| Happy 80th Birthday Ma’am… Friday 21 April 2006 - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her eightieth birthday. Unlike most other 80 year olds that would just want to keep this special day a quiet one with no fuss, this special lady, in keeping with her 80 years of “duty first - always” will be ‘out on the town’ – literally. 
(Photo courtesy of Snowdon/Camera Press)The Queen will be at Windsor Castle on Friday where she always spends this birthday – she has two birthdays a year you see, so I guess that really makes her 160. (Smiles) After breakfast along with her husband and consort Prince Philip (85 this year) she will walk out of the castle as the band of the Irish Guards play ‘Happy Birthday’ Then after meeting local youth groups and a few dignitaries the Royal couple will head down Peascod Street and into the town of Windsor to meet and greet her subjects. It might be worth reminding Her Majesty to stop by Marks and Spencer’s food department and pick up a birthday cake for herself because she no longer has a pastry chef. This year will be the first time in 30 years that her pastry chef Robert Pine won’t have made her usual chocolate birthday cake. Robert retired last month after 40 years Royal service and the Palace are still searching for a replacement. Then it is back to the Castle for a brief walk in the park with her 5 corgis and 4 Dorgis followed by a dinner party arranged by Prince Charles to celebrate ‘Mummy’s' birthday in Kew. The Queen’s second birthday, the ‘official one” is the third week of June and she will be in London for that, reviewing her military at Trooping the Color – a fun day culminating with the Royal Family gathering on the balcony at the palace to watch as planes from the R.A.F. fly down the mall and salute as they pass over Buckingham Palace. The chefs used to watch the fly past from the roof of the palace and I can tell you it was pretty impressive. For a human being to dedicate her entire life to her country in the way that the Queen has she deserves two birthdays and a lot more. Since 1952 when as a young girl she took over as monarch she has held over 540 investitures and conferred over 387,700 honors and awards, she is the patron of more than 620 charities and organizations and has launched 23 ships. Her majesty has been an impeccable host - not just to visiting heads of state (91 State banquets) but also to over 1 million people who have attended her garden parties at Buckingham Palace. During her reign, the Queen has undertaken 78 State Visits, 256 official overseas visits to 129 different countries - the first Commonwealth tour of November 1953 alone covered a total distance of 43,618 miles. The Queen's reign has seen 10 prime ministers, 10 US presidents and six Archbishops of Canterbury. Many Happy Returns of the Day Your Majesty! Long may you reign over us! | Cooking Classes … Here’s a heads up on my cooking classes before they appear in Cooking School Schedules. It will give you the opportunity to “get in first” and sign all of your friends up too. As you can see I will be packing my wagon and heading out of the metroplex for some of these classes, so if you have any friends or family in San Antonio, Houston or Austin give them a yell – tell them about the class and get them to sign up.
Saturday April 29
Market Street, McKinney
Midweek Chicken Dinners - Buttermilk crusted Chicken breast with a tangy Mushroom Sauce and mashed potatoes. Garlic Chicken Drumsticks with Pasta. Adobo Chicken Thighs with Savory Rice. Fudge Ice Cream Pie with Pecan Crust. 11:00am – 1:00pm
Phone 972 548 5167 for reservations Saturday May 6
Dorothy Lane Market, Dayton. Ohio
Afternoon tea party – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Phone 937-434-1294 x 22269 for reservations Sunday May 7
Dorothy Lane Market, Dayton. Ohio SOLD OUT !!!
Afternoon tea party – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Phone 937-434-1294 x 22269 for reservations Saturday May 13
Grapevine Rec Center
A Spring Salad of Asparagus, Feta, Red Onion and Walnuts with Creamy Maple Dressing. Beef Tenderloin Steaks stuffed with Mushrooms and Boursin with a Garlic, Shallot Sauce and Sage Derby Dauphinoise Potatoes. Strawberry Tart with a Cookie Crust. Iced Chocolate, Mocha Fudge Pie.- 11:00am – 1:00pm
Phone 817 410 3450 for reservations Saturday May 27
Market Street, Colleyville
Midweek Chicken Dinners - Midweek Chicken Dinners - Buttermilk crusted Chicken breast with a tangy Mushroom Sauce and mashed potatoes. Garlic Chicken Drumsticks with Pasta. Adobo Chicken Thighs with Savory Rice. Fudge Ice Cream Pie with Pecan Crust. 11:00am – 1:00pm
Phone 817 577 5047 for reservations Saturday June 3
Market Street, McKinney
Indian food – not too spicy, but full of flavor. Onion Bhajis, Lamb Koftas with Raita Sauce. Tandoori Chicken. Lamb Raan with Basmaati rice, poppodoms and Mango Chutney. Yoghurt Brulee with Mango. 11:00am – 1:00pm
Phone 972 548 5167 for reservations Saturday June 17
Market Street, Collyville
Indian food – not too spicy, but full of flavor. Onion Bhajis, Lamb Koftas with Raita Sauce. Tandoori Chicken. Lamb Raan with Basmaati rice, poppodoms and Mango Chutney. Yoghurt Brulee with Mango. 11:00am – 1:00pm
Phone 817 577 5047 for reservations Saturday June 24
Central Market, San Antonio
A Royal Dinner Party 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Phone 210 368 8617 for reservations Sunday June 25
Central Market, San Antonio
A Royal Tea Party 11:00am – 1:30pm
Phone 210 368 8617 for reservations Saturday July 8
Grapevine Rec. Center
Coronation Chicken with Dressed Rice Salad, Sausage Rolls, Shrimp, Dill and Bell Pepper Quiche, Chicken Liver Pate with Grape Relish, Traditional English Raspberry Trifle, Lemon Meringue Parfait with Strawberry Coulis. 11:00am – 1:00pm Saturday August 19
Central Market, Fort Worth
A Royal Dinner Party
Phone 817 377 9005 for reservations Friday August 25
Central Market, Houston
A Royal Dinner Party
Phone 713 993 9860 for reservations Saturday August 26
Central Market, Houston
A Royal Garden Party
Phone 713 993 9860 for reservations |
Darren
I am honored to have been chosen to be a ‘hat judge’ at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Arboretum in Dallas. Mad Hatters Tea is an important fundraiser in the Women's Council on-going efforts to fund the construction and endowment of A Woman's Garden at the Arboretum.