Well, we made it home! I thought I’d do a little recap for you … with MUSICA! 💞
Here we are, just leaving Southampton not all that long ago . . . waving a tearful good bye to luv-lee England, more in love than ever! It could not have been a better trip home. I think we have to remember to ALWAYS travel by ship at the end of June! The water was sparkling and flat most of the way . . . we even saw dolphins!! It was so amazing and wonderful and special to see them jumping out of the water, arching in unison, going along with us next to the ship. 🐬
The good ship Queen Elizabeth was just ahead of us as we left Southampton, making a very pretty picture with all the little boats escorting her out of the harbor.
The moon was up when we caught up with her . . . I hope our ship looked as pretty to them as theirs did to us!
The setting sun shone on her as we went by and she turned off to whatever wonderful place she was going.
The moon followed us on the Queen Mary 2 all the way home. We left England on a Sunday, the moon was full on Wednesday, and we arrived home, along with the moon, the following Sunday . . . pondering the gift of each day . . .
The moon made a path to our stateroom twice in this photo, both outside and also reflected in the door to our deck …
We had amazing fresh ocean air, I had my books, I took naps, I took a bubble bath, I had room service, I wrote in my diary, I went dancing, I walked around and around the boat and worked out in the gym: EVERY day was a Red Letter Day!
It was the most wonderful thing. I took this in the morning, the moon is actually setting …
Here it is, on another night, right over us at 1 am …
And after six luv-lee days of this, at about 4:30 am on Sunday July 1, the first lights of Long Island came into view . . . it’s hard to describe how it felt, it had been a long time. We left our home March 4, and here we were, back again.
Coming home after a long slow voyage over the wide ocean, experiencing the world space as it is … is majestic. We were pinching ourselves as we glided quietly through the dawn, seawater washing over the sides of the ship, toward the lights of the Verrazano Narrows bridge.
We ran up top to see it up close as we went under it and found out we weren’t alone!
Everyone was taking pictures, watching tug boats as we passed the twinkling lights along the shore.
See the lit-up cameras? Notice the stairs, look at the top, see the people crowding the rail to get a view of New York? People come a long way to do this, in more ways than one!
I looked back, as we passed under the bridge . . .
And then we got our first glimpse of the most wonderful welcome home you could get, the Statue of Liberty (her light is shining there on the left). It was perfect timing, we arrived home in time to celebrate the Fourth!
As you know, the Statue of Liberty was a gift to America from France to celebrate our 100 year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 🇺🇸
She was assembled in France, then taken apart to be sent to America and came to us in 350 pieces! I love these old photos. Seeing her in pieces is surreal!
The sculptor used his mom’s face for his model. What a good son!
The first bit finished was Liberty’s right hand and torch ~ which was shipped to Philadelphia and put on display. For a fee of 50 cents, visitors could climb a ladder inside the hand to the balcony around the torch. Ah. luv-lee history! I imagine no one had the slightest idea of what was really to come, but this probably gave a tiny hint.
The unveiling took place with parades, a Presidential speech, fireworks, cannons, flags and an overflowing New York City ~ she’d already caught the imagination of America.
And now it was our turn. Standing there in the hushed dawn light, it was easy to imagine what an inspiration the Lady was to the huge numbers of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island ~ if your family came to America on a ship after 1886, they were greeted by Lady Liberty. Can you imagine the thrill? And for us too, it was total chills. Five-thirty in the morning and EVERYONE was up and dressed and on top of the ship for our arrival, arms around each other, tears in the eyes, cameras clicking, all together experiencing . . .
. . .excited to see the light of her torch. Her formal name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
Wow. Right? Just beautiful. I took this photo with my cell phone and it almost looks like a painting.
When the sun came up everyone applauded!
SO American, so Fourth of July! Such a perfect welcome!
The moon was going down as the sun came up behind us shining on the front of the ship.
Hello new day.
An amazing morning of celebration ~ for tourists and for us, coming home sweet home.
Everyone was taking their last photos . . .
And saying good bye to an amazing crossing . . .
wah.
So long ship, until we meet again . . . save our place!
You say good bye, and I say hello . . .
I found a porter and we gathered our 50 billion pieces of luggage while Joe went to rent a car . . . and soon, off we went. HOME was beginning to come into focus, but we still had a five-hour drive and a ferry ride before we would turn into our driveway 😻. LOOK at the AMAZING Brooklyn Bridge!
We were a little worried when we saw this!
But no worries, the nursery was open . . . we needed flowers at home so we stopped here, and loaded up at the supermarket . . .
Everything was getting precariously close to the ceiling of the car, but there was still breathing room!
Across Connecticut we went . . . into Rhode Island . . .
Through Providence . . .
To our home state!
And everywhere people were getting ready for the 4th …
Flags flying …
I just put the camera up to the car window and clicked, because flags were flying everywhere . . . what a welcome home!
Down Main Street in Falmouth, all decked out in flags . . .
And finally, to the BOAT!!! Thar she blows!
And while we waited for our ferry, the sky turned pink and the sun began to go down.
And pretty soon it was our turn to board . . . I could hear Jack meowing from here . . .
Off we go . . . by this time I’ve lost all pretense to calm dignified travel, I’m DYING to get home! This boat can’t go fast enough.
We sit up top on a soft balmy night heading across the sound to our Island, a 45 minute trip. We drove off the ferry and down the familiar streets of our small town . . .
We turned into our driveway…by now I’ve almost lost consciousness, I can barely remember, but we put the key into the kitchen door . . . and the lock wouldn’t turn! I could see through the window in the door and there, on the floor, was Jack, looking at me. His eyes were round as he threw himself down, rolled onto his back, twisting and wiggling and pawing the air . . . Joe ran around to the back door while I whined and cooed through the window.
We finally made it in and spent the evening purring at each other (me and Jack, Jack and Joe, me and Joe), while unpacking. Sweetly, Jack was perfectly willing to repeat his rolling wiggling performance on the ironing board the next morning when I had my camera ready!
Never tell me cats don’t show love.
Because this is what it looks like. And it hasn’t stopped! We’ve been forehead to forehead, inseparable, every day.
He watches me unpack, get organized, do laundry . . . slightly suspicious that this might not last… “She is my sun, my moon, and my stars . . .”
Fear not Jack! He sleeps with us, of course, he curls up on me when I take a nap ~and when we go out for a walk, he does the wiggling thing when we come home. When I sit down to read my book, he cuddles right up. He was well-loved while we were away ~ he plays ponytail band better now than he ever did! Being at home is, as I know you know, a wonderful thing.
With my own luv-lee shadows through the linden trees, then through the windows . . .
and into my own living room . . .
My own top of the stove to decorate the way I like . . . we know where everything is! We know how it all works! These are little pleasures in life!
I count my blessings while polishing my wand . . .
Loving everything!
Saying hello once more to the children . . .
Walking out to the garden with my scissors on these warm mornings . . .
picking roses and pulling weeds . . . getting the fountain out of the barn for the kitchen porch . . .
. . . and filling my little vases . . . Oh the glory of it. Going away makes coming home better than imaginable.
Our friend Jaime gave us a welcome home party in the back garden of her most adorable house . . . It was Jaime’s son Duncan (one of triplets!) who took care of Jack.
It was heaven seeing everyone again . . .
Gorgeous salad, Jaime is amazing! One of the most generous souls I’ve ever known. She’s a caterer, receiver of the “Best of Vineyard” award for years and years!
We’ve had a ton of unpacking to do, a lot to catch up on, you know, the bank, the dentist, all the regular things . . . but so far we’re trying to be balanced. 
Our walks to the water are still my favorite part of the day . . .
The Island was crowded on the Fourth … This is a tiny beach has a very shallow protected beach, perfect for paddling children, and very popular especially on Summer holidays!
But early on other days we have the place pretty much to ourselves.
Not tired of the sea!
And to add to the wonderfulness of everything, your sweet comments on the last post were delightful, making me cry many times. 💞 Without you this trip would still have been magical, but with just a little less sparkle ~ you made it so much more fun . . . trying to see everything not only through my own eyes, but maybe through yours too, having you along has gotten me a little bit outside myself and that can only be a good thing!
Oh, yes, I’ve been unpacking our memories too, getting out my watercolors early in the morning, getting organized . . . I’m going to have so much fun putting this new book into my “good” handwriting . . . adding the photos, the watercolors, the quotes and recipes, the how-to’s, and all the other little bits and pieces I think you will enjoy seeing in this book.
I wrote the whole thing day-by-day, in the moment, while we were in England, Wales, and Ireland . . . I also kept a diary when we were in Scotland and I plan to include bits of that too . . . all the best most informative and enjoyable parts. We learned so much, had so many amazing moments, I couldn’t possibly tell you everything while we were there ~ each day was too stuffed full, so there will be surprises! And now for the fun part, I get to write it . . . Stick with me while I do it. I’ll hurry.
So here’s a few things that happened while we were at sea . . .
The new 2019 Calendars went up for presale! (Can’t believe it, means it’s almost fall!!!🤣) This is the cover for the 12 x 12″ Wall-Calendar. They’re up for presale now, but they should all be at the Studio by the middle of next week.
Here’s a little preview of the November wall-calendar page . . . with a quote that came directly from one of our Girlfriends, Lee Gordon, here in our comment section! Isn’t it a cute idea? I know, it’s playing with your food, but canned black olives are different! I keep telling you how much I love your words and thoughts, well, it’s true! 🎃
We have the Mini Calendars, too, as always, and the Blotter Calendar, and the Purse Calendar … (That’s the Purse Calendar in the upper left photo above⤴.) You might remember the publisher decided to do away with the plastic cover for the Purse Calendars … which resulted in the loss of that little storage pocket on the inside covers. SO, Kellee, being the genius that she is, fixed us a fix! You can click HERE to receive free papers, pattern, and directions to make your choice of two different pockets (as shown above) to add to your calendar if this is something you would like.
Our Girlfriend, Posy Lough, made our wonderful new Alphabet Sampler pre-printed Embroidery Kit … I left a place for the date in the design, and for you to embroider your own name. Of course there’s bunting! I hope you have fun with it! It’s in now, it comes with directions, embroidery floss, and pre-printed 12″ x 15″ cotton fabric…
Last but not least . . . I think you all received your new cups, right? I hope so and I hope you LOVE them! 💞… and I have a little surprise . . . I thought as a 🎵 Welcome Home to Me 🎶 I would do a new giveaway. We finally have our cups in all four seasons! So one of you lucky girls is going to receive this entire set (yes, I do hope I’m helping with some of your Christmas shopping)! All you have to do is leave a comment ~ just scroll to the bottom of this post and in teeny tiny letters (look closely) you will see the word “comment.” Click there, leave a comment and you will be automatically entered! In not too long from now, we will have a drawing, our in-house “random number generator” we call Vanna, will draw the winning name. I’ll be announcing the winner here on the blog and sending an email to the lucky person! So don’t forget to say hello! ❤ Always so much to look forward to with you Girlfriends! My favorite thing!
Susan, your blog makes my heart sing!!!!
Welcome home!! It was such a fun trip, thanks for taking us along!
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! It has been such a wonderful adventure to be able to follow you travels on Twitter and IG! Many thanks for kindly taking us with you every step of the way! I now have new travel goals! Looking forward to the new book!
Best,
Michelle Rodriguez
Susan, if you are keeping track of mix-ups with comments, add one more. My comment, which was correctly attributed to me, is on the previous post, but my name also appears on this GF post. Bev Brewer
I enjoy your wall calendar. 2019 will be the 4th one I’ve used.
Appointments and events are noted and we check it daily. I look forward to turning the page to the new month for delicious recipes and funny and thought
Provoking quotes. Love the artwork also. It really brings cheer to my life.
I just finished reading The Fairy Tale Girl and as with the other two, I enjoyed reading it so much. Thank you for sharing your life with us – the joy and the sorrows and the happy endings. Love and Blessings to you and Joe.
Hi, Susan,
I love reading your blog! I am so happy to hear about your amazing trip!!
Thank you for sharing so many good things in life!
KathyY.
Thank you for bringing me to England and back again!
What a trip! Thanks SO MUCH!
Susan, it has been a privilege to be along for the ride with you and Joe. I most enjoyed the sheep photos and dogs in pubs.
Ah, Susan! What a wonderful way to be cheered on this July afternoon! Love this post! How wonderful to be able to view the Statue of Liberty as you are coming home! Such beauty you have shared with us! Thank you for that!….xoxo Nellie
You certainly would be helping with Christmas shopping—Merry Christmas to me!!!! Don’t think I could pick which one to give away!—– I’m keeping my fingers crossed; maybe Vanna will dive in and come up with my name. Enjoyed going along on your trip and can’t wait for the new book. Glad you made it back home safe and sound. Enjoy the rest of your summer….
Welcome home. Loved following your journey.
So thankful ‘we’ are home 😁 what a glorious and exciting three months away. Whew, I’m pooped🤣. I would be such an ingrate if I didn’t thank you properly however, how do I fully tell you how eternally grateful I am that you share your heart, hearth and home with us! Love you 😙😙😙
Oh, Susan! Welcome Home! When you wrote about seeing the Statue of Liberty it gave me the chills and I definitely teared up! I was so afraid you would want to move or stay in the UK forever.
Oh how I wish I could win these beautiful cups for my morning tea! I’m so excited about your new book! Welcome home❤️
How I love new blog days!
Forgive me, four months away (math was never my strong suit, 😄).
Thank you so much for sharing so many lovely photos & thoughts about your grand adventure! It was a pleasure to be an armchair traveler along the way! Christy
Welcome home. It was wonderful traveling along with you. And now looking forward to the book!
Yay! I bet it is WONDERFUL to be home. Jack is such a love. Kitties are the very nicest petty pets.
Enjoy! I laughed when you wrote that fall is almost here! That’s how I think, too!
Welcome home and thank you for writing the next book! I can’t wait!
xoxo
I am so glad you got home safely and so glad Jack is fine! I love all the beautiful photos you’ve shared from this trip. It is so inspiring to one who doesn’t travel much. Your twitter posts have been delightful. I truly look forward to reading your twitter posts and blog. Thank you for sharing your adventures (and home life too) with us!
Loved following your latest adventures. My husband and I leave for England next month. Can’t wait!
Oh, Susan, I love to see that there is a new post up from you! What a wonderful crossing – the Lady Liberty photos especially, brought a tear to my eye. She has stood to welcome immigrants to our country for so long, and she will continue to stand and to welcome… My dream is that one of these days, we will wake up and the country will be as it was – united and together in our love of our country but also love of our neighbors! I know this will happen, we just have to get through this rough patch first.
I have loved coming along to England and Ireland, and I have loved coming home with you as well. Never stop your beautiful art! You make the world a better place to be.
Feel better now that you and Joe are home safe!! Can’t wait for the new book. Since you have caught up with Jack, the laundry and the neighbors . . . please get to work . . .
I love, love the cups and get so many compliments on them. Thank you!!!!
What an adventure from beginning to end. I have followed all the way. As a transposed Brit living in the USA, I must say the Statue Of Liberty is a highlight of ones return. It’s all those stories, hopes and dreams that it carries with it. Looking forward to your book. Love the giveaway.
I think it happens for everyone. It’s not just the American dream!
This looks like such a lovely vacation. A trip of a lifetime! Would love to win your beautiful mugs!
LOVE LOVE LOVE every word and photo!!
Dreaming of all the wonderful memories to be made.
I’m so glad you’re home safe and sound, and that you had such a lovely time here in the U.K. I’m so looking forward to the book💕PennyL in Dorsetxx
Reading this gave me such a feeling of coming home again, too. It is a major treat to be able to travel with you this way and see the sights you see ‘with’ you ~ some I’ve only dreamt of seeing. (Which makes me wonder, have you ever considered a taking a little trip in space? I’ve read that Elon Musk is making plans for some space flights next year, and if anyone could write and photograph such a voyage in a way that her readers would feel they were truly going along, it is you, dear Sue.) While you consider a journey among the stars, I’m all ready for a girls road trip to San Luis Obispo in September, and I have at least one granddaughter and one friend who had such a super fun experience last time they are ready to go with me again this time. My daughter might come with us, too! Can’t wait for you to confirm the date so we can start making our plans (which as you know is part of the fun). Thank you so much Sue for again bringing us along to that MOST BEAUTIFUL “sceptered isle…..set in a silver sea” xoxoxo
Love the cups. Just bought more today. Welcome home!
So glad you’re home. What an experience we’ve all had!! Thanks.
I’m from Sudbury !!! (Ontario)
Your photos of the moon are breathtaking!! So enjoyed your trip home!! Felt like I was there with you both on the boat and back on Martha’s Vineyard! Thank you for taking us along ♥️
The best find ever was discovering your books one day at the Apple Farm on my way back home to Solvang! That eventually led me to enjoying the Fine Romance Beatrix Potter tour this past May, enjoying your cookbooks, travel tweets and instagrams while sipping tea in my Castle Cottage mug! It is such a gift to discover kindred spirits! I wish you and Joe the best in life.
What does “your comment is awaiting moderation” mean?? I only see this on mine!
When I got up this morning, there were over 500 comments waiting for “moderation.” Which means in order for the comments to go up, I have to moderate, which means I have to read them first, because that’s what I do. So here we go … you should see your comment very soon!
Oh Susan (and Joe), welcome home! I can’t WAIT to read your new book😁
Glad you are home! And I can’t wait for the new book!
Would love to share these beautiful cups with my daughter and daughters in law. Thank you Susan for all the lovely things you bring into my life. Turning 80 this year and enjoying all of your posts.
I love England, too. I’ll never get to take the trip from which you’ve just returned, but your posts allowed me to enjoy it with you just the same. Thank you! Looking forward to your book!!
Jean
Following you and Joe on your Big Adventure has been delightful. Bucket List item…Susan Branch Tea Mug…Please 🙂
Oh I love your blog, your Instagram and have been a fan for many many years. I would love to win your giveaway 😍
Super Tashmoo’dley-extra-doodley ! 💕☕️
I am soooo happy you and Joe are home again safely and that you enjoyed such a wonderful trip. I follow you vicariously all around! I cannot WAIT until your new book comes out!! And yes you cups are divine. I have six 😜 love love love you SB. We are
Kindred spirits. I am positive you are the reborn Beatrix Potter sister spirit! You are amazing. Ps thanks for the recommendation of the Washington biography! It was fabulous. I read it all early summer along with you!
Welcome home! Glad your vacation was lovely….I knew it would
be. The season cups are wonderful.
Susan and Joe,
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. It was amazing. I waited and waited so excited to read each and every post. Thank You. The mug give away is wonderful. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Warm regards,
Deb
Such a fabulous trip and so happy Jack is happy and well! Looking forward to the new book- just know it will be as wonderful as the others.
Welcome home Susan and Joe! I have enjoyed traveling along with you through your photos and posts. Thank you.
Welcome home, Susan and Joe. I couldn’t read fast enough! My heart was pounding. It stopped when your key wouldn’t open the door. I didn’t take another breath until you got safely into your home. Whew. Enjoy the rest of your summer in your own backyard, while you relive your wonderful adventure, writing it for us.
How completely dreamy!!!✨✨✨ I would love to entered pretty please! Fingers and toes crossed! Welcome Home!!!🎶❤️
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! I can’t wait to see the book from your travels
**sigh**your post has given me wanderlust!
Susan! On my iPad, the comment block is showing the name and email address of the previous commenter. Oh, dear!
Just change it … we don’t understand what is making this happen, I’m so sorry!
Yes, the same thing has happened to me today and on several past posts, as well.
Be sure to change it because when we choose the winner, I will be telling the winner via the email she signs in on… I wonder, do you use an iPad? For a while we were thinking it was the device that made the difference, because it doesn’t happen to everyone. Very confusing gremlin!
I’m seeing it as well on my iPad. It changes the information if I refresh the screen as well so I’ve can see several email addresses.
I don’t use an iPad, just the usual laptop approach. Those gremlins can get into just about anything!
Yes, they sure can! We’ve had all our genius folk working to find it, and they haven’t been able to. If it happened to everyone, it would probably make more sense!
Always happens to me and I do use an iPad…I just delete the name and email that are there and type in my own! So happy your trip was wonderful. Can you believe it was over 4 months ago that you left the island between blizzards!! Time doesn’t just march on anymore, it travels on jet skis! So looking forward to the new book, and I’ll enjoy the creating process that you share with us, too. I have the set of seasonal mugs (along with a few of the others) but if Vanna pulls my name I promise to give them a good home! Hugs❤️
Not a doubt in my mind about that Shannon!
I am using a genetic Microsoft tablet and it also happened to me…..very odd. My husband says your cached information within your server software needs to be cleared….probably. Software you use to blog.
I will pass on your husband’s message, much appreciated. I don’t exactly know what has been tried … but we aren’t giving up!
What a treat! a new blog post just before bedtime, thank you Susan. Loved the pics of your journey home. Reminded me of when we went to Rhode Island to visit our son who was in Providence for his ‘gap year’. I remember seeing the sign for Cape Cod as we rode on the bus and it sounded so romantic. We did get to see some of Cape Cod on our second visit but the romanticism of seeing that sign post for the first time has never dimmed. What treasures to look forward to, a new calendar, new mugs from Nursery Thyme, I hope, and a new book, yippee! Looking forward to them all.
With love to you and Joe from Ann in Chester xx
Hi Ann!
I enjoyed “traveling” with you & so look forward to the upcoming book.
Thanks for sharing the adventure!
So glad that you had a wonderful trip!
Hello!
Welcome Home! It seemed like ages since your last post–I have missed you big time! You are my sunshine 🙂 I was checking everyday to see if there was a new post, so I was so thrilled to again read all the news about your trip home, your delight at seeing familiar things from a different perspective, how happy Jack was to see you, fresh flowers, a welcome home party, etc. Can’t wait to read your new book one of these days/months. Thank you for being you, my creative girlfriend!
Thanks for sharing your trips with us, can’t wait for the book
Hi Susan,
Just wanted to say thank you for including us on your latest adventure.
I can hardly wait for your new book to be available for purchase.
My dream is still to visit England “someday” and I hope that it isn’t
too many years away.
I would love very much to win the set of cups. They make me smile and they
would be very welcome in my kitchen. So glad to have you and Joe back home.
Love,
Sandra
Welcome home! Thank you for bringing us along on your adventure to Great Britain. I am glad all is well at home, especially Jack’s little welcome home wiggles. I can’t wait to read your new book once it is completed. Thank you again, Susan!
Smiles,
Karen Holly
I sit here and can’t even put words to paper. Your posts are so beautiful, they leave me speechless…and so grateful for the little things in life. Blessings to you…
Welcome home! Loved following your trip through the blog and on instagram! Cannot wait for the new book! I have one of your mugs and absolutely love it! Thanks for giving some away! Virginia White
I loved seeing pictures of His Royal 👑 Furriness, he looks like I just want to scoop him up and hug 🤗 him! 😻😻😻😽 He’s so adorable!
What a beautiful moon you have had on your way home!
Your new stitching Alphabet is wonderfull and will made by many girlfriends I think.
Thanks for this great Give Away with your beautifull mugs–love them!
Good luck with the writing of the book about your journey into England Ireland and France.
Greetings,Trudy from the Netherlands
xoxo Trudy, thank you!
I would absolutely LOVE to win these mugs! I have been a fan for as long as I can remember …. I have all your books and cookbooks, but I do not have nearly enough of your mugs! Pick me please!
I would absolutely LOVE to win these mugs! I have been a fan for as long as I can remember …. I have all your books and cookbooks, but I do not have nearly enough of your mugs! Pick me please!
It certainly seems you had a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for sharing all the wonderful pics and comments.
Welcome home Susan! It was fun reading about your travels AND your homecoming too.
Loved reading your Twitter comments through your trip, and especially this “coming home” blog. I bet it was something to get home after being away for 3 months! I will be going on a 9 day tour to Ireland, Scotland and England in December….first time I’ve been there and first time I will have been gone from home that long for years. Can’t wait to see the UK at Christmastime! Looking forward to the new book…..
How wonderful Kathi!
Thanks for sharing your travels…I almost feel like I went along…!
Thanks for the journey.
Glad you’re home safe and sound. I can’t wait for your new book!!
Welcome home! Can’t wait to read all about your adventure in your new book!
Welcome Home Susan!!! I just stumbled upon your blog via instagram though I’ve been a big fan of yours for as long as I can remember! I have enjoyed your books, recipes, stories, drawings, beautiful script, quotes, dishware with your designs on them and much much more! I am thrilled to find your blog and website and look forward to following you this way. You are so talented and creative – we are so lucky to have a Susan Branch in this World – Thank You for sharing pieces of yourself with all of us! You are loved and we are happy to have you back!
Love,
Bridget
So awesome of you to do this giveaway! I’m a huge fan of your work!
I loved my trip to England …. via your suitcase! What an amazing time we had. Good to be home and so happy to have you home. Anxiously awaiting your new movie! Give Jack a big kitty hug from California. I received my July 4th mug just in the nick of time for my 4th of July Birthday!!! Yay, it was a big one this year … 65 …. so I treated myself to a new mug. Yay me!
Happy Birthday Anita!
Welcome Home!!!
Seeing the photos of the passenger, arm in arm, being greeted by Lady Liberty was truly emotional and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your adventures, both far and near. I loved every moment!
You may leave England,
but England never leaves you.
Thank you for sharing your trip
and and igniting my own Eglish
memories.
Ohmygoodness! Welcome home and of course we cannot wait for the new book! I love you!
Spring & Summer, Winter & Fall,
I would love to win them all!
Welcome home, Susan, & Mr. Hall 🙂
Welcome Home! Thank you for sure a wonderful adventure.
It’s so good to have you home! Thanks for taking us with you. It will mean all the more when I am reading the new book of the trip you let me (us) take with you! The summer is, as usual, passing quickly and we will be on to my favorite season Autumn. I’ll look forward to all your new blogs! 💕
So glad you are home after another wonderful visit to a land you love! I am looking forward to reading your book! Thank you for sharing your joy and your journey!
I’ve LOVED following along on your summer adventure! The magical moments all captured, even the “coming home” greeting from Jack. Thank you for sharing it all with us!
So glad everything went well for you, and Jack is happy again. Welcome home!!
I love these cups!
Your blogs are more enjoyable and inspiring each time! Your writing is magical and transports me right into “the heart of the home” or home of the heart.
Yesterday was rough…had to put down my. 14 year old dog that I had from a puppy! So this blog was some of my most helpful medicine!!! Thank you and welcome HOME!!!! 🙂
I’m sooo sorry! Those are the worst days when we lose our best friends, petty pets, who’ve seen us through it all. Sending love, and thank you for the sweet homecoming wish! xoxo
You, my dear, most likely have no idea how many hearts you have mended just by sharing your life.
Thank you for the condolences.
I don’t know you Judy but I certainly know the pain of what you had to do and what you are going through. Sam, my chihuahua, is 18 years old now and everyday the first thing I do each morning is make sure that he is breathing. My thoughts are with you and your faithful companion who, I believe, has gone on to green fields and lots of bones to chew on. God bless you and yours.
😢
Thank you so, so much for your comment!
Blessings to you and Sam!
What a wonderful return trip!! You’ll have to get a video of Jack’s rolling around next time you return. Of course kitties show love!! My kitties give me kisses, my Blackie leans his forehead on mine and leaves it there…and that’s only 2 ways I can think of right now. Oh, that little chirp/purr thing they do when they see you?? That, too. Can’t wait for the book about the trip! But enjoy your summer, too. 😉
Welcome Home, and thank you for sharing your amazing and beautiful UK adventure. Loved following along on Twitter every single day. So looking forward to the new book!
Welcome home! Thank you for a magical trip. I am anxious for the new book. I am also hopeful for the seasons set of mugs! I love them, and to be honest, I would be selfish and keep them all for myself! I smile at my Susan Branch mug every morning ❤️
I love your blogs! And can’t wait for the next book! You sure lead an exciting life. Thank the Lord you met Joe. He’s irreplaceable!
Will you ever go to Ireland and write a book?
Welcome home! Your pictures of the Statue of liberty were so moving, thank you for the little history lesson too. Enjoyed traveling with you Susan, can’t wait for your new book to come out. Enjoy the rest of your summer at home.
What a wonderful trip you took us on. Thank you so much. Looking forward to the new book of your adventures.
Hi Susan,
Loved your blog! I really felt like I was along side you and Joe on your fabulous trip. It’s lovely going on vacation but it is wonderful coming home. Loved, loved, loved my three new cups. Every morning I enjoy drinking my coffee and reading the inscriptions on them. So well made and very colorful. I hope I’m the winner of those fabulous cups. So generous of you to share them with the girlfriends.
Love,
Gail K
Welcome home sweet home
Welcome Home Susan. I,m looking forward to your new book. It will be a lovely addition to my Susan Branch library.
Wonderful post, Susan. I can feel how excited you and Joe were to be home, sweet home. I recently read a quote that goes like this…”The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone’s prayers and the best place to be is right here in the moment.” You are so good about being in the moment and then sharing those moments with us. So grateful you do that. Hugs, Elaine
I love reading your newsletter. Your trip sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing
Hi Susan!
Welcome home! Your trip was amazing and your posts were fantastic! I’m from the Boston area and live in NJ now 12 miles west of Manhattan … your pictures of your return in to NY Harbor are the best! Enjoy the rest of the summer … hoping for fewer hot and humid days and more days like today … perfection in NJ! Will anxiously look forward to the new book … any news about the movie??? All the best, Lorraine Lombardi
There’s a little news, but at this time, I’m not supposed to talk about it! Eeek. It cleared that first obstacle of three. Shorthand for not bad news.😆
Trip sounds lovely! Always so good to come Home though, isn’t it! Follower of your blog for quite some time>love it! Thank You for sharing a neat giveaway!
Welcome home sweet Home
That would be so glorious to win the cups. I loved all the posts and Twitter about your fabulous trip. Can’t wait for the new book to add to the other 3 I have. Enjoy being home. Again thanks for sharing.