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A Day to Savor ~ Cooking Dinner at Eastfield with Friends

I recently had the opportunity to cook dinner in the kitchen of the small Yellow Tavern at Eastfield. It was a day to remember, filled with friends, historic buildings, wonderful food and lively conversation. Simply perfect in every way…

On Sunday, in the brief lull between Thanksgiving and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, Brian and I were invited to spend a magical day at Historic Eastfield.  The entire day was the (almost) impromptu plan of Sandy Connors, a fellow doll lover & amazing artist who creates and prints wonderful wood engravings.  In just a few days time Sandy somehow managed to arrange for a private tour of Eastfield and the use of the Yellow Tavern.

Thank you Sandy and Scott for an amazing day!

What fun!  Planning the menu with co-hostess ( friend & exquisite doll maker) Peggy Flavin was just the beginning of a lovely adventure…

Our day started early, as we prepared to head 2 hours north in a van full of hearth equipment, kindling, food and dishes.

The kitchen in the Yellow Tavern was a welcoming space to cook in, from the same era as our house, but with a slightly more spacious hearth.  Peggy and I spent the morning getting the kitchen arranged to our satisfaction and cooking. Brian hauled our hearth equipment, food and utensils out of the cars, carried in wood and kept track of time for us. We took advantage of the additional fires burning in the other rooms of the tavern and set one of the tin kitchens in front of the parlor fireplace, where the chickens roasted and filled the air with delicious aromas…

What doll makers do on their day off!

Being with friends makes everything so much more fun 🙂

…gaiety & laughter abound…

Mid-way through the day Sandy arrived, bringing the guests of honor, Christine and Bob Crocker.  Christine makes charming 18th century style dolls that I love ❤ and writes for  A Simple Life magazine.  It was so nice to finally meet Christi in person!  Much like pen pals of long ago, who eventually had the chance to see one another face to face.

Scott Penpraze was very patient with us, as he guided Christi, Bob, Brian and me through all of the buildings in Eastfield and answered our many questions.  Peggy popped in and out of the tour, joining us for a bit here and there, then returning to the kitchen to see if Sandy needed help.  Eventually we returned to the tavern, where we all toasted bread over the hearth to enjoy with cheese and wine. Afterwards came a lively, boisterous dinner. If you love old buildings, Eastfield is as much a treat as Disney World.  It is a bit along the lines of Strawbery Banke Museum, but much more intimate and hands on.  In the morning when we first arrived at the little Yellow Tavern, it felt more like entering a house in a living history museum; but as the day went on, the fires warmed the rooms and the simple act of cooking and using the tavern for it’s intended purpose made it come alive!  As the candles burned down, we lingered over desert, wishing that such a perfect day would last just a bit longer…  ❤

Dinner at Eastfield

Sunday November 27^th, 2016

Menu

Pounded Cheese w/Toast

Blue Cheese w/Balsamic Vinegar & Toast

Manchego Cheese w/Quince Marmalade on Toast

Roasted Chicken

Garlic & Rosemary Roast Pork Loin with an Accompaniment of Quince Marmalade

Roasted Potatoes

Dressed Salad, receipt from The Virginia Housewife or, Methodical Cook

Stewed Mushrooms

Cranberry Sauce with Roxbury Russet Apples, Vanilla & Cinnamon

Dried Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Joe Frogger Cookies, Embossed Sugar Cookies, and Ginger Cakes

Wine

Cider

Sage Tea

Tea

I recently had the opportunity to cook dinner in the kitchen of the small yellow tavern at Eastfield. It was a day to remember, filled with friends, historic buildings, wonderful food and lively conversation. Simply perfect in every way…

* click on any image to enlarge

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