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!
Hand painted mugs by Susan Branch?! But of course!!!
They will go right next to all the cookbooks by the very same
lovely person.
Can I remember starching, oh yes. In the refrigerator. oh yeah. Happy times.
Just loves those cups, even the paper models look great. A very Happy Birthday to your wonderful, precious Mom.
Susan,
As always you blog is delightful! But, the fine bone China cups are to die for adorable. Can’t wait to order mine
Sarah Norman
Susan! I loved this post! Drinking tea from one of your mugs in the morning will be a little like having tea with you! I love your designs!! Have a lovely weekend!😊
Love your musings about starching! My mother was a wonderful homemaker and often had laundry in the refrigerator awaiting a trip to the ironing board. When I was in nursing school in the 70’s we worn heavily starched hats. First we washed them, nethen they were submerged in a very concentrated solution of liquid starch. The next step was to plaster them to our mirrors over the sinks in our rooms! The folllowing morning before going to work in the hospital we peeled them off the mirror and folded them. Each nursing school had their own signature hat. Thanks for the little trip down memory lane!
Why is it that hot (or cold, for that matter) beverages taste oh so much better in a special mug???
Bon Voyage!! Alice
Love the Love mug!!!! Happy travels!!
I do love the starch thing. I had no idea. I buy mine in a can. I love to iron cottons for sewing, not sure I have an garments worth that effort, but I might have to try. I love starched pillow cases and top sheets.
Happy trails, once again. Love the Twitter updates. Thank You.
It’s so cool to see the finished cups after seeing your paper mock up. Those cups are going to brighten the day for everyone that uses one. How could anyone have a bad day after looking at those delightful pictures?
Hi Susan,
My first time to comment,but I must say I adore you! I am a mom and homemaker in Arizona, and I love to escape to your blog, your books and your “twitter from the trips” You bring me much joy! Oh and my young daughters love your German pancake recipe!
So nice to hear Kristin! Lovely you are showing them how to “make magic!”
I love to starch my kitchen curtains and white blouses. Our village grocery store still sells it in a box. Hope you have a good trip, Susan and Joe.
Yes, put me down for the mug draw! Love ‘um! ….So enjoyed the old-timey chat about starch! I still possess the little clothes sprinkling bottle my Mom gave me when I got married, complete with the removable, cork and aluminum sprinkling top. My mother used a top like that in a old coke bottle. When we starched my father’s shirts, we only dipped the collar and cuffs, because that’s all that showed outside his jacket and he liked his shirts soft. Oh, the things we did!
Oh yes, I still do just parts of things too!
Thanks for giving me a lovely evening “out.” So fun to see, as well as read about, your trip!
Starch…..an old love of mine! Love the new cups! Must order all!
I love your art work on these mugs. Will you be able to deliver to New Zealand? Are they dishwasher safe?
All questions get a great big Yes. You are entered Karen, thank you for being here, hello to New Zealand for us!
Oh how I would love to win a mug to share with my mom! Thanks for the starch story as well….brings back memories of watching my mother iron when I was home sick from school!
Happy Birthday wishes to your Mom! We are celebrating my Dad’s 90th birthday tomorrow – so exciting. . A West Coast Birthday Celebration and an East Coast Birthday Celebration!
LOVE your new mugs! Can’t wait to sip a cuppa in these!
Hug him for me, you are so lucky he’s here with you! Happy Happy Birthday!
Hi Susan,
I love all 3 of your new mugs – so inspiring with your drawings & sayings. They will make drinking coffee or tea much more enjoyable:-) I hope you & Joe have a wonderful visit with you Mom for her Birthday. I think it’s so neat that ya’ll make the trip via train. Thank you again for brightening so many lives with your artistic talents.
P.S. Your Orange Marmalde Bread looks delicious -look forward to the recipe
I love your darling plaid coat!!! I’m delighted to know where I can purchase your wrapping paper and some new fabric lines of yours too that I haven’t seen. I have many of your fabrics and especially adore the hydrangea prints and the tea party series, but I LOVE them all! (I am currently working on a quilt kit of yours called Martha’s Vineyard and all of the fabrics are delicious!)
Thank you so much for the starch lesson! I can’t wait to try it out. I have some of my grandmother’s linens but I will see how I do on other pieces first. And your new mugs are fantastic! I just can’t wait to purchase them!
Have a great time in southern California! Wish I could see you this time but it doesn’t look like it’s going to work. While we have met several times, one of the highlights of my whole life was talking to you and Joe and Sharon and Bonnie C. at your farm stand sale several years ago. I have great pictures, a pair of your garden chairs, and the most wonderful memories of a most magnificent day.
Love you!
Ah, starch! Thanks for bringing back memories of wash day (Monday). Have a safe and happy trip!
Thank you for stirring the wonderful memory of my adored grandma’s damp, rolled up laundry waiting to be ironed…sigh. You have inspired me to search for ‘real’ starch to prep my spring linens before I decorate for a family baby shower, celebrating the pending arrival of my newest grandson! My oldest grandson is 7 months older than my youngest son, ages 19 & 18 respectively. SO fun!! Adorable mugs you’ve created…I may just have a ‘mug’ problem…one can never have too many…right?! LOL
Thank you Susan for bringing joy into our lives and homes. Some days are tough and then I pick up one of your books!
Have fun on your trip! I am going to starch something next week. I love the crispness. Patti Hoover
My dad was a truck driver in Ohio in the 60’s. Mom used to starch and press his blue work shirts. I can remember them being in the fridge, too. Just like you said. Anyway, my dad won an award for having the best pressed work shirts and was featured in the local newspaper for it! I guess my mom knew what she was doing 🙂 BTW-Just love your new mugs. I hope I win one!
Love the cups! Absolutely beautiful!
What a treat on Friday evening to read your blog. I must find some starch – my husband is the Amazon “King” so if none can be found locally, I will ask him to order some.
Oh the mugs – I love them all but the In Love with Nature is my favorite – I think – all are stupendous!
Enjoy your trip and time with your Mama!
Hugs and BLessings
The mugs are perfect! But I don’t think that any of the girlfriends doubted that. They really speak “Susan,” don’t they? They’re saying my name too 😉 Have a fabulous weekend!
Just love the mugs. Does any one of them have a bumblebee on it ? My granddaughter is my “magical bee” and I want to buy one for her, which I will do anyway. Probably the nature one.
I think In Love with Nature has a bee on it . . . but I can’t open photos right now (on the train, things are a little different), so I can’t look at the back to make 100% sure. But knowing me . . . I would think there would be one there!
Thanks Susan. That is the one I was thinking of getting for her.
Oh, Susan! I love that your mugs are being made in England! Hope you’re enjoying your evening on the twain! Sweet Dweams! XO
I can’t even find the words to describe how much I love your work!! Thanks for being you so perfectly!!
😍 Thank you Joan!
Pretty please may I enter to win your lovely tea mugs with starch on top? Reading your story about ironing and placing in the refrigerator brought back such cozy memories of my mom and Grandma. Ironing while watching their soaps.
Love the mugs! They would look wonderful next to my Emma B. that I got in London. Beautiful as always.
Well I’m inspired as usual! I bought a new ironing board today in celebration! I’ve ever really ironed but I love the crispness of ironed items so it’s time to start. I hate that the original way of doing things is going out of style. As a young adult I hope to keep the art of home alive for my little corner of the world. You help inspire me. Thank you Susan! Ordering my mugs this weekend!
Have a wonderful trip, Susan! I love your uplifting, happy blog! Can’t wait to win my mug! I don’t have anything that needs starch anymore, but I remember how good it smells when ironing starched items!
Oh so inspiring Susan! Another lesson learned from days gone by. Domestic Bliss 🙂 Is the recipe for the orange marmalade in one of your books? Sounds yummy and looks delicious, I pre-ordered mugs today! Couldn’t make my mind up, so had to order them all! So hope I win one. Have a fabulous trip, Big Cheers to Mom on her 87!
Not in a book yet, it’s something new. I’ll put up the recipe after I get back to the Island when I’m in a more settled place to do it! Thank you Lucy!
You stirred up the memories with this posting! I remember the liquid starch but must admit I thought it was awesome when we began using spray starch. Being the oldest of five siblings I was my Mom’s right hand and helper. I was so excited to see the vintage hankie I gifted you in Asheville last summer… Isle of Dreams. It fits in perfectly, all starched and ironed, alongside your beautiful collection! The mugs… LOVE the mugs 😍 Can’t wait to own one, or two, or three… oh my!!! Happy and safe travels to you and Joe.
Well, we grew up with liquid starch, the plastic bag, all of that. I remember loving the starch ripping sound the pillow cases made when we were ironing and pulled them up to turn them over and iron the other side. Maybe I’ll order some of it too. Love all the cup designs and that they are bone china!! Thank you for all the inspiration(s) you continue to have!!!!
Have a wonderful trip Susan! I’ve always loved trains & would like to travel on one again. Your mugs are adorable and I’m hoping to order one(if I don’t win)! Your friend, Julia
I loved your newest blog, Susan! And the mugs–they are adorable. I want all three! Enjoy the visit with your mom! A wonderful lady to call “Mom”! Thank you for ALL of your lovely posts!
Great news to hear you are making mugs in fine china, my absolute favourite as it is so nice to drink from. Beautiful designs and love the your idea of starting a collectors series. As usual, you blog is inspiring.
Loved seeing your crisply ironed linen jackets and lovely embroidered towels, but they made me shudder remembering the time I sprinkled (using a Pepsi bottle with a sprinkle head corked on top) my husband’s Oxford cloth dress shirts, rolled them up, put them in a zippered bag in the refrigerator and …..plum forgot them! Days later I found them in the back of the frig, whispered prayers as I unzipped the bag, but too late… the mold had already blackened the shirts….Disaster! He was a college student, I was a secretary, our son was two, third floor furnished apartment under the eaves of an old house in Syracuse…. way too poor to buy new shirts! I still hate to iron and procrastinate terribly, but I’m a spritzer now…. not a sprinkler!
Your teacups are the cat’s meow! (Are you planning a kitty cat teacup, starring Jack,of course! with his hair bands and red ball and crazy eyes and sitting on the ironing board and laying on your art table and all the old familiar Jack poses?)
Love your new mugs!
Oh! I forgot to say how much I like your new coat…..the patches are bright and lovely. If you got lost in all the grey of winter people could find you!
This is very true. You do not go missing in these lovely English coats!
Love the smell of fresh ironed starched clothes. Makes me think of home when I was a kid and my mom did the ironing. You are really ambishous ironing all those clothes.
I was wondering, do you get off the train and tour cities along the way? Looks like you did in Chicago. Does the train stay in one place like a cruise ship until everyone returns? (Silly question??) We are wanting to travel by train from LA to Boston next year so we’re very interested watching your updates during you trip. Enjoy every day! We’ll have some warm sunny weather waiting for you here in CA. ☀️
You can get off, and then get back on the next day, or whatever is your pleasure, if you plan it that way, because you will need to take your luggage with you. Otherwise, on these cross-country adventures you can check your luggage through to the end, and just keep a “train bag” in your room, stuff you might need for the 3-day crossing. We always have to change trains in Chicago, and there is usually a nice long layover, so we have lots of fun in that wonderful city. No, the train waits for no one. Check out the Canadian train that runs along the US border … I think Toronto to Vancouver. It’s supposed to be very special.
What a cheery post! Thank you I needed this as I’m under the weather. Dreaming of a warm cup of tea in your beautifully designed pieces❤
Cute, cute, cute mugs!!! So colorful. Will order as soon as we can. Thank you Susan for more wonderful “things”.
I love the new cups and thanks for the great starch tips!
Susan, I make my own starch too for ironing. Love the mugs!!! Hope you enjoy your trip and your visit with your Mom. Love, Stephanie C.
The mug designs are fabulous! I love them and hope I win one. If not…will need to get them!
Looking forward to Apple Farm, SLO in a short few weeks!
Susan I’m sitting by myself and after reading about and seeing the linen jacket picture I started LAUGHING OUT LOUD HYSTERICALLY !! My kitties, Bitsy and Betsy, flew(!) off the bed heading for parts unknown! I had an image of you in the starched linen jacket trying to walk around but moving like a stiff
un-lubricated robot! You couldn’t turn around and you couldn’t lift your arms (kind of like the Tin Man). I imagine Joe would be in the background laughing too.
OK … I’ll calm down now.
Love, Carol from CT … tra la
Not only do people not use starch they hardly EVER iron!!! My fav thing in my moms house was her fold down ironing board built into the wall!! Remember when you used rollers??? I had my hair in rollers and it fell down and hit me on the head!!😂😂😂 I love linens too so really glad to get this recipe!!!💜💜💜💜
Hey … by the way … what ever happened to Ivory Snow in a box aka Ivory Flakes?
Carol from CT … tra la
I loved seeing how starching is done the old fashioned way! I was curious about how it was done. Thank you! The new mugs look perfect for tea.
Thank you, Susan, for the cozy emails you’ve sent me over the years. I have always felt a heart to heart connection with you. I think so much like you so that I know we could be very good friends. I wish I had a neighbor like you! You have a gift for reaching out to strangers and connecting with everyone. 😻
I have read several of your books and display them in my Keeping Room to browse through leisurely, and so that visitors can enjoy them, too. Just looking at the drawings brings joy. 🤗
How delightful your new tea mugs are! If I had to pick one, I think it would be the one with Lambikins. She is adorable! I can just imagine me drinking my favorite loose leaf Earl Gray with Lavender Tea out of that darling mug! I love flora, fauna, birds, and nature, so that mug is just “my cup of tea!” If I don’t win it, I will just have to order one! 😌
I liked reading about the “lost art” of starching. I have wonderful memories of my Grandma and Mom starching pillowcases, tablecloths, dresser scarves, and doilies. The fresh, delicious smell of the starch while ironing still stays with me! My favorite memory of starching is of the doilies of swans in a circle. Do you remember those? I never did learn how Grandma starched those realistic crocheted swans to stay sitting upright on her end tables. It’s still an amazing and magical cherished memory!❣
Thank you for always knowing and writing what you think will be interesting to us, your girlfriends and soul mates. I eagerly look forward to every Blog and Willard!
~~Carole B. in Michigan~~
Thank you Carole, that was very sweet. xoxo
I haven’t starched anything in years. My goodness! What can I say but that I LOVE the cups, Ms. Lambikins is darling. I’d love to drink my tea out of that!! Have a great trip to the west coast. I know it will be fun. I love hearing about your “room with a view”. Happy Birthday wishes to your Mom!!
I loved the crisply starched white pillowcases my grandmother always used. Her pillowcases were 100% cotton & she embroidered such pretty birds & flowers on them. I also liked the way my mother used starch to crease the sleeves of my blouses! I remember my grandmother using bluing too when she washed the “bedclothes” as she called the sheets & pillowcases. Lovely days that are sweet memories now along with her incredibly delicious apricot fried pies! Susan, the cups are precious! Thanks for persevering until they became a reality.
How I’m loving all the reader comments on this post of Susan’s! I’d forgotten about bluing for white laundry. When I was a little thing, I had a storybook about a fluffy white kitty who accidentally jumped or fell into the bluing bowl, and the dye turned HER blue! I still have the book although it’s packed away and I haven’t seen it for years; my grandma gave it to me in the 1950s. Ah, these memories…
the mugs are lovely and bone china is the only way to drink tea
I’m thrilled!
Oh these gorgeous cups, and they’re big enough to hold lots of coffee/tea — yay you!
👏🏼❤️✨
Each cup is adorable! I always look forward to spending time reading your blog with a “cuppa” of my own! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your giveaway!
Kathy Ann
I just finished rereading Fairy Tale Girl for fun, the third time. Like having a girlfriend over for tea! The mugs are darling, and the linen coats…. I’ve always wondered how folks dare buy linen! Thank you for your tips and dose of charm, always. 🙂
Oh Susan…..Willard was wonderful!!!! As always!!! We too had that amazing spring like weather . I even got out and walked in the sunshine ! I wanted to bring Rusty along but he got his leash all tangled up around my walker wheels;( So he had to stay home… Last night and today we were in the middle of an Iowa blizzard. We got 9″ of snow, and had NWwinds of 35 to 40 mph…so lots of drifting going on. Ugggg… I certainly remember starching clothes, and dresser scarves. And I totally agree that spray starch does not do the trick. My mother taught me how to iron too. There is a method to it… Back in the day it was an art.. So much today is wash and wear. Oh, by the way..I love your colorful coat you got in England!! And…those cups are gorgeous! I love them and can see them becoming collectibles!! I would love to win one!! Thank you for offering this wonderful give away! Love traveling on the twain! Give your Mom hugs from me and wish her Happy Birthday!
Blessings,
Gert
Oh it definitely was an art. I still follow her directions on what to start with first, collar, yoke, sleeves, etc. And I’ll never forget how to iron starched puffed sleeves on a 3 year old’s fluffy dress!
Dear Susan,
I L O V E your new mugs!!! I Ordered two for now but know I will have to have them all!! And your Starching lesson…you brought back a sweet memory of my mom that has been lost along the wayside for years! I remember that she starched everything except my father’s underwear!! I had the crispest pinafores, and all of my gramma’ doilies were starched to perfection! I love to iron..it is relaxing to me. I love nice smooth ironed bed sheets and pillowcases, so I do take the time and iron them all. To me it is a luxury getting into a bed with fresh ironed sheets and pillowcases. I especially love them line dried but I can’t do that because of the birds that we feed all year. I can just picture all of our sweeties perched on the sheets, doing what comes naturally! Nope! 😬 Anyway, thanks for bringing back a sweet memory to me….again. xo. I hope that you and Joe are enjoying your train ride! I’m singing “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” ( LOVE that song!!!) even though you are headed in the opposite direction! And when you see your Sweet Mom, hug her extra tight. A Blessed, Happy Birthday to Her and precious memory- making for all of your family! xo
Believe it or not, I have never ironed a sheet. My grandma did, but my mom would have none of it (you know, 8 kids) . . . so I never did it either. I figure I’m doing good line drying them, and to me, they smell so good that way, and feel so crisp. Do you have a mangle, or do you just drape and re-drape on the ironing board? The train is heaven, blowing it’s whistle right now. We’ll go through Colorado today and into New Mexico!
Oh Susan, I am sooooooo embarrassed…I just re-sent you this same letter ( plus I added my “train story on this one” it would not go through last night, so I just re wrote it again. I will now quote Gilda Radner’s sweet Emily Latrella in her sweet crackly little voice……”never mind”.☺️ No, I don’t have a mangle but if I had the room for one I would look for one in a heart beat!! I just set up my iron in the living room, put a really good movie in the DVD player, get a kitchen chair to sit on and iron away! I didn’t iron sheets when my children lived at home but I did iron pillowcases. They all just feel soooooo nice. I am still singing Shuffle off to Buffalo….it is stuck on my brain. All last week I was stuck on HEY LITTLE HEN….WHEN WHEN WHEN, WILL YOU LAY ME AN EGG GOR MY TEA!!! ( such a sweet little song) !!! xoxoxoxo. Now the name that I am going to erase to put my name and e mail in, is Pricilla from Brooklyn NY. ( sorry Pricilla 🙁 )
Happy Birthday to your mother🎉
Dear Susan. Please enter my name for one of the beautiful mugs. My daughter Jennifer cannot wait for hers also. Thank you for the memory of our mothers and grandmothers with their starched laundry. When I was six my mother starched and hand dyed my favorite organdy go to church dress. It was the prettiest blue. My 8th grade graduation dress was starched white organdy and it hurt cause I had a sunburn on my shoulders. My wedding dress was gorgeous in white organdy, with pale blue flowers embroidered on bolero top, finished with a with a pale blue sash. Needless to say, I was thrilled when my daughter married in white organdy with pale pink roses trimming the neckline. Oh, yes, starch. I do love to iron so I must buy some liquid starch and do all my lovely linen dresser scarves. Thanks, Susan. Now to look at the mugs!
That was really interesting about ironing with real starch, I want to try it. Why do you put it in the refrigerator?
Keeps the clothes longer so you have a choice about when to iron. (Within reason, can’t leave them too long! I’d say a week might be almost too long.)
Oh I’m in love with the mugs!
Hi Susan,
What great memories we have of “back in the day”. Another part of this memory is the soda bottle (Squirt) that had a water sprinkler plug. My mum wound sprinkle water on the clothes if they got too dry while ironing. My mum loved to iron. I loved the smell and love the memories I hold close to my heart <3
Have a simply wonderful trip. Love you! Barbara
Wonderful blog Susan, I love the new mugs! They are just beautiful, I love all three of them.
I think I just might have to buy some of that starch too……I remember my mom doing the laundry just as your mother, wetting it, rolling it up and ironing it later.
Have a wonderful train ride with Joe and enjoy every minute with your mother, and happy birthday to her!
I too am a starch girl…..and just pulled out a ridiculous amount of old linens that need a tidy up. Then they will be ready for Spring tea parties!!!!
I wish i could visit you at the Apple Farm. GIve Rachel a BIG HUG from me. You will ❤️️❤️️❤️️ Her. She gave me all of the details of your visit there. What fun it will be.
Hello Susan, I have been enjoying the 50’s weather while it lasts. We all know that it is going to get cold again soon and more snow but that’s kind of why we never leave Maine and other places like where you live. We love it the 4 seasons is what we live for. Springs just around the bend. It’s kind of like a surprize each and every season and something to look forward to. Something like you never know when the first robin comes back. By the way they are so early this year. Gives us hope that spring is sooner than we thought. Not to mention the Daffodils are allready peaking out of the ground in places. So much fun. Love the cups. Missed the first on you made and in hopes you would have them make them again. Thanks for the great walk today. Think Spring.
I hope New England holds spring until our return on April 2. That shouldn’t be asking too much in normal times, but things do seem to be early this year!
Hoping to win a mug. Just had double mastectomy and it would make me so happy to drink tea from one of the lovelies.
I too remember my mom using starch. We are so lucky to have these memories.
Oh my goodness, brave smart girl. I hope you are feeling better, if not now, then very soon, and congratulations for getting on the other side of this scary thing. You go girl! XOXOXOXOXO
Love the mugs but I have a favorite which is LOVE. Wanted to let you know we purchased the “amour” champagne. The clerk also recommended Bellini secco peach wine you might like to try from Trader Joe’s. Has a little Phiz which is nice. By the way since we were still in Myrtle Beach we bought five bottles because we can’t get it at our Trader Joe’s in Pennsylvania due to Pa law. HappyCA vac. ❤
Very smart and organized!
Hi Susan! My mom has a birthday on the 27th as well. She will be 82 years old. Love the wool coat…so colorful for the sometimes dreary winter. Also the cups are wonderful and a decent sized. Safe travels.
Happy birthday to your mom. Safe travels and a wonderful visit to family and friends. Thank you for Twitter pictures, a new blog and Willard, all in one day! I wasn’t sure where to start. Love the mugs and have pre-ordered the set of three. Can’t wait!
Oh. . . you had me going there when I saw the name Pamela as the winner! Alas, not me. . . but close. Congrats to Pamela Tasker!
I have never starched clothes, so I’m glad you showed us how to do it. I was curious about it.
I did use starch when I taught Kindergarten to hold tissue paper onto bottle vases that the kids made for Mother’s Day.
The cup designs are awesome!
Have a lovely trip. . .I think you will be coming into some snowy landscapes!
Thanks for the great post, Susan. Your coat is so pretty and I love your mugs!
I also love the look of starched linens, but I’ve only used spray starch. Would love to give this method a try. I remember my mom and grandmother doing this.
Enjoy your trip to California and wishing your dear mom a very Happy Birthday!
Such beautiful cups! Thank you for the opportunity to win 😊☕️
Kathy T
Love your cups and would love to win one. Have a wonderful trip to visit your Mom. Safe travels. Many thanks for sharing yourself with all of us.
Mugs of Love from Susan…how sweet is that?
Oh, Sue…what memories of growing up in a house full of boys and men and ironing all of their shirts. I was the only girl and it was my job to do the ironing. Mother taught me to starch, chill, and iron just as you described. When I married, my husband was surprised at how many things I starched in the laundry. I starched and ironed the pillowcases, for example. He did not like the starch, but I loved the crispness of the freshly washed cases. I did stop starching the cases, though, because I wanted him to be happy. Love the china mugs and will order them if I don’t win them. xoxoxo Sherry
Hi Susan! Another perfect post, as always!! Loved the paragraph on starch! I remember using “real” starch in the old days, especially on all those petticoats we wore (I’m dating myself!). And Dad’s shirts were always as stiff as a board, especially the collars. Men’s shirts always had to have stiff collars, and they looked so nice and tidy! I haven’t used liquid starch in years, but you’ve inspired me to try it on some things! and I love the little guest towel with Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams on it. Did you do that? The mugs are just wonderful! All three of them. It’s amazing what they can do with art these days! I’m going to have to have one of these! I have a cup of tea/coffee going all day when I’m home! Enjoying your trek across country again! And of course I’ll be thinking of your Mom when we celebrate our (my & hers) mutual birthday on Monday!! Safe travels! xoxo
No I didn’t do the little towel, it was a gift in honor of Isle of Dreams, the book. Isn’t it adorable. It’s a hankie actually, which I turned into a towel . . . too good to put in a purse or something! Happy almost Birthday Jane, I will get to see my mom tomorrow around noon if all goes as planned!
You will need those jackets in CA this trip. 46 in Burbank tonight! Heading over to pre-order mugs, but please put me in the drawing as well. You are so fortunate to still have your Mom.
We are trying to bring a little sunshine with us, perhaps get things to a nice delicious 65. 😃
I’m so glad to read these two posts. My power just came back on after a 5-day outage, and I knew I was missing something fun! And a Willard to look forward to! Happy travels, Susan. Hope to see you in California!.
Yay for power! Oh my goodness, that is a long time!
What a wonderful sentiment about Moms and children! It can be added to the ‘sayings book’ you glean from. It truly is a classic! And so very true❤️💛💚💙💜. Love old linens and lace too. Just seeing them makes my heart flutter with excitement. I have dozens of doilies collected over the years. Give “Mom” an extra hug from me. gmapat xoxo Beautiful mugs!
Susan,
I believe we must be “Sisters” from another time. I love jackets just like the ones you showed, I love to starch certain items of the “wash” and I love “old antique dresser scarves, small linen hand towels, crocheted doilies,and curtains. These are the things I look for in Antique shops and at garage sales. Thank you for another interesting blog & I am still working on finding a way to send you the pictures if our house in Minnesota. You may have to stop in on your way home from California! Love the cups!
Thank you for being such an inspiration. You make life so much better and joyful.I read your blog every time it is posted and it just makes my day.Thank you for all of the love and kisses that are woven into every post.I wish I could meet you in person. Maybe someday.You never know!!!!!!
Thank you for the lovely blog on starch 🙂 I am a nurse who recalls having to starch our caps for our clinical days at the hospital!
Love your mugs! Have a wonderful time with family.
I have to stop and say thank you for the work you do. xoxo
Have a wonderful trip to visit your mother !
Love your website and can’t wait for it to come.
Right now on vacation to the southwest and just finished It’s a Fine Romance. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to get home and start the next one.
Love the new mugs and am a collector of Beatrice Potter too and all things English as my Grandmother came from England as a war bride.
Have fun and a safe trip.
Lynn
Thank you for the starch lesson. I love the mugs also.
Give your sweet mom a hug from us all. <3
Looking at those old linens just makes me happy : ) I love collecting them and displaying them…Enjoy your trip and I hope your Mom has a wonderful birthday!
Nothing says love like sharing a cup of tea with a friend. Your cups are beautiful!
Ah, I miss my dear Mom so very much! She flew to Heaven 13 years ago next month and not a day goes by that I don’t long for her hug and a few words, or a cup of tea. Your cups are just lovely as always. It would be so special to win!!! Have a lovely journey and enjoy every minute.
Not only do people not use starch they hardly EVER iron!!! My fav thing in my moms house was her fold down ironing board built into the wall!! Remember when you used rollers??? I had my hair in rollers and it fell down and hit me on the head!!😂😂😂 I love linens too so really glad to get this recipe!!!💜💜💜
The mugs are beautiful! They would brighten anyone’s day & will look so cute in the kitchen.
I remember my Mom rolling starched clothes in a bag and placing in fridge until time to iron!! Sweet memories…. Safe travels and Happy Birthday Celebration!! Love your new mugs💕!!
Well, I didn’t win the maple syrup, so maybe this time will be the charm. The cups/mugs are adorable. I remember helping my mother with the laundry (wringer washer) and the product we used for starch was called Linit Starch. And did you use bluing? I put ironing in the fridge, too, in my early marriage. Now off to find Willard! Thanks for everything, Susan.
Happy rails,
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
The mugs are adorable ~ of course they are! I just know you’ll come up with a wonderful design for Christmas, I can’t wait! I imagine the hardest part will be settling on a hand full of designs when your brain is loaded with a zillion! Have the absolute best time with your dear mother, always precious, precious moments!
You are so right, that IS the hardest part! Thank you Elaine!
I would love to travel by train or ocean liner like you do–how romantic. Your mugs will certainly be added to all my Susan Branch collections–charming. I still have a big box of your stickers from way way back! I don’t want to use them as they are too pretty. You reminded me of starching and ironing (my dad’s work pants, shirts, and all our dresses) after they were washed in a less than effective ringer washer. Then all those drippy loads got lugged and hung in the very far back yard, even in winter. I do remember sometimes getting sidetracked and couldn’t get back to that damp bag of clothes until it was too late. EWWW moldy clothes. Have a terrific trip and thank you for taking us with you.
Love, love the mugs!
Our days are lighter in the Pacific Northwest, but it still feels like winter! Snow is in the forecast for the weekend! There’s more Cocoa to drink! Pleade count me in for your thoughtful mug giveaway.