PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY CHRISTMASTIMETV ON OCTOBER 27, 2010
Songs like this make me nostalgic as they were always playing on the record player around Christmas time when I was young. 🙂 I hope you enjoy this Christmas classic.
As I mentioned in the last Monday post (which I wrote yesterday since I am scheduling this ahead of time and taking some work time off over the next two weeks), I have no writing news to share this week — other than to remind you that the Darcy Family Series is only on sale for a couple more days.
Since I have no writing news this week, I wanted to share something of interest with you.
I like watching videos on YouTube — especially educational sorts of videos like the one below. Not all that long ago I discovered these short 18th-century cooking videos. I love how they bring to life how things were done hundreds of years ago, and it helps me visualize the lives of my characters a bit better to see the work that went into eating and the variety of foods that might have been eaten.
The recipe in this video is an English recipe, and the cookbook in which it can be found is mentioned in the video and is also listed in this blog post on the website mentioned in this video. (The recipe book is a free ebook on Google Play.)
I thought a Christmas pie recipe would be appropriate to share considering the time of year it is. 🙂 (And his little girl in this video is just adorable.)
And not only am I going to share the above video with you today, but I am also going to share a portion from chapter 12 of For Peace of Mind — which my second published book and the book which first led me to start collecting old cookbooks in my Google Books Library. 🙂
At the beginning of this scene in which Darcy and Elizabeth exchange gifts, it mentions that the Bennets are expecting guests for a Christmas Eve dinner. I suppose it is entirely possible that they might have served a Christmas Pie on such an occasion, don’t you?
AN EXCERPT FROM For Peace of Mind:
Elizabeth took particular care on Christmas Eve to prepare for dinner. The visitors from Netherfield were to dine with her family and then attend services with them. It would be the first time that she would be officially in public on the arm of Mr. Darcy.
“You look lovely.” Jane wrapped her arms around her sister from behind and propped her chin on Elizabeth’s shoulder as they both looked in the mirror. “Stop fiddling with your dress; it is perfect, as is your hair.”
“I just want him to feel proud to have me at his side.”
“He is,” said Jane. “I have seen the look on his face whenever you are on his arm, dearest, and proud only begins to describe it. Completely besotted is more accurate.”
“Thank you, Jane.”
“Shall we go down and wait for our guests to arrive?”
“In a moment.” Elizabeth sat on the bed and patted it in an invitation for Jane to join her. “Are you as excited as I?”
“I believe I am, but I never have been as good at displaying my delight as you.”
“I would like to have a measure of your calmness at present,” said Elizabeth. “I do feel as if I am about to have one of Mama’s fits of nerves.” The girls laughed. “She has not needed her salts since we returned, have you noticed, Jane?”
“There seems to be many changes which have taken place at Longbourn in our absence,” said Jane. “Mary is no longer a mouse, Kitty has refused to follow Lydia on more than one occasion and Lydia’s behaviour, while not reserved, has certainly begun to come under regulation.”
“Papa is not spending as much time in his library, either,” said Elizabeth. “Did he tell you that Lydia and Kitty are no longer completely out to society?”
“Yes, and I have heard Lydia whine about how she would so dearly like to see the officers again, but Papa absolutely refuses to allow it.”
“It is because she put us in danger with Mr. Wickham,” said Elizabeth. “Father will allow her to be at social gatherings, but she may only socialize with those he allows. Not even Mama is allowed to grant permission. I can understand how she must be feeling the sting of such strictures. They are new to her.”
“But, they are of her own doing,” said Jane firmly.
“I hear a carriage,” Elizabeth jumped from the bed and walked quickly to the window. “There are three carriages to be precise—Mr. Bingley’s, Viscount Bladen’s and Lord Matlock’s. We must go down,” Elizabeth grabbed her sister by the hand and pulled her from the room.
The sitting room filled quickly once the carriages had been divested of their occupants.
“Mrs. Gardiner,” said Darcy, “I have a few surprises for the children. Would you like to hide them until the morning, or would it be acceptable to give them to them now?” His excitement was clearly written across his face.
“I do not see how I can refuse you the right to witness their delight,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “The children are still above stairs in the nursery. Shall we take their surprises to them there?”
“A delightful idea.”
Mrs. Gardiner pulled Elizabeth close and whispered, “I thought I told you to not let him spoil the children.”
“I had no idea, Aunt. It appears he can be covert when he wishes.”
“My children will miss you both sorely when you have left town for Pemberley.”
“Then you shall have to visit,” said Elizabeth.
A squeal of delight greeted them as Mr. Darcy entered the nursery with arms full of gifts. There was a new soldier for Andrew, a boat for Michael, gloves of creamy white for Amelia and a small brown reticule decorated with golden embroidered flowers for Margaret. There was also a favourite sweet that was not to be eaten until after dinner.
“Mr. Darcy, I am most impressed by your selections. It appears you have discovered all of my children’s favourites.”
“It is not a difficult task when one listens and observes,” said Darcy trying to deflect the praise.
“Ah, but not all actually listen to children, you know,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “It is an admirable trait to be sure.”
“I find your children have very good taste when choosing favourites,” said Darcy taking Elizabeth’s hand and placing it in the crook of his arm.
“Indeed they do,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a laugh. “Shall we return to the adults?”
“I was hoping to have a few moments alone with Miss Elizabeth as I also have a gift for her.”
“May I suggest the back parlour,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “It may be free or nearly free of people. That should allow for some privacy.”
“Would you show him the way, Aunt? I have a gift for Mr. Darcy as well, but I must stop in my room to retrieve it.”
“Certainly. If you will follow me, Mr. Darcy.”
Not more than five minutes later, the couple was seated in a corner of the back parlour while Jane and Mr. Bingley were seated in the opposite corner.
Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip and held out her gift to Mr. Darcy. “I hope you like it. Georgiana assured me you would, but we were about to arrive late at your aunt’s house so she may have just been trying to hurry me along.” Elizabeth babbled on as her nerves got the better of her.
“I would treasure anything you gave me,” said Darcy, “simply because it meant you were thinking of me.”
“Georgiana said something very similar,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “Perhaps I should have taken her suggestion and wrapped up a rock.”
“A rock?”
“As I said, she was trying to hurry me along and suggested I was spending far too much time being indecisive.”
“I cannot imagine you being indecisive.”
“I have never bought a gift for a gentleman before except for my uncle and father, and well, the man I was thinking of was dearer to me than even them. I wanted it to be a gift that spoke to who he was.” Elizabeth dropped her eyes to study her hands. “Please open it. My nerves cannot handle the suspense much longer.”
“This is very fine quality,” said Darcy as he ran his hand over the cravat. “And what does this say about the man?”
“It says he is of very fine quality—the best of men,” said Elizabeth, a faint pink blush gracing her cheeks.
“Thank you,” said Darcy softly. Her admission causing his admiration for her to swell within his chest. He felt the second package. “This feels like a book,” he said as he untied the ribbon. “Ah, I guessed correctly.” He turned the book over in his hands. “Oh, it is one of my favourite poets, but it is scuffed? Dare I ask to what this speaks?”
“It seems that throwing books can cause damage to their lovely covers,” said Elizabeth.
“You threw this?” Darcy’s eyebrows knit in confusion.
“Remember the package I went to retrieve when…” She rubbed her arm. “I threw it at his gun. It helped me save Andrew.”
“You bought this on that day?” He ran his fingers gently over the scar on the cover.
“Yes. I thought of returning and buying one that was not damaged, but decided that the scuffed one spoke more than a perfectly unmarred copy would. The contents of the book speak to the emotions of the man—hidden behind an unassuming exterior much like the simple brown cover of this book. The scuff speaks not only of his struggle to protect those he loves, but it also speaks to the willingness I have to fight to be part of his life.”
Darcy turned the book over in his hands studying it. “My love, I have never received a more thoughtful gift. I shall treasure it always just as I treasure you.” He placed the book on a small table. “My gift to you symbolizes just how precious you are to me. Although the gift is of great price, its price is a pittance next to the value of the woman who wears it.” Darcy drew a small box out of his pocket and removed a necklace from it. It was a golden chain with a pendant made from a perfect pearl. “Perfect pearls are rare to find. There is great danger to the diver, yet he descends into the ocean to secure his treasure. Many divers spend the whole of their lives seeking to find such a pearl. Indeed, some lose their lives in the quest. So it is for me. My life is lost to your love. You are a treasure of great value, Elizabeth. I will spend my whole life seeking to be worthy of you. Your love is beyond price.”
Elizabeth placed her hand lightly on his cheek. “I have never felt so precious. Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” She leaned forward and kissed him.
He unclasped the chain and reaching forward, encircled her neck and clasped it again. He pulled back ever so slightly, his hands still resting at the back of her neck and looked at the necklace, the pearl resting just below the hollow at the base of her throat. “Lovely,” he breathed as he drew her head towards his for a second brief kiss—much shorter in duration than either of them wanted.
~*~*~
I enjoyed the music video and as for the cooking video, that little girl was adorable. What a sweetie. Thanks for sharing these with us. The excerpt sort of put us in the mood… that was so swoon-worthy. Happy Holidays, Leenie. Enjoy spending time with your family. We’ll see you next year. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year!
She is just so cute! And I love watching his videos. They are just so full of interesting information.