Downton Abbey Birthday Party

"Lady Cyan invites you for high tea and cocktails in the gardens of Downton Abbey at half-past four on the thirteenth of July, two-thousand sixteen.  Appropriate formal dress is expected."

Our footmen carried comfortable chairs and tables out of doors for the Lady and her guests.

The high tea menu was a tasty selection of short bread, digestives, and scones. The scones were fresh baked and flavored with Earl Grey tea and fresh dried lavender.  Local honey and lemon curd were added.  Earl Grey and English Lavender Vanilla teas were served.

The ladies were set up comfortably for tea and card games to pass the time while Miss Patmore worked hard in the kitchen, making everything perfect for their celebratory meal.

 Although the gong was rung, the same dress was worn for tea as well as dinner.  Lately at Downton, the formalities have been relaxed. 

The footmen stood at the ready to serve the meal.

The meal was a formal affair, despite being outside.  Carson could not let the light and festive mood slacken the correct notion of propriety.

DINNER MENU

Appetizer

Cucumber Sandwiches

Soup

Cream of Leek and Potato

Fish Course

Salmon Pate

Buttermilk Toast Rounds

Meat Course

Glazed Ham 

Grilled Cauliflower

Hollandaise

Dessert

Raspberry Parfett 

Vanilla Bean Cake w/Raspberry Frosting

"Wine"
Red - Black Cherry and White Grape juice
White - Pina Colada Juice and 7up

At this point, one of the tenant farmers released his farm animals and they were running loose around the formal guests.  The footmen had quite a time rounding them back up without being noticed by the formal party.

Cake and gifts were received with hearty thanks, but nothing improper, from the Lady Cyan.  

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In all seriousness, this party was an absolute blast!  As was sharing the show Downton Abbey with my daughter, which inspired this party to celebrate her 15th birthday.  We were wonderfully whisked away to 1920's England for the evening of games, formal dinner, and tea, all in high-class style.  The girls all stayed in character for over two hours.  For us moms, the conversations were our favorites.    

Girl 1: "Lady Cyan, I heard your mother is from.... America??"

Lady Cyan: "Oh yes!  And my father too, actually.  It has been... interesting."

Girl 2: "I have spent my summer at the Kings Court."

Girl 3: "Were there any special gentlemen?"

Girl 2: "I have MANY special gentlemen."

*collective sigh*

Girl 2: "Lady Cyan, how have you spent your summer?"

Lady Cyan: "Well, mostly..." *rolls eyes* "I've been shut in.  BUT, I have been secretly meeting this one boy, ahem, 'gentleman'.  Really, we haven't done anything improper... yet."

Girl 2: *Gasp* "Yet?!?"

Hope you enjoyed it!  It sure was fun to create.  It was a lot of hard work, but wow, it turned out incredible and fun!

Happy birthday, to my beautiful girl!