Tuesday, May 9, 2006

I'm on the wrong coast...

Oh, how I wish I could go to this:

If you do live on that coast, it would be a sin to miss it. And if you do go, will you report back here on how delightful it all is? Pretty please, with sugar on top?

10 comments:

deb said...

I'm on the wrong coast too! Oh how I've always loved Susan Branch. Love that she always seems like your girlfriend when she writes and draws. Aaaah... we both shall daydream of being there and I look forward to someone hopefully posting all about it. :)

Anonymous said...

Has she got other shops? Oh how I wish I could go there... it looks like so much fun.

Anonymous said...

Guess what!!!??? I'm on the right coast and I can hardly wait to visit Susan's shop. She's also opening up a farm stand nearby as well. I will report all the "dish" when I get back. - Karen from Central California

Anastasia said...

I got that email too - looks like fun!
I told my friend Tammy who lives nearby that she HAS to go!

Anonymous said...

she's bicoastal! but not sure if she has a shop on the vineyard -- i remember reading about her a few years ago -- she must've moved hq back to cali?

amy said...

She moved back to California after 9-11 to be closer to her family. This is her only shop, the one she's opening in Arroyo Grande. Plus a farmstand nearby.

Anonymous said...

i know..painful...i don't even want to think about it! i do plan on driving down to her shop (only 15 hours!) sometime this year though so i can console myself with that at least. and you can bet i'll blog it!

ArlineA said...

I just found this blog by accident while searching for news of the opening of the "Heart of the Home Shop". Looks like I'm the first person who attended to reply! Well, it was as wonderful and charming as you have all imagined if you enjoy Susan's view of life in general. We drove up (my husband, and 88-year-old Mom, and made it just in time to join in on the signing. I wasn't wise enough to remember to bring my book collection for Susan to sign, but bought the only one I didn't have (the second Vineyard one). The store it self can be seen on Susan's website and it is so warm and welcoming. Long and narrow done up in whites with black trim like a See's Candy store. There are sections for the books, a baby section, card racks and real antiques placed randomly. Out the back door and down the steps is a charming little garden. Susan held court there while gorgeous iced teacup cookies, cool beverages and chocolate chip cookies were available. I have never met Susan before, but like the rest of you, have read her books since the 80's and simply feel like I "know" her! She is really charming and takes the time to listen to everyone's story and call them by name as she personalizes the books. In some cases that took awhile. No one rushed, but she was also observant enough to nudge ahead in line someone who was elderly or unable to climb up the steps to wait. As usual in cases like this . . . what to say? I once waiting in line all night to get Paul McCartney's book signed and couldn't think of a thing to say when the moment came, except "thanks for all you do!". I told Susan my story about my high school friends who keep in touch and how appropriate the "Girlfriends" book is for the group of us --- right down to the story she wrote about waiting in the Hollywood Hills in the '60's across the street from the house where the Beatles were staying. Gotta love a fellow Beatle fan. She confided back that she still has John Lennon's picture in her bathroom to this day. If you are ever on the Central Coast, be sure to drop by to see this cute historical town and visit Susan's shop. I rambled on long enough . . . but let me know if I can answer any questions!
Arline in L.A.

ArlineA said...

P.S. Joe was there as well! I don't know if he is taking a sabatical from The Black Dog - but he was running around doing everything at the opening. It was a long day for them . . in fact, we went back on Monday to have another look and the sign said they were going to be closed until Wednesday. They must have been exhausted!

Bonita Rose said...

hubby and I are going to cali this week.. her shop is on my list! i CAN'T WAIT!