Showing posts with label monarchy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monarchy. Show all posts

Diamond Jubilee Tea Party!

3.6.12

I won't lie to you, I've taken to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations this weekend like a fish to water.  True, I'm on board for just about any holiday but this one is hitting me right where I live.  I was raised in a household that had a great deal of respect and fondness for the Royals and I carry that with me today. 

Isn't she lovely?
I know she isn't even 2 years old yet, but I wanted to try and make the occasion fun for Lenny.  Even though she won't remember the specifics we'll have the story and the photos.  I want to share this with her not just because it's of significance to me, but because her heritage is deeply rooted in the UK.

Lenny's "official" name on her birth certificate is Eileen.  She was named for the Robeau's mother who was in turn named for her mother.  She's a third generation Eileen.  The first Eileen met her husband (Lenny's Great Granddad) when he was a young Canadian soldier serving in WWII.  Eileen was a young British woman working in the canteen.  Family legend is it was love at first sight.  They were married shortly after.

Alan Angus Sloss Peterson and his bride Eileen on their wedding day.

Eileen, Alan and their first born, Eileen Jean (Lenny's Nana!) at home in England
So, this afternoon, to honour HRH, we had a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party.  I even made bunting!  Thanks to Wee Birdy's charming (and free) printables.  Isn't it festive?

On the menu were Funfetti Cupcakes which we decorated with sprinkles and these amazing toppers - another free printable, this time from the good people at Crumb.  I can't get enough of these!





Also on the menu was homemade Butternut Squash Soup (served in my favourite depression era teacups - thanks Mo) and open faced Cucumber Sandwiches which Lenny devoured.  I mean devoured.


The sandwiches were served on one of my favourites, a vintage Ridgway Ironware platter (in the "Espresso" pattern that was very popular around the time the Queen had her Coronation).  I got it at Value Village last year and just love it!





Lenny had a blast. She kept running around the house chanting "Tea Party!" and "Queen!" I look forward to sharing these pictures with her someday and the story about the Tea Party we had (with not a drop of tea) to celebrate a lady named Elizabeth who didn't expect to get the job she did when she was a little girl, but took it on with grace and courage and continues to do her duty every day sixty years later.  If that isn't worth a cupcake, I don't know what is.  Hooray for Lizzy!

Happy Victoria Day!

23.5.11

I know. I'm a killjoy. But it makes me grumpy when we call Victoria Day Weekend the "May 2-4" weekend. For one thing, it's around May 24th, not on it, so deduct two points for that foolishness and for another, it would be nice if we actually gave some thought to our history and Queen Victoria on, wait for it...Victoria Day.  But since you've heard me get all anti-fun about holiday Mondays before, I won't turn this into a history lesson.  Mostly because I'm not qualified to give one.  Also, I like beer and fireworks as much as the next guy.  I thought it would be nice though, in the spirit of the recent royal wedding to share some images from another great royal romance.  The one between William's Great Great Great Great Great Grandmother Victoria and her husband, Albert.

An illustration from 1839 depicting Victoria proposing to Albert at Windsor Castle.  Pretty cute, huh?
Queen Victoria on her wedding day.

The Newlyweds

Photographer Roger Fenton captures the couple in 1854.  Isn't this image surprisingly...I don't know...un-royal?

Proudly designed by | mlekoshiPlayground |