I love glass. I love it for the same reason birds love it, it’s shiny. Cleaning the glass around my house, including my windows, mirrors, and the glass on pictures is one of my chief (and some would think, strangest) decorating tips for the holidays. Glass makes the perfect palette for candlelight and twinkle lights to shimmer and shine which does a lot to make magic in any room. Like the trail Tinkerbelle leaves as she flies by. ♥
Receiving this dish in my early 20’s was probably the thing that alerted me to the possibilities with glass and started the obsession. It was a gift from my Aunt Maroline and Uncle Bob when I got married. When I first saw it, I didn’t know what it 
was or what I would DO with it; there were no bananas in it when I unwrapped it, so I wasn’t sure what its purpose was. I love things with a purpose, so when my aunt told me it was to hold bananas, I jumped for joy. It had a reason to exist! I could have it! The pure charm and whimsy of the thing took hold of my heart, and this banana dish has been on every kitchen table, island, or counter in every kitchen of my life. It is a mainstay. I would be bereft without it. We are never without bananas in our house. ♥
Inspiration is funny. You never know when it will hit or what form it will take. One summer afternoon, many years ago, we were sitting at the picnic table in the backyard belonging to a French man we know here on the island. He spread a white table cloth over the wood table, brought out beautiful cheeses on a board, and served us cold white wine in short, straight-sided thin glasses like these, while French cafe music drifted out the open French doors to his house.
I thought, oo, la, oui! How continental! How adorably foreign! How Charles Trenet! I must have this!
And so it began, the glass collection that will never end. Because
it was becoming obvious that to lead an original romantic life, on the model of the early Zelda Fitzgerald, where dreamy French music and entertaining would take place, I was going to need to gather the ingredients (props); these glasses looked like a good place to start.
We’ve collected ours mostly one at a time. We’ll see one on a shelf in an antique store, it will cost a dollar, and we will jump on it like it’s a trophy. Our eyes narrow and shift around the store, to see, does anyone else notice this wonderful thing is only a dollar? And they don’t, so we grab it and run. What is a dollar these days? A candy bar is a dollar.
Because we find them one at a time, our collection of these little glasses is very mix and match. We’ve found them in pink and green depression glass, etched with fruit and flowers, swirled, and hand-painted.
We have found them etched with the Lord’s Prayer.
We have found ones that we can’t believe have survived so long!
Some of them could definitely tell a story. We found this one from the first Queen Elizabeth in the little antique store on board the QEII. It was not a dollar. But it had our name written all over it. The Finding-Nemo seagull word formed on the lips, “mine” it said, irresistibly, as in take me I’m yours.
Over time, we realized that others, with slightly different shapes, make wonderful water glasses. I know some of you understand this love of pretty glasses, because a couple of weeks ago we put three sets of these little glasses, colored and etched, in the Vintage section of our website, and they were snapped right up! Sets are really hard to find but Joe and I got them out shopping as we were crossing the country! So happy you (whoever you are) got them! I will keep looking, when I’m out and about, for more.
We have found them in all colors . . . and have broadened our definition of “what is acceptable” to include different shapes. We had to, there was no choice; do you look at these yellow jewels and say, oh dear, no, the ridges just won’t do? No, you do not. You don’t even think it.
Setting the table can be like putting together a puzzle, a little of this a little of that. But, for better or worse, however it turns out will be very unlike anyone else’s, because, as you know, you can’t walk into a store and just get this stuff any time, it takes a long time to gather this, a person has to be choosy and get just what she loves. ♥
Glass obsession knows no end. It graduates from wine glasses, and gets its wings with serving bowls, candle sticks, and cake plates. It was probably thirty years of antiquing before I found this at a price I was willing to pay for it. I’m just not paying $200 for a cake stand, but I will pay $56. Yes, I will. Here it is, home at last! Holding my mom’s famous Coconut Circus Cake with pink sugar frosting. ♥
Pitchers and ice bowls call my name too.
Early morning light comes in through the windows and falls across the dining table, and this is what we get, free of charge.
Glass star bobeche and colored-glass vintage sugars and creamers are perfect for the holidays.
And here is my newest find. Something I almost never come across, do you recognize it? Yes! It’s a really beautiful cut-glass Banana Dish, about as perfect as it can be. But, you are saying, “She already has a banana dish . . . this isn’t fair!”
And I am saying, “I didn’t get it for me. I got it for you.” ♥
Yes, I did; this little jewel is going to one of you, and all you have to do to be entered for the random drawing is leave a comment and tell me (and everyone!) your favorite housekeeping tip. Or, like last time, you can just say hello! Or maybe a Jell-O recipe would be good. 🙂
In a couple of days, after everyone is all signed up, we’ll draw a name. More fun in this giant mutual admiration society of ours! Willard starts going out this morning…today and tomorrow. I’m off to work on my book! Talk to you later! Happy day to all! ♥
My household tip is to clean up each day, especially bathrooms and kitchen. On Wednesday evening I do laundry and on Thursday and Friday nights I empty waste baskets and vacuum and, behold, I am done and have the weekend completely free for whatever awaits. My job is very intense so I really need my weekend to be relaxing. This seems to do the trick. I also make my own wrinkle remover and have just about eliminated ironing. 3 parts water and 1 part liquid fabric softener mixed together well in a spray bottle. Spray on lightly and smooth wrinkles out of cotton, cotton blends, etc. It even works on jeans. My little gift to all my friends. Enjoy!!
I have to try that!
I love the banana dish . I have never seen one before so now I am on the hunt for one. I have a large collection of tiered cake plates so any kind of glassware is wonderful. Thanks a bunch for having this giveaway.
Susan, I have the same glass obsession as you & was tickled PINK to see your depression glass pitcher in that outdoor shot!
Your cake plate is beautiful. Those call my name, too.
I have never seen the banana holder & would be thrilled to win such a treasure. Thanks for giving us/me the chance to own this wonderful heirloom.
fondly,
Rett
p.s. My most useful household tip is to use cheap hairspray to get ink out of fabric. Worked on the most delicate silk blouse, that the dry cleaner wouldn’t even attempt.
Susan, This is the first time I’ve even looked at your BLOG, let alone posted on it. I’ve felt like you and I are long lost sisters as my two sisters do not have the same “homemaking” skills or interest as I have all my life. I use your Book of Days as my daytimer and every time someone sees it, comments, “what a cute book!” I have most of your books and some of your scrapbooking items too. I have always been proud of my clean home but recently due to some health issues have hired some help. It was a pleasure to my eyes to see them cleaning my home the same way I do (but with 3 of them at it it was done in no time at all!) One of my housecleaning tips is; start dusting at the top of the walls (frames, door frames, etc.) and work your way down to the floor trim. Wash windows from the top and work your way down as well. When you finally get down to the bottom, then you can sweep, mop and vacuum.
I plan on checking your BLOG as often as I can, hopefully weekly.
Happy Fall Y’all!!!
Victoria
Hi Victoria, good! Hope to see you again!
It hasn’t been all that long that I have been reading your blog. You are a great inspiration to myself and loads of others to be sure! I, too love glass. Especially candlesticks. My greatest love are teapots, cups and saucers and, really all things tea!! Like you, we have bananas in our house all the time. They are a main staple. The banana dish is sooo very pretty. The light shines on it and leaves it sparkling! I have never seen one in person. I can just picture this one sitting on my counter or as a lovely centerpiece on our table! Much better than the dish that I am currenty using, haha.
My housecleaning tip is to start out early in the morning. You will have the smell from the furniture polish lasting long after you are finished. To top off your hard work, put a kettle of water on the stove and pick out your favorite tea. Sit back and relax, knowing that you’ve done something worth while.
I will be writing about a tea party and tea things one of these days …. so many things to write about, so little time! 🙂 Thanks Carol!
Hi Susan,
I love glass also, especially vintage glass. It has a different sparkle somehow.
My suggestion is to never put vintage glass in the dishwasher. I always wash those precious items by hand.
Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
Oh both those banana dishes are beautiful. I have never seen one before. I love the idea…makes bananas even more beautiful. Love your blog!
Hmmmm. My best housekeeping tip. That would have to be Dena. She comes every other Thursday. House looks great for days!
xoxoxo Dena!
Hi Susan!
You are so generous to your girlfriends. I can’t believe you have another special giveaway. I don’t think I have ever seen a banana dish before. Who knew a bunch of bananas could look so lovely! A good household tip to follow is to do the hardest chore first and then the rest is a breeze. Thanks so much for sharing the little touches that you do in your home to make it so sweet!
I so enjoy reading Willard. Everytime it comes I make a good cup of tea and sit down to enjoy it. I have all your books and most of you fabric line. I love making baby quilts as they are just the perfect gift at a shower or new life in the world. I love old glass and still have a glass fruit bowl that my parents received at their wedding in 1939. My best tip is the vinegar to clean glass, it just makes it sparkle. Thanks for sharing the banana dish I had never seen one. Have a wonderful day!!!
Housekeeping: do a little bit of a job every day, then you wont’ have to clean the whole darn house all at once when company is coming. This tip from my stepmom, who lived by the rule.
I just adore vintage glass and have several “family” pieces in my collection; however, I have never heard of a banana dish! What a beautiful way to display bananas, and I have just the perfect recipe for Banana Bread to share with you.
Banana Nut Bread
1/2 cup butter 1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk 2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Mix softened butter, sugar and buttermilk with mixer. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix together flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and add to the buttermilk mixture. Next fold in mashed bananas and pecans. Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 – 60 minutes or until done (no longer or it will be dry).
Enjoy!
love the banana holder,reminds me of my Mom…she ate one daily too.
My household tip is to put a rubber band on your wrist when you have to go off and leave something that you do need to return to….like the lawn sprinkler… but it doesn’t work so well when filling a bath tub,,,grins. The point is you won’t go out shopping or to bed with the rubber band on…so it acts like a silent alarm. cheers!
Susan, will you please share the pattern names of the plate behind the glasses and the one of the table setting? How beautiful. I love dishes and love to entertain. You are such an inspiration to me. I have loved your work for years and years. What a blessing you are. Janie
That’s Johnson Brothers Windsor Ware in purple on the table, and behind the glasses, it’s “Old Ivory,” Syracuse China. Thank you Janie!
Thanks for sharing the information Susan. I am on the “hunt” now. Have a spooktacular Halloween! Janie
It’s great to find someone who loves glass as I do! Started collecting so I could do
“show & tell” at school. Don’t have a banana holder, tho.
The banana dish is very pretty. Thank you for thinking of all your girlfriends.
My helpful hint concerns bananas. To enhance the flavor of bananas that you are using for banana bread, bake your bananas first. Put your bananas on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. The banana peel will turn dark and the banana itself will be soft and oh so flavorful! Your house will smell wonderful! I love your blog and everything that you do. You are such an inspiration to everyone!
Hey Susan!
Love your blog! You speak to the homekeeper in me. I don’t have any unique tips but I will say when I need a little motivation to begin “the big clean”…I buy a little something. A little candle, or dishtowel or some other fun little inexpensive doo dad. It inspires me to clean. You cannot burn a new candle in a dusty house. Looking foward to future inspiration from you and your cozy home!
I get it, you can’t hang a beautiful new dish towel in a dirty kitchen :-), love it!
I love glassware and antiques, but wasn’t familiar with the banana dish. Here’s a fun banana experiment for families and classrooms:
Use a knife to neatly cut the banana off its stem. Then peel the banana about half way down. Hold the banana in one hand while you gently push your littlest finger into the center of the cut end. With a bit of careful wiggling, the banana will literally come apart at the seams and begin to split into three equal pieces lengthwise. (Peel the banana as it splits more and more.) If you’re skillful enough, you’ll have the makings of a new kind of banana split. And if you make a big mess instead, you can gobble it up and try again! 🙂
Hi Susan,
Received my snail mail Willard book and 2012 calendars in the mail last week! Love them! I enjoy “visiting” with you through Willard and the blog, and love the ideas you share. My house cleaning tip is from my mom. She says when the windows are clean everything in the house looks clean!
Happy fall!
Cindy
I like that one!
Thank you Thank you very much!! I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches with a little drizzle of honey. HMMMMMMMMMMMM! I love cleaning my house. I know, I know, people think I’m crazy; but I love to putter around the house and garden. I have a wonderful family. I’m one of 6 “kids”, married to a man with 7 brothers and sisters. It’s fun it’s get together with them and 36 nieces and nephews.
Wow! Fun!
A banana dish! I will need one real soon. I will soon have a bunch ready to come off my tree. We have bananas everyday, all year long. Here’s a handy recipe to have for dizziness and nausea. I don’t know how it works, but it works.
Nausea Relief Recipe
1 large, ripe banana, peeled, cut into chunks, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen 24 hours
1 cup cantaloupe chunks, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen 24 hours
1 1/4 cups skim milk
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Blend all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
(It’s good even if you’re well!)
I’m so excited – I just received my first “Willard!” Loved, loved, loved it!! I’m so glad I found your blog! I enjoyed every minute of following your train trip. My husband and I hope to be able to do that someday. I have never seen a banana dish, but I will certainly be looking for one now! Blessings to you for all the joy you bring into the lives of others!
Thank you Evelyn!!
Thank you for your books, Willard, and blog, Susan. I’ve enjoyed your artwork since the first cookbook came out. These days I follow your train trips and feel like I’m taking a trip too. Maybe I will someday!
A tip for candles: Put them in the freezer at least two hours before using. They will burn longer.
Daena Benzon
Hello, Susan.
My two young daughters and I have a tradition of making banana bread often. This dish would be perfect sittting on our kitchen counter. The famous recipe we love is called, “Banana Banana Bread” on Allrecipes.com. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll win. You, your blog, etc. bring joy to my life. Thanks.
Oh I so love glassware too. my favorite is a beautiful basket that was myMother’s. I have neutral silk arrangement in it and then drop in seasonal colors with the change in seasons. I have never seen a banana dish though and I am sure I could find the perfect spot to show it off. And especially with the fallland winter seasons upons us here is my favorite tip for getting melted candles out of votives…pop them in the freezer for an hour or so and the wax will usually pop right out for you! Thanks for such a lovely post Susan.
Susan you are so inspiring! Love your watercolors!
Always keep from top to bottom (ceiling, furniture & floor)
A housecleaning tip that works well for us is a kitchen “motto”. We always say, “Wash your hands – wash a dish!” So while we are cooking, or just washing hands in the kitchen sink , we look to see if there is a dish to wash at the same time. When we are preparing a big meal, it is a happy thing to have most of the pots, pans, utensils, etc. all clean before the meal and not have to deal with a big mess afterwards. Of course, our teenage-ish son said “Why would you try to discourage handwashing?” Aaurgh! ;0)
They are just too smart!
We began our road trip across the US/Canada BEFORE you and Joe even got onto that train……….and you are both HOME before my hubby and me! Favorites on this trip…….tooooo many to even begin to write down. ONE very favorite happened this past Tuesday with the Gees Bend Quilters in Alabama!!!!!!! We were able to meet 4 of the almost “45” – what a TRUE treat this was for me to meet these ladies!!! I never dreamed this would happen BUT IT DID!!!!!!!!!!!! If you and Joe ever get to Alabama……this is a MUST!!!!!!! My childhood friend and I discovered them at the Corcoran Museum in Washington, DC the spring of 2004…………I was besotted to learn more about them and their love of quilting! They are a true inspiration………… So now hubby and I are gradually making it back to the Delaware beach where we call HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all of the inspiration and sharing you give to EACH one of us! Hugs, Dee
So much excitement!! I’m going to have to Google the Gees Bend Quilters! Welcome back home to you Dee!!
Hello, I have enjoyed your stickers from the beginning. I am still one that loves to send cards and letters in the regular post. I decorate the envelopes as pretty as I can with seasonal stickers or just fun saying and off they go to brighten someones day. I would say take the time every now and then to send a letter by post and know that it will brighten the mailbox of your intended and put a smile in their heart. As for the banana bowl, that is a beautiful piece to brighten someone’s kitchen. If not mine I will go on my own treasure hunt in Stillwater, MN to see if I can find one. Thank you for the fun to bring to everything. 🙂 Lisa
Hi Susan,
How fabulous of you to share your beautiful finds. I especially love your beautiful table setting, it is so elegant and inviting. I have never heard of a banana dish, but what a pretty way to display them!
Lets see, you’d like us to tell you our best house cleaning hint….well, mine is to change things up a bit in decor when I clean, its like having a new room and makes cleaning fun. Great time to make table scapes, or change the linens for the season. Put away or throw away or donate all clutter no longer loved or useful. I also use baking soda in the kitchen and bath as one of my best cleaning hints and costs very little. Buy the largest box available….generic brand if fine. Store one box in the bath and one in the kitchen to make it handy for you. Make a paste, of baking soda and water, put on a damp sponge and clean your sink, shower door, tub, and tiles, also good in your kitchen when cleaning the sink and stove surface, inside the refrig, stove and microwave. Rinse well with clean water, step back and see how clean and sparkly everything is. Baking soda is less harmful on your hands, no fumes and earth friendly!
Now for my favorite Jello Recipe:
FROZEN STRAWBERRY/BANANA SALAD
1 (21 oz.) can strawberry pie filling
1 pt. vanilla ice cream
1 tbsp. lemon juice
3 med. bananas, chopped
1/4 c. slivered almonds
Whole strawberries for garnish
Stir together the pie filling, lemon juice and softened ice cream. Fold in bananas and nuts. Spoon the mixture into eight to ten paper baking cups lining muffin tins. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm. To serve, peel off paper cups and garnish with fresh strawberries. Can use as a frozen pie with graham cracker cust.
Have fun and thanks for letting me be part of the girl friend chain!
Thanks for being here!
Hi Susan and everyone! The bannan dish is so pretty and something I’ve never seen before! I haven’t read through all the posts so I don’t know if this tip was posted yet but here it is, to remove the smell of garlic from your fingers, rub them against a metal spoon under cold running water…works like magic!! Thanks…Goodnight 🙂
Thank you for being here every day. Susan Branch friends are special. I have a Joe but he is a Jim. He says as much as I clean I should have the best ever cleaning tips. I can’t think of one. I just enjoy the satisfaction of a wonderfully clean home. Happy Fall
So many “Joe’s” — I mean, Jim’s, on this blog, we have some very good and clean husbands out there!
Susan, my good friend at work “turned me on” to your website and blog–I am so glad that she did! Love the glass banana bowl. My only cleaning tip is to do a little every day so that the entire weekend isn’t spent cleaning but having fun with the grandkids.
Yes!
I too love glass Susan! I especially love lead crystal. I don’t know if this is a housekeeping tip or not but if you have a need to remove blood from cloth and this would include a chair or sofa, just either pour peroxide on it or blot it with. The peroxide will not harm you fabric At All! I learned that years ago from having a child who got nosebleeds all the time. It is much easier to remove if it’s fresh and it doesn’t even harm silk!
We have a 15 minute clean up time before dinner. Everyone gets assigned a room and we work together. I have six kids, ages 2-15, so we get a lot done, of course, we have more messes to pick up. 🙂
I can almost hear the sighs all across the country as your followers say with me…”AHHHH, so THAT’S what that rounded dish is for!” I’ve seen these before in antique shops but have never made a purchase since, like you, I need a reason for a new object. Thanks for clearing up the mystery! Some day, my bananas will thank you…when they have a special place of honor in one of these. And many thanks for the blog. I’m loving checking it with a cup of tea after a long day.
I’ve never heard of a banana dish. I’m delighted to know this info. If it’s not my luck to be chosen I’ll have fun searching for one of my own. 🙂
One way or another, at least you know what you’re looking for! 🙂
Hi Susan-how fun to see your beautiful collection of glass. I especially love the picture of your elegant table setting. I think that is what makes our things special there is a story behind each piece.
Talk about a wonderful and glorious shape the banana dish is! Never heard of one but absolutely love it.
Below is one of my favorite Jello Recipes and since we are thinking banana’s, I thought this would be a good choice. It also addresses chocoholics too.
Blissful Banana Pie
1cup NILLA wafer crumbs
1/2cup finely chopped Pecans
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
5 squares semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 cups miniature marshmallows, divided
2 cups milk, divided
1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jello vanilla pudding- Not the instant
1 cup thawed cool whip
2 medium bananas, thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix wafer crumbs, pecans and butter; press firmly onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Bake 5 min.; cool.
Place chocolate squares, 1 cup of the marshmallows and 1/2 cup of the milk in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2 min.; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into crust; refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare pudding mix in large bowl as directed on pkg. for pudding, using remaining 1-1/2 cups milk. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of pudding; refrigerate 30 min. or until cooled. Gently stir in whipped topping and remaining 2 cups marshmallows. Arrange bananas evenly over chocolate layer; cover with the pudding mixture. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled. Store in refrigerator.
Enjoy!!!!
KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS
Size-Wise
This dessert is the perfect choice for a special occasion. Plan ahead and eat accordingly before indulging in a slice of this pie.
Special Extra
Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and additional banana slices just before serving.
Substitute
Prepare as directed, substituting 1 cup BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks for the chopped chocolate squares.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
370
Total fat
19g
Saturated fat
8g
Cholesterol
20mg
Sodium
190mg
Carbohydrate
49g
Dietary fiber
3g
Sugars
33g
Protein
4g
Vitamin A
6%DV
Vitamin C
4%DV
Calcium
8%DV
Iron
6%DV
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It is a massive heavy snowstorm here today, and there is no keeping up with clean,dry wood floors with our lab puppy “mike” running in and out to play in the 12+ inches. It’s his first snow, so who can blame him! My tip is to “forget about cleaning and enjoy the snow day”. Love the banana dish and will be on the hunt for one.
P.S. how long until the new book?
Love your style!
Too long, but I’m hurrying. I’ll let you know. . . it will probably be back from the printer in September!
Never ever had seen or heard of a banana dish until I saw one on your website a while back. I wonder who the person was that thought to create one. Great idea!!!! Beautiful and functional.
My newest, and now most favorite, cleaning tip is…….invite a darling, curly haired two year old to help. Yup, makes it soooo easy and oh so fun. Of course, she’s isn’t ready to clean my most lovely glass yet, but we have a goal. Thanks for such a great post, my favorite thing to do in the department store is to go to the crystal section and look at the glass under bright lights. sigh. Love.
Sweet!
Hello Susan,
I also LOVE this blog and I don’t really read blogs but I always take time to read this one! My household tip is to wipe up the bathroom sink right after you use it. I leave one of those really thin, thin spongy cloths you can get at Whole Foods just under the sink. You just dampen it a little, wipe, and you’re done. No need to use any other cloth.
Right now, there are 1320 entries! So what’s one more?
Besides, I love the banana dish and would treasure it, just like you do.
I’d go bananas if I won!!
That banana dish is absolutely awesome. When I was growing up, my mom always made a jello mold of some sort for family gatherings. People don’t seem to make jello molds anymore. Anyway, here’s one of my favorites.
2 small packages cherry Jello
1-1/2 box Coconut Bars
1 stick margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs (separated)
3 tablespoons crushed walnuts
1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)
Dream Whip
Prepare jello and refrigerate. Line pan with layer of coconut bars face down. Cream margarine and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Add walnuts and pineapple. Fold in stiff egg whites. Spread on top of bars.
Add another layer of bars face down. Spoon on jello, and top with Dream Whip. Refrigerate overnight.
Susan, thanks for getting back to me with the corn pudding recipe last week – made it for a dinner party at a friend’s house and everyone loved it, as do we.
Lisa B.
So glad to hear that! Very different Jell-O recipe too, thank you!
A banana dish?! Oh how lovely this one is … I’ve always loved them but never splurged and you’re right they are not easy to find. If you find one it won’t be cheap -at least that’s what I’ve experienced. What a treasure. Not so many house tips to share … I feel like I’m always one that still needs to be taught but I do always say that doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen is way more fun if you wear a pretty apron and have a pretty towel. {Love vintage towels and aprons the best!}
Wow! I am eating a banana when I get an e-mail that Willard had arrived. I am so excited, and then I see the banana dish. Well, I am smelling bananas and listening to Tommy Dorsey and it reminds me of my great-grandmother baking banana bread. Yum!
Thank you for the wonderful trip down memory lane.
You are welcome!
I love the Glass. This is the most unique dish I have seen in a very long time…. I have a beautiful serving bowl that looks almost identical to this pattern…Beautiful…..I do not have a favoriter housekeeping tip because I hate house work….but, it has to be done. It feels good when complete.
Send it to me! We need one of those! I love your blog I check it every day. It gives me such a joy to read it every day.
Thanks,
Tiina
Hi Susan!
I have a couple of tips for cleaning. Start in the kitchen. When the kitchen is clean then it seems so easy to clean the rest of the home! Also, an item that I always have around is baby wipes! I use them to spot clean carpet stains. They also work really well at cleaning leather furniture and leather wrapped car steering wheels. The wipes don’t leave the leather dry either! Easy and Quick! I use them for removing make-up, too! 🙂 And, yes, listening to music when cleaning helps a bunch!
Happy Halloween!
One of my favorite “Fall” housekeeping traditions is to clean and organize the kitchen cabinets. I start in October and make sure all of the yummy baking chocolates, coconut, nuts, candied fruits and spices are fresh. I go through my fall recipes and make a list of what I want to bake, adding a few new items that I’ve come across. There are the “must haves”, such as pumpkin bread, apple-pecan praline bread, pumpkin cheesecake and of course, your delicious Molasses Cookies. I never tire of reading your Autumn Book. It brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face, as though I were reading it for the 1st time. Thanks Susan, for being you!
Thank you Brenda!!
Hi Susan! I have a crazy busy life and don’t have a lot of time to clean so on Saturday mornings when I’m home, I set the timer on my stove for one hour and clean as much as I can on the first floor! I play sort of a “beat the clock” game. I start by putting an empty laundry basket in the first room and put all objects that belong in a different room into the basket. I then tidy the room and move on to the next going room to room doing the same thing. When I’m done with that, I dust and vacuum all the rooms and by then the timer goes off and I spend the next 15 minutes emptying the laundry basket and putting things where they belong. It works for me! By setting the timer I don’t get side-tracked and when the hour is up I feel like I have accomplished something but I still have time for fun!
I love your blog, I love Willard, I have many of your lovely books…you are such a ray of sunshine in my life. Thank you for your beautiful artwork and for sharing your beautiful spirit. xoxo
So happy to be here! Thank you Kristine!
Do I like it — oh, yes I do!!
I think you know all the household hints there are —
Favorite housekeeping tip….I hate the little stress points in the day….the cord that tangles on the hair dryer…the cap that doesn’t close right on the toothpaste. These little things bug me EVERYDAY. Under the kitchen sink I placed a medium size flower pot with it’s dish. NOW my scrubbies and glassware spongee things have a place to drip and dry and they are never falling out when I open the cupboard door. I smile everytime I wash the dishes! Will someone please fix the toothpaste cap????
I really wanted to earn the quilt. I was so dissapointed, but felt so happy when I saw the photo of the bedroom/bed where it now resides in upstate NY. It’s so lovely. Then I really wanted to earn the recipe box. I didn’t try very hard, because I never got around to leaving a comment! Now I really would love to win the Beautiful Banana Glass ‘trophy’. I love it and I have never seen one!!! I, too, like you, at 47 have collected mis-matched jelly and shrimp cocktail glasses, cordials, funky wine glasses and lots of serving plates and platters and I absolutely LOVE glass cake stands!!! Love them!!!! Some of my glasses were from grandma and grandpa because they were poor and they saved peanut butter and jelly jars and lot’s of little glass cups from all kinds of things! and some came from garage sales and antique stores. I also collect the crystals from ruined chandeliers and learned to string them on fishing line and add them to the christmas tree, the way they pick up the white twinkly lights makes the tree so special. they are getting harder and harder to find and more and more expensive as others have caught on. What I used to get for 75 cents, now costs almost 10 to 15 dollars a sphere. We eat bananas here. they never have a home, they get plopped on the butcher block, tucked over the edge of the basket filled w/ potatoes and onions, or dangle from the pot rack until they get too ripe and fall off. I have never even seen or heard of a banana stand until now. What a great girlfriend conversation piece for all the visitors to my favorite room of our home, the kitchen where we gather to remember, reminisce, connect and celebrate life. Whether it’s to knit, quilt, scrapbook, sip tea, my home has a heart just like yours and it’s the kinda place people come to ‘eddy’ out for a while. So- no recipe, no housework tip, except this: and you wrote it on one of those little cards you made in tiny matchboxes that I collected years ago: Remember: Housework, when done correctly, can kill you~SB I love it and have it taped to the kitchen window over the sink and everyone who comes over cracks up when they read it.
Wonderful! Thank you Vicki! Loved reading that!
I am a lover of glass too. My friend and I would go to flea markets and antiques shops to look for glass pieces. She liked the clear pieces and I liked the amber ones. It was the best when I got home and unwrapped the pieces and washed them. You could see all the imperfections and scratches. I would think about who owned them. If they were special to someone once, like many of my pieces are to me. I also collect cookbooks and your book Vineyards Seasons was one of my first.
Perfect that you don’t collect the same kind! Love that!
Hello Susan,
I love the banana dish! I have a cake stand that belonged to my Great Grandmother matches the same design!
My household hint is I always keep an old toothbrush handy to clean trinkets that get dusty and lovely cut glass. I just dampen it and brush gently into all the tiny nooks and crannies. I have a jello recipe for Horseradish Salad that is yummy unless you do not care for horseradish.
Horseradish Salad
1 pkg. lemon jello (sf)
1 pkg. lime jell (sf)
2 cups boiling water
Mix together the above and let cool.
1 can of crushed pineapple
12 oz. small curd cottage cheese
1 cup Mayo (Miracle Whip)
1 cup pecans (op)
1 cup chopped celery
3 tsp creamy horseradish
Mis all into a bowl and slowly add jello mixture. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan and refrigerate until set. YUM!
One of my favorite housekeeping tips given to me by my mom is to clean up in the kitchen as I go along while cooking or baking. It’s much more fun to cook or bake this way and not have a big mess waiting for me when I’m done. Susan, I have been enjoying your books since 1989 when I purchased my very first Susan Branch cookbook “Heart of the Home”! Since then I have purchased many more of your books. I think I have all but one or two of them now! Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year here in Northeast, PA, so I love your Autumn book. On a brisk evening every Fall, I snuggle on my couch with your Autumn and Vineyard Seasons books, one of the afghans I’ve crocheted and a cup of hot chocolate and read the books from cover to cover. I read your cookbooks over and over again because (and this may sound strange) they give me such a comforting, safe feeling. They also really put me in the spirit of the seasons! Another one of your books which is very dear to my heart is “Baby Love” which I received as a baby shower gift in 1993 for my first child who will be turning 18 this December. That book holds so many precious memories for me and my daughter. We both thank you for that! The recipes in your cookbooks are scrumptious, and the all-time favorite in our household is Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Cheese found in Heart of the Home!! Even though the pages of my Susan Branch cookbooks have yellowed, and are a bit tattered and torn, I cherish each and every one, and get so excited every time I read them. Didn’t mean to ramble on and on, but just want you to know how much I enjoy your books! Really love the banana dish! I too love glass dishes, as I’m always looking for unique cake stands and salt and pepper shakers. My favorite salt and pepper shakers I use now are cut glass. Sorry I’m not sharing a jello recipe, but I probably would of ended up sharing one from your cookbook anyway. 🙂 Take care and God bless you and your family!
You are so sweet Teri, thank you! Baby Love is one of my favorites at book signings, people bring their books, already filled out, and the photos are priceless!
Lots of interesting housekeeping tips, and over the years, I have used some of them. One of my favorites is how quick, clean and shiney good ol Windex makes tile and other hard surfaces look. I just love the banana dishes you show here, have never seen one before.
Aloha Susan, I recently met you at the Remnants of the Past Vintage Show in SLO. I was at the tail end of your adoring fans on what was probably a very long day for you. You were so gracious and charming to all of us, signing books and calendars, taking photos and hugging us all. You made me feel very special so I did post some photos of “us” on my shop blog (very small Etsy shop, still working on it) and wrote about how exciting it was to meet you. Anyway, I would love to be in the drawing for the banana dish. Living in Hawaii, we have banana plants in our yard which means lots of bananas. I don’t have any cleaning tips because I really don’t like to do housework. Having said that, I do appreciate when the job is over and my house sparkles from all of my hard work. So, if you wouldn’t mind, toss my name in there with the other SB fans and who knows, maybe you’ll pull out my name 🙂 P.S. It cracks me up seeing that fish vase on the table. I have one I am selling at my store. I used it for a while to hold drawing pencils. Hum? Maybe I should keep it. Blessings! Shelly
I remember, Hawaii! That was so fun!
Hi. I am new to you site but have really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for brightening my days. :0) Pam
Thank you Pam for coming by!
You have touched on yet another of my favorite things . . . beautiful glass! I, too, am a collector of beautiful glassware and loved seeing this unique banana dish. How fun that you found one you are willing to “share”. 🙂 Here’s a little household hint (hopefully I’m not repeating) . . . to remove the odor from hands after slicing and dicing onions or garlic, simply rub your hands along your stainless steel kitchen sink. For those who don’t have stainless sinks, a faucet works, or stainless “bars of soap” are sold in kitchen stores. As always, thank you for your warm, humorous, creative blog and newsletter.
You are so welcome Jeanne, thanks for the good tip!
Susan,
Thanks so much for the Willards and sharing your life with all of us. I have no good cleaning tips to share, however, have gotten lots of new great ideas from your blog. At our house, on the window ledge above the kitchen sink, I have a line of empty Cholula bottles (my husband loves the stuff!) that catch the afternoon sunlight…. I can’t wait to try the maple butter recipe. The banana boat is very lovely, I had never heard of them before either.
Wishing you a warm and cozy Friday and weekend!!
Thanks Mary Helen!
I cannot resist a pretty glass. When I’m in one of my favorite haunts, be it thrift store or consignment shop, I keep an eye out for those sparkling gems. I especially like the pink depression glass and anything etched. My tip for drying those beautiful glasses after hand washings is to use a old flour sack that is soft and lintless from many washings. For all the mirrors and glass in the house I use a micro-fiber cloth and a spray bottle full of water. It’s the best and I haven’t used any chemical cleaners for glass in years. The last tip I can think of is a product called Bar Keeper Friend, it is wonderful for so many jobs around the kitchen. Really cleans pans beautifully and glass cook tops too!
Thank you Sandy!
My favorite housekeeping tip is to dead head the garden as you see it needs to be done. Basically it happens daily in small increments and you stay ahead of the game … I do it every morning when I go out to pick up dog poop ;0) I am out there for 30 minutes tops. Besides the dog poop it is a great way to start the day ;0)
Housekeeping tip: Entertain. At least once a month invite friends, family or neighbors into your home. Serve dinner or dessert or just snacks. Enjoy the company, share some food, smile, laugh, tell “the old stories.” It has been said if you wait until your house is grand enough, the dishes all match or you have enough money you will never get around to it… but I have found knowing there is to be a “party” at our house is all the incentive I need to try a new recipe, pick up the clutter and break out the pretty dishes to serve from. Enjoy and have fun!
Hi Susan,
Okay, when I first saw this blog entry it said there were 1,320 comments….SERIOUSLY!!!!!! Here’s my thought process…(in a pouty voice) “I’m not EVEN going to respond, Susan won’t read it and I won’t win,” next thought (in an even poutyer voice…okay, so there is no such word, but there should be!) “Wait a minute, Susan is MY friend, how can she have so many other girlfriends?” The girl with her big girl pants on finally came into my brain and said, “Of course, she has all those friends, she is amazing and speaks to all of us! Plus, look at how many new friends I have too, I mean really 1,320…WOW, aren’t I a lucky duck!” So, thank you Susan for all of my new friends!
Housecleaning tip is actually a warning….DON’T MIX CHEMICALS!!!!! Silly, silly me, did it, chemistry class type of reaction and couldn’t stop coughing for days. My husband has banned me from chemical use, hmmmm, maybe it wasn’t such a silly mistake after all!
Love your blog, Willard, and you!!!!
Cheryl
Thank you Cheryl! I do like the word poutyer!
Hi Susan — Love your books, Willard, and your blog. And your glassware. You have some beautiful pieces!! Love the banana dish! What a treasure! I agree with Marcia on the cleaning tip. Get your husband involved. After having a water break inside our house about 5 years ago, we pulled out all the carpet and now have ONLY sheet vinyl in the laundry room, my sewing/computer room, and the bathrooms. Rest of the house is a beautiful pine looking laminate. My husband LOVES his Swiffer. And he puts his own cloths on the bottom so he can just throw them in the wash after removing all the pet hair! We received a gift card to Sears when we were married (almost 16 years ago!!) and decided we needed a vacumn cleaner. So off to Sears to get the sales pitch from the salesman. He focused his eyes on me the entire time and I finally told him “I don’t know why you’re looking at ME and telling ME all about this vacumn because I won’t be the one using it. My husband will.”
LOL! I can imagine the salesman’s face!
wow Susan……
So many wonderful Blogs….and thank you so much for taking me along on your fabulous Train Trip….I am planning to do one myself very soon….I am so inspired by yours….you gave me that tip many years ago…about shining up everything…cleaning all the glass…sparkling everything up for the Holidays….It was in one of your Christmas Books….and I have been doing it ever since….and all the Lights just twinkle and reflect even more…..thank you for all that you do…thank you Judy for the Great sounding Mandarin Orange Jello….and Susan thank you for all that you have given me since the day I discovered you….and your world…..I have almost all the books you have written…and they are all signed by you…HAPPY HALLOWEEN…and just make the face that is on your website about not using any of your stuff…your face is scary…and its a good…”open the door and give out Candy face”…..Love ya….
Carol O. in So. Calif.
ps….that Crystal Dish is the BomB….hope i win…..xo
Thanks Carol! That’s the face I used to scare myself with in my bedroom mirror when I was a kid . . . esp. effective because there was a little dressing table lamp under my chin then.
My best house cleaning tip:
Have several children. Wait for them to be poor teenagers. Pay them to do the housework for you.
It takes some time, but it is worth it in the end. I only had two, so the laundry never gets done here — somebody’s gotta do it, but she never shows up.
PS — The Vietnamese Fly trick really works — we popped one off as we were reading these posts. Awesome! (If I get a vote, Tracy Light wins.)
Susan,
I am a BIG fan of your art and just recently stumbled upon your site…I very much enjoyed looking at all the pictures in the Willard email and all the ones here on your blog. I too am a lover of glass. My dad built and maintained many of the machines at the Anchor Hocking glass plants here in Ohio as well as in PA. I remember taking a tour of the main plant he worked at (Plant II here in Lancaster, Ohio) as a young child. They still had glass blowers then and I was so taken with the whole process of the men heating the molten glass at the end of the long metal rods and then blowing in the other end of the rod while twisting and turning the tube, forming a big, glowing, orange “glass balloon” at the other end, and then using other metal tools to form and shape the “balloon” into a vase or whatever…it was AMAZING!!! at least to a young child (I am still amazed by it and I am now a grandmother 5 times over!!). And I also love to watch the glass worker who make those amazing little glass animals and other glass sculptures or nick-knacks…so breathtaking! I actually bought a torch and stuff to try my hand at lampwork bead making…but am too afraid to set up the torch and turn it on for the first time…afraid I will burn down the house or something…LOL (I am a klutz!)…
I collect, but my glass collection (glass, china and ceramic…among other mediums) is pumpkins. My house is decorated with pumpkins all year round…not Jack-o-lanterns, just pumpkins. I know, I am strange :o)
Anyway…a household tip, huh? How about an easy one (easy for some…but NOT so easy for the kids…LOL). If you get it out, put it back!!! Putting things where they belong after every use makes clean-up so much faster and easier than if you have to put dozens of items away in a hurry to de-clutter for unexpected company. Also, when cooking, if you clean-as-go the after-the-meal clean-up goes a LOT quicker and easier!!!
Thanks Susan for your wonderful art, recipes and your oh so fun to read and even more fun to look at Willard emails and blog…they add a lot of cheer to my day :o)
GOD Bless you!
Michelle (who would dearly LOVE to have a banana dish!)
Thanks so much Michelle! Lucky you to have that tour of Anchor Hocking — I think I would be afraid to turn on the glass blowing torch too!!! lol!
Be positive and work happy…sing along with some great music. Rearrange something to give a fresh look and then kick back with a cup of coffee. I love your blog just like all your books. And you have wonderful readers! Blessings…
Susan, I too love depression glass. My favorite pieces are from my Parents, a set of candle holders; and a pink bowl from my Mother in law. My husband and I have found other pieces when shopping while we are on vacation. I have several cream and sugar sets, so instead of leaving them in a cabinet I use them to hold small items. In my sewing room they look pretty holding presser feet and extra machine needles within reach. I too always try to leave the house clean before a trip so that it is welcoming when I return. Thanks for your informative and fun blog.
My tip: I like to use my pink metal collander in the kitchen for many different things. Sometimes it is filled with fruit or individual bags of 100 calorie snacks. Other times it will hold my mail on the desk or sit by the coffee pot and hold the filters, coffee and measuring spoon for the coffee along with the coffee stirrers! My kitchen is pink and green and that pink collander just makes me smile 🙂
Bring in fresh flowers whenever you can — what a breath of fresh air they bring into the house.
Susan – thank you for the mineral oil tip for my old wooden spoons. I must send you a pic of my two oldest — worn down from tossing apples before they go into a pie and stirring rich gravy on Sunday afternoons!
Hi Susan…Love love love the banana bowl. It reminds me of my great grandmother’s glass basket that I have in my china cupboard. So many stories to tell as they quietly sit there and watch our lives happen. The light catches it just right, and it makes a rainbow on the wall. Ahhhhh. Housekeeping tip? Here’s one my husband laughed at every time he saw me do it…and guess who now does it when he helps clean up in the kitchen??? When you find you’ve got a lot of grease or cooking oil left over, and you don’t want to pour it down the drain (of course) or pour it in the trash (what a mess)…here’s what I do. I take a zip-lock baggie and put the bottom end down inside a coffee mug to steady the baggie. I pour the leftover grease into the baggie…zip-lock the top and voila. No muss. No fuss. Toss it in the trash with no clean up necessary. Hope you like that idea. Hey, by the way, it’s autumn…my favorite time of year…even here in California where the flying leaves are fewer 🙂 Have a beautiful tomorrow!!
Will rewrite my post, as the grammar was poor on the original. The banana bowl is so beautiful and sparkly! My household hints are: 1) microfiber cloths are wonderful for dusting, and 2) baking soda makes a great nonabrasive scrub, esp. for enamel pans.
Sometimes our fingers just can’t keep up with our genius-type minds!
Hey Susan…Just after I posted my comment and started reading the other housekeeping tips, I had the most scathingly great idea 🙂 Why don’t you take all these wonderful housekeeping tips from girlfriends everywhere and use them to jump start your next book. You could call it SPRING HAS SPRUNG from the HEART OF THE HOME, and make it a book about spring cleaning, Domesticity City, and all the things that put the heart in the home. Whatdoyathink?
I think Brilliant!
Yeah!! Can’t wait 🙂
I understand your love of glass…I have many pieces that belonged to my mother and I adore each and every one. Now I find myself looking for interesting pieces in antique stores or boutiques that might appeal to me. On a trip to Williamsburg VA with my daughter, grandson, and husband two years ago this month, I found the sweetest set of 6 juice-size glasses in a little boutique right near the campus of William and Mary…according to the handwritten note, they were vintage 1948 and the pattern “Forget-Me-Not” (Swanky Swig-I’m not sure what that means)…I couldn’t leave those little glasses there…they would fit perfectly with a set of pottery dinnerware that had been made specifically for me by a local potter up in the foothills of the Sierras near Murphys, CA. The pattern in the dinnerware has a ring of delicate, blue flowers in the center of the plates which are beige and trimmed in blue. What a find…the glasses now occupy a special place in the diningroom buffet where I see them every day and use them whenever I choose. They also serve as a reminder of a very special trip with my family!
Nice memory!
The tip I would say is use your pretty dishes! For a long time, I just saved them for the most special occasions. My husband would use some of my special dishes if we were having a treat and I realized he was creating special moments in the everyday routine. Now, I am a strong believer in creating special moments everyday. Pretty dishes, teapots, and my Emma Bridgewater mug are all beautiful pink frosting on the cake of life:)
Thank you for my first Willard newsletter, it has arrived in Norway! I just wanted to let you know I made your molasses cookies and they are sooo yummy…especially when sandwiched together with buttercream frosting! I can’t imagine getting 300 trick or treaters…we might get 20 on a busy year because the local children know we DO Halloween in a big way.Have a great weekend (and please don’t put me in the draw for the banana dish…I simply have no more space!)
🙂 OK! And I love it when Willard travels to other countries! Makes my imagination spin! Thanks Gill!
OH my the Willard is WONDERFUL Susan! Can you tell me what album that song is from if you know. I can’t open it up on you tube over here. I am listening to Frank’s “September of my Years” as I type this and it is just after 9 a.m. LOL! It is gray and dreary outside so it matches my mood! LOL One of my favorite albums but I like Tommy Dorsey too… THANKs for making my day again! Smiles and hugs to you…
Hi Terri! Sent you a note today, hope you’ll still be there! I put the link to Amazon for the Tommy Frank music in the Willard too . . . can you open that?
DUH! I opened that one and there it was! Whoooo HOOO! Time to do the MP3 thing so I can have it instantly! LOL!! I leave on the 7th… but Hubby will be here to forward if I am not! You do know NOTHING was really required on your part. I just enjoy you jotting a couple of things when I reply to the blog! How you keep up with all of it, well, you are an angel! Big hugs and much love your way… Smiles!!
Also wanted to let you know I was on the country register website today and guess what I found? Something from YOU! A print out for Cranberry Apple Crisp. I put some ivory cardstock in my printer and printed it out! OH it looks so NICE! Thanks, Thanks, Thanks! Now it is going in my autumn book to put in my suitcase to go home! Smiles!!!
You must be so excited! On your way home, and it’s beautiful here!
Your glass is beautiful! I have always loved glass as well. Love the way the sunlight and candle light reflect off of it. The banana dish is so pretty! Thank you for all the
Love from the Heart of the Home!
After cleaning the shower put a coat of car wax on the walls. Works great.
Hi Susan,
I had a very busy day today so I am a restless sleeper tonight. Too much in the brain. So, here I am looking at your beautiful Willard and blog. Thank you for putting so much beauty into our lives. The simple things in life are the best and most beautiful, don’t you agree? My household tip is if you are needing motivation to get going with your daily round of household cleaning start in the room needing the least attention and you’ll get going quicker without feeling overwhelmed and feel ready to tackle the rest. I love your black throughout your house. I have a black table and chairs in my eat in kitchen and love the way it “sets off” the other colors in my home. 🙂
It does, love it too!
My mom always said, “Don’t put it down…put it away.”
Yes! Yes! Yes! Finally! Someone gets “it”!!! The glass fascination, I mean! My mother and grandmother collected depression glass and now I have a fabulous collection of it! And when Momma sends me something else she has found- my dear hubby murmurs something about me getting rid of him to make more room for the glass! Do you have a favorite pattern? You must have one GIANT china cabinet! ;0)
Not a favorite, I just like it all! 😉
Susan, I have long been an admirer of your charming work. And I love the beautiful banana dish! I’ve never seen anything like it. I know my bananas would love it!
Here is my favorite Jell-O recipe:
Jell-O Cheese Salad
1 – 6 oz. box orange Jell-O
2 1/2 cups boiling water
8 ounces of cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
13 1/2 oz crushed pineapple w/juice
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups cottage cheese
2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
Mix in order given, letting cream cheese melt before adding remaining ingredients.
Hi Susan!
I love your blog and the Willard you so faithfully send. My cousin, who lives in Cranston, RI, has gotten me interested in all things Susan Branch!
Here’s a tip for your fall and winter fires in the fireplace. You likely have done this for ages already! All of your Candle wax left when the candles have been burnt up so the wick is gone can be broken up and tossed into your fireplace to get your fire going. I recently read that some people melt the wax then pour it over dryer lint in those cardboard egg carton sections to make little fire starters. I haven’t tried that as just tossing the wax chunks in does the trick for me!
Keep up your great creative works.
KB
I do it too, and it works like a charm! Thank you Karen!
This is so pretty! It makes me WANT to eat bananas! Every time I drop by for a visit, I come away with an new inspiration and a desire to make home more homey. Now, if I could only find someone as wonderful as your Joe…
Not sure if possible! 🙂
I also have a glassware obsession! And now I know what those beautiful pedestal “dishes” are for – – bananas!! I see them all the time and wasn’t sure how I would ever use one. Hopefully I’ll win this one and have the perfect perch for my next bunch of bananas!
Hi Susan!
What a lovely giveaway – I too love glass but have never seen a banana dish. Banana hooks, yes but not a dish. How lovely indeed! My cleaning tip is to put on a pretty apron or a pretty scarf on your head – my mom called them “granny scarfs” – it keeps your hair out of your face. It makes cleaning more pleasurable when we feel pretty doing so and before you know it cleaning is complete.
Thanks Brandi, v. cute idea!
I have never seen or heard of a banana holder……now I want one/need one! You see, the doctor says I need more potassium so I am eating lots of bananas!
Ahhh, the need/want is health related, I understand completely!
I love old glass too. My love of it started right after I first got married. We were newly weds and didnt have a lot of money. My grandma had an obsession with glass as well. She gave me a set of water goblets that came from Lazerus, a big department store in Columbus, gone now. But I still remember thinking when she gave them to me how beautiful they were and how much she must love me to give me something that was so special to her. And now they were mine! I love them to this day and use them every time we have a fancy dinner. So my obsession began…. I have never seen a banana dish before, but I am sure my bananas would be very happy to have their own dish.
I love your website and your cookbooks, been a fan for years. And now that I have finally learned to paint, I am making my own cookbook to give to a few of my closest friends. I am sure they will love them too! Thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us.
How wonderful Anna! Thank you for saying hello!
Love the banana dish! Who knew they even had such a thing. Not sure I have a household tip, other than maybe using vinegar and lemon juice to clean my sink?
Wow! 1,571 Comments! Such a popular young lady you are, Susan! (Thought I’d add another comment and try to push it to 1,600! 🙂 Have a wonderful day! xoxo…kp
That’s my girl! 🙂
I love glass and look for pieces whenever my husband and I go for a wandering, winding drive on a Sunday. Stopping at little shops along whatever route we take. The banana dish reminds me of my maternal grandmother. I haven’t seen one since I was a young girl. Your books, your blog, your Willard always make me smile and bring back warm memories. The idea about a book with all the household tips sounds wonderful. Happy fall!!
Would come in really handy! Everyone left such good ideas!
Hi Susan! I was just reading the latest addition of Willard. You always bring a smile to my face. 🙂 Anyways, it said to click “here” and you will find a surprise at the blog. I don’t see any surprises~~was there one? 🙂 (Besides all the beauty that is here to behold.)
So, Saturday I was at a ladies retreat here in New Jersey, our annual First Baptist Fellowship retreat. I overheard a lady behind me tell the lady she was with how much she loves Susan Branch and then tell the other lady, who had never heard about you, all about you and your blog. My daughter, who was sitting next to me, said, “Mom, don’t butt into their conversation.” I have a habit of overhearing something that I know about and then interupting and adding my 2 cents worth! In your case, it would have been more than 2 cents worth!
Have a lovely day.
Yes, if you scroll to the bottom of the glass post you’ll see a giveaway!
LOL, your daughter! I would have to tape my mouth!
Just went over to Tweet with you and no “Reply” button, don’t know what in the world I did wrong this time, I’m such a techie! My Tweet was this: GF coming to quilt & trying to make your ham & sweet potato soup, can’t stop reading Blog though, I’m obsessed!!!!! Such fun!
I have the same problem, LOL!
Dear Susan……love, love, love the ‘old’ music in your Willard…reminds me of my parents and all of their parties. We always had music and it was the good stuff. Now that they are gone, their music resides with me and even my kids love it.
PS…good news, if I remember correctly from art class, black is the presence of all color so yes, I think you can qualify it as a color:)
I know, it’s not even of our era, but it’s my favorite music too, just forever classic, loved by all ages. Yes, I guess you are right about black, the most colorful of all! 🙂
Susan, perhaps I am too late in posting, but I just want to say I am right there with you, regarding your love of glass things! I read your post and was in a local store yesterday afternoon and thought about you, as I looked at the treasures around me. There are so many beautiful things out there! I am including a staple recipe during the holidays, growing up…Mom’s recipe:
“Cranberry Salad”
Grind one bag cranberries and one whole orange; sweeten with one cup sugar. Mix two small boxes Jello raspberry jello with two cups hot water and one cup cold water. Stir until dissolved. Add cranberry mixture to Jello and chopped pecans and finely diced celery to taste. Chill until set.
Mom would put this in a green glass baking dish, and cut into squares.
Thank you much for your posts! I look forward to them. Have a great day!
You too Teena, you aren’t too late, I know everyone doesn’t read their Willard the second they receive it, want to leave a little space for them!
Susan, Thank you for creating your blog. I love checking in with you everyday to see your beautiful homes and see what you’re doing! I started collecting Beatrix Potter figurines because of one of your earlier posts. I love them! And I love glass. I have three cake-type stands in graduating sizes and I put my cupcakes on the tray of a McKenzie-Childs cake carrier, then stack the cake stands on the tray with cupcakes on each one….a tower of delicious little cakes. It’s so pretty! I’ve never seen a banana bowl before! Wow.
My fav house keeping suggestion is get a good cleaning crew. I can’t do it anymore and all my family conveniently developed allergies to dust…just like me!
Very handy and good thinking on everyone’s part!