♥ R O Y A L B A B Y ♥
Let’s start with a baby gift to celebrate, because crikey, IT’S A BOY! MUSICA!
Must have something to mark this lovely event happening our own Mother country!
Something for a Royal Baby’s first year, my Baby Love book for new moms and dads to write about their own little royal baby, and two 2014 wall calendars to record his every adorable achievement. If you leave a comment at the bottom of this post, this signed set of goodies could be yours. Even if you aren’t welcoming a baby into your family right now, Baby Love is a jolly good thing for anyone’s “hope” chest.
Getting ready, washing cups . . .
It’s Sunday morning, the party is at 4:30 pm, we have no baby, but I’m happy because finally, the sun is just starting to come out.
I’ve been lining the little shelf over the sink with flowers . . . squeezing them in amongst the Beatrix Potter People.
‘Course Jack is helping me . . . vaguely eyeing Jemima, thinking, “Don’t jump!”
Joe hung up our new Downton Abbey bunting (white), and the flag we brought home from England; I plumped the “God Save the Queen” pillow my girlfriend Elizabeth brought back for me on one of her visits to England . . .
The Twine experts of all time came from California to help ~ that’s Diana on the left, and Elizabeth on the right. They have tea parties for their girlfriends every year, it’s a tradition they make new hats for each event. They are their own kind of royalty and their names (and the sunglasses) prove it. I loved having royalty at our party.
Other people see them as royalty too, here’s Paparazzi Cathy in her posh little ruffled gloves.
Here’s another photo of them and their hats! too cute! Just a tiny idea of how fun and creative a tea party can really be.
Diana and Elizabeth are cousins, their moms were sisters. They’ve known each other all their lives. You can see by the flags in the window that they love England too, and have also done the pilgrimage to Beatrix Potter’s house! I met Elizabeth when she bought my first house from me in 1989. The two of them left yesterday, but I had them here all week!
Making the perfect cucumber sandwiches was a snap for these two . . . along with egg salad sandwiches and smoked salmon with cream cheese on pumpernickel.
I baked an Orange Lavender Polenta cake . . . I’ll show you how to make it in the next post.
. . . I made cold slaw, carrot salad, stuffed eggs, watermelon balls with yogurt and brown sugar. We bought butter cookies from the Scottish Bakehouse, and Chilmark Chocolates too. Sixty guests, friends, neighbors, family, kids, and house guests.
Joe set up a bar, made a giant pitcher of Pimm’s Cup, with orange, lime and lemon slices and cucumber sticks . . .
Proof that it takes a village . . . More bunting drapes the arbor, there’s the cousins surveying the area . . .
It’s all just busy-work, because all we can think about is when is that baby going to be born! Someone runs to the TV every 15 minutes just to make sure nothing is still happening. And it always is.
We brought the Union Jack bunting home from England . . . I’ve been saving it for just this very day.
Of course we needed a talented person to play A Fine Romance and It’s a Long Way to Tipperary during the party … John Alaimo brought his piano.
Getting it all together, teaspoons, sugar bowls, teapots and tea cozies . . .
We had little cloth covers for the creamers that keep any critters out of the cream!
I love the little details of tea . . .
Diana brought a cake topper she made for the Orange Lavender Polenta Cake ~ it looked darling. You could get one too, and see some of the other wonderful things in Diana’s Etsy store. While you’re at it, if you’d like to see what goes on in Elizabeth’s designing life, you can go to her website at Renovation-Design.com.
I forgot to take pictures of the food and tea table! This is the closest I got to the table with the camera. (Fear not, I got a lot closer without the camera!) The book about Diana (on the table) was a gift from our friend Linda . . . I’m sure Diana felt at home with all the other royalty ~ we loved having her here.♥ Just a little bittersweet without her. How she would have loved this moment.
We know this baby is coming, it’s the talk of the town, but when, when, when?
The Lady Olympia is going from person to person to ask “Will it be a boy or a girl?” What do you think the name will be?” Turns out the consensus is, it’s a GIRL, and her name will be Elizabeth! A few got a bit closer, saying it would be a boy, and they thought perhaps “Charles” or “William”. I like James for a boy because isn’t Jimmy just the cutest for a little Prince? King James would be nice for a king too. We’ll know pretty soon.
Lady Olympia takes a time out for hugs with her dapper white-linen and boater-clad Dad, the Duke of Earl, and her big sister, Crown Princess Astoria.
The Duke’s braces were brilliant!
Princess Marjorie, Grand Duchess Robin, Lady Diana, Countess Jill, and Queen Elizabeth. ♥
Queen Elizabeth tells a funny story!
Princess Irenie lives in London and came to visit Princess Samantha who just graduated from St. Andrews in Scotland. I’ve known Princess Samantha since she was a little baby. When she was two and in her mother’s arms, she leaned toward me touching my earlobes, and said in pure baby talk, “I lob youa eahwings.” Cutest little thing in the world!
Because they are five hours ahead of us here on the East Coast, by this time it was dark in England and looked like this, and the brightest light was London. I think Princess Catherine was probably feeling a little bit queasy by now, probably walking around the living room, or cleaning out the kitchen cupboards. But we didn’t know that for sure. We thought she might need some help to get this baby going.
So just before the party was over, as twilight set in, we made a big circle and held hands. We said a prayer for Catherine, for 
William, and for the baby. We prayed that the birth would be easy for everyone, the baby would be healthy and most of all, that it would come soon. Then we raised our eyes to heaven, lifted our hands into the air, and all together, we dropped our hands and said, Pushhhhhhh, and again, still holding hands, arms up and then down (like we were the white flag at a Nascar race), Pusssshhhhhh, and one more time: up, down, pushhhhhh. Like a mantra and a prayer. And guess what? Must have been moments later, the royal couple checked into the hospital! Well, I guess SO! And THAT is how we got the baby born.
Oh, just now as I’m writing, the new parents with the new Prince just came out the hospital doors. So exciting! It seems to have gone swimmingly and all our prayers were 
answered. Everyone looked beautiful, I saw tiny fingers in their first royal wave. Now, for the name . . . what do you think???? Be sure to leave a comment, and soon Vanna will choose the name of the lucky winner of the Royal Baby Gift! Did you hear that the royal mint will be giving a lucky 2013 silver coin to every British baby sharing a birthday with the new royal baby? The coin comes in either a pink or a blue pouch as a gift to new mommies and daddies. Just one of the cute things they do over there.♥
What a Delightful tea party! Wow!! 60 guests!! Good thing you had such great helpers! Looks like everyone had a grand time, too! What Fun! Love all your British decor! I am Sooo curious as to what the new prince’s name will be! Maybe Charles William? Or Charles Philip Or Philip Charles? LOL! I could on and on!
Thanks for sharing!
It looks like you had a lovely day for an outdoor party and fun to see the decorations and all having a good time. That is going to be one spoiled baby!!! 🙂
I love babies, calendars, tea parties—glorious things! BTW, your party looked glorious, & so much fun. Thanks for sharing. I really got a laugh just thinking of you all PUSHING !
We have a poky baby in our family. She could be here any minute and we’d love Royal Gifts for our new Princess Caroline when she decides to grace us with her Royal Presence
Pushhhhh!
Oh, HENRY is my favorite, then JAMES ~ Henry James William Spencer!
You, Susan, have the gift of Celebration!! And it’s infectious ~ I feel very grateful to be one of the infected 😀
LOL Maggie, never thought of it that way, but what a way to go!
My co-workers and I have decided the name will be James. But since they have about 4 names, we thinking either Charles or Phillip may be thrown in there too!
Your “Hurry up Labor Day” Tea Party looked like great fun!!! The new prince will have a regal name and certainly will not have a weird Hollywood name.
I’m hoping Baby Boy Cambridge’s name includes George, Phillip, William, Charles and Spencer! And I don’t care in what order it goes; just think it would be perfect to honor the amazing men in the royal family, with a nod to Diana as well! Or, they could go in a totally different direction and name him Winston (after Mr. Churchill, of course) By the way, I loved all your party details! So, so lovely!
Thanks for sharing all the fun preparations and festivities of the Twine party. I loved seeing all the decorations from England and your pretty table settings. Those buntings looked great! I would love the set of calendars and the Baby Love book. I have just the person to give it to!
Oh! Goodie! We get to help name the royal bundle of joy!
My vote is with Prince William Charles Spencer Francis Wales. Call him “Prince Spencer” in honor of Lovely Diana who can only love him from afar. Or who knows, maybe she will be his very own guardian angel?
If Vanna should choose me, would you send the gift to Kate and Will for their baby instead of sending it to me? I would love to know that Kate would have your calendar on her kitchen wall. Surely, even a princess needs a kitchen calendar, wouldn’t you think? ( And I will most certainly have one anyway! Which makes me feel like a princess! )
Cheerio! Nanette
OK Nanette! (I would never say no no to YOU!) 🙂
You’re so cute! 😉
My little boy arrived seven weeks early, in April this year. His name is Joseph Aiden and we call him Jak (because his initials are JAK)! He would be happy to share part of his name with the new prince, though I think they will stick to something more traditional. I can just imagine the new parents are doting over his sweet little head and whispering names back & forth together until the perfect title comes together. How utterly romantic and divine!
Utterly divine, having him home the first night. Wait until they smell his neck! Most delicious spot on a baby, which is saying something.
What a blessing a baby is. I love a tea party and yours looked so pretty. Susan, I’ve never seen anyone balance so many teacups! Awesome. lol
I guess I could have gotten out a tray!
hi susan!!! thank goodness you all had that tea party and “circle push”….. just sent the extra vibs needed!! Isn’t it so great? I am thrilled for them and their country. I absolutely loved your tea party décor…especially Diana’s LIFE photo..how wonderful for you to honor her… I am so hoping that they will use the name “Spencer” somewhere in his name… James Spencer…. ?!?!? Alexander Spencer??… oh..there’s a lot to choose from. Looked like the party was a smashing success. Everyone got into the spirit of the moment and that’s when it really is the most fun. We are celebrating here with a Pimm’s Cup, cucumber sandwiches and angel food cake with strawberries (best I could do on short notice!!! 🙂 ). such a happy time!! xo love, cindy
Sounds perfect, I love angel food cake!
I love how you celebrate with detail upon detail. What a memory and gift you gave to all, even us!
Thank you and Congratulations!
Spencer. Yes, I do like the ring of it! Beautiful gathering you hosted there in the name of the new lil prince!
Just popped in to see the party.
Great to see that Jemima is completely recovered! Naughty Jack!
James Louis Philip David
Such a darling tea party to celebrate such a grand event! You truly did it up royally, Susan!
Oh what a wonderful celebration of a new life! I’m thinking it might be James Alexander George Spencer for the new prince’s name. Our Best Wishes to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace!
I knew you would have just the right celebration for us!
I think the time is right for another King Arthur.
Kate and William were so precious today. Diana is with them. . . her ring on Kate’s hand as she held the little Prince was a beautiful reminder of her presence.
Thank you Susan, for the love you give.
Maybe some magic for the world would come with a King Arthur.
I like the name Alexander but James is right up there. It will be interesting to find out what they decide on. I keep wondering if they could do something totally different and name him Zachary or Jordan but I suppose they have to stick to something more traditional. He will probably have several names like his father so that they are bound to pick one of the names I like.
Your party looks like so much fun. I too have thought about Diana and how much she has missed out on and how thrilled she would be with her new grandson. I thought it was so great when William gave Catherine his mother’s ring as her engagement ring and I love the fact that she wears it all the time. She was even wearing it when she left the hospital today. I do hope they honor Diana when they name the baby as some have suggested because some of the choices they have now are directly due to her influence.
I wonder what the protocol for the name is. You’re right, it doesn’t seem like they stray too far from history. Although this couple is more modern I think they’ll want to make the Queen happy and honor the memory of Diana.
Thanks for sharing your lovely party! How happy everyone looks! I love how you go all out for your parties. Nice to see the young ladies there as well. They are going to have some great memories. And that baby!!! Whatever name they choose, he is going to be loved and adored by everyone! I like the name Arthur William Spencer – my brother, dad and grandfather were all named Arthur, so I’m kind of partial. =^..^=
Some people don’t think the birth of little “????” is important and I thoroughly disagree! Most of my family thought I was a bit nuts with excitement. Well, I was and I am. I couldn’t help buy stop for a moment and realize how excited Diana would have been right now. She would have been a wonderful Grandmother. She is definitely missed! And the Queen Mum is alive to hold him and enjoy him and that is priceless. And now…….drum roll, please…. for the name ……… got me!!! Loved the tea party! I celebrated by spending time with my 3 little girls – watching them run and jump and argue and do all of the things that little girls do. And when they left, they said to me, “Funny Grandma, we will miss you and you will miss us.” Oh, yes, all of my grandkids and the new Great grandson are precious beyond words and fill my life with laughter and joy. Cheerio to Kate for a job well done!!!!! XXXXOOOO
I think his name might be Henry but in a way I hope not because we are expecting a grandbaby Henry in October and we can’t have 2 Prince Henrys. Ours will be Henry James….
Beautiful!
I would the baby gift set for my new little cousin due to arrive in September. Her Daddy will miss her arrival as he left yesterday on the USS Truman.
Amazing service provided by her Dad. xoxo
Oh I couldn’t wait to see how your party turned out! Lovely! Wouldn’t have Diana been such a beautiful and fun grandmum!? I know she is in heaven beaming with pride and love for the new family! My guess… James Spencer Earl??? TaTa
I love everyone guessing these names — they’re all really good!
OH how wonderful. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a baby’s arrival than a tea party! I, myself had a new grandson born just a few weeks ago. I was so excited that my daughter and Katherine were pregnant at the same time. I had been pregnant at the same time as Diana was for William. She would have been so proud. Our country is celebrating. It’s not every day that a King is born!
xxoo
Congratulations on your new grandson Marie!
Love your blog. Congrats on your new grand-baby. God bless your family. Long live Prince George!
What a lot of happy smiling faces in your photos of what looked like a fantastic party to celebrate the imminent birth of a future King of England. I would like to see a breakaway of the usual predictable names and so my choice would be Maximillian Spencer Windsor. Pleased to see Jemima in situ on your windowsill and all the Beatrix Potter characters, your bunting and ladened table. I also enjoy a Pimms but haven’t had one for years, hope you enjoyed yours Susan.
Max would be adorable. Pimms is one of Joe’s favorites, he does a good job!
I would love your wonderful calendars to give to my daughter who is in the process of adopting a little girl and hoping to bring her home soon! It would be a great way to record her 1st year with her family 🙂 .
My guess for a name is: Henry Phillip Spencer.
Live from England!
Susan, Kate and William would be sooo thrilled at the special party you threw for them – your enthusiasm and style for celebrating all things puts us Brits to shame. We should be having street parties and decorating the capital with bunting. As I live in the countryside with few people about to celebrate with, I have so enjoyed your wonderful party and feel so much a part of your wonderful life. I count my blessings for the pen friends I have made through you too. ♥ Rosie
Very nice Rosie … I would imagine England is covered in bunting — it was when we were here during the Jubilee — isn’t it now? I thought I was just keeping pace with you!
Oh! Happy, Happy Day! No baby has ever had such a wonderful tea party!
What a wonderful TWO years Britain has had~a Royal Wedding~A Diamond Jubilee~an Olympic Games~WE FINALLY WON WIMBLEDON~we won the Tour de France TWICE in a row~brought home the Ashes~triumphed in the Rugby~and now a NEW ROYAL BABY!
Oh! We’re riding along on the crest of a wave, and the sun is in the sky~~~
I should like to see the name Francis included (for that is his maternal grandfather’s middle name), and also the middle name (girls spelling, obviously) of Diana. Oh, how my thoughts are with her beautiful spirit at this precious time. She would have been the most amazing grandmother {wipes tears away} so full of beauty and grace {wipes more tears~sniff}
I wonder if the Royals would like to buy me a new laptop, for my poor Jurassic coal~fired one is whining at the strain of having the BBC open all day every day for the last fortnight 😉 Must remember to feed the hamster today 😀
What more could possibly happen for the Girlfriends in this wonderful year that would be of any importance? Oh! Wait~~~isn’t there the publication of a CERTAIN BOOK?????
LOL — and yes, what a couple of years in England. They certainly know how and what to celebrate over there.
Oh! My! You are up early! It is only just after 9:00 a.m. Across The Pond~~~
Oh yes, I’m an early riser … I have LOTS of comments to approve!
Deborah, remember, Diana is the grandmother, and yes, she will be amazing as she looks after little George . The love of a Mother, and a Grandmother transcends time and place.
Oh Susan, what a lovely royal baby watching party! Everything you do is just beautiful. I would love to visit England someday but feel as if I am there when reading your blog. As a long time fan, I am soooo excited to get my book, “A fine romance “. I own every book of yours except “Baby love “. I would very much love to win this as I hope to be a grandma someday soon. I too thought of Princess Diana and how very much she would have loved this moment. Brings tears to my eyes. She will certainly be watching over him. I am quite certain this adorable little prince will be given a strong royal name, just not sure what it is. Thank you Susan for bringing joy to my day;) P.S. definitely want to try. Pimms
The recipe is in the new book!
Hi Susan! Thanks so much for sharing your happy tea party with all of us! You are very blessed to have such good friends!!! I must say, when I saw the royal baby for the first time yesterday, I had joyful tears in my eyes, just seeing them look so happy!!!!
Me too, tears. Mostly somehow I kept thinking of Diana … how happy she would have been for this moment.
Diana IS there – she’s been with William & Kate every step of the way. We just can’t SEE her… :>)
What a fun celebration! The royal family would be proud! You certainly thought of everything! Thank you for another wonderful toast! A delight to read as always!
Sorry that’s post not toast!!!! Argh! That autocorrect!!!
Who invented that crazy thing!?
I will go with James William George Spencer.
What a lovely day – and thank you for sharing with all of us! The table was elegant and Diana would most assuredly have been delighted by all of it! I think Geoffrey James William Spencer would be quite an elegant and fitting name for this sweet little guy! Seeing his tiny hand was so reassuring and his mama and dada looked so proud and pleased! Joy to our world!
The tea party was beautiful! I think he needs Arthur in there, maybe James William Arthur Spencer?
Happy news, we had our royal baby born on July 22, 2013 five hours before the happy news from England. My first grandson is Wyatt and we welcome him here with pomp and ceremony.
Congratulations Linda. I love his name! Lifting my teacup to him, his parents, and to you. ♥
I think Arthur would be the perfect name for the new baby – very British and very regal.
We’ll see soon!
Hi Susan,
What a great Tea Party! Wow so many guests! That cake looked yummy! On Monday we’ve had “beschuit met blauwe muisjes”.
It’s a Dutch tradition when a baby is born to have beschuit:a round flat very light biscuit like- only eggs,yeast and flour- with blauwe muisjes: anise seeds with blue/white coloring on it,( pink for a girl ofcourse)
So nice that finally the Royal baby is born, mabey he’s gonna be called Henry? I’m guessing we will have to wait until they babtize the little Prince.
Lots of love from Holland (very hot and sunny! Nice holiday weather)
xoxox Willemien
Love the sound of that tradition! Love back to you in Holland from hot and sunny Martha’s Vineyard!
I’m with you on the name..I think James Frances. What a smashing bring on the baby party you had!! Love that teapot in the center with the blue scallops. Made me gasp! Brilliant!!!!
Brilliant, Cindy! 🙂
Some people I know tired of the baby watch, but I think it’s wonderful that the focus is on happy news! We are expecting three babies next month in our family (a girl and twins – boy and girl!!!). Can’t wait for their arrival!
Wow, lucky you, so many!
George William Spencer is my guess. Prince George! I am thinking you have inspired a back to school tea party for our little hill in Vermont!
I hope so, you’ll love it. Come tell us all about it Rose!
What a fun party! I’d definitely like to host one of my own someday…maybe for the next royal baby 🙂 Hope your kitties enjoyed all the royal company!
The got to watch from the upstairs windows. Girl would not like it at all, Jack would like it too much. So they were given the upstairs to roam in, along with food and water, and each other!
Hi Susan! What an incredibly wonderful tea party in honor of the new prince! Thank you for sharing. Toast to the new prince with Pimms. I was just introduced to Pimms during our vacation on the Cape last week. I’m hooked. So strange how I had not known of this drink prior to last week and you mention it in your blog! 🙂 Thank you again for sharing your tea party with us! You’re the best. See you in August. Can’t wait to meet you! 🙂
Looking forward to it Asha!
What a beautiful party. I’m thinking George Charles Andrew Edward, as my guess.
Loved her blue polka-dot dress, and the nod to Diana.
I love, love, LOVED reading this post! It was of course, filled with tons of love, joy and inspiration (as always). Your twine party was a great hit! You had quite a turnout! Sixty people?! That’s a lot of celebrating! My favorite part was reading about the circle of love, holding hands, and shouting in unison, “PUSH, PUSH”! It brought a smile to my face. How wonderful! I am so happy the baby is here, safe and sound. Prince William and his lovely wife make such a darling couple, and now baby prince makes three! Thank you for sharing your darling tea party with us! xoxo
Glad you liked it Rosinda!
You are so adorable! We have your baby book all filled up for our oldest daughter who will be leaving for college in a month! How special for her to have one for her hope chest for her fist baby….which will come a long, long, long, long, long, long,long time in the future:):). We like James, Andrew, Alexander or William for the baby. Please not George or Albert..blech. Your party was cute galore..thank you for sharing your life. Xoxoxoxo
LOL, a long time eh??? 🙂
This was the most delightful way to begin my day – your party absolutely looked so sweet and old fashioned. Everything looked perfect and my favorite touch was Diana’s book on the center of the food table. I wish we were friends with in real life. I thought Catherine and William looked breathtaking as they came out and presented their perfect little boy for the first time ! What a moment. I feel that William carries so much of his mothers essence in all he does and says. As for the name – I know it will be perfect whatever they choose. Bee happy.
She sure didn’t look like she just had a baby the day before. So beautiful!
Oh my gosh, so many comments already. Do you know how hard it is to read all the girlfriends’ comments when you are giving something away? (Oh, yes, I guess you do:))
I am loving all the names, I can’t begin to pick one, I’m pulling for a James somewhere, since I am so fond of Jim:)
Thanks for taking us to the Twine! What fun! And once again the power and magic of Susan Branch…..and a Royal is born! If only they knew!
Love the infectious fun you are having, it’s been a good summer!
I am dying to make the Orange Lavender Polenta cake, it’s going to be tricky to find the lavender. I lost mine in the really bad part of our drought 3 years ago, I will try our local kitchen store.
Thanks Susan.
Chris
Here you go Chris… dried lavender … but you don’t HAVE to use it, it’s still nice without it.
Oh The Spice House…..what a wonderful find! You are so sweet! I will check that out tonight and find some other lovely things I can’t live without!
XOXOXO
Yes, you will! Good Chris!
Thanks for sharing your royal baby tea party with us! I love seeing how you set up your outdoor parties, that pergola is amazing, all decorated for the royal event, and I love how you have a bench built right into it for extra seating, brilliant!
Well, thanks for “pushing” that baby along, and I’m voting George James or James George for the little prince’s name. Have a great week!
I thought you would like this about Emma Bridgewater
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-20591605
We were there! Thanks Dee!
What a wonderful party! Definitely helped get that sweet baby born. The full moon didn’t hurt either. Just tickled that he is finally here. He and his darling parents made the sweetest portrait on the steps of the hospital. Princess Diana was surely there in the moment. And isn’t it grand that the headlines on the news are HAPPY? I hope they work the name Arthur into the mix. We could one day have a King Arthur! Oh, glad to see Joe’s traction system healed Jemima. She is looking good on the window sill. Hugs to Jack and Girl.
Thanks Kelley!
I have a nurse friend who says that delivery rooms really ARE busier during the full moon! :>)
What a wonderful party! The joy just jumps out at you! I would love to win the calendar set for my oldest daughter who is expecting a baby girl in October–my first grandchild! My youngest daughter shares her birthday with the young prince–a special day, indeed!
Happy new baby Kathy! Happy birthday to your daughter!
Susan your Royal Baby Tea Party seems to have been splendid! Love, love, love the pics and my very favorite one was of Princess Olympia, Crown Princess Astoria and the Duke of Earl!
Now….as for the new Prince’s name…..I would like to see Philip Charles William Henry!
Prince William has an extremely close relationship with his grandfather thereby the name Philip would honor him. The name Charles is shared by Prince William’s father as well as his late mother’s brother. William, of course, is the new baby’s father and finally….Henry would be a tribute to William’s brother, Prince Harry!
The only other name I would like to see added is Michael as it would pay tribute to Kate’s father.
Whatever the name…..A New King has been born!
Yes indeed. And I wrote the Duke of Earl just this morning, to tell him to see his girls and his braces on the blog!
How wonderful! Both your party and this beautiful baby boy, Baby Cambridge 🙂 – I was thinking James as well…seems to fit into the rotation of things. But, not knowing Kate’s side of the family and their names, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. It seems to me that Diana really had a deep and marvelous influence on Will – he and Kate seem to take in the madness but remain close and know when enough press is enough. They will be wonderful parents!!!
p.s. I give your baby book to every friend of mine who has a new baby – and each and every one of them LOVE it! ♥♥♥
So glad you had great weather at your party and a wonderful time!!! Love the decorations, the food, the drink and the outfits!!! Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
You are welcome Mari, thank you!♥♥♥
Such a lovely tea party and the timing was just perfect! It was so nice meeting all your girlfriends and neighbors. Don’t you just love that William and Kate are ‘real’ people? He packed his new son in the car and drove them home. I’m pretty sure she got up when the new little prince woke for his night feedings and rocked him gently back to sleep. Of course, I’d rock that sweet little baby for them anytime.
Huzzah! I believe it will be James, also. It’s hard to think of Grandmother Di….
Oh the cuddles, the wide open embraces, the neck nuzzling.
Your Tea Party looked amazing & so much Fun !!! We are expecting our first Grand Baby at the end of October, we are So excited !!! Think we will try to gather our friends & family together & copy your “Push” idea !!!! We are expecting a little girl, so I am collecting pretty ,frilly, family heirlooms along with some new frills too !
Lucky you to know so you can start finding Baby-Girl things when you’re out and about!
Oh Susan, you sure know how to put on a party! So festive! And I am touched that you all had a prayer for the Royal family. You are a blessed woman!
What a darling tea party!!! It looks like so much fun! I have been glued to the television for the past few days to get all the baby news — it’s so exciting. I would love for Baby Cambridge to be named James as that is my dad’s name. 🙂
Oh Susan! Your tea party was so lovely and sweet! I have been following your blog for a couple of years now, and you ALWAYS bring me such Joy! I’m sure your beautiful celebration sent happy, healthy energy to the happy parents and the precious baby that arrived soon after! 🙂 xo
What an amazing group of friends you have to celebrate with! And thank you for sharing with us! I can’t wait to find out what they name their son…I think it will be a perfect mix of modern, traditional, and sentimental. This young couple hasn’t made a misstep yet!
You are right. I can’t wait either!
Thank you for sharing your lovely tea party – all guests were lucky to be invited to such a grand event!! The Royal baby was born on my 46th wedding anniversary, so it’s a very good day. For his name I would choose: James (my first born’s name 🙂 William Spencer Michael Charles. It’s so nice to be watching happy news.
Happy Anniversary Sue!
Good morning from NY~
What a happy, smile-provoking post this is! Everyone is clearly enjoying the celebration…love the photos of the girlfriends and especially the young princesses, Irenie, Samantha, Olympia and Astoria. You know they will remember that party forever!
Susan, you and Joe make such a wonderful team ~ his bar set up was just lovely and I have to comment on the pergola…WOW! What a great job he did building that! I never realized how big it was until I saw the table and all the people underneath it….just beautiful! I think half the fun in throwing a party is “setting the stage” and you two really know how to do that!
So much to be grateful for, isn’t there? The birth of baby that will touch the whole world, the birth of “A Fine Romance” that also will reach around the
world and last but most importantly, a circle of wonderful family and friends to celebrate with!
Sending cool breezes your way…actually woke up to a chill in the air this morning!
xoxoDebbie
PS: I purchased “Baby Love” for my daughter when Izzy was born and we just found out that a new little one is on the way to us…so excited! Having a grandchild is pure bliss…can’t imagine having two! So, I will definitely need another copy of that adorable book…thank you for being so generous with your work.
I do have to give credit where credit is due. Joe did rebuild the pergola which was an amazing feat of building talent — BUT, the original structure was the work of a Mr. Bowditch, who owned our house from 1949 to 1980. He designed and built that beautiful thing (and all the Adirondack chairs in our back yard) and his family called it the “Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon.”
Happy new baby Debbie!
It IS a beautiful thing! That long bench….amazing! And you’re lucky to know some of the actual history of your home. Our daughter and SIL have just purchased an old/renovated farmhouse and the present owners have passed on to them a diary/history of the house that was given to them from the previous owner. It was typed on an old-fashioned typewriter and includes stories of the children who lived in the house and all sorts of wonderful details of the life of the house. I wish everyone had that when they purchased a home.
I was lucky enough to serve tea to Mrs. Bowditch in the garden when she was very old so I got to hear a lot of it. Together upstairs I could almost hear the patter of her four children’s feet running in the halls. Everyone should leave a piece of themselves behind in every house. A story, a photo. Behind a door in our Wood room, there’s a key rack, with skeleton keys on it, and little silly notes thumbtacked to the wall, like notes you would leave for your husband, and old “town rules” — or lists, “get skunk man here” — we’ve added a few to that and will leave them when it’s our turn to go.
Tears welling up. “…Behind a door in our Wood room…” How moving that you kept it there, add to it and will leave it when you go… Sniff, sniff. Wow…last few days. A whole lot to sniff about… :>)
I was looking at that spot yesterday after I wrote about it — saying to Joe it’s my favorite place in the house. I want to try and take a picture of it …it’s in such a dark place, but I will try.
Go? No, please don’t go. You must stay. Please.
Trust me I will do my best. 🙂 BTW, we have “Canadian air” coming down this morning. You have been holding out on us. I think we have to move to Canada! 🙂 It’s gorgeous! Thank you so much!
We are having the same here–nice cool Canadian air coming down to refresh us. It has been terribly hot and humid here this summer… 🙂
Lovely tea party…..I am hoping royal baby boy will be named
♥ Prince James Philip Spencer George ♥
Like it!
We are delighted to be expecting our second grandchild in October. Every baby’s birth is such a special time and should be marked with as much pomp and circumstance as possible! Your tea party was a wonderful way to mark the occasion. The new prince should be named for his father and grandfather, but also have something he can call his own.
So many people on this blog having babies and grandbabies in October! How exciting this fall is going to be!
A most beautiful post!!!!!
Every time I think of the new family, tears of joy well up!!
Oh..Liz Thomas…how I L O V E D seeing your name pop up ! My Mother…was also….”Liz Thomas”…she also had a soft spot in her heart for the Royals.
What a wonderful party and I was also watching to see the birth of the new Royal Baby 🙂 Wish his Grandma Diana had been here to welcome him also. I watched her wedding as well as William and Kate’s both women shine 🙂 God Bless the new King 🙂
Beautiful tea party!! My daughter’s second birthday is a few short weeks away and it is her ‘golden birthday’. She will be 2 on the second. For the celebration, we are having a tea party (American style). I would love to win the baby book and calendars as our second princess will be here by October 2!!!
Two! Tea party! How wonderful … lots of pictures! And another to come. ♥ Congratulations Cheyenne!
What a wonderful tea party! Thanks for letting us share in it. I’m so happy for Will and Kate, only I must admit I was hoping for a girl so they could name it Diana. Can you imagine Camilla having to curtsey to little Princess Diana II? And the royal family contemplating the future reign of Queen Diana I? It would be so fitting since they stripped Diana of her royal titles after the divorce.
But enough of that. They have a beautiful baby boy, and I’m in agreement with those who like James Spencer followed by Charles or Philip or Arthur or George after the Queen’s beloved father. (I think royal boy babies usual receive at least 4 names!) All hail Prince Jamie!
Reminds me of the quote from Oprah “We did then what we knew how to do. Now that we know better, we do better.” All hail Prince Jamie, prince of peace I hope. The People’s Prince.
Love that gold crown. 60 guests overwhelm me! Couldn’t quite make out all the words on that “sweetener spoon.” Loved your party. Thanks for including us.
“Love and scandal are the best sweeteners for tea” — that’s what’s stamped on the spoon. Thank you Kathy!
Another fantastic post! It was so good to see Jemima Puddle-Duck right back where she belongs. Looking good as new I might add. 🙂 Your tea party looked like tons of fun and so beautiful. The bunting everywhere was so festive, the food looked so yummy, the tables and bar set up were beautiful, right down to the cloth covers for the creamers, everything was so inviting with that casual elegance you are so good at attaining. Loved seeing all your friends and family enjoying every moment of it. Thank you for sharing Susan. Oh, and I’m sure Kate is very happy for all your help with the mantra and a prayers. It worked! The Royal Baby is finally here! ♥
Hooray! Thank you Marie!!
hmmn…James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree springs to mind! What do you think, Susan?
Springs to mind? Of course!! 🙂
Wow, when you said tea party, I’m thinking half a dozen or so Girlfriends, sitting sedately in summer dresses and hats under your pergola, sipping and nibbling away. Sixty guests! But it certainly looked like a fun party, with a perfect hot summer’s day menu. I left a comment on the last post about names for Little Lord Cambridge, but just to be sure Vanna counts me in, I’ll list them again. Most likely: MICHAEL, JAMES or JOHN [like to see the Middletons represented] with an outside shot at PATRICK or CHRISTIAN. Oh, possible DAVID also. I don’t think there’s been a David in quite a while. PS – I’m beginning to get a complex. I missed sharing a birthday with Baby Cambridge by 11 hrs 24 min – and being the Apollo 11 moon landing date by 2 hrs!! For weeks beforehand, my dad had been telling me ‘your birthday will be in the history books for the moon landing forever!’ and then the astronauts actually arrived early. Early!! Whoever heard of a government project that was AHEAD of schedule?? :>)
Never! Happy Birthday Janet!!
Wasn’t David the Duke of Windsor’s name? The one who
abdicated.
Julia, the Duke of Windsor’s full name was Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (whew!). His family called him David, but he took the name Edward VIII after succeeding his father to the throne. He was never crowned, and after his abdication was given the title “Duke of Windsor.”
yes it was!!!
Yes, I think the family called him David [even though he was Edward VII officially]. The Queen’s poppa was Bertie to the family, George VI to the world.
Susan,
What a wonderful tea party you had, everything was so beautiful !
I too had a wonderful day when the new Royal Baby was born. Ken and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. Ordered your book, A Fine Romance, and felt so excited for William and Kate, because Ken and I also have our own William and Kate, and a 20 month old grand daughter!!! Emma Josephine.
( Our first grandchild) As I sat on the front porch, in my rocking chair, snapping green beans from our local farm market, listening to the birds, the soft song from wind chimes, and a gental breeze, I thank God.
Have a wonderful day.
Yes, those wonderful little moments of Thanksgiving. xoxo
This was the cutest baby birthing party ever!! I just knew you would be doing something extraordinary and wow, you and your friends do the Mother country proud! I loved all the wonderful details of the decorations and food . You do the most amazing parties!!
I have been a huge follower of the Royal family since Diana’s marriage to Charles and this new baby would have made her so proud!! William and Catherine will make wonderful parents and with a fun and spunky Uncle Harry, this new baby boy will have lots of loving hands to raise him up. And thank-you for your great Puuushh to finally get the ball rolling on the baby arrival!! We all were glued to the TV wondering when things were going to kick off!!
Lave it to American ingenuity to get the ball rolling!!
LOL, don’t tell them you said that! 🙂
What a wonderful party and the weather seemed perfect! Loved this post.
Now you just need to have another party to decide the name?!
LOL, this baby is getting fattening!
I just love a good tea party! What fun you all must have had….
I’d love for the name to be James as we use that name over and over in our family 🙂
Do you think Joe would share his recipe for Pimm’s Cup??
He did! It’s in our new book!
~ Hi~
As long as we are guessing baby names how about
~James William Phillip Michael Spencer George~?????
Charles William then they can call him Charlie. Cute name for a little Prince! your party looked charming.
Such a great reason for a party and to celebrate a new life. Thank you for sharing the joy and the pictures of all the beautiful people. I’m hoping for a traditional name for the new royal – one that sounds impressive and has a great history behind it.
What a clever idea for a party. Love everything that you do. And Jack eyeballing Jemima Puddle- Duck is priceless.
You know – it was a full moon:-) Things happen on full moons! I loved your push circle, you are all such good witches:-)
Yes we are. 🙂
What a lovely tea party! The baby was born on my husband’s B. day. Sharing your birthday with royalty is not bad.
Not bad at all … wish him Happy Birthday from us!
What a wonderful idea to have this Royal Baby Tea Party……your blog was delightful……wish I was there…….love sharing all you do with my friends …..thank you soooooooooooo much Lori Ragalis
In a way you were there! The magic of the Internet!
What a lovely party……it looked like a perfect day! And now there’s an actual baby to celebrate!
Your arbors are beautiful…..it seems like you have several in your yard? How nice to be able to eat, visit and enjoy life under them!
One square stand-alone arbor, then two rose arbors that are over porches.
You’ve given me an idea….I’m planning a 12 x 20 white picket fenced-in flower garden but perhaps I should enlarge the space and build an arbor in the middle…..I had planned to someday build a sitting arbor (a la Bibury) at the back of the yard, but this may work better! Thank you, Susan….I’ve got some thinking to do!
That would be GORGEOUS, to surround the arbor with a picket fence and a garden . . . guests would have to walk through garden to get to arbor! Wow!
Loved this post and love you Susan Branch!
XOXO Shellie!
Just love ALL of the baby excitement, royal and otherwise! Thanks for sharing your lovely party with us, Susan! I’m hoping Vanna picks me. . .a new grandchild due after the first of the year would certainly be honored to have Susan Branch baby books and calendars. (If Vanna doesn’t pick me, I’m sure I’ll be ordering them myself.) Thanks for the opportunities, Susan!
Happy new baby Patty!
Your party was a fantastic success in every way –it set the emotional stage to evoke phenomenal power of group prayer coupled and abetted
by a full moon causing tides to rise and Kates water to break . It happened , it’s a recorded fact!
LOL! We did it!!!!
Oh what a lovely party – I almost felt like I was there! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Let’s hope the future king has a happy and healthy life. As for a name, how about Matthew. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a royal with that name.
Dear Susan,
Brilliant post, as always! I loved your tea party. Everything looked amazing!
As far as a baby name for the little Prince…I would love to see a future King Arthur William Spencer…! I think it sounds so romantic…haha!
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Pamm
Thanks for sharing your wonderful Royal Baby Tea Party with us girlfriends, Oh…..
“The Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon”….swoon, that description is just full of romance and dreamy summer nights! So, glad the circle of friends gave a royal “push”….you did good work !!!!
I was so excited watching the door at the hospital open and then tears of joy, for the happy couple and that precious little Prince. What a darling modern royal family.
It was fun looking at Diane and Elizabeth’s websites….two talented women, and what charm and inspiration in their designs. You all must have some great fun together!
And…..I just loved the “spoon”….“Love and scandal are the best sweeteners for tea”
Can’t wait to hear the name of the Prince….James William Spencer…….has a nice ring!
Happy Wednesday girlfriends!
Good Morning Susan (And Joe) … I woke up early today on the West Coast, tho not as early as you seem to … Opened up some windows to let the fresh air in, and sat down with a cup of coffee for some “Play Time” on your website 🙂 We have a new Rooster in the neighborhood, I enjoy hearing him in the morning, tho some of the neighbors do not. lol Thank you for sharing all about your Royal Baby Tea Party, looks like a great time was had by ALL . (Love the spoon too !) Here at home I have been working on putting together a room for our 1st Royal Grand-Baby, it would be fun to add “Baby Love” to the room should I be lucky enough to win ! 🙂 Either way I am thankful you continue to create your calendars each year and look forward to hanging one in my kitchen in 2014 as well, but for now I best move on with my day and continue to enjoy each day of 2013 . I will be watching for your next post where I can learn how to make your Orange Lavender Polenta Cake … it looks way yummy ! Have a great day, Linda 🙂
You too Linda!
PS … See you in November ! : )
What a lovely tea party! How I wish I had been in attendance! You are a master party giver.
I gave a tea party baby shower for my daughter. All things tiny. Tiny tea sandwiches, mini mac & cheese, single shrimp cocktail, tiny shots of tomato dill soup with mini grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. Teeny petit fours and cookies. It was a big hit, as is my little granddaughter Eleanor Adele who is now 15 months old and a joy to all who know and love her.
I think the new little prince might be named Philip Charles Spencer.
Sounds delicious, grilled cheese sandwich poppers!
The new Prince is just so precious and all the blessings for any new life is to be loved, protected, and happy. I do not think that the “Royals” get the luxury of choosing names like the rest of us get to do!!! There are “people” the Historians that are going back to the beginning of time to find just the right name for this little Prince. It is almost certain that a Great Great Grandfather will be considered, and I would think that his Grandfather Philip will be considered since he is in poor health? I did enjoy how they came out of the hospital so relaxed and William so “hands on” right from the start. Thanks to his beautiful Mother Diana she took some of the “starch” out of the image of the Royals 🙂 I hope that the Media will stop with Kate’s family being called “Commoners” makes them sound like paupers and that is far from the truth….so; it wouldn’t surprise me if he pays tribute to the Spencers, and she doesn’t throw one of her ancestors name in the mix!! I’m thinking George Philip “Spencer” (Middleton ancestor)?? The 1st part of his name to honor the Royals and the 3rd/4th part the “Commoners”….We have to accept the lineage of Royals and their process in naming a new Royal. I can absolutely state with great confidence there will be no “Cody’s, Cannon’s, Dillon’s” in HRH name!!! I’m wishing this new family all the “normalcy” of raising their child to include both families, catching fireflies when he’s older, fishing, picnics, and enjoying being a child. Blessings
Thank you! I think that the young Prince will be named James Phillip.
I just love your pictures/blog. Having grown up in New York, and now living in Florida, I miss the seasons. Your Pictures make being homesick more bearable.
Pretty soon it will be time to bring you some snow again! That’s what I love about living up here, marking the passing years by these huge changes like winter. It’s fun to do that on a blog!
What a lovely gathering you shared – hard to decide what to focus on. Definitely have to reread and drool over the decorations, food, happy faces, etc. I think the excitement and good feelings are what come across the most in all your photos and writing. Such a great idea to celebrate and helped make me feel like less of
an emotional albeit happy viewer awaiting the happy news as the only female in a house of men. Thanks for also making me miss my favorite vacation spot (The Vineyard, haven’t visited England – yet!) a little bit less, too. Now, on to check your list of book stores to see if you’ll be nearby. Thanks for everything, Susan.
Nice to hear from you Rhonda xo
Thanks, Queen Sue, for including us at your Royal Baby Welcoming Tea!
So very thoughtful of you, and you didn’t even ask us to help with the
dishwashing! So very kind, indeed!
Well, here’s my suggestion for the new beautiful baby’s name:
Prince George William Charles Louis…
Welcome Little Royal Sweet Baby! Congrats for William and Catherine!
And Susan, please have whatever new Emma Bridgewater mug will be made in his honor at your shop!
You did some good guessing … I know there is meaning to Louis, but I’m not sure what it is … can you tell us?