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!
The Summer mug is wonderfull .🌞
Always love to journey with you but it’s always nice to follow you home too. I am re-reading Isle of Dreams, I just absolutely love it, especially how you and Holly Oak needed each other just at the right time! I am so hoping to win these set of mugs, they are so beautiful. Welcome home,
Holly Oak was such a gift. Thank you Patti!
So happy your home, as it appears Jack is the happiest. Going away is so exciting and fun but coming home is always the best! We are suffering so with heat here, not our norm at all. While you were gone we celebrated 50 married years and a trip to Torch Lake near Traverse City. The Caribbean of the North. Cyrstal clear water but very chilly. Enjoy your island now. I would just love to win those cups!
Would be so lucky to win these mugs❤️
It was so grand to travel along!
I’d love to have a cup! Can’t wait for your book!
Welcome home.
Hi Susan, have enjoyed following you thru England💖 my home away from home!
Welcome Home, Susan!! Thanks you for the addition of the Paul McCartney video. The Statue of Liberty pictures, as well as all of the pics from the trip, were awesome. Eagerly awaiting the new book.
Welcome home! I love reading about your adventures.
Welcome Home!
We’re glad your home, safe and sound.
There’s no place like home! Glad you are home safe and sound.
So happy you are home safe and sound. And clearly dear Jack is over the moon. I have a request Susan. At one time you did a flag of boy walking in a parade i think with a flag, back pack and some flowers in his hand, walking to the sea i think. Could you do him again in some form? Cup, flag, plate, picture just anything would be so nice. I so hope you can. Must be the month making me long for it so. Again you and Joe have returned filled to the brim with your love of life.
So happy you enjoyed your time across the pond! Loved the photos of your return. I cry too when sailing past Lady Liberty – always so very moving❤️
I’m so glad you are home! Thank you for sharing your amazing trip. Your posts were beautiful and inspiring. ❤️
Love the cups…Hope I win….
Don’t know why that last past went me under Chris B but it is me Barb Seibert
When that happens, Barb, I’m asking everyone to change the name and address to their own … we have a gremlin, trying to fix it, but he doesn’t do it to everyone, which makes him very tricky and hard to find!
So glad you are home again. My mom used to say, “its good to go but good to get back home too.” Love the photos and all the love that came back to us from across the sea. Thank you. (PS – I hope I win the mugs).
I love all your cookbooks Susan!!!
Welcome Susan! Thank you for taking us with you on this most amazing journey. Your posts bring such joy & wistful daydreaming. I cannot wait for your new book to be published.
Such a joy to go with you on this lovely trip! Thx!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your books and beautiful artwork. Last year I was lucky enough to visit England and Scotland and saw some of the lovely places that you’ve written about. Just last month was blessed to be able to visit Boston and had the opportunity to visit your beautiful Martha’s Vineyard. What a wonderful place. And your home is more charming in person! Blessings to you and Joe! (But I do miss your charming little store in Arroyo Grande!)
I love that you share your experiences with us! Can’t wait to read the book and see your beautiful illustrations! Welcome home! 🇺🇸
What i had said was I am happy you are home safe and sound. And clearly Jack is over the moon to have you home. Then i had a request for you. Many years back you had done a garden flag of a boy walking in a parade with a flag a backpack and some flowers. I think he was walking to the sea with the flowers to throw them in the sea. I was in hopes you could do that scene again on a cup, plate, garden flag just anything.Welcome Home.
I’ll take a look!
So glad you’ve had a lovely trip! Love the pics of Jack welcoming you home!
Welcome home, Susan. Loved our trip, but glad to be home. Looking forward to the new book!
Xoxo
Pam
So lovely of you to take all us girlfriends along on your travel adventures! And so nice to return to the best place on earth….. home.
Thank you!
What a wonderful trip, so glad we all got to enjoy it with you. Know Jack is happy to have you home.
Welcome home, Susan! Wonderful blog post=). I have read your last 3 books 3 times, each. I have also enjoyed re reading some of Gladys Taber’s books and am heading over to Amazon to try to find some titles I have not read. (I’m kind of a book-a-holic)) I will wait most patiently for your new book (as all good things come in good time). Enjoy home sweet home and Jack. I have 2 kitties, Henry and Chloe, who always greet me when I come home from work each day. Yes, I agree about kitty love; I think they love me and they love their home sweet home, too.
Sometimes I think Jack loves me in the way of Stockholm Syndrome! I am his adoring captor!
Thank you for sharing! It’s all so lovely…day brightening!💕😊
Welcome back to Massachusetts! Your blog post were truly like being there with you. The way you write them is so inclusive and inviting. I have so enjoyed your books and look forward to the next one. You are such a multitalented woman! The views of the landscapes and villages made me ache to go to England again. They preserve the views across the fields and meadows so beautifully. But the Vineyard is a pretty special place too, no place like home.
Have so loved going to England with you and so glad you are home. Look forward to your new book.
Dear Susan, I do enjoy your pics, drawings and post about your travels! 🤗 I have read many of your cookbooks and have started on your books. I buy a mini calendar every year..they are made of sturdy paper..and they stand up to my many highlighters and ink pens…no bleeding through to the next page. For my birthday in September I’ve asked for your Autumn mug…My birthday starts the fall season 🙂 I love fall! 🍁🍂Looking forward to reading more of your books and blog. Happy days to you and yours! 😄
~Susan~
Welcome home! you were so dearly missed, I felt Jack emotions awwwe ! What wonderful memories you will always have, I can not wait to read about them in your new book !! YAY !
I would love to travel to England countryside the way you did, for my one week in London ten years ago was not long enough !!
I bet Martha’s Vineyard is looking pretty special to you again !?!!
xoxox
Paula
love the 4 season cups !!
How delightful to win something so wonderful!! The possibility is SO EXCITING! Susan, thank you for offering such an amazing prize, and also for sharing your heart and soul with us followers for so many years! You have enriched my life❤️
We have a five month old first Grandbaby named Winter! Love the creative seasonal cups!
Love reading all your books! Thank you
I know I’ll never make it to England. Thank you for taking me along with you!
I love keeping up with your travels. Makes me feel as if I were there.
Thank you, Susan, for the personal bits that make it all feel so real to those who are only “watching.”
I loved reading about your travels. It would be thrilling to win the cups. I gave two of my best girlfriends one each for their May birthdays. They LOVE them! We have been friends since first grade (which was 57 years ago). I have also gifted them in the past with your books and we are all fan girling on you! Looking forward to the next book! Thank you Susan, for the joy you bring with your writing and your art.
Friends since the first grade! What a treasure!
Hello
From Paris
Have been sipping my tea every morning in my Summer mug while listening to my own
MUSICA. Received it after a beach trip with my girlfriends so love the beach scenes on it!
Would love to have the set of your mugs!
Thank you for sharing your latest trip and looking forward to hearing more about it!
Dear Susan,
Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos and comments during your trip. I enjoyed following along, especially since I am pretty sure I won’t be visiting those special places! My favorite blog is this last one, though, because whether you travel near or far, coming home is wonderful! I especially loved the historical photos of the Statue of Liberty and the people traveling with you when you entered the harbor. I loved that Jack welcomed you both in true kitty fashion!
I’m anxiously awaiting your next book and #SBBooktoscreen.
How I would love to receive your charming mugs! 💕
Thank you so much for sharing your life and adventures. You are my favorite scrapbooking friend. And your travel journaling was a joy to read. May you be refreshed and ready to write more simple, delightful, insightful lines of prose and poetry for the world to read. You have a tremendous gift as Story Teller and Artist that begs to be enjoyed by all.
Reading your blog and seeing your beautiful artwork is a treat and a blessing.
ok – I’m a nut. I have the message “waiting on moderation” on my comment. Twice. Do I need to do something?
It just means that I haven’t had a chance to read it yet … when I do, it’s considered “moderated,” and will go up! You’re fine, no need to do a thing.
Love the musica, love the photos, love the history….
Can’t thank you enough for taking us along on your adventures.
Welcome home, Susan and Joe! I’ve enjoyed so much reading about your trip and can’t wait for the new book. I’ll likely never get to see England but I’m sure I’d love it as much as you do, so reading about your visits is almost as good as being there. 🙂 Enjoy being back home and the rest of your summer!
First off – welcome home to you and Joe ! Must be the best feeling to walk in your own door to a familiar place after such a long trip. A very cute welcome committee on the floor wiggling and mewing away ! Years ago when I first moved out to Ca. from N.J. I was very homesick. I’m quite a needlework nut so what else would I do but buy a cross stitch kit about leaving home . It has moved with me each time and I still love it ! The quote on it says, ” To know how sweet your home can be, just go away but keep the key ” !! Thought of you and Joe trying to unlock the door ! Blessings !
Adorable. xoxo
What a lovely inspiration you are for me and I’m sure so many others! You give me hope, that even though I am 65, one day I will explore England and the “Emerald Isle” too, …some day!
Yes, there is hope, and you should put it on your calendar and work toward it, say, “I’m going to England” ~ today!
Hi Sue B!
Welcome Home at last!! ♥️🤗🇺🇸
You and Joe arrived home on our 39th Anniversary, July 1st!!
I loved following you on your 4 month amazing trip, and I’ll try to be patient until your next new book comes out!! 📚 📖
I can just see Jack doing his cute antics when you came home!! 🐈
We’ve had our two grandkids here the past three weeks! We’ve loved making special memories with them. We brought them down from Oregon, and they leave on Tuesday.
Tom and I are looking forward to being empty nesters again!! 😁 😘
I’ve loved following you on your exciting journey, and I’d love to take a cruise like that someday!! 🚢 😎. I’m thankful you made it home safely, and as you know well,
“There’s no place like home!” 🏠 ♥️ xoxo 😘
Bon-Bon! Happy Anniversary. I know, ha ha, bring them in, love them to pieces, send them home. The perfect system for lucky Grandparents! You would be the perfect people for a trip across the sea, you are so romantic!
Love your stories!! You are such a great story teller! Your books are fabulous and cherishes! I’d love to have your set! I’d have a party and we’d talk about your books!!! All of them!! I’m ready for a new one! LOVED your adventure above!
So glad you are home, Susan and finding home to be the sweetest place of all. Enjoy the rest of your summer. xoxo Beth
Such beautiful photographs, and no way I can choose a favorite. Very glad you’re home safe and sound.
Welcome home!!!! What a beautiful trip! Can’t wait read the book… somehow touching the pages will make it even more alive. 💗
Going on vacation is always nice, but coming home is very nice too. Thanks for taking us along and I look forward to the upcoming book! I just want to let you know that I keep noticing my husband using your mugs for his coffee. He seems partial to the Fourth of July one. Today he was using the Red Letter Day one and commented on the cats, and that he can’t believe he’s using a mug with cats on it! He did mention that you should do a mug with dogs. 🐶😊
Welcome back home and enjoy the summer!
LOL! But the problem with dogs? There are so many and none of them look even slightly alike! It’s amazing we even recognize a German Shepard and a Dachshund as both dogs! How do you pick the right one for a cup? At least cats are relatively standard, therefore relatable. Maybe a cartoon dog with Dalmation head, Pomerainian body, Lab tail, and Irish Setter legs!
That is true! Cats are pretty much the same body and head shape. We have both a beagle and a mixed breed dog. With the mix, I even had her tested to see what she was mixed with, and it came back with 4 different breeds from her family tree! I love all your mugs, even without the dogs.❤️
LOL, thank you Deb!
Thank you thank you sooooo very much to taking us on your fabulous adventure!!!! I’m so happy that you made it home safe and sound. And Jack, he looked to be by himself with your return!!
Looking forward to Vanna diving into her bowl and picking that one, special piece of the paper of the winner. I only have the Autumn cup and would love to get the other ones.
Later….. and happy days for you being back home!
Hi Susan and welcome home!
As I was reading this latest post, I realized how long I’ve been a fan of yours.
When I got to the part that says “And each heart is whispering Home, Home at Last”, I thought about your original cup with this saying that I had my coffee in this morning! Wow – time flies… And I also realized that your “Summer” cup has been my desktop background for many years. Then I saw the wand…I have one too!
So glad you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing it with us.
My magic wand is clinking with yours – best regards!
Glad you’re home! Can’t wait for your next book!
Welcome Home, Susan & Thanks for sharing your Grand Trip with us all, such a vicarious pleasure!
Would love to enjoy a cup of tea in one of your new cups♥️
Hello Welcome Home ❤️ I can’t wait to read all about it ! And this giveaway is Christmas to Me ! Thank you.
Welcome home. Really happy for you little Jack. U have your people back!
I can hardly wait for your book. I just introduced then to my friend and she is smitten as well.
Since I followed along on Twitter, I saw a number of these photos… but I do love how you fill in the details here! The kitty part gets me every time. How lucky you are to NOT be allergic. I can remember a special one I had when I was 11 or 12-ish… he was a blue-eyed Himalayan named Jamie that would literally walk with me everywhere. He would put his cheek to mine and lick my face. I still cannot understand why, at around age 19, I decided to develop an allergy to cats. Seeing you with Jack tugs at my heart. What a beautiful homecoming with the greeting of the Lady with the Lamp and even the Brooklyn Bridge. Which immediately made me think of the Ric Burns series, New York: A Documentary Film. Have you seen it? Wonderful! And then to be celebrated by Jaime’s beautiful bounty and gathering. So thankful you had a red letter trip and homecoming! Thank you for your generosity in sharing with all of us.
I did it the other way around, I was allergic to the kitty next door when I was little, big red welts, but for some reason it went away! Allergies are so strange the way they come and go. And Yes! Ric Burn’s New York! Wonderful as is everything that guy does! Thank you Christi!
Hoping that I’m doing this correctly…registering for your free giveaway. Love you, Susan Branch! I thank God he placed your books in my life. They have become cherished companions. 😊
Wonderful blog. So excited for the new book. I am re-reading your other books now so will be ready for a new one. Jack sounds so adorably excited and happy. Keep on writing!
So happy to have you back! Can’t wait for the book😀
Welcome home- would love to give the cups a proper home in Oregon! Followed your Twitter feed to it wasn’t so long between blog postings! Your last blog posting was spectacular- the link to Paul McCartney made me tearful-thanks so much for all your sweetness!! :o)
Well, you did it again. You took me on the most wonderful trip!! I loved every minute of it. And I can’t wait for the Fall Victoria!! I had so much fun visiting places I’ll never go; but that doesn’t matter because I got to go, thanks to you!! Welcome home!!
Welcome Home Susan! So enjoyed your posts of England, and know how nice it is to return after a long trip. My granddaughter and I have been reading Beatrix Potter’s little books – she’s almost ten, yet still enjoys them. The stories are so well written and witty, you don’t have to be a child to enjoy Beatrix at any age. Enjoy your summer!
So much fun to follow your travels!
Susan, you are such an inspiration! Thank you!
I love to travel! But LOVE coming home! I know exactly how you feel. I keep a diary as well on trips. I always bring home some inspiration on every vacation. No matter how big or small. Maybe inspired to decorate differently if my hotel or condo has a certain look that I like. Or I might want to exercise more when I get home, or change up my daily routine. It’s so easy too get in a rut in our day to day life….and vacations can shake things up.
They sure do! I already have a curtain lady coming to measure things!
So glad you had a magical trip….just came back from Oxford today from a much briefer but still amazing trip….can’t wait to see your new book!
Welcome home! I so enjoyed your adventures around Europe! Thank you for sharing your life with us! I would love to win the cups! ❤️
Absolutely loved your travel blog!! Just felt like I was there with you. Can’t wait for your next book. Thank you.
Welcome home! It was wonderful following your blog and “seeing” England with you! So many beautiful sites! Your new cups are very beautiful.
Welcome back! I appreciate you sharing your experiences through your art, words, and camera lens. You have the gift of creating a sense of community even when we don’t know each other. Thank you!
Oh my, what a beautiful travel journal, so fun to feel like I tagged along <3
Those teacups are so adorable, I would split up the set and share it with my closest friends, so that when we were sitting quietly and having a cup of tea it would remind us of each other and bring our hearts together 🙂
What a wonderful idea!
Im so excited for you that you completed the set with ALL for seasons. I cant afford them at this time in my life but maybe someday you will do a girlfriends bmug and by then I can put some pennies. God bless you for all the continued Joy you bring us girlfriends ❤
Thank you for including us on this wonderful trip.
I have enjoyed hearing about yout trip.
Oh Susan, what a wonderful trip to England, but those pictures of the Statue of Liberty… Sigh… I want to see her in person! Looking forward to your new book. LOVE all your others. (And I hope you pick me to win your mug set.)
What a wonderful giveaway you are doing! The cups are so lovely! Whoever wins them will surely enjoy them!
Susan, I LOVE your mugs! These ones I was unable to order at the time they were offered. THANK YOU for taking me on your trips with you, you are definitely on my list of: “one of the People I’d like most to have dinner with”! You inspire all of us to relax and enjoy life, Thank you for just a little piece of happiness!
Thanks for all the joy and happiness you give to us “girlfriends”. ❤️
So happy to see you home, safe and sound! Your trip was a treat to enjoy vicariously! Thank you so very much for sharing!
Cindy
Welcome home!
Loved following you on your wonderful trip! How beautiful it must have been in person. Good to hear you and Joe are now safely back in your beautiful home and back to darling Jack!
What a wonderful trip! Thank you for sharing.
There is nothing like a cat greeting you after a long time away. I know Jack was over the moon to see you both home.
I always love your posts, but this one left me in awe and in tears (happy tears). Your homecoming photo after photo of the Statue of Liberty brought home to me just how important it is for us to do what is necessary to keep our freedom free for all the tired and weary and hungered masses who come to us yearning to be free. How can we not??
Loved every minute of your trip. I’ve ordered my new calendars and am now waiting with baited breath for the new book. Write fast!
Love you,
Judy Clark
Welcome Home!
Susan and Joe, so glad you are both safely back home. Thank you for including us in your travel agenda and am looking forward to your latest book to add to my library. Love your cups and am looking forward to the little vase that you will soon be making with the C. S. Lewis quote. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Welcome home! I have always dreamed of going to England, my ancestors are all from there…Thank you so much for posting all the pictures, it seems like I was almost right there!
What a wonderful trip! thanks for sharing with us -looking forward to the next book 🙂 I love my Fourth of July mug too. Has the place of honor on my hutch 🙂 I bet Jack is one happy kitty now that you are home.
“Welcome home, Susan!” (BIG smile)
Of course your official welcome has been provided in the form of “fur therapy” (or is it “purr-r-r-r therapy”?) from Jack and Girl cat.
^.^ ^.^
The pictures are fabulous!! I’m adding some of these places to my travel wish-list! Welcome home!
I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling along with you in my mind! My husband and I were able to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary In Bourton-on-the-Water in the first week of June. I bought some lovely bunting to sew now that I’m back home again. It was a wonderful time away (we were last there in 2012), but such fun to return to our six children and fifteen grandchildren:)
Happy Anniversary Kim!
I’m glad you’re home to Jack. He’s such a pretty cat. I’ve very much enjoyed going along (vicariously) on your trip. Thanks for sharing so much of your experience with us.