From: ANNIE GARDINER
To: HER MOTHER JODI BROWN
Date: December 17, 1857
Context: CHRISTMAS FESTIVITY; DINNER GUEST LIST; MENU; GIFTS; WRITTEN FROM FORT COOK EXTRACTSFROM A LETTER FROM ANNIE TO HER MOTHER
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Fort Cook December 17, 1857
Thursday••••we have planned a Christmas tree that is to make its appearance in the nursery Christmas eveafter he is asleep with all the odds and ends of toys that we can find, fastened on it.
I made my mince meat today and a good supply, as I intend to
serve each of the(•.•.) a pie on Christmas, and Tudor wants two or three for his non-commissioned officers. We aregoing to have the Mess, con isting of the Dr. Sutter and quartermaster's clerk, to dine with us, and on New Years we are invited to dine with them. It will be quite a novelty to eat any one else's "bread and butter ". So you seeeven at Fort Cook, Christmas produces a little excitement.
I have a Pen-wiper for the Or. in the shape of a cat of black
velvet, and a case for Tudor for his brush ( •.••) as his was worn out, a calico apron apiece from the children forHannah, a piece of glass for Townsend (the cook) and Tudor will give both Hannah and him some money, that is the best that I can do for all.
I cut up the last piece of citron you sent me today to put in
my mincemeat..••We are having the parlor fixed, that is a whiter coat of plaster put on over the mud between the logs so as to make the room lighter. Then we are to have closets in each recess and our carpet down all ready for Christmas.
Tudor is pouring over the English papers, now and then reading something to me. When he is through with them he gives them to Townsend who is an Englishman and delights to get them•••.
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