Energize and Organize: Downton Abbey Farewell Brunch with the "7th Earl of Grantham" and the "Countess of Grantham"

Yesterday afternoon Terri, Janey, Debbie and I gathered at the beautiful home of Debbie, "Countess of Grantham",  and Jeff,  "7th Earl of Grantham",  for a lovely luncheon and Downton Abbey DVD viewing of the Season Six grande finale.    Sisterhood "Gal Pals", Kathy, Laurie, Lee, Marcia, and Nancy were unable to attend but were with us in Downton Abbey  spirit!

Debbie set a gorgeous dining room table with her ancestors' beautiful china and exquisite linens.  She served a scrumptious British luncheon featuring fine finger sandwiches and delicious tea.  It was a "most proper" gathering of dear friends who share a cherished friendship and love of all things Downton!

For a basic table setting, here are two great tips to help you–or your kids–remember the order of plates and utensils from  www.emilypost.com

1. Picture the word “FORKS.” The order, left to right, is: F for Fork, O for the Plate (the shape!), K for Knives and S for Spoons. (Okay, you have to forget the R, but you get the idea!)
2. Holding your hands in front of you, touch the tips of your thumbs to the tips of your forefingers to make a lowercase ‘b’ with your left hand and a lowercase ‘d’ with your right hand. This reminds you that “bread and butter” go to the left of the place setting and “drinks” go on the right. Emily Post could have used that trick–she was often confused about which bread and butter belonged to her–and sometimes she used her neighbor’s! In which case, when it was called to her attention, she would say to the dismayed lady or gentleman, “Oh, I am always mixing them up. Here, please take mine!”

Some other things to know:

• Knife blades always face the plate
• The napkin goes to the left of the fork, or on the plate
• The bread and butter knife are optional

Source:  Emily Post

In addition to the basic table setting, the informative www.emilypost.com site details organizational information for informal and formal table settings and a fabulous Youtube video of a Downton Abbey Table Setting competition held at the Essex Resort and Spa in Essex, Vermont. You may view the video at ... https://youtu.be/J66CzYwJaHw

Farewell to the much beloved Crawley family!  It's been an extraordinary six seasons for viewers around the world!  Wishing my blog readers and your families/friends deepest well being and happiness today and every day!

​Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts  Contact:  617.640.2366  http://www.energizeandorganize.com