentines. All that is needed is a pair of sharp pointed scissors to easily cut out the various flowers or hearts or other design motifs within a doily. So I reached into my stash of doilies and began cutting. I purchased a pack of precut cards with a rickrack edge at Michael's to use as a card base.

Then I took the various doily pieces 

and let my imagination take it from there.

I added stickers of friendship quotes among 

the doily designs on the front and a single quote 

on the back of each card along with a personal note.

Each one was unique with its own design and message. It's not too late to make some of these cards for those sweethearts on your valentine list. This is a quick and easy idea for a handmade card.

But that's not all!

D is also for . . .

Laurie @ Bargain Shopping and Chatting with Laurie is hosting a Valentine Party this week where everyone shares their valentine decorations. As you might guess, as a retired elementary teacher I just happen to love Valentine Decorations. So scroll on down if you are interested.

One of my favorite activities is to needlepoint or cross-stitch. I've an assortment of pillows that I've done with a nod to St. Valentine. The pair of cross-stitch pillows with the little boy and girl, as well as the red sampler, are all French designs.

Valentine figures and one time candy boxes 

sit around in various places.

Heart shaped topiaries of ivy fill 

containers both large and . . .

small.

Mary Engelbreit tins are scattered 

among the French faience in a pine cupboard.

Round Top Collection 

jars are filled with Valentine treats.

A purple rooster sits among 

glass hearts on a pewter tray.

Silver with sweetheart roses and sentimental 

heart shaped boxes definitely says "romance".

Collections of Mary Engelbreit boxes along

with other heart shaped boxes fill silver baskets, 

and a collection of various petite heart shaped 

boxes gather on a silver tray.

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete 

without red hot hearts. 

 So help yourself!

Thanks for joining me today. Click here to join Mrs. Matlock's class on the Letter D. Don't forget to join Laurie @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for her Valentine Party.