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!
I wonder if the glitch they’re talking about is because they haven’t saved their name, email, etc. in the browser. It used to happen to me also, but then I saved everything and it hasn’t happened since? Just a thought.🤔🤗
Every bit of advice is helpful … thank you Sherry!
Welcome home Susan & Joe. So happy you had an amazing time and are back safely to us in MA! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely trip! Felt like I was in your pocket. ☺️ Oxox
Welcome Home! Thank you for including us on your trip. I can’t wait for the book.
WOW!! Such a lovely blog post…wonderful quotes, LOVE the vintage pictures of the Statue of Liberty and the history lesson. Looking at them and the new photos put me in tears. I couldn’t help but think of the JOY and anticipation that my relatives felt as they saw her in the distance coming over from both Ireland and Italy, The home and garden of your friend Jaime is soooooo charming and beautiful! Thanks for sharing…that salad looks oh so delish!! Your beach pictures make my heart long for another trip to Martha’s Vineyard. How I love it there!! You are blessed! Welcome home and back to your routine. I know JACK is one HAPPY cat!!
Welcome home; you were missed! Would not be fall without you!
Welcome home! Can’t wait for my magical weeks on MV in August. It is has been a delight for the last 30 years ❤️
Thank you for another lovely post, Susan. I have been so looking forward to this. Welcome home!❤️
Hi Susan It must be nice to be home and hope youre all settling back in, I loved seeing the beginning of your diary. Home Sweet Home. Have a great summer 😀🍸🍰⛵😎.
Andi 🇬🇧
I’m glad you had such a wonderful trip! Welcome home!
What an amazing trip and awesome welcome home! Thank you for sharing. You always make my heart glad.
Welcome home! Can’t wait for my magical 2 weeks in August. 30 summers, and Still the beauty astounds me each time.
Yippee! Please let me be the lucky person 🙂
What an amazing trip and an awesome welcome home. Thank you for sharing. You always make my heart glad!
Welcome home!
You’ve been missed.
Rest up and keep writing, can’t wait for your new book!
I’m always a bit sad when a wonderful trip is over, but Dorothy said it best… “there’s no place like home.” My trip was much shorter than yours, but I just got home after a few weeks away visiting family and friends. I enjoyed my vacation and miss many people I love, but at the end of the day, there’s no other place I’d rather be. I keep thinking of a quote from one of your books: “home, where even the tea kettle sings from happiness.” Welcome home, Susan!
It is always nice to get home and relax with our fur babies.
Welcome Home Susan and Joe. There’s no place like home. Seeing the pictures of Jack was just so sweet. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we can’t wait for the new book. So exciting!
thank you so much for your blog, what a wonderful way to travel with you on your voyage and all the great ideas you have given for my bucket list trip someday. What a wonderful way to travel on an ocean voyage and taking time to really see all the wonderful sites that England, Wales and Ireland have to offer!!
Welcome home! Can’t wait for your new book, and my 30th August on magical MV❤️
What a wonderful trip! Thanks for taking us along… Happy for you to be safely home with lots of snuggly Jack time… 🌸🍃
“Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!” Welcome home and thanks for taking us along for the ride!
I’m so happy you are home! You and Joe had such a wonderful adventure which you were kind enough to take us along! I can hardly wait for your new book! Thank you for being YOU!
I had a wonderful time reading your tweets while you were gone. And the part of this blog about the Statue of Liberty was so interesting. Glad y’all home safe and sound. Have a wonderful summer. Ros
I love all the cups, but especially the seasonal ones. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Oh, the stunning beauty of those shining blue seas, and the brilliance of the moon above! Thank you so much for sharing your photos with us, as always. And how is Master Petey behaving now that he’s home? He was probably hiding in the closet because he needed a long nap after his months-long excursion (or maybe he was rummaging in the fridge for some good old American nibbles and bits). Welcome home, Susan — there’s no place like it!
Petey naps constantly. Kept him on protection patrol most of the trip, he’s exhausted, but looks wide-eyed and bushy-tailed as ever.
LOL re ‘protection patrol’ — was he protecting you and Joe from mischief, or were you and Joe protecting him? In any event, nobody fell overboard or got lost in the woods, so somebody did their job well. 🙂
Oops! Sort for all the posts. Was not going through.
Ohhh, please do count me in, Susan! Welcome home ❤️~ Can’t wait for the new book (and the new calendar, too)! Thank you for offering us all a peek into the pleasure of your cozy travels. You do provide us armchair travelers countless delights! xxoo
The last comment was actually mine🙂.
Loved seeing your trip and just finishing my own to England with a Garden America tour of English gardens. Visited Oxford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Bagshot, and Bath.
Thank you for once again sharing your trip and taking us with you! Give Jack lots of kisses!
Your friend,
Dawn R.
Welcome home! I am so looking forward to reading your book!! Thank you for taking the time to write about your travels.
Thank you for taking us along on your magical journey!! Welcome Home!!!
Welcome Home! No matter how wonderful the trip, and this one was pretty wonderful, coming home is such a joy. And being greeted so warmly by the lovely Jack makes it even better. Thanks for taking us all along …so looking forward to the new book.
Welcome home Susan and Joe. There’s no place like home.😊🏡 Those pictures of Jack are just the sweetest. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Can’t wait for the new book. So exciting!
I know how wonderful your trip was but I was remembering how wonderful it is to return home After being away. I always want to hug the house and everyone and everything in it!
Best,
Jenny
Sitting on the porch of our Prince Edward Island cottage, reading the blog and listening to the birds singing. The friend who farms our fields has designated some hay fields, promising not to mow them until July 17. This protects the nesting bob-o-links from harm. They nest on the ground in the fields.
Thank you for so generously sharing your travels with us!
SO thoughtful, the way to run a farm. xoxoxo More bird peeps for everyone, a very good thing!
Mary Beth, your island is one of my bucket list places! It sounds lovely! Maybe someday!
I feel like I was there with you and Joe, Susan. And I was so glad to see the pictures of Jack when you got home! As the owner of three wonderful old kitties myself, I always enjoy seeing the great photos of him responding to you. He was a very happy cat!
Hmmm just left my reply as Lisa…couldn’t change it so trying again.
Loved seeing your trip and just finishing my own to England with a Garden America tour of English gardens. Visited Oxford, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Bagshot, and Bath. Beautiful gardens and wonderful people.
I hope you are Patty! Sounds like a heavenly trip!
When I first discovered your blog, I was amazed at the beauty of it. I had never seen anything like it before. The artwork, photos and quotes are so special. I’ve read all your books and love traveling with you. You have a gift to lift people’s spirits and take them on adventures. Glad to have you back home so we can see more photos of Jack.
I love everything about this post. Thanks for sharing this trip, and these cups! 🤗
Welcome home, safe and sound! Looking forward to your new book! Thank you for all you do for us!
Welcome home! Please take your time with the book and relax, the summer days will go so fast and we can wait! ☀️📚😊
Welcome home! Cats are always happy to see their people no matter how long they have been away. My kitties are. Hope you had a good July 4.
My Red Letter Day teacup arrived last night! Love it, I hope you will keep using kitties on at least one of your cups whe you release the next set! Welcome home!
I’m originally from Staten Island and my grandparents had a little summer bungalow just below the Verrazano Bridge – that first image is the view we had and I still cherish it. The bungalow now gone, along with all the others, but not the fond memories. And then.. your photo of the rest stop now closed is on 95 in Old Saybrook – just down the road from where I currently live. Scotts is a lovely market, a lovely family. I’m thrilled to say I will see that Providence and ferry view in just five days, as my husband and I will be making a short visit to the Vineyard, a little rest and relaxation in my favorite place in all the world. Thank you for sharing your journey with your readers – it’s such a treat to “tag along”.
WOW, growing up with majesty for your view! Lucky! xoxo
Welcome home Susan! Thank you so much for the gorgeous photos of Lady Liberty. My ancestors came on ships to Ellis Island and I can only imagine the joy they felt upon arriving in America and seeing Lady Liberty. And I recall the line from Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, New Colossus, which was written as a fundraiser for the Statue of Liberty,
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” How full of meaning in today’s world.
I can’t wait for your new book. Can we preorder now? My daughter and I hope to see you again at the Apple Farm in September. (We had a lovely conversation with Joe last time about Vera Lynn.)
I think it will be middle of October now Callie, I hope that’s still all right. Waiting for confirmation and I’ll post it soon.
Welcome back from one old soul to another! I enjoyed your journey.
Beautiful blog as always. Can’t wait to see new book
Oh to walk in your shoes for a day, no make that 3 1/2 months! What a wonderful trip, but I think the best part is seeing the Statue of Liberty in the morning sun from the water, beautiful pictures!
Welcome Home! Thank you for letting me tag along…such an incredible trip.
❤️☀️🇺🇸🚢🇬🇧😎🐰🍀💐🍄🏡❤️
Dear Susan and Joe, it’s so nice to know that you are safely home again with Jack and the gardens and the sunbeams shining through the windows. I enjoyed every moment of our trip, thank you so much for taking us along with you.
Welcome home Susan and Joe. There’s no place like home. Seeing those pictures of Jack are the sweetest. Thanks for taking us a long. Can’t wait for the new book. So exciting!
P.S. I tried to post this two times before. I sure hope you don’t get this three times. 😜
I am thinking it is because I did not check the box where it says save my name, etc. for next time.
Happy Homecoming to you and Joe. I have loved every minute of “our” trip and am so glad that you are kind enough to take us all along with you. Until we meet again in California, I wish you all peace and love from beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Can’t wait to read your new book!
Welcome Home Susan and Joe!
It has been a real treat “tagging along” with you on your trip. I’ve never been to England. Seeing everything through your eyes, put a smile on my face everyday!! Beautiful pictures…..I can only imagine what it was like to be there.
Thank you for this wonderful blog. No matter where we travel, it is always great to be Home Sweet Home again! Hug that little darling Jack for us!
Thank you Susan. Can’t wait for the new book.
XO
Can’t wait for all the stories from Snellville.
Welcome home.
Love your books, stickers, calendars and cannot wait for your new book. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Loved reading this blog. Can hardly wait for the new book…I have the others and treasure them! One of the things I love most about you is your thankfulness about even the smallest things in life…too precious!
Enjoy being home and spending time with that sweet boy Jack. 🙂
My husband and I were in London for the first time last October and loved it and cannot wait to go back – this time to the countryside, so thank you for “taking” me there with your wonderful travels – so now I know what to see and do.
I enjoy following your blog! Your lots of FUN!!!!
Welcome home! I’ve been to England but never by boat. It’s on my bucket list!
Thank you for taking me on a wonderful trip. I felt like I was right there with you on all your adventures.
Welcome home! My Mama cat has had seven kittens while you were gone. We are keeping three and have found homes for the rest! I hope I win the cup! I ordered the England cup from you and Bob the Martha’s Vineyard at sour grapes bookstore!
Let us know any updates on the movie! #SBBooktoscreen
LOL, sour grapes. I detect spell-check in action . . . Bunch of Grapes Bookstore would laugh too!
Yes! I don’t know where the “Bob” came from, either! Lol
Ha ha ha!
Welcome home and thank you for this wonderful moment in my day.
As I sit here typing away my faithful Heidi dog (a precious senior) lies here beside me as I enjoy every moment of your incredible journey home blog! I could relate well. There is nothing like returning home and seeing the Statue of Liberty. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent with all of us. What a breath of fresh air on this very hot, drought stricken July Kansas day. I wish my garden looked as fresh as yours. We desperately need rain here in the Midwest.
Welcome home ! Loved reading your blogs. Cannot wait to see all pictures and diary in your new book. God bless and all the best.
Welcome home…I’ve so enjoyed seeing your posts throughout your trip…thank you for sharing 😊💕
I can’t wait for the new book! I would love to win a mug, they are beautiful!
Welcome Home, Susan & Joe! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences along the way on this trip…..it’s keeps my dream alive of someday taking a similar journey. Can’t wait to read your new book and keep on dreaming!
Not sure this worked right.
I enjoy following your blog. Your lots of fun!
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent with all of us. I enjoyed this blog so very much. Welcome home! What an incredible breath of fresh air this was for me.
I grew up in England but it was so wonderful to see it through your eyes, a trip I will always remember (and I wasn’t even there!) Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us!!
Welcome home! What perfect planning to have such perfect timing and arrive home on the 4th of July! I love every single blog post you write. Your love of all the small details of everyday life whether you are traveling far away or staying in your own home is such a wonderful inspiration to me – and I’m sure everyone – to open our eyes and all our senses. There is so much beauty to fill our awareness, and we can make more. It’s the only way, perhaps, to protect ourselves from so much that seems chaotic and heartbreaking these days. So thank you for what you do to protect us all, Susan Branch!
Thanks for taking us along on your great adventure and sharing you joy and creativity with us all❣️🤞🏻Keeping my fingers crossed.
It was so fun to be a small part of your trip. My daughter, daughter-in-laws and I really enjoyed meeting you and Joe at the picnic. Thanks for scheduling something we could plan a girls trip around! I do have the cutest photo of you & Joe. I’ll be happy to send it along.
As much as i love to travel, there is no place like home. Enjoy!
Welcome Home!! Can’t wait for the new book
So glad you and Joe made it home, safe and sound. What an adventure! I can’t wait for your new book! While you were gone we remodeled our basement and your posts were pure entertainment throughout the project. Something to look forward to while all the pounding was going on. It was a trip of perfect timing! I got inspired to work on our backyard woods and our landscape as your pictures of the English countryside intrigued me. One of your girlfriends mentioned the British TV series on Netflix called, “Escape to the country” and I have enjoyed watching the series. Looking forward to learning a lot from your new book, Susan. Welcome Home! So glad Jack has his mom and dad back home!
Welcome home! Hug the kitty for me.
Welcome home! Thank you so much for taking us along on your trip and letting us live vicariously through you. Your description of pulling into New York Harbor and experiencing the Statue of Liberty brought tears to my eyes.
So enjoyed following your lovely trip. I have dear friends on the island so I know how beautiful your home is. Passed it many times, glad your safe and sound.
What a wonderful time I have had following your trip! I absolutely can’t wait for the book! I am planning a trip back to England hopefully in 2020. Glad you are home safe and sound!
Welcome home! What a grand and beautiful adventure you and Joe had; but coming home is wonderful too!! Enjoy the remains of summer on the island!!!
Welcome 🏡! Love you!
Susan, Thank you for your enlightening post! Loved experiencing your trip vicariously!
Two members of the HRBC attended your picnic at Castle Cottage with the group and also made us feel like we were there!!:-) Bless you for sharing your life and love.
I’m no good at acronyms! Remind me what is HRBC! xoxo
Susan,
Lights, camera, action! A fairy tale girl, Susan, on the deck of an ocean liner is seen in the camera lens peering out at the Statue of Liberty and wondering aloud, “How did these life-changing things happen?” ‘She mingles dreams with memory,’ as her story unfolds on the screen. Susan, your life is a fairy tale and thanks for sharing it with all of us! Can’t wait until your next book and (fingers crossed) story on the movie screen. See you in the movies!
I hope it’s a blueprint too, because if I can do it anyone can. Basically, it’s only taking that first unexpected step that makes anyone’s life a fairy tale. It’s when you look back you think, oh my, how did that ever happen. But when you break it down, that’s all it is, put the date on the calendar, take the step, do it do it do it. 😘
Susan, your pictures of your trip were excellent! It was so exciting to see the moon in all it’s glory! Picture perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Such a wonderful trip to follow!
I would love to win the set of cups. The winter cup is my favorite!
Lucinda
Welcome home! Can’t wait for the new book!
Welcome home 🏡 ❤️🌹📚🌈🗽🐚👒🐱😊!
Welcome Home Susan and Joe! Loved every tweeting moment of your trip comments and pictures. Looking forward to the finished book.
Susan, so glad you and Joe had a wonderful trip home. Believe I am almost done with my with drawl symptoms from “the most wonderful trip” that I have been on. I have received all my mugs thanks to your wonderful staff and I have pre-ordered my wall calendar. Cannot wait for more sneak peaks of the book we are all anxiously waiting for. When it is published, we will be able to relive the trip together again. It will be so exciting!
Can’t believe “we” were gone almost four months! So much happened during that time – a new royal baby, a new duchess. Such fun! Thank you for a wonderful trip, Susan.
All in the book! 💖
Welcome home, Susan!
Thank you for sharing your joys of travelling and returning home with us!
Very much enjoyed “traveling” with you. I opened an Instagram account, I got so excited about looking for new pics every day. My garden mug arrived and I’m sitting with it in our garden watching the hummingbirds visit the trumpet vine!
Welcome home.
Thank you for your lovely blog – I laugh, cry, smile, and nod my head reading them.
I so enjoyed the trip to Ireland and England with you! Dreaming to go someday myself….beautiful. Thanks for taking me along.
How wonderful to be home among all the familiar things, pets, friends, and family! And, your memories of another wonderful trip are being put on paper for all of us to enjoy! I can’t wait! Loving my new Garden mug!
Doesn’t home feel wonderful? I was also recently in the U.K. on a choir tour with my community chorus. We were able to sing in several wonderful spaces,including a couple of cathedrals. I have had several trips there and each time I love it more. But home is always even better. And my little pet hasyleft my side since I returned.
We stopped in Winchester Cathedral on the same day the ship left … OMG, I melted with the awesomeness of it (awesome used correctly I have to say)…to sing in a place like that would be beyond magical, adding your voice to the history of the world. You are making a luv-lee life for yourself. Kiss your kitty for me!
Home Sweet Vineyard!
So glad to see you are working on the 2019 calendar. My kitchen would not be complete without one!