Tea at Trianon: Christmas Family Dinner

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas Family Dinner

Some last minute ideas:

Asymmetrical table arrangements can be unexpectedly lovely, and they create an inviting look. A rustic vase filled with branches of red berries adds just the right amount of height; a single candle adds an understated, cozy glow.
If place card holders seem too formal, try placing a single party cracker on each place setting for a lively start to the meal. Filled with charms, written jokes and other trinkets, guests will have something to take home and remember the evening.
Mix and match patterns in similar colors. Our solid gold chargers are the perfect complement to painted Christmas plates and golden toile linens.
A tray makes it easy to carry glasses of wine from the kitchen or bar area to the table. Glasses with a touch of metallic color feel especially festive.

(Read entire post.)

And here are five rum drinks for the holidays.

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2 comments:

Divine Theatre said...: Merry Christmas to you, beautiful soul!

xo

Andie; December 23, 2012 at 10:22:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Merry Christmas, dear Andie, and thank you for all of your commentary this past year!!; December 23, 2012 at 11:57:00 AM EST