We celebrated my daughter’s high school homeschool graduation in grand style with her new dress!
DIPLOMA AND GIFTS
Unwrapping the diploma which I ordered from HSLDA, she read the beautifully embossed Scripture on the front, Psalm 119:105: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
1928 HAY-ADAMS HOTEL
After she opened the gifts and cards, we drove to Washington DC to the Hay-Adams Hotel, built in the 1920s.
Henry Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, and John Hay, each had a house on this lot in the 19th century, across the street from Lafayette Park.
After their deaths, a developer razed to build this hotel named after them.
Arriving early, we toured the gorgeous wood paneled lobby…
An old mail box and shoot that allows letters to drop from upper floors…
Answering an old telephone…
LAFAYETTE SQUARE
Since we were early for our dinner reservation, we visited the Marquis de Lafayette across the street, as he looks at the Washington Monument.
In 1824 this park established for Thomas Jefferson was named for Lafayette on his grand tour…like the Lafayette Stepping Stone in Warrenton where we took earlier graduation photos.
RESTAURANT LAFAYETTE
What better way to celebrate high school homeschool graduation than a first experience at a fancy restaurant?
Although this was an expensive experience, it was so well done and perfect for celebrating an epoch moment in my daughter’s life.
Also, we had free parking with valet, and lots of surprises during dinner after ordering from the menu.
To our surprise seafood ceviche was served in a little cup and placed on the fancy seafoam green plate.
Then the bread basket came out with a vast variety of homemade breads.
After our salad course, which we ordered, we were surprised by champagne sorbet (alcohol cooked out).
My daughter and I each ordered Maryland crab cakes. Oh my. These are the best ever. The baby vegetables perfect. The sauce divine.
My son ordered the lamb chops which came with a side gratin.
Since my daughter and I could not finish our meals, the waiter packed them for us and tied it with a bow.
DESSERT SURPRISE
Although the waiter brought us dessert menus, he told us they had Baked Alaska, made with dulce de leche cake, coconut sorbet, and citrus sauce.
My son was intrigued, I love coconut, my daughter loves fruit….so we ordered one to share.
The staff was pleasantly surprised to see how much the kids enjoyed the fancy food, so they asked what brought us here.
Soon, the Baked Alaska arrived with a few of the wait staff and smiles and a candle, to congratulate her on her homeschool graduation.
After digging into the dessert, I realized the chef had piped “Congratulations” in chocolate.
Although I never got a picture of an intact Baked Alaska, it was delicious! Light and not too sweet. The plate was garnished with coconut and chocolate.
Then to our surprise the waiter brought our check with four chocolates, two of which had been eaten by the kids by the time I got a picture.
ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARCHCITECTURE
Even the ladies’ room was stunningly gorgeous!
WASHINGTON DC AT NIGHT
Driving home we passed all the beautiful monuments.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
My daughter loved the evening, exclaiming it was far better than a cap and gown ceremony or a party.
As the evening went on, my daughter sighed, “I feel just like Anne of Green Gables.”
There is a scene where Anne experiences a fancy concert for the first time and sighs that daily life will never be quite the same. (Anyone remember the exact quote?)
My son announced he wants us to return to Restaurant Lafayette for his graduation.
We all enjoyed our evening and have decided that no restaurant will compare to Restaurant Lafayette.
Nor will life ever quite be the same.
“I’ve had a splendid time,” she concluded happily, “and I feel that it marks an epoch in my life. But the best of it all was the coming home.” –Anne of Green Gables
Like Anne, crystal palaces and ivory halls are nice for an evening, but Avonlea aka home in the country, is comforting.
