‘Mail’ previews White House Xmas displays

December 22, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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White House Christmas decorations
Text and photos by Bing C. Branigin
I joined the White House press corps during the inauguration by First Lady Laura Bush of the 2007 White House Christmas Holiday decorations which had Holiday in the National Park as its theme.
Emphasis was made of the breathtaking landscapes, important historical sites, and special places that have made generations of Americans marvel at Gods magnificent creation.
The American press corps, including I who represented the Manila Mail, oohed and aahed over the splendid holiday decorations inside the White House. They included a model of North Carolinas Cape Hatteras Lighthouse welcoming visitors in the East Foyer; paintings depicting Arizonas Grand Canyon National Park and Utahs Zion National Park perfectly situated in the niches of the Cross Hall; a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty national Memorial in the Grand Foyer; and the Gingerbread White House featuring the Bush family and unique creatures found in national park.
The official White House Christmas Tree, an 18-foot Fraser Fir from Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm in Laurel Springs, North Carolina, is adorned with ornaments representing Americas national parks. Each ornament reflects the diversity of national landscapes and the many wonderful and unique treasures found from sea to shining tree.
This year President and Mrs. Bush will welcome more than 60,000 visitors to the White House to tour the holiday decorations. They will host several Holiday receptions.
White House Chef Cristeta P. Comerford, executive chef of the White House, prepared the lunch for the media guests and shared with me the menu for that day.
It included an assortment of Artisanal and Local cheeses served with a Bountiful Display of Crackers, Winter Fruits and Spiced Nuts, Chilled Gulf Shrimp Cocktail served with Cocktail Sauce and Remoulade, Bourbon-Glazed Virginia Ham served with Cheesy Stone-Ground Grits, Crispy Chicken-Fried Steak Fingers with Creamed Pan drippings, Roasted Lamb Chops with Rosemary Sea Salt with Mission Fig Chutney and Mint Jelly, Fruitwood Smoked Copper River Salmon served with Fresh Potato Pancakes and Traditional Garnitures, Maryland Crab Cakes with lemon Caper Sauce, orzo salad with Roasted Artichokes, Tomatoes and Vidalia Onions with Black Beans and Tomatillo Sauce, White and Green Asparagus and French Bean Tier with Garlic Aioli.
I asked several media luminaries present about their favorite food.
Ms. Helen Thomas, dean of the White House Press Corps, choose the lamb, and smoked salmon, while Kelly ODonnel of MSNBC, loved the Maryland Crab Cakes, and Maria from Telemundo enjoyed the Tamales.
At the dessert table, prepared by Bill Yosses, White House Executive Pastry Chef, filled the area with cookies, puddings, assorted cakes and logs, truffles, and the center of attraction, the Ginger Bread White House Majority of the White House correspondents and other invited media outlets went for seconds and third serving of the abundant buffet.
White House waiters were busy going from table to table to serving coffee, tea, juices and other drinks to go with their food.
Cristeta Comerford and her crew were congratulated by satisfied members of the media. One word to described the White House Holiday Buffet is awesome.
Facts on the 2007 Holiday Season at the White House.
Volunteers - 73, Guests touring the White House during the Holidays - 60,000, Number of Christmas Cards sent by President and Mrs. Bush - 895,000, Christmas Trees - 33, Hand-decorated ornaments on blue room Christmas Tree - 347, wreaths - 232, feet of garland - 862, Amaryllis - 514, Christmas Cookies - 20,000, assorted holiday cakes - 700, handmade tamales - 10,000, pounds of crab meat - 700, pounds of asparagus - 600, pounds of green beans - 400, pounds of shrimp - 1,000, gallons of eggnog 320.

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