Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ©

Where do I begin .   .   . let me count the days, or not!

Squeaking through, between Super Bowl Sunday, and Valentines Day is one of the years most eagerly awaited, and anticipated events of the year, Chinese New Year. Epicurean celebrations abound, with the same joyous excitement as exuded by a toddler awaiting his/her reward of a much longed for ice cream. Yes, thank you, I am well aware of  Chinese food available on tons of street corners, strip malls, and in very chic high end restaurants. So what’s the big hoopla?  Hello .   .   . this is where I come in. Not only do I remind you of a fun, much desirous celebration , that is so easy to participate in .   .   . BUT .   .   . I’m going to give you a few clever ways to present your bill of faire. Now some of you who wish to chow down at home, can .   .   . shhhh .   .   . quietly bring in your choice of tasty morsels, and place them in your very own super attractive serving pieces such as seen below. I will use my vintage wooden box to hold heaping bowls of assorted delectable choices, while Mr. Monkey, with an attitude holds court! Or .   .   . if you are versed in the fine art of Chinese cooking, bring it on. Yahoo!!! Take note that there are several dishes made primarily for the Chinese New Year, and for a few extra minutes on line, or by phone, you can bring the not so run of the mill dishes to your table. People expand your horizons .   .   . there is more to Chinese food than spring rolls!

Ok, I hear you .   .   . enough monkeying around .   .   . you’ve got places to go, people to see, unless of course you’re captive audience in the blizzard of 2016! Then I say, take a breath .   .   . there is something to be said for Mother Nature intervening on your behalf, with a forced respite! Take these “snow days” to dream a little, rest a little, and create a little!!! Now as far as monkeying around goes, the upcoming 2016 Chinese New Year, February 8th, is symbolized by the Fire Monkey, with this year belonging to the element Fire, the color red, and purports joy, luck and prosperity in the year to come. I don’t know about you, but .    .   . I’m in!  Happy Chinese New Year !!!

Gong Xi Fa Cai  (Mandarin) or .   .   . Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese) !!!

Book 1 is out, with 5 STAR REVIEWS on Amazon  “I AM SOOO LUCKY!!!”  http://goo.gl/4kBSxv   BUT HANG ON .  .   .”I AM SOOO LUCKY!!! II ”  is almost here .   .   . YAY!!!  Available on Amazon in about 2 weeks!!!  AND BOOK III of the trilogy “I AM SOOO LUCKY !!! III” is just a mere two steps behind!

So stay tuned for the lovable antics of Emily and her little sister Abby.

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California