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!
I look forward each day of the month until your blog is published. thank you for the pleasure you bring to me and to so many.
It’s my pleasure … I wish I had time to do more! xoxo
💕Every inch of the new Blessed mug is spot on. Perfect reminder that we are forever thankful to be blessed despite adversity Thank you
Hi Susan, loved this post! I just finished reading The Fairytale Girl and am patiently waiting for the next book. Everyday I enjoy my calendar! You have become a household word. You bring me so much joy as we share the love of beauty! Over the weekend studied your first cookbook and found some recipes I can’t wait to try! I retired three weeks ago and am enjoying time for all these things I love!
Happy Retirement! Let the fun begin!
I love this time of year! We are having the cobalt blue skies!
❤️ your blogs and all your beautiful pictures! Wish I could come to your sale! Love the mugs!
That yard sale sounds epic! Wishing I could be there for that 🙂 Thanks as always for sharing your beautiful home, your yard, your cat and your island ~
Thank you for sharing all those beautiful items. I love old monogrammed items too!
Oh how I wish I lived in your neighborhood! I adore a good yard sale! Your Jack always puts a smile on my face with his cute antics! Thank you Susan for all the light you bring into this world. I always get excited when I see an email for a new Willard!
Such fun to get this- always a cuppa on hand as I read! I am reading Hamnet RIGHT NOW! It’s beautifully written…and we are on our way to London and Ireland late fall! Can’t wait! Be well– Sending hugs from SE Connecticut!
I cannot believe you succumbed to getting that vaccine! I would NEVER get it!!!!! Don’t you realize how many deaths came from them….how many people were hurt by them???!!!!! You really got brainwashed on that one!!!
Yes I got it, along with about 300 million others in America so far … See HERE … I was scared too, but maybe that’s why I’m so giddy now, I did it, and it set me free! Remember all those pharmaceutical commercials they have on TV — where they tell you all the hideous side effects that sometimes lead to death? People take those drugs because the disease they have is worse than death. That’s how covid is. It’s killing off our joy … keeping children from school, parents from work, keeping us away from our loved ones, and keeping the economy from growth… so I just had to buck up, set my fear aside, do my part and pretty much, if I died, I died, and so be it. But I didn’t, and most of us don’t even have any sort of side effects. And the hugs are priceless! But Covid ~ if you live through it, is leaving people with terrible long-term side effects. I hope you change your mind! xoxo
Hear, hear! So rational and so true, Susan!
For Dianne and Susan, our second car here in Maine is a 2019 Subaru Outback. Still going strong. Bought that one new. The other is a 2016 Forester, we got it used. I, too, have tried to get into someone else’s car at grocery!!! We also have a Legacy sedan in Tampa. Ain’t we just the Cat’s Meow’s?
Debbie in Maine
I cannot begin to tell you how much I needed this love letter from you today. I have so many hugs saved up for you for when I see you on the ship next year (eeeee!) I might just squish the stuffing out of you! With love from your one in a millionth .❤
♥️♥️♥️
The new cups are darling! Wish I could be there for the yard sale but the truth is I need to have one of my own, probably later this summer. It will take weeks to go through all the stuff we’ve collected but are now ready to pass on to the next caretakers. I hope you all have a wonderful time next year in England. It sounds like great fun.
Happy summer!!! Your excitement over “springing” out in the world again is contagious. The world needs more people like you who can see, and point out to others, all that is beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for years of happy thoughts! P.S. Isn’t dining out again with friends the greatest?!
It’s great. And everyone seems to be so busy, lots of newsy bits to share!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the photos of your island home–including the pond! It is my favorite place to retreat to from my often not-so-fun DC home. And England, dear England, is my second favorite island. I so wish I could go with your crew next year but my beautiful daughter, who spent her 10th year with us living in Bristol, is getting married on the day of your Stourhead picnic! Enjoy all the fun planning!
I get so excited when I receive my emails with your blog in it! I love all the things that you do! Your very special to my heart. How I’m so glad I found you. I’ve been following you for a few years now.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Looking forward to your online sale. Debby
My Birthday is in July…wouldn’t that be a lucky gift!
🤞
Greetings dear Susan!
Oh, how I long to be on your little island, especially during the yard sale extravaganza!
The blessed cup will be a perfect addition to our home!
My 44 year old daughter, who is knit together to bring joy to others, came so close to death 7 years ago. She is amongst other things on the autism scale. She has a sweet innocence about her that people are drawn to. Whenever asked how she is doing, every single time without fail, (with much exuberance, responds, “Blessed”! Reminding each of us, no matter our circumstances, truly are!
Grateful for you, dear.
Raised beautifully. 👏👏👏👏
I love all of your mugs! And I wish I lived close enough to come to your garage sale. 🙂
I love the “Blessed” cup! Hoping I’ll find it in my Christmas stocking 🙂
Diane, a fan
Your posts are simply the best! I love all those mugs especially July 4.
Keep up your good work!
Hello, Susan,
We are still in exile from our little bit of heaven on Prince Edward Island, unable to cross the border, and many hoops to jump through before crossing the Confederation Bridge to PEI.
Winning a prize could be the highlight of my summer!
Mary Beth McGrath
Hang on Mary Beth … hopefully it won’t be too much longer!♥️
Thank you for your post today. Love everything! Your enthusiasm is contagious.
England in May sounds delicious.
Enjoyed the post and yes, you see to feel better. Bright and upbeat. Like your plans for the trip to England (lucky enough to live there twice). Have you ever been to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall? I spent part of a summer there working on a performance with the Cambridge University Players. (No need to win a mug–have tons of mugs, can only use one or two a day!!)
It was too early when we were there, it wasn’t open yet, it’s still on our list!
Happy Summer Susan! Your blog always cheers me up. Thank you I really needed this!
Sweet post!! Thanks for bringing us joy. 🙂
Your garden is lovely! Joe is such the gardener, Especially love the peonies. Please include me in the drawing, I’d love to have the 4th of July cup that I was so remiss in buying. How I’d love to see your yard sale, how much fun would that be! Love the photos of Jackie Boy. Cannot wait to see which dahlias will be blooming in your garden.
Such a “newsy” newsletter. Having the vaccine has finally started to give us hope. I share your excitement——-having lunch with friends and booking an Alaska cruise. So nice to see people smile again! And working in the garden…..and sitting out in the garden……and seeing friends…..and laughing.
your posting was just what was needed for our new “normal”. Thank you for all your wonderful words to fill my day. Irene
I love the quotes you use so beautifully in your blog. I also keep a journal of quotes that have meaning to me and refer to them often when i write letters or send a card…yes, I still write in paper journals (really nice paper) and send actual letters. I love it!
Me too, Debbie!
It’s wonderful to see you out and about… It feels great to be out again!
Wonderful post today, Susan! And I SO agree, the “posies” have never been nicer! We just got back from a little trip to Maine, which is our favorite place, for our 50th anniversary, and I was so excited to see the Lupine blooming everywhere! What a lovely gift, along with the rhododendron and beach roses just bursting, like you said. And our roses waited for us to get back – some of them blooming the best they ever have. What a joy!
Your blogs always brighten my day & inspire me to take time to look at all the beauty around us. Heartfelt thanks!
As always, your positive outlook on life is so inspiring. And.. preparing for the yard sale gives me permission to let go of my boxed up treasures, too. Like you wrote, let someone else enjoy them.
I find it’s making my heart feel lighter!
How I wish I could come to your yard sale. Please take lots of pictures to share with us, okay? Thanks for the fun! 💕
I will definitely try!
Thank you for today’s blog. Martha’s Vineyard looks so beautiful right now. If not for the pandemic I would have been on Nantucket for the Book Festival. Perhaps next year. I love hearing all of the plans for the trip next year. Will live vicariously through all the posts. Love the new mugs!
Now I’m ready for summer!
Happy for you that you are so happy! My very old apple tree with hundreds of apples on it went completely down on Thursday. I am so sad to see the bare half of my back yard and not be able look down into its branches from my upstairs bedroom. Glad I took some pictures when it was in full bloom this Spring but mourning its’ beauty. The other half of the backyard is temporarily occupied by a long haired tortoise Mother cat and 4 new babies tumbling all over each other. I was afraid she would bolt with them when the chainsaws started to cut the tree but she brought them up to the porch instead. I have a rescue group hopefully helping to trap them and get them all into foster care as I still am caring for 5 other stray cats & the food bill is staggering. Repairman in for no hot water in tub and a week later repairs to gurgling upstairs toilet. June has not been a very good month…….even my peonies were colorless & small!!! SO happy your world is so wonderful—send a little my way~~~LOL
Ohhhh, I’m so sorry about your apple tree. Such a loss! I AM sending love and luck, and nice weather, and everything I can think of to make it better! xoxoxo
Ah, I can just picture all that full-on spring beauty that you have described. And now, summer is here. And, the plans for the England trip make me sigh with envy. I think I need to purchase one of the pink “rabbit” cups, they are adorable. I am watching the slow progress of all the hydrangeas as they begin to pop – hoping their beauty and bounty is similar to what the peonies have been.
Yes, dear Susan, it is all GOOD!!!! I love coming back into lightness after so much darkness. I now have a new granddaughter, too, which doubles all the happiness and joy! I love the multitude of flowers surrounding your home, and the colorful “goodies” that you are now so willing to part with and share with everyone. You exude such joy and pleasure in living life to its fullest! I am drooling over that darling Fourth of July cup, but would certainly welcome one of the sweet Spring cups, as well! Then I would feel a special connection with you every morning as I sip my coffee or tea! xoxoxoxoxo
This is such a refreshing memory of spring. It seemed extraordinarily beautiful here in northeastern Missouri too. How I wish it were possible to join your England tour in 2022. You are going to so many of my favorite places.
How wonderful to be in the throws of summer. I just got in from mowing after we got a much needed rain yesterday. It is cooler today, so the flowers and crop fields are getting a much needed break from the heat!
I love your flowers too! Mine are so beautiful and brighten my day!
Since I have a patriotic collection…..pretty much need that 4th of July cup to come live with me here in Iowa!
Your linens look lovely and I am sure will find wonderful new homes…thanks for sharing your life with us! Sheri in Iowa
I love reading your blog. It has calmed me and my anxiety over my panic over how to cope with my husbands health problems of not having any strength in his legs and the inability to walk. We are in our mid 70s and just were notified it will be a couple of months before he can have his back surgery due to his neuro surgeons full schedule. I cried at the news! I then spent the next couple of minutes clearing out my emails and happened on your blog. I took my time reading it and looking at all the pictures and realized you love all the same things I do and appreciate. We could of been best friends, I am sure of that. Thank you for giving me some peace among the trials I am going through trying to figure how I can take care of my husband after 57 years of marriage on July 11. Thank you for seeing the beauty in the most simple things around us, the most in adamant things. My late friend (due to breast cancer) was staring at a seed packet for several seconds and when I asked her if she was going to buy it she said I just love the picture on the packet of seeds. From that moment on I have always looked for the beauty that is there right in front of us if we just take the time to appreciate it. Thank you for always seeing the beauty in your life.
What a beautiful thing to say, and so very true. Our biggest inspirations come from such normal little places! Blessings on you and your husband, and hopefully this too will pass, and soon. xoxo
Thank you for taking the time to reply. You are a very special person!
Sending prayers to you, Christine…(my name as well…) for your hubby & for you as you go thru these health struggles. my hubby had quintuple by-pass surgery 2 yrs ago…a very scary thing for both of us…but, we got thru & all is well. we’ll celebrate 50 yrs on July 4th! and…you & I feel exactly the same way about our dear friend, Susan! we’d have made a lovely neighborhood of very special friends, wouldn’twe? take care & i hope you find our prayers to be of help & comfort. Chris.
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers, they are greatly appreciated.
the yard sales and stores in New England must be wonderful for plm! some day! The garden is just glorious and cant wait to see the new dahlias.
have you seen Jim Shores Beatrix Potter line? So sweet:) and welcome to the subaru family . ps. make sure you get your subaru badge of ownership, they have a gardening one!
Have to look for that!
Hi Susan, so happy to hear all the news. It makes my day. Life as we knew it can again take place. It truly feels good.
The trip to England sounds pretty spectacular. You and Joe have adventures to have and experiences to share. Real life returning, yah! My new word to use this year is joy. Pure joy!
Linda
Your blogs are always so inspiring! I love reading about all your adventures and will be with you in spirit on your next jaunt across the sea.
I love your quotes. I always can take something with me.
The flowers are beautiful! Wish I could grow them here.
Marianne
Thanks so much for sharing the pictures of your yard sale items. If iI were closer I would certainly love to welcome some of them into our home. I change the decor seasonally and incorporate vintage favorites. Your flowers are gorgeous. The Midwest spring has been up and down freezing some out to return next year. Much love and joy to you, Joe and Jack!
July 4 is my favorite holiday! love watermelon and fireworks ( and July 4 cups!)!
Summer is my favorite time of year. I loved taking your walk with you. Enjoy these wonderful warm days. ANN M
Oh- I always smile when I open my mail to see your posts! Oh, how I wish I was at your yard sale – so many goodies!!!!! I am currently in Alaska for the summer (each year for 13 now) – you must come!!!! Cool days, beautiful blue skies (OK, we have had rainy days too) !!!!! Your books are my favorite by far!
Smiles to all!!!!!!
I like anything from about 52 to 65… hot with humidity is melting weather for me! Alaska sounds wonderful!
Dear Susan, I love your latest post. So many beautiful pictures. I save many of your pictures in my computer to use as wallpapers and so I can send a new one each day to my friend who lives in a retirement home. Many thanks!
How wonderful to hear from you! Wish I could attend your yard sale, although I don’t need a thing. Except I will need to order a BLESSED mug, for sure.
Would love to cruise to England with you. Such beautiful pictures from your previous trips.
Love the “Blessed” cup…..just how I feel these days!
Won’t be going on the trip but will enjoy your posts as I did the last time you sailed to merry ‘ol England!
All this goodness and joy and a drawing too? I just wish we were at the Vineyard during your garage sale! What treasures you are releasing into the world to spread the joy! I must confess, just reading these words I “hear” the excitement and happiness in your voice and find myself becoming gloriously giddy. Hooray for summer, roses, flirting cats and long walks and England.
Welcome to the lovely world of the giddy!🤣
Oh, I so wish I could go to your garage sale. Someday, perhaps! Happy Sailing❤️
Love seeing Jack! So glad you included him in your calendar.
As I drug out “The Summer Book”
Blueberry bread pudding. Yum!
A lot of people who took the xxx….are dying now….months after the fact. I hope you aren’t going to be one of them!!!!
There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there stopping people from actually saving their own, and their families lives. I don’t think a lot of people are dying. If a lot of people are dying, our little hospital here would have dying people in it because they’ve been giving the vaccine since January, and it doesn’t. Everyone is celebrating. Massachusetts is over 70% vaccinated! We did it for each other! The fear is the true killer, just like Franklin Roosevelt said. But if I do die, which I’m pretty sure will happen someday anyway, I will at least know I gave it my best. xoxoxo
Dear Lynn, I got the Pfizer vaccination in March with no side-effects except a little (very little) soreness in my arm for a short time. Most of my friends have also been fully vaccinated and none of them have died or even gotten sick.
My only friend that died this year died of Covid, before the vaccinations were available. She was the dear center of her family ~ her husband, three daughters, six granddaughters and so many friends all miss her so much. If only she hadn’t been exposed to Covid, if only she and/or the person who unknowingly passed it on to her had been vaccinated, but it wasn’t available until three months later ~ only three months.
The book I’m reading, Hamnet, has his sister dying of the plague while her mother is putting cinnamon and rue together to try and stop it … I said out loud to Joe, all they need is one shot of antibiotic … a vaccine. 50 million died of the Plague. We are so lucky. I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, and for her family. Thank you, Christie, for your kind attention and trying to help. xoxo
Always love to hear what’s happening in your neck of the woods. So agree that things feel so good right now, hope everyone stays healthy.
We have children/ grandchildren arriving this week. I know I’ll cry, haven’t seen them in more than 1 1/2 years! Life is good.
I’d cry too, I already do! It all feels like a miracle. Have SO MUCH FUN, Sue!
Thank you for the spring photos–beautiful and so nice to re-visit the flowers since ours here have already finished.
Susan . .loved your fountain pic with your flowers! We just got a little solar fountain for o ur bird bath . ..love seeing the water shoot up in the air first thing in the morning!
It is always do good to hear the news from you! I love seeing Jack and his darling face! Happy summer to you all!
Oh Susan! What a joy! What a wonderful treat to read your email in the middle of a dull cloudy day. Thanks for the sunshine & a moment of magic!
Love the new cups!
Oh! To go to England on the Queen Mary II! Speaking of the Queen, I hope I’m as beautiful and spry as she is when I’m her age! Delightful blog post, as always! Thank you, Susan!
Reveling in this brave new world and loving seeing friends and family again.
Susan ,
Your summertime post was a delight for the senses!
I could almost feel the breezes and smell the salt air and flowers !
Your beautiful Jack is so handsome !
I wish I could shop at your yard sale 🌼
Have a beautiful and carefree Summer !
Donna
Your blog posts always brighten my day! I’m still dreaming of visiting Martha’s Vineyard one day! Virginia White
I had been missing you. It seemed like forever since your last blog. I’m so pleased to finally get such a lovely blog that I immediately forgot how long it had been. I read straight through and now plan to re-read so I can savor it! Blessings
What a delight your post was for me to read. Your gardens are lovely and a joy to look at. I wish I had a green thumb and the patience to garden, homes are so much more inviting when the gardens are well tended and full of blooms. We too have been purging our home ridding ourselves of the clutter one accumulates after 44 years , it’s so freeing and so much more relaxing to live with less. God bless you and Joe. Be well and stay safe.
Oh, how my heart wI’ll sing for joy if I win the 2 “spring cups!”
We just bought a new ( to us) Subaru Forrester and love it! Hope you love yours, too! Wish I could attend the Island Yard Sale!
I DO love it! It’s like heaven!
Susan dear, I’ve written to you so many, many times but my words arrive too late, I guess. Just want you to know how I look forward to your smiles. I’m a recent widow and anything on the “happy” side, is always welcome. Please, please take good care of yourself and enjoy your sailing trip.
Hugs, Fran Patten
Thank you Fran, I recognize your name, I hope you are seeing this answer! I am so sorry for your loss. Such a difficult thing. 😥 Sending love xoxoxo
Sad & sorry for the loss of your dear husband. It’s a blessing to have Susan’s “happy side” to give us all help & comfort thru our tears, isn’t it? take good care of you…your husband will always be there, in your dear heart.
Just what I needed to feel joy again. Thank you!
I love your newsletters Susan! Thank you!
Wish I could go to England with you! Maybe winning a mug will make me feel better. 🙂
😘
Love your new mugs as much as the others. Each one has its own charming character and they cheer me up just looking at them. Lots of exciting news in your blog. Best of luck with your yard sale!
Susan, your books, blog, gardens, travels, mugs, musica and so much more – bring joy to my soul. Thank you for making the world a better place.
Dear SB,
I don’t know where to start… just reading and looking at every detail is quite amazing…
I’ve enjoyed every book and almost every pamphlet you’ve written… whenever I order your precious items, I get a pamphlet that I haven’t seen before and I thought I had them all… it’s a very surprising that I haven’t… another pamphlets to read in the tub…hahaha
How do I compliment your beautiful garden? I am truly lost for words; the sight of your new spring or summery flowers has bloomed, birds fluttering around and all the butterflies make me feel peaceful and happy. I love your quaint American/English Garden, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us all. You are a remarkable woman… xoxo
💞💞💞
Such beautiful gardens filled with so much love.
Hi Susan…always a mental recess to read your blogs. I relate to cat Jack as I have same tomboy who does similar acts of love…lucky us huh!! I’m not on your tour next year but with another in September for the English Countryside. So exciting to anticipate, and will make a side trip to Beatrix Potter’s home thanks to your inspiration. I now have 43 of her figurines and cherish them. I might get to your meet up here in my home state of California this fall, wouldn’t that be neat!! I tried letting you know Barbara Cheatley retired and closed her shop…very sad for many fans over 45 years! Will have to locate a new place to buy your things. Here’s to leaving Covid in the rear view mirror and being free to be me!
It is so wonderful to be discovering the world again and not taking anything for granted! Now I need to convince my husband that in spite of our lack of cabinet space, I do need two more mugs! 💕
I was so happy to open my email and see your post!!!! Your gracious and hopeful view of our world is so warming and needed! The pictures of the shore after you and Joe got there are stunning. The clarity and the beauty. Have a lovely first fruits of summer evening and thank you Susan
Such beautiful gardens filled with so much care and love. Your flowers are stunning.
I love your blog and all the beautiful pictures. My favorite pictures are of handsome Jack. 😻. Having trouble deciding which of your new mugs to order. Wish there was a kitty one but would love to win the sheep or July 4th mug. Thank you.
Loved your blog today!! It was so joyful and inspiring. Even though I can’t join the cruise, I look forward to hearing all about it. Thank you for brightening everyone’s day!!
What a BLESSING new cups are, not to mention a repeat of one I was never able to buy! Put in my order and can’t wait.
One of my college history professors taught me about “Rabbit Rabbit.” She also carried around cough drops in a little sarcophagus. She was one of my favorite teachers!
I can read the Joy and excitement in your words, like musical notes pleasing to the ear or a spring flower slowly emerging after a long dark winter. I’ll bet that since we can’t see you, youre jumping up and down like a child full of enthusiasm. I’m so happy for you!
Love those mugs! Would love to live nearby and visit you yard sale.
Soooo excited for this trip! 🚢
Tag Sales are a win win …I meet very interesting persons, find beautiful items, at low cost.
Many times I buy items to give away, a nice surprise for family and friends. I am
continually giving items, so no tag sales here…. I love your plans to England, I Maybe
a late reservation…at this time life has many options…Stay Healthy ❤️😊
Love the 4th of July mug! I’m a July birthday, too, and love everything red, white and blue!
Love this new post. Thank you for your happy!!
So many fun things in this blog! Your happiness is contagious, and finally, I think, FINALLY, it’s starting to make its way back into all of our lives. The doldrums have gone on long enough, and it’s time to celebrate life again! Thanks for a post that helps us along the way. <3 I love all of the pretties you have. Shopping time! My joy will be complete when your next book comes out. 😉 Maybe when things slow down . ( Do things ever slow down? )
How I would love to visit your yard sale! Along with a few hundred girlfriends, I'm sure. What neat finds waiting to be discovered! I hope you or Joe or a friend can snap a few pictures to share. I want to see who buys exactly the thing I wanted to buy! Have a great sale day – isn't it neat to chat with all of the people who come? That's a big part of the fun.
<) is supposed to be a heart! Now why didn't it work????? The winking face worked.
Ha ha ha! xoxo
Can.not.wait. for this trip!!
eeeek!
What a joyful read! Thanks!! I am so excited to receive a new charm!!! Ordered it right when I read about it! God Bless You!! And Joe!
Such pretty mugs, especially the Fourth of July one! I am always so happy to see a new blog post from you – wish I could go on the England cruise. One of these days…