(Ad-On to this Post, I think you might be interested in this fascinating article about Downton Abbey!)
Get in the car Girlfriends, we’re going back to England today! You will need your comfy shoes! This is a long one!
When Joe and I were in England we never had a chance to go to Highclere Castle, the location for Downton Abbey, because they were filming and the house was closed to the public. But with the season finale behind us, I thought you might be feeling a vacuum and would like to come with me to visit another of the largest and most popular Country Houses in England called Chatsworth House, in North Derbyshire.
We were staying in the Peak District, and with country views like this the whole way to Chatsworth House, we actually didn’t care if we ever got there~~~ the getting there was just as good as the being there!
XOXOXXOXO
But you will be needing MUSICA now and I know just the thing! Also, on my computer, there’s a little button that has a sun-like icon on the upper left corner of my keyboard, if you have one of those, click on it and brighten up your screen for our visit . . .
It is a very long narrow drive to the house through meadows where lambs are allowed to cross without supervision, no Bo Peep to keep things organized. As you go along you suddenly come upon the first view of the house. This is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, they still live in part of the house, and the rest of it is open to public. There is so much history here, it’s a fascinating look back in time. You can get an idea of how big it is when you see the tiny people in the photo.
The house seems almost overwhelming! But look at that lucky couple down there, sitting on the lawn next to the river, doesn’t that look wonderful?
Here we are, we’ve parked and are heading for the arched entrance. Stay together girls.
We walked through that arch, I turned around to look back, you guys all got behind me really fast! The countryside around the house is as beautiful as a park and goes on forever.
This is my favorite outside picture. I just love that gnarly weeping tree coming out of the little grassy daisy hill in the middle of the circular drive, it has so much character. I can easily imagine Mr. Darcy strolling out that door! Chatsworth is the house where the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice was filmed. Would you like to go inside, because we can, and guess what, we can bring the camera!!! Shocking! (say it with an English accent.)
Everything that you can imagine one of these houses having, this has. Here is the family car. Can you imagine? Look how high off the ground it is, there must have been a little step so you could get in.
You’d need help because you’d very likely be wearing this …
Even though you’d just worn it other day to have your portrait done by, oh what that fellow’s name? Was it John? Yes, that was it! Such a lovely man . . .
. . . he certainly knew his way around a paint brush!
But let’s go see what’s going on upstairs … we really aren’t downstairs people anyway, are we girlfriends? At least not today!
We can walk four abreast on this staircase! Prepare yourself, no expense was spared in this amazing house.
Every hallway is lined in wonderful art and furniture….
but my favorites are the details. This gold chair rail ran the length of the hall. And look at the gold frame on the chair, and the fabric!
Almost like jewelry! But I’m sure you girls would rather be picking whose going to get which bedroom, right?
This is a nice one …
With a nice fireplace, just as cozy as can be . . .
And there are your perfect little hand towels, I could be happy in here.
Oops, I hear footsteps ~~~ Time out for breakfast here at Spring Street Abbey . . .
I did not dress for breakfast! But Oh My! But my butler pretends not to notice and does a magnificient job! Yum yum ~~ OK, tummy is warmed up now . . . let’s go see another bedroom~ I feel a nap coming on!
Lovely little beds, draped in beautiful fabrics, and look there’s a nightgown all set out.
To Die For. Original hand-painted Wallpaper. Please. I don’t even want to tell you how many pictures I took of this!
In case you need to write a letter . . .
Or would like to take a bath (a modern convenience, the water closet) . . .
You’ll have help … the Ladies Maid will get you dressed, pop you into that bustle, because,
That painter guy is back and you need to be beautiful for your sitting!
I had a nice long chat with the Lady’s Maid there — I asked if there was jealousy among the servants; did she, as “Ladies Maid to the Duchess” (the part she was playing), feel ostracized by the others? She answered that she did! She was in a difficult position; the downstairs people, who should have been her friends, wanted to know all the gossip and secrets of the house and everything they could about the Duchess, but if the maid breathed a word, she would be fired.
What I wonder is what they told their families about this place when they went home to “real life” and what did they really think about houses like this?
Most of the ceilings are hand painted with cherubs and angels.
Look at the size of this mirror! And the beautiful hand-carving around the door. I am the only thing that looks a bit out of place in all this grandeur.
I walked through three more doorways and then took the same picture of the mirror. This house is huge, this is maybe a tenth of what there is to see. Besides the paintings, the hallways are filled with displays of silver urns, huge engraved platters, covered dishes, ice buckets, it truly goes on and on.
Look at this carving … the whole wall is like this, but it was the birds and the tiny flowers around the fireplace that I loved.
This is where thirteen-year-old Princess Victoria had her first grown-up dinner. The table is sent for twenty, but you could easily have gotten forty people around it. (Sixty might have been just the right amount of cozy for grilled-cheese night.) I have had backyards smaller than the tablecloth. Can you imagine ironing that? No wonder they needed so much help. Which is why today, if these large houses are to keep going, they have to think of creative ways to keep themselves afloat, such as opening the rooms to the public and charging admission, or becoming a Hotel, or, like Highclere and many other Country Houses, rent them for movie and television locations.
I took close-up photographs of the huge fringed tiebacks in every room, and later, when I looked at Joe’s pictures, he did too! Quite amazing little bits of art.
There were two gold-trimmed fireplaces in the dining room. It was easy to imagine them both ablaze, firelight glinting off silver and glass on the table. The view out the windows went far up the hillside, we could picture it blanketed with snow, horses and carriages coming up the drive . . .
As we leave the dining room, on our way to the gift shop we go through this amazing marble room full of statuary.
The gift shop is in what used to be the “Orangery,” a greenhouse, where orange trees and other exotic plants wintered over harsh winters. They had full size faux lambs in the store, it was all I could do not to try and bring one home!
Everything was beautifully cared for, there were acres of garden walks too, and a huge maze. But I bet you’ve had enough and you’re probably ready to sit down. When we were here, I waited for Joe to come out of the gift shop, in one of these purple chairs writing in my diary and playing Words with Friends with my girlfriend Lowely on Martha’s Vineyard.
It’s like a food court area just inside that large arch we came through when we arrived. And in case you’d like to keep in touch with Chatsworth House, you can follow them on Twitter … @ChatsworthHouse Also, here are some interesting overhead views of Chatsworth House, so you can see how big it really is.
I ordered sandwiches for everyone, so rest your feet a bit because I do believe it’s time I go get Vanna . . .
Oh my, Girlfriends . . . Almost 2,200 entries for our drawing, and every one of them a pearl. It’s amazing! You are so wonderful, so many nice comments have brought tears to my eyes more than once!!! Thank you, thank you! And thank you for being so excited about the book. I’m just thrilled, you bought a kazillion of them! Did you know that would happen? Because I didn’t! It’s been such a surprise, honestly, I never realized such a nice thing could happen! Writing a book “with blog” is about a thousand times more fun than without. Now I can’t wait until it comes out so Joe and I can start wandering the countryside to meet as many of you as possible. I have a lot to do before then, so we’ll be keeping in touch! 🙂
OK, here goes, I’m lookin’ at YOU Vanna, dig in there you sweet thing, and make someone’s day. ♥
Alright, here we are. Oh my, it’s a girlfriend from California who loves red and white. Does that sound like you? Is your name Gail??? Because if so, then YOU are our lucky winner. You should find an email in your box from me — Let me know where to send the first copy of A Fine Romance. CONGRATULATIONS! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
And don’t worry if you’re not Gail! There are going to be plenty of other surprises in the future, you know there will be, and really now, after our long trip . . . isn’t it time for a comfy cup of tea? That’s where I’m going!
XOXO Love you Girlfriends.♥
Congratulations Gail, you lucky duck! Loved the post Susan! Your photographs are really, really wonderful. Now I’m off for a cup of tea too. ♥
Congrats to Gail. I know she will love it. But that’s ok because I have my book on hold already. *S* I can’t wait to get it. I have my cup of tea and so enjoyed the trip. Thanks for taking us to Chatsworth and for the sandwich! I can’t decide which bedroom I want so just pick one for me! In the movie “Gosford Park” I loved the “Chinese Room” that Maggie Smith stayed in. The wall paper there was drop dead beautiful. I can’t imagine growing up in a house like that, or for that matter to work in one. I was reading about Highclere Castle a couple of weeks ago and it’s mind blowing how large the grounds are not to mention the castle it’s self. Oh well, I’m tucked in my little castle and snug as a bug in a rug and I can honestly say I’m happy with what I have. But it is so much fun to dream about the “big house”. *L* So thanks again for another peek at our beloved England. My English blood stirs every time you take us there. I have to say I’d have been tempted to buy the full sized lamb also!! Have a great day all.
The amazing thing is that there are LOTS of houses like that in England! Some of them have been made into hotels you can stay in. With the gardens and everything.
I would dearly love to stay at one. To be able to even visit and walk through the gardens would be wonderful. I’m glad these folks who own these wonderful and historic places are finding ways to keep them in the family and be able to take care of them so we don’t lose them.
Already ordered the book, can’t wait until it arrives. What a wonderful tour today. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live in a house like that. Everything is so elegant and beautiful. Although, I really think I prefer my own small cozy abode. I’d get overwhelmed in a house that size. But oh, it’s lovely to dream about, and I plan to do that with the book. Wish you were coming to Victoria (Canada) on your tour, would love to have my book signed by you. Loved the Musica today. Must get that on my IPod.
I am actually with you. Tea, all by myself, in my own kitchen, ahhh peace and happiness. But I enjoy the history of it.
I too wish Susan would come to the west coast of Canada. Would love to meet you Susan and have you sign my book. Thanks for taking us along to Chatsworth House. And I do so love the music of Downton Abbey. Such a sad ending this season but still can’t wait for the next. We all must have been English in a past life.
Now I’m in tears… you just made my day… week… month… my year! Wow! What a fabulous tour!!! You are such an amazing tour guide! I felt like I didn’t miss a thing. I am just speechless over the grandeur & opulence of Chatsworth House. It’s hard to imagine living like that… It’s all so magnificent & beautiful… it’s just breath taking. Thank you so much for showing us all the incredible details & absolutely amazing craftsmanship. I am still just sitting here in awe thinking about everything I’ve just seen… And the incredible English countryside… is there anything else like it on earth??? I still remember the birthing of those lambs when I lived there… I loved seeing the baby lambs spring straight up in the air! It was so fantastic! They were so unbelievably cute! And I miss that sweet little bah… ah… big sigh… wonderful memories… old & new… thank you so so very much for sharing, as only you can, with all us girlfriends. And my favorite comment was you wanting to take home a full size faux sheep!!! LOL You are SO great!!! I haven’t had this much fun in a long time… And you know… this is really torturous for all us now (all except Gail… Congratulations, Gail!) with the rest of us still having to wait 7 or 8 months for your book… but you know we’ll be smiling with anticipation all the while… xoxo
Somehow, I have NO doubt, that we will have fun the whole way! 🙂
Hi, Susan~
This has to be one of your best posts yet! Between the driving through the countryside, the detailed photos and the absolutely perfect music, I felt like I was right there at your side the whole time!
You have such a gift in your writing ability but what I admire even more…..
Somehow you managed to make me feel just as happy by NOT winning the give-away as if I’d actually WON it! Don’t know how you do that! …but thank you!
Congratulations, Gail….wonderful for you!
Keep up the good work, Susan….you’re almost finished and then that rewarding trip across the country….so much to look forward to!
xoxoDebbie
It’s YOU Debbie! xo
Debbie, I agree! I don’t know how Susan does it, but she makes all of us feel like winners!!
xoxox to both Debbie and Sue!
There’s a reason it seems that way . . . 🙂
XOXO Love you, too!
Congratulations, Gail! and Congratulations to you, Susan, for finishing your wonderful new book!
Your blog today was just the pick-me-up I needed when I arrived home from work. Enjoyed it with a glass of wine — Ahhh. Chatsworth was fabulous– I love all the details you noticed and shared with us. You’re a doll . . .
Clicking glasses!
Oh my gracious!
Too much for one sitting!
I must come back again and again…
To read it all. To see it all. To simply fade into your photos and almost BE there, myself.
Thank You!!!!!!
“Auntie”
“Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.”
~ Dilbert by Scott Adams
Susan, what a delightful surprise after a day of writing to find your wonderful blog of Chatsworth and the drive down the country road. I loved it! Just what I needed to end the day — a little drive in the countryside!! We just completed watching our DVD’s of Downton Season 3, and still watched the PBS version on Sunday! It is the most captivating and addictive series ever! Thank you for the music! I ordered your book as soon as it was made available and cannot wait to receive it. I know it will be absolutely delightful. I will be watching for your travel schedule and hope to see you somewhere! Now I must be off for a cup of tea!
Pardon me for a moment while I pick my jaw up from the floor, having fallen there while looking at these pictures of this incredibly beautiful home. I nearly swooned over the ornate sleigh bed, not to mention just about everything else that required the work of who knows how many master craftsmen and artists. I love to look at the stones under the arch, wondering how many feet have passed over it through time. I would be a typical tourist, all a-goggle, with my credit card practically jumping out at me in the gift shop and trying to refrain from flinging myself over the carpeted stairs. I have often marveled at how much gorgeous countryside such a small country seems to have in abundance. And feeling bereft after being glued to Downton Abbey’s finale, even after ordering the dvds (thank goodness they didn’t make us wait an entire year to order season three!), it was delightful to hear the full theme — really beautiful! Your book, along with my parents’ trips there, will be my vicarious journey to England, but I hope I can make one of my own some day. Thanks for sharing!
I so enjoyed these wonderful pictures. Thank you, Susan. I could never get tired of touring these beautiful homes. The Smithsonian Channel showed a program last night called “Sky View”, showing many of the lovely castles in England which was so enjoyable, too. You were lucky they let you take pictures. I wanted a picture of the beautiful silver-set table in Arundel Castle and they wouldn’t allow it. Reason being — people post them online and it shows entrances to the room which makes it easy for thieves. Then it starts showing up on Ebay. Very sad for the rest of us.
I’ve pre-ordered the book and can’t wait.
Hi Susan
I have not visited Chatsworth since 1991 and I nearly cancelled as I had just learned that my father was dying and I had to make a decision to either stay home or give my three daughters an annual holiday already booked for the Peak District. We went and then I spent the rest of the summer holiday with my father before we all had to go back to the boarding school I taught at in Esher in Surrey. Thank you Susan for inspiring me to think about visiting it again and seeing it through your eyes.
Just what we all needed after the season finale of Downton Abbey! I did not see that coming! Chatsworth is one of my most favorites of England’s great houses and your tour was so enjoyable! It is the detail in these houses that really set them apart from so many others. I always marvel at the process of making the creative decisions in choosing what details would be included in the moulding, fabrics, scrollwork, wallpaper, and other design and decorative choices that were available at the time. Somehow it always seems to work together and makes you feel that it really is a privilege to have a glimpse of the house interiors! What a treat you gave us all today! I hope you will perhaps consider doing a travel journal for your beloved New England. The way you write about MV and the rest of New England is so eloquent and descriptive that I would love to see what you would do with a book similar to A Fine Romance.
That would be fun, we do know pretty well! I related to the word “privilege” — exactly how I felt.
Oh Susan you sneaky thing you, keeping yet another tour for after THE book was finished! Wow! Chatsworth House is beautiful! And you can take pictures inside! We can’t do that at Biltmore Estate here in Asheville, There are Sargents paintings here, and a ceiling in the library like that, and a large staircase. Vanderbilt brought home alot of antiques and ideas from his travels abroad. We enjoy going there alot.
Gail! Congratulations! I bet you are so excited! I can’t wait to get my copy!
Enjoyed the tour today Susan, and seeing the sheep! My bookmark sheep wags his little tail at me every day from my book I am reading at the time, reminding me of what is to come, and what book he is going to be wagging his tail from then!!! Woo Hoo! ~~~~~~` 🙂 🙂 Hip Hip Hooray!!!!
Hugs and blessings to you, Joe and Kitties!
Thank you Jeannie!
I so enjoyed the trip with you today. Gail, congratulations to you. I have to say that I’m not surprised at all at the huge response to your book. We’ve all been waiting with baited breath to get a copy. It’ll be our trip to England.
I was holding my breath, like I was nominated for an Oscar. From California, and likes red and white…..I’ve got my speech prepared…..but they call out Gail! Well was I glad the camera was not on me! Congrats to Gail! We are all so happy for you, really. LOL Well, I’ve got my book ordered and I will be waiting on the porch just like everyone else. I guess Gail will be there too. The blog was great today, just like it always is! Makes me want the book even more, you cleaver girl! By the way, I do have life sized lambs in my garden. Could we be any more alike? Thanks for the cute bookmark from FOSB! OK, now time for tea!
I’m glad the camera wasn’t on me! LOL!
Just finished the newest British Country Living and then turned to your blog. What an enjoyable time for an anglophile.
Having filled with sadness at a friend’s, was desperately in need of some JOY! Hooray for you, saving my day with the trip to Chatsworth, giving me a chance to see a place that has been of interest since I read my first Mitford book, Love in a Cold Clime by the Duchess’ sister, Nancy, and learned about the fabulous lives that they all lived, not a dull person in the lot.
AND, a dear friend called to say that she ordered copies of A Fine Romance for us.
Life is looking less cloudy, thanks to you both.
Hugs to all.
Happy to hear it Jo!
Thank you for transporting me to this bucolic setting: late spring in the English countryside, such a nice respite from this gray, cold, February day. Is it possible that more snow is predicted for us this weekend…..??? But this tour was just the ticket as Downton wrapped up on a low note Sunday night. And when the estate came into view I was thinking it was the kind of house that Mr. Darcy would have lived in! Just rewatched the other day; little did I know you’d have a tour of that very house. (Although the movie takes us on something of a tour.) Just thinking about the duchess in the Sargent painting, imagine all she witnessed in the span of her lifetime, born during the height of the Victorian Age, saw two world wars, the depression, a transportation revolution, never mind the dramatic change in the role of women, phew! Thanks so much Susan, a wonderful post.
Truly amazing!
Hi Susan!
Thank you for such a wonderful post of Chatsworth House with all those beautiful pictures. I really like those BIG tiebacks!! I’m glad you took a picture of them for us to see. Congratulations to Gail, too!! I just can’t wait for your book to be published and sent out!!
Thanking you for sending so much happiness through your blog.
Hugs from Barbara S. in Cumming, GA
oh my what a lovely trip I just had! I love that you caught such exquisite detail in things–what amazing designers, artists, craftsmen there were! how wonderful that it is all preserved and available for our enjoyment! thank you for the trip, Susan, it was so refershing! You’re right, book with blog is a wonderful way to do it! I have felt so involved all along, and was excited to order my book! Congratulations to our fosb Gail on her lovely win–I share your happiness!
hugs from sandy 🙂
Congrats to you Gail, so happy for you girlfriend 🙂 Thank you Susan for always taking us away with you, (((hugs)))
btw, what will you be up to now?? book all done! well, spring will soon spring and you can get to flowers and things. or cooking. or knitting. or ??
The book isn’t really done . . . I still have several pages of art to do, the Index too . . . But we’re close!
ah! here’s to a fine finish!
BRILLIANT!!! GORGEOUS!!!.. and THANK YOU SO MUCH for the Musica…. I have listened to it about four times now just reading comments and the blog. It has a beautiful yet haunting quality to it….. Congrats to Gail.. what a lucky girl she is. Chatsworth is beautiful and I can only hope/dream of seeing it in person, but will anxiously await the book until then.
Thank you Susan, again just another gorgeous treat for us!
You’re welcome Diana!♥
CONGRATULATIONS TO GAIL of California! What a treat for you!
This beautiful post was the perfect impetus to remind me to pre-order “A Fine Romance”! :). DONE! I am thankful to have an opportunity to reserve my copy, have it autographed via hand or bookplate, AND get a discount! 🙂 Thank you, Susan!
P/S I hope to still have an opportunity for a personalized autograph at a book signing! 😀
Me too Charlene!
When I first saw the photo of Chatsworth House, my first thought was
“that sure looks like Pemberley.”—–I’ve only watched “Pride and Prejudice” a million times! How lucky you are to have walked it’s halls and thanks for sharing it with us……….I pre-ordered “A Fine Romance” the other day……can’t wait!
Thank you for the wonderful tour of Chatsworth House. It must have been like living in a museum! Such beautiful attention to every detail, and the art— amazing! Congratulations to Gail!!
I got swept up in the tour. Thank you, Susan, and congratulations to Gail on winning your book.
-Karen
WOW! Now I want to move my desk to the foot of the bed. Never gave that space a thought till I saw your photo. It will work quite well there.
Right now in that space, I have an antique chest, loaded with photo albums. My house is quite large so I have plenty of room for this useful idea.
“Congrat’s Gail”, you are one lucky girl, and we are all lucky to have this blog. Thanks Susan, for sharing yet more of your trip with us. It is just wonderful to see England through your eyes.
How fun, inspiration at work!
I took my time browsing through all your lovely pictures , the video of the English countryside and the gorgeous house, had to play through the Downton theme twice! I feel like I actually took the tour for real myself, so thanks so much for sharing. Congratulations to Gail on winning your book. I can’t wait until fall!
Hollering up the stair — Hello! Upstairs Maid—the King’s messenger is at the North Portal and needs to talk to the Duchess ….can’t seem to find her down here – have you seen her? We been looking for an hour — I’ll check around ….. hang on …. another 45 minutes …. Hey downstairs maid, ya still there? We didn’t have any luck — you better come up with a good story ….you know how that king can be!
They had bells Dad, they didn’t do it like we did at home “Hollering up the stairs” — they rang their dainty bells!
hahahaha! too cute!
hehehehe!!! what hapens when Milady is the powder room????
I never thought of it that way before — First,they invented the
Bell —– then , came up with a way to talk ……..without that bell — Alexander’s phone woulda never made it…….so those Maids in England should have got half the credit
And this is a perfect example of how a Stewart brain works. 🙂
Congratulations to gail, I found my self wanting the car ride to go on longer!That was so much fun, the wild flowers along the side of the road are beautiful,
They’re everywhere over there, it’s like some giant sugar-shaker, seed-dropper in the sky has just sprinkled over everything.
I can’t stand how much fun this blog is today. Genius as always! I’m going to burst into flames from joy once I get the actual book!
The pictures are stunning. I’m so glad (as you mentioned) there are ways to keep these houses “going” as they are an incredible glimpse into something really special. How lovely that it can be shared by the public.
Congrats to Gail!! 🙂
The conservationists over there are truly amazing, they treasure what they have, and we are so lucky they do!
Thanks to those conservationists!
I think it’s important to preserve, restore and share “homes” and how we lived in different times – whether it’s a mansion or a hut. I love seeing those different times. I love Old Sturbridge Village and places like that just to see how it was.
Although I can’t imagine anyone walking through a house from the 1970’s with the bad shag carpeting, one little black/white TV and jello! Yikes.
Probably someday they might seem quaint, but I can’t imagine it either!
Haha…you just described my bedroom in the 70’s!!! Lemon Yellow, Lime Green, and a titch of Orange! Oh! how I loved to RAKE my Lime Green shag carpeting everyday! Raking my way out the door so I wouldn’t leave any footprints in the perfect direction rake marks! And a little black/white TV…complete with little bits of tinfoil a top each rabbit ear antenna. Too funny!l
I can’t imagine anyone putting Tupperware in their china hutch someday, either… 🙂
My oh my! I drooled through the entire post. Pardon me! (she says blushing)…Congratulations Gail you lucky duck! Thanks Susan for taking us along with you for the tour. It took my breath away. And, I had to chuckle when you mentioned having grilled cheese sandwiches around that grand table, as that was just what I was eating for dinner while I was reading your post. No coincidences. I loved it all.
Take care.
Susie
So happy for Gail the lucky winner of the “draw”. I’m glad I purchased/reserved my very own copy. Just got back from viewing the Seattle Art Museum downtown showing of European Masters which contained lovely portraits of Lords and Ladies, so this posting was a continuation of all that :-). Love it and love revisiting the videos of driving through the English countryside. Such a fun day all in all. Makes up for the Downton downer :-(.
Thanks Susan.
I like the name Downton Downer. LOL!
Me too
Downton Downer is the perfect name. What an awful way to end a season. Good grief.
I LOVE Chatsworth House – I toured it with a group of my international colleagues back in 1986 when we were having a company meeting in Nottingham. Met my future husband during that trip, so it has even more of a special place in my heart. The first pictures taken of the two of us together were taken outside near the waterfall.
How fun you met him there, how memorable!
Chatsworth is truly magnificent, but I must admit to being fascinated by the purple chairs in the food court. I want some.
Oh I would love to be the lucky winner of an advanced copy! My dream to go to England and see so many of these wonderful sites you explored and more!!!
Thank you so very much for this post! I have Pride and Prejudice on my IPod and watch it at least two times a week… well bits of it any way. I work shift work and when I have trouble sleeping, I turn it on and go to my happy place so I can retire to the Feather Ball happily 😉 … In September a few girlfriends and I will travel to England for the Jane Austen festival and to see the beautiful country side. I am hoping for a slight miracle in those publishers getting your books out early I bought a shelf copy and one to take with me!
I wrote about visiting Jane Austen’s house, it will be fun, when you get home, to match up memories!
Thank you for a great blog today. I visited Chatsworth house in 2008 and your blog brought back all the lovely memories of my visit to England and Scotland. It’s just sooooo beautiful in the English countryside. I hope to return someday. Meanwhile I’ll look forward to your book – can hardly wait for it to come out!
Thanks again for taking us along on your journey and then writing about it too.
YIKES!!!…I was just popping in to tell you that you should check out the Beekman 1802 Boys facebook page…there has been a LOT of lambies born recently at their farm and they have darling photos of them AND what do I come upon but a fantastic blog entry about Chatsworth House!!!…WOW!!!…do you think the lady of the house sat down with the wood carvers and told them she wanted those birds carved and that she wanted that gold gilding on the walls???…do you think they commissioned all those paintings hung next to and above and below each other or did they receive them as gifts or go to yard sales like we do and bought a few paintings at each yard sale they went to {HAHA~somehow I don’t think they went to yard sales!!!}???…did you see those metal curling irons on the dresser in the bedroom???…so many details…that staircase!!!…Thank you, Susan for the wonderful surprise and congratulations to Gail…xoxo…
That house held generations of the same family, three or four hundred years, this is a culmination of all those years, each generation adding another layer of gilded everything. It would be really hard to do in only one lifetime!
Do you think the VERY FIRST lady of the house sat down with the wood carver/s and requested the carved birds and the other magnificent carvings and gildings???…our 107 year old cottage in Michigan is enjoying the fifth generation of our family and the cottage is like Chatsworth, but on a much much less grander scale…more like “On Golden Pond”…there are carvings in the wood in certain places done by the first generation of our family and etchings on a door frame of the height of babies from my hubby~3rd generation~to our grandchildren~5th generation…notes written by former chauffeurs and cooks on the wall of the former maid’s room~now the laundry room since there hasn’t been a cook or maid at the cottage since the 1st generation!!!~concerning how hot it was certain years or how much fun they had a particular summer…it is fun for everyone in our family to revisit these treasures every year…there are poems hanging in the landing written by our son~4th generation~about his experiences working in the local soda shop in town during summers of his high school and college years and about our beloved state of Michigan…our “layers”…xoxo…
Love old houses like that, where generations of the same family have lived. Not as much of that as there used to be! You are so lucky to have it, the ghosts in your house are your own family! I have a girlfriend who owns a little fisherman’s shack here on the island which was built by her great grandfather. The plywood peaked roof in the bedroom has his footprints; apparently he stepped in white paint and walked across the plywood before he put it up. Pretty wonderful.
Wow – that IS really special… :>)
My son says he has seen a ghost coming down the stairs of the cottage…a lady in a white night gown…I know she is friendly and she loves Tanglewood~the name of our cottage~as much as we do…love the footprints on the peaked roof!!!…we are putting heart shaped rocks we’ve found while walking on the beach in our new fireplace in our retirement home~Tanglewood Too~creating new memories…the new house will be connected to our old cottage by an upstairs bridge which will have bunks for our grandchildren…can’t wait…we are so lucky we’ve been able to keep it in our family…pretty wonderful is right…
Just sounds wonderful Rae Ann!
How many is a kazillion? At least twenty?!
Congratulations to Gail! I’m sure she is thrilled!
I love the paintings that “John” did. How fun to see them in the house of the occupants that graced the paintings!
What a perfect grouping of music, prose, and pictures! I finished the entry at the same time the music came to an end.
I’m so happy you’ve chosen to share these wonderful scenes with us. It’s almost like being there myself.
What a wonderful visit to a truly beautiful house. You so make the England trip really come to life! I did already the book and look forward to its arrival. congratulations Gail!
We are all so fortunate to have a friend like you Susan!
Order!
Susan, would you really take us to England? I really really really want to go, you could get a group of us together and you could be our guide. Would you? Would you? Please please please? That would be a dream come true. I already have placed my book order, what fun.
Thank you for all the Joy you bring,
Norma from Texas
We have actually talked about it believe it or not! But my darling boy doesn’t think he could truly handle all of us!
Joe is a wise man… LOL! 🙂
I heard on the TV today that women speak 20,000 words a day and men, only 7,000. Right there, it could be painful for him — although I would LOVE it! 🙂
However, remember the old joke which may not, in fact, be just a joke–the reason for women speaking so many more words than men is because a lot of the time the women have to repeat what they said because the men are not listening! 🙂 I had the thought that Joe probably at times got tired of having us along virtually in the suitcase, as it was! He seemed extremely patient, though, but can you imagine having all along in reality!!! 😯 (look at that sideways unless there is a little face that really looks like that! 🙂
THANK YOU FOR TAKING ME WITH YOU! I loved the trip. WOW what a house! I knew this was going to be an experience when you showed me the magic of that sun button on my keyboard. LOL The instant sunshine coming from my screen made me happy all of sudden.
The Musica of Downton Abbey was bittersweet. I’m still in shock. I can’t seem to accept the turn of events on this Sunday’s finale. I don’t want to post a spoiler so I’ll leave it at that.
LOVED the field trip! I’m looking forward to the next one.
Hugs and Kisses
Derby Jayne..from Derbyshire! Hello Susan; my heart skipped a beat when I saw this post…..a huge piece of me is right there, at Chatsworth….with my Mum. Derbyshire is my home……and to see all those photographs of that oh-so-familiar house just warmed my wee heart! Knowing you were there and loving it also is very touching.
Thank you for your writing, for your incredibly beautiful photography, and for all that you bring to us each time you put pen to paper. I have my Fine Romance on order…..and can hardly wait!
You couldn’t miss with those georgeous swanlike necks they all had,
OH, what another beautiful blog! To be transported so easily to the countryside of England and have the most wonderful girlfriends in the world to go with, not to mention the most exquisite tour guide in the world ! I get so tearful at the joy that goes on around here. I am so HAPPY for Gail you Lucky, Ducky ! I am so happy for all of us that will get your marvelous book. I can’t wait to walk by it on one of my tables in my cottage and pick it up to read. Ohhhh books, they are everywhere around my house, I use them for decorations and yours will be so beautiful, it surely will get special spot. Your cookbooks adorn my kitchen and have a cute little shelf all to themselves. Well-I’m off to read with a cuppa tea, with such happiness in my heart, Thank-you sweet Susan from the bottom of my heart, tears of joy, and content. oxox
I’m in wine mode, tea was earlier in the day, warm and cozy now. The grandeur of the English mansions is so amazing. I remember Blenheim Palace and the magnificent lock on the door. Loved your photos and the tassels, details are so interesting. The carved wood is so warm and those purple chairs make my heart sing, so contemporary yet they fit right in. Thank you for the wonderful laptop tour!
Congradulations to Gail!
Where does one start with a great blog that you just shared with us.
I now know why it is called a water closet.
Emily would like her 14th birthday in that dining room; Me, well I am just glad I don’t have to polish all that silver, but isn’t it magnificent?
Love the tassels, makes it so royal feeling.
I just love the purple chairs outside, creativty is stirring in my head, husband is saying oh no!
Just made up for the finishing of the 3rd series of Downton Abby, we will miss our little part of England till the next season is here. Now we have this wonderful house to look at. How did you ever leave?
Yes, me too, because that’s where the water is! Makes such sense! And leaving was not easy. I’ve been so lucky to be living it every day since while writing the book!
We cannot wait to read your book
Congratulations to Gail! She is a “lucky duck!”
Loved the tour of Chatsworth House! What an amazing place!
You certainly do have a wonderful butler! That is a very appealing breakfast!
Could you be receiving more snow from the storm that is crossing the United States? Our chances for any of the white stuff this winter are diminishing day by day.
Enjoy all the good things that are coming your way!
xo Nellie
Oh, gosh, that was fun! I got so excited…I’m from California! Wait, I love red and white! Oh, rats, I’m not Gail, but hurray for Gail! She must be beside herself! In anticipation of not winning (it happens), I preordered 2 books for my sister and me. The best part though, is I surprised my sister with a booking at the Madonna Inn for November! I ran into Jerry Seinfeld in New York and thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Now I’ll be seeing you! My cup runneth over! Can’t wait!! Life is so good….
What a nice surprise for your sister! 🙂
I know it is getting late but I had to read to the end! What a lovely trip to Chatsworth. Between the sheep and the decorative arts, they really knew how to live. But I agree that I like a snug house better. I would probably get lost on the way to the bathroom, even though it would be lovely when I finally found it.
And I ordered my books today too! That is books with an “s” because I have to share it with friends! Thanks Susan! I’m looking forward to meeting you somewhere on your book tour!
Thank you for the amazing English countryside tour! The Downton musica was wonderful, I cried this week on the finale. Your driving with the musica was haunting due to ending of season, but I loved it. Photos spectacular too.
Gail is so very lucky. I ordered my copy of A Fine Romance, cannot wait to receive it like all the other FOSB gals. I just joined the Downton viewers this season, fabulous series – of course, it’s PBS. Hope to you in San Luis Obispo in November. Bet Joe wanted to build a roaring fire in the castle!
If Gail has heard the news there’s a good chance she’s doing a happy dance! Thank you so much for the lovely tour of Chatsworth. It’s easy to imagine back to the days when plants and citrus trees were grown in the area that is now the gift shop, taking a pensive stroll through there on a cold winter’s night, and then sitting down to tea in front of a crackling fire. So many beautiful paintings. Especially liked the one of the three ladies in white – or was it three different poses of the same woman? Mystery.
I was intrigued by the lovely portrait John Singer Sargent painted of The Ladies Alexandra, Mary, and Theo Acheson – so I researched online to find out if it was a portrait of three women or one woman – and found it at johnsingersargent.org – which has many images of his works. Mystery solved, but, either way, it’s my favorite of the many I’ve now looked at online. It is believed that their grandmother, Louisa, Duchess of Devonshire who had been married to the 7th Duke of Manchester (who was their grandfather) commissioned the painting.
So much history and beauty, those houses are stuffed with it!
Thank you for the tour ‘Sweet Susan’. A beauty ! Countryside ? Oh ! My heart sings. For the sharing,blessings.
Miss Gail ? Congrats !
A beautiful blessed day to all . . .
I just went through this for the third time, because it’s so wonderful! And a memory jogged: many years ago, I worked a temporary office job in a house owned by Cleveland State University, Mather Mansion. It was one of a few old mansions left on Euclid Avenue, which was once a millionaire’s row in what is now downtown Cleveland. A 42 room Tudor house, Mather Mansion is a beautiful place, and my favorite thing was that in the beautiful wooden moldings around the tops of some of the rooms, where they met in the corners there were carved little cherub faces peeping through their hands. I’d be going through the house for something and suddenly glance, and there would be a little cherub face peeping at me. That was so magical!
Dear Susan,
How special your post was today! Congratulations, Gail!
I am also really looking forward to the arrival of my copies of the book, but mostly just LOVE always hearing from you. Like so many of the girlfriends have commented, it is a joy to feel connected with everyone on this blog and hear about how much joy it brings to our lives… Like Debbie said, I feel just as glad knowing Gail will treasure the book as if I’d won it myself!
Happy day girlfriends, and hope to meet you someday when you’re on tour, Susan!
I can send my wholehearted congrats to Gail as I have placed my order. I can hardly wait to hold my very own copy. Loved the visit to Chatsworth. Thanks, Susan.
OMG!!! Congrats to Gail – out of 2200!!! This has been another one of the best trips we could have taken in England. It absolutely brought tears to my eyes. In my every day comings and goings I don’t even imagine such a fabulous place! And I am sure that with all of the places I want to visit in my lifetime – I will not get to this destination. But that is OK because…..it wouldn’t be the same without Sue & Joe!!!! You WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, ENERGETIC, FABULOUS, DELIGHTFUL, ROMANTIC PEOPLE!!! I must go rest after this trip because I wasn’t expecting another tour – love surprises!!! Bless you, Susan Branch – YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! XXXXOOOO Pat from Paso
You are so very clever, Susan! How can we be disappointed not to win your book after reading that magnificent Chatsworth House post? Your descriptions and pictures and inclusiveness of all the girlfriends ~ just wonderful! Thank you for the incredible field trip! And congratulations to the winner Gail!
Loved the visit to Chatsworth House! Can’t wait for your book to come out!
How fun for Gail, Congratulations!! That was a fun tour, I’m exhausted, that’s a lot of walking! The sandwich you ordered for me was just what I wanted! Hee hee!
Just having my cuppa tea while I read about your adventures, as always thanks so much for taking us along!
Congratulations to Gail! What a treasure that book will be!
Susan – this is just the adventure that keeps on giving! Thank you so much for sharing the visit to Chatsworth!
I’ve just started to read Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The lost legacy of Highclere Castle by the current Countess of Carnarvon. It’s fascinating! I remembered the Earl Carnarvon from the story of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb – he was with Howard Carter when the tomb was opened! (Egyptology was one of my interests when I was in grade school!) Serendipitous discovery of the connection to Highclere!
Thank you again for sharing another part of the adventure!!
TT4N! 😉
Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I dream of going to the English countryside but uncertain if that will ever happen. In the meantime though I am enjoying a picture tour and all your comments. So much fun! I love checking your blog each day to see if you’ve posted anything new.I’ve reread so many of them its the highlight of my day! So excited about our new book….can’t wait. Can you believe the way season three of Downtown Abbey ended? I’m heartbroken! Oh well….thanks again for being you!
Oh so wonderful! It just tickles me how you talk to us girlfriends….and we wish we were right there with you because it would be so much fun…a little unwieldy in numbers, but fun. I have seen a PBS special about the houses a time or two and the one about Highclere and the actual, current Earl and his wife…very interesting. The stone walls on either side of the road as we “whiz” around the bend give me a little pause but you did a marvelous job of navigating, assuming Joe was driving. That lucky girl, Gail and her grand prize…good for her! How will you ever decide where to go for the book signing? Over here,Susan..➡.Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We have a fan club made up of the 6 girls of us who sew together on Tuesdays and I have pretty much been the promoter of everything Susan Branch. We would all come with our books in hand ❣
Okay, I will stop teasing. Have a nice weekend.
I was in awe at the beautiful “house”….I think all of us….you, me, and the girlfriends…and our families…could all move in and there would still be plenty of space left over! I was falling in love with everything! Luxury and elegance galore! I loved that you took the pictures in the mirror so that we could get an even better idea of the size…and I think you fit in perfectly. You already look like an English Rose…and I am sure your beautiful gown was across the house, in your dressing room….a mere 15 minute walk down a few halls….!
Congratulations to Gail! Yay! I cannot wait to receive mine too!
I have to get back to my cottage now and do some cleaning….where are the servants these days?! 🙂
i don’t know, but sure wish they would get busy and do the housework here. so hard to get good these days, wouldn’t you agree??? LOL!!!! hugs.. 🙂
oops meant good help these days….never type with a cat in your lap.
Ok…cover your eyes, girlfriends.
Susan, just watched the video to Chatsworth. How did you not(or maybe the camera just happened to run out of film)pull off the road and have some “fun” with the man you love? HOW ROMANTIC can a countryside get!?!?!?!
This comment will probably never get through.
Before I started following your blog a few months ago(completely by accident), how did you know it is my DREAM to travel(for a long stay)to England? Can you give a few of us (I know this is SO guache)who don’t write books and make lots of money with our art(but do have the means)some idea of how much it costs to travel to England the way you and Joe did and stay as long as you did? That would be so appreciated. Already paid for your book. Can’t wait to get it. First one of yours for me. And Willard was so wonderful to read this month. Thank you! It amazes me the you(obviously)read all the responses you get. Where do you find the time? XO
The cost of doing what we did can vary quite a bit — there are some real deals for the ship for one thing … and if you plan ahead, you can find affordable places to stay … there are so many to choose from! Once you get on the internet looking at rentals in England you may never come up for air … it’s vast.
Susan, thanks for the info, but after reading my original post, I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to block all future posts. Wow! What was I thinking?! The tone and content…well, I really don’t know what came over me. Please forgive me. I’m never so forward and rude :o(
LOL, you are totally fine!
Phew!! I thought, if I’m ever lucky enoungh to be at one of your book signings, I’d walk away with a book dedicated to some “assumed” name. What good is that? 😮
Once again a wonderful trip down an English lane. Thanks so much for sharing. What a treat at the end of the day. Goes well with a cup of tea.
Do you live in Denver?
Passementerie is the word for the wonderful trims that you photographed. Those were simply stunning ! Thank you for including us again in your adventures……I was lagging behind till you looked back like a little shepardess to see where we all were!! You are too funny! I wonder if the day will ever come when all the girlfriends will get to meet you and give you a warm hug as a thank you for always brightening up our lives? Well, I am sending mine through the internet anyway. I loved the green bedroom with the wonderful wall coverings (or paintings?). I could just live there and everyone else can have the rest of the home!! This is the first time I wasn’t jealous of Vanna’s choice as I have my book ordered and reserved especially for me. You are so sweet to always take time out of your day/week and include us in your life.we are blessed and I do take it personally when you say “come along girlfriends!!” Thanks again for your blog. Linda from Idaho who is freezing in the sunshiney but windy cold day!!!
Oh, I love the outing, driving along the hedgerow was a bit scary. Thank you so much, loved every second. What a dream vacation, I would go in a moment for real. Just in case I never can, this post was very special.
Oh My Goodness………This is the “famous” Gail…….. 🙂
I am beyond excited……..so surprised……so thrilled to be the winner of your fabulous upcoming book……”A Fine Romance”!!!!! I am so looking forward to reading about all of your exciting adventures in England! I was there about 30 years ago!!!! Thank you so very, very much for the gift!!!!
A special shout out to your bloggers…….thanks girls for all of the congrats and sweet comments!
Many Blessings, Gail
(The red and white cottage chick from Southern California)
CONGRATULATIONS GAIL!!!!! So happy for you — Have a wonderful day!
It’s amazing how Vanna always picks the right person for your wonderful prizes, dear sweet Sue! Red & White cottage, oh yeah, perfect! Congratulations Gail! So very happy for you! xoxo
hey Gail! so happy to find this!! we all rejoice with you! I’m an expatriated California girl myself, and am in harmony with you there. I think you are a real winner, in more ways than one! xox from sandy in WA state 🙂
hello Gail, congratulations on winning the new book, i am sooo looking forward to its coming out myself, can hardly wait to see all the pictures and the art work about the trip to England. have a great day and congrats again. hugs…. 🙂
Hello Gail! I am in So. California, too! I do hope I get to meet you at a book signing! How fun it would be for all us blog girlfriends to gather together. It is so obvious that there is a real esprit de corps (merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esprit%20de%20corps) among us, don’t you agree?
Congratulations, again! Your hesitant acceptance is very sweet…even more deserving! 🙂
Many Congrats, Girlfriend Gail!! You are one lucky gal and we are so happy for you!
Just like the Beach Boys sing ….wish we all could be California girls! I am never quite sure if I’m a Midwest farmers daughter or a Northern girl? Enjoy the luckiness Gail!!!! Congratulations!!!! Gotta go shovel some more snow…….can you guess what color my shovel is?
So happy for you Gail! You must be ecstatic! What a wonderful treasure!
Thanks Susie Q for another wonderful outing in England. I enjoy it all so much….I have to say, the last photo in this “edition” with the teapot and the cups…the tray that it’s sitting on, is exactly the same one that my Mom had when I was a little girl…I haven’t seen that for years and I’ll tell you, that parted some cobwebs in my memory mind, and brought back some wonderful childhood memories for me. There are so many things in your photos that are the same as what we had/have when I was growing up….Vintage stuff and I love everything about it! ♥♥♥ Cheers to you!
Thank you for taking us along with you—LOVED the music—so happy!!! It was just what I needed after coming home from seeing my daughter in California. We took the train and went into San Francisco, had incredible food, shopped, went to the Farmer’s Market and watched LOTS of Downton Abbey. But the last of season 3 was quite unbearable…
so THIS was light and fun and frivolous and beautiful………….
xo
Joann in CO
I’m so happy for Gail! Congratulations! This post has been delightful. I especially enjoyed the video. Amazing!
Looking forward to the next one.
Nancy
Chatsworth House is so lovely. Your pictures were outstanding. What a lifestyle those people once had. I’ve always dreamed of wearing gowns like the women wore in those bygone days of old. Just once, wouldn’t it be wonderful to look like that? They must have spent lots of time dressing. I see that dresses are slowly coming back into vogue. Viva the dress!
I think one of the reasons I enjoy Downton Abbey so much is because I love the characters & how charming they are, always polite & mannerly. They value manners. I think that’s something many people in our society no longer value.
Have you noticed how many girlfriends are from CA? Amazes me.
No more “Downton Abbey,” for awhile. Bah, humbug. I want more, more, more. Just love the clothes & the furnishings. A few weeks ago, there was a beautiful vase that I wish I could have bought. There it was in the corner, adding grace to the room.
This Chatsworth House blog was truly outstanding. Thanks Susan for your wonderful blog. I’ve been looking for it since Mon.
(Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Oh Susan! what a beautiful post! I so want to go there and am going right now to buy your book. It is fun to imagine living there. OMG you MUST have the right clothes LOL. You can only imagine beautifully dressed people sashaying through those halls. When I was little, I used to pretend I was a princess in my gramma’s big back yard by the bird bath, which was in the shadow of a huge tree. Gosh, how we used to dress up and pretend. This is pretend for us grown-up “princesses”. 🙂 I’m going to think ‘royally’ today. <3
Just finished reading Willard and am so excited about the book! I couldn’t decide which to do first; comment or pre-order the book!
Thank you for bringing happiness and fun to my life everyday!
Beautiful, beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Wow! How beautiful! Thank you for the tour!
Thank you Susan for the beautiful tour of Chatsworth House, and the music was the perfect touch! I, too, enjoy the little details — so beautiful. I was amazed at the hidden bathtub! I would so love to take the drive to Chatsworth — I agree — the journey is at least as wonderful as the destination!! I’m so happy for lucky winner Gail — however, I make my own luck and have ordered a copy of your new book and I can’t wait to receive it. (I know it will be awhile).
The tour of the English countryside was a beautiful start to my day — hope yours is good too. Thanks again!
JoAnne in NJ
Happy Day, love that “you make your own luck!” 🙂
Thank you for ‘taking’ us to Chatsworth! Having just seen the three part special about Chatsworth on PBS this was a wonderful follow up — quite frankly, I’d say they should have used YOU as a consultant on that filming – at least for detailed shots – your choice of subjects (the wall decorations, the bedrooms, the carved birds and flowers, etc.) was very much appreciated – getting down to the details of something is so much nicer than the ‘big picture’ at some of these stately homes.
Well, this was such a nice way to start my day — I sincerely enjoyed your guided tour – I think I will be smiling all day now – it’s been like a shot of sunshine – or should I say a ‘jab’of sunshine as the Brit’s would say? 🙂
Yes, a jab of sunshine!
I love the thought of living like a princess in a home like the Chatsworth House. I love my small home, which is very cozy with lots of smaller versions of things found in these bigger homes. I pre-ordered your new book and I just know it will be wonderful. When it arrives I will probably need an “illness” day from work to sit and drink tea and absorb the book completely!! Thank you for your awe inspiring talents.
An early snow day next fall!
Thank you for the beautiful tour. I’m still in disbelief from Sunday evening’s last episode of Downton Abby. I agree with everyone who enjoys a cup of tea in their own special spots at home, so restful. The book jacket looks great can hardly wait to turn the pages. Off to work !!!
That was just such a lovely ride through the English countryside. Was the little yellow sticker on the windshield an “ I’m from America and not used to driving on this side of the road” warning? 🙂 I couldn’t imagine your excitement at seeing Chatsworth House in the distance, and hardly being able to wait to get there!! Thank you for today’s lovely little respite from reality and thank you for the work you put into your blog just for all of us. It has to be quite time consuming. Also, right now I wish I was Gail from California who loves red and white!!
They should have put a revolving light on the roof of our car!
♥ 🙂 Good Morning Sweetest Sue…I’ve Got The Downton Abbey Music on as I Read & Re~Read This Wonderful Blog Covered in Goosebumps & Tears fill Me Eyes….I just hit Replay…The Tour of Chatsworth House Pure Magic I Love “Our” Car Ride through the English Countryside….I Felt The Breeze through My Hair…I Laughed Outloud….This Musica Takes Me to another World Sweet Sue…Oh My Word….Thank~You for Sharing Everything with Us….All The Beauty….I’m sipping my second cup of Tea as I Savor Every Photo Every Word and The Musica Plays so Sweetly….Congratz to The Luckiest Girl…Gail….I Know She Has to Be Twirling with Pure Joy! 😉 Sending L♥ve & always a Bit of Pixie~Dust….I Feel Springtime in the Air this Morning….Wishing All a Glorious Day! xoxo Poof! ♥♥♥ 🙂 P.S. Beyond Excited so CLOSE NOW… “A Fine Romance” 🙂 ♥ Bravo Sweetest Sue ♥
I’m feeling very appreciative of the families who have rallied their creative muses and family funds to find practical ways to preserve these beautiful palatial homes. It is a gift that we, in the 21st century, are able to vicariously experience the grandeur, charm and romance of days long gone by. It leaves me sad, that many of us are so quick to close our eyes to the past, in order to move on to the next “new thing.” This post was a beautiful and unexpected surprise this morning. Thank you . . . once again.
~Good Morning~
Even the Weather people must be in an “English~ British State of Mind” ~
~ not just us girlfriends~ our new massive weather system has been given the name “Q” ~ as in James Bond!~Actually it is named after the New York City subway line ~but I like my version better!!!~
Lynn
Thank you for the wonderful tour this morning! My husband and I are planning to build a house and I loved the unique and cozy bathing nook! Wouldn’t it be cozy with a small fireplace on the opposite wall? The free standing towel rack was a nice complement. I also fell in love with the wallpaper (branches/leaves/birds and small flowers). I’ve added the photo to my collection of ideas for our future house. It will be built on 8 acres in a hardwood forest – we already own the acreage.) Dream … dream … dream. My mother-in-law and I both fell in love with the furry little kitty feet from the prior blog post. Thank you for the joy that you share ~
“Life is not about finding yourself,
it’s about creating yourself.”
You already have the land, isn’t that wonderful, you’re more than half way there!
Thank you Susan, your blog and adventures enrich us all. I’m always leaving here, happy! Your are downhome special…..Have a wonderful day.
Thank-you Susan,
I have been so put out with Downton ending so soon. I truly feel cheated, so Chatsworth was such a treat today. What a wonderful vist.
Thanks again,
Mary
Thank you, thank you for taking us with you on yourvtourvof Chatsworth-can’t wait for the book so we can enjoy the rest of your trip. Love your blog and all the fun things you have to tell us.
Congratulations Gail! So happy for you… My book is preordered – so I’m happy for me too! Thanks for letting us tag along through Chatsworth House – it was lovely.
I’m raising my teacup for a toast to Gail. So happy for her and so happy for those of us who have ordered your book and get to enjoy the anticipation! 🙂
CONGRATS to you Gail….enjoy your treasure!! Susan, THANK YOU for this lovely blog and showing all of us more of your amazing adventures. I have to ask you this, does it amaze you how all of us “Girlfriends” have learned to be orderly and polite and tag along with you without causing any “scuffles”?? See, we are no longer “rookies” but veterans of travel and hopefully we can continue to travel with you on future adventures?? We are well behaved (most of the time) and will honor you when you allow us to travel with you in the future!!! Girl Scouts Honor…
good morning girlfriends, hello susan, sorry i am so late…had to go turkey hunting, without a gun, to find my missing birds. more on that later. congratulations gail, what a wonderful surprise. and thank you susan for the trip to Chatsworth House, loved looking at all the little details and the tapestry. absolutely beautiful. i would be there forever just looking at all the details and woodwork. they would have to chase me out of there with a broom, i would be so content to wander about and look at all the detailing and woodwork. well back to my missing birds. seems some bozo in the neighborhood refuses to leash his dogs when walking them and one got into my yard and headed straight for the turkeys, the wild one, (duchess) and the male (tom tom) went over the fence to escape and the white one ( nippers, female) got roughed up a bit by the dog, i got out there with a broom to beat that dog off her and chased it out of the yard. yelled at the owner and got his name and address, ran back to check on nippers and went way in the back to hunt down tom tom and duchess and bring them back into the back yard. i hate days like this when i have to put up with dumb dog owners who cannot obey the leash laws. well off to go fill up the duck pool, clean up nippers and get busy with the laundry. have a great day everyone. hugs….. 🙂
nippers is okay, oh yeah we call her nippers as she always tries to nip our fingers. ever been turkey bit??? it hurts, even nippers’ nips so we try to avoid getting nipped. poor baby had to get a clean cloth wet and wipe the mud off of her feathers and then pat her head, and rub her chest and neck and soothe her a bit…she was just shook up poor baby. i have no doubt the dog owner’s ears are still ringing from my nasty language when hollering at him, but then he deserved it…how dare his dog attack and rough up my poor lil nippers!!!
Did you get your turkeys back Pat?
Oh, Pat, so happy to hear your turkeys are okay. Yes, people with pets need to be responsible for them. It is not the pets fault.
yes they do. i don’t hold the dog responsible, i hold the owner responsible, after all he had a leash and he was the one who let the dog off the leash to run loose. just like i say, there are no dumb dogs, just dumb owners!!!
yes i did susan, i found them way in the back part of the property and sort of coaxed them back to the yard or bribed if you prefer…… i took a small can full of their corn and grains and shook it for them to hear the food and shook it all the way back to their treat spot and when they came through the gate, closed the gate and fed them where i give them their treats.
Like the pied piper!
LOL!!! you could say it was like that, never thought of it that way myself. but nippers is fine, and back to her sassy self, right now she is busy chasing crows in the backyard….LOL!!!!
Congratutions to Gail!
I’ve ordered my book and keep my confirmation in my intray so I can smile at it every day. Can’t wait to see your updates and certainly after the finale of Downton Abbey on Sunday we need a little lift, right?
Wonderful post!! Congratulations Gail :0) Susan~~~your Dad is a pip! LOL
Everyone have a lovely day.
XOXO, Linda, Chino Valley, AZ.
Oh my goodness! It was so wonderful strolling through England and that amazingly beautiful home, Susan. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing it with us girlfriends. It is so cool that you call all of us that! And I am sending a big congrats to Gail!!!!! YAY! I bet she can barely breath she is so full of excitement to have won. I am going to order my copy when I get home from work today! I can hardly wait for your wonderful new book to come out! Please consider visiting Nazareth, PA during your book tours!
I wrote it down Sharon .. if you know of a place I should go, please tell me! Thank you!
Susan, have you read, “Bess of Hardwick?” by Mary Lovell? She built Chatsworth. Fascinating story with ties to Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. The tour was delightful. Thank you. It has been snowing here in Maine for five days now. The trip to England was just what I needed. Love to all of you. Cannot wait for autumn and the arrival of your book. A friend and I have already decided that we will open them together over tea on my porch.
That sounds wonderful!