East Wing Rules

Presidents & Royal Visits

2011-05-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Buckingham Palace Ballroom seats 170 for a lavish State Dinner that will occur for the Obamas on Tuesday.

State Visits are timed to the second, including cocktail chatter and making the receiving line move along like a well-oiled people conveyor belt. Going to Buckingham Palace (it is not ~~ham~~, but more like hum in England) has other dangers. During a state visit at the Royal Dinner, once the Duke of Edinburgh gets his plate, by jove, you better dig in and finish rather like a champion hot dog eater because when he is done everybody's course is swooped up and replaced with what's next, regardless if you are done or not. Each speech by either Head of State is no more that 9 minutes long. Heckling by Her Majesty's husband if one does not conclude on time, is not unheard of at the head table.

The Obamas will stay officially at Buckingham Palace in the Belgian Suite. The same suite the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge used for their wedding night.

A State Visit to Britain is always initiated by the Queen. Her Majesty usually gets a reciprocal state visit during a second presidential term in the USA. That means a white tie affair which is very formal. QEII has the world's best bling and she is not shy about wearing it at state affairs. (I'm still astounded that with all the ice head gear the royals have, Kate Middleton chose to wear a training tiara so to speak....) Laura Bush had an excellent table setting for that event, her husband however, made several notable public gaffes with the queen. Winking at Queen Elizabeth II after calling her a couple of centuries old on one visit shall live in infamy among the protocol or those with home training skills. Other people will scream about Michelle Obama hugging the queen on her first visit, yet they have struck up a warm friendship. The Queen ensured Sasha & Malia Obama received a carriage ride through the gorgeous grounds for their first visit to Buckingham Palace.

The president and first lady usually stay at Winfield House while in England and will host a reception there during the state visit. It won't be a "knees up" affair like the party the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge had after their big do at Westminster Abbey. However, the newlyweds are expected to make an appearance on Tuesday to meet the Obamas, but Clarence House has yet to send out a formal message.

Every head of state gets a carriage ride after reviewing the troops. The head of state reviews the troops with Prince Phillip then rides down the mall in a regal procession with liveried footman to Buckingham Palace with the Queen in a gilt carriage. Lately the Queen has had more state events at one of her favorite palaces, Windsor Castle. However, the Obamas are staying in Belgian Suite on the ground floor of the Palace. Marine One will be nearby on the lawn. So...not sure if that particular carriage ride is on. (This carriage is carrying the Queen and President Zuma of South Africa last year.)

One of my favorite anecdotes happened on this side of pond during President Gerald Ford's one term. He wanted to dance with a more lively number and the President's Band jumped in with ... The Lady is A Tramp...She laughed out loud.

Obamas Do Sedate Mocha & Honey Makeover

2010-08-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

Wallpaper is not new to the Oval Office or the White House. The New York custom made light mocha-ish stripes are reminiscent of the bold gold ones in the sitting room of Blair House. Abraham Lincoln's presidential portrait, no doubt, garners a better view from the Obama refurbished Oval as both presidents hale from Illinois. In President Obama's private office outside the formal Oval hangs a large portrait of Justice Thurgood Marshall that traveled up Pennsylvania Avenue with him in 2009. President Bush is getting back the southwestern sunburst rug that First Lady Laura Bush picked out upon his ascension in 2001. Every president has had a replica of the Resolute Desk put in their library if they used it while in office. Each first lady puts the finishing touches on their husband's workspace.

The former George W. Bush rug with presidential seal.

This one took some time to evolve. The Obamas turned down the $100,000 budget given to every new president for additional decorating. However there was money leftover from the Inauguration. Nancy Reagan with & Hillary Clinton both moved fast to get their husband's imprimatur on the Oval as quickly as possible. Michelle Obama had more of a quandary as the economy had hit the skids and any efforts to redecorate would have garnered unwanted attention. The first lady worked with the White House Historical Association and her designer Michael Smith, while the Michigan sewn rug (The Scott Group) was donated. Those folks know their rug as they also did the Clinton royal blue Oval Office rug. I am very much hoping the drapes get some badly needed attention as they are now 10 years old.

The fact that nineteen months in and the Bushes needed their rug back for their upcoming library opening changed the circumstances to a need rather than a want. The President would have been staring at some gorgeous unadorned hardwood quarter sawn oak floors if they had not had the decorating done while the family had their ten day vacation. It is customary to borrow the predecessors rug until theirs is ready - and it takes time.

The rug however; has politically meaningful American quotes rather than the usual stars. Laura Bush redid the Cabinet room during her husband's second term and the bold russet red carpet has gold stars now. Two toned vertical stripes of tan & beige wallpaper accentuate the height of the 29 foot room with what looks to be a border of oxblood the presidential seal embedded on the ceiling. The chocolate leather parson chairs have not been a solid color in ages.

Upcoming interior upgrades are happening for the Yellow Oval Room on the second floor of the residence and the large Center Hall and West Sitting Hall.

Sophmore Season

2010-05-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

The State Dinner for President Calderón of Mexico got off to a slippery start for White House veteran and current State Department Chief of Protocol, Capricia Marshall. Both of the Obamas admonished the press NOT to print the picture of her falling in a lovely pink gown on the White House steps. That fall is nothing compared to Desiree Rogers freshman and final State Dinner featuring the security gaffe seen round the world. This is Take Two in the Obama Administration on many fronts. But there is one dessert that is making a first appearance: Goat Cheese Ice Cream. One thing that remains a trend for the Obamas is a guest Executive Chef that specializes with a particular type of cuisine. In this case a hometown fave of the president's and first lady, Chef Rick Bayless. He last tweeted about his sauces and mole earlier this morning before rushing off to the siren call of his pots and pans at the White House.

Another signature hallmark that is appearing from the first lady for her state dinners are bold color palettes for the table settings. This state dinner is half the scale of the November Dinner for Prime Minister Singh of India. Two hundred guests for dinner in the East Room with the historic paintings of George & Martha Washington overseeing the festivities from their gilt frames and then a fabulous switch to the outdoor entertainment tent/building which will see a glamorous Beyoncé. This dinner has a better weather forecast than the November diplomatic soirée that took place on one of DC's most rainy fall days. Prickly pear is making an appearance in the floral arrangements along with fuschia and delicate roses.

Photo courtesy of Getty

Another signature hallmark that is appearing from the first lady for her state dinners are bold color palettes for the table settings. A mix of rectangular and circular tables allow the room to squeeze in a couple hundred perfumed and tuxedoed guests. The gold rimmed table settings look like the Clinton china which will be filled with Wagyu beef in black mole sauce with grilled beans. This will be Juliana Smoot's first time out on managing a State dinner as the new Social Secretary with a much lower profile. This also a first for the Francophile, new White House Chief Florist, Laura Dowling who breached protocol by announcing her new high profile job on facebook before the first lady released a statement.

President Calderon, his wife Margarita Zavala with President & Michelle Obama in the North Portico of the White House.

First Lady Pat Nixon was the most active with dinners beating out all others since the first state dinner held on behalf of the King of the Solomon Islands which included the now state of Hawaii back in the days of Ulysses S Grant. The guest list includes a two-time appearance by Gayle King - accompanying avid tweeter and Newark's mayor, Corey Booker. Mayor Villaraigosa of Los Angeles was present as was the resplendent Eva Longoria Parker sans hubby. Another 100 people get in for the after dinner entertainment on the South Lawn.

More to come...
Confirmations: saw up close it IS the Clinton China.
This was the first State Dinner where the Obamas as First Couple descended the Grand Staircase for a State Dinner in public view. The Staircase was designed specifically by President Truman for formal entrances of the American Head of State

State Dinner Tuesday with the Obamas II

2009-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

This was a plate (mid bites) prepared by White House Chef Sam Kass for the governor's formal dinner in February 2009. The presidential seal is on the dessert chocolate and notice not a smudge - each one is checked for perfection. This was Mrs. Obama's first formal dinner at the White House and she chose the Wilson China.

Watch C-SPAN for coverage that is uninterrupted and filled with salient tips from experts on everything from military protocol to the floral arrangements. A State Occasion, let a lone a dinner, is lavish and meant to welcome a head of state with the finest of American hospitality at America's most famous address. First Ladies traditionally show off their arrangements and release details regarding floral wonders, china selection, silverware settings and other details during the day. The room (which is actually a tent on the South Lawn) tent is already arranged and the menu selected. It is written by hand for each setting by the White House calligrapher's office. Each course is designed, pre-tasted by the first lady and a small group of insiders and every seat has a handwritten name above each plate. Mrs. Obama's press secretary Katie Lleyveld will be overwhelmed today as most microscopic minutiae will be fodder for the press and interested folks like me ... and you!

This is a state formal dinner using the Ronald Reagan dinner service. by Mrs. Bush. Note the coloration of the American Beauty Roses and the plates. These are decided once the gown is selected for the evening. Photo courtesy the White House.

The custom is to not have spouses seated next to each other. Mrs. Obama will be at a different table than her husband. President Obama will toast his guest from the podium with the gilded eagle. In the past year, President Obama got a sample of his first snafu at a fancy official White House dinner when the eagle podium collapsed as he was giving a toast. The Chief Usher and the Head Butler were probably close to heart attacks as they plan down to the nano-second absolutely everything and always ensure there are back-ups for the back-ups. There is even spare pantyhose and other necessities for any guest who faces a wardrobe malfunction - within reason. The floral designers have special pieces for the table settings and all thirty-five bathrooms, especially those on the state floor.

Mrs. Obama greets an esteemed guest at her first international state hosting assignment for the G-20 in Pennsylvania at Rosemont Farm before the world's first ladies sent down to a formal dinner on the patio. The tablecloths and the china were a direct reflection of the dress Michelle Obama wore that evening. Photo courtesy of the White House.

An assortment of contractors has been vetted and hired for this state occasion. The kitchen is tense with anticipation, yet calm and orderly under the direction of veteran Executive Chef, Cristeta Comerford. It's tight as a tick in the cramped quarters and everything is done in an efficiency experts dream of a manufacturing assembly line. The dessert by Bill Yosses, the WH Pastry Chef and his assistant will feature a theme and down to the most exquisite drops will be completely edible. (The Pastry team from March 2009 at the White House prepare each plate in the State Dining Room. Photo courtesy of the White House)

Here is the original post outlining protocol for the state dinner back in October.
More to come after I do my physical therapy...

11/24/09 UPDATE 1: From the Photo Spray held by FLOTUS displaying tonight's table settings on the South Lawn. The beautiful grounds and rolling green lawn seem to be a key part of the inspiration. It also is quite reminiscent of the Green Room with its silk moire in the White House where the Obama family had their official family portrait taken by Annie Libowitz.

Here what we can tell from this photo - Its the William Jefferson Clinton China with the gilded flatware from Barbara Bush. The cushions on the chairs match the tablecloth and the linen napkins. That means a stunning backdrop for what FLOTUS or Michelle Obama has chosen to wear. (Photo courtesy CBS.) The brand spanking new White House Chief floral designer, Laura Dowling (last week's East Wing hire is how new), will have an amazing centerpiece which we do not have photos of yet.

Update 2: Michelle Obama held a luncheon for young women while featuring the protocol and precision involved in a state dinner. The luncheon was held in the State Dining Room. That Room was later used to showcase the table in a green reminiscent also of the Indian state colors of India and incredible green gems. It is off set with plum colored stemware and vibrant floral decor. (Photo courtesy of AP)

Mrs. Gusharan Kuar at the arrival ceremony with a stunning jade and silvery moss colored sari as Mrs. Obama brings saffron or a buffed up mandarin orange with an India inspired embossed ensemble at the State Arrival ceremony. The ceremony had to be moved indoors to the East Room so the military pomp and circumstance was absent with November weather teardrops on the White House Lawn.

Update 3 - The piece that inspired the dinner - The Dress by Naeem Khan.

Guests run the gamut from Robin Roberts of ABC to Jeff Immelt of GE. The tent seats 400 and the entertainment includes Kurt Elling and Jennifer Holiday. In the above image they are in the Cross hall of the state floor where its customary to have your picture taken if the dinner was held inside the White House. A guest chef helped with the vegetarian menu and the dessert pears were poached in the honey made by Mrs. Obamas bees.

Weekend Fall Gardens Tour at 1600

2009-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Just outside the Oval Office and the Cabinet
Room the Rose Garden in fall bloom. Most only see the grass during
press conferences but the area is trimmed in trees , pruned hedges and
a variety of flowers and of course, Roses. Photo courtesy The Los Angeles Times

In November 2008, President Bush and President-elect Obama walk past a gorgeous visage of fall roses and flora on the West Colonnade past the Rose Garden.

Pat Nixon started the idea of a garden tour for the White House. These 18 acres are one of the glowing crown jewels of the National Park System. For two days each fall and spring the White House opens its doors to the public to see and tour the botanical landscape in two vastly different seasons, yet with stunning blooms. Someday I will actually arrange to take this tour and stand outside and wait for my first come first serve ticket on the Ellipse. (Fall 2008 Rose Garden courtesy all natural annie)

Burnished autumn leaves and bountiful cornucopias herald the arrival of the fall season. Michelle Obama's bees are slowing down. The first lady has her resident carpenter/beekeeper to thank for granting her the ability to bestow a unique White House gift of homegrown local honey upon the G20 wives for her debut as international hostess. One can only goggle what her honey would go for on the open market on eBay. Yet, the tranquility of fall is a beautiful time at the White House as the crisp air warns of the coming holiday season and the upcoming social season in the executive mansion. Now is the last time for 2009 to take in the tour - weather permitting, of the White House in its seasonal splendor. Perhaps, there may be other tours once the holiday decorations go up but that is for the inside of the manor. October 17th and 18th are the days set aside to bask in the air outdoors to view the blooms in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden, the South Lawn and a better look than the spring of Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden.

The pergola is just barely visible where a great place to sit and contemplate or host a tea party in the gardens on the East side of the White House with the perfectly shaped topiary trees.

Vivid blooms will be found in the East Garden, more formally known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. The Children's Garden with its climbing tree, little iron sitting spots and the cement preserved hand prints of presidential kin is charming. It leads to the garden most discussed around the world, Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden. That garden is only eight months old and produced a bumper crop of greens and vegetables that made it to the family plates and in salads a number of guests consumed, including members of congress. On the White House website, Michelle Obama and chef Sam Kass give an overview of the idea and their thoughts about eating locally.

Tuesday was Latina Fiesta night for an Evening at the White House performance broadcast tonight on PBS. As a chef with two successful restaurants in New Jersey his menu blended Latin foods from a variety of geographical zones and ethnic identity. The rare oooh & ahh moment came for Chef Maricel Presilla as he was able to go to the Kitchen Garden and harvest greens, tomatillos for spicy pepper sauce and use some of the honey. Part of the bumper crop from the White House gets donated to a local nonprofit to feed the hungry and the homeless. Its popularity leads to Michelle Obama kicking off the 40th season of Sesame Street on November 10th talking about gardens and local food. It is this garden that many in the public are anxious to get a closer look atm but it is strictly look, don't touch. You would be eating Malia & Sasha's food for next week!

This is the Children's Garden during a spring Garden tour. The little ones are fascinated by the handprints of many of the first children started by President & Ladybird Johnson and the fish pond.

Handprints in the Children's Garden flagstone of President & Barbara Bush's granddaughters done during his time in office and not while their parents were in the White House. Photo courtesy the Bush White House (We do not know if Sasha & Malia did their handprints over the summer - maybe someone on the tour can report back and let us know!)

It would not be the White House, rich with presidents who were farmers first, to not tie in famous quotes on the land and its use. Thomas Jefferson rotated crops and found good crop yields at Monticello. He brought the idea of the formal English style gardens to the White House along with the colonnades as an eighteenth century garage for horses.The magnolia tree planted by Andrew Jackson, the trees dedicated by President and Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the South Lawn treehouse loving built by grandpa, otherwise known around the world as President Jimmy Carter.

This is the Thomas Jefferson quote placed in the Obama Kitchen Garden by the White House culinary staff. Photo courtesy Obama Foodorama.

The garden tour is almost forty years old now. It is a ticket that will take advantage of seeing the White House scenery at its best for fall. Here is the link to the Spring Garden tour, exactly 6 months ago, Gardens of the White House.

Michelle's First State Dinner for India

2009-10-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

The George W. Bush China Service

India, a democratic superpower has over a billion citizens with its own arsenal of nuclear weapons and the shared disgrace with America of being one of the top three polluters on the planet will have the distinct honor of being the first nation to receive the full ceremonial honors from a state visit. No doubt, difficult topics will be discussed by the heads of state. Yet, it is Michelle Obama who is going to hold the spotlight as she chooses, flatware, table coverings, floral design, china patterns, glassware, the menu(s), entertainment and music, seating arrangements, invitations for teas, luncheons and the attendees for the historic first state dinner on November 24th while choosing a never before seen fully formal gown to be discussed for eternity. Believe it or not, the gown actually helps settle the detailed choices of color used in the State Dining Room's or the East Room's table decor. Either room may be used and the East Room would hold more elegant diners, but makes the after dinner entertainment space a new challenge. If Michelle Obama is a last minute dress chooser - oh dear. (Photo of Obamas going up the Grand Staircase back to the residence after greeting Ambassadors to the US.)

Her staff has been on the case since May. No rest for the weary as November looms large in the Obama White House cultural portfolio. Michelle Obama received kudos for her first turn as an international hostess with the G20 heads of state and their spouses. Her choice of a gift for the event was rare and a keepsake. The huge state dinner is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving which makes it doubly rich for grand and gravy leftovers. That Wednesday the president should pardon a turkey - lately the saved pre-poultry birds have dined on some incredible tranquilizers before meeting the president due to some of the wilder pardon photos.

This is what Michelle Obama gave as hostess to the G20 spouses. It is an exclusive porcelain tea set mirroring the Lincoln china in the White House with US national flower (American Beauty Rose) at the bottom of the teacups made by a one hundred year old Illinois company. The little vials of honey and the larger container is honey produced directly from Michelle Obamas world famous Kitchen Garden, Photo courtesy LA Times

Mrs. Obama must also make Blair House ready and work with the State Departments protocol experts on name pronunciation, food requirements, allergies and taboos, complete with full black tie etiquette. A briefing book has already been compiled and the secret invite right now is for the under two dozen friends and staff that get to attend a tasting menu featuring choices for the meals. Her residence staff is theming floral pieces for all of the bathrooms and a host of contract workers need to be ready to produce the pièce de résistance of an elaborate multi-course meal for at most 140 people. It will be the hardest ticket to obtain in Washington DC since the inaugural. All those people who have spent time sucking up to the first lady's friend and Social Secretary while writing puff pieces about her are about to find out if the investment was worth it.

In February 2009, the Obamas had a trial run at a high level black-tie event for the US governors. Here they dance in the East Room to Earth Wind & Fire playing live.

The East Wing communication staff will arrange a day of photo spray for the press to see Mrs. Obama in front of a fully set table complete with hand crafted calligraphy table cards while explaining which China pattern she is choosing to use. The menus for each setting will feature the salads, American vintage wines, entrées and desserts all in the same calligraphy style. It is usually a keepsake from the White House along with the invitation requesting the honor of their presence. That is definitely still a secret, but the Wilson China has made a debut. Part of the decision is made on which full sets of China are available in the right colors for a state dinner - Ronald Reagan China in a bold red, the George W. Bush set - never yet used in a green with basketweave pattern, the Clinton China with the golden rims and 24-karat gold images of the White House dead center, with which full set of flatware is available. The last first lady to purchase a full set of gilded formal flatware, late 19th century reproductions from Kirk Steiff of Baltimore, for elegant entertaining in the White House is Barbara Bush. Her daughter-in-law also purchased large sterling silver serving pieces.

The stunning table arrangement here is the 2007 white tie setting for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. White tie is usually reserved as a royal honor. This was an excellent use of the William Jefferson Clinton china service by Laura Bush. This table is set to handle five courses rather than the usual four for a state dinner.

Formal arrival ceremony

The newly re-elected fourteenth Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Manmohan Singh and his lovely wife, Gursharan Kaur will receive the full ceremonial honors of arriving at the South Lawn. After a troop review and opening remarks, the couples will go through the Diplomatic Reception Room and usually share some time together before the spouses go one direction and the heads of state another. After a luncheon, the next arrival will be on the North side of the White House in view of the world's press as they are formally greeted by the president and first lady in formal attire on the red carpet. They will go upstairs and have a moment to share in the Yellow Oval Room in the private residence. Just before dinner, Ruffles and Flourishes will announce the president and first lady as they descend the Grand Staircase with their honored guests to stand and welcome each invited guest in the Entrance hall as the President's Own plays and photographers film. There are vast differences in height so the images will need some thinking through by the professionals. (Gursharan Kaur with Michelle Obama from April in London during the Obamas first meeting of the G20.)

Prime Minister Singh, President Barack Obama, Mrs. Gusharan Kaur and Mrs. Michelle Obama at the arrival for the working and spouse dinner.

Michelle gives welcoming remarks at the dinner party held on a patio at Rosemont Farms for the G20 spouses. Photo courtesy the White House

Can't wait for November 24th. All of the public ceremony is usually covered in full by the wonderful station I love, C-SPAN.

UPDATE: The latest Obama State Dinner post is here... State Dinner Tuesday with the Obamas

Children, Presidents & White House Living

2009-10-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Small handprints randomly placed low on window panes and glass patio doors adorn many homes with children. The White House has a skilled housekeeping staff that can spot a spider web, eliminate dust mites with top of the line oils or stamp out a lost ant colony at 10 paces. Bringing children into the mix just puts them on a higher level of alert and ups their game. For this years Christmas season, it will be a contest to see who drops the most crumbs, the children, Bo or the ostensible adults. Television pioneer Art Linkletter made a living a while back at watching the things children do and say. Two children live in the White House now with usually nary a peep. However, each and every one of them have their moments. Sasha plays hide and seek in the Oval to try and scare her dad. Her feet are just a few feet away from the phone that can contact anyone securely on the planet.

The Bush twins, Barbara & Jenna, put their young hands in cement for the White House's Children's Garden during their grandfather's term in office. While their dad President George W. Bush was in office, they went off to enjoy the college life at full throttle. Caroline Kennedy rode her pony across the South Lawn while she and her baby brother splashed in the famous fountain. Yet, there are always the unscripted moments. Caroline Kennedy was about five when she gave an impromptu interview. A reporter asked what was her father doing. Caroline replied, nothing. He was upstairs with his socks and shoes off. Caroline was treated to endless entreaties to be America's new Shirley Temple. Chelsea did not feel well at her new school and the nurse needed permission to dispense an aspirin and was about to call her mom. Chelsea interrupted and said no, she was too busy, please call my dad. Dad wins a Nobel Peace Prize and the Obama daughters liken it to the big events in their lives - Bo Obama's birthday and a three day weekend. And so it goes, those little moments that end up in the history books. (Caroline & John Kennedy, Jr and the president right outside the Oval Office with her pet horse, macaroni. This is just steps away from where Sasha & Malia's swingset is today. Photo courtesy Clinton Presidential Library)

The Clintons on the South Lawn and in the 2nd image in China with the famed Terracotta Soldiers. Chelsea traveled along as many presidential children do on major trips.
Not everyone's dad has a helicopter with your favorite candy right at your seat or a hulking plane that stars in its own major motion picture and gets fighter jet escorts. A ride to school for most kids is to get out of the minivan or SUV as soon as it seems like it stops so no one sees you with your parents. Instead the newest kids of a president get an armored up SUV with fully armed guards to ride with you to school each and every day and knows whether you are finishing a piece of homework hastily in the car or got in a mite of trouble. When riding on official business with dad there are flags on each side of the hood of The Beast and a presidential seal is everywhere and imprinted indelibly on everything. For all the requirements, the unscripted moments still occur. (The Bush Twins, Barbara on the left and Jenna on the right. They traveled more in the last year of their father's presidency.)

Going to Martha's Vineyard for vacation it looks like Bo is saying are we there yet as an aide carries a a baby car seat required even for presidential niece Savita (Dr. Konrad Ng's & Dr. Maya Soetero-Ng's youngest daughter) for the car ride to their destination. That's just not a recent run of the mill WH exercise toting baby gear. Below is Savita learning to walk in the Oval Office.)

Travel is always a great time for presidential kids to meet he sons and daughters of other heads of state and make life long friends. Many of their father's counterparts have children younger than the Obama children. The rarity of children calling 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue home in the last fifty years increases the interest because many people see a your family just like theirs, but with circumstances no one will ever know unless they actually live in the Executive Mansion. With kids involved, the unexpected always happens. When Bo officially came home, the Obama girls were the initiators of meeting the press. It was a very young Sasha that high-fived Vice president Cheney when her father was sworn in as a senator in 2005. President Obama and the first lady went with their children's wishes on that occasion. Pretty sure there are more to come. Here are a few impromptu moments courtesy of Malia & Sasha.

Yes, presidential limousines require seatbelts for the children. This is leaving the Vatican and guess who has kicked off their shoes as big sister just smiles... See above. It looks like Michelle Obama bursts into laughter when she sees Sasha after the megaton door to the presidential limo is opened providing photogs with an irresistible moment.

First Lady Michelle Obama helps Malia remove sand from her hair as they wait for the incredible edibles. Note the awesome adventurous blue nail polish Malia is sporting. This from the Obama August vacation on Martha's Vineyard.

Stay tuned! Christmas is coming to the Obama White House and in the not too distant future should be announcing the East Wing theme for 2009. With all of the children in the place it ought to be a spectacular pictorial Holiday Season.

Modern Art Work & The Obamas

2009-09-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Every modern first lady shows interest in the arts with some being avid fans of a particular form or style. Jackie Kennedy loved the ballet with an exquisite eye for centuries old antiques while beautiful photographs adorned her private space. Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers, especially those indigenous to Texas, while kick-starting forerunners to environmental projects focusing along highways. Michelle Obama has eclectic taste and is being ecumenical in her choices for the residence. When a new first family moves in and during their tenure, the nation's museums are open for them to select what they want to display on the their private residence walls in addition to what is available from the White House Art Collection replete with 18th & 19th century artists. Laura Bush was quite fond of the impressionist Claude Monet's tranquil water scene gifted to the White House by the family of JFK. She chose to have it in the West Sitting Hall right across from the door to the Master Bedroom where she could look at it while reading or chatting on the phone. Hillary worked hard to innovate with a sculpture garden with annual exhibits during her stay as first lady. (Monet in White House private collection courtesy George W. Bush archives)

Alma Thomas (1891 -1971) an abstract artist who was the first African American to earn a 1971 solo exhibit at the prestigious Whitney museum Art of (Hard Edge), Watusi (completed in 1963) is one of the paintings the Obamas placed in the residence. The other abstract from this artist is named Skylight.

President Obama, Malia & Michelle watch the video montage on the modern artists while in Paris at the museum known as the Pompidou in June 2009. Photo courtesy of the White House.

The President & Mrs. Obama made some modern choices for their walls. Modern art is a theme shown over the past few months with a trip to the Pompidou Centre or the Centre Georges Pompidou during time in Paris. The Kandinsky Exhibit was quite fun Mom & Dad, but for Sasha & Malia they got to try their hand at making art based on the Alexander Calder (1898 - 1976) exhibit. It is part of the experience for all children visiting that section of the museum. Wonder what Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky (1866 - 1944) would think.

Richard Diebenkorn (1922 -1993) painted Berkeley No.52 circa 1955. The colorful abstract has a place of honor at the Obamas.

Art is a theme throughout the young tenure of the Obama presidency. Thursday starts the First Couples foray as hosts entertaining heads of state. A philanthropist married to a United States senator will entertain the Obamas and their guest at her Rosemont Farm. Teresa Heinz Kerry just missed being a first lady, but 2004 is where Barack Obama came into prominence with the American public. The Farm will supply the vegetables and meets in a true locavore element that pleases Michelle Obama, though she will not be photographed (today) picking the greens and vegetables herself. Gardens are a form of art to her. While the spouses negotiate, the first lady will host a tour for the G-20 spouses (mostly wives) at the Andy Warhol Museum complete with a spectacular luncheon in Pittsburgh. Prior, the tour will hear more art performed by students, Yo-Yo Ma (performed at the inaugural), Trisha Yearwood and Sarah Bareilles. An interesting choice of Warhol (Andrew Warhola 1928 - 1987) given the need to treat the international honored guests to sophisticated Americana known as pop art and Warhol was born in Pittsburgh. President Jimmy Carter feted Warhol in the White house in the 1970s where Warhol presented an art piece that was a rendering of the president. Warhol has many pieces that explore erotica as well. Its fraught with interest because the tour will have a climatic ending as one of Warhol's time capsules is due to be opened. Ought to be quite the topic over lunch - even with all the translators.

Ed Ruscha (born 1937) titled this hip 1983 piece I Think I'll... This pop art piece particularly underscores the modern element to the Obama's tastes. Since 1964, Ruscha paints words into many of his paintings. Sometimes they are satirical and often with touches of humor.

Upon their return to the White House, the splendor of the choices of the Obamas own artwork will reign supreme. Michelle will enjoy the serenity of the art for a few days before taking off to Copenhagen next week to champion Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics. Not one, but two paintings depicting Homage to the Square from Josef Albers (1888 - 1976) adorn the walls at the White House on loan from the Hirshorn Collection. Albers was also a poet. The painting pictured left is Homage to the Square: Midday and completed sometime between 1954 - 1957. The painting for the Homage series started in 1949. Like abstract artist Alma Thomas shown above, Josef Albers was also a teacher. Upon retirements, they both dedicated the remainder of their lives to their art works. (Photo courtesy The Independent)

A definite nod was given to winner of a 2005 Alphonse Fletcher Foundation Fellowship Glenn Ligon (1960 -) who painted Black Like Me #2 (1992) who is just a year younger than the president. Again, continuity reaches through the Obama art pieces as Ligon like Albers uses words and paints in acrylic on canvas. Ligon who is openly gay and an African American from New York has juxtaposed family albums with old school gay porn in one piece. It is part of the art that many artists of vintage and antiquity along with their modern counterparts push the edges during their times.

Glenn Ligon's piece on loan to the First Family.

It's fascinating to review a couple of the choices the Obamas have to look at during their home life. For traditionalists, there is the Edgar Degas bronze figure of Dancer Putting on Her Stocking, a Cézanne (1839 - 1906), yet they mesh with Jaspers Johns lead relief of Numerals, 0-9. Michelle has a wide range of tastes and its reflected in the art selection and her personal style that is not totally dependent on the old masters. Another voice in the selection of modern and abstract art pieces is the Obama interior designer, Michael Smith of Santa Monica who also worked with the White House curator William Allman.

Another young talented but terribly depressed artist met an untimely death by suicide. In fifteen years Nicolas de Staël (1914 -1955) produced over a thousand paintings including many abstract landscapes. This painting is entitled Nice completed in 1954.

Royal Meet & Greets with the First Family

2009-09-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Her Majesty Queen Rania meets with First Lady Michelle Obama in the Yellow Oval Room on the second floor and private residence. Queen Rania is an active mom that also attends her children's soccer matches as do the Obamas. Photo courtesy of White House.

Royal status arrives upon birth or a wedding fit for a king, queen, prince or princess. A first lady must travel the interstate and freeways of the nation and meet thousands upon thousands of happy, upset, aggrieved or excited people in the tiniest hamlets and the biggest cities before getting the keys for a four year stay to the world's most famous executive residence. The White House at 55,000 square feet with 35 bathrooms is rather small in comparison to Tokyo's Imperial Palace, Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles. Modern royals interact more with people and promote causes and charities on the international stage.

Traditionally, the formal place to meet privately with royal guests is in the Yellow Oval Room. It is also where select guests meet before two heads of state descend the Grand Staircase for a formal state dinner of which the Obamas are yet to host. Barbara Bush gifts Princess Diana with a book dictated to her by her dog, Millie. Photo courtesy the George H. W. Bush Library.

Friendships that last a lifetime spring up among American first family's with many royals as they are very familiar with the shared isolation known as the impenetrable Bubble and the protocols for heads of state. One of my favorite stories from last year was candidate Obama went to the Middle East, including Jordan and to the Aqaba palace. As a candidate he did not have formal privileges to get a ride from the State Department. King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein drove him to the airport in his own personal car. They broke the speed limit and both president and the King are Trekkies. As seen in the top image now their powerful spouses are getting a chance to know each other as well. From Former First Lady Nancy Reagan came to the White House for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall's visit for the formal dinner. Nancy Reagan and the president both attended Lady Diana's 1981 royal wedding deluxe to Prince Charles. She hosted the very famous dinner for their visit that had a svelte Princess Diana twirling across the floor with John Travolta in the Grand Foyer which works marvelously well as a dance area.

Prince Charles & The Duchess during their visit with President George W. Bush and the First Lady.

The Place setting from the formal White House dinner hosted by the Bushes

Malia's will get a teen-scale briefing on the formalities for her first formal state dinner akin to the scene from the movie Pretty Woman where all the knives, forks, goblets get a full explanation. White tie dinners at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue are rare and usually reserved for Kings & Queens. Black tie is for everyone else of extraordinary rank including the Prince of Wales and Camilla on their first visit after their nuptials. The last was in 2007, when President & Laura Bush entertained Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II & her husband Prince Phillip on a full state visit. Michelle Obama & the Queen Elizabeth are quite chummy with phone calls and two visits to Buckingham Palace by the First Lady. Malia & Sasha got a personal tour and met Her Majesty afterwards for a spot of tea and what had to be some delightful scones. A former Princess and mother of two princesses, Sarah Ferguson quietly went to the White House to lobby Michelle to participate in a charity project. The Duchess of Cornwall and her husband Prince Charles met the Obamas during the G20 summit at a social even hosted by the Queen. He focused on the Kitchen Garden. Not too many are aware that the Queen has started a little patch with her own veggies on the palace grounds.

President Clinton, Queen Noor, Hillary Clinton and his Majesty King Hussein of Jordan have an American style Lunch complete with french fries. It was one of the last happy visits to the USA before King Hussein succumbed to his illness.

Kings have friends among American presidents. The American-born Queen Noor visited the White House often with her husband King Hussein. In 1998, Hillary Clinton held lunch for the King & Queen of Jordan on the Truman Balcony. The balcony is accessed from the Yellow Oval Room where a more casual setting can take place. First Ladies plan each detail when meeting with royals. The amount of protocol can be overwhelming as Michelle found as she exchanged a fond pat with Queen Elizabeth.

At the reception in Buckingham Palace, the bonding Moment seen round the world.

President & Mrs. Obama meet for the first time in Her Majesty's formal living room at the Palace.

The waves of royals have a generational component that works well with the Obamas. Felipe, HRH The Prince of Asturias has a very young family with former television anchor as his Princess, Letizia. His suave parents the King & Queen Sophia of Spain are still on the throne. From Japan, the new Prime Minister's wife has made no secret of her desire to meet Michelle Obama. The Emperor & Empress of the Chrysanthemum Throne will be a highly structured first meeting for the Obamas. The Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan & his American educated former diplomat & lovely wife Crown Princess Masako have yet to meet the Obamas and they have a young daughter near Sasha's age.

In the Yellow Oval Room (seen from another angle) the Obamas host the Dutch Crown Prince, Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange & Crown PrincessMáxima of the Netherlands in September 2009. Their oldest child is five.

Note: My hand is now better and I have better motor control to type. My shoulder well we'll keep hoping....Stay tuned for the next post.

Gorgeous Green Room in Silk

2009-09-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

First Lady Mamie Eisenhower (blue dress) with guests in the Truman version of the Green Room.

Moiré patterned silk covers the walls of the salon, Green Room. Formerly a daintier yellow, Thomas Jefferson had a green camouflage dropcloth functioning as a rug to catch the crumbs that missed his mouth in what was slated to become a dining room. It is sandwiched between the East Room and officially Michelle Obama's favorite, the Blue Room. Of course, it got a redo into the French Empire style after the Jeffersonian era because the British BBQ'd the entire White House in the War of 1812. Later, Victorian style gave way to Colonial Revival championed by McKim, Mead & White in Teddy Roosevelt's day throughout the room. Laura Bush redid the room in the summer of 2007 and added African American artist, Jacob Lawrence's (1917-2000) The Builders to the collection of art adorning the silk walls. At the time, the White House Acquisition Trust purchased the sixty year old painting, it sold for $2.5 million dollars and is one of only five pieces of art by an African American artist in the formal White House collection. The rule to command a spot as an artist on many of the state room walls (absent presidents) the painter gets the honor after dying and the work has to be more than twenty-five yeas old. Laura Bush with The Builders over her shoulder. She took some flack because the picture is of black men doing hard labor. Photo Courtesy the Washington Post.

Lighter Relieving (1847) Farmyard in Winter (1858) Bear Lake, New Mexico Georgia O'Keefe (1930) from the White House Art Collection located on the walls of the Green Room

Art in the Green Room covers many styles. Holding pride of place is an iconic painting of Benjamin Franklin by David Martin sitting right above the oldest mantel in the White House - circa 1819. Abigail Van Buren's portrait also graces the room. Louisa Adams portrait in oils is a period piece painted by Gilbert Stuart. Scenes form the Mississippi River in Lighter Relieving a Steamboat Aground by George Caleb Bingham in 1847 is above the north door.

The urn and candlesticks on the coffee table in front of the Duncan Phyfe striped sofa are part of the silver pieces from John & Abigail Adams.

In 1961, during Jacqueline Kennedy's interior revamp, she employed a French designer that focused on a Federal style for the Green Room. Fireplace mantels endured switch-outs from a modern for nineteenth century standards circa 1852 to something decades earlier bought by James Monroe. The room suffered though the 1904 white cane furniture and then, seized upon the idea of the fluffiest Turkish chairs to decorate the almost 627 square feet of space. That is more complicated than one might suspect for any designer because there are separate 6 doors to the Green Room as well. Jackie Kennedy believed heartily in themes and located things from important Americans, including Daniel Webster's Duncan Phyfe sofa and an urn Abigail Adams purchased. She hung the watered silk on the walls and varying degrees of that have been there ever since. (Green Room at conclusion of Jackie Kennedy's historic redo)

Pat Nixon's curator tut-tutted the wrong era moldings for the room and had them replaced along with appropriate ceiling medallions. One thing about the White House, do not forget to look up as the ceilings are works of art as well. Even the Oval Office has a ceiling medallion. Draperies in the rooms also have exquisite attention to detail along with carpets be they an Axminster in Jackie's heyday or after the Pat Nixon overhaul. Laura Bush's rendition thirty-six years later is closer to that with a brighter hued color palette.

President Obama waits to be announce into the East Room by aides.

The picture contains the rosier color of the Martha Washington club chairs in front of the WH's oldest mantel with the author of Poor Richard's almanac staring down on President Obama with the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Liberal Lion of the Senate. Photos courtesy of the White House by Peter Souza.

Duncan Phyfe has several pieces to enchant in the room. Scalamandr did the original wreath and butterfly motif that Texas designer Ken Blasingame, the White House preservation authorities and Laura Bush chose. The room has had many incarnations with the Monroes settling on making it the Card Room for their fierce games of whist.

Barbara Bush gives an interview to CBS with her dog, Millie utterly unimpressed.

Before the makeover, the same Eisenhower set up, Jackie Kennedy greets the wives of astronauts in the Green Room

Marta Sahaun de Fox of Mexico with Lara Bush in 2001 before her makeover of the room. Notice the more plain fabric on the chairs. Just over Mrs. Fox's shoulder is a magnificent piece of furniture with all kinds of hidden compartments. Atop it resides the Argand Lamp from the late 18th century.

Each first family finds different functions to hold in the Green Room. The first declaration of war was signed in the green room by President Madison. On February 24, 1862 Willie Lincoln who died upstairs was put in his coffin in this room to keep Mary Lincoln. had The appropriation of Green did not come until the time of John Quincy Adams and his wife (1825-1829) made it the Green Drawing Room while Grace Coolidge thought it the perfect backdrop for some semi-nude art after decreeing the room needed genuine Federal period (tons of eagles) placed in the room that started as a Lodging Room. It's also a room for interesting receptions and entertaining. Eleanor Roosevelt spent time with Amelia Earhart in the Green Room.

The Green Room at the time of Andrew Johnson.

Green Room in time of the 1904 Roosevelt administration. Just outside the doors is the Grand Staircase as it used to open right to the Cross Hall before the Truman renovations. Ghastly choice in furniture & art during the Roosevelt era in my opinion.

Missing History & Opportunity in the Obama East Wing

2009-08-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

What a heady and tumultuous eight months that whirled by with the first biracial president and African American first lady. My focus is the East Wing of the equation. For the Obamas, two cute and curious kids, an internationally famous puppy and so many inspirational firsts or twists on the past such as the incredible Michelle Obama Kitchen Garden that are now part of the American presidential fabric. But not the electronic strand that marks a spot for the current generation or future ones. It also takes time to coalesce all the moving parts of a White House experience in the first year especially with appointed staff learning the history of the People's House, its contents and all who lived there since the muddy time of John & Abigail Adams. The White House is an eighteen acre bubble shared by an energetic family, military trained attack dogs, eagle eyed snipers, priceless antiques, a rambunctious puppy, incredible works of arts, thousands of daily visitors, vintage trees, a one hundred member staff dedicated to the Residence and now, the newest first lady's bees. That's just the stuff you see if on the premises. It is for those who are not on the premises that my post encompasses.

After leaving the Vatican, the First Family heads to Air Force One to go to Ghana.

The only way to understand the White House is to read voraciously or look at the pictures or if one must, suffer through the soundbites the traditional media thinks are important. What endures is the White House legacy. To that end if one is reading this post online, one should also be able to go to the White House website and find the riches and beauty of the house. It takes a while before new first ladies find their sea legs. Only two first ladies had a relative to call upon to get a multitude of details on the operations of a White House, Louisa Adams had her mother-in-law Abigail Adams as Laura Bush had Barbara Bush.

The West Wing side of the Obama Administration shows savvy at the White House website with a blog, policy briefs, and a YouTube channel. Nothing like it exists readily for the Obama East Wing. Yes, there are a couple of photo albums for the first lady, Michelle Obama, but no blog, no fulsome history of each of the State Rooms, the extensive White House American Art collections, no White House Residence senior staff profiles, no details of events hosted by the first lady that resonate - the music series, the output of the $200 investment of the Kitchen Garden or the choices of China, silverware or floral arrangements used at events. Those things must wait for chronicling by a haphazard news media that misses points for posterity. These details are important and will be part of the record of Michelle Obama's tenure as first lady, especially as the first African American. (Photo courtesy the White House of Michelle Obama meeting the retired Chief Florist Nancy Clarke's new granddaughter at a staff party in the mansion.)

Content on the White House website is important and even the West Wing is struggling to capture everything and get pieces filled in. The East Wing should join alongside the West in providing rich, detailed content about state or official events at the People's House. A great piece has been the live streaming of events on the White House website by both the president and the first lady. Time marches rapidly and before we know it, a year will float by before attention turns to making information available on the website.

The Lincoln Sitting Room off the Lincoln Bedroom on the second floor of the Residence. Cataloging once again the art works for the public is critical.

Certainly Laura Bush had some gaps, but one thing about her being n ex-librarian is that it was extremely thorough on her side of the White House web ledger. It was beyond outstanding and a model that future first ladies should follow with attention to detail to pieces of furniture, pre-scheduled Ask the Staff live chats, individual first ladies portraits and biographies, 3 D tours of renovated spaces - including the Cabinet Room and the Situation Room. Interesting and shocking that President Obama can be comfortably ensconced in the Oval Office decor of President Bush but not the technology savvy displayed on his website. A news sighting of the changing of the White House fountains to Celtic Green for Saint Patrick's Day was duly noted by the press, but its not captured as part of the new thinking the first lady is bringing to White House traditions. I'm waiting, but patiently not so much, as too much history is going by too fast.

Michelle Obama oft repeats that she wants to bring the White House to people who have never seen it and offering up a robust web presence would do that for millions in this nation and millions if not billions more outside of it. Nothing has captured the imagination of global interest like her garden and the implications for nutritional value of home grown local food. Prince Charles waxed ecstatic about the Kitchen Garden and members of Congress along with other guests plus the family eat the fruits of the labor of the kids at Bancroft Elementary, Mrs. Obama, the White House chefs and the landscape crew. It would be great to talk about the garden in terms of healthy eating right at the site - rather than through the occasional news article prompted by a photo op.

Every White House Pet is special. There was a Barney Cam - yeah, he bit a reporter for which first lady Laura Bush wrote a handwritten apology, Socks was a superstar cat and Bo is threatening to need his own reporter assigned to him because he garners so much attention. It was a wonderfully weird presidential picture as the Obamas went on vacation to see a baby car seat (for Maya's infant daughter) and Bo leave a helicopter in the same image. The East Wing smartly came up with a Bo piece that went into bags for the troops. It was pretty cute to watch Malia intently read the doggy bio information before she placed it in the backpack she was supposed to be filling at a service event.

Malia is reading every detail.

All great things in good time, I suppose. Please, Obama East Wing staff - please pay attention to the mound of details about the White House, its environs and the furniture of history that many in the public are acutely interested in for the first time. It is an opportunity so many want and few have have to make such a lasting impact on learning about the White House and its internationally famous first family. The archives of what Laura Bush did is an excellent example from where to start and innovate. We need more information, history lessons and access on the White House website - Please, Please, PLEASE with a vermeil candelabra on top. (Michelle Obama in her East Wing office with her new Chief of Staff, Susan Sher.)

Michelle's First White House Christmas Tree

2009-08-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

Lynda Bird Johnson Robb celebrating Christmas in the Blue Room with the presidential grandchildren in 1968. Photos courtesy the White House

Plans proceed apace as the Sundbacks of Sheperdstown, West Virginia won the White House Christmas Tree Sweepstakes or better yet, are now known officially as the Grand Champions of the National Christmas Tree Contest. Since 1956, the couple, Eric & Gloria Sundback, now in their eighties, have discouraged deer and fought hard against Mother Nature's more harmful weather whimsies to keep the trees growing strong while some are tall. Their tenacity won spots to have their trees ferried to the White House several times over the decades. Horticulture and forestry experts, they started because they could never find a tree that suited them, so hence their own orchard. Rosalynn Carter & Nancy Reagan also decorated trees from the Sundback farm. Michelle Obama's first Christmas in the White House will see her taking receipt of a Fraser Fir tree from a lifetime of hard work finding better needle retention and increasing branch strength on a horse drawn sleigh. This is the third year in a row the Fraser Fir has beat out the Pines, Spruces and Nobles.

Hillary Clinton had a spectacular tree skirt from 1993 as part of her A Visit from St. Nicholas theme. The ornaments were from architecture students that was pretty spectacular under this 1995 Fraser Fir. For comparison below, the 1993 Tree which was Hillary's first at the White House.

There are exactly 118 days until Christmas, but the Obama White House must have the up to nineteen foot tree (and no higher) selected from Eric & Gloria Sundback Trees delivered a few days after the presidential turkey pardon on the picturesque sleigh. The tree will have a special topper that cannot brush the ceiling directly below the gilt ceiling medallion to make the holiday tableau wonderful for what will be one of the most highly photographed and trafficked areas for the Obamas first Holiday Season. The velvet ropes around the tree keep people form handling the sometimes delicate or antique ornaments. Pat Nixon sent waves a shock through the choice of an atomic symbol rather than the sedate star normally used. As discussed on White House Christmas in July post on the volunteer elves need three days to trim out the place with decor that follows the theme which remains a closely guarded secret for the Obama White House. Sasha, Malia and Bo will have some definite ideas about what goes on the tree and under the tree. A gingerbread house is in order for this year and perhaps Michelle will ask Roland Mesnier to consider making one and decorating it as he has in the past for Laura Bush.

President Kennedy & Jacqueline Kennedy displayed this official tree as part of the Nutcracker Theme of 1961 inaugurating the idea of a theme. Barbara Bush repeated the Nutcracker Suite theme in 1990. Hillary Clinton took another swing at the popular Nutcracker theme in 1996.

In 2002, Laura Bush had an almost nineteen foot Noble Fir delivered from Hedlund Christmas Trees from the northwest in Elma,Washington. They too were experienced with the rituals of White House Trees having made the trip a few years before after winning the honor to give first lady Hillary Clinton the tree. You have to win the contest from the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) first. Next, the tree selected for either the White House or The Vice President's place at One Observatory Circle is a direct result of a full scale competition complete with airline reservations, refrigerated trucks and professional tree handlers. My best analogy is its like the Westminster Dog show for elite, carefully bred living trees with 5 categories and a gnarled tree twist. One American farm gets to enter their top two trees and if selected the winner by a panel of outside judges, that farm is retired from competition for the next three years.

This is the 2007 delivery of a Fraser Fir with Laura Bush as she kicked off the Holiday in the National Parks theme that required an ornament to commemorate each of the 391 National Park Service sites.

The trees take almost a decade to get to the required height, but that may be more accidental than planned. Since 1966 the NCTA has presented the tree. The first lady's team in the East Wing strive to come up with a theme that the Residence staff of exemplary pastry chefs, carpenters and electricians work to implement. In 2008, the Obamas spent Christmas in the Aloha State before changing climates to arrive in an icy DC in time for the girls to start a new term at a new school in their new home city. This is Michelle Obama's maiden Holiday season and it will be interesting to see how many fresh and exciting new ideas she can come up with to celebrate a cherished part of the Season! We shall be eating a few sugar plums with joyous anticipation as snugly in bed as the laptop allows and watching ... closely just like Santa Claus does for the Obamas. It will be so different from 2008 getting the tree.

Malia & Dad go searching for their last tree in Chicago as a family before entering the White House. A new level of entertaining ahead as the White House has not had presidential children to celebrate the Holidays in decades.

Update: Here is another link explaining a bit more about the White House Holiday planning process that picked up steam in July.

Painted Ladies of the White House

2009-08-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

There were a number of firsts with the painting of Hillary Clinton's portrait. The first African American portrait artist Simmie Knox did a tandem of her and President's Clinton's official oil portraits. She is wearing a pantsuit with her hand touching her best selling book with an example of historic White House China on the table. The painting hangs on the Ground floor in the Hall. Portraits courtesy of the White House Collection.

All over the White House the painted eyes of presidents and first ladies watch the new occupants as they settle into the presidential manor. President Nixon used to speak with the portraits and keep himself in the wilting humidity of a Washington summer closeted in
the Lincoln Sitting Room with the fireplace crackling. Nancy Reagan was very particular about the portraits and where certain first ladies would grace the walls. Her portrait is a stunning red visage that matches perfectly the red carpets on the Ground Floor and Cross Hall - it was not an accident. Part of the tradition in modern times is to select a portrait artist and the result is part of a White House Ceremony unveiling the art. Usually, the second term in office is when the president and first lady start thinking about their formal portraits and start to select or audition painters of the first brush. The styles change over the years, with portraits of the first First Couples being part of living in the early days of the republic. (President Obama & Nancy Reagan on Ground Floor in the hallway pass her portrait on the way into Diplomatic Reception Room as he signs The Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission honoring his memory.)

Teacher for the Deaf & crochet expert Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge 1923 - 1929 as First Lady Teetotaler Lucy Ware Webb Hayes 1877 - 1881 as First Lady Daughter-in-law Angelica Singleton Van Buren acted as hostess/First Lady 1839-1841 as Hannah Van Buren had passed away. Permanently displayed in the Red Room. Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams (1825-1829) is the daughter-in-law of Abigail Adams is the first lady who advocated for females and their rights.

Wearing French empire and showing shapely cleavage, the Dolley Payne Todd Madison portrait (1804) in oil by her friend Gilbert Stuart is so well known it graces alongside presidential portraits. She was the official hostess for Thomas Jefferson when the portrait appeared and later she became first lady With 44 presidents and 46 first ladies in total, (some presidents were widowers and remarried or bachelors or married for the first time while in office), the wall space in the 55,000 square foot Executive Mansion has prime space and lesser space. The current president and first lady select who goes where. One prime piece of real estate is just beneath and around the Grand Staircase just off the foyer or anything on the state floor and mostly, it is the presidents in the corridors with special first ladies or hostesses of presidents inside the colored salons off the Cross Hall.

Tourists see the Vermeil Room on the ground floor where its incandescent light makes Jackie Kennedy's acclaimed portrait seems as if its always hung there in its rightful prominent place. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington has the most prominent space along the same wall and same height of her husbands Gilbert Stuart painting of her husband George in the White House's largest formal space, the East Room.

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe's (tenure 1817 -1825 though her daughter Eliza stepped in most of the time as hostess) oil portrait by John Vanderlyn retains a prominent place near the South Portico just before the entrance to the Green Room. Her ermine shawl is perfect for the French Empire design of the Blue Room she and her husband worked so hard to furnish.

The artists themselves are varied with some interesting stoeirs. Anders Zorn painted the youngest first Lady ever, Frances Folsom Cleveland. Howard Chandler Christy painted Grace Coolige with her collie, Rob Roy, beside her and the South Portico of the White House over her shoulder. Boldly sporting a nineteenth century pompadour, Henry Inman painted Angelica Van Buren who was related to Dolley Madison by marriage. Inmans work populates the vast White House Art Collection with many paintings of The First People. Modern twists occurred with Eleanor Roosevelt (1933 - 1945) the hands never still and Mamie Eisenhower (1953-1961) in her inaugural ball gown. Florence King Harding has a memorable coif immortalized in oils by Philip Alexius deLaslode lombos in 1921.

The chair pose is almost as popular as the ones with the White House as a backdrop.

Completed in 1967, Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace Truman seems to be the modern start for the seated pose. Above, wearing the famed triple strand is Barbara Pierce Bush (1989 - 1993) from 1992 painted in oils by Herbert E. Abrams. Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer Ford painted by Felix De Cossio. It took awhile post presidency for the portrait of Rosalynn Smith Carter (1977-1981). In 1984, the softly hued oil portrait was completed by George Agusta. Rosalynn Carter has nothing on Martha Washington (1788-1796) whose official portrait came from Eliphalet F. Andrews who used a live model and dress from the nineteenth century when she was definitely a person of the eighteenth. The portrait was finally done a hundred years after the founding of America in 1878.

A new twist with oval portraits and using two Ediths. Edith Carrow Roosevelt (1901 - 1909) used a different frame, the south White House gardens while sitting on a bench. Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (1913 -1821) was the second first lady of the Wilson Administration who approved who and what the president saw during his illness and recovery.

First lady oil paintings are fascinating with the variety of styles and choices for what they want to project for the American People in the centuries to come. These portraits are waves from the past that reflect on style, culture, and the individual - the American way!

These three are My favorites

Helen (Nellie) Herron Taft (1909 - 1913) had the idea of the South Portico First in 1910 painted by Karl Bror Albert Kronstrand

(Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (1961 -1963) Photo courtesy of Robin at Big Red Kitchen) Aaron Shikler completed Jackie's in 1970 and indeed, did the famous oil painting of President Kennedy that has pride of place just outside the State Dining Room. Seventeen years later he created new magic with Nancy Davis Reagan's (1981 - 1989) oil portrait

Which are your favorites?

Note: An official photograph is also issued with the advent of technology. Mrs. Obama in oil ought to be as spectacular as the full official photo.

Washing, Waxing & Cleaning the President's House

2009-08-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Mary Kaltman works with chef on 1965 Christmas Cookies in White House Kitchen. Photo courtesy White House Historical Association.

Lady Bird Johnson had Mary Kaltman as food-coordinator-housekeeper and for a while she did the same for the Nixons in the White House. She wrote a book Keeping Up With Keeping House: A Practical Guide for the Harried Housewife for those female denizens against dust (known in the day as homemakers) who wanted the information on how to perform the domestic arts in grand style. In school, the subject used to be called Home Ec (for Home Economics), which made cooking and cleaning a subject for mostly girls. In prior years, Mrs. Mary E. Sharpe took upon herself as the housekeeper to make President Truman's waistline trim.

But Mrs. Kaltman was tough enough to send the domestic side of the Johnson white House into domestic hostility, sometimes famous in the East Wing. Seems she and the oo-la-la famed French chef, Verdon René, hired in April 1961 for his epicurean skills, ran into the budget minded housekeeper/Queen of Food at the White House who insisted on frozen foods, recipes from a common book and a president that wanted his fish slathered in sauce with the skin still on. Mon Dieu. They had a similar arrangement to what the Obama Family has now - on the second floor Sam Kass is in charge of the personal meals and he came with them from Chicago while the Executive Chef handles state functions. A hundred years earlier another battle ended as Mary Todd Lincoln had the housekeeping staff report directly to her. Now, that subject is split into two functions at the Executive Mansion, with cleaning it and cooking for it being two different, yet equal professional career paths. (Sasha clearly knows the ropes and speaks to one of the long tenured White House butlers about exactly what she wants while the First Granny looks on.)

Using the latest tools in 1955, the spic and span brigades wore ties while sanding, cleaning and waxing in the East Room during the Eisenhower era. Photo courtesy the White House Historical Association from a series on the Working White House and the national Archives and Records Administration.

The Cross Hall and Grand Foyer getting a thorough polishing in the Obama White House.

Wiping down, waxing a nations antiques, polishing heirloom silver and vacuuming the nap only one way on priceless rugs every day in the White House is akin to auto detailing a pristine parade of 100 Rolls Royces every 24 hours. Mrs. Kaltman believed in good old fashioned elbow grease and did not cotton to fancy tools or words. Her successor Shirley Bailey was of the same mind and used paste wax, one male person polished the brass fixtures and cleaned the little chandelier danglies day in and day out. She had her folks hand ironing all the linen napkins for events after they came out of the industrial strength washers and dryers. (From the Reagan era vacuuming the Blue Room)

There is a wonderful movie, Back stairs at the White House made on the life of an early twentieth century maid. Many of those at the White House worked for the first family while also working with an aunt, uncle, mother, father and brother. No matter the messes made, memoirs and anecdotes focus on the history and the occasions rather than any grist for the mill. Many serve for decades. An amusing anecdote shared by first lady Hillary Clinton came at the hands of an exuberant tween, Chelsea who had entertained friends with a movie. The popcorn did not exactly land in mouths and Hillary was horrified. The White House staff was in shock as Hillary had Chelsea clean up every kernel and they were not allowed to help. Kind of like Sasha & Malia have no bed service in the mornings - bed made with their own hands before leaving for school and they must help carry in the dishes in the morning for their breakfast.

From 1877, the staff/servants during Lucy Hayes' time as first lady. Almost sixty years later the staff was integrated by Eleanor Roosevelt. She felt the need to make White House domestic staff help African Americans only which kept wages lower and reduced any rancor. Photo courtesy Hayes Administration and Bob Cesca.

The Smithsonian has an exhibit, The Working White House, traveling the nation for the next two years about the Working White House and the staff that makes the Executive Residence run amidst thousands of daily events, an active family, and it being the home of the American head of state with an ambitious entertaining schedule. Christine Limerick, the Chief housekeeper during the Clinton years makes appearances to discuss what happens off camera and what the staff does in their daily and special circumstances. There are butlers, ushers, a presidential valet and a small staff of housekeepers who are mindful of the products they use on the nation's antiques. Laura Bush toted up almost 1500 formal events in eight years. That's a heap of cleaning done with dedication and attention to every fine detail. (Shirley Bailey on the second floor residence in the Nixon White house early 1970's.)

Shirley Bailey in 1970 learned her craft working for hoteliers before setting her keen eye about the executive mansion. The job always has perils such as the hate between the president and the person in charge of the food in the 1930s & !940s. Henrietta Nesbitt as the stern housekeeper overseeing cooking for FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt courted fame for the lousiness of the food served during her tenure. In 1926, single lady Miss Ellen Reilly was hired as the head of housekeeping for the White House and even traveled with President Calvin Coolidge being hired from managing a cafeteria at a retailing outfit in Boston. Blair House, the presidential guest house, has the same attention to excellence and the opportunities to transfer over to the White House when an opening becomes available allows them to serve the president directly.

Its not only the floors, walls, and dishes that get a good scrubbing in the White House. Liberty could usually be found in the Oval Office, but here is Susan Ford with Frankie Blair providing a vigorous doggy bath.

First Ladies Doing Vacations Their Way

2009-08-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

Mamie Eisenhower had no shame in her game going on vacation in the dead of winter. Back in the 1950's longer plane rides made for longer presidential vacations. For 10 days in February 1958, Mamie Eisenhower hung out in Georgia with her husband. On the 23rd of February, the president went on his private plane - Columbine III with the usual assortment of staff and announced the next stop was Phoenix, Arizona where he would lunch with friends at Elizabeth Arden's Maine Chance Farm. The first lady was staying on to soak up the sun in Arizona, and he would be doing a power lunch with pals and turning right around to go back to DC. Even back then, lots of screaming between the press secretary and the press about who was paying for that,.. I was more interested that the works at the Arden beauty farm was $400 a week. Sheesh! In a top flight spa you can do that before you put on the robe. (Mamie sampling her birthday cake - she really was a popular first lady. Photo courtesy AM New York)

Now Jackie Kennedy picked exotic places, but this has to be a 1960's thing that had no etiquette precedent in the First Lady Rule Book. What do you wear to ride a camel with your sister in Pakistan? Date line: Karachi, March 25, 1962 the answer is Kitten heels, pearls, hair immaculate that dares the wind, and a designer dress as you sit sidesaddle above a bunch of men leading your walking, humped spit creator. Jackie's vacation trip was at the suggestion of the Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Galbraith.

This is a first lady who loved horses. Sardar was very dear to Jackie Kennedy and she even chats about the talented horse in her memoirs. He had a nickname that was partial to her father and gambling. The horse had the unofficial moniker Black Jack given to the gelding by the first lady. There are some famous photos of her and the horse. That horse was beloved and went with Mrs. Kennedy after she found a Virginia farm for her family. (Photo courtesy JFK Library)

Pat Nixon did her vacationing on a 125 acre island in da Bahamas mon while in the White House and afterwards. Florida was another favorite as the Nixons also hung out with very wealthy friends. Lots of presidential and first lady time was clocked in what became known as the Winter White House on Key Bisayne in Florida and the Western White House in San Clemente, California for the Nixons. Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter have a very active lifestyle post presidency. They build houses for charity, travel the world and its hot spots and while in Plains, Georgia, ride their bikes. (President & Mrs. Carter Photo courtesy of the The Carter Center & Charles Plant)

The First Family & extended family of President Obama's sister & niece got a great look at the Grand Canyon at both Powell's Point & Hopi Point.

Michelle Obama is wearing shorts in the blistering heat of the Grand Canyon. No one knows what the attire was for the whitewater rafting in the midst of pouring rain and hail while the president went flyfishing in Montana. A trip to Old Faithful was casual as they hiked to see one of America's treasured geysers. The Obamas shared thier treats of picking a basket of peaches in Palisades area of Colorado as well. All in all vacations are fun and its historically rare seeing first ladies fully being themselves while on vacation. Hillary Clinton was photographed twice in a bathing suit to her horror, but the 21st century is rewriting a first family's leisure time.

Poor Bo, left home again...

Social Secretary: The Iron Butterfly

2009-08-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Weddings between centuries old protocol and the technicolor of modern life can embrace or clash in the White House. Work of or through the Office of the Social Secretary keeps evolving as presidential terms today require public and private events coordination with efficiency and effectiveness on everything from a private coffee clutch for the first lady to events with tens of thousands of excited citizens or the president meeting a head of state or his cabinet. Its a tough job and no two people bring the same skills or approach. In the future, certain White House gender roles have yet to reach cosmopolitan cross-pollination, but the future holds promise for the first female Chief Usher, male Social Secretary (A Deputy is male) or a couple with the first female President and First Gentleman. Sterling events shape the tenor of White House. (Floating toy sharks going into the South Lawn Fountain for the June 2009 Congressional picnic that was an Obama Ohana Luau. Photo courtesy AP)

Desiree Rogers day of the Congressional picnic as she checks last minute details on her blackberry.

Amiability and ability to get along and communicate with multiple departments and constituencies for each and every White House moment with scheduling changes at the last moment make it seem like juggling revving chainsaws, grisly if you miss, and any near misses or straight out flops are seen by everyone. Who can forget Queen Elizabeth being greeted at the White House for a state visit in the early 1990's with her voice heard from the podium, but only her magnificent hat could be seen as there were no steps for the rather tiny Queen of the British Empire to stand upon. The Social Secretary is responsible for ensuring that those sorts of details are clear. Gerald & Betty Ford had their own fun social gaffe when the president asked the Queen to dance and the Marine Corps band went straight into their repertoire of music from Rodgers & Hart, The Lady is a Tramp. Catchy.

White House Social Secretary is a central component of a fully pledged East Wing Operation. Most of the Social Secretary's of the past came with experience at cotillions, collegiate network and a Rolodex in Washington that made things sparkle behind the scenes. Some were absolute nightmares because of their ties to the first lady while others could soothe troubled waters with smooth as silk words. No Social Secretary will be successful in a modern White House without paying homage to the person who is responsible for every direct White House hire, event and procurement, the Chief Usher. During the Camelot era, Letitia Baldridge brought a state department background a social pedigree to the Kennedys as she served both as Social Secretary & the first lady's chief of staff. Ann Stock was the Clinton social secretary from 1994 until 1997. The position also opens doors to other opportunities as Capricia Marshall was the Clinton Administration's Social Secretary with a current nomination to be President Obama's Chief of Protocol that the White House Social Secretary office must work and with daily.(Letitia Baldrige 1961 - 1963 upper left, Capricia Marshall 1997-2001 courtesy of The Washington Post)

Laura Bush's Social Secretary, Lea Berman, ran a tight shop that sat few state dinners but smaller versions of them, but she did one large mega event for the Queen of England in 2007. Lea succeeded Cathy Fenton after the 2004 election, hired straight from being Lynne Cheney's Chief of staff. She cleaned house, exiting the Executive Chef like it was a TV reality series and with the urgent need to find a pastry chef that could live up to Roland Mesnier one of a kind pastry & gingerbread house standards. At that time, the East Wing had everyone in an intense state of roiling stomach acid there was so much turbulence and turf protection. (Lea Berman, Social Secretary for Laura Bush 2005 - 2007 walks along the East Colonnade towards the residence Photo courtesy the Washington Post)

The blowback in the current administrations Social Office has been minimal so far. Desirée Rogers has handled many thing really well by virtue of her executive experience, education and foremost her relationship with the first lady. Innovation in White House entertainment is part of the Obama Charm with the Easter Egg Roll, picnic and the Governor's Ball. Desirée has had a jaw-dropping gaping hole in her judgment by even considering having herself photographed in Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden wearing an Oscar de la Renta ball gown and needed a veto from the West Wing before the idea was fully dropped. As previously fretted about, Desirée Rogers penchant for publicity is a two-edged sword as the role is not at all about her - yet her self-stylized branding is about her being a cultural liaison (do the Obamas need a translator) before she has even put on a full state visit. The ramifications of even thinking of a state dinner in this economic climate would be as loopy as even dreaming of having your picture taken wearing a high-end designer trench coat by Viktor & Rolf and Cartier earrings in the East Room and your not even the first lady.

The recent contretemps in the East Wing With the 4 month on the Job Chief of Staff, Jackie Norris, leaving for a lower profile job with a volunteer organization has some genesis in the friction between her & Rogers. Susan Sher, Norris's replacement, is a great friend of Rogers and senior West Wing official Valerie Jarrett and a former boss of the first lady. A noticeable detail is how much the Social Secretary is photographed with the first lady or the family at events. The Secret Service are probably the best at being omnipresent and positioning themselves out of the frame of certain shots.(Photos courtesy Wall Street Journal)

One of the toughest jobs for a Social Secretary had to be during the Carter presidency. Gretchen Householder Poston was the WH Social Secretary at an an intense time that saw a reduction in lavish entertainment by Mrs. Carter during a recession and a scaling back due to the Iran Hostage crisis. There was also an intense negotiation to get the Camp David Accords and the resulting event at the White House is now world history.

Each one has had challenges, intrigues and time will tell how this works out for the Obama presidency. Most do not stay the full tenure of a president & first lady as the job is a tough, time consuming one that encompasses the needs of the West Wing with the changing demands of the East Wing. Hats off to all who have had the opportunity to serve in this capacity!

Happy Birthday Mom! From both of us, NanaRh.

White House Christmas Starts in July

2009-07-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

First ladies get a bit of a throbbing lump in the stomach around this time of year. The rest of the East Wing Staff in the first year look at each other askance as they discuss Holiday Greeting Card themes, who gets a card, then start looking at the Holiday Party Schedule on top of their day to day activities. A theme ties all of the decor together and it has to be chosen early. President & Rosalynn Carter sent out over 60,000 cards and the numbers have only increased since the 1970's.The Obamas choice is a closely guarded secret. For Laura Bush's last year she chose a Red, White & Blue holiday theme. Sometimes events inspire the cards, as the tragic circumstances of 9/11 had Laura Bush select a scene for her first card featuring a Psalm and the hall from the residence in the White House. Laura Bush's choice of a deeply Christian message in the 2007 card caused some controversy. (2001 Christmas Card from the George & Laura Bush)

Many of the most magical scenes and beautiful times at America's First House begin right after the president pardons a huge turkey in the Rose Garden. The first lady dresses up, not too much, after our national day of giving thanks and stands in the driveway to receive a Christmas or Holiday tree that goes into the Blue Room because its the official one. Next, the family scampers off for a couple of days while hordes of pre-screened festive volunteers turn into White House elves with direction from the Ushers office and decorate more than a dozen trees, the State Rooms, the Truman Balcony placing garland, ribbons and bells everywhere. Pat Nixon resuscitated the use of wreaths as decorations for the Holidays.

Bo's curiosity is going to be quite hard to control. It's almost a sure bet that when President Obama lights the National Christmas tree, which is seen from The Washington Monument and the Truman Balcony, that it will be Sasha pushing the button.

(The stately tree arrives trussed up on a holiday style sleigh ususally led by horses, I think Clydesdales.)

The selection of the tree is political. From which state does it originate (can't have one state furnish the tree year after year complete with much care to ensure it is not an old-growth tree. Like a sports team, the trees are scouted for height (usually 20 feet tall), color suitability and the density of its branches to take the weight of lights and many handcrafted and heirloom ornaments sent to the White House for just this holiday. Mamie Eisenhower decorated 27 trees in 1958. Jackie Kennedy introduced the idea of theming the decorations. For the Carters last year in 1980, it was a Victorian Christmas. In 1994, Hillary Clinton had great fun with the Twelve Days of Christmas. A catalog of each of the ornaments must be made. But the incredible dinners, bountiful buffets and cookies need planning as well. The tremendous amount of floral work need careful scheduling as the refrigerated room to keep blooms fresh is rather small. Add to the fact that the Chief Floral Designer, Nancy Clarke, retired her pruning shears in May, brings more tension to this first Holiday. If asked, many retirees with special skills return to help out during this time.

The Cross Hall glammed up for the 2008 Red White & Blue theme. The door with the seal above it is the blue room where the majesty of the official tree reigns. Photo courtesy the White House

For under $17, excluding shipping, the official 2009 ornament will be sold exclusively via the White House Historical Association. Grover Cleveland is the object of this years version. President & Mrs. Frances Cleveland had toddlers in the White House for his second term. Snow capped rolling lawn with frosted trees gazing at the majestic South portico is the view on the ornament from an eastern angle. Margaret Huddy is the watercolor painter chosen to render the images. This is the second ornament to feature the nineteenth century during the Clevelands terms in office. President & Mrs. Reagan did a modest engraved gold angel blowing a trumpet in 1981. That marked the first time ornaments were offered to support the WHHA. The ornament selected is always featured on the tree in the Blue Room.

Christmas parties are traditional for staff, Congress, the press and family among meeting diplomats and other soirées. Tours go up as the rooms are filled with elaborate gingerbread houses and holiday treats. As this year will be the first for the Obamas in the grand old house, planning the first one is a full time event. There is no question that it will get lavish press attention and television time as well. Sasha & Malia have already put sleds to good use on the South Lawn, but this year will see their imprint on the decorating. It's all in the planning and the volunteer elf army.

Update: Michelle's First White House Christmas Tree - it explains the selection process and shows other First Lady's Christmas trees.

More From EWR later today

2009-07-31T08:08:00.001-07:00

A wedding and some sad news has made us unavailable for a bit. We will be back later today with more from EWR!

Thanks for so much patience and bearing with us!

Congratulations Jim & K-K.

Where to Dine at the White House

2009-07-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

The first formal Dinner for Michelle Obama in the State Dining Room for the National Governor's Association February 2009

A formal Dinner in 2007 for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall planned by Mrs. Laura Bush in the State Dining Room.

Food at the White House is among the best in the world when prepared by the Executive Chef and staff. A bevy of butlers, in formal attire, serve the dishes. Where to eat depends upon the occasion, the number of guests and/or the first family's preferences. Nancy Reagan had TV trays set up in the West Hall or the Solarium for dinners together with the president. Choices for dining in the White House include indoor and outdoor venues and are only limited by a president's or first lady's imagination. There have been garden parties on the roofs of the colonnades - which used to be tree lined, and in the Rose Garden as well as the fabulous Jacqueline Kennedy Garden next to the East Wing. (Mrs. Betty Ford used the Red Room of the White House for a formal dinner rather than as a reception salon photo courtesy Gerald Ford Library)

Michelle serves salad from her Kitchen Garden for the outdoor dining her invited guests from Bancroft Elementary in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden off the East Colonnade.

Dining arrangement inside the executive mansion have always varied depending on the occupant. Thomas Jefferson dining room was what is now the beautiful silk wall papered Green Room where he actually had a green drop cloth on the floor to catch food crumbs. Jackie Kennedy's very young children needed high chairs. It drove her nuts that the family had to pack up like on a vacation to go down two or three levels to the state floor through the State Dining Room to get settled in the formal Old Family Dining Room to eat a regular meal. A bedroom that mirrored hers, now the presidential master suite, right across the wide hall from hers was turned into a private dining room, The President's Dining Room, complete with antique wall paper. The fact that the wall paper is papered over currently with gold damask puts some historians into catatonic shock. Pat Nixon covered it up too, Rosalyn Carter took it down, Barbara Bush covered it up and there it remains lost to look at while swallowing the morning oatmeal, even with its fearsome battle scenes. (Nancy Reagan & Michelle Obama in the Private Family Dining Room on the 2nd floor, The President's Dining Room of the residence. Note the bland gold damask wall paper. Photo courtesy Samantha Appleton)

Laura Bush used the Ronald Reagan China Service for the 40th anniversary of the NEA in the State Dining Room. Photo courtesy of the White House

The sunny Family Dining Room off the State Dining Room on the State Floor was the scene for a working luncheon with the Prime Minister of Israel, May 2009. President & Prime Minister served first according to protocol. Photo by P. Souza, courtesy the White House

The Congressional Picnic took place on the resilient South Lawn as a luau for Ohana in June

For the height of formality, state dinners and other functions meant to showcase the White House while eating a world class gourmet meal take place in the State Dining Room. It seats, at most, 140 for a sit down state dinner. Just past the State Dining Room, the Family Dining Room this past spring hosted its first Seder attended by the First Family. On the first floor, the Family Dining Room is usually where holidays are celebrated with favorite dishes served at the White House for invited personal guests if the family is in residence on the holiday.

On the third floor (above ground) in the family quarters is the Solarium which has a small kitchenette. Facing the Washington Monument, the light and bright Solarium is where Chelsea celebrated a birthday with friends from school and Ronald Reagan recovered from an assassination attempt. It is also very homey with no signs of the antiques found through the rest of the presidential home. There is also a private dining room for the president off of the oval office. Just downstairs from the Oval in the West Wing complex is the White House Mess where certain invited guests can purchase a hamburger or a steak or see the WH staff eating on the run. The Mess also has a private dining facility for meetings. (On the left is the president's private dining room off the Oval Office where he has private teas or lunch meetings.)

In the West Wing complex, White House Navy Mess paneled in dark wood throughout is where President Obama met with reporters in the private facility. Staff and guests pay for the food ordered off the menu. The ceiling tiles just ruin the look doesn't it? Photo courtesy the White House

Can you name all the dining places to eat in the White House?

First Ladies Meeting the Pope

2009-07-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

The Obama Motorcade arrives in through the square carrying all of the Obamas.

US presidential and papal visits have a storied history. President Reagan and Pope John Paul II had a real kinship. First lady Jackie Kennedy met Pope John XXIII on March 11, 1962. She was suitably attired complete with a mantilla and floor length gown. Laura Bush visited the pope just before the 2004 Winter Olympics in Turin on an individual tour as well. She was accompanied by one of her daughters. On June 9, 2007 Laura Bush also formally accompanied her husband to meet the new pope at the Vatican. She was veiled at that time as well. The traditional color for meeting the pope in an official capacity as an American spouse to a head of state is black. In 1982, Nancy Reagan too wore a veil for the new pope John Paul II There was no doubt that Michelle Obama would too wear a veil in the traditions of first ladies.

My first trip to the Vatican required females to have a covering for their hair. More than anything, it delineates the male dominated Curia and its change over time. When presidents and their spouses visit the Holy See together, a female spouse usually gets a tour. It's what made Jacqueline Kennedy's trip to the Vatican all the more historic. Jackie Kennedy went alone as a practitioner of the faith, sans hubby, and had a private audience where she and the pontiff discoursed in French.

Jackie Kennedy being escorted by a cardinal while others in the Curia applauded as she approached. Photo courtesy the JFK Library

President & Mrs. Reagan greet the pope formally in the Vatican in 1982.

A veiled Laura Bush and her daughter Babara meet the pope. Barbara bush is bare headed as were the Obama daughters, Sasha & Malia

President & Mrs. Clinton greeting Pope John Paul II in a larger audience. Update: There is a photo with HRC in veil - still looking for it. Finally...

Hillary Clinton with Pope John Paul II

June 2007 meeting for the Bushes with Pope Benedict

Michelle wears a veil in a moment of highest protocol meeting with His Holiness at the Vatican in the papal library.

When presidents go to the Vatican, they see the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the world's smallest yet sophisticated army that protects the pontiff. Brightly colored uniforms lull tourists, but each is trained as a world class member of the military. There is a beautifully appointed room in the papal apartments set aside for meeting dignitaries. The array of cultural history over a millenia makes an impression because it is everywhere the eye touches from the gardens to the statuary to walls and famous ceilings. Visiting Vatican City is a state visit as the Vatican City is a sovereign state. Pope Benedict XVI receives President Barack Obama & Mrs. Obama as a head f state and the Universal Church. (Just over the president's shoulder and behind Obama's Lead Security, J. Clancy, is the Swiss Guard. Photo courtesy AP) UPDATE: Pete Souza, official photgraoher at the White House took this extraordinary picture of the Obamas being escorted by the Swiss Guard below. Note how tall they are.)

The chapel is set up for the selection of the Pope in this view. Each of the Michealangelo fresco is painted on a wall panel or a section of the ceiling. It usually has wooden benches and a crowd. On the direct Wall is the scene from The Last Judgment.

Michelle Obama and the girls toured St. Peters Basilica, where everything is interesting including the floor and a private viewing of the Capella Sistina or Sistine Chapel. After their father's private meeting with the Pope, the girls also met Pope Benedict XVI. Malia was dressed in black as well.

The participants walk over for the formal gift exchange.

Update: Why are a few people freaking out over the veil? A few more examples.
President and Pat Nixon on September 29, 1970 in a sit down setting in the same papal library with the same painting.

President Harry S Truman & Bess at the Vatican with a private audience with the Holy See.

Gelato, Group Hugs & Earthquake Damage

2009-07-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Obamas enter Quirinale Palace - home of the president of Italy.

Touring devastated areas remains a must do for people ravaged by the forces of nature. President Clinton filled sandbags and hugged during the 1990 floods that washed away farmlands with too many family dreams and memories in the drowned homes. President Bush received summons to Homestead, Florida in the debris path of category 5 Andrew's direct hit. One image I remember because it was quintessentially American as I remained in Rome during this, was a lone rooftop painted with a plea and profanity telling the president to get down there now. First ladies usually do more humanitarian things visiting dislocated people in evacuation centers in a Red Cross controlled environment. Laura Bush was seen and welcomed several times in the Gulf Coast after the Bush Administration's horrific non-response of Katrina.

President & Mrs. Obama greet President & Mrs. Napolitano of Italy inside the palace looking particularly tall in this shot.

In Italy, there are several tangled problems. Italy's lusty Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi owns most of the media that is currently covering his marital affairs with excruciating attention to detail. His political appointments include a former topless model, now a minister charged with guiding presidential wives through the earthquake wreckage of historic stones and with frightened families in tent cities, because the Italian first lady is in the midst of divorcing the prime minister. Michelle Obama toured L'Aquila today with the other spouses or first ladies. As recent as Monday there are still sizeable aftershocks. As of yet, she has not had to visit a damage zone in the infancy of her husband's administration.

G8 wives with a dozen more heads of states spouses and the lovely table in preparation for their lunch at the museum.

A tour lets you walk around the edges of the Coloseum to look down into the underground parts of the edifice. The tour can take visitors underground or to the floor as well. First Granny is wearing the red top.

Malia made it to the gift shop clutching a book about Rome upon leaving.

Coming in the middle of the week, the kids have their own agenda in Rome. My guess was correct on the gelato trip - no way anyone worth their sweet tooth misses Italian ice - Malia and Sasha went to Gilotti and made their own blackberry and banana flavor gelato. This is not spontaneous, but well thought out due to security and Michelle's wishes for her daughters to have a memorable stay that lasts the rest of their lives as they tell their grandchildren. The Palazzo del Quirnale sits atop the highest of the hills in Rome with stunning vistas. I would love to see what they thought was interesting to take a picture of with their cameras. (Sasha already had one camera confiscated by the First Grandma at a church service just before the inauguration)

In the Kennedy administration, there was a nanny. In the Obama administration it is the Granny. The Obama daughters need supervision and there is a coterie of people involved in the logistics of the First kid's and Grandma Robinson's separate schedule. The East Wing has to speak with the State Department that in turn sends out scouts and garners suggestions and recommendations for the First Lady. Final arrangements must be cleared through the Secret Service that involve routes, transportation modes, background checks, advance security to clear out public areas and a clear communication of those activities. That all has to then be communicated with the Arma dei Carabeineri (elite Italian police) and their diplomatic counterparts. Since Michelle has a separate schedule her security coordinates with the head of the protective details for both Malia & Sasha. The kids are vaguely aware of it, but they mostly meet pre-screened strangers and heads of state. Sasha Obama retaining that wonderful sense of being a innocent, obviously had problems sleeping amidst all the glitz plus the time change. She decided that was an excellent time to recap the wonderful things she saw in the Kremlin and Winter Garden tea by waking her parents up at 4am to discuss her day.

Even on the steps of AF1 she's still talking as they leave Moscow.

Colosseum incandescent at twilight. To the right of it is the Arch of Constantine.

Rome is an ancient city with many treasures being thousands of years old. The Capitoline Museum is host to recovered treasures that had been curated at the Getty Museum here in Los Angeles. Michelle Obama ate a celebrity chef lunch with a picture perfect view of the Eternal City with the wives and the Italian first lady's stand-in among statues of Marcus Aurelius. The Coloseum beckoned all of the Obama ladies. Next to the ruins of the gladiators, is where chariot races were held in Nero's time. Not too far away are other architectural wonders and the fountains, oh the fountains. Crossing the Tiber River on bridges that are more than two thousand years old to Vatican City will be a highlight on Friday viewing the awesome symmetry of Bernini's columns, Dante's works on the doors of St. Peters Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and a museum filled with the creative genius of Da Vinci and Michael Angelo amidst the wonders of what were the Borgias thinking. Of course meeting the guy in the pristine white papal robes and the red leather shoes will become an immediate historic image.

Funny thing that not one of the Obamas will get to see first hand on this trip is a staple of Rome. Horns blaring, motor scooters darting about and drivers screaming colorful things at each other as they creatively cut one another off in traffic.

Grazie, Ciáo & Arrivaderci!

To Russia With Love

2009-07-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

First family leaves for the 12 or so hour flight to Moscow after getting of the president's chopper and headed towards the 747. Photos courtesy AP

The first family trundled off of Marine One towards Air Force One looking very holiday driven rather than a business trip. Magical things will happen aboard Air Force One. Both honored staffs of the president (West Wing) and first lady (East Wing) are briefing the couple, ensuring wardrobe choices and preparing press releases. Other staff members and the press are already waiting in Moscow to cover the first family's arrival. The president will have pool sprays - cram the press in a little area to take pictures for a hot sec and perchance ask a question for a couple of minutes then herded back out to their holding pen until a more formal press conference. Currently only the president has a formal press conference schedule. Svetlana Medvedeva is not a flashy Russian first lady. Mrs. Putin has the Q factor of a character in the television show the Partridge Family. Raisa Gorbachyova was an iconic Russian first lady that clashed terribly with Nancy Reagan as she was the initial modern Soviet first lady to actually tour with her husband and do events at home and in other nations. Alas, first lady Michelle Obama is identifiable from remote fishing villages in the Aleutian Islands to the space station. Guess who's press shop needs a daily "guidance" announcement. (Before the Obama invasion, on Saturday Svetlana celebrated the Day of Love in Murom, Russia. Photo courtesy AP)

The Michelle show as she makes a quick stop to at a children's store in Paris.

Mrs. Obama's freshly engaged to be married press tsarina Katie McCormick-Llelyveld is going to find new levels of exhaustion. What was Mrs. O wearing, who did she meet with and her exact remarks at each and every stop will be demanded. The president and first lady will dine with the president and first lady of Russia. Hopefully, the kids will be able to sneak out to the Russian amusement zone in Gorky Park. As I have previously stated, the only first lady that caused a near melt down like this was in June 1961 for the grand European state tour of Jacqueline Kennedy as she accompanied her husband, JFK. Add the Obama kids and MELTDOWN is about to ensue.

One of the Russian Federation's most famous tourist sites, Moscow's Red Square. It separates the Kremlin from where the Russian president lives and will play host to the Obama's on Monday evening.

Red Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site one of only a thousand designated throughout the world that represents a cultural or landmark that is worth preserving for the next millennium. Even though Russia is a state currently embracing communism, it has an amazing amount of beautifully wrought old world cathedrals and an endless supply of topnotch art to embellish the gilded and frescoed walls. The Obamas will be a another rare sight as they arrive for a state visit in Russia. Updated with photos and to correct a few spelling errors.

The Obama girls in their matching trench coats depart AF1 holding the hands of thir parents as they meet the official Russian greeting party.

First official activity is the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Russia. The military high step as done by the Russian military proceeds the president and the first lady.

The Obamas enter the Kremlin - AP Photo

The Russian First Lady, Svetlana, and US First Lady, Michelle, get to know each other as they have water as they tour the beautiful museums inside the Kremlin managed by the first cosmonaut's daughter

Kremlin, Vatican & Ants Ahead for Obamas

2009-07-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

The Kremlin from the air that the First Family will see when arriving in Moscow and if, the Obama family stays at the Ritz a great view of Moscow's Red Square.

Like their personal shadows, the White House and all its security gear, protocol and communication equipment travels with the first family wherever they go. Onsite secret service along with the one chosen as food taster and an advance team travel with the president and family members. Hotels are secured from above and below and embassies in the destination nations go on high alert. Historically, the president is most often alone on these missions. On momentous occasions and commemorative events, the First Lady and the First Family travels along. Former First Daughters Barbara & Jenna Bush expressed deep regret that they did not travel with the president often until his last year in office.

Arriving in Korea with former first lady Laura Bush, is president Bush and Jenna Bush on one of her rare official international trips.

Malia & Sasha Obama are not of an age where they are free to chart their own course or itinerary and the East Wing is putting final prep on their schedules. The littlest Obamas, minus puppy Bo, will be on for another international frenzy as they touchdown with their parents on Air Force One and alight first in the Russian capital of Moscow, on to Italy and the ravages of the earthquake zone in L'Aquila and to Africa for a final stop in Ghana. A week that will be historic for the adults as well as the children, for the next week, as youngsters have not traveled with a president on official business in the 21st century for an extended period. It will be viscerally different after viewing their first fireworks display at the White House on Malia's and the nation's birthday. Even the First Grandma is along for the ride on this official trip.

On September 5, 1995, Hillary Clinton traveled alone to China to deliver a speech at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing on women's rights and abuses that thrilled the world and the and horrified the Chinese communist hosts. Chelsea Clinton did not attend this event but did travel with her parents. Laura Bush went to Afghanistan alone to promote projects about and for women right against the crushing force of Taliban misogynistic fundamentalism.

In her first six months as first lady, Michelle Obama has not traveled alone of official business internationally. Her private trip with her daughters took her to the Élysée Palace to lunch with the famed fashionably French Sarkozy First Family to the English gardens of Number 10 Downing Street with Sarah Brown and to meet the head of state in England, her new British buddy, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The only place Mrs. Obama had been prior as first lady was her stay at ambassadorial residence of Winfield House where she stayed for the Obamas official visit to England. I am all for a side trip for the kids to go to one of, if not the most beautiful museum in the world, the State Hermitage built by Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg. (Hillary Clinton speaking in Beijing, China where there state run media had orders to not cover her speech, lest it give people ideas.)

First family on the Fourth on the South Portico welcoming military families as their last function before leaving for a week of travel. Sasha has a lot on her mind.

Friday, the Sistine Chapel and a papal visit await President Obama and the first lady at the Vatican. The first lady will be as selective for her attire with the Holy See, Pope Benedict as she was with the Queen for her first meeting with her majesty. Rome is hot this time of year and has so many things for the First Daughters to see, the catacombs, the Coliseum, and the Spanish Steps with scrumptious gelato everywhere, which may be difficult for them to eat without security permission. Rome presents many choices for the Obama girls and its not too far for a day trip to Pompeii. It is a time of maximum exposure to the continent and this will be their second trip to Europe in less than a month.

Ghana is a thriving nation in Africa. Three years ago, while their father was a newly minted senator, the girls and their mother went to Kenya. It had none of the additional staff and level of security now present. Any activities the girls now partake of ill be worldwide news monitored by the East Wing and the communication shop. The final stop on this official odyssey will be to the west coast of Africa to Accra, the capital of Ghana. On Saturday, Malia & Sasha should get a good giggle from the fact the name mean ants, but watch the industrious women in awe who can carry a variety of goods balanced on their heads for great distances. (The posters already line the streets of the Capital of Ghana in advance of his address to the Ghanaian parliament on Saturday Photo courtesy VOA)

Interesting just the president is mentioned on the US Embassy in Ghana purple poster though the First lady, Michelle Obama will have an impact on Ghana as well. It will be interesting to hear the East Wing describe Mrs. O's official activities on these state visits. These visits are for the history books and we shall have a first draft of history.

White House Fireworks, Family & the Fourth

2009-07-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Families have celebrated inside the white house for generations as guests and occupants. John and Abigail Adams were the very first occupants to live at a swampland muddy mansion sans any landscaping. Thomas Jefferson, the scholarly widower president, occupied the White House during the White House's first Independence Day, July 4th 1801 being served by slaves. The first tiny public celebration of July 4th, was in 1804 and the tradition is now as much of the White House tradition as is the gilt-framed Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington in the East Room. Three American presidents have died on the Fourth of July, two Founding Fathers on the fiftieth anniversary in 1826 with another, James Monroe passing away on the 55th anniversary. Today is also the 11th birthday of the current First daughter, Malia Obama, who had one whale of a girly party with friends from DC and Chicago at Camp David. President Calivn Coolidge was also born on the fourth of July. (Malia, last month in Paris)

America celebrates this year with hearty and hale tourists mounting the steps in a return to the crown of Lady Liberty, an animatronic President Obama installed in Disney Worlds's Hall of Presidents as a 1,000 immigrants become Americans and with over a thousand US military personnel and their families spread out on the rolling green South Lawn to express delight at the mysteries of powder and powerful rockets that shall light the night sky. The backdrop of the Washington Monument against the tidal basin is clearly seen from the South Lawn and the Truman Balcony. Just beyond, stands the twentieth century's stone wonder of the tribute to America's 16th president and his inaugural words.

In 1941, under FDR, July 4th became a legal, national holiday in 48 states with no shoehorning it to the nearest Monday or Friday. Its still weird to think of our parents being born with less than fifty states. Independence, Missouri is famed for another president, Harry S Truman. (Fireworks explode beyond the Washington Monument in 1986 while President & Mrs. Reagan lived at the White House.)

Michelle Obama has made military families part of her portfolio of missions upon entering the East Wing. In the first six months, military families have been at the White House for a race kick off to aide disabled vets and for working muscled elbow to veteran elbow with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the president to pack support items for the troops. This even allows the White House to carry on the tradiition of being open to all on one of the days most treasured by nation for what it costs to be free. (Will update with images when they become available.)

Update:
President & Mrs. Obama leisurely stroll back to "The Beast" after visiting the troops at Fort McNair on the Fourth.

The South Lawn during the BBQ portion before the Foo Fighters and Jimmy Fallon.

Have A Happy & Safe Fourth!

Ohana Luau at The White House, Aloha!

2009-06-24T15:06:00.001-07:00

Barack Obama & daughters enjoying shave ice in 2008 on vacation with friends in Hawaii

Ohana is famous to most people from Disney's Lilo & Stitch. The word means family. The families of the Obama Administration along with Congressional pals, partners and little people are invited to enjoy a pre-Independence day celebration with the Obama Family.

Update here is stage being set photo courtesy CBS. Everyone will get a lei and there is a dunk tank for Charity too.

UPdate 2: from the actual event

Bo got to come with his sporty leash sans lei - he already had one at his first visit to meet the folks.

Presidential Dad & Sasha delivered a dunking to the White House Chief of Staff as well.

Hawaii is the fiftieth state, coming to the stars and stripes officially in August of 1959. On August 4th, 1961, a bi-racial baby was born on the island of Oahu, in Honolulu, that would grown up to be the president of the United States. Hawai'i's traditions of shave ice, body surfing, calmness and tropical "cool" with the shaka are part of the heritage. For the first president ever from the pineapple state, a luau is landing on the South Lawn. Historically there is nothing to compare it to for other first families. With abundant joy, the Reagans vacationed in Hawaii. Most presidents venture to the state to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial or as a pit stop on the way to Japan. (Photo of President & Nancy Reagan's enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific in Hawaii)

Thursday night is the big draw for the lu'au. Tihati Productions will provide some of the festive flaming entertainment in DC that they do in Hawaii for tourists anxious for poi, pineapple and a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth alongside the hula and the flames. For me its more a Euro style luau rather than the ones I have participated in with the cooking of the pig in a pit with my native Hawaiian neighbors. My youngest was born at the same hospital as the president, albeit quite a few years later. Now I see luau's again through the eyes of a mainlander as will the guests of the White House. (Tihati Productions Luau performance photo courtesy of Jay Metzger)

"The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler," she said. "Well, we will bring six fire-knife dancers, who will do a pyramid formation."

Tihati performances draw on the traditions of Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Maori New Zealand. To fill out the cast for this special performance, the Thompsons raided Tihati productions at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Hyatt Regency Maui, the Hyatt Regency Kaua'i and the Waikoloa Marriott.

Congressional picnics are an annual event meant to bring together a couple thousand people on the lawn right before the Fourth of July holiday. Food, music, and the ubiquitous red checkered tablecloth are the usual accoutrements. This is going to be quite different though familiar for those who on the Hawaii tourist circuit. Alan Wong is the Hawaii celebrity chef following last week's celebrity chef for the Father's Day Event, Bobby Flay, by providing meals with the foods and fusion arising from the islands. Macadamia nuts and corn on the cob will be side by side at the buffet picnic. Some of the ingredients will no doubt come from Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden as well. Yep, that means spam, in flagrante, too. (President Bush & Speaker Pelosi in 2007 at Congressional Picnic, photo courtesy AP)

(Mardi Gras was theme of the 2007 Congressional Picnic with formal hayrides offered to the guests by Harmon's Hayrides.)

In 210 years, the stately mansion at 1600 has witnessed many a new idea brought about by a toughtful first lady and her staff.

Note: Maureen's eyes have been particularly bad lately. We apologize for the lack of posts. She thinks she's on the mend finally and thanks everyone for their forbearance while health problems took precedence. She's working to gain a few pounds too!

Mahalo & Aloha!

Jazz Class at the White House

2009-06-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Michelle Obama - OK, her East Wing staff with a newbie Chief of Staff, is setting the stage for June 15th concert and class taught by members of premier talent in the Jazz genre, the Marsalis Family. It will be quite the scene at the East Gate tomorrow as students, bringing their instruments, line up to enter the People's House to learn the intricacies of jazz from some of the younger and elder statesman of bebop, horn-blowing, improv and post-humous Pulitzer Prize-winning Artiste, Coltrane. (There is even a church of Coltrane - no joke.) First Lady Michelle Obama will have one part of her heart envying her husband's destination on Monday, but not his activity - he will be in Chicago as she directs traffic in her day dedicated to a White House Jazz University or Lecture Series. President Obama and First lady Michelle Obama already had a successful White House Poetry Jam last month that was taped for HBO.

While the East Room in the building designed by James Hoban is meant for large functions or concerts, it still is not enough room for what the First Lady has in mind. The other end of the elegant Cross Hall on the West Side, the grand State Dining Room, will become a working classroom. In tribute to the body of work that encompassed Ragtime to Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk, and a presidential nod to the Newport Jazz Festival, President Jimmy Carter hosted the first significant White House Jazz concert in a major event on the South Lawn on June 18, 1978. That was an Event with Eubie Blank among other jazz royalty.

President Lydon Johnson first featured Jazz vocalist Pearl Bailey and the incomparable Sarah Vaughn. Scat rang out from the First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, in the jazzy aficionado Ford White House. Dizzie Gillepsie and Chick Corea added to Reagan White house entertainment repertoire. In 2004, a program titled A Salute to the NEA Jazz Masters showcasing the Billy Taylor Trio among others plus six students was held in the East Room courtesy of president and Mrs. Bush. Jackie Kennedy, as first lady, was known for her eclectic mix of guests and the cultural performances first introduced Jazz to the White House at a children's event with the performance by the Paul Winter Jazz sextet. (Photo by Vance Jacobs of President Bush at jazz event in East Room.)

Ellis Marsalis, courtesy Times-Picayune & Wynton Marsalis courtesy LA Times

The White House concert and classroom style instruction headlined by the Marsalis Family of New Orleans is the first leg of a three part series on music in the White house featuring Jazz. Another trumpeter, Sean Jones and saxophonist Todd Williams with vocalist Eli Yamin sport ties to Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center. Professional music educator Stephen Massey will also be on hand as well as Cuban-American clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. Country and Classical music will also do a star turn, tune and tap later this year to complete the three part series. Father, Ellis Marsalis, will tickle the ivories as his four sons, Jason, Branford, Delfeayo, and Wynton will bring percussion, a saxophone, trombone and trumpet to 150 students in the East Room of the White House.

Lincoln Center Art Director Wynton Marsalis last performed at the White House during a dramatic period in the Clinton presidency in 1998 for a Millenium Lecture as part of a series of concerts. But Monday night will be topped off, not at the White House, but at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with members of the Marsalis Family and Harry Connick, Jr., in full smooth jazzy style. Wonder who get the tickets for the presidential box... (Obamas at Alvin Ailey Dance performance at Kennedy Center in February 2009)

(Maureen heavily contributed to this even while still being on the mend.)
UPDATE:

Live from the White House website at 12:30 PM today will be many first rate Jazz artists offering three break out sessions in the State Dining Room with large groups in the East Room. The White House's timing is excellent as the Jazz Lecture Series comes after President Obama finishes his address to the AMA on healthcare.

First Ladies In Paris

2009-06-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, at Versailles with Charles de Gaulle

No first lady will be the recipient of the wild adoration that enveloped Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy when she landed in France in 1961 as the spouse of a head of state. For her in a sense, it was going home, back to a beloved city where she received her junior year of education on the Left Bank at the prestigious La Sorbonne. The 31 year-old was there for a European state visit with all the pomp trimmings and managed to charm the irascible President Charles de Gaulle with her Française, élan and savoir faire. She ably served as the interpreter between the French and American presidents. The French state dinner was a feast in the Hall of Mirrors at the palace of Versailles followed by a Jackie Kennedy favorite performance art, the ballet, as Rendezvous pirouetted in the Louis XV Theater.

A video in the black and white cinematic features of the 1960's showing highlights of the three day state visit against the backdrop of President Kennedy's speech. Mrs. Kennedy's ensemble was Oleg Cassini in a pale yellow with a triple strand of pearl.
On June 8, 1994 another First Lady stood in Paris in the shadow of Jackie and embraced her. Mrs. Onassis had recently passed away and it was a sad opportunity for Hillary Rodham Clinton to pay tribute to her. Five years later, Hillary was in Paris again to present an award at the Sorbonne. By that time Parisians embraced her and what she represented as a woman with grace weathering through triumph and tragedy in the White House. It is remarkable how many modern First Ladies travel to Paris in June. First lady Laura Bush in Paris, France June 11, 2008, for a cultural evening with the American Ambassador to France, Charles Stapleton on the evening before the International Support Conference for Afghanistan. Mrs. Bush Photo courtsey Sheelah Craighead, White House.

A noble 65th D-Day anniversary is the cause for Michelle Obama to join the president in Colleville-sur-mer, France. As it was collective visits for heads of state and the crown prince of England, a state dinner is not possible on this trip as it was not a state visit. Hence, very little official pomp and circumstance for this particular trip though the French line the streets to the Notre Dame cathedral. Minus one daughter who had other plans, the adult Obamas dined at a hundred year old restaurant in the 7th arrondissement, La Fontaine de Mars on Rue St. Domonique after visiting the cathedral. The girls will have to wait (who knows, maybe they will get this treat) for the evening bateau moche ride where Paris is beautifully lit and travel the River Seine to the Île de la Cité, the island that hosts Notre Dame de Paris in all its 12th century French Gothic glory.

In their apartments, delighted Parisians take digital images as the Obamas exit their motorcade for the restaurant.

Awaiting the Obamas motorcade, Parisiens line the streets to get a glimpse as they tour Notre Dame. Sasha & Malia obliged by waving from the highest parapets. 2009

The Obamas got up early to see some world class modern art at the Pompidou Center or Site du Centre Pompidou completed in 1977. There is an exhibition in the Children's Gallery as well as Alexander Calder's, Les Années Parisiennes 1926-1933. There are over 60,000 works, including Vassili Kandinsky, in that museum alone. The building is quite colorful amidst all the steel and glassand here are the Obamas at one of the highest points with a heart stopping view of Paris. Personally, I like the view from Sacre Couer and the Petit Palace. No mention of the Obamas getting a private tour at the Louvre, with President François Mitterand and I.M. Pei no less, as the Clintons did on their state visit.

Obamas at Pompidou Center

Photo, exterior · Centre Pompidou · Paris, France

This was a second trip to France by the Obamas. Neither occasion was a full state visit. The French government needs to issue an invitation to France, as China has for September, and the full diplomatic response would kick into high gear and a response to hold a state dinner in return at the White House. Even in England the Obama trip was not a state visit, but it was a highly formal visit with introductions to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The Browns had a formal dinner for everyone. Only if the Queen issues the invite and held a state function with a full white tie dinner, would it be a full state visit. The Obamas have to be exceedingly careful about state dinners as America is in financial dire straits and the dinners would be seen as extravagant. The French wanted so badly to see the full Obama glamor against the backdrop that is the timeless elegance of Paris.

Love in the East Wing & Paris

2009-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Amor. Je te adore. Je t'aime. In the City of Lights & Love - Paris no less. Who has time for romance working in a frenetic White House. The answer is tons of people both fictional and in real life across two centuries of time. Even presidents have found time to date and marry while in office in movies and most definitely in real life. The youngest first lady, Frances Folsom, was 21 years old when she married Grover Cleveland. The West Wing featured the rocky love affair between the chief of staffs of the president and the first lady finally resolving at the end of the West Wing television drama. Donna & Josh mixed roughhouse politics and being anxiety-ridden paramours.

Love in the White House an example from the latest lovebirds.

Congratulations to the White House's newest engaged press couple - the First lady's press secretary, Katie McCormick-Lelyveld and long time aide, Tommy Vietor, the President's assistant press secretary.

The first lady's press secretary received a jaw-dropping, bended-knee surprise wed-me please proposal at the Élysée American Embassy in France from the president's assistant press secretary. A confederacy of conspirators in both the East and West Wings made it happen using Malia & Sasha as the bait to get Katie McCormick-Lelyveld to get cracking on Friday as the message said they were ready to go to the Eiffel Tower now and she was not there. He better check that answer she gave when it quiets down as she was in a state of shock when she said YES. They will always have Paris! Meanwhile, the Obama Girls did actually make it to the Eiffel Tower.

All of the Obama ladies made the Eiffel Tower tour including Michelle's 13 year old niece and daughter of brother Craig, Leslie, and her mother Marian Robinson.

The City of Lights, one of my most favorite. Courtesy of National Geographic

The White House is the scene for many romances in real life, many casual acquaintances become life partners in the crucible that is a glammed-up government office building set amidst a rose-filled presidential park. With a broken engagement behind her and a love affair with George Hamilton, presidential daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson met a Marine captain, Charles Robb, and married him in the East Room at the White House. A beautiful June ceremony for another presidential daughter, Tricia Nixon, as she wed Ed Cox June 12, 1971 in a beautiful Rose Garden ceremony. Few remember, Doro Bush, the daughter of a president and sister of a future president married at a first-ever wedding ceremony at Camp David. For staff members there is the political odd couple of Clinton strategist James Carville managing a competing campaign and a love-war-love affair with George H.W. Bush's senior aide, Mary Matalin in the early 1990s. Another Obama deputy press secretary, Jen Psaki, was in her jammies when her fiancé proposed wedded bliss this year after setting the scene by whipping up dinner. (Engagement picture of Ed Cox & Tricia Nixon 1971)

First Lady Power Plays

2009-06-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

First Lady Michell Obama shares the Queen protocol breach with France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Photo courtesy of White House

Every first lady demurs about the exercise of power. Each has pet issues and are notorious for finding a path to what they want done. Laura Bush wanted a new chef. But first, she replaced her first social secretary with a DC lady of lunches with a 13,000 square foot home then, had the new Social Secretary au gratin the old White House Executive Chef without having a replacement. Laura Bush's first social secretary called the environment volatile. Tiddlywinks turmoil by WH standards. Michelle Obama has a new chief of staff and an ex-chief of staff in less than 4 1/2 months. Nancy Reagan as tiny as she is terrified Don Regan and he was on the West Wing side of things. Hillary famously set the replacement record by getting involved with how the press travel worked and poof, they were gone. I have repeated often, watch the East Wing as the ebbs and flows in the supposedly quiet section is where the drama happens, even Obama Drama.

Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Rosalynn Carter and Nicola Goren on south side of White House

Jackie Norris has chief of staff on her resume and she's already landed a job as a senior adviser. Hmmm, I wonder if they talked about the possibility out on the South Balcony during this lunch a bunch moment. The lady in the pink jacket standing next to two iron-willed first ladies and Dr. Jill Biden is Michelle Obama's ex-chief of staff Jackie Norris's new boss, the acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Jackie knows Iowa, but Susan Sher knows Chicago players & both Obamas. Susan lives in the same building as Barack Obama's top advisor Valerie Jarrett and the ubiquitous Desirée Rogers. It helps to be connected and maintain tight control over what emanates from the East Wing. Michelle is so getting the DC thing now - it happens and if it didn't, we should worry. (Jacke Norris in fuschia blouse.)

Now what makes this all very interesting is that this week, a former doyenne of the White House had lunch with Michelle Obama in the family's private dining room in the residence. Who better to tell Michelle about when to pull the trigger on personnel moves than Nancy Reagan. This was another first lady who lived by her own set of rules. She would be dying to ask Michelle how she is paying for her designer duds after hers caused such uproars. Michelle paid homage to another of her predecessors by making every detail for their lunch filled with Reagan flavor. Check -The dishes were the infamous Reagan china that gave so many the vapors even though funds were raised privately to purchase the Lennox. Check-Peonies in bright colors. Check - fashion ensemble gives props to Nancy's power color, Red. The White House has institutional memory so they used it to prepare some of the former first lady's favorites under the direction of power forward First lady Michelle Obama.

The Ultimate First Lady's Power Lunch

Pool Parties at the White House

2009-06-03T18:18:00.000-07:00

White House pool and cabana with solar panels on roof. Courtesy 20 Fun Facts about The White House)

Cherry Blossoms and their annual festival are over for 2009 in Washington DC. Memorial Day is over. At Sidwell Friends, the First daughters end of the school year trumpets summer vacation time. Picnics with the requisite amount of ants and tons of new and old friends to hang out with means making use of the water amenities at the White House. Pool perks extend to presidential vacation retreat at the very exclusive, yet relaxed and woodsy, Camp David as well. Because its outdoors and its been downright chilly and rainy during parts of the Spring in DC, one scene not captured on camera yet are the Obamas using the pool and cabana on the White House property.

Camp David pool outside Aspen Lodge - Main Lodge - during Nixon era - Photo courtesy White House

Not very far from the Oval Office on the West side of the property is the outdoor pool Gerald Ford put in after Richard Nixon paved over the indoor one FDR had installed and promptly splashed the national press corp into that space. Another daily swimmer, Barbara Bush, upgraded the poolhouse to a full cabana. Millie's son, the Bush's dog named Spot, was fond of chasing the tennis balls but was not a big splasher. Barbara Bush recounts seeing a rat up close and personal paddling by her face in the pool as she swam her morning laps. Let us just say Gary Walters, White House Chief Usher at the time, definitely got an earful on that incident. (Spot contemplating is the tennis ball worth it. Courtesy GHW Bush Library)

Pool parties are summer staples. A swim is very convenient after a tough set as its close to the tennis court as well. Like the famed and coveted sleepovers, it will be a big deal for the Obama girls to invite their friends over for a summer dip. From no pool, except the neighborhood one or at their school in Chicago, to having a pool at each presidential property is a kid's dream when its hot and humid. Add in the best ice cream sundae makers, an unlimited supply of root beer floats with a puppy learning to swim and the pool will be a scene of frivolity this summer.

Gerald Ford alongside his two golden Labradors bravely introduced his new outdoor pool to the press bare chested and in his bathing trunks. As president elect Barack Obama had that mouthwatering picture of him in Hawaii. President Nixon took Air Force One all the way back to San Clemente California to walk along the beach in his dressy wingtips. There was the picture of Hillary Clinton she despises of herself in a blue floral one piece bathing suit. Michelle Obama spent time in her one piece black maillot in Hawaii. Pool rules will need establishing as its been years since wee little ones lived full-time at 1600. There also seems to be a recurring theme with presidential dogs and pools. (President Ford swims laps in new outdoor pool for press. Courtesy Ford Library)

Solar power heats the pool with the latest installation during the Bush 43 presidency. Pool parties were a function of the buttoned up Bush era. With the pool being heated, Barbara Bush used the pool even when her hair froze with icicle drips. Bill Clinton gets the thanks for the whirlpool spa. Meanwhile the Obamas will have to decide how the supervision works at the pool and who will be lifeguard during the upcoming dog days of summer with two active girls who will willingly throw pool parties. Last one in is a ...

Enchanting Red Room

2009-05-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

Two hundred years ago, Dolley Madison had the chamber painted yellow for the rollicking gossipy Wednesday night parties she threw next to the president's formal room. Her famous Gilbert Stuart portrait hangs on the bright twill satin draped walls. On the first floor of the Executive Mansion closest to the State Dining Room on the West side next to Michelle Obama's favorite Room is the vivid reception room now known as the Red Room.

Jackie Kennedy gave it panache when she refurbished the room back into the French empire style of the Madison age sans the yellow. It was the last of the rooms touched up during the Clinton presidency in 2000. Laura Bush made use of the room for an intimate Valentine's Dinner with special friends. First ladies have found a way to make the room regal and a place for entertainment with the style of furnishings and floral arrangements chosen for the room. (President Barack Obama teases his wife in the Red Room. Photo courtesy Pete Souza WH)

The 1962 Kennedy Restoration

Nancy Reagan in the Red Room

Napoleonic influence in French design spurred the Madison purchases in the room, especially the empire sofa with the gold medallion accented upholstery. The chandelier has 36 lights in the carved and gilded confection handcrafted in 1805. In 1997 Hillary Clinton had the rug done as a reproduction of a Savonnerie carpet in the style of the early 19th century.

The entire effect is pretty inspiring with Angelica Van Buren's portrait as the official hostess and daughter-in-law of the president gains a place of honor in the Red Room showing the bust of the president in her portrait with the actual bust still residing in the Red Room too. Angelica's portrait over the mantle and Dolley above across from the famous oval painting of Niagara Falls in a gilt frame.

The colors of the room inspired the 2004 Bush White House Christmas card. The mantle in the room was original to the State Dining Room and now resides in the Red Room. A superlative American textile manufacturer, Scalamandre Silks provided the silks for the walls and seating pieces and matching straight Napoleonic drapes. The stunning room has uses for quiet reflection or a gateway to larger receptions.

President Obama reads notes before press conference on the silk covered Monroe sofa.

Beautifully illustrating the state floor plan with the open door showing Red Room opens to the State Dining room. Photos courtesy WH, P. Souza
The White House Red Room won the EWR favorite Room poll.

White House Quacks, Barks & Stings

2009-05-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

WH View from Putting Green on South Lawn near Oval Office (Photo Courtesy Architectural Digest)

New First Families are the regular order of the day when presidents switch in and out. The multi-faceted talented White House staff takes that in stride. It is the more unusual outdoorsy happenings from the pets and critters, great and small, that give the Executive Mansion a bit of swerve and verve. During the chills of winter, the first lady signed off on a first-ever bee hive for making White House Honey. A horticulture plan must be in place for the right types of flowers to groom next to the hive. Bees are pretty active in the spring and summer collecting pollen from all the flowering plants. It just so happens a White House carpenter extraordinaire and bee master reside in the body of Charley Brandts who takes great pictures of the hive on the WH grounds when not wearing his superhero bee keeping cape.

Michelle Obama said some eyebrows definitely raised when presenting the garden design (chefs, bee keepers, head horticulturist, Chief Usher, National Park Service) plans to a skeptical Malia & Sasha who have a vested interest in their new backyard. The grounds team appropriated prime space for their swing set. Deep in the southern 9 acres is Momma Obama's garden, with the hive closer to the tennis court and the children's garden and that big grand fountain surrounded by blooms. Prior summer flowers for the fountain included geraniums, marigold lilies (lots of marigolds in the Obama Victory Garden) and petunias. Add the inquisitive nature of Sherlock Holmes to one rambunctious puppy and things can get a bit tense. Bo's walks are matters of national security. Seriously. When in DC, the president walks Bo. Not sure what Secret Service protocol is for a bee protest.

Bo passes the West Wing on a walk with White House Horticulturist Dale Haney. He has a great deal of experience with First Family pets too.)

Bo is closer than most Americans will ever be to the "football" - the codes for the nuclear weapons. The White House doctor will make sure no allergy sufferers are without the appropriate antidotes. Interesting, because in about 6 weeks, the Obamas will host a major annual gathering of congressional spouses, children and friends on the South Lawn, close to the Fourth of July, before he and Michelle make another international tour, including Ghana. At this time, it is not clear whether either or both of the First Daughters will accompany their parents on such a major trip. The East Wing is already gearing up for the inevitable press crush probably making the First Family appreciate the secret life of bees more.

(Charlie Brandts removing North swarm of bees after installing the domesticated bees on South Lawn)

A few suicidal bees roaming on pollen patrol could send things out of hand, if not paying attention during the season. That already happened in the near the West Gate, with the same beekeeper going out in full regalia to collect the Queen Bee and the swarms and rescue the media from enduring bee stings while doing their live shots on the North side of the White House. The "Renegade" bees (ha ha code name puns) moved in without an election to enjoy an annual springy "Renaissance" garden as the shy "Radiance" of the brilliant sunshine pours on the youngest "Rosebud" determined to use the outdoor pool to teach her new Portuguese Water Dog how to swim.(Photo with hive to the left Courtesy of City Bees, a blog with several posts detailing the insider story of the Obama's sanctioned bees.)

It is known that squirrels frequent the South Lawn. In the middle of this natural park, a Ducky Mom created her own tour of the West Wing shepherding her ducklings past an assistant press secretary's window inspecting the White House grounds. Michele Obama did not arrange for ducks a la orange in the ramped up local food initiative. (Outside West Wing of the White House Photo courtesy New York Daily News)

Sorry for the longer than planned posting absence, but an emergency illness arose stinging me in more ways than one.

Tiny Clues on Decorating the White House

2009-05-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Nancy Reagan was the last first lady to privately fundraise and spend time restoring and decorating Blair House which is across the street from the White House with the mission being the United States guest home for visiting Heads of State House. If anyone knows it is past time for several upgrades in those adjoining townhomes, it is the latest first lady. C'mon, a bed that needs an added section for the head of state if they are over six feet tall is just not appropriate. Michelle Obama ordered a beautiful antique bed for the White House and had it modified to Queen-sized for a comfortable night's rest. No idea who the lucky Obama is that sleeps in on that one.

Center Hall on residence 2nd floor with lighter walls. White chairs on right appear much like the 1984 during NR's time at White House. Malia is walking towards the Closet Hall that separates her bedroom from Sasha's. The carpet is the same as the one image below showing Mrs. Bush. Above White House Photo 2009

From the Reagan era, the square creamy chair with peach pillow appears much like the chair upholstered in white above. The famed Chinese screen is on the right. From Architectural Digest from 1984.

We do know that Michael Smith of California received official status as Michelle Obama's interior designer in January. Laura Bush had Kenneth Blasingame of Texas and Hillary Clinton used Kaki Hockersmith of Arkansas. Nancy Reagan also had a California designer that indulged her taste for florals and wall paper with florals. Once every decade, Architectural Digest usually does a photo spread including parts of the private residence once significant work is accomplished by a first lady, the curator, the staff and the White House Historical Association after collaborated on significant refurbishing of state rooms.

1984 Refurbishing of Nancy Reagan's dressing room off the master bedroom. This is the room Laura Bush showed Michelle Obama where to look out of the window to see the Oval office. Malia's & Sasha's swing set is just beyond the Oval Office.

This is from the 1962 refurbishing jackie kennedy did to the same dressing room off her master bedroom. Seems reasonable that this will be Michelle's Obama's personal/office space in her version of the room. Photo courtesy Architectural digest.
Though there is a timeless feel to the furniture, it goes through iterations and upholstery makeovers like the couches Laura Bush had in the West Sitting Hall lived previously as President Clinton's Oval Office couches. We have seen very little of what Michelle decorated in the residence publicly, but there are some clues. Pat Nixon started the trend of painting the Center Hall in yellow. Each first lady since has kept it that way with varying shades to make it feel sunny. Though the lighting is bright in 2009 photo, it appears Michelle chose a shade of paint that is a softer creamy buttercup color. She nixed the idea of porcelain plates in the Federal styled built-in shelving units other first ladies used. The piano is across from what prior was the placement of an eighteenth century Chinese screen (above in 1984 AD photo) that dominates that southern wall because there are only the paladium windows at each end of the Center Hall.

Laura Bush in more formal East Sitting Hall with same patterned rug/carpet seen above in Center Hall in 2009 photo. 2005 Photo courtesy Architectural Digest.

Last November, Michelle received a book that catalogs (pictures, dimensions, used by, etc.) the White House's furniture collection for her to choose from to have ready on the first day in the White House. The Art Collection and the offerings from various museums to decorate the residence portion of the White House are also made available. Mrs. Bush placed the donation from the Kennedy family's prominently in the West Sitting Hall where she could see the Monet as soon as she sat down or left the master bedroom. I am looking forward to hearing about some of the art choices the Obamas are making for the residence with such a world class selction to choose among.

Rediscovering The White House in the Obama Era

2009-05-15T08:18:00.000-07:00

School kids visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

As a kid the obligatory school visit to Washington DC was to tour everything big: US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and the big white house on Pennsylvania Avenue with not one plaid lawn chair out front. To enter the White House first through the East Lobby entrance - white - and into a wood paneled foyer. Lots of velvet ropes, informed tour guides with great anecdotes and then exit out the front door. Gift shop somewhere else. Nobody expects younger students to remember much, except certain rooms were named after colors as the tour guide explains historical bits about torcheres, presidential candelabras and first lady portraits.

In January 2009, it all changed as everyone is eager to know what is inside the House we mostly see from the facade and what or who do you need to know to get an invite into the hippest joint in America. The White House is the same color but taking on a 21st century luster as people want to get to know the house and the priceless artifacts placed throughout the building. Michelle Obama is exercising great control over one of the world's best living museums filled with ornate art and documents central to this nation's promise. Before abandoning the White House as it was about to be seized during supper, it was Dolley Madison in 1814 that took the famed Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington down to save it before the British ate her planned meal for 40 guests, then fricasseed it to the walls. Right: the Obamas things being delivered from a secured storage facility January 21, 2009

Sasha waves as she goes to the White House in the Inaugural Parade. 1/21/09

All five Obamas are in demand for social events with a waiting list. Mrs. Obama lady flipped her sleek wig early in the administration when she had her senior East Wing staff make it crystal clear in the frostiest tones that commercializing Sasha and Malia was absolutely guaranteed to put the company and by extension, its customers, in the deepest Antarctica freeze. The dolls went the way of the DoDo bird. Nobody who wanted to make a good impression on Mama or Papa Obama would be caught in open daylight with that particular stuffed contraband. Now, same company, Ty Inc., has taken the newest Obama's likeness and made it the hottest selling Beanie Baby "Bo" in two sizes, exactly one month after Bo came to live at 1600. Here are some renamed dolls that look suspiciously like the First Daughters. Bo books were fired up and ready to go as soon as the news leaked. (Photo courtesy USA Today)

President & a certain dog play on the South Lawn May 12, 2009 courtesy P. Souza

The flipside of the Obama phenomenon is the amount of vast sincere high interest there is in everything that happens at the White House starring the Obamas as the latest residents in the over 200 year old house. The White House itself is now an object of admiration and interest that knows no geographical or any other boundaries. Something wonderful happens to the house when it is full of young children. Malia and Sasha sleep in the East & West Bedrooms on the second floor of the residence that overlook the North Lawn and Lafayette Park, the very same as Caroline & John Kennedy Jr., which will be part of the future history books. The Obama girls have found the secret staircases, touched the desk where Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, done cartwheels down the Center Hall and bowled with a president and first lady in a grand house where there swing set/castle sits outside the most powerful office in the land. (Photo above left - Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's family in White House Dining Room 2009)

The White House at Christmas is a magical place that will mark their first holiday as the First family as a special one. It is also when a tremendous amount of invites, parties and events take place as the White House is set to its best advantage. The Obamas will find too few days with too many guests vying to land the world's most coveted invitations.

The Obama Family & Mrs. Robinson enjoy the spoken word Poetry event May 12, 2009.

Everyone wants to see the Obamas enjoying the house and to reassure themselves there is an abundance of happiness inside. The first outdoor pool party should be coming shortly before they join their dad in the flying White House - Air Force One as its wheels up for the summer. Luci Johnson collected dolls from around the world and the Obama girls have a chance for some international collections as well.

White House sign No Tours Beyond This Point, Just as well its the West Colonnade into Palm Room.

For compelling in-depth historical narratives of the White House, EWR compiled a list of great books & DVDs.

First Ladies, Gowns & The Smithsonian Exhibit

2009-05-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

First Ladies formal wear, part of the presidential inaugural festivities, extend their natural lives mounted behind glass at the National Museum of American History as part of the Smithsonian for visitors too ooh and ah over or recoil in fashion terror. Almost one hundred years ago, before women had the right to vote, the first donation for curating for an exhibition, "Collection of Period Costumes" focused on women, arrived from First Lady Helen Taft's 1909 inaugural debut. Better known as Nellie to intimates, she was a big social drinker - even during Prohibition and staunch guardian angel of her husband's political ambitions. Mrs. Taft rocked the nation by riding next to him in the inaugural parade. Her gift of gown aided the evolution of what is now known as the "First Ladies Collection" of which the gowns displayed are a mainstay, augmented with more relics, from White house china to bumper stickers, from a first lady's time in the White House. (Nellie Taft's White House portrait)
Lisa Kathleen Graddy is the current curator of the Smithsonian's First Ladies Exhibit, now entitled - after a December 2008 reopening in its third iteration - First Ladies at the Smithsonian. There were a flurry of anxious calls to the Smithsonian after the Obama inauguration to ascertain the exact date Michelle's dress would make its debut. Certainly the Smithsonian has written a formal request to the first lady for a particular list of items. At least two of the potential items are still in use by Michelle Obama, the Kelly green Jimmy Choo's and the cardigan she wore under the Isabel Toledo's lemon grass ensemble for the swearing in and walk along the parade route.

The now famous Jason Wu white gown will take a year or more before it is ready. Little/big/Oh My details have to be worked out. For one, the mannequins in the display cases feature custom made forms that are more white for featuring the dress. What do you do with Mrs. Obama's form - even if it is headless?

Meanwhile the Smithsonian is on a quest for something related to the Obama Inaugural. So far, the Queen of Soul has not yet felt a convincing argument to release the bow-tie crystal-encrusted wonder into the annals of hat history at the famed institution.

Aretha Franklin singing My Country Tis of Thee, Photo courtesy AP

The exhibition of First Lady doo dads and duds is arguably one of the most visited. What is fascinating is what happens during conservation of the gowns and other accouterments. Fans fluttered by some first ladies are rather ornate. Jewelry ranging from Jackie Kennedy's pearls to handbags and matching shoes have a place inside the display cases. Photos or letters describing the gowns or what happened to them are checked and verified in minute detail. Even the detail that Rosalynn Carter took austerity measures and wore a gown she unearthed from when her husband was sworn-in as Georgia's governor - twice before - shall not go unremarked.

Rosalynn Carter (1977) Hillary Clinton (1993)

Through the ages, many first lady gowns went to family members who repurposed them for wedding dresses or day wear. Mary Todd Lincoln's vertical striped dress with little purple flowers was updated for day wear by a family member and the lace collar removed compared to photographic evidence. Frances Cleveland's second inaugural dress became the family wedding dress and Martha Washington's silk frock had some fiddling done to the collar section. Practical Eleanor Roosevelt went synthetic with Arnold Constable designing the rayon crepe in a pinkish rose color. There may be something instructional here as Mrs. Obama's section is thought out because Eleanor Roosevelt height needed an adjustment to be made to her form to give it the right statuesque proportions to showcase the ensemble properly. Of course, Mamie Eisenhower wore her signature color - pink - in 1953 (pictured left). I must confess the only dress I remembered was the violet Susan Philip's gown Hillary Clinton wore because I liked it. (Photos courtesy of National Museum of American History)

In Elizabeth Mayo's curation for first lady gowns, the mannequin's featured heads. Because of the beaded lace work on some of the gowns many feature arms, but but not hands in the most recent edition on display. There are 14 gowns on display at any given time due to the need to preserve some of the more fragile ones that are unavailable for featuring permanently. Another interesting factoid is the gown the Smithsonian wants most is the one from the first inaugural. Should the president get re-elected the second gown is usually found at their presidential library for more modern presidents.

White House Poetry Slam or Jam?

2009-05-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

One hundred hand picked invites went out across the amber waves of grain and purple mountaintops this week requesting the honor of their presence and granting the bearer entry to the first Obama White House Poetry Slam (Jam?) event. It is designed to celebrate the written word which does not always mean every audience leaves enchanted. Krysten Sinema will represent Phoenix Arizona figuratively and literally at the White House Poetry Slam on Tuesday, May 12th. Georgia will have a local commisioner grooving to the rythmic word in the form of Ashley Bell.

I love the audaciousness of the ode to meaningful words. A voice like James Earl Jones attains sublime, then add the visual as his rich baritone reverberates around the East Room giving power to the poets and playwrights. What will make this interesting is how much will be original work versus recitation which would be more a Poetry Jam, than a Slam. To make it a real Slam, there is judging of the performance art involved which would make it A-W-K-W-A-R-D for attendance by the president and first lady.

The Western canon comprises the oral traditions of Homer and others to create a significant body of work lining the pages of history consisting of poetry and prose. Just before the advent of the Iraq War, Laura Bush canceled a Poetry and the American Voice conference slated for the White House. Energetic anti-war balladeers made up for it holding vociferous slams of sorts outside the North Gate. Jacqueline Kennedy loved books, with a special place in her heart for poetry. Hip hop or urban cool has the opportunity to sit alongside iambic pentameter or dactylic hexameter in White House lore. Hillary Clinton hosted First Readings: An Evening of American Poetry at the White House celebrating certain favorites. Throw down in a little haiku and we could be off to the annual White House Poetry Slam races which would horrify many an academic. (Jones Photo courtesy of Broadway World)

The Obamas are hoping events like this Poetry Slam/Jam create a renaissance for the arts and a renewal of interest in the People's House. Shakespeare is a traditional favorite of most presidents, especially the ones that write memorably, but a real Poetry Slam brings to light the more eclectic scales of the format. Open mic night at the White House would herald some new talent - yet this inaugural White House Slam will also feature younger artists Mayda Del Valle, contemporary novelist Michael Chabon, bassist Esperanza Spalding with an all caps jazz pianist ELEW and Grammy Award winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda. Man cannot live by bread alone. The treats and eats are already edible diamonds of the First gold plates at the White House. Now come the sounds and the words. (Chabon signing books)

Esperanza Spalding in Italy. Photo courtesy of Enrico Maioli - derivative by Hugh Pickens

There is a symmetry that Poetry Slams began in Chicago in 1984. There have always been tight ties between jazz, Chicago and poetry. Now the White House turns the spotlight on all three with the president a partisan fan of all three, presiding over his own Jam.

East Wing Rules wishes A Happy Mother's Day to every Mom, from the newest to the most experienced among us! Also great wishes for the Moms who inhabit the White House's East Wing. Mothers Day Poetry Jam/Slam anyone?

White House's Fire Engine Red Hot Room

2009-05-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

(East Wing's Movie Theater, Interior Design Blasingame for Laura Bush photo Architectural Digest)

Bold. Daring. SCREAMING RED!!! That was the overwhelming effect Austin, Texas Interior Designer Kenneth Blasingame was aiming for to perk up the room used for a few R-rated performances in the White House to compete with that other Red Room. It is a bit of a throwback to the sophisticated plush movie theaters of yesteryear replete with the gilt accents and fluted woodwork. Each room in the White House complex has a purpose of either or both being the omnipresent political and the tactical practical. High end homes in America feature robust media rooms with large screens and serious lounging chairs with surround sound. The White House has had a ~~movie~~ Family Theater since FDR converted a cloakroom. For decades it had the feel of a chintz filled living room even after President & Mrs. Reagan had the elevated stadium style seats brought in for their much lighter more floral rendition of the movie theater. The film screening history of the First Movie Theater is captured in green ledger books detailing what films presidents watched. Its fascinating!

An invite to Movie Night at the White House is special because there are less than 40 cushy seats. If the president attends, everybody wants a seat and a little bag of popcorn. The first four chairs down front are resplendent with matching back pillows, pleated skirts and footstools embellished with brass nailhead trim. All the other seats are similar to a local upscale local theater minus the dubious cupholders. Located in the East Colonnade section,the movie theater opens with double doors that lead in/out from the hall that overlooks the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.

East View facing the projectionist - photo courtesy Architectural Digest

One of the presidential perks is the ability to order any film or movie, even the ones that are top secret and not released yet, and premier it at the White House. The Obamas used the room to turn it into a giant TV screen for watching the SuperBowl with a bi-partisan audience. After a frigid day watching their father become president,the official opening of the Obama White House Movie Theater happened a week earlier when Malia & Sasha and assorted guests, enjoyed High School Musical 3 and Bolt. Chelsea Clinton had a little bit of a Freaky Friday disaster when her tween and teen guests spilled popcorn and whatnots early on in her days in the White House and the residence staff watched helplessly as steel magnolia Hillary made her clean up the mess. President Clinton enjoyed a superbowl party as well right after his inaugural in 1993.

Governor Richardson, Chelsea & Socks, President Clinton, Governor Cuomo -AP

The other use of the room is serious presidential business. It is set up with the presidential podium and teleprompters for past presidents to work out the kinks in their State of the Union Address. The first row of chairs is removed and staff sits in the seats to critique the style and delivery of the address. It is the one serious surefire annual foray of West Wingers into the East Wing preserve because there is no other room that fills the purpose in the West Wing. The movie theater is not a room that has the stringent requirements of a Room of State in the executive mansion, allowing for extensive refurbishing according to taste and function. Woodrow Wilson screening the abominable and racist Birth of a Nation at the White House is among the most offensive acts a president has done since the dawn of the movie age. (Family Theater prior to its reworking in Red as President Bush practices in 2003 WH Photo)

The Obamas have watched Oscar nominated films such as The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire as their more notable current choices. No doubt, a new Star Trek appearance for the Comic Book Collector in Chief inside the White House Family Theater. Michelle and her girlfriends with a few close staffers enjoyed He's Just Not That Into You. The beauty is the favorites are usually seen by first families more than once and often at both the White House and Camp David

President Obama serves cookies at Superbowl Party

3D Super Bowl Fashion in First Theater - can you spot the Attorney General? Photo Pete Souza

Muppets Meet Michelle, Hillary, Barbara, Laura

2009-05-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

First ladies find individual pursuits while paying homage to past tradition. Sesame Street is a modern must do for the spouse of a president. The music and the rhymes just comes back to me from childhood. Now my earworm is permanent with grandkids who like the characters just as much. Everybody's A-Okay when you get to...

During the 1993 Clinton Inaugural festivities, Kermit plopped and perched comfortably on Hillary Clinton's shoulder during a concert Disney-thon. Yep, think about that, not Minnie or Mickey, the apple of Miss Piggy's eye, the froggy wonder got the prime shoulder for the finale of the show. As first lady, Hillary also went to the 25th season for Sesame Street and appeared with muppets throughout her tenure. It was episode 3136. The first lady came on to give health tips. As a senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton did a PSA for Healthy Habits for Life (photos courtesy muppet wiki)

The inaugural appearance from a first lady and president came from George Herbert Walker Bush and his wife, Barbara, on video tape to warn children away from drugs. Later she came by herself to read a book since literacy was her major raison d'etre in her official capacity as first lady. It is ironic that its the numbers cruncher Count in the skit with her though.

Hillary Rodham Clinton with Big Bird - Barbara Bush with The Count

Laura Bush added an international flavor to her appearance on Sesame Street. First she mimicked her mother-in-law by reading a book in 2003 with Big Bird and Elmo in episode 4032. Boombah, a royal sociable purple fuchsia lion, is the mainstay of New Delhi's version, Galli Galli Sim Sim greeting Laura Bush with a great roar of approval in 2006 in its first year of production. In 2007, Laura Bush whooped it up with the green version of the US's Big Bird, Nimnim, who sports a rocking Egyptian patterned vest and skull cap and speaks Arabic. Looks like she wore the same color attire in two different years.

Laura and Boombah (2006) - Nimnim & Mrs. Laura Bush (2007)

Diplomacy in an internationally shared Sesame Street environment would not be possible without direct assistance for USAID in conjunction with the host nations. The need to reach children through their mediums becomes important to first ladies trying to impart life lessons and instill good habits. So it is with First Lady Michelle Obama who was over the moon ecstatic at her chance to appear at the New York City Children's Television network Studios. Mrs. Obama considers it the best thing she has done in her 110 days on the job. Taking a page out of Hillary's book, Michelle spoke on healthy foods. The reason that might cause a few chuckles - is she attended a Cinco de Mayo celebration at LAMB Elementary School, and well, the first lady let the kids ask a few questions. One small tyke asked Mrs. Obama if she liked Mexican food and she preceded to wax poetic on a list of her favorites quesadillas, carnitas, moles - any color, tamales. She said it was on the record as it being her favorite type of food. Michelle Obama is also on record that the siren song of the French Fry is irresistible to her.

Just For Solomon! Michelle's PSA with fave Elmo

A First Lady's Political Combat Unit

2009-05-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

An East Wing's organizational structure tells much about the First Lady's operation, but not everything. Lucy Mercer was Eleanor Roosevelt's choice as a personal Social Secretary in 1913. It was Miss Mercer's ongoing intimate relationship FDR that makes the factual history books. In the 21st century, the media climate is a mite overheated in their obsession over celebrity infotainment news or anything that may remotely affect the president in order to make their deadlines and meet profit hopes. It is no surprise that the current East Wing Team, with one notable exception, prefers to do their work as mysterious and powerful Elves skilled at knife fighting behind the scenes. Mixing in photogenic Obamas with an engaged republic makes for hiring the best experienced staff with great political chops an imperative for a Harvard educated lawyer, Michelle Obama. One recent precedent is the straight up firing of Hillary's Clinton's choice as Executive Chef, Walter Scheib, by Mrs. Bush when she switched out Social Secretaries in preparation for a second term. It is definitely not all lace doilies and cut flowers in the East Wing - thank goodness. (Lucy Mercer circa 1915)

A year ago, Michelle Obama had a serious image problem. The Obama brain trust brought in hired guns to do jujitsu by placing her in situations that showcased her as feminine, not hard charging. The obvious subtlety became commonplace when the mainstream press finally noticed America's hearting of her following an appearance on ABC's The View in a dress that set off a shopping frenzy just as Italian Vogue launched its first ever edition featuring models only of African descent with that causing an American Conde Nast publishing train wreck as demand crushed supply. A perfect beautiful storm in the worlds of fashion and politics at the same time evoked more Camelot comparisons as it became quite noticeable a mystique was forming around the future First Family, especially after the first night of the August DNC convention with a great speech and two little girls charming an American audience of tens of millions.

The best first ladies are able to meet the demands of the volunteer role while aligning with the times and circumstances in which they live. Powerful folks behind the scenes in the East Wing make magical things happen. Letitia Baldridge as Social Secretary for the Kennedy's helped define a political and cultural brand that endures almost fifty years later. Mrs. Baldridge was in the midst of the Camelot Court, but not a central focus with klieg lights turned on her.

Mrs. Obama has yet to give an official press conference. She retains control of every aspect of the Obama Family brand. Undeterred, The Washington Post brought back their style reporter, Robin Givhan, to cover the blooming first lady beat in the midst of cutbacks at the media conglomerate. Handling the questions about Mrs. Obama is Press Secretary Katie McCormick Lelyveld (in car) with strategic advice from Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady, Camile Johnston (2nd from left). Chicagoan Katie has two years under her belt handling tough questions about Michelle Obama. She was a former Hillary Clinton intern working for Stephanie Cutter during senator Kerry's 2004 run. Californian Camille worked for Tipper Gore with a quick stint at WBBM in Chicago as a Communications Director and on to the LA Dodgers as a Senior Vice president before landing at 1600. Camille works alongside a deputy, Semonti Mustaphi.

Samantha Tubman at campaign event 2008, left - Melissa Winter, right

Not yet 30 years old, Samantha Tubman is the Assistant Social Secretary after serving on the much lauded Obama campaign advance team. Jackie Norris shared a van and conversation with Michelle Obama many times on lonely stretches of highways crisscrossing her adopted home state of Iowa throughout 2007. The former teacher is Mrs. Obama's Chief of Staff and has presidential political experience rooted in Al Gore's run at the White House. Melissa Winter, Ms. Norris's Deputy Chief of Staff presidential experience arises from being Joe Lieberman's 2004 Director of Scheduling before spending almost two years on the campaign trail with Michelle Obama. She is highly skilled in the ways and means of Washington DC and was Michelle Obama's first official hire. (Jackie Norris pictured, right)

Many of this First Lady's power brokers attend policy meetings and other discussions in the West Wing ensuring synergy and message control. A few report in a matrix fashion to the president and the first lady. These are just a few of the power brokers on the East Wing, with more to be named later, to put a name on the work product coming from the individuals making it the People's House.

However, the real power in the East Wing is neither a volunteer first lady nor its dedicated staff for this group. It's the grand lady who lives on the third floor of the White House residence that cares for her grandchildren who live downstairs.

Will Bo Get White House Holiday Treatment?

2009-05-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

First ladies love their pets. According to her Thursday speech at the Hilton before 2000 spouses of congress members, Supreme Court justices, cabinet secretaries and other family and friends, Michelle Obama made it clear she was doing the o'dark thirty Bo walking. Her kids are getting good grades and hitting the snooze alarm as Mrs. Obama learns a new parenting/puppy lesson. Another first lady who loved her dog Millie enough to take dictation, translating dog bark into a book and bequeathing one of the 1989 puppies to her son W, liked the immortalized and sculpture technique proudly displayed in the Bush White House beneath her ground floor portrait. One way to pay pet tributes is during the Holidays, but the East Wing Staff needs a lot of prep time to execute the theme flawlessly. (White House photos courtesy Tina Hager)

Historic pet motifs arise out of past incidents, mischief or a loving theme to make interesting displays during the White House holiday season. Famed Pastry chef, Roland Mesnier created Socks, the cat, peeking from one of the White House windows in one of his exclusive gingerbread architectural wonders for a Clinton Christmas to showcase the White House. There is Nelson, George Washington's beloved Revolutionary War steed prancing above a Christmas garland bedecked mantle in the East Room. Calvin Coolidge of the Teapot Dome fiasco had a presidential pooch, Rob Roy with a proud lineage of sheep herding that turned into a quivering mass of NO when it came to riding the White House family elevator. But the most famous of their pets were Rebecca and Reuben, the family raccoons.

Now is the time 2009 Christmas plans are drawn in further fine detail in the East Wing. During the transition, First lady-to-be Michelle Obama received a thorough briefing of the traditions of the White House; Easter Egg Roll, Spring (April) & Fall (October) Garden Tours, the upcoming holiday season Thanksgiving through January 1, 2010. The themes are chosen well in advance for the holidays to allow artisans enough time to craft and get their work to the White House. In 2003, Laura Bush chose to pay holiday homage to White House Pets, past and present. Even though Mrs. Obama may choose another theme, somewhere Bo will show up either in a pastry or as a holiday ornament and maybe just maybe on the first official Obama White House greeting card.

Rob Roy on Ground Floor display. Woodrow Wilson's sheep depicted in East Room

Lafayette's gift of an alligator lived in the bathroom of John Quincy Adams East Room. Liberty was famous for being President's Ford's favorite golden lounge lizard in the Oval Office. In the mid 1970's Liberty gave birth to presidential puppies. Theodore Roosevelt son's pony Algonquin was more fearless than Coolidge's Rob Roy by getting squashed into the elevator by another sibling undetected by White house staff to visit Archie. The Roosevelts also had a colorful macaw. In 1944, Cousin Franklin, was a wee bit absentminded and left Fala behind on some Aleutian island and you bet the president sent a Navy destroyer to go fetch his dog. Him and Her, I am not sure whether to pity them or just admire their longevity alongside Yuki - a Texas gas station find by his daughter Luci. When President Johnson lifted his pet Beagle, Him, up by the ears, America was horrified.

President Warren Harding's dog, Laddie Boy held court in his own chair at cabinet meetings. Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife Vicki gave Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog to the Obama family following a great White House tradition. Checkers was a gift to Vice President Richard & Pat Nixon while Pushinka (Russian = fluffy) came to Caroline Kennedy courtesy of pound the kitchen table shoe guy and Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev. Bo's antics will cause the White House's chefs to come up with something uniquely his for the holiday season. The key is where will his icing and cake plaster likeness show up in a place of honor, Ground Floor, East Room or greeting guests for the holidays at the East Gate?

(Photo Pete Souza/White House) White House Deputy Mosteller tries to save his latest shoeshine in Cabinet Room.

Michelle's Favorite White House Room

2009-04-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

At night

(Daytime view Photo Courtesy of Time)

Arkansas interior designer Kaki Hockersmith worked alongside the White House Historical Association chaired by First Lady Hillary Clinton to select period wall covering and elaborate draperies that would enhance one of the most used famous Rooms of State in the White House. Hillary Clinton chose the rich sapphire colors for the drapes and upholstery. Jacqueline Kennedy worked hard to ensure the White House furniture collection included many original pieces of the Bellangé French Empire suite of furniture that are part of the salon's rich nineteenth century history. At the White House enough bergère (enclosed sides) and several fauteuil (open sided) chairs needed to fill about 120 square feet of space in an oval room. Former secretary of state and Francophile on to President, James Monroe purchased a set of eight pieces and imported the classical furniture original to the room in 1817. (Photo of 1996 reproductions from WHA)

(1995 Clinton refurbishment of Blue Room)

Under Hillary's leadership bold colors replaced the Pat Nixon renovations in the Blue Room. By law, renovations of these rooms must get the requisite approval of the National Park Service, the White House Historical Association and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. Jackie Kennedy deserves unending gratitude for rescuing White House treasures with much of her curation seen in Michelle Obama's favorite room.

(January 21, 2009/Reuters)

Michelle Obama named the Blue Room her favorite at a recent White House Take Your Kids to Work Day event when asked by one of the youngsters. Her official portrait was taken in the official reception room as was Hillary Clinton's. Both had their hands touching the white marbled circular table in the center of the room that was also a purchase of James Monroe. When walking in from the North Portico straight ahead is the presidential seal above the door moldings. President Obama is also photographed often in this room. The day after 44's inauguration, the Obamas welcomed people to the White House inside this room. The room after all was the original reception parlor that people entered from the south side of the White House. On the curved wall just to the left before the entrance to the Green Room is the painting from the White House Art Collection of the delicate first lady with the ermine shawl, Elizabeth Monroe. (Do you see it in the above photos?)

French Empire Style appeals to the new first lady of 21st century. The furniture was popular at European courts but held a special place with Empress Josephine Bonaparte. There are portraits of three presidents in the room, Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler and James Monroe with other priceless antiques including a gilt clock. The room is used most as a receiving room or for small intimate dinners. The room is impressive in all manner of lighting situations. Of course, it used to be the front door of the White House. Above, Michelle & the president gather for their first state dining event with the governors and their spouses in February of 2009. Music in the East Room came courtesy of Earth, Wind & Fire. (Photo courtesy of C. Shell/Time)

(Photo courtesy White House circa 2002 from Paul Morse via Huffington Post)

Cast your vote for your favorite First Floor Room of State in the poll! Tell us which room we should profile next here at EWR.

Take Kid to Work Day: The Obama White House

2009-04-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

Coming to work at the White House while a guest of your Mom or Dad is an interesting exercise. Inside the Calligraphy Office, ensconced in the East Wing sits a young man, Rick (Richard) Muffler who visited with his father, John Muffler, the joyful guy who wound all the WH clocks for more than fifty years. Even more amazing is that John Muffler's father was President Harding's chauffeur. Third generation White House worker Rick was made an intern after visiting many years ago for two calligraphers who showed him the ropes - except he's left handed. Left handed, indelible inks with no mistakes allowed is a scary proposition for somebody tasked with presidential invites, military commissions, state dinners and official proclamations or certificates. He became quite good at it as the the only southpaw in the Calligraphy Office where everything is done by hand. (photo courtesy Clinton Presidential Library)

(Photo courtesy Alex Wong/Getty)

First Lady Michelle Obama took questions from enterprising students today that commuted alongside their parents into work at the White House. The children of the First Family's secret service detail - uniformed plus the guys and gals with the ear plugs, the entire East Wing staff of engineers, butlers, housekeepers and florists with the entire executive office's staffers were encouraged to bring their children to attend the day and spend time with FLOTUS in the East Room.

Her endearing remarks referred to Bo waking the president and her up playing with a ball in the wee hours and nibbling on feet by day as "kind of crazy". Michelle Obama sneaks out of the White house sans nosy reporters to have lunch with staffers at well known places where no one recognizes her. Bo was spotted yesterday with the First Lady as she walked him in the chilly weather on the South Lawn. The children attending the White House event ranged from 7 to 14 years of age. One participant at the Take Your Child to Work Day at the White House was eight year old Maisy, the Bidens grandaughter. Michelle mentioned being very concerned about work life balance. She admitted the kids asked tough questions which she characterized as her very first official press conference. (Photo Uniformed Secret Service at White House)

(Photo by Bill O'Leary/Post)

Her remarks were kind of fitting that she also stopped by the anachronistically entitled Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for John Berry's official swearing in as Personnel Wizard as part of the day's events while her husband was at the Holocaust Remembrance celebration in the Rotunda at the Capitol. Sasha and Malia live over the entire workplace for both parents so they trudged off to Sidwell Friends leaving Mom to walk Bo yet again.

Kids & White House Press Operations

2009-04-20T04:20:00.001-07:00

No Drama Obama is a message that goes to the heart of Michelle Obama's East Wing, even more so than the West. Worldwide attention focuses each time Malia & Sasha make a sanctioned or official appearance. Imagine being a child star without all the Secret Service protection with a humongous house you need an invitation and background check to enter plus having parents that are two of the most famous people on the planet alongside a public desperate to learn more about your every ordinary second of doing homework or being yelled at for forgetting to make your bed. Imagine the hyperventilating as the Obama girls made not one, but three appearances in the same week; Easter Sunday at church, Easter Monday particiapting in the Egg Roll and Story Time, then walking their long-awaited puppy, Bo, for the press with Mom & Dad. the attention is not just from adults but a real fascination from kids of all ages across the globe.

The only thing between paparazzi frenzy and media meltdowns on presidential kids is the press operation run out of the East Wing. Jackie Kennedy was a tigress about ensuring she knew which photographs of her children would be used and when - if ever. So much so, that the president had to wait until she was off on a trip, brought the kids into the Oval Office to play and quickly summoned a White House photographer, then released the now iconic pictures. The images of Amy Carter being flashbulbed into blindness before another subsequent traumatic moment of then walking into a room full of classmates where she had not one friend is something every new first lady now remembers. Good thing she had almost forty teddy bears in her room to help comfort her. First Lady Hillary Clinton made it clear her daughter was off limits and publicly ripped SNL for their Chelsea portrayal as an awkward tween against the charms of the Gore girls.

Presidential children often have their place of refuge being inside the White House residence. Those 18 acres can feel kind of cut off from reality but swimming in History. The Kennedy children, the Bush twins - Jenna & Barbara, Amy Carter, now Malia and Sasha go to sleep in the same East & West Bedrooms with the famed hallway or Closet Hall window that overlooks the North lawn from where President Lincoln gave his final speech, separating their bedrooms. The Bush twins endured through their grandfather's and their dad's presidencies. Nancy Reagan kept her office and closet in those rooms during her reign. That area is sacrosanct from the press unless invited. But it doesn't stop a press corps from asking questions on what designer the Obama girls are wearing doing which activities and what Mom chose to do and wear. Even the introduction of the dog was a production that got upended by last minute changes to the Bo rollout. Inside the East Wing are political combat professionals holding the line on invasions of the family's privacy under the command of the First Lady. But what do you do when the kids insist on being part of it all?

Michelle Obama's star turn in Europe's rarefied stratosphere is going to make it even harder as the presidential summer travel schedule is custom made for a real family educational opportunity. That's the tough thing, the opporunity is now and not when they are older. That first magical state dinner when a King or Queen or president visits will entice the girls to watch either from the residence or sneak a spot at the top of the stairs as the Marine Band strikes up Ruffles and Flourishes. Amy Carter attended a state dinner or two with a book to keep her company. In this day and age, the attraction of watching this First Family's every move is now big business.

The East Wing is setting the rules though, same as always.

(Hopscotch outside Oval Office)

Gardens of the White House

2009-04-18T09:21:00.001-07:00

Today and tomorrow the White House is holding a garden party of sorts with a first come, first served Spring Tour from 10 am to 4pm. Beautiful timing as the colorful blooms are experiencing a peak blossoming period with cherry trees filling in handsomely. Very picturesque were the Obamas, with one member of the family on a leash, as they took a very public frolic across the rolling South Lawn on Tuesday. The day before, that same White House Lawn hosted the Easter Monday Egg Roll with almost 30,000 pairs of feet, big and small, running and rolling across it all day with scads of green picket fences marking paths. (Top L Photo from Lafayette Park showing North Portico, Top R - Rose garden, Photo Malia Obama out for first public dog walk/run)

As the tour goes through the boxwood hedges of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, dedicated as a floral tribute on April 22, 1965 by our first Environmental Activist First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, in honor of all of Mrs.Kennedy's award winning work in preserving the history and artifacts of the White House, the precision and and the layering of the gardenwill be awesome. It is quite the spot for First Lady tea parties. Mrs. Hillary Clinton turned it into a statuary art project surrounded by hollyhocks.

Little known is Jackie Kennedy's other excavation project at the White House. The beautiful Rose Garden as the outdoor green Oval Office we all know today shows her and the president's landscape design work. Caroline used to ride by on her pony Macaroni as the bulldozers ripped the area out to compose the garden. So in a manner, on the White House's East Wing, The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is an elegant balance to the majesty of the Rose Garden outside the West Wing. The white cast iron Rococo Revival bench shown often in photographs of the garden has held residence in the spot since a decade before President & Mary Todd Lincoln took up residence.

Mrs. Obama's new circa 2009 Victory Garden will not be a feature on the tour. It can be glimpsed on the tour, but probably a little better opportunity is the wrought iron fence as its closer towards the fountain. I would love to get in the dirt in that garden and discover the secrets of the White House compost pile. But hidden before Michelle's new Garden is the child friendly and charming Children's Garden. Malia & Sasha, maybe Bo, will get to do the honors soon of placing their prints next to the other children and grandchildren of presidents for posterity. The Children's Garden is the invention of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. It sits between the Tennis Court and the basketball half court.

(Photo courtesy of White House Museum/Erinzone)

Michelle's Tab on the Entourage of Style

2009-04-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

FLOTUS Michelle & FLOF Carla Bruni in the Rohan Palais in Strasbourg, France

A First Lady of the United States earns the same amount as a candy striper at a hospital - nothing. Not a hair out of place Upkeep and eyebrow Maintenance is quite expensive, borne straight from the presidential family's coffers. Just like each of their private meals; clothing, hair, make up and the rest of the daily living needs are purchased by the White House staff for the first family. The White House makes little bills that itemize all the stuff consumed in the private dining room of the residence or what was fixed for their guests as well as laundry services. It was well into the nineteenth century before laws were passed making the state occasions an expense of state. Presidents, Jefferson and Monroe had it rough. They lost their financial founding father shirts trying to entertain in Head of State style set by George W, the First President.

One of the funniest stories is of a son of President Ford's told a whopper about where he was going as his parents left for an official engagement. Instead, he brought the fellas over to the White House where pizzas with divine everything appeared with all manner of beverages. Next morning, Dad sees son and asked how was his evening out. Son: It was great. President: I know, I have the bill for it right here. Busted.

The White House does not hoard the bills, but ensures they are distributed in a timely manner. There are clear lines of legalese written in the Presidential Gifts Act, among others. That's why it was very carefully done how Bo Obama became the newest resident of the White House. All of his puppy paraphernalia is a direct expense. Clothing given to the first lady is very carefully accounted for as well. Just ask former First lady Nancy Reagan how much she still smarts over the questioning of how her gowns were purchased. Mrs. Obama has publicly stated she is picking up the purchase prices while telling her husband to stay out of her closet.

Clothing is one aspect that needs a full style framework. As a volunteer, Mrs. Obama does get professional staff for the management of the East Wing. Even with a full on cosmetics/beauty salon in the White House residence anybody doing the honors is paid by the family. Knowing that, it was the first time a First Lady picked up the airfare for both her man with the magical comb, Johnny Wright and a lady cosmetics guru, Ingrid grimes-Miles from Chicago station WGN to accompany her for a smashing European debut. They were part of her traveling entourage and just as important as the protocol official who gave her briefings aboard Air Force One. One little item Mrs. O is going to learn NOT to do while looking so fabulous is cross her legs. It hikes up her skirts, but more importantly both feet on the floor with knees and ankles together is old school classic. All in good time. She's got a terrific elegance with her hands. (Photo Grimes-Miles, traveling Make-up Aid)

Hair issues, especially for us ladies of color, rank at the top of being well dressed and making a statement. Her former Chicago stylist, Rhanni, had coiffed Michelle Obama since she was eighteen years old. Her new hair stylist just broke the thirty years on earth barrier not to long ago. Her hair will garner the same level of scrutiny that Hillary Clinton's did every time she changed the style, let alone when she finally had a three hanky burial for her headband. On the makeup or aesthetic side of things, Michelle had been accused of an angry countenance because of the sharp triangles of her plucked brows. On the campaign trail, there were days when Michelle gladly forwent makeup. During the summer of 2008, an Ebony stylist and her current hairstylist softened her appearance by rounding the edges. These things are expensive for a lady who is the Mom in Chief with a modern lifestyle. But goodness, First Lady upkeep is expensive.

First Lady Needs New Chief Florist

2009-04-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Beautiful flowers unfurl visual music all their own. Nancy Clarke, White House Chief Florist, has let her tremendous talent with flora and fauna sing to White House guests for the last six presidencies. Just in her early sixties after 31 years at the White House, one really important event she is looking forward to is the birth of her first grandchild. In May, she will officially retire, leaving the new First Lady and her staff to interview replacements. There are no shortage of high end DC floral designers eager to take up the challenge and try to fill the chic ceramic pots of their predecessor. (Nancy Clarke)

(Photo of President & Mrs.Carter at State Dinner for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.)
The Social Secretary is ultimately accountable for ensuring the mix of arrangements allows for a modern culture while honoring historic moments that blend contemporary and classical. One item noticed by the First Lady as she toured European palaces and historic residences last week were the floral arrangements and the bouquets she received. When Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II greeted President & Mrs. Obama in her private parlor, there was a simple and stunning spring arrangement of pink and white posies full to the brim on the side table beneath a master artwork. The First Family sees the little touches and warmth that floral arrangements make in the residence's formal and informal rooms. They have yet to experience the floral center pieces that burst forth augmenting the rare Monroe candelabras at State Dinners with a Head of State present. The Obamas had their first run through for a state dining occasion in February with US governors invited for the full treatment and dancing afterwards in the East Room with Earth, Wind & Fire. (Michelle Obama's first trip to the Residence are on November 10, 2008)

Chief florist is no small job as new arrangements need to daily freshen the entire White House and that includes all of the guest bathrooms as well as the Oval Office. In the background of many official White House photographs are testaments to Nancy Clarke's floral design experience from the Carters to the Obamas. The White House Christmas and Holiday decorations are spectacular. Thanks in no small ferns, due to the planning and resource management of the Chief Florist. The Florist Shop has huge needs with very little space, especially refrigeration capacity, as the displays are seen by all of the guests being entertained during high traffic times.(Bush 2007 State Dinner as selected by the First Lady)

Yes, with every new administration there is always turnover. First Lady Hillary Clinton sought a new White House Chef not long after coming to the White House. Laura Bush did not make wholesale changes to the East Wing until after her husband won a second term, then replacing the Executive Chef Hillary had selected, the talented Walter Scheib with a promotion to the current incumbent. Nancy Clarke has been there through it all and is ready to watch another do magic with the gossamer petals while paying close attention to the details of protocol and customs.

The State Dining Room during the Clinton Presidency

Job Well Done

White House Egg Rolls (Obamas Release Photo)

2009-04-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Updated April 10 (Official Eggs of 2009 White House Egg Roll)

There is no doubt Executive Chef of the White House, Cristeta Comerford, could whip up lip-smacking egg rolls. Plenty of ingredients will be organically grown right on the South Lawn. But this pertains to the tradition of the annual White House Egg Roll with the meticulous planning the entire event entails. This is Mrs. Obama's first time at the helm of such a high powered East Wing choreographed event. First, she sends a sizzling shock to the DC area's local citizenry jolting their plans to sleep out at the Ellipse to corner an early place in line to guarantee admittance. Instead, the electrifying new first lady decided everybody would procure egg roll event tickets online from the comforts of their local coffeehouse or wifi in the laundry room at staggered times. Military families and some overlooked DC residents would have tickets set aside for them. It cracked open the entire process to garner participation from over 40 states and Canada.

Note to those still DC denizens still crackin on the infringement of their egg roll entitlements by outsiders - These tourists are bringing American dollars while staying overnight, inducing a wee boomlet in some nest eggs. Also, the White House is hosting a 2009 Spring Garden Tour encompassing the Rose garden, Jaqueline Kennedy Garden and the Children's Garden on April 18 & 19th. So for those who missed the line tango over eggs, have an opportunity to get in line at the Ellipse Visitor Pavillion as it is on a first come first served pending weather.

The colorful Dolley Payne Todd Madison kicked the concept off in 1814 with invites for children to bring their art covered eggs to the United States Capitol. Gardeners protested that their brand new grass would be trampled persuading the US Congressto pass a childish law, The Turf Protection Act, that kids could no longer use the US Capitol as a play station. Among others, the children of Rutherford B. and Lucy Hayes petitioned Mom and Dad (otherwise known as the President and First Lady) that this shall not stand and they hosted the event to the White House. In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt welcomed all in person and within the sound of her voice via the radio. Harry Truman lived at Blair House for much of his presidency while the White House underwent exhaustive renovations. First Lady of the USA and all things pink, Mamie Eisenhower, revived the egg roll with a twist, she integrated the community activity. (Photo Dolley Madison painting White House Art Collection)

One of the most interesting innovations came during the last year of Pat Nixon's tenure. Spoons straight from the White House kitchen were used for egg races. Mrs. Nixon also picked the lucky staffer to play the starring roll as the Easter Bunny. Which White house staffer gets that duty this year? Not quite sure who will be the biggest draw, the president, Michelle Obama or the 7 foot tall bunny. Intricacies of planning these events are as fragile as some of the beautiful artwork the White house hand paints onto display eggs or other fine eggshell work from artisans. We will have to watch to see what new innovations Mrs. Obama will spring upon the guests. The advent of the petting zoo, the souvenir egg and exhibits with the White House providing a few treats is just the base line. (photo by shows green fencing for White House egg roll already in place)

New this year, a number of gay parents and their children are welcomed with open arms at the Easter Monday egg roll. Cool beans.

1898 Easter Egg Roll

1929 Easter Egg Roll

2007 Easter Egg Roll

(A huge Thank You to Nana R for the invite to participate!)

When The President's Away...

2009-04-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

Traditionally when presidents and first ladies have lengthy travel schedules, the White House staff uses it as an opportunity to make more complicated adjustments, repairs and refurbishments. Depending on the rooms slated for new treatments there are laws, budgets and executive orders that demand compliance.

As the White House is a home, a museum and a working office, certain designated areas require permissions of the Committee for Preservation of the White House, and/or the White House Historical Association. Two senior staff members are ex-officio participants of the decision-making committee, the Chief Usher and the Curator of the White House with the First Lady sitting as honorary chair. The White House Historical Association has an endowment championed by previous First Ladies, used for acquisitions and approval of changes to the state rooms. Laura Bush took the unusual step of inviting the WHA in 2005 to assist her in a detailed redecoration of the Lincoln Bedroom Suite located in the residence. The residence is a free for all zone subject only to the needs, desires and budgets of the first family.

Congress in its generosity allocated a fund of $100,000 USD for all decorating needs for the first family and their offices. This year there is a new twist. The First Family will pick up the cost of any redo's or new do's. Typically, the president has major changes made to the Oval Office in the first 100 days to reflect his (someday her) style and choice of rug. Currently, the room is pretty much the way former president Bush had it. Since he is breaking ground on his half a billion dollar library in Texas, he is going to need his southwestern sunburst rug back for the display plus the two parsons chairs now in front of the fireplace. The spectacular rugs are pricey and can cost more than $60,000. Usually private donations defray these costs.Most libraries like the Reagan and Clinton presidential sites order a replica of the HMS Resolute partner desk to use in their recreated offices. George Bush had the entire Oval Office taken down to the bare walls in 2005 to have new oak floors laid in their intricate pattern while he was out of town too.

Other small symbolic changes have already occurred in the Obama Oval in the West Wing. The bust of Winston Churchill was sent back to the Brits, replaced by a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. Time is needed to do new drapes that match a new rug. Pure speculation of course, but would love to see a fresh coat of paint and new furnishings for the most powerful office of state in the USA. The residence changes would go unremarked until private pictures are released by the White House. Two major areas that could really use Mrs. Obama's keen eye for style and stagecraft would be the official residence across the street, Blair House, and The Queen's "Barbie pink" bedroom suite. The so-called Treaty Room will also receive attention for a retrofit for an office for the president within the residence. But first things boiled for Mrs. Obama. There is a huge annual event next week involving some brightly covered eggs, eager children needing refreshments and a giant bunny out on the South Lawn next Monday.

But let's see if we get a surprise upon everyone's return to the White House, what happened with some areas while the president was away...

First Couple Feted at Winfield House, #10 and A Palace

2009-04-01T02:25:00.000-07:00

Gracious living was the intent behind the demolition of the existing home and the stately and historically Winfield House that sprung from the rubble. Heiress & wife of Cary Grant, Barbara Hutton built the Georgian manor on 12 rolling green acres in Regent Park for the second largest green space in the area. Buckingham Palace reigns supreme. Listed on a US State Department's historic registry, the Obamas spent the night in the scenic home of the US Ambassador to Britain, and will do so during their time at the contentious Group of 20 meeting. The post of US Ambassador to Britain is currently vacant.

Today is the day the Obamas meet Britain's fourth longest tenured monarch, Her Majesty,Queen of England, Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Phillip to take tea. As President Obama and Mrs.Obama arrive at the Palace, they will have a bit of time meeting the heir to the British throne, His Highness, The Prince of Wales, Charles and Her Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla. Straight away after will be a really fun moment for Michelle as she returns to Number 10 Downing street for the second meal of the day there. Michelle is expected to sit next to one of her daughter Malia's favorite authors, J. K. Rowling and a British Olympic cyclist. Malia will be impatiently awaiting that update upstairs in the White House residence.

Afterwards, the Obamas will return to the lush grounds and sumptuous interiors of Winfield House away from the protestors.

In seventy years, Winfield's history was left informally blank. The beautiful Winfield House was immortalized in stellar pictorial fashion by the wife of the most recent Ambassador, Maria Tuttle, along with Marcus Binney with photographer James Morti.

Something Old, Something New

2009-03-31T12:51:00.000-07:00

Michelle Obama gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey not long after the inauguration. Magazine lead times being what they are, the March issue of O magazine debuted the First lady for a double O cover shot. This was first time since the magazine'sinaugural that honor was shared. Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue underscores the grand old mansion with its 132 rooms, 6 tiered levels, garland trim bedecking the North Portico, and receiving rooms galore. This is the culmination of a new beginning for any First Family as they enter the Diplomatic Reception Room to gain access to their new living quarters on January 20th every four years. For Michelle Obama, her first visit to the White House was as a junior senator's wife accompanied by her two daughters as part of an invitation from Laura Bush to congressional families. Malia and Sasha remembered petting Barney.

On the second floor of the White House, the Yellow Oval Room—part of the First Family'sprivate residence—offers a stunning view of the nation's capital. The Washington Monument stretches into the heavens. The Lincoln Memorial sits above the glassy water of the Reflecting Pool. In the distance, you can see the U.S. Capitol, where the world's attention was focused on January 20 as millions gathered to witness an event many had thought would never happen. This room is where I interviewed First Lady Michelle Obama in February, and as I gazed out the windows and took in the view, I was struck by the immense legacy she and her family have inherited. I felt the weight of history, and I understood what she means when she says, as she often does, "This is not about us."Now the country wants to know more about what happens at 1600 inside the graceful executive residence built by an Irish architect. Oprah was the first to get an indepth interview from inside the residence in th e Yellow Oval Room.

Now the country wants to know more about what happens at 1600 inside the graceful executive residence built by an Irish architect more than two centuries ago. From inside the residence in the Yellow Oval Room which has seen the likes of many Queens, Kings, Emirs and Presidents for formal entertaining. It has an entrance out to the beautiful almost sixty year old Truman Balcony. Another point is how does the First family project its social style overseas. President & Mrs. Obama today embark on an eight day, five city trip to the European powers and on to Prague in the Czech Republic with a final stop in Istanbul, Turkey. Gifts will be exchanged and international curiosity somewhat slaked as the first couple makes their way through cities meeting heads of State and people along the way. (photo of South view from Yellow Oval Room)

What the First Lady wears, as well as the nationality of the designers, will keep her press office in the East Wing very busy as the minutest details will not go unremarked. Gift exchanges can be fraught with peril and poison relationships as noted by the British press that were deeply miffed with the less thoughtful gifts (Movie DVDs and toy replicas of Marine One) given to Prime Minister Gordon Brown when he and his wife traveled to DC. Mrs. Obama can have the truly elegant touch with gifts as on her first day to become the First Lady of the Land she carried a gorgeous red-ribboned gift for Mrs. Bush that held an engraved pen and leather journal. Now we all get to wait and see how the Obamas' navigate the cultural and style requirements abroad.

Swings, Bees & Vegetables

2009-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Office of the First Lady is busy as a bee. The real ones. A colony of bees received a personal invitation to pollinate, populate and proliferate with Honey for the White House right on the grounds. A gardner is a beekeeper and will do the honeycomb honors. Right outside the Oval Office is the new cedar and redwood castle and swing set for Malia & Sasha and any other kid allowed in the park setting. The $3500 set, including presidentially inscribed picnic table was personally vetted at the manufacturer's; Rainbow, by Admiral Rochon, the White House's Chief Usher. The new addition to the swing set was made a week ago, adding a safety mat to the play area made of recycled rubber tires to cushion future falls. We have bumblebees and kids and to go for the trifecta, veggies of all kinds and colors will grow near the fence facing E Street on the furthest reaches of the South Lawn. It will go near the "backyard" fountain FLOTUS (First Lady of the US) turned Celtic green on St. Patrick's Day as a salute and taste of hometown Chicago.

Michelle Obama then grabbed a shovel, a rake and finally a cookie as she led her elementary school helpers of the day in a grand ode to broccoli, arugula, spinach, peas, mints, onions and berries. All grown organically with homemade compost. Mrs. Obama has only exempted her Mom from garden duty. Even President Obama will have garden duties along side his daughters as Mama Obama has declared a war on weeds. White House chefs were present and accounted for as the latest garden was born. It is in their interest as many items were on their personal wish list and will end up in the scrumptious fare at White house events. Sam Kass pictured below is a big lovacore - fan of local food - and did many a personal meal for the Obamas in Chicago. The garden will also provide year round and the extras will go Michelle Obama mentioned she got the nutrition talk from her pediatrician to get the girls real food as they were plumping up on diets of takeout. Michelle admits to Sasha & Malia enjoy vegetables that taste good and homegrown is a great way to do that.

It will be great to have some wonderful fresh greens after working hard playing on a swing set or the East Wing while avoiding any stray bees that are taking a 15 minute break from honey production. Bees, Kids & Vegetables - the combination sounds very American.

The L-Shaped garden layout released by the White House.

Should A Social Secretary do PR Early?

2009-02-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

Letitia Baldridge, the grand dame behind Camelot's social scene, is no stranger to publicity or managing crises that arise out of social disasters. She has some 25 books dedicated to helping us do something about manners and bon mots plus other publishing efforts to her credit. Mrs. Baldridge sailed straight into the Social Secretary role in the East Wing to burnish The Kennedy mystique with a chic entertainment style setting the bar rather high in the White House. She became famous later.

Fast forward forty five years. The first African American Social Secretary, Obama insider, Desirée Rogers, was appoin ted by the first bi-racial president to support him and his soignée spouse with planning the events of state. Huge job and Mrs. Rogers will be in demand all over the nation. But for the first time, this Social Secretary is starring in her own Vogue PR campaign before the Obama Administration has held its first majestic state dinner or flawless arrival ceremony. Crash cart before horse buggy. Do something first, then do the richly deserved press.

But again, she has the confidence of the Obamas after a great friendship in Chicago. Now their fierce friend is meeting the public first and we will willingly give her a break if she does interesting events at the People's House ensuring the president has awesome ceremonies of state. Social Secretary to a rock star presidential family as a role is very different than hands on in the day-to-day life of the Executive Office of the President as a career transition for one who was always the glamorous chief executive in charge back in Illinois.

Hearken back to the time when children were seen and not heard in public - seems First Lady Obama definitely believes in that one (good for her!) and so should the Social secretary learn the intricacies and some of the mores of DC before doing a PR touchdown twirl in the February edition of Vogue. Lucky lady. Ms. Rogers was in Vogue once before in 2004. (Desiree Rogers in middle, Valerie Jarret on right)

About White House Living in Style

2009-02-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

Books, usually tell the tales about First Families once they leave a White House. Multitudes are written about presidents, yet first ladies are in vogue again. So, to keep the recipe bin clear of the biographies and the musical CDs, we shall endeavor to keep them separated. Check back as selections will have periodic updates. White House style covers so many different elements with an enormous uptick in interest as the Obamas settle in for their first year. In the White House section are excellent DVD's on the interiors and history of the rooms in fascinating specials that aired December 2008 showing the residence's private quarters and closeups of the White House Art Collections.

FLOTUS is scheduled to have a number books reflecting on her first year and the historic nature of her tenure. Michelle Obama's Princeton thesis on being African American in an Ivy League circumstance is being mined for clues to her thinking at the time. Meanwhile, Maya Soetero-Ng has contracted with a publisher to produce and edit a book from the original doctoral thesis for Stanley Ann Durham. Dr. Durham is the mother of President Barack Obama and Dr. Soetero-Ng. Bo Obama also is running circles around writers as his life story is now the subject of many books and more to come since his debut at the White House.

White House Executive Chefs' Books
Executive Chefs of the White House must range from a solitary dinner to serving food fit for heads of States in a manner that inspires awe. Many aspire to the role, but few have the privilege. The current Executive Chef is Chris Comerford who came up through the ranks serving along side the elite in the culinary Arts. Dr. Roland Mesnier is the world's foremost expert on pastry and his creations did not repeat for any state functions. Incredible edibles at the White House are a culinary requirement and visually stunning. The best part is everything is put on the lovely plates or served in interesting shate is made for eating right to the last scrumptious crumb.

White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen by Walter Scheib and Andrew Freidman
All the President's Pastries: Twenty-five Tears in the White House, A Memoir from Roland Mesnier (Those were some of the most incredible gingerbread houses ever created by a White House Pastry master!)
Roland Mesnier's Basic to Beautiful Cakes along with Lauren Chattman
Desert University: More than 300 Spectacular Recipes and Essential lessons from White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier
The President's Table: Two Hundred Years of Dining & Diplomacy from Barry H. Landau

First Ladies
From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, each First Lady accomplishes something new during an Administration. It is not always for the public to admire or the presidents political need. First Ladies have a rhythm all their own for White House entertaining or child rearing.

In the carousel above featuring Michelle Obama, are a number of books focused on the entire contingent of First Ladies. Mrs. Obama's fashion sense has been more remarked upon than her style of entertainment which will be on display over the next few years. Check back as a group of reference material and new books are added as a full update is due with a new first lady in her maiden year.

First Families
A collection of books that the current First Family reads, with emphasis on the president, is here in Obama Reads.

Bush Residential China

The White House

William Seale steals the show during the C-SPAN series with his repertoire of knowledge about the house and great tidbits on the families.

Here is a store to check with more East Wing Rules selections. Check the categories in the upper left column. Click here and Enjoy!

Thank you to Maureen for helping me pick the selections. If anyone can find a great White House Gardens book, please do email me.

About East Wing Rules

2009-02-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

This is a labor of joy. The White House's East Wing is enjoying a renaissance like no other as the social center in American public life. Mix in a First Family with star power and it is instant catnip to the world's professional press and peeping paparazzi. White House events happen through collaboration and a small tightly held group of staff and insiders planning events to match the History of their times. One White House Usher together with a Social Secretary and untold heroes & heroines of calligraphy pen, lawnmower pros, tuxedoed folks mixed among those who whisper into their sleeves with fine dining from an Executive Chef to best present the United States of America on the world stage in one of the most famous houses on Earth is exceptionally worthy subject material.

This is my place to laud, lament, question and celebrate the East Wing. In 2009, already wrought with historic changes that make this a place to chronicle some of the events and ceremonies to come.

One of our goals is to blog full time with multiple posts per day. Any small gift or donation towards that Dream is wonderful. There are a few books we need to acquire as well. It is not pretty when one has to keep returning them back to the library. All contributions are appreciated as Treasure beyond measure!

Your suggestions, recommendations, tips are always welcome. Please contact me at: