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
Thank you for the Willard and the blog. I always enjoy reading them and you always remind me that happiness is found in small, everyday things. Love England and fall colors, too!
Good morning Susan thank you for this lovely informative read. Happy glorious Fall to you Joe & Kitty. Your kindred friend~Peg
Another beautiful Willard, thank you!
Dear Susan,
It’s Spring where I am and Summer is on its way and the waxing moon is pulling up newly planted vegetable seedlings. Summer seas and whispering breezes are beckoning us away from Winter, even as we make quick, last-minute decisions on reluctant-to-leave, still-chilly evenings, to light just one more little late-season fire for warmth.
But your beautiful pictures and reflective musings already have me looking far ahead to our next Autumn, too, tucking away inspired dreams for safe-keeping in the meantime…
Thank you for all the wonderful things you share…
Your roses must almost be in bloom . . . enjoy it Libby, we’ll be thinking of you when the snow begins to fly!
You have a beautiful way to describe even the little things, Libby. You must be a writer…are you? If so, please share your writings.
Joey
My 80+ year old neighbor used to grow a backyard full of Shirley Poppies. <3
I love your new dishes! ☺
Count me in. Thank you.
Susan, I am new to reading your blog and “Willard” and I just love them. I just get lost in reading them and day dream. My cat “Hank” sits in front of my computer sleeping as I read. Loved the blog about the poppies I remember seeing them when I was young but didn’t know the story behind them. Now that I know I hope I see them so I can purchase one or many. Both my parents were in the armed forces during WWII so it would be very meaningful for me. Please keep up the great blogs they are a happy place to go to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Autumn is also my favorite time of year!
Susan! I would love to win anything you’ve created!!!
Happy Autumn to you, dear Susan! Thank you for this beautiful post. God bless you!
Love the meaning of the poppies!
The Royal Canadian Legion also honours our veterans by selling poppies. I’m not sure how long they have been doing this, but I always make sure to buy a poppy each November, or more depending how many I too misplace LOL.
I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the teaplate with the Hans Christian Anderson quote as I have it on the Facebook homepage of my pottery and fused glass business. It would be perfect in my studio!
Loved the Willard!! Thank you so much for all you do.
I hope you & Joe enjoy some of that candy!
His coffee concoction sounds like a Dunkin Donut’s Dunkaccino. Have him try one if he hasn’t already -it’s half coffee, half hot chocolate (yum)!
I can’t wait to hear about Ireland. We did DNA tests this summer & discovered I’m 28 percent Irish & my husband is 42 percent! As they say “I had no idea”- lol. I’m so looking forward to your posts.
Your new projects look lovely! You are so talented!!
Enjoy the fall & all it’s wonders!!!!
Oh my I haven’t posted a comment in quite a while, I’m feeling a bit out of the loop. Way back in January I started watching my baby granddaughter full time. Now here it is October and she is walking and just as busy as can be. But what a blessing it’s been. Wow, Susan, you certainly have been busy too, love all of your new pieces, want one of each, please. I love the mini English side trips you take us on, so lovely. I love that picture of your kitchen with the early morning sunlight ♥♥ I live my fall through you and your gorgeous fall pictures, yesterday it was 103 here and today 96!! I guess California really is the ‘Sunburned State’! I haven’t read my Willard yet, so off I go….Have a fun & Spooky Halloween. Love to you, Joe & Jack xoxoxo
Thank you for your stories! I have worked with the elderly for many years. Every year as we celebrated Veteran’s Day, one of the veterans would read In Flander’s Field, after which we would talk about the story behind the poem. The veterans also shared their personal stories, while other people told of the consequences of war within their own families. WWII seemed to be a true team effort, both for those serving in the war and at home.
It was a delight to see how Armistice Day is celebrated in England!
Poppies for remembrance. How lovely.
Love your blog, lovely posts and notes! You make the world a better place! XOXO
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the blog re the poppies. Wish I could find them to buy like I used to but seems like the vets no longer sell them here. I will just have to make some to wear and give to family. My dad served in Guadacanal when he was in the army. He & mom were married on Nov. 11, 1944 when he came home. The poppies are always another reminder of them and how much they are missed.
Love your new dishes. I look forward to more Willards and reading your blog.
What a beautiful post on “Remembrance”…brought tears to my eyes but In a good way. My mom passed away 22 years ago today and she would have absolutely loved, loved, loved you. I feel like we share your work now anyway, just from different vantage points. I am very excited to hear there will be a Jack cup coming! I cannot wait to order one. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving us such beauty and loving thoughts. We are lucky to have you creating here and now.
With sweet memories for your Mom. 💞
Thank you for the heartwarming thoughts to read on a blustery cold day!
You always have such soul warming items on your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Ahhh~beautiful fall, lovely thoughts and creations!
My Mama would shower and surround us with her
hand-made creations this time of year….wonderful
YUMMY smells from the kitchen, knitted treasures
to wear, quilted and painted artwork hanging on our
walls… you have awakened many dear memories!
Thank you Susan!
Thank~you, dear Susan for a wonderful post. I love reading your words. Going to have to pop over to your site to see all the pretties and buy something.
Poppies have always been worn here in Oregon. Our Veterans, VFW, and others give them with a donation or without a donation. We always have two poppies entwined year round on our rear view mirror in our car. They bring a smile to my face every time we have to go somewhere.
Loved the Willard, please enter me for a chance to win your newest items. If I do win my lovely lady friends will share in my good fortune. I love that you buy enough treats for Halloween which is the right way for good witches to shop and ensure no little one goes away empty handed (even if the candy needs to be tasted for flavor and freshness in the days leading up to Halloween). Cheers! Amy
Spoken like a true Salem lass!
Ahhh, poppies for Veterans!
I have sold them every year since the age of 3, my family being very involved with the VFW.
At the age of 65, I’m still supporting and remembering such a vital and important project. Thank you for the delightful post.
Blessings and rememberance and happiness to all.
Such a lovely blog about a beautiful tradition of remembrance – it is wonderful the way the whole country seems to join in and the photos are beautiful. 🙂
Susan I was so happy to see this post. I have often wished you carried the British type poppies in your on line store. My Mother was a war bride from Wales and often told us the Flanders field poem and grew poppies in her yard here in Montana. That is where my love of the flower started, at my Mother’s side where all good things do. I do have many of the poppies I buy from the VFW but would love some of the British ones. I place mine in a little vase on my fireplace much like yours in the little vase in your kitchen.
Thank you so much. I learned a lot from this post.
I thought I entered but I don’t see it so I will try again. Happy Halloween SB!
Hi Susan, My dad served in Italy during
Hi Susan, my dad served in Italy during WWII. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and made sure we knew about the poppies. The VFW hands out poppies every Nov. They take donations and wear the poppies. I enjoy your blog and would like to be entered in your fall giveaway. Thanks!
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Enter me too! I’m dying to win one of your drawings some day. Sooner would be better than later! Adore your blog! Thanks!
Lauri
Please enter me . How generous you are –
Aloha from Maui!
Love your art and enjoy the newsletter. Please enter me for the give away of beautiful dishes and plates. Happy AUTUMN!
What a wonderful story of Remembrance Day! I loved it. Thank you for sharing, Susan, and for all the heart you put into everything you do.
P.S. I’d love to win your beautiful dishes!
Hello, Susan! I love your stories and your pictures especially those of England!
“The sign of a beautiful person is that he always sees the beauty in others.”
Omar Suleiman
… and in everything around her…. I would add. Thank you for what you do!
Thank you back, Helen, that was so sweet!
What an amusing post! I saved it to read this morning with my cuppa tea….. unfortunately, I’m drinking from a rather non-descript mug, perhaps purchased at a boot sale. We just finished traveling for two weeks in Ireland & a week in England. Today’s our last day (London) before departing for California tomorrow. I reread all your books before crossing the country, so your musical words swirled through my mind as I was taking in all the sights, smells, sounds & tasty food. I’d love to be selected for your giveaway!
Oh, how lovely to receive your Willard today! It is always so pleasing to hear from you. Happy Fall (it’s 90 degrees here and not feeling very fallish!)
Loved the history of the poppy and pics of Churchill’s town and resting place. Could you
Add those poppies to your shopping selections? Happy Autumn, Susan!
Thank you for this chance to win.
I always enjoy reading your lovely posts.
Love your blog; reading it always brightens my day and inspires me! I have your cookbooks and I love your recipes!
Such an interesting post, I’m glad you were here in England in November last year. It’s so important to remember the past and that continuity of remembrance each year. Your drawings are so beautiful and charming, please do enter me in the draw.
Oh, please enger my name.. I would love to own some of your lovely tableware. I don’t know if or where I can buy it over here in the Netherlands.. love it all!
Dearest Susan,
Have had a sad and busy week…two funerals, so am only just joining the blog party today!
I absolutely love it that you have featured the poppy and our Armistice Day remembrance services.
For the last five or six years I have been crocheting poppies to sell to friends and anyone who wants one and passing the funds raised to the Royal British Legion…I buy the wool and buttons myself and just send all the monies collected in to RBL…that way they get every penny! I charge £5.00 for the large ones and people have been so generous buying them, I am pleased to say! They are all unique because not only are they homemade and handmade…but each one has mistakes in different places!!!
Wishing that I could win your beautiful prizes but also excited just to be in with a slim chance!!
Fabulous pictures and musica!
Love
Karen
Cambridgeshire
UK 🇬🇧
So sorry about your losses dear Karen … but thank you so much for what you do for your Vets. Lovely. xoxo
Hi, Karen! I just saw your post and wanted to send sincerest sympathies on your losses and add my thanks for your efforts supporting the Royal British Legion. In 1957, my Father, a soldier of the U.S. Army, was stationed in Cambridgeshire. He lived in a little house with my older sister and a very pregnant wife. I was born in a taxi on the way to the hospital in Lakenheath. I have seen poppies like the ones you describe on eBay, are they yours?
Love from a neighbor-in-spirit,
Jennie Lou
Washington
USA
Hi Jennie Lou…no I don’t sell them on eBay…just locally here or post to relatives and friends! Fancy you being born in a taxi….tee hee…your poor mum! Lakenheath, Suffolk, is quite a distance from where I am but I’m so glad your parents were here. My husband used to be in the Royal Air Force – and I think that between that, a Dad and father in law who were in the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy respectively, and being brought up on stories and films of both world wars, I can’t help but want to remember all those who gave for us.
I have learned so much from your post! I had no idea about the importance of poppies and the World Wars. I am so moved right now. It is hard to imagine living through a war like that. Thank you for this history lesson.
Count me in please. Thank you for a beautiful post and of course ‘Willard’ – always lovely to see it pop into my mailbox.
What a beautiful story and the poppies. You make it all so close and real. Thank you for sharing. So happy about the new mugs and their success..
Please enter me in the drawing.
This is such a charming post. Such a simple yet profound way to remember. In the states, it all seems to be the most uncivil discourse that get all the attention.
The poppy tradition speaks volumes of love and kindness and patriotism–in a gentler way. Soothes the soul.
I blame those silly reality shows, people are having a hard time standing still and hearing the birds. Fighting is like IN. Eeek! xoxo
As I watched your video of Remembrance Sunday, the first thought that floated through my mind was, I wonderful if Americans could stand and remain silent for that beautiful ceremony? Americans seem to have lost their manners and respect for others.
Fall has come to West Texas FINALLY. I am loving every minute of it!
Be sure to remember the wonderful girlfriends we meet here on this blog … it will give you hope, because there are many very wonderful people in this world. They just don’t get as noticed as the crazy ones do. xoxo
Let us all remember, especially in these times, the horrors that we don’t want to repeat and find the goodness in us all. Thank you for a beautiful and thought provoking post. Now onto my second treat for the morning, Willard!
“In sure and certain hope”
I am thrilled to be able to read WILLARD again,(long story) and I am delighted that your continuing efforts have brought about the lovely plates and Heart dishes!!
Thank you for a chance to win!
Poppies forever!
Oh, sweet Susan and Joe,
You always make my heart sign.
Grounding me in what is sweet and precious.
This Willard was so touching and sweet. I loved what you said about not being able to control the world, but having the power in your own home. Love, love, love! Thank you for keeping us grounded in what is truly important. And thank you for sharing your lovely wares with us! I adore the heart plates, please enter me in the giveaway.
Thanks for your lovely blog….. will surely be getting a Poppy!
LOVED everything! Please enter me. <3 <3 <3 Thanks.
Please enter me.
We were in England in November 2003 to celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary. The poppies were everywhere. I still have mine and bring it out every year. Always remember. Always.
Thanks for this wonderful post. I love Poppies and history! Poppies remind me of my Grandma as she had a big bright patch by her house! Thanks for sharing. By the way, a while back you posted about some nuns that make bees wax candles. I would like to order some, but I do not remember the info. Could you let me know what post that was in or something like that if you have the time. Love and blessings…
Count me in!
Happy Fall to you, Susan and Joe! As a child, I remember poppies being sold in my tiny town in Kansas. May we never forget the sacrifice of so many on our behalf.
Your Willard always makes me feel so good. I can taste fall and feel all the “feels” that fall brings. Thank you so much for being so amazing. The world is a better place just having Susan Branch in it ❤️
Love all of your new dishes! Enter me please :0)
Good morning Susan! I just returned to Michigan from My daughters wedding in Naples Florida. It’s hard to leave the sunshine and family behind for awhile but your Willard helped remind me just how nice Fall is and helped me to settle into the season. I’ll round up my sweaters and bake some of those wonderful cookies . Thanks for reminding me about all the things I love about this time of year. Happy Fall!
Please enter me in the drawing. I love to read what you write. Makes me slow down and remember to enjoy the moment I’m living in instead of hurrying through the day. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for everything “Fall”! Lovely!
Loved your Willard. Thank you for always inspiring us to count our blessings.
Happy Fall Ya’ll
In our family, if we notice the time on a clock is 11:11, we make a wish. I suppose it is a way to pause in the day (or night) and remember those who fought and lost their lives in the name of peace.
I haven’t thought of poppies and Veterans Day for years!! How lovely to have a poppy be the fundraiser and reminder of their veterans!! We need to adopt this for our brave Americans and bring this beautiful idea over “the pond” and around the world!
We just returned from two weeks in England and it was not nearly long enough! And I tried pear cider and LOVED it! The poppies were beginning to appear so we knew November is approaching. Thanks for your beautiful reminders of one of my favorite places in the world.
Enjoyed a homey first 15 minutes of my day with coffee and Willard. Thank you! ☕️❤️
I am really far from You but the way you live your life and how you see the world is a constant sunshine which I can always reach when I read your words.
Thank you for that!
Happy Autumn Susan! It’s happening slowly in the Raleigh-Durham area – but Fall has arrived! And it’s my favorite season! And tomorrow is my Birthday! So, thank you for sending a wonderful Willard to me this week, and for this latest, delightful, Joy-bringing post! You are a Joy-bringer! I wanted you to know that I’m greatly enjoying having my morning coffee drink in my beautiful Fall mug! And, all of your new dishes are wonderful too, and I hope to win some to both keep and give as gifts. My husband and I are going to Historic Annapolis this weekend which is especially fabulous in the Fall! I will write to you all about it later. In the meantime, continue to enJOY this glorious, miraculous season with your dear Joe. Love and gratitude, Diedra ❤️🙏🍁
Happy Birthday Diedra … that’s a beautiful part of the country, perfect this time of year! Have fun!
Susan,
Your Willard was lovely to read at the start of my Friday. I noticed the blog giveaway. I hope to look at this post closer soon. Thank you for all that you do to spread good will and cheer…and another chance to be a winner.
Rebecca
Dear Susan,
I just got back from a 21 day adventure rafting the Grand Canyon. It was amazing and challenging, but I’m so grateful to be back at home safe and sound. And what a treat to sit down with my cup of tea and get to catch up on your lovely blog!
What a wonderful post, Susan. My husband and I were in London a few years ago on November 11 and we saw Prince Charles lay a wreath at a memorial. It was one of the highlights of that trip — and we wore our poppies proudly! (And please enter me in the giveaway, too!) 🙂
I’m so excited, Autumn has finally come to North Florida, and we’ve had lows in the mid-50s, instead of lows of nearly 80! I’ve been having fun making Halloween greeting cards to mail, and I hope to make your Grandma’s Frosted Molasses Cookies soon! Thanks for a lovely “visit”!!
Love you, Susan! Thanks for all you share! I got to read this wonderful post and the Willard today and it has made the whole day wonderful already!
Oh dear Susan, thank you for the beautiful post on Remembrance. I loved the prose, pictures and especially the importance of being Love. Thank you for being Love in our world. Williard was wonderful, too. 🙂
Susan, Thank you for “Remembrance;’a lovely and graceful diversion for me this week and so needed in light of my brother’s sudden passing. Your words and photos reach many unknown places and hearts and often land where they are most needed. This was one of those times.
I’m so sorry Nancy. My brother died suddenly early last year, and I’m only now beginning to be able to speak of it. But barely. I’ve held his death close to my heart and I always will. Blessings on you and yours.
Remembrance Day is seared in my memory of my childhood. The whole town would be there and so many of the men and women marching, leading the Brownies and Girl Guides, had been in WWII. I clearly remember the singing of “Abide With Me” and it still gives me chills. Very often there was a fly over from an air force base during the ceremony. I always attend the ceremonies and can hardly breathe when the Veterans march by, (or the bus goes by with those who are not able to march) and there is clapping and most people have tears in their eyes. It is important that we do this and remember. “Lest We Forget”
Beautifully said. xoxo
Thank you for the Willard. You inspire me to keep making my house a home!❤️💕❤️
I wish our country would do this or something similar for Veterans. Such a lovely tradition. So selfless.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Susan – for your lovely posts, for the sweetness you bring into our days.
xxoo
“Words of hope and love and compassion, goodness, and truth ….”
Thank you for this beautiful post.
My 11 year old daughter saw the first picture of Joe and said he looked like Hans Solo!!
I am curious why the British waiter is server is cutting an American flag cake?
In our honor! Because we were the Americans there! Wasn’t that sweet?
Fall looks wonderful on your island. My husband and I have been visiting in VT for the last three weekends and have enjoyed every second. Weather has been a treat here at home, September has stretched almost thru October. Hope you’re enjoying Poldark (sp) as much as I am. Have a good day. Karen
Thanks for your wonderful lesson on the poppies
Susan,
My apologies! I re-read my comment from yesterday and the last line did not sound right at all. It was meant as a very sincere compliment for your thoughtfulness and for how well you know your girlfriends. Your twitter feed and posts to your website bring me so much joy and peace. I am so grateful for what you do to spread joy in this world.
Jen
I hope your poppy story will restore interest and participation in our own country. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Thank you so much for bringing back memories of accidentally traveling through
England during Remembrance Week in 2014. I am known as the Poppy Lady here
and I had a lump in my throat and chest as we wandered among everyone who wore the poppies. When I saw the thousands of ceramic poppies near Tower
I couldn’t speak. Such patriotism! I was able to take our crepe poppies to leave at the memorial in Dover this year. So incredible.
And thank you also for all the love you spread. Oregon GG
It is so touching. The thing I love about travel, discovery. You learn so much, then you want to take it home and keep it forever.
This is my favorite season. Thank you for the opportunity of another giveaway!
Sounds like a lovely trip. Have a beautiful Autumn ❤️
Love the reminder of my own trip to Churchill country more than 30 years ago!
Thank you for your blog post and Willard! You have a way of storytelling that transports your readers immediately. Love to you and Joe!
What a lovely, touching post, Susan! Thank you for touching my heart today.
Beautiful! What a lovely trip! Now I am looking forward to our Veteran’s Day so I can find some poppies, for my grandbabies (so they won’t forget) and my adult children (our son is a veteran) and my honey and I. Perfect post for this season! Xoxo
Beautiful Willard! Thank you.
Hi, Susan! Just read my “Willard”. What a great way to start the day! Love the warmth, the positive comments, the uplifting quotes and stories, not to mention
the photos and artwork. It all makes me smile! And I love the new cups, plates, and embroidery sets. Keep sending sunshine into the world; we need it so badly right now.
I’m afraid to turn on the news anymore! Head buried in sand. What? Me worry? 💞
Anne in Maine – Beautiful post! As the mom of a veteran I would love to see the poppy tradition spring up in the U.S. since it began here and be as popular as it is in England. When I purchase my poppy from the veterans this year, as I always do, I am going to wear it for the whole month of November! Maybe if all of us who are reading your post wear our poppies we can revive the tradition. I think I may even craft a poppy wreath similar to the one in your post. Every year I put a candle with a green bulb in one of my windows as my family’s way of saying Thank You to our veterans and to tell them that we will never forget the sacrifices they have made for us. Thank you so much Susan for sharing this beautiful English tradition with us!!
Susan, your stories always transport me to a different time & place. They make me feel so cozy & warm. I get the same feeling as I used to, reading my favorite picture books as a child. You also seem to be able to bring back my own sweet memories. I used to love getting my bright red tissue paper poppy every Veteran’s Day. I wanted to wear it every day! I don’t see those anymore & haven’t thought about that for ages. How I would’ve loved to have my 1st graders make those before I retired. I’ve also learned so much about England( your links have taught me so much- it was fun to read more about Winston Churchill’s estate & how he wanted there to be “a marmalade cat” there forever- I have 2 new orange male tabby kittens) You would have made an excellent history teacher! I never had much of a desire to go there before but now I do! I get such a heartwarming feeling when I’m reading & seeing photos of all the darling cottages they have there. I think you love the simple joys of a cozy home & all those goes along with that as much as I do!
Thank you about the history teacher comment! I LOVE history, and my history teachers were always my favorite, along with my English teachers! True stories of real people doing amazing things, you can’t help but love it. xoxo
Your Willard arrived on my iPad at the perfect time. After a long day toiling over teeth, it was a nice way to wind down my week ❤️ Thank you for sharing your words and pictures!
WOW ! Please enter me into your FANTASTIC giveaway !!!!!!
YEPEE ……