Lucille Ball and Extended Birthday Celebration

After several days of re-reading Lucille Ball's autobiography to rework my presentation, the day to present her life at the Purple Door tearoom finally arrived.

It was a snowy day [Lucy always wanted to live in New England or Switzerland where the air was crisp and snow was plentiful], so the weather was appropriate, but it caused some ladies to stay home and not venture out.  There were 18 attendees who braved the weather.

My girlfriend, Lori, came to my house so we could ride to the tearoom together.  She came bearing birthday gifts that I opened before we left.  Gifts were inside a beautiful black and gold box with the title of the beautiful hymn written in 1876, "It is Well With My Soul", printed on the top.  How could she have known that's one of my favorite hymns?!  I could [and maybe will sometime] write a post about how the hymn came to be.  I particularly love verses 2 and 3.  

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

I digress, but those words are just too meaningful not to share.  Inside the box were two beautiful black and white teacups.  She knew I'm focusing my teacup collecting these days on black teacups.

And if that wasn't enough, she gave me a gift certificate to the Royal Park Hotel for Afternoon Tea for two.  Thank you, Lori!  [A 'proper' thank you will be coming in the mail.]

Then we were off to the Purple Door Tearoom.  This will be a lengthy post so you may want to pour yourself a cup of tea to sip as you read.  Since I've posted pictures of Purple Door's interior before, I won't do it again in this post, but I couldn't resist taking a picture of this beautiful chair since Valentine's Day is almost here.

I shared in a previous post that I purchased a chef's hat and apron to wear during my presentation commemorating the 'crown jewel' of all the I Love Lucy episodes, 'Job Switching' when Lucy and Ethel get a job in a chocolate factory and Ricky and Fred stay home to do household chores.

These were the props I took, minus a couple of books that were on the podium.

The ladies weren't asked to come in costume, but some came dressed in vintage 50's attire in keeping with the years I Love Lucy was originally filmed and shown.  My friend, Linda [who organized the event], came dressed to go to the Copacabana Club with Desi after the tea!  ;-)

Sweet little Joanie [who is in her mid-80's] went down to her basement to retrieve a dress she wore in the 1960's.  She worried that it might not fit almost 60 years later, while I wondered if I'd be able to get into my outfit from last year!!  ;-)

Some ladies who lived locally were afraid to venture out, but not Teresa [left] who was fearless and came from Napoleon, Ohio [about a three hour drive].  My dear friend, Lori, is on the right. 

The young gal below is a huge Lucy fan [from re-runs] and collects Lucy memorabilia.  She wore a Lucy and Ethel t-shirt from the Vitameatavegamin TV Commercial episode.

The tea meal was before the program, and as always was good.

It began with chocolate dipped apricots, and Irish Creme mini muffins.

Our tea was Gentle Earl Gray from a local blender.

 ~ Sauteed Mushroom Soup ~

Pear, Pomegranate, & Feta Cheese Fresh Green Salad with Croutons and Vinaigrette.

Main course clockwise from 2:00 o'clock position:  English Cucumber with Dill/Onion dressing on White Bread;  Cajun Turkey with Hummus & Pickle on Raisin Bread; Sundried Tomato & Olive Tapenade Flatbread; and Sliced Roast Beef with Horseradish & Lettuce on Wheat Bread. [It was guaranteed to clear your sinuses and bring tears your eyes if you suffer from dry eye syndrom! To say it was potent was an understatement. ;-)]  In the center was a Pasta Salad.

Dessert was Rum Cake with Fresh Fruit Compote.

Then it was my turn to share Lucille Ball's life.

It was only right to give the ladies a favor of chocolate candies at the conclusion of my presentation.  I carried them in a large plastic Disney teapot.

When I finished my presentation, a teapot birthday cake was brought out.  Linda thinks of everything!  It was cut and shared with all the ladies, and Jerry and I are enjoying what was left.

Barb, one of the attendees, gave me a beautiful black teacup with a white pearlized/lustre inside.  Thank you, Barb.  ['Proper' thank you coming in the mail.]

And Linda gave me a gift bag filled with good things.

Two books...

An assortment of Eden teas, which I'm anxious to try.

And some tea-themed address labels that are coming in the mail.   Thanks, Linda!  She must have spread the word that Feb. 6th was my birthday because many of the ladies gave me lovely cards.

Teresa gave me a lovely teapot shaped napkin [or letter] holder.  It was even wrapped in teapot wrapping paper.  Thanks, Teresa! ['Proper' thank you, yadda, yadda.  ;-)]

It was a great day, and everyone made me feel so special.  I hope the ladies enjoyed the Lucille Ball presentation as much as I enjoyed preparing it for them.