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!
Welcome home!! The great news today — the Downton movie is coming! So excited. Gotta see that Tom Branson again! Please tell Vanna – PICK ME!!! <3
Welcome home! I enjoyed so much tagging along! I can’t wait for the book to come out! You bring so much beauty, joy and romance to the world in a perfectly refreshing and innocent way!
Happy writing from sunny hot California!
Darlene
Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip with us. How I would love to go and see it all in person!
“Thank you” just doesn’t seem like enough for the gifts you showered upon us throughout your journey. The blessing of your joy of life is a heavenly nectar, indeed! Whenever the new book appears in my mailbox will be the perfect day. Enjoy the settling in, painting, writing, filling little vases (one of my favorites), fetch with Jack, walks with Joe, visits with friends. I will say thanks, thanks so much!
Susan, you are a gift to the world! I don’t say that lightly, as I have found your wonderful spirit, keen intelligence and good common sense to be a beacon of light in these days of uncertainty and unprecedented anxiety in our world. I loved our trip together this summer and the highlight of my days has been your blog and tweets. You and Joe were wonderful tour guides. Though I live in Texas, I’m a lifelong Anglophile, loved New England and Martha’s Vineyard long before I ever travelled there, have the ‘collecting gene’ . We have recently downsized from our 1927 ‘castle’ to a 1934 ‘cottage’ just around the corner. I had to order the Castle Cottage mug. Love it~ and you.
Oh…your moon photos are just amazing! So happy you had a safe, wonderful trip home and now you can enjoy your memories of England and Home SWEET Home!
What an amazing adventure you and Joe have had! Thank you for allowing your readers to experience your fun days along with you! I can’t wait for your new book to be published!
Welcome home, Susan!
Welcome Home! It was so fun to travel with you electronically “over the pond”! I have all of your novels and can’t wait for the one based on this trip!
Immense thank you’s for always sharing your adventures with us. Each time I receive your blog in my inbox, I fight the urge to open it immediately, but rather I save it and wait until I can sit and slowly savor each delicious detail. And then, when I do, my imagination runs wild as I pour over every word and picture. It is pure pleasure to be the recipient of your gift for detail,description, and soothing observations. And the pictures of Jack made me laugh and cry, all at the same time. Thank you.
Susan, welcome home! I’ve enjoyed following t you for many years…I still have some little “stickers” that I think you mailed with Willard Long ago…anyway I think that’s where they came from. I’ve hoarded them…lol..have a great summer….
Lovely blog, glad you are home safe; looking forward to the new book!
Thank you Susan for sharing your trip and especially
Your arrival I’m NYC. How exciting to see the statue
Of Librrty as dawn was breaking. I love the lit torch and
Seeing the crown lit.
What a wonderful trip! Lengthy and relaxed.
Gerri
PS: My daughter gave me the Summer cup for mother’s day.
I love it! Reminds us both, of summer days,
at the beach.
Susan and Joe, thank you so very much for the trip of a lifetime! Sharing with us all is so wonderful and always fills me with love and appreciation. I can not wait to get all the mugs I need,(want)! Also the book and the hope, the great hope of a movie. The pics and words of Lady Liberty was so moving, especially in these times. You are a light in this world! Again, thank you so very much. 💞Linda from Florida🏖
My first and most favorite trip to anywhere! You are a sister of my heart and have made my life better by following you for many years! Love from South Carolina, Rebecca Rice
Welcome home Susan and Joe. I know Jack is so happy to have his mommy and daddy back.I received my Summer mug and couldn’t love it more if I tried. It’s the perfect everything…pictures….size….weight….my favorite!!!! Your trip gave me goose bumps as I know it did you. Thank you again for taking us on that amazing voyage. Welcome home….now get some rest.
Smiles and hugs….
Liz
Falling in love with England all over again! Thank you for sharing with us.
P.s. Has anyone come up with a clever craft with last year’s calendar pages? Too cute to toss.
People make cards out of them, use them for scrapbooking, make bookmarks … xoxo
It has been wonderful reading about your trip as you went along and seeing the lovely pictures. Glad you are back home with Jack!
I have loved going on this trip with you! Someday I hope my husband & I can go & follow in your footsteps. I just finished reading “AFine Romance”. Loved it too! Thanks for sharing…..a delightful trip indeed.
I had tears in my eyes when you wrote about seeing Lady Liberty! I can’t wait for the new book to come out about your trip to England!!!
Enjoyed following your trip! My daughter is studying in England now, so when you were traveling around and enjoying the sheep and the sites – I felt like I was there. Can’t wait for your next book to soak in the sights!
Welcome home. Thanks again for all the twitter posts and blog posts. I felt like I was along with you on your travels. It was such a joy to see all the photos and read all your thoughts. I can’t wait for the September issue of Victoria. Counting the days.
The Winter cup is my fave.
As always, Susan, you have charmed us with your wonderful writings and quotes and historical info. Thank you! Glad you and Joe are home safely and that Jack is still talking to you…my black and white use to ignore us for days after we came home! Much love and blessings, Mary
I’d love some of your cups!
Welcome home!
You are such an inspiration❤️ I have absolutely loved your England travel posts and finally I will be able to see Britain for myself…..touring Scotland, Wales and England next May. My husband and I will be arriving in London just in time to see the The 2019 Chelsea Flower Show. I am so excited..I can hardly wait! I love the new mugs and especially the Garden Mug! I have received so many wonderful compliments when I bring them out to serve friends! Thank you for making life so beautiful with you art and talents!
My pleasure Margie, so happy for your upcoming trip!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Love your positive attitude and trying to make the world a nicer place with your Blog.
I am so inspired by your travels that we are booking ourselves for next year and will follow in your footsteps. Thank you for your delighful sharing and welcome home. Your Statue of
Liberty photos made me feel so very patriotic….
Kim Nagle
Welcome back home Susan & Joe. Your description of seeing The Statue Of Liberty again with the other passengers was breathtaking! Plus, your joy waiting at home-Jack. Enjoy all the small and simple pleasures of being home, with a mind full of wonderful new memories.
What a wonderful time you’ve had . Welcome back !
Loved visiting the UK with you!!! My niece is currently touring in Ireland with her boyfriend and his family doing a Pub/Music Tour… and magic happened… she got engaged! :o)
I just loved being able to travel along with you this Spring. The best parts were the tea party and the first view of Jack when you arrived back home. Loved every minute. Love and hugs💕. Carole Ann
I loved you trip but my favorite part was seeing how happy Jack was to have you home!
Welcome home!!! Thank you for sharing the journey with us! You are a treasure!!
You are my favorite Author this year! I happened to click on Susanbranch.com..after buying a mini calendar for this year– so I bought your life story books books. LOVED them..the handwriting.. the quotes.. the quietness of enjoying every moment.. have given quite a few for gifts– ordered more of your collection and drink my coffee from a china mug with Jack on it! I look forward to your updates. BTW I loved you 24 years ago when I was given a Susan Branch baby book for our 1st daughter.. I have paged thru’ that book again with renewed delight. It’s from the 1st Edition.. So I feel like I found a treasure chest this year to enjoy the rest of my life!!
How sweet of you to tell me Rhonda! Lovely to have you here! xoxo
I loved traveling with you this Spring. My favorite parts were the Tea party and the first sight of Jackwhen you arrived 💕 hugs, Carole Ann
Welcome back to the good ole USA! What a great adventure, lovely pictures and great commentary. Jack must be over the moon on your return! Thanks for taking us along!
You make the world a warmer place! Teacups, kittens, and
old lace!
I would absolutely love to win these beautiful cups. I am taking a trip to your neck of the woods this fall with college friends to celebrate our 60th birthdays. They would make perfect momemtos for us!!
Loved this post and could feel the excitement when you saw Lady Liberty! We are truly blessed to live in this great nation. Welcome home!
Oh, Susan! Welcome home and happy summer! I can’t wait to read your new book (though I do know it will take a while to write and illustrate!). My husband and I love to travel and we have had wonderful trips to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. All have been magical and we agree that there is always so much more to see and every bit of it is glorious! Especially the people! So, hearing your stories and seeing your photos and paintings underscores everything beautiful about our own trips. I cannot thank you enough.
Another thing we share is our love for the seasons. Even though I am a California girl born and raised, I, too, get wistful to experience the change in seasons. I decorate for each season to help evoke the beauty of each and I would love to have a set of your season cups! That would be a capper, for sure! I’m a bit of a late comer to your blog having only discovered it a couple months ago, so I am afraid I missed out on obtaining your season mugs on my own. I know many others would love them as well, so I won’t be too terribly disappointed if I don’t win, but wouldn’t it be wonderful!
Thank you so much for bringing so much joy to so many of us. Love your positive attitude!
Cindee in Los Osos, CA
Oh, Susan, is it too early to pre-order your book that isn’t written yet? If I miss it I’ll die, I really will. Can barely stand the wait. When it finally comes I’ll be rolling around like Jack upon spying you. 💕
LOL, I’ll get a few pages done and then let you know! xoxo
What a fabulous trip. Can’t wait for your new book! Glad you are home safely and Jack was happy to see you!
Pick me, pick me…..I so want some of your cups!
Beautiful and encouraging, as always! The next time you’re headed to Hyannis you should take a slight detour to the Cotuit Library. In the Children’s Room there is a glass case with all of the Beatrix Potter figurines…truly swoonworthy.
There is also a little village market and next to the library a lovely little garden to sit in.
Welcome home!
XOXO,
Marybeth
So glad to have you back home! Can I ask how you enlarge the emoji. They are adorable!😀
Welcome home! England is wonderful but home – wherever it is – is the best. Your photos of the Statue of Liberty are beautiful and made me feel real patriotism for the first time in many years. I am so glad that Jack has his “peeps” home with him. He is such a cutie-pie.
Welcome home! It’s been a wonderful journey, but there really is no place like home. As eager as I am for the new book, I’ll be happy to wait while you fill it full of goodies. This one is going to be special, I just know it !❤ I loved this post especially for the many pictures of the moon. You are truly a kindred spirit!
I hope you’ll take some time just for you, to relax and enjoy darling Jack and being home.
Thank you so much for all your posts but especially your British travels..it is so amazing to see England, Scotland AND Ireland through your eyes…you truly do make us feel like we are walking down those lovely streets, sitting down in those pubs for meals…love all the homes you stayed at!!!!
Welcome Home!!!
Dear Susan: I would love to win your beautiful mugs; I would use them when I have my 3 girlfriends for tea. We all love your blog!
Oh Susan, Your life is just so magical! Can’t wait to read the new book!
Welcome back! Love the post and the photos of Jack! Can’t wait for the new book, I’m rereading the trilogy this summer, so much packed in there, I am finding new things that I didn’t notice before. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Dear Susan, So happy for you and Joe to be back safe and sound. I can’t wait to see your book about this wonderful trip. My family all came here on a ship and were greeted by the Statue of Liberty. How lucky I am that they found freedom!
Bev Levine
I love the way of life you represent. In this noisy world, it’s a pleasure to get lost in your words, drawings and pictures.
P.S. I love Betsy MaCall, too!
Oops! Always proof read…McCall.
^proofread 😲
I so enjoyed traveling along with you and Joe on this trip. Your fine romance trip inspired my husband and I to take our own trip to England and Edinburgh a couple years ago, what fun! I can hardly wait for the next book and the inspiration it will surely bring us. Thank you!
Welcome Home! Interested to see your book about the Mitford sisters. After going to Chartwell last month, I started reading about Clementine Churchill…fascinating. Have ordered the Mitford sisters letters for my next book. 😁
True stories about interesting people are always so good, plus you learn something! The Mitfords were young and fairly crazy all around the thirties and forties so you get a really up-close look at the history of those times…fascinating. Take Six Girls is the one I’m reading.
Oh to be in England,,,,such wonderful pictures as always. I dream of such a transatlantic voyage!
I am always excited beyond belief when I get a ding and discover a new Susan Branch blog! Sometimes I have to read it faster than immediately and other times I wait until I can stand it no longer and look and read and savor. Each year for Christmas my daughter gets me a wall calendar for the next year. In 2018 it was the Susan Branch and I am requesting the 2019 Susan Branch calendar as I have loved having cheer each day. Thank you for bringing joy in a sometimes difficult world!
Hugs and Blessings
Dorothy said it best, “There’s no place like home’’! Welcome back, thanks for bringing us along on such a fabulous journey. Looking forward to the book to travel with you all over again 🙂
Over a thousand comments already ! I’m going to cross all my fingers and all my toes! Welcome home dear Susan! xo
Thank you so much, Susan, for taking us along on another of your adventures. Reading your blog takes me, for just a moment, to a happy place. Looking forward to your book. Happy July days to you, Susan.
Kristi
Hi Susan,
Can’t wait for your next book!
My hubby and I love to travel, but always say, “There’s no place like home!” Upon our return!
Off to watch the Great British Baking Show. Do you watch?
Linda D’Elia
Oh yeah. Love it!
I so enjoy your chatty emails and your gorgeous artwork. I really look forward to this new book. Do hurry! 😃 I also love the quotes you find. Thank you for being a bright bulb in this world.
So thankful for YOUR love of England that you share with us, not to mention the artistic talent that goes with it. Thank you!
What a wonderful “welcome home” you had with the Lady welcoming you! this post was so beautiful and the moon really did cooperate with you! Coming home after FOUR months must have been just too good for words. I can’t imagine being gone that long. While you were gone, I read your second book “Isle of Dreams”. It was just more than I ever imagined! I could NOT put it down.. I just had to know what you were doing next, and what magic would happen in your life! I thought I would be happy with those two books, but now of course, I just HAVE TO READ number 3.. and of course, just have to get your cookbooks. What was I thinking? thinking only the two would suffice for me???? I can so relate to you in so many ways.. we are only two months apart in age (me born in June)………so everything you have experienced, I’ve lived it right along with you all those years ago (very close to the marriage to Cliff too…………….time period, circumstances, etc.). So.. Welcome Home Susan and Joe. I hope you stay home for awhile so I can enjoy the island with you this summer! Hugs.. Marilyn (Oregon)
Love hearing that Marilyn…thank you! xoxo
Susan, I loved going along on your wonderful trip. Thanks of including all of us!
You make me long to see England…..thank you so much for sharing❤️
I can hardly wait for the new book! I ❤️ Following
along on this most fabulous trip!
Welcome Home!❤️
Jack must be so happy!
I can’t wait for your new book. It will be such a treat to read all about your new adventures.
Dear Susan ,
Welcome Home,
I loved your blogs, I traveled with you!You brought tears to my eyes with your wonderful Jack. Who says animals can’t talk? The love and happiness of Jack was like a shout from the roof tops, Now to enjoy the wonders of home and the beautiful Vineyard,
Welcome home, Susan and Joe!
I’m wondering if you & Joe are planning for a permanent move to England !
Not that we don’t think about it, but we already have wonderful right here!
Welcome home! I can’t imagine coming into New York harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty gleaming in the sun. Given all that has happened since you left America’s shores, I hope that she is still a beacon of light for those coming home and that her welcoming presence will once again have meaning for those who wish to make the United States their home.
I got my 4th of July cup and it sits proudly among my patriotic Devore. It was way too hot to sip tea from, but I imagined doing so. I love it! I also gave one to my best friend and we both remarked how it was a “proper” tea cup with its fine bone China feel in our hands.
Happy Summer!
Cheryl
Proper! Love it Cheryl, thank you! xoxoxo
Thank you for taking us along! We’ve been to England twice and both trips were wonderful! I so enjoyed being along with you on this trip!
I so love your blog! I, too, love cats, flowers, Beatrix Potter, England, gardens, birds, well just everything you write about! What a lovely trip, thank you for sharing. I know Jack is ecstatic to have y’all home.
Welcome home! So looking forward to hearing all about your trip!
Thank you so much, Susan, for taking us along on your trip to England! I can’t wait for you to write and paint your book and relive the adventure in more detail.
Welcome back to this side of “The Pond.” Being a long-time Anglophile, I hung on every word and photo of your blog while you were away. It’s with great anticipation that I look forward to all your entertaining entries now you’re back home! As a Rhode Island resident and a Cape Cod vacationer, I count you among my neighbors!
Thanks so much for taking all of us with you! I was able to visit there 8 years ago with my daughter, and wish we could have stayed a month. There are so many
beautiful and historic sites to see. We were in London for 5 days and were on the move the whole time. Then we stayed in the cutest little cottage in Steeple- Ashton and drove to all those surrounding sites. Chalk Horses, Avebury, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury and our last stop Windsor Castle. Your pictures are beautiful and so sweet, loved all those dogs in the pubs. I am loving my Mother’s Day mug from my daughter. Love those pansies! Your a gift of happiness 🙂
What a gorgeous trip you had! xoxo
Welcome home Susan and Joe! So nice to see Jack again and that he was so happy to see you. Enjoy the beautiful summer days on the Island. I enjoyed following along with you and Joe and friends in England, Wales and Ireland. What a wonderful trip! Thanks for taking us along.
Susan,
I love reading your blog, especially when you are traveling in England.
Welcome home! Jack is his adorable self. Got my mugs and LOVE them. I love the little sticker on each box. You should sell them. I love them. Kisses to Jack!
I love the red letter day cup! Thank you for sharing your travels. I spent a semester in England during my sophomore year of college; it’s lovely. Your writing about the Statue of Liberty was beautiful ❤️
Your books have inspired me to create a photo album with family pictures and stories for my son and his family. I’m even trying a bit of drawing and watercolor.
So enjoyed being part of your glorious trip and can’t wait for the new book to add to my collection!
My first visit to your blog and I like it a LOT — I will be back.
And for sure I would like to win these lovely cups!
So enjoyed your trip through your eyes.,wishing I had the courage to do something like that.I am a new follower of you,and look forward to reading your books.They are the prettiest books ever.I am finding your cups too,and will be looking for anything “Susan Branch”peggy
So nice that you arrived home around the 4th of July. Like a big, sunny welcome party. And now you can still enjoy the rest of summer. Just ordered the calendars and the sampler the other day, and now have something else to look forward to: your latest book. Yaay. 💕
Those mugs are so adorable.
My favorite part of your home coming was the purfect luv from Jack.
Welcome Home! I love the pictures of the Statue of Liberty – just beautiful. I can only imagine how emotional and magical that must have been. The morning light was so perfect.
Lyern Riedl
Des Moines, Wa.
Susan,
You seem to collect all my favorite things. Sadly I had to part with some of my precious
things when downsizing to a small apt. Did manage to keep the most precious, however, my little abode now looks like a museum! That doesn’t keep me from loving it anyway.
I do believe I could find a place for those darling cups though. Please enter my name!
Traveling is so enjoyable! Do a lot while you can. As one gets older it is much harder!
Friendship is truly one of God’s greatest blessings! ❤️. Lyern
Welcome Home!!
Loved your whole story but the full moon was the best! My precious Dad always thought it was beautiful and I do too. When our youngest daughter got married on the beach in Charleston in the late afternoon, the moon was gorgeous reflecting on the ocean. She and her husband just had a beautiful, healthy baby girl and the night she was born, there was that amazing full moon. Then they bought a house on ‘Moonlight Dr’! Don’t you just think that means a lifetime of beauty??
No doubt about it Kim, how very lovely.
Oh Susan, thank you a million times for sharing your life with us! What an awesome trip and home coming. Jack is the sweetest angel! Can’t wait for the new book!. Heavenly blessings always!
I love the 4 seasons and miss them so here in Florida! I am from New England originally.
I love Ne Ngland and the 4 seasons especially Fall.
So excited about the new book. Can’t wait.
I can’t wait for the new book. I miss the British Isles already since you left-such a nice way to travel!! Love my 4 Season mugs!
So happy to see a new post. What a wonderful experience you had in England and your wonderful cruise. Anxiously awaiting your New Book to be published!!
Claudette
Hello Susan,
Always a treat to read your blog. Keeping fingers crossed that I win the mugs! But just being one of your “girlfriends” works, too!
Denise
Love, love, love, your way of writing and making us feel like we are there beside you…. and Joe and also Jack…keep up the great creativity… the blogs are sooo interesting.