Dine and Discover Program

My girlfriend, Linda, invited me to a senior's program the City of Farmington Hills hosted today. The speaker was Gary Glaser, a documentary filmmaker, and among the YouTube films he showed and discussed was J.L. Hudson's Department Store.  The old Detroit Tiger Stadium and Michigan Central Train Station were also part of his program.

The program, which began at 10:00 a.m., was held at the Costick Activities Center.

A brunch was served before the program began.

~ Gary Glaser ~

Below is a video interview with a man who worked at Michigan Central Train Station.  The vandalized station is in the background.  Ford Motor Company bought it in 2018 and began the massive restoration project.  It's scheduled to be completed later this year or the beginning of 2023.  

After the program, Linda and I visited the Costick Resale Shop.  They had a Royal Dalton Brambly Hedge teacup for $6, which I purchased.

Before coming home, Linda gave me a tin of Harney and Sons Green Tea with Coconut, Ginger and Vanilla.  I enjoyed a cup as soon as I got home.

It was an enjoyable morning and I look forward to returning in November when Gary's program will be entirely about Hudson's.

An Eleanor Clay Ford Birthday Tea

Amidst all the wonderful Platinum Jubilee Celebrations taking place across the pond [and around the world], a friend and I attended a birthday tea for Eleanor Clay Ford [wife of Edsel Ford, executive of the Ford Motor Company] at her home in Grosse Pointe Shores yesterday. Her official birthday is June 6th, but the tea was held a day early.  She would have been 126 years old.  She died at the age of 80 in October 1976.

The tea was held in the second floor banquet room of the Visitor Center which opened in May 2021.

A photo of Eleanor hangs on the wall as you enter the Welcome Center.

There were three seatings:  12:00 Noon, 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM.  Our seating was at 12:30 PM but those who were at the 12:00 o'clock seating weren't rushed out and were still enjoying their tea when we arrived.  It was a very well attended event.

Since Eleanor lived in an era where women wore hats when they went out, and since this was a tea, my friend and I wore a hat.  Several other ladies wore a hat or fascinator too.  Perhaps they were inspired by all the beautiful hats and fascinators seen at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities. Hats are definitely alive and well in England!

Photos line the wall at the entrance to the banquet room.  The photo below is Henry and Clara Ford and Edsel and Eleanor Ford at Henry and Clara's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration in 1938. The party was held at Edsel and Eleanor's Grosse Pointe home.

~ Linda and Me ~

~ Seated at our table for two ~

Menu cards were at each place setting.

Our tea order was taken first.  We chose organic Earl Grey by Bigelow Tea.

Next came our tiered server [or tower as we call them at The Whitney].

Tea Sandwiches and Savories were:  Cucumber, Turkey, and Egg Salad, Maine Lobster Salad in a Profiterole, Chicken Salad in a Filo Basket and Salmon on a Roll.  They were all very tasty.

The delicious Strawberry/White Chocolate Scone was served with Strawberry Preserves and Whipped Cream.

Desserts were Lemon Curd Cup with Blueberries, a Traverse City Cherry Mousse Cup, a Salted Caramel Truffle and a Cookie Dough Truffle.

Several years ago, I was told by a Ford House Executive that Eleanor wasn't a tea drinker, but I think she would have been very pleased with this tea party given in her honor.  It was lovely and I'm so glad I was able to attend.

An unexpected and pleasant surprise was getting to see Amy and her friend, Julie, at the tea party.

After the tea we rode the shuttle to the mansion for a self-guided tour of the residence.  It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Ford!

Cheers to Queen Elizabeth, II on her 70th Platinum Jubilee Celebration!

[Internet Photo]

Since today kicks off the official opening of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, I thought it would be fitting to share my limited memorabilia collection in her honor.

~ A Coronation Trio ~

A Coronation Teacup, 1953 ~

~ 1953 Paragon Coronation Teacup ~ 

 

~ Commemorative Teacup from her 1959 visit to Canada ~

~ Golden Jubilee Teacup, 2002 ~

~ Golden Jubilee Teacup ~

~ Golden Jubilee Teapot ~

~ Diamond Jubilee Teacup, 2012 ~

~ Queen and Prince Philip Plate ~

A Queen Bobble Head in front of several books about her life.

~ Commemorative Tins ~

Copy of a portrait I purchased at the National Portrait Gallery in 2007.  It's called, "Conversation Piece at Royal Lodge, Windsor" by Sir James Gunn, 1950.  Princess Elizabeth is standing while Princess Margaret is seated at the table with her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

An April 24, 1944 LIFE Magazine commemorating Princess Elizabeth's 18th Birthday.

Letter written by one of the Queen's Ladies-in-waiting to be read at a tea I gave in her honor in 2011. 

I can't begin to imagine how many commemorative teacups, mugs, plates, tins, figurines, books, magazines, and other souvenirs and memorabilia that have been made featuring the Queen throughout her lifetime.  Probably too many to calculate!

Her life and 70 year reign are definitely worthy of celebrating.  There will never be another Queen like her again.

A recent conversation amongst an online tea group I belong to shared some ideas of what could be included at a tea party in the Queen's honor: Coronation Chicken Sandwiches, Jam Pennies, Sausage Rolls, and for dessert, Victoria Sponge and Chocolate Biscuit Cake.  And, of course, lots of Earl Grey tea.

Have you hosted or attended any tea parties in the Queen's honor?  If so, please share.

Celebrating Memorial Day 2022

I hope you had a nice Memorial Holiday.  Our family did.  We began the day by meeting at our son Steve's house at 11:00 a.m. to drive to Great Lakes National Cemetery together.  It's in Holly, MI, about 42 miles from our house.  It's where both of my parents are buried.  My dad was a World War II veteran, and even though he didn't die in combat it seemed like the perfect place to begin our day. 

The cemetery was very busy with people paying their respects to deceased military soldiers, veterans and loved ones.  It was a picture perfect day with a temperature of 90 degrees but there was a nice breeze so it didn't seem that hot.

Jeremy and family drove from Chelsea and met us there.  Lori's husband had to drive his daughter and family to the airport so they couldn't join us until the picnic at the park.  Looking over the thousands of tombstones of those who served our country, I was reminded that freedom isn't free and how indebted we are to the men and women who've served to preserve the freedoms we enjoy - some of them giving their lives.

~ My dad's tombstone ~

My mother's on the opposite side of my dad's.

There's a tradition to leave a penny on the tombstone of the veteran if you visited their grave, so we all left a penny.

We gathered around the grave and each one shared memories of my dad and mom and then Steve prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for their lives as well as the lives of everyone buried there. It was very touching. I could have shared many wonderful memories, but their greatest parental accomplishment was teaching me about Jesus and His gift of salvation, which has given me purpose and contentment in life. They left a great Christian legacy for their family to follow.  Steve reminded Brooke, Izzy, Landon and Ellie that it only takes one generation for a Christian heritage to die out, and for them to stive, with God's help, to keep it alive for those who follow.

A kind lady paying respects to another deceased soldier took a picture of our group.   

~ Steve, Me and Jeremy ~

I left giving a gentle pat to my parent's tombstone telling them bye for now, and I'd see them again someday in Heaven.

Then it was off to Indian Springs Metropark for a Memorial Day family picnic.  The park was about 20 miles from the cemetery in White Lake and was a beautiful park - a hidden gem actually.  We decided it should be an annual Memorial Day destination.  Lori and Dave arrived ahead of us and found a beautiful spot with covered picnic tables very close to the 'splash pad' for the kids.  

The first thing on the agenda was to get the food on the table.  Not knowing if we'd have access to grills I prepared ready to eat food:  bar-be-qued chicken for pulled chicken sandwiches and bean bake [a yummy recipe from a deceased friend that all the guys loved - even those who don't like baked beans.  It was made with bacon, ground beef, and three kinds of beans, pork n beans, pinto, and white kidney beans.]  Jeremy requested corn on the cob, so I boiled it at home, wrapped in in tinfoil and a towel and transported it in a cooler.  It was still very hot when we ate.  I also made a pasta salad, a three-bean marinated salad, and slab apple pie [made in a sheet pan].  Lori brought yummy fresh fruit, Samantha brought munchies [chips, popcorn, etc.] and Sharon brought drinks. Nobody went away hungry!

[Lori and Me]

[Steve Sharon and Brooke]

[Jeremy and Samantha]

[Dave and Lori]

[Pa and Ma 😊]

I regret not getting a picture of John, Tiffany and the girls.  When I thought of it, it was right before everyone was ready to leave and the girls were so tired from their big day that it just wasn't a good time for picture taking.  I did manage to get a picture of Juliette though.

~ Sam and Ellie ~

~ The guys playing Corn Hole ~

[Dave and Jeremy]

[Landon and Papa]

All the gals at the 'Splash Pad'

Brooke and Izzy

The 'Splash Pad'

The end of a perfect day!  How did you celebrate?

Yesterday was National Scone Day, but I'll have to celebrate at a later time since no scones were on yesterday's menu - nor included in my weight loss regimen.  Did you eat a scone?  If so, what kind?