Hi Everyone! Would you like to be in England for Remembrance Day? You came to the right place! MUSICA
I want to show you this wonderful thing that happens in England the second Sunday of November which Joe and I discovered a little bit by accident when we were visiting. 🍂 
It’s actually a lovely tradition that started in America in 1920 when the Poppy flower was proclaimed by the United States to be our national emblem of Remembrance. For Armistice Day, for never forgetting, and for the prayer of peace. See Joe? See that red poppy on his jacket?
Here he is, walking home from shopping at Blenheim Castle in Woodstock Oxfordshire, with a poppy on his jacket. Because, in November, all over the United Kingdom (Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, too) . . .
. . . you rarely see anyone who isn’t wearing a poppy at this time of year. For some reason the tradition didn’t catch on for America’s Veterans Day, but it is huge over there. I wish I’d taken a photo in a train station, so you could see how popular it is, these little splashes of red hurrying hither and yon. You get used to it, then you start to fall in love with it, and especially the idea behind it.
This is Joe and Paul ( Rachel’s adorable husband, English man extraordinaire, one of your funnier and more charming humans on the earth), both of them poppy-decked of course.
We went to a dinner, and everyone was wearing a poppy . . .
Me too . . .
And Rachel too.
For a donation to the Royal British Legion ~ a pound for a poppy, you can pin one of these to your coat. The appeal raises millions for the care of British Veterans and their dependents, and by the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the whole country is decked in solidarity-red for Remembrance.
We read the paper and learned the significance of the Poppy.
As the years went by, other wars and more loss, “between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place…” to what was the war to end all wars, the first world war. Flanders Fields were the battlefields in France where so many were lost, the “western front”. . . is now covered in poppies for remembrance. And a beautiful heartbreaking poem was written:
The first Poppy Day was celebrated in England in 1921, and has continued every year since.
There will be no forgetting . . . the whole country shows their gratitude and old men wear their uniforms on the street with pride. I think maybe because when bombs literally fall on your house and your neighbor’s house, on your church, in your garden, you have a different relationship to war than others who were mercifully spared that experience.You turn on the radio, and there’s Vera Lynn singing We’ll Meet Again back in the day with the voices of servicemen and their sweethearts singing along, and you can feel the heart in the moment, and your own connection to it . . .
Poppies are everywhere, including pillows and sachets in the Blenheim Castle gift shop.
And we ended up with a bouquet of them for our kitchen counter.
You would find them on the street in simple little places . . .
And in the cities too . . . these are part of the Field of Remembrance, a small graveyard set up each year next to Westminster Abbey in London.
And there are remembrances in every small town . . .
This particular Remembrance Day found us in downtown Woodstock where we were staying, a small town in Oxfordshire with a population of 3,000, which is just 
around the corner from Blenheim Castle where Winston Churchill was born. Now Winston Churchill has a special place in my heart, for more reasons than one. The marriage between his American great grandmother Aurora Murray to Isaac Jerome produced a granddaughter, Winston’s mother, Jennie Jerome. That’s her in this picture. My grandmother is Irene Murray, and through her lineage I discovered that Winston Churchill is my 8th cousin! (If you go sideways far enough back, you’ll find everyone is related to everyone!)
XOXO
We came upon this solemn scene by happy accident. We were just walking back to the High Street after visiting Blenheim Castle (we stayed at the Bear Hotel ~ some parts of it 900 years old, you can see it in the video on the right), and didn’t know what was going on when we saw a crowd had gathered, families, babies, and dogs, people of all ages, clergy and soldiers too. It was 11 am on Remembrance Sunday, and the village had stopped to honor Armistice Day as they had done for 95 years, for all those who served and died in war ~ we learned that this quiet remembrance happened in every small and big town in England at this same moment every year, the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. MUSICA.
Tradition is such a beautiful thing. Honoring the people who built the world, who came before us is such a right thing to do. Afterwards we discovered that Winston Churchill was buried nearby, in a tiny churchyard in a small village called Bladon. So off we went through the golden air of the English Countryside with this music playing in our car to find Churchill’s grave. 🍂
When we found the tiny village of Bladon, we fretted about leaving our car parked halfway in the narrow street, 
only a bit more than one car wide, but it was the best we could do and still be in the town. How they could have had a state burial for one of the most famous people in the world in this teeny place with zero parking is a mystery. But look at that beautiful stone house. See the roof line, all curvy and crunchy from age? I always stop to marvel that they kept the beauty and history of what came before as times changed and such things as bathrooms and electricity were invented ~ how they did it is beyond me, but they did!
Nothing in the town had changed since the day the Prime Minister was laid to rest, except the people. The generations have turned over more than once.
We walked through the quiet, echoing streets of the village looking for the church listening to the birds singing . . .
. . . enjoying cottages and curtains . . .
. . . and people who brought nature inside.
We peeked in the windows at the far end of this house with the amazing vine . . .
. . . and saw these in the little panes of glass! It was the Studio of a sculptor . . . ohhh, I wanted to go in so bad!
But it wasn’t to be . . . “Open Daily 10-6” said the card in the window, but another sign said, “Closed!” Travel is all about the serendipity!
I was perfectly happy wandering the lanes, taking pictures of the stone houses with names on them . . .
and of course, the little charmers out for a walk . . .
And there it was, the flag flying over St Martin’s Church . . . where the bells had just rung for Armistice Day.
A small, rather austere church . . . an unassuming village church like so many others wherever you go.
with lovely details
And a sweet peaceful graveyard, these being my favorite, family gravestones held in nature’s embrace.
Next to Churchill’s grave were simple elegant memorials, and benches for sitting.
with rather an amazing drain in the stone path ~ I had to take a photo of it!
Churchill’s grave sort of broke our hearts. Everything so real. I couldn’t help but think of my dad who had fought in WWII and had died a few months earlier. 😢 We’d been to Churchill’s wonderful house called Chartwell and learned about him and his fascinating wife Clementine ~ and here they were, buried together. History of the world, just waiting for us to find and remember and learn.
It’s actually his family burial ground, his mother, Jennie Jerome, Lady Randolph Churchill is buried in the center grave surrounded by the hedge.
Sure and certain hope.
Afterward we stopped at a nearby pub to read our paper and eat “Sunday Roast” ~ another wonderful old tradition, served in most British pubs every Sunday,
. . . a glorious menu consisting of your choice of beautifully cooked roast beef, roast chicken or roast pork ~ with Yorkshire Pudding, stuffing, roasted carrots, parsnips, and potatoes with gravy.
And poppies on the mantle . . .
After lunch we drove to Oxford to see Carrie and Stuart, who took us on a tour ~ here we are in one of the churches.
Then back to Carrie’s kitchen which was in full-remembrance mode. We had a wonderful visit with them . . . but when we got back to our rental house, I noticed I had lost the poppy from my jacket. wah. I know, I had another four in my poppy bouquet, but I hated losing even one.
We spent more weeks in England, taking long walks under blowing leaves, enjoying the fall, and did not return to America until late November ~ celebrating Thanksgiving on the ship, going home the old way, past the statue of liberty into New York harbor, dreaming our memories in the rocking of the boat.
And finally home, where Jack was waiting, and H❤️ME was waiting, and of course we brought our poppies home with us. A few days later, a surprise arrived in the mail from England.
It was a book-gift from Carrie, along with the poppy I’d dropped at her house! She found it and sent it back to me! Total perfection!And that’s my story for today, Girlfriends . . . Celebrate November 11 … Remember our Veterans. Study history, see how we got here. With life’s vagaries it’s a pure miracle we are!
Here is my kitchen this morning, sparkling with light from the sunrise…
It’s our time now . . . and one of the gifts of remembering is the gift of knowing the real and important things of life, and passing them to the ones we love . . . 
Clothespin caught a leaf, and I got to make a wish. So I think we can all make a wish!
Ah yes, time for tea! Hope you enjoyed our trip to England! Have a wonderful day! XOXO
look at the lovely new items! Ugh Susan, I adore them all! so hard to choose
Marcia from Sewell, NJ
Hi Marcia…. from Susan in Sewell, NJ!
Beautiful story today. And yes, we should all take a moment and remember. And be grateful.
A lump in my throat as I join you and all of your GFs in remembering ALL of the soldiers and all of the bravery. I’ll look for a poppy here and keep a prayer of thanksgiving in my heart. Thank you, Susan!
I am so glad that you bring England to us! I love it!
Oh my, what an inspiration you are! I’m so thankful you are in my tiny world!
Always donate and get a poppy. Dad in WWII, husband in Vietnam.
Hi Susan, I enjoyed your latest Willard and looking forward to the trip you are taking to Ireland and England. I will be “going” along for sure!
Will there be a book about Ireland? Please!!!
I’ll try!
I just wanted to say how I just love the little vignettes with Beatrix Potter figurines and the little sailor. They are so sweet and funny. I got to thinking how cute it would be if Appley Dapply and Mrs. Tiggly Winkle were caught sneaking away with snacks and Jack was behind them with big moon eyes spying really close. The stories are endless I suppose.
I love that photo too, it’s so fruity!
You brighten my day with your talent.
Dog, cat, and BUNNIES!!! even if they’re not real, how precious! I loved England when I visited long ago. Will have to go back. Loved your photos!
The day began with Willard and now this post. I am so filled with love, sweetness and remembrance that I am crying. But good tears. Funny, but I have been reading a book series set in WWI England (Bess Crawford mysteries by Charles Todd). Actually, listening. It is so cozy to settle into my lace-curtained parlor with an SB mug of tea, knitting and being read a good story (with a British accent no less!). Thank you Amazon Audible. My afternoon break from the challenges of caring for my dear husband. I am SO EXCITED about all of your new creations!! Thank you, thank you for sending your love and goodwill out into the world and into my heart.❤️❤️❤️ And now, I must run. I feel an SB shopping spree coming on. Oh boy!
Thank you back Rosanne! I’m so happy you are here. Give your husband a hug for me! xoxo
Fast Eddie loves hugs. BTW, he graduated from Reseda H.S. in 1963, and I hope you didn’t know him! I hear he was a pretty wild boy. Fortunately, by the time I met him in 1971 he had sown enough wild oats to be ready for domestic bliss and me.😊
Your blogs are always so warm, inspiring and uplifting. Always wear my poppies~ my Dad was a World War II hero, and my hero always. Fall is my favorite time of year~ the colors, the magical way the trees look, which can brighten any day.
Grateful for all we have~ and so thankful for your spirit!
Oh, Susan!!!! Just finished my first read of the latest Willard – love, love, love it!!! It always makes me smile and laugh and cry (because it touches my soul). How can we ever thank you enough for sharing your love of life, your thoughts and inspirations, your wit and wisdom, your beautiful art, your enormous talent, your Joe and Jack. I’ve enjoyed you for years – and buy little things as I am able. Your new dishes are just delectable!! Thank you!!!
I’m so happy to hear that Nancy, thank you. xoxo
What an appropriate post to me! Today is my own remembrance day, remembering my sweet daddy who died on this day in 1985. I’ve been thinking of him all morning. Then to read your entry on Remembrance Day just encouraged me to remember all who have gone on before. A wonderful day of reflection and hope. Thank you, Susan. xoxo
The poppy wreath is such a sweet remembrance.
Hello,
Beautiful post as usual. Looking forward to your needlepoint/embroidery designs.
Paulette 🌻💕
You have given me so much to think about in this one. ❤️
I am living vicariously through your blog. I would love to live on Martha’s Vineyard. Thank you so much for sharing.
Flanders Fields, I memorized that poem for school when I was young, I can still recite it. I have always loved it. They sold poppies in the small town I grew up in when I was young.
Beth
Such a beautiful post. Looking forward to your contest, so many lovely new items.
A heart-breaking, heart-warming post, as only you can write. What a beautiful tradition, the poppies of remembrance. Thank you, Susan, for sharing it with us.
That dashing husband, those charming friends, the winsome cat, and the little book from Carrie — precious treasures all. God is so good.
Hello dear Susan…am home sick today and such a beautiful surprise to wake up to a lovely Willard and a blog! Thanks for all the goodies to look forward to…have a wonderful day!
Feel better soon Jackie!
The plates are just lovely 💜💜💜 A great addition to my tea parties. Nice for any event so I am crossing my fingers and believing in fairy tales!!!!🌷🌷🌷
Lovely post, Susan. Thank you for reminding us of the history of Armistice Day.
We must never forget…
I love that you just take the time to look around…
Miracles Happen!!
Love your stories and all things Britain. Thanks for sharing.
Just yesterday an envelope from the Poppy Fund arrived in our mailbox, holding one red poppy and a way to donate to support ex-service personnel. Remembrance Day is a national holiday here in Canada, with services at the cenotaphs, everyone wearing poppies, and two minutes of silence at 11:00 am. It’s a time to remember, and to pray that such devastation will never happen again.
When I was in Grade 7, I was asked to read John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” at the assembly. (He was a Canadian, too.) I knew it by heart, but the organizer thought it would have more gravitas if I read it. So I did. To this day, I can recite the poem.
Your new china items are so pretty! A beautiful post.
The things we’ve memorized as children don’t go away … You were lucky to have that lovely poem imbedded!
Last year I was back in England and able to make my donation for a poppy and wear one again for the first time in many years. All the poppies are made by veterans in Richmond in London. Here’s some more information on the story.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy_Factory
Beautiful post Susan, as always. Have you read Poppy Day by Amanda Prowse? talentedladiesclub.com/articles/bestselling-author-amanda-prowse/#.WUmGDJfM3kI.blogger Her personal story is so interesting and inspiring as are her books. I think you would really enjoy them, because I do, and I am convinced we are long lost sisters! If we are not, let’s pretend we are, just for the fun of it! I love everything you create. Xo
Oh, my heart is swelling from your beautiful post and photos. Our town hosts a free Veteran’s Luncheon every November and I feel honored to decorate and
serve these selfless individuals who so deserve our gratitude and respect.
I shed tears remembering my own sweet father who was so eager to
“sign up” at 16 into the Navy and served in the Pacific. Let’s all donate and
wear our poppies to honor and remember. Thank you. Lovely, lovely images.
Once again, your give-away is splendid and generous. Keeping my fingers crossed! And bless you, Susan, for such a beautiful blog post. Made my heart quicken!
Hello Susan
Thank you so much for your lovely blog post. It is such a joy to see our country through your eyes because it reminds me not to take the familiar for granted. I too have lost many poppies over the years so I was delighted when I found a crafter who makes them as brooches from felt. I still get to make my donation but don’t find my poppy has gone missing before the important day.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your connection with NurseryThyme. I have just received my second mug (the Autumn one) and I’m looking forward to the Winter, Spring and Summer ones which I understand they are planning to stock, woohoo! You are a star for caring about your girlfriends on this side of the pond. Thank you.
With love and blessings from Ann in Chester xx
Hi Ann! Nice to hear from you! Yes, I’m really happy about Nursery Thyme too, it’s made things so much easier for my British girlfriends!
What a splendid and generous offer, Susan. My fingers are crossed!
Oh! Susan! I just love your posts during the Autumn months! I love your posts about England too! Poppy info very interesting, thank you for that!
Hugs to you and Joe, and Jack!! 🙂
Susan, loved the post. Looking forward to Willard.
Hi, Susan,
Your blog about poppies was beautiful and very interesting. Perhaps you should design something with poppies. We would all adore it! Please enter me in your give away. All the little plates are perfect for … tea bags, nuts, small cookies, grapes. Many great uses!
A beautiful story and reminded me of my sweet father, who met Winston Churchill during WWII and told us about that meeting while we watched his funeral ceremonies. I was too young to really appreciate it then–wish I could hear it again today.
I believe I may have commented on the wrong blog–but, oh, what lovely new pieces for our tables–such temptations!
Every year we get poppies and wear them. My husband was in Viet Nam. Our church has a special pray for all the veterans during the services on the Sunday closest to November 11. Love the dishes! You are so creative!
What a lovely reminder about the poppies. And I adore any small dishes in a heart shape!
Hi Susan! Oh, my, how I love “going to England” with you! Thank you so much for the beautiful pics and the history lesson! My hubby retires next year and because of you a trip to England is on our bucket list! Blessings to your day!
Oh Susan, you have no idea how much I depend on your blogs to get me through this time in our country. You smooth my ruffled feathers. What a beautiful tribute to our soldiers of WWI and WWII who fought to keep the world free from tyrants. I appreciate your understanding of how the world could be if only there was more kindness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We should never give up! xoxo
I think Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never give up!”
He also said, “History will be kind to me because I intend to write it myself!” (WOW!)
His history books are really worth reading too!
Dear Susan:
Reading your post makes for a better understanding of why you love England and the English so. It seems that Character has become a forgotten word in many places and never heard in other areas in the world. But there it is -shining through loud and clear from people who have understood suffering, sacrifice and difficult times and endure. Many Americans join in the poppy tradition- I shall honor my father and so many other “ordinary” soldiers who have literally saved our lives and our nation.
I can only hope that we take up the struggle to make us a nation to be worthy once more. Such great sacrifice should not be in vain and cannot be measured by bombastic rhetoric and stock market statistics. It was not done at such a price so that greed and hatred are enabled to run rampant in a beautiful land. Love to all and especially those who have had men and women in their families who have served our country. Marty
And we never ever want it to happen again. The good thing is, we have film of what real war is made of, they didn’t have that in WWI and the heartbreak from the loss will never go away. Yes, character, made from the golden words, integrity, courage, honor, generosity, honesty, compassion, forgiveness, discipline, all the things we want for our children. 😘
Counted cross stitch- I haven’t done any of that in years. I’m thinking the Tea Cup design might be one to pick up where I left off. Every time I look at your on-line store, I’m sorry that I never made it to your Arroyo Grande. Another procrastination gone bad! I Love the poppy post and appreciate the story. Thank you, Susan! T
I proudly wear a poppy whenever I see a Veteran selling them! Thank you for sharing this story with us! XOXO
I always feel cozy after reading your blog! Thank you!
Sue, thank you so much for sharing the full story of the poppy. I have purchased poppies from Veterans here over the years, and how I wish we all celebrated November 11 here in the US in the same way as the Brits do with the same deep reverence for the lives of all servicemen and women everywhere. I will be sharing this with everyone I know.
Christie, was reading your book “Before the Lamps went Out” (Britain’s Golden Age, Christmas 1913-August 2014). It ends so sadly, the war just breaking out, nobody realizing what they were getting into, and this last paragraph: “Once again the opening bars of the National Anthem crashed out. Tens of thousands of voices were lifted up, in fervent, ecstatic accord, extolling the Monarch who stood, silent and still, on the balcony above; while a glorious moon rose high above the tree-tops, shining down on the obsequies of the old order.” I had to look up obsequies.😥 And to you: 😘
Thank you so much for the beautiful Willard and Blog posting about Remembrance Day. As a third grade teacher in Vandenberg Air Force Base’s school district I have already been assembling Veteran’s Day stories and activities for my students, such as writing a letter to a veteran. Your wonderful post has inspired me to add the making of paper poppies and sharing your post with my students during this important day’s activities. My students love crafts that have a bit of history behind them.
P.S. I so enjoyed your talk at the Apple Farm. I asked you what you wore to Joe’s all important birthday party. Someday, in a book or blog, please share with all your internet friends, the significance of that birthday party and your true love story. After the Apple Farm event, my mom and I also enjoyed speaking with Joe about Vera Lynn. What a true gentleman. Please say hello to him for us. Loved your photos of him. There is nothing sexier than a man wearing a poppy for remembrance day!
Joe does it well! xoxo Thank you Kate! And for what you teach our kids!
Hi Kate!
Veterans Day will be extra special in your classroom. In the days leading up to Veterans Day, I always asked my second graders to find out the names of all of the veterans in their families. We had long red, white, and blue list of brave men and women hanging in a place of honor in our classroom. It helped to make the remembrance very meaningful when my young students saw the names of their own family members on display in honor of Veterans Day. So simple, yet so powerful!
Thanks for all that you do every day to make a difference!
Warmly,
Dawn (in Illinois)
♡♡
Thank you for continuing to do this. I always made a fuss about Veterans Day in my kindergarten classroom over the years. We would also march around the room and play simple instruments to patriotic music.
3 things…oh, and hello Susan. This is a lovely post, thx !
1- this started in the USA in 1920 ? Why don’t we do this ? Oh, I wish we did. Love this tradition of the rememberance poppies, and love the English for doing this !
2 – wow ! Cute, cute pic of Joe, with us drink, and the bottle of tonic water ! 🙂
3- would love to hear about your gifted book, The Wise Robin. I think that was the name, ( without scrolling back) it looks like something that I would love.
Have a happy day, can’t wait to get the new Willard. (( hugs)) and xxx’s 🌺
I do have a poppy here in my Studio with a tag that says, “Official Pennsylvania Poppy, American Legion” … so I think it might still be around here and there ~ I wish we did it like England does. Then our boys would see the millions of poppies and feel very very thanked, they way they should!
Lovely post. Will try to figure out a way for my daughter-in-law to read this post as she and husband are leaving for England on Nov. 10th. Hope they bring me back a Poppy!
As Canadians we remember our veterans in the same way although our poppies look a little different. The donations for taking a poppy support veterans and their families.
We have a holiday on Nov.11 with memorial services at 11 am. – our national service is broadcast from our capital.
I think November 11 is meaningful in many places. Brotherhood. Sisterhood. xoxo
The Remembrance Day tradition of wearing poppies happens in Canada, too. In fact John McCrae was Canadian, so we have a special affection for his poem, which every school-age child learns. The Remembrance Day ceremonies are well attended and very moving, and there is a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
But I will confess that I wish the Canadian Royal Legion made their poppies out of paper, like the British ones (the Canadian ones are a fuzzy plastic…sigh.)
As you know the California state flower is the beautiful poppy which grows wild throughout the state!! I am reading about WWII in the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “All the Light We Cannot See” by Andrew Doerr. It totally ties in with the Armistice Day blog! Thank you for the wonderful lesson about how the English remembers those who served and have fallen!!
I love Autumn, and this was the purrfect way to start the day! And yes, there were kitties involved! 🐱🍁🍂
Grateful are we that you are sharing the loveliness:)
Enjoyed reading the meaning of those poppies and how England celebrates their lost soldiers. What a nice way the entire country honors them.
Thank you for your beautiful blogs and thank you for your giving heart.
Beautiful post, Susan. It is always wonderful traveling to England with you…thanks for sharing! Look forward to your next trip to the Lakes district.
Now reading Anna Quindlen’s _Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, memories of our own lives to intertwine with those who have gone before us. In school, we observed a minute of silence for Armistice Day.
I love your work. I try to get two of everything so I have one to keep for myself
and have one to give as a gift. Thank you so much for your talent, thoughts and adventures!
Loved your stories and photos of the poppies! I will be sure to wear one on Nov. 11, 2017. When I was a child in the forties in California, we always wore red poppies purchased from Veterans. My dad took us to get our poppies. It was very important!
Me, too, Marion! I just looked up to see when the U.S. changed the name from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day. It was officially in 1954 (I was in high school).
What a beautiful blog message. I loved the cloth that said “Lest we forget”. The whole blog made me grateful all over again for the sacrifices that have been made for me.
I enjoyed reading your post, accompanied by the added ambiance of an overcast day. I am blessed to live in almost constant sunshine but I do love the slowness and coziness of a rare overcast day. It creates a certain peace 🙂
What a lovely blog post.
We all need to remember the bravery of the men and women who served and those who waited for them. So many wars and so many courageous people who fought for us all…
It was another reminder for me about my own brave father who was an Air Force pilot for the Army -Air Force and bravely flew many missions during WW II. He didn’t often talk about it, but we all knew, without really knowing what it must have been like. We miss you every day, Dad.
😘 Any chance to say thank you! Love that Gail!
Mine, too, Gail. He told only the funny stories about hijinks during training, in which I could hear how fond he was of those other “fly boys”. I remember as a little girl hesitating to ask after them, even as a child worrying that my dad was protecting us from ‘the sad part’ of the story, as dads do.
Thanks for a great blog. I always look forward to them and am looking forward to receiving the next Williard.
I love poppies more now than I did before. Thank you for sharing all things with us. I love your blog…you are an inspiration!!
Hi Susan, I so love your Blog! Can you give us an update on the progress of your movie/tv Show? So excited!
I haven’t heard anything lately, I’ll have to check and see what is going on!
Ohhh, please let us know 🙂
Have a great day!
A bit of history for you, in the 1920’s Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine were guests of William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon. I also remember the Knight’s of Columbus selling poppies, unfortunately, I no longer see them doing so anymore.
So I looked it up and found this fabulous letter from Churchill to his wife, on his way home from Hearst Castle, the “desert villa!” Interesting insight!
Thank you for the link. It was an interesting to read what Mr. Churchill thought of William Randolph Hearst. I also did not realize that Mr. Churchill came without his wife.
Loved the lingo in the letter. He was so casually himself and true.
Having grown up in England I do remember Poppy Day and equate it with Rupert Brookes, Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Roland Leighton. Such poignant poetry.
Wonderful Willard! Always enjoyable!
Such a moving post and beautifully written and illustrated. I remember poppies being sold when I was a young girl, but I haven’t seen them offered for a donation in a very long time. It would be nice if they were brought back here. My dad served in WWII in the Pacific.
My mother, a US Army Nurse Corps veteran, was stationed in England during WW2. Every year she would buy her daughters poppies from the local veteran’s group. She would remind us that the real Veterans Day was November 11 and at 11 am to observe a minute of quiet in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I got my poppy this year from an American Legion volunteer at a town fair. Although we live distances apart, I know that my sisters will be wearing poppies on November 11th. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this mini trip to England – so nice to see the poppies and recall the history of it all.
I do look forward to every blog you do – it just seems to change the atmosphere from hectic and mindless to calm and reflective – something I think is sorely missing in our daily lives! So thank you for giving me that happy feeling!
Lovely compliment Rosanna, thank you. xoxo
What a wonderful and beautiful post today. One of my life’s dreams has been to travel to Great Britian – back in 1998/1999 I was saving for that trip, and had planned to take my nephew with me as my husband at the time was not interested in going with me on that vacation; however, we divorced in 2000 and I had to move out of state and there went my funds for my GB trip! Oh well! I had planned to and then I ended up going through a divorce that year and From the fields / poppies of Remembrance, through Churchill’s grave (someone in history I have always admired – my father ‘studied’ history and at one time wanted to be a history teacher, but life had different plans for him, and Winston Churchill one of the people he studied and read of and about often). Oh my, the Sunday Roast looks amazing. And love Carrie’s milk bottle (with the blue writing) with the poppies. Oh, and thank you for the opportunity to enter for give-away!
I hope you put a new date for it on your calendar. You would LOVE the person-ality of Chartwell, where Churchill lived.
Hello Susan – this was a beautiful post. I love the pictures of Autumn and to hear of your travels to England. I look forward to going there myself someday.
You’ll love it Cheryl!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for this wonderful post! Every Memorial Day in May and Veterans’ Day in November we have veterans selling poppies at the grocery store, and I always buy one. It is so lovely to meet and talk with these veterans, and they truly appreciate any contribution in return for the poppy. One of my neighbors has poppies growing in her yard, and I love to see them every spring when I’m out on my walk.
I loved this blog of your visit in England … how they treasure and preserve their historical buildings, where here we have destroyed so much of our past in the effort of progress. Yes, there are a lot of structures that should be replaced in the interest of safety, but I think we have lost some valuable historical structures. I treasure the historical structures we have been able to save or restore … our history!
It amazes me that I can walk through the house where Shakespeare lived in England, and the house where Mozart was born in Austria, and the house where Paul Revere lived in Boston. History and tradition are so wonderful!
I am upset that so much of our history is being destroyed now. This is our past, and what happened in our country … I don’t think it is right to erase our history. That is what happened in America … and I cherish our history, right or wrong.
OK, I’ll get off my soap box … love to you, Joe and Jack, and all the Girlfriends!
Barb xoxoxo
Some parts of our history I don’t cherish. But I do cherish our country and its ideals. Men, however, can really screw things up! Don’t tell anyone I said that!
Chose me! Chose me!
or make it “choose me, choose me!”
..lol..’I like “chose me ! chose me !” so much better !…
..I, too, need to say what a heart- felt post this is .. I love “in sure and certain hope”.. ‘so true.. btw, Susan, I have been re-reading Martha’s Vineyard..Isle of Dreams these last couple of days while visiting my daughter .. ‘such an incredible story.. I love reading it as well as I did the first time I read it .. sincerely..you have a gifted way with words .. I love how you, no matter what, keep such a sense of humor about things…’so important and so precious..thanks..and thanks for this important post of remembrance..also, I must say how successful you’ve been with your dishes !!..I am ordering the winter mug for my daughter, as we both adore A Child’s Christmas In Wales !!! 🙂 ..’love you, Susan..
Susan, thank you for another beautiful blog post!! You truly are inspirational.
Thank you for sharing this lovely tradition!
A Jack mug?!!! Yes please!!!!!!😻
I love this….very patriotic and so important to rememver the fallen and the brave. Thank you.
I enjoyed reading about the poppies. I have a poppy on my desk. I remember people selling them when I was child, but I don’t see them for sell much these days. Which is sad, it’s a wonderful way to remember those before us. Thanks for sharing!
Our hearts have fall in them though our afternoons are still waaaay too warm here in California’s Central Valley! I’m feeling lucky for this drawing as the prize is too great for words! Thanks a million!
Lovely as always Susan! I simply adore you ♥ That is all : )
😘 Danielle!
Susan, you have done it again! You bring us us such joy and light! Thank you!❤️
PS Can you believe our heatwave here in So Cal? Go Dodgers 💙⚾️💙
Susan, thanks for this lovely Willard and all your beautiful new items. Love the plates and mugs ♥ I especially like the red and white ornaments! They’re so wonderful for my feather tree. Tough decisions! 🙂
Thanks also for the moving story of the red remembrance poppies. When I was in New Zealand, poppies were worn in April for ANZAC Day. Still have mine from that trip. Growing up here, we used to buy them on Memorial Day from the veterans. You rarely see them sold nowadays as the Greatest Generation leaves us. So moved to read Flanders Field poem again and see that the red poppy is going strong in England. I wear one in May and November for those I knew who fought in wars, but I plan now to keep looking for a new one – in remembrance.
You have taken and so generously shared with us such wonderful journeys! Thank you, thank you! Wish I could be in England with you all next Spring. One day! ♥ Be blessed!
Thank you for your heartfelt blog. I love reading it and can hardly wait for the next one! Love and hugs to you, Joe & Jack!
X O X O X
What a wonderful history lesson!…It is rather sad that the tradition that began in America has fallen away from here…but thankfully is going strong in England…I do remember way back when…and I do mean way back!…when American’s wore poppies also…but I was a child then…and there were other issues in life…but it is a delightful thing to know and be aware of…Have you read the biography of Clementine…Churchill’s wife? “Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill” by Sonia Purnell?
I have! Wonderful!
Wonderful post, Susan. My dear Dad served in WWII, and I’m grateful for all of our service members, past and present.
I love the poppy tradition in England, thank you for sharing! What an honor to be there on Armistice Day and pay tribute to those who gave all. How special to visit England in autumn, but then when is it not a good time! It’s always a treat to read your posts!❤️
Good Morning Susan and Girlfriends. a lovely story Susan, and as the wife of a Navy Veteran, thank you for remembering. always bought the poppies that the veterans were selling and will continue to do so…. remember our vets and our servicemen and women, they deserve a big thanks and a hug from us all. what a lovely Fall morning here, earlier we had fog, not a heavy fog just a light one but it was so spooky to hear the dry leaves rustling and then have the turkeys come out of the fog into view. quite a sight and we are blessed with daily visits from them, about 2-3 visits a day now. so I leave some scratch out for them and some cracked corn to feed them. such graceful and stately birds. the air is crisp and sweet, since we have a few apple trees near us you can smell the apples. have a lot to do today, mainly baking bread, and getting a pot roast into the oven to slowly cook all day. plus run some errands in town, groceries and stopping by the grange for some extra cracked corn and scratch for the turkeys. yes I know I do spoil them but it is the only way I can keep them from eating the squirrels’ food that I leave out for them. right now they are sitting on the gate to the back part of the property… like I have said I suspect they roost somewhere nearby. well off to get the baking and the pot roast started….. I love this time of year. Happy Fall and Happy Fall memories. hugs everyone….. 🙂
First, going to comment to leave my short reply for Vanna, then go back and savor the posting. Looking forward to the Willard. Must organize dishes for Thanksgiving very, very soon.
Of all the beautiful items in my China cupboard, my 15 month old granddaughter always points to my Susan Branch favorite things mug. One day it will be hers to remind her of her Mamaw to whom she brought such joy and love.
Deep bow for the honor, love to see the love Janet. xoxo
Susan,
What a nice post. I remember the poppies well. I still buy them when I see someone selling them. My dad was also in the war.
Love the prize and would love to be in the drawing.
Nancy Jo
As usual, I love to read your posts, and check daily to see if you have a new one! Today’s post was really special – I always buy a poppy to honor my Dad who was in the Navy during WWII. My grandparents (and other relatives) came to America in the early 1900s from England – I sure do miss them, but what fun it was growing up among their traditions, and to this day, I remember their accents when they would tell me “Mind you crossing the street!” Thanks for all of your blogs – I would love to go to England some day!
Susan, thank you for sharing your trip to England. Beautiful post.
Lovely lovely post!
I’m in serious danger of becoming a dish hoarder, but these are too irresistible to….well,…. resist! I can slip Vanna a mani-pedi coupon if that will help.
I remember as a child poppies around Veteran’s Day were much more popular than they are today. Maybe we can change that by wearing poppies.
Love your blog…posts don’t come frequent enough for me.
I have knitted poppy pin that I found years ago on the ground somewhere that I will wear. Lovely post.
I would love to win these dishes! Fingers crossed!