It’s a beautiful summer day on Martha’s Vineyard when I’m writing this; bees are floating through the lavender, beach towels are flapping on the line, a gentle harbor breeze is softly rustling the trees. But so quiet ~ it’s perfect beach weather ~ that’s where everyone must be. There are no cars on the road, a rare thing for summer on this island. All I can hear through my open windows are birds. ♥
Soon I’ll show you more about what’s going on here but today, I think we need just one more visit to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm — our second visit in a week — you knew I would have to go back!
Remember how gorgeous the sky was on the first day we found our way to Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm? It wasn’t like that the second time . . . here it was on June 7, over the Lake District, dark, rainy, and moody. Musica? Yes.
Before we left the Lake District, I needed one more look at Castle Cottage (the light beige house above) where Beatrix lived happily-ever-after with her husband Willie for thirty years. It’s privately owned so this is as close as I really wanted to get, but there it was, a sweet comfortable-looking little house just across the meadow from Hill Top.
It still felt funny that we could just drive here. Beatrix Potter has been so far away from me for so long, almost on another planet. But shockingly, like any other place, like any old McDonald’s on the corner, you can drive right up, put on your blinker, turn in, and park. Go through a little gate, walk up a path and there it is! Where it’s been for over a hundred years, with visitors just like me, coming and going.
I didn’t get a ticket to go into the house again because I have that vision permanently pressed into my heart. I will never forget looking at the view through the wavy old glass of her bedroom window, the same ripply view of hills and green and cottages she saw all those years ago. But there were a couple of things I needed to do before we left — I had unfinished business. As I was walking through the rainy garden for the last time I noticed little wet side-path I hadn’t seen before. At the end there was a green door in the garden wall. I went to investigate. I didn’t want to miss anything.
I pushed it open slowly, making sure I wasn’t going somewhere I shouldn’t — then ducked under the dripping lilac to go inside. It led to the walled vegetable patch in front of the house, and gave me a slightly different perspective on the house. I was inside the iron gate for the first time. All alone, in the rain, in Beatrix Potter’s garden. ♥
Of course, Peter Rabbit was bound to get in trouble in this neck of the woods! Such temptation; rhubarb and strawberries too.
There were little details I couldn’t see from the other side of the iron gate, like this recess in the rock wall. It’s called a “bee-bole” ~ it’s made for sheltering bee skeps like this charming white box hive that Beatrix had “fixed up” — she also painted it into The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck — later I painted it into the journal I kept of this visit. (You would have enjoyed watching me juggle camera, umbrella, hood on rain coat, purse and tears while taking photos.)
I also came back to get the name of the roses climbing over the front of the house. I asked the person at the door but she didn’t know. Which surprised me . . . they must get asked that question two-hundred times a day because those roses smell like heaven. Don’t inquiring minds want to know? So they can grow them all over their barn? Or something? So I emailed the gardener, and guess what, he didn’t know either! My blog girlfriends thought maybe Zephirine Drouhin.
Here they are, up close. They also look a little David Austinish with so many petals, they smell like David Austin roses too, really strong, but the gardener only called them cabbage roses.
The other thing I had to do was to take a photo of my miniature Beatrix Potter book as it soaked up some local ambiance, so I could bring it back to the Peter Rabbit Room to spread the wealth (a little more magic never hurts). The little book is so proud in that room since we got home, its buttons almost pop, bragging around to the Beatrix Potter People of where it’s been and what it saw!
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail hoist it on their shoulders like a returning hero.
But this is what I really came back to Hill Top for . . . I knew, the moment I left the first time, I had forgotten something. I must have been crazy to even think of coming all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to England, then to the Lake District, over the narrowest rock-lined roads you can imagine, on the wrong side of the road, risking life and limb, and then leaving this behind? I scare myself sometimes. I’d picked it up in the gift shop and then put it back, regretting it every moment since, dreaming about it!
It’s an exact copy of the first book Beatrix Potter (who, as you can read in my journal of this visit, A FINE ROMANCE, is not only an illustrator, but so much more. Most 
importantly, a conservationist savior of the Lake District, but also a respected natural scientist and regular person, despite being a genius, who was very proud of her prize-winning sheep) paid to have published herself, exactly the way she wanted it to be. For this special, first-time-ever reprint, they used the same cover she designed originally, but they also added a dust jacket taken from editions published in 1903 by Warne; in a charming calico pattern supplied by Edmund Potter and Company (Beatrix Potter’s family business, isn’t it adorable? Oh, for ten yards of that!). They put the book in a special little bag and the only place you can buy one is at the gift shop up the garden path at Hill Top Farm. ♥ I could not go home without it.
What makes them extra special is, except for the surviving original books, there are only 1000 copies like this. On earth. (At least that’s what they told me, and I choose to believe!) And they all have numbers written in them like this.
The book is written in her own handwriting; all the pen and ink drawings are in black and white, just as they were when she first published the book. Only after Norman Warne started publishing Beatrix’s books were they done in color. He believed in her.♥
I had (was forced by a power stronger than myself, therefore the court would surely rule me not responsible) to steal a flower from the garden to keep in the book. Stealthy, like a cat, despite the pouring rain, looking both ways and still seeing no one — into the dripping mock orange and climbing honeysuckle I went. Rain pattered my umbrella as I tucked the wet rosebud softly, ever so softly, into my raincoat pocket, and was out of there before anyone noticed, leaving only a trail of muddy footprints, a clue soon to be washed away by the deluge; because I needed to press a real Beatrix Potter flower into my book more than I cared if I went to the Far Sawrey town jail . . . in fact, I took two flowers . . . . the rose, and an Iris for my journal.
And then it was time to go. Other than going inside and asking to take a nap in her actual bed, I thought I had done it all. The rain was coming down hard, Joe was waiting on the other side of the little gate with the car running, reading his newspaper. I stopped and took that one last photo of Castle Cottage ~ nostalgic, recalling memories that weren’t even mine ~ across green Post Office Meadow. Nothing in the village of Near Sawrey has changed since Beatrix walked the narrow lanes with her border collie Kep at her side.
I hope you enjoyed our visit — I wrote more about this dream-come-true in our travel journal in case you also have a place in your heart for the life of Beatrix Potter . . .
You are blessed to carry such a beautiful trip in your heart forever. (This is also one of my favorite movies!)
Pick me!Pick me!I would so treasure this book!
How I have enjoyed your journey. I was at Hill Top Farm 30 years ago and its magic has never left my soul!
Welcome Home!!!
You don’t know how happy I am to hear that!
Life IS good, and it got even better when I saw your post this morning! Love the return to Hilltop in the rain, entering through the not-previously-noticed green gate, the balancing act to take photos, and the rosebuds that clearly recognized you as a benevolent soul and so jumped into your pocket! What a delight! Between your blog today and Martha Stewart’s tour of her Bedford Farm, I’m filled with a longing to go wandering down a woodsy lane somewhere! Maybe time for a trip to the Botanic Garden, although it’s so warm here the beach would probably be best. Ever grateful, Susan (and Joe and Girl Kitty and Jack, of course, et al) for the joyous contribution to my life: through your books, your blog and just you yourself!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for taking me along on your journey! I could almost feel the dampness, taste the tea, and feel the soft ground under my feet! We are so lucky to have a freind that takes us on such adventures!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing giveaway, and so so thoughtful of you. I feel bad posting as I live in England, so I just hope that the book goes to a loving, special home wherever it is! And Susan – Beatrix’s spirit will always been alive while you are posting 🙂
Susan, the lamb you painted is so darling!! Oh to be an artist. You make it all look so easy! Enjoyed traveling along with you!!
Oh my…I so enjoyed our visit to England, especially the Beatrix Potter and Jane Austen homes, as they are my two favorite authors. (My grandmother was buried with her well-worn copy of Pride and Prejudice.) As a homeschool mom of five children, I especially enjoy the Beatrix Potter quote, “Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality”. You are so kind to offer this lovely book to a reader of your blog. Best wishes!
Cherice
How sweet! Your Beatrix Potter post was my favorite from your entire England trip, and I was so happy to get to revisit it with you! What a beautiful place and a beautiful book.
Dear Susan,
I love, love, love the book! How close to heaven you must have felt when you found it! As a collector of old and distinguished books myself, this one is truly a treasure! The flowers you put inside were a fabulous idea!
BTW, off topic here. My son and his father just installed my new clothesline. That is heaven for me!
xo Tracy
How fun! Really, it IS the little things isn’t it!? Almost everywhere we went in England, they gave us line-dried towels. I forgot how good a scratchy line-dried towel feels — so mine are on the line right this minute . . . I hope it works in America too!
Line dried…almost as good as chocolate! >grin<
What an amazing gift to give Susan! I loved following you on your trip.
I just can’t thank you (and Joe and your friends) enough for all the work letting us travel with you to see all these wonderful, wonderful places. I loved it all and the excitement of being there in the Queen’s Jubilee year! This, though, is incredible. Who didn’t grow up on Beatrix Potter and all the little friends she introduced us to. I have rather a Potter room – my husband made a piece for the wall in the room with three shelves. I purchased small Peter Rabbit paper dolls and cut out the clothes and Peter (!) and mounted them on lightly stained wood. The figures and all of their clothes are cut with a little saw and stand along the backs of all the shelves which hold my figurines. You can see I’m a real lifelong fan. I’d love to win the book but regardless, thank you, Susan, for a wonderful trip !
Thanks for sharing your journey, would love to go myself. The book is a treasure for sure, thanks for the chance at an amazing giveaway <3 !!!
Who could resist a David Austin rose. I have one that is 6 feet tall. I water it every am because it has been over 100 degrees here for 10 days!!!
Wow! What a special treat! I would love to have that limited edition book for my library…I’ll put it right by all my Susan Branch books that I’m collecting where it will feel right at home. Thank you so much, Susan, for taking me and all the other girlfriends (and boyfriends) to England with you and Joe. I searched high and low for a Emma Bridgewater flotilla mug in the US, but couldn’t find it anywhere, so I went online to Emma Bridgewater’s website and ordered it (and a couple of other mugs) driectly from her factory. I received it in record time! I am one happy camper! Thanks again for all the joy you bring to me each and every time you post. xoxoxoxo Sherry
This has been so much fun going along with you on your journey. I have so looked forward to each and every update. It absolutely makes my day. What a wonderful surprize that someone will be receiving a copy of Beatrix Potter’s first book from Hill Top. You can bet I hope it’s me!!!!!!! XOXO to you!
LOVE this so much Susan! And of course, being a photog, I LOVE all your pictures. I do read the words, too, but I look at every detail that you post in your photos… so fun! And, I would L>O>V>E>>>> to give that little book to my son! 🙂
Lots of love and thanks for inspiring us all! XOXO
Susan, I enjoyed every single post of your trip to England! I was living vicariously through you on your beautiful adventure! I would love to take a trip like that some day. Your pictures truly captured the beauty and all the simple pleasures you enjoyed. Thank you for sharing with us! xoxo
I really chuckled when you wrote about having to lift a rose sample. That was what I told my family, who was aghast that I took some leaf samples from here and there on my first and subsequent visits to the UK. They reminded me it was a violation of US Customs but I just couldn’t help myself. “Will power!” they cried, but they just didn’t understand the power of the holy souvenir!
That’s right, holy. Must be done.
Oh wow! I can’t even breathe! Susan, that is amazing. A book for you AND a book for one of us??! Right when I think it can’t get any better, it does! I was just happily reading your post and now the world is singing (actually screaming) of possibilities! You do know how to set our hearts on fire. Whether or not that book comes my way (fingers are crossed!) I still have to say thank you. You are incredible! XXO
XOXO Teresa!
Susan- that is just fantastically special! I love the opportunity you are giving us here! What a wonderful treasure!
You’re a doll Rachel, thank you!
Maybe I’ll win, since it’s my 25th Wedding Anniversary TODAY!!!!!!! Although I loved the trip….it’s nice to have you back home!
Happy Anniversary! Thank you Francine!
What a lovely story and such a wonderful gift to give…or receive!
Floppy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter. Read it as a child. What a thrill that would be to give to my new baby grandaughter and read it to her. You must have been over the moon excited to see it all firsthand. Thanks for offering this generous gift. Hope I win. My grandaughter would thank you also,(if she could talk).
Awww!
Oh Susan, what an unbelievable gift for some lucky person….your wonderful travels have filled my heart and I am even collecting Beatrix Potter figurines now! I gave my daughter the collection of small books that I bought over 45 years ago….you are an amazing gift to all of us.p
Thanks, Susan, for sharing your delightful experiences. I’m feeling a little blue as my first birthday without my Mom approaches and your postings have taken me away! I’m sure the winner of your treasure will be so happy!
Oh Susan, thinking of you!
I had the pleasure of visiting English for the Queen’s silver jubilee and haven’t had the opportunity of returning. Thank you for letting me visit through your travels.
Who would NOT give this a loving home?? More than that, though, thank you for the trip! I didn’t realize I missed England so much until we went on our trip! My little sheep bank is ready to be emptied as I save for my next trip! Today is an English day with rain and cool weather, hot tea in a cup, and scone on a plate! Good luck, everyone!
I have enjoyed your trip to England so much! That’s where my ancestors are from and it’s my dream to go there one day! Now I want to go more than ever! Thanks so much again for all you time and effort to make this special for all of us!
You will LOVE it. It’s so shockingly beautiful!!!
What a wonderful trip. It has been a real pleasure following along with the other ladies and enjoying England through your blog.
Oh Susan! The lambie pie is exactly as I pictured you’d paint her! LOVE IT! I shall simply languish if I do not win this book! 🙂
I am so glad to hear that you stole a rosebud (2) from Beatrix’ garden! I have been feeling ever so guilty since we left there in 2010 because I stole a stone from one of the garden walls! My hubby, I thought, was going to report me to the police but I told him it WAS on the ground so technically it wasn’t ON the wall, per se! But I LOVE having it!!! xoxo….kp
Shhhhh, we won’t tell anyone! 🙂
Oh, and if the Random Winner Drawer (or whatever) picks the winner on July 23….that’s my birthday (hint-hint!) 🙂
Your pictures and words make me long to go rambling in the English countryside. Thank you for sharing your amazing trip.
Sorry, I meant England. I’m also a retired English teacher–guess the fingers go to English from habit.
Oh my, as I read on and then read that you were giving away one of the books, well, I could not breathe!!
Crossing EVERYTHING!!!!
LOL!
I so look forward to your blog posts. They are always a joy to read. You always “take me” somewhere wonderful! Thanks so much. Beatrix has always been a favorite of mine and in turn, my children. The book, be still my heart. Very special, indeed!
I just loved “our” trip to England! When can we go back?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of my childrens favorite books. I think I love it just as much as they do.
I would love to win your copy.
Oh, take my breath away. What a treasure. Loved returning to Hilltop, the garden, the roses, the bee hide-a-way, all of it. Swooning. xxxooo
While I would love the book, the blog today was special in itself. A real feast for the senses since your descriptions and your pictures made it (almost) seem like I was there. Thanks
I knew you must have been up to something extra Special for all of your Girlfriends here at home Susan!~ It was so much fun following you on your trip, and I loved all of your excitement and enthusiasm, in seeing everything for the first time! I am so happy that many special memories were made for you and Joe in England! =) Welcome Home, dear friend!! xo
Thanks Bonnie! Nice to hear from you!
Beatrix Potter has always been one of my most favorite people. I always seem to find a new book to add to my collection. I never tire of her illustrations and her characters.
Ooh La La what a nice treasure and priceless too!!
What a loverly lamb! Thanks for the chance to win it. And the book too!
A lovely reminder of your trip to England and a lovely book to share with all of us as well.
Your words and artistry are MY treasures. So very glad you share with us your life’s journey in the most beautiful of places….even if it is in your own backyard….and now even from Beatrix’s herself.
Please add a newest fan to your list…my mother. I sent her the link to your Jane Austen home tour. She really is taken up with Austen’s work and your entry that day just put her over the top. Thank you again for your sharing your love of life.
Thank you Robin and give a special hello to your mom!
Most certainly will!!! *waving a thank you!!!*
I feel as if I already won because reading these posts have just made my Spring and Summer!
I can’t believe that you are giving away this book…. it takes my breath away….
Please, dear Lord, please allow me to win this book. It will live with me, be read to my granddaughter and then be passed on to her for her children and grandchildren. Thank you for being so thoughtful.
What a pleasant surprise this afternoon to find a fresh post from you. It’s like receiving a long awaited letter from a special friend after opening the mail box a few too many times in hopes of a friendly hello. I’ll sip my green iced tea and reread your post a little slower to savor the news. Take care.
Hi, Susan,
I so love to read and get lost in our posts. I find myself revisiting your posts from England frequently. I love to relook at each picture to take in all the details and treasures. What a wonderful trip, you and Joe were blessed beyond measure!
I am a school nurse and when I return from summer vacation, one of the first things I will do, is to put up your calendars at each of my schools. They bring so much joy and delight…thank you, Susan
OMG! How exciting! How fabulous! How generous!
Since I began following your blog, I have been reading and searching for all things Beatrix Potter. I love her and all she did.
I love you and all you do.
Susan M
Your trip sounds so nostalgic and wonderful, everything was so beautiful and real!
Thank you for offering to part with one of your “finds”.
That is very kind of you, I so enjoy all of your sharings that you do in the “web”!
I am love to live vicariously through your journeys!
What a sweet remembrance of your visit. You remind me of my grandma who used to climb fences to get a start of a plant from someone’s garden 🙂
That’s me! Except for the climbing of the fence! I only hide in bushes. 🙂
LOL
Oh Susan, what a fantastic adventure you and Joe had! How I would to take that exact trip! I so enjoyed your blog and would treasure that one-of-a-kind book! Have a great day and thank you so much!
Janie
Oh Susan, I have enjoyed your little trip almost as much as you did I am sure! Am making a pact with my daughters and sister to ttravel there with them one day! We must see it all for ourselves! Thanks so much for sharing! Much Love,
Mischelle
Pretty please put my name in the hat for that darling book!
Goodness !! ..dear Susan…my heart is literally racing with excitement !!!…now I need to go back and re-read again and again !!!!!!!….with love…
Susan,
I grew up never hearing of Beatrix Potter until my first son was born and someone gave me a gift of her works. From that day forward I fell in love with her words and art and have enjoyed them through 4 children and 5 grandchildren! I have been inspired by her art, just as I have been inspired by yours!! The two of you have styles unique to each of you and they stir joy within our hearts to see them.
I would absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this book, and yet if I do not, I know one of the other girlfriends will enjoy and treasure it as much as I would.
Thank you for choosing to share a copy with one of us…you are a true pearl of a girl. <<<<>>
Rori
This post took me back to when I was setting up the nursery for my now 14 year old son (Benjamin). We read The Tales of Peter Rabbit to both of my boys and they had cross stitched blankets that their Nan made them that had Peter and Jeminia Puddleduck on them. It seems like such a long time ago. Thank you for the making me visit the memory!
What a wonderful little keepsake!!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed tightly to win… we haven’t told anyone outside of family yet, but my husband and I are expecting a baby in the late winter, and we’re planning a Peter Rabbit nursery — I even love the name Beatrix for a little girl 🙂 Thanks for sharing a little bit of England with your readers!
Oh Boy, a baby!!! How wonderful for you!! Congratulations Carrie and to your husband and family! I love Beatrix for a name too, so different and special!
This is such a wonderful slice of life :). I want to thank you for sharing so much of yours with us, because of your beautiful pictures & stories, my soon-to-be husband has suggested we honeymoon in Martha’s vineyard!! Can you tell I’m bursting at the seams?!
Yes!!! A perfect honeymoon place. Romance is everywhere.
What a thrilling adventure for you! I can’t imagine being able to illustrate like you do, but i’m thankful that you share your gift with the world. I’ve got several collections of your beautiful fabric that you designed years ago, and I think I have decided to make a quilt for an auction. Your generosity in parting with this amazing little book is truly wonderful.
What a lovely little treasure! It would be cosseted in our home!
Ohhhhh yipeeee pick me pick me………..please! Thank you
I would cry the happiest of tears to own this precious book. I adore both you and BPso very much! Thanks for taking us on this journey with you, and for juggling all those items to get photos. xoxo
Oh, I LOVE Beatrix Potter, I have loved your journal of your trip and I love your blog in general. Thank you SO much for keeping this blog going so regularly. It brings me joy! Glad you made it home safe and had such a great time. Thanks again for bringing us along!
Tara
thank you dear Susan for sharing all the magic that you do. I so look forward to your blogs. they make me smile everytime. Such a blessing. But I must share a story with you…the other day I was looking out my kitchen window into my side garden where I have birdfeeders hanging. Love to watch the birds ..but this day in particular I noticed there were two little ears poking out of my plants on the ground….I kept looking and looking and low and behold it was a bunny….now mind you we have never, ever had bunnies in our yard, ever in the 14 years I have lived in this neighborhood of Valencia, California. There he was the cutest little bunny chomping on the plants that have grown from the bird seed. I of course immediately thought of Beatrix Potter and the beautiful pics you had put on the blog and it felt like magic. I would like to think it was Peter visiting for awhile… So exciting and everyday now, I peek out my kitchen window looking for my furry friend, but he has not returned. Oh well if not today, maybe tomorrow.
Keep that bird seed comin’! 🙂
Debbi R, I live in Saugus!! We are neighboring Susan Branch Fans!!! Who knows, one day we may meet and be able to share our love of Beatrix and Susan!!
Keep watching for Peter, he may just return. I have seen a few bunnies over here in Saugus, so there is hope. <<>> -Rori
Hi Rori,
Oh my gosh…how exciting two fans living so close. It is a small world 🙂 No bunnies yet…but I never give up hope
What an amazing gift. Thank you for the “trip through England”.
Being confined to bed with oxygen, this has been a wonderful trip for me.
I always waited eagerly for the next post.
I loved the trip so much. With three daughters and now granddaughters
I have long been a Beatrix Potter fan with a very small collection.
Although I have also been a Susan Branch fan for a long time, I didn’t feel
like I knew you personally as I do now.
Thank you,
Barbara
So happy you’re here Barbara!
What a lovely trip and such a perfect surprise! I indulged myself this past Christmas with a first edition of your “Christmas From the Heart of the Home.” I got my first copy of it in 1990, which was a very difficult time in my life – I literally read the covers off and kept it, taped and rubber-banded together for years. I have all your books now, but that first one is still so, so special to me. I would love to have this Beatrix Potter one-of-a kind to read to my boys and my grandchildren someday. Thank you, Susan – you make the world a nicer place. 🙂
Thank you back Victoria!
Oh the absolute joy of it all! Loved your pictures and story of the garden.
Susan,
Thank you so much for taking us all on your trip to England. What a thrill for you and Joe. Because of your wonderful pictures and descriptions, my husband and I are now planning our trip to England in 2014 to celebrate my 70th birthday. Thank you for all the creative ideas that you give us and now travel too! Life is good!
thank you, susan! the rose looks like ‘hertiage’, ‘the generous gardener’ or ‘gertrude jekyll’ (but probably a little pale for g. jekyll) .. all david austen roses.
would love the book… oh so pretty. what a treasure. love, marybeth
pike road, alabama
Thank you Marybeth! I’ll look at them!
I would, of course, love to be the winner. I have a granddaughter who is learning to read. She’s Chinese, adopted, and is doing her own little readathon to raise money for the orphanage in China where she was born. My only problem is that the books seem to be “junk”…for instance, The Kickball Wedding. Ah well…I’m only the grandmother. I’d love for her to read something with SUBSTANCE. Thanks.
Only the grandmother, that may be true, but she won’t think so . . .
What a wonderful place to visit. I loved reading all of the Potter books to my children and now grandsons. Thanks for sharing with us and I can’t wait for your book to come out!
Oh Please Please pick me. I have read this book so many times and love it still. It is a favorite with the grandchildren.
First you take us along on the trip and then you buy the special edition book? My heart skipped a beat. I would love to win it…as would all the girlfriends. What a treasure.
It makes me want to cry. It is so precious! I can’t believe you’d think of
your girlfriends on your blog. You’ve already given us such a wonderous
magical time.
Blessings to you Susan.
I really did feel like you all were there with me, it only seemed right to have souvenirs!
I so much enjoyed tagging along on your trip across the pond! Your eyes and your heart have shown us a special perspective that I really relate to. Thank you for your photos and your commentary and for this giveaway~what a treat!
I have adored every line of your travel journal that you’ve shared with us over the last several weeks. Your adventures are like my dreams come true. Thank you, Susan, for sharing your slice of English life with us. xoxoxoxo t
I loved the trip you took me on and I loved how you brought the life of Hill Top back home in the rose. I would never have thought of that. My Mother’s name was Rose and I would have loved to share this blog with her……but I did share it with my sister. The roses look like peony roses that my Mother grew by the house. Thank you so much for the wonderful time in England!
You are so welcome Bonnie!
“True Happiness is giving it away” – that is the essence of you! You are a blessing. Good luck to all who enter. Someone’s going to be a lucky Jemima ducky! xo
Rosinda
Lucky Jemima Ducky! 🙂 Love it!
Thank you for the drawing, Susan. I have a rose for you to look at that may be the rose in your photo. It’s called Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin.’ It has a lot of nice features besides being fragrant; it’s almost thornless and it does well in shade. I grow it on the east side of my house. I’d post a link, but I didn’t know if that was allowed. It’s an old climbing rose named in 1868, and it blooms for a long period of time. I read someone above posted that it was their wedding anniversary. It’s mine, too — 31 years.
That does look a lot like it! Does yours bloom once in the spring, or all summer? Easy to care for? I want it! Happy Anniversary Gwen, and thank you!
It blooms in the spring and all summer and it’s sooo easy to take care of. I just prune what I need to keep it in bounds, and I’ll cut off some of the spent blossoms to keep more new ones coming. You’ll love the fragrance.
Oh that’s it, I’m getting one! Thank you Gwen!!!
Heartfelt thanks to you and Joe for “taking” all of us with you. The posts and pictures have been incredible. Please give your beautiful kitties a kiss from me!
I’ll do it, happily!
HELLO! WHAT WONDERFUL POSTS!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS PRICELESS>SO DEAR OF YOU TO SHARE!
THANK YOU ♥
Oh, Susan!!!! What a wonderful gift! I hold a special place in my heart for anything Beatrix Potter…our daughter’s nursery was decked out in all things Peter Rabbit! Those soft pink walls, Bea Potter bedding (sewn by me) and lots of little figurines and prints. Each time I read about your Guest Room, you make me smile as my mind travels back 18yrs. to that precious time as a new, first time mom! Keeping my fingers (& toes!) crossed! ¢=
Hope my comment clears moderation before you choose the winner? =\
What a delightful gift for your invisible fellow travelers. Since we were invisible we couldn’t buy it for ourselves.
I’m sure whoever’s name is drawn will treasure it.
Hi Susan… You have so much charm in your lives there in M.V. that we all enjoy your sharing with us. And to think that you came up with the idea of sharing your personalized and very charming B.Potter book with one of us is incredibly awesome. We all have our reasons for hoping that we might be the recipient and will wait with baited breath to find out who you draw. Meanwhile, here in Indianapolis, all we talk about is the history-making drought that we are experiencing and the endless stream of daily temps hovering in the high 90s. Thanks for giving me something different to think about!!
(is Petey glad to be home or was he so totally spoiled during your wonderful trip that he is a little blue now?)
Thank you for sharing the most beautiful pictures of the English countryside – oh I wish, wish, wish I were there. And I wish, wish, wish to win too! 🙂 That little book is an absolute treasure.
Thank you for the opportunity to win. You’re the best!
Oh Susan!! It is BRILLIANT!!! SOOOO SOOO GOOD!!! I do believe that the book wants to come live with me! Oh, how I would treasure such a miracle!… you are lovely to think of us, because you know we didn’t have a lot of room to pack goodies in to bring home with us. Thank you so much.. Every post just gets better and better… I have yet to read all the Jane Austen posts, as that was my VERY VERY Favorite thing to do.. besides B. Potter being my Very Very Very favorite.. oh, how do you choose!!! Ah, it is wonderful being able to experience these things! Thanks again for everything!!!
Diana – in IL.
One reason it takes me so long to blog is because I just can’t choose!!! Even today, there are other great things too!!!!
Wow, Susan, such a very generous prize!!! My daughter, Kristina and I have followed your every word from England! Kristina studied Jane Austen at Oxford last summer and holds England dear to her heart. All 3 of my daughters and I would adore your beautiful Beatrix Potter Book! Fondly, Kim D., Dublin, OH
oh I can’t believe you got one of these to giveaway! Such a wonderful gift. I was in the Lake District in 1982 — so long ago and would love this.
Hi Susan!
What a lovely treasure of a book!! I grew up reading Beatrix Potter, her books are just so comforting to read. Also, I just loved your entry about Jane Austen’s house (I was the one that studied in Oxford last summer and traveled there). Didn’t you just gasp when you saw the lock of her hair and her jewelry and her WRITING DESK?! I certainly did, and I certainly secretly touched that writing desk just to feel even more of a connection to Jane than I already felt in that house!! The next time I go to England I will have to go to Beatrix Potter’s house and enjoy the idyllic countryside. Lots of love!
I did gasp! I touched it too, just a finger, hoping for some osmosis magic!
You are such a remarkable talent and inspiration to me! I often read your blog and am the proud owner of several of your books. I am hoping to own one of your glicee prints very soon!
Thank you!
Lee Ann Prowell
xoxo Lee Ann!
Dear Susan,
How kind of you to think of your readers and fans. Your work and life story inspire me to try new things and be creative. I love that you went swimming with The Beatles! Thank you for sharing so much of you with us.
Heather
Not exactly “went swimming with” … more like hid in bushes watching THEM swim. But close 🙂
Delightful surprise Susie!! No, I didn’t know!! That book written by Beatrix Potter will be so treasured by some lucky drawing winner — but when it comes to winners, it’s me and Mom! We win above all else because we lived long enough to enjoy the fruits of your talents and watch what you do with them! That you would share this final elegant gift, is so typical of you, and over these last few weeks, in bringing this story home. I think I can speak for both Mom and myself when I say, “Well done Susan” — we are so proud of you!
Well, you know what Dad, I did pick the exact right parents. ♥ That means the world to me!
How sweet and touching, awww:)
….Blink,blink….oH Mr. Jack! This day feels really good
doesn’t it?! So happy……… : .}
I’ve sooo enjoyed the trip to England with you (and everyone here)! Visiting England and Beatrix Potter’s home are now at the top of my list of things to begin saving for! Thank you for the opportunity to win such a special treasure 🙂
A one of a kind Peter Rabbit book ! I can’t tell you how many times i read that book to my son when he was little (he is all grown up now) and now I read the same story to his girls. Such a sweet story with beautiful drawings – it is truly timeless! Thank you so much for sharing your visits to this magical place !
Omigosh Omigosh, I am so excited! I was going into “Susan Withdrawals” and then, after checking every hour, you are back and doing something so wonderful for all of us! I am so happy that you enjoyed your England trip, and just love reading your posts – Thank You!
I cqn feel the “glee” as you tempt us with your gift. I can smell the aroma of that beautiful rose. Thank you again for sharing your trip.
Susan…I can hardly contain my excitement over this book! Beatrix Potter and your special touches?!! What a treasure of a lifetime!
Your flower snatching reminds me of a time we went to a tide pool on vacation in Oregon. Signs everywhere telling peolple not to remove anything…me..I HAD to have a seashell for a momento of our special day. We live in Montana and my girls had never seen the ocean before….I snuck one mussel shell in my pocket and my husband acted like he was mortified. When we got to the car he handed me a tiny bit of driftwood that he had snuck out too! Stinker!
Two of a kind (and I make 3)! 🙂 They are going to have to develop a new kind of body scanner, one that ignores metal and goes right for the soft stuff!
Reading about your trip has been a real treat! This does make the topper on the cake, though. I’ll probably never see Hilltop Farm in person, so thank you for taking me there vicariously. I would love to win your special treat – thanks for the chance.
You are too good to us! Thank you for your generosity. I know whomever receives this book will treasure it and your kindness. A unique and beautiful gift!