AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 1 AAA Imports' monthly publication for the premier dish garden, lucky bamboo & bonsai grower Volume 5, Issue 03 - March 2005 Chinese New Year in the USA Chinese New Year was on February 9th and this year is the Year of the Rooster. As usual, we gathered with friends and went out for dinner. My two daughters dressed up in traditional Chinese clothes. We went to a Chinese New Years Party sponsored by the Chinese Association in Kissimmee. There were over 20 kinds of dishes served and abundant performances performed. With over 300 participants we had a good time. This is very typical Chinese New Year in USA. But, there is nothing that can compare with the celebration in China. There is much more in the celebration of Chinese New Year in China, but my kids were never able to experience it. They have to be in school. I wish some day I can take my whole family to stay in China for a complete Chinese New Year. Bob In an article written by my daughter Angela (2nd grade), she wrote about Chinese New Years: Bzzzzz! Bzzzzzz! I check the time on my clock. It s midnight, offi cially Chinese New Year! I jump out of bed and race outside at the speed of light. What do I see? A fi erce dragon! Whew! It s just the dragon dance, and look! Tumbling acrobats, people walking on stilts, and fi reworks! I quickly joined to parade and party down the street. Then someone tugs me on the shoulder, and I quickly prance home. I open the door and whom do I see? Cousins, aunts, and uncles all crowded in my house! They all hand me a red envelope, I wonder what s inside? Fifty Dollars each! Afterwards, we eat, eat, eat! Sesame balls, red bean buns, sweet and sour pork, and more! Delicious! What a great Chinese New Year! In this Issue: Chinese New Year 1 Planter of the Month 2 Reminder & Recipe 2 Fresh Off the Boat 3-4 Easter Tidbits 4 St Patty Blessing 5 Gonzo Chili & New Year Origin 6
AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 2 Planter of the Month 15% Off Wholesale Sale Ends March 31st Friendly Reminder The New Year is here and just a reminder that AAA Imports needs to update your Re-Sale certifi cates. This is required by the State of Florida so please fax/mail a copy to us ASAP. AAA Imports also has reviewed our customer s Credit Limits and made increases to some of your accounts so please look for your letter or fax. If you would like to increase your credit limit please contact me directly. Robert Strawberry Yogurt Torte Sliced fresh strawberries are sandwiched between cake layers and frosting to make this dessert a winner! INGREDIANTS 1 package Betty Crocker SuperMoist white cake mix 3/4 cup water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 egg whites 1 container (6 ounces) Yoplait Original strawberry low-fat yogurt 2 tubs Betty Crocker Whipped vanilla ready-tospread frosting 20 fresh strawberries, cut into 1/4-inch slices Assorted fresh berries, if desired Fresh mint leaves, if desired TammyS's Recipes INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch. 2. Beat cake mix (dry), water, oil, egg whites and yogurt in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. 3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. 4. Cut cake crosswise into thirds. Place one-third on flat serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup of the frosting. Arrange half of the sliced strawberries on frosting. Repeat with another third of cake, 1/2 cup of the frosting and remaining strawberries. Top with remaining third of cake. Frost side of torte with thin coat of frosting to seal in crumbs, then frost side and top. 5. Cover loosely and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled. Before serving, garnish with berries and mint leaves. Cut into 12 slices; cut each slice in half. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 3 Fresh Off the Boat AAA00206 Twirling Pot 8"-14" Green Floral Pot [Pack2] AAA00559 Blue Porcelain Triangle Pots 3" (3Asst)[Pack60] AAA00834 Inlaid Red/PinkFloralPlanter12"(2As AAA00835 Inlaid Red/PinkFloral Planter 14"(2Ast)[Pack6] AAA00851 Inlaid Porcelain Octagon Planter 8" [Pack18] AAA00852 Inlaid Porcelain Octagon Planter 10" AAA00853 Inlaid Porcelain Octagon Planter 9" AAA00865 Inlaid Porc Rectangle Planter6",8" & 10"[Pack6] AAA02512 Drip Glaze Planter 10" (4AsstColors) AAA02513 Drip Glaze Planter 12" (4AsstColors)[Pack8] AAA03006 Baby Planters 5" (8Asst)[Pack24] AAA03112 Cherub Twins Drop-In 6" (4Asst) AAA03203 Roman White Pedestal Pot 5.5" [Pack24] AAA03258 Easter Planter B (2 Asst) AAA03262 Oval Grape Planter 8" & 10" [Pack4] AAA03416 Pastel Passion Tea Pot 9" AAA03436 Blue Dutch Tea Pot 9" AAA03600 Rose Garden Oval Planter 10" [Pack8] AAA03603 Rose Garden Curved Drop-In 5" [Pack18] AAA03607 Rose Garden Creamer 9" AAA03681 White Rose Round Planter 6" AAA03682 White Rose Creamer 9" AAA09221 Versailles Pedestal Vase 7" AAA09222 Versailles Pedestal Vase 7" AAA09223 Versailles Pedestal Bowl 8.5 AAA09224 Versailles Pedestal Planter 7.5" AAA09225 Versailles Pedestal Planter 8.5" AAA10189 Petal Pot 8", 10" & 12" [Pack2] AAA10190 Blue Porcelain Petal Pot 6"- 14" [Pack1] AAA10207 Twirling Pot 8", 10" & 12" [Pack4]
AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 4 Fresh Off the Boat AAA10209 Twirling Pot 8"-14" [Pack2] AAA10210 Twirling Pot 14" [Pack6] AAA10231 Blue Porcelain Octagon Pot 8", 10" & 12"[Pack4] AAA10235 Single Edge Pot 6" [Pack36] AAA10420 OutlineHyacinthPlanter 8", 10" & 12" [Pack4] AAA10422 OutlineHyacinth Planter 6", 8" & 10" [Pack6] AAA10474 Wavy Edge Butterfly Garden 6",8"&10"[Pack6] AAA10475 Wavy Edge Butterfly Garden 8",10"&12"[Pack4] AAA10490 Petal Flower Pot 8" [Pack18] AAA25200 Violet Birdhouse Blue Plante 5" AAA25356 Rusty Rose Birdhouse Planter 5" AAA25419 Coffee Mugs 5" {11oz}(4Asst)[Pack24] AAA60410 French Copper Round Planter 7.5" AAA60411 French Copper Flaired Planters 6" & 7" AAA60412 French Copper Funnel Planter 7" AAA60415 French Copper Flaired Vase 6.5" AAA60418 French Copper Square Planter 6.5" Easter Tidbits The Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival of Easter. The Anglo-Saxons worshiped the goddess, Easter, through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time. The Easter Egg. As with the Easter Bunny and the holiday itself, the Easter Egg predates the Christian holiday of Easter. The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Christians fi rst celebrated Easter. From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain fl owers. Today, children hunt colored eggs and place them in Easter baskets along with the modern version of real Easter eggs -- those made of plastic or chocolate candy. Here are some cute little traditions that I do with my three girls. Let me know what yours are!! I always place their Easter Baskets on the dinning room table and the night before the girls dust the table with fl our. After they have gone to bed I then make Bunny footprints in the fl our to symbolize that the Easter Bunny has come. When my girls get up on Easter morning they see where the Easter Bunny has hopped. I don t do a lot of candy for my kids because of the obvious. When I make my girls baskets I personalize it to the child. So with my 14 yr old, she will get skin care products, makeup, hair care products, nail polish, and jewelry to name a few. I also don t use an actual basket; I use something that is used for something else, like beach buckets, suitcases, purses, makeup cases, coolers and even plant containers!!! For the man in your life another cute idea is a 6 pack cooler as the basket, fi ll it with Easter grass and those little booze samples from the liquor store, as many fl avors that you can throw on top. I also add a favorite candy just to give it an Easter look. This has been your Tips from Tracy.
AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 5 Did You Know? Did you know that you can easily fi nd where a person lives if you have their telephone number? Just go to www.google.com, then type the phone number (including area code) into the search window, and hit Google Search. You will be presented with the person's name and address, and links to Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest. Kind of scary! Sorry, it doesn't work with cell phones. Clayton Saint Patrick's Day Blessing For Each petal on the shamrock This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day I hope everyone has a Happy Saint Patrick s Day! Here are some traditional Saint Patrick s Day symbols and blessings. One of my favorite blessings is the one for good health. The author of this short blessing is unknown. TammyP The legend of the shamrock was started by St. Patrick who was a priest that traveled throughout Ireland to preach his Christianity and to convert the pagans to the following of Jesus. He used the shamrock to illustrate the doctrine of the trinity. The trinity is the idea that God is really threein-one: The Father, The Son and The Holly Spirit. He told the pagans that just as the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, God is one entity with three persons. The shamrock is Ireland s national emblem. Many people considered it to be a good-luck symbol. The color Green. The color of St. Patrick Day was originally blue and not green. In the 19th Century green became the symbol for Ireland. It symbolizes the lush landscape of Ireland. Wearing the color green is considered an act of paying tribute to Ireland. The tradition of pinching came about many years ago when some playful Irish children began pinching people who forgot to wear green on St. Patrick s Day. AAA03110 6" St. Patty Leprechaun Bear Drop-In Two Assorted Designs 12 pieces per case
AAA Im ports, Inc. 407-884-0078 March 2005 Page 6 AAA25144 7.5" Garden Rabbit Drop-In 12 pieces per case Gonzo Chili the Best And we have a winner! The First Annual AAA Imports Chili Cookoff is over and Mr. Melvin Gonzales is declared the Chili Master for 2005. It was a fi erce battle between 5 participants, complete with pregame boasting and politicking. Contestants included Tracy, TammyS, TammyP and Mr. Bob. Ms. Tracy was runner-up with her "pork sandwich chili" - chili so thick that she served her excellent concoction in a bun (sorry, it was so good but not deemed to be chili!!!). Special mention needs to be made for Mr. Bob's Chinese Chili - chili with tofu (I don't get it?). All this chili made for a great lunch... and "after lunch discussions". Clayton INGREDIANTS 3-15 oz. cans of Ranch Style Mexican Beans 1/4 cup finely chopped Jalapenjo peppers 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup smoked barbeque sauce 1 small finely chopped onion 1 small finely chopped green pepper 1/2 pack of cooked bacon 1 cup of shredded pork 1/2 finely chopped chorizo (Spanish) sausage DIRECTIONS Simmer for 2-3 hours on low-medium heat. The Origin of Chinese New Years As every holiday has a story to go with it, so does Chinese New Years. It goes back to few thousand years ago in Ancient China, when there was a monster called Nian (today, Nian is translated to mean Year). On every New Year s Eve, the Nian would come out to attack people. Gradually people fi gured out a way to scare it away. First, people dressed in red, then they taped red banners on their front door and, third, they burned bamboo sticks to make loud pop sounds (the air within the bamboo stalk would expand and explode in a loud pop). Now days, people dress in red during Chinese New Years for Good Luck. They also display red banners with Chinese Calligraphic Symbols called Trun Lien to greet the New Year. Firecrackers were later invented and used instead of burning bamboo sticks. This childhood story of the origin of Chinese New Years is told by our grandparents and past down through the generations. The Gao Nian (past another year) in Chinese means New Year. Alicia