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!
Enjoy the train ride! Safe journeys!
I’m loving the new adventure, making mugs -like you said filled up with your favorite beverage of choice and all is good with the world! They are great. Please enter me into the drawing.
Thanks, Denise
Safe travel and may God be with you and Joe. Loved the Willard, new mugs, music, and starch instructions. You are a joy to “be with”. Thanks for all you do.
Hope to take a train trip myself. Enjoy and nothing is taken for granted.
Esther from Gettysburg,PA.
Susan, just love the mugs. I have ordered one, but if I win the other, i know exactly where its going. My Aunt Carol introduced me to your blog years ago and it has been the joy of our conversations when we do get the chance to get together. Have a wonderful trip!
That starch brings back many memories of my mom! I’m so excited for your new mugs! Can’t wait for them to be here. So wish my mom was still here so I could order her one for Mother’s Day. I will just have to get one for myself in remembrance of her! Hope you are having a lovely time in your California home!
Becki
That is a very sweet idea, in remembrance of your mom. xoxo
These are the cutest mugs.
Safe travels, and happy birthday to your mom. (My mom will be 93 this coming Friday!)
Say Happy Birthday to your mom for me!
Love the mugs. Also, I did not know this was how to starch clothes,etc. Thank you for showing us! I will be trying this.
As usual, your work is beautiful. The cups look charming. Have a lovely trip!
Love, Love, Love the mugs! I can see myself using these every day. So happy that you are going to be with your mother.
The mugs ARE DARLING ! I love them… I have always been a coffee cup connoisseur.. There use to be a coffee company called Gloria Jean’s they had the biggest selection of fine bone China cups … that was a long time ago ! Enjoy your trip !
Lisa Kay
Have an amazing trip! I love your mugs! You are the one who got me addicted to Emma Bridgewater mugs! I am a tea drinker and a mug collector! Cant wait to own one ( or all!) of yours! Happy Birthday to your Mom!
Will always love Emma too!
Oh Susan,
Love the mugs! I collect mugs- my cupboard is filled with them. It is such a pleasure to open the door and think, “What mug will cheer me today?”
You are such a life brightener with your blogs, Williard’s, and art work. We all hope you continue your cheeriness for years to come!
Safe travels,
Barb from Ohio
Thank you Barb!
I’m jealous! Train travel is my favorite way to go. Have you taken the trip to Seattle then down the coast? It’s beautiful.
Your cups are amazing! Can’t wait to get them.
Yes, I remember bags of ironing in our fridge in the 60’s. Especially all our church clothes & school dresses. I love linen, but forgot about the starch! Amazon to the rescue again. Happy travels!
Yes, I got to do that trip a few years back and it’s really the MOST beautiful of all the trips I’ve been on. I came in through Montana for one thing, and then from Seattle, we went south, and the whole thing was gorgeous. Thank you Holly!
They are the loveliest mugs! Can’t wait to see them in person! Happy travelling and Happy Birthday to you mom!
Love the pictures of your mugs……you’re right….something to read in the morning while I’m still half awake and sipping my tea:)
Happy Birthday to Mom
Happy birthday to your mom:)
thanks for the info on the starch! any tips on the care of vintage quilts? LOVED your Vermont blog too! I must come see your New England:)
OOOH MY HEAVEN! Such a dreamy delightful givaway! Your beautiful cups made in ENGLAND! Such a treasure these will be! Please yes please enter me❣
Such a cozy, homey post! Can’t wait to try starching my table linens. Mentally planning my Easter Dinner table now… candles, fresh flowers, bunnies and chicks. Have been armchair traveling with you via “Tweets from the Twain”, and reminiscing about my high school graduation trip on Amtrak from Southwest Nebraska to Anaheim California. What an adventure for a group of farm kids! Would love to have one of your mugs, Susan. They are just charming!!!
Thanks for the starch tips. I love my linen shirts and will try it on a few to see how I like it. The mugs are so sweet! I never win these things, but it’s worth a try. So glad you finally got to do this!
ABSOLUTELY! cherish reading your blog–wishing you a safe and wonderful trip. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh my! The mugs are darling!!!
What a great memory for this child of the 60’s!!! Mother loved to iron and I loved to watch her 🙂 Happy train ride!!! P. S. Your lovely cup would look perfect in my kitchen cupboard!!!!!
Love the artwork on the mugs! Hope to get one 😀
I’m in love with your new mugs! They are things of beauty! I would treasure one-especially “The Little Things!”
You have inspired me to starch certain things-that need it to be as beautiful as they can be! Thank you for your blog! It brought sunshine into my day!!
Love the mugs! I think the the cross country trip sounds like such fun….almost as much as the one on the Queen Elizabeth. Happy and safe travels.
Wow, I had forgotten all about the bags of clothes my mom would have stashed in the fridge on Monday for ironing day which was Tuesday. Good memories, thanks.
Just looking at those mugs causes me to daydream.
Watch “Crownies” on Acorn TV. It stars the same actress as the lead in “A Place Called Home.”
And here I thought that I was the only person in the world who still likes starch!
We have been watching Crownies, for that very same reason!
Oh the mugs are darling! 🌼🌻🌺🌸. What a sweet Mothers Days gift for my dear momma! Enjoy your time in Ca.
Thanks for the lesson on starching, haven’t done it, but I will! The new mugs are delightful, especially the Lambikins one! Have a most wonderful trip west–
I absolutely love your calendars, blotter, blog and site. This time you brought me spring! And memories of my sweet mom and how much I miss her. You are so lucky! I think if we lived near each other we would be the best of friends!
I may not be able to tell you every day but thank you. Thank you for the beauty of your art work and words. Thank you for all you share.
Have a wonderfully, beautiful trip and give your momma a hug for me.
Dot
P.S. – Love the new mugs!
oh….help….I did send a message, when I think there were 7 comments on hand….but, I have spent literally hours, looking for “me”, and to see if there was, by any chance, a reply from “you”!!! (which is always more of a HUG than you can imagine..).but, I seem to have been put into cyber-space???? at any rate….LOVED the starch pc, and LOVE the Willard!!!! thinking of you & your dearest Mom constantly….do have TONS of hugs…and, let her know that LOTS of them are from all of us, as well as her dearest-daughter!! take care & be blessed…all of you!!!!!! xoxoxoxo
Yes, there was Chris, and here’s another! You’re there somewhere, I promise, but happy to see you again! XOXO
Thanks for adding to my spring fever! We love the same things.
After reading your latest e-mail I am just going to be forwarding it on to my girls and tell them – in amongst all this lovely writing are a few gift ideas for you to get for me for Mothers Day, my birthday and Christmas! It will be like a treasure hunt for them and they will also see why I love Susan Branch so much!
As usual, Susan, I am inspired and happy after reading your blog. I love to iron and your blog reminded me of how my mom taught me to iron my daddy’s handkerchiefs wet and cold from the “icebox” in the basement. She had an ironing board and her sewing machine set up in the laundry room. I stood there and marveled at how beautiful those handkerchiefs became as they became crisp and perfect under the hot iron. I will never forget it. Those home times and childhood memories sustain me. Love your new mugs and can’t wait to get one, two, maybe all three! Thanks so much, Susan! Enjoy your trip cross country!
I love the new mugs!!! I truly love the starching lesson. When I was growing up my elderly neighbor hired me to “help” around the house. She had me hang her sheets in winter so they would freeze. I would then bring them in and iron them once thawed and slightly damp. They were the softest sheets to sleep between and smelled wonderful!
I love the mugs, especially the Little Things one!
I just love getting your newsletter. It’s a highlight of my day. Puts a smile on my face. Please enter me in your mug give away. Thank you. Hope I got the right post for this.
Thanks for the liquid starch idea. I’m going to try it! Have a wonderful trip and safe travels.
You are my escape. Thanks.
Susan,
The mugs are wonderful! What a great way to start a day with a smile at something so lovely.
Looking forward to ordering one for my daughter-in-laws first Mother’s Day!
Oh and have a great trip – can’t wait to hear about the meeting with the screenwriter! Yikes!!
Lynda
First Mother’s Day. That must really feel like heaven!
Hi Susan,
My husband shared your a link to your blog about the Nuns who handcraft so many lovely things with his small email list of about 200 people. He really liked the hand made beeswax candles.
As a web designer/developer, I fell in love with your books. Hand crafted, so rich you have to read them twice or thrice … enjoying the art, the quotes and the story. Thank you for creating them and sharing your life!
When I share them when a friend, they insist on taking your books home. And I happily let them. Victoria, didn’t want to let go of A Fine Romance …. she tried to buy it from Amazon. And she will be delighted to know it is being re-printed. (P.S. She graciously returned it, being the lovely lady she is).
Looking forward to seeing your new English Made! bone china cups. How exciting!
All the best,
Deborah
I’m sure the sisters will be delighted that people are sharing their story with their friends! I am too! Thank you and thank your husband for me! xoxo
Greetings Susan!
I just love your mugs…particularly the “Love” mug!!! I would really appreciate being entered in the contest for a mug…..
Thank You…
I love your way of seeing things. It lifts my spirits. Thanks for being there!
Safe travels and happiest birthday to your Mom! The mugs are perfection! Bone china and made in Britain. Simply all the best to hold a delightful cups tea!
Safe travels! I love the new cups I can see myself drinking my morning green tea in one😊
Yes, I’m guilty of having the bag of ironing in the ‘fridge — and am also familiar with liquid starch. I specifically remember my mom starching many things, including my dad’s khaki work clothes. Very heavy fabric and difficult to iron. After we were married, my sister and I lived down the street from one another and we used to get together in my big living room and iron together, hanging the finished items all around the room! Rewards! I’m still the owner of a “puffed sleeve ironer,” an egg-shaped metal device that could be attached to the end of the ironing board, plugged in electrically, and was magic for ironing puffed sleeves beautifully for my three little girls. Memories of days gone by! I live in California, so welcome home for another visit.
Oh, how I would love a mug ❤🐇
Spring is still hiding amongst the English wind and rain, but the tell tale signs are there…..
Snowdrops, pussy willow and fluttering catkins. No lambs yet though.
So pleased you found a good old English company to produce your delightful mugs- where else would be appropriate for that welcome cup of tea?
Enjoy your trip and have a lovely birthday time with your mum.
English Rose
The cups are lovely!
Love getting the Willard in my inbox. Also love the coat you brought back from England.
Love the mugs!!! Enjoy your trip…I love train travel too…we went from Montana to Springfield, MA. , many years ago, with 6 of our 7 kids, to visit my family….we all loved it! It is such a relaxing way to travel….take care!!! Safe travels!! 🙂
I love you! Your art your books your attitude❤
So excited for mug happiness! The love affair between me and hot bevvies is real and, I like to think, mutual.
Hi Susan,
I just love your blog. Happy Birthday to your sweet mom!
LOL over the starch. Yes, I remember clothes in our refrigerator.
Remember the metal frames for pants. Were they called pants stretchers. I remember my Dads pants on them. I hadn’t thought about that in years. Enjoy your trip and thank you for making me smile.
The new mugs are really cute!
The mugs are perfect!
So happy that you’re “branching out” with the mugs! My sister and I are so excited–they are perfect!
Beautiful mugs! Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you Susan for being a warm sunny back porch spot on a February Sunday afternoon!
I thoroughly enjoyed Willard and then hopped over to your blog for dessert. Thanks for the inspiration from your artwork, choice of quotes, and sharing of the fruitfulness of your. English mugs! I can’t decide whether to take a nap and dream of all the wonderful things you showed us…or whether I am ready to take on a few tasks of my own as I survey the bounty of projects calling my name. Win/win either way. Enjoyed spending my afternoon with you!
My mom turns 88 today; happy birthday wishes to your mom! Thank you for the source on the liquid starch, you are so right, the spray starch just does not work as well.
Safe travels!
Happy Birthday to your MOM, Karen!
Wishing you lots of fun and safe travels! I can’t wait to get one of your new cups. Your travels have inspired my husband and I on a dream vacation this fall – 3 weeks traveling Ireland and Scotland with a good friend originally from Ireland.
I love the mugs! I hope Vanna White picks me!
I love Ms Lambikins. I collect sheep because I can’t have a real live one!
Me too!!!
What’s not to love about your blog and Willard, and now you have MUGS! You’re right about the thin edge on a mug. I’m convinced it makes the tea taste better. Thanks for the chance to win some. Right now I’m in the midst of making Seville orange marmalde…four batches down and three to go. While I’m typing I’m listening to the jars pop as they make their vacuum seal…music to my ears! Hmmm….maybe it’s time for cake too!
Safe journey…look forward to the pictures of your trip (never been to California)…deb
Safe travels as merrily you roll along and a Blessed Easter from my Joe and me to your Joe and thee!
These are so beautiful! Just like you dear Susan!
I am thrilled beyond belief to finally meet you in person at the Apple Farm Inn in SLO in just a few weeks!
Smiles-
Shelley
I really needed to read the Willard email. What pleasure I received when i saw your cottage and the ocean. I sat back and in my mind could hear the gentle waves crashing against the rocks. Your drawings bring such joy to my heart. And those adorable mugs. I can’t wait to get them and give them to my friends for next years Christmas gifts. I never would have heard about you if ai hadn’t stumbled across your book about Martha’s Vineyard in the library. I am so happy the I have the trilogy to keep me company. Have a safe and enjoyable trip to CA.
I LOVE the cups! I can’t wait to get some.
I am envisioning the Susan Branch trilogy on The Hallmark Channel! I know I wouldn’t miss it!
Just finished Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams this morning. Towards the end of the book I spaced out my reading to make the whole experience last longer! I have so many ties to the subject matter; my mom’s love of Martha’s Vineyard, our shared love of nature, art, tea, sea shore, shells, old textiles, love of those who love us, enlightening quotes… Thank you for shaking up memories and inspiring me to make new ones.
Cheers,
Lisa
Hearts, whimsy and Little Things ❣❣❣ Love the mugs! I see a new collection in my future 😍 And -someone broke one of my EB mugs this week 😢
I hope the rains end by the time you cross the country!
I’m headed over to check out the pre order for a couple of mugs now, because even if I don’t win one, you can never have too many thin walled 16 oz. mugs! I want one for me and one for both of my daughters, so we can be connected even though we live very separately! Have a wonderful time in Calif.
Oh, dear, I had no idea on the cost of the mugs. 🙁 I can’t afford that, much as I would love to buy. Sorry Susan, but it’s beyond my Social Security income. But I do love the LOVE mug. 🙁
Just finished your Willard as well as the Tweets from the Twain! Have loved every minute of it all. The “starch story” takes me back to my growing up years as well–my dear mom starched just as you showed us. Now you’ve sparked my interest again after seeing how beautiful your linens and jackets look! (By the way, where do you find those cute blazer/jackets? I love them!)
Thank you again for your wonderful inspiration, tweets, pictures from the “twain,” etc!
How sweet the mugs are! I love your blog!
Jack shadow :)! I have Macee shadow. When I am running up and down the stairs doing laundry, Macee races me! Kitties are truly so much fun. I am enchanted with the mugs. I look forward to collecting them. I will be changing my Twitter picture from my Spode tea cup to a Susan Branch cup when the cups arrive from England, and then to my house. Have fun on the trip, gathering energy and inspiration along the way. And you never know I actually could also be the winner of the drawing! Fingers and toes crossed.
Love your blog. Mugs are so cute. As for starch, I thought this was going to be about potatoes and corn and bread. Boy was I wrong! LOL.
DonnaLee Yeatts
Susan, have you ever seen the movie Cabin in the Sky? It features the song Taking a Chance on Love which you linked on your Willard.
Great musica in that movie!! (I’m partial to Happiness is a Thing Called Joe!)
Me too because my husband’s name is Joe also. :0
Dear Susan, You are a ray of sunshine! Do you have any plans to re-publish more of your other cookbooks? Fingers crossed. I have the “new” Heart of the Home and Autumn books and truly love them. Thank you!
We hope to be able to do that over time! Thank you for asking!
Love your new mugs! Have to have one!!
God speed across this beautiful country. Would love to win one of your precious mugs!
Hi! Susan!
We recently gave up the motor home and now must travel by other means! I would love to take a train cross-country!
So happy to have found you! You are probably tired of hearing this from me!
My mother dampened the clothes for ironing, but did not put them in the fridge!
So I guess you know I was the one who had to iron them before they molded, as she, in no uncertain terms told me, first born with three brothers following.
So many heart-felt thanks to you for sharing your life with us!
Regarding cake recipes, one day I will share my aunt’s apple dessert recipe….my husband loves it so much he actually requests it!
Love and Hugs and Be Safe!
Would love that Bonnie! xoxo
Sunday afternoon bliss! A lovely afternoon snooze followed by both a Willard and your blog post! The mugs look amazing and I am on my way now to preorder. Have a safe trip and happy birthday wishes to your mom!
Thank you for all the ‘Sunshine’ you bring into my day/days!
The mugs are so bright and cheerful, just right for an early morning cup of coffee. My mom never used starch that I remember, but did put damp clothes in the refrigerator. I enjoyed seeing your starched linens, especially the bears getting ready for a bath. I absolutely love blue and white. Safe trip west.
I have loved your recipe books for years and have purchased your other books also. I think that I own all of your books! Your artwork soothes my soul. Thank you for doing this. I would love to enjoy my tea in one of your mugs.
Love the new mugs, I pre-ordered one and hope to win another! I’ve often thought of buying an Emma Bridgewater mug but could never quite pull the trigger. I didn’t even hesitate to order one of yours!
Love the mugs! Thank you for sharing your wonderful art and interesting life tidbits with all of us!!!
Love willard
Dear Susan,
Every time I read one of your books, your blog or Willard, it makes my day! Your warmth comes through with the words, and it is like a hug. Thank you for sharing your love with all of us!
I am so thrilled to see you have your own mugs; in bone china to boot!! Now that will just make the work day more tolerable. I can’t wait to use them. You just keep getting better all the time. I’m so thankful for a world with Susan Branch in it!
Enjoy your Mom and this beautiful country of ours as you travel!
The mugs are beautiful! Any of them would work in my kitchen!
Hope I win the mug!!!
Susan I love your posts. They are so pretty you are so artistic.
I wish they sold your mugs here in England! I have managed to get your books from Amazon. Your trip to Vermont looks idyllic. I know you love England but I am obsessed with New England. It’s No 1 on my bucket list. One day……
I’m going to see if the manufacturer might find a distributor in England so we don’t have to deal with that postage for you guys!
The mugs are so gorgeous!
Love the new mugs! So beautiful.
Hi Susan,
I am a late comer to your books. I was familiar with your calendars but not books. I read “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams” first and it was perfect. Life had been knocking my husband and me around for awhile and I forgot how to smile. I needed a reminder of how to see the beauty all around me and enjoy the outdoor life on Cape Cod. Your words touched my heart and awakened my spirit.
Thank you for sharing your joy and journey.
~~Kristin
Lovely to hear that Kristin. I hope things are feeling a bit better for you two. xoxo
We just celebrated my mom’s 87th birthday this week! Many happy days ahead for your lovely mom. I love your mugs…they are beautiful and to have them made in England of bone China, that’s the best! Thanks so much for your giveaway. Have a fun, safe trip.
Happy Birthday to your MOM!
Finally getting a chance to read blog and Willard. So much fun!! Love the new mugs! Ordering at least two!!! (for starters!) Enjoy your Mama. It’s so sweet how much you love her–I think we all do–for what she has inspired in you–the happiness and songs, love for home and family. Wish her the best from all of us!!!
Very sweet of you to say that. xoxo