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? 😘
Your tea party sounds so lovely! Fingers crossed for some good weather! We’ve had so much rain down here in NY… 😥🌧 Enjoy! 🍽
Hi Susan!
Your messages always make me smile! They are a bright addition to my day! I love tea parties!!! I can’t wait to see how you set the table and all the delicious goodies you’ll have to eat!! Your new mugs are lovely!! Have fun! I hope you are able to have it outside!!
My Cats Tommy and Timmy help me prepare for everything, they are involved in most everything I do even if it means they lay near me as I do things, I have a Collection of Many Teapots but cannot display them unless they are up high because my Tommy knocks them over onto the floor lolll he’s full of Mischief but I adore him, I would absolutely Love to win one of your Beautiful Cups….Karen Seward …..Newyork
That Jack! Cutest kitty, Mr. Personality and a moustache to boot! Lucky you for having him join your family as a kitten. Who could resist!
Our daughter got a buddy (Daisy) for her Flynn, the neurotic orange tabby. He is litter box finicky, food sensitive and as picky as they come, but I love that he talks up a storm. He always has something to say. Daisy is missing a bit upstairs but very sweet. It took a while for them to coexist. Both are rescue cats and have their quirks, but then we humans in this house have our quirky side too, so no real complaints here.
I can’t remember if I entered the giveaway, but I am not one that wins stuff so if this is a duplicate, it really won’t matter if it gets tossed out. Your posts always make my day and I so enjoy them all! That bunny looks just like the ones that visit our backyard every night these days.
Hope you are having a wonderful time. Your friend may decide to stay!
Hope for wonderful weather for your party,
Kathy
Rabbit, rabbit right back! I have been at Disney World this week with the family, so I turned my ~lovely~ calendar before leaving home. I read the rhyme and hummed the tune “I’m a little teapot short and stout…” to myself while packing for our trip. I do love tea parties and so does my daughter. She and I learned to love it brewed strong with milk during our (just us girls) trip to Ireland. We had primarily the Typhoo brand while there. Your chocolate covered strawberry recipe reminds me of the first time I had chocolate covered strawberries… coincidentally right here in Disney World from the Main Street Confectionery. It’s a small world after all. I have been making them ever since. They are impressive and fairly easy (if you can find good strawberries.) Hope that you and your friends had the most wonderful of bon voyage and happy trails parties for your departing friend!!
xo,
Christi
Your tea party is beautiful! Love your gorgeous tea pots and china. I hope the weather cooperated for your special event! Jack is such a pretty kitty! Thank you for sharing your pictures!
I love my cup and would really really love another one!!
love love love reading your blogs……….such inspiration!!! I tried to have a small dinner out side tonight under our pergola but of course it was too chilly and we had to move inside. A lovely time was had but oh dear we were hoping for a warm night………..maybe July 1……..
so sweet dreams Susan dream of a warm breeze on a sunny dayxoxo
Love to read each and every one of your posts – they are always so cheerful and inspirational. Thanks for doing them!
Your mugs are beautiful and so is Jack!
I love reading all your beautiful letters. I would love one of your beautiful tea cups too:)
Tea parties are great fun! Would love to be part of yours under the twinkle lights in your arbor. Sounds delightful. And what an adorable helper you have! Enjoy your evening!
Hope your tea party was outside. Every time I see your Rose Chintz or your red/pink transferware it gives me the “warm fuzzies.” So jealous.
I expect you’ll have a wonderful tea time, here in W-MA the weather cleared late in the day, but it is a bit cool. Hope you have the same. I’m glad you’re taking lots of photos!
I love tea parties! I collect teapots also. I hope the weather was perfect for your tea party in the gazebo!
For some reason my comments were not publishing correctly so I’m going to try it again…so if there are duplicates I apologize!
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!!
Sending sun your way Samantha!
Tea parties with my granddaughters………the best!!
Would look so beautiful on my summer patio table, early morning coffee, drinking in the view of the mountains.
Dear Susan, I hope you can have your tea party outside. I am sure it will be perfect and lovely! I can’t wait to see pictures. And from my Grandaughter, Elisabeth Kate “Jack has the cutest nose and I just want to hold him”🐱🐱 I have been showing her videos and photos of Jack for years (loved the one of him drinking water out of the faucet).
Afternoon tea under the arbor. How delightful! Wish I was there.
Enjoying a glorious early summer in Northern California after a record setting rainy winter. Amazing how the plants that have suffered from drought the past 4 years are more beautiful than I ever remember. Enjoy the changing of the seasons!
I can’t wait to see all the tea party pics! In your last post, I think you mentioned doing a tea party book……..YES PLEASE! I just gave a “Strawberry Tea” for my friends. We’re called The Tea Ladies. Every thing on the menu had strawberries in it from the scones to the desserts. And the Strawberry Soup is always a big hit. Here’s hoping for beautiful weather so you can all enjoy your tea outside!
Would love to have tea with you, Susan Branch! I’ll bring the goodies and you can brew the tea in one of your lovely teapots ❣️ Fun to imagine, anyway❣️
I think my comment got lost in the shuffle. Oh well : (
I hope your tea party went well today. It was perfect weather to be outside.
Susan, I am loving your mugs and want to sign up my 3 daughters and myself.
Katherine Jones, Jessica Bohrer, Claire Tempel and moi, Pamela Betz
Hi Susan, Since I retired in April, my seven year old granddaughter Rachel will spend time with me this summer when she’s not in camp. We decided to call “our” weeks Nannie Camp! We have many fun activities planned. You just gave me the idea to have a tea party, just for the two of us! Thanks for everything you do and say. You are an inspiration! Luann
Tea parties are the best. Just recently moved to the South myself.
Oh, my goodness! That is just the cutest picture of little kitten Jack!
Your blog always makes my day– thank you!
Enjoy your blog so much. Tea parties are the best, especially with my granddaughter.Dawn E. Brown
Love the cups!! Love the blog!! Love your art work!!
Somehow my coffee/ tea tastes so much better in my “Susan” cup! You won’t need twinkle lights with all the glow at your party…have fun!
Susan, I hope your tea party was as special as you are!
Love all your beautiful things. I have 6 granddaughters and we are planning a tea party(s) this summer and my 2 grandsons will be the servers. They are working on a menu. I’m so excited.
Raising those boys right!!! 😊
My friend Stefanie and l love everything Susan Branch!!!
Big hello to you both!
Thank you for waiting just one more day! Enjoy your tea party!!
It would be lovely to drink tea by the sea here in Pismo
Beach
Hi Susan,
I have loved these mugs from the first time I saw them .I just can’t bring myself to purchase one, so this would be great to win one. Today I watched my two youngest granddaughters. We have a tradition at NaNa’s house of an afternoon tea party. Today we had lemonade, Mini Donuts and Mini muffins. This is my favorite time with them. I hope your tea party was as special to you as mine was to me.
Jack is a such a cutie. Isn’t it funny how they grow up so quickly and yet you can’t seem to remember a time when they weren’t there with you? 🙂
How lovely it would be to have a cup of tea in one of your beautiful tea cups! They are all so adorable – I want them all 🙂 And Jack is such a handsome little “man” – I, too, have a cutie-pie kitty named Squeaker. She got her nickname as a tiny kitten because she had the absolute cutest little squeak for a meow. Even now as an adult cat she still squeaks!
I tried to order these mugs but they had already sold out and I felt sad 🙁 but now perhaps I’ll have a chance to win them…. Your post was lovely and thanks for giving us the opportunity to get the mugs.
Love reading your blog posts and your books! Been a fan since I was a little girl. My mom had all your cookbooks. Thanks for sharing with us here! I’m now 33 and have your cookbooks in my kitchen. 🙂
I am hosting a tea party for girlfriends next Sat. as I am the one moving away…outside of the country. Oh that I was moving to the British Isles but, alas, it’s on the opposite side of the world. Woe is me. But I shall take my “tea things” for tea parties with new friends. 💕💕💕
Oh, Susan! I just know your tea party beneath the Teahouse of the Vineyard Moon was positively enchanting! Hope that warm sunshine made your dishes sparkle and warm friendships added a bit of sparkle to your twine!. Can’t wait to hear all of the little details, Susan!
Perennially yours,
Dawn (in Illinois)
♡♡
Susan, I told you that a dear friend introduced me to you – do you remember?
Tea parties! When our Lynn and Steve were little people, they loved it when I’d suggest a tea party. Dolls and stuffed friends were all invited and we’d have such fun. Thank you for your fun blogs – I love them!
I hope the tea party was perfect! What fun for you & your girlfriends! Hope you used your wonderful new mugs.
Your party sounds glprious
. Hope to win a cup and thanks for the chance.
The English mug would take me back to England just like your book has! Love all things British!
There is nothing like a beautiful cup or pot of tea. I have taken to buying loose and picking fresh. Then, like a magician, tossing bits of this and that into the pot. Toil toil boil and bubble.
When my 16 year old daughter, Allegra was a teeny little girl I taught her to drink tea. There were many moms who complained that I was giving her caffeine. But I didn’t listen and now I have my forever tea companion as there is nothing she likes better than to join her mama for a cup of tea. We often go to the local San Francisco tea houses and large hotel tea lounges, because…we love tea, we love the smell of it and the ritual of it.
Know your tea party was enchanting. Celebrating friendship over tea makes the world go round. Happy June to everyone! What joy it would be to win one of your beautiful teacips!
I love your dream life and so wish I was part of it. I would love to come to your parties, eat your food, play with Jack. Since I can’t do all of that, I’ll settle for winning the cup!
I love hosting tea parties and just had one last Friday. It was also a housewarming and my sisters, from out of town, were able to join in the fun. My youngest sister is a baker extraordinaire and she baked a wonderful cake in the shape of a purse. It was covered with pink buttercream roses and the ladies swooned at the piece de resistance. Truly a most memorable afternoon as we drank tea, ate finger sandwiches, and of course indulged in the cake. We giggled like school girls and felt the warmth of our friendships. Hope you had a wonderful time at your tea party!
Hope your tea party with girlfriends went well while not a drop of rain fell from the sky.
Summertime tea parties are the greatest! I wish I hadn’t missed the first round of teacups! I’m definitely preordering the new ones so I don’t miss them!
I would love to surprise my mom by winning one of your adorable cups!! Thanks!
Thank you for the opportunity to win a mug! Each one is so special. Sounds like a lovely party.
Cups are L❤️Ve Ly!!! Hope you got to use them at the tea party, really hoping I win one… Now that would be Lovely!!
I’m thinking your day turned out wonderful- we’re close enough to have similar weather and I was so glad to finally have a warm sunny day! Last year the drought was so bad that I feel a little guilty complaining about the rain, rain, rain (and cold!) spring we’ve been having. The flowers sure have liked it though – it really seems to have stretched out the season. My rhododendrons are fantastic this year and lots of things are overlapping so the garden is just lovely. That is one thing I especially liked about visiting your wonderful island – so many delightful gardens!
Looking forward to your tea party pictures- would love to share a cuppa with my mom!
Sign me up please. Have loved your work form afar for so long. Oh to drink out of one of your gorgeous cups. It’s winter here so very perfect timing.
Oh no! I think my whole comment just disappeared. Rats.
It’s there Karen!
Happy Tea! It makes me remember the fine things in life. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Perfect timing for the chocolate-covered strawberry recipe! Here in the Central Valley of California there are so many large, luscious strawberries waiting at the roadside stands and farmers’ markets. And blackberries have also started coming in, Yum!
Love all your cups! The watercolors are enchanting and I love the size. I like a good sized cup for my tea!
Oh, a nice read before I go to bed!
Lovely I could use a new cup for tea
Oh, how beautiful for a cup of tea!
Love, love, love the teapots! ♥️♥️♥️
A tea party with friends is a perfect combination. And chocolate dipped
strawberries take it up a notch. Hope you all had a great time, whether in or out. I would love one of your mugs from which to sip my tea.
Oh, a lovely read before I go to bed!
Yesterday was my tea party with friends so it was very nice to turn the calendar this morning and think about the great conversation and laughter around the tea pot.
Fingers and toes crossed that I win! I would LOVE one of those inspirational mugs. 🙂
Today I went to the largest book sale ever. Old books, new books, every author you could think. But no Susan Branch or Gladys Taber. I was disappointed, I wanted to buy your books for my friend. Then I thought of my Susan Branch books, no way would I part with them. Your books and Gladys books are treasures to keep. They are not books to be read and donated, they are to be kept and read again. So I’m glad I didn’t find any of your books there. Don’t know if I’m making any sense, what I’m trying to say is you are special. Your books are family heirlooms.
LOL, very sweet Debra Ann xoxoxo Thank you for being a rescuer!
I’m posting this for my mom, Maezel B., who is 81 and has had an absolutely horrible time for over a month with a C diff intestinal infection. I’m hoping she’s finally on medication to get rid of it once and for all. She’s not at all tech savvy, but she reads your blog and enjoys your books. We are both big readers. I know a cup would cheer her up! Besides, I’ll bet you don’t have too many girlfriends named Maezel! 😀
No, she is an original, and I’m sure in more ways than one! Good health to your mom, Dana! Hugs from me.
I adore Tea and parties and finger sandwiches. In fact, any excuse to indulge is a great one…especially if chocolate covered strawberries are on the menu. Would love to enjoy a cuppa in one of your new mugs. Love your posts…savor them in sips, just like drinking wonderful tea.
Tea wth friends, it doesn’t get any better. Love your beautiful tea mugs would love to win one.
Rabbit, rabbit to you, too! I hope your tea party was a lovely send-off, but I’m sure that your friend will miss you and your gatherings of gal pals. I would love to hear more about those soirees. As we get older, those ties become increasingly precious. I’m currently reading “The Girls from Ames — A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship.” Have you read this one? BTW, the mugs are delightful.
Oh Susan I certainly hope mother nature cooperated with your tea party. What a fun way to send a friend off on a new journey. Wishing you a beautiful June and thank you for brightening my day. Your blog is always so enjoyable.
I’m sure the tea party was (will be?) lovely whether inside or out!!!
Hi Susan…thanks for this opportunity. Would love to have my name pulled during my birthday month! I just finished reading Fairy Tale Girl, and loved it…it was a real trip down memory lane. Just wish I could recall those song lyrics like you can! Enjoy your party…cheers!
The cups are so pretty.
Rabbit rabbit —
We had a tea party here today, too!
Ann, in the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Ann, My husband and I have so enjoyed exploring the beautiful Shenandoah Valley on our migrations to and from Maine/Florida. We’ve visited most of the museums, houses, open air museums over the years. A stunning place, jam packed with history.
Debbie in Maine
Love your calendars! I cut out and paste some of the cute stuff in my journal!!!!
Hi Susan
Love your blog, I love tea parties, I host one every two years and we dress up with hats and gloves and celebrate friendship and enjoy tea!
Hope weather holds out for you, we have had our share of rain here in upstate NY.
With three sons, no tea parties here but I love your cups and would be wonderful for coffee! Loved visiting your part of the world in October! So glad that you are getting back into ceramics and hopefully serving pieces and candle accessories! Love all you do!’ 😘💕
Hello dear Susan,
Am writing again, first to say, “How did the tea party go? Dying to hear all about it! But also, a question about your beautiful, beautiful cups. I have the Love Cup, and smile every time I use it. And am looking forward to receiving to the Autumn Cup (pre-ordered it), because crisp fall days make for such wonderful tea-time. In the picture above of the cups is an “Earth Love” cup, saying, “Most know the Earth is utterly enchanted.” How absolutely lovely! I hope this one will be available some time soon, I’ll be saving up my pin-money.
Also, I wanted you to know that your prayers–and those of family and dear friends (at home and here on your blog)–helped bring my son home safe and sound from Afghanistan. I got to see and hug him last week when our family met in Bermuda for a much-needed rest. Thank you all, from a very grateful Girlfriend. Blessings to you, Joe, and all your nearest and dearest,
Rosemary
Ohhh, Rosemary, that is so wonderful to hear!!! I would be worried sick if I were you, I’m glad you got to see him!
When we got up this morning the first thing my husband said was Rabbit Rabbit…It’s June 1. I thought of you right away and thought maybe she will write on her blog today and you did!! thanks I always enjoy it!
Hi Susan,
I hope Jack enjoyed the tea party too. He’s just adorable!
Hope you had great weather. We finally had a sunny day here in Brooklyn.
Love your beautiful blog and calendar.
Love those new mugs! And little Jack’s whiskers!
Love, love, love your gorgeous blog AND your teacups! If dear Vanna is in the mood, hopefully my name is one of your lucky, lucky winners. And I just heard that a dear friend is going to visit your beautiful island this fall with her Mom! So happy for them, if not just a bit envious. Ok, not just a bit….I’m downright jealous. And my employer is visiting her family in Massachusets this week for a celebration. What the heck? Somehow, I am going to save my pennies so I can visit MV too! Sigh……oh well. If it’s meant to be, it will happen! (even more so if I do MY part, too!)
Your Jack reminds me of our Chuckie…only in reverse! Love the cups! Thanks for all you do, Susan. I so appreciate this beautiful place to come in these dark days…thank you for your light!
Please enter me into the drawing for the precious cup. It will be great to win one and sip my tea as I continue to read “The Fairy Tale Girl”.
Oh happy days……
Oh glad I visited so I could enter. Friends told me the mugs are beautiful!!! Hope the teaparty went well and you had it under the arbor.
Thank you for doing the drawing! Fingers are crossed…
I would love to send our daughter Kari back to her home in England with one of your cups. She would be reminded of her time here in Washington State as she has tea every morning. I think Earl Grey is her favorite.
Please sign me up for the cup giveaway! I received all three of mine last week and was absolutely delighted with them, but I would love to win a mug for my sister!
Happy June! The tea party looks and sounds so fun. Looking forward to seeing pics! That arbor is awesome! What an adoring pic of Jack on his first day home!
I love, love, love your kitty Jack. Joy!!!
Hello Dear Susan …. what a sweet suggestion to enter my 94 year old darling Mom in your contest!! In celebration of my brother’s condo selling today .. it has been a long winter since January 10 but we are strong… especially my Mom who’s been very brave losing her son…
love remains .. deep in the center of our core our memories are a comfort. Thank you for your comfort since January.. With love and aloha-ha, Evie in San Diego
Knock knock May I enter? You’re drawing please!
I thought I entered with a comment on the last blog post, but alas, I cannot find it anywhere! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the mugs. I also use your free desktop backgrounds on my computer at work. Thank you! They are a bright spot in my day at school (work).