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!
Oh this is all delightful 🌼☀️🌟 The mugs are so wonderful especially 4th of July! I try to find a Susan Branch calendar every year. I always enjoy it! Summer has begun and the freedom & sun are also very delightful! Happy 4th 🇺🇸💥
Ahhhhh, love seeing linens hanging on clothesline, flapping in the breeze!❤️❤️❤️
Good luck with the yard sale, it all looks good to me!
Last Saturday evening at our Juneteenth neighborhood party, I was chatting with the gal who introduced me to You, Dear Lady. I think she knew I needed you in my life, so one day I found all three of the Fine Romance books in a bag on my door step. I now own 2 sets. Anyway, she told me that she keeps one on her bedside table at all times, so when she’s overwhelmed with her life (and it’s extremely busy) she can read a bit and say ahhhhhh. She didn’t actually say that, but that’s what I do.
Po’ folks at the party almost had to put a gag on me. Doc trying new pain med, Gabapentin, and Boy, does it make me Gabby!!! Doesn’t do much for me other than that.
Getting some rain! Yea!
Debbie in Maine
LOL, Debbie, you are so funny!
Your cups are beautiful! I wish I could stow away and go on your trip too!
Kathy T.
It would be a dream to travel with you and girlfriends next May. I love my bluebird mug. Love it, Love it. And July 4th means so very much to me. AND I love your lambies. So Precious!! Thanks for making me smile with your blog catch ups. Love your garden. After retirement, I have tried my hand at a bit of gardening. Alas, this Da** Arizona sun burned up a few plants. I’m learning…
Take Care,
Tricia Ladd
laddpa@outlook.com
Yes there is no choice but to plant what grows where you live, I have fought that for years and finally gave up and put in a jillion hydrangeas!😂
Thank you for all the happiness and joy you give to our world! You are just delightful!
Love to you, from Marion
Oh my, a lot happening…all good! Same here…summer comes and so many good things happening. It’s hard to not try doing everything! And why we the quiet winters to recuperate 🙂
Thank you for the opportunity to be “Blessed” with one of your special mugs!
Your blog is pleasantly relaxing. I pretend to walk right along with y’all. Blessed describes you and your watercolor life. You were so very bold to make the move to your idyllic island…blessedly bold <3
Your mugs are so charming!
Susan and Joe~Summer greetings! Love the new mugs! One of these days I will be finally sipping my tea from a genuine Susan Branch mug. Maybe one of the giveaways will be the one!
Wish I was there for the yard sale. Love the new rabbit mug. Have a wonderful summer!
Hi Susan, I’m glad all the news is good, and I’m always happy to read your posts. I’m crossing my fingers for the 4th of July cup! Best wishes to you and Joe.
Happy 4th!!
what a wonderful, bright -I’m back- post. Just love it!
Such happy spring mugs!! Just what I need right now. Have a July 4th that is full of fun!
Susan love your garden and the flowers are so beautiful. It is so very neat-and I didn’t even see any weeds! Joe must be out there cleaning up everyday! I am exited to be entering your drawing…hope I win!
Hello my dear friend, Susan!
It has been such a joy to read all your books etc. Your blog is such encouragement thru this past year [ rough time] in our world. I am thankful to still see “good” in so much around me. I love traveling virtually on all your trips. You are an inspiration, Thank you. Looking forward to each new blog and I re-read them just to have a “re-grounding” Here is to much joy and blessings in all our futures!! Love Evangeline p.s. we met years ago in Asheville NC
We can all use a little re-grounding in these crazy days . . . still so early in the “back to normal” phase, lots of people not even there yet! Hope this crazy variant doesn’t get people… tell everyone to get vaccinated! Nice to hear from you Evangeline …
I have been out of sorts Susan for quite a while as most people have but I wanted you to know reading your posts always lifts my spirits. I am way behind the times and didn’t even know about the England trip. What an amazing time that will be for all. I will have to check out all the info on it. I would love to be able to go. Thanks for putting a smile on my face. Hugs from another girlfriend. Sharon.
Hi Susan 🙂
I loved, loved, loved this post of yours! Someday I would truly love to go to England, but, sadly, not this time. I’ve been researching quite heavily in my ancestry and have discovered quite a few ‘ancient’ ancestors from England, many Lords and Ladies, and castles, and I even have one ancestral grandmother who was the aunt to Ann Boelyn. Remember her?! And another grandfather who was part of an insurrection to overthrow Queen Mary. He was subsequently beheaded in the London belltower, eek! So going on a trip and discovering more would truly be an adventure! Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful pictures and adventures so those of us who cannot make it can discover the wonders of England through you. Have a wonderful trip!
Too much closeness to the beheading in your family!!!🤣 Yes, researching your family tree is wonderful isn’t it! xo
Love your linens — love your stove — love your little vases of flowers and oh, how could I forget Jack? “Adorable” is the absolute right word for him. There are so many wonderful things in this blog entry that I hardly know how to go on. Your raised bed garden has inspired me — for next year. Everything is in and growing here in Illinois, but the gardener’s heart is always looking ahead. Thank you for this. You have made my day!
Hello Susan Branch. Your flowers are looking good! Loving my flowers and the birds too. I want to say good bye to the humidity though, for the rest of MN summer😊
Congrats on your new Subaru! We also got one, a Forester, in May! Yay! Dark metallic grey.
Getting used to new things takes time! This week when I thought I’d popped open the back hatch, and helped a lady carry birdseed to put in, it didn’t go all the way up! So hit my noggin! My hubby had been monkeying around with buttons the day before! So he fixed it, and brought ice for my bump. Now I have a black and blue noggin🤪
Happy garage sale. And maybe some garage sailing too, as we call it. 💗
I would like to say goodbye to humidity for EVER. I think it’s time to put Science on the case. It didn’t used to be this bad! Is this part of global warming? Make it go away! Love our car! Love the club! Hope we don’t kill ourselves in it!
Hey, that is a good, good wish Susan! We had terrific heat and humidity through last week and the 4th of July! Couldn’t even go out to fireworks Sunday nite😥 (I don’t like global warming either)
Today it finally cooled off, and rained! A downpour tonight!🌧Yay! The farmers and our gardens REALLY needed this! 🌽🍅🍓
Thank the good Lord! 🙏 Rushed to turn off the air and open windows this morn! 🏡
How was your garage sale? Hope good.
Forgot to mention I love your photos and am passionate about photography too. Took 15 photos to our city fair last week😊. Got lots of blue ribbons! Maybe you are too busy to enter some in a county fair… but just a thought🤗
Hugs lady,
Sherry
Congratulations on those blue ribbons! Fun!
What a perfect post to read on my birthday. And what a perfect opportunity to leave my first comment, eek! Thank you so much Susan for all you do, you bring lots of happiness and inspiration into my life. I’m forever grateful!
Hi Susan,
I would love to be entered to win a cup- the 4th of July cup is meaningful as I’m hosting our 4th of July family picnic that we had to cancel last year because of Covid and my elderly parents’ health. We full so grateful that we made it through this situation and will all be able to be together this year. I’m hoping you enjoy your England trip as much as the one you wrote about in your third book of the trilogy. Thank you for making my life better because of your beautiful writing and art.
Hi Susan,
A second comment from me. Peonies remind me of my Grandmother who had this bed of them that looked so pretty every summer. My mother always wished she could uproot them and move them to her yard after my Grandmother died and they sold the property. Lilacs are another memory from my years in New York. Loved them and I had a friend ask me to bring her sprigs after my visit one year. The best I could do was a picture that year. In rainy Florida it is next to impossible to grow the kind of things our parents grew in the north but I am finding stuff that blooms well here and I’m hoping I’m creating the kind of memories for my daughter and grand kids that my parents and grandparents created for me. I’m excited about your trip and dream about someday traveling again although it will not be with my usual travel companion and I’m getting older. Someday. Cheers and hope you are having a wonderful day.
Judy H
Love these photos — especially the beautiful roses! Looking forward to once your new peonies bloom! Meanwhile, good luck on your yard sale and Happy 4th!
Marjory Abeyta
Thank you for sharing all your flowers. I do miss the colors here in the desert southwest. Your mugs are all so beautiful I consider myself very lucky to own a few. They always lift my spirits!
I have always wanted a mug of yours. I have my fingers crossed! Thanks for making my laptop time fun!
Love every inch of your blog. Your happiness is infectious!!
Another fabulous post!
Hi Susan,
Enjoyed sharing your lovely beginning of summer especially with nature’s beauty and Jack. The new mugs made me smile, they’re delightful.
Janet P.
Your beautiful artwork keeps on coming! I LOVE the July 4th and Spring mugs!! And winter too!
Cathee Nielsen
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again! I left a comment late June 23rd. I don’t think it worked ??? It’s late June 25th that I’ll attempt a short comment. Susan, I enjoyed your post—flowers, Jack, Joe, kitchen windowsill, new car, etc.
OH yes, all the mugs!!!
I think I saw your name, but let’s do it again, and make sure! Thank you Linda!
I love all the mugs! My chocolate milk just seems to taste better when I drink it from one of my cute mugs.
Your flowers are really beautiful! Have a safe trip to your family reunion, and to England also. Getting there really will be half the fun. Off for beautiful adventures and unforgettable memories in the making. I’ll savor hearing all the exciting details. Thank you for sharing your life.
What a joy it is to read about the upcoming sojourn across the pond! And to see lovely Martha’s Vineyard in all its springtime glory. Thank you for sharing the pictures. The happiness in your voice is a delight to “hear”… I’m so glad you are feeling better. ❤️
Sending you lots of love and a great big hug from Alabama.
XOXO!!!
Ellen🥰
Love the new mugs – and may need to order one of each! Love reading your blogs, and go back and read the older ones quite often. Weather on the Cape looks beautiful and so deserved after the year and 1/2 we’ve lived thru. Wish I could visit your yard sale! Have Fun!! xoxo
It’s wonderful to start the day with your blog! Thank you for cheering us up XO
Donna xo
A lovely post, full of charm and loveliness! Every mug is delightful. Have a wonderful Independence Day, celebrate, enjoy and have fun!
Hi Kids,
Yes! It’s lovely to be getting out and about.
Such Darling new mugs! Enjoyed your photos of your garden.
Chat again soon! Happy 4th July🇺🇸
Deb
Ah, yes, it has been an especially beautiful spring. I look forward to hearing about your cross-country train travel, something I have considered. I have family in California and prefer not to fly due to environmental concerns. All best wishes, PJ
HI Susan! Lovely post and your photos are (as always) breathtaking!
MV is lovely any and all times of the year. Congrats on the new dahlia garden…how very divine for you and Joe to be watching the progress of each plant; looking forward to “garden-in-progress” photos!
So excited to learn that you and Joe are reading HAMNET!! My sweet son gave it to me for my birthday #82 on March 4th this year… I read it in two sittings, tears streaming down my cheeks in places…the writing is SO beautiful! (Sweet son is teacher of Theatre and Speech at John Burroughs HS in LaDue, MO). I’ve also recently read The Splendid and the Vile, a gift for Christmas, 2020.
I ‘ve recently joined the Friends of Gladys Tabor; relishing each delicious paragraph…all involved so warm and welcoming!!
Jack is so very adorable! The pics of him watching you through the screen door are just precious…ah! To be so adored! You are a lucky girl, indeed!!
My family and I shared a MV 5- bedroom house for two weeks in 2012…my daughter and I were luck enough to be in attendance to see and hear William Styron’s widow chat about their life on MV; she was so gracious to stay and speak with me, a visitor from the prairies of Illinois, former teacher of high school literature, on vacation from my then-position as administrator of the historic home of poet Vachel Lindsay in Springfield. One of many highlights of those two divine weeks!
And finally, I join you in the joyful, exuberant, can’t-stop-smiling-and- saying-thank-you’s to the sky and trees, water and fields and to those amazing people who formulated the life-saving vaccines for CO-VID 19…heaven-sent and selfless workers of miracles🙏😻‼️
Rose Styron is famously kind here on Martha’s Vineyard! I’m happy such a reader as yourself had the opportunity to hear her speak and meet her! Yes, HAMNET, just loving it soooo much. I’m only to where “the husband” had a cloud around his head which is making Agnes worry. Have been thinking how much Agnes reminds me of so many of my girlfriends! “Heaven-sent and selfless workers of miracles” … could not have said it better, with all my heart!
I love your art Susan! Have been buying your stuff for years. So sad, I cannot join you and the other girlfriends for the England cruise and tours next year. No mon – no fun. Oh well. I look forward to seeing your posts of the trip.
Not to be pushy, but you have a year . . . where there’s a will, there’s a way. xoxoxo
Enter me for the drawing please
Susan – thank you for brightening my day with your wonderful, optimistic words! Love the mugs – have a lovely summer.
Sue
I am loving your garden and am very envious! Dahlias are my all time favorite flower but sadly it gets too hot here to grow them. So keep us supplied with photos of yours as they grow. And the photos of quilts on the line makes me so happy. Thank you!
I promise to do that!
Thank your both for working so hard to organize all of this! I am so on the fence. As a full time public school teacher I am typically limited to traveling during vacation time. BUT as the last year and a half has taught me, time is precious. I want to go on the crossing with you all AND live inside your book, but I can’t realistically take that much time off. So I will most likely not do the crossing but would love to join a tour and the picnic. Here’s hoping!
That’s perfect, and I totally agree, if one thing is perfectly clear from the Pandemic, life is short. Try hard to come! xoxo
It sounds like everyone can join the picnic at Stourhead on the 15th. We plan to do our own thing but we would love to get in on the picnic. We can bring our own picnic food or purchase one there if that’s the plan. Please let me know any particulars for attending the picnic for those not on the tours. Thank you, Susan. I am giddy with excitement about our trip!
It’s on May 15th at 12:30, or around that time, at Stourhead, on the first lawn you come to, just behind the spire, but before the grass bridge .. BYO Picnic basket, or sack of sandwiches and something to drink, very casual. A tablecloth or blanket to sit on. I think that covers it. We’ll be there!
Hopefully, we will be there, too!
What a great giveaway! I don’t have a SB mug yet, so that would be so exciting to win! The England trip sounds so wonderful!
Such an uplifting newsletter! Love all the references to the beauty of nature and the Spring season!
Susan – I love all your blog posts. The trip sounds absolutely wonderful. Have a great summer – enjoy the dahlias. Peace and Blessings sally cornell
Thank you, Susan and Joe, for all the pretty sights and sounds. Loved that pink peony.
💛🐏💛
Your yard sale sounds amazing! Wish I lived closer!
Dear Susan who feels like an old friend even though we have never met … thank you for filling our hearts with happiness and optimism after the long, dark days of the past year! Even if we can’t go on your cruise, we can still feel happiness from your wonderful descriptions! xoxox
What an uplifting post. Wish someday to have such a beautiful garden AND appreciate every little plant. Thanks for the blast of optimism.
Love all your mugs! Have a great day!
This is an encouraging message. Thank you. I love seeing what you get rid of or I should say recycle at the yard sale. I want to be there. XO
Dear Susan, I love everything you create! I would love to be a recipient of one of the beautiful mugs! I especially love the Fourth of July one! I hope your yard sale was a huge success. Can’t wait to hear all about it! Thanks for everything. 😀
Joanie in Portland
MMMMM! Just relishing in the Spring flower pictures! So looovelee! I wish these all bloomed in Wyoming! Anyway I get to enjoy vicariously through your thoughtful and beautiful pics. I would truly love to win an adorable mug! ( my favorite – God Bless America 4th of July – but all are so sweet). Blessings Susan, I keep you in my prayers.
Love the Fourth of July Mug…so patriotic!!!
The new mugs are lovely! Any excursions to Highclere Castle planned for the England adventure??
Yes! Read the tours, every dream place you’ve ever wanted to go to is on them! Read Salisbury for Highclere!
Dear Susan Which Salisbury book are you referring to? I tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to Google it. I will be visiting both Salisbury and Old Sarum while in England. I’ve read both Pillars of the Earth and Sarum in the past and may try to reread them before the trip. Have a Happy 4th of JUly
Oops, it wasn’t a book… someone had asked if Highclere was on any of the tours, and I was saying, yes it is, read the “Salisbury” tour..(Artistry in the English Countryside) … 😂
Thank you for clarifying
Loved the Blog, always very upbeat! Flowers are beautiful, almost everywhere this year they are at their blossoming best, like they know it is a new awakening! Have a happy July 4th. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy❣️❣️
Thanks for your wonderful, positive blog posts. Love the flowers and the gorgeous mugs!
Loved seeing the beautiful linens on the lines! Made sure when we bought our house that we could have laundry lines. Took us a while to find a neighborhood that didn’t have a “rule” against that! Thank you, as always, for your heart-warming post, Susan!
So thankful for a garden. Columbines, lupines, violas, violets, pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants, jalapenos, dahlias, and about two hundred other plants are taking off like they are as happy as I am to have the world opening up. It’s like we all have a new lease on life. I had COVID in early 2020, and it made for a tough few months. Even my garden didn’t seem to have the robust energy it has this year. Love seeing your spring photos, and proof of life after pandemic. It’s onward and upward from here!
I’m so glad you got better Donna!!! Scary world we are trying to get out of! xoxoxo
So Happy happy happy we are vaccinated and have a wonderful second life!!! Thanks for your post:) I had a real!! strawberry ice cream cone in a chocolate cone to celebrate our new life and it tasted heavenly – or better than heavenly. If your happy and you know it clap your hands ( loud clapping over here) Happy Summer to Sue and Joe. ps watch your steps during garage sale -hint.
Love the mugs. Especially the English Fine Bone China part.
Like the new cups.
Another fabulous post, Susan! I’m also listening to ‘Hamnet’ at the moment and loving it! How fabulous is the narrator? I hope the yard sale goes well and thank you for the giveaway! Natalie xx
She is AMAZING. I have to stop myself from replying in all caps. I just love this book. We’re at the part where “the husband” has a cloud of darkness around him, Agnes is with Bartholomew talking about “the husband’s” lack of decent work! How many women like Agnes do you know? So many! Divining everything! Yes, the narrator, she is a storyteller all by herself.
“a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices” ❤❤❤
I know . . . aren’t they the perfect words for these days. You should have seen our yard sale, pure celebration of the good old-fashioned neighborhood things of summer!
I love yard sales! Wish I could be there for yours. There aren’t many in my area yet.
Another delight from the hand and eye and heart of our sister Susan!
Three cheers for her work (and her play!)
that she so generously shares with her girlfriends.
Loving it all,
Therese
It will be wonderful for you to see those dahlias grace the garden. What a lovely flower it is! AND recently I got a Subaru Forester! How cool is that?
I have no doubt you love yours too!
Love it all Susan as always God bless you for everything!
A lovely post. Your mugs are wonderful.
And I love “Secrets of the Good Life.”
I too have a Subaru Forester. I call it “Grey” as it is small zippy and sweet like the grey squirrels in our yard!
Love that, Heather. Grey squirrels are more well mannered than the little red ones. They can’t take no for an answer, and this morning I looked up to see one chewing 2 big holes in our Screens!! Of course it was our fault. I asked the lovely man I love to stop leaving seeds and corn on the porch, as they can smell those. Bet he doesn’t do it again, but I’ll bet the squirrels do!! I sprayed the area around the damage with Bitter Green Apple spray, used to keep dogs and cats from licking and chewing themselves. We’ll see if it works.
Our Forester is a very dark, almost black, grey. Quite zippy, yes.
Debbie in Hot and Humid Maine.
Good Morning!
Since I read this on Sunday morning, you are probably recovering from your yard sale. I hope it was fun and successful! Your post was a lovely treat this morning, thank you! The garden photos are terrific, and I think that you will love your dahlias. I am so jealous of the number you were able to plant, I keep looking out into my yard trying to figure out where I can squeeze another one in!! Best of all, I am so glad that you are feeling better!!!!!
Hello Susan,
Love, love, love the new mugs and have several in my cart for myself and my bestie. Would love to win one! I have to restrain myself from BUYING all of the ones available in your store. 🙂
Sending lots of love and positive vibes your way-keep doing what you do!
Laura
Hope it’s not too late to enter! I went away from my computer for a few days because I thought it would be good for me but apparently I might have missed a very good thing! I love your mugs and need them here in Florida so I can remember what season it is!
Better late than never!
Can just picture myself having my morning tea out of your mug!! And…wish I could have come to your yard sale….that watermelon pin cushion would have come home with me for sure!!! Unfortunately, Iowa is a bit far to come from for a garage sale in Martha’s Vineyard…. LOL!!!!
I love your mugs! It was lovely seeing your beautiful flowers in this post! We’ve had so much rain, hear, & humidity that my poor flowers are looking worn and beaten down.
Love seeing all your garden flower pics and vintage linens, I also air my quilts and linens outside. The neighbors all think my dryer is broken, LOL. Great to see your happy blog again!
I wish I could be at your yard sale!
What a delightful good news blog, Susan…but then they ALL are! Loved seeing all the beautiful flowers in your garden. 😍
I LOVE the winter cup!
Dear Susan & Joe,
Welcome to the Subaru family ! : )
Sure would have been fun to attend all the yard sales this weekend on Martha’s Vineyard with a couple of my girlfriends but a little tricky to do so from the California Coast . . . rest up !!!
Next up . . . 4th of July celebrations . . . would love for your cute mug to join our party !!!
Happy Summer from Linda C. of So Cal : )
Reading your posts is always a little pick me up!
Happy travels! The little village of Broadway in the Cotswolds offers unlimited walking delights:) Best wishes and good health to all.
Dear Susan,
As usual your post brought a bright spot of happiness to my day! I love that you are releasing the winter mugs again…I missed it on the first round and am excited to have another chance. My husband told me I will need to have a yard sale just for my mugs so I have room for the new ones!
I’m also loving all the plans for England. My dream is to go back and I’m trying to see if we can make it happen.
I hope your yard sale was a success…I’m sure there were many happy people there!
Dear Susan,
You write the BEST news letters! One just “falls in”!
Of course I would enjoy winning a mug. Any mug. But! I DO like the 4th of July one the most!
Love to you and Joe,
EJC
I enjoy your newsy blog and grateful for the uplifting feelings as we read and see your photographs of everyday life. I was able to move back to a favorite town that I loved in the early 2000s. Blessed to be back in the Patriotic town of Bristol, RI. I’m in my late 60s, and I like my 3rd-floor apartment and happy to walk the short distance to downtown and the bay as often as I can. Thank you for your trilogy books and cookbooks I display them and often read them, I love cooking and have done crafts for years. I’d enjoy that neighborhood yard sale! ;))
Please enter me in the 4th of July cup drawing. Thanks! Enjoy the Summer!
lots of love from the Netherlands. I wish I could send a ‘smell’email to you: my big yellow roses are smelling so heavenly! 🙂 those mugs of you are so mooi(beautiful)! love from Willemien
Hi Willemien I’m currently reading Of Windmills & War by Diane Moody. It is quite good and is based on her father’s experiences during WWII. I don’t know if it is available in your country. If not, I’d be more than willing to pass my copy on to you when I’m finished. You can then share it with your friends. I read A Hatred for Tulips several years ago, and it really opened my eyes to how much the Netherlands suffered during the war. I visited your country about 15 years ago during tulip time and hope to return in the future. Such memories!! Dianne in upstate New York
dear Willemein I have just finished a wonderful book about the Netherlands during WWII- Of Windmills & War. Is it available in your country? If not, I can send you my copy. You can read it and pass it on to your friends. My copy is in English, but, from what I understand, English is taught in school throughout most of your country. I have visited the Netherlands during tulip time. Oh, the rivers of blue (hyacinths) “flowing” through the tulips- an unforgettable sight. Take care. Dianne in upstate New York (email me at basbleudfm@yahoo.com if you’d like me to send you the book)
Good news is always the best news. Marie
I have loved your art and your books for over 20 years. Every year I need to have one of your calendars.
Your work overwhelms me! It makes me so happy I cannot figure out what to do next!
LOL Sometimes I have that same problem!!! xoxoxo
Beautiful post! Love it all! Your yard is lovely-mine in Central Oregon is melting in the 100+ degree days.
Stay safe and enjoy the Summer!
We’ve been seeing your weather! Yikes! Stay safe, cold bath sounds like a good idea!
Your new cups and the repeat of winter look fabulous. Crossing fingers.
Thought I left a comment but don’t see it when I scroll. However, I want to express my gratitude for your upbeat take on the reopening of life…and for all the people who took the shot in the arm to help make it happen!
Me too… what a great thing it is to be in a room where you know EVERYONE has been vaccinated. Such a feeling of happy relief! The gift we give each other! xoxoxo
Please, do not mention my name here. I am battling depression, currently crying my eyes out. I have tried it all, CBT, meditation, exercise and work on a good diet. I would like to say, for anyone who reads this please know depression is as real as high blood pressure. We want to feel better. Please be kind. That’s all.
Of course it is. Never give up. The world would be so much less without you. xoxoxoxo
Dear Anonymous,
Susan is so right, Never give up. I have battled major depression all my life, even been hospitalized for it. That 3 week hospital stay 25 years ago literally saved my life, having been put in long term counseling. When the Dark comes back I run, not walk to good counseling.
My medication is very closely monitored by a psychiatrist, who is a medical doctor. Regular GPs should not be prescribing these powerful meds. Nor should anyone abruptly stop taking them. The results can be awful, as my Tom and I know….abruptly stopping an antidepressant and starting one from my regular GP, had me in full blown Panic Attack, waking Tom and telling him we Must go to the basement to hide from the aliens. Yep, it’s funny now, but having your heart pounding, being covered in sweat, struggling to get a deep breath isn’t funny when it’s happing. Please ask your doctor to give you a recommendation for counseling. You said it well, depression is just as “real” as high blood pressure. The brain is an organ, just as your liver and kidneys are organs. Some of us take statins, as we have an inherited propensity for high cholesterol. My family has a high incidence of depression. If we take prescriptions for other issues, why not for your brain? There are many new meds that can be tailored just for you. Having someone say, “Just snap out of it,” is hurtful and actually harmful……..Would they say snap out of diabetes or a heart attack?
Thank you for being brave and sharing. Will hold you in my thoughts.
Mucho Love,
Debbie in Beautiful but Hot Maine
No, darling, nothing funny about it! Thank you for these kind words of support. xoxoxo
Ms. Boerger,
I just want to let you know that I’ve enjoyed your comments for a while now. I am compelled to say how kind your comments are for Anonymous. I love the loving Girlfriend community here. It is such a testament to the loving kindness of Susan.
All my best,
M. Grace
And to you. Years back, before computers, when I first started getting mail from our Girlfriend community, I began to wish the writers of these inspirational, kind, nurturing, generous letters could meet each other ~ I wanted it so much it almost put tears in my eyes … because I knew that if they did, how gratifying it would be for everyone to find out what a wonderful, hopeful world this really is! Never did I imagine it could ever happen. And now look at us! We hear so much bad news, we forget the kajillion, the MAJORITY, of us are nice! Giving, loving, polite, honorable, true-blue and searching for (and MAKING) beauty in the little things in life.💞😘😘😘
Dear Debbie,
Your words and good thoughts mean so much, thank you. Your generosity of spirit with sharing your experiences is so very very kind. Sometimes, when the mind short-circuits and begins working against oneself, it can almost feel like a truth that one is simply not clever enough, intelligent enough or disciplined enough to intellectualize themselves through these episodes. I’ve read your many comments before now and have thought what a happy, funny, clever and quick witted woman you are. Depression is an equal opportunity condition and to hear stories/or testimonies really, of those who have been through this and how they came through it is heartening. You, Debbie, are brave for sharing this with me and I send you much love and good wishes, – Anon-
Dear precious lady, please seek help. I too have suffered much and I can tell you the right therapist can change your life. This planet needs you for a reason no one else can fulfill. I still have dark days but very rare any more, and when I feel the demons encroaching I sew or art. Or read a good book on an old quilt in the shade. Or talk to my husband about it. Whatever I can do to chase away the doldrums. I will pray for you dear friend, please do not give up. Been there—❤️❤️❤️💐🌷🌹 dezi
Susan, please do not put my name in the drawing. 😊
Thank you very much Dezi. I will not give up as I know the joy life brings. There is much I want to do. By far and away, helping is a great healer. I think sometimes one forgets the importance of tending to our own well of sweetness and when we realize that, sometimes the gunk of depression has grabbed hold. Again, many thanks for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Anon.
😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘 plus a big fat hug! xoxoxo
Anonymous,
Sending you lots of love.
M.grace
Dear Anonymous I hope you have followed the advice in previous comments and sought the help of a professional. Mental illness is just that- an illness. And as with many other illnesses, there can be a period of trial and error (as Debbie mentioned) before the right combination of treatments is found. Hang in there; we need you here with us. Do you have a friend (or a support group) with whom you can discuss your feelings? It helps to have someone who understands what it feels like to face “the elephant in the room” and how much strength it takes just to get out of bed in the morning. Although we, as a whole, have made some progress in overcoming the stigma of mental illness, we still have a way to go. Please seek help from a professional you feel comfortable with. Sending you lots of love and keeping you in my prayers
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
Thank you M. Grace, I feel it and send it back again. Anon.