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!
Welcome home! I was thinking of you while watching Jaws on the 4th! didn’t you say the fishing boat part was filmed near your home? (the part where they leave the dock to go in search of the shark). I had a huge party on the 3rd – dozens of people to eat/drink/go out on the pontoon and watch fireworks. I used my brand spanking new 4th of July cup filled with red and white geraniums as a centerpiece on the dessert table, yes it arrived just in time 🙂 then on the 4th it’s a day of relaxation and doing nothing! sitting around and being relieved the party (31st annual) was a success and it was over. Told John I’m never doing this again!! he said – you always say that. Each year the party is more grand than the year before. my BFF gave me a patriotic quilt (and I adore it, it’s fabulous) that she found at an estate sale. simply gorgeous!! and she “said” she only paid a dollar. then later I heard her whisper to another friend I told Barb I only paid a dollar for it and then laughed. so now the secret is out – she lied! 🙂 love my friends xoxo
Thirty-first annual!!! You go girl! What a gift. You love your friends, and I have no doubt they love you right back!
Come grow olde with me, the best is yet to be…….PLEASE!!
Oui!
So glad you had such a wonderful trip. Can’t wait for your next book! Welcome home!
Welcome home! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It looked practically perfect in every way. 😊
What a treat to read your blogs and feel like I am on the adventure with you. And Jack is adorable!!!
Welcome home!! Love your blog posts. What a wonderful trip! Looking forward to your next book. I have saved every SB wall calendar for so many years!! ❤️❤️
Hi Susan and Joe,
I loved every moment of your trip! Welcome home and God bless you…..
What an incredible journey you’ve had! Loved that you took all of us along! Looking forward to reading the book~ Any chance of organizing a “Susan Branch” cruise in the future? It would be so fun to tag along with you! By the way, your photography is simply stunning!!
Thank you for a wonderful trip to the UK can’t wait for the book it will be just wonderful to see it all again.
It is always great to be home again but I have found that after a month or so I was yearning to go back to the UK asap!
Welcome home!
SO much fun to follow your trip and share your reflections. I lived in England for 4 wonderful years and miss it so. Your adventures bring it all back in the most delightful ways. Enjoy summer on your gorgeous island. Peace….
Unless there is another Peggy Willoughby, this isn’t me! My post is below.
Grrrr. xoxo
Welcome home, Susan! Can hardly wait for the new book. I’ll have to reread the last three to hold me over! 🙂
So fun to jump on-line and see what new adventure you were up to! And I loved the pictures on Instagram! Such a great trip to see through your eyes!
Thank you for sharing.
Ginny Gaines
Welcome home. Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with all of us. The saved through the years Susan Branch theme fabric (and recent purchases on SpoonFlower) are now in the works for a quilt to be sewn my 1955 Singer Featherweight. The featherweight is as old as me but the sewing machine seems to move along much better 🙂 Land sakes alive ! I am tickled pink making the fabric selection choice for each quilt block.
Land, Linda, that is so exciting. xoxoxoxo
What a wonderful gift you gave us by sharing your sharing journey! Every bit of it looked luvee!! You have now put visiting England on my bucket list. Thank you for that.
Thank you again for such a delightful blog. Both sets of grandparents separately sailed into NY harbor settling in NY and Massachusetts. I grew up in NYC. I rode the subways, ate every imaginable country’s food in my hand on the sidewalks, ice skated in Rockefeller Center & Central Park, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, took the ⛵ boat to the Statue of Liberty 🗽 and climbed into her crown. Life here in the South is so different. Even after 25+ years here I still stop to look and marvel at the cows🐄 and horses 🐴and country roads. Coming from a family of whalers and sailors I mostmy love living by the sea. I am so fortunate. Vacations are fabulous, but coming home is so welcoming & wonderful. Take your time and get it right, as you always do. We will patiently wait for your book. 📕 Your diary, just as it is, looks exciting. I have a request. Please. If you have the time, could you, possibly in another blog, show us how you plan & lay out all the pictures and watercolor paintings together with you good writing. I know you told us of the writing previously in one of your books, but I would love to see how you put it all together. I am sure our Girlfriends would love to see it as well. Do you lay out each page with photos and drawings first? Or the writing? Where do you start? I am glad you guys are home and settled in and snuggling with Jack. Oh, Susan, “Anne With An E” season 2 started on Netflix. I had to watch season 1 again because it is just so fun. Welcome home. Love you💖
If you look at a Fine Romance ~ look at one page, I do it JUST like that, leaving space only for the photos to be inserted electronically. The original pages look exactly like those in the book, only with empty spaces for where the photos should be.
Thank you, Susan. I will look at it again. 💖 😺
Hello Dearest Susan! What a lovely post! Thank you for sharing your trip with all of us. I had the best time! 🙂 It is so good to be home though, isn’t it? 🙂 Jack is so adorable! Thank you for the pictures of the Statue of Liberty. She is lovely! 🙂 I can’t wait for our trip diary to be put made into a delightful book. Yay!! I must say your blog made my day! It is that “happy gene” of yours that makes me so happy too! Love to you and Joe and adorable Jack. Happy Weekend!
Love, Hugs and Prayers, Tricia B. XOXOXOXOX 🙂
Welcome home! There is nothing like the feeling you get when you see the Statue of Liberty in person.
Dearest Susan, a wonderful wiggly welcome home to you two happy wanderers! It has been a most enjoyable and memorable journey since it started way back in March, to say ‘thank you’ does not seem adequate, though I/we thank you nonetheless. Positively can’t wait for the next book, though will patiently (promise to try my best) look forward to it’s release when the time is right. Enjoy this beautiful Summer! Maybe Jack can put in a good word to Vanna for the drawing? Love, hugs, and wiggles too! Karen
Hello Susan,
I am so very happy your trip was wonderful, thank you so much for taking us all along. We all had a blast, but can i tell you- I am so glad you are home! I have missed you and look forward to seeing more blogs and maybe a Willard. Kisses for Jack from my own Nosey Kitty and Yella Kitty and my 4 woofers!!!!
Happy Friday!
Kathy in Kentucky
Hello Susan,
I am so very happy your trip was wonderful, thank you so much for taking us all along. We all had a blast, but can i tell you- I am so glad you are home! I have missed you and look forward to seeing more blogs and maybe a Willard. Kisses for Jack from my own Nosey Kitty and Yella Kitty and my 4 woofers!!!!
Happy Friday!
Kathy in Kentucky
..uh oh..gremlin alert again. I’m reading all of the comments and see my name instead of Kathy in Kentucky…lol…just so you know that it’s Kathy and not me..( unless, of course Vanna sees my name..lol…just kidding !!! )
“It’s Kathy and not me?” Okay, now is it Kathy or is it Mary??? 🤣
…lol… Kathy commented but at first it says “mary spring says”.. lol !!! ..read on, dear heart !!!
😘
All confusing. Kathy and or Mary … Hope you changed the names to protect the innocent and these are correct, but something tells me the gremlin is rolling on his back with devious laughter!
…lolol…
Welcome home after a long fabulous trip! Thank you for a chance to win a set of your lovely mugs too.
So glad you appreciated your arrival home. After all the love you lavished on the British Isles, I was afraid you might be thinking of moving to the bigger island! And so glad you are reunited with adorable Jack. He’s a brave soul while you are gone, but oh! To have your presence back again!
HOME! Welcome back Susan! I love today’s blog….. just makes me feel better about our wonderful country and to look ahead at our future. Beautiful! Thank you!
Welcome home! But I will miss your postings – I lived vicariously with you all through the trip. Soooo looking forward to the book! Thank you for sharing it all with us!!!
Barbara
I thoroughly enjoyed my armchair trip through beautiful Britain with you both!! Can’t wait for the new book!! Love my “Fine Romance” cup💕 Welcome home!!
Good morning dearest Susan ~ Welcome home to you & Joe. Thank you so much for bringing us along. Loved it all! Happy beautiful Summer with love xo
You’ve taken my dream trip…ahhh. Thanks for sharing it with us…and I hate to say it, no pressure, but I am soooo anxious for the new book!
I’m glad you’re home and can’t wait for the new book.
Oh how lovely!!! My Beckett does exactly the same as Jack. My constant companion and he is a champion floor wriggler. Love, love, love following your adventures! Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Hello! The new book to be written is one I’d like to read. My request is…drum roll please…could you travel thru the USA and write about that in book format too? Lots of greatness to see here. TIA
I’ve thought of that…have to do it in sections! England is only the size of Louisiana, and STUFFED to the gills with wonderful historic things to see. Makes it very easy to write a book about. We’ve crossed the USA many times by car ~ just love it!
PS loved seeing Lady Liberty. It must have been as thrilling when my grandmother arrived from England in 1904, age 5 and entered through Ellis Island. My great grandparents settled in Montana, raising their daughter out West. Big change from England! Looking forward to new delights written and drawn from your hands. Please be quick!
Brave people. Starting over isn’t so easy! The losses from home are monumental, they probably did it for you!
Susan, oh my gosh how wonderful to read this blog! I felt like I was with you all the way, from Southampton to Falmouth, onto the boat and to HOME SWEET HOME! LOVED seeing the pictures of the Queen Elizabeth, our ship to Greece and back, and when we crossed on the Queen Mary 2, the opposite way, we had the same thrilling feeling as we LEFT NY Harbor, as sunset and dark settled in, and we went past Lady Liberty and under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (Eeeeek!) and sailed off into the beautiful waters of the Atlantic…and we sailed on June 20, and had perfect weather. On our bucket list is the return trip! If we are blessed to live long enough.
And the quote for Gladys Taber, and every other detail that you mentioned. Today is my birthday, and reading your blog is the BEST gift!!!!! Thank you, thank you❤️🎉❤️
PAM! Happy Birthday!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo
Thank you!😍🎉😍
Hello, Susan!
Can’t wait for your next book about your latest adventures! Enjoy being at home!
Welcome home. So glad you enjoyed our beautiful country Marie
Susan, your heart must be so conflicted between your love for England and your home on Matha’s Vineyard. You are blessed to be able to spend time in both places. I am blessed to be able to share your experiences through your books and art. Welcome home!
Hopefully one day soon I will get the opportunity to travel to England and literally follow your footsteps. My good friend just came back from visiting London and Paris which sounds lovely but I prefer your type of trip because I’ve already fell in love with the English countryside without ever having officially visited!!
Welcome home love ☕️
Susan,
Your trip home sounded so magical. That would be the only way that I would travel back across the pond. I just can’t bring myself to get on a plane any more. It seems so much like cattle wrangling any more. My husband’s great aunt from Galashiels, Scotland called it that back in 1987 when we first met her and it has remained with me to this day. I look forward to hearing more about your trip while reading your next book. It will be another winner, of that I am certain! Have a wonderful summer on the Vineyard.
It IS, at my last plane flight I could hear the mooing of the people as we were hearded into the shute. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there really is something inhuman about it. Since humans are nature, flowers and God too, chinky metal flying machines don’t quite mix.
Oh Susan, it’s so good to have you back home. We loved the trip and are eagerly awaiting the next book! Diane in North Carolina
Welcome Home! Oh my goodness—the people on the ship, to see New York and the Statue of Liberty in the wee hours of the morning gave me chills and was such a wonderful morning read with my egg and toast! Thank you so much for taking us along on your adventures–crossing my fingers for the give-away and thanks so much for that too!
Thank you for the opportunity. We just returned from London, York, Bath, and Dublin. In Dublin the house we rented had a cat that would sit outside my daughter’s SECOND floor window in the morning. Magic!
Little blessings, or as they say, travel mercies . . .
Have loved traveling virtually with you. England in the spring and early summer is the best!
I always look forward to reading your adventures and only discovered you a year ago while looking four a pocket calendar. Thanks for a chance to win!
What a wonderful trip! Thank you for bringing us along and for writing a book about it. Lovely of you to share!
I loved sharing every moment of the trip with you and Joe via the blog and instagram. I can’t wait for the new book to be complete so I can add it to my Susan Branch library. As for the collection of seasonal mugs….they could not be more perfect! Reading your blog reminds us all to take the time to enjoy the simple and beautiful miracles that each day holds, and the seasonal mugs are another way to drive that point home. Each season of the year (and of life) holds it’s own blessings and is meant to be appreciated and enjoyed to the fullest. Your writing and products have a way of encouraging us to do just that, so thank you for all that you do! My BFF, our daughters, and I had the honor of meeting and chatting with you and Joe in NJ on your last book tour and are hoping that you will be doing a book signing tour again when your newest project is complete. Thanks for all that you do!
Hope to see you again Dorene, say hello to the girls! xoxo
Loved photos of Statue of Liberty🗽
Thanks for posting.
Welcome home, Susan and Joe. Don’t know how you could stand being away from Jack that long, but I’m sure all’s right in his world now.
It wasn’t easy, but I find I need both! Kitty and travel. So we do our best!
2nd try. Love you and love your cheerful artwork.
Welcome home! Glad to see you home with Jack. Can’t wait for the book!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us. Thank you for reminding us to enjoy life and savor the moments. I’m feeling bogged down with worries, but your post helped to lift my spirits.
Happy to hear that Laura Ann, go out there and smell that amazing Vermont air! xoxoxo
I have loved the trip to England. Thanks for taking us along. I would so love the seasons mugs. Seasons move me like nothing else. I change things out for the seasons. Thanks for another giveaway! Enjoy nesting again!
Susan, Love traveling with you and can’t wait to add your new book with my Susan Branch collection. You make life so sweet! Peg
I can hardly wait for your adventures in Ireland to make it into print. It’s my favorite place to travel.
Dear Susan, welcome home and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Wilma Rutten
What a wonderful trip you’ve enjoyed but glad you are safely back home. Now, to anxiously await your new book! So looking forward to it. Thank you.
Welcome home Susan and Joe!! One of my favorite parts of each day was logging in to twitter and seeing where your travels took you each day!! What an enchanting trip….magical moments…and memories to last a lifetime!! You inspire me endlessly! Thank you for being you!! ….Tracy
Oh wow! I loved following your trip! I am South African and like you have always had a “ fine romance” with what I call “ my land”( England), my best friend lives in England and for her birthday I sent her THE book, now we both have a copy and we dip into it and plan and dream the next time we can be together. I have never been to Beatrix Potter land and loved every minute of reading about your travels both times. I can’t wait for the new book!
And every finge and toe is crossed that I am the lucky winner because the price in rands means I do not own one of your gorgeous mugs yet, although I look at them often on the website!
Thank you for your books and calendars, I feel like a I know you, a real kindred spirit across the ocean!
God bless you richly
I hope Vanna reads this Morag! You and your best friend should meet in the Lake District next time!
LOVE your arrival home on the Queen Mary 2 and all the experiences along the road to your driveway!!!!!! There’s something to be said when being abroad then returning to the U.S.A.!!!!!!!! First time I experienced my return after our family lived in Germany for three years…….I literally wanted to KISS the ground when we stepped off the plane…….. Even though there is turmoil amongst the world and the U.S.A., the ground here seems firmer and definitely welcomes us HOME!
Hi Susan. Welcome home !🇺🇸 Next time you travel from NY harbor to MV try going thru Long Island to Orient. Lovely ride. Take the Cross Sound ferry to New London Ct. Only a two hour ride to Woods Hole.
This sounds very interesting! Two questions, how long does it take to drive from harbor to Cross Sound Ferry, and then how long is that ferry ride? Thank you Lynn!
Hi Susan!
Welcome home, and thanks for taking us on the trip of lifetime. My husband and I spent some time visiting friends and touring Wales, Ireland and England back in 1988, so I’m really looking forward to reading your new book! Enjoy these gorgeous summer days and happy writing!
Kelly from Eastern PA
I will miss the daily English pics on Twitter and blog updates from U.K..
I very much enjoyed the footpaths, the pics, the pints, the castles and cottages.
If you can’t be there, the next best thing is reading and seeing through the eyes
of someone there. Thanks for sharing -I very much enjoyed the green, the lambs,
the castles and cottages and footpaths.
Welcome Home!! And thank you so much for making a difference in the lives of so many, especially me. Happiness personified in your mugs, books, photos, blogs. Beautiful!
There are so many things about this post that I love. Lady Liberty gave me chills. The golden sunlight on your walls and that anticipation of getting home hit me right in the “yes, I know the feeling” place. I cannot wait for this book. You’re my spirit animal, darling 🙂
So glad you’re home and enjoyed the lovely commentary throughout your trip. Thanks for taking me along.
What a wonderful and joyful blog entry! You always make everything sound just perfect. I enjoyed all the fantastic photos of your homecoming and all the details you describe!
How wonderful everything is Susan! Thank you for sharing your journey and I can’t wait to read the new book. Jack is precious and love your historical photos of Lady Liberty.
Hello susan,
I left a comment yesterday around 5:48pm, but it is still awaiting moderation. I’m not sure if there is some sort of glitch, but I also experienced another person’s name and email before I left a comment, in which I deleted before leaving a comment. Not sure if my previous comment came through or not, but I didn’t want to miss out on saying “welcome Home” and having a chance at winning your “luv-lee” set of seasonal mugs!
Too many came in at once, but I’m almost caught up … only 106 to go! I think you’ll be in there somewhere, don’t worry! And thank you Tammie!
Susan…Welcome home to you & Joe. Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful trip. Have fun with new book; cannot wait!
I love traveling but it’s always wonderful to come home! I didn’t get a chance to comment on the last post but it made me think of the Dr. Seuss quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” I loved how you wrapped up your post by writing about the exciting things coming in the future. You reminded me that there is always something to look forward to. When I started to mope about my summer almost being over (school starts earlier this year 😢 ), I made a list of all the wonderful things coming up this fall. Thank you for always being a bright spot in this world! We need it more than ever! Welcome home!
That’s the way to do it! Always have something on the calendar to look forward to. It makes the everyday work and house responsibilities MUCH more bearable!
Thank you for all the lovely blog posts!! I love all the little details you include, it makes me feel like I’m traveling with you! I don’t do well on boats, but you make me long for a cruise. It sounds so luxurious! So glad you had a safe trip, and how lovely to arrive back on the Fourth! Cheers~~
It was. Once you learn how to do it (to your own likes). My first few times I had to run around and try everything. NOW? I love room service, I love naps, and my book. I love just doing nothing. Walking around the deck, riding the exercise bike. I’m so busy in real life, it’s the MOST relaxing thing to just smell the air and take pictures of the moon off your balcony while in your jammies!
Welcome home Susan! Loved your post! Thank you so much for sharing.
so glad you are home safely. thanks for a fun trip!
Dear Susan,
Loved every word and photo of your journey, and can’t wait for the new book to come out!! Just had to share that my friend and I sailed back on QM2 in mid-June of last year and encountered a hurricane. The ship changed course to avoid the worst of it, but then they actually did a rescue at sea of a British man who was sailing in a trans Atlantic solo yacht race and his boat was severely damaged. The QM2 crew had practiced rescues dockside but never done one at sea before. It was amazing. My friend had suffered a bit of mal de mer, but watching the rescue (the rescue boat was hoisted back right beside our balcony) made it all worthwhile for her. What an incredible experience!! We dropped him off in Halifax, which was a scheduled stop en route to NY. Sadly, his boat had to be scuttled. The wonder of travel–you never know what surprises are in store!! Here’s to more amazing journeys for all of us!!
P.J.
Good Grief, what an adventure you had! We’ve had a little weather on some of our trips, but so far no hurricanes! 😳 And no rescues at sea. Wow!
Small world… I have friends who were on that same sailing. I’ve seen the pictures they posted of the rescue. Amazing! They were celebrating an 80th birthday. 😊
So envious of your trip but you have managed to write your experiences in a
manner that left me thinking I was on your trip with you. Thank uou so much for doing that! Welcome home.
What an adventure! Trip of a lifetime! Thanks for sharing such beautiful memories with all us land locked girlfriends!! …now, back to reality…
Susan, enjoyed your lovely trip! Is there a way you can add a “Jump To Comment” button to your blog posts? That way we don’t need to scroll down thru all the comments. Thanks
Home Sweet Home! I have the bluebird and garden cups…love them. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Susan, for sharing your trip with us. I went to England for the first time this year and reading your blog transported me to those memories. What is it about England that draws us in? What a paradise. 🙂
I’m not much of a traveler so I loved seeing the British Isle’s thru your eyes. Many, many thanks.
Welcome home! What a lovely journey! Thank you for sharing!💕💕💕
Welcome home- hope to see you in SLO this fall
Welcome home Susan! What a totally awesome, inspiring and learning experience! I enjoyed traveling with you, and yes, it was heartwarming to see Lady Liberty! Gave my heart tingles. a reminder of why she is there! I continue to keep hope and faith in my heart, as I’m sure others do also. OK, will anxiously await your new book! I know I can’t rush you, but, oh, do hurry! So love the journeys I continue to take with you! Thank you!
Welcome home! I can’t wait for your book to be done but relax a bit too! Enjoy your garden and the sea!
Your posts are always something to look forward to and enjoy. They make me feel as though I am with you on a wonderful adventure. Looking forward to many more to come.
An awesome trip and an awesome give-a-way!! I would keep them all and treasure them. A fellow lover of all things British…Pauline
I am looking forward to the new book. Your writings rekindle fond memories of our trips to Britain, with our children in the seventies, and subsequent trips.
Welcome home, Susan & Joe! My birthday was July 2 so I figured you were purposely home in time for that!! Your blog posts just seem to get better and better with this one being one of my favorites. Tears ran down my face as I read your post and saw the photos of Lady Liberty in the early morning light. Can’t help but think of all the immigrants who passed through NY harbor to make a new life. We are the lucky ones. Time for tea in my 4th of July SB cup!!
Happy Birthday …!
I had tears in my eyes reading your wonderful post and looking at the pictures as you approached New York. We take our country for granted sometimes (and politics can make us negative nowadays.) But it really is beautiful. I can’t wait to read your book when it is finished. Hubby and I plan to go to the same areas in 2019, so I hope it’s out before we go.
Your tears were mine too, I know how you felt!
Welcome home. Can’t wait for the new book.
Stephanie
Welcome Home! Your blog is so fun to read, I get lost in it! I received my 4th of July cup and love it! Hoping your blogs will be more frequent now that you are home!
Welcome home! Thanks for taking us with you!
Welcome back!
Thank you for sharing the beautifully well done account of your return trip! Loved the Statue of Liberty history along with the awe inspiring photos of her as your ship “sailed home”.
Love your inspirational blog!
Welcome home! You’re blog followers have missed you. So excited about a new book.
Reading your welcome home blog inspired me to re-read my grandmother’s story. She travelled from Sweden to New York in 1909 aboard the Cunard Liner Carmania. She said the trip was smooth like sitting in an easy chair at home and that seeing the Statue of Liberty was a sight to behold. Thanks for sharing your story with all of us.
What an amazing trip you must have had, I can’t wait to read more about it in the new book!
So glad you had a wonderful visit – and thank you for letting us share in your adventures!
Welcome home! I loved reading about and seeing the photos of Jack when you arrived. What a sweetheart he is. Reading about your trip was so much fun and as always thank you for sharing so much of your life. I am looking forward to the new book.
How wonderful it was to stow away with you! Thanks for taking me along. Adventures are a joy to relive in diaries/scrapbooks. Can’t wait to read yours.
Hi Susan, well I’ve been checking everyday to see if you have a new post, knowing how very busy you must be after your long holiday. Checked today and wala! (oh my gosh how do you spell that? Ha!) Loved it , but most of all “Sweet Jack”, Do you ever wonder what they think? How could she leave me, where did she and Joe go? Will they come back? I’m glad you have a special person for his care and that he even plays the rubber band game with Jack. Also loved your beautiful pictures of our Statue of Liberty, and the ones that showed your fellow passengers seeing her as well. You always capture the special moments. I feel very full of patriotism! Welcome home <3 Enjoy it all!! Thank you for the drawing for your cups, I would love to be entered in it! xoxo
What a beautiful adventure you had, one to remember for always . I am sure the book you create about it will be wonderful as always. I know it will be added to my Susan Branch collection(I have MANY). Your love for England and all it’s history will make us all feel we were there too. I know your posts sure did! It is good to come home too. Back to your sweet baby Jack and all your gardens and friends and HOME. I know the rest of your summer will be wonderful. Thanks for your posts while you were away. The pictures you sent to us made it seem like we were right there with you, it was a really wonderful thing that you did for all of us. Welcome home !! Mary Jane
It was a wonderful journey! Thank you for taking us along. Can’t wait to read your book!