Never do I feel more loved than on my birthday! My favorite thing, contrary to most other days of the year, is my answering machine! I love the messages and singing I find there. This year I added a new “favorite birthday thing” to my list . . . the comment section of this blog! You are darling people, that’s all I can say! ♥
The only true non-fattening birthday cake! Cute, but just not good enough. Can’t make a wish on this! But it’s festive! My birthday dishtowel! (A fun, quick sewing project, and a good way to use a bit of that special stash, in case you’re looking to make something easy.)
Of all days, yesterday my new Birthday Fabric came in for approval! So exciting to see designs and art becoming fabric! I approve! Now it goes off to be made, and when it’s done we’ll have it here on our web site . . . isn’t it cute? I just can’t wait to make an apron out of it! Maybe in time for Joe’s birthday!
And here is the perfect surprise Joe had for me! A very old copy of Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell! I screamed (in a soft and feminine way) and hugged it; isn’t it wonderful??? I’m an old-book person; he couldn’t have found anything I would have loved more.
It’s filled with illustrations! Crying out for me to make a coloring book out of it with my watercolors!
And there were all kinds of things inside . . . this thick, creamy program from a Woman’s Club event; I can only imagine what this event looked like, sounded like, the dresses! There was even entertainment with this entertainment!
There were dried flowers between the pages! The book was signed, as a gift from “Georgie,” and dated 1900.
And I found this photo in the back . . . There’s nothing written on it so I have no idea who this woman, wearing the ruffled blouse and cute hat, standing in what appears to be a garden, is. Maybe it’s Georgie.
Have you all seen the movie Cranford? I think you would love it if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s so darling . . . and takes place in a beautiful town in England called Lacock that Joe and I visited last time we were there. The beauty you see in this movie, is real! That’s how the town really looks! I’m excited to see how the book compares to the movie!
So then, because it was my birthday, and such a beautiful day here, I went outside, spread my blanket on the lawn under a tree, and read my other book, which I am loving, called The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (who really knows how to tell a good yarn)! I tried to read this book slowly, so I might have it on the boat, but there’s just no way; I’m practically skipping ahead to see what happens!!
Looking UP from my quilt! I had to show you the view from my back! ♥
Yes, it was a little bit of Birthday heaven. Just me, my book, my pillow, a juicy apple, one stuffed egg, the sunshine, the trees, and the birds. And the lovely faint hammer-pounding coming from the arbor where Joe was working (the aphrodisiac sound I adore). That’s why you didn’t hear too much from me yesterday! Later, we went out to lunch with friends, then to my favorite place, the nursery, to browse and look for a new magnolia tree. For the second year, we cannot find the kind of magnolia we want! We were told, the variety we like is “too old-fashioned” and they don’t carry it anymore. It’s the prettiest one too, a Saucer Magnolia “soulangiana” — now all they want to sell us is the purplish one; I want the light pink. It’s always good to have something to look forward to; we’ll find it someday!
My birthday party is tomorrow night, and guess who’s in charge of making my birthday cake? Me! I volunteered! Now I’m trying to decide between a flourless Chocolate Cake (almost diet food), with the creamy texture of peanut butter — OR my Orange Cake with the pineapple filling which is my true favorite.
That’s my day today. Oh yes, and besides that, a brand new WILLARD will start to go out next Tuesday! To you, as always, with love from me.
XOXO
Have a wonderful day; it’s Friday the 13th, the luckiest day of the year!!! Thank you again for all your sweet Birthday Wishes. You made it extra special this year. ♥ Also want to wish a Happy Birthday to our Girlfriend, Gladys Taber!
Oh my! Am I the 1st to leave a birthday wish for you?! Happy Happy Birthday to YOU, lovely Susan! Surrounded by love, by flowers, by friends, family, and your pets and hugged by the prettiest Spring in ages, I know you had a day that you will treasure and remember. Joe (once again) has proven that he is indeed your soul mate in giving you a true gift that speaks to your heart…..somehow finding something that made you cry out with joy!! Beautiful 🙂 And, then looking forward to your extra special trip abroad, won’t you be counting the days?!! I’m sure your wishes will be many….have a great birthday party and continue the happiness. I am sad for those who don’t celebrate birthdays (I know some) and wonder why not? I love the attention, and we have to wait another year for it to happen again. Looks like you had a very special one this time around. xoxo
I did, I loved the quiet of it this year, I was nicely in bed by 9pm!!
Another Susan Branch friend right around the corner from me! Barbara, I live in your neighborhood….well actually Commerce Township. It’s a small world after all! 🙂
I am not far from both of you right now working in the D. Susan – wishing you the happiest of b-days and orange cake would be my vote 🙂
Susan,
Happy Birthday and many more ,because I need the trip to England diary, and more books from your desk. Not to mention the Happy spirit you bring to those around you. Positive is a very good lifestyle.
Nancy Jo
Yes it is, Nancy Jo, thanks for sharing yours!
Wow, we practically share a birthday! Today is my birthday, so I just laughed when I saw your post this morning….”she wrote this just for me”, I thought! Glad to hear you had a happy birthday….my hubby and I took off of work today to celebrate mine, which is wonderful to me! By the way, SO jealous about your upcoming trip to England. I was there in 1992 but would love to go back to the Lake District. I never made it up there…stayed in London for about 2 weeks. Definitely post pictures when you can!
Happy Birthday Vicki! As long as we can find service, there will be lots of photos!
Glad you had such a wonderful birthday!!!
Hello Susan and belated birthday greetings from England. 🙂 I’ve been a silent reader of your lovely blog since Christmas. Today I decided to step out of my shy comfort zone and make my first comment! My name is Yvonne and I live in Thornbury near Bristol. I loved the tv series Cranford with Dame Judy Dench, the setting and costumes and acting were excellent. I wonder how long Joe searched for your book, it certainly was a happy find wasn’t it? Flour less chocolate cake sounds good to me. Whichever you choose have a great birthday party. 🙂
So nice to hear from you Yvonne! Welcome to the neighborhood! I think Joe had the book for a while, waiting!
Susan,
I went to look at my books and I have an 1892 edition of Cranford. My cover is different then yours. Love old books!
Nancy Jo
Hi Susan 🙂
Yes, I’m on time today yay! I’m home today from work and spending some time with you 🙂
Now I must start off with The Forgotten Garden… You know how much I LOVE Anne Of Green Gables, right? *wink* … And Maud Montgomery is my idol, muse and inspiration. YOU are right beside her, too <3
BuT, once I saw the cover of this book, I instantly knew Kate was a kindred spirit. I read the book hating to put it down to tend to the kids and my Ingleside… This book was wonderful. Beautifully written and pulls you in in so many ways.
Once I finished I was scared to say that I just MIGHT love it more than Anne! *shock*, but I've come to my senses and Anne is back where she belongs <3.
All you Susan Branch fans will adore Kate's Book. It's one you'll want as a decorative item in your livingroom too 🙂
Happy Birthday, Dear Susan. I have a white with blushes of pink magnolia and love it so much. Hope you find the one you're looking for
Xoxo have a fun evening!
Love,
Denise of Ingleside
Perfect recommendation for the book! Thanks Denise!
Happy Birthday, Susan! So glad you had such a beautiful and wonderful day to celebrate your special day. As I sit here reading your post the morning, birds are singing a lovely song; perhaps they are telling you Happy Birthday, too! I’m really looking forward to hearing all the exciting tales from your trip. Best wishes!
Birthdays are for celebrating! I love, love, love the book, *sigh*, I found the Cranford series by accident and HAD to have it on DVD, of course, so I can re-watch (and I do). Wishing you all the best!
P.S. I finished piecing the log cabin quilt made from your fabrics that I told you about ages ago…….I’ve decided to do an applique border so the quilt has a ways to go. So far so good and the fabrics are just beautiful in the quilt, I love it! (I used mostly Tea Party but there are a few from your other collections in it too, but the quilt is pieced from only your fabrics. Thanks for designing them for us.
Oh Connie, so nice, thank you!
One of my favorite ways to read a book – lying on a blanket under a tree. And how wonderful the smell in the air must have been for you with everything blooming:) Have a delightful day!
I don’t do it often, but on my birthday? Wanted to, before the spring had sprung, and we were gone.
A lovely belated HaPpY BiRtHdAy to you!
A Happy Happy Birthday to you.. only a day late, but we may celebrate our birthdays at any rate that we choose!! :-)…. What a beautiful day you had and here is hoping for many many more beautiful days and years ahead for you!.. Oh, I am LOVE your “new” book!!! I must look this one up. I didn’t realize there was a Cranford book, but does seeing it on PBS count!! I am always getting such good suggestions for books from you and all the girlfriends…. so many books…. so little time!!! Ah, what a wonderful world!! Again, enjoy your birthday celebrations! I hope you called your Mom and thanked her! 🙂
Oh I did, both my parents, and we talked about “the day” I finally got here, after 72 hours in labor!!! I owe her. Him too, for the worry.
Yikes! Ouch! 72 hours!! You were such a beautiful, perfect baby that they mustered up the courage to have another, again, & again, & again…….!!! 🙂
I have to say, it got a little easier!
I would hope so… I sat with my Mom in February on my last birthday and got all the details.. why didn’t I do this before???? I was fun and of course, she said I was always the best baby.. but I know she says that to all four of her children! 🙂 But I was the FIRST!!
🙂
Happy Birthday Susan! Joe really knows what makes you happy! I love our own private Holiday/Birthday that we can make happy for the whole day. It is wonderful that you had a BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY to celebrate. I wish I could dive into the picture and take a nap on that quilt under the sun. You and my mother-share the same birthday.
Birthday’s are for fun. I was born on Halloween and I love the fall so I feel doubly blessed.
Now, waiting for a picture of Jack with that little hat on. LOL.
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl.
Oh my dear Susan I am so glad you had such a lovely birthday! It looked so inviting laying out there under that beautiful tree! And that Joe…he knows you through and through doesn’t he? I love old books too, and especially to find such marvelous things tucked away inside of them! Like stepping back in time….oh and for me to discover Cranford is a ‘real’ town….just made my day! I love those movies….
Congrats on your new fabric…I love it!
Have fun tomorrow night with your birthday bash! smile…. I look forward to your next Willard…eek…..you are such a blessing and never forget us!!
Happy Friday the 13th!
Blessings,
Gert
Happy Birthday Dear Susan Branch! I’m sure it was a wonderful day for you! So Thankful that you were born 🙂
Happy Birthday Susan! I was thinking of you and how you were celebrating last evening as I was reading my Gladys Taber Best of Stillmeadow Your heart must have popped when you opened that precious book! Now, for the big question can you hold off pouring through it until your trip? Or, have you already devoured the pages? ENJOY your Party and your extended celebration all the way over the ocean. What a wonderful year for a birthday!!!
Georgie NJ
I forgot to say… Happy Birthday from Georgie! Now, I’m not the same one that signed your new book from Joe, but a Georgie nonetheless (wink). LOL!
Happy Birthday Susan! May your birthday be as special as you are!
BIG Happy Birthday wishes to you, sorry they are belated!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your wonderful day with us! I love that book – Joe is sooooooooo romantic!!!! I especially love all of the goodies that you found inside the book. Yes, I agree with Diana – we always get great book suggestions from you! The forgotten Garden is a must-read for me now! And I really like how you shared the view from your quilt, too! Susan, you bring much joy into all of our lives – thanks for that!!! Have a wonderful birthday party and let us know which cake you decided to make! I can’t wait to hear all about it! And to see the next Willard.
Oh, it sounds like you had the perfect birthday! It’s a fabulous picture of your quilt, yard, the blossoms — we’d all love to join you! (I bet Jack wanted to be there, too.) Glad it was so special for you — have fun at your party. The birthday wrapping paper is so charming — thank you for sharing your talent.
Happy, Happy Birthday!!!! I’m so happy to have found you….I love all the same things you do!! Thank you for sharing your God given talents with me and all of us! Many Blessings in the Coming Year!!!!
P.S. Just can’t wait for the trip to England!!!
Dear Sue;
“You give such joy the whole year through,
here’s wishing some right back to you!”
-•**•- Happy Birthday Hugs! XO -•**•-
Love & prayers for many more! Bunny
P.S. “Cranford” is indeed delightful!
oh! i can’t sew a stitch…but i would buy
that fabric in 2 shakes to craft with!
{i have developed KEEN gluing skills to
make up for my KEEN lack of thread
skills! ;}
THAT BOOK! it’s gorgeous! i adore
smelly old books! and when you get
them home and find treasures inside,
like a time capsule…it’s so darn fun!
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday to you!
what an enchanting, encouraging, fun
gift you have been to all of us!
THANK YOU!
m ^..^
My motto: whatever works!! 🙂
Just popping in to say Happy~Day~After~Your~Birthday!!! Beautiful post read to beautiful music 🙂 What a perfect day you had ~ carry it into a long weekend celebration!!!
Nothing electronic will ever compare to holding a beautiful book in one’s hands! Have you read Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek? He is a bookseller who tells of the treasures he finds in people’s old books ♥ I’ll put The Forgotten Garden on my reading list ~ it sounds wonderful.
Love the “Lauren” quilt against the Spring green grass and under the blue sky and flowering trees. Can’t wait to receive mine in the mail ~ soon!
Looking forward to Willard ~ hello to Joe and the kitties ~ full steam ahead to a wonderful weekend and your big trip! Thank you, Susan, for brightening our days with your friendship and creativity ♥
Hi Susan!~Birthday girl! (I did wish you a H.B. yesterday in the blog) but I’ll say it again~Happy Birthday. What a lovely gift Joe gave to you – another book and movie I will have to look up. I enjoyed seeing all the goodies inside too. Here in Florida, we have what is called “Gem Magnolia” trees which get huge white flowers on them that are so fragrant but they are here and there over the tree and the tree stays green all year. Since they are the “gem” kind they don’t grow as tall as the regular Magnolias and don’t look anything like the kind you are looking for. I told my Joe about the 2 cakes and he votes for the Orange Cake and says it sounds so good he might have to fly up to MV for a piece.(He hates to fly!) I now know what I will make for Father’s Day. I will love that also but my favorite cake is devil’s food with white buttercream icing and coconut all over the cake. Well, I am subbing in a bunco group today and since it’s Friday the 13th probably won’t win but I love to play since its fun and easy and you can play and talk at the same time and not get caught up in winning or losing. It requires no skill or strategy at all! Now I have The Forgotten Garden on my list also! Not enough hours in the day for reading! I always thank God for the gift of sight! Gail & Joe, Fl
Happy Happy Birthday to our Dear Friend! It will be fun finding out which cake you decided to make! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Your day sounds lovely! Isn’t The Forgotten Garden wonderful? All of Kate Morton’s books are fantastic but I think that was my favorite. Probably because of the garden. My vote is for the orange cake! Hope you have a great party!
Hi Susan, Glad you enjoyed your special day. Love the new birthday fabric! Also am happy you received the beautiful “Cranford” book. The illustrations are Hugh Thomson’s….he is one of my all time favorite illustrators. I’ve collected books with his beautiful pictures forever. His illustrations for Pride and Prejudice are the best! Glad you are enjoying Kate Morton’s book. If you haven’t already read it, you’ll love another of hers, “Distant Hours”…..perhaps for your trip! Enjoy your party!
Susan,
Happy Birthday! Joe is such a treasure. What a wonderful Birthday gift he gave you. Cranford is one of my favorites. Definitely make the Orange-Pineapple cake. You should always have your favorite on your birthday. I feel like today is now going to be a lucky day since we are celebrating your birthday. Seeing your quilt under the tree brought to mind the name of a house I used to live near. It was name “Wishberry Grove”. Have the Happiest Birthday ever.
Sheila
Happy Birthday, Sue!
I think birthdays should be celebrated until they come around again, don’t you? What a lovely day you were blessed with ~ the fresh spring air, the flowering trees, the comfort of a quilt on the grass and the loving feeling of having your husband working nearby (I, too, find it to be an aphrodisiac when my Georgie is working around the house and yard). Oh, and the sweetness of accomplishment ~ congratulations on your new fabric! What a wonderful day it was! I just know the year ahead will be full of blessings for you. After all, “what we give we will receive” and heaven knows how much you give of yourself to all of us!
Sending you a great big birthday hug and kiss…..Muuuaaaahhh!
xoxoDebbie
Oh…btw….I absolutely LOVE the music this morning…I’m going to continue to listen while I do some paperwork…thank you!
My neighbor and best friend is committed to celebrating birthdays ON THE DAY. I love opening my curtains on my birthday morning to find the small enclosure outside my condo picture window and front door decorated with balloons, and streamers and signs proclaiming the day. Once it my car decorated and of course the memorable 50th. There are no secrets from the neighbors here. And I love every day. So here are balloons, streamers and happy happy signs and wishes to you.
Oh, dear Susan, Happy, happy (belated, sorry) BiRtHdAy to yoooooouuuuuuu!!!
Looks like you had a lovely day! You always know how to live it up, just right. And, I’m all about continuing the celebration! I’ll celebrate the whole month for anyone willing to join me. Wishing you all the joy your heart can hold, always. We are grateful for all the years you have blessed our lives! Kick up those “heels” and celebrate you!! I do :)!
Hugs and love to you, xoox ~ Jeanette
Happy Birthday! Mine was the 10th. It looks like you had a beautiful day! What a lovely view from your quilt.
Happy Birthday Gail!
Happy,Happy, Birthday Susan!!
Wow!, some birthdays will be remembered for a life time and this is yours.
What you have given to others, and that is alot, has come back to you in such a wonderfuly blessed celabration of your birthday. Doesn’t get any better then this. Hoping you bake your favorite orange cake.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know if we all had your phone number we would make a group call and sing to you! Wouldn’t that be hilariously fun? Wish I was your sister and then I could come and lay on the beautiful coverlet under your apple tree….have a marvelous birthday week! “HUG” Mary
Oh, the happiest of happy days to you dear Susan!
Happy Birthday! I loved The Forgotten Garden– Her latest book, The Distant Hours is also good. You could read THAT one on your voyage!
So happy to hear you had a wonderful Birthday! Hope today is just as good 🙂 Can’t wait for Willard, always a bright spot in my day. Happy Friday the 13th!
Susan, the happiest of birthdays to you! We all love you!!
Hope you find your tree SOON. 🙂
Happy belated birthday wishes to you Susan! Sounds like you had a devine birthday! Sometimes it’s nice to be able to do just what you want! Looks like a Heavenly spot, under that tree with your book! I wonder what birthday cake you have decided upon? Yum!!!! Have fun as your celebration continues!!
Happy Happy Birthday! ‘Sweet Susan’. Your basking in the sunlight is a birthday blessing. Wishing you many many many more. Happy Birthday Party too!
A very Happy belated Birthday!
Have you tried mail order for the magnolia tree? The cakes sound delicious – chocolate and orange are a yummy combination – you could make both. Have a lovely day and fun at your party tonight.
Happy Birthday sweet Susan…..and many more (celebrated exactly how you want!).
Happy Birthday Susan – I agree – sweetest treat on a spring day – a quilt spread looking up into my beautiful 40 yr old Live Oak tree here in Texas! Love that you are so content with the simple things – the true beauty of life! Oh and guess what! – I’m taking a quilting class next week and we’re using some of your fabrics – I was so surprised/excited when I discovered you designed them:-)
-janet
Nice to hear Janet! Have fun in the class!
Happy birthday Susan!! Many wishes for a wonderful year! It’s sounds like you had a very special day relaxing under that beautiful tree, reading, I’m jealous.
Today is my son’s birthday as well so it is a very special day indeed. I’ll be baking him a cake when I get home from work.
I love the book you received from Joe, gifts like that to me are so thoughtful because it had to take some time and thought to find it and to know how much you would love it. How special too that it had little surprises inside it too. Lovely.
Enjoy your day…you deserve it! -East Longmeadow, Ma.
Happy Birthday to you and your son!
Happy Happy belated birthday. What a wonderful way to spend your special day. I too LOVE my birthday. I am waiting anxiously for our apple trees to bloom so I can take a blanket out and lay on my back and look up. Now I will have to get The Forgotten Garden to read. So happy that you have Joe, he is a good man. I know what you mean about the sounds of a man working hard in the garden; what it can do to a woman. 🙂 Hope you have a great birthday party! I vote for orange cake, it seems more spring like, plus it is your TRUE favorite.
What a perfect way to spend your birthday! I hope I can find a copy of the Cranford book to read as I loll about on my new *one person* swing. I don’t have the swing yet, but Sunday is MY birthday and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my husband is building me an old fashioned plank swing complete with ropes that can be hung under our big old maple tree. I know it sounds selfish, but I want a *one person* swing so I can either lazily swing and read, or maybe swing really high and sing, sing, sing without having to consider how someone else might want to enjoy swinging. Just me and my swing, the birds, and the wind against my face. Sigh. My idea of a great birthday. Well, maybe a cupcake would be nice too. On second thought, maybe two cupcakes.
Love from Diane in North Carolina
Happy Birthday Diane, hope you get your wish! Tell us how it went!
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Susan!!!! Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
What beautiful pictures!!!!!!!!!
A plant being “too old fashioned”….. what rubbish!!!!!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Susan. We have so many April birthdays in my family. Mine is the 26th and my daughter’s is the 25th. She was the best birthday present ever. I hope you had a lovely day. I enjoy seeing your “Vineyard” pictures so much. My husband and I vacationed there for 6 years and hope to get back soon. We both love it so much. Enjoy!!
Happy Birthday Susan! I hope all the happiness you exude returns to you 🙂 What a terrific book from Joe!! Now that’s a guy who knows his wife. I would love that book, too, especially all the goodies that were in it. I have pressed flowers and things in books – maybe one day my great great great grandchildren will find them 🙂 Happy Happy!
Blessings to you on your birthday, Susan! Happy Birthday!
xo
Claudia
I just adore that birthday fabric!!! Cannot wait to get some! It would make a cute birthday placemat and matching napkin, too, for the special birthday person! So glad you were able to have such a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday Susan!!! What a beautiful day you had! And in true Susan form, always thinking of doing for others ~ baking your own cake for everyone ~ how sweet! I vote for the orange cake. Susan, may all your days in the coming year be filled with family, beauty, laughter and all the joy you bless us with, a thousand fold!! Fast forward a few years, and I wish you Happy Birthday again, as you enjoy another beautiful day, underneath your lovely pink flowered Magnolia tree!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Susan! You bring so much joy to everyone so I wish you the same on your special day!
Happy Birthday Darling Susan!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and enjoy each and every minute!! You are precious to all of us!! CELEBRATE!! Love to you!! GOD Bless!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Hugs and Love, Tricia B.
P.S. Thanks for the gorgeous post!!
Belated Happy Birthday wishes!! Thank you for sharing your BEAUTIFUL day with us; may your weekend be just as special. What beautiful treasures you found within your gift — fun, fun, fun! Godspeed on your trip to England!
All the best for a day of much happiness.
Enjoy the cake whatever you decide.
Much joy for the year to come.
Happy Birthday Susan!
So glad you had such a beautiful, quiet place to do exactly what you wanted on your birthday… a picnic under an unbelievably gorgeous tree, on a comfy quilt, listening to the birds, snacking and reading. It doesn’t get much better than that! I think you should fix your favorite Orange Cake with the pineapple filling. After all, it is your birthday celebration. 🙂
With ♥ Marie
Happy Birthday Susan! I love my bithday, such a great day to reflect on all the wondful people you know and all the magic in your life. YOU are a gift! With your beautiful books we all treasure(and really, really use), and your blog that is like a sprinkler of joy and humor and gratitude and of course fabulous information, you are a lightening rod for all things good! I hope you had a minute to reflect on how important and special you are to so many of us. Thank you for sharing your sunny outlook, it’s so contagious! I hope this is your best year yet!!! Can’t wait for England!
.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•Good Morning Sweet Birthday Girl…. Clearly Your Birthday was Heavenly….& Bravo to Your Joe…what a Magical Book…filled with so Much from the Past..can You Just Imagine all The Folks who Must have Read it before You??….I flew to all The Places…connected with You Sweet Sue…Twitter…F.O.S.B. & Here in Your Blog~World…You My Dear are Truly Loved…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..& Your Birthday Party Tomorrow Night….Scrumptious…& Both Choices for Your Birthday Cake How will You choose?..I Keep Thinking bout Your Coconut Cake….all Your Cakes are Beyond Yummy…So Let’s Pour the Mimosas…another Toast to You…Wishing You a Joyous Birthday Celebration Weekend! Yay! I Loved that New Birthday Fabric…Adorable! & We will all Be Getting a New “Willard” Hooray! & Oh How I Loved Your View…Under Your Tree…enjoying a Most Special Day…Love & More Birthday Pixie~Dust Sweet Sue! xoxo Poof! Both Herbster & Taylor say..”Happy Birthday Susan!” 🙂 🙂 .•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
… •*¨`*•✿
´*¨`*•✿ . . .
… •*¨`*•✿
´*¨`*•✿ . . .
Give them both a kiss for me Angie!
I Shall Sweetest Sue…they will Both be very Happy! Yay! xoxo Poof! 🙂 🙂 🙂 (Huge smile on My Face too!)
Birthday blessings from sunny SW Florida!
Happy Birthday Susan!!! April birthdays! Aries unite!!!
I love love love my birthdays too! Mine is on the 18 th, but tonight starts out the celebrations with a date with my darling husband, who will never reveal whats in store for me. He is very wiley that way. He gets a gleam in his eye and says we are going to Mcdonalds!! Grrr…. He loves to surprize me, isnt that sweet!!??
So yes… Ill be 40 and I really wanted to be in the wine country in France, but alas……so instead I get 3 party nights!! Out with the girlfriends tomorrow night. We all HAVE to wear high heels (my rule) We are going out for martinis! Then on my birthday I always spend the evening with my parents. My mommy still makes me my favorite dinner and always any cake I want. This year I requested a red velvet cake. Mmmmm….yes Im 40!! I swear it! ;). Have a wonderful smiley sweet love filled giggles galore happy party with some sprinkles of pink glitter!!!!!! Xoxoxo
Happy Birthday Pollyanna, birthdays make us all children again!
Happy Day After Your Birthday Birthday!!! Cheers!!
What a lovely birthday! Joe is the best finding that delicious book for you. Celebrating you. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays.
Happy Birthday Susan! That copy of “Cranford” is like a dream come true!! Flowers in the pages, a handwritten dedication and a photo! Wow! Such a lovely gift! Enjoy your party!!! xoxo Debbie
What a happy birthday you had, I can’t imagine anything better, an excellent book to enjoy, breezes and blooming trees, aaaah. I have never read the book that the Cranford movie series is based on, but I love the movies. I have a collection of old books too. They just feel right when you hold them by the spine, like publishers knew the right size to print books, plus I think all the past readers’ joy is there too, so it just oozes out. Isn’t is amazing to have an old book? The covers, the inscriptions and illustrations, some of mine even have a thin tissue page at the beginning. I wish I could know the stories of those who owned my books before me, but it’s enough to know we loved the same book. Today, I am off to a retreat with my fellow book lover and girlfriend, Lori. We will talk non stop, visit a few thrift stores, and celebrate our friendship.
Enjoy your party tonight!
Hi Susan! this is my second attempt, to send a comment…so if another appears you will know what happened…lol anyway I wanted to say “Happy Birthday” I could not believe all the beautiful treasures you found in your gift from Joe… I sat here with my mouth dropped open…lol Your blog was just delicious today and I thank you so much for sharing all your joys with us….. I have a beautiful magnolia that sounds just like the one you described except the size. it is a smaller tree but it is beautiful…. It is a Jane magnolia and I love it…. well, enjoy your birthday celebration tonite…..we do share the same birthday month…tee hee mine was on the second!! xoxo
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I truly truly enjoy seeing that you have a new post whenever I start checking my bloglist!
Susan: What a delight to read how you celebrated YOUR birthday. I’ve always believed that birthdays are the most important day for each of us because it is a chance to rejoice in who we are and share it with those most important to us. May you have a year of wonderful experiences (how can that not happen with the trip to England!) and may you have good health and creative inspirations to share with us in your infectious, happy, cheery and loving way. Happy Birthday, day 2!!
Susan in Spokane
Happy Birthday, Susan! You Day looked wonderful! I LOVE the book Joe got for you. Old books ARE the best. Such Treasure!
have a delightful birthday, girlfriend Susan! and thank you for the wonderfulness you bring to our lives with your art, and blog, and Willard! sending much love and best wishes!
Happy Birthday, Sweet Sue,
I am not surprised that you had a wonderful birthday. You bring joy to yourself and others around you! That is my new mantra – Think Joy, Be Happy – Smile! If we all practice that, we can change the world!
I was born on a Friday the 13th, in May. My mother always told me that was her luckiest day.
Love and Kisses, Lorraine
My mom said the same thing!
What a wonderful day you had for your birthday, so calm and relaxing. I wish the weather would warm up a bit here on the west coast, the sun is out, but the wind is always so cold. No vegetable planting yet, we’ve had another frost last night. I loved the Forgotten Garden so much that I’m now reading The Distant Hours and off today to buy The House at Riverton. So glad I found Kate Morton, she is a fabulous author. I think the orange cake with the pineapple filling sounds delicious for your birthday cake. Enjoy your party tomorrow night. We’ll be waiting for the photos!
Hi Susan, Happy Birthday to you! I’m so happy that you have had a delightful day 🙂 I looks very dreamlike and special. I just finished reading The Forgotten Garden. It was delightful and I savored every page.
Joe certainly has found a treasure (besides you, of course). What a treat to have something so sweet filled with surprises! I hope you enjoy the rest of today and the weekend. Just looking at your pictures makes me feel like I’m visiting you.
xoxox Janet
Happy Birthday Dear Friend Susan…. Your blog, artwork and genuine sweet spirit bring much needed joy into my life. Wish I could return the favor…… Have a Wonderful Party!
You just did — thank you TeriGrace!
Happy Birthday, Susan. Hoping your birthday leads you closer to your fondest dreams. Thank you for the joy you bring to so many of us.
Go for the flourless chocolate cake. I’m salivating just thinking about that bad boy.
Thanks for the great movie and book suggestions! Been reading books from the library lately – books made of *gasp* PAPER! Enjoying it so much. And libraries are great because nothing beats FREE!
By the way, for you and your blog readers who happen to glance at this here little comment – I’m currently reading a brand new book called “Paris in Love” and it is terrific. You, sweet friend, would LOVE it. It reminds me of you.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!!!
LOL “That bad boy!” 🙂
I have an April birthday, too. Just love my month. I have read The Forgotten Garden, loved it. I am a gardener, love reading out in the garden as well as the actual planting of beautiful plants. I hope you find that tree. I have been to England and now my dream is to live there a year to take in all the gardens that are open for maybe just a day or weekend when its particular flower is in bloom. Of course the famous gardens again, too!! Happy Birthday! Enjoy every second of your very soon time in England!! Since I have been reading this blog I now have collected many Gladys Taber books and receive the quarterly newsletter and love knowing she has an April birthday, too. Sweet peas and diamonds forever!
And don’t forget “Innocence!”
Have a lovely birthday party. A person after my own heart. Keep the birthday going for the entire weekend. Your photos are an absolute delight!
Birthdays are wonderful! It sounds like you had the perfect day, Sue. What a wonderful book from your thoughtful husband! Happy belated Birthday and wishing you many, many more! Enjoy your cake preparation! 🙂
Tracy xo
You’re welcome! It’s always wonderful to wish dear friends “Happy Birthday”! That Joe, old books & hammerin’, he’s a great guy! Love your beautiful blog, and the darling tea towel, thank you! It’s rainy here in NoCal, much needed, but we have seen some beautiful blooming trees in the past month! Enjoy your birthday party, and have a great weekend! xoxo
There’s nothing better than a spring time birthday! How beautiful! God’s blessings to you through this whole year. You bring such happiness to all of us, so I hope you can imagine hearing all the birthday songs that have been sung just for you. Your birthday fabric is adorable! SOOOOOO excited for your awesome trip to England – it will be filled with wonderful memories! Love and (imagine the melodious tune) “Happy Birthday” ! ! ! : )
Happy Birthday Susan! If I could I would pick you a bouquet of Virginia bluebells and Lily of the Valley and tie them in a big peach ribbon! I have not seen the movie “Cranford” yet ,but will search for it. Have a blessed day!
Love the virtual bouquet! Smells wonderful!
Can you ever go wrong with chocolate cake? ………..cheers coming from the peanut gallery…….and the answer is NO! LOL
Your birthday sounded wonderful…..what a perfectly lovely day!
And the Cranston book from Joe…..filled with unexpected treasures from the past. Birthday surprises are so much fun!
Have a zippity-do-dah time at your party on Saturday……and just think you can keep this birthday celebration going through July…until you get back from England…..now that’s a birthday to remember!
Happy day, Happy weekend!
If I play my cards right, I can probably run this one right into the next!
Happy Birthday Susan! If it was yesterday, the 12th, we share the same birth date! Mine is 4/12/59. Though I poke my head out of the house in April, and love seeing the Green budding everywhere, (though I wish the lilacs were as quick to bloom here, as they were back in NY), it’s still too cool for me to sit outside – though the temp in Dennis Port surely isn’t that different from the island? I’m glad you had a lovely day!
Happy Birthday to you Dawn!
Glad your day was wonderful! Everytime I read your blog I am amazed at just how much of a kindred spirit you are. And then I realize there’s a whole group of us out there!! Wish we could all get together sometime. What an amazing way to meet friends – all with the same joys of life! My birthday wish for you is another wonderful year filled with many surprises, joys, and peaceful surroundings. (Hmmmm…that might be tough with Jack! I love him and Girl Kitty so much!)
N.
Happy belated birthday, sweet Sue! Not really belated, cuz you celebrate every day so beautifully, and share with us too. You are such a positive influence in my life; please never stop blogging! And have a phenomenal trip to merry old England next month. You must be SO excited, you are squirming in your shoes!!
This is very true!!
Belated Happy Birthday! I’m so glad you are enjoying The Forgotten Garden. I read it earlier this year and loved it! I also read another Kate Morton book, The House at Riverton, and recommend that one as well. Have fun at your party!
Happy birthday to youuuuuu! I do hope you feel all the love from your “girls”. That’s what you extend to each of us with your wonderful adventures. You allow each of us to come along with you. Thanks for sharing the lovely world you create and live in.
LOVED the kitty picture at the end of your blog…so cute. And what a beautiful b-day gift Joe has given you…you are a fortunate lady…but then you know that! As always loved your outdoor pictures; it’s such a beautiful, peaceful place to live and enjoy life. Thanks to all the girlfriends for their book recommendations; just write them in my little book and can’t wait to try them out. Happy Day, Miz Sue and all the girlfriends out there.
What a wonderful birthday gift in Cranford!
April is a birthday month for us here with FOUR before the month is over. My sister begins it all on April 1, then our oldest daughter was born on my birthday which is the 25th, and my husband’s is on the 27th! He and I are just happy we are still around to celebrate birthdays!:-)
Spring on Martha’s Vineyard sounds positively heavenly! Continue to enjoy your days! xoxo
Busy for you! Happy Birthdays!!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have many amazing more to come!
I will be following your blog to see where your trip to England takes us all!!!!!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!
“Cranford” is a lovely book and the BBC dvd is a lot of fun too with a who’s who of every British actor you’ve ever seen. Another of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books turned into a BBC drama is “North and South”, a favorite of mine.
¡Feliz cumpleaños!, from Riverside, CA
Muchas Gracias! (I don’t think I have an upside down exclamation point!)
Pio , Pio Pio , dice los pollitos……..
LOL, I read it before I see who sent it . . . I see this, burst out laughing, I know it’s my dad.
Happy Birthday Dear Susan, Happy Birthday to you! <3
Oh, my! You’re an old book lover too!?! I just have to open them, first thing, and bury my face in their pages…sniffing 100 years, or so. I can always tell if it’s lived in a school library…a very distinctive smell! Cranford is my favorite! I have an old old green copy with gilding that is my favorite. After watching the DVD ( which was MY birthday present from my mother a few years ago) I had to find some ancient Alfred Tennyson books of the poetry miss maddie’s gentleman friend read to the ladies…Locksley Hall(?) oh, be still my heart…to hear those poems aloud… and then, to weep during the scene, as he died…such a treasure Joe found for you! I feel like I win a prize if something is tucked inside, but you, dear sue, hit the mother load!!! Even pressed flowers…gracious! Do you see why I love snowdrops…after seeing the movie, I just had to have them…and here they were all along, just waiting to surprise me:). How wonderful your quilt looks under your flowering tree…very Anne;) love it! So glad your day was made to order just for you….and hoping your birthday celebration is full of all the best things! Could that little dish towel be any cuter? I think not!
Happy happy, dear one,
Christie
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you really are celebrating in the most wonderful sort of way. I’d go for the orange cake myself.
-Lynndee
Happy Birthday, Susan! 🙂 My birthday is the day after Christmas, so I can’t take a quilt or blanket outside & read – in northeastern OH, I have a blanket wrapped AROUND me inside!!! Your birthday “celebration” sounds idyllic.
You are a blessed woman.
Happy Birthday Susan hope this day brings nothing but happiness. I just started sewing again after over 25 years of not doing it! I am so excited that you have this new fabric I can’t wait to get some and make something. I just introduced my friend in Tyler,Tx to you and your website and on FB. She was so excited to get her first Willard and I found one of your out of print books and sent it to her. She just loves everything “Susan Branch” now LOL. She has become my newest “Girlfriend”. I know you are getting ready for your trip and I know that you and Joe will have a Fab time! Bye for now, Sandy
Good for you for taking up sewing again!
My advice to you is to go for your favorite orange cake with pineapple filling for the birthday party–afterall, it is your birthday which only comes once a year! (Besides, I have ulterior motives–maybe you will share the recipe with us!) 🙂 Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday day yesterday…I read that book, too, and know what you mean about not being able to read it “slow”. She writes a good story. Today in Minnesota we are having highs in the mid-50’s, dark, rainy and blustery and show showers are predicted for Monday! So, there is no sitting outside reading here…yet…Have a fun birthday celebration Saturday! 🙂
What a perfect birthday – sunshine, apple blossoms & antique book with surprises from the past!! Plus perfect fabric to approve for production! Has the dogwood bloomed yet??
Have a wonderful birthday party!
No, it’s just sitting there, biding it’s time.
Happy Birthday, Susan! I see from your calendar that you share a birthday with Thomas Jefferson. I’m not surprized. Two very creative and innovative people who share the same birthday! 🙂
It’s your birthday, but you give the girlfriends a present – a spanking, new Willard! Looking forward to receiving it.
As far as the cake dilemma….I say make and enjoy both. Life is too short not to celebrate the special moments in our lives.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
I like the way you think!