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 . . .
Susan! You brought us back to Hill Top Farm! Raindrops… Climbing Baby Pink Cabbage Roses… the land of Beatrix and Peter Rabbit. (Mopsy was the name of my dog… Yes! after Beatrix wonderful stories!!! Mopsy always bound about and was full of fun and energy…)
Ooooh! You went to the dear bookstore again 😉 And you returned right to the place your heart pulled you on your first visit!!! This time you bought what almost slipped through your fingers…and you bought one for us too????? Oh My! I am speechless! What a precious treasure. And you are sharing your love of the journey with us… personalized with a secret garden flower!!!
My heart is dancing! Yes Yes Yes! Sign me up too.
Much XOXO! Have a happy day! It was wonderful spending the morning hours with you today before I face myworld of computers:)
Georgie
Yardville,NJ
In this chapter of my life running around with four kids,and working your blog is the ahhhh at the end of the day! Oh how I’ve enjoyed the England visit and the posts because if I never get there part of me has through you! Thank you Susan from the bottom of my heart!
I’ve enjoyed your tour of England. Thanks for sharing it, and thanks for the giveaway!
Susan, It’s been a long time since I’ve been to England, but your trip brought back so many nice memories. Thank you.
Hello Susan,
what kind of flowers are those huge beautiful white blossoms we see in that bush/tree where the bee skeps are? At first they looked like a rhodi but then with all the little white blossoms mixed in – I don’t know! Maybe you could let us know when you find the time to post the answer ……..xx Thank you.
It’s white lilac! She has white wisteria on the house too!
Wow………thanks so much……..boy those are huge blossoms..
Susan, this is so nice of you to think of your girlfriends in such a special way! I would love to have this book with your added touch and rose pressed in it, but I’m thrilled for whomever gets the chance at it. You’re one of one yourself!
Good morning! What a great way to start the day with another visit to Hilltop. Thankyou, thank you, thank you times a thousand!
Hi Susan, I was enjoying your post so much this morning and thinking how lucky you were to own such a treasure and then I saw the pictue of inside cover with your handwriting wondering why you wrote “for”. As I looked past the picture and read you were giving it away a small noise escaped my mouth and my eyes opened just a little bit more. You’re going to put a big smile on someone’s face when they receive that in the mail!
My artist grandmother introduced me to the world of Beatrix Potter- it left quite an impression and one just doesn’t look at animals and nature quite the same way after! Her books shed light on the magic that already is.
It was so sweet of you to bring back a book to give away! I adore Beatrix Potter and love to read her books to my kids. We even made puppets of many of the characters in her books. The painting you did of the lamb looks just like Beatrix herself could have painted it. You exactly captured her style!
Susan,
You are the Story-Teller Extraordinaire! I love starting my day hoping that you have a new entry on your blog. Love reading about your escapades and travels and daily round. Thank you so much for feeding our imaginations and letting us see the simplicity in our surroundings.
Hugs,
Debbie
Susan, What a perfect, thoughtful gift for one of us, made special by your addition to it! I loved your description of the Mini BP book back at home with all of the BP characters in the BP room. 🙂 Don’t let Petey in there. It might put them over the top!
Sandy in Attleboro MA
Good point Sandy!!! I will watch him like a hawk.
I have so enjoyed “our” trip through England, thanks so much for taking us with you! I was so sad when it was over and have so enjoyed your recent posts since you arrived home. Thanks ever so much!
Oh my goodness, what a treasure, Susan! You had to have it. I have so enjoyed your visit to my favorite island – you’ve shared so much with us and I will be forever grateful for my virtual trip to the British Isles.
xo
Claudia
Thank you Claudia, loved you being here!
Life is all about the little pleasures. In my life, your blog is certainly that. I am so glad that you do this wonderful electronic art filled treat for us all. I can’t get enough. It is nice to hear you get excited when you remember your trip and tell us all about it. Happier just having read it.
XOXO !
Susan, you always so thoughtful, considerate, kind and thinking of how to enrich other’s lives – I loved your “going back” look and whoever wins this will have a true treasure. Can’t wait to see all the lambs in your beautiful watercolors. Judy C
I’ve always wanted to visit England and although I didn’t grow up with Beatrix Potter’s books, I came to love her work after I saw the movie. Now thanks to you, I know which places to visit when I do go… Thank you for all the lovely pictures and descriptions. So many of your favorites are mine too!
A visitor who went with you on the trip all the way from India
Isn’t it great what a small world we have Sreekala? So nice to see you here!
Wow! What a hope to win such a treasure! And how wonderful of you to do such a generous thing. Whoever the winner of the book is, we all really are the winner because you took us along and shared this experience. Loved every word and every photo and all the inspiration. Thank you, thank you.
Oh my goodness…a lovely post, and a lovely gift. Thanks for sharing.
Your precious posts are a light in the world (which is sorely in need of light). May showers of blessings continue to softly fall on you.
Thank you Pam!
Thank you Pam … There is so much more good in the world than bad! I don’t know why bad gets so much press!
Good morning, Susan,
Beatrix Potter books are my first choice of baby gifts. We just had a baby shower and it was my pleasure to introduce another generation to Miss Potter. We have know of her so long, loved her so much, it is continually amazing to me that some people have never heard of her. Susan, you are spreading the word! Thank you!
E.
I know, someone said that to me recently “who is Beatrix Potter?” Such a surprise, but then I think, what a wonderful world they get to learn about!
I love it that you pressed flowers in the books, especially ones from HER house! My husband and I LOVE used bookstores (it is really an obsession, actually!) and I am so thrilled when I find things in between pages of books I buy…….old receipts, little notes, to-do lists – so grateful for the booksellers who leave these things in between the pages. Thanks, Susan, for the chance to win the book!
I’ve put things in my own books for years, just for that reason! So someday someone will find them!
Holly – you’re a girl after my own heart with your love of used bookstores. I especially like finding notes, handwritten recipes and recipe modifications in old cookbooks, such fun!
-Marianne-
Hi, Marianne! A fellow bookworm – how wonderful! When my husband and I go anywhere, we plan our route around used bookstores. Since we now have books in every room of our home (and it’s a small home!), we are going to attempt to convert the breezeway between the house and garage into a library. I’m so excited about this project! I think old books deserve loving homes and am happy to see that obviously some books have found a loving home with you!
Oh, I followed you almost daily on your adventure. You have helped me add new places to my growing must see and do list. Miss Potter’s home has always had a prime spot. I cannot wait to hear where your next adventure will take you!
Gladys Taber, Laura Ashley, Beatrix Potter, cooking, and knitting are all on my favorites list too and it was a joy to find your blog that included all of them! I stumbled on your blog as you were heading across the ocean and I was on my way to have my thyroid cancer operation. Your charming post about your trip became my daily vacation time and made me smile. Now I start each day with a visit with you as I have tea from an Emma Bridgwater cup-thanks to you! Thanks for making such a difference in my life. Oh, I am fine and back to my normal gardening, weaving, and goat tending self!
Cheerio,
Ieva
Very happy to hear it! The world needs all those things! Thank you Leva!
I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say how amazing it is that you can make so many people you don’t even know feel so special! Following your travels has been such fun and almost as good as being there! Thank you for sharing.
It was like you found the “secret garden”! The roses are beautiful..my favorite color pink. I bet if you emailed David Austen roses (their catalog is amazing) they would know what that rose was. I like to think of you Susan as our own Beatrix Potter, I was thinking after I read your blog this morning (I was so waiting for it) that all you need to do now is write and watercolor a little story book of your own, maybe about little kitties living on Marthas Vineyard! I have to tell you I am so excited about this book I could just scream! It’s so pretty and so special. When I went to Prince Edward Island many years ago, I purchased a special cookbook with recipes written by Lucy Maud Montgomery and her great niece signed it. I was so excited. I would love to add this little book to my favorites! I just love the story about Beatrix, she followed her dream and stayed true to who she really was. I feel the same about you Susan, but whats so amazing is that we can talk to you, and follow you, and go on vacation with you. We are so lucky! -East Longmeadow, MA
Good Morning Susan,
Thank you for the beautiful blog post this morning; I was feeling a bit down this morning and your post has lifted my spirits. You have made this give-away so special; it amazes me how you think of these things such as going out to get two flowers to put into the books. And the books are so sweet with the little organza bag to protect them. Just beautiful. With so many posts, it is a 1 in a 1000 chance to receive this lovely gift from you, so the lucky recipient will surely be blessed as will their children and grandchildren who get it passed to them … as this is sure to be a treasured keepsake!
xoxo, Priscilla
Susan,
Thank you so much for taking us on your trip of a lifetime. You’ve given me so many places I want to go visit!!!! It may never happen, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience them through your eyes and your visit. Somehow I feel like I may have gotten more out of it through your amazingly vivid explanations!!!
Blessings to you,
Julie
We’ll have to find the name of the beautiful roses…someone must know! It would be oh-so tempting to have brought one of those home as well! It was lovely to “tag along” on your visit…thank you for sharing it with all of us, and for bringing a book back to share as well. Oh my, how sweet!
Oh I’ve followed your trip… each and every post of it. I truly felt like I was away. Thank you for sharing so much with us! ~tara
Is there a more loving, generous person in the world? I think not. First you take us on a most wonderful vacation, then a beautiful surprise! THank you so much for your wonderful blog, all your fabulous books,stickers and papers. You bring so much joy to so many people. Bless you!
xoxo Thank you Karen!
I wanted so much to be there with you to share all the delights of England and the Shires — perhaps next year I’ll be able to go myself — but your photos and text almost made not being there tolerable. And I got to introduce a friend to your blog as I HAD to share ….
“. . . not being there tolerable” — I understand perfectly! 🙂
Susan, your rainy day visit to Hill Top was so special. It was just meant to be that you would go back again to make new discoveries. As always, heartfelt thanks for taking us all along! There were tears in my eyes as you walked through the gardens and picked two roses. What an incredible treasure! It’s so wonderful that there is now a book with illustrations by Beatrix Potter & Susan Branch!! xoxo
Happy summer days!
Dawn
What a wonderful gift! Another gift has been the details & photos of your trip. It has been as if I was there with you. (And it now makes me want to go to England!)
What a delightful blog post and give-away! Thank you so much for sharing…
Dear Susan,
What an adventure you have had..and to go back a second time to Beatrix Potter’s house …. how fun!!! I am a military wife who has been blessed to have lived in Japan and Panama, so I know how exciting traveling can be. I have absorbed all there was to experience in each of our adventures living overseas. My DH has not been assigned to a base in Europe as of yet, but if he is….we will be so giddy to move there. Crossing my fingers for a future assignment in either England or Germany, mainly Germany, as he is from a family of strong PA Dutch influence. Your blog is so delightful!! I check it everyday for new posts….you are friendliest, most happy blog writer I have ever read!!! Thanks for sharing your travels, and ideas, and writings…. Erica:)
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your life, and most recently your dreams-come-true of England. I feel as though I had been there with you. How special to bring this Beatrix Potter treasure home to share with someone. It is truly a wonderful life. Have you seen the movie 84 Charing Cross Road? If not, you must. I think you will love it. How special you are. I hope you are planning to have your English Diary published. I want to buy the first copy!
Ohhhhhhh!!!! I am sooooooo giddy!!!!!! Not only did we get a most magnificent trip back to Hill Top Farm in all its Beatrix Potter delightfulness, the beauty and whimsy is just screaming through the pictures, but we get our surprise too!! It is the most marvelous of marvelous surprises!!! So thoughtful and delightful!!! Not only that but you being the wonderful soul that you are, you make it even more magical!
P.S. I would have risked time in the pokey for that flower too!!!!
Wow, as I was reading your post I was wondering if a give-away was going to be a surprise today….seriously, such generosity on your part! I have loved Beatrix Potter for as long as I can remember, and would love to get to Hill Top one day. Thanks for bringing us there! 🙂
Oh Susan, what a treasure this would be. So enjoyed the trip to England with you. Had a great time but am glad you’re back home on my favorite island with your kitties.
What a treasure! Oh, to have the luck to win this drawing…my mother loved Beatrix Potter and would have adored your blog. When I was very young in my marriage, she gave me your “Heart of the Home” cookbook. So we’ve been fans of your for many years now, even though she’s passed on. Thank you for the beauty you add to our world!
Oh Susan, what an unbelievable giveaway! I hope you truly understand how much we appreciated you sharing your vacation with all of us girlfriends. For me, it was a trip of a lifetime! I hope to be able to go someday butnif I don’t make it I always have the trip with you!
Thank you!
Carla
Hi Susan–Have loved every post of your amazing trip! I love that you still have so much of it to share. We are sooooo lucky! You took that tiny little precious book to her house (soaked up the magic) and your bunnies do look quite happy to have it on their shoulders! Adorable. The give away looks absolutely wonderful! 🙂
Through your descriptions of your trip to England I have traveled along with you and Joe to all those wonderful places. When my husband and I go (and we will) I most want to see the Lake District. We have been to London, but not to the countryside and since I taught Brit Lit for years I need to walk where the great writers walked. The book you brought back to give away is such a delightful thing I’m sure whoever gets it will treasure it and hand it down in their will. You bring sunshine to our lives Susan and we all need a bit of that.
So glad you posted more pictures of where you were. Those roses look like “old fashion ” roses that one sees along fence rows, even here, along our wonderful old farm roads. yes, cabbage roses is a great name for them. happy day!
I’m certainly no expert, but I believe that Miss Potter’s rose is rosa centifolia (also known as the cabbage rose! I’ve also heard the Duchesse de Brabant rose called a cabbage rose, but Miss Potter’s rose doesn’t look at all like Duchesse de Brabant). I mostly grow remontant roses but I may have to get the rosa centifolia even if it does only bloom once a year. By the way, thanks so much for having me along. It was a wonderful trip!
Although I’m no expert, my instant feeling was that the roses are “Constance Spry”. I hope you do find out and let us know. Our skies today are just as grey and wet as those you had in the Lakes. Oh, for a little sunshine…
What a lovely BP book and a generous giveaway. Please put my name in the hat!
Thank you for sharing your fabulous trip with us. The pictures truly made me feel a part of it all, and I know how much time you have spent making sure that we could all share in your fun.
Beatrix Potter was, and is, such a talent. The joy she has given in her many works endures. My students always loved listening to the mischief of Peter Rabbit, and especially those two bad mice! (As an obsessive collector of miniatures, I was always captivated as well.)
I do appreciate your hard work, which is obviously a labor of love for you. Every day I check your blog in the morning to see if there is an entry. Your writing and illustration is so full of joy that it inspires happiness!
Thanks again.
How wonderful to turn on my computer and be transported to a rainy day in England. Thanks for the journal postings, I feel as though I’ve traveled with you. You are like a bowl of sunshine!
Monika
I love souvenirs! How thoughtful of you! I have SO enjoyed “traveling” with you. You’ve added another entry to my Bucket List. Happy Day! Thanks for all the sharing, keep it coming…
Susan,
What a wonderful trip! I checked your blog everyday wanting to read more about your adventures. Thank you for sharing it with us
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for more glimpses into “Your British Life”. I eagerly turn on my computer in the morning, hoping for another blog from you. This was truly charming. And the book…Perfection! It’s lovely because it’s from your heart. It is so delicious to give the perfect present, and you seem to be a master at it. I get all goose-bumpy when I think of the exact, right gift to give someone and you give me the same feeling. Have a succulent summer day, Lorraine
A few years back a dear friend of mine ask if I would go to a tea room with her. …… Well, several tea sets later!!!! I am in love with anything from England!!!
Thank you for sharing your trip.
Dawn
You were bitten by the tea-tsy fly!
Oooch!
What? No? 🙂
How very clever of you! Tea-try fly! Ha! It’s happened to many of us, too!
I have loved following you via your blog on this wonderful adventure. I now must add England to my Bucket List. Thank you so much for taking all of us along. You provide such a special way of viewing and telling about your travels/adventures and it has been so special to read your blog throughout your travels. But I especially love your posts about everyday life. Like Hallmark, you make life a special occasion. God Bless to you!
What a wonderful thing you have thought of!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your vacation ,pictures , videos, personal impressions and all!
And this book is the whipped cream frosting on the cake !! I am surprised, really, that you don’t have a cutting of that cabbage rose , I hope you find one just like it.
They were right ON the house, I am not that brave!
Susan, thank you for sharing your journey and adventures with us. Although I live in England it has been lovely to see your travels through your eyes. You make everything so delightful and magickal. Good luck to all in this special giveaway.
Bertie x
Hi Bertie! Now you can run up and get one for yourself! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your magical trip with us. I truly enjoyed every moment of it. Reading your posts always make me smile.
Oh Susan, you gave me the giggles reading your stealthy mission to secure not one, but two rosebuds to slip into those precious books. How generous you are to share such a treasure! Blessings to you and all who find joy in your lovely posts!
I’ve loved following you on your voyage, especially Hill Top! The first book I ever owned was The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I enhanced the end papers with my own illustrations when I was about 2 or 3 and I’m pretty sure that was when I decided to become an illustrator. Today my whole collection of Beatrix Potter books sits on the shelf next to me while I work.
I N S P I R A T I O N !! ♥
Oh my word, turn my back for a day and look what happens! +800 friends turn out for a book party! I adore Beatrix Potter’s work and I’m sure I’d have adored her! There is not a room in my home without a bunny of some sort in it! I even have a silver baby rattle in the shape of a rabbit on a long chain than is a topic-of-conversation necklace! When my two girls were wee ones, I bought a tea set with Peter Rabbit characters on it and we had tea parties on a tiny wicker table often with pink smocked dresses and flowery bonnets on my lovelies!
So, yes, my name is Diane Harris and I’m a Beatrix Potter addict!! My ♥ stopped when I came to the picture of the garden with the handmade stakes in a tepee fashion. I love the simple elegance of the geometry of that garden, the brown carpet of earth, the green framing all around. . . truly ♥ stopping; best picture yet (okay, tied with the 3 ladies inside the house; how much did you have to pay and prod them for that pose?).
This experience is definitely high on my bucket list! Thank you for sharing the adventure!!
XXOO,
Diane
P.S. I must add that my absence yesterday should be an excused one, I took five girlfriends and one of my daughters (other one is in Denver) to a charming tea house for a tea party celebrating my 30th anniversary of my business. Next time you drive through PA you’ll need to let me know and you must stop at this precious place, right near a turnpike exit. ADORABLE!
And those roses look like David Austins’s to me (what is it with this name, Austen, Austin?)
en for Jane, and in for David! 🙂 And yes, your absence is totally understood!
It has been so fun to go to England, even if it was thru your eyes! Thanks for the beautiful pictures, I feel like I was there.
Susan Branch…you crack me up! I’m reading along wowing at all the beauty in your post, and then BOOM you bought the book! “HOORAY!” I say out loud with a little fist pump. I felt a little proud as so many of us lovingly nagged you to get back and buy yourself that book! Then BIG BOOM…she’s giving it away!!! I think that’s just how you roll, you’re an Emma Bridgewater mug over flowing with generousity. Have a really wonderful day at HOME. Thank you for a beautiful, informative, action packed adventure.
XOXO, Tawni
Thank you Tawni!
Oh My God!!! somehow that never crossed my mind . I could cry thinking that I could possibly have that – even if I don’t win, just the thought of the grandness of your surprise makes me happy – good job sweet Sue! You have outdone yourself this time.
And not JUST a book, this very special book, with the addition of your artful little lamb, personalized by your hand, and a irreplaceable rose. As you say, truly ” one of a kind” No wonder your dad has been anxious for you to share it–he really understands the huge give-away this is, and how much it will mean to the recipient. (Thanks Jack for giving Susan a little push) 😉 Your return to Hill Top was made more special by the weather and finding HER garden. So many people who visit Hill Top will miss seeing this very personal part. So glad you went back and shared it with us.
My heart ws pounding as I read about your second visit to Hilltop. You brought so many of us with you on your trip. Thank you over and over again. I am thrilled beyond words that one of the girlfriends will receive this book. You, though are our gift.
Dear thing to say!
Oh, such a wonderful tale. I can just picture you “borrowing” that rose for your book. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and I think of you every time I see the bunnies in my yard. Maybe they are related to the Hilltop family. Who knows? P.S. I hope Petey has recovered from his travels.
He’s great, but would like to go again!
Good morning, darling Sue ~
As I sit listening to this glorious music, my spirits are lifted and my heart is smiling even more than my face right now! What a beautiful post to wake up to! I’ve had family visiting for the past couple of weeks…my precious little granddaughter, Isabella Grace…and life has kept me too busy to check in with you. But now I’m back in a slower routine and catching up with my friends (and that includes you, of course!).
I hope your “re-entry” to the real world has been smooth. I know when I come home from being away for a while, it takes me some time to adjust. The last time we returned from staying in a very beautiful b & b on Cape Cod, I found myself sitting in my garden with my book and a tall glass of lemonade, day after day, still smelling the salt air and feeling sand in my pockets, until I realized SOMEONE needs to do the laundry, clean the floors and grocery shop! …the real world.
Luckily, I do find pleasure in the everyday routine as you do but how nice to hold on to our travels and to share them with our friends. You are especially gifted when it comes to sharing yourself, Susan! It reminds me of a line in my favorite James Taylor song: “The secret to love is in opening up your heart…” Thank you for your open heart….I feel the Love you’re sending to all who know you!
Welcome Home, friend! It’s good to catch up….so happy you had such a wonderful vacation!
xoxoDebbie
And me too, these days, finding pleasure in my every day routine!!
Hello Sunshine,
That’s what you are to me each day. Thank you.
Been taking care of home bound hubby for 9 yrs. Used to travel the world.
But more you bring me your happiness every day. I have done some sketches of you at the little cottage and of “Peter” at Hilltop. I’ll try to send you the watercolor when it is done. There are hundreds of flowers blooming in our yard right now and some Peter rabbits and friends creating a little mischief also.
It is very easy to do rose cuttings -perhaps the gardener could start a new
Beatrix Potter rose to give to the world. Wouldn’t that be great!
Ta Ta for now Peggy
It would be great and smart . . . who wouldn’t want a cutting from Beatrix Potter’s garden??
Susan you will not believe how much I have enjoyed joining you on your trip to England. It has been so much fun and now I want to plan a trip there too! Finally a chance to win that gorgeous book. Oh I sooooo want to win!!!! Thank you so much for the wonderful journey and even if I don’t win thank you for making it possible for someone to win such a unique and fantastic prize.
Thank you so much for the trip to England!! Every morning I would sit with my coffee and check for updates. I so much enjoyed it. I have just started my collection of Beatrix Potter. It is such fun! Thank you for the trip to England via blog. One day I’ll get to go in person. Yea
Yea!
Hi Susan,
This isn’t for another entry.. I looked up cabbage rose(Centifolia) It looks the same as the ones growing on the wall. I use to have a “cabbage rose” veil hat when I was in my teens,loved it. That is when we all wore hats and gloves to our special outings…..Way back there in time.
Now Bunnies & Cats, fraid not. You would have to hold the bunny to intorduce it to the kitties and the bunnies sharp nails would do alot of damage to your arms. So get one and keep it out side in a bunny cage and go there to enjoy your bunny. Make that two bunnies so the one doesn’t get lonely and before you know it, you will be selling bunnies.
I’m more of the “sleep with your pets” ilk. Not sure if I want to go visit a bunny in a cage! I checked out the cabbage roses, the centifolia looks exactly like it, the only thing is they are only 4 to 5 feet at full size (so this article said), and the ones a Hill Top were much taller. Gorgeous rose though! I wrote it down!
It doesn’t get any better than Beatrice and YOU! What an amazing book that would be.
I have so been enjoying visiting all the places in England I would love to go through your pictures. It is almost like being there.
Oh Susan…I don’t know what to say..this is the most amazing gift you could ‘give’ any of your girlfriends!! We got the pleasure of hiding in your suitcases, traveling across the ocean and back! To see all the sites most of us will never get to see in person!! And now…to possibly win this wonderful …one of a kind book..is beyond belief! Bless you my friend and I hope to win! smile….
Gert
Susan,
I am just now recovering from the wonderful trip you took us on. If you ever end up behing bars for being a “blossom borrower” we will come to your rescue.
Thank you! That’s a relief! You never know!!
Enjoyed all the posts from your trip to England…….and your wonderful optimistic outlook! Reading your blog always brightens my day! Thanks!
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to receive this little book. Hopefully Joe was not “put out” that you needed to do this last little stop! Your daily Journals are a joy to read, thank you for your time in sharing them with us.
No, he was darling, waited in the car across the street, windshield wipers flapping, reading the paper, perfectly content!
Rain, roses, vegetable garden, petal-poaching–what a charming description! I’m so glad you went back for the book! I was very sad in the earlier trip report and you left it there. I just knew you would regret it and I didn’t want your Beatrix Potter visit left unfinished. So again, I’m very glad you went back for the book. Whew!
Me too, what was I thinking!?
What a wonderful idea! Your blog is such a gift to my soul. It never fails to warm my heart and bring joy to my day, and it just feeds the romantic side of me! Thank you for all you do! Blessings.
I’m at a beach house on the NC coast today, but I’ll be revelling the heady scent of those roses all day! Thank you for sharing the loveliness!
Susan what would we do with out you!!! You make the world a better place with your kindness,talent and wonderful imagination.Bringing your little Peter Rabbit book with you to soak up the atmosphere makes your special book even more special,who thinks to do that…. JUST WONDERFUL!!!! I can not believe that nobody knew the name of those roses!!!!,that seems almost unrealistic.I hope you find out, I have a feeling you will 🙂 Thank you once again for the trip to England and the time you gave us.Also thank you for the chance to win the oh sooooo special book!!! Some girlfriend is going to be over the moon!!! xoxo Ruthie
Susan, what fun it has been to follow your trip! I just love the lambs. I want to hold those babies in my lap!!! Think they’d let me??? Or Momma lamb???
Loving summer despite the drought here in the mid-west. I have Thelma and Thumper out in the yard muching every morning and evening. I think they love my morning glory leaves, too.
Gotta go. Getting ready for a Kirkland girl cousin get together on Sat. Should be a hoot!!!!!!!!!! Bonnie
Oh Susan…what a glorious way to start my day with your visit to Potterland! I felt like I was there along with you….wish I had been. Thank you for sharing your life with us girlfriends…you always show us how to do life right! When I am feeling low I always read your blog or cookbooks and somehow your inner light shines through and infects me with happiness. Funny to feel so close to someone I have never met! Thanks for everything!
You are so welcome Melissa, nice to see you here!
Hello Susan!
I had the pleasure of talking to you on the telephone years ago when you called Laura Ashley in Boston to order the “Seaside” wallpaper border which pictured Victorian children playing on the beach. We all immediately knew who you were and wrote “We love your books” on the outside of your package! My daughter (now 15) has the same border in her bedroom and I still love it! I worked at Laura Ashley for twelve years and loved every minute of it!
My grandmother, a school teacher, introduced me to Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter at a very young age. And I was terrified of the rats in “The Roly Poly Pudding”. The illustration of Tom Kitten rolled up in dough and tied with string still haunts me!
I hosted a story hour at the local library when my daughter was little and I read “Peter Rabbit” and “Tom Kitten” aloud. After we dressed a paper doll (paper cat?) with clothes that we cut and colored – fun! We sang “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” as our musical selection.
It has always been my dream to visit “Hill Top Farm” and thanks to you, I have had a virtual “private tour!”. I enjoy your blog and also think you are the “new” Beatrix Potter and Laura Ashley and of course yourself all rolled into one! Keep up the great work! I would love to win the original and one and only book. You will have to write a children’s book with lambs dressed up like your illustration. Did you read the Fairy Tale Caravan, a later book by Beatrix? She writes about lambs in it! Those stories remind me of some of my mother’s as she used to live on a dairy farm as a little girl in the 1920’s and ’30’s. . . also reminiscent of James Herrriot’s stories. Take care!
How nice to hear from you, I remember that package — and that wallpaper border! It was so cute. Thank you so much!
You are so sweet. First you shared so much of your trip with us and now this! I discovered Beatrix Potter my first year of college. I was going to be a kindergarten teacher and one of my teachers had her books from when she was little. I was entranced from that moment on. She has such a wonderful quality to her work, it’s so gentle and soft. I hope your little guys appreciated the trip their book took! Petey will probably tell them! Welcome home.
I hear Petey whispering at night, I think he’s telling stories!
My heart be still! What a beautiful posting. Your blog adds so much happiness to my days. Thank you Susan from the bottom of my heart. xoxo
Oh my goodness! I was reading your post slowly to savor every image and sound. I could almost smell the fragrance of the roses too. I loved looking at the grounds around Hill Top Cottage and then you spring a huge SURPRISE! What a thoughtful and generous act to bring back a book for your fans, not to mention your special addition.
Your heart truly fills ours and we thank you.
I lived in England for 5 1/2 years and never made it to the Potter farm and house! Next time!! I will tour that area, Jane Austin’s areas and return to Edinburg for a final tour of that great city! I loved the pictures. By the way, my mothers name is Susan Branch, and she has several pieces of your art work around her house.
Amazing!
It’s so much fun still enjoying your (our) trip to England. Hope you have more to show us for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see Martha’s Vineyard! And like Melissa I am always paging through your books. I have copies in about three rooms here. I hope my husband nevers tumbles to the fact that I have three or four copies of each of your books. Then I keep giving them away and have to go out and find more copies! Thanks again for my summer abroad!
Susan~~
Ah…thanks again for sharing what has turned out to be a fantastic “vacation” for so many of “your fans” !!
And the “chance” to win her book …that’s so awe~some !!! Makes one speechless !! And so “you” to think of us in that way!!
What a sweet little treasure! Love your pictures.
Thanks for sharing!
How thoughtful! Please put my name in the hat.
I was very fortunate to visit England two years ago, while my daughter studied over there and fell madly in love with it! We were in the Northern part of the country, close to Scotland, and I took tons of pictures of sheep and countryside. I snatched springs of lavendar and have that by my side of the bed tucked into a little heart shaped book, called a fairy book, that we made on the grounds of a castle…such a cool place! I’ve enjoyed going on this cruise with you and enjoyed every place you visited…Thanks!
Susan, I love the fact that you included us in your “dream” vacation. But my favorite part of this gift is the watercolored lamb that you painted. Those of us that went along on your blog understand. Thanks
My husband got back from England on the same day you did, but he sure didn’t bring us anything like this…What a treasure.
Thanks so much for sharing your trip with all of us. I personally, loved the trip and had a wonderful time. Reading your blog gives me such a sense of peace, just like listening to James Taylor, perfection…….
Oh my….my heart is beating so fast. I was at first excited that you were going to give us a rose bud from her garden, but a book, no THE book? Oh dear. First off, I am so happy that you bought yourself the book. I kept hoping that you would go back and get yourself one. Or that Joe had sneaked off and bought it for you (like the cupcake on the boat several months back). You are too kind. Did you happen to examine the bee bole? Was there access in the back? I am wondering how they got into the bee hives to check on them and get the honey. You remember, I am the one who just got bees this year so I am all about all things bees!! Dear sweet Susan….here is hoping that Vanna pulls my name for the best gift ever!!! xoxo Joy
It looked to me like the top lifted up … not sure really. Try to Google it and see what they say.
I loved your tour of England. I also love Beatrix Potter. When my son was born 14 years ago, we decorated his room with all things Peter Rabbit. I look forward to reading your blog. I check in every morning before work to see if there is anything new. Thank you for taking us along on such a great trip. I love England and all things British and your pictures were just like being there.
I have three children under the age of five and I can only dream about going on a vacation right now. Thank you for taking us with you to England. Your posts became the mini break I needed in the middle of my day. Thank you! Oh and I would love to win this adorable book and pass it along to my daughter one day.
I loved the music. I need to get the soundtrack to go with my dvd.
Thanks so much for all your post over and back. I loved every minute of it, since I am not sure I will get there. You and Joe are most thoughtful! The book would be a wonderful momento from my trip with you to England, especially on the Queen Mary. Welcome Home!
My oldest son was 54 years old July 9 – when he was 3, his grandmother and I took him on his first train ride from Ohio to West Point New York… and I must have read that little Peter Rabbit book to him over and over until we reach our destination. I also made a Peter Rabbit quilt for his granddaughter Chloe and, yes, I tucked a new little Peter Rabbit book inside it. What goes around, comes around. Loved seeing Beatrix Potter’s home….. thanks for sharing.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry, there is no need to cry” I repeated to my two year old granddaughter, Brooklyn, as I read The Tale of Peter Rabbit to her for the first time. Brooklyn was so distressed when Peter was caught in the wire surrounding Mr. McGregor’s garden, his button had fallen off and everyone had left him. She looked up at me with crocodile tears streaming down her face and asked “does he ever see his mommy again?” I quickly turned to the final pages and revealed a well cared for Peter receiving tea from his mommy and snuggling in bed. Brooke looked at me and smiled through her tears with great relief on her face. She is almost five now and we have read through the entire set of Potter’s magical books many times. This precious limited edition of Beatrix’s first publication as a gift for someone is the most gracious gift ever, Susan. Thank you again for your sweet sharing of this extraordinary trip. We truly feel we traveled with you and Joe.