Party Party Party Party Party Party Party MUSICA
We go from party to another around here, from Tea Party to Birthday Party! Lots of our girlfriends are having a birthday month, lots of new babies are being born, but you may have noticed on your calendars, it’s also someone else’s birthday on Sunday, and she would be 147 years old. ♥
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y
So what makes sense for today’s blog is cake and presents! Right? First we’ll have cake, and then we’ll have presents. OK? That’s the normal way for a Birthday Party! And never forget, we are the normal ones! ♥
L A V E N D E R P O L E N T A C A K E
This Lavender Polenta Cake is a plain cake alright ~ really easy to make, deliciously moist with an amazing crunch, plus, it’s gluten free — but the recipe, which I got from my girlfriend Siobhan (“Shivon”) when we were in England, calls for ingredients that aren’t “everyday” fare. Don’t let that stop you, because if you’re like me, and something tells me you are, this cake will become a standby. The recipe calls for fine yellow cornmeal (or polenta flour) and almond flour. Our supermarket carries them, but I’m pretty sure that won’t be true everywhere. You can order them from the lovely Bob’s Red Mill web site. If you’re not familiar with Bob’s Red Mill, you are in for a treat. They also have everything you need to cook for a gluten free diet.
The recipe also calls for superfine sugar, which my market does not carry. But I made my own, I just whirled regular sugar in the blender until it was superfine. Super easy!
No problem coming up with a pound of unsalted butter, allowed to come to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until it’s . . .
. . . pale and light.
Then stir in the almond flour . . .
. . . and vanilla.
Beat in six eggs, one at a time (Don’t worry, I’m putting the recipe at the end of this as a party favor! ♥)
I’ve made this cake with orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, and this time, with lime zest and juice. All are truly wonderful, it’s up to you. And btw, if you haven’t used one of these wonderful microplane zesters yet, we have them for you in our webstore, because they are a must-have tool! No more knuckles in your food! You pull the razor-sharp edges across the fruit, the zest collects on the top with no pain or strain at all . . . it makes it so easy to measure too.
So you fold in the zest and juice . . .
along with the polenta (cornmeal) flour, salt and baking flour … just pop it all in,
along with dried culinary lavender flowers (just click there to get them on-line). The recipe calls for three tablespoons — and this is correct. Don’t worry, it will not taste like soap, just so very light, and pretty in the cake.
This cake serves a lot of people ~ twenty four! It’s perfect for a party, but you can also halve the recipe very easily and bake it in a 9″ cake pan. I wanted the big cake for our Tea Party but I don’t have the called-for 12″ cake pan, so I bake mine in this 12″ iron frying pan, which works perfectly.
Into the oven it goes until the house is filled with fragrance and the cake is brown. Let it a cool a while, flip it over onto a serving plate and it comes right out of the pan.
And this is it, close up. Delectable! Also addictive. Here’s the recipe as it will appear in our new book!
It’s your party favor, but there’s more.
And I have some heartstrings for you. ♥ Starting with our Royal Baby Gift Giveaway.
Vanna left for the beach hours ago, but she didn’t forget to draw a name before she hopped into her yellow convertible 1959 T-bird and sped off, sunshine glinting off blonde curls blowing in the ocean air. What a life that girl has!
Such a happy thing, a Baby Book, filled with love and hope and firsts for everything. I’ve been loving the stories from our Girlfriends of babies coming, of new grandchildren on the way. I did not envy Vanna’s position of choosing just one winner. I did ask her to try hard to get me someone who’s expecting a baby into their family. And she did that. Oh yes, she did that.
I’m thrilled to announce that the winner of this trio of gifts is a first-time mommy to-be who is decorating her own Peter Rabbit room for her first born child coming in September, a real “birth-day” . . . she’s having her own little Prince, and her name is OLIVIA. So happy for you dear Olivia, congratulations to you and your whole family! Let us know when the time is right and we will hold hands on this blog and say a prayer and say, “Pushhhhhh.” We can be a big help! ♥ (Mas MUSICA)
So now, I have another little gift for you in honor of Beatrix Potter and you don’t even have to pin the tail on the donkey! If you CLICK HERE, you can print out this name tag on card stock (just put it into your printer like regular paper, the printer will do the rest) . . .
. . . and then when you come to one of our book signings next month (and as we drive across country) you can wear your name tag and we’ll know we’re Blog Girlfriends ~ I’ll know you, and you’ll know each other! Fun! (Kellee is going to put this name tag on our EVENTS page, just in case you forget where it is.) ♥ And if this isn’t quite enough, I have something else for you . . .
. . . I’m thinking maybe a nice parting gift for everyone would be something to read?
Because we got a surprise on Friday . . . at our California studio . . .
Oh yeah girls, your books arrived! Early! Boxes and boxes of books, A FINE ROMANCE ~ Falling in Love with the English Countryside! is born. What a cute baby! Sweet smelling with ribbons and everything! (I’m secretly screaming inside, how about you? Did I surprise you? They surprised me! :-)) The first page you have to read is Page 9 where I mention you.
And now these two darling girls, Kellee on the left, and Sheri on the right, with lots of help from our wonderful Alfredo, our right-hand man (on the truck but not looking at the camera), will ship their little fingers to the bone. The books will leave the studio as they were ordered … the first of you to order will get yours first. I have no idea how long it will take to get them all into their envelopes with addresses, so please be patient with us, because these two are the hardest workers in the world and will get them out as quickly as humanly possible!!! Look how strong they look!
So of course, we are celebrating birth-days and dreams come true. Our Twitter Girlfriend Janie made us a Dream Banner to match the Bon Voyage Banner she gave Joe and me when we went to England (you’ll see it in our book, in the stateroom on board the ship). She made just a few for anyone who might want to focus on a dream for themselves. They come with their own little envelope, and they’ll be in the web store on Monday. ♥
And the last gift today, in honor of Beatrix Potter and Olivia, and all of you with new babies in your lives or hoping for one, or dreaming of one, or remembering what it was like to be one ~ these are the two games we used to play on our babies faces when I was little and the oldest of eight children. The babies love it.
That’s it Girlfriends, for today, just another day in paradise. Happy Birthday Beatrix! Congratulations Olivia! Click teacups! Eat cake! Happy weekend! See you soon! xoxo
Why don’t we plan ahead for next year and everyone have a birthday party for Beatrix Potter and invite all our friends? It could be a National Beatrix Potter Birthday Celebration. I like the idea of the Peter Rabbit carrot cake, but we MUST have the polenta cake, so maybe just make it an afternoon tea. If we include lunch, it could be little sandwiches and CARROT salad and CABBAGE slaw. What do you think, Girlfriends?
And, Dear Susan, I hope you’ll have your tour schedule finalized in time for me to cancel my bus tour to the Outer Banks in September if you’re coming through Missouri.
We are getting close!
Hi, Susan!
Yay!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait until my book arrives. I love the name badge for the book signing. I will be wearing mine. Please come to the NY, NJ area. Please! Please! Please!
Thank you for the cake recipe. I will making that. My girlfriend Denise, who is also one of your “Girlfriends” is a gluten free girl and an amazing cook. I might get real lucky and she will make the cake and I will get to eat it.
Congratulations to Olivia! Best wishes for her and her precious new baby.
Love,
Terry
I think this was the perfect place to leave that hint! 🙂 Trying to go to NY, and NY!
Oh! Happy, happy, happy! I can’t wait! I’ve been struggling with planning our trip to Scotland and England (coming up soon now) and I just know your book is going to help us see all the special places that will appeal to us most! Thank you so much for all your hard work … and for having such a good time on your own trip! ps – I do wish you would make a southern swing on your book-signing tour. Anywhere within a state or two close to Kentucky would do! (I’d find a way to get there.)
Check out the maps in the book, I’ve listed all the places we saw this time, PLUS the very most fabulous places we went in 2004 when we visited twenty-six gardens! They’re all there!
Hi Susan,
Are you coming near Toledo, Oh for any book signings? I would so love to see you and have you sign one of my books. I am trying to get out to San Luis Opisbo in November. Can’t wait to try the Lavender Polenta cake. Just this past Thursday evening 9 of my closest friends and I went to an all Lavender tea party. We had lavender salad, and stuffed manicotti shells with chicken, lavender scones with lavender chocolate raspberry jam and lavender lemon squares and then finished with lavender sorbet and of course lavender tea. My friends that couldn’t attend wondered if all the food tasted like soap and my response was like yours. It just tastes wonderful no perfumey tastes at all. Can’t wait to see you. Janet
I’ve put it in my chocolate brownies too, YUM!
Wow! So many things to talk about! How exciting that the books arrived early! I think I ordered mine the first time pre-order was mentioned, so it should arrive pretty soon! Yea! I love the part about “overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s chowder!” I had to laugh out loud! My 1/2 Irish Dad sang that, too! He grew up in Boston!! We all had a good dose of Dad’s diddies!! I’m smiling now!! And congrats to Olivia! Prayers for a great pregnancy and healthy baby!! And Beatrix Potter’s birthday! Did you see this? The British Museum is offering Peter Rabbit in a hieroglyph edition!! (Like in Egypt!) facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151734909749723&set=a.418481824722.188981.72228529722&type=1&theater Guess I’ll have to whip up another cake!! I don’t have my lavender yet, so the Blueberry Lemon sounds pretty good. Well, I’ll print out my name tag and hope you make it to Arkansas! Yeah, I know, a bit off the beaten path!! But I can hope!! Either that or go visit my New England relatives and see you there! (Not, I’m afraid!). I’ll keep watching for somewhere within a day’s driving distance!! Cheers!!
I’ll try Jane!
..yes, Jane , it would be so nice if Susan and Joe could “make it” to northwest arkansas…this area has so much to offer !!… in Fayetteville, we have the most incredible botanical garden; we have the home of the world famous “bluebird of happiness” at Terra Studios where glass is blown and pottery is made , and so close is the Buffalo National forest and don’t forget charming Eureka Springs….and so much more… and, of course our local Barnes and Noble and Nightbird Books….thanks for writing, Jane….did you ever get the recipe for that blueberry lemon cake ?!?….sounds so yummy !!!
I would LOVE to go there!
YEA!!!!! I just received my e-mail today. My book is on its way!!!! What a great surprise!!! Exciting days! 🙂
Just had to send a BIG THANK YOU to you. I heard from The Friends of Gladys Tabor thanks to you Susan and now I can join. I am more than excited! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo to you.
Fantastic Sharon! You’ll love their wonderful newsletter!
Happy Birthday, Beatrix! And congratulations, Olivia! It seems there are so many things to celebrate ~ especially the arrival of our books!! I’ll be doing a happy dance on the way back from my mailbox when it arrives!! 🙂 I’ll have to bake the Lavender Polenta Cake. I have some almond meal on hand that I haven’t figured out what to do with, until just now! Today is the last day of Lavender Week, BTW. I found that out on a wonderful blog called “home is Where the Boat Is”. Have you discovered it, Susan? Here’s the link with a recipe for lemon lavender cupcakes. They would be perfect for a summer tea party too! homeiswheretheboatis.net/201/07/26/lavender-lemonade-cupcakes/ You would enjoy her photos and the creative and beautiful tablescapes she creates. Your post just made my day even better today. ♥ My hubby and I showed up at the lake one week early for our church picnic (oops) so we just hung out on the dock and enjoyed the sunshine instead. No food, but great company! 🙂
The cake will be great for that picnic Heidi Rose!
Hello Susan,
How exciting about the book arriving early!!!! Thank you also for the name tag, and the cake recipe! You make everything look so easy. I’m not a baker, but I will give this cake a try.
It looks so yummy!
Thank you and have a wonderful week!
Lucy
If you can turn on the oven, you can make this easy cake, I promise Lucia!
OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! I can hardly contain myself!!!! I was going to leave for the cabin and NOW I will anxiously await the arrival of THE GREAT BOOK!! I am sooooo excited….What a grand occasion. I am going to pop the cork on my favorite bottle of wine and celebrate when it arrives. So I couldn’t possibly drive to Washington under the influence!!!! LOL And I most certainly have not forgotten the birthday of the most wonderful lady – Beatrix Potter. She most certainly gave us all a gift of words (all of her books), smiles (all of her wonderful characters) and wisdom (the ability to dream, work hard, see beyond tomorrow and make dreams come true)!!! Thank you, Beatrix! And to think, at the same time, you, my dear BFF, are doing the same thing – in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter. BFF Susan Branch – I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS – may you keep on dreaming and realizing those dreams! And, for pete’s sake, be sure and continue to share with all of us. Your Joe must be so very proud and your Dad must be so very proud and all of us are immensely proud!! XXXXOOOO BFF Pat
I would think it might get to you today Pat! Thank you sweet girlfriend, you are too kind. xoxo
I hope this comment will “take” because the last three blogs I have tried to push the post comment button doesnt allow it to go through. I think it might be my server, but am not sure…..so here goes trying again!!!!! 🙂
I am SOOOO EXCITED about the books….my heart leapt when I saw those boxes on that van, and then scrolled down to find out if it were true…and it IS true!!!! I wil try to be patient for mine…….no promises!!!!
I love the cake recipe and how you showed us step by step with pictures how to make it. I have to confess that I find that very helpful and now will try this recipe once I order the lavender. I have shied away from eating flowers…but the final product looks absolutely delicious and I think my daughter and husband would love it too. Thank you!
I love parties and I so appreciate how you invite and include the girlfriends to nearly all of yours. You are very generous in your personal life and it really feels like I am there with all of the gorgeous pictures!
Congratulations on the new book-baby of yours! Have so much fun on your book-signing adventures and I will be following you all the way! xoxoxo
Most flowers don’t have a lot of flavor really, they just look gorgeous in salads, on desserts, in cold white rice salad. But one flower that I just gobble down is nasturtiums. They are spicy, just like radishes, delicious! Hopefully, my comment will go through with yours and you’ll be able to see it … here’s hoping — now I will click “approve and reply!”
Me too! I LOVE peppery nasturtiums & COMPLETELY because of your Cold Rice Salad. I make it so often for impromptu summer family suppers that my SIL [an expert gardener] now grows it in containers so we don’t have to HOPE the grocery store will have some when we need it. :>)
Another recipe that calls for nasturtiums is the Zucchini salad in The Summer Book on p.66. Great way to use up lots of garden Zucchini too, and it’s crisp —
Oh My Goodness!!! Audible scream of delight!!! So excited the books are here!!! I love the name tags! I cannot wait to come to a book signing and see other ‘Girlfriends’ and of course meet you, Susan! And I have to add that I have also spoken to Kellee in the past, and she could not have been sweeter! Love all the thought that goes into the packages from your webstore! The Polenta cake looks delicious! Happy, happy Birthday Miss Potter! What a wonderful celebration we’re having for you! As always, thank YOU, Susan, for sharing so much of your wonderful talents with us!!! XOXO
You all make my heart sing, I can’t help it, it just does, with your sweet comments, and positive thoughts!
Congratulations Olivia!! Isn’t Vanna wonderful? She knew just who to choose. And the other fabulous news. We might get our books for my birthday!! That is just wonderful. I have faith that your busy workers will get my book to me by Aug 7, the big day.
Congratulations to Beatrix Potter also celebrating her birthday today. I just finished reading her biography by Linda Lear. Thought it was wonderful and so informative. I had no idea that Beatrix championed home care nursing in the Lake District (my profession for 25 yrs). Not in the Lake District though. I wish!! Thanks for all of the great news, Susan. Love, Kathy in Melbourne
That’s what I mean about Beatrix Potter, so much more than Peter Rabbit, not that that wasn’t enough for all the joy it brought to children, but she was quite a woman, and knew, despite the powers that be, how important nursing care would be to her neighbors. (And to all of us, so thank you Kathy!) I’m almost done reading the same book. I don’t want to be done!
Susan, I’m changing addresses next week and I want to make sure my book gets to me! 🙂 I pre-ordered a long time ago. Who do I need to tell to make sure I don’t miss a minute of the action? 🙂
I forwarded your comment to Kellee, I’m not sure if she can lay her hands on individual orders, but she will try I’m sure!
Susan! I’m so excited! I ordered your book way back when, but I have since become unemployed. I am SO glad I ordered the book when I had money to do it! If I had just heard about it now, I wouldn’t have been able to buy it! What a nice surprise!
I’m glad too Cynthia! Sending you a little prayer for the perfect job for YOU!
Hello Susan! So excited about your book shipping early – such fun news!
We visited your beautiful island recently for my niece’s wedding in West Tisbury (vs. the beach at Aquinnah) – we had a wonderful time – even if the weather didn’t fully cooperate. It was a joy-filled weekend.
Love the baby-face game – I learned a different but similar rhyme: Head-acher, eye-winker, tommy-tinker (for the other eye), nose-dropper, mouth-eater, chin-chopper, koochie, koochie, koo!
Am going to try the lavender cake – even though it scares me a little 🙂 I have NEVER EVER made one of your recipes that I didn’t love.
Don’t be scared, this is the ONE!!! 🙂
Oh, I am so excited that the books have arrived already….. I can hardly wait to see it! What’s the difference between culinary lavender and the kind I have growing in my herb garden?
No difference, culinary is called that because it’s not been sprayed, so if yours is also organic, then it’s the same thing. Fresh is not as strong as dried, just keep that in mind.
Hi Susan, Congrats to Olivia and happy birthday Beatrix! I can’t wait to receive my copy of your book even sooner than I had hoped for. I ordered my copy as soon as you announced that we could so I will be on the lookout for the special delivery ( hopefully this week ). I’m also still checking your event page, hoping to see a book signing somewhere in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs. Last week the royal birth, this week the book we’ve all been waiting for!!
We’ll be coming to Chicago for sure Deb — looking forward to meeting you!
Yippee!!! Will be looking forward to hopefully being able to see you in person somewhere in Chicagoland!
I just got the email that says my book has shipped… wow. Can’t wait to sit down with a “cuppa” and slowly savor it. Hmmm…. maybe with a piece of lavender cake?!
Congratulations to Olivia… what a special gift for her little one! And, Happy Birthday to Beatrix… a very special day indeed. And, of course, thank you to Kellee and Sheri for ALL their hard work in getting these books out to us.
Happy day, everyone!
♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫ ♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫ Pop The Cork Again Sweet Sue!!!!! What? Your Baby Has Arrived? The New Books are Here? OMGGGGGGGG! You have to Be doing The Jiggity~Jig….Twirling Into Dizzy! etc…etc..etc…. 🙂 I Can Feel Your Excitement! It Has Been Such a Whirlwind for You & You Have Shared Everything with All of Us! I Keep Looking at The Photos of All Those Wonderful Magical Books! Sweet Sue! 🙂 Now Kellee & Sheri have to get some Good Sleep & Take a Deep Breath…..Have Fun Girls! Ok Champagne for All of Us Sweet Sue! You My Dear Get The First Glass Along with Your Joe! I’m Pouring & Popping lots of Corks…A Toast…To Our Beloved Sweet Sue & Her Enchanting New Book “A Fine Romance” 🙂 We Love You Sweet Sue! We Applaud You too! Take a Bow! Also A Toast To Beatrix Potter….Happy Birthday….I Know She Is Celebrating in Heaven….Happy To See That Her Magic Lives On With You & All of Us! Whew What a Happy Day Sweet Sue….& Thank You for The Oh So Cute Name~Tag! ok one more sip of The Champagne & I Wish You a Very Good Night & The Sweetest Dreams! “A Fine Romance” Pixie~Dust Everywhere! xoxo Poof! ♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫ ♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫ 🙂
My baby was born, just a little over a pound, lusty cry of whoooo hoooo, sleeps all night and never hungry! Thank you Pixie lady!
♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫Scrumptious! xoxo Poof! ♥*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫ 🙂
~And no diapers to change!~
And she smells brand-spankin’ new, too! xoxo…Karen P.
I just “woohoo” ‘ed out loud, which necessitated lots of explanations to my DD. Never mind, I am excited about the book, and will be reading it just as soon as my copy arrives 🙂
Can. Not. Wait!
Not long now Rachel! Love the woohoo!
Happy Birthday to Beatrix ! Congratulations to Olivia ! Kellee and Sheri…THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for getting our long awaited books to us..and now the old song “Mr. Postman” comes to mind…” Please, Please Mr. Postman..deliver the letter..the sooner the better !! “
…a special THANK YOU to hard working and camera shy ALFREDO for all his energies as well !
He IS camera shy, one of the sweetest people I know, and a dear dear friend after these twelve years we’ve worked together.
🙂 fun! Fun to look forward to MAIL!
Yay! I can’t wait for my book to arrive. I can’t wait to tear into it and look at every page. It was so exciting/interesting following your blog during your trip, then reading along while you were putting pen to paper and now we get the finished product…it doesn’t get any better than that. Thanks for the wonderful journey! ☺
Thanks for coming along Teri — you all made it so much more fun!
Hooray! The book will be such fun to read! It will be such fun to watch for it to arrive. Thank you for writing it for us all to enjoy. Thank you, too for putting special people’s birthdays on the calendar each year, like Beatrix Potter today and Walt Disney on Dec. 5. It is lovely to remember them and think about how they have enriched our lives. Susan, you enrich our lives each day. Enjoy preparing for your cross country trip. Hope you and Joe have a wonderful time!
I’m a big believer in heroes! xoxo
Oh Susan what a party!!!~~~~I am so excited! No one else has said that have they! Lol! So appropriate (sp?) that Olivia won! How perfect! The cake sounds and looks devine! I have lavender in my herb garden I suppose I could use couldn’t I? Happy birthday Beatrix Potter! Oh My goodness, I can’t believe it! The books are early! Yea! Hip Hip Hooray! Last year we were popping in and out of the suitcase, and now we will be jumping into A Fine Romance! Woo Hoo! What a great picture of Sheri and Kellee, and the BOOKS!!! And the nice delivery man who unloaded them! I have printed my name tag, hope I find a book signing near NC to go to, I will call a local store tomorrow in Hendersonville NC, maybe they would like to have one! Will let you know if they do.
Thanks Susan,
Hugs and blessings,
Tweet Tweet!
Jeannie
Thank you Jeannie! Yes, you guys in the suitcases were SO much fun, so well-behaved and never complaining of the tight squeeze — never getting us in any trouble with the officials on the ship when we’d smuggled you all aboard!
I can’t stop smiling tonight after hearing the book news! I’m wondering if you are getting any sleep with all the girlfriends doing little dances of joy, squealing with delight and celebrating the early arrival of “our” book. We’ll try to keep the noise down, but it won’t be easy! 🙂 And . . . congratulations to Olivia!
I’m kind of making my own noise too Jeanne!
So happy to read in the comments that you have signed bookplates for pre-ordered books as I was just trying to figure out how we could do something from your blog to stick in our books for those of us unlucky enough not to be near one of your signing spots!!! So now I am all happy again with your thoughtful inclusions for our books……….yay for Susan~~!!!
Congrats to your new winner–Vanna was wise to pick a new Mommy!
Happy Birthday Jack and Beatrix!!! Still very hot here in Idaho–100’s all week but cooling down to the 90’s now!
“Cooling down” to the 90’s and we are thrilled! 🙂
Same thing here, Susan. We’ve had high-90’s with tropical humidity here in Minnesota the last several weeks. Had a cool front drop down from Canada this weekend and what a wonderful gift! 🙂
Gotta love that Canada — always coming through when we need them the most!
Hi Susan, A funny thing…I came and sat down at my computer at my desk upstairs tonight, and noticed that my desk blotter calendar, yours of course, said it was Beatrix Potter’s birthday. Then I turned on my computer, saw your blog had posted and there was the same “Beatrix Potter’s birthday” picture, right there, too! (Well, your wall calendar, but I know that picture, too.) I have all of your calendars, and I try to every year. I’ve already received your wall and mini calendar for 2014. I haven’t opened the package though, because I want to be surprised on New Year’s Day I guess! I wanted to buy another desk blotter calendar for next year, but don’t see it in the store. Will they be available later this year? Hope so. Anyway, congratulations to Olivia! Lucky girl! Have a great week, all!
Hi Carol — glad you enjoy the calendars! But very sorry to say there will be no blotter this year. The people who made that calendar have decided they don’t want to do it anymore. We’re not happy about it either. But the good news is that the folks that make our wall calendars want to do a blotter for next year! So look for it after this short intermission!
We are so lucky here in SW Washington-Red’s Mill is only 30 minutes away and we have lots of their products in our stores locally. Thank you for the recipe, it looks like a fun treat to have with my grandkids at our next tea party! It will be kinda like Christmas waiting for THE book. Happy Summer!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
(That’s me wordlessly expecting the arrival of A Fine Romance!)
Cute Sreekala!
Good Morning Susan!!! It is an exciting week for you and the rest of us!!! Can you see my comment from yesterday? Let me know what you think.
I will look for it Margot!
Congratulations Olivia! The cake looks divine, looking forward to making it. Do you think Ohio could be on your list of stops? Here’s to dreaming that it is! xoxo Joy
Yes, we are working on OHIO!
OH Susan,
PLEASE come to Ohio!!!!! You would get such a warm welcome from all your girlfriends here. I am printing out my name tag now so you HAVE to come!……no pressure…..
Kathy
🙂 we are definitely trying!
Really??? Oh wow, that would be so wonderful. That thought makes me so excited, I can hardly stand it!!! Thank you, thank you.
Dearest Sue Sue! You are soooo full of fun and surprises! I loved this PARTY BLOG!!!!! Congrats to Olivia and to all of us ! And.. Even on Beatrix Potter’s own Birthday!
I am so very tickled!
You have made my day! One surprise after the other and I can’t wait to try this delicious looking Tea Cake!
THANK YOU. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! I am most impatiently, patiently awaiting MY Birthday prise! My husband ordered my book last February 18th for MY Birthday!
A coincidence? I think not! Ms Potter must’ve had a hand in this!XXXXXXXOOOOOOOXO
PS. To Kellee and Sherry who prolly won’t have time to read this: take plenty of vitamins, get lots of sleep ’cause we know you are working quick as Bunnies with all the SB love to bring OUR STORY home! Love to you sweeties!
I’ll tell them you said that Chrissy — so sweet. They are doing a great job!
I think so Chrissy! Happy Birthday!
Chrissy, have to ask the origin of your last name. Fairly uncommon here in the US, very common in East Anglia. Every time I see it I think we must be related!
It’s so fun reading all the excitement here. It just adds to my own excitement of having a new Susan Branch book! And yay Olivia and Baby Weston! Great fun for you! My one and only nephew was born a few weeks before Prince William and I remember being just so excited for Princess Di as the news broke! My nephew was my little treasure, too, and as he grew I taught him to be silly, to be a jokester, to have fun! My mailbox will be anxiously awaiting “our” book’s arrival. Hope to find a signing somewhere near Oklahoma….Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado? I’m flexible! 🙂
What a good aunt! We are 99% sure it will be Oklahoma City … plus lots of those other places too.
Now, I ‘M over the moon! I’ll be there with my name tag, book, and tiara in place!
Yay!
Have you scheduled the Tattered Cover in Denver? If not, I’d be happy to give them a call. Is the Page and Palette in Fairhope, Alabama on your itinerary for after the holidays? We leave Colorado for Arkansas and kayaking down the Buffalo National River from Oct. 7-14; then Norfolk, VA, for a month; arriving in Fairhope the end of Nov. Fairhope is where we will spend the winter months. I hope I am able to attend a book signing in one of those places!:-)
Can’t wait for my book to arrive!
We are working our way toward the Tattered Cover and I would LOVE for you to call them, you are so kind to ask — it’s a big help when someone does that! I took your suggestion and put Page and Palette on our to-try-for-list, as we get closer to that time, we’ll see how it fits on our map! Thank you Susan!
Called Charles Stillwater, the event planner for all three locations of the Tattered Cover. He wasn’t there today, but I left a message with all the pertinent information. I’ll call again tomorrow to confirm he received my message.:-)
While you are in Denver, you might want to consider having another book signing at the Boulder Bookstore (another independent bookstore) on the Boulder Mall. Let me know if you are interested and I’ll call them.
Another option on the mall would be The Peppercorn. It is a kitchen/gift shop with the largest collection of cookbooks I have ever seen!
As I’ll be in Fairhope, AL, from November on, I’ll keep my fingers crossed about the Page and Palette. They hosted Bobby Flay recently and even had a meal to go along with his talk ($15). I bet they would host a tea for you!:-)
You are my sunshine! Glad to assist in any way I can! It is nice to give something back after all you have given to us!!!
Thank you so very much Susan, that’s just a huge help! Hope to see you along the way! xoxo
Wonderful post… cake and presents! The Lavender Polenta Cake looks scrumptious! The present couldn’t have gone to a better girlfriend, congratulations Olivia! Wishing you well with your new baby! WOW, I can’t believe the books are here, it’s so EXCITING! A big thank you to Alfredo for unloading all of those gorgeous books. And another huge thank you to Kellee and Sheri for all their hard work putting each and every book into their envelopes and shipping them to us! I can’t wait to get my hands on A Fine Romance! Wishing you a beautiful day Susan, you certainly made mine just that! ♥
Thank you Marie!
Well bummer, I just wrote an amazing (!) comment & in sending it off, hit the wrong, arrggh, key & it is gone! It went something like: What a perfect day yesterday, & congratulations to Olivia, the perfect Vanna pick! The cake looks delicious! I think I’ll make it for a potluck in September that’ll be at a dahlia farm. The perfect cake for a perfect garden surrounding the gorgeous dahlias!! Great tour (obviously you’re your daughter’s father!) of our country Blog Daddy Jack! Congratulations Sue on “our” new book! I’ve never been through the birthing of a book before, & it has been an amazing experience! Thank you so much for sharing the entire process of your beautiful creation with us! Seeing the load of books & your terrific crew, is so exciting & heartwarming & here I sit smiling for you!!! 🙂 xoxoxoxo
It’s been fun for me too! Thank you so much Joan, for coming along for the ride! I love the lavender cake appearing at a dahlia farm, pure poetry in more ways than one!
What an uplifting post to read as I start my day!
We are in that place somewhere between Apprehension and Anticipation as we await the impending birth of our daughter’s first child, so I really enjoyed looking at the baby book covers. I wonder if your book tour will bring you close to Vancouver Island? I will have to have a look.
Would love it if we get up there. Good luck with your new baby, it will be wonderful, such an exciting time!!! xo
Hi Susan!
I have family members who must eat gluten free, so I will love having this cake in my recipe file to make for them! I also grow lavender in my backyard and I ahve been drying the buds, so I’ll have my won supply.
Congratulations to the winner of your sweet baby give away!
I am so excited for you that your books came in already! i can’t wait to order a copy! I hope you’ll be doing a book signing in the Denver, Colorado area? Perhaps at the historic Tattered Cover Book store? I hope, I hope!
Hugs,
Pat
Yessss, we are trying for the Tattered Cover! Call them if you have a moment, ask for the “events planner” and suggest I come for a book signing. It helps so much when they think people care enough to call.
I’ll call them, too. (The owner,Joyce, is a delight!)
Oh thank you Susan! It really makes a difference when they hear from their customers!
I am so excited for the books to be here! And I love that you put Beatrix Potter’s birthday on your calendars! Happy B-day to her and happy book day to you!!!
Thank you !!!
good morning Susan, girlfriends. well its cooler here but very smoky as we are near a fire, its been burning since Saturday morning, and its smoky here. we can’t even see down the road to the main drag in town its so smoky. Susan could Vanna fit me in her T-bird and give me a ride to the coast for some fresh sea air???? congratulations to Olivia, and best wishes for a healthy delivery of her little prince. the barnyard crowd is quite unhappy with all the smoke here, they don’t like it, neither do the cats, can’t blame them as its so bad we can taste it. nothing like the taste of burnt wood and ashes in your mouth. here is a website and you read all about it: go to swofire.com we are near the Labrador fire, no evacuation orders yet, but we have all of our documents and important papers boxed and packed in the truck just in case, also have an emergency bag for the cats…water bowl, toys and food dishes and a supply of food ready to go, also kitty box and litter. and I have emergency bags for us packed and ready…changes of clothes, fresh undies, medications for hubby, prescriptions and fresh hankies, socks and some extra shoes like hiking boots or sturdy shoes if needed. i’m ready just in case. have the cat carriers out and ready, just have to get the cats in them and go, the barnyard crowd is on their own if we have to leave but I will leave notice at the fire dept and ask for someone to go check on them, I will leave food and buckets of water out for them. you all have a great day. congrats to the winner. hugs everyone…. 🙂
I would love it if Vanna could take you for a ride Pat. Worried about you, how’s it going? You do sound ready, but I hope it doesn’t happen. Prayers for you and the kitties. xoxo
We are thinking of you, Pat. Please stay safe! Let us know how you are doing.
Hello Pat! Just said a little prayer for your safety…take care!!!!
thank you everyone, we got lucky, the wind shifted last night and the smoke is blowing in a different direction so we can actually see the main drag in town and across the road. had 2 firefighters as houseguests, the fire station beds were all filled up so we took them in and fed them, did some laundry for them and let them have full use of the shower. the fire is still burning, its grown to 1000 acres now, and if we do have to leave we are ready, I have everything packed in the truck and the firefighters promised me they would come around and check on the barnyard bunch and water and feed them for me… nice guys. we are staying safe for now. here is the website again: swofire.com we are located near the Labrador fire. thanks everyone. hugs…. 🙂
Pat, have been praying for you guys and also for the fire fighters. They all do such a termindous job out there! Am enjoying reading your daily blog and keeping up with everything. Have looked at the webpage and got to see the link for Wenatchee, WA, where my daughter and grandkids leave. I think I told you that yesterday. Try to keep as stress free as possible. I know that’s a big order from a friend, but, hopefully you won’t have to evacuate. I’ve been wanting to up our closing date on the houses, but perhaps I should just stick with the end of August. You know that we would being going through all those fires to get I5 and north. Hum…. there is a reason and I shouldn’t get involved in God’s plan 🙂
Later ~~~ xoxo
Pat, keeping you in prayer. I remember just 2 years ago when ash was blowing in our warehouse at work from all the fires. It is so scary! You sound prepared, and that’s all you can do. Keep calm, and carry on.
Chris
~Prayers sent your way Pat~ Stay Safe~
thank you everyone!! we are doing fine, in fact we are now helping out with the feeding of the firefighters. folks from all around the valley are donating food items like fresh eggs, fresh veggies and fruit, water, juice, coffee, milk, breads and rolls and donuts, pies, cakes and ice cream and lots of meat. we have local groups manning the grills and cooking the meals for these guys. its wonderful to see everyone pitch in and help out.
WOW , I am full of wonderful feelings…. over a year in the making and the time has arrived. I am dusting out my own little spot with a nice sunny window big comfy chair sweet little tea pot, vase of flowers, a pillow and bone for my darling little Max ( he loves a good book) one out to lunch sign for the door.
I think I am ready. Congratulations Susan and thanks for sharing all the great times of your life. Blessings to you girlfriend!!!
Thank you Marisa, love your preparations!
Happy, Happy Birthday Beatrix!! And how fabulous that we all got a wonderful surprise. Can’t wait until I receive my copy of our book! Yay! Yay! Yay! Also can’t wait to try the lavender cake. I’m always looking for recipes that I can make for my gluten free friends. I have lavender drying right now that I’ll use.
And Congratulations Olivia! Love the name you’ve chosen for your little prince. My very best wishes to the both of you. All kinds of exciting things going on! Have a happy day everyone. Anne
You too Anne!
Can you hear the ya-hoos and yipiees and yeahs…..all the way to MV? What happy news….our book is here! What a journey….and now we can relieve it again, and again…..reading about all the adventures ♥ ♥ Heartfelt thanks to you, for including us girlfriends all along the way. To Joe, for making sure the suitcases were always packed tight and all us stow-aways were safe, to Petey, for popping up in the most fun poses……and to Kelle and Sheri, for packing and sending off our books……they are always so kind.
Love the nametags…..hope I get to meet you, if you get to the Southeast…and The Heart of Dixie!
Congratulations to Olivia too!
And one little question about the Polenta cake…..will it change the texture and taste if I leave out the lavendar? I wish I could say I could eat dried flowers, but the lavendar does not sound yummy to me…..but the cake does!
Have a good week girlfriends!
Thank you Deb!! And, it would be no problem for you to leave out the lavender! It would still be just as delicious!
I had to cancel my pre-order of the book because shipping to Canada was over the moon. The shipping charges cost more than the book! So please tell me, when will the book be in stores on this side of the 49th parallel so I can dash out and get my copy?
It’s all up to the bookstores Wendy! I’m not sure who in Canada will carry it, but I sure hope someone does! Ask your bookstore to order it. It should be no problem for them. I think the shipping is crazy too.
Received an email just this minute from your web store….my book has shipped! Happy, happy day:)
Love, Love, Love your blogs, Susan! So excited to get my copy of your book in
my hands soon. I am also a huge fan of Beatrix Potter and celebrate her birthday with you and everyone. The lavender cake will definitely be on my next “Party” list to make..looks so good! Your sense of celebrating the everyday pleasures is contagious! Life needs to be celebrated!
Happy touring,
Linda
It does, it does, thank you Linda!
SO excited books are in…..will be watching the mail. Good news in my b-day month 🙂
Wow! Read that the books were in…. and now TODAY got an email that mine has shipped!!! Thank you so much to those hard workers!
I just discovered something you’d posted a year or so ago..telling another girlfriend, that someday you’d like to do a book about your first years living alone in your first little house when you moved to the Vineyard !! Is that still something you have simmering on your creative “back burner” ? I know I would LOVE to read such a book ! ( once you recover from your current book tour of course ! )
That’s actually my favorite thought of all the books I have in mind. It was such a sweet little house and kind of a life saver for me.
I am 100% positive we would all love it ! I think most of us may have a similar chapter in our lives.
Don’t we all? That’s so true, I’ve always thought we women have much more in common than we ever imagine and every time I tell a story, there are stories just like it from our Girlfriends. I think it’s very comforting.
So many kindred spirits gather here! We would just LOVE to read that story together, too! ♡♡
I almost don’t want to “approve” these comments, I want to “Keep” them forever!
Oh please do that Susan…..your story is such an inspiration in so many ways. I know it would be a blessing to everyone that read it. Just hoping!!!
I’m going to try! When we get back.
Yay, the perfect choice. Hope you will do it.
Really! Am I going to have to make my OWN “boyfriend” nametag?! 🙂
Very, very exciting to see those cases of books! It must be such a thrill! Congratulations!
Jake
No, you get to be a girlfriend too Jake!!! 🙂 (Something tells me this isn’t going to go over!)
Hmmm… I sense there’s a compliment somewhere in there… At least, I am going to look at it that way. How am I going to explain this to my seven sons, though? “Hey guys! I am one of Susan Branch’s girlfriends!” Oh well, they know me well enough, they probably wouldn’t give it a second thought!
LOL Jake, I’m sure they have you all figured out!
Yeah! You made us a nametag!!!
Yeth Thur! I did. Peg at FOSB wrote and said, how about a beret on that lamb for our boyfriends! The rest is history!
Jake, Joe might not just love seeing “Boyfriend” on your nametag–better to just print out the girlfriends one? LOL! 🙂
LOL Pat!
Pat, that was my thought, too! Perhaps Susan could make a tag that says “Honorary Girlfriend.” 🙂
Can’t he be a “Guy Friend”???
You know… That’s probably true… And, I’ve seen pictures of Joe, he looks like he could take me down. I’ll stick with “honorary girlfriend”… For now!
LOL, but he wouldn’t ever think of taking you down! He’s a puppy! You two would like each other, I have no doubt!
Sue is going to be squeezed PURPLE by all the Girlfriends at all the booksignings. She is going to need help. So how about this? 3 SPECIAL NAMETAGS – for Joe, Jack and Jake. “A Fine Romance – Security Detail.” And don’t forget your RayBans, boys. :>)
Oh too cute, the Blues Brothers!
I’m sure that we would! And, he doesn’t really look like the sort who would do that, anyway! Good thing!
Good morning, Susan and girlfriends!! ~~~ What a wonderful surprise to see a new blog waiting for us to read over and over. Lots of surprises and gifts await us. Congratulations to Olivia on winning the baby books AND on expecting your first child.
I’m planning to look up the main office for Barns and Noble so that I can write to them about having a ‘book signing’ in the Kennewick, Wa store. I sure hope that they respond as I think it would be great to have one there. Girlfriends from all around the eastern part of the state could come.
Got a note from Pat Addison this morning about the fires that are so close to them in Oregon. She can’t even see the end of their street and they are all packed and ready to leave if need be. Wenatchee, WA, where my daughter lives has a fire fairly close to them as well. We need to start a prayer chain for those close to the fires. I’m sure there are plenty more girlfriends and loved ones that are being affected.
Back to packing
oxoxox
Oh no, I didn’t realize it was that close to Pat! Oh dear, I’ll be looking forward to hearing from her soon. Thank you for calling the bookstore Carol!
thanks Carol!!! i’m fine and ready to go if we have to. smoky but not too bad today, but it is blocking out the sun. my poor birds are having trouble figuring out what time of day it is and my poor gardens are coated with ashes, wonder if its good for them or not???
how is your daughter doing up there, the fire under control yet???
I think that the fire is starting to be contained. It’s not super close to her, but if it continues, we could become a concern from what I read. Haven’t heard anything about it from her so I’m thinking all are safe and sound for now. Thank’s for asking.
xoxox
I’ve just noticed how many Oregonians are on this site… Amazing! We must have REALLY great taste!
So glad to know that your blotter calendar will be back after only a “short intermission”!
Hi Susan, I’ve been lurking and reading your blog entries, but haven’t posted any comment for ages, but this last one got me excited. It was good news that the books are done and ready to be shipped out, as I had ordered one and cannot wait to get it. So I hadn’t gotten a chance to read completely through this last entry until today, and I just read this new post and then went to my email. Guess what was in my email? An email from your customer service stating my book was shipped and on it’s way! And it’s funny I’d just checked my email before going on your website here, but the email from you wasn’t in there yet. Anyway, glad to be getting it early, but I did order in February so I must have been an early one. Wait until the girls start getting their books; I’m sure lots of good comments will start pouring in! Have a great week and hope the temps are cooling off for you up there!
I didn’t realize that everyone would be receiving “book has shipped” emails! Love that!
Wow! how exciting! I’ll have to be on the lookout for an e-mail as well.
I just received my Book Has Shipped email too! Sooooo excited and ready to read that baby of your’s. Double Waaa Hoooooo……
Look, all the way to the Garden State!
Barb: where ’bouts do you live in our great state? I am in southcentral, approx 60 miles south of Columbus.
I printed the booklet for my book and will patiently await its arrival. This will make August special.
should have said bookplate…..I use them all of the time. Must be the aging process in action.
Too bad. I’ll miss it, but maybe I’ll just use this year’s blotter next year too, since I save the past months under the current months. (I just hate throwing your art away, Susan!) I know it won’t be a “proper” calendar, but what the heck? And, I, too, am waiting anxiously for “A Fine Romance” to arrive! I ordered early, and now it’s coming early! And your cake!! Yum! If I wasn’t on Weight Watcher’s right now, I’d make it TODAY, but I WILL make it for a more special occasion than “laundry day”!
Oh, one more thing… Love hearing from Jack! Jack, I get such a kick hearing about the things you accomplished in your younger years. Reminds me of my Dad!
Make it when you’re sure 99% of it will get eaten … or when you are taking it to someone’s house. VERY dangerous to have “lying around.”
I was so excited to see that the books arrived early! I just got an email that mine has shipped!! Yea! I’m having a tea party on Thursday to celebrate the Royal Baby and I’m crossing my fingers that perhaps it will be here in time for my friends to see.
Probably will! Happy Tea Party — do a teacup toast for me too! Tell us how it went and what you made!
I just got notice that my copy of your book has been shipped.. COLOR ME HAPPY!!!!! and its not even August. :))))))))))))))))))))) I cant wait. I will take my book and iced tea out in the Garden to savor every page. 🙂
Don’t you just love early! I was so surprised and happy!
What a great blog post, almost like a real party, ha! Congratulations on A Fine Romance, I can’t wait to hold the baby-umm book-in my hands. I am so bummed that I will not be visiting MV this August (missing the fair too), so if you are signing in the tidewater region of Virginia I will be wearing my name tag! P.S. I am totally going to make the polenta cake. Oh and a congrats to Olivia, in the homestretch!
I’m sure we’ll get to Virginia one of these days!
I just got an email saying my book was shipped! So excited! If you come anywhere near the Carolinas, I would come to a book signing and buy several 🙂
We’re going to try Cindy … put we think we are saving the south east for the winter! 🙂
I can wait. (That sounds very sensible, too. Although we can have ice and snow and no cleared roads. I got stuck in Atlanta on Dec 15, 2011 during an ice storm. They shut down the interstates because there are only 4 sand trucks in the entire state. Crazy. I was traveling with my son’s two kitties and had to get a hotel room at 3 am and sneak them in with me. Thank goodness I had their litter box and food as I was only supposed to be on a 6 hour trip from Birmingham, AL.)
Now that is an adventure!
Your photography is so perfect. Bright clear and cheery. The cake looks divine! I’ll have to investigate where to get the lavender here. I admit, I am catching up on the posts. Congratulations to Olivia and Weston. I am oh so, most excited, as I just received an email announcing that your new book HAS shipped. Can’t wait for it to arrive. THANK YOU, Susan and everyone involved.
Happy to hear it Wendy! btw, If you can’t find local lavender, you can click on that link in the Party Post, and have it sent to your home.
I just got notice that my book shipped!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited I can’t wait! Thanks to Kellee and Sheri and Alfredo! I can see I won’t be getting much do around here for a while. *L* Hugs to all!
~ Yeah!! ~ My book has been shipped!!~ Very Excited!!!~ Thank You Susan and Kellee And Sheri !!~
Yay! Got my notification that my book has been shipped! Just in time, too….my French student who’s been here for 3 weeks is leaving tomorrow night 🙁 This will help fill the void Agathe’s leaving will make….
I’m sorry she’s going!
Woo Hoo!!! HAPPY DANCE…………the books are on their way!! THIS is exciting and I can hardly wait. My husband was stationed in England with the USAF when our 1st son was born in 1980. A dear, dear English lady taught me this game for him: with your pointer finger and middle finger walk around the palm of the child’s hand while saying: “run around the garden , like a teddy bear; (then make great strides with your fingers and jump to the wrist and say “one step”, then the crease of the arm saying : “two steps” and then to under arms saying “and tickle under there”!!!! Such giggles…………..I can still hear them 33 years later. 🙂
CUTE!!!
Ann~
When my children were little, a dear Polish neighbor would do a similar game with them (in Polish…but she translated for me): Round and Round the garden goes the little mouse. Up, Up, Up he creeps…into his little house! I have continued to play this with all my children, my daycare children and now my granddaughter, Izzy…it ALWAYS brings out the giggles, doesn’t it?
Oh so excited. I just received my ship notification. Can’t wait!!
Oh I’m sooo glad Olivia won, I was secretly rooting for her and hoped that if I won, I could forward it to her. Her post was one that I felt deserving the prize! Yay for Olivia !!! =0)
Thrilled to have received electronic notification that 29 lbs of pure bliss will be on my doorstep in a couple of days!!!
Hip hip hooray, three cheers and a round of she’s a jolly good lady!
A.F.R. now and forever more, a-men!
xoxo Carrie, “Jolly good Lady!”
Hooray! I received an email today stating that my pre-ordered book HAS SHIPPED and should be in my mailbox soon. Can’t wait!
I just got my email also that A Fine Romance was shipped. Yeah! It’s perfect timing. I will be flying In August and hate to fly so I will save the book to read as a special “treat” during my flight. Can’t wait. Thank you!!
Beautiful post….love the recipe for the cake. We did not have tea here….spent the day at a Ukrainian Festival with wonderful food, then came home with a plate of baked goods and iced tea to watch “Miss Potter” – such a good movie. Makes us want to visit Hill Top Farm and just saw a bunny playing on our yard and thought…hmm, looks like Peter ! Congratulations on the book being ready to ship….can’t wait !
I cry when I watch that movie now! Crazy, but I do!
That cake is delicious! I love the lavender. My daughter enjoys your recipes because she gets to cook with ingredients from her fairy garden. Incase you were wondering, she did leave out a small piece for the them.
Our labels are printed in hopes that you will come New York. We’re currently talking about a mini vacation around the 21st to visit you in New Hampshire. (keeping our fingers cross)
XO
That would be great, I would love to meet your fairy child too!
Hooray! Hooray! I got my e-mail notice today that my book has been shipped. I can hardly wait. Thank you Susan
You’re so welcome Toni!
Dear Susan, Let me join you and the girlfriends in celebrating both Vanna’s choosing of Olivia as the winner of your Susan Branch Baby Book, and… celebrating Beatrix Potter’s 147th Birthday! I’ve an exciting true story to tell you: My husband and I attended a beautiful wedding reception at the famous, gorgeous, an architectural’s wonder, The Salt Lake City Public Library. What a fabulous choice of location! The event took place in the rotunda, and you look up and lose sight of the ceiling which appears miles above you. Well, books were the theme of this scholarly couple’s wedding. Each round guest table had a pile of books decoratively stacked in the center, which the SLC Library no longer wanted!!! Guests were invited to take books of their own choosing, and I found Susan Wittig Albert’s book, “The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood- the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter”. Can you believe this?! And guess what? The book had my name written all over it, and she was saying, “Take Me; Take Me!!” After returning from our trip to England (yes, your, Joe’s and us girlfriends’ trip), I had Beatrix Potter on the brain as I’ve always been a big fan of hers, for when I was young, my father would make up stories about Peter Rabbit, and tell all about the problems he got himself into. So I do accept your invitation to the Beatrix Potter celebration! Just to say that my newly acquired Susan Wittig Albert book is so glad I picked her. -and why wouldn’t I?? She and I are new best of friends, and we spend time enjoying each other’s company everyday. 🙂
How wonderful, what a great story Gini! What gorgeous place for a wedding, I love this idea.
Susan: can you hear my squeal of delight, happiness and excitement because, ta-da! in my email inbox today was ta-da again! “Your order has shipped from Susan Branch” And, you guessed it, the only item I have pending is your new book! “A Fine Romance” is winging its way to me, and since I am a west coastie it should be here very soon. Now, if I can convince you to swing through the PNW or WA state even better on your way to California—-it is on the way, isn’t it? ——then I can finally meet you in person and have you sign the copy! If not, I already have a reservation for some great digs in SLO for November. Thank you Susan for bringing such joy to my day! Love, Karen
I hope we can make it up there…. it’s all about those quick-moving minutes! But happy to know you’re planning a trip to SLO! I bet you get your book today Karen!
See you here or there. I will be wearing my “special” name badge!
Perfect!
Hi Susan, My mouth dropped open when I read that the books are in!!! Will definitely be watching the mail everyday! Can’t wait!!! :o)
Congratulations to Olivia and baby Weston! What a sweet giveaway! I will be praying for a safe and healthy delivery!
Susan, I actually cried when I read your response to my comment about my youngest daughter being pregnant but having a mild heart condition. How kind of you to offer a prayer for her and the baby. Thank you so much! You are such an encouragement to all who read your writings! Love your blog, your books, Willard, and your beautiful art! Thanks for brightening our world!
Lots of Smiles to You!
Deborah :o)
I know you’re thrilled, but there is always that worry. Doctors are so smart these days. xoxo
yippeeee such exciting news your baby has arrived!!! congratulations!!!!
hmmm what good timing too, your “royal” baby not long after another royal baby hehehe. and now im even more excited because my email said its been shipped!!!
the warehouse is only couple hours from me so it should not take long.
i will bring it with me to the event in slo this fall. thank you thank you!
the recipe looks so yummy, i too have coworkers who cannot have gluten, as the designated cake maker for office events, i like to find recipes that everyone can enjoy. this one will be the next one i try 🙂
thanks for all the fun susan, your posts and news are such a nice positive uplifting stuff to read. so much yuck going on in the world i need to just go to the good.
tata for now,
from the west coast ,
natasha
You’ll probably get it today Natasha!
yyyaaayyyyy!!! guess what was sitting on the table waiting
for me when i arrived home from work?????
susan, its BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
the photos, the drawings, the font; it is truly a work of art.
you have outdone yourself miss susan. i can hardly wait for a nice quiet evening to cuddle up and have a cup of tea and immerse myself into this lovely book.
thank you’s also to your hard working staff who are busy getting these books out!
natasha in ca
You got it Natasha! Wonderful!
WOOHOO!!!! My book shipped! Glad I ordered early. It’s always so nice to have something wonderful to look forward to.
Hi Susan,
I actually preordered my copy to be sent to a friend in Colorado as I was so keen to get it that I just couldn’t trust the international postage system!!!!!!!!! I will be in Colorado in September and will pick it up then but I’ve told my friend she has my permission (in fact my insistence) that she read and revel in it for herself as soon as it arrives at her door 🙂
I will enjoy seeing afresh all the beautiful places we visited in April/May this year in an almost copycat trip to yours and Joe’s last spring.
Blessings Chris x
That’s great, you can enjoy it together!
ok Susan, just read your tweet about how to return to mundane life. you don’t. here’s my idea–a cookbook of recipes from your girlfriends. we submit recipes, you choose a gaggle of us to try them, send one to several people who make it, comment, and you decide if it should go in the book. add some of your own, do the artwork and oh boy! I can’t wait! oh oh oh! I just got my email saying my BOOK has been shipped! the romance is in the mail! yippee!!!!
xox, sandy 🙂
Great idea Sandy! I have to cook the recipes though, must taste, “just part of the job!” The girls shipped almost a thousand books yesterday! They did! I’m so proud of them!
~ Hi~
Didn’t you do something like that years ago? ~ Have a contest and a lucky winner got their recipe in your book and got to meet you?~ It was one of your first books I believe~
Yes it was Sweets to the Sweet, published in 1998. I remember testing all those dessert recipes!!
Having watched “Julie & Julia” I can see where doing a cookbook is an arduous task with having to make the recipes, too…especially when you add your hand lettering and watercolors to it. And how can you “afford” the calories in the dessert section!??
Nowadays, when I do a cookbook, one of my girlfriends cooks, or once in a while Joe cooks, and I taste and we try again, or we give up and start something new — but for the first two books I cooked AND wrote — which, including the grocery shopping, sure takes up a day!
~ Sweet Torture~!!
SOOOOOO excited…I just received an email that my book, A Fine Romance, has shipped…I can hardly wait to see it, hold it and begin the slow process of reading it…I may need to take a day off of work…hmmmmmm
Yesterday I got an e-mail telling me that my book has been shipped. WOW! This is much quicker than I expected. Kellee and Sheri surely are hard workers. You have been working hard too, all winter long. I hope you are enjoying your summer. I remember watching the Queen Mary II sail from New York taking you and Joe away on your wonderful adventure in England. It was so exciting and you made those of us out here in blogland feel very special by including us in every step of your book journey. In a few short days we will be able to see the result of that journey, to hold it, to savor it, to read and re-read it. I am THRILLED.
I’ll be making the orange polenta cake so that it will be ready and waiting for my cup of tea when the book arrives. Then I will have a completely delicious day reading about gardens, winding one lane roads, pubs, precious English cottages, sheep, Beatrix Potter, etc………… Thanks for all your hard work.
My pleasure. It’s odd, in a way, to see it as a real book after just thinking it for so long!
Good Morning Susan!!
I am soooo excited!! My email box told me that my copy of your wonderful book has been shipped. I’m holding off on baking the your yummy looking Lavender Polenta Cake until A FINE ROMANCE arrives and I can eat and read. Oh the suspense of it all!! …your book and delicious cake…I’m can’t live and stand it!
Diane in North Carolina
LOL Diane!
Exciting! I received a notice that my book was shipped. Can’t wait to get started on it.
BTW, I ordered some of your yummy lemon and thyme bar soap last Tuesday and received it in Texas Friday. What a wonderful surprise to kick off the weekend. It smells heavenly….. Kudos to your staff for their timely shipments and congratulations to you on delivering your book early. You must be over the moon.
That is our favorite soap, Joe loves it too … I keep him stocked with it! Glad you like it Kay!
Ooooh! I love that lemon-thyme soap. I keep two bars tucked in with my kitchen towels, placemats etc. Heaven! :>)
It’s my new favorite book and I don’t even have it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan……I got my calendars yesterday and I LOVE the big one…..I think it’s my fav you’ve ever done. And I am SITTIN’ on the mailbox!!!!!! Oh happy day!!!!
SO happy to hear that Karen!
Dear Susan,
I received my email yesterday: “Your book has been shipped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Of course the email didn’t use all those exclamation marks, but it was inferred, I’m sure!
I am so excited I can barely contain myself! I don’t know how you are surviving! I will be sure to read page 9 first–well, actually, first I will probably run around the house holding the book and screaming with joy. I know I will briefly page through it (what I usually do with a new book) and then I will settle in, take my time, use the lovely ribbon, and enjoy. You can always read a good book again, but you can only read it for the first time, once. That is why I like to savor my first time reading. I am especially excited to see some of the things we Girlfriends may have missed b/c we were stuck in the suitcases or other awkward positions. (not complaining …just saying….b/c I would go again with you and Joe in a heart beat.)
You are The Best,
Linda
We would take you too. It was too much fun! I love your exclamation marks. We need to get our computer to automatically do that!
OMG, OMG, So many wonderful things happening. I feel so left out because I am taking care of 2 puppies and they are so sweet but just like having newborn babies ! To say the least I have been very busy. One puppy is my daughter’s and she will be moving out next spring after Graduate School. She wanted Mom’s doggy potty training, before moving to an apartment.
I am sooooo excited for “A Fine Romance”, I ordered 5 copies for gifts. I can’t wait to read and dream of one day going to England with my wonderful husband. He has already been and loved it so much, he toured Winston Churchill’s Home and that is why our little puppy is called Winston !
I love the English connection.
We are having a big family Party in August and I will definitely make the Polenta Cake.
Today is a spectacular day on the East Coast, my wonderful Paul is playing half day hookey and we are going for a sail. Little Winston has already been and he is definitely a “Salty Dog”, No fear, just loves it !!!!!
Have a wonderful, Happy, Happy, Day and I can’t wait to meet you at a book signing! Love to you and kitties and Joe, Wendy Louise
You are SUCH a good mommy to do the potty training!!!
We went to Chartwell too — completely fantastic!
It is spectacular here today too… clean clear air, warm but not too hot and low humidity! We have a sundown sail happening tomorrow night — enjoy the water!
The books have arrived early . . . this is so exciting. I cannot wait to get mine! I Love England and the Royal Family and have always wanted to visit there too one day. And, I want to travel there the same way that you and Joe did, first by railcar and then by the Queen Mary II. I want to vist all the places you went that you and Joe visited and stay in the same places you stayed. My dream for someday.
Right now, I am ready to get my book and devour it. And, I hope that you can spend some time in Georgetown County, SC for a booksigning event. Maybe you could do a Moveable Feast (classatpawleys.com/feast.php ) at the Hopsewee Plantation Tea Room (hopsewee.com/ ). And, a booksigning at the NEW Litchfield Books store (litchfieldbooks.com/ ). I added the information about A FINE ROMANCE to their Facebook page. I think you and Joe might like to stay at the SeaView Inn on Pawleys Island (seaviewinn.net/ ). It is divine and so is their food but, they close for the Winter season and then reopen in the month of March. I will send information about A FINE ROMANCE booksigning events to Linda Ketron who arranges the Moveable Feasts and keep a watchful eye on your future events page.
What wonderful suggestions. I wrote it all down Sharon — thank you so much!
I don’t know if you’ll read this or not…as there’s so many comments ahead of me, but I got a notice this morning that my book has been shipped! YEAH! I can hardly wait. But waiting makes it all the sweeter, right??…I just know I’m going to love this book…I just know it. Thanks in advance for all the hard work. I’m an artist and I know it’s taken a lot of work for you to do this. Thanks again! Enjoy all the rewards!!
Thank you so much BJR!
SSOOO glad to know the books are here and almost on the way! Happy I pre ordered too! That cake is some of my favorite things…butter ( I think it is it’s own food group) and lemon zest…also love to cook in my cast iron skillet, looks like I need to make that cake. Such good STUFF!!!!!!
good morning Susan, girlfriends. thank you all for the thoughts and prayers, we are safe and packed up and ready to go at a moments notice if we have to. the fire has grown to over 700 acres, its up to 1000 now, the firefighters really can’t get to it as it is in a area that is pretty rough to get to and nothing but old logging roads up there. well some of our neighbors have volunteered to use their tractors and bulldozers to carve out some roads for the firefighters to use, and we have some families here taking in firefighters to their homes, these are guys off the lines and sent back for a day or 2 of rest. we got 2 and spoiled them, with a big breakfast, showers and laundry service. from what I can understand we will be dealing with these fires and smoke for 2-3 weeks at least, and they are hoping the fires don’t burn up to the 2002 Biscuit fire area, that would be a disaster. i’m sure you all heard about the 2002 Biscuit fire in Oregon, it burned for months and destroyed so much in the line of acres and homes. but thanks to enviromentalists or tree huggers as they are known around here the area of the Biscuit fire was never cleared of the dead trees, so that’s the problem, if the fire gets up there, its going to race along and burn everything and maybe come down to our area. we have no love for those tree huggers, one had the nerve to drive by my house with a sign on her car saying “let it burn” I just went out and asked for her address, when she asked me why I told her I was going to leave it at the fire station with instructions to let her house burn down and to do nothing. I felt she does not deserve the protection of those guys if this was her attitude. hopefully she is singing a new tune these days. Carol is daughter and her family okay??? is the fire in Wenatchee still close or is it under control yet??? hope she is okay. i’ll continue to pop in here until we have to go, we have mandatory orders yet, but we are under advisory to be ready. thanks everyone for the prayers and concern. off to go feed the barnyard crowd and to sweep the porches….. AGAIN!!! hugs….. 🙂
oops we don’t have mandatory orders yet, just under advisory to be ready to go.
Oh dear Pat, I thought it was better yesterday! Good luck to you all there, hopefully it will be put out soon!
Susan it could take awhile to get that fire out, but the firefighters with the help of the neighbors and folks around here are carving out some good roads, and since the winds have shifted a bit the smoke is not too bad, at least we can see across the road and down the road to town and see the traffic, couldn’t do that too much lately. even saw some blue sky today so there is hope that they will get it out soon. we are still under advisory to be ready, and the fire has grown over 1050 acres now, hopefully they can keep it out of the area where the Biscuit fire burned, if goes there….. there will be no stopping it, the tree huggers would not let loggers go in after that fire to clear out the dead and burned snags and stumps and replant the forest so now if those catch fire it will be more of a hazard as there are no roots to hold those snags in the ground and if they should fall or roll down the mountain side, it will cause new burn areas. needless to say tree huggers are not too well thought of here. but for now we are fine, everything is ready if we have to go, and I continue my daily chores and water the yard more regularly than I ever did before to keep things green here. even got up on the roof and hosed out the gutters and washed the debris off of the roof to prevent any embers from sparking up there. my 2 firefighters went back today, well rested and fed and lots of clean laundry. and I told the fire station if they need us to take in any more we will do so and gladly. off to get some lunch and sweep off the porches, AGAIN!!!! hugs everyone….. 🙂
YAY!!!! we now have blue skies again, the winds shifted and its all blowing off to another direction, so nice to see blue skies and not that grayish/brownish yukky haze… nice to be able to breathe again. 🙂
Oh that’s good news Pat!
Those guys are true heroes, tell them we say so too Pat. Best of luck with all of this, stay safe!
just an update from the fires, our fire has grown to over 1700 acres and its still out of control, but with the shift in the wind we are breathing easier and hopefully they can begin water drops on the fire. and all you folks don’t have to worry about your firefighters, we are feeding them right. folks from around the valley here (Illinois valley) and the Rogue River valley ( Grants Pass and Medford) are donating food items to the firefighters like fresh fruit and veggies, milk, water, juice, soda, breads and rolls and donuts, meat and desserts like ice cream, pies, cake and so on. donated this week’s eggs about 14 dozen eggs for their breakfast. and boy did they eat good last night and this morning…. last night’s menu was prime rib, mashed potatoes, green salads, steamed mixed veggies, potato salad, macaroni salad, and dessert was blackberry cobbler, and peach cobbler with ice cream. this morning breakfast was hashed brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, English muffins, donuts, milk, juice and lots of hot coffee. the lunch bags are packed and they consist of 2 sandwiches, ( turkey and ham), 2 pieces of fresh fruit, 2 juices, and cookies in bags for the guys to have on the fire lines. are they getting spoiled or what and dinner tonight is ribs, potato salad, macaroni salad, tomato salad, fried potatoes, and steakhouse beans. dessert is fresh pies and ice cream. so we will feed your firefighters well, and we have them here from all over the country.. we will spoil them. 🙂
After reading those menus, Pat, I am thinking of becoming a firefighter!
LOL Jake!
Looking forward to my copy. “Thank You” to all of your support staff – sometimes we forget how many are in the background assisting you! !
They are doing a wonderful job!
I will stand outside by my mailbox everyday until my book comes!
We have a huge Barnes & Noble bookstore in St. Paul, MN. and would love it if you could come there for a book signing. Let me know if you would like me to contact them for you.
All my best, Carol
I’ll do that, let me see how quickly we are done with Chicago.
It’s been shipped!!!!! A Fine Romance is on its way! What a wonderful surprise to find that email in my inbox! This gem will be one that I sit right down with as soon as it arrives. I don’t care WHAT I am doing! Dishes? They’ll wait! Vacuuming? That can wait too. ( I hope I’m doing laundry – the machine does the work and I get the credit!) I just KNOW we’re all going to be charmed right out of our socks .
Ohhh, I sure hope so! (Let the scary part begin!)
It’s HERE! A Fine romance arrived just now! Time out now for my first perusal. It looks wonderful!!!!!
You got it! OK, that’s the first I’ve heard. Like passing notes in high school, only this one is a BIG note!
Wandering off to put some laundry in.
Susan, I just looked at my e-mail and I’ve gotten my notice that our book has been shipped. I’m so relieved as I didn’t want to deal with trying to figure out where I was going to get it with our moving and all. Now I can relax. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
xoxo
Good Carol, you can check that one little worry off your list!
Mine is on its way, too! Hurray! Many thanks to Kellee, Sheri, and Alfredo for shipping their little fingers to the bone! And of course, a huge thanks to you, Susan, for your talent and faithfulness in making this book for us. Blessings! Bess
I hope you like it Bess!
OH MY GOSH!!! Yesterday my new calendars came and lit up my world, and I just got an email that my A Fine Romance has shipped!!! I am sooooo excited!!!!!!! I will be locking myself in my tiny house and let no one in because I will be drinking tea and reading!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Happy happy!
My heart just beat a little faster – my email says your lovely book is being shipped! I am so excited!!!
I have to tell you, though, I have a process in reading a new book. If it is one that I have been looking forward to (like this one), when I get it I will put it on my bookshelf where I can see it every day. I will gloat over it, treasure it, and just revel in the possession of it. The delights of anticipation! After a week or two, I will finally start reading it. Slowly. I just don’t want that excited feeling to go by quickly, so I prolong the read as long as I can. This, of course, drives my daughter crazy especially when it is a book she wants to read as well. 🙂 My second time through (and there will be a second, a third, etc.) will go much more quickly!
Thank you again for this trip to England, and letting us see it through your eyes and heart. God bless you!!! =^..^=
p.s. I love the tiny little smiley face at the bottom of the comments page.!
I’m the same way, Mona, but there’s so much to read and look at in this book that you can dip in for awhile and still
have lots left for another time.
I love your process. One book I really enjoyed was A Year in Provence, and now I tell anyone who is going to read that book, make yourself go slow. You won’t want it to end!
Let us know if you were able to leave it on the shelf for more than a day! If so, you must have the will power of a saint!
Oh Man!!!!!!!!! I just got my shipment notice. I will be heading back
to the coast Thurs. Can’t wait. Kellee and Sheri are beautiful girls
and extremely fast. Thanks!
I’m so excited….my book shipped already! I received an email telling me to look for it. I can’t wait to read it!
I am sooooo thrilled. I just got an e-mail letting me know my copy of “A Fine Romance” has shipped. I was so excited I wanted to tell someone, so I’m telling you. YIPEE!!!!
I’m glad you chose us!
Its here – the mail just came and I have A Fine Romance in my hands. Thank you so much. Guess what I will doing this afternoon and in November I will have you sign it. Linda
I will be there!
The book is wonderful – you have given me the happy gene today. I just found your signature label – I should have said sign it again. This will be a wonderful read every afternoon.
…ah, you California girls will get the new arrival first !!!!!… I, too, got my notice in the mail and should get my long-awaited gift tomorrow or Thursday…..ahh….feels like it’s Christmas eve, doesn’t it ?!?…with love….
What I love is that it’s only you .. no sales in stores, not even there yet, just us that have the books. We are our own little book club!
…oh, I really feel like a little kid waiting on Christmas eve…but Grumpy !!… I couldn’t believe that everyone was getting The Book but me !!.. I thought I was one of the first ones to pre order and even in Vermont they got it …BEFORE ME !!!…I saw the mailman today, so ready to get The Book and he just drove on by !!!!…. “seriously ?!?!?!”, I thought ?!?….color me ms. grumpy!….ah, maybe tomorrow… I am kinda kidding, really…I’m glad everyone is so happy with our new baby !!…I know I will be soon !!… absolutely worth waiting for !!!….take care and with love…
I think this may be the grumpy comment of which you speak Mary? But, it’s cute grumpy, let’s keep it! 🙂
Such a happy little book club! ♡♡
The best!
Hi Susan… I see that my grumpy note is still in moderation mode…once again, please be so kind as you are and please don’t print it… I’m better this morning…P.S. ‘had to smile when I went to the shopping section…”oh, there’s JOE !!!…’gotta tell you, those beanies will sell out !!…take care and with love…as always…
Beanies! 🙂 I bet you never wrote a grumpy note in your life, but I’m still “moderating” — will look for something grumpy, if I see it, I will delete it!