A celebration of Mothers...and Military Spouses, tooHolidays are often celebrated early at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and this afternoon the Mother in Chief was also the Da
ughter in Chief, when she honored her Mother, Marian Robinson, during a lovely Mother's Day Tea that featured some of the bounty of foodstuffs grown on the White House grounds. As she welcomed a big group of mothers and daughters in the State Dining Room--including some very famous ones, who have previously lived in the White House--First Lady Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of motherhood, and her own mother's influence."There’s no way that I could ever fully measure all that my own mommy has done for me. This is my mommy," Mrs. Obama said, gesturing at Mrs. Robinson. "This woman who tries to take absolutely no credit for who I am for some reason, she is my rock...And she has always, always, always been there for me. And as our family have grown, she’s managed to expand her love for all of us. "
"Raising our girls in the White House with my mom -- oh, not going to do this," Mrs. Obama said, getting a little choked up, "-- is a beautiful experience."
The guests, gathered around brocade-covered tables laden with flowers, clapped and laughed.
"The opportunity to have three generations living in the White House, it’s beautiful," Mrs. Obama said. "And I’m pretty sure the President is happy about it, too."
Mrs. Obama's co
mments were met with more big applause from her guests, which included women who have also called the White House home: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter (left) and Patricia Nixon Cox, daughter of President Richard M. Nixon. Susan and Anne Eisenhower, granddaughters of President Dwight D. Eisenhower were also in attendance, as were spouses and mothers of troops. Today is Military Spouses Appreciation Day, by Presidential Proclamation, and Mrs. Obama noted this in her remarks. Cynthia Nixon, who was noted on the guest list as "actress and cancer survivor," was accompanied by her partner, Christine Marinoni, and she was the sole celeb on hand. As she introduced her guests, Mrs. Obama asked them to stand, and noted those with White House connections.
The First Lady revealed that she and Mrs. Carter try to have lunch together whenever Mrs. Carter is in town, and said that they are going to work together on post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health. Mrs. Carter's latest book is titled "Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis." Mrs. Obama has put a lot of time into working on military family issues, and those of Wounded Warriors.
Mrs. Obama talked a little story about Nixon Cox.
"The girls’ and I, our favorite picture is your wedding picture that is in the colonnade downstairs," Mrs. Obama told Nixon Cox. "We all stand and look at that and think about -- the wedding." "They’re not thinking about marriage, by the way. Don't write that down on a blog. They just like the picture," Mrs. Obama added, as her guests laughed and applauded.
On June 12, 1971, Nixon Cox married Edward Ridley Finch Cox in a lavish Rose Garden ceremony witnessed by 400 guests. (Above, Nixon Cox at the Tea)
"There is much history in this room today, and I’m so pleased to welcome these generations of women back to the White House," Mrs. Obama said about the former White House residents. "It is just an honor to have you all."
Top women from the administration were present, too, including Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Biden; EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson; U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice; and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, whom Mrs. Obama has previously referred to as "my partner in crime."
The group of young women who are in Mrs. Obama's mentoring program were also on hand, accompanied by their mothers, and Mrs. Obama asked them to stand and be recognized.
"We've had a lot of fun," Mrs. Obama said, and noted that the girls had ridden in the motorcade with her, on the way to activities that included meeting with Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor, as well as doing community service that included food initiatives.
Tea time: White House Honey, White House Jam...
The menu was a crea
tive embroidery on a traditional afternoon Tea, and featured White House jams and honey from the White House Beehive. Chives from the Kitchen garden were used for sandwiches. Special little jars, decorated with a presidential seal housed the honey, accompanied by a wooden dipper. There were two on each table. Noted on the menu: The shrimp was from the Gulf of Mexico. (Above: One of the special honey jars that were on each table)Guests sat at round tables of ten, covered with a greeny gold brocade cloth. A low floral arrangement in pink and purple hues, with lilacs, peonies and roses, and variegated ivies, was in the center of each table. As is Mrs. Obama's custom, the place settings held a mix of Presidential ware.
White House Mother's Day Tea Menu
*Cucumber Watercress Sandwiches
*Smoked Salmon on Blinis
Chevre Creme Fraiche
*Prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus Spears
*Chilled Gulf Shrimp
Chive aioli
*Blueberry Scones
*White House Jams
Cantaloupe-Almond and Pear-Ginger
*Ginger Spiced Scones
Irish Cheddar Peach Marmalade
*Lemon Pound Cake
*Fruit Tartlettes
*White House Honey
*Teas
Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Bolivian
Photo above the menu is the place settings. Each had a Johnson dinner plate, with a George W. Bush tea cup and saucer; Kennedy glassware held water. The Vermeil Bamboo centerpiece pattern on the flower vases is from the Jackie Kennedy era; and White House flatware was used. Press was ushered out before the Johnson plates showed up, before tea and comestibles were served.
Above: The floral arrangement.Related: A video and full transcript of Mrs. Obama's remarks, and the guest list, as released by the East Wing, is here.
*Photos by Obama Foodorama
