Christmas 1912

Aug 9

Written By Don Holland

Chapter 47

The Letters - Part 1
Gramercy Park, NY

There were three letters that day.

Two arrived at the same time. One came a little later. It was sent by special courier.

The first two were from the young men’s mothers. Franklin Wilder’s was sent from China Berry Farm in Savannah. It had been forward from his school address at Cornell. Sebastian De’Alba’s came from the Cuban Embassy in Washington.

The two young men were sitting in the library of the De ’Alba’s Gramcery Park home. They preferred spending time there instead of the morning room. The wing chairs were a butter soft cordovan leather and gave one the feeling of being nestled. The roaring fireplace cast a perfect warmth into the mahogany paneled room. The house still used wood for the fireplaces instead of coal. The aroma from a wood fire was always reminded Sebastian of home and the evergreens that surrounded it. The warm smell intermingled with the aroma of the cedar swags and cascades, the housekeeping staffed employed to decorate the house for the holidays.

The tranquil setting was a sharp contrast to the howling winds and driving snow that could be experience through the windows. Inside the two felt safe and protected. The young men had no desire to venture out into the cruel weather. Instead, they were spending the day taking turns reading out loud the latest novel by Thomas Mann, Death in Venice and drinking a very strong Café Cubano and noshing on fig tarts. Sebastian loved the coffee’s taste and consistency. He had been drinking it since he was old enough to join the family at the dinner table. Franklin found the drink to be somewhat bitter and way to strong. He considered it an acquired taste. He refused to be dissuaded from using cream and sugar, despite Sebastian’s eye rolling and playful taunts when he stirred the condiments into the dark thick quaff.

A seeming promise of a quiet Tuesday morning was not to be. Rosa, the housekeeper brought in the letters from the men’s mothers on the silver salver. The tray had been a wedding gift to Sebastian’s parents. It was always to be found on the receiving table, next to a small mahogany box that held one of the trust keys to the gate of the neighborhood park. Over the years, the tray held many interesting and life changing missives. Today was one of those days.

Dear Franklin,

I have the most incredible news!

A 19-foot Frazier Fir has been selected from our farm as this year’s White House Christmas Tree! Can you believe it? Right here from our own China Berry Farm! Our lovely first lady from Savannah, Ellen Wilson insisted that this years’ tree come from her home state! Two rangers were dispatched from the National Park Service to go out with your father and find the most perfect tree they could. It is so beautiful. I hate to see them cut her down, but they will replace it with two more saplings. Not only that, but Ellen has invited your father and I to the White House for its delivery! We are to be her personal guests at a reception afterwards in the Blue Room where the tree will be decorated and put on display. Father and I will be taking the same train as the tree. Ellen remembered you were studying Landscape Architecture at Cornell and thought you should attend the event. Of course, I accepted for you.

She also said she saw you at a reception at the Cuban Embassy in the Spring with a very handsome young man who is the Ambassador’s oldest son. She said you were two of the most striking men in the room. Odd you never mentioned him or going to such an important event. Anyway, she wants you and this young man to attend the tree arrival ceremony and the reception.

Do plan to leave with us from Washington and we will all travel home together. We can’t wait to have you back home at China Berry Farm for Christmas and the New Year. Father sends his love.

Apparently, we have a lot to talk about.

Love always,
Mother

As a stunned Franklin was reading his letter, Sebastian was reading his own.

(Translated from Spanish)

My Beautiful Boy,

Your father and I have been invited by First Lady, Ellen Wilson for the arrival ceremony and reception for the White House Christmas tree. I considered it just another reception but there was an interesting twist. She is insisting you attend and bring your friend Franklin! I remember how she was taken with him at your father’s inauguration ceremony when he became ambassador. It seems a rather odd request but of course we accepted for you and Franklin. We really did not get to spend any time with him on your visit. So, plan to bring him with you. Apparently, the White House tree is coming from the boy’s family farm. I can’t imagine farmers at the White House, but Mrs. Wilson seems to be insistent. Do they own a lot of property?

I find the whole affair more than curious.

We will talk.

My love to you,

Momma

Both men sat speechless in their chairs. It was good they were sitting down. For it was then that Rosa rushed in. She was rather flushed and speaking in lighting speed Spanish.

On the silver salver was a letter addressed to both of them from First Lady Ellen Wilson.

Boys,

Do plan to join me at White House Christmas Tree arrival ceremony and reception. LOVE for both of you to be there. Oh, and your parent’s will be there as well. Hope that is not a problem. Please allow me to make all the introductions. And, don’t worry, leave everything to me. I will not take no for an answer. All will be fine.

Details to follow.

Love,
Ellen

Sebastian says, “Franklin, this may be uncomfortable.

To which he replied and chuckled. “Without a doubt.”

Honeyed Fig, Pancetta & Blue Cheese Tartlets

INGREDIENTS

6 whole dried figs, stems removed
1 c. hot water
3 1/2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. Southern Conserve Classic Fig Preserves (melted in the microwave)
2 oz. (1/2 of a 4-ounce package) pancetta
1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/3 c. crumbled blue cheese
1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Stir the figs, water and 2 tablespoons honey and Southern Conserve Classic Preserves in a medium bowl. Let stand for 1 hour. Drain the figs well in a colander. Coarsely chop the figs.

Step 2

Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the pancetta, chopped figs, rosemary, cheese and remaining honey in a medium bowl.

Step 3

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 (2 1/2-inch wide) strips. Discard the remaining pastry. Cut each pastry strip into 4 (2 1/2-inch) squares, making 12 in all. Press the pastry squares into 12 (1 3/4-inch) mini muffin-pan cups. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons pancetta mixture into each pastry square.

Step 4

Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Remove the pastries from the pan and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary, if desired.

Step 5

Time-Saving: Fresh figs are in season in the fall and the spring. You can substitute 6 chopped fresh figs, stems removed, for the Honeyed Figs. Stir in with the pancetta, cheese and honey as directed in the first step.