We arrive in the Great Hall of the Ahwahnee Lodge in our very formal finery around the stroke of 4 o’clock.

Witty photographers are waiting to take formal portraits of the dinner guests, and so we pose dutifully.

One of the best parts of the afternoon was our vantage point on a tapestry sofa near tall windows in the Hall — and all of the guests trooped past us to line up for the portraits.  What fun!

Not Easter … but there’s a parade!

It was quite a parade of young and old, tall and short, thin and not, fancy and plain!  Elegant ladies in Cinderella slippers and swishing long gowns glided past on the arms of tuxedo-ed gents.  Young girls in torturous heels minced past in safe little groups, some in strapless gowns that were constantly being tugged up (have they heard of suspenders?), and some in frippery somewhat resembling ballet tutus!  Shawls were either glamorously trailing from elbows  – or clutched tightly around neck and shoulders as if in danger of escaping!  It was a grand display of bosoms, jewelry, petticoats, and bow ties.

“I love a piano …”

The Great Hall is filled with music as we are treated to the sound of two Steinways (and charming musicians)!  Christmas music is lovely, but the fun begins when the musicians encourage us to sing with them.  Big mistake!  I was pleased to offer my own rendition of Rudolph – and was heartened when the 90+ year old matron on the sofa beside me began chiming in!  (It may be that Prince Charming was looking for the fire exit about this time.)

Sound the trumpets!

And we are called to dinner!  Each couple is delightfully escorted to a table set for eight — and I was lucky enough to be seated next to a rare gem — Chloe Firpo!

This little minx was beautiful and absolutely hilarious!  The thickest eyelashes framing blue eyes — long dark and curly hair — a laugh that was such fun to hear!  She was dressed in dark velvet and accompanied by her grandmother.  (I the course of the evening, we got in trouble when I taught her to whistle during the applause!  Grandmothers!  They just do not understand!)  I must say that Chloe was as much a part of the entertainment as the performers!  She had memorized the menu and attacked each course with great relish.  When performers chose to serenade a table next to us, she rendered a very musical, “Hey!  Noooooo fair!”
And to think that our paths might only have crossed this once!
So, meet Chloe — she’s about 12-going-on-30 and apparently going to become a famous ballet dancer …

Do you believe in magic?

That’s what this evening was!  My Prince has not looked this handsome since the third grade at Presbyterian Day School — and with gracious manners that his mother would have been proud of!

Music and pageantry commenced with our first of seven courses in the dinner.  Costumes were so elegant!  The music so lovely!  And dialog was sometimes funny and sometimes serious, but completely captivating!  The performers were constantly on the move, up and down the red carpet in the center of the Hall — and oft times surprising us by surrounding our own table for a song!  The story was captivating … and the food kept coming!

Outside the huge windows, we could see the forest blanketed with snow on this Eve of Winter Solstice.  Candles at our tables offered a cozy centering experience with other guests — but the grand moment of the evening was when a hush fell over the audience and the performers began singing Silent Night.  Someone’s large warm hand squeezed mine into his grip, and the world almost stood still for that Special Christmas Moment.

The last crumbs of mignardises, wassail (Chloe had not developed a taste for brandy yet, so I got hers) and plum pudding disappeared from the table.  The music ended and performers exited the Great Hall.  We exchanged goodbyes and holiday wishes with new friends at our table — including precious Chloe — and made our way upstairs.
A quiet ending to a long and perfect day.