Bubble & Squeak: November 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thank You For Giving

With 60 degree temperatures outside and yellow leaves still clinging to branches, it's hard to believe that most of us will be sitting down at the table with our family and friends tomorrow for that much anticipated meal of all meals. For Bubble & Squeak, 2011 has been an incredible year, but one that would not have been as rewarding if it weren't for you, our readers. This Thanksgiving we want to take a moment to thank you all for your support during our first year in the blogosphere. Thank you for all of the wonderful comments we've received in person and online. We blog because we love to, but your comments keep us going every day. Thank you to all of our guest bloggers for sharing your dreams with our readers and for letting us into your homes. You've taught us that cabins come in many shapes, sizes, and locales, but the thing that makes a cabin a cabin, are the family and friends within. And lastly, we want to extend a very special thank you to our own family and friends. Your faithful love and encouragement over the years keeps us motivated and we're truly thankful for all of your support.

We know that you're in for a very busy weekend, but we hope that you can find a moment to thank the ones in your life who have loved and supported you along your journey.

Happy Thanksgiving from Bubble & Squeak!

1. "Wild Turkey Female" from "The Birds of America" folio collection by John James Audubon

1. Barbour
2. Redwing Wabasha Hand Sewn Boots

1. Autumn in Scotland

2. Drawing Room at Sandringham House, Norfolk, UK

1. Jacques Garcia

2. Antique Louis XVI Style Leather Dining Chairs Available at Blend Interiors

1. The World of Interiors

2. Still Life with Turkey Pie by G. Vervoorn

1. Festival Linen Napkin by Sferra Fine Linens

2. Pewter Pheasant Sauce Bowl by Vagabond House

1. English Country Interiors: Inside Cotswold Homes
2. "The Wild Turkey" from "The Birds of America" folio collection by John James Audubon

1. Bedroom at Skylands by Martha Stewart

2. Andrew Reflector Wall Sconce Designed by Mark Maresca for The Urban Electric Company

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

May The Best Man Lose, Part One

14 October 1910

Warwickshire, England

The guests began arriving in horseless carriages on Thursday morning with all of their baggage in tow. By late Friday evening, the footmen had already started complaining of blisters on their feet, and the ladies’ maids had run out of rumors to repeat. We all knew that this was going to be a long weekend. Lord Stopford had invited all of his guests for one reason and one reason only; not to announce his son’s marriage to the King’s daughter, but to assert his newly acquired social status. There would be shooting parties for the gentleman, lavish dinner parties in the evenings, an unprecedented wine tasting of the most desirable Lafite Rothschild vintages, and, as always, gossip, gossip, gossip.

I’ve heard all of the guests’ stories before. Lord Curtis and his steel factory meltdown, Lord Hodges and his many mistresses (female AND male), and Lady Coryton, whose maid should be knighted for the magic she performs on her ladyship’s hair and makeup each morning. One guest, however, I was not familiar with. He was not a fantastic individual by any means, rather, peculiar. Perfectly dressed, despite the fact that he traveled alone; not even a boot boy to polish his shoes! During the wine tasting, he refused the 1818 Lafite, by far the best vintage our Lordship could get his hands on. Instead, asking for another taste of the 1876, claiming the bottle’s colored glass was “more appealing” than the other. And when all of the gentlemen retired to the billiard room after dinner, he seemed to pay more attention to the table’s emerald green felt lining rather than sinking the balls into the pockets. Sir Leonard Charles Clifton. Even his name is odd, of no noble origin I can recall.

After dinner, the drinks were flowing and the guests were sparkling with conversation. Lord Stopford asked for his company to be gathered into the drawing room for the big announcement. Standing near Lady Stopford with a tray of 11 glasses full of champagne I noticed that there were only 10 guests in the room. Sir Clifton was nowhere to be seen. His oddities were beginning to wear on my patience. Instantly a scream from upstairs, with enough intensity to shake the champagne coupes on my tray, silenced the room. By the time I reached the source of the outburst Lady Coryton’s maid was lying lifeless on the floor. Down the hall, Clifton's door quietly closes.