MUSICA!❤️ Well, first off, I promised you a photo of the wool coat I bought in England ~ the one I wrote about a couple of blogs ago … And I finally managed to remember to do it. And, btw, while out and about on the Internet, I happened upon a website in the English Lake District that sells them (just in cases you want one too! The label says, “handmade.”). It’s a wonderful store Joe and I visited when we were there called Stewardson’s of Hawkshead .
Welcome over from the new Willard if that’s where you’ve come from (he’s just starting to go out today ~ takes 3 days for him to get to every email box, so if you’re signed up, he 
should be there soon!), and if not, welcome anyway! As lots of you know, Joe and I are on the train right now, in our “room with a view,” actually in the beautiful Berkshires as I write, heading down the tracks for Chicago, then on to LA ~ and right now, out our window, is the most gorgeous sunset between the leafless tress and across snow fields! It’s kind of a miracle, to be on a moving train and writing you at the same time! I’ve been sending photos and videos of our views over to Twitter … hope you’ve been able to see them (you can click on the link and take a look if you like, you don’t have to join Twitter in order to see the pictures).
Yesterday, before we left (which was just this morning), I needed to do some ironing for the trip. I’m sure many of us remember our mothers starching clothes before they ironed them ~ rolling them up while damp, putting them in plastic bags and keeping them in the fridge until they were ready to iron. Seems so old-fashioned to us now! My mom did it, there were always bundles of ironing in our fridge, she ironed all my little sister’s puffed-sleeved dresses with starch, and taught me to do it too. And my dad’s shirts ~ we were all very crisp around our house. And it wasn’t spray starch, it was the real thing. Liquid starch, the kind she used, is hard to find, at least where we live . . . our supermarket doesn’t sell it anymore, I had to go to Amazon to get it. Mostly, these days, it’s used for crafts, but I have this linen jacket I was bringing along that is no good without good old-fashioned starch, spray starch just doesn’t do it. In fact, I have a lot of things I use real starch on. There’s actually a really good reason to do it! I’ll show you! (Jack, as you can see, was there for the whole thing! But he was more interested in . . .
. . . what was going on outside our kitchen window, than what was going on inside . . .)
So, just in case it’s been a long time, or maybe never, since you starched something, and just in cases you’d like to try it . . . here’s how. It’s really easy. First off, you can read on the bottle how much starch to mix with how much water to make the fabric as stiff as you’d like it to be.
I wanted my jacket to be slightly stiffer than medium, so I mixed 4 c. water with 2 c. starch in a very large bowl. My summer potato salad bowl if you want to know.
I swirled it around with my hand to mix it . . .
Then I put my clean linen jacket into the liquid and got it soaking wet.
I took it out and rung it out as best I could … then I noticed all that left over starch and thought, what else do I have? Then I remembered I’d just washed a dresser scarf from the bathroom and thought, perfect timing!
I like dresser scarves to be really quite stiff, so I added a bit more starch.
And in it went.
Then they both went out to the pantry to partly dry on the clothes rack. Soaking wet is not good for ironing, you want them damp. So while that was happening . . .
I wrapped birthday presents for my mom, we’re heading to California to celebrate her 87th birthday (on the 27th)! 🎁 She loves it when I wrap her things in my own paper, so I ordered some from Spoonflower, (the people I do the fabric for … they make all the fabric patterns into wrapping paper too!) which I’d never done before, I was interested to see the quality. And was happy because it’s the thick stuff! Very nice.🎈My mom will love it!
And then, for a couple of good reasons, I made a cake ~ An Orange Marmalade Cake, because Jack’s other Mother was coming from California to stay with him while we’re away . . . and we were making dinner for her . . . and also, because every time Lowely makes something delicious, she always brings me half.
And I wanted to do the same for her before we went away.
Which I did. She only lives two doors down, so I walked it over, and got a goodbye hug. The next time I’m doing a blog and NOT on the train, I’ll give you the recipe! It was delicious!
So then it was time to iron. And what is the first thing I have to do? I have to get Jack’s hair off the ironing board, unless I want to iron it into my clothes. The ironing board doubles as his perch at the pantry window to watch the world go by. So I got out my packing tape, laid a big long strip down, and moved it along until all his little hairs were stuck to it!
And now, I’m ironing. And it’s coming out beautifully.
Voila! When you starch something, it stays fresh looking so much longer. You can wear it and re-wear it and it doesn’t look wilted.
And that, in a nutshell, is why I love starched things. They last forever.
Here’s my dresser scarf, back on the table in the bathroom. Note shadow under table.
Old linens are one of my passions, loves, downfalls. The beautiful cloth, the delicate embroidery and the cotton lace ~ irresistable! Smoothing an old damask tablecloth onto my dining table is one of the simple joys of life. Lighting a candle on that table, where it almost reflects in the sheen of the cloth, is another.
Here is an example of starch and what it does. I haven’t ironed these in over 6 months. No one really uses them, because a terry hand towel is right there, so they are really more decorative than anything, but they look as nice today as they did when I hung them up 5 years 6 months ago.😜
These are the bathroom curtains in that same room, made from an old lace tablecloth, the last of the ones I brought from California when I moved into my first little house on the island. Starched and perky, I won’t have to do it again for a long time. You could never do this with spray starch. Not even with the one that says, “Heavy.”
And here are a few more linen things, just so you get the picture, which I’m sure you do by now! I should be a door-to-door liquid starch salesperson!
One more tip, and that is, you may have starched something a while back, like this linen jacket. But maybe it was crushed in the closet and got kind of wrinkled again. No problem…
As long as it’s clean, you don’t have to rewash and starch, you just spray on a little water, and iron, and it all that good starchiness comes right back.
And there they are, ready to go into plastic bags and into the hanging bag … yes, they will need a touch up when we get there, but it won’t be much! So there you go, adventures in ironing from the Heart of the Home! Pure
Okay, enough about ironing, how about some maple syrup? I LOVED your comments in the last post, like I always do, thank you so much.💞 And yes, we did stuff poor Vanna into our duffel bag, she’s here, fluffed out, head to toe in pink cashmere with a leopard faux fur collar (she knows how to be comfy), complaining because she broke a nail and there’s “no manicurist on board.” It’s okay, we’ll fly her outta here when we get to Chicago. Her and her “little pink zipper bag”👛 which we have had to find for her about six times now. She’s a princess. Not fit for train travel. We knew we would need her for the drawing for our Vermont Valentine Giveaway . . . and so, with no further adieu … Vanna? Come here darling… (oh, the look on her face😱) ~ here we go . . . the WINNER of this delicious Vermont syrup (I know because we got a bottle of this too!) is . . . . PAMELA TASKER!!!!! Congratulations Pamela! You will love this! Be sure to heat it up before you pour it on everything! Look for an email from me in your box . . . I’ll need your mailing address so I can send it to you.
And now, so it doesn’t have to end . . . there’s more . . .
Hello. Remember I showed you these cups I was designing a while back? That’s the one I designed on the left, my glued and pasted paper cup without a bottom. And on the right, that’s the sample they sent! Pretty darn wonderful if I do say so myself! So I did more!
This one is called
and it has Ms. Lambikins on it, amongst other recognizable doodads from my flora and fauna art repertoire. Plenty to read early in the morning when the brain requires quiet time.
And this one is called
for us, the normal ones.💞
Last but not least, we have “Little Things,” because 
All three are being made right now, of fine bone china, in the potteries, in England. Yes, real, bonafide English cups. ❤️ Each holds a truly magnificent 16 oz (if filled to the very top). I’m so excited. You who have hung out around this blog for a while, know how much I have wanted to do this. Finally, the time has come. They will likely be here in May, in time 
for Mother’s Day, if all goes as planned. And if you leave your name in the comment section of this blog,😁 you will be entered in a drawing to win one of these. There will be 3 winners, and the moment they come in, those winners will be the very first on our mailing list! And yes, just in cases you don’t win, they are available now for preorder. Which means, if we haven’t ordered enough, we should know fairly soon, and can get more into the works right away. After a decent amount of time, each of the designs are going to be retired, and replaced by new ones (I have so many fun ideas!) And the only place on earth where they will be available, at least for the foreseeable future, will be here in our web store. I hope you like them.💖
The last time I was in California, Joe and I were driving across country … I picked these two roses, one from my Grandma’s garden, and one from my moms. They sat on the dashboard of the Fine Romance Van the entire way. And when I got home, I took this photo of them. As beautiful as they were when they were first cut. In two days I will be in my mother’s arms. 💞 The dearest person, who was in labor with me for so long (72 hours) that a tiny piece of her soul broke off, and went into me. And that is the way it has always been and will always be. I feel so lucky. Thank you all for being here. Have a wonderful day! WILLARD’S on the way! I’ll be back soon!
Enjoy your trip!
As always, a fun blog. Hope you have a relaxing trip. I am so excited, I have ordered a mug! A treat to me from me. You bring such a smile and inspiration to the world. Thank you.
I love the mugs! They are so cute! And the new wool jacket is so wonderful. I don’t know how you do it, but you make ironing look so fun and comforting.
Mugs are adorable….hard to pick just one.
I loved seeing your table scarf…I remember my mom starching them for every piece of bedroom furniture with a lamp at each end of the bureau……my grandmom had doilies over the arms of comfy chairs and one on the head rest part.
I thought I might be one of the few left who irons pillow cases…no, I do not do this often but for guests now and then it adds such a polished, crisp look.
I laughed to think of the folks at Amazon wondering why the sudden run on liquid starch.
Thanks Susan for bringing back the memories.
I love the cups! Did i miss seeing a certain cat on one of them? My husband & I dont fly so have driven out to California twice to see our two sons. We try to stay at the National Park’s lodges. They are usually rustic but always have a gourmet resturant to dine at! Before we are too old (70 this summer) we would like to go by train. Safe travels!
Have a wonderful train trip, the best way to travel. The backyards of America pass by! I collect antique linens but have never used real starch. I think I must try it. So lovely and crisp. I do use spray but you are right they wilt very quickly! Thanks for the wonderful blog. Looking forward to your,our trip! Welcome to CA!
Susan, you inspire me☕️☕️
Love your tea cups and learning about your process for making them.
Thank you so much for all your gifts and sharing them so generously.
I feel blessed to receive your blog and to have read your books.
With gratitude ,
Ann J.
Well I’m convinced. I really need to buy some starch! I, too, love vintage linens and have them all over the house. How wilted mine look in comparison :~(
The new English Bone Tea Cups are lovely, I especially like the In Love With Nature cup. Praying you have safe travels and splendid visit with your Mom.
Hope you make it west. Last weekend the Chicago train was on traveling as far West as it could, stopping at Salt Lake City. Seems the torrential rains and mudslides washed out alot of amtrak tracks.
Oh my… well we’re going a lower route, passing through Flagstaff . . . so I think we’re okay.
Oh! What darling mugs! Looking forward to seeing them “in person”. Have a wonderful visit with your mom!
Darlene
My sweet mother just preordered two of those darling cups for us! Thanks, Mom!
Spring time house, windows wide open, chives in omelets and freshly washed and starched curtains. Yum. Love each of those beautiful mugs!
What a comfy read on this chilly Friday night. I remember our laundry basket full of starch soaked clothes, all rolled up like so many loaves of bread, just waiting to be ironed. What a lovely steamy smell. I can see my mom sprinkling water on each piece with an RC Cola bottle fitted with the sprinkler cap. I kept the tradition going, ironing every Friday morning getting all my kids clothes ironed and hanging in their closets, in order for all activities the following week, starting with church on Sunday…all 6 of them, plus the Mister and I ! I often wonder how I got so much done! The cups are lovely, between you and Emma B. I won’t have room for plates. We will be drinking our meals. Enjoy your trip.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful post! I can remember my Mom starching my father’s dress shirt collars as well as dresser scarves and table cloths. Your mugs are so pretty. I’m not sure which one is my favorite yet. I may need to get one of each 😉 I can’t wait!
Enjoy your visit with your mother.
The mugs are lovely. Enjoy your trip and thanks for all the inspiring posts.
The mugs are precious. The “real” starch brought memories back to me also…….I so remember those rolled up starched, damp pieces of laundry in the bottom of the “ice box”! That sure dates me!!! Had to iron bras, underslips, pillow cases, etc.
I love this blog about starch – I have a few pieces of “openwork” items that my husband’s YiaYia made. I’ve been using spray starch on them all these years, not knowing how to use real starch. Thanks for the lesson! I would actually like to try my hand at stitching openwork. I’ve googled instructions to make my own, but have come away disappointed. It’s a dying craft, to be sure, unfortunately.
Happy birthday to your mother! My mother will be 97 in July, still lives alone in her little apartment, and takes 0 prescription meds! She’s an angel on earth and I feel blessed to have lunch with her every day! Safe trip to you and Joe – I’ll be with you on Twitter from the Twain . 😃
I am pretty sure the last thing I starched was my husbands Army uniform about 40 years ago! I had almost forgotten about starch….til this blog! lol
Such cute mugs! Happy Birthday to your Mom! Enjoy your time with her. Travel safe.
I chuckled at your mention of ironing in the fridge. My MIL used to put her damp shirts in the freezer to iron later. I thought that was a funny thing back then, but later I figured out how brilliant it was! I didn’t know about how to starch laundry the way you do it. It sure does work beautifully!
The new cup designs are scrumptch!
Thanks for the starch scoop!! I’ll have to check for a smaller bottle 😉. Just read my Willard and headed over to check out the new tea cups and your blog. ❤ All the best on your travels.
I luv, luv, luv your blog and emails. Always a picker upper to read something that you have posted. Thank you for sharing so much of your delightful self!!
So relieved to know I am not the only one who starches her clothes. They stay so crisp for a long time. I even have starched my handmade crochet doilies that I also drape over cabinets and chests. I can’t get enough of linens, doilies or quilts as they just make a home so comfy and warm.
I hope your Mom has the happiest of birthdays, and I adore the wrapping paper. Will be getting some of that soon as well~ love the thickness of it.
Have a wonderful trip and thanks again for sharing your journey with us all!!
Very wonderful cups!
Pick me, pick me. Wave, wave, wave. Oh pleeeze pick me. Love the new mugs.
Talking about starching clothes brought back a lot of memories. My mom would take in ironing for people to make alittle extra money and she always starch the shirts of the men she ironed for. Also we had a pop bottle with a sprinkle head on it that we’d wet clothes and roll them up and put them in bags ready to be ironed. It’s a process I know well.☺️ Your mugs are beautiful. I have a collection of Emma Bridgewater mugs, and would now love to have a collection of yours. Thanks for your wonderful posts.
Love the cups. Can’t wait to get mine. Have a great trip.
I am in California too
Happy Birthday to your Mom. What a blessing for you to have her.
The mugs are wonderful. And the perfect generous size. I wonder if Vanna would pick me if I told her about the blue eyed white alpaca named Vanna I met one time…
Travel safe.
I am always delighted with your blog. You describe things so well and sometimes jolt my memories – such as starch and ironing. My mother showed me how to do it and I enjoyed those lessons until I realized that all of the ironing was then my chore! The cups are wonderful – I wouldn’t at all mind winning one!
LOVE your beautiful mugs! Safe travels to you and Joe. Enjoy!
Your mugs are so cute and fun! I must get in on the pre-order 🤗
Amazon will be wondering what is the deal with the sudden rush on liquid starch?!🤔
Enjoy your family time in Cali ❤️
Beautiful cups! I love what you said about Guardian Angels in Willard. I so agree
and thank God for them!
Gives us someone sensible to talk to. xoxo
Well now I want to starch some things! Those cups are SO PRETTY!!!! My favorite is “In Love with Nature.” I like that they hold almost two cups, too, because one cup of tea is never enough! Enjoy visiting your mom.
I just LOVE all 3 of the cups – they are sooo adorable, and I would certainly enjoy having my tea in one of these!! I just have to share with you that I have a miniature bone china tea set that I purchased about 15 years ago, never knowing that one day I would be using it to hold tea parties with my granddaughter! She is now 9 years old, but ever since age 3, she & I have made it a tradition that whenever we are together (which is about once every other month) we have a “tea party” using my miniature tea set. We use apple juice for the “tea” and grape juice for the “cream.” Needless to say, it is showing some wear and tear, and I’ll have to purchase another set soon. Have you ever considered designing a miniature bone china tea set? I can just picture a set with some of your beautiful paintings on there! Have a fantastic trip to CA & pass along birthday greetings to your mom!
We used to have a charming children’s tea set in our web store. I don’t know if there are any left, but you can check. Your tea party with your grandchild is giving her a lifetime of loving memories. She is a lucky little girl to have you.
I love reading your wonderful e-mails. Since I am of Danish ancestry, I feel like I am getting a wonderful, healing dose of hygge. You write in a way that makes me feel all is right with the world. We seem to like the same things, also. To have the ability to write and also draw in a manner that touches the heart is indeed special. I have some very, old Danish, linen, kitchen towels. They are stained. They were given to my mother by my grandmother. When reading your comments on starch, I thought if I can only get those stains out without taking out the beautiful embroidery, I will also starch them. Being a tea lover, I adore your new mugs. Every cup of tea would be a special experience. Thank you for bringing a bit of brightness to my day.
When it’s us, the people, the ones that love peace and home and family and children and dogs and kitties and every wonderful thing on God’s earth, then yes, all is right with the world. XOXOXO Thank you Gretchen! Google stains and linen and see what you can find out about removing them. 💞
Excited to see the darling cups and all of the charming details! 💚
I would love to include your wonderful new mugs to my collection. Have a safe and enjoyable trip out west. Hello and happy birthday to Susan’s mom.
Happy Birthday to Susan’s Mama!
My mother used to starch all of the doings in our house! I on the other hand had to pause for a minute while reading about your ironing board…..to ask myself…..”Do we still own an ironing board…….and if we do…..where on earth is it stashed????” :=)
My personal favorite of the cups is the little things. Safe and happy trip adventures to you and Joe!
It makes a great landing strip for a kitty, and also, when you’re drying bread for the Thanksgiving Stuffing? Couldn’t live without my ironing board in these small times of need!
A mug from England ! The next best thing to being there! Such creative ideas!!
Alas! I will miss you at your book signing as I scheduled a class that day. I did want to show you my thrift store find by Emma Bridgewater but it will wait. I love your coat! It came out goat the first time ! And Spoonflower does wrapping paper? What?
Oh, and have a very happy birthday with your mom🎂
Kathy C, Atascadero
I can’t believe an Emma cup made it to a thrift store. What a find! Yes, Spoonflower takes all those fabric designs and makes them into BOTH wrapping paper, and get a grip for this one, wallpaper!!! Quite wonderfully shocking!
Thanks for bringing back old memories of childhood—-the starched clothes in the fridge, ready to iron. My mom was a champion ironer–my Doctor Dad’s patients used to ask him what laundry did his white shirts? My mom hated to see the cat on “her” ironing board!
Hope you have a lovely visit with your Mom. So glad the mugs will be made in England! Enjoy the journey with Joe.
Your blog posts are always a bright spot in my week! I just told my husband that we need to take a trip by train! We have only been on short scenic trips by rail. My grandparents lived in California when I was growing up and my family took long summer road trips from Alabama and then from Wisconsin. As a result, I have seen a lot of America the beautiful! A train ride sounds fun! Your mugs are beautiful! I love the lamb!
Your post about starch brought back wonderful memories of my mom. I love old linens too and I’ll probably give liquid starch a try to regain that lovely crispness.
Would love to own one of your pretty mugs. Please enter me!
Love your Blog’s.
Especially when you write about anything English. I will be making my fifth trip across the Pond in June.
Hope I win one of those darling mugs. If not, I want to buy one of each; or rather, even if I do, I want to buy the other two!
Have a great time in CA. Come down to San Diego county some time.
Oh the starching/ironing memories! We are from the same generation. Love the mugs and everything Susan Branch.
Susan,
I forgot all about liquid starch. Thanks for reminding me. I can’t believe you got that whole jacket into the salad bowl. The bowl didn’t look that big in the pictures. I’m going to order a mug or two or three, they look really good.
Have fun in CA,
MaryAnn
Love, love the mugs, they are darling. The Lambie is my favorite, I love all animals. Have a wonderful trip! ❤️🌹🚂
Yes, my mother starched and ironed & even my brother does. Somehow, I didn’t get the ironing gene. So I admire your photos. And your mugs are delightful. Anyone would love one.
Hi Susan, Looking forward to the recipe for the quick bread. It looks yummy and perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea. Thanks for the refresher “starch’ lesson. It’s been ages since I’ve used it. Have a wonderful trip.
xoxo
Pam
I love your blog, and I love those adorable mugs! I’m hoping I’m a winner!
I remember mom and grandma using the sprinkling jar and the starch and the bags to be ironed in the fridge. I can still smell the freshness. Grandma was born in 1904 and I still have some of her hand made linens. Your beautiful cups reminded me of Easter. I was Mom’s Easter bunny, born on Easter Sunday 1957. I put her urn on one of
grandma’s linens and placed her favorite chocolate egg and of course our Peter Rabbit figurine next to it. Thank you for returning me to my childhood.
I used to starch all my hubby’s lawyer shirts when we were first starting out. SO satisfying! Loving the mugs –keep it up, Susan 🙂
Must starch something this week! I love domesticity ❤️
Have a fun and safe train trip Susan and Joe! And Happy Birthday to your mom – Feb 27th is my brother’s birthday too!
Yes, dear Susan, luxuriate in your mother’s arms. Savor every minute and we’ll all be celebrating her birthday right along with you.
I do remember real starch! My mom had a sprinkle bottle made from a glass soda pop bottle and an aluminum topper on it with tiny holes. She kept the rest of the starch mix in a Tupperware-type pitcher in the fridge. One of my sister’s boyfriend’s poured himself a cup, thinking it was ice water! Ha-ha!
I love to starch my vintage linens. Thanks for story of your starching (and Jack’s little shadow).
The cups are absolutely splendid. Perfect. Delightful. Lovely. Cannot wait to have tea in mine!
Wow. My mom used to starch everything too. In the plastic bag and into the fridge…Sorry I didn’t get the starch gene 🙂
Love all the things you do. I too was raised in California and moved away when Bill and I married (to Minnesota). I also collect vintage linens, drink tea and have visited England and Scotland. Soul sisters?
Oh your cups are just adorable. And I waited too long to get tickets for your book signing in SLO and they are SOLD OUT! Good for you, unfortunate for me. I remember a friend of mine taking me to one of your book signings (when you only had three books) and was instantly enchanted with the hand-lettered pages. Anyway, the next time you come to my hometown (for 61 years now) I will not wait so long. Oh, and, Vanna please pick me for one of the cups!
I’m actually really surprised, I thought there would be room for everyone!!!! Be sure to check back in case there is a cancelation, would love to see you there!
Have a wonderful time with your dear mum, Susan 🙂 My mum just turned 90 this past Augut 7th and I am so blessed to still have her! I LOVE your darling mugs!! I am a little ashamed to admit I don’t drink tea or coffee, but can’t you just imagine a big plate of ginger cookies and a HUGE mug of milk in one of your cups! Divine 🙂 I would love to be entered to win a mug. Happy sojourn.
Love the starch ideas. Have a wonderful trip!!
It always brightens my day when I see a posting from you. I can’t wait to try the marmalade cake I baked your hot milk cake with vanilla bean sauce and it was delicious. It is my new favorite treat!! Please enter me to win one of your darling mugs. Thank you, Stephanie
I love remembering these old time things with you. What our mothers did that are being lost today. I also love how you speak of mom. Enjoy your visit.
Oh, those cups look just wonderful!!! Love your blog. Have fun in CA!
Susan, you are always such a joy. My heart gets glad when I see a new post from you. Love, love, love the mugs. I want to drink tea from the Ms. Lambikins mug! I also loved the prototype you showed a while back of a mug with lots of blue flowers on it. I’m a blue and white girl, so I hope you’ll make that one some day. Have a great trip.
I enjoy reading your blog. I found your calendar several years along and I loved them. Every year when I went to my conference I’d look for your calendars. I starting buying them for my office, my daughters office and now we use the large desk calendars and the smaller calendars for our purses. Then I found your website and its so nice. Your art work is lovely. Hopefully I will be entered in the drawing for your cup and I’ll try to purchase one when they are available. I’ve made Mother Effie’s Bread several time and I have a piece of toast about every morning for breakfast.
She will love to hear that Tamra, thank you!
I love all things Susan Branch including the new mugs!
I certainly would love ❤️ to win!!
I love your blog Susan, it makes my day when it pops into my inbox! Thanks also for the info on starch, I have always avoided linen when travelling because of how easily it wrinkles but now I know what to do! I have been a fan of yours for years and love collecting your books (although they are a little harder to find up here in Canada) Have a safe trip! The mugs are great! 😀
I’m going to buy some starch! Thanks Susan.
HaPpY BiRtHdAy to your darling mom!! How do I know she’s darling, you ask? Because a piece of her soul broke off in you and made you darling, that’s how I know. The teacups are adorable, can’t wait to see them in person.
How would I do without you girls. I’m so spoiled. xoxo
I’m in LOVE with your mugs!!!!!
xoxo Jacqui
Hi Jacqui!
I have always considered you to be my Kindred Spirit, and this blog certainly does not disappoint! My mother used starch when she ironed, and I loved the smell of the warm starch in the kitchen. When I was a little girl, we had an ironing board that folded up into a cabinet on the wall! And now, my younger daughter lives in a house with an ironing board in a cabinet, too! (But I don’t think she uses starch!)
I’m so happy that you’re going to spend time with your beloved momma! She will love whatever presents you give her, because she loves you! I visited my mother a few days ago . . . at the age of 78, she is preparing to move into a new home. How very brave! If I win that lovely mug of yours, I think it would make a perfect housewarming gift for her.
Safe travels to you and Joe – – – and thank you for being sweet YOU!
Hugs to your mommy. xoxo
I am sooooo excited about the mugs!!! Yay!!!
I cried when I read about your dear mother, and loved your description!! I lost my mother 2 years and 5 months ago – she was 91 and was my very best friend!!
This cracked me up bigtime: “I should be a door-to-door liquid starch salesperson!” 😀 I ADORE all your linens, and your coat is so very beautiful!!
You and my youngest child (he’s 31) were in Chicago at the same time today!! He was catching a connecting flight to Amsterdam with a team from his church. They’re on the way to Germany to minister to the refugees. I wish you could have seen each other! LOL!
Much love xoxox from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
Passing ships. Isn’t it all amazing how connected we are, even when disconnected!
Because of you I took the train from Chicago to Sacramento, then I traveled by train from Chicago to New Orleans. someday I hope to take the Queen Mary from New York to a London. New adventures await. Thank you.
Can’t wait to have tea in one of your cups
My mother died last fall and she taught me how to iron. She would use the method in your column and the best part was the wonderful smell when the iron hit the damp clothes. Even now instead of meditation – I iron. It puts me in a Zen state. Thanks so much for bringing back wonderful memories and I will be using your technique on my vintage linens.
This is why homemaking is good for the soul, more than we know, and why it has to be fed to the children when they are too small to recognize that they are being brainwashed for their own good.❤️
Oh dear Susan, your mugs are so SWEET! You have truly been blessed in an artistic way. A most happy birthday to your mom. Speaking of moms, mine (now 91) was in labor with me for 29 hours, wait til she hears about your mom! You also have a gift with words, absolutely love your description of your birth/her labor. My dear mother is now suffering from dementia, though thankfully still recognizes me, her ‘first pink baby’, (first of eight!). Here’s to cherishing our mums! Thank you for another wonderful post. God bless. Karen
My mom has it too, but she also knows me, my voice, everything, so we’re good. I think it’s worse for her, because of course, she worries about it. God bless you and yours Karen. xoxo
Love the new mugs! Especially the “In love with nature” one! Nice size, too! Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your time with your mom! How nice for you to be there for her birthday! Make wonderful memories!
The tea cups/ mugs look wonderful and would be perfect with my favorite French tea from Mariage Freres.
Have a great trip. You are so blessed to still have your mom. My mom passed away from cancer in 1997 and I still miss her so much. I still have her recipe case and all of her handwritten recipes, they mean a lot to me and I use your book, Homemade recipes, to write my favorites for my daughter. You can get recipes on-line, but nothing beats the real handwritten ones with stains from ingredients. Those are true memories.
No, handwritten with food stains is the only way to fly. xoxoxo
Your mugs are beautiful! I have never tried using liquid starch and that explains why I never felt that starch worked that well having always used the spray. Definitely will have to get some liquid starch. I love that you say in cases. I think it is one of the best lines in the movie and say it myself sometimes although I am not sure the people around me except my daughter get the reference. Enjoy your time with your mother and wow 72 hours of labor, in my opinion that is true labor,
I was saying it to myself all the time too, and one day it just slipped out on the blog, and now I can’t stop! 😜 I’m so happy so many of us get it!!
Congratulations Pamela!! Another drawing, whoopee, lucky one of us & beautiful cups!!! That’s a great coat you chose! Starching memories & the clean, special aroma, taking me back! The cake is calling my name….! Happy Birthday to your dear very special MOM! Have a wonderful celebration! Safe, fun, great trip! xoxo
Having just lost my mom a few months ago, I can only say how lucky you are to have her still with you. There is a special bond between mothers and daughters that is so magical and special. I was her only girl, so sometimes I sit here and realize that I was her baby girl at one time, then as she got older and unwell and not able to care for herself anymore, she became my baby girl. I hope you have a wonderful visit with mom and make some wonderful memories. I love your cups, especially the “Love” one. ❤ I love the design around the edge of that cup. Will definitely order! Would love to travel across country by train someday. Like you, I’m a white knuckle flyer. 😳 What a great way to see our beautiful country. Safe travels…
That’s exactly how it works for us too. When my mom frets that she is “too much trouble” (which she is NOT), I say, “But Mom, all those many years you took care of me, put on my roller skates, taught me all your homey skills, all those things you did, this is the least I can do.” I always GET her with that. She never has an answer back.😃 So very sorry about your loss, it’s truly profound and words never can do it justice. xoxo
I love the cups! So adorable. I can’t wait for the new Willard. I’m not sure why, but I never did get mine last time, and it’s not in the archives yet, so I’m going through withdrawal. Since I’m not sure why I didn’t get it, I went ahead and signed up for it again, just yesterday. Perfect timing, huh?
Let me know if you don’t have it by Monday morning.
~SuSan~
I remember as a young girl my mom storing the clothes to be ironed, she would let me iron the simple items like dads handerkerchiefs, and pillowcases boy that was fun !!
I love ,love the mugs how exciting !! and of course tea always tastes better out of mug from England !!
Have a safe trip , and what a blessing to be with your mom!
Paula
IN
Great mugs! Safe travels!
The mugs are so lovely; can’t wait to get one. Hope you are having a lovely train trip…we await your arrival in California. Today was sunny and clear in Southern Calif…but a bit nippy…but then you are used to nippy. I’ve decided to take a train trip…you have inspired me. I think my first one will be up the coast of California…maybe to Seattle. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Started researching – hope to do in May.
That trip is truly one of the prettiest!
My Sisterpal needs one of these cups for her May 7th birthday…I sure hope they come in on time. If not, it will be a gift well worth waiting for (but, goodness…which one?!?) They are precious! I love all three!
I don’t remember my Mom using starch too much,but I am sure she did. What I do remember is the preparation before ironing-“sprinkling” or dampening the clothes. Mom had a plastic bottle with holes in the lid. It was my job to do the sprinkling,then roll up the shirts,hankies and pillowcases. I didn’t get to start ironing until I was a little older,hankies and pillowcases were my job. I didn’t move up to the more complicated things like shirts and blouses until I was older and Mom
felt I didn’t run the risk of burning myself with the iron.
You talk of how a freshly starched jacket or dresser scarf looks, I remember feeling accomplished when the hankies or pillowcases were perfectly smooth after I ironed them. The remembrance of that now really makes me sit and smile.
Congratulations on the mugs,they are Fabulous!! Tea or hot cocoa would taste extra yummy in one.I think I would have to get at least 2,one to use and one to just admire.
Have a wonderful trip to California. Oh to travel by train,how romantic.
I so remember my Mom sprinkling our laundered clothes with a little watering can and rolling them up for the fridge to iron later. And your starch story and instructions brought back so many memories of my Grandma and her dresser scarves–so crisp and pristine. I wish I still had those. I’ve used spray starch but must try this with some of my vintage linens. Yay for Amazon!
Love, love, love the new cups. Each one is cuter than the next, Susan.
Enjoy the train trip–I’ll be twittering on the twain with you, as always, and will try hard not to get into mischief with the other Lollies. 😉 And please wish your Mom a Happy Birthday from all of us. Love ya, Sue
P.S. Your marmalade cake looks wonderful. Please remember to give us the recipe when you get back! xoxo
I’ll do it! xoxo
How fun to see your cups become a reality! I love all the designs. Another Susan suggested a cup of teacups, and I second that design! Or a Christmas theme. Or a cup featuring some of the many wonderful quotes you’ve illustrated here on your blog. Or all things hygge. Or cats and dogs… You’re right, so many possibilities!
I love your new mugs! “Little Things” speaks to me. I’ll cross my fingers that I’m one of the lucky winners. Safe travels to you and Joe. Have a wonderful time with your mom–you’re so lucky to get those precious hugs.
I’m a tea drinker and would love using one of your cups every morning. I enjoy your blog so much and thank you for taking us along on your adventures. Always fun!
I Love the Cups Im going to order for myself and for my Daughter, Thank you for all the info on starching I Love the way everything turned out, Planning my Martha’s Vineyard trip soon Loved it so much last summer my daughter and I are coming again, Hope you have a wonderful trip to see your Mom….My Mom is 93 years old….Karen Seward Long Island, New York….
The cups are wonderful. I remember my mother using spray starch, and she may have used the other, as well, but I don’t remember it.
Gosh Susan, you must have been writing this as you went by my house- just on the New York side of the Berkshires! I also love beautiful lacy linens and things. Have a great trip and enjoy your family.
What a LOVELY thought about your mom in you!
I would sure like to win a cup- they look beautiful and big! Have a wonderful trip and let us see what you see! :o)
Hello Susan,
The mugs are just fabulous. It’s so fun to travel across the country with you and Joe, thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Be safe.
xo
Your starch story brought back memories of my grandmother over 60 years ago. Along with her country home on Lake Michigan. Her sun cooked strawberry preserves that took 3 days of sun before putting them in sparkling jars. Your mugs took my breath away!! Especially when I saw the one with the lamb. Now I would love to win one for sure…..but just in case I don’t,I ordered mine. My huge gift 🎁 to me. I can taste my tea ☕️ right now! Beautiful Susan. Have a wonderful trip. ❤️❤️❤️
You guys all write such lovely things, and share wonderful memories. (((((Hugs))))) to all reading this!
I love to read your blog and books. I will be subscribing to Willard before I sign off tonight. Since I discovered your books and checked them out of the library to read this winter, I have shared my love of them with my girlfriends. I bought all three books in the trilogy just to have to pass around to others. I can’t tell you how much joy your positive outlook brings to my heart. We love the same things. Your quotes float through my mind and I hug them with wide open arms. I used to barely tolerate wintertime (and I live in the mild climate of NC), but now embrace it with Susan Branch-like coziness, candle glow, hot tea, & soft blankets. I’m actually a tad disappointed we have had such a warm winter). I would be ecstatic to win one of your mugs. JOY!
Loved every word you wrote Carol, thank you so much!
Lovely lovely! Thank you for the starch lesson. I have a valance made from old pillowcases that I am sure would look better with a little starch.
Safe travels across country…it’s lightening and thundering tonight in mid-Michigan. Crazy weather year.