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!
Needed something positive today…thanks, Susan!! 🙂
We are having a 4th of July parade in our little neighborhood!
Love the mug!
NEED a Blessed one! 🙃
Love all the photos and thoughts!
Wish I could come on the Queen Mary.
Maybe another time.
Enjoy!!!
Lovely blog post as always. Spring has been so beautiful 😻
As always, another delightful read!
Congratulations on the new Subaru, my 3 best friends and I are all Subaru sisters. I wish I was close enough to come to your yard sale, love the same sorts of treasures. Happy happy Summer.
My dad spoke of riding the Queen Mary on his way to live in France. His father was in the Air Force and they took the ship across the Atlantic to start their journey of living in Europe. Such a romantic adventure to embark on.
Oh my, can’t wait to see all those dahlias blooming this summer. I too, have dahlias and so love them and their variety of colors and shapes. But have to say the peony is my all time favorite and feel the bloom time is way too short. Here in Wisconsin the peonies are almost done now for the season…until next year.
Oh howI wish I could stop by and browse your yard sale!
Hi Susan!
I enjoyed reading your latest post, as always. Your photos are quite wonderful too, especially the flowers since my own yard is too shady to grow such beauties. Wishing you joyful sailing to England next year. Please enter me in your drawing for the mugs.
I was patiently waiting you new blog post and as usual it did not disappoint. So many fun things to read about. Love the new bead. Love the new mugs. Looking forward to your trip to England. Wish I was going to tag along but that will not be happening. Keep up the good work—–giving us girlfriends something to look forward to and smile about.
Thank you Dear Susan for all your work on the crossing next year. Wouldn’t it be fun if we had a brooch, or pin , or button to recognize each other along the way? Can you remind us the name of Rachel’s bakery and is it in Aylesbury? I am one that searches out bakeries when I travel. Looking forward to hearing again from you and all that is to come. Hugs, ~patty
I’m making something!👏 Rachel doesn’t have a retail outlet. She’s given up sending out brownies, and now just provides for local restaurants.
Your blog is my first experience with them. It lightens my heart with your art, stories, quotes….reminding so much of simpler times of golden summer gardens, the smell of lilacs, and jumping in a pile of leaves. Thank you so much
Very welcome Shelley xoxo
Exuberant pink peonies and white picket fences, such a perfect June picture! Thank you for all the beauty
I was up in ARROYO GRANDE for Memorial Day and went by the storefront where the Susan Branch store used to be. I MISS IT! I cherish the purchases I made there in the past.
And always think of it when I sip from my “APPLE FARM” SB mug I love the 4th of July mug. I keep an eye on e-bay for the mugs that are sold out.
Happy Summer, Susan!
It’s so much fun to read what you’ve been up too. I love your personal treasures that you’re going to part with. Each item will bring so much joy to the next person who will be blessed to own it! I also love your beautiful garden and really enjoy seeing your plants and flowers.
Enjoy your summer and I hope to see you in the Fall when you’re visiting CA!
Hi Susan, I guess just missed you in the SLO area! I was happy to be able to take a trip through there on the way Santa Barbara to see my parents and brother and his family (Brent Dill)who are there now. I miss visiting them in SLO! I didn’t get to Arroyo Grande. I love that town and miss your shop being there! I really wish I could do the England trip with all of you. It would be a dream come true. It will not work out for me this time. I love the new cups! I would really love another one; I think I like the blessings one the best! Have a blessed summer!🥰Sherri
No, we haven’t been there yet! We’re going in September!♥️
What a breath of fresh air this post is! I also want to thank you for the post when you were feeling not quite yourself and went to the acupuncturist! It helped me so much to know that others felt the same way I did! So grateful for every word you pen! Your flowers are beautiful and I hope you have lots of success with your spring cleaning! July 4th is my favorite holiday! The beach, patriotic music, bicycles, and fireworks!!! Summer is grand! Have a happy 4th!❤️
The garden is lovely! The winter cup and the blessings cup are my favorites. I wish I knew how to attach a picture of my Percy sitting on his new “catio”.
Thanks for your beautiful VB uplifting blog. I’d love to win drawing!
Beautiful ❤️
Couldn’t sleep, thinking of all the things I need to finish for our big visit from ew daughter and her 3 kids. A nice coffee and reading more of the comments is just the ticket.
I just laughed out loud at the one about not knowing how the car works……On one of mine and Tom’s trips, we arrived at the rental agency (after a loooog overnight flight), were given the key, found the car, and then……………Couldn’t figure out how the strange thingy fit or ever Where it fit. Tom was down on the pavement peering up and all around the steering column. Another Yank came over and asked if we knew where the gas tank fill was on his rental. Good laughs had by all. Finally found the slot, and off we went. At first touch of brakes, the engine goes silent!!! What? It was a hybred/electric. And it kept beeping if you were too close to a curb or hedgerow, which we always were, as the lanes are only just so wide!!! But, Tom said we got 50 mpg on that month long trip. With the price of petro over there, you need that efficiency.
Anyway, it was fun and such an adventure. I look forward to reading more from everyone.
Back to putting the drawer fronts back on the drawers. Don’t ask.
Mucho Love from Debbie in Maine, after a lovely much needed rain last night
Not asking!🤣
Dear Debbie, Thank you so much for the info on York. I think that The Lion and Lamb has moved to the top of my list for places to stay. Waiting to see if a friend will be able to meet me there before making a reservation. Loved your comment about rental cars. When my sister and I rented a car years ago (in the U.S.), we had to stop for gas on the way home. We searched and searched- quite unsuccessfully- for the gas cap release. Fortunately, the owner of a similar car stopped at the same gas station. We’d probably still be there otherwise. The release was inside the glove box!! It’s now one of the first questions I ask. When driving in Scotland 2 years ago, my friend and I were quite surprised to learn that rental cars do not have spare tires in the UK. You have to wait for roadside assistance to find you- and we were often in the middle of nowhere. Such adventures. Dianne in upstate New York
Oh what a fun blog post! I always look forward to them, they are so colorful. I love the Vineyard and visit every year. I will be traveling to England next March for my yearly trip. Say hello to Jack.
All of your beautiful watercolors and uplifting quotes are what I look forward to reading every morning before I go off to work in the cheese & coffee shop! Thank you for all that you do to bring happiness to so many.
What a lovely post. I love how you prep and fuss over your yard sale goodies. What a treasure for the next person who owns them. Fresh and pressed and full of good Susan Juju. When my girls were babies I used to do the same thing with all of their sweet little clothes. Sometimes the outfits were only worn once, they outgrew them so quickly. I washed and rinsed them in Downy and hung them on the line, then pressed them. I hung all the dresses on sweet little hangers and even stuffed the sleeves with tissue to make them puff. I remember one expectant mom in particular. She was lovingly touching and sniffing all the clothes. She commented on how she didn’t have much and was so excited to find such fresh and pretty things. It made me feel good that they were going to someone who could really use and appreciate them.
I am so happy that you are feeling better and happy again. We have been catching up with friends and family as well and it feels so good.
I can’t wait to see your Dahlias! I planted sweet peas again this year and my fingers are crossed that they succeed. There are some pesky voles, moles or chipmunks tunneling through my beds so that has been frustrating. I love all of the little creatures but gosh darn it i wish they would leave my flowers be! I have two of the most adorable baby bunnies, but they ate all of my freshly planted impatiens!
I am so excited for you to make the trip on the train to California to see your family. I’m sure it will be lovely and bittersweet.
The trip to England sounds magical. I think half the fun is in the planning and anticipation. Oh how I wish I could go, but I will be there with you in spirit!
Happy Happy to you and Joe and enjoy these wonderful times. Thanks again for sharing your little corner of the world and giving us girlfriends so many pretty and inspiring things to look at.
Have fun at your yard sale and take lots of pictures.
Love you lots!
Mary <3
Yes, our bunnies have been extra hungry this year too! Loved the little dresses and the puffed sleeves, I can just see them!
Mary, We have a major chipmunk explosion here in Maine, which is because the oaks have produced multiple times the usual acorns. So after 2 years of this, we are up to our bippies in chippies! Last summer, my next door neighbor had all her carrots and beets gobbled up from below, as well as the cute little critters chewing holes in the heavy liner for her rock pond and water fall, which costs about $100. A different neighbor said to use kitty litter clumps (including the kitty urine) scattered about.
It Works! No more mice in the basement, no chipmunks chewing up the roots of the flowers and hostas. Everyone around here uses the wood chip litter, so it just goes into the flower beds. Needs to be replaced after heavy rain, which is Not happening often. We’re several years into a serious drought…which is why the trees put out so many nuts and seeds, survival for new trees if the old ones die. So now everyone with a cat is extremely popular, trading and bartering for kitty clumps!!
Debbie in Maine….getting set for “real heat” this week.
Your cups are gorgeous and so sweet! I got my Momma the bluebird one this past Mother’s Day and she absolutely loved it!
This post was the nicest way to start my day! Your gardens look lovely and I am lookig forward to seeing how your dahlia garden emerges. Would love to win one of your beautiful mugs. Happy Summer!
Susan! Loved ALL of this. So wish I could go on your magical trip. And when I can’t find MY Subaru Forrester, 6 years old now, which looks like a thousand others, I push the button on my fob and my car winks at me!
Your house and garden look enchanting. And I love the cups. All good. 🥰
Yes, and if all else fails, I guess we can set off the alarm! 😘
Hi Susan! I so look forward to your Blogs! I can’t wait to visit Martha’s Vineyard someday. My sister, Vicki, and her husband, Dave, have made a reservation on the Queen Mary 2 with you. I am so happy for them as it is their “Trip of a Lifetime”. Your garden is beautiful! Have a great yardsale-they are so fun!
I have just been reading your books “The Fairy Tale Girl” and “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams”. I couldn’t put them down! Love, love, love. I’m picking up “A Fine Romance” today and will probably have it finished in no time. Love you and love your books. Takes me back to my youth! I also bought your “Summer” book and I’m looking forward to the recipes and suggestions for a wonderful summer! Would love, love, love that 4th of July mug! I think I’m going to preorder the Winter mug. I love that they’re made in England! (I’m just loving everything here, aren’t I!)
Yes you are, and I just LOVE that about you!😂♥️
Dear Susan:
After buying Marth’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams, several years ago, then The Fairy Tale Girl and A Fine Romance, and discovering that my four sisters love gift copies from me, (one sister burst into good tears when starting Martha’s Vineyard), I simply want to thank you for your generosity in writing these wonderful blogs! So creatively inspiring and a light in the world. Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Maureen
My pleasure Maureen, I love the connection with all of you…💞 I love that we came here from everywhere and found each other!
I love your cups–and so excited to be booked into a lovely cabin on the Queen Mary with the girlfriends group!! Thank you for your inspiring blog!
Love reading your post so much fun & always uplifting
Susan,
Such a happy post. It delivered an entire basket of joy and happiness. Thank you. I so wish I could join you all on the cruise, maybe one day.
Your garden is pure inspiration.
xo,
Karen
I adore your garden and your blog. You make your blog readers world “go round”. Thank you for sharing.
What delightful post! Happy days are here again!!!! I pre-ordered the Winter cup to add to my vast collection of SB mugs. I absolutely adore them all!!! As a matter of fact, I’m drinking my morning coffee out of the Summer one now. LOVE!!!!
Having transplanted from southern CT to east TN, I love and appreciate all your photos of the seasonally blooming vintage-y New England gardens! I think I can smell the peonies and can’t wait to see the Dahlias! (My mother always called them dayl-yuhs while here they call them dal-yahs. Is that an appalayshun — apalatchin type thing or was my mom unique in her pronunciation?)
Not sure, Joe calls them daul-yuz… 🤣
You are a master, dear Susan, in positive energy production and sharing! Thank you for the blog this morn which clears the cobwebs of my brain to allow the light to brighten the day with hope and possibility. I have not seen my son and his family who live in California in two years so you have inspired my research into taking the train cross country as you do. I am not a fan of flying either. Thank you for inspiring that Dreams Can Come True with work and dedication to make them happen. Blessings for this day and always, dear Susan.
💞💞💞💞
Your posts always bring a smile to my face (especiallyJack)! Happy Summer!
What a happy, joyous post! I love setting “my” possessions free for someone else to love.
Happy Spring!
Ah, you are reminding me of a favorite quote (credited to Alexander Chalmers) “The three grand essentials of happiness are: Something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.” Looks like you nailed it! I will have to leave myself at the last part and hope that someday I can join you on such a grand adventure! I will have to settle for the armchair travel on this trip. So exciting! And new cups! Eeeek! Love the Rabbit, Rabbit! XXO
Susan, I love your blog posts! I save them for a day when I can sit down with a cup of coffee and feast on your words and pictures. It’s very Hygge to me! (Hygge: one way to describe it is “to create well-being, connection and warmth” 🙂
I love all of your flowers and agree – it’s been a really lovely Spring. The flowering trees here in Central Illinois were spectacular this year. We’ve had a delightful couple of days in the 70s, but I fear we’re heading back into the 90s soon. Bluck.
I would LOVE to win the 4th of July mug, since that’s my birthday!
Thanks to you for all you do – you create so much Hygge for us all.
So many beautiful things! Thanks for a great start to my day. 🙂
I LOVE ALL YOUR BOOKS & POSTS. ❤️❤️❤️ I would LOVE to win a cup!
Love, love, love getting your news in my email box! So glad your happiness can affect so many of us and keep us smiling.
I need that 4th of July mug!
Lori P.
Such a beautiful and uplifting post. I especially loved the beautiful flower/plant your dear friends gave you to honor your mother. My friends gave me a magnolia tree to honor my mom who passed a few months ago, we just planted in our front yard. Happy summer to you and Joe.
I’m so sorry for your loss Nan.😢
Love your blog,Susan.It always puts a smile on my face.The mugs are beautiful! Thanks for the contest.😻❤
Thank you for brightening my day!
I’m so glad you are feeling better. This was a lovely blog post!
Oh, such joy! It is refreshing, our new year and open doors to get out and start living! I wish I were close enough for the yard sale. I see many items I would stalk…And the trip next summer! Ahh.
Sounds like a wonderful adventure💕 Love your new mugs, so cute! Lots of love to you Susan. Happy Solstice☀️
This blog is such a day brightener. I am so glad to read of your adventures. I took a train for the first time from Philadelphia back home to Tampa. It was so relaxing! I will do that again sometime. So grateful for your writings!
What fun it will be for those attending your yard sale. Unfortunately, I can’t make it from Iowa! But hope you will share with us any fun conversations or experiences with customers. That’s the fun part of working a garage or yard or tag sale. Always intersestig what others are looking for and what they plan to use items for.
Your trip sounds so very exciting! I will certainly look into the details. And thank you for your newsletters! What a joy to read!
Happy summer to you from Rhode Island.
Hello Susan,
So glad to see how beautiful your garden is and the happiness in your blog. Question, do you have to dig up your dalia tubers after bloom for the winter and replant in spring or can you leave them in the ground? I tried them here on the Pacific Northwest island of San Juan Island and left them in the ground. They came back one year but not the next. Both our winters and summers are milder than on the vineyard.
Hope you and Joe have a fabulous train 🚂 trip to visit your family!
Warmest aloha, Mary
We have to dig them up, they can’t take our winters. We’ve never been good at the digging up part of gardening. Hopefully we will love this garden so much we will dig them all up and save them for next year! Thank you Mary!
Thanks for being a bright spot in my day with your posts! I would love to go to your yard sale! I know I’d find a treasure!
Happy days are here again!
Dear Susan
I’m feeling the excitement! Of summer being here, of friends together again, closer kissing and hugging, and of your beautiful trip with all the girlfriends! I will follow along from home but I’m sure you will make me feel like I’m with you all!
Love to see you back on the blog and so happy! It makes me happy!
aaand I’d be honored to be “mugged”!
xxooxx
How Fabulous this read was! I wish I was going on the QM.. maybe next time! I also wish I lived in MV to goto the yard sale.~!
Cups are gorgeous…..
what wonderful options you give for anyone who dreams of traveling to England! thank you, susan!
Love the pink bunny mug. My wedding 53 years ago was pink. So many memories
LOVE yard sales!! Good luck and hope fair weather !
OH! It all sounds so marvelously fabulous! I hope y’all enjoy your time in England and in the crossings.
I will be traveling with all of you in my heart and mind! I’ll look up these places and learn with you all. Lay in my tea things to have tea with you all and follow your comments! Enjoy!
love your blog and pictures! Wish i could join you on your next adventure.
When my parents moved out of my childhood home I transplanted their peonies in my south flower garden. Every year they bloom and remind me of my parents, now departed.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your books. I feel like a kindred spirit.
Thanks for reminding us of all things beautiful.
Love this newsletter and the new cups!
Dearest Susan…. I was just thumbing thru photos from 1971/72 in preparation for my 50th high school reunion this fall in Dedham MA. One of my most beloved memories is a trip to the Vineyard in the summer of ‘72. Now living in the mountains of Idaho, my Susan Branch Martha’s Vineyard coffee mug reminds me of those memories!
So many beautiful things! Beauty gives joy to the soul!
What a lovely read. . . I think I can smell the flowers!
Thank you🌺
Hello Susan, What a lovely post…your flowers are amazing. Are you have any gathering in California in September, perhaps Apples ? I will be in England May 2022! Now, I need to figure out how to get to Sourhead. What major train station will be close by? Do you know of a place where I can stay for one night?
Sorry, so many questions. Big Hug to you and Joe. By the way, I met you at the Castle Cottage picnic with Mandy. I was featured in your blog- The one in the red coat. I was talking with Joe about driving in England.
What a fun post!!
This latest blog brought back lovely memories of our five week driving tour with friends, of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. We loved Stourhead too, and had the park almost to ourselves. The walk around the lake was fascinating as we went through the grotto on the other side and admired the gorgeous plants. It was a magical trip made easy by using Rick Steves books and our own GPS from home, which my husband downloaded with all the maps. Believe it or not, we never got lost! I would love to do it all again❤️ I’m keeping my fingers crossed to win the 4th of July cup, that I somehow missed when it was available. I love the others I’ve purchased. Wishing you a lovely summer, 4th of July and great trip abroad.
Love your updates. Your garden is amazing. Keep it up.
I wish I could go to that yard sale!
I love your emails! Always chocked with so much fun and information!
Thank You!
Carol – FF (Fan Forever) since a dear friend gave me your first book back in the ’80’s!
Anytime I read something you write or see your artwork, is happy news!!! Bless you!🥰😍💕
Wonderful to read such a happy post and see your beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, I have a black thumb…didn’t get the “gardening” gene but my sister has a lovely yard like yours…she even enjoys weeding!
Thank YOU for todays escape~
Such a lovely post!! That happy gene has definitely fully emerged from its cocoon as a beautiful butterfly, spreading sunshine everywhere. And speaking of butterflies, I am going to have to tie myself to a chair, so I don’t head to Falmouth and the ferry this weekend. I would love to attend your yard sale in order to purchase the tablecloth with butterflies and flowers. I’m sure that it will be gone in a minute! I will just have to comfort myself with the thought that it will be bringing delight to someone else’s table.
I love your kitchen windowsill with all the little vases filled with flowers. It brings a smile to my face each time it is included in a post. In fact, I’ve added a “kitchen windowsill to my list of things to look for when I’m house hunting. Speaking of flowers, when do dahlias bloom in your area? I hope they’ll bloom before you board the train. to head west. Will you be back on the Vineyard for Halloween? I hope so. A friend and I plan to spend the weekend of Halloween there, and I’m hoping to finally catch a glimpse of “Casper” in an upstairs window.
We’ll be celebrating her birthday with fresh seafood and walks along the beach.
My book group met at a restaurant last week, and we were so overjoyed with meeting in person that we forgot to really discuss the book. We were just catching up with each other’s news and giddy with joy at being together again. Life is returning to “normal”, and I do believe that we are so much more appreciative of what we have.
I could not believe my eyes when I read the post! I have had my fingers (and toes) crossed that the picnic would be in Stourhead. I can not thank you enough. My friend across the Pond lives in Hampshire, and I am so hoping that she can join me there. Although she was unable to join me at Castle Cottage due to the distance and work, she was thrilled with the copy of A Fine Romance that you signed for her. Any possibility that your next travel diary will be published in time for the crossing?
Another giveaway- you are always so kind. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the July 4th mug. In the past, I have been successful in tracking down discontinued mugs from far and wide- 2 from the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo, 2 from Brewster, and 1 from Titcombs. Not to mention the ones I purchased from you. I drink from my mugs daily and have gifted several to friends. And yes, I will be bringing my Corgi mug on the Queen Mary (I took my Castle Cottage mug on my two previous visits). Is there any possibility that you might reissue the July 4th mug? I understand that you’d like them to be limited. I just thought that with the focus on bringing the country together, you might consider the idea. I don’t usually celebrate my birthday, but last year I had decided that enough was enough- it was time to celebrate to me (in little letters, not big). Covid had other ideas. So, I ordered the birthday mug as a way of celebrating, and guess what? It arrived on my birthday!! I celebrated with a nice cup of tea and a good book. Perfect!! Take care. Wishing you, Joe, and Jack a wonderful Summer
I’m definitely going to re-release the 4th of July cup … I had no idea so many missed out on it! I think maybe I might have to wait until next July 4th… it takes them 4 months to make the cup and have it shipped here ~ otherwise we might be having 4th of July in November!
So glad to hear that you will be re-releasing the July 4th mug. Next time around I will order mine right away, so I don’t miss out. Since I’m budgeting more than in the past, I tend to “snooze and lose”. Tea is always in my budget, as a cuppa is such an important part of my day. I will be bringing two of my favorite Harney & Sons blends on the Queen Mary with me- Tower of London and Victorian London Fog. Can’t wait to share them with the Girlfriends.
Fun!!!
Dianne (from Upstate NY?), I am sorry I’ll miss meeting you on the Voyage. You, too, have the Happy Gene 🙂 And you seem to be such an adventurous gal. Not that we don’t get depressed…..certainly if not during the last year and a half, we must be “smoking something”, as we used to say in the 60’s and 70’s.
I must have needed the sleep last night, as I didn’t get up until 9 AM! Got my coffee and went outside…..straight into Heaven! Tom was struggling against the stiff breeze putting up the big octagonal screen room. We laughed and struggled until he figured it out…cleaver the way they designed it. From that angle in our yard, you can see all the way out to the larger bay, Taunton Bay, where the seals haul themselves out on the rock as low tide to sun themselves. That bay runs into Frenchman Bay, and down to Bar Harbor and the Cranberry Island and beyond. Roads are choked with tourists, so we don’t go there in Summer.
I felt as though I’d stepped into a Robert McCloskey book…One Morning in Maine or Blueberries for Sal. Just a stunningly perfect day. If I were still able to sail, I’d be out on that bay in my neighbor’s Sunfish!
Wind keeping the blackflies and other bloodsuckers away. EEEEEEKKKK!
Feel as though my heart will burst.
Susan validates those of us who try to see the world as positive possibilities, doesn’t she? And she gives so many of us a platform to express and share this.
By the way, Tom and I have explored up and down and around all of the Hudson Valley. I was driving up from Tampa one year, and saw on the motel TV that Martha Stewart was in Hudson that day for lunch at a local diner. I made it a point to go there for breakfast the next morning. The waitresses told me she was snobby and left them a nickle tip for her cup of coffee!!! Of course we here in Maine, have lots of Martha stories, none too flattering, of her interactions with the locals over on Mt. Dessert Island. She lives in Seal Harbor some of the time. Anyway, next time on our annual migration, Tom was with me, and we spent an entire day in Hudson. Loved it.
Hope you are enjoying this wonderful, cooler spell before the heat of July settles in.
Debbie in beautiful Maine
Life is WAY too short for snobbery … look how much she must miss! xoxo
I had to smile when I saw your comment about Martha Stewart, as I’ve heard similar comments many times. My son used to work at the Mohonk Mountain House, and he could tell some stories. Some of the “famous” guests looked down on the staff while others were very appreciative of their service. There’s an old saying- “we all …. the same way”. Snobbery closes so many doors; you’d think that people would realize that. When I travel, I’v e always been greeted warmly and with respect. But, I travel with an inquisitive mind and with a genuine interest in both the places and the people I’m visiting. I feel as if I’m rambling; the heat has fizzled my brain!
Hello Susan, I love reading your posts. You always inspire me to walk down memory lane. Such lovely thoughts and memories. Thank you for the chance to win one of your beautiful cups. One day, “The greatest generation” will be gone, there will be no one to ask this or that, and we will only have our memories, Thank you for curating the lovely things of days gone by. Iris Shubert
It’s a good day when your email shows up. Always a treat! It’s already too hot here in the West, so it’s like a cool breeze to hear about life on your island. I so enjoy the photos. Your flowers are glorious. Thank you for a peek into Susan Branch world. It’s a magical place. 😊
Beautiful post! So excited to see your Dahlias in bloom!! This past Fall I planted a white and pink hydrangea and looking forward to seeing the blooms this Summer. Enjoy that train ride and family – how fun we can plan and look forward to some adventures. Adore that Forth of July mug – one of my favorite holidays.
Well I just loved this whole post!! I will be following along with all the Girlfriends next year when you all go to England!! Your garage sale things are lovely ( of course! ) and I can hardly wait for the new cups to arrive! Have a lovely day today and an even lovelier tomorrow!!
Kathy L
What a blessing it would be to win 1 of your mugs, Susan! I love my hot tea in your mugs…they warm my hands up as I start my day off. Thank you for the. Opportunity.
Looking forward to your trip to England & while I cannot go w/everyone I will surely be following all your adventures. Your photos will be wonderful I know & help me relive a trip my hubby & I took to Britain a few year Is ago.
Thanks for including me in the drawing.
Hugs!!
Inspiration celebration to the max!! Love it all! Thank you Susan!!
Lovely to see your post. It’s rainy here in Florida so seeing it brightened my day. I lost my travel companion 6 years ago and have gone on only one overseas trip since and that was to Israel with my church friends before covid took over my life. It’s so great to travel with friends and I look forward to seeing all of your posts about it. Someday…you’ll see me there but for now I’m content to enjoy it through your eyes.
Blessings,
Judy H
I’ll do my best to bring it home for you Judy!
Thank you!
You make me smile, Susan Branch! Would love to shop at that yard sale. I AM going to get back to England some day, just not next year.
I posted a comment a couple of days ago, but I’m not sure it went through. I will make this comment shorter. I’m thrilled you are offering the Winter cup again; it was always my favorite.
I’m hoping for a chance to win the Spring cup as I gave mine away to a friend with the intention of buying me another one, but they were retired.
I love your blog, books, recipes, and inspiration!
I to shall throw my hat into the drawing for the mugs, so much fun! Looks like plans are well underway for the trip to England, I will have to enjoy the journey by reading the blog entries. I went to London and Paris with my sister and it was fantastic, if opportunity presents I would go again. We are planning a trip to New York this September a bucket list for me, can’t wait. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the drawing!
Hi Susan,
My heart was drawn to the kindly gifted white peony plant in memory of your mom. My mom just passed away a month ago, today.
Thank you for the tender share.
Blessings!
I’m beginning to realize a month is the same as a year is the same as twenty years. Our moms. How lucky were we!
lovely photos of England. what a trip that will be!
My mother-in-law introduced me to all that is the beautiful world of Susan Branch almost 7 years ago. She loaned me her The Fairy Tale Girl book because I had “ooed” and I “aahhed” at some of the mugs she has collected of yours and I fell in love with your recipe books so used during a Christmas I visited in New York while I was still dating her son, my now husband. I laughed and cried and now I knew why she loved you! As I do too! Then your Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams book is my favorite. So inspiring! Every Christmas I look forward to receiving one of your mugs, so she and I each have a collection in our homes that we can share tea and discussions together about life, love and everything in between. Thank you for connecting us through your wonderful art and stories! She’s also going to be making a trip in your direction soon, and heard about your yard sale! I’m hoping she can get through the busy crowd and make it to your yard sale. I wish I could be there with her, but I’m sure she will have a ball! Her name is Nancy Tolley if you happen to see her! Happy Summer!
What a beautiful relationship you’ve made with your mother-in-law! I love it!
It is wonderful to hear all the great news. Like they sing in “ Hamilton”
“ look around, look around, what a wonderful time to be alive right now”
Thanks for reminding us of that.
Yes, look around! It’s all so wonderful! xoxo
Thank you so much for your comments about the people who passed away this past year. My dear husband Don (married for 50 years last July 18th) died of Covid on January 10. Spring is the time of new growth and I’m attempting to find my new growth pattern. At the age of 71 I’m still inventing and discovering myself and have followed your growth from the very beginning when I found your first book at Costco. What a fortuitous day that was. Thank you for your sharing of dreams, growth, spirituality. You are amazing!!
Oh Peg, I’m so very sorry!😢 That’s such sad news. Love your positive outlook, I’m sure that was one of Don’s favorite things about you! Such a beautiful quality! We never stop growing … life never stops bringing us lessons, joy and sadness, and most astounding beauty. Sending love and blessings for each day a little better than the last. xoxoxo
Thank you for writing this uplifting and cheerful post! It just made me feel better after reading it. Life is still sweet, and your words help me to remember that!
Fourth of July is my favorite holiday! We missed out last year so this year will be extra special!!!