There were so many things we didn’t buy when we were in England, I thought you might like to see photos of the ones that got away! With some nice musica especially for everyone who is finally getting some rain today! Hooray!
Beautiful things we didn’t buy, for a variety of good reasons (like, for instance, they were alive!) . . . but I think you’ll agree, taking pictures of them, is the next best thing; and in some cases, the very best thing!
We stopped at pretty much every antique store we saw . . . prices were fairly in line with our prices at home, and varied wildly from store to store just like ours do. But good deals were findable, just like here.
The stores were full of pretty feminine things . . . I loved the lacy cloth underneath the silver spoons . . .
And some of the items were very hard to leave behind, like this tea set. Not to mention the tray! But I think we all agree, I have my share of dishes, I had to leave some for the English people!
With all the old “Great Houses” in England, finding gorgeous linens is easy.
I just loved this watercolor, and it was so inexpensive, plus she had a sister ↓
The pair was under $200 for both, but they were huge. We came close anyway, but our practical side won out. I have these photos; they’re almost as good!
I mean, after all, this is England! And they know everything there is to know about setting a pretty tea table.
Can you believe I didn’t get this? Me either. Definitely the one that got away!
I love children’s dishes; this precious set was around $50 for all! A very good deal no matter which side of the pond you’re on. But I didn’t buy it!
This either. Yes, I know… please. But it was really big.
This photo is a little fuzzy, but this was a store full of romance! I did buy a teapot here, a person could only stand so much . . . I bought it and we hauled it around everywhere we went! And now I have it, and I’m so glad we did!
Look at the imagination displayed by the owner of this store in the darling village of Lacock. Hats and vintage clothes, gloves … all with a story to tell.
Plates, ready for hanging.
A pretty little display of linens and china.
The rims on the bowls on the left, oh so tempting.
Shelves and shelves of antique books everywhere you go, precious old garden books, children’s books, wildflower books!
I could just imagine setting a tea table with this! Inspiring enough to make you go bake a cake!
I loved the jug (better known in America as “pitcher”); it was WONDERFUL; it had a gorgeous shape. But it was really big. Joe loved it too; perfect for a dinner party in the garden, water, iced tea, lemonade. We didn’t think we could get it home alive. I know you’re wondering, but what did you buy? I promise to show you; I have to keep some secrets for the Diary, don’t I?
Looking at all the gorgeous old furniture, we realized what we really needed was to move there!
And we definitely looked! Through the windows at the real estate office. It costs nothing to look! Pretty wonderful huh? Around $800,000 on one acre. Another one that got away.
Jams like this were everywhere we went; we bought some, and ate it with our morning crumpets, but we didn’t bring any home. Look at all the special kinds of marmalade we found in a little store, late one day, on our way back “home” from a day of sightseeing — this store was in a darling little town on the South coast called Alfriston.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Here we are, coming into town … really too late for almost everything, most stores had closed by then, which makes Alfriston “the town that got away.” It was so charming, as you can see, but we never got back there. That’s how it is in England, so many wonderful places to see. No matter how much time you have, it’s really not long enough. Next time. But I thought I better show you in case you want to put Alfriston on your list of places to visit!
The main reason we went to this town was to go to their famous Much Ado Books we’d heard about, but we were too late, it was closed . . . the Village Store was open . . . lets go in!
They had two aisles of this!!! It was almost unbearable. I wanted it all, to start my own jam cupboard!
The whole town was darling. All hand made.
Aha! We said. There’s our pub! Pear Cider here we come!
Or maybe this pub? Decisions, decisions.
There’s the First Alfriston National, the perfect size for a bank!
If you like this little town and want to know more, just click here!
So that’s the town that got away. We will return!
You can probably tell, but I love blogging and doing show-and-tell so much; I could make a full time job out of it!!! It’s such a creative fun thing to do! Only it isn’t a job, it’s my hobby, and I really have to go to work now Girlfriends! Guess what? I wrote a new Willard! We are finally getting back to normal around here! Willard will start going out to your email boxes next Tuesday morning — it goes all day Tuesday and Wednesday… if you don’t have yours by Thursday morning, leave me a comment and I’ll see what I can do to remedy that!
By the way, I have to tell you, Jack LOVED doing the last post! He almost bust his kitty buttons! Thank you all for welcoming him into the fray so warmly! I was proud of his little self. We loved getting to know your pets too . . . lots of back and forth in animal world; the comments were great! ♥
So that’s it for today, bye for now from my shy little Girl Kitty . . . Have a great day! XOXO
I loved seeing all of the beautiful items in the antique stores you visited!! I love the set of Royal Albert Moss Rose China, and I have the complete tea set in that pattern! When we visited London in 1985, (Oh, so long ago!….) my sweet hubby bought that tea set for me from a China shop, and we had it shipped home. It is one of my favorite treasures, and it has been used with so much love all these years…. Seeing all those beautiful items, makes me want to go antiquing today!! And you know the stores here we both love~~~ xoxo
I wish I was there to run into you Bon Bon!
Me too Sue B. 🙂
I loved that story of how we met…..
Hugs to you, and Joe, from Tom and ME!! xoxo
Loved every detail of your mini travelogue! The tea room where I work has all pretty English bone china teacups and saucers of every brand and we always say the place settings are “charmingly mismatched”. Our owner, Joanne, is English (from Hampshire) and she is planning to redo her adjacent gift shop into an English “home” with all the trimmings. I will be gifting her with your diary and I know she will adore it. Me too…I love it already! Loved the comment from the lady who is adopting a new kitty and can’t wait to feel the “lump” at the foot of her bed. Don’t you have the sweetest readers ever? Also, is this one of your special sayings….”No matter how far apart we may be, there are always two teacups at my table.” ? I put it on our blackboard at the tea room and it reminds me of something you’d have by one of your beautiful illustrations!
Yes, it’s a very old quote . . . purported to be from the Tang Dynasty 618-906 A.D.
“Here at the frontier, there are falling leaves,
But my neighbors are all barbarians,
And you, you are a thousand miles away . . .
There are always two cups at my table.”
Tears!
Hi, Susan
I just love this blog! Always so colorful, cheerful and upliftiing! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us!
I have a weakness for pretty dishes and linens, so I found myself taking in little gasps of breath with each new photo. For instance, I would like to host a small dinner party on the Autumn Equinox ….how beautiful would that tea/coffee service with the orange and yellow roses and the fine black trim be to present with dessert?! OH MY! Now I’m inspired to be on the lookout for something similar.
Speaking of inspiration….that AMAZING blue polka dot pitcher….so many have commented…how cute would it be to paint polka dots ourselves on the white enamelware we already own! I have a bowl and a pail with a wooden handle that I use in the garden all the time…I think I might give it a facelift!
My point exactly….your blog is wonderful and inspirational!
xoxoDebbie
I meant to say something about those adorable little paper “bonnets” for the jam jars…do you think you would ever create some yourself? Maybe to match your recipe cards or for the seasons? I think I like that idea as much as using fabric circles.
One way to do it very easily and really prettily is to find small lacy paper doilies and then just hook them over with a rubber band.
You could rubber stamp on the dolies too:)
I was thinking the same thing!
Of course! Good idea…thanks!
I so enjoy your blog — your photos of everything are wonderful — you are so generous with us “girl friends” — thank you. I’m continuing to enjoy England through your lens and comments. Altho, I must say, I was a little concerned when I saw Jack in the clothes dryer!! Thank goodness you could see his ears…
What a love he is and shy girl kitty too.
My own tabby, Tinkerbelle, says “hi” to Jack and Girl.
How beautiful, Susan, to see this lovely little town through your eyes! Those wonderful things you didn’t buy all spoke to me: “Hey! Buy me!” It must have taken a great deal of restraint to pass them up…
Sigh! Such beautiful shops!! I loved everything you showed that got away, especially the polka-dotted “pitcher!” Thanks for sharing the things that got away! I can’t wait to see what you did buy in “The diary!” Just can’t wait . . .
Oh, and hi again to Jack and nice to meet Girl Kitty, too! She’s beeeeeeautiful!
Loved this post. I felt I was back with you on your trip. The furniture made my heart skip a beat. My husband would have had to drag me away from that shop. Thanks again for a great tour. Glad somebody is getting rain it is suppose to be 108 in good old Bakersfield today.
That sounds normal for Bakersfield … have you joined the migration to Morro Bay yet this year? It’s very cool on the coast!
Going to Ventura in 9 days. Can hardly wait. Have some friends who live on a boat (they had to get out of the bad air in Bakersfield) and the harbor has a room that guest can rent. The only thing that keeps me going right now is picturing myself lounging on the boat with a glass of wine.
That’s a pretty wonderful thought to keep in mind, good motivator!
Thanks so much for this wonderful visit to Alfriston. What a beautiful little town (village)! Everything in England is soooo charming – right down to the littlest details – it’s amazing. I soooo love that “Morning Has Broken” was written there – one of my favorite songs! Jack and Girl Kitty are so sweet – thanks for sharing them w/us 🙂
Bonjour Susan,
Même si je vous écris en français, sachez que je suis une de vos très grandes admiratrices et ce depuis quelques années déjà. J’aime tellement vos dessins, vos histoires, votre façon de vivre, vos antiquités et vos chats, que je vous lis à tous les jours. Et vous me manquez quand vous êtes 1 journée sans nous écrire.
Je suis Québécoise et Canadienne française, j’aurai bientôt 59 ans et j’adore votre regard sur les choses et les histoires du passé.
Je vous souhaite une très bonne fin de voyage et je vous embrasse!
This is what Google Translate says that Claire has written:
Hello Susan,
While I am writing in French, know that I am one of your best admirers for some years. I really love your drawings, stories, how you live, your antiques and your cats, I read you every day. And I miss you when you write us a free day.
I am French Canadian and Quebec, I will soon be 59 years and I love your outlook on things and stories of the past.
I wish you a very good end of trip and I kiss you!
(Never know what Google might say! I will let him help with my reply, but I fear for the outcome!)
Hello Claire, How nice to hear from you! I hope you can read English! I will let Google translate what I am saying. Thank you for your kind note! Happy to know you are here! Happy Birthday! xoxo Susan
Bonjour Claire, c’est gentil de vous entendre! J’espère que vous pourrez lire l’anglais! Je vais laisser Google traduire ce que je veux dire. Je vous remercie de votre aimable note! Heureux de savoir que vous êtes ici! Joyeux anniversaire! xoxo Susan
HA !
No…….Double HA !
“Monsieur Google”….tres bien !
Claire’s last line, translated by Le Google was a killer-
your reply of fear….even more so !
Other than that, what a beautiful letter –
so very Catherine Deneuve-vish !
One picture was prettier than the next! My Mom always used to tell my Dad that you can never have too many dishes. She said there is no telling how many people will stop by for tea and food. You know what they say Susan, “Mom is always right”!
Hi Susan,
Now regarding the TWO (2) JAM aisles!!! Your caption would have been my exact same caption. It would have been unbearable to leave them behind and I would have wanted to start a jam pantry at home, even though I don’t usually use jam at all. I probably wouldn’t have wanted either Larry or myself to open up a single jar anyway as it would spoil the whole effect. This in a nutshell would be my whole problem with living in England. If I weren’t royalty I couldn’t afford to have a big enough place to keep all the treasures that I would want to buy, nor the money to buy all the treasures, no matter how reasonably priced, because I would want one of each!!! Larry understands my psychological state but he doesn’t share my passion. All he says is, “You really should have married someone who is rich.” To which I reply, “Yes, I should have, but I never mingled in those social circles.” What can a girl do when she wants to claim the whole island?
Dear Susan,
You liked the lace cloth, I would’ve sent you the money to get the spoons on top of the cloth. I am looking always for old silverware. You now have shown us two of the nicests book stores. Much Ado said they started in Boston, how interesting. Did you know they keep chickens as well as books? I have had 5 chickens for more than a year now. Very fun. Where on your site can I find the “Skip and Go Naked” recipe? Have a great weekend!
Here’s Skip and Go Naked, just scroll down …
You showed incredible restraint! I can only say that buying a cottage in England would be the answer. An abundance of furniture, china, and linens – you and Joe could just bring a suitcase and all your ideas. And, I am not terrific at geography but wouldn’t ‘t you be working your way east around the world? California to Massachusetts to England to ??? Yes, a country home in England is just the ticket!
🙂
Loved this post….and the bonus is beautiful Girl Kitty peering into the camera!
Thank you Susan for this adorable post! Everything was so cute, so charming and so sweet. I have to say that it would have been especially hard for me to leave the children’s tea set and books behind!
My goodness there are so many pretty dishes (I love Old Country Roses!), the jams and jellies in pretty jars…now we will all be inspired to start canning this very weekend so we too can start our own jam cupboards!
I really appreciate how you point out each town is handmade…that is so true and I love that you put it into words! <3
Thank you for the lovely tour…they have all been so wonderful! Have a beautiful weekend!
Christy in Orange County, CA
Hello! When is your new Willard coming out?
It starts going out on Tuesday morning! Takes two days for them all to go, so worse case scenario, everyone will have them by late Wednesday afternoon.
Thank you! I can’t wait.
Oh, that jug with the dots—to die for! It combines my love of jugs (any size or shape) and blue and white pottery. How did you ever pass it up? You were very strong in deed. Thanks for sharing all the items you passed up. Can’t wait to see all the beauties you did bring home! Kathy
Bless Jack’s little kitty buttons! Books…jams..teapots..old pubs. (Sigh). Most excellent.
I’m glad that you at least clicked the photos of the things that got away. Beautiful. We got to love and appreciate them too. Thanks.
Jody
GoodEvening Sue, Oh I just loved every picture in this entire post. Such intricate work of detail on the cups, the teapots, the china…….plates, the linens.
I too also enjoyed all of the link to Much Ado Books in Alfriston. The jams look delicious. I made a homemade Blueberry coffeecake today with fresh picked blueberries and we will be picking blueberries again on Sunday this time to make blueberry jam. I love all things handmade and homemade. I know how you delighted so much in that one of a kind “polka dot jug”……..yet I was wondering if you would be interested in recreating one yourself. I know how you love to go to all the flea markets when you have time……and maybe you could find something a similiar or even take a basic white jug such as the one in the picture and paint the polka dots on. I do this sometimes when I see something I so love but just cannot get it at the time. It really is unique and I love to Create!
We had no rain yesterday……..but had a ton this afternoon and had a tornadoe warning for a good half hour……luckily though…..nothing came of it. Yet in Ct where I have a lot of family also there was a possible tornadoe in Glastonbury CT, oh my. I have also noticed hints of fall……….like goldenrod everywhere. I was taught growing up that was a sign for an early fall………and oh Fall is my all time favorite Season so I am so ready for it to begin.
I thank you once again for such a fantastic post………and all you do for us girlfriends. Have a nice weekend. Hugs & Smiles 🙂 Barb, Ludlow, MA
We had lots of rain and the tornado warning too, until last night at 9 pm. Nothing happened, but I had to look it up and see what people are supposed to do in a tornado, because I don’t remember us having a tornado warning before. It didn’t sound good, so all I did was unplug the computer! Thanks Barb, glad you too are safe!
Oh, you are soooo cute. Unplug the computer:) If you have a cellar get down there with flashlight, portable radio and your computer. Basements are the best (sniff – no basements in FL).
Next time, this time we survived, but next time, I see what should be done!
Please don’t forget Jack and Girl!!! Put them in the cat carrier if you have one to contain them and shelter them from debris.
Having lived in MN twenty something years, and now MA thirty something years, I have experienced both. Both can do major damage. Pat M is right about seeking shelter. A direct hit from a tornado can leave you with no house, just a basement and debris. I wouldn’t recommend Joe staying outside to watch a tornado. It’s all over in minutes… That tornado watch is the first one I recall in the time I have lived out here too…. I can tell you this. One clue that a tornado is possible – the skies turns very eerie..
They said to watch the sky and it will turn green, and listen for a freight train. Our views around here, unless we’re at the shore, go as far as the house next door and whatever sky is just over the house! Couldn’t see a tornado until it was right on us …and it was getting dark the night we had the alert — it was from 6pm to 9pm, so the sky wasn’t going to help anyway. We just decided to say a little prayer and not worry about it, but that won’t happen again! Did you go to the basement?
Hi Sue, Glad you are safe as well. I don’t know what tv/cable stations you get in MV…yet (NECN=New England Cable News) is a great continous news cast especially for weather. They cover all areas of New England and always have fantastic coverage of severe weather and will guide you through the situation at hand. You can also go to these sites: http://www.weatherchannel.com and http://www.noaa.gov and find weather related information. Plus your local weathermen/or weatherwoman when a severe storm or tornadoe is approaching they will usually comes on tv……live and will guide you through all necessary steps.
Yet for future reference they tell you to always go to the lowest part of your home………(basement) is best. Stay away from all windows. If you have a helment of any type, they even tell you to wear that now as it helps to protect you from flying debris. If no basement I believe its the most interior part of your home…….a bathroom ie bathtub. We have a basement so that is where we go. I have been in one tornadoe back in 1979 in CT and was working at that time. You would never think CT would be prone for tornadoes back then…..but they were……it was scary so after that……I always pay close attention to the weather. Plus it was a year ago last June where an EF1/EF2 Tornadoe hit many of the towns by us going for a thirty two mile stretch and it came out of no where and it did much destruction and caught people totally off guard. I always just say keep an eye to the sky……better to err on the side of caution and be safe. Hugs&Smiles Barb,Ludlow MA
I did read about that awful Tornado that went through Vermont, that was terrible, actually, I thought it was a hurricane, which would be just as weird for Vermont! Either one, I thought it was an anomaly. I didn’t realize it was going to be our regular new thing! We do have a basement, but Joe is terrible about storms; he LOVES them — goes to the end of the dock and dangles his feet off during hurricanes. I have to wreak havoc on him to make him do the basic safe things. I can just picture him in a helmet. I’ve lived through hurricanes, I’m sure they’re a lot alike, and it’s no fun. I hope we never get another one. Thank you for the good safety advice Barb — at least now I know where I’m supposed to go! Have a great day!
Susan: The reason you unplug the computer is for the lightning. If you get hit by a tornado, it will all be blown away so it won’t matter… 🙂 If the weather pattern changes and tornado warnings become common on MV, then you will have to “fix up” a corner of your basement to be a “storm shelter” as we in the Midwest have done. You add a couple of chairs that you won’t mind sitting in for a couple of hours. You hang a cast iron plant hanger from the wall to hang a Coleman battery-operated camping lantern so if the power goes, you aren’t in the dark. Sitting in the dark makes it all very much more scary…Yes, you get those kitties into a crate and down to safety, too. You entice and amuse Joe by grabbing a box of good crackers, some cheese, and grapes. You have a map of the area so as the radio tells you what counties or towns have been hit or are in the direct path of the tornado, you can follow on the map and know how scared to get. You also need to have a basket of current magazines handy to grab or a couple of good books–just for the storm shelter reading–and you will find that if your fingers aren’t shaking too much from fear, it is a good time to get some knitting done. (Knitting is kind of calming… 🙂 Oh, and the most important thing–a radio! so you can hear what is going on in the world above you…and if you hear a noise that sounds like a train coming, where a train does NOT run, and then you look up and see the stars (if at night) or the blue sky (during the day), then you know that your house has blown away and that you might be in Kansas… 🙂 (can you tell I grew up and live in the Midwest in tornado country???) LOL! 🙂
That was GREAT Pat! Now I know just what to do!! I did none of it…I went upstairs (UPSTAIRS) to bed! Luckily it all went away. Cats are awful to try to corral in bad weather, they get frightened and hide! I think you must have to start early. Thanks for the info! I hope there won’t be a next time!
Hi Sue, I just saw your reply now as I was gone all day yesterday…..shopping.
There was a bad hurricane last year that did unfortunately do a lot of damage in Vermont…yet they really all came together and did much repairs…….what a beautiful state Vermont is…..we go there a lot.
Yet the storm I was referring to…..was the one that struck MA on June 1st of last year. There were 3 seperate tornadoes. There was an (EF3) that started in Westfield Ma and went all the way to Charlton, MA it was a half mile wide going for (39miles). Then at the same time there was another tornadoe and (EF1) that touched down in Wilbraham, MA that was (200yards wide) and traveled (3.6miles) and then another tornadoe also and (EF1) that touched down in North Brimfield that was (100yards wide) and traveled 1.3 miles. These are all beautiufl NE towns and this was very unusual for MA to get hit like this.
I am thinking maybe *Joe* may want to become a certified Hurricane Hunter for the MV area and he can join up with the weather channel team.
I think in all of us is a bit of curiosity with storms, yet we must all heed the warnings and take them seriously because its the one time you don’t and something can happen. To Pat M….read your comment………wow having to go through what you do all the time has got to be scary, yet like the sense of humor you put on it. Hope you both have a great day.
I think Joe would love that job! I’d like to go with him as long as were always 100% unsuccessful and never found any storms! I think I missed all those tornadoes!! I’ve lived here thirty years this year and so far it’s never happened, but I see it can and I’m going to take Pat’s advice and get a little corner of the basement ready!
I just wanted to put in my two cents worth here. Yes, tornadoes do sound like trains—I heard one as a child in Indiana. We live in Maryland now so they are not as frequent here and I have not been that close to one since.
Concerning lightning. You can purchase special devices to plug your computer into to protect it from lightning surges. In fact, we have one on the whole house to protect our other appliances, besides the lightning rods on the house (we’re on a small mountain). Our trees, however, are not protected and some have suffered strikes.
Concerning radios–you can purchase a “weather-band” radio that can tune into emergency weather reports. Ours is the wind-up kind so you don’t even need batteries.
Concerning cats hiding. Mine has a particular spot she always goes to–in the basement fortunately, so I know where to find her. This is a good reminder to me to get her carrier out to make it handy because I’ve often thought about what if we had a fire in the middle of the night. I want to be able to put her in it quickly. My dog, I’m sure, would just follow me out of the house.
I also keep water on hand for when we lose electricity because we’re on a well and without power to pump the water, we can’t even flush toliets! And, of course, I keep sterno on hand to heat water to make tea and coffee in the winter when using the BBQ grill is out of the question. When the kids were still home it was actually nice to lose our power because we’d all gather around the candles and talk or play games together. It’s only when it goes on for days that it gets nerve wracking without power especially if there’s no A/C and it’s 100 degrees like last month when we were without power for 34 hours. Some in the area had to go much longer than that!
I’m glad you have all your originals in a SAFE. Do you keep your computer files backed up every once in a while on a CD and stored there too? If it’s fire rated then everything should be protected unless the whole island was blown away in a hurricane which seems highly unlikely :-).
Love all the good info! Thanks Cathy!
Hi Susan,
I lived in the Chicago area years ago when I was about six and to this day I remember a close call I had with a tornado. While I was in my first grade class the sky turned an eerie, emerald-like green color. The air was very still, as if in anticipation of more ominous things to come. The tornado alarm at school went off and we had to get under our desks. If I remember right their was a town alarm going off too. Luckily I never heard a train coming; the tornado never formed. I still remember that sky, though.
In California, tornados do hit but they are F0 to F1ish. When they do hit folks are like, “Ahhh what to do!!!.” Kind of catches everyone by surprise. I think it’s because we are more on the look out for earthquakes than tornados. Earthquakes, in their own right, can be very worrisome too.
I’m glad to see that a tornado never materialized and you, Joe and kitties are safe and well. Definitely would keep a box of crackers, cheese and grapes on hand for Joe and I found a link for kitty safety that might be helpful: humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/keeping_pets_safe_during_a_tornado.html
Loved the comments. I sure learned a lot from the pros. Every time I hear of tornados touching down I say a little prayer for the safety of those having to go through those tornado experiences.
xoxoxox, have a great day!
(hopefully it’s a bit cooler where you are at – it’s miserably hot here , 106 F.)
Thanks Silvia! I grew up in CA and never experienced one . . . I thought I’d escaped them by being on the coasts! Wrong!
Hi Susan, No, we didn’t head for the basement. If it had been a tornado warning rather than a tornado watch, we would have. Hopefully we won’t have another watch for another 30 years!
Ohhhh, there’s a difference between watch and warning. Good to know! 🙂
Hi Susan,
In the midwest, we have all grown up with tornado safety. In school, we practice tornado safety drills, so that the kids can “duck and cover” safely. A tornado “watch” means that the conditions are right for a tornado to form. A tornado “warning” means that a tornado has actually been sighted. Hopefully, you won’t have any other close calls. Wishing you only happy days, filled with sunshine and blue skies!
Dawn♡♡
“Tornado Watch” means the weather is such that tornadoes could form. “Tornado Warning” means one has been sighted–either on the ground or in the air. Yes, Sandy is right–the sky often gets this weird unnatural green or almost purple-looking and the air feels strange. On the idea of hurricanes versus tornadoes, the pressure from a tornado can make a house literally explode. But lest everyone get the wrong idea–May, June, and July in Minnesota are the months that tornadoes are a possibility and they don’t happen all of the time. We usually get plenty of warning with the weather forecasters and the public are well-educated as to watch the sky and listen to their radios if bad storms are likely. The air raid sirens go off if there is a warning and that means “take cover immediately!” I’m telling you, if you once see where one has touched down, it makes you a believer in being safe and listening to the weather forecasters. A neighborhood just east of us got hit a couple of summers ago. It looked like a giant had taken his hand and swiped across the whole development, destroying all in the path of his hand. It was completely leveled. And yes, we were in the “storm shelter” that night–we happened to have company for dinner that evening and we all picked up our dessert plates and quietly filed down the stairs. The radio said we were in the direct path. The tornado was on the ground, lifted up over our area and then dropped back down to the ground. It is completely unpredictable. If your house has survived over a hundred of years of hurricanes, it is safe from that but not from a tornado, should it be in its path. But I’d still rather chance that than an earthquake! If you are underground, the chances are that you will be safe, and the area of damage is relatively small compared to an earthquake. But interestingly enough, there is no “perfect” place that some kind of natural disaster can’t happen. That is just life…Our relatives on the West Coast tell us our tornadoes and blizzards are awful here in the Midwest. Well, it is all relative. I’d not like to sit on the edge of a fault in the earth waiting for the big earthquake and possible tsunami and I sure couldn’t live with gray skies and rain or drizzle all the time and ice in the winter. I love the changing seasons and I love snowy winters! But I guess we all think we live in the perfect place–or we probably wouldn’t still be living there–right?
🙂
Hi~
Here is my 2 cents~ Wisconsin ( where I live) has had tornado touch downs every month but February!!
Oh my! What an adorable village!! My heart is in England even tho’ the rest of me is here! I would have bought the children’s china set! I’m always looking here for those and they want that much for one or 2 dishes! Great post!
Hard to leave behind, both the antiques AND the country!
I do like your almost-purchases. In Switzerland I, too, discovered taking photos of things too large to carry around and bring home. I really wanted all these gorgeous silhouette cat (and one mouse) garden ornaments made of old metal, but what would airline security have thought of that!
Dear Sweet Sue,
So good to see Kitty Girl ! She looks so sweet and soft! …Just want to give her a big hug!… And cutie pie Jack too!
I was reading your Willard Book where you talked about your beach house…(having a beach house has been a long time dream of mine.)…Just wondering if you still have it and if owning one is as wonderful as I think it would be?
XO!
Victoria
I should really do a post on that little house! I will, I have lots of pictures, just need to scan them.
Oh! Sweet Sue!
It would be wonderful hearing all about your beach house and what it is really like to own one…. In fact… maybe sometime (not right now, as I know how busy you are) you could do a whole book on your beach adventures including your beach house, beach combing, beach glass and all those wonderful beachy things you know so well, and we all love…. Just an idea … but I can already picture your beautiful, sandy illustrations in my mind 🙂
XO!
Victoria
What a fun book that would be to do!!
I would love that!
BEACH GLASS……oh my what a dream of mine…Someday!!! I know Susan I have to find it for it to count…I was listening. You do know there are numerous site where it can be purchased and until you gave me that quote I was really contemplating buying a piece. I’m with you half the fun would be to come upon a nice piece of RED….blue….green….heck at this point clear would thrill me to death!!!! Wishing and Dreaming…..someday!!!!
Clear is really pretty too, because it gets a little beachified and isn’t really clear any more . . . light blue/green is gorgeous, green is gorgeous, red is impossible (for me, so far!) — I didn’t mean to say you can’t buy it if you want to — really! I just meant that just in case you CAN find it, you will love it, it somehow imbues the actual beach and the event . . . xoxo
Oh I totally agree the “hunt” is the fun it’s like a treasure hunt….when I was on this one site they wanted $99 for a small piece of red?? ouch don’t think I could justify that one. I get that finding beach glass needs to be earned so that when you stumble upon some the find will be my reward and heaven forbid it could be a red heart…..sigh.
Love beach glass!
I have never found red but I have found brown, green, blue and clear. I have also found shards of china and even a bead with an ” E ” on it in the lake~ the ” hunt” is half the fun!
Ah, but if……. scrumptious little goodies there. Oh yes, you know I love BLUE and POLKA DOTS. Did you feel someone trying to hold you at that spot???? It was us, the girlfriends, that loved that pitcher. Oh well, I actually only have room in my dreams for one more delectable item. I am at the stage where – one in, one out applies:)
Haven’t read all the comments but….I assume you WERE going down a one way street – the wrong way 🙂 Haven’t we all done that at one time or another. Joe did such an amazing job driving ALL of those miles – pin a driving metal on him:)
Covering sweetie pie Jack with kisses and snuggles and a sweet gentle kiss on the adorable nose of Miss Girly kitty. Honey, can’t wait to see what you did add to those suitcases.
No, we weren’t going down a one way street—it was a two-way street! That’s how they are in the little villages, even through London in lots of places … isn’t that fun?
UFF DA!
Good Saturday morning Susan, yes, I read about that little beach house in your Willard book as well…and, yes, that would be so great to see a post on that also sometime..I just love all your photographs and stories !! ( I also hope that someday you will make a Willard 2 book for us…someday…as if, dear lady, you are not busy enough !!!…again..thanks for all you do ….P.S…today I’m going to try to find that book Julie recommended..”Healing With The Fairies”….with love..as always..
I got your printed Willard (this week) all beautifully bound and in it you and Joe bought a fishing “house.” So reading your post here reminded me of reading that a couple of days ago as I saw the house you almost bought in England! LOL Do you still have the fishing house?LOL!
I got a cute tea set at a flohmarkt in Germany that was from England. It has a faded pink color (picture is a small town with a guy on a dock with a boat) with a cream color as the base. Teapot, six dessert plates with cups and saucers from Homeland Grindley W.H. Grindley & Co. Ltd. Staffordshire England. Permanent Colours it said! LOL! Love the “u” in color! So looking at your post, I was SO glad I did get this ONE! I only bought a few things on this last living time in Germany and this tea set was one of them… Think I might use the set today as I drink tea. We are having thunder storms today and it has rained a lot on and off the last week or so. So unusual for us in August. Thanks for the tip on getting a cute doily and putting it on top of a jar. I was going to go out and buy some peaches to day and make some jam, but that will have to wait until it stops thundering and lightening! Happy Day to ya!
That will be worth waiting for!
I am so very inspired by your blog and you sense of beauty! Thank you Susan!!
Thank you Cathy!
Your post is a feast for the eyes and spirit. After traveling with you then watching the wonderful London Olympics, I am filled up with England in the best possible way. Can’t wait for your Diary to see which tea pot came home with you! Did it occur to you that your blogging hobby and your career as an artist and author (and so much more) are all about giving and sharing? You are just a lovely girlfriend!
So sweet Rosanne, thank you for being here.
Rosanne,
I couldn’t agree more. Susan is such an awesome person. I couldn’t have said it better. Her Blogging Hobby and her career as an Artist & Author are all about how she is such a giving and sharing person. She’s the bomb!
Truly, Debra V from So Calif.
Love seeing the treasures you encountered. And there really ARE too many to bring home, although I think I tried to! Ha! Did you do some shopping to stock your website store for us??
Not really … it was the getting around that made it difficult, with so much stuff to pack every time we moved . . .
Oh, true…..and shipping things back is sooooo expensive!
It really is and as you can see, I would have a lot to ship back, plus all so fragile!
Susan, This post almost had me in tears as I love teapots and all of the other lovely things that you posted and had to leave behind. Mercy, such temptations.
You are so kind to post these pictures so that those of us that aren’t able to travel can still see some of the sights.
Looking forward to more of these and also the next Willard.
Goodness! what to choose….what to choose? For starters, the blue and white china was just so luscious and would look great matched with so many other colors.
I also love linens–especially tablecloths and napkins. And I tell myself, “you can ALWAYS find a place at home to store linens!”
I loved going shopping with all of us! And just like the trip, somehow no one got in the way. We all were so polite! Such fun!
You were wonderful, such a great band of traveling Girlfriends!
This has got to be the sweetest blog on the whole whirled wide web! I love cottage style anything and this is the end all and be all of “homey.” You have done a beautiful job with it and it’s wonderful that you enjoy doing it. I’m a guy and I love it
Congratulations on a job well done!
What a doll you are to stop and tell me! Thanks so much Whit!
OMG!!!..Pat, ‘ almost spilled my coffee from laughing while reading your comments….Sue…thank you for taking us back to England, by the way…Alfriston is such a charmed little town…’love old books ,especially children’s books…’must say,tho, being a potter, alot of the dishes were a wee bit fancy for me..’got some great inspiration tho…and thanks…have a wonderful Sunday !!..take care…..
P.S. I DO love china painting on porcelain tho,..it takes alot of talent and the floral work is just beautiful…..
OHHHH…that blue spotted pitcher! I think I might have been tempted to buy it its own seat on a plane coming home just to get it here! It is wonderful…. and remarkable!
That would be so cute to see!
I’m so glad all of those shops didn’t mind that you took pictures so you could share them with us! I loved the video, those tiny little roads and parking spaces. I can remember being in the London area years ago and going around a triple round-a-bout. What is that? And cars honking because we were apparently doing something wrong. But we were on our way to Kew Gardens and nothing was going to stop us!
Susan, I love the country home on one acre… the winding lane, the little walking bridge, the gardens. Youa re sitting in the corner room upstairs looking out the window while painting your next journal 😉 The kitties are playing together and Joe is outside working on building an arbor and planting your new rose bushes. Oh! Aren’t dreams wonderful.
Everything you showed us would have looked wonderful in MV. I applaud your spending restraint along with all the other girlfriends. My suitcases would be joined by a new companion for the journey home 12 bags would soon become 13 ;)under the guise “the more the merrier”
So glad to hear you are safe from the tornado warnings.
I can’t wait to read the new WILLARD this week!
Georgie
NJ
Susan,
Again thank you for sharing the “things that got away” in England. I think the idea of purchasing a house in England is marvelous! Well, if I had the money and could do it without sacrifice I would do it. I mean, if it is truly something you’d really enjoy, and would actually have the time to sail off to England at least a few times a year – it might be worth it. If not…then just enjoy your visits, which is something I know you do…we do too! Thanks for taking us along.
Love what Rosanne in Oregone said about how your blogging hobby & career as Artist & Author is all about giving & sharing. It is true! You are a very special person, I am glad to be your friend too. “You are the bomb!”
Thank you so much Debra! It’s just been wonderful to be able to connect with people like this!
The problem is, at least I always think, that we only have one life to lead and there are so many places one could live, so many things to see and do…right? Here in Minnesota a lot of people have lake places they go to “escape”. When I was a kid I used to kind of envy them. But then I started to notice, as I got older, that the people who had the lake places had a tendency to not travel a whole lot. I’m guessing, Susan, that your beach house was kind of the same way. You felt you should be going there, as you owned it and it was there, but then you have the nice home that you like to be at, and then you also like to travel…plus you have the place in Calif. You know where I’m going with this conversation and I’m betting that is one of the reasons you sold the beach house. You can only be one place at a time and there are so many fabulous places even in the U.S.A. to visit–many more than any of us could visit in one lifetime–and then add all of the wonderful countries in the world with their fabulous places to visit…And now you know why I always say I love “armchair travel”, love hearing about friends’ travels, and love looking at photos and slides from friends’ trips–because I just can’t do it all…time passes by so quickly and though I love to travel, I also love to be home…so I laugh and say I have a hard time keeping ONE house clean and running so don’t want a second, or a third…guess I’m also a “homebody” at heart… LOL! 🙂
That was it exactly. Although it was special, and we were lucky to have it for the time we did, it was just one house too many!
Greetings!
I work in a beautiful shop which sells china! As you know, most if not all (except Denby pottery) is no longer made in the UK. The shop I work in has been active for 45 years and we have a back room full of discontinued patterns of UK china wares and figurines. Times have most definitely changed with most of the new generation not understanding or appreciating the value of these wonderful treasures of bygone days.
We get enquiries all the time of “how much can I get for these dishes?” from young families who have inherited it from their parents or grandparents, who just don’t like or want the stuff. This includes fine china, silverware, etc. I ususally say, “get whatever makes you happy, because if there is no sentimentality attached to it, it’s only worth what you can get for it.” As for me, if my mama left me something it would be priceless!!!
I have collected vintage for years. I am often tempted to pounce on the above mentioned people and make them a lowball offer, but my morals get the best of me! I suggest to them that if they don’t want it, maybe their children will want it someday, so pack it away for them. But no, their kids don’t want it either! So, I haunt thrift stores (often) for treasures. So fun it’s like a game to me and an enjoyable past time. I have a blast with $25 -$50 at the thrift stores. Problem is, I LOVE EVERYTHING VINTAGE!
Focus, focus…..focus.
I went through a very painful transitional time 12 years ago (divorce) and had to let go many of my things. waaaaahhhhhh! Because of this, I NEVER pay less than the asking price of someone else’s treasures. My divorce taught me that some people HAVE to part with their things for whatever reason. It’s my silly rule to myself and I am happy with it that way. Since then, I’ve got a nice little stash of things. I have plans for it. Some days I am excited about the plan, and some days I think ‘what the heck am I doing this for?’ Then, I shrug.
In closing, I would like to say to people who have lovely dishes or silver ware….USE THEM. Make memories with them. Don’t be afraid to chip one, or break one, it can become a story told later ….a memory of that person. Have tea in your nice tea cups with grandchildren. Tell stories. I think, if you make a memory with your dishes and stuff they will remember YOU by association and less likely to be tossed out later. The dishes will be happy too! And, it’s healthy for them because china-ware needs to be in water every so often so it doesn’t dry out and crack.
Oh dear! I babbled. Much love to you …..XO
Erica
Love your last paragraph Erica!!! Yes! USE those dishes and make memories! xoxo Georgie NJ
Thank you Georgie! I believe it to be true.
It’s usually because it’s expensive, or too nice and the good stuff doesn’t get used. So it sits on display in a cabinet and is regarded as ‘special.’
A lady came into the store one day and wanted to know what her silverplate tea service was worth. Her kids didn’t want it and she didn’t think the grandkids would want it either.
I asked, “do you use it?”
She replied, “oh no…it’s too expensive to use!”
She was disappointed that none in her family wanted it.
After a few back and forth words, I encouraged her to have her grandkids over and have tea with them using the silver tea set, china cups….and make little sandwiches for them. Make memories with yourself, them and your tea service. An emotional connection with ‘things’ can be very strong.
Her plan was to follow up on this idea. I don’t know how it turned out. Hopefully, good memories were made and still are being made. I doubt that I’ll see the tea service in a thrift store someday because it will be proudly displayed and used by a little girl all grown up…telling stories to her kids about ‘grandma’s tea-time.’
Hope so……
xo
Erica, I appreciate your admonition to use your pretty dishes, silverware, tea cups, etc. I decided to do that years ago and have not regretted it and I cannot recall breaking very much. I had a delightful time using my mama’s China when my sister and brother-in-law came to visit recently. 🙂 I was the only one of us four girls who wanted the China, but we had a lovely time eating a nice lunch on the set!
I let my grand children pick out a cup and saucer from my large selection when we have tea. They love that! One grand daughter lives near and has tea with me often; she loves picking out a pretty cup and saucer
and just the right tea spoon to go with it.
Here’s to many more uses of our pretty dishes!
Love what you wrote about using our treasures: I have an assortment of glass dessert plates handed down from both my great and grand, mothers, and didn’t think they should be used due to their age and specialness. Well, I have begun to use them when I have “the girls” over and even for my own everyday needs. They make everything seem pretty special and evoke many happy memories for this only child (now well into her fifties).
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the lovely post! How did you resist?! I love dishes, and teapots and teacups and tablecloths and crocheted hankies…. So many beautiful things, so little time!
I just checked my e-mail and my spam and did not receiveWillard. I always received it before with no problems. Please help, I hate to miss any.
Have a lovely day,
Lorraine
It starts going out on Tuesday, day after tomorrow . . . you haven’t missed it yet!
Hello Susan,
Some years ago you posted a recipe on your web site for “Fairy Cakes”, cupcakes with lemon curd filling. I don’t have my copy anymore and I was wondering if you could repost it. Such a very English teacake and such a romantic name. Thank you.
Yes, I’ll do that soon.
Oh, that sounds wonderful for tea! Is the recipe in one of your books? Thanks. 🙂
When I was doing the little book Sweets to the Sweet, my publisher had a contest for the best dessert recipe, and this recipe won — it’s in that book.
I have that one–will go look it up. Thanks! 🙂
Thank you so very much.
Susan~charming post! At least we’re not alone, when we count the treasures that got away from us. I always say, my comfort is knowing they went to a nice home and are well looked after.
Susan, I must admit I’m a doggie person, but your “children” are beyond the cutest of all kitties I’ve ever seen. Their always “formal” attire make them look like such royalty and make me smile everytime I see them. Aren’t furry friends the best?
Go USA!
Bliss!
Marie xo
They’re the best!
Susan, your comment above re going hurricane hunting with Joe would be fun as long as you were “100% unsuccessful and never found any” is my own secret personal viewpoint on going fishing with Norm! LOL!!! Love being in a boat watching a bobber with a good book or knitting but I sit and pray I don’t personally don’t catch a fish!!! And to those who think this is sacrilege-speaking when I live in Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and most of the residents love to go fishing to CATCH fish, all I’m saying is that it must be my Iowa-upbringing…If I don’t catch them, I don’t have to deal with them! LOL! And we have an arrangement at our house: “He who catches the fish, cleans and cooks the fish!” (Aren’t I married to a GREAT guy who agrees to that?! 🙂
Does that also include SHE who will not help “catch” the fish, “clean” the fish, “cook” the fish, shall not “consume” the fish?? hmmm only seems fair does the Little Red Hen come to mind??? hahaha
Oh, Deborah–I’m sitting here laughing at your comment. Would seem that way, yes, HOWEVER, what happens in reality is that SHE who picks the apples, peels the apples, makes the pie crust, bakes the pie, etc., shares the finished apple pie and that kind of gets exchanged for the finished cooked fish. Seems more fair that way…and what usually happens is that SHE is the one peeling and boiling the potatoes, cleaning and cooking the beans, and sometimes even–if HE is lucky–baking the bread or rolls to go with all…not to mention making the salad…get the picture? LOL!!! 🙂
TOUCHE’ MY FRIEND!!!
Deborah Lynn & Pat-
Are you two related ?
I swear, you gals need your own sitcom-
kinda’ like a cross between
Petticoat Junction & Peyton Place
with a little Mayberry R.F.D.
and Ma & Pa Kettle thrown in, to sweeten the sauce !
Oh & BTW-
I’ll gladly take that last piece of apple pie.
Thank you very much !
See Ya’ at Sam Drucker’s General Store……
Bring along a casserole, if ya’ don’t mind ! 🙂
Hi, Sue Sue
I asked you last Spring where everyone was finding the pretty teacups and dishes and you explained so nicely about antique shops etc. But, wowee these shops in England just blow me away!! Holy macaroni, I’m shocked there could possibly any ‘left for the English people’! Because surely, us Girlfriends must have stocked up! LOL!
(I really am wishing we would’ve picked up the tatting with the little pink ribbon running around the edge… 😉
We have shops here that are just as nice, I have to say . . .
Hi Girl Kitty! Missed you. Is that a tray that the polka dot jug is on or a little table? I want it too.
Such temptations in those antique shops, Susan! I doubt that I would have been able to exercise such restraint!:-)
We have a nice, cool morning here today, the remnants of a “cool front” that has passed through the area. I’m not ready to call it a “glimpse of fall” yet. There are some rather warm days ahead according to the forecast.
I wish you a marvelous Monday!
xo Nellie
What a wonderful tour of antique shops and pretty villages. I especially loved seeing Alfriston and you mentioned the very three types of books I home in on in any bookshop: old gardening books, children’s book and wildflower books.
We have my SIL visiting at the moment – she lives in Staffordshire – and we spent yesterday in the beautiful village on Burford nestling in the gentle folds of the Cotswolds hills. You definitely need to come again and explore that wonderful picturesque area 🙂
Angela
Oh I have been there, so darling, Burford! Lucky you!
Susan, it sounds to me as if you have been to (nearly) ALL the most beautiful places in Great Britain 🙂
Angela
We sure tried to, but there was a lot we missed! Still need to go back!
good morning susan, well its been hot here over the weekend..103 degrees and for most of this week, we expect to hit the 100’s…..whew!!! and i plan to stay cool, care to come along and go floating in the river??? its very refreshing and very cooling, just grab an inner tube or rubber raft and get your swimsuit or shorts on and head to the river and float. i usually have a little tube that i stash my cooler in and float along with my cold water, and iced tea handy for refreshment, also watermelon. so come on along with me and we can go floating and stay cool, i’ll save an extra tube for you. off to go floating!!!!! and we are seeing some early signals of fall around here, tons of acorns in the oak trees, the past 2 years there were very little acorns to be found, and last year especially was bad..none came down. plus the golden rod is in bloom and the lil katie dids are singing so summer is leaving and soon. can’t wait for the fall and those nice cool nights. hugs….. 🙂
Susan, with so many wonderful things that “got away,” I cannot wait to see the things that didn’t. All that beautiful china, silverware and linens – oh my! I think my fall project will be to bring all of my Grandmother and Great Aunt’s china and linen out of storage and start using them. It’s been so long since I’ve had them out, it will be like discovering those treasures all over again. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks again for more wonderful inspiration, knowledge and just plain fun…can’t wait for Willard…cloudy, cool and looks like rain here in northern Michigan…xoxo…
I need to take a drive through this country, so many voices from so many wonderful places . . . thank you Rae Ann!
i caould almost feel the breeze as the cars came by….and ,oh, the bookstore! i can dream of it. a cuppa tea now and off to day dream my england. thank you.
Hi Susan
Oh my, I would have been weak in the knees looking at all the wonderful china in the antique shops in England! I know it takes great will power to walk away from beautiful pieces like the ones you showed.
I recently got back from a cross country drive across America, from NYC to Colorado and fell in love with all the barns I photographed ( and are on my blog today) along the way.
I think your next trip should be the same ..from your home in MV Massachusetts to your home in California! Did you and Joe ever attempt that all the years you have lived bi-coastal? I’m sure you would find such delightful things to see and do along the way! We live in a big and beautiful country …maybe not as old and charming as England, or with such narrow streets..lol…but charming non-the less!
Hugs,
Pat
Oh Susan! I think you have shown remarkable self restaint in not purchasing these treasures from England. It would have been hard for me to leave the pitcher and basin behind no matter how big it was. It’s great you caputured them in photos to share with all of us.
Are you familiar with an English pottery company named Burleigh? Their website is at burleigh.co.uk. They have some wonderful blue and white china in very old patterns like blue asiatic pheasant. I think you would like them.
Yes, I have a tiny little creamer of theirs!
What self-discipline you had, Susan! Thank you for sharing photos of the lovely items you did not purchase!
When you complete preparing your little tornado corner of the basement, please share. I can only imagine how cozy it will be; a peaceful place to wait out a storm. As always, thanks for beautifying our lives. Lots of love and gratitude.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting my Willard and still haven’t received it!?!? I hope it’s still coming!!!
You’ve probably already checked your spam folder? I sent your comment to Kellee, she will sign you up again.
Well, I have a New Kitty, that is what I am calling her, so as not to get attached…who am I kidding, she is a tiny calico that has already won me over. My daughter’s dogs trapped her in their back yard and she thought I should have her…
Oh you are going to be having some fun!
Wonderful post as always!…England– how we love thee!! …AND I’m dying to reach through the screen and love on your kitties….I could just squeeze them til they pop….from the hills of TN.
Good morning! Any trips to California planned for the new future. Wonderful quilt store named Piecemakers in Costa Mesa
Have to remember that . . . no plans to go right now — I’m staying focused on the diary!
Loved the post and I know that you will return to England someday soon and perhaps pick up some of those treasures that were left behind. I was charmed by the town and, of course, clicked on the link for more information. Did you see where what later became the Cat Steven’s hit, “Morning Has Broken”, was written there? The person who penned the song had been inspired by the local beauty, oh my!
You make me want to go antique shopping!
That’s my job! 🙂
Loved reading this……….and especially loved “kitty buttons”. I did not get my copy of Willard this time. Nothing has changed in terms of contact information. I still savor my original snail mail copies and cannot bear to miss one…..if you can get me back on the list I would be grateful! Thank you so much………xo
I don’t know why you didn’t get it, but I forwarded your comment to Kellee to see if she can help you!