Drumthwacket Trip

Kudos to Kadus! She did it again. She arranged for around 16 of us to visit the New Jersey Governor's mansion ― Drumthwacket ― in Princeton to take part in a tour of this gorgeous, elegant building with its holiday decorations celebrating the Revolutionary War this year, created in each room by a different New Jersey garden club.

Most of us in front of the giant fireplace in the library at Drumthwacket

Unfortunately, we could only take this one photo inside due to the ban on cameras. Security was definitely part of the tour. But, take our word for it, each room was lush, exquisite, and thoughtful, with inventive designs celebrating everything from the Colonists' alliance with France to Washington's crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton. Not quite sure how the nautical theme of the Seaweeders Club relates to Colonial days, but it was certainly imaginative with the huge starfish topping its tree.

Photos of this year's decorations are not yet available on the Drumthwacket website (the name is Scottish Gaelic and means "wooded hill"), but the website is well worth a visit to read about the house's long history from William Penn to today's role as the soon-to-be official home of a well-known Montclair resident. As a naturalized citizen, this writer felt proud to be in such a beautiful place, saturated with New Jersey's contribution to the birth of this nation, even if the enemy happened to be her old country.

Afterwards we celebrated with a long, loud, and delicious lunch at Winberie's Restaurant and Bar. Karen, we thank you for putting this together and creating such a special day.

Below, two spectacular wreaths. First, the huge wreath in the barn and, second, the sumptuous one on Drumthwacket's imposing front door.