Another beautiful day in Paradise and lots to share in celebration of the good old Summertime! And a drawing-winner too! Plus MUSICA! 
From the land of swaying flowers and fat bumblebees . . .
I bring you the glory of summer . . . starting with ripe tomatoes . . .
This was our first taste, one of our favorite days of every summer, the ripening, the picking, and the eating of the first tomato . . . we shared it, very simple, sourdough toast, mayonnaise, sweet, vine-ripened, still-warm-from-the-garden tomato, salt & pepper … heavenly! Summer joy.
Now this is the part of summer I could really live without. We get humidity sometimes (that’s not rain out there), and it’s so heavy and thick, you actually have to chew it before you can breathe it.
This is how I feel on those days. Hideously inelegant.
So, I turn on the air conditioner, and read in my chair with Jack, my kitty, next to me, while the sun flitters over me, and count my many blessings.
Because soon . . . these summer days will just be a memory . . . even on our walk, the leaves are starting to show the strain of having to hang around for much longer . . . 🍂
So we are intent on getting everything out of these summer days possible. This is my great-niece Maggie who came to visit … she’s nine ~ she would say hello, but she’s busy. We loved enjoying a little bit of summer through her eyes!
And my here’s grand-nephew Wyler… he’s 7 . . .
This is Eliza, who just turned 13 … Look how brave they are… jumping off this bridge is a right of passage in a Vineyard summer. I don’t think I would do it, but they all did! Their parents too!
There goes Eliza!
Family came to visit! From New Hampshire, my niece Jess, her husband Cory, and their two girls … and from Durango, Colorado, my nephew Ben, and his wife Paige, and their two boys.💞
And so it was . . . we did all the Vineyard things . . . like clamming … this is Paige, married to my nephew Ben, with their youngest son, Beckett, who’s four ~ he’s got clams!
This is Ben, Ben is Paige’s husband, my nephew, and Jess’s brother …😘
Ben and Jess are the children of my brother, Jim. This picture of Jim and Ben has hung on my wall for years, I LOVE it. Colorado, with snow on the high mountains and wild flowers under their feet, and two good boys. Have I confused you enough name-wise? Well, there will not be a test, ignore everything . . .
That’s Jim, next to me (with rollers in my hair) … back row on right… closest to me in age, he was my partner in crime crowing up … 💖
So, it was wonderful to have his children here . . . this is Jessica, Jim’s daughter, Ben’s sister, my niece, and the mother of these two . . . .❤️
. . .Eliza and Maggie, who’s father, Cory, you’ll meet in a moment.
There he is, in the back row, in pink with the hat on! Here they all are. Lovely people! So much fun!
They brought home lots of clams and Uncle Joe showed the boys how to shuck them. Fascinating!
Then Joe taught them how to make stuffed clams (kind of lost the boys here, but definitely not the rest of us!).
I showed them how to make my Dad’s famous garlic bread (their great-grandfather, hard to believe!). Almost ready for the broiler! (P.66 the new Heart of the Home!)
Of course we had the Island food of choice . . .
Bowls full of steaming lobsters . . . Paige demonstrates, while her son,
Brave Beckett, touches lobster (of course, already cooked).
And me and Jess, we’re just happy!
We ate outside every night. Paper plates, candles, and twinkle lights! Corn on the cob rolled in the butter stick, watermelon chunks, hot bread, crispy potato pancakes, fresh swordfish and juicy pink steak. We had it all!
If you’re happy and you know it, say “Rawr,” and show us your watermelon!
My backyard never looks like this. Ever ever.
But I liked it. They told me this was a “rocket ship to the moon!” Looks pretty good! Excellent imagination and creativity! They got an A!
Inside was a human sacrifice. Somebody had to do it. We’re talking science here, the furtherment of mankind. Three cheers for Beckett!
And here? The proud sisters of Mission Control, Eliza and Maggie.
The first morning, while everyone was still asleep, I peeked out my upstairs bedroom window like I always do to see what the weather is like, and was shocked! Where was I? What’s all that stuff on the lawn? Blink-blink. This can’t be my house!
I went downstairs to find the victim taking his revenge on the girls of Mission Control …
Off we go on an Island tour in the Fine Romance Van! Turn up the MUSICA! Because
We drove all over, had lunch with a fabulous view at the Aquinnah Shop above the Gay Head Cliffs. (That man over there, standing, wearing the hat, really liked us!)
And I can see why . . . Ahhh, family!
Here comes the french fry thief …
This is where we were eating. Very good view from the roof for the french fry thieves. See the three jars down there, on the left on the railing?
Sun tea. My kind of restaurant.
Here we are in Menemsha (where Jaws was filmed) … walking the jetty, looking at the boats …
Joe got us a plate of ice-cold oysters to share . . . (Jess and Cory again, who run five miles a day or so, even in the humidity!).
Delicious! Icy, shivery, like liquid silver! (If you’ve never had them, don’t worry, they taste MUCH better than they look!)
Here we are, Paige, Joe, Cory, Ben, Beckett, and me … al fresco eating at it’s very best!
While Maggie and Eliza looked for buried treasure . . .
. . .and found it, tiny little shells and beach glass, the best sort of Island souvenirs. (Love the color on Eliza’s nails!)
One day we were looking for these two…found them leaning against the washer and dryer in the pantry. Why? We don’t know . . . Wyler’s T-shirt says “Shark Proof.”
Little pile of sweetness ~ Cousins! Maggie, on the right, is going to be a writer. She was telling me about the Warrior book series she’s been reading (by Erin Hunter) … all the characters are kitties in clans (such as Riverclan or Thunderclan), with names like Tigerstar and Squirrelflight. She was SO excited and animated telling me about these stories, now I want to read them!
We so enjoyed every moment with them . . . and then as quickly as they came, it was over, poof! and off they went … but the memories, along with summer, stayed …
So we went looking for some more
Freshest air in the world, salty, windy, lovely sound of the waves . . .
We went to visit Joe’s niece Jennifer and her husband Mark … they live in New York, but they’ve rented this “camp” by the water every summer for years. We had gazpacho (con tomatoes!), salad, and quiche! When I see Jen, I think of this quote . . . ❤️
You get to their house by a very (very!) long dirt road through the woods and scrub oak . . .
The house is unfinished inside, has no insulation, it’s the opposite of fancy, but really comfortable, perfect for reading and dreaming . . . this is the view from the kitchen window . . . there’s nothing out there but the wind . . . I could barely keep my eyes open!
It was a perfect day for a walk on South Beach ~ that’s Mark and me and Jen, Joe has the camera.
Looking back from the beach to the house …
Can you picture yourself here? Deep breath of ocean air, feeling drowsy? . . . ommmm . . . .
Sometimes people ask me what to do when they come to Martha’s Vineyard, and honestly, this is more or less it. You listen to the screen door slam. It’s the opposite of what to do, it’s more like how to be!
And so, you know Girlfriends, it’s time . . . you have been so patient . . . but Vanna has arrived in all her glory . . . and it’s time to give away the luv-lee journal of Beatrix Potter.
And my story of finding her in the English Countryside, at the end of a very long path I began to walk when I was around 22.
Don’t forget, you lucky winner, about the secret that’s hiding in the back of the Beatrix book! SO, who shall it be darling Vanna? I want you to know, Vanna’s toenails are 
polished gold, they’re shiny, like earrings, and she is now perched, toes curled and clutching the edge, on top of my art table. Now she’s up, graceful as a swan, and over, and INTO the vat she dives, with all your names, swirling down and down and down . . . scissor-kicking her way to the bottom, a whirlwind of papers, flying around and through the air now . . . and . . . here . . . she . . . comes . . . clutching one fluttery piece of paper, and now, handing it to me . . . the winner of our luv-lee little giveaway, chosen especially by Vanna from over 2,000 entries from all of you darling kindred spirits, is YOU, dear KERRIE FOLEY, (but only if you promise not to DIE if you win, like you said you would do in your comment!). Because you just did win!
CONGRATULATIONS, KERRIE! I’ll email you; you can reply with your address ~ I’ll sign both of your books and pop them into the mail for you.💞
AND, now it’s almost time for me to go write a new WILLARD, because by the time I’ve written it, and you receive it, it will almost be September, we will be feeling it (eeek with joy), and I have new news to share. Make sure you and the ones you love are signed up for this little bit of “All Good News” celebrating the change of season, that starts off a little like this (in case you’ve never seen it):
And, oh my goodness! Just as I was about to sign off . . . UPS pulled up outside my window, be still my beating heart … I grabbed my camera . . .
. . . and ran to the kitchen door, because I feel like I’ve been waiting forever, and now, Hooray! It’s my turn! So many of you have been writing on Twitter and Facebook to tell me you got your cups! And I’ve been whining and moaning because mine hadn’t come yet!!! But just as I was finishing this post, here they are! (Yes, three boxes, I told you I was doing my Christmas shopping!) Sorry, I was too excited to hold the camera still . . . and then I took a big time-out for the grand opening of the cups …
Ta-daaa! First box I opened turned out to be the Bluebird of Happiness. How appropriate! I love it! 
(‘Course the moment I grabbed the camera and began to run to the door, my shadow was right behind me!) What is it, what is it? A cup? Are you kidding? All this for a cup? 🙀
And then, more appropriate timing . . . the next one out was the Martha’s Vineyard cup! Then the Santa cup, and then the darling new smaller size, Autumn. Which means, I am SET! 💙
What a nice note to end on! Blessings to you all…. I hope you are loving these last lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, these ARE the good old days! Thank you for all your sweet comments, Girlfriends. More fun for us to come soon. And now . . . I’m going to make a cup of tea! XOXOX
How “luvlee”! So happy for Kerry! And so happy for you, Susan, to have finally gotten those delightful mugs! What a lovely family you have and I’m glad they were able to have the visit with you that they did! What great memories were created with the sunny days on your charming island! Let’s soak up the rest of summer and make the most of every moment!
Blessings!
Same to you Rebecca, thank you!
All your family photos make me miss MV!! This is the first summer in a while that we haven’t planned a getaway there……..alas, there is still time…..there is still time!
There is nothing like September on Martha’s Vineyard!
There is nothing better in the world then spending lazy summer days with family and seeing the world through the eyes of children.
Thank you for always sharing those beautiful, simple moments that make life worth living!
The whole time I was doing this post, I was thinking that it would be so easy for most of our Girlfriends to exchange for photos of their own beloveds, eating, reading, jumping off of things! Exactly like mine!
I had a nice visit with my sister and niece this summer. We did not do much besides visit Morro Bay for fish n chips and talk. It was a good visit. I received my Autumn mug last week and I love it. Thanks for do these mugs.
Sounds perfect! Love Morro Bay!
Hello Becky. We also love Moro Bay. Cindy in So CA
In my looking-forward-to-fall, i was reading some of your old blogs this morning and steeping myself in the beautiful words and pictures. I can’t wait (but wait I must, after all, this is Texas)!! I returned to your blog to leave a note for you and discovered a new post! However, I will make myself wait until tomorrow morning to read it. It’s just like that stash of chocolate hidden away where no one else in the house will find it. A very special treat to look forward to. Thank you so much for that!
In one of the older posts you mentioned that someday you would tell us about how you accidentally discovered train travel. I don’t know that I’ve heard that story. ???
Also, I was looking for the story of when yall first met Jack at the shelter with his little name tag. When was that?
Have a lovely day my friend!
The Jack story is HERE (under Kitty Love, in the “About Me” icon at the top of the blog page), but I ended up putting that story (too long for a blog!) in my book Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. Enjoy that chocolate! xoxo
Good~Tuesday Sweetest~Sue…. I Was Just Flying~By & #Poof! A #NewBlogPost #Squealing!!!!!!!! 😉 So I Read….Then Sighed Then Re~Read…. Soaking In Every~Magical~Word…..Ahhhhhhhhh….Savoring These Last Lazy~Hazy~Crazy~LuvLee~Dayzzz Of #SUMMER….You Have A #Beautiful~Family & I #LOVE The Last Pic Of You & Joe…..#Pooped But Oh So Filled With Family~Joy… 🙂 Extra~Hugzzz For You Sweet~Sue & Congratz To Very Lucky~Kerrie!!! 🙂 I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Photo Of Jack Looking At #TheCup! 😉 Kitty~Kuteness! 🙂 & Now You Are Doing The End~of~Summer Jiggity~Jig & The~New~Cuppas~Arriving Jiggity~Jig Yay! & Soon We Shall Hear The #Musica For The~Pumpkin~Jiggity~Jig… Wow! That’s A lot Of #Twirling & #Dancing! 😉 Time For Some Iced~Tea Tis about 91~Degrees Here! Yikes!!! 🙂 Our Jonboy Had a Delightful~Birthday (Thank~You!) 😉 & All The~Kiddos Go #BackToSchool This Thursday OMG!!! 🙂 Sending #Love & Kitty~Kisses For You & Joe & Jack…. #Joe’s Birthday Next….What Are #TheBirthdayPlans? xoxo #Poof 🙂 😉 🙂 P.S. Did You Say… #WILLARD??? #Hooray!!! My~Wings~Are~All~A~Flutter 😉
Love you Angie Tink! 💖
Hello Susan! Congratulations to Kerrie!!!!!!! Happy for her winning, and happy for you Susan to have finally received your mugs!!!!! So fun to see all of the summertime fun you had with all of your family on the island!!! Wow, so many memories you and Joe made for those nieces and nephews!!! They are so very blessed to have you and Joe!!!! I have also noticed tiny hints of Autumn, that’s just around the corner, here in Dearborn, Michigan. Cooler nights for sleeping, noticing the evenings are getting darker outside sooner, as my knitting time outside on the swing is shortening a tad 🙁 Also, all of my Sedum flowers are have just a hint of their pink blossoms starting to open, right on schedule because they will be in full bloom by the time the neighborhood children go back to school!!! Good luck writing the new Willard…….another gift to look forward to as this season turns into yet another!!!!! Have a wonderful day Susan and take care of yourself!!!!!! Off to vote…….bye bye!!!!!
I love to vote, mainly because I love that sticker they give us here that says, “I voted!” We wear them till they curl up and fall off! Have a wonderful day Carilyn!
I love the quote about family faces being magic mirrors. We have great fun looking at our grandchildren to see what they have inherited from past generations – sticking out ears from a long ago great grandparent, freckles or red hair from the Irish, stick straight hair from the Crow tribe, interesting noses from Jewish or Spanish great grandparents, skin that burns or tans easily, funky toes, left handedness, etc. It is wonderful when family descends on our homes. Cherish every moment. Thank you for sharing your family with us. Loving all my Susan mugs. Ready for newer ones… Susan, we love everything you create for us. Thank you for all your hard work. Love you
You made me think … know what I will love? When someday, not so long from now, we are all beige! One of the beauties of doing this blog, we can’t see each other, we could be young, old, fat, thin, bald, hairy, smiling or not, and yet, not one whit of judgement comes with our words! All human! All smart. All gorgeous, and all a ton of fun!
So sweet. So true. I taught Kindergarten for many years. We would all hold hands and sing and dance or make circles for hand holding games, work, play, cry, and laugh together. Most of the children saw no differences in each other. We were a family of small people of various colors, nationalities, religions, abilities, and disabilities and we celebrated all of it.
Love the picture of you and Joe and the fairy lights. Those kids will never forget their summer vacation with wonderful Aunt Sue.
Side note- Maggie might enjoy the new book in the Warriors series called Bravelands. I illustrated the map for the endpapers 🙂
You did? Fantastic! She may already be onto it. She’s reading them six a day or something!
Dear Susan,
What a treat it is to escape into your magical world this morning! Thank you for this blog post. So much family love enjoying fun, food and frolic! Loved it all. Your writing always puts a smile on my face. You and Joe seem to be having a wonderful summer. Thanks for sharing your fun with us!
XO
Thank you Juli, we are having a wonderful summer! It’s wonderful to be home, and to be able to share it with the ones we love.
Susan, you are SO BLESSED with this wealth of relatives (of all ages) and I know it started out with your parents having…it’s 8 kids, right? So, with your siblings and then now all the grandkids and great-grandkids, how many direct descendants of your parents are out there now, is it okay for me to ask? It’s just something I find so dreamy-fun and almost unimaginable (fairytale-like) because I have no connection to large families, although I have them further-back in my ancestry, which is sort of a miracle when you consider all they had to contend with in previous centuries (life wasn’t always easy), like home births with no medical care; childhood diseases we’ve now thankfully eradicated, etc.
The spreading branches of a large-family tree remind me of all the brothers and sisters in movies and books; like Cheaper By The Dozen, With Six You Get Eggroll, The Sound of Music, Five Little Peppers and How They Grew; The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio – lots of kids with lots of goings-on, so much of which is a bunch of chaos(!) that’s always fascinated small-family me.
Comfort in numbers! I would beg my mom for a sister; I positively yearned for a little sister when I was age 13! One of my good friends in high school was an only child with no cousins and I recently learned of her life since I knew her; lo & behold, she became a mother of five and is now a grandmother. I was just thrilled for her…and for her dad, who’s still alive and doing well at age 90.
But, to my ‘inquiring mind'(!), if you had a family reunion and everybody came, what’s your headcount? (I’m sure it’s a fabulous number!)
It’s not really! Surprisingly … It seems that all of us that followed my parents, the ones who had children, have all been two-fers. No one has had one, no one has had three, always two. And that includes my parent’s children and their grandchildren! So far at least. But I have to say, I loved being the oldest of eight. It was such a fun time and wonderful to have a new baby every two years!
Well, it’s all magical! I love it…
We are all coming to visit you next summer, it will be crowded but we will have fun🙂Just kidding, but I really want to visit Martha’s Vineyard. Maybe next summer. We always go to Corolla, N.C. on the Outer Banks for Memorial Day week. But we could visit 2 islands, why not? Thanks for sharing your family fun with us! 🇺🇸🏖👙☀️
Absolutely adore this, yet another inspired and inspiring post, brimming with magic and delight! Thank you so much, Sue, for B e i n g the Brilliant Beam of B e i n g that you are, and for sharing so much of said self with all of us, out into the world. And your family photos are a Joy! Love to you and yours from the left coast! Paige + Banjo O’Feral Xox
I read your Tweet, cried, and now have to think for a while. Going on a walk with Joe, will come back and reply later. Thank you Paige. 💗
Oh no, I didn’t mean to make you cry! Hope you saw the photos included – it was several different sections of text (1. 2.A, 2.B, and 3, with two photos after the first portion of text. I’m not Always so long-winded, but there is . . . a lot going on, daunting.) I’m SO sorry to have made you cry, my intent was to send Love and Gratitude!) I hope you and Joe enJOY a fabulous, fantastic, ReFreshing walk, and a beautiful day with your beautiful selves in your beautiful, sacred space! HEART.
I cried from Love and Gratitude. It was the right kind of cry!
My mugs arrived and they are wonderful. I’m looking forward to the end of summer. Living on the Gulf Coast can be a chore during the summer. Fall doesn’t arrive here until around Halloween. Congratulations to Kerrie. She’ll have something fun to read in these last lazy, hazy days of summer! You have such a lovely family. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Family, Fun, Food! Is there anything better? Probably not. However, being the lucky giveaway winner is pretty darn great.
Congrats’ Kerrie! Enjoy your new reads!
Enjoy these last weeks of summer, GF’s!
~M
So lovely seeing you all having so much fun! Did anyone else see Vanna flitting about in the background of your photos as we scrolled down? Congratulations to Kerrie ~ I think a fair few of us have secured our own copies after you shared it last time; not many left out there now, I don’t think, we’ve cleaned them up. Mine is on its way, from Across the Pond to this side of The Pond!
Sqeeeings of delight from everywhere now as mugs touch down in homes across the world! I love mine hugely and can’t say thank you enough for making it so that we can buy them in the UK. Poor Jack, maybe he’d be more interested if the mugs came with a free hair elastic? I really want the Martha’s Vineyard one now, after seeing it with Jane ~ and Bluebird of Happiness too! I need Uncle Ernie to be kind to me! {that’s our UK Premium Bond monthly draw!}
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Dear Susan,
Love the mugs. Think I am for sure going to get the Santa one but then I really like the bluebird of happiness. Oh dear. decisions!
There are about 100 of each left right now, maybe a little less … xoxo
Dear Susan,
Reading your blog is always a breath of fresh air for me ~ it just makes me happy inside. 🙂 I really enjoyed all of your photos and the commentary. By the way, I’m 52 and like Jess and Cory, I run every day regardless of the humidity or the cold (year round – ice, snow, heat, rain, you name it). I wasn’t always like this. I only began this venture a few years ago when I lost a ton of weight and unlike many who quit diets or routines, I didn’t. I just kept going and am very dedicated. I don’t know if it will bring me long life, but I feel better because of it. Anyhoot – summer there looks lovely. I too am cherishing each and every day.
Kindest regards,
Linda in Illinois
Each time I stop by for a visit I am enchanted by the photos you share, by the words that you write, & the quotes that inspire. Thank you for sharing your loves, life, & goodness with us.
Teresa O
Hi Susan, it’s International Cat Day today so we must all be extra nice to our kitties. Congratulations to Kerrie. Saw on Amazon that one of the Beatrix Potter Journals is selling for over $4,000. Yikes! Well that’s what they’re asking but I don’t imagine that’s what they’ll get, lol. So enjoyed seeing your family photos. You and Joe are having a lovely summer. I’m awaiting my Christmas mug and your Gratitude book. Should arrive soon. Isn’t it nice to be looking forward to fall? Best season ever. Hugs, Elaine
Your family pictures remind me of the wonderful summer moments I spent in Long Island as a child. Children bring new meaning to the term treasure hunt don’t they! What a fantastic vacation those kids had and no doubt they’ll thank you forever. So glad the tea cups arrived safely. Beautiful as always.
Congratulations Kerrie! Very excited for you!!!! Thanks for the lovely prizes I could’ve won, dear sweet Sue, but it was Kerrie’s turn…..maybe next time for me?!!!!! L O V E your family pictures, and Island pictures, and delighted for you & Joe & Jack, that you had family fun!! XO THX XO
Isn’t life just a grand place! Time with people we love and sharing food prepped with joy. The change of seasons always feels like a new show in town. Congrats Kerrie. There’s nothing like Vanna picking your name…….except when the package arrives!
Thanks for all the summer memories! AND your previous post about wonderful books related to Beatrix Potter. On that note, I just stumbled across a fascinating article about the young Beatrix’s secret-code-writing and a book written by a devoted fan who laboriously (in a labor-of-love way) translated them. I’d never heard of this, and thought you and your Girlfriends might enjoy!
atlasobscura.com/articles/beatrix-potter-secret-journal-code-leslie-linder
So that’s the link … have fun discovering something (maybe) new!
Congratulations to Kerrie! You make me miss the sea, the Cape & the Vineyard every Summer, Susan lol 😉 I can smell the sea air…oooh & ahhh over your seaglass treasures….and man, the lobster & oysters! Thanks for sharing all the love & joys of family & fun of Summer with a capital S ♥ I must say we do have wonderful oysters & blue crabs here in Virginia, but my memories of my time in New England far surpass them 🙂 ♪♫♪ “If you’re fond of sand dunes & salty air…” ♫♪♪♫ ♥♥♥ Enjoy the glory of late Summer! Loving my new mugs!!!! Isn’t it exciting to see that package arrive at your door??? ♥
What perfect musica for this! We do love you just the way you look tonight & all day! I’m sitting here looking out the window at the soft Summer rain falling in the meadow. Wearing my soft as peach fuzz overall jumper that has a vintage tablecloth for a skirt & a pink dotted cami underneath. Sassiness & Joy!underneath. What Memories y’all made! Loved seeing everything. Those faces! And that familiar van! And then how happy & relaxed you n Joe looked under the twinkly lights. Sweetness & Contentment. Having just spent a week with our Grandaughter, her husband & that darling Great Gran daughter River Dior Dominique Blay. 20 months old & a bundle of Energy, Sassiness & Joy! It is truly great to spend Time together.
Pip Pip Poohray! You got your mugs! And Jack was so cute being right there to see what all the hubbub was about! He is truly the Poster Kitty for International Cat Day which so happens to be Today! Hats off to Jack!
And a Special Congratz for Kerrie. Sounds like a perfectly enchanting home for this ever so special treasure to go to.
I must away now, slowly getting the house back to itself. Then going to curl up under a quilt with a good book & doze. Speaking of…I was wondering what book your Great niece was reading as she leaned against the washer. Sounds adventuresome! And I look forward to one day reading her works! As Deb (& Tigger) says TTFN
Such a beautiful post about family. It reminds me of family picnics at my grandparents’ house when I was just a little kid. Such happy times. Sadly, family is so scattered now and there are terrible fractures in the relationships between my siblings. But you post brought back memories of such happy times and I am so grateful for that. Love to you, Joe, and of course, Jack.
Hi Susan, We just returned from my husband’s first ever, quite wonderful, family reunion. I know what you mean about family getting together! Enjoyed this blog so much!
Best wishes. Enjoy August…last days of summer with so much just being here to do!
I love this latest entry. I can almost smell the salty air and feel the humidity and taste the oysters. Your description makes it very real. My favorite part…the tomato sandwich! Thank-you so much!!!
Ahhh, feeling relaxed after reading your summer-y post; Martha’s Vineyard looks (through your eye) exactly how I’ve always pictured Cape Cod. Counting the days til I can see it for myself. It must be such a different world there, when the shingled (delightfully weather-worn) cottages are boarded up for winter and the island shuts down for a white blanket of snow.
Thank you for sharing the photos of your beautiful, extended family. (I got such a grin from those fearless divers; I love seeing kids who can swim like a fish and enjoy the water like that!) You were invaded with precious aliens for a little while there (wonderful!), and I do SO enjoy the photo of two kids finding a getaway spot (their own reading nook) at the washer/dryer… particularly noticing that one little angel is reading a hardcover book (let’s hear it for REAL books!).
There was a time in my life when I couldn’t look at photos like yours because it would make me feel too bad that I come from such a small family where we’ve almost vanished…and it’s too quiet, with no kids who can keep you young and surprise you and make you think (so that you answer them with all the right wisdom). But your photos are a joy, pure joy, and I’m glad it makes me feel so happy…not just for you, but for me, too, to be allowed a peek in (it’s very life-affirming, isn’t it; observing the new little ones who’ll shape our world). When I see all those darling faces, it renews my faith; just feels so very positive; good for the heart!
Wow, you’re the people, you and Joe, to come visit! What a place and what terrific people to go see (you were marvelous hosts!); talk about a fun vacation; they’ll return to their lives and school feeling so refreshed with forever memories of a great time. Wrap yourself cozy in the warmth of all that family love, Susan; it fills the soul, doesn’t it!
On the way to buy my neighbor the “Autumn” cup and came upon this new post. I love the winding down of summer. In southwest Washington PNW and the weather has been in the 90s and above for many days, also getting lots of smoke from fires in Canada and Oregon. Can’t wait for a cool clear breeze. Have you found out who won you in the auction? And wanted to know who your favorite Potter character is. Happy to read you today. Your friend in arf, Debby
Wanted to send love and gratitude to all Sue’s Girlfriend Tribe too – with thanks to Sue for being such a magical magnet, creating so much joy in the world, and attracting as a result, such a wondrous tribe of wonderful people from far and wide! [and the men as well] It is ever a comfort and a true delight, to see all the swells of camaraderie and comments from so many people, from so many places. Thanks to Sue, and to Each, and All !
Oh Susan- read the Warrior stories. I read them out loud to both of my children and adored them. Most books are better when read aloud- take them to the porch and read them to Jo- or give Jack a one-woman show.
Adorable stories and wonderful fantasyland to visit.
Jena
Fun! Maggie was WILD about them!
Aaaaahhhhhh! All of my 4 cups arrived. They are just exquisite! My bestest girlfriends are in for a squeel- fest. What’s that? I heard a major squeel. Could it be from Kerrie? I’ll bet your heart hasn’t settled down yet.
Sue, your family is simply perfect. Adorable little boys (I had a much loved uncle named Wyler) and long, lanky girls. Just beautiful! My favorite picture is the one of you and Joe in the fairy picnic place. You two are simply gorgeous….inside and out.
I truly needed all this beauty, as I am looking at some serious surgery, total fusion of vetebrae of my neck. Have any of you Girlfriends had that done? Scary, but, I’m pretty much not functioning as I am now. Lots of life left for this old broad, so I’m ready for just about any solution. Gotta be better for our May trip to Beloved England.
Thank you for all you give us, Sue.
Love, love, love,
Debbie in Maine
I had a friend who did this recently, it’s amazing surgery that seems to have a very good success rate! Imagine being back to your old self. It will be so worth it, Debbie! But scary, I know. Let us know!
Be Still My Heart! I had hope all the way til the end when Vanna held up the winning name! Congratulations to the winner! I know she will cherish the books, and just the thought that she WON!
Susan! What FUN to have summer company… all ages!
XOXO to you and Joe. Soon all the end of summer festivities will begin on MV… the lanterns, the community sing along, the fireworks on the beach. Oh How Joe and I LOVED our time on the island!!! Someday we will be back…
Happy Sweet Summer’s end to you. I can see you both walking out to the sea. Find some sea glass for me.
Love,
Georgie from NJ
I do it all the time Georgie! 💖
I just love seeing the island through your eyes and words!! All of your family adventures look like fun memories in the making….enjoy the rest of summer!
hi Susan !!! What wonderful family visits… really… there’s not much better 😍 And MV is a perfecto location…just made me smile reading all about it! I recognized many of the areas you posted as those were the same places we visited when we vacationed there…. I even jumped off that bridge without breaking anything!!! We are at the end of our epic road trip to the west and in St. Louis with kids and grandkids. We traveled over 6000 miles through 13 states and Canada…. and mentioned you and Joe and your travels during your book tour last year. We took a lot of back roads and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful countryside and its’ people. Glacier and Banff were especially grand! Beautiful old barns and huge fields of blooming sunflowers in South Dakota were spectacular! My neighbor in Florida has informed me that a fairly large package from Susan Branch has arrived at our house and she has collected it for me….. THE CUPS!!!! … waiting for my arrival …. a sweet homecoming gift for sure! Am soooo excited!!! Thanks for a great happy fun family post…. love it!!! I am off to the kitchen with my two granddaughters ( 8 and 6 years old)…to bake chocolate cookies… Take care and enjoy the moments as we edge into autumn…hi to Map Man! love, cindy XOXOXO
Welcome Home Cindy … what a wonderful trip!
What a smile filled post. Thanks for sharing. I hope to make the trip someday but until then I can tour from my table with iced tea in hand!
Congrats Kerrie! How exciting!!
Our daughter is off to college soon, so no more backyards with games and rocket ships….how I miss those days when imaginations soared. We sure miss New England; time to plan a trip back. I love the Cape and the Islands in fall. Hope to catch a book reading by you next year in New England. It would be a highlight for me. And love my mugs. They are a treasure.
Hi Sue!
Another lovely post! I am SO enjoying following you on Twitter…between that and your blog, I am happy! Can’t wait to reorganize by glass wooden cupboards in my kitchen so I can SEE the cups all the time! My EB cups will go there too! I will post the picture on Twitter.
Enjoy these last few weeks in August. I have to go back to my new second graders at the end of this month and there’s so much to do beforehand!
xoxoxo Tracy Ann
Oh, I forgot to ask you…do you buy/collect handmade fruit jams in the summer (or any time)? I started doing it a few summers ago…no preservatives and some are organic. Just love them on toast with tea! 🙂
I don’t think we do it “on purpose” but by the looks of my pantry, we definitely DO do it! Possibly subconsciously! We are jam central around here, could open a breakfast counter!
I’m drooling…There is nothing better than tomatoes picked right off the vine from the garden. I think BLT too…sooo good. Also LOVE sun tea…make a jar almost every day. Something my mom taught me and I have done my whole life…at least most of my 74 years! Can I say “drool” again? That beach house is to die for…sooo perfect. Just a place on the sand, near the water…one that you don’t have to worry about with people in and out with the sand/water combo. That makes me drool…almost, but not quite as much as the tomatoes. AND just kids and family having fun. Such a great life!
Precious post !!!! Kids are soo fun!!!
Congratulations Kerrie! Enjoy!!!
Loved your photos of your incredibly photogenic family. It looks like a good time was had by all.
Glad you received your mugs. I am thoroughly enjoying mine. I have Little Things, Bluebird, and Autumn. I like them all but I think Autumn might be my favorite. However, it seems to change with my mood. We’ve had some cooler days, so it was fun to drink from Autumn. But when it’s hotter, I usually use the others. Anyway, they’re all keepers and make me smile.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. Hopefully, you won’t have too many more humid days. Fingers crossed…
The house comes alive when family and friends visit…
Summer is the best time of year!!
I have to laugh about the comment regarding your yard. I have three young granddaughters and when they come to visit, out comes the scooter, balls, bubbles, hula hoops, bikes, etc. to join the sliding board, swing, sandbox and playhouse that are permanently there. Of course in the summer, I drag out the pool and sprinkler too. After their last visit, I was cleaning up the yard and under one of the trees by the tree trunk, one of them had made a little display that was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. Such imaginations children have!
Well I truly enjoyed this post in particular – as this summer we are not going to visit the Vineyard and I miss it dearly. We will be back next year for sure – usually rent a house for a week in Edgartown.
I did my first “Jaws Bridge” Jump two years ago at the age of 50. I said.. if not now, when??… It was rejuvenating! The waters around the island (and under that bridge) are SO refreshing, navy-blue-green bubbly salty and cool but not frigid. I might do it again at 53, will let you know, perhaps you can join me.
Love the Vineyard cup! It’s on my Christmas list 🙂
You go girl! 😘
Congratulations Kerry! and happy me…..I received my mugs yesterday and my husband had coffee in his, and I had tea in mine this morning. Love them
perfection! Thanks Susan XXOO
Dear Susan,
I’ve been watching a wonderful series on Acorn TV called “Penelope Keith’s
Hidden Villages”. It’s about small villages all over Great Britain. I’m sure it’s
just the kind of program you would love. Beatrix Potter and her sheep figure in
one of the episodes. So if you can find it, take a look.
Paula
We watched the last episode last night, we want MORE!
HI Susan…..what a great summertime story!! With all the family….OMG…how fun it looked. Reminds me of when our family used to get together for a day in Half Moon Bay, Ca. on the beach….the men out getting smelt fish and abalone…and the women in “camp”…warming up the beans and getting out the potato salads….it was so much fun! Well, those days are over….but what wonderful memories. Just like yours!!! Take care….can’t wait to purchase one of the mugs….or more!!! Until later… Loretta-Santa Nella, Ca.
Perfect reading for a summer day! Thanks for sharing your family photos and your fun times with them. I just had a wonderful Saturday at my beautiful niece’s wedding, outdoors with peachy-blush bridesmaid’s dresses (10 bridesmaids!), and beautiful blush and white flower bouquets with glossy green leaves around. Lots of family around and happiness abounding! Then yesterday my hubby and I met my cyber friend and her hubby face-to-face and had a lovely day with them – lunch then over to our place on the lake. Ahhhhh, summer! Congrats, Kerrie!
Oh, the autumn cup is smaller? How cute! It looks like you had lots of fun in the sun and sand. I had just better have a little sit with My Own Cape Cod now. I love to read Gladys’s musings and doings, too!
The lobster looks delish and now I’m craving garlic bread.
I’m having myself a little Jane Austen festival starting Friday. I’m going to knit a little JA inspired project, watch my fav Jane Austen movies, read the annotated Emma. Draw and paint Jane Austen dresses . . . and drink lots of tea.
I could do the same with all my Beatrix stuff. Maybe next year.
I LOVE the Santa cup.
Isn’t Joe’s birthday coming up? Maybe you guys could take a dinner cruise or host a croquet tournament.
God bless you, Susan. Thanks for sharing, good girl.
Thank you PomPom! Love your Jane Austen festival. Yes, Joe’s birthday is on Monday! Good memory! We’ve been plotting!
Hello Dearest Susan!
What a wonderful Summer Filled Fabulous Post!!! How fun to see all of your beautiful family and all of the fun they were having too! I felt as though I was a part of it all!! Your yard full of imagination was my favorite. I want to be that space traveler! I miss playing make believe…hmmmm? Maybe I should take up that wonderful play time again? We are never too old, right? Thank you for sharing!! Lovelee mugs, Lovelee mugs…my o’ my!! Gorgeous…simply gorgeous! I could fill my cupboards with your mugs…but just think of how colorful my cupboards would be?? Ha! Love to you and Joe and Sweet Jack!
Love, Hugs and Prayers! Tricia B. XOXOXO
Hello Susan, As always delightful to read your blog. Being home sick for the island…your stories always brings me a little closer. Your new tea mugs are beautiful, must admit my favorite is the “Blue Bird”. I do hope I’ll be able in the future to buy them all. You and Joe continue to have a wonderful summer.
Such a wondrous time filled with family, one can just feel the love. ;0)
I preordered June 13th and haven’t received my 6 yet? 😐
Don’t worry, I spoke with Sheri this morning, they are only halfway through the orders! But if you DO start to worry, contact [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ … she’ll help.
What a lovely post! Aren’t they all? YES! So happy for Kerry, too.
Like Vanna, (without the gold toes), I am perched on the edge. Preparing to dive into lots of big changes in my life. So many exciting things are possibly around the bend. I will know within weeks! And as we look toward my favorite month (after all, I was born in September, so it’s always been MY month), I am hopeful and so excited! Your blog always inspires those emotions in me, anyway, and today it really made me believe it will happen! Fingers and toes are all crossed!
Beautiful post, Susan. So happy for you and Joe to have special time with family this-summer. What it’s all about. I ordered Santa mug for an early Christmas present to my mom and grabbed Autumn for myself (cause I love treats too!). Going to follow up with each season as they come and love the anticipation! Blessings!😇💛
What a wonderful family summer you have been having – and they all look so happy – I’m sure it rubs off on them from you!!!
Cousins – aren’t they the BEST!!!
Thank you again for such beautiful pictures – especially of the rocket ship on the launch pad and mission control!
Hi Susan! Oh, those mugs are gorgeous! Congratulations to Kerrie on winning!
The Summer is just flying by, isn’t it? We’ve been busy, busy, busy on the North Fork of Long Island. We just got back from a lovely trip to Maine – lobsters, salt air, evergreens, beautiful views everywhere we turned, Acadia National Park, blueberries – we are addicted! We’ve visited Maine so many times and never tire of her vast, endless beauty. Last Friday was dinner and catching up with some family members and this Saturday is a visit from some very special friends. And just a teensy, weensy little bit – I’m getting that looking forward to Fall feeling. 🙂 Love to Joe and be well and be happy! Love, Karen 🙂 P.S. We are picking the first of our heirloom tomatoes-so yummy!
Ditto to everything Paige said above…and most of all I LOVE HOW YOU PAINTED THE WAVES!
Thank you! That was fun to do!
Susan, thank you for sharing your family with all of us. Looks like it was a fun-filled time and I imagine your home felt somewhat empty after everyone left. That’s what happens to me when my daughter heads back out after a visit… I love my Autumn mug. Cannot wait to purchase the remaining seasons once they are offered. Thanks again for being you and keeping all of us uplifted with your wonderful creativity.
It was empty, but so much else to partake of . . . it was okay after a day or so!
Susan,
I have to stay home for 6 weeks after hip surgery, doctor’s orders. My good friend gave me your Martha Vineyard, Isle of Dreams and I have been with you on MV now for about 10 days. I savor reading your story and wait till bedtime to read till my eyes won’t stay open any longer. I am an East Coast girl who has been in CA for over 40 years, but I still yearn for the beaches, smells, seasons and people back there.
Thank you for filling my head with dreams and inspiration.
Carin
Get well soon Carin! And thank you!
Thank you!🎨
This looks like the quintessential summer at the seashore. And how lovely to have children around. I have to ask though, is the water warm enough for swimming? It seems a bit North Atlantic-ish.
The mugs are lovely. Congratulations!
We have the Gulf Stream surrounding the Island, it’s warmer than California (which really isn’t saying much!) but it’s good!
I live on the Canadian west coast. The Pacific is bone-chilling until you get down into Mexico, and the currents are fierce. However, the beach is the beach, no matter what the water is like. Have a happy summer.
How fun to meet some of your family! Congrats to Kerrie’s win! Glad your cups have arrived! Enjoy the remaining summer days of 2017.
Hugs to you both! Enjoy your blog so much.
I can smell the salt air from your post. Everyone’s smiley faces and sheer exhausted bodies from having all that summer fun is so much fun to see. Memory making at its finest. Congrats to Kerry on her wonderful win. You really know how to make life fun, Susan. Loved seeing Jack near the packages of cups. His anticipation was over the top only to find out it was just a cup. Gee… Enjoy the rest of August. I start really hanging on to each day when August comes around. I try to squeeze 48 hours out of the 24 hours each day we are given. Ahh Summer, I love thee so.
I was so excited when my mugs came this week. Having to redo the two little display shelves in my kitchen just so I can display them all together. They are so lovely.
Did you notice in the picture you took of the chair in the sunlight, if you look closely behind the chair, the design pattern in the wood almost looks like a couple of kitty eyes and the faint outline of ears/face. Maybe I had too much tea today, but that was what I saw!
Your family reminded me of growing up by the ocean in CT. So comforting and lovely. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. What I would do for a lobster!❤️❤️❤️
I have felt like that at times!
Thank you sooo much for sharing your families’ visit, Susan! It looks as if you all had a grand time together~what lovely, fun-loving families. I love the picture of you and Joe sitting by the now empty, previously brimming-with-food-and-family, table. I was reminded of the times you had visitors during your first months/years on the Island. I am thankful you now have Joe with you after the visitors leave.
Congratulations, Kerrie! I know you will not die, but will be so happy that you have those two book-treasures in your life!
I am still awaiting my Susan Branch cups’ arrival, but I have great hope since others are receiving theirs.
Hugs, Paula
Dear Susan,
This post is just so full of family love that it makes me tingle all over! I hope someday we will be reading Maggie’s stories. I’m still waiting for my Autumn cups but as I’m reluctant to rush the season here in New England I’ll happily be patient for a bit more. Please be sure to tell Petey that I just saw his twin in an antiques store on the Cape. I gave the twin a little hug and wished him a new loving home and exciting travels like Petey. Happy August!
Linda
I’ll tell him! 😊
Congrats to Kerrie…..I’m not jealous, my skin is always this green colour!!!
Another lovely post…. thank you.
Xxx
Summer is the season for company and vacations. We’ve had a lot of company and while it has been fun, I’m ready for Fall and telling this. Hot humid weather Goodbye!!!
Congratulations Kelly!
Loved seeing all of the pictures! What a joy!
Lovely post Susan, so fun to see some of the sights and activities that your area has to offer. Gave me the feeling of being there with you all. I received my bluebird mug a few days ago, it is huge! I don’t know why I was thinking it would be small. I have it sitting out in my bay window in the kitchen, right in front of the bird feeder.
I have been in my classroom starting to set things to right for the new school year, so your Willard will be a welcome respite when it comes out. I am still enjoying these last days of summer, especially the cool evenings.
Happy days to you and Joe,
SueG
What a lovely family you’ve been blessed with! Love the pic of brave young Beckett and his lobster..what a cutie pie! My mugs came yesterday❤️They are gorgeous, but my very favorite is the Autumn one. I like that it’s just a bit smaller than the others, too. Don’t want to rush things, but I’m looking forward to the Winter, Spring, and Summer mugs as well! Hugs!!
Very lovely post….great kid energy and creativity! Fun to know about the “warrior cats” series. As a mom of sons who grew up reading the Redwall and Harry Potter series, and a cat lover, I look forward to finding out more about this series! As ever, very grateful for your inspiring blog! =^..^=
What a blessing to share your wonderful creative giving life. And then to read the comments of others who are also grateful receivers! It is is so encouraging to know that you and your
Readers are in this world that can sometimes be so frightful.. Thank you for making life
better just knowing you are there. June Emmert
Congratulations Kerrie:)
What fun Susan and Joe..how hospitable and welcoming you are..
I agree..children are wonderful to be around.
Magic..and my backyard can look like that too when we are all her..
Happy Summer to you..happy end of summer..not our prettiest for certain.
Loved all the pics..people..vistas..food..cups:)
My wonderful Susan. Oh how those children will cherish the memories of the times they were fortunate to spend with you. Wish it could be me. And yes we would both jump off the bridge together hand in hand with our childlike hearts. And Joe could take our picture so I could frame it to put on my desk and Smile with Joy for the rest of my days. What is it we say! DREAMS DO COME TRUE. I tell everyone that. Well I did not get to be the lucky one to win the books, but I will now be on the hunt for the Beatrix one. Just have to find one for my collection too. Maybe by now you have received the mail I sent you with the information about the book and magazine? It is truly a great magazine this month. If you do not subscribe to it you DO need to find a copy. Truly! And how cute our love of the tomato. Planted cute little PEAR tomatoes this year for the first time as well as others. My first one was so cute I painted it on the corner of a friends letter. I thought maybe it was so adorable she might be able to taste it. 🤔😊. Like you I will absorb every minute of the summer we have left. With loads of love and appreciation for the moments you share with all of us. Gayle Hall
I don’t think I’ve seen what you’re speaking of, a magazine? What is the name Gayle?
By now Susan you should have received the envelope with the articles I sent you. So you now know the Magazine. Hope you have one by now and are as thrilled with all it holds as was I. I am still on the hunt for the Beatrix book. Have a wonderful day, ours is Rainy and cool here in the NORTHWOODS. I finally made it back to my home up here and am deep into cleaning and repairs from me being gone soooo long. Love Gayle
Victoria! ✅ Thank you Gayle! I know how you feel about being gone, seems everything falls apart when we go!
Congratulations, Kerrie! You are one lucky girl!!
Haha! I love the photos of your luvlee family! They made me smile 🙂 Such a beautiful family they are! And kids – don’t you just love the wonderful messy love they spread? Memories in action is what they are as they spread their joy! ♥
And, you got your cups!! I can hardly sit still because I just got notification that mine have shipped! I can’t decide whether to keep them or give a gift or 2. Hmmm…
Love and joy to you, Joe, & Jack!
♥Deb♥
We just made our way home from so much fun family summer down time in York Harbor Maine. It’s funny how much there is to write about when one does nothing:) I thought of you when we went to a magical open garden at the very end of my in laws dirt road, called Raynes Neck Rd! Mrs Hosmer opens her garden 2 days Spring and Summer. Bless her for it is beyond beautiful … vast acres of grass and wild flowers blowing in the breeze with paths mowed in just like I ‘ve seen in your posts about England. Each path ends at the sparkling sea or some other charming vista. An absolute gem:)
Our little black lab Mabel always seems a bit blue when we come home from Maine:) or maybe she is just exhausted from all the swimming, chasing sticks into the waves, and being the look out on the kayak. My transition home was made easier by the JOY of opening my very own blue bird mug! How beautiful! I had my tea in it this morning and sat outside with the birds. I think I’ll order one for my sweet mother in law right now for Christmas…also I’m going to sign her up for the Gladys Taber fan club:) and stick it in a Gladys Taber book. We are quite kindred spirits:)
So happy for Kerrie!! Who won the DINNER with you that was auctioned off?!!! I told my people that would be the BEST CHRISTMAS present I could EVER get!!! Are they surprising me?!!! Bless you for all you do and all you are!
I don’t know about the dinner yet ~ I’ve been so busy doing nothing, I haven’t checked into it yet!
Your blue bird mug is so beautiful and cheering that for the first time in my Life, I wash the cup by hand after drinking my morning tea, so it can sit on the shelf and be pretty all day. It is just too wonderful to sit unseen in the dishwasher all day!
Also! My daughter Anna (aka snow flake girl) just told me that MV called our house about the bidding ( I had called over there to put on a initial bid:) … the bidding STARTED at 4300.00$ You are a BIG DREAM for a lot of
kindred spirits:)
So far I’m doing the same thing, they can’t sit hidden in the dishwasher! The winner of the auction is coming for lunch on the 25th! I’m already thinking about the menu and where we’ll eat … all depends on the weather! I still don’t know what she bid for it, but that $4,300 sounds like too much, except that the money is all a donation for our local Community Services, and I couldn’t love that more if I tried!
Oh yes, a cup of tea! My new bluebird mug is PRFECT for my tea. Thank you for making lovely useful beautiful perfect mugs.
Useful, my favorite kind of things to make. Decorative goes into yard sales, useful sticks around!
Such darling pictures of your grand- nieces and nephews. I loved the “rocket ship to the moon” and Mission Control. You and Joe are a wonderful Auntie and Uncle! I really enjoy your nature photographs. The one of the “French fry thief”, all of your beach photos and your science walk photos – I think they would make a very nice book and I would love to see you publish one. Photography is art too!
It is, an art I adore! Worth thousands of words!
All of your family pics remind me of the summer vacations we had on the nearby island of Chappaquidick. We were invited by one of my favorite aunts too. (My Aunt Dusty) My Aunt was amazing woman. She had polio when she was a child but my YiaYia (grandmother) refused to believe that she wouldn’t walk for the rest of her life. Every day my Yia Yia massaged her legs over and over. My Aunt grew up with a stilt in her walk but she walked. I’m slightly prejudiced, but My Aunt was also a beautiful woman and had a wit that could cut glass. She became the first women Vice president of Milton Bradley and we were often asked to test new toys. We got to play with the very first video games that were created. I say all of this not to brag but to give you a glimpse into the pride and joy that your nieces and nephews probably feel towards you, Susan.
Those people in our lives that reach great success and that live to share it become so precious to us, to me anyway. They make the rest of us feel special just for having known them. When I see my aunt in my minds eye, I always picture her with a deep tan, smiling, with her hair blowing in the breeze. She is the picture of contentment as she watches us swim in the water or play with her beautiful white persian cats. I’m so grateful for the memories that she gave me. I just know your family feels the same way:)
I’m proud of your aunt too Nina! 😃 She sounds wonderful, your grandmother too! Lovely story Nina. xoxo
My goodness, what a wondrous reader response. I enjoyed hearing your memories, Nina!
Beautiful story, Nina. Many of us had those wonderful Aunts. I did, and I still tell the stories.
Debbie in Maine
It looks like it’s been a fun-filled summer for you so far, long may it continue 😊. I was sure the middle jar in your photo of sun tea contained a fierce looking fish, but on closer inspection I can see it’s just a harmless teabag! That the trouble with small iPhone screens!
Congratulations to Kerrie, I’m lucky enough to have both lovely books and I’m sure she’ll adore and treasure them both. So glad the mugs have arrived, being in the U.K. I’ve been lucky enough to have my Autumn mug for a few weeks now and I love it – despite thinking that I’d actually save it until the autumn it has fast become my favourite, go-to mug (which considering the unnecessarily large collection of mugs in this house is one heck of an achievement! (But then, we also consume an unnecessarily large amount of tea, so one can never really have too many mugs ☕️ .)
Enjoy the rest of your week, Seona x (aka Baby Beatrix)
I have the same mug problem here, Seona, but now I’m kind of hooked on these little thin-lipped pretties!
Hi Susan,
What a wonderful way to celebrate FAMILY in the summertime!! You guys look like you’re having a blast……So lucky. The mugs look beautiful. Cant wait to get mine and congrats to Kerrie! YAY.
Have a luvlee day and give Jack a little pet for me!
Good day!
Loved the post and its sunshine and shining faces. When our family visits there is a day of picking up when they go home. We feel sad that they have gone, but energized by their visit. Young people do that –wear ‘ya out while filling ‘ya up with love.
My Bluebird cup came while my family was here and they all loved it. You are a hit with my generation and the younger ones, too.
Congrats to the winner, (so glad I ordered my copy from Amazon about 10 minutes after I read that post, the price skyrocketed for it within an hour) the book is delightful and inspires me to do something similar, without the paintings though, as that would not be something to pass on to posterity in my case. Photos and words will have to suffice.
Thanks for all the inspiration you give us, your Girlfriends.
So glad you got one! Everyone else should just wait till the price goes back down! Thank you Jeanne!
Oh, I so wished for the Beatrix Potter journal…perhaps as a consolation prize you could adopt me as a niece? What a beautiful and blessed summer you have had with family and friends! Your posts are a bright release from the humidity and rain today. Thank you~
That’s my only problem with my give-aways, only one!!! Loaves and fishes, I keep wishing!
How lovely are your gardens! They give such warmth and beauty!
There is nothing like the craziest family visits…building such memories for the children💗 Precious time that can not be replaced for anything in this world!
Thank you Susan, for your goodness!!
Hi Susan! Your family photos are wonderful! Treasures for all😀 I received my new mugs and they are fabulous! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next. Happy rest of summer to you and Joe!
Oh, the sweltering heat! We’ve had so much smoke from fires in Canada and are planted in the middle of many farms with irrigation, it nearly feels like the east coast summer! Nearly…but not quite that muggy. Whew! We live in Washington state. The desert side. Lovely news and edition. I can almost taste the garlic bread and tomato sandwich! Happy summer!
What a wonderful visit with family in such a magical place!
AND so excited to see you received your cups, I had just checked yesterday to see if mine had been shipped yet, still in line, can’t wait! Our garden is yielding squash and green beans and purple beans, lots of herbs, but still waiting on tomatoes! My favorite! There’s nothing better than garden tomatoes, ANTICIPATION! And the glimpses of all the wonderful seafood!
Thank you for this beautiful blog! I am definitely hungry!
I love the photo of the beach glass and souvenirs. I still pick up tiny shells on our annual camping trip to the beach in Mexico. Then, I keep them near my tent, and take photos of them! When it is time to go, I toss them back into the waves! (If there are one or two REALLY good ones, I take them home…)
Of course! 😃
I love your summertime BLISS!!!!!
Hi Susan! That was great! Ain’t life grand when the family gets together?? Reminds me of my sister’s kids and grandkids! So much fun!! Lovely to see so much of Martha’s Vineyard through your and their eyes! Thank you for that! Loved all the seafood, too! I agree the oysters are much better than they look, but boy, once hooked, you forget all about looks!! We are enjoying just the loveliest summer ever. It has hardly gotten over 75. Can’t believe it! We wonder when the other shoe is going to drop! But we aren’t waiting and aren’t complaining! Just enjoying every minute!! Morning walks by the lakes are sublime! Now as soon as I say this, all the hot stuff from the Gulf will be coming up and I’ll be eating my words! But right now we are feeling great and motivated and working on our book!! Thank you so much for continuing to lift our spirits and I liked what you said about all of us being “beige” and not seeing each other on the blog! Isn’t that the truth! We just enjoy sharing our thoughts and ideas, our dreams and our hearts! Blessings to you and Joe xoxo
Yes, I’ve noticed how great that part of all of this is. I look like something the cat dragged in right now, and no one knows it and it doesn’t matter! We have some really young readers here, but we never know that either, because looks, and age, and all those qualifiers don’t get in the way of us perennials. 💞 Kindred spirits are ageless. xoxo
Okay, I’m writing that down in my journal. “Kindred spirits are ageless.” That’s a keeper, Susan.
😘
LOL. I look like something the cat dragged in most days when I’m home! Creative writing and art work can do that to you, can’t it!! Thank goodness Gene is blind to it all. He’s forever telling me I look fabulous when I know I don’t! Yes, I’ve notice a lot of young ones following and isn’t that great! You are inspiring a new generation. And it holds out hope for our books and the world in general. There really are a whole lot of sane people out there. You just never hear about them!! Take care. Good to hear from you!! xoxo
I know, I guess sanity is boring! Oh well! We like us!
This made me laugh: “it’s so heavy and thick, you actually have to chew it before you can breathe it”. When we lived in Missouri, I’d tell people it was liking walking in warm jello when you went outside. Ugh. (That’s one of the reasons we moved to beautiful Colorado a few years ago.)
My Santa Mug arrived this week and I love it. Such a happy, old-fashioned, full of joy Santa. 🙂
Warm Jello. Ick! Terrible. Perfect analogy. Glad you like Santa ’cause Joe was my model. xoxo
Lifer here in Mo., and I can relate! Luckily, our daughter owns a house in Colo., although they are now in hotter San Antonio. Hoping when their service is completed they will go back there, or come here to live. Love Colo!
I had to laugh when reading these comments. Here in SoCalif, we’ve been experiencing a too-long period of heat/humidity; it’s all anybody can talk about because we’re not as accustomed to it. My neighbor moved from St. Louis about 17 years ago and was working hard on re-doing his backyard after it’s been tromped on with a lot of kids who are now mostly in college (so he and his wife are making it into their own special oasis now, just for themselves). As we both stood there (dripping), looking over his progress, I said, “I guess this weather we’re having reminds you of Missouri.” Instant reaction from him: “Oh, no, no, no; this is NOTHING like Missouri in summer, not even close!!”
My grandma was born in Missouri near Springfield and I thought it was pretty nice in early June of the year I visited there, although quite stormy; guess I went at the ‘right’ time. We once visited someone in Kansas City (MO) in late August and I remember it being a wet furnace outside!
Thank you for bringing Vineyard magic to me through your beautiful blog. I am headed there Sunday, this being the 30th summer that I will stay in the same house (that was built way over 100 years ago). We are now 4 generations that will be together the first week out of my two weeks on the island. My 92 year old dad, my brother, sis-in-law, niece, my daughter, son-in- law, and my 2 grandchildren will enjoy Island Time. (Niko, the baby, being a Vineyard virgin, will make his debut at 4 1/2 mos.). I also have friends that I will spend time with there. The simple, sweet pleasures and traditions, the memories in the making, are illustrated delightfully in your drawings, prose, and photos. I am so blessed to experience the serenity and enchantment every summer, and share it with the ones I love. You and Joe are welcome to join my bestie and I on my porch for a bite or a meal. We were lucky enough to meet you at Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday in Brewster❤️(We are in the pix that was posted 😊) Also, I was wondering if I can reserve an MV mug to pick up while there. Do I contact Bunch of Grapes about that? Thank you again for a peek at your summer!
Fun for you and your family! And yes, on the mug, call Bunch of Grapes soon, because they only got six!
Love this blog. Family reunions are so much fun. My family had a reunion in July. A good time was had by all.
Here’s to family, here’s to summer.
Summer fun with Susan Branch and her family and Martha’s Vineyard. A perfect read on this August Day in Glen Ellen ,Ca.Thank you Susan for always giving your heart ❤️ to us readers. Joyce
It is returned double, xoxoxo
Loved reading about your family and your summer. Reminds me of summer vacations in the country with our cousins. Thank you
for sharing!
What a lovely post! As usual. May I apply for adoption? You are such a whirlwind of love and joy and sunshine and all things good. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself in so many ways, with so many. I have to ask…I have not heard you mention Girl Kitty in ages and wondered if I had missed a post of her possible demise? I hope not, but I know she is in her dowager years. Sending much love your way from Green Bay, Wisconsin, where 40 miles north trees are beginning to change into their Fall finery! 💕🍁🍃🍂💕
Yes, our Girl Kitty went to heaven just a year ago this month. Poor little girl. We were lucky to have her. Love hearing about your trees!
So sorry to hear that, but I know Jack has done all he can to fill the gap. He certainly is a bundle of energy! Hope you are recovering your energy after entertaining your kith and kin so well. I do hope one of these years we will make it to Martha’s Vineyard, hopefully in the fall. Be well. Shalom. Stacey🍁🍃🍂🌻🍁🐈
Oh yes, thank you Stacey, energy is good, plotting the day: Working on Willard, shoot rubber bands for Jack, then out to the garden to plant a few fall flowers, then to dinner with dear friends.
The best parts of summer,family,sun the sea and of course lobster.Heavenly!!
Received my Martha’s Vineyard mug love,love,love it! I think my coffee tastes better since I got it!
Mine too!