Outdoor Cooking and Eating (r)

Photos by Salt Water New England

A question for the community: 

Which foods do you prefer for outdoor cooking and eating? And what are favorite techniques or occasions?

Reader Question: Your Favorite/Iconic Christmas Clothes? (r)

 

Dear Muffy, 

Special clothing for the holidays (emphatically not including ugly sweaters) are a longstanding prep tradition.  I inherited the lovely family tartan bowtie my father always wore chiefly during the holidays.  Other seasonal items I have known and loved include tartan pants (bonus points if they are in your tartan), embroidered cords, red vests, and Christmassy ties.  Yesterday I saw a pretty nifty bright red and dark green schoolboy scarf.  Even though these items may have a short season, I think it is nice to have one or two.  What do others think? Any favorite items? 

Reader Question: Favorite Poolside Drinks for Guests

Photo by Salt Water New England

Hi Muffy,

Yesterday's post begs the most important question of all for readers.  What is your favorite poolside drink to serve to your guests?  

  

My Old Wathne Dog Head Belt Buckle

The Battle of the Christmas Waistcoats

Photos by Salt Water New England

Decisions, decisions...

 

Favorite Christmas Carols for Singing at a Party?

 

A reader question:

I have a question for my fellow Salt Water New England readers.  Every year someone from my family hosts the Christmas party, and this year it is our turn.  In the past, we have sung Christmas Carols, but over the last few years the tradition has died down.  I am planning to resurrect it accompanied by a piano.  So, long story, what are some favorite Christmas Carols for singing? 

Christmas Decorations

The essence is restraint.

Classic New England preppy Christmas decorations have two flavors.

The first is very simple and elegant, erring on solemn.  One wreath on the front door, with just a red bow.  A few white candle lights in the lower windows, and perhaps the same on the second story.   A tree with lights and ornaments.  

The second is a variation of the first, but with a bit of wit or whimsy.  In my house growing up, all of the stuffed owls and water fowl (given to us by a Yale taxidermist) and decoys (carved by my grandfather) got little Christmas hats.  

The essence is restraint.  Basically, decorations are done right when they are easy to miss.   

Dressing one's house, or heaven forbid one's pets, in such a way that competes with the local shopping mall is as unthinkable as smothering oneself in perfume or cologne and then stepping into a crowded elevator. 

A bit of wit.  A bit of ingenuity. 

Reader Question for the Community: What are your Christmas sine quibus non? (r)

A reader question for the community:

I have a question for the community which has given much sound direction: what are the holiday traditions which we can never give up? Decorations, food, gifting, etc,.? 

Don we now? Coats and ties for Thanksgiving?

A reader question: 

Greetings All,

We're a little more than a week away from Thanksgiving. A question for the gentlemen... how many of you will be wearing a coat and tie for Thanksgiving dinner?  For the record, we both will—not even up for discussion.

Prost!

The New England WASP Aversion to Pomp and Circumstance

In a New England WASP world, weddings would be little more than a short ceremony at the Congregational church,  followed by "punch and cookies" at the bride's house.  Guests at an ideal birthday wouldn't even fill the sitting room.  The best dinner parties are out of doors with a sailboat or two docked nearby.   Rituals are important, but done with restraint.  

Graduations aside, there is an aversion to ceremony and festivities bordering on anathema.  

The whys are clear. To many WASPs they are a waste of money, and nothing more than a distraction.  And perhaps worst of all, such scheduled merriment forces everyone to wear festive attire.    

All is not lost, however, for WASPs when dragooned.

One strategy is to find other like minded people and more effectively use the gathering.  At any Ivy League football game are at least three clusters of people, including one or two of trustees, working issues as rigorously as in any boardroom.  And another approach, for some WASPs, is to find a quiet corner for a quick doze when the boredom inevitably strikes.

And non-WASPs co-planning such events quickly learn an important rule:  never put a WASP in charge of the food, but perhaps the Scotch.

Summer Cocktail Party Attire

Photos by Salt Water New England

Summer cocktail party season is almost upon us.  For men and women, what do you wear, and were do you get it?  A flurry of reader questions.

The Perfect Cocktail?

 

Hi Muffy,

May I ask the community a question.

On an earlier post about summer belts, a couple of commentators alluded to drinks (?). I wondered what the community considers to be the perfect cocktail. Personally my all year round favourite is an Old Fashioned, but on a lovely summers day (like we are enjoying in the UK at the moment) I think nothing beats a Gin Dry Martini, stirred not shaken of course (Bond is so uncouth!). 

Kind regards.

 

Classical Music for Summer Gatherings?

 

Dear Salt Water New England,

I am hosting a few gatherings in early August and have what feels like a unique question.  I always have low classical music playing during open-houses in autumn and winter.  I want to have some music playing for these as well, but I don't have any great ideas for summer classical music.  Any suggestions?  Thank you! 

 

Reader Question: Formal Dining Attire

May I ask a question of the community.

When dining in a formal restaurant, either lunch or dinner, should males wear jackets and ties?

From a personal point of view, I always have and always will!

Kind regards.

 

Happy Burns Night, and a Question

In Central Park...  Photo by Salt Water New England

A question for the community:

On Burns nights, a question.  What holiday from another country do you most wished was celebrated in the U.S. (or your current country of residence)? 
 

Reader Questions for the Community: Holidays

 

A Reader Question for the Community: 

I have a question for the community: During these uncharted times, how are you planning to add some normalcy to the upcoming holiday season?

 

A Second Reader Question for the Community: 

Given the situation, are people still planning on festive attire for the holidays?  How festive?

Reader Question for the Community: Daily cutlery and special occasion silverware?

Reader Question for the Community:

Where do your readers find daily cutlery/silverware and special occasion silverware?  A friend asked me to help her purchase special occasion silverware because she admires our family set.  Our family silverware came over on a boat from Rotterdam in 1902, so I have no idea where to look.  We would also be interested in finding special occasion dinner sets or tea sets that could be passed down as heirlooms (since the family grows over the generations, the treasures are too few).  Many thanks for your kind time and attention. 

Question for the Community: What stocks the proper bar?

Question for the Community:

This may be the best time of year to ask the community this question.   What stocks a classic/proper bar? What drinks and brands are favorites?