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!
Loved the sweet pockets on your plaid coat. I searched for liquid starch a few weeks ago but didn’t find any. I never thought of Amazon. Must go and look at your new mugs. Safe travels to you and Joe. Enjoy every minute with your mom. I know you will. Hugs, Elaine
The cups are beautiful! And thank you so much for the post. I miss my mother so much; she died three years ago, and they say it gets easier, but you know, it doesn’t, the permanence feels more real all the time. I am 50 years old but still need my mother! However – we made so many memories during the last few years of her life, and I am so grateful. I live off those memories now. My mother was fabulous, vivacious, smart and funny, never sweated the small stuff, was a stylish clothes horse, fiercely devoted to politics and government (she was a government and economics teacher and a staunch progressive Democrat, which surprised some people, given her upbringing as a white woman who grew up in the Deep South, but aren’t we all really more complex than we’d appear?), and I miss her every single day. So glad you are making memories with your own wonderful mother! And sharing them with us.
It’s always about the thinking thing. Your mom sounds so amazing, so wonderful, and you are way too young to have lost her. Sending love to you, and a toast to the memories. xoxoxoxo
I love old linens and beautiful cups, can’t wait for yours to add to my collection!
Love the mugs! Thank you for trying to have America-made!
Also, the starching lesson is much appreciated! I love old linens too!
A LOVE mug! I immediately gifted myself! Thank you for another fab creation! Just celebrated my 70th birthday surrounded by my family, with much love and laughter. There were scads of pink roses, an elegant cake (7 candles, thank you very much), champagne, everyone gathered in the dining room to serenade me, made especially sweet by my grands, 3 and 9. Who could ask for more? I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude, and I know your mother will feel the same. I got myself a tee shirt from Amazon that serves as both a political statement and sort of sums things up at 70 – “Nevertheless, She Persisted.” 😄
Right on Girlfriend! Happy happy Birthday dear Rosanne. It sounded amazing!
Another wonderful blog! Love, love, love, the new mugs and can’t wait to get one. My Mom used to starch everything and put the bags in the refrigerator to “season” as she called it before ironing. As always, I love seeing pictures of Jack as he reminds me of my Tuxedo cat, Tut, which has many of the same habits as Jack – such characters! Have a wonderful train trip and visit with your Mom.
Oh Susan, you brought back so many memories making that starch. That is how my Mom always did them. I have not done that for ages but plan to do that with a linen jacket I have this spring. And of course my old linens. Such fun. Hope I can find the starch but if not Amazon is always there. Have fun on the train and of course I know you will love your California time with your mother. Enjoy every minute. Loved this post. Can’t wait to get a mug! I can’t decide which to get?
“we have only just begun”
Karen C.
One more starch comment… my grandmother, who has been gone for over 50 years, always starched linens. She came to the USA from Slovakia when she was 40 years old. I was a child, but I seem to remember that she rolled starched linens and put them in the refrigerator before ironing…could that be true??
That’s exactly right. They could be kept damper longer that way. Some put them in the freezer, then they would hold for basically forever!
Gee, Thanks a LOT Susan. Now I have to go buy REAL starch for my vintage linens. For a former Home Ec. teacher, I’ve only ever used spray starch. At this age, you are supposed to be making my life easier……but, I definitely see the advantages! Even with the starch on, do you still iron at the highest cotton/linen setting? The starch doesnt scorch that high?
Nope. I’m here to slow you waaaaay down. But easier, probably not. xoxoxo Oh and yes, do cotton and linen at highest setting . . . but if you lay an iron on it and don’t move it, it will scorch just like everything else. Just don’t do that!
Your new mugs are darling. I’d love to win one❤️
Love your cups!! Safe travels and Happy Birthday to your mom!
The cups are lovely. I think I will be ordering one of each unless I talk myself into showing some restraint. But then, I could keep one and give two as gifts and that makes it okay. 😉 But which one to keep and which ones to give away!
Love the mugs! It is so hard to decide which one is the cutest. I hope that I win one. They would make my new house feel more like my old home.
I had forgotten how great starch makes linens look. I am going to have to buy some.
I love your mugs, would love to have one❤ It would be great to have my
Coffee in one while reading your cookbooks, which I have everyone and
Display a different one for each season!
You make my life happy Susan Branch! I’d love to win one of your beautiful cups!
These cups will be my new “go to” gift. Can’t wait to get one (or more). Safe travels! xoxo
Lovely photos of Vermont and congratulations on the adorable tea mugs!
Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful–I love all three mugs. Hoping hoping hoping that I win one 🙂
Also hope that your trip is wonderful and I know that it will be!
<3 MJ
Will be getting some starch next time I go to the grocery store, you inspired me to try that! Have been drying sheets on the line here in Kalamazoo Michigan too.
The weather has been unseasonably warm…Have a great time with Mom, will look forward to hearing all about your adventures!!
Your blogs are like sunshine to my mind! I always feel all happy when I read your posts and share your happy life with all of us who know you, even if we have never met you in person.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Love those mugs! I’ll try my best to win one for my dear 92 year old mother. She loves your books. 🙂
I remember my mother starching all kinds of things back in the day. That ironing board rarely got folded up and put away. She even ironed my dad’s boxer shorts!
I’ll try the liquid starch on my linen things soon. Great tip.
Happy Travels and a very Happy Birthday to your mom!
It’s fun to think of you traveling to California again to visit us 🙂
Thank you for the starching tips. I have something to try that on.
Your tea cups are beautiful!
When we were young and poor, and my husband was in the Army, I thought I’d save money by doing his uniforms instead of sending them to the laundry. Washed, starched and threw them in the dryer! Turned out soft and had to be done over and air dried before ironing. Different times and probably everything now is permanent press. Love linens, especially embroidered or with a crocheted edge done by women.
Hello Susan!
Really, really love the new mugs! I think my love for Emma Bridgewater has just been usurped! lol. They are all so gorgeous indeedy! <3
Oh, I just love starch! I love pressing laundry, and have loads of lovely things for helping me along ~ besides starch, there are bottles of rose water and lavender water for things that don't need starching just to make them smell of my summer garden. Few things give me greater pleasure than a line full of drying laundry billowing in the breeze, then bringing it in, full of fresh air, and pressing it all the following morning while listening to BBC Radio 3!
I always give half my cake away too, although my friend's husband is such a fan of my Bara Brith {says it's the best he's ever tasted} I usually end up baking enough to give him a whole two pound loaf just for himself! I think he does share a slice or two 😉 I'm always finding plenty of people wanting my Crunchy Lemon Top Cake too! Really looking forward to the recipe for your Orange Marmalade Cake! Love me some marmalade on toast!
Safe and happy train travels ~~~
~~~ Waving ~~~ from Across the Pond ~~~ Deb in Wales xoxo
Me too, I’m a marmalade person! xoxo BBC 3, wah.
Debs, can you explain what Bara Brith is? I love reading your blog too. Debby
What a great blog. I have to try that starch thing. I have three linen tunics that always look like I slept in them so they hang in the closet more than on me. Thank you for that tip. Love how the cups came out, sooo cute. I want one or two or three, maybe even it up with four. hehehehehe Enjoy your six hour lay over in Chicagoland. Hope the weather is in your favor. TTFN
Dear Susan and Joe,
Wishing you a luxurious train ride and all the good and comfy moments you can stuff in there with you. Thank you so much for the Willard, it always makes me happy to receive it. 🙂
Happy, Happy Birthday wishes for your mom too, I know the best gift will be having you there to celebrate with her.
Have a wonderful trip. I am sitting here with a steaming mug of tea (and btw yours are DARLING!) and going down memory lane of our picnic at Stourhead- one of the most golden afternoons ever. Thank you so much for planning it and including us in it. I am so glad that we were able to be there. Spring fever is my favorite condition, I hope to come down with it every year. Off to bake some lovely sourdough bread now. Check in with you later…
Love to you, Joe and all the girlfriends and boyfriends out there!
xxooxx
G
Golden for me too, what a gift that day was! Thank you for being there. It was just amazing. xoxo
Susan, Such a lovely blog, and the Willard was just as wonderful! Love the new mugs! And to be sure, they are dishwasher safe, correct?
So happy they are bone china, which holds the heat from hot beverages so well!
Thank you for thinking of us girlfriends, and have a safe and enjoyable visit with your mum!
Yes I forgot to say that! Dishwasher safe! Microwave too!
We’ll how could I not leave a comment, with a chance to win a Susan Branch cup! But luck being as it is, I think I will jump over to the store and pre-order mine!
Love you Susan and have a safe journey!
Love all the cups. They are so like you.
Yea, A train ride….my favorite way to travel. Love the cups, so pretty. Following the trip on twitter hope to make a trip with hubby soon.
So glad you will soon be in the arms of your dear mother. We will be in Georgia with my husband’s mother in April, celebrating her 88th birthday. I’m enjoying your views from the train so much. I used to enjoy flying, but over the last few years have really become uneasy about it. Your posts make me want to consider the train instead. Love the cups! Would be perfect for my Susan Branch tea!
Just read the latest edition of Willard…..I’ve been a huge fan since about 1999, I had the pleasure of meeting you at a trade show for QVC in 2000. Love the new mugs! Hope I’m commenting in the right place at a chance to win one! 🤞🏼
Oh…. I’d love to have one of Susan’s mugs!! Please pick me….
I have a large walk-in closet where I keep my ironing board… I haven’t used starch in many years but may give it a chance in the near future.
I’ll be at my daughter’s baby shower on the date you’re in San Luis Obispo…. bummer!
Yes, but your daughter’s Baby Shower, how fantastic!!! Congratulations Christine!
I would love enjoying my “afternoon tea” in one of your beautiful new mugs.
Have a wonderful journey to California!
Love you, Susan, and your art and your heart ~ Have a wonderful trip and a warm reunion with your mama. Looking forward to hearing all about it! xxooxx
Hi again,
I have been watching that cup as it has progressed – can’t wait to get my hands on one of the real ones! You have gotten me hooked on mugs – I have a whole collection of Emma at home. Have a great time in California. I’ll be sorry to miss you this time at the Apple Farm.
xo, Sue
Susan,
I’ve been a fan of yours for atleast 15 years!! I have loved all your designs. They always seemed to be a quaint picture of something & I never wanted to actually use them in my scrapbooks because they are always to pretty (& I like to hoard my stickers)…. Your mugs are perfect because I would definitely be able to use them over & over!!!
I love, love, love these mugs! I hope you continue with a line of matching dessert plates – wouldn’t that be fabulous? Enjoy your California trip, especially the visit with your mother.
Love your cheery mugs, especially the little lambie; so decorative and functional too! Hope you have a wonderful California trip. Hopefully the weather should be agreeable during your visit. Looking forward to twitter updates and next Willard.
Hi Susan,
Love the mugs!! Also, thanks for the tips on starching! I love the way things look when properly ironed. Also, the orange marmalade cake looked delicious. My precious grandma loved orange marmalade, as do I. Have a wonderful trip and Happy Birthday wishes to your Mom!
Angie V
I was made to iron as a child and for some reason, it burned me out on ironing as an adult. I only iron fabric. lol I take my blouses to the dry cleaner so I don’t have to iron clothes. The mugs are gorgeous, but I would be afraid to use it (I’ve never spent that much on a mug) in case it broke, so I hope I win one. And I will be waiting for the recipe for the marmalade cake – I love marmalade! Safe trip!
Thanks for providing the very helpful information about starching. I treasure the doilies, pillowcase lace, pillowcases, and other embroidered items from my Grandmother. Your information will be incentive to get them washed and starched. Then to share with my nieces and nephews as another thing they may not want right now but they will when they get older and will want to appreciate these items plus never discard but share with their cousins or return to me.
Oh Susan your posts always make my heart sing! What a joy it would be to sip my daily morning coffee with you in one of these lovely mugs! God Bless you! Judy
Enjoy the time with your mom. Happy Birthday to her!!! Sto Lat! (In Polish, my heritage, it’s a saying that means May You Live 100 Years). Love the cups; hope I win!
Love the coat and your jackets!
Oh, I have memories of rolled-up ironing in the fridge, which my mom taught me to do to silk blouses especially.
The mugs are delightful, and so is the thought of traveling across the country by train. Enjoy!
thank you for always sharing your heart warming inspirations and talents, you add joy to any day!
P.S. don’t forget to share recipe for Orange Marmalade loaf Looks yummy & moist. Thanks
I love the new mugs! It would be heavenly to have my morning coffee in the
“Little Things”one. You are an inspiration.
Love the mugs, pre-ordered two of “The Little Things” (always a good reminder). One for my sister in Australia as we share a love of everything Susan Branch and one for me.
It’s so windy in the upper Midwest today, I’m sure it’s adding to the rocking on the train! After 70 degrees on Wednesday, we have snow today. Poor George the cat doesn’t understand why he couldn’t go out today like he did Wed. Love the mugs, especially the nature one with the sheep.
My mom didn’t use plastic bags that I recall – she always rolled things up in a towel. (Did we even have plastic bags at our house? Our groceries came in paper bags…) 🙂 Anyway, I LOVE the cups; well done! Safe travels, fun times, happy birthday to your mom.
Sharon in Alabama
I love the starch tutorial. I will be trying it for my linens soon. I hope it all comes out as well as yours does. I also love the mugs, I will be pre-
ordering those too. How exciting. It sounds so cozy being on the train, my husband and I will be taking a train for the first time to the east coast from the mid-west next year. We are nervous and excited, but hearing of your adventures, I am not as nervous! Have a great trip.
Thank you for your beautiful work. I love it all! The new cups you have designed are very wonderful. What fun designing and seeing your cups come to life in lovely bone china. I will be ordering some of these cups for gifts and for myself! Life is what we make it, and you make it so much fun!
Thank you for lots of cheery news and pictures! It’s a nice (and much needed) break from all the “other” news going on these days. =)
Love, Love, Love your beautiful cups. Will place an order today. Definitely will need some for friends. And Love your beautiful tribute to your mother. She is so lucky, and so are you, to have each other!! Your wonderful blogs are the sunshine in my day! Have a fun, exciting, travel safe trip. Sending lots of hugs from Minnesota and will keep you in my prayers.
I, too, love the old embroidered linens. One of my grandmother’s sisters joined a cloistered convent and one of the ways they earned money for the community was by embroidering – not only linens, but little holy cards with tiny relics sewn into them. I was lucky enough to get many of those linens through my mother. I love nothing more than ironing and displaying them!
Love those mugs! I’m traveling to Ireland in May – with a side trip via ferry to England and Stoke-on-Trent to visit the Bridgewater pottery (already signed up for a design-your-own session!) and the Burleigh factory where my Asiatic Pheasant china is made! Can’t wait!
Have a safe trip to CA!
I have been waiting for mugs FOREVER! They are beautiful too, couldn’t have imagined better.
Oh my gosh; the mugs have exceeded my expectations! And if that isn’t enough, the movie trilogy will happen too!!! I am so excited; just emailed my best friend to share about the Netflix series you have been watching (because if I don’t I will forget to tell her about it again) and to share Willard. Thank you, thank you, thank you–what a great way to start off the weekend!!!
Please give my warmest birthday wishes to your amazing Mom who actually starched the clothes of all those beautiful children of hers? Amazing woman! Never met her, but your stories of her and her amazingly beautiful domestic life are so comforting and remind me so much of my own dear Mom who is in heaven now. Safe travels and see you soon in SLO!!
PS: Absolutely LOVE those blue bears taking baths!
PPS: LOOOOOVE that coat!
Oh, I love old linens and wonderful mugs, too! You are right up “my alley”! I enjoy reading and seeing your creativity.
Hi Susan! Hi Joe! So excited that you’re coming to California:)Even though I probably wont get to see you this time at The Apple Farm,it’s nice to know you’re here 🙂 My treasured memories of meeting you both in Danville last year will have to hold me over! :)Speaking of treasures , Happy Happy Birthday to your Mom ! and thank you so much for the chance to win one of your first precious mugs!!!:) xoxo
Traveling by train is so fun, and you are making your way to someone who loves you. How wonderful is that! I hope you are enjoying every minute. We will be doing the same in May, only now it’s OH to CA, instead of the other way around . We have a new grandbaby to see! A boy, and he’s # 4. We will be making our way to see those we love, too.
The mugs are lovely! I’d love to know one was heading my direction. Good luck to all the girlfriends!
Happy new baby Susan!!!
Have a wonderful trip! I am off myself today, on a journey to India! Will definitely be bringing back tea and would so love to be able to enjoy it in one of those luv-lee mugs please!
To India! Bon Voyage Karen. Enjoy!
The mugs are AMAZING! I have a tiny bit of your first fabric line left in my stash – can’t bring myself to use it!
I pre-ordered the In Love With Nature mug and can’t wait to get it in a few months! I am so happy you are making cups now! Thank you! Thank you for your blog and your Willards and everything else you create for us. Such a bright spot in my life. I have been wanting to take a train trip for awhile. My only hesitation is that my husband is 6’5″ and I am afraid he would be miserable in the cramped space! How does Joe manage it? Are the beds really short?
Joe does good. He’s 6’2″ and those 3 extra inches on your husband are probably pretty meaningful. Joe is stretched out beside me right now, sound asleep, as we clickity clack down the track, so I’m tempted to say your husband would do okay.
I love the new cups!!! I am so glad your making a line like this. Still miss the pajamas. I gave a pair to my mother in-law and she LOVED them. I will be purchasing a cup or two.
Your beautiful tribute to your mother is wonderful. She is so lucky, and so are you, to have each other! I had forgotten about sprinkling clothes to iron. I remember my mother sprinkling a basket full of clothes, rolling each piece up tightly, then placing 2 or 3 items at a time, filling several dish towels, and rolling them up to put in the refrigerator for my older sisters to iron later. Sweet memories. Love, love, love your beautiful new cups. Will place an order today. Definitely will need some to give to friends. Your wonderful blogs are the sunshine in my day! Have a fun, exciting, travel safe trip. Sending lots of hugs from Minnesota and will keep you in my prayers. Ruthie
Love the mugs! But then I love all of your things. I would love to win one.
I hate ironing (forgive me) but love cats. My little calico, Kylie, went to kitty heaven the day after Christmas. It broke my heart, I had her for 11 years.
Oh my, your own mugs! Sweet, sweet sweet…especially that little lamb on the In Love With Nature one 😊.
Absolutely love the new mugs! Hope I win one.
Your teacups look so fun. I’m Gabriele from Vashon Island, WA
I just pre-ordered my cups…LOVE them! And two days ago I purchased four rolls of wrapping paper. Very happy!! See you in SLO…
Hi Susan,
Your mugs are so cute and delightful and special. What fun to be able to use one or more of them! I love your coat too–very unusual.
Did I misread or misunderstand: are you making a movie about your 3 books? If so, fantastic!
Very best wishes and joy in being with your Mom.
Beautiful mugs! Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your stop in Chicago! Two of my favorite lunch spots within walking distance of Union Station are the Berghoff and also Miller’s Pub. Both are historic restaurants and close to shopping on State Street. Have fun!
When I was a child, my mother took all her handmade doilies and starched them, using your method. We then stretched the doilies on beds (made, of course! ha!) using straight pins to secure the stretch. They came out beautifully! I continue that process on those same doilies handed down from generations!
Thank you for the reminder!
Your new mugs are so pretty. They will make great gifts (I get one first!) Thanks and I have my fingers crossed.
love the new mugs….spring is here in SC.. the cannonball jellyfish are floating in…our sea turtles love to munch on them
Kathy
Oh Susan, your real starch tutorial brought back memories of my Mom starching and ironing when I was young. (I very rarely iron any more, depend on a hand steamer). Ditto on our angels 😉 So happy that another dream of yours has come true, love your cups!
So very excited about the new cups. In Seattle now & will be driving home to Cape May NJ soon. Lots of setting up our home again after being away for 2 months. I envision some starch & ironing in my future. Lori
Have a fabulous trip, I’m sure you will have fun and it will be great celebrating with your mother. The mugs are wonderful – will we be able to buy them here in England without having them dispatched to the U.S. and then back here again??
Either way I know I’m destined to be drinking from them in the future!
I’m just giddy from your post! I can see I’ll be clearing some space for new cups 🙂 Thank you SO much for the starch tutorial. Yes, that’s how my mum did it and I didn’t know they still made liquid starch. My many linen things thank you! Your comments about your mom brought tears to my eyes. Happy birth day to you both! ♥
PS….must have coat!
Enchanting mugs! Have a safe trip.
Growing up it was my job to do the family laundry. Different items were starched…back in those days the starch was cooked, had to be very careful not to burn it. The cups are beautiful.
Birthday wishes to your mother…enjoy your trip to California…hopefully there is no rain during your visit.
I found “A Place to Call Home” and watched all 4 seasons…Wow! love the series…looking forward to Season 5. Thank you for sharing it in one of your blog posts.
Curious about the cooked starch! Was it made with just plain dry starch and water?
Yes. I don’t remember the brand of starch. Mom would do it…she didn’t want me burning myself. Sometimes she would let me stir. It was a long process. The clothes would be so stiff, they could stand up. I didn’t like the stiffness. lol!
Your mugs turned out just beautiful. I certainly don’t need another but I can’t resist. If I win I will just have to give one of mine away1
PPS….how do the sizes run on the wool coat?
I would say they are true to size. They are English and so the sizes are different from US sizes, you should find out what a 12 is in Brit sizing for example.
Loved the starch tutorial. My mom used to iron everything like that. My roommates in college thought I was weird that I ironed my bed sheets. 🙂 Those mugs are ADORBS and I’m going over there when I’m done here to get some. I know just what you mean about a little piece of your mom’s soul breaking off into you. My daughter may not feel that way yet, but I think I FELT that happening when we had to leave her at college for the first time this past fall. It literally felt like what an amputation must be like. 🙁 Oh, and by the way, I went to Trader Joe’s this week to get some of that champagne you mentioned in your sleigh ride post. It was only $5.99 here! I got several bottles (just in cases) 🙂 and it is delicious! I had some last night and no headache or stuffy nose, which also sometimes happens to me with champagne. I’m so happy. Even though it tastes like peaches, I’m still going to try a mimosa with it and see how that goes. Oranges and peaches, how bad can it be? 🙂 Thanks, sweet friend.
I bet you felt it. Isn’t that something? Oranges and peaches sounds about as good as a spring breakfast could hope for. xoxo
Love the mugs!
Hello Joe and Sue,
Great day to be cozy on a train. I go to Canada where train travel is perfect.
I usually head for Churchill on Hudson Bay. Led bird/wilflower tours there.
Your cups are SOOOOO cute! Did you embroider the MV isle of dreams on the little linen cloth in your bath? Love it. Have a great trip. xoxox from Peggy and Sparky ps off to make home made potato bread and sew since we are having ice outside maybe soup too -it’s that kind of day -love it.
The embroidered hankie was a gift!
My name is Cheryl, and I am a shameless dish addict. The mugs are precious! I would love to win one…and probably order the others 😉
My name is Susan, and I am a shameless dish addict. We should probably get t-shirts made. A warning to others. xoxo
Have a wonderful trip! I love the idea of the cross country train, there must be so much to see! The mugs are gorgeous!
PPPS…never mind…they are sold out!!! So cute, I think the girlfriends snapped them up!
Not yet, there was a glitch, but it’s fixed and they are not sold out!
Love the mugs. So pretty, and delicate. Would love to have my tea in one of them. I also loved that little white table in your bathroom. I love vintage furniture. It has such character. Lastly, could you please explain the blue critters that are on the white towels? Are they bears, and what are the little objects by them? Did you embroider that? It’s very sweet looking. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time with your mother. You are so blessed to still have her with you. Happy birthday wishes to her.
They are bears and those are bathtubs and faucets. I didn’t embroider them, I just found them in an antique store and appointed myself cherisher in chief!
I still starch! That pretty much tells you a lot about me. Have a wonderful trip. We rarely travel because we don’t have the heart to leave our four cats–and they have each other to keep company. Hope Jack doesn’t miss you too much. Wishing you good weather. It’s a crazy 72 degrees here in Southwest Virginia today.
He won’t miss us, he’s got Barbara and he thinks she IS us!
Ironing with Liquid Starch is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Who knew cotton t-shirts could look sooooooooo good! Thanks for the tip! Wishing you all the best, fun, adventure, food and drink to be shared with your dearest family and friends.
Cheers,
Pat
I’m going to start my collection of SB mugs with “Little Things” but please, please also do the one of your first mock-up with the bird on it. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since you showed it! Pretty please?
I will!
I can get that starch in my “Smallville” grocery store! I just love it…I iron all the time😄 Spent all day yesterday cooking ancient family recipes with my mom so they wouldn’t be lost and forgotten to the younger generation. My mom will be 87 in June. Happy birthday to your wonderful mom🎂
When I saw the title of your blog I figured you would be talking about potatoes, but instead got some great ideas for ironing linens! I love every one of your blog posts – thanks for including all of us in your life and enjoy your special time with your Mom. Soak in that California sunshine!
WHAT A FABULOUS BLOG!!!!of course they are all fabulous
(Thank you always) but as so many things have been lost to Past days…..we are all so fortunate that you are able to share the correct way to starch!!!!!! More than useful!!! And love your jackets!!! Perfect for the trip…..OHMY!!!! So much to enjoy!!!!! Love your coat from England and also their website!!!! AND THEN!!!!! IM ABOUT TO BURST…..your new cups are SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!!’!!! Hope we will be able to share an announcement on Facebook also, so all our friends will be able to purchase, in case they don’t receive your blog…..so excited I can hardly write!!!! Thank you for being so beautifully talented and sharing it with us!!!! I must also comment on how much I enjoy you sharing your family with us also ……one of my favorite parts of your books, blogs, Willards, website, is sharing your childhood with us….your Grandma, Dear Mom and Dad…..life experiences with them all….so precious to me!!! Thank you many many times❤❤❤😊