THE Best Cheesesteaks in Seattle

Have GOT to be created by the famous Italian chef, Ronnie Santone in his little deli called Hey Paison! just 12 minutes out of downtown Seattle.  Lady Victoria and Sir Harry have become ardent fans of his cheesesteaks.

The deli itself is a delightful sight to take in.  It’s hip and cool (if one is inclined to speak thusly), or “quaint” if you are more of our generation.  It definitely has ambiance.  Step thru the doorway and you’ll be greeted with a hearty “Hey, Paison!” (friend) from those behind the counter. 

 Overhead, you are just a likely to hear Frank Sinatra crooning a tune as you are to hear ol’ Dino singing “That’s Amore!”  Oh, and singing along is perfectly fine here.  You’re amongst friends.

For the next event that Somewhere in Time, Unlimited plans around having catered in food, I intend to suggest Hey Paison.

In the meantime, if you’re in the area, swing by.  Ronnie’s got ready-to-go, out-the-door meatballs and gravy (just make your own pasta and dump the heated product over the top), fabulous assortment of man-sized sandwiches (oh, they are SO tempting!), homemade salad dressings, KILLER desserts – must I go on or do you have the idea now?

If you call in advance, Ronnie and crew will have everything packed up ready to go for you if you’re in a hurry to get home after a long day at work.

Speaking of which, Hey Paison has a new blog that was just started!  Ronnie posted up an incredibly tasty and easy Chicken Marsala.  I can’t wait to try it out.

Ciao, mi bellos…. Lady Victoria

Chocolate Victorian Valentine Cookies

Do you catch yourself drooling, just at the thought of the words “chocolate”, “Victorian” and “cookies”?  I know I’m drooling  

Lady Victoria is always on the hunt for recipes which can be used for a Proper High Tea or a Valentine’s Day Tea (such as the one being planned by Somewhere in Time, Unlimited) or served when entertaining friends, ideally whilst wearing fashionable historical attire such as Victorian clothing!  

Today while doing a bit of research, Lady Victoria of Essex stumbled across a fellow blogger’s post wherein she mentions that she had baked these lovely cookies and decorated them in Royal Icing all while her twin boys nibbled happily on another cookie.  Now, what’s a Victorian cookie-loving woman to do except alert her blog followers of the wonderfully simple recipe, so all can prepare them for the impending holiday?  

I can already visualize these beauties as they are displayed artistically in a collection of other tea items on a 3-tier stand as a hot cup of tea emits little puffs of steam nearby.  Mmmmmm.  You can guess what is on my list of  “must do’s” next weekend…  

Joyfully yours,
Lady Victoria (& Sir Harry)  

Seattle, Lady Victoria & Sir Harry of Essex

 

Late Victorian Fashion on Parade!

Miss Janet, Miss Roxann, Sir Harry of Essex

The evening of July 18, 2009 found a merry troupe from Somewhere in Time, Unlimited (SITU) in a parade representing the Historical Society of Snohomish,  in the small Victorian town located here in Washington State.

Members who didn’t have to be at work or other responsibility and enjoy participating parades, decended upon the small town, despite the heat of the day.  We were wearing large hats, long dresses and in the gentlemen’s case, “cut-aways” and day hats.  Most of the ladies had chosen to wear “summer attire”, tho there were a few who opted more for elegant Edwardian fashions in vivid tones.

Lady Victoria & Mr. Wills

Along for the stroll was the perky and quite 5-lb fierce, ”Mr. Wills” - a.k.a. “Willy-Willy” – named after the famous German authority figure, Kaiser Wilhelm.  He is so fond of going for a ride in cars, it seemed quite natural to invite him along this evening for our stroll thru town.  All went well and was peaceful in the staging area for the parade, that is, until the mounted horses came past us.  Then Mr. Wills had that panic of,  ”Pick me up, pick me up!”  We all had a hearty chuckle at poor Mr. Willy’s expense.

The parade route is relatively short.  The president of the historical society in town chose to ride a tandem bicycle with his lovely wife.  I’m sure many in town enjoyed their meandering thru the walkers and the joyful “beep beep!” coming from their horn.  After the parade, we gathered at a local eatery for a quick bite to eat before heading back to Seattle.

The town of Snohomish is on the historical registry and contains a number of incredible Victorian examples of fine architecture.  If you’ve never visited, it’s worth the short drive north of Seattle.  There are lots of antique treasures to be found in the local stores for adding “bits” onto your home’s structure, or for adding decorative items within your four walls.

If you’d like to see more photos of the participants and a short video from the parade, feel free to visit the SITU site!

If you’d like to come along with us this autumn and participate in the parade, please let us know.  We’d love to have you along for the fun!!!  Contact:  LadyVictoria “at” SITUSeattle.com

Seattle’s AYPE Celebrations – Paging Henry Ford…

One-hundred years ago, Seattle held its “Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition”;
a World’s Fair, on the grounds of what would become the University of Washington.

Fair-goers showed up in droves, dressed in their Sunday best, from what photos depict.
Many women were attired in “walking skirts” and beautifully flowered hats, while the men came in what was fashionable for them at the time, “sack suits”.

Preparations for this post-Victorian era event (really the Edwardian era), was a HUGE thing for the then, relatively young, Seattle.  People traveled along the Pacific coast as well as across the country to come and see the exhibits.  The weather that year was favorable.  Folks stayed in town for a very long time, just to be able to get thru the exotic and extensive exhibits.  Many stayed at the newly built and fashionable Sorrento Hotel on Madison Street in Seattle.

Flash forward 100 years to 2009.  The City of Seattle launched a massive effort to celebrate the centennial of a momental event in our city’s history.  Renowned organizer, Michael Herschensohn, was hired by the city and was up to the challenge.  In addition to the years of planning, he was tasked with bringing the many, many local ethnic and art community groups together to represent a portion of what was to be their cultural representation of centennial celebrations.

One of the ideas was the world famous cross-county car race called “Ocean to Ocean”.  Participants in the race accepted the challenge of leaving the east coast of the US, drive across the country, to end their journey at Seattle’s AYPE 1909.  Several car manufacturers jumped at the chance to prove that their vehicle could make the arduous trip, traversing terrain where no formal roadbeds had been installed, let alone contemporary freeways. 

One of the participating challengers was Ford Motors.  To cut a very long story short, it was Henry Ford’s Model T (after having several “bits” replaced along the route, including an engine) which rolled thru the gates at the AYPE and accepted the winner’s wreath at what is now “Drumheller Fountain” at the University of Washington.  Ford might’ve taken the wreath, but it was weeks later that the news came to light of the replacement engine, thus disqualifying the vehicle from actually winning.  The second place finisher, was the awarded the title of winner.  Alas, that company never made a production vehicle, and it was because of all the positive promotions and marketing, that Henry Ford’s Model T’s generated from the intitial “victory”, a full blown production of Model T’s then rolled out of the factory.  It became the best selling vehicle of its day.

The Model T Club of America decided to recreate the historic Ocean to Ocean Race, complete with following the original route.  A massive undertaking, considering the age of the vintage vehicles being used, the size of contemporary human bodies (taller, heavier, wider) who were driving the vehicles, requirement to have “chase vehicles” stocked with replacement parts and engines, and then there’s always the issues of weather and terrain.  However, the club was prepared and motivated.

Lady Victoria of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited, contacted Michael Herschensohn to ask if there might be a possibilty of the historical costuming group (SITU) to appear in 1909 costume at the reenactment on the UW’s grounds – in time to watch the centennial arrival of the vintage Model T’s (and some Model A’s) complete their race.  It was agreed that whomever from the costuming group wanted to attend, they would be warmly welcome at the celebrations.

The members and friends of SITU met Model T Club participants and guests from across the United States and literally all around the world.  The skies over Seattle opened to let the proverbial showers fall onto the waiting crowd.  It was a good thing to have a “‘brolly” handy!

  Want to see beautiful color photos of the cars, people in historical late Victorian or Edwardian attire?  Want to read more about the race?  Head over to the website of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited.  You’ll be amazed and delighted!

Hope to see you at the next “Dress-up Opportunity”…

P.S.  Special thanks to the UW for the historical photo.

 

Ghost train a-comin’?

It was as if I had stepped back into time and was reliving 1909 all over again.  The day was hot.  Really hot.  Dust blew on the wind across my shoes and into my face as I and others walked across the hard ground before stepping onto the platform. 

Other passengers yet, were already waiting there in heat of this June day.

We were headed for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition (AYPE) going on in Seattle.  The group had assembled from all over the world, literally.  There was a doctor from London (Essex) England, a woman coming from Alabama named Suzanna, and there was me, Elfriede Schratzenstaller of Bavaria Germany. 

I was heading to Seattle thru the United States in order to meet up with my distant relatives who had safely made the journey before me and had started a beer brewing business just outside of Seattle.  There were many fields of hops growing in the Kent and Puyallup Valleys. 

My little dog’s name is “Willy”, short for Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany.  I am a very long way from home and Willy’s company has been reassuring for me.

Neither Willy or I speak much English, but know enough hand motions to have made it this far.  We are now about a half-day’s journey outside of Seattle and the end of a long ride is close to an end.

Now flash forward.  Here we are all gathered at the South CleElum Station.  The lot of us are recreating the experience as the travelers would have had 100 years ago on their way thru this historic station which welcomed visitors to Washington State from all over the country and beyond!

As part of our day, we interacted with talented Telegraphers who actually used equipment to send historic telegrams this day. 

There was a young “runner” who acted as delivery boy at the station, also in full costume and historical attitude.

“Mr. Mark” was not only the MC at this point, but he was dressed as one of the conductors for the old railroad while others yet, dressed as the engineers.

After a delightful lunch served up in the now air-conditioned station, we wandered back outside for a second look.  Gone were the famous rails that brought the crowds to and from Seattle.  In their place was now an interpretive walk. 

Over yonder, a lone car stood next to one of the historical buildings, seeming to call for the other cars, locamotive and caboose which were missing.  If you listened carefully, you could hear the tweet of the steam engine’s whistle and just swear the train was coming around the bend headed once again for the station!

What happened to the train?  As is the case of many of these powerhouses, they were sent to the wayside.  It is now finally, the next generation is looking back and yearning for a slower, quieter time of history when there were genteel men and women traveling along side perhaps some of the more unsavory members of the community, but all dressed in such incredible attire.

Want to see more pictures and learn details of the day?  Please go out to visit Somewhere in Time, Unlimited (SITU – home page).  We are a historical costuming social group that holds 4 parties (Events) per year and participates in numerous community organized events (Dress-up Opportunities) during the year.  We’d love to have you come along sometime to enjoy the fun.

In the meantime, don’t be surprised if you hear the wail of that lonesome whistle near Cle Elum, Washington.  It’ll just be thunderous ghost steel headed for a beautifully restored Victorian South Cle Elum Station!

Horseless Carriages & A Victorian Connection…

Wouldn’t think they would have much to do with one another, but on a fine Spring day in 2009, these prized beauties met up with the members and friends of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited to participate in the “Quilted Tulip” up in LaConner, Washington.

Now, SITU has been doing historical costuming for a long while as a social group.  Most favorite is probably the Victorian era or the Edwardian period.  So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the group had co-hosted with the docents and management of the famous Quilt Museum, an afternoon tea.  Refreshments were free to the public with the paid entry to view the museum which just “happens” to be a Victorian home!

Ah, enter the carriages.  The owners of these fine specimens were invited to come out and get all gussied up in their finery and join in the fun.  Mission accomplished!  These ladies and gents did a wonderful job of recreating historical attire, complete with hats.  Their cars weren’t bad either….(wink)

 

 

 

 

 

 
So, you have a soft-spot for Victorian clothing or dressing up in Victorian dress?  Come along.  SITU holds a number of Events and Dress-up Opportunities which cross a wide array of eras, including Victorian/Edwardian. 

We even hold workshops to help you learn how to put together an outfit, whether sewn or thrifted.

 Men are invited to participate in our Events as well.  This is not a “Ladies Only” sort of social group!  Lady Victoria will also give you sage advice on how to find suitable gentlemen’s attire for whatever Event or Dress-up Opportunity is in store.

Contact Lady Victoria directly from the SITU site to find out more about the various eras we costume.  Be sure to visit our website’s Prior Events to see more photos of this particular Event.  We would love to have you come along for any of our Events or Dress-up Opportunities during the year.

These may include centennial celebrations, parades, parties, Kirkland Concours, murder mystery outings – virtually anything that  is centered around planes, train, cars and boats, provided we can put a historical spin on things!

Come, join the fun. You’d be surprised how much joy you will find…

Titanic – Survivors Hit…

Titanic - Dressed out in banners, Good Friday 1912, Courtesy Michael Pocock

…A joyful note this past Feb 28, 2009 when the members and friends of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited held Titanic-The Survivors’s Ball in Seattle, Washington. 

This historic costuming group paid homage to the fallen and the survivors of this noteworthy vessel in our history.  Guests were treated to a 7-course Edwardian-style dinner which was catered by Cindy Madsen of Ravenrook Feasts as a special benefit to the group.  Ms. Madsen dished up sumptuous round after round, while a few senior classmembers of Holy Names Academy provided excellent table-side service.  Thank you to the lovely ladies adorned in Battenburg-lace aprons.

The delightful husband/wife duo of Kleinschmidt and Conquest, dressed in their special formal attire for the evening.

Several times, this couple (along with many other attendees) could be seen about the room chatting with other guests and partaking in the excellent dinner.

Long-time members of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited, they can be seen in several photos on the main website’s “Prior Events“.

Guests were encouraged to pose before the image of Titanic in preparation of  “boarding”.

 

Always stylish and chic, Mr. & Mrs. Cash stepped out in grand style and allowed a quick snap of the photo lens to capture their dashing image!

Not to be outdone, I hear they were spotted twirling to a tune or two during the evening.  The rest of the time, they were lively company to their tablemates with news of “other survivors” in attendance….

This couple is relatively new to the group Somewhere in Time, Unlimited but have been spotted at a number of events since “coming aboard”.  They are great fun and I hope you get to meet them soon.

Opera Singer - Jeffrey Jordan & The Ragtime Orchestra

World-renowned opera tenor Jeffrey Jordan graced the audience with his brilliant performance of various songs all evening including “Torna A Sorriento”.  (Currently, he performs with Seattle Opera as well as represents the needs of artistic individuals when purchasing or selling homes in the Seattle area as a real estate agent.)  His vocal duet partner this evening was none other than soprano Lady Victoria, also of local Seattle fame.

Orchestra Maestro - Phil Wilkinson

Their musical efforts were complimented by the very talented, 13-piece Ragtime Waltz Orchestra lead by Maestro Phil Wilkinson.

The Maestro had chosen musical pieces that reflected the Titanic era such as “After The Ball”, “I Want a Gal, (just like the gal that married dear old dad)” and a number of ragtime, “piano-roll blues” and Castle waltz favorites which his orchestra performed “to a T”.  Well done, ladies and gents!!!

Also in attendance was a young ballerina Miss Madeline Peters who is sure to be a rising star on Seattle’s stage.  We look forward to seeing more of your performances Ms. Peters!  Guests enjoyed the dance instruction of the Castle Waltz as performed by Miss Christine Pinto and Miss Pippin Sardo.  This demonstration was the opening signal that the dance floor was now open for all to enjoy.  Thank you, ladies.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the dashing and charming “Captain” Alfred Myers.  His beautiful wife Linda greeted guests as they “boarded” and pinned fragrant carnation  boutonnieres to lapels and dresses.  Thank you to you both for enchanting everyone with your style and grace and making us feel so welcome!

If you missed this Event but enjoy historical costuming, hop out to the website of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited and check out the Calendar to see when you might meet up with us again.  We are headed for Port Townsend, Washington next for their Victorian Festival.  See you soon….

 

Victorian Santa Train Experience

Somewhere in Time, Unlimited Members

It was drizzling.  It’s the rainy northwest afterall.  A stout-hearted small band of members of Somewhere in Time traveled thru the mist and rain to arrive at the historical rail station in the town of North Bend, Washington.  The idea was to greet, mix and mingle with the families who were boarding the various train-loads headed for ANOTHER historical Victorian rail station just up the line in Snoqualmie, Washington.

Sir Harry of Essex waves to families boarding the train.

Would the familes come despite the rain?  Would the train be on time?  What would the children say when they saw a group of men and women in historical Victorian and Edwardian attire?  We didn’t have long to wait. 

Two lovely Edwardian ladies

 

Auntie Judy & niece prepare to see Santa.

Mingling to the happy Christmas songs transmitted by a local radio station (Warm 106.9) on a non-Victorian boom-box, the SITU members took photos of families waiting to board the trains.  “Did you bring your list for Santa?” or “Would you like me to take your photo of y’all together?” could be heard up and down the platform.  “Say candy cane!”  Children wiggled and giggled.  Parents tried hard to sip their warm coffee to get that jolt they needed to keep up with the energy level of their children.

Suddenly, “I see the headlight!!!!”  Oh, the thundering of the vintage engine as she rolled into the station area was tremendous.  Wow, real 1913 and 1915 rail coaches too!  The interiors were delightfully and joyfully decorated with holiday lights (What am I saying?  These are CHRISTMAS lights!  We ARE bound for Santa after all), stuffed toys, vintage wood or velvet seats, along with wicker chairs filling in the void spaces where more seating could be arranged.

Inside each coach was a volunteer from the railway.  The men were always friendly and happy to share the history of the train, from the coaches to the engine pulling us, to the stations we were visiting, to the what-it-takes-to-be-a-volunteer.  It was all interesting indeed!  The men were dressed in all sorts of costumes.  We had Mr. Bells in striped overalls and a cap with 3 large bells on the brim.  He lead us in Christmas songs.  We had two guys in festive “Reindeer noses” and one wore a hard hat when he had to clear the walkway “for safety’s sake”.  There was a Conductor in vintage attire who walked thru the cars smiling and talking to folks.  There was the official conductor who had the priviledge of shouting “Aaaaall aboard!” and waving the high-sign to the engineers up in the locomotive.  Riders were even happy to meet a very young volunteer who was about 10 yrs in age and already, a good representative for the vintage rail line.  He’d joyfully walk thru the coaches asking, “Does anyone have a question?”  We tried to trip him up with trick questions.  We found out he was related to at least 2 volunteers helping out this weekend.

Queen Anne-style Snoqualmie Rail Museum

Once at the historic Queen-Anne style station in Snoqualmie, we were given a tour of the station itself, a visit with Santa, a self-guided tour of the medical coach under reconstruction where the little ones (okay and the not so little as well), were given a chocolate chip cookie, cocoa or coffee.  There was even a renovated caboose on-site.  Wow, the men riding the rails back when, sure had tight quarters to get around in if they went to the caboose.  At least it had a table, some seating areas and two great look-out benches located high up near the top of the caboose for some great views!

Aaaaaall-aboard!

Suddenly, it was time to board the train for the quick trip back to North Bend.  Aaaaaaw, the day should’ve gone on longer cuz we had such a great time!  If you’d like to see photos of our adventure, hop out to the website and click on “Past Events”.  I’ll be loading up a webpage very shortly with the photos.  If it’s not there when you read this, email me and I will send you the link when the page is ready.

If you, as a reader, would like to volunteer or donate to help this worthwhile cause, please, DO consider contacting the rail museum.  It is a worthwhile cause.

Many thanks to Miss Susan, Head of the Marketing Dept for the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad Museum and to the many, many volunteers who made this day such an enjoyable adventure!  We appreciate you and your efforts to bring the love of vintage railroading to the next generation.   Merry Christmas.  Aaaaaaall aboard!!!!

The ghosts of Ezra & Eliza Jane Meeker…

Might’ve been in attendance when the members and guests of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited held a “Tea and Murder Mystery” at the historical residence of the Meekers in Puyallup, Washington on Oct. 26, 2008.

Ezra Meeker, as some will remember, was man of significance due to his connection to the Oregon Trail and the impact of hops farming in the Puyallup valley.  His lovely wife, Eliza Jane, had gone with him to England where she fell in love with Queen Victoria’s  home.  Ezra, being a rational man, told his wife if she wanted such a home, she’d build and pay for it, herself.  Well, never underestimate the power of a driven woman!  If you’d like to read more about the Meekers, visit the mansion’s site.

The tea at the mansion was hosted and served by the talented docents of the mansion in delightful costumes.  The food was delicious and the hot tea was served and refilled multiple times to grateful recipients.  There’s nothing like tepid warm tea, so having HOT tea served is WONDERFUL! 

Even the decorating at the mansion is incredible.  They have been able to replicate or restore much of the high style of the Victorian splendor in the house.   SITU participants were given guided tours thru the mansion.  We we treated to viewing quality furniture, beautiful fireplace mantels, leaded windows, crown moulding, stencils, inlaid wood, hidden spaces and more, along with a history lesson of the home and the family.

I am in the process (as of this writing), of putting together a webpage featuring photos of the frivolity of the afternoon tea.  Visit SITU’s regular site at: www.CostumingInSeattle.com and click on Past Events.  If I don’t have the photos up when you look, check back.  I may have them up soon, or email me and I’ll let you know when they’re uploaded.

In case you’re wondering, the murder mystery was solved and the missing antique necklace was recovered.  It turned out to be the ficticious half-sister of Eliza Jane.  Thank you to the Meeker Mansion management and docents who played along with us in the fun for the afternoon.  You folks were tremendous….

Autumn Leaf Festival – I just love a good parade…

There’s just something so joyful about actually being IN a parade, at least for me.  This year, I’ve been in 3 so far and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, even the “staging” part where we all have to wait for 2 hrs before “go time”.

Various members of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited joined me in the parades.  We dressed in historical costumes – one parade had a “nautical” theme up in Mukilteo, Washington and the other two parades we dressed in “1920’s” and blared some awesome music from a talented local group of musicians called “Combo de Luxe“.  Click HERE to listen to one of their tunes.

This past weekend, we skipped across the Cascade Mountains to the small town of Leavenworth, WA where we borrowed a truck from a fabulous real estate agent named Cameron West, son of Mike West of the Prudential Mike West notariety.  Leavenworth is this darling knock-off Bavarian town which is nestled in a kettle of mountains in eastern Washington State.  About 3-4 times a year, they hold major festivals that draw HUGE crowds of people from Seattle.  See a photo from the town’s own website here below:

The streets were PACKED with smiling faces as we rolled past the residents of and visitors to this quaint town.  The organizers of the parade did a tremendous job of keeping on schedule, having everything well organized so that the staging went smoothly and quickly.  They even thanked us for rolling over the mountains to participate in the event!

Also in the parade were a really fun bunch of pirates visiting from Seattle.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a name of the two men or their group, but “Aaaaar maties, there were some fiiiiiine lookin’ men in that thar bunch!”

Thank you everyone, for making us feel so welcome.  Thank you Leavenworth, for holding such a FUN yearly activity where people from far and wide can come to your streets, enjoy the wide variety of talents participating in the parade, the music at the bandstand, the delicious German foods, the oodles of gifts we can purchase in your stores and of course importantly, the “Gemutlichkeit”!  We’ll be back next year and hopefully with a larger group this time.

Fond smiles from the historical costumers of Somewhere in Time, Unlimited, Seattle.