For years I’ve kept a “Dinner Party Diary” where I write about special parties ~ for the memories ~ it’s part diary, part scrapbook. And this MUSICA is for you, also for the memories . . . we can only imagine how many kisses there’ve been with this music playing in the background! (Just click on it and come right back, it will play while you read.)
♥ ♥ ♥
I started keeping track of parties in this book in 1993, but not every party I’ve ever given is here . . . it’s a tiny book and probably has only twenty parties. I only do them when I remember, or I’m in the mood, or the party is so good that I have to do it! Our Sunday Breakfast Party went right into the book: I remembered, I was in the mood, and it was good!
♥ ♥ ♥
Our 9th Anniversary is in this book too . . . that one was an afternoon tea party and we hired a piano player to play The Glory of Love, and all the other old songs we love. I always write down the names of guests, the menu, the dishes, and the weather. (And sometimes what we wore, and sometimes poems people say at the table.)
And here we are, getting ready for our 25th Anniversary Party. Starting with putting a clean tablecloth on the dining table; Girl Kitty had grown fond of the old one and wasn’t letting go of it so easily.
And then the flowers . . . it was supposed to be a combination Valentine’s & Anniversary party, but with the gorgeous weather, it turned out to be an impromptu celebration of Spring! We even had the door open! Birds were singing. It was gorgeous.
You can’t celebrate spring around here without daffodils! They are the cheeriest things!
A little pink for the coffee table.
Happy singing bird vases, a heart teapot, a matelassé bedspread for the tablecloth ~ and what breakfast party is complete without chocolate kisses?
Love? Romance? Hearts and flowers? Old music, best dearest friends . . . and delicious food. And everything pretty in pink!
I made the place cards; luckily Joe has a cork fetish and never throws them away, so I thought, what says celebration and happy memories more than a popped champagne cork . . . ? ♥
I tucked the cards into the wires on the back.
We needed a centerpiece. Joe and I took the QEII on what we called “our test run,” to see if we liked it, in 1997 from New York to Bermuda. Sailing on the QEII was something we talked about the first time we met — not necessarily doing it together (it was too soon for that at the time) but something we both wanted individually! So, of course we saved this little bottle of port we found waiting, when we finally did go, in our stateroom, and now it’s part of the glory of, the story of, love. ♥
Almost there, need napkins! Need food!
Jack helps by bouncing off the walls and aerating the chair backs with claw holes. Thank you Jack!
Yes, actual food will be served. I do adore setting the table, but I know that our guests are going to expect food, not just dishes and flowers! Here, Joe’s making crepes the day before, for the Cheese Blintzes we’re serving.
There they are, the blintzes; the lemon, basil, and ricotta-cheese filling is all rolled inside…. we covered the pan and put it in the fridge; the next morning we browned them in the frying pan before serving with delicious jams, applesauce and sour cream. The recipes for all of this will be in my new Breakfast Book!
Did the MUSICA go away? Noooo. Say it ain’t so. Can’t have that. ♥
Is there anything better than plain, old-fashioned, ice-cold, juicy-pink grapefruit on a spring morning? No, and I do what my mom taught me; I cut around each segment for easy eating.
Mmmmm, crisp-edged, crunchy Blueberry Corn Cakes and hot maple syrup! Gotta have it!
Homemade Applesauce made with Granny Smith’s, so fresh and appley! Yummy with Corn Cakes, delicious with pork sausages, perfect with Cheese Blintzes.
My Applesauce is full of apple bits with a little tooth to them, not the smoothed out stuff you get in the market . . . we served it cold. I put some roasted cranberries (left over from the cranberry marmalade I made for the blintzes) in the middle as decoration.
We had bacon, sausage, sliced steak and buttermilk biscuits too . . . the platters warmed on top of the stove. The southern style breakfast at Tara, with Scarlet O’Hara’s family, I read about in Gone with the Wind, was my inspiration for this . . . believe it or not we didn’t touch the decadence they managed to come up with! But we tried!
Margot and Tom weren’t able to make it 🙁 , they’re on their way to New Orleans 🙂 , but before they left, they stopped by with Margot’s gorgeous bouquet of Valentine roses ~ which were still beautiful; she thought we might like to have them at the party.
She was so right! I recut them and put them in a shorter vase and here they are, a little more Valentine love DNA, gracing the granola-yogurt-and fresh-fruit buffet we set up on the sideboard. Thank you Margot! (BTW, that sideboard was here when we bought the house; Mrs Bowditch (a previous owner) told me it was here when she bought the house in 1949; maybe it’s been here since the beginning, 1859, when the house was built and the Smith family moved in! I would like it to talk!)
Man Food.
And there it is in all its glory; we turned on the music and toasted to love and each other with icy tangerine juice and bloody Mary’s; we had tea, coffee, and everything you see on these plates! We talked about local island news while the birds sang outside the 
window; what’s been in our papers, what the ferry boat is up to these days, the weather (of course), how far up the daffodils have come, the blooming snowdrops, our gardens, Facebook, Twitter, movies, spring vacations; and we ate, and ate. I didn’t do a dessert (although I was tempted to make baked stuffed apples in a cream bath!) — but did we actually need anything more? No. We did not. Then everyone kissed good bye and went home; we washed the dishes, read the paper, and took a nap, then we went to the movies and saw the new silent movie called The Artist. And THAT was Sunday, pretty good huh? Love morning parties!
And for your patience for reading through this, not to mention WILLARD, who has spring fever just like me, and is going out to play all day today and tomorrow; you have a reward . . . I have something I’m really excited about . . . a giveaway I think you will love. Ready? OK, it’s these ~
Two Johnson Brothers, Rose Chintz Teacups! Yes! With saucers! “Sing Ho for the Life of a Bear!” My own set actually has twenty cups-and-saucers, many more than I will ever need! So I am giving away two of them! They come with invisible magic as they were right there on Sunday, at the party of love. (But, of course, just like the sideboard, they won’t talk!) All you have to do to be entered is to leave a comment; “Vanna” will draw a name in about three days . . . want to make sure you all get a chance to enter to get a little springtime pink in your life. ♥
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY GIRLFRIENDS! Sing HO!
Dear Susan,
Your dishes have so inspired me over the past few months that yesterday I went to TWO local antique stores and scored a few pieces of Johnston brothers…but NO CUPS! HAha…pick me pick me!! And thanks for including the girlfriends in your breakfast party. What a perfect day you had!! Beth
What a wonderful way to start the day. Reading your blog!! Thank you for sharing your party. I could almost smell the food. Thank you!
You can just feel the LOVE in the all that decor, food and wonderful memories. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary. Now, I have to go and find something to eat. That food looked so yummy!!!
What sumptuous fare! And wonderful setting! Surely it was divine. But as surely you both worked very hard to make all that wonderful-ness. And doing it with two kitties–a major feat I know– because I know kitties and they are a force of curiosity to be reckoned with–like jumping beans, quite difficult to contain, as fast as lighting they can be in the middle of the table setting wreaking havoc.
And your scrapbook/diary of parties is perfect. I have a small blank book which I use to record memorable things. I haven’t always kept it, but wish I had.
And those tea cups and saucers…beautiful… and I would love it if they were mine, and all the more so because they had once been yours.
Thanks for letting me in on your breakfast party. I, too, write about all my tea parties and game days in a diary just like you. I hope I win the cups! Sheila
‘morning Susan, what a beautiful table you set…not to forget all that food! I’m sure your guests enjoyed every morsel, as in who wouldn’t?? I used to have that Johnson Bros set of china but with all the downsizing we’ve done, sadly that was one that was ousted. Now I so wish I still had it, it is such a cheery one. If I’m the lucky soul to have Vanna draw my name, those 2 cups and saucers certainly will bring back memories.
Thanks for sharing your party, and all the beautiful flowers, with us. I am totally in the mood for Spring! Love the party book/memory book idea.
Love to hear about your wonderful parties. I feel like I was there! You make it look so easy. I’ve been collecting vintage china for the last few years – no complete sets just bits and pieces that catch my eye. I love to mix and match.
That’s what most of mine is too . . . was just thinking, not sure if I’ve ever done a party with everything matching as much as this one did!
Your blog makes me feel warm and happy inside! The way you describe your days makes me feel that I am right there, visiting with you. I deeply appreciate all the creativity you display! Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Good morning, Susan and everyone!
Your party sounds just divine… what a lovely meal and a great way to start spring off! (It’s not spring here today… spitting snow and rain and icky out there, so I absolutely adored seeing all the color and flowers and, of course, the musica and the yummy food!) So glad you had such a beautiful day for your brunch.
Those cups are gorgeous. My grandma had a whole set of Johnson Brothers dinnerware, plain white, but oh so pretty. Those cups would go so nicely with all my teacups and saucers that I have. Fingers crossed!
Take care, everyone. Have a wonderful day!
I am not sure if this is allowed here, but I really wanted to share pictures of Hammersley (my maiden name) china (it is also English bone china), and Ebay has lots for sale. If you click on this link, you can see some of the many, many patterns they used to make.
ebay.com/sch/Hammersley-/18880/i.html
If this isn’t okay, then I won’t see this post, but thought some might want to see this pretty china.
It’s OK with me, but sometimes my blog master (or whatever it is!) will delete all or part of comments that have links . . . we’ll give it a try! I saw them! Cute!
Thanks, Susan!
Dear, dear Susan, thank you for taking time to photograph your wonderful celebration of love, and share it with us! The table was gorgeous, and the food made me drool all over my keyboard. 🙂
Lovely! 🙂
Susan,
What a beautiful table you set!! The food looked yummy too!! Have always wanted to make blintzes.( Can’t wait for your new breakfast book.) The pink was gorgeous! Nothing says romance, love, happiness, like the color pink. Of course, pink has always been my favorite color from the time I was a little girl. Thanks so much for sharing! Oh, have to say the flowers were beautiful too!!
Jan
Thank you for sharing your party with us…beautiful table and yummy food. I may have to have another breakfast this morning. Your blog is a wonderful way to start my day!
What a fabulous way to celebrate your 25th anniversary with good friends and food at your gorgeous table! Your menu sounds and looks delicious and what a treat to get homemade apple sauce!! I love long admired your rose chintz china..what a wonderful giveaway! So glad your weather was perfect as was your gathering! Delightful!
Miss Bloomers
Wow, what a party. Of course you wrote it down in your party book!! It was one to remember! I am sitting here eating a banana drooling over the delicious spread that you prepared. I check your blog every day because it’s so much fun and makes me smile… and who doesn’t need a smile?
Makes me smile to do it, so I know what you mean!
Thank you so much for telling us about your breakfast party! It sounded and looked fabulous!! Love those Johnson Brothers dishes!!!
Susan,
your post is just lovely….and I love your red flowery dishes..they remind me of another Johnson brothers pattern my mama had ..Sheraton…and I have historic America in red and brown…..have thought of starting a collection of your pattern since it is so lovely..would surely love to win the cups…
Mona
Miss Susan, I was hoping for some pictures of your party and wow! Pictures, music and a giveaway! Everything looked beautiful. I am such an animal lover too so including pictures of Girl Kitty and Jack always make me smile. And thank you for the idea of a dinner party diary. I don’t have many dinner parties, but I think I will start a similar remembrance book for my favorite holidays or birthdays. It’s never too late, right? Have a wonderful week. Blessing to you and Joe! Pam K.
Never too late, even one entry will give you joy, and leave a little behind for someone else in the future too.
Please, please, please adopt me . . . Or hire me to be the upstairs maid . . . Or maybe the pastry chef (I really am good at that). I can only imagine all the beauty, fun and love your house has been filled with over the years. So glad I’m one of your girlfriends and get to share in the joyful life who continue to create.
LOL, love that you’re here Susan!
I love your table. It was so beautiful. The food was just too delicious. Thank you for sharing such a special, beautiful day….HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY!!!!
What a wonderful looking table!! I am sure that your guests enjoyed every minute of it! Food looks so yummy! I’ve never made blintz’s before, but just might have to get your cookbook with the recipe in it. They sound delicious!
Love the two tea cups you are giving away. I saw them and the first thing I thought of was that it would be so nice….to sit down and share a cup of tea with my 86 yr. old Mother. She is in California and I’m in Nebraska. Bummer! I could send one to her and save the other for me and we could have a special tea time over the miles. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Your blog is always such a joy to read! Can hardly wait until Willard appears in my inbox.
Have a lovely day, Sue K
My mom’s in California and I’m in Martha’s Vineyard, so I know how you feel!!!
those are the most beautiful tea cups I have every seen, they just say have a girlfriend over. I am glad you had a nice day to enjoy your company and celebrate your anniversary. Speaking of Gone with the Wind, dvr’d it the other day, my daughter Ashley is home sick with a sinus infection, so we are going to watch it this afternoon with our hot cups of tea and our fachnut. It is fat Tuesday! It will be her first time watching the classic and I look forward to her enjoyment. Look forward to receiving Williard, it is always a pleasure to read.
You are the perfect mother to have when you’re home sick from school! 🙂
thank you for being so kind
Breakfast is my favorite meal to prepare for family & guests! Love what you did for your party.
WOW! What a breakfast! I can’t think of any dishes that are as lovely as Rose Chintz. I sold them for years at a Philadelphia Department store. We were sad when they took their production to China. Anyone who wins them will be very lucky indeed. Mugs are great for tea but drinking out of a cup and saucer takes it to a new level. I can’t wait until the new book comes out…..any hints as to when that will happen? Have a great day.
Johnson Brothers produces in China now? “Made in England” Johnson Brothers? That really is sad.
It’s sad, but true!
In searching for Johnson Brother’s “Friendly Village” I discovered that you can no longer purchase the sets made in England. It’s reported that the ones made in China do not have the brilliance and endurance of the older ones made in England.
You have to look for them in 2nd hand stores, flea markets and the like. That’s where I found mine.
Beautitude! I too love to set a dreamy table-and I like to make notes in the margins of my cookbooks of dates and people and parties! I will start a scrapbook of photos of the table setting-you are PURE inspiration!!!! Thanks.
Love that thought, xoxo
Good Morning Sweet Sue,
I love looking at all your beautiuful things. I would love to have your stove. I had one similiar to it years ago.
Now that I have seen all that food, I have to go and cook something…LOL! You have inspired us all on setting the perfect table.
Thank you so much for providing us with a wonderful look into your life with Joe and your adorable kitties. I look forward to reading your blog and of course Willard. I have the very first one you wrote, and received it by mail.
Have a wonderful day, the sun is shinning and it sure does feel like spring.
I think that’s the one where Joe and I were on vacation in Colorado, crossing the Great Divide and I did the drawing of the scary straight-down-ness of the road we were on!
Dear Susan,
Thanks for the memories! I am just coming to the end of my trip to Oregon to visit my sister Ellen and we have created so many happy new memories to add to all that we share! We shopped, played Scrabble, sewed together, took quilting classes together, and spent three beautiful days in the country for a quilt retreat! That was a light and bright room filled with quiltmaking and 29 wonderful “girlfriends”. It was a birthday weekend of precious memories–and I hope to return next year for my 60th! Thanks for your delicious blog today!
Happy wishes from Ellen and Nancy!
Hi girls — that sounds like such a wonderful trip! You had such fun! Thanks for checking in!
Good morning Susan! What a fun drawing…I have collected tea cups for more than 35 years now. It all started with our engagement. When I got engaged to get married all my aunts & girl cousins, girlfriends & their mothers each gave me a single tea cup. Throughout the years for birthdays, Valentine’s Day and other special occasions I was gifted more teacups…some antiques, some new, all so pretty and fun to add to my collection. When my mother passed away, I got some of hers. Now I own sooo many pretty tea cups in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. I love to use them often. Just recently we had a brunch for 50 on our patio the day after our son’s wedding. And even though it was a catered affair we used our pretty teacups with each guest getting a different one. I would love to add 2 more to my collection. {…Tell Vanna to pick me!!! =} Happy Tuesday! ~Going to paint today. ~Thanks for sharing!
All those different tea cups must look like a garden on your table!
Good Morning Susan! I have been in my basement reading your blog this am and I went upstairs and WOW!! HUGE snowflakes coming down. It is supposed to rain today here in metro Detroit, but it is snowing now. Haven’t seen it snow like this all winter. Has been mild like your winter. Loved your blog on your anniversary/valentines breakfast. I love your tablesetting. I have often thought to
write down what I served and take pictures also….next time I will. I collect teacups. Started by going on ebay to look for inexpensive teacups for my daughter’s 8th birthday/teaparty. Wow… I fell in love with so many and bid on a few myself….of course I would not use those for the birthday party. I use them all the time (although I am more of a coffee drinker). Right now I am drinking from my EB Pansy cup I purchased from your webstore. I love it! My favorite season is spring….the season of hope and warmer days to come. Love,love,love the flowering trees of spring. Have a wonderful day! Julie
I adore the pansy cup too! Have a great day Julie.
Your table was absolutely beautiful, loved the wine cork idea for the names. I have been a lover of beautiful dishes for years thanks to my mother. She was a great collector of china tea cups & dishes and used them whenever she had a family or friends over for meals. I now have her cups & saucers and would love to add these to the collection.
Happy Anniversary!! what a gorgeous table setting and the food….looked so scrumptious! have a wonderful week – the crepes reminded me that I need to make some Norwegian panckes for the family…
p.s. hope I win…hope I win….LOL
Rae
mmmmm. Norwegian pancakes, yum!
Susan,
I’ve already left one comment, so please don’t count this in your giveaway, but I couldn’t help myself… I just HAD to come back after reading Willard!! Every time I read it I’m convinced that it was your best one ever. This time I’m absolutely, positively sure of it :).
I have always loved springtime and your Willard today made me love it even more. I had never heard the song before, but will be ordering the CD today. Happy, happy music and you are so right … perfect for spring cleaning to.
As I read Willard, I wanted to run over here and say I LOVE YOU, but I don’t want you to think I’m a weirdo, so I will just say I LOVE your enthusiasm for life and the beautiful ways in which you share it with all of us. You bring happiness to my life every time I stop by for a visit. Thank you for that.
You will never know how much I enjoy doing this — and hearing from you! SO happy you liked “my song” — I just love that song, and have wanted to share it for a kazillion years and now I’m able, and look, you like it too! Makes my day.
Thankyou so much for all the effort you put into your blogs and newsletters. Reading them is like Christmas for me. This is the year my garden should mature. Your pictures give me such hope. I really love them. Can’t wait for Spring for daily walks by the lake. Time for tea. Thanks again. With kind regards, Constance
We had Breakfast for Sunday dinner it’s always a hit at our house. But those cute tea cups would be great for my morning cup of Pero:) or herb tea. Any thing pink is good around here we just found out we are have a baby girl (our 4th) this summer!
Oh How wonderful! Congratulations!
What a wonderful celebration! That china pattern is my absolute favorite. I was never a “pink” person, but in the last year or so I am drawn to it in everything I do! My quilting, my knitting, my embroidery….all pink! Now I just need pink china!!
A beautiful morning in Santa Fe to read about your beautiful breakfast party! I love every amazing creative thing you post and your sweet spirit is immeasurably uplifting! Thank-you so much for all that you share with all of us out here in our little worlds!
May you and Joe continue to be happily blessed with each other, 2 obviously wonderously wonderful people!!! Much joy and love i send your way every time i read/see/listen to your beautiful posts
Thank you Willy!
I love your party journal. I started keeping a journal many years ago of my family’s camping trips. It’s so fun to read back over it now that our children are grown. My sweet hubby and I still go camping and keep adding to the memories!
I love the beautiful teacups and know that a cup of Earl Grey would taste great from them!
What a JOY it was to see a springtime landscape on your dining table as I watched snow falling here in northern Indiana! Your guests must have felt so honored to be seated at your table. (Did you have to put Jack and Girl Kitty in a ‘special place’ during your brunch?) Thank you for sending so many wonderful entertaining tips our way! It was especially heart-warming reading your journal entry. I’m going to try Blueberry Corn Cakes for our Ash Wednesday supper tomorrow. Blessings!
What fabulous memories you’ve made celebrating your 25th anniversary! Thank you for sharing some of those special times with us. Your love of hearth and home is so refreshing and encouraging. You inspire me to use the pretty dishware I’ve collected over the years. My daughter uses my collection of teapots and cups and saucers when she hosts tea parties for the ladies of our family. You have inspired her with delicious recipes and ideas for gorgeous table settings. She enjoys using the beautiful domed cake plate and cream and sugar dishes you designed for Lenox.
Knowing of my love for daffodils, my husband “planted” a romantic message for me just after our 1st anniversary. With the warmth of the spring sunshine his message of “I love you” appeared in the sunny faces of many daffodils. We have been blessed with 35 years sharing that sweet message together!
Did you enjoy “The Artist”? My niece is a member of the cast and told us how much she enjoyed working on the movie.
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful posts with us.
Oh yes, it was wonderful! Love your daffodil message!
I love seeing all your different dishes! I would love to add these to my VERY small collection!
I love seeing all your different dishes! I would love to add these to my VERY small collection!
Thanks for taking us down memory lane with you, I love it!
Willard and your delightful blog entry all in one morning, makes me want to have a party to celebrate!! What a lovely tribute to love you planned and carried off with such aplomb. Congrats on your anniversary, we’ve recently celebrated our 44th but it was very laid back in comparison. Love all the pink and the spread of food makes my mouth water. Can’t wait for the new breakfast book (it is my favorite meal)! Look forward to each new entry of your blog, those days have a way of starting off better. THANKS!!!!
Oh those look wonderful, I’d love them!
Teacups or not you cheer up everyday!! Thank you for sharing with all of us how to make our homes warm, wonderful and inviting!
You truly are “the hostess with the mostest.” What a charming table arrangement, and such an appetizing array of food. I would certainly enjoy/treasure those lovely teacup if my name were drawn ..
Jeanne Murray
It takes a special person to enjoy the table setting as much as you do. A person after my own heart. Love the chocolate kisses! It is all in the details! Thanks so much for sharing your special day. Looking forward to your breakfast book. My fav is the one you signed for me, the Girlfriends.
Lovely food!
susan:
did you know that on the back of your 2012 calender, where the last year, the present year and next year are, 2012 is the same as 2011? Not complaining, love
you like crazy just thought you might like to know. My husband is an editor, it is
always amazing the little things that get past you.
Yes, we found out 🙁 — we were much more careful with the 2013 which I just finished!
Ohhhhh how I would love those teacups! I can’t wait for your Breakfast Book! Have a great day, Susan!
Janie
What a beautiful table! Very welcoming and my goodness, the food looks so delicious!
What a delightful party! I can’t wait until your new breakfast book comes out. How did you enjoy The Artist? It was the perfect way to end your day with a love story:)
Loved it, walked to the theater and back, worked of about 8 of those breakfast calories doing it!
I couldn’t help but think of the phrase “Breakfast of Champions”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a spread and it was so lovely. Makes me think of Sundays after church when we were kids. WE couldn’t wait. Usually it was at an Aunts house and because nothing was opened on Sunday, we had all the time in the world. It was tradition and now just a memory……where has all the time gone.
Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary! My husband and I are approaching our 5th anniversary. I love the idea of planning an intimate party to celebrate! Thanks for the inspiration.
The table is beautiful and the food looks delicious. Glad you had such a wonderful breakfast celebration!
Hello Susan! I loved your Breakfast Party! Since I have stopped working, (for a little while), I have been rediscovering breakfast. It is fast becoming my most favorite meal of the day! and what an idea to have a breakfast for friends! Hmmmm….. I might have to start planning! Love your pretty pink teacups and saucers and would be honored to win them!
Beautiful tea cups. What a wonderful day with friends. Always enjoy your blog.
Congratulations on the 25 years, I think that is so nice! Your party was lovely!
I just had a “pink” tea party with my mother and grandmother to celebrate Valentine’s/My Birthday! It was beautiful… I used my antique rose glass dishes that were passed down to me from my great, great grandmother. As well as antique tea cups. I used your “pansie” place cards. I had bouquets of carnations and daffodils. I had lined down the middle of the table a string of purple heart lights. Put together with my rose glass dishes the table seemed to glow. It was a wonderful day and memories that I will hold forever!~*
Sounds lovely!
Good Morning Susan and Girlfriends, what a lovely display of food, flowers, friends….now, please do not think I am a weirdo…all the delicious foods and all I could crave is the pink grapefruit!!! I love grapefruit and would eat one everyday which gave my body way too much acid; then sadly I had to go on a B/P pill each day and you can not eat grapefruit and take a blood pressure pill?? I have researched and asked around to pharmacists and it is true…it is poison to your body…so I haven’t had grapefruit in over 5 years. I can still taste it and the cravings haven’t left, I like sour foods more than sweet. Anyway, enough about me….thank you for sharing your lovely breakfast and for giving us another chance of winning something from you. Susan, you are such a dear, giving, lovely woman and I’m happy to call you my friend!!
Thank you Deborah!
Deborah, it ISN’T that you can NEVER eat grapefruit when you take BP meds, you just need to not take it an hour or two before or after taking it. It isn’t “poison”, it just sort of negates what the meds do. At least that is what I was told…I still eat grapefruit and drink grapefruit juice and I take BP meds–I just allow a few hours in between the two! 🙂
Oh, you are going to make someone’s day with that!
Oh! So BEAUTIFUL!
Those Johnson Brothers, they are somethin’.
Those boys do good work!
Susan, SO lovely!! The book, the brunch, the everything! My Mom made notes of all her dinners; I wish she had put them in book form. I kept some of them for the sentiment. Now I wish I, too, had put my dinner parties in book form. And my Monday Night Dinners with my son’s friends, which are legendary! We started them in 2003 when they were in middle school, and we still do them as often as we can now that they are in college. One of his friends wrote a paper about it for a college class “Monday Night Dinner – A Community of Choice” so wonderful!.
I am collecting tea cups, picking them up at garage sales here and there, to use for my best friend Susan’s daughter Julia’s future wedding shower 🙂 Got that? It’s going to be a Wonderland Palooza! I would love to have the set owned by YOU, the marvelous creatrix Susan Branch. You’re so kind to offer them. Enjoy your day! 🙂
Creatrix! That’s a good one!
Oh my gosh…I adore reading your blog! My favorite part of having folks over is setting the table…it just makes everyone feel special that you go to that extra effort in addition to feeding them! I aspire to be you!!! xxxooo
LOL, thank you! Kindred spirits!
“That’s the story of, that’s the glory of Love!” Thank you for sharing your wonderful breakfast with us. Yum!
Oh Susan, those tea cups are so beautiful. And your table setting as well. What a wonderful day you had on Sunday, thanks for including us in the festivities. I’m sure we all wish we’d been there. What a houseful that would be.lol
I have been enjoying you and your artwork for many years, love all your books and Willard’s I really liked it when I received it in the mail, but I know it’s alot easier now. Really love your blog I check it everyday.
Thank You So Very Much!
Cathy
Susan, Our family has always taken pictures of our table settings, before and after food, and nothing makes me happier than setting a beautiful table, serving delicious, homemade food to people that I love. Thanks for sharing your memories. Beautiful!
Becky
Beautiful~~~~Your lovely brunch and these teacups! Thank you for sharing ‘your Sunday’:)
I enjoyed your telling of the breakfast party! You made everything so pretty, so romantic and delicious! It was just a perfect way to celebrate your twenty fifth anniversary!
As I read of your Saturday evening outing, (in the previous blog) I so wished I could have been there to hear you all talking of how you met! I have often wondered if you met in a restaurant, surrounded by friends and lovely foods, laughter and good times. I just imagined that had to be the way it was. You two seem so perfectly matched and you know us, everybody loves “love!”
Won’t be long, it’s a fun story and I’ll love to tell it!
I can hardly wait to hear your special story! I’m going to be looking forward to this!
good morning susan..can’t wait for spring , right now we are having showers,but springtime is made up of showers and peeks of sunshine.no flowers yet in the yard but it won’t be too long now. i find them in places where i didn’t plant any thanks to the furry friends that roam our yard, it is always a nice suprise to find these flowers in random places in the yard. your teacups are really pretty and a nice green colored herb tea would look great in them. as always thanks for sharing
What a wonderful party we had (I felt like I was there). Just love to read what goes on in your life. Thanks for the chance to win….have a great day
The photos of you party look wonderful. So pretty and romantic! The food looked so delicious. I know you and your guests had a great time. I would love the cups and saucers that are a part of you. Thanks for the time you take in writing the blog and Willard. They make my day and help me remember that it is the simple things in life that are the best.
Happy Anniversary! I love your blog…..makes me feel like I just finished going to the Breakfast Party of my dreams. Gorgeous table settings with the chintz dinnerware (my favorite), beautiful flowers, and the wonderful menu. I can’t wait to see what you do next year for your Anniversary Party. P.S. I would be honored to receive and be able to use YOUR chintz teacups and saucers at my next party.
Oh it will be “only” our 26th next year, not as important as 25th! Although we did a pretty good job on our 9th . . . I think we have to be in the mood!
What a beautiful life! Thanks for giving us a look at all the fun-love the Johnson Brothers Chintz tea cups!!
Hugs!
Debbie
Your table setting was so beautiful. And now I want buttermilk biscuits. And bacon and sausage and etc. I love the idea of a breakfast party.
Especially since breakfast comes easier to me to cook than dinner. Yours looks like a treat to recreate and I am especially excited about the Breakfast book! 🙂
Susan, I was already planning not to wait until the first day of Spring to change my decor. I thought the first week of March would be good. But now I think I shan’t even wait that long! We’re predicted to have 69 degrees here in Maryland on Thursday! You can expect I’ll have my windows open (it’ll be warmer outside than I keep my house in winter) and be pulling down all the winter decorations.
I love your decorated party diary. I’ve kept a plain old notebook variety for years just so I don’t keep feeding my guests the same thing each time. I’d never remember otherwise. I can’t draw a stitch, so I’ll have to get some of your stickers to embellish mine from now on.
As always I love all your paintings that you include in Willard. I keep hoping they’ll somehow sink into me and come out through my fingers one day!
That’s how I feel about French . . . like I should be able to speak it!
Funny you should mention French. That’s one of my projects this year–to learn French–but I haven’t been very faithful in doing the work to learn it. ☹
What a delightful way to celebrate your anniversary…very inspiring! Blessings to you both for another 25 years of wedded bliss!
Your breakfast party was absolute perfection! All those loving couples created a circle of love and friendship around your pretty-in-pink dining table. When I saw your tea cup giveaway my heart gave a little catch and I immediately thought “Mine! Mine!” – the Nimo response! Funny how easy it is to relate to those seagulls.;) Just returned from an overnight B&B getaway to the Oregon coast with two of my BFF college roommates (from 47 years ago!). Girlfriends just get better with time!
What an inspiration to break out ‘spring’. It’s coming, I can just feel it. Thankyou
Susan, you make me want to go home and set a very special table even if it’s just for my immediate family. Sometimes we get so busy in life that we forget to make things special. Thank you for the reminder and I love the cups! My best friend and I, who work together, try to have a “teatime” at the office when we can. It would be so awesome to be able to use your special cups, but of course it’s up to Vanna!
Hi Sue! Just have to tell you how much i love the pictures of your home! And how i almost fell off the chair when i saw your bird vases! I have some exactly the same. You inspire me to go buy some flowers and pull out a few special vases and start brightening my house!! Im so glad your party was so special! It looked very fun!!
I was one of your original “Willard” recipients via ‘real’ mail! I stumbled across your blog yesterday after a few years of wondering where you had gone! Oh happy day! Your recipes are the base of all of our holiday traditions. Yesterday, I purchased a keepsake set of cookbooks for my daughter since mine are a little…ummm…loved? Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous culinary talent and sense of style!
Thank you Sue, nice to see you here!
Yippppeeeeeee!!!! You went with pink!!! It is soooo lovely!!!!! I just love it!!!
My great aunt just recently mailed me my grandmothers old dishes that I have so many memories of sharing wonderful meals with my grandparents on. It was so heartwarming! I jsut love them so!! Well the se is a Tablemates Homestead collection in rose, which is almost identical to the Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz. Those two tea cups and saucers and all of their memories would fit so well in with my grandmothers set and all of their wonderful memories. They could “talk ” to each other, even if we can’t hear them 🙂
When is that Breakfast book coming out? 🙂
Fall!
I can’t wait!!! And holy cow!! The typos I had!! That is what I get for sneaking in your blog at work 🙂 LOL!!!
Nothing taste better than tea sipped in pretty tea cups and saucers. Especially when shared with a best girlfriend and shortbread cookies. Happy 25 Anniversary Susan and Joe. Blessings to you.
Thank you for sharing in the fun Susan!
How did Mr. Jack do on his walk – first time outside?
Sometime I’d love to hear about Lowely’s name – so intriguing!
You & Joe deserve a rest after all that! Did you love The Artist? I was charmed!
Happy Anniversary! I’m planning to steal your cork idea. My husband squirrels them away as well.
You don’t have to steal, love isn’t love til it’s given away! 🙂
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I feel like I was there. I have been keeping a “party journal” for years with holidays, special dinners, etc. After four boys, I now have a granddaughter and am suddenly drawn to pink! Loved the china and all the pink on the table. Never stop what you are doing!
What a treasure of a day ~ thank you for sharing it with us.
I have enjoyed all the blog material and have just purchased my family recipe book for my grand-daughter. She is going to enjoy all the comments given from aunties and gramma’s who have written their favorite recipes in her book.
Today I loved the party. What a good idea to keep track of your favorite ones. I LOVE pretty china and was delighted with the way the table looked
Everything looks wonderful, as always. But I do have a question. How was anyone able to walk after all that food!!! Good thing you had lots to talk about, or else you all would have been in a food coma :o)
It was close!
Just when I thought you can never out-do your own blogs – what a wonderful read and feast for our eyes. I love all of it. You have inspired me to “try” to come close to that for Easter. I’m going to try really hard to make something close to this. I just enjoy china, table settings, food and friends so – so much. Thank you so much for sharing all this love and inspiration AND your pretty china cups and saucers!
Happy Anniversary, Susan and Joe! Can you share one of your “ingredients” for a recipe to a happy marriage with us? There are many things that go into a happy marriage, it takes two, after all. Just wondering….I know that you keep romance alive….it just glows from your blog and your gorgeous photos. xoxo
Gorgeous table setting – Willard is full of spring, so looking forward
to it. I have my Grandmother’s cups and saucers that she collected
so they are all different, also some demitasse cups which make perfect
tea cups for my 4 grandaughters tea parties. Of course I would love to
win your tea cups. The tea parties are with me and special cookies etc,
also helps teach them good manners – started when they were about 3
years old.
Well darling girl you have done it again!! I love this post!! I know..I know.. I write this every time I leave a comment but I do. This is such a fun post I actually felt like I was there celebrating with you. Thanks so much!! The table, the dishes and the FOOD!!! OMG!! What a fabulous way to spend a Sunday!!! BTW, I am free every Sunday morning for your parties!! Tee Hee… 🙂 Thank you once again for being the sunshine in my day. Indiana is really gloomy today…well at least where I live it is!! Can’t wait for the recipes in your Breakfast Book!! Does it include the blueberry cinnamon jam? Did I read that right in your party diary? 🙂 P.S. Love the picture of Girl Kitty wrapped in your linen table cloth!! How precious!! Anyway, thank you again for always sharing!! GOD Bless!! Love and Hugs, Tricia B.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Thanks Tricia, and yes, the blueberry jam is there too!
Had to have been a lovely and memorable breakfast. Your pictures are so pretty.
Teacups are beautiful, send them to me!
Oh, my goodness, Susan! I found your website last night as I was pursuing my passion for anything Gladys Taber related–what a complete joy this this site is! I love it. Last week I was lucky enough to find a milk glass spooner in Gladys’ beloved “blackberry” pattern. It’s sitting here on my desk, and as I look at it I cannot help but think that Gladys would have adored this site, as well. I look forward to visiting here often–last night I called my husband of almost 46 years in and we both listened to “The Best Things in Life Are Free” while looking at your post about the moon (I printed off the free bookmark, too–thank you!) Happy Anniversary to you and Joe, and wishes for many, many more!
Thank you Shannon, always wonderful to welcome a fellow Gladys admirer!
Happiest Anniversary!! Your visual account of your party made me feel I was actually there. Thanks for sharing the deliciousness!
Sounds like it was amazing!! How lucky are you to be surrounded by such love AND how lucky are your guests to be a part of this!!
Thank you for sharing about your wonderful party celebrating love and friends. You have inspired me to throw a similar party. Might have to wait a month for a touch of spring to fill the room as it is still snowing here in NW Montana!
Everything looks just wonderful ! Happy Anniversary ! Your photos made me feel as though I was there celebrating with all of you ! Thanks for sharing ! Girl kitty is a cutie in the table cloth a cheeky girl she is ! Have a wonderful day !