If you haven’t gotten your Willard yet, you will soon! It began going out Tuesday morning (that’s today!), so everyone should have it by Friday. There are a few surprises in there, I don’t want to give them away, so in the meantime . . . MUSICA! Let’s travel a bit, shall we? Good old comfy armchair travel. Let’s take our kitty with us.
But first, Oh Dash! Oh Victoria! Oh Lord M! Prince Albert and his selfish, cruel “Uncle Leopold!” Tell me no secrets and I’ll tell you no lies. Sunday night’s Victoria was a teary one. I did like the puppy though, all was not lost.
A cold and dreary wet day it is out here in the wild Atlantic ocean. But I have my wee cup of Constant Comment in my Castle Cottage cup, the fire is burning, can’t really ask for anything more. I thought I might take us to Scotland today! I hear lots of you are going to Scotland, or might go, or want to go, so if you do, I thought I’d show you a wonderful castle we stayed in, maybe you would like to stay there too. So off we go to the land of clans, lochs, lairds, lads and lasses, Bonny Prince Charlie, Outlander, and Balmoral, the beloved home of Queen Victoria.
It was late evening when we went looking for the two rooms that our friend Elizabeth had “found online.” We were traveling together, Joe and I, Elizabeth and Mike ~ she had no idea what this place would be like and neither did we. But how could we go wrong, we were together and having a great time.
Through tunnels of Scottish trees we went looking for a sign that said “Stravithie” on it. It was out there somewhere, so we were told! We’d traveled up from Edinburgh that day, the long way, along the Fife coast, stopping to eat, walk along the beach, pick up sea glass, go to a fishing museum . . . it’s where the cutest little fishing villages are, all festively criss-crossed with bunting flapping in the wind ~ now we were stopping overnight on our way to St. Andrews.
I was crazy about Edinburgh, everything I loved about York, there was twice as much of it in Edinburgh . . . the red line on this map traces the world famous Fife Coast where we’d been that day.
We probably passed it twice, but finally we quit talking and started concentrating, and there it was. What a nice little sign we all thought, very low key, and a cute little guardhouse too. So far, so good!
We turned down the drive . . . the lovely drive . . . Not too fancy, kind of real . . . the suspense is building, what will we find?????
This was our first glimpse of the house . . . ooooh, aaaah . . .
We drove around to the front, and this is when we began to call it a castle. Isn’t it the MOST? Couldn’t Jane Eyre be living in that pointed turret? We were saying to Elizabeth, “Where did you say you found this?” The thrill of discovery! You really never know what you might stumble upon . . . 
The Laird of the Manor, David Chalmers, with his cute Scottish accent, came out to welcome us. We were already peering into the hall, at the doors, the heads and horns on the walls, the lamps. What mysteries lie ahead?
I thought I would show you a better photo of David. Such a very nice man! And he knows all the best restaurants!
So into the front hall we went. I loved the lamp, I loved the ceiling trim and the little bit of green. I loved the whole thing. This is David’s home, he lives here, on 30 acres of gardens and a river with his wife and two children, so it’s a home they love to share with others, because as you can imagine, it’s fascinating!
I don’t know what they call this long, deep wood-paneled room, but there is the very old head of an alligator up on top of that dresser. The hunt room, perhaps. Leathery and manly, perhaps the smoking room.
I took photos of everything! Pretty lamp, pretty molding.
The dining room was filled with old carved furniture and things from days gone by.
Elegant old china and cut glass and silver . . .
Mrs. Chalmers came in a little later . . . we could hear one of their children practicing the piano somewhere in the house. Made it even more perfect.
Very much a family home. “My parents gave it to me.” That’s what David said when we asked how he came to live here. Of course they did!
Off we went to our separate wings to see our rooms . . . Joe and I climbed the red stairs in the turret . . .
looking up as we climbed . . . those are stairs. How did they do that? We don’t know. (I take that back, I’m sure Joe knows, but it’s not even light out yet, he would not want me to wake him to get this question answered!) My job is to admire curves and shadows.
Down this hallway-sitting room we went . . . loving the furniture,
Loving the fabric . . .
Loving the lamp . . .
Loving all the lamps!
Into our charming room with a view of the lawn and the river,
. . . framed by the heavy, lined drapes you find everywhere in the UK.
We came in through the hall on the right, the bathroom is off that hall, and the kitchen is through the door on the left … We each (meaning each couple) had our own kitchen. I’m happy, Joe’s happy, everyone is happy!
Perfectly appointed, all you need, bright and clean. . .
And more . . . they’d left everything we could possibly want for breakfast, Scottish bacon, ham, fresh eggs, sweet rolls, bread, butter, jam, tea, milk, juice, yogurt and cereal, a feast! And the table was set . . .
So pretty in front of the window . . .
And the view . . . How did Elizabeth ever find such a place?! Must hang out with her more!
We unpacked, went out to dinner to a wonderful restaurant David suggested, and toasted Elizabeth, and our friendship, and Scotland, and life and all good things!
And came back to the castle under this beautiful moon . . .
XXX
The next morning, of course we had to go for a walk, across the lawn and along the river we could see from our bedroom windows.
On a path through the woods. The perfect antidote to modern times.
Let’s to church! as they said in Shakespeare in Love. Yes, let’s! A lovely quiet spot out in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful old sleepy graveyard.
I imagine this walled lawn may have been a vegetable garden at one time. But I was most curious about the little rock sitting on the stone. There was something on it.
I came closer . . .a small piece of slate or maybe granite with something scratched into it:
My imagination says it may have been here since 1993. But if I let myself go, maybe 1593. Or maybe, stretching, just plain 93, as in Druids. We don’t know, but we didn’t touch it, left it as it was for other lucky travelers to happen upon. I automatically think very highly of the person who put it there. Little magic-maker. Hope she’s reading this. Love is the Law. Truly, it should be.
Back through the ancient wood the merrie folk did go.
We climbed a hill and came upon these worn stone steps and, oddly, that hole filled with water (I guess, needless to say, no one tasted it). 😜 Unmarked. No explanation. A hot tub for fairies? A little last-resort bathtub? (One of our Girlfriends suggested it was a “tail wash for dragons!”😂) But why here when there is a perfectly good river nearby? We had no idea. We saw no hose bib. I know it rains a lot here, but this much?
It’s perched on a kind of ledge, actually, the entire thing is rock. You could step behind those ferns on the left, walk off the edge and fall, maybe 20 feet? (I’m not good at falling distances.) There’s a very old, moss-covered, slippery-looking stone stairway to the bottom of the ravine that no one wanted to go on. But the boys wanted to see how deep the hole was. Nothing pulled Mike in, which was good. I stayed about this far away from it the whole time wishing I had my dangerous mastiff at my side.
And again, an answer from one of our Girlfriends. It’s a Druid’s well! It’s an actual thing. You can read more about it HERE! Fun!
Flowering things grew wild from the rocks. Because it’s Scotland. Did you know the national animal for Scotland is the Unicorn? Oh yes. Magical Scotland, land of legends and ghosts.
It was a wonderful time. If you would like to stay in a castle in Scotland, you can, so easily. Go to www.stravithiecastle.co.uk. Or write stravithie@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01334 880251 It’s close to lots of nice things. And tell David we said Hello!
As promised in the new WILLARD, a Giveaway! This England, this green and pleasant land, this cup. For thee. And the book . . . a signed copy of A Fine Romance. That’s one.
And behind door number two, the new Spring cup, and one of my brand new cross stitch kits for Home Sweet Home, because they kind of match, and go together. Also for thee. Two giveaways! They won’t arrive from England until the first of April, so you’ll have to wait for spring. I’ll be away, but Sheri will make sure you get them the moment they arrive. All you need to do to sign up for both giveaways is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, where you see the teeeeeny tiny word that says, “comments,” click there, say anything, and voila, you’re in the drawing! I’ll contact you if you win, but you can come back in a few days to see if Vanna chose your name. Life is good!
Must go now . . . Say Goodbye to my muses, these . . .
And this one. I’m thinking of changing his name to Dash. Beloved puppy of mine. Have a wonderful day dear ones. Keep in touch! There are adventures and more surprises ahead! 
Susan, Am so glad you and Joe are going to the UK again…my wisdom to live by came from a woman diagnosed young with cancer. ..Don’t Postpone Joy. On our 3rd trip to England and Scotland in 2010 (celebrating our 50th anniversary), my husband and I visited that garden in the Cotswolds where you found the LOVE STAYS quote and I have a photo of it in my scrapbook! He died three years ago and memories of such joyful times ”feed the soul of love with tears”(Tennyson). Enjoy every moment….
Snowshill! A lovely place for memories. We well, Peggy, thank you for that. xoxo
Thank you, Susan, for the opportunity to enter your lovely giveaway.
So enjoy the quotes posted in blog and Willard!
Thank you for sharing! Love to hear the stories and see the beautiful photos. And would love to win your giveaway!
Oh Susan, my love tank has been filled up again by reading my Willard. Thank you!😍
You take the high road and I’ll take the low road….
Thank you for the simple, sweet, friendly way you share the beautiful adventures in your life. I only recently read A Fine Romance for the first after my mom found it on the library shelves and thought of me!! Wow, how sad I was when “our” trip came to an end… Your illustrations are so charming and your music choices right on target.
Thanks for a delightful tour of the castle and grounds! Looking forward to your upcoming trip. Now, I am offf to read Willard! 🙂
I love your writing and art! I have your calendar at home and at work and they make me so happy. Thank you for creating beauty and good cheer in the world!
Dear Susan, Thanks for taking us along to such magical places. I also so enjoyed reading your Willard. You must be so excited preparing for your trip. Can’t wait to read about it. And bless Jack…he’s so adorable.
Love the mugs!❤️
So enjoyed reading about Scotland… Would love to be entered for the spring tea cup… Fortunately, I already have all your books!
Anyone that reads your blog or Willard of the mesmerizing places you go and the unknown things you find. I love reading and being taken to a fairytale land!
Love going there myself, and so much more fun with all of you!
So delightful! Reading your post is like walking there. I haven’t been in Scotland since 1980, but so many things stay the same there! Reading your post brought me right back!
Hi Susan,
The new Willard arrived today and I sat down right there and then and enjoyed every word. It is always such a joy to hear about your past and future travels. One of these days I hope revisit Scotland. Having had the opportunity to visit some of the places I’d heard about growing up was such a treat. Oddly enough one of those places was an auto dealership in Inverness. My great-grandfather was one of the founding partners of MacRae & Dick from 1878 to 1909. He was the MacRae.
There are so many beautiful places to see. Thank you for showing us some of that beauty.
Have a wonderful adventure!
So fun to go in search of your past!
Your writing is such a treat! I’m glad to have finally discovered your blog after a year or so of receiving your Willards. 🙂
Delightful!
Scotland, home of my ancestors (the Campbell clan). How I would love to go visit. Magical! Thank you, dear Susan.
Ooh, saw Willard in my inbox but I dare not open it until my daughter is home from school…not sure who is your bigger fan although I’ve been at it longer! Thank you for the dreamy Scottish jaunt. A Druid’s well! Do you live a charmed life or what? Safe and special travels to you, dear Susan! And thank you for the sweet giveaway opportunities. Xo
Well, give her a little hug for me Wendy … Sharing something between mom and daughter, so wonderful. Makes me think of me and my mom, on the kitchen floor, playing jacks, legs spread, eggs in the basket, two little girls, my first best friend.
Love, love, love your sharing and bringing your travels to life for all of us. Your writing and paintings being much comfort and peace. Thank you!
As always, wonderful! Now on to Willlard. toni b
Just finished reading Willard…loved it and found myself shopping for not one but two of your pretty mugs! So pleased…reading your blog and Willard are habit forming and can be a little expensive on the pocket book…but so worth it and what a wonderful way to spend the time. 🌷🌻🌷. Just received an email that the one mug has already been shipped – talk about excellent customer service!
Susan, thank you for the little bit of sunshine you bring into my life each time I read your entries. You are a treasure.❤️
Sending love and warm hugs,
Kelly
Love back to you Kelly . . . xoxo
Never been to the UK in this life time but have always been homesick for it!
I know just how you feel!
Beautiful! Just what I needed to begin the day! Thank you for sharing!!
Love reading about your trip to Scotland. Ireland and Scotland are on my bucket list.
Susan,
Love the post and delightful Willard. I’m looking forward to your next adventure and photos of your trip. Thanks for sharing.
Charlotte
I love following you on your travels, even if it’s just your morning walk! I feel like I’m walking with you. altho I wont be able to go to the picnic (this year… but definitely the next one!) I know all I’ll have to do is follow your writing and it will feel like I’m there! Thank you for sharing all of this with us. And would love to win one of these! xo
I’ll make sure you won’t miss a thing Theresa!
I did the Ancestry DNA test a year ago and found out I was 63% Great Britain . Ha !! I knew it !! I WILL get there one day !! But for now, I’ll just go along with you. Thanks !!
I’m waiting for my results right now…so excited to find out!
Lovely photographs. And the castle, what fun! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!
I always enjoy reading your blog with your beautiful drawings, quotes and tales of what is happening or has happened on your journey of life. Thank you 😊
I couldn’t sleep so I got up out of bed and read your blog and sailed away to Scotland at 4:00 a.m. Thank you for your delightful magic Susan!
Dear Susan,
Finding a blog post or Willard from you in my mailbox is like receiving the sweetest gift from the most caring person I know! It reminds me of when my mother read to me at bedtime,… the best part of the day when all worries melted away and I was transported into sweet fairytale worlds!💕 I absolutely love reading and seeing the photos and videos of your travels. So excited to follow along with you on your next journey!
What great adventures you have had, I love reading about them! My Willard came yesterday and I’m looking forward to some quiet time to read it. Love your new cross stitch and mug collection. Hug Jack for me he is just too adorable.
Love your posts, as usual. We head back to Scotland in May with the Alma College Choir (my husband is the director). We have not been to this particular castle. Thank you for the tips and the info about the Fife Coast. Traveling vicariously with you and Joe is almost…. as good as being there. Thanks! xoxo
Susan,
Thank you for another wonderful post and sharing your life and adventures with us all! I hope to get to England and Scotland some day. But until then it’s always fun to hear about your travels and learn from you about these wonderful places.
Safe travels and can’t wait to read about and see the photos from the awesome trip you and Joe are taking!
Haven’t slept much the past 3 nights and my worries got me up at 4 am this morning…when I found a lovely Willard waiting for me. I do so love receiving them, even though this one made me awfully homesick for England and a few tears escaped from my eyes. I was hoping to visit my Mum in England in May and bring her to the picnic, but I forgot that my youngest daughter will be graduating college on 12th May, and so Mum will be flying out to Colorado instead. I will definitely be there in spirit though, and hope to get back to England in the early Autumn and maybe we can take Mum to visit Hill Top then. We’ll both take our watercolours and be inspired!
A perfect plan! xoxo
Dear Susan, thank you for so much, this sweet post, and the latest Willard which arrived yesterday and was just devoured with this morning’s tea…both were absolutely delicious!!! Thankful for your talent which you so generously share with all, and your wonderful adventures both home and abroad. Looking forward to traveling along with you and Joe if only from my favorite chair. Love, hugs, and great adventures! Karen
Susan, I live in Charleston, can I bring my books for you to sign at B&N?
Bookstores have rules. I think, don’t ask don’t tell. Just do what you want and feign incompetence. Works for me every time!
Thank-you so much for taking us all along on this magical trip! I dream of going to Scotland and England, and am so grateful to travel vicariously with you. And Jack has the perfect assistant’s sleeping spot! My assistant might enjoy his own padded drawer instead of the top of whatever I am working on. Thank-you, Susan!
You sure have a lot of work to do before you leave on your big trip! Hope it’s fun for you and not tedious. I’ll look forward to reading about and seeing all your adventures!
Your illustrations and words – through books, recipes, calendars, blogs, cards, and Willards – have brightened my life going on 30 years! Thank you!!
Oh – is there a possible chance I could possess something of yours? I can’t imagine anything lovelier!! God bless you and see you safely there and back!
I’m going to send the link for the castle to my husband, but I’ll wait a few weeks so he’s not too overcome with cabin fever. 😉
My grandma always said, “There’s a right time and a wrong time for everything.” A wise woman! xoxo
It is always such a joy to hear from you! Thank you! xoxoxo
I love your beautiful pictures of Scotland and hearing about your adventures. What an interesting find coming across the small slate saying “Love is the law.” You might be interested to know that love actually is the law! In Matthew 22:34-39 a conversation is recorded where Jesus answers a question asked of him about which commandment is the greatest. He answers that the greatest commandment is to love Jehovah God, and the second greatest is to love your neighbor. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if everyone obeyed these two laws!
Yes it would!
Susan,
Your talent in designing these beautiful cups is never ending!!! I fell in love with them all and now again, these new ones just captured my heart also.
It is always nice to win…but I will also be placing my pre order for more. Thanks for making my shopping easy and my day also. Love, Susan P.
You are living a blessed life, and sharing it all is blessing us as well. Thank you!
I am looking forward to sharing another adventure with you and Joe. I will try to lose a few pounds so that I take up less room in your suitcase 🙂
Thank you for your magical posts. No matter where I am in my day reading them takes me right to where you sharing your adventures with you. Thank you for a little magic in our lives!!
What a beautiful and magical place! Stravithie Castle has now been added to my list of places to visit…someday…;)
I can’t wait to travel along with you.
Hi Susan! I just read willard and had to tell you how much I loved it. Even though I can’t up and go on a long trip at this time in my life (kids, activities, pets and gardens to attend to) Im probably as excited as you and Joe! What an adventure you’re about to have. All of the wonderful goodies waiting to be purchased are so precious AND the last quote by Mama Cass was perfect. I felt like you were writing the willard just to me as my mom sang back up in the Mama & Papas for years and in the recording studio. If you’ve seen one of the more famous pieces of footage from the Monterey Pop festival of Cass watching Janis Joplin, thats my mom sitting next to her while Cass is saying WOW after her performance. Then my mom went on to dancing on American Bandstand with Dick Clark for several years after that. Her job was to dance on the stage with her long blond braids flipping paint onto the audience…….she had an amazing life and my childhood was crazy and as I write this, Im feeling very lucky to have 10 fingers and 10 toes!! I have footage of my mom dancing at Woodstock to my dads band (The Association, he’s the drummer) so pregnant and bug eyed its ridiculous. No judgement. She was my best friend and I miss her and love her to pieces. You remind me of her with those kindred spirits of yours and your stories. She too not only met the Beatles and was very close with George and was a huge animal lover. She’s definitely the influence that paved the way for me to love all of the things that we love, the simple things.
Your mom sang backup to the Mamas and the Papas???? Woweeeee! Fantastic. Cass had an amazing voice. I will have to look for your mom! I can only imagine your gratitude for complete digits ~ it was a wild time, and probably wilder for her! Wow, I’m reading slowly, commenting as I go, just got to your Dad! Woodstock, what history! I just love your mom! What an adventurer she was. Thank you Rhea, that was so interesting and beautiful!
She really was quite the adventurer. She got it from my grandma……….ready? My grandma was this amazing woman who was a sculptor in Pasadena. She lived on millionaires row and had the LA zoo bring in baboons, hyenas and monkeys with these huge cranes into these chain linked cages on the property so she could sculpt them the old fashioned way. By sight with a chisel & hammer and of course fell in love with the animals insisting on buying and keeping them all while being Charlie Parkers east coast girlfriend for many many years until he died. Can you even begin to imagine the craziness THAT created in THAT environment? Seriously, her neighbor was the Wrigley mansion. Talk about an ambitious woman. My mom and uncle walked in the protest for Martin Luther King. Two little toe heads front row and center!!!!! Its incredible and on top of all the other crazy stories I could go on and on sharing, mom learned how to drive from the one and only James Dean.
So that kindred spirit of yours and passion for art, animals, and acknowledging all of the positive things around you really brings me close to you and has for what, 20 yrs? I don’t remember how I found you but so glad I did and then came your books and it all made sense. We were meant to be pen pals. I just love you to pieces.
oops. west coast girlfriend.
Kindred spirits Rhea! Thank you for being here!
So it runs in the family! James Dean! Unbelievable and fun and wonderful and truly magical!
What an amazing family history! You should write a book. I know I’d buy it. =)
Hope you don’t mind my jumping in here! 🙂 I like reading the girlfriends’ comments occasionally, and yours caught my attention. I loved the Mamas and the Papas AND The Association. Happy high school/college memories. Cherish has always been one of my favorite songs! Great talent in those two groups. You must be very proud. So glad you shared! And another great talent in our midst — dear Susan Branch!
Kathy Hughes
Wow – so much fun to read! Growing up in Southern California, the Association were a big part of those years. They were so great and we were big fans. Saw them perform many times including both Ice Houses, the Troubadour, and during a taping of the Smother’s Brothers TV show. Another magical SB connection.
Lovely as always. The castle is beautiful and you are lucky to have found it!😊
Susan,
Been wondering about your travel plans and Willard had the answer. I thought you might have jumped ship(ping lines) since Queen Mary 2 doesn’t leave in time for your picnic, but now I know you’re going on Queen Victoria, instead. In 2015, thanks to you and A Fine Romance, my husband and I sailed to England for the first time on Queen Victoria, and we absolutely loved it, and I’m sure you will too. In fact we liked it better than QM2, but maybe because it was our first voyage. Looking forward to sharing your journey with you. All the best to you and Joe!
I kind of think we’re going to like it best also!
We went to Scotland for a short 4 days and fell in love with it. We loved all the castles and the woods. I would love to go back and explore the Highlands and country side. I would go back to Edinburgh as well. It is a fascinating city. Thanks for sharing your memories!
Love the quotes and inspiration you bring into our homes!
I thought castles were supposed to be cold and dark, but this place seemed quite cozy and lovely! Thanks for sharing your adventure. I can just imagine yall’s reaction as you drove up the road and the place came into full view!
Ok, did I understand you to mean that you were thinking of changing Jack’s name? But, but….. his little paper name tag at the shelter which said that he IS Jack and which told you that he was meant to go home with yall?! (lol) How about Dash as a middle name? Y’know, for when he’s in trouble. “Jack Dash Hall–are you drinking from my tea cup?” When we adopted our cat, Harley, our youngest daughter was six and thought that “Harley Ann!” seemed an appropriate response to HIS mischievous acts since “Olivia Ann!” was my response to hers. We’ve since acquired a dog, also male, and he too was informally given Ann as a middle name for such occasions. Haha
Incidentally, why don’t you tell us about Dash the dog?
No, I was just kidding. I wouldn’t change Jack’s name, you’re right, it was given him by providence.
What a delightful giveaway! The cup is lovely. I’m reading an old book about Suffolk that makes me want to explore…. I do so enjoy your art and writing.
I finally got my Willard, and I have spent the most delicious half hour soaking it in. I have to ask about the picture of Jack watching TV. I realized I’ve never seen a picture of a TV in all the pictures I’ve enjoyed of your house. Where is it? Just being nosy. 😉
It’s in what we call “the wood room” because, the walls are wood (so creative!). Smallest room in the house, Lowely calls it our “snug.”
Thank you for the beautiful mental getaway! So needful! <3 Love from Colorado 🙂
Oh Susan, your pictures from Scotland are magical! It is on my bucket list to go someday. Love reading your FB page and your blog. Your words and pictures always bring such joy and peace. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thank you for taking us along on your coddiwomples and for your generosity!
Susan,
How exciting to be arriving in lovely Charleston aboard the Queen Victoria! I was hoping to meet you until I realized the date you will be in South Carolina I will be tilting at windmills in Madrid! I, too, experienced a stay in a castle in Scotland two years ago, close to Oban. What fun to descend the amazing staircase! Enjoy your travels and thanks for sharing your talents.
Oh how I wish I was traveling along in person! But thank you for providing the virtual trip instead 😉
Christine
Thank you so much for the delightful “arm chair travel” to Scotland! It’s a place, along with England, Wales, Ireland . . . that I’ve always dreamt of going.
Someday it will happen, but until then I so appreciate your sharing.
I loved our “travel” today! Thank you!
Dear,DearSusan…….
What a joy to receive your Willard and blog too…..and as Mimi said it has been a lot of years…….So much joy as I now sit in an assisted living facility where of all blessings beyond belief I have found the love of my life……….how can such a miracle be..??? We have both been to England but not together…..so now I love to read to him from your blogs and Willards and to enjoy your books together………so now my mind is spinning trying to find the perfect Valentine love gift……..will go through your gift shop next………I cannot wait to go on this next trip with you and Joe and discover the Victoria ship with you….and just as we are watching Victoria every week…….This year I get to share this trip with my new love……Thank you for all the magic you bring us….Love, Kathleen
Oh Kathleen, you put tears in my eyes. I LOVE LIFE, possibilities for joy are endless! Hugs to you both. 💖
Wishing you and Joe a safe and beautiful trip. Love all the mugs – so nice to have a different one to choose from each morning.
Love Scotland and we will go back because life is short, like another writer wrote. Don’t postpone Joy.
It is, and we decided exactly that.
A giveaway! So happy! Love everything Susan Branch!
Love your blog posts.
🙂
Hi Susan! I always love reading your posts! They transport this Arizona girl to lands of green!!!!
You are so good to us!
🙂
So happy you’re having another give-away! I would be so excited to win! I just read Willard and found out that you’re coming to Charleston!!! You promised to try, and you really are coming! Thank you for trying to please all your girlfriends. I can’t wait to meet you although we all feel as if we already have. One day I will make it to Scotland and England, but in the meantime, I’ll travel with you. See you in March! 🙂
We had to go to Florida to catch the boat, and when we found out it was stopping overnight in Charleston, I thought, I wonder . . . and Yes was the answer! Very excited. First time traveling to a book signing by ship! See you there Kathy!
I love receiving your Willard in my email and your blog posts, Susan! Thanks for being thoughtful and adding in a wonderful contest, to boot!!
Hi, dear Sue ~
It seems like a very long time since I’ve commented but know that I’ve been here, quietly soaking in the love and inspiration you so generously give <3
The week before Christmas, George was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It's been a scary ride since then but we're hanging on tight. After many tests and procedures, we now are preparing for a major surgery.
This past month, we've talked more about our future and our dreams than we ever have. I guess that's one of the blessings in facing something awful together. We do believe "There is always SOMETHING to be thankful for." so we've been opening up to the blessings in our life and keeping each other thinking positively.
One of the best things I do for myself is to surround myself with girlfriends that are happy, positive, strong, inspiring, beautiful women and avoid the negative, gossiping ones the best I can. One of the reasons I so enjoy this blog! <3 Such a safe gathering place to listen and learn; to share or to sit quietly by; to feel loved and inspired. This is what you've created, Sue! Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3
So…we look forward to post-surgery and our "new normal" and in the Spring…our 5th grandchild…the first boy…his name is <3 George <3 , after his grandfather.
Off to see if Willard has arrived yet…
xoDebbie
I hope you can feel the prayers that I just said and aimed straight for your heart. Yes, just like Pollyanna, you can always find something good. Much love to you both. Words are too limiting, wishing you every good thing. Happy New Baby!!
Thank you so much! I CAN feel them! xoxo
btw..I did not receive a Willard. I have been getting them for years so not sure what’s up. I re-subscribed last night.
Be sure to check your spam folder . . . there seems to be no rhyme nor reason when someone doesn’t get their Willard, I wish there was! Here’s a link to it . . . 💞
Loved the trip to Scotland and would also love to stay in Stravithie Castle! Beautiful!!
The new cups are lovely – each and every one. It will be difficult to choose the one(s) to order.
My Willard is also in my inbox!! Too much excitement all at once!!
Enjoy these last beautiful days of January! XOXO!!
Oh this post makes me want to travel! If not in this life Scotland will be high on my list when the Heavenly Kingdom is established!
What a beautiful castle! Thank you for sharing it with us.
I am so looking forward to your/our trip to England. My suitcase is packed.
Thank you Susan for the trip to Scottland!! Loved it!! Also for your uplifting positive attitude!! You can brighten a chilly grey foggy day!!💕💕
If you have not watched Outlander, you should! It has put Scotland on my “must visit” list, and has gorgeous shots of the Scottish countryside, as well as the way of the clans. Have a wonderful, magical trip, and safe travels. I will continue to enjoy living (and traveling!) vicariously through you and Joe!
I loved it too … read it and watched some of it. I had a hard time with the violence and let go of it after the first season, but I’ve checked back, and at least the episodes I’ve seen have had a little less of it. I’m a weeny. I can’t tell the difference between “real” and a movie screen.
Love your posts Susan!! Such beauty! Such inspiration!! Thank U!
I just love the “Every day should be Mother’s Day” quote. I daily care for some “littles” in the a.m. And I relish once again through these precious ones eyes, their innocence, as well as hardest working mamas. Your Willard & Blog always refocus my eyes as well to all that’s good, bright, and beautiful!
Caregivers to the world in so many ways, we’re all mothers whether we have children or not. Every day should be Mother’s Day … thank you Ann. xoxo
Hello Susan! Just read this blog post AND Willard and as usual, so many things to smile about and look up and dream about. Your stories, your beautiful, charming home, Joe, Jack, your travels…I just love reading about them all and seeing photos. I live vicariously through you! Thanks for the chance to win your lovely giveaway.
Just lovely! Absolutely lovely!
Wow! So beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I feel like we need more months in a year just so you can keep creating all these fun and whimsical mugs I love collecting!!! LOVE THEM ALL!
Love Jack💕
Always a joy to share adventures with you & Joe!
Thanks for bringing us along.
I love seeing your travel photos and reading about your adventures. We hope to go to England and Scotland someday and I will be sure to come back and check your blog for places to visit.
Fun to be traveling “with” you!! Have a great time!!
I love it when you share your travels. I am inspired.
A friend of mine told me about you last fall and I have been so entertained by your blog and Willards. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful things in life.
We are traveling to Dublin in June to visit my daughter and her husband who live there now- I am so exicited to see some of the places you have written about.
We’ll be there in April . . . I’m so looking forward to my first trip to Ireland!
Loved the blog…now on to my new Willard…
Susan, such a great post. I love Scotland and that castle is just perfect. Thank you for sharing such great pictures. But, I have to say, please don’t change Jack’s name. he’s too precious as just…Jack!
Thanks once again for the faerie tales!
Oh, thank you for this blog!! You DO feed my soul, Susan! I will never be able to travel. So, I pretend to do so thru you. Your books & blog help me to aspire to the FEELING of traveling. My granddaughter, Kate, turned 21 on Jan 8 & the next day flew to Spain to teach English to 3-12 year olds for just 3 months. Last weekend she flew (for $50 round trip) to Glasgow for a long weekend. I sent her spending $ and some for me too. She has a package in the mail for me. Can’t wait!! So, I’m living vicariously thru my sweet g-daughter and she doesn’t seem to mind. I have sent today’s blog to her. I am sure she’ll enjoy it! Thank you, Susan. Your blog made my day! (Sorry this so long, but I just had to share) BTW, her next side trip is planned for Toulouse France. I can’t wait to “see” it and “go shopping”!
You send her, she sends you. It’s very wonderful . . . and a great way to stay connected with her!
What a wonderful adventure to have! Thank you for taking us with you, even if we are still in our armchairs!❤️
I’ve had lots of books with bits of wisdom – but none with beautiful, fitting illustrations as in your books. Reading your blogs and books, enjoying your watercolors relaxes me, gives me peace. Now, if I can just deal with my envy!!
Hoping to be inspirational, like you know me, I’m very normal, which means if I can do it, whatever “it” is, that means others can too.😘
Another magical read! Thanks for sharing!!
Love going on your trips with you – even if I never leave my computer! Thanks
for sharing your memorable moments and giving us all glimpses of where we would like to go.