News from the Road: Run get a cup of tea ~ because this is a long one! We’ll start here with road-trip MUSICA 🎶, and what I like to call “the aberration” or maybe the “miracle” because it can’t be true and I’m sure it was a typo that will be fixed soon, but while it lasts we must glory in the moment, because it’s the very first time for any of my books. LOOK at THIS!!!!⬇️
Even though it’s not really a travel book, but if the New York Times Book List said it was Number 10 in the category of books about ditch digging, I would take it! And I have you to thank for it. 💞 Word of mouth has always been the way my books have found new readers, and word of mouth, in this case, would be YOU. There are 100 reviews for Isle of Dreams on Amazon as of today, and 99 of them are 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s. Amazing! And all because of you! Look what a little Girltalk can do!
Oh, yes we can!
So, THANK YOU!!!! (And you, too, @FarmGirlGeorgie for making the cute NY Times Best Seller thing💝) 
Right now, I am writing you from my home state of sunny California. Yup, we made it all the way across, from sea to shining sea. Tonight is our 13th book signing so far, with more Girltalk at Rakestraw Books, here in Danville. We still have ten more signings to go before we get back to Martha’s Vineyard, Jack, Girl Kitty, and Home Sweet Home. (Check HERE and see if we’re coming to a store near you.) But first, today, I’m having lunch with California girlfriends!
I thought I’d show you a bit of our trip ‘cross country . . . There are so many wide open spaces, you would be shocked unless you were one of the ten people that actually lived in one of them!
Because it’s been gorgeous . . . amazing skies . . . we could see weather coming from forever away . . .
No snow though, we seem to be past that now . . .
But a few wicked downpours . . .
Then up and over the top of the world . . . (I met a girl working in a gas station in a tiny town in Wyoming, at around 6,000 feet altitude, where the wind rocked our car all the way down the road, and asked her how much snow they got up there, and she said, “It’s hard to tell, the wind blows it all away.” Freezing frozen wind, so much that the MOUNTAINS of snow that MUST be coming down, gets blown away? Eeeek!)
through bucolic farmlands . . .
across the plains . . .
And out to your basic nowhere . . . On our way to one bookstore after another, on our way to meet very gorgeous people.
Like this one. I love her. I love her hands, her headband, her shirt, her shorts, her shoes and the expression on her face. And most of all, I love the stars in her eyes.
And no matter what age, all our Girlfriends had those same wonderful star-filled faces . . . 💏
I don’t think they would be here if they didn’t have a bit of fairy tale girl inside them too. We had such a good time together!
We’d never been to the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver . . . it was so wonderful! Built inside an old theater, I can’t say enough nice things about this gorgeous place. With an amazing magazine section too! You can read its history Here! Go there if you can, they have big comfy chairs to sit in plus a coffee shop. You could live there!
That’s Daniel in the yellow shirt. He’s the Events Coordinator, and made it all happen in the smoothest way possible! We had some fairy tale boys come to the signing too, manning the cameras for their wives . . .
And every signing we’ve been to has been a family affair . . .
Moms and daughters, sisters, Aunts and nieces, best friends for life…See what I mean about the stars in the eyes . . .?
I am grateful every day for the rewarding work I have been blessed with.💞
How could I not be . . . Three generations, grandma, daughter and my newest, just hatched, Girlfriends who don’t even know they are girlfriends yet, and best friends for life . . . twins!
I always say I would rather be standing in line . . . there is so much laughter and happiness out there, I can hear them from where I’m signing, people meeting people . . .
These girls had a tea party in a restaurant before they came to the signing!
I feel so honored, truly . . .
This was at Main Street Books in St. Charles, in Missouri. Poor Missourites, just don’t know how to have fun!
And this darling girl is one of the owners who also manages the store, Emily Hall (she and her family own it, but no discernible relation to Joe).
Joe took lots of great photos!
The store was tiny . . .
But it was such a nice spring day, no one minded being outside . . .
And, sooner or later, I got to meet everyone . . .
And, as you can see, they treated me royally . . .
Here’s picture of the Main Street Books staff with Joe . . . and right behind me are Twitter girlfriends ~ Cindy (@granny2626), and to her right is Alisa (@AlisaMS) who, together, single handedly, made this book signing happen by calling Emily until she could no longer take it!
And while we were at Main Street Books, THIS came by to entertain us all . . . a fife and drum band! Just to give you an idea of how cute St. Charles, Missouri is! In fact, this is where the Lewis & Clark Expedition began their westward Ho! All of Missouri (that we saw) was wonderful. 
We drove the back roads, and made discoveries! Like that ⬆️ If you’re ever near there, try to visit the quaint historical town of Hermann, MO. Worth a trip just to see it . . . SO darling, practically all brick, lots of antique stores, and tiny little free-standing bed and breakfast cottages that ooze so much charm, you just WANT to move into one of them.
We also went to Mark Twain’s House in Hannibal, MO, our second time there, which I will tell you more about someday soon, because he deserves a whole Blog post about him. He grew up in that little white house. And just around the corner, by the way, is the birthplace home of the Unsinkable Molly Brown. Hannibal is a double-whammy town, and filled with historic buildings.)
Look how close Mark Twain’s house is to the Mississippi River . . . what a childhood that river must have provided for an adventurous, brilliant boy like that wonderful Sam Clemens! Then it was off to Kansas City!
With a little of this . . .
And a little of that . . .
And a lot of this, thrown in for good measure . . .
Because we are the ramblin guys . . .
Here we are at Rainy Day Books in Kansas City . . . these girls brought quilts they’d made from my fabric for me to sign! Are they not cute or what?
It was another wonderful night . . .
of meeting and greeting . . . and smiling for the camera . . .
Jane (from Twitter @artistswriter) brought us this cake!
A beautiful cake, with a fairy and little fairy dust and everything, that she made herself! We have the MOST creative Girlfriends!
Vivien Jennings from Rainy Day Books set us up for local KC television, this was CBS. Do I like to go on TV? Oh no, I do not! I am way too normal for this!
But I did it twice! This was NBC. I smiled and tried to keep all torture expressions off my face. Because A. It’s my job, and B. I sat in my studio for four years writing these books, the least I can do is try and tell people about them. I will be doing it again when we get to Memphis. Luckily that’s a long time from now.😜
Then we went shopping because Vivien knew all the best places! This is a famous Kitchen store in Kansas City called Prydes . . . They have EVERYTHING!!! Need a dishtowel?
This is Prydes, worth a trip all by itself!
Us and Vivien and her partner Roger, wonderful people, with a very famous, very community oriented bookstore.
After the book signing was over, I signed LOTS of books to leave at Rainy Day Books . . . “with love.” In fact, I’ve left signed books at every bookstore I’ve visited. If you need Christmas or Birthday presents, and want to support our wonderful Independent bookstores . . . call one of them, they’ll ship!
Over the Rocky Mountains into Salt Lake City we go! A little bit straight down . . . for several miles . . . whimpering occurred but I held his hand and told him everything would be okay.👍
And here we are, meeting more starry eyes at the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Joe took the best pictures! He visits with everyone in line while I’m signing books. And everyone asks him about the incident with the teabag on his glasses . . . and we all still laugh!
Our Girlfriends who come by themselves arrive as strangers but leave with new friends . . .
So many beautiful smiles . . . I could post pictures like these for the rest of the day and still not show them all! If you were at the signings and don’t see your face here, it’s only because I had better get in the shower soon or I won’t make it to the next book signing!
And more fairy tale boys . . . we actually had a lot of them, and they were great guys, every one of them. As you might expect!
See what I mean? More starry eyes!
Doesn’t the line look fun?
I loved every moment of it.
Here’s Rachel, Rob, and Paula . . . our host and hostesses for the evening at The King’s English Bookshop . . . we are so happy to hear how good the independent bookstores are doing these days . . . seems people really don’t want them to go away!!! New ones are opening every day, in the smallest towns too. Seems people love real books to decorate their houses and smell while reading! We can be proud, they couldn’t do it without us, it’s a triumph of the people over the machine!
Poor Rachel who works at the store, no personality, and no way of relating to her customers . . . poor thing, and all this with a box of books under her arm. 👏
And the store itself, how perfect is this for hosting fairy tale girls??? It’s a cottage-shop in a tree-lined neighborhood (previously owned, I think, by Goldilocks and the Three Bears).
Here’s Rob introducing me . . . the talk was held in the art gallery next to the bookshop. You guys ask the best questions!!! I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful these things are. It’s more like a conversation than a talk. I start out scared, but within about 60 seconds, I’m talking to you, you’re talking to me, and I’m just loving it.
So guess who I get to see tomorrow????🎉
🎵 MAS MUSICA! 🎵
Yes, we’ll be at my Studio near San Luis Obispo . . . and (don’t be jealous) we’ll get to SLEEP with our studio kitty, freckle-face Sammy . . .
. . . and our other Studio Kitty, sweetest Sasha!!!
This is our Studio, where the Kitties live, and where Kellee and Sheri and Alfredo work . . .
We designed the garden for this place right after we got back from our first trip to England in 2004 and were SO INSPIRED by what we had seen . . . the house is in an ancient riverbed so there is good dirt, and it’s five miles from the Pacific Ocean, so there is moisture, and there is a year-round flowing stream at the back of the property, so miracle of miracles, in California especially, there is water . . .
And believe it or not, that little building behind the garden is where we ship everything from ~ your books, the Emma mugs, dream charms, everything! We’re a little company, but we are happy.
This is Sheri and Kellee just after I got my kitty, Jack! BTW, I couldn’t do it without these girls!
Here’s Jack. I think you can see why they felt they needed mustaches . . . they sent us mustaches too.
This is inside the house/studio . . . That’s Kellee’s desk in the left corner, usually her dog is asleep under it, and Alfredo’s is on the right, and the kitchen is on the other side of those barstool chairs . . . Sheri is down the stairs that go off to the left. It’s a mess, because Joe and I are there at the time, and we always bring too much stuff with us!
Soon we’ll be having dinner at our favorite restaurant enjoying one of our favorite views in the world . . .
As you can see by these UN touched photos!!!!
Mine all mine. For the price of a seafood salad and a glass of wine.
That’s where I’ll be, with my BFF Diana . . . 💞 who hasn’t sprawled yet in this photo but will soon! See the painting behind my head? I took my one and only oil-painting class when I was out there and painted that picture of the garden . . .
Here it is in my studio on Martha’s Vineyard when I need to remember how nice the weather is in California!
Now I’ll leave you with two things . . .
First, this is maybe the sweetest kitty plus reading photo I’ve ever seen. Look at that cat’s eyes! Is he in heaven, or what? Thank you to Twitter girlfriend Heather for sending this darling thing . . . (@heatherbyhand)
and this . . .
A note we found under our windshield. SO sweet. Thank you Texie! We’ll be back! ❌⭕️ And I’ll be back here too . . . for a new installment in the never-ending story. Thank you for sticking with me! Love you all, wishing you a very loverly Memorial Day Weekend from the two road warriors! Hope to see you out and about! 
Aw! It was so nice to see you and kind Joe, too! I didn’t wait in line because I have my SB on my books already and there were SO many ladies there! Wow! I’m not surprised but I think the staff at The Tattered Cover were pleasantly surprised and curious – SO GREAT!
Congrats on NYT bestseller list, Susan! (HUGE LOUD APPLAUSE!)
Safe and happy travels to you. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your lovely art with all of us ladies. YOU are so kind, so gracious!
Oh Susan! What a lovely way to travel across the country on a road trip, visiting with girlfriends who adore you and can’t wait to see you! Love abounding all the way! Love your pictures. Love the places you visited. Great travel ideas for us! 😉 (Geez….can I possibly say “Love ” yet one more time?!) Much continued happiness and success on your new book and we’ll be waiting for the movie with bated breath! Safe travels for you and Joe! Happy California days! 💕💕💕
That picture of the little girl in pink, (she is awesome!) is exactly how I felt when I met you in St. Charles. Only I was trying to play it cool.
Well, I could tell anyway! xoxo
Susan! How FUN it has been to see ALL OF THE GIRLFRIENDS across the country. Not to get sentimental on you but looking at the pictures I found myself looking beyond the smiles and into the hearts XOXO You’ve done it! All the seeds you’ve planted in the early morning darkness while sitting and writing and painting have been warmed with sunlight, love and laughter and they’re blooming all the way across the country the the ocean.
NY Bestseller author is an expert gardener. Heart of the Home has multiplied to Hearts of the Homes!
CONGRATULATIONS to You!
I’m already looking forward to your picnic… I’ll be there in spirit!
XOXO and HUGS
Georgie from NJ
I’ll take you any way I can get you. xoxoxo
Dear Susan! My bosom buddy Bette, my “Roomie” since we traveled to England together for the first time over 15 years ago, and who are both lovers of all things Susan Branch, will be traveling from the Raleigh area of NC to Ashville to see you in a few weeks! We just can’t wait to meet you! Thanks for the joy you and the things you love bring to our lives!
Hi Darlings,
You are amazing posting while in this whirlwind! Such energy!
Love it all and looking forward to the Mark Twain post one of these days- because if I could have I would have married him too. Such a crush I’ve had on him all these years. I used to carry a matchbox around with his picture inside and a note that said “I want to marry a man like this.”
I think I got as close as possible (even the mustache) because I married Rick on the faith that there was an upper lip under his magnificent mustache. He shaved it off about 8 years into our marriage and I kept looking secretly sideways at him- unsure of who that guy was over there. 😉 Luckily he is full of wit and charm as well. <3 (BTW Joe is an absolute doll! You got one too!)
Be well on the rest of your trip and have a marvelous time catching up with your close girlfriends. Such a delight. And again, thank you so much for the effort involved in coming out to visit and talk with all of us. You set our hearts ablaze.
xoxox
Gabi
This post completely lifted my day up and turned it around. I was working myself into a complete “snit” with some small sewing alterations that were not cooperating and then there was a little ding from the Twitter that a new post was up. James Taylor, Sweet Susan Branch with the Book-signing travelogue, and ALL those smiling faces and suddenly all is right with the world again. Seriously–all the faces—wonderful pictures of the joy we all hold inside of us.
Many thanks.
Oh, I’m happy to know you have made it safely to CA. That is a L O N G way from MV!
And now I’m excited that you are going to be headed to Austin S O O N.
Thank you for taking the time to travel across the US to meet up with Girlfriends. I’m giddy with excitement. I sent an email to the website contact with a personal note. I hope you received it.
Enjoy your beautiful California days and safe travels for the remainder of this tour. I’ve finished reading and rereading your trilogy. I certainly home there are more books planned. ‘-) All the best, Susan Branch! ~ Sarah
Susan, love this review of your entire trip so far! The whole thing is a living fairy tale! What wonderful variety and eager sweet faces of Girlfriends from all across the country. Love Tom Sawyer’s fence! Had not seen that. And thanks for including my little old cake! So nice of you to do that! Can’t help thinking what a beautiful country — everywhere! — with so many gifts, and so many gifted people to share it with. Hope you get to relax and fill up the well with your old friends before heading back. So much fun following all this. Fills such a need in so many ways!! Thank you! xoxo
Susan-You just knock our red-striped socks off! What a whirlwind trip with nothing but friendship and good feelings all the way-Over 3000 miles of it!
(Perhaps we should give the driver equal time, but Joe really looks like he is also enjoying every minute. )
I hope those with the option on your life story have been properly introduced to this wonderful blog. Hard work, talent, friendship, success, gratitude and joy in nature’s beauty– These are the pleasures that make the difficult times easier, and the easier times special.
Thank you so much for sharing! Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend–Marty
What a blast!! Do you ever have to pinch yourself to be sure you are not dreaming this entire, crazy, wonderful adventure? Ha! Loving all the beautiful faces, bookstores, and scenery. California is my home state, as well. I grew up in San Andreas, was born in Mark Twain Hospital and during my childhood, I jumped frogs in Mark Twain’s, Calaveras County Fair. Ha! I must make a note to drop over to Hannibal ,Mo., sometime, to see Mark Twains boyhood home. Until then, I will look forward to your future blog post about your visit to Hannibal.
Thanks for sharing the story of the Memorial Day Children’s March to the Sea. What a marvelous tradition and remembrance for those who have perished fighting for our country. Very touching.
Happy travels….crossing fingers for extra happy days!!!
Love all the pictures…And reliving the wonderful day in St, Charles…You have the best girlfriends…
We’re all waiting for you in Memphis. Don’t forget to taste the BarBQ. Corkys is just down the road from Booksellers (5 minutes away) and it is fabulous!
What a marvelous trip thus far. I loved each of Joe’s pictures. Aren’t smiles wonderful and so special that Susan Branch has the talent to make them. Great post been missing you. Now if I can somehow get my Joe to take me to Memphis. I am working on it.
Thank you for coming to Salt Lake City! It was wonderful to meet you and hear from you. It was a wonderful memory for my mother in law, as she has been a fan for years and years. We loved it!
From attending your first book tour signing in Plainville, MA to having tickets to the upcoming Beatrix Potter 100th birthday reading in Brewster, MA, it has been quite enjoyable reading your adventures along the road. Cousins, sisters and friends are all reading your books and sharing favorite passages. What treasures, each and every one ! Thank you so much for the added fabric patterns to SpoonFlower. A Queen Elizabeth II coronation tea cup set (1953) by Salisbury with photos from Marcus Adams found at the local flea market will be in our picnic basket along with oversized napkins made from Spoonflower fabric for the trip to Brewster. Your photos of big sky country made me remember the growing up years on the plains. Enjoy your time in California with friends, family and those adorable kitties.
Oh, I love everything about this! The pictures Joe has taken at all the signings prove without a doubt that you absolutely have the best looking fans…guys and girls…of any author anywhere ever!!😊 The happiest, too!! Enjoy your time in CA, hugs to your mom, and hugs to Blog Daddy, plus a belated Happy Memorial Day wish from me, when you see him next month.
Sure wish you could’ve made it to Portland, OR on this trip. Would it help next time to flood the book shops with requests for your visit? God bless your journey.
Oh, Susan, I so much want to see you on this trip! It looks like Montecito is my best bet. Sure hope I can make this happen. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Loved your post. Looks like you had great crowds of Girlfriends (and boys). I’m so happy for your success. Congratulations!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
I LOVE the pictures of all the Girlfriends and Guyfriends!! They do have starry eyes….and each one so uniquely beautiful. Thank you for updating us, Susan and relax now that you are at your other home. You and Joe are just amazing. That was a long trip, but so rewarding – all around. Thank you!
Oh, such a nice post, Susan. I’m so, so glad you’re having a great time out there on the road. Thank you for sharing all the photos and fun. Although I know the Vineyard is your forever & ever home now, your love for also being ‘home’ on the Central Coast bursts through your words; you sound happy. Many congrats for all your success, especially, my goodness, the NY news!
If I ever needed one of your happy posts, it’s today. You cannot BELIEVE what just happened to me. I’m hours south of your studio…the weather is getting hotter down here. Got into my car which had been baking on the driveway all morning, automatically locked myself in (old habit), put the key in the ignition…and nothing. Wouldn’t even turn over. Silence. Worse…everything was frozen, including the door locks. Windows all the way up; temperature rising rapidly inside the sun-soaked vehicle. What can I say? I panicked and dialed 911. I yelled into the phone, “THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. I NEED SOMEONE TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND GET ME OUT OF THIS CAR!” Just as the siren-screaming brigade headed toward me…I could hear them…I remembered there is such a thing as a MANUAL DOOR LOCK. And, just like that, I was free of that hot & hellish trap. Where did my brain go? Has it been THAT long, since I’ve had automatic door locks on cars, where I could actually, momentarily in a panic, forget I could open a door manually by flipping over the little lever with my finger? I have never felt so completely stupid in my life…and, you know, I could have had a heart attack over the stress; I was shaking from head to toe when talking to the police officer who first arrived and who thankfully did not demean me for dead brain cells anymore than I was demeaning myself. (He said, ‘It happens.’ Really?) Nevertheless, I’ve decided to always have a hammer inside the passenger area of the car if I ever have to break a window, for myself or anybody else. I was 200% scared. (Really disappointing to think that this could be how I respond in a REAL emergency, though.) My husband became so worried about me that he drove all the way home from work (an hour’s drive) to check on me but also to discover that I had a loose battery cable as the culprit. Anyway, rattled-me totally needed your stress-free writings today to calm me…on my own personal Friday The 13th.
I tried so hard not to laugh, and I can see how serious this would feel while in the middle of it, but it is kind of hilarious, the way you tell it, and I can picture myself in your shoes so easily, that’s what makes it funny!!! Really I’ve read it twice now, and it’s so awful I can’t help but laugh!!! I am so happy all is well!!! xoxoxoxo Thank you, I needed to know I am not alone!
Laugh away. After I wrote it and hit “Post Comment”, I thought, ‘you know, you shouldn’t ever admit this to anyone out loud…’
I’d been thinking of something…of your cross-country trip. You’re in the van, right? So, there’s no train travel this time around? I wondered if maybe you were ditching the van in Arroyo Grande, then taking the train back to the East Coast…but then you’d be Van-less in The Vineyard. I just could swear, though, that there were to be train photos of this trip, unless I’m dreaming!? Coast to coast and up & down this country is A LOT of miles by motor vehicle (but it’s always been a dream of mine, like it is for a lot of people…see the USA in a Chevrolet…).
Not this time, we’re doing book signings all the way home . . . through Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and so on. Places the train doesn’t reach!
Oh we did see the eastern half of the USA in a Chevrolet in my childhood. One time coming home from Grandpa’s the water hose burst! My husband said that doesn’t happen anymore. We were south of Chicago in the middle lane and my mom was livid. She brought it up one more time before she passed away. :-/
Vicki they make mini car hammers just for the reason you stated. I am glad that you didn’t bake!!!
LOL, your mom! xoxo
LOL, you are so good to tell us. There’s a lesson in there after the laughter stops!
A lot of us can probably learn from Vicki’s experience. I wonder how many of us would do the same thing. I was home by myself a number of years ago. My daughter and her friend needed a drive into town one very cold fall night. Before we left the driveway, I told them it would be a rough ride because my heater wasn’t working. I had to have it blasting, cold or not, to keep the windshield clear. We were like icicles by the time we got back home. I called my mechanic neighbor the next day to see if he might be able to tell me what was wrong, and he promptly told me I had to move the heater dial from cold to hot. I was so embarrassed. I still think about it to this day. How could I be so stupid? I guess we can all be capable of the “I can’t believe I did that” moments. Thank God for cell phones and we need to make sure they are charged. An older gentleman drove off the road on a sharp curve in Nova Scotia last summer and into a very small thicket of woods between the road and the ocean. But the leaves were on the trees and no one could see the car. He had managed to wedge the car between the trees and couldn’t get his doors open, he couldn’t get out. He used his cell phone to call his wife and they had to go looking for the car. This happened just a two minute walk from my Mom’s house. I shudder to think what might have happened to that man had he not had his cell phone with him. They may not have found the car till the fall when the leaves fell off the trees.
Yeah, that thing they always ask . . . “Is it plugged in?” LOL, oh yeah, should’ve checked that!!!
WOW! What a trip! I just came through SLO and Morro Bay on my way back down to San Diego from Lake Tahoe! Stayed at the most wonderful place in Los Osos…right down from Morro Bay…called Back Bay Inn. Perfect! Perfect! AND they are a dog friendly place…so I will be back. Sat outside in my wooden chair reading for several hours overlooking the bay…heaven. SO…you have wonderful days to look forward too. ENJOY!
So sorry that my Girlfriends and I will miss you this weekend but just to much going on!! Maybe next time you and Joe are in California we can make it 😊 Have a wonderful time with the Girlfriends that are coming and Have a safe Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎈🎈🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Love, love, love being on the road with you and Joe — AND seeing all the happy smiling faces of the lucky ones who get to meet you. Fun to see all the lovely bookstores. And hey, we are in the same time zone for a change :-). Have fun with all your “homies”.
Hi Susan! Thank you for the wonderful update! Glad to read you’re back here in CA! I’ve been following your trip on your twitter page and it sure looks like the trip has been fun, rewarding and filled with many beautiful sights along the way. Our country is indeed beautiful!
My sister and I are anxiously awaiting your arrival to Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. We’ve planned our entire day around your visit there! Until then, enjoy every minute of your stay in CA and with your family & friends.
Dear Susan
Sounds like there is definitely another book on the way, and I don’t think it will be the updated Heart of the Home cookbook ( Looking forward to that too) …. I hope I’m right. Yeaaaaaaa Just finished reading Isle of dreams, loved it!!!!!!
Love Sue
Glad you made it safe and sound to California! Hang in there! It must be tiring but inspiring to see all these people who love you and your work. My 85 years young Mom and I Were on a high for days after seeing you in Wilmette. I’m sure your next trip to England will give you go power for the signings on the way back! You have inspired me to make a pen pal in the UK. It is so much fun and we text almost daily. See how widespread your effect is 😉♥️🌸💐🌺🌹🌷
Aww , Karen, that is so sweet. I want a pen pal in England too! The Susan Effect does spread wide doesn’t it and isn’t it wonderful?:)
Thanks for always taking me and all of your other girlfriends on the road with you. Your scenic photos remind me of the trip my husband and I took from Charlotte, NC to Las Vegas, NY in 1980. It is such a beautiful and ever-changing land we live in! I wish everyone had at least one opportunity in their life time to make that drive. Stay safe in your travels! I’ll see you in Asheville, NC before too long! Counting the days!
Congrats on making the New York Times Bestsellers list! So glad you’re enjoying the trip … Making so many folks happy along the way.
such a deep joy to see all the happy faces! Think of all the good you have put into the world, Susan Branch, all the happiness, all the joy!
I always love Your travel logs where ever You roam. I do feel alittle guilty for some strange reason for how exhausted You both must be. I’m waiting for You in Pasadena and feel You getting more and more exhausted, just wishing You were home by now. My husband and I have traveled by car throughout the country, even in these later Years of Our life. I know what it’s like, even for pure pleasure You can wish just to be Home again. Tonight I think I’ll add the two of You to My prayers for Your energy, strength, health and peace of mind. Go ahead and claim those prayers.Hugs to You Denise
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures and stories of your trip! I so wanted to come to see you in Salt Lake City but was not able to be there…so sad about that!! Loving the new book! Love the new blog post! I get all giddy when there is a new one! Safe travels!!
Congratulations! You’re a perfect 10! It is well deserved accomplishment and honor.
Wonderful photographs, and such a happy post. I can’t wait to join the fun in Asheville in June. (I visited The King’s English bookstore several years ago . . . what a gem that is!)
Dear Susan,
I’m coming to the end of Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams, and I just don’t want to finish 🙁 It is indeed a travel book in that you have a gift in your writing to take the reader “there.” And it really has been so enjoyable to be there with you as you got your wings and took off. My mom gifted me with Christmas from the Heart of the Home to add to my Christmas book collection back in the first December that I was a bride. I’ve collected every book since then, even finding a first edition of Heart of the Home in a book shop in Cape May, NJ. I was so thrilled! Your paintings and words bring me such joy 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your work and life with all of us girlfriends! TTFN, Kelly from eastern PA
Thank you right back Kelly! XOXO
Enjoy California! xoxo
My sis-in-law and I loved meeting you & Joe in St. Charles, MO!!
I’ve been babysitting my 16 month twin grand-daughters for 2 wks. so I haven’t had a change to read your books yet…looking so forward to it! I’m thinking summer day in my hammock with a glass of iced tea reading away!
I have many of your books and love them. I get your messages on FB but NOT email. Please add me to your email post.
Consider it done Kathy!
Sue, Thankyou for sharing the photos and stories of all your adventures as you travel out west. Oh how I wish I could get to one of those book signings. Everyone looks like they are having so much fun. There are so many of us girlfriends out there, Like minded, fairy tail loving, good ol fashioned girlfriends who try to see the best in the every day and with you leading the way. Your enthusiasm is infectious and it makes me want to be better and do better. I don’t think you realize just how special you are, which is what makes you so special ; ) Have fun in sunny california, it has been wicked hot and muggy back hear in the East.
Congratulations on your NYT Best-Seller announcement! It didn’t surprise me one bit!
I believe that God judges us by the people we touch. Dear Susan, you touch the hearts of so many people…especially mine, back in the Christmas season of 1994 and through today and in the future❤️
We all loved you in Denver! I’m the one who stood up and thanked you for your fabulous Downton Abbey recaps and the entire room applauded and cheered! It was wonderful. Only wish we all could have had tea with you and talked about everything under the sun. We all had so much fun standing in line, waiting for you to sign all our book collections-marveling at “how you do it all!” The hours of handwriting, painting, posting photos, writing your blog-you are absolutely amazing! We all feel like we’ve been close friends for a long, long time..and we have! Thank you Susan, it was an honor and a pleasure to meet you. You’re our Fairy Tale girl for life <3 XO~Joy p.s. Waited to buy Fairy Tale Girl and Martha's Vineyard, so you could sign them. Love the trio! I'm already halfway through FT Girl and can hardly put it down. It's our Downton 🙂
The book signing (in Cedar Rapids, Ia) was such a fun evening. My oldest daughter, Katie, and I had a wonderful time. Hearing your story has given me the watercolor bug and I plan to try it this weekend. Enjoy your weekend.
So, I was holding it together pretty well until the Memorial Day walk. Now, I have tears down my face. What a wonderful sight to behold!
To see the rewards, love, and acceptance of your hard work must be the most joyous feeling! Looking forward to Asheville on your loop this way! And, I have to say, I felt I was pretty darn cunning thinking I would have you sign my quilt… and now I see many other cunning GFs ! Aren’t we a clever bunch??
Enjoy the holiday! We’ll have a fire on the creek, roast weinies and make s’mores!
Don’t run out of energy before you get to Fox Tales in Woodstock GA, Susan. I can’t wait to meet you! Thanks for taking the time in the middle of your trip to send us girlfriends a blog! Good job!
I have enjoyed so much reading the book slowly! Was so hard to do!! So deserving to be on the list – must be a thrill – I loved meeting you twice in Meredith N.H. Enjoy the rest of your journey and can’t wait to go to England with you via your blog!!
So happy to know you have touched so many lives! Enjoyed seeing all the pictures! Hope you continue to have a great trip.
What fun! I can hardly wait for our turn in Pasadena. Thank you and Joe so much for sharing your adventures with all of us…your girlfriends forever. xoxo
What a nice adventure (~.~). I have enj
oyed your books and look forward to many more!
Oh my goodness…..this was so fun seeing your travels and all that YOU see!!! We just wait for you to come!! Thank you so much for coming to Colorado; I hope we had a wonderful welcome for you!!
Cadie was so sad to miss you; she was on a cruise with her darling husband, but made a video for you; I’ll try and get it to you somehow because she wanted you to know just how sorry she was that she missed your trip to Colorado!
You had the perfect weather day, too………….we’ve had a cooler snap and rain and some storms after you left. Colorado is sad you left, too!!
Hope to see you again soon…………safe travels!!
xoxo
Joann
It looks like the trip has been a huge success. I envy the bookstores and girlfriends who have been able to see you this trip. I was able to see you on the last trip in Goshen, Indiana. My sister and I drove over and we loved talking with Joe in line and absolutely loved hearing you talk about life. Meeting you was a big moment in my life and I consider life to be a very precious thing. Take care on this journey and I look forward to more blog posts.
My bestie & I drove 3 hours from Redding to see you in Danville tonight! See you soon! Can’t wait! Truli yours
My name is Trudi not “Truck” – how did that happen? Anyway we loved seeing you & Joe! Continued safe travels as you wend you way back to your beloved Martha’s Vineyard!
Ha ha ha, very rude gremlin this time!!! Found your note on the van Trudi! Thank you for being there, so much fun! xoxo
SO excited to meet you tonight! Thanks for coming all the way to Danville!
What a great recap of your trip so far! We get on a plane tomorrow to fly down to Morro Bay for your signing on Sunday! My BFF is driving up from Orabge County so we can see each other!!! Her cancer has come back for the fifth time. Thanks Susan!!! Donna (Idaho)
Hi Susan
So happy to be able to come down to Danville to see you. Trudi and I (girlfriends of you and each other) are anxiously waiting your signing. Love your blog as always. You are so devoted and keep busy to please your girlfriends. Wonderful photos. See you soon.
Susan,
I have been checking your blog everyday waiting for this post. Each day I think about you and Joe and the extraordinary life and experiences you are enjoying. The photos of so many wonderful fans is rewarding and encouraging, especially with the news events in our country that would lead us to sometimes wonder, “What is this world coming to?” Last weekend I picked up my copy of Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. From the moment I opened the book and touched the thick, smooth pages so rich with your writing, art and pictures, I was enthralled. I have forced myself to slow down and read one chapter per evening, tears streaming from time to time. I thought about your decision to buy the tiny cottage and to begin a new life – what courage! I wonder if I might have the same courage as I know I, too, need to make changes. I love your writing style and your ability to share your life as if actually talking to the reader one – on – one. Prayers continue as you and Joe continue your trip. Lucky fans to come!
You can do it Ann!!! Change, while hard, can be wonderful too. I’ll be sending you some warm fuzzies to help 😉
All of it, lovely. Congratulations and safe travels!
Those starry eyes are because of you, Susan! You do that to us. Much love and thanks for the on-the-road coverage. Love it!! Back to Twitter!
How wonderful this trip is! Enjoying it muchly…finished Martha’s Vineyard and wished there were more pages! Soooo…I am re-reading A Fine Romance! Keep writing those books…we’ll keep putting you on the best sellers list!
THANK YOU Anne!!!
So exciting and so much fun to be part of it all thru your photos. And America the Beautiful indeed…it really is.
My feelings exactly when I met you in New Hope, Pa…..you are one very special person, Susan Branch!
Omg. Loved your story of your trip. Love your books and art
I sooo enjoyed meeting you in Cincinnati ! I Hope you enjoyed the 1940 magazine with the Gladys Taber article in it. I’m waiting and so excited to hear about your next trip to England and Scotland.
What a beautiful trip, Susan. I enjoyed the pictures so much! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to give us some needed cuddling! Loved seeing all the bookstores where you were. Love indie bookstores! Wish you had been able to come to the Puget Sound this time. Maybe next when you write yet another book!!!
Such an honor to meet you in Denver! Such a inspiration to me! Thank you!
Hello, Susan! Alas, my sister and I will not be meeting with you this evening as she and I had planned. For some strange reason, all our arrangements would not come together, no matter what we did. The stars were aligned correctly however, as she became a grandma on Tuesday, (for the second time (-: which wasn’t supposed to happen till later in June!), and is now making her way south to see her family and meet her new, sweet granddaughter. A fairy tale of her very own! <3 Till next time, love,
Anne and Jean
Oh, well, then yes, the stars were truly aligned! Missed you, but here’s to next time!
See you in Morro Bay on Sunday!!! Welcome back!
Me again. Today was such a gift! Your readings, story telling, and Q and A today in Morro Bay were delightful!!! I slipped out afterward without officially meeting you as I ordered/bought the recent books signed by you and I have all 13 of your cookbooks (yes, I’m a fan) and you looked to be swamped by all of the others. My take away from today? You are a very funny, entertaining, story teller! And Joe is the ultimate sidekick straight man. You are two lucky ducks to have found each other. I hope you enjoy your CA time and the rest of the tour. One day we will meet face to face, but for now, blessings as you teach and travel, my virtual friend. I’ll be looking for the list of recommended “Susan Branch Central California places to eat and things to do” list you promised after the fact.
Thank you Becky! I am so happy to hear that . . . I think the Q and A has been just my cup of tea, everyone asks such great questions; it’s much easier for me to have a conversation WITH girlfriends, then to talk AT them! Joe has gotten more and more into it…which, of course, I love. Thank you for being there!
I love your pics of our beautiful country with its good people gracing every little corner. I especially like the photo of you wearing those slightly rolled up jeans (sitting during a signing). You look sweet 16. I love your California staff. Every contact I’ve had with them has been like being with a lovely friend. Congratulations on your success (and Joe’s – he’s certainly a good part of it, I think).
Thank you again for being you!!!
It is so lovely to see all the lucky people who get to meet you! and Joe! The joy in there faces 🙂
Hope you enjoy every moment, because you have made a lot of people feel special!
Loved reading about your travels in today’s blog………almost cried when I read you’d been to Prydes in Kansas City!!!!!!!!! My husband began his first job at the Westport Presbyterian Church right across the street from Prydes in 1973………….soo many memories well up inside me seeing their website. HAPPY you were able to stop in there! Continue your wonderful trip and the wonderful ‘sisters’ you meet along the way!!!!!!!!
I have just finished Martha’s Vineyard for the second time. You have put so much of your❤️
into every word, painting and quote. I still think the book should be name The Heart of
Susan Branch. This book is all you. It is also inspirational, with many good thoughts.
See you in Woodstock, Ga at Fox Tales.
Sylvia
Haha! I’m famous. I’m in a picture on your blog – the one with my husband taking a picture of you signing my books while I’m looking on. I loved meeting you! You are such a doll. I’m reading your latest book (my autographed copy!) ever so slowly, and savoring every word and picture! ❤️
Hi Susan, I just finished Isle of Dreams and wondered what ever happened to Holly Oak if you still own that wonderful little home? I so enjoyed the book, thank you for sharing your story with us! Kathy S
I’m having so much fun reading about your adventures! Thanks so much for sharing. Love you.
Susan, I am sure you have been told this a million times, but you do bring so much happiness to so many people! It was a treat and a wonderful way to start my holiday weekend here in San Diego. Thank you!
Hi Susan, again so glad you brought us along to see all these girlfriends and the lovely bookstores you are visiting. Look forward to seeing you next month in Pasadena. I’ll bring a few extra books with hopes that you’ll autograph those too. Also “The Black Dog Summer on the Vineyard Cookbook” written by Sullivan & Hall. Hope maybe if Joe’s somewhere in the vicinity he might honor me with an autograph too. Hope you are enjoying some family and friends time while you are here in sunny California. I know you miss your Island of Dreams and your kitties, you will be home soon to share love with them. Meanwhile enjoy your travels.
You are all having so much fun! I could just feel the excitement! I reserved my books just today at The Book People. I am so glad you are having a wonderful time. See you soon!
I forgot to say…..The NY Times knows a best seller when they see one!
Thank you for the lovely shots of your California studio. How could you ever choose between Martha’s and that? Also, the large cutout of the sheep from “Fine romance” is adorable, (above Alfredo’s desk). Your family must be so proud of all you have accomplished … I know we girlfriends are!
Hi Susan! Have you seen many people wave or honk at you on the highways, when they recognize your van? Jan
Congratulations! I’m doing the happy dance! It was so good to see your post tonight and hear about all the excitement across the USA you are creating. My face hurts from all the smiling I did while reading the post and seeing all those happy girlfriends. Your place in CA looks enchanting. It is no wonder. Keep on keeping on and we will be here cheering you along the way.
Fun, fun, fun! Enjoy your time in CA!
What a fantastic book tour and trip.
All those star-filled faces are a reflection of you, Susan Branch❣ Can’t wait to be one of them in Austin. Safe travels!
Oh, I love living vicariously through your eyes. So glad you’re having a good trip across the US of A! Safe travels to you and Joe.
After reading this blog and seeing all of the wonderful pictures of your travels across our beautiful country, I’m even more excited about seeing you in Asheville, NC than I was before! It’s difficult to believe that I could possibly become more enthusiastic because my sister and I have talked of little else. We can’t wait to meet you and actually see the girlfriend we have never met but have come to know and love through your wonderful books! Watch out Asheville, here we come!!
You make so many people happy. The King’s English is wonderful. I go there whenever I’m in SLC
Loved all the pictures! I absolutely love everything about your books, how they are written, the illustrations..just beautiful. Always makes me smile! Thank you for sharing your talents and life with us. ♡♡♡♡♡
I love those little pinwheel quilts! To the new girlfriends from St. Charles…I had the lake perch at Sister Bay Bowl. OK?! LOL
What are the blue flowers in the right foreground of the pic of your California/English garden? Gorgeous! And so is your coastal restaurant view. Nothing beats a good seafood salad.
I really liked the flag you used to have with the boy and flag and lilacs. The girls told me a couple of years ago that you don’t have any left. I only have the one with the red VW beetle, which I bought when I lived in NH. The lilacs are blooming now in WI. I even found out I have my own bush in the woods!!!
Enjoy your home visit!
Margot oxox
This is way too much fun. I am traveling along with you via Twitter, FB and your blog. Glad you made it. What a great way for you to tour and see the gorgeous country we live in. Lovin’ it. And A BIG thanks to Joe for all the great pics.
Reading through your marvelous post … just makes me wish I can be at one of your book signing … definitely now, on my Bucket List!! Happy Journey … Safe Travels and back to Home Sweet Home!! With Much Aloha, Evie in San Diego
Congratulations on the NY Times! We already know how great your books are, but it’s nice to get a nod from Those Who Do Not Yet Know 🙂
So bummed I won’t be able to meet you this trip so many thanks for your wonderful travel blogs so I can at least experience it all vicariously!!!
Love being your Twitter girlfriend! My mom, grandma and I wish you could come to San Diego so we could meet and chat in person!
Hi Susan,
I am guessing that most of your girlfriends from Rakestraws tonight are snuggled in their beds, loving this blog post and relishing in the fun and heartfelt joy in seeing you and Joe. Your true, authentic passion and voice resonate so with us, connecting us all in such a meaningful way to the ones we love. Your life’s work helps us bring such joy, spirit and inspiration to our families and our homes. Mille grazie and safe travels!
Hugs,
Kris
Hi Susan,
Thank you for taking me long on your wonderful trip!!! You’re pictures are so much fun, and I loved the picture of Heather and her darling kitty baby!!! Your studio babies are delightful too!!! Take care, and enjoy every moment.
Blessings,
Sheryl
Had a lovely, fun time tonight at Rakestraw book signing in Danville, CA. Met two new girlfriends – Lisa & Robin from San Jose and of course Susan and Joe! What fun and so memorable an experience. Thank you Susan…you are wonderful. And thank you to Lisa & Robin for an enjoyable time in line. Congratulations Susan on every success…will look forward to your next book.
M
Love this blog. Especially ecially the grammar school children’s Memorial. Day March to the sea carrying theiir flags an bouquet of lavendcem into the water at the harbor,and your connvesationwith the 80 yr..old woman who had herself marched in the parade when she was !little. They had started it in1868 Our Veterans would be so proud! So glad you passed this on. Happy Memorial day.!
Oh Mrs. Branch, that was so lovely and I think I had a starry tear in my eye the whole time I was reading it. Thank you for taking the time always, to share the Fairy Tale Girl magic with the rest of us out here in Fairy Tale World. xxxooo
Hi – heres a nice coinkydink. I loved your “A little house” bookmarks so much that I had some laminated. I was curious about the author Padraic Colum (sounded Gaelic to me) so I googled him. Turns out that at the time of his passing he lived right here in Enfield, CT where I live. Now I love the bookmark even more. I met you in Madison, Connecticut and it was the highlight of my May. I was the girl who mentioned that I work at a 100+ year old Andrew Carnegies built library.
Good morning! I was so hoping you had a post this morning. Thank you. Looks like you are having a lovely time. Every gathering looks like a a family reunion 🙂.
We have you to thank for bringing us all together. We have a Memorial Day parade much like the one you described, ours ends at a small cemetery. I remember my grandmother taking me to it when I was little, then the local church would have a strawberry social. I felt so special to be permitted to be in a parade!! Sweet memories.
It’s so fun reading about your adventures, especially since I can’t get to any of the book signings! But a friend of mine in Denver went and took pictures and told me all about it!!!! SO excited for the book making top 10 on the travel list!!!!!