Tablescape Thursday Chinese Style

I am participating in Tablescape Thursday thanks to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

I would like to share with you what fun I have been having using some Chinese paper umbrellas I picked up on my recent trip to Chinatown in San Francisco. I decided to use them for a centerpiece but couldn't get them to stand up on the table.....

.....so as I was trying to figure out how to use them I looked up at my chandelier and had a lightbulb moment (literally), and so I attached them to my chandelier! I used them two weeks ago for my Easter table.

The colorful eggs picked up the colors of the umbrellas.

I tied little yellow bunny placecards to each goblet.

After Easter I didn't want to take them down yet and so I used them again this week for a Chinese-themed women's luncheon.

I used Chinese New Year Zokiak paper placemats with my Syracuse China plates in colors of the lanterns and the tablecloth. Four dozen delicate pink tulips were beautiful in the ginger jar vase for the centerpiece. I served Chinese Chicken Salad, Lemon Bow Knot Rolls and Red Velvet Cupcakes for dessert. The cupcakes were not particularly Chinese but tasted delicious and I served a fortune cookie on the dessert plate with the cupcake.

To see more wonderful tablescapes visit Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

Thanks for coming by to visit today.

Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Day book for today, Monday, April 13th, 2009 ...
Outside My Window it is sunny and warm. I was able to rake a few leaves and cut some dead branches from some of my perennials today. The sun feels so nice on my skin. I love the spring!

I am thinking...About the wonderful weekend I just spent with most of my family here to celebrate Easter and the funny things the grandchildren said and did.
I am thinking how good it felt to have so many voices in the house and all the activity they bring. Grandchildren are truly special (and also their parents) and I am grateful I can be in their presence.

I am thankful for family, warm weather, for good health and opportunities in this life.

From the kitchen ..I made some homemade granola for this weekend (I hope that counts for today) which I shared with my children and sent them home with most of the Ham from Sunday dinner. I am not planning to cook anything special this week. I actually ate too much and I want to limit my food for a few days to make up for it!

I am wearing... jeans and a long tee which is just right for comfort today. I don't need my usual 3 or 4 layers.

Around our home I am cleaning and putting away my Easter decorations, changing bed linens and washing sheets, towels and tablecloths.
I am hoping... For more spring weather. My daffodils are out and I am enjoying them. My tulips are not in bloom yet.

I am hearing... the washer and dryer doing their humming and signal of three beeps when one is finished. My daughter's dryer actually plays a musical song on it's completion which I enjoyed as a novelty!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...I will have a call from my financial planner, a dinner at a friends home tonight,(what a nice surprise she gave me with her invitation this morning!), a bridal shower to go to tomorrow, a symphony guild luncheon on Wednesday,for which I help do table decorations, visiting two friends that I do monthly, an appointment to learn how to use my cell phone in my car, and a Dr. appt at the end of the week.

A picture thought I'd like to share:

If you would like to read other Simple Woman's Daybook entries click here.

Have a wonderful week!