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, so glad you are safely home and had a smooth voyage! Looking forward to your new book about this trip!
Welcome home Susan and Joe! I enjoyed the voyage into New York harbor, the history about the Statue of Liberty, the photos. I felt like I was right there with you on your return trip home. It was great to see Jack again. I, too, can’t wait until your book is out.
Great trip. Can’t wait for the book! Welcome home.
Welcome home
Thanx for sharing your wonderful happy journey
With all of us. Your blog is like a ray of sunshine
Home sweet home.
Hugs Gail
Welcome home! I loved ‘following you’ on your trip abroad! This was a wonderful post Susan, and reading your words, and looking at your pictures, made me excited as well, that you were coming home!
I’ll never get to England so I enjoy “traveling” with you.
Lovely, lovely Susan!
Thank you for all the “memories” of your (& I feel “my”) vacation.
I adore the Lady Liberty pics and the way you describe your feelings and surroundings.
I wanted a Summer cup but waited too late – my own fault – so here’s hoping I’m a giveaway winner!
Lastly: Would you be willing to tell me where you get your kitchen rugs? I’ve been looking some either blue/white or red/white and yours are perfect!
Welcome home ~ I wait with bated breath for your book and your next blog. Blessings to you, Joe and Jack!
I was so happy to receive your blog entry this morning Susan. I’ve been reading along in your past articles, and I was a bit worried not to here from you, because in some months you posted multiple times. So I’m glad you’re home and safe and nesting in your Home Sweet Home on MV.
Victoria is my favorite magazine and I can look forward to the article about you in it. You’re doing another book, YAY. Do you have any idea when we can expect it to be available? I read a quote once that rings true: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go; others stay awhile, leaving footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” Thank you, little Miss “Happy Gene”!
Thank you right back Kassy! As for the book, I’ll know more about when it will be done in a few months ~ hopefully by this time next year, but right now it’s hard to say.
I just received my two cups, the Fourth of July and the Vineyard BUT I hope I am not too greedy for wanting all the seasons, I ONLY have my tea and it has to be Yorkshire Gold out of my Emmabridge water black collection OR the ones from our side of the Ocean by YOU dear Susan❤️
I was having a not-so-very-good day but I knew what would cheer me up! I quickly made my way to your blog. As I began reading your wonderful words, gazing at all the beautiful pictures of England and Martha’s Vineyard and your lovely water color drawings I began to feel better. It’s my way of getting out of my everyday life and stepping into the happy world of flowers and gardens and bliss! After a while I go back to my life feeling a sense of peace and joy. Thank you for giving your readers a place to escape!
My pleasure to do it whenever I can, we all need that. xoxo
Looking forward to the book! Welcome home.
What an amazing trip…and to share it with us. Thank you!!!
I am so glad your back from your trip safe and sound. Love all the photos. Makes me feel happy and glad to be an American in this great country.
Welcome Home, Susan! I do enjoy all your travelogues, and can’t wait for the new book to arrive. Have FUN putting it together, re-walking all the pathways and memories! Also … how’s the movie project going? “-)
Not “there” yet, but going rather well, thank you. There’s been a new rule, I’m not supposed to talk about it for a while!😶
Always love your blogs. I gain a vicarious thrill through your lens and grace-filled words. Blog traveling is a wonder.
I am sitting in my favorite chair by my front room window reading and loving this blog. It has such a wonderful calming effect and it was exactly what I needed this morning. I am having a Cornea Transplant this week so needless to say I am anxious. I loved the Statue of Liberty section and it just reaffirmed my love of America. Thank you for these enchanting blogs. I have every book you have written and they are treasured. Keep writing…..I am listening
Karen Elizabeth Brown
[email protected]
Prayers for you Karen, I’m sure it will go well, and then, oh boy! xoxo
Dear Dearies,
So good to go, so great to come home! Thank you for letting us come along.
I recognize cat joy when I see it and dear Jack is so happy to have you both back home. Home – what a charming four letter word!
Settle in, dig down, cozy up and enjoy it to the rafters!
Much love from this end of the world to yours,
xoxoxox
Gabi
I so look forward to each and every one of your “letters” that comes to my email. I always save them until I have the time to snuggle in and savor every little part of them. And now I have a wonderful new book to look forward too also! Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts with all of us.
So glad you had a wonderful trip! So many glorious memories! My cat, Bubba, is making it very hard for me to type this. He’s sprawled halfway across the key pad! Move him? Nope! Haha!!
Welcome home from your wonderful trip! ♥️♥️♥️ I love to travel, but it’s always so nice to return to that special place we call…H♥️ME.
Oh Susan, how wonderful your trip home was…. leaving me teary-eyed with the wonder of it all~!!…. having JUST got back from our VERY FIRST cruise and it was an Alaskan one that was so very awe-inspiring, beautiful beyond words, so much fun!!!! Like you I was so very happy to get home as well and I VERY much hope Vanna is kind enough to pick me… I missed out on the fall mug and that would complete my set and I would have wonderful presents for the holiday season!!! Thanks for all you do and am looking forward to the NEW book…must go now and order my calendars!!! Love to you and Joe and Jack!!!
What a WONDERFUL World it is indeed!
So lovely to be reminded through your Traveling Adventures of the BEAUTY it holds thru people, animals, places, and things…especially in this day and age when life can feel so scary and dark.
Céad Mile Fáilte to you, Susan!!!
(And there really is NO place like HOME! 👠👠)
So enjoyed all your letters from the trip.Felt just like we were with both of you.Enjoyed the boat trip home. In 1967 my girlfriend and I went from NY. to Denmark by boat. What a great way to travel. Seeing sunrises and sunsets at sea are so beautiful. Can’t wait for you to write the next book.
Welcome home Susan and Joe
LilyAnn
so happy you are home safe and sound and happy … I can hardly wait to read all the adventures you had ! Thank you ever so for taking me along on your trip, i must say i truely had a blast !!! Enjoy the SONshine, Jayne
Feeling your happiness at settling in at home, dearest Susan, thanks for sharing your journey, it was such fun seeing all the pictures of the endless green land and wonderful abodes (as well as sheep!)….the new book will be CHOCK FULL of fun! Will plan a book reading celebration involving tea, shortbread and flowers galore (no matter the season) and settle in for a luv-ly read 🙂 ♥♥♥
Can’t wait for that day!!!
Welcome home and thank you for the beautiful posts while you were away! I always love reading your posts over breakfast.
Welcome home! I’ve so enjoyed following you and Joe on your travels!
Welcome home!
I really enjoy reading your blog. Glad you had another wonderful trip and are back home safely. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Welcome home Susan!!!!! Thank you for taking us along. I had such a wonderful time on your trip! Then.. Just as you were coming home we left for Bath, England for 8 days. Got to see Lacock, and Stonehenge and Wells and Bath and many, many wonderful things. We got home Tuesday night and jet lag is still dragging me down a bit as I am waking up at all hours of the night. I am in California so it’s a long way. Do you get jet lag on the ship? Ship lag?? I imagine it’s a way more civilized and humane way of coming home than flying through the air cramped in a coach seat in a metal tube with wings. Lol.. Thank you again for sharing your trip with all of us. Can’t wait for your new book to come out!! Xoxox
No ship lag, thats the glory of it . . . we turn back the clock one hour four of the seven nights. Yes, perfect word, humane! California is such a long trip, I think when I went it was 11 or maybe even 13 hours!
Thank you for all your beautiful pictures from your trip that you shared with everyone. One felt that they were there with you in all your endeavors. It is always great to go away but better coming home again.
Thank you for taking time from your vacation to write your blog and chronicle on other social media. It’s always hard for me to journal my vacations because I’m either doing things or too tired! Taking inspiration from you, I’m going to try really hard to journal our vacation next week to Quebec City. We will also drive up the St. Lawrence River and do some whale watching and stay in cute B & B’s. Should be great scenery, but not England! Welcome home and thanks again.
Sounds wonderful Julie! Have fun!
Dear Susan, I enjoyed traveling with you during these many weeks! I share your love of all things British,
Thanks for sharing your life with us all,
Linda
welcome home and thank you for the inspirational messages
Welcome home…Jack’ world is now complete!!🐈…Can’t wait for the new book!!
I too enjoyed sharing your trip and would love to take one of our own someday…can’t wait for the book. Blessings to you & Joe & Jack.
Thank you for sharing all the photos of your trip. What an adventure! My cats are always glad to see us too when we return from a vacation.
A have all of your books and cannot wait for this next gem!!!
I love, love, love EVERY one of your posts but this one left me with little tears in my eyes. From Lady Liberty to seeing Sir Jack again, I can’t tell you how happy this post made me. Cannot wait for the new book but don’t work so exclusively on it that you have no time for occasional visits with us girlfriends.
Don’t worry, I won’t!
Big smile on my face as I read all the way through. Delightful!
Susan-
You latest travel log was almost as extrodinary for me, as meeting you in person at King’s English bookstore in Salt Lake City. Wishing you and Joe, continued good health. After all, there are so many people counting on you, to enrich their personal journeys.
Thank you.
PB
So lovely to follow along on your trip. Welcome home!
So glad you are back safely from your glorious trip! I got my Fourth of July in time to have a cuppa for the 4th! Looking forward to the new book!
Lovely post! What a fabulous trip. Thank you, as always, for sharing
Such a wonderful trip. I recently read your book about your previous trip to England. Beautiful mugs.
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! Thanks for taking us on a gorgeous ocean voyage. I love your descriptions. I so agree with you, about kitties and love. They do love. I know it, because I was a person who was so afraid of cats, that I would cross the street if I saw one coming my way! However, it only took several rubs on my leg to forge a bond between me and the stray cat my son brought home. He’s gone now, but never forgotten!
Welcome Home to You and Joe…….and Thank You for taking us along.
I love the photos and sentiments about the Statue of Liberty! I teach English to refugees, and I love to use this beautiful symbol when teaching them about our country.
Dearest Susan…..
What a grand conclusion to a grand trip………Like Jack I twist and turn in excitement to see you back again in your home and with all your family together again. This trip was so exciting and I appreciate all the time you and Joe find to share the many details with us. Thank you!
I now live in assisted living and could never in all the world dream that here in this new ‘world’ I would meet and fall deeply in love with the most important man in my life! I have followed you and your work for many years and now it is my great joy to read aloud to him your blogs and other work…….we have both traveled in our earlier lives and love this part of the world so much, and have fun sharing our memories, in part by enjoying your blogs.
I hope I can explain to you how especially I love you and Joe’s souls and hearts…..for we are now are in these last slow days and weeks of our lives and have had to painfully pare down our belongings to the small space we now live in, and I derive a lot of help in this task when I can read your work and find inspiration for what is important to hold onto and how we can make the most of these days we share…….I am able to go back in time and again enjoy the beauty I have known and at the same time create ways to bring that joy forward…….Nothing is more important than these precious days I share with my love. I have hung the small banner……”Fairy tales do come true!”…..across our mirror.
Much Love and thank you for the many gifts you have so generously given all of us……
Kathleen
Everyone here should read your wise words dear Kathleen. Living life to the fullest of our abilities and circumstances is all we can ask. You are a beautiful example and I love having you here. xoxoxoxo Fairy Tales do come true don’t they? xoxoxo
What a wonderful story..an English dream..
Thank you for all your sharing of such happy days here and the wonderful journey home..enjoy the unpacking..the reliving of such happy days..and then we have the book to look forward to as well…wonderful
I have the Mitford book by my bed too..takes some reading as every paragraph is so full of info..so much to learn about them all
Now take time to reflect..to rest and to plan..what next.
Blessings and so many thank you,s
Sandra from Birmingham…xxx
That is so true. For a book that doesn’t look like much size-wise, it’s chock full! I’m loving the history!
So glad your trip was more than you expected. But Home Sweet Home is Home Sweet Home! I love seeing pictures of your home and Martha’s Vineyard. Thank for including us(me)!
Susan ~ So very happy you made it home safely into Jack’s waiting paws. Waiting anxiously for your new book!
Susan;
It’s my first time to write you and I canot tell you how very much I enjoy your newsletters and all the wonderful stories that your brint to us, your armchair firends. You inspire us and nurture us through your journals bring us right there with you; so much joy and beauty. I shall use your journals to guide me in my next journey to England and Wales next year.
Thank you so much for sharing!,
Audrey
Welcome back home, to the good ole US of A. I’ve so enjoyed all of your posts while gone and look forward to your posts from home. Sweet Jack, always a luv.
So happy to be able to share your trip
Glad you are home with Jack though!
Oh how I have enjoyed your vacation 😉 Thankyou for sharing in so much detail 😊 It’s was like we were there with you 😊 it doesn’t matter where you go or how long for, their really is no place like home 🏡💗 and yours is a beauty 😍
Received my “Jack in the Books” cup and love, love, love! Your trip to England was amazing. Thanks for sharing with us.
I so enjoyed your return trip home, sailing along with you and the beautiful moon, and just feeling your joy of the peacefulness and enjoying time, for time’s sake. A wonderful end for such a wonderful trip! Everyone up and out to be welcomed home by “Our Lady of Liberty”, something that never gets old.
Welcome home! Enjoyed your posts while you were on your travels and will enjoy your being at home as well. Well…maybe NOT quite as much as Jack
Welcome home to you Susan, and that man of your dreams. Even though I am so grateful to you for all you shared throughout your trip, I am glad that you are home safe. I was born a worry wart, I always think of all the terrible things that could happen. I so look forward to the day your new book will finally go on sale, but take your time and make it as glorius as my other treasures you have written. Bless you Susan and enjoy your every moment back home. Love Gayle Hall
Welcome back – loved the info on Lady Liberty!
Welcome back-loved the info on Lady Liberty!
I will never travel like you do
Thanks for taking us with you
I saw and felt and tasted the best
While cozy here in my little nest
I appreciate getting to take a look
Now I will wait for your next precious book
😊❤️
Kris Stanton
xoxo Thank you Kris!
Your trip sounds positively delightful! Someday maybe I can have a trip half as wonderful. First, I will have to get over my fear of flying or traveling across the ocean in a boat. Until then, thank you for sharing your travels with us!
Love the story on Lady Liberty! Welcome back!
Wow, what an adventure! So glad that you and Joe are home safely. Thanks for sharing your travels. I’m so looking forward to you new book!
Xoxo
Thank you for a wonderful vicarious adventure! Can’t wait for the book!
Loved being able to see all your pictures and read your wonderful descriptions of the English countryside! I can’t begin to tell you how much I look forward to your blogs! It is like a breath of spring air ! Thank you! ❤️
AHHHH…..that was such a lovely post. Thanks so very much for providing a “calgon, take me away” moment. Happy you’re home to enjoy summer!
Now, get working on that book. Cannot wait to relive the entire journey….again and again.
Thank you for being my “happy place.” When I need reminding of what I love and the things that make life amazing, I read your posts/letters/site. I never fail to feel better or fail to be inspired. 💕🎨✍🏻
Makes my day to hear that Sondra! Thank you!
Welcome home Susan! I read everything you wrote while you were on your trip and enjoyed every word! Thank you for an interesting adventure!
Susan,
Drawing or NO drawing–I just want to THANK YOU for taking precious “at home time” to write this wonderful blog !! I can’t decide if I love your photos or your words more ???? Together they’re the BEST !
Hugs and welcome home !!
….and just in case I’m the lucky winner–a million trillion THANK YOU’s xoxo
And right back to you Joan!
Welcome Home, Susan & Joe!
Good to know your family of 3 is once again. Our furry ones never let us down with their “welcome home” happiness. You are too cute, Tuxedo Jack!
Thanks much for sharing your beautiful journey. You guys certainly know how to do TRAVEL!
Ciao for now!
Marie
What a lovely story to follow ! As a dairy farmer, we are not able to take off and travel (maybe some day soon) so I have enjoyed reading your adventures, following your tour and especially love your photos and comments. What a wonderful Spring trip for you and Joe. Returning just in time for the 4th of July seemed perfect! Have a wonderful summer, welcome home
Welcome home. Lovely trip-I ordered one of the wool bags you showed. Beautiful product. Am looking forward to your new book. Warm regards, Anna Morey
Oh, a Herwick bag! Don’t you love it? I got one too … very special. Thank you Anna!
Welcome home Susan and Joe B. Hill!!!! Very nice blog post. All those great shots of the moon and sunrise and sunsets. Loved it all. Thank you from Peggy in Madison Wi
Welcome home luv-lee post. Loved your blog post and all the pis. Thank you from Peggy in Madison Wi
Reading your blog and seeing your pictures has been a respite for my day.
Thanks
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! Thanks for all the moonlit photos and the New York Harbor scenes, each one more special than the last!
Enjoy your lovely Island all Summer!
I have enjoyed your trip so very much. My love and I will be spending the better part of a week in England before embarking on a cruise in Sept. 2019, but haven’t decided on exactly what part of England we want to explore. Your trip was an inspiration for ours.
I’ve been wondering about Jack, and am so glad to see that you both survived the separation. I go crazy when I can’t go forehead to forehead with my little one.
Thank you for the glorious views of Lady Liberty! I was born and raised in NYC and she has always been a beloved symbol for me of America and our values. 🇺🇸
Welcome home! 🌼🌸🌺
She’s a beloved symbol for the world! A wonderful thing for New York. You have lots of time to plan your trip … I would say get a place to stay in Bath. It’s so historic and fun to explore. From there it’s an easy drive to Lacock (wonderful National Trust Village) or Jane Austen’s house in Chawton in the English Countryside. But over there, the world is your oyster!
Welcome home. I hope to get to England someday too.
I love reading about your journey and cannot wait for the book! Thank you for sharing!
Welcome back Susan Received my garden cop and just love it it goes so well with my mother cup they look like they belong together. Love my other cups but so far Santa and the garden cups are my favorites along with the winter cup. I have some of your Lenox dishes and teapot from years ago and cherish them. And that cookie jar it’s wonderful and I enjoy looking at it every day. I love houses like you do wouldn’t it be nice to have a house cookie jar??❤ welcome home and looking forward to your new book I am sure it Will also be on the best seller list. Just ordered my calendars and look forward to receiving them Thank you for caring so much about the paper quality of your items. Great blog as usual. Joan
Welcome home Susan and Joe!
Your trip sounds dreamy and I know it must be heavenly to be at home on Martha’s Vineyard!
What a lovely give-away Susan. Someone sure will be lucky. Loved seeing your photos of the moon guiding you safely across the ocean. There have been many times I have asked God to guide me, family, or others safely to a destination, and He has done that with the moon. I have seen the unmistakable hand of God in the situation. So many prayers were said for you and Joe for a safe trip home and God answered with the ever present moon every day you were at sea. He smiled on you from the time you left England till you arrived safely on Martha’s Vineyard. Amazing! Doesn’t that just thrill you! Glad to see you settling in to your “Happy Place”…or maybe now it’s your “other happy place.”😊
We definitely felt your prayers . . . it was so nice. xoxo
Such lovely homecoming pictures. I especially loved ALL the Statue of Liberty pics. Methinks we can’t see it too often these days.
I have so appreciated getting acquainted with the British Iles via your blog postings, and books. I feel like I know so much more about how it looks and “feels”.
Also loved the Alphabet embroidery and sent for the kit. I like to think about you writing and painting and hopefully enjoying the creative process. Give Jack a scratch and a pet for me.
I loved “our” last trip….can hardly wait for the book….prayers of thanks for you and Joe and your wonderful journey! Every “Twitter”, “Facebook”, and Blog were wonderful treats! Your pictures and words always make me feel like I’m right there with you! What a wonderful gift you are to us all! Love this latest Blog, it’s amazing! You really do restore my soul! Thank you! We took a short journey yesterday, and I was thrilled to see a “Barn Quilt”, on a wonderful old red barn in the Clear Lake CA region. You popped into my head, as I was thinking I should take a picture, and write it all down….it was really a thrill to see! Good to see Jack, he’s such a cutie! Welcome Home! Love & Hugs to You, Joe & Jack
It’s funny how you can feel like someone is a dear friend when you’ve never even met them.. have been waiting for you to return home and hearing about the last leg of the journey. I felt as if I was in the crowd on that ship and in the back seat on the ride home. Thank you for such wonderful pictures, descriptions and letting us all live a little extra through you.
I love having you here Melanie, I feel so welcomed home! xoxo
Welcome home!! What a wonderful trip and memories! Thank you for sharing with “arm chair” travelers!
Welcome home
We had so much fun with you on your travels in Britain! Can’t wait for the book to come!! and the calendars?!! yay!
my email didn’t show all the way!!
Do you see it Anne?
Thank You Susan for a wonderful trip😊!
What an amazing time and the country side and your beautiful friends!!
All amazing. I know home is best and your Jack!
Enjoy your summer at home.
Thank you in advance for the chance to win your cups.
Darlene N
Remarkable,Susan.
Susan,
Your blog posts are a major highlight for me whenever they come via an e-mail. I used to think they were too fluffy for me (way back when) but as I get older and more wise, I find that they fill an artistic void in my life. I can’t thank you enough for kindly calling us “girlfriends”, your lovely, cheery posts, and your super satisfying art for those of us needing cheer, color and sweet, sweet morsels of your life-at home and elsewhere. Thank you so much…and welcome back to our home here, in the USA.
I’ve always felt like my books were more like letters to my sisters and girlfriends . . . that’s where that comes from! Thank you Becky, a very nice thing for you to say! xoxo
Happy Bastille Day and Welcome Home! Oh, what memories you’ve made! So glad I got to “travel” along! 🙂
Hope you and Joe get a chance to relax into summer for a while now 😉
Dear Susan,
It feels like we just were packing up to go on this adventure, and now the time has come for unpacking already. But so many wonderful memories were made along the way. What an amazing trip!
Enjoyed the adorable pictures of Jack showing you how much he missed you and loves you!
Thank you again for taking us along,
Lynn
Such a treat to receive this on Friday the 13th. It made my day after a difficult week of too many problems and too much work. Thank you Susan. You always bring joy and I love to go along with you on your trips. Maybe one day I will get to travel to England, Ireland and Scotland—the birthplaces of ancestors on my mother’s side before they came to this country in the 1620’s. In the meantime I have your blogs of your trips to whet my appetite for a day I hope will come one day before I’m too old! Love the moon that traveled with you and of course your kitty Jack. Looking forward to the new book, the 2019 calendars and so many delightful things you bring to us Carol in CT
Needless to say, I would love to win. Love your blog, love your cat, love Martha’s Vineyard (sailed there from Georgia in our very own little boat a few years ago, and flew to Boston and then took the wonderful ferry there two weeks ago).
Hope I am not too late to be entered in the draw.
Thanks for letting us join you & Joe on your latest adventure, all of which sounded and looked amazing.
Enjoy being home and your snuggle time with Jack x
Got my new American Stationary catalog today and they show a wooden recipe book holder and I looked close and it was your Christmas book they used as an example!!! MY Susan Branch, my favorite girly thingy person!!! Proud of you.
So sweet. xoxoxo Thank you Kathy.