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!
Thank you for telling your story. Someday I hope to have my own but until then I will enjoy yours, and share in your love of a beautiful land. Thank you.
Seeing the picture of the Statue of Liberty from the ship made me cry thinking exactly what you wrote.
Loved the photos of your arrival in New York and passing “Lady Liberty”.
So many hopes and dreams have been welcomed by her presence and I hope
we never forget this. What a joyful trip you and Joe had and to be welcomed
so lovingly by “Jack”–precious little guy! Thank you for all the sharing.
You make this a brighter world and my days seem filled with magic when
I read a blog from you. Thank you again, Susan.
Connie Castle
Loved every word and picture that you posted of your trip! Can’t wait for your next book – Thank you for taking us along! Barbara in MN
Glad you made it home safe and sound! Looking forward to the next book!
Dear Susan and Joe, Thank you so much for taking me along on your lov-er-ly holiday! 💕💕. I love traveling, and especially to the UK! I love the narrow winding streets, higgledy piggledy little houses with chimneys, and especially the thatched roof cottages. Apple pie with custard in a pub with a fireplace has to be the most delightful dessert & setting ever! And thank you for introducing me to pear cider on your last trip! Welcome home! I can hardly wait for the book; thank goodness for your blog! Much love, Trahlyta ❤️🇬🇧
Isn’t coming home the best.? Had to chuckle when I read how you thought the ferry could not go fast enough. Made me think of my younger days when I would ride my neighbors horse and how when I turned her around to head for home it took all I had to control her from going into a full run. She loved going home too. God bless you for sharing your trip.
In my teens, my girlfriends and I used to rent horses . . . the going home part was the hardest for us inexperienced riders! Those horses knew what they were doing! Our job was to hang on!
What a wonderful trip!
Sweeter than kitties,
Cuter than pups,
The beautifully decorated,
Susan Branch cups!
Frances Krontz
[email protected]
😘 Frances . . .
With tea cup in hand, I take my stand,
You’ve done it again, Susan Branch you are grand!
And Joe you too, driving and packing together right there,
Make for a lovely traveling pair.
I stowed away in your pictures and words,
Soaring beside you like a bird.
Thanks for the adventure, home at last,
I’ll wait for your book, write it fast!😉
Life’s a Beach
Ha! Life’s a Beach! xoxox
Nothing like the promise of a new book to inspire the imagination! I think that I will binge read the first books to pass the time until the next one gets closer to completion. Welcome home! Will be in Falmouth for a couple of days and will be sure to wave in your direction.
I love love your posts all of them… I would love to have your cups of the seasons.
Welcome home! So glad to have the many beautiful memories and pics show up on my
Instagram account.
I received my 4th of July mug and I love the beautiful painting and it’s details.
Love the pretty cut flowers on your dining table freshly picked from the garden.
Can’t wait to read your new book. I have been telling others about it.
Your friend from Ohio,
Ruth (The Inklings)
What a great trip! But nothing beats returning home :-). Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with all of us!
Hello Susan! Thanks for your wonderful spirit and the play by play of your trip. It was fun to travel with you!
I love living vicariously through you abd your beautiful trips. England seems divine, but so does Martha’s Vineyard. Thank you for painting your life so that it comes alive and invites us all along to join in it with you. Wishing a restful Summer to you & Joe as you srttle back into “Home Sweet Home!”
Anxiously awaiting your next book. It will be just like going on a journey with you! Your words are always inspiring and enjoyable.
Glad you made it home safely. Thank you for taking us all along with you. Such a wonderful journey…can’t wait to read your book about your grand adventure!
What a beautiful remembrance of a wonderful trip. Thank you for sharing all your adventures with us!
Ahh Susan, the armchair traveller in me so loved living vicariously through your wanders on this beautiful trip abroad……welcome home to you and Joe and thanks ever so for all the ‘day brighteners’ you posted along the way……total gems!!
“Home Sweet Home” Blessings,
Barb.
How I love these sweet reads, and you will never know how needed it is. . .
Welcome Home Friends!!! Can’t wait to hear what you will be planning next…
I so love traveling with you and Joe on your adventures! Every post is a delightful experience, truly happy teatime reading 😀 And thank you for such a wonderful detailed trip around the Statue of Liberty, she is a magnificent sight 🇺🇸
Appreciate you taking the time to write your blog, sharing your stories with lovely drawings and photos. We are now anxiously waiting for Victoria to come in the mail. Thanks again🐑
Jumped for joy when I saw your photo of the East Providence (Rhode Island) highway sign on your return home. I thought “Susan Branch travelled right thru my home town!” Thank you for “taking me along” on all your travels.
Peggy from East Providence
Sure did! You live in a wonderful place, Peggy!
It’s been a while since I visited, Susan. I love your post about returning home. Loved your description of Jack’s welcome. It looks as if I have a lot of catching up to do! Thanks for still sharing with all your girlfriends.
Carolyn
I this is my 3rd attempt on an iPad. No clue what I am doing and not sure my previous comments posted. Normally I use a computer. I truly enjoyed the blog updates but will relive your adventure when the book is released. Yeah Jack! Momma is H-O-M-E.
Welcome Home! I just gave my Boyfriend (aka husband) the 4th of July cup…..we have “Tea” every afternoon with your tea. He now understands the importance of drinking it in a REAL cup!nadine
Joe’s my boyfriend too. Boyfriend for life. I always call him that and people look at me funny! Hugs to you both!
Welcome home! Jack looks so happy to have you back : ) I so enjoyed reading about your wonderful trip, thank-you for sharing it! Happy Summer!
So enjoyed your trip with you! Looking forward to your new book!!
Pat
Oh this post was delightful. I have so enjoyed following another of your adventures and of course, can’t wait for the book! I already have all the cups, but would like to give these to my friend, Betsy, if I win!
Dear Susan,
I’m SO happy you and Joe made it home safe and sound, and I’m SO happy for Jack that his mommy is back with him! I love the photos of him in his ecstasy……and have loved every bit of your posts all along your dream trip. Thank you so much! You are keeping me sane in this insane world and country we have now. I can’t express how grateful I am for you. You are such a blessing to so many of us!
God Bless you all!
So glad you are back stateside in one piece. When I am fortunate enough to go to England I want to follow your footsteps around the countryside.
Enjoyed reading about your trip home! Love the mugs – thanks for the opportunity to win a set!
Hi Susan.
In the thunderstorm and rain we are getting here in CT, just finished reading your blog while drinking chilled sun tea in your English Countryside mug. Thank you for sharing your dreams come true with us and for encouraging us to follow our own.
Dear Susan, I felt your emotions as you saw The Statue of Liberty and made your way back home! SO thankful you had a safe journey and Jack was there to greet you. He’s my favorite cat! If I win the beautiful cups, I’ll give one to each of my sisters(who also enjoy your blog). Be sweet~Julia in Cincy
Oh, you have soo o many comments, we’re all waiting for a new post, your lucky girlfriends who always love a new post. It was lovely, the description of your arrival home, especially the information on the Statue of Liberty. On her birthday, 100 years old, my ten year old daughter marched in the 4th of July parade as the Statue of liberty in the costume I made for her. That was a red letter day!
WOW, it sure was! What a wonderful memory! What a good mom you are! xoxoxo
Another bittersweet ending/beginning of travels to the UK!
Love seeing all the pictures. Just reading about it all is such a great escape!
Hello! I enjoyed travelling with you so much! Thank-you for sharing your trip!
I’m hoping to go to Ireland, Wales, and England in the next year or two. I’ve traced some of my ancestors back to Armagh in Northern Ireland. I’d love to go there but my nephew told me it was too dangerous. Do you happen to know if this is still the case? Also, is it weird that I’m soooo glad you’re home? I did a little Jack-flip-and-roll myself.
It’s not dangerous at all now . . . it’s fine, you’d be fine and you would LOVE being in the place your family comes from. There’s just this mystical feeling about it. I do understand your flip and roll! 😆 We go, it’s glorious, we come home, it’s glorious.
Welcome home! I always enjoy reading your blogs. Can’t wait for the next book!
You take AMAZING trips!!!
Loved being on vacation with you! Ah, the lovlee isles. I have been enjoying my July 4 cup. It is truly wonderful china. I want to win because I adore the winter one and missed getting it! I bought the Christmas journal just to have that beautiful picture on the cover! So exciting to have another of your books to read soon! Thank you for all the beauty Susan. 💙🇺🇸❤️ Pat
It has been so enjoyable reading your blogs about your ventures during your vacation! Happy you and Joe are safely home and getting settled back into your beautiful home! So excited for your new book! I’m enjoying my new coffee mug! Love all the flowers on the mug and of course your beautiful writing on the back! I’ll be ordering my new calendar soon! Welcome home!
Thank you for your homeward bound trip recreation – I confess I am afraid of sailing and have never even considered a cruise, but your descriptions of your trip are making me wish I could overcome this fear.
Your blog entries about your visit have been so much fun to read.
Thanks for taking us all along with you on your wonderful adventures in England! Welcome back to the USA! Love all of your photos, artwork, and narratives. Your creativity is boundless!
Thanks Susan! I enjoy reading everything you write! Loved reading about your trip to England! Thanks for your books, calendars, and your lovely artwork! I absolutely love everything you do! Your family has always reminded me of mine growing up! We had 8 kids, the same station wagon except in red! We’d pack everyone in the car and go camping at South Carlsbad SB!
Have a wonderful summer!
What memories! Nothing like a big family!
You are so fortunate to be able to travel to the places you love… and then we enjoy them with you – those of us who are not so fortunate. Thank you for sharing.
Welcome back home. It’s great to travel and sweeter to get home. Can’t wait for the new book.
My comment may have gotten lost, so I’ll try again… thank you for sharing your good fortune with those of us who are less fortunate. And… living in Arizona makes me so envious of the beautiful GREEN!
Welcome home! I have so enjoyed following along on your lovely trip. Nice to think of Jack happily back in your arms.
So glad you had a lovely trip home. Loved following you by Blog during such a wonderful adventure. I always like having something in the near future to look forward to, right now your new book will be in my dreams. Glad to have you back stateside. Welcome Home!
Susan, thank you for sharing your latest and very exciting travels with us! I can’t wait for the new book!! I love all your books(Fairy Tale Girl is my very favorite) Calender’s and cups. Thanks for making life sweeter!❤
Welcome back home! I’m glad you had a wonderful time, and shared your travels with us! Enjoy the creativity process of your newest book! 🙂
Oh boy, new cups. Pick me, pick me!
Wonderful and interesting post…….Welcome Home!
I can’t wait to read the book! Thank you for sharing such lovely photos and fun times. So glad your trip home was beautiful as well. Welcome home!
Welcome home Susan and Joe! We loved seeing all your adventures in the U.K., but glad you are home now safe and sound. Enjoy the summer on your beautiful Island!
Thanks so much for including us on your trip to England! Much fun. Glad you are home safe and sound.
Wonderful you’re home! I can’t wait to read your new book and travel with you over and over! I love your beautiful cups!
Welcome home, Sue and Joe,
It’s been fun traveling with you. Thanks for the memories.
Love Ya’,
Sheryl
I love all your books , I can’t wait to read the next one .
Because of your chronicles about England my husband and I are going there for the first time in August. We are so excited. Thanks for the inspiration. glad you’re home safe and sound. Any advice for our first time there?
You’re going to have a wonderful time, I’m excited for you! I wrote a guidebook for England called A Fine Romance … perhaps you’ve read it but it gives good advice. One thing is to try not to move around too much … stay put as much as possible then you won’t have so much packing and unpacking, loading and unloading to do. You can just go out each day and see so much that’s driving distance around you … I say this to myself: if it’s all new, then why do you need to see OTHER new than the new that’s right around where you are?! You get to know your local area, meet some people, have your “own” pub, know where the bread is in the supermarket ~ also look at National Trust and properties to visit … they’re everywhere and they are wonderful. Also just Google “historical properties in England.” Castles, cottages, old post offices, white horses and so much more!
Thanks for sharing your adventure. So fun seeing all your photos.
Thanks for sharing with us. What a great adventure.
Susan, I wish I had the happy gene like you. You make the world seem like such a wonderful place. Your delight in the cozy and domestic pleasures makes me wonder why I let the ugliness of the world overshadow these happy, daily things. I’ve enjoyed following along on this trip and I so loved A Fine Romance. Looking forward to the new book!
~Melanie in Texas
Thank you Melanie Anne….It’s a training thing. We have so much! Need to think about it more, counting blessings out loud. There are problems, but when I just look around myself first thing in the morning I see it’s a wonderful world! Isn’t Texas just a wall of wildflowers in the spring?
What good advice to count blessings. I need to “redirect” daily. Yes, Texas has an abundance of wildflowers in the spring, especially in the hill country (central Tx). That is where the hubby and I hope to move to within the next couple years. We are about 10 years away from retirement age and want to be settled and established there before those years come along. Thank you so much for replying! 🙂
What a wonderful dream! Joe and I are going to take a bag of wildflower seeds down the road where we walk every day … this fall, to do a Texas-type sprinkling! xoxo
Thanks for taking us along again, Susan! Hope you enjoy writing the book as you relive all the memories. Do you have a title for it yet?
BTW, I just received my first mug, “Fourth of July” and it is so beautiful–the size, shape and feel as well as the decoration!
I think I do have a title, but I’m living with it for a few weeks to make sure. Once I’m doing the art for it, all quiet and slow, thinking and connecting will happen and we’ll see for sure then! SO happy you like the Fourth of July cup… they are fun to drink out of aren’t they, with that nice thin lip! Thank you Carol!
Love everything about the blog, your life you share with all of us. you will never know your impact on the world around you, Joe, and the great people you have working with you, also Jack. What anticipation!!
I can hardly wait for your next book to be available! I thank God both of you had a safe and glorious trip. I hope to go to the British Isles also some day.
Susan,
Your writing is a vicarious window that transports me to places that I can only read about. Your blog and books are so detailed that I feel I am enjoying the journey with you. I can almost feel the sea breeze, smell the roses, and taste the butter on the scones. Just know when I read your writing and look at your pictures I know that even though we haven’t met, we are “kindred spirits.” Thank you ever so much for sharing your amazing journey with all of us. It means so much.
Wow, you are in the 1,800 zone for comments. Vanna is going to have a difficult time diving into the bowl of names with this large list. Best make it easy on her and just pick me. I would really love your four seasons set. Love them to pieces. I am so happy to have you back safe and sound. The photos of the Statue of Liberty put a swelling in my heart. How wonderful that everyone was on deck, holding each other and watching her come into view! Loved it! Loved the moon and loved that house for your welcome home party. My my, you and your friends sure know how to beautify life! Welcome Home Susan and Joe!
LOL! You make it so easy, Holly Jo!
Welcome home!
I enjoy reading your blog with the beautiful pictures and writings about the places you go! If I never get there to England, at least I can see threw your experiences.
Glad you had a wonderful time!
All the best!
Welcome home Susan,
It was lovely travelling with you and now we look forward to your new book!
I have absolutely enjoyed every second of reading about your trip. I’m English and live in England but seeing it through the eyes of you makes me love and appreciate it even more.
I bet Jack is absolutely thrilled to have his Mum home but England misses you too xx
This is the problem! Wanting to be everywhere at once! Thank you Lauren, we shall return!
We are so thankful for your safe and happy return to the good ol’ USA. Thank you so, so much for taking us all along with you and Joe, to the “good and green land” of England. Without you, Susan, I would never know about that fair land. We eagerly await your next sweet book. Happy trails, dear lady, and God Bless!
Welcome back! Your post was lovely to read as are your books and I can hardly wait till you gift us with your next treasure!!! So sweet to see Jack again, his little face is priceless, cuddle, cuddle, cuddle! XO
So glad you have made it home safely.Loved that moon and that sweet Jack.
Dear Susan, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful journey? I am so excited to read your new book! Your art and prose are filled with love and we, your readers, are blessed that you share this with us. Many years ago I attended a book signing and had you autograph a book for my daughter. Little did we know at that time she would be living in London now and gets to travel in the English countryside. I arrived in London for a visit on July 1st, just as you and Joe returned home. Each time before I go to visit our daughter, I re-read your book😊. How lovely for you to return home to sweet Jack, your home and gardens and your friends. May there be many Red Letter Days ahead xo
It must be hard to have your children move so far away, but then I always think how fun if they move to somewhere like England … now you are FORCED to go over! 😁
What fun you had and such glorious homecoming pictures!
Thank you and can’t wait for the new book! Happy Writing Days to you!
So glad you made it home safe!! Can’t wait to read the book!
Your trip looks amazing. I dream of going to England. I look forward to your new book. I’m a cat person and would find it so hard to leave Jack. He’s just a precious cat.
Welcome home. I tried to post. Hope its not a duplicate.
Your trip looked awesome. Look forward to book.
oh my goodness! A NEW BOOK! you have no idea how excited I am!!!
Welcome home Susan and Joe — seeing a new post from you makes my day — always so uplifting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings so generously with all of us.
Home is where the hearth be…
As much as being away is good, coming home is “gooder”! Thank you for sharing your wonderful, lovely trip with me…I enjoyed every minute “we” were away. And as much as I look forward to your new book, I really hope something comes of the movie idea. I’m sending you all kinds of good wishes to get that project off the ground…
Enjoy the peace and quiet of your lovely home…d
Welcome home! Glad you made it back safe and sound. I enjoy your blog and can’t wait to go to England some day, it’s beautiful!
I am glad you are home. Wonderful trip and lovely pictures. Can’t wait for the book to add to my other S.B. books on the shelf.
I have searched and searched for my July 13 post, but somehow it doesn’t show up. I am sending this one to test to see if it goes through.
I am a fairly new follower and am enjoying traveling through you, You have inspired my upcoming trip. We leave soon for a crossing on the QM2 and a two week stay in England. We will even be staying at Holywell House in Oxford briefly.
Thank you for being an inspiration and bright spot to so many.
Here it is, hope you see this Claire! Very nice to meet you! You’ll love Holywell House, and most especially Carrie, Stu and Jack!
Welcome Home!!!! What a lovely vacation for you Both….
Thank you, thank you, Susan and Joe for sharing your trip in pictures and in verse. As you say it was simply “luv-lee!”
Must share that I start my morning typing in this familiar address….Susanbranch.com.
Up comes this: a gift, paragraphs and pictures with a happy message. Always. And always a good way to start my day. I’m sure that your other readers say this too.
So glad you are home safely and I enjoyed that wonderful trip with you both.
Thank you, thank you.
Gale Jourdet
Pocono Manor, Pa.
I could never hear it enough Gale, thank you! xoxoxo
Welcome home! I so enjoyed traveling with you and Joe! I already have all four seasons of the mugs (which I love); if I win the mugs I will gift them to my bff, Patti.
Welcome Home to you both!
I love your telling of coming home, for there truly is no place like it. I loved seeing the Statue of Liberty! She was my view from Governors Island & our apartment when we lived there. Even as a native New Yorker, it was magical each and every day. I could watch the ships leave port from my kitchen window and send them off with prayers for safe travels.
I hope you have the most wonderful summer and enjoy reliving the fantastical memories from your trip as you write and watercolor another treasure for us.
Sending squishy hugs,
Jeanette
Welcome Home! It was wonderful for you to share your trip…You are truly blessed.
I always decorate in seasons, especially fall, which I have to actually create inside my house since we don’t really have a “fall” in South Florida! The seasonal cup set would be fun to add to my decorating and enjoying of the seasons! Great giveaway. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I can honestly say, while reading your post about coming home, and Lady Liberty, and seeing the pictures of the passengers up so early to experience the joy of arriving in New York and passing by her, still standing there in all her majesty, it brought tears to my eyes. To my mind’s eye, you live a magical life, and we do too, through you!
We all do in our own way. xoxoxo Thank you Teri.
Welcome Home! I cried seeing Lady Liberty! How wonderful she is! We got to visit her when we took a trip to NY! My grandparents were welcomed by her coming to our wonderful USA! Thank you for so much inspiration and taking us On your trip! I love the fix for the purse calendar!! I actually reused my plastic cover from the old calendar! I love your blog and I love you! Xoxo
Hugs from Lisa
Smart, Lisa! Kellee put my pockets into my calendar and sent it to me, they really look nice!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed your stay in our country. I know there’s no chance of me winning your lovely mugs, but I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your blog. Blessings
Thank you for once again giving us such wonder-full glimpses of Heaven on earth.
Welcome home! Love, love, love your moon photos and vicariously traveling with you on your ocean voyage home. Thank you for sharing your wonderful 3-month visit to England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Looking forward to your next book and all it’s surprises.
I so enjoyed your luv-lee trip! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been away from the blog for a few weeks but what a treat to come back and see your update and your excitement at coming home after a wonderful trip.
The Statue of Liberty pictures were wonderful – especially for the 4th.
Welcome home~