Come and Dine Competition

This sounds fabulous! We so loved Downton Abbey and miss tuning in weekly.
The sweeping views and beautiful music just transformed me.
Thank you for this possible opportunity of visiting your home.
You offered recipes to the poster above...I would be thrilled.

Wonderful idea. I will be hosting a dinner party for 12 of my dear friends in December. Perhaps I can use some of your recipes. Hilary Mahon

Thank you for the first-rate inspiration. My Downton Abbey class and I will most likely fill the bill with food, drink and Downton abbey attire.

Will we get points off for simplifying recipes? Love the idea of dressing up and all but the drudgery of preparing anyone's great grandmother recipes sounds dismal and time consuming. And of course few of us in America, as in Modern Day England, have the requisite staff, to quite pull this off with panache and grace!

I love a reason to gather my friends together for good food and wine. Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for suggesting this. Now to begin the creative juices and start cooking a delicious meal using the recipes from your book and blog. Just finished reading Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey. Great read.

Lord and Lady Carnarvon, thank you for providing this opportunity. Such a celebration of grace and beauty would be a dream come true!

My husband gave me the book (in German) for Christmas. I will definitely be interested in more details of the competition. :-) It is a lovely book I can highly recommend!

Dear Mrs. Carnavon,
we visited your home in June 2016 because we love Downton Abbey. My husband gave me your latest book in German with the recipes. Some of them are familiar to me because my mother cooked them. I will be pleased to give a dinner at the occasion of my birthday on 26 January 2018 and cook some recipes of this lovely book. Would it be possible to send me the conditions of this competition, so I can prepare myself.
I wish you and everybody at Highclere Castle all the best and a happy New Year.
Angelina

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read your generous and lovely contest! As a superfan across the pond, I fangirl everything Highclere!!! I am savoring EVERY page of At Home at Highclere and am so excited to try the recipes which are beautifully laid out and made very simple to understand! My daughter threw me a Downton Birthday party a few years ago and it was one of my most favorite birthday to date! SO of course I can't wait to host a dinner party in my home with my of superfan friends! Thank you sooo sooo much Lady Carnarvon for this wonderful idea and opportunity to support PBS and have fun!

Oh, My Goodness!!! This is a generous offer from you and your husband and an exciting opportunity for a few lucky Downton Abbey Fans!!! I love how you have paired this competition with a fundraising effort for PBS! I keep waiting for Queen Victoria from PBS' "Victoria" to show up for a visit to Highclere Castle!!! EXCITING!!! Thanks!

do you have a recipe for victoria sponge
thank you
sharon akins

Would it be possible to combine a Viking Cruise to either end of the trip understanding that the cost would be ours? If we won, the travel time from/to NW Montana would make it advantageous to extend the visit.....and what a truly great time would be had! I'm already having a fine time planning our feast.

You should open this up to dinner parties not just from the month of February, I have incredible photos from a Downton Themed dinner party I did to watch the finale. My friends and family even dressed up and my son played footman!

Every year for the past 5 years we have hosted a Downton Style dinner complete with 7-9 courses, sterling, china, dress, the whole thing. This year's Victoria dinner we had to postpone into March, wouldn't you know! Alas

What a fabulous idea! I live in Fullerton, CA but were lucky enough to attend your special invitation tour and tea last June 3rd with my 18 year old daughter and husband. My daughter loves english history so found the tour so fascinating. You were so gracious, letting us meet your dogs and signing your book. We have tried recreating some of the recipes in the book, but have not mastered the carrot, coriander, ginger & coconut soup that was so amazing on that cold morning. Any recipes you can share to use at our event would be greatly appreciated!

My wife and I had the privilege of visiting Highclere Castle.
We hope to return at some point in the future. However, we would both love to see a special event with Downton Abbey cast members presence highlighting the event.
What a special treat that would be and what a great way to generate exceptional interest and revenue.

Ronald E. Janus

While I have thoroughly enjoyed your website and blogs highlighting life inside Highclere Castle, I was amazed to discover that Highclere is STILL a working farm as well! I very much enjoyed: the Harvester Combine, the barn, the horses and newborn lamb videos!
As a girl growing up in Kansas, I spent many summers on and around our combine; helping my dad harvest wheat. While we never raised lambs, I am very familiar with horses, cows, pigs and chickens.
If I am lucky enough to be chosen as one of the winners of your contest, do you think it might be possible for my guests and myself to see a bit of the farm as well? I live in a condo now, but, I am still a country girl at heart!

At the Captiva Island Yacht Club on Captiva Island, Florida we had our very own Downton Abby
Dinner party. Guests arrived by vintage station wagon in impressive Downton Abby attire. The
serving staff was appropriately dressed in black and white, and British memorabilia was tastefully
displayed.
Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding topped the menu, and after dinner dancing was to tunes heard
in episodes of our beloved Downton Abby series. It was the most successful event of our season!
I have lovely photos which I would be happy to share if I knew ho to do it. I only know how to
e-mail pictures, not insert them into this format.
I was a member of the party from Debonaire Travel that were privileged to have a private tour
at Highclere on May 25 of this year (2018).
You were such a gracious and delightful hostess and we so appreciated the time you took to share
your experiences and plans for keeping Highclere prosperous and relevant.
I have read your book about Lady Allmina, and will soon order the other books. I look forward to
following your blog.

Beautiful setting! There is nothing like a well-dressed table.

Dear Lady Carnarvon,
As the secretary of a WI Group in the Basingstoke Area, I wondered if you would be prepared to give a talk to our members. Our Group contains WIs from Hannington, North Waltham, Bramley,
Chineham, Overton and Oakley to mention a few. I don't know whether you do speak in public but if you were able we would be pleased to have you. Obviously there would be a fee and the date I am proposing may not be suitable for you but would be in March 2019.

Yours
Gill Dixon
Sec. Loddon Group and Chineham WI.

Dear Lady Carnarvon,

Happy New Year 2018 to you, your family and your wonderful staff!

I'm glad to see a picture of Luis who very warmly welcomed us (me and my food allergies...and my husband) to your tea room early July last summer. He was also very nice and generous in answering our questions and the ladies' on the table next to us about Downton Abbey the real and the TV show filming. In all, he just understood that I came a long way just to be there and have a cup of tea and that's all that mattered that rainy day (the first in two weeks we were in England!).

This Come and Dine made a real sparkle with my circle of friends and family who enjoyed the series... now we are planning...

Keep writing, it is always a pleasure to read you and look at the beautiful pictures you share with us.

May 2018 be full of good, great and funny anecdotes for us, your readers and followers! (c :
Chantal Leblanc
Montréal, Canada

Dear Lady Carnarvon
What a wonderful event. Oh how magical it would be for us to be part of such a special dinner occasion. The thing dreams are made of! Just as well since we live in New Zealand.
We met Luis on 14 July - he was charming & made us feel both welcome & special.
We’re sure you’ll have the most amazing success & the winners will be the luckiest people ever. More than a wee bit envious.

Dear Lady Carnarvon,

What a great piece of information on how to set a proper table. I am in the process of selecting the friends that will be invited to our Downton Abbey dinner party. I look forward to reviewing the upcoming e-mails regarding how to prepare for a formal dinner party.

Best Regards,

Radine Klein

Good afternoon, Lady Carnarvon,
I have admired Highclere for many years as my former husband's family lived in Big Horn, Wyoming and knew your husband's mother, Jean Wallop. We used to receive a Christmas card every year with the beautiful picture of Highclere from Jeannie and Porchy.
Now I live in New Hampshire at a Life Care facility and for 2 years we hosted the PBS premier showing of Downton Abbey. I lived vicariously by wearing my grandmother's dress and dreamed one day of visiting Highclere. How wonderful of you to open your home to the world and to the millions of people who have enjoyed, and may I say, been addicted to, Downton Abbey.
Thank you for your graciousness and your gift.
Nancy Cameron

It can be tricky if you only slightly know the guests you've invited. So as not to cause any embarrassment to yourself or the guests I almost always check in advance if they like certain foods.
I'm not a lover of anything fishy in the least, and several years ago we were invited to a lunch of people who we did know fairly well. So sitting in the garden waiting to see what delights my friend had cooked up, she plonked a huge bowl of paella in the middle of the table, complete with octopuses legs haging over the edge. She gave me the 1st huge bowl full saying "is that enough for you ?" Rude as it was I just had to say that I couldn't eat it. So my lunch consisted of a bowl of a green salad (just green leaves) not even any crusty bread :(
The other friends around the table did later agree it was a bit of a strange lunch to prepare, without checking out people's taste.
We're having firends round tomorrow and I know in advance they thet all like prawns, turkey and christmas pud. Yes! yes! I know not more turkey, but infact we are doing an other complete Christmas dinner. Just a twist at the end we're finishing it off with Christmas pudding pancakes with warm orange sauce and home made ice cream mmmm.
I guess also if there's time, a second dish is also an option, when entertaining people you're not too sure about.
I know our lunch tomorrow will all go down well, not too well I hope, I'm hoping they'll be some turkey for butties the next day mmmmmm

Love your Blog...:) Not sure I will be able to pull off a Come and Dine Event...but did want to comment a couple things. Your friend and I look so much alike, and I thought it was strange...as someone asked if I was from Norway recently :D...(I'm American.) Also the book, Dogtown Abbey sounds really cute. I love dogs...have a houseful of little ones here. Anyway, I have to come up with some creative ways of connecting with other fans...I'm out past Palm Springs now..so it may be tough. And I have pneumonia at the moment..so double tough. However, whether or not I can be part of this contest...I so enjoy reading everything you write and your beautiful photos. One day we will meet...:) xo K

How nice is to see the invitation cards written in style, tradition and class, instead of an email announcement, as we are now sadly accustomed.

Dear Lady Carnarvon:

I had the pleasure to see you and your dog at the Christening of our Viking Ship in the middle of London, we were on the Viking Sea.

I had watched every episode of Downton Abbey and it was my favorite show, your Castle is amazing, I could only imagine the way of life of those times, I cannot believe that you live in that Castle. I felt I was special to have such an honor to have you in our same Ship.

I will never forget our trip and the Christening of the Viking Sea, we are about to take another Viking Ocean Cruise this month, and have taken several more and have 1 more for this year and 2 more next year. My husband and I love the Viking Cruises and won't try any other.

I would love to take another one and visit your Castle, I will ask my husband to grant it for me!

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to enjoy your Castle.

Many Blessings,
Hortencia Ray
Columbus, Georgia, USA

Lady Carnavon
My wife and I are great fans of Downton Abbey and admire Highclere Castle immensely. As a surprise for my wife I was wondering if it would be possible to attend a dinner at the castle during our next trip to the United kingdom in late October of this year. I'm attending a military function in London and think it a great opportunity to dine at Highclere and stay a night in this amazing setting. I hope this is possible and I look forward to your response.

GREAT IDEA .

What wonderful fun to write the cards in hieroglyphs! Like Lord Carnarvon's Great Grandfather, my own Grandfather worked in Egypt, although, being an engineer, he was not so fortunate as to discover a Pharaoh's tomb! Keeping one's family history alive certainly provides inspiration for celebration. This will be the starting point of our dinner. Such fun! The hieroglyph cards are such a creative way to bring the past into the present!

We have a group we call "Crazy Eights" and we still give dinner parties while it seems they have gone out of favor in this techno world - so much fun planning together - so happy you have encouraged others to do it right - Can't wait to see the winner

Dear Lady Carnarvon
It is so interesting to watch each of your video.And for me as the non English speaking person it is a great pleasure to listen to your original English speech.
You have made very elegant decoration of garden's flowers but without of help of professional designers.
Do you like the idea to decorate the table for the party to combine some fruit and flowers or a small branches
of flowering plants?
I wish well being.

Lovely! Thank you for posting.

Thank-you for this lovely video of your arrangements. A joy to watch.

Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you very much for sharing this video. What type of wiring did you use for this arrangement? I have just begun reading your blog and I feel so at home. I am always excited to receive an update with a new post! It is my hope that one day I will be able to see Highclere and witness the beauty and history for myself.
Thank you for letting us glimpse part of your world!

What wonderful cava at Highclere! I so enjoyed seeing his Lordship remark on his choices of the wines and the reference to what were his father's favorites, too. I am looking into the array of Greek wines for our dinner: a white wine from the vineyards near Meteora, a red wine from the area of Halkidiki near the Aegean Sea coastline, and a traditional mastic liqueur for the finale. The mastic comes from the Island of Chios, appropriately named "Omeriko" ("Homer's")

Good Morning,
I have a GOLDEN RULE about wine selection!
RED wine for all types of red meat!
WHITE wines for fish and poultry of any kind!
And if it is a cool night, warm the wine before drinking it, and you will get the BEST night sleep you have had in years!
Thanks for reading,
John L. Roberts
Amherst, N.Y. U.S.A

A completely non-relevant comment; Thank you for putting Closed Caption on your videos so the deaf can enjoy them!! ( I'm a deafie who doesn't know sign language..)

I'm in Washington State, along the Columbia Gorge, which is quickly turning into the new "Napa" Valley! We have even made wine ourselves! My father was a wine maker!
There is nothing more adventurous than a well stocked wine cellar!

Happy Spring!

Elizabeth Anne Mullenix

Dear Lady Carnarvon,

Little did I know what a SURPRISE I would be waking up to this morning when I opened your latest, "Come and Dine" update!

The first thing I saw was my name along with one of my co-host's names on your blog! Then I clicked on "READ MORE" and immediately saw the photo's you posted of the stages of cooking your soup recipe; I screamed out loud with joy, THANK YOU! Although it was not even 7 a.m. yet I called my friend Jill and she answered the phone as I forwarded your blog to her and then she started screaming with delight as well! Minutes later we started receiving texts of excitement from the other ladies; Susan replied, "THATS AMAZING" and Tina said, "SHE WAS OVER THE MOON!"

We just wanted to share with you how much this little idea of getting together with four friends to organize a Valentines dinner party in the name of our love for all things "Downton" has grown into something much more special. We have tapped into our friends foundation and are using our resources and creativity to spread out and touch many lives beyond our own with new friends, students of music and children who need our attention in hospitals.
Thank you again for inspiring us and brightening our day!
Sincerely,
Cherie Gould

I made your chocolate pot recipe for my Mum after she came home from hospital and she and everyone else here loved it! Thank you for the video showing how you prepare them! So delicious it’s a favorite now!

Dear Lady Carnarvon
First a gloomy subject. I saw a program the other day on TV ( I am in France and watching British TV) about English houses. I was glad to see you... surveying the horrendous damage caused by fire. I remember being told that the great iron mesh screens at Hatfield (near my home in St Albans) were installed because of a fire. I was heartbroken at the thought of that beautiful house and its wonderful contents being destroyed. I am sure you will implement alarms and sprinklers ..even though they are expensive. I live most of the time in Texas where houses seem to be made of wood and paper. It is a constant worry for everyone and cities are very strict about the height of grass, alarms etc. We have only a few , very few, minutes to get out. Very frightening...but oh~! That lovely house! I can't forget it. More cheerfully; reading your blog about having friends to dinner, I have decided to quit my 'downsized 'house and get one with a proper dining room. I miss the dinner parties we used to have and although my son gives great dinners with exquisite food .. it isn't MY dinner party! Keep warm ! We have snow. With shutters closed and heating eating Euros, I am sending good wishes to you, the family , staff and of course horses and dogs ! From Josee Hawkins (struggling with my husband's lap top since he spilled wine on the keyboard and the keys stick)

My granddaughter (10) and I are going to visit Highclere Castle at the end of March. We are coming from Maryland, just outside Washington DC. I wish I had seen this sooner, I would have had her host a luncheon for her friends before we went, as it is there is not enough time. That would have been so much fun and a real learning experience. I hope to do this with her when we get back and have already sent a link to her. I love the history and she loves the glitz. Best of luck to all the applicants.''

Thank you for supporting PBS my favorite station!

Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am writing from our home here in Southern Georgia, USA . I have just watched a beautifully present tele show of tbe "Downtown Abbey" with the cordell backdrop so fitting in the beating heart of Highclere, presented by the Lord and Yourself. Realizing the Lord and yourself are Stewards to the place you both call Highclere home. As a side note, I once lived, not so long ago, in Sunningdale, Berkshire,UK. Now retired back in the USA.

Both my Fiancee' and I are joining friends in the UK to travel about for history and my family heritage.
We will be looking at Highclere's website for opportunities to visit during the summer 2018 if possible. The Rothschild Family are friends of mine here in the US, as they are still in the Fabric Industry in Columbus, Georgia, my hometown.

Keep up the great post and work all are doing to retaining the keen restorations to such a grand historical home! Im an sure onbe day in the future George will enjoy the fruits of all labor on Highclere.


Kindest regards,

W. Mark Hall

This is wonderful! It’s like being at Highclere and having you so graciously guide us through your home.

Thank you for sharing the Chocolate Pots video. I have made them twice as trial runs for our big night this Sunday: once with Lady Almina's vanilla finish and once with your orange version. As we are fortunate enough to have oranges ready to pick in the garden, we cannot help but prefer your orange version.

Our inspiration for the event is to throw a white tie dinner as it would have been held in the 1920's here in Arcadia, California, when railroad magnates like the Huntingtons and the Stanfords attempted to "civilize" California. We have been having so much fun researching, gathering antique silver, hunting down missing china pieces, choosing monograms for the linens, arranging
"period-correct" transportation for the guests, setting the table, practicing flower arrangements, studying your latest book and trying your absolutely wonderful recipes.

We have made an effort to showcase our California locale into the event by incorporating the beautiful peacocks that roam our grounds into our theme and adding backyard produce like avocado and persimmons into the menu. Thank you for your fabulous inspiration and for your recognition of the national treasure that we have in PBS.

Your chocolate pots look absolutely fantastic, and I am such a choco-lover. We had, of course, creamy chocolate cake for my birthday "Lords and Ladies" dinner that I hosted on Sunday, Feb.4th (email and photos sent!) But I am going to gather the same friends after Easter holidays and surely make your chocolate pots! We did have steamed shrimps for our fish-seafood course, along with the octopus and calamari...so Greek! But for a luncheon treat I shall try your potted shrimp, sounds tangy and tasty! Thank you, Lady C., the "Come and Dine" event idea is so much fun.

Wonderful videos and the funny thing is that while I was watching them, the theme song from Downton Abbey came on my radio station! What a coincidence!

Lady Carnarvon,

I am so pleased that I received an email with a link to your videos. I've watched several and I am eager to try the chocolate pots. A couple of years ago, I enjoyed a wonderful tour and high tea at Highclere Castle and this took me back.................and made me smile.

Kudos to you on your fund raising efforts for PBS. So many Americans love the programing and we appreciate what PBS offers.

Please keep the videos coming. Ahhh...........if only I had an Aga Stove. :-)

Best Regards,

Linda Colson

Dear Lady Carnarvon,

So sad, I won't be able to host a dinner in time this year and hope you will make this a tradition, looking forward to next year.

I just moved and I thought my condo/flat would be more ready to have some guests than it is right due to renovations.

But I'm keeping the ideas... and those chocolate pots look amazing, I will try that for sure! Simple and delicious, that's my kind of recipe!

Best regards,
Chantal Leblanc
Montréal, Canada

Lady Carnarvon,
Greetings from Texas! I hosted my first ever real dinner party last night for a small group of friends to celebrate a very special and seemingly miraculous birthday (details in my email Come and Dine entry). I'm so thankful you are hosting this contest because it was the driving force to plan and prepare something fun and exciting. Thank you for continuing to open your home and life to all of us. You are a great inspiration. I hope we made you proud last night!
Best,
Chad Vickers

It was a pleasure to be able to participate! I had a lovely dinner party, raised funds for our local PBS station - KBPS - and was inspired by the recipes in "At Home in Highclere." Thank you for this opportunity.

Good luck to everyone who entered! Without a doubt, everyone who participated is a winner just in the sheer fun and enjoyment of it all, and I can't wait to see some of the entries in the coming weeks. All the best! Jody.

Dear Lady Carnarvon ......I think climbing those is a marvelous idea !!! Visitors will get hungry and thirsty and make haste for refreshments !! Think about those poor souls that would have to walk these stairs after working all day !!! But I think they were happy to have a roof over their head, food to eat and proud to tell other people.....we're part of Highclere !!!

Lady Carnarvon,
Just like a plot twist from "Downton Abbey", my lunch event came with it's own drama! We got unseasonably warm weather this past week & I turned on my air conditioning for the first time this year. It quickly became clear that my ac unit was not working properly. Since my lunch was only two days away, I immediately scheduled a service call. The repairman felt more coolant would do the trick. Sadly, that was not the case.
During the visit, my fan motor ceased to work altogether! A picture of six women sweltering in their summer dresses and hats, flashed thru my mind. Panic, panic, panic!
I am not sure if it was the look on my face, or the stress in my voice as I explained the situation but after a few phone calls--it was deemed an emergency and my job was moved to the top of the list.
So....one day before my luncheon, I had workers, equipment and mess everywhere! I was cooking in a kitchen with no air---just a fan blowing in the general direction of my oven. But, by 6 pm, the new ac unit was installed and it was becoming blissfully cool again. And, my lunch went on as scheduled.
Disaster diverted!

From Canada - Three fold thanks: to our wonderful guests who jumped right into the spirit of things, to Highclere for literally "cooking up" this great fund-raising campaign and to PBS, may the donations boost your programming which we all enjoy so much.

It was also a great pleasure to welcome you into our homes as you have welcomed so many of us.

Great fun was had by all!

Heather & Walt

This is off topic to your Come and Dine, but I just wanted to tell you that I had occasion a couple of days ago to speak with one of your lovely office staff. I had a question regarding my tickets for our upcoming visit to Highclere and the lady I spoke to was very friendly and helpful. This visit is a dream come true for me. See you May 28th!

Dear Lady Carnarvon,
We were unable to host a dinner but we have certainly enjoyed reading your updates in Come and Dine and about everyone’s progress and experiences! We have your lovely cookbook and we anticipate the announcement and their dinner menu. Will the winning photos or video be shared with us? Most importantly we anticipate that we may see a wee bit of the Come and Dine experience in a short video at Highclere with you and your husband and the winning group!

Sincerely,
Lindy and Jerry Voorhees
Tavares, Florida

Well, you three (four, counting Finse of course) look as though you're having a great time going over our entries. What a perfect setting, too.
We had such a great time with our party and can hardly wait to see a little of the others.
I also want to thank Jonah in the office there for his thoughtful care when presented with my problems transmitting photos with my hardly adequate server. He was able to make suggestions that eventually worked. Please pass on my thanks.
All for now, from heavily snowy NW Montana!
Margaret

I am sure the judging will continue to be a moving experience. It was such a pleasure to participate!

Looks like Finse is on guard to make sure the judging goes well and Charles I is definitely keeping an eye on all the goings on! Can't wait to see all the wonderful dining moments from around the world, you surely are an inspiration for all of us. Sending some warm Greek sunshine your way, stay cozy by the fireplace and may the Spring sun come soon!

Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am sad to say I was not able to send an entry to the contest. We support PBS as it is, but I really wanted to enter the contest. We are re fitting our old house and there was no place to host such a gathering. I'm so disappointed! But I look forward to following this exciting process, even if I could not be a part of it.
Thank you!

Loving hearing all that is going on at Highclere and hope that you are warm and safe during the snow storms that have hit. That is a beautiful photo of the castle in the snow!

The tables set in Downton Abbey were fabulous just to look at let alone sit! And on another note, perhaps off-topic, but I thought I would let you know that the King Tut exhibition is out here at our California Science Museum. Can't help but think of Mr. Carnarvon back in the day!

What a Beautiful Ladies, Beautiful table! I wish to be there. I know the Castle, I went there but I did not have a dinner it would be so interesting, so...great!
Thank you..

So exciting to see our photo up! Love reliving that night in time.

How wonderful to see all these photos and think of the special dinner parties that were enjoyed by these friends! It was a real treat to see one of mine included. Thanks for encouraging us to host a gathering and plan a special evening for our friends!

Such fun to see! I have my favorites, but I’m sure that you’ll do the difficult judging, admirably. They are all great!

I am soooooooo jealous! I know a good time was had by all!

Lady Carnarvon:

I have been waiting for this day and I am not disappointed. I am very impressed, especially with the table settings, food presentation, even the serving of the food, all looked perfect. Much thought and creativity went into preparing even the invitations! I am sure tons of happy memories were made planning and preparing this event and the event itself. Well done all!!!

Best of luck to all the entrants.

Bev

My apartment is less than 400 square feet so I didn’t participate, but it is great to see that so many of you had such a wonderful time. Next year I’ll have to see how creative I might get on a small but grand scale. Thank you for sharing some of the entries, Lady Carnarvon! What fun they are to see!

Wonderful photos! I was particularly impressed by the group who did the Downton Abbey line-up outside the house. Such a clever idea!!

Unfortunately I was not able to participate I love throwing dinner parties!

Nice dinner, wish I was there to be a part of it. Saw Downton Abbey reruns recently and miss that show. Will they try another run of it and set it to the latter 1920's to 1930's?

And now it is May 7, and a wonderful surprise package has arrived in Greece from the UK! Thank you so much for the lovely gifts and the kind note of thanks for our participation in "Come and Dine". Such a beautiful frame with the photograph of you and the Count, and a stunning watercolor print by Sue Finnes! But most fun...is the Highclere Castle apron, to be cherished and used often! (wish i could send a photo , ha!) Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, soooo much for all that you do!

There really are no losers in such a contest; the overall theme of sharing and giving was entered into willingly and joyously by so many. Quite a tribute to you all!

H&W

From my house to your castle, 'Happy Easter' and a little humour for the weekend:

A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it, but unfortunately the rabbit jumps right in front of the car.

The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is the Easter Bunny, and he is DEAD .

The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry.

A blonde woman driving down the highway sees a man crying on the side of the road and pulls over.

She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong.

"I feel terrible," he explains,
"I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny with my car and KILLED HIM."

The blonde says, "Don't worry."

She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can.
She walks over to the limp, dead Easter Bunny,bends down, and sprays the contents onto him.

The Easter Bunny jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road.

Ten feet away he stops, turns around and waves again, he hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves, and repeats this again and again and again and again, until he hops out of sight.

The man is astonished.
He runs over to the woman and demands,

"What is in that can?
What did you spray on the Easter Bunny ?"

The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label.
It says..

(Are you ready for this?)

(You know you're gonna be sorry)

(Last chance)

(OK, here it is)

It says,

"Hair Spray - Restores life to dead hair, and adds permanent wave."

Happy Easter!! !

Our party will be so happy for the winner knowing what a great time will be had by the lucky and blessed 8! We are so excited for the announcement!!!!! We know it had to be a touch decision!!! In the end we are all winners for getting to participate!!!

We are so thrilled that a decision has been made and understand that it was a very hard one to reach. Just by seeing the sample photos you sent before we know just how difficult the choice was. We can imagine, since it was hard for us to choose which photos to send to you, it must have been even harder for you to agree on who the final winner would be. For example, we did raise quite a bit of support for our local PBS station, but I forgot to include that information in the frenzy of choosing photos! We hope Finse was helpful all along. We'll keep checking here and enjoying your blog in general. Hope you and the dogs, lambs, horses, gardens, ancient trees and buildings are all doing well with Spring now upon us.....
Margaret

Congratulations I must say what a beautiful table the food must of been amazing aswell.

Congratulations to Tressa! Thanks for sharing the video of your call to her. I'd love to see the video of her dinner party. Thanks again for inspiring us to invite our friends in and host a special evening for them!

How exciting for Tressa and her friends!!! Congrats Tressa! We are excited to see her video and share in following her trip to see you!!! I love her heart for the cause she chose and what a well deserved blessing for her hard work! So much fun and so happy for their trip to come!!!

Very well organized event and many congratulations to all participants whose efforts have made us aware of the willingness to bless others in this endeavor. Hopefully this can be an annual event! Thank you for sharing.

Congratulations to Tressa, I'm sure she is beyond excited. Congratulations to the runner ups too in Quebec and Australia .Cherie Gould in Scottsdale Arizona ,I live in Phoenix, Arizona, I know Tressa and guests will have a fabulous time at Highclere.
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Congratulations to Ms Lemkey and her friends. Amazing to see all the entrants listed at the end of the video. I counted fifty! No wonder it was so very difficult to choose. And thanks to you, Lady Carnarvon for putting together this wonderful event. You have caused much good in the fund-raising aspect of this and the fact that we eight here and the other entrants have a great topic of conversation for a long time to come!

Herzliche Glückwünsche aus Berlin Germany Ich freue mich schon auf die Bilder.

Tressa, Congratulations!!! How wonderful that a fellow 'Canadian' has won the honour! I can only imagine how very difficult a decision it must have been to choose a winner from all the incredible entrants - can't wait to see the video, and enjoy your trip to Highclere for all of us, eh!
Very, very happy for you!!!

Congratulations to Tressa and her friends , and we were moved to tears seeing the video with the personal phone call announcement! How wonderful Tressa must feel! And I know she will have a most special visit to Highclere Castle. It is special that she is from Canada, and that she contributes to the cause for End Human Trafficking, she is surely a super winner. Congratulations to the runner ups, and all the participants, we are all winners as it was a most splendid event...and a dinner idea that calls for repetition. I, too, am planning another "formal dinner" for the Royal Wedding on May 19th! "Synhariteria" to all!

I have chills. Congratulations to Tressa on a beautiful event. The table, flowers, and centerpiece are extraordinary. I am looking forward to seeing the video if it is presented. How very exciting, and congratulations, as well, to you, Lady Carnarvon. The realization of your idea from concept to finish has been great fun to follow, and the donation to a deserving charity makes it complete.
Thank you for more wonderful reading.

Best regards,

Charlotte Cole

Congratulations to Tressa! The table was exquisite, and your devotion to the non-profit causes is truly commendable! I raise a glass to you!

My family and I were thrilled to see that we were recognized as "Honorable Mention"! We truly enjoyed the experience. It will be something that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. Thank you Lady Carnarvon for this amazing opportunity! God's blessings on you and your family.

Congratulations Tressa!! What a beautiful table you set and what an honorable cause you represent. I know you'll enjoy your time at Highclere, and will raise awareness of the Joy Smith Foundation at the same time. I'm so excited for you!!

Geesh! Wish this was me! I did not enter, but maybe next time!

WOW - is all I can say - How Wonderful!!!! Can't wait to see the video - and more from Tressa's visit - I was in tears listening to the call - Well Done!!!

Congratulations to all the winners. Looking at the the photos from Tressa's dinner, it is easy to see why she won. Everything was just beautiful!! Human Trafficking is should a horrible stain on humanity and I am so happy that Tressa helped to shed light on the problem.

Will we hear from Tressa about her experience, perhaps in a guest post on your blog, Lady Carnarvon?

To Cherie Gloud representing the USA, huge congrats. I feel like I have been following your progress from the outset because you have posted here on Lady Carnarvon's Blog little snippets and insights of how you were faring and it was a pleasure to follow. Way to go Arizona!!!

To all the other winners, heartiest congrats and well done!

Bev

How wonderful! Congratulations! I can’t wait to watch the winning video! I was also thrilled to see a local Queenslander as a runner up, congratulations Jennifer and well done to all that participated...I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of this and everyone’s comments

Lady Carnarvon,
Missed the last opportuntiy to participate in the Downtown Abbey Valentine Dinner Party.
When will you be having another contest, I would be the first to enter.
Ruthie Harrell

Congratulations to Tressa,
You have inspired me to entertain my friends and family after viewing your 'Tea Party" at your church and a very inspiring "Come & Dine" dinner party. I admire you raising awareness and donating funds to help stop human trafficking, a most important important cause.

Dear Lady Carnarvon,

We had such a wonderful time participating in your Come and Dine Competition. Gerald and I are thrilled for Tressa's win (congratulations Tressa!) and loved her beautifully polished video.

I'd love to thank you, Karine Hagen, and Andrew McKenzie for giving me a runner up placement in the final judging. It was so exciting to receive the email Thursday morning from the Highclere Offices.

I hope you consider repeating your competition in the future, so many more Downton Abbey fans can enjoy participating while helping worthy causes. It was such a pleasure to stretch my imagination, fuelled by your wonderful blog postings, and create our Titanic-themed dining room fit for the Crawley family ... And such fun it was executing it while raising funds for PBS.

Thank you again, it's been an exciting week here in Quebec, Canada!
Sincerely, and with much gratitude,
Gary Laliberte

A worthy winner!!!!

Tressa... So excited for you! I'm so glad you told me to listen to this, when we talked at my church (Faith Alive - Saskatoon)...you will have the time of your life!!!!! God go before you and I pray you fulfill His purpose for this trip! Have fun and think of all us Downton fans who are green with jealousy! LOL!!!

Wow! A lovely host that showed her gift of giving and hospitality. The story is like a fairy tale with a happily ever after finish of a night at the castle. May she and her guests enjoy every moment as I know the castle will shine with their presence. And God bless the causes that are being supported. Thank you!

Wonderful! A well deserved win.

Simply stunning! You are so right, Lady Carnarvon! Ms. Lemky's video and her lovely presence, along with the stunning ambience that she created say it all. What I love is how your beautiful blog and the peak into your gracious life was the inspiration for this elegant Canadian lady to create her own beauty of version for her friends. The variety of artistic, inspirational possibilities is endless. Ms. Lemky, you've combined beauty with meaning. That is ultimately where it should lead--just like the worthy charities which Lady Carnarvon supports. I've been so blessed today and inspired to think of ways in which I can emulate your example here in America. Thank you. I can't think of a more deserving winner. Congratulations!
Lynn Morrissey
Saint Louis, Missouri

Just lovely!!! What a treat to see her wonderful gathering hosting a parliament leader of Canada!!! What a great idea for all involved!

Thank you for posting this video of the winner. She did a wonderful job. Her table setting was beautiful. & Her dishes could have come from a five star restaurant. Your call to the winner was also a great video. You could hear her excitement. Thanks again for sharing.

Congratulations Tressa, your table presentation was terrific and it was very touching to see that you incorporated items close to your family history. You chose to bring attention to a very serious problem plaguing the world and it is a well deserved victory for you.

Wow! Took my breath away watching that video. It’s heartwarming to see good people of this world, and Tresssa is the epitome of good. Yes, the tea she gave, dinner she prepared and perfected with the the table arrangements, was outstanding, but through all this her goodness shined through. She really cared about every detail of the whole aspect, including the raising of human trafficking in the world. PBS is a conduit between viewers and the programs they choose to air, and have given us years of thoughtful, inspiring, funny and scary television viewing.
Thank you Highclere for giving the world the opportunity to showcase a truly remarkable lady. Congratulations Tressa!

Lady Carnarvon: I love reading your Blogs. The April Fool's Blog was the best! I made your Berry Crumble Recipe for our family's St. Patrick's Day Dinner, and everyone loved it! You mentioned having a Recipe Book you wrote. How can I get one?

Thank you for your stories, pictures and humor.

Bev Wiedeman
Nevada, USA

Wow and WOW! What a great winner you chose! Tressa went over and beyond expectations to achieve the wonderful prize you offered. I know she and her companions will have a mind -bending time. Congratulations Tressa!

What a splendid way to celebrate fellowship in aid of a needy cause. Amazed by those table decorations, and with so many family connections too. Many congratulations on a deserving win and a bucketful of memories to go with it. You obviously know how to keep a cool head when the heat is on!

An excellent choice! Tressa's inclusion of a worthy cause and a beautiful evening shared with others at an elegant table and with delicious food was inspiring. Well done and enjoy your time in England!

Congratulations Tressa, you are a truly lovely lady and a deserving winner!
Kim Bent
Gold Coast, Australia
Shropshire, UK

Congratulations !! You deserve it !! Enjoy your time in a "real" castle !!!!

Fabulous!! Really great story and congratulations on winning the contest!

Julie

Beautiful work Tressa! I love those crystal Palms! It's great seeing you again in the video, and I'll never forget what an inspiration you were to my friend August and I when we met at Highclere. I hope circumstances bring us together again in the future, and I'm so glad that you and your church are ever increasing awareness of the scourge of human trafficking. And of course what would we do without PBS? You, my dear, are a dear blessing! Thank you as well Lady Carnarvon for your bright, creative, and welcoming spirit! You bring joy to all you encounter!

Congratulations, Tessa! Well done, indeed! I can tell you are used to entertaining. Very elegant. You deserve the grand prize! Enjoy your time at the Castle! Can't wait to see the grand event.

Tressa:

Congratulations. To use an overused sports idiom: "you hit this one out of the park." ( I take it that you have some knowledge of this idiom as baseball is played in Canada.) But I digress. I was truly touched by your video for many reasons. The first was that your faith and your church family was your anchor. Second, that you went beyond just raising funds for PBS but you reached out to a most deserving charity, one which to me speaks to your strong faith which encourages us to always help those in need.

Lady Carnarvon, was the catalyst for this project but you took it and give it life and did it with gusto.

I love how all the pieces fit together and most of all: I love that the piece de resistance was that lovely dinner at the end, with the most beautifully set table, the ambiance, and your lovely guests all insync wearing black. Your video also was so nicely presented: it shows your calm strength and your attention to detail. Well done!!

Blessing on you and your friends and safe travels to England and onto Highclere Castle.

Regards,

Bev

Thanks for sharing Tressa's winning video - She totally deserved to win! Just loved everything on that beautiful table. Got to get out the silver polish and get to work - Always great to raise money and awareness for great causes. Our Womens Club here in Napa, CA also does the "opportunity drawings" like Tressa did at her tea - Wonderful way to raise money for the women and children in our community and bring awareness to the human trafficking. We also had a group of people arrested in our own area - so sad that it is a huge problem worldwide - but with everyone working hard we can all make a difference.

Beautifully presented, highly entertaining and uplifting and informative on the fine art of living at all times, the Canadian winner's magnificent dinner party is a grand gesture and a tribute. Thank you for sharing these beautiful events and details.
The world needs more grace and kindness.
C. Ann Harding

Congrats Tressa, Beautiful set up, the food looked yummy and it appears you had a great time too. Well done, you! Enjoy Highclere.

Congratulations Tressa! I did so enjoy your video. Beautiful, enchanting table and I absolutely love the personal touches especially the beautiful napkins. Enjoy your much deserved win!
Teresa

This was wonderful to watch, what a beautiful table and lovely setting! Congratulations Tressa!

Congratulations! In the words of Isobel Crawley...BRAVA! You are an inspiration to soo many. I wish I could have been in the running and had a dinner party of my own. I'm currently caring for my 88 year-old mother with dementia 24/7. A visit to Highclere Castle is on my bucket list! Enjoy your momential visit to "Downton Abbey"!
Cheers!

Amazing from start to finish! Well done Tressa! I love your table-setting. Have a fabulous visit to the Castle. Enjoy!

Thank you for the update. We're looking forward to the video.......almost like being there!

I realize I'm late to the party, forgive me. Truly amazing presentation & beautifully done. Congrats!