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 . . .
We started reading Beatrix Potter to our babies 19 years ago. My how time flies! Thanks again for always sharing.
I also have a collection of Beatrice Potter’s figurines on my kitchen window. I had them in a glassed closed area, but when I saw yours in your kitchen window over the sink– I liked the idea. Now I can enjoy them up close everyday. I also have quite a few old library discard books by Beatrice and a new set also. I enjoy anything with her illustrations painted on them. I have good collection of her pottery ware also. I put homemade cookies in my two favorite tins with her illustrations on them. As a Grandma I have tea parties with the grandkids using things from the world of Beatrice Potter. I have a
Miss Potter, DV D and have often wished I could go see her place in the highlands. Again thank you for allowing me and thousands of others to enjoy your trip to England.
Lovely Susan,
I, too am an incognito collector of nature. Stealthily, I’ll climb, squat, run, jump, walk and reach for a unique tidbit from nature that I can add to my ‘collection.’ My family doesn’t know what to make of it… they just smile when they see my ‘collection’ in my car, my work room or on the window sill. In my collection, I have flowers, rocks and tiny acorn tops, to name a few…. you never know when you might need something a little unique and el natural. So, I totally understand when one has to reach for a little something offered by nature herself, a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do. Beside, I think Ms. Nature is tickled pink when we want to sentimentally preserve something of hers for the sake of remembering something grand. I can see that us girlfriend’s are all cut from the same cloth.
I’ve tried to do cartwheels before on your blog…. not sure how well I succeeded.
I’ll try again….. here goes.
PleeeeASe PrEtTy PleeeeeAsE, I wOuLD LoVe to BE eNTerED in…..To THIs woNDerFul DrAWing…… whew!!!!! I better slow down on those cartwheels, they don’t come easy when your over forty. I’ll sit here and tell you the rest. what a neat give away. i love, love, love beatrix potter. there is such a charm to her work and i think that of your work as well. definitely my inspiration. notice, i’m not capitalizing any of my letters…. i’m sitting.
take care….. hope you’ve re-acclimated to MV by now.
xoxoxoxoxo
Loved those cartwheels!!
Thank you for writing your wonderful blog. I have enjoyed reading it everyday. This is my first year as a retired elementary teacher, and I think you deserve an A+ for creativity.
LOL!!! Thank you, I always wanted an A+ — and from a real teacher!!
Thank you for sharing your amazing trip with all of us! It brought back all my memories of visiting England in the seventies when my family lived in Surrey. I can just smell the wet grass and hear the birds. My favorite memory was waking up at midnight hearing my father trying to get the neighbor’s horse out of my mother’s rose garden! He was snacking on the petals. A true midnight snack!
Hoping you send me the wonderful book! Peter Rabbit was my son’s favorite stuffed animal as a baby!
Don’t let it end!!! Please tell me there’s more still to come!
A girlfriend and I have so enjoyed your trip that over lunch today, we were discussing making our own pilgrimage to England to visit with the likes of Jane Austen and Beatrix Potter! Many thanks for planting the seeds that will hopefully manifest into a trip very soon.
There is still more to come!! 🙂
Yay!! So glad to continue this visit!!
Oh Susan, you my dear are a treasure above all other treasures! I love reading your sweet stories, I can just see you traipsing (not sneaking) around the garden and finding hidden treasures that others have missed! Stepping where Beatrix Potter has stepped! Can you imagine? You have stepped right on top of where she has stepped! Wow! I can’t believe you would give away such a treasure! That book is awesome! I wonder of we can order directly from them, that is of course if I don’t win,(lol)!
I am so glad I came to our grocery store for free wifi, yes, computer not working at home all this week! Had to order a new modem, should arrive tomorrow. So so glad I came out! I could have missed reading yet another sweet story from YOU!
Oh, I hope I win, but I musn’t be greedy!
Hugs from WNC,
Jeannie
Probably air conditioned at the grocery store too, very smart!
If I were EVER to win, this book would go to my dear friend and fellow school librarian, PEGGY. She took practically the same trip you did to England just a few days afterwards and posted daily emails and pictures of her trip. Just like you surreptitiously gathered a couple of rosebuds, she quickly reached out and touched Jane Austen’s writing desk when no one was looking! You are kindred spirits with that same joyful, youthful enthusiasm.
A person needs to get her inspiration somehow!
Susan: I love your positive and comforting perspective of the world. You find beauty in and appreciate the same things I do: a beautiful fragrant flower created by nature, a quaint little historical cottage, beautiful, innocent creatures such as lambs and cows, interesting women of the past who’ve made a significant contribution to our world, good food, good friends and a positive, giving life! I enjoy reading your blog first thing in the morning or the last thing at night just to re-confirm the good in the world. Regarding Beatrix Potter, I read the entire set of her books to my daughters when they were little, over and over! I still have the entire set (over 23 years old now) in storage with a few of other valuable books and sentimental clothing I am keeping for them, so they can pass them on to their own children. At the time, I did not know about Beatrix’s life, we just loved her books! But I am so glad you have shown me her beautiful home and told us all about her interesting and wonderful life! Thank you! A trip to England so I can see it for myself is on my bucket list!
You’re going to love it Rayma!
What a lovely post, and a truly wonderful surprise! I’m sure whoever wins will be delighted( as I would be :), but even if I don’t, I just love reading your blog. You always brighten my day, thank you! BTW tell Joe thanks as well…it was really nice of him to let us girlfriends join both of you on your holiday. From all of the comments it seems like we all had a fabulous time! Thanks again! 🙂
Oh my goodness…what an amazing visit to Hilltop! I have so enjoyed seeing all you pictures and reading about your adventures (I would have picked that rose in Beatrix’s garden too!) I would love to recieve this wonderful book and give it to our sweet 6 month old daughter Emma Elizabeth. I can’t wait to share Peter Rabbit and all his friends with her. Thanks so much for the opportunity Susan.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You have been so generous to share your travels in England and give us all an inside view. Your blog is the best and so much fun to keep up with!
The Beatrix Potter book is just perfect, and your lamb drawing makes it even more special. I am a second generation fan of Beatrix Potter….
She would love that!
Thank you for taking us with you on your extra special trip–even with music and bird songs to set the mood.
What a most delicious experience and some flowers as well! How naughty but so very understandable. What a lovely holiday you have had and I have enjoyed reading about it from NZ, now I look forward the news from the Vineyard! What an adorable book and whoever is the lucky one will have a treasure for life sure to become a family treasure!
Welcome home ,Susan and Joe! Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to share your wonderful trip with us through your pictures and words and videos…it looks like such a lovely place, a step back in time. I think we all need to experience that , whether we actually go ourselves, or just take the time to read and live it through books and movies etc. Now we look forward to all that you have to share with us from home!Thank you for all you share with us girlfriends, and for the inspiration that you are!!! :)Have a wonderful weekend…Donna from Montana
What a great trip, had a wonderful time. Thanks
Susan….I can’t Thank You enough for all your pictures and stories of your trip to England. I have been reading and watching every step of your journey. I have enjoyed it so much and you did an amazing job of making all of us feel like we were there with you. I have been ill for several months and under a lot of stress with a very sick mother and most days viewing your posts kept me going….it was my escape from it all! I can’t thank you enough!! I have so enjoyed your artwork for many years. It has been so lovely to follow you on your trip! Blessings to you and your family!! Have a wonderful weekend! ReNae
I hope you and your mom feel much better very soon!!
Thank you for all the posts from England! Our family has enjoyed them so very much! The lambs with twirling tails! Oh, my! THE Emma Bridgewater Factory?!! Hill Top, Jane Austen – AND the glorious Queen Mary! Serious swooning, day after day! It all just makes my heart flutter! Snipping is good. We love you for it!
Lucy
So happy you could come along Lucy!
I check your blog each morning and have enjoyed and admired your work all these years and still do. You were so generous to share your trip to England and you certainly made us all feel like we were there as well. I love all there is about Beatrix Potter and started a collection for my son when he was born. We would watch the movies and read the little books over and over again. Whoever receives this treasure will be one lucky person. Your illustration and personal notation is the icing on the cake.
I canNOT wait to see the results of your trip in pen and ink and watercolors — and in my hands! Would it be too unrealistic to dream your book chronicling your trip would be ready for sale by Christmas?!
I would love that! Am trying!
My connection with Beatrix Potter and her little friends goes way back, and has held true for many years. Thank you for these lovely pictures, and gentle thoughts.
Hi Susan! Wow, I just have to say how much I have enjoyed your trip to England through your blog!! What a wonderful way to share it all with us! If I ever have to chance to go to England, Hill Top Farm would be one of my top most desired destinations!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home on Martha’s Vineyard with us as well. You are such a talented artist.
I have many of your books in my home library.
Thank you Melody!
Susan I have enjoyed tagging along with you and Joe on your wonderful trip. I loved seeing the lambs in the fields, Jane Austen’s home and of course Beatrix Potter’s lovely abode. I probably will never see those sights in person so I’m grateful you invited me along to see it through your eyes! How wonderful of you to give us, your girlfriends, a chance to hold this precious book in one of our hands. You win the thoughtful award for the year!
Oh, my goodness! I need to win this so I can give it to my sister. Puleeeze? Thank you for the chance!
xoxo
Lori
Thank you for taking us on your trip. It was so much fun to follow your journal through England.
I so enjoy reading your blog always. Your trip to England was over the top. To win this book would be heavenly. But win or not thank you for the gift of your writing, your lovely photos avd your art.
I have faithfully followed your entire England adventure, over hill and dale with you, into every nook and cranny, breathlessly and, yes, tearily, enraptured with your tales… But now you have REALLY done it. The rose-stealing escapade, in the drizzly rain, at Beatrix Potter’s house…masterful!! And the thought of this rose, this precious, one-in-a-million rose, being pressed tenderly into a limited edition of the REALIO-TRULIO Beatrix Potter… oh my. I do feel as though I may swoon from happiness… Thank you for this, and all of it, all of your wondrous wanderings and happy writings!
You are most generous to give this offering of most exquisite gift.
Bless you and we are so glad to have YOUR artistry in this life.
Thank you for bringing your trip alive for those of us who lived vicariously through your detailed journaling!
Welcome back to America! Where’s the next adventure? lol I enjoyed this one so much I’m now somewhat obsessed with all things British.
I know, I feel that way too!
Another lovely episode from Peter Rabbit world….heavenly. These posts have just brought back to many lovely memories for me. Thank you so sharing so much with all of us.
Thanks for the opportunity to Win the once-in-a-lifetime, original, one of one, Beatrix Potter (and Susan) book straight off the QE2 all the way from Hill Top Farm in merry ole England! I truly feel like your travel buddy via your Blogs.
Thanks for taking me along!
Your friend,
Mary
OOOOOOO I’d love this! I love Potter in every way, shape, and form!
There is such a generous sweetness and joy about you. Enjoyed tagging along with you to all these special spots. I would love to have a bit of England in my Indiana home. This book is a treasure for sure. You always make us happy by just being you!
wow susan … so many comments ..lovely idea so very wonderful..
Thank you Susan for sharing your trip! I followed along on the blog from the beginning….what a wonderful experience. My kids and I went to England for a week right after 9/11 and were so welcomed by everyone. I’d like to go back for a lot longer! Good luck to everyone in the Beatrix Potter book drawing:-)
So amazingly wonderful to see all the lovely pictures you’ve taken; it’s like being included on your trip! I think i love Beatrix Potter even more than my children do, and to see that so many other ladies do as well is like some sort of “bonding”. Thank you, Susan, for all the beautiful, warm and wonderful drawings, paintings, words and inspiration you give to us all. You are like Beatrix, i think!
She’s definitely a good role model!
Surprise company stalled my earlier response, but I’m on board with the rest of the girlfriends thanking you for our trip of a lifetime with your delightful blog. It’s even fun to go back over parts of it again plus reading the fun comments. (Wow now up in the thousands?) I’m also a retired librarian who loved B.P. books. . .even had tea parties serving Peter Rabbit sandwiches (sliced carrots with honey & pnut butter inside). Can’t wait to see how you publish your trip diary!!! What JOY you bring to all our lives regardless of age!
Oh I love your carrot sandwiches!
Now I know these sandwiches would be delicious — our first Thanksgiving when living overseas — we had a small block of cheese, carrots and a jar of peanut butter — no well-stocked larder — no turkey — we were even out of bread. Our furniture hadn’t arrived from its ocean voyage and we had no kitchen appliances (we went out the day after Thanksgiving and purchased our refrigerator but it was another two months before we had a working range) — LONG story. But back to the carrots and peanut butter — our Thanksgiving dinner was carrots dipped into the jar of peanut butter and a bit of cheese on the side. I’m having a Peter Rabbit sanwich for lunch — er, its brunch actually — right now — at 9:40AM in the OC-Calif.
I decorated my daughter’s nursery with Peter Rabbit and ran right out and purchased the collection of books! That was 18 years ago and in a few weeks she’ll be entering her first year of college. Sigh.
Thank you for the grand tour of England. Loved being your guest!
Do you think the roses could be the generous gardener climbing roses? They are so pretty. I hope to have some in my yard next season!!!
Thank you for your generous and sweet heart!
Oh I hope I’m not too late to be entered.
How I would treasure that lovely, one of kind, from your heart to mine book!!
Susan, I loved the post …I could just smell those roses…see you at the drawing!!
xxo
sweet P
Well I was wrong! I thought for sure your surprise was going to be telling us about an “event” that took place while on the trip not actually an item. Then, when it looked like that wasn’t it, I thought it would be an Emma Bridgewater Girlfriends cup painted by you. What a great gift you brought back for a lucky winner. Talk about generous! We just got back from a road trip to the Maritime Provinces and Maine. We were tired of interstate driving,so we got off and drove Route 1 along the coast and discovered my new favorite town. Bar Harbor was our destination and was lovely but Camden was ME! I think I could live there! Come to think of it, I’ve said that about a few places on vacation. You’re going to need another vacation after reading all these comments!
I did try to do a cup for the girlfriends, practiced by doing one for us first, which took four hours! That ended the idea of doing another one! Camden is wonderful, my girlfriend’s (Lowely) Uncle Michael lives there, so we go visit.
Of course….Uncle Michael with the big cabin and all those windows on the QM2. He just knows how to live doesn’t he!
Very smart man!
Thank you so much for taking us along. And don’t worry about the flower, I think they would have just given you a spoonful of castor oil if you were caught! By the way we have been in the Cayman Islands this week and they too drive on the other side of the road. Don’t know how many times my heart stopped this week. Scarier than any roller coaster ride I have ever been on. And to think I was going to take turns with hubby driving…..forget that idea! On a good note, just finished Enchanted April. Thanks for the recommendation. Have a great weekend.
Kindred spirit of the road! (and books!)
Happy Weekend, Susan…MV sounds so peaceful and lovely…not quite Hill Top Farm but close AND it is HOME! Can’t believe no one knew the name of the rose on the house. Total support from me on the “theft.” A tweet from the Far Sawrey jail would have been fun….the girlfriends would have bailed you out! My Beatrix Potter “friends” live in a “house” my Dad made for all of them 45 years ago. They loved hearing me read the blog from their homeland and Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs. Tiggywinkle would like to send their best regards. Thanks for being the best girlfriend ever!
I have loved every minute of your trip! I am planning to go to England and Scotland in 2013. In following your adventures, I’ve added places to go and things to see to my list. You and Joe have been like an “advance party” for my trip. Thank you for the lovely comments, the fabulous photos and the video. I really loved your drive through the Yorkshire national park. Many thanks!
Dearest Susan, I’m on my first day of a road trip to Glacier national park in Montana, and after a long day of driving and eating a easy dinner with my beloved. I treated myself to check on your blog for anything new, and what a surprise a chance to win a Beatrix Potter book. Please count me in, and thank you for writing about things that feed my soul. Love, gloria
Dear Susan, thank you for taking me to England with you and your honey. I enjoyed every precious moment, but got a little stiff from all that suitcase living ( not complaining, mind you ). Thanks for the recap today. So often when I visit your blog I go to your Peter Rabbit room just to look around and feel the lovely quilts etc.
Have you ever read a book called The Worn Doorstep, by Margaret Sherwood, written in England in 1916. I owned one many years ago and loaned it to a friend and he moved away. I have looked for it for many years and just recently found a reprint on Amazon. You would enjoy it if you can find one.
All the best to you.
Bernice
Thank you Bernice! I’ll look it up!
Dear Susan,
What a darling lamb in old fashioned clothing you drew in Beatrix’s book! What a delight it would be to have Beatrix’s book with your sweet little lamb painting to add to our library collection at Corgyncombe!
My maiden name is Shepard and my old Shepard family comes from England. I have so enjoyed your well spent time in England amongst the rolling green hills with sheep grazing with stone fences round!
What a special remembrance the pressed rose from Beatrix Potter’s garden is! It used to be quite fashionable for ladies to take the European Tour to paint scenery and to press flowers and display them in herbariums. On my blog I just posted some of my photographs of one such Herbarium with the theme of Queen Victoria.
Here is the link:
corgyncombecourant.blogspot.com
I look forward to your new book of your trip to England! What a treat it will be with your lovely photographs and paintings of your visit!
Your friend,
Diane Shepard Johnson at the Corgyncombe Courant
Oh my,
Diane’s link above takes one on a lovely, little side trip-
perfect for Izannah Walker enthusiasts
and additional treats on the beloved Beatrix Potter.
So nostalgic, so beautifully done…bridging the past to the present.
Such talent !
Makes me ponder, that proverbial question-
“What 12 women would you invite to dinner, present or past” ?
Obviously, Jane, Beatrix, Izannah & Susan for starters-
seat Julia Child next to Susan, because she loves her,
the amazing Joni Mitchell next to me, because I love her
and let’s see only 6 more to go,
oh boy, so many choices, absolutely impossible to pare it down to size-
too many talented, intelligent, fun-loving women to consider…
must rest & clear my head.
Don’t even get me started on the guest list for the men-
two “Georges” that’s for sure,
no, no, NOT Clooney-
Washington & Harrison…….
Ahhhhhh……zippety do-dah, my, oh, my……..can you EVEN imagine ?
Off, to water the thirsty cukes-
Have a great weekend, everyone………behave yourselves !
Diane also has a connection with Tasha Tudor whom we were discussing in earlier comments. Her daughter was the model for Joan Donaldson’s book that Tasha illustrated (The Real Pretend). Many of her posts have mentioned Tasha and her and Tasha’s shared interests. I think I remember reading they even share a common ancestor way back.
Isn’t it interesting how we, Susan’s “girlfriends”, have many of the same interests. Susan, you’re like the hub of our wheel and all roads lead back to you! 🙂
Oh man, I hope your random selector doesn’t land on my name, as I might die if I won this AMAZING prize!!! Beatrix Potter’s books were a standard in my home growing up. I was jealous of my cousins’ stuffed Aunt Jemima Puddle Duck. They were soooo lucky to have that AND the books! 🙂
Memories! 🙂
Ohhhhh Sweet Sue!!!!!
Only you could think of such a unique and special gift that everyone would love to have for their very own, complete with your one of a kind touches. You are just so thoughtful and generous!!!!!….As if our remarkable trip to England wasn’t enough!! You give us the world through your eyes with all the things we love in every one of your posts. How blessed I feel to be one of your girlfriends and a recipient of all your love and care. In my mind, you are a are a modern combination of Beatrix and Gladys and so much more!!!!
Love your rose bush story! I’m sure if Beatrix would have heard you rustling in her roses, she would have come out and invited you in for tea. I can only imagine the wonderful conversation the two of you would have had, as you have so much in common, even with the spand of so many years apart. Soooo much fun to imagine…… 🙂
I have a collection of beatrix’s little friends that I never get tired of rearranging to add cheer wherever they end up. I’ve loved Beatrix ever since my first grade teacher first read us all about Peter…. stopping after each page to show us her wonderful pictures in the story book.
….After all this time, it seems that Beatrix has now left the sheep for you!!!!
XO!
Victoria
What a good thought! She left the sheep to me, and the lambs! Thank you Victoria!
I have enjoyed your posts so much! I am imagining you and Beatrix as kindred spirits … she would have absolutely supported you in your snitching of the roses! Thank you for taking us along with you on this lovely adventure.
Not enough words to say “thank you so much” for the lovely posts of your “out of this world adventure”. When I think about ALL that you managed to fit in to a very ambitious trip (reading a book, knitting a scarf, drawing and writing for your journal, writing your blog, tweeting, not to mention hitting the tea rooms and pubs etc etc etc……I find myself just saying over and over that you are AMAZING!!!! I loved your little story of your miniature BP book…..could just picture it all happening in your Peter Rabbit room!!!!! Too cute!!!! I wanted to tell you that with the times that you gave for the QEII returning, I set my clock and was able to see you sailing under the V. bridge and pass to the right of the Statue of Liberty…..I was looking for you!!!! 😉 Would be a DREAM to win your most treasured give-away! xoxox Miriam p.s. Wondering if you finished your beautiful colored scarf? 🙂
It’s still a good little ongoing project! 🙂
You’ve proven what I’ve always believed…that all you do always comes back to you~~ For all the inspiration that you have brought to others came back so beautifully for you in England.No one deserved a more magical and inspirational holiday than you, Susan. Thank you for taking your “girlfriends” along!
Thank you so much for sharing your trip! I want to go to all the same places and would LOVE to win the book!!
My heart went to my throat when I saw you were giving away that wonderful little book. And with your special drawing? Almost too much to bear, thinking that I never win anything!
I never win anything either, so we are kindred spirits, but never give up. I woke up thinking that it isn’t curiosity that kills the cat, it’s disinterest! xo
YOU win HEARTS !
Oh Susan let it be me!
It will be the most precious heirloom gift for my two year old little daughter, Mary, and the crowning joy of her Peter Rabbit bedroom.
Hugs,
Arlinda (crossing fingers and a prayer)
What a wonderful trip! I have enjoyed reading your blog and following your adventures. You have convinced me to visit England myself one day. Thank you for your wonderful pictures and stories!
What a wonderful trip! I have enjoyed reading your blog and someday hope to travel to England myself. Thank you for the wonderful pictures and stories!
It’s been such a treat tagging along on your trip…what fun! All the beautiful countrysides, the lovely houses…and the lambs…too cute. Thank you again for bringing us all with you!
Oh, so such lovely roses–I’d have snitched one too! Is there a more beautiful place on earth? I’ve so enjoyed visiting the charming countryside of England with you this summer, especially since I’ve been housebound helping take care of 5 grandchildren while my daughter convaleses from surgery.
Hope she’s better! Happy to have you along!
What a lovely treasure you and Beatrix have created for some lucky recipient! I think Beatrix would be honored that you are sharing her world. Is it tacky to hope I win?
I have to admit that I love all the garden pictures and study the details. Please do let us know if you discover the name of the roses….thanks, Vicki
Ohmygoodness…….just found this site when I got up to explore on the computer because I could not sleep. Now I know why! I have Always loved all things Beatrix Potter and my favorite gift when my first daughter was born, 44 yrs ago, was a figurine purchased for me in England, of Hunca Munca and her babies!
And, when I had my gift shop, A Gift From the Heart, I discoverd Susan Branch and fell in love all over again, with cookbooks, stationary, etc. and then the marvelous stickers went into my scrapbooking shop, Memories From the Heart. To find a blog and that you are still “out there” creating and sharing was such a joy this middle of the night……….I am thrilled and too excited to go back to bed at all!! ( at age 68, not hard anyway). I still treasure our scrapbooking papers from your collections and have gobs of your stickers left. When people see them, some almost get teary to find them!! Thank you for sharing of yourself, your jaunts, your creativity, your gifting. I will be sharing this site with other lovers of SB and Miss Potter! Bless you………..can’t wait for more……………….Linda in Wisconsin
Isn’t the internet AMAZING? It’s all there! Hi Linda, welcome to the neighborhood!
Have to tell you one more………..while on the grounds of beloved Monticello in VA., where Thomas Jefferson planted for all of us……….I too, had to go home with a treasure such as your rose. I spotted a fallen pod from a tulip tree he had himself planted, and it just Had to go home with me, as it would do no good on the grass there……..just wasting away. Did not grow for me ( of course). A dear friend just heard that story from 26 yrs. ago and brought me an orphan tulip tree which is now planted in our yard, struggling to grow straight and tall like it’s forebearer. Makes me think of your rosebud, which did well to come home with you, for all of us to enjoy! Blessings…………
I had to smile, when I went to Norman Rockwell’s Studio, I picked up a 2″ little stick from the yard and still have it! How sweet your friend was to get you that tree!
My mother, a retired kindergarten teacher, and I were going to go to England this summer- she is a member of the Beatrix Potter society and they were having their conference- but she was sick from cancer and having chemotherapy…I have always promised her we would see the sights together. When I saw you were going I almost was too overwhelmed to bear it but your trip has touched me deeply because you went to all the places I wanted to take her! I have so enjoyed traveling with you. It has brought me much joy to see it is even better than I imagined and when we finially make it to England your trip will be our itenerary! Thanks for the WONDERFUL sharing.
I hope your mom is doing well! England will wait for you!
Loved being able to share your journey with you. I’ve learned so much! Recently introduced my two year old grandson to Peter Rabbit on the DVD and he loves it.
Dear Susan, saddly, I cannot master words like you can. Therefore, let me use yours: “If you dream it, you can make it so.” So I´m dreaming and saving to go an a similar journey visiting Beatrix Potter places like you did. Hope to bring my daughter too who at the age of 6 thinks that “bunny” is the most beautifull word in the world. The charming Tales of Peter Rabbit are part of her book collection. Thank you so my for your blog which always fills my heart with joy. Olga
Your daughter just may be right, bunny is a lovely word! And you did a good job with yours! Thank you Olga!
Hi Susan,
I too, like Cindy, thought for sure that the surprise was a hand painted EB cup by you and/or Joe. When I read about your returning to get this absolute treasure of a book, I was so engrossed in reading about the things you hadn’t seen on your first day there, and then the pictures of the book, and the gorgeous rose that it never entered my mind that you would purchase one more for one of us! Tears were shed immediately when you told us your surprise.
You are the most kind-hearted, sweet, generous person!
As my seven year old granddaughter would say, “You’re awesome!”
We used to have a darling Beatrix Potter shop in Carmel. Small, but stuffed with everything imaginable that was Beatrix Potter. Was so sad when it closed.
This wonderful book would be the gift of a lifetime for some lucky girlfriend!
Keep the stories of your trip coming. I’m not ready for them to end!
xoxo
Suzanne
I saw the precious little lamb that you had painted and the inscription.
Oops!
This iPad changes words and rearranges sentences!
The sentence under my name should have been after “when you told us your surprise and I saw the precious little lamb that you had painted and the inscription.”
I know, sometimes the computer “fixes” my spelling, and changes my word to a completely different word!
Exactly!
And it can be an embarrassing word so hopefully it is caught before it flies out in email!
I Twitter, and a couple of times it went before I caught it, just no getting it back! Oh well, you say, so what if everyone thinks I’m an idiot!
Thank you so much Suzanne!
Thank you so much for taking me along on you’re (our…hehehe) trip to England. I just had sooooo much fun and saw so many amazing sights along the way, it felt like I was right there with you. I am a big fan of Beatrix Potter too and how fun its been hanging out and experiencing her place as well. The roses outside of her home are just, sooooo pink and, well, just beautiful. Thanks again for bringing joy into my life. It’s been just grand hanging out with you and I know you are loving being back home too! Enjoy the SONshine, Jayne
Oh my! How wonderful.
I have enjoyed reading about your wonderful adventures and would just love, love, love that little book!
Hi Susan,
Wow you are so full of wonderful surprises! This is such a generous, magnificent treat for someone (perhaps me??). Won’t the winner just be thrilled beyond all else!
Thank you – Cindy
I’ve worked as a cataloger in a public library for over 30 years. Of course the Beatrix Potter books were in the collection way before I made my entrance (but not by much LOL)…. Of the thousands of childrens’ books I have many favorites. But Beatrix Potter will always have the top spot in my heart. We were recently donated a wonderful Pop-up book “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” which was promptly placed in our Storytelling collection. I know it’s for the kids but I’ll probably wear it out before our first program with it!
Thanks for letting us live and travel with you vicariously. It was such a sweet trip!
Susan,
There is no way to express how much I have looked forward to and enjoyed
every Blog…………….yes, it seemed I was there again. I have been fortunate to have visited in Cambridge 2 times. My wish is to return again to England and visit more places in person even though I was there with you in heart and spirit.
Ever so many thanks my friend,
Cottagelu
Virginia
Miss Tiggy-Winkle is my favorite… the way she washes and irons all of those little hankies and clothes, and then puts the kettle on for tea…. I love Beatrix Potter and the movie, Miss Potter. The little music box given to Miss Potter by her love…”Let me teach you how to dance. Let me lead you to the floor. Simply place your hand in mine and think of nothing more.” Thanks for all of the wonderful adventures you took us on through your travels!
Thank you for being here . . . I think we all have a little Miss Tiggy-Winkle in us!
All this Beatrix Potter brings me back to the early years of my first child, Lauren’s life. Her nursery was all Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit! How funny too that she just turned 14 on July 1st! My Mother-in-Law cross-stitched a beautiful piece all Peter Rabbit which I think, Susan, you would love. Thank you for pouring out your heart so we can share in the moments. You are such a wonderful girlfriend! 🙂
How my heart races at the sights of Hill Top… and that GORGEOUS book! I can’t thank you enough for sharing all the amazing photos from your adventure, I’ve enjoyed the trip more than words can say! :)))))
Thank you so very much for the wonderful blog of your trip. Felt like I was there with you and such wonderful photos. It all looks so very lovely and you made it seem so enchanting. Thank you! On a side note, I am an avid scrapper, card maker/etc. and for years taped shows from QVC, in watching someof the earlier shows I came across one where you had an hour and oh, how I so enjoyed watching that again. Do you still have stickers, papers, rub-ons that can be purchased. I had so many and loved using them. Just wondering.
Thank you again!
No, I haven’t been able to get a company interested in licensing scrapbooking things for a long time. I’m not really sure why, but we do have a very few things left in my web store, in case you’re looking!
Sometimes there are no words–the roses, the garden, the house, all of it speaks for itself, magic. I would love the book and would faint for the rose petal itself! Those roses, I could almost smell their fragrance, thank you.
Hi Susan,
I just love reading your blog! You are so inspiring! Thank you for the motivation you give me to continue with my journaling! I am sooo jealous of your home by the sea! It’s beautiful!
Love love,
Lisa 🙂
Hi Susan, I would love to win this gift, though I think I would feel more than a wee bit guilty about it. You see I came upon your blog only recently, just as you were departing on the boat stateside. I have enjoyed traveling vicariously through you. My folks live in Edgartown, and I can “picture” everything that you describe in your posts about the vineyard. So if this original copy goes to one of your long time readers, I will be happy for them. If, instead, it ends up here, with me, know that it will be treasured and be in happy company with all the Peter Rabbit books I have kept from when my children were little. Thanks for “taking us along” on your trip, I know what an enormous effort it is to blog on the go. Good luck to everyone who entered.
Carolina
Oh bunny love, oh Beatrix, oh yes, would cherish thy book!!!
xxoo,
Susan~
I am a true lover of Beatrix Potter and you Susan Branch! I am enjoying sharing all things Beatrix and Susan with my precious granddaughter, Alyssa, who loves all the things I loved as a little girl. Thank you for bringing us both to England!
Happy to do it!
Oh how sweet of you, Susan! What a treasure this would be! And I laughed out loud at your “nicking” of the rosebuds – my Daddy does this all the time and embarasses the heck out of us……now that you’ve done it, I guess it’s okay……..?? Lots of hugs and thanks!
My wife Suzanne Peters loves your books. We vacation in Edgartown. She is a true angel on earth having had about 30 foster children in our house and always has time for me and our biological children. I know your books and thoughts on the Vineyard have inspired her.
Thank You
Hal Peters
Well, you are a doll to write and tell me! She is a lucky woman, to be so appreciated!!! Thank you Hal!
What an intrepid explorer you are – no garden left unseen! Those roses are gorgeous. I wait in great anticipation for the publishing of your trip diary. It will be wonderful.
Susan,
Thanks for sharing once again. When Jess gets up I will have her take a peek at your blog. She has really enjoyed it too.
Kind Regards, Lisa and Jess
Hi Susan
I love armchair travelling and seeing Beatrix Potter’s home through your eyes and lens was wonderful. I read these books to my son when he was little and now that he is a little older,he loves to look at them and tries to paint some of the characters with his new watercolours. So much fun. Thanks for the amazing photos and post!
I read the books of Beatrix Potter to our three daughters but also did a unit on her with my first graders when I was still teaching (retired now). We learned all about her life and how she came to publish her first book. What a treasure this book is and how I would love to win it! Thank you, Susan!
mavinger@sc.rr.com
can I be your sister…? thanks for the gift of just you are!
I have really enjoyed your trip!! Beatrix Potter is one of my favorite authors. I did my daughters nursery in Beatrix Potter, I have all the little books and movies and a few figurines. My favorite is Hunca Munca and those naughty mice when they made a mess of the dollhouse!! I love it when they say, “let’s smash it all up”…..I guess I’m a little naughty spirited myself at times… can’t wait to see the book you are working on….hope it will be finished by Christmas!!!!
Dear Susan,
I get so excited by your blog, I can’t wait to see what you will post each time!
The music, pictures, THE ENGLAND TRIP, your wit – OMG….all of it. I just soak it all up and am in awe. I just took a little trip with my sisters to Colorado in June, and I am going to try and journal about it. You have inspired me, and I only hope I can articulate the memorable moments with half the zest you brought to us with your wonderful blogging of your travels!!
Have a happy day 😉
Barb
You too Barb!
I have so enjoyed going on your trip with you! You went to all the places I would have chosen. So fun! Thank- you lots!
i love love love reading your blog…almost as good as going there myself (almost!). pls enter me to win the little book. i would love it so!
Thank you for taking us on your trip. It was so much fun to see all the beautiful pictures of far away places!!
I’ve loved England my whole life. Because you’ve shared your trip, I’ve now visited places I would love to see … vicariously! Thank you Susan for each post – what a gift.
I have already left a comment days before today. Look at how many comments there are!! WOW! I just wanted to ask for a kitty update. Would love a video of Jack and Girl Kitty. Thinking of you enjoying your trip all over writing the Diary that we are all anxiously waiting for!!
Happy weekend Susan and girlfriends.
They have become rather distant with each other I’m afraid! I will try to get them together, they really look good together too, her so ladylike and him with his mustache!
Oh Susan you are wonderful! The “Tale of Peter Rabbit” is the first book I remember reading as a child. I know it played a part in developing my lifelong love for Beatrix Potter, art and all things British. As a school librarian, I enjoy in introducing students to our library collection of stories by Beatrix Potter. These small books fit perfectly in little hands and still bring great joy to new readers. The book you brought from England sounds almost magical – a limited edition the way Beatrix wanted it to be published, bought at Hilltop and illustrated by you! The creative energy it holds must be coming off it in sparks!
That’s how I feel about so many books, sparks!!
Thank you for sharing your discoveries with us! I love Beatrix Potter and you!
Susan,
Oh my gosh! What a wonderful gift of the limited edition book!!! You are so special to think of others. Thank you for this trip. It must have felt quite crowded with all of us along 🙂 I can’t wait to purchase the journal.
Crikey, I hope to win! (I’ve been using that word since you gave it to us!)
Your friend,
Connie
Good word, sounds good on you!