Good Morning from rainy Danbury, Connecticut and hello everyone, especially Blog Daddy! You know what? I had planned to announce the winner of our Anniversary Drawing last Tuesday! But every time I went to do it, there were 
another 200 comments! So I’ve been waiting. And “moderating” — which is what I have to do because there is too much spam mixed in with all your nice comments and I need to delete it. Plus, I love to read what everyone says, so it takes me a while to get the comments all up ~ especially when we are traveling the countryside in our Fine Romance van! BUT, I just did it. Your comments, dear Girlfriends, are like manna from heaven. Thank you so much, you know how much I love our give and take . . . it’s a two way street, the love boomerangs off me, and back on you, back to me, back to you ~ and that’s how it’s always been. ♥ XOXO And now, MUSICA for our Blog Daddy.
I think I should wait til I get back home to announce the winners for the drawing. #1, because I’d like to make sure everyone has this last chance to sign up, but #b. we’re away and I think Vanna had a party at the house last night with all her elegant and enchanting friends, because she won’t answer the phone this morning! We can’t do it without Vanna! So why am I here you may ask? Well, Father’s Day is Sunday! And so, no matter where I 
am, my dearest Blog Daddy needs to feel the love. Here we are, my dad and I in Durango Colorado, listening (and dancing) to my brother Chuck and his band. My brother wrote a song once that goes “I’m so lonesome in my saddle since my horse died” that is beyond hilarious. I should write the words for you someday. I keep trying to get him to sing it on Youtube so I can put it up here. He is the highlight of our family reunions. ♥
That’s me and my dad up there, I have a pencil in my mouth . . . why, I do not know. But this message is for all our dads, 
brothers, uncles, husbands, boyfriends, and all the good garden-building, grocery-shopping, animal-loving, memory-making,funny-song-singing, laundry-doing, blog-reading, bacon-bringing, hammer-wielding, non-tail-gating, mommy-hugging, baby-kissing, help-providing, Good Daddies of the World. Here’s to you! ♥ We really do adore you! (Dad, Harfaparfy farfatharfer’s darfay tarfu yarfu, tharfuh tarfee sharfirts afar arfin tharfuh marfail. 🙂 ) Secret message in family language to my dad from the last of the big time spenders ♥.
And so, that’s all for now . . . Tomorrow is our big event here at Gladys Taber’s house (Stillmeadow) in Southbury. It’s very exciting for me ~ I’ve got my camera and Joe has his and we’ll give you the full rundown very soon. Until then, a couple more days to sign up for our drawing, and I will see you soon!!! Love you! Gotta go practice my speech! XOXO
Hi Susan and to Daddy Jack, a Happy Father’s Day from me, who is not one of your favorite 8, but glad there are dads like you in this world. Susan, I have been trying to come up with the words to describe what you’re talking about–that give and take, or reciprocity, or completion, when you give something to someone, or do something for them. You don’t do it to get a big thank you back, you do it to bless them, and when the get it, when they do thank you because they get it, that’s it! I came up with sowing and reaping. You sow a good seed into someone’s life and it reaps a harvest back for them, and for you. Thank you for sowing all the goods seeds in all our lives here. xox 🙂
oh pooh, so often my comments are “waiting moderation.” bummer, it’s happening again…help?
Dearest Susan,
Love this entry! My Daddy died in 2002, but my husband and Momma make up for a lot! I am so excited about Sunday because my husband and I are driving half-way across Oklahoma to pick up our O’Keefe and Merritt range that you totally inspired me to look for! We had one growing up too and I CANNOT wait to cook on it!!! (Yes hubby is getting big brownie points- I know that thing weighs a ton!) Please do a post on any cooking advice with these lovely ranges as I have cooked on an electric range for years and need some pointers! Lol
Can’t wait to hear all about Stillmeadow!!! YOU are my inspiration! 🙂
God bless all the Daddys! My own darling, U.S. Army, ETO WWII, went on to his next adventure nine years ago and I miss him every day. (Hug ’em if you got ’em, girls, and you won’t ever be sad you did!) Have a wonderful time at Stillmeadow, I’m sure we will all be with you and Joe in spirit, waving our dog-eared copies of our favorite GT books. Hope you have a clear view of the Strawberry Moon tonight. School is out today!
Yay, Jennie Lou, so glad you had your last day of school–teaching I am assuming? Nice to have a vacation ahead of you. I like hearing about your dad and his service during WWII–my dad served in the Navy. We never want to forget those who served to give us freedom!
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
I love Gladys, as do my female relatives. Have a great time at Stillmeadow. I know Joe will take lots of great pics, and your speech will be perfect!
Safe travels.
xo
PS. t-shirts are a great gift!
We just came home from visiting Stillmeadow. It was just as I hoped, and expected and wanted it to be. We took lots of photos, I’ll update and show everyone soon.
.. ‘so happy for you Susan.. have a wonderful time there at Stillmeadow !! (it’s been another trying week for me, but just wanted you to know we all are thinking of you !!).. lovely Father’s Day tribute, thanks .. and Happy Father’s Day to you “Blog Daddy” !!..with love, as always..
Please, please, PLEASE get your brother to do his song for us. I read the title 3 times & it got more & more funny! If the title is that good, we NEED the rest of the song! Have a fabulous time @ Stillmeadow. Color me jealous! :-)!
Every word is hilarious, I will (try to) get him to write them down for me.
I miss my dad every day. He died suddenly in 1967, leaving six kids and my mom behind. He was a WW II pilot, and a commander of the Berlin Airlift. He loved his family. Mom never did remarry, and raised us well as a widow.
Just have to say Happy Father’s Day to our Blog Daddy.
Can’t wait to get another message from you.
Hope the trip goes splendidly. Getting ready to have
the proxy peahcida! Hope we get to hear the saddle
song!
It’s so lonesome in my saddle since my horse died
And my feet drag on the ground now when I do ride
Line two!
You must be so excited about speaking at Stillmeadow tomorrow absorbing the Gladys Taber vibe and reflecting it right back to the audience. I had my first “commissioned ” luncheon and Tea at my home yesterday and I have to tell you that even though you didn’t know it..you were there. The ladies from a Garden Club in the area asked if I could provide a luncheon and afternoon tea for them and even though I had never done that before, I was thrilled. I made your Orange- Lavender Polenta cake and your brownies for dessert. One of the ladies saw my collection of your cookbooks on my cabinet and she told me that she is also a Girlfriend and that she is a Friend of Gladys Taber and has all her books. Another lady took pictures of my cookbooks (all yours) to show her daughter who also collects your cookbooks. So you see, you are everywhere. It’s always been my dream to have a Tea Room serving lunch and somehow incorporating flowers and it all came together yesterday with the Westfield Garden Club. I hope you have good weather tomorrow and that you can stay there and linger afterward to absorb all that energy. Of course you have no shortage of that!
I’m so proud of you Cindy — it’s a lot to take on for your first time, and look, you did it! It sounds beautiful and you made memories. xoxo We are lingering a bit in CT today, going home the slow way. Then tonight, Kitties!
Thank you Susan. That means the world to me.
Well the first one is always the scariest! Then you just get more and more creative and find out how much fun it is!
It’s funny because that morning Riley said “Grandma, you must be terrified.” I told him..No, I just feel like I’m having a lot of friends over. I have thought of a name and am going for a business certificate today and having cards printed up and will book parties by request. “Vintage To A Tea”. It’s all just falling into place like it was meant to be!
How great! Making dreams come true! xoxo
How I wish I could be at the program tomorrow. HOWEVER, it is MY Daddy’s 81st birthday (can he really be that old? which means can I really be this old??) tomorrow. When I was a child, he would tell us that all the flags were out for his birthday. Personally, I still think they are!
Have a marvelous day and tell *everything* when you get home!
I love your blog site this this post dedicated to Father’s day! I am missing my dad, gone for 17 years now but the memories still live on strong.
Thank you for sharing!
Susan
Oh Susan, what a wonderful post! I can always tell the love you share with your dad! I too was very close to my dad…how blessed I was! What sweet memories we shared! Thank you for this! I’m sure Dad Jack really loved this one!
How exciting speaking and signing books at Gladys Tabor house! I saw in the newsletter their reunion is to be the biggest they’ve ever had! When I read that I just knew it was because of “you”! smile… Enjoy!!
Of course you are such a generous and thoughtful person–it seeps through everything you do. Thank you for sharing your old quilts–I absolutely love seeing all that handwork and the stacks of them making your home look so inviting. So happy you’ve been blogging. It is a treat to come and visit you here!
So looking forward to photos of Stillmeadow. Have always loved Gladys Taber’s writing.
Such a sweet tribute to your dad. He must be so proud!
And my own dad (and mom) will be attending the Gladys Taber convention this weekend, too — all the way from CA! They’ve been on a bit of an East Coast tour and this is one of the most highly-anticipated stops for them. Hope you all have a lovely time.
Oh that is so wonderful Ginny! Thank you for telling me, I’ll look for them. They are going to LOVE Stillmeadow.
Have fun tomorrow! I am so sad you are in my state and I cant see you. Ironically, I will be in Massachusetts tomorrow with my cousin who introduced me to your books way back when the Christmas book came out!! I was admiring a teddy bear tea party she has set up as a Christmas display, so she showed me the book that was her inspiration. The rest is history!! Have a wonderful day tomorrow 🙂
So excited to hear about your visit to Stillmeadow. I have been a big fan of Gladys Taber for over 20 years and have many of her books that I love to re-read all thru the year. She is timeless. 🙂 Kit
Well said Susan! Hooray for Fathers! Did you mean to do the Barney Fife….#1…and b…remember how he used to do that when he would lecture Andy?!
Blessings on your day tomorrow! xoxo Marybeth
My dade ADORED Barney Fife, and his one bullet.
I love Colorado! One of my Nurse friends lives in Durango now! Every Christmas for a long time, she would send me a big chocolate bar from the ‘Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory ‘!When I was in Colorado several years ago, I went to that chocolate factory and pigged out! (Probably why I was on cholesterol medicine for a while before I changed my diet! Ha!) I would love to know the lyrics to your brother’s song -you must post the video on you -tube! Sounds hilarious!! Love your blogs! ALWAYS so uplifting! Happy Father’s Day to Blog Daddy!
I did a chocolate test one Christmas when I happened to have several brands in the house (gifts were coming in!) — and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory won hands down. Really delicious chocolate. Much better than Godiva, and I hate to say it, but it was even better than Sees. (This is family blasphemy and won’t stop me from buying and devouring Sees forever.)
Lol-agree!
Oh! I am planning a trip to that area in the fall. I didn’t know anything about a CHOCOLATE FACTORY! YAY!!
Well – that will have to get on my list of places to visit!
Oh yes. Makes a nice souvenir! 🙂
Happy Father’s Day to Blog Daddy #1 – the guy that gave all of us the gift of “YOU!” I am happy that you got to visit. Sounds like you are having a grand time and certainly we will all wait our turn. Special time with family is the most important of all……Sending hugs……XXXXOOOO
Heaven is getting to see Susan Branch and tour Stillmeadow…all in the same day!! Tonight feels a little like Christmas Eve…happy anticipation! Tomorrow is going to be a great day!
And it was. I hope you loved Stillmeadow as much as I did.
Happy Father’s Day Blog Daddy!
Tharfankyarfooafarlarfindarfa
HuH???? What did you say. I never even learned pig latin (where did that name come from?) as a kid.
Hi Susan! If it’s not too late, please include in Vanna’s drawing!! I’ve been sick and realized I never commented!! Have a wonderful time!! xoxo
Oh Susan. I LOVE a puzzle. Am I close?
Dad, happy Father’s Day to you, the tee shirts are in the mail.
You have it!
Hi Sue.
How fun to see you are spending time in Durango, Colorado with your dad. We live a little north of Durango in Montrose. This whole area is lovely. Thanks for always thinking of us and planning special surprises.
Hugs, Carol
Hi Susan,
Great tribute to your Blog Daddy! Wonderful pictures of you and your Dad, too. I just love “The Tennessee Waltz” and I forgot all about “On the Wings of a Dove.” My mom played all the old country songs when we were young. Hope your event at Gladys Taber’s house is very, very special!!!! I know it will be.
I don’t have my own Dad now, but I’m wishing Blog Daddy a very happy Father’s Day.
Happy Days to you all!
Betty from Aus.
How lucky you are to have a Daddy like Jack, and how lucky he is to have a daughter like you.
Oh, what a CUTE picture of you and blog daddy! We go to Cowboy Poetry in Durango every year! One of my favorite things that we do! Does your brother live there? I hope we get to see and hear him on YouTube!
Thank you for the nice tribute to all of our dads, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews and friends! We sure love them! Happy day to all of you and happy memories to others and gratitude to all!
Have a wonderful event mañana!
Y usted Tambien Huli
How about Chuck? I wondered if he and the band was playing there and you went to see him if he lived there.
I never heard of Chuck doing anything called “Cowboy Poetry” — he may have and just didn’t mention it to us . . . he actually lived in Bayfield, and now he’s in Santa Fe.
Susan, dear, I love hearing stories about your dad & your family. I would wish each & every family in this good old, US of A, a most happy Father’s Day. To all the well deserving fathers, who work hard so that their families can enjoy good lives, I say, “God Bless you & your family.”
I’d love to know what kind of shampoo you use Susan. Your hair, in the picture of you & your dad watching your brother’s band, is so shiny.
(Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
I change them all the time, but that’s an old photo when shiny hair came with the package. 🙂
Know what you mean about the hair being part of the package, way back when. But, to be perfectly honest, I do think you’re a “natural beauty.” I noticed when I met you that you don’t wear much makeup. When we see you Susan, in person, we see the natural beauty, the genuine person that you really, truly are. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
You are a sweetheart Sondra, xoxo
Susan, I always love your tribute to your Dad. I especially loved your charm bracelet post with the pic of the cowboy charm that he got for your mom. How I would love to find another one just like it! You were lucky to have such a charmed childhood. My dad is also a sweetie; mom loving, kind, generous, country music loving, motorcycle riding, dinner cooking, bonfire making, grass cutting, bird watching, nature loving, kid entertaining. Just. Plain. Wonderful. Thanks for another sweet post!
Hi Susan!
Thanks for remembering us dads! You sure have a good one! I am just hoping that if I am REALLY nice, someone will make me one of my favorite Susan Branch recipes on Sunday!
This dad has a lot to be proud of… 7 fabulous sons (3-19) and 1 BEYOND fabulous daughter (20). In fact, that daughter has brought me yet ANOTHER marvelous son (in-law) as of last weekend! I’m only 40… How did any of my kids grow old enough to be MARRIED?!
One last thing… You might remember me writing you for advice a couple of years ago… Well, it paid off. I have several designs set to be showcased in the giant LA and Dallas gift shows! I have a long way to go, but each step ahead is exciting and I credit a lot of the inspiration I’ve received from your blog over the past few years with helping to keep me going. That and the best wife in the world!
So, Happy Father’s Day to Jack and have a wonderful time at the Gladys Taber event (yet ANOTHER thing – GT books- I’ve discovered here!).
Good Morning Girlfriends! Just want you to know there are 267 of your wonderful fabulous comments waiting here right now for me to “moderate” them. But I have to go give the talk to the Gladys Taber Society right now — I promise to do them later, but I don’t want anyone to worry. Wish me luck! We have beautiful weather today, so that’s a good start! xoxo
Beautiful weather is half the battle! Enjoy!
Good Luck today! Knock their socks off!
🙂
Good~Luck Sweet Sue & Enjoy! You’ll Be Fabulous! Of Course! Yay! & We Await Your Wonderful Photos! xoxo Poof! 🙂
Good luck with your speech!
Good Morning, I was just up in New England on a visit with my sister, left too soon for Gladys Taber…Hope I am not too late to enter the contest.
xoxo
Susan, I wish you luck!!! You will do just fine. What a great honor for you today…it is a dream come true. Wish all of us in Blog Land could hear your talk…
I loved your comment about….that is was just as you hoped, expected and wanted it to be. We all have dreams of special places…as we think they should be from with in our minds. So I anxiously await for the pictures….. Have a wonderful day. Love. Susan P>
45 years ago TODAY my Dad “waltzed” me down the aisle to wed the LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! Miss my Dad very much…………he listened to Patsy Cline whenever he could and she brings back many memories for me!!!!!!!!!
Dear Susan,
Loved your blog about your dad and Father’s Day! My almost 93 year old dad lives in Florida, far away from southwestern VA, but I have such happy memories of my childhood. I remember standing in the backseat of our old station wagon (before seat belts!) with my 3 brothers and 3 sisters making him sing the song “I Took My Gal to the Ball One Night” and trying to remember all the words! I loved the title of your brother’s song! Whenever I’m feeling blue, I get on your website or pull out one of (I have them all!) your cookbooks and curl up and read them like a novel. I just love them all, like old friends!
Hi Susan! Thank you for the Father’s Day thoughts! I’m also a first born and I think we are alittle special, having had our parents to ourselves for awhile!
I see that you’re back from Stillmeadow. I wish I could have been there- I’m sure it was as wonderful as the books are! I’m looking at a Hallmark edition of Reveries at Stillmeadow. It has a few recipes in the back! Yum!
Have a fun summer!
Hi Susan,
Sent in a comment in the previous blog but since there over 3,000 comments, I could not find mine.
That must be some kind of a record.
Hope your dad is recovering nicely and feeling up to his old self for Father’s Day. You have such a beautiful family and I know all the “girlfriends” are grateful that you have shared so many things with us. As I said before, it would be great if we could clone you so you could be in more than one place at a time. Your beautiful presence is wanted everywhere.
I was thinking about cloning Jack! 🙂
So proud to be a daddy’s girl of a WWII veteran! While he lives in heaven now… I think of him daily! I have been looking forward to your “Fathers Day” post..Our Dads are from the same era… Such fine Daddy’s and great Americans! Blessings … From our Texas pasture!
Best of luck today, Susan! I know it will be great – after all, who knows more about Gladys Taber than you??!
And, Happy Father’s Day tomorrow to all the Dad’s of the world – and a special one to Blog Daddy, Jack!
I haven’t been able to be here to read all the posts for quite some time and so this lovely Happy Father’s Day post seems very special to me. I’ll make this quick but before I go I must give you an update on my grandson, Brady. So many of you girlfriends sent such warm and comforting messages when I needed them and I want you to know that I believe it was definitely you and your prayers that hhelped save him to be with us today! I wish there were bigger words but I guess Thank You will have to do for now. Thank you all so very much!! He was so sick and had so many complications that he had to learn to breathe, sit, walk, talk, to do EVERYthing independently again. He did it though. He is doing his best to be a normal teenager – you can ask his Mom about THAT! 😀 – and his stupid crazy non-cancerous tumor is currently inactive. That’s the greatest news of all! I thought you girlfriends who sent such good wishes to him would like to know. When I finally got back to read your wonderfully sweet and thoughtful comments I started hearing sobbing sounds. I soon realized they were coming from me. I know that we are all very blessed to have each other. I am feeling especially blessed right now. I cannot begin to thank you enough.
So.
Happy Father’s Day – and let’s not forget to thank all the Mother’s out there who made the fathers fathers!
Susan, have a wonderful time at Gladys Taber’s party! Can’t wait to hear all about it and see the pictures.
I love you all!!
♥Deb♥
OMG! I was so eager to thank everyone that I only read this “Blog Daddy” post. But now I’ve gone back a page and read the “Happy Anniversary” post and see what is in Vanna’s future! I can’t believe it! How beautiful all 3 gifts are that you are giving to 3 lucky winners!! WOW! Three someones are going to be soooo happy! (Wishing one would be me! 🙂 )
I’ll be waiting for the next post but, in the meantime, I’m headed back to catch up on all the other posts I’ve missed.
Happy day to you, girlfriends!
Thanks for the update on Brady, Debbie. I was just thinking about you both and your family yesterday. Thrilled to hear he’s doing so well!
The best first gifts a girl can have in life are a good father and a good mother.
Seems like you started out with all the stars in your favor. I always get a happy, nostalgic feeling when you write about your childhood and your marvelous parents. <3
Good job Mr. Stewart-Blog Daddy- Happy Father's Day you deserve it!
Your darling baby girl is a gift to the world!!!
xxooxx
Gabi
Wonderful memories are yours by a special Father Susan!!!! A sweet tribute to read. Good luck with your speech!!
Happy Father’s Day blog daddy! Susan and Joe, I can’t wait to see the pictures! How I wish I could be there!
Dear, Sweet Sue ~ Thank you EVER so much for sharing your sweet Daddy with your friends/readers! It’s especially helpful to those of us whose Dads are no longer with us. I miss mine every day, but am thankful for all he taught me over the years. He was an engineer, and made sure his kids knew how to use a hammer, fix a leaky faucet, mix cement and lay a level brick, hang a ceiling fan, change a tire and the oil in our cars, and cook a steak “to order” on the charcoal grill. The fact that half of his children were girls meant nothing; my sister and I could throw and hit a baseball long before Title IX came along, and when it did, my dad was an early “encourager” of our Southern town. Best of all, he taught me to have Faith, to believe in Love, and that good books hold universal Truths (especially those written by Mark Twain!).
What a doll he was!
hApPy FATHER’S Day Mr. Jack…Blog Daddy : }
Thankful for your Happy and Healthy heart this Father’s Day! Do you remember what your first thoughts were as you gazed into Susan’s eyes for the very first time? I wish I could remember what my thoughts were the very first time I gazed into my Daddy’s eyes…… Perhaps a Father’s heart is “captured instantly!” and if he is blessed, his child would grow up to say, “I love you like all little children love pennies!” Do you recognize those quotes to a song? It’s my Father of Susan Branch Father’s Day gift to you…..Like Red on a Rose by Alan Jackson:
youtube.com/watch?v=QmWAzIYkPq0
With a wink and a smile, Blessings to you Jack!
XoX Dawn
p.s. Porkchop! Porkchop! Porkchop!
p.p.s. applesauce 😉
Have so, so much fun at Stillmeadow. I am a tad bit jealous. you get to see the pond, the barns where the cocker puppies lived, the gate that Holly jumped over, the fireplace that one could stand in….oh so many things she shared in her books. Happy, happy for you!
I grew up without my dad, but was blessed to have several wonderful father figures that filled the dad shaped hole in my heart.
Susan, I, too, am one of 8 children! The youngest, in fact. My wonderful parents raised 7 girls and one boy (he was the oldest!). My parents have passed, but all of their children are alive and well and loving each other. Talk about blessings! My husband and I are moving back to our home town in Ohio and are actually going to rent our family home for 6 months while we look for a place to buy-isn’t that incredible? My parents are still looking out for us! Back in 2011, my husband had a severe heart attack while we were in Ohio visiting his parents and became a patient at the Cleveland Clinic-thank GOD we were close to the top rated heart facility in the country when he had his heart attack! My childhood home was on the market but had not yet sold, so we were able to live there during his recovery from receiving an LVAD and eventually a heart transplant. I just felt like I was living in this huge embrace from my mom and dad while living there during that frightening time. Eventually, we moved back to Watertown, NY and my husband returned to work for a couple of years. Now, he has taken retirement and we are moving back to Ohio and have this incredible opportunity to live again it my childhood home before the new owners tear it down to rebuild a new one on this beautiful property on Lake Erie. We are SO blessed and SO grateful for SO many wonderful gifts!
Hi Susan, I’m sure your speech for the Gladys Taber Society was wonderful, and I hope you have a marvelous time in CT. Happy Father’s Day to your Dad, Jack, and all Dads everywhere. God bless all of them. With love, Gail xo
I hope I’m not too late! What beautiful fabrics you’ve created! Thanks for all the inspiration Susan, it is so much appreciated! Tammy
As my dear Mother used to say, every day should be Mother’s Day, not just one day. So the same should go for dear Dad. Happy, happy Father’s Day to all Dads and those who guide us.
Have a great time at Stillmeadow. May your dreams come true!
What a wonderful and heartwarming post. I am so saddened that I don’t have my dad here but he is in spirit. Cherish the memories that us all we can do. Hugs!
It was so wonderful to meet you today! While you were giving your wonderful talk our car was being repaired in MA where it had broken down yesterday. We didn’t know if it was repairable, so your hug gave me great comfort as I awaited word. Unbeknownst to me my husband was returning to the hotel with the repaired car while you and Joe were coming out to leave. Now I’ll be able to get home tomorrow as planned to celebrate Father’s Day with my 3 sons and daughters-laws, one of whom is a new father of 2 months, and see Poetry & Gabriel again who I’ve been missing terribly. We left home on Tuesday, saw lots of great places including Tasha Tudor’s house and garden, ending it all with getting to meet you! And except for the glitch of car breakdown, it’s been wonderful.
So happy to hear that Cathy! I had a perfectly wonderful time. We’re waking up here in CT, still in the glow of yesterday. Thank you for being there, Happy Father’s Day to all xoxo
Just crossed the state line, and we’re back home again in Indiana (if I could sing it as well Jim Nabors, I’d be belting it out right now!). We have been driving all day from Connecticut, and it feels so good to be home now. However, I must share that I am still floating somewhere out there way past Cloud 9 after listening to and meeting you (Susan Branch) yesterday…I hope you find Her Father’s House to be an enjoyable escape sometime! Truly, what an honor and joy to meet you! My mother and I had such a memorable day! And now, we make it back in just the nick of time to celebrate Father’s Day with my husband and three daughters! (And a huge thanks to my dad who spent the day with my daughters in CT yesterday so my mom and I could attend FOGT!!). Happy Father’s Day to all!!
Cathy, I am so glad to hear you were able to make it home safely!
Have a wonderful Father’s Day with your family!
Welcome home to you, and we too, just walked in the door! What a wonderful time we had! It was so nice to meet you and your mom Samantha! xoxo Thank you for coming.
Thank you, Samantha. We did have a wonderful Father’s Day. Glad you and Susan, and hopefully everyone else, made it home safely. I’m told my Westie started getting excited even before I arrived home. It must have been about the time I started feeling excited, too, about almost getting home! My calico cat didn’t mind the hugs she got, so I know she missed me, too.
Would love to hear your brother’s song! It would be fun to master that “far,far” language. I can’t remember what you called it. 🙂
Looking forward to all your pictures!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
p.s. My Dad was a Marine in WW I. He lived to be 97 and passed away in 1992.
Arf and arfy, Little Orphan Annie’s language, my mom learned it when she was a kid. xoxo Your dad.
Happy Father’s Day to Blog Daddy. Enjoy your day. Thanks to you Susan, I’m filling a shelf with used Gladys Taber books.
Blog daddy was wonderful.The pic of you and your dad and you have pencil in your mouth, well the writer in you was already alive and well. Have a great week. Thank you for all the moments of your life you share with us. You’ve made me believe in love again. Hoping my soul mate man is out there lookkng for me.
Debra
I love your writing and that you so willingly
share your marvelous life with all of
your girlfriends. Safe travels!
Happy Father’s Day to my Daddy. He has been in Heaven for quite a while, he was only 46 when he left us. I wish he were here so we could sit and chat about everything, now I just chat with him silently in my head and heart. <3
Aloha Susan,
My laptop is misbehaving, much like your kitty (except no kisses here), and I hope you don’t include my comment that may have posted mid-way/mid-thought!!! So here goes again:
God bless Blog Daddy on Father’s Day, and all Daddies everywhere…especially the active duty Dads who can’t be with their families because they’re serving in foreign lands. We are a grateful nation & pray for their safe return to loved ones with arms waiting open to hug them extra long and extra tight.
My Dad became a father very young, and a single Dad (at a time when fathers were never awarded custody) about 5 years after that. He told me stories of when we were at the beach when I was a toddler. He and I were in the ocean and he would toss me high into the air & catch me before I hit the water & I would squeal with delight & yell “Again, Daddy!” while my poor Mom was screaming for him to stop terrified he was going to drop me! I remember watching the original Star Trek, and the ’76 summer Olympics with my Dad when I was 5 1/2 years old. We were thrilled to watch Nadia Comaneci, Olga Korbut and others do their gymnastic magic. I think I was already enrolled in gymnastic classes then or shortly thereafter to which my Nanny (Grandmother) took me. My Dad used to take me to my gymnastic practices every week at the YMCA when I was around 11 & sometimes he would stay to watch (usually he would go back to work even though he was his own boss). He said he loved to watch me. He is still convinced that I could have been an Olympic gymnast had I been able to continue! I would watch football & boxing (too violent for me now) with him, too, just to be with him. He would teach me the positions and explain the plays of which, to his dismay, I can recall hardly a one (go Eagles!). Once, he accidentally hit me in the face when he threw a football to me and I refused to cry even though it hurt quite a bit! I know he felt awful. He also drove me to church camp, chorus concerts, cheerleading practice, and my Nanny’s house 2 1/2 hours away for every holiday. He introduced me to Hendrix, Zeppelin, the Blues, CSNY, some French Nuns, the Gershwin Brothers, and many others via his eclectic album collection. I would ask him to play his electric bass guitar to the same silly teeny bop song again & again & he would oblige me. He gave me 15 albums on my 15th birthday. He gave me my first opportunity to earn a paycheck, starting with nickels for folding pizza boxes as a little girl and graduating to minimum wage working weekends and summers at his pizza shop. Of course, I spent much of my paycheck on music. He is far from perfect (as am I), but I appreciate how hard he worked to provide for our little family. Thanks Dad!
On another note, Susan did you get to moon gaze tonight? Oh, how beautiful it was as it rose! It was a brilliant orange yellow hue with an unusual reddish haze around it. It’s very close to the earth right now so I read. My husband gave me a very nice pair of binoculars for Christmas (the better to see the birdies) and I fit my camera lens into the binocular eye cup & was able to get a pretty good picture despite my shaky arms. We must find our tripod 😉
I’m sure you charmed everyone at the Taber gathering, just like you have endeared yourself to all of us. I haven’t “met” her works yet, just the quotes you use. What do you love about her and who introduced her to you?
Well I have rambled on long beyond my bed time! I guess I needed to put in writing some good memories of growing up with my Dad. Thanks for giving me a place to do so. Thanks for caring so much Susan and taking us along on your adventures!
With love & prayers for you!
JC in Va
JC, at the Taber reunion they told it that it was a Honey Moon–sent especially to us on Friday the 13th by Gladys! And, yes, Susan was truly charming! We loved her!
Ruth,
A “Honey” Moon…how delightful! I’m so glad you enjoyed Susan and the reunion! Thanks for letting me know. I would love to know why you enjoy Gladys…would you say she and Susan are kindred spirits? I must check her out when I have time.
And your name is lovely 🙂 That was my Nanny’s first name. It was also her 2nd husband’s sister’s AND first wife’s name! I have been inspired to write a short essay perhaps titled “Three Aunt Ruths: A True Story of Romance and Charm”. Maybe I can post it here on Valentine’s Day…I think our friends would enjoy it if I can keep from thoroughly confusing everyone with the family ties!
God bless,
JC
What a BEAUTIFUL story of sacrificial love and investment your daddy has given you, JC!!! His voice into your life has made you YOU!!! That is the ultimate Gift. He gave you himself…. Now that’s a DADDY! And 15 albums on your 15th Birthday! I almost cried! Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
xoxoBeth
Thank you, Beth, for reading my fumbling attempts at honoring my Dad and for your very kind & heartfelt comments! And, I don’t mean to be boastful – but I think it was actually 16 albums on my 16th birthday! How indulgent!
God’s Blessings ~
JC
Your Blog Daddy sounds really special ~ Happy Father’s Day to him, and to all good Dads everywhere! I was introduced to the wonderful writings of Gladys Taber many years ago by a dear friend. Can’t wait to see your pictures from this trip, and to hear your stories! (Visiting Stillcove and Stillmeadow are on my Bucket List)! I plan to return the favor, and get a copy of A Fine Romance for the person who gave me my first Gladys Taber book! He will find the same lovely sentiments tucked into the pages of your book.
I miss my dad. He went to be with the Lord back in 1992, and when I get to heaven, I’ll be able to tell him what he meant to me. I loved hearing “The Tennessee Waltz” again, even though it wasn’t Patti Page’s version! That was “our song” for some reason. I remember him twirling me around to that song when it came on the radio. Lovely memories.
Happy Father’s Day, Pop!!!
I spent the day yesterday in Chicago with my daughter Heidi, we attended the Old Town Art Fair and garden tour. What a treat! Susan you would have loved all the artists there, they came from all over the United States. The gardens in the “old” houses were simply splendid! A little piece of heaven in a huge city! Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. I hope you all realize what an impact you have on your children’s life.
Great blog & Happy Dad’s Day all. xoxo
always love to read these blogs…..
I love your post about Dad. My Dad was great too and could do everything. You’re lucky yours is still around…..talk to him lots….xoxo
Hello,
Thank you for the Happy Father’s Day wishes!! I passed them on to my sweetheart.
And best to you with your speech. I am so excited to hear and see all that went on.
xx oo
Carla
Happy Father’s Day Blog Daddy Jack!!!
all of our Daddy’s are special, I give cudo’s to my husband for being such a great Father, to our 5 children and Gpa to 15 grandchildren..He has taught them spiritual things and everyday life things, but especially drive chevy’s cracks me up and they all do! They especially love to hear him laugh watching pink panther movies and Kun fu panda..Hopefully his out look will make all of them great Daddy’s and so far so good they all are
Susan, I just had to thank you for coming to the FOGT reunion! You were delightful and Joe really is a “doll”! My sister-in-law and I often think that our daughters and daughter-in-laws are missing so much with the loss of “Contemplation Time”–washing dishes in a sink looking out a window, ironing baskets of laundry, weeding the garden, dusting and polishing the furniture. They have cleaning ladies, dishwashers, and do not iron or garden. They are happy and wonderful individuals, but I bet they would enjoy the “Contemplative Life” for a week or two! 🙂 Thanks to both you and Gladys for thoughtful, sensitive, soul-restoring moments
!
We just got home. What a wonderful time we had. xoxo Thank you Ruth!
Hi Susan,
I saw your Fine Romance van this afternoon in Woodbury Ct at Main St. Antiques. My husband and I went in to say hello but couldn’t find you. It is such a large place and fun to browse through too.
Perhaps our paths might cross again.
Maura
Oh, amazing! Sorry we missed you!
My spies are telling me you were over the top with your talk at Stillmeadow to more than 200 folks in attendance — a standing ovation from the audience ! Wow ! …..and what a cross-section of people , from all over the country ?….I bet you were overwhelmed
What a fine success , Jeanie and I are so proud of you for being you ! DAD
OMG, Dad, you have spies! 🙂 I should know that! Thank you so much xoxo It was a thrill, I have to tell you, could not have loved it more, still walking on air! Nicest people in the world.
Wow … what special pride & kudos from your dad. Of course he has spies. He’s super-man 🙂 Enjoy the basking. I’m still walking on air from my kindred spirits tea party a week ago. Couldn’t have been a nicer day … and such special friends to share it with ♥ I imagine you felt the same at Stillmeadow …and a standing ovation?! Not surprised. Good job Jack … for raising an amazing lady who touches the world in a very special way. May you both enjoy basking in this moment. xoxo
My dad is the only reason I have the nerve to give a talk like that . . . HE loves them, I live in fear of them, but he’s the perfect cheerleader. He thinks I can, and so I do! Yes, walking on air, it was really such a wonderful meeting of the minds. We made some memories this week Mary!
Hi Susan,
Welcome to Connecticut. The weather turned out to be fantastic for your tour of Stillmeadow. I am sure had a great time.
Happy Father’s Day to all the fine gentlemen.
I love your collection of quilts. I also made a quilt, it took a very long time. The quilting by hand took a lot of patience, but it is a piece of art. Something to pass on to a family member.
Have a safe return. Can’t wait for the pictures of Stillmeadow. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Dad’s Day to All!
Oh, glad I still have a chance to win one of the prizes! I’m visiting Chicago for the first time with a girlfriend and having a grand time. The Fairy Castle in the Museum of Science and Industry the Thorn Miniature Rooms at the Chicago Art Institute were wonderful!
Hello Susan! I hope I’m not too late for the drawing. My mom has been in the hospital recovering from surgery and I’m just now catching up on email and your wonderful blog. You bring so much beauty and whimsy to this world. Whenever I’m feeling down I open up Girlfriends or Autumn or A Fine Romance and all my cares melt away. Thank you for reminding us that it really is the little things in life that matter the most.
Rebecca
Your blog is such a nice escape when life goes roller coasting along. I always look forward to reading it, but especially when things are not quite stable. Love the beauty and caring you put into it. I like to read it right before bed, so I can think about your topics and you wonderful art as I drift off to sleep. Thanks very much!
Oh, Susan!
I’m waking up on Martha’s Vineyard this morning!
My husband and I are staying at a cute little B & B that has a porch with rocking chairs and quilts and more charm than I can describe. I’m up early and reading Gladys Taber and enjoying bird song and the sound of a buoy somewhere in the distance. Yesterday we walked and explored and I had my first lobster roll – so sweet and delicious! This place is indeed a little piece of heaven!
Now you know ~ so happy you’re enjoying it, you are so right, a little bit of heaven.
What a wonderful FD tribute! I feel so blessed to have my 85 yo Dad! I can count on your blog to be a bright spot in my day.
Susan, You and your blog are such a delight. Your words/pictures never cease to brighten my day. Love, Phylis
I left a reply several days ago, & it’s disappeared! Hope Blog Daddy had a wonderful Father’s Day!
Wow! 3,870 comments! That’s gotta be a record! Everyone loves you! Happy Monday! Can’t wait to hear about Gladys.
This was a bittersweet weekend — the 1st Father’s Day without my hugely loved and missed Dad, but also the fun of a FOGT reunion. Thank you for sharing your love of Gladys Taber with all of us. Would you consider putting your remarks in writing so we could have permanent access to them? I have loved your work since the first time I saw it (1986 Country Living), but this was the first time I’ve been to a “live” event and it was even more wonderful than I ever dreamed it would be!!! Thank you for sharing your love of Gladys Taber, your art, your outlook on life, and your friendship. What a joy it is to be a girlfriend!
Thank you so much Sharon . . . and thank you for being there. xoxo
Your dad sounds lovely Susan 🙂
Hope you had a great time at Stillmeadow.
We enjoyed Father’s Day at Compton Verney, Warwickshire. It was a stately home but now has art galleries and sculpture inside and more sculpture outside in the grounds. Pieces by Rodin and Henry Moore at the moment although I think that is due to change soon. It actually managed to stay fine as well!
I thought I was too late to sign up for the drawing, so glad I received your email today. I look forward to reading about your time at Stillmeadow. I know Gladys was there with all of you and wish I could have been, too.
Oh, you MUST get your brother to share that song with the world. Just the image of a grown cowboy, crying pitifully as he sits in his saddle on the floor – bwahaha 🙂 I think you have a pencil in your mouth because, even then, you had a yearning to sketch 🙂
Love, love, love you. I always thank you for making my day! I’ve been away from computer since May 26th so I’ve some catching up to do. Yours is always the first I go to. Your so blest to have such a wonderful daddy.
Susan,
Every time I read your latest blog, I finish with a smile on my face. You just get to the heart of what life is all about. I especially enjoy the pictures of Jack, as I have a cat myself who continually makes me laugh out loud!
Susan – Loved the FOGT event. Hope to see you again soon!
You make me smile everyday. Thank you.
Dear Susan:
Today (June 17th) is my birthday. I sat down to look at your blog for a
birthday treat. And what a surprise! I certainly enjoyed the tour of
Stillmeadow. Wow!! As a young girl, I read “Especially Dogs” and enjoyed Gladys Taber’s adventures with Holly and Especially Me. When I was in fifth grade, I sent Gladys a letter documenting my interest in all dogs and hers in particular. She was kind enough to send back a reply, probably typed on the typewriter in your photo. It’s wonderful to know that Anne is carrying
on her grandmother’s dream of Stillmeadow. Also, I loved reading “A Fine Romance”–and rereading it with (as my grandfather would say) a cup of “tay”. And as I type this, there is a Jack Russell dog named Ruby sleeping at my feet. Best wishes to you and to all our kindred spirits.
LuAnn from PA
Such nice thoughts LuAnn!
Love your blog…my sister Maureen turned me on to it! Our grandmother…Mormor from Sweden loved dishes! She shared your affinity for “Rose Chinz”….she lives on in our kitchens…we split up her collection! Got to tell you I am smitten with you kitten Jack…would love to find a boy just like him! You are right…June is a beautiful month…keep up with your fun blog Susan…regards…DJP…P.S. The adorable Kate on your blog is my sisters niece…such a great girl!!!
She is surrounded by wonderful women, a very lucky girl!
Wow! A terrific tour of Mrs. Taber’s home. I think now I will have to start searching for out of print books of hers.
Do you have any idea when your new book will be published? I bet you are still writing. I have now given my fifth copy of A Fine Romance as either birthday or get well gifts
I am still writing — have had to stop for a while for all that’s been going on, but after my girlfriends go away, I get to go back to it. I’m not sure when it will be done, but I’ll know as I get closer. Thank you for doing so much for A Fine Romance! xoxo
I know you’re a treasure to your Dad, Susan, but you’re as close to a National Treasure to all of us as it can possibly get! All the comments, which I love reading, Susan, are the verification! My, how you do spread joy!!
Sara
Thank you so much Sara . . . I give what I get! xoxo
Your blogs are so beautiful – that I am torn between “can’t wait until the next one” and “I don’t want this one to ever leave!” – Congrats to the lucky winners!
Funny because that’s exactly how I feel!
My dearest Susan,
I want to encourage your brother, Chuck, to YouTube his “I’m so lonesome in my saddle since my horse died” song! I’m DYING to hear it. Or read the lyrics at least. It will drove me nuts until then and my poor husband just couldn’t bear it if I got anymore nutso than I already am (really, no exaggeration.) Tell Chuck, “I’d sure appreciate the effort!” Thank you, Susan.
I just wrote him a “big sister” letter — to try and get him to do that. Let’s see if it works! 🙂
Susan…..you gave July only 30 days on your wall calendar :-(. That’s my birthday
Gabrielle
You say that so calmly, Gabrielle. Even my BFF whose birthday is that day does not fall for the idea that perhaps I’m just trying to keep her young. It was printed and no one, not me or anyone caught it. I’ve written about it on Facebook and the Blog, and will do it again soon, but I know people will miss it — I’m glad you wrote. Big mistake we knew nothing about until it was too late, in stores, sold out in some places. GO here for more explanation and a FIX … and a print out to fix that spot and put your birthday day back on your calendar — the best we can do considering the situation. I am so sorry. This will never happen again, the fix is in for next year, and everyone is on high alert.
Susan,
I just love your New Dawn Rose I have one on our back patio she is not blooming right now I guess because our Texas summers are so hot but she will start again in the fall.
And I just want to say that I was not much of a cat person until you and Jack came along,and now there is a little black cat that comes to my front porch everymorning I think his name is Charlie if he never came back I would surely miss him look what have you’ve done to me?
I also want to say how much I loved “A Fine Romance”.Read it twice!!!!!!
Have A wonderful day but I know you will.
Sherry
I did it to myself too…I never really liked cats, but in my early 20’s I had to get one because of gopher infestation in California. I fell madly in love and would not be without one ever I hope in my life. They are so wonderful. You’re so lucky to be adopted.