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 started my collection of teacups with the ones I used to buy for my mom when I was young. They had them at the jewelry store on the town square — and as I recall, they were no more than $5 each. This was back in Chandler, AZ many, many years ago. Since then, I have quite a collection. My four daughters have all had tea party birthday parties and their friends loved them! I have tea parties for my friends and I have even taken one to a friend who had cancer and couldn’t go out.
I just hosted a tea party for my book club. I made all of the food including scones, clotted cream and lemon curd! Everyone brought their own tea cup and told the story behind it. I used my Peter Rabbit vases that I had collected over the years and used them as centerpieces — and used the Peter Rabbit teapot (these were from Telaflora years ago). I have several lovely tea cookbooks and used them for inspiration.
I hope it dries out for you to be able to have your party outside!
Pam in Indiana
I so love seeing the photos of Baby Jack, the bunny, your teapots…everything. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be invited to one of your tea parties; tea party heaven.
I’m so glad you posted today. Oh, wow, how I needed it. Your posts to us are always a tonic. I’m trying to pull myself out of a pool of self-pity, but I was in a serious auto accident over the Memorial Day holiday, the other driver totalled my car and fled, left me with the ambulance & hospital. I’m injured but home and alive; my injuries will eventually heal; I can walk and talk; SO very lucky. No fractures; nothing internal. Could have been so much worse although I’m pretty mad about the loss of my car and having no one to collect from (not even an UNinsured driver; no driver at all, and I’m sure by now his own damaged vehicle is probably stripped and will never be found, although of course the police are involved). Anyway, I’m real weepy, which is just not ME, so your post helps, distracts me from thinking about everything…and I definitely AM drinking my tea, trying to sit in the sun when our SoCalif June Gloom lifts as it does most every day around noon, take my pain meds; just trying to get sane after a tumultuous event. Sure does change one’s perspective in a hurry…about how much the small stuff doesn’t matter.
Except that, DARN, I was all ‘fired up’ with your decluttering post and I even printed out some of the girlfriend comments and taped them to my kitchen cupboard doors as ‘affirmations’ along with yours, to keep me motivated, and that was what my “June” was supposed to be about, not doctor appointments and physical therapy. I swear I will get ONE thing done today, even though I’m as stiff and sore as a board with my neck and back; if anything, just sort some bills/mail. Grrrrrr….so frustrated.
Isn’t wisteria the prettiest thing? It’s one of my next projects; getting an arbor/frame built for one as they are indeed SO woody and heavy. (And I also love pergolas!) OMG, Susan, the jacarandas are in bloom; the purple is so incredibly beautiful and they all seem to come into flower at different times…May, June, July…depending on age/type. I look for the oldest houses in my town because they of course have the oldest trees with the biggest bloom (well-established; deeply rooted I guess!). Jacs survived the worst of the SoCalif drought…low-water trees, thankfully. I’m so grateful for the color and their grandeur.
Just wanted to add before getting off the computer (keyboarding/posture at the desk is painful right now); I have had the privilege of seeing your beautiful china cups up close & personal. I love the feel of them; substantial yet, I dunno, graceful; VERY well-made. The art and quotes are all YOU; all wonderful. These are keepsake cups; collectibles; art pieces! But useful; functional. Comfort cups; friendly cups! Bravo on a genius idea!
Also, conscientiously-packed for shipping, with even a matching label on each cup’s box (box label matching the art on that individual cup); just such attention to detail. Quality like this is rare these days…
Awful car accident Vicki, I’m so happy you’re okay!!! Stiff, but okay, and that’s what matters. I know, it’s like John Lennon said, Life is what happens when you’re busy doing something else!” (Or something like that!) You have a good spirit, you’ll be back at it soon!
Vicki, I hope you heal quickly. I am so very sorry for your troubles. We were almost hit the same way on Sunday, but luckily the shoulder was wide enough for him to miss us but he came up right next to us with brakes squealing. So it would have been a bad hit. I am so sorry you didn’t have the luck we did. Wishing I was your neighbor and could help you. Sending hugs and warm healing fuzzies from TX.
My sister-in-law and my daughter have a little contest to see who wins at saying Rabbit-rabbit on the first day of each month. They have an advantage over me being one hour ahead, so I usually lose. But this morning I beat my daughter to it but lost to my SIL. I’m beholden to her all month! Love the teacups and hope your tea party is superb!
I’m glad it’s finally June and not raining here in upstate New York either. Everything is so green after all that rain, but we need to dry out a little bit. I planted all my outdoor flower pots today so the back porch is now really looking cheerful.
Tea parties are always a wonderful way to make memories. Hopek you all have a great day!
I have always loved tea parties!
Short but extremely ! Sweet. I think you should take the Arbors name from previous owner, and that be a title for a new book about all the joys on the Island. Dinner Parties at home, holidays, reg cozy days home with kitties and Joe. Please. I would love the privilege of entering for a cup. Teapot is warming
Thank you and have beautiful weekend
Debra Sewell as you see my name is Debra NOT what the sight has written and refuses to let me change. Who is Grand Pam!!?!!? Can you fix sight so we can enter our own. MY email is [email protected] please. How can I enter if it won’t work right
You’re entered, but we’ve discovered, after long long long investigation, that it’s not us! It’s just certain computers (or phones or iPads, or whatever someone might be using) ~ it doesn’t happen to everyone, just a handful of people, and we just don’t know why. You probably all have something in common computer-wise. And I’m not sure how you can go about fixing it, but try refreshing, then try coming to the site on another computer and see what happens… Sorry Debra!
This happened to me on my new iPad, a different name came up when I pulled up the comment window. So I deleted the name and wrote in my own, and now my name comes up every time.
I think the blog didn’t recognize my new computer.
Hugs for girlfriends,
Margot
Big help Margot, thank you!
I keep track of rainfall here in southern Vermont, & we had a whopping 9.4 inches in May. I hate to say it, but it’s raining AGAIN here at 4 pm. However, I hope your tea wasn’t rained out!
As I write this it is 4:20 and I am picturing you and all your girlfriends sipping tea in the lovely breezes off the water, and blue sky overhead, I hope! I’m hoping I win a beautiful cup and can celebrate in my little garden! I love these Blogs, a treasure to find in my mailbox. Thank you.
Thank you for another lovely post, Susan. I am very much enjoying my Earth Love mug.
Love your blogs, and also love the poem tea party for three. Where can I get a copy of a print. It’s so sweet, as is your blog.
You might still be able to get a calendar … it’s this month, 2017 June, maybe from our web store, or maybe on Amazon.
How lovely to be back and hear about your sweet tea party. My 60th wedding anniversary is coming next month and I have been thinking about having a tea party for some friends and since it is Canada’s 150th Birthday, will have it celebrating that too. I have been making lovely runners – red and white with red maple leafs in the centre. We had a big celebration for our 50th, so we are just celebrating with family for the 60th. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love tea parties!! We are cleaning the cottage today from the winter and having our two grandsons teachers here next week for a tea party to thank them for being such wonderful
Teachers. We have done this tradition since our two daughters were at school, by the way the same school our boys attend now. It is so fun and I am planning on making the recipe for the strawberries ~ thanks for sharing!!!!!!!
Connie
A tea party!!! How absolutely divine!!!
Have a fabulous time!!!!!
I just LOVE those cups!!!!!
Have a wonderful tea party! ☕️🍷(twine)
I had “tea” ready for my four children most afternoons after elementary school. It was a great way to debrief the day, restore a bit of calm and share some tasty treats.
Your tea party sounds lovely! I have been using some of your teapot fabric to make hospital gowns for bed buddy dolls for our local children’s hospital – so cute. Your blog always makes me smile.
I’ve had tea parties with my mom and now my daughters. Love the new mugs
Oh a tea party, what fun! I think I will go get the Earl Grey and a lovely china tea cup and have a party for one!
Lovely, lovely, a tea party with friends! I shall imagine great delicacies sitting upon a plate, mostly forgotten because of much Boisterous laughter!
Is it possible to send you a book? I do not want to invade on your privacy.
Hi Susan, Love every one of your post’s photos and art today! Jack is sooo sweet! And tea parties are sweet, too! What a great way to start June. Have a wonderful time with your girlfriends (and guys, too, if they’re invited!). Think about you every morning when I grab my new Love mug out of the cupboard! xxoo
I hear you as its always hard to say goodbye to a friend but it does give you somewhere else to visit. Love the teacups and thanks for your updates!
Hi Susan, This is a delayed comment on your sweet rendition of “Playmate” from a while back. My grandmother used to sing that little song to me when I was a little girl. I’m now 75 and hadn’t thought about that in years. What a wonderful trip down memory lane! Loved the photo of Jack as a kitten — what a precious boy!
Your tea party plans sound lovely!! I’d better plan one of my own!!
I love tea parties! I have been having 2 or 3 tea parties a year for special friends for the past 10 years or so. Love the planning as much as the party! Have fun!
Luanne
Oh Susan your books, dairies and shared life has meant so much to me. But seeing your office photos made me know we are truly kindred spirits! Thank you for sharing them and inspiring me as I dig out my treasures as well!
It is time to begin my monthly Friendship Teas on the second Sunday of the month from 2-4pm. Everyone brings their own tea cup and finger food to share. Each month has a special topic for conversational sharing. So much fun and so special for everyone.
Rabbit, Rabbit, Dear Sue! Your tea party twine sounds absolutely divine! Have a wonderful time! btw…I did order the Autumn mug x six for the Ladies Who Lunch Society. I hope to host an Autumn Tea Twine! I know the girlfriends will love those mugs. I can’t wait to hear and see about your Tea! xo peg
VERY good idea Peg… perfect! xoxoxo
Had high tea onboard our cruise. It’s everyday as we sail up the Amazon River. I look forward to it as often as possible. Enjoy your tea with friends…the best😊
Seeing your blog in my e-mail always brings a smile to my face! Enjoy your tea party and, hopefully, you can enjoy it under the arbor. The northeast had a very soggy May while Florida had another very dry month. Send some our way….
Last week I attended a Ladies Welcome Tea – all centerpieces were china tea pots filled with fresh flowers. Lovely table settings with china. I thought of you.
Judy
Susan~ I just love you! I have so much to say to you and no time today (I’m at lunch at work) but had to get my name in the drawing!!! pick me Vanna!! pick me! I am going to tell you two things:
1. my shelter kitty is doing great! You inspired me to get a kitty – first time kitty mom 🙂
2. I read The Lake House novel you had mentioned in a previous blog (fyi – I read them all!!). Oh. my. goodness. great book – great story – and I did NOT figure it out as you did my super smart girlfriend!
Hugs to you and Joe!
Debby
p.s. I have tea parties with my two grandchildren – they have their very own tea pots!!
Love you Debby!
Time to clear out my cupboard to make room for some new beautiful Susan Branch mugs. I absolutely love them! And they’ll look lovely next to my Emma Bridgewater mugs too 🙂 So excited you’re making them now!
My little comment disappeared!
12 best friends❤️That’s not just luck😌Everyone is there by now..here the winds are howling and chance of rain yet again..
Have fun..of course you will!
I wish I was there ! I love tea parties !
Such fun and wonderful memories .
Sounds lovely. Would love to plan a tea party sometime. Think I’ll go make a cup!<
I do wish I could come to your party.
Sign my daughter Carissa up for the drawing too. I already signed up. lol
Since reading about your tea parties my granddaughter and I started having them .She is so excited to pour the tea such fun and great memories.
Love your blog
What a treat it would be to win! Thank you for the opportunity!
The weather has held here north of Boston–a beautiful sunny day–and I hope for you too on Martha’s Vineyard for your tea party. I was at Tower Hill gardens in Boylston MA today and if you ever want a cup of tea–and more–with a fabulous view–mountain, lake and gardens, that is the place to be. Ecstasy!
Wishing for a luv lee new mug. Happy June!
Thank you
It’s a beautiful day in Illinois today too!….I love your Peter Rabbit Room….My home was originally built in 1865. I’m writing you from my Fem room. This week I converted it from a sewing room to an office. I keep books, photos and collectibles related to the history and culture of womanhood here….Thanks for sharing the beauty in your world.
This blog always makes me happy. Thanks for all that you share, I appreciate it so very much!
Jack so sweet!!! Love the little paw waving hello.
Yours is my “happy” blog – full of whimsy, inspiration, and fun. I hope the clouds stayed away and your party went full swing under the light of the sky!
Oh, tea parties are my favorite! I love the idea of having one with just me, myself and I – I’m going to do that this afternoon. I’ll raise a cup of my Susan Branch Special Blend tea to you while you’re having your tea party and we can have tea together!
Having tea this afternoon with my best friend! Alongside a chocolate chip cookie. Life is good!
Always excited to see a new blog entry from you in my inbox! Just to let you know, in the past I’ve signed up for blogs from other talented, sweet women. I get a few of their posts but over time I always end up opting out of their blog mailings because, well, they just don’t have soul like yours do. Promise me you’ll never stop!
Love a good tea party, especially with those lovely teapots you have, and of course, your signature mugs!
Happy June!
Please sign me up too! Thanks, Debby
After a hectic morning so happy to check email and find your newsletter…always welcome, always uplifting, always appreciated!
Sounds like a great time. I love tea parties. I hope the weather is nice and you can have your party outside under the arbor. Love seeing a blog from you.
Your posts inspire me to live a simple, but beautiful life.
Good afternoon Susan, girlfriends, hello and how are all of you this fine June day. we definitely have sunshine for today, a few clouds hanging around but mostly sunny and warm.. I think spring finally got here and is making way for summer. I love tea parties, we are having a high tea at the Historical society this weekend, actually its a tea and an ice cream social, along with a lecture on Victorian lingerie…. (blushing me oh my)!! definitely a subject Ed is not too intrigued with so he will go hang out at home depot, or Grover’s Hardware. as he would put it he is not too interested in seeing Victorian bloomers. just came in from checking on the laundry, its out on the line and the 2 gooses and turkeys are asleep for now so my laundry is safe for now, the hens and ducks are enjoying these warm sunny days and its nappy time for the whole barnyard crowd, even the cats are enjoying nap time. a good excuse for me to go sit on the front porch, rewind the yarn balls and watch the tractors go chugging by up to the gas station on the corner. summer is coming, and the activities are starting for the season, our local farmer’s market is open and I head there every Friday for fresh veggies and fruits, beats the produce section in the grocery stores, I cannot figure it out why when the growing season is under way and everyone has a little veggie garden growing or shops the local farmer’s market why they price their veggies so high, like zucchini or yellow crooked neck squash at $1.89-$2.00 a pound and yet I can get those for under .50 cents at the farmer’s market. I can sell my eggs there for $2.00 a dozen and the grocery stores are selling them for $3-$4.00 a dozen. I love that cute picture of Jack, he was such a sweet and precious kitten, he still is such an adorable cat and so full of mischief and fun, my cats would adore him. well off to go sit out on the porch for awhile and rewind the yarn balls, my cats had fun this morning…. LOL!!! Happy June and have a wonderful time at the tea party. love much, laugh often and live well… hugs everyone. hugs…. 🙂
pat, I cannot even tell you how excited I am to see my SoCalif garden coming alive with fat green bell peppers and what looks like a hundred little green tomatoes, plus the yellow squash coming up FAST…I love growing a little bit of my own organic food and, yes, I’m just so tired of the big-box grocery store’s prices although we did have some yummy corn-on-the-cob about a week ago from there (early start to the holiday weekend)…I always love reading your comments and have a dream to move to Brookings or Coos Bay (or Martha’s Vineyard!!!)…I love western Oregon and its beautiful coast; fond memories of the last vacation I took with my first family (all of us together one last time as kids grew up and scattered to new dreams) when we took a mail boat ride on the Rogue River and ate fresh blackberry pie at a little cafe in Port Orford with its big ‘stacks’ out in the sea…
Chocolate Covered Strawberries – the best. Berries are now forming on my plants here in MI so it won’t be long now… I so enjoy your books and blog…
Your party sounds lovely! Thanks too for the give-away, I was too late to your store to buy them. Learned my lesson and pre ordered the next batch. Happy June!
My daughter-in-laws and I have begun a tradition of visiting tea houses when we get to visit together. I’m loving the time with girls finally as I only raised boys. But I knew one day the girls would come–and they were indeed worth the wait!
Rabbit Rabbit yourself ! Love the photo of Jack as a kitten & your teapots/china. Have a happy tea party~Julia
Hope the nice weather holds out and you and your friends can enjoy springtime!
Seeing the sun gives us all new energy. Thanks for the tea party blog
I would love to win one of your mugs!
My grandchildren have tea parties at Nana’s house regularly!
It always brightens my day to get your new post. You always have a cheery fun recipe or quote. I love the cups. Hope you had a great party with your friends.
Oh I hope you can have it outside! How delightful!
I love using the beautiful things of all my lovely lady relatives for my tea parties. My Aunt Ginny gave me 8 pair of dainty gloves that had been Aunt Carrie’s. Ginny’s suggested use for the gloves was to place a pair at each place setting. Each guest was asked to tell a little story about how, when and where the gloves were used and what the lady who wore them was like. We did just that and our imaginations took us everywhere! I suppose you could do the same thing with handkerchiefs or the tiny silver spoon collection or the thimble collection etc. One other thing I sometimes do is have each friend choose a cup and saucer from one of my display shelves. Then I give it a quick wash and she will sit at the table where it is set.
I just love pictures of Jack! I hope your picnic table dries out in time for your
farewell tea. I’m here in NJ and it’s rained all month and when it wasn’t raining,
everything was SOAKED! I’m hoping to have a dry weekend to enjoy my blooming rhododendrons, irises, and peonys!
Hope I win a sweet Susan Branch mug!
JoAnne Daniels in damp NW New Jersey
Hi Susan,
I can’t wait to see the pictures of your tea party. It sounds wonderful. I love your new cups!!! Hope to see more pictures of Jack, always so cute. Have a wonderful June!
Jackie
We’re moving, too!
I love June and tea parties! I hope I win the cup!
Tea party sounds wonderful! I just love Jack, his little mustache is so Clark Gable-ish!
I just finished Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard…. loved them both. You make me smile! Thanks for that.
I love tea parties. I think it’s time I give another one for my friends.
The picture at the beginning of this blog is very special, with the stretched out rabbit under the tree. Love….
Your artwork makes me so happy!
Oh, my goodness, Jack was an adorable kitten!
Tea parties with friends or just a party of one is always a special day.
I love the bunny who is just lounging in your yard and soaking up some sun! Happy June to you…I am now craving Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Yum!
The “tea parties” I attend are with my wonderful granddaughters! So much fun!
I love tea parties too! A perfect opportunity to wear a hat!
I love an outdoor tea party. Hope you have sunshine all day. Love your cups – plan on giving my best friends one for their birthdays and Christmas.
A tea party sounds like a fine idea! I may just follow suit. I wish I could post pictures here. Today, my girls and I did a mini photo shoot in a field of yellow flowers against the BLUEST Indiana sky. I have been waiting months to see it. I do hope it dries out for your party!! If I win a cup, it will make my tea party so much more delightful. Please pick me Vanna!
Well, I guess I’m getting in just under the wire. Just wanted to let you know that I love your blog. Your postings are so cheering. I can relate to many of your California “ways.” My mother was from Pomona. (My father met, married, and brought her back to PA after he was finished serving in the army for WWII). She taught me and my sister how to roll damp clothes before ironing. Some were even starched with liquid starch.
Tea Parties! So dear to my heart. They truly are the Bestest kind of Party. How enchanting it would be to come to one of yours. I know y’all had the best time ever! What a sweet send off for your dear friend. Hope the weather cooperated so y’all could have it in the Tea Arbor. And after all, how could it not!
Jack just melts your heart. What an adorable baby he was. And what a fine looking young man he has become. Still that mischievious…mischiv…sassy twinkle in his eyes.
Sitting all in Pink…Dots & stripes with a splash of lime. I feel quite like a cherry limeade! 🙂 You brighten each & every day! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
You ARE cherry limeade, Kat! xoxo
Oh so deliciously delightful ! I just made a cup of Scottish Afternoon Tea because our sky looks stormy. I just invited some people vacationing here for tea and to enjoy the garden roses. If it rains we will stay on the porch which is ready for teatime. I hope your lovely friend is moving to South Carolina… xox,m
Oh, I love wee teas, the smells of early summer, and butterflies visiting my flowers. thanks for sharing.
Hello Susan, Joe, Jack and all girlfriends,
Happy June 1st!! June third my daughter will turn 30!!
I would love to give her one of these mugs!! Just fun to
Enter anyway! Good luck to all❤
I love the pic of the lights! I really like twinkling outdoor and indoor
Lights!! Enjoy the party!
Love and peace,
Doreen
Rabbit! Rabbit! I think I may have a tea party with my hubby on Monday to celebrate my birthday!
I love the I, Myself, and Me Tea Party! And your Luv-lee beautiful cup would be wonderful to use for it!
I love your mugs but sorrowfully cannot afford them!
Never delete your emails, they are always the highlight of my days!! Makes my heart tingle to share in your wild, wacky, wonderful life. Thanks for sharing
with us.
Tea parties are the best. Both my granddaughters wanted teapots as gifts when we went to England last year. So that’s what they got–along with some bunting to liven up any occasion.
Here comes Summer! Have a happy tea party! I am planning one too!
That poem “I Had a Little Tea Party” is adorable!
What a lovely idea. Tea under the arbor. Nice hearing about the loving couple who lived in your beautiful house first. It must just attract nice people. ❤️
Tea party fun. How wonderful for all. Looking forward to the photo’s and stories.
It is nice to remember how adorable a kitten he was, and now the most handsome fellow on the island. Yes, indeed, so very smart. Look how well he trained you and you did not complain one tiny bit.
Hope no rain out for you, and hoping for rain in Aledo. It rains all around us, but just teases us with dark clouds, thunder and lighting and just enough sprinkles to make of mess of the cars.
Happy tea party to all.
Love and bunny hugs.
Shirley
Adorable teacups!! I would love to start my day with my jasmine tea in one of those beautiful cups!!
Oh, to have a tea party with one of your cups would be marvelous. And you bring a smile to my face every time I read your blog!
Your email’s are like a breeze of fresh air to me! Please enter my name for the beautiful mugs. Thank you!