During these long winter months, a lot of folks enjoy getting together for meals and entertainment. So let’s take a look at the subject of:
Fine Dining
And this isn’t just your ordinary survey of tips and recipes, oh no. Today we have two mavens of fine dining, together in a way only possible through the wonders of the internet.
The first is Mrs. Isabella Beeton, famous 19th century domestic expert and author of The Book of Household Management (1868). According to Mrs. B:
“Man, it has been said, is a dining animal. Creatures of the inferior races eat and drink: only man dines.”
“It appears on that mental list from childhood of ‘things grown-ups do’: Throw a dinner party.”
Since we all want to be both civilized (Mrs. Beeton) and grown-ups (Martha Stewart), we’ll benefit from consulting both ladies.
Kathy – I love that title – The Handbook of Household Management – classic!
Margot, thanks for stopping by! Mrs. Beeton’s handbook was reprinted countless times, and was the household standard for at least 50 years.
I thought I’d heard about Mrs. Beeton before – Brenda Dayne of the Cast-On podcast designed the Mrs. Beeton knitted wrist warmers. Here’s a link to the pattern: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTmrsbeeton.html
Martha has a book called the Homekeeping Handbook. Lots of good tips in there! I need all the help I can get!
Those are cute wristwarmers! And I am ALWAYS in need of household tips, too. Thanks for stopping by, Kelly. 🙂