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!
I love the new mugs! I also loved the article about starch, I have a linen jacket I need to starch, I never thought of that, thank you! Your valentine trip was beautiful and heartwarming, a sleigh ride is on my bucket list!
You’re new mugs are adorable! I will enjoy my morning coffee even more!! Can’t wait to get one!
I can only imagine that tea would taste all the better in one of those darling mugs. I’d love to be the one to give it a go!
Susan~my grandmother used to starch and iron everything. I would come into her home and smell that distinctive smell that is indicative to the intermingling of those two domestic activities. I have always wished I had asked her how she starched. For she would roll the items up…and I didn’t understand the sequence of events after that:-) I have bought canned starch over the years desperately trying to recapture that smell…the feeling of her starched sheets….to no avail. Thank you for the gift of this post! For this was exactly how she did it so many many years ago. I guess you never know what will resonate with your readers but this post was such a gift. A piece of my grandmother Dibbie…captured. Bless you…..have a wonderful time with your mom. Love Amy
Thank you for the tutorial and for sharing your joy in the simple pleasures of life. Wishing you a wonderful visit with your family. I, too, am blessed to have a wonderful Mom in my life and am grateful for her every day. Love the mugs 🙂
Your new cups are as lovely as your blog. I wish the best of luck on your train trip. Bon Voyage!
Welcome to California. Enjoy your time here and a very Happy Birthday to your Mom.
As always, my face, my heart and my soul LIGHT up when I see your Willard or your blog posts.
Thank you for being you….and sharing you with us!
Forever grateful,
Pam from Vermont
LOVE the mugs – they are too cute! Also, get a picture in that coat soon!
So stinking excited for the mugs! They are absolutely perfect!
Oh, I love those mugs!! Not that I need anymore mugs, as we have way too many already…. I especially like the “love” one. Well, here’s hoping I win them!!
Oh! Sooo charming. You know what we sentimentalists love! I would be so excited to win a mug! Also, your homey blog posts make me so happy to be a lady with a home to keep! I do love to iron especially while listening to an audio book or watching an old movie and you taught me something new today- I have never used liquid starch before. I actually have some in my laundry room used for a child’s experiment. I can’t wait to starch something now! I still have sweet memories of my mama ironing when I was little and the wonderful smell of the spray starch she used. She passed when I was only 10 and now that starch smell always makes me think of her.
Safe travels…..hugs, Cindy
Dear Susan,
Thank you for always reminding us to appreciate the small things around us that the big things try to crowd out. Every time I read your blog post or a Willard, I take away each time a good feeling that despite hardships beauty is still all around. You have your guardian angels we all have you! Thanks for the perspective.
Isn’t spending time with your Mom just the best? I thank my lucky stars to have such a wonderful friend in my Mother and treasure every lasting moment I have with her as she turns 88 this year. Have a wonderful trip and special moments with your Mom.
Last Friday in Ohio we had 77 degrees! It broke the record for the day. Have seen the front yard of an old farmhouse full of hundreds of light lavender crocus, so beautiful! Time to cut some forsythia to force into bloom. Enjoy your warm weather!!
I would love to have your mugs fro my morning tea. They would be a welcome additon to my kitchen!!
Who wouldn’t want a mug that shouts “sunshine” for those days of drear???
I love the mugs, especially the “love” one.
My mom used to dampen and starch clothes too. She had the glass coke bottle with the “sprinkler” top. She’d sprinkle all the clothes, wrap them up and tuck them into plastic bags. She taught all five girls how to iron by starting with the hankies and pillow cases. I still love the smell of freshly ironed fabric. Thanks for the good memories.
Thank you so much for pressing on with your starch love. I find ironing to be such a relaxing, therapeutic, meditative activity, and even though my favorite is spray starch, I now can give the bottled starch a go, since you’ve explained to me how it works.
Have fun with your mom!
The mugs are wonderful…just the things that bring calm in an unsettled world. Thanks so much for sharing your art with us. -r-
Susan , I absolutely LOVE your mugs! What a wonderful vessel to drink tea in!
Your article took me right back to the 60’s when my mother would iron while watching The Mike Douglas Show. She used starch, but also had a green glass Coke bottle filled with water that had a sprinkle stopper. The entire experience combined scents of heat, steam, fabric and starch and created a permanent memory stamp. My mother passed away last summer after a long and very full life. Thank you for bringing up lovely memories.
The mugs are so cute!! And can’t wait to make the marmalade cake…..yum!
The mugs are really pretty.
I love to iron and I sure do remember mixing real starch. When I was in nursing school we had to starch or caps. We let them dry plastered to the mirror over our dorm room sink. In the morning we pinned them in shape and voila! We also had to starch the white apron that went over the front of our blue uniform. What a memory, lol.
Happy Trails to you and yours!!!…How fun…LOVE your new mugs!!! I too am an avid iron-er…and I realized recently that the day will come when irons are found only in museums!!! My daughter moved through here from college on to her next stop, and I asked her if she wanted me to mail her iron to her. She said no, that the only thing she ever ironed was the button placket on her shirt…and she used her flat iron for her hair to do that!!!…Yankee ingenuity at its finest!…Oh my!!!
Blessings –
Interesting, when I was in my 20s I used my little box hairdryer with the hose and the giant shower cap coming out of it as a clothes dryer when I traveled. I would take it along, wash clothes in the sink, put them in the shower cap, and turn it on! What we do when we need to! Tell your daughter I said hello!
Hi Susan,
You have inspired me to buy the real deal (liquid starch) and use it on my own collection of lovely linens!
The mugs are delightful . . . so cheery, colorful and bright! I look forward to sipping my favorite, Earl Grey, out of one of them. Thank you for adding my name to the drawing.
Fran
Fran
Isn’t starch wonderful? I starch all my quilting cotton fabric, probably 2 to 1 formula. It makes the pieces so firm and stiff and they stick together so you hardly need pins as you are sewing them. They are much easier to cut with the rotary cutter also. …arden
I love the gorgeous mugs and I’m so happy they are made of bone china and in England. I took your advice and preordered so I’m sure to get them! They will be used when I have my two tea loving friends over for a good chat and a lovely cuppa ! And of course some wonderful tasting goodies. Happy Birthday to your Mom and safe journey! Loved the starch blog! I’m one of the old nurses who had to wear the starched white cap for many years. I cooked the starch and starched the clean limp cotton cap onto the door of the refrigerator and left it dry starched there over night. Next morning ,peeled it off the door, and folded it, hooked it with the button and clip and off to work with a clean perky starched “dignity” for my head! Good memories. Also remember my grannies starching and using bluing in the starch for the white shirts for all the menfolks in the family!
Hi Susan,
Enjoyed reading Willard and your delightful suggestions on how to get
ready for spring. We have a lovely day here in Northern Calif after all our rain.
Had a bit of a scare with the Oroville Dam just about 18 miles from us. We live north but have friends south..A very anxious week.
I wish you a safe and happy trip west…It’s always wonderful to go home.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your lovely mugs.
Christa
I was watching that ~ very scary! Seems to have settle down a bit, I hope so!
Hi susan love the pic of you in your scarves, oh to have gone to Vermont for a sleigh ride. Pure ‘White Christmas’ best film ever. I would love to drink my Yorkshire tea out of one of your luscious china mugs – exactly how it should be drunk
These mugs are PERFECT gifts for my nature-loving friends and my dearest friends close to my heart – but I did find room in my budget to buy one as a gift to myself – been through a lot of hairy medical treatments this year and the last four years in fact. I’m rewarding myself. Thank you Susan for inspiring. I believe there is an artist in us all.
You should reward yourself, blessings on you Amy, I hope things are settling down in the very best way. And I could not agree more, there is an artist in all of us, fashioning the best lives we can possibly have every single day. xoxo
You warm my heart and heal my soul with these kind words Susan. Thank you!!!
I love your mugs and can’t wait to get one!! Thanks for being you!
I’ve often wondered about starching things, but like you said it’s pretty hard to come by these days. It does seem to make a difference though in keeping linens from looking so floppy.
Tea and hot chocolate always taste better in a beautiful mug. I remember my mother starching the pillow slips. I learned to iron on my dads handkerchiefs and eventually was trusted to iron the pillow slips. I can smell my mom ironing especially the things she sprinkled first. Such wonderful memories.
A mug giveaway! Sweet! They are soooooooooooo cute! Thanks for the generous giveaway. I love your blog and your books.
Oooh, oooh, oooooh, those mugs are wonderfully Susan Branch, so fuzzy-slippers-and-warm-woolen-shawl cozy. Have a wonderful trip and visit with your mom!
Your mugs look as delightful as you are. Enjoy your trip to the West!
I’d love to add this to my mish-mash collection of mugs! It will be such a fun and sweet form of hygge for me 🙂
Bunny blessings to your mom on her red letter birthday, Susan! So lovely that you can be with her to celebrate. My own mom is approaching her 92 birthday. So lucky to still have her. The cups look adorable, as I knew they would. How could they not? Fingers and paws crossed!
Laurie
And the Fabulous Foursome =:3
Love your mugs, I collect single mugs & always have one sitting on my Keurig! Whatever holiday or season it is…..((hugs)) Susan
Love your blog❤️ Enjoy your 🚂 Ride to CA! Your mugs are delightful!
The mugs are just as cute as can be! Love them!
I love the mugs! Will try your starching method, for sure.
Oh how I wish I could afford all three mugs, but maybe I will be able to win one! Here’s hoping!
May the music play on and on for you and Joe!
Have a wonderful trip and I hope your momma has the best birthday ever.
Love the mugs! I can’t decide which I love best because they are all wonderful. But, the Nature one might just be my favorite since I’m a nature girl myself.
Safe travels!
I love you Susan Branch! You make my heart warm when I read your blogs and see your photographs and you make me want to return to MV, a place I visited some years ago with my husband. We always vowed to return but sadly my husband has been very ill the last 6 years and holidays are a thing of the past. I will always keep New England in my heart, along with all the wonderful memories of my husband whilst we were there.I have a small stuffed cushion that I bought from a great shop whilst on MV. The smell of it takes me straight back to the day that I bought it, all those years ago!
I’m so sorry Denise. I love your memories. Sending love. xoxo
Your new mugs make me so happy!! I love having dishes that make me smile.
Love the mugs! I will be pre-ordering one for my Mom for Mother’s Day but in the mean time, I am hopeful to win one for myself… 🙂 The problem is, I like them all, what is a girl to do??
I love your new mugs! So cheerful and fun! It is always a joy to receive your emails! Thank you for brightening the world! Enjoy your travels and especially your visit with your Mom!
Congratulations on the books coming to television. Those mugs are adorable. Thanks for the giveaway.
Marilyn
Thank you for the opportunity to win one of those lovely mugs.
Joan
I love all the things you design and would enjoy drinking from one of your mugs.
I love those mugs. They are so cute and cheery. Thank you for this giveaway.
Marion
With all the ugliness this is our current political climate, visiting your blog is a breath of fresh air. Love your mugs, just beautiful – warm, cozy – perfect balm for a weary soul.
I love your new mugs! I preordered one already – my Mother’s Day gift to me!! Enjoy your visit with your mom. Time is so precious and life is short. You’re a good daughter, Susan. Love, Joanie
I love drinking, tea, coffee and hot cocoa out of pretty mugs. Your mugs are very pretty and would add charm to my cupboard.
Hi Susan! I love the mugs, and plan on not only getting them for myself but also for my mother-in-law! Keep the wonderful designs coming! Thank you for your wonderful work and the loveliness it brings to our lives!
I love your lesson on starching linens. I was just telling my friend yesterday that my mom sprinkled her clothes and then put them in bags in the refrigerator. She would iron for hours, sheets and pillowcases, etc. while watching I Love Lucy. I still remember her laughing and ironing! The good ol’ days.
I love your mugs! Thanks for being responsible in the making of them and going with such quality. PS Your blog is just marvelous 🙂 PPS All your mugs are great but I am definitely ‘in love with nature’ ❤
good morning everyone or afternoon, sorry my day has been thrown into a bit of chaos, the septic tank went kerplooey and we had to call for emergency repairs, keeping my fingers crossed that we don’t have to replace the entire septic tank. but for now at least I have my bathrooms back to normal and can use them without dragging a plunger in there with me… yuk!!! have a good trip out to see your mom and to be on the safe side, keep your raincoats handy, we have been getting snow/rain all weekend and more for this week until Wednesday. off to go get a load of laundry in, no starching to do today, but a tiny bit of ironing. have a good day, hugs….. 🙂
The mugs turned out lovely! And they would be a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
The mugs are beautiful! I especially love the whimsical one. I would love to own one for my coffee and tea!! Loved reading your comments on starch. I remember well starching and ironing almost everything back in the 60’s before permanent press became the new way. Missing those days.
My morning cup cup of Jo would be more special than it is now { pour-over coffee with a knob of ghee and raw honey} in one of your fabulous mugs. So hard to pick a favorite they are all so sweet.Have a sunny fun trip.
Can’t wait to see the new mugs!
Love it all! I told one of my dear hair clients about your train trips and how you inspired me and my hubby to take a trip to Omaha from SLC with our 8 week old baby boy. It was wonderful. Now my client and her friend are taking a trip from SLC to San Francisco this week. Maybe you’ll see the two ladies on the train!
Fun!
The mugs are so lovely! I hope to win one, but also will plan to buy some.–Nanette Ryan
Are all the Willards sent out? I didn’t get mine:( I looked in spam and it is not even there! Any way we can access the willard after 2015? Hope your day is wonderful! Tea in one of your beautiful cups will be even more delightful.
Here’s a link to it Caroline. I’m sorry, our computer wizard has all the info he needs to update the Willard page, but has not yet made it a priority (methinks!). We will continue to beg him. Until then, I asked Kellee to sign you up again! Hope it works. We don’t know why people don’t get their Willards, because we do send them! Normally, it’s that their computers somehow block them, but apparently, not always! It’s a conundrum.
The mugs are very cute. And truly from England, too! Would love to have one! My
Ah, bring in the spring! Thank you for your bit on “The Light Touch” in my Willard this weekend! Last couple days have found me deep in winter duldrums after a crazy spring blast the week before and your ideas on lightening things up is just what the doc ordered for this gal! Love the mugs and am treating my mom to one for mommie’s day this year! We have a love for mugs and often buy each other matching or complimenting mugs so we can think of each other when we’re sipping on on our own. I just know she’s going to love her new surprise! Bless you and your travels to your own momma and back. Enjoy!
Hi Susan I hope you have a wonderful visit with your family! I love your new mugs! I love everything you do! I know Jack will miss you and Joe! Stay dry while you are in California! Hope to win one of your new mugs! Your friend Kathleen Hirst!
First and foremost, Happy Birthday Hugs to Your Mom! I bet she is in HugsHeaven today having you home with her to help celebrate 87 years. ♥
Then, Congratulations on your gorgeous mugs! It’s been a long time coming but well worth the wait. And, since my Vanna-magnetism hasn’t worked out for me (yet) in all these years, I’m going to hurry over to the blogstore to pre-order a set. I can’t wait to feel the weight of one of them in my hand. I’m so excited!!
Love to you!
Enjoy every minute with your sweet Mama!
♥Deb♥
Just wonderful!
Love love love me some Susan Branch! I do so Enjoy to live vicariously through her! All the pictures and drawings take you right along on her journeys.
Oh, how cutie cute!! I would love to win one of your sweet new mugs!
Hello Susan. First off, I love your plaid jacket. Wear it in the best of health. Also, I want to say Happy Birthday to your mom. If she has been your role model all these years, then I nominate her mother of the year. The mugs are your latest endeavor to bring joy to my day, and I will certainly get one. The hard choice is which one to get first. Enjoy yourself in California. And Blessings to you and all you meet on this adventure.
I’d second the nomination! 😀
I love the mugs and would enjoy drinking my tea from one (while thinking about all things Susan Branch)!
Susan, I feel the exact
same way about my own
sweet momma : ) She loves
you, too, and I think I must
order her one of your mugs
for Mother’s Day!
Thank you for the starch
tutorial. I have a bunch of
lovely linens that could benefit
from a starch bath! Such an
old-fashioned but satisfying
production!
Soak up all the goodness that
awaits you in California!!!
xo Suzanne
LOVE the darling mugs…especially the “In Love with Nature”!
Pick me, pick me!
Have a fun and safe trip to us in Cali and I will see you soon.
xoxo
Love the mugs Susan. Also loved the starch lesson. I remember my Mom starching, n yes I remember her wetting things down and rolling in a bundle and putting in a bag to iron next day! I loved your blog, and newsletter. Signed up for it a long time ago and this is the first one I got for some reason. I would love to win one of you mugs they are darling! Peg Conaway
You got one! Wonderful news for me! Thank you Peg!
I hope that you have a wonderful time on your trip. Who would you like to see playing you in your movie? Just wondering!
I was thinking of Zoey Deschannel, but that would only be good if this got done somewhere in this decade, because the “girl” is supposed to be around 34.
Zoey is a perfect look-a-like for the younger you! She is fun, sweet, soft…just like you, too. She is still very young looking and I think that she has one of those faces that will continue to look young through the next decade!!
The mugs are adorable. I’ve been enjoying your adventures and look forward to new postings. I’ve never seen a more beautiful blog.
That is so nice to hear Peg, thank you! (hands clasped together under chin, arms compressed, and small eek.)
It’s nice to see nature popping out this spring.
oh how I would LOVE to win one of your mugs!! Just cant afford to buy one right now. You truly brighten my day though, when you have a new post, its so soothing to read what you write about. Thank you for being you!!
How delightful! Every bit of Willard, & the post!
I have a vanilla bundt cake, fresh out of the oven, and it smells so terrific!
A cup of coffee in your darling cup would perfect!!!
I am in love with the new mugs (as well as everything else you do!) and have already preordered one and the Autumn book! Can hardly wait for them to arrive. We have had an amazing Feb. here in IA, too, with many days in the 50s, 60s, and even a couple in the 70s! So I’m excited to start decorating for spring soon also! Enjoy your cross country travels and especially visiting with your mom and friends in CA! Thank you for being such an inspiration and never failing to brighten my day and my mood😍!
Susan and Joe – and staff – and Jack:
Simply heavenly reading about all your adventures. In case I do not win a mug, as soon as I finish this I am going over to pre-order. Now this is a BIG DEAL, as I only drink coffee and certain other beverages out of glass mugs. BUT I am loving the idea of S Branch mugs. Safe travels!
Marcia from Sewell, NJ
Yikes ! VERY honored!
What a beautiful post! Have a lovely time with your Mom. Your new mugs are the rage! Must have one or ten. I just returned home since December 11th. Wished I could say I was on a tropical island or in Paris, but no…I was in the hospital and then in a rehab to get my leg back to healed. It worked. Miracles do happen when you have fantastic and dedicated nurses. I came home today and my cat, Louie, is over the moon happy to see his Momma again. Cat hair here I come. Have a great trip on the choo choo. xo
“The rage” OMG, that is so exiting!!! Happy new leg! Happy for you, happy for Louie!
I loved reading Willard and I love the new mugs! I am going to pre-order the nature one, because I love the lamb. Enjoy your time with your mother and your California friends.
Your new mugs are so lovely. Please enter me in the drawing. And enjoy your trip to California!
Willard is wonderful and so are your beautiful mugs!
Would love to be sipping tea out of one of these beauties 🙂
I was born in 1950 and remember clothes in the frig also! I became so good at ironing I got the job for our family! My Mom was also in labor with me for a long time and on my birthday re-tells and re-lives the experience! She will be 87 in April.
I would LOVE one of your tea/coffee cups! I have the tea cup with the strainer and a Black Toast one from England (all because of you)!
How exciting, a TV show! How wonderful for all your fans! (me included of course).
Wishing you a wonderful time with your Mom, my sis and I are going to see our Mom in Wisconsin in August so we can take her to the county fair, which she loves. We both live in northern Idaho.
Wishing you happy travels!
That sounds just fantastic, what a good time you will have, Linda! xoxo
Such a lovely post Susan, I so enjoyed learning how to starch! I’m going to order some and go around the house and start starching and ironing everything! Speaking of ordering, I just order your darling mugs, I have been waiting like FOREVER for you to do more dishware! I have found some of your older pieces on Ebay and I treasure them. I just did a post on Instagram using your teapot and creamer and sugar! If I won a mug I would give it to my mum for Mother’s day, I think it would be the most lovely gift.
Enjoy your train trip to California hun, and enjoy the time spent with your mum, mine is 91! Kisses and hugs to you and Joe! ~ East Longmeadow, MA.
beautiful mugs, beautiful EVERYTHING. i love all your books. i love your font. Yup, i love to get your letters…
Have a wonderful time in California ! Can’t wait to drink from on of the mugs 🙂
My favorite teacup is In love with Nature. Lambikins is my favorite! Love them all though. Hope your trip is glorious and Blessed!! Enjoy your Moom
Love, love, love the mugs!! I have to have one!!
Enjoyed reading the description and pictures of your Valentine trip to Vermont. Perfect timing for the sleigh ride!
Hoping Vanna will choose a mug for me – each one is precious!