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!
Hi Susan…once again a fabulous blog, great pictures! Can’t wait for the new book, any clue as to the title?
I think I have it, but I want to live with it for a couple of months and see if the actual art and photos and writing together change my mind. Sometimes a book begs to be named something!
Susan, glad you had such a wonderful trip and that you took notes and pictures to write another awesome book. Looking forward to reading all about it.
I have the biggest “girl” crush on you, and am so thankful that I can follow you on your blog. Years ago I bought some note cards that you had designed. The cards are long gone, but I kept the adorable box they came in and use it in my desk. I never really gave much thought about the box until two years ago when I happened to purchase a copy of The Fairy Tale Girl at the Fireside Book Shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Since I live in a very small town (pop. 3,500) in Northern Nevada it takes most of an entire day to fly home. I devoured Fairy Tale Girl in that one day! As soon as I got home I ordered, Isle of Dreams, and A Fine Romance. I loved the books so much I have ordered four sets of them to give to my girlfriends as gifts.
Aren’t you a sweetheart Kay, thank you soooo much! My books have really all been word of mouth, girlfriend to girlfriend, mom to daughter, sister to sister, which to me is the biggest compliment ever. So thank you again! Lovely to hear from you!
I love all of your writings, be it by blog or book! Your thoughts have a soothing tone!
What a great ride for us all!! Loved the pictures and all the sweet comments!!
What a trip! Thank you for sharing it with all of us through your words and pictures! I look forward to reading your new book!
I’ve followed you in your books and blog for many years and now, I’ve followed you once more to England. I’m hoping, hoping, hoping to get back to England. It’s been more than 20 years since I’ve been there and my husband has never been. You’ve convinced me — boat is the way to go!
Welcome home! (Vanna, please pull my name!!)
So enjoyed the photos, thank you so much,
Thank you for taking us with you! I love reading the posts; they always make me smile.
HUGS!
Welcome home! I dream of taking a trip just like this one day (I was even on Queen Mary 2’s website for a bit this afternoon), but it is so wonderful to see it all through your eyes too! Thank you for the giveaway! Fingers crossed!!!
What a beautiful wonderful trip! I loved all the places you and Joe went to see!
I am so glad you and Joe are and home safely with little Jack!! Looking forward to another great book!
Welcome home, Susan! I have loved sharing the journey with you!
Your telling of your homecoming warmed my heart. Welcome home, Sue and Joe!
Welcome home!! Thank you again for taking us along on your travels!! I enjoyed every post, pic and blog! The picnic in Beatrix Potter’s garden looked like a treasure!! Looking forward to your book!! Can we pre order it? Count me in!!
LOL, I should get a little further into it before we do preorders! xoxo
When does the cup drawing happen? Fingers crossed! Can hardly wait!!!!!
Giving everyone a chance to be signed up … but soon Sandra!
I have LOVED traveling vicariously with you and Joe! Cannot. wait. for. the. book!!!
Thank you for taking us along on your amazing journey! Welcome home and I’m so excited to see what new creations you have in store for us!
Welcome home! So much fun to follow you on your journey as love England too. Have some of your cups and would love the seasons…. but with so many comments the chances are slim but … enjoy your summer and writing and painting…looking forward as everyone is to seeing it when it is published!!! And all the other dreams that might come true for the screening of your books… how exciting!!!!!!!!
I so enjoyed going along on your wonderful journey to the land of Beatrix Potter and beyond by reading your blog! Your interest and joy in so many things is such a treat to share. Welcome home!
So grateful to travel along with you until I can return to the UK! Thanks!
Welcome home! You were truly missed and thought of often.
I saved your delightful post until I had some time to read it slowly and savor it. You have a wonderful gift of describing a scene that helps us visualize it in our imagination. So glad you are home safe and look forward to your new book! Such fun it will be to relive your trip through writing your book.
Dear Susan, I have always wanted to travel to Europe. I’m not sure if I ever will, but I love seeing it through your eyes. I can’t wait for you new book. Your blog is something I always look forward to reading. Thank you. Sincerely, Eileen N
Hurray! Home, safe and sound! And Jack is so pleased –
Awaiting your next book!
Aloha from Maui –
Carol
I’m rereading this wonderful post so I can hear the musica this time…sometimes I lose sound to the internet gremlins…and I just wanted to say what a perfect opening song you have chosen by the Irish lad, Derek Ryan. How do you come up with these things?! You must be terribly organized or have a photographic memory! Anyway, great song for a great post! ♥
PS…were you surprised at how much the Irish love country music?!
I heard that song on the radio when we were there, loved it, thought my girlfriends would like it too, so I wrote it in my diary to play for you when we got home. And yes, that Country music thing was a surprise, it made me curious so I looked it up … and learned that Country music’s roots are in Irish (Welch and Scottish) music! Of course they are … really makes so much sense when you think about it, so much Celtic (combined with sacred hymns and African American spirituals) in something we think of as being so American! Which it is! I love evolution! We are such an interesting tribe!
Its so nice to be away, but so nice to come home. I think my favorite photos are the ones of you getting closer and closer to home. You have the BEST of both worlds and so wonderful you are enjoying it together!! XO
Jack is looking so good and happy. A well loved cat indeed. I think you have made him a superstar of online cats!
Well, he’s so cute!
Welcome home! Can’t wait to read of all your adventures!
So hoping to see your next book with your lovely handwriting ASAP! It would make a beautiful Christmas gift for a special cousin and friend.
Your cups make me so happy – just settled in with my morning coffee in my Martha’s Vineyard cup (“I will say hello to the ocean for you …”) to read this post – a fine start to a perfect summer day, no?
Love following you on your journey! I am really looking forward to the book! thank you Susan branch, your blog is the best!
WELCOME HOME SUSAN & JOE!!!,
In Honor of your return, as soon as I can, I will make your “STICKY CHICKEN” to CELEBRATE 🙂 The Bourbon Sauce sounds yummy.
I adore the drawings on the JULY page of my Calendar. The young boy w/ the flag looks like one of my grandson’s.
Thank you Susan for all the JOY that you’ve brought to my life.
Mmmmm, now you’ve made me hungry! xoxoxo
Hello and Welcome Home – lovely photos!
I once was in London for 5 days (a marvelous city), but I longed to go to the country. Your wonderful travelogues make me feel I have been there, so thank you very much for including everyone in your explorations. I am also a huge fan of British Country Living and County Homes and Interiors, and all the fabulous craft magazines from England. Your blog posts and photos are on a par with those publications, except on a personal level which is so special. I have 12 of your books and can hardly wait for your newest one.
My favorite magazines too, so huge compliment, Janet, thank you!!!
We grew up putting black olives on our fingers! Thanks for taking us on the journey to England with you! I loved seeing your traveling home posts. Having grown up on Long Island and driving 95 up to Hingham every other weekend dating my husband for 2 years that is my exact trip home to Mass now! Why have I never stopped at that farm stand in CT? LOL 🙂
Welcome Home Susan!! Oh what a splendid journey you had coming home! The views and description sounded peaceful and gorgeous. I must admit, of all the photos you just shared, the ones of Jack just caught my heart. Oh, how I love that sweet adorable Kitty of yours!! And YES, kitties can show love! That is how my kitty Bump got his name. He was always bumping my hand, my kisses, my hugs. He showed his cat feelings in the best way he could. I miss him so!
In another week, we are off to see Germany and Switzerland for two weeks. I love that there are beautiful and historical places to explore! Unlike you, we fly,, but I can tell you that seeing the Delta Jet and American crew welcoming as I board for home NEVER ceases to make me tear up. No matter how much fun I had, there is no place like HOME!!
Enjoy those lovely roses in your garden and all the beautiful parts of a Martha’s Vineyard Summer! Looking forward to your next book. It will be grand!!!
Have a wonderful time Winnie!!!!
Welcome home Susan. I’m so excited that we all have another book to look forward to in our future. 🙂 I’ve enjoyed all of your other books immensely. Enjoy the beautiful weather in MV, it’s such a beautiful island.
I loved every minute of your trip. Thank you (and Joe) for taking me along with you. I’m so glad you are home safe and sound and I can’t wait until your book is available. I’m so looking forward to reading it. Give Jack a hug for me. I’m a cat person, too.
Welcome Home! Both my Mum and yourselves were starting your journey home at the same time…one home to Northamptonshire, England, and one to Marthas Vineyard…one in the air and one on sea. All arrived safely at your destinations. Sadly, Mum’s neighbours cat, Alfie, who spends most of every day at my Mum’s house, sleeping in my late Father’s armchair and keeping Mum company, went missing and has been gone for a few weeks now. We still hold out hope that this street-wise kitty is just off having an adventure somewhere, I wouldn’t be suprised if he turned up on our doorstep here in Colorado, having somehow tracked Mum all the way across the Atlantic. You didn’t happen to see any tabby kitty stowaways on board The Queen Mary did you?
In around 6 weeks I will be heading home to England for a few weeks to get my annual tune-up of my British accent. Hopefully there will still be some nice weather around so Mum and I can get out sketching 🙂
Once again, Welcome Home!!!
I have not seen your kitty, but I hope he comes home soon…otherwise you may have to get your mum a wee petty pet when you get there! xoxoxo
So much fun reading your adventures. Glad the calendars are ready for 2019. I look forward to them each year.
I loved all of your pictures and comments of England so much that I am thinking about going there myself!
Dear Susan, thank you SO much for allowing all of us to come on this wonderful journey with you! Filled with adventure, romance & nostalgia including mouth-watering pub delights, dogs (& sheeps, cows, pigeons, bunnies), countryside views, cottages, gardens & gates, and of course the Queen Mary voyage…sigh…it’s been a delightful trip! (Including the updates of Jack!) I can’t imagine the time it took to do all the notes, pics, and updates in the diary along the way for the new book. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU! I can’t wait for the new book! 🙂
And I can’t wait to show it to you! I’m loving working on it. xoxo
Hello, Susan! I just LOVE your blog!!!! I kept up with you on your journey and drooled over every page!!! I’m packing NOW to fly to JFK tomorrow and off to England, Scotland and Wales!!!! It seems surreal!! It’s a dream come true!! I’ll be traveling for 12 wonderful days. I’ll be traveling with 14 wonderful (I know they will be) women. I know not one. I’ll be taking notes and pictures every where I go. You have been such an inspiration to me. Thank you, Susan! Please give Jack a nose rub from me!
Hugs. Sharon Hermens. Arlington, TX
Oh my goodness Sharon. How wonderful! BON BON Voyage! Enjoy every moment! xoxoxo
Thank you, Susan.
I had a wonderful time on the trip! Thanks for taking me with you!
And welcome home . . . .
I wish there were some way we could “tag” our own posts so we could find them again easily!! We all like to see if you have replied to our posts, but scrolling thru almost 3,000 of them is almost impossible! I just gave up! Is there any way to do that? I notice that some of the names are in blue. What does that mean? oxox
Much love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
I don’t actually know, but I know I did answer your comment. I’ve heard there is a way to find your comment later, but it came from one of our Girlfriends and I’m not sure exactly how it worked. Something about hitting Command F … but that’s on a Mac. Maybe some else will see this and help! Sorry I’m not better at this!
Thank you, Susan! I understand! 🙂 <3
Mary,
The date and time that everyone posts their comments are found under each person’s name. If you remember which day you commented and when, then you can jump back to that specific date, and start looking from there. This way you only have a days worth of comments to scroll through before you find your post. I hope that made sense to you.
good luck,
Nina
Thank you everyone for your helpful advice!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo You are the best!
Susan, I have a PC and just tried Ctrl F in the upper right appears a little window and typed in my name which does a search through the blog entry. The only drawback is if the name super common as in Ann it pulls up parts of words that has those three letters in it. Word to the wise sign your name in the comments uniquely. I guess I’ll sign off with AlohaAnn from now on!
Smart!
on your keyboard
top row Left
hit F3 key
on your monitor/screen/open window
2 rows down from top toolbar
in the X Find: box
you type in YOUR name you replied with
next a highlighter icon to press/click it on so YOUR name will be highlighted on the pages you scroll to using “Previous” or “Next” selection
next is Options drop down menu window
Options
Match whole word only
or
Match case
you choose
…then start scanning for highlighted area in the replies here page by page, it helps to keep date/time of your reply, helps narrow it down from all 5 million replies-but some are pretty funny to read…
You might get an email if your comment is replied to. That usually happens on other blogs I’ve commented on. But I think its different on every blog. The names in blue are blue because that person has a website that you can go to if you click on their name 🙂 I’ve been clicking on names and there are bunch of people with awesome blogs and websites!
Yes, it is Command F on my MAC. If you are on a PC and the Command F doesn’t apply, Google a question, “How do I find my comment on a Blog on my PC?” Or, “How do I find my comment on a Blog on my tablet?” Haven’t done that, but Google is the mother of all answers!! If you have a tech-savy friend, ask them or a grandchild!
Begin by going to a comment page.
Hit the Command key then F key and look to the upper right hand corner of your screen – you will see a faint, skinny box.
Enter Mary S or whatever someone’s Blog name is in the box. The Command F box will show an up and down arrow. If you see 1, 2, or 3 you have that many comments on THAT page.
Scroll down and you will see your Blog name highlighted in yellow. The up and down arrows will also take you to one of your comments, or wherever your Blog name appears on that page.
If you don’t get a number in the box go to another comment page and repeat Command F and your name.
If you entered your comment when the blog first posted you may have to go back a few comment pages to find your comment. If you know the date that you left your comment you can go to the “approximate” page for your date and start your search there.
Just play around with it if you are on a MAC. Good luck, Mary!
❤️❤️❤️
Forgot…I think that the Command key must be held down while hitting the F key.
Hi Mary. The names in blue mean there is a link to that person’s website or blog. Click on it and it will take you there. Concerning the “Command F” on the iMac, if you hold down the Command key and the F key at the same time a little box will appear on the top right-hand of your screen. Type in Mary S and it will take you to any Mary S showing on that page. You will have to do that for each page of comments. I don’t know what you do for other types of computers. Good luck!
Dear Susan, thank you SO much for allowing all of us to come on this wonderful journey with you! Filled with adventure, romance & nostalgia including mouth-watering pub delights, dogs (& sheep, cows, pigeons, bunnies), countryside views, cottages, gardens & gates, and of course the Queen Mary voyage…sigh…it’s been a delightful trip! (Including the updates of Jack!) I can’t imagine the time it took to capture all the notes, pics, updates in the diary along the way. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU! I can’t wait for the new book! 🙂
It was a work of joy to do it! Thank you Deb!
Made several attempts to leave a comment but nothing showing.
We are happy you are home safely! It is always wonderful to have our fur-babies greet us after our travels!
Welcome Home. Love the reaction of Jack!
Love tuxedo cats!
Welcome home! So glad that you and Joe had a wonderful trip to England and back!
Welcome Home! What a dreamy trip. Thanks for taking us along.
Beautiful post! I’m glad you got home safe and sound! 💛 Sending you love from Pennsylvania
Thank you for including us in your adventures. I hope to travel to British Isles someday. But for now enjoying living vicariously thru you.
Good Afternoon Susan, and Girlfriends. whew it has cooled down a bit, 90 degrees instead of 106 so that is a big help here. all the critters are doing fine, they lots of cool water to drink and splash in so they are okay. the cats are sleeping and I am waiting for the last load of towels to put out on the line to dry. and I have some great news, that creepy and obnoxious neighbor we have been having problems with and all his homeless buddies are now being evicted by the county. all the complaints from all the neighbors and to all the different departments paid off and they are finally working on getting him out of here. since Monday we have seen tow truck after tow truck come down the road and go to his properties and remove the junkers ( junked cars) off the premises and rip down the fence so the properties are exposed to the neighbors. it took 5-6 years and finally one very determined county official heard us and acted on the complaints, now after about 9 months of back and forth talking and relaying info to her we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. that block party is getting closer now and we are looking forward to celebrating. WOOHOO!!!!!!!! its almost over, just a little ways more to go and we can get that bum and his buddies out of here for good. I think this our Fall celebration will have double meaning, grateful for the harvest and relieved to be rid of the pest!!! stay cool everyone, have a great day. hugs …… 😀
You make every journey sound like a wonderful adventure. Excited for your next book.
Glad you’re safely back home. There’s comfort to be found in routine. Even your readers missed that routine of yours that has become part of ours. 🙂
Hi Susan,
Welcome home. England looks beautiful I hope to go there with my hubby
someday. Thanks for sharing your journey’s with us. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Loved following your travels in the U.K. MANY years ago when I was VERY much younger I lived in a little town in the Cottswolds called Shipton Oliffe with a family. You would love meeting their now grown (and gray…how did that happen) daughter who is an artist in Oxford. Now you can enjoy another favorite place and that is Cape Cod and the Islands….isn’t life grand!!
Morning and afternoon tea would taste oh so good in an SB cup, while re-reading the coming home blog. I always read the blogs more that one time, but the boat ride home story gave me a yearning to be on the deck too. Thanks so much.So happy for Jack to have his tribe home again.
Your blog is the only one I follow. I love following your adventures and Jack is so adorable. I remember how cute he was when you adopted him. Traveling to England by sea seems so romantic. I can only dream of doing that, or I can just go with you. 🙂 Thank you for taking us along.
Welcome Home! Your trip sounded wonderful. Looking forward to the book!
Lovely post about a dream trip!
Oh Susan what a fabulous trip you have had. So glad to hear your home safely with all your memories and diaries at the ready for a wonderful new book. Looking forward to it very much. Have so enjoyed seeing the UK through your eyes. Truly a wonderful journey we’ve all had through you. 😊
I could not afford the cups but I want them so much. I really hope I win as that is the only way I’ll ever get them. I really love your site.
Hope Vanna draws your name Kathy!!!
Susan, about the glitch. Have the girlfriends with the problem checked the square box above save my name , email and website in their browser? I have never had a problem with having another person’s name in the name section. But I checked the blue box to have it save my name. Just a thought.
Good thought, hope everyone’s reading!
2,763 comments/responses…
this is more fun keeping track than checking the lottery numbers…
HAHAHAHA! I think it might win the award for most comments ever!
Welcome home Susan! What a wonderful & blessed trip you had. Thx so much for sharing all the pictures & stories.
Lovely post Susan, can’t wait for your next book detailing your latest adventures.
Welcome home!
Welcome home! Your joy was palpable!
What fun! Hearing about your trip makes me want to go aboard one of those fabulous ocean liners for a cross Atlantic voyage! So lovely 💕
I don’t have one of your beautiful cups yet.
Susan you are such a creative inspiration to me! I can’t wait to have my own adventures just like you! I recently found one of your “To my daughter” books at a second hand store completely empty and in perfect condition! I loved it so much I snatched it up and bought another one on amazon. Now I have one for each of my girlies! They are only 2 and 4 now but I know it will be an amazing keepsake for them when they are older! Thank you for being a part of our family’s history! Welcome home! Thank you for taking us along!!
They will be treasures for your children, to know their mom when she was young . . . plus, you can start secretly lecturing right now, no waiting!😘
Susan,
Thought you and the Girlfriends might want to know, if you don’t know already, that on August 10th on Netflix the movie version of ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ starring Lily James and featuring the UK in all its glory is set to be released! Enjoy!
Best,
Kel from Walnut Creek, Ca.
We actually saw it in the Lake District! Costumes are wonderful!
Welcome home! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us through your gift of words, art and photography. You’re a treasure! God bless you and Joe.
Dear Susan,
How happy it made my heart to see the beautiful pictures of the full Strawberry Moon onboard the Queen Mary 2!! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. I remember looking up at the moon every night during that week and thinking of you looking up at the very same moon from your balcony on the ship. It made me feel so connected to you, even though we were thousands of miles apart. I remember saying to my son, “I wonder how many other people are thinking of her tonight as she crosses the Atlantic and is looking up at that big, beautiful Strawberry Moon as it reflects upon the water.” What a wonderful, but small world , isn’t it? I am so glad you are home.
One thing these boat rides tell us is, yes, this is a much smaller world than we might think! I was right there with you Dianne!
Your posts and blogs and stories and thoughts make my heart smile because you love and cherish the important things in life.
Welcome home, love reading about your adventures.
R
‘Be still My Heart’ !!!
Reading your last post transported me to a peaceful, lovely place.
My day is off to a special path.
Thank you and Welcome Home 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Oh Susan! All of these girlfriends! Everyone wants to be your best friend, but i really would be!!! (smiley lol) So many people who have seen my artwork told me to look you up, and i was instantly hooked. i love the way you look at the world! A great dream would be to show up at one of your meadow picnics and get to tell you in person how i actually ended up with “Fairy Tale Girl,” and then show you my collection of thrift store Cinderella books… Until then, thank you for being you and inspiring so many of us!!!
Susan – welcome home – so jealous – it sounds like you had a wondrous time
Really looking forward to your next book. I was wondering if you’ll ever bring “Baby Love” back? I have a signed one from you for my youngest son who is now 25! Now that I’ve had my first grandchild I looked for it but found it was out of print. Can’t believe that much time has passed. Thank you for sharing your trip and all the fabulous photographs. Cornwall! The Cotswolds! Stuff of dreams. 🧜🏻♀️
I’m not sure if we will … it costs so much money to print a book, especially if you do a small run as we would likely have to do for Baby Love. I would like to, but this is a heck of an expensive world we live in! I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful out there. Happy new Baby! xoxo
Thank you Susan for sharing all of your adventures. We are leaving for Ireland at the end of July to visit my daughter and her husband in Dublin. Looking forward to seeing some of the beautiful places you visited.
Also hoping to be lucky enough to win some of your beautiful tea cups!
I think you will love Dublin! Have a great time~
Dearest Susan,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the time you spent keeping us posted on your magical trip. Your books are such treasures and the new one will be every bit as wonderful I’m sure. It’s a joy to be part of your life and wonderful ( can this word be overused? I don’t think so!) art!
Yours truly,
Christine
Hello Susan,
Received the wonderful news that you are coming to Apple Farm for another wonderful #booktalk with your luv-lee California Girlfriends!
Looking forward to enjoying the day with you and the luv-lee CG’s!!
I’m so pleased that the first lights you saw where those of my home, sweet Long Island home!!! If I knew you’d be passing, I’d be on shore waving like a mad woman welcoming you back to America!!!
Thank you for posting so many inspiring pictures of our lady liberty. Your words and photos brought tears to my eyes in remembrance of who we should always aspire to be in this great nation of beautiful immigrants.
Welcome home, dear Susan and God bless you and America!!!!
Beautiful trip, Susan, thank you for sharing it with us! Welcome home! Your description of your trip home getting closer and closer to America gave me goosebumps! Looking forward to your 2019 calendar and new book!
I am glad you’re home safely. Sometimes, I was jealous as I read your posts. But, I will get over it especially when your new book comes out and I can pour over it in delight.❤️
Hi Susan!!
Looks like you had an amazing trip!! I so enjoyed all of the photos!! Hope you are enjoying summer in beautiful Martha’s Vineyard!! 🙂
I could feel your anticipation as you drove up the driveway, what an amazing trip, I enjoyed it so much and I can’t wait til you bring us again!
Welcome home Susan!
I finally got to catch up and read this. Welcome home 🏡. Awesome pictures. Always luv-lee words.
I never believed anyone could love England as much as I do. But, I have found my match. I really enjoyed your journey. You made it so real for me. Your cookbooks are wonderful as well. Looking forward to returning to England soon.
It’s a pretty big club these days! We know a good thing when we see it! xoxo
I love it when you travel, and I get to go too, without leaving my chair. But I miss your more regular blog posts…they are so soothing to read. I can block out the noise of the world, and just hang with you and imagine!! Welcome home!
Hi Pamela. Me too! And thank you Susan for taking us along. It was wonderful
Love how you share your ups and downs yet the overall perspective is one of hope and joy. Just got the summer cup for my oldest daughter’s birthday -its her favorite season. Have gotten several of them for special friends and the response is totally gratifying . cannot wait til your next book comes out. Thank you.
I have really enjoyed every travel post. Loved going with you. Coming home is for the sure the best! Thank you for sharing with us all. I read every entry. I LOVED all the pictures of The statue of Liberty. Gorgeous in that light. Welcome home Susan!! ( and Joe too) xo
Dear Susan,
Have enjoyed traveling with you on your wonderful trip. Could close my eyes and envision walking alongside with you…….breathtaking !!!!!
Just finished reading ‘A Fine Romance’, and now looking forward to your soon to come newest novel.
Cheerio from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Welcome home! Thanks for the beautiful photos. Loved them!
Hi Susan,
After 10 weeks away and returning to America just this morning on The Queen Mary 2 from Southampton, England I was excited to find your blog post. Thrilling to relive the experience of sailing into Brooklyn harbor while looking at your pictures of Lady Liberty. What a wonderful welcome home! Your beautiful words truly captured the scene.
How great Patricia! Welcome home!
It is such a treat to read your posts and see the sparkle and sprinkles of joy you find in the little pleasures of life. You are my own personal Hygge expert. I loved looking at your photos of the Statue of Liberty. It made me wish I had asked my Dad, while he was still alive, what it was like to see the Statue of Liberty when he immigrated to America in the late 1940’s. He also arrived on a ship. He was planning to spend a short time working at a publishing house, but then he met my mother. America became his home, and his beautiful Denmark was a place to visit.
Lovely story Gretchen. xoxo
Oops my comment is above. Technical error