We are interrupting this blog

series featuring baby shower preparations to show you what happens when are not quite prepared . . ..

Announcing Baby "Seb" - Sebastian Scott was our surprise gift on Mother's Day!

His parents had the new carpet installed in the nursery on Wednesday. Mommy had a substitute teaching job on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Her mother-in-law (me) made her go to Mother's Day Tea Party on Saturday. After church on Sunday, mommy and daddy were headed two hours away to her mother's to pick up the changing table and dresser so that mommy could start washing clothes and putting the nursery together before she taught on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Also on the "to-do" list was packing her suitcase and deciding what was still needed.

UNTIL - 27 days before his due date  . . .

First Modeling Gig- outfit provided by our local hosptial's "Sweater Angels"

Mr. Merry was putting new brakes on Miss Merry's car so that they can attend a wedding in Tennessee at the end of the month. Mommy and daddy picked up Miss Merry for church, marched in, sat in the pew, mommy tapped daddy's shoulder and we all three stood up and marched out. A mere 4 1/2 hours later, Baby Seb made his appearance at 5 pounds 11 ounces.

Mommy and Baby are doing fine. Gramma and Grampa are recovering after a marathon of crib, pack n play, car seat, vibrating chair and swing construction, baby clothes washing, food preparation, house cleaning and shopping!

Mommy and baby are doing fine. Last night was the first night home and her mother was able to come and stay through the end of the week. I understand NO ONE got any sleep at all. This morning was the families first outing, back to the hospital for blood tests and a check up. Seb is a preemie (a very healthy preemie) but they are keeping an eye on his low blood sugar, weight loss and jaundice.

Fortunately we held the shower two weeks ago (it is just the preparation posts that are lagging). This Saturday is the "diaper party" so I am cleaning my kitchen in order to start preparing roasters full of brats and cheesy potatoes and bake about 6 batches of brownies.

It's a BOY!

Downton Abbey Tea Party

Let's take a break from the Baby Shower Preparations and attend a Downton Abbey Tea Party!

This party was actually scheduled for January, but I live in Ohio and we were inundated with so much snow this year, the Friends of the Library had to wait until May to reschedule it!  I invited three of my "tea" friends to accompany me.

We started with a delicious cup of Earl Grey Tea!

And then were served some "light refreshments". This was day three of my latest diet and I would not call this a "light refreshment!"

We were served by volunteers from the Friends of the Library, straight from Mrs. Patmore's kitchen!

Our first speaker was Laura Loew from Lost in the Past, Medina, Ohio. She was fabulous! Attired in a 1925 frock and accessories (DA - Season 5), she began with an outstanding presentation of the fashions featured in each season of Downton Abbey. 

The tea was held in our local Episcapal Church which was originally built in 1818. This hall showcases windows and the woodwork from the original structure, but was built around the 1860's. 

 Laura showed magazine pictures from the day and compared the fashions worn on the show.

Laura is very knowledgeable about the costuming on the program and pointed out ensembles that were period, rental costumes and newly constructed.

Laura shared information from interviews with the cast members. Did you know that all of the women's contracts require that they are using sunscreen at all times in order to maintain those gorgeous white complexions?  In Downton time, only field labors sported a tan!

Anna surprised me the most with her "real life" self! Laura also brought a special outfit that she had selected for each character from her own vintage clothing collection. Outfits included complete accessories and sometimes included shoes! I will post more of these photos at the end of the blog. 
We were then served our "sweets" course during an intermission.

 Our next speaker was the program director for our local PBS station. She shared film clips, cast information, behind the scenes stories and interviews and updates on Season Five as well as other programs that we all follow on PBS! 

The PBS presentation was followed by a costume judging. Here are just some of those who came costumed in a Downton Theme:

And here are some of the outfits that Laura brought from her personal collection:

I am sure you were able to match each outfit with the character!

The tea was just lovely. I am hoping for a repeat next year.

Linking to:
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2014/05/welcome-to-174th-masterpiece-monday-and.html

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