Setting The Table

This isolation period has renewed my obsession with Downton Abbey.



If you have never heard of this, it is a TV series following the life of a very wealthy aristocratic family and their servants about a hundred years ago.. I really love history and enjoy all the visual details of that time.

The clothes! The handwritten letters! The hats! The cars! The train! Cousin Violet!

It's all very sumptuous.

One of my favourite characters is the butler Carson. Mr Carson likes things to be done proper.

 He can be a tad strict and sets high standards, but has a really big heart. 

Mr Carson is a busy man. One of the things Mr Carson does is measuring if the table is set properly.

He uses a 'Butler Stick' for this, which means the cutlery and plates are set in the exact right measurements to give the wrist space on the table.

That's quite different how we set the table in my house. But for once, I thought wouldn't it be fantastic to Set The Table Like A Butler.

Here's your task for the weekend: talk to your Responsible Adult (s) first, to explain your plan and find the best time. Once you have got that, set the table in it's complete Pomp and Glory.

Find a suitable table cloth. A sheet will do if you haven't got a proper table cloth. Don't tell Mr Carson.

You'll have to start with getting the basic cutlery and crockery and glassware right.

A formal dining table would be not complete without candles and flowers. I realise you probably don't have all the silver that Carson has (neither do I), but be creative here and see what you can find in your home.

 Be inspired:

 

Write the menu of that evening on individual menu cards

Ask your Team Lockdown-Okay-It's- Level-Three-Now-But-Not-That-Much-Has-Changed-Really to dress up for the occasion. You yourself are going to dress up like the waiter. Make sure you have a clean tea towel over your arm at all times.

Welcome your Team to the dinning experience and lead them to their seats. Once the Team is seated, make sure nothing fails their comfort. you will need to serve all the food (hopefully your responsible adult has put that on plates in the kitchen already) and make sure their glasses are always filled.

If you are doing it like Carson you will not be able to eat with them. Maybe your family can make an exception and once you have served everyone, you can join in and dine in splendour.

I think you and your team are going to have a lot of fun with this one.

Once all the dishes are done and the table is scrubbed and everyone is ready for bed, write about your life for a day as a servant in your journal. Ask someone to make a photo and glue that in too.

I love getting updates from you and see what you've been doing. I am so impressed with what Ivy has done.

And look at Jola's back yard 💖

Lots of productivity inside as well though, by Jola....

  ...but also by Becca who is doing her first crotchet.

  Wishing you all a beautiful weekend- believe this Golden Weather is coming to an end but at least you have a dinner party to look forward to. I would love to see your photos!