Hi Everyone, First MUSICA! I hope you received your Willard! If not, don’t worry, it just started going out this 
morning and it takes a while these days, it has to go in batches so we don’t break the Internets . . . but it should be in everyone’s mailbox no later than Saturday afternoon. If you are new to my Blog and are wondering What in the heck is she talking about? ~ Willard is my Newsletter, go HERE if you’d like to sign up for it (it’s free), and read about how Willard got its name. Past Willard’s are there too, just in cases you need a little something more to read! 🤓
This is the blog where we like to talk about all things Home Sweet Home. Since we’ve become acutely aware that we have no control over World Sweet World (not that we eschew it totally; we don’t, since we belong to it and are proud citizens of it) but we have narrowed our interest to our own little bits of Paradise where everything is just the way we like it, because for once in our lives, as opposed to school or work, or the fickle finger of fate, at home we are totally in charge! 
We can turn off the MUSICA any time we want. The curtains can be lace, or linen, or shades or blinds ~ or none at all. And if we want something, and it’s too expensive, we figure out how to make it. Or save for it. TV can be on all day, or never 
. . . We can feed the birds, or we don’t have to. And no one cares because it is our own world and no one else’s. It is highly empowering to realize that it’s true, our home IS our castle, and that we all live much better than the king of England, Henry VIII did on his very best day, no matter how many jewels he had, because jewels don’t keep you warm and because we have heat and indoor plumbing, and we recognize how lucky we are, so the other thing we enjoy doing is counting our many blessings.
We do it by kissing our little petty pets (who know you want to take a photo and so they do this),
by admiring our clean kitchens, and hanging wet laundry on the line ~ by baking birthday cakes, or knitting socks ~ 
Or digging holes to make the garden beautiful . . .
Then taking pictures of it . . .
And celebrating and loving just being in the place that means the most to us. I’ve felt the honor of living in this old house every day since we bought it in 1989. I give it things. I give it old lamps and old dishes I find in second-hand stores. And when I come home, its arms wrap around me. We are symbiotic.💞 We belong to each other.
More blessings . . . out picking flowers from the garden for my little vases then inviting somebody wonderful to lunch. And one of the wonderful people I invited to lunch lives here . . .
In the house on the right . . . look familiar? Is anyone screaming yet?
It’s called Castle Cottage, does that ring a bell? And my guest for tea lives there 
right now, the only person in the world to live in this exact house has come to America for a visit. How impossible is that? When you think about it? Totally not possible. But there she was!
Yes, my guest for tea lives in the house in the village of Near Sawrey in the Lake District in England where this couple lived and loved for thirty years, lived their very abnormal normal little lives ~ Beatrix Potter and William Heelis.
So, I started to get ready . . . I brought in spring peas from my other blessing, this picket-fence garden. Twenty years of loving this spot. Want one? Here’s how! First? Mas MUSICA! (We’re in the groove…)
There might be one or two of you that don’t know that Joe made my picket-fence garden ~ I wrote about it in 1996 in my Summer Book . . . it’s been a gift that keeps on giving.💞
. . . and I watered the lawn and came back in and there Jack was waiting, behind the screen, my shadow.💞
I made lunch and added the peas to my coleslaw . . .
And gave the Beatrix Potter People a bath . . .
And dusted my studio shelf of BP love . . .
And had a wonderful little lunch of Coleslaw with lobster chunks (For recipe, scroll down HERE) and Clams Casino in the garden. Joe joined us, along with Betsy Bray on the left, who is the first overseas Trustee ever elected to the Beatrix Potter Society (which I know several of you belong to too!) ~ if she looks familiar, it’s because some of you 
saw her last year with me at the 150th Birthday Party for Beatrix Potter . . . and Betsy brought her friend Mandy Marshall (don’t these girls have fairy tale names?) the current resident of Castle Cottage. BOY! Was I ready for some brain picking. And my first question was and always will be, what was Beatrix Potter’s kitchen like? Because Castle Cottage has always been a private home, and rarely open to the public. I may never get the real answer to that question, because, as Mandy explained, it’s been changed and moved and is no longer the kitchen where Beatrix made her tea. 😩 (I took it every well.) So my imagination will have to suffice. But I learned a lot. About the views from the sitting room across Post Office Meadow to Hill Top, and the life Beatrix and William lived there, we gossiped about them like we were in high school and they were the popular kids every one knew but didn’t know . . . and Mandy told us that when they first moved in, she and her husband had discovered a secret garden so overgrown that from the ground it was just a wall of thicket and nothing more. Time had made it invisible. It was only from an upstairs window that Mandy’s husband was able to spot some sort of outline that made him curious. Anyway, Mandy brought a whole book of detailed photos of Castle Cottage, and it all came alive. She was so good, answered every one of my questions with a smile. Now I think I better go visit her. We toasted to that great idea with tea in two of my brand new English cups that I’ve been telling you about (samples came in! Real things are being made right now!)
Beatrix, in her third life re-invention (after scientist and author), became a farmer committed to the preservation of Herdwick sheep, she won awards for them (that’s her proud self in the hat). She was an amazing person. The Life Story of Beatrix Potter is something to be reckoned with.
And Mandy, being a business woman, honoring all things BP, has gone into the sheep business herself . . . having beautiful products made from the wool from these very particular Lakeland sheep.
Betsy is about to lead her first tour called “Beatrix Potter’s Lake District Legacy” ~ she’s the perfect person to do it, she’s been there dozens of times, gives talks on Beatrix Potter’s life and knows all the secrets, including how to get inside her friend Mandy’s house! Some of our Girlfriends are going with her! I’m so jealous! She is so excited, she leaves on Saturday… The tour is full, but that link I gave you is for this time NEXT year, if any of you have a yearning to go, she’ll be doing it again . . .
So everyone’s gone, and here I am, just me and Jack in my studio, writing you . . . and this is the view I have from this very spot where I sit, window wide open, birds landing in the rhodies, spring is out there sparkling away. And I’m going out to get me some of that! I hope you enjoyed a little Beatrix Potter in the Heart of the Home.
Blessings on you all! XOXO
Good morning Susan. It’s very early and my little dog, Willow, woke me so now I’m wide awake. I pick up my Kindle, why not read a while and Happy Birthday to me ( I’m 64 for the fifth time) there is a new Susan Branch Blog and a new Willard.
My day is starting with a wonderful reminder of things that brighten every corner of each day in our lives. So today I will cut roses from my garden, have lunch with girlfriends, have dinner out with my family, take calls from my sisters and hug my little dog. I will also share my early morning tripping back to England with you and your inspirational messages. Cheers🐦
A wonderful Red Letter Day in the making ~ Happy Birthday Amy!
What a perfect name for a dog! Happy Birthday to you!
As you have said before, “If you believe you have it all, then you do”. And, I do and you do and I revel in it all. It is the small things in life that make me happy…my own garden, my books and my own sweet home. What a nice blog!
Rich as Rockefeller! xoxo
Dear Susan,
Thanks so much for the Command F tip – I love learning new things!!
Thanks also for the wonderful Willard and post – I have a suggestion for all the Girlfriends – if we all send positive thoughts toward the Holly Oak project this will happen!!! Just think of it as a mental Go Fund Me project!!!! (I really have to find some emoticons- my !!!! key is wearing out.) Off to the farmers market – Ta-ta!
Raining here today so no Farmer’s Market today, I’m sure the farmer’s are happy anyway! I’d love to be with you, Beth! Thank you for those positive thoughts. Your name is great: “The Holly Oak Project!”
Many people don’t believe in positive energy having actual, physical results. I don’t know how it works, but I know it does! It certainly has in my life. So, I’ll join everyone on the Holly Oak Project!!!
I’m a huge believer!
I’ll join a Holly Oak Project!! Where do I sign up? What can I do? How can I help? 🏡❤️👒😻🌺
LOL, I don’t know!
Hello Susan! I am just getting over jet lag after returning home to Oregon from England. My girlfriend and I stayed in Near Sawrey ( Sawrey Hotel) and visited Hill Top 3 times! We could not get enough! 😊 I spoke with the (handsome) gardener as I strolled through the sweet flower beds. What a memorable trip! One day we walked above the village and made it to Grasmere! Beatrix has left us all a dreamland in the beautiful Lake District…she remains with us as an example of deep respect for our natural world. Thank you for spreading this knowledge to your fans. ( The Linda Lear book is fantastic!)
Deep respect. It’s what I love most about her. She was far-seeing and amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed down-to-earth common sense as what I see in her. Thank you Jenny! Your trip sounds so wonderful!
Dear Susan,
I’m so glad I “rediscovered” you! I’ve had your cookbook 30 years but “lost” YOU for a while. I read your 3 books recently and have had your calendars for the past couple of years. My hubby and I just returned from Scotland and I’m full of brooding landscapes and clouds and castles! Love the British Isles! This is really just a “Thank you” for being you and giving me Willard and blogs and lovely quotes. Now if I can just absorb some of the organizing ability for MY studio I’ll have it all! Looking forward to the next Willard and blog. Happy Summer!
Thank you Lori, nice to hear from you! Welcome home! xoxo
Dear Susan,
Thank you for this wonderful blog about BP, I have loved her for years. When our daughter was born in 1993, I decorated her room with Peter Rabbit and friends and my family in England sent her all kinds of sweet gifts adorned with PB . Of course I have saved them all! I have some books and a few of her “people”. I like to collect the older ones that are made in England. I don’t really have a favorite, I love them all! We had a pygmy hedgehog that we adopted from a family member and we named her Mrs. Tiggywinkle! Tiggs for short!
Then you blessed us all with a wonderful Willard, full of warm inspiration that helps put things in the proper prospective in this crazy world we live in now.
Our windows are wide open early this morning to let in the cool summer air before we need to close it up to the hot & humid to come later today. Our great-nephew has his high school graduation party today, going to be a hot one! WHEW! Across the field at the back of is our house the excavation for the building of a six barn turkey farm is going on, I can hear and see the huge earth movers and beep, beep, beep…. I don’t think we will be able to have our windows open so much this time next year! It comes with living in the country! Not thrilled about it, but the neighbors have decided to diversify their farming business.
Our one and only daughter has moved back home after a broken engagement and break up. So the wedding which was planned for a year from now is not going to happen. A bit disappointing but better now than later, she will be 24 at the end of July and is an LPN and has a good job. She needs to concentrate on her own happiness for a while and see where life takes her. She has plenty of time to find the perfect someone to share life with. Like you said in Willard, it is amazing how much “stuff” you collect, having moved her over the last two weeks, back home, I think she is thinking the same thing!!
I think your dream of doing something special with Holly Oak is wonderful!
Have a wonderful weekend!!! Keep on Dreamin’!
Candice
Sweet Hedgehogs . . . but for all our readers, just in cases, read this ARTICLE before you go looking for a hedgehog!
Love your home sweet home Candice . . . all the little things in life! xoxo (Love that you adopted the little guy and taking care of it. sweet.)
I love Beatrix Potter too and I was fortunate enough to get to visit her farm a few years ago. It was wonderful! The Lake Distric was amazing . Thanks for this great posthugs from Liz in Illinois
Thank you Liz!
O Susan-so very,very true. Thank you for reminding us of this. With all that’s going on in the world having our own spaces to do with as we want is such a comfort. I must admit, my dear home needs a right good clean. And so, it shall have it.
We are finally getting some rain in eastern Iowa. Got 2 ” last night and more is expected today. If that isn’t a good reason to stay in and work on cleaning I don’t know what is.
Have a lovely day.
Especially when you let your mind lay ever so lightly on the necks and foreheads of those who have no homes. We are the luckiest people in the world. xoxo to you Barb!
Yes. Yes we are.
I’ve loved your books, blog, Willards,
gifts etc for years and years but
today it just came to me – you are
my ( and the United States version of)Beatrix Potter!!
💝💝💝😘
What a sweet compliment that is Julie!!! What I lack in being able to leave an entire corner of the world a better place, I make up for by spreading the word about the person who did! xoxoxo
Oh I think you’re doing it sister! Beatrix would be proud
of you!!!
💞☺️
Susan, have you ever thought of doing a children’s book? Or two or three? Oh, you would be wonderful at it. I have a mental picture in my mind of it. You could bring back beautiful, meaningful books for children, with art that they would love their lives through. Just a thought.
Your post was so delightful , I loved it. We need your beautiful take on life and home. Sometimes we forget that we are so very lucky and blessed we are to have our own havens to make as wonderful as we wish. Thank you dear friend for being you.
Mary Jane
I’ve always felt that I write children’s books for big people! Pictures and everything! Thank you back Mary Jane! xoxo
i’ve thought the same thing…..i’ve taught first grade for a while and am the daughter of a first grade teacher and i see (and read) books and think….”really? THIS got published???” i even researched writing and self publishing…but gosh….the time and effort lost with zero points to being a mother first and teacher second…. if you ever decide to make a little video to teach first graders how to REALLY paint with watercolors…i’ll show it in my classroom…and we’ll listen to Tommy Dorsey afterward when we experiment! : )
Listen to you. What a fabulous teacher. History history history, who we are, and how it’s not just all NOW, but so much before. Love it. Tommy Dorsey. A dream come true. Give them some heroes besides what they see in boring popular culture! Real people. xoxo Had to laugh, “THIS got published!” I’ve wondered myself!
One of my favorite proverbs fits right in with this post:
The mark of a successful (wo)man
Is one that has spent an entire day
On the bank of a river
Without feeling guilty about it.
Chinese Proverb
Proofreader available to “spot” (and remove?) the greengrocer’s apostrophe:
“And when I come home, it’s arms wrap around me.” At least, that’s what my British friends call that extra bit of punctuation:-)
You’re so right . . .!
FIXED! 😜
… and I love that emoticon — much cuter than 🙂
Says it all!
Hi Susan, another wonderful blog update. Glad to see you are enjoying summer. We are getting heat, heat, heat right now, more July like than June, and this after a week of rain. Your pictures and talk about cleaning house has jump started me to tackle our dining room. Seems like everything has accumulated on the table and bookshelves, and we haven’t eaten in there in ages. Our homes are our castles and refuge and we do have complete control here! Today is sweltering ouside so good day to do some good onside. I got my Willard yesterday and finally sat down and read it today. I always look forward to the Willards! One other thing, I ordered two of your cups, the Santa one and Autumn. I put off too long on the first three, not able to make up my mind, so they were all gone. I think I’d like to collect the seasons as they come out. Will look so forward to getting them. Have a great weekend, till next time, Barb xoxox
I promise you are going to love them Barb! Enjoy that air conditioning! Remember, only one shelf at a time! xoxo
What a lovely new Blog and new Willard. Happy, Happy Day! Yesterday it rained a soft “female” rain all day. You are so right that the green here in New England is different. We’re in a clearing surrounded by many types of spruce and balsam fir, hemlock,huge oaks, maples, ash mixed in. I love the way their lower branches remind me of skirts brushing the clear area when it rains. My French lilac is in full bloom, the tiny Siberian iris, and other things struggling to rise above the weeds…Until I heal (And I Will!!) the weeds are given free rein.
A friend in Utah is doing exactly what you are doing….making White Space and moving toward much less. She gave away many of her quilts (she’s a master quilter). The one she gave me is going to our tiny library as a raffle item. Oh, how I love, love, love living in a small community. Comfort Supper tonight at the very old church, Grange breakfast in the morning up in Eastbrook. I adore seeing all the smiling faces. Most folks here focus this community, and don’t let the nastiness of politics influence friendships. How they manage it, I’m not sure, but we all need to learn, don’t we?
After I stump around on my walking cast and finish my chores, I’ll sit down with your new blog and the Willard. And dream on Holly Oak.
Thank you dear, dear Person,
Debbie…..in Maine
How much longer are you in a cast Debbie? A month more? I see you are keeping your sunny side up!
I’m one day more than half way….Yea!!! Rhyme intentional.
What a lovely message! Beautiful and grateful! I received my Willard yesterday and immediately read it. Loved it all! We are so blessed to be alive with so many memories! We can appreciate what so many gave before us! and the internet for instant sharing!
Could not agree more! xoxo
Thank you for this cheerful and summery Willard! You have inspired me to give my river cottage a full spic and span. As empty nesters and newbie grandparents now it tends to be given “a lick and a promise” instead! Driving to Atlanta tomorrow to pick up my college girl, home form a month long study abroad in London! Her room is freshly painted and spruced with crisp, new sheets and Linen curtains. Was is ironing pillow cases in anticipation of a homecoming such a delicious thrill? Thank you for all you do, share and are.
Jenny in South Carolina
I would love to come home to that room! Have fun Jenny!
In the tumultuous world in which
we all live, “home,” in whatever form
that is, has never been more important
as a respite than it is now! Your blog
posts and Willards are also lovely escapes
to be savored repeatedly. Thank you for
that and for the new info on BP! She is
one of my heroines, as are you : )
xo Suzanne
You are so right, and thank you Suzanne!
Dear Susan, Your blog is always a breath of fresh air! I read it with tea and then made your lemon pasta for an outside supper with wonderful friends:) Blessed in our home with high school graduate Anna (snow flake girl) and college graduate Ellie. The first season of my, by you inspired, wisteria; bought when I didn’t win the seeds from your wisteria:) is a gloria! 20 buds flowered and you were right! It smells like heaven! So thank you for that!
I attended a graduation party where my friend, the hostess, said grace and read a letter from the President of the University pf South Carolina.. our kind of guy! He told all the students about HYGGie!! Miracles of connection are everywhere:) Blessings on your home and everybody’s home for the summer! Caroline
So much good news! I loved it Caroline! Anna, Ellie, Wisteria, and Hygge!!! XOXOXO
Are all the Willards delivered? I didn’t get mine! 🙁 I told my computer that is NOT spam! Happy Father’s Day to all and especially your tender full heart which is aching for your wonderful Dad.
Did you get it Caroline?
I didn’t:(
Here you go, Caroline. Be sure to check your spam because sometimes Willard takes a detour!
Love the change to blue in your kitchen. Was so excited to scroll down and hear about the tour to Beatrix Potter country. We may be going next year to England, so it would be a great tour to do. Keep telling us all the great things we love hearing about you
It would be a great tour ~ to be with people so knowledgeable. xoxo Thank you Elaine!
Dearest Susan, My friend Jenny and I just got home two days ago to Oregon, after our 27 days in dear olde England! I knew when I saw that photo of Castle Cottage just where it was, because we looked across the fields at it from near the pub by Hill Top Farm! We were lucky enough to get to Near Sawrey in sunshine on May 23rd, and we then bought our timed entry tickets and went to Hill Top, satisfaction of a life-long dream for us both! We stayed at a wonderful hotel nearby, the Sawrey House Hotel, and enjoyed their rooms, meals, and oh, my, garden and views! It was the beginning of a really big adventure for us, and along the way we talked about you and your book ‘A Fine Romance”, which we will both be re-reading! Thanks so much for all your thoughts and sentiments that you share so well! Hugs from Oregon, Suzette
Your trip sounds wonderful Suzette! Welcome home, and happy memories!
Willard AND a post! Dear Susan, you set no limits on our happiness…Thank you, Miss Beautiful Light.
😘 Anne!
I had a nice long comment on all the reasons I love everything about you , your books, home and just everything. When I started to hit the “done” button, it all disappeared. Oh well!! When I read your blogs it gives me a warm home felt feeling. Do you ever come to Florida on your book tours? I would be there.You are an inspiration to all us ladies. Thank you, Kathy
I haven’t lately, Florida is not, as I’m sure you know, on the beaten path . . . I’ve gotten to Georgia, but that’s about as close as we’ve come. Maybe next time!
How exciting you entertained Mandy Marshall! The woman that lives in the National Trust home of Mr and Mrs William Heelis! I remember gazing across the lane seeing Castle Cottage when we visited Hill Top. Such an emotional experience for me. When I think of Beatrix Potter I always get teary eyed. Her vision has reached so many. You are the same dear Susan. Spreading joy and happiness in this old world. Thank you. xoxo ♥
Thank you so much, Martha Ellen. I still try and figure out what it is about Beatrix Potter that makes me cry! Embodiment of hope and perseverance against any odds I guess. There’s so much there there. xoxo
I love the garden grid you drew for us. I also love the pics I’ve seen of your actual garden. I like to build things & I had some scrap 2x 4’s & some pine 1×4’s so I built my own little raised garden bed. It’s about 3′ x 3′ & it stands on the 2×4’s at a height of about 3&1/2 feet. I have 2 kinds of tomatoes planted in it & assorted pots with basil, bell pepper & kale around it. I love tending it & watching it grow. I also love feeding the little birdies that come to my feeder. Yesterday a momma bird who was eating the seed to feed her babies that I hear chirping in the nearby birdhouse landed on the toe of my shoe for a second. These are the little joys in my little corner of the world. My garden isn’t grand, but it’s mine. Loved this post. Thanks Susan.
Just enough garden! It’s amazing what you can do in a very small space that makes you feel like a full fledged farm manager! Nothing tastes better than a salad made from your own garden. I’ve always wanted a bird to land on me ever since I learned that Thoreau had a bird land on him! Lucky you!
I love reading about your garden and your lovely rain! It’s 107 here today 🔥so your weather gives me a nice cool flowery dream. 💐
107!!! That’s awful! I think I would get into a cold bathtub and not come out until fall!
HAHA, cold bath sounds good right now. 93 with humidity to match here in Virginia. The dog refuses to go outside. Storm is a brewin’……
Smart dog!
Dear Susan,
You always make my heart smile! Getting Willard and your latest blog post the same day was such a blessing for me today. Saying goodbye “for now” to a very dear friend of 50 years has been has been very difficult for me these past few months. Our time with her now is coming to an end and it is so hard for me to think of happy things. But then, I heard from you today and it is as if I got a big hug from you! Through my tears you have made me smile and from the bottom of my heart I thank you! xoxoxox
I hope and pray that you will get Holly Oak back again….that house was always meant to be yours…even before you moved there. I will light one of my special votive candles from Holy Nativity Convent and say a prayer that this will happen for you! That is such a Happy thought… that you will hopefully, prayerfully own Holly Oak once again ❤️!!!
I am anxiously waiting for my Autumn mug, Santa mug and Martha’s Vineyard mug!! I love the House and Nature mugs that I already have. I Love Love Love them all!! Drinking from them feels like drinking from ” a cup’o kindness” ……just happy mugs!!! ❤️
And Jack……. what can I say about that sweet kitty??!! He is just way too precious!! Today we gave Thomasina her semi-annual bath in the kitchen sink. She has been licking herself dry for the past 5 hours. Now she is feeling like a new woman and has her fluffy back!
Gosh, I wish that I could hang our sheets outside to dry! I am so afraid that all of the birds that we feed daily will perch on them and do what comes naturally….not a good thing! I loved your picture. It took me back to a place that was long long ago…a Happy memory.
If I have left anything out that I want to comment on…I am sorry. My brain is on overload these days Susan. I love everything that you do that makes all of us very happy especially when skies are grey. Love and prayers to you always! xoxo
I’m sorry about your friend, Kathiellen ~ it must be so hard. Those Holy Nativity Candles have special magic, good place for making all your wishes. I had to laugh about Thomasina being a “new woman!” Don’t forget to do for you these days, something nice and soft, that takes your mind away for a while. I guess giving a cat a bath was perfect for that! I’ve never tried it in my life! Sending love and blessings . . . xoxoxo
Every time I hear of a cat named Thomasina I can’t help but think of the Disney movie about a cat of the same name. It starred the girl who played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins. Oh how I wish all of those old Disney shows were still available.
Oh Susan, I was in the middle of a nice long note, writing all sorts of wonderful thank-you’s to you, telling you that you and your blogs and Williards are so very often a lovely, funny, fulfilling, informative antidote to a difficult world, allowing me time for rest and renewal so I can try to do my part for humanity, our country and its people, and our world without ending up face-down in a dark corner. You are a much needed soft bright light. Bless you. Then my durn spastic arthritic fingers hit the wrong button and I deleted everything I wrote. Not for the first time–Curses, Foiled Again!! Ah well, thanks for listening to the above shortened thank you and subsequent rant. Meanwhile, another long-ish note: Our garden here in Winchester is also emerald green, my bleeding hearts have re-appeared after a 2-year absence, and the roses in our back yard are a riot of blossoms. Yay! And I’m reveling in my family–younger son back safe and sound from Afghanistan (thank you, Sue, and Girlfriends, for your prayers and support), and today we watched our older son sail the Schooner Adventure–as Captain, no less–right behind the US Coast Guard’s beautiful Tall Ship. A grand day, and I could top it off by reading your notes (wonderful Beatrix Potter party and story!). Just had to say thank you, once again, for keeping my heart and home on an “even keel.” Blessings once more, and please say howdy to Joe. Rosemary [ don’t dare try to proof-read, afraid I’ll hit delete again ;>) ]
You didn’t need to, it was perfect just the way it was. You have adventurous sons Rosemary. Are the ships coming down here? Sometimes we get the good ones in our harbor, when we’re lucky, and everyone runs down to see them! Thank you for all you do to for “humanity” not the least of which, letting your son go off to protect us all. We all thank you and your family for that. Really not quite enough thanks for that kind of sacrifice. Yay for the emerald green and the bleeding hearts. Sending love xoxoxo
Unfortunately, the tall ships are making only the one stop in the U.S., in Boston. But Martha’s Vineyard was represented, the Schooner Shenandoah was in the Parade yesterday, and she sure was Yar (Cary Grant: “My, she was Yar”; Katherine Hepburn: “She was Yar alright”–The Philadelphia Story–one of my favorites) ! I’ll be on the look-out this fall for your Fall tea cup, have pre-ordered it. I have the Love cup and smile every time I use it. And will be eagerly awaiting your next blogs and Willards. Oh, and don’t forget to try and see the Peabody Essex Museum’s exhibit on Ocean Liners, it looks really great! xoxo’s right back at you ;>)
Thanks for the suggestion, we’d love to see that exhibit! xoxo
Thanks for the reminder, Rosemary. Love the PE museum, as well as Boston in general.
My husband retired from the USCoast Guard. He and his classmates did several cruises aboard the Eagle. No safety harnesses back then. He was a kid from the Midwest, didn’t like heights and got seasick….but he stuck it out and lasted a total of 30 years…..not on sailing vessels, of course. I got to go on a few short rides on the Eagle when Tom was a Captain. So exciting. You must be so proud of your sailor son. I’ve sailed on a few old square riggers, as I was a sailor on my own before I met and married my wonderful Captain Tom.
Debbie in Maine
Let’s get a group together from MV Isle and go see it! 😄⛴🚢🛳❤️
Fun!
Thank you for my recent Willow (chock full of goodies) and now a day later,
like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, your Blog! What a treat! Enjoyed
all the BP info and pics! Wishing I could join the Tour……maybe in 2018, if I
start saving now$$$!
Little side note, I was away on vacation and came back to an attack in my garden
of Colorado Potato Beetles! I was horrified to read they like tomatoes and peppers
(my 1st five rows), well, I had to treat them to a trip back to Colorado in a pine box!
Adios!
Good girl!
Thank you Susan for lifting my spirits today. I spotted deep pink peonies in you garden photo. They are beautiful and a my very favorite flower.
Today is Father’s Day and I am missing my Daddy. He left for Heaven to be with my Mom in 1985. Thinking of you today with love and prayers for you and your Dad.❤️❤️❤️
Charlotte
To all of us with missing parents . . . with love. xoxoxo
Your blog posts make me smile! Hugs from Ohio.
I leave today for Betsy’s Lake District/Beatrix Potter tour, thanks to your blog post last year! Always look forward to your posts and have your books.
Oh my goodness Susan! I’m so excited for you. Have a WONDERFUL trip! Let us hear when you get back! Say hello to Betsy for me (and Mandy, too!!), and also to another of our Girlfriends, Sue Saubert, because I just got an email from her that she is going too! Bon Voyage!
Good afternoon Susan! Prepared from our garden, green bean salad, fresh pea/ lettuce salad to go with lamb burgers on toasted brioche buns for Father’s Day lunch. Hung the sheets on the line, and gathered eggs from our “chicks”. After all was eaten, washed, folded, it was time for a cup of “Paris” tea (Harney & Sons) and some wonderful Susan Branch post reading. All I can say is “awesome” day!! Hope yours is/was too!
Total Red Letter day!!! xoxoxo
Oh Dear! Are all the Willards sent? I’ve been waiting 🙂 I told my computer firmly this is NOT spam:) I wonder why I can’t get them! I can’t wait to read about Holly Oak again!! When will it be posted in old Willards? Is there any way to see it now? In the greatest of hope, Caroline
Did you get it Caroline? If not I can send it to you!
I’ve been watching and haven’t received Willard either!! Please send – thank you. Haven’t had a problem in the past.
DYING to find out what you said about Holly Oak…IF you actually have a chance to purchase it now??? OH MY GOODNESS, how wonderful that would be. 🎉🎈🎇 The island would have a beloved and delightful new tourist attraction once the island’s Beatrix opens up the DARLING museum, shop and grounds. Don’t have Willard, but do have fingers crossed.
It would be fun to belong to a Susan Branch Society to support archival and funding efforts. Do you have a young niece (or nephew!) who would like to become a future custodian of a SB historical site? Bet there is a Girlfriend or two or 100s who would pack and move to MV to take on the task!!! Send us the job applications…there’s a line of drooling women with wishes blown.
OH…please have air conditioning put in because we know that the majority of the tourist hours will be in the summer and lingering inside Holly Oak will be SO MUCH sweeter without the sweat. Seriously…I mean, seriously.😅
Hmmmmm…what to sell in the gift shop? A SB map of the island…aprons, books, watercolors/paper, coloring book, journal, replicas of your journals, little vases, MV cup, clothespins (why don’t you have Branch – y clothespins??), a figurine of Jack…and Dust Bunny…and Lambikens…replica of Holly Oak and House of Creativity…don’t forget a little ceramic stove and a Christmas ornament. OH, your favorite quilt rack! Sorry, too much pressure…
Maybe the guest bedroom house could be the gift shop so the actual home would be filled with white space to show off and display your work. In time, your stove could be on display at Holly Oak…with the shelf decorated seasonally?
Well, you inspire my creative thinking and I can understand why you wake up with your engine humming with ideas. So many possibilities.
AND! Jack has THE roundest eyes in the history of cats! It is difficult to photograph cats with their eyes wide open and I have never seen a cat with such ROUND eyes…always so bright and excited. He truly is a DOLL! Purrs, dear Jack.
On another AND! I have never seen or read that you have wind chimes in your yard. That is a surprise to me. I LOVE my wind chimes and breezy, wind chime – y days!!
Your camera takes the most beautiful pics of your most beautiful, to-die-for flowers. Thanks, you are our cyber florist.
Squeezy hugs to you, Susan. Cheers to another glorious day in your SB world.
Here you go FayE … WILLARD! Check your spam and make sure it’s not lurking there. I love your Holly Oak dreaming. I do the same thing! I have the gift shop all decorated in my imagination, with bouquets of Just Joey and Julia Child Roses and Shirley Temple peonies! Problem is buying it…at this point I think the woman who owns it would want a million dollars to get her to move out (town says the property is now worth about $850,000 and she said, “make me an offer!”) And we don’t have an extra million dollars lying about!!! But that’s okay, because we aren’t in charge of HOW things happen, our job is to dream. It’s amazing, as the quote says, how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen. One phone call could do it! Wind chimes… I love them too, wind chimes and water fountains. I have them in California where I can hear them when I’m sleeping. I’ve had them here, but it’s not as much fun because we’re upstairs and can’t hear them at night. Thank you FayE, I’ll kiss my round-eyed baby for you! xoxo
News flash!!!!!! Wind chimes sing in daylight!!! Best music to listen to while gardening on those breezy days. The chimes accompany the birds beautifully while the fountain bubbles it’s song to add to the chorus of DAYLIGHTFUL garden joy.
AND! What’s wrong with your open door and windows? Surely they would welcome the music of wind chimes. Birds even land on them…a perk for Jack! Your pergola is a perfect hanging spot…Twine while wind fairies ring the chimes? Oh, dear Susan. You are a silly woman.
I have to say, however, that I do relish a rough and tumble, windy night when the wind chimes wake me up with their raucous dancing. They make me smile in my sleep, too. I do have one fairy girl wind chime…dressed in a pink, net tutu skirt…who has a TERRIBLE voice. One night…just before dawn…I stepped out into the chill and grounded her…literally…I took her off her hook and laid her on the ground. She is OBNOXIOUS in wild winds!!
Years ago our college-age daughter was here while we were on a trip. She got frustrated with a hummingbird wind chime outside her bedroom window and took it down…in the middle of the night. I laughed when she told me and scolded her for silencing the hummingbird’s song. It loves to sing while the eucalyptus trees dance in the field across the street. Needless to say, the song ended with her stomping feet and pouty face…I can see her now. The same stomping feet and pouty face that she put on when our beloved orange tabby, Sputters, scratched on the blinds in her bedroom…of course, in the middle of the night. I always laughed when I heard her bedroom door open and she stomped through the house to let him out. I thanked Sputs EVERY TIME for choosing HER to be his midnight escort!!!
AND! Why isn’t there a large hammock in your lovely yard? They make them big enough for you and Joe to canoodle under spring leaves or in the moonlight while watching falling stars. Sway while reading and listening to your vintage linens flap in the breeze.
Just finished Willard – thank you. It is a dose of cyber pink pills of contentment and a teaspoonful of your happy gene.
I know that I will visit the Holly Oak museum one day. Secret to purchasing it? DO NOT give pink pills of contentment or doses of your happy gene to her…give her doses of flying, biting insects and one personal (hers only) black cloud that dumps rain and hail and the biggest snowflakes on the island…DAILY! Challenge her! Make her wish for sunny, mostly bug-free CA. Follow my UN-Branch -y recommendation and she will call you begging you to purchase Holly Oak at a discounted price because she has a plane to catch and new house in sunny CA!
Smooches and thanks and LUV,
FayE! 💗💗💗
PS: I looked for that extra million dollars lying around to help you out. Shock…I couldn’t find it either. So sorry.
Ha Ha FayE, it’s the thought that counts! We keep talking about getting a hammock, but I don’t care for those “hammock stands” they have, and unless we plant another tree, which we’re truly thinking of doing, we don’t have two close enough together to hold the hammock! I like them to look natural. As for chimes. We’ve had them, but they rot and fall apart in less than a year here in our weather, and after a couple of times replacing them, there’s a tendency to give up! xoxo
Just home from friend’s bday party on block island 🙂 and no Willard!! If you have a moment, please send … my email is [email protected]…. I can’t wait to here about the Holly Oak dream!!.. I know I’m in whatever it is you have dreamed up:)
Here’s a link Caroline . . . Love Block Island! What a good place for a birthday party!
I thoroughly enjoyed this blog and Willard. So fun! I made a cup of tea before I read both. I will likely re-read both again soon.
Your luncheon with Mandy and Betsy sounds wonderful. I’m anxious to hear about the first tour of Castle Cottage. I hope Betsy will share some of the fun with you so you can share it with us.
Thanks for a lovely post.
Me too, I’m sure I’ll hear from her …
I’m taking a book from your gardening page. Reading the latest Wilbur and new Blog, woke me up. It’s time to accept that we can’t personally keep up all the various flower beds we toiled so make and plant. Moving boulders with a front loader/ back hoe. Dumping in years of composted yard and kitchen waste, carving out a rock garden across from my kitchen, Tom made a stone wall to keep it. Nor do we want to hire someone to do it…well, maybe for the one I have to keep, the one I see every day from my kitchen sink and the bathroom. But the other 2 I’ve decided to convert to perennials, lush greens such as different type of hosta, fern, Solomon’s seal, lily of the valley and others.
We have so many staggeringly beautiful trees on this little 2 acre paradise. A balsam fir has grown so tall and full over the almost 20 years we’ve been here that it cuts into the hours of sun. I can not bring myself to whack it and others down so I can keep things flowering. So, I’m going pots, big giant ones, and hanging plants. I think I hung on to the “way it was” because it was so Pretty. Not so much being all weeds. Many of the poor iris died, as they don’t like to be crowded, and they were no longer getting enough sun. I think I realized we need to work with nature for the most part. These trees will be here literally centuries after we are gone, so a few snapdragons are not worth the loss. I’ll have Mr. Tom haul up the big pots from the basement, clean them up and plant away. I have a bench on the deck, so I don’t even have to lean over. Thank you, my dear Susan.
Hey, have any of you seen the fireflies yet? I saw my first last week. We have had lots of rain, but this was a clear night. I love sticking my head out of the roof window in our loft bedroom and seeing stars that come down right to the horizon, peeking through the trees. Hard to determine which are stars, and which are fireflies. I’m hugging myself with happiness that I live in this fabulous place. And it all began when I was a teenager and Wished to Live in Maine…………….More on that true story another time, if I’m allowed.
Thank you for more than you can ever know,
Debbie in Wonderland…New England….Maine
Wonderland is right. I haven’t seen our fireflies yet, like the leaf changes, Maine is likely ahead of us . . . I’ll be watching, because June is the time for them here too! xoxo
Loved the new Willard, Susan! “Restaurant in a library”–ha! I can relate! Got back recently from my first trip to England. Inspired by you, my college bestie and I went to the Lakes District after a few days in London. So beautiful! Bird song, wisteria, the baa, baa of sheep in the morning as they moved through the pastures, the ever-changing clouds over Windermere and the mountains–I miss it so much! (I don’t miss passengering on the wrong side of the road, though!). And Hill Top! Her bee skep in the garden! We then sprinted through the Cotswolds and went to Sissinghurst, among other National Trust properties. I’ll never get over the gardens. How can every rose have such a unique and beautiful fragrance?! It made me swoon. Can’t wait to go back. Thank you for inspiring so much of our trip! Hugs!
Well, your words made me swoon! The memories. The sky over the Windermere. How wonderful! Welcome home, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Thank you–and thanks TO you, sweet Susan!
😘
I was thinking of you today. One year ago, on Father’s Day, I got to meet you at The British Emporium and I brought up your dad and with your answer, I knew, even though you hadn’t exactly said. I can never express to you what an impression you made upon me. Your brave, sweet smile, laughing, and chatting and signing boiks, and making everyone’s dreams come true (including mine) while inside you heart was breaking. I have always admired you and your way of thinking, but on that day… when I thought about all the people you met, in all the cities, all the travel and all the stresses and all the sorrow. I can just never express enough the awe, gratitude, respect, and love that I felt for you. And I know today would have pulled at your heartstrings so I wanted to say… He was such a treasure, a prince of a man, one in s million and my heart goes out to you. The pride he must of felt for you and all of his children. I am so glad that he got to tell you, “I love you, Sue. I love everything about you.” What a perfect expression of true love. And I know I told you already that I started saying it to Tom, but now he says it to me too and we both agree that we will always say it and feel it because it truly conveys just… EVERYTHING. I can’t thank you both enough for that. You share your life with us and we in turn got to share in the joy of your wonderful dad and to be able to witness the glorious love between you two. What a gift!!! Happy Father’s Day, Blog Daddy. And hugs to you, Susan. Xoxo
Such a treasure. Thank you Charissa, for your kind words and beautiful heart. It was hard, I was actually physically ill when I got to his house in Arizona. But then it was such a blessing to be surrounded by so many kindred spirits, it helped a lot. Those words mean everything to me too. It was so perfect. And like a huge soft bandage-pillow on my soul. Miss him. That’s all there is to it. Miss him. But then I know he’s there. In me. 😘
And he always will be!!! I loved that quote that someone wrote here…All that you have ever had will always be yours. I think they said it more eloquently, but you will know what I mean. I hadn’t heard it before and it is wonderful. I Love all the Girlfriends. I learn a lot here both from you and from them. I wish we could all meet somewhere cozy for a weekend with you as a guest. I picture a quaint boutique hotel in a quaint little town maybe its raining definitely cool weather so we can see and smell the woodsmoke. We could have a class on tea, a cooking class with your recipes, a class on Beatrix, a free for all class where girlfriends sign up to teach what they know, a class on MV, a class on travel to England, JOE SHOULD DO A CLASS ON COOKING OR THE HISTORY OF SUE AND JOE OR BEHIND THE SCENES WITH JOE.:) A Susan Branch Boutique where everybody can buy your wares and maybe a few special items made just for the store. With fun excursions to yummy restaurants and shopping. Like a Tuesday girls thingy with ‘twine on steroids I would pay money for that, but sounds like a bear to organize. BUT WHAT FUN:) A girl can dream. WAIT A MINUTE… HOLD THE DOOR. COULD THIS HELP FUND THE HOLLY OAK PROJECT??? It just came to me and sent chills all over. It’s just an idea. Would LOVE to help you get Holly OAK back:)
One time I thought it would be fun to *rent* what I call the Somewhere in Time Hotel (the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island) for all the Girlfriends to meet for a weekend and have lots of booths and teatime with story telling and classes and things like that! BIG idea, but putting it together would be quite the thing! We’re on the same page!
PS I meant to say I hate that you hurt. I know it is part of life and all, but I hate it none the less. I composed it in my brain, but it didn’t make it to my fingers xoxo
That’s okay. It’s bittersweet. I’m sure you know Charissa. xoxo
Susan — So many of us share your love of movies that I wanted to pass along this black-and-white gem I discovered recently: “The Man Who Came to Dinner”, 1942, starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley and Jimmy Durante in a bit part. It’s a drawing room comedy/love story as described by imdb: “When acerbic critic Sheridan Whiteside slips on the front steps of a provincial Ohio businessman’s home and breaks his hip, he and his entourage take over the house indefinitely”. The dialog is witty, the story is wonderful, and the depiction of the upper middle-class at that time is of a world long gone — a middle class with live-in servants (!) and people who actually dressed for dinner. If you haven’t seen it, I think you and the girlfriends will love it, especially around the holidays.
Course, you know me, I’ve seen it a bunch of times. You can really see it as a play, which I think it was first. But if that guy came to dinner at my house, I would have to run away from home!
I’ve been discovering this lately – that when I’m home – picking my squash – husband (as dear as Joe – totally redid our garden because the last 2 years had not been good) but planted extra squash for me – we’ve now fed most of our little town-but I digress — I’ve been sending notes, sewing, cooking and realize that I sleep better and am so much more content — just running around a little – not all the time! Thank you for helping me – be me.
Such beautiful words Kedra. xoxoxo
Dear Susan…love your latest posts and how they have inspired me once again. Right now my heart is aching for Kathiellen who is losing a long-time friend. I lost my best friend of 53 years about 5 years ago. She passed very suddenly and didn’t even give me a chance to say good-bye. I still miss her but I am at peace. Now I think about what my life would have been like without her and am thankful for our years together. I recently ran across a quote from Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India …” All that was ever ours, is ours forever”. A most beautiful and comforting thought. Blessings…Deanna
Love that Deanna, just beautiful. And true. xoxoxo
Oh Susan, I am trying so hard to get my home organized & “uncluttered” so I appreciate the inspiration you gave me with your studio makeover! I feel cluttered & anxious about all my “stuff”, but am finding it so hard to get GOING on the cleanup! I so enjoyed reading that you felt the same anxiety about the clutter & overwhelming amount of possessions. I am not alone!! Yay! Thanks again for all your wonderful posts! Love ’em!
So glad Sharon! I’ll be doing this for a while!
Oh happy day. I adore Beatrix Potter. We like you have been admiring her life and art forever. Every time I look at the adorable figures I get a good happy feeling. Just the other day in an antique store I happen upon a figure babbity bumble, I have one this one is for my sister that just started collecting last year. I have been helping here find figures and giving her my extras lol My maiden name is Marshall an old scotch- English name. How wonderful your life is. My darling nephew makes beautiful quilts and he sent me a belated birthday quilt last week, Its called Springtime in Paris. You would love it.Continue your special kind of magic this summer. Happy summer. Mary Marshall Lawrence aka Mary Elizabeth
I get the same happy feeling when I seem my little “People” ~ thank you Mary Elizabeth, and belated Happy Birthday from me too!
Just plain perfect!!
And thank you for those wonderful pictures of your father….He was also a real Cutie, wasn’t he?
I just stumped in (they say it sounds like the Frankenstein creature) outside to cut dozens of the orange and yellow hawks bill flowers before Tom gets the lawn mower. We always let it get long so the flowering weeds can sow the beauty. Except for the dandelions, they never seem to take root in a cultivated garden. We decided long ago to let the green “lawn” be natural. Oxe eye daisies, and about 15 others. The daisies are not native, brought from England by first settlers, but I’m glad they did, and the lupine, too. they are in full glory here right now! I bought a wildflower identification book soon after we came here. My favorites are the tiny wild violets that are among the first to pop up in May. I put them in tiny little bottles, and they last almost a week.
Still thinking…Holly Oak
Debbie in lovely, foggy Maine
PS The “bad” weeds are grasses and creeping things, that spread under the soil. Very difficult to control now that we are not able to do the stooping and kneeling required.
Interesting. About the spreading under the soil.
They do that a lot in England, let the lawn grow long and turn into a meadow. Then they mow a path through it! So pretty! 😘
Susan:
Another wonderful blog, my dear! Your zest for life, love, beauty and home is contagious. I love my little house and I agree with everything you said about our own special little corner of the world, home sweet home. It is my happiest place. I just found an old copy of “The Tale of Beatrix Potter A Biography” by Margaret Lane and have started to read it. So far…. SO GOOD!
Got my Willard – happy, happy, happy! and pre ordered my “Isle of Dreams” mug and I feel so very blessed.
P.S. count me in on “The Holly Oak Project”. I believe it’s going to happen! It is.
Love you!
Wonderful book, good find!! Thank you, love that you believe. That’s such a big help! xoxoxo
Susan, I enjoyed the picture of Jack lolling on the kitchen table in the sun. It reminded me of an iteration of the “there are two kinds of people” story. Some think it’s fine, even excellent, that cats lay on the table and others think it’s disgusting. I am of the former but had a few relatives of the latter. Controversy ensued! Every visit. Oh well…
It can be a controversy here too … but it always ends up the same. I have no control over Jack. I pick my battles, I keep him from eating the flowers, but I can wipe off the table!
Susan,
As always I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Always so enjoyable to read it and then to read all the responses. So many are going on vacations or going on trips over to England and to countries I will never get to go toI. The one place I would like to go to is to Martha’s Vineyard and to see your Hollie Oak little home. I would like to go on the train. This is my dream. Our flowers are beautiful this year, especially our peonies. We have 81 plants around our wrought iron fence and I think every bloom opened up! Gorgeous! I hope I can meet you someday.
DeLores Johnson
We had a red letter season for our peonies too, although we only have 3! I can’t even imagine what your garden must look like! Amazing. Hope you get to see the Island someday, DeLores!
I am waiting for my niece to get home from vacation & I am
going to ask her to take pictures of our home & have her help me send them to you. She is good at picture taking. I hope she gets here soon.
DeLores Johnson(from Minnesota)
Love to see them!
Holy Guacamole, DeLores, We’d all love for you to post a picture on Susan’s Twitter!!! I have 4 peonies, and they are just now blooming. Maine had a very rainy, cool May, and lot of things are late, such as the lupine. Debbie in Maine
This was a lovely post, Susan! I love anything BP and her homes in the Lake District are so enchanting. Someday, I will get to Hilltop Farm… Oh and I just love your little Jack, he always makes me smile!
Me too! He’s like the shop kitty … 😍
That sweet little cup you have drawn in the top of this blog, can it go in the pipeline of one you can have made for us? I just love it and would love to have my tea in it in the morning. It will be in my Susan Branch pipeline of mugs I drink from everyday! “Home” and the colors are wonderful. Sigh.
That’s a really good idea Tana!
THIS blog post was opened on a day just when I needed it most! THANK YOU! I, too, am a homebody! ANYTHING which has the word in it, such as
Lion Brand’s HOMESPUN yarn, HOME DEPOT, your Heart of the HOME series of books, well, I am drawn to it, like bees to honey! I recently purchased from etsy a first edition copy of THE SUMMER BOOK from a “girlfriend” in North Carolina! She is packing up her dress making shop and is retiring with her husband travelling the country in an RV. It is my bedtime story book! Summer memories of MY grandparents, both sets, at their respective summer HOMES on the eastern end of Long Island, flooded my senses and moved me as I read about YOURS with your grandparents. You continue to inspire me, to hope, to make THIS summer a “December to Remember,” so to speak. Our boys’s pediatrician had an Audi–I do not need that! I do need a Summer Breeze , sels and Croft’s song, too, to keep the mosquitoes at bay and jars in which to catch fireflies! I used to clean out Skippy plastic peanut butter jars for our four sons to safely use as they ran around the backyard at night after swimming in our pool!! SUMMER 2017!! Not just full of red, white, and blue but red and GREEN!! Ideas for a A Christmas in July Tea are swirling in my head as I type this!
I REALLY appreciate your clarity, sincerity, and resolve to keep life sweet, simple, and celebratory! “Home is where your story begins” is a saying that rings clear and true for us all. Your memoir trilogy is a testament to such. Our HOME base to use a baseball metaphor! For however many houses we may have called HOME throughout our lives, their foundations are our foundation! HOME SWEET HOME strengthens and buoys us as we journey along together in this wonderful, crazy, and lately, very scary world! Thank you, Susan and Joe for being so open and sharing yours with us, the “girlfriends.” Love you!
We love having you ~ kindred spirits! xoxoxo
Ditto, Jean! You expressed the feeling very well.
Debbie in Maine
Wonderful Willard oh how I adore You! I’m a wee bit late to the party, but better late than not atall.:) It was so good seeing Jack & y’all’s garden & out the open window. The lovely lunch for sweet friends. And hearing about our much loved Beatrix. What a doll! and as we so often say…You are our very own “Beatrix Potter”. We adore you. Now I’m off to read your Blog! I am beside myself with anticipation. It’s like opening a gift! Love to You n’ Joe n’ Jack
Oopsy! This is the Blog….I am off to read Willard!…shall we chalk it up to the heat…though for Texas, I really can’t claim it was the heat….jet lag from our get-away to the beach & Austin…naw…we Road Tripped….ok…senior moment. I claim it loud & proud! Though…nope…this is just who I be. Always have been, always will be. I come from a long line of flibberty~gibbets. And we are happy to be that way. So…..off to see Willard. Love n’ Hugs all around
LOL. we love you just the way you are!
Thank you Kat! Welcome home!
I just finished reading Willard and oh how I’m so wishing that your Holly Oak dream will come true!!! That sounds like the most wonderful plan and I can’t wait to come and shop in the gift shop when it happens (because it surely will, it’s too perfectly perfect!). I’m re-reading “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle Of Dreams” AGAIN because I’ve been feeling a little lost and down recently, and when I’m feeling that way, this is the book that makes me feel better!
I love that you had Castle Cottage’s owner to your home! What an incredible experience to hear about that property first hand! Thank you for sharing this and thank you for everything you do!
Happy Summer at last!!!
Thank you Kristen! I’m so happy Isle of Dreams has a cheery message for you. I hoped that would happen. But let me add a little special you go girl to what you’ve read. 😘 xoxoxo Happy Summer!
Hi Susan!
Today is my 40th birthday, it’s the first day of summer and I’m celebrating this amazing crazy beautiful life with a great book, the adventures of Hannah Swensen, and a day off in my little super tiny town in France! Molly the dog and Happy the cat are both sound asleep on the rug and …I just finished your willard and ohlala how much I loved it!
I’ve heard you read every comment on your blog…you are so nice, because I see you get A LOT! I just wanted to take the time to thank you for every post, every willard, every book you write (I have soooo many!). Every time I need a break from this crazy world (being a ER nurse is not always easy…) I come to you and I read. I love new england (but never been there lol), I love england, I love the peaceful feelings I feel when I read you…the small and simple things of life are the best things.
So, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being who you are!
♥
Love!
Chrystel
Yes, I do read them all! I may be late in answering, and sometimes run out of time and not able to answer all, but I read them all. Love the connection! And look, there you are way over there in France!! Ohlala is right! Also I want to thank you for the work you do. No, I can only imagine how hard it would be to be a nurse. But you are the human saints of this world, no doubt about that. That cool hand on a frightened forehead means the world. xoxoxoxoxo Thank you for saying hello!
Thank YOU Susan! ♥ ♥ ♥
We used to let our “lawn” over the septic tank grow. After the house was built and the tank installed, grass seed was sown. We let it grow, because the neighbor kids, very young, adored running around in it. When they grew older, they thought it would be the ideal place for badminton. We loved it. 20 years in, it’s now lots of moss, which I love, very little grass, but plenty of wild flowers. Tom mows is as we sometimes have neighbors in the evenings sit around the fire pit and make S’mores. The fireflies seem to like it better mowed.
I’ll find out what that “weed” is that spreads by rootlets under the soil. I’ve spent countless hours trying to carefully get all the roots. It’s prolific. If you just pull them up, you get several new ones for every broken rootlet. They come right up through the top dressing, or chips. I have chocolate chip adjuga planted in front of a rock wall Tom built. We filled it with soil and planted hostas. The sun on the gravel was just so hot, I planted the adjuga to moderate the temps. Direct afternoon sun. The adjuga have been stunningly beautiful every May. Spikes of blue. And they send out tendrils to make now plants. Until one winter when the snow was sparse, and patches of adjuga died….and the pesky little weed spread. It’s winning, because my bod won’t tolerate the contortions necessary to beat it back. And I think it would be impossible to find someone willing to to be so Obcessive!!!! Oh Well………….Still impossibly happy here!!
Glorious day, very windy, scent of French lilacs all through the house 🙂 Hope it is so on the Island.
Mucho Love,
Debbie in Maine
It is so, bird song through all the windows here at almost 5 am . . .
Hello, dear Susan.
I enjoy sitting out on my porch reading your blog posts and love that you and Joe don’t mind if Jack lays upon your table. We don’t mind that Buster sits/lays on ours, because he lives here too and has impeccable manners. He in turn allows us to sleep in his big comfy bed on either side of him. It’s a total win-win situation. ❤ (Don’t you just love a strong purr?)
Your garden is dreamy! Do you use you herbs fresh or do you dry them too? My herbs are doing so well that I’m putting sprigs of them in my homemade jellies. So tasty and pretty.
Enjoy the rest of June!
Hugs, ShellEy
First off, I love that Buster is the name of your cat!! I was thinking a little bull dog! Yes, I love to use fresh herbs when I can. Some recipes are just way better with fresh … and others, it doesn’t matter as much. Have you ever grown lemon thyme? It’s SO good! You can even stir the flowers into vanilla ice-cream, and they are pink and so pretty and delicious!
You would love Buster! He likes to play fetch too. He’s such a sweet boy!
We also have another kitty that someone abandoned (he has Siamese ancestry, but like Buster, won’t be having children) We took him with us when we moved last summer. He used to be very grumpy and likely miss-treated, but we love him too. He prefers being outside, so we built Grumpy a little log house on the patio and another in the garage (for during bad weather) He never leaves our yard and also likes to bask in the window of my tiny vintage travel trailer and wander around the gardens. We give him lots of people time. Buster is not fond of him because he is #1. Very unique kitties we have! I just love seeing Jack and want to hug him!
Love the idea on lemon thyme! I have some! I love chewing on it right from the garden. Thank you Susan! 🌹
Loved hearing about your kitties, Shelley!
I adore the kitchen garden and hope someday to have my own, white pickets and all. I once planted some tomatoes and green beans right outside the kitchen door, next to the steps, so close I watered the garden with the spray attachment on the kitchen sink. (I was a lazy gardener, despite having been born in England, home of the very best Gardeners!). The beans were superb, for all that, glorious Blue Lake bush beans. Happy first day of Summer and happy gardening to one and all!
I wish I could water my garden with the spray attachment!!! That’s wonderful. And small is best when it comes to a garden. I speak from experience! xoxo
Plainly speaking, I just loved this post so much (not that I don’t love the others!); it hit just the right spot and is such a wonderful follow up to your ever so warm and gracious Willard. (Don’t be aghast at the “before” picture of your desk; it lets us know that it’s just fine for things to look “lived in” for awhile, otherwise we would be cleaning non-stop. Besides, pictures of beautiful, cozy libraries, whether public or a special nook in the home, always feature books, papers, teacups, silver picture frames, soft lighting, comfy chairs, and none of it looks untouchable or immaculate) Oh my, I can imagine all the questions you had for your very special lunch guests! Imagine discovering a REAL secret garden, and Beatrice’s no less. How exciting! If one of my dogs could capture your joy at having these ladies come to visit, she would be doing “zoomies” in the back yard, full throttle exuberance. My parents have visited Hill Top several times, and one day I hope to go also. And lol at Jack’s little face at the door. Y’alls flowers are beautiful!
I was doing “zoomies!” That’s the perfect word!!! 😃
Oh I love the new Willard! It’s so fun to read your blog and enjoy your life on Martha’s Vineyard. I also love the Island. I come every August to enjoy it. May I add a movie to your list? The Inheritance. Written by Louisa May Alcott. It is a lovely movie.
Funny you should mention it . . . it was just on. It’s a good one. Boy, she is steel in the end!
Just back from Carmel by the sea where my husband took me to celebrate my birthday. One of the gifts to my self was one of your new cups. Of course the design would be great but now that I see it in person, I am so impressed with the quality I plan to order more, well done you.
And thanks to you we had a wonderful lunch at the Moro bay Bay Side Café . Thank you,
would never have found it on our own.
Lucky you with your guests!
Bay Side! Love that place! And thank you about the cups. I feel the same way. Wait till you see the new ones in person. The colors are gorgeous! xoxo
Dear Susan, I wonder and hope you know what a treasure of the heart you are. Everything you write and love to share, are all the things I absolutely love and treasure in my heart. You bring such joy and happiness in all that you share with us, I can’t thank you enough! Enjoy the beautiful day. I will be making the Cole Slaw recipe and thinking of you smiling.
Oh Maggie, that is so sweet to read. Thank you! Hope you love the coleslaw! xoxo
Maggie, I think you speak for the vast majority of Susan’s online (and “in person”) girlfriends! It was about a year ago that I met Susan and Joe, along with a few hundred other devoted fans, at a book signing in Alpharetta, Georgia. They were both as cute as buttons, is all I could think of. So warm, friendly, generous, and down to earth – just like her blog!
😘 Thank you both!
This is just lovely, Susan. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
I never got my Willard. 🙁
HERE it is, Robin . . . Be sure to check your spam and see if Willard ended up there . . . every so often someone who is signed up doesn’t get it, but it’s rare … there should be a reason, but sometimes it’s hard to find it!
Today I received your hydrangea greeting card collection, and what a treasure trove! And a bargain too! Every single card is darling and will be given to someone I love – presuming I can let them go. Maybe since there are two of each design I will send one, keep one. The box is also pretty sitting on my desk. Just a terrific purchase! Thank you!
Happy you like it Rosanne! That is a really good deal, one of the things I love about it! xoxo
So enjoyed your recent Willard and reading about Hilltop. I used your “A Fine Romance” to plan my own English garden trip. It was a tremendous resource. The garden shops were so wonderful there, I wish we had some here. I have not been able to find a straw bee skep anywhere. Mine bit t dust. I’m sure I’m not t only one who would love to see one in your shop!
I know, the garden shops, the gift shops at the gardens, are just wonderful. I do think we have a bee sep in our web store, check here. Thank you!
Catching up on all the comments, I am struck anew by how soothing reading, not just your beautiful blogs, but the heartfelt notes from other women is in this particularly wrought time. Of course we all have struggles. I learn from these great gals….Fabulous Broads, as a dear woman used to say.
It is the little things, isn’t it? Those little things add up to contentment. I don’t think I’m the first to say that, but it needs resaying. And I thank you for the lovely reminder.
Mucho love, Dear Susan,
Debbie in Beautiful Maine, where my heart is so full, it feels ready to burst 🙂
Yes dear Debbie, it’s the little things!
Beautiful setting
Hello Susan,
I was a follower in th 80’s and through working, raising three children getting them through college, getting daughters married and acquiring 2 more sons by love, becoming a Nana to five darling grandchildren, the last one being a Beatrice, I lost touch. I found two Susan Branch thing recently that sent me to the computer looking for you. My finds were: a torn out page from Country Living, from the late 80’s or early 90’s of a recipe for Cranberry Bread, and Susan Branch Americana Stickers, I had purchased for scrapbooking. Was so thrilled to find them and you again. Thanks for your picture of your Beatrix Potter display, have enough of her books, and stuffed animals and other smalls to make my own display. Thanks for the inspiration. Can I assume that Willard and the blog are two separate items. I thought I had recently signed up to receive Willard, but have not received yet, so maybe I need to sign up again. I am in love again with all Things Susan Branch. Wish you would make some postcards, the ones that go out without an envelope. I belong to Postcrossings and send postcards all over the world. The world would love your postcards. All for now, Mary
Yes, the blog and Willard are two separate things. Try looking in your spam folder for Willard. Every once in a while he takes a detour! If not, come back and I’ll give you the link to the newest one. I’ll work on your postcard idea … might be something else we could give away free in our web store (you could print out on card stock). Nice to hear from you Mary!
Dear Susan, Thank you for reminding me that I still have my own space that is (relatively) safe from the circus that is whirling around us all. I have my fur babies, my family and friends, my garden, my kitchen, and a room full of raw materials waiting to be made into other things. One has to be reminded, once in a while, that fear and negativity don’t have to rule my life. 🙂
So very true. All my best to you Jen!
Hi Susan. Is there a way to get my Willard . it arrived but I think I must have accidentally deleted it. The Willard archives only go to February right now. Thank you so much for your blog and the Willard newsletters. They are such a positive look at life.
Yes, HERE YOU GO, Linda … I’ll ask Kellee if she can update our Willard archives. Thank you! xoxo
someone mentioned the teacup at the top of the blog page….the one that says simply “home” …..hmmmm……that would be lovely (to add to your “to do” list)
Peace, health, joy, colors, friends, critters, beach air, words of wisdom, gardens, love….happy summer,
Regina
I wrote that down. It’s the best word, although you came up with some other delicious ones too!
A lot of us apparently had the same idea–what a lovely way to welcome folks into your home and have them feel the comfort and love. “HOME” cup–or maybe even a small set of them-would be so wonderful. Marty
I’m working on it Marty!
Just love, love, love your home! I am a fairly recent member of the Susan Branch Girlfriend club so I don’t know the story of how you came to live at this house. Have you told it? I just finished reading A Fine Romance and Isle of Dreams- which I adored (and immediately went out and scoped up Heart of the Home at my local bookstore). Do you still have your little house in the woods? Sorry for the barrage of questions!
Jenn
I still need to write that whole story … Maybe that will be my next book!
I’m loving those rugs in the kitchen! I have to say, your pictures are so clear that it’s like I’m really there. Sitting here in the mid-west, I can almost feel the spring breeze through your open windows in Martha’s Vineyard. Oh,……and hear Jack purring in his stretch on the table! Thank you Susan. Once again, you made me feel happy!
Happy to hear it Tina! Aren’t we lucky to have the Internet where we can experience so much more than our own little worlds. Like this one I saw the other day, wow! Oh the places we’ll go!
Susan,
Just read Willard! What an awesome idea to go back to Holly Oak! Oh, what you would do with it! It would be adorable with lots of beautiful memories!
It would be fun!
Hi Susan,
If I’m not being too forward, and if I may, could I ask where you found the pretty blue and white plaid rug in your recent photo on the clean kichen blog ? The one near the stove, I think, with dish towels hanging above it ? I just love it !
Thank you !
Dash and Albert made that ~ they make wonderful rugs… they send them quick, and they aren’t too expensive!
Thank you so much, Susan..I love Dash and Albert rugs ! I will check them out ! Can’t wait to order your Autum mug and some tea ! Thank you so much for this blog…it is definitely my happy place in our crazy world !! Nancy
Hello Susan! Hope you and Joe are well and doing fine! How wonderful to see you both enjoying the Springtime (now Summertime) at home, in the garden, in the kitchen, and entertaining friends!!!! Your grand house is truly alive with all of your busy days spreading lots of TLC around!!!!!!! I was so happy with my tea cup (your “Little Things” mug) in my hand sipping and reading your most recent blog post and your absolutely beautiful Willard!!!!! Thank you Susan!!!!! Can’t wait to make the Parsley salad for July 4th……yum! And, I was drewlling over your pretty china plates on the table for your tea party, and the way your delicate food was presented!!! So many ideas you give to us……..you’re amazing!!!!! Alls well in my cozy little bungalow in Dearborn, Michigan. However, my peach colored Dahlias are being eaten by some little bug, and the resident bunny has nibbled down some parsely plants and purple Asters. We love seeing that baby bunny so he can chow all he wants!!!! So cute! I will be keeping very busy, as I must get used to my 22 1/2 year old daughter Marie living an hour and a half away from home, in the capitol city of our state, Lansing, MI. She drove off, car loaded down to the max, last Friday, to start a new job, in her field of study, to live in her own apartment. I waved good bye, said a prayer, with mixed emotions. She’s finally beginning a new chapter in her life, and with teary eyes, I am so happy for her, and know she will be fine………I felt comfort thinking of your journey to Martha’s Vineyard…..your Isle of Dreams book reassured me all will be well for my Marie!!!!! So THANK YOU Susan for all you share with us in your writings……your books are worth gold!!!!!! Ooooh, have to get ready for my monthly meeting at the Creative Clothing Club, where all about sewing is the main topic. Take care of yourself Susan. God Bless. Have a terrific Tuesday!
All will be well ~ you raised her for this. But it must be sooooo hard, Carolyn! Don’t worry, your common-sense mom will be looking down and taking care of her. xoxox
Love the Tweet regarding the screenwriter: Nora Ephron that lasts forever . . . I guess she’s referring to the treatment of Your Story 🙂 What could be better? I’m excited about all this..
Me too, but like she said, this process could take years. So, I don’t let myself think about it TOO much! Just a little!
Hello there Susan I finally sat down this morning with the English rain lashing against the windows in June, to read your ‘Willard’. I am cleansed and ready to start the day!!!
first question – can I buy the mugs in England?
second question – have you ever seen our English series called – A Fine Romance with our beloved Judi Dench ?
Love your English rain! I’m working to make the mugs for sale in England, but so far it’s not been possible. We do ship to England, but the postage is terrible. I’ll be sure to announce it on my blog when we find a way to get them in the UK. I have never really seen that series, maybe just one episode, not sure why … it seems to have slipped below my radar, and I love Judi Dench!
It seems that I haven’t gotten the Willard this time!?! I’ve been getting it for years – should I submit an e-mail again? Love your blog and love the Willards.
Martha from CT
Check your spam folder Martha, things in our computers can change without us realizing ~ you should have it! But just in case, HERE YOU GO, a link to Willard … and thank you!
Thanks!
Martha from CT
“Home is where the heart is……” so say we all……however, sometimes we lose sight of that fact. We do need a reminder every once in a while. When I get bogged down, I travel…….by car…..just me alone and the road ahead. I drove to Mendocino to visit my sister and stayed in her cottage behind her house and I thought of you. Her cottage is among the Redwood trees and they are sooo tall! Great visit – now I am home and awaiting another drive to Washington – this time my cabin in the woods with a side trip to Grand Teton National Park for 8 days…… just me and the Tetons and the buffalo and silence. Peace and quiet is often required in life. Always think of you and carry you in my heart always. You save me so many times when I get down and shouldn’t. Sending you tons of hugs…….
It’s true, travel is the very best way to appreciate home. I can’t even tell you, after all the work and travel for us the last few years, to just BE home and know we don’t have to go anywhere, I am so appreciative. Getting to know our house again and loving every moment of it! Your cottage in the redwoods, and trip to the Grand Tetons just sounds heavenly! Have fun Pat, and keep in touch!
That is a spiffy looking kitchen! I have no better feeling than when mine is clean…however fleeting.🙄Love the blog pick-me-up–always. It’s been over a year and I still thumb through “Martha’s Vinyard” just about every day. It’s like magic. Thank You again!
What a nice thing for you to tell me! Love that . . . I still thumb through it myself … lots of memories in that book!
Susan, I still thumb through that book too. I know what you mean when you told us how you kept books (such as Roy Rogers etc.) in your studio that inspired you. Your books and work have that affect on me. They keep me creative, grounded, and wanting to move forward. This “village” has been a really good spot for me. Thank you!
My Mom got “Martha’s Vineyard” this year, I think I told you that. Well, she loved it, and then wanted to read all your other books too. Now she is passing her book all around her community for friends and neighbors to read. Everyone is thoroughly enjoying it. She is making new Girlfriends for you.
Give your mom a hug for me!
Getting a producer on board. Oh WOW. You are going to make it all the way, girl!
No, I cannot foresee the future, but with all of us cheering you on with positive thoughts, good wishes, fairy dust-and whatever else a bunch of determined women can think up, it has just got to happen.
Wishing everyone a thoughtful and Happy Fourth. Stay strong and remember that we are America and our thoughts and deeds count when others look to find a better, kinder, more worthwhile world.
Lovely words Marty!
Dear Susan, I just turned the page on my calendar to July. How did you not go crazy painting all those little squares on the border? Holy Cow!
Rabbit Rabbit! As you can probably see in the border, I did! 😜
Rabbit Rabbit! And Happy 150th Birthday to all the girlfriends in Canada!
~Susan ~
Its me again , Paula from IN , hehe. I visit your site often be thankful we are not neighbors hehehe . Question?? under the icon Visiting Martha’s Vineyard, you mentioned you were going to add “Links” of your favorite Shops, restaurants, Inn , hotels etc.. where may I find these links?? my daughter and I are planning a Sept. visit, and any information would be helpful ! Im thinking a one day visit , because I would think after 5pm or so most places close for the evening?!.And one may ask Vineyard or Nantucket , what to you feel ??
Thanks so very much for any input if you find the time !
Happy 4th of July !!
Paula
IN
I was going to do that, but never got around to it, and now I realize, things change so much, restaurants come and go, it would be a full time job to keep up with it, so I think the Chamber of Commerce and the Newspaper (when you get here) that prints everything there is to do here each week, will have to do! I would come to the Vineyard, because for one thing, it’s only a 45 minute boat ride, and Nantucket is further out, so a much longer boat ride. Also, I’m biased! Can’t forget that. And the Vineyard has six towns and Nantucket only has one and a half. If I only had one day, I would come in to Vineyard Haven by ferry, wander around down town, then get on a bus for an Island tour (right where the boat comes in) and get a view of what there is here. One day is really not enough, but it will give you the lay of the land for next time!
What wonderful guests you had for tea Susan. You certainly do live a fairy tale life. It must be totally exciting for you to get up and put your feet on the floor each morning, well, at least most mornings anyway. What a lovely way for you to live. I’m at least taking notes, and the more I try to follow what I learn here, it seems the happier I become.
I attended a special function with my Mom last Wednesday at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My mother donated a War Stamp quilt made by her grandmother to the museum. If you paid 25 cents you got your name embroidered on the quilt. The money went to the war effort. The handwork in the quilt is amazing. Canada is celebrating 150 years this July. For this celebration, the museum put on a special exhibit called “150 Years of Remarkable People in Nova Scotia.” Through a voting process, this quilt was chosen to be in the exhibit. So my great grandmother’s quilt is displayed along with so many other great Nova Scotians including Maud Lewis, authors, artists, opera singers, civil rights leaders, etc. What an honour to have the quilt as part of this exhibit celebrating 150 years for our country. The museum is now in the process of researching some of the names of the soldiers embroidered on the quilt. Although I haven’t checked it out, they told us that you can google the museum and see the quilt there.
It is exciting! I always wonder what the girlfriends would think about me singing as I go from bed to tea! I’m glad I’m alone! Cheers my heart to hear you say the part about becoming happier. Thank you Rhonda! How FABULOUS to have your grandmother’s historical quilt in the exhibit!!! I’ll go see if I can find it! Congratulations! Thank you for including us in on your good news.
I went on-line to see if I could find the quilt and had no luck. So I spoke with the assistant curator of the Museum of Natural History this afternoon and apparently the quilt isn’t on-line yet. She is going to email me when it’s there. But she is going to send me a digital file for now. I’d like for you to see the quilt. She told me that they plan to make this Canada 150 exhibit into a book. There were 45 people to vote for, but only 32 were chosen to be part of the exhibit. I told the lady I had told you about it and she was pretty excited about that. She said she had heard of you, she knew your name. She was thrilled that I had told her about you. She is very excited about the creative work you do and is wanting to check out your book “Martha’s Vineyard.”
Send me the link Rhonda, when you get it! Love to see that quilt!
Hi Susan,
I forgot to ask and hope that you have not already answered this…(I scrolled around).
Do you mind sharing where you purchased the kitchen chair cushions?
I’ve been looking for almost two years and yours look to be the larger type that I need.
Many thanks🙏! Jan
P.S. I’d love to know the story between “Isle” and “Romance” too…in your spare time😳!
I love them too ~ got them from a company in Sweden I think, so long ago, but they no longer import into this country. For a short time, we were able to carry them on my website. So what I did was make a pattern for them. Which is in the Love to Sew part of my web store … you can make them, or get them made from that. I’d love to write that story Jan ~ 💓
Hi Susan
Just reading Willard where you mention your grandma’s pfeffernusse cookie recipe. Where can I find that recipe? My hubby is German, loves to bake and really enjoys pfeffernusse cookies. I would love to surprise him with the recipe to try.
Thank you soooooo much for all the pleasure you give me reading your blogs and traveling along with you along life’s path. We have met twice and you are as sweet and wonderful “live” as you are in print. Hi to dear Joe too!!
Have a blessed day!
So far, it’s not in one of my books! I’ll have to do that one day! Love to have you here Patti!
My goodness! How did it take me THIS long to find and enjoy your beautiful blog! I blame my mother for introducing me to your wonderful work. Incidentally, it’s also my mother’s fault that I adore Beatrix Potter! I’m happy to blame her for both addictions and gladly accept all future consequences personally.
I just finished reading the delightful section in your England book where you visited BP’s home at Hill Top. Oh my heart! That has been on my dream list for years and years! Thank you for writing about it and for consistently admonishing us throughout the book that “if you can dream it, you can do it”.
Here’s to all things Bea and to a delightful start to July.
All the best,
Jen Chandler
You are very brave to accept the responsibilities. I am proud of you. Now you have a lifetime of joy buttons to push, be careful, they are addictive! Here’s to your mom! xoxo
Hi Susan, Another lovely blog post, as usual. I just wanted to drop you a note with my suggestion for an actress to portray YOU in your upcoming movie spectacular. I feel that Lacey Chabert could do a worthy portrayal of the one and only, Susan Branch.
Ok, well, have a wonderful 4th Of July in your “heaven on earth”, otherwise known as Martha’s Vineyard!!
She’s cute! We’d have to cut her bangs! It really was heaven here this weekend. We had perfect summer, island weather. Hope it was the same where you are!
Happy 4th to you and Joe.
Hope everything is OK. Have not had a blog from you in 18 days.
Hope I am not missing something.
Isabel in Orlando
You’re not missing anything. I’ve just been taking some time to BE. It’s been wonderful but I miss you too, am working on a new blog this morning!
Thanks for another wonderful post 🙂 Just pre-ordered one of your beautiful Santa mugs (I love your artwork and I love bone china- win win!) I was really really SO happy to read that your cups will be sold in small stores only. I look forward to starting a collection for myself!
Only maybe 8 stores in the USA. Really small!
Dear Susan,
I love your blog. In fact I love it so much I have reread it in its entirety while I recooperate from double knee replacement surgery. ( I doing great!) 😎 But please post again soon!
I’m off to reread Martha’s Vinyard Isle of Dreams….🐠
Working on a new post this morning! Hope the knee feels better soon!
Happy High Summer, Miss Sue! Just a glorious morning, breakfast on the porch, watching all the critter activity. Even a loon song to add goosebumps. Little tame chipmunks scurrying around. Strange thing is that we have not one red squirrel this year. We even donated a bird house that they used as a nursery. The tiny babies poking their cute little noses out. And when they would finally climb out and up on the bird house roof. Pure joy. We never had any damage from the little rodents. The rabbits are all gone and the voles as well. Please, folks, it’s so much better for you kitty to stay inside. Not to mention the horrible death that so many native critters suffer. And I’m a cat fancier!!
Everyone here has been scurrying around gathering up things for the rummage sale at our little library. Books as well, several boxes donated by Tom and me. I’m baking things for sale as well. The biggie is a king sized quilt donated by a dear friend of mine in Utah to help with the fund drive. It is stunning, and I was stunned by her gift. She’s doing the big downsizing of her “stuff”. It will be displayed at various places during the summer, the library tomorrow for the Strawberry Festival, with the drawing for the winner this winter. Isn’t it exciting to live in a small community?. Franklin is off the beaten path, so most of the people have been here for generations. Just wonderful. I don’t mind visiting a city once in awhile, but I’m not a city gal.
Friend for supper tonight so she can see the Grantchester…recorded, so I’ll look forward to your new blog tomorrow morning.
Thank you, Susan, for All that you contribute to so many lives 🙂
Debbie…..in Heavenly Maine
Yes, I know how you feel about a small community. Very very sweet.
Dear Susan,
I just want to thank you for sending out inspiration to all of us. Dreaming and planning for the future is so important. I think I would plan a trip to see Holly Oak; especially if you opened it up and had a gift shop in it. That is the best idea ever. Please do it and don’t wait too long. Are you thinking the current owners are ready to move on?? I am sure you will get first dibs when they let it go. It will be a national treasure, you know it. ….just like BP’s home.
I have been reading your pages for hours now. I am catching up. It has put me in such an uplifted mood. Oh, and in the meantime I have gone through one of my clothes closets and am being reckless with pulling out articles I don’t wear ofen or ever anymore. Off they go. Tomorrow I take them to donation or some to a nearby consignment store. Seems like I have more energy now than before I read your blog and Willard.
Thanks for everything you do with love.
Sheryl from Magalia, CA
Reckless is just the right word! It’s the only way to go! I don’t think the current owners of Holly Oak are planning to move on, I think it would require some prying! Which I’m not wild to do… we shall see! Good luck with the weeding out! xoxo
Dear Susan,
I love your blogs. Your having a happy gene makes our lives much happier! Did you catch the “NY Times” Article about Jane Austen, published July 6th?
Love, Brenda
Here is a link: nytimes.com/2017/07/06/upshot/the-word-choices-that-explain-why-jane-austen-endures.html?mwrsm=Facebook
There’s always been yearning for learning … and as the article said, her stories have survived because they “amuse even as they instruct.” Very interesting, I was amused as I was instructed! 👏 I think they’ve survived because they speak to women, there’s an inside joke we all get, and she knew it. From the heart. Thank you Brenda!