Here Writer Comes A-Wassailing

Wassail is an old English drink and tradition. It is also a tradition to make for Writer. 


The recipe writer uses via The Silver Book of Cocktails by Carla Bardi:


1 qt. brown ale
8 oz. dry sherry
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3 apples
finely grated peel of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp. each ground nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel and core two apples and cut in thick slices. Place in layers in a baking dish and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Drizzle with 2 oz. of brown ale. Bake until the apples are very tender, about 45 minutes. Chop the apples and their cooking juices in a food processor until smooth. Place in a saucepan over medium-low heat and add the remaining ale, sherry, lemon peel and spices. Simmer gently for a few minutes. Peel and core the remaining apple and slice. Add the slices to the bowl and serve while still warm.

How to Wassail:

Wassailing was also used in feudal times as for peasants to visit lords. Lords would give them money for a Wassail song which informed him of their coming.

The Wassail Song:

A Trio Lost

Writer enjoys a bit of texture to his life. He doesn't like to go mindlessly from task to task. No, writer enjoys a guide that keeps him on his toes. His guide? Etiquette.

Life is ever becoming more casual, though. Isn't it? Traditionalists say it's a shame. We're losing our link to a bygone era, and maybe becoming ever more conspicuous. If one is going to be conspicuous, one should be conspicuous for proper decorum.

Writer has chosen three almost lost etiquette practices.

1. Courtship

Writer's lady friends are always complaining about how their so called "Southern beaus" don't romance them. Some behave as if they simply don't care. Romantic gestures aren't a thing of the past. Courtship should be on-going throughout a relationship. It's about how one partner makes the other feel, and it isn't vulgar. Think about that for a moment.

2. Walking street-side

One concedes that the women's liberation movement has done a lot. One thing it did away with might have stayed. When a man escorts a lady on a sidewalk, one believes that he should walk street-side. This isn't taking away rights. It's precautionary. If a lady were to trip, she could be ran over! Be cordial, men. Make the sacrifice.

3. Not creating a registry

This is tough, but Writer doesn't believe one should create a registry no matter the event. Creating a registry is much like asking for a gift. Would one do this without the buffer of scanning gun?

Colonial Christmas

Writer has been preparing for the holidays. Writer isn't one of those people about whom everyone complains- the ones that start playing carols in October. But, one should think about decorations early, and be prepared. I say yes.

Writer did a partridge in a pear tree theme last year- a lot of green and gold; very folky. I'm not terribly bored with the leftovers either. Of course I don't purchase new decorations every year, but one doesn't want to bore guests either.

To be comprehensible, writer thinks one should have pieces one uses every year for holiday decoration- sentimental maybe or something one can pass down. Still writer has been very inspired for Christmas season on Pinterest and Tumblr. One does enjoy seeing all the creative ideas. Writer has started a "Holiday" board on pinterest.

Writer's favorite pin is a Carolyne Roehm design of a reinvented colonial holiday:

Note how easy; note the lovely paperwhite flowers. Writer usually raises a pot or two, but didn't buy bulbs in time this year. 

The picture got writer thinking- Wouldn't a colonial christmas be just lovely! 

Wouldn't a green garland be freshly colonial:

What about the same ingenuity applied to a fan board above a door- colonial, colonial:

Writer also is fond of how Two Fat Ladies spread walnuts and oranges on cutting board:

One can't forget about dried fruit ornaments:

Finally, Here's one of writer's favorite carol sang by a York Minster choir:

Needling News

Writer's friend Bittie has done needlework for ages. She so enjoys the activity, and writer has commissioned her work many times. 

Writer's grandmother did needlepoint, usually embroidering one of her hundred handkerchiefs. Bittie loves to sit down with a highball and go to work. "It's repetitive. It's relaxing," she says.

Bittie does a simple half cross tent stitch:


Bittie made this key fob for Writer's friends' engagement:

And, currently, Bittie is working on this belt for Writer; hoping to have it finished for holiday wear:

Click here- The College Prepster's guest blogger, Little V, explains wonderful tips and tricks for making one's own needlepoint belt (many of which Bittie's taking). 

Needlepoint is very en vogue. Garden and Gun tweeted about the, "obsession," recently. G&G says, "Southerners have always loved needlepoint—whether it’s a framed 'Home Sweet Home' sign in an entry hall, a piano bench, a personalized belt, or pair of loafers. The intricately designed handiwork is just about the most durable, long lasting heirloom you could pass on to your children and grandchildren."

Writer quite agrees! But, doesn't writer agree with everything G&G says! 

Eras' Etiquette

"Show your kindness by offering your guest every politeness," from 1946's Arranging the Tea Table.
Manners are surely a conservative issue in that they slowly, if ever, reshape. "Good manners," as the said quote indicates, center around one thing- making others feel comfortable. That's always in style and should forever be.

One does reckon that the way people interpret manners is debatable. Nevertheless, pretension should never be part of decorum. Writer does hope to make that point.

This is more the age of tech manners than tea manners. Emily Post recently published "Top Ten Cell Phone Manners." (Writer's favorite is, "Avoid talking about personal problems in a public place." However, Writer often forces his mum to break the rule starting with, "I don't care what you're doing, I'm in crisis!")

Emily Post chats surprisingly relaxedly:

Still, wouldn't it be pleasant to have yesterday's knowledge about such things as sipping soup. Holding such understanding informs one of where etiquette practices comes from. It's a bit esoteric, but, as aforesaid, a practice could have remained the same for centuries.

Writer loves scouring the internet for etiquette advice. (You can never have enough! Add to what you're family has taught you.) Writer has found a plethora of vintage knowledge, and uses the practices whenever possible teaching all who'll listen.

The following are a few videos that are not only entertaining but terribly useful and informative. These aren't the happy housewife clips you think.

The already mentioned Arranging the Tea Table- Debutantes watch this. You will more than likely be expected to throw a tea:



Writer's biggest peeve is not introducing. One must introduce! Learn from 1946's How Do You Do?:



The last is from Mrs. Post herself, 1947's Table Manners: