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!
Beautiful party, beautiful dishes! Everything looks so springy, it makes even a winter lover like me look forward to warmer weather!
I have enjoyed reading about your trip to New York, the dinner out and walk home and now the celebration breakfast all centered around your love for each other. It has also caused me some pain as my dear husband of 35 years passed suddenly on January 6. We had been together since we were 14 and I miss him sooooo much!! Reading of the joy you and Joe have together fills my heart with gladdness so many marriages are unhappy ones. May you have many more happy celebrations. I love hearing of each and every one!!
So very sorry Linda, I can’t imagine how it must feel. Blessings to you. xoxo
My heart goes out to you Linda. Hugs from afar. Take care.
Oh Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. I also can’t imagine.
I’m sorry for your loss Linda.
Thank you, Susan, for the gorgeous pictures of your party and all the inspiration. I have Mason’s Pink Vista dishes which I got for a steal years ago. I need your two cups. They would be beautiful with it! 🙂
I love reading your newsy blog. The stars, the pictures of Martha’s Vineyard, all is so interesting. However, the music on Le Grenier’s website took my breath away! I have known that song forever, but never heard it “really” sung the right way. The epitome of romantic music. Thanks so much for all you share!
What a beautiful anniversary breakfast party, Susan! How fortunate your friends are (and I know you are blessed by them as well) to have been invited. Lovely table and scrumptious food….now I’m hungry! I think I need those cups and saucers to go along with my newfound love of Earl Grey Lavender Tea! Have a wonderful day! Look forward to what Willard will bring us!!! Thanks, love! xoxo…kp
Thanks for the lovely blog post, so cheery for the rather drab slushy/muddy/lightly-snowed-upon day we’re having here so far. Coming in here was like stepping into a bright ray of sunshine!
And thanks, too, for the opportunity to win those gorgeous cups and saucers – I adore them, pink and flowers are two of my very favorite things! Just have to throw my name into the hat for them, resistance is futile! Hugs! 🙂
Oh I so enjoyed the breakfast party,the table was beautiful, the music was entertaining,the food looked divine,how I would have loved to be there,but thank for pictures, I feel like spring is in air.Happy Anniversary
The LOVE/SPRING TIME breakfast party was lovely. The flowers were lovely too. So nice to see them all. You set a beautiful table. Thank you for sharing it all with us. Happy Anniversary!!
Hi Susan
Everything looked so sumptious that I must now go and cook myself some breakfast-not as much as yours, but maybe some bacon,pancakes and syrup and some fresh tea. Thanks for the wonderful pictures and inspiration.
See you later
Susan M
Susan ~ Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful breakfast with us – sure does look like spring has arrived in your home. Hope I can incorporate some of your ideas for our 40th anniversary next month.
I can imagine sharing a cup of tea in the rose cups with a special friend – or with my 3 month old granddaughter when she can actually hold a cup!!
Oh no, I think I commented on the wrong post!!! Talking about Johnson Bros. dishes must have made my head spin, thinking about teapots and teacups…So I want to make sure Vanna has a chance to draw my name! Thank you for sharing your pretties with all your girlfriends in blogland!
Breakfast…my favorite meal of the day. I was just salivating! That is why I can’t wait for your new book! Date, please?? The table was stunningly beautiful and comfortable. I especially noted the chocolate kisses. I always have them spread around when I have company over for anything…chocolate kisses are a must and says love, love, love!!! Your beautiful pictures bring us right into the event…thank you for sharing your lovely day.
Susan, I can’t wait til your Breakfast books comes out!!! In an earlier post you had mentioned Earl Grey Lavendar tea, so when I found some I bought it.. haven’t tried it but I am going to try it today!! 🙂
mmmmmm!
What a glorious brunch with SpRiNg weather…your table was perfect and I could smell the delicious food…what fun with good friends…ahh…tis what life is about…beautiful fresh white snow on the ground here in Minnesota with more on the way…I’m actually enjoying it from inside looking out…SOOOO glad you got a nap after the brunch…waiting for “The Artist” to get to this tiny town…can’t wait for Willard…thanks for sharing…
OMGoodness! Those teacups and saucers are just too gorgeous! I collect them, and they would be a treasured addition to my gems!
I adored your blog today! I just loved your table setting, and reading all the wonderful juicy details of your anniversary party! How fun! I love when I get a Willard, or a blog entry notice, that means some quiet time with Susan! 🙂
I’d love to come to brunch at your house!!! Everything looked wonderful!!! I tried your blueberry corn cakes and they are amazing…… There is nothing like a beautiful set table with fresh flowers, friends and the husband you love. Congratulations!!! I collect tea cups and have been admiring your china set from many of your blogs. I’d love to win them….. who knows this just may be my time!!!
Thanks for all you share with us…….
Susan, I have a large Johnson Brothes Platter that was my grandmothers. It has two turkeys on it. I mostly use it at Thanksgiving. I also have the Friendly Village pattern. Very sorry to hear they are now made in China. Your table was so lovely. You always make us feel like we were there with you. Happy Spring to you and all the Girlfriends! Kisses to the Kitties!
In Indiana we are really ready for spring. Thanks for inspiring ideas to get in the mood. Loved to see your breakfast party.
Susan Branch I love you! Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life. Your news and pictures brighten my day in so many ways. I will be forever grateful for your generous nature and sweet spirit.
Love, love, love the Johnson Brothers cups. Sooooo pretty.
A beautiful party! The flowers, food, china … everything looks gorgeous. Thanks for inviting us to your party. “Mix and Match” seems to be my middle name anymore but you always make it work perfectly. Willard is awaiting … A wonderful day to you, Sue, and to all the Girlfriends.
Jackie in Las Vegas
The brunch sounds wonderful. A beautiful table and the food looked pretty good too! Happy Anniversary! <3
Glory! Happy 25th Anniversary, lovebirds! I, too, covet the teacups. When I saw them, I muttered, “My Precious”!
I have a guest book that helps me relive good gatherings in our home. I’m now going to add more party details to really capture those warm memories. Pages to cherish!
LOL. My precious!
Love those cups and saucers….thanks for sharing with one of us lucky people!
Lorie
Beautiful dishes. I collect cups and saucers and tea pots. They make you feel
so warm. We always celebrate Easter with a large brunch. Love breakfast. Thanks for the pictures.
Lana
oh what fun! i must have a sunday morning breakfast party soon! those tea cups are beautiful and would fit right in with my eclectic collection of 12 cups with saucers, salad plates, teapot, coffee pot, tiered plates, sugar/creamer set, salt/pepper cellars, and multiple serving dishes. nothing matches, but i have a running theme through all of it…it must be bone china, be rimmed in gold, and be floral or friut in pattern. i have been collecting it all for the last 12 years. it all looks so pretty topgether in its own mixed matched way. thanks for sharing your party!
Hearts and flowers just right for an anniversary of two lovers!
Susan, I smell the air, still a little to chilly to open doors around here but getting close. Smell-a-vision I’m ready, table and food looked great what a happy time. Loved Willard could read all day,Thanks!!!!. 5 more mo. and look out Cape here I come can’t wait!!!!! Have a great day.
What a lovely day to welcome Spring-like weather, good friends, and love! Adore the teacups – and yes, if they could only talk!
Happy Anniversary! You have spring fever just like me. I absolutely love Kitty Girl and Jack. I can’t have pets where I live and I enjoy seeing them on your blog. Kitty Girl all wrapped up in your table cloth. Just love it!
What a BEAUTIFUL and LOVING table-I would love to give the teacups a good home!
What is the name of the china under the grapefruit? That is so pretty and goes so well with your Rose Chintz!
Many more happy years with your Joe is what I wish you! :o)
It’s also Johnson Brothers, called Dorchester! Thank you Cheryl!
Loved the Willard, love this post! And I think: if she could add aromas to her posts, wouldn’t we just swoon from sensory overload! You’d have a lot of girlfriends in a faint. Love all the descriptions, art, and photos. Thank you, thank you, Susan, for sharing all this loveliness with us!
The teacups are BEEEEEEUUUUUUtiful! And, what a great idea, to start a party journal!
Susan, you always speak to my heart! I loved you post today, all about love…the love you and Joe share, the love of friends, the love of food to not only nourish the body but the soul as well, and the love of beauty.
When I entertain, be big or small, I always set my table first thing in the day (sometime even the night before) so that I can enjoy its beauty and it gives my joy and excitement of the party to come.
Thank you from sharing your heart to bless the hearts of others.
Nubby
What a wonderful celebration! Congratulations to both of you! And Girl Kitty and Jack,too, of course.
LOVE those teacups and saucers….please include me in the random give away. Your party was delightful…I’m sure. You make everything seem so easy, thanks for sharing.
Susan, What a lovely party! Reminds me to plan more of them. I was just invited to a Friday night dinner party with two other couples. On our way, we were dragging and tired but when we got there we had so much fun and asked the question, “Why don’t we do this more often?” The hostess told us that her parents did this every Friday night of her childhood! 🙂 Anyway, your party is yet another reminder to live life to the fullest and to squeeze the joy from each day. Thank you! <3 I also wanted to chime in and agree with the cutting each segment apart for grapefruit. My mom taught me the same thing and it makes a delicious morning treat! LOVED your party and your party book! Thank you! ~Beth
good morning susan, hello everyone!! oops looks like i’m late on this one, sorry but miss kitty went into heat and for the past 3 nights little to no sleep for us so i am a bit sleep deprived!!! lovely table, beautiful flowers, yummy menu and cute tablecard holders. Happy Mardi Gras everyone, let the good times. i’m off for a nap. hugs…… 😉
Did you say your next book is a breakfast book??? Oh my, bring it on! I think breakfast is one of the most wonderful concepts. Your Sunday breakfast looked amazing and it inspires me to pull out the best for my family more often. Of course, t’would be easier with those beautiful cups!! 🙂
Ohhh something with magic right in it! If only I could be so lucky! xo
Dearest Susan,
Your anniversary/Valentine breakfast party gives me much inspiration for the tea party I’m planning for spring. Those lovely cups and saucers would fit right in my little vintage tea cup collection. Thank you for your love and inspiration.
Your table looked so beautiful and just looking at the food you served is making me hungry and I have already had my breakfast!
So happy to see you are writing a Breakfast Book … My favorite meal to serve … that is, after tea 🙂 Any chance your next book will be a Tea Book? You are an amazing hostess and inspiration to so many. Thanks for all the creative ideas! Would love to add those beautiful Rose Chintz teacups to my lifelong teacup collection. Each one has a story to tell. And “Remember the tea kettle- it is always up to it’s neck in hot water, yet it still sings!” ♥
I loved your set table, your little friends (Miss Kitty and Jack of course), but I really love stealing a glimpse at your most adorable stove….strange I know, but I do love those stoves.
Blessings,
Cindy♥
I understand totally!!
How lovely! Thank you for sharing your beautiful love/anniversary/Valentine’s Breakfast Party with all of us. I know it was a lovely time with friends and the one you love. I miss my own love who has been gone for 6 years now, but can enjoy a loving time vicariously with you and Joe. I would love to win the teacups and saucers. They will go beautifully with my Therese Bavarian China set. It was my mother’s, so I have enjoyed it all my life. Happy day to you, Joe, and those kitties, Girl and Jack. xoxoxo
I enjoyed the party : ). Congratulations on your anniversary!
Hi Susan,
Ah, lovely spring. And a perfect party to go along with it. Can’t wait for your new cookbook. I have all of your other books (I know, everyone says this but its true!) and like the way you put food together. I have had fun over the years using your recipes.
We are going to be 60 degrees today! Unreal. I need to go out and see if my “daffies” are coming up.
Have a wonderful day.
xoxo Pam
Part of the job of daffodil ownership is to just stare at them! At least it’s like that around here!
Hello Susan, I love making parties …..but never thought to document them in a sweet little book all their own. Oh, I am so going to do that from now on. Thanks for the idea. Years ago I noticed a friend’s cookbook filled with her notations……served this with creamed spinach for Mom’s 80th, etc. So, now I also use my cookbooks as workbooks adding all sorts of info re: substitutions, who & when I served it to, the rest of the menu and what wine we had, etc.
Your message today is chock full of so much “eye candy” that I keep going back to the photographs to look again. Those singing bird vases are darling. I’m sure they were singing right along with Jimmy. Thanks for a good time….. feel like I need to send you a hostess gift! (I won’t) Also, thanks for the chance to drink from your special tea cups. As always, DonnaRay
Thank you! Love the thoughts!
What a Fun idea to have a breakfast party!! Love it!! And your dishes are Sooo Pretty! Your table looks absolutely Gorgeous all decked out in pink! Fun to see how Jack and Girl Kitty helped you set up, too! 🙂 Love how you keep a journal about your parties, too! Great idea! How did you get that wonderful photo of your table from above? (on a ladder??) It looks like it should be in a magazine! Your blog does wonders for the soul….thanks for sharing your life with us. I almost feel like we’re pen-pals! (remember those?)
I sure do, still have one, although now she’s more than a pen pal! I just held the camera up high to take that picture!
Just love your blog and Willard. What lovely parties you must have. I love to entertain and reading your blogs gives me such inspiration. Thank you so much! Have a beautiful spring!
I enjoyed your party. Everything looked so good and I know a good time was had by all. Love the tea cups. Can hardly wait for WILLARD.
Cynthia N.
as always, your posts leave me yearning to do a little bit more in my life; live more, love more, laugh more, see friends more, travel more, etc. such an inspiration! and your two cups would add more to my collection, too! they are beautiful! thanks for the chance to win!
Sharon B.
Sigh! this blog was almost as good as being there! Beautiful!!! 😉
Oh, W i l l l l l a r d, where are you? Sounds like I’m missing some Springtime specialness. Come on, fella, there’s snowflakes flying here….. I need your happiness!
Susan, can’t wait to see your Breakfast Book, you temptress, you!
As always, DonnaRay
Well, I must say that looking at your photos not only makes me hungry, it inspires me to do a spring brunch sometime coming up… Your table was beautiful–the dishes/flowers/centerpieces but also the food–a feast for eyes as well as stomachs! 🙂 Have you ever seen that movie “Babbet’s Feast”? I can see both of your past food experience in play here…Would LOVE to be a guest at one of your parties! 🙂 I will look forward to getting your recipes when the book comes out! Thanks for sharing with us… 🙂
Fabulous movie, yes, loved it!
Man oh man!!!! What a spread…the only thing missing was the placecard with
‘Karen’ on it……..
Thanks for inviting us to your party! Could almost taste all the goodies! Deelish! Happy spring and another milestone!
Wonderful post about your breakfast with your friends…..it does look like so much fun. The attention to detail is wonderful…I need to start doing that. The giveaway is extremely generous. Susan, I literally can’t breathe looking at those teacups. So pretty. PG Tips is my favorite tea as well and I’ll be stocking up in June when we go over to see my father-in-law. xx
OMG I am in awe of all the great looking food! Beautiful table you set. I would love to win the cups and saucers. I have just starting collecting the Rose Chintz and have 1 plate and 1 bowl…
That’s the Glory of Love=that’s the glory of life for sure! I so enjoy all your posts but this one especially reminded me of how much all the care and attention to details enhance our lives. The dishes are beautiful… the food choices wonderful… and I love the idea of the party diary/scrapbook. Thank you for sharing it all !
What a wonderful breakfast party. Thanks for all the photos and description Susan, I felt I was part of it. The cups and saucers are beautiful, you really are a very generous person.
Oh, what a trifecta of love…a Willard, a new blog post, AND a giveaway! Those dishes would be loverly with my pink and white transfer ware! 🙂 I like how you chronicle your best gatherings in a book. I may have mentioned before that I have a special picnic basket that I write the date of our special gathering on the lid and have my guests sign it. I have such fond memories when I see their names signed and where we were. Some of these dear folk have now passed on but they live on in my heart. Picnics were a special part of our lives growing up. Mom would have spontaneous ones any day the weather looked promising….even in February in Oklahoma! Life is good. Thank you, Susan, for being part of what makes it so good and to all the other girlfriends out there sharing!
Oh how pretty and cheerful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful party and reminding me of our Christmas morning brunches before the grandchildren arrived. I love gathering the beloved dishes and silver that bring back lovely memories of family gatherings. I love reasons to celebrate! Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary! We’ll celebrate our 44th in July and I’m thinking that a breakfast with family will be a perfect party! And I love pink, too! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your anniversary breakfast party details with us. As always, I’ve come away inspired.
Must share that I accompanied my husband last week for a business trip to beautiful San luis Obisbo. We went a day early and explored Cambria with the charming shops and walked along Moonstone Beach. While he was at meetings on the other days I headed out to Avila Beach and Arroyo Grande (thought about you and your former shop somewhere along Branch Street) and, of course, all of the sights in San Luis Obisbo. It was all so beautiful with warm temperatures, flowers blooming, ocean waves crashing…A lovely escape.
Your offer of two teacups from your own collection is so generous. I’m excited to have the chance to enter the give-away! Many thanks!
Such a pretty part of the world!
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, your photos, your stories, your life. It inspires me.
I always get so excited when I see your new Blog Post waiting for me to read and you didnt disappoint this time. What a fabulous Anniversary Breakfast Party. The food looked good enough to eat.. hee hee…What lucky Friends you have. 🙂 You make life so special everyday and even more so on special ocassions. Thanks for sharing your special day with us. LOVE those dishes. So glad you used the Pink. 🙂
Thanks for the breath of fresh air and romance. It’s not too springy here, so it was good to escape for a few minutes with Willard and the Blog. May you and Joe have many more years of happiness! By the way, the cups and saucers would be made perfectly at home with the one’s from my Mom in the cupboard.
I do so love your blogs. They really make my day and this one is especially nice since you are celebrating your anniversary. Happy Anniversary! I hope you and
Joe have many more. The teacups are wonderful. I collect dishes and teapots and things so I hope I win. They will go nicely with what I have.
Mary
I love the teacups and saucers! Reading your blog is a bright spot in my day. I read it during a break at work and it is like a mini gettaway. Hope I win!
Thank you for all the wonderfulness you have brought into my life over the years. Your books have been an inspiration and joy! Love your blog and Willard! juliet p.
OH Susan, what a lovely brunch! Everything looked so beautiful, I wouldn’t want to mess it up. What a generous give-away you are having…..I am keeping my fingers crossed and really hoping I win! Have a wonderful day!
oops it got lost again. good morning everyone, lovely table, beautiful flowers, the food looks delicious and the placecard holders are cute. just got our neweat kitty her appointment for shots and spaying, i hope we can hang on until thursday. she went into heat saturday night and we have had little to no sleep since, so hopefully we can hold on and after thursday things will be quieter. hugs….. 😉
Hi Susan: Happy Anniversary! Your breakfast party looked so very lovely and the food looked so yummy! Followed by a nap and going to the movies, what better way to spend a day! How did you enjoy the movie? I haven’t had the chance to go see it yet, but I here it is great movie. Thanks for sharing you wonderful day! Take care, Kim
It’s pretty wonderful! Must have been really fun to act in! Faces had to say everything!
Love your party table setting! I have pink flowered dishes as well as a rose colored bedspread…never thought of using that as a tablecloth. I am going to try it on Easter. I love your blog as well as your products. I especially love the scrapbook cook book from your line…spent a winter assembling all our family favorites in that..:)
Easter is such a fun time to decorate for!
I agree with you, 10 is a perfect number for a dinner party. Had friends over a week ago Sunday – all sat around the table and we talked and laughed and had a great time (the Champagne helped too). Nothing is better than friends and food.
I am breathless. I am speechless. And now I have to go back and look at all the pretty pictures again while kicking myself for every cork I have tossed away over the years. (Okay, speech recovered) What a grand party! I could FEEL the fun. To top off a perfect morning with The Artist….wow. Splendid. That movie moved me to tears. A beautiful day from start to finish.
I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and I am so hooked on it! I love the artwork (flowers) and all your pix are just great. Your Kitty is such a character! I just loved those cups and saucers. They would feel right at home here in our little house. Keep up the great blog, I really enjoy it.
Happy to hear it Alma!
I agree–there should be more entertaining with brunches. Everything before, during and after just seems more relaxed. And I SO wish I had started a little journal/diary of the meals we have served guests (and their preferences!) My mother has done it for years and it has been so handy for her. Maybe it’s not too late to start 🙂
Such a surprise to get to the giveaway at the end. But it doesn’t matter–would read through to the end, anyway!
Thanks!
P.S. Saw a single, cheerful little yellow crocus blooming happily on a small hillside on our walk to Hardings Beach, yesterday. Wish I had taken a picture.
What a pretty sight, love crocuses!
Yum! Am quite hungry now….and looking forward to the new book! But the real fun, is of course, the SHARING with loved ones. Adorable pics as usual!! 🙂
I would love to win these tea cups! They are just gorgeous and soooooo springy!
Donna B.
Massachusetts
Happy belated anniversary! We to are enjoying a mild winter.!
I lobe those dishes and thanks for the opportunity to own some!
Laura J.B.
Yours was the happiest table to see and enjoy, and the aromas from your kitchen reached me in Connecticut! Can never tire of Girl Kitty and that JACK, as they make your day complete (and mine, too)! SO many thanks for sharing your special day!
Oh, Susan, what a beautiful party! …. and with such delicious breakfast food! Such a pretty sideboard. What I loved most is hearing that you and Joe washed dishes, got to read the paper, take a nap, and see a good movie. Such a nice ending to a perfect, perfect day. (Happy 25th Anniversary).
Happy Anniversary! And many, many more ……(we’re working on #41!) Your table and flowers looked lovely, and my husband even stopped to check out the food…….he wants all your recipes! When does the Breakfast book come out?!
And your teacups are so pretty! Thanks for the chance to win them!
What a beautiful breakfast party! I love this blog post; I feel I am there seeing how it’s done.
Your menu has me drooling! I hope these recipes will be in your Breakfast
book.
Just curious…what is the name/mfg of the plate under the pink grapefruit
photo? It compliments your JB Rose Chintz pattern but is not the same one.
I would enjoy a chance to win your tea cups and saucers!
It’s also Johnson Brothers, called Dorchester . . . I only have that one … was using it to catch the juices while I was cutting the grapefruit!
wow, wow and more wow!!!
Your anniversary post was a feast for the senses! You are my hero! I loved everything about your breakfast anniversary party, from the tablecloth to the dishes, to the flowers and the food. What a beautiful, genuine celebration of love! And a giveaway too? How I would love to win your rose chintz teacups! Whenever I see them in your posts, my eyes sparkle! Crossing my fingers… xoxo
Your table looked so pretty, springy, festive. Love the teacups. Thanks for the chance to win.
What a beautiful post! Your pictures are so pretty of all the dishes and flowers. The food looks yummy! Makes me want to cook some delectable breakfast dishes. Thanks for all the lovely inspiration, Susan. Hugs from Barbara in Cumming, GA
Hi Susan,
Your anniversary breakfast looks wonderful. I would love to have the Rose Chintz dishes. If I am not a winner I will be looking for them at antique stores and such. The right dishes and decorations make all the difference. Thank you for your great pictures.
Mary Alice
Your beautiful tea cups and saucers remind me so very much of sharing tea with my English Grandma every week as I grew up back in the 50’s & 60’s. Your pink table setting takes me back to those lovely days. Thank you for giving us so much love and joy and beauty . It all makes my heart just want to burst with happiness. You are my kindred spirit.
Your table scape is the stuff of dreams! What a pleasure to be allowed a peek!
What a gorgeous table! just as i imagined it (except for the centerpiece…which was perfect, by the way!!!). Looks like a wonderful morning. I can almose smell the bacon, sausage and steak! Delish!!! ….now, about those teacups & saucers! Simply lovely…so, Vanna, spin that wheel and draw my name! ♥
btw….what’s the update on the new book????? xoxo me
One page at a time, all those recipes for the breakfast are from it!
Happy Anniversary Susan!!!! And happy spring!!!!!
Time to put out cherry blossoms!!!!
Happy Anniversary Susan! Today is mine and my husband’s 2 year anniversary 🙂 we have a beautiful daughter who is turning 2 in June AND a son due to be born in July. we are very blessed! I pray that you and your husband are too 🙂
Happy Anniversary and Happy Baby World too! Thanks for taking the time to say hello! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your anniversary celebration!
Hope you enjoy many more wonderful years together 😉
Oh my goodness! Everything looked wonderful…and appetizing. Your photography is just a bit too good…know what I mean? Thanks so much.
It’s all the camera . . . I just point it in the right direction!
Didn’t mean to post again, but Jimmy Durante’s “Glory of Love” kept running through my mind and I KNEW I remembered it from something else since I never saw the movie, Orphan. Then it came to me–it was the theme song from “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Loved that movie and certain scenes still bring a tear to my eye. In his day, Sidney Poitier was THE BEST actor!
Beautiful too!
What a lovely party! You certainly know how to make a celebration. I would love the teacups. Beautiful flowers, and cute kitties!
Susan and Joe….Happy Anniversary to you both! Isn’t breakfast just the best way to entertain friends and family….I loved your beautiful spread! The cups and saucers are a lovely giveaway and look oh, so romantic…love them!
What a great celebration that you can share with friends you care about and they care about you too. Beautiful breakfast, beautiful table…and I’m certain, a wonderful luscious food. Spring, just around the corner and your table with sunny daffodils, roses, what better way to celebrate the awakening of a new year! Thank you for sharing with us.