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!
You’ve won me over, it wasn’t hard I love to iron and liquid starch is going to be my go to from now on especially if my linens come out looking as good as yours, guess you know what I’ll be doing on my next day off! I’ve been following you and Joe on Twitter from the Train, love the short videos, did you find what you were looking for in Chicago? Was it as cold and windy as I remember?! Couldn’t believe you weren’t even wearing a sweater yesterday on the ferry! Crazy warm weather we’re having!! Many happy birthday wishes to your Mum for her special day,enjoy your visit! XOXO
It was cold, and in the city canyons, wind was whipping around us. Yes, we got my mom’s shoes, and we had a delicious lunch WITH wine. Vacations are a wonderful place to be.
The mugs will be GORGEOUS!!!! Please come have a cup of tea with me!!!
💖
I’m really enjoying the train ride. Thanks for taking us along with you. And the mugs… BEAUTIFUL! I’m going to ask my sweeties if they might consider getting Mama one for Mother’s Day. Tea will taste better in one of them, won’t it?
I would imagine that it will! Can’t wait to find out!
Please, Vanna, reach your long, beautifully buff arm in and pull out my name for a chance to win a cup! I simply adore all three!
LOL, you know her well!
I LOVE the mugs! Can’t wait to hold them. Safe travels.
Have a wonderfully relaxing journey and a fabulous visit with your mom. Sadly, mine died in 2009 and I still miss her terribly and still go to pick up the phone to call her every now and again. Love love love those mugs… but is there any source for those of us not in the USA?
We do ship, to anywhere, but there’s postage. . .
Hi Susan,
Well that was a fun post. Now I have to throw away my can of starch and buy a gallon of the good stuff. Knowing me I will have every thing in the house starched.
What a great giveaway, I’m looking forward to winning. Thank you!
Nancy Jo
I know, once you get started . . . !
Happiest train travels into your Mom’s arms! That is a beautiful image:) I’ve been wondering; How is the food on the train? I wish you and Joe a wonderful month with your family and friends, Caroline
I’d give train food a polite 5 out of 10. I’ve had a lot worse. Always good to bring a little snack for the room. Thank ou Caroline!
I LOVE the mugs!! I can’t decide which one I like best! As always, thank you for all that you write. You’re so inspiring! Have a great trip!!
I will not Iron-said someone somewhere! Oh yes, that would be me. I love the smell of fresh starched pillowcases. I might iron those. Have a safe and happy trip riding the choo choo across this beautiful country.
Linda L. -rumpled from no ironing. (Smiling)
What a wonderful tribute to your mother. I lost mine when I was 20. You are so fortunate to have her. I remember my Mom starching in the 1950s too. Thanks for sharing you linen collection. I had pillowcases with that same flower from my Great Grandmother Maude and Grandmother Lillian. I have curtains similar with sunburst crochet.
Your new cup is so darling I can’t stop looking at it.
Have a nice trip to California. So nice to follow along on the train
God Bless Susan
I am in LOVE with your LOVE mug!
I remember my mom doing the ironing back in the days when everything had to be ironed. She would set up the ironing board in front of the TV and she and I would watch The Mike Douglas Show together while she worked. Oh, man, I’m getting sad just thinking about it. Wish she were still here.
Also, love that your mugs are made in England! Thank you for doing that.
I love your mugs. I have all of your books from your very first one.
A fan forever.
our Momma’s share the same birthday! Mine will be 76 though. and I’m her last born. and only girl. The mugs are adorable, so cute! Enjoy your train ride and be safe!
Happy Birthday to your young mom! xoxo
Love it when your emails come! I sit down in a quiet place and absorb all the beauty. Have a wonderful trip across the country. That’s on my bucket list! And I LOVE the mugs! Must have one when they are available – even though I have more mugs than I know what to do with . . .
The cups are gorgeous and good thing is if I don’t win one, I can buy one (or 2 or 3)!
Those mugs are just lovely, can’t wait to own one and sip tea from it!
Hi Susan, I love your new mugs! Glad they are china too, it really does make you feel kinda special when drinking from a china cup/mug. I would love to be entered into the drawing. Your talk of ironing and putting the clothes in the fridge brought back memories of Mom’s ironing in there waiting for her and also my older sisters home always had clothes in there (sometimes in the freezer) Remember the bulbous little bottle you would put water in and shake the water out onto the clothes? Did your Mom have that too? You sweet comments about your Mom brought me to tears. How special you two have that between you. She is a lucky Mother to have you as her daughter. Enjoy each other and you and Joe have a wonderful trip. xoxo
My mom used a “pop” bottle! with a cork! Thank you dear Paula! xoxox
PS ~~ cannot wait for the recipe for the Orange Marmalade cake ~~ mouth watering!!!
The mugs are beautiful! Hope I win one, but just in case I don’t I’ll preorder one! I see you are in my beautiful city of Chicago today. Enjoy your visit, but don’t miss your train!
Didn’t miss it, and adore your hometown, that toddling’ town!
The mugs are lovely. You hope my name is chosen
I love the mugs, especially the one with Lambkins…have a great trip.
I remember my Mom using starch when doing the laundry. She was always washing and ironing with 7 children. My Mom only had a wringer washing machine where she had to pull it over in front of the kitchen sink and did about 3 or 4 loads a day. And all wash was hung on the clothesline. We never had an automatic washing machine and dryer til I was in high school. Nothing in the world can compare with that fresh air and starch smell. Miss that smell and my Mom.
And by the way, love,love, love the cups.
Have a great trip . Safe travels.
The mugs are beautiful. Can’t wait!!!
Safe Travels. Happy Birthday to your Mom! Our Moms share the same day (27th) and close to the same year. We are blessed.
Happy YOUR mom’s birthday, Sharon!
MUGS!! Oh boy! Such a necessity for tea each morning and they are the right size for lingering over the local paper with a bagel. Thanks for great designs.
Love Love Love your blog and Willard!! Thanks for always making me smile!!
What lovely linens, jackets, and teacups!!!! How exciting! My mom irons EVERYTHING. Even the shirts she mows the yard in. She wouldn’t dare be caught “un-ironed” in any situation. We are digging out from 8″ of snow here…no school for my son today. We just ate chili and grilled cheese and are now snuggled in for the afternoon. Enjoy your trip and spending time with your lovely mom.
Oh my goodness, I to love starched linens, they looked so lovely anywhere you put them. Ironing to me is so calming in these hectic times. Makes me feel grounded just as you do Susan when I read your blog. Thank you so much for letting us into your and Joe’s lives. Have a wonderful time with your mother! Can’t wait to see photos. Thanks for giving a chance to win those beautiful mugs that are a wonderful reflection of you.
Safe travels!!! Love the mugs!!!
How wonderful the mugs are Susan..will they be available in the Uk?…I love the Little things one…but they are all gorgeous…are they being made at Emma Bridgewater factory..just love their shop.and those mugs would fit right in…I know you loved it there too even if it is quite hard to find…
Bless you always for sharing, encouraging and inspiring us.have a great trip ..and take care
Sandrax
At this point, odd as it is, they are only available for sale in the US. We can send them to you, but of course, the postage is pretty terrible. Someday maybe we can arrange for the manufacturer to sell them in England! Not made at Emma B. factory, happens to be another one.
Drinking out of these mugs first thing in the morning whould just make my day!
Hi Susan, I am so enjoying your trip by train to California!! I’m so happy for you to get to visit your sweet Mom! I love, love, love your new mugs!!! Happy vacation!!! Angie 😄
Hi Susan, I am so enjoying your trip by train to California!! I’m so happy for you to get to visit your sweet Mom! I love, love, love your new mugs!!! Have a lovely vacation!!! Angie 😄
Another great post that makes me want to get busy! We will try to have California dried out a bit before you get here. I feel my Mom’s arms too when you mention it, though she has been gone awhile. Thanks for that and have the greatest trip. Mugs are outta sight cute!
I love the darling cups!!! Thank you for the helpful how-to on starching! My grandma always had super-stiff-stand-at-attention table linens and until now always thought they came off her special clothes line that way. I love learning something new every day!
I have always wondered how liquid starch was used–and no wonder my linens aren’t as fresh-looking~~I use spray starch! I would love to be included in the drawing–I am so excited that your cups are being made in England!!
I enjoy collecting old linens, too! When my aunt downsized from a big old house to an apartment, I took all her “fabrics”, as she called them.
Love the new mugs. Super cute!
Susan,
Love the mugs…would be thrilled with any of them.
I also collect old linens and enjoy seeing your “stash”. They are beautiful.
Are keeping you & Joe in my prayers for safe travel and wonderful times in CA with your family & friends.
Susan, I’m having so much fun on the train with you and Joe and the Girlfriends! And now this stellar blog post with your delightful SB cups! Being made in England!! You really know how to get things done and done well (one of your many gifts that encourages me). The starch lesson is very needed by me, too, because I have always used the spray but it seldom produces really satisfying results, no matter how ‘heavy’ the formula. I’d completely forgotten about the liquid starch of childhood days. Along with the linens I’ve been collecting from yard sales over the decades, I have several cotton shirts that always look so much nicer starched, so Thank You (again) for the great tutorial. Please add my hug to the many you’re delivering to your darling mother. See you back on the train, and then in SLO next month! xoxoxo
My pleasure Christie, thank you for the inspiration for the MUSICA on this post!!!
And that’s something else I learned from you ~ being reintroduced to so many of the songs my parents used to play that made such a rich soundtrack for my 1950s-60s childhood! For years I played and replayed the Big Band LPs I inherited from Dad, and then later videotaped TMC movies from the 30s & 40s. But now, thanks to you (xo), it’s been great fun rediscovering such greats as Jo Stafford and the Pied Pipers, Tex Beneke and the Modernaires…. I know the first thing I’m going to do when I get home tonight ~ start the weekend with Glenn Miller’s Chattanooga Choo Choo. youtube.com/watch?v=xO21y9Gflx0
How lucky our parents were to go dancing to that music!!! Go for Tommy Dorsey! The songs he did with Frank are the best I think Frank ever did. Sisters! LOVE Jo Stafford. I collect this music the same way I collect Barns! xoxoxo
These mugs are so beautiful! I wished I could win the mug! Love all your books, calendars and you blog! I wished it would be easier to get all your things over here in Germany! Thank you for making my life so colourful with all what you do!
Love having friends from other parts of the world. Love that we can come together, and be real, and not representatives of any of our governments, but most just people together. 💞 One world.
The mugs are beautiful and it would be so exciting to win one! So happy they are made in England, too!
Hi Susan! lovely blog post, now you have me in the mood to do some ironing! Did I really just say that? 🙂 Have lovely visit with your Mom and enjoy California!
My goodness, the mugs are so delightful! So darn cute!!
Take care, bless you!
You have brought back fond memories of my Mother starching the laundry .
I remember watching her and trying to help ?!
You are so lucky to have your Mother . I miss mine dearly .
Have a wonderful , blessed time on your trip .
OH SUSAN,
They are awesome! Each one is just perfect and reflects all the things we love and cherish. You can read our minds. Your friends and followers seem to be in true syncopation. Feeling blessed to know you through this blog.
Happy to have you here Carol Ann!
Your blogs are always so interesting!
Lovely lesson on linen and starch. Ironing is not my favorite chore, but I do love the results. Beautiful mugs that will make special gifts. Safe travels to you and Birthday Wishes for Mama!
Your new mugs give me such a happy and content feeling. I would love to sip tea from one! Hugs, Connie ( Redding CA )
Love those cups!! Can’t wait to order. I’m looking for the orange marmalade recipe too. That would be soo good with tea. Did I miss it?
I had to order 2 mugs (I used restraint and didn’t order them all!) But if I win, I have BFFs who will love them! Right now in Denver we are having winter. But we have had spring for the last week or two and it will come back again next week! The weather is never boring. Reading A Fine Romance in preparation for my trip to England next year with my three best friends! Need to narrow down the places to go! I think between you and Rick Steves we will be able to plan a fabulous (although not long enough!) trip. Enjoy the train and California!
I would love a mug. Love all 3.
Envy those who have Moms to celebrate with. My Angel Mother passed away (breast cancer) when I was 6 years old. So, those of you who can – celebrate every birthday – in fact every day that you can – with your Mom.
Smashingly beautiful mugs!
Six. Awww. That is very sad Vickie, and must have been awful for your family. Breast cancer is so much better dealt with today, thank God, and hopefully better in the future. xoxoxo
Susan, your new cups turned out just lovely! I’m going to start a new collection now. I just know it. Your blogs are always so invitingly friendly. I’m a huge fan!
My sister and I saw you in Austin at the book store there. What a exciting day that was for us.
Have a wonderful time in California visiting family and friends! Send pictures!
All the required fields are marked? Can you help me to post this?
You did it! You are entered for the drawing Marion!
Love the mugs! Have a wonderful, safe trip across the country!
Ironing is an exercise in Zen for me – taking something wrinkled and looking unloved and smoothing it with warmth and care into something beautiful! I absolutely have to try the liquid starch. Have a wonderful trip. We’re all riding along with you in our daydreams.
Enjoy your trip, Susan, and a Very Happy Birthday to your Mom! Loved seeing your starched things – that stuff makes a huge difference. I may try it, as I have lots of linen.
Oh, I love so much that you write about but this blog seemed to just speak to me and all the things I love! Last year, you wrote about your fabric (which I immediately ordered) at Spoonflower, and then I stayed to design some of my own. At the same time, I got some wrapping paper, and I just LOVE the quality of it! I remember thinking it was very expensive, but when I saw the quality and that you don’t just get a little piddling sheet of it, I realized that it was completely worth it! The cups are wonderful – just going over to order some now. I love that they are 16 oz. My current faves are not that big, and I need a nice big cup of coffee in the morning, as I only get one a day…
I love all the linens – the Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams handkerchief was new to me – do you sell that? I love it! I have beautiful linens, too, and remember my mother starching with liquid starch. I’ve used the spray stuff, but never the liquid. I am going to try it with some of my linens…
I don’t sell them. That was a very sweet gift!
Love love love your mugs!!
Thanks for the starch and ironing directions. A true lost art. I can’t wIt to get to my grandmother table clothes.
Have a fabulous trip with your views from the window.
I remember my Mom would put my Dad’s white shirts in the freezer. I’m sure your Mom had one of those water sprinklers that she would put on an old dish soap bottle too. I actually found one at a garage sale and had to buy it. My daughter saw it and couldn’t figure out what it was used for! So excited for you to have a cross country train trip and to be able to celebrate your Mom’s birthday with her. Your mugs are adorable and I hope I win one! Just in case I don’t I’m going to pre order right now.
The mugs are adorable! Can’t wait to order some. Hope you have a great trip.
As always, your messages are so welcome! Yes, I often watched my mother prepare starch and use it to stiffen our clothing and home items; they’d be so crisp and fresh when ironed! I also remember the sweet smell of freshly laundered sheets brought in from the line where they were hung to dry! Sadly, no such line is allowed where I live now! I’m envious of your trip to California and I look forward to reading more about it…Happy Birthday to your mother and I just know she will cherish your visit! Also…I’m totally excited about the new mugs…your talent warms my heart…can’t wait to see them when they arrive! Safe travels!
Oh what a treat it would be to drink my morning tea in a genuine SB cup!
Dear Susan, the tea cups are just WONDERFUL. Can not say in in small letters. Put my name in for drawing,please. Also, was wondering if there were any blogs that you read that we friends might enjoy too. Thank you! barbara
I try to give links to them as I go along, but if you look down the right hand column of my blog, you’ll see somewhere there, a list of my favorites. xoxo
I love old linen napkins. Every time I find some in good shape I buy them. I am so used to them now, that I really do not like paper napkins at all. The mugs are lovely.
Sandra
As I read down through I see we are all enthused about your new mugs – they look fabulous and I can’t wait until the ones I ordered arrive. Thank you for the tips on starching. This will sound terrible, but I used to starch and iron, then I got so busy I stopped doing both years ago! I’m not sure I’ll get back to doing it, but your step by steps make it look fairly easy. I’m enjoying “twitter from the twain” and forgot to mention when I wrote a post in your last blog how much I enjoyed reading about your Vermont trip and the videos of the sleigh ride – beautiful horses, jingling bells and all. I was focused on the fact that you and Joe were taking the train out to spend time with your Mom for her birthday! Wishing you the happiest of times!
I adore the mugs! My favorite is the Little Things mug. I was recently Instant Message-ing with a friend (is that a thing?) about how we both love your calendars. We both had tried something else one year and decided we would never do that again. It makes it worth time passing so fast to see the next month of my calendar. 🙂
I miss my mother so much. I was born when she was in her early 40s so it was actually a blessing she lived to be in her mid-80s. I had her around much longer than expected. In so many ways, I am my mother. Okay, I need to get the tissues. Have fun and feel loved as only a mother can love you, totally unconditionally.
I am my mom too, but she’s better at it than I am. xoxo
Loved this entry on starching! I hope to give it a try. Such sweet sentiments about your mother! I am traveling to see my dad tomorrow…celebrating his 83rd birthday which is also the 27th! Have s wonderful time with your mom.
I cannot wait to purchase a mug,
Donna
Have a wonderful time with your Mom!
Your cups are beautiful – cannot decide which one is my favorite – I just love them all.
Save travels ~
Every post of yours is a gift, girl! I thank you, muchly, M’am.
The cups are absolutely wonderful!!! Here’s hoping I’m a winner!!
I would love to enter to win a beautiful cup! I am Suzanne Kalanquin. The designs are so wonderful!
Have a fantastic trip Susan, so wonderful to see your Mom. I would love to ride the train across country- it’s on my wish list. Yes, please send that yummy cake recipe. I adore the cups, please enter me in the drawing. I have never starched, but Mom always had rolls in the fridge and my Nana did too! Safe travels- Pam
Susan,
I wanted to let you know that today I was at Williams Sonoma and saw the cutest Peter Rabbit bowls, cake decoration and cookie cutters. I just checked an they are on line too.
I thought of you and had to make sure you knew.
Thank you for your wonderful books and blogs. I always look forward to them.
The mugs are adorable!!!! And I’ve never startches anything like that before. Thanks for showing how that’s done. Enjoy your trip! ☀
Happy Birthday to your mom – wow, 72 hours??? And I thought a week late and 36 hours was a struggle. It does make you love the result more. She deserves LOTS of hugs. And I loved your “just in cases” comment – my husband and I use that term often since it is from one of our favorite movies. Love the mug designs (they are going on my birthday list) and the reminder that Spoonflower makes wallpaper since I have been debating for the last year how to finish the walls in my newly expanded laundry/mud room. Have a wonderful trip and stay dry!
What a pleasant surprise today! MUST.HAVE.THOSE.MUGS!
Safe travels,
Luanne
Susan,
What a lovely post and thank you so much for the opportunity to win one of your bee-u-ti-full cups!!! Congratulations on making a dream come true!!! (insert hands clapping)!!!
I love the ironing/starch information – makes me think of my Mom – who ALWAYS used liquid starch for her beautiful dresser scarves, doilies (she crocheted with that super-thin thread) and various things too! There really is nothing like using the liquid starch – it makes a HUGE difference. And, there’s something rewarding about that tactile experience both during and after!
Please give your beautiful, loved, Mom a BIG, squishy birthday hug from me. How wonderful for you to have this time together and make those precious memories we forever cradle in our hearts!
Much love and safe travels!
XoXoX,
Jeanette
Oh…I can picture drinking some Barry’s Tea in those mugs! Very pretty!
Thank you for the delightful post. And welcome to your ide through the Midwest! Enjoy!
Put me down for the mug drawing, please!
Thanks for the memories – starching and ironing! Of course I’m telling my age as I remember very vividly the bundles in the fridge, etc. I must confess I have been known to use spray starch! The new mugs are adorable. I like the Little Things one best. Have a safe trip to CA. and home again. Thanks for bringing fond memories and sunshine to my day!
❤ the new mugs!
Love the mugs Susan! Wish I would be in So. Cal. to see you but I’m sure you’ll have a very devoted crowd coming to see you. Thanks for your lovely designs.
Oh Susan, you brought back such wonderful memories of my Mother-in-law. She was the queen of starch. She was an avid crocheter and her doilies were always perfectly starched and ironed. My husband attended parochial schools, and his shirts were always so white and the collars were starched expertly. Her favorite starch of choice was Argo Starch and it was in blue boxes. She was even known to put a very light starch on pillowcases that had embroidery or cross stitch designs on them. They were always lovely on beds. Enjoy your trip to California!
Thanks for the lesson on starch. I haven’t used it for years and didn’t know it was good to use on linen. Your colorful coat is beautiful. Love it, the linens and the cups. Kay H
I remember my Mother using boiled starch. She started with a powder that she mixed with water and boiled on the stove in a large pot. The items to be ironed were dipped into the pot (after it cooled somewhat), swirled around then wrung out. She had a cloth laundry bag that she put the starched things in. The bag went in to the refrigerator overnight and the ironing was done the next day. The starch protected the fabric from stains and odors. I love the smell of the starched laundry being ironed.
Thank you for bringing those memories back.
Like you, I used starched (!) dresser scarves growing up and am fond of collecting vintage linens today. Hope to win one of your new fine china mugs! Thanks for the opportunity to win. I know you and Joe will have a memorable train trip to CA.
Love the home made coat from England. Would love to see you I it… yes put the marmalade recipe on the next blog. My mom starched everything and used a mangle iron and trust me nothing wrinkled.. she’s soak our petty coats in starch and dry them over old umbrellas. We would take flight if a gust of wind hit us!, LOVE THE MUGS….. THANKS HAVE A GREAT TIME…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM!
Thank you for the lovely message and bringing joy to me on an otherwise bleak day as winter returned. Irene
The mugs are beautiful! What fun to have a cup of tea in one of these! Give your Mother some birthday hugs from all of us! And congrats to your winner! Hugs, Diane from Florida
I learned a lot about starching grandma ‘s dresser scarves, Thanks!
Hello again, Susan!
Happy train journey to you and Joe, I love trains too. Thank you for all the delights of old linens (and starch), pretty new cups and marmalade cake.
Have a very wonderful time seeing your mum, sweet words about her long labor. I know she thought you were worth every minute!
Joy to you, you give all of us so much…
Nice look on those mugs! Much better than the paper version. That will be exciting!
Oh Susan!!! I’m pre ordering the 3 mug set. Got a Susan Branch gift certificate for Christmas. Have been waiting for the mugs to arrive on line. Can’t wait! Safe travels to you and Joe! Have a wonderful visit with Mom. Oxoxo
Your blogs are like a breath of fresh air, Susan! Enjoy your trip and your visit with your mom!
Xoxo
Kelly from eastern PA
I didn’t know about liquid starch. I guess I thought it was only available in a spray can — pretty silly. When I think of all the clothes I gave away because ironing with spray can starch was a waste of time. I really learned something today. Thank you! The mugs are very pretty! Have a good trip.
Love the mugs! Visited the Spoonflower website and the designs are wonderful in wallpaper too!
I love old linens also but living in a small apartment I find it hard to find a place to use them. Maybe a shower curtain in the guest bath, I will have to see if I have a table cloth the right size. You gave me a great idea. I hope you enjoyed Chicago and were here when our weather was so fantastic. Now it is back to being cold and today rainy. Enjoy your trip, relax and have fun with friends and family.
The coat…dreamy! The starch…I remember ironing my baby doll’s white cotton batiste gown and cap, with LOTS of starch!! Loved the beautiful crispness, and especially the smell of the starch…thank you for reminding me of that sweet memory. The roses…I do the same thing! The mugs…I have plans for my birthday money for the beginning of a collection! The train…on our bucket list!! Be safe, have fun!
Can only imagine a lovely nibble if that fabulous looking Marmalade Cake and a grand cup of coffee in one of your darling mugs!
Have a wonderful time in California… Moms are the best!