So much news, and all-all-ALL of it is good! Isn’t that wonderful? Do you find yourself smiling more these days? I do! Everything seems more beautiful than ever before. I am almost giddy sometimes! I think it’s pure unadulterated appreciation for this start-over time we are having, being with friends again, making wonderful plans! Let me share some of that with you! 🚢🥂🚂 MUSICA!
🎵🎶 Tweet, tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet! 🎵
Such a springtime it’s been! Has it ever been prettier? I don’t think so. Each bloom has been like a marker, part of a seasonal parade, I’ll catch you up ~ the wisteria and the clematis has come and gone . . .
. . . the sun rises with an exclamation point and the garden sings out “Yes!” And I go get the camera. The peonies were gorgeous this year! Utterly utterly…
And this one, given to me by my girlfriends last spring when my mom died ~ just the perfect thing ~ a living tribute that will 
come up every year with a surprise of beauty and sweet reminder of my mother. Just like her, clean, sweet, and simple on the outside, complicated, and one of nature’s wonders inside! Never stops with the giving. Joe and I just made reservations for the TRAIN … we’re going to California in September, in our room with a view, to hug and kiss my family (squeal), and have a family reunion and celebrate our mom/grandma’s life and all she was and is to us. 💞
The rhododendrons and the dogwoods bloomed beautifully ~ and as usual, I thank Mrs. Bowditch, the woman who moved into this house with her husband and four children in 1949 and planted so much of our romantic garden (we’re the caretakers now) .. they’ve come and gone ~ as all things do, and so has the mock orange, the wedding bouquet of our garden! I am in the garden often these tender spring mornings…🌱
Now it’s time for the foxgloves . . .
The roses are blooming too . . .
. . . best roses I’ve had in years! Even the beautiful, fragrant, peach-colored “Just Joey’s” which bloom like mad in California, but until this year, not so much here! They’re doing great!
And the parade marches inside, into my little vases that line…
…the little shelf above my kitchen sink. Joe laughed the other day when I told him this shelf is the very best thing they put in this house! Pure genius! My wand, my Beatrix Potter people, little vases and flowers! Birdfeeders on the other side of the windows with view of the garden! Everything I need!
I’ve been drying laundry outside and airing the quilts on breezy days ~ with wide blue skies, sunshine, sea breezes, and birdsong! It’s truly the best musica anywhere . . . 🎵 🎶🎵 🎶
I go out with my scissors to cut flowers and look back through the screen door to see Jack on his ironing board perch, watching me like a hawk! He stops me in my tracks. Everything is Him!
When he sees me looking at him, he starts flirting immediately, rolling over and squirming and almost falling off the ironing board!
He can’t help it if he’s adorable!
We pulled the tiny fountain out of the barn, filled it with water, and surrounded it with porch flowers . . .
And Joe planted our new Dahlia garden. It’s our first one ~ it’s SO exciting… the tubers arrived, we got 23 different varieties . . . and I went out and made a schematic on paper to “decorate” with the different colors, so Joe would know where to plant them. 
He did a gorgeous job … Everywhere you see a green stake is a different dahlia, all sizes, shapes, and colors ~ can’t wait until they bloom. Like a little gift under the tree that we can’t unwrap for weeks!
Doesn’t it look organized? And you know what else we did in this brand new world where we’re allowed to leave the house sometimes? We bought a new car! There it is! It’s actually a 2020, but new to us, we have 
joined the Subaru Forester club … isn’t it cute? I love it but, it looks like every other car on the road! We’re never going to find it in the Costco parking lot! I’m still not quite used to the push-button start. We’ve only had one car ever since my old 1982 Volvo finally said bye-bye (after 40 years of perfect service ~ I’m of the “if it ain’t broke” school of thought)! All we’ve had is the van for the last year … we’ve been joined at the hip. Now I can go somewhere, and Joe can go somewhere else, and all at the same time! How novel! Note: Rhododendrons and the wisteria . . . see how fluffy?
But I digress, we’re talking dahlias . . . and LOOK! Our first milestone, they ARE coming up! (One worries. Actually, two worries.)
Every morning, after checking on the dahlias, out to the woods we go . . . to walk the sun-dappled dirt road through the shady green to where the pond opens to the sea . . .
The wonderful thing about walking on dirt instead of asphalt, is how kind it is to your knees! Also, less breathing of car fumes… years and years of doing this adds up!
These days (except when we get to the sea where we take them out), we walk with AirPods in our ears … Joe has one, I have the other, and we listen to the same book (from my iPhone) … it’s Hamnet now, a not-THAT fictional story of Shakespeare’s son … who’s name was actually Hamnet … it’s finely woven and beautifully written with the few Shakespeare facts we do know. . . so it’s fact-based . . . we’re only a few pages into it, but so far, I’m loving it. We love historical novels. If any of you, hint-hint, think you might be visiting Shakespeare’s home in the future, this would be a fun read!
This is the actual house of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne (Agnes) Hathaway. Joe has to watch his head! Look how crooked it is! And still standing! It’s wonderful! Can you imagine how she would feel if she knew? But again, I digress . . . we’re supposed to be walking now! Here we go… MUSICA
These days there’s lots of action around the water’s edge . . . and when you’re on foot, you don’t miss seeing the little things . . .
Me, too . . .
Lots of new babies amid the sparkles, guarded by their watchful parents . . .
Festive, happy, grateful people out digging for clams and canoeing, communing with nature! It smells wonderful out there!
The waves roll in toward “Stonehenge” of Martha’s Vineyard ~ but this stone circle is much more transient, like the seasons on the island ~ it goes away every winter, but it’s back, a little changed, every summer. But just like Stonehenge, you see it, you like it, you take pictures of it, and you wonder, “why?” . . . People being people, because we can.💞
And one more celebratory thing before I get down to business . . . this:⬆️ Speaking of yes we can: Girlfriends, off-island, TOGETHER, having LUNCH in a FRENCH restaurant, WITH wine, in the middle of the day, AND shopping. Okay? See what I mean? It’s because we’re free, and so happy to celebrate! We’ve only done this once, but once is so many more times than we’ve done it in the last year and a half!
Soft spring nights having dinner next to the water with dear old friends . . . I turned back to look as we were leaving our table … and had to take this photo for you . . . isn’t it insane? How can this BE? Just a little moment in time. Our beautiful earth. These vaccines have set us free! I pray everyone gets them so we can live like this forever!
Speaking of beautiful … wasn’t it wonderful to see the Queen, all dressed in flowers, out and about, so chipper, joking, and full of smiles? She truly set the tone with that smile ~ an inspiration for everyone . . . she seemed as overjoyed as I’ve been feeling . . .🌸
…despite the losses. But like her, we won’t forget. We are still honoring what happened to us all… our common grief . . . I saw this memorial, each flag representing a lost soul during the pandemic, while driving through Falmouth ~ every small town and big city in America has one… But despite it all, Queen Elizabeth showed us, with her action, despite profound loss, life is for the living. At age 95, she gave hope. A profound gift to everyone.🇬🇧
So, off to work we go! What have I been doing, you may ask? 
This. Spring cleaning to the nth degree! I’ve been getting ready for our neighborhood yard sale ~ happening next Saturday the 26th! And I have to say, instead of bemoaning the never-ending work that goes into doing this after twenty years🤪, I feel lucky to be lightening our load in a recycling kind of way! For all the joy I found in finding and using these charming old treasures all these years, it makes me happy to think soon it will be someone else’s turn!
Even a yard sale has it’s pretty moments! I can’t help myself. I tie things in ribbons.
I washed, and dried the linens on the line, thanking them for the memories as I say goodbye. I chose to believe that red embroidered monogram said S B … but I do believe it will be just as easy for a G B to think it was made for them!
I love these old things, I’m amazed at the kind of work that went into making them and wonder about the world they were born into … wishing they could talk! I think the initials here are D C, but it’s very hard to tell ….there might be an I in there. I never cared to know for sure, it was the beauty of the work I could not say no to!
Love all the little embroidery and lace trim . . . the heaviness of the old cottons, the sheerness of some of the fine linens…the colors in the old quilts.
This tablecloth has tiny appliqués of flowers and butterflies all over it, sewn with the tiniest of stitches. As I fold these linens, I 
remember the parties where I used them, and think about the good ju-ju they will bring to the lucky person who gets them next. Letting go, while reveling in the memories.♥️ Joe brings in a box from the barn marked “Yard Sale” ~ I open it and say, “OMG, I forgot all about this!!”
These wonderful old books have decorated our tables at lots of dinner parties!
Vintage tea pots, pin cushions, sewing baskets with their strange vintage contents from a bygone era (irresistible, I have four, three for the yard sale, one for me!), books, dishes, throw pillows, cups, rugs, baskets, 
kitchenware, dish towels, furniture, garden things ~ Joe’s in charge of tools and man stuff . . . Like native Americans I believe everything has a soul and a destiny and that these things deserve to escape the cardboard box, the dark cupboard, the messy barn, to run free and be useful. My girlfriend Margot likes to anthropomorphize her things, she says it makes it easier to say goodbye ~ I laughed so hard with her on the phone when she said, “Run little pie plate, run!” And FYI: I did try to do a yard sale in my webstore, but it 
takes so long to measure everything (laying tablecloths and linen towels out on the dining room floor to measure them ~ Jack positions himself in the middle!), take pictures, front, back, sides, and bottom, write a description for each item, upload and send pics to Kellee so she can put them up on the website ~ and time is the one thing I’m running out of … although we did get a few things up, and I am saving others, things that are so good, they should go to you . . . which I’ll get to after this imminent looming event is over!
Yard sales . . . we have everything for PLM, People Like Me, people with . . .
But the world does not stop for a Yard Sale! Yes, I’m telling you the truth! It does not!
New things have come in! A new dream charm! Filled with blue skies, fluffy white clouds and rainbows! Perfect timing for our world right now.
It has “Go. Be. Love.” engraved on it . . . Kellee put it up in the webstore a couple of weeks ago!
This too, Janie made us a new Courage banner . . . with the most darling gift envelope.
Can there ever be too much of this? Never! Even the good things require it! Janie also made us beach banners! A Secret Notes are back! All Here.
And LOOK, the samples arrived!!! One of each of the new cups was sent from England, so I can approve the final color! I’ve been drinking out of them! I love them! Here’s “Blessed” (the other two items in this photo are not part of the arrivals!).
And here’s “Rabbit-Rabbit” … I am thrilled with them ~ the only change I requested was to make the dark lines around the bunnies slightly lighter … I also asked them to lighten up a bit around their “toes” … I want them to look pink!
But look how cute “Rabbit-Rabbit” is with the rest of the “collection!” We needed a cup with a pink background!
And the last one is Winter! I did a reprint because so many of you asked . . . one of my prettiest cups, and smaller than the other two as you can see in the photo below.
Here are the “backs” of each cup … which I try to make as pretty as the “fronts” so no matter which hand you drink with, you are happy!💞
And here are the handles . . . the “Blessed” cup is a little hard to read in this photo, it says “My favorite prayer is Thank you.”
And the bottoms . . .
Ta-daaaa! Kellee just put them up for presale … go HERE! They should arrive from England the end of September or the first of October . . . you know they are special order and limited in number . . . I have to tell them soon how many to make … I think I know, but I just want to make sure you all get one if you want one!
But right now, for even more fun . . . how about a give-away?
I have three prizes for you today . . . one Fourth of July cup… (it’s out of stock, this is an extra I found in the cupboard!)
And to celebrate this amazing spring, despite the fact that yesterday was the FIRST day of SUMMER! ~ two “Spring cups.” To be entered, just leave a message in “comments” down at the bottom of this post, you’ll see tiny letters and at the end of the words, click on “comments” and voila! We’ll have a drawing in a little while and announce the winner here, but for now, you are ALL winners, so enjoy!
I told you it was all good news! And now, what many of you have been waiting for ~ NEWS about the England trip!
Joe and I went out to lunch and did our favorite thing … brought our books and talked about our trip to England next year 
. . . I wanted to figure out really special tours for all of you who might wish to take one when you arrive, tours that would make you feel as if you were walking through my book A Fine Romance. And, I wanted you all to be able to come to the PICNIC we planned! You know we found a great travel agency, one that does tours for 15 or less people, and takes care of EVERYTHING, so you don’t have to worry about ANYTHING! Between us we worked out 3 different tours, each of them lasting 8 days, all wonderful places Joe and I have been to … your biggest problem is to choose just one! These tours are a win-win-win! They all end up in London, where you can either go home, stay for a few more days, or join another tour! And, on the last day, before you go to London, all the buses come back to the most beautiful park I’ve ever seen, called Stourhead, where, after our time on the ship together, and then time on each of the tours, we will meet back up with stories to share! Is that good or what?!
So here are the basics: but first, mas MUSICA!
The Queen Mary sails from New York harbor May 1, 2022. We will arrive in Southampton on May 8th. People who choose to go on a tour will be picked up at the ship ~ and off they will go for a week of fun in the English Countryside. I can’t wait until you see the itineraries! They’ve kept me in dreamland for the last few weeks! Different clothes, but nothing else has changed!
So far, 98 staterooms, filled with US! Kindred spirits! have been booked!👏 Isn’t that wild? The ship is almost sold out! If you try to make reservations and are thwarted in any way, ask to be put on the wait list. I’m told that many people will cancel at the end of the year (everyone has up until Dec. 31 to cancel for a full 
refund), so there’s a good chance you’ll get a reservation.
To sign up for the ship crossing, contact Susan Gannon at 800-468-7752 x41663 or Cunard reservations 800-728-6273 ~ tell them you’re with Group #TNM (USA) or, #TN3 (Canada), Voyage M211, with the “Susan Branch Girlfriend Group.” They handle the ship questions, but have nothing to do with the tours… fyi.
To see photos of the ship, go HERE.
I have lots of on-board fun planned … but it’s a little early for full confirmations for some things, I’m waiting until closer to the time to make sure! I’ll be talking about this for the next year! The best part, is that we will all have each other, kindred spirits!
Our Picnic will be in the world famous garden at Stourhead, Sunday, May 15, at approximately 12:30 pm… on a beautiful lawn in front of the grass bridge like you see below . . . it’s one of our 
favorite places in England, pure magic, where we had our very first picnic! You are all invited. And that includes EVERYONE, that means you, Brits, and you over there in Norway, and YOU, out there in Spain! ALL our Girlfriends, everywhere! We’ll be waiting there for you on May 15th, 2022, at 12:30 pm, join us if you can! If you’ve elected to take a tour, the buses will stop so you can get a picnic lunch, and they will bring everyone back that day! The rest of you are on your own, but England makes travel VERY easy, as I’m about to show you.
FYI on the tours, you are all welcome to join any of the tours ~ you don’t have to take the ship … you can fly over if you like, you just have to get to Southampton to meet the bus! Talk to Kelsey, as mentioned below. (FYI, speaking of below, that’s Sissinghurst White Garden!)
To see the different tours: Go to www.discovereuropeltd.com/susan-branch print them out and read through them, you can check out most of the places in my book 
if you like, … and then call Kelsey Matson and her coworker at Discover Europe LTD with your questions ~ they handle everything having to do with tours (but not the ship). Call Kelsey from 9 to 5 EST, M-F, at 866-563-7077. FYI, they have almost the exact same cancellation program as Cunard ~ for a full refund you must cancel by January 1. So that gives everyone time to try this all on for size! For any of you that may want a longer tour, maybe go to Scotland, or go up to the Lake District, just let Kelsey know. She can arrange pretty much anything as long as there are enough of you to warrant the trip. You can work it out between yourselves on my Facebook page! And remember, we are a large group. We have a year to get this done, so in case she doesn’t get back to you immediately, I promise, she is wonderful and she will!
And, for you who you get off the ship but don’t wish to go on a tour? What to do, what to do? The options are basically endless. There are buses and trains to London, you can hire a private car, you can go with a group. Talk to others on my Facebook page, and perhaps put something together there. Everything you want to know is available in the Google machine.
If you feel comfortable driving and wish to do so, you’re fine, you can rent a car in Southampton. And for those of you who’d rather have a driver, there are many choices. There are cabs at 
the ship in Southampton, they can take you to a bus, or train, or you can arrange for a car to pick you up and take you to London (it’s only 1 hr. 42 min) where you won’t need a car, because they have cabs and the Underground! Totally civilized. They even speak a language that’s very much like English! Extremely handy! You can get a city map and do the MUST SEE things like Westminster Abbey. You can get on a red double decker bus and see the city. There are airport transfers from your hotel to the airport for your flight home. And London is where many day-trips originate, which take you everywhere, from Bath, to Sissinghurst, to Oxford! Just Google!
Your flowers are beautiful! How long will it take to travel by train to California!? Enjoy your trips!
3 lovely days…
I just love following the exciting England adventure.
Susan, you are the bearer of “all good news!” This blog post is full of exciting things! Cannot miss out on that charm, and the new cups are lovely! Really glad to see the Winter one reappear! You and Joe are making great plans for us! That is deeply appreciated! Our dahlias have come up; now to see if blossoms follow in the weeks to come. This is our first try, too. Another marvelous giveaway! Someone will be overjoyed at winning!
Hi Nellie!👋
Love…love…love your mugs…have several but would love more ❤️
My mother immigrated to America on the first Queen Mary in the 1950s. I visited the ship in Long Beach, California in the 1980s. I still have relatives in England. I have been a few times. My last visit was in 2007. Your future trip sounds lovely.
That’s historic Jeanette! I hope your mom has written her story down!
Love your blog and mugs. Can’t wait for the new ones. You always brighten my day.
Rabbie’s is also a great tour company for those who are interested. I’ve done a tour with them to Wales and may see what they have post-boat that is five days or less 💖
I know what you mean about trying to sell things on line. I am cleaning out my mother’s house in Pacific Grove, and selling things on ebay. The photos, the descriptions, measuring, pricing, shipping costs, all takes forever. And then the trips to the post office. But it is fun when you sell something, the memories of the item, and hoping if finds a happy home. Your trip planning sounds wonderful. I am setting up a trip with friends we met traveling in Ireland and Scotland to go to Boston and Salem in the fall. Halloween time, my favorite holiday.
Cheers to you Susan and your extremely entertaining blogs.
Thank you Nancy … and yes, it is lovely to see your things going to a good home!
Yes! Everything is so exciting these days. I find I’m more hungry for food and experiences!!!
I always look forward to your blogs. Envy you with your beautiful garden and flowers to bring inside. Mother Nature in all her glory! Sure wish I lived closer to be able to go to your Neighborhood Yard Sale. I’m sure we’d find many treasures.
Winning one of the cups would be wonderful. It would be #1 of my new collection! Thanks much for your newsletter, dear Susan, and good luck with your upcoming Yard Sale.
Love, love, love this post! Everything about it makes me SMILE…thank you, Susan!
I just relished this lovely long post! I’m inspired by all of your “recycling” of items that you have loved and enjoyed, but need to pass on to someone else to love and enjoy! We are trying to do that here too! I will definitely be ordering that Rabbit Rabbit mug, my daughter and I always see who will be the first to text that phrase to the other on the first of every month, it’s a fun game and you started it!
So glad to be getting back to normal, meeting some girlfriends for dinner tonight and I’m so excited!
So much wonderful bits to read. Read fast 1st time..then again to savor each word and photo. Your Dahlia garden will be gorgeous. I can hatdly wait.
Oh. How anout new book. I love my excerpt and and anxious for whole book.
Also i am exvited for trip next May and im mot even going…in person. But in spirit. Such wonderful times now and coming. Thank you a million timed for creating Willard.
~Dearest Susan~
Thanks for the BLISS you sprinkle about. Love seeing posts from you, just as much as reading the old ones…especially on a rainy afternoon.
Happy Summer Everyone!
~Marie
Hi, Susan!
I love the photo of you with your mom. You look SO much like her!
It feels good to spring clean, doesn’t it? Nice others will get to make memories with some beautiful items that you are donating.
Take care and looking forward to seeing the dahlias!
Hi Susan,
Having just returned from a Cape Cod getaway in celebration of our 15th wedding anniversary, reading your post has been the perfect way to ease back into reality. Thank you for your perfect timing in that regard!
The weather on Cape was great and most especially on our anniversary when we took ourselves and our bicycles aboard Hy-Line’s ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. The most exciting part of the ferry ride was when the crew conducted a “Man Overboard” (MOB) drill. It was nerve-racking at first, but after my husband assured me that it was just a drill (thanks be to God), it was rather exciting to see the crew in action! A big cheer went up when the MOB (life ring attached to a life jacket) was located, retrieved and brought safely back on board. Phew! After arriving in Oak Bluffs we grabbed a map and headed out to Edgartown via Beach Road. It was a spectacular day, warm and sunny with a slight breeze to cool us as we rode along the water. The view was gorgeous and did I mention the lovely roses abounding at every turn, over fences and lattice work, delighting our noses with their sweet aroma? We enjoyed grilled muffins and coffee/tea at Among the Flowers Cafe, a lovely little place not far from the dock. From there we rode all the way to Vineyard Haven where we window shopped and enjoyed ice cream cones before bicycling back to Oak Bluffs to catch the ferry to Hyannis. We spent the rest of our get-away visiting & dining with friends, relaxing & reading at the beach and reveling in being fully vaccinated & mask-free! Overall, it was wonderful to “get out of Dodge” for the first time since the pandemic shut down.
It’s so fun to read about all the plans surrounding next year’s cruise to England. I will be one of the many girlfriends unable to join you all, but nevertheless it will be exciting experiencing it vicariously through your blog posts. You are so thoughtful about including all of us in that way, whether or not we can join you. Thank you so much and thank you for tossing my name in the mug drawings. They look great!
Wishing you, Joe & Jack a happy summer!
Franny R
I’m so glad to read the island treated you to one of her especially lovely days! Yes, what a treat to be able to get out again. Good for the soul!
You and summer make me smile. ☀️☀️☀️☀️
Good afternoon lovely Susan …. how do we know if you reply to our posts? I have been unable to even find my post since it went to be allowed. When I posted there were about 300 posts ahead of me and now 900. I have looked and looked and read a lot of other people’s replies from you. Thought I would ask since I love and view all words “Susan” as sunshine and light. JudyCinNC
On a Mac, I believe it’s Command F to find a comment. Not sure of another way…! Believe me, I understand your problem!🤣
Love you and your artistry in all ways! I have been a fan for at least 30 years or longer! I was ‘sold’ on you when I saw your greeting cards! Then your cookbooks, then….and so it goes!
Enjoying the dream of travel! It is almost too beautiful to get back out and go to church, see friends and have lunch again. Grateful.
What a lovely post today. I’d give anything to be able to come to your garage sale and buy lots of stuff that I don’t need but would enjoy anyway!
I was hoping to see the 4th of July cup again. Congrats to the person lucky enough to win it!
Part of the rhythm of life! 😂
So nice to hear from you and see the normalcy return! Summer is just so wonderful. Happy Day,
Karen C
Loved reading your blog and especially the itineraries for the upcoming tours! I look forward to following your travels, England and the Cotswolds are my happy place!
Love it when there’s a new blog post. Makes me so happy. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I do love all your mugs…maybe I will get lucky. Take care and thanks again.
I love seeing the photos of your beautiful flowers!
Thank you!
WoNDERFuL! The travel plans. We must see what we can do about all these lovely places to see. We have made the best of the pandemic travel but time to head back across the pond!
My dahlias are in full bloom here in N C. I am totally in love with them. That is, of course, after the peony blooms! Wish I could be there for your sale.
Ohhhhh, I want to go on the Queen Elizabeth!! I want to do it ALL! But I can’t (my husband’s health) so I am counting on you to do what you always have….. take us along virtually. Thank you for helping me travel in the next best way than actually being there. We’ve learned this past year to “make hay in that virutal sunshine” when we cant’ actually be there. I love that the REAL “being there” is broadening more and more here the USA. Thank you vaccine makers and givers!! We love you!
Susan,
I have always loved your art and books. I met you a few years back at your shop, it was so very beautiful! it would be so nice to be back east to find your garage sale! Best of luck 🙂
Kindest Regards,
Gina
Hi Susan, as always just love love love getting & reading your posts. It simply makes my 💖 smile
I’m just back from Newport RI with a old-time girlfriend for the 1st time since b4 covid & it was GRAND to be able to get away & have fun eating out on the water, shopping & driving along ocean drive. Wish we could have been able to get to the Vineyard for a day trip but ferry not running due to mechanical issues.😖🥴 However looking forward to get there with my husband b4 Sept. Would love to purchase the 4th of July mug but see it’s out of stock. Any idea when it will be? Please advise. You take care of you & Joe. Be safe & continued good health. xo girlfriend Andrea J. 🤩
So good to hearing that you feel so much better. Enjoying the latest blog! All beautiful as always.
Hi Susan,
Good luck on your yard sale. Do not break any bones this year!
Your garden pictures are beautiful. I am adding plants and moving Hosta to a new shade garden behind my house in the woods.
Love all the cups. I have the Jack cup, it was a gift from my cousin.
Have a wonderful July 4.
Nancy R.
Dear Susan, just loved reading all the news in your blog today. Such joy.
In the 90’s i used to visit my friend Susan Kennedy who lived just down the road from you. Loved the august fireworks and seeing your sailboat in the window as we passed by. We did come over one day to get our books signed.. Susan moved to Cal, but this week moved back east to her home state of RI.
Looking at your blog, i would really like the piece of embroidery depicted. Not sure of the initials, but it is so beautiful, i do not care. Please tell me how to pay for it. Thank you for inspiring us all. Hugs Michal
Ps, our neighbourhood is having a yard sale this weekend too. I will let you know if i find a treasure.m
Love reading your post and really enjourd A Fine Romance💖👍
Good luck with your yard sale. Thanks for your uplifting Williard.
Hello Susan from the HOT west coast!!! you know me, i always have a cool summer drink to cool and refresh a person and i have one for the all the hot ladies enduring the triple digit heat all over this country so i hope you all enjoy a nice cold frozen lemonade tonight. ingredients: 1/3 cup freshly squeezes lemon juice; 1/3 cup sugar; 4 cups vanilla ice cream; lemon slices for garnishes. directions: in a small pitcher combine the lemon juice and sugar, stir very well until sugar is dissolved. add 1 cup water and 1/2 cup ice cubes, stir well to chill the mixture. add vanilla ice cream to blender with the lemonade mixture. blend on high until very smooth, pour into glasses and garnish with lemon slice. enjoy. serves 3-4. for an adults only cocktail just add 1 ounce of your favorite boozy flavor and enjoy. very cooling and refreshing either way. Happy Summer and enjoy!!! hugs…. 😀
Sounds wonderful Pat! Thank you!!!
my pleasure and i can tell you it is marvelous for either hot afternoons or hot evenings. absolutely delicious and cooling!! enjoy. 😀
Thank you, Pat! I’m going to try that…. I’m in the hot West with you, girlfriend 🙂
Hello Debby, you are very welcome and i hope you enjoy it. i mix some up and put it in a mason jar mug and sit out on the front porch and sip, nothing cools me faster and it is so refreshing, better than a summer breeze on a hot scorcher of a day. hmmmm guess i had better post my sparkling ginger lemonade recipe, another cool and refreshing drink for the summer. enjoy and stay cool. hugs…. 😀
Thank you!
Love your books and blog!
💐🌹🌸🌼
You sound so happy Susan! Summer is upon us and you help make it shine. Thank you!
Thank you for the wonderful break from my work day. All the flowers and sunshine and friendship sharing. And I absolutely love the Blessings cup.
Hi Sweet Sue!
I’m so darn happy! We can go out and about, visit with friends, I’ve got dirt under my fingernails, it’s a gorgeous day, and life is good!! AND – the Rabbit Rabbit cup may just be my new favorite! I’m ordering and can’t wait to get it. It’s so wonderful to read your “happy talk”. This darn pandemic had me down but I’m skipping along the pathway again. Thank you for being there for all of us and helping to keep us sane.
Love everything about this post!
(Especially flirting-Jack 😀 )
Keep smiling !
♥️ Deb ♥️
So great to hear you sounding so excited about life!
Thank you for the lovely post and the Musica! It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate summer this year. ☺️
I just love hearing what you have been up to, seeing the adorable drawings, and reading the quotes. Happy Summer!
Another great post! I’m following your trip virtually, and so looking forward to it! The world is opening with beauty and joy. Love the cups!
Love catching up with you and hearing about all your exciting news. I wish we could smell the flowers from your garden!
I was up in Fairhaven, MA for 2 weeks. Late spring and early summer is the best time in New England. High pressure where you can see Martha’s Vineyard from the mainland.
I just love your mugs!! Also just took out my Summer book to get ready!! Thank you for always making me happy 🙂
What a wonderful post, Susan! Thank you, again, for all the fun! I would love to be able to come to your yard sale…so many treasures—-I’ll be there in spirit. Happy Summer😎!
Thanks for the cheer!
So much to look forward to! Thanks for your sunny day news and good cheer!!❣️
Thanks for this lovely blog post!
This post filled me with joy — the only downside was not being close enough to attend that yard sale – it looked amazing! Thank you for the years – decades – of inspiration.
I always look forward to your blog posts, they always brighten my day! I hope I win the tea cups!
So glad your Summer is off to a wonderful start!
P.S. I LOVE the 4th of July mug!
Susan … your postings always make me smile. Love you garden BTW. I wish I had your … or is it Joe’s green thumb. The adventure/boat trip next May does sound wonderful since the picnic occurs on my birthday. Have a great train adventure. In May I traveled from Chicago to Portland to Verdi (Reno),to Colorado and home. You were partly the inspiration and I was able to visit family and friends along the way.
Your posts fill my heart with joy. They are little bursts of sunshine, and always have been. And such a beautiful garden you have this year! It’s the simple things in life…
I always look forward to your posts. I enjoy reading about what you have been doing and the pictures! I LOVE your flower garden with the white picket fence around it. Hmmmm…giving me an idea for my yard!
We planted a Japanese Lilac Ivory Silk this Spring to honor my mom who passed away this past September. Every time I pass by it I say, “Hi Momma!” And I’ve just started a surprise scrapbook to document my daughter’s Senior year – Susan Branch, of course!
👏👏👏👏
Susan, what a contagous happy mood ! It makes me so excited ! Your garden flowers are fabulous! Love to you, and Joe, and that Jack ! xxoo
What a joyful post. Full of happiness. I love things with a history. I have uncovered some of my mothers table cloths and have one on my table now. Makes me smile. Thank you for all your inspiration.
Such a lovely givaway…thank you Susan!
Can you send information about the yard sale please? Can anyone attend? I sent a comment, but I didn’t see a reply, Thank you!
Yes, it’s open to everyone… this coming Saturday, the 26th at 9am… in our Vineyard Haven neighborhood, Spring and William street …
Thank you so much for your inspiring and uplifting newsletters!
Happy Summer to you and Joe!
Your flowers are BEAUTIFUL…the Just Joey rose is the perfect color, and your lovely peonies remind me of our next door neighbor growing up – Helen – she was such a great lady and always fussing over her peonies. Congrats and good luck with your new car…I had a Subaru Forester – a black one – for years and years. It carried me safely on a long commute down a terrible highway to school and I loved it! Now have a sedan…but still think of all the “stuff” I was able to get in my Forester! Thanks for the chance to win a mug…always need another for a cuppa!
Susan, as always, it’s a delight to read about your “doings” and especially to see the pictures of your gardens, home and darling kitty! We also had a beautiful springtime blooming season here in northwestern Washington state…the hydrangeas are next with their exquisite colors!
Oh how I wish I lived close enough to attend your yard sale. Such beautiful things! And I love the cups!!! Crossing my fingers to win! ❤️
Love, Robin
I wish I could go to that yard sale! So very thoughtful of you to tie things in ribbons and make them look extra adorable.
Beautiful mugs, just beautiful!!!
I am so excited about the cruise and the possible tours to choose from. Thank you for an absolutely wonderful post. I’m downsizing my home, so I too am cleaning out 30 years of accumulation. What a job.
Once again, a wonderful post. The beautiful pictures and all your wonderful things on that shelf. It would be wonderful to win a beautiful cup. Thanks for the chance.
I can’t wait to see your dahlia garden in bloom! Thank you again for the ray of sunshine your are.
Your garden is so beautiful, and just wait till the dahlias bloom! Jack is darling, he has so much personality. I love seeing pictures of him. Regarding the photo of your new car (congrats!), in the background- is that the wisteria of which you spoke?! Oh my goodness, if it is, it must be absolutely gorgeous when in bloom! I am looking forward to Twitter from the Twain in September, that’s always fun. Wish I lived closer for your yard sale – I too love old things that have had a wonderful past life – one of my most treasured possessions is my mother-in-law’s 1/4 cup oblong flour measure with wooden handle where paint has chipped off (from so much use making cookies!). Love to you, Joe, and Jack. xoxo
Yes, that’s the wisteria, very old, planted by Mrs. Bowditch and it’s heaven when it’s in bloom… look back a few posts, I’m sure I put up pics of it~♥️
Hi Susan. You sound so happy to be out and about again! I know I am. I missed seeing my best friend for over a year-she’s in Chicago and I’m in Orlando-on top of that it was a big birthday year for her and I’ve not missed being with her on her birthday in over 20 years. We made up for lost time in May and hopefully again over the 4th of July. You keep smiling and creating those lovely mugs as well as everything else you do! Enjoy your summer.
Dear Susan – your blog is pure & simple happiness 😊 Thank you for taking the time to make us smile 😊 You’re going to love your new Subaru ❤️ Cheers 🥂
I so enjoyed visiting your site today: the happy tone of your notes, the beautiful photos and your joy and greetings for us! Yes, these are definitely happier times for us and we do appreciate things so much now that we are having more normal times!
The cruise will be amazing. Now to look at the tours ! Would love to win a cup !
I never win giveaways but would dearly love to this time! The cups ate beautiful and I love both the 4th of July one and the spring lambs. I think I will need to pre-order the new Blessed cup because an attitude of gratitude is everything!
Hello Susan!
It’s your old pal from Boone, Iowa! I love all the plans… so far… for the sail across the pond. I am hoping to return to Tuscany this Fall… I’ve been away for 18 months – the longest period since I began going in 1996!
A very good friend in Chianti, who is originally from Kent, wants me to travel with her to England and I very much want to do so. I’m such a sucker for Beatrix Potter.
I am an RN and watching carefully as the coronavirus variants develop. We must not think that this pandemic is over entirely. I just hope more people get the vaccine.
I love your gardens… I have beautiful gardens, too.. here at Smiling Dog Farm.
AND I’ve ordered the bunny cup because my husband has always called me “Bunnie”. I just love it!
BEST to you – stay happy!
I so agree. Watching the variants too. Our state is over 80% vaccinated, I’m so happy. But we live here on this big tourist destination of an island…people come from everywhere, it’s a little bit scary. And I really worry for those states where fear took over truth . . . this new variant does not look good. You take care Davi..and thank you for the bottom of my heart for what you do. xoxoxo
I love all your beautiful cups! I try to add one every year! Your posts are always a joy to read!
Wow Susan… You sure do make Spring come alive with so much color from your garden. I loved going down memory lane with your yard sale plans. Oh how it made my Heart Smile! Your cups remind me of many a tea time I have shared with others and so wish for one of your cups to enjoy tea someday. I feel a wonderful Vibe of Joy….throughout my whole Being! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Your blog always brightens my day! Love the new tea cups!
I loved this post – so full of beauty! Your garden is wonderful. Every day I go outside after work to check the progress in our garden and get inspiration. I always think that maybe I should buy one more plant, as there surely must be room for one more. We planted some dahlias this year, too; I am always reminded of my Scandinavian grandmother, as those were her very favorites. Things and places are opening here too. Our governor says the mandates for masks may be lifted the end of this month. At my work, in a skilled nursing facility, our residents who have received the vaccine are able to have visitors, and it is a pleasure to see them with family members. No hugging yet, but hopefully soon. We are planning a road trip to California in September to see family, too. Cannot wait. Thank you for inspiring me with this beautiful post, and best of luck on your coming yard sale. Whoever gets some of those lovely things you are parting with, is a lucky person. Hugs from across the country.
What an incredible BLOOM you have had in your garden this year, wow! Thanks for sharing it with all of us! I would love to win one of your sweet mugs, of course. I do want to do the Queen Mary 2 trip, but I am having trouble convincing my husband he wants to do it, too! Anyway, wish I could be at your garage sale this coming weekend. Supposed to be 99 in our part of Oregon Saturday, so I am sure it would be lots more lovely to be on the Island! Hugs, Suzette in Bend
What wonderful finds from your home to that of some special person who shares the joy of all things lacy, and filled with a past. I hope your sale is a success.
Yea! Susan has her sparkle back!!🎉. I’m so happy the winter mug is back! I’m not messing around this time. I got it ordered today! I would love💕 it if you had another batch of 4th of July mugs produced. Meanwhile I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the drawing.
Gonna do it Judy!💞
Wonderful to see your post today. Yes, haven’t the flowers been wonderful this year (in Connecticut). They are bringing such joy after this year of darkness. Good luck with your yard sale Saturday. Your treasures look tempting.
Susan, your peonies are amazing! How do you get them to keep their heads up??
And for our friends spending time in London, the London Walks tours are the absolute best! I’ve been on so many and they are a true delight. No reservations needed, just show up a the designated tube or train station. There’s a topic for every interest! Oh and their day trips are amazing! Again, just show up, no reservations needed! Once you pay the fee to the guide, your train ticket is taken care of! You won’t have to worry about a thing! We’ve been to Bath, Windsor Castle, Stonehenge… So fun and convenient!
I’m not in charge of the peony heads! 🤣 They just stay up. Unless it rains! Wonderful to hear that about the London Walks, just great info for everyone! Thank you Laure! ♥️
Can’t wait to see the blooming dahlias! And the trip sounds like so much fun!
You inspire me. Thank you. I love your mugs.
Happy Summer, Miss Susan!
Congratulations on your new car! But condolences on the beloved Green Volvo (which gets capitalized because I don’t know its true proper name). I’m driving my dear Daddy’s 1990 Jeep Cherokee until it perishes… it has a bit under 63,000 miles presently (just a baby).
Love Jack roly-polying around on the ironing board once he knew he had your gaze. Such adorable cat flirting. Last night I dreamed an elderly friend had two bobcat kittens living in his backyard. In the dream I sat on a garden chair and one of them jumped into my lap!
Please throw my name in the hat for the 4th of July mug. I am SO wishing I could get to MV in time for your yard sale… I had travel plans to come to the one that got mudded out. But this one is coming up too soon to make it there, boo hoo. Hope you get great weather and shoppers who appreciate becoming the new caretakers of things imbued with your special spirit!
Why are dahlias so “stiff” looking??? Are they rigid in real life? Can’t wait to see how your garden grows. xoxox Coco
I’m about to find out. That’s my problem with them too, that stiffness. But I saw a book of flower arrangements made with them and they were SO beautiful, it kind of got me going on them. We shall see!
Oh my!! So much news to digest and savor!
I would SO love to be at that yard sale and get some of your lovely treasures. The linens and teapots especially. Congratulations to whoever takes them home!
I also am interested in info (cost, etc.) on the ship and tours and will look into them, but the cruise over makes me a bit nervous as the only time I went on a cruise to the Bahamas I got violently seasick. Ew.
Have fun on your California trip and thanks for new cups to add to our SB collections. Happy, happy, joy, joy!
Thanks for writing – i’m hoping you are doing much better, and feeling well.
Lovely post! I am enjoying summer in the PNW. The best thing is reconnecting with family and friends…..joyous season!😍🎉🥰
I think gardens look extra beautiful this year. Well, everything seems to look so beautiful this year. Wishing I could go to your yard sale and get some treasures. Being present with family and friends, grateful.
Love your “Happy Summer Willard.” The valuable keepsakes passed down to me are the crochet and embroidered linens from my family that they handmade. I love to use them. Also, I must comment on Jack through the screen. I have a black & white dwarf bunny that has as much character as Jack. His name is Panda. He keeps me laughing and happy all the time. As a result, I collect ceramic rabbits for all over our house and yard. I’ve always wanted one of your special mugs and have just preordered one of your Rabbit Rabbit mugs. I had to have it! But everything you do is beautiful. I’m enjoying your calendar in my kitchen.
Lots of good news – ain’t life grand? 🙂 Wish I lived closer, your tag sale items look wonderful. My spouse is probably relieved that I don’t, ha!
Loved seeing your garden and home in the spring. Wish I could go to your yard sale, but how would I get all the lovely things I would buy into my suitcase?! The trip sound delightful and I am looking forward to going with you via your blog.
As always, your posts are a breath of fresh air. You manage to cover everything. Spring has been lovely here in Ohio too. Thank you for the joy you spread!
Always excited to see your posts in my inbox. Thanks for all the joy you bring to so many!
Loved today’s post! What a wonderful read to end a beautiful day! Reading A Fine Romance for the second time inspired me to find your blog. Now I’m booked and excited to join the group on the QM2. Im going to read about the tours now and I’m sure I won’t be able to resist. Ending all of the tours together at Stourhead is perfect. I’ve stayed at the B&B there several times. When it closed, we had the entire place to ourselves!
Oh how great, one things leads to another! See you there!🚢
Welcome to the Subaru family. We’ve had ours since 2006 and it is still going strong. As California flatlanders it gave us confidence to drive in the snow to the Sierra, so it will work well for you in Massachusetts. Not that you are eager for winter just yet, as your photos show what a beautiful spring you are having.
Not eager. Last winter was enough winter for a lifetime!🤣
What a joy reading your post today ! If a person was in a bad mood as they started reading this post they sure could not be in a bad mood by the time they got to the end of the post. Thank you for JOY and HAPPINESS and seeing GOOD all around !