Yes m'dear teacats! Let's boogie the night away! Worry not about Scarlett -- I've had 4 dances with her and she's plum tuckered out. (Well, that and she LOVES champagne!)

Hey, just look over there .... Brother Cadfael and Sherlock Holmes are comparing notes. No doubt murder and mayhem feature prominently in their discussions!

Oh, and Rhett Butler looks quite intrigued by Irene Adler. Hmmmmm........ And of course, Holmes is quite oblivious to it all.

Ahhhhh....... true to form, Nick and Nora Charles have made a beeline to the bar. Oh, Nick! Can you pass over a Manhattan over here? teacats is partial to Cosmos but she really should try these Manhattans! Yes, m'dear, after this song.

And Logan (aka Wolverine) is opening champagne bottles with his claws! Now THAT is cool.

Oh, and Jeeves, can you make sure that the Samoyed and Tom the cat don't mix it up?

Mmmmm............ chocolate covered strawberries. Yes, with some late harvest Riesling. Perfect!

Hey, is that Archie Goodwin I spot in the crowd? It's got to be! Who else would show up with Lily Rowan? And that HAS to be Hagrid with Madame Maxine next to him!

Wow, I think I got lost in the chateau. It's absolutely beautiful and there's a fire place in almost every room. Very nice to cosy up by. I just found my way back to the ballroom.

Thanks for asking, Dynomutt, I'd love to dance with you when you get a chance.

Oh, and the truffles are fabulous!

There seems to be mischief afoot in the gardens ........ I see sparks flying between our magical guests ----- perhaps mere sparks to light a pipe or two? (what is that delightful smell??????)

Lighter steps -- and a quick twist of the wand to conjure more magic by the bar ------- and a tray of divine chocolate strawberries and other fruits appear to be floating amongst the guests. Teetering and then righting itself to float out the door ----- and down secret paths in the garden ........ midnight munchies ......

A Manhattan?? No -- even a dab or two of bitters is enough to turn one down tonight ----- I'll simply stick to a delightful rosy champagne punch ........

Time to flirt quite outrageously with the flying chaps ........I'll send along a tray of single malt scotch first ...... (I wonder which one to send ......???)

(hope to encounter some of the wonderful team from Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz ......LOL!)

Thanks for a great party, CeCe, and all you wonderful people - sorry we had to leave so early (usually I stay till the next morning and end up doing the hoovering... ) - but while the David Niven lookalike was teaching me to tango (at least that's what I think he was trying to do...), Holden got terribly drunk with Nick Charles, was a teeny weeny bit sick in Mr Holmes' deerstalker, and then took a swing at Mr Butler. I think he called him a phoney, but by then he was slurring his words so bad... anyway, I hope you will understand why I had to sneak him away from the party.
It was a night to remember, with a hangover to match!

Oh my, what a party. Oh my, what a headache. Please try to type quietly for the rest of the day, thank you...

(great party cc! sorry I wasn't able to stay and help clean up. Colin needed to catch a plane to his latest production.

what clean-up?

virtual champagne brunch in the morning room-I'm having eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, quiche, kippers, waffles

mimosas, strong Jamaica blue mountain coffee and perfectly brewed Scottish Breakfast Tea.

Then everyone for a brisk walk around the garden.

Breakfast already? Now I can bring out my treat for the party. Homemade cinnamon buns with lots of gooey white frosting on top.

cece, thank you for a wonderful evening. While I adored my party dress, I am ever so much more comfortable in jeans and a sweater. I'll take you up on that walk.

PAM

CC: What a lovely party and what a magnificent venue. Thank you for the invitation, I really enjoyed it all.
Would you like my daughter's cleaning crew again? They were very excited about coming to such a beautiful place, they usually work in offices and schools! They also pointed out that they would have to eat any leftover choccies while they are working, not allowed to take food away due to Health Regulations....

Ann-absolutely. They are welcome to swoop in and make everything shine again. There are plenty of leftovers-Jeeves and Bunter are cutting sandwiches for lunch after the walk, and then we'll have an orgy of desserts for tea-Everyone's welcome to stay on and enjoy the Olympics on the big-screen TV-right now I'm cheering hard for Johnny Weir, who spent his childhood very near my other home......;-)

Count me in for cheering on Johnny.

PAM

What a lovely morning. Fabulous walk, I would love to see those gardens in the springtime. And that brunch! I love brunch, everything is always delicious and oatmeal is rarely involved. The coffee was exceptional, btw.

Gandalf had some urgent business to attend to and dashed off on Shadowfax quite early, so I'd love to stay and watch the Olympics if I may. Thank you for such a lovely house party!

Yea PAM-we'll have a little PA party-he is such a hoot! His aunt is quoted in the newspaper this morning-"He'd look good in silver-but even better in gold!"

Thanks for the dance rambo! You dance magnificently, my dear! You're as graceful as clouds gliding across a beautiful summer sky ....

And kudos to everyone for their dancing!

Mmmmmm......... brunch. Ok, count me in for some of that stuffed French toast with some sausages on the side. And coffee -- I may have indulged a tad much on martinis and champagne.

I think Scarlett's still asleep. Anyway, if she was awake, I don't think she'd be in any condition to move -- she was pounding back quite a bit of that divine champagne. And if experience is any indication, she should have one heck of a splitting headache today!

A walk? Huh? Oh, right. Let me see if I can find one of those golf cart things and then I may join you ladies.

Hang a tick ........ I better bring some food up to Scarlett. She may feel under the weather but she may be in the mood for some food -- especially the coffee! Here, pass me one of those roses -- she may appreciate that with the breakfast.

There ya go! A perfect post-Valentine brunch tray for breakfast in bed -- strong coffee, stuffed French toast, bacon (crispy), some scrambled eggs, strawberries (fresh), cream (fresh), a mimosa (if she's up for it), and a single rose.

If she's awake and mobile, I may try to catch up with you guys later in the garden.

We probably won't get father than the folly on the rise-a nice gentle Edwardian-lady length walk, with a vista as a reward!
the Golf cart went ahead with the coffee and tea flasks and some sustaining muffins for elevenses. Lunch is a far time away-hours!

It was indeed lovely. I'm staying on a bit, as I've come so far....There's some leftover smoked salmon as well as some champagne. So I'll give a bit of salmon to my dog and pour myself a mimosa.

My only problem is that this medieval costume is uncomfortable. No one has guessed my desguise or my escorts, so I'll reveal them: on my right is Sir Lancelot du Lac (polish up your French!). On my left is Atticus Finch. He's from the deep South and not used to these northern climes, but he's adjusting. Myself? The Lady of Shalott, of course, Elaine of Arthurian fable.

Has everyone had a chance to see the film I brought: "French Kiss" Hope so!

BTW, the Samoyed is surprisingly well-behaved, considering there is a CAT in the room!

Simply lovely party -- quite the magical evening!!!

Yes -- Indeed -- champagne and orange juice and kippers --- steaming hot fillets with some of that VERY nice brown bread and good butter. Let me check the buffet again -- under the silver covers -- oh good!!! yes -- I'll have some porridge first. Brown sugar and a dash of milk. A few raisins too.

Thank you Jeeves -- I will take some strong tea. And a few spare cold bags for my puffy eyes too! And the newspapers too -- especially that one from Hogwarts. Much obliged!

Any signs of our magical guests??? I thought I heard snoring in the garden earlier this morning during my morning stroll ........

Ok -- Scarlett practically inhaled all that food. Now she's gone back to sleep.

Time for some more coffee, a nice recliner, a paper (maybe just the book review section) and some nice conversation. Not too controversial or contentious, if you please. The festivities of the previous night are finally catching up with me ........

Damned good party though.......

And if I fall asleep, wake me up when the walking party has returned from its stroll through the garden.

By the way, any one have any after-dinner mints? Oh, and maybe some soothing baroque music? No -- no Schoenberg at this time in the morning!

That was certainly some party and so clever of you cece to have an expert dancing partner on hand. It wasn't until I spotted him, standing by the orchestra, in his white tie and tails that I realised my ambition to learn the fox-trot had come, and how many men do we know that polish their shoes let alone their nails? Luckily dear Sir Percy was temporarily absent (he gets so jealous) as he had to rush back to Paris to rescue an aristo from the blade of Madame Guillotine
Wasn't Miss O'Hara's reaction to Gone With the Wind a bit ott? So Vivien Leigh can't do a sounthern accent? But no need to throw an empty bottle at the screen. Well caught dyno!
I loved it when you managed to persuade Mr Holmes to play Elgar's Salut d'Amore on his violin. It certainly calmed everyone down.
Breakfast really set me up for the gentle walk in the grounds, perhaps I could borrow your gardener for a couple of months cece?
I must now collect my trusty air-crew and head back to the 'plane. May I give anyone a lift?

Brunch already? I wandered through the chateau last night and found the library and started to check through the books, and now I've missed brunch!

Dynomutt, I do hope you can keep Scarlett well fed and sleeping until I collect Rhett. I admit to being glad she was safely stowed at the bar. Then we'll take Vee up on that lift with the air crew. I've never been to England in February.

Cece, this is the best party I've ever been to, and I don't mean virtually!

Carloyn --

I agree. This was one heck of a shindig! I don't think I've ever danced with such great women before! Between Rambo, Teacats, Chris, and Scarlett, I can safely say I've danced with the best of them. (There were, of course, other dance partners. It's just that martinis and champagne do take a toll on the memory........)

I better collect La Belle Scarlett and get the sleigh ready. I'll grab my bearskin from the closet and her pashmina shawl as well. We do have a bit of a ways to go -- I may have to drop her off in Georgia. Oh, and can we have some coffee in a thermos to go? Maybe spiked with some Kahlua or, better yet, Bailey's Irish cream? It's purely for medicinal purposes. Really. ;-)

We'll have to do this again some time. Are there any events/holidays that we can use as an excuse for a party?

St. Patrick's Day springs to mind.
Irish Pub, leprechauns, Riverdance........

Oh, my, I seem to have missed the entire day-after party. I blush to confess, but during a waltz, my Thomas whispered, tickling my ear, "I love you as deeply as many years could make me,/ But less deeply than many years will make me." What's a girl to do? Cece has so many hidden little rooms with couches and, well, all that Riesling, and candlelight and the smell of roses ....

I heard some giggling behind one door, so I know we weren't the only ones.

Lovely party, CeCe. Thank you so much for having us. The dancing, the wine, the chocolate....

Who is still here? I think I see Nick and Nora coming back to life over there. Whew. With so many detecting types here for the party, we are lucky no crime was committed. ..... Or was there?

Cece, dear, I don't mean to be rude, but I did smell something the slightest bit odd coming from the storage closet beyond the mud room. Should we check it out?

I think we should forego the very American St Patty's Day celebration and instead see how they do it in Ireland. Anyone up for a group trip to Eire?

What fun you all had! You'll forgive me for a late arrival. I was off on a daring adventure that most unfortunately kept me from attending the event of the season. Until next time...

Rosefolly

cece, we English don't 'do' St Patrick's Day, in fact we don't even celebrate St George's Day either, so may I suggest you all come over to this Sceptred Isle for a Mid-Summers Day/Night spectacular?
I shall be away in non-virtual time for the first week or so of June but you could plan all the things you would like to do while you are over here, other than party and put your requests in here.
I suggest you keep away from the 'Great Wen' and I'll take you round some vitual undiscovered spots.
You want to look up the humble cottage/lordly pile your ancestors left? No problem. Visit a famous garden when it is closed to the public? Nothing could be easier to arrange. Sit in the British Library eating sandwiches playing your ipod and reading rare books? Follow me!
So, where do you fancy going/eating/watching? Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, a Test Match (cricket!) the theatre?

A note to Carolyn. You are more than welcome to share the plane ride, but February in England I cannot recommend!

veer, I hadn't thought of that, brrr - ok, plan ahead for a English Midsummer's Night Dream in June!

Vee, can we visit Hay-on-Wye? All those lovely bookshops ...

Chris-Just let me call Bunter....

Oh sheri, we must make a stop there. I loved that place. BTW, Paul Collins wrote a book about the year he spent there called Sixpence House. Good read.

Cindy, I read Sixpence House a couple of years ago and that moved Hay-on-Wye right to the top of my must-visit-next-time-I'm-in-England list. Someday!

sheri, btw, he wrote another book about his son. You don't notice it in the book, but when they came back to the states he was diagnosed with autism. His book, Not Even Wrong, is about his journey as a parent through the diagnosis and therapy, while watching his son grow. He also touches on the history of how people have treated mental disabilities through the ages. I loved this book - first because he so obviously loves his son unconditionally, because he works together with his wife and the various therapists to help his son, and he finds himself reacting differently to 'different people' because of his son. Its I book I have recommended to parents of disabled kids, not just autistic, for his tone and common sense.

CeCe, never mind. I was just thinking it was time for another group story. We could do a wonderful mystery here with the characters and location. I'm not any good at them, but I was absolutely charmed by the Bulwer-Lytton one we did.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dorothy, her far-flung friends and family, and Fitz-Wailing-in-the-Mire

Vee, I acept with great pleasure your kind invitation to the Midsummer's Eve Party in June. Would it be possible to have a grand tour of the ancient legendary Arthurian sites? Tintagel Castle, early "Camelot", some hill forts, Avebury Henge, Glastonbury Well, etc, etc. Not too tall an order, I hope....;-)

Chris-let's do it! I'll start a new thread.
Come along everyone-it's a long time 'til Midsomer.

I'm so sorry I missed the party!

See, Jamie insisted that we come by horseback, and due to my inexperience in that area we had to stop quite often to rest my seat. At one of the stops, we decided to open a bottle of the shiraz I had. We put on the movie I had, which was Love, Actually, had several of the Haigh's chocolates, a bit more shiraz............well, let's just say our journey was a bit interrupted *VBG*

I'll try harder to come to the Midsummer one - it will be winter here and I might be looking for a bit of fun.

Mary, even in a virtual world you realise you need to take King Arthur, Camelot etc with a huge pinch of salt! But what the heck. I'm sure you have read everything on the subject but I've dug out a web site anyway.
You can click on a map at the site. I recognise only a couple of names 'Scotland' and 'Cornwall' so we will have great fun trying to find most of the places mentioned.

Hay-on-Wye Sheri? By US standards it is only a few miles up the road. Dido is the one to ask about it as I think she goes to the literary festival that is held each year. I know Carolyn would enjoy it. Maybe it could be a virtual birthday visit for her?

Here is a link that might be useful: King Arthur and sites.

Vee,

No, actually I don't go regularly to the Hay festival: in fact, we've only been once, taken under protest by someone who wanted us to meet someone! I am not a lover of Hay at all. All those bookshops are far too much for me; and I find the whole thing just a tad self-conscious.

There's a Wonderful second-hand bookshop in Laugharne, though (SW Wales,where Dylan Thomas lived) - very comprehensive. And uncrowded. And it's a lovely place - still unspoiled. Just opposite Brown's Hotel (where DT used to drink)

On the Arthurian legends, of course, they originated in Wales in about the 12th century (Geoffrey of Monmouth, I think), and were taken up by the French Mediaeval writers - which is where Lancelot and 'Joyous Garde' come in. Thence, to alloverEurope (Wagner etc) 'Gawain' is a Welsh name; as is 'Gareth'. 'Pen' ('Pendragon') means 'Head' in Welsh. Haven't got time to go into it all again just now, but I've posted it before. 'The realm of Loegr', for instance: the word 'Lloegr' is the Welsh name for England. 'Merlin' is 'Myrddin'.

Dido

PS, and the next celebration is NOT St. Patrick's day, but ST DAVID, on the first of March. The themed party will be in red and green with motley dragons; to carry a rugby ball is de rigeur for obtaining entrance;furthermore, you will have to declare what position you play and if needed to go into battle (with the sais), you will be called up.

So Dido will I know you by your scrum-cap, the cauliflower ear, a leek between your teeth and a sign on your back saying 'Prop Forward'? I bet after 15 pints of Brains Bitter you wont be able to pronounce Lloegri either . . . not that I would know the difference.
I haven't visited Hay since about 1974, when the only book-shop was in the disused cinema. The tatty volumes came from the collections of long-dead Great Aunts, all cheap paper-backs and Sunday-School prizes; they would have fuelled an excellent Guy Fawkes bonfire.
On a Welsh Sunday there was nowhere to buy even a cup of tea, let along solid food. I had to make do with a mouthful of water from the tap in the Ladies loo.
But . . .it has obviously been 'sold' to our friends in the US and many of them are keen to browse there.

Vee, thanks for the wonderful website above, which I printed out. As you have newly remodeled your kitchen, shall we gueests expect to be served English Trifle, Fruminty, Welsh Rarebit, and Yorkshire Pudding? ;-)

Why do I associate the daffodil with St. David's Day, in my mind? And are there special festivals of music in Wales to celebrate this?

My birthday is July 12, near enough to mid-summer. I would be delighted to celebrate it virtually in a town devoted to books. And I love trifle. And I didn't get to spend much time at all in Wales, although I did stamp my passport with a do-it-yourself stamp from that place with the extremely long name that I'm unable to pronounce.

Dido, I'm very much up for a St David's Day party, even though I am long-divorced my first half-Welsh husband of that name (it wasn't his Welsh half that was the problem).
One of my daughters has the dragon flag on her bedroom door - both are proud of their quarter of Welsh blood!
However, may I be excused from the rugby scrum on account of sciatica or flat feet or simply because I do not know the rules and will faint at the sight of (my own) blood?

OK then, boys bach - St David's day it is (1st March).

Mary, both the leek and the daffodil are emblems of Wales. The leek gets a bit ponderous and smelly so we normally just wear a daff in our lapels; and bowls of daffs stand proud in just about every cottage window that you pass, on that day. Singing festivals (music, actually) abound: most schools went in for an inter-house eisteddfod (plural, 'eisteddfodau') when I was a lass and maybe still do.

See you all, then, at my cave (a splendiferous affair with stalagtites and stalagmites and a subterranean lake!) on The Day. Bet you didn't know I was a troglodyte, did you! Please bring some trashy literature with you to appease my gard-monster, Grendal, who lurks in an underwater cave waiting to eat all who try and pass him by.

(Anyanka, which was the 'Welsh half''? I'd really like to know, if it isn't an indelicate question)

Dido.

Dido, the remark about his Welsh half was sort of tongue-in-cheek (as usual with me), but also partly meant - my ex had a Welsh mother (Cardiff/Penarth area), who was difficult and temperamental, but essentially kind and loving. His father was from Bristol, and essentially unkind and cold! I like to blame a large number of my ex's short-comings as a husband and father on the poor role-model he had as a child.

I hope that wasn't an indelicate answer!

dido, I had a boyfriend in college who said that his ambition was to live in a cave. I asked if he planned to live a primitive lifestyle. Told me of course not - he had plans for electricty, running water, and all the comforts of home (have always wondered if he ever acheived this)

Darn it, I gave away a book of Welsh recipes that I got the first time I was there (recipes looked interesting but I never tried any of them). So what should we eat for St. David's Day? (my DH's name is David so I'll let him know we are celebrating him)

I don't remember which city it was in, but I attended an eisteddfod the first time I was in Wales. I had never heard such music - fascinating stuff.

Dido, I'm in for St. David's Day. My grandmother was Welsh
and hails from Llandudno. So I can claim 25% Welsh blood in my veins and have always wanted to learn more about both Wales customs and St. David's Day. Maybe this helps explain my previously unexplainable need to plant daffodils everywhere...even along bike paths and roadsides.

Thanks! Looking forward to the cave.
PAM

Anyanka,

I know Cardiff & Penarth, of course - not far from here. We're all a bit temperamental, so your ex is not a-typical. And you weren't indelicate at all - thanks for anwering.

Cindy,

We can eat leeks, of course (in Henry V, Fluellen makes the Englishman eat one raw!). Then, having a lot of the west coast all to ourselves (and lovely it is), we have a lot of fish - particularly shellfish, like cockles. Then, there's a seaweed called 'laverbread' which those of us brought up on tend to love, fried with bacon and eggs (and others tell me they would like to use as a substitute for tarring roads.....). Our lamb is delectable:

'The mountain sheep are sweeter
'But the valley sheep are fatter,
'We therefore deemed it meeter
'To carry off the latter'

(War song of the Dinas Fawr) (Peacock, I think)

Welsh 'black' beef is sold in the best restaurants. Welshcakes (griddlecakes) like what Gran (Mamgu) made are always lying around, waiting to be picked at, likewise Bara Brith - literally 'sweet bread' Chips are sold everywhere - there's quite a lot of overweightness (I just coined that word) around. But we are very cosmopolitan and like to try new things all the time.

Fairly recently, we have started distilling a tasty whisky called 'Penderyn', but it's very expensive. Vee has mentioned 'Brains' beer....

Pam,

We are going to Llandudno next weekend for a conference with the Welsh Acadamy (Yr Academi). For the last two years, the conferences have been held there. It's a lovely place, on the north Wales coast. Most of the buildings on the sea front are Regency: walk out on to the pier and look back at the town - it shines white and very beautiful. A bit like Brighton (the best bits) but on a smaller scale. Not much Welsh spoken there (except at the conference) because it's quite near Liverpool and a favourite with our English friends.

And we love poetry. Swansea Borough Council refuse-collection vehicles are the only ones I have ever seen anywhere with lines of poetry on them - mainly Dylan Thomas, of course. "Here come the 'Boys of summer' ", I say, when I see them jumping out of their vans and emptying the wayside bins along the seashore......

I'm looking forward to the St. David's Day thrash. With luck, we might have won another rugby match before then (we beat Scotland last week, but, alas, were beaten by the dreaded English (Sais) the week before) I'm training up Grendal (who is half dragon, by the way, and half something unmentionable) to behave in a courtly fashion to you all when you arrive.

My word for you will be:

'Croeso!' - 'Welcome!'

Dido

rugby, ehh? I have a friend who met her husband, a rugby player, in a bar after a game-she was working there, he and his mates were celebrating by doing the "elephant dance"-she's been known to say that rarely does a girl know "what she's getting" before the first date, but as he -and all the rest of them-were "letting it all hang out" she had a pretty good idea.
As far as playing myself-I have been called the last great spectator, so I'll be happy to be assigned that role.

Dido, what fun! Thanks for the daffodil information -- it's almost my favorite flower. My paternal grandmother had Welsh ancestors by the name of Williams. The names "David" and "Lloyd" also appear quite frequently in my genealogy.

Is "Welsh Rarebit" actually Welsh?

Might I have a tour of some of the pubs Dylan Thomas frequented? ;-)Have they made a museum of the house where he used to live?

Mary,

Welsh Rarebit probably is originally Welsh, it being cheese on toast, and cheese certainly used to be very popular in Wales.

But my Brewer's 'Dictionary of Phrase and Fable' tells us that it is actually 'Welsh Rabbit' - which is not a corruption of 'rarebit' at all: the term is on a par with 'Mock Turtle', 'Bombay Duck'.

I haven't got a list of pubs Thomas frequented - I don't know that anyone has compiled a comprehensive one. But you're probably on the right track if you go to any in the Uplands, Swansea; or in Swansea city centre. Then, Browns Hotel, Laugharne which I mentioned before, and there are several in Newquay (Ceredigion, not Cornwall) where he also lived for a time; and Fishguard too.

I'm pretty sure they haven't made a museum of 5, Cwmdonkin Drive, where he used to live, but there is a plaque on the door. An old friend of ours used to live at 3, Cwmdonkin Drive, but years after the Thomases, of course.

Dido

Mary, no trouble to provide you with lashings of trifle or Yorkshire pud and the beauty of it is even after all those Welsh cakes and chips/french fries there will be no 'virtual' difference to the scales which will show no weight increase!

cece rugby players (not just Welsh ones) are a race apart. I must say not a group of men I would choose to spend time with. Females come way down on their list of priorities, in fact many of them would probably prefer to dance together at parties and removing their underpants after 37 pints of beer is par for the course. Are groups of straight men in other countries so inclined?