Christmas at Highclere . . . .

  

If you have been following my blog for any length of time you will probably know that I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey.  I can't imagine anyone not liking the show, but I do know that there are some who don't. I am not one of them.  It lives on in re-runs on our telly regularly as, very gratefully, my husband also loves it.  We were both so happy to go and see the new film recently at the Cinema and suffice it to say, this will also be added to our DVD collection of Downton Abbey when it comes out on DVD.  Yes, I am just crazy about anything Downton! 

If I was to write about what I was really thinking and feeling this morning, I am afraid I would bore you to tears.  It is boring me to tears.  So I decided I would write about this most wonderfully thoughtful early Christmas gift sent to me by someone I love.

  

 

Christmas at Highclere, by the Countess of Carnavon, the real mistress of Highclere Castle, the original setting for the drama series Downton Abbey.  Oh, I do hope that one day I will get to visit the lovely Highclere in person. It is on my bucket list along with Chatsworth House which is so near and yet, still so far. 

This truly is a beautiful book, filled with lots of recipes and traditions, a behind-the-scenes peek at one of the most famous houses in the world.  I believe the book is due to come out on the 25th October in the US, and I am telling you now, if you are a fan of Downton, you will not want to miss out on it!  Buy it if you can!   Its pure delight!   

From the minute I first opened it's cover I was entranced. It is a cookbook, yet it is so much more than that.  It is a wonderfully magical glimpse into how the "other half" live.  Oh, I did get a huge taste of that when I worked down South at the Manor and I could see many similarities in how things are done when perusing this book, but with a huge difference.  Lady Carnarvon has a bazillion more ounces of class than my ex-boss could ever hope for.  Let's just leave it at that! 

I was intstantly mesmerised  . . .  

  CHRISTMAS IS COMING

"It is late September and I can feel the light changing;

 the lower sun is warming the early autumn colours like a slowly developing photograph." 

In reading this opening sentence of the introduction, I feel as if I could have written it myself.  It sets a beautiful tone for the rest of the book.  This is a cookbook that reads like a novel.  This is the cookbook I had written for my second one, and which I fear now will never see the light of day. Nevermind, I can enjoy this one, and enjoying it I am! 

   

"Entertaining and cooking hve always been at the heart of family life at

Highclere Castle." 

I have seen the Countesse of Carnavaron on a few documentaries over the last few years and I have always been impressed with the way she handles herself.  She seems like a person I wouldn't mind working for.  This book doesn't seem to me like it has been "Ghost written."  I think it was actually  written by the Countesse herself, which is a lovely thought in and of itself.  And even if it wasn't, it reads like it was and that is enough for me.  

 

  

Can you imagine what all goes into decorating a castle such as this for the holidays?  Mind boggling to say the least and it involves a great deal of planning from beginning to execution.  I loved reading the background of how this comes about and also enjoyed seeing photographs of how this comes to pass. 

  

 

I know from my experiences working at the Manor, ladies of the Manor do like to create their own floral arrangements. I enjoyed reading about the Countesse creating her wreathes. Can you imagine how much work that is for a building such as Highclere? So much work!  But so beautiful when done. 

 

Isn't it lovely?  

  

Interesting as well, the little bits of the history of Highclere castle which are scattered throughout the book, with lists of what gifts were given to whom, the cost of each, etc.  

 

Of course the main focus of the book is the food.  Food is a very important part of Castle life.  Even in watching Downton we get that impression with much of the show focusing on the kitchens, and the food prep  by Mrs Patmore, Daisy and Ivy, and the serving of it by the footmen, etc. with all of the entertaining and even every day custom that goes on. Food was very important when I worked at the Manor also and I can attest first hand to all the work that goes into preparing the food for any occasion, and especially at the Holiday time of the year.  Not that I am comparing life in a Manor house owned by Americans as to being in any way equal to life working for a Countesse in a Castle.  They are worlds apart, and yet at the same time there is a great deal of similarity, albeit it on a much smaller scale.  I can't wait to get stuck into some of the recipes in this book. 

"Just one letter makes all the difference and tranforms Fast into  Feast." 

There is an abundance of lovely recipes to try at home included in this book. What a thrill to think that I could be creating the same things with my Christmas Dinner leftovers that they will be enjoying at Lady Carnarvon's table! 

 

I truly cannot wait to "Tuck in!" (a most common turn

of phrase here in the UK!) 

I  just love this book, and I think you will too. I cannot recommend it highly enough, especially if you are a Downton fan. Wouldn't it be fun to do some of this together? 

Many thanks to my sweet friend for sending this to me. I hope she doesn't mind me telling you about it and that I haven't embarassed her in doing so.  It was really most kind of her, but that is her to a "T."  Kind and generous.  Friends truly are family you get to pick for yourself. 

Now on to the boring bit  . . .  I just about died trying to get out of bed this morning.  Seriously. Just raising myself into an upright position wracked my body from head to toe in unbelievable pain. I will never complain about a toothache or anything else ever again.  Yesterday I found myself messaging my next door neighbor in the hopes that she would know where I could get some Marijuana.  She lives with pain daily as she has fibromyalgia.  She gets injections of morphine from her Doctor. She didn't really know where to get Cannibis but she did give me some really strong Cannibus Oil from Holland. Didn't even begin to touch it.  All it did was make me muddle headed for a time. Maybe it takes  a few days to actually do something.  I am embarassed that I resorted to asking someone this, especially where the use of Cannibis is not legal here in the UK,  but that is the depths this experience has lowered me to.  I know that Thursday is only an appointment with a physiotherapist, but maybe she can refer me for an x-ray or a scan or something.  I cannot face living the rest of my life like this.  I really can't.

Nothing new in the kitchen today.  Maybe tomorrow.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *At my age one must

ration one's excitement.

~ The Dowager Countesse of Grantham

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 

Don't forget

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And I do too!