Talk about a fine romance this Valentine's Day. You see, my own dear Valentine, aka Dearest Hubby, totally surprised me with a delivery from Amazon. Don't you love it when you hear the doorbell and you just know UPS has left a brown parcel in your mailbox? Don't you love the word 'parcel'?Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.............................. Inside was a longed-for copy of Susan Branch's latest book A Fine Romance.
It was ♥ love ♥ at first sight. Beautifully bound with a gorgeous red ribbon bookmark, it lays open without fuss. Every page is filled with art renderings and glimpses into Susan's unique style as she shares the trip she and her Joe took to the English countryside. And, it all begins with the very fine romantic story of how those two met.
Whether you've visited England before or still dream of doing the trip across the pond, I think you'll
To visiting the homes of favourite authors like Beatrix Potter and Jane Austen, and meeting the loveliest local people, not to mention English woolly lambs, Susan invites her readers 'the girlfriends' to be a part of this grand adventure. And when you read it, it's just like being there. Well, almost.
A Fine Romance is magical from cover to cover. Pages are filled with Susan's photographs, whimsical art, hand-drawn maps, recipes, quotes, not to mention her droll stories and fascinating diary entries.
I've been savoring each page... dreaming too, as this is the very kind of trip Mr. Hubby and I have been dreaming about and planning a while now for ourselves. As Susan often reminds us...
"Because nothing happens unless first we dream."
~ Carol Sandburg
Pack Light - Armchair Travel. Now, if that kind of trip isn't possible right now, remember that packing for armchair traveling is light and easy. You could ask your own Valentine to send you your own copy of A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside.
Lots More On Susan's website. And if the budget doesn't stretch for a book either, then you might enjoy Susan's interview about her new book, or have a fun snoop through the appendix of the book which is also on her website -- it includes live links to all manner of interesting and delightful tidbits about the trip.
Here's wishing you a fine day and a little romance,
Hugs,
Brenda
xox
Brenda
xox
I've been noticing that my posts (as infrequent as they are these days) don't load into people's blogger reader lists right away. I've checked my feedburner. I did some research online. Seems other people experience this too. It doesn't appear to be a feedburner issue, but a blogger one.
ReplyDeleteSo I am sorry about this, but I'm not sure what else to do.
Brenda
Oh, I bet you were so happy to get that book when it came in the mail. What a surprise! :D I love her website too. Hope you are well, Brenda! *hugs*
ReplyDelete-Merry
You're a sweet one..I always enjoy your writing. You have a joy about you. And congrats on the new book. A treasure indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet sweetie you have! I was waiting to see when your post would show up on my dashboard and it did 5 min. ago.(nearly midnight)WEIRD! Thank-you for the book title and link. Just what we need. In the past few days as i did my housework I listened/watched the long version of Pride and Prejudice so I'm feeling quite English-ified right now!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday, Brenda!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommendation of this book. I will definitely visit Susan's blog and perhaps even buy the book. I wonder if it's available at our local Chapters where I am heading later today (after the Olympics hockey game) to purchase a certain magazine. Lol It is always a joy to hear from you!
Hugs,
Linda
How very sweet of your hubby. I will put that book on my wish list. Hmmmm I have a birthday next month....:) I hope your Sunday is peaceful and bright.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit hesitant to buy her book, don't know why but now that you have recommended it...Amazon it is!
ReplyDeleteAnd not loading up, I will just stop by without notification, because you are way to dear of a friend to miss!
A few other bloggers have mentioned this book. I will check it out the next time I am at the bookstore. We are lucky here today it is 69 degrees and sunny, but we drop back into the 30's mid week. Hurry up spring!
ReplyDeleteOh your hubby was paying attention! Good for him and good for you!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you posting...hope that your time away has been productive. Your voice is missed.
(That cold is heading here for the final week of February that will have us believing that it is the final week of January.)
Our landscape is shivering under a coat of white this morning, with mixed rain and snow spattering the windows. Not quite -16, but wintry enough.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying (or perhaps have finished) your English countryside ramble with Susan. Isn't it delightful? I'm ready to read it again.
Have a wonderful week!
no problem loading your blog on my computer...good to see you back even if you are still struggling with winter...
ReplyDeleteGah! -16 degrees?? We've had our bouts with sub zero temps here in New Jersey of late - and more this week - but last week the Lord looked kindly on this Nana with her grandbaby visiting and we had lovely spring-like weather all week! Today - snow - and more tonight. Blech. The birdsongs is a good idea - I have some CD's to the purpose.
ReplyDeleteAs to your Amazon prize - you'll love it! It was a Christmas gift from my husband - along with the new Beatrix Potter bio which I will be doing a post about by the end of March.
Thanking you for the book - and Carolyn, too - with links to my teatime blog post today. So blessed and glad you were delayed in mailing. It came right on time due to where my head was at. Read all at: http://www.thewritersreverie.com/2014/02/teatime-prizes.html
Joy to you!
Kathy
Your crocus photo is beautiful! I am beyond ready to see those glorious colors springing forth from the earth.
ReplyDeleteAwesome gift from your hubby! I love that book. It wasn't in my budget, so I checked it out from the library a few a couple months ago. Susan definitely made me yearn for my own trip to the English countryside.
Hi Brenda, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/