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
Sending gratitude from Maine for all of your inspiration and motivation!
Things always take on more meaning for me when the history is known; thank you for the poppy blog. And another fabulous Willard! I always love how you focus on the positive aspects of every season! Lovely new creations too!! A bounty of fall wonderfulness! Cheers!!
Love, love, love is what I feel every time I read anything that Susan writes for my heart and soul to drink in. The history of the Poppy especially touched my heart. I remember as a little girl my father always wearing a poppy on Veterans Day!
Enter me.
Please enter me in the drawing. LOVE your blogs and Willards. from North Idaho!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Willard. I can just feel Fall after reading it, even though in my area of California, we only have a small amount of the touches of the season as trees are changing color and the leaves are falling. Thank you for bringing the season to us! Nancy
Happy, Happy Autumn!!!
Your latest Willard was the perfect “fun mail” for my in box. I love to see what you are up to and how things are in your neck of the woods.
Happy Remembrance Day and Happy Autumn to you, sweet Susan.
Enter me!!!
Dear Susan,
This is such a beautiful post, full of hope and beauty and remembrance. I loved your description and I also loved seeing the traditional plate of roast, Yorkshire pudding, and the trimmings. We used to have this wonderfully comforting meal when I was a child growing up as my Nana was from England and my Grandad was from Ireland. You have such a beautiful way with words. Thank you for the many gifts and blessings you give us all. Love, love, love, Kari
How comforting to share tea time with a friend using Susan Branch charming tea cups… It would be dreamy like Susan Branch being present at the tea party!
I love your descriptions of autumn. Thank you for making it sound so magical and delightful.
A wonderful story… haven’t had the chance to visit been busy with church God and discipleship classes I was so happy to read my willard email.. and this story was great im home alone tonight peace and quite for a change live with my youngest of five and two grandson’s took them for a small picnic at the park.. it was a beautiful day in San Francisco, I love the idea about the poppies.. I enjoyed every word and every photo.. wish I could meet you in England.. but only in my dreams.. take tons of photos its the only way I will ever see it through you…thank you for sharing a wonderful story with me.. Imlove all the dishes breath taking to me.. with love always Janice from California❤
Always enjoy your blog posts. Your pictures are always a great big ,WOW! Please enter my name for your drawing and thank you for sharing.
Lovely post! I’ll be looking for poppies come November 11th. I was surprised at the emotion I felt seeing Churchill’s grave. Having your Musica choices playing definitely added to the emotion. I look forward to your next post!
I really love your new dishes! They are so special and creative! I’m so happy that I at least got one of your mugs; as my parents got it for me from the Apple Farm! I picked out the nature one. I hope to get more! I love them all!
Susan, thank you for this posting, Remembrance touched my heart. Blessings to you and Joe.
Love your poppy blog.
One of the first things that caught my eye in England were the beautiful poppy wreaths. I was thrilled to read your story! What beautiful memories. In France we visited a shop with nothiall poppy decorated items!
A beautiful story! Thank you for a lovely post and giveaway.
I’ve just been watching Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages, too!! I have one more episode to watch. So informative and I just love Penelope. Of course the photography is wonderful but I wish they would linger a bit over some of the more scenic shots. Isn’t Acorn simply splendid? I was in England one year for Remembrance Day and it’s something you never forget.
Me too, more episodes and longer! 👍 Yes, we love Acorn!
I absolutely love the feeling I get when finishing a Willard or blog post. As a veteran myself (along with my husband, dad, most friends and family)…I absolutely love this post. There certainly needs to be a poppy revival here in the USA. ……thanks for taking the time to always share the good.
Thank you for your sharing of the good also, and your family, blessings on you all. xoxo
I love reading about how you spend your days. I truly look forward to Willard when it shows up in my in box. Thank you for sharing your happy point of view
Hi Lisa, You should have your Willard by now … if you are signed up, please check your spam folder and see if it took a detour. If it’s not there, you can sign up again … and here’s a link for the newest Willard.
Thank you Susan for the opportunity to be in a drawing for your beautiful dishes!
Hi Susan,
I loved reading your Willard newsletter. It’s so lovely reading your descriptions of Fall and a cozy warm home. I pray we all remember what the Poppy represents in our lives. Your new dishes are beautiful!
What a beautiful post, Susan! I hope to visit England one day myself. Until then, I’ll just travel with you and the girlfriends. 🙂
Thank you for all the love and beauty you share with the world. Your blog posts inspire me and remind me to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the little things in life!
Wonderful blog Susan Branch – from (Niagara Falls) Canada where we also wear poppies in November! On November 11 at 11 a.m. you are supposed to take a moment of silence for all the wonderful people that gave their lives for our freedom. Oh and by the way John McRae (who wrote In Flanders Field) was a Canadian!!! Thank you for your posts, your inspiration and your wonderful life stories and please enter me into your draw for the beautiful dishes!!!
Knowing he was Canadian makes it even better, because it wasn’t just us that felt this, but the world, we were in it together. xoxo
Hi Susan. Read your blog yesterday and Willard today. Thank you for giving us both of them close together. What bundles of joy they are! Those dishes will look just lovely on the dresser my husband made ready for such beautiful things.
It is such a treat for me to read your blog early on Saturday mornings….before the day really starts. You are a “happy place” in this crazy world that we are living in.
Thank you for sharing your life and perspective and beautiful art with all of us. It is a multiple layer cake of kindness with light for frosting. I needed a big piece of that cake today. Topped off with music. All comfortable and reminding me that life is wonderful and you just have to notice. Your comfort zone can be abundant and your dis-comfort zone can be abundant. Blessings on top of Blessings to you and Joe and yours.
Funny how the negativity slips right in, but we have to remember to notice all the little joys we have . . . at least we know we can change the subject anytime we want. xoxo
Oh such heartfelt delight and memories you have stirred. ❤️ We have been to Blenheim, and I have sung different versions of In Flanders Fields ( hard not to cry, while singing it)~💔
My sister and I used to sing May You Always…😍
I could go on and on but my comment would be tooooo long…thank y😍u for the gift of your writings and your feelings and your beautiful art.
Welcome home Pam . . . lovely to hear from you!
Dear Sweet Susan,
What a lovely blog to bridge us from the magic of imagination fueled Halloween to the nostalgic and gracious time of Veteran’s Day.
❌⭕️❌⭕️,
Tawni Urrutia, in Lodi, Ca
I’m putting together the shopping list for our neighborhood Halloween party! It is an exciting time . . . by now, when I was a kid, me and all my brothers and sisters would be in a total FRENZY of planning and expectation!!
I love reading your Willard and blog. Life just seems much simpler from your point of view.
It’s truly what we make it.
Thought of you yesterday (here in Canada) at the car dealership as I bought my poppy at the cash register. There is a box in most places of business where you can put your donation for veterans families. My husband figured out a way of double pinning the poppy so it isn’t lost as easily – and it still fits poppy etiquette. (There actually is such a thing!)
That’s how it was in England, boxes were everywhere!
Thank you, Susan, for oodles of inspiration every time I read your blog, Willard, and website. I truly enjoy your, calendars, books, teacups, and of course hearing about what else you are up to. Happy Autumn and God Bless!
I love the Susan Branch world but would really like to win the giveaway for your number 1 fan, Elaine in Etobicoke, Marie
Thank you for your informative post about the poppies! 🙂 I have to tell you I found the most adorable wool coat at a ReSale shop – handmade like a quilt of different wool pieces – sweaters, men’s suits all assembled into a darling coat with vintage buttons. And today I get to wear it out shopping with a girlfriend (because it such a gorgeous fall day!) the sun is out, but it’s cold and I’m so excited to be able to wear my newfound treasure! My girlfriend spotted it and said LOOK! this isn’t my size but it might be yours! and it was 🙂 Then we thought why would someone donate this? maybe it didn’t fit well, maybe it wasn’t to their taste (but what kind of woman wouldn’t love this??) I always wonder when I find a treasure, why would someone donate this? like when I see a beautiful old photo of someone in an old frame – why wouldn’t someone KEEP this photo of their grandparents?? or of a painted portrait- who would sell this gorgeous portrait? I don’t get it sometimes. anyway, I’m such a rambler…pick me for the drawing, please. Love to all the Branchies out there.
I always think the person must have been in a wild mood and regretted it for the rest of her life! But look at the joy you are getting from it! Wonderful!
today is a very good day for doing laundry and hanging it on the line! That is what I’ll be doing and I hope you have a good day, too.
Don’t have words for how happy and cozy your work makes me feel:-) Thank you sweet, Susan!
Thank you for the beautiful story of remembrance! The new dishes are beautiful!
Love all your blogs. Please pick me to win! Happy Halloween.
Loved your blog!! I did not know England celebrated Armistice Day so passionately as they do. Thank you also for sharing your trip to Winston Churchill’s resting place. He was one of England’s greatest men and one that I admired even though I am too young to remember the war but I do remember seeing him in magazines and TV when I was young.
Thank you for your post about poppies. This year the British Legion have spelled out lines from ‘In Flanders Fields’ in poppies in fields etc all over the country. They look wonderful from the air. There is even a line from the poem on the White Cliffs of Dover. We are going to the Lake District for a few days for my birthday in November. I’ll say hello to Beatrix Potter’s house for you. I’m so happy you have decided to have your picnic there next year. It will give me a great excuse to visit the ‘Wild Boar’ where we stay whenever we’re there. Sorry about the red underlining. I think my laptop is having a nervous breakdown. Blessings from England.
Thank you for telling me!! That is amazing. Such careful planning. I put the link to it on Twitter, and for anyone reading this, go HERE to see this lovely thing that Lesley has shared with us. Happy Birthday, enjoy it all! xoxo
Happy Halloween!!!
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to Remembrance Day. Least we never forget those who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.
As always, a lovely post. It does seem that perhaps the Brits do “remembrance” better than we. Maybe for the reason you suggested-it was bombs falling on their homes, very up close and personal. Today, I want to share some personal memories, not related to war, that have recently been on my heart and involved YOU indirectly. I just spent a week in TN where I grew up, on our small family farms with my mom who is 81. Sadly my sweet daddy is now in long term care, as the past two years have been in constant decline. From October of last year until memorial day weekend of this year, my parents had been moved from their farm to an assisted living in town, hoping it might provide enough help for them to remain together. But another bout of pneumonia left dad’s immobile so another move was made to a nursing home with my mom insisting on returning to the farm. After the last move, she couldn’t find her engagement ring or mother’s ring. Also missing was a special necklace and earrings my dad gave her a few years ago.She looked everywhere with no success . After 65 years of marriage, the loss of her engagement ring was especially traumatic. So during my visit, we went through drawers, boxes, etc. Searching for these and other treasures of the past. But the rings remained hidden. One day I was moving some stacks of magazines, papers and noticed a little Susan Branch suitcase, maybe 5 x 7 inches that I have mom years ago,before I even knew who you were, just loved your beautiful art. I think the little box may have held cards or stationary. I wanted to attach a photo here but don’t see any way to do so. Take my word for it–it’s still lovely. Of course, I had to look inside, and when I did, my heart started beating wildly! There was a little red silk zip bag, and I remembered mom describing the little bag she had placed her treasures in. With trembling hands I unzipped the bag and joy of joys, I saw the birthstone in her mother’s ring, and a necklace chain! Of course, as in any perfect fairy tale, it was all there,hidden away for safe keeping in the Susan Branch suitcase! AMAZING! So I had to let you know that among your many talents, you are also my good luck charm! If I can figure out how to send you a photo, I will try to do so. Until then, on behalf of my mom and I, thanks for keeping her treasures safe until we could find them again.
.
Oh dear Anita, my eyes are filled with tears. I know what it is to lose a beloved piece of jewelry, a family thing, not about value, about everything. You FOUND them! A very bright ray of light in a troubling time. I know exactly how you must feel!!! Blessings on you all as you work to sort everything out. Thank you for telling me, I just love happy endings!!!
What a wonderful trip!
I loved your quote from J.M. Barrie at the beginning of this blog. Tea vs. adventure? Why not combine,them?
I’m now in search of a poppy to wear for Nov 11th! Thank you for once again for a great blog! And please enter me in your give away! Have a good weekend! Happy Autumn! 🙂
Thank you Susan for your lovely thoughts and reminders to love life and pass it on. To twirl and do a little dance!
Cheers!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of shopping with my mother in San Francisco around Veteran’s Day. Every corner would have a uniformed veteran selling beautiful red poppies. As a little girl I loved the bright red color of the shiny plastic poppies. My mother would always buy one for each of us to wear.
That was over fifty years ago, but came back to me as if it were yesterday when I read your blog.
Thank you for bringing so much beauty and joy to the world.
Thank you for sharing this Susan! Being from Canada, we see this lovely Remembrance Day celebration every year, it’s even a holiday here. Wearing the poppy is such a wonderful symbol to help us remember. Even our ferry boats here on the west coast cut their engines and observe a moment of silence on Nov 11th at 11:11am. It’s a beautiful thing.
Thank you, Susan, for many years of beauty and inspiration!
What a joy to read your blog on England and rememberance. Been there 4 times and each time like going home even though born in u.s.a. Wish I could join you next May but unable to due to husband illness. Enjoy and happy travels.
Reading your post brought back wonderful memories of our time in that part of
England. Love all the poppies and their meanings.
Thank you Susan for sharing another wonderful story from your trip to England. I will be keeping my eye out for Poppies on Veteran’s Day. What a special tradition of Remembrance. I really look forward to reading my Willard – you are a beautiful writer – Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us.
Peace and Love,
Mari
The gift would be nothing without the giftee. 💞 Thank you Mari!
I well remember Poppy Day in the small town where I grew up. Everybody sported poppies that day, especially my father who was the Most Patriotic Man I Every Knew. I used to gather up the little red paper poppies after the day was past and keep them on my dresser. Thanks for the memories.
Love from Diane in North Carolina
Said hello, but didn’t see it posted so saying Hi again and sending Autumn blessings. xoxo all things SB!
I would love to win these beautiful dishes!
Is this where we leave a comment for the give-away? After that remembrance post, I almost forgot! What adorable new pieces! Love them. I remember buying red poppies in Chicago when I was little – lots of people wore them or hung them in their car.
Do you still do a printed Willard?
I stopped doing the snail mail Willard quite a few years ago . . . the world was changing and the expense of it was wild … $25,000 for the last one! And Joe and I did all the folding and putting into envelopes. Then, in the nick of time, email was invented! I’ve had all the old snail mail Willards put into a book that we have in our web store, for anyone who never got them, but these days it all goes electronically. I used to include gifts with my mailed-out WILLARDS, and, the miracle is, I can still do it . . . bookmarks, recipes and other little printable things.
Just got finished reading Willard! Plus, I hadn’t finished this post. Really enjoyed all my catching up. I’m sitting here with my Autumn teacup. Love it! I looking forward to the next drawing that Vanna will be doing. You are being so generous with all the gifts! Some lucky person will really be blessed! Don’t want to just say “some lucky girl” ’cause I’m sure there are some “guys” out there as well. 🙂 🙂
oxox,
Carol M
Susan, you are fantabulous. Thanks for spreading your sunshine to all of us. Please enter me in the drawing.
Just love this blog…attention to the remberance of those lost and the people still honor them by wearing the poppies. There was a time when our country did too. The poppies were and still are in some places given with donations by the American Legion..Thanks for sharing.💕
Love all the Beautiful pictures and I’m going to make the cookies . Thanks for a Great Blog!!
I remember poppies from my childhood in memory of those brave souls!
Susan,
I love reading your stories, and I love your art and your “cuteness”! You always put a smile on my face. 🙂
Winning a drawing would be the icing on the cake!
Things I love:
*Autumn
*Pictures of Joe
*The story of the poppy
*The fact my husband gets poppies every fall from local veterans
*Your generosity with giveaways
*Your art
*YOU
Kate Middleton elegantly dons the poppy while inspiring younger generations to continue the tradition of remembrance.
Love the story of the poppy! My grandfather lied about his age so he could serve in WWI. My father-in-law served in WWII and my father in Korea. My brother was in the Navy for 27 years (retired now). Long history of serving our country in my family. Thank you for your writings. I feel like they are letters just for me!
My uncle lied to get into WWII … so young! And lucky he came back to us! Thank you probably isn’t quite right for the worry your family has been through, but THANK YOU anyway! xoxo
I so enjoyed going to England! Thank you!
BTW, still haven’t gotten a Willard tho I signed up twice.
It’s not in another area, I checked them all.
Guess I’ll just read the back issues on the website.
Drives me crazy … you’re SURE it’s not in your spam folder? That’s where people find them when they know they’ve signed up ~ you should be able to receive this, but because of the large number we send, the computers sometimes wonder if it’s okay and block it. HERE’S the link to the new Willard!
I love your new cups and dishes
Wonderful Autumn, happy and sad.
A wonderful post. It is so very important to remember what was given by so many brave people so that we have our freedom today. The poppies are on sale now in readiness for Remembrance – thank you so much for dedicating a whole blog to it. Xxx
It’s a very beautiful thing you do … thank you for the inspiration. xoxo
Thank you for sharing the history of the poppy. I will be sure to be wearing mine this November 11th and I’ll share your words and photos of all that it means – especially in England!
The dishes are beautiful and I’d love to have one adorning my kitchen table 🙂
Thank you for a cozy read on a late afternoon fall day in Western Pennsylvania! I happily joined you on Martha’s Vineyard through the recent Willard and then England in November through your blog post. And I’m drinking Lady Grey tea in my lovely Autumn cup! We also have poppies for Veteran’s Day in my small local communities. Our VFW groups pass them out at schools, grocery stores, etc. Sadly, I don’t think many people in my area know the symbolism anymore. I love that you shared the meaning of the poppy at this time of year with your readers. Thank you!
My pleasure Renee, thank you for being here!
Oh I love your new additions!!!
Please enter me in the drawing! The dishes are beautiful and I would love to share them with my girlfriends. Thanks for generously giving a set away!
Loved this post – love all of them in fact! Thank you Susan for the chance to win some of your “lovelies”!
Charming and appropriate, especially at this time of year, lest we never forget the sacrifices made for us – I love the traditions and remembrances of Armistis Day!
Beautiful pictures, wonderful blog!
Lovely story, Susan. Would love to see something similar here in the states.
Just read Willard. I identify with so much of what you write. This time I especially agreed with what you said about our mothers. I do believe mothers of the fifties were truly special.
They put up with a lot culturally, but oh the gifts they gave their children! I am forever grateful to my mom who always said she did it just the way she wanted!
Cannot tell you how I look forward to your posts. They make me feel cozy and hopeful and inspired to do some of the wonderful things that you do. Thank you.
I wish this sweet Remembrance Tradition was observed more in the U.S. It did start here!
Dear Susan, I was in London quite a few years ago in November for my anniversary, and noticed everyone wearing the poppies, so I asked a gentleman in a pub about it, and got the story, and bought some asap. Now over the years, I remember some veterans occasionally offering poppies for a donation here in the states on November 11th, but nothing like I saw there. As you said, everyone was wearing one. I’ve always felt if we suffered the direct bombings and sufferings the people in Europe did during these awful wars, we wouldn’t put up with our politicians entering these conflicts so easily. I can’t remember the exact title (old timers :o)) but I loved the book about the Potato Peel Society, which told about the hardships. We have no idea what it’s like to go through that. Thanks for another wonderful post. And thanks for the Willard I received a few days ago.
The loss, young sons, husbands, and fathers! Now daughters, wives and moms. Not to be entered into lightly. Not to be blustered into. But with a steady guiding hand. What they know in Europe (because the evidence is still everywhere) ~ and what our own military families know, it’s not a game. xoxo Thank you Peggy.
Peggy, I loved that book too–The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows.
When I read the last page, I turned to the front page and began reading it a second time. The beautiful characters finding ways to survive through the Nazis occupation of their
little island were special to me.
Love the sweet poppies… and I love the way the sun catches the light through the leaves on your kitchen window. I’ll wake up early and do that to my kitchen tomorrow! Love my Willard too. Now I want make my mom’s molasses cookie recipe. Love to you, Joe, and Jack. Just lots and lots of love.
I for sure want to be counted in – can’t remember if I commented already! (just got the Willard today!) lovely things you make!!!
This blog was wonderful – made me cry. Thanks – Chris
I’m so sad! No Willard for me. Not quite sure what to do to find it. This time I didn’t receive an email that said it was being sent. Hope you can help me .
HERE it is Linda, check your spam folder, perhaps its hiding there. Sign up again, and let’s see what happens. Sorry!
Dear Susan, I enjoyed Willard and this blog post so much and especially learning about the poppies for remembrance.
My husband is from London England. He loves to find poppies for sale for Remembrance Day. I remember them by the cash register at business when I was growing up. We always purchase one when find them for sale. G s
~Susan~
What a blessing you are to all of us with all your knowledge you share ! I never knew this, but I will definitely be wearing a Poppy on Nov 11th remembering my dad and all the men and women who served our country !!
I was excited to see Willard in my email box , and enjoyed reading every word ! I love the little kits wish I knew how to cross stitch, its never to late to learn right !! Plus I have a quit that my great grandmother made with the red thread stitch. I may need to make those cookies, I thought I could smell them hehe.
You mention Joes coffee, half * half, and choc syrup , While I was in RI in September I bought Coffee Syrup , have you ever had it??
Have a wonderful weekend, and ThankYou for entering me in your drawing for the adorable dishes to start Christmas shopping ! I would absolutely gift a piece to my dear friend Lori , who has meet you twice !! She would be so thrilled.
Hugs xoxo
Paula
IN
Joe would love coffee syrup, he’d put it on his chocolate ice cream!
I will have to try that too !!
Oh so gorgeous!! I would love to win!!!
The article is wonderful!!!
I love all the poppies and l loved all the memorials with poppies on them that I saw in England this summer. Poppy earrings and a poppy scarf came home with me. Thanks so much Susan for sharing your visit with us. It brought tears to my eyes.
I could read you writings over and over !!! Puts me in another place of peace .
I could read your writings over and over !!!!! Puts me in another place of peace .
Thoroughly enjoyed my first Willard! Thank you for the beauty you bring into the world. God bless!
So many comments! But I’ll still try and win! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Here’s a NH fan who loves reading your blog and Willard.
Beautiful post Susan ❤