One of my favorite new words, which I learned while talking to a clerk in a bookstore in Ambleside when I was buying a book on sheep, is “heaf.” (Yes, I now buy books on sheep! Please don’t let this influence your decision about whether or not to keep reading.)
To put this word into context, I had to learn another new word: “fell.” A fell is what they call a mountainside in the Lake District area; they might say, “fellside,” instead of mountainside. “Heaf,” then, is an old Norse word that describes a certain area of fellside where sheep graze. Picture it for a moment. See the hill? See the sheep? (Don’t worry, this has a good ending and stops being like the 4th grade in about one second). Beatrix Potter (you like it better already, don’t you?) raised a breed of sheep (endangered at the time), called Herdwick sheep. She especially liked this breed because it remembers its native heaf and returns to it instinctively. It’s said that Herdwick sheep are “heafed to the fell.” Isn’t that great? Heafed to the fell. Says it all. I’m heafed too; heafed to my own version of fell, which happens to be this↓.
H o m e .
(When I think about it, it’s such a short uncomfortable leap from “heafed to the fell,” to “heifer on the hill!” I know my dad will try to work in a joke here somewhere — I think I make it too easy for him! ♥)
The kitties were happy to see us (but not as happy as I was to see them!), Girl Kitty cried (my baby); we have been joined at the hip ever since; she has never slept cozier, next to me! Jack still has his round kitty eyes, he still chases the ball, he sashays back and forth, curling around my legs, saying, in no uncertain words, I’m so happy you are H o m e !
We drove up the back driveway, to the smell of cut grass and the old boxwood around the kitchen door. Dragged the twelve or fourteen (we’ve lost count) bags into the house, kissed the kitties, and pulled out all the cute things we brought home, arranged them on the dining room table, going Ohhh, and Ahhh, and Remember this?
Woke up yesterday morning in our own bed!!! First words: Where am I? Made tea, started a load of laundry, took my cup and walked all over the yard, to see what’s up in the garden, to smell the roses, pull a couple of weeds; when Joe got up, we walked out through the woods to the pond; how’re the wild blueberries doing this year?; came home, more unpacking, more laundry, and we hung our flag on the house. Which requires antics on our part, hanging out open upstairs windows.
Last night we walked down to the harbor ↑ to look at the moon and get a whiff of breezy salt air; the outdoor restaurants were lit up and filled with summer people, the terns were swooping and diving into the water, making those little plopping water noises . . . we window-shopped down our little Main Street; stopped for ice cream cones (pistachio and mocha chip in sugar cones), then walked back up the hill; our neighborhood was so quiet; a million fireflies flicked through the bushes around us. H o m e.
Because we are H o m e, we have heafed to the fell . . . and the timing couldn’t be more perfect: Martha’s Vineyard looks and smells like a million bucks.
The whole place is dressed to kill, little straps falling off shoulders and everything.
And now, the Fourth of July! How perfect! So what are you doing tomorrow? I hope it’s something fun! We’re going to walk across the street, to my girlfriend Martha’s, for a good ole’ barbecue with our friends and their kids. All-American hamburgers and hot dogs — and potluck for the rest of it. We’re bringing crunchy White Bean Salad, and cold Lemon Rice salad; made gorgeous with fresh herbs and lots of colorful flower petals; even if you’re not cooking, a look at a photo of this salad is worth it . . . so pretty! . . . and Joe’s hot garlic French Bread. How bad can it be? I Tweeted the recipes today, but, just in case you missed them, here we go again!
America the Beautiful! God shed his grace on thee. And us too, please. ♥
I feel so lucky. Number One, when you go away, you’re never quite sure you’ll make it back alive . . . but we did! Out and back, like clockwork! And number two; we’re Home. Heafed and Happy.
And we will never, ever, ever, forget the beauty of the Mother Country; the world history that’s encompassed there, and the smart, funny, charming people we met along the way. ♥
And I will never ever forget how wonderful it was traveling with YOU! The funnest girls ever! I have lots more photos and moments to tell you about; there’s also a very special give-away coming soon, to mark this trip; it was pretty good, don’t you think? It deserves something special . . . after I get the mail taken care of, I’ll be back!!
Mmmm. Someone just lit their barbecue in our neighborhood . . . the smell is coming in through the window of my studio. Two summer smells I love: coconut suntan lotion and a just-lit barbecue. Happy 4th Everyone! ♥ God Bless America.
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! We had a wonderful time traveling with you to England and we made memories we’ll keep forever (helped, of course, with your diary/journal), but there truly, truly is no place like home. Happy 4th of July!
Welcome home Susan & Joe, The country is putting on a party for your home comming! I have a picnic I’m going to on the 4th and I am stuffing a watermellon with White grapes, Blueberries, and Strawberries with the watermellon.
God Bless you both and God Bless America!
Happy 4th of July to you too Sue, and welcome home!
xo Tracy
Home, home is best!
As a Canadian, I will celebrate the 4th of July because it’s our 31st anniversary! We always take down our Canadian flag and hoist an American one to celebrate the day.
Happy Anniversary Brenda!
Happy Anniversary from me too!
Mine is on the 7th~ 33 years!
Then Happy Anniversary Lynn!!
Happy Anniversary Brenda and Lynn! Brenda… how nice of you to honor our country in that way!… I feel very happy knowing that you are so thoughtful!! Have a wonderful day! .. oh, and I LOVE LOVE your national anthem… brings tears to my eyes every time… just as our own does!.. I’m kind of a softie that way!! LOL.
Happy Anniversary, Lynn. We have two sets of friends who have their anniversaries on the 7th with another couple getting married that day this year! Must be a lucky number. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you all!
We were married 7/7/79 lucky seven indeed!
Ah, it is lucky. My birthday is July 7th and I was lucky enough to be around to celebrate 07/07/07. Just one more birthday like that this year (12/12/12) and then….it will almost be a hundred years till the next one in 01/01/3001 – UFF DA!
Brenda, that is such a wonderful thing you do flying another country’s flag on their birthday. What a big ♥ you must have!
Happy Birthday Judi!!
Thank you…it has been a fabulous day.
Amen !!!…” Happy 4th to everyone ! God Bless America ” !!! …and thanks again for all you do ..with love…….
Welcome Home! What a lovely trip it has been…:-)
No fancy words, just welcome home (I actually feel better that you and Joe are home with the rest of us!) and many thanks for the beautiful, thoughtful ride through England.
Welcome home! I am so glad you are back. If you are like me, I am always so happy to be in my own bed and surroundings, but I also carry a little lump in my throat for that place I’ve left (if I loved it, of course!). At least you came back at a time when there are lots of fun diversions. Happy Fourth of July!
Thanks Jake! Does feel good, but yes, the memories are wonderful too!
I’m so glad you are home. Now I know you’re back cozy doing all the lovely things you tell us about and you so graciously allow us all to see.
The trip WAS grand, but truly…..there’s no place like HOME.
God bless our homes, our America and God bless you and yours Susan!
So happy you are home and to celebrate the 4th with friends! I’ve been so entranced with your sheep that when I was visiting home on Chautauqua Lake and Chautauqua Institution (a quaint 100 year old place of culture, religion, art, and music) I spied something special at a store…my very own pure white stuffed lamb! Brought it home to show our wonderful border collie and now life is complete! Love the photos!
So glad you’re back in the U.S.A. for the Fourth! What a nice time to return home. Enjoyed reading all along the way. Thank you! You are such an inspiration.
As wonderful and magical as trips like this can be, isn’t always amazing how glad we are to be back home? Looks like everything did will while you were gone.
We’re going to my sister’s for her DH’s birthday tomorrow. He loves that the whole country celebrates his birthday! I’m taking an apple pie for his gift — his favorite pie. I’ll be making it in the morning so it will be very fresh… as well as less temptation for us to get into it.
Now I’m off to check out your recipes for your meal tomorrow. I’m drooling just at the sound of them.
Apropos that you made it home in time to celebrate the USA!!..kitties behaved as predicted…blessings abound…xo
Welcome home!! I just LOVE your beautiful house and backyard!! Have a happy 4th of July. (I’ll be making your red beans, macaroni and cheese, and rainbow jello). 🙂
I so enjoyed your pictures and dialogue of your trip. I, too, want to visit the same places you did. Especially Beatrice Potter’s area. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Thanks, also, for sharing pictures and words about your kitties. I thought about them while you were gone. Loving,
HOME is a wonderful place isnt it ? You enjoy being away for a bit but then HOME is where your heart is ! Makes you step back and realize how important and lovely HOME really is ! Wonderful photos .
I know you are glad to be home and in your own bed (such a good feeling)
and seeing your kitties – Thanks for the wonderful trip – I enjoyed every
minute of it. The 4th is our 48th Wedding Anniversary. I bought corn
on the cob for dinner and I haven’t decided on the rest of the menu.
My dear 91 year old friend passed away yesterday – such a delightful
lady.
CONTRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY!!!! what a wonderful day to celebrate it!…. also, condolences on the loss of your friend… memories of the heart will see you through. Blessings!
Can’t wait to see your photos and drawings of England, now I want to go on vacation to rural areas in England!!! So glad you both are back, have missed you!
OH!!!! When you said girl cried, I cried….your baby!!!! So happy you’re home all safe and sound and cozy. You and Joe now have the whole summer to enjoy! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Yes, she made me cry too. She wiggled around while she did it, while I petted her. waaah!
What a sweet homecoming!
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home;
This song popped into my head as I was reading your wonderful post. And what a wonderful home you have to come home to, especially with two adoring kitties who love you and missed you! Welcome home Susan and Joe!! It was so much fun travelling with you. I can’t wait to hear more stories about your trip! Happy 4th of July!!! 🙂
and we have enjoyed the the adventure
too, mum! for those of us going the
“staycation” route this year, traveling
with you has been fabulous! and i am SO
happy you are back with your kittikens!
i have to confess, it has been killing me…
thinking of them roaming your home
mewling for you! but i know they will get
over it in no time… a jingly bell-ball will
probably do the trick! ;} welcome home!
God save the queen and happy 4th to you…
and ALL {all Americans, that is! ;}
m ^..^
Susan and Joe, Welcome Home! Like you, I love the summer fragrance of fresh cut grass, coconut sun tan lotion, and the scent of BBQ wafting through the air. Wish I were there on MV with the other summer people. Love the view of your house from the back driveway…especially since I saw this view in person some years ago and remembered it was the same as the view on the back cover of your Christmas Book.
I’m fixing an old-fashioned meal for the 4th of July…hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ chicken, potato salad, sliced tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, chips, apple pie, vanilla ice cream, watermelon, and fresh peaches. Looking forward to the local parade, lounging at the pool, and watching fireworks.
Enjoy the celebration of being HOME!
Welcome Home! God bless the USA and those serving it around the world …
Sharon, you are right, we should acknowledge our service men and women who serve to keep us a free nation!
The smell of Coppertone! Takes me back to 1976. Remember the Bicentennial?
Dear Susan and Joe,
Welcome home. Your trip was our trip. Your fun was our fun. And what a wonderful trip it was. We are celebrating rain in Colorado Springs tonight. You have been gone…we have had a horrific fire that took over 350 homes, burned thousands of acres, created havoc is our beautiful city and surrounding areas. Tonight we celebrate rain…lovely, soft, welcome rain. We are so grateful for it right now. On the 4th (our anniversary by the way), we celebrate our courageous firefighters, our police, our National Guard that are here to protect homes and property, our families who have lost their homes but are determined to rebuild, our Western way of life and our glorious mountains. “America the Beautiful” was written in Colorado Springs, and we remember it especially on our own “Independence Day” celebration of life.
Jackie, your beautiful State has been in my prayers these past weeks and all the people who have lost their homes….I can’t even begin to imagine the state of shock people must be experiencing. I’ve only been to Colorado once (Boulder) back in 1968 but still carry the glorious memory (and the feelings I had at the time) of going up into the Rockies and having my breath taken away. I’m so glad people have come through it with determination to rebuild. I think that is what America is all about–starting over in a new place, whether it be literally or just in one’s heart and mind–a place filled with hope.
Thank you Cathy for your very kind words. Hoped for rain today but nothing. BUT we are at 80% containment! Yay!
Jackie, people all over this nation have been praying for rain in Colorado! I heard 50% of the country’s firefighters are in Colorado now. The 4th of July is a very appropriate time to thank and celebrate those who’ve contributed to our safety and well-being. Thanks for that reminder. Be well.
Thank you Diane for your thoughts and prayers. We are at 80% containment tonight and a huge benefit concert is going on tonite at our World Arena. The place is packed and they are televising it since they sold out of the free tickets in a matter of minutes!
Welcome home! And to welcome you back I think we should have a display of fireworks all over the land!
xoxoxo
Priscilla from So CA in So Dakota
Susan and Joe,
It was a most wonderful trip. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Happy 4th of July!! God Bless America.
Sheila from South Carolina
It’s so wonderful that you have such a lovely spot to come Home to! And I know what you mean about being in your own bed.
I love the roses in your garden. Do you know what kind they are? I’m looking to plant more roses in my garden after “our” tour of English gardens. 🙂
Those are Fairy roses (they’re like a bush) — two other roses that grow well and smell great, and have sentimental value to me, are Just Joey (beautiful peach color) and Julia Child (a tall, butter yellow prolific bloomer).
Welcome home Susan and Joe! There’s no place like home….. It was a wonderful trip and thankyou so much for having us along. You couldn’t have come home at a better time, the 4th of July! America the beautiful…..beautiful home, beautiful island, beautiful country.
I can’t wait to see more pictures, and here more stories of the trip though. Have a wonderful holiday tomorrow, and I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon…so glad you’re home. -East Longmeadow, Ma.
Love seeing Your home and flags everywhere! I love the flags! Thinking of the Methodist encampment on MV and how fun it would be to see it for the 4th! Your kitties are glad you are home and we are, too. It was a glorious exposure to a country so charming and well, charming! I do not believe I would ever have known so much about it and we are still in the planning stages of a version of travel in England. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to things I would not have known or seen any other way! Cannot wait for the book. So glad you are safely home and happy to be there! Happy Fourth of July to you and Joe and here’s to America! land that I love!
So good to come back home, isn’t it, as much as you enjoyed your dream vacation!? Heafed to your fell…perfect! (Which sheep book did you buy? I bought an awesome one when we were there…kind of small in size…that has all the different breeds of Great Britain sheep…great pictures, because I am a visual person – never knew there were so many breeds!!!) xoxo…kp
I think we have the same one . . . there are two volumes, the size of a postcard, and we got them both!
Such an informative, interesting book! Did you get anything made from Herdwick wool? Their wool is more industrial, heavy-duty. I bought a mat about 8 inches square at a National Trust shop in Hawkshead.
I didn’t get anything, but I touched it in a store there in Hawkshead. Funny how sheep have different wool values . . .
As a spinner, I love telling people that fact. People say, “Oh wool, it is too itchy!”–well, there are well over 300 breeds of sheep and their wool is all different texture, length, etc. There is wool as soft as cotton (merino), etc. I think people here associate itchy wool because wool used to come from sheep raised for meat instead of wool from sheep raised for nice wool! 🙂
God has certainly shed His grace on thee 🙂
There really is no place like home.
Happy 4th!
xox Sweet Pea
Coming to you from Missouri, with temps over 100 and everything is dried up or has died. I love your pictures of the island where you still have green and growing things! And the kitties….I have missed them so. As usual your blog is………Comfy Cozy Peaceful…Home.
Home. That’s my favorite word…always has been. Right now we’re on vacation in Nova Scotia. Walking down at the harbor in Halifax….I turn around and what do I see? Your ship! The QM II sitting right there at the Cunard Pier for the day before heading back to Southampton. So welcome home Susan and…let’s not go anywhere else for a while.OK?
Really happy to be home, don’t want to go anywhere right now! How funny that you saw the ship there, that girl does get around!
Enjoy your vacation in Nova Scotia. You must be in Halifax. Awesome place, especially in the summer – very much like Martha’s Vineyard. I’m from Nova Scotia, now I’m homesick. But I’ll be there soon.
Rhonda , we were going to leave for PEI yesterday but we like it here in Halifax so much and with so much to do,we stayed an extra day before going to PEI and then Maine and then HOME. Last night we went to the Royal Tatoo. Amazing!! Everyone here is so friendly.
Cindy, the Maritime provinces are an awesome place. I’m now in NB. The people here are very friendly. I think it is a very special, secret place (that probably isn’t so secret any more). You find that “secret” when you come here. You’ll love PEI (although it is raining here right now)- Anne of Green Gables is there around Cavandish. I’ve been to the tatoo as well-my niece did highland dance in it one year. Amazing performance! Have a wonderful time – glad you came here. Susan, you should visit here sometime; you’d be pleasantly surprised.
And it’s so close!
Hooray! Oh, the kitties are happy now!
I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July! I’m going to go dig out your summer book now.
Ah………There really is No Place Like Home…..especially when two sweet kitties, happy friends and your beautiful home and garden were waiting for you.
Thanks for the tale of…..
Heafed to the Fell………that was really interesting……and p.s. was that sheep “mooning” us ……..LOL?
Thanks again for the most amazing and magical trip to England…….it was the best trip, with the bestest girlfriends!
Susan and Joe, have a Happy 4th of July and enjoy the magic of being home ……sounds like Jack and Girl are heafed to you!
Happy 4th to all the girlfriends, Jack and Jake too……wishing you all a day filled with fun, laughter, family, friends and the spirit of America the Beautiful!
Welcome home, I enjoyed your trip so much. Looking forward to the book. If you would like some sheep for your yard (the easy care type) look at winterthurstore.com and search Sheep Lawn Statues. As soon as I saw them I thought of you – they are really cute.
I will do it! I already searched, although I didn’t have time to get detailed about it….this looks like a good spot!
Welcome home!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely trip with us. Gotta love technology. Thank you also for the pictures of your kitties. Happy Fourth of July!
Glad you made it home safe and sound. There is nothing better than finally coming home to your own bed after a long vacation. I think I was surprised that Girl Kitty seemed to miss you more than Jack although clearly he did miss you. He is as cute as ever. Funny you mentioning Beatrix Potter in this post as I happened to turn on the tv the other day and the movie Miss Potter was on. Of course it was in the middle but I saw enough that I want to see the whole movie. It was at the part where she started buying the farmland around her Hilltop Farm to preserve the natural beauty and to stop it from being developed. Without her there would not be all that beauty that still exists today. I always wonder if people that do something like that have any inkling of what it might mean to future generations.
Love your picture postcard patriotism.
Nothing exudes “Americana” more, than Olde Glory.
gracing a beautiful, New England, sea captain’s clapboard house-
so glad you’re both back,
in your own little, safe harbor…..ahhhh…heafed & happy islanders !
Happy 4th of July to the whole flock n’ flutter !
Dear Heafed & Happy: Thank you for the lovely surprise this evening – a blog from you! It’s so nice to be home again & to see your beautiful neck of the woods! Happy wonderful 4th for all & “crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea”! xo Joanie
Welcome Back!
~Happy Fourth of July or as my grandma always said ” Happy Fourth of Ja~ New ~ Year!” to all the girlfriends~ when my kids were little we made a Fourth of July flag pole out of a tall post that holds 4 flags, one on each side and one on the top. It is getting rather old so the grandkids will have to make a new one~ which reminds me~ didn’t Festivus have a pole too? My silly grandma! ~And Susan~ After this British trip I cannot get British Invasion music out of my head~ today it’s Herman’s Hermits~ Love them!!
Stay cool too~ it will be almost 100 the rest of the week here in SE Wisconsin~ Yikes!
Lynn
What a great trip! Thanks for taking us along. And yes, it is good to be home.
Happy 4th!!!!
WELCOME HOME! And just in time for the fun and frivolity of the 4th July here 🙂 I admit, even though I am technically on the wrong side of the battle, I still enjoy the celebrations for the 4th July!
Sounds like the kitties are happy and heafed themselves 😉 Although I shall miss your stories from back home, I am already looking forward to the diary!
~Rachel~ in central VA (originally from Bedfordshire, UK)
I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!
Technically is the operative word, Happy 4th of July Rachel!!!
Happy 4th to you also Susan! I have enjoyed the trip! Glad you are home safe and sound and the kitties are as happy as you.
Isn’t it a weird and wonderful feeling to come back home, so changed from experiences, to find that home has not changed! I love my home and I know you feel the same, you loved the experiences, but now, aah, the familiar once again.
Have a joyous 4th! I am so thankful to live in a free country!
I know and it makes me look back and think, all those wonderful things that were going on in England while I was there, are still going on …. the wildflowers are still blowing in the wind, people are still coming into pubs, people are still finding their way along the narrow lanes to Hill Top farm . . .
Welcome home, Susan, and Happy Fourth of July!
There’s no place like home! Welcome back and enjoy reliving all your wonderful times in England. Enjoy your celebrations tomorrow. Thanks for all the inspiring places you shared with all the girlfriends. xoxo ♥
Welcome Home, home is the best place to be. Happy Fourth of July as well 🙂
So good to know that you are bake home safely. Such a wonderful feeling to be back amongst all of those things you hold most dear.
Thank you for your wonderful posts which made us feel so much a part of your journey. I loved it all!
A very happy Independence Day! God bless America our great friend and allie.
Welcome home to your July 4th celebrations. As a Canadian, we just had our July 1st celebrations – awesome weather & awesome fireworks. We work for an American company, so one sort of rolls into the other for us. Glad to see you and Joe home “heafed and happy.” I grew up with more Scottish family members in my home than Canadian. I went to Britain while in high school and had a date with a guy (Jimmy) from England while I was there. I thought “this will be a breeze” since I had so much Scottish under my belt for so long. Wrong! The only word I understood him to say the whole evening was Vancouver. That’s pretty bad really. I still laugh about it. You’ve been dredging up funny memories for me. So I’ve appreciated learning all the terms and English words on this trip. Glad to have you back home on Martha’s Vineyard and see new kitty pictures. xo
LOL, Vancouver. Too funny! I understand, I’m surprised my ears didn’t grow, they were soooo perked up to hear and understand, I should have elf ears by now!
Will your Travel Journal include a glossary for us? I’d love to have a list of all those delightful terms like “heafed to the fell”!
Oh yes! xoxo
“Elf ears” – so funny and so true. I lived with and around my Scottish grandfather for 40 years. He never lost his heavy Scottish brogue. Everyone just loved him and wanted to talk to him, but they just did a lot of smiling, nodding, & more smiling. (Kind of funny for me to watch). I understood him perfectly, but I sure needed elf ears in England. Glad you plan to put some of this in your new book.
I’m glad you’re heafed to the home-fell. We raise sheep and I love them. I hope there will be more sheepy stuff to read. Happy Independence Day!
Jody
I wish I lived next door to you. Would love to see sheep everyday! Pet one for me today!
Sorry, I know I’m really bothering you today. I grew up in a rural village that was named because a sheep jumped overboard from a ship in the harbour many years ago. Lots of times people call it Port Sheep. I’d like to do “something?” in the near future and call it “Ships and Sheep.” (Just because I love history). I was checking out your fabric on your website and there was the ship fabric next to the sheep fabric. Hmmmm. Like you told me once, no accidents.
Susan, I left the whole middle part out of the above post because I didn’t want it to be too long. I just feel I want to add it. The place I grew up was Port Mouton (which is french for sheep). And a lovely lady friend of mine kept sheep there because she thought someone needed to do that because of the history. It was a delightful sight to see-on a beautiful piece of property right on the ocean, with a cape cod style barn and home. I grew to adore sheep because of my past experience there. So I just loooved this post (and your sheep fabric which isn’t all that easy to find, for me anyway). Once again, you’re tugging on the old heart strings!
Welcome home! Thank you for taking us on such an exciting journey. But there’s no place like home — delighted you are back safe and sound. Enjoy the 4th everyone — celebrate family, friends, and freedom. Ethel
Just a big WELCOME HOME….so glad you’re back.
Welcome back HOME!
Your vacation was so much fun, even for me. I felt like I took the trip with you and Joe (only didn’t spend a penny!).
Happy Independence Day to you and Joe!
We will be grilling out hotdogs and enjoying watermelon, nice and cold, of course. And trying to escape the incredible heat. Hoping for no evening rain so we can watch the fireworks. Hope your evening is an explosion of color too!
Dear Susan and Joe… Welcome home… back to your wonderful island. Happy Birthday to America… Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy settling back in, and thinking back on your amazing trip and looking forward to summer on your island! Thank you for sharing your journey with us…. and I will look forward to hearing more details as you find time. Have loved every minute of it.
You couldn’t ask for a better place to come home to: Martha’s Vineyard. It’s one of my favorite places — so special, so unique. No other place like it. The Vineyard has a special place in my heart since my first visit in 1973. And, besides Vineyard Haven, (my favorite town on the Island), is the wonderful Allen Sheep Farm in Chilmark. How can you beat rolling pastures with sheep grazing and the blue ocean in the background? Hope it is still there! You can get your fix of the wooly beasts there. Had such a awesome time with you in England. It was a highlight each day to check your blog — always full of fun and good cheer. Delighted to get an update about the kitties. We missed them, too! It’s all so good! Have a nice holiday.
What a relief. I was just scrubbing the kitchen floor, when I took a break and read your blog. I am only having a handful of dear friends and kids for 4th July party, but as a single mom, everything is up to me. I have a very ill daughter and recieved a gift to open our pool to cheer her up and give my other 2 kids a boost. I had planned to stay up all night cleaning, but you made me realize that my wonderful friends are not going to leave the party if every nook and crannies is not perfect. I plan to have a cup of tea, slip on my sweats and get some much needed sleep. I plan to wake up and bake until guests arrive. Who cares if everything is not perfect. My daughter is home,able to celebrate with her brother and sister and all is good.
You know, that does sound perfect to me! xoxo
Hi Hope~
Don’t worry about the house~ I’m sure that your family and friends aren’t coming for that reason~inspecting your house~
Enjoy them! Life is too Short!!
Happy 4th!
Lynn
Hope, I learned long ago to do a “puff and fluff” before the party and a deeper clean AFTER the party! 🙂
As long as the bathrooms are clean no one really notices anything else, right?
Hope, I also wanted to say I pray your daughter will be ok and that you remember to be good to yourself. Get some rest and stay strong.
Thanks for taking us with you, Susan and Joe. It was my dream vacation, too! We’re building a house in the mountains instead — it’s a good trade-off, but I get a little wistful at times for a trip to England and Scotland (can you take us on that one next spring?!). We can’t do everything, and there would be nothing to look forward to if we did! Glad you’re back!
It is always good to get home no matter how much fun you have had away. It was such fun traveling with you and almost cried for you too when it was time to leave.
You have memories that will last forever, not only for you but for all of us that traveled with you. Thank you so much for taking all of us with you. Girl Kitty and Jack must be very happy that you have “Heafed” home.
Welcome home! Glad you made it back safely. And what better time to come home than 4th of July???!!!!
Perfect timing!
. . . and God shed his grace on you 🙂 You are priceless – your spirit of adventure and joy IS America!! Welcome Home 😀
What a compliment!! xoxo Thank you Janet!
Welcome home, Sue & Joe, and Happy 4th of July! Spring in England, summer on Martha’s Vineyard — I don’t know how it can get better than that! xoxo
S U M M E R Janie! xoxo Thank you!
Hi Susan,
I’m so glad you are home! But I sure enjoyed England with you, it was wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to share so much of your vacation with us. Your photos are priceless and beautiful. I also love reading your writing, you have such a gift with words!!!!!
Kathy from CT
p.s. I’ve told you this before, you are the only blog that I take the time to read.
Thank you Kathy — I’m honored!!
Click, click…..There’s no place like home.
Glad you are safe and sound and cozied in with kitties
And friends to celebrate the fourth. I swam in the freezing
crystal coldness of Lake Tahoe today, surrounded with
Family to celebrate the holiday. Happy you had a wonderful
England adventure and relieved you are home and a bit closer
to me. xox Sarah
I’m sure you are so happy to be home…I really enjoyed reading your blog while you were in England…felt like I was along for the ride! So sweet that your kitties are all snuggled with you again. Our babies do the same…cry and then want to be on our laps. Have a wonderful and safe Fourth!
Miss Bloomers
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! So nice to know you are getting settled in. Your 4th of July plans sound great! In the morning when we hang the flag it will be the thirteen star one we bought in 1976 to commemorate out country’s bicentennial. We always fly it on the 4th of July. We are having friends and family over in the evening for strawberry shortcake on our patio, and then watching the community fireworks display. It is only a few blocks away and we can see it pretty good from our place. Enjoy your day! Happy 4th of July. God bless America!
Traveling is wonderful and the best part of the trip is coming home! Have a wonderful 4th of July!
Happy 4th Susan and Joe!! And welcome home!
Welcome home to you both!
I enjoyed all of your tweets along the way. My family is planning a much smaller trip but I was wanting to know if there were any secrets you have for making traveling seem less like traveling and how to include comforts of home? I’m especially wanting help because I have 4 small children and I want them to feel as comfortable as possible even though we will be far from home. Any advice would be very much appreciated!! You are my hero….seriously!
Bev
I will put that in the diary! Yes, I do! But for your kids, the thing kids like most is consistency and a schedule. There’s security in all that and it’s kind of the opposite when traveling. So just kind of think about that; how you can give them structure? Responsibility for things is one way. A consistent bedtime is another (not sure of their ages, but that’s true for anyone), and don’t let them get hungry. We took our 11 and 12 year old nieces to Paris one time; before we left we told them that things were going to be different on this trip, strange food, strange language etc …. that it would be easy to say “Eeeuw, I’m not eating that, or I’m not going there.” But the reason we’re going, I told them, is to try new things and to learn. So there will be Brownie Points for anyone who steps out of her box on this trip, tries something new, is especially polite to people (makes room for them on the sidewalk, etc.) without me telling them, like saying thank you to servers. Brownie points meant shopping to them, but I made them hard to get. I can’t tell you how well this worked! In more ways than one; the girls were playing catch with a heavy doorstop in one of our rentals, it landed in the bathroom sink and it shattered!!!! It was an accident, and the last thing I wanted to do on this trip was punish anyone!! But I had to do something, we had to have a new sink put in! They’d managed to get maybe 25 brownie points by that time; so, for punishment, I took them all away, plus another 5! It was like doing something that was really nothing! I loved it. They did so well, made room on staircases for older people, ate everything, I was so proud of this accidental reward system. I would have taken them shopping anyway! So there’s one thing you can try! Also, have them keep a diary, draw little pictures in it (if they will) — you’ll have a real treasure there. Our girls took their books everywhere we went, to restaurants too, they always had something to do. I don’t know what they have for kids and cameras these days, but something like that would be good too. Anything to get their creative juices going. We took one whole suitcase of art supplies with us. OK, I could do this all day! Have to go make bean salad! Hope this helps! xoxo
What wonderful suggestions! If I ever have grandchildren and am not too old by then, we plan to take them on “educational” trips. Will you put your suggestions in your Travel Journal? If not, I’d better make a copy of your answer right now so I have them when I need them.
Hi Bev! You will have so much fun traveling with your kids! Our trips overseas with our girls are our most cherished memories. A few tips which have worked for us:
1. Before you fly give everyone Dramamine even if they have never had motion sickness before….enough said!!!!!
2. Have them look at fun travel books before you go and choose some special places they would like to see…ie…the Harry Potter studio tour outside of London, being up in the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles at night, the London Eye, there is an amazing park inside the Luxembourg Gardens all kids would love, also you can rent old, wooden boats and long poles for them to sail in the fountains (we have seen this all over Europe…soooo adorable!!) throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain, changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, etc.
3. Most important travel tip ever…RENT AN APT.!!! Too many people squashed in a hotel room for any length of time causes insanity. By renting an apt. With a kitchen you can have breakfast at home, go out touring all day, have a lovely lunch out (cheaper than dinner)and then stop by the local market and get something fun and easy to make for dinner(in Paris it’s a baguette, cheese, olives, fruit and chocolate for everyone!!)..after dinner you all can go out for a stroll in the park and have a gelato! Trying to take tired children out to dinner after a long day is a recipe for disaster! Also, with an apt. There is space for everyone to spread out to read or watch a movie….we love an apt. with a little garden or terrace to relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy!!!
Also, as a Mama it is sometimes hard to relax as you are worried about how your kids are doing….kids really are so adaptable…if they see you relaxed and having fun, they will too!!! You will probably have so much fun you will return home and start planning your next adventure!! Xoxoxo
Great question Bev. Glad you asked it. I’m going to be a grandmother for the first time in October, so this information is priceless! (I’m taking notes). Susan, you downright amaze me every time I turn around. Loved your answer.
Happy 4th of July and Welcome Home to all of us! We’re having company for pulled pork in buns with barbecue sauce, pasta/vegetable salad, chips, settler’s beans, and fresh blueberry pie–eaten, of course, NOT on the deck with the 102 degrees predicted for tomorrow but inside in the air conditioning. Sad, but true… 🙂 But then I think of all who have lost their homes due to wild fires and storms and know I should be grateful for the home we have and also the air conditioning when there are those still without power in places…Have a good 4th of July! 🙂
Glad you got back safe and sound. Happy 4th July 🙂
Welcome home! The trip will be wonderful memories for both of you. There definately is no place like home, especially when there are furry creatures waiting for you. With the beautiful home you have in such a gorgeous location, I don’t know how you ever left.
Happy 4th of July! We are having a BBQ in our backyard by the pool in the good old San Fernando Valley!!
Welcome back to the most wonderful place in the whole world…HOME and the United States of America. Traveling is so fun, to go see and do. So many wonderful memories to bring home and let live in the far corners of your heart. But the best place on earth is home. God Bless you and Joe, and again thank you for being so giving of your time to us, during your travels abroad.
Susan
thank you Susan and Joe for an amazing journey. I’m just getting my land legs back. The garden needs watering and I’m feeling a bit puffy from ship food. All in all a great trip. Thank You!
Welcome home my darling friends! So happy to see the wonderful pictures of sweet Jack & to hear that Girl is ecstatic too. Cool & rainy here – we are stuck on the wrong side of the gulfstream apparently! You left at a good time. But I wish a clone could have stayed here with me!! HAPPY 4TH JULY to you & ALL the girlfriends! Even though you are (technically) celebrating heaving us OUT!! Heard a great story on the radio yesterday. Apparently a supporter of the revolution was hosting George 3rd & hung a portrait of George Washington in the bathroom to teach him a lesson. The King came out from his ‘toilette’ declaring that he had loved the portrait…& explaining that it was because it made emptying his bowels SO much easier!! Those pesky English…you are well rid of us!! Have a wonderful holiday celebration…LOVE YOU!! xoxoxo
Thank you sweetheart … although your George Washington story felt like a little bit of a challenge, would not want to have to whup you again! Surprised King had such a good sense of humor and didn’t use guillotine on that brash fellow. Did one get to support the revolution, and host the King, and live? xoxo
Oh Rachel, I wish that we could just include you all back in!! And then slide the UK (and the Republic of Ireland) right across the pond to just off the North Carolina coast where I could take holidays in your enchanting land anytime I wanted! And we’d have the Queen back and darling William and Catherine, not to mention Harry! As a matter of fact, the more I think about it, I would put up the For Sale sign on my own little “Heaf on the Fell” in Western NC as soon as the deal was signed and start my search for one in England immediately! Must write my Congressman. . .
Let’s make it a Petition!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Rachel what a fabulous story! Wait til I tell Russ that one…..hee hee. 🙂
x
Perfect timing for your homecoming Susan. Happy 4th of July! And yes, its STILL raining here! Enjoy your celebrations today and think of us getting wet ;o)
Oh dear, it’s not fair! We need to do a little trade off, we could use some of that rain here, would be nice to send you some sunshine!
Yes, it was an amazing trip that I’ll never forget!!
Welcome home, and thank you for telling us how the kitties are!! Your HOME looks so beautiful!!
Happy Independence Day!!
From Mary S. in Fresno, CA
Ahhhh, so nice to be able to stretch my legs out again. Wow, what a trip!! Thank you for “taking” me and all the girlfriends on this unbelievably dreamy voyage. Glad that you made it home in time to celebrate the 4th. Red, White and Blue either flag here or across the pond…..they mean something!!! Off to go investigate your Lemon Rice…..it took my breathe away when I laid my eyes on the picture!!
Hugz!!
Oh, dear, I fear the kitties may have thought you’d gone for good!
Our daughter’s been gone about four days with her boyfriend and his sons, and their little dog upstairs is heartbroken, don’t think they’ve ever been apart this long. He will barely eat, and spends lots of time pushing aside the curtain and staring longingly down the driveway – can’t wait to see his excitement tomorrow when they come back.
Wonder if your kitties did the same, gazing out the window waiting – bet they did!
But what a lovely trip it’s been, I’ve read and loved it all, and noted several things I must see if/when I get to go overseas, too. Thanks so much for relating it all, and the wonderful pictures and videos – it’s been a marvelous experience!
Have a great Fourth, and welcome back to the fell, dear lambs! 🙂
Welcome home! Enjoyed the trip, but so glad you are home! Happy 4th of July to all.
Welcome home,Susan!! Life doesn’t get any better. I am in my office quietly sipping a cup of coffee and sharing it with your blog. Pure heaven. Have a wonderful 4th. Mine is already started with a smile.
Lucy
Happy Wednesday Lucy!!
Welcome back!!! So good to hear from you “on this side”:)
Welcome home!!! and Happy 4th to all!!
Happy Home comming… Ms. Girl Kitty & Jack says it BEST!!
Susan, Welcome HOME!! Yes, it was a grand trip, made ever-so-special by allowing us to accompany you. What a fabulous past two months. We’re so happy we get to continue the journey with your photos and stories.
Happy 4th to you and yours. God Bless America and God bless you for your beautiful and generous spirit.
Much love and welcome home hugs! xoox, Jeanette
Welcome home, Susan and Joe and Happy 4th! We (I share all your posts with my husband) absolutely loved being on the trip with you and can’t wait to see the rest of the pix. I love how “heafed to the fell” just rolls off the tongue.
I have to add my welcome home wishes to you, also. That was a wonderful trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I am also excited to see what is next. You see I only found your blog when you started your English journey, I know I am in for a treat hearing about all the doin’s to come.
Welcome Home! Your lovely pictures of home & town have inspired me to do a walk-about of my own neighborhood and take/post some pictures. There’s no place like home : )
Welcome Home!!
And Happy 4th!!
It had been a couple days since your last post, I kept checking and got up this A.M. and thought surely she MUST be posting an entry TODAY of all days, and right as rain, here you are!! 🙂 I had a gazillion people over last night for our lake’s annual Tiki Night – all the residents line their yards with those little oil lanterns, tiki lights, and they shimmer around the lake, then in the smack dab center the village launches off a huge fireworks display at 10:15. We all take our boats to the center of the lake to get as close as we are allowed, 100s of boats there to watch.. it’s beautiful and crazy and sometimes scary. Music from everywhere. People have bands playing, dj’s playing, Elvis was there 🙂 and it’s just wild. Simply, America at it’s finest! AND part of my dinner spread was Susan’s White Bean Salad 🙂 you have 2 versions and I did the one with cauliflour and the greek olives. yum. The parties last til the wee hours until we’re all worn out. Today is still and quiet with everyone on the lake asleep for a loooonnnnnnggg time. It’s just “what we do” on Wolverine Lake.
Sounds wonderful and all American!
Happy Fourth of July and welcome home! Thank you and Joe (he’s such a good sport to put up with all of us girls!!) for taking us on an incredible journey. It was just the kind of trip I want to take with time to savor the moments. So where are we going next?
Love those smells too! I bet it was interesting getting your flag up like that! It looks huge! but I love it on your beautiful home! I put up bunting yesterday and it was smaller than I thought it would be but I am still learning this house! And I hope soon I feel “heafed to the fell” here at this home we bought in December. Helps having Hubby home for a while… Happy Celebration Day to you and Joe and the kids! I missed seeing pictures of them, as much as I loved our trip to England, I missed Girl Kitty and Jack! LOL!!
Welcome home Sue and Joe,
The trip was a delight and you managed to do everything you had planned (is there ever enough time?) Thought you’d like to know the Queen Mary 2 is here in Boston today to celebrate the 4th with us! She joins us every year and stays late for the fireworks display. Enjoy your holiday celebration with those near and dear.
Welcome Home you two. I know it’s such an adventure to travel but oh so good to be back home wrapped in the arms of a lovely home. It happens to me every time we go away. I made your pasta salad yesterday. For once I had all the ingredients on hand and boy oh boy did it turn out delicious!!! We’ll be eating it all day today. Happy Independence Day everyone.
Susan, Joe and Petey ~~~and your critters !!!
Welcome Welcome ~~~Such memories you all had …and …all the sharing …that was oddles of fun for all of us. Looking forward to “any tidbets” and your fantastic words & drawings spilling out in your future blogs. Blessed be to one and all on this 4th and “thanks” for those that keep us safe!
Welcome home & Happy 4th! In spite of the awful heat and drought here in IL, my sister & I will go to the parade and later gather at her house for a family cookout. Hope your 4th is wonderful in every way!
Hi Susan, Welcome Home! I’m glad you are back and just in time for the 4th of July. It was great traveling along with you (hiding in a suitcase, peeping out of a pocket) and experiencing much of what you saw and did on your wonderful trip, but now you’re safe and sound at home and as Dorothy said, “there’s no place like home”. Hope you and yours have a wonderful 4th of July and eat lots of barbeque and hope there’s fireworks, too.