My daughter Daena was invited to a White House Christmas reception last night and got to bring a guest, which I'm happy to report was me!
The theme of this year's WH Christmas decorations and parties is "Holiday in the National Parks," because, as the keepsake brochure states, "From breathtaking landscapes to important historical sites, generations have marveled at God's magnificent creation and cherished memories of visits to these special places." Did you know the WH is a national park?
See more photos on page 2.
So that it was snowing made the evening even more special. The event was held in the East Wing. Here was the view inside the WH compound walking toward that entrance:
As soon as we checked our coats we were ushered quickly and efficiently through President and Mrs. Bush's receiving line for a photo with them. We didn't even have time to think, which was good. We each shook his hand. He asked me where I was from, and I'm glad I could remember. I won't get that photo for awhile, but we took plenty others in the meantime. Here's me in the Blue Room:
In the Entrance Hall a military band beautifully played Christmas songs all evening ranging from hymns to the Home Alone theme:
The buffet carried out the National Parks and Americana theme, including Bourbon-Glazed Virginia Ham with Cheesy Stone-Ground Grits, Fruitwood Smoked Copper River Salmon with Fresh Potato Pancakes, Maryland Crab Cakes with Lemon Caper Sauce, Chilled Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, Roasted Lamb Chops with Rosemary Sea Salt and Mission Fig Chutney, and An Assortment of Artisanal and Local Cheeses, which I thought was the best:
The desserts likewise carried out the National Parks theme: Decorated Animal Cookies (Grizzly Bear, Elk, Fox, Wolf, Eagle, Mountain Lion, Moose, Road Runer, Buffalo, Coyote Deer), Park Trees and Leaves Cookies (Gold Magnolia Leaf, Pine Cone, Acorn, Oak Leaf, Aspen Leaf, Elm Leaf), Maple Cookies, Park Service Indian Head Cookies, Chocolate Mice, Log Cabin Cake, Lemon Meringue Sequoia Cake Tree, Coconut Cake with Seven-Minute Frosting, Yule Log, Brioche Bread Pudding, Walnut Pound Dundee Cake, Gingerbread Crown Cake, Mackintosh Apple and Sun-Dried Cherry Cobbler, Long-Stemmed Fresh Strawberries, and Chocolate Truffles with Forest Flavors (Honey, Maple, Huckleberry).
As I was trying to pick up one of the latter, it slipped out of the dainty tongs and rolled on to the floor. I told the wait staff I reminded myself of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and her flying escargot....
The white chocolate WH:
The latest WH draperies are beautiful, majestic. In remodelings past, I've thought they sometimes looked tacky. Here are some, first in the Blue Room, then the Red Room, then the Entrance Hall:
Daena in the Blue Room:
View outside:
The historic portraits in the WH - of presidents, wives, and Americana - are priceless, and they're everywhere:
The official WH Christmas tree was perfectly suited for display in the elliptical Blue Room. American artisans painted about 350 ornaments depicting "national parks, memorials, seashores, historic sites and monuments":
Mural of Grand Canyon in Cross Hall:
We were so high spirited upon leaving (which was swift; military ushers made it politely clear the party was over at 8p)...
... we decided to walk to Daena's apartment, rather than catch a cab. Big mistake. The wet snowfall and slushy sidewalks got the best of us...
But still, the Decorated Animal Cookies a WH chef said were perfectly fine for me to take home to my grandsons made it home dry, if not intact... :)
Comments:
Rubbing salt in the wounds? Again, I get invited to walk umpteen miles in that slushy snow and sleep on a floor while you're eating animal cookies and hobknobbing with the elite! I'm telling you, you don't pay me enough. I want a paid vacation...
Posted by: mk at December 6, 2007 8:37 AMMK, you're not presenting facts. You know because of your extraordinary efforts on this site, I recently offered to double your current salary. Please don't tell any of the other mods, though.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at December 6, 2007 8:51 AMThis is true. Let's see 2 time 0 = not enough for an ice cream cone yet. I'm not very good at math, but this doesn't seem to be a good deal. But I'll trust you since I'm not so good with numbers.
Okay, I'll quit whining. (Until I ask my 10 year old to do the numbers for me that is....)
Posted by: mk at December 6, 2007 8:54 AMJill,
I love the hair!
Thanks for sharing those pictures, they are truly remarkable! What an awesome experience..how blessed you are!
Why was you daughter invited, if you don't mind me asking..
Jill, that sounds like a nice evening. However, for me, January 09 can't arrive soon enough.
Maybe someday I'll get to party with President Obama and tell you guys all about it.
Ok..OK...now I'm envious....How does one get invited to a White House Christmas reception?
Very Nice pics!
Posted by: RSD at December 6, 2007 9:12 AMABL, RSD: Daena took a government job this past July in DC, but I'm afraid I can't disclose what exactly she does for personal and professional security reasons. But she got invited through that tie.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at December 6, 2007 9:54 AMJill,
Very cool! I'm jealous!
I can't disclose what exactly she does for personal and professional security reasons.
I bet I could find out through Cheney's office.
Posted by: Doug at December 6, 2007 2:53 PMI can't disclose what exactly she does for personal and professional security reasons.
I bet I could find out through Cheney's office.
Posted by: Doug at December 6, 2007 2:53 PM
.............................................
Hmmmmmmmmmm. I used to date a lobyist.....where is his phone number? Just kidding Jill. Don't care where your daughter works.
Any chance that you smuggled out some of those Maryland crab cakes?
Sally, although most of the fare last night was excellent, sadly the crab cakes weren't that good. There are things I'll try on a menu whenever I'm in the south or east, key lime pie and crab cakes. Most restaurants aren't that good at crab cakes, wouldn't you agree? The best I ever had were at a restaurant in Rhode Island. There is a 3-way tie for the best key lime pie I ever had, all restaurants being in - surprise - Key West. All three versions were slightly different. Jimmy Buffet's was frozen. Yum.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at December 6, 2007 4:57 PMSally, although most of the fare last night was excellent, sadly the crab cakes weren't that good. There are things I'll try on a menu whenever I'm in the south or east, key lime pie and crab cakes. Most restaurants aren't that good at crab cakes, wouldn't you agree? The best I ever had were at a restaurant in Rhode Island. There is a 3-way tie for the best key lime pie I ever had, all restaurants being in - surprise - Key West. All three versions were slightly different. Jimmy Buffet's was frozen. Yum.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at December 6, 2007 4:57 PM
.......................................................................
It's difficult to get really good seafood of any type here in NM. I would have been so disappointed! I hope to get to Maryland to do some genealogy research in the near future and can't wait to try the crab!
The best seafood I've had was on a cruise ship. I don't think I've ever had a really good key lime pie. I'd hope that Key West would have the best! Honey................?
Of course the best steaks are in Chicago. Not to mention pizza!
What entre did you try? Did you taste anything that you'd want the recipe for?
Thanks for sharing these great pictures, Jill!
You and your daughter are so pretty, Jill. It looks like you had a fantastic time. Thank you so much for taking the time to post pictures of the experience. That white house cake is something else! The drapes...wow.
Jill:
what an amazing time you must've had! We just adore Daena and are so proud of her! All I can say is "WOW!"
Merry Christmas!
Rich, Donna, Alyssa, & Jack