Rabbit-Rabbit Girlfriends! Good Morning! MUSICA It’s the glory of love!
Everything good here ~ so far it looks like it might not rain today! A minor miracle on this first day of June considering that it rained all May ~ but, so far, so good, it’s dawning with blue skies! 
Time to turn over the new page on our calendars ~ It’s tea! Perfect timing (how did I know?), because today I’m having twelve best friends for a Farewell Tea Party Twine for a girlfriend who’s moving south! I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe, if the sky stays blue, we’ll be able to have it outside under the arbor!
Our party is at four, so I doubt we’ll need the twinkle lights. But every time I look at that little spot, I think of Mr. Bowditch, who I never met, the man you lived here before us, who built the arbor with his own hands back in the 1950s. He doesn’t know it, but he has given us YEARS of pleasure. He and his wife called the arbor the “Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon.” Romantic people that they were.💞
But I’m still waiting to see if the picnic table gets dried out enough! We cleaned up the dining room just in cases. Jack’s been helping me get ready, but we still have a lot to do. I know everyone is waiting for the drawing . . . So I thought I’d say hello and give us one last day to make sure everyone is signed up for our Luv-lee beautiful cup Giveaway.
Be sure to sign up your sister, your daughter and your mom! And you! Do it today ~ just leave a comment below and you’ll be entered ~ because Vanna (our very interesting “random number generator”) is on her way back to the Island so we’ll try to do the drawing tomorrow depending on what kind of shape she’s in. 😜 You know how she is. (If none of this makes sense to you, read down the next post ~ for drawing explanation.) Until then, off I go . . . Let’s see, where’s that recipe . . . Oh yeah . . .
I’ll take lots of pictures today, between setting the table, cutting chives in the garden for the tender little egg salad sandwiches and dipping the perfectly ripe strawberries into melted chocolate. Ahhh, tea parties. How I love thee. Have a wonderful day everyone . . . It’s true, to know you is to love you!
P.S. Just saw this photo, wasn’t Jack the sweetest little kitten? He’s under the bed in the Peter Rabbit room in this photo, on his first day home. All ears and mustache! Intelligence shines out around the eyes, don’t you think? 😘
I would love to be selected! Please, please, please pick me!!
Without her knowledge, I am entering my “dearest of mothers” mom in the drawing!! What a surprise she would get if she won!!
Happy June 1st.!
I’m drinking tea as I read.
Pat
Please enter my beautiful and amazing daughter Brittany in the drawing!
Good morning, Susan! I woke up this morning in the sunny midwest and reached for my phone, and I opened my Twitter app–bad habit first thing in the morning, I know… BUT THEN I saw that you had a new post, and I thought of myself as brilliant for going on Twitter first thing, and here I am! 🙂 Thank you for infusing beauty and sweetness into the day with your lovely storytelling and art. I am commenting on behalf of my mother-in-law because I know she would be elated to receive your lovely mugs in the mail! Happy First of June and Happy Tea Party to you and all our friends!
Susan,
Your writing and artwork has brightened the lives of so many! Thank you for capturing life’s best—the simple pleasures that are most important!
Sounds like a lovely tea party, and I vote for the lights.🤗
The tea party sounds like it’s going to be so fun—-how nice that the weather looks like it’ll be party time outside ! The egg salad sandwiches sounds so good—haven’t made any in ages—-guess I’ll be making some soon . Love the precious pic of baby Jack—I really enjoyed the posts & videos of him growing up !
Rabbit~Rabbit Sweet~Sue I Love The Pic Of Tiny~Kitty~Jack! 🙂 They Grow~Up So Fast! #Meowzers & Purrrrrrrrrrr…. Kitty~Kisses From Me To Him! 😉 Have A Fun Time Today At Your #TwineParty Yay! The Perfect Way To Begin JUNE & The Sweet~Summertime! Sending You LOVE & Hugzzz & Joy & #Summer #PixieDust xoxo #Poof! 🙂 😉 🙂 P.S. My Wings Are Still #Crossed #Vanna Pick Me!!!!! #PrettyPlease 😉
Dear Sue,
Last night (I think I’ve told you I do supportive volunteer work at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford) when I was collecting tickets for a presentation to be given by Amy Dickinson and Gina Barreca (unbelievable and I almost you-know-what in my pants laughing!) I met a tiny, lovely senior lady who promised me that when the program was over she would fill out an evaluation form for the museum. She kept her promise (heart). She leaned over the table and said, “Oh tomorrow is June 1. I’ll have to remember to say, ‘rabbit rabbit’.” I kind of jumped or hopped or skipped and replied, “OH … you read Susan Branch’s blog!!!!!” In her sweetest voice she said, ” Oh no. I’ve just said that all my life but I do have a cellphone.” I melted on the spot. I also melted when I saw Jack’s kitten picture. Can’t they stay that size?
Love, Carol from CT … tra la
How thrilling….!!! Would love to be able to have tea from one of your beautiful mugs 🙂 Enjoy the beautiful weather !
Such a sweet little face. It’s a treat to see him as a kitten!
I would love to win one of those lovely cups! Have a happy tea party and hugs to Jack!
Love your new mugs! I enjoy organic green tea every morning! These mugs would be a great addition to my morning ritual. Fingers crossed!
Rabbit, rabbit! Love your June calendar page because I love tea, of course. I’m going to have my own little tea party for my birthday at the end of the month, the 29th. I would love to win one of your mugs. I hope you have great weather for your tea party today and a wonderful time. Cheers!
Your posts always give me a boost!! I loved the reference to the “Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon” – how luvlee- and I can’t wait to see photos of the tea party. Hope the weather will behave for you.
Would love to win one of your beautiful
Mugs. Go Vanna!
I just love reading your posts as they brighten up the day. Your tea party sounds beautiful and fun. I hope you get to have it under the arbor. It is a bright sunny day here on Long Island, so I hope it is the same for you. (Jack is a little doll! Just love my kitty too!)
I meant to leave a comment on your last post as you are reorganizing your studio and house. It seemed perfect for me because I am in the middle of trying to purge and reorganize my own art studio. Right now boxes and supplies are all over the floor and it was almost overwhelming for me, but when I saw your post, it made me feel that it could be done! I am also rediscovering mementos and finished work I had forgotten. So, it has almost turned into a fun project, though daunting. Hope you have a wonderful party. Sad to be seeing a friend relocate, but I know you will stay in touch.
Those mugs are just so beautiful – and made of the most durable “stuff”. I’m entering me, myself and I, as well as my mother, my sister and daughter with this comment. 🙂
Hasn’t the New England rain been dreary! Today – just beautiful. Have a good one – Karen in CT
Here in the Pacific Northwest, also on a beautiful Island, am in my nest (bedroom) contem-
plating the order of the day ahead. We too have had a May with many showers, as was our
winter. But the lushness of both flowers and green is unlike any spring/summer I can
remember.
We have birthdays, twin-boys graduating from high school, Father’s Day, all coming up
and my hope is that while in the whirlwind, my thoughts and actions remain focused on
the little moments.
A good friend called them the “tinker bell” moments. They are sprinkled with fairy dust,
fleeting but are the moments we remember and dwell upon after the fray.
Remember to be a beacon of hope and a proclaimer of joy, even if it rains on your parade.
“Make tea, not war.” ~Monty Python
Love your mugs! I’m having a cup of tea on my patio. I’ve been reading your Fairy Tale Girl for the second time! Love your books!!
Susan, Your tea party sounds delightful. I think of you every weekend when my husband and I play Rummikub. I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to this game.
I love your latest blog post! I esp love the pictures of Jack (little & big!)
Thank-you!
Karen
Wishing you the most lovely tea time!!! Thank you for sharing every bit of your sweetness with us ♡♡
Oh, Happiness! We’ll all be there in our best tea frocks! If you are having the same awesome day as we here near the Coast O’ Maine, your heart is singing just as is mine!!! I’d run and skip but for the cast on my leg. Much better, though.
Bestest Maine girlfriend coming over to ride in with us to meet her cousins at our favorite local restaurant on Rt. 1. In another month it will be so busy, we locals will need a reservation…
Saturday morning she and I are going up to the Grange for the Franklin Garden Clubs plant sale, then in the evening to the Franklin Veteran’s Club for the prime rib supper…local music. Eeeeee, I’m so happy to be able to see all these truly wonderful people I miss so much when in Florida.
It’s wonderful to be able to have gatherings of people who have different political affiliations but who work together in all the local groups, Historical Society, Library, Vet’s Club, and the Franklin Friends of Flamingos social club!!! We rarely speak of He Who Must Not Be Named.
My theory is that it’s a result of early settlers (And most of the folks we know are descendants of these early ones.) had to cooperate in order to survive. We’re still sparsely settled in this Down East part of Maine. You absolutely must help one another in the Winter. When I’m here alone, I have phone calls offering to plow or shovel my steps. Within half a day of breaking my foot…..the news was all over, and the food was poring in. Tom suggested I break the other one so we’d continue getting all these goodies…..Now I’m asking for some of the recipes!!!!! ;).
We have a Tea at the Historical S. building….an old church, complete with a best bonnet contest. Everyone pitches in. I just Adore living here.
Thank you, Dear Sue, for making our hearts Sing :0 Tra, La, La
Debbie in Beautiful “downtown” Franklin, Maine
You made me hungry for egg salad sandwiches, strawberries and chocolate! I’m sure the weather cooperated for your tea. Hope so anyway!
Rabbit – Rabbit! I love turning the calendar pages to see the drawings for the new month. Your calendar is in its spot, on the kitchen wall, every year. I tried one year to hang a freebee calendar I received and didn’t like – not having yours for me to see everyday. So up went your calendar, it makes me happy, it makes me smile. Thank you.
Nice to hear from you Susan 💖 Happy June!
Just discovered your books and blog—they make me smile!
I love your work!
Helloooo Vanna, please pick me 😘
Hi Susan~Fingers crossed that your picnic table dries out and the sun shines on your tea party🐰😉🐰
I cannot remember if I have already commented…so…I will leave a comment…one of your tea cups would LOVE to live in my HOME 🙂
Rabbit, rabbit.
I am ” In LOVE With all The Little Things of Nature”. If I am fortunate to win … How will I ever choose one of your beautiful mugs ?! Can’t wait to find out who the winner is 🙂
I so enjoy your blog. I have all your books and used to own a gift shop that sold them. Thank you for everything you do.
I love the tea theme today. Can’t wait to have a cup this evening. Such a lovely way to relax after a day at work.
Oh I love tea parties.
Your blog and pictures are always a mini vacation for me! When ‘A Fine Romance’ was first published, my mom was in an extended care facility for a few months. I would read to her from your book …and it felt, for the moment, like we were on vacation together. A very sweet memory for me.
Happy June. Your cups are fun, hope I win one.
Do love those cups…….and everything Susan Branch
This entry is for my mom. She loves her cuppa every afternoon❤️
Please enter my name; Debbie R. Justilian, and my sisters: Patti Massi and Vicki Bryant for the giveways. You can mail to me should we win something and I will see to it that it gets to the proper place. Thank-you.
Susan, I love your idea of a tea party just for me. Why not treat ourselves right? Also hoping to win one of those beautiful cups. Thank you for giving us a chance to win.
Now my sister’s turn. She would love one of these tea cups!
Best wishes for a delightful Tea Party. I am off to the kitchen to make the egg salad recipe from The Summer Book, page 42. It is always a hit! Thank You, Susan Branch, for your books and inspiration!
Dearest Susan….have the most wonderful and fun tea party today! It can be a lot of work, so I am happy that Jack is there to help you. He was the most adorable of all kittens, but he is now the most handsome! Cant wait for pictures! Xoxoxo
Dear Susan,
I love your blogs, your books, your recipes, your calendars etc. etc. I especially love your amazing art work.
Thank you for all the beauty and love that you share.
Best pucture of Jack …. ever!
I have recently discovered your books and have enjoyed them immensely and you!
Can’t wait to see all the pictures, check out all the recipes and glean lovely entertaining ideas from your Girlfriend’s Farewell Tea Party Twine. AND “The Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon” arbor seems like the perfect place for everyone to gather. Sounds fabulous fun farewell party.
xo, Carolyne
Enjoy your tea party. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be.
Jack is so cute as a kitten and so cute now! and mmmm…chocolate dipped strawberries!
I love hosting tea parties. We started our annual Valentine’s day tea party for girls at our church and then the fire happened….. now we’re waiting for the building to be rebuilt and then we can have our tea parties again! I can’t wait for that to happen.
My toddler and I love tea parties! Beautiful friendships, celebrated in such a lovely tradition!
My
toddlersfriends love them too!😆So funny, you are! Thanks for the chuckle Have a luv-lee party and beautiful day. You’ve just made mine more DELIGHTFUL, once again. 😊💟👒💟
I was never a fan of cats. I’m currently reading the archives and I am reading about when you got Jack. I fell in love! Could this be? His little Monsieur moustache and shanaegans. What a sweety. I am enjoying the archives so much. Jack I see is all grown. Beautiful place to visit with morning coffee….just finished Martha’s Vineyard book. So good! The part about ancestors in Salem. Awesome. Have a beautiful June. As Alan Jackson is in my head today….keeps pouring here In Nova Scotia…”It’s a rainy day in June…sky is grey and I am blue…” ( not really but it’s stuck in my head. Have a beautiful tea party!!
Precious little furbaby, and they are our babies forever! Still hoping that Vanna draws my name! Get yourself together Vanna! Good grief girl!
The world of Susan Branch makes our world a better place!
➡️💞➡️😘
Enjoy x
Loved your post on cluttering. It is nice to know I’m not alone. And oh what fun a tea party! Most of the fun is in the planning and preparing. Enjoy!
Beautiful cups! Love your site!
What a lovely way to welcome June!
Happy June.
Hope you get your wish for a dry party.
It’s June! Beautiful here in the Southwest! Enjoy your tea party. ❤️ love the new cups!
I meant to say decluttering! Computer auto corrected and I didn’t see it.
Hello Susan,
Would you please enter me into the giveaway? I had waited to buy these mugs, and when I recently tried to order, they were no longer on your website! If they don’t come back, hopefully I will win this drawing! I also hope you have as beautiful weather as we are having today in NJ 🙂
Planning to make those chocolate dipped strawberries,
Holly in NJ
Hope your day turned out perfect for your Tea Party
Looks like you and the ladies are going to have a great day. Love Jacks baby pic. I forgot, did you ever mention how you got him? Was it from a breeder or a neighbor? I just think the mustache is adorable. You must just want to pick him up and smother him with kisses!!!
Hi Susan,
I don’t like to rush the months away, but always look forward to turning the page on your calendar.
I have never had my own tea party but have gone to a Tea Room with friends. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE tea parties.
And you are right. Jack is adorable. He would be running away because I would be picking him up and cuddling him.
Looking forward to pictures of the tea.
Have a beautiful, sunny tea party day. A lovely way to spend an afternoon with friends.
The weather is just perfect for a tea party. Talking about strawberries, I bought a basket of just picked ones from a nearby farm stand. Heavenly! Enjoy the nice weather. Emily my older daughter (who loves Jack) is graduating from high school on Saturday. Where has time gone?
Hello Susan! Happy first Day of June and yes the sun is out here in Attleboro! I had a very big , possibly Mama bunny near my garden when I returned home from work yesterday!. Also noticed my kale and some tender pea shoots had gone missing in the garden! Sighhhh. I would love to be entered to win a beautiful mug for myself and my Mom Vivian! Please, Please!
Tea parties are the best. The seniors community where I live in Sidney, B.C. is having their annual Victorian Tea next Sunday, along with a fashion show. Everyone is getting excited, making decorations, collecting tea pots and three-tiered cake plates and large sandwich platters. Hope the weather is kind to you. Because there is a large number of us, our tea will be held inside.
Tea parties are lovely We recently saw “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Walnut St Theatre in Philadelphia, and then watched the classic movie version, which is on your favorite movie list, I believe. The characters are drinking tea in almost every scene, so charming!
Susan, I received my Little Things mug the day before Mother’s Day…and LOVE it! The size, the sturdiness, and how it makes me smile every time I look at it! Thank you! Looking forward to getting the Autumn and Santa next! Hugs to you and beautiful Jack!
Enjoy your tea party! It sounds delightful.
My daughter and I love everything Susan Branch❣
I have a precious “Tea Party” friend whom I love dearly. She brought tea parties into my life. This month we are giving a tea party at an assisted living for some lovely ladies to brighten their day!❤
Thank you for sharing your life!
I would love to win one of your teacups. Enjoy your afternoon tea party!
Love tea parties and tea houses. Visited Tea and Sympathy in NYC this past week–enjoyed tea and scones! Picked up some Walkers English Creamy toffees there also. The ritual of tea in the afternoon is a wonderful one. Enjoy your party today Susan! I’ll be on Nantucket for the Book Festival in mid-June. Wish you were doing a book signing nearby! Will miss Titcombs by four days!
Hi Susan:
I hope that sun continues shining- I know that you and your friends will have a wonderful time,because that is what happens when we get together with loving and supportive people.
I loved the title of your last blog-“No more swords, Courts and Kings”. If we cannot get rid of them, let us at least turn away now and then and enjoy all that does work right in this world.
We have had a cloudy, rainy month in NYC and welcome the pleasure of seeing Vanna back from her travels. Never know what that fashion forward GF will show up wearing. Best to all,
Marty
Happy June! I made your recipe for Cheese Roasted Potatoes (from the Summer Book) last night….they were SO good! Summer isn’t my favorite season, but reading your book every year inspires me to see the beauty of it. 😃
I just adore tea parties, for any reason! I have recently moved and missing my girlfriends but my memories and especially the tea parties both elaborate and simple are my most precious gifts. Love reading about yours, would love pictures next time! Hugs,Pat
Dearest Susan, you always bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart!!
Biggest of hugs to you!
Bestbwishes for a fine tea party.
Here’s a link to the blog of a young lady who loves quotes as much as you and I. On the first day of every month she posts a “quote of the day” for each day of the upcoming month, usually with a specific theme. Enjoy!! neveridlydreaming.wordpress.com
Your tea cups are so cute!! I do have a Jack question: Does Jack ever try to eat or flowers in your house? I have a little “Jack Jr.” looking kitty named Frankie Lee and another Tuxedo kitty named Skippy – who want to eat anything that grows that I bring into the house!! (I do keep cat grass growing for them). I see pictures of the cute flowers and plants in your house and I’m envious! 🙂
Even though my cupboard runneth over, I will have to call at least one of these gorgeous creations mine!
So look forward to reading your blog posts! Fun to see Jack’s photo also, cat lover that I am.
Good afternoon Susan! I hope the weather is grand for your fabulous tea party ~ can you believe I’ve never hosted one? I never knew anyone in my circle that cared for tea, nor the atmosphere associated with one! They just don’t know what they’re missing out on! My Mom was a tea fanatic ~ I miss her sipping it and her special cookies! On another note, it’s been such fun watching your boy grow up, he was a bundle of personality and beyond adorableness from the get-go! Have fun my friend, outdoors, or in! Hug!
Oh how exciting! Wish I could join you! Have a lovely day!
Quick question. .. do you play any music and if so, what kind?
You mean at the party? I play the same kind as I do here on the blog . . . happy Musica!
I love everything about tea parties except tea! I’ve tried so hard but just don’t care for the taste. So I’ll quietly have coffee instead but I love all the little sandwiches and sweets and pretty dishes, table linens and flowers!
Ahhhh, love the throwback Thursday picture of Kitten Jack! He is soooo cute, then and always!! Love, love, love the mugs (want one, want them all…me greedy!) and love my (yours!) calendars. Happy June!! xoxo Kathy
Susan,
Nice of you to share your wet island in May with Garrison Keillor (Garrison Keillor @ The Washington Post)
Dear Susan. I hope you find sweet strawberries to dip. Mine have not been so good this year. Have a lovely tea party.
I think you and Joe were meant for that house. Mr Bowditch would be very pleased at how
lovingly you take care if it and enjoy his handiwork. Jack was snd is the sweetest cat, I have two myself. I’m a huge fan of Tea Parties! It’s sound like a lot of fun. Enjoy! Oh, I just watched Mrs. Potter the other day, one of my favorite movies and I know you love it too. Hope the weather holds out for you!
Love a proper (or improper!) tea party! Had one a few years ago with my besties, all of whom had never been to one! We had egg salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, cookies and tiny cakes, and a spring garden salad with berries, nuts and feta. Along with the tea, we also had Moscato Punch. The tea lasted way longer than we thought, because we were enjoying it so much. They all still say it was the most fun thing they had done in a great while.
Please enter my grand daughter’s name in the drawing. She’s almost 6 years old (June 6th) and she would love this! Her name is Gracyn Harris, and she’s my only girl grand daughter!
I love tea parties with my Granddaughters. Beautiful memories made!!