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 think I recognized the bowl with the starch as “Town and Country” by Stangl. My wedding pattern! I’ve been following you since your drawings first appeared in Country Living! Love that your merchandise is expanding! Hope everything is still standing in California!
Hello Susan,
Love the starching lesson! I remember my grandmother putting cloths in the refrigerator all the time. God Bless amazon for having the starch. Look out Amazon here we all come.
I would love a mug. How exciting to finally be having them made for you. Love to your Mom on her birthday. And I think a little piece of your soul is in all of us! Thanks for your wonderful blog.
Safe travels!
Carol C
Beautiful mugs – job well done!
I will be sticking my head in at Stewardson’s in June! Thanks for the tip — your jacket is gorgeous!
They have great hats too!
Those mugs are so pretty and fun! I love them.
Susan, that coat is fabulous, lucky you. I would so love to have a cup of tea in one of your new mugs. Thanks for sharing all your news.
Too delightful! A must order!!!
Love the new mugs❤️❤️❤️. Soooo nice!
Thanks for the starch lesson. I’m going to try it!
Have a nice visit with your mom. My mom is near, but has dementia. I still visit….hoping.
Hi Susan,
Both the washer and dryer are going, it’s so cold and snowy here it’s a good day for laundry. I may just have to do an extra load though so I can starch something, it’s been awhile but know what you mean about starched things looking so fresh. Safe travels through the Rockies, we’ll have the sun out for you by the time you get here!
Happy birthday to your mom. Hope the weather is less rainy while you are here. We’ve had a VERY wet one in California so far this winter.
I remember before there was liquid starch, my mother would have to mix up starch from a powder with boiling water. Now I rely on spray starch mostly, but even that helps with smoothing the wrinkles in ironing.
I love your mugs and will need to order some, as well as hoping to win one of them.
I am beyond excited and in love with those mugs!! Eeeek! 🙂 I never knew about liquid starch. Really great ideas! I’m going to try it out on my table linens. I can never get all wrinkles out! Now maybe I will….. I’m enjoying all the fun lollipop shenanigans we are having on board that train! 🙂 Hee hee…..
I love your blog and always look forward to reading them! I love the cups and would love winning one! Nancy Rock
I am definitely ordering a Little Things mug when they are available! Have a wonderful trip and great time with your family.
Hi Sue,
I hope you have a wonderful trip across the country! I am very excited about the mugs…will have to get one (or more) to add to my Emma Bridgewater collection!
Beautiful!
Hi Susan,
Who knew…about the starch?? You made me a believer, and I’m going to place an order on Amazon this weekend. Never too old to learn something new. I remember my grandmother using real starch, the chunky dry stuff in a box. I loved eating a chunk of it when she ironed…not sure how that happened but I must have been only 4 or 5 at the time. I also used spray starch on hubby’s shirts years ago, but haven’t done his shirts in years since he takes them to the dry cleaners. Years ago, I wore a lot of linen clothing, but eventually got tired of looking rumpled and wrinkled. Like you, I much prefer crisp and fresh clothing during the spring, summer, autumn heat and humidity in northern VA. I can hardly wait to have starched cotton and linen shirts, blouses, and skirts. I may even start a collection of tea towels to decorate the warming oven in my kitchen. I always iron my bed linens so I’m thinking starched pillowcases would be lovely. Thanks, Susan…you are full of great ideas.
The cake looks delicious, and the wrapping paper is darling.
Enjoy your travels and time with your Mom!
Love the mugs. Wish I was on the train with you. Enjoy.
I loved your lessons on starching clothes–certainly an art from the past. Do you still have a glass bottle with a sprinkler head for dampening your clothes?
Your new mugs are wonderful…would love to have one for my early morning cup of coffee! Happy trails to you and Joe as you cross the country and Happy Birthday to your Mother as well!
Made in England is the Best kind of mug! Must preorder now!!!
Those mugs are amazing. Have a wonderful time in California, best of luck with the weather there (I’ve been reading about the potential floods). I’ve been following you on twitter, even though I don’t actually have a twitter account. Thanks for all the updates. Now my fingers are crossed that Vanna favors me in the drawing…
Birthday wishes to your Mom and hope you and Joe have a wonderful train trip.
Enjoy!!!-
Love the mugs! Have a safe and sweet trip!
Your new mugs are fantastic! Can’t wait to see them online! My mother was big on starch too…..me, not so much 😁. Have a wonderful trip!
Susan these cups are to die for, your designs are so inspiring as your books. I read and reread them all the time. Hope a new one will come of recent England trip. How lucky I would be to win a cup. Thank you regardless.
Happiest of Birthdays to your Mama! May you be blessed with many more years of celebration of her birthday. May she be blessed with many more years of good health. <3
Lovely roses and cups! I remember my Mother and our neighbor, Mrs. Tucker, always making starch to share; they alternated weeks. Mr. Tucker was a police man and Daddy was a sales man. They had to look their best! There was always a roll of ironing in the fridge… Do you have the little shaker bottle? I’d love to find a vintage one!
Safe travels and happy birthday, Susan’s Mom!
Hi Susan,
Love the darling cups…
My daughter, mom and I look forward to meeting you in SLO at Apple Farm for the book signing event.
Adorable mugs….have fun on your trip.
I had forgotten about the starch thing….my mom did the same thing and I did most of the ironing when I was old enough. By the way, I really enjoy ironing. I have lots of clothes that get touched up with the iron and some spray starch.
Blessings, Lee
Happy Birthday to your Mom!
Love the mug and hope to be a winner but if not will certainly order one to keep close to my cookbooks. I make up the starch in a spray bottle and use it like a spray starch too for quilting. Hope to see you in March at Apple Farm.
Love the mugs Susan. They’re beautiful!
I just love the cups! I can’t pick a favorite– I love them all! Have a blessed time with your mom and wish her happy birthday for me! Have a safe trip!
That coat is gorgeous! Safe trip and joy and peace to your mom. My mom and your mom are the same age and she used starch too. I do once in a while.. Love your new mugs! Just right. Safe train travels!! I took a train trip in younger days from Wisconsin to Wyoming!! That clickety-clack sound is unforgettable!! Enjoy!!
Listening to it right now . . . crossing a very foggy stretch of farmland . . . barns are ethereal. xoxo
How can it be that I did not know about liquid starch????? I will get some, pronto, as I would prefer that to spraying starch on my quilting fabric, for sure. Have never liked that, but would very much like the results you get. And for my linen jackets! Magic! Thank you for the lesson – I was mesmerized. Ha! So silly but so true.
Absolutely love these cups, the designs of course, but finally a reasonable size! I drink hefty amounts of both coffee and tea, and your new cups will be perfect!
I’m a bit wistful that you get to snuggle with your sweet mama. Mine has been gone for – goodness, 15 years. I still can smell her and remember how her cheek felt against mine. I mostly don’t cry when I think of her, but today’s an exception, I guess. I know you don’t take yours for granted, and your snuggles will mean so much.
I cry too, and my mom’s still here. But you know how it is . . .
I love a crisp starched linen look….
Interesting post on Spray Starch. Makes you want to iron. Love your new mugs! I think this will be my new collection. Thanks for being such an inspiration of happiness!
I love the cups!
Susan, Susan, Susan…
The mugs are so charming. I’m pre-ordering the “Love” Mug for my darling 12 year old (almost 13…in May) GD who loves tea and hot chocolate, and the “Little Things” Mug for me.
I have a lovely collection of tea cups (mostly white china from antique stores, but a few are patterned cups and saucers). I’m excited to start a collection of your mugs!
Thank you for sharing your creativity!
Thanks for the lesson on Starching! I’ve always wondered why the spray starch never really worked for me. 🙂
p.s. I love the mugs!!
I’m going out right now and buy some liquid starch!!! You really could be a salesman for it – the proof is in the pictures you posted. Oh, those cups are SO adorable, I’d love to win one! Safe travels to you and Joe!
Susan,
As usual, you’ve touched me in the ‘feels’! I watched my sweet mom starch so many lovely linens and she taught me so much about the value of those she gave me. It brings her right back to me every time I wash and starch them, too. Again, I wish you a lovely trip with Joe and many great memories made with your sweet mom. God bless. Can’t wait to see the mugs in person.
Best wishes for your train ride to CA and a wonderful time with your mom and family!!!! The mugs are WONDERFUL!!!!! So excited about them!!!!!!
Thanks for always sharing your adventures. Happy Birthday to your mom 🙂
Lots of snow here in Wyoming today – Safe travels!
Your blog takes me back in time to time spent with my mom. She used to say starch made it easier to get out a stain too. We always starched the embroidered pillowcases and they looked so much nicer on the bed. I miss her dearly. Your mugs are great and a nice size for tea. Would love to win one, and then order a second one for my friend. Your words lift my spirits.
I remember my mom using g starch. Love your new cups
I soooo love your blog Susan and would LOVE to have one of your cups! Enjoy your trip to California!
Happy birthday to your mom.I love linen,when i worked for Laura Ashley ,I iorned all the lovely linen dresses for the mannequins.When that hot iorn hits the starch and linen its heavenly.That needs to be a room spray fresh starched linen.Enjoy you trip and the cups are lovely.Mary Lawrence where the daffodils grows
The china cups so represent you!
Exquisite!
Have a wonderful trip across country, and thank you for the starch and ironing tips. Those of us inTX like our linen clothes. I admit I use spray starch. 🤗
Love the new cups! Your designs make me happy. Thank you for sharing the joy. Have a special time with your mom and give her a birthday hug for me. Tell her I’m ever so grateful she brought you into the world. Hugs from Austin! – Sarah
Enjoy your trip across this great country! Wishing your Mother a happy 87th birthday…..
Susan, Have a wonderful trip home and may your Mom have a blessed Birthday. Thanks for sharing your joyful life. The mugs are perfect “Girlfriend” gifts, maybe some tea, cocoa, or vintage silver spoon….you better order more! Looking forward to Willard.
Looks like we might have to Debbie!
Thank you Susan. when I went to play the musica, there was an ad that proceded it and I discoved that there is a new movie staring Shirley MaLaine coming out this spring! Looks really cute and funny. I love Shirley as an actress. She is always so good.
Enjoyed the blog and love the mugs, so darling!
I try SO hard to chose MUSICA with no ads, but sometimes they seem to arrive AFTER I put them link onto the blog. Oh well, at least you got some good news from it. I hate it when it’s some sort of pill commercial!
Enjoy your trip, hello to mom. Love love love the new cups. Unfortunately with two new tires on the truck I will just have to admire them from my monitor.
Your priorities are just right, Bonnie!
If I had only known about liquid starch when I was working with all my linen outfits I would have looked so less wrinkled. Better late then never as I love linen. The new cups I love, especially the Love one. Safe travels across country.
Just read the new Willard and was touched when you wrote about Love is the only thing that matters and to take nothing for granted. How true. The love of people, places, and things…that’s what it’s all about. And the great thing about love is that it is very forgiving when it is from the heart. Thanks for the reminder and safe travels!
We, most of us, are lucky enough to live very wonderful lives despite the trials and tribulations that are presented to us all. xoxo
Susan, hope you and Joe have a trip filled with great family memories! Just reading your words take me on a mini vacation!
As I was reading your comments about the ironing board and Jack, an idea came up – why not have an extra ironing board cover on top just for Jack to sit on and then you could remove it before ironing and no cat hair to tape up! or have a special cover made with your favorite fabric to cover the board for Jack? May be a little time saver for you and a special place for Jack!
I actually keep a dish towel on the end that he likes the best, but still, hairs get under it somehow and I just like them all gone before I get out the iron and the damp cloth!!!
Love the new mugs!
Happy Birthday to your mum — what a blessing you still have her. We were lucky enough to have my mum until she was 97! The starch really brings back memories. I can’t believe I starched and ironed so many things when my kids were little. I hardly do any ironing any longer. I love the cups. I immediately ordered all three. However, if I’m lucky enough to win, I will share with my daughters. They are all adorable and I look forward to the coming designs. Have a wonderful trip
I love the cups and, yes, I remember ironing with starch. We even ironed sheets with an ironing machine that you fed the sheets and pillow cases into. Have a wonderful time with your Mom.
Love the cups…Enjoy your trip!
I remember my mom crocheting small baskets and starching them till they could stand on their own. So beautiful. Your cups are lovely and I’d love to win one.
Thanks so much for the starch lesson. I’ve a few things that could use a good starching so will have to look around for the real thing. Your china cups are absolutely gorgeous. I’m ordering one for myself for Mother’s Day, and if I don’t win one, another for my dear daughter for Mother’s Day. My husband and I have decided to take a trip this Christmas (our beloved nine-year-old cat died quite suddenly the day before New Years and I didn’t want to be at home to be reminded), but he didn’t want to drive anywhere and I didn’t want to fly. Then I remembered how much you loved train travel and so I thought it would be just the best way to travel. Not sure where we will be going, but somewhere in California where it’s warm in December. We’re on the south end of Vancouver Island where the climate is fairly moderate at that time of year, but I want a change of scene. Happy Birthday to your mom, and safe travels.
I’m so sorry about your kitty. 😢
You can take a train to the Grand Canyon I believe it lets you off right at the entrance to the lodge.
Thanks Liz, I’ll have to look into that. It would be fun to be there at Christmas.
The mugs are gorgeous!
20 second hugs are the best. Mugs are joyful. Enjoy CA.
Oh, the cups! Perfect for Mother’s Day gifts. Have a wonderful train trip and enjoy the mom hugs, they are the best.
I need to starch a few linens – thanks for the tip! Love your new mugs!
I love the starch instructions. I remember my mom having metal forms that my dads slacks fit onto after starched and they dried on them, curtains too.
The mugs look so adorable!!! Love Mrs. Lambkins!
The mugs are all so beautiful……..your talent is amazing. 🙂 And the coat is SUPER cute! 🙂
Susan,
Wow, I learned so much this afternoon about starching an item. Thank you for the tutorial. The cups are so very sweet! I’m glad that you dreamed them and that it happened! Safe travels to you & Joe!
I really like your mugs! Can’t wait to get the marmalade cake recipe from you–won’t it be good with a cup of tea!!!
Hi Susan,
Hoping your shoe shopping expedition has gone well…
I sincerely appreciate women who iron, with or without starch, but alas, nothing can convince me it is worth the effort. 🙁
And, I usually drink coffee, but should I win one of those darling teacups, I will indulge and have a spot of tea. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your mom!
There are ironers, and there are non-ironers, and both should be respected. 😄 xoxo
I am known around here for loving “little things” so you know what’s on my birthday list? Your mug, of course, but actually, winning one would be so much more thrilling. I have to add like so many others…thank you for making it just the right size!
I’ve wished you well on your trip and a happy birthday to your mother before soooo I won’t repeat or keep you from your adventure any longer.
Elaine
Beautiful post – there’s so much to savor! I love your coat. And the orange cake. And the mugs! And and and ……
Enjoy your trip and being with your momma – I miss mine so much. Things are just never the same when your parents are gone. But good memories.
Mary
Those cups are primo! Love each one of them! I don’t know how I will choose between the beautiful artwork.
I love your new mugs dear Susan! I would like to preorder one but am having trouble deciding! Is it possible for you to provide images of the other side of the mugs?
Warmly,
Jacqueline
I ran out of time, but I will someday soon…they are are more of the same for each mug. But I know, it would be better if you could see them!
Susan,I forgot to mention that your potato salad bowl is a rare Monumental bowl.I have one very similar and it was apraised at $1200.Its from the 1860s.Mine was my husbands great, great,great grandma’s.
I think mine must be a ceramic copy… I got them (it, plus its sister and brother) at a wonderful store in downtown Vineyard Haven called Rainy Day. While I was doing the starching, I reminded Joe of that bowl, telling him how much I have loved owning it!!! I bet yours is much heavier, and very very amazing filled with true family memories!
Hi Susan!
This is erica! ([email protected]) from BC Canada! Something is odd again with what I’m seeing on the blog and address box under the comment section.
Got it Erica, copied and pasted your comment into an email and sent it to the computer wizards. I’ve tried before, but they are stymied by it so far. Thank you for letting me know! xoxo
I’ve had someone else’s name in mine, too, but I just delete it and put in mine and my comment goes through. My guess is perhaps it is the name of the last person to write a comment…not necessarily a computer bug, but I am NOT a computer expert! Just a thought.
I sent your comment to the powers that be, FayE. Let’s see what they think!
Okay, good! Have read in the comments that others are seeing the same thing. Do me a favor and remove my comment above where my email address is. Wouldn’t want the spy bots in cyber space to find it and fill my box with spam. Oh yes, it can and does happen that way when email addresses are visible. Thank you! xo
I have an idea!
Ask your subscribers to clear their browsing data after commenting. It’s found in the computer “settings.” Specifically to check off the box which will say something like “form data.” I did mine that way and it worked to remove my email after the comment above. What that does is remove anything which has been typed into forms. As a caution though, doing this will also remove everything else which has been typed into various other forms. It’s a good idea to clear your browsing data anyways every now and then, so it’s not like it’s not a good thing to do!
It’s a temporary fix, but at least it addresses the issue of exposed email addresses, which are private information.
Not meaning to offend, just offering a temporary solution maybe?
Got a note from my Computer Wizard yesterday, he wrote one word, “FIXED!” Yay! No offense, I really appreciate your caring and letting me know!
Oh I’m sorry Erica . . . there are so many comments, I would never know where to look for the one you want deleted! I would do it in a minute if I could. But one thing, we have a very good spam-remover (I know this is not the right word for it!) but not much gets through here!
OH…..My apologies, I assumed that you could view my comments as I see them, all in one thread. No problem Susan!! Now, onto the Wizard….he just may need to perform a few more magical wizard wand rotations because, unfortunately, it’s not fixed here. 🙂 xo
Hey, guess what!!! It IS fixed! A few minutes ago when I wrote that last comment, I was Sally and now I am Erica! I had restarted my computer and I am now me! Ahhhhh…thank you Wizard!! 🙂 🙂 Yay……lol. Sorry, I got carried away, as if you don’t have enough to read….*sigh* ….!!
Best news! Thank you Erica!
I too am going to have to starch something. I haven’t done so in ever so long. Would LOVE a mug! See you in San Luis Obispo! Safe travels.
Wow I love the mugs. How cute they are and it would be wonderful to own one.
So lovely! I admire your talent!
Looking forward to my ”in~coming” Willard this week …
I too was raised to do the liquid starch as you …and into the fridge on their special spot…
Birthday Blessing to Ma~~Ma ….your trips are going to be soooo many fantastic memories!!
Love that the cups will hold 16oz’s …
May the Travelin’ Gods Shine Upon you ALL…going and coming !!!
I always welcome Willard! Love you and your art ~ these mugs are just wonderful, and i am going to tret myself
I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoy visiting your blog and all the joys you share of creating a life and making a home! I am currently reading Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams and can’t put it down! I would be so happy if you could add my name to the drawing for the cups. It would mean a lot to me! Thank you for sharing your life with us 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Jill
I’m so looking forward to adding one of your beautiful mugs to my too-extensive mug collection! Enjoy your cross-country trip and treasure the time with your mom. Mine died just a year ago and is sorely missed every day.
Love your new mugs!! And love starch too. 🙂
Your cups are adorable, Susan. I know what I’ll be giving our for Mother’s Day (and Spring birthdays)!
So that’s why one might want to starch something…thanks for the lesson!
And the mugs are fantastic!
I knew someone would be asking that question!!!
Well, I missed out on the Maple Syrup, but would be even happier with one of those Mugs. I guess I might just go and pre-order also. 🙂 Have a fun trip!!
The mugs are so special! And how fun it was to hear about your starching projects–truly looks worth the effort! I can’t wait to hear more about your train travels and your visit with your Mom!
You said “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. ” Touched my heart. Thank you. ‘A tiny piece of her soul broke off’…thank you for those words. I feel the same about my mother although she is now, gone. Susan, I love the tea cups, and will order. I love bone china teacups… and ps…love linen and now will love it more with your starch advice.
I’m so happy you felt that too. It’s a gift. xoxo
Susan,
Happy travels. I am so tickled you will be with your mom soon. What a treat for both of you. My grandmother used to use boiled starch. It was a powder. Your method so much easier, and what a fabulous result. Thanks for the lesson and reminder about how much better the “real” starch is for keeping things crisp. You showed us the proof, just in case we had any doubts.
The mugs are a treasure. And what a delightful surprise, 3 to pick from, or not, just might have to buy one of each and give to close girlfriends.
Safe travels and love and bunny hugs to you.
Safe Travels! Enjoy California and can’t wait for the Orange Marmalade Cake Recipe. It looks amazing! Love your new coat of many colors!! Lovely! I enjoyed the startch tutorial😊 I learned to iron by ironing my dad’s hankerchiefs! Oh my goodness your new mugs/cups! I love them! They are all so cute! Thanks for sharing your travels with us!! Love to you! Tricia B. 💋❤
Congratulations on the lovely mugs. And a very Happy Birthday to your Mom. She must be a very proud lady.
Dear Susan, ENJOY YOUR TRIP!
And… what a Lovely New Mugs!!
Love & Blessings from Belgium,
Aurélie
In addition to spritzing, bagging and refrigerating the ironing, my mother also ironed some of the bed sheets! When I went to boarding school our Science Teacher taught us how to pin our pleated, plaid uniform skirts to the ironing board in order to iron them ‘properly’. (example: pinterest.com/pin/526850856381591051/ – except OUR skirts were supposed to be below the knee! ;). And, I found this cute photo of a CAT in uniform: pinterest.com/pin/518547344574596466/ 😉 )
Yet, I had no idea the virtues and processes of liquid starch — thank you for the tutorial (and, for the tip about ‘refreshing’ previously starched items). Domestic Bliss indeed! 😉
PS: A Happy Blessed Birthday to your Dear Mom! 🙂
I absolutely love the mugs! & very much enjoyed the ironing with starch….a lost art for sure.😊
I smiled at the reminder of starching and ironing, and of bags of clothes in the refrigerator. My memory comes from high school days, and I only remember using the spray-on starch, which tended to leave a rather icky shine on things. But now I am inspired to get some liquid — will have a look around town before I resort to Amazon — because hey – duh – some starch would make my linen jackets look better, and not go all limp the first 5 minutes I wear them. Somehow I forgot about starch — too many decades of ‘wash and wear’ ‘no iron’ fabrics.
Obviously you love jackets. I adore jackets. In our climate they are a must for most of the year, spring through fall, since even in summer our evenings are cool. Jackets are The Best. I love the look of the one you bought in England — it reminds me of one my mom had, from the ’40’s. What a great decade it was for jacket fashions.
Oh, and the mugs are adorable. Please put me in for the drawing, and even if I win, I will have to order the others. Perfectly Susanish.
Where are you? I want to move there. xoxoxo
Congratulations Susan!! The mugs are darling. Hope you have a lovely visit with your Mom❤❤. California will be just beautiful with all the flowers blooming and sun shining. Enjoy every minute!!