Lucas Pam

Colorful drawing of Mount Vernon in the winter with carriages and guests arriving by Pinterest

History Nuggets: George Washington’s Boozy Christmas Eggnog

Published on December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 by Lucas Pam5 Comments

So recorded…by his own hand…George’s recipe for boozy eggnog that was quite the hit during the Christmas season at Mount Vernon…

George Washington’s Christmas Eggnog

“One quart cream, one quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one pint brandy, ½ pint rye whiskey, ½ pint Jamaica rum, ¼ pint sherry—mix liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of 12 eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.”

Inspirational photo by Pinterest

walnuts (tree nuts) and peanuts (legumes) on a cutting board with a nut cracker

Cinquain: Holiday Nuts

Published on December 4, 2017 by Lucas Pam2 Comments

Nut meat

Nut crackers please

Hard shell and seed revealed

Aroma and textures delight

Crunchy

Inspirational photo by Pixabay

Good news for people with nut allergies.

Golden Retriever Brodie featured in a snowflake

Golden Brodie softly barks: Get a dog and save your life?

Published on December 3, 2017 by Lucas Pam9 Comments

My golden retriever self wants to share this researched finding! Yep…get a dog and possibly live a longer and healthier life…so if your life fits this research go immediately to your local animal shelter and find yourself “your life-saver/furry friend”. Pups of all shapes & sizes are waiting for you…oh what a great giver you would be…and my four-legged friends would bring joy…continued love and happiness in return.

Go save a life…get life…what a winning combo! Golden paws up during this holiday season.

Inspirational photo of Golden Brodie by PamelaWLucas 11/17

President Franklin D Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill light the US National Christmas Tree in 1941

History Nuggets: FDR lights White House Christmas after declaring war

Published on December 3, 2017 by Lucas PamLeave a comment

“President Franklin D. Roosevelt (standing) and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (right) speak from the south portico of the White House while lighting the official tree on Christmas Eve, 1941.” Imagine the heavy hearts and trepidation for the world at this time.

Although the war began with Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland in September 1939, the United States did not enter the war until after the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. The United States declared war against Japan the next day, December 8, 1941.

Inspirational photo by White House Archives

Official 2016 White House Ornament - Fire Truck Pumper

History Nuggets: 1929 Christmas Eve Fire in the White House

Published on December 1, 2017 by Lucas Pam3 Comments

In 1929 a fire broke out on Christmas Eve in the White House during a party for staff and their children. As flames licked the walls of West Wing offices, 130 firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. The next year, President Herbert Hoover sent toy fire trucks to some of his young guests.

The 2016 Official White House Christmas Ornament was a replica of the many “pumpers”that worked furiously from hydrants up to five blocks away from the White House to supply the water necessary to combat the flames.

Photo by the White House Historical Society

Vintage Christmas compliments of Pinterest. Table tree with candles lite and children playing around their toys and the tree.

History Nuggets: 1889 First White House Christmas Tree

Published on November 30, 2017 by Lucas Pam4 Comments

President Benjamin Harrison and his family introduced the first indoor White House Christmas tree in the upstairs oval room, the family’s private parlor. The White House at this point lacked electrical power, so the family decorated their tree with candles…as many did. The People’s House received electricity in 1891.

Benjamin Harrison, (1833 – 1901), 23rd President of the United States and the grandson of the ninth president, William Henry Harrison, created the only grandfather-grandson duo to hold the office.

What was happening in 1889?…Eiffel Tower opens, commemorates French Revolution…Dakotas, Montana and Washington admitted to the union…Bayer introduces aspirin in powder form (Germany).

Inspiring photo by Pinterest

Photo of a child dragging a christmas tree compliments of Pinterest

History Nuggets: 1903 – Christmas tree smuggled inside the White House

Published on November 29, 2017 by Lucas Pam2 Comments

President Theodore Roosevelt and his wife hosted a carnival at the White House for more than 500 children. They served a favorite of many past presidents — ice cream molded into the shape of Santa Claus. President Roosevelt did not approve of chopping down evergreens, so he banned them from the White House. However, his son smuggled in a tree and hid it in the sewing closet.

Theodore Roosevelt, 1858 – 1919, the 26th president of the United States (1901–09).

Inspirational photo by Pinterest

History Nuggets: White House snowball fight

Published on November 28, 2017 by Lucas Pam8 Comments

Christmas in 1834 brought no snow to Washington, DC. However, that did not stop President Andrew Jackson from having a snowball fight inside the White House for his children and his friends children. The party was lively with dinner, games and singing…ending with throwing snowballs made of cotton on the ready for a friendly rumpus.

What was happening in 1834?…In August…Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire…In October…1st black to obtain a U.S. patent, Henry Blair, for a corn planter…In November… Delmonico’s, one of New York’s finest restaurants, provides a meal of soup, steak, coffee and half a pie for 12 cents.