Oh, the weather outside is frightful . . . but we are cozy because we have the perfect MUSICA.
Good morning Girlfriends . . . While you are heating up your ovens and baking your pies and making your houses smell like heaven, I thought you’d like another thing to be grateful for . . . that you aren’t here . . .
Because leaving Albuquerque, trying to get to Oklahoma City for our last book signing, was icy, freezing and slippery, and snow was blowing everywhere. The only thing that was good about it is that we found a radio station that played only Christmas carols! Joe went slow, he’s been driving in snow all his life and knows how to do it … we sang with the radio and it started to look a lot like Christmas!
But we did not care for the fact that fog would descend and trucks would “disappear.”
So when we got to Amarillo, we stopped and stayed two nights waiting for the storm to pass. Cozy and warm in our room. Let it snow.
When we left, it was still pretty bad, but a little better and we had to go; I started singing the words to the song Oklahoma (where the wind comes whistling down the plain) but this way!
We cheered ourselves up immenesly when we stopped for hot chocolate with whipped cream and this little dog was in the car next to where we parked. Mmmmm, hot chocolate! ♥ Cures what ails you. Tastes like home.
Which was good timing because just before Oklahoma City, all traffic was diverted off the slick highway and onto a one-lane side road. We inched along and finally got to the reason why I40 was closed … six tractor trailer trucks and everything in them was spread all over the highway. Uh huh. You don’t have to say a thing. I was happy not to see any ambulances there … hopefully everyone made it out of this alive and well and home for Thanksgiving!
We made it to the book signing on time and had the BEST time with everyone … and this was our day yesterday…. the storm had blown by, the roads were clear and dry, the weather went east where I see that it’s wreaking Thanksgiving havoc with the east coast. We are behind it now, feeling so lucky and grateful, and that’s where we plan to stay for the rest of the way home.
Despite the fact that it was clear sailing, we got nowhere yesterday. We slept in, then had lunch at WONDERFUL Cattleman’s Restaurant (in business since 1910), just the cutest place, all booths and counter, so old fashioned, the wait staff is elegantly dressed and the food is delicious… go there if you are near Oklahoma City! Then we went antiquing at the BEST antique stores. So much fun, we could barely leave. And I found something for YOU! I’ve been wanting to do a give-away present when we get home and I found the perfect thing. So excited, you are going to LOVE it. We didn’t even get on the road until 4 pm yesterday, and only got as far as Tulsa, which is where we’re waking up this morning. We should be home by Saturday or Sunday unless there are lots more antique stores on the road! ♥ Peace in your hearts dear Girlfriends, for you and your families, I’m wishing you a very
I have been thinking about you and Joe as I see the weather reports. Sounds like the east coast is having terrible weather that you will be driving in. Be careful and get home safely. I’ll be thinking and praying for your safe arrival home.
Watching the news about the storm and knowing you were somewhere in the vicinity of the severe weather, I’ve been praying for your travels. So good to hear you are safe and on your way home.
All is well Elizabeth . . . thank you!
Thankful (oops had to move, Don is vacuuming around me…whatta guy!) that you could wait out most of the storm, my dears! Tell my birth town Siloam Springs, Arkansas hi as you drive past! Keep that storm ahead of you, & happy antiquing! Be safe, & Happy Thanksgiving to you & all you sweet, kind, lovely bloggers! ♥
…a Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Joan !!..I’m living very close to Siloam Springs and fun to hear that Susan and Joe are in Tulsa and driving by !!…so close !!.. I’m so happy that they stayed safe through the storm !!..once again, happy thanksgiving to you and all of our “girlfriends” !!
Susan and Joe, Glad to hear that you are okay…I am sure I am not the only one that was thinking and praying for you as we saw the weather you were going to get as you headed for Oaklahoma. It doesn’t matter where you are…It is what you carry in your heart that will make it Thanksgiving where ever you are. God Bless you and happy homecoming…You both so deserve it. Love the soap box lady Susan P
Praying for safe travels on your way home. Thank you for sharing! Love the Musica~
Good morning, Susan and GFs! Susan, I have been worried about you and Joe as I watch the weather reports and so I’m very glad to read this post and to know all is well. Good lessons here for us too. . . it’s the journey as much as the destination. We have always been more “grind through to get there” type of folks. Now in retirement we are trying(!) to mosey down the road more. Your pictures show how easily life can change so I’m counting my blessings even more this morning as I prepare for kids and grandkids and granddogs. Love it!
You are blessing, Susan, and I’ve always been thankful for your books of home and love and family and table. You have enriched my life and my skills to create a cozy and peaceful haven for my family. Thank you and safe travels!
Thank you so much Patty!
It has been a joy to travel with you on your “book signing” journey. My daughter and I will always cherish meeting you in Wilmington, OH in September. I finished “A Fine Romance” a while ago…and loved every minute of it (sad to see it come to and end!) Now, when Thanksgiving is over I get to open up my package with Yankee magazine and the article about your home. (I have been saving it). Hope you and Joe make it safely back to Martha’s Vineyard. I can imagine your excitement about seeing Jack and Girl and being “home sweet home” again. There is nothing like it, is there? Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe. XO
Was wonderful meeting you too Ruth! Just a fantastic trip.
What an adventure you both are having! Love that “doggie in the window” and difficult to pull away from him!! I really should NOT be at my computer since I’m a mom with a zillion things to do today before my kids all show up on our doorstep, but just had to check in your blog!!! Take care, be safe on the road with everyone heading home for Thanksgiving!!
Just a little moment with the Girlfriends before you run xoxo
That “doggie in the window” is a miniature schnauzer–I recognized it immediately! 🙂 Looks like ours except ours have cropped ears…
Been thinking so much of the two of you in your travels. So glad to hear you are safe and making the most of your trek! I am busily preparing for tomorrow’s feast. It is a balmy 59 degrees today which has made for a rainy day here in MA instead of snow – otherwise we would surely be under siege right now! Another thing to be grateful for with so many travelers en route! Continued blessings to you both as you make your way homeward. Happy Thanksgiving!
59! Hold that line Tina! 🙂
Wish you had dipped down into Texas. Love your new book!
Weather was even worse in Texas … the panhandle was slippery, but Dallas was where the action really was!
Oh, my! You are such brave souls! I can’t even imagine driving in what you are going through. It was good to hear that Joe has control of everything (like he wouldn’t have????). AND that you got in some antiquing (like you wouldn’t???). This most certainly is a trip of a lifetime – and you thought the sail to England was going to be the last adventure!!! As I sit in California, eating my Thanksgiving meal – with the sun shining – but still cold – I will close my eyes and imagine being with you traveling down life’s highways and taking in all of the sights. HAPPY THANKSGIVING (you have given me so very much this year) HAPPY TRAILS and go with God. Love to you both……..You are both amazing!! XXXXOOOO Pat
Thank you Pat, I love that image!
Susan,
weeeeee-U. Glad that’s over with. Winter wonderland here today, very pretty. But then I’m not following big trucks that I can’t see. Almost home, keep safe. Rest up, its going to take you three days to unload that van.
xxoo nancy Jo
I think it will be a lot like Christmas!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear Susan! Travel mercies to you.
Can’t wait to see you back home safe and sound! 🙂
Me too, that ferry ride will be so thrilling for me! Thank you Jennifer!
Oh Susan…I have been thinking and praying for safe travels. So..so glad to read that you are finally behind this terrible storm. And thankful you have your skillful driver Joe! Smile… I pray your continued travels are safe and that you’ll be safely home by the weekend.. Early Hapy Turkey day!
Happy Turkey Day Gert! xoxo
Happy Thanksgiving. Peace, goodwill and a safe drive home. Can’t wait to see what you have found. xxxooo
Thank you SO much for the update! I’m so relieved to hear the bad weather is behind you and the two of you are safe and on your way home! Happy to hear you’re enjoying some much better weather and are now able to enjoy the last leg of your travels at your own pace. I can’t wait to have you and Joe in your warm cozy home enjoying Girl Kitty and Jack in front of your beautiful fireplace. Happy Thanksgiving to you both! With love and happiness.
Thank you Marie, the same to you!
Happy Thanksgiving! 😀
Am I understanding you will be on the road for Thanksgiving? I thought surely you would be home for it! SHOCKING! Well, take your time and be safe. We had nasty weather here in Kentucky yesterday. If you are coming this way, be careful.
We are going to St. Louis today, or at least heading in that direction … then over through Kentucky, which it seems will have cleared by then. Or else we’ll just continue north after St. Louis. Yes, we’re having a serendipitous, nobody-knows-what’s-gonna-happen Thanksgiving! Different, but not so bad for people who like to travel.
If you will be in KY for Thanksgiving Day……..I don’t know what direction you will come through, or how far you will get, but Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill has a lovely dinner on T-Day……besides, I think you would love it there.
If you will be in KY for Thanksgiving Day……..I don’t know what direction you will come through, or how far you will get, but Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill has a lovely dinner on T-Day……besides, I think you would love it there. It’s supposed to be 35 degrees, sunny and 0 percent chance of precipitation tomorrow.
If you’re near Owensboro, KY, stop at the Moonlite BBQ for the buffet. Then roll yourselves into the van…
Good Morning Susan and Joe,
You are my new guilty pleasure these past three weeks. My friend Laurie gave me your “A Fine Romance” book and neither one of us can believe I had never heard of you before or read any of your books! I’m blown away at how similar my tastes are to yours.
Nice to meet you Jenny! Thank you!
Welcome to the Girlfriends, Jenny! You are in for such a treat! This is such a most wonderful place to be!
Chris
Jacquelyn Las Vegas
Sorry you ran into that storm. It rained for 3 days and nights here in Las Vegas before moving east. Take extra care and get safely back to the Island. Happy Thanksgiving tou you both.
XO
Jackie
Quite an experience, but you are safe and homeward bound, which is all that is important. We are anxiously awaiting our holiday company who are traveling from North Carolina to be with us in NYC. Can’t wait for them to be here.THe tree is up at Rockefeller center and busy being trimmed and all the stores have their holiday windows. The Turkey is waiting in the “frig” and we have tickets for the Radio City show on Friday. Lots to do with the little ones!
I know that you and Joe will find a way to make this a special Thanksgiving for you as well, even if you ar not quite home. We all have so much to be thankful for despite all the problems that arise in our lives and we hope that you have a very Happy Holiday!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for updating us on your whereabouts! Glad you and Joe are safe. I pray that you will continue to be safe the rest of the way home. You two are so smart–you know how to take it easy and make the best of the situation along the way! Its snowing here in northern Indiana, but should be over by tomorrow, if you end up coming this way.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So glad to hear you are both safe – and taking it easy coming through that weather! I have to admire your pace. Wish I could do it but we usually have a “get ahead of the storm” style. It is much less healthy. Something else to aspire to. ;0)
Hard to imagine you two not at home for Thanksgiving – just doesn’t seem right! Have you got some clever plan for making it wonderful on the road? Would not surprise me at all! Working on the sweet potato casserole now – pecan pie is next! Sending Happy Thanksgiving thoughts to you and Joe! ❤
Driving eastbound cross-country is always tricky with storms…glad you found a place well behind this one! Enjoy your time on the road; some of our best family memories come from that strange world of truck stops, interstates, and motels. Just writing this makes me want to hit the road again! Maybe next summer. Have a wonderful and interesting Thanksgiving! (My husband and I once spent one in a barely heated pineapple-shaped house in Scotland out in a snowy field. We’ll never forget it!)
Peace in your hearts dear Susan & Joe. On this Thanksgiving I count you among my blessings and am grateful for all you do for the girlfriends and the world.
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
– Celtic Blessing
Oh happy day, Susan & Joe! You are safe and on your way home!!!! I’m looking forward to hearing that you have made it back safe and sound and are cuddled up with the kitties! Happy Thanksgiving to you both and to all the blog friends! I count you all as one of my blessings! oxoxox
Hope serendipity finds you and Joe someplace special for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Bob and I only have our daughter and her friend coming for the weekend, so it will be a nice relaxing holiday of eating and playing games on Thursday. On Friday when those crazy shoppers are at the mall, we’ll head to the little mountain towns to shop at the mom and pop stores for special things that aren’t found in the mega-stores. No crowds, and a nice lunch out before coming home for leftovers and then maybe head to the Riverwalk (we live in Pueblo, CO) for the fireworks and hot chocolate. Now I better stop fooling around on the computer and get those pies made. And of course I have to make the most requested dish – your corn pudding from the Autumn book. Safe home to your furries!
Hi Peggy,
We are having a very downsized Thanksgiving, also. I am looking forward to it! And Thankyou for shopping small business. This Black Friday thing is nuts! Last year I never bough a single thing in a mall or big box store.
Happy Thanksgiving to your little gathering!
Chris
Thanks for the update. You have been on my mind wondering how your travel was going in the awful weather. Good luck finding antique treasures.
Be safe.
All wild rain and wind here in rural Maine today (if this was snow we’d have a real blizzard), and I am just about to roll out some pie crust. Any minute now.
;O)
In this season of gratitude, also wanted to say you are high on my list of people I am thankful for – you light the way for so many, just by being yourself. Safe travels and ohhh I bet your kitty cats will be overjoyed to see you! Happy Thanksgiving, and of course happy antiquing, what’s more fun than that…
I’ve been worried about you and Joe out there driving in the bad weather. So glad you checked in with us and that you are doing okay (and shopping for antiques 🙂 ). The storm is a big one and so many have been affected by it, so checking on all my family in the East also. We live in the UP of Michigan and getting beautiful, light, fluffy (lake effect) snow now. It’s piling up fast here!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you are, Susan. You always seem to find the best places to eat, so won’t worry about you and Joe not finding something good to eat on Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! Welcome to Oklahoma, where if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and it’ll change!!!! I’m glad you loved our beautiful capitol city Oklahoma City! It’s one of my favorite places, even though I live in Tulsa. Drive carefully, Joe, and have a wonderful trip home. So glad you are behind the storm and not in front of it. Btw, when I received my copy of A Fine Romance, I read straight through it, loving each word and picture….then I read it straight through again! I’m going to read it a third time after the Thanksgiving rush. Thanks again for sharing your England journey with us girlfriends.
Sherry xoxoxo
This California girl is trying to fathom what it’s like to drive in all that snow. Yikes! Glad you have an experienced hand at the wheel! Safe and happy travels to you both as you meander back home and a happy Thanksgiving to my favorite domestic goddess and her guy!
So happy to read that you’re heading home and behind the storm. It hasn’t been pretty here back East, but much better than what you’ve been driving through the last few days.
I cannot wait to see what you’ve found along the way. Do I hear new (old) DISHES clinking somewhere in that beautiful van???
Safe traveling, enjoy the view and stops along the way… and a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you and Joe. xoxo Maria
Hi Susan,
I wish it was snowing here, it would be so much prettier! But instead it’s about 59 degrees, and raining like CRAZY and the winds are wild. But that will all change tomorrow with a sharp drop back down to good old 30 degrees for Thanksgiving. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving wherever you are, and thanks for taking us along on your beautiful cross country drive! 🙂
— Alison in “Little Rhody”
Susan, Joe, and all the nice people who write in to this blog: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU AND YOURS 🙂 sometimes when I have time I come on here and read some responses or go back and read over some old blog entries or just look at some pic’s. and it can really cheer a person up! So much in the world that isn’t good, has always been that way I know, but when some of these things are happening in your own times, it’s hard to keep it in perspective…so many people having troubles, it is heartbreaking…this blog and all of you kind and joyful people help take some of the sting out of life! Many many things to be grateful for and I am enjoying getting my kitchen ready for the big day tomorrow! Safe and happy travels, Susan…please wave hi to my oldest daughter, Rachel, and her husband who live in Lexington since you’ll be heading through that way!
Thinking of you this morning as I prepare your delicious Sweet Potato Casserole. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it!! (Not to mention your Creamed Onions!)
I am so thankful for you dear Susan and all the inspiration you bring into my life!
I’m keeping you and Joe in my prayers for smooth travels until you’re back on the island safe and sound!
Very safe travels, Susan and Joe. Happy Thanksgiving to you both. I’m sure it’ll be so exciting to be home soon!! You’re getting there…
Susan,
So thankful for your update! I’ve been thinking of you and Joe and where you might be on your travels, praying for safety as the weather has been wonky, everywhere it seems.
I too had my bought of ice-covered roads here in central IL on Monday night, rather unexpectedly I might add. Not a good sign as you’re trying to get on the Interstate and your car is just slipping and sliding on the entrance ramp!?! I made it to the next exit after a sea of red tail lights and police car lights and gratefully took the country roads home. WHEW! So glad you are safe and sound!!!
Wishing you an abundance of blessings on Thanksgiving, and always! I look forward to your next update. Boy, oh Boy the van must feel a bit crowded as we’re all crammed in there with you and Joe as you make your journey home. Oops, someone just elbowed me in the ribs! 😉
BIG, warm, squishy hugs and oodles of love! Gobble, gobble!!! 🙂
XooX,
Jeanette
Have a wonderful meal wherever you light tomorrow. I know you two will make it a special time. Glad you are behind that storm covering so many states. I still read a couple of pages of A Fine Romance when I need a wonderful few minutes, I can’t bear to get to the end.
Just started to have snow flurries here in Maryland. Thankfully, my company for tomorrow all live within an hour of us and can wait until tomorrow to arrive. Today is the worst traffic day of the year for our area!
I’m glad you guys are safe and sound….sound, as in not going out of your minds crazy trying to get home. It sounds like you’re making the best of your time on the road.
I guess you didn’t see the Paul McCartney YouTube “English Tea” video I sent you on Twitter so am sending it to you here: http://youtu.be/sa3D1OrZZpo
Take care and Happy Thanksgiving! oxoxo
I adore this song Cathy! thank you!!
Grateful you had no highway mishaps! A good sound right now is snow blower in driveway. A neighbor came to clear our SEVEN INCHES & counting!! Know who’s sharing those brownies in the oven!! Take care.
Jack and Girl Kitty are going to be soooooo happy to see you guys. In addition to all the good thoughts & prayers from all us girlfriends to accompany your travels, I just know their precious little loving hearts add to your safety and right timing.
Little furry guiding lights to keep you homeward bound.
It always helps to be the type of people who stay calm and tune in to the rhythm of the road and actually enjoy their travels ~ Joe being at ease with driving in the snow is such a blessing. Never been neurotic about speeding toward destinations as I grew up in those days when the drives themselves & the scenery & the experiences along the way were just as wonderful as where you were headed. Especially with good music as a soundtrack for the memories.
No matter what else is going on around you, whatever be the weather, you two will be at the right place at the right time. Never doubt ~ those kitty prayers have tremendous power. Of course, you WILL have some serious explaining to do about the length of time you’ve been gone!
Have a beautiful Thanksgiving wherever you be. Heart-warming, good attitudes make their own atmosphere and anyplace you are is the heart of your home.
A cozy Vineyard Christmas will soon be yours.
So glad to get an update and hear you made it through the worst of the weather. Arriving home will make it that much sweeter! Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan, Thank you for posting that you and Joe are safe. I have been thinking about you every time the weather has shown the bad storms in that part of the country. Looking forward to hearing how you make your Thanksgiving special, wherever you are. You are truly an inspiration-you make the best of everything-and this will be an adventure for you to remember! I saw a friend in a store the other day that I hadn’t seen in quite a while (she is another fan of yours) and we talked for 10 minutes about you. “Did you get the book? Do you read her blog? Did you get the Yankee magazine-of course you did! Didn’t you just love the article!” Our sweet husbands visited and waited patiently for us. She invited me to come for a visit soon. Sending prayers for safe travels and blessings to you for a wonderful Thanksgiving! You will be home soon.
Thinking of you and Joe as you make your way back home. Travel safe you two! Happy Thanksgiving wherever you may be tomorrow!
Travel safely, you two. I know you can’t wait to ascend upon your own hearth and home…and snuggle-up with your girls.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the Girlfriend’s!
Bliss!
Marie
Oh my, I was thinking of reminding you that I would love for you to
send a little snow my way since I live in the deep south but I didn’t
expect it so soon. Lucky you have Joe behind the wheel. Not quite
settled into the house but I’ve already had company and more to
come tomorrow. Thank goodness they still want to see me! Can’t
wait for you to get back home to the fuzzy babies. I’ve missed
Jack and Girl!
Hi Susan: Such a nice surprise to log in and see your new blog, dear friend. I wondered how far you had been since our lovely evening at Full Circle! Good for you to stay put and enjoy OKC! You may be passing not far to the north as I write. Beautiful sunny day for it!! Would love to have you stop in, but understand your desire to keep moving! I would be doing the same!!! Monday night will live on for a long time — maybe forever!! And take on new life on Twitter and FB!! I loved the cowboy image and your dining at Cattleman’s! Oklahoma does that to you!! I was singing “Don’t Fence me In”, driving by myself over to Tulsa!! lol Have a safe and wonderful trip home! I know you will. Gene says “Hi, and thanks for “girlfriending” my girl!” We’ll meet again, who knows where, who knows when!! Don’t get sick on cake!! 🙂 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Safe travel friends and a most happy Thanksgiving! It is always wonderful to go but how sweet to come H*O*M*E!
So happy to hear you’re both safe and sound and having a great time. I know you will be happy to get home though. And I’m sure there are a couple of kitties that will be beside themselves when you pull into the driveway. Wish we could get a photo of that moment when they see you’re both home. Praying for a safe remainder of the trip home and wishing you both a wonderful Thanksgiving. We’re all so very blessed and have many, many reasons to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe.
Reading the comments, I see that many girl friends have been of the same mind – thinking of you and Joe on the road in the storms, and praying for your safety all the way home. That is a good thing! Enjoy the journey and thank you for more pictures!
Please be safe. Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh my, be sure to bundle up and stay warm! It’s even cold here in Alabama right now.
hi susan…..ST. LOUIS!!!!!! That’s me!!!!!!! It’s cold here, but people are moving around just fine. Been thinking about you all as you been traveling through some of the storm area and just knowing, since I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life, that there are perils out there during this time of year. Happy to hear that you are on clear highway and northern bound. I’ll be interested to hear which route you decide to take to MV. When we visit (coming from St. Louis), we usually take the northern track through Ohio, to NY and east. We have gone through Pennsylvania and then north, but that I95 is such a bear!!!
If you get to St. Louis and decide to stay….we have plenty of turkey and tea!!! Keep safe and know how thankful I am for your presence in my life and all of our Girlfriends on the very special blog. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! xo
love, cindy
Almost home, Susan. Continue to be safe. Can almost picture your happy homecoming. The Waltons will have nothing on you when you get your first sight of those kitties. So, so grateful for your friendship. Happy Thanksgiving, too. I’m wrapping Christmas presents today and listening to Christmas CDs.
My husband and I ate at the Cattleman Restaurant in Oklahoma City and loved the food there, also great service and the local beer was good too.
Thank you for all that you do. Your blogs are a joy to read and I love all of your books.
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan and Joe and to all your family.
WELCOME to the STL area Susan and Joe… just nippy now and the sun is out!! WHOO HOO!!.. we were lucky to not have any of the “interesting” weather!! Just saw a few little flakes on Monday afternoon. You made me smile about going from Oklahoma City to Tulsa!! We just made the trip from Fort Worth (where our baby lives) back to our home 30 miles E of St. Louis and know that is about a couple of hours… but hey, sometimes that’s all you need! We took two days to get home because I caught some wretched bug and couldn’t help much with the driving and we had the time… What a luxury to not have to hurry!! Soo .. enjoy your time and safe travels back to your heart home!.. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours and to all the Girlfriends out there!! I am searching for your backed cranberry sauce recipe now!!! LOVE it!
Wonderful to hear from you:))) Taking a break and the musica is delightful too. Now you know why us Minnesotan’s are so resilient. Driven in that kind of weather many times – although I don’t go for fog! Ice – stay put. Common sense rules. Happy you are meandering instead of a mad dash for home:)
Son, daughter-in-law and grandson (17) on their way here today and will be here shortly. Four more friends will join us tomorrow. Pretty much ready, ha, always a few more things that may or may not get done:) Love and hugs to you two. Bet you add some more friends along the way home!
Dear Susan,
Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the wonderful art, sharing of your life with us and happiness that you have brought to so many of us girlfriends this past year. You are so great! You have so many fans that love you so much! Have a beautiful Happy Thanksgiving!
Sounds like yet another Grand Adventure you and Joe are having! Happy Thanksgiving to You!
BTW, I gifted my mother with A Fine Romance for her 91st birthday this past Sunday. We had to make her stop reading so we could continue on with the celebration!!
Safe travels, sweet Susan and dear Joe!
…hi Susan and Joe…in Tulsa, are you ?!?…so close !!!!…I’m so grateful that you “weathered” that storm !!…as one of our girlfriends said so wisely, and I’m sure you and Joe already know it :that “it doesn’t matter where ever you are that it is what we carry in our hearts that will make it Thanksgiving ” !!…love that !!…and love that you will be back to MV before you know it !!..”take joy”…with love, as always… sooo much to be feeling gratitude….
Glad to see that all is going well on your trip home. Thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers as you travel east toward home. I just spent a couple of weeks in the Tennessee mountains visiting relatives and the weather was horrible in places around us, but we didn’t get the brunt of it. But, you’ve taught me well, and I savoured every minute of sitting by the fire with some of my favorite people, drinking tea, eating homemade cookies and pie, and watching Christmas movies…out of the wind’s and the rain’s way. For the first time ever, I was able to celebrate the American Thanksgiving. My aunt coooked turkey early this year so they could enjoy it with us. I clipped holly from her beautiful bushes to decorate the table and she was so pleased. I stood in her church to thank them for praying for me as I struggled with my health. Such a pleasure to visit your great country America, and so very much to be thankful for right now. God bless you one and all girlfriends! Happy Thanksgiving! xo
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you Rhonda!!! I am so glad you were able to have such a wonderful time with family/friends!… Happy to have you here in the good ol’ USA any time!!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and try to practice it each and every day….but on Thanksgiving, it just makes your heart sing!!! Safe travels to you wherever you roam!
p.s. I have a wonderful cousin named Rhonda!!! Reminds me of the Beach Boys song!! 🙂
Hi Susan and Joe, so glad you got through that horrible weather okay, I was thinking of you and checking your tweets to see if there was any updates on how you were doing. Our snow in Northeast Ohio seems to have stopped here and moved east into Pennsylvania and New York. We have a pretty winter-land coating for Thanksgiving, but the roads are clear now. You both deserved your sleep-in; travel can make you tired especially with the added stress of bad weather. Thank God for Joe’s excellent skills at winter driving! Stay behind the storm and stay safe and warm and hope you find some place cozy for tomorrow with a great Turkey (or Salmon?) dinner and pumpkin pie! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are!
How I would enjoy being riding along with you in the AFR van! Can’t think there could be better traveling companions. Thank you so much for your update and pictures. The musica is wonderful (I’ve been forcing myself to wait to play Christmas music but that is over now-thank you, thank you!) That little dog has star potential. He is adorable. Have an excitingly calm adventure home. I’m SO Thankful you have taken time to make us, your girlfriends, feel so welcome in your life. You are a blessing!
good morning/afternoon Susan and girlfriends. thank heavens the storm is past you now, hopefully the rest of the trip home will be much safer and calmer. just popped in to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, in the midst of holiday preps here, the house is beginning to smell wonderful and its making me hungry. so Happy Thanksgiving Susan, hope you and Joe have a wonderful celebration and to the girlfriends a very Happy Thanksgiving. we all have so much to be thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Susan,
So glad you and Joe are safe and sound. Saying a prayer that you have a safe and enjoyable rest of the trip home. Happy Thanksgiving! Looking forward to seeing what you bought:)
Jackie
Susan if you haven’t left Tulsa yet you will find fun antiquing stores in Jenks. Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and your two lovely cats! Thanks for everything you do to make us happy!
What a scary part of your trip! We are in Florida and it’s a bit windy but the sun is shining….wish you could visit us and soak up some sun and warmth. I’m praying for your safety. Sweet hugs, Lavender Dreamer….Diane
I’ve been a bit worried about you two out there in the midst of this – thanks for posting so we can all rest easy. It’s a miserable weather day here in NY – but Thanksgiving will be clear and sunny – so all good for traveling on that day. I just feel badly for anyone trying to travel for home today.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! I thought of you last night as I was turning over my bread – on cookie sheets, on the ironing board (for the stuffing) – knowing if you were home you’d do the same thing. I know once you are back in MV you will really cozy-in for the holidays and winter after all this ‘on the road’ adventure.
Wait. Where WILL you be for Thanksgiving? There must be a girlfriend in Oklahoma who would have you over? Or will you do a turkey breast in the hotel room? Or a cute restaurant? What a fun adventure to have an “on the road” Thanksgiving. I love thinking of how all different people celebrate this national holiday all over the country.
Enjoy the day to all the Girlfriends!
Oh dear Susan, so glad to hear from the Fine Romance folks! Continue driving safely and you will be home on your beloved vineyard before you know it! Jack and Girl Kitty are waiting patiently! xoxo ♥
Glad to hear you made it through that storm and know that the worst is behind you! I hope that you have a lovely day tomorrow wherever the road takes you. I’m also hoping that your house/kitty sitters bake something for your homecoming so when you walk through the door…it smells like you never left!
Glad to know you are having fun and you are safe. Stay behimd the storm and you will ease right into home port. You will arrive inspired to start Christmas decorating! As always, fun to be on the road with you. Sending best wishes from beautiful “sugar frosted” Buffalo.
Sue
Oh, Susan, how my little heart sings at the sight of that beautiful illustration that heads this blog. {{{sighs}}}
I just, this very afternoon in the post, got my very own copy of “Sweets To The Sweet” Biggest Smile Ever~~~well, more like each time I manage to secure another one of your books or calendars!
Such conditions for travelling though. So glad Joe has snow driving experience. I had to learn the fast and hard way how to drive on snow and ice when I arrived in Iceland where I lived for four incredibly magical years. Stay safe! The storm is travelling ahead now, let it pass as you celebrate Thanksgiving. I spent Thanksgiving 1983 on the road travelling from Virginia to California.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe, and all the Girlfriends. I shall be thinking of you all as I celebrate on my own, with my pumpkin pie {wipes tear away}.
Waving from Across The Pond! xoxo
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! I bet you are anxious to get home. Enjoy your turkey on the road, you do have some fabulous road trips. xo
Happy Thanksgiving~Sue & Joe~Prayers for merciful travels!
Oh, my heavens! You’re in my city, Tulsa, and I didn’t know it or I would have left my light on! I SO wanted to go to OKC for the book signing and my dear hubby was going to drive me but I was so afraid the water on the roads would re-ice once the sun went down so we stayed home and I kept watching the clock thinking, “Everyone’s arriving, or the books are bring signed!” 🙁 Oh, well. Glad you made it safely, went to Cattlemen’s, found the antique stores! We have some dandy ones around here, too. I love my state and hope you saw the “bright golden haze on the meadow” and had a “beautiful mornin’ “. Merry Thanksgiving, Susan, Joe, and Girlfriends!
Please be careful!!! My husband and I drove home last night from Morgantown, Pa. where our son lives and talk about a “white knuckle” drive! We drove through dense fog,heavy rain and heavy snow showers where we could hardly see. When we arrived home we looked at each other and said “thank you” to the angels that must have been in the back seat of our car. Let us know when your arrive home….even if it’s just a quick message.
Like everyone else, I have kept you both in my thoughts and prayers, and was hoping we would hear from you! Thank you for updating us, Susan! Happy Thanksgiving!
Woke up to 2 inches of snow here in Johnson City, TN…flurries and snow showers all day. The hubs has told everyone we’ve met in the year and a half we’ve lived here that we moved to TN to escape the Pittsburgh winters…ha! Safe travels and have a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you find yourself tomorrow! My favorite quote: “Not all who wander are lost” ~*
So happy to hear you are safe and having a nice trip!! You are both in my prayers always!
I would like to recommend a movie to you that just was released in the theaters – “The Christmas Candle”. We saw it last night, and it is a wonderful little Christmas movie! Great acting and scenery. Susan Boyle has a small part in it!! She’s not a great actress, but she does sing a little. It was filmed in a little village in the Isle of Man (Mann) with all those old, beautiful stone houses and a heart-melting church!!
Happy Thanksgiving!! xoxo
Love to you both from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
OOOOOOOOO I liked traveling with you better in England! LOL! At least there are no Roundabouts! Ha! Many prayers for your safe Journey home! We rarely have snow here in W. Tn. but it is a cold high of 34 degrees today! I am glad to have the oven on! Is Petey and felted jack with you? Happy Thanksgiving! and Big Hug!
XOXO Connie Sue
Thanks for “checking in”, was worried about you two and the storm. Stay safe.
Hurry safely home, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Our little town looks like a snowy Christmas card. Happy Thanksgiving dear Susan and Joe, singing your way home.
Travel safe, Sue and Joe, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you both. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed your trip, weather and all, but what a thrill it will be to arrive back home to those two sweet kitties.
Blessings and continued safe travel to you and Joe~ Happy Thanksgiving,too!
So glad you are on your way home…Those photos really did look frightening! We have been having just a inkling of winter weather way down here in NC, but nothing compared to what you’ve been experiencing. Stay safe and hug Jack and Girl Kitty for us when you get home.
Some of my most memorable Thanksgiving days have been very non traditional. Enjoy the day wherever the road leads you!
Seeing that schnauzer in the car was bittersweet. Our Fanny is still holding her own but has lost a LOT of weight. An ultrasound of her abdomen at the U of M vet hospital showed nothing but they are thinking either IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) or lymphosarcoma. We’re hoping it is the former and that it will improve. She is only 7 years old. We still have Betti, too, who thankfully is doing fine but none of us are “happy campers” right now… We were invited to friends for Thanksgiving dinner. This will be the first time in 20 years that we aren’t hosting it here but this is the year to not have it here…It sounds like you are having a good trip home. You are lucky that you have the time to “hole up” and wait out the bad weather to avoid unsafe white-knuckled driving. When we were hit head-on on icy roads years ago, we learned an important lesson: It doesn’t matter how slow you are driving or how careful a driver you are–you never know who you are going to meet coming towards you or how careful or good a driver THEY are!!! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving! 🙂
Keeping good thoughts as you make your way home, Sue! Wishing you a safe journey. Keep us all posted. xoxo much love, peg (fosb)
wishing you safe and merry driving…Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe. HOpe you find a nice place to have your turkey dinner tomorrow. We had a few flakes fall yesterday morning but nothing stuck and today it’s ‘brrrrrrr’ cold and rainy. I got chills up my back looking at your snowy pictures but I wait a few minutes and those annoying hot flashes make me warm and toasty all over again. We’ll all continue to pray for your safe trip back to the island. Hugs from NJ…………
So glad you’re on your way home! Stay safe and give Jack and Girl Kitty a hug for us when you get there…
Sorry for so many posts, it kept saying that I couldn’t send it, when all along it was sending!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope the rest of your journey is a safe one. Those roads can be tricky this time of year. I am so glad that you are taking your time. Paducah, KY, has the National Quilt Museum….really worth a visit, if it works out. It’s so much fun to discover America. Every town has something special, and the people are always the very best part of the experience.
Best wishes…..Cynthia
I was so disappointed that I didn’t get to meet you when you were in Oklahoma City, but was delighted that you met my beautiful daughter in law, Kami. She was so thrilled to have a chance to visit with you. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & wishing you safe travel as you head home!
So, so many prayers being offered up by all of us girlfriends for your safe travels. I am sure that the words “There is no place like home!” are holding a very special meaning for you both right about now! When we count our blessings on Thanksgiving, you and all that you do and write and create and share in order to help keep us grounded and REAL will be high on the list!