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!
Can’t wait for the next book to relive your wonderful trip. Have all the other books and enjoyed them all,
Received my Fourth of July cup. Love ❤️ it.
I have enjoyed every single word you have posted about your trip to England! It was luv-lee traveling with you. How kind you are to take us along. I’m continuing to reread your early posts and can while away hours reading and gazing at your beautiful drawings. Thank you for becoming such a pleasant and comfortable part of my life. Welcome home.
I can definitely relate to the coming home. We were only gone 2 weeks to see our kids and grandkids across the country in Oregon, but, even though we had a great time, I was glad to get home. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful pictures of your trip. A tour of England is definitely on my bucket list.
Welcome Home, I just loved that you took all your girlfriends with you and I didn’t have to unpack! I can’t wait for the book. Enjoy the rest of the summer and being home. Many blessings.
Wow! The post has only been up a day and there are almost 1,500 comments! The Girlfriend family has grown. 🙂
Welcome home, Susan, and thanks for taking us all along!
My pleasure Erica! xoxo
Susan—Such a true testament to Dorothy’s There’s no place like home! I know how you love the UK (as do I ) but I saw no longing for England in this post. I only saw a ferver to reach Jack, you island, & everything that makes your home your home. I can truly identify with you and say: Welcome home!
The longing for England will very likely be inside me forever, but I do believe in bloom where you are planted! xoxoxo
Susan!!!! Welcome home to you and Joe!!!!
I can’t wait for your new book!
Welcome home Susan! We were blessed to be on your beautiful Island for the 4th of July. Wouldn’t miss the Edgartown parade for anything! When our kids were little, they would decorate their bikes and ride in the back of the parade. Oh the memories. What I wouldn’t give to have those days back again.
xoxo Mary
Memories are the roses of December, how lucky we are to have such beauties!
Welcome home and thank you for sharing your trip! Truly amazing 💕
Can’t wait for your next book. I hope to come to a book signing event too!
That would be wonderful … another favorite part of book writing, meeting everyone!
Words can’t express how grateful I am to have found you (books first, then the blog.) I feel renewed and inspired whenever I read your blog. You’re amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You can’t know how much that means to me. It’s my mom, coming through. xoxoxoxo
Sounds like you had a lovely holiday and the weather looked great too. I can imagine how happy Jack was to see you no matter how spoilt he had been by his carer… what happened to Girl Kitty? No mention at all of her and I am a bit worried.
It’s been two years since Girl Kitty went to heaven. I did write about it, but things get by us. Thank you for asking. I see her in my photos most days..she was a treasure.
Enjoyed every minute you shared and the photos brought back so many wonderous moments of trips to England. Beauty everywhere and the British Isles are always calling to me. Your artistry always brings a contented smile to my face!
Thank you for taking your trip and allowing us to tag along!
Thanks for sharing your experiences of your trip. We went to Ireland and London back in May and had a lovely time. Love your calendars and your mugs.
Can’t wait for this book. I’ve read all the others and actually started them AGAIN,
Welcome home and thank you so very much for sharing our Lady Liberty as you arrived home. I can’t imagine a more beautiful sight. Just reading and seeing all the pictures of everyone lined up brought tears to my eyes. We are so darn lucky to live here no matter what craziness is going on in this country. It almost makes me want to get on a ship and do a crossing just so I could experience that view. And so happy Jack got his mom and dad home. Can’t imagine being gone from him for four months. My Cinder is cuddle bunny plus when I’m only gone for a few weeks so don’t know how either of us would do for your trip length. So happy you are back home and enjoying this beautiful summer.
No matter how wonderful a trip may have been there is simply nothing to compare with COMING HOME! You have inspired me to do a little more with my travel journals than just filling them up with words. Now they have mementos, pictures, sketches ….. everything has been cutified! So much more fun to read.
All those memories!
With gratefulness; thanking you for taking us along on your travels. Your postings were eagerly awaited and I lingered over your words and photos. Welcome Home!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip with us!! I was weepy looking at the photos of your return and the Statue of Liberty!! How blessed we are!
“There’s no place like home.” Dorothy
Dear Susan, Thank you for this final chapter of your beautiful trip blog… the excitement of coming home — to the Statue of Liberty’s beacon on our country’s birthday week, no less — was palpable! Maybe paint her for your next calendar’s July page? As much as I have enjoyed e-tagging along with you these past few months, seeing the majesty of New York harbor through your lens was breath-taking.
I am so happy you are home safe from your travels and I can’t wait to read all about it!
I have loved your cookbooks and calendars for so long now. I loved “going on holiday” with you. I’m so inspired that we are planning our own trip next year to Ireland to celebrate our son graduating from high school. We have McLaughlin family castle ruins to see.
I must also tell you that a dear friend of mine is also an artist and she loves you, too. She has these art camps called Happy Camp for Grown-up Girls. Because of your story and art and her story and art, (and I attended camp) I was inspired to pick up a paintbrush and start painting last fall. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Good for YOU Kristin! You just never know if you don’t at least try! Have a ball in Ireland. It’s so heart-touching there, wait till you see!
Hi Susan & Joe
There’s no place like home! It’s always nice to go someplace, but always nice to return home.
Thank you, for your time keeping us in touch with your travels. Enjoyed all the pictures &
stories.
Know you & Joe, we’re enjoying every minute.
So, looking forward to your new book, and buying the new 2019 calendars.
Summer, is going by, too fast.
Welcome Home!
DonnA
Welcome home !
Welcome home! Have fun working on the book. Can’t wait to read it!
Welcome home Susan❤️ So glad you had a wonderful adventure and now you have returned to your heart magnet❤️❤️🏡. xxxooo
I love that you are home safe and sound but I miss your travels too. My birthday was last week and I got the Martha’s Vineyard mug from my astute husband that noticed that I had the Susan Branch mug and the Mother’s Day mug (that I bought for myself!!) as well as two Santa mugs stashed away for December viewing only! Can’t wait for the book!! Write away please….
Hello Susan and Joe,
Thank you for sharing your trip and thank you for the opportunity to win the giveaway.
Glad you are safely home and looking forward to your book. Even if I never get to England your books and posts will give me the experience of being there. Thanks for sharing!
Susan Welcome home!
Loved your trip and especially the coming home via the harbor and seeing Miss Liberty!
I am going to copy your words about the statue into all cursive for the student I am teaching to read cursive. She is also going to NYC in two weeks and will be seeing the Statue of Liberty. She will enjoy your point of view, the history, and pictures as she anticipates her own visit.
Thank you.! Thanks for a relaxing evening enjoying your adventures!
Blessings!
Sherry
I’m honored, thank you Sherry. xoxo
Welcome home Susan and Joe! “Home is the dearest spot on earth… it is the center, but not the boundary of the affections.” mbe
Can’t wait to add the new book to my collection. Waiting not so patiently, I’m afraid!
I feel like I’ve been with you and it was wonderful!! Thanks for all the details and lovely writing. Welcome home!!
Welcome home. I enjoyed your trip via your blog and the best part? No unpacking. LOL.
I’ve spoiled you. xoxo
Thank you for sharing you trip, I have loved seeing all the pictures.
Looking forward to your new book and being able to relive your marvelous trip😉 Enjoy your summer on the Vineyard, one of my favorite places to visit👍
I love traveling with you and am continually inspired by your appreciation for each day’s gifts and blessings!
Welcome home Susan and thank you for sharing your lovely trip. I’m off to England in September. Can’t wait. Thanks for wetting my appetite😊
A glorious homecoming. I will look forward to more on life on the Vineyard. I’m sure it feels marvelous to be home but I know a bit of your heart is still across the pond. Love sweet Jack!
Susan, your blogs are a delight!!! I’m eager to read your next book.
Carolyn
What a Wonderful trip !! Thanks for “taking me along” !! I’ve followed you forever, it seems !! Vera
Wonderful trip and now you are back just in time to celebrate The 4th of July!! hurray!! What a wonderful experience!!
Wow,wow and WOW! So loved traveling vicariosly with you! As you quote “If you can dream you can make it so ” I would love to follow in your footsteps and do the whole itenerary and have a LUXURIOUS 4 months to accomplish it in!! Then SOON we will have the “guidebook” to show us the way! Love you so much and thanks for being YOU!! Welcome home ⛴⚓️🏠❤️🇺🇸
Welcome home, Susan! I’ve loved being a part of your journey. Thanks for a lovely giveaway.
Welcome home! So fun to “stop in,” see the roses, shadows and Jack of course! Loved the trip and can’t wait for the book! Have fun making it and thanks again for letting us all come along too!
Blessings,
Ginny
I can’t wait for the new book to add to my collection……I think I’ll read the others over again. This time in order.
So happy you are home safely! You are so kind to share the experiences with us- you have inspired many to travel and to others, to learn through your travels.
Yes, seeing things through the eyes of others is important in so many ways…. you delight us all in your storytelling.
Did you hear a Downton movie is unveiling? Could it be so? YES, indeed it is and I shall be there ready to soak it all in.
Wish us well this weekend as we have an event that could possibly help our tiny business on its way.
And yes, one more thing. Today we closed on the lot in Estes Park. Yes, sold it after owning it for 6 years, paying all those taxes every year, planning and hoping, dreaming and working and life had other plans. I do hope the new owners do it proud. We walked on it today, took pictures, cried, and had some tea.
So, say a prayer and blow a kiss for new adventures and all those saved dishes and glassware pieces to be utilized at weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, and so much more.
You inspired me and continue to do so. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and I just had a birthday on Sunday. Camilla (new granddaughter) is doing well, Amanda got a fabulous job at Ohio State University as a professor, and the flowers in the yard are doing well after a horrible hail storm that ripped up things pretty badly.
Keep on going………keep on smiling………..keep on being grateful.
Welcome HOME,
Love,
Joann
xoxo
I love you Joann, for many reasons, besides being such a good person and putting out so much good in the world, you’re a wonderful mom . . . you are an excellent dreamer, and most of all, you never give up!!! Counting our blessings in unison dear kindred spirit! xoxoxo
Susan, I was with you every step of your trip and read each blog from start to finish on the day received. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thrilled to receive my 4th of July mug on July 3rd! Adore the design, the mug shape, how it feels in my hand–so good. Thank you very much! I’m enjoying it so much, I can’t put it away now that the holiday is past….
(Welcome home! Thank you for sharing your trip with us!)
I am your name sake! My name is Susan Too 🙂 Love, Love your blog and just everything about you!….I love the cups too so I hope I win them…I am a breast cancer survivor and your beautiful drawings and your lovely blog certainly adds much to my life.
Susan McMillan
[email protected]
Dear Susan, I love every trip you take. Our health issues have kept us from traveling , even for our 50th anniversary last year, but I feel like I have been on a lovely trip to many locations just reading each and every one of your adventures. Susan, you make the world a lovelier place. I hope you live an extremely long life and that writing, painting, and sharing it all with the world are part of it always. I am so grateful for all that you do!!! Gail
I loved every word and picture throughout your trip. Thank you so much for sharing! Can’t wait for the book and news of the movie maybe?
So glad you had such a wonderful time. Can’t wait till your new book comes out. I keep the others next to my chair so they are handy to look and read anytime.
Love, love, love the stories of your journey and will try to wait patiently for your book. If you didn’t want to work so hard on your “good” handwriting, we wouldn’t mind, you know. It’s the rest of the story we love so much. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for taking us along on your adventures. We need every bit of happiness you share.
The best part of my year has been discovering and savoring your books and blog. What joy your work brings to me!
Lovely compliment Michelle, thank you sooooo much!
Love, love love the mugs. And all of your books. I love that you take us along with you where ever you go but especially to England. Always wanted to visit England but just in case I don’t ever get to go, I feel like I’ve been there just reading your blog. Thank you Susan for that,! ❤️
Welcome home, what a wonderful adventure. I have to admit I also was really
excited to see Jack again. Looking forward to your next book.
Blessings,
Kathy
Welcome home 💕💕
Hi there, What a sight….Lady Liberty at dawn! Gorgeous light. Gave me chills….in a good way. Welcome home.
Welcome Home Susan and Joe:
I was worried about Jack while you were gone. I recently went to France for 8 days and couldn’t wait to get home to my three kittens. So looking forward to your next book. Hurry, hurry!
I looked forward to your tweets and photos from the UK each day, a happy break from the dismal news. All I can say is thank you, and oh, how I long to experience the English countryside.💗
Oh, what a magical, adventurous life you live. I can’t wait to read all about it in your next book. Very glad you and Joe are home safe and sound….I bet Jack is too.
Welcome home! I can’t wait to read your next book, I’m living my travel dream through you 😉
I love reading about your trips to England!! I wait till the end of the day so I can read the email and soak in every photo and word. Thank you for the joy you bring to my very ordinary days!
Welcome home! It was lovely to travel with you.
Wow! Loved all the coming home photos especially the Statue of Liberty! Just awesome. I know you are so happy to be home! Enjoy! Kay H
Thank you so much for your posts. Enjoyed and delighted in them. I so want to be in Great Britain again.
I’m happy that you are reunited with Jack. Please enter my name in the drawing for your lovely cups.
Welcome home! Thank you so much for taking us with you. I enjoyed every word and photo you shared and anxiously await the new book.
Welcome home Susan & Joe!!! What a fabulous trip you had and I can’t wait for the book! I am so excited that we are coming to Martha’s Vineyard in October, just around the corner. Thanks for sharing your life!!!
My two daughters celebrated our birthdays with a trip to England and Scotland last August…a dream come true! I’ve enjoyed your trip immensely…💝💝💝
The cups would make lovely Christmas presents but I don’t think I could bear to give them away.
I am looking forward to your new book to add to my other ones. I love all the interesting things you share about your travels. Thank you for sharing with us.
Sharon
Oh my, what a trip of a lifetime!!! Thanks for taking us all along with you. Anxiously awaiting the new book! Welcome home Susan and Joe! And hello to Jack, one happy kitty!!
My two daughters and I went on our three birthdays trip to England and Scotland last August…a dream come true…enjoyed reading about your trip.
Welcome home! Thank you for taking me with you! 🌝🚢❤️🇬🇧🇺🇸
What a wonderful trip! Thank you for sharing it with us. Welcome home.
Jane
I was so excited to see your ‘Carry Me Home’ post and so enjoy accompanying you on your journey’s……at home AND abroad!! Really looking forward to your new book. I purchased the Mother’s Day cup for my Mom and she loves it. Your writings, photos, and art always refresh and inspire me!!! Thank you, Susan!!!
Loved being taken along. Thanks for not leaving me home. 💕
What an absolutely delightful return trip today I enjoyed with you! Thank you for letting me tag along! How dear to my heart to see our own Lady Liberty as we docked in New York! It was a wonderful trip all together and I enjoyed every bit of it! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Welcome home! Very happy to experience your wonderful trip with you!
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! So happy for you that your trip was everything you hoped for plus more! Your pictures as you were entering the NY harbor were amazing, you really captured the emotion of it all. There’s no place like home!
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. So fun to travel vicariously through you! I can’t wait to read your new book!
Welcome back! It is wonderful to travel and just as wonderful to return home. Your photos of Lady Liberty are lovely. Well, your photos are always lovely. This book is bound to be the best yet! I’m reminded of something that Jennie of A Teacher’s Reflections wrote in her blog : “Stories are the keepers of words and memories.” I loved that so much that I asked her if I could repeat it and she graciously agreed. Thank-you for sharing your amazing stories!
What a wonderful trip! So happy that you are back home and well!
I enjoyed every post with pictures and comments. Looking forward to the book. Now you are safe and sound at home and can have unlimited kitty loving. Lovely to travel and always lovely to be home!!
Welcome home, Susan and Joe. America missed you!
1500 responses! And we all so enjoyed your blogs. You are such a good friend. Thank you for sharing your life with us, showing us how to also enjoy all the blessings that come along continually.
Love to you and Joe and Jack,
Jane Alexander, Katy Texas
So glad you are back home 🏡! Traveling is such fun -it’s alwsys so good to be home. Looking forward to the next book 📚💫.
Penny
Loved reading your Coming Home Story and the look on Jack’s face was just so loveable. Glad you and Joe are home safe, have a lovely summer.
Hello, Dear Susan and Joe.
Welcome home. I have enjoyed your trip so very much. When you would talk about a place that you and Joe visited, I had to look it up and find out all about it. Isn’t the internet grand. I have learned a great deal. But, I’m also happy to have you back in the good, old U.S. of A. Your everyday life is just as “readable”…..hanging clothes on the line, cleaning silverware, washing you Beatrix Potter pieces, baking and cooking, and having dinner parties. I hope to see more of your journal….how did you get photos in it while you were traveling? Ok, I’m getting off here so you can got back to writing “our” new book. That is SO exciting for all of us.
Love, Rachel
I did receive my cups, absolutely beautiful!!! My grandma collected china teacups/saucers
which were passed on to my mom and Aunt after grandma died.
Before my mom died from cancer, she wrapped up one of grandma’s teacup/saucer
for each of her granddaughters. I’m planning on doing the same thing for my granddaughters
using my Susan Branch cups. I have them out on display and the girls ( when they get older)
can pick out their favorite . ☺️
I always try to design things to be the antiques of the future. Wish for them to carry family memories forward, just like the recipes in my books.❤️
So glad you’re back to your kitty….
Welcome Home! I enjoyed traveling with you to beloved Great Britain. ❤️
Welcome back to the USA. I am so looking forward to this new book.
Welcome home !hope to take that boat someday. Love your writing , have read all the books , looking forward to the new one and would love to win the mugs ! I love your thoughts on this wonderful world we are so privileged to be part of !
A wonderful, a wonderful….as Mr. Welk used to say when broadcasting from Ocean Park (I think it was Ocean Park?) So happy you are home safe and I know Jack is! I received my mug with Jack and the books – just LOVE IT! Two of my favorite things – kitties and books! Welcome home!
Love your storytelling and pictures. I would love this set of cups. Look forward to your next book.