We are HOME and happy to be here with darling kitties! I hope you will love this charming MUSICA . . .
Perfect music for nesting . . . which is what I did yesterday, our first day home; I waltzed around to this song putting everything back in order; kissing the kitties, hanging laundry, eating farm-stand Honey Crisp apples, putting the pumpkins we bought on the porch, hanging the wreath on the door. I dressed my stove in the two vintage dishtowels I found on the trip . . . cute eh? Look at those embroidered, appliqued apples! How come that was even THERE? Why hadn’t someone snapped it up before me? Lucky!!
I was all over the place trying to figure out how to do this post . . . I have too many different subjects/things from the trip to show you! But since I started with antiques, I thought I would continue that way . . . especially because we careened into every antique-store driveway we saw and found some really fun things.
“Was it open?” were the most-often spoken words on our trip.
This cute little barn was filled with wonderful old stuff.
But this one had the best prices! I found a 4′ x 6′ black, flowered, hooked rug here, for $49! For my pantry. Oh yes!
Some things struck me as perfect for Christmas presents . . . like this large embroidered towel with the title “Mother’s Little Helper” on the back. For some reason I’m weakest for embroidery, potholders, tablecloths, napkins, dishtowels, fabrics, needlepoints; the soft stuff.
And I found another vintage measuring cup! These are not easy to find! The shapes are softer than the modern ones, and they aren’t printed on, they’re embossed!
But this was the big one, and I do mean big. I walked into a wonderful store called Rustology in Stafford Springs, CT and just fell in love with this old doll house. It was almost four feet tall, and about six feet wide . . . and three feet deep.
The front of the house is on wheels and you can roll it away to reveal the wonderful rooms inside.
Wouldn’t Jack just LOVE this? The owner of the antique store said he found it in the attic of a Massachusetts house during an estate sale. It was originally built as an exact replica of the real house — It must have had a room of it’s own to live in, it’s so big.
What this must have looked like when it was furnished, I can’t imagine! That flowered piece on the floor is an actual carpet, a tiny petit point; and you can see the old wall paper. And the doors! And the doorknobs!
If this was my house, I would make everything for it. I would paint little paintings, and mold little clay, and stencil the walls. It would be so much fun finding the perfect pots and pans, making tiny pillows, looking for little dishes. Decorating it for the holidays!!! Joe could make beds, I could make sheets. Our real house could fall apart, but the doll house would be perfect at all times!
It definitely needs help, but it has great bones … and all the wonderful details; trim around doors and baseboards.
The shutters are perfect, and there’s glass in the windows, and through this window you can see two other doors with doorknobs.
The front door . . . Imagine it with tiny lights on it! The owners of the antique store love the doll house as much as me; they were showing it with so much pride. I don’t think they are in any hurry to sell it; they’d only had it for two weeks . . . they were asking $6,500 for it.
Anyway, I had a lot of fun in there pretending what I would do with it if it were mine. I considered which room in my house I might put it in, and came to the conclusion that it was too big for any of them. I also would have wanted it when I was twenty, so I could have done it the same way I did my charm bracelet, making and gathering one piece at a time, from everywhere, so each piece could have a story to go with it. Magical magical house. Lucky someone who will end up with it! But this house requires commitment, if you move, you have to pack it and take it with you which would he a true heck of a packing job! Maybe the smart thing would be to get it, give it to a historical society with the caveat that during your own lifetime, no body touches it but YOU.
This house was in the same store . . . . MUCH less expensive — $250 . . . and pretty darn cute, although it needs a lot of work. It opens like a little closet … how smart, hardly takes up any space at all; I really liked the original shape of this.
And it has lots of charming details too. . .
Inside, you can still see vestiges of the glory that it once was . . . but someone would have to start from the beginning to put it right again.
Sooo, while I’m at it, I thought I’d show you some of the pictures I took of REAL houses as we drove hill and dale around Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Because truly, one of the inspirations that motivated me into moving to New England was the charming houses I saw in books and movies. I wanted an old house sooooo badly; my life just wasn’t going to be complete until I got one.
Just look at these and you will see why. I would be perfectly ecstatic to have any of them! Look at that glassed in porch. Perfect for a tea party!
Obviously these people have another way to get into this very old house besides the front door! Look at those pumpkins!!! Wonderful, huh?
Of course, I am a fool for picket fences with colored leaves falling around them.
Sunny cottage, little arched porch, dentil-work up top, and tiny windows.
Very old house, leaves swirling through the air.
Love this soft yellow house in Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts — if you ever get a chance to drive through here, you should do it…. the prettiest houses ever, so full of history, most of the houses are very old, pre-Revolutionary war!
The great thing about these houses is that no two are exactly alike and all so amazingly romantic … I always wonder what kind of thinking was going on that they added so much gingerbread; the wide porches, bay windows, columns, and balconies? And inside, with all the built-in little nooks and crannies! Some of the bigger houses have a cozy fireplace in every room! I think I would have liked those people!
So on we drove, past houses and barns, farm stands, graveyards, and antique stores . . .
The sunsets would light the mountains on fire with color . . .
In one little town, we saw they were having a Book Sale . . . So of course we stopped to see what treasures we could unearth . . .
OH BOY, look what I found!! My first book, Heart of the Home! Rescue secured! Book no longer lurking pitifully in cardboard box! I brought my baby back home. Pobrecito!
And then, while nesting all day yesterday; I put some Martha’s Vineyard sand in my new measuring cup; then I added a pear-shaped candle I found on the trip, and a couple of shells and some sea glass. I thought, how perfect for the kitchen table!
And then I set it on top of my book, and it all looked so cute together, I thought,
I already have one of these books, and I already have one of these candle holders; I should make this a give-away for the girls, because they stick by me through thick and thin. And so that’s what it is!
And then, guess what? My brand new Collector’s Edition Ornament was waiting for me when I went to get the mail! Isn’t it cute? This is the 5th year in a row for our dated collectible ornament (no, in case you’re wondering, we don’t have any left from the other years; we only get a few in of each design, and because they are dated, when they’re gone, they’re gone!) . . . . so, I thought, oh yes, I better throw this in with the book and the candle, right? They look so good together. ♥
I added a leaf I brought home from the trip . . . . and I’ll sign the book when I know the name of the winner and where its new home will be. Just leave a comment, and you will be entered in our drawing for all these goodies! And BTW, if my blog is being emailed to you, you have to come directly to my website (click here: www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/) to enter for the drawing . . . just scroll to the bottom of this post where you see the tiny word “comments.” Click there, and leave a comment and that will automatically enter you!
OK Girls, bye-bye for now … I have more to show you, but realized this would be the longest post EVER if I tried to do the whole trip all at once. So, there’s more to come! XOXO Love, me
I love to rescue local art that I find languishing at garage sales. One day that might be one of my paintings after all! And I was so thrilled to be given my childhood dollhouse, after twenty years’ separation. How special it was that despite having several owners in between, they remembered that it was mine as a child and gave it to me to restore for my daughters.
My husband just rolls his eyes when he hears your bird tweeting every evening when I check your blog, Susan. I laugh and read excerpts from your posts anyway. Tonight, it was especially fun, as we had made tentative plans to go leaf peeping “back East” this autumn, but did not (yet!), so I was sure to exclaim over all the big, old homes, and the pretty little towns, just to goad his conscience a bit, you know! Please enter me in your drawing for the book, measuring cup, etc. My sis and I are huge fans. I promise to share with her if I win!!
Joe rolls his eyes too … so tell your husband he is in good company!
When my husband hears it – he says “Oh, you are “tweeting” again 🙂
LOL!
I have the feeling there’s a lot of eye rolling going around! My husband included!
iT IS EYE-ROLLING WITH A SMILE THOUGH, SO I THINK THEY ARE ENJOYING OUR JOY!!! Oh.. didn’t mean to do thiat in all caps, but I think it fits!!! Great day to all!
Hi Susan,
I really enjoyed looking at all of the beautiful houses and the dollhouses were so adorable…..I just love dollhouses. I collect your books and I look forward to your blog, it always brightens my day. This is a wonderful giveaway that any of us girlfriends would treasure forever.
Thanks for being such a wonderful person,
Linda
Love, love, love all the pictures of the New England houses!!! Thanks for always bringing us on your trips with you!! My dream is to some day meet you!!!! I would LOVE this book and beautiful candle!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I, too, love old houses. And antique stores. And doll houses. And nesting. And your books!!!
{{Hugs}} from me to you,
Cathy
Welcome Home! Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip.
Welcome home Susan!! Thank you for sharing the beauty of New England with us. Love it all! xoxo
It seems that wherever the weather’s been dry, autumn is ablaze! It’s so much fun to tour with you.
The nip in the air makes me think about the holidays coming and your give away would be the perfect gift for a very special someone on my list. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the chance to enter and dream a bit. And thanks for taking us along on another lovely trip. Can’t wait for more. Happy fall Susan.
I really enjoyed all the pics from your trip! Glad you rescued your book 😉 it came back home
It was such a treat to see all those charming old houses! Thank you for sharing!
Love to see the lovely homes. Ilive in NH and it is beautiful here also. Love your blog andall your books!!
Well, you did it. Talk about inspired…shortly after you started the wonderful changes to your kitchen; I figured it was time to do something to mine. So, new dishwasher and flooring. Finished this weekend and the hardest part of the project was going through all the cookbooks. Now all your books are together and organized with the few treasured ones I could not pass on. I told my daughter (41 yrs. old) that I was donating the ones I did not want to keep and she was horrified. So they are packed neatly away for her next visit. Too many to count….Thank you for the wonderful video and pictures from your “leaf treat”! It is beautiful here in North Georgia but not quite the same. Enjoy it all..
A new kitchen, how wonderful Suzanne!
I have that book! It’s always been a favorite, complete with cooking “marks”! I think I learned to cook with that one. Thank you…….
Joan
What a great trip you had. The large dollhouse – oh my! It is fabulous and yes, I can picture it filled with wonderful furniture and I bet there were quilts on the beds. What a treasure.
Oh, how I’d love to find a measuring picture like the one you found. Perfect! I love those that are not painted on for the measurements.
Then the houses… and the trees showing their autumn hues. Wonderful.
It would be great to win the wonderful giveaway, thank you for it. The real treasure, however, was going along on the adventure.
Was in Deerfield, MA this past weekend with my sister and niece. I also love all the old homes, farm stands (loaded up on cinderella pumpkins, white pumpkins and gourds of every shape and color) and of course had to stop at Richardson’s Candy Kitchen (chocolate and peanut butter cows, dixies, caramels). On the way back home to NH we love to stop at Kringle Candle in Bernardston, MA (favorites are honey cream, cider donut and pumpkin latte).
Anxiously awaiting your book, “Pancakes”. Love all your books. Your blog has been a life saver! Thank you for keeping it up.
Susan in NH
This year’s ornament is darling…sooo cute! Your road trip looks like it was wonderful and just the perfect thing to get you in the mood for autumn. Glad you’re home with the kitties and anxious to hear & see more.
My autumn tea was this weekend, but you were probably too busy to come (though, you were in NH, weren’t you??)…you’d love our town. We do a scarecrow fundraiser for your historical society here, and lots of folks in town buy scarecrow heads and design the most fun scarecrows with them! I’m going to put a few on my blog soon, so you could stop over and see them if you’ve a mind to. Glad you enjoyed your trip so well! Please enter me for the drawing, I have one of your original books, but I’d love to give that one as a gift and keep the signed one and that pear and ornament are daaahlin’! Thanks, Susan!! ~Vonnie, NH
oops, I meant a fund raiser for OUR historical society, not yours :^) ~Vonnie
I discovered your blog a few months ago, and I’ve enjoyed reading everything. I love your art and writing, and I want to start collecting your books. Thanks for all your inspiration!
Sew (I am quilting today), glad your home to your lovely house and kitties! I loved this last blog so much. I recently visited (a year ago, but-whom is counting?) W.Virginia to see my best Friend, Kay’s house and I loved all the lovely houses I saw when we drove from here to there. Kay’s house is a lovely old house, I think over 100 years old.
Thanks for reminding me about my trip. Your blog is wonderful and I would especially take care of the sweet items you are giving away!
Candace
Such wonderful inspiration in the Doll House department here~!
I am currently enjoying the anticipation of *years* of waiting to show my old Doll House (Rose Cottage) to my grand girlies. (The oldest just turned five yrs old and will get to help decorate Rose Cottage for the first time next week!)
Also, I *rescue* wonderful cookbooks whenever I can…..most especially hand written ones…♥♥
XOXO
~C.
Isn’t God the most amazing artist? Fall in New England has to be one of His most beautiful creations – and the lovely, cozy, lived and loved-in homes are so charming. Thank you for sharing. You make us all feel good inside!
Yes, please.
I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures 🙂
I am trying to post – not sure if it “got there”. Love the houses, the trees, thanks for taking me back to fall in the land of my childhood.
I fell in love with New England for the houses too…well, and the trees and rivers and coast line and the curvy roads and the beautiful seasons and a few other hundred reasons. I was blessed to live in Massachusetts for a couple of years and in Maine (my favorite). I’m back in California now but the Monterey Pines grow down close to ocean and so sometimes I pretend. Thank you so much for sharing your roadtrip with us. I loved seeing all the pictures.
Oh…I felt like I was on a trip to New England with this new addition! THanks so much for sharing Susan! You are really a peach…[even though you seem to like apples more. hee hee.]
Dearest Susan…..I’m writing this through tears and a heart swelling with happy memories…..because first off…the Musica, oh my.
I grew up with my Mom and Dad playing Guy Lombardo and The Royal Canadians records…..over, and over and over! Both singing and my Dad always being funny….acting like he was leading the orchestra. Oh…my gosh, I have not heard that song in a very long time. It is extra special to me because, my Mom and Dad were married on New Years Eve…and every year they listened to Guy Lombardo play Auld Lang Syne…..once my Dad surprised my Mom by taking her to New York City on New Years Eve for dinner and dancing with “Guy and the band”….and my brother and I saw them dancing together on TV. Yes, there they were dancing and singing……celebrating. We could not believe it…….we ran to the kitchen for spoons and pots….and banged the bottoms of the pots as loud as we could, we were so excited!
And my Mom and Dad….they celebrated 72 years of marriage together, and they always enjoyed hearing Guy Lombardo playing some of their favorite music…especially every New Years Eve. (When I talk to Mom tonight, now almost 92, and missing my Dad for the last three years, I am going to share with her today’s adventures on the blog……she loves hearing about you Susan , and the girlfriends…..tonight will be a stroll down memory lane). Susan thank you for the musica….I cherished that choice.
And…..I think the leaf peeping trip post is just wonderful…..I loved seeing all the leaves and homes and barns and beautiful leaves. Also, you discovered some wonderful treasures. That doll house is amazing…..it is a mini DIY project that would last for years, and could encompass all of the home decorating dreams anyone could want to fullfill. I have to say, when I first looked at the house I saw there was light coming through one window….the upper right one…and then I looked up and …..small fright…..I thought there was a ghost looking into the house….yikes! Second look….it must be a photo hanging over the fireplace……So, maybe just an Angel watching over the doll house.!
I also see that “Petey” helped you at the Library Book Sale…what a find! Susan, You have the most generous heart…..always thinking of the girlfriends……touching our lives in ways that are blessings. Love the candle in the measuring cup, and the new ornament….so cute! And what makes it even more special, “the leaf” ……because you thought of giving one lucky girlfriend even more Autumn.
Hugs from a grateful Heart……because you shine your light on us all!
Deb
Please tell your mom I said hello xoxo
Deb, What wonderful memories. Music, laughter and dancing . . . make a long happy marriage. Hugs, judi
I hope and pray if I have a guardian angel, that it doesn’t have a face like that face!!! Scarrrryyyy…!
You’re right Pat……I am glad Susan told us it was part of a Halloween decoration, because it is a creepy face…..kinda gives me a fright everytime I flip by it……yikes! Good for Halloween though.
Dear Deb from Dixie,
I read your note to me in Susan’s last posting. It meant the world to know you were thinking of me! It was a wonderful two days–wedding rehearsal dinner and the wedding itself.
I’ll tell you a little about it so you have something to tell your mom(smile). I love to picture you talking to your mom so here goes…
I spent most of Friday getting ready for the dinner, which would be at my house. It turned out to be very nice so I was pretty sure we would be able to be inside and outside! I had my dining room table opened as far as it could go; a table in the sun room and two outside. They were all set with flea market dishes (colorful and cozy) and old glasses I found in various places. I moved some urns with mums and boxwoods inside to give it a garden effect. Plus I added more mums, pumpkins, gourds, candles, and lanterns (for outside).
Oh, Deb, it was so much fun when everybody got there. My sister and her husband (who have a catering business on the side) took care of the food so I could concentrate on being “hostess with the mostest”. THEN my best friends (from college, who got married) came from NJ! I was in heaven! My son’s best friend from Massachusetts, with his wife were there. Lots of laughter! Lots of talking! Inside and out b/c it wasn’t too cold or windy at all and so some friends ate on the patio with the lanterns lighting their smiling faces.
And the wedding? Just perfect! I wish I could show you a picture of my son and his wife as they were pronounced husband and wife–they were just beaming with happiness. My best friend took lots of pictures and they turned out really well. I am so happy for them–my son went through a hard time. (You know, trying to find himself, which took some difficult turns. Some which make a mom pray extra hard, if you know what I mean.) So to see him so happy,with such a wonderful wife is just a dream come true!
So that’s the happy story! I am still cleaning up from it all and am still exhausted! But it was worth it all!
Tell you mom I said, “hi,” and I hope she enjoys my story! Deb, you are one of my first “Susan Branch” girlfriends, so you are very special to me, indeed!
Love and hugs,
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for sharing the happy event….. Your decor at the rehearsal dinner sounds wonderful. So nice that everyone could mingle and enjoy indoors and outdoors……(colorful and cozy) mums, pumpkins, gourds, candles, lanterns , hearts filled with joy, laughter and love…….what could be better ♥ ♥ ♥ ! And the wedding sounds perfect….especially when you know your prayers have been answered and your son met a wonderful girl to share his life.
Hope you celebrated your special day, your Birthday too…..Guess you had a lot of “cake” over the weekend …LOL, between the birthday cake, the wedding cake and oh well….can there ever be too much happy cake ????? NO!
I will tell Mom too…she will so enjoy it!
Linda, I always look for you in the comments too…..we are so very lucky, Susan has given us all the chance to share parts of our hearts and make new SBGF friends!
Have a good week, enjoy the beautiful fall weather and rest up, knowing your heart is happy!
Hugs and Smiles!
Deb
I am so happy each time I see a post from you! I settle in with tea, and prepare to be delighted. Thank you again, for sharing all of your adventures. New England and England…two places I am infatuated with, and you provide windows into both. ♥
It sounds like this was just a perfect fall trip, hope to do it some day. How do you stop yourself from buying everything you fall in love with.?
Love the old glass measuring cup, it would be nice to use while baking. Right now looking at pumpkin recipes, muffins or bread sounds delightful don’t you think?
Will be waiting to hear who the lucky winner is.
Such a wonderful trip. I just knew it would be a good one. New England in the fall…doesn’t get too much better than that. By the look of one of your pictures, you certainly were “roamin’ in the gloamin’.” Very beautiful. It was always a dream of mine to build a dollhouse, decorate it and furnish it. Your beautiful dollhouses are bringing me back to that dream of long ago. I had a dollhouse from the 1960’s, carried it along with me everywhere through life, and finally took it to the dump about 10 years ago…probably not a good move. I saw the same one on ebay recently for $125.00. Certainly not one of my better moves. I love the New England homes, countryside and lifestyle. This was the next best thing to being there. Thanks for taking us along (again). We could really get used to this you know! xo
Ahhh…a dream trip – lovely old houses, treasure hunting in antique shops, gorgeous fall colors. Someday~soon!
Gosh, I love your posts. How do you know exactly what we want to see and hear?
Thee is me and I am thee. xoxo
Hi Susan,
How fun reading about your trip. Love the paint color you chose for your kitchen.
It is really perfect for your kitchen. I made your butternut squash soup on Saturday and yesterday I made your beef stew recipe. Both of these delicious recipes are in your Autumn cookbook. Of course, I love all of your cookbooks, but Autumn is a really, really extra special one.
Gloria
What a lovely road trip — looking at treasures outside and inside! Thanks for sharing with us!
Glad y’all are home safe and sound. I know Jack and Girl kitty missed you. Love the posts of New England since I want to move there and live in an old house too.
Salt Boxes are my favorite. I have always felt that I belonged in New England instead of Texas. Hey – where is the video of that Turkey attack? 🙂
Oh, what fun it would be to hide in the back seat of your car!! We are all lucky ducks to be treated to the beautiful scenery, wonderful homes and discovered treasures you find on your trips! And again, you have put together a wonderful give-away. Thank you, Susan!
I love seeing the places you and Joe visit I hope someday to get the the New England states in the fall from your pictures I can tell it is breath taking.
Happy Fall,
Susan B.
I adore your Heart of the Home Book – I don’t have all, but I have most of your books; I’ve loved your artwork since before you published in Country Living. Isn’t it strange to find your books in places you never had any intention of being, like that book sale? Last year I did a New England road trip with my bestie college roommate. We found all sorts of buys in NE Connecticut between Mystic and Hartford. Have you ever checked out Historic New England? They own and perserve all these fabulous old homes in NE, most of them have fab gardens. I’m leaving for upstate NY this weekend to catch the leaves before it’s too late! Thanks for sharing, t
I love reading about your journeys. You always make me feel as if I am right along side you! Thank you for sharing your trips and your treasures.
Love the way you take us with you on your trips…you allow us to smell the roses, kick our way through the leaves, and to peek into the corners of the antique shops in New England and “old” England…thank you
Thanks for taking us on another adventure. I loved it.
I’m really enjoying your website since I’ve found it. I love everything. Thanks for sharing your trip. It was so nice to see all those pictures and imagine what it would be like to live in one of those houses so long ago!
I loved my trip with you through many old stompimg grounds. Great Barrington was where my husband spent his teenage years and we LOVE it! We are enjoying our New England autumn in Maine. You make it even better with your artist eyes and delight in everything with a story. Oh, I am so with you, loving things that have been used and treasured by so many before us.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures of New England in the fall. That trip is on my “to do” list when I retire. I am so looking forward to driving through New England some October. Give Jack a big hug from me!
Another gorgeous road trip through the country. Beautiful old houses, nothing like them here on Vancouver Island. We do have many antique stores though, so there’s always some browsing to be done. And occasionally, a spectacular find or two. That doll house was pricey, but wonderful. I think it would be spectacular in your home. But you’d probably never get anything, you and Joe would be so busy decorating it. Love your sweet 2012 ornament.
Thanks, Susan for sharing your New England in Oct. pictures. I feel like I got to come home, myself. The video looks awfully much like Ivoryton, CT where my sister lives, but I can’t be sure. (I watched it twice but still???). The doll houses were wonderful. How did you ever resist? Kathy
Welcome Home! So happy to read about your adventure in wonderland (aka New England in autumn). Such beautiful homes and plenty of shops to go treasure hunting in. I adore the embroidered towel “Mother’s little helper.” I think Jack would have a swell time in that doll house. My mother used to make and decorate doll houses and our cat would steal the furnishings and little people! She had a huge stash of stolen goods we discovered the day we moved. I have never read Heart of the Home and would love to have my own copy. Your collector’s edition ornament is lovely. (You are so generous!) I think it’s wonderful that you discovered your book at the book sale. It’s like finding a long lost relative. 🙂
Your Friend,
Deborah
Dear Susan,
Thank you for today’s bounty – a veritable cornucopia of all that is autumn and such a wonderful virtual vacation all of us girlfriends! You are the ambassador for all that is creative and inspirational!! My sister has been inundated with my overzealous and incessant chatter about all things Susan Branch as have many firneds. Should providence shine this direction, it would be such fun to give to my sister your lovely and inspiring book. My sister is also a source of much inspiration. She has such an incredible spirit; she is on a transplant list for a liver after being infected with the Hepatits C virus from a blood transfusion during open heart surgery as a child. Live donors have been evaluated but were not viable candidates (girlfriends, did you know that donating parting of your liver can save a life?) Her generous spirit, peace and strength has touched many lives. Her name is Val and she knows all about you! Thanks again for the lush pictures!
P.S. Just received my order from your on-line store. The colorful quilted hot pads/pot holders are like kaliedoscopes! I love them as I do the light green kitchen timers, Vermont maple syrup and fab bottle!
Thank you, thank you for whirling us away on another fantastic trip. It’s great to share in your findings, and the leaf peeping is wonderful. We, in Central Kentucky are beginning to see color, but the peak will be late October, or early November. Love, the doll houses. It is fun furnishing and fixing each room, as we have done years ago. I read a book by_______ White, titled “The Pink House”. So after receiving a large colonial dollhouse from our daughter and her husband, that needed to be built, painted, wallpapered, and furnished, I named it “the Pink house”. We enjoyed it for many years, and our grand daughters have it now. I am a kindred spirit with you, so many things you like are so like my favorite things. I love England, my Mother’s homeland, I love English pottery, Antiques, old movies and songs, hanging clothes on the line, linens, rugs, baking and cooking, puttzing around the house, rides to enjoy nature,Cats, kittens, and all manner of things you write about . Since we are up in age, I live vicariously through your blog. Thanks again.
s
That’s the same reason we moved east – the homes were old and individual and quirky and lovely. We visited the Berkshires from California and that’s when the seed was planted. Now we’re in upstate NY in a quirky little farmhouse built in 1891. Love all your photos, Susan. I have a dollhouse that I am decorating slowly as my budget allows. It’s so dear to me. We have it sitting in the living room.
xo
Claudia
Loved the ‘Leaf Peeping” with you and Joe. The closest we get to that experience here is in late October in northwest Arkansas. It gets mighty pretty there as well. Love the old measuring cup , book, and the ornament. Thanks for offering them to us. Hope I win! Sherry xoxoxo
We are headed to Heber Springs for a Conference Oct. 20 – 27th. Hope
to see some gorgeous fall colors!
As soon as I saw that antique measuring cup I wanted it! I knew just the shop in town I was going to go to to start my search! Now, I can try to get yours plus your book which I don’t have because I am relatively new to your blog (just since April) plus your ornament. Pick Me!! Thanks for your enthusiasm and optimism. It is always a treat to read your updates.
Susan-
Your interests and activities always seem to color my world!
Thank You.
Pat
My husband and I were driving through Litchfield , CT on Friday enjoying the sunny countryside. We stopped for antiques and historic homes as well as lunch and wineries. What a great day!
Oh, Susan, thank you for such a lovely Fall trip. I remember one of my favorite vacations was a Fall trip to Vermont several years ago. One of these days I want to visit your area in the Fall. I already have your “Autumn” and your “Summer” cookbook and would love to add your “Heart of The Home” cookbook to my collection. I too, dream one day to own an older home like yours. There just aren’t that many around here close by except a few here and there. We have some gorgeous ones in several Georgia towns several miles away though. One day I will have one! I have my grandfathers house and rent it out and live in my deceased,father’s house, but it is too small. Anyway, I live everyday to look at your lovely blog that brings us so much joy and smiles thru your sharing of your recipes and ideas and wonderful creativity! We love you!
I would so much love to win your give away. Your New England trip has just everything I love; old houses, doll houses, books, New England, antiques, and Fall altogther in one blog. I’m heading out on my own trip tomorrow to Galena, Illinois. Galena is rich in history with wonderful old houses, charming shops, and antiques.
Thank you for your wonderful blog. I so enjoy reading about your home and your journeys.
Love the fall tour. I live in Houston Texas and do not see much fall. Also I am including a name of a jewelry store in Texas that sell the most fabulous charms James Avery based in Kerrville, TX.
Zana
I would so like to win your give away. Your trip yielded all the things that I love so much; old houses, doll houses, books, New England, antiques, and Fall all together in one blog. I’m heading out on my own trip tomorow to Galena, Illinois. A town rich in history, old houses, charming shops, and antiques.
Thank you for your wonderful blog. I enjoy reading about your home and your many trips.
Susan and Joe,
What a wonderful trip. We are heading to California, where I grew up in a little over a week for an RV vacation…we now live in Tennessee. We are just starting our Fall colors here…..just beautiful. Loved it!!! Actually I was born in Mass, but my folks moved away before I was 6 mos….I do plan to visit one day, but you took me there virtually. 🙂 Thanks for taking us on an East Coast trip….
Susan I just love waiting a few days to check for your next post, sitting back at the end of a long day & enjoying your travels, the natural world you love so much & your lovely home. It’s just COMFORT for me! Thank you!
Gini in No. Calif.
What a wonderful trip! And the dollhouse is truly waiting to be loved by the
new owner. And why at age twenty!? At age 68 I’ve only just begun! :=)
My dance card is so full right now! Maybe when I get a little older! 🙂
Thank you for your wonderful post. I am very fortunate to live in the northwest corner of Connecticut, in an old house, near a covered bridge. I never tire of looking at old houses and the beautiful New England countryside.
We went through the covered bridge at Cornwall . . . is that yours?
Yes! I can see the covered bridge from my bedroom window. It’s such a peaceful sight – like a mini retreat whenever I need to refocus and keep going. I was hoping you would drive through Cornwall and see our lovely little town.
I thought about you on Friday as I was driving through the bridge, on my way up to Sheffield, to an antique store that specializes in dining room tables. I wonder if you were in town at that time?
I always enjoy these posts when you take us along on your journeys! I would be THRILLED to have these precious things! I look for your books at every book sale that I go to! Thanks for always being so sweet! Enjoy your week! Hugs!
Oh Susan!
You have such a lovely way of seeing things! And an amazing knack for helping us to see them that way too! Thank you for that! <3 The pictures you took are wonderful, as are the treasures you found. Glad you are home, safe & sound. Looking forward to seeing all the exciting details from your trip as you get time. 🙂
Antiquing, leaf-peeping, house-peeping……all from the back seat and I didn’t even get car sick! And a give-away too!! Sweet!! Thank you!
Oh my day is always so much better after I read your latest blog!! Your measuring cup/candle, so lovely!! And YEA, for your expert rescue of Heart of the Home!
Beautiful!!! You just added this drive to one of my many its on my bucket list. And I won’t be complete until I live in an old house too… Maybe one day!
Yeah! I just knew you would have the most beautiful pictures to show us! Thanks for sharing the lovely old houses, pumpkins, etc. Our fall trip is set for Oct 17-21, and we are SO excited. Hoping to see historic Deerfield too. So sweet of you to rescue your book and offer it to some lucky person. (Thanks for adding my name in the drawing). Autumn is just GRAND, isn’t it!!!! I bet your kitties had lots of kisses to give you when you got home. : )
So blessed to live here in New England and enjoy all the seasons but autumn is the best! I love all the colors-trees turning, farm stands with more color and wonderful fall food, colorful mums, and being able to quilt away on cool evenings. Thank you Susan for your wonderful blog and sharing with all of us:) My mom and I have been inspired with your books since Heart of the Home and Willard mailings in our mailboxes. Thank you for brightening all of my days!!
Color peaking in New Hampshire
Thanks for sharing autumn in New England. Such beauty to behold!
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
– George Eliot
I, too, just returned from a drive through New England—my first. Totally loved it!
What a fun trip! Too bad the Fall doesn’t last a bit longer….it’s such a cozy time of year.
I just love the hand embroidered towels and just about anything “soft”. I always wonder who used those items before I get them! Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Thank you for the wonderful tour….I’ve never been to the eastern states…hope to one day. Love the houses and the 2012 ornament. 😉
Thank you for showing your beautiful pictures of your trip! I would love to visit there someday.
Hi Susan!
What a wonderful fall trip with gorgeous scenery, wonderful antique stores and the lovely homes!
We’re leaving for our fall trip on Sat. from north Idaho to Neskowin Beach, OR., stopping in Hood River,OR. for their fall festival on the Columbia River! We pull over and explore whenever we see something interesting and come home with “treasures”. I have the same weaknesses—anything hand done for the home and rotate it throughout the home for the seasons. I just love the thought of someone working on the embroidery, etc. with love.
Enjoy this beautiful autumn!
What a treat to see the beautiful sights on your autumn road trip, You have so many nice times to share , each blog is just wonderful to read, I usually whip through once quickly because I’m anxious to see it all and then I go back and enjoy it slowly, usually with a cup of coffee or tea (I love both). – My husband built a dollhouse for my daughter when she was little. He went to heaven way to soon after a brave battle with ALS, so it is really treasured. My daughter and I have been talking about redecorating it and making it fresh for her baby girls room, it will be so nice to see it in use again. I can still picture him in the garage working on it, I loved watching him. – Some of the pictures of your husband working on projects around the house and yard make me think of him, he was always doing things like that too. Love you , love your blog.
Thank you for the lovely house tour, Susan. I just couldn’t decide on a favorite… I love them all! I bought Heart of the Home years ago, as a birthday gift for my mom. She lovingly packed it when they moved from the midwest to AZ. I know right where it is on her bookshelf. So, each time I visit, I always spend time reading it! ♡♡ We are all lucky winners, Susan. We have YOU!!
Welcome home!
Dawn ♡♡
Just lovely, the old, simple stuff is the BEST!
Oh, Susan, you know how to make life FUN! Love you to pieces.
What a marvelous trip you had, Susan (and Joe)!!! It’s on my “bucket list”, going to New England in the fall! Absolutely gorgeous old homes… right out of a story book! Having lived all my life on the West coast, New England is almost like a different country…. maybe next year we’ll go leaf peeping too!! 🙂
L.O.V.E. your dated ornament, too!!! Soooo cute! I’m a sucker for anything “gingerbread” and I’m pretty sure I saw a gingerbread person on there! 🙂
Thank you, Susan, for the wonderful post! I always miss Autumn in New England, but I have your books and your blog to take me back there again. Actually it has been rather chilly and Fall-like here in Virginia. Driving on the highway this weekend we had leaves falling all around us – wonderful! 🙂
LOVE the dollhouse! Wow – that is big! That would be a wonderful and creative project of love for certain ♥♥♥
You have outdone yourself with the gift package for this post – would love to win it, but no worries if I don’t – part of the wonderful magic of this blog is that the “right” person always seems to win! Thanks for sharing and thanks for including all of us on your travels. Happy Autumn!!! Happy October!!! ♥♥♥
I needed a ride through the countryside. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Five of us Texas girlfriends just returned from the same area, we so hoped to “run into” you. Our first night was in Lenox Mass. We went on into Vermont and New Hampshire and then back to fly out of Hartford Ct. Our last day was the drive through Deerfield, we have some of the same photos you took. We had a great time and shipped our antiques home at three different places! Fun, fun fun
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I have four California girlfriends coming to fill up my guest rooms next week, can’t wait!
Thank you for sharing your lovely trip through New England. It was the next best thing to being there. Our town’s historical (history?) museum which used to be our library (a Carnegie library built in the early 1900’s) has a huge fully furnished dollhouse that is very similar to the one you photographed. It’s set up on a large table in the middle of the main room and is a foot or two short of my eye level (maybe kid’s eye level) so a person can walk around the whole dollhouse and peer into each room. The “old library” is one of my favorite places to visit and the dollhouse there is one of my favorite things. So happy to hear that you rescued one of your books. I rescued “Christmas Joy” a few weeks ago in an antique store. It’s one that I didn’t have so it joined its sisters on my baker’s rack of cookbooks. Love the arrangment with the measuring cup and candle and would love to set it in my kitchen. Here’s hoping. Thanks again, Susan, for a beautiful trip. Can’t wait to read more about it.
Thank you for an early peek at Autumn. Would love to have the book and all the other goodies.
Loved traveling vicariously with you on this fun trip! Love your blog look
Forward to each and every post! Would love to win your book and measuring
cup. Thanks!
I just love coming along on your travels — I would be so excited to have these precious things! Thanks for always thinking of us!
Love the 2012 ornament!! I love to find old measuring cups, too.
I just love following your activities on here. I check every day, sometimes two or three times, to see what is new. You never fail to inspire. I made your corn chowder last week when our temperatures finally dipped below 70 and it was yummy!
My daughter was here visiting from Colorado and I told her how much I enjoy your blog and now she is hooked!
By the way, your kitchen looks wonderful!
Please include me in the drawing for your wonderful book, candle, measuring cup and ornament.
Hi Susan,
I really need a new copy of your cookbook! I’ve about worn out my copy. I love the ornament. I didn’t know that you had ornaments. Where have I been? The pictures of New England were wonderful. My 5th-great grandfather was a judge from Boston during the revolutionary war. Unfortunately, I’ve never been to New England but it’s on my bucket list, for sure. Mary A
And mine was the Representative from New Hampshire to the first Continental Congress, so your grandfather and mine probably knew each other!
Your blog is like a homemade apple pie on a cold, fall night. It makes me happy, warm and…hungry! 😉
xox
jocelyn
~Good Evening~
I have to ask~ what was that picture of behind the doll house?
It looked a little creepy to me! ~Did anyone else think the same thing???
I forgot to say ~ I would love to add your ocean sand, shells and sea glass with my collection of Lake Michigan sand, shells and sea glass!
LOL, they were just getting decorated for Halloween … there’s a fireplace under the picture that the store owner was covering with “spider webs!”
That picture could give one nightmares for sure! ~Looks to me like a cross between Hannibal Lector and a rat boy!~
I have only recently discovered your blog, although I have been enjoying your beautiful books for as long as I can remember. Thank you so much for all of your beautiful inspiration! I have loved slowly gazing at the pages of your books with your beautiful little paintings and now it is the same with your blog! 🙂 I love the vintage measuring cup and really have need for one! Did you know that the ones that come printed wash off in the dishwasher? I have already ruined one of mine. You have inspired me to check out some local antique shops and search for a vintage one of my own. Thank you again, Katie
Fantabulous! I love Fall, and it looks like you use your time wisely when it’s October on the east coast! Thanks for sharing! LOVE your blog!!
What a wonderful trip! I love getting to see and hear about all your adventures. Thanks so much for sharing it with us all.
I love seeing the pictures you take. Don’t you wish you could open up some of those real homes and take a peak inside, just like you can with a child’s doll house! Older homes have such great stories.
Thanks for sharing!
I so love those homes!
I always love your musica selection. They usually end up in my favorites on Youtube. Beautiful houses and fall colors. I love your corner of the world… And your cozy home. Love your newly redone kitchen! It’s time to get out your autumn cookbooks and cook up some comfort food, since our weather has turned chilly here in Colorado! Happy Autumn!
Welcome home! You’ve made my day! A new post from you with a giveaway on the same day I received your Autumn book in the mail! Thank you for sharing your lovely trip with us.