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 . . .
How special it’s been to follow your trip, Susan. Thank you for sharing. The photos are wonderful and your excitement is contagious. I’m hoping to have some luck in the drawing, but whoever gets this lovely book will be one fortunate winner.
Oh, my goodness, how I’ve enjoyed your trip! Beatrice Potter AND Jane Austen – two of my absolute favorites! Could there possibly be a more wonderful country to visit?!
I really enjoyed visiting Hilltop Farm once myself, many years ago, but they did not have this lovely treasure of a book for sale then. Would LOVE to be the winner!!!
Thank you for your trip to England and sharing it with us!!!! Your blog is very special to me. It has become a part of my everyday life. Nothing gives me more joy than setting down with a hot tea or a coffee and diving into your world! Yes I have said this before, You are my Julia!!!!! I may never get to see England in person but I had a wonderful time see where you went. It was ALL the places I would have wanted to go… except for maybe a Twinings tea store! Thank you for you! You are a good friend… ha ha… Well I am off to order a bunch of your stickers. I was given a Smash book for my 40th birthday and can not imagine it without a touch of Susan!!! Love to you.
Hi Susan,
So excited because I am leaving for London today with my hubby and 3 kids. Can’t wait to get on that plane. We are spending 5 days in London and then are off to Scotland for a week. I love vacations.
Cheerio, Kathleen
Bon Voyage Kathleen! Cheerio!
What a beautiful book and the flower makes it special. Who could have resisted just one (or two) flowers. What a delight that will be for someone to open that book in the future and find the flower unexpectedly. A real treasure for you and whoever is gifted this! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I will refer to your adventure when the day comes (soon I hope) when I can make my visit and walk along the paths!
Dear Susan, I listen to the beautiful music of miss potter, before I go to dreamland at night. thank you for the wonderful tour, hope to get there some day, if only in my dreams!
A special trip to fill your Beatrix heart,
To come back home, must have been hard to part.
To share your love of Miss Potter is so kind,
And to top it off – it’s even signed!
To introduce such history to my 2 yr old daughter,
May she, too, find such love with Beatrix Potter!
Thank you for the opportunity for such a special prize! Happy Summer!
What a lovely, lovely trip to England! Thank you for being so kind in sharing it all with us girlfriends. And the chance to win the Beatrice Potter book – WOW. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Susan
Your trip was incredible. I enjoyed every moment. I now have a new entry on my bucket list and have started saving for it. I loved everything about your trip but you mentioning The Swan Hotel hit home. I had a shop called the Swan Cottage and at a flea market while shopping came across an oil painting of the Swan Hotel, bought it immediately and hung it in the shop. I found out from a customer that this place really existed in England. Then you mentioned it! I now have that picture hanging in my home where I can see it everytime I walk in the door. It has even more meaning now. I’m in love with everything Beatrix Potter. Hearing about the trip from you, now I know I have to make this trip some day. Thank you so much for your writings—they make my day. Chris
Susan, I have loved our trip to beautiful England. I’m so glad you went back to Hill Top and saw the beebole and the garden…so amazing. Of course I would love to recieve the book as I’m sure whoever “Vanna” chooses will indeed love it! I always read The Tale of Peter Rabbit to my 2nd graders every spring. I’m betting a lot of them will read it to their children too because it is such a classic.
I hope things are blooming beautifully in your MV garden. After triple digit heat we are finally getting great rain showers here in SC.
wow! I just caught a look at the number of comments so far! Lots!! I guess far more of us were along than what I ever imagined! And isn’t is nice that we were so thoughtful that we didn’t get in each other’s way? Just a perfect trip for all of us. And now we get to have a chance for a prize! Thank you for Susan for the opportunity!
Oh Susan, I have so enjoyed traveling with you. Thank you for taking me along on your amazing trip. I hope someday to be able to travel and see these sights for myself, but in the meantime, I can say that I went with you. 🙂
I’d love to win the Beatrix Potter book – and even more of a treasure will be your sweet picture in the book. As my friend who recently traveled to Scotland says, “Cheers!”
hey, Teresa, how about that? two Lancaster County girls respond one right after the other! I bet I can holler out my back patio and you might hear me! good to read your message!
You should try it! Wouldn’t it be funny if she hollered back!
What a lovely surprise.Thanks for sharing!
Mimi
Loved, drooled over, threw myself on top of, this blog. Received my master’s in children’s lit in 2011, so this whole trip is my perfect idea of heaven. Beautifully told and photographed. I really felt like I was along … well not exactly, but as much as I could be. Thank you for sharing!!!
You are a treasure! Have so enjoyed reading your blog/travel diary the last few weeks. I always wait until I have a few moments all to myself to read and imagine myself there in your shoes. Such a treat.
What a special surprise at the end of your blog today! I have “drunk in” all of your wonderful England postings and to have a piece of your amazing adventures would truly be something special! 🙂
Susan,
Your trip to England seemed like so much fun. I hope to go to England on a dream vacation someday! Rhonda
That is one incredible trinket you’ve collected… and a second to gift away!
*Cheers*
OMGoodness! Are you kidding! You, my dear, are an amazingly thoughtful person! I have so long wanted to visit Beatrix Potter’s garden…have dreamed of it for years and years…alas…with 5 children to put through college (the first is just off this fall), it is going to remain a dream for a long, long time to come. Hopefully, when the youngest is out of high school (the oldest will be 30 by then) it may happen—but that is about 12 years off…at least! Thank you for this opportunity!
I didn’t leave any comments while you were on your trip, but I was there with you every step of the way! (I tagged along for the Emma Bridgewater tour and am now enjoying my very own pottery.) Thank you for being such an excellent guide and companion. I haven’t had an away-from-home vacay in about 15 years, so it was a real treat to be invited to share yours. Thanks so much.
It was such a joy to travel with you, I will revisit these blog posts often when I need an “England” fix! We’re deep into our summer coastal fog here in Morro Bay, so I’m enjoying reading about your lovely weather on the island.
Erin in Morro Bay
Susan, you are an angel to take us all on your trip. Your descriptions paint the most beautiful pictures in my mind. I can’t believe you actually got an extra book to give away! You are truly amazing.
What a special surprise. I have so enjoyed this trip & got excited everytime I saw a new post, You made it so special. What a wonderful, one of a kind, Giveaway, thanks for a chance at it.
Oh my Stars!! Whatta gift to someone! Whew! It’s difficult to even imagine holding it,let alone owning it! This is sew sweet of you, Susan
Hi Susan! I have roses that look like your picture. They are many-petaled and fragrant. They are zephrin drouin or something like that. Excuse spelling!! Whatever they are they truly are glorious! Thanks for the travelogue. I look forward to getting a copy of your written diary. Thanks also for the chance to win this treasure!!
I think you have it!
You are so fortunate to be able to visit such a magical place! I love that you blogged and took photos of the entire trip. I felt like I was right there with you. Thank you for taking the time to do that. Winning the book would be the ultimate.
oops saw my post, it was waiting on moderation. Sorry about that, can you delete one of those. 🙁
They don’t come in to me in order believe it or not, I just deleted something with your name on it, hopefully I got the right one!
Oh dear Susan – how generous you are. Look at that precious book – it is beautiful…..no, that isn’t good enough of a description .. magnificent! What Beatrix Potter did in her lifetime is magnificent, and Susan Branch, what you are doing in your lifetime is magnificent!!!! I’m crossing everything just on the chance that I might be the recipient of such a glorious gift. Much love to you and your huge heart.
thank you for ‘taking” me along
Thank you, so much, for including me in your drawing!!! Ackkkkk!!!!!! The excitement that I might win is almost as good as winning!!! You notice I did say, “almost”!!! I envisioned my name right there on that page!!! Will it help? I hope so. Let’s see my check list: four leaf clover, fingers crossed, tonight I’ll wish on the first star I see, and pray you don’t do your choosing on Friday, (the 13th you know)!!! I’m just teasing. I’m not the least bit superstitious just extremely hopeful. And I’ll say a hearty congratulations to the winner right now because if it isn’t me I’ll not be able to see through the tears to say it later! (Now that was just too dramatic, even for me!!!) Thank you, Susan! You are such a sweet lady!
Here’s hoping,
Sandy
Thank you for such generosity and creativity and sharing with such a gift. Being a “bookaholic”, I relate to your passion about books and special treasures. We have been away on vacation to share in our grandson’s wedding. My delight in getting back was to be able to read your blog again and be sure we hadn’t missed anything.
Thank you for such a lovely trip to England and to Martha’s Vineyard too regularly.
Judy Tracy
Oh Susan! I tell you it just gets better and better each time i come to your blog. If the trip wasn’t enough……and now Beatrix Potter Book, with YOUR painting too…..I can’t begin to imagine what it felt like to put that waterbrush to that page….I would have had to walk around the room several times and i get butterflies thinking about it…… You’re creativity just astounds me….. I want that book just to touch it and hope that some of it rubs off on me!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you for being you!!!!!!
Had to decide whether it was “appropriate” for me to paint in Beatrix Potter’s Book! But then I realized, this book wasn’t going to her!!
Beatrix Potter DID paint sheep–in her 1929 book The Fairy Caravan. Only they are just regular sheep–not anthropomorphized.
Yes, you’re right, but I was thinking more of a lamb “person” you can set on the shelf above your kitchen sink … a figurine like Jemima Puddleduck.
Dear Susan,
I am absolutely green with envy! I have been to Dear Old England once and we stayed mostly in the south. It was a dream come true. I was with my late sister who was also an Anglophile. I know I must go back someday soon; I feel a strong pull from my forebears’ homeland. Now why did they have leave England at all?!
My older son was Jemima Puddleduck for halloween when he was 3 or 4. We loved Jemima so much that he did not mind being a “girl”. Such good memories!
Have you ever seen the movie about Miss Potter? A few years back; excellent.
Best regards,
Nora
Love it, had to buy it! That’s where the music for this post came from .
Over 1000 comments already here as I place my own. HOLY – and might I say – MOLEY!! Will I still be able to walk and/or type comments after keeping 10 fingers and toes crossed for the next few days??? Time will tell…
PS – no kidding but guess what came up in the rotation for fresh Kitchen Towel of the Day today?? My Peter Rabbit in the garden towel! Cue the dunh-dunh-dunh-dramatic-emphasis sound… Have a great day everyone! :>)
Yes, I am glad you included the MOLEY 🙂
YES!!!! I WANT THAT BOOK!!!! Very generous of you, sweet Susan, to provide such a prized gift to cherish and inspire and remember our wonderful trip by. I’ll be very happy for the Girlfriend who wins it, but I’ll be DELIRIOUSLY HAPPY if that Girlfriend is me! 🙂
Hope you enjoy your perfect “beach weather” summer day!
-Marianne-
What a pleasure it’s been to read all about your recent adventures! I can’t tell you how often I smiled as I vicariously lived them along with you. You’ve certainly inspired me to visit the same places myself one day! And, now your generosity in sharing this sweet little book. Thanks so much…
Dear Susan,
I’m so glad you determined to go back to the house, so you wouldn’t have any regrets like “I should have” when you got home. It was a little tight in the luggage with all the things you brought home, but I was right next to the little book! Thanks again for taking us along!
Oh my goodness how absolutely wonderful. (I am writing this again, because it seems like my earlier comment didn’t show up) My heat is beating so fast. As I was reading, I was happy that you picked an extra flower and that would be our gift, but to put it in THE BOOK…..that was over the top! I am so glad that you went back and got yourself the book. I was hoping the entire trip that you would go back, or that Joe would sneak off and get it for you (like he did the cupcake on the boat several months ago!) But the fact that you got one for us, is kind beyond words. Loved the picture of the bee bole. Told my husband that he needs to construct us a bee bole for our new bee hives….we will see. Thank you again for the chance to win such a precious book. xoxo Joy
Susan–Please delete this comment. My one from earlier this morning did come up (I missed it while it was under moderation) I don’t want to be a cheater! Thanks, Joy
Joy, Vanna knows to only choose one of each name, so you can leave as many comments as you want! xoxo
Oh, how fun to read 1 more blog about England and to have it be Hill Top Farm!! We GFs were right there with you once again… how much fun is that?! Oh, to be a winner of the little book! It will be such a pleasure for the lucky girl who wins and the rest of us will be sooooo happy for her. Don’t keep us waiting too long Susan 🙂
Carol M
Oh, Susan! I just adore the little Lambie-kins that you have drawn! You really need to do your own little children’s book – for all of us little Flopsy’s, Mopsy’s, Peter’s and Cottontails out here!
Back in the day, I was mesmerized by your first book, from the front cover all the way through to the back cover, over and over and over again. Then one day I got a snail mail “Willard”. I whoo hooed (out loud) from the mail box back to my front porch. It was as if I was actually Susan Branch’s personal friend, not just a “member of a fan club.” And now here I am today writing a comment on your blog to tell you how wonderful it was of you and Joe to allow me to tag along on your England holiday. It was a breathe-takingly wonderful trip. Thank you ever so much.
SO welcome Terri!
Still enjoying what you are sharing of your trip and would be thrilled to win the Beatrice Potter book. Thanks Susan for letting us vie for it!
Oh, this makes me ache to visit England even more! And for the record, I would’ve sneaked into the garden, too!
Congratulations to the lucky winner! I am speechless as to what to say….whoever wins this gem will treasure it always and forever. Thank you, Susan, for your talents are amazing 🙂
My kids and I love the tale of Peter Rabbit! Susan, what a wonderful surprise! You are going to make someone very, very happy (and I hope that someone is me!). Happy summer to you, too.
Still loving your journey, Beatrice Potter’s house is so cute, so English. When my daughter was born her aunt, who lived in England at the time, sent the most darling little tea set to her, I still have it, can’t possibly give it to my daughter (she’s 35 now!)
LOL, too funny! We won’t tell her!
Dear Susan,
You have no-idea how much I have enjoyed this trip with you. Beatrix has been one of my favorites for so many years. My little girls room was all done up in Peter Rabbit and I have so many little storybook characters around my house. They’re my silent friends that only I can talk too and “hear” them back. One day maybe I will get the chance to take the trip, one can only “Dream”. Take Care, And Please keep on sharing all of you memories !!!
Oh boy, what a delightful post! Thank you for thinking of us. I do appreciate you sharing this trip to England (on my “to-do” list) with all of us!
Kate
Wow!! How awesome is that!!! That would be wonderful to win, so I’m in. I enjoyed reading your trip……..makes me want to go!!! Thanks for the chance on this. Bless you!
Your trip looks like it was wonderful!! Thanks for taking us along, I enjoyed every moment of it! I would LOVE to win your prize, as I have been a fan of Peter Rabbit for Many years! Thanks for the chance!!
Susan,
Thank you so much for taking us along for such a wonderful visit across the pond! Our family lived in East Anglia outside of Norwich for a short time, but I was too timid to go exploring like you do. I finally got to visit some of the places that I never got a chance to see. It was loverly! Ta very much!
This one practically left me speechless and giddy from laughter, suspense and pure joy. All the comments from others sum up my sentiments…it was just so wonderful! Yes, you are definitely our modern-day Gladys Taber and our American Beatrix Potter.
You are, without a doubt, my favorite tour guide!! I will follow you where ever you choose to take us because you made England educational, fun and entertaining. Beatrix Potter has been a favorite in our house since I was a little girl, and now my grown kids have a deep appreciation as well…thanks so much for being so generous with your blog…the pictures are wonderful. Thanks also for the opportunity to win such a remarkable prize.
♥, Susan
I hope I get to take us some place else someday!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey across the pond with all of us. So thoughtful of you to bring back such a special souvenir for some lucky arm-chair-traveling girlfriend. One BURNING question … what is the name of your adorable painted lamb? 🙂
Cassandra? Too sophisticated? 🙂 How about Windermere, and we’ll call her Windy. I am terrible at names . . . Girl Kitty and Man Kitty, remember? 🙂
We could name her Annabelle –Anna for short,…..
Nice lambie name!
oH Mr. Jack….don’t be so bashful! Do you want me
to tell Susan??? Ya know….the name???? Okay, I
will be Brave…….We would like to name the sweetheart of a Lamb…….JACKie ! and note the “ie” so the i can be
dotted properly! Okay, Mr. Jack….I did it !!! What?
oH! Okay……..or just “Jack” And…if I may add……
the name may not sound so Englandy…but we DO know
who the “King of Pork Chop” is!!!! 😉
Okay Mr. Jack…I get a little nervous talking
in front of SO many people………..okay, ssshhh….
“Please vote for Jack….because without him there would be no Susan! So, just remember this and please vote for Jack! “
I don’t know, Dawn, about bringing up the phrase “pork chop” when talking about a sheep. It kind of gets close to images of “lamp chops”! LOL! 🙂
😉 oH Pat! I could hardly hear you…..it’s getting
really crowded in here…..kinda feels like we are
back in the suitcase, huh? Speaking of suitcases…….did you really carve your initials inside the suitcase??? 😉
How about Jubilee for the little lamb’s name?
My English girlfriend is now calling it Jublee. Kinda Cute!
oh oh! how about Zepherine ( the rose name)
or Heaf!!!!! I’m getting excited just thinking about names…lol always so much fun with you Susan!!!!!!
Zepherine! That’s a good one! Heaf… not feminine enough, maybe for her son!
I vote for Jublee!
Sounds good doesn’t it! Like Bubbly!
I picked the name Jubilee because I thought it had a sweet ring to it, is feminine and is in honor of the Queen’s 60th year celebration, the year of your trip. I ordered my own Flotilla Emma Mug after I saw how cute your souvenior was and it also has “Jubilee” written on it! Cheers to You!
Peter Rabbit was always my favorite, but The Tale of Tom Kitten and Jemima Puddleduck aren’t far behind. I love to reminisce about reading all these to my four children back in the day. Now I’m looking forward to reading them to a great-grandchild! I’ve also shared your blog with my eldest daughter who is reading all of Jane Austen. She loved seeing her house and the environs! Thanks so much for sharing! We’d never get to see these things without your help. BTW, you sent me a note on one of your kitchen stove notecards about ten years ago when I wrote you that my traditional gift to a bride-to-be is a collection of your beautiful cookbooks. I have your note taped to the back of my own kitchen stove notecard (which is framed and hanging on our dining room wall). I cherish it.
Oh that’s so nice!!
I tried commenting last night on my phone, but I don’t think it went through! Anyways, to repeat what I wrote, I’ve so enjoyed going on your trip with you… it was magical! Although I must admit, I am happy you’re back in MV- I enjoy seeing your life there more than anywhere else!
What an amazing giveaway! If I won, boy would I treasure that book forever! Count me in (fingers crossed)! ♥
Oh My Gosh! I get to go to England with you AND have a chance to win the most AMAZING little book, too??? I have enjoyed “our” trip so much and felt like I was right there with you. Thank You for all the fun!
Reading your blog just sweetens my day! We visited the Lakes last year with my husband’s family and just LOVED this area but didn’t get a chance to purchase one of THESE! Wow what a special treat! Thank you for the wonderful journey!
What a treasure! We’ve always been a fan of Beatrix Potter at our house, when I was a child, and now with my children! However, after watching the movie “Miss Potter” five or so years ago I’ve always dreamed of visiting there! Someday…all though your shared visits certainly will tide me over.
When it comes to winning things, I am not the luckiest person. However, to follow you on your trek thru England was very wonderful, and lucky. I hope to visit Hill Top Farm, what a beautiful and enchanting place. Thank you for letting us travel with you. My house full of bunnies, yes house full, would love to have the Tale of Peter Rabbit come to live with them. My Flopsy bunnies would be the most excited. I look forward to your England Travel Diary.
It has been such a delight to tour the English countryside with you and, like you, appreciate the fanciful writings and illustrations of Beatrix Potter! I may never make it to Hill Top but winning this special edition of her book will be almost as wonderful! What a perfect gift for one of your sojourners….hope it’s me!!!
I can’t imagine a more perfect way for you to cap off your incredible journey. One of your faithful readers, who joined you on your trip, is going to be so lucky!
I would be thoroughly amazed and delighted to receive this gift. I love your blog and was thanked profusely just lately by someone to whom I had suggested it. I enjoy anything English and Beatrix Potter.
If I found myself in the land of Beatrix Potter and Jane Austin, I would surely think I was on another planet. Someday I hope to travel to lands far far away and see the things you saw on your trip. Thank you for sharing your adventure with all of us.
Susan…how wonderful to have shared in your great adventure to England!!! What a way for me to have a few moments of sheer delight reading about them every day after my long hours at work! My husband and I were so fortunate to travel to England 5 years ago..spent time in the Lake district,then on to the Dales (where I was enthralled to be in the same area as one of my faves, James Herriott) then on to London and,all too quickly, back across the pond to the states!! Thank you so much for the daily vacation the past weeks,if only for a few moments. Next time (very soon,I hope) we shall spend longer in wonderful England!! You are more than generous with the book..keeping my fingers and toes crossed!!!
Ms Potter books have always been a favorite of mine. I have passed that love down to my daughter. She has all the cute miniature books and each character that goes with them. We had such fun collecting them. This would just be the most perfect gift for her.
I followed you every day on your travels.. I didn ‘t always leave a comment because I was too busy reading and traveling with you. I, too, hope to some day go to England and see what you have experienced. I will have to buy your book to use as my travel guide.
Glad you are back home safe and sound.
Blessings,
Bernadette
Wow! What a wonderful surprise. I am still a little ” tuckered out” from our trip. Please enter my name in the drawing. Happy day.
I’m ‘visiting’ with my grandchildren while their parents are away, my 12 year old grand son(pre-teen, grandmom) showed me how to use a laptop so I could catch up on what our Susan is doing, I guess I am 1091 post cannot believe you are sharing such a Treasure! You have inspired me to re-read so many books! Thank you Dear Friend!
What a unique gift this would make….. for me! I so enjoyed reading about your trip. The trip of a lifetime, for sure. Thanks.
Oh! How wonderful. I would love to win that book. I can just imagine passing it down to my future grand children along with my precious Peter Rabbit books and figurine.
Hello Susan,
Loved the piano music you started us off with…..will be replaying that over and over. Another trip to Hilltop was so exciting…thanks so much! As for the (roses) at Hilltop…….am sending you a link to a woman whom may be able to help you. Her name is (Pat Leuchtun @ http://www.commonweeder.com ). Pat has written for one of the papers I have read for many years and then she started a blog. She recently gave a tour of her rose gardens a few weeks back and she also has written a book called The Roses at the end of the Road. She is also involved with a committee that takes care of the Bridge Of Flowers very well known in Shelburne MA, and therefore I feel this is the best I can help you with possibly identifying the proper name of the roses.
I am so Excited for a chance to win a copy of an original Beatrix Potter and am in awe of the kindness you have gone to, to bring back such a wonderful surprise for one of us girlfriends to have a chance to win! Thank You Very Much!
Hugs & Smiles……..Barb
I’ve been a silent fan for a good while, and I’ve been a Beatrix potter fan for ever! I too have kept my sweet little Peter rabbit and figurines in my kitchen window for … Decades! Your trip to England was amazing, thank you for taking me along!! A big thank you for sharing so much of yourself with others, blessings to you from the beautiful pastures of Texas!
LOL! I loved the Calgon coment above.
What a memorable trip. I think this day must have felt especially magical though, being “there” in Miss Potter’s garden, in the rain, with only the scent of those lovely roses to accompany you. I would have been looking for Peter and friends too, and perhaps thinking of inviting them to join me in a hot cup of tea with scones and strawberry jam, imagining that without lots of people around, they’d be much more likely to say , yes please.
Thank you for this lovely opportunity.
I’m keeping all your posts for my next trip to England…what an amazing, charming time you had (and I will have!)! Thank you for including your fans in your adventures!
I’m writing a Diary of this trip, with a map of where we went and all kinds of travel tips too, so watch for that in the future!
Hi Susan,
I have so enjoyed traveling with you to England! One of my favoite places. Everything was so lovely and “enchanting”. Thanks for taking me along with you!
Blessings,
Nancy
The cabbage rose is actually a Centifolia. Thank you for all the beautiful pictures.
Dear Susan, I am speechless (are you shocked?) What a memorial from your heart to a special girlfriend. Wow! Thank you sooo much for giving to others as you do. I’m on your team as far as “who Susan Branch is”; such generosity; you make my heart flutter 🙂 Because of YOUR influence, sometime I should tell you other changes I have made in our what was an “as is” home built in 1924. It is a darling cottage. YOU are the reason I now have a Peter Rabbit room, and Doug, my husband has supported me in this endeavor!!!!!! Guess what!! the room has a built-in fireplace in it that works!!!!!!! All these things I’ve put in this Peter Rabbit guest room I had boxed away, and now I finally can make sense of it all and have them out to enjoy! The PR Room hosts a 4′ size Peter Rabbit, and his friends- such as Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and a smaller version of Peter; these are stuffed animals in their proper clothing. There are two identical vintage maple beds with glorious vintage quilts. Yes, guests can sleep in this room, and Beatrix Potters’ animals will attend them. I have an antique tray with pockets either side for reading materials, to serve guests in bed or at a table nearby that matches the beds. The tray is accessorized with (almost) Beatrix Potter china (she would approve that she could have designed it herself), and a teapot that IS her design- Peter himself sits on top of the lid! The tray has two trays as part of it, so it serves 2 people. It is outfitted with fancy 150 year old lace/linens, both placemats and dainty napkins. Several of Beatrix’ books are stashed in one of two built-in bookcases, with glass doors, and Susan Wittig Albert’s book, “The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood”- The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter!!! Also, room has beautiful 88 year old fir flooring and fancy old lighting hanging from the ceiling that came with the house. Room will also serve as my sewing room, with my sewing machine in its 1880 carved oak Singer cabinet. I also have antique sewing cabinets in the room from dear ones who have passed on. Thank you Susan for once again being a blessing in my life. I have taken many of your ideas and contoured them to fit my home and situation. My father (who’s alot like your Dad!!) used to tell me Peter Rabbit stories almost daily; he made most of them up, and yep, Peter ALWAYS got in trouble and had to pay the consequences, poor little guy! xoxo to Susan!!
Isn’t it fun to PLAY house!?! Love it Gini!
How special. A real Beatrix Potter book from her gift shop and Susan Branch. A real treasure that speaks to the heart.
there was an error in my previous comment. hope this works.
I’ve been reading Peter Rabbit since I was little! My dad said he would read it to me, and i would correct him when he didn’t pronounce “chamomile” properly! So of course he did it every time, to be sure i was paying attention! Would love to have this book to add to our Peter Rabbit collection.
What a delight!
Both of my girls listened to “The Tales of Mrs. Tiggywinkle, by Beatrix Potter” every night on cassette as they fell asleep….it was a gift from my mom…..I believe I still have the cassette in their keepsakes bin….
Blessings,
Cindy♥
Yay to one-of-a-kind books written by a fellow kindred spirit! If I win, I will read it to my future children and pass it on through the family :o)
<3 Jillian
What a delicious description of your return to Beatrix Potter’s house and Peter Rabbit’s garden! I was so nervous that someone would see me, I mean you, take those cabbage roses! What a special treat you had planned!
Susan-Thank you for sharing your England visit with us. I’ve enjoyed your words and photos more than you know, especially the Potter visits, as Peter Rabbit is a close childhood friend of mine.
I have been a fan since 1989 and reading your blog gives me so much pleasure! Thank you for taking us on your journey and for offering a most generous gift.
oh the book is delicious and theh pictures!!! esp the gardens 🙂 I love them 🙂 Oh to write while sitting in Beatrix Potter’s Garden 🙂 one can dream
Now, we must see how your gardens are growing and I’d love to see more of how YOU decorate 🙂 all the little things are so important to me 🙂
It’s Peony, Mock Orange, Rose, Lily, Maltese Corss to name a few time here on PEI 🙂 Loving it
Love,
Denise of Ingleside
I’ll get back to me sooner than you will even want ! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your vacation with us! I love how you write things; so descriptive! You are my favorite writer (and not because you give us gifts!). You just shower joy through your words.
Beatrix Potter’s handwriting is so beautiful! How I wish I could write like that. I wonder what the style is called? Maybe I’ll learn it one day.
Blessings on you, Susan!
Janine
I think it’s her real handwriting, probably without a name. Just old-fashioned cursive. And thank you for that sweet comment!!
I am so pleased that you are continuing to post pictures and adventures from your/ ‘our’ trip! I didn’t want it to end and will be quite happy to live vicariously through these pictures until you go again! I adore your stories and pictures from travels and at home – Martha’s Vineyard is such an iconic place and I would love to visit someday! We will be further up the coast in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia later this summer – perhaps if I wave …… Thank you again Susan!
I think I might have enough to last that long! 😉 Waving at Nova Scotia in August!
Lunenburg, NS is a very picturesque and quaint town. You’ll love it there. It was an honor for me to have my daughter married there last summer. Something the mother will never forget. You’ll understand once you arrive. Enjoy your stay!
I really want to go to Nova Scotia. I had a girlfriend from there when I lived in NH.
Oh my, over 1100 comments so far and it’s only morning! I loved our visit again to the Most Charming Place on earth — thank you, Susan!
Oh, Susan, Thank you for ‘taking’ us back to Hill Top! Soooo beautiful!!! AND THANK YOU for thinkng of all of us too, with the wonderful, wonderful give-away! :0)
Thanks so much for sharing your amazing journey with all your readers. It was such a treat to follow you through England and catch a glimpse of all the wonderful places you visited. My mom also had a fascination with Beatrix Potter, and after discovering your blog recently, I’m convinced it stemmed from you! She bought your first Heart of the Home book when it first came out, and became an instant fan of everything Susan Branch. It wasn’t until now that I understood her fascination. ; ) Thanks for all the wonderful things you share with your fans.
Oh, so sweet, thank you Mary!
Susan, this blog has been a wonderful part of this summer. My best friend and I discuss each post and photograph over and over! My England room has 2 Beatles walls and 2 England walls. Jubilee banners a’flying! Can’t wait for the English Diary to have a home here on the bookshelf. Hmmm, now it is up to 1 in 1200 chances to win the book. Not bad odds, and it will be exciting to see what name gets added. Good luck girlfriends!
Arline in LA
Much better odds than the lottery! And cheaper to enter too! No way to lose! 🙂
Delightful in every way!!!! My son (who is now 34 years old) used to finish the sentences when we read Peter Rabbit together and I can still hear him saying “around the end of the cucumber frame whom should he meet but Mr. DeGregor” – -could not convince him it was McGregor. Sweet memories. I have so enjoyed visiting England with you – thanks for sharing.
Susan, thanks so much for the best trip I never went on…lol….except through your blog…which was almost just as good:) Now I know all of the places I need to see if ever I have the chance. Thanks for including all the girlfriends and for bringing back presents. Unforgettable!
I have enjoyed reading your blog, as you travelled through England. I love Beatrix Potter since a child. We had the whole set of Peter Rabbit books at home, and I used to put myself into the pages, and her quaint drawings were only another reason to love her books so. The chance to win this fabulous edition is very remote I know, but the idea of winning is so joyful, I had to enter. Love, love your blog, Susan, we are so fortunate to be along with you on such a marvelous trip. Thank you.
What a beautiful keepsake of the trip!! Especially that you’ve inscribed it! The flower is a wonderfull touch, also. I, too, think the dust jacket is so pretty. It would make lovely fabric. O.K. I’ve got my fingers crossed. But if I don’t win it….Congrats to whoever does!
Hi Susan…
Love reading all your blogs..it feels I’m right next to you exploring all things Martha’s Vineyard and the Beautiful English country side! I would LOVE the Beatrix Potter Book…what a find! Please enter me…
Thanks!
Chris Sauer
California
Okay…………..I just don’t know what to say or even if what I say will make a difference to the ‘picker’ of gifts. Beatrix Potter is an inspiration, as you are Susan, to everyone that wants to accomplish something in their lives. Against the odds…. that is why we buy books, read EVERYthing we can possibly get our hands on, to inspire us to succeed. You and Beatrix inspire and push me on. I would cherish, just as much, a handwritten book by you. Anyway, here’s my entry.
Sweet Karen, that’s absolutely true for me too, being inspired is my favorite thing!
Oh to have this book- to be added to my collection of books- would be a great thing- but i know you only have thousands of us to choose from- so i am dropping my name in the hat and hoping and praying i win….but if i don’t- then i am mighty happy for the person that does win this book -personalized with the sheep drawing and all……
thanks Susan for sharing your trip with us all- i have enjoyed every single bit of it- and i am so so so glad you are home and can work on the traveling journal to get it ready to print- so we can all buy one….and earn you a ga-zillion dollars!@!@! I hope- and i know you hope too…hhahahahhaha
Have a great day!@!@!@!
Yes, darling, I actually do! So we can afford to do this AGAIN!
Loved the trip to England, was so much fun sneaking along in your suitcase. Made me so want to go to see all the fields and flowers and cottages. Can’t wait to read even more about all the England adventures,
Simply lovely…generosity magnified…even the thought of being considered is a blessing.
Thank you for sharing from your heart to mine,
Bethie