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!
Thank you for introducing me to Beatrix Potter!
I hope to visit Hill Top some day. For now I have seen it through your eyes and words!
Thank you
Hello, Susan! Enjoy celebrating Beatrix Potter’s birthday with the ladies in Brewster! I loved seeing your “all things Beatrix” collection in your blog which you gathered together in honor of this wonderful occasion.
I, too, have enjoyed for years the dear, sweet figurines, which I used to give my children on birthdays and Christmas. They bring back special memories!!
Enjoy preparing for your wonderful trip this fall!! Pam W
I have received your 30th anniversary edition of “Heart of the Home” cookbook and just love it!!!! Love all things Beatrix Potter also….
A few months ago my family went on a camping trip near Moro Bay. So reading about your trip just brought back wonderful memories of camp fires, s’mores and eating our food with our fingers because we forgot our forks, spoons and knives. Good time
Just love your Beatrix Potter descriptions. All her characters make me smile!
Dear Sue,
Thank you for sharing the wonderful time you had with your family. I am so glad that you were able to be with so many people you love….especially now. Glad you are home safe and sound. Hugs for you, Joe and the Kitties.
Carol, Daryl and Jack (our sweet goldendoodle).
Love, love, love Beatrix Potter!! There was once a Peter Rabbit store in Carmel, CA that had everything you could imagine. I bought my grandson, who is 27 now, a darling onesie winter snowsuit. I also bought all of the movies that they made in the Peter Rabbit series. The watercolors in the movies were so fantastic that I loved watching them as much as the kids 😊.
“Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter” and you are a very lucky lady to be making a return trip to the beautiful Lake District. I can’t wait to travel along on your blog😘
Hi Susan,
Enjoy your celebration of Beatrix in Cape Cod! We have always loved her stories, so much so that we got our own little bunny when my kids were young (Pumpernickel, not Peter)! So sorry to hear about your dad. After reading your books, I feel like I know your whole family. My deepest sympathy. I had the pleasure of meeting you at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ. As a fan since your first cookbook, you were just as I imagined: sweet, funny, unpretentious, and totally charming. Enchanting! Your books have brought me as much joy as Beatrix’s. Thank you for following your dream 🙂
Sue
What a lovely tribute to a lovely Author!xxxx
Just finished “Isle of Dreams”. Thank you, Susan, for sharing so much of yourself with us. I love your indominable spirit.
I so love everything you write, especially about Beatrix Potter!! Welcome home
Thank you for this writing….I needed it…thank you for the recipe…I will celebrate Beatrix Potters birthday and life and successes tomorrow….and thank you for you…you made my day…you are in so many hearts round the world because of what you do…hugs to your family on your loss…diana
Dear Susan, I so enjoyed all your family pictures. Nothing in life is as precious as family and what a wonderful gift that you all can come together for reunions. Thank you for sharing the lovely Beatrix Potter pictures too. Enjoy being back home! Best wishes, SB
I’ve been away for awhile and just read about your dad. My sympathy and prayers go out to you dear Susan and your family. May your father rest gently in the hands of our Father. Hugs.
Hi Susan,
It was such a pleasure to read your post this evening! I’m so glad I checked my messages. Your family reunion looks like it was wonderful – such a nice way to connect with everyone you love.
Have fun at Beatrix Potter’s birthday celebration in Brewster. She must have been a remarkable woman for her time. Thank you for helping us to know more about her. She was remarkably creative and very determined to preserve the 14 farms of the Lake District.
I might be able to come on August 25th. I’ll work on it! <3
Janet xoxo
So glad you’re safely back home! I, too, love Beatrix Potter and read everything I can get my hands on about her!
Hi Susan ! Every day the birds remind us to be happy , our pets give us joy in abundance…Beatrix Potter is an eternal gift, in what she gave us….books, illustrations , whimsy.. You do the same for us! Thank you!
Love the family reunion photos- looks like a magical time and place.
Seeing your Beatrix Potter figurines reminds me to rediscover the ones I bought for my son when he was little. I’ve reclaimed them as he is now 24 and “mom” is more appreciative of their delightfulness! Here visiting him in SF so, although I have a home in Cape Cod, will sadly miss the Brewster event! Darn-too many wonderful things for one calendar!!
Thanks for another wonderful post- always makes me smile and reminds me to enjoy this fabulous life!
Sue–your devotion to family, food, furry creatures, and finding fantastic fun is delightfully affirming! I love being a part of your journey and thanks for including us!
xoxo,
Pam in Michigan
PS-Love to sweet Joe! He really is wonderful!
Hello Susan,
I love Beatix Potter and feel so lucky to have been born on July 28th 😃 🐈🐇
Thank you for all the wonderful stories and photos!
Much Joy!
Carol
I enjoyed your new blog….followed along on your cross-country book tour, and loved the pictures/words of your family gathering. Enjoy the remainder of your summer! I must try this cranberry cake!
Oh, to go back to England again. I envy you your trip. Enjoy every second.
I was at Hilltop in May, and LOVED the house, furnishings, and just being in that wonderful place! I love my little ceramic “people” also, and read the stories to my four-year-old grandson. I made your rainbow Jello on July 4!
Thank you Susan for sharing so much about Beatrix Potter. My first child, a little boy, had a Peter Rabbit stuffed animal that he loved. So I bought him all the books and all the stories on tapes. He loved to listen to the stories. So my memories of his childhood will always include the stories of Peter Rabbit and the music on the tapes. Thanks also for sharing your family with us. And your recipes too. You truly are a wonderful person. I am introducing you to my daughter – I know she will love you too!
Thank you for your generous sharing of your life with all of us, your girlfriends! For those of us who have only traveled a little, hearing about the places you go, the people you see and seeing the pictures you take, bless you. Keep up the travels and the writing. So looking forward to this trip you are taking this fall.
I have checked your site everyday, worrying about you. Glad you are back home. Also glad you have such wonderful memories of your family gathering in CO.
Welcome back home, dearest friend. You have been missed.
Blessings,
Bernadette
I’ve read your three journals and reread “a fine romance” twice. My cousin and I took our second trip to England this past June! Your stories are so inspiring! I am so sorry you lost your Dad. I lost mine in April. He was my hero. Thank you for the encouragemt, hope and inspiration for a happy life that you give everyday!
You are a treasure, Susan!
I inherited several BP figurines and then made a BP room for my two year old at the time. It was delightful. Bought a yellow comforter with her figurines on it and the room was perfect. Until California had an earthquake and the figurines fell to the floor and some broke!
Dear Susan!
Another a lovely tribute to one of my favorite authors! I own her book, one of the “original copies” of “Peter Rabbit” which was given to me, by a lovely eldery lady, named Suzanna Wieland, when I was about 10 – 12 years old! As I remember it, Miss Wieland was in her 80’s when we had our teatime visits. She would have me over for tea after school, and she’d always have special tea cakes and unique paper napkins! I still have one, which was pink and white, round! and lacy! I LOVED visiting with her, and I think she enjoyed having me over, too! We would discuss how I was doing in school; she took a real interest as she had been a teacher.
I turn 65 next month, so this was a very long time ago! Thank you SO much for taking me down this very special “memory lane”!
Enjoy your time with the other Beatrix Potter fans!
❤️
What a lovely memory for you. It’s unfortunate that more young people don’t have elderly role models to spend time with. The elderly are such a wealth of knowledge and usually do enjoy the company of youngsters. Cherish your memories- they are priceless.
Absolutely adore your kitties. My heart melts every time you post their precious pictures. Love everything about your posts–recipes, pictures, sayings, your gorgeous water colors and handwriting. Wish I could have made it to Austin–live about 7 hours away in Longview, TX.
Hi Susan. Thank you for the wonderful give away! I’ve loved Beatrix Potter since I was young. She is my inspiration. I’m glad you and your family had a great time together. Looks like a great place. The cranberry tea cake sounds delicious. Want to make it soon.
Sharon
I so love your stories, musica, and pictures, these little glimpses into your life. Oh, and I would love to win these treasures.
So wonderful to hear about your family reunion. Nothing can beat that. Your blog is such a day brightener! Thanks for sharing with all of us kindred spirits.
Love your blog would write bunches more but it is late and I’m tired
I would just love to win that book and add Miss Jemima to my small collection. I like to read about how you started your collection of the figurines. Priceless. That is one beautiful book. It would be nice to have the book and follow your trip in the Fall. Thank you for being you, I so look forward to your blog.
Have a happy day,
There is always hope that someday I to will have the opportunity to walk on the same walks as Beatrice and her husband at Hill Top. If not I’ll still enjoy the read and the darling figurine. Please enter me in this fun drawing.
thanks, Denise
Love your blog!
Dear Susan,
Your books are perfect, I love them all. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. Beatrix Potter has become one of my favorites and I loved going to her house with you. I used to read her stories to my little girls, who are all grown up now. I am glad you and Joe are home safe and the kitties must be happy to see you. It is my hope that you will write another book about your next trip. thank you again. Cecelia Hamblen.
Hi Susan, sitting at my computer trying to type with my kittie Cheddar curled in my arms sleeping! He is so adorable! I got my book Heart of the Home and love it! Also finished Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams! I love everything you write!
Glad you and Joe made it home safety! Hugs to Jack and Girl Kittie!
I am so glad I got to know you through your books and this newsletter. Loved your book on England. It was my first read of your writing. It inspired my husband and I to travel to England two years ago and were going back in September. I always look forward to your next words of inspiration. Thank you for bringing your writing into my home.
Thanks for a beautiful post 🌻🌻🌻
Dear Susan, It sounds like you had a wonder filled family time in Colorado…nothing so healing as being with loved ones who are feeling the same way you are at the moment. And thank you for sharing your brother Chuck with us…very touching song indeed.
I have also been a fan of Beatrix Potter since my first baby was born in 1974 and I bought the first of many of her little books. His name is Benjamin and of course he was our little Benjamin Bunny rabbit at the time. I have a small collection of figures as well but they are a little different from the ones in your photos. They are all so very sweet! I loved reading about your time visiting her home and how lovely that you get to return in the fall. That is still a dream for me. Thank you for always bringing a cheerful addition to my day when you send out your blog.
Susan, Your blog posts are amazing! They fill us (your readers) with such joy and peace and if we took selfies – we would be smiling ear to ear 🙂 They are a wonderful, welcome respite from this crazy world we live in. I can’t wait to try the tea cake recipe ~ it looks delicious! Happy birthday, Beatrix!
Have a great time tomorrow!!❤️
I so enjoyed reading your thoughts about Beatrix Potter. I’ll be sure to read one of her lovely stories to my granddaughter tomorrow on her 150th birthday. I read the very first one to her when she was just 3 months old and she stared at me the whole time as though she understood every word. Perhaps she did! And now she’ll be starting 1st grade in just a few weeks. How time flies.
Please pick me to treasure your treasures!
Welcome back! Quite a summer! I plan to celebrate Ms. Potters birthday with my sisters!
How fun to be back home after spending time with loved ones! My family will be doing that in Oct. just not quite as much of an ambitious location. But Washington is so beautiful in the fall and it is central for everyone! Excited for your drawing, even if it is a chance in a million! Love your “letters”. Blessings, your friend Lyern from Des Moines, WA.
Susan,
Such a lovely remembrance of Beatrix Potter, and of your love for everything that she created. I have early childhood memories of Peter Rabbit and the many stories she wrote. I would adore receiving the book you are giving away and the darling Jemima Puddleduck, who was made when I was one year old. We are both antiques!
Thank you for the wonderful way you look at life, and the many ways you help us all appreciate what is important. Blessing to you always, Kris
Susan
You are a true gift! Our little group we call ourselves th “tea girls” (original, I know ) dreams of having you join us for tea, we just know we would have a fabulously wonderful time!!
Love the pictures of the reunion…who wouldn’t want a great big swan in their truck!
Hi! I love your blog and I love anything Beatrix Potter and similar authors. I would love that book! I’m moving to New England sometime next year, Maine, can’t wait.
Your loves are contagious! Thank you.
Hi, Susan!! I know you’ve had a connection with BP for a long time, but I never explored more about her beyond her books… But – now I know why she was such an inspiration to you. Your stories are so parallel… I LOVE it!!! And now, you’re an inspiration to me. I talk about you all the time.. Every new, cute, little decoration I do or gardening adventure (I have no idea what I’m doing..) I take on, my dad jokes and refers to it as “Susan Branch”…. I take it as a highly esteemed compliment. Lol!! Loved, loved, loved the pics of your family get-together!!! Making memeries is the best <3 Thanks for all you do. XOXO
Oh Susan! Thank you so much for posting about Beatrix Potter, she was an incredible woman and who doesn’t love little Peter! Have been collecting her books and bunnies forever, they just make you happy!
It looks like you had a wonderful time with your family, Susan. Happy birthday to Beatrix. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
Well of course I would LOVE the book and Jemima Puddleduck is more than welcome to come live in my home! Oh happy day! I put the book about Beatrix Potter on my Wish List. I look forward to reading it and learning more about this fascinating lady. I did not know she was a scientist first – amazing! Your family reunion sounded so lovely. Thank you for sharing a few lovely memories with us. I must say thank you again for the book tour this year and sharing yourself with us along the way (it had to be a challenge). It was a memorable time for all of us and I hope we girlfriends gave lots of joy back to you. You are one of a kind Susan Branch and so is that special guy of yours Joe!
I hope my comment miss the drawing! Here’s another try….welcome home!
I have always loved Peter Rabbit. I studied Beatrix Potter in graduate school when I was working on a library science degree. My children’s literature class was taught by a delightful Welsh lady who loved all of the old English children’s classics and the authors who wrote them. I was privileged to have such a teacher. I, too, have the little books, some figurines, and I even kept the musical Peter, Tom, and Jemima stuffed toys that were my daughter’s when she was small.
What a treat it would be to walk with Beatrice Potter!!! Thank you for making my day (your BLOG posts always do!), transporting me to another place and time, and filling my heart with love!
sorry Beatrix…
Thanks so much for the chance to win. I’m afraid if I do win, it will only be the start of my BP addiction!
I just want to say Thank You for your beautiful blog and sharing with us the historical background of Miss Potter. What an amazing woman! I simply adore your Beatrix Potter figurines and how you have treasured them for so many years.
I soooo enjoyed reading your A Fine Romance shortly before I went to England a few years ago…& shared it there with the two girlfriends I went with. We loved the Lake District & can’t wait to go back. Needless to say, we’ve been Beatrix Potter fans ever since! Thank u so much!
You are such a beautiful heart! Thank you, for your magic and brightness in our lives!
I just found your website and just love it. Thanks for sharing this great site!
Hi Susan,
I’m a fairly new fan, but I just love your site! It warms my heart when I need it most, and me for days.
I intend to collect all your books, and though I’m not too good a cook, I am going to make the Cranberry Teacake for English visitors in August as a special treat, and if we go over to England to visit them, Beatrix Potter house will definitely be on the itinerary
Keep up the inspirational books, blogs, pictures and recipes!
It’s fun to see all of your BP people. I have a few that you do, but I think mine are made more recently. Looks like a very nice family time in Colorado.
Oh my gosh!! I would love to win your giveaway 🙂 I have read your books and because of that we will be visiting Cape Cod (and hopefully Martha’s Vineyard) the first weekend in September. It will be the first time in 26 years. Can’t wait and it’s all because of you!
We visited Hilltop farm the year after you were there. Your description of the house, the area, and the GPS are perfect!
Dear Susan, looks like you had a fantastic family reunion! Thank you for sharing your brother’s song, you have many talents in your family!! I received my two new books from you today, 30th Anniversary of Heart of the Home and Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, birthday presents to myself! I read the first few pages of MVID and did not want to put it down….but had to get ready for work!
I will probably read a few more tonight before bedtime. Reading always relaxes me. I know that once again you have exceeded all of us Girlfriends expectations with these wonderful new books!
Enjoy your day with the Beatrix Potter Society! Happy Birthday Beatrix!
Yes, looking forward to the trip in the Fall. I have enjoyed our past trips and your books. Thank You for sharing your talents. Blessings, Brook
So glad you are safely home ( Joe, too!) and a wonderful Miss Potter’s birthday to everyone tomorrow! So looking forward to that next England/ Scotland trip of yours…
With smiles and hugs,
Nancy Deda
Emily, Owen (two of my grands) and I have our tea party for Mrs. P’s birthday already planned. We could hardly wait for the 28th. Your tea cake looks super yummy. We will save it for another tea day.
I will have to show them your post since you have their favorite friends featured.
Owen has always loved the tale of Mr. Tod and Emily loves Jemima Puddleduck.
Hello Susan! Sitting outside (in the finally cooling down stage of the evening) here in Agoura Hills, CA. Today it was 103!! I just finished reading your blog and am so sorry to hear about your dad. Good memories will hold him close to your heart until you meet again. Reading about Beatrice Potter and her farms and animals is a lovely way to end the day. In this crazy mixed up world, it is a pleasure reading something positive for a change. Thank you for this moment of peace.
Oh Susan – my first Beatrix Potter person was Ladymouse, which my mom gave to me as a Christmas present a very long time ago. When my daughter was young we had VHS tapes of maybe six of her stories, wore them out watching over and over! Found the same stories on DVD for my granddaughter and now I am collecting BP people for her! I know it feels good for you and Joe to be home again. And your sweet daddy, so so sorry to hear he has passed away. Our dad went to heaven 9 yrs ago last month, still miss him every day. Love and prayers to you all.
What a treat it would be to win Beatrix Potter’s book and sweet duck. A “perk me up” like no other right now.
Thank you Susan for the opportunity to win what sounds like a delightful book!
Heart warming as always ! XO
Happy Birthday, Beatrix Potter.
How I wish I could be there with you tomorrow at the Brewster Ladies Library. My family lived in Brewster for years, to me it is ”home”, and we so loved the library…also Beatrix Potter: I have all my soft green little books and a few cherished figures from my childhood. I would love to add Jemima to my collection.
I too love Beatrix Potter. So enjoyed reading this, and welcome home!
I am so sorry for your loss Susan.
Dear Susan,
So happy you are home and we are meeting again in blog land. We’ve missed you while you were on your great intrepid exploration of this beautiful country meeting all of us who love you so dearly. So special to celebrate your Dad’s life with such honor. How you did it all, Lord only knows. I know you and Joe make an incredible team,full of Love, Fun, Balance and laughter! Here’s to you and Joe and all your wonderful travels, may you get all the rest you need for your next adventure. Soak in all the kitty love you can get and have a marvelous time in England and Scotland. I absolutely love all your books, so glad you found your style, it’s so YOU! 😊💕💕💕 Sweet travels, Love, Wendy-Louise ox
What a lovely book. I would be proud to own it if you would trust me with it.
Like you I am a big Beatrix Potter fan. Reading about your trip to Hill Top Farm in “A Fine Romance” brought back so many memories of my own visit there.
My family loves Beatrix Potter! I did my daughter’s nursery in Peter Rabbit, though my baby girl prefers Tom Kitten 🙂 (We’re pretty crazy cat people!) We planned on having a birthday tea in honor of Miss Potter, but had some things come up that could not be helped. So, hopefully, next week we’ll have one. And then we’re going to watch “Miss Potter.” Again. For like the zillionth time! 🙂
I bought a DVD of Miss Potter, but haven’t had a chance to watch it yet. I think I better make myself a pot of tea and sit down and have a viewing–she sounds like an amazing lady!
No Way…..would love the book of course but there is no way if I won the drawing that I would accept the very first figurine you purchased all those years ago…You need to keep that!! Sue in Atlanta
I loved every word and every picture…it’s always a joy to read your posts!
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter!
Hello Susan! I just finished reading your lovely books this past week,The Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard (which you signed while in Cincinnati) and I enjoyed them so much! So to read this latest post was like a visit with a dear friend. It sounds as though your family gathering was a blessing for everyone. Thanks for sharing the cake recipe – can’t wait to try it.
Oh my heart! For reals? Such a treasure! You have the sweetest sharing heart everrrr!
I will be thrilled for whom ever recieves this great gift. In my wildest dreams of course I would love also, but almost couldnt handle the joy!
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter!❤️
Tomorrow, July 28, 2016, I am having a 150th birthday party for Beatrix here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Actually it was one of your posts earlier in the year that inspired me Susan. My book club and librarian friends have been invited. Carrot cake for all!
Big Hello from me too, Happy Beatrix Potter’s Birthday!
Knowing Beatrix Potter in her day would have been a wonderful thing, just as knowing Susan Branch in 2016 would be. Both fabulous watercolourists with such interesting lives, each of you has shared a part of herself with us, the adoring fans. Thank you for brightening our days.
Vallecito Lake? Oh so close to my house! It looks like
you all had a wonderful reunion but I’m not surprised, it’s beautiful up there!!!
Kathy L Ignacio, Colorado
YOUR POSTS ALWAYS BRING SUNSHINE TO MY DAY! SWEET DELICIOUSNESS FOR HEART AND SOUL.
Thanks for sharing the yummy sounding recipe!
Love, love, love the whimsical-ness of your writings and drawings. So enjoyed the book about your last trip to England. I, myself was in London visiting my son and his family and wanted to go to the Lake District…there just wasn’t enough time. Next trip,, though.
I recently bought your book, Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, and the day it arrived I sat down and read 90 pages before coming to! As I posted on my blog, just as I was reading about you standing in your new yard watching bunnies pass thru my ceramic bunny fell right off my chalkboard. Anyway, love your blog and books. r/sharon
Oooops!!!!
Oh Susan! Gorgeous family photographs, I could almost see the love swirling around in them. What a beautiful place to go to start the long process of healing. Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter! I have been to Hilltop some years ago, before my children were born, it was absolutely enchanting. I would so love to be entered in your prize draw for the lovely book and of course Jemima. What a generous gift, how can you bear to part with her? I am sure you know that whoever wins her will give her a very happy and comfortable home! I have a fascinating book called ‘Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life’, do you have it? It is a delightful account of her love of gardening and is full of illusrations and many photographs of Beatrix.
We are kindred spirits. I started reading Beatrix Potter when I was little, and collecting the little Beatrix Potter people when I got my first job and started earning money. I discovered your first cookbook at a small book store in PA, “Books & Records”. It was a wonderful book store, with kind owners that loved books, music and all things printed. They also had a small printing business. I loved that store – and that is where I bought your first cookbook. It was the first of many of your books. I have all of your books, and treasure each one of them. The cookbooks have been used, stained, and loved. Wouldn’t have it any other way! Now, I am reading the last of your most 3 recent books, “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams”, and I intentionally only read a couple of pages at a time, because I don’t want it to end. What a dear, sweet soul you are. Thank you for your gift of writing and sharing yourself with all of us. You will never know the impact you have had on my life…..reading about your struggles – I have similar struggles – and it somehow makes me feel better, knowing what you went through, and came out smiling. God Bless you, Susan Branch. Thank you from the bottom of my heart :).
We’re all in this together Lorraine! xoxo Thank you!