We’re in the Pink darlings, in more ways than one . . . MUSICA 
So, in honor of Vanna, in honor of our Giveaway, today we celebrate with her favourite colour which of course is PINK ~ the colour associated with JOY, femininity, and romance (also Double-Bubble gum, flowers, babies, cotton candy) … it’s the color of universal love and warms the cockles of our hearts. And most of all, it puts sunshine in our day … pink sunshine. Vanna is getting into her deep-dive costume, and while we wait . . . let’s do pink!
Take a deep breath of this luv-lee flower . . .
Ahhhhhhh . . . . mmmm, roses . . .
Mmmmmm.
Fill it with pink lemonade . . . 🎀
Tea anyone? Or iced tea? Go get some, I’ll be right here when you get back!
All treasures from second hand stores . . .
Ice-cold Lemon Rice salad is good with everything in the summer, especially barbecue! And so pretty decked in flower petals. The trick to rice is to rinse it in COLD water when it’s done. Get all that starch off so that it doesn’t feel slimy or stick together. Here’s the recipe!
Pink . . . 
Clematis . . . read how to grow this fluffy springtime spark of light HERE.
Another yard-sale find . . . 
We were far from home when we saw this lamp in an antique store and could not take it with us … but a picture is almost as good!
More pink!
We saw these luv-lee things at the New York Gift Show, having pictures is almost as good as having the real thing, less expensive, takes up less room.
Top o’ my stove . . . Rachel gave me the little love creamer … check out the tiny tea-for-one … another antique store moment.
Martha’s Vineyard in June and July . . . roses everywhere!
My kitchen porch after a day of hard work in the garden! Pink glass … 
F I R E W O R K S in the Park . . .
The hydrangea in our dining room . . . I bought the Hydrangea Pot at Macy’s about 25 years ago . . . I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it . . . just keep refilling it with potted plants, and voila! The glory of the dining room!
Oh yes, Pink. The letter I got from the Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth when I was a little girl. (Lots of you already know, but just in cases: Yes, I wrote her first!)
Christmas Pink!
Painting in pink!
I think I love pink easily as much as Vanna! This is my Fairy’s Petticoat Pale Pink Peony.
Ahhh yes, England. Does anyone know what this flower is? It was in the fall … they reminded me of bleeding hearts but the fall isn’t the time for bleeding hearts . . .
Yard sales!
Sweetest duvet cover . . . we sleep so good under this! Nothing like a cozy bed!
Table set for a wintry Valentine Breakfast . . .
My dinner party diary for that day . . .
Things like this make doing the dishes highly satisfying.
Okay, now you are all in the very best, calmest, happiest, and dreamiest of moods . . . one more deep breath . . . ahhh , good, because it’s time for our drawing, and as you know there can only be one winner 💔 . . . so hold those happy cheery thoughts, because who cares, they are only cups! And you are so lucky, you already have everything you need!
This time it will be four fishes! 🐟🐟🐟🐟 Get ready girls! Open your mouth, here comes the fish. (No, no, not you Vanna, you’re not a fish ~ I was talking to the Girlfriends! You look beautiful, I love your scaled lime-coloured body suit and shiny pink flippers, perfect for slithery deep dive. The pink plastic ice-cube necklace pulls it all together!) 
Vanna’s so talented.🌸 Okay, she’s UP! Her hands high over her head, thumbs twisted together in classic dive form… Kick OFF Girl! She’s DOWN! She’s a whirling dervish. Little confetti-bits of paper with names on them are spiraling into a vortex of churning paper, the room is filled with floating, flying confetti . . . Vanna surfaces, looks up and like a lizard’s-tongue after a fly, a lightening-bolt across the sky, Jack’s claw as I walk by, she plucks a name from mid-air, and hands it to me. 💌 Oh, I love this so much!💖
Alright, Girls, here we go . . . little drum roll, please . . . The winner of all four cups is . . . . . L O R R A I N E M A C H O L Z 
Congratulations Lorraine!!! From almost 3,000 entries, YOU’RE the one to come up with the fish! Lucky Girl! I’ll need your address . . . watch for an email from me soon.💖
So, to change the subject for my wonderful dear girlfriends not named Lorraine Macholz . . . 😢 (Don’t worry, you know we’ll do this again!) So, let’s see … first off something I think you might like if you don’t have it already . . . there’s an easy way for you to be alerted when I do a new post. You’ll get an email, just like when you get a Willard. To make that happen, go to the top right-side of this page … (see the example with the red arrow below, you’ll just click there . . .)
And when you do . . .
A screen that looks like this will come up. Not very Susan Branchy, but it does deliver! Just click the little envelope in the red circle . . . sign up, and from now on, when there is a new blog, it will simply show up in your email!💌 If you want , you can go from HERE . . .So what else . . . Oh yes, before I go … we DO have a few Spring and a few Winter cups left, if you’d like to see them, there are very few, I hope if you want one, you can get it HERE.
Oh yes, the date is set for my talk at the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo, California.🍎 Joe and I we’ll be taking the train out in October . . . we’ll be at the Apple Farm on Saturday, October 13 . . . they’ll have further information for you HERE on July 25. Hope to see you there!💞
This was me the last time I was at the Apple Farm 🍎. I’ll have to remember not to wear that dress!
AND, if you’re going to be near Cape Cod in November, I’ll be speaking at the West Falmouth Library on Saturday, November 10, at 1:30 pm.📚 Fall! It’s coming!🎃
And one more thing . . . Oh, yeah . . .
I know I said I might not do anymore cups . . . but then I thought, what about fall???
And I could not resist . . .
And, was there to be nothing for Christmas? I didn’t think I could bear it! And this one is a whole new shape. It’s a wider-mouthed cup sized between our large one and the small one to make extra cuteness on your shelves … a luv-lee 14 oz. cup. The holly design goes all the way around. I am picturing my Christmas dinner table right now!
Then The Apple Farm 🍎 said they would love if I did an apple cup . . .
Of course I did, how wonderful, more fall!🍁 Perfect for eating Apple Crisp out of! And I think they’ll be there when we are!
I just wanted to show you what’s coming. The saucers for the cups shown are mine . . . was just trying to see how they would look with antique saucers and I think they look good! Soon I’ll show you the bottoms and handles and we’ll put them up for presale … just didn’t want you to think I was being lazy! I will leave you with this little reminder:
Yes, it’s Pink and it’s Summer. We are so lucky! Love you dearest ones. Thank you for all the wonderful comments. 💞 You are by far the funnest of them all! The cleverest of them all!
What a lovely blog! And a Fairy’s Petticoat Pale Pink Peony – lovely! I love your ideas for new cups – I’ll definitely be pre-ordering! xoxo
Two of my favorite things from my favorite person, PINK and Halloween! I am so excited about the Pumpkin cups along with all the other lovely fall cups, delightful! And how perfectly pink this blog was, loved it. Everyone knows how much I love pink but my daughterhas always been a red roses sorta person which is fine…but still. But my just turned two year old granddaughter, Theodora is a pink girl! Yeah. She loves all things pink and claims them right away (which is okay with her twin brother Roman he could care less). In fact Pink was one of her very first words and when she says it it is lovingly and adoring, so cute. I will be sure and share your blog with her tomorrow when they are here for the day, I’m sure she will appreciate it as much as I do. 💕
I love your pink things — your old fashioned roses, your picket fence garden, your pink dishes (maybe I should start going to garage sales again!), and especially that beautiful pink gladiolus. I had forgotten all about glads. I’m going to grow some next summer! As for the English flower, it looks kind of like a fuschia, but I’m not sure. Probably one of your other friends has identified it.
I can’t wait for the new cups! I wanted the fall and Christmas ones you had, but missed out on getting them, because they sold out. I’ll be eagerly watching this blog and hopefully I’ll be one of the first in line for the presale!
Thank you for this luv-lee (may I quote you?) post!
You may!!! Yes, I’ll put the cups up in the next post! xoxo
Congratulations, Lorraine!
So much pink . . .every time I see pink today I’m thinking of you and your wonderful post. Congratulations to the winner of the cups.
Congratulations Lorraine! What beautiful prizes, lucky you! Luvlee being in the pink dear sweet Sue! Blog has beautiful pictures, words and wonderful new cups! Yay, California here you come….I’ve planned to see you 4 different times, alas, not in life’s plan! However, this time, no plan, keeping it a secret to myself – maybe this is the right time??!!!
Oh dear me, where am I going to put all these mugs!! More rearranging the cupboards and hoping my husband doesn’t notice!!! I’d love to see small plates, bowls and pitchers.
What a gift–all those pictures of pink–loved every one. Reminded me of the June page of your wall calendar this year. I loved it so much that I couldn’t bear to turn the page til I felt I really must on the Fourth of July. But those foxgloves….Thank you!!
I change my kitchen decorations and dishes with the seasons and pink is my summer color in the kitchen and in my garden. Will enjoy your pink photos over and over and send the link to friends, as I often do.
Susan, thanks for ending your post with the pink hollyhock. I love hollyhocks and peonies and David Austin roses and hydrangeas and, and, and. I am very limited in planting space since I moved to a condo in town, but am trying to cram every little bit of beauty into it as I can. I also planted a maple tree and a service berry tree (both which change color in Fall). I can’t wait for the glorious colors and nippy weather of Fall. Lately in northeast Iowa we haven’t been getting such great Falls but I’ll take whatever I can.
The new cups are absolutely gorgeous! They actually make me feel the joy of the season that they represent.
While my sweet Sam is still with me, I won’t do any traveling but I LOVE the Apple Farm! When I lived in Southern California, I started to go up there for every one of my birthdays (starting in my 30’s) to celebrate. What a present to give to myself. I always longed for the Marilyn Simandle picture of the chintz chair in the living room with the sunbeams coming in from the french doors ( it was on the top floor leading to the outside stairs) but alas, I couldn’t find it anywhere. Then, as miracles are sometimes want to do, a friend here in Decorah (who was best friends with my principal in California) turned out to be friends with Marilyn and when she returned from a visit to La Jolla, brought back the exact print for me from Marilyn. Sometimes
we have fairy tale days that make all of the dark days worth going through.
I will end this with one very important request of everyone, PLEASE vote in November so that we as a nation can hopefully start to put our dark days behind us.
May we all soar the thermals.
Thank you for reminding us all how important it is for all of us to vote in November. Voting locally is the most important thing a U.S. citizen can do!
What a lovely post! It made me happy just to see it! Looking forward to the apple cup. I haven’t purchased one yet but this one is the one for me.
Glad to have you back!
Hello Susan and Girlfriends…. another hot day here and trust me we have the misters and the sprinkler going for the chickens, ducks and turkeys…. now if I could do something to help out the wild turkeys we have here… 2 hens, 1 tom and 24 babies that hang out way in the back where it is cool and shady, they come up for water so I leave some buckets and tubs out for them and keep them cool…. I put ice cubes in the water buckets and tubs and let it melt, more water and it is cooler. looks like we are winning the war with our obnoxious neighbor. he ignored and failed to comply with the first notice giving him 60 days to clean up his properties, evict the transients and remove the illegal sheds, outbuildings and R.V’S on the properties so he got a second notice and now he has only 2 weeks to do it and this time he is being monitored by the county. we figure by Fall he will gone and peace will be back in the neighborhood, we hope!!! but for now we are keeping tabs on him, and keeping the county informed about what he is up to. today he decided to have a public temper tantrum, and scream and carry on about evicting the transients and in general just carried on all morning long… how embarrassing!!! and he wonders why all the neighbors are exactly too fond of him… I have to wonder why!!! anyway it is almost over with, keep your fingers crossed. its been a long battle…5-6 years of trying to get the county to hear us, and 9 months of doing something about it… but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.. finally 😀 !!!!! looks like our local farmers and ranchers are helping out the firefighters by bringing in their bulldozers, tractors and such to help build fire lines and clear logging roads. the local Lions are up at the camp early in the morning to cook breakfast for them… blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs and milk, juice and coffee. the local families are donating eggs if they are raising chickens, fresh milk, produce from the stores and meats from the local butcher shop… these firefighters eat good here… the least we all can do!!! well off to check on the barnyard crowd and then try to stay cool. stay cool everyone, and if you are in the rainy area stay dry and comfy. hugs… 🙂
oops meant not exactly too fond of him… the bozo!!!
oops forgot to mention, despite the fires, Grants pass is still having Back to the Fifties week this week, it has already started today, back to 1958 so grab your poodle skirts, your sunglasses and your saddle shoes and come on back to the 50’s with us. come to the sock hops, the concerts and the movies in the park, also the car shows ( nothing but classics) and last but not least grab a ride and come along on the big Saturday night cruise of classic cars.. see you all there!!! hugs….. 😀
Pat Addison of Cave Junction – I wish you had a blog; I think it would be so interesting, and I for one would follow it!!!
thank you Ann, and to update the nasty neighbor saga, or I should say nasty neighbor wars.. we hav 4 more neighbors that jumped on the bandwagon and have been turning him for dumping trash on other folks’ property ( that is his idea of cleaning up his property), and for stealing water and electricity from others, we just found long cable attached to a neighbor’s outlet box and he was hooked up inside for power, so the neighbor cut off the cable, rolled it off and hauled along with the trash to the dump!! now let him try to get reconnected to that power pole…aren’t we mean???? and I got hold of a realtor who has the listing for a property next door to the nasty neighbor and where he has been stealing water, he has a hose hanging over my fence and is very blatant and open about his water theft. well I contacted the realtor and suggested he shut off the power so the well won’t be able to pump up water… and its only 102 degrees today… yes this war. we also found out that the property across the road from this neighbor is listed as part of a right of way owned by the county and all those bums and transients are illegally camped on it now as this neighbor faces eviction from his property and so do they. won’t be too tough for the county sheriff to evict them now… I love this!!! 😀
thank you Ann!!! hugs….. 😀
Pat Addison – I thought the same thing. You need a blog!
Hi Susan,
Congratulations! Just saw the piece in Victoria about your Castle Cottage Picnic! How wonderful! I so enjoyed visiting Castle Cottage and meeting Mandy last fall. Of course, I’ll be eagerly awaiting your next book. Visiting Martha’s Vineyard next week–so excited! 🐰💗🐰💗🐰
Oh MY GOODNESS … I haven’t seen it yet, I didn’t know it was out until this moment! I hope it comes in my mail today! Thank you Kathleen!
squeeee!!!! LOVE the Jack O Lanterns!!! And the Christmas one is pretty. I love holly! Thanks for doing new ones. I will be ordering for me and for my sister as a gift. She will love them too. Very nice.
Hi Susan! First of all, congrats to Lorraine!! Just stopping by for a moment on a writing break. This is delightful! Just what I needed to rest the old brain!! Loved the pink. It reminded me of a children’s book I had when I was very little. I’ve been trying to find it, but haven’t yet. It’s vintage was probably around mid 1940’s, and it was called Polly Pinks (I think!) — about a little girl with pink ribbons in her hair, wore pink dresses, lived in a pink house and had pink rose bud wallpaper on her bedroom wall. If you ever come across it, let me know. It was quite charming! I am so glad you have made some more cups. They are fabulous! Nice idea to make short ones to go with saucers! I’m hoping, fingers crossed, etc., etc. you won’t completely stop making these — especially another England one in 16 oz. size (hint!!). I missed out with A Fine Romance. It’s my fault. I waited too long. But I got the 4th of July cup and love it. I use it every day and will throughout the summer. Hope you are making good progress on your book! I know as well as anyone, probably, how much work this is!! So here’s to cheering you on!! And say hi to Joe. We love seeing his photos, too! Take care! xoxo
You just have to clear your life of any other thing, which takes some clearing, and only have eyes for book, and then voila! I’ve worked on it every day so far, but the other things need doing too … so pretty soon they will be done and I will be free to book it all day! Polly Pinks? Have you Googled it? It does sound darling.
Loving all your pink, Susan. And hoping against hope that the cranberry apple crisp mug will be available for Christmas. Meaning November. I know. Probably not. But I have just the right person in mind for it.
By the way, resident cyclist Rick is in love with my (your) Martha’s Vineyard mug. I may have to get him his own, although I drink from my Jack cup when we’re both doing hot things! He likes the feel of it and of course it’s the Vineyard so what’s not to love! Must re-read A Fine Romance now that we have our England trip set up for October!
We just got the designs to the manufacturer, and if all works smoothly we will have them in by early October!
Saw a coffee mug today at our farm market that said, “I work hard so my cat can have a better life.” 😊 Of course, cat moms know that it’s really the kitties who make our lives infinitely better! Thank you for this pretty pink post filled with loveliness. We all need it, no matter our circumstances. My 40 year old daughter recently told me one of the things she learned from me is “be kinder than necessary because everyone is fighting some sort of battle, whether or not you can see it.” You are all kindness.❤️
Dear thing for a daughter to say . . . isn’t it? Like winning an award. 💞 xoxoxo
I am thinking that flower looks like Columbine. Love that last photo!
Hi Susan,
I enjoyed the post. I too have the love of old dishes and yard sale, rummage sale finds. Congrats to Lorraine, lucky girl! I love your mugs. I only have the “Jack” mug that my cousin bought for me. He looks like quite a character. I have a character named George, a ginger tiger. He is as bad as he is loving. I hope you are not getting all the rain we are in my part of PA. We need it though for the veg. gardens.
Nancy R.
Hello Nancy, hey you could always send the rain here to Oregon, we sure could use it about now to put out the fires and give the ground a good drink!!!
Lovely blog, I enjoyed everything about. Thank you. Good golly, Miss Molly…more mugs! They make me happy but I’m gonna have to make more room in my kitchen. 😃 Thank you for your uplifting writings and great art and wonderful items for purchase. Have a delighftful summer and welcome home. ♥️♥️♥️
Loved this! Love the new mugs! ……and JUST happened to walk into our local independent bookstore looking for a book for my husband for his birthday….and what did I see? Your mug with “have I told you lately that I love you” which he sings to me ALL the time….so he will soon be the proud owner of a Susan Branch mug! Of course he can’t compete with the 6 that I currently own….and I am now eyeing the Holly mug 😍😍😍.
What can I say….he’s in touch with his feminine side! And I am making the rice for a family reunion this weekend! And my birthday cake for my husband….white cake with rose water, peach jam filling and frosted in whipped cream.
Your blog, once again, was so satisfying and made me so happy to read! Thank you!
Just one more reason to love your Jim … 💞 Oh that cake sounds divine. Have a wonderful birthday, hugs from me to him. And to you too Pam!
So excited for the new cups.
Your blog….pretty in pink! Love, love, love the Halloween cup…super cute punkins!!
After reading your blog I ordered Fairy’s Pettticoat Peony – so excited to add it to my Peony garden! Thanks for sharing the sweetness of PINK!
You’ll love it, it’s perfectly named!
Congratulations Lorraine! Lucky Girlfriend!
Lovely Ode-To-Pink blog it is my favorite color! I like to wear it too. Love the new cups for Fall and Christmas. I have noticed the stores are starting to put out their Fall seasonal wares along with back-to-school! Summer is flying by so quickly.
We have been enjoying fresh leaf lettuce from our patio garden. I make old-fashioned Wilted Lettuce which we love. Cut fresh leaf lettuce wash gently and dry well, warm bacon dressing recipe as follows:
2 Tbsp. of bacon drippings
2 Tbsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. water
2 Tbsp. white vinegar
Put ingredients into a small saucepan and bring just to a boil, cool slightly then pour over the lettuce. Serve immediately.
I also like to chop up some onion and add to the bacon drippings and fry them up a bit. You can also add crumbled bacon to the dressing too, or just fry up a couple of pieces of bacon and use the drippings for the dressing.
This recipe only makes a small amount, so you can always double or triple it for more! ENJOY!
Thank you, it is always wonderful to have tried and true recipes!
Thanks for a luv-lee post. I am so excited to see new cups coming out! The cup that I’m waiting for is your California cup. I’m sure one day, in your fabulous Susan Style you’ll design a cup to pay homage to your home state. If you can dream it… 🙂
Congratulations Lorraine and as always, thanks to you Susan.
I keep thinking about it Mary!
Thank you for such a great blog post. Pink is my favourite colour, can’t get enough of it.
The little pink flowers you saw in England are Dierama Pulcherrimum. What a terrible name for such sweet flowers! But the name everyone calls them is Angel’s Fishing Rod, so much better.
That’s it, I looked at it on line! Thank you so much!
Loved seeing your tribute to the color pink in this post! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us! 😊
Thank you for taking the time to come visit! Ms. PINKerton! xoxo
Lucky Lorraine! Thanks always for your wonderful blog, and I am crazy about pink, too. What beautiful pictures you share. Love the pink gladiola. Enjoy your summer.
🥠I always look forward to reading your blogs. I’m sure many people travel vicariously through writings. At this very moment I’m enjoying a cup a tea in one of your cups as I read. Wonderful way to start the day. Thank you☕️
Hello Susan,
Currently on vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. I have fallen in love with the island. Even bought your Girlfriends tea mug from a book store in Vineyard Haven.
❤️ Paulette
Oh dear, now the heart pangs begin! I’m so happy you’re loving it Paulette!
You’ve made my day! Love all the pink and your garden is gorgeous! I’m so happy to find a way to sign up for the blog alert email! I always wondered why Willard announces himself and not the blog. I’m SO HAPPY you’re doing more cups! Love them! One more pink thought……is there a place to sign up for the November West Falmouth Library visit? I didn’t see it under events and nothing on their website either. Can’t wait! Until then dear Susan keep on keeping on! xoxoxo
I think you just show up … if I hear something different, I’ll be sure to post it … check again in a month or so, maybe they will have something on their website. Thank you Sandi, you too!
What a pretty pink post!!!! Congratulations Lorraine! Thanks so much for the delightful pink pictures and the simple things in life. Oh I hope to make it to Cape Cod to see you at the Library! I believe I need a dose of seeing you and Joe, Paul does too. Have a beautiful rest of your summer with all your lovely doings! ox Wendy-Louise
Hope to see you Wendy-Louise!
From reading the recent comments (and imagining I’M the Lorraine who won!), I am inclined to believe that all of us girlfriends are thrilled at all the many ways we can bring pink into our lives! I had never given the color much thought until I was about 50 years old, and suddenly couldn’t get enough of it — from clothing to luggage to room colors! (Did you know there was an experiment done painting the walls of “public” rooms in prisons pink and the incidents of violence decreased dramatically!) I think it might be time for a totally pink mug! And a fairy mug. OH– and in Emma Bridgewater’s “baby mug” size of about 4.5 ounces! Just right for tea with grandchildren — especially since they are remarkably sturdy. (– the mugs, not the grandchildren!) Just a thought…
OK, Susan, I said no more Branch cups for me…BUT…now you are creating two cups with two of my favourite things: pumpkins and holly! Not sure how I got started on collecting pumpkins, I have several cups with pumpkin theme, maybe because Halloween is very special to me. Holly – gotta have, being originally from Millville, NJ (one of) the Holly City of America.
Hurry up pre-sale! Received my 2019 wall calendar last week yay! cannot wait for the next book, I hope to someday visit England, if not then your books are the next best thing.
Blessings – Marcia from Sewell, NJ
Thank you Marcia!
Love , love the PINK post! Thank you so much for all the flowers, dishes and other wonderful pink treasures. Your comments on gardening and flowers cheer the heart. I have a difficult time wrapping my mind around people who do not like gardening, flowers, nature or pets. These are the jewels of life! Enjoy this wonderful rainy summer.
They give back so much more than they take…every little bit of self-sufficiency we provide ourselves makes us more human and fulfilled in life. xoxo
Such a sweet lovely blog and the cups are beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
Hi to Susan and Joe—love the pretty pink post and all of nature’s bounty
displayed in the sweet and bouffant bouquets. The pink sunset was a beautiful grand finale! Saw a quote recently — “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” If you are thinking about cup design ideas for future projects, I would like to submit a dessert motif idea for Valentine’s Day. You could have your sweet illustrations {all of which I have seen over the years}, placed on the cups with sentimental sayings—the pretty heart shaped candy box on a doily, with the individual candies exposed and ready to be plucked; your beautiful coconut cake on a pedestal; ice cream sundae with cherry on top and two straws; strawberry shortcake; a collection of small tasty treats on a tea stand and I might be running out of cup room! Reminds me of a plaque I saw in a gift shop once—“Chocolate is the answer–doesn’t matter what the question is!” Love to you both from Bev
Love your ideas Bev, will write that down!
So much fun to read your latest blog – PINK! What a happy color it is…….your holly mug looks lovely…..will have to get one of them and one for my American friend who thinks she’s English 🙂 Thank you for all your sweet posts – so uplifting!
Dying over the new cups! Can’t wait to order!
I’m sitting in the airport to return home to the Finger Lakes after a fabulous 10 days on MVI and Nantucket with my sister. You’ve sustained our love of the Vineyard for many years for which we thank you. and we confess to walking by your house three times last week just to be sure it’s really real. And it’s so wonderfully really real! So if anyone saw us gawk a teeny bit. That’s why! you’re living our dream!
Ohhh, Diane! You were very sneaky! I’m glad you had a wonderful time!
Pumpkin head cups-
how about climbing up the handle-
twisted vines nestled tiny leaves with off shoots of curling tendrils, a sitting cheerful insect?
Or a tall, long, drippy, tapered, lit tallow candle?
I like that, its a cute idea!!
Congratulations, Lorraine! And, Susan, thank you for all of the “pink things”. It was so pleasant to scroll down, seeing so many lovely things, especially loved the peony…I will have to search for that one.
Enjoy being back home.
Dear Susan,
I Looooovvvvvve your Pink Blog!! What is it about that sweet happy little color?! It just makes everybody feel happy. Here is the tribute to my favorite color that I wrote on 1-29-98…
PINK
⬇️ I love Pink! It makes me smile…. Pink cherry blossoms,
it tickles my little heart. A pair of pink socks…
Imagine the world in shades of pink A tatted pink hankie
What a lovely work of art. In a secret pink box…
When things go wrong. Pink Teddy Bears
And dreary clouds fog my way to think, designed by Annette
I close my eyes and imagine that… Are things that I treasure
Everything is Pink!!! cuddle and pet!
Pink bunny slippers. Frankenberry Cerial?…
With a pink little nose… what do you think??!
And strawberry ice cream, I absolutely love it
Makes my heart glow! Because it is pink!
Pink Lacey curtains. Pink pitchers, pink rugs,
Cheer me for weeks!… invisible pink hugs….
And dolls with pink dresses, Pink smiles, pink wishes,
And pink rosey cheeks! And pink little dishes…..
A quilt made from patches. Pink poodles….pink rings,
In all shades of pink… and pink little things,
And pink fluffy pillows. All make me think….
Are my favorite I think! OH!! How I LOVE PINK!!!
A pink floral teapot…
A polka dot pink cup…
Makes tea taste much better
I drink it all up!
I wrote this little poem when I was very, very sad. The words just popped into my mind and it helped me get through the day! I hope that it will make someone else smile!!xoxo
I am SO EXCITED about the new mugs that you have designed!!!…. especially that Halloween mug!!! I hope that somewhere down the road when you are between your wonderful creations, you will create a set of tiny tittle mugs that can be hung on a Christmas tree or put on a shelf to make people ooooooo and ahhhhhhhh over because they are so tiny and cute! Question: in the photo that you took at the New Your Gift Show…. those Sheets!!! Oh! They are SO CUTE!!! I especially love the set with the small PINK flowers!! By chance do you remember the company that made them? Every one of the sheet sets in that photo are just darling……(are you hearing me Santa Claus??!) One more thing before I forget…..congratulations Lorraine!!! I am really happy for you!!!
That is positively adorable, Kathiellen! Could cheer up anyone! I don’t remember the company … it was out of our price range, that was for sure, but sooooo pretty. I took pictures, almost as good as physical ownership! And these sheets never wear out!
Thank you for the sweet comment about my pink poem! xo when I sent it it, I typed it in two columns but it is all smooshed together on the comment page…..(cross my heart I wasn’t drinking when I typed it out!) where the arrow is at the top, you have to read the verses going down…then go back to the top (right) and read the next column going down…..if you can make sense of it! ha!! Thanks again Susan! I hope that your day is sunny and bright!!xo
I think I figured it out. So darling!
What a nice surprise to read your latest blog, you are so talented, & as natural as a girl can be, your flowers, dishes ,& recipes are all so much fun, How are Jack & Joe? I will look for Victoria magazine tomorrow,, take care 🌸🌸
I heard it’s coming August 7th, Joan! And thank you! Jack and Joe are the bees knees!
Dear Susan, Thanks for all the lovely pictures of pink flowers. Pink is one of my favorite colors too. I love reading your blog and very much appreciate all that you put into it. You are a very special person. Joe is a lucky man but I am sure he already knows that. Take care and enjoy the rest of summer. Love, Crystal from Cannon Falls.
OH Susan, glorious pink!💐💗💕. Congrats Lorraine. Enjoy the lovely gifts. And love, love the new cups. My friend got me the cat and books cup for my birthday. So excited. Added to my lovely Christmas cup from last year. Looking for calenders!
The Pink Blog!! One of my girlfriend groups decided to call ourselves The Pink Ladies
(named after the girls in the movie Grease.) That later got changed to The Pinkletinks, so much more fun sounding and… the name of your famous little tree frog on Martha’s Vineyard!!
I think I’ll make a Pink Lady Cocktail tomorrow & sip it on our shady patio to beat the 98 degree heat we’re to experience. Susan, I will make a toast to you when I do, Pinky Queen.
I love the new fall cups you are designing, especially the Halloween one! Fall is my favorite season and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Can’t wait to get my hands on those! Thank you!
This has nothing to do with your latest post, although I do like pink and I’m very sorry that Vanna didn’t choose my name. I didn’t see another way to ask you a question as I’m not on Facebook.
I was wondering where to get a hooked rug like the ones you used to sell. Foolishly, I passed them up when I last saw them as I thought you would always have some.
Any ideas or advice on where to find one? I particularly liked the one with the house and maybe it had some sheep.
Thank you for any help, Jill
I forwarded your comment to Kellee, we’re going to check on this for you! xoxo
Oh my goodness! Thank you.
Sweet blog–celebrating Summer! Congratulations to Lorraine! You’re very generous, Susan, we are ALL lucky to have you in our lives, cups or no cups (though I love the cups!). Your hollyhocks are beautiful. I have them in my garden for the first time ever this year and they’re as pretty as I’d hoped they’d be. Enjoy the rest of your summer. I can’t wait for your book to come out–and the magazine article–and news of #book to screen. So much to look forward to!
Oh my, I think I might have to have a pumpkin mug. My favorite so far is the English countryside mug. I use it every morning. It’s so darn sweet!
Love all the pink! Love that peony and the clematis—going to have to add those to my garden. Love all my mugs! Cherish them! Can’t wait to see the article in Victoria Magazine! Fun! You know how to brighten a girls day!
Congrats to the lucky winner! I so loved this post as Pink is my very favorite color. I’ll be back. I’m going to re-read it all again and surround myself in all that pinkness.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all your new mugs!!! I can’t wait to order the Halloween and Christmas mugs. You’re the best, Susan!!! So happy to have you home. I bet your precious boy, Jack is ecstatic to have you and Joe home. ♥♥♥
Asleep with his big old kitty rear-end on my art table right now! Every page of this new book will likely come with a microscopic kitty hair painted into it!
Nothing like the company of a precious fur person… they are priceless friends. Bring on the kitty hair! 🙂
~~Susan~
All your pink what a delight, and your garden looks beautiful !! I love the cute Tea party all by myself , that indeed is me !! Your finds from sales are lovely, I neveer have such luck finding these treasures.
The new teacup designs are wonderful , my eyes are on the Christmas for sure!
Congrats to the lucky winning gal.
Ohhh, did you get a new charm for your bracelet while in England??
Have a joyful weekend friend, xo
Blessings
Paula
IN
Believe me I looked! But the perfect thing did not show itself. I have no problem waiting for that moment!
So much pretty pink! Lovely!
Arriving with a bouquet
Assemble outside at the garden table where things are wonderfully a little messy, wet from rain, dirt splashed from the houseplants and always something waiting for me to plant
Carefully, behind the passenger seat, drop cosmos, zinnia, sun flowers, gladiolus, in a jar of water
Place inside a bigger plastic coffee container
In your round of errands at the parking space
Transfer the flowers into fresh water, a give away vase or any plastic to go cup
Those lids can be left on and cut bigger around the straw opening
Leave them at the library, the thrift stores, with friends and neighbors and always every summer, one for Rose McClendon at Fallingwater
Susan,
I apologize for my “over the top” comment yesterday. I know that it wasn’t really appropriate for your site but at that moment I just had to say (type) it. You indeed bring much joy to so many, myself included, and there does need to be a space where beauty and peace can be found when one is “too much with this world”. I hope you will accept my apology and, once again, thank you for ending with the beautiful hollyhock. May we all
SOAR THE THERMALS
I understand in every way, shape, and form. Never worry. Love you Patricia. xoxo
Thank you Susan.
I read your article. Yes, I knew it was lengthy, but I felt like going back in time, like Susan so often does. Your town sounds like a place I would like to visit and stay awhile. Your sharing was appreciated.
Sincerely……………S
It’s late Friday afternoon and after a hard week at work, I came home and couldn’t wait to read your blog, hoping it would relax me like it always does. Well, I now feel like I’ve been on a week’s vacation!!! Thanks so much for the lovely pictures, fantastic quotes, wonderful writing, and for just being you!!!!! You rock!!
Wonderful Carol!
Actually that last comment was from me and not Beth Bruno. Not sure what happened!!!
Gremlins! When that happens, try to change the name and email before you press GO. We still haven’t been able to find out why this happens. It doesn’t happen every time and it doesn’t happen to everyone…makes it very tricky to find!
What a “luv-lee” pink post! I absolutely adore all of your photographs. And this pink/Vanna theme was very nice. I am amazed at the beautiful pieces you find at antique shops and second hand stores. I need to look there more often. I’m hoping to see you in San Luis Obispo in November. I’ve been remodeling my house and it’s been almost two years since I’ve been on a vacation (except of course our voyage to England!) so I may venture down from Oregon to my family in Los Angeles and San Diego and stop and see you on the way. Oh, and I’m loving my mugs! Thank you so much!
Would be wonderful . . . such a beautiful time of year on the central coast, and all the way down! xoxo
Debby…Susan will be in San Luis Obispo on October 13, NOT in November!!! Don’t want you kicking yourself to high heaven because you had the wrong month. 😕😢😭
Hope you get to see her in San Luis with the rest of us who have our tickets stapled to our calendars.
Cheers and enjoy your beautiful “new” home.
❤️❤️❤️
I think I like Pink!
Dear Susan,
I am a great fan of pink and loved this pinkity blog entry. I am really enjoying your “Home Cooking” teapot-shaped luncheon plates. Love the bird’s head pour spout. I use them every day because I have vowed to use smaller dishes for meals and your plates fit the bill. Please repeat this run of plates. They come out of the dishwasher unscathed!
…..I found an article by accident in the May, 2018 issue of SMITHSONIAN Magazine that I think you will find very interesting: “Wild and Woolly” by Frank Lidz…’In Britain’s fabled Lake District, shepherds and ecologists are butting heads over the future of a beloved landscape immortalized by Beatrix Potter.’
‘Money’s not what motivates shepherds. They want to do what their father did because they believe in it.’
Love, Carol from CT … tra la
YAY! Love hearing it Carol! I use mine all the time too! I know the shepherds are mad at the ecologists. No one likes change. Easy to see both sides. Gray areas are everywhere. But one important thing is how crowded the world is now . . . and that does make a difference to what should be done. One person throwing slop around on 200 acres, means nothing. Fifty of them do matter! I hope they find the middle ground!
Me again …
Just read your comment reply about not being able to connect to a “My-toe-huts-Bet-tee” sound website while on the ship. It was a British website.
Here’s a better one for you …
youtube.com/watch?v=2XfAh4t3t-M
Love, Carol from CT … tra la my-toe-huts-Susie!
That’s it!!!
Susan,
I’m SO GLAD you decided to make more cups! I plan to get one of each – no more waiting around until it’s too late! Although, my sweet sister Lisa had already ordered a “Summer” cup for my birthday so I got it in spite of my procrastinating tendencies!! I was a happy girl!
Congrats to Lorraine and a big “Thank you” to you for your lovely pink blog ~
Aren’t sisters the best!?!
Thank you so much for sharing such beauty with us. My garden is small and in need of care. That’s what my husband is doing now. The cups are just beautiful. You are so talented. And thank you for sharing your trip with us. I had been following you but had not commented. Can’t wait to hear from you again. Enjoy the rest of summer.
I think I need more cabinets for cups because who can resist them? 💕 Hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Hi you luv-lee person! I think the flower you asked to be identified is freesia. Reading your posts just makes me want to enjoy those small beautiful things in life!
Oops! I see someone already correctly named the mystery posies.
Luvv your gardens Susan thx for the summer update recipes new fall tea cups beautiful🍉🍓🍧🐦🇺🇸👏
Hi, Susan. Just want to thank you for the “In The Pink” blog. It is so very pretty and feminine. The flowers are my favorite, especially in the small vases for table decor and the flowers growing in your garden. It is a pleasure to view your “pink photos”.
The fall line of mugs, etc. are beautiful. But it is still summer and I think I shall be in a pink pastel mood while the weather is still warm, before I get pumpkin crazy. Happy August!
I know, one day at a time!
Lorraine is a lucky woman, to have won 4 of your cups, ALL AT ONCE! Please keep doing cups or papers or fabric or whatever you think up because they bring your special brand of beauty to our lives.
I will Jo’L, thank you!!
Greetings:
I loved all your blogs from England. Wish I was there, but I felt like I was anyway. Moved to a new home in Arizona. Put out my Beatrix Potter first of all. Love the English landscape and all your wonderful descriptions. Such a picturesque countryside. Would love to get one of your sweet mugs soon. Have to unpack all my boxes first.
That’s the perfect way to break in a new house . . . xoxo
Posted a comment earlier and it seems to have disappeared, also, Musica didn’t work for me. Any ideas about what might be going on?
Me, trying to settle back in and having way too much to do … so I haven’t been making time for reading and commenting on all these luv-lee words left by girlfriends! I’m determined to get through them today, I enjoy them so much!
As always, thank you for “lightening the load” that some of us feel in the current world – you always bring me back to the blessing of my little world of joy, peace, love.
I left another comment, but left this out. I would love it if you designed some vintage-style dish towels. They would really perk up my kitchen!
I’ve tried, but so far I haven’t been able to find someone who could make them inexpensively enough so I wouldn’t have to charge some ridiculous price for them! Everyone wanted too much money … I have embroidery kits so you can make them yourself, and fabric on spoon flower so you can put borders on them and make potholders, but that’s the best I can do so far!
Just want you to know you inspired me to take a beach vacation, to Peaks Island off the coast of Portland, ME with my two grown daughters. Heaven
A beautiful memory Carolyn! xoxo
Good Morning Susan and Girlfriends. another hot and smoky day here…. we are supposed to start cooling down later this week, hope so for the firefighter’s sakes. the Back to the 50’s was a moderate success, with all the smoke and fire closures around. even some of the firefighters came around to admire the vintage cars and watch the cruise, they even enjoyed the Elvis concert on Saturday night. its almost August and we have blackberries growing around here like weeds, anyone know of a recipe for blackberry jam or jelly??? and we have tons of concord grapes this year, so I am looking around for grape jelly recipes and juice recipes….. we usually never get any of the grapes, the birds, turkeys and deer get them all… not this year. well the dept. of forestry has shut down my floating place and swimming hole along the river, all the rivers are closed off to boating and swimming and yes floating. wonder if I can float in the ducky pool???? not that I would but the only other alternative is sitting under the sprinklers and I may have to resort to that. just getting the first load of laundry going and will get that out on the line despite the smoke. too hot to run the dryer. Fall is not too far away the this summer is zipping by. soon the county fair will be up and running, then the Labor day Parade and carnival and finally back to school. this summer has flown by for sure or have we been so busy we didn’t notice??? put the baby ducks in with the other ducks, they were old enough and big enough now. the rest of the barnyard brats are enjoying the misters and the sprinkler in their pen, plus we bought some alfalfa hay for them to enjoy, along with whatever salad fixings, veggie leftovers and noodles we have left from a meal… my chickens love pasta best of all… silly birds. its all good for them to have and makes them healthy and happy and happy hens lay lots of eggs. got to get busy and sort out the second load for the wash and then get the first load out on the line and keep the turkeys away from my clothesline…. sorry I just refuse to tolerate my nice clean laundry dragged all over the yard by those silly turkeys and I suspect they are teaching the geese to do it now as well… good grief. our fire station is missing their turkey parades, I told them to stand by, they get a turkey/goose parade to keep them busy…. LOL!!! you all have a great day today, stay cool and comfy. send rain to Oregon, we sure could use it!!! hugs……. 😀
Oh my, I love the new cup designs!! I’m going to preorder!! It’s very hot here in the Pacific Northwest (we’re weather wimps) and Autumn magazines are showing up on the newstands!!! The pumpkins are way to cute and the Christmas mugs will be presents (one for me too!)
I’m a weather wimp too. I love all kinds, except one. Humidity. I think we need to solve it along with putting electrical wires underground, and getting GMOs out of our food!
I’d settle for a nice steady rain for a day or 2 to clean up the air, cool things and wash off the trees and plants and give them a good drink.
That would be so refreshing!
and soooo cool!!!
Susan, Thank you for ending with my favorite Hollyhock. As girls, my sisters and I would dance the blooms around upside down! I imagine you did too…I look forward to your apple cup in autumn and adhere to “an apple a day.” I do wish you’d given the 4 cups to 4 different people instead of one though. Take gentle care now. Julia in Cincy
I wanted to REALLY do it up big for someone. Every so often!
Susan, gosh darn… I thought I had hit “post comment” but as I scrolled through all your comments I didn’t see mine! So… I guess I’ll rewrite it…hope this is not too late to be included in this month’s blog. I wanted to laugh when I read all of your “Pink” comments.I have a girlfriend group that has been together for around for almost 20 years. We started calling ourselves “The Pinkies” based on the name The Pink Ladies from the movie, Grease. Everytime we met we tried to wear pink( scarves, tiaras,etc) Every time we emailed or texted each other we would tweak the name just a little: Pinks, Pinkers, Merry Pinksters(if you remember Ken Kesey), Pinkles, Pinkletons, sorry Kathy Pinkerton…never used your name! Anyway, you get the picture. We finally said, this is getting ridiculous. I had just read about a darling little tree frog found only on Martha’s Vineyard called a Pinkletink!! The article said, the little guys are not much bigger than a paper clip & they are to Martha’s Vineyard’s spring what the robin is to the rest of the country! And they make quite a bit of racket. OMG! I wrote to my girlfriends & said “ the quite a bit of racket” part is perfect for us! So here we are… The Pinkletinks! Susan, you will be our official honorary member since you are the only member to actually live on Martha’s Vineyard!
Harbingers of spring, as you very likely are too Kate! Thank you! xoxoxo
Oh, Susan~~~ I love the new cups coming out. I’ll be sure to order them!
I think getting a notice via email of a new blog is a great idea. Lately, I’ve been researching a lot on my family history and haven’t been on the computer except for being on Ancestry.com. I missed your new blog and just happened to see it today. Am signing up right now for the emails.
Been in the triplet digits all week and some of last week. Temps are to come down tomorrow and a couple days before going back up. I’m ready forAUTUMN!! 🙂
Me too Carol!
me too!! I am so ready for the Autumn and the cooler temperatures, cooler nights and cool mornings… it cannot get here fast enough for me!!! Love the Autumn, my season of the year!!! 😀
A lovely thing to look forward to!
me too Carol, Susan… I am so ready for Autumn!!! cooler days, cooler nights and warm cozy fires in the woodstove.
I have a poem for Autumn think you might enjoy as much as I do. AUTUMN when the trees their summer splendor change to rainment red and gold, when the summer moon turns mellow and the nights are getting cold; when the squirrels hide their acorns and the woodchuck disappears; then we know its Autumn, loveliest time of the year. by Charlotte L. Riser
Beautiful Pat, and I’m so in the mood for it! Thank you!
SO late to the congratulatory party.
Lucky you, Lorraine!
Enjoy!
~M
Hi Sue and Joe
Happy August first! I bet you’re looking forward to illumination night… I hope to see it one day.
I’ve been checking our bookstores in western N.Y. daily for the new Victoria magazine, and we haven’t received it yet.
Have a great day
P.S. if Welsh Debs sees this, let us know how you are doing. Just want to make sure you are alright.
Hope she does … now I have to go look for her on Twitter …💞
Hi Susan,
As always enjoyed your post. Did you ever find out the name of the English flower? I’m thinking it might be “Lady Slipper”. Now I’m going to sign in to get notice of your blogs. Thanks, Sharon
Yes, and I wrote it down and now I can’t find it! But if you look back in the comments, you will see it … if you saw my desk right now you would understand!
good morning Susan, girlfriends!! still warm and smoky here a couple of the fires have gained ground but so far no new evacuations so that is a good sign. the chickens are enjoying the cooler morning, so are the geese and turkeys, they are off under the oak tree digging under the leaves for bugs so I guess you could say they are off bug hunting… keeps the bugs out of the house and we don’t need bug spray, good for the environment!!! its now August and time to start harvesting the concord grapes and the blackberries, anyone have any good recipes for concord jelly or jam and juice and blackberry jam or sauce???? good on ice cream!!! have to keep my eyes on the turkeys, its towel and bed linen day for the laundry and they love yanking the laundry off the line and dragging it all over the yard, darn brats. I still suspect they are teaching the geese how to do that and probably training the babies to do it… yeesh!!! today is supposed to be cooler than it has the past few days, 85 degrees instead of 90’s to 100’s. I have the fans going to move the cooler air around the house, and the windows open, while the window cooler has a day of rest. hopefully this cooler weather will help the firefighters out a bit. you all have a great day today, stay cool and comfy. hugs….. 😀
I already left a comment much earlier in this thread but I was looking over all the cups again and wondered, especially now that you’ve been to Ireland, if you’ll make a St. Patrick’s Day cup? (Little green shamrocks on the handle.) It could coincide beautifully with the debut of the book you’re currently writing (a companion piece!). And then I leap to a cup for Easter morning breakfast. It has to have sweet bunnies, baby chicks and a basket of colored eggs (pastels, AKA, well, Easter-egg colors!!!). How about a Thanksgiving cup with a bountiful cornucopia and also ears of colorful calico corn/fall harvest. You’d know perfectly what should be best on any of these wish-list cups (I’m definitely not ‘tired’ of your cups, Susan; you just CAN’T be finished with them yet!).
Hi Susan,
I left KY Thursday headed to Nantucket…. Threw my newly arrived issue of Victoria in my bag. Just sat down this morning with a cup of coffee and my Victoria….was so thrilled to see an article about you! It was such a darling article😍
I haven’t seen it yet! But fun to know it’s out! Have fun over there Charlotte!
What a beautiful and delightful post! Thank you, Susan. I’m am SO excited about your new cups, particularly the apple one and the Christmas one. Right this moment there is a Girlfriends Tea cup in a gift box beside me waiting to be wrapped for my best friend’s 40th birthday gift. She’ll love it! Hmm…maybe I’ll invite her for tea and we can both drink from our cups as we giggle and eat cake. 🙂
I’d love to know more about your dinner party diary. Could you perhaps tell us more in a future blog post?
Thank you! Lydia
What could be better than a rainy Saturday morning and time to read the new Victoria magazine with your wonderful picnic featured in its pages!!! BUT ONLY TWO PAGES!!!! I wish the whole magazine was devoted to your special day! I hope you’ll be including this magical event in your next book! You are our very own present day, Beatrix Potter!!!
You have no idea what your artistry in both your life and work has meant to me. We have never met and most likely will never meet, but you’re willingness to share your gifts through your art connects us with a beautiful awareness to all that is good and true and everlasting. You truly are one of life’s lovely “beauticians!”
yes….beautiful autumn on the way….could have sworn I heard a “my toe huhts, Bettee” wood pigeon here in Seattle’s cool morning, but maybe I made it up, since I miss being in Ireland! But I did hear that pigeon on an episode of “Midsommer Murders”……you may have already been asked, but do you know of PBS series “Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages”? It is magic, and hard to find ….not in the library system….so if you were to choose between the Lake District (staying in Grasmere or Ambleside), or Kent-Sussex for a trip, knowing you’d go back and do the other eventually, which would you choose first…the plan is a few days in London as a base, then off to the countryside for a few days, back to London. Isn’t it wonderful to plan? I am still in Scotland and Ireland from 2 months back….it stays with you….
love to you from Seattle, where it is cool in the morning, and nighttime, with that hint of fall coming…..
I have been in “Susan Branch Land” the past two days. I am clearing out a couple of file folders full of clippings of your art that I have saved. I have been trimming up each piece and putting them in my Susan Branch binder.
I have to say that “Susan Branch Land” is a peaceful, thought-provoking, and awe-inspiring place to spend time. I knew that…Girlfriends know that, but being surrounded by you while I clear out the folders has been pleasant! You are nice company!
Girlfriends tell you all of the time how creative, inclusive, and inspiring you are, but honestly, Susan, you are so much more. You radiate an ambience that is consistent and honest. There is an aura about and around you that is SO special. It is hard to describe what a truly amazing human being you are.
D E S T I N Y
D – desire
E – enthusiasm
S – steadfast
T – tireless
Y – YOU shaped your own
DESTINY
Throughout the years you have ignored the naysayers and dreamt with your heart…then you followed your heart. You have “chosen the flowers of life and plucked the irritating weeds” to create your personal environment, “Susan Branch Land,” a place that you have embellished with your soul. That land with a white a picket fence is a peaceful haven for you, but has a virtual welcoming gate that swings open to family, friends and Girlfriends. You ooze an essence that seeps into us.
You are to be blessed forever for being who you are, but more than that…for creating your own destiny that nourishes your spirit as well as those you touch.
I will close this comment, but not before attaching hugs and a bundle of respect for you.
I hope that your day in “Susan Branch Land” is as magical as you are…like a sweet, kind, fun and giving fairy you continue to flitter into our hearts in so many different ways. Simply stated…you ARE magical!
Now…go and wipe your tears, pat yourself on the back and shout out to the clouds…”I AM living the destiny that I created.” Go and pet Jack after you hug Joe…give them both a wink and a fetching grin after you tell them how lucky they are to have YOU in their lives!! They know it, but take a moment to tease and strut yourself about. ❤️❤️❤️ 💋💋💋
NOW…get back to work, young lady. Grin your way back to your studio and work that paint brush ’til it is bristle-less. There is no rest for you…angel, or not!
I could not quite get over this FayE and it’s taken me forever to answer because it was just too hard! You are too much! I guess all I can say is THANK YOU, and go back to work!!! Joe is hugged, so is Jack … xoxoxoxo
Well, what you couldn’t “get over” is the obvious fact that I totally left out TWO letters in DESTINY. Jeeze, Louise and ding-dong-Daddy! Yikes, too. (Tail between my legs!) 😳
So, “I” is for knowing yourself and “N” is for “never say never”…now my definition of your self-created destiny is complete!
There is nothing else to “get over” – you have earned the high praise and respect. ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Susan, I loved seeing your sea glass displayed on the lintel over the door. That is where I display my Beatrix Potter critters in my dining room. People forget to look up and are amazed when they notice them. Only downside is when they need a bath, lol. I have over a hundred so it is a major undertaking but I do enjoy collecting them. I’m missing all the real expensive ones like Duchess with Flowers and Head Gardner to mention a couple. But one lives in hope of finding them at a garage sale or thrift store. Four turned up at a church bazaar marked 50 cents each but someone more knowledgeable rescued them and put them in the auction where they went for $35 each – still a verygood buy. You just never know where they might turn up. Stay cool. It’s pretty hot here in Toronto. Hugs, Elaine
So happy for Lorraine – congratulations.
What a wonderful blog post. I love all the beautiful pink. Just ordered your two new Fall cups.
Wondering with much hope that your will once again offer your Autumn and Winter cups. Just dying to add them to my Spring and Summer. I missed out when they were first offered.
Thank you for brightening my day, as you always do, Susan.
Hello, Susan! I seem to be able to lose my worries every time I come to your blog! I LOVE PINK! And I am guessing that wee sweet flower might be diascia, which I have had in my summer garden, and blooms happily into August and September. But it might be something else! As many times as I have been to English gardens and as many years as I have been a gardener, I am no expert! THANK YOU for your cheery, delightful PINK Post! hugs from Oregon, Suzette
Hello Susan –
Thank you for the lovely Pink Post. Wonderful photos to brighten our days. Not sure if someone else may have answered – but you asked about a plant with long stems and small pink blooms. I’m not sure, but it looks like a plant that blooms here on the southern coast of Oregon in Port Orford. Long arching stems, small pink blooms. The botanical name is Dierama but the common names are much better –
The Angels Fishing Rod and Fairybells. I never knew the “real” name till I saw one at our County Fair this year! Your area might be a little cold for them but you never know!! Thanks Again for All the Joy You Share – Toni
Hi Susan,
Loved your comments on civility on Tweeter. It starts with each one of us and there is such a lot of common ground. Your sea glass displayed on the lintel is charming. Actually, that is where I chose to display my Beatrix Potter critters in the dining room – above the doors and across the window. People don’t always look up and see them but when they do they are enchanted. I have over 100 and it’s been fun to collect them. The only drawback is bath time, lol. My very first one was Jemima Puddleduck and the rest is history, as they say. It’s still very hot here in Toronto for our August long weekend. Joe will be celebrating his birthday soon. Enjoy. Hugs, Elaine
I just received my September Victoria magazine! There it is on page 91-92 !
What a wonderful experience and memory to have this lovely magazine visit your Beatrix Potter picnic. You look so cute in your outfit. 🙂
It was a wonderful day…don’t worry there will be MUCH more of it in my new book! xoxo
Don’t want to be a ‘Debbie Downer’, but I was rather disappointed in the ‘Victoria’ article! So small and so few pics!
That’s okay, I had no idea what they might do. I was also hoping for more, a couple of tea sandwich recipes would have been nice! Plus the photo of everyone together, I thought sure they’d use that. But that’s why I started the blog, so I could have my OWN magazine and show everything they don’t! xoxo
Absolutely the pic of everyone together! Needed to show just how many people attended; what a wonderful success it was!
Hi Sue and Joe,
With writing the new book, I’m sure your days are very busy…… but I wanted to let you and all the girlfriends that the Perseid meteor showers are going on right now, with peak viewing nights being this weekend the nights of August 11-12, and August 12-13. They are best to be viewed from an area with few lights…. it’s great to do with kids. I hope some of you get to see them. Bye for now.
Love Sue
A bit off topic, but wondering if you’ve seen this? http://hopeandthrift.blogspot.com/2016/12/december-9th-gladys-taber-christmas.html … great tie-in to Gladys Taber and Christmas in Connecticut!
Sharon in Alabama