Mo, I would love to hear more about your Festival of Lights celebration. I know nothing of Indian holidays or celebrations but am interested.

Your table looks nice, and in this instance, since it will be loaded with more food, nothing more is needed.

What colorful artwork for your driveway. That is too pretty to just get washed away later--I'd be wanting to do it on the back of linoleum or a sheet of playwood so it could be saved and enjoyed longer! ;o)

Luvs

P.S. Cute toes too! LOL

Mo, I am not familiar with your Diwali celebration but a Festival of Lights with lots of candles (love them!) sounds wonderful. I really like your centerpiece with the candles in it. My only suggestion would be since you seem to have quite a few smaller items, they might look best on "stacked plates" (or 2 cake plates stacked with cloth napkins on them). You could even try putting the silver dish you have the candles in on a cake plate with the items around it. (you might need a few more items or some cloth as a "filler" though). That way you have just one thing in the middle of the table with lots of room for food.

Your decoration on the driveway is fantastic! So colourful and looks nice with the candles there too.

DD

Luvs,
Diwali is probably one of the biggest Indian holidays and we have tons of holidays. :) Most holidays are around religious practices and usually have a story/myth behind them. I have a attached a link here that you can read about the brief story. The festival itself has a lot of parallels to Christmas, I think. Its about light (light is good, dark is bad sentiment), good food, family and gifts. But, like all festivals in any culture, it revolves around food!! LOL, at least to me!

The artwork on the driveway is called 'kolam' and is made using rice flour. Its a sign of invitation and the significance of rice flour is to feed critters and birds. Can you believe that this (probably less elaborate) is drawn every single day first thing in the morning in some states in India. It being a transient form of art, I think is its beauty. I may be completely wrong - but to me, it signifies that things and life are transient. Enjoy it when its there and be prepared to give it up when the time comes. But, as I said, thats my idea - I dont know if its accurate. :) The statement above is not meant to provoke controversies/arguments.

Here is a link that might be useful: Story of Diwali

DD,
I NEED to buy stacked plates! I am on a quest for these - I havent found them in Ross, Marshalls, Kohls etc. I am planning on checking out LNT and BBB this weekend. I don't know if I can ever decorate it like you guys do though!

Mo

Mo, I think your table is lovely. I love the outdoor decoration!

If you have an Old Tyme Pottery near you, check there for the stacking plates. That's where I found mine...I believe they were made by Anchor Hocking. After I bought my set, I also found the three sizes sold separately at a Super Walmart.