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
I loved this post. I especially the photos and stories of the poppies. It brings back early memories of my childhood. Around Veterans Day there would be peoples selling the poppies on street corners all over town.
Your new dishes are beautiful. What a joy it would be to win one!!
Good afternoon….
Thanks for this very interesting Willard… I only knew bits and pieces about Poppy tradition.
It was good to hear the whole story. It’s finally feeling like autumn around my area… But the sun is still warm and lovely. I love all the new items on the website…
The idea about a special Susan Branch jar sounds great because the items sell out before I have the money available… being retired does have it’s draw backs!!!! Please enter me in your new drawing.. Have a great day…Happy Halloween!!!👹👺👻💀😈
Thank you, Susan, for reminding us of the poppy tradition. Here in Kansas City, we have the Liberty Memorial which is the national memorial to honor the fallen of the Great War. When you enter the museum, the first thing visitors see is a field of poppies. When I was a little girl my dad used to recite “Flanders Field” around our house. Lovely post.
Such a lovely and uplifting post. Thank you Susan, for brightening the world! Your new dishes and needlework kits are beautiful.
How lovely, to refresh us on the meaning of Veteran’s Day in such a broader scope; I’ve always taken the ‘holiday’ seriously since my dad, too, was a veteran of the second world war. And my mom, the sweetheart who waited for him, his parents, his brothers and sisters, his friends…his dog…so many loved ones waited as well for his return. In their own way, they were all stalwart veterans of a really hard time.
I have a penchant for many things Edna St. Vincent Millay but I don’t recall the quote you used…so, love that you printed it. I first read her as a preteen and never forgot her poems.
Hope you’re enjoying a gorgeous Fall day far, far away on your beautiful island in the Atlantic as we FRY here in SoCalif on the Pacific. It’s been too hot for days and days now; Monday we peaked at 106 degrees and yesterday was 107 (mind you, I can see the ocean from where I live, so it’s not even like I’m deep inland here). It’s ‘only’ 95 right now as we approach 10am so maybe today will be a little better although I guess we’re not going to get any cooler til next week. Keep praying for that rain for us, Susan. Sigh. I want a real Autumn and this isn’t it, but I will endeavor to bloom where planted! And dream of the sweet coolness of rural England weather in October…
Thanks, Susan, for the continued creativity. As a record keeper, baker, tea drinker, crafter, vintage linen fan, and Anglophile, I appreciate all your artistic endeavors. I so look forward to each blog and new set of
pictures.
Just received your newsletter in my email and saw the gorgeous mugs and plates! Love the teapot plates and then I saw that you are having a drawing to win them!! Count me in! 🙂
Love the story about the poppies! I remember veterans selling them on street downtown years ago. Not sure if they still do that now. Our country could sure learn a lesson from the British on how to honor our veterans! How times are changing…..sigh…..
Your new little heart shaped plates are adorable. So perfect for tea time. I particularly enjoyed this newsletter with the veteran and poppy story. Brings even more meaning and understanding to Poppy Day.
I love the new items for sale. I am anxious to pick something out to buy. The poppy story was wonderful, I wish our whole country would do something like this. I will be looking for a poppy to wear. Thank you.
Oh thank you Susan, FINALLY!
I’ve been waiting The Poppy Post ever since you left the hint flying in the air. I even wanted to write you and ask if you forgot… (I got shy and didn’t) Sorry, I couldn’t know it needed to be in the right time 🙂 Of course!
Thank you so much for remembering and telling so I can too.
I love this blog about November and the poppies on Veteran’s Day. It all brought tears to my eyes (good tears). I love the new items in your shop! So very YOU! Thank you for your bogs and your Willards (especially). Happy November to you and Joe. God bless you both!
I just started watching a new (for me) streaming service call Britbox. I don’t know if you are aware of it but they are showing a wonderful series by Robson Green called “Tales from the Coast”, also all the old Prime Suspects. I didn’t remember how good they were. You might check out their website and see what you think.
We have Amazon, FilmStruck, Acorn, and Netflix … and starting to see that this could be a never-ending thing! I keep hearing about Britbox, but I think will figure out how to get rid of something before I confuse myself further! Love hearing what’s new, thank you!
Always look forward to taking time out of my day to read your posts.
What a wonderful post today, Susan. I always buy a poppy from the VFW each year to attach to my father’s picture frame. He was a proud World War II vet. I had no idea that England observes such a time of remembrance. The Winston Churchill part was so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Have you ever been to the WW1 Museum in Kansas City? It is the only WW1 Museum in the states. Very interesting and filled with Remberance. To enter you cross the most amazing ‘poppy field’ all done in the most beautiful of little sculptures. It is well worth the trip.
Just so beautiful and meaningful! Particularly appreciated the part of….. worth living for…… will be sending that on tosome of my friends who are also widowed.
Happy Thanksgiving! God bless us all:>)
Judy Tracy
Poppies are always available to buy in our small town in November for remembrance. We salute those brave boys!
What a neat tradition in England! I’ve never been there so it’s fun to enjoy reading about it from your memories. Thanks!
We think alike!!!!! Love your blogs!!!!!!!
Enjoying some tea right now in my Autumn cup!!! Would love to win anything Susan Branch. Lovely post as always!!! Looking forward to Willard!!! Hugs!!! Donna (Idaho)
I love history now. Wish I had as a child. We have our poppies waiting and on display all year. My maternal grandfather left American soil at the age of nineteen to enlist for WWI. He was an ambulance driver behind enemy lines in France. I have his very old, folded up map with markings all over it. His ambulance was not much more than a wooden box on wheels. Sadly, near the end of the war, he had a wreck with a soldier in the ambulance and the fella was killed. My grandfather never drove a car (until his 70’s) when he returned home from the war. He lived in Philadelphia and could go anywhere on the elevated or the trolley. Thanks for calling us to remember again.
Lovely post, the Veterans still sell poppies in our town and everyone wears and enjoys them. The very least we can do. Looking forward to Willard. Thank you for this inspiring post and I especially enjoyed visiting Churchill’s gravesite.
When my darling 6 year old daughter was in kindergarten, there was a little contest for the title of Miss Poppy. Christin wanted to be Miss Poppy so badly so Brownie and I relented and signed her up for the “interview.” She had lovely long hair for a 6 year old but also a bad habit of chewing on the end of her hair. One day I told her if I saw her chewing it again I would have it cut. So not a day later I made an appointment and off to the salon we went. The lady botched the cut so we made another appointment in a different place. Needless to say, after her pixie haircut, she no longer chewed her hair, however the day of the Miss Poppy interview we had ZERO hope she would be selected because she now looked like the cutest darling boy ever. Well, she won! She wowed them and they told us later that her cute short haircut was a plus because she would ride atop the first float in the Veteran’s Day parade. She “sold” poppies one weekend as part of her duties as reigning Miss Poppy. Even at that early age she knew the meaning behind the poppies. Brownie made sure she knew since he was serving in the Air Force and both of our fathers served in WWII. Christin, now a beautiful mother of three, still wears poppies in November and they became her favorite flowers early in her life. Thank you for the memory, Susan!
Thank YOU for the charming memory Willa!
Such a heartfelt message today!
Your photo of the Emma Bridgewater either with the blackberries took me back to my trips to England where tea time is so civilized and special!
Can I have that book gift at the end of your post? 🙂 The Wise Robin. My husband’s name is Robin and he is very wise. I’ve been collecting ‘Robin’ things for 40 years. Our anniversary is next April and we’re considering Britain for our destination. And next year one of our daughters is getting married and wearing my dress, now 40 years old, with a few makeovers. And Life is SO Good. Love your posts, all the time.
Would love to win and share. Love reading your posts.
I love the posts and all your new dishes. they are all so wonderful. hope I can win or if not I will buy something!!
You make history so interesting. Can’t wait to see your blog when you all are in England.
Have a lovely day.
Thank you so much, Susan, for the poppy memories and reminders of how important all kinds of remembrance are. And for all your beautiful photos and products! Cheers,
-N
It is Susan Branch time….coffee in your bluebird cup while reading the new Willard…then this blog and the other night I made your Spicy Short Ribs…delish…thanks so much!
Look forward to reading your posts. As being without internet and wi-fi, it makes it a bit harder and takes longer to read on my phone.
Domestic bliss!
Loved reading about your trip…..thank you. I luv the heart dishes!
Your blog is a beautiful, refreshing breath of freshness into my day. Thank you.
What a nice tradition. My dad was born in 1920 and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. It would be wonderful if we did the poppy wearing thing here. It’s the least we could do to honor all the women and men. My dad always told me that I was mostly English, when asking about my heritage. I feel blessed when I see your posts from England. It is so beautiful and magical. I think I am going to wear a poppy in November. I think you started something!!! Xoxo
What a beautiful trip. Thank you for sharing! How important it is to remember those who have suffered and died for our freedom. We are truly blessed.
How sweet, love the little heart plates!!
I don’t know if my comments ever get through but I shall continue to try. They are always “awaiting moderation”. At any rate, you have inspired me to be sure to get a poppy. And in fact, because I am an artist, I shall try to find a nice reference photo and paint one for November 11th. I’d better hurry tho! We shall all remember our fallen heroes…and hope that we will not return to war ever again. Thank you Susan for a lovely post!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for posting such a meaningful blog honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Their sacrifice should never be taken lightly and nor should it be forgotten. I appreciate the beautiful reminder.
Thank you also for entering me in the drawing! I’m looking forward to seeing Willard pop up in my email!
Fran R
You are such an inspiration and look forward to reading your blog every week. I purchased a Martha Vineyard cup a month or so ago and absolutely love it. It reminds me of my visit to the Vineyard 5 years ago with my family. Thank you so much for providing some light in a dark world. Hope I get the plates! They are adorable.
Beautiful post
Lovely post-and a beautiful reminder to honor the memories of those who have served their countries.
Thank you for the beautiful history of the poppy. Veteran’s Day holds a special place in my heart with my Dad surviving WWII on a Coast Guard ship and his brother, my Uncle Vincent, passing on Omaha Beach on DDay. Very important that we always remember…
Happy Autumn to you and Joe!! Always a fan since I bought first cookbook years ago. Please enter me in your give away of the new products.
Hi Susan! Several years ago we were in England during November and I still remember the poppies. We went to Blenheim Palace also. It was such an enchanting trip. This post brought it all back. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos! I bet you can’t wait to get back to England this spring. Best Wishes!
~Holly P.
Dallas, TX
I always enjoy reading your posts. Your artwork is beautiful, too!
Love your post today about wearing the poppy. I might have to see if I can find a poppy on Nov 11th.
I am broken-hearted. I called early in the morning to get an Autumn cup when you said there were a few more. I left my message as instructed. By the time they returned my call the cups were gone.😢 If anyone reads this happens to have an extra I would love to buy it from you.
Enter me please.
I loved your story–and I loved this edition of Willard! When we were in England, the tour guide (a nice, young 20-something-ish fellow) and I were talking about the poppies on Remembrance Day. He said that everyone wears a poppy, because you will certainly be ‘frowned upon and called out’ if you don’t. It simply ‘isn’t done.’ I know that Remembrance Day used to be more important in America too, as my mama remembers the poppy tradition when she was a little girl. It would be nice if it was still that way. Wonderful post!
I always try to buy a poppy on Veteran’s Day, there’s usually someone from the local VFW group selling them in town. Especially since my father, a WWII veteran, passed over to heaven, I look for the poppies. I learned that poem in grammar school and remember it each year.
And your new things are so cute, I’d love to be a winner!
Lovely read this morning Susan. I will be looking for Poppies in November! Thank you for bringing joy into our live, appreciating all the special little things. ❤️
Such beautiful poppies all over England. Thank you for sharing memories of your trip!
I look forward to your blog entries. They make me long for England. I’m thrilled to say that after 19 years I will get to go back next summer! The love of my life and I will be visiting in July. His sister lives in Reading, so we are lucky to have a home base from which to explore. Thank you for your lovely art and transporting words.
My grandfather fought in Great War, so went we were in France in 2014 we visited the famous battle field he was at, called Vimy, a book was witten while he was still alive in the 1970’s and he was interviewed for the book and is in the book. Only 11 where still alive, so greatful to have had him in my life. Anyway when we visited the site the dosesent ask if we had his regiment, no I say she said if you had it we could show you where they were. We were still in the visitor center and I bought red poppies there. I have a great picture of my grandson running the trenges only 2 1/2
Beautiful memory. xoxo
We love watching the Hidden Villages shows on PBS. Oh, how I would love to visit each town!! Like you, I just put away all my summer clothes and have hung up all the winter items. Love, love, love this time of year!
What beautiful dishes. You are wreaking havoc on my budget because I have to have some! Thanks for all your blogs. They are a highlight of my day. We need moreQ
Looks like a wonderful place to visit! My dad’s side of the family came from England. Maybe some day I will go and visit everything Beatrix Potter.
There are still so many who don’t know the story or significance of the Poppy. Thank you for the history & reminder. Veteran’s Day will be here soon….another way to honor them with a Poppy.
What a lovely post, Susan… Thank you for always reminding me about the small but important things in life. Love you xoxo
I have always wanted to go to England…here I am 77 and going with you yearly and learning so many wonderful things… Love the poppies…
Susan – Saw the poppies on the Westminster Abbey lawn the last time I was in London. Thanks for reminding me. So special. Linda
Many places in the US distribute poppies for a small donation. I have seen them at supermarket doors and at malls. My husband is a 22 year US Army retiree and we always saw them on military bases around the world. Loved your post.
PS we recently watched the Great War on PBS – very enlightening.
What a wonderful story about remembrance! My husband and I wear a poppy every year on Veteran’s day. My hubbie is a veteran so it has very special meaning to us.
Your poppy post was wonderful!! Remembering all those who give their lives for our freedom, may we never forget!
Good Morning! Such a sweet blog!! Beautiful day here in sunny California, it is going to be 85 degrees today so no feeling of Fall for us yet. Hope you have a beautiful day!!
WOW…85 degrees sounds like heaven. Santa Barbara, CA has been over 100 degrees the past three days and Goleta is just under 100. 90 degrees is frequent the past couple of weeks. Give me a break!!!
Thanks for the nice music, Susan. So romantic…almost brings me to tears tonight.
Always love reading your posts Susan.
Good times. Sweet memories. I love the way England remembers. “Lest we never forget.”
Please enter me! This was a lovely post of English traditions and countryside! Thanks!!
WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT THE POPPY. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL, ON NOV. 11TH THERE WERE VETERANS IN THE STREET
SELLING POPPIES. WE ALWAYS BOUGHT A BUNCH. NICE REMEMBERANCE.
Oh, England… I love thee!!! I really love everything about the English 🙂 what a delightful way to remember – such beauty.
And Susan, I really want one of those little dishes…. so please Vanna, please, please, pick me!!!!
Love, Love, Love…
debby
Your blog never ceases to inspire me and adds joy to my life.
Thank you for reminding us to remember the fallen soldiers of World War 1. My husband and I drove 800 miles through rural France last year, and even the tiniest villages had tender memorials to the French soldiers who died in that war.
What a beautiful post. We should all stop and remember. A moment or more of silence wouldn’t be a bad thing either. Our friends across the pond really do know how to live a civilized existence. Well done!
Your poppy post reminds me of my grandmother, four of her five sons served in World War 2.
We should all remember who serves.
A beautiful and touching post.
You said, “…when bombs literally fall on your house and your neighbor’s house, you have a different relationship to war than others that don’t.” Recently, I’ve been reading books about WWII for some understanding as to how ordinary citizens lived and survived the horror in Europe. Here are a few that some of the girlfriends may be interested in reading:
Nella Last’s War: The Second World War Diaries of Housewife, 49 – Nella Last
Everyone Brave Is Forgiven – Chris Cleave
All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak (made into a beautiful movie)
War in Val D’Orcia: An Italian War Diary 1943-1944 – Iris Orgo
My Uncle Bob came home from the Pacific during WWII shell shocked, so I know personally what the horror of war can do to a soldier. We shouldn’t forget.
Wonderful helpful list, Darlene, thank you!
Your blog is always inspiring but today even more so. We do need to remember the heros of the past. My city always has veterans outside of businesses selling lapel poppies around November 11th. It would be so wonderful if that tradition could become popular across our country.
Hey there ! <3
Love it
Very enjoyable post !
Thanks for the trip to England, for the sweet remembrances, and wonderful photos. I love how they celebrate in England.
In my younger days, I remember people selling the poppies on the streets, and always bought one. I don’t see that anymore, but it could be because we live in the country and rarely go to the big city.
We do always observe Veterans Day, though. My hero husband puts on his (many) medals and we attend the local parade. He stands there saluting the flag, and I’m so proud of him. When the Purple Heart float comes by, the guys point to Jem’s Purple Heart and shout, “You should be up here with us!” He just shouts back, “Thank you for your service!”
Thank you for reminding us to honor all who served. It’s so important.
Wow, Purple Heart. Tell Jem hello and thank him for me!💞
Thank you Susan. How I look forward to reading your posts. You have a beautiful way with words, and of course, your painting and photos. We are almost the same age and I wish we could meet sometime. Thank you for this post “Remembrance”.
My dad will be 93 in January and was and will always be a Marine. I felt your heart when you wrote about your Dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do to touch hearts and inspire us.
I was very sad when I got to the end of your post!😔 Maybe startled is a better word because I was so lost “living” your trip to England that I forgot I was READING! It’s safe to say your lovely descriptions quite carried me away! Nothing new, of course ☺️ Thank you as always for wonderful words, amazing photographs, awesome quotations, and beautiful artwork❤️
Carol H.
Susan – Thank you for sharing your beautiful England experience. Your posts of England inspired us to visit England. It was the best vacation ever.
For four generations, our menfolk are named some variation of David for my daddy’s great uncle who was killed at the very end of World War I in France. We have his handsome military photo as remembrance of such youthful sacrifice and devotion to our country. I grieve for his short life and cry at the thoughts of the amount of bravery he and others exhibited so that we are able to live our happy existence. Thanks for such a heart stirring post!
Thank you so much for the Willard. I enjoy them so much. Did you happen to see the ceramic poppies surrounding the Tower of London in 2014? What a magnificent sight!
After reading your book “a Fine Romance”, I just had to visit England and now I am an Anglophile. You are responsible, Susan! I’ve always loved anything to do with Beatrix Potter and her art but now I also obsess about everything Emma Bridgewater, The Lake District, the Cotswolds and much more.
I look forward to reading your other books . I’m happy to see that you now have a pottery collection. Is there an online catalog?
Thanks again!
I’m so happy, welcome to the luv-lee world of Anglophiles! Pretty wonderful! There’s no catalog, but at the top of the blog you’ll see SHOPPING … go there to see everything and get details. We weren’t in England in 2014, so we missed it! But the photos are amazing.
Thank you Susan. Your words are always so very encouraging and I love your artwork! And thank you for being so generous with your give aways. Happy Fall!
Thanks for the reminder and showing the beauty of the Remembrance in England. I just finished J Loontes book A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 (Thomas Nelson, 2015). It so opened my eyes to the horrors that were part of the Great War and the beauty of the people that survived. THANK YOU SUSAN!!!!
Loved this post <3
Thank you for the memories. My father always bought us poppies to wear, saying we must always remember the fallen soldiers. As a little girl, I didn’t quite understand, but as a grown woman, I do, and always wear a poppy on Nov.11th.
Your china is lovely and would make a wonderful tradition to add a piece each holiday.
Thank you for always being so positive and cheery during these scary times. It is a big comfort to us all, to have you as a girlfriend. 🍁💛🍁
Hi, Susan. Thank you for a wonderful post. I have often bought poppies for Veteran’s Day and hope to this year. I think it is wonderful that things still stop in Britain for the remembrance, wish it was observed more formally here. Now, especially in the times we are living in, it os so important not to forget. Thank you. Debby
I love your stories! now I’m going to have to look into the “why” behind the California Poppy. Thank you for all the lessons. I learn something every time I read a post. You truly do inspire my imagination and make me want to learn more. Plus I always feel I need tea and some kind of cake when I read your posts. LOL give the kitty’s a kiss from California!
Love your informative post! Love all your products.
Your new dishes and stitchery kits are lovely! Happy Fall to you!
I’d love to win a prize. Pretty please?
Norma Odell
Love the poppies. I will certainly get one this Nov.11. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for your lovely post. I was reminded of a trip we took to England in 2014. There was an art exhibit on a lawn near the Tower of London featuring hundreds, maybe thousands of small poppies. Very inspirational. We are now seeing some beautiful fall color here in Kentucky! Happy Fall to you and Joe 🍁🍂.
It seems we don’t honor the past or those who have served like they do in England. We’re all about the new and on to the next thing, it seems. There is value in not forgetting, keeps us from making the same mistakes.
Love your new dishes, btw, they are very pretty!
My Dad served in WWI and enlisted in SF,CA. My grandfather was born in LittlePort, England and I went there in 1998. I love England, love the way they honor their sick and dying and love the Remembrance Day Celebrations. Thanks for taking me on this tour today.
The new items are beautiful! And thanks for the interesting Poppy Post.
I loved this post about the poppies and Remembrance Day. So sad that in this country it’s not even a school holiday.
Thank you Susan for a wonderful letter to us all….and memories of your visit here last year..I received your Gratitude book this week and we all have so much to be thankful for…it’s a lovely book..I got 2 so I could give one away….they are so special
Thank you again..greetings to you both ..enjoy theses Autumn days….
Sandra