MUSICA!❤️ Well, first off, I promised you a photo of the wool coat I bought in England ~ the one I wrote about a couple of blogs ago … And I finally managed to remember to do it. And, btw, while out and about on the Internet, I happened upon a website in the English Lake District that sells them (just in cases you want one too! The label says, “handmade.”). It’s a wonderful store Joe and I visited when we were there called Stewardson’s of Hawkshead .
Welcome over from the new Willard if that’s where you’ve come from (he’s just starting to go out today ~ takes 3 days for him to get to every email box, so if you’re signed up, he 
should be there soon!), and if not, welcome anyway! As lots of you know, Joe and I are on the train right now, in our “room with a view,” actually in the beautiful Berkshires as I write, heading down the tracks for Chicago, then on to LA ~ and right now, out our window, is the most gorgeous sunset between the leafless tress and across snow fields! It’s kind of a miracle, to be on a moving train and writing you at the same time! I’ve been sending photos and videos of our views over to Twitter … hope you’ve been able to see them (you can click on the link and take a look if you like, you don’t have to join Twitter in order to see the pictures).
Yesterday, before we left (which was just this morning), I needed to do some ironing for the trip. I’m sure many of us remember our mothers starching clothes before they ironed them ~ rolling them up while damp, putting them in plastic bags and keeping them in the fridge until they were ready to iron. Seems so old-fashioned to us now! My mom did it, there were always bundles of ironing in our fridge, she ironed all my little sister’s puffed-sleeved dresses with starch, and taught me to do it too. And my dad’s shirts ~ we were all very crisp around our house. And it wasn’t spray starch, it was the real thing. Liquid starch, the kind she used, is hard to find, at least where we live . . . our supermarket doesn’t sell it anymore, I had to go to Amazon to get it. Mostly, these days, it’s used for crafts, but I have this linen jacket I was bringing along that is no good without good old-fashioned starch, spray starch just doesn’t do it. In fact, I have a lot of things I use real starch on. There’s actually a really good reason to do it! I’ll show you! (Jack, as you can see, was there for the whole thing! But he was more interested in . . .
. . . what was going on outside our kitchen window, than what was going on inside . . .)
So, just in case it’s been a long time, or maybe never, since you starched something, and just in cases you’d like to try it . . . here’s how. It’s really easy. First off, you can read on the bottle how much starch to mix with how much water to make the fabric as stiff as you’d like it to be.
I wanted my jacket to be slightly stiffer than medium, so I mixed 4 c. water with 2 c. starch in a very large bowl. My summer potato salad bowl if you want to know.
I swirled it around with my hand to mix it . . .
Then I put my clean linen jacket into the liquid and got it soaking wet.
I took it out and rung it out as best I could … then I noticed all that left over starch and thought, what else do I have? Then I remembered I’d just washed a dresser scarf from the bathroom and thought, perfect timing!
I like dresser scarves to be really quite stiff, so I added a bit more starch.
And in it went.
Then they both went out to the pantry to partly dry on the clothes rack. Soaking wet is not good for ironing, you want them damp. So while that was happening . . .
I wrapped birthday presents for my mom, we’re heading to California to celebrate her 87th birthday (on the 27th)! 🎁 She loves it when I wrap her things in my own paper, so I ordered some from Spoonflower, (the people I do the fabric for … they make all the fabric patterns into wrapping paper too!) which I’d never done before, I was interested to see the quality. And was happy because it’s the thick stuff! Very nice.🎈My mom will love it!
And then, for a couple of good reasons, I made a cake ~ An Orange Marmalade Cake, because Jack’s other Mother was coming from California to stay with him while we’re away . . . and we were making dinner for her . . . and also, because every time Lowely makes something delicious, she always brings me half.
And I wanted to do the same for her before we went away.
Which I did. She only lives two doors down, so I walked it over, and got a goodbye hug. The next time I’m doing a blog and NOT on the train, I’ll give you the recipe! It was delicious!
So then it was time to iron. And what is the first thing I have to do? I have to get Jack’s hair off the ironing board, unless I want to iron it into my clothes. The ironing board doubles as his perch at the pantry window to watch the world go by. So I got out my packing tape, laid a big long strip down, and moved it along until all his little hairs were stuck to it!
And now, I’m ironing. And it’s coming out beautifully.
Voila! When you starch something, it stays fresh looking so much longer. You can wear it and re-wear it and it doesn’t look wilted.
And that, in a nutshell, is why I love starched things. They last forever.
Here’s my dresser scarf, back on the table in the bathroom. Note shadow under table.
Old linens are one of my passions, loves, downfalls. The beautiful cloth, the delicate embroidery and the cotton lace ~ irresistable! Smoothing an old damask tablecloth onto my dining table is one of the simple joys of life. Lighting a candle on that table, where it almost reflects in the sheen of the cloth, is another.
Here is an example of starch and what it does. I haven’t ironed these in over 6 months. No one really uses them, because a terry hand towel is right there, so they are really more decorative than anything, but they look as nice today as they did when I hung them up 5 years 6 months ago.😜
These are the bathroom curtains in that same room, made from an old lace tablecloth, the last of the ones I brought from California when I moved into my first little house on the island. Starched and perky, I won’t have to do it again for a long time. You could never do this with spray starch. Not even with the one that says, “Heavy.”
And here are a few more linen things, just so you get the picture, which I’m sure you do by now! I should be a door-to-door liquid starch salesperson!
One more tip, and that is, you may have starched something a while back, like this linen jacket. But maybe it was crushed in the closet and got kind of wrinkled again. No problem…
As long as it’s clean, you don’t have to rewash and starch, you just spray on a little water, and iron, and it all that good starchiness comes right back.
And there they are, ready to go into plastic bags and into the hanging bag … yes, they will need a touch up when we get there, but it won’t be much! So there you go, adventures in ironing from the Heart of the Home! Pure
Okay, enough about ironing, how about some maple syrup? I LOVED your comments in the last post, like I always do, thank you so much.💞 And yes, we did stuff poor Vanna into our duffel bag, she’s here, fluffed out, head to toe in pink cashmere with a leopard faux fur collar (she knows how to be comfy), complaining because she broke a nail and there’s “no manicurist on board.” It’s okay, we’ll fly her outta here when we get to Chicago. Her and her “little pink zipper bag”👛 which we have had to find for her about six times now. She’s a princess. Not fit for train travel. We knew we would need her for the drawing for our Vermont Valentine Giveaway . . . and so, with no further adieu … Vanna? Come here darling… (oh, the look on her face😱) ~ here we go . . . the WINNER of this delicious Vermont syrup (I know because we got a bottle of this too!) is . . . . PAMELA TASKER!!!!! Congratulations Pamela! You will love this! Be sure to heat it up before you pour it on everything! Look for an email from me in your box . . . I’ll need your mailing address so I can send it to you.
And now, so it doesn’t have to end . . . there’s more . . .
Hello. Remember I showed you these cups I was designing a while back? That’s the one I designed on the left, my glued and pasted paper cup without a bottom. And on the right, that’s the sample they sent! Pretty darn wonderful if I do say so myself! So I did more!
This one is called
and it has Ms. Lambikins on it, amongst other recognizable doodads from my flora and fauna art repertoire. Plenty to read early in the morning when the brain requires quiet time.
And this one is called
for us, the normal ones.💞
Last but not least, we have “Little Things,” because 
All three are being made right now, of fine bone china, in the potteries, in England. Yes, real, bonafide English cups. ❤️ Each holds a truly magnificent 16 oz (if filled to the very top). I’m so excited. You who have hung out around this blog for a while, know how much I have wanted to do this. Finally, the time has come. They will likely be here in May, in time 
for Mother’s Day, if all goes as planned. And if you leave your name in the comment section of this blog,😁 you will be entered in a drawing to win one of these. There will be 3 winners, and the moment they come in, those winners will be the very first on our mailing list! And yes, just in cases you don’t win, they are available now for preorder. Which means, if we haven’t ordered enough, we should know fairly soon, and can get more into the works right away. After a decent amount of time, each of the designs are going to be retired, and replaced by new ones (I have so many fun ideas!) And the only place on earth where they will be available, at least for the foreseeable future, will be here in our web store. I hope you like them.💖
The last time I was in California, Joe and I were driving across country … I picked these two roses, one from my Grandma’s garden, and one from my moms. They sat on the dashboard of the Fine Romance Van the entire way. And when I got home, I took this photo of them. As beautiful as they were when they were first cut. In two days I will be in my mother’s arms. 💞 The dearest person, who was in labor with me for so long (72 hours) that a tiny piece of her soul broke off, and went into me. And that is the way it has always been and will always be. I feel so lucky. Thank you all for being here. Have a wonderful day! WILLARD’S on the way! I’ll be back soon!
The mugs are darling! I’ll be ordering “simple things” for me and the other two just cause they are so sweet! Have a wonderful CA visit!
Susan, not sure if you got my last reply about other people’s email addresses,sorry if you did. I am Debby. I am going to send this message using the persons name and address that is appearing in the lines below. I am not Priscilla. Peoples email addresses are being published. Thought you would want to know. Debby
Got it, and finally heard back from my computer person that is is a universal glitch, that the universe, not just us, is working to solve! So there we go! Hopefully it will cause no real problems! And thank you SO much for letting me know how it’s been working!
This really is sooooo weird Debbie! I too get Pricilla from Brooklyn N.Y.’s name and e-mail address when I leave a message! I am Kathiellen. I left 2 comments this time because the first one would not go through because it said that I had already commented before ( and I hadn’t ) so, the next day I wrote a second comment, and then I found that they DID print my first comment. I am now looking through all of the comments to see if they also printed my second comment. eye-yie-yie! NOW below where I am suppose to type my name, it says PATTI E. ( along with her e-mail address that I won’t print. It looks like things are still mixed up! I will erase the information below and type in mine…we’ll see if it goes through! Have a nice day!
Susan, Your mugs are adorable! These would make such special gifts for my coffee drinking daughters and friends. Thank you for this giveaway!
I love, Love all of your work. it makes me so happy when I look at it. Your new mugs are Beautiful and Happy. I would be happy to be in the drawing. Thanks.
While I do enjoy reading your blog, I’m mostly here to give something for Vanna to pull out of the hat. I’m going to dream that she pulls MY name, and then it will be, right?!
And WHEN (as opposed to if, you should note) she pulls out my name, I would love the Love Nature mug. My pedicurist would approve. She is so tired of the ONE woman from town who comes in with half her backyard under her toes.
So, I guess that means I should say, “thank you” in advance, too!
I love the new mugs…especially Ms. Lambikins!!! I never knew how much I enjoyed armchair travel until I knew you…I’ve loved both voyages to England…I never dreamed I’d get to go to Vermont and go on a sleigh ride…and now we’re on a train going cross country…thank you for including all of us in these adventures!!!
I can’t wait til the mugs come out – love them! One with tea things on it would also be great – or one with birds! So excited that they are becoming a reality! Thanks for the starch lesson. I have a lot of old linens & never knew they could be so purty with starch.
Oh Susan, I want every single one of the teacups that you are designing! They are so beautiful! How fortunate you are to be able to spend time with your Mom. There is no love like a Mother’s love. Wishing you a wonderful time and a Happy Birthday to your Mom. After all, without her, we wouldn’t have you!
Dear Susan,
My sister has been a fan of yours for years and now I follow your blogs!! I would love to win a mug and surprise her. Your adventures and tips are fun to follow. Enjoy your time in California.
Thank you for the starch ironing lesson! I never knew that type of starch even existed!! Now I will be looking for it in my grocery store. I’ve been keeping up with your train trip on twitter – seems so cozy. We are taking the train to Chicago in a few weeks, partly inspired by the train rides I’ve read about in your book / blog. Anyway, I can’t wait. Enjoy the ride.
Those mugs are really gorgeous. I can imagine how lithe one would feel in your hands and then the thin bone china on your lip when you take a sip! Ah tea! Is there anything better! Thank you for delving back into my memory banks and bringing forth the smell of liquid starch and a hot iron. Something from my youth that I have not thought bout for a long time, Mama ironing the very ruffly crocheted doilies that went on the “high fidelity cabinet.”
I do adore a beautiful mug! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!
Can’t wait to get your new mugs!
i really enjoyed reading your blog. Loved the plaid coat. Glad you are going to see your mom she sounds like a special person. The mugs you are doing look like they are of great quality.
I L♥VE your Love Mug!! And, I love and adore and respect and admire every word you write from the heart♥
The new mugs are absolutely beautiful ❤️. Have a great trip to visit your Mom for her birthday 🎂. Thank you for the chance to win a mug 😊
16 ounces of artistic heaven!
Not sure 🤔 my first comment went through. I just want to tell how much I enjoyed this post. And I’d love to win a mug……but I’ve ordered the little lamb one. My dear friend who is like a sister, will love the amazing amount it holds!!!! Did someone mention coffee addict❓
Happy 😊 BIRTHDAY 🎉 TO YOUR MOTHER ❣🎂🎇 Have a great train 🚂 trip.
Not sure 🤔 my first comment went through. I just want to tell how much I enjoyed this post. And I’d love to win a mug……but I’ve ordered the little lamb one. My dear friend who is like a sister, will love the amazing amount it holds!!!! Did someone mention coffee addict❓
Happy 😊 BIRTHDAY 🎉 TO YOUR MOTHER ❣🎂🎇 Have a great train 🚂 trip.
I adore the new mugs! It was 81 today in SC! Spring has sprung – in February! Have fun on your trip!
Susan, I have been collecting your fabrics and cookbooks for a lot of years. I always enjoy your writing and art. Its like a visit from a dear friend.
I’ve read all three of your trilogy and wish I knew you and your friends for real. What a beautiful uplifting group. Can’t wait for the tv series. Hope they are able to do you justice. Such an inspiration to all of us.
Need I say more, I think your mugs are going to be my new collectible. Have a wonderful time with your mom and family and all your beautiful friends. I hope you will make a stop in northeast Ohio again in the near future. I missed you last time you were in Hudson.
Much love and happiness to you and Joe!
Dear Susan, Hi from Houston, Texas 💕 I always look so forward to reading your books, blogs / Willards.. they are wonderful and take me to a much gentler time and I always feel I’m on the road, the train, and/or the vacation with you and Joe .. there are always the moments of Zen that come from reading your words. I wanted to tell you of another secret I’ve used and maybe you’ve tried it before, but if I put tissue paper on top of my clothes and roll them up before packing they unpack with no wrinkles, however I’ve never tried it yet with starched things… I will have to give it a try now… Wishing you a wonderful trip to and from California and precious moments with your with your Birthday Mom .. Love, Elise p.s. Love your new mugs and can’t wait until you’re selling them on your website … I’ll be the first one to preorder 😊
Are we over the mountains, yet? So exciting. Wish we had one of those “trackers” like the Queen Mary ll does.
I’m loving all the memories from the girlfriends. You are All so very special.
I’ll add my little tip for critter hair….those lint rollers, the ones with the masking tape segments. I assume they are meant for clothing, but they are marvelous for tables, ironing boards, just about anything. I even use them for de-crumbing the table cloth. Also, when I inherited all my mother’s and grandmother’s linen, I used bottled lemon juice to perk them up. Anyone else try that? I have my grandmother’s christening gown, but was afraid to try, so I took it to a shop that specializes in those very old things. Miss Winnie was born in 1897, so the long, long dress is 120 years old. Have my mother’s and mine as well. Of course Miss Winnie made them.
One more memory to share with the older girlfriends….We lived next door to my paternal grandma…Roxie Anna. She and Miss Winnie battled for years over my hem lengths. Miss Winnie was what we called…A Cat…not a prude! She’d make me the wildest, cutest clothes with the shortest skirts, just like Shirley Temple’s, to show off those ruffled cotton panties we all wore. My beloved Roxie, being a staunch Baptist lady, would take the dresses and let down the hem. Next time Miss Winnie rode the bus down to visit, she’d “harumph” and take them back up, muttering under her breath things that young ladies shouldn’t hear!!!! Love those memories, don’t you?
Oh, excitement, we are almost there, Yea!!
Love,
Debbie in Tampa…doing better for now 🙂
The roses are gorgeous. I used to hang mine upside down so they would become dry flowers. Flowers carry memories so lovely from family celebrations & when I look at those I saved, I remember the sweetness of the occasion. How lovely to have them from your Grandma’s garden, as well as your Mom’s. Have a very happy birthday Day celebrating your Mom’s 87th :).
Safe travels to California. The mugs look terrific. I do love your blog.
Donna
The mugs look adorable! Count me in for the drawing!
love the mugs! would love to have one!
Thank you for sharing about how to use starch. I have some vintage linens I would love to try it on. I like so many others cannot wait for the recipe for the orange marmalade cake! Your new cups are beautiful, I hope I win one! Enjoy your trip and wishing your Mother a Very Happy Birthday!
Dear Susan, reading your posts always brightens my day. It is like getting mail from an old friend. Time to have a cup of tea and sit for awhile to catch up on the news! I love the new mugs and would dearly love to win one. I hope you and Joe enjoy your trip and your sweet mom’s birthday. Safe travels! PS I wish you could order from your website using my VISA card rather than PAYPAL–I already have too many passwords to remember.
What beautiful mugs! I will order all three. Can’t wait to get them safe and happy travels😄
This post brought back memories of bags of starched and rolled linens and clothes in our fridge, too. And if my mother thought she wouldn’t get to them soon enough, they went into the freezer!
Your mugs. Be still my beating heart. I’m in love with the In Love with Nature one. Utterly charming. Morning tea tastes absolutely the best when sipped from a china mug with a thin lip. I’d love to win one.
Loved reading the latest Willard, just this morning, sitting in front of a fire whilst (that’s the English way) sipping tea.
Bon voyage! Happiest of birthdays to your mother.
Charming, beautiful mugs! How could a day NOT go well that starts with coffee from one of your mugs!
adore the mugs, so sweet…..
Susan: Thanks so much for the primer on using liquid starch. I’ve tried spray starch but hated the mess it made. I think I can find the liquid version locally and so I am going to give it a try soon!
Liquid Starch!! Petticoats that scratched! Oh golly how much things have changed. I was telling someone what “bluing” was a couple of days ago.
I must do my dresser scarves again! I hope so much I’m drawn to win a mug; I’ve loved your art for years 🙂
<3, Julie
Oh so beautiful!!!
Cutest mugs ever!
You have such a talent! I have been away from your items for a long time, but now I am back. I have collected many of your original books, gift wrap and calendars. Carry one of the pocket calendars in my purse. I just finished reading your first book “The Fairy Tale Girl” and have the second one sitting on my night stand waiting. I too grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and can relate to so many of your experiences, except I am an only child. The way you were raised, having a broken heart and how you felt and finding a NEW Prince Charming, but I call mine a “Knight in Shining Armor.” Your books are such a joy to read and I definately go to my “happy place” and get lost. Heading to California myself in a few days to see my son in San Jose. Thank you for doing what you do!
P.S. Sorry I missed you in Cincinnati. Will you be back?
I too would like to be entered into your drawing for a mug.
Your new wool coat is so very pretty! Love the cheery colors. 😊 And woohoo! The new mugs are wonderful – great size and so sweet. I can’t decide which I like best! So excited they are being made in England. Luv-lee. 💕☕️ Fun to read about how to starch. I never have but I may start! It brought back heartstring memories of sunny mornings when I was a very little girl and my mom ironing – that gentle smell of clean clothes and starch. ☀️🌻
Can’t wait to read the new Willard. Awaiting its arrival. 💌 Just a small request if possibly possible… could the Willard page be updated to include links to 2016 and 2017? That would be wonderful. I haven’t found a way to get to the 2016 letters I missed that didn’t make it to my email. Thank you. Best wishes for a wonderful trip! 🍎🌤🌈
Hi Susan,
I loved your starch blog. My Mom and my Grandmother were serious starchers and always used Argo in the blue and white box. I always have a box on my shelf, the apple didn’t fall far from the trees, and when I’m ironing my starched treasures I’m instantly back in their kitchens as that lovely fragrance of clean sun dried , starched linen fills mine. Happy Birthday to your mother and happy traveling to you and Joe. Love the cups, maybe I’ll win one.
So envy you on your train trip to California. And the mugs, perfect!
I like starch too, especially on old linens that belonged to my mother and grandmother. Love the new cups and I would give one a good home! Safe travels and enjoy visiting your mom.
I love the mugs! So cute.❤️
Safe travels!!! Love your blog!!! I would love a mug!!! Thanks for good reads!!! Lori Loree
Oh, those adorable mugs!! How fun to sip your tea and smile at your beautiful artwork! Enjoy your journey and time in beautiful CA! Safe travels!
Susan,
Your mugs are so darn cute! I love them all! If I won one it would be a special day indeed!
Have fun in California and enjoy your time with your mom 🙂
You must have a zillion friends – you are so much fun, and it’s so much fun to read your posts! Everyone feels like they know you personally! Miss my Mom now – sure enjoy hearing about your Mom!! Have a great time with her in California!
…as always, Susan, thank you. Safe & Happy journeying to you and Joe.
Your new mugs are wonderful! I thank you for always inspiring me with your words and pictures.
Susan, the cups are delightful! You did a beautiful job designing them! Can hardly wait until they’re here!
Love your new mugs. Wish I could preorder one now but our finances don’t allow for something that decadent right now.
They really are so pretty 🙂
I hope I am a lucky winner of one of your datling cups!!!!
I hope I get picked as a lucky winner of one of your adorable cups!! Thank you.
I love reading your newsy blog! The liquid starch tutorial is inspirational. I may have to try it. I love your new mug designs! Enjoy your California visit!!
Love the new mugs!
Can’t wait to make the cake in the Willard!
Hi Susan,
Know you are enjoying your train trip 🚂 They are a great way to travel. Another special train trip you would enjoy goes from Toronto to Vancouver, BC. 🇨🇦 My husband and I took that trip getting off at Jasper, Alberta for 3 days before going on to Vancouver where our daughter and her family live. We especially enjoyed meeting interesting people when we ate in the dining car. The food was great too. We also loved the observation car so we could see the beautiful Canadian mountains 🏔, lakes 🏞, and plains. Have a wonderful time celebrating your Mother’s birthday. Your presence will be her best present🎁. God bless, Sarah
I am in love with nature and your art Susan. The new cups are adorable! I love how you showed us the paper one:) with your original design. So creative and clever. I am an artist too and LOVE being one. Enjoy your trip. I used to ride the train when we lived in Chicago. Anne
Lovely cups. They are perfect for special gifts for special friends or one just for me.
The cups are lovely. I have a similar one from England that celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday.
Thank you so much for the starching tutorial. When you spoke in Salt Lake you wore a nicely crisp linen jacket. Now I know your secret! I can’t wait to get my bathroom curtains and dresser scarves in better shape. I’m an ironer so this tip is appreciated.
Have fun in California.
You brought tears to my eyes with the beautiful comments about your mother. Have a safe trip, BTW, LOVE the mugs!!!!
Love, love, love those vintage linens!! I think vintage tea towels are the best:) And your new mugs are just lovely!
What beautiful mugs. Look forward to being able to buy them. Marie
Susan, I would love to win one of your beautiful cups. Thank you for the tips on the starch. Need to buy a new ironing board cover and try it.
They’re making much cuter ones these days, not just those old drab silver ones!
Safe travels…lovely mugs…cute coat…starch in the cupboard…hear the train whistle now and yes they still blow where I live…I cried while watching the sleigh ride video…not sure why but it invokes a simple joy.
We’re on the train right now, and I too love the whistle.
Beautiful mugs! I treasure the bone china tea cup I already own (with a kitty on it, no less). There’s room for another (hint, hint) in my cupboard. Enjoy, the time with your mom. My mom is 95 and I am so lucky to still play no-score Scrabble with her.
You really are!
Hoorah! We are on another journey and can ‘t wait to meet your Mom and wish her a very happy birthday. Linens, tea cups and a really great wool coat – some of my favorite things. JudyC
I love the mugs…so sweet!
I agree, all spray starch does is leaves tiny white things on your clothes. I’ve been embracing the ways of yesteryear more & more…proof they do work better & save time in the long run.
The mugs are so adorable, I ordered the 3 set, because that was the only way to get the first one, since it was sold out for individual sale, & decided to give my 2 daughters each one! They’re in their early 20’s & I’m putting together for each a pretty things box for each, family heirlooms from mom, mom in law & the grandmas, & just pretty things I find at vintage, or resale shops..If by chance I get graced with another cup, I have a special friend who unbeknown to her, has inspired me in so many ways to start following my inner self, that I will gift it too. Wishing you & Joe safe travels & love the tweets from the train!
“Willard” came just in time to chase away the winter ‘blues’. Happy travels to you !
Lovely new mugs. So good to know they will be produced in England!
YOUR MUGS, YOUR MUGS!!! I love them so much and am so happy for you. They look perfect… perfect size, perfect thinness, and perfectly decorated. I am sending out a note for my brothers to preorder for me . They always want to get me something of yours and complain that I have everything already. Just didn’t want you to think I wasn’t ordering. (not that you would notice:)) I know they will be a great success!
Darling coat and I enjoyed seeing your linens so much. I love the cross stitch/needlepoint with the 2 sheep for you and Joe. Is that Joe a mustachioed Joe I see?? He is so cute:{) I am also in love with those curtains you made I have loved them since you first told us about them and I scour ebay for the pattern. No luck yet, but it is bound to happen. I have placed an order for the starch. I can’t wait to use it on my linen things. I had never heard of it before. I love learning about all these cool things from you. THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH
I am just back from a productive morning of estate saling… set of Carolyne Rhoeme seasonal books (they said traditions, gardening, recipes, and decorating I was sold at traditions. She’s got nothing on you though), a tiffany crystal bedside table water set, a brass stag candle holder and a copper fox hunting horn. I said I better go see what Susan is up to after we got back and Tom called me a Susanbrachophile. Luv it. 🙂
What you said about your mom made me cry What a wonderful daughter you are. Hoping you arrive soon and safe and enjoy all your time in Cali. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES to your mom and a train load of thankful hugs too because of who she is and was… there is you. Willard was wonderful and can’t wait to here about your Hollywood meeting if you are allowed to tell us anything:)) Loving twitter from the twain too Thank you for making all of our lives better just by being you. You touch and inspire so many. xoxo
Love the mugs, what a sweet idea! Your creativity never ends!
Snowdrops are my favorite! So cute in tiny vases. My dad brought me a beautiful tiny China pitcher in a green and white pattern I love to display them in. Your new mugs are beautiful! So you! Great size for a mug of Yogi Egyptian Licorice tea, my favorite.
Love the mugs, way too cute! I never knew about starching things – I could have saved so much time with my vintage linens! Love yours and thank you for the instructions!!
My First Born Shares her birthday day with your Mom.
Such a very Happy Day to her!
87 years!
Safe and Happy Travels!
It always makes me feel so happy when I read your books or anything you have drawn or written. If I’m having a bad day and I pick up one of my Susan Branch books it makes the day so much better. The mugs are gorgeous, just like everything else. Thank you for being in my life through your thoughts and beautiful pictures!
One of your lovely mugs would be a much loved prize…. hope I win one!
Reporting in re arrival of the Willard today. Nicely done and love the scarf you are wearing at the end, AND the coat at the top of this blog posting – beautiful. The cups are delightful and hope I win one! Thanks for taking us all with you on the train 🙂 Have a wonderful visit with you Mom. I hope she’s happy in her sort of new place. I KNOW she will be so happy to spend time with you. Can’t wait to hear about The Script developments. EEEK.
Hi Susan. Your mugs are adorable and I would love to win one. I am so jealous of your train adventure. We took a train from Chicago to LA and the next year from Chicago to Washington DC. I love traveling by train. Have a wonderful time!
Sandy G
Starch. Don’t you just love that word and the way it sounds? I certainly remember liquid starch and thought it had disappeared. Glad to know it’s available on Amazon. And don’t you love Amazon (Prime!)? We on the Cape don’t always have access to all the mall/specialty/even Targets & Walmarts so Amazon is a blessing (esp. when you’re not crazy about shopping, anyway.)
Thanks for a chance to win a mug!
Safe travels, “Miss Beautiful Light,” I love to think of you on your train journey. This past summer I took the train from Toledo to NYC with my daughter Elizabeth, my redhead, an actress who is finding her way there…..
i would love to win a giveaway cup! will order anyway. so cute !!!
So good to see Willard in my inbox. It is in the 70s here today in Virginia and we are having a thunderstorm in February! So, while we watch this storm go through, I thought I would check my email and here you are. The cups are wonderful. They are something that gives my heart a lift. Thank you for the starch tutorial. This is not something that I have ever used. However, I do love and own some wonderful linen items that get that ragged look on the first wearing. This is great information!
You always make my day!! Thanks so much!!!
You design some of the most special items. So gorgeous! I would love to win one of your newly designed mugs, as my grandmother and I used to drink tea out of her “special” tea cups and listen to the rain on the metal awning over her large picture window… This was all of about 40-45 years ago! Grandma has long since passed, but every time I drink tea while listening to the rain, I think about her and her special tea cups. I would love to start a tradition with my own granddaughter and MY special tea cups!
How wonderful that you are spending time with your sweet Mama an her birthday! My Mom passed away almost 20 years ago now, she bought me my first Susan Branch cookbook and I think of her every time I open it. My Dad is still a very BIG part of our lives and we love him so much! Today is his 79th birthday! We have a special birthday dinner planned. My daughters (at ages 19 and 22) love to spoil Grandpa!! 🙂 We cherish every day with my Dad.
I hope you have an absolutely wonderful time on your visit.
Happy Birthday to your dad!!!
Susan, those cups are adorable ! Happy Birthday to mama, and safe travels!
Thank you for making the mugs 16 ounces! They look wonderful. Oh yes….please…..a kitty mug featuring Jack!
Love, love, love the mugs! Which one to get? Maybe all three? It’s so hard to choose.
Enjoy your train trip. Such a lovely way to travel and see our beautiful country.
Cool coat! I can see it with jeans, Jean skirt, corduroy’s, etc etc.
your mugs turned out gorgeous! I really like the Lamb-y-pie one!
Give Mom a hug for me😍
I would love a mug to give my aunt, who introduced me to your work many years ago. 🙂 Congratulations on the mugs, and happy travels! Also, thanks for the starch tips–I need to get some for my old linens.
Love the mugs. I tried to pre-order but it said they were sold out. I sure hope you get more. Thanks, Connie
There is nothing but pure sweetness in those mugs! They are adorable! So glad you get to see your Mom. Always precious times!
Oh the mugs are divine!! Must have, but will have to make sure my college guys at home don’t use it… don’t laugh they grab any old mug for a chug of water!
Please pick me Vanna!!!
I have always been a fan of your work and think I have all of your books. Had to chuckle when I started reading “A Fine Romance” and saw you are a descendant of Gov. William Bradford….me too! And there must be tons of us!! Love your new mugs!
I have lot’s & lot’s of old linen. I agree with you about how great starch is. I love the new mug’s. Please design lot’s of them.
loved your sleigh ride travelogue where i got to enjoy the new england views and pristine snow here in warm/no snow maryland! and such lovely mugs! oooh hot chocolate and cookies to dip in such a beautiful china mug! and do post the orange marmalade cake recipe…looks scrumptious!
Susan,
I love, love, love your new mug designs. I am so glad you searched for the perfect supplier. Yes, we do NOT want mugs made in China!
Love your blog. Thanks for sharing little things in life that would help someone else enjoy each day a little bit more! So happy you are visiting your Mom, EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS!
Enjoy! Cheers!
Susan, those mugs are beautiful!!! Would LOVE to win one!!! Thanks for taking us along on your trip to celebrate your mom’s birthday. Hugs from north Idaho!!!