Monday, August 31, 2009

Country Tea in Sleepy Hollow

~Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero, as he entered the state parlour of Van Tassel's mansion. Not those of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of red and white: but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch country tea table, in the sumptuous time of autumn. Such heaped up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch housewives. There was the doughty dough nut, the tenderer oly koek, and the crisp and crumbling cruller; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes. And then there were apple pies and peach pies and pumpkin pies; besides slices of ham and smoked beef; and moreover delectable dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled shad roasted chickens; together with bowls of milk and cream, all mingled higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as I have enumerated them, with the motherly tea pot sending up its clouds of vapour from the midst-Heaven bless the mark! I want breath and time to discuss this banquet as it deserves, and am too eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was not in so great a hurry as his historian, but did ample justice to every dainty.
-Excerpt from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.' Written by Washington Irving in 1820.
Can't you just picture that tea table with all of that food on it?



I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow out of the book, 'American Short Stories,' I bought at a thrifty shop last week. It's a thick book filled with short stories and I'm glad I purchased it because I have been really enjoying the wild short tales in it. It cost me only $2.99.


So I did a little research on the tale of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'
By golly, did you know that there is such a city called, Sleepy Hollow, New York? I did not know that.



Also, the Old Dutch Church that is mentioned in the tale is a real church!


Again, I did not know this.
I watched The Legend of Sleepy Hollow movie in 1999. You might remember it. Johnny Depp starred in it.



Although I would like to watch it again now that I've read the story. All though it was said in the reviews that the movie was much different then the short story tale. In the movie, Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) was a detective trying to find out who was doing all of the killings in Sleepy Hollow. Where the book, Inchabod was trying to win over the farmer's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel's love. He was competing with another gentleman, Brom Bones. The story was set in 1790 in the Dutch settlement in Terry Town, New York. And Sleepy Hollow is inside that city.
After I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, of course I wanted to read reviews about the story from other readers. Again, I looked up some reviews on the Internet. I wanted to see if the comparison of what I read and what another reader might had picked up on the tale that I did not. And sure enough, Ichabod was a teacher in the short story. I thought he was a student. Don't no where I came up with that. =) But none the less, I'm glad I read it. I liked how it did have a little bit of some true history. Well maybe not the headless horseman or if you'd like to believe otherwise. =) It wasn't to scary of a tale. Just make sure when you snuggle up onto the chair tonight with your tea, and your little dog next to you....you might want to leave some extra lights on. Oh make sure all the doors are locked. Oh, and all of your curtains are closed. I think you get my drift. Oh and don't forget, you must grab a quilt to. =) And enjoy.... 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'
I'm signing off...........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

12 comments:

  1. I remember seeing a movie a long time ago about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was a little scary. Thank you for telling us about the town and church. I wish I would have seen the movie with Johnny Depp, he is one of my favorite actors. This was a great post.

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  2. Nice post!
    I remember reading that story years and years ago in school, but now I'd love to read it again!
    AND I want to visit Sleepy Hollow too! I don't think it would be too much of a trip for us!
    Thanks for this!
    All the best,
    Eileen

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  3. Oh I remember watching a cartoon when I was in grade school...the teacher had us watch it around September/October and it was such fun. Do you remember that cartoon movie about Icabod Crane? I loved watching the movie Legend of Sleepy Holly Movie too. What a fun post!

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  4. P.S. thanks for sharing the history of the real town and showing the church and other pics...very interesting stuff.

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  5. It's me... I'm still thinking and commenting...I just recalled something I thought I'd share....there was a dirt road in the town that I was born in...and the road was called headless horseman road and it had a scary wooden bridge and an old graveyard too. As teens I remember we'd all pile in the car and ride that dirt road at night...hoping not to break down! LOL! Just something silly kids did back then, it was always such fun! Thanks for bringing back that memory for me...

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  6. I used to read this to my four children at Halloween years ago. I think I gave the book away. Perhaps I should find one to read to my grandchildren. Thanks for fond memories.

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  7. Anonymous9/03/2009

    What a great post Anne! I love the discrition of the little autumn tea party. Sigh....
    I have never read 'Sleepy Hollow' but I have always wanted too. I did see the movie and like it. I hope you have a beautiful day ♥

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  8. Anonymous9/03/2009

    What a great post Anne! I love the discrition of the little autumn tea party. Sigh....
    I have never read 'Sleepy Hollow' but I have always wanted too. I did see the movie and like it. I hope you have a beautiful day ♥

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  9. one of my all time favorite stories and perfect for Halloween!

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  10. That is too cool, Anne! What a neat post!
    Hugs,
    Christina!

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  11. Anne I hope all is well with you and your family. I been worried about you. You have not posted anything since August 3l. Madeline

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  12. Hi Anne,
    Thank you for stopping by and saying that you miss me. I have really been on the go with homeschooling the girls. I am so envious of you reading all those wonderful books, you see I LOVE reading but only seem to get through my teacher's manuals nowadays, ha ha ha! I am also in the process of writing a book about homeschooling here in South Africa, so time is not my own right now. So please enjoy your reading parlour for both of us :o)
    Your friend in South Africa,
    Mandi

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I cherish each and every comment. Thanks for visiting Peek-A-Boo Street.
Peace & Love, Anne