Welcome to Mount Vernon!It is fitting that we should begin this historic day in the place where it all began.
We are expecting so many guests, and it is such a beautiful day you may either breakfast in the dining room, or if you prefer you may enjoy the fresh air and have your meal out of doors.
The view of the Potomac from the porch is lovely!
We have a wonderful brunch planned for you. The recipes are all from Martha Washington’s own cookbooks! She and I have spent hours choosing an authentic menu for you. Each of the dishes is prepared from fruits and vegetables grown right here on the estate.
There are fish from the Potomac, and meats from the pastures and the freshest milk, butter and eggs from the dairy cows and the hens of Mount Vernon.
Enjoy a cup of spiced cider while you peruse the MENU Martha and I have prepared.
We will provide recipes and translations for several of these delicious dishes in the coming days. Oh, and if anyone asks if you would like butter in your coffee, just say no thank you. It was a common addition to coffee in the 1700's
This Just In: Speaking of coffee, I've won my first blog give-a-way over at Cassoulet Cafe! Two, count 'em two, bags of Beanstock Roaster's coffee!! Exciting and delicious! Thank you! And now, back to our regular program:
Aren’t the table settings elegant? This china was used by the Kennedy’s
We are providing transportation to all of the Inaugural Events we have planned for you today. The carriages, which belong to George and Martha, are being readied and you may begin your Inaugural Day adventure as soon as you like.
I have listed all of your hosts for the day. Please visit everyone and leave a comment to let them know you have arrived safely. Some may be posting a bit later today because of schedules and time zones so check back with them later in the day.
Are you ready?
Your carriage awaits!
Janeen@ http://chachaneen.blogspot.com/
Stevie Wren @ http://alittlebirdietoldmeso.blogspot.com/
Devoted@ http://theresamae.blogspot.com/
Sparky@ http://redbirdacres.blogspot.com/
Martha@ http://comicallyflawed.blogspot.com/
Linda@ http://lifesacallingwhoisthis.blogspot.com/
Bibi@ http://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/
Call Me Cate@ http://showmyface.blogspot.com/
Blicky Kitty@ http://blickykitty.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth@ http://elizabeth-aboutnewyork.blogspot.com/
Petra Michelle @ http://petramichelle.blogspot.com/
Jennifer@ http://rundpinne.blogspot.com/
A.@ http://snarky-much.blogspot.com/
Morgan the Muse@ http://morganwent.blogspot.com/
Karla@ http://ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com/
Sparky@ http://redbirdacres.blogspot.com/
Martha@ http://comicallyflawed.blogspot.com/
Linda@ http://lifesacallingwhoisthis.blogspot.com/
Bibi@ http://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/
Call Me Cate@ http://showmyface.blogspot.com/
Blicky Kitty@ http://blickykitty.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth@ http://elizabeth-aboutnewyork.blogspot.com/
Petra Michelle @ http://petramichelle.blogspot.com/
Jennifer@ http://rundpinne.blogspot.com/
A.@ http://snarky-much.blogspot.com/
Morgan the Muse@ http://morganwent.blogspot.com/
Karla@ http://ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com/
Imerie@ http://thegreengrassgrowsallaround.blogspot.com/2009/01/day.html
If you are posting for the Inauguration and you would like me to add your name to the list, just leave a comment and let me know!
If you are posting for the Inauguration and you would like me to add your name to the list, just leave a comment and let me know!
Enjoy your day!
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36 comments:
Oh yippy I'm the first guest! Don't mind if I do help myself to a heaping plate load. Well, I had been planning a gorgeous tour of Gilbert Stuart's birthplace for everyone, but I saw Blicky skulking around and I'm worried he's going to ruin everything. Mmmmm yummy, you and Martha have outdone yourselves.
Please add me to the list Muse. I've got some interesting facts about past Presidents that everyone might not know.
You and Martha have gone all out today. I'll have a glass of shrub please????
Thank you so much for keeping an eye on Blicky! He's quite the flirt!
Stevie! How did I miss getting you name on the list??!?! Glad you reminded me! For that you may have an extra large helping of shrub.
Good morning Cynthia! It's o-dark-thirty here and the house is quiet so I'm trying to get in a few visits before heading to work. My boy is still sick so my Man will be home with him today as I know I'll have a mountain of work waiting for me today. I don't know how often I'll be able to check in so if you don't hear from me again until lunch time/this evening, that is why. With SO MANY people losing jobs they are coming in by the hundreds EVERYDAY to apply for services (food stamps, health insurance, etc) and I've been trying to get through a growing mountain of documents of people waiting to be interviewed. I usually try to leave during my lunch break to give my mind a rest, but today I'll escape to bloggyland! Thanks again for hosting today, as always you do such a great job! Don't forget to stop by for a scone or two.
By the way, the steak and eggs LOOK really tasty right now. I need some protein to get me through the day! ha ha
Morning all! A bit delayed but my post is up now. Can't wait to check out everyone's blogs today!
Madame Cynthina, we wish to thank you and the staff for welcoming us so early. It was so kind of Martha's staff to show us her shoes. I sure hope you got to rest, again, so sorry about arriving so early, but your staff was so pleasant and they should be complimented. Sorry we missed you, maybe next time we can stay longer.☺ Blessings dear friend.
We went to DC, Mt Vernon, Arlington, all these in March of 08 - my son's fifth grade class. It was a wonderful trip.
Thank you for your lovely post, and thank you for listing me with the roll call of posts about the new president.
Just in time for a beautiful brunch, Muse. I think I'll take my plate and sit strategically on the porch, close enough for (who's counting?) helpings, Muse. Everything looks beautiful and serene on the estate. The food, divine. Will linger awhile. Then take your lovely carriage to the neighbors'. Thank you for your gracious hospitality and delicious cuisine. Yes, I'll take a little butter in the coffee before I leave.
Good Morning Cynthia!!
I don't know if my blog today fits in or not, but if you think it does, please add me to your list!
I could have posted about our "blended family" vacation in DC, but I think I will save that for another time, since today I am making it somewhat about ME (yup, self centered today) :)
Lovely repast from such delightful hostessses, thank you, ladies. I'm off to start my tour.
The food looks wonderful.
Mmmm delicious breakfast! I'll be back after the speech to take my tour. Everything is lovely although Abigail keeps falling into a swoon everytime she sees someone wearing the new French bodice.
Hmmm who's that fine young buck in the white powdered wig? ....If you'll excuse me...
So happy Barack Obama is president!
Great joy in New York - and I'm sure, the rest of the world!
Thank you everyone for stopping by for brunch! I've been watching the Inauguration - the Bloggy pass got me a good seat right next to the Supreme Court Justices. They were pretty judgemental about my babushka and my 15 year old jacket, but other than that, they passed me the flask once in a while and skootched in a little closer so we could all stay warm. It was a wonderful and very touching inauguration - the crowd, I'm guessing has far surpassed any pervious swearing in. Obama's speach was excellent, and although I can't come back and report any catch phrases, I was truly impressed - especially with his reminder that it's time for us all to stand up, dust ourselves off and become responsible, patriotic and involved citizens. I'm ready for that. I think the feeling of hope that so many of us have is not only warranted, it is not overly optimistic. There's a glimmer out there and it's a much needed glimmer. I'll keep my sunglasses handy - it might get even brighter!
That Abigail! I was wondering why I can't find my smelling salts!
Petra Michelle - thanks for just accepting the pat of butter for your coffee - some of our service staff are quite insistent. Don't forget to try that pease porrige while it's hot or you'll be eating pease porrige cold. (The pease porrige in the pot is nine days old)
Butter in coffee? Really? I didn't know that!
I love your post!
i had planned to attend this grand event and posted the invitation on my blog, but Maggie Rae took us all by surprise and arrived two weeks early.so, we are very sorry we won't be able to attend. we are knee deep in baby's tears, breatsfeeding, and sleepless nights.you'all have fun..and gobamago!
Excellent post as always Cynthia! The food was scrumptuous. Just had to keep the wind chill off (brrrr ... it's COLD today!).
When you mentioned butter in the coffee, I said it aloud and husband started singing that 3 Dog Night song, "you want whiskey in yo' water, sugar in yo' tea ..." HA HA He's too funny today!
Stay warm! :o)) ♥ ∞
Oh I couldn't agree more with your reactions to the speech. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I brought over some hot toddy's to warm us all up!
Wow this is fabulous, better than radio 4 I am having a ball, thankyou so much, you lovely lot.
Hugs Lynn x
Thanks for the toddies, blick. I was planning to attend several of the balls this evening. Mr. Peck happens to be free so I'll have a lovely escort. Martha says it's my turn to do the dishes though. I'm thinking just maybe she's planning on running out the door with Mr. Peck while I'm washing soppets and sippets off the good china. What, she never heard of a dishwasher???
Sorry I couldn't join you for brunch -- had to work. I did post a picture of me shaking hands with our new president, taken last summer when he was visiting Dayton. (Okay, all you can see is my fingers, and I'm not even 100% certain they're my fingers, but I was there that day and I did shake his hand.)
Oh isn't Mr. Peck going to send someone over to help? You'll have to go to the ball so you can show off your gown! I'd go with that fine young bewigged buck I spied roaming the grounds of Mt. Vernon, but it turns out he just wears a wig so he could shave his head and get rid of lice. Something about 18th men is just so not hot...
Oh and makee sure you check Abigail Adams' clutch before she departs. She's been known to swipe the Gorham silver.
A lot of things, Blicky- including not bathing but once a year or so...No dental floss
I'm coming over to check out the authenticy of that picture - I've seen Blicky's smorgasbords
What a fabulous way to spend inauguration day. I just happened to stop by.
jj- http://javajune.wordpress.com/
Those eggs look dee-lish! I love eggs done like that. Now where is my footman to help me into this carriage? Time for a ride and wave to my subjects...er...I mean...fellow citizens!
Thank you, Muse, for having made this Inauguration Day just that much more delightful,
engaging, and fun! It's time to wind down and
go to the Uptown Theater and enjoy a great film!
And thank all the neighbors as well!
Let's hope for a great historical chapter!
Night, night. :))
What a lovely post! Thank you Ms. Swings for always entertaining us and making us smile. Butter in coffee..ugh. I guess if we didn't know any better we might think it was okay. Sounds greasy to me though.
Lavinia! Mr. Peck will be right around with the carriage. Lovely gown! Perfect for waving to your sub...citizens.
Petra Michelle Thank you so much for the wonderful films to entertain us
Trish - a little more butter in that coffee?
Thanks for another wonderful Musie great time! I might see if I can hitch a ride on Lavinia's carriage! She always has good snacks. I've left my personal manservant behind to dry the china for you....
Blicky Thank you for the help with the dishes! Let me drop this dishtowel and grab my bag and I'll come along too. We have several balls to attend. I see you have that French bodice thing going on. You should cause a few swoons among the more delicate ladies of Washington.
You are quite the host!! Beautiful photos.
I'll take some of that cider!
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