Hello Darling People! I’ve noticed in your comments that some of you think I am giving away the very first Beatrix Potter Person I ever bought. Some are saying thank you, you are so generous. But it isn’t true. To let that stand would be doing a Giveaway under false presences. I could never do this . . . for more reasons than one. MUSICA?
Remember this?
The time I showed you Joe’s special brand of handiness when he was in process of healing Jemima’s broken neck? See the chip on the left side of her bill? No, I would never foist this girl off on some unsuspecting YOU. She’s mine, the first BP Person I ever got, and I will continue to paste her back together (or ask Joe to do it), as needed, for as long as I live.
I’ve never quite gotten over seeing how he did this ~ with one large rubber band and half a toothpick. I couldn’t do it in a thousand years. Joe is so talented. And it worked, her neck is back on and she’s “good as new!”
BUT a few years back, I acquired a brand new girl so now, until right now anyway, I have two . . . I’ll keep the old one, and you’ll get the “new” one (they were both actually born the same year, 1948, five years after Beatrix Potter died). There’s no glue-chain around your Jemima’s neck . . . Yours is perfect with bill totally intact. And the wonderful Walking with Beatrix Potter book is for you too. Signed by me, with your name, as soon as I find out who you are. I hope you’re ready, Because, It’s Time. Thank you for taking part in this Giveaway, I love your wonderful comments! Okay, here we go . . . .
🎵 Jaa-ack? Go get her! 🎶
While we’re waiting for Jack to bring Vanna down … I thought I’d tell you Jack’s new trick. I get his ponytail band ready for shooting (so he can fetch it back to me), I pull it back, 
stretching it and pointing it in Jack’s direction, his eyes are locked on me … I say, “Ready?” And, every time I say, “Ready?” ~ he SAYS, “E-e-e-reusss,” and burrows down even more in alert cat-faced readiness. It sounds like “YES” to me. He doesn’t say anything unless I ask him if he’s ready. So, you know what that means . . . ? While we were away Jack learned English. Like in Love Actually, he wanted to be able to talk to us in our own language, “just in cases.” He has an accent (coming from another land originally), so it’s not perfect yet, but he can talk! Such a smart boy.
Handsome too. And Now . . . Oh, my . . . Vanna has already made the LEAP. She’s IN the barrel, scissor-kicking to the bottom (still in her pink nightgown ~ she was half asleep, got 
in late last night from her Euro-trash-type carousing 😜 and not in the mood to get into her mermaid suit) . . . over 2,000 little slips of paper with your names on them are whirling and twirling in a veritable vortex ~ it’s quite a sight ~~~ her long arm is coming up through it all ~ and now, she’s UP! And in her hand, between her long elegant fingers, each wearing a thin golden ring, her manicured nails painted with blue polish, there’s just one little slip of paper which she tossed in my lap, and headed off for the coffee pot. And SO, the winner of our darling Beatrix Potter Person AND wonderful book, which I will be personalizing IS . . .
C L Y D E N E D U R A N
And so that’s it! Can’t be too many with that name! The hardest thing about Giveaways is picking a winner. It’s a love/hate thing for me. Hard to only have one winner. But the “reward” for all of you who aren’t named Clydene is this: I thought I would answer the MOST-asked question on my Book Tour. I took questions at the end of each talk, and every time, someone would say, What happened to that little house? Do you still own it? What happened to . . .
Remember Holly Oak?
My first little house on Martha’s Vineyard, the one I wrote about in Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams?
The one I accidentally bought when I ran away from home, from California to Martha’s Vineyard, where I took my broken heart to start life over again?
The one that became like a dollhouse for me, like a toy, where I added a fireplace, and a bedroom, and put wallpaper in all the rooms?
Bibbity-bobbity-boo
And then got three kitties for it . . .
Girl, Bill, and Man Cat.
The one with the little “guest shack” in the backyard? Where the cows from the farm next door came to have snacks? That Holly Oak? Well, let me tell you. Here’s what happened: There I was, minding my own business, living in this little house, working on making a life, pretty sure I was meant to be alone and probably done with men forever, and then, out of the blue, when I wasn’t looking, what showed up but . . .
And believe it or not, I still managed to find two main things wrong with him: 1. He was a baby, too young, five years younger than me, and 2. Way too handsome, handsome being dangerous. But he was also a tall man, with a beard, a 6’2″ Leo who could cook. Everything I’d mentioned in my diary that I thought might work for me. Everything the tea leaves had told me he would be.💖
And he was persistent. Look at those eyes. Plus, as it turned out, he loved Christmas, and riding the train, and sailing on ocean liners, and fires in the winter, and he could fix anything and cook lobsters, so, tell me, what choice did I have but to snap him up before he got away???? After a year or so, we began to notice that Holly Oak was too small for both of us! Joe dwarfed everything and felt closed in, my art was taking over the house. Very casually, we began to look for a new place to live. And one day he came home and said . . . Let’s go look at a house … let’s go look at this:
Eeek, I screamed. And to make a long story short, we fell madly in love with this dream house, and have lived here since 1989. We bought it in the days when Island houses were affordable. Although we were turned down for two loan applications before anyone would trust that we could pay for it, the third time was the charm. Even we didn’t know for sure if we could make that payment, but I told Joe that even if we lived there for just one year, and then had to sell it, it would still be worth it.
And like all the people who’ve lived here since it was built in 1849, some part of our spirits will remain forever in this inspirational House of Creativity.
And every season is wonderful here. If we ever sell this house, we’ve already decided to offer it to you guys first . . . it would be wonderful if a friend who appreciates it would be the one to live here after us . . . so put that on your calendar. 😽
This was the dining room when we first moved in, complete with pineapple wallpaper . . . There’s a snippet on the left of my old bedroom curtains from Holly Oak which I made from tablecloths all those years ago. I STILL have the last fragment of one as the curtain in our downstairs bathroom. I baby it, so it will last, but it’s not long for this world.
And after a while, we redid the dining room and it looked like this . . .
There have been many wonderful parties in this house . . .
Something tells me it was all Julia Child’s idea!
The house has an old-fashioned pantry . . . there’s another fridge in there, plus the washer and dryer, and baskets hang from the rafters in the peaked roof.
And a great old kitchen . . . we bought the stove at a store called, of all the perfect things, “Stove Heaven,” and put in the wood floor, but almost everything else is original to the 1950s, when Dr. Bowditch, the previous owner, made the cabinets, the scalloped piece over the sink, and put “blue marble” linoleum down for the counters.
But in order to buy this house, I had to sell Holly Oak. So I sold it to my girlfriend Elizabeth! She and her husband owned it for a few years, but then they had to sell it too, and now it has a very nice woman living in it . . . who I wish would win the lottery or have some other wonderful thing happen so she would move to Paris and let me have my house back! I would have such fun with that house! I have all sorts of dreams about it.
And it looks like this! We were invited in to see it and have tea in the backyard . . . she’s really taken perfect care of Holly Oak. It still has the little porch Carlton built for me.
The shack is still there! “The size of two king-sized beds, half bed and half floor.”
And there’s the deck my dad built.
There were lots of things I recognized, some bits of old wallpaper, the writing I did on the wall, and the cupboards Carl made with the hearts in them. I don’t tell anyone where the house is, the owner has added on, so it looks a little different, and I was careful in the book to give the wrong directions to get there . . . Just in cases. I want the very sweet woman that lives on that quiet road in the woods to continue liking me and not take my name in vain. So that’s what happened to Holly Oak! I should have remembered to put all this in the Epilogue in the book, but I forgot. I’ll do it for the next printing.
And what have I been up to? Nesting!!! Taking deep breaths. Filling my vases with flowers. Reveling in the magic of an ordinary day!
Dreaming about our upcoming trip on the Queen Mary 2 . . . Carlton stopped by the other day to give us a present . . . that ship model! So it’s my newest stove-top decor.
And, we’re in the throes of planning a big ol’ birthday party for Joe! Rachel and Paul and Siobhan are all coming from England . . . if you read A Fine Romance, I’m sure you’ll remember who they are, plus about 100 more of Joe’s nearest and dearest, including Diana, Elaine and Elizabeth, coming from California. I’ll be sure to take pictures and show you!
Time to light the twinkle lights for dinner in the garden. I’m going to make something delicious, I just don’t know what it is yet!!!
Perhaps something like this . . .
Cicadas are singing like crazy this quiet afternoon, a sound that tells us it’s the beginning of the end of summer. It’s something we didn’t have in California, the cicadas high pitched noise, like a police whistle that never ends. A bumper crop of blueberries are beginning to ripen out on the dirt road where we walk, and the very first leaves, just one or two, have turned orange. Today’s my dad’s 93rd Birthday. ♥ I’ve been thinking a lot about him, remembering all the little things. Not to worry, I only feel blessed and lucky.
And in the meantime, I’m doing what I always do, staying on the sunny side of life.
Just about to start writing us a new WILLARD! If there is still anyone left who doesn’t know what that is, I would be shocked, but just in cases, click there, and you can read about my Newsletter that will just show up in your email (whenever I manage to get one done!). Sign up if you haven’t, and put your mom on too, and your BFF, because it’s free and this next one is going to be a dilly. All about our trip to England and Scotland.
Byee for now Girlfriends . . . Hope your August is wonderful! Start thinking about what you’re going to wear in Scotland, I think it’s going to be COLD up there! XOXO
Congratulations C L Y D E N E D U R A N!
Thank you Susan f♡r being an awesome friend to us all.
❌⭕️
Oh Susan I love your post they make my heart happy. And of course Jack says “Yes” because of course he is Jack. Love you Judy
He is Jack! xo
I love this blog. Thank you for giving me something wonderful to savor in my mind while I’m at work (honest! I’m working!). 🙂
😃👏
Oh sweet Sue, What another wonderful post. I’m sitting here in the glorious evening sun, sipping a gin and tonic and looking out at my pretty garden. Gonna put some procuitto wrapped shrimp on the grill and some corn on the cob as well. Simple simple things are the very stuff of life. Have fun planning Joe’s Birthday festivities and give the kitties a pat from me. Love ya. <3
I haven’t had breakfast yet, and that all sounds SOOOO good!
Susan, I always love your photos. Love to see the cats. Joe is absolutely gorgeous but then so are you. You made the perfect couple. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
Well, I guess I can uncross my fingers for the BP figurine – whew! My fingers were getting stiff. Congratulations to the winner! Still, I feel like a winner each time I read your blog. It is always entertaining, inspirational and beautiful. Looking forward to the next Willard and thinking about your wonderful upcoming voyage. As always, thank you for sharing your life with us. Blessings to you, Joe and the kitties~
oh yes. I forgot. Congrats to Clydene!
So wonderful your life.I love my life as well.All the little things that mean so much.God bless and keep us posted about Joe’s birthday doings.Mary Elizabeth
Susan,
So glad you told us the story of what happened to Holly Oak. I, too, wondered. You have such a beautiful old house now. What a find! Been busy with my gardening – canning pickles and freezing green beans. Have noticed the heavy dew in the early morning which to me means Autumn is coming. My most favorite season!! It’s been very hot here in Michigan this Summer. “Happy Birthday” to Joe and good luck with all the planning for the big event. I have confidence you’ll plan a spectacular celebration. Many happy memories of your Dad on this day too. Have an enjoyable weekend.
Jan
This is by far my favorite blog. I am always searching for my perfect doll-home. —Inspiration. Your sharing does just that. Inspiration—
Loved the story and adored your special place on the island. Home is where the heart is.
Your little Jack is too cute.
I have to tell you that little birdie that sings across your website gets a reaction out of my 3 cats every time. The ears perk up even if they are dead asleep. They know, it is mommy time w/the laptop.
Congratulations!!!
Thanks for the history of your houses. I have a story for each of the houses I lived in.
Your blog came at a perfect time! We have finished phase 1 of our remodel, & I actually have some treasured quiet time for myself😊It is always a treat to read your blog, a mini vacation for me. I absolutely love the little Holly Oak cottage as well as your current home. Thank you for giving us a little peek inside
Fun blog, as always. Thank you.
Sending a hug to you as you celebrate your Dad. He has a choir of angels singing Happy Birthday, I’m sure.
Looking forward to celebrating Joe’s big day with you.
all I can say is I love you Susan! & thank you for loving everything I love… how did you know? 💕💕💕
Always such a treat to visit with you through your blog! Thank you for sharing your life (and houses) with us! Enjoy the change of seasons!
I have enjoyed and shared so many of your adventures. You are precious to me. Thank you.
How did I get so lucky? XOXOXO
Thanks so much for the story of Holly Oak. It’s been a question in my mind since finishing Isle of Dreams. Such a major character in the book, who seemed to just disappear by the last volume of the trilogy.
But is the dirt road you now travel daily with Joe the same one you took from Holly Oak, or is it a different one. The pictures in Isle of Dreams seem similar to those you post these days, so I’m wondering.
It’s the other side of the same pond, the same, but different.
Thanks for sharing with all of us – I always love reading your blog! Especially on a Friday afternoon! And I love the cows in the backyard!
Susan, I sincerely hope Holly Oak comes back to you. In my heart, I know it will. Good things happen to you!
I can’t begin to tell you what a special summer I’ve enjoyed, and mostly because of you. First, your visit to Austin and the book signing at Book People. I’ve long waited to meet you, and believe me, you are even more special in person than I could have imagined. Don’t think I’ve ever met a more sincere, genuine person. You give everyone your complete attention, making each and everyone feel as if we’ve truly been good friends in your life. Do you know how special you are, Susan Branch?
My summer was filled with rereading each book in the trilogy for the second time. I’m sure I’ll pick them up again soon. It’s like visiting with a good friend. Truly!
And then, because you were going to be on the Cape, and because you told us about the Beatrix Potter Birthday Party, I set my alarm for an early wake up on the morning the tickets went on line at 8 am early in May. I was Johnny on the spot, securing tickets by 8:05 that day! I immediately phoned my friend who lives in Centerville, and invited myself for a visit. Oh, what a delightful day it was celebrating with you and the other 399 guests.
Of course a trip to the Cape meant a week of joy spent with a dear friend. What delightful weather with walks on the beach, long visits outdoors in the summer breeze, lobster for dinner, lobster rolls for lunch, a ferry ride to the Vineyard to spend the day, and a night of community theatre to see a production of Oklahoma. Yes, it was a perfect get away from the Texas heat! And all because of YOU! So thank you, Susan!
Congratulations to C L Y D E N E D U R A N! I’m sure she will give Jemima a good home. I smile at the thought of you loving your own Jemima with her mended neck. It only means she is well loved and truly treasured. She and I were born the same year, so I know how she must feel. Accidents happen to all of us along the journey of life. ‘-)
Oh, and I have to share my good fortune. We stopped at a small antique store before the birthday party in Brewster, and guess what I found? Vintage Beatrix Potter books with copyright 1904. I took home the perfect souvenir!
Enjoy the rest of your summer and safe and happy travels in September. I’m eagerly awaiting your trip.
Hugs from Texas ~ Sarah
LOVE the recap . . . I was right there with you the whole time, Sarah!! Congrats on the 1904 bunny books! Great find!
Lovely, just lovely, a wonderful story. You have a way with words and I love to read what you write. Thank you.
Thank you back Marilyn!
Susan I have worshiped you from afar for over 20+ years. You are so creative and warm and generous and funny! A great combination in my world. Wishing you every success. It’s well deserved. Love your blog.
Very sweet of you Vicki! xoxo
With all the anger, negativity and fear in the news today, your posts are such a delightful, heart-warming reminder that this world is filled with love and friendship and simple pleasures. All we have to do is stop long enough to savor those offerings. Thank you for the lovely reminder.
My pleasure, truly, I love where we are here, sharing that love and friendship! Thanks for being here Murl!
Thank you for this, Susan. It made me smile all the way through. Some day, Holly Oak will come back to you, I know it. Looking forward to Scotland along with you.
Thought I’d check for a new post from you….and ….wha-la…there it was! I’m glad that you are relaxing and doing exactly what you love everyday. I am so excited about ‘going’ to Scotland with you. A few years back my niece and I started joking back and forth that if she won the lottery, she would pay my way and off we’d go to Scotland. So, I said we should start planning our clothes. We emailed back and forth about our pretend trip to Scotland and even talked about it in front of family during a reunion. Another niece wanted to go….she would not believe us when we said we were pretending. We never
had this trip together but we sure had fun with the pretend planning. xo
Planning and looking forward is half the fun!
Sigh! Your messages are always so satisfying! Each better than the last, and the last is always so perfectly satisfying! We all know that Jack is smarter than the average kitty, but what an amazing a furry fellow to love you so much that he learns to speak your language out loud (as if his expressions weren’t expressive enough)! And, really, I don’t know why, but I am relieved that your very first Jemima will still live with you. Also, I LOVE the new-to-some-of-us photos of the two romantic leads of my favorite love story, thank you very much for sharing! Susan, with so many of us wishing that Holly Oak would belong to you again (has it ever really truly belonged to anyone else?), it seems inevitable that the current resident will find herself drawn to another home soon ~ it will be such great fun to see what you have planned for its future life. So I’m packing, and very much looking forward to our trip ~ do we have an itinerary yet? And a very big Happy Birthday wish to Joe!! xoxo
Dear Susan…welcome home:-))) love your new post…gosh…I love ALL of them.
Deepest condolence at the news of your Father’s passing away. He will be in all of our prayers. Your house looks so GREAT…just beautiful! So glad that your friends are coming from England..How EXCITING!! Now we’ll get to see lots more pictures. Jack is sooooo CCUTE!!!! Just LOVE him!! Enjoy this time at home as you will be leaving sooner that you think. Happy days and nights to you, your families and friends…and neighbors. love and prayers, Toni
Love this, Susan. Ties up all the loose ends in our minds about Holly Oak. Just love all the photos before and aft of both houses! We’ll hold that good thought about the nice woman moving to Paris! I’d love to see what you have in mind for Holly Oak. Miracles happen!! Looking forward to following you to England and Scotland. How wonderful that Rachel and Paul and all of your other friends can join you for Joe’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Joe!! Again, such fun following your blog. You continue to inspire beyond words. We introduced someone new — a GUY friend of ours!! — to your books today, and he was blown away!!! His comment: the artwork and photos hold your attention to the story! And he has ADHD!! Well done, you!!! xoxo
Excellent news dear Jane!!! Thank you once again, always love hearing from you!
So nice to hear from you…Love, Mary
If you ever buy Holly Oaks you could make it a rental for the girlfriends🏡 Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper on HGTV fixed up a house so their fans can visit Waco, TX.Theirs is a bed and breakfast. Happy Birthday to Joe🎂🎉 Can’t wait to see the pictures of the party. You inspire us with your ideas.
I might just make it into a baby Hill Top!
So fun to see what happened to Holly Oak! We often drive by our past home (s), the one we lived in for 27 years and raised our daughters in, and the one we left this past fall. The first has not changed much, except the new owner PAINTED my gorgeous cedar and copper arbor my husband hand-made for me, and it’s now an awful shade of pinky-coral – can you IMAGINE? I was horrified, wanted to knock on the door and ask “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?” :-/
But now, we are about to move out of an apartment and into our “forever-more” lake home! Only about a month away! I cannot wait to sit in the quiet and watch the birds and squirrels, hopefully see some deer and turkeys, but never a Copperhead! This will be our vacations, we decided we would rather have a vacation every day than one we would only enjoy a brief time then relive in photos. We aren’t very good at travelling, we decided.
That’s why I love seeing your travels! You take me along, and I don’t have to pack!
LOL! It’s always dangerous to go back to an old house you’ve loved!!!! Love the sound of your new forever-house Marianne! Congratulations!
Thanks so much for explaining what happened to that adorable little house – I’ve been wondering too! Your current home is just beautiful also – thanks for sharing pictures! I hope to visit Martha’s Vineyard someday. Maybe I’ll accidentally buy a house too (if I win the lottery 😊)
I really enjoyed the return to Holly Oak. It was so adorable when you were finished adding on and decorating. Just perfect! Now we have a trip (and a new Willard) to look forward to. Holy cow! Your blog always brings good stories and fun to us all!
And congratulations, Clydene!
Wonderful fairytale life! I love Hollyoak so much. You made it perfect! Happy Birthday in heaven to Blog Daddy….happy birthday to Joe! Thank you for the joy and inspiration you bring to our lives! xo
Lovely post, Susan. Fun to hear about Holly Oak and the plans for Joe’s party. You both must be so excited that Rachel and Paul and Siobhan and the California gals will be celebrating with you. Joe is getting “a little help from my friends…” turning 64. Congratulations to Clydene. You’ll be thinking of your Dad. That was a special day, 93 years ago. Hugs.
Rachel and Paul are very excited too, Elaine! Trust me…..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️🇺🇸Xxx
I think we can believe that! SO wonderful, been way too long!
SO many things to love about this post: the long awaited story of what happened to Holly Oak, the winner of the Beatrix Potter prizes, Girl Kitty’s ears peeking out above the cake pans, or the fact that one of us girlfriends could actually live in that house on Martha’s Vineyard. That last one—oh my–that will start a war for sure! Have you ever given a name to this home? Thanks so much for another beautiful blog post!
Yes, she is Spring Street!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the blog and all the photos. Enjoy your travels! We’ll all be waiting o hear about your trip and see your wonderful photos! Bon Voyage!
I love that you say, “just in cases”, from one of my favorite moments in Love Actually when Aurelia finally kisses Jamie (heart beat, heart beat – Colin Firth – sigh). Oh my, that sounded a little silly – but don’t you just love that movie! Thank you for another terrific blog – and congrats to Clydene!
Love it! Doesn’t sound a bit funny. I can never say “Just in case” now . . . always seem to need that other S!
Wonderful post – as usual!! Always enjoy our visits!! Love you!!
Congrats to the lucky winner!! I am really jealous…lol!!!
It was really warm in Scotland when I was visiting but it was the end of June…took all these warmer clothes and sweaters…did not need any of it……..you will love it …it is awesome there
The people,culture and landscapes…everything!!!!
Looking forward to the Willard post.
Kathie from Limerick
I’m imagining it’s going to be cool in late Sept, through the middle of Oct, but I’d love to hear from someone who knows for sure!
Thought it would be cooler than England…further up in the world…boy was I wrong.🎨🎨
Oh Susan! Jack is just adorable! Thank you for the “history” of Holly Oak! Love the Vineyard!!! My daughter-in-law had her first vacation there a week ago and now is buying lottery tickets so she can buy a home there! 🙂 It is a magical place and has a way of drawing you in so that you never want to leave! Love the end of the blog – Menemsha sunset – outstanding! Love ya! Asha 0x0x0x
See how dangerous it is to come here? Life changing! 😃
I can only second all the posts above mine. Your blog is a joy to read…uplifting,
joyful, compassionate & always keeping the values true that are important in life! I have the trilogy & 2 copies of 2, just in case I wear them out. I’m reading A Fine Romance for the 4th time with as much pleasure as the first. I hear music & all the sounds you describe as I read. I too have wondered what happened to Holly Oak & I am so sorry about your dad, altho I know he isn’t really absent.
How do I sign up for Willard?!
Thank you dear Carmen . . . and just click on the word WILLARD in the post, it’ll take you right there.
A new blog to read on a day when I really needed to be lifted up! Thank you, Susan for always being a ray of sunshine year round for the rest of us.
I can’t wait to come along with you on your trip to Scotland. I look forward to seeing and reading all about yours and Joe’s adventures.
Maybe one day soon, your Holly Oak cottage WILL be available for you again. I feel those wheels spinning around your head with ideas in reclaiming it as your own.
Take care and safe travels! Oh, Happy Birthday! Joe!
I loved how you described the drawing of the winner’s name. Fun!
Thanks again for the beauty and gratitude you share!
Even if Holly Oak is “under new management,” the thing it can do for all of us is inspire us – not to copy exactly, but to dream on, to aspire to. “A little house of one’s own” ….. maybe a year-round house for us empty nesters, or a cottage in the woods or by a lake for weekends and vacations for others. Not too big, plenty of cozy, quiet – except for birdsong and bee-buzz. That’s what Holly Oak is for me. Not a place of pilgrimage, but of inspiration.
…….. and in my imagination, I’m packing for Scotland, too – though not with ANY of the clothes in the article! Skinny jeans and pencil skirts? I guess I’m not a fashionista!
Don’t worry, that person was packing for the city! We’ll pop into the city, but for the most part, it’s all cozy countryside, fat pants, sweaters (jumpers) and shawls are what we’ll need!
Oh Susan! I just read this post to my mom because she is visiting me from Washington. She finished A Fine Romance (loved it) and now has her nose in Isle of Dreams (enchanted!) You have a new fan!
It was so fun to tell her I saw you in Denver at The Tattered Cover and that was my question about the little house, remember?
I had lots of questions but had to narrow it down to one.
You are a delightful and loving author/girlfriend/artist extraordinaire!
I do remember!!! Tell your mom I said Hello! And thank you xoxoxo
I love every little thing about your blog postings! It’s all so lovely! It helps me recover from the fact that a very fat, rude groundhog ate half of my huge patch of purple coneflower! He boldly broke down what he didn’t eat! But, your blog made me happy just the same! Thank you.
Rude groundhog! LOL! Sorry . . . I used to live with the curse of the gopher so I know how it feels.
Hmmmmm……we have a groundhog too, here in our new place, and something has eaten my flowers too! This happened while we were gone for a couple of hours. I had noticed something had done quite a bit of trampling about. I’ve seen him run from under my sun porch, through those flowers , and over to the neighbor’s, so I have him pegged as the culprit. Deer have been seen here, so perhaps one passed by. We have a bunny, but I have watched him, and he only eats one or two daisies. He is a polite little fellow!
aaaahhhh…..the HOlly Oak story…..so wonderful that good caretakers have enjoyed that cottage….and to honor their privacy (and yours), thoughtful of you…..enjoy your “beginning of the end of summer”…..and thank you again and again for all your writings and photos…..
celebrate,
Regina from Seattle
I, too, wondered about Holly Oak! Thank you for answering that question in such a wonderful and lovely way… lots of pictures and a story! I do hope that you have the opportunity to own it again someday – when the nice woman who lives there is finished with it, of course. One of my favorite things about you is that you cherish old, original things. Everyone seems to want to “update” their homes these days. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who loves things that are dated and old, but still function just fine. So, thanks for that! 🙂
We have houses being built in some places on the Island (hidden, thank goodness) that are like 20,000 square feet. How’s that for insanity? Imagine what it takes to heat them, electrify them. Awful in my opinion. Who needs that? Oughta be a law. 😜
I hope that you will be visiting Findhorn when you travel to Scotland. It is an extraordinary place which combines gardening and nature spirits and divine energy. It’s the perfect destination for The Fairy Tale Girl!!!! xoxoxo
We’ll do it!
Your style of story telling is just as FABULOUS as you are❤️‼️ Loved hearing about Holly Oak‼️
💗
I always have loved reading your blogs! So glad you finished the story about Holly Oak. I was wondering how you got into your current house. It looks like the perfect house for Martha’s Vineyard and the four seasons! Hope you enjoyed your book tour. Would have loved to meet you, but not close to any of the stores you visited. Enjoyed reading “Isles of Dreams” so much! I hated to hear of the different things you had to go through, but it sounds things worked themselves out a lot better than when you left SLO/California. Being familiar with that area after camping on the beach several times in Pismo Beach, it was so enjoyable to read about some places I have visited. We would go to the street fair in SLO every time we would visit Pismo. Sounds like meeting Joe was your destiny and you two have a wonderful life! My husband and I visited New York, Ireland and London in 2014. So I am looking forward to hear about your upcoming trip! Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Yes, it was destiny . . . I think so too. Had to be!
Congratulations to lucky Clydene! Susan, your blog is great as usual….I especially love the pictures of you and Joe (and, of course, Jack). What a wonderful love story! I love that you had a name for your little Holly Oak home. Have you named your beautiful big home and the one in California? One more question and that’s it………do you ever get tired? You do so much! xoxo
LOL, yes I do get tired … at night, and sometimes I treat myself to a delicious NAP! Maybe with Miss Potter playing softly in the background! Our house is Spring Street. In California it’s just The Studio.
Inspired by your book, A Fine Romance, and your recommendation to stay in Wirksworth (the superb Bradstones cottage) my husband and I along with another couple had an absolutely fabulous time exploring The Peaks. The landlady has a copy of your book on the window sill by the front door, open to the page about your visit there. She said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen called ‘cute’ before!” and also sends her regards. Sadly, Darcy did not come down for an appearance… We poked around in the little antique shop you mentioned and I managed to snag a teacup. 🙂 Keep writing and inspiring ~ our next trip is to Scotland in ’18!
I’m surprised about Darcy! He stood peering into that large glass window every morning! SO glad you enjoyed it . . . that was one of our happiest serendipities on the trip … just saw the sign, pulled in, got lucky and had a wonderful time there! We have a wonderful photo of ourselves with Jean. Were there still wildflowers in the field down to the lake?
Jean said Darcy was down by the other house… Yes, wildflowers in the field. 🙂 The one day we decided to take a walk up the hill we were abruptly turned away by a rather frantic Jean who said there was a group of bird watchers in hiding and we would disturb their quest!
Having traveled all over UK numerous times, this is one place we would definitely return to, especially for rest. Our other favorite “retreat” is Uptown Cottage in Dorset. Put it on your list for another time. 😉 http://www.updowncottage.com
Congratulations Clydene!
Susan, how was your Beatrice Potter party? I love both of your houses. A few years ago I bought a 1920’s cottage 2 doors down from my house. It’s a craftsman bungalow with a porch, big yard and deck. The original wide oak moldings are around windows & doorways, plus there are 5 panel oak doors with glass or old brass (patina) door knobs. I love this house. I decorated, painted, recovered chairs, & made white denim slipcovers. Then I asked my sister to come live there. We have so much fun together now. Someday it will be my sewing/quilting studio but for now we enjoy playing house and continue fixing things back to the 20’s.
In the past I’ve shared about my Dad’s struggle with Alzheimers. He was living with me 6 weeks ago, when he started asking for ‘my sweetheart’. So my nephew took him home to mom on the airplane. He quietly passed away early yesterday morning. We have all grieved and mourned him for the last 15 years, so knowing he’s at peace in heaven isn’t too sad. I still miss him terribly and am tearful, but its different now. Hopefully a cure for this horrible disease will come soon.
I enjoyed all your photos, especially Jack! My kittens Henry & Lucy thought he was handsome! They want to learn to talk too!
The Beatrix Potter 150th Birthday Party was WONDERFUL! Haven’t I shown pictures of that yet? I thought I did! I think I must have put them on Twitter. I’ve heard there was a video made of the event, I’ll see what I can do to find it.
I’m so sorry to read about your dad. Sorry and also glad that he is at peace. Sending love xoxoxo
Congrats to the lovely winner with the lovely name❤️ Thanks for telling us what happened to your first home that started your beautiful life in New England.
Wonderful to read this. Loved the pictures of your two homes. My daughter has just started Fairy Tale Girl and you now have a new devoted girlfriend, Hope!
Thank you for telling what happened to your little house. I have wondered, and I hope someday you can buy it back. It’s a dream house.
Love your blogs. Always have to make a special occasion out of reading them. I either sit with a nice glass of wine or lemon infused water with basil to sip while I read the blog.
Congratulations to Clydene!!! Thank you, Susan for the Friday afternoon blog. I’ve been working all day in the garage, in the garden, and I finally got a break. My copy of TEA TIME arrived, and so did your blog post!!! I’m just reading, and drinking tea. Kisses to Jack and Girl.
Love you,
Sheryl
if you want a new kitten that looks like Jack- we have a new batch- just breaking away from their Momma….so cute…a few gray ones too…and Momma is mostly black- lets see if I can get a photo on here….oh shucks I don’t know how to attach a photo on here….oh well- thank you for the new post….and Congrats to the winner…..happy for her….I am excited for your trip are you going to do another book?????? would love it- because of all your books – A fine Romance is my favorite…..I wish I would win a lottery- I would buy Holly Oak- love that little house…..Have a wonderful week Susan. All us Girlfriends love you dearly.
Oh did you see the new Beatice Potter Stamps from England? I received them in the mail today- along with a beautiful envelope with Beatrice Potter drawing of flowers and her signature…..you will love the stamps….I put a picture of them on the F.O.S.B. facebook page….
I hope they still have them when we get over there!
Thanks for showing us what happened to Hollyoak! It’s great to see that it is still in good condition. And it was such a pleasure meeting you when you came through Woodstock! Thanks again for doing that tour! ( I was the 25 year old girl who traveled 3hrs from Huntsville, Alabama to get to Woodstock). It was the highlight of my summer to meet you! Also, it was great to talk to Joe for about TEN-ish minutes! It was so awesome of him to come and talk to so many people who were waiting in line! ( I along with everyone else ther secretly really wanted to meet him too) I loved every minute of being at your book signing and had some of the most joyful, fun conversations with fellow girlfriends in line. It was such a wonderful day for me. Wishing Joe a happy birthday! He truly is “a doll”! ❤️
Thank you Lauren. . . Joe really enjoyed himself on this tour, wasn’t the shy guy he used to be, and had so much fun meeting everyone!
Just love your blog. I wish I could scoople up Jack and give him lots of big hugs and kisses!! His rubber band trick is adorable!
Lucky Clydene! Congratulations! I just love all of the pictures in this blog but I have two favorites, well three. Two are of Jack…one in ‘getting ready’ mode and the other with the ponytail band dangling from his mouth. Could he be any cuter? And then there’s the last one of the ocean. I miss the ocean and being able to hop in the van and ride down PCH to Huntington Beach or Seal Beach. But Ohio has prettier clouds!
Something wonderful about everywhere when we look! xoxo
Love this blog—chocked full of you , Joe , your homes that are so full of love & comfort ! What an adorable young couple you two were–& still are! Glad you get to enjoy playing house for a while before your next adventure !
Sounds like Joe’s Birthday is going to be extra special—hope we get to see lots of pics !
Love your books about your life. We now want to go on the Queen Mary to England. I am now another one of your new best friends!!
Vergene
Happy to have you here Vergene! It’s going to be fun!
Susan, I can’t fathom any circumstance wherein you and Joe decide to leave your house, but if you do I want first dibs!!! Thanks for the new post/ you’ve answered all my/ our questions about your first sweet cottage in the woods. And I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Ever since I read about this sadness I’ve been thinking about you and also recalling your blog about your charm bracelet. I also love charm bracelets so it was one of my favorites. I picture your dad presenting your mom with the cute cowboy charm– I think it said “fence me in”. I’m sure you have so many wonderful, warm memories of your dad and fun family times with him. ❤️❤️❤️
It did say that . . . I wore it just the other day!
Still smiling, savoring Jo Stafford and this latest post…so tranquil! Congratulations to Clydene, and now I’m off to find a copy of that book…and maybe a mouse reading the newspaper (being of a certain age, my memory of his name fails me; can you refresh it?). All my garden art creatures are reading books; seems like I should have a kitchen critter, following your charming example! Thank you for the really satisfying update on Holly Oak and for the inspirational raffle/drawing! Blessings to you…
Yes, he’s 1949 BP’s Tailor of Gloucester. Thank you Susan!
This is so strange!! I’m sitting in my sunroom re-reading “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams” and wondering what happened to Holly Oak and how your present house came about and voila!!! this pops up!!! Answered all my questions. You live an enchanted life Susan and I am so thankful I get to come along for the ride. Sorry I didn’t win the giveaway but maybe next time. Oooh, I hear thunder in the distance. Much needed rain on the way. A perfect ending to my day. Have a wonderful weekend Susan and Joe!!
Hi Susan, such a lovely post. Happy birthday to Joe! xxoo
Congratulations Clydene!! Wow!! Your dining room has come a long way baby!! Love looking back on how things looked in the beginning so you can see how it bloomed. I know just how you feel about wanting your first nest back. I still dream about my first apartment too and want that back. Looking forward to the next Willard and then the BIG trip. Happy to be home and Happy Birthday Joe!
It would be awesome to have Holly Oak back!
Congrats to Clydene!! You will surely enjoy your prize. I love Holly Oak. So glad she has a good owner. I love your home, Susan. It is so real, so homey, so lovely. Thanks for sharing with us.The ‘ber months are almost here….yay!! cause I am tired of the 100 plus days. I am ready for my second of Autumn. I love your blog. it is so cheery. I am sad for your loss. I enjoyed him on here…and in your book. Until next time….and Willard.
Hi Susan, I was one of the many who asked about Holly Oak, glad to here it’s in good hands. I just returned from Germany and Paris where my friend wanted to go, I wanted the Lakes, but she is older so Paris is was. We had a great trip and time in Paris, when to Monet’s garden. All the while in this big dirt city I was thinking I could be in the Lakes. Maybe in a few year who knows, I said to my husband when we where there in 2004 I just want to come here and walk the lakes, so the burning question is that book still in print or do you know where I may find one.
YAY to Clydene!
YAY to Deep breaths and Nesting!
YAY to reveling in ORDINARY days…and being still.
YAY to Kitties, First homes, Golden memories, Birthdays, and Dream Trips.
YAY to Families, Friends, Girlfriends, and Those not yet met.
YAY to Daddys that anchor our dreams and hold our hands while we grow.
xoxo
All exactly right, best reasons to celebrate! Thank you Beth!
It’s been so fun to read all your posts and all your wonderful books,
thank you for writing and sharing so much!
Looking very forward to your next book, too!
And on that subject, my big question is…
Will you share the story of the little beach cottage you had with us some day?
I remember mention of it in an old Willard, I think, with a photo of you sewing curtains for the cottage (??) So cute!
Would love to know the story about that house too…
In the meantime, I will merrily follow you along (in spirit!) where ever
you take us Girlfriends!
xoxo
Yes I will!
Yay! Thank you Susan!
Oh the excitement of the trip, the birthday party and more. You must be bursting with joy!
Have fun and thank you for sharing your life with all of us!
We have only just begun!
Karen Carpenter
So cute, the way you sign your name!
Thank you! It was fun to wait and wish to be the winner….!
Another beautiful post with the story of two very beautiful homes. Thank you for sharing them.
Lovely read! wishing you a wonderful Scotland trip….one of my favorite places.
Find a cool pub and listen to some wonderful Celtic music!
oh my gosh, M i n d R e a d e r:
I’ve been googling around just these past couple days trying to figure out what happened with Holly Oak – I was really hoping you still had it and were renting it out; what a delight to come in here and see THIS series of photos on just that very topic! I n c l u d i n g two in which the deck your dad built is visible – which was something so sweet and special to read about in MVIOD, and which I mentioned to you via tweet when you and Joe were on the train en route to Colorodo (oh btw, this is PortfolioCarmel from twitter, hi via blog comment!) – and THEN, at the end of your post, to read that TODAY is your dad’s birthday . . . well clearly his spirit is stirring up some magic in the ether.
Not least because MVIOD is sitting next to me, as I’ve decided to re-read it for the calming and inspiring effect on me it had when I read it last month (as you likely know, the Sobranes fire out here has, and continues to be, a tragic and dangerous situation; I was evac’d for a week with my terrified kitty who never ventures outdoors, but we are now home, so blessed to still have it, as so many humans have lost theirs, and so many non-humans, the bunnies and the deer and the squirrels and the hummingbirds and the trees . . . well it is all quite heartbreaking. Hence in part my taking refuge in the re-reading of your uplifting book. (I read all 3, but this one 1st). Also uncanny: while looking for info on Holly Oak, I came across an article in Yankee on your current lovely home, and the photos of the stove LEAPT out at me, and I had to google the name because I was so enamored with it, as I am with friends down coast who have an old reconditioned wedgewood – so to see your stove HERE, T O D A Y, is just phenomenal; what are the odds?!! (also uncanny to hear from a friend I’ve not seen in decades that he just returned to SF from a week on the Vineyard, and from another that she is there at Forever Wild). Also wondrous is the delightful steamer model you just received, sitting up there ON the stove shelf with the Tailor of Gloucester; love love love that tableau (I read A Fine Romance 3 weeks ago, and used to live in Somerset). I am rambling on about all this, incoherently, in an attempt to acknowledge the magic and mystery of ‘timing’, and also in an attempt to convey my Gratitude. It’s been a protracted stressful time, and words cannot adequately express the Life-Affirming, effervescent G i f t that your distinctive spirit imbues and extends rippling outward, in so many forms.
It’s heartwarming to know that today is your dad’s birthday, as it extends an element of Tribute to him, this appreciation expressed for his daughter.
How beautiful Paige ~ your words! Thank you! I’m so sorry about the fire. . . it’s awful, but I’m happy to hear that you and your kitty are safe. Imagine how our lives would be if all the powers that be contrived to feed our souls with positive words and deeds. XOXO
Thank you, and YES, I do EnVision that very thing – that “the powers that be contrive to feed our souls with positive words and deeds” – and I hail you for being such a Beacon and shining-light-of-example, manifesting that very thing. XOXO
So nice to hear that Holly Oak is in good hands; it looks wonderful and serene…if you ever got it back, maybe you can turn it in to a B&B and we can all take turns renting it from you. I think you would have a LONG waiting list. Sending love and hugs your way…wishing you a great and gorgeous August. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Joe – sounds like it will be a fantastic party!
I might make it like a little story house and let everyone come and look at it . . . if I ever got it back.
Thanks for sharing your life with us. With so much in the news and on social media that is negative and depressing, it’s a real treat to read something so upbeat and full of love. My cats-3 of my own and 5 whom I’m fostering for a rescue group until we find them a forever home- send greetings to your kitties🐱
Isn’t it wonderful to just be normal? Kitties are things that actually MATTER!
DEAR SUSAN,
I can’t wait to go to England and Scotland with you, You are so lucky to be able to spend so much time there. I just saw the most recent Victoria magazine, it features England and Wales. Love it. It also features an English water-colorist, I bet the two of you would love to meet each other, and compare styles and tricks of the trade. Have a safe trip and tell us everything so we can live vicariously through you.
LOVE SUE
Ps. Happy Birthday Joe
Congratulations, Clydene!! And happy Olympics, everyone!!
I SOOOO wanted to ask ~What Ever Happened To Holly Oak?
But I figured you would be asked that a lot, I was not the only one.
I knew if I waited, in some beautiful Susan Branch way, the answer might come.
Patience rewarded❤️🏡 Thank you ❌⭕️😍 Love the way it went!
Dearest Susan,
Happy Birthday to your Dad in heaven. My daughter is there too and I hear it’s a wonderful, loving place.
You are so lucky to have your handsome Joe, I noticed the ladies were excited to talk to him when you were signing books at the Brewster Baptist Church in Brewster…hope I am not telling on him….LOL! He is lucky too….you are an adorable couple.
I wish you a very safe and wonderful trip. I bet you can’t wait to get started.
Thanks so much for the interesting blogs. Looking forward to all your adventures and pictures.
I am so glad Holly Oak went to people who loved it! I always think about the house I grew up in and hope that some nice families enjoyed it the way we did! Thanks for showing us the lovely pictures of the houses, too! By the way, congratulations to Clydene!
Hi, Susan..Today’s my dad’s birthday, too.. 63rd… I knew that we’re kindred spirits ❤❤❤ And I was born in ’85… (cough cough)… Soooo….. pretty sure I’ll be buying your house one day (many, many years from now lol). I’m in love with it. All. Thanks for sharing the update on Holly Oak… I loved the pic of the deck your dad built.. It must’ve made your heart soar to see how well its been cared for. Have a wonderful evening.. candlelit, I’m sure 😊
Love to imagine you at Holly Oak!!!
I love Holly Oak! Everything about it and all the little details and hard work that you put into it. I’m in awe of your courage as a young woman to go across country and begin again. All that you do is so amazing and you are beyond gifted. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.The “feel good” feeling that I think we all must get when reading your books and your blogs and Willard really make our day. Keep up the outstanding work you are doing!
Thanks for the update. I too wondered about your lovely little cottage and if you walked near it when you walked down your “little dirt road”, now both have been answered.
Some years back you showed a photo of your green and white plates/dining set and I mentioned I had the same set which was my mother’s. Well Susan…it’s happened again. The yellow flower vase in this post…i have my mother’s and it is a greenish colour, a little mottled looking after all these years as the cereamic texture ages. Who’d have believed both items were from her wedding gifts and since I am the same age as you, mine would be over 70years old now. Small world.
Very small! xoxo
Dear Susan,
Your stories and pictures always warm the cockles of my heart! ❤️ Jack is such a neat little guy.. With such purr-sonality!! I hope that some day the lady who owns Holly Oak will sell it back to you. I know that you take the memories with you, but even still, it would be nice to be able to just go there any time you would want to….and sit on that beautiful deck that your Dad built for you. ❤️ I’ll say a prayer for your Dad tonite, and for you too. God Bless you and keep you.
💖Thank you Kathiellen!
Thank you for the update on Jack’s new trick. You may remember during your Q & A in Prescott, I ask you what Jack’s latest new trick was, and it wasn’t until you got home that you found out! LOL! Speaking of wearing warm clothing to Scotland, that reminds me of a wonderful TV series that I have recently been enjoying called Outlander on Starz. I hope you have a chance to see this before you leave for your trip, because I believe after seeing this and getting caught up on a little history of Scotland, you may see Scotland in a different and exciting way during your visit. I highly recommend it, it’s spectacular! And thank you for the exciting update on Holly Oak. It means there is always HOPE!! No dead ends there, and nothing is impossible! Love you Lots, Judy
I read the books and LOVED them, they got me yearning to see Scotland . . . but I wasn’t wild about the series. That first season (anyway, that’s where I stopped)… one show had like 45 minutes of skin removal by whip and that was it for me! What I see on tv or movies always feels real, I’m not good with graphic violence. I look away at car accidents too. I know, pitiful.
Hi Judy, I loved the books too, and being 85% Scottish, I dream of traveling there to stay for awhile. Like Susan, I wanted to love the series, but the gore got me. I cant watch scarey, bloody, guy type movies, or fighting. I get too anxious… must be my dna! ha!
Your DNA usually fights to the death, if you’ve ever read about Scottish history, you would do good to keep yourself out of traffic! 😳 You must have some extra something in there. Maybe Swiss ~ those smart people haven’t been to war since the 1500s! I’m with you all the way!
Yay, Clydene, you lucky girl you! One of my most beloved relatives was my Uncle Clyde. I wonder if you may have had a much loved Clyde in your family, too! Susan, you wove your magic again and made us ALL feel like winners with this lovely post. Hugs! 🙂
Ahhhh, another mention of leaving the house of creativity. I remember you saying once (I seem to recall once) spending your retirement years in CA. It certainly would be warmer, less of a snow hassle, less house to care for, all the things people our age gravitate to. I’ve never been to your beauty of a home, nor am I ever likely to be, yet I feel a sadness knowing that you and Joe might be leaving! The parts you’ve kindly shared over the years are as familiar as any friends home ~ I’m willing to bet many of us can remember all the dishes, knick-knacks, pictures, furniture, haha, all the wonderful details! (The weed growing up through a space was just so funny!) Well, all things have their season, and when the time is right for you dear people to move I know it’ll be difficult, yet exciting to start a new adventure! Thank you for another glorious blog Susan, I enjoy reading them so much! A big hug from me to you!
Ohhh, I don’t think we’d go to California, we need our seasons, the fireplace, and our dear old friends here. It’ll be fun to “do” a new house . . .! But we’ll see, we’re in no hurry. I just like to try on things for size way before they happen.
Oh good, no rush is always good! Well, before I learned you were from CA I assumed you were always a 4 seasons gal ~ seemed the right fit to me. I loved reading how you transitioned from the quintessential California girl to the snowstorm fighting, Volvo driving, fire building, bittersweet collecting, east coast dwelling person you became! I hope the rest of your Summer is everything you wish for as you prepare for “our” big trip ~ joy!
Thank you for telling us what happened to Holly Oak! I have been wondering! Happy Birthday to Joe! I am looking forward to hearing about your up coming trip! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
Another great post, Congratulations to the winner. Happy Birthday to Daddy Jack, Joe and me!! I’ll be celebrating on Sun. Aug is a great month for birthdays–no official holidays etc. We just get to celebrate all of the great Leo’s we may know.
Happy Birthday Kathy!
I so love ‘hearing’ from you..
just finished knitting up a shawl that will be lovely for Scotland!!!!!
I have always wanted cows to just wander into my yard…. my dream, come true for you! I betcha some of your dreams have come true for me. That’s what we do for each other…. dream for ourselves as well as all our dear ones.
Aren’t ordinary days the very best? Happy Ordinary Day!
As always, DonnaRay
Thank you for sharing this bit of history! I had been wondering about Holly Oak too!
Your blog is a breath of fresh creative air!
Your Kansas City friend (the Former Hallmark Artist),
Roseann Copeland (Cathi, also from Hallmark days) was with me at Unity. We enjoyed that evening so very much😀❣
I remember!
Congrats to the winner! If you ever get Holly Oak back, Susan, maybe you could rent it out to “girlfriends” for vacation getaways! But we’d, of course, have to swear not to divulge the location as part of the rental terms! Just a thought!