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 your blog post-once again! Traveling New England in Autumn is also on my “bucket list”! Thank-you to you and Joe for sharing so much of your life!
Love, love, love getting your emails and seeing your pictures. I live in NH and not far from Historic Deerfield, beautiful houses! I love doing craft fairs at this time of year as well as antiquing all year. Aren’t we lucky to live in New England! Thanks for sharing your pictures of your trip.
Love those houses, that was the best part, they were so well-loved and you can only imagine how beautiful they were inside. YES I do love fall, at work all day yesterday I could see outside the sun and the colors of the leaves, gently falling and swirling. I must have said 20 times – oh how I love fall! It must be very strange to find a book of your own at a book sale – and gosh, who would part with it??? surely not me! I wonder if any of the Branchies (ha!!) see any of their own homes among the photos you are posting on your blog! wouldn’t that be something? To be looking and say, hey that’s my house! I liked the dark ones that remind me of Little Women.
Just found a package on my front porch~my 2012 Susan Branch Christmas ornament!!So Beautiful! Thank you for designing such a perfect ornament each year~ I hate ot put them away at the end of the season!
You’re fast! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your getaway and another nice giveaway! Looking at houses in New England is always fun because no two are ever alike… I also love to see how people have decorated their homes for Fall. A dollhouse could be fun, but what an undertaking… I also noticed the creepy face on the dollhouse picture…. A little scary… Boo!
Loved your travelogue. Now that I am retired my friends and I love to drive through our beautiful state of CT – there are so many charming towns. Of course Litchfield, Woodbury are 2 of my favorites. We’ve gone on the wine trail which leads us through towns I have never heard of and I’ve spent my entire life here! Each day the landscape looks prettier but you must get out and enjoy as it quickly changes. Love the dollhouses. I can imagine the hours of fun little girls as well as boys had playing with them. Thank you for a wonderful post.
Nothing in the world could be better than sitting in the very early morning with a cup of coffee and reading your blog about your trip. Thank you again for all you give to us, your faithful readers. I passed up a dollhouse at an antique show earlier this fall and have regretted it every day. Oh well, there will be another one down the road. That’s the fun of always being on the lookout for another treasure to bring home.
It really helps to “capture” it on the camera. A way to sort of “have it” without actually doing it!
Yes! That’s smart!
We are trying to pick a colour for the exterior of our weatherboard cottage and we want yellow with white and grey trim… so it was great to see all the yellow houses in your post. Looks like you had a great time.
Yellow is so cheerful!
what a great trip,thanks for sharing your pictures w/ us!
How delightful! Glad you had a safe and wonderful trip. I am heading to Tennessee next week to do the same thing with girlfriends. Can hardly wait! Have a great day!
Have fun Cindy!
Oh my! How exciting to know that next week we will be in New England, taking our time driving in Rhode Island and Connecticut, taking the time to enjoy the houses, Fall colors and treasures. Today’s blog was so timely….and your multiple gift so generous!
Our leaves here on the island have just barely started to turn, I think your timing is perfect for Rhode Island and CT!
Loved your guided tour of CT and MA – daydreamed through each of the pictures. I absolutely love this time of the year – leaves falling, houses being more visible and pumpkins on porches. Thanks for taking us along with your pictures!
Susan, I am not new to you – have all your books/calendars – but I am new to your blog – I look forward to every one now! You appreciate the small yet beautiful things in life, and that is what I try to do every day – autumn my favorite so loved being along for your ride through New England.
Also LOVED the dishclothes and embroidered towel – can just imagine the person who completed that…lovely, slower days…we need to get back to those..
Nice to meet you Maureen, welcome!
I agree Maureen!
Oh my…I am in the midst of packing to leave for Boston on Saturday. I hope there are still some Fall leaves when my sister and I start our cross state drive, Boston to Berkshires! I am thinking of adding a sign to the back of our rental car…”We brake for open Antique Shops!” Thank you for these lovely photos and video that have added to my excitement! And, thank you for the opportunity of another giveaway! ❤
How great…. Boston to Berkshires! If you have time, try to stay off the freeways and just take the little roads!
Hi Susan,
Oh, what beautiful houses! And the autumn, it’s just great!
Funny you should find your own book at a sale. Again thanks very much for sharing your trip with us.
Have a wonderful day!
Here in the Netherlands the sun is shining very bright and it’s a glorius autumn-day. Think I’m gonna gather leaves with the kids and bring them inside. Just to look at them (big smile!!)
Lots of love from Holland!
Willemien
Oh, Susan – what a beautiful trip you took! So much of your perspective on New England has colored mt adult life…and made it so beautiful. Enjoy these glorious days! <3
A virtual trip from the comforts of my living room! Thank you for another round of beauty! A feast for the eyes, the mind, AND of course the HEART!!!
What a marvelous giveaway! My fingers are crossed BIG TIME!
Georgie
NJ
Thank you so much for the tour…it was beautiful and am anxious to see more.
Gorgeous pics and such a wonderful adventure! I cannot thank you enough for sharing with us! You inspire and make me so happy! God bless you!
Hello Susan…:)
Welcome Home! Oh my how that dollhouse is huge.Thank you for taking the time to give us a look see into the house and for the story of its history. Now we know you are one busy lady. However maybe Santa could start working on a doll house for you of your home in MV and any free time you get in the future you could decorate it. Santa could always make you a mini doll house….anything is possible.
Just saying you never know. Now that vintage measuring cup…….wow……this was exciting as I have never seen one before. Plus loved the apple towels on your stove and the one you also picked up in the antique store. You truly find some really great old fashioned items. I would be so excited to win your Heart Of The HOme Cookbook along with the beautiful ornament and the measuring cup. I thank you for thinking of all of us girlfriends and giving us a chance to win. Have a Rainbow Day with a Smile on The Side. Hugs&Smiles…:):):) Barb…Ludlow, MA
Good Morning Susan! I forgot to ask you in my earlier post – did you get to see Beatrix Potter’s doll’s house at Hill Top Farm? I have pictures of it in a book called The Doll House Book by Stephanie Finnegan. It is on my “must see” list.
Have a great day!
Oh yes, click on BEATRIX POTTER, it will take you to the post I did when we went to Hilltop …. and I have lots more about it for the book I’m writing about the trip. It was just as I hoped it would be.
Fall leaves, New England touring and doll houses…thank you for another charming post!
What a wonderful trip! Thank you for sharing all the great pictures and stories. That is my idea of a fall adventure. I love looking at all the fall colors and wandering into wonderful antique shops and finding such treasures. I am looking forward to seeing more!
Always dreamed of New England in the Fall….. thanks for sharing. By living vicariously through you…. I’ve become quite the traveler! Love your blogs…. Thanks Again!!
Such a nice post to welcome my morning! Living in Texas I very rarely get to enjoy fall color the way I did when living in Arkansas…..the old houses, flags posted everywhere possible…..very nice indeed!
Thanks for sharing your goodies with “us girls”!!!!
Kim
Lovely, lovely sights to see! I loved seeing the houses. Like you, I am always curious about the interiors and the history of their inhabitants. Thanks you for taking us along on another adventure!
Great to have you guys home again, Autumn has finally come to So California . Nights are chilly and soup sounds fabulous for dinner. Can’t wait to see more of your trip.
Good morning Susan! Guess what we are humming, singing & whistling around here this morning! ~smile~ We love this song “Heartache~
I hope this isn’t my total comment..if it is I will come back and rewrite it later today..
Did the gremlins get into your comment Gert?
Yes, they did…darn.. Well, I love your kitchen.those towels make it look so different. Isn’t it amazing how a few accessories can change the whole look of a room? I, too love embroidery work. For her upcoming wedding, I bought our granddaughter a set of dish towels I found… The lady said to me “do you think she will know what they are for?” I said, “Oh yes, she will…
I finally figured out what is happening…when I start a new paragraph, it only accepts the first paragraph! But, I want to ‘thank you’ sooooo much for this amazing giveaway.. You are one special lady…
LOL Gert!
Oh those beautiful New England houses!! Lovely to be part of your trip via your blog. I want to live where those pumpkins are!! Thank you for sharing your experience in words and photos, and thanks for the chance to have a little piece of it! Funny, my eyes got big when I saw the measuring cup….. “Oooooh, nice!” was my thought. How kind of you to think of us!!
Susan, I love sitting down with a cup of tea and pouring over your blog for my next adventure!! I can not thank you enough for the pleasures you provide us, your “branches”! I even share your travels with my second graders here in NC! Your Williards have gotten them to expand their concepts of a friendly letter and I think you have a new 8 year old fan base;-) Thank you for adding beauty to our world!
Brandi
An eight-year-old fan base, my dream come true, THANK YOU Brandi! Tell them I said a great big HELLO!
Hi Susan
Love this post too.
I have also rescued your Summer book and in the nick of time. My copy was lent to a girlfriend and well …. It never found it’s way back home to me. But not to worry because there it was at the thrift store. Lucky me 😉
Susan, thank you for sharing all your adventures, traditions and happiness with us. I can hardly wait to check every single day to see if you’ve added anything for us. I love the embroidered items as well. I often think of someone putting so much work and love into something to end up on sale someplace so I try to rescue as many as I can. Thanks again for all you share.
What beautiful pictures! That is my dream one day to travel to all those places. Thank you for your writings!
Thank you for sharing your trip, Susan! I love seeing the New England fall first hand. That dollhouse was amazing! I have two (not antiques – although one is from my childhood!) sitting in my basement right now waiting for me to start redoing them.
One of the things I appreciate so much about your blog, and what always draws me back, is the fact that you encourage us all to embrace each day with the mantra “is it open?” I read your blog and feel the urge to head out and view the world differently, expectantly, and anticipate that next treasure. Vintage and antiques, historical sites, the beauty of a seasonal countryside and the architecture of a fine heritage home (or even a doll house), all there, waiting for us to find, wherever we are. With many thanks.
Thank you Donna!
Donna, I love how you have expressed this! xo
Oh how darling that little house is!!! I would play in there all day! It seems that you had a deligthful trip!! What gorgeous scenery!
Thanks again for sharing the views from your area. The houses were wonderful to see. I, too, have found your books at Half-Price Books (pre-owned book owners) and have rescued them when I find them. My collection is small, but growing. You find the most amazing things to share with us.
Hi Susan! Thanks for having such a great website. I always enjoy visiting!! Have a nice day!! Mary
I am hoping in a couple of years my hubby and I will be able to do the autumn leaf tour. He is retiring next year. He being in education, traveling during the fall is out of the question for now. But so looking forward to that time.
Sandi
Lafayette, La
What a wonderful “tour”! Such lovely homes and wonderful treasures you found…and shared. Thank you!
Hi Susan! Thanks so much for the tour of New England. That’s the closest I’ve come to actually seeing the fall colors I’ve wanted to see for so long. I love reading your blog. Been a big fan of your calenders for years. It’s fun getting to know you and your zest for the little things in life:) The best things in Life really are free! Just have to know — some of your expressions remind me of Barbara Park’s Junie B Jones Children’s books. Are you a fan of those too?
They are the funnest:) Have a fun fall day.
Will have to check them out… haven’t yet heard of them until now! Thanks Twila!
Love the houses- both big and small! Thank you for sharing your trip and goodies!
Beautiful Autumn! Have always wanted to go to New England this time of year….but it’s harvest time in mid-Ohio. Thank you so much for sharing this with us….kind of like a “mini-vacation”.
Please count me in, with my heartfelt thanks! My daugter, Emily, is currently on a 10 day drive through New England. Her final stop before returning to PA will be at her alma mater, Smith College, in Northampton, MA, where she learned to love New England!
Dear Susan…what a great getaway!! I loved seeing all your pictures! Exactly what I like to do too. The change of season is beautiful here in West Chester Pennsylvania. I do love seeing your New England pictures too….just love the leaves and colors!! I would love to have your Heart of the Home book you happened upon. What a treasure to find! Enjoy your nesting time. I did the same yesterday and made some homemade soup!
I think next you should do a blog on your pantry….would love to check it out!
Have a super great day!!
I will, as soon as I get it all organized out there!
Dear Susan,
Just have time to tell you that I loved looking at your ‘antique trip’….I, too, love looking at the homes in New England and take pictures of them from the road! I really like the houses with the candles in the windows….just something about it! Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of information 🙂 We are in Wilmington NC now and yesterday did antique shopping with a friend! XOXO
What a pleasant tour!! I miss the beauty of an out east Fall season, but your careful recording brings it all back…curvy roads, beautiful colors, lovely old homes…such character!! I am looking forward to the rest of the tour! I didn’t know they made doll houses quite so huge!! Was it awkward to find your own book in a box? I am glad you brought it home!
Thanks for sharing …
Not awkward … I feel honored to have that book last for so long! But everything has to come to an end. Now I just rescue! 🙂
Hi Susan!
I so enjoyed this post. My lifelong dream has always been to live in New England. The houses are so quaint, and the antique stores have such unusual things. You never know what you’ll find. It’s like a little treasure hunt! Looks like you found some amazing treasures. I hope you’ll post a photo of the rug. I bet it looks terrific on your black and white checked tile.
I’m so glad Fall is here. I absolutely love this time of the year!
Happy Fall, y’all! 😉
I’ll put a photo of it up when I finally do the pantry I’ve been promising!
Enjoyed all the pics! Just got back from Colorado. So glad to be back home. Was visiting our kids. This is our special place. Those two words are the best: place & home. We are so blessed.
Loved “our” trip! We’re all so well behaved, you didn’t even have to draw a line down the middle of the seat to keep us separated. It is always wonderful spending time with all the GFs & the Js (as in Joe, Jack & Jake)! This is such a delightful blog, beautiful pictures, & a fahhhbulous giveaway – my heart runneth over dear Sue! Thank you & bless you! xoxoxo
I know, no one kicked at all! 🙂
It was the cucumber sandwiches and Honeycrisp apples you kept feeding us! 🙂
Love this…..”The special gift of frosty gold days comes now; time to lay down the household tasks and shut the door on routine. For every October, when I see the trees over the meadow, I think, ‘I shall not look upon her like again.’ And every October is different, strange with new beauty.” Gladys Taber–“The Book of Stillmeadow” 🙂
Sending kisses! xoxo
I love Gladys Taber. I searched for and found Stillmeadow on one of my New England journeys and have the most fabulous photographs. Oh how I wished I could knock on the door and go in for tea! The fields around Stillmeadow were very beautiful. This quote is lovely, thank you so much for sharing Shannon.
~ Jamie
Beautiful pics! Gorgeous leaves! Thanks for sharing your adventures. You have inspired me to set a date for our own leaf-peeping trip! We finally are having some cool weather and leaf-turning is bound to come quickly. I too was lucky enough to find your first book at an antique mall a few months ago! Now I happily browse it to get some lovely SB fix while waiting for your next blogpost. Thank you for being a friend! (as the Golden Girls like to put it)
I love your pictures! Your area of the world reminds me a lot of East Tennessee where I live! Beautiful fall color! This is my favorite time of the year. When everyone who knows me see anything having to do with Autumn, they say that they think of me. This is my first Fall without my sister and best friend Barbara who passed away earlier this year, so it is bittersweet for me, but I still love the season. Thank you for your pictures and blog which is like a mini vacation for me! Love the give away!
It’s always a treat to log onto my computer and find that you’ve written a blog post. I so enjoy them!
Oh Susan… I don’t like to beg, but this give-away is just soooo awesome… I can feel it in my heart that I just NEED it!! :-)… Your trip looks glorious and so peaceful and yet exciting at the same time… time to ponder the beauty of nature and inspect and rejoice in the abilities of others to make gorgeous homes and it is all right there for the seeing!…. thanks for the mini-vacation! I am looking forward to the rest of your sightseeing adventures!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pick me oh wise Vanna!!!
Have a beautiful day Susan and Girlfriends!!
Diana
oh my goodness ~ such beauty!!! Thank you for shareing!
Love Love Love your website and blog. I always check it first thing every morning. Just ordered Vineyard Seasons and received it yesterday. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your leaf peeping pictures.
Good Morning Sue,
Even before I read to the point that you were giving away the measuring cup as a gift, I fell in love with it — and I was planning to comment on how lucky you are to have found such a perfect measuring cup! And now that you are giving it away … with a real leaf! … it brings tears to my eyes. I so miss the NE (after living 14 years in Florida, I am very melancholy for the leaf-peeping of years past) and am so grateful for you sharing all the beautiful homes with the beautiful fall leaves. As you’ve said before, if you could only share the smells with it! I bet the air smelled wonderful and earthy! Divine.
Thank you so very much for making my morning!
Priscilla
PS. Yes, Please, I would so much adore and cherish that measuring cup.
Good morning Susan:) can’t wait for fall peak colors here. Loved your blog this morning with my cup of coffee. Have a great day
532 comments already here. And I leave one too. -chuckle- Guess that makes me optimistic… -smile-
Gentle hugs,
“Auntie”
Good morning, Susan and everyone! Loved the houses tour, both real and miniature… meandering with you is such a lovely way to take a coffee break. I think that antique stores are great fun and so intriguing… you never know what you will find as you dig through and wander around! Thanks for sharing with us. I am glad your book will have a new home where it will be treasured! Did the ladies at the book sale know that you were the author of the book? I am sure they did.
A very cool morning here, off to do some baking. Pumpkin bread and muffins… there’s something about a cool fall day that tells me that I MUST bake. Ha! Have a lovely fall day.
Beautiful pictures and wonderful old houses. I’d love to be netered in this great giveaway. Love, love , love your blog!!
Living in an old house has been my dream too. Don’t think it will happen but it’s fun to pretend. Loved the doll houses and would be honored to win the book! Thanks for the chance.
First I must share this – I always love when there is Musica to listen to in the blog! However, since I tend to linger over them so long, the song usually ends before I am done, so I now turn on Pandora – I made a Fred Astaire station. I highly recommend it to all fellow girlfriends! It is the perfect music, I think, to accompany all the beauty, art and joy! That said, this is a post that is near and dear to my heart – I am so drawn to old houses and the New England area, I know I am destined to live in one some day. Loved everything about this! My husband gave me a dollhouse kit before we were married – we started it, but unfortunately never finished it, still have it, moved it several times, always another project that took precedent… Maybe someday!!! Thank you, Susan for sharing such a wonderful post!!!
I love New England. We were there a few years ago at the perfect time. The colors are beautiful and I also love the old houses. I really love reading your post – almost like we are there.
That was such a beautiful dollhouse. It had such cute character!
You do a great jod creating your posts, they are always so inspiring!
I love all your pictures of the New England houses – I do the same thing where ever I go (photos)! I just love the architecture of the old houses. The dollhouses are beautiful – I built and decorated a beautiful dollhouse for my daughter years ago – you have just inspired me to pull it out, dust it off and freshen up the decorations! Happy Autumn.
Martha from Connecticut.
All the time, I scour book shops, stores and sales for your older books and there you go…bingo! Good for you, rescuing that wonderful book. Autumn in New England looks just as lovely as it does in the Cove. Many thanks for the travelogue.
Oh! The large dollhouse would be so-o-o much fun to decorate! Makes me wish I had oodles of money so I could have a fun project for my retirement years!! Would love to win the give-away too!
What a colorful trip that was! The LEAVES! My family and I raked our front yard this past weekend and my daughter jumped in the pile of leaves, because that’s what you do when your 7! It made me remember the piles I would make in our huge front yard in Wisconsin, where I grew up on a 40 acre farm. My mom painted our house pink with white gingerbread trim. It was a magical place to grow up. BUT my point to this comment is that her and my stepfather built me a beautiful dollhouse. Its in my daughter’s room now. Every detail, every room is perfect! All the furniture was collected from when I was around 7-8 so they are pretty old, but there is a piano and a little fireplace with tiny pieces of wood and a little poker and brush. I even had a little soap that hangs on the side of the clawfoot tub. Oh I could go on and on!! The extra special part is that the wallpaper and the pink carpet in one bedroom is from my Grammys house….both gone now. I can’t imagine how in the world will I ever ever get rid of this treasure? I will have to carry it around with me like I have done this far I guess! Although its going to have its home in my daughters room for another few years. I wish I could send you a picture of it, it’s so cool. I also, totally off subject, wish I could share a picture of my stove with you. It’s a robins egg blue 1950’s Chamber stove. We found it right here in Bozeman MT where we live. SUCH a find!! You post so many pictures of your stove, and I would do the same thing if I had a blog! It’s funny how attached one can be to a stove!!!! My husband and I bought our very first house 2 1/2 years ago, gutted it and have been renovating like mad. We basically built the kitchen around the stove. You would Love our house, every room is so different. It’s been way to much fun re creating this title 1920’s Victorian style house. It even has a damp musty brick cellar! Which sold this house for me, as there was a wonderful creepy cellar in our house in WI! Sweet nostalgia.
Okay now I ramble….haha! ANYWAY!! Did you read my mothers little book? About their Cottswalds walks? Just wondering…..
Have a lovely fabulous Autumn, as I can see you already are! Nesting is wondeful isnt it!!
Xoxo Pollyanna 😉
Oh yes I did Pollyanna! Love it! Saved it!
I so enjoy your reading your blogs, you make the seasons come alive. I’ll be enjoying Autumn with a walk today with our beautiful weather in eastern Pennsylvania.
Loved this post so much. My late husband and I used to do road trips every fall. Sometimes not sure where we would end up. We made the usual farm stand stops buying, cider, apples, pumpkins,etc. We also enjoyed the houses seen from the car, antique stores, side of road sells the whole bit.
Me, me…pick me!!!! I just found your blog and I am reading all the way back to the beginning. I love it all!! This has taken me many, many hours and my husband is not very happy with me or you…heehee….and this is why I should win…:). But really I love your writing style and your decorating also. Thanks for inspiring me.
LOL, now maybe you should cook him something and say it’s from the both of us! 🙂
Perfect timing because I just read your post on Onion Casserole and Spare Ribs and Juice….I think that will make him happy with both of us until I tell him I want to tour England….:)
I did the same thing and it does take hours and hours! Sometimes I want to go back to reread something from before and that takes a while too.
Susan, do you think your webmaster could come up with a way to look back through the blogs without having to scroll back through all the pages?
Thanks for taking us along on your roadtrip! I ate my breakfast as I traveled along with you: a honey crisp apple and some cheese. 😉 I LOVE old houses as well and can’t wait to take a day trip up north this weekend.
Good morning Susan,
Stepped out the back door this morning to feed my kitty and the leaves were swirling around me. One caught in my hair. I thought this is what Susan was seeing on her trip. We live in No. Ky and the leaves aren’t quite ready yet but we are going to have some beautiful ones soon.
Always love seeing beautiful New England houses. I’m in Maine and just am so grateful for living in such a wonderful part of the country. Enjoying your website so much!
Welcome home! Sounds like you two had the perfect trip. Loved all the treasures you found and all the beautiful pictures. The kitchen towels you snapped up look so at home hanging on the oven door handles of your fantastic stove. Hope I’m the lucky one this time for the drawing! Thanks for this fun post, enjoyed the heck out of it! Happy Fall everyone! ♥
A friend told me about your blog, we share a love of all things related to tea! How lovely your drive, and all those great old houses! I am so tickled to know about this site, I’ll be visiting OFTEN!
Nice to have you here Sandra!
Wonderful! Love the dish towel with the embroidery! We have now arrived in CT and have had our first cup of clam chowdah! I am loving this. Hope to see the wonderful sights that you saw…at least here in CT.
I think that house would be so cute decorated by you. That would be a dream job!
Have a nice day!
What a wonderful post that you have given to us this morning–Beautiful pictures and a give-away to boot. Life is truly good. I, too, am drawn to dish towels, old ticking, and crocheted pieces which I try to rescue from every antique store that I go in to. I remember watching my great-grandmother crochet doilies, table cloths, and bed spreads without a pattern and they would be beautiful–so now every time I see an antique doily for usually around 10 cents to $1, I buy it and it brings back wonderful memories of my Great-grandmother Taylor. Autumn has arrived in Arkansas with mild temperatures and the trees are beginning to color up. I love this time of year! -Donna H.
What a wonderful trip you took. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love the doll houses – they just need lots of TLC and hours and hours of devoted repair.
Once again, thank you for taking me along on your adventure. You have made your journeys come alive in such a wonderful way. My husband and I both enjoy seeing what you and Joe are up to whether it is “on the road” or “around the house”. My husband is actually quite interested and impressed with all the home projects. He got that “look” in his eye when he when he read about your kitchen update! The pictures from your leaf-peeping trip brighten the dreary, foggy morning.
Another wonderfully beautiful post, Susan. Love all the photos and of course would like to have my name in the drawing. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
I am so jealous of the people that live in those wonderful old houses! Especially that one with the enclosed front porch. So pretty!!!
Susan,
Thank you for the trip. I so enjoy your website. It is always uplifting and a happy place to visit. Put me in the drawing for your latest items. Thanks again for the trip.
joyce
Fall in your New England is glorious, Susan! Thank you for taking us with you on your trip through the country-side and villages!! Your giveaway is sure to bring lots of autumnal joy to that special lucky Branch follower:).
Thanks for taking me on your trip to New England to see the fall leaves! I live in south Texas and we don’t have seasons here 🙁 BUT a trip up north IS on my bucket list 🙂
I love Fall in New England…thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Susan,
I loved looking at all the old houses, I also live in a house built in 1898. Have been here since 1972. Being in this old house, feels like you are being hugged and loved.
The trees are just turning colors now in the Chicagoland Area.
Love the fall season, it has always been my favorite time of the year. I was born & raised in Pennsylvania but have lived in Florida for the past 30 years! So I am missing all the fun of FALL. I have gone back to visit in the fall but it’s just not the same as living there. Oh my. . .I loved your trip it brought it all back in such a lovely way. Thanks for taking us along. I would love to win your “prizies.” Happy Fall Y’All!!
Debbie Ann
Thank you for taking all the girlfriends on another trip Susan! The leaves were beautiful. (They are starting to turn here in Indiana too.) The houses were great … the real ones and the doll ones. Looks like you found some treasures and how nice of you to share!
Loved the pictures. Autumn in New England, can’t get any better than that.
I love reading your posts! No matter what’s going on in my life I know I can always count on you to put a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. I hope I get picked to win your book. It’s one that don’t already have. Thank you so much for being you.
What a lovely trip. I too have a weakness for “the soft stuff”. My husband knows that when we are in a store when we come to the linens we must slow down and peek around! I love the yellow houses. Some day when it is time to re-do our house, it will be yellow with white trim. Thank you for spoiling us girlfriends with gifts. You are the best!
Thank you for again sharing your trip with us. If I can’t get back up to New England, I can see it through your eyes! I loved everything you did on the trip, from the antique stores to the pictures of New England homes. But I loved seeing the beautiful colored leaves on the ground. Makes me think of a real fall day. I remember jumping in piles of leaves when I was a child…so much fun!
Ann
Beautiful pictures Susan! I thought maybe you bought the dollhouse, but can see why you passed on it. It is gorgeous though!
🙂
Ahhhhh…..yet another vicarious adventure! We are so lucky you share with us. I think if I went to New England in the fall, I would never leave.
That’s kind of what happened to me … very dangerous here at this time of year.
Susan,
I just loved this post! Fall is just about my favorite season and I also love old homes, both real and play. I had a doll house when I was little that was made of metal, the doorbell actually rang and there were working lights. We’re close in age so I wonder if you ever saw any like those when you were growing up. Anyway, I do feel a kindred spirit in you – I love cats (have four), enjoy the same movies as you and am a big Gladys Taber fan! Thanks for taking us all inside your world.
I think you truly are my kindred spirit Susan ~ every blog post you do gives me a new beautiful photo for me to save on my desktop at work, serving as a place to let my mind wander whenever I need a break from the day. I can’t wait to see more of your leaf-peeping trip – it’s truly one of the best parts of being transplanted here on the East Coast (I’m originially from Seattle where it’s 10 months of mist and only 2 months of summer, so I know what you mean about enjoying each change of season out here!)
Autumn road trip was perfect for this morning! I’m having lunch with another girlfriend today and will be planning some antique (I use the word loosely) shopping for later this week.
Thanks for taking me along with you 🙂
Love the dollhouse! Must be good to be home after the road trip, though! I keep searching the “tree line” here in Rhode Island so as not to miss that first burst of glorious color. I live right up the street from a vintage Loof carousel and with some of the maples turning already and the water of the bay glistening in the still warm sun, oh, what a lovely picture that makes. I am lucky to have to drive by this all the time. Deerfield is one of my faves also, enjoy going up to the summer and fall outdoor craft shows that support the historical society. I would have scooped up your book at the sale as it is one I don’t have. Isn’t this definitely New England’s finest hour???