On a day like today, what would be better than a quest for beauty? Let’s leave the heartbreaking 😢 world behind for a little while and go see Maine! It’s October, and we have MUSICA . . .
We planned this trip a few months back . . . to drive north to see our friends Sharon and Jeff who were coming from California to stay in their camp on the rocky coast of Maine . . . so here I am, your own private tour guide, just in cases you’ve ever wanted to see Maine, which I have to say is a destination that could keep a person enthralled for a very long time. 💝
Doesn’t it look fun?
Happy, as always, Joe and I travel better than almost any other thing we do. All our troubles and long work hours stay far behind us, and we are free. We have more stuff than we will ever need, big cups of ice tea with shots of lemonade in them from Micky-Dees, the radio is playing, the trees are beginning to turn colors, we’re on the open road, who could ask for more?
We stopped at the BEST farmstand. Herricks ~ and while we were there, they brought in fresh corn, just picked in the field. Be still my beating heart!
Hill and dale we go, past villages and rivers and church spires, and the only thing breaking the old-fashioned-ness of it, were the myriad of telephone wires, my pet peeve in life. You can’t get away from them these days! If you are a time traveler like I am it’s hard to pretend it’s 1800, even with the luv-lee church spires, when your view is criss-crossed in black wires.
Fields and meadows . . .
We traveled north on Sunday, look at everyone going back home after the weekend ~ which was nice, because the rest of our trip was pretty much traffic free! See the throngs of people on the left of the photo? They are standing in line for lobster rolls at a famous eatery called Red’s Eats in Wiscasset . . . we thought, yes! We will stop there on the way back, we’ll be there in the middle of the week and have it all to ourselves. And across the bridge we went… breezing along with the breeze . . .
Into the small town of Damariscotta . . . very adorable, would look like 1845 except, of course, for the wires. I promise I will never talk about the wires again. You will just have to see them without me pointing them out.
The Damariscotta River runs right through the middle of town and they make the very best of it. Damariscotta is also famous for their yearly PumpkinFest!
Lots of small charming ma-and-pa shops, excellent yarn and quilt stores that people drive from miles around to visit!
Sharon and Jeff invited us to stay in their Air BnB apartment ~ it was a lovely place with a darling kitchen, filled with books and comfy places to read them. This was my view from the sofa on our first morning where I was sitting drinking my tea and writing back to all the lovely comments you left on my last post, thank you so much! 💓
The next days we went over the river to walk through the old neighborhoods to take pictures of houses because we love New England architecture so much . . . walking along, kicking up leaves, listening to the birds and the wind in the trees . . .🍂
This was the street we (too many wires but don’t tell anyone I said that), filled with leafy shadows and the ghosts of days gone by . . . 🍂
Most of the houses were late 18th, early 19th century. I wish when they said 18th century, they meant 1800s, because I am never-endingly confused by hearing 18th century, then immediately having to re-compute weak brain to 1700s. It never seems to get automatic, I have to think. 🤔
Porches and bird feeders . . . and porch ceilings painted traditional blue like the sky . . .
Out of focus, but there is no way I am leaving out this cranberry enchantment.
Picket fences and rock walls, all handmade . . . In a thousand years I will never get tired of this view of a peaceable kingdom, where all is tinged with the sounds moths beating on porch lights, of baseball games on the radio, slamming screen doors, the smell of cookies baking . . .
Very interesting upstairs windows on this one . . . perhaps that’s where they practiced piano . . .
Love the blue door with the little “lights” over the top, the trellis’s on both sides, the criss-cross windows with the reflections in them, the glassed-in porch, the big ole tree . . .
Porches and low branches and pots of chrysanthemums . . .
And wild asters everywhere . . .
Bunches and clumps of them all the way down to the river . . .
A huge harbinger of fall in New England woods and coasts . . . Free, they re-distribute themselves every year, seeds fly through the air, and there they are the next year, for the picking.
And in Maine, as here on the Island, huge hydrangea bushes, turning colors like everything else . . .
And right in the middle of this neighborhood, is a graveyard, from a time when families stayed nearby even in death. (I loved how they painted the telephone pole white to make it “blend” . . .)
See? There are houses on all sides, the barbecue is there too . . . your history was as much a part of you as your now . . .
The tree of the goddess, the magical hawthorn tree’s red berries hanging over the fence, the world decorates itself for fall! MUSICA
Of course, we did lots of this . . .
Another thing Maine is very good at . . . and nice prices I might say!
Baskets full of vintage Christmas linens. . .
And we stopped for lunch, warm goat cheese to go with the lobster salad!
Maine lobsters, Maine oysters, YUM!
Then out for more antiquing . . .
I bought a silver serving spoon and a white cotton lace cloth for my bread basket . . . thinking holiday dinner parties!
Signs like this everywhere . . . farmer’s and fish markets too, fresh local delights.
And they still hand out these flyers from the 1960s.
The recipe for boiled lobsters is just like Joe’s, except he puts cut lemons in the boiling water.
And off we went to Sharon and Jeff’s camp, near this little fishing village called Christmas Cove. Don’t blink or you will miss it, and for sure, you don’t want to miss it.
Out of town and onto a finger of Maine coastline. . . the Maine coast is ALL FINGERS. A travelers delight, so many little crevices to explore. We’re about mid-way up.
See? There’s a finger right now . . . smells of salt and pine. . . and takes us to
. . . a dirt road leading to the cottage, then a path through the woods.
Deep in the woods, voila, we find it!
All kinds of wonderful critters populate this area, fox and moose, chipmunks and red squirrels, too. And although Sharon is a master gardener, not a bit of a garden here, hard to garden on rocks . . . she lets real be real.
And she lets candles be candles. This is the living room, their house has perhaps ten rocking chairs in it, most of them on the porch.
Which you get to by going through this door. Note reflection, because that’s what’s behind me.
Speaking of reflections: I’m outside, on the porch, looking back inside through a large plate-glass window with the reflection of the sea behind me and my own reflection in the window glass . . . on the far wall inside is a mirror made like a window, you can see me in it, and the lamp that’s in the foreground of this photo, AND the view behind me. Plus a cozy chair with quilt . . . and the unlit candles on the coffee table. I love this photo.
And now, I’ve turned around, the window is behind me and view is no longer a reflection. The sound of the waves, the rocking of the chair . . .
Here I am, rocking with Sharon’s husband Jeff . . . Note delicious edibles on table . . . we wanted for nothing . . .
At one end of the porch is this tiny screened in room; no bug dast destroy ambience of deliciousness . . . table is set . . . pears are lined up on the window sill . . .
Into the kitchen we go. I love seeing our cups on other people’s shelves!
Sharon and Jeff, being from California, despite Maine connections, are weenies such as I, and will not cook a lobster. Joe was our only hope, and he came through like the hero that he is. We may not cook it, but we will totally be the hypocrites that EAT it. ☺️
We also had farm-stand corn on the cob, dripping in foreign butter, salt and pepper and this wonderful healthy kale salad from our blog girlfriend Martha . . . here’s the recipe . . .be sure to massage the kale to make it soft.
And took it outside, to eat with the sound of the waves . . .
lots of candles, glasses of pink wine . . . we stayed out there forever because it was a gorgeous evening . . . stars and crickets and the waves . . .
Then we came inside and made a fire with the owls whose eyes light up . . . and basically, to sum up, we did this every night while we were there, as we solved all the world’s problems and rocked the night away . . . We’ve known each other many years, our rocking is different than it used to be!
XOXO
Just your basic evening in heaven . . .
Another dinner . . .
Sometimes we couldn’t see that finger of land north of us because of the fog . . . but there it is!
More candles . . .
And another cozy fire . . . but this one is different . . .
Because it’s our last . . . we go home the next day . . . we are talking about Joe’s legs, because I think they are like the legs of a four-year-old roller skater.
Sharon talks with her hands . . . she’s a communicator! MUSICA
Before we go, we need the love photo . . .
We now pronounced them man and wife, kissed them good bye, said thank you, thank you, see you in California . . . And off we go, down the long dirt road . . .
And the next day, we head straight for the little town of Wiscasset, the one we passed on the way in, where that crowd of people was waiting in line . . .
We are nice and early, they haven’t opened yet . . . not a soul around . . . perfect. We’ll be back.
Such a famous place, they even have paintings of it in the art galleries . . . must be good! We can’t wait to find out why! Off we go to work up an appetite . . .
By shopping this luv-lee little town . . .
Look what’s in the window of the antique store!!! All Petey’s friends! (If you’ve read A Fine Romance, you know who Petey is!)
There was a wonderful women’s clothing store called In the Clover with fabulous sweaters and scarves. . . and across the street, this fantastic shop filled with original and wonderful stationery and gifts, called Rock Paper Scissors … I had a great time visiting with the creative owner and buyer, Erika, and found the perfect handmade diary for our next trip to England. I also did some rather magnificent Christmas shopping, just little things, but really special little things. 😘
She had interesting and creative jewelry too ~ go there if you can, but try to go on week days, when it’s not crowded, because this is a very popular little town. We started back over to Red’s Eats to get our Lobster Rolls, and AGAIN, there was a line around the BLOCK! 😱 But, we had to catch a ferry. No Red’s Eats for us. Must go back another time.👍
Time for one more antique store stop. And in the parking lot, we saw this! Oh, to be famous! Ha ha ha!
And we needed to get our pumpkin allotment . . . The little ones for over the front door, the big ones for the porch and garden . . .
Off we go! Leaves blowing up behind us!
This is the sky out the car window as we’re heading for Woods Hole to catch the boat . . .
And from the bridge that goes over the man-made canal that separates the Cape from the mainland . . .
As the clouds followed the sun into the sea, we followed them to our boat . . .
We were on our walk yesterday and, like we often do, stopped to see our friends Bruce and Gail Kissell. They live in a little camp like Sharon and Jeff’s, right on the water, and asked if we’d seen that gorgeous sunset. I said, “Not from your front row seat!” Gail had taken photos! She sent them to me, and these are them ~ wasn’t it amazing? Love the reflection in the sea and wet sand.
The clouds chasing the sun into the sea . . .
And this wiggling, squiggling, green-eyed fuzz ball was our reward for coming home . . .💕
We unpacked, and put up the pumpkins and hung the wreath . . .
And distributed the pumpkins . . . 🎃🎃🎃
I need to go out and see the world sometimes, to bring home the juicy creativity that lives out there in such abundance, but I’m just a homebody at heart. 🏡
POLDARK started last night!!! Did you see it? We did, and I recorded it so it could play while I was working on this post. So good. Look how long her fingers are. I think my little finger comes up half way to hers.
Odd view, but this was us last night watching Poldark. That’s my shawl on my leg on the left, Jack’s between it and the arm of the chair, but for some reason he liked hanging his head over the edge . . .
I used my camera to look down there and see if he was happy, and he was. The paws are my favorite. My little prince.
Yup, home, and back to work. Today I have to choose the embroidery thread colors to include in the new cross stitch kits we are having made!!!! This is the fun part! More info on that to come!
I designed two little cards and sent them to Kellee this morning. You are going to be able to print them out to include with your cup-gifts for the holidays . . . two kinds, one for a Merry Christmas one for a Happy New Year. Soon I’ll give you a link so you can print them on card stock.💞 And I think Kellee did lots of fall “Free Stuff” for you to print out ~ Enjoy! 😘
I hope you enjoyed our Maine Adventure! I loved reliving it! Best part, the memories! Have a luv-lee rest of the day. The Constant Nymph, with the impossibly young Joan Fontaine, just came on TCM, leaves are falling 🍂, you-know-who is waiting, and my new British Country Living is here! Happiness! Wishing you the same! XOXO
Thank you for taking us along on your trip! I love the fall. It is my favorite season and I dream of visiting the east coast one day, but for now, I will enjoy through your eyes! I didn’t know that they built brick/rock walls here in America. I thought that was only in England! I learn so many things! I can’t believe that shop had so many Petey dolls! Amazing and fun!
Dionne, you should drive through the state of Kentucky. They have beautiful rock walls that go on for miles.
and thank you Susan for the tour of Maine, that is my dream too.
It is amazing how lost I become while reading your blog, it is such a safe, happy place. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Leaves are turning here in Ohio, going to make pumpkin sugar cookies this weekend. YUM!
Tis the season, Joy!
Dionne, here in New England we have zillions of rock walls (or, as a friend of mine called them, “stone fences”). When the farmers cleared the land to plant crops, they had to clear trees and so many rocks left when the glaciers receded. (This is what I was taught in eighth-grade Earth Science.) They used the trees for building and firewood, and stacked the rocks into fences … many marking boundary lines on their property. These days, people pay big $$$ to have rock walls built, but many of the “original” walls still exist.
OH! Susan! Thank you for your wonderful advanture in Maine!! How absolutely beautiful!! I felt like a little bird on your shoulder getting to enjoy all its splender. You take the BEST pictures and I love your eye for details, the white electrical pole to blend into the house, the line of pears, the beautiful red berries of the Hawthorn bush, I could go on and on and on! I can not tell you how happy I am that I found your blog some years ago, it’s the only one I go to religiously, I use it to get to my tweeter feed ofcourse only after I’ve read yours! Your heart touches my heart, love you for that!
Susan, thank you for sharing your trip to Maine. It made me see what I’m missing living in AZ. Seriously thinking of moving back to NE. Going back East for Thanksgiving to visit family and friends that I haven’t seen in ten years. Enjoying the weather (whatever it may be), having good seafood, smell of the ocean air, and going to antique stores. If we could find a place with hugg, we may not return back here. Somewhat tired of living in the desert. Thank you again.
I love this all so much. Thank you for giving us a lovely glimpse into your beautiful life and such a wonderful time spent away by the sea. Made me feel like I was there on a much-needed getaway. ♥
Blessings to you and yours,
Linda
P.S. I had to chuckle about your comment about Joe’s legs because he reminds me so much of my own JIM and it’s funny but my Jim also has legs that are like that. 😉
Me, too. My husband has knobby knees! (Or “KNOBBLY KNEES” as I believe the British call them!)
Like sturdy tree branches!
Susan, I loved your blog, as always. 💕 My husband and I just returned from a wonderful bus trip to New England and Cape Cod. One of our days was spent on Martha’s Vineyard, which was what I was looking forward to the most. I enjoyed it so much! We took the ferry to Oak Bluffs, then we took a tour bus around , getting off for a two – hour stay at Edgartown. Then it was back to Oak Bluffs for more free time. I wanted to take a picture of every single thing I saw there, especially the houses, which put me in mind of your love of houses. I think I could fill a scrapbook just with the
most interesting ones! Those Victorians! The cottages! The colonials! My only regret is that we didn’t tour where you live. I was so hoping for a drive-by. I think you know our tour bus driver, though, Tom Scott. (Beam me up, Scotty was their family’s business logo, he said ) He says he has done work for you. Everyone really enjoyed his tour – he has such a passion for the island. Now I have to watch Jaws, since he appeared in it for a minute or so. And, of course, I am rereading Isle of Dreams. What a special place!
I wondered if you were able to do a drive by and wave to Susan’s house! Sounds absolutely charming and I am so enjoying the pictures of your tour on FB. Face it, Fall is the best time of all!
What a beautiful life indeed!
Anne in Maine – So HAPPY you enjoyed your visit to Maine! Damariscotta is such a quaint little town and one of our favorite places. Have you been to King Eider’s Pub? Delicious seafood pie! There are so many of those little towns in Maine. I feel very blessed to live here. I’m sure one of our little independent bookstores would love to host a Susan Branch book signing. Hint. Hint.
Anne in Maine – again. SO VERY HAPPY to hear about you designing cross stitch patterns! I have done cross stitch since I was little. I was taught by my grandmother. Such a wonderful old hobby. It’s very comforting to sit in front of the fire during our Maine winters and work on a project. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
P.S. Hi Darlene!
Hi Anne! I agree I love the idea of the cross stitch too.
Loved going along on your trip, Susan. I went to Cape Cod years ago but have never had the chance to get back. Originally from the Northeast, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the New England states. Like you said, there is such creativity and reminders of the good old days.
Can’t wait to see your cross-stitch kits as I am a needlepointer and also do cross-stitch. And Jack looks very comfortable and probably glad that you are home.
What a lovely trip to Maine! Love to visit little shops in small towns, Delightful thanks for the visit!
Love, love, loved this! My husband and I are planning a trip out East( our first) to celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary. You have given me some beautiful ideas. If you have any other “must see” suggestions I would welcome them, seeing we are just in the planing stages.
Thank-you once again Susan for making me smile!
Hi Susan,
I thought it was a little strange for you to thank everybody for the nice comments from your last blog because you don’t usually do that, so I looked back and saw that I somehow missed it!!!! I don’t know how and now Im wondering if I’ve missed others!! I read it immediately and was so proud to be one of your girlfriends. Pure perfection. Well done. I couldn’t agree with you more. Best of all is that you clearly wrote it out of love and maybe a little frustration but only because of the goodness in your heart that passes to our hearts. Im a little bit younger than you and like learning from people that are coming from a place of kindness and compassion. I consider that to be one of my most important influences on my children and its working. 24 & 15, girl & boy, both are the most compassionate people you’ve ever met and they don’t even know it 🙂 Your trip looked like you guys had a blast and my husband can now say “told you so”. We’ve recently moved to Vermont and he’s been trying to get us there but I’ve been too busy nesting in our new home to start exploring. Pumpkins are out on the porch, had our first fire last week and as I write this, I can hear Mike blowing leaves…………..I love Fall. Have a luv lee day and pet that kitty for me!
OK, Girlfriends, for reasons too long to explain (in a nutshell – my husband dropped the ball for my upcoming 70th birthday and 50th anniversary gift idea ), I wasn’t able to get “The Little Things” mug. Susan said if there was a popular demand for that one- like hundreds- there might be a possibility to order more. Soooo if you weren’t able to order one and would still like one, let Susan know. Our wished might be granted 🙂
Oh, Susan, this was one of your best blogs – – – ever!!! It’s personal for me, because we took two camping trips to Maine, in 1988 and 1989. My girls were just little toddlers/preschoolers then, but they loved it all the same. We traveled the coast, all the way up to Acadia National Park, and stopped at many of the places you’ve so beautifully described and photographed! And this is my conclusion, and I think you may agree . . . . Maine is HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!!! Oh, that gorgeous water . . . . so blue!!!! And the pine trees, the old homes, the stone walls, the antiques, the quaintness, the charm and character, the fresh air, the clear sky . . . . . thank you, thank you, thank you for helping to stir up old and treasured memories tucked away in my heart!
And yes, now we have Poldark and crimson & gold leaves and sunny, clear blue skies and fat pumpkins and cinnamon candles and kitties . . . . As always, Susan, you brighten my day! Thank you for being you!! xoxoxoxoxo
good morning Susan, Girlfriends. how are you all on this gorgeous Fall morning?? it is very chilly here this morning, but warming up later on. good news, the chickens are doing much better now, they are getting braver and a bit more secure in their yard and venturing out to all corners. they are still a bit shook up, but doing better and getting over it. hopefully the egg laying will get back on track soon. the past few mornings they have had snacks placed out in the pen to lure them out, well the ducks went out, got the snacks and snarfed them down, I guess the hens decided to have some of those snacks themselves this morning. the turkeys and geese are also doing well, they enjoy the visits from the wild turkeys and we seem to be getting a lot of those lately, so I suspect the turkeys are roosting on the property somewhere in the back. don’t worry I will do everything I can to ensure they stay safe. this being deer season I haven’t seen too many deer around here, guess they went into hiding for the month. I will see them around next month when it is all over. still haven’t got the quails, they guy says they are too young just now, well we figured with them being just hatched that was the situation, just wished he had told us they were just hatched. we assumed they were mature birds. the leaves are turning colors, the acorns are coming down and the air is nice and crisp. perfect excuse for porch sitting and a hot cup of tea. got a special gift from a friend, honey maple tea and I plan to try it. I love the idea of cross stitch kits, any one of them have an Autumn theme in there???? well off to go feed the squirrels, and then go enjoy my new tea. you all have a great day today, stay warm and comfy and enjoy this glorious season. Happy Fall everyone….. hugs….. 🙂
good morning everyone, lovely Fall day here, hope you all are enjoying the some lovely Fall weather there where you are. Susan I have to ask about those owl irons in the fireplace, are they custom made for them or can you buy them somewhere and where can you buy them??? I just love those and think they would look so perfect in my cousin’s fireplace in Half Moon Bay, CA. I described them to her and she would love to know where they can be found. thanks…. hugs…. 🙂
You need to find them in an antique store, maybe on line at eBay or Etsy . . . I think they are hard to find. Sharon called them “her pride and joy” ~ they are pretty wonderful! The eyes are glass!
Thank you Susan, will look around in our antique stores or see if maybe they can be made by our local iron artist, he designs the most wonderful gates and weather vanes, I have one he did and its a witch riding her broom, we stuck up on the barn. its a chilly and windy morning here, the pumpkins are now on the porch and the Halloween decorations are going up. the chickens are doing much better, they get a bit jumpy whenever they hear dogs barking and the ducks run to the henhouse, but that is quite understandable still. but at least the hens are venturing out into the yard and enjoying the sunshine. got a ton of laundry to do, its hunting season here, ( my least favorite thing about Fall), and boy do hunters get dirty, all that dirt and mud and leaves. I find something new each time he comes home. he likes coming home… pot roast cooking in the oven and he loves the smell of that. spotted a mama deer and her baby, just lost it’s spots, and its adorable also we have the wild turkeys around almost everyday now. love having them around, I know if they show up the dogs are not in the yard. got one dog in the rear with the BB rifle, and if the owner complains I’m letting them know… no dogs around here or near our chicken pen. I don’t need anymore losses. well off to get the laundry going, start making more bread and finish getting the Halloween things up and around the house. I love this time of Year. Happy Fall everyone….. hugs…. 🙂
Happy Fall Pat!!! It’s really happening here too! I wish you could shoot the owners and not the dogs! (Not really, but dogs are just dogs).
me too, but as my dad and grandpa always said ” stupid people make stupid dogs.”
Definitely make it back to Red’s Eats! We stopped there in August; returning to Michigan from Bar Harbor. Line was long, but worth the wait. Lobster Rolls piled high with really good Maine butter. Coastal Maine is on my list of “Favorite Places”. Michigan has some beautiful coastal views also. (The Great Lakes) Mackinac Island and Northwest Michigan. No lobster though.
Donna
Donna…Just home from a cruise on the Great Lakes. FAB to be on so much water with horizons offering sunrises and sunsets that were stunning. I have wanted to visit Mackinac Island for a long time and it was one of our stops on the cruise. I fell in love with it…the clip-clop of hooves was soothing! We had perfect weather and enjoyed everything the region had to offer. We enjoyed more water on the Niagara Falls boat ride!! This CA gal will revisit my great water memories on the trip if CA fails to get rain this winter…fingers crosses that I will be sticking out my tongue to taste cool raindrops…if not, send some Great Lake water our way!!
Cheers and happy leaf watching in Michigan. We were too early to see your fall splendor…can’t have everything!
This really made me miss living in Belfast, Maine. I think on those years every day. I was even lucky enough to eat at the Lost Kitchen, that your friend mentioned in the video 🙂 Your trip brought back many fond memories. Thanks!
Loved reliving your Maine trip with you—thank you ! I laughed when reading that you have to stop and think when “18th century” is mentioned, because I, too, stop and say to myself, “oh yes, that’s the 1700’s and it seems odd. It’s great that you like to take lots of photos—really liked seeing all those charming homes.
You visited my favorite place in the U.S. We have been to those Maine places, too. Thought we could rent the apartment for next Sept. but it’s booked. We were at Red’s but it was pouring rain, so back again for us too. A lovely post.
Loved revisiting cousin Sharon and Jeff and you and Joe on your blog! I followed along on her IG posts and felt like I was right there with you all. I am totally in love with Maine now. And my favorite people all together… so much joy you all bring to my life! Her cottage is so serene and peaceful looking… sigh… I loved being “on the road” with you and Joe… did you chat with any of Petey’s relatives? Happy October! And thank you for the calm you bring to this stressful world… love you xo Julie Marie
Thank you Sharon’s cousin Julie Marie! It was such fun. Nice to hear from you!
I use to be able to click on any of your
gorgeously beautiful,
breath taking,
food for the soul-
pictures it would open in another window and it could be seen every day reg size or thee El mucho Grande-oh-so size, “where one could comfortably crawl right in, and take a welcomed look around”…can you please point me the way to do this again?
!Safe travels, meanwhile remember you and yours are well loved by us all!
This post was so lovely. Just what I needed today. Thanks for sharing and reminding us of all the good and beauty around us.
Susan, I like to think of telephone wires as clotheslines for the angels, or as a musical staff for songbirds!
You are the personification of the happy gene! They get into my photos and like ants across the kitchen floor, I want them out!
Thank you for your little trip to Maine! I will be having my own little trip in 2 weeks. We will be going to Solon, ME to visit the in-laws before they head south for winter. We usually spend a few days in Boothbay Harbor and make a trip to Wicasset. I have to say Reds has the best lobster rolls!! You NEED to go back! I love all the shops throughout Maine! I wish I could bring home one of the amazing houses and set it up in my backyard! I’ll be thinking of you while I’m in Maine!
What a sweet surprise to open your blog and find a trip through the state I have been blessed to call home for the last 30 years. Glimpses of the ocean on the way to work never get old… This month I purchased THE ENGLISH HOME, THE COUNTRY EDITION, and there is an article about Emma Bridgewater in it-as I was reading it I felt as if I was reading a story about you. You are really cut from the same cloth and what a beautiful fabric that is! You are a Blessing to all!
What a sweet compliment! Thank you Joan! Love your beautiful state!
What a lovely time I had kibitzing on your sweet trip. Thanks so much for taking me along. Brought forward memories of a trip taken long ago to similar places. Still have some of the fine things that found their way home with me. Love it here in susanland. Such a safe calm loving place.
You children’s book pictured reminds me of Thornton Burgesses books. Just loved the as a child. If you’re not familiar check them out. I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Loved the Maine travelogue! My husband and I (from Texas) did a Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont trip several years ago in the fall and loved it. Loved the seaside and the mountains as well. We did stop at Red’s, but neither of us was a fan so marked the off the list. We enjoyed so many things in each state and look forward to a return trip sometime. I’d love to stay in a cottage by the sea. Also I wanted to thank you for the fall “freebie” printables. I just printed off the fall stationary on a creamy latte colored paper which I will use to write letters to my aunts, one from West Virginia and the fall colors are glorious there. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us.
This really made me homesick for Maine!2yrs. ago we drove the coast from Bar Harbour going south &’loved it! I think mid coast is our favorite—especially Camden! We sailed in a tall sail boat, poked in antique shoppes, walked the beautiful streets, & stood in the rain to eat lobster rolls at Red’s in Wiscasset! Loved the cool June while everyone at home was burning up! Can’t wait to go back!
Love Camden , Maine too! We stayed there overnight on a trip to Bar Harbor about 13 years ago. Quaint and lovely area. Thanks for that memory. ❤️
Happy to have you here Charlotte!
I love Wiscasset! Unfortunately when we visited this past summer our favorite restaurant ‘Le Garage’ had closed for good. It was right up the street from Red’s on the water. So sad, and it seems like a lot of my favorite shops in town have also gone. Did you know that there is a fabulous flea market called Montswego Flea, before you come to Wiscasset. Now you’ll have to return to attend that Flea, so many wonderful vendors. Thank you for taking us along on this trip. It’s always fun to tag along!
Yup, have to come back! Thank you Sandi!
Ohh, what a lovely trip to Maine!! I have been there a few times and enjoyed every turn in the road and small seaside town. Your visit location looked just like the stuff of great fiction books; perfect in every way! Fall is such a splendid season with harvest bounty and cooler weather. I fall in love with just the whole idea of Fall each year.
Poldark!! Yes!!! We’ve been watching this second season as well and loving it. Last year when we spent three days in Port Issac, Cornwall, which is just 45 minutes north of where Poldark was filmed, the scenery was stunning. The ocean color, the rocks, the hills, the views are breathtaking. This Masterpiece series could not be filmed in a more beautiful place for the story. Each show is full of twists and turns and I love the intrigue.
Thanks for our little fall outing to Maine today! It is always a pleasure to be one of the many GF in the back seat enjoying the ride and the excitement!
Always love having you along, Winnie! xoxo
Hi Susan – I loved your tour of Maine – I haven’t been there in years and after seeing your photos – I need to get back! Oh – I love Poldark too!
Martha from CT
Good Martha, so nice to have you here!
What a lovely post! I needed it today. I’ve never visited Maine, but I’d love to someday!
We’re obsessed with Poldark. My husband is Cornish, so we love to watch it for the drama and the pretty scenery.
I love your pumpkins above your door. What a cute idea! My To Do List for today includes fluffing the house for autumn. 😀
xo,
RJ
I agree, the locations for Poldark are so amazing, your husband must love the opportunity to see “home!” Happy house fluffing Ricki Jill!
In these sad, trying times (Las Vegas–prayers to all), your blog lifts my spirits sooo high! Thanks for taking us with you to Maine…I want to go back and you have whetted my appetite as always.
Happy to hear it Sandy xoxo
As always, thank you for sharing your life with us.
You made me cry when you wrote about listening to the ballgame on the radio and the smell of home baked cookies. These are memories from my childhood growing up in the “One Square Mile Of Friendship” town of Magnolia, NJ. Typical days revolved around my stay at home, nurturing Mom doing laundry and hanging on the clothes lines to dry, cooking wonderful food from scratch ( and my Dad’s garden), baking delicious molasses cookies that she would place in a large pink Pyrex mixing bowl with a clean dish towel to keep them fresh.
My Daddy worked hard all day and enjoyed listening to the Philadelphia Phillies games in his radio as he sat out front in the evening. The kids on our block played Hide and Seek, Mother
May I and caught lightening bugs until we were each called in for the evening. Miss those days and my beautiful family. ❤️
Isn’t it funny how much of the same things we’ve experienced, though miles apart? Those childhood things are the foundations of our hearts, and that’s why, I believe, we’ve found each other. We had the Dodgers, but it was the same thing.xoxo Here’s to the memories!
First, let me say, I love my book “A Fine Romance”. I had borrowed it from the Library, and decided I needed my very own copy (signed too!)….to say the least, I love it.
I’ve lived west of Boston my entire life, and so enjoy the coast of Maine often. I know the exact place at the foot of the bridge that sells the Lobster Rolls in Wiscasset! I love the little town common there too….love downtowns! So many of them on the Maine coast.
Can’t wait to see your CrossStitch pattern(s)….I’ve been stitching since Christ was an alter boy. You are so very creative, so I’m sure it will be just perfect.
Fun to read your blogs, very entertaining. Thanks for sharing your trip to Maine with us. jody
Hi Jody! So glad you enjoyed “A Fine Romance” ~ makes me happy to hear it! CrossStitch coming very soon! The people putting the kits together for us are as excited as we are so it’s been a lot of fun!
Susan, I have tarried too long and it appears you no longer have any Autumn mugs. Can this be true? Might there be one tucked away in the back room just waiting for me to snatch it up? If there isn’t, do you think you will do a set of the four season mugs?
Good news! Our manufacturer found that they had not used 52 of the decals and asked if we would like to have them . . . and we did! They made more cups and they should arrive at the Studio the beginning of next week. Watch the web store. And yes, its #1 of four seasons, Winter is up for presale now, and the others will come as the seasons do ~ I’ll probably never sell them as a set, I’m afraid they’d be too expensive . . . hope you get one Molly!
Loved the Maine adventure! I am a faithful follower of Petey and look for him in your posts everywhere. It made my day to see that whole window of Petey-type friends. What a great surprise. There is just something about that guy –
Yup. He’s odd, but true blue, and he’s ours. xoxo
Hi, Susan! We are in Maine! This is our third time to Portland this year! This time we are on a ship but we live be driving Rte. 1 up the coast. We haven’t stopped at Red’s but we did go to Day’s right outside of Freeport. There is nothing like Maine. We love it and we think that Winter does it a favor by keeping it from becoming overcrowded. Thank you for your lovely blog. We didn’t see all that much foliage this trip except in Quebec City. No matter what, Fall is the best time of the year hands down. It reminds us to slow down a bit after the fast-paced Summer season. I’m so looking forward to sweater weather and lighting the fireplace and leaves scurrying in the wind. Be well & be happy! Love, Karen
With you all the way . . . cozy days ahead!
Beautiful pics, as always. Such a nice little trip, it makes me want to go out foraging. Love
Love, love all of Petey’s friends…and did you say CROSS STITCH KITS ???
Cannot wait ! ❤️❤️❤️ xoxo
I did say that. I’m excited too!!!!xoxo
I love it when you share the houses you admire on your trips! And your pumpkins. I try so hard not to go overboard on pumpkin – buying. This year the pumpkins in my garden did so good, I am not going to need to shop for them!
Perfect! Best way to get them! xoxo
Thanks for taking me along once again on your journey….warms my heart. hugs and kisses being sent your way.
Thank you back Mary!
DEAR SUSAN,
We’ve enjoyed such a similar trip – tho you’ve inspired me to take more pictures of that wonderful architecture that we enjoy so much. My note to day is to say thank you for reminding me to go on and enjoy the parts of my America and my own life that are beautiful in spite of some of the frightening and horrific things we continue to see and hear going on in our country. I pray God’s blessing on you – and on our country.
I truly believe beauty is a great healer . . . when all the edges have gone ragged, razor-blade-rough, a walk in the woods, a sunset, a deep breath in the morning light, can smooth everything and give hope and the strength to go on believing. xoxo Thank you Kedra.
Someday, years from now, when a book is written about you, Sue…this quote should be in there….right on the front page. You’re awesome!
Oh Debbie, you are so sweet. Thank you . . . xoxo
Susan, I think I could live my whole life through you and feel as though I’d experienced everything that matters and brings the most joy! Thank you for once again sharing your beautiful travel experience and making me feel hopeful and happy again in the world. Blessings to you and Joe for a wonderful fall and winter!
Thank you Wanda!
I feel the same way Wanda, we couldn’t do without you Susan!
You guys are so sweet! You make my day!
Susan, your responses to our eagerness to be heard, ALWAYS make me smile. I’m grateful for your love and your patience with US. You do nurture this girlfriend crowd.
Have you ever read “The country of the Pointed Firs” by Sarah Orne Jewett? it is a novel written in1896 about Maine, sea captains and a coastal town. The narrator is so likable.
After a lifetime of dreaming about it, I traveled to Maine in 2010 with my husband. We stayed in lovely, historic York and traveled up the coast. Favorite memory is the water tour of lighthouses on a breezy, sunny day. As always, thank you for reminding us that the blessings tip the scales.
Love hearing from my kindred spirits, and lovely words like “Blessings tip the scales” are as inspiring to me as they are to all of you. Thank you Anne!
Hi Susan, Thank you for sharing your Maine adventure! My son and his family live in Maine (he calls it God’s Country!) so I am lucky enough to get to visit the Bangor area as often as I can:) We always try to go to Bar Harbor when we are there. I love all the cozy camps and homes as you do! Happy Autumn~my favorite time of year! Sheri from O-H-I-O
Fun just to drive up and down the streets!
Susan, thanks for taking us on those trips that we dream about, but don’t always get to do. I loved your beautiful pictures and you’ve inspired me to plan a trip to Maine! Also can’t wait to try the Kale Salad. It looks delicious. Jack looks so comfy cozy and adorable. Enjoy the rest of your Fall, Susan and thanks for lifting our spirits.
Happy to have you here Priscilla!
Hello Susan! Thank you for all of the photos from your trip to Maine…..stunning, each and everyone of them!!!! I adore the pretty curtain valance shown above the sink where Joe was tending to the lobster. Did your friend hand sew it from old tea towels, or did she embroider them herself? Too cute!!!! Glad you both arrived home safe and sound, and Jack is happy sporting his cute little mustache with pride!!!!! My heart went pitter-patter when you mentioned cross-stitch patterns are in the making!!! Oh Susan, can’t wait to see your creations!!!! My needle is waiting!!!! (Patienty, of course!) My new sewing room is in need of something on those white walls and Susan Branch cross stitch will look divine!!! I finally slided into Autumn, after missing out of enjoying the last month and a half of Summer, due to my hubby Ken’ s unexpected health issues. He is now feeling fine…..a blessing…..now it’s time for apples and pumpkins and Fall fun! Take care of yourself Susan, and know I keep you & and Joe & little Jack in my prayers!!! (It is rainy and cloudy here in Dearborn, Michigan, but it ALWAYS feels sunny on your blog!!!)
Oh for the normal days, right Carilyn? Such a blessing we sometimes forget to notice. How nice when nothing is happening! I’m not sure about Sharon’s curtains . . . I didn’t look close enough … The photo isn’t great, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were vintage dishtowels made into a valance. Such a cute way to do it! We are having the BEST time developing embroidery and cross stitch kits. Can’t wait to show you what we’re coming up with . . . very soon! xoxo
Dear, dear Susan~
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. I’ve always wanted to see Maine, and England. I’m so jealous! But I feel like I’m there when I look at your descriptive photos. And I must confess, I wasn’t looking at Demelza’s fingers in that photo. 😉
LOL! I understand!
Susan,
Thanks for the lovely Maine adventure. I have not been, but was born in Portland and stayed
two weeks before heading south. I guess you could say that I was there, but do not remember it. It is, however, on my bucket list! Loved the cozy cabin, the coastal view, delicious meals, and the comaraderie with friends. You have such a talent for recreating journeys! Such a joy to read! Thanks for sharing, Susan.
Blessings,
Linda
I think you’ll feel at home the minute your feet touch down. Portland is a beautiful town. xoxo
Please do add my comments to Susuan’s blog. I never see my responses to
what she says and those wonderful photos !!!
Please do add my comments to Susuan’s blog. I never see my responses to
what she says and those wonderful photos !!
What am I doing wrong? Of course I’m not a tech person which doesn’t help!
I will write to her.
Thanking you, I remain
sincerely yours,
Carolyn Williams
I see three comments from you here, I think you are doing everything right! Yesterday I was making a birthday party and didn’t get to read the comments so they stayed in moderation all day. That happens sometimes, but sooner or later, I always show up! Thank you for your patience Carolyn!
I did the required fields 3 times!
I may not be able to do the vats of apple butter this year, but today I’m making our second apple pie from our own trees. Also a huge pot of savory beef stew to have tonight, along with some biscuits. Had some injections in my skull on Thursday, which helped just a bit. When we’ve had our fill of leftovers, I’ll freeze the rest and keep in my little basement fridge. Sue, do you have an extra fridge for when you have parties? I used to have big coolers for that purpose. I got this one at a yard sale for 15 bucks, years ago, thinking it would die after one year. Of course it is ecologically irresponsible, but I know the gal who owned it and painted blueberries all over the door. Tugs at the heartstrings sometimes win over responsibility.
While I type, I glance at the reflections of the bright leaves across our little bay. We “color up” a bit later than inland. Which….by the way is every bit as interesting and beautiful as the coast. Mr. Tom is doing what is probably the last weed whacking and mowing for this year. Bitter sweet. Tom says I leave fingernail grooves in the roads out of the state.
To sweeten the leaving, I have made a reservation at a small hotel (recently remodeled) that is directly across the street from the American Museum of Natural History, looks out over the big glass enclosure for the huge planetarium. Hoping to get to some of the other museums during our 4 days, but it’s always hard for anyone to drag me out of the AMNH. And…..maybe I’ll get a glance of Neil DeGras Tyson in his fabulous vest.
OK, I’ll blame the CDB marijuana tincture for causing me to hog the blog. Not suppose to make me high, but I am feeling a bit better, thankfully. Also deep tissue message, plus tens unit stimulation and lots of Arnicare gel for inflamation. oops, spelling. I’m now operating on Acceptance (this can not be fixed surgically, Adapting my life to this reality.
And, of course, my bestest med, everything Susan Branch. Don’t let me put too much pressure on you, Dear.
Mucho love for you, Joe, Jack and all the Girlfriends who give me so much joy sharing your lives.
Debbie in Maine for a few more weeks
You hog the blog all you want Debbie. I’m happy you’re finding relief, it sounds hard. Blessings on you and Tom … and for your question, my biggest parties happen around the holidays, and the great outdoors, at that time, makes the perfect extra refrigerator. We have a table outside our kitchen door, and as long as temps don’t drop below freezing, we can put things there to keep cold! One of the perks of winter in New England! I know you hate to leave, I’ll put up lots of pictures so you can see the changes though far away, and maybe, at times, celebrate your good sense for going south! xoxo
Fabulous Maine pictures. Thank you so much for sharing my favorite time of the year!
You live such a beautiful life!
Have a wonderful weekend!
What a wonderful live you have! So much fun going along with you. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much for these blog posts. They are so delicious I would pay for them! They are at once eye candy and balm for the soul. You create an island of beauty and tranquility with your art, your quotes and your spirit that I can take a stroll on and escape the world for awhile. I’m a very visual person, and seeing your mugs, books and calendars throughout my house brings me a little slice of calm, peace and happiness each time I see and use them. You are such a blessing. Thanks for sharing and please don’t stop.
Thank you so much Michele . . . I love having this way of connecting with everyone. Makes life so much more interesting. Thank you for being here! xoxo
Well dear Susan, what a great trip. Hope you did not mind me tagging along. I tried not to be a backseat driver, but there I was giving lip service every picture of the way. Oooos and Ahhhs every minute. The buildings and the scenery, and omg when I came to the picture of the window of Petes you truly must have heard me all the way there on the island. Don’t know if I told you that my Pete has been with me for years and years too. You had to be soooo surprised to find all his friends and relatives. Like a giant family reunion😊. Every photo was just wonderful Susan. Thanks so much for taking me along on such a magnificent trip. Hope your little pkg. made it to you safe. With sincere gratitude for what you do in life to lift
the spirits of so many. Me Included!! Love Gayle Hall
I know Gayle, never saw so many Petey relatives in one place before! Yes💞, and than you ~ you are a sweetheart!!!
After a very long work week it was so lovely to drink my coffee in my favorite mug (from our friend Tawni Urrutia) and not the travel mug, and take a little trip to Maine! Thank you for sharing, it made my one day weekend feel a little longer!
Happy to hear that Cindy, hello to Tawni!
Another blessed blog for me to live vicariously through. What a beautiful and soul nourishing (as well as stomach satisfying) trip. Does the east coast still have the colorful autumns of yesteryear? Here in the midwest the falls are getting shorter and color change harder to come by. We still haven’t had a freeze that would jump start the change so, alas, I think we will not have a red, orange, burgundy autumn this year. Did you know that our town has a river running through it (just like that beautiful film). It’s the Upper Iowa and lately it’s been running pretty low. I keep thinking I was supposed to put a ? somewhere in the 2nd sentence up but didn’t know where given that I had the
( ) statement to end it. I was an English major once upon a time but I’m afraid you’d never know it now.
Do you have a Trader Joe’s near Martha’s Vineyard? When I left California and moved back to Decorah I was having withdrawal symptoms but then they opened one in Rochester, Minnesota, just an hour 20 minute drive away and I was in heaven once again. This past month has been, ta da, PUMPKIN month. I wait all year for it. Pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin soup, pumpkin crackers, pumpkin cream cheese for pumpkin bagels, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin chai, pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin everything and I bought it all, except for pumpkin pie (which I don’t like – go figure).
I too love the British Country Life. I discovered it about 2 years ago at Barnes and Noble and am hooked. I also love The Simple Things and LandLove. Have you read these? A question – did you order your subscription by phone so that you would know the cost in dollars?
Anyway, thanks once again for taking us on your travels and may we all carry in our hearts blessings, love and prayers for courage for the people and animals in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Mexico and Las Vegas. May God bless.
Our falls are as beautiful and colorful as always. We’ve had a few warmer days lately, but today it’s brisk and cool, blue skies, floating leaves. Yes, when we were younger all our friends cared about was living in a good school zone, now all anyone wants is to live near a Trader Joe’s! Not so with us, there are no chains on the Island, the closest TJs is in Hyannis on Cape Cod! I ordered my British Country Living through Amazon ~ it’s easy to translate pounds to dollars on Google. And now we have to add California to your heartbreaking prayer list . . . very rough season this year. Blessings to us one and all. xoxoxo
I sooooo want to go to Maine. You describe two of your friends living in “camps” there. What is that? Is that a campground? or is that a kind of neighborhood? Count me in! Also, in the photo with the pumpkins over your door (love that) what does the little paper sign in the window say? I’m imagining “right this way for hygge,” or “The cat will take visitors between 12 and 2.” LOL. Thanks for a lovely, dreamy post.
Camps are unheated houses near the water . . . unheated and uninsulated . . . the older ones are all rough wood on the inside, very very simple, never fancy, but totally wonderfully old-fashioned and homey. Ha ha for the hygge . . . it’s really for the UPS man who forgets and leaves packages on the front porch, which we NEVER use, and only find out days later when a friend calls and says, Hey, you have a package on your porch! xoxo Thank you Julie!
Susan~
I love reading about your journey to Maine what a beautiful state, I havent been there for ?oh my goodness since 1976 , a child I was !! I told my daughter that came with me to Vineyard already 4 weeks ago 🙁 that our next road trip is Maine! I am falling in love with the east coast !! Thank you for sharing your adventures! I love all the pictures of the homes you took , I said to myself see who needs a big new house, mansion , or castle?? look at these charming houses that say cozy homes. we truly need to be content with the blessings we have !
The pumpkins above your door look charming, I bought huge pumpkins from an Amish farm for a $1 a piece unreal !! I wish she had some pie pumpkins for homemade pie yummy !!
Again, ThankYOU for all you share with us girls, and for a short time while reading your adventures, allows me to daydream of an exciting place to be too!
Hugs hugs xox
Paula
Indiana
Hi Paula! So nice to hear from you . . . Wow! excellent price for the pumpkins! Someday you’ll have to get up into Vermont, another wonderful place to visit! Although we do love Indiana . . . have been there many times, you also have really cute houses!
Loved Your Keeping the Maine thing the Maine Thing! Just discovered London Fog Latte’s! The next best thing to your Private Blend Tea if you’re on the road traveling our gorgeous back hills!!
Starbucks! My favorite, lavender and bergamot, shows good taste! But I like my rose buds too . . . Cute name! I’ll remember!
Loved this post, travelling through Maine, thank you Susan! It looks a wonderful place.
We are just on the brink of Autumn here in Devon too. LOVE this time of year….colours smells, and the thought of fires, magic! We are travelling to Brisbane in 4 weeks, to visit our daughter. Don’t think we will see any Autumn colours there!! Gill UK x
Always love to hear from you Gill!
Wonderful post Susan! I live in north Idaho and just returned from a fall guided tour of the New England states and it included Martha’s Vineyard!!!! I picked the tour company because it included it! I loved every bit of the tour and love the New England houses, history, people. We started and ended in Boston. I took a lot of pics of Church Camp and wonderful gingerbread houses! (Unfortunately they were all deleted when the batteries were changed without turning the camera off along with many others!😥
I recovered from that and can’t say enough about what a great time we had! Enjoy your beautiful fall!
My nightmare exposed, the battery! I’m glad you had such a wonderful time . . . New England really does have so many interesting nooks and crannies. Welcome home, and happy fall to you and yours!
Susan, I LOVED this lengthy blog of Maine, and your trip. I have had a serious and life long love affair of Maine since 3rd grade when I viewed the lobster pots and the blue waters of fishing villages in our Social Studies book. Seriously. Soo, I also have planned a trip to Maine for next weekend! Last year we took two trips, one in July, and one in October. If you ever get a chance to stop and stay at York Harbor, in York Maine, do so…it’s also a great treat. This time we are staying in Old Orchard Beach, and up to Belfast. I am now on a mission to look up the Christmas Cove and the link to the two shops,, they look yummy. Your friends cottage is simply adorable, and all that is good in life. Last year also, we stopped at Walden’s Pond on the way to Maine. There is nothing like New England in the fall. Just spectacular. And, of course, you are so correct, travel during the week if possible! Maine, I can’t wait to see you again soon. Susan, I loved your quote about being able to see the beauty in things! This blog inspires, and gives me a sense of well being. I thank you!!!! And happy autumn…celebrate the PUNKINS!!
We are celebrating Deborah! Thank you!
Oh Susan my husband and I just returned from 10 days in Maine! We were on board a two masted schooner for 4 days sailing the coast from Boothbay to Bar Harbor. We were in Damariscota and had lobster rolls at Reds! I just went on your blog today and what a surprise to read about your Maine trip. We might have passed each other on one of those wonderful back roads! We also saw the Wyeth 100 Years exhibit at the Farnsworth in Rockland. Loved Maine and everything about it.
Wasn’t it wonderful? How was the sailing trip? I can only imagine, all the wonderful cozy coves to go into.
Good evening! I’m just sitting here with my feet up reading your 2010 Archives (again this year)….and your later years, just decompressing ( from the news and todays life in America) with Pandora’s Artie Shaw station and a good iced prosecco with raspberry liquor (licure) ha,ha! Maybe I’ll hold off on that next refill, ha,ha! At any who, I just want to say how wonderful it is to have this glorious blog to reminisce from. PLEASE never remove these touches of our life in America from your Blog. We’re counting on you to keep the steady course-the one keeps our treasured past for us, our children and even perhaps their children. Be our very own Gladys Taber. Keep showing us the innocent soft world we all rememer as kids. …as a Missouri kid I gotta say tomato soup goes great with those grilled cheese sandwiches. I hope you and Joe have a great Thanksgiving this year and as your gracious-self always does, invite us along! For many, your the only touch some will have at the Holidays for all the good smells, laughter, cooking and folks sitting around a table enjoying family and friends from your photo story telling. Love and best wishes to you both. Hi to Jack, that little scamp!
That was very sweet Nonni. Thank you! I don’t really think of being anything, just sort of telling what’s going on, but you make me want to do better. Happy Fall! xoxo
I was feeling down after reading the newspaper, so I came to re-read your Maine adventure, and of course noticed new things! Like the fabulous quilt in the reflection photo you took… and the note to ‘massage’ the kale before using it in the salad, LOL! And of course I read to the end, to see sweet Jack. What a darling kitty he is, and SO dapper with his wee Poirot mustache! I am in love with the cranberry house you saw, too! thanks, hugs, Suzette
Happy to have you here Suzette!
That was pure pleasure. Thank You.
You’re welcome!
Oh to have a house facing the water like that!! Wow…. Love how you found Petey’s friends in that storefront window. So cool. Thanks for including that short video, it is so fun to see a little peek into your trip. I was excited to see that your friend wrote Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots! I have seen that book before and always wanted to get a copy for my kids! Now I will have to make sure to do that. I need to read it myself as I am a wanna-be gardener. And your sweet kitty Jack hanging his head over the chair….too cute. I think I can speak for all of your readers when I say I love any and all photos of Jack. Have a great day Susan!!
Sharon writes wonderful books and has great ideas! You’ll love it. Thank you Amylisa!
Thanks for bringing us along on your lovely adventures, as you always do. And thanks also for highlighting that it is the little things, the small details that can make life so lovely…if you are aware of it. Yay for Joe cooking the lobsters! How long does it take you to drive to Maine from your house?
It’s about four hours after we get off the boat . . . if we didn’t stop, which is impossible!
I am so happy you came to visit our great state of Maine! I wish you could have stopped for tea and scones at my tea room, Susan! I was at the Beatrix Potter birthday celebration in Brewster last year and you autographed some books for me. I cherish them and I recently purchased one of your beautiful cups!! I hope you received a warm welcome everywhere you went here!! Happy Fall!
We did, we loved it, as I’m sure you can tell. . . where is your tea room Patty? . . . Maybe next time!
The Blue Willow Tea Room is located in Randolph, Maine which is about 25 minutes from Wiscasset! There is a Facebook page! I recently purchased some Johnson Brother’s china for one of the tea tables. If you have the chance to come visit, I will have this special table for you! You have inspired me in so many ways! Thank you, Susan!
I have to come there next time Patty! Thank you back!
I would be overjoyed to have you visit the tea room, Susan! Please bring Joe because we love him too!! 🙂
I wouldn’t think of going without him!
I just love Maine, although it’s been awhile since I visited. Your tour & pictures make me want to hurry up and visit before the snow starts flying! I am so excited that you have cross stitch kits coming out 🙂 Have a wonderful October Susan & Joe!
Hope you get up there, thank you Laurel!
Lovely, hope to go there one day. Would love to see all the houses and colors.
Thank you
I think Fall color is my favorite. The trees are beautiful as are the houses, especially the white two story with the picket fence!
Hi Susan,
Has something happened to your blog site? I only ask because the last blog has been standing at 540 comments for the past 3 days and that is rather unusual.
My computer tends to act strangely quite often, I say it is my electromagnetic field, but if that is the case, I hope it doesn’t stop receiving your text. Mainly, I hope that everything is ok with the Martha’s Vineyard group of 3.
No, it’s me, I’ve been working on new designs and trying to stay a little away from the computer! But here I am! Thank you for your patience! xoxo
Ahh, a blog about New England and fall-ish things to take my mind off the 80 degree heat here in NC on OCTOBER 11th!! It’s hot and humid thanks to TS Nate off the coast. Ick.
I’ve never wanted to go to New England as bad as I do since reading your books and blog. My husband and I won’t get there this fall but I’m thinking of spurring him on to a trip in the springtime. Is May good for flowers and such?
Thanks for the “free stuff” autumn bookmark. I’m waiting to see the holiday ones as well. My pocketbook is going to suffer this Christmas……….Susan Branch gifts are going to my bestest friends. (And maybe one or two to myself!)
Thanks for being a person who likes to paint, draw AND write. I enjoy you immensely!
Late May is a beautiful time. Kids are still in school so there’s not much traffic, and the humidity doesn’t really get going here until July. Our roses are just coming into bloom in late May and early June, and you’ll see what I call “screaming New England green” ~ a color unlike any other green! You’ll love it! Thank you Lori! Love having you here. xoxo
Thank you for the info. Sounds like a May road trip…….IF I don’t decide to go to England for an afternoon picnic. 😉
Oooo, I think you should!
I’ve always wanted to visit Maine, thanks for the tour! I read a fabulous book that sparked my interest in Maine when I was a 20 something, The Forest Years, by Louise Dickinson Rich. That volume contains We Took to the Woods and My Neck of the Woods. It’s out of print I’m sure but worth the hunt.
We just returned from a trip, as well. No quaint villages or sea side dinners but a wonderful view of the Grand Canyon from the north rim and a beautiful campground with towering ponderosa pines and Kaibab Squirrels running around.
My treat on returning was your latest post, thank you!
I could not get my mind around the Grand Canyon, it was so big, I couldn’t make my depth perception work! I almost felt like it was a giant poster! Welcome home Jill . . . the books sound like something we might find in a good used book store!
I hope you find the books!
We have floated through the Grand Canyon twice. The view from below is just as mind boggling as the one from above! You’re right, it does look a bit unreal.
I’m sure! I’ve heard it’s visible from space! That says something!
Thank you for taking us along on your trip to Maine! I live my own contented home in the Black Hills, but I’m miles…and miles…and miles from the ocean.
Which brings up the oft-argued question – do you like the sea or the mountains best? For me, it’s the mountains, but I love armchair traveling to the coast. 🙂
And I must admit, I’m a cross-stitch addict. Looking forward to seeing your designs!
The thing with the sea is, once you are there for a while, the expanse is the only thing to see with an occasional bird or boat . . . whereas in the mountains and woods, you have canopies of trees with flying leaves, cawing crows, winding rivers, dirt roads that go round a mysterious bend, moving leafy shadows, deer, squirrels, foxes and all other kinds of things, it goes on and on, what there is to see in the woods, in the forests and the mountains. Woods next to the sea is my favorite.🍂
Jan, my husband and I camped several days in a little tag-along in the Black Hills on our last 4 month trip out West. Never been before. We just loved it. Such varied landscapes. Took some ranger guided hikes, visited all the lodges, hobnobbed with the bison and prairie dogs, added more birds to my life list…..And, got to see the excitement of Sturgess Bike Week…at a comfortable distance. Of course Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse with their museums were wonderful. I saw why an old friend missed it so much. Debbie in Maine
Thank you for the opportunity to travel (virtually) with you. So much fun to see Maine. Would love to get to the East coast, esp. in the fall. It is on the bucket list.
Just wondering if there will be a new Christmas ornament this year? Due to the cost of shipping, I try to buy your calendars and the ornament (as well as a few other goodies) at the same time. Love the webstore but it can be a little dangerous:)
I think we weren’t able to get an ornament this year, although I’m not sure. I’m SO SO SO sorry about the cost of shipping. I wish we could pay it, but we are just too small and can’t get the rates the big boys get. I’m glad it’s dangerous. I love making things that my Girlfriends like. 💞
Please do not apologize for the shipping. That is out of our control.
Thank you for letting me know about the ornament.
Thank you Sharon. xoxo
Wish I knew
Live down t road a bit from 1839 barn antiques in Roundpond, home of Granite Hall penny candy store!
What a beautiful place to live!
It is truly a special place. Next visit, do yourself a favor and have some haddock chowder at Sarah’s, across t street from Reds.
Okay!
Oh, my gosh, Dd! One of our favorite spots in Maine is the Musgungus Bay Lobster Co. in Roundpond. We’ve had lunch there twice on our visits to Maine. We just love that it’s off the beaten path and so very charming and friendly! After feasting on lobsters for lunch we always run into that little penny candy store…it’s like time stood still in that neck of the woods!
What a fun trip, absolute COZINESS….thank you for sharing! We have eaten at Red’s before, very yummy and the line was long then too. Haha Have a beautiful week!
Something tells me it’s always long! You too Carla!
How fun! I am glad to see all the fun you had, it makes me excited because my husband and I and 5 Daughters are going to Maine this summer!
I’ve never been to Maine and now I am jealous. Such lovely features!! I am in love with those houses. I dream I could live in one those. However, I am sure you need loads of money… either to buy one or renovate one. I can dream though! Cheers!
Maine isn’t as expensive as so many other places. Winter places are just not as popular or as expensive as the year-round sunshine places!
I built my first fire in the fireplace tonight, while watching the mayor of San Juan update us with such courage and dignity about our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico….how fortunate I feel tonight, sitting in front of my cozy fire, planning for family to visit on Saturday from Florida, for a week….planning for my new rescue golden retriever mix little girl, 10 year old Maggie Mae, who was neglected and lived under an overpass in Aberdeen, Washington….planning for Pumpkin-Carving, Soup night, a 20 year tradition with Emily (started when she was 8 and now at 28, the tradition lives on)….planning to keep friends and family close to my heart, give to others, take care of critters, read, watch movies (have you seen, “The Great Lie” with Bette Davis and George Brent?),
take time to continue educating myself….good plans….solid plans….I am fortunate. Thanks for all you give the world….
I believe…. that this is a duplicate? I know I answered this comment, but I wonder if it went up, or is this some sort of glitch? Anyway! Thank you Regina . . . Happy life with your Maggie Mae, thank you a thousand times for your caring heart.
Good Morning and thank you for the virtual mini-Maine vacation. I must make notes to myself of the towns you visited, so if I ever get to Maine, I will have a starting point. I loved, loved your pictures and descriptions and want a foggy evening to sit on a porch with a glass of wine.
Love to Jack and his crazy kitty poses.
R.
Sounds wonderful Rebecca . . . Happy fall!
Oh, how I enjoyed this post! I’ve been saving it, waiting for a time to read it when I could relax and take my time with it, and it was definitely worth the wait! You have such a gift for truly making us feel like we’re along with you on your travels. I so appreciate the way your words and your photography work magic to transport me to wherever you are….which is wonderful for me, since my current life doesn’t allow for a lot of travel. Hopefully someday…. For right now, though, I’m content with enjoying the beauty and comforts of home and letting you do the traveling for me. 🙂
Arm chair travel is this world of video and computer is such a nice thing! The world is our oyster! xoxo Thank you Keri.
What a beautiful post! You make your trips, regardless of where they are, the greatest ever. Loved everything about this little excursion! Your sweet friends have such a beautiful, cozy place. The only time I have been to Maine was on our honeymoon, so I have very happy memories of that lovely little state. So glad you have friends all over this country, and I can tell they are kindred spirits. 🙂
Well, we are spoiled, not often do we find ourselves in places we don’t adore ~ it’s easy to wax poetic over so much beauty! xoxo
Dear Susan,
My husband and I took his parents to Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island, ME the week after you and Joe returned from your Maine visit. My father-in-law (86) had been a Forest Ranger there during the summers for nine years in the late 50’s and early 60’s and that’s where he met my mother-in-law who was working at the Bar Harbor Inn at the time. Neither had been back in over 30 years, and we thought it would be fun to take them back to a place that had meant so much to them in the early days of their life together. It was truly a privilege to travel back in time with both of them and to record it all with my camera.
With our personal tour guides by our sides, we visited Schoodic Point, Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Sieur de Monts Spring among many other places. The sweetest stop was when we took a dirt road through the woods to find the Forest Ranger’s house where they lived during those summers of long ago. It has been well maintained in spite of the passage of time, and it was a delight to be with them when they got out of the car and began sharing their memories of that time and place. We enjoyed hot popovers and tea at the Jordan Pond House something my mother-in-law had always wanted to do when she was living there but hadn’t the chance to. The Asticou and Thuya Gardens were at the top of my favorites list . . . flowers and butterflies everywhere . . . I was in heaven!
My mother-in-law and I didn’t get the opportunity to frequent any of the shops that we passed along our way, but we did comment on each when we drove by them, droolin’ at the displays, wonderin’ & wishin’ all the while. We couldn’t complain too much since a month before our Maine trip, we had enjoyed an annual tradition of going to Brimfield with my girlfriends for two glorious days of walking the fields and searching for the treasures on our lists to bring home with us.
I just finished re-reading your wonderful trilogy for the third time. It’s nice to know that whenever I need to be uplifted and inspired I can turn to your books and they never fail to deliver. Thank you for sharing so much of your family, home and life with us. Your blog continues to provide sunshine on the cloudiest of days!
Warmly,
Fran
PS: I’m looking forward to seeing those cross-stitch kits!
And thank you for that lovely trip back in time with your husband’s parents. That must have been wonderful. All that and Brimfield too! Happy to have you here Fran! xoxo
Yesterday we had our first light frost. I was up early and got to see the sun come up with that lovely mist that forms over water that’s warmer than the air. Crystal clear blue sky and all those colors popping between the conifers across our little shallow bay. Be still my heart. I so love it here. We had an appointment in Bangor at 9:30, so we got to see the color display up over the low mountains between here and there.
Last night my bestest Maine buddy came bearing our dinner…a pot of fish stew with fresh haddock. And….a mincemeat pie, the filling made by a mutual friend who makes it fresh every year…the real deal with minced deer meat. Tonight she will come by and take me to the last program for the Hancock Historical Society…..Snowplowing. Her cousin Margie and husband Sam have done the plowing for many hears. Margie is a total Hoot!! I’m usually down and out very early these day, but I can’t miss that.
Tomorrow is the Foliage Festival at our small, charming library. The winner of the king sized quilt I donated will be drawn. I haven’t gotten out too much this year, so it will be good to see folks. I have known nothing my life more beautiful than living in a small Maine village.
The wild turkeys are on the prowl. They are very skiddish, so you have to be very still watching from a window. One scratch of your nose will send the whole bunch scattering. Anyone wonder what they do at night? They go up into the big trees to roost. Never knew that until I saw them do it last Fall.
Feeling a bit better, so I will avoid the news as much as possible…except for NPR evening news and Washington Week. No screaming or talking over each other. David Brooks and Mark Shields know how to disagree amicably.
I loved the little video of you putting the tiny centers on the tiny flowers. Lordy, Lady, you are so talented. Mucho Love, Debbie in Beautiful, “Downtown” Franklin, Maine
“I have known nothing my life more beautiful than living in a small Maine village.” You have the most beautiful positivity, they are lucky to have you. Blessings on you dear Debbie. xoxo
They are back!!! They are back!!! Sunday night!!! The Durrell’s. I love this series. I bought a few of the books also. The scenery, the colors,the cast. Isn’t it heavenly? Can’t wait!! Don’t you just love this time of the year. Glad to see some beauty back on t.v. for a change in these troubling times. Xoxo
Tonight!!! How wonderful! We’ll be there! Love it, but if those kids don’t get a whole lot nicer to their mom, I’m going to have to go over there! xoxo
That was an awesome blog! Thank you for a glimpse of Maine!
Have a Great weekend! Hugs!
Susan, my daughter and I are considering traveling by train (Amtrak) when we go to Chicago at the end of this month and you were the first person I thought of to answer a question for us. Are the coach seats comfortable enough to sleep in overnight? Our total travel time (one way) is about 23 hours. I just don’t know if it’s worth the extra money for such a short trip. What do you think? Also, if yall have ever stopped at the station in Chicago, do you recall whether or not it’s in a safe area? Thanks!! 🙂 🙂
I have slept in coach and I didn’t like it ~ it’s usually very crowded and there are children sleeping on the floor. It’s hard to get around and not comfortable and kind of noisy. So I couldn’t recommend it with any sort of honesty! Unless you are made of Gumby material, have no nose nor ears, you probably won’t like it either. And YES, you arrive right downtown Chicago, perfectly safe, and about a 10 minute cab ride from Michigan Avenue filled with wonderful stores and great museums, a lovely street of very happy people and good restaurants. Hope this helps!
Haha! Yes, that does help a lot! Sleeping in coach sounds like it would be perfect—-if we were in high school and going on a field trip with our entire class. “Room with a view” it is!! Very glad to know that the station is in such a good place. Thank you soooo much, Susan! You probably saved our first ever train trip from being our last.
I think I might have! 😜 We always have about a 6 hour layover in Chicago on our way to California ~ and we love them . . . almost all our underwear and shoes comes from Chicago! We get a lot done! If it’s a nice day, find one of the tour boats that go along the river that flows through the city! Really fun and informative and beautiful!
I built my first fire in the fireplace tonight, while watching the mayor of San Juan update us with such courage and dignity about our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico….how fortunate I feel tonight, sitting in front of my cozy fire, planning for family to visit on Saturday from Florida, for a week….planning for my new rescue golden retriever mix little girl, 10 year old Maggie Mae, who was neglected and lived under an overpass in Aberdeen, Washington….planning for Pumpkin-Carving, Soup night, a 20 year tradition with Emily (started when she was 8 and now at 28, the tradition lives on)….planning to keep friends and family close to my heart, give to others, take care of critters, read, watch movies (have you seen, “The Great Lie” with Bette Davis and George Brent?),
take time to continue educating myself….good plans….solid plans….I am fortunate. Thanks for all you give the world….
Reply
I’m a person who worries about perfect strangers with no houses! And lost dogs and kitties. It’s a worrisome time for folks like us! Blessings on you Regina. Happy Pumpkin carving! Love to Emily too. xoxo
Poldark is awesome. We have watched all of Season I and just received Season 2 in the mailbox (order DVD’s to NOT miss any episodes). You will love it! On our 50th Anniversary trip across the U.S. from Idaho to the Atlantic, (Sept 2016) we went to Maine just to have lobster on the wharf. We drove our pickup with our pop-up camper on and only ate out 3 times the whole month!
I understand completely! xo
Thank you for sharing your wonderful views of Maine. We do not get there as often as I would like, but you have inspired me to start planning another visit!
It’s a very special place! Hope you have a wonderful time!
Hi, Susan!
I truly enjoyed reading about your visit to Maine, especially because my Joe and I are planning to visit the New England states next fall to include Martha’s Vineyard of course! Your friends’ house on the water is a slice of paradise! You had me at the lobster salad with warm goat cheese and that plate of fresh oysters! And eating on the porch with all the candlelight and that view! The photo you shared of the window and mirrors with all the reflections was pure magic. It was almost as if the walls of the house melted away leaving that cozy chair floating on the water. I’m sorry you weren’t able to sample Red’s Eats. Judging by the crowds, it must really be something special. Oh and that exquisite sunset…I am in awe. Thank you for once again taking us along on your journey! I enjoyed escaping with you and Joe! Sending hugs! Beth
In preparation for our trip to Maine last week, two of Susan’s designed mugs (Autumn and Blue Bird) were packed in the boxes of supplies. Each sunrise and sun set was enjoyed with a cup of tea on the deck overlooking the water. We spent a lovely week at a rented cottage on a lake with close access to the mountains, fresh seafood markets, antique shops, independent book stores, little bakeries, apple orchards, farmer’s markets, and hidden gem shops as an authentic British tea room. With inspiration from Susan’s books and blog, I kept a daily journal with pressed Autumn leaves and end of season floral between the pages. Living in Massachuesetts we have frequently traveled to neighboring states of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont, but Maine has a special place in our heart. On the way home we stopped at Standard Baking Co. in Portland. The bakery entrance is tucked between two larger buildings at almost a back alley with only six parking places but oh so worth it. Ease into the purchasing area that holds perhaps only 12 people and wait your turn for the best of bread (baked in 26 varities) and pastries. Needless to say we finished half a load of Challah bread and a berry tart before out of town. A week in Maine should be on everyones “bucket list”.
FYI… blue porch ceilings are to keep bugs away. Our cousin in Fryeburg Maine, who is quite a historian, advised us of this bit of interesting information. Sharon Q
I’ve always heard it was to match the sky . . . so I Googled it and got this: “There are numerous theories as to why – from fooling spiders and wasps into thinking the ceiling is the sky, to blue being a harbinger of good luck, to the color extending daylight, to scaring away evil spirits.” They say it’s an old Southern tradition. I like all the reasons!