Hi Everyone! How are you? We are home safe and sound, and happy, so happy to be here. Here are just a few photos of our family reunion at Vallecito Lake, “a beautiful spot, surrounded in tall pines, sheltered in a secluded mountain valley” at 8,000 feet, just outside of Durango, Colorado, and more proof that . . .
This was the moon-set at 5 am across the lake the morning we drove away, all packed up and heading back for the train and home. Stopped in the dark, tires in gravel, in the cool mountain air, with lake lapping on shore, for this photo of paradise.
Here’s just one of the jillions of group photos we took . . . My fandamly, not all, but lots. The kind of fandamly that likes to stand in freezing water. Note who’s not in picture.
My nephew Ben, arriving with the “equipment.”
In this very lovely, spiritual place which has been a gathering place for us for years . . . ever since my brother Jim moved here years ago . . . the lake is surrounded in wildflowers . . .
Where we did what we always do, we ate, we told stories, we sang . . . this is my brother Chuck dancing with my niece Heidi, daughter of my other brother Brad, at the campground. Chuck sang too, songs he wrote ~ one of my favorites that I requested so I could record it for you ~ is a sad song called “To Be a Man” (not about my dad) . . . want to hear it? Listen close to the words . . .
And lucky me . . . these are the three “kids” that Joe and I took to England and Paris on the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2001, when, from left, Heidi was 11, Holly was 12, and Matty was 18. That’s Auntie Mame in the middle there, basking.
More wonderful moments than I can tell . . . Shelly’s twins, Paden and Mason, and my great nephews, Ben’s boys, Wyler and Beckett.
Mas Musica? Something old, something wonderful . . .
This was our cabin with the screened in porch … at Croll Cabins, right next to 5 Branches campsites … perfect for a family reunion ~ you could have a cabin, or set up a tent, or bring your camper, park next to the lake, and walk to each other’s places. It was heaven.
More wildflowers in the campground.
And now, before we talk about an important birthday celebration, and have a new giveaway ~ I just want to say thank you . . . your 900 comments in the last post were so beautiful!💛 When I was sad and missing my dear Dad, Jack to some, Blog Daddy to many, but John Patrick Stewart, Jr. in real life, all I had to do was read your words, filled with comforting, loving, life affirmations and I felt so much better! My dad would have loved them too. 💕 He so enjoyed reading your comments.
T H A N K Y O U
And now, here’s Joe . . . bringing in the cake . . . because we want to extend heartfelt
T O
. . . who would be 150 years old on July 28 . . . wouldn’t she love to know how many wonderful events are taking place this year in her memory! (Actually, I think she would feel humbled by it.) But I want to add my own respects and admiration to the many voices (you can read some of them at the Beatrix Potter Society, and become a member like me! They send the most wonderful newsletters, both online and in the mail, and there’s more information about the celebrations HERE and HERE and good shopping for BP stuff, HERE), and it all keeps coming. Because she was truly something else.
As most of you know . . . I took a trip to see Beatrix’s famous Hilltop Farm a while back, something I’d wanted to do for many years. And it was everything I’d hoped it would be, filled with the little bits of her life that she saved just for us, so that someday we could go there and be in the presence of magic.
Most everyone knows about her “little bunny books” and that they are the best selling children’s books of all time . . . and that they started with her illustrated letters like this one below that she wrote to the children of her former governess . . .
Many words have been written, both by her and even more, ABOUT her including a wonderful movie I know you would love, Miss Potter (if you haven’t already seen it). 👏 But her charming books are only the beginning of what made Beatrix so very special.
Before she ever wrote a book, Beatrix was a serious scientist whose discoveries were summarily dismissed by the scientific community, simply because she was a woman ~ this was Victorian England where women were not supposed to be scientists (or much of anything else). Her scientific discoveries were a fascinating part of her story ~ she discovered something which is still viable today, but the loss to the scientific world was nothing compared to what she was able to offer through her creative love of nature to the imaginations of children the world over, when she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and self-published her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. And the rest is history herstory.
Because the story didn’t end at that misogynistic defeat, nor even at the glorious success of her books, she was just beginning to find her true place where she would leave her real legacy. When she lost her first love, she was inspired to buy a small farm in the Lake District of northern England, a place she’d been drawn to since she was a child. And, not long after, she left book writing behind her and found a new passion in farming and raising sheep, preserving a breed that was almost extinct. She loved the old ways and bought her 
furniture for Hilltop at barn sales and auctions. She hand-embroidered her own bed coverings and never put electricity in her house, so you can just imagine the quiet sounds of birdsong and wind and snow fall and teacup-in-saucer noises that she spent her life enjoying. And she took her bunny-book money and bought 14 farms and over 4,000 acres of the Lake District to keep them from the greedy hands of developers. 👏 And she helped to start the National Trust. She married late and was happy with her husband for 30 years. If you’d like to read more about Beatrix Potter, try the wonderful biography by Linda Lear, Beatrix Potter, the Extraordinary Life of a Victorian Genius. 
Beatrix saved this land for forever enjoyment because she was far-thinking, not just thinking about today, but thinking about forever. She was ahead of her time, and 
This is her little town of Far Sawrey in the Lake District where she made her home with her husband in that house on the far right of this photo. When you walk there, you walk where she walked, and really, nothing much has changed. I can’t wait to go back. Just to breathe that rarified air.
We’re going in the fall and I can’t wait to see the colors. . . we’ve only been in the springtime ….
Some of us discover Beatrix through her books, some learn about her through the National Trust, but I came to her through her little figurines, my “Beatrix Potter people,” which I found in my early 20s and have been in every place I’ve lived since then ~ I fell in love with the colors and the charm of her little critters, beautifully made in Beswick, England in the 40s and 50s.
Her life, once I learned about the things she did, as been an inspiration for me. I would love to do what she did. And all those wonderful animal figurines but, surprisingly, no lambs! So I painted this one in her honor.
And these are my People . . . some of them, there are more in other parts of the house, (and more in our webstore that I gathered as we drove across country) this is a gathering of the minds. They are coming together to have a little tea party to celebrate Beatrix. They made a cake . . .
for a Tea Party in honor of Beatrix Potter . . .
Try one of my favorite Tea Cakes EVER! Invite someone to tea, and make a little toast to Beatrix.
I’ve promised you this recipe for a long time, and now you have it, here and I also put it in my new, revised and expanded, 30th Anniversary edition of Heart of the Home, just out and available only here on my website and in some (actually any) independent bookstores (who contact us) until September.
It’s even more delicious than it looks!
Yum, Happy Birthday dear Beatrix! And also, in her honor, and in yours, a little giveaway … this wonderful little book . . .
Filled with descriptions of the woodland walks through the place Beatrix loved so much . . .
This useful book is filled with Beatrix’s charming color prints . . .
And lots of photos . . . it’s a great help for making plans for the next time you go . . . like a little dream book . . . I had one when we went and we followed the directions and the walks were wonderful…
I signed the book and will personalize it to whoever wins this drawing . . . all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post and you will be entered, and in a few days we’ll get “Vanna” to draw the winning name, and I hope it’s YOURS 💖. . . but that’s not all …
Oh, yeah, Jemima Puddleduck wants to come too . . . .
This lovely old 1948 edition, the very first Beatrix Potter Person I ever bought, way back in the 1970s.
She stands tall and proud and perfectly dressed. We’ll do the drawing after I get back from Cape Cod where I’m going on Thursday, on Beatrix Potter’s actual birthday, to celebrate her life at the Brewster Ladies Library with the Beatrix Potter Society and 400 like-minded Girlfriends where I will be reading the story of my first trip to Hilltop from my book and signing A Fine Romance Falling in Love with the English Countryside. So excited! And humbled. and thrilled. And will probably cry.
That makes sense to me. Thank goodness there are so many.💛
Hello you adorable thing. . . if anyone will be on the Island on the 25th of August, I’ll be doing my last talk and signing in the USA (for this year) for Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, for the Aquinnah Library at the Old Town Hall in Aquinnah at 5 pm. 📚 It’s free, so you would just show up and voila!
THANK YOU GIRLFRIENDS. For everything. Have the most wonderful day! XOXO 💚 Love you!
I’ve always loved Beatrix Potter. My favorite book as a small child was The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Currently, my favorite story is The Tale of Ginger and Pickles. What a clever woman she was!
You are too much to give away these incredible treasures, on behalf of all of us and the winner, thank you!!! After reading A Fine Romance, my husband and I went to England and the Lake District. I so enjoyed this blog because it brought it all back. Loved going to Hilltop and now I shall have to celebrate Beatrix’s birthday too 😊. Still praying for you in the loss of your sweet Daddy.
Thank you Tracy. And me too, I loved writing about it because, it brings it all back!
Jemima Puddleduck and a lovely book. Such fun! Happy you are home safe and sound.
You sure make her life come alive. Your drawings and illustrations are so beautiful in your own books, I jump for joy when I discover anything “Susan Branch” that I usually by a few of them. And of course having your yearly calendar is a must.
Thank you for a lovely post. Family reunions are the best!
You are truly blessed with such a loving family. May God bless you all!
Interesting blog. Thank you, Susan!
Love Love Love it 😃 Sooooo Cute
Love Love Love it so cute 🙂
Sorry i think i did it twice
It was worth it. 😃
So often after reading your books or blog, there’s those little commonalities that make for happy tingles, and today it’s happened again. Long long ago I had to have the Benjamin Bunny book, and have loved her art since, but I didn’t know much about Beatrice Potter’s life until you wrote about her. And just in time, we can celebrate Today! 150 years. It makes me smile. Thank you!
Whoops. I thought today was the 28th. It’s fine; there’s more than enough for a two-day celebration. 🙂
I bought the movie for my daughter who is about to start her first year teaching language arts. Going to settle in and watch a movie, we have a lazy, rainy afternoon ahead of us.
Thank you.
I had a “Peter Rabbit” themed nursery when my son was born 35 years ago. What a treat to hear that my daughter (unaware) chose Peter Rabbit for her baby’s nursery-timeless!!!
Susan, I may not get an answer because there are so many posts, but as your “fine romance ” continued on Martha’s Vinyard when did you and Joe sell your little house and buy the lovely home you are in now? It is such a beautiful home.
Loved meeting your family and glad you all could comfort and support one another.
I’ll tell that story on the blog one day!
I was musing about that same question recently. I will happily await the story of your move from Holly Oak to where you are now. I also wondered if you might still own Holly Oak. Being kindred spirits, you have a way of answering all of our questions, in time, Susan. Thank you and a big hug! Paula
I don’t own it now . . . I’ll tell the story soon… it was the first question asked on our book tour, no matter where we stopped, “what happened to Holly Oak?” I forgot to put that in the book . . . but the next edition will have it!
Will happily wait for that next story!
We love Beatrix Potter here, too. In fact, one of our daughters has “Beatrix” for a middle name. 🙂
It’s so nice to read your updates. Our continued prayers and condolences on the loss of your dad.
You are such a kind, loving, and generous soul! Your posts always warm my heart! <3 xoxo
Your books are so uplifting and fun. Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place.
Helen
Oh my goodness! I just saw the article about the stove clock!! LOL sorry, but the fireman had such a good sense of humor.
Today looks like it will be a nice day!!! I hope it will be on MV too. If not…read those bunny, kitty, hedgehog, frog, ducky books of yours.
Hugs,
Margot
What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you so much. And I very much enjoyed reading all about Beatrix Potter.
Love this yummy post and am so glad I personally met you in Prescott, Arizona!
My daughter and I just returned from an 8 day tour of England. I have been a fan of all things English my whole life so this was a dream come true for us both. I am one of your biggest fans. I have all your beautiful books, calendars grace my kitchen, and await your newest web entries! My heart was broken when I was 35, but a few years later after giving up on men I met the love of my life! My favorite book is “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams” Loved your Celebration For Beatrix~Potter . Happy and safe travels, wish this girlfriend could join you!
Ahhh…just finished reading your blog and I’ve been taken away from the hustle and bustle of my day to one of relaxation and dreaming! Thank you!!
Hi Susan! Was just lovely meeting you for the second time yesterday and for Beatrix’s birthday!! I am just elated. And to spend the day with my best friend, we needed that!! Thank you for all you do and your generous nature! Girlfriends forever! I hope I can still make the drawing!! 🙂
It was great to meet you too Michele! Loved you there, love putting faces to people I “know” on Twitter! You’re IN for drawing!
Thanks for a lovely post about your reunion and B. Potter’s birthday. I hope you had a great day.
Love Beatrix and her books–she’s a wonderful role model for all girls (or anyone, really). She’s proof that quiet, steely determination is just as effective as fiery activism for those who want to break through preconceived societal limitations. No one ever done what you want to do? Never fear…full steam ahead…someone has to be first!
What a wonderful reunion..
Love the 3 kissing you..and seeing the twins..
and the swan! I had spotted some on FB:)
Love Beatrix..love her..
You are both almost the same:)Just different times:)as your books will live forever and continue to inspire forever.
So glad you are home safe and sound and your trip to Colorado was a nice family time for you.
I’ve loved Beatrix Potter since I was 2. My very Brittish Nanna used to read me all the books when I stayed with her on special weekend visits. In turn I have read them to my children and grandchildren.Happy Birthday Beatrix! Thank you for helping to keep her memory alive for today’s children.🐀🐈🐇🐺
So wonderful to see your lovely family gathered together just to have fun and love on one another. Am looking forward this coming week to a similar one with five of my six arriving with the grandchildren, swimsuits, stuffed bunnies, beach toys, recipes (everyone cooks their fav recipe for all) cramming themselves into our cottage on the lake. Is there anything better than hanging out with people you love?
I treasure the 2 Beatrix Potter figurines that I own, and would love to own another one! Love everything you’ve written, Susan. Your talent and generosity are amazing!
Good morning, Susan!
I hope you had a lovely Beatrix Potter Birthday celebration.
My husband and I admire her so much; a photo of her standing in the doorway of Hilltop rests on our family room wall. Such an inspiration to us she is.
I don’t know how you can part with your lovely figurine, but if I am so lucky to have her land in my home, she will be well taken care of (and joined by other similar figurines!)
Thank you for the chance to win this amazing prize. I love Beatrix Potter.
I posted an earlier comment, but it says it is still waiting moderation. I’m stumped as to why… Anyway, just wanted to make sure I was in the running for the drawing. Glad your home and had a wonderful time with your family.
I would love to read about her walks…sigh.
Hi Sue – I thought of you here in Colorado – knowing we were sharing the same sunshine! So glad to know you had a wonderful, healing time with your family. I am now excited to reread A Fine Romance and watch Miss Potter. FUN!
Susan,
I use to read Beatrix Potter to my three girls when they were young.Now all grown I miss those times.I also want to say how much I am enjoying the 30th anniversary edition of Heart of the Home.
Hi Susan, Thank you for sharing your family stories and photos. Your cookbooks and newly published books bring happiness to everyone who reads them!!!
Thank you again, as always for your inspirational, joy-filled sharings. I thought of you in June. My husband and I went on a long awaited trip to the English countryside-Cornwall, Devon, Wales, Stoke-on-Trent (Emma, Emma, Emma) and ended in The Lake District. I have always wanted to go to Hilltop but since your posting a few years back, the yearning grew stronger. I visited your site many times to look at the pictures and hung on every word. I understood that it could get very crowded but I am happy to say, I was the number one person entering the day we went and we were able to linger as long as we desired. Magic. Pure heart tickling magic.
I thought of you, too, when we took the Emma Bridgewater tour. I shopped my little heart out. We had lots of company this summer and lots of mugs for folks to choose from. I spoke of Emma -in a British accent of course to my grandchildren and when it came time for my birthday, my 5 year old grandson wanted to know-“Is Emma Bridgewater coming to your party?”. Spoken in the same accent. So cute.
You were in my thoughts in Merry Ole. I am so glad you are getting to return.
I was terribly sorry to read about your dad. How fortunate you have so many rich memories.
Thank you for your generosity in offering some lucky ducky that book.
Was hoping to have met you in Ridgewood, NJ but alas could not get there.
Happy Birthday, Beatrix! Much love and admiration
Oh my, oh my, I didn’t even pay attention to the lovely little Jemima coming too! Ha. You are so sweet! We have four children-grown. They each had a favorite: Tiggy Winkle, Jemima Puddleduck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Benjamin Bunny. Now we are sharing with the grandkiddies.
Susan, looked through my older books today after posting the above. You are something else, girlfriend!
Susan! I couldn’t agree more – There’s NO place like home, and when you have sweet kitties to welcome you back, then HOME is HEAVEN (-:
I love the movie Miss Potter! My children know it’s what we’ll watch anytime I scroll near it on any list. England+art+storytelling+nature=a win for me every time. 🙂
Hi Susan, so happy that you are back “home sweet home.” There is no sweeter place on earth.
Loved reading about your newest family adventures in my lovely Colorado. I too, celebrated Miss Potter’s momentous 150th birthday with my “Beatrix Potter” people. I have “Jemima Puddle-Duck sitting on a nest” but do not have her standing tall and pretty. I will find her and I love “the search.” I know the celebration on Cape Cod was one that Beatrix herself would have loved to attended. She truly was a kindred soul…
Just had a trip in May to the UK, including a wonderful trek to Hilltop and Hawkeshead. I’m so impressed by Beatrice Potter’s far sighted gift to the world by preserving so much land and and her house and donating it to the world. Artist. Scientist. Author, Farmer, Sheep herder and Champion of the newly formed National Trust! Makes me want to visit all our National Parks in tribute.
Thank you for your inspiring thoughts, color, light you send out to all of us. Have your trilogy of latest books; each a treasure!
Wishing peace to your family.
I to am a fan of Beatrix Potter…I made my first pilgrimage to Hill Top farm 15+ years ago! I knew I’d love it…that was in the fall; I need to go back in June or July when all the flowers are in bloom. And, yes, some of Peters relatives were out in the pasture showing off for all the visitors. But (as a small hold farmer and sheep owner) I was most impressed with her comment to the land and the Herdwick sheep. She IS one of my heroes!
I’ve loved Beatrix Potter forever! I have many books written about her and have attended talks about her life. She was a remarkable woman in the Victoria era. From paintings of animals and flora to sheep herding techniques to breaking the mold of women in her era. Go Beatrix!
Love, love, love Beatrix Potter and Susan Branch!
Happy Birthday to Beatrix. I’ve been to Hill Top and would love to go back with the walking book in hand.
Thank you for gifting us with a chance to win Miss Jemima – I think Miss Potter would be pleased. I am trying to learn watercolor painting and your artwork is very inspirational to me. Its always a treat to read your latest blog update each Friday! 💜
Michelle Moore
Winghaven Cottage
Mrs Tiggywinkle is my favorite!
Welcome home! Can’t wait to hear the plans for your trip!
I want to go to Hilltop farm so badly! Reading a Fine Romance has made me long to visit England and all the places in your book. Hopefully one day!
Because of you and all the kindred spirits, I still believe the world is a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your heart, whether it be happy or sad, with us. I am so touched by your words.
Jemima Puddleduck, I just love saying that name. Wonder how she came up with such fun, silly names!
She was English!
Happy Birthday Miss Potter! Jemima Puddleduck was the first Beatrix book I purchased – what a lovely character!
Glad I have a chance to win “Miss Jemima” ~ When my son was a toddler I always read Beatrice Potter books to him. They were gifted to him from his great-grandmother! Still have them too!
When I was pregnant with my second boy, a coworker made me a quilt with Beatrix Potter characters and I rediscovered my love for her little books. I became obsessed with redecorating his nursery in her characters (I had already decorated it with another theme!!!) I still have many items from his nursery that are in my own Peter Rabbit guest room and I have added others found in thrift and antique stores. Miss Jemima would feel right at home! Thank you for the chance to win her. Thank you also for your books, The Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. I am in the middle of a divorce after 25 years and they have been a great comfort to me.
I’m so sorry . . . as I think you’ll read, this too shall pass. It really will. Feed your soul from the well of sweetness.
Thank you!
Lisavi, You may feel broken and lost, but know there is a person in TX wishing the best for you:) I am so glad you have Susan. She is the best for whatever ails you. xoxo
Thank you Charissa! It means so much that you would take the time to comment.
🙂 xoxo sending good thoughts your way!
Beatrix Potter continues to inspire us all.
Welcome home!
Watching “Mis Potter”…one of my favorites!
Hi Susan-
Welcome back from your beautiful trip with memories to last forever! I know for myself how important those family times are especially when we start losing those closest to us! I so love following all your posts and newsletters, you are such and inspiration! I have many of your books and recently bought the trio, A Fine Romance, Isle of Dreams and started with Fairytale Girl but it is taking me a while to read it because I am enjoying every page! I have always loved Beatrix also and have been collecting her books and all things Peter Rabbit over the years but do not have this one and would love, love, love to receive it along with Ms. Puddleduck! I have a curio dedicated just to Beatrix and Tasha Tudor who I also adore but I don’t have much in it so these would be a great addition! Thanks again for all your wonderful work and for doing this giveaway! Sorry for the lengthy post! Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEATRIX!!!!
Beatrice Potter books were a part of our children’s childhood…they so enjoyed the portraits of her darling animals. Our children also each had a set of Beatrice Potter toddler china to eat and drink from. Peter Rabbit and Miss Tiggywinkle were lovingly used for each meal. So nice that you could spend such a wonderful time with your family…being with family gives us such great comfort and strength when we lose a dear family member. Please remember that now there is just a very sheer veil between you and your dear father in heaven…he will always be just a prayer away from you Susan.
Dear, dear Susan! What a wonderful blog post! Love the pictures of all the family and the fun all of you had together, especially the photo of “Auntie Mame.”:-)
This is an amazing giveaway! I just recently found some Beatrix Potter figurines in an antique shop. Currently musing their purchase.:-) Hopefully I’ve not thought too long. These are the first I’ve seen in shops in my area.
I’m anxious for an “excuse” to bake that cake!
Sending along continued good thoughts and wishes for happy days ahead!
XO Nellie
Sweet Sue,
So glad to know that you and Joe made it back safely to Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, which I just finished reading for the second time (now reading all three again in the order that they took place). I enjoyed seeing and hearing about your time with family. And, oh my, Jemima Puddleduck! We all called my maternal grandmother Puddleduck! She flatly refused to be called grandmama, so her brother asked, “What do you want your grandchildren to call you? Puddleduck?” And it stuck. She passed away in February of 1967 when I was only 7 and her real name was Lethea Vaden Smith (maybe we a kin) White.
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter, you are a woman who just keeps on filling up the dreams of so many with your books, paintings, gardens etc etc etc. Had the chance to visit Hilltop last Spring, still very cool and not much blooming….but her presence was felt everywhere on the farm and down the road, and just looking over at those glorious, green, rounded hills, took my breath away so many times. Have a glorious trip there this Fall.
Thanx for the cranberry cake recipe, been waiting on that, lol
Thanks for brightening my day yet again! I can always count on you Susan!
Thanks Susan. I enjoyed your great blog sharing your travels, family and celebrating Beatrix Potter. I enjoyed learning about her as you traveled to her home in A Fine Romance. I’ve given her books as baby gifts with a cute rattle of Peter Rabbit. Thanks for the recipe too. I will try it soon. My condolences to you, your father is near in thought and in your heart forever. God Bless.
A FINE ROMANCE is my favorite book and has made me long to go to all the wonderful places you did. I long to take in all that beautiful scenery and pastoral delights. To walk those trails and end at a sweet pub with pear cider! You have given to me, through your book, the dream of a trip that rests in my heart, just in case there is ever the opportunity for it to come true.
Meanwhile, i keep re-reading your book and watching MISS POTTER and sighing as we drive by pastures here in Iowa….
You probably know this, but anyone can go, you can go, it’s all open to the public. Just put it on your calendar and begin to get ready to go. Dreams really do come true.
What lovely treasures you are offering. I would love to be the lucky winner!
I wish I could have traveled with you to see Beatrice Potters home site.
Your pictures are a window into a world I haven’t seen. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for introducing me to Beatrix Potter. I knew little of Peter Rabbit as a child and nothing of all his friends. The creator was totally unknown to me and now as a Nana to two “Littles” I am enjoying getting to know them all. Thank you for the journey to all things Beatrix Potter.
Oh Susan, so long to wait for an update but so worth the patience.
I am newly 70 and my mom gifted me years ago with some figurines of Beatrix Potter, never knowing her history or talents. I have grown more fond of BP through you.
Thank you so much. JoAnn from suburb of Detroit.
Dear Sue ~
You know what I love about you? The fact that you’re so famous but so very “normal”, humble, kind and giving. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your family with us all. You inspire me to live fully, holding my dear Dad in my heart, knowing I am who I am because of what he gave me.
I also love the new Heart of the Home! It is beautiful! I know this will sound weird but I actually introduced the new book to the other Susan Branch books on my shelf OUT LOUD!!…as if she was meeting cousins at a family reunion…LOL!! (I was the only one home at the time 🙂 )
Hope the Beatrix Birthday Party was wonderful. Glad you’re back home to refresh and unwind for a bit. You deserve a little peace and quiet. God Bless!
xoDebbie
I love that Debbie, the out loud introduction. Hello all! Love it! Thank you!
Family reunion pics, birthday surprises, a revisit to Beatrix Potter land, and a give-away??!!! Be still our hearts. Thanks for all you do for your readers and followers. A bright “sunshiny” spot in my day and I am sure many others as well!
I am so excited about this amazing give away! I was present at your lecture
yesterday on Cape Cod. I have been an admirer of yours for years and it was
a dream come true to meet you. You were everything I had imagined you to be!
I am joining The Beatrix Potter Society today!! What a truly amazing woman
Beatrix Potter was. Such an incredible legacy to us all. I would be so honored
to have Vanna pick my name!!!!!!
Oh it makes me so happy to hear that Sharon! You’ll love your subscription, you can open the envelope that comes with the Newsletter, and smell England inside! Thank you!
So happy you had a wonderful time at your reunion and that you made it home safe and sound! I cannot what to ‘go along ‘ with your next adventure to England and Scotland!!! Tell us more, please!!!! Have a wonderful time at Beatrix Potters Birthday tea! And thank you for such a yummy recipe! 💝
I will. In Willard, coming next moth!
Thank you for such a lovely post. Family is everything. It is so precious to be able to spend time together and create awesome memories. So happy that you were able to do just that.
I have fallen in love with Beatrix Potter after reading A Fine Romance. I hope to one day visit Hilltop! Miss Potter is a fabulous movie- one of my favorites! Thanks so much for thinking of your girlfriends and having this giveaway! Jemima Puddle Duck is adorable but Mrs. Tiggy Winkle is my favorite character! Love your blog so much! Can’t wait to read about your next trip to England! Virginia from N.C.
Someday my sister and mom hope to visit your beautiful island! You and Beatrix Potter are such beautiful inspirations!
I love you even more than B.Potter, Susan…and that’s a lot!
Oh I would love to win these goodies. I have followed you for years, order your desk top blotter, and love everything “Susan”. Thank you for just sharing your heart with us!!!
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos of great summer fun times. You are truly blessed having a large family! Thanks for making our hearts happy in all that you share with us!
Adorable!
Love your beautiful pictures, looks like you enjoyed time with your family. Have a safe trip to Scotland! I would love to visit the fairy pools there . I love your books ( I have almost all of them)!
Welcome Home! I hope that Girl kitty can put on some weight before you leave again. She looked so thin in your last post. I’m praying for comfort and healing for you in this great loss! We were all blessed to know your Daddy a bit through this wonderful blog home. 🙂
And now I’m going to go watch miss potter again and celebrate. Thank you for mentioning it when you were on your way the England on the ship. I’ve made some wonderful discoveries over the years thanks to you. Gladys and Beatrix are part of my life because of you. I can’t believe you are giving away your first Beatrix potter person! Is this the same one that Joe so cleverly repaired when she took a tumble? If so, that makes her even more special. The book would also be an absolute delight! Thank you again and again for so beautifully including all of us in your life. xoxoxoxo
I’m fattening Girl up. Breakfast of fresh steamed swordfish this morning. She Loved it!
That sounds like something Gladys would do for Amber. XOXOXO
Sorry to the other girlfriends. 🙂 I just realized that I said that like we were having a private conversation. Gladys Taber, that is, and Amber her cat. Conversations with Amber is a delightful book!
PS. You will never delight us long enough! 🙂
XOXOXO
Susan, I loved Beatrix Potter when I was a child. Now you have brought me into a new relationship with her. I love her! I would love to win this book! I was at your signing in Woodstock GA. It was so much fun. You are just like what I thought you would be!
I am late to the party on discovering the remarkable Beatrix Potter, but I’m not sorry about that. What a truly lovely experience it has been at the age of 63, and I wouldn’t have appreciated it nearly as much when I was younger. Thank you Susan for adding so much to my enjoyment of this fabulous Victorian woman. She’s now one of my favorite female role model, and you’re in that group as well!
Susan,
so wonderful to have been introduced to you and your books. I am a “recent” ‘follower’ and met you at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena. I was introduced to you by my girlfriend who has been following you for some years now.
Anyway, I am a fan for life and so look forward to catching up with everyone on all your books. Since a week before you came I have already read 3 of your books. And Alison and I look forward to trying out some of you recipes in your newly released cookbook!
Thank you for venturing out to our neck of the woods, and can’t wait for more of your releases or to catch you when you are on tour again. Maybe you’ll even see us outside of California; we’ll find some time to meet up with you = ). Or knowing Alison her next trip to England might include visiting Beatrix Potter Lake District!
Take care ~
Thank you Corinne!
Susan, I am sorry to hear about your dad. I feel like I know him a little bit from all the stories you have shared. I pray you find peace in all your beautiful memories of him. I love Beatrix Potter, too. I have from the time I played Flopsy in our high school play. I would love for Jemima Puddleduck to come live with me.
good morning everyone, welcome home Susan. lovely place up in Durango…. looked so nice and cool. we are in the middle of triple digit heat here, and I am trying a new trick to keep the chickens cool… milk jugs full of water and frozen and placed around the pen for the hens to lean on and cool off, seems like they like it, plus extra containers of nice, clean, cool water for them. anything to keep them happy and content. we now have one more broody hen, our white Delaware named Dominique. we are hoping for more peeps in the nursery, and hoping she can get them fully feathered before Fall hits. it may be last brood of peeps this season. the days are getting shorter, and hotter now, and we can smell the grapes on the grape arbor in the evenings… dusty and sweet with the watering. the tractors chug lazily towards the gas station to get refueled, and chug home, no big hurry there. been watching the fire station across the road, they got a new engine and have been playing with it like little boys with a new toy. seems the new engine is sort of like a water tanker, has a big hose on the top and on the front that move and direct water to a fire along the road or in front, they were playing with the hose in front of our house and got the front fence and driveway soaked, I stood out there and dared them to get me wet… felt good!!!! 🙂 and I was soaked. next time they decide to play with the hose they can over and get the backyard soaked real good. well off to go check on the chickens and refill water buckets, and get the laundry out on the line, this heat wave is good for one thing… getting the laundry dry in a hurry. you all have a great day and a great weekend, stay cool. nice to have you home again Susan, and things will look better, takes time but the hurt goes away and the good things remain. hugs everyone…. 🙂
Ahhhh summer! Thank you, Pat!
Hi Pat smell the grapes? I’ve never heard of that before:) I loved hearing about your chickens I just left my brother’s chickens in CA. I am going to tell him about your ice trick. The chickens send their thanks cluck cluck
Hello Charissa, yes smell the grapes, we grow concord grapes here and on hot summer evenings when we have the sprinklers going you can smell the grapes, a sort of sweet but dusty smell. just means they are getting ready to be picked soon. if my fussy hens liked the ice trick, his will love it. but when you think about it, it is just common sense as chickens cannot cool themselves off completely, they don’t sweat just pant to get cool, and that is not good so I figured that if they could lean on something cool it might help, and so far its working. we didn’t lose any hens to the heat this summer. if you see a hen opening her wings and panting, she is trying to cool down and the best thing you can do for her is get her wet. she will be mad, but she will be a lot cooler. nothing a mad wet hen….. LOL!!! yeah its definitely summer here, for today we have cooled off some… 91 degrees instead of 106. but it is still hot and the ice remains for the hens. me I plan to get this last load of laundry out on the line and then go set on the porch for awhile and watch the tree trimmers across the road, pure entertainment. stay cool. Hugs everyone……. 🙂
Pat, I’ll tell him. He seems to know nothing about chickens. I bought him a reference book. Mmm grape scent sounds sweet. Loved hearing from you. Poor Susan has been posting all of my comments and I am sure she is too nice to tell me to quit it, so I’ll keep this short:) She was probably like… OMG… Charissa AGAIN!!! Sorry Susan;)
Oh Pat, what lovely words. Made me feel cooler and relaxed and wishing I was your neighbor. Thank you.
you’re very welcome Tammy, you can always be my neighbor, just drop on in for some sweet iced tea and some porch sitting!!! 🙂 just plug your ears when the guys start cussing over across the road, LOL!!!! 😉
Oh my! I guess it helps to focus on all the loveliness.
Hey Pat…have you ever tried musters for the girls to keep them cool?? We use them for our dog or just the porch.
That would be misters…lol
we thought about misters, but we really don’t have the set up for that, I do have a couple of sprinklers aimed right in on the chicken yard and they do enjoy those when I get them running, so it all works out for them, we just soak them to keep them cooler and happier.
charissa you might tell your brother to put in a small wading pool for the chickens, about 4-5 feet, the smallest one he can get and fill it, the hens will wade in it to cool off their feet and they will dunk their heads in the pool to cool and drink from it as well. just might be the tip that helps.
I just finished reading Isle of Dreams (and Fairy Tale Girl before that) and can’t wait to start A Fine Romance. I love every page of your books!
I was first introduced to Beatrix Potter by my friend, Gita. We were probably in fourth grade. She loved all the “little-bunny books” and even named her cat (that looked quite a lot like Jack, actually) Jemima, after Ms. Puddleduck. Jemima was a stinker; we were endlessly entertained by her antics.
Thank you for all the happiness and goodness you spread around the world with you work!
I’m so happy you liked the books, Heather, thank you! XOXOXO
O Susan
I just can’t even put into words all of my feelings about you and all you do and are! You are just so amazing!
I loved meeting you in Denver and can’t believe I got to….so talk about dreams! I’m so glad you like CO too 🙂
I’m keeping this short so I don’t get too teary…..
Happy down time…..in comparison to the year you have had 🙂
& I’ve just introduced you to another friend 🙂
Thank you thank you thank for everything❣
😘💞
Juli
WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS…SORRY I MISSED YOU IN PASENDENA!
Glad to see you are able to get together with your family, helps with the healing process. Once again, as always a very heartfelt blog, thank you again Susan, you are truly a wonderful soul!
Dear sweet Sue, I have been away for some time so this morning I cried as I read that your adorable Daddy, our Blog Daddy, has moved on to get a better view of the world and beyond. I cannot tell you how very sorry I am. He has been a blessing to all of us here for so many years. I will miss his funny, kind, and wise comments. I’ve never been good at offering words of condolence or wisdom, nor do I think you need them from me, but please know that he was a loved man and that the love for him increased exponentially due to you and your introduction of him to all of us, the girlfriends. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Hugs to you & Joe, Girl Kitty & Jack.
♥Deb♥
I always have trouble finding words to express my heartbreak to others for their pain too. You want to throw a gauntlet of love and light into a sad and darkened heart. I think you did a wonderful job Debbie, because I feel that gauntlet of light with every word from my wonderful Girlfriends.
♥
I love the way you express your heart.
(Maybe you should write a book! 🙂 )
♥ ♥ ♥
What an idea! 😊
Susan, We did a Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit-themed nursery 28 years ago for my first grandchild. I embroidered a large birth data cloth that included 6 (!) figures and parts of scenes. It was quite an undertaking, and I was pleased to see that he and his wife used it in their nursery for my first great-grandson!
I can’t wait for your fall England trip and your beautiful missives sent back to us girlfriends from each place. I’ve given up on traveling in person back to England, so your trips are very special to me. Sherry xoxoxo
When my daughter was born (34 years ago!) my neighbor gave her a set of Beatrix Potter dishes. They have been safely stashed away all these years for when she had children. Now these dishes are going to be displayed and loved. Because of you, and watching Miss Potter, and reading about your trip to her home, I have come to know and love Beatrix. You are both women who made a difference in the world! Thank you so much! =^..^=
Susan, how wonderful that you are getting to go back for another visit to Hill Top! It will be so beautiful in the fall. I love Beatrix Potter and have many books and several “people” too. Loved the Miss Potter movie! I love reading all your books and blog you are a inspiration!!
Dearest Susan,
A heart-felt thank you for a wonderful time in Brewster! It was such a lovely party for Beatrix. I also cried when I watched the “surprise film/footage”. It was so touching to experience such sweetness and beauty reflected in the land and in a person. It was so, so, so special to finally meet you and Joe. I smiled the whole way home! xox Valerie
please enter me in your generous give away. My condolences on the loss of your father. My father died July 5th this year and although he was hospice at my home it still hurts.
I’m so sorry Mary. Yes, it does hurt. Those welling tears. Sending love.
So sorry for your loss Mary. Hugs from one Girlfriend to another. xoxo
Dear Susan,
Thank you SO much for this wonderful give away but also sharing the Cranberry Tea bread ~ Yum! I can’t wait to try it this fall, after the weather cools down a bit.
I learned a great deal about Beatrix Potter, from you blog posting; what a fascinating woman! There have been many trips to England, where I enjoyed the treasuries of the National Trust but I didn’t know it because of Beatrix ~ AMAZING!
Again, thank you for your generosity.
This is such a fun post! I love the photo of you being kissed! Jemima Puddleduck…my favorite!! (and of course Beatrix Potter~~)
I had the pleasure of meeting you in Madison, CT on your book tour…Many years ago I purchased several Beswick figurines and love them still. I keep the three I have on my kitchen windowsill to remind me the simple pleasures of life are the best ! I can’t wait to read/see your next Beatrix Potter visit and tour in England. xo Holly