Advanced Showing of Downton Abbey Movie

My Mother's Day present from my hubby was dinner and advanced showing tickets to the second Downton Abbey movie - a New Era.  Last night was the night.

Since I'm diligently trying to lose weight to take pressure off my knee, my choice of restaurants was limited - Olive Garden [Soup and Salad], Chinese Restaurant [Chicken Subgum] or Applebee's [Oriental Chicken Salad].  I opted for Applebee's.  Weight is coming off, but ever so slowly.

After dinner we drove over to the movie theater for the 7:00 p.m. showing of the long-awaited movie. Even though it doesn't appear to be a chilly, rainy evening in the photo below, it was. My hubby counted only a total of 10 movie-goers who came out to see it.   I don't know if that means Downton Abbey mania is waning, movie-goers went to another nearby theater to see it, or they're waiting for opening day on May 20th.  I was very happy to see the advanced showing.

I'm not going to give any spoilers.  Suffice it to say I enjoyed it and want to see it one more time to take in anything I missed last night, but I'll be surprised if there's a movie #3.

Here's a few big screen photos I took last night that won't give anything away.

 

I definitely didn't need another Downton Abbey cookbook, but I wanted the only one I didn't have in my collection.  It recently arrived in the mail, and has some wonderful recipes and beautiful pictures.  I'm glad I got it.

If you see the movie please tell me how you liked it.

It's sad our world is so troubled that I left the theater thanking God that we were able to watch the movie peacefully without someone entering with a gun and shooting up the place. Perpetrators committing crimes of violence [shootings] are occurring everywhere, everyday, and it seems no one is safe anywhere anymore.  I take comfort in our Lord's words in the Book of Joshua:  "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Tea With Downton Abbey, Episode 3

I've been staying with my granddaughter the past two nights, so I took some treats for a mini-tea party and my daughter joined me there. The mini-Bundt cakes were in my freezer just waiting for an occasion.

In my opinion, episode 3 was one of THE BEST in the entire Downton Abbey series.

At long last it looks like Lady Edith might have a chance for happiness.

~ There were oodles of tea scenes. ~

Look at that big brass teapot/kettle sitting on the table! 

~ Anna is happily 'with child', but hasn't told Mr. Bates yet. ~

The Wedding Day of Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes finally arrived.  Thankfully, Mrs. Hughes got her wish to have the reception at the school house thanks to Mrs. Patmore and Lady Cora's intervention!

And the frosting on the wedding cake was when Tom Branson unexpectedly appeared with little Sibby saying he was back at Downton to stay!  

What an action packed episode!  I can hardly wait until next week!

Downton Abbey, Season VI, Episode II

My daughter returned to watch the second episode of Downton Abbey with me last Sunday night, and again the tea cart was ready when she arrived.

She opted for the same tea she had the week before [Bates Brambleberry black tea], but I decided to try a different caffeine-free blend.

I chose Afternoon Garden Tea - an herb and spice blend of ginger, orange bergamot mint, lemon thyme, anise hyssop, anise seeds, and blackberry leaves.  

Our dessert was "Upside-Down Mug Pumpkin Pie."  I've seen recipes for desserts made in mugs and cooked in the microwave, but I've never tried making them myself until Sunday. They came out perfectly, and were delicious.

Here's the easy recipe:  

1 egg

1/3 cup canned pumpkin [not pumpkin pie mix]

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Whipped cream and Cinnamon Sugar or crushed Cinnamon Graham Crackers for garnish

1]  Grease bottom of 12 oz. microwavable mug.  In small bowl, beat egg, pumpkin and whipping cream together; add brown sugar, flour, and pumpkin pie spice.  Mix well.

2] Pour batter into mug.  Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes.  If necessary, microwave in additional 15-second increments, until edge slightly pulls away from mug and top is nearly set.  

3]   Cool 10 minutes on counter then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

To serve, carefully run knife around edge of pumpkin pie to loosen; turn onto small plates. Garnish.   

They were great to eat while sipping our tea and watching episode II.  

I received the Season VI Downton Abbey book, A Celebration, from Amazon last week, but haven't had a chance to read it yet.  

I also received my last tin of Downton Abbey tea in the series from Republic of Teas - Mrs. Patmore's Blueberry Scone Tea - a caffeine-free blueberry infused herb tea made with red rooibos, licorice, natural blueberry flavor, natural vanilla flavor and natural caramel flavor. Maybe I'll try it next Sunday!  I think I have all of the commemorative, limited edition, teas from the company now.

What was your favorite part of episode II?  It appears Mrs. Hughes will have to yield to Lady Mary's wishes for her's and Carson's wedding reception to be held at Downton.  And how sad that the Drewe's will have to relocate after being at tenants at Downton for so long. Do you think Mary will figure out Marigold is Edith's daughter?  I'm looking forward to what unfolds in next Sunday's episode, aren't you?

Today is National Hot Tea Day, and below is the view from my bedroom window when I lifted the shade this morning. With 22 degree temperatures [dipping to a low of 10 degrees], accompanied by wind and snow showers, it's definitely hot tea weather.  Enjoy your cuppa!

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Today I'm joining Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Rose Chintz Cottage for No Place Like Home
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Bernideen's Tea Time Cottage and Garden Blog Party

Season VI of Downton Abbey

Like everyone else, I was eagerly waiting for January 3rd to arrive so I could watch Season VI, episode 1 of Downton Abbey.  My daughter, Lori, came over to watch it with me.

Before she arrived I baked the scones from the Downton Abbey Traditional Scone Mix purchased at World Market recently. The tea cart was ready when she arrived. [The Christmas stockings are still hanging from the mantel since I'm not ready to take the decorations down quite yet.]

The bone china teacup purchased at Highclere Castle last spring was waiting to be used during the program, and the teacup on the right is from Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2002. 

Downton Abbey Lemon Curd [from World Market] was yummy on the warm scones along with seedless Red Raspberry Jam.

Lori picked her choice of tea from my collection of Downton Abbey Teas by Republic of Tea. 

She selected Bates' Brambleberry [black tea with blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries].  Since it was evening I knew better than to drink anything with caffeine, so I chose Holiday Cheer [Rooibos with cinnamon and vanilla].  

We sipped our tea [which were both very good] and ate our scones while we watched Downton Abbey Countdown from 8:00-9:00 p.m., and then enjoyed every minute of episode 1  at 9:00 p.m.

I loved the tender ending of the episode with Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes.  It was a long time coming, but worth the wait.  ;-)

[Internet Photo]

My parting words to Lori as she was leaving when the program ended, "Same place, same time, next week!"  After visiting Highclere Castle and Byfleet Manor with her last spring, Season VI is even more meaningful.   I'm sad it's the last season.

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I'm joining Antiques and Teacups today for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Rose Chintz Cottage for No Place Like Home
Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for Bernideen's Tea Time Cottage and Garden Blog Party

Downton Abbey Mania

I never watch daytime soap operas, but I thoroughly enjoy watching the British period drama, Downton Abbey - along with multitudes of other fans on both sides of the pond.  I enjoy seeing the aristocratic lifestyle of the Crawley family, the work-a-day world of the "below stairs" residents, the costumes of the post Edwardian era [1912-1923], and, of course, the many tea scenes that are a part of every episode. 

Downton Abbey has not only become a hugely successful TV series, but it's entered the retail world as well.  Barnes & Noble sells several Downton Abbey books. 

Magazines feature Downton Abbey.

While recently reading Tea in Texas magazine, I was fascinated by their article about the Downton Abbey mobile tea truck PBS sent to the streets of New York City as a marketing stunt to promote the opening episode of Season IV.  [Unfortunately NYC was the only US city it visited.]

[Photo courtesy of PBS]

Costumed maids served free hot tea [to be accurate it was a tisane] and biscuits, and Downton Abbey fans were able to have their picture taken with the maids and/or the Downton Abbey mobile tea truck with the backdrop of Highclere Castle.  

[PBS Maids]

How about a Downton Abbey t-shirt?

The Republic of Tea came out with two Downton Abbey teas that can be purchased from their website - English Rose Tea [pictured on the far right], which is a caffeine-free tisane of rose and hibiscus blossoms and raspberries.  It is the beverage that was said to have been served to passersby from the Downton Abbey mobile tea truck.   The other tea available from Republic of Tea is pictured on the far left - Grantham Breakfast Blend, an organic Assam black tea with ginger.   

Republic of Tea also blended a tea exclusively Cost Plus World Market that is called the Downton Estate Blend, a classic Earl Grey black tea with vanilla.  I have all three and am saving them for a Downton Abbey tea.

Last year, on black Friday weekend [following Thanksgiving], Cost Plus World Market  launched a Downton Abbey Tea Party where several Downton Abbey products were sold - Plum Pudding, Mincemeat Tarts, Shortbread Cookies, Bordeuex Wine, Christmas Crackers, and a Tea Set. Unfortunately, I learned about it too late, and was only able to purchase a tin of tea and shortbread cookies. At the same time, the company sponsored a Sweepstakes that included a trip to London, a private tour of Highclere Castle, and a visit to the set of Downton Abbey.  I can only imagine how wonderful that would be!

[Internet Photos]

The real china used on the set of Downton Abbey is Spode Stafford White bone china.  The teapot is on sale right now for $882 [down from $1,102.50], while a teacup's sale price is a mere $205.80!  

[Pinterest Photo]

Macy's came out with a line of Downton Abbey jewelry that's reasonably priced, and I'm sure there are other companies sponsoring Downton Abbey promotionals that I'm unaware of.

I'm excited to tell you about a local Downton Abbey promotional that my girlfriend and I will attending tomorrow - and you can be sure I'll blog all about it.

Meadow Brook Hall - the historic home of one of automotive aristocracy's most remarkable women, Matilda Dodge-Wilson, is sponsoring "Downton Days" Thursday thru Sunday this week.

Meadow Brook Hall is an old English Country Style Tudor, built in 1929.  With 88,000 square feet and 110 bedrooms, it's the largest home in the Midwest.  Much like the Crawleys, Matilda and Alfred Wilson also had a full-time staff that lived at the home and worked for them. Meadow Brook is giving the public an opportunity to experience what life was like for a Lord and Lady at the time, as well as servants.

Our tickets have been purchased for a 12:30 p.m. lecture telling us what life was like at Meadow Brook in the 1920's-30's, and comparing it to life depicted at Downton Abbey.  We'll have lunch in the Christopher Wren Dining Room, and afterward put everything we've learned into visual context with a tour of the mansion.   I'm not sure if photographs will be allowed, but if permitted I'll take photos and share them on my blog.  Stay tuned...