Lord Peter Wimsey’s Case-Crackin’ New Year’s Eve Party

As always, our New Year’s Eve plans come along last minute. Last year’s family Sherlock Holmes Party was such a success, that we decided to continue the tradition of having a mystery movie night this year by introducing the kids to the fabulous story-telling of Dorothy L. Sayers. Tonight, we’ll be dusting off the DIY Detective Kits we made last year, and we’ll be showing the kids 2 of the 3 movies from the 1987 BBC/PBS Masterpiece Mystery edition of “Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries,” starring Edward Petherbridge as Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey and Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane.

The first two films in the trilogy, Strong Poison and Have His Carcase, are close to six hours in length, combined.
So, we’ll put off viewing the three hour Gaudy Night installment for another movie party, perhaps a Back to School Night this coming weekend! I’m not usually one to promote the film before the books…But, in this case, we’re hoping that once they have seen these films, the kids will want us to read them Sayers’ fabulously written novels over the months ahead.Dorothy L. Sayers

Here’s our menu for the evening, followed by a list of Lord Peter Wimsey film & Radio titles:

LORD PETER WIMSEY’S CASE-CRACKIN’ NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY MENU

STRONG POISON APPETIZERS

Teas from the Oriental
A Sampling of Green Teas & Lemon-Laced Tap Water

Sweet Omelette with Jam
A “Cracked Egg” Omelette Made at the Table, served with our Homemade Blueberry Port Jam

Miss Climpson’s Sampler Plate
Toast, Crackers & Cheese for our Pickier Eaters, Served on a Ouija Board

HAVE HIS CARCASE MAIN COURSE

Hitchhiker’s Fizzy Lemonade
A Sparkling Combination of Lemonade and Club Soda

Dancing at the Resplendent Dinner Salads
Greens Tossed with Cucumbers & Tomatoes, Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil and a Bit of Sea Salt

Romanov Pizzas
Tonight, we’ll make our well-loved Thin Crust Pizzas into”Romanov Pizzas” by either leaving off the sauce entirely or by flooding the pizzas with loads of extra sauce to signify the problem with the royal blood lines at the heart of our mystery.

GAUDY NIGHT DESSERTS
Rest Assured: Neither Turkish Delight nor Stewed Prunes are on the menu this evening!

Bunter’s Famous Hot Cocoa
A Bowl of Hot Chocolate Served with Marshmallows in a Little Ramekin

Gifts from the Larder: Cookie Plate
“I remember you, Annie. You always left the Buttery door unlocked.” – Harriet
For dessert, we’ll serve a smattering of our favourite holiday cookies.
See our recipes for Cookie Meteors & Santa Babies.

LORD PETER WIMSEY IN RADIO & FILM (faithful adaptations)
1970s-80s
Radio Plays Starring Ian Carmichael
Lord Peter WimseyBBC Radio Series

1972-1975
Films Starring Ian Carmichael
Clouds of Witness, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Five Red Herrings, Murder Must Advertise and The Nine Tailors

1987
Films Starring Edward Petherbridge & Harriet Walter
A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery: Strong Poison, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night

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December 30, 2012

Perform & Record The Winter’s Tale (with Bears & Other Stuffies)

On Sunday, we’ll be gearing up for an impromptu performance of our December Shakespeare play, starring all of the stuffies in the house!!
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Summer of Funner : The Lunchbox Season : In Defense of Burning

December 25, 2012

Advent Shadowbox 2012: Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining us for our Advent Shadowbox 2012 Calendar!
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Summer of Funner : The Lunchbox Season : In Defense of Burning