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!
Congrats on your 25th! What a lovely celebration, your quests tummies must have been very happy!
WoW! What a spread! I’m glad you went with the pink theme.
I don’t “need” anymore teacups but they are so perfectly beautiful I had to throw my name in for this drawing. Oh Please “Vanna” pick me, pick me!!!!!
Hi Susan!
A breakfast party is a wonderful idea! I’ll be looking forward to getting your new breakfast cookbook when it comes out as I loved all the foods you showed today that you served at your party.
My husband and my one and only cruise was on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. It was a 14 day autumn foliage sail from New York to New England and Canada. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. It was a lovely experience and we enjoyed every moment. One of my favorite moments was waking up one morning , opening the curtain and seeing the Portland Head light in Maine flashing its light towards us! I also loved that a herd of dolphins followed the ship for part of the ride in the St. Lawrence River towards Quebec.
Reading your blog always makes me reminisce, Susan. I feel like we are good friends having a chat.
Hugs,
Pat
We came back from England once on the Queen Mary…the staterooms were so beautiful . . . that sounds like a wonderful trip! Fourteen days of that would work for me!
Lovely ! my swedish mormor had these dishes , johnson was her name , reminds me of her cozy pantry..
Oh, my goodness! Here you are “in the flesh”. I’ve just found your blog but have been loving your cookbooks for years and years, now. (Loving them to death, actually. Poor dears!)
I so appreciate you!!!
Love from,
one of your adoring mob. =]
Love my mob! xoxo
All lovely and pink and beautiful….what a wonderful way to spend an anniversary. Lovely friends and great food….yummy…
I love tea out of beautiful teacups! What a great breakfast party – thanks for sharing with us!
What a wonderful party! You make everything seem so easy when it comes to throwing a party. What a pretty table, especially Girl Kitty 🙂 Sounds like it was a wonderful day. Now after seeing those pictures, I can’t wait for the new book!! Oh, and I am also jealous that the previous owners of our house did not leave me a beautiful sideboard -hahaha 🙂
Hi Susan,
Oh I absolutely LOVE dishes! I have loved them since I was a little girl. I really enjoyed your Valentine’s Day party. Thanks for inviting me!
Happy Spring!
JoAnn
Oh my goodness!! I make 801 comment maker – hope that brings me good luck!! Your Love party sounded absolutely delightful. Lived in Florida some time and never heard anyone have tangerine juice – yummy!! And I also cut around each little section of grapefruit, so nice for the guests! The table was absolutely beautiful but had to giggle in the very beginning, I thought Kitty Girl was wrapped in the matelasse for the table – whew!! LOL!! Can’t believe it was nice enough to have the door open.
What a beautiful gift to give to some blessed person – I would be over the top thrilled if it were I!!
Thank you for sharing your day, and I did go back to check how you brewed tea with the little spoon, but my puter was acting up and would not let me reply for some silly reason – techno, I’m not!! xo
Might have been the gremlins who live in this blog . . . once in a while they take over and wreak havoc!
my annniversary was feb.10,been married 8 years. congrats to u and joe! the flowers are beautiful and so is your home.
Congratulations to you too Vivian!
Wow! So generous of you to depart with a set of teacups! It sounds too good to be true! <3
Susan as I sit in my chair reading your blog, I am magically whisked away. A delightful, mental vacation that rejuvenates my soul. Thank you for sharing. Thank you also for the music!
So glad you like it! I never know if people enjoy it or not, so it’s good to hear.
Happpppy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories with all of us! Your pictures of your home, kitchen, menu, flowers etc. are so vivid! Your pictures are how I imagine the ideal bed and breakfast to be! (If you decide to open one-the waiting list will be years long!:})
Your meal looked wonderful-I enjoyed the pictures-zero calories-the best!
If I was 30 years younger, I might just do it!!! 🙂 I need a clone (she whines for the 200th time).
Oooooo! I’m so excited! A new book to look forward too ~ a Breakfast Book!! Yay!
Two beautiful cups and saucers what a lovely addition they would be!
How wonderful would it be to sit down with a cup of tea across the table from you or in your study and simply observe you at work. Your work is simply beautiful. I’m always in awe when I see someone with talent such as yours, especially since I can’t even draw a stick figure!
Thank you for sharing!
Were you singin “I feel pretty…Oh so pretty!” as you set the table cause your table took my breath away. And you’re GIVING away two magic teacups? increíble! Merci de poster ces photos et de bonnes pensées.
It is always a special joy to read your blog, and this one was so full of ideas. I can hardly wait to start recording some of the special meals and parties I have shared with special guests too. The pictures and music you include with your accounts make us feel like we have shared this experience with you and had our names on one of those little place cards also. Thank you, Susan, for sharing with us so warmly. The table setting was lovely and I’m sure enhanced the love in the room too. Cannot wait for your new book! Phyllis
Love that you liked it!
i’m away visiting my mom in florida and i should be a good girl and visit but i can’t tear myself away, everything is so beautiful and romantic. love it!
I just love your blog! Always beautiful and inspiring. Your food looked delish! How I wish I could come to one of your parties! The dishes are beautiful….I love pink too. I referred someone to your blog the other day. I was trying to find a pair of pants and was calling stores all over the US. Guess where they were? At the Martha’s Vineyard store and I didn’t even know I was talking to someone on the island who has always lived there. My pants were 1/2 price and we talked about the island. She knew of you but didn’t know of your blog….so I told her! She was glad to know. Still hope to get to visit the island someday!
That’s so funny! Small world!
What a wonderful celebration of LOVE!! I love that you wrote about your Anniversary Brunch in a special journal. It’s the perfect way to enjoy these cherished memories and dear friendships again and again! I will definitely begin a “Celebrations” journal of my very own. Many thanks for the great idea, Susan! I recently began to collect antique tea cups. At the moment, there are four tea cups, each very different, with a special memory of the time and place where I bought them. When I retire from teaching in May, I’m looking forward to so many tea celebrations with friends! Can’t wait for your new book!! Dawn
The collecting is so much fun! Happy retirement!
Your words were like a breath of fresh air and a warm hug! To read your Williard and about your lovely anniversary party…the music you reminded us to play while reading—it was so sweet that I even cried a little. It’s grey and still dreary in Illinois today, but your pictures were such a treat! Sweet cats, delicious looking food, cups of warm tea so warm you can almost imagine the steam rising, roses and flowered trees, newness and youth everywhere! It was all so dreamy that I was transported to springtime and to all that makes this time of year so special. Thank-you so much for the beautiful images–so perfect I could smell, taste, and nearly feel the purr of your feline friends. Today you brought a me little bit of Spring! It’s going to be wonderful when it actually arrives!
A little spring fever is a good thing! xoxo Kristin!
I would love to receive those magical teacups and saucers, from THE creator of the most delightful magic herself!! Happy Anniversary month to you and Joe and wishing you many, many more years of magical memories! XO
Another PERFECT blog! You and Joe put on quite a spread… its elegant! fun! tasty! beautiful! relaxing! joyful! loving! and sooooo special. I know there was a lot of work behind the scenes but you make it look oh, so easy!! What a GREAT idea to keep a “party book”! ( I can’t even keep a Christmas card list!) You are something else Lady! 🙂 Love and hugs to you! xoxox
Rose Chintz teacups? Yes, PLEASE!
Sigh…what a lovely pah-ty. Perfection.
Pattie
I love, love the Johnson Bros. Dishes and would love to be a winner. Even if I am not, I just enjoy seeing your beautiful home and the place that you live. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, what wonderful gathering. I felt as though I was preparing for the event right along with you. Unlike my usual fretting about getting everything done and being just perfect when I host, I was finding myself so relaxed and believing everything would beautiful and tasty! Thank you for sharing your preparations and letting me “tag along” with you! What a pleasure it was!
I would love to be able to set a table to look like that! I have been collecting a pattern of dishes called “Amy” from a company called Harker. I recently found in an antique store, a bunch of plates and bowls that match! Someday I will use them all and set a beautiful table.
Dear Susan,
I fell in love with the rose chintz tableware in a lovely country wedding piece that Country Living had in 1985. When I planned my wedding 3 years later I used as many of the ideas as I could: pink gingham, pink dresses with eyelet trim for my little girls, basket weave frosting on the cake…somehow I never got the dishes. What a wonderful memory; thanks for sharing your anniversary.
PS I keep our get-togethers in your Celebrations book!
WOW, lovely doesn’t do your “party” justice. I am even more impressed with how neat you keep everything while cooking so many different items. I really like the idea of a brunch party that way you truely get to celebrate the ENTIRE day..FUN FUN FUN. The china is beautiful, the older I get the more I enjoy “girly” things and I do believe I would enjoy starting a collection of beautiful dishes. I really think your cups and saucers are sweet. Thanks for sharing the tails of your fun life..
I feel like I was on a mini vacation just by reading this blog! Thank you for sharing your world.
I also enjoy setting the table like you. But I don’t have the lovely chintz dishes that you do. I would be happy with the two tea cups. Happy Anniversary!
What a beautiful and yummy looking party. Isn’t great how are pets like to get right in the middle of the action? It’s almost like they just know something special is about to happen. Thanks for the bird’s eye view of your romantic party…congrats to you and your husband!
Oh my goodness, your breakfast table setting was beautiful and the food looked amazing. What fun!
SueSue you sure do know how to throw a party! Yum yum yummy! I am definitely inspired to ‘put on the fluff” for a lovely brunch the next time my cherubs are all home! I don’t have pretty pinks like you, guess I should check out tag sales this Spring!!” Many Happy- returns- of- the- day” for you and Joe celebrating another Anniversary.
Gotta go check out some of your other posts for more ideas!! TTFN Chrissy
I have been so yearning for spring, and Willard made me wish for it even more. Thank you for all of the pictures and fun ideas.
Love the teacups and saucers!!! Oh, how I wish I was at your party, everything looks beautiful. I am glad you have a wonderful anniversary party!! Beautiful pictures!!
Happy Anniversary Susan and Joe!!!! Your breakfast looked so yummy! I love blintzes also but have to admit there wasn’t anything on the menu I didn’t like! It’s funny but I have a grapefruit knife that I got when I was married with a knife set. The other knives are long gone but that little grapefruit knife is still with me. I’ve carried it halfway round the world to Okinawa twice and I hope I have it forever. It’s one of those things I don’t use everyday but it’s there when I need it. I also loved the applesauce. I like mine chucky also with lots of cinnamon! The cups are beautiful. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. *L* Have a good day tomorrow all.
The table setting was amazing, so many pretty things to see. The rose chintz dishes combined with the pink depression glass go so well together. Looking forward to your new breakfast book! Happy Anniversary and many, many more!
Reading your account of getting ready and having your wonderful Valentine/Anniversary/ Spring celebration, I felt I was there with you enjoying the fruits of your labour! Your dedication to keeping romance alive is appreciated!
Thanks so much!
Elly
What a bunch of food. Yummy. I love all the pink dishes. My most favorite color. Thanks for sharing your lovely morning.
Dear Susan, “Thank You” for letting me peek in your window…it sure looks lovely and smells deelicious! It’s not “Thanksgiving”… even better, It’s the HOUSE of LOVE!!! :.D Your mama must have taught you the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…Because you truly live your life that way!!!!!! You ALWAYS take the TIME to make US feel special and loved!!!! And WE love YOU!!!!!!
XOXO !
Congratulations to you and Joe, Susan. May you have many more wonderful days together!
Are you coming to the big antique show in SLO this spring? Last year you came on the day I couldn’t make it but hope springs eternal!!
Margaret
So far I don’t think I’ll be there, but that could change if I get the book done in time!
I will keep hoping to see you. I was at the book signing at the store in AG and in the picture I’m sitting at the table behind you, because I use a walker and couldn’t get in line. Maybe I will be lucky again!
Hope so Margaret!
What a lovely breakfast table! I’m looking forward to the new cookbook now. Lemon, ricotta and basil sounds sooooo good!
Sing Ho, Girlfriends, indeed! What an inspiring and enlightening Willard! Spring is my favorite time of year, which is why I picked early May for our wedding in 2007. The beautiful flowers against the lush green is exactly what my soul longs for after a winter. I hope my pretty pink tulips & purple lilacs will bloom this year to remind me of how wonderful Spring, Spring, Spring is! Thank you for sharing your & Joe’s life with us. Your friendship is a treasure!
Lovely, fun party! Curious about Lowely’s name. I’ve not heard it before. Is there a story?
Her real name was Anna Lowell Finnerty. But Anna Lowell was her mom’s name too, so they called Lowely, Lowely . . .:-)
Happy anniversary! Your table was beautiful!! Reminded me of my grandmother and mother’s tables! Love that and miss it. Thanks for bringing that back. Love, love, love the cups!
What a beautiful, beautiful breakfast, it has inspired me to have one for my parents, my Mom has been sick and I think they would love a breakfast in there honor. Thank you for another inspiring idea.
Blessings to you and yours Jeanie.
So lovely, the china, the delicious food and the memories…happy anniversary…just love it all…looking forward to your new book and a cup of tea in your lovely tea cups filled with memories of previous times the cups were used with your friends and family…happiness to you…
Love those cups!! Beautiful day here,also. Saw 2 flocks of geese headed back north–spring is coming!!
Beeeaauuutiful…just beautiful! I love, love L*O*V*E the pictures; they always tell a story and this one was very romantic! Thank you for sharing your special breakfast with us….. Jack makes me smile. Just looking at Jack makes me smile. I would never get things done! A question for you: my two kittens (well, they are now 13 months old) will NOT leave any flower untouched. I always have fresh flowers in my house or should I say HAD fresh flowers in my house. Wolfie and Oksana love to sniff, bite and chew any and every blossom they find. Now I put flowers in the strangest places, but so far have not found a hiding place they haven’t gleefully located! They are gleeful; me, not so much!! What is your secret for keeping curious Jack away from the flowers? As much as I would love the perfectly darling teacups, I’d give them up to another if I could learn the “how to” on this problem!!
He hasn’t “discovered” flowers yet, or at least not so I can tell. What he does love is to dig in the dirt of a large potted plant I have on a side table in the dining room. He spreads the dirt over the linen tablecloth, and all over the floor, window sills, wall boards, like a ticker tape parade of DIRT. The fourth time, while we cleaned this up, Joe and I both yelled like wild bears, loud mountain lion growling, with furrowed brows pointed in Jacks direction, hopefully scaring the h. out of him. I’m sure we have damaged him psychologically for life, but it’s been three days since he went wild in the plant. We more or less allow him to tear the house apart, but this was going too far!
I’m sorry but I’m sitting here laughing–too funny to imagine you and Joe doing this to teach Jack a lesson…however, know how it is. I don’t laugh when little Miss Betti has gotten into my knitting bag and unrolled a ball of yarn all over the floor in a tangled mess when my back is turned…better luck to you than I’ve had…the temptation is too much for her! 🙂
We’re hoping the memory of the yelling, his only taste of it so far, will be indelibly engraved upon his little peanut brain!
Happy anniversary and many more! I hope all the recipes are in the new book. Thanks again for adding beauty to my day!
Oh the table looks perfect!! and to have your picture with it was the final touch from the heart. Loved it. The dishes are delicious!
Looks like a nice yummy gathering 🙂 Must do crepes… I keep saying I’m going to do them, but never do. I love them with strawberries, a pudding and cream filling and of course my hot fudge 😉 *drool*
Thanks for the post, Susan 🙂
Love,
Denise of Ingleside
Love the Rose Chintz dishes. What a fun idea — a brunch party! Thanks, Susan, for your wonderful blog and your many surprises.
Happy Anniversary, your table looks gorgeous. I enjoy reading your blogs, you give me such great inspiration. Keep up the great work. I hope I win!!! Lori
Thank you for “inviting” all of us to celebrate your anniversary and Valentine’s Day. It was lovely to be able to peek in on the beautiful table, flowers, settings and incredible food. To have the two teacups would be like bringing some of your party to my home.
Laurel
P.S. My hubby came home from the hospital and, knock on wood, is doing very well.
Happy to hear it, love to you both!
What a wonderful party! Made possible, of course, by the assistance of Jack and Girl Kitty.:-)
What wonderful dishes! To be able to add cups and saucers to my collection would be a source of great excitement!
Thank you for sharing your menu. It brings ideas to mind. Morning parties are good! The rest of the day is free.:-)
Susan you are such a giver! Not just your wonderful give aways, but the way you give yourself to us with each post. Love, love, love your pictures, music and the way you capture your day and hold us captive. I love going through your ‘looking glass’ (my computer screen) into your world. What a wonderful world (wish I could place some MUSICA here–a little Louie Armstrong?? Thank you for celebrating love the whole month of February and taking me with you. xoxo
Love having you Diane!
I have a small plate with this same pattern. Would love to add these. Your Breakfast party looked like a wonderful way to start the day!! Thanks for sharing your world.
I was just about ready for bed and realized I hadn’t “checked in with you” for a few days. It’s been such a treat to listen to the music and enjoy your breakfast party. You have the best giveaways ever- so thoughtful and unique.
Sweet dreams!
My husband gave me a set of Rose Chintz for Christmas!! My set came with 6 teacups and saucers so these two will feel right at home!! Thank you for all you do Sweet Sue! <3 donna marie xoxo
WHAT a good husband!!
LOVE the party journal idea. It is so good to have a help to replay these special memories in our minds again and again.
Beautiful set of tea cups. If I had these—-like having a cup of tea with Susan Branch…..along with the song playing in my mind …in the glory of ….Love.
I love your pink rose dishes! Pink was my momma’s favorite color and I always think of her when I see pink roses. She was so beautiful and I miss her so. My Momma always made us pancakes after church on Sunday. Your special breakfast and your dishes has made me very wistful…those were wonderful childhood days that my heart holds dear. Thank you Susan. —<–<-@ Love, Randi
My pleasure Randi!
Love the breakfast party idea and also looking forward to the new book. :0)
The pictures of all that food remind me of Sundays at my Grandparents when all the family would gather for breakfast or lunch and all the cousins got to play and catch-up on the weeks happenings. What happy times those were. The cups are just beautiful. They are like the cups I have from my grandmother. Would love to add them to my collection. Thank you for inspiring the memories.
You are as always an inspiration dear. I was sitting in the studio stumped for something I felt was springish…spring has sprung quite yet in Oregon and there are all your lovely images to spur me on for the paintings I need on my paper garlands. You are a JOY!
800 comments! Whew! I love that you get so many comments, but must confess that there is a downside– whenever I comment, I can never find my way back to my comment to see if you’ve commented on it! I bet others feel the same, and it is a shame since you make such an effort to acknowledge so many of us. The teacups are exquisite, like a fantasy of what tea should be. : )
Oh, quick question for you: in a house with such a long history, have you ever noticed any ghostly visitors?
Don’t know if you will see this, but no, no real ghosts in our house. But there is an overall feeling of solidity and joy in the rooms, my imagination hears the footsteps of children, sees the gatherings at the dining room table — under the old trees out back, you feel it there too.
I love your rose chintz teacups, and your table setting was absolutely gorgeous. I have a rose colored set of dishes I got 32 years ago for my wedding, and I have never grown tired of them. After seeing yours, I now know I am in good company.
I find your site and blog a lovely place to be when I read before bed. Thank you, Susan!
Oh my goodness, there are 800 comments already! Susan, a LOT of people want to win your beautiful teacups and I do too! Thank you for letting us see the fun party! Mary A. Brown
What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary. I loved the pictures!!
The food looked delicious and everything was beautiful. Glad it was a wonderful
day! Congratulations to the two of you and wishing you many more happy years together.
Happy Anniversary, Sue and Joe.
You are such a generous lady, sharing your party with all of us, as well as so much of your life. And now, to share those beautiful tea cups. We are blessed to have your blog to read.
Pat
What is the name of the beautiful china you set your anniversary/Valentine’s brunch table with? LOVE IT!!!!!! You have such fabulous taste!!!!!!
It was Rose Chintz by Johnson Brothers! Thank you Julie!
Thank YOU, I’m going searching for some!!!!! <3
Such beautiful music, pictures, and beautiful teacups. I love teacups. Thanks for sharing.
blessings on your day
Hi, Susan, Your anniversary breakfast looks perfect! Congratulations on 25 years together! My husband and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary next month! The tea cups would be perfect for my morning tea! Thanks so much for your beautiful blog! Karen G.
Hmm, I think we’re in the 800s now! So my chances are slim, but I remain ever hopeful.
Thank you so much for sharing all your fun stories. I have to tell you I remember finding your Christmas book at the UCLA bookstore, when I worked there waaaay back in the 80s, and even though I had NO money, I just needed that book! And then I called my big sister, also nearly-penniless at Cal Poly SLO, and she had to have it too (’cause deep down we’re twinsies). So now every time a new Willard comes out or something cool shows up in your store, we call each other (usually with our daughters screaming in the background) and say something like, “Did you see Susan’s new thing?” “Of course!” Amazing how you’ve touched so many lives… You must love reading all these comments (at least I hope you do!).
I adore it. I love that you and your sister are Twinsies deep down 🙂
I love, love, love your blog! It is like sitting with you and having a cup of tea. And your drawings and photos and videos are wonderful. Your rose chintz dishes are lovely. I use that color quite a bit in my house, so they sure would look good sitting in my home filled with tea! 🙂 Thank you, Susan, for sharing your life with the rest of us. My husband and I and our family lived in New England for many years (our two oldest and their families are still there), so it is such fun to hear about your life there. Such a wonderful part of our country.
Isn’t it romantic?! Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for including us in your magical morning!
Can’t wait for the new book! Breakfast is a fun meal because it is more relaxed and casual than dinner, and one of my favorite things is to serve breakfast foods for Sunday night dinner. Happy (belated) Anniversary to you and Joe.
Hope to win these BEAUTIFUL pink cups! LOVE them!
Everything looks so beautiful and sounds like a wonderful get together!! I can hardly wait for Spring to begin!
I just had dinner but my mouth is watering just looking at those pictures of your wonderful feast. What a beautiful meal to be shared with much loved friends. I will never have this type of breakfast with friends but I will have a dinner like this!! Breakfast for dinner is the best. Can’t wait to plan it. Maybe for my birthday this year I’ll have a girlfriend party. You’re always inspiring me! Thank you so much!
Melissa
Sing Ho! I love Winnie the Pooh!
Glad you all had a wonderful anniversary/love/spring party. It was beautiful from afar and knowing what good chefs you and Joe are I’m sure every morsel was delicious. Thanks for sharing! Hugs (Love the Rose Chintz! Pick me!!)
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful day of celebration. It sounded perfection to me. I love a special breakfast – yours was quite the feast! I am looking forward to your new breakfast book. In the meanwhile, I hope I win your drawing because I have a creamer that is crying out for the matching cups/saucers. 🙂
Everything looked so good and the table setting was beautiful. You’ve made my day. Blessings to you!
Susan – the white spread was elegant with the pink dishes and flowers:-) mmm…I could smell it cooking as you revealed each wonderful item on your menu. What a gift you offered your guests – a beautiful table, food specially prepared by you and Joe, and conversation with friends – who could ask for more – that’s real riches! – and thanks for including us 🙂 -janet in Texas
Ooohhhh… I love pink. Hope ‘Vanna’ picks me!
I love the pics of your party! Is the recipe for the blueberry corn cakes in any of your books? And how do you get your bacon to look so good? Do you fry it? Mine always turns out horrible! The cups and saucers are so pretty.
That was thick cut bacon, and the way to make it good is to cook it long and slow.
“Cook it”–fry or bake? 🙂
Fry!
What a beautiful table you put together! It looked awesome. I’ll bet the blintzes were tasty. I also think that tea would probably taste better out of those pretty cups! I promise to take good care of them… 🙂
Wow – I love the cups and saucers. You have such pretty things that you give away. How can “Vanna” decide on what to give away, and to which lucky person? Just think of all the joy this brings to all. Thanks for the photos – love to see how others decorate and entertain!
Vanna does it randomly! I wouldn’t want to be her! 🙂
Happy Belated Anniversary! Looked like you had a wonderful party with your friends.
For 2 years now I have been hunting for those old style cups and saucers for a gift for my Mummy. She doesn’t like the new style coffee mugs, says they are too thick. I love old teacups and saucers. Sometimes I find old saucers that are all alone. I use them for soap dishes or jewelry holders. They just have so much charm.
Did I make it in time? I really love those cups and saucers – I have almost a complet set of Royal Albert (Royal Doulton) Hartington and absolutely love it from the tea cups to the beakers to the soup tureen – I have been saving it for “special” but realized, now that I’ve recently retired, every day is special and soon am moving to a Senior Apartment and there will forego old mismatched kitchen dishes and will begin using my “specials”…
Two pretty cups. How nice! One for myself and one for a friend. We’ll use them when we sit to chat away the day, sharing our thoughts, relaxing and just enjoying the moment!!!
What a beautiful table! Vanna, pick me, pick me, pick me!!! Happy Anniversary! My husband and I celebrated our 35th yesterday (02/20/12). Sweet.
Happy anniversary Debi!
Thanks for sharing the first blush of spring. Think pink !
I love your blog and how you share so much of your life with everyone and let everyone feel as if their a guest at your table, thank you.
I think Joe is the luckiest man alive!!! You have the dearest heart, I’m always cheered up after reading your blog XOX Diane
I feel as if I was right there with you all after reading your post. Thank you for sharing. And oh, how lovely are those chintz cups?? Would also love that breakfast book. Any idea on the release date?
PINK, FLOWERS, HEARTS, BIRDS and TEA CUPS/POTS…all of my most favorite things…all right there on that gorgeous table! Beautiful, beautiful!! Happy Anniversary 🙂
The table looked gorgeous, oh those dishes, so pretty. The food looks yummy, I am on Weight Watchers & really can eat plenty, but that meal would probably send my points into orbit. So glad the good Lord blessed you with beautiful weather for your party. Thanks for having the giveaway, maybe this will be my lucky day? BTW love your posts, I feel like I am there.
Yes, this was not a good meal for points!! Stay with it! Tea has no points at all!