Monday, February 4, 2013

Carson the Butler's Bouillon Spoon, Cup & Saucer

   Last week on Downton Abbey, the audience is brought in on a scene where Carson the Butler is displaying and explaining various flat silver serving pieces to the Second Footmen. The newly hired Footman correctly guesses all the pieces save, at last, the poor old Bouillon Spoon.
   Bouillon is served at a formal or informal Luncheon as a light course, where there may be only one wine served for the whole of the Luncheon. Because Bouillon is a thin broth, it is not thought to be substantial enough to be served with its own wine at a multiple course dinner with multiple wines. Poor Bouillon.
   The Bouillon Spoon looks like a shorter stumpier version of the more popular and recognizable Cream Soup Spoon. It is used with the Bouillon Cup and Saucer which is a smaller version of the Cream Soup Bowl and Saucer, or Stand. It is smaller because Bouillon broth cools quickly as it is a thin broth.
   The Bouillon Cup and Cream Soup Bowl are hand honed and have two handles, one on either side of the cup or bowl. Unlike the Cream Soup Bowl, the Bouillon Cup, may be drunk out of by the handles, or sipped from the bouillon spoon. The spoon is then placed on the saucer, never on the tablecloth, place mat or table.
   In conclusion, as a light soup, bouillon is light and lovely at a Luncheon. Enjoy!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Be Careful of Negitave, Shocking Posts on Facebook

   As the Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey says: "Don't be defeatist dear, it's very middle class." It's true.
   Please be careful about posting very personal, mostly negative, possibly upsetting information on Facebook. Like your Mother taught you, stick close to your good health and the weather.
   After a certain age (about 25), adults have their own problems and do not need or want to constantly read about every detail of your ongoing problems, disasters and bad happenings in your life.
   Pleasantly and mindlessly reading along on my Facebook feed one day, my eyes tripped up upon a post from a "friend" that stated: "Mr. 'So-in-so' has died in a car accident"...what? I was shocked. Reading on, I learned the deceased was NOT a family member or relative of the "friend" who posted this information, and the post was abrupt, tactless and the tone seemed to scream out for attention. I wondered to myself if the family of the deceased knew of this Facebook posting and what they would think.
   Moral of the story, do not use Facebook as a negative attention getting vehicle. If you need attention because you are sick, depressed, having a bad day or life in general, legal problems, or a family member is in the hospital, Hospice, or has tragically died, call someone. Do not post sudden deaths, shocking or "downer" information on Facebook. It does not come across well.
  Facebook can be an appropriate and convenient vehicle in which to post the passing of loved ones assuming this potentially devastating information is posted gently, carefully, tastefully and in the most positive light possible, including informational and directional links for those readers interested, such as an on-line obituary link or funeral information. In this light, a posting of this type can be fast, convenient and helpful to everyone involved.
   Again, as your Mother says, "Do not wash your laundry in public."
 Mother always knows best!