Sunday, January 25, 2009

Happy (Chinese) New Year

I went wine tasting and forgot how lucky we are to live so close to a fast paced wine growing area. It's not Paso Robles or Napa but it certainly works for a cold, wet and rainy day.


Pics from South Coast Winery.



The front area had these beautiful potted plants displayed and we had a nice, relaxing and yummy lunch



Our next winery stop was a small guy on the outskirts of the wine region.

After we tasted, we walked outside and said hello to a few friends. I was just a tad nervous (um, can you tell?) to be near this guy - he was rescued and the owner warned us about his nervous temperament.



My friend Andi at one of our wine stops.


I found this cute "B" at Anthropolgie and decided it would go nicely between two prints from Paris, in the kitchen.



D installed these faux wood blinds and while normally I am not a fan of blinds, these will work until we blow out this wall and start our kitchen remodel



My favorite phrase for 2009.

My family celebrates the Chinese New year (my father is engaged to a Vietnamese woman) and received our red envelopes this afternoon from my dad. This year the envelopes were very different than last years.



Envelopes from 2008




2009's envelopes and one of our favorite sayings.



We don't own a Buddha statue so we placed our big bowl of fruit near our owl cookie jar.

He kind of looks like Buddha. It is tradition to place a large bowl of food (usually fruit) at Buddha's feet in honor of prosperity, good health and plentiful food in the coming year.

Happy New Year and may 2009 bring you good health, happiness and fortune.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, wine. Those envelopes are gorgeous! I love finding ways to incorporate other cultures on our lives.

Happy New Year!

April said...

happy new year. the year of the ox. hopefully this year brings health and happiness :)

Karalee said...

Happy New Year to you, too:) I love your new phrase - keep calm and carry on. That's just about perfect! :)

kate said...

Ooh, wine-touring. One of my favorite things to do!

I was just thinking earlier today that it was about time for the Chinese new year, and here it is!

And those oranges are gorgeous! So plump and pretty! Makes me want something tangy and juicy and sweet.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to You.

Great pictures as well.

Thanks for stopping by my blog for ICLW...
No. 3: The Unfair Struggle (male-factor IF, friendship, life on the ice)

Kristin said...

Ooooh...lucky you. I'd love to go one a wine tasting tour. Happy Chinese New Year.

Iclw

Alyssa said...

Your house looks so lovely, warm, and delightful, Kara. I covet your fun poster with 2009's favorite phrase. :) (If I didn't like you and I lived way closer, I would come to your house and steal it!!)

As far as the wine goes, I was there in spirit. A good wine tasting event sounds like it would hit the spot right about now.

Happy Year of the Ox!

Emily (Apron Strings) said...

Oops ... sorry I'm a little late here, but Happy Year of the Ox!

I *love* the poster you have. Where can I get one?!

Anyway, I'm finally catching up on a few blogs here ...