Chinese Lunar New Year

Today, the world celebrates St. Valentine's day... but it is also the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar... so we celebrate Chinese New Year.

Keeping up with tradition, the celebration involves a hearty reunion dinner spread on new year's eve...

... and the night will end with some loud firecrackers to welcome the new lunar calendar.

And I like to join in the action too.

Wheee!... Let's play some firecrackers...

... and start the new year with a bang.

Whoa... this firecracker is loud and fiery... better step back.

This one is burning out already...

... by giving out smoke and the acrid smell of sulfur in the air.

I'm not afraid of this little spinning ball of fireworks.

Fireworks lighting up the starry night...

... and bright sparkles to my delight.

Here's wishing everyone a blessed Year of the Tiger.