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 . . .
what a wonderful gift to give away. i can’t think of anything more special. i enjoyed reading about your trip & seeing the photos. thanks.
Thanks for thinking about us girlfriends and bringing us back something! How I would treasure that book!
I got chills as I read your entry today – I would have snuck a rosebud too and looked to see if there was any ivy… just a bit to carry back as a reminder of being in that magical place. I’ve saved every single one of your England posts – pure delight in every word! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I would love to win this book to give to my oldest grand-daughter for her to give to her own daughter somed day… along with all of your books which I have as well! Hugs across the miles, Pippa
I am enjoying this armchair journey through England. Can’t wait to go back. Thank you for sharing your travels.
What a lovely trip. I have been living vicariously through you. Hope you don’t mind but I simply could not help myself! Thank you so much for the adventure.
I am a retired elementary librarian and one of my favorite times of the year was when I would share “Beatrix Potter” stories with second graders. My favorite story was “The Tale of Jeremy Fisher”…the water was all slippy-sloppy in the larder…when he put on his “mackintosh” and rubbers to go fishing in the rain…with his toe hanging over the edge of the lily pad…and how he would never eat a minnow again. His friends Tolemy Tortoise and Sir Issac Newton…but again, I love Mrs. Tiggywinkle too…precious, precious, precious. Her gift to us is something that cannot be described with words…there are none. The little green books will be with my heart forever.
Oh Susan, what a dream of a vacation! When you discover the name of the roses planted in the garden, pls post it, won’t you? It’s been a wonder-filled journey traveling w/ you, if even only via cyberspace. Thank you! Marita
I will, but in case you come back here, I’m thinking and hoping they are Zephirine Drouhin … they like shade, they climb, they smell wonderful, they’re an old rose, and they look like the ones climbing Beatrix Potter’s House–courtesy of one of our girlfriends. I’m going to check them out!
I was wondering if the mystery rose could possibly be the Madame Testout rose……it is a lovely, lovely rose and this one appears to be it’s twin! I hope you find out for sure as we all want a rose like that one!
I’ll check it out, but I’m now thinking it could be the Zephirine Drouhin . . . has the same characteristics and looks a lot like it!
I felt the mist. I smelled the roses. I tasted the tea. Thanks for being a terrific girlfriend to us all!
What a precious book and generous surprise for a lucky follower! I love Peter Rabbit as I remember my dear mother reading the stories to me. I even named a canary I had “Puddleduck”. Closing my eyes and wishing good luck to one and all! Thanks, Susan, for your many gifts from the heart.
Dear Susan, I have enjoyed our trip though England so much. I was born there, left when I was a baby and have never been back. I told my husband that I think you may single handedly done more for tourism for England by taking all of us with you. On the shelf behind me sits the collection of Beatrix Potter that my daughter received as baby. She will be 13, maybe that is why she loves animals so much.
Thanks again for sharing your amazing journey with us.
Susan,
You sure are great at surprises. I can just picture Joe making sure no one was watching as you helped “prune” the roses. What an adventure! Thanks again for sharing your trip with all of us. You are so generous and thoughtful to think of all of us. Smiles and hugs from NC!
What a special gift you have of describing the details of your surroundings and how wonderful that you share that gift with all of us. I loved every bit of it. Thank you for allowing us to go along with you and Joe.
Oh, Susan, making my heart pound when you went back to Hilltop Farm!!
Love Beatrix Potter and thank you for letting us come along. How I would love that book. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Irene Talaasen
Ooooh, How special is this? What a wonderful prize! I would be “very hoppy” (ha,ha …”hoppy”, get it?) if I won. I love Beatrix Potter and her lovely art and sweet stories. And now I got to see where she lived! I just love your blog; it brings such happiness to my day every time I read it. Thank you Susan. You are such a delight, you are sunshine and fresh air and you lift my spirits every time I come to my favorite website.
Oh my goodness! I love the little lamb you drew. And what a very special surprise gift for one of your lucky readers … me??!! Maybe! 🙂
I almost bought a bunny at my local feed store. I was down there getting dog food and there he was … all black & white and just six weeks old! I think I may just have to go back for him!
Oh, go get him!!!
Oh, gosh… so cute and darling… was impressed out of this world with all your travels… particularly to Miss Potter’s and Jane Austen’s house… 2 places I would LOVE to go myself someday. Thank you for the absolutely PERFECT itinerary (and thanks to Joe for expert driving!!!); you’ve given us all so many wonderful, amazing and memorable memories. Wouldn’t mind winning the lovely little book from Hill Top Farm????
Hello Susan! Your passion of Beatrix Potter and roses will make a dream come true for the winner of the book and pressed flower!!!! What a delightful and very special gift!!!!! My son and daughter both loved those little storybooks as young children. Infact, their crib sheets were of a Beatrix Potter printed fabric. I saved those crib sheets and sewed my daughter a little dress with “carrot buttons” to wear on her first day of Kindergarten in 1999. Just last week, we set it out next to her letter-jacket for all to see at her high school graduation party!!!
Oh Susan how sweet. I brought a little Peter rabbit the other day at the book store and this little book would look so cute beside it. I so enjoyed your trip.
XXOO
Elizabeth
I have soooo enjoyed you sharing your adventure with me! Magical! Hugs!
Thank-you for sharing your exciting travels – and your lovely travel souvenirs – with us!
Susan, friend, you never cease to amaze me. Creativity beyond belief, oh, and a rose bud thief! I love that in a writer/illustrator…it’s essential! I love your little original/copy of Beatrix’ book. What a find..it was meant to be… I mean we could have taken that trip a long while ago or sometime in the future. before of after the book…The timing was predestined, but I know you knew that!
Did I win?
xoxo, Chris
Susan, I know I have already told you this, this blog is such a wonderful gift, nothing else is required. Sittin here with you is pure delight! Your trip brought back so many memories for me. Four years ago we were able to go to Scotland to visit my daughter, so we also visited the lake district, York, London and the cotswolds in England. We were afraid to drive so we did everything by train, so we weren’t able to get to B. Potters area (the train didn’t go there). Alas, I was able to go with you! Thank you.
Dearest Susan, life is grand… and you make it even more splendid ! I can barely breathe waiting for the book to come out. Your writing, while it was wonderful before, has deepened and taken on an even more magical tone, since returning from your trip. You have described it all so well~ that I feel like I’m right there with you, especially while you picked the rose and tucked it into your pocket .
I would so love to win the Beatrice Potter book , the only one, original, in all of the world.
I just, thankfully, blissfully, heafed to the fell. Thanks for giving me the words to express it!
A whole new corner of vocabulary to explore! xo
Oh my, pick me pleeaaasssseeee!
Last Sunday I went on a Secret Garden tour in Saratoga Springs, New York. One of the charming gardens had a child sized tea table all set with a pretty miniature tea service.
I was amazed to see a teddy bear sized Mrs. Tiggie Winkle presiding over the refreshments. She was dressed in her finest frock and hat. I took a picture which I will try to send you.
Thanks for telling and showing us more about your trip.
I
Susan, I have really enjoyed following along with you on your trip to England. I am so happy that you were able to go to Beatrix Potter’s house and take in all of the atmosphere. I have been a fan of Beatrix Potter for as long as I can remember. My husband and I were in England in 2001,but I didn’t really do my homework to see all of the wonderful sites you were able to enjoy. Hopefully one day we will be able to go back. Even if I don’t win, I have really enjoyed your trip almost as much as you. Thank you for taking us along with you!
I have always been a Beatrix Potter fan. We even share the same birthday. It was wonderful to see her home through your eyes and words.
Lucky!
Susan, what a thoughtful person you are. I don’t think you could offer anything more special that a copy of the original The Tail of Peter Rabbit with your
own drawing and handwriting.
Rachel-Georgetown, Tx
Susan,
How very kind, thoughtful and generous you are! I have so enjoyed reading your journey… and well, everything! I think I’ve got most of your books and have bought many more for gifts. And calendars ~ I don’t know if there are others out there because yours is the only one that will grace my wall! You are a breath of fresh air in this world that seems to have all but forgotten the simplest, sweetest pleasures in life. THANK YOU for that! I so enjoy your perspective and the beauty you share through your art and your writing.
I have two little girls I love reading Beatrix Potter to ~ and a 14 year old son who has not forgotten them either 😉 I hope one day to also see the Lake District and that sweet house. 🙂 Love, love, love Beatrix Potter!
Kindest regards and a big WELCOME HOME to you & Joe!
Tracy
Lovely photos…absolutely enjoyed every aspect of your trip. Now planning my own 🙂
WOW! What a wonderful post! And, what a tremendously fantastic opportunity to receive an extremely special one of a kind book!!! (wow…. so very hopeful!!!) I had to laugh out loud when I read the part about stealing roses! Because, once I went to St. Katharine’s Monastery in Egypt, (where they believe the real Mount Sinai is) and I picked a very tiny leaf off the bush the monks think is the real burning bush from the top of the mountain that now lives inside the monastery. Well, I got caught, and they were not nice about it at all. I apologized over & over, but they watched me closely from then on. I still have the leaf, pressed into my little book about St. Katharine’s history. So far, no fire, no special power. Just a little leaf inside a book. I think your rose will be full of Potter magic!! Thanks for another visit to her home, I loved it.
How interesting, Holly! I enjoyed your accounting of taking the little leaf. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Thank you Nanette! I love to read all the comments here on Susan’s post. This is such a special blog, and collection of interesting girlfriends!
OOOh, what a scrummy delight!! Hill Top farm is certainly on my bucket list – soon, I hope too 🙂 Those roses do look David Austinish to me too, and he did have cabbage roses in his catalogue, but as far as the name goes, ????????
So enjoyed reading about your travels. I am wanting to go to the Lake District after seeing the wonderful time that you had.
Oh those roses look so beautiful! We are all fans of Beatrix Potter here – especially because we home school our children just as she was! All 9 of my children have enjoyed keeping nature journals, too. Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddleduck – all such fun to share with children over and over again. And now I have a granddaughter too! Thanks for sharing your lovely trip!
Oh, I have so enjoyed the trip to England! I can’t wait for your book to come out, Susan, so I can use it as a travel guide someday when I return to England! You are so very thoughtful to give away such a wonderful, one-of-a-kind gift! Enjoy your cool summer nights and the fireflies!
Thank you Susan, for taking all of us with you on the most magical trip I’ve been on in ………….. well, forever. I live in the desert so seeing so much green was eye candy for me. Have a wonderful week! 🙂
Susan, you are very cute with your rose-swiping description—I’ve done that with plants I see at the store that need “pruning.” 🙂
Hope I win but IF I don’t, I won’t hold it against you! <3
You make life so exciting for all of us! Your surprises and give aways are always magical.
Thank you Susan for taking us along on your trip! I enjoyed all of it.
Oh my! What a wonderful gift …. and the addition of your lamb drawing would be so fun for me! Thank you so much for sharing your travels. I’m inspired to convince my husband that we need to go to England next year!
What a precious keepsake! And I love the idea of “hiding” a little something between the pages. The lucky person who receives this will be thrilled! (she says with fingers crossed
!)
Susan..I love how every day you open up a new adventure for us. I have so many things on my “to do” list I don’t know where to start. Hugs & Happiness to you and yours…Sheryl
Are you serious? I could possibly win this book? Just the thought of it makes me leap for joy. I have been following your trip to England and delighting in every single moment. Thank you so much for sharing such a special journey with us.
How sweet of you! Seeing your photos and reading your words inspires me to make the trek some day! If only!
i have been following your travels to england and it sounded wonderful! love your blog, in fact i’ve loved your books for years.
So many others have said it – reading your travel diary has been sublime! I have always loved BP – her books added such a note of whimsy to my and my 3 daughters lives. Now they are enchanting my grandchildren as well. It has been a delight to ‘travel’ with you Susan!
Hi Susan!
I love your blog, it’s the highlight of my days (or evenings most of the time) and I really enjoyed our trip to England! You taught me things about the mother country that I hadn’t known before, never really thought about. Enjoying the hillsides and country life, the tea rooms, the lambs, Beatrix Potter’s home, everything!! I learned new things on our trip, and I thank you so much for that, and for giving us the gift of this journey. I can’t wait to read your book about the trip to England and see your lovely drawings! I didn’t win your mug, but I have as good a chance as any to win this magnificent original book you’re so generous to give to one of us lucky girls! What a treasure! Thank you!
Yikes, there are already so many comments! Well, you can take us back to Hill Top as many times as you’d like–it was fun to see the pictures of the garden and your description of the visit, and also see it on a dark rainy day. I wish, as probably you do, too, that everyone could win the book but it is sort of like the lottery…I’ve just enjoyed being “taken along” on the trip and you and Joe sharing it all with us. Oh, I love the lamb you drew–will your book have some of them in it, please? 🙂
This post takes my breath!! The music….ohhhhh….I want someone to make a real music box just like the one in the movie. Zillions would be sold, yes? I played the song over and over and over…while scrolling through this magical post. You took me there…the rain, the crunching gravel…good heaven’s , just seeing the tiny book there soaking up the ambiance. You thought of everything for us, for you and all of your girlfriends here at home, glued to our computers for updates.
The roses are magnificent! Thank you for plucking two…one for me …one for you;)) My heart beats for that one in a thousand and even faster for the one of one. Oh boy oh boy oh boy…I think I would come directly OUt of my SKIN…so just go ahead and make sure someone else receives it. I would have to strap it to my person and wear it as an accessory every where I went.
Much luck and best wishes for the soon to be named recipient. YOu are OUR QueeeeeN!!
Always,
Christie
Okay… going back to you tube to push play…and up to the top of the page for one more look before shut-eye;)
I am not as stealthy as you Susan- I tried to “nick” (that’s what they call in England- But I prefer the the more dignifed- “civic pruning”) a few seeds when I visited Anne Hathaway’s cottage. I got caught and was properly chastised- it’s funny now but was a little embarrassing then. Thanks so much for the chance to win such a beautiful keepsake.
Loved following along on the trip and now love getting all the beautiful details! Keep it coming. I’m a Beatrix potter collector too. Your writtings & descriptions are delightful!
Oh Susan..I have loved reading your travel diary! I haven’t missed one post! It has been unbelievably fun and I have been extremely awestruck in reading, and hanging onto, every word you have written! Where you find all the words amazes me and I LOVE IT!! I am so excited to be entered in the drawing for this wonderful Beatrix Potter/Susan Branch autographed book! I hope it’s me (isn’t everyone saying that too?)!!!
I love the overcast sky and the rain. I imagine it fit the mood of that day. And, it is so thoughtful of you to make someone a lucky duck! Happiness to you.
Amazing Lady 🙂
Such generosity! As I read the end of this post, it was as if you were in the
room with me. You personalized and expressed such a quiet humility of joy in the knowledge of giving some most fortunate girlfriend this beautiful treasure as an expression of friendship and love.
This is some of the unique combination of who Susan Branch is. Indeed you practice; It is more blessed to give than receive. Something we all can practice in various ways to make a better world for others as well as ourselves. Thank you again for all the lovely and very informative blogs.
Blessings—
Carolyn
From Sir Paul’s Kisses on the Bottom to this treasure of a book with your personalized note on the bottom, this England Excursion has been fun! (was going to say tops, but I was sure I heard groans when I typed it) 🙂 Thank you for your hospitality, dear Susan!
How delighted to read your story about the trip to Hill Top! I visited Hill Top myself 2 years ago and I loved it, as well as the whole Lake District. And just a couple of weeks ago, I discovered we have some hedgehogs in our backyard late at night, one of them totally reminds me of Miss Tiggy Winkle! I would love to go back someday, and maybe I will. I hope I can still participate for the Peter Rabbit book. It would be a great memento.
Kind regards, Elisabeth from the Netherlands
I do so love your trip to the home of beatrix potter. I too collect peter rabbit figurines – nice to know i have company. Would love to win the book!
So wonderful to stroll through your pictures, I can feel the air, smell the flowers and imagine places, I too hope to visit someday. Thank you for being so honest, candid and beautiful. I truly feel lighter reading your words. Blessings
Oh, what a beautiful trip you had! To own a copy of that book would be so special. Thanks for the chance! I’m new to your blog as of last week. So happy to have found you. I love your work!!!
What a special little book. I named my son Benjamin so of course I had Benjamin Bunny all over his room….complete with a real bunny a few years later! I have so enjoyed your vacation blog I felt I was back in England, having been there on my honeymoon over 25 years ago! Please pick me!!!
Kathy M.
New Albany, Ohio
Oh, Lucky you (and Very Lucky, whoever the winner may be!) that you went back to Hill Top Farm! How very clever and sneaky of you, to secretly pick a flower or two to bring back home with you! What fun!! After reading about your Peter Rabbit room, I went on a hunt for any Beatrix Potter books I could find. I even ordered her biography from England! My favorites are the little ones, just perfect for little hands (of future grandchildren, I hope to have one day!) Ohhh how I would dearly Love to win that special edition of her first Tale of Peter Rabbit! That’s the one little book I’m missing! Thanks once again for sharing your adventures with us! It’s all been Sooo Wonderful and Exciting, and here we thought it was over, but you’ve managed to stretch it out! You’re so good to us!
Blessings!
Oh How wonderful!!! I have read every post. Watched every video. Listened to all. Each day I would get up and sit peacefully in front of my computer screen and read your blog. Your trip was amazing! A trip of a lifetime.
Thank you for sharing your very special journey with us all.
Kathy
How marvelous. You have been such an inspiration on your wonderful tour. I am committed to a Spring trip to PEI to visit the home of “Anne of Green Gables. ” Once, about 8 years ago I got to see the home where C.C. Lewis lived with his wife in Oxford. I am so impressed with artistic genius (that is why I am so fond of you!). Artists of every genre bring such beauty into our world. thanks!!!
You find the most amazing treasures!!! Thank you for always thinking of us and taking us with you!!! 🙂
So exciting!! It would be a dream come true to win that book.
I love that you took that rose for your book. I would have done the same thing!!
The rainy day in her garden, so perfect. You will remember it always, and so will your little book!
I can’t wait for your book of your journey.
Susan, what a wonderful surprise!! If I should win, I think I might give the book to my wonderful mother.. who also loves everything Beatrix Potter!
A real bit of Beatrix Potter’s world and yours too, Susan, would be heavenly! What lovely memories you have…thanks for sharing your beautiful journey. It’s been wonderful!
My sweet mom used to say… I have never stolen anything lest a bit of a cutting. She explained the stolen bits grew better. Such a lovely surprise. Xxxooo
glad for your safe travels. the way you shared your trip to England was so grand….so appreciated. you express your different moments and feelings so well–with such delight and detail. you have such an exceptional talent for that (in all that you do). your upcoming Peter Rabbit surprise giveaway is ever-so-clever and charming. good luck to all your admirers. you brighten our days in so many ways. ENORMOUS THANKS, SUSAN BRANCH!
Oh my gosh what a wonderful remembrance of “our” trip to HillTop! A one of a kind, only one in the world Beatrix Potter book…WOW!!!!
I just had to chckle out loud at the description of your stelth in scarfing roses from Beatrix Potters garden. You are such a “Stinker” and so funny, but my kind of girl! I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful adventure you allowed us to share with you. It was getting a little cramped in that suitcase, but it was well worth the stiff muscles to share your trip.
Where shall we go next????
Susan, I have just loved following you through your trip to England. I especially love that you took the time to explore and relax and take tea – and all those photos! Our trips always seem so harried in comparison. I’m looking forward to your English Diary book, and would love to win this amazing Beatrix Potter book. Thanks so much for making us all a part of your life!
I am a longtime Beatrix Potter fan and have a collection of books about her, by her, and several Peter Rabbit things, (although much as I would like to, I do not have a Peter Rabbit Room!) I am a children’s librarian and have shared my love for Peter with the children at the library as well as my own children and my granddaugters. I am also a longtime Susan Branch fan and would love to win this darling book, but I am blissfully happy to have been able to visit Hill Top Farm through your beautiful photos and amazing descriptions. I enjoyed your journey to England so very much, Susan, and cannot thank you enough for taking us with you!
What a delightful adventure to the English Countryside as seen through your eyes. Thank-you for the weeks of beauty and a peek into another time of romantic thoughts and imagination. To have that book would be a treasure.
I raised a little orphaned cottontail years ago. He was called BunRab. After a few months we set him free near a farm. However, I have never read any B. Potter books. I must have had a deprived childhood. My first books were Alice In Wonderland and Black Beauty. Alice was never finished. The whole story sounded like all the characters were drunk and that made me uncomfortable. Now the horse book was read ’til the pages fell out. Then I discovered the library! Of course I was too old for Peter Rabbit or Jemima Puddleduck if I had read ‘chapter books’..
Ooooohhhhh. I have loved reading of your experiences and this is just the icing on the cake. I loved BP as a child and you have brought loads of memories flooding back. My grandson is named Ben and as a toddler I called him my ‘Benjamin Bunny’ (he still is really although he is all grown up now LOL). Would love to win this.
I have followed your life and work for years and it has been one of the highlights of my life. When times are troubled, your blog (and before that) has been such an inspiration to me. I find it quite amazing that everything you love, are the things I love, down to the last teeny tiny thing. Someday, I will share that private information with you in a snail mail letter. But until then . . .
I will just say that I have watched Miss Potter (the movie) around 50+ times. It never fails to delight and cheer me up. When I heard you were going to England to visit, I couldn’t wait for the postings on the blog to see where you were going next. And then the big treat was to the Beatrix Potter house!
Thank you for sharing your England trip with us but most of all thank you for just sharing YOU! You are truly amazing! A beaming light and gift to the world!
Oh, treasure of treasures! Like having a gift straight from Beatrix herself…The odds are not in my favor by now and I fear they will become dramatically worse 🙂 but I still have hope. What a dear thing to do, Susan. I was genuinely shocked! when I saw that you were giving it away! Bless your sweet heart.
Oh Susan, I have enjoyed this trip sooooo much, every bit of it! You made it seem as if we were there along with you, especially just now in the garden! A memento would be wonderful—-I hope I’m lucky!
I continue to be surprised! You remind me so much of myself. Of course,you are far more talented than I 🙂 When I travel – or even when I am shopping at home – I look for that little something that gives me goose bumps and has meaning to me. Often times my family ask why I am buying a particular item. They just don’t get it. I saw your collection of Johnson Bros. English Rose Chinz and ended up purchasing a few pieces off of a website. When that big box came, and I unwrapped each and ever piece, set them on my table and just sat and smiled at how beautiful they are. I have other pieces and I so enjoy gazing at these treasures. I guess the best part is that no one except myself knows how very important they are! And that is what makes them special. Thank you for going back to Hilltop and Beatrix Potter’s house. I watched “Miss Potter” the other day and it meant so much more to me since visiting it in person. It amazed me how forward thinking she was all those years ago. I am so proud of the land she purchased for preservation. If there was anyone I would want to have tea with it would be Miss Potter! And you, of course!! Thanks for the memories…..XXXXOOOO Pat
Oh!….(I could thump my foot just like my bunnies do to show their excitement!) how delightful and what a wonderful way to share your special “Hill Top” trip! Thank you for sharing your joys!
How generous you are to take us with you on this fabulous trip! And how generous to take time every day to take pictures and post them with your fun, happy chats. These last pictures were doubly wonderful – seeing the mist and rain were quite refreshing as we sweltered in 108 degree weather here in Modesto! I may never get to England myself, but I was there with you this time. Like your sweet kitties, we are glad you’re back! Thank you, thank you, dear lady!!! =^..^=
Oh, Susan !!! You Precious Sweet Lady,Thank You for thinking about us 🙂
Wish I could have been there too, but you did the next best thing …
You took us along 🙂 When you write a book with your wonderful picture and all your words, thought,feeling and little drawings. We can open and read it any time. We can have a pot of Tea and cake, and look until our heart is content…
I would truly Love to be Blessed, by receiving Beatrix book with My name in it.
Thank You Susan… Sweet Hugs,Mary Beth 🙂
Dear Susan, It was so wonderful to take the cruise over the big pond and visit England. I drank and ate up each entry as if it was served in a Royal Albert teacup with biscuits. I have long been enamoured with Beatrix Potter’s work and to see the background story through your eyes was priceless. Thank you for taking us with you. Your pictures and commentary are as close as I’ll get. (If I go in that direction, it’ll be to Scotland, heritage of both parents, though they didn’t know that.)
Oh to be in England. Love love love all your words and pictures. Thank you for taking us along. Love you like you love Beatrix!!!
I have a book that has all the Beatrix Potter stories in it, but I treasure the three small ones…Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, and Squirrel Nutkin… I own that were gifts from friends in England and Scotland when I was a very little girl…I would love to add this one! Thanks for the giveaway!
I looked up the name of the roses in Google and they state ” cabbage roses ” as well !
Also noted your BP blog posts are already listed by Google.
You bring everything to life with such excitement that I feel I have taken every step with you!!!
The book is adorable and the rose a bonus!!
Thank you for all the happiness you bring into my life!!
* Hi Susan *
I’m so excited! I’m beside myself! Well, yes, I guess I am, as I sit here, typing away on my laptop, just thinking about the wonderful surprise you have planned for “one-of-us-lucky-girlfriends”.
“Starlight…starbright…first star I see tonight…I’m wishing on it”.
“We are such stuff as dreams are made of…”
I’m so delighted to be part of your fabulous new drawing…a limited edition copy of Beatrix Potter’s first book, “TheTale of Peter Rabbit”.
I can’t beleive it, a “one-of-a-kind” keepsake to treasure, and with your personal inscription and artwork too!
I love your new post taking us back to Hill Top Farm today…the misty rain lending drama to Hill Top Farm was beautiful. Susan, you take stunning photos, as are all of the views you’ve included in the posts during “our” trip.
Thank you again for sharing your Trip To England with us and for the sweet and generous gift that you will be sending to “one” of us.
…and speaking of “one-of-a-kind”…that saying calls to mind…YOU!
O.K. to quote your Dad (again) “when” will the drawing happen? Countdown time. One day…two days…three days…or more from today?
I feel like I’m six years old once again…and oh so very excited… counting the days…as they get closer and closer to my birthday in July…
Luv from Dorothy Ann on Cougar Mountain, Washington
What a sweet surprise, Susan! Your thoughtfulness warms my heart.
Dear Susan, I do appreciate seeing through your eyes the beauty of England. I hope to one day visit. You have inspired me tremendously! Thank you for the special “Hill Top” gift.
Well I just have to have a small floral souvenir from special places too – I’m sure nobody really minds and not too many people do it. I occasionally find pressed flowers in books bought in charity shops and its such a link with that souvenir hunter it almost makes me sad. There are also a few in my Grandmother’s hymn books and I like to think they are from her special places too and maybe even given to her by my Grandfather….. well that’s what I choose to believe anyway.
Thank you for another beautiful post Susan. And the lovely surprise.
I too love finding a flower in an old book. Sets my imagination to roaming . . . xoxo
I have loved Beatrix Potter forever! I even decorated my daughter’s first “big girl room” in a pink Peter Rabbit comforter set (she is now 30). To this day I continue to buy those charming little books as baby gifts. It would be an honor and a pleasure to win such a wonderful limited edition book signed by you!
I have loved, loved, loved all your posts from England; made me feel as though I was there!! Thank you so much for sharing!
I woke in the “middle” of the night and wondered if there could be a new posting from Susan Branch! I was delighted to find your lovely post! And now………I will crawl back under my covers for some more “sweet dreams” of bunnies and roses and lovely walks with my friend, Susan! Thank you!
I’ve been dreaming the same things ever since I went there, what nice dreams they are to have!
I found this on Madame Caroline Testout roses……….http://paulbardenroses.com/hybridteas/carolinetestout.html. One of these lovely roses would be a worthy companion of the Zepherine Droughin rose! I lost my Madame C. Testout rose during the blizzard we had in Birmingham, Alabama some years ago. I think I will have to have another!
What a wonderful surprise! I always love going back one last time!
I loved your posts especially Beatrix Potter’s home and your wonderful notes. This book is wonderful just by itself, but the memories would make it even more special.
Susan, I have so enjoyed living vicariously through you as you toured England. I have known the books but “discovered” Beatrix Potter as a person this past year so it was really special to see where she lived. I’ve been enjoying Susan Wittig Albert’s books about Beatrix Potter and then the movie about her was magically at the library and now your trip to her home. Everywhere I turn she is appearing to me. Now, perhaps her book? Thank you so much for sharing your adventures.