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!
Oh so pretty! Love all of your art! And woyld live rhe book
Beatrix Potter,Tasha Tudor and Susan Branch. A girl couldn’t ask for more escapes to sit down and disappear into. Thank you for your contribution to the group. I enjoyed the evening in Salt Lake with you, it was delightful and fun and great to share with friends old and new. Thanks for the memories!
Susan, We are home now too from a somewhat long time away, not near as long as you though! I was excited to sit down to 2 (!) blog posts to read, but it was a roller-coaster. Up with you through visits with your coast-to-coast girlfriends, feeling like I was along for the ride in the shotgun seat of the “Romance” van, then so heavy hearted to learn of Blog-Daddy. How brave of you to think of the joy of others at such a time. Seeing the pictures of Durango let us know you were all in good hands with each other, and the video of Chuck singing was wonderful. Sending good thoughts your way.
So very glad you and Joe are home safe and sound!! Reading your blog about Beatrix Potter,you remind me of her.So let’s see,you remind me of Beatrix Potter,throw in a little Eleanor Roosevelt,you look like Diane Keaton,you got it going on girlfriend!!!! Happy Birthday to Beatrix Potter! XOXO Ruthie
Well, you are certainly hitting all my favorite notes, Ruthie!!!! LOL! Who wouldn’t love that?!! Too much! xoxo sending love.
Hi Susan, I met you at the book signing in Madison, Ct at R.J. Julia’s Book Store.
What an exciting event!! Your inspiration has touched so many of us, this being very evident on that day. I truly hope I will have the privilege of meeting you again in the near future. Until then, reading your blog and looking at the picture of us taken on 1 May 2016 keeps me smiling!!!! How extremely generous of you to give away the precious Jemima!!!!!! ❤️
Your blogs always lift me up.
And your comments always do the same for me.
What a wonderful family you have. It looks like you all are very close and know how to have fun!
And what’s NOT to love about Beatrix Potter? I can’t even imagine what it must feel like to walk in her footsteps in that beautiful Lake District.
Kristin
I was so sad to hear of your father’s passing — thank you for sharing him with us. He will be in your heart all of your days.
Thank YOU for enjoying him. It was a little binding connection he and I shared, the enjoyment of YOU.
DEAR SUSAN,
I AM ON THE THIRD READING OF ALL YOUR BOOKS THEY ARE JUST DELIGHTFUL!
BEATRICE IS STILL A GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR TO DAY’S YOUNG WOMEN.
I THINK SHE IS DELIGHTED THAT WE COULD SOON HAVE A WOMAN
PRESIDENT!!!!
KEEP INSPIRING US!!
JUDITH OF DOOR COUNTY,WIS.
I think she would be too. Amazed really, considering what she went through only 100 years ago. And thank you Judith, that is wonderful to hear!!!
Susan, I loved seeing photos from your family reunion at that most beautiful and picturesque lake in Colorado! It reminded me of some of my own family reunions. So glad you were able to be there with everyone! Thank you for inspiring me to learn more about Beatrix Potter and finding out just what an amazing and wonderful person she was. Yesterday, I opened up my Grandma’s old trunk and found that I had saved a set of Beatrix Potter’s books that my son received as a gift from my sister thirty-two years ago. What sweet memories they brought me.
They make wonderful decorations, and exude inspirational DNA into any room. Take it from me. xoxo
With each new comment, my chance of winning grows less and less but my mom always said, “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.” I would love the book, Jemima a bonus. In the meantime, that recipe looks absolutely off-the-charts delicious!
Much better chances here, by far, than winning lottery!!! Your mom was right!
Welcome home. Looking forward to your upcoming trip. I would love to be the next mother to Mrs. Puddleduck, There’s a spot just waiting for her on my kitchen windowsill. Enjoy you summer on the island, and have a safe journey. Soon you’ll be in the land of roundabouts..
Love Sue
Glad your home! Always love the tweets from the twain too…great pictures of the family gathering! Thanks for sharing with all of us. YOU are THE BEST Girlfriend to us all.
That walking book has been on my Amazon wishlist for a long time! It would be a dream come true to be able to take that book along with me to England. Someday…
I love reading your blog! It’s so inspiring & delightful! Since seeing the Miss Potter movie, I have been intrigued by Beatrix and have learned so much about her from you. She was an amazing woman.
Yikes! Hope I’m not too late to enter! What a wonderful giveaway! You are very generous.
We so enjoyed seeing you in Denver and are happy that you are safe at home again! But, can’t wait to hear about your next adventure! Thank you for brightening our days!
Sweet Susan, I have been collecting Beatrix Potter figurines since I was in middle school, which was a LONG time ago! I just love them! I have always loved seeing them in pictures of your MV home! I am a kindergarten and first grade teacher and love sharing Mrs. Potter’s book with my students!
I am saving my pennies to go on my first trip to England with my sister, who has been twice. She says I will just fall in love the country! I already have through your book and blog! Thank you for taking us with you on your travels! I feel like I am right there with you! Also, thank you for writing such wonderful books and cookbooks, I have them all and love them! Come visit us in the big city of Houston, Texas if you ever get a chance! I will be the first in line to welcome you to our town. Susan, thank you for being a light in an often dark world! You always bring me such joy and happiness! Love to you, Joe, Jack and Girl kitty!
Susan, you are a bright light in an often time dark world! You always make my heart happy & brighten my day!
You must be a wonderful teacher! Inspired teachers are the best.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for expressing in words and art what many of your fans believe to be true about life. You possess the power to inspire us to seek higher ground and to look for the beauty of life all around us. Encouraging us to celebrate what is beautiful validates our hopes for today and the days ahead.
You are indeed a treasured friend!
Laura-Lee
You sound like my dad. 💞 He was always saying things like that to me. XOXO
Susan & Joe
What beautiful scenery you had for your family reunion. It looks like you all had a great time together. I was so sorry to hear about your father. I was sadden to hear about his passing. Walking with Beatrix Potter sounds like such a great book.
Susan & Joe thank you both for your wonderful website & blog. I love your books & other work! It is a refreshing time of day for me when I can sit and read your blog and enjoy your beautiful art, photos, music, visit your web store, and most of all be inspired through your writings in your books. Thank you for sharing with your readers.
As I have said before, you truly are an inspiration! Every time I read your blog I get excited to bake or make a recipe/decorate my home and from this blog I want to make the cranberry cake and join the Beatrix Potter society! Thank you Susan! You are a delight!
Your blog is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITES!! I am so looking forward to your trip to England….it is a place I want to go to, but I don’t know if I ever will…so I go there “with you”…and your writings, pictures, blog, art work…and your book about your trip! Love it all! (And I love Beatrix Potter…I have books about her, too!) I look at your art work and it makes me happy… Best wishes to you!
P.S. I am so sorry about the passing of your dad. I’ve been there…so here’s a soft hug for you.
Loved reading about your family reunion and hearing about how you walked to each others cabins, etc. to visit. We do the same thing when we hold our reunion in Pipestem State Park or Twin Fall State Park in West Virginia. One of us always has one of the larger cabins and we congregate there and share food and stories. So sorry for the loss of your beloved father.
So glad you returned safely from your family get together. Those are some wonderful pictures you’ve shared with us of your family, and it looks like you all did have some fun despite the reason you were gathered together. I’m sure your Daddy was smiling and looking down on you, or was there in spirit, and would have wanted you to not be mourning constantly. Nice Beatrix Potter givaway, someone will be very lucky to get the book and Miss Jemima Puddleduck. I don’t know how I missed her lovely books when my daughter was little, because I was reading to her all the time, but I had never read them myself as a child. It’s been here on your blog that I have learned so much about her, and I have seen the wonderful movie, “Miss Potter” which I loved. I really need to make that Cranberry tea cake because it looks so good, and it would be perfect for one of my daughter’s impromptu tea parties.
Again, glad you are back home again, to some kind of normal and immersed in the Domesticity that makes you –You! Have a great rest of summer with good food, Joe’s Birthday and sweet kitties, who will probably not let you leave again! (Till this fall, anyway)
Hi Susan, lovely update, really enjoyed it and your so lucky to have such a wonderful family 👫👬👭👫👬Keep smiling! Sending you a hug from England x
Oh that tea cake looks lovely, I am soooo going to make it. And welcome back home, what an adventure you have had and England coming up in the fall. I am making my trip to England late September and I can hardly contain my excitement. It has been 24 years,(gasp) much too long to be away from that beautiful country. Maybe we will compare notes when we are back home in the USA.
xo Pat
Susan – So happy that life keeps swimming along so sweetly for you and your family. I was so sorry to miss you when you were in Asheville, but we were in desperate need of a vacation and we went to the beach to sit on the porch and eat seafood and drink gin and tonics. I felt sure you would forgive me! I know we will meet sometime, either in this life or the next. Thanks for taking me along on all your adventures. Kiss the kitties for me. Oh, and BTW, a little black and white kitty wandered up on our deck while we were having our coffee two weeks ago – just a few weeks old and covered with fleas – and the first thing I thought of was Jack! We gave him a bath and fed him and he just kissed us and kissed us! We have yet to name him – nothing seems quite right, so far. He is all sweetness and light, though, and he makes us laugh everyday! I just wanted you to know. 🙂
Hugs – Beth
Excellent news! Kitty Love strikes again!
Your family reunion looked like so much fun. You are so blessed to have a such a large, close, wonderful family. You and Joe have so much to look forward to this fall! England should be beautiful in all her colors. My Grandma introduced me to Beatrix Potter and all her books when I was very little. I have always loved her. We were all born in Canada, so anything British was very much adored. Grandma taught me so many of what she called the” niceities”of life. Which were mostly British and Canadian traditions and loves. Fine china and beautiful old fashioned glasses, doilies, linens, quilts and furniture and of course tea pots and tea cups, tea time it goes on and on. You would of loved her.And she you. This is long and I should wind this up! But, I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your books and your blog and Willard’s. It is like a beautiful safe oasis in a very mixed up world right now. Thank you again.
With deep affection, Mary Jane
Common sense. That’s all we need right now. Just some good old fashioned sensibility. I WOULD have loved your Grandma, Mary Jane!!
What a charming ode to Beatrix Potter! While I grew up with Beatrix’s books, I have come to love her work more since reading your blog. I just had a baby boy 4 months ago and we did a Beatrix Potter themed nursery (mostly because I was inspired by your blog!). I would LOVE to win that book and cute figurine!!
Congratulations on your new baby Johanna!!! SO happy for you! Blessings on you and yours. xoxo
So glad your reunion went well. I will be excited to follow along on your trip this fall as I just returned from Scotland 10 days ago and loved it! A beautiful country, I will be excited to see where you go and if our paths will overlap.
I will be trying out the recipe soon, thanks!
Thank you for sharing your family reunion Susan. I’m sure it was bittersweet not to have the patriarch of the family there physically, but I’m sure you felt his spirit and love during that special time together,.❤️
Hi Susan
Happy birthday Beatrix Potter. My daughter received from a friend of mine The Tale of Peter Rabbit. by Beatrix Potter when she was born. My daughter LeeAnn will be 47years old September 14th. I would love to find my old friend, we have lost track of each other. I have hung on to the book all these years, through moves, and the events of life. This little book sits standing up on my favorite old fashion country chic desk.
Susan thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful adventures. All my Susan Branch books are displayed and enjoyed.
My daughter and I love your books, thank you.
Ah, sweet Beatrix. I’ll always think of my mother, happily and very, very carefully cross-stitching a sampler with all of the tiny little animal characters on it. She would take out some stitches if the expressions on a particular face wasn’t “just right”–you know exactly what she meant, don’t you?–and then lean very close and try again until the little hedgehog looked not cross but quizzical, say. So, I feel even more tender about Beatrix Potter now that memories of her are woven in with memories of Mom. Isn’t that the way life works? It’s all tied up, holding us together? Somedays it feels that way, and that feels like a gift.
It is that way, the generations that came before and the gifts they left behind and what we can do to add to them in our lifetimes, beginning with telling their stories. xoxo
Hi Susan, I have so enjoyed your summer adventure blogs. My heartfelt prayers are still coming your way for loss. I hope you are resting and recharging and remembering with peace.
Im so inspired by you for looking to this wonderful Victorian woman as a role model! I didn’t know much abt Beatrix before you except that she worked from live and deceased animals. I can’t wait to know even more about her now-your excitement is lovely and contagious!
Arrrrgh! Hit a wrong spot on this confounded machine and my first message to you went off to never never land! On our way home from two weeks of helping care for our newest grand daughter. This is the first time I have had time to sit down and enjoy your blog. Thank you! Hope the reunion was good for your heart. XOXO
It was wonderful. xoxo Happy new baby Mary!
I so enjoyed the write up of Beatrix Potter! My girls loved reading her little books when they were little. I used to call a friend of mine, Jemima Puddleduck because her three little children would walk behind her like little ducklings! Your nieces and nephews are so darling! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful family time with us!
I came across your book A Fine Romance at the library,and enjoyed reading it tremendously!
I promptly ordered a copy for my sister -in -law who loves England and everything English. So glad to discover your blog because of the book. Thank you for bringing so much joy to so many people through your beautiful artwork and heartfelt writing. Your book has provided much needed comfort to me at a tough time. Best wishes.
Thank you Lily, I’m so happy you liked it! XOXO
Wanted to leave a comment so that I am in the drawing for the delightful Beatrix Potter items. I bought two figurines at an estate sale locally about two months ago, The Flopsy Bunnies by Royal Albert and Ribby made by Beswick, England in 1987. Would be so fun to have one from 1948. My family is still heartbroken over the death of my youngest son recently, but coming to terms with it, going back to work is keeping my mind occupied. Much love to all the girlfriends. Susan, you may be Beatrix Potter reincarnated!
Lovely blog post! Glad you had a wonderful time at your family reunion! I bet you are ready for a spell of staying home after both your trips!
Got another one coming up, but after that, no one could pry me out of here with a crowbar.
LOL! Along with all your other gifts, you also can make me laugh out loud! I can just see you arriving home from Britian this autum, bringing in the 12 pieces of luggage, picking up the kitties, and then firmly attaching yourself to MV for the next six months!! Just wanted to thank you for the giggles. xoxo
Susan,
I’ve got to add my name to the every growing pile of GIRLFRIENDS before Vanna takes her dive!
Reading your post took me back to your trip to England 3 years ago. Has it really been that long? Goodness! And here you are 3 books later. I’ve loved taking this journey along with you.
You’ve given all of us such wonderful memories. We feel like we were right there too. (…and we were!)
Thank You for sharing the JOY!
XOXO
Georgie from NJ
It’s been a wild ride Georgie, thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming along!!!
XOXO
Thank you so much for honoring Beatrix Potter! I hope to walk in Beatrix Potter country sometime soon!
Oh Susan, It looks like you had an amazing vacation. I know the time was full of fun, laughter, love, and sweet memories of your Dad. I know he was loved by all of you, especially you. And how wonderful that Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday will be celebrated by so many! And for you to have visited her home is something very, very special! I’m sure your ladies enjoyed your reading!!
Blessings to you and Joe…
I would be so happy to be chosen I have known you Sue for years now .I love you and Joe you are both such awesome ppl and the cutest couple ever.I promise to send it on when I get old e so another person can get the hot I once did please pick me Thank you Cheyenne Renard from Henderson Nv thank you again
Pick my sister CASANDRA Leonard who if she wins I will make sure she gets it thank you Sue love Cheyenne and Casandra
Welcome home and hugs to you.
Yay, Mom, you found Susan’s blog!!! I am soooooooo happy. I know you will LOVE her like I do:)))))))) LOVE You xoxoxo
Love this! Too cute, the both of you!
I was so amazed by BeatricPotter her life is outstanding I plan to join the club and to read Linda Lears book about her thank you for all your kindness and Joes too all my love Cheyenne of Henderson Nv than you for the cake recipe been waiting so thank you xxx
I can remember reading the Beatrice Potter books to my Kindergarten classes and how the children loved them! I recently moved into Senior Housing in Arroyo Grande, and sometimes drive out along your roads where I can feel your creative spirit. Thank you so much for all your books and artwork and especially your blog.
My daughter, who, for a time, wore the absolute sweetest pair of yellow Peter Rabbit pajamas, will turn 18(!) next week. Last week I picked up two of your books to give to her and am now inspired to give Beatrix Potter’s biography to her, as well! Thank you, Susan, for all you do and are…
Sounds like the reunion was a wonderful get together. So sorry about your dad. My condolences to you and your family. Love all of your books!
I knew Peter Rabbit and cried at his misadventures long before he introduced me to Beatrix. Reading your blog Susan, I’ve been reintroduced to her. What a surprise to find out we share a birthday on the 28th of July. Thank you for sharing her story. You make Peter proud.
Your reunion looked like fun. I’m sure it was good to be with family. I just love Jemima Puddleduck. Can’t believe it is going to be August! Kisses to the Kitties!
Thank you for sharing your priceless family memories of your reunion with all of us. I know your dad was smiling down on all of you in wonderment of the family he helped to create. The video you shared of your brother singing brought tears to my eyes. I wondered how you could part with Jemima, but I have found the saying true – the love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay, love isn’t love til you give it away. I guess that is true with ducks, too.
Susan,
First of all, my condolences on the passing of your dad. That was nice you and your family could gather in a special place for all of you to celebrate his life.
One of my first books as a child was one of Beatrix Potter’s little books: Mrs Tiggy-Winkle.
I still have it, complete with the book cover, though it is quite tattered !
I was so excited last week when a friend gave me a copy of your “Christmas Memories” book for my birthday. She is always on the lookout for your books for me.
Enjoy your downtime in your beautiful home during the next two months.
Thank you, dear Susan, for sharing your home, adventures, family, love of life, enthusiasm, joy and grace with all of us! You and Beatrix are such inspirations to us all! Thank you and big hugs to you and Joe!
We are planning a trip to England for our 30th wedding anniversary next year, and I hope to visit the Lake District and take in all those amazing sights. I may be too late for the drawing, but I would dearly love to have the book you are giving away.
I am a new visitor to your blog but enjoying it immensely.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for all the amazing things you do & for sharing so sweetly with others! We’re all already winners to have Y-O-U!
Love & Prayers to you & your beautiful family,
Kathy
Jemima Puddleduck and I have the same Copyright date of 1948. . .eek! She’s lovely and hasn’t aged.
My deepest condolences to you on the loss of your Dad. He was a part of your blog and added a certain spark. I always looked for his comments. It is very hard for you.
You are such a kind and loving person Susan.
So love reading your fb page and love all the wonderful info about your travels !your paintings make me happy!
Love all your posts. Was so sorry to read that “Blog Daddy” was no longer with us. I know that you loved him very much as I did mine, but lost mine at a young age. I have bought all your newer books twice, reading cover to cover, giving one to my daughter and have all your older ones and gradually buying two of them so my daughter will have a complete set too. I buy all the calendars & desk blotter twice for both of us too. We were so sorry to miss you in Austin which is about five hours South of where I live, but scheduling did not work out. Maybe the next book tour and maybe in the Dallas area which is an hour south of my town. I have also bought “American Made” by Cliff Branch and I am reading it now. I am in the same age group as you all and enjoy reading about our past and what all was going on that I may have missed. I am watching right now “The Seventies” series on CNN. Love to you and Joe and the kitties. Sorry I rambled so long. Sandi in Texas
Loved hearing from you Sandi!
So delightful…reading your blog and viewing the lake and Crolls cabin…beautiful family and lake area..you are blessed and missing our Dad’s presence never goes away…we hear their advice constantly.
Now for Beatrix Potter…my dear son who is now 40ish was in kindergarten and his dad worked for the large publisher in Racine, Wisconsin and had many books had to bring his favorite book to school which was Peter Rabbit and proceeded to tell his teacher my daddy works with Beatrix Potter. Of course, Mrs. Carson was so humored by this 5 year old. Continues to be a favorite story of my son’s.
Again, thank you for sharing your life…we love you!
Cute!
I am so happy that you are back to writing your blog. While you were on the road I missed it and kept looking for it, hoping one would come. I’m looking forward to your posts when you and Joe go to England. They just might make me feel as if I’ve gone along for the ride.
That’s the plan!
As always, when I read your posts, you leave me with a calm and renewed spirit.
Thank you Joanie. xo
I would so love to win this giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity!
oh, my goodness. I have searched….and, then, searched lots more….cannot find my previous comments…..help……what can I do? I don’t know any other maneuvers, other than reading what is “up”…and, then clicking on to “older” and “newer” comments. vanity is not my motivation….I just want to check for any response from Susan…and, to make sure I’ve made it into giveaway contest….which is much more important to me than that darned “powerball”, which was won by a very fortunate person in our long-time “home-state” of nh!!!! anyway….thank you, Susan, and thank you to all who comment….all of it is sooooo soothing and precious. love. xo
You’re here Chris! XOXO
Hi Susan,
Thanks for all the B. Potter photos and information. I too have followed her work for years (and also G. Taber). Guess that’s why the Girlfriends all find their way to you. I feel a bit shy about writing since you have so many long standing GF’s but always think of so much I’d like to share. In your Romance book you talked about the Arts & Crafts movement in England (Bloomsbury) and I wanted to share the name of a Swedish artist who started that movement years before Bloomsbury. I’ve always thought you’d like his work very much. In fact I have a calendar with his work on it that I’ve wanted to send to you, just haven’t figured out an address that I think would reach you. His name is Carl Larsson and his wife Karin was also and artist. He did paintings and she was a weaver. She made fabric for chair covers, curtains, etc. This was in the late 1880’s and early 1900’s, so considerably before the Bloomsbury group. Sorry to ramble so, just get excited about things I read on your blog and want to share back. Guess you’ll have my email address from this posting so please email me if you’d like to have me send you the calendar. Love, Bev
Oh, thank you Beverley, I’m love Carl Larsson and his wife Karin, his colors and paintings and her weavings … their beautiful children and wonderful house with the fantastic furniture. I couldn’t agree with you more, their work is fantastic! I still have a calendar I got maybe 25 years ago!
I took a nature journaling class a few years ago. My first introduction to any type of art–using watercolor pencils! This also was my introduction to Beatrix Potter’s nature journals. I love her spirit, may we never grow old…
Hi Susan,
Glad the family reunion was so wonderful.
Thanks for the reminder about Beatrix Potter’s birthday. I have a special window sill waiting for Jemima.
Good morning Susan!
OK, just noticed at the Driskill Hotel, the picture you took of the table where President Johnson proposed, did you happen to see Joe’s face in the mirror on the right! Was that planned? Too cute! Trust you are resting and catching your breath doing nothing but enjoying your beautiful home.
I noticed it too … thought it would be sweet to have him in the photo!
Please pick me! Love you Susan!
Ooooo…Thunder moon near Durango…works for me! Glad you’re back safe and sound☺️ The more I read about Beatrix the more amazed I am by her. How did women do it back in those days?!? The courage it must have taken. I’m a big fan of Edith Wharton too and have read a lot about her. She also had the same sort of trials in the suppressed world but found her happiness.
Hope you had fun at the Society event, wish I had been there! xoxox
It’s really never smooth sailing for any of us! Always interesting to see how people get through it.
I love your blogs and your wonderful seasonal cookbooks, but I was completely captivated by your incredible autobiographies. I couldn’t put them down! You’re so honest and unrestrained. Of course, the artwork is wonderful, as are the photographs. I plan on re-reading all three. They are in a very prominent place on my bookshelves. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you so much Tina!!!
Aren’t we glad there was a Beatrix Potter. The world would be a sadder place without her wonderful characters to enrich our lives.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your wonderful post on Beatrix Potter’s birthday. Also, enjoyed looking at the photos of your family from the reunion, it looked like a magical place. Of all the figurines Jemima Puddle Duck is my favorite! I just love her bonnet!
Enjoy being home!
Lucy in California
So very sorry to hear about your Dad. Gentle hugs to you.
Miss England, love the Lakes. Would love to spend a month just being there in that beautiful countrtside
Hi Susan,
I loved reading your last post about your family reunion, what a wonderful family you have! My condolences on the loss of your dad, he sounds like a very special person. Beatrix Potter was one of my favorite authors when I was a child and I loved reading all her bunny books, they were my first ones. I would be thrilled to be the winner of this one. I have followed you for years on your blogs and recently bought your three latest books which I really enjoyed reading. I love the way you look at life and surround yourself with lovely things and I do the same. All the best to you and Joe!
Love,
Marlene
How wonderful that you and your family were able to be together to celebrate your father’s life. Family makes a home wherever it gathers.
And what a treat to come home. I just returned from two weeks with my husband, on R & R from his duty in Afghanistan. “Home” to be with him, and now home, waiting for his return…..
I love your revised Heart of the Home book and am enjoying your tribute to an old favorite, Miss Potter!
Hugs to you and to your husband, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifices. Unbelievable! 💖
Susan, you are an inspiration! It’s been years since I’ve enjoyed my love of sketching and painting, but reading Fairytale Girl and Isle of Dreams had inspired me to get back to it. Thank you❤
Glad you are back blogging after sadness of losing your dear Father.
Thank you for what you do for us girlfriends. I so enjoy it all. You make it look easy but I’m sure it’s lots of work. Take time for you, Susan.
Kathy
A giveaway! With Jemima Puddleduck! Hooray!
Glad you had an excellent reunion with the family. It’s balm for the soul.
Susan ~ I have been buying from you forever, before FB, and getting Willard’s ever since the begining! I grew up with Beatrice Potter books, they were a birthday present from a special “aunt”. I have all your books which have given me years of pleasure. I’ll be 61 in another week and had a life changing diagnosis a year ago, which have made me realize how important all those little moments in life matter. I have Pulmomary Arterial Hypertension/Right Heart Failure both of which are incurable. I am on oxygen 24/7 and basically can’t do anything like my gardening, renovation on our old victorian house that was built in 1888, just basic everyday things that people take for granted. I just want to thank you for sharing all your artistic talents, stories and books with us over the years, I’ve truly enjoyed all of it! <3
Love your dear comment Bonnie, “how important all those little moments in life matter.” Every day, the smallest of consciously made dearest of things, and there is a life to be proud of. I love that you are here with us Bonnie . . . sending love and blessings.
Loved seeing you and Joe in Salt Lake City in May! Thank you for stopping in by 🙂
Dear Sweet Sue, your love and kindness shines through your words and drawings and brightens the days of all of your girlfriends (and guyfriends). Meeting you and Joe at the many book signings here in Nor Cal was a lifelong dream. Can’t wait for next year (hopefully) for you to come back so Sandy Perry and I can come back to see you again. Loved reading about your family reunion and can’t wait for the next issue of the travel blog to England. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to win this book and figurine but mostly for your friendship.
So sorry about your Dad. Lost mine almost 7 yrs ago. Really hard! I love all your
Books and read them over and over!!! Lord Bless!
What a delightful book, and Jemima Puddleduck too? Oh how sweet . . .💗💗💗
thanks for honoring Beatrix Potter. your interest in her is what lead me to your works…I had a number of Potter items to donate to you and did a year or so ago. I was downsizing but have have kept some and gave all my figurines to my daughter for safe keeping for the next generations. …love your blog and would love to win the book!!! and Jemima..a gold stamp…lived in England as a teen and later…Cambridge…my dad was doing research and teaching there…
Susan and Joe
Happy that you had such a heart-full time with your family in Colorado. And thanks for the reminder about B. Potter’s 150th bday.
I just love reading your blog! What a wonderful trip you have had,but there’s no place like home 🙂
Thinking of you…..
Setting aside this coming week to try out some recipes from Heart of Home. My husband loves when I experiment on him!
I just returned from an Alaskan cruise and no internet. Such a beautiful trip! Happy to be home and back with SBB… (Susan Branch Blog). Susan, I met you in Prescott (still giddy over the tea party!) and asked about blog Daddy. Can I say I absolutely admire your strength and courage regarding his passing and the book tour. You (and Joe too) handled the days with grace and the beauty of ‘moving on’. I can only hope for a book in the future that features Blog Daddy’s DIY hints and recipes. Maybe?
Love your blog and all things SB! Hugs and Sunshine, Barb in AZ 😉 😉
There’s been a bit of my Dad in every one of my books . . . Thank you Barb!! xoxo
Thank you, Susan, for sharing updates on your special family trip, and for the giveaway. Best wishes to all of us who hope to win. 🙂
Dear Susan & Joe –
My deepest condolences go out to you and your family on the loss of your dear dad, our “Blog Daddy”. Your life will never be the same; but what an amazing gift he gave to us….in you! As I read your blog, I was mostly amazed that you were able to continue your book tour with a smiling face, albeit, broken heart. What a trooper you were. Your Dad was smiling on you, I’m sure.
I hope you realize what a sweet, consistent inspiration you are in my life. I lost my mom in February 2014. She was the best and most beautiful person I ever knew. That year, I seldom left my house. I was in such a saddened state that I didn’t even want to see people….even grocery shopping, and visiting friends was difficult. I never knew when the overwhelming emotional sadness would overcome me as it just came in waves without warning. I know you may not believe it, but I read your blog consistently, ordered your books for me (and my friends), and your every day positivity lightened the sadness.
Please continue to do what you do for all of us. I so appreciate knowing I have a kindred friend out in Martha’s Vineyard and here in Arroyo Grande.
And by the way….Happy Birthday to dear Beatrix Potter!!!! What a sweet difference our world is – because of her artistry and talent.
Love and prayers to you, Joe, and your family,
Barbi (another Valley girl)
Mine comes in waves too … But I know my dad, and what his expectations were and what he would do, and it’s all in my DNA too, so I go on. Without him, which makes no sense to me at all. Oops, here I go again. 🙁 Thank you Barbi!
Love reading you posts and blog. The pictures of the Vineyard bring such wonderful memories of time spent on the island. Am also a big fan of Beatrix Potter. Would love to add this to my collection.
Hi 🙂
Loved reading this one. Thank you for sharing such a special family reunion with us! I come to Beatrix Potter because of YOU! Thank you 🙂 This summer I found 3 of my very first Beatrix people that now sit where they watch me doing dishes and are bathed by the morning light that comes through that window. They do bring me such joy. I really thank you for making that introduction! I would love to make the journey to her Lake District. One day I will. I hope you and Joe are enjoying some rest after such a lot of traveling. The kitties most be in heaven having you home.
Sending love.
I so enjoyed meeting you and your “perfect man” in CA in June. It was like visiting with a close friend. Thank you so much for taking time to visit…with everyone! I CANNOT WAIT to “tag along” on your adventures this fall.
Love you so much, my inspiration!!
Your trips are always amazing. So glad you can get together with family on a regular basis. Enjoy your jaunt this fall.
Thank you for all that you do. Your blog and newsletters are a breath of fresh air. I always love reading about your travels and seeing your lovely homey home. So sorry about your Dad. It’s never easy. It makes it even harder when they’re so special and dear. Thank you for the giveaway. That’s a book I’m going to have to buy if I don’t win it. Sunny days to you, Joe, and the kitties 💝