A few friends of mine recently boarded a jet plane to Great Britain. While they are away, frolicking around the countryside, I’ve been reading a bit about travel etiquette. Here’s a snippet from a book recently acquired. I’ve got the third printing of Etiquette in Public, published in 1924 and written by one of my favorite […]
Category: Entertaining
Party time!
Tea, Anyone?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: What can you tell me about the proper way to serve tea? If this is too general, would you kindly address afternoon tea service in the home? Still too general? Perhaps you might look at the question of accompanying food service (e.g., pickled jellyfish, toast points, hot buttered brioche &c.). With […]
Fingers ~ Chicken ~ Good?
Q Dear Miss Abigail: Can I eat chicken with my fingers? Signed, Cat A Dear Cat: I’m glad you brought up this important topic. It’s about time for a little review on dinner etiquette and the proper use of forks, knives, and other utensils. Shall we dig in? 1897: Dinner-Parties As little noise as possible. […]
1923: Snow Man
I live near Washington, D.C., where we are preparing for Snowpocalypse II: The Revenge!!, so I thought I would dig up some snow activities for those of us who may be spending a lot of time at home, bored, this weekend. I have a number of game and recreation books for kids, and found this […]
Merry Christmas!
[Sorry for the delayed post, I tried to put this up Christmas eve but blogger wasn’t cooperating, arg] I picked up a few books at a used bookshop on the Eastern shore of Maryland in early December, and thought I would share a little from two of them on this lovely Christmas Eve. The image […]
1923: Toasts (for a Christening)
During some recent interviews, reporters asked if I ever take my own advice. I use most of my books for reference for the Web site and all things related, but there are occasions when they come in handy for personal advice (if friends or other sources can’t help out). Such as today, when I was […]
Miss Abigail’s Holiday Gift Ideas!
Struggling to find a last-minute gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative or friend? Well search no longer. I’ve resurrected Miss Abigail’s Gift Ideas to help you with your shopping this year. The selection features books from my collection. Hopefully you can find them at your local Borders! (ha) Ready to get started? Click here: Miss Abigail’s […]
1923: Entertainment (part 2)
Last time, in preparation for my Miss Abigail book launch party, I brought you some tips for the party hostess. Now, some additional excerpts from Everyday Manners, for the guests: ~~When you are invited, come at the time set by your host or hostess. If you are asked to come at eight, that is when […]
1923: Entertainment (part 1)
Since I’m throwing myself a book launch party (see previous post) I thought I’d look up some advice on entertaining a group. The following, geared toward me, the hostess, is from a book authored by the “Faculty of the South Philadelphia High School for Girls” (according to my permission research for the book, no longer […]