Snow Tigers

I love snow....I think it is beautiful and fun to play around it.  It is great when you get off a day of school and you can play outside, go sledding with your friends, and come home and eat chicken noodle soup.

But this has got to end!  We have be pummeled by 24+ inches of snow in the last 5 days and I know you don't need me reminding you.  The news channels are running endless programming of snow conditions, snow reports, reports on power outages, reports on snowball fights, omg such and such place is open and delivering pizza, what a tragedy some idiot lost control of his car and is stuck in a snow bank.  I can't take it anymore!!!!!

On that note I know everyone has been stuck in their homes for the past couple of days and are going a little bit stir crazy.  But what a perfect opportunity to host a party!

I live in a condo community and the neighbors around here have each been hosting parties all weekend long.  Some of them were quiet elaborate with multiple courses.  Another was cocktails and appetizers and one neighbor had everyone over for bowls of delicious homemade soup and to sit in front of their fireplace and look at the beautiful snow from their patio windows.

So why not host a Chinese New Year party this weekend?  It is the perfect time to have your neighbors over and a fun tradition to celebrate.  Martha Stewart has some wonderful recipes on her site.  And 2010 is the year of the tiger- or in our case a snow tiger!

Martha Stewart.com

For your party fill your home with paper lanterns and candles.  The Chinese New Year is traditionally ends on the 15th day with a lantern festival.  This will work especially well if you are still without power!!  Anything red will invoke the feeling of the season.  Its fun to have party favors such as party poppers with little treats or you could break out the 4th of July sparklers for the end of the evening.

Other Chinese New Year traditions include: covering your windows and doors with red paper cutouts with themes of wealth, happiness, and longevity.  This seems like the perfect afternoon activity!

Chinese New Year is all about new beginnings.  It is a time to spend with family and friends and it is also a time to reconnect with neighbors.  I think one of the greatest lessons of Chinese New Year is that it is a time to forget old grudges and truly wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

Hopefully the snow will be melting away as you share your home with friends and family for your own Chinese New Year!