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! 
Oh boy it sounds like you are all having such fun! There really is something special about exploring your own country. I can’t wait until you come over to Britain again!
Dear Susan-
Sadly (VERY sadly) I could not make it to your Tuesday signing in Illinois. I love that your ADVENTURE is going well, thank-you for the update, I almost feel like I am there! Time to find a Wisconsin Independent Book Store….
I agree Amy. Where are you in our fine state?
The looks on all their faces reflect the joy we all feel reading your books, looking at your watercolor paintings, and for the lucky ones, meeting you. Will eagerly wait for your next book (no pressure). God bless you!
We had such a great time meeting you in New Hope! I came with dear friends and I ran into my second cousin that I haven’t seen in years! Yikes……I use to babysit her while her Mom did household chores. Where did the time go. We sat at a table and had lunch with the loveliest group of women from Hatboro, Pa. I could have spent the day with them. Thank you for keeping us blog girls up to date. Travel safely xoxoxoxo
From sea to shining sea, you’ve been, and brought joy and happiness to your dear fans, friends that is – girlfriends & guyfriends! Welcome home to California, we’ve missed you! Great news about the New York Times Best Seller, I too love reading your books & I love rereading your books (on #3 of “A Fine Romance”!!!). Congratulations!!! Great pictures of your travels & beautiful faces of your fans! Continued safe travels & fun filled days for you and Joe! XOXO ♥
Hooray! A loverly new post this morning! Thank you for sharing!
What a trip across the U.S.A., spreading your sunshine and making some wonderful memories with new girlfriends!
I have my Summer Book out and am browsing through the it so I can select yummy recipes and then shop for the ingredients for a weekend of cooking. Happy me!!
Have fun in SLO!!
ox
Love love LOVE reading about your tour. Here’s to your continued success!! ❤️🍾🍰 Pam, in Montreal XO
Reading your blog and seeing all the wonderful Girlfriends makes my morning coffee taste even better!
Oh how I wish I could be in one of those bookstores to see you. Seeing all those happy people made me feel good. We are on the road traveling through OR and WA so I will miss seeing you at one of the SLO signings. Safe travels!
Dear Susan-
Thank you, Joe and Susan, for traveling all across the country to see us, and thank you, Susan, for graciously signing all of our books. The whole book-signing experience was fun, and as you mentioned, we even had a great time waiting in line! It was so nice to talk with Joe – “an old friend you just met” describes it perfectly.
My mom and I were ECSTATIC to see our photo above. (We were in St. Charles – peach sweater & green sweater.) Nick Charles sums it up best – “Baby … you’ve arrived.”
My mom is the kindest, most generous person I know, and I am so glad she got this shout-out. She wore her special cottage purse of pieced felted wool and was so disappointed she forgot to show you, as she thought you would appreciate the creativity. (Purchased at the Best of Missouri Market at the Botanical Garden here – a must-visit the first week of October) She did, however, have the presence of mind to give you her favorite smoothie recipe for a pick-me-up and share some titles of British magazines she has found, perfect for anglophiles.
Unfortunately, when I met you, I had zero presence of mind and was only able to say “Thank you” and “I like Christmas.” DOH! What I WOULD have said was … How much my mom and I truly enjoy your books and blog. We live 2 hours apart, but chat frequently, and snippets from “Susan” are often shared. In fact, you have always been a part of our family – my siblings and I practically grew up on Chicken Jimmies and Mrs. McGurgler’s Waffles. And, most important, I would have said how inspired I am by your dream world to work and plan to make my own dreams come true.
So, thank you, Susan, for making all of us so happy!
Elizabeth
Thank YOU Elizabeth, for all your kind “presence of mind” thoughts!!! xoxo to you and to your mom!
Oh my oh my…what incredibly wonderful news from the New York Times!! But SO predictable…it’s a GREAT book!!!! Can’t wait for the film / TV mini-series / Oscar for best original work!!! Continue your lovely journey and enjoy a safe trip back to Jack et all! xoxoxo Catie
The News from the Road sounds like so much fun! I love that you appear to be on the back roads….at least some of the time. And the book sellers along the way are the best of the best. What a great time to be crossing the country (as long as you stay away from the storms that terrify the midsection of the country). I have had your book in my possession for awhile now but was waiting to start it because I knew if I started, I could not stop. I have started. Having been on MV one teeny tiny time, it is enjoyable to read about your adventure and to recognize some of the places you talk about. I have some baking to do this a.m. but as soon as that is done…..a reward is getting back to the book.
So hoping to meet you again in Austin in June. Safe travels. Love reading about the trip as you go.
What exactly is that? You know, that “thing” that happens to my heart every single time I open and read your blog?! It’s that warm fuzzy, but…it’s just something wonderfully more….I don’t know…..but I know it happens all the time in Susan Branchville so I need not try to explain it! But how lucky can we always get?! Congratulations on all your accolades! You deserve each and every one of them, Susan! Thank you for taking us on your delightful cross country travels and enchanting stops along the way. Beautiful places! Beautiful people! The Pacific looks just as gorgeous as the Atlantic…but I’ll take the Atlantic! 🙂 Speaking of which… “a few wicked downpours”…your Yankee is showing! LOL! Loved seeing the CA offices and the sweet faces behind the magic who make magic of their own! Endless thanks to them and all their hard work! Enjoy a happy weekend…it’s summer!!!!!! xo
Congrats on being a NY Times Bestseller Lady!! Not that I’m surprised. 😉
Love following your journey so thanks for sharing it all too. You have shared so much of yourself with us (your stories, your art, your time…) and all for our enjoyment and happiness. I hope you know it’s all so appreciated!!
Blessings on the holiday weekend (& the adventures) ahead. xoxo
Dear Susan,
You’re here in California! Soon you’ll be at Vroman’s and I can come see you for the second time in my life! Hooray!
What an awesome trip diary and how kind of Joe to be out there talking to people and taking pictures, so everyone can reflect later…(including you!)
Up early to take my girlie to the airport so she can fly home to Denmark. The only good thing about that is that I get to go see her in two weeks, once school is out.
Meanwhile there are report cards to write and classrooms to clean up and children to wish a fond farewell to. I loved hearing again about the Memorial Day Children’s March to the Sea. What a wonderful thing!
I’m currently re-reading A Fine Romance for tips about England, as my GF and I are planning a trip for next summer. I’m excited that you and Joe will visit Scotland this time… You will love it!
Enjoy the rest of this journey…hope to see you next next week!
Love, Marsha
Susan, you are a hoot and such a fun internet friend! After reading you had been on a local channel while on your tour, I google Kansas City TV stations. KCTV5 came up and I typed in “Susan Branch interview” and voila…guess what? I just saw the precious interview you did there! I don’t live near any of your stops, but feel like we just met! THANKS!!!
P.S. Have read all your books and my husband even suggested we go to MV for our 40th wedding anniversary! Ha!
What a glorious start to a beautiful day! A new post, hurray! Seeing the smile of my fairy tale niece pop up as the first of many bright faces was a wildly special treat!! Thank you for sharing so much with us! It was an absolute pleasure to meet you, and I think you must have bionic hands to write so beautifully even after signing books for hours. You’re an angel.
There will be no sleeping at my house tonight – too giddy! Tomorrow I meet Susan Branch! I am more excited than if I were meeting Her Majesty the Queen (and I adore E II R !) So if you encounter someone at your Morro Bay signing who is dumbstruck, awestruck, and star struck, it will be I. Oh who am I kidding? Everyone there will be some-kind-of-struck!
My daughter, Meredith and I are sharing this day-trip. We plan to re-live our adventures in England last fall (which we totally lifted from “A Fine Romance”) during our drive and pre-signing brunch in SLO.
Thank you for the fairy dust you sprinkle on our lives. Can’t wait to meet you and your Joe!
Hi Susan! this is such a fun and cheery post, you should see the smile on my face and the joy in my heart~~thank you for that! I love the way you are so upbeat–such a positive attitude to meet the challenges of talking to group after group of adoring fans. You truly bless us all by your presence on this earth and your many creative ways. Thank you so much for sharing it all with us. Many blessings to you and Joe xox 🙂
Thank you for the awesome post, I had been waiting anxiously to hear (& see) about your journey west.. Enjoyed the entire post but especially your story of the “Memorial Day Children’s March to the Sea”. Thank you again
Oh! What a wonderful journey! Thank you for taking us along. I so adore the wide open skies and the wide open faces of all the girlfriends and friends and independent booksellers! Can’t you just feel the love of all those kindred spirits! I am glad you and Joe are out and about, even if you won’t make it up to the Pacific Northwest this trip. Sometimes it’s much more fun to ‘hitch a ride! Have a safe journey and keep sending those pictures of the starry-eyed fairytale folk and the towns tucked into the trees and the charming bookstores all along the way. And God bless everyone who sacrificed to make this a free country where books are read and not burned.
This is my third time reading Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams!! I so relate to everything in your book because I have been there. So many great memories flood my mind. It’s like going on vacation all over again!! I can’t image how you are going to top this book but I am sure you have one on the back burner of your mind! Lol. Just a wonderful book and I might add, an inspiration to artists, including me, everywhere!
How happy were all us Utah girlfriends to see you and Joe? One great, big, hug full of love, love, love; that’s how much!!! Such a treat to meet you. Susan, you gave us a very special memory we will always remember with a smile.
Thank you for the news about next year’s Gladys Taber’s meeting in Wisconsin. Something to plan for and look forward to.
Good luck with the “movie or series thing”. How about Sally Field to play you in current time? She is a wonderful actress and very down earth like you are.
Enjoy your trip back to MV. 2 meows to the kitties.
I loved, loved, LOVED reading your notes from the road, Road Warrior! Thank you for bringing some of that special Susan Branch fairy dust into my day! I loved seeing the picture of Diana! I met you when you were in Willamette, IL! A red letter, though a tad rainy day!
OMG!!! The NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER LIST?????
Okay, I read the blog and was so enchanted that I left the earlier message and cheerfully went about my Saturday routine, thinking about all the wonderful things and people, then it sunk in and I rushed back to my computer, doing a double take that would make Lucy proud-OMG!!! The NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER LIST!!!!!! WOW!!! Congratulations, Susan! I was channeling my inner girlfriend and not my inner garret-dweller, both who are now hopping up and down with excitement! Too fabulous for you! Millions of writers (including yours truly) dream of this and YOU are there! May you keep climbing up that list until you reach #1! Hurrah!!!! Hurrah for Susan!!! Hurrah!!
Did I mention: HURRAH!! :-))
You have had a wonderful trip so far. I love all of the pictures of the bookstores so much. Sadly, in my hometown all of the small independent bookstores that sold a multitude of different books have closed, but there is one not too far from us that I always visit when we are near. Do enjoy the rest of your journey and tell Joe awesome job on the photos.
Can’t wait to see you in Asheville.,NC. Congratulations on the best seller list. Like you say however you can get it.
Susan, how wonderful your new book has made a best seller list. Just goes to show you how talented, loved and admired you are. You are a special person because you are surrounded by people who recognize your outstanding sense of what it’s like to share everything you do. I’m glad your trip has been so successful and so day I hope you will come to the great Northwest so your friends here can meet you. Happy Memorial Day and hugs to you, the kitties and Jo in Joe!!😊
Hi
Susan
Wowza that was a fun fun blog post. I loved seeing all the (girlfriends) at your signing. What fun you are having and what beautiful pictures. Enjoy your time on the road. I loved this update
Your garden in California is just breathtaking Susan
Happy day Susan
deezie
Loved reading about your cross country book signing trip. Enjoyed the pictures of all the happy girlfriends.
Congratulations on making the NY Times list! I can understand why, it’s a terrific book that shows your love of Martha’s Vineyard through every word and it makes me want to visit. I enjoyed reading how your first book came together too.
Susan!! Congratulations on having a BEST SELLER on the New York Times Bestsellers List! Wooo Hooo! I was all smiles (and tears) when I saw this. You have put so many hours and so much love into these wonderful books. Happiness and smiles to you!
Beautiful, beautiful pictures of all those sweet ladies who love you!! And you’re almost here!!! June 11 in Prescott! My daughter and I can’t wait for our tea with you!! Enjoy every day. Safe travels.♥
Hi Susan–I LOVE the “just-hatched” girlfriends, who don’t know they are girlfriends yet.
Although I am a long time fan, and had many of your earlier books, I did not know I was a girlfriend until about 3 years ago, when Titbury’s posted a link to your blog when they announced your book signing for “A Fine Romance” in their newsletter. I went RIGHT over to the blog, and signed up, and have been a girlfriend ever since.
The blog DOES feel exactly like we are all old friends, enjoying each others’ trips, recipes, ideas, memories, creations, etc.
I can’t tell you how much I love your blog and your books, and how much I thank you for making us ALL feel like your friends!
YOUR friend…….VickeyB
What a whirlwind trip, filled with “kindred spirits”, as Anne of Green Gables would say. Lucky lady (and Joe)! And back in A.G. picking flowers from the blooming cottage garden….kissing the kitties….partaking of a delicious repast with ‘riparian entertainment’….soaking in the sunshine and drinking wine with the setting sun in Pismo? H-E-A-V-E-N. (just a little jealous, can you tell?) Save some beach sand and have some yummy delish ice cream at Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab (aka Burnardo’z, for us former locals) for me, ok? Smooth sailing! ♥
Welcome back to the other side of the continent! Thanks for sharing your cross-country trip.
Thanks for thgis lovely blog so now I have the feeling if I was there too!
The first landscape pictures are like my part of the Netherlands where I was born–all that wideness of the landscape so beautiful!
Love the kitties they are adorable as is that little girl.
It was nice to see on facebook how you are for the interview for the tv.
Have a save journey and many starring fairy girls
Greetings,Trudy from the Netherlands
I have met so many of your girlfriends. We are excited you will be here in
Morro Bay Sunday.
What great news from the road! CONGRATULATIONS on being on the NYT BESTSELLER LIST!! What a wonderful thing!
The children’s March to the sea brought tears to my eyes. How sweet is that??
Loved having you visit our charming town of St. Charles Missouri. I was honored to sit by you and watch the magic happen 😃 Keep up the wonderful work. Ann Hazelwood
After enjoying all those happy photos, I officially dub thee Good Will Ambassadors. Looking forward to seeing you and enjoying a dose of that good will!
Dear Susan,
I am new to your books ( although the original cookbook looked familiar to this non-cook.) I picked up the Vineyard book because I love the Vineyard, and it was an act of God, because I had just started my first watercolor class ( for watercolor journaling). I fell in LOVE, and bought three of your books immediately! Thank you for being such a joyous presence, and for the water color lessons I got just from reading your beautiful, handmade pages. You are an inspiration! ( ps, I also bought a Vineyard book for my aunt! Who will love it as much as I do.
Correction the email address typo above
I do think that “starry-eyed” is the best description of all of us when it’s our turn to meet you! How fun to see all of the different girlfriends from all over and wonder which one might be which name on your blog! You’re right, chatting in line is definitely a lot of fun. Your pictures are great – I think taking pictures is one of the best parts of traveling across the country. I want to go to Hannibal, and I REALLY want to go to every book store that you’ve shown us!And oh, how I miss the ocean! But the sky here today is blue with billowy cumulus clouds and a summer-like temperature, and I’m beginning to feel at home here again. Happy travels!
How did I forget this?? Congratulations, Susan! Your books are always # 1 for us!
So far, Susan and Joe, everywhere you’ve been, you are about 2 or 3 weeks ahead of us on our cross-country RV trek with our fur-child, Enzo. But we’ll be in St. Charles, MO next week, and I’ll buy one of your signed books (if any remain) – – even though I already own an unsigned one! 🙂 So sorry to have missed you, but one of these days we’ll make it back to the Vineyard. Probably not in the RV! 🙂
Thanks so much, Susan, for taking us all along with you and Joe on your trip. I sure wish I could really tag along, but this is pretty good. I’m rather stuck at home this pretty weekend in Michigan, so your timing is perfect! What wonderful Girlfriends!!
Wonderful travels for you all! It just seems to get better and better. Best wishes for the trip back. Thanks for your magical books.
Congratulations Susan on The New York Times Bestseller List!!!! Your books should be number 1 on there, they are THAT good. Love your books and you, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Safe travels.
Oh, so many comments could be made here! First, I am thoroughly enjoying Martha’s Vineyard! It’s hard to put it down but, I don’t want it to end!! I will be re-reading the English Countryside after, though, in preparation for our 3 week trip to England/London/Paris. Would love to meet you one day if you’re ever near Bloomington, Indiana or if I’m ever near some place you are visiting for a signing. You are very inspiring and I enjoy hearing of your escapades! Can’t wait for another book!!
Oh, my what a road trip!!! I loved reading every word and I took your great advice to brew a wonderful cup of tea before beginning to read your news. We have been to St. Charles and Hermann and Hannibal, Mo. – all wonderful , quaint towns! I want to shop at Prydes! And return to Salt Lake City just to visit that cute bookstore!! loved seeing the plains , the mountains of Colorado. Loved your Memorial Day Ending.
Tomorrow is Morro Bay….yeah!! See you then!
Wow — what a trip you’re having, and big congrats on the NY Times placement. I’m with you — call it whatever you want (Travel, etc.), but just CALL it!
We’re swimming again in the Houston area, with more flooding, but the sun is shining today. Could it be helped along by a new post from SB? I think there’s a good possibility; my day is always sunnier when I find a new blog post to read.
Time to scoot along to Trader Joe’s, a California import we’ve only had here in Texas in recent years — I’m thinking fresh veggies and some of your fabulous gazpacho. It’s getting to be that time of year!
Safe travels, many, many kitty hugs, and lots of quality girlfriend time with your BFFs.
So much fun meeting you in St. Charles, MO! I love that area and I’m glad you got to see a little of it. Thank you for coming to visit and I look forward to your next trip. 🚗
As if you weren’t special enough already, I love that you love cats! 🐱
Susan, so fun to see inside the studio in California, and see your darling studio cats! =^..^= Really enjoying following you on your book tour…..almost like being there! Congrats on the New York Best Seller list – awesome, and well-deserved.
My daughter Cynthia and I came to see you at the King’s English in Salt Lake and I can’t believe our picture made it on your blog!! We are so excited! I met girlfriends (kindred spirits) standing in line waiting to go in. When you walked into the art gallery there was just this electric energy in the room and we all gasped and clapped when we saw you and Joe – movie stars! You are both so charming and warm and charismatic. Joe is so fun – we loved talking to him while waiting in line. It was a highlight of my life never to be forgotten. I think we all feel as though we have known you for years because you have treated as girlfriends before we even met. Safe travels and thanks again for the wonderful time we had at the King’s English!
I’m home with TERRIBLE poison ivy. Thanks SO VERY MUCH for a wonderful respite!! You’re probably exhausted even though you’re doing so many fun activities, so you’re doubly appreciated for taking the time to send us your blog!
Do you ever come to a bookstore in or around Washington, D.C.?
so sorry I missed in St. Charles. Husband having heart surgery
Susan, did Joe give you the pin cushion I made for you? Hope so, cause I can’t think of anyone who’d appreciate it more. So fun to see and hear both of you in Denver.
Oh you make me want to hire a driver to see you tonight in Danville. I just don’t drive into the city or through the city or near the city anymore. I live in Ukiah off 101 north of Santa Rosa. It’s nice to know you are so close, even if I don’t find a driver on a holiday weekend without a neighbor in sight! You cross county trip looked wonderful and you are so lucky to be in such darling towns and book-stores. Rest up when you can, as traveling can wear you down. You and Joe are dear to my heart and in my prayers each day!
How creative to bring a quilt to be signed! Those gals are double lucky ducks!! This post makes it hard to wait for my turn in July. So glad you arrived safely to California. Have fun. I know you will! Take it easy on Joe!
Love reading about all your stops this trip! You are bringing joy to so many. I love your ending about the children’s march to the sea. 🇺🇸 What a beautiful tradition! It should be able on national news! Have fun! Hope the see you at Vroman’s in Pasadena! 😇
Happy Memorial Day Weekend Susan. Enjoyed your post. I guess your trip to England and Scotland is coming soon? I can’t hardly wait! I’m following Outlander series on Starz network and currently am obsessed with Scotland. I want to go there, and see everything that has to do with the history of the country and the customs of the Scottish people. Since I’m part Scotch, English and Irish I guess it just calls to my heart. Anyway, I enjoyed your latest book, and hope to vicariously enjoy your next adventure!
. Randi —-<—<—@
You look like you’re having so much fun. I love to enjoy your trips vicariously – and your kitties.Your blog brings real joy into my life. Thank you.
Susan,
What a beautiful memory and tradition on your isle of dreams! I can picture those children marching to the sea just as you illustrated.
I am currently reading your third book in the trilogy and I want to visit all the places you have written about in England.
Also, congratulations on making the N.Y. Times best-seller list. I am so proud of you!
Hip hip hooray!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
A forever fan and friend from Ohio and founder of our Writers’ Guild:The Inklings (We met in Hudson).
Awesome – New York Times Best Seller List! Thank you for your Memorial Day story.
Its good to remember those who have given so much for our country. Have a safe journey
home.
Oh, tears in my eyes over the children’s march to the sea… so wonderful! And I’d never know about it if it weren’t for you! Another thing I wouldn’t know about is Spoonflower fabrics – that you can design your own fabrics. Since that last post about it, I’ve been over there, and on my computer, designing Jane Austen-inspired fabrics – and having such a ball. I got my first yardage in yesterday’s mail, and it’s GORGEOUS! Thank you for letting me know this is something even I could do! (I bought some of your Martha’s Vineyard Toile, too)
Susan, Wish I could be in Danville tonight. That’s the closest you’ll be to my home in the Bay Area. Alas I’m in New York City enjoying Broadway plays including Hamilton. Will be on the Cape in a couple of weeks but I guess you’ll be on the road. Love all the wonderful pictures of your readers. I’d be smiling like that too if I had been able to see you. Thanks for the blog on your trip!
Congrats on being a Best Seller on the NY Times!! So happy for you! I love going on your travels with you….especially if I have been there myself. I love St. Charles MO and want to go back and visit soon. Some of my happiest jaunts have been to Hannibal MO…..I love anything Mark Twain. Or the Mississippi River! Have been all the way from the top in MN down to New Orleans and all stops in between. Beautiful country we live in! Love all the happy people in your photos. Can’t wait for the rest of the trip!
Congratulations Susan! You deserve to be on the NY Times Best Seller List – no two ways about it!! My sister and cousin have read your books (the very first time they have seen them) and loved them all. I, of course, cannot get enough of your wonderful books – and I suspect I am not alone!
Thanks for including us on your book tour. I look at the photos and think how lucky all these people are to actually see you and Joe, and spend some time with you. Wish someday you can stop at Raleigh, N.C.
Have a great rest of the trip – and enjoy being a best selling author!
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth
all one’s lifetime.” MARK TWAIN
Ain’t it the truth! xoxo
Almost as good as being there. Thanks.
Hi Susan! How heartwarming to see all the new friends you have made on your cross-country trip! Not to mention the great scenery you have also taken in on the way to California 🙂
My friend Cate and I were the first of the signing-only fans to chat with you, when your luncheon was over, at An Unlikely Bookstore in Plainville, MA….your first stop of so many!
What a wonderful trip of a lifetime for you and Joe and what an opportunity of a lifetime for all of us to actually MEET you both! Congrats on your well-deserved spot on the NY Times Bestseller List and thanks for writing such a wonderful new book—I could hardly put it down for a second! 🙂 Most Gratefully, Pam Wilson
I saw you in Wilmette, at the tea/luncheon and it was a wonderful moment in my life. I thank you so much Susan. I was the one that told you I am doing the life story book for my granddaughter.
I was worried my printing wasn’t good enough and you told me to just write the story! You were gracious enough to take a picture with me….that is hanging on my bulletin board and is a great inspiration to me. I love the LOVE you spread in the world. We need it and I thank you for all the good you do. Thank you Joe too! He is precious!
So happy you were there Kathleen, love that you are doing your life story for your granddaughter, it’s a true gift you are giving her by doing it. And I agree 100% about Joe! xoxo
Dear travelers,
Last Wednesday I attended an event, “The Countess of Carnarvon and the Real Downton Abbey” (of Highclerc Castle) at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT. Lady Carnarvon is a normal, everyday person and you would love to have her as a girlfriend. With the assistance of a great powerpoint, she shared the history of the castle and it’s residents from the beginning to present day. There are some very creative ideas in place to help continue the financial support of the castle since the exodus of Downton Abbey. Susan – do you remember the name ‘Theodate’? Theodate Pope Riddle, a woman ahead of her time, was the architect
of Hill-Stead: http://www.hillstead.org/about-us/family-history/. Both Henry James and Edith Wharton were guests at Hill-Stead and Highclerc Castle. Truly a fascinating story to treasure. Hill-Stead (the mansion) is filled with original impressionistic paintings collected by Theodate’s art-collector father, Alfred
Pope, and a collection of books that, may I say, blew me away. Theodate was a passenger on the Lusitania when it sank and she survived!! I will stop here because I could go on and on and on and on and on …..
Love, Carol … tra la
How wonderful you got to be at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver and so sorry I was not able to meet you and Joe. Before moving from Denver to North Carolina, the bookstore was a weekend destination for experiencing all the excitement of living in such a diverse community with such richness. Thanks for posting the Memorial Day story again – and thank heavens for traditions that keep us grounded in remembrance. Stay safe. JC
Thanks so much for your St Charles, MO visit. It was delightful to meet you. What a great day!
I agree! The little girl in pink is precious! Loved seeing the kitties too! I recently bought two bird feeders for my cat! Now she has some entertainment everyday. We have to take them in at night because the deer tend to destroy them!
Girlfriend parties are the best! Once again…enjoying ‘our’ trip via the blog from up here in the rainy Pacific NW. LOVE the variety of ages and all the smiles…and those blue shoes you have…Oh my!! TOO cute!! 🙂
Welcome back to your California home. I’m in Arroyo Grande, which is your favorite restaurant? Beautiful view – would love to try it.
So good to hear from you. Just yesterday I was thinking about you and Joe, wondering if one of those tornadoes in the mid-west had caused you any bother. It’s good to hear you are having so much fun. I love seeing all the Girlfriends , everyone is so happy and seems to be enjoying themselves. Independent book stores are the best. Congratulations on the success of the new book it is well deserved.
Oh my, Susan, it all looks like so much fun! I can actually “feel” the love and excitement in all these photos! Aren’t girlfriends wonderful? And you are wonderful for sharing your life and talent with us. I have and adore every single one of your books! I am so glad to hear that the independent bookstores are doing well. One of my favorite places on earth is a small, quaint, tucked-away-from-it-all bookstore. Sigh. Congrats on the NY Times honor! You rock! Oh, and so does Joe! Have a lovely time in California. Looking forward to your next post!
🙂
Jennifer
We drove across the country about 45 years ago, using a tent! Up each morning at crack if dawn, and seeing this beautiful country of ours! Saw some of the same things you and Joe have seen…..I can still see the sunrise as we came over the mountains to descend to Salt Lake City. The road pitch black, and the sunlight reflecting on clouds ahead of us! Safe travels for the rest of your journey!
Wow, I don’t know where to begin. YOU ARE AMAZING SUSAN ! I love this post and all your photos of precious towns and fabulous girlfriends-kitties and your California roots. Yes, Joe took the best pictures.
Congrats for your NY Times stat –YOU ARE A WINNER !!!!! You deserve it.
I love all that you do. You keep us inspired and hopeful.
Looking forward to your next update.
One photo of the brick street in Missouri reminded me of how wondrous it can be to travel by car, stopping to discover the uniqueness of small towns along the journey. Places that I’m seeing for the very first time, will likely never see again, and yet are home-sweet-home to the inhabitants. Thank you (and Joe) for taking pictures to include in your storytelling. It is so special to get to follow along with someone so genuine with sparkles in her eyes, faery dust in her hair, and love of life overflowing from her heart. Thank you, dear Susan. This post made my day.
So-o-o jealous of all the people who got to see and hear you. Maybe you could figure a way to just come to visit in all of the places you have girlfriends and we could do a potluck tea and visit. Well, it’s the thought that counts and I didn’t want to suggest another book (tee hee) because it’s so much work for you but. . .
Thanks for all the memories, yours and the refreshing of ours.
Susan, Congratulations on NYT, that’s fabulous! Your blog should be on the NYT bestseller list…what a wonderful travelogue! Happy Memorial Day weekend to you and Joe and what a lovely update. The Tattered Cover…marvelous bookstore, loved, loved, loved it!
It was nice to see the men folk amongst the women folks…happy smiles all ’round. Susan, do you know Alexandra Stoddard’s books? Your writing styles remind me of each other…finding and seeing the happiness in life, people and situations.
A friend recently introduced me to your books. Love traveling with you! We’re looking forward to meeting you at Malaprops in Asheville.
Loved the tradition of the children’s parade for Memorial Day!
Safe travels back home!
My daughter attended your talk and book signing at The Tattered Cover bookstore in Denver. She has been living away from home (NY) in Denver this past year and we were both so excited when we saw that you and Joe would be stopping there! I’m here in Central NY, but she texted me throughout the day and sent several pictures! Best daughter ever! I truly felt as if I was right there with you all! She was a bit nervous to be going on her own but absolutely bound and determined to be there and share the experience with me. She had the most amazing time and And I want to thank you for being so very kind and generous with your time, especially when it was her turn to say hello to you!
Ahhh. I feel as if i was sitting in each bookshop crowd. I love it. You do realize what you have done to our lives!! And i totally totally loved your blue ankle boots. Keep more book tour photos coming. Its exciting. You are going places i will never get to and yet i can imagine roaming their bookshops. Thanks. Drive safely.
What a wonderful read on this cool and delightful Saturday in Chino Hills California. I LOVE your Jack. At the rescue I work with, those tuxedos are gone fast. For me, I have three,two solid white and one a deep brown and white. They are lazing about as i visit the bookshops and towns in your blog. I signed up for a number of them. Who knows, I may want to go there one day. No matter what all the travels and pictures on the road had me in the car with you. Memories of past travels were brought back as i read. That brings a calm. I thank you for being you!
I have started reading “A Fine Romance” for the 5th time and will continue with Fairy Tale Girl and then, the coup de gras, Isle of Dreams. I feel such a connection with you through your books. It’s like we had so very many of the same life experiences and managed to not only live through the bad ones but came out the better for it. Thank you once again for being you and writing these biographies so eloquently. You’re a peach of a gal!
Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams is not a travel book. It is a stay-at-home-where-you-belong book, a learn-who-you-really-are book, an establishing-a-home book. That’s why it’s on the best seller list. I just finished reading it while suffering from a bout of depression. Your appreciation for the tiniest wonders in this world has helped to lift my spirit. Your persistent discovery of yourself has encouraged me and I know will encourage every girlfriend wherever she is at home. Thank you.
What a fantastic post. You are adored wherever you go! Enjoy the rest of your road trip. And soon you will be back home with your sweet kitties.
Safe travels,
Toni
Sounds like a wonderful trip so far. I have to say, it warmed my heart that you mentioned Old Town St. Charles. I grew up not too far from there and every time I would come home to visit, My mom and I would go to Old Town St. Charles for lots of shopping and lunch. She has since passed, but my sister and girlfriends go there as a tradition when I am back in town. I love Main Street Books.
So enjoyed your post and seeing all the girlfriends having fun. See you soon…in Montecito. Safe travels
Debbie R from Valencia, Ca
I really enjoyed seeing news from the road. It makes me want to take a trip cross country. Everything you showed was just fabulous. And I love your books.
Helen Laurini
Thank you for the update. So happy things are going well. I love the photo of the little girl in the pink outfit with stars in her eyes. What a sweetheart.
Safe Travels,
Carla
Oh ……..to have been one of the lucky girls to have met you. Loving your new book on Martha’s Vineyard where I spent the month of July’s as a child……we never grow up do we??? Safe travels. LilyAnn