Daughters of the British Empire Enter the Garden

The Daughters of the British Empire – DBE  (Sir Edward Elgar Chapter) were invited to hold their Christmas gathering at my house this year.  It was my mother’s turn to host the meeting; so I offered to host the party.  Our house is usually decorated for Christmas and it would be fun to see all the ladies.  I couldn’t just have them show up for a gift exchange only.  A simple menu needed to be prepared for the ladies that were born in Scotland, Ireland, and England.

Split pea soup, salad, bread & butter, and a dessert followed by tea (of course) would be ideal for ladies that had birdlike appetites.

The hostess ( my mother) and Lyn arrived early to make sure everything was in order.  The soup was ready.  The salad was set to be tossed.  The rolls just needed to be warmed.  The caramel sauce for the chocolate cake was warm on the stove.  The tea kettle was on standby.  The hostess assembled the place cards for the 9 DBE members.  There was a 10th place card for Queen Elizabeth just in case her social calendar cleared for the event.  The Union Jack was posted in the front yard to alert the remaining daughters where to find the party.  After all, the British Empire once ruled the entire world.  Surely, these Brits could find their way across town.

In they came dressed in their holiday outfits.Anna was full of Christmas cheer and even matched the holiday china used.  Very festive and always easy to photograph.  Thanks Anna.Barbara migrated thousands of miles from Scotland to finally live in Bakersfield, California.  Bless her heart. Kitty from England was more than willing to get her portrait snapped.  She’s such a “luv”.

Norma, from England, was sporting her DBE pin with a flare of red, white, and blue ribbon.  Sweet .Eileen was very glittery with her golden shimmering top.  She was clearly festive.  She’s also from England.  Sorry about getting the soup to you last, Eileen.  Joannie was sporting a sequined Christmas tree pin that reminded me of one from my childhood.  She was very kind.  Her English manners were appreciated by a fumbling wait staff (me). Connie was really showing her Scottish roots with her tartan vest.  Connie knows her way around a computer with her many emails.  I expect her to comment on this post.Lyn is from England.  She had her make up done for the party.  Doesn’t she look pretty?

Marjory enjoyed closing her eyes and listening to Vera Lynn sing about the White Cliffs of Dover.  Jimmy Shand also played to the delight of the Scottish lassies.

A gift exchange was underway while the split peas soup and rolls were laid out.  Sadly, the Queen didn’t make it so the meal got started.  Once all the bowls were in place, Marjory offered a Burns poem before the meal:

"Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit."

All nine of the daughters were off to a great start.   If only the Queen would have made an appearance.

Now it was time for the salad.  Romaine, iceberg, red onion, cucumber, avocado, salami, provolone, vinegar, oil, and bleu cheese all tossed together.  Just as the salad course was finishing up, a knock came to the door. 

“Make way for the Queen.”  The Queen WAS at the front door.  It was a complete surprise to everyone (except Anna – cheeky wee bissom).  Seating arrangements were adjusted and the Queen settled in for a bowl of split pea soup.  There was no salad to offer.  Fortunately,  she was able to enjoy dessert and tea.

The afternoon was a roaring success with a table full of daughters gabbing and enjoying each others company.  The Queen was one of the last to leave.  With all the excitement, I almost forgot to snap her portrait.  Luckily, I scrambled out to her before she was whisked off by her driver.

Queenie is an Irish lass that lived for many years in Bakersfield.  She now lives in Visalia and made a special trip down to surprise everyone.  And she did.  She certainly did.

Merry Christmas

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