Hello little monster (Not you! You’re adorable! That ⬇️ monster!) Oh, it is good to be home! MUSICA!
But first of all, let me say, in a quiet, but excited voice, YOUR BOOKS ARE ON THE WAY!!!🎵 This was a perfect welcome home gift for me!!! If you preordered Distilled Genius, then get ready, because they started going out on Friday and will continue to do so all week! At least! You may already have yours!
When we drove up, fresh off the ship, these boxes of books were waiting on our front porch!!! How’s that for timing?
I dove straight into the boxes (after hugging and kissing the little monster) … I couldn’t wait! It’s not real until it’s real! I love the red ribbon!
And something else I think turned out good . . . Almost all my books have dust jackets, I love the way they look, and the little “extra” you get to read on them … they seem to finish the book. But with some books, especially a reference book like this one, I find that dust jackets get in the way. They slip off, they get torn, and sometimes I get frustrated and take them off ~ and never can find them again!
So I did something with this book that I’ve never done or even seen before. I glued the dust jacket down and Trompe l’oeiled the cover flaps! See the shadow on the edge of the flap? It’s not really a flap! It’s all glued down! Have you seen books like this before? Maybe I invented it! Look at all the trees we saved! Makes me so happy!😂 Made in America!
Anyway,
I’ve waited a long time to do this book (as you know, there’s a queue💖) and I couldn’t be happier with the way it came out. If you pre-ordered, you should know, there is a little surprise in the envelope, don’t accidentally throw it away! There will be one with every order until we run out of them (even if you didn’t preorder!). If you haven’t got yours, we still have them, you can read more about Distilled Genius here . . .
So back to the little monster! He has not punished me for going away! I keep waiting. In fact, he cuddles
alongside me in my chair, or at night. I think it might be, after all these years, dare I name it, could it be love?
I’ve come home to the little things, and I am almost giddy with the delight of it… my own home where I can nest and hygge to my hearts content… 💞
As I putter around the house, unpacking, doing laundry, putting it slowly back together, his eyes are always on me, except when he’s asleep as he is now in the desk drawer next to me. My shadow.
All so soft and peaceful in the old creaky house I love so much 
The new needlepoint pillow I bought in an antique store in Harleston UK and smooshed into our luggage to bring home … looks pretty good in my pale green living room! (Before you even ask: Paint color, Martin Señor Colonial Williamsburg Green Light ~ 🤣)
Of course the children were waiting for me, a feast for the eyes 
… the Beatrix Potter figurines I collected in my 20s that have been in every kitchen I’ve ever had and went onto this shelf in 1989 when I bought this house and have watched over this kitchen ever since …. and their new friend from home, a tiny painted shell Rachel bought for me from children selling their artwork for Ukraine on the beach in Southwold, (the beach town I showed you in my last post). Whew, that sentence was a mouthful for such a tiny little shell!
And yes, the ritual filling of the tiny vases . . . such an important part of the puttering!
If ever I am feeling sad … or lazy, or tired, or lonely I just 
go outside pick a flower or two, bring it in, put it in a vase, walk around the house finding the perfect place for it, and my mood gets an instant lift. Something about the garden, the sunshine, the birds, smells, and sounds, and the small gesture makes the difference.💝 We came home to wildness in the world, very hard days we are living through, I want to pat everyone’s head and say it’s going to be okay … but I’m reminded, the only part any of us have much say over, is our own homes. And that’s not a little thing… we have the power to make them heaven on earth, bake a pie, and voila! We are lucky, not everyone in the world can say that!
We’ve been lucky so far … we came home to the most wonderful weather, our windows are open, the curtains flutter in the sea 
breezes, the island is abuzz with summer life, the harbor is filled with little white sailboats flitting around in the blue, we had our first Fish Sandwich at John’s Fish Market (a summer tradition for us, I take tiny bites of it’s juicy goodness to make it last), and of course, we walk our walk to the sea each day. It’s good to go away, good to challenge yourself, and drive on the wrong side of the road, and good to come home, alive and well, full of inspiration, and plotting for the next time!
Beautiful on Martha’s Vineyard just now ~ our walk to the water in the morning is heaven … and FLUFFY. When we left there weren’t any leaves on the trees and bushes in the woods, and now the island could actually use a haircut!
Quiet sandy pathways and the sounds of seagulls. . .
Yup. I know you know how I feel.💞 Kindred spirits.👏
And speaking of houses … I know you love them the way I do . . . so, up next, a little house entertainment from me and Joe to you from England . . .
The bunting was everywhere . . . but look at these great houses . . . wonky roof lines, no two windows alike, narrow walking paths, like secrets, go between them to other parts of the village, and out, and onward, to the next one . . . amazing history … just hanging out there like they aren’t even amazing, just normal! Tell your children:
Normal? Ha! And all handmade . . . because England decided not to let this charm go in lieu of big new shopping centers!
the bluest of blue skies, the whitest of fluffy clouds, the tallest of hedgerows . . .
Pubs and pubs and more pubs . . . how we love them!
Because they have been here FOREVER too . . .
I found critters to make friends with . . .
Bricks and gingerbread, and the MOST amazing trees
I could go on all day with trees!
Trees and pathways to discovery and serendipity . . . Spring in England is the cat’s meow.
Many of the trees are as old as the rest of the country . . . you give them a hug and ask, could you please tell me your secrets?
There really aren’t very many photos of us together, it’s either him alone, or me alone, or a tree alone . . . Rachel took this one . . . but I promise you
THIS is how we felt most of the time. Verklempt at the beauty. (This old photo of us in tears was taken by my niece. We were all on a glass-topped boat on the Seine in 2001, having dinner, going by the sparkling Eiffel Tower, while a woman was singing La Vie en Rose ~ and Joe and I, being normal people, teared up from the beauty.) Leaving England, saying goodbye after two amazing months of our first freedom in years, sailing by the Isle of Wight as we left Southampton, this is what we were doing.
I’m sure we weren’t the only ones …
Perhaps the tears this time came from our stunning arrival in New York Harbor . . .
It was so beautiful … Staten Island Ferries with sunrise making them shine, passing ships!
Our ship was filled with Brits and Germans … and Americans, all thrilled to get up at 5 am to watch the Queen Mary 2 slip quietly down the harbor, and see the sun rise over New York City . . .
And as we sailed past the Lady with the Light, the gift to America from France, the promise and hope of everything we stand for ~ more tears.
Our crossing was perfection . . . we were wined and dined, we slept like babies . . .the views were stunning . . .MAS MUSICA
Rainbows, fog, blue skies, sunshine, and fast-moving clouds . . . we had it all!
Here are more views for my armchair travelers . . . ❌⭕️❌⭕️
But in this one, so foggy, there wasn’t so much of a view! The ships horn blew all day . . . ships have been in these waters, going back and forth for hundreds of years. Now it’s our turn.
Nothing ever stays the same at sea . . .
Joe and I had every good reason to be toasting, but someone has to hold the camera! Our life together seems like a miracle. Since the first moment we met all those years ago, and first spoke about our matching dreams of sailing on an ocean liner to England. Sit down at an oyster bar and the cutie next to you says this! How can that BE? Especially when you KNEW you were finished with love forever??? How does that happen? 
Look a this delicious lunch! Henry the VIII did not have it this good!
They treated us so well. And just a reminder, ask our other girlfriends, this trip is affordable! Right? We had 90 kindred spirits join us on our way to England (on the way over, most flew home) . . . and, from what I hear, they loved it as much as we did! PLUS, you don’t have to deal with an airport, AND you can take as much luggage as you want! So if you’re inspired, make a reservation! And go!
This was the hardest part . . . saying goodbye to Ray and Paul! But the fact we were able to spend so much time together made it all okay … an even deeper deepening of an already deep friendship!
Our last pub lunch together was made even better because my old friend Elaine (my boss in Fairy Tale Girl if you remember) had joined us in England by then!
The other thing about pubs, they all have outdoor gardens and tables … pretty special in this covid-ridden world we are having to deal with.
Elaine, Joe, and I walked all over this amazing place called Chartwell, inside and out, Winston Churchill’s gorgeous home in the country. Talk about history! It was all there . . .
Elaine in Winston’s kitchen . . .
Churchill’s garden and one of my favorite plants, called Gunnera … isn’t it fabulous? It wants “wet feet” in case you have that . . . I tried to grow it in my creek at the Studio, but it wasn’t having any of it. I might have to try again! It’s very picky, it wants everything PERFECT!
My best new discovery . . . Do you see Elaine there in front of that giant bush or tree or whatever it is? Know what she is doing? She is taking a picture of it up-close so her phone will tell her what 
plant it is. A wonderful free app for your phone they are advertising everywhere called Picture This. Now I have it too, and it works! I can’t tell you how great it is to not have walk past something beautiful and say, I wonder what that is?! Joe and I have argued about the blueberries growing on the dirt road where we walk for YEARS… now, as soon as they turn into berries, we are going to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I can’t wait!
Okay, one more picture … a National Trust house full of William Morris that we toured … just LOVED IT. But you see, it’s the books that make it!!! Which is WHY, I’m pretty sure, the future for e-books isn’t as bright as it used to be! No good book smell! Not good for decorating! Carrying real books is good for arm muscles. See what I mean?
So all this lovely home sweet home stuff will be coming to an end for us soon. We hadn’t planned it, but while in England Joe and I started talking about how much we missed California, our friends and 
family, my Studio. It’s been years! Plus, my family is going to sprinkle mom’s ashes and I want to be there for the hugs. At first we planned to make our trip as quick as possible, and take the train so we could get home . . . but as time went on, and more bits of my new book began filtering in (the very first pages were sent to me in England that’s me hugging them there), we realized we really wanted to drive so we can visit our favorite Independent Bookstores (it’s been a long time for that too), and see as many of my Girlfriends as possible along the way. We aren’t going everywhere, we really DO want to come home and stay home, but we 
figured we could at least stop at the ones along the route. So that’s what we’re going to do! It will take three weeks, most of August (brilliant, traveling in August, pray for us!) We’ll take the train home, and hopefully be here by September 14! We are going to meet you more than halfway, so now you have to come find us if you can! We’ll all be careful of Covid, I don’t want anyone to get sick. And I’ll ask the bookstores to turn up the air-conditioning ~ I think it will be HOT!!! If you see a puddle, be careful not to step in it, it could be me! Here is our schedule so far. There are more dates coming, to see them scroll down on the home page, in border to the right of the blog post, and click on COMING SOON/EVENTS to get updates.💖
Some of the bookstores are already decorating! This is Prairie Path in Wheaton, Ill where we’ll be on August 10! Making me feel so welcome. Sandy sent it ~ I’m so excited about this trip!!! Hope to see you there!
The first signing and talk is the 28th of July … right here on the Cape at Titcombs Books in Sandwich! Come!
Must go now . . . I have to design the covers of the 2022 calendars before we go!!! Much more little monster kisses to be given, and Gazpacho to be made! I hope you are staying cool, and having a WONDERFUL summer, and counting your blessings every day. I hope you LOVE the new book. Thank you for your faithful correspondence, it means the world to me!
Ahhhhh…A life of dreams that just keep coming true! Following along, as usual, and thanking you once again for sharing! Hugs to you and Joe….and Kisses to Jack!
Love to hear from you Sherry!💞💞💞
welcome home Susan, sounds like you had a beautiful voyage home. been busy here, had rain over the 4th of July which surprised us but got me out of watering the lawns last week, but it got hot over the weekend so back to watering. had the rooster competition and Chance, our rooster, bombed out big time, he crowed when all the other roosters crowed, but shut up when it was his turn, the poop!!! go figure that bird never shuts up at home, but for the contest he shuts up. any way he was told his fate the next time he pulls that stunt, and shown the gumbo pot!!! now he is in the middle of crow wars in the chicken pen. i put out some scratch and goodies, like old bread, veggie peels, leftover salad and whatever else is handy, and he is fighting the crows to get out of his territory. the hens feed and he charges out of the hen house to get the crows out of the yard. the kids are all in summer school and that will end Aug 1st. plus this week is the Jackson county fair and it looks to be spectacular. i cannot wait to go and watch the piggy races, those little oinkers really race around the track for donuts or Oreo cookies. then next month we have the county fair for Josephine county and later this month it will be back to the 50’s week and the big cruise and sock hop. of course to end it all will the Lion’s club Labor Day carnival and the Tuff Truck competition and of course the Lion burgers, best burgers in the valley with a 5 napkin rating which means the best. they are big, juicy, and sloppy and they are so good to eat. goes real well with a cold beer or soda. life here in the country is pretty good and fun in the summertime. well off to fill the pools and tubs of water for the birds and water the front garden, plus beat the rugs and let them air for the afternoon. plus change the sheets on the bed and get the old ones washed and dried out on the line. busy day. good to have you home, take care and be well. hugs …. 😀
Hi Pat! What I love after all these years, is that I have come to know your seasonal celebrations! Lion Burgers, and what’s the name of when all the tractors go to town? Plus rug beating, tub filling, and hen feeding!!! Have a wonderful summer!❌⭕️❌⭕️
Good morning Susan, you must mean the tractor parade. the tractors go chugging along the highway to the gas station at the corner, fuel up and go on to the fields, and in the evening come chugging home. yesterday it was all blue tractors, with a couple of green and some yellow ones mixed in. today is opening day for the Jackson County fair and i cannot wait for the weekend and the piggy races. come the end of July it will be back to the 50’s week with the big classic car cruise and the big sock hop, care to come on around and join in the fun??? don’t forget your loafers and your poodle skirt. see you at the hop!!! we also have weekend concerts in the park and on Thursday nights a movie in the park, this week it’s Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl. we are also having a local play production of Treasure Island in the local park, swordfights and all. it’s going to be a great summer!!! hugs …. 😀
Pat, that was so fun to read about your upcoming summer festivities! That was really funny to hear about Chance! He sounds like a real character! You’re a busy woman! I’m jealous because I’m having some physical difficulties at the moment, so can’t get out like that. But you have a great time! Enjoy every minute of it! 😊
Welcome home! Thank you for a beautiful post. I ordered books for sisters and myself. Can’t wait to get them. Can you please tell me if they will be signed. If not, I hope I can get to Pasadena for you to sign them. I love your beautiful artwork. Thank you again. ☺️
I signed a kajillion bookplates before we went to England, and there will be one in each book! Hope to see you in Pasadena anyway!!!💖
I can’t wait for your book to arrive. I just got back from ten days in Cornwall (Padstow, Tintagel, Penzance, Mousel, Saint Michael’s Mount, Newquay). We took my daughter and her boyfriend with us as a graduation present, and we walked the South coast coastal path for over 50 miles, it was glorious. Now I’m reading The Salt Path by Raynor Winn which is about her experience on the trail, truly riveting. We’ve all been to the UK before but never Cornwall. What a trip, the British were on vacation, so relaxed, so friendly, we only ran into three other Americans the whole time we were there. We saw a band in uniform play on the harbor in Padstow. This is the area where Doc Martin and Poldark are filmed. I am already planning our next trip, because a girl can dream. Thank you for all your updates on your trip, it’s nice to be able to wander again!
It does make you dream!!! Dreams that never stop! We loved that area too. We loved Padstow, Port Isaak (so charming), Tintagel … let was all gorgeous! Welcome home!!!🌷🌷🌷
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for the gift of your books & this blog. I came upon
your work in late spring right as you head out to England, and since then, close girlfriends have all been gifted with your books and
we all re set our nervous systems during these hard times, by reading your blog…and finding our own ways back to hygge:) I write and teach on joy and resilience and your books and way of life are such an embodiment of that. I look forward to attending a bookstore signing in CA and making this request again in person…but in case it isn’t in your queue I’d so like to request a book on the art of long term love (aka what happened after that first date and through the ups and downs of years, that allowed you & Joe to be & nurture such a deep, true love). Please consider!:) And finally, because I think it is so lovely to know kindred spirits live and breathe across continents and generations, I find as someone who grew up in South Asia and being three plus decades younger, that it’s lovely to share the same favorite authors, and movies, and music and quotes as you and all the lovely girlfriends:) So grateful for this meeting:) Warmly,
Dear Susan or moderator, I realized after posting comment above that for some reason my picture is added. For privacy reasons I’d prefer not to have my picture be shared. Perhaps once Susan has seen comment please delete my comment (or let me know how).
Apologies for the inconvenience!
I’ll do some research on how to share without the photo popping up!
Thank you!
The TV programme, Doc Martin, is set in Port Isaac. It is indeed a lovely village.
So very happy to hear you enjoyed your holiday in Cornwall.
I was born & raised here and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
There’s a lovely book about Mousehole (Mousel) called the The Mousehole Cat. It’s beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated. Definitely worth getting a copy, even if you don’t have little ones around. 🙂
Love that you are home!! Hoping someday you get to a bookstore in Seattle!! xoxo!! Wob you! Lori M…. 🙂
It is so hard getting to the corners of this country!!! A jillion miles from Seattle to Miami … not to mention Maine to Arizona!!! Wob you back … and I adore Seattle!!!💞
My absolutely perfect book arrived yesterday! And after dancing about with it for a bit, I went back to the package and fished around inside knowing your girls always put something else in there …and there it was…the card promising I may call you Sue if ever we meet. Love it!
The book is more than I imagined and I loved the way you did the dust jacket!!!
I also knew immediately what book (not MiNE but I will buy another), I will put in my annual charity auction basket for my Sunday School class at Christmas.
You have outdone yourself this time! And I love you for it!
Oh Sarah, your sweet words warm the cockles of my heart!!! Thank you!💖
I’ve made my reservations with the sweet book sellers at the Learned Owl and I just can’t wait! I was following you on the QM2 with my cruise from my living room and my family (especially grandchildren) had so much fun on the voyage. Thank you for taking us along on the trip of a lifetime.
Makes my day to hear that Maryellen, both your enjoyment of the trip, and that I’ll be seeing you at Learned Owl!!! Great bookstore!
Welcome home Sue amd Joe! Sure is good to see our lil Jack’s face even if he is in the doorway screaming his lil face off seeing his Mama outside. Adorable. Have a wonderful trip across our land to CA. I’ll be right along watching the scenery.
Thank you Susie!!
Home! A small, simple word that holds more meaning than we have time to tell. So glad you and Joe are safely home. I think it is good for us to go away and come back both home and to this country. I think it helps us to renew our appreciation for what our home (and this country) was meant to be. We do have some horrible things happening in our country but coming home brings a refreshed attitude of gratefulness for the things that are yours. I imagine it is bittersweet to be home after such a magical trip, getting to see your lovely home and dear Jack, and then realize that you will soon be on the road again. We will be praying for safe travel for you and Joe (and for all those who will be meeting you along the way). P.S. I’m with you on e-books.They have their place but a REAL book with pages to turn with your hand touching the printed paper page! Bliss! Thank you for your cheerful post!
Thank YOU for your beautiful words!💖
Welcome Home! Such a wonderful trip and so much fun to follow you throughout your journey. But HOME is so nice; and you have such a beautiful abode and surrounding area. Don’t know how you can pick up and leave again. However, California is not such a bad place (where I live…and feel so fortunate). Glad you are touring your book and I so look forward to receiving mine in the mail soon. Safe travels.
I’m actually torn. LOVE being home. Can’t WAIT to see my beloveds again! And come back home to my OTHER beloveds. My beloveds are actually everywhere now!🤣😂🤣
Loved the trip. It’s on my bucket list. Just have to get my son out of college and off my payroll. Waiting patiently for my book. Almost giddy with anticipation. I think the tracking says Thursday. ❤️It’s super hot in Houston right now. 105* today so I can’t wait to turn the air down, snuggle into a quilt and read it cover to cover! 🎉. Are you still planning to reissue some of the tea cups? Definitely want the corgi one if you do.
XOX Julie
Yes, I’m going to do it! Stay cool! Before we know it, it will be fall …🙏
Dearest Susan,
Thank you for another wonderful post! I am so happy you and Joe are home, safe and sound. Your trips to England just get better and better 🙂 Such beautiful countryside. I wanted to let you know that I received your new book on Monday (I’m in California) and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. It’s just perfect. I sure hope I can make a book signing while you are here 🙂
Thank you!
Debby
Wonderful Debby … Thank you so much!! Hope to see you there!!💖
Welcome home! Excited for the arrival of your book. I purchased extra copies for my daughters for Christmas! Not sure I can wait that long to give them their copies! Safe travels west!
Save them, it’s wonderful to check things off your Christmas list!!!🤣
Welcome Home!
Such a beautiful, cheery and cozy blog post. I know how hard it is to leave a beautiful place where the heart wants to stay, but then you are also so happy to be home, to the familiar and your “things”. The pictures of Jack are adorable. I love the window pics.
Congratulations on the new book. I’m anxiously awaiting it in the mail. I love that picture that Rachel took of you and Joe under the Hall Farm sign. It’s lovely. You both look so peaceful and content.
And I love that green color in your living room-gorgeous. I have a light green hall, but your color is really lovely. And that rose, the color is so beautiful, looks like an apricot color. I’ll have to find me one of those!
I’m so happy you enjoyed your time away and made it home safe and sound. I look forward to seeing the rest of the schedule as you trek across the country as I’m hoping to see you at Vroman’s. I think you said you would be stopping there, is this correct? I’ll keep an eye out for it.
Have a safe trip to California. Will Jack be joining you? I hope so. There are a lot of pet friendly lodgings now.
Hugs to you, Joe and Jack. Stay well.
Maureen
Look for Just Joey Rose … they are WONDERFUL … peach/apricot colored, deep fragrance, prolific, and they don’t really get sick!!! They love it in Arroyo Grande where mine live, so hopefully they will love it where you are! My date at Vromans isn’t set yet, because I’m waiting to hear from other events so I can schedule it, but I do hope to be there! Jack will stay here with his dear friend Barbara … he is not a travelin’ man …😂💖💖💖
Thank you-I’ll look for them. Roses grow well here-I’m near Riverside where it is warm. They just need to get lots of water and they’ll thrive. I look forward to going wherever you land near me in So. California on your book tour. I received my copy of Distilled Genius Quotations a couple of days ago and it’s lovely! I love the way you have done the jacket/cover, very creative! And the wider 7″ x 9″ size is my favorite size. It makes it very comfortable to hold and carry. Although I have skimmed the book, I’m savoring the quotes and art, and taking them slowly so as to allow them to set in a little. I like how you start the book and tell a little about yourself, even though most of us know your story. It’s a great segue and reminder of where your life was when you discovered Bartlett’s book, and how helpful these brilliant quotes were to you and how they can be to us as well. Not to mention it starting a lifelong journey of collecting marvelous thoughts and ideas in the form of pithy statements. Well, ta ta for now. Have a safe journey as you head west.
Maureen
I’m hoping there will be a book talk in California so I can fly down from Oregon again & be there!💕 Got your new book & I love it all already📖🥰
Yes, there should be two … watch the EVENTS page!
Eeeeek!👏👏👏 I was at your book talk at Apple Farm a few years ago & my friend & I came home with SUCH a happy spirit💕 Hoping to get a chance to hear your stories again💕
As always, a Willard is cause to celebrate…thanks…Cheers!
Cheers Dee Ann!
What an amazing journey and stories. Love the photo in Churchill’s garden, you look as if you are tiny, in a fairy garden!
I know, barely visible! You should see his roses!
Welcome back!
Thank you!❤️
So happy you are home safe and that you had a wonderful trip.
Sweet Jack looks very happy to have you back! Give him lots of hugs before you have to leave again. It’s so nice to have a kitty who loves you. My sweet cat Samantha passed away in May at nineteen years old! I miss her so very much.
Appreciate them while they are here, their lives go by so fast.
Have a safe trip to California. Will you be visiting your old neighborhood in Reseda? Not the same as in the 1950’s I’m afraid. We don’t keep things the same as England.
Take care.
Probably won’t have time to visit there, but the last time I looked, the house was even still painted the same color! But I know… that was quite a while ago. I’m sure you miss your kitty. I hope you are able to get a new one… they bring such joy, and you’ll be surprised at how much you forgot what a kitten is like!!! Sending love!💖
Thinking of you Lisa, Jeff and sweet Samantha, with love,
Karen
Northamptonshire
🇬🇧 U.K.
Hi Lisa,
Just wanted to tell you that I bought the Diana sheep sweater – the one your Dad bought for you in London. The creators of the sweater started making them again. Now they are producing accessories to match. They have offered the sweater in different colors but I got the red one. Looking forward to being cold enough that I need a sweater.
Here’s cheers!
Well you don’t think you can write a glowing review of the Diana sweater without pure curiosity overflowing? Yes, I found the website!!! 😂I know everyone will ask!!! Adorable! T-shirts and sweatshirts and hats too!💞
Hi Carrie,
That’s amazing!! Are they still the same two girls called Warm and Wonderful? I will have to check out the website.
Living in California I hardly ever get a chance to wear the sweater (it is wool.) But I know it’s here and I remember the journey my sweet Dad took to find it for me!!
Yes, the same two women and they are called Warm and Wonderful. 🙂
Another beautiful post! Thank you for sharing all of your photos and your precious memories!
😍❤️❤️❤️
Hi dear…..just returned from 2 weeks in England…..luvley, a good thing to travel, to talk to others,about what is happening in America, they asked….often….sweet people who gave up their seats on the tube – always – because of my bum knee…the music at St. Martin’s in the Field….the design,the garden atCharleston, the tearooms, with those clotted cream scones…..the sweetlittle William Morris Gallery outside of London…..thank you for all the inspiration for UK travel…..love you dear Susan….on to the rest of summer, and dare I say, the orange and gold of autumn ahead…..
Sounds magical Regina!!!💞🇬🇧Welcome home!
Lovely! So fun to read about coming home, especially after a long trip. So excited that you are coming to California! Wondering if Apple Farm will be a stop in SLO? Looking forward to my copy of Distilled Genius and hoping no weddings schedule for when you will be here.
Unfortunately, the Apple Farm, as we knew it, doesn’t exist anymore. 😔 The hotel, I’m told, is there, but it was sold and I believe there is no more gift shop or author events. I hope to find something else in the area, but so far we have no plans!❌⭕️
We went up there last month just to go to the gift shop and it has been turned into a wine store, such disappointment! There is a tiny tiny area next to the restaurant entrance for gifts but definitely not the same at all. We won’t be going again!
Oh no! That’s so sad that Apple Farm has changed hands and no gift shop 😩. Thanks for the heads up.
How sad about the apple farm inn. We spent Thanksgiving there one year and came home with boysenberry jam and “apple” Christmas ornaments. I was always hoping to go back but not if the charm isn’t there.
I JUST returned from an event sponsored by Rainy Day Books (my local bookstore) less than an hour ago, and now I am so happy to read that you will be there in August!! Oh, happy day!! Can’t wait to see you soon!
So excited, I LOVE that bookstore. They do such a wonderful job for book talks! See you soon!❌⭕️
Hoping you will be doing a book talk in California so I can fly down from Oregon to hear you again!💕 Got your new book & am loving it already 📖🥰
Trying to do one at Rakestraw books in Danville, also Vromans in Pasadena … but neither are set up yet, waiting for answers from others in the queue. Hope to see you!💞
Any chance for Bookshop Santa Cruz? That’s a marvelous, and HUGE indie bookstore in Santa Cruz and one so many people could travel to from around the Bay Area and Central Coast. Throwing it out there!
What is the name of it? It sounds wonderful. Might you call them, Susan, and see if they are interested in having me? It’s SO MUCH more powerful coming from a customer than it is from me!!! Maybe I can work that out!
Susan,
I called Bookshop Santa Cruz https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/
and the staff member gave me the email address for the person who handles events.
This is her e-mail: [email protected]
The person’s name is Chorel (pronounced Core-el).
I e-mailed her my request and sang your praises and said that most likely your “people” would reach out to her.
I live in Aromas now, but in the mid to late 90s I lived in Santa Cruz. At the time, Borders Books was being built just down the street from Bookshop, and Borders vowed to put the indie shop out of business within a year. Well, Bookshop is going strong. They opened in ’66 and have been run by the same family since ’73. Carrie, it is the same shop. They are on Pacific Street. It’s not a mall but it’s in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz and close to so many wonderful places to shop, dine, and tour so people could definitely turn it into an event if we can pull this off. I think it’s still referred to as the Pacific Garden Mall, but it’s all outdoor shopping. The closest mall is in Capitola. Santa Cruz is so close to so many communities in CA, and I cannot recommend Bookshop enough. Here’s hoping! Susan, you can e-mail me if you would like my help further as I don’t get notifications when I get a reply here on the blog and have to hunt for it. [email protected]
Hi Susan,
Follow up from my e-mail to Bookshop Santa Cruz:
“Thanks so much for reaching out on behalf of Susan and providing such a warm account and helpful information about her work (and thank you as well for your loyal support of our store!). Unfortunately, August is booked out at this point, but I will definitely flag this title for our buyers—we’ve carried many/all of Susan’s books over the years and this one looks particularly delightful!
Sincerely,
Chorel”
So unless you were still planning on being in CA in September, this time won’t work, but please keep Bookshop in mind for future events! You would LOVE it there!
By any chance is it the one in the Pacific Garden Mall? I worked in Santa Cruz x2 summers and had a ball. Remember the Broken Egg, Cooper House, etc? I haven’t been there in a while but I’ll bet Marianne’s Ice Cream is still there. Susan, that would be a superb place for you to visit! Hope it works out for everybody.
I love your appreciation of a piercing blue sky and puffy white clouds. We really are kindred spirits. Also, can we talk about the platters in Mr. Churchill’s kitchen? Seriously, what does he need those for? Pass them over here, Winston!
LOL! Yes! He’s not using them! Those clouds, every day while we were there, they were MASSIVE, fluffy, white, and the sky was HUGE. I never got used to it!
Just want to call out the time, effort, and talent it took to make the delicious book. Staggering to think of all that went into it. I followed you along your journey as you wrote this book but never thought it would be this amazing. This is a gift I will be proud to give friends over and over again. In a word it is your “masterpiece.” Beyond well done. I bow down to your accomplishment. Sent with love and admiration. Debby
OH DEBBY… well, I’m verklempt, over the moon. You know it JUST came out, no one has seen it but you guys, to hear these words, to know it went where I was so praying it would go, is so fulfilling, I have no words … except THANK YOU!💞 I just wish my mom and dad could see it. But I know they’re looking down, as always, blessing me with the love I’ve always felt💖.
Susan, Distilled Genius is a TRIUMPH! I love each and every page. I adore what you did with the dust jacket. What a clever and sustainable idea! This book will be a life-long treasure, and I can’t wait to buy a copy for my mom and friends. Thank you for all of your hard work, creativity, and fostering this amazing community of girlfriends!
OH BOY HANNAH!!! Your words are so sweet to me!!! And I couldn’t agree more about this amazing community of girlfriends! Hands holding hands that almost go around the world. Makes me so happy!💞
Welcome home, Susan & Joe!
Oh, my! Distilled Genius is such a JOY!! I am savoring the pages… ever so slowly! It is such a dream-come-true that you will come to Prairie Path books. When I emailed both you and Sandy, I made a wish that you would come to this wonderful bookstore. We are all SO excited!! We drove out to the bookstore last weekend and I will go again tomorrow to help Sandy make special plans. We want to keep everyone safe, so several of us are planning to wear masks. Such a little thing that can make a big difference!💕
Sending happy hugs from Illinois!
💗 Dawn
Oh Goodie, Dawn, I will get to see you again!!! This is going to be such fun. Sandy sent that picture in the blog of how she’s decorating… I loved it! And, I feel the same way … will have my mask on too … hopefully will be far enough back that I can take it off during the talk. We don’t want to leave a trail of destruction behind us! I could end up being like a Covid Bee, going from flower to flower!🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷See you soon!💖
Sandy and I met this morning and worked out more details together. I will be setting up the chairs in the event space that afternoon, so I will give you extra space for your book talk!💕 We are a large group already, so we have a plan to spread the guests into different areas while they wait for their number to line up near you. There is also a nice waiting area outside, as well. I will be there to welcome you and Joe when you arrive! (It has become such a lovely tradition over the years!💝) Will you be making us a name tag to print from the blog?
Susan, Distilled Genius is truly a book that belongs in EVERY home. We grew up with a book of famous quotations in our home. Your book is a masterpiece of LOVE and life changing quotations! Thank you for including so many of your original SB quotations. I will be gifting Distilled Genius to young families so that they will have an exquisite book of quotations in their homes! You make the world a better place, my dear!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Perfect. I hope we have bearable “outdoor” weather … that would be best, but I do melt in humidity! Love you dear Dawn and so happy to get to see you again! FUN FUN FUN!!! Thank you for helping to make this happen!!! I’m excited!💖😘
Oh wow..at first I thought you meant you were going to move back to California because you missed family. Phew..leave that beautiful island for good. .??? Nooo.. Happy it’s just a book signing trip instead. 😜 That trip to England sure went fast to me.
Noooo, I did try that after 9-11, but this is home, it always was, I just had to find it first! The trip to England went fast to us too…🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧💝
Hello Susan,
Welcome home!! Lovely to read your post!! Wow, the pictures of the golden sunrise in New York are amazing!
Well, did you find out the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the blueberries?
We went blueberry picking last weekend, at a PYO place, and our freezers are full! Yummy in winter oatmeal and crumble cakes!!
You loved Chartwell, it’s gorgeous isn’t it! A house you can just move into and live there!! We were there years ago, in the fall, and we were allowed to gather apples that had fallen from trees, and I used then to make a yummy apple crisp!
Thanks again for organising the picnic, it was a LOVELY afternoon!
Well, I’m keeping fingers crossed this will not vanish into thin air….
Lots of love
Nicoline
xx
Hi Nicoline!!! Not yet. They are still green. But when ripe they all look alike … however, there are two kinds. One is filled with tiny little seeds and has a wee crunch … Joe hates them, but I like them. The others seem more like “real” blueberries. Joe thinks the seedy kind are Huckleberries. I have no idea. They are both tiny and wild. But soon we will know!!! This will be quite the test since they look exactly alike! Ahhhhh, your Winston Churchill Apple Crisp … how lucky was that? Yes, ADORED the house, the history, the feeling of being around greatness. You know I’m a great fan of dear Winnie. Love hearing from you, it was WONDERFUL seeing you both!!!💞
Hi back Susan,
Forgot to ask, did you get to go to a Jubilee Street party? After the picnic, we came back to the UK (Cornwall) and stayed in St Ives. We didn;t get to a street party, boo hoo, but we watched the celebrations on TV, got to see live fireworks, a beacon that was lit and in the cute village of St Agnes ( a few miles from St Ives) church bells were ringing! A lady in the church told us that every person in the village would be alloed to ring the bells, so everyone could say they had rung them for the Queen!
Oh and I’m going through the photo’s now, and guess what…We too made friends with a black and white cat! One early morning, we were out for a before breakfast walk, along the coastpath, and out he popped, from behind boulders overlooking the sea and wild flowers!! what a nice start to the day that was!!
Happy wednesday, love to Joe and Jack too
Nicoline
I always love reading your blogs! Love the pictures and such cute ones of that handsome furball, Jack❣Looked like you had a fantastic time. I was thrilled that you will have a book signing in Wheaton, IL only an hour and a half away. I am going to see if I can work that out! 😁 Can’t wait to get my book! Thanks for all you do, Susan! Love you to the moon & back! 🤗
Hope to see you in Wheaton, Shirley!!🌷
Oh happy day!! My book arrived, and I will pour over it for days, and then it will stay by my bed to enjoy at the end of days when I need to “rise above reality”. It will be right there with your Book of Days – aged, worn, and so loved. All these years you have brought such joy – I have painted many of these sayings in my homes across the country – – thanks for gathering them into this book.
My pleasure Kathy, thank you!!! ❌⭕️
I am enjoying visiting here on your blog. It is cheerful & whimsical, it touches a part of me that used to exist and I remember how those simple beautiful things really do capture my heart.
Well, with a name like Faith, we need to make that part of you rise back to the top. You know it’s still in there, and despite the truths of this difficult world, you deserve to feel joy and whimsey. Sending love! Visit often. We are good at whimsey. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Oh, my, Susan. I cannot tell you how good reading your sweet blog makes me feel. It almost always seems to show up when I need it the most. The news these days is so sad most of the time. I love the reminder to count my blessings and I shall surely try to remember that daily. Your pictures of the trees are amazing. I have loved being an armchair traveler. Welcome home. Drive safely across the US. August 10 is my birthday and I am in NC, but will be thinking of you in Illinois that day.
Happy almost birthday dear Charlotte!! Yes, the news is terrible. 😔 Heartbreaking on so many levels. But take a deep breath and wipe it out of your mind, just for a moment or two, to look around and see what beauty you have made for yourself and others. 👏👏👏💞 xoxoxoxo
Jack trusts his Mommy and Daddy to come home as they have promised! He’s seen you are true to your word and he can count on you. Kitty love!
Distilled Genius was waiting for me when I arrived home from work Monday. Moving slowly, devouring each quote, a new reference book 📖! Already looking forward to volume two…and the 2023 calendars!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! ☺️
Jack trusts you to come home as you have each time you’ve gone away and promised to be back! 🐈⬛
Received my Distilled Genius Monday, moving slowly, cherishing each word, a wonderful new reference book! 📚
Looking forward to volume two and the 2023 calendars! 🗓
Home again, Home again, jiggety jig!! So glad you’re home safely! Evidently, no moss grows under your feet as you’re off again!! Thank you for the beautiful post and for “Distilled Genius!” Mine arrived yesterday… can’t wait to dive into it!! I think your next book should be on time management and how to have energy enough to get the gazillion things done in a day that you seem to do! I would love to know your secret!
My book arrived and I love it!! Wonderful quotes and artwork. Makes me want to get out my paints again. Something I haven’t done in years. Makes me want to seize the day.
Thanks for sharing pics of your amazing trip and sharing your adventure with us. Wishing you a fabulous book tour and good times with your family.
Oh to be coming home to the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, I’m quite jealous! Thank you for posting your book tour. I’m going to convince Mum to travel out for one of the events (it won’t be hard to convince her!). Enjoy your short time at home and hopefully we’ll see you on the road!
Alana (“The Young One” from the Girlfriends QM2 trip)
What a delight, thank you so very much. Going away is exciting and fun to see people and places, but how lovely to be back home! Your book tour will be exhausting but very special. I wish you were coming to Vermont… there are 3 independent bookstores in Burlington and even one in little Bristol Village. Next time?!
Yes, I count my blessings every day too. A gentle man found me when I was done with love and now we are married. I love all the things that you write about and take photos of and I know how truly lucky we are. The world is a tormented place right now, so we have to hang on to our love of family, nature and our hygge homes.
PS: I can’t wait to see your Distilled Genius, when it arrives!
Love hearing of your travels! Did you know that you don’t have to wait for the berries? You can use any picture (grab an old one) in Picture This and it will identify the plant! Eeek!! I’ve been using it for years!
Hi Susan,
I was totally excited when the new book “Distilled Genius” arrived. It is beautiful and I love the way you did the dust jacket! As you said, they can be in the way when reading and easy to lose!! I am enjoying reading a few pages at a time so I can really sink into all that’s there. I always love your art work and the fact that you do your books handwritten. Have been enjoying your works for several years.
Also love “Williard”, and enjoy seeing and reading anything you do,
Debbie
My book arrived 2 days ago! Oh my, I’m in love! Quotations have always been “a thing” with me….a gene from my dad.
This post might just be my favorite….and yet, I seem to always think that but this time I really had to tell you! TREES…another “thing” of mine. Thank you for mentioning the Picture This app, I now have it also. And those houses….another “Oh my!”
Then the shots coming into NYC, and The Lady welcoming you home….yes, tears flowed thinking about my grandparents arriving from Norway in their late teens way back when…and how blessed we are to belong to this country…and thinking about how much our country (and this whole world, for that matter) needs some sorting out, calmness & civility. (And how’s that for a rambling run on sentence???)
Thank you Susan for sharing and hugs to both you and Joe…and The Monster!
Welcome home! I loved all the pictures of your adventures. Received my book last week and WOW, just love it. I remember all those years ago I ordered your Summer Book and sent you a note and you answered me in the mail. I was amazed! Your books have brought me joy ever since. Maybe someday you can do a book signing in Phoenix, it is close to CA HA HA
Always excited to see your blog show up in my email. Sitting in bed with my kitty Rosie at my feet, a “new” vintage quilt on the bed, listening to the wind chimes outside my window, and savoring every picture and word you share. Going to gather some roses and hydrangeas from the yard to put around the house, thanks to your inspiration. Welcome home !
I received my book two days ago and even though I KNEW I wouldn’t be disappointed it was even more beautiful than I imagined. A great way to forget life for awhile and just love looking through it and reading all the beautiful wisdom. I also LOVED the dust jacket that wouldn’t come off! It won’t get battered that way. Thank you so much!
Hello Hello and welcome home! I enjoyed following you on your wonderful journey and dreaming of making that trip one day. I want a pen pal – like the girls on the ship did! Think anyone would be interested?
I received my book here in East Texas on Monday and I love Love LOVE it!!! I can hardly put it down. I think the dust cover is beautiful as well. Thank you for including the blank pages so we can write down some of our own favorite quotes. I just ordered another book for a birthday present for a dear friend. And the anticipation of a second volume makes me so happy!
Sure wish you would be close to Texas on your trip to California but I will be glad to follow you on your journey through your blog. Have a safe trip and enjoy being with your family as you celebrate and honor your Mom. May sweet blessings be with each of you.
Hugs!!
Just wanted to leave you a little note. I got Distilled Genius in the mail this week and I think it is the most beautiful thing I have seen in awhile. Thank you. Loving everything about it.
Love this post …..love the Musica (Frank and Vera Lynn)…love the pics. I hope to receive “THE BOOK” soon….can’t wait!
Good morning. What a wonderful trip. I hope you don’t think I am crazy but where did you get your white sofa. It is perfect. I have been looking for a new sofa for three years. Thanks.
Thank you. Your lovely blog always appears when I need it most. I too, thought oh no! they can’t be moving back to California. I hope your cross country trip is great.
I do love the built in dust jacket on the new book. Clever girl. You understand us so well. Every page a work of art as always.
Your book “Distilled Genius” came in the mail and I opened it up and couldn’t put it down,
Dear Susan, I love that you would hug a tree and ask it to tell you its secrets. The trees give me hope and strength and your newsletter was just the ticket today. I count my blessings every day and there are many and yet… Thank you for your lovely positive and very beautiful post.
Welcome back home Susan and Joe! Your trip via my armchair was a huge Red Letter trip! Bet you miss England. I can’t wait for my book to arrive in the mail. Oh I do hope you will be able to do a bookstore event somewhere close to me in the S.F. Bay Area. Safe travels, and I’m so happy you get to spend some time with your lovely family. XO
Thanks Susan for taking me along, just loved going, now to wait for my copy of Distilled Genius to arrive. Keep up the great art/paintings & fun blogs. . . . .
Hugs to each of you.
Welcome Home…..and hurrah….so glad the book orders are coming to our doors. A gift tote and fresh baked load of friendship bread covers next five birthdays…..since that how many I ordered. I meant them for Christmas for women friends,…..but you know how very hard it is to wait and hold such good things …..oh my 👀.
Hope to ‘see you’’ in Kansas on August 12!
Love, love, love,
Kate McLaury
Got my book last week…. love it, love it, love it… it is a lot to read and to be
savored slowly. The new way to do book cover was fabulous and I did not have to remove it and put it aside. Thank you Susan…. glad your trip was so wonderful, but then going to the UK is just that!
Susan, I preordered your new book, but didn’t hear a confirmation…nor was a charge made to my credit card. I’m wondering if I’ll get one! Thanks…
This was an outstanding journal of adventure and love of travel, people and friends…not to mention the dream crossing on QM2! I share your love for that ocean liner! And….sailing in and out of NYC harbor seeing our Lady Liberty. Since you mentioned her, may I share a special thing to note. My husband, sister and her daughter did a 2 week cruise, Norway coast RT from Amsterdam. We chose it especially because one port is where my maternal grandparents are from and we still have family there with whom we are still in touch. Their special surprise was to take us to an historic now closed copper mine. It was discovered not many years ago that the copper for our lady came from the mine in Haugesund, Norway! A small replica of our Lady Liberty is at that mine….a gift from the USA….not sure. The man who owned the mine was French and the designer of the statue was French. I like to think they put their heads together and he gave his friend access to the copper. It was tested to be sure of the origin. It was such a special visit! I do have a photo but no place to share it. You could probably Google Statue of Liberty in Norway and see a photo!
Thank you so much for sharing your trip and adventures/photos (love the trees) of England. It was lovely of you! Safe travels to California! Hugs, Sandi
Hi Sue! I am a new fan, er, umm girlfriend. I read A Fine Romance this summer and was smitten. Where have you been all my life?!? It has been a sad season for me with several serious troubles of friends and family, but your dear art has been a balm. You are an inspiration! I hope to make it to the Learned Owl to meet you in person in August!
Right here, waiting to hear from you Betsy! Finally! Thank you so much, it’s nice to meet you … hope I’ll see you at the Learned Owl!👏👏👏
Perfect Susan, just a perfect blog at last, to let us all know you are home safe and sound…but what’s this? You’re going off again!! Have a wonderful trip visiting the wonderful independent bookshops and meeting more and more girlfriends and signing your new wonderful book. Sadly I couldn’t get it yet – postage is horrendous to have it sent over here 🙄. Might have to see if Amazon sell it!
Thank you for the wonderful pics of the lovely Jack – beautiful liddle face 😻🐈⬛ You must have missed him so much.
Thank you for a lovely fun blog – and enjoy your rest while you can!
Love
Karen Williams
Northamptonshire
U.K. 🇬🇧
I just registered for Learned Owl! So excited to visit with you again!
Me too DeAnna!💞
Yay!!!! Always time for a Willard!!! Thank you! Hoping to go to Hudson with Sheryl to meet you! I often wondered if we would ever meet in person and now it might be twice in one year!!! 👏🏼❤️😘
Great having you back! Can’t wait to receive your new book.
Welcome home for a short time. I wish I was in New England as I wouldn’t leave. I’m so tired of our 100s here in Texas. Not my kind of weather. Have a wonderful car trip.
It’s been such fun following you and Joe around England (virtually of course), and now I can pour myself a cup of tea and read all about your return. Your blogs are like a visit with a good friend.
I did pre order a copy of Distilled Genius but then discovered how very dear it was to send it all the way to the west coast of Canada. I shall be patient, and hope to purchase it through Amazon one day, as I have all your other books. In the meantime I will enviously (and impatiently) read all the excerpts you print in your blog and that other readers comment on. Have a wonderful summer. 💕
Dearest Susan,
I own several quote books, including The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, so I had planned on passing getting yours even though I knew it is adorable! But after reading your blog and seeing that you have them in corresponding sections, making it very nice to look up a much needed quote easier, and the art and whimsy too, you won me over and now I am so excited to be another person waiting impatiently for your Genius! I have loved so much following you and Joe throughout England. I almost felt like I was truly there! I had hoped to be on the ship with you, but having immune deficiency, damaged lungs from childhood pneumonia, and cancer at 38 yrs. of age, my health prevented us, but we so hope to some day. So THANK YOU for taking us in your suitcase! You are seriously amazing! Even as a child I hated that Americans trash things so quickly, remodel, remodel, remodel. When my husband and I looked for our house to share after our marriage, I wanted to find something that was perfect so we wouldn’t need to remodel. We were so blessed to find one perfect cottage, but no garden. 😢. The whole yard was rocks, nothing but rocks. Very common in Arizona. Turned out to be a blessing too, so I could plan and turn the whole yard into just what I want. I am nearly finished! An English garden in Arizona! I have done it all myself with occasional help from hubby! We have rock walls, several brick pathways among the sunflowers, vegetables, four o’clocks in all colors, roses, hydrangeas and zinnias, rock washes from the drain spouts that meander under two wooden bridges hubby made, a bee skep, humming bird feeders, and a yard swing. The monsoons began early this year in June, so the garden is so amazingly gorgeous! Ten foot tall sunflowers! Sitting out I can imagine I am in a real English Garden. It isn’t hard to do these days! Covid helped me work on it as I was, and still am, very much homebound. We have enormous rain barrels to capture rain water too to help water all fall when the monsoons end.
I wish you could come to visit in your travels west, 😃😃, but I know AZ isn’t on this itinerary. But you have an open invitation for life, in the town your dad lived in. 🗝🗝
Oh Dezi, thank you !!! Sending big love!❌⭕️
I received my book this week. Now I have a new friend to join the gang already here, because your books truly are friends. 🙂 I am savoring this one slowly to make it last.
Wonderful life- giving post as usual! Hope to see you at Titcomb’s in a few weeks…much love to you Susan,
Marybeth
Your photos show a lovely, content, and love-filled woman. Thank you for sharing so much of your life!
I wanted to sign up for your visit to NJ; seems I have to purchase the book, but I’ve already pre-ordered it. So I’ll wait and hope to see you another time! Have a lovely summer!
Welcome home, Susan!
Your book tour is such exciting news! I’m eagerly awaiting my 3 preordered copies. I have one for me, one for my parents, and one for my 6th grade classroom. Looking forward to seeing your California tour dates so I can hopefully attend one. I’m in Aromas, so anything nearby north or south is doable. Reading your posts always help inspire me. Whether it’s in taking pride in cleaning the house, washing dishes (while watching really good shows on my phone), or gardening, I think about your point of view, and it helps. The past school year was the hardest in 22 years so I didn’t have the energy, heart, or creativity to work in my fiber studio. It took all my energy to be vertical and teach. Just recently I found that I could set myself some artistic goals to spark my fiber art interest again, and it worked! I decided to create some upcycled wall art of the 4 elements using only what I have previously made and hand sew or needlefelt the wet felted and remnant pieces together. Setting the parameter to repurpose only has been really helpful. I hope that you and Joe and Jack enjoy your time together before you journey west, and I hope to see you in CA. Thank you again!
Thanks for your wonderful newsletter! I have the week off, so I can read it in leisure.
Welcome Home!
Hello Sue (I think the little card says I can call you that now), your new book arrived yesterday and it is MARVELOUS!!! I want to savor every page. Thank you so very much for another beautiful work that is life-enhancing and spirit-lifting. How we need this! And the not-really-a-dust-jacket idea is brilliant! I usually remove them, cutting off the front and back flaps to glue inside, tossing the irritatingly slippery actual dust jacket, so your solution is excellent. It’s about time SOMEBODY thought to do this, and apparently YOU are the somebody. Thank you for the generous and thoughtful little extras included with the book. Blessings of peace and safe travel to you.
Oh that Jack is so adorable! I’m glad he’s not mad at you! I’m really disappointed that I won’t be here on Cape for your Titcombs meet and greet. We’ll be in Virginia at our son’s retirement party from the Marines. I got my book yesterday and it’s so wonderful! As we’re entering a new chapter of our lives and selling our home, several of those quotations will be relied on to keep me sane! Have a wonderful summer and trip in August. Can’t wait to hear about your train trip, would love to do the same! xoxoxoxo
Welcome home and thank you for sharing your adventure. I’m living vicariously through your travels until I can do it in person❣️
It’s like Christmas in July! Distilled Genius has arrived and I’m slowly going through it. I’m a quote collector and keep a daily journal. I like to add notes of inspiration and this book is just what I was looking for. I enjoyed the surprise bookmark included and I was even able to save the round sticker, The Moon Belongs to Everyone, from the front of the mailer. It is now in my journal on the date I received the book, which coincides with the full Buck Moon this month. Coincidence or did you plan that? 🙂
Welcome home! There’s no place like it.
But if I were to win (huge) lottery, I’d create an English village in the States to live in. For charm, there’s nothing quite like it.
BTW, anyone know where to get an overstuffed sofa in the US?
Oh happy day! I’ve received my book and I’m so excited to have it. I have three journals filled with quotes and sayings and am working on a smaller one filled with favorite sayings and some of my watercolor illustrations, not as nice as yours, but mine and fun to create. I love words and how when you string them together properly, they can do so much good in the world and we need that now!
Please add Boise Idaho to your trip!
Your statement about having control over my own home, when the outside world feels scary, uncertain and out of control really resonated with me. Also the bookshelf in the National Trust house… I think I will have a floor to ceiling bookshelf put up in my living room!
Although we’re likely close to being the same age, as I read this I felt I was reading a long, newsy letter from my mom or my Gramma; the cozy little details, the same recognition of all the “meaningless” fragments that mean EVERYTHING. I suppose that’s as good as any description of what it means to be kindred spirits, yes?
Thank you for sharing.
Love my new book…and you, Susan. I have the entire collection of your fab books. Just wish I’d known to look for something else in the bag my book arrived it…whatever it is/was, it’s long gone. Thanks for being YOU!!
It’s really real! My darling book Just arrived. Clapping my hands with complete happiness and singing a happy song. It is absolutely Divine. Pure “distilled genius” to be slowly savored. The quotes are spot on and so perfect. Your beautiful lettering and artwork make each page a delight! Sue, the permanent dust jacket cover is simply Brilliant! Yours is the only book cover like it I have ever seen. Perfect! Just love the sweet card promising that I may call you Sue whenever we chance to meet. And I do want to!
Reading and savoring every word and picture you have so lovingly and generously shared with us about your trip has been so much fun. Thank you.
Welcome home! Jack is the most perfect welcome home gift you could ever want. Home sweet home surrounded with all your bits and pieces is contentment indeed!
We are blessed with a home filled with love for my daughter and me. Peace , beauty, and contentment reign supreme here!
We’re excited to announce our 2 new kitten siblings (now 4 months old) Pixie Fay (tortoise shell) and Darby O’Gill (orange tabby). We believe our dear Fizzgee sent them to us from kitty heaven to love.
Keep safe on your trip to California and back. Godspeed!
Welcome back Susan! Enjoyed reading all about your trip to England and loved the wonderful pictures also! Received my copy of Distilled Genius this week and I do believe it is your greatest book yet!! Will be looking forward to the second volume when you get it ready! Have been a reader & fan of yours since purchasing Heart of the Home back in Sept 1988.
Glad you had such a wonderful trip & I will see you at Unlikely Story in Plainville next month!
Best,
I loved every word and every photo. But mostly the love you all shared that filled my heart.
And oh by the way, you did invent the Trompe l’oeiled dust cover!!!! Genius!!! But we would expect nothing else from you!
Love you Sandi!😂❌⭕️
Susan,
Every time you post a new blog I have to get comfy and take my sweet time reading it. Today was no exception. I’m sitting in my backyard where the air is beginning to dry out, there is a beautiful breeze, the birds are chirping, and the rabbits are having a field day. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your trip with your girlfriends. This is the first time I have ever preordered anything and I cannot WAIT for your book to appear on my doorstep. Much success with Distilled Genius and your upcoming book tour. Safe travels to California and the spreading of your mom’s ashes. Know that you will be virtually, and warmly hugged by SOOO many! 💕😘
We would love for you to write ANOTHER book about the English countryside and include photos and details on the other trips to England you have taken since your last one! We would all scoop it up! Folks need a book of escape these days. Love your post.
And I would LOVE to do it! We’ll see if time lets me!💖
Welcome Home Susan And Joe!!! What a wonderful adventure you had and for two months!!!! Just a dream!! Thank you for taking us along. So happy for Jack that you are home. Loved all you wrote.. very uplifting Susan!! You uplift us all!
Love,
Beverlee
Dear Susan,
Thank you for taking time all along the path of your trip to keep us informed and especially this beautiful letter about your home arrival! I have already gotten the new book and am slowly working my way through it, I would love to rush through but I know that when I do that, I miss some of those little nuggets that just speak so loud to my heart, so it is slow for now. What I have read, I am loving and am already looking forward to Book II. How can that be? Thanks for sharing your travels with us!
Adding to your your ..”Perhaps the tears this time came from our stunning arrival in New York Harbor . . .” The tears also came from me as I read and looked at your entrance to New York harbor and home… thank you for sharing that scene.
It brought back memories of the first time I returned home from a visit to Croatia in the late 70’s. The Communists were in power then and you had to be careful what you said in public…. to land in the USA where we have our freedoms was so emotional ….I was so grateful to be home.
WELCOME HOME TO YOU AND JOE!
It must have been a breath of fresh air in more ways than one. I can’t even imagine living like that, and I pray we never have to!!!!🙏
Dear Susan, what a wonderful “Willard/blog” to wake up too. I feel like such a soulmate..I too have traveled to many of my favorite authors homes in England. Wonderful memories. Thank you for taking us back with you..we enjoyed EVERY minute. Wish I could’ve been with you on your voyage. I read all the comments and said to myself, what more could I add. We Love you..that’s the bottom line. Then I read about “don’t throw away this little gift inside your book envelope”…I said “what..I didn’t see anything” well picture this..I went out with a broom stick this am..turned this BIG paper/can trash can on it’s side and climbed IN…looking for your evelope…by gosh…there it was…and inside after “Days” in the trash and hot sun…it was “perfect” Thank you…trash comes tomorrow..then it would have been gone..lol but NOT funny. Pretty good for a senior of 79…loved pictures of Jack too…hugs all around xoxo
Loved your blog as always! I, too, have been overcome by those ancient trees in England. I do love to put my hands and cheek on them and just feel and listen and let them know they are strong and are loved.
I do hope that Rakestraw works out!
After going to Chartwell, I bet you and Joe would enjoy The Splendid & the Vile by Erik Larsson, all about Churchill’s first year of WWII, commanding so much from Chartwell.
Hi Susan, like everyone, thank you for sharing your trip with us!
I am hoping that you will write another book on England like A Fine Romance (I keep a copy at work.) Hint Hint?!
Just received your new book – so wonderful! I always hoped you would do a book like this.
Thank you also for inspiring us with your fantastic books and reminding us of the joy, beauty and happiness we can find in a world that sometimes seems sad and lonely.
A quiet reader who seldom comments. This brought me much ready joy. I’m grateful and with you the best. We hit 115° here two days ago. This read was REFRESHING. MarySue 🌵
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Susan….I didn’t even mention how much I’m enjoying your book…I have to stop and discuss every so often with my husband on these Marvelous quotes..Your a bright light in this sometimes sad world xo hugs
Hugs Lana, and thank you!
Welsh by birth but a long time resident of WA, I miss pubs too, the settle that Joe was sitting on inthe pub picture was so beautiful with its carving, nothing like that here!!!
Also loved the sky and cloud photo, I take loads of cloud photos, just because…..they make the sky look so incredible. Funny thing , when we lived in UK I thought the sky looked small but when we moved here , it seemed to go one forever. Loved the pictures of bunting, we had a little Jubilee tea party for the Queen here, with bunting, traditional British food including cherry on top fairy cakes and a victoria sponge which collapsed sohad to make look thicker with Jam ,cream and fruit, we also had the Queens official cocktail but only a few of us liked it!!!
Have ordered your book and cant wait for it to come as I love quotes and the pctures look so pretty.
Cried when I saw Jacks face meowing to you through the door, seems a trend lately to cry at cats, dogs, little children, plants in my garden, bees and butterflys, sunsets…just about anything really that “moves” me, oh and the ocean with sparkles. Ok , need more sleep or a drink !
Glad you both are back safely, thankyou for showing the countryside where you stayed , I particularly liked the beach huts and the colours, wonder if I can incoperate one in my garden……I shall call it a she shell shed!
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Susan, my book came two days ago, and I’m loving it!! Can’t wait to see you at Prairie Path Books in Wheaton, IL (next door to my hometown); I’ve got tickets for my mom and me. And heartfelt thanks to Dawn Yanahan, fellow SB girlfriend, kindred spirit, and local magic-maker, for getting you and Sandy at PPB together so we could have Chicago suburbs in-person event!
I just knew it was Dawn … she is your local magic maker!!! Perfect! See you there Ginnie!💖
Welcome home, Susan and Joe…I must ask you why the pinecones were on all the seats of the furniture in William Morris’ wonderful library…we’re they there so visitors wouldn’t sit on the furniture? Enjoy the precious July days until you travel again🫶
Yes! So people won’t sit on them!🤣
Welcome home…even if for a short while!
I happily received my copy of Distilled Genius (and secret gift!) and so far I just keep gazing at it from afar…I will want to read it slowly to savor the quotes and paintings! Thanks so much for sharing your England delights with us…we were there in 1989 (!) but it’s on the “now that I’m retired” bucket list to return!
Safe travels as you and Joe cross the country…wish you’d be able to veer to northwestern Washington state!