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 . . .
Love this precious book! My sister just had her baby, Macy, and has several Peter Rabbit highlights. This would be an awesome addition! 🙂 You are so sweet to bring us a present from your trip. Thank you! And again, welcome home!
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win! I would love to own it. And, like others have said, my name is spelled C.y.n.t.h.i.a.
LOL, I think I got it!
Oh, Susan, the book is so adorable. I hope, hope, hope I am the winner.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip!
Your photos, artwork, and written word are like taking a mini vacation for my soul, it is so relaxing and inspiring at the end of a busy day, thank you!
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things~~~~
Along with reading the memories of your wonderful trip in England!!!
Your photos are fabulous…I love how you capture every little detail…this must be the artist in you. Thank you so much for sharing a very special part of yourself in your posts with all of us. Your blog is “one of my favorite things
Susan”…
Sincerely,
~Debbie
Thank you for sharing the wonderful memories from your trip.
Welcome Home. I don’t mean to be selfish, but I hope I am the winner! LOL!
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl.
You are very thoughtful. I would love to have this book especially with your little touches added. Thank you for thinking about all of us.
Hi,Susan!
Thank-you,thank-you, thank-you!!! for sharing so many wonderful details about
England! I smile all day after I read your blogs and tell all my friends about
you! Thank-you so much about Beatrix Potter -July 11th info-! I’m a huge fan
of Beatrix as well as you! I especially LOVED the “rose”detail as one of my favorite things to do is to garden and enjoy flowers! Thanx soooo much!
-Mary M.
One of one! It would be thrilling to win this adorable book!!!!!
Thank you for taking us on your wonderful trip to England!! I enjoyed every minute of it. Your books are a special part of my library. Would love to add another one! 🙂
I am number 545 on the comment list, but I feel like number one in hopes of being the luckey recipient of your prized book and stolen flower! hehe. Oh how I have enjoyed your trip to England, Thank you! Laura J.B.
And the best of the best it has been. I feel like I have already won, having been along for the trip. Thanks again for inviting me (and my husband).
Your title for today’s blog “Bee’s in the Lavender” brought a smile to me as I read it…I collected some lavender this morning from my dear friend’s garden, and even photographed one of the many bees buzzing around in the fragrance! I also smiled as you described yourself taking photos in the rain. 🙂 Thank you for brightening my day as you always do!
Susan, I have so enjoyed going along with you on your journey to England and all of the delicious places you have visited. Your journal has been such a treat for me. If my name is picked, this little book, and the rose, will be treasured.
Sheila
This is a very nice gift. I enjoyed your trip on your blog.
Susan …. Because I am so overwhelmed with the beauty of the English country side and the lovely, special Beatrice Potter book, all I can say is pick me, pick me.
🙂
O-o-o-h Su-u-u-an! I knew it…I knew it…I knew it…I knew it…I knew it!!!
After reading the clues provided by your Dad, I just KNEW that you had purchased an heirloom for a lucky girlfriend and her family to treasure. It is thrilling to find that I guessed right…feels like I won too!!
“In the same way that you can tell the nature and quality of a tree by its fruit, you can tell the nature and quality of a person by their actions.” Susan, your generosity is wonderful!
CONGRATULATIONS to the winning GIRLFRIEND!
You guessed! 🙂 I had to hurry and do this post before my dad worried us all into a frenzy! He’s such a “secret” lover!
How fun it’s been to go along with you on your grand adventure to England! I have a very dear friend who collects Beatrix Potter things. She has just retired after 30 years as a children’s librarian. I would love to be able to give her this special Peter Rabbit book.
Oh boy; like Miss Tiggy-Winkle Hedgehog, I rub my paws together in the HOPE of it! This is such a wonderful, magical gift you brought home for us and I especially love the story that goes with it. That alone is a treasure!!
Happy Summer, Susan!
♥Deb♥
of TrailSide Alpacas in Buckley, WA
P.S. – I do believe cats LOVE rabbit, with or without a little salt 🙂
Susan, Susan, Susan, You really out did yourself on this gift to a reader. I’m a reader!! Well you know along with the other 600 or so that hope to win this really nice gift. Thank you sooo much for the chance.
Have enjoyed every bit of your trip that you shared with us, almost as much as I enjoy your everyday life.
Nancy Jo
Susan, you are just something else. What a lovely surprise for all of us. I’m always telling girlfriends about how special you are. Since your visit to Betrix Potters home, I have watched the movie and reread my book about her life. Best of luck to everyone of us!
Bread and fishes . . . that’s my dream! Books for everyone!
Susan,
What a lovely treat it was to tag along with you and Joe and your friends in England through your blog — thank you so much! I have so enjoyed reading all your posts and would love to visit Beatrix Potter’s house some day with my family — our family LOVES Beatrix Potter’s stories. Thank you for getting an extra book — whoever wins, will treasure it forever and I am looking forward to your English Diary book!
I have enjoyed reading your blogs about your trip, I feel like I was there.
What a precious wee book! It would go to a good home, I promise. My copy was my mother’s, darling, but in garish colors (printed in Chicago) goodness knows when, it’s missing that page. But it’s held together with a pretty satin ribbon, it’s been loved most-to-death. But it’s safe on my ‘beloved books’ shelf–where this would find a ‘beloved book’ welcome! You are so dear to take us along! Thank you already, and again, and again. xo
I am so intrigued with what I have learned from you and your trip about Beatrix Potter, her writings, and her life. That little book is so special. You were a dear to bring it back for a lucky reader. Wish it would be moi.
Oh Susan , what a fabulous giveaway! I Love all things Beatrix potter. Do you think maybe it’s always raining at Hilltop? It was raining the day we were there too. Didn’t make a bit of difference though, did it? Just to be in the same place and imagine what it was like – heaven! Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway!
We did have one sunny day up there, but something tells me they get more than their fair share of rainy days in the Lake District! Interestingly Englandy moody like that! On a boat on the lake it was amazing!
Dear Susan:
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. And to end it all with a surprise from Beatrix Potter’s own home. How sweet and thoughtful you are.
I’m so thrilled to see the beautiful pink roses up close. I have a David Austin “cabbage rose” which looks very close to your picture. It is called “Heritage” and is very fragrant.
I hope you have realized all your lifelong dreams of England with this trip and that the memories will warm your thoughts forever.
Susan in Spokane, WA
i have LOVED reading your posts about england–i save them up to enjoy them at leisure. thank you!!!!
What a wonderful, wonderful surprise. I couldnt wait every day to read your blog I felt like the rest of the girlfriends I felt like I was there, but to have a book from Hilltop farm would be just over the top…there would be no living with me…… Ive watched the movie a millon times…. but to see it through your eyes was so exciting. Thank you…………………
I love reading about your life and travels. You are an amazing person, artist and friend, a true inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with the world. The roses are beautiful and if you find their name please let us know!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us! You made all of us feel like we were right there with you. I love all the photos. You made me have my own memories of the trip.
Like everyone else, I would love your Beatrix Potter book. Since I am an English teacher, having a one of a kind Beatrix Potter book would be a dream come true!
Ann
This is so exciting, I’m not able to think of what to say. Truly this book would be priceless. How kind of you to bring one back and make it even more special with your personal touches.
What an exquisite post…I could almost feel it!! And that dear book..what an amazing thing to do…I always thought you had to be what I thought you were as a person…with your lovely books ..and you most certainly are a lovely person..you give a lot of joy ….thank you xx
Wow! That’s a wonderful surprise. Hope I’m the lucky winner!
What a wonderful, wonderful surprise, I felt like I shared the trip with you, I couldnt wait every day to read your lastest post, especially Hilltop Farm, winning something as special like that would just be over the top, there would be no leaving with me!!!!!
Oh my goodness! I have been eagerly following your every footstep during your amazing vacation, hoping I can come close to duplicating it in a few years myself! Now I am so excited to see that you are generously offering one of these amazing books to us lucky girls! Susan, you are a total and complete sweetheart!!! XO Helena
Your real gift to us was taking us with you to the most beautiful place I have ever seen – I just LOVE Great Britain! How I enjoyed reading about your travels. The book is beautiful and your gift will indeed make some lucky person VERY excited I am sure 🙂
What a lovely idea, Susan! I’d love to win it!!
Reading your blog has felt like travelling with you! From Hill Top Farm to watching Bridget Jones & the Thames pageant, small teacups, fragrant roses and bunnies, pheasants and sheep! xxx can’t wait for your English Diary…
I am LOVING writing this book, for all those exact reasons! 🙂
I have never been more transfixed by a travel journal than by yours. You have done my dream of a lifetime trip and now I am more anxious than ever to get there! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
It has been a joy for me to take your trip with you. I have always wanted to go to England, especially to the Cornwall area. I probably never will get the chance but I saw it through your eyes. My mother was nuts about Beatrix Potter. She read the book to me a million times when I was little and she collected as much of her things as she could. When she passed I gave them all to her granddaughter who loves them as much or more.
What a treasure of a book – and the details add treasure upon treasure! So glad you posted more about Beatrice – I’d have to quickly order a Peter Rabbit tea set STAT if I received this – all to share with my grandchildren who live far far away in Kenya. I’ll Skype them and show it as I read it and promise them tea with a reading when next we are together in a year or two .
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed following your travels across the pond. My grandfather, who died before I could ever meet him, was from England. I have always had an interest in England…and it must be my family lineage. You have such a way with words and we could almost feel as though we were there with you on your trip. Thank you so much for that. Life is too short to not follow your dreams and how wonderful that you were able to follow yours.
This little book looks wonderful and anyone of us would be thrilled to win it!
hugs, Sue K
Oh my goodness, what a treasure you are offering! I’m certain the winner will definitely appreciate this amazing little volume of bunny history.
What an amazing gift! Thanks for another beautiful post (seems like such an inadequate word for what you do).
Wow! How awesome! I don’t blame you for going back for your book. I’ve been so worried that the English Diary you are working on will sell out before I can get a copy. I know, I’m told that I worry too much. But this…..I can’t imagine. You are so generous! The winner will be so lucky to have something so rare, especially with the rose from Hill Top tucked inside, but made most special, because its from you SB!
When we get closer I’m going to do a preorder for everyone on the blog, they will get them FIRST!
Thank you! You’ve thought of everything. So relieved.
Oh thank goodness — I’d been wondering how that would work as I’m not always able to order right at that right moment. Feeling better about being able to get a copy — have so many of your books accumulated over the years as they came out — or as I found them in some cases. The latest one is Girlfriends which I’d never found and which was given to me when I met up in real life with my FOSB pen-pal last month — now THAT was fun! Hubby and I met up with her and her other half and we all enjoyed breakfast and two hours of chatting and getting acquainted. See what you make happen, Susan! New friendships get created all over the place.
You have no idea how much I love hearing that!! xoxo
I have so enjoyed following your trip to England and especially to Hill Top Farm. The little book is so great, and I would love to win it. 🙂 Thanks for all the fun.
Thanks Susan for showing us England. Even though I have never been, I thought I knew it, from books and movies and even music. Your gift of words and pictures is a shining light each day.
Thank you Susan so much for the wonderful journey. I enjoyed it so much. I hope I am lucky enough to win the book. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.
What a wonderful gift to bring back- I would be so happy to win. Not sure if it’s the Beatrix Potter book or the drawing you’ve done inside that is the best part! Both equally I guess! Fingers crossed.
Susan,
My daughter..a US Marine just had a baby in Japan and the 2nd bedroom in their apartment…had Peter Rabbit printed wallpaper. It truly is a small world. Her daughter Zoe is starting out her life in great company..with all the Beatrix Potter characters. Thank you for sharing your trip with us girlfriend!
Congratulations on your new baby! Wonderful!
We are still in England and I have started a collect of Beatrix potter for my youngest daughter Sophie ! I found a miniture collection of the books.
Also, the cabbage rose, known as rosa centifolia, is stunning and grows in bushes, we had our entire drive way lined with them, beautiful! I will look for the photo and send you a copy.
Peg
What a sweet and THOUGHTFUL surprise!!! I think all of “us” had such a wonderful time exploring England with you and Joe! So beautiful…I truly had no idea. Thank you for being such a generous and gracious “guide” and letting us tag along! So FUN!
You’ve already given us all the gift of “armchair travel” – so this special surprise will only be icing on the cake for whomever the lucky winner is! Thank you for sharing your passion and joy!
🙂
Kathleen
Wow, wow, wow! What a special gift and with your added touch! Wonderful!! This has all been pure magic!! Thank you Susan for everything, so much fun and delight!!! xo
Oh Susan what a wonderful and thoughtful giveaway,,I sure do hope I win it..I have followed your whole England trip and felt as if I was there with you..thanks again for doing such a sweet thing.
Devon
I just could not help but be excited and have tears in my eyes while I read your beautiful words while you were traveling in Beatrix Potter’s World especially today’s Trip! This is the best trip I’ve ever had to Miss Potter’s Home and the world of Peter Rabbit! Many thanks Susan, maraming maraming salamat po!
I loved going on your beautiful trip with you. The countryside was so sweet. Thank you for sharing. Linda
Susan,
My son (who is 29 now) loved “The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher”. I read it to him every day for at least two years. I knew the entire book by heart. His two favorite parts were-The water was all slippy-sloppy in the larder and the back passage. This always produced laughter, and-They had roasted grasshoppers with lady-bird sauce. Which got an exclamation of “yucky”. I just took out the book and reread it.
So many wonderful memories.
Sheila from South Carolina
What a delightful treat you chose to share with all of us…..Beatrix Potter has become special to so many people because of all you have shared…. thankyou.!!
I LOVE Beatrix Potter! I decorated my baby nursery with Beatrix Potter decor. My boys are 18 and 20 years old now, but I still keep THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT book set in my little library. If I could go back in time and visit with just one person, it would be Beatrix!
Your lamb is soooo cute! And the roses! I can almost smell them. Thanks for thinking of us. Kisses to the Kitties!
Oh! What a wonderful book. My favorite book to be read to me as a child was Peter Rabbit and now I read it to my 5 grandchildren. My first grandchild even had a Beatrix Potter nursery. Your photos of the visits to her house were so wonderful and this return visit on the rainy day was especially magical. Oh how I would love to go there some day. I so enjoyed keeping up with your journey, from the ship’s sailing to the return. I felt like I was along for the experience. I have been to England twice but did not see that area. Must go back!
Oh, Susan, I can’t even imagine being lucky enough to own this charming book. But want to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed sharing your wonderful journey with you. Thank you!
My dear Susan – the wonderful trip is over, but the memories linger on, and on. thank you so much for taking all of us with you and Joe. One advantage of traveling like this, is that I never ran out of clean underwear!! Love and hugs, till next entry. Marge
Oh Susan, what a wonderful surprise! I have so enjoyed this trip and would LOVE this book as the perfect sovenier. Once again, thanks so much for taking me along.
What a sweet thing to do! I have enjoyed traveling with you! You’ve taken me to lots of my favorite places! Thank for sharing!
Oh how I have enjoyed being on the magic journey to England with you and Joe . Each entry into your diary was a thrilling read for me . Thank you for your wonderful creativity in all you do.
Hi Everyone! I’ve been a Susan Branch groupie for years (since the very first book) & followed the blog/website a long time too, but never left a comment! Thank you Susan for all the wonderful inspiration , beauty, & joy you bring to my life & those of the Girlfriends! Thank you for our trip to England & the lovely dreams it has conjured up! The book is very special & whoever receives it will dearly love it. Thank you for sharing~~~. I have all your books & various other “Susan” things~~~can’t get enough! Even have two pairs of jammies. Can’t wait for the newest book to come out~~~oh! I have all my original mailed to me Willard’s!! But~~~guess what totally knocked me over while looking through some cookbooks the other day?? I saw Joe on page 39 of my Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard cookbook wearing his beret & smiling just as pertty as you please! I can’t believe I never put it together before now~~~how wonderful !!!! I even reread the acknowledgement & found the sweet things he said about you. Well, one more thing before I go. My husband & I live in Chino Valley, AZ. About 35 miles from Cottonwood~~~where your Dad lives. (I think I read that.) Have a wonderful upcoming weekend.
Hugs from an adoring fan :0)
So nice to hear from you Linda! Sweet of you to leave a comment . . . xo
Oh what great fun this post is. Loved loved loved the entire trip. Thank you so much
Norma from Texas
Well…wow…what a post! I just knew you had to go back and buy that book. I knew your life wouldn’t be complete without it. It was so you! I checked out the page you painted thinking “this is awesome,” not even connecting the dots. Then a wave of excitement came over me as I realized this was your surprise. Oh my goodness, there are no words to describe. If you would do this for us, the girlfriends, then your Dad’s gift must be unlimited time-share at Beatrix Potter’s home! This surprise gift is so beautiful and thoughtful, so you. You never cease to amaze me Susan. I thought you mentioned in one of your posts that you had painted an apron on a little lambie; maybe it looks just like this one. You will make someone very, very happy to receive this book. What a treasure! Btw, my grandfather used to smuggle red seed potatoes home from Scotland every year and he never got caught. We used to just shake our heads at him. Harder to hide than a rose. The rose in this book puts this gift “over the hilltop!”
🙂 “Over the hilltop!”
Love your posts! So interesting no one knew the roses. Would love to give this book to my new baby boy, Elijah!!!
Thank you Susan for sharing all of your trip with us. What a wonderful way to start the morning with your blog. I would love to by the lucky person!
Thank you so much for sharing your trip to England! Wonderful!
!
Dear Susan,
I believe you could have purchased all remaining 849 copies of the limited-edition copies of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, then found willing buyers for them here in the US! But, it is not to be, so I must add my name to the list of eager readers, yelling above the crowd, “Pick me, pick me!”.
A heartfelt “thank you” for sharing this trip of a lifetime with us! I may never make it to Merry England, but my vicarious travels with you have filled the void…well, just a bit! (I need to start saving…. )
Warm thanks, Jackie
Oh, my heart. Traveling with you was delightful beyond words, but to win this book? Oh, my heart. To quote another beloved wordsmith – “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” And so my little bird and I are singing our hopeful tune! Many thanks, dear Susan, whether I win or not!
Betsy in Indiana
I have enjoyed the “trip” to England and appreciate the effort to make us feel like a part of your journey. I do have a life :), but many nights I couldn’t wait to get to my computer to find out “where we were”. I am also glad you are writing from home soil now – I am strangely comfortable “to be back home. Thank you for sharing.
Susan, I have so enjoyed seeing the sites of England with you. I was an English major in college who dreamed of studying my last year there. I did not realize that dream, so I still dream, but meanwhile I have felt closer to it by your sharing your journey. I have collected Peter Rabbit things for years…oh yes, I love your new little book! Thanks for sharing so much, Rebecca
What a lovely surprise…..the best kind! Made even better with your thoughtful one of kind additions…..this is the trip that just keeps on giving…first with the telling…..now a surprise….and then “An English Diary”….what anticipation:)
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful treat that would be, to win a prize like this!!! Thank you, Susan, for always thinking of your blog-land friends! ♥ Kathy
Thank you for generously sharing your visit to Hilltop – what a treasure. I have many Beatrix Potter touches throughout my house from framed friezes in the nursery to a cabinet full of figurines to books on the bookshelf. I would love to add such a special book to my complete collection of Beatrix Potter books. Thank you for sharing so much of your visit to England and so much of your life with your fans.
Hi Susan It was so wonderful of you to take all of us on your vacation (really looking forward to your London book, so I can relive it all), but as much as I enjoyed vacation, it’s so great to be home and have laundry drying on the line. I’m also hoping we’ll be making it to a Farmer’s Market soon to see what freshness we can bring home. I seem to have recently developed an interest in Beatrix Potter and recently received a book about her life. The Tailor of Gloucester is still my favorite (you know: “no more twist!”). I guess it’s because I’m a sewer, and, as a matter of fact, recently completed some sewing for a young gal who just left for London today. A local Olympic gold-medal-hopeful Jordyn Wieber! She is an amazing gymnast and it’s fun to know I see her sitting in church on Sundays with her family. There always seems to be some fun things happening somewhere. Thanks for including me (and everyone else) in your fun Susan! Hugs! Susie
Dear Susan, I am so envious of your trip to England! I really hope that someday my husband and I can visit there together. Maybe once the kids are grown and gone and we have some “us,” time again 🙂 I hope you and your husband had a wonderful time!
What a trip you took! I loved going along with you,
Although it was pretty dark in your suitcase.
Welcome back. There’s no place like home. xox Dorothy
Even without the possible gift of the book, I want to thank you so much for blessing my life. Every time I read something by you – your blog, Willard, and of course, one of your lovely books – my spirit is uplifted, and I can not only carry on, but make life more beautiful for those I love. You inspire me!!! Thank you! Thank you!
We are saving for our dream UK vacation. Your trip reports have been the perfect inspiration to keep saving! Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Susan, my husband and I have always wanted to travel to the lake country. We so enjoyed taking the trip with you, thank you, I really can believe I was there! To have such a sweet little book would thrill me to bits. Thanks for letting me hope.
Wanting it gets you half way there!!
Oh Susan…what a wonderful surprise! And a “pinched” rose to boot…how charming…made me tear up again! Such utter beauty and I had to listen to the music twice….going to my friends this weekend to house-sit….she has a bunny named Peter…he has his own thatched hutch…and sleeping in a magical fairyland cabin…it has a thatched roof too….I’ll be re-visiting “our”whole trip while enjoying the birds and hillside gardens here in Nashville ,Indiana… Mary (Barefoot Sparkler)
Speechless! What an unbelievable give-a-way! I have loved every single blog entry you have written on your travels to England. Truly makes me want to go. My late Grandma loved to visit there. Peter Rabbit was one of my favorite books as a little girl. If I should win, that book will be treasured in my home. Thank you for giving it away!
Welcome home, Susan….how wonderful to see the world and yet come back to home sweet home…I’ve loved following your adventures in England! And your photos make me feel like I’m right there with you. Please include me for the book drawing…my kids were raised on Beatrix Potter and she has a special place in my heart.
I’m speechless…….the little book is such a treasure and you are so kind to give one away. I think if I could ever go on a trip like the one you just completed, I’d never have to travel anywhere again. But I am so happy that I have your pictures, video, and commentary to lollygag in, my thanks to you and Joe!
I bought the a complete set of Beatrix Potter books for my oldest child when I was pregnant with him, 23 years ago. The remained a favorite with the next two children. Now they sit waiting patiently for grandchildren some day. They would so love to have their English counterpoint join them!!!
OOOOHHHH I love Beatrix Potter!!!!!!! I was so pleasantly surprised when I first started following your blog that you love her as much as I do! I enjoy learning about her life just as much as I enjoy her work. Have you ever watched the Beatrix Potter movies done by BBC? I have the whole series and they are so amazing, entertaining, calming, funny…. I love the beautiful watercolors! In fact, when I was watching the credits, I saw the name “Sue Branch”. Did you do the watercolors by any chance for those movies?
Hahahaha, I really do wish!
Thank you, oh Bestest of all Best Friends for sharing your nefarious adventures in Beatrix Potter’s Land! You are so generous and special to us, oh kindred spirit. Please keep your posts coming. Life is just a little sweeter because of them.
Susan, while you and Joe were on your trip, my husband and I visited Victoria BC, Canada, which reminded me very much of England with its beautiful gardens. We rented a car and took a drive up island, ending up in the charming little village of Chemainus which is known for its larger than life murals painted all over town. I was excited to find copies of your books in a little bookstore there. I told the sales woman that I was a great fan of yours and she said that she was too! Just thought you might want to know that you are universally appreciated!
Oh my, I would rub my paws together in glee also to own this book. What a treasure! You are so kind and sweet to do something like this.
Susan,
What a great gift! Have always loved Beatrix Potter and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Was so excited when your trip landed us at Hill Top!
Jan
I have so enjoyed traveling through England with you! Thank you so much for sharing this trip of a lifetime! I can’t wait until your next book is out!
Thanks again, ever so much, for taking us along with you. And this surprise is really a surprise! I hope I am the lucky lamb that wins! But even if I don’t, I will be happy for the very lucky winner. Thanks for being so thoughtful & generous.