Good Morning! I’m up! My pumpkin is lit! And so, for all practical purposes, am I. But this is just normal.
As several of you have guessed, I’m a morning person. I don’t set my alarm, I just wake up, with my tail wagging, wanting to get downstairs and start the day! I always wake before the sun, when the house is quiet, creaking a bit like old houses do; Joe is still in his warm bed, just where I want him to be, because I love this time to myself. It’s cold this morning, a perfectly fall morning, the thermometer outside our kitchen window says it’s not quite 40°.
On goes the furnace, on goes the kettle . . . the furnace hums and I stand by the register that blows over the wood floor to warm my feet and wait for the water to boil. I could get an electric kettle and it would boil faster, but I get a little tired of doing everything the fastest possible way! I’ll just wait.
I take my tea through the dark house, flip on a little morning music (click on this for background music if you like it, & come right back to keep reading), turning on lamps as I go through the house, and look who waits for me in my studio. Of course she refused eye contact, she’s a cat! With her, I’m never really alone, but fur is quiet; a purr is not noise. Kitty-turning-over-on-pillow is never a disturbance. I click on the computer and here I am, saying Good Morning to YOU!
It was gorgeous yesterday; we went out and changed our Halloween decorations just slightly, and now they have a new name, “Thanksgiving decorations!”
We took the skeleton from the front door, and put up the wreath, and voila, it’s fall, harvest, autumn, Thanksgiving!
Hmmm you might ask at this point, where is she going with this! This can’t be breakfast! 🙂 Well, during our walk out to the water yesterday, we decided we need to go on a little health kick. With all the grilled cheese sandwiches and corn pudding lately, not to mention the M & M Peanuts and Almond Joys we were forced to clean up after Halloween, we have personally taken on some of the texture of corn pudding! There are about three weeks before we have to start eating again in earnest! So we’re taking advantage of this lull in the action — and started yesterday with this really different, but very delicious Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe I thought you might like to try.
Here’s how it’s done . . . One big sweet potato was all we needed for the two of us. Preheat the oven to 400°. Put a tray on the bottom rack of the oven to catch those pesky sweet potato juices (keeps the oven clean). Pierce the potato a couple of times with a knife. Then smear the skin with soft butter and salt it well (we get organic potatoes so we can eat the skin!). Put the potato in the oven to roast for one hour and fifteen minutes, until it’s easily pierced with fork.
While it’s baking (and making your kitchen warm and fragrant and homey smelling), chop 1/2 c. fresh cilantro (and/or basil) and about 1/3 c. salted peanuts.
You will need to have these two items in the house also . . . Chili Puree with Garlic, and Soy Sauce.
When the potato is tender, pull it from the oven; cut it in half, and fluff it up with a fork. (You might want to put on your sunglasses for these next photos, but remember, the brighter color of the vegetable, the more good beta carotene that lurks within!)
Yeow! Extreeeemly healthy potato! Split one Tbsp. of Chili Puree with Garlic between the two halves.
Split the 1/2 tsp. of soy sauce between the two halves as well, and carefully mix the sauces into the mashed potato.
Sprinkle over the chopped nuts.
Top them with the cilantro (and/or basil). Roughly chop about 3/4 c. fresh cold bean sprouts and divide them between the two halves, squeeze over the juice of one lime, and serve . . .
And to keep the color/health thing going, I served it with this. Roasted chicken salad with apples and steamed beets, chopped red onion and cherry tomatoes. And we bravely had it with no dressing, because there was so much flavor, we figured we could get away with it, and we did!
Aha, the sun is peeking into the living room, and look at Mrs. Suddenly Interested. I’m going out to get a breath of morning air and look at the sunrise, and to hang Halloween Party dishtowels on the line . . . want to come with me? Of course you do!
What a beautiful morning, the sun is coming through the trees, landing here and there, and the birds are singing.
So here is that recipe, all in one place, for: STUFFED SWEET POTATO
- 1 lg. sweet dark orange sweet potato
- softened butter and salt
- 1/3 c. chopped salted nuts
- 1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro or basil or both
- 3/4 c. roughly chopped bean sprouts
- 1 Tbsp. Chili Puree with Garlic
- 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
- juice of one lime
Preheat oven to 400° and put a tray on the bottom rack of the oven to catch juices from the potato. Pierce the potato several times with a knife. Smear butter all over the skin and salt it well. Bake 1 hour 15 min. While it’s baking, chop the nuts, herbs, and bean sprouts. When a fork easily pierces the roasted potato, pull it out of the oven, cut it in half, and fluff it up with a fork. Split all the rest of the ingredients between the two halves; drizzle over the chili puree and the soy sauce and gently mix them into the potato. Sprinkle on the nuts, herbs and sprouts, squeeze over the lime juice, and serve! ♥
One more thing . . . we planted a dogwood tree this spring, and this garnet fall color is just one reason why; so beautiful in the morning sun. ♥ In the spring, I’ll show you the other reason why!
Before I go, I have to tell you how really hard it is not to answer every one of your comments! (!!!) You can probably tell I have a hard time. I wish I could, but I think you want me to write a book! But never think for a moment I don’t read every one of them, because I do! It’s the support you give with your comments that makes me love doing this so much. And it’s also great how you’re all getting to know each other. So have a wonderful day, Girlfriends!
BYEEEEEEEEE!
Hi Susan
Oh how I love mornings, I am like you getting up early before anyone else. Love the recipes. You are so creative with your food, I would never have thought of adding all that goodness to my sweet potato.
I adore Dogwood trees too, I am sure yours will be beautiful in the Spring.
I bet you are getting ready for Thanksgiving soon, making things are cozy and yummy 🙂
have a happy day Susan, loved your Post today
deezie
Hi Susan, love your morning time, I love it too….it’s the best part of the day. It’s so quiet and serene, I too bustle to the kitchen to brew my dark roast coffee with my Maggie in tow, she does figure 8’s around my ankles till her food is served….a very persistant little kitty! This past week has sure been an adventure as power still has not returned, we are praying for tonight or tomorrow (sigh) my routine has so been thrown off.
Once daybreak approaches the birds start singing and visiting the feeders, kitty curls up on her window seat and sleeps everything just seems right. Can’t wait to get my stove back to try all these recipes!
I am good not long after I get out of bed – but the getting out is hard. I don’t like that part. LOL I love your plates!! We planted a dogwood tree several years ago in the back yard but it has grown really weird. I know you’re not really supposed to prune them, but I think it needs drastic action.
Tam I am a long time gardener and have planted and pruned many dogwood trees. It is advisable to do so when the tree is dormant. I’m not sure the variety you have or your location, but for most of us it is late fall or early spring.
Thanks Martha! I live in NH – got 17″ of the white stuff in this last storm. It’s still not all melted yet. LOL Amazingly, we actually didn’t lose power. I wouldn’t mind if we had except for the part about getting cold, so I’m glad we didn’t. 🙂
Tam–sounds like your dogwood would be in dormancy now! Wow 17 inches of snow! Our daughter lives in NH also. Happy pruning!
Susan, you always bring a smile to my face! Enjoy this magical hour when the day turns into the evening! 🙂
A bunch of quick comments:
* LOVE your pots and pans hanging between the cupboards in front of the window! With no place for my treasured hanging pot rack in my new kitchen, this is a great idea I might borrow – can you post a photo of HOW they’re hanging there? Please… 🙂
* Love the “morning music” too!
* I’m right there with you – forced to clean up the remaining Almond Joys! (Yum!)
Have a wonderful evening…
Hi Susan,
Love your blog – I check it every day. I love so many of the same things as I
read on your blog – flowers, birds, grilled cheese sandwiches ( I went with
my good friend today to our favorite little restaurant and had my usual perfect
grilled cheese) fall decorations and looking forward to your Christmas ideas.
I have never been a morning person, but now find myself waking really early. I am been homeschooling our two youngest special-needs boys, but we have put them into school, and my mind has just been so preoccupied with this transition for all of us, and I think that is the reason for this early rising. Still trying to get over the tiredness (going to bed too late), but you are encouraging me to embrace this early rising, not fight it, and make the most of it. I am now thinking that I should, like you, get up, put on the kettle, light a candle or two and have some “me” time. And I do know that our inside cat Otis would love it. 🙂 And speaking of Otis, wanted to let you know that our Otis and your baby could almost be twins!
Fall Blessings!
Robin
I have finally figured out why I do not naturally enjoy early mornings…..1st I was born at 6am and 2nd my Dad being in the Military he felt we should always be up by 6am even in the summer….he would have us in the pea field with all the dew and snails ready to pick before he left for his job at 6:30am!!! I always asked him why this couldn’t be done around 9am and he said the day will get away from you?? I always promised myself that if/when I had children I would allow them to sleep in on weekends and summer vacations and I lived up to that promise. So, I admire all you “early birds” and my idea of early is 8am…..thanks Susan for all the pics of Girl Kitty and for the sweet potato recipe!
Oh my goodness Susan…..OK, where to begin…I LOVE the quiet of the house, but it’s even more spectacular with a kitty and THAT, I don’t have….you see, ‘someone,’ is allergic to them ( that’s what HE says, at least ) so I have a little bowl of food on the front porch and all of my borrowed kitties come to grab a snack…..it’s almost like having a kitty except that I can’t have him/her sleeping on my head at night!
The baked sweet potato idea is fabulous—wow, never thought of adding the nuts…makes it almost Chinese/Thai like….. so, I’m going to call it Susan’s PO-Thai-to!
Yes, it’s going on the must have to eat this week—I think we’ve ALL fixed ourself a grilled cheese this week…right girls? Uh-huh….
OK, I’m with you though; there’s lots of goodies up ahead so let’s all eat healthy for 2 weeks! (I think I can; I think I can; I think I can….)
xo
Joann
PO-Thai-to! That is hysterical!
I’m in my sixth year of blogging and get a fraction of the comments that you do. I stopped answering individual comments long ago, instead once in awhile I have a Question & Answer post for those which I think need to have a response… so much easier for me and for people who don’t return to read comments.
Thank you Brenda, I still feel really new at this!
Here it is almost dinner time and I’m just reading your blog. Guess what we are having? Yams! I,m with you. Feeling we need to eat healthy. Also having cod and orzo made into a cold salad with veggies, olive oil and vinegar. Just love your house. Thanks for sharing! Have had a busy day doing cleaning out and fall cleaning. Feels good! Enjoying a cup of tea and enjoying reading your blog! Perfect ending to a great day.
Hi Susan! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful blog. What a treat everyday. Love the music and all the beautiful pictures!
Dear Susan,
Opening your blog and finding a new post is like a restorative gift to myself. I have always thought myself rather dull to be so enthused about my home and nesting habits. Being raised on a farm and having grown up in rural Newfoundland, I embrace all things country and find myself looking to the US and UK for kindred spirits. I love to decrate, organize, cook and enjoy my old home. Your posts are so simple and beautiful and celebrate the things that give me joy every day. I’m so glad that you embraced the technology to keep in touch on a regular basis. Thank-you for sharing your amazing home and life. I went back to your page a few times today just to soak up the details…..delicious. Excellent job on the Fall decor 🙂 Later.
As you said, Susan, another perk of your wonderfully entertaining blog for us is reading all the comments and making new friends.
We have just ended our week on Cape Cod and loved the scenery, sunny weather, sunrises and sunsets (Jim, my husband of 45 years is a photographer). Next time we will leave time to visit Martha’s Vineyard, but I think that I know why you were so anxious to return to your NE home!
Thank you for the pics of Girl Kitty. They add more smiles to my day. We happily adopted two adult kitties from the shelter in October after the devestating loss of our best friend Max in August. We already love the new kitties and it is such a joy to have fur and purr in the house again. Happy Fall!
Hi, Susan!
Like you I get up before the rest of my household. However, I try not to turn lights on. I make a cup of coffee, grab my journal and curl up in my comfy green chair to write. The chair is by the front porch and I write to the light on the porch, I don’t even turn a light on in the room. This way I don’t wake myself up too quickly.
Your sweet potato recipe looks yummy. I will have to give it a try.
Mmmm! That sweet potato looks yummy! I can smell it! I love seeing your whole sink area at last, with your Beatrix Potter animals and your pans over the sink, and in the window we can see behind you! Or is that on the other side of the glass, another room? Love it! I used to get up early, but now I stay up till midnight and sleep in! Correction, I try to sleep in, but kitty Gwinny has other plans like eating??? Why do kittys want to eat so early??? And of course I can’t get back to sleep! And now another time change, what’s a gal to do?
Good Morning Susan…
I love my mornings also….so serene….so quiet….I love getting up early as possible not to waste one awesome moment….ahhhhh my Coffee….Love the Dining Room photo….and I cannot get over the Stars Pumpkin….It looks so cute…and they all looked great on the porch on Halloween…oh Susan…Loved your Blog this morning…and almost always…thank you for sharing…again…so glad I found you…so many years ago….Have a great weekend…
Carol O. in So. Calif.xo
I love sweet potatoes for breakfast but I put just a smidge of butter & a drizzle of maple syrup on mine!! YUM! Autumn blessings to you & Joe!!
Laura
Thanks for letting me share your morning and day. Love seeing your photos. I wonder do you ever wish you could see what is happening in our homes?
Your home looks so cozy there in the wee sma’s with your tea water heating and Girl Kitty guarding your art table. Love the picture of her suddenly interested – as if she’s saying “Alright Mr(s). DeMille, I’m ready for my close up”.
I appreciate your explanation regarding wanting to respond to all of our comments. I’m sure I’m not the only one who experiences a little thrill when I see that you have commented on something I wrote. And conversely, a little bit let down when there is nothing :-(. We KNOW you can’t respond to all or we’d never see another published book from you. But still… Though I must say that of all the blogs I follow, you are the only one who responds to comments with any regularity. So thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We love you for it.
I am really looking forward to “Pancakes”. With the publication in the fall, and assuming the timing of that is right, do you think you’d possibly do another book signing at the 2012 fall Remnants show? Oh I hope so!
I have a request for a future blog. I would love to hear about your creative process – how you decide what to draw and paint and how you construct a page with the images and written words. Maybe show us progress pictures of a particular page start to finish. I often find myself looking at pages in your books and wonder how it all comes to be. Just an idea.
It’s raining and I’m about to leave for home. Homemade chicken tortellini soup and biscuits are on the menu.
Cheers!
Hello, Susan ! You’re a friend of mine, even though we’ve never been in the same room. Just had to finally write to tell you … YOU have the very best blog in the Universe! Something [usually multiple somethings] that make me smile, even chuckle out loud in every single one. Love the “Willards” too – the last one with the bit about “Morning Science” was hilarious. I really look forward to reading anything you write. Don’t change a thing you’re doing – and please don’t stop doing it either. PS – if you ever [lose your mind and] want to sell that gorgeous Martha’s Vineyard house, please give me first crack at it!! Take care!
Susan,
I get up just before the sun also but am forced to leave my warm house and kitty to go teach. Your pictures are excellent. Was that you or Joe? I love your studio and I too have a pot rack hanging above my kitchen sink which holds my old copper pots and cast iron skillets. Thanks for sharing. You made me enjoy a New England morning all the way out here in Cali.
Lucy
PS: Yum! Can’t wait to try the sweet potato recipe!
For many, many years (more than I care to admit to) I have thought it would be wonderful to be able to chat with you every day. Now, thanks to this blog, I feel like I do chat with you every day!
I especially loved our chat this morning 🙂
Thank you for inspiring me to get into the fall decorating mood. I usually spend a good part of my weekend working in my classroom- but I wanted to nest. So…I stayed home all weekend. I shopped for some new pillows for our bedroom window seat and got a new pewter tray for the kitchen table so I could change up the decor.
I did some cleaning-but more importantly- joyful decorating. So the really good news-I found out today that my son, wife, and my 6 and 3 year old grandchildren are coming for the Vets Weekend! This way I am almost ready for the best thing in my life- my children and grandchildren. ( And of course my sweet husband) So thank you for your wonderful website.
I brings me such joy and inspiration. You really are a girlfriend.
Lani
Alas, I am not, and most likely never will be, an early riser. I like snuggling deeper into my covers when I occasionally open my eyes before the sun. I like seeing the sunshine welcome me to the day. I am the Joe.
My husband, however, is the Susan. I will not spoil this time for him with my unnecessary intrusion. So there it is – the ying and the yang. It is good to have both. ;0)
Susan, I’m always anxious to read your blog, makes me feel warm and loved!! Thank you! When I saw your red heart mug full of brushes, made me smile. I have the same mug and haven’t seen it in a while, must find it, it held lots of comforting cups of hot tea! 🙂
Susan, What a great blog post. It makes me feel like I’ve walked into your kithen and helped myself to a mug of tea. Those sweet potatos look delicious. We’ve just had some grilled cheese sandwiches with a delicous tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Not home made soup this time, but that’s OK once in awhile. Last night I did make a Thai chicken noodle soup from scratch. It was very good for a chilly night.
Another thank-you for the warm, cozy, delightful EARLY morning blog! 🙂 It’s nice to know that you are keeping an eye on the sunrise for us night owls. I wanted to let you know that your blog is just as delightful, however, when read by starshine. 🙂
Hello …. Your stories make me happy, make me smile. Thank you for letting us into your home to see all of your beautiful things. I really enjoy the pictures of your kitchen in the oh so early morning. Your sweet potato recipe looks so good; I will have to try it. Thank you, thank you for sharing. You bring pure joy!
Hi Susan: I loved this post. I don’t know anyone who is so like me in regard to mornings. I do the same. I go to bed at night excited about getting up in the morning. Every morning. Work or no. I love the time to myself. I love driving into work. I especially like the mornings to myself to work on a quilt project. I, too, wait for the tea. And I go through the entire process–tea pot, tea tray, flowers if I have them. It is the ritual that is important. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I could smell the crisp morning air in your photograph! LMH
Hey Susan, it’s 10:47 pm … can you tell what type of person I am? :o) However, since I’m beginning what my mom called “the change of life”, I sometimes wake up extremely early in the morning and don’t know how to embrace life at such an early hour. Thanks for showing me how comfy and warm the wee hours can be. Next time I wake up before the sun rises, I will think of you and your early morning rituals and make my early morning warm and cozy. Btw, I love your kitchen and dining area…makes me want to grab a cup of tea and sit and chat for a while. I simply adore your blog!
It’s me again…today’s blog confirms to me…we must have been separated at birth. I see love the same dishes, Johnson Bros. Rose chintz…I bought mine 25 years ago and they sat in my china cabinet most of the time until a ‘almost’ fire nearly burned down our entire town in 2008 (Paradise, California.) Since then, I made them my EVERYDAY dishes, and they cheer me up every time I use them. I changed my whole way of life after that fire, as we had pretty much said goodbye to the house and all that was in it. I purged the stuff I wasn’t using, and gave it all away. Simplified. Then, I started using what I loved and being gratefully delighted to make my home a place where everything has a purpose and is used and enjoyed.
So, long lost twin, as I celebrate my birthday next week, I’ll get up at 5 a.m. (post menopause, I too am wide awake before daylight!) and have a cup of tea in my Rose Chintz tea cup and toast to the beautiful, wonderful Susan who brings so many delightful images to my computer each week that remind me that turning 57 brings a host of really great memories of days gone by…the little things that make life worth living. Though I’d love to have my 25 year old body back, I wouldn’t go back for anything!
Your fellow 50-something sister in Paradise,
Claudia
PS You don’t have to answer. I just hope I made you smile 🙂
You did. 🙂 Isn’t it odd how the worst possible events in our lives turn out, in the long run, to have amazing redeeming qualities? You’d never want to do it again, but you sure got something for it!
I love seeing pictures of Girl Kitty. She reminds me of my Calista who was originally from Boston. Maybe they are related. Ha Ha!
Ah – those early morning pics are precious. Your home is so tidy and glowy. I’m an early riser also – sometimes as early as 4:30 – 5 AM! I just wake up! I tip toe downstairs and make coffee, read and just putz around by the light of the fireplace and a low lamp or two. I love it. I’ve seen coyotes, fox and deer so early. Now I know you’ll think I’m crazy but I even saw a UFO once! I was so mesmerized that I couldn’t move to get a camera or call for backup! It’s changed my thinking about a lot of things. Was too early to share the experience with anybody else! Sometimes my husband will get up because he misses me and I have to smile but I’m thinking no, no, no. Don’t you need your sleep???
Yes I’ve thought I might have to slip something into Joe’s dinner if he started getting up early! 🙂
Loved looking at all your photos! Nothing beats an early start in the kitchen with a hot cup of tea! As you can see by the time of day I posted this, I am a night owl. However, I’m also an early riser, always awake at 5:00 a.m…Never needed much sleep and it drove my parents nuts when I was a child. I was not very popular at “Slumber Parties” either, as everyone else wanted to sleep late. LOL! They learned to put up with me…and I learned to stay put and be quiet!
Your kitchen is great! I noticed that I have the same counter top as you do around your sink. Same chrome edge and everything! I love my old counters. Very easy to keep clean, never chip, have lasted for 60 years, and still look new. Hope to keep them forever. I like old things best! They have character. Your house surely does! So nice of you to share it with all of us! ~xoxo~
Forgot to say that I love your music. I grew up on 1940’s Big Band music – adore it still. Reminds me of my parents.
Hi dear Susan,
I wish I could get up as early as you do. What time do you go to bed?? How do you keep your pumpkin looking so good this many days after Halloween? Mine always cave a day or so after. Thank you for the morning tour and all your wonderful musings. You bring warmth and joy to my day.
Hi Susan,
I so wish I could be an early riser too…you lot are really more noble than ol’ lazy bones me, and I mean that sincerely! But, it will never come to pass. Me and that bed, well. But when the time is right, I do spring out of it, and make my tea. I *love* seeing you use your Rose Chintz…because I have it, it looks like it might be something I could make too. And the music, once again, sooo loverly. How cool that we have all found connection through you! What a great girlfriend you are!
Siobhan in Santa Monica
Hey, I made a salad with beet and chicken breast tonight, too! Asian pears instead of apple. Had a little crumbled goat cheese, pistachios, and balsmic vinaigrette on it, and YUM! Great minds think alike! : D Thanks for the sweet potato recipe and the glimpse into your home life! How I wish I lived next door!
Oops, *balsamic*!
Quiet and inviting…Thank you again Susan! Veronica
Morning Susan…loved the tour of your kitchen…i can see why leaving it for trips/book signings/conferences makes you appreciate home that much more. I love the color of your walls in the studio…and thanks for the sweet potato recipe…but most of all the infamous walk to the clothesline makes me smile….there is no place more free than hanging clothes on the line. I love the fresh air, the birds, the way the clothes can whip on a breezy day and the scent of heaven upon them when I take them indoors. Now that its colder ( 27 F here in Strafford,NH ) last night..the clothes smell awesome with that frozen touch..lol…God Bless you always…thanks for your blog..love all your books!!
Thank you Theresa . . . Good morning!
Good morning to you Susan! What a peaceful and pleasant way to start my day. I, too, am a morning person. I get up at 5:00 a.m. each morning and start by thanking God for a new day and asking Him to help me use it wisely! Each day is a priceless gift. I am a hummer! 🙂 I hum my way through my morning chores! We all have our favorite parts of your post and though I love your painting table and your clothesline my favorite picture is of your tea kettle!!! I think there is just something so homey about a whistling tea kettle. I know, as you also stated, that there are faster ways to get hot water but none as cozy as standing by the stove with a kettle on to boil!!! Thank you for sharing your morning with us! It is such a special time of the day!!!
In these days of multi-multi-multi tasking, what a joy it is to spend such mornings as you do in a wonderful old New England house. This story and the pictures were a gift to treasure again and again. You reminded me of something I read recently in the Book of Idle Pleasures by Tom Hodgkinson. It has a tea and train reference so it was meant for you. “Enforced idleness is a rare treat. Those brief moments in life where for one reason or another you are forced to just stop and think. In waiting rooms, in line, for example, or even just sitting on a train. Waiting for the tea to brew is one of such moments. It doesn’t offer enough time to “do” anything else so you have to sit and wait, salivating at the prospect of your golden brew. If you do attempt to do anything in the time it takes the tea to brew, you always take too long or too short a time to do it, leaving the tea too strong or too weak. The teapot is fully aware of this fact. The only way to gauge the time perfectly is to sit, do nothing and watch. Only by handing over your full attention to the pot will you be able to truly relish the taste when the moment comes”.
Beautiful!!
Oh yeah! So beautiful! And, if I wander off to do a chore, I forget my charming, round, red, tea kettle is waiting for me to come back, not a good thing! I love little snippets in the day when I’m overcome with something wonderful & my throat does a gulp (kinda like reading your blog!), and I’m thankful! Happy Friday to all!
Ms. Susan, I love your beautiful website! Loved the post about the day after Halloween. My husband (army) is gone for a while and it’s hard to get motivated in the home without his ooooh’s and aaah’s about all the fun little meals and home things. I have 3 teenage boys who quickly eat and then run their separate ways. You inspire me to clean and tidy and….just inspire me! Thank you! Have a great weekend!
Hugs to you and your hubby. Thank you for what you do for our country.
Good morning, Susan! I, too, am up as always, but usually on Fridays I’m getting ready for work. This morning, I’m sitting here with my Skeeter who, amazingly, looks a lot like Girl Kitty. He’s looking at me like, why aren’t you doing what you always do??? I get to go to the Houston Quilt Festival today for the second time this year. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the awesome quilt show and spending time going through the vendors to see new fabrics, tools and other goodies. Tomorrow, I am taking a class in Baltimore album applique’. So excited!!
I also want to share that I so love mornings. I’ve made many quilts watching the sun come up while the rest of the family still sleeps. Have a blessed and beautiful Autumn day. Your posts touch my life every day. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Jonnie
Ahh, Susan, our morning routines are so similar, right down to the waiting cat…..and in this case cats, vying for attention right in front of the computer monitor! The sweet potato recipe looks divine, and I could use some “fitness” food about this time of year too. It makes all of that yummy Thanksgiving food taste even better! Although, I did find ginger flavored pita chips yesterday, and they will be very hard to resist with my sleepytime tea at night! Also, we have two dogwoods here, and my husband dutifully brushed the snow from them throughout the storm last weekend so that we wouldn’t lose them to the elements…they really are beautiful trees year round. In the winter we fill them with birdfeeders and watch as the birds “hang out” right by the kitchen window 🙂 Happy Fall to you and yours…tomorrow I will “un-Halloween” and Harvest up the house!
Are you not thankful to be a morning person? It’s my favorite time of the day, everything full of promise, quiet, cozy…other than the dogs begging for their morning chow treats -smile-. Love the Dorsey music…brings back memories. In another lifetime, many moons ago, I had a few dates with Mr. Dorsey’s piano player. He was much older, I much younger and I only hoped he enjoyed himself as much as did I. We didn’t do anything special other than hit a few jazz bars in Manhattan but ahhhhh, the memories. Thanks for bringing them back!
My girlfriend’s uncle played piano with Tommy Dorsey, maybe you dated him! His last name was Sullivan! What are the chances!
Good Morning~
The sweet potato recipe looks delicious 🙂
I love making Mexican Potatoes. After they are baked, I top with mexican seasoned ground turkey, (or any ground meat or soy crumbles) diced tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and anything else you would put on a taco. I use Russet or Idaho potatoes, the bigger the better!
They are a meal in themselves and relatively heathly too.
Today for lunch I am going to experiment and try making Asian style potatoes. I plan to make other style potatoes too….maybe there will be another post on “Potatoes Around the World… One Woman’s Delicious Journey.”
Have a great weekend!
Blessings
Lynn
What a joy it was to get up early before the rest of my family, and dance around my kitchen with my cats to Tommy Dorsey! Thank you!
Love it!
I too am an early riser. Partly due to getting people’s lunches made & out of the house, but even when I don’t I still get up then too. Just love that time of the day, when it’s still dark out. We live in a farming area, & I keep telling my hubby we need chickens….since I’m up before them anyway…..LOL. But I love your kitchen, & I have those same black & white checkered valances hanging in my kitchen. Love the black & white for fall, great for Halloween with splashes of orange, & easy to then add more of the Thanksgiving greens, golds, & reds with. Love the fact that just changing out something like a valance, chair pads, place mats, or tablecloth, can give the room a whole new look. Thanks for all those great ideas.
Susan,,I so enjoy your messages,,when I see a new one I slowly read it,,can’t waste any of it,,I sip it slowly like a good cup o tea,sometimes I think I’m reading my own thoughts,especially love the smell of autumn my favorite season,,,,Judy
Well, the wind has dropped and the rain has stopped in wild wet and windy west Wales, so the outlook for our weekend weather looks as yours does in your lovely photos! There is a sweet potato in my Laura Ashley pierced metal cake stand (that I use for fruit and vegetables, of course) and now I can’t wait to try a baked sweet potato for my lunch tomorrow. Sweet potatoes are so good for us, and as one who suffers from SAD I try to eat three or four a week as they are supposed to be good at combating this by diet. Thank you so much for this recipe as it is getting difficult finding new ideas when I eat so many! I’ve just pulled some tiny, pingpong ball sized beets from the potager, they are on cooking as I type, so there’s another good veg too! You are brilliant, Susan! Love your recipes, thanks for sharing!
I am catching up on emails after having company for three days – soon as I saw Susan Branch (I get email alerts) I said save that one, get some tea, and let life slow down a little bit so you can read it to see what beautiful things Susan has to share with us. Always enjoy the little things in life with you – pots and pans over the kitchen sink – the England blanket over the chair – the little bird picture next to the door – the lovely colors of fall in the dish towels. All peaceful and all quite important. Thank you for being you. Judy C
Sweet Judy . . . thank you!
I love your blog *sigh*
Susan, that sweet potato recipe looks amazing. I love peanuts, and these seem very Thai-ish. Great flavors together. But, my son has a peanut allergy, and I wonder if I could modify it somehow with walnuts. He’s 7 and eats almost everything.
I’ve always known you’re a girl after my own heart, and your early-morning personness just seals the deal with me! And as to an electric kettle, bah! There’s nothing like lighting a fire under the kettle in the morning!
How how I love the quiet mornings too! Just me and my doggie. I think it’s essential to begin your day that way. Thanks for the sweet potato recipe – looks delish. Thanks also for “Manhattan Seranade” – from my favorite movie “The Godfather”!
These potatoes look beautiful! I agree, when you have a lot of flavor…no dressing needed. I enjoy mine with toasted walnuts and maple syrup drizzled over the top. Yum. Thanks for the inspiration Susan, you’re the best.
Loved taking a peek at
your morning routine…..
Mine is very similar, except
it involves a little black and
white dog {with a splash of
brown on her face}! I envy
you your clothes line; must
put it on the “someday” list.
Glad you are home, safe and
sound, snug and smiling!
xx Suzanne
Good morning to you Susan! 🙂
I was wondering…..what are your pans hanging from above your sink?
That’s a perfect place. Are there hooks in the ceiling or a rod they are hanging from?
I was just taking close up photos of them, will do a blog and tell all about it soon…
I’m up early this morning also, as my husband keeps the bed occupied. It’s a beautiful day here in PA, and I’m off to get my flu shot and visit some craft shows today. Best wishes, Kathie L in Allentown
Up with the roosters I always say…today I think I woke our rooster up.. 😉
Love seeing your home and that salad looks soooo yummy, off to Traders to get some fresh beets to whip that up for lunch! My office is my sanctuary before starting my day. Today it is decorated with Jessie’s latest art work, that she and a friend did yesterday. I love the smell of the paint and glitter! Have a wonderful weekend Susan, you do great things, keep up the good work for all of us!!
Although I don’t really consider myself a “groupie,” I must admit that I am drawn to anything Susan Branch! I have loved your books and calendars over the years and have appreciated your website, Willard letters, and now your darling blog. Each day when I check my Google Reader, I scroll down to your blog right away. There is something about your art and the way you communicate that really connects with my heart. Thank you for the warmth you bring into my life and for your sweet sharing in so many ways! Regarding your comment about now being able to respond to each posting–I’m amazed that you do respond! It is nice to know that you are reading the musings we mutter…. Have an amazing day! Thanks again for bringing beauty and a special whimsy and warmth into my life!!!!!
You are darling to tell me, you can see how hard it would be not to answer this! And all of them for that matter!
I love the mornings too. No alarm just wake up with a sweet cat nose to my nose. It is a gorgeous fall day here in Toledo OH and I have just hung my sheets out to dry on my line. I was thinking about you and wondering if you or any of you reading this have a cute or even just functional clothes pin hanger pattern for my clothes line that I can make. I love to hang my clothes out as late in the season as I can. There is just something calming about such an activity. My children laugh when I say “Yea I get to go hang clothes outside”. I can still see my mom hanging our clothes outside and her singing and seeming so happy to do such an activity. I love this blog and love seeing all the pictures too. I am happy there are so many kindred spirits out there.
Just wanted to say Hello to you…I am also an Ohio girl…I am loving this long mild fall we are having…Have a great Holiday. Barb
I was feeling a little down, thinking about how my Mom is failing…then I listened to your music link and I remembered how wonderful my Mom’s life was!
My Dad was a drummer and Tommy Dorsey (among others) always played in the background. Mom and Dad used to dance while my older brother rolled his eyes! This is what I’ll choose to remember! Thanks for the memories!!
awwww, I’m so sorry; you are thinking such good things! She would love that.
{ all i have to say is the i am SO impressed
with the well behaved and mannerly Miss Kitty Girl!
i mean, there she poses on your desk amidst all
manner of mayhem provoking items and yet i
see that nary a single one of her kitty feets
are blue or red…or even yellow. maybe this is
due to her proper New England upbringing?…
because my Cali kitties are furry little anarchists
and would have had that desk cleared off and the
room “repainted” in minutes flat! ;}
m ^..^
She’s just a lady I guess, because she was born and raised in CA and just moved here a year ago!! But, we just got back from the animal shelter. Brought home a little chunk of black and white terror . . . so in love already!
{ oh yippppppppppppeeeee! i would LOVE a kitten!
the way they think they are so bad and mean and
arch their back and do the little “u” thing all around!
they are so hilarious! but as i look at my shredded
wingback chair…i think that 2 hellions are enough
for one little house! can’t wait to see pictures! ;}
m ^..^
Awww, can’t wait to see photos of the newest member of your family.
Since I dicovered your blog I visit every morning just to see what you have to say. Have shared this with my daughters and friends who have also started to visit your blog. You have such a good out look on life which makes it fun and exciting to see what is next. Thank you!
Nice to hear from you Kathy!
Ha, ha, ha…unlike you, Sue, I’m NOT a morning person…I have quiet moments like these after everyone else has gone to bed…the night is mine! Your blog is fabulous! I really enjoyed this post & I agree…no need for salad dressing when the salad is so packed with flavor! Love you, girl!
Thank you Enikö .. love you back!
Have you always been a morning person? I used to be … but maybe it’s because I have 2 littles under 3 years old, but I cannot seem to bring myself to leave my beautiful bed until the last minute I absolutely have to! I wish, wish, wish I could get up before the sun and have that quiet time to myself!! Maybe someday …….
Haven’t always been, but I was determined to find 3 extra hours in the day . . . I was sitting in front of the TV years ago, doing nothing, from 8 to 11, decided to not to that anymore! When your kids are little, you have to do what you have to do! Things change, nothing stays the same . . . xoxo
I think you are my twin : )
Susan, I adore your kitchen…so homey and welcoming. I absolutely LOVE your gingham valances…care to share where you purchased them? I’m looking for something very similar for my own kitchen.
It’s always a pleasure visiting me you…it’s like getting together with a dear friend everytime I stop by!
xoxo
Ooopsie…I meant it’s always a pleasure visiting you…tee hee!
I actually found that valance in one long piece at a yard sale! It was already sewn for a valance; I just cut it up for my windows!
Good for you, Susan…they are darling !
I love your Willards! They always give me inspiration, and I especially loved the Thanksgiving Willard. Thank you so much for all your time and effort in bringing those to us. Please enter me in the drawing for the “Celebration” book. I never win anything, but I am crossing my fingers (and toes)! Merry Christmas to you wonderful Susan Branch!
Thank you wonderful Candy Marcase!
I’d love to have a chance at the book gift!
So……my Thanksgiving thought is the men in my family arrive early Thanksgiving Day and go out hunting pheasants………they are out of us girls’ way in the kitchen……they feel like the ‘hunter/gatherers’; they come home with our without pheasant having had a great time together and we sit down and share our Thanksgiving feast together.
Hi Susan,
I’m always happy to see a new posting from you. I need that little kick to get creative and you sure do it! So many of the old things I have from my mom are now being used in my home, thanks to your suggestions. I love this time of year and appreciate all the tidbits I receive from you. Happy Thanksgiving!
So nice to hear Florine!!
I’ve been going through all my SB books this past month… getting all my favorite holiday recipes handy, so I can shop for all the goods!
Thanks for your Williard this a.m., the music made me smile and put me in the holiday mood. I’m swooning!
It’s really time for a new book Susan.
Thanks for being who you are and inspiring all of us to do good things…
HUGS!
It’s pretty easy considering who you are! 🙂
Hi Susan, I am a huge fan maybe because we both love the Cape /Islands. I have a home in Falmouth.I hang your flags out for each and every holiday and am always giving your books to my tea friends. My daughter bought me your lenox collection a few years ago which I treasure. I noticed Johnson Brothers rose chintz plate on one of your blogs I have my Mothers set from the 50’/60’s. Would love to put my name in the bowl for the Celebrations book drawing. We get the Cape Cod magazine at my workplace I will scoop it!!! Thank you for all you do.Christine
Thank you Christine, I’m waving over to Falmouth!
I would love to win the Celebrations cookbook!
Susan….While I miss your AG Store (it was so nice to take a day trip up there from Buellton with my hubby), I so enjoy having your Blog right at my fingertips each day to read and re-read. It makes me feel warm and cozy inside….keep up the good work!
Hi Susan,
I would love to be in the “pot” to win the Celebrations cookbook….I guess that my funniest Thanksgiving story is when my sister I made the sage dressing…….and as we laughed and cooked, we had a glass of wine. In the course of the wine and cooking….we kept thinking that we hadn’t added the sage….I’d add some, then she would add some….of course we got to laughing and couldn’t quit…thanks to the wine. We NEED that cookbook! Absolutely Love your blog, and anything Susan Branch and have from the start. Thanks, Sandy
LOL, two many cooks?
Having early Thanksgiving here—everyone coming on Saturday. Hoping for good weather as we will have a pumkin shoot in the afternoon. We grew about 70 for this purpose. The best went to the Granddaughters and DIL’s. Looking forward to a lot of fun and a new cookbook for Christmas would be great!
Fun! Hope you bag one 🙂
love your new cutie pie!
Happy Fall!
I have been a fan…before I was a grandmother…love your Willard and read it word for word.
I have recently become a fan of Women who cook, create, and all the wonderful titles! So I had to reply because I always was going to send you a note, and in the last month I have been at the right place and meet two authors who signed a books for my granddaughters and I like the idea of having a signed copy of a great new book with an article of my favorite You!
Thanks for being so giving of your talents!
Debbie
I looked through your cookbooks for an apple dumpling recipe, but found none.
I had to revert back to R and B, Joy of C, which is fine, but I was surprised.
Did I miss one somewhere else?
Thanks, and keep sharing all your gifts… it makes the world a nicer, gentler, happier, and much healthier place.
Best, Deb (a Vineyarder since 1976)
I have one, just hasn’t made it into a book yet, maybe the next one!
Ooooh, the pots over the sink are so homey and sweet! Kitchens have become much too perfect, don’t you think with all their fancy granite and stainless steel and architectural digest-y perfectness? Not for me! Give me a darling old-fashioned kitchen with grandma’s crocheted potholders and mixy-matching tea cups for real comfort and joy! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Me too Lisa! Some kitchens in those books are so sterile you could perform surgery in them 🙂 ! I need home, mom, apple crisp, and tea!
Susan I wrote a great story for you concerning the use of fun on words as you did with “Kicking Bird”, my word was “Ute” as in Indian Tribe, but for some reason it got lost in the universal atmosprere. Keep your stories coming, as I dream while reading of your details and taking my memories back down the road!
Penny In Tennessee!
I have been a long time admirer of your artwork & cookbooks, since I first received you Christmas cookbook years ago. I just received your latest Willard. It is always so uplifting & gets me in the spirit of which ever season we are headed towards! Thank You! I hope you & your Family & Friends have a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Danielle Martin
You too Danielle!
I am a big fan of yours. I always want to bake something yummy and then redecorate my house after reading your blog. Thank you for making my day cozy and warm!
:-)!
Everytime I read your Blog I have an attack of hungries—-aarrgghh!! Diet is restricted!!! But this your blog is so warm and cozy makes me feel like I am participating!!! Yum Thanks for the invitation!!
HMMMM …Why must I recall the sad moment when I was served gravy from a CAN for Thanksgiving? The smell was like dirty wet dogs, and I am far too polite to describe the color of the glue-y concoction. I could not bring myself to taste it, only slid it around on my plate and tried to hide it under some canned peas.Thank you, Susan for your wise and enthusiatic words which help me to keep the spark and to treasure my home and all that is cozy.
We are blessed and grateful to have you as our “girlfriend” Susan! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas and recipes. I would be happy to get a Celebrations book. Thank You.
Hello Susan,
I’ve wanted to write since I learned that we’ve had the same agent, Edite, and
that you have this NEWSLETTER, which I love.
Thank you so much for your lovely writing, for reminding us of all the things we’ve
known we want as part of our lives and for those fantastic UTubes!
With admiration and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Erika
Admiring Erika
Hi Erika, What a nice surprise, I’ve loved your art forever! How nice of you to write! Happy Thanksgiving!
Just want you to know, and I’m sure you are aware….God has certainly given you so much talent and you are spreading it around by all you do…Love receiving your letters and of course “Willard”…Thanks
My mother is an amazing woman. She raised 8 children 7 of which were raised in upstate New York before moving to La Jolla, CA where #8 was born. My fondest memory of Thanksgiving was the red stool that I pushed up to the kitchen counter to watch her make minced meat pies the smell of which was heavenly. Her beautiful table set way ahead of time with her beautiful china and crystal and my Grandfather coming to join us for the feast. She did all this with happiness and ease and I’m still in amazement at what this wonderful woman did for all of us. She is 88 years old now and we are still the most important thing to her. I am forever grateful to her for everything she passed on to me. Thanksgiving 2011.
I really enjoy your news. It makes me feel nostalgic.
Lovely tribute and memory!
I Love,Love,Love reading your Blog and looking at all the heart warming pictures and illustrations that you post…It’s like taking a trip to your house and visting over a cup of Tea! I would love a copy of Celebrations…It would be a wonderful addition to my collection of books that showcase my favorite ladies from the Kitchen.
Thanks Susan and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Happy Thanksgiving Barbara!
Well, I got a call in the middle of my day from my mother requesting my “yummy stuffing” for our thanksgiving meal – needless to say, it’s yours. However, I never have set the bread out for three days – one is my max (that takes pre-planning which occurs then falls out of my brain until the day before). Thank you for all your inspiration. I have been following you since I purchased your Christmas cook book (in the late 90’s;} at a cute shop on Mercer Island, Washington. Funny story, my husband and I visited MV in 1993 – he was a grad student at Princeton so needless to say we were broke so we decided we would bike and camp on the island. When the ferry got to Vineyard Haven, we had to get to our bikes – please note we had very large backpacks on – when we got down I realized we had to go back up so against walking traffic on the ferry we hiked back up the stairs with backpacks on, knocking over everyone in our way. Then back down again to bike uphill to the camp ground. We had a wonderful stay and it is forever a great memory. Love your new kitten, we have 2 cats, 2 dogs, 2 gerbils, 2 birds, assorted fish and 1 little boy. My husband is a minister and he says when he is doing marriage counseling he now asks the couple “how many animals they plan on having in the marriage before anything else!” He didn’t realize how much of an animal lover he married.
How lucky he is!!! 🙂
Hello Susan and Friends!
Happy Thanksgiving to you ALL! Susan – Jack is adorable. I am a firm believer that everyone needs to love a cat at LEAST once in their lives! 2 cats are even better. My little brood consists of my gigantic 15 year old son who towers over me, my orange and white cat named Flomar (which means soft furry friend in Martain talk) and our baby girl black and white pawed cat (she is 2 years old but will always be our baby) named Oreo. Today – I caught Oreo pulling a bolt of curling ribbon out of my closet all the way into the living room! I caught in on camera. 🙂 My older cat, Flomar…just watched in amusement. I imagine he must have been thinking “That young whipper-snapper…yawnnn…purrrr”..or something of that nature. Susan…THANK YOU for these blogs. They brighten my world so much. I sipped my English breakfast tea today while I mentally cuddled and rolled around this blog! I hope that you, Joe, Jack and Girl Kitty have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Love Always!
Marisa – Friendswood,TX (originally from Marshfield Ma though! New England is always in my heart!)
Thank you so much Marisa! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hi Susan,
Your cookbook looks and sounds terrific.
Hope you pick my name.
Thanks,
Diane
One of my favorite Thanksgivings was when I was a little girl and we had company. My mother set the table with her new milk glass dishes. She was so proud and they looked so beautiful with little fancy cutouts all around the edges. Everything was just fine until we tried to eat our peas..they kept rolling through the holes and onto the table. To my mother’s dismay, we all got a big laugh when the boys started playing a game of golf using their mashed potatoes and gravy as a pond.
Loved your videos of Jack …and going to the grocery store with you! The most simple things ARE the BEST!!
You even brighten my brightest days! I am so grateful for YOU! Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings to you and your friends and family.
Sincerely,
Victoria
Thank you Victoria!
Susan, I always look forward to Willard and your blogs – love them. You always have such wonderful things to share and inspire us with. I love the way you make even the simplest things look so lovely and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas and recipes. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Alice!
Susan I absolutely love your blog! I have been a fan of yours since I was like 10 years old living in El Salvador! I was pleasantly surprised when I found your blog and subscribed to Willard again. Loving the lemon pepper tea biscuits, I will definitely give them a try. Thank You for inspiring us with your beautiful words and designs. I look forward to adding more of your products to my collection now that I am living in the US.
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!