Welcome to Happy Land . . . with Musica . . .
You might be wondering where I’ve been . . . I’ve been right here . . .
And I just finished page sixty of our book, the English Diary! Only two more gazillion pages to go, but we are getting there!
C R E A T I V I T Y
I’ve been focused like a laser, not letting myself get led down the primrose path; getting up really early, making tea, going through the house, flipping on lights, throwing the ball for Jack, and watching the sun come up, sometimes turning on a little French music to get me going — smoothing out a clean piece of watercolor paper, and in my imagination and through my paintbrush, I stand at the ship’s rail looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, or wander through English cottage gardens. Before I start work I draw my Angel Card and find out which wonderful word should guide my day. I loved this morning’s word!
I try to put my very best on every page . . . I want it to be something I can be proud of and something you will love. It is a little strange when you think that at one time these pages did not exist and now, here it is, slowly but surely, taking shape and becoming a book. Making something out of nothing. Kind of like cooking!
I thought you might like to see a little bit of it, although I hope you don’t mind if I don’t show it too close! I want it to be a surprise! But I also think you deserve to see that it’s really happening! You are so patient!
I’m handwriting it, like I’ve done with all my books, which is the thing that takes the longest. I actually kept the diary every day while we were in England, but I scribbled it 
quickly (and sloppily) so I could get it all down and not forget the details — I took my writing with me everywhere, always had it in the car, took it to pubs, even brought it along when we went on walks so I could write or sketch if we stopped for tea, and in the different gardens we visited; I painted too, especially in places like Beatrix Potter’s house where we weren’t allowed to take photos, so I would have it when we got home. Now I’m copying the words over neatly, in my “good handwriting,” painting borders and illustrating the pages, adding souvenirs and photographs. It’s pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.
My studio is filled with inspiration; especially books. I believe™ in the concept of “Book Osmosis,” where, if you surround yourself with the creativity and brilliantness of others, it will rub off on you; plus, I want to be sure I’m giving the correct name for the flowers we saw, the birds and the trees . . . And of course, wherever I go, so goeth Beatrix Potter. ♥ Because love is as love does. ♥
I’m having fun choosing and laying out the photos . . . more opportunity for the imagination to stay in England!
Lately the book is all I think about; I love it so much, I’m probably getting a little compulsive about it (this is where Joe would look up and say, “probably?”); I think about it all the time; that age-old question, “what do they want to know about, what can I give them that will bring them there?” I wake up every morning, with my foot wiggling, by brain clicking; sometimes, it’s the “AHA” ideas of things to add to the book that gets me bounding down the stairs. My life, in all other respects, has narrowed to the essentials. Eat (we still have lobster on beach every so often; this is not a forced-labor camp), sleep, walk, knit, read, and create. Notice what came first? (Not necessarily in that order, I should add!) I watched Miss Potter again last night, and knit. See, not all bad!
My “true treasures of home” . . . here the children are this morning, a rare moment in peaceable kingdom; and I did not order them into this position (like I even could) — But, this togetherness won’t last; already you notice Girl’s face is saying, “Take him back, I’m begging you; look at him . . . he’s looking at me again. Make him stop.” And he is repeating the same question over and over at a thousand words a minute, “What’d she say, what’d she say, what’s she saying? Tell me what she said!”
And while I’m consumed with my work, and Jack is consumed with Girl, the world continues to turn; fall arrived yesterday, and was crowned with a sunset rainbow last night, right outside our front door! I think I have never seen brighter colors on a rainbow! It’s supposed to be cool and dry for at least a week; I’m wearing a sweater right now; we had to put a down comforter on the bed last night (windows open, crisp ocean breeze coming in, heaven)! Joe and I just planned a leaf-peeping, four-day getaway for the end of this month for a surprise for us, since we have been working so hard. Meanderment (meandering wonderment) in the van . . . no plan! Back roads! New England!!! Leaves! Ponds! Oh my. Dreamy.
And, on the other side of the house from the rainbow, this was the sky . . . everything so beautiful on Martha’s Vineyard in the fall, everything except our kitchen.
Which I won’t show you, it is too much of a nightmare. Having an old house with lots of nooks and crannies, wainscoting, chair rails, window trim, scalloped aprons hanging from the ceiling and the like, are, 99.9% of the time, so wonderful I have no words. That other .1% — is when you have to paint them. Joe is doing a great job. He has the patience of Job.
It will never be done. But I don’t care . . . he does that; I paint; we plan our getaway; Girl plots revenge; Jack keeps us laughing; everyone is staying out of trouble. Life is good in the Heart of the Home. Hope it’s the same for you! ♥ Have a wonderful day!
P.S. Leave me a little message (be sure to mention where you’re from! Inquiring minds want to know, right Girlfriends?) and you’ll be entered into a contest for a FREE, signed copy of my (out of print) AUTUMN BOOK! You may already have it, but wouldn’t it make a wonderful gift for someone you love? ‘Cause it’s that time of year! ♥
Susan,
Olympia, WA has had some wonderful final summer days but I am so ready for Autumn. I even like the sound of the word “autumnal”. I am so looking forward to your book on the trip to England but in the mean time I would love to be the winner of your Autumn Book!
I gave a copy of “Autumn” to my daughter a few years back and everytime I go over there I lovingly look at it. Yes, I should have bought one for me too! Here in the Bay Area I can feel the seasons changing ever so lightly but the spiders are very aware of time slip sliding away and are busy. Please know that we are all looking forward to your amazing new book.
I love Autumn and would love to have the book! I can’t wait for you English journal, we are planning a trip next year and I have been reading and rereading your blog entries. My friend just moved there for the year also. Can’t wait to visit. Thank you!
Approaching my favorite time of year~~yes good-bye summer and humidity!!!!!
Kathy from San Diego<3
awww yes i remember San Diego very well, my husband was stationed there and we were married there. the humidity was miserable, and the heat…blahhhhhh!!!! i knew when Fall was coming, the winds from the ocean were cooler and we always went up to Julian to enjoy their deep dish Dutch aple pie with caramel on the top. it was to die for!!!!
I am in very hot Houston and enjoyed your post. It cooled me off and got my fingers itching … I’m just starting a watercolor course … pears!!! And I’m working on a pumpkin lap quilt (crochet). Would love to win your Autumn book (my favorite time of year). I’ll give it a good home … I promise!
Oooo, pears, so fun to paint!
Your post this morning is a delight – 60 pages done on the diary – splendid
work. So nice to see a preview. We are all so looking forward to the finished
product. It feels like fall this morning in WV but clear blue sky with puffy
clouds.
Good afternoon! It is a beautiful day in Stanford, KY! Enjoyed the morning with a walk around the soccer and baseball fields, checked out the boat dock at the local fishing lake and the we had breakfast on the back porch! Time to do some sewing but had to check on Susan Branch before I started only to find a new blog entry!!! My SB calendar hangs on the wall at my sewing machine – gives me good vibes and a peaceful feeling while I sew!!!!
Very nice Debby! Gorgeous in KY too! Lucky us!
Yay, you’re back!! I look every day for a new post from you. I’ve so missed you!
I am in California where fall is still a ways away. Today’s temp. will be 97 degrees, I’m so ready for my down comforter. I can’t wait for your “English Diary” to be finished! I have the Autumn book already but I would love to give it as a gift if I should be so blessed to win it. Susan I so wish I could be a fly on your wall to watch you paint. I hope someday you will share more details of a “painting day” in your life. If you mis-spell a word, you don’t have to start that page over, do you?
I have to fix it . . . which I do with white paint and more pen. But I try really hard not to do that!
Okay, now you answered my earlier question…I sort of wondered if you could do “repairs” or had to start all over again…as it is, I can understand how long it takes you to do just one page! 🙂
Sooooo NOT autumn in SoCal. I’ll have to live vicariously through your pictures. Wonder if I can get my Joe to paint the kitchen? Or wait, I can do that, he can plan a trip to Martha’s Vineyard instead!
Looking forward to your new book!
hi thanks for the peek at the new book , cant wait till it comes out , wish i could reserve one for when it does, i see by the beautiful pictures of where you live , how get your inspiration , even down here in new orleans it was cool yesterday and today, that cool crisp air makes me want to cook, so heading to the store for supplies, to have a cooking frinzy today
I’m going to take pre-orders … will let everyone know on the blog when we do it! Sounds like a good day for you!
Susan,
Have been checking every day for your next post. Figured you were busy with the kitchen project and the diary.Thanks for the sneak peek at the diary. It looks wonderful! Can’t wait for the finished product. I, too, have been busy creating – sewing curtains for our cabin. Stayed up late two nights in a row working on them. Just have the tiebacks to finish. Have to tell you a little story. My daughter just returned a copy of your Autumn book to the library. My daughter and I were discussing recipes and which ones we would try. She mentioned a certain recipe and I asked her which cookbook it was out of. My two year old grandaughter piped up and said, “SUSAN BRANCH!” We both started laughing. Obviously, a familiar name to her. So, I guess you have a new little fan! Have a great day!
Jan
Very sweet, love it! 🙂
How I love Autumn! This week is going to be beautiful in my part of Virginia and yesterday I spied hummingbirds in our garden. I am so happy they came back to see us again and wish I could get close enough to take a gorgeous picture.
Your book is going to be awesome…I can’t wait! XO
I love everything autumn – the colors, the cooler weather, the holidays. When I was younger, my family lived in western Missouri. We lived on base and our house had a basement. I remember my two sisters and I riding our bikes in that basement, around and around and around, singing along with the record player (remember LPs?) to the likes of My Favorite Things, all songs of Diana Ross and the Supremes, anything by the Beatles. It was so much fun. There was a fence behind our house and on the other side of the fence was “the woods”. The colors during autumn were always so vibrant. We were never allowed to scale the fence to go into the woods, so we had to simply gaze at the colors from our house.
Hi Susan! I’m in Fort Collins, CO and I have a yarn shop, so I love that you are a knitter. I also have all of your books, but not a signed one, so thank you for the contest! It was fun to get a peek at your new book today. Is there an approximate publication date yet? (Not that I’m anxious for it or anything …)
Good Day Sweet Sue…The Rainbow is Gorgeous & Very Bright Colors…Good Way to Welcome in Your First Taste of Autumn! & You Lucky Girl Getting to Wear a Sweater! 🙂 ♥ Yay! The Photo with Both Kitties…Purrrrrrrrrrrfection! 😉 & Your English Diary….(Page 60….Goosebumps!) So Very Exciting & I’m So Very Happy Your are Creating it in Pure~Bliss Mode! Ok… I Love The Angel~Card! What is Today’s Word? & The Musica from Julie & Julia (The Movie was On all Weekend) I watched it Twice More!( Beyond Fabulous!) 🙂 & An Amazing Thing About The Kitchen Remodel…so Much Work for You Two & Your Kitchen…Bravo to Joe & to You….& when The Kitchen is Finally Complete…ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..it will Be The Most Magical Place…. 🙂 Your Autumn Leaf~Peeping Four Day Trip will Be Delightful…May I Pack My Bags Now?…You Know How I Love to Meander with You! Yay! 😉 I Love How Petey is with You while You Create Your English Diary Sweet Sue…give Him a “Fairylicious~Kiss” from Me…ok? wishing You a Glorious Autumn Week….Exciting that You are giving Away an Autographed~Copy of Your Magical Autumn Book…( My Wings will Remain Crossed & I’ll Be Wishing on a Star too)
Yay! 🙂 xoxo Poof!*¨`*.✫*¨*.¸¸.♥*¨`*.✫*¨♥*¨`*.✫*¨* P.S. Angie(Tink!) From Winter Haven Florida…. 😉 *✫♥
One Fairylicious kiss coming up!
♥*¨`*.✫*¨♥*¨`*.✫*¨* 😉 ♥*¨`*.✫*¨♥*¨`*.✫*¨*
Hi Susan,
You live a charmed life! 🙂 I adored every word of this post!! Happy Fall!!!
xoxo Debbie
I forgot to add…I am from Cleveland, Ohio where it is a perfect 70 degrees, blue skies and NO humidity 🙂
I’m originally from Lakewood, and still have family there, and my daughter and family live in Brooklyn there. Amazing to hear “no humidity”! Hope your beautiful going into fall weather continues! Gorgeous days there are the best!
Hi Victoria,
I live smack dab between Lakewood and Brooklyn 🙂 September in Ohio is the BEST !!
Our first morning of cooler (but not crisp) air….an indication of things to come here in NC…in another month the leaves will be turning to golds, reds, and bright yellows! Apple cider, fried apple pies (yummmmm)…..tis the season. Your English diary will be beautiful, can see that already :-). I am fascinated by your water colors….all those bright, pretty color pots….would be fun to watch you create such wonderful things on paper (and I promise to be very quiet and not disturb!)… 🙂 Jack and Girl…..what a pair! She seems to be handling her new sibling better – and is soooo pretty. Oh you are teasing us with little snippet pictures of the kitchen and Joe working ….. looking forward to seeing the end result! Enjoy your beautiful weather! chm
Hello, Connie! I have always wanted to try fried apple pie – that just sounds SO GOOD! And I must have nearly 200 cookbooks but have never seen a recipe for one. Which I find amazing. Do you have one or know of one? Thanks for your help and Happy Fall! :>)
Autumn is on the way in Gig Harbor, WA but Summer is not QUITE ready to give up. A few more snippets of sunshine are predicted this week. I’m ready for pumpkins and falling leaves being an October birthday girl. Thank you for your wonderful website and sharing your talent with us.
Hi from Spearfish SD. Going to be a hot 97 today, but will cool off tomorrow. Hope this is the last of the hot days! Your diary will be wonderful. Do you just draw all those pictures free handed? Like the little girl holding the bunnie. Love your work. Such an inspiration! have a great day!
Fall is beginning to show in small ways here in southeast Washington state. I have your book out, and it would be fun to win another one to give to someone special. We celebrated our 44th anniversary last week by getting away to where we spent our honeymoon. I love that we were married in the Fall (Sept.7th). We used gold and bronze mums, and my attendants wore gold satin dresses. Reflecting on it all is an inspiration to start getting Fall stuff out! We are all looking forward to the diary! Thanks for giving us a sneek peek.
I’m from North Carolina and it’s not quite fall here yet but I’m off to England on Monday! It will surely be cooler there.
From Oshkosh, WI. Looking forward to my own fall getaway to the other side of the state next week, going to spend a couple of days near Prairie du Chien watching the Mississippi flow by!
Westminster MD
I truly enjoyed reading your blog today. I think I loved Autumn the best when I lived in New England. Having a copy of your Autumn book would be a forever reminder of those beautiful days. Seeing your pictures made me realize that it will be here before I know it. Right now I had to close the window by the desk. It is so breezy, but beautiful weather, here in Maryland.
I loved seeing the “peeks” at the English diary you are creating. I can’t wait to actually have one in my hands! Do you have any idea when it will be published?
I know you get up at the crack of dawn. I have always felt that I can accomplish more early in the morning. What time do you go to bed at night? I am asking because I have had a problem sleeping lately and never seem to get the proper amount of sleep.
Ann Beirne
Hi Susan!
Thank you so very much for inspiring me with your posts. I love that you are living out your best life and sharing your passions with the world. It’s so fun to see how many kindred spirits we have out there!!
I absolutely cannot wait to grab a copy of your English diary when published. In the meantime, I will look through your cookbooks, get inspired, and start creating!
Lots of love from Ohio,
Kristina
I can hardly wait for your book. When do you expect publishing? I was a nanny in Oak Bluffs summers ago. Enjoy your blog reminding me of time on the Vineyard.
What a lovely, fun post to read. I love peeking in at where you work and anticipating your new book. Your cats crack me up! We had a “cold” front come through this weekend. The first of the season and it cooled down a bit. Beautiful sky yesterday. That rainbow by you was incredibly brilliant!
Cooler days are sneaking back in between scorching ones here in the Roseburg, Oregon area. I can’t wait for fall’s color, then the bliss of rain, and then green everywhere for the winter. As an ex-Alaskan, green is very important to me! Winters here are beautifully, vibrantly green. I haven’t seen your Autumn book yet – I know I would spend hours in its soul-nourishing pages.
i have been wanting your autumn cookbook like….forever!!!! thank you, and i’m from tallahassee, florida 🙂
Greetings from Maryland! I am happy to say that I am as blessed as you are. With collies instead of cats! I cannot wait for the day I can get my hands on your English Diary. Thank you so much for the little peak into your working world today. I love to see your art table laid out with all the watercolors, the book pages, and Petey. Love your attitude about the kitchen redo. We’re about to start a project involving new flooring and painting. I will try to remember your good spirits.
Here in West Newbury, MA., Autumn is definitely showing us it’s wonderfulness. I just love the out doors, working in the garden, cleaning my home, decorating for Autumn, playing with my four legged kids,watching my fish in there pond, Oh, I could just go on and on. There are so many kindred spirits on this blog, it’s Kindred spirit heaven! Susan thank you for a glimpse into your heavenly world where I can say I love everything about it and feel warm all over because you exist in this world. You, Joe, Jack,and Girl ! Thank you again and again for sharing, I have so much fun. We had a rainbow too and it was brilliant, just like you!OOXX
Susan, I check with you EVERY day and miss you when you haven’t posted. I have most of your books and re-read the seasonal ones with each new season. I’d love to win the AUTUMN book for my daughter–our favorite season and a great way to introduce you to her.
…looking forward to “our diary”. JA
A warm hello from the inland Northwest, in Pullman WA, where it’s begininning to look (and feel) like Autumn. Count me among the flock of your fans who can’t wait for your England Diary. Thank you for the lovely glimpse of your labor of love/work-in-progress, and thank you as well for the gift of “meanderment”! What a wonderful wor(l)d!
…dear Susan…be as ” compulsive” all you want… it gives us great things !! …i love this post !!…so worth waiting for !!…your photography work/play is outstanding !!!…yes…Autumn has arrived here as well…and we all love it, don’t we….now to go back and re- read this post again and again !!!..P.S. ..i’ve been seeing some pretty brilliant rainbows also..( i know that it is my loved ones saying “hello” and that they are alright ..)…take care…
Your work is breathtaking ! Beautiful and fun , Such a wonderful gift you have ! I love that you shared some of your book in progress with us . Do your books come to Canada at all in book stores and if they do where could I get them ? Wonderful post and photos . Have a lovely day !
i dont know how you know these things, but we have 2 little schnauzers (angels) and a frisky little cocker spaniel puppy (devil) she scratched at the front door and scraped the paint off. i was going to repaint it nantucket fog like it was before , and instead went with your woodlawn blue. just beautiful, thanks for always sharing the good stuff, robin
Oh good Robin!
It’s still in the 90s here in Tulsa, OK! But the nights are cooler, and after a summer of 100+ heat, it’s starting to feel more like autumn, my favorite season. Thanks for the sneak peek at the new book…I can’t wait till it comes out. Please remember me in the drawing for the Autumn book. That’s the only one I don’t have. Love the kitties, and love hearing about you and Joe and all your adventures. Sherry xoxoxo
~Good Afternoon~
I have to agree with the loving of all the details in an old house 99.9% of the time ~except when it is time to paint~( or dust !)
Fall arrived here yesterday with the start of Football ~but alas ~my dear Packers lost!
~Love the Autumn Book~ a signed copy would make it even better!
Good Monday!
Lynn
I love that. Making something out of nothing. You are so creative and how you describe your creative process is inspiring. I love your handwriting and I am super excited about your new book. It feels even more exciting because you are letting us watch you create. The beauty of a blog I suppose! okay, I feel like gushing today, love your work, love your blog, love your art, love your creations, love love love.
Jamie
Love you Jamie! Gushing is so much fun!
It’s starting to feel a little like Autumn here, later than usual….really lovely post today, Susan! Thanks for the preview….and I so enjoy these glimpses into your creative process (not having been blessed with artistic talents myself). I hope you don’t ever tire of doing the blog, you have an amazing way of brightening up the day!
Good morning to you Susan~~~~
I’m getting very excited about your new book! Looks as though you have been very busy busy busy!! Joe looks to be very busy as well with the kitchen. You two deserve a break to travel the back roads and explore. My cousin and her husband live in Upper State NY. Whenever we get that rare opportunity to go back for a visit, they take us on all the back roads. I love it!! The rolling hills are so green in the springtime. No traffic to speak of, birds singing, etc. We stop for a tea/coffee break in one of those villages that is so small, you don’t dare close your eyes or you will miss it all together.
We are beginning to think that perhaps we won’t really be having our usual nice Indian Summer. Still foggy with the sun not coming out until late afternoon. BUT, at least it’s coming out each day, which is a complete change from what we had this summer.
Til another day,
Carol M from Eureka, California (2 hours south of Oregon)
Something about your art calms me and makes me long for a simpler life! Autumn is my favorite time of year and your book would make it ever so special! Congrats to whoever receives it, and cozy Autumn greetings to all of you!
I’m in Granbury Texas, where it’s been very very hot most of the summer. I will be sad when all my pretty green plants, trees, and blooming flowers all turn brown and go to sleep for the winter, but at the same time, cooler weather and the holidays around the corner will be wonderful.
P.P.S. …the “happy land” picture looks like a Kate Greenaway illustration….
Having a reward planned after a good slog of work is great! Go Joe! You mention often that you are knitting… but never what you are knitting! It’s making me crazy(or at least serves as a contributing factor)! I knit and sew and read blogs and love retirement. Please, just a word about what you knit? Is it on Ravelry or from something wonderful that you found on Patternfish? Have you seen the newest look book on Brooklyn Tweed? Did you go to yarn shops in England? Have a great day and thanks so much for all you share with us.
I love Autumn! Here in the San Francisco Bay Area autumn is the second Spring. The roses have produced a new flush of blooms and the days are warm and the evenings are cool. I’d love to win an autographed copy of your Autumn book. Selfishly, I would keep it for myself and give away my “unautographed” copy.
Like everyone else, I can hardly wait for the English diary AND the kitchen reveal!
Happy Autumn, Susan!
Not quite Autumn in San Diego; temperatures in the 80’s pushing 90. But I am sure it will come soon enough. Like you, we have the beaches to ourselves now and can actually go to a restaurant without a reservation. I liked your “Book Osmosis”…we could also say “Word Osmosis” or “Quote Osmosis”. I framed my last year’s Christmas Card and am looking at it over my desk: “Let us Sing of Kindness and Peace”. Let’s do that…as a group…while we all await our English Diary. Can’t wait! I like it that you “work hard” and “play well” – enjoy your leaf turning trip! (That means beautiful pictures for us to see…right??).
I am so excited to see your diary in action 🙂 I can’t wait to read it (of course that means I’ll be impatiently waiting for AGES… but I am still hoping it is out before my own trip home next year!). I feel like I shall be quite inspired to make my own diary when I go 😉
It’s kind of funny how both you and Joe were painting this week, isn’t it? 😉
I love your season books – it is always nice to have some seasonal foods to eat. I am looking forward to soups again! It hasn’t quite hit autumn here in Virginia. It HAS started to cool, and the mornings are now rather pleasant. It looks like autumn (the light is brighter and more orange, and the sky is bluer), but it wont feel it for a while yet 🙂
~Rachel~ in central VA.
This from northeast Missouri, where I am more than ready to welcome autumn with its cool temperatures and bright blue-sky days. Summer brought triple-digit temps and drought, so scat, summer, shoo, go on with you! Come back next year with a nicer attitude toward all living things, please.
I love fall and “autumn” happens to be my favorite word, just because of the way it sounds. Just this morning, I started bringing out the fall decorations, many of which bear the word “autumn”. Ooooh, I would love to add your Autumn book to my collection, but if I don’t win it, I’ll just be patient until the English Diary is published and purchase it instead.
Love, love, love your blog, Susan B.!
HELLO! What a nice post today! (Aren’t they alwasys>lol !)
You are the Best?the most inspirational !
Thank You so for sharing today and for a wonderful giveaway too.
Blessings, Linda
I’ve always loved Fall because it’s the gateway to the holidays. Here in Colorado Springs we are already seeing the tree colors changing, especially the aspens on the hills leading up to Pike’s Peak. After a long, hot summer, the cool mornings are a welcome harbinger.
Susan: Love reading about your kitties, your kitchen project, your book project. Have a lovely wandering trip through New England. We are on Cape Ann in Massachusetts (the OTHER Cape of Massachusetts).
…uh oh..i just read that you want to know where we are from…originally from California but migrated to northwest Arkansas in the summer of 1982…
I am so excited for your diary, especially since we got to follow along with you, and now we can hear your descriptions and get all the little details! I grew up watching the Beatrix Potter characters come to life on VHS and was thrilled when Miss Potter came out! Her artful stories will always hold a special place in my heart (thanks to that Grandma of mine I’m always telling you about)! I hope your Autumn trip is as delightful and inspiring as you are!
Sweetheart!
Oh, thank you, Susan. She is a sweetheart. Of course, I’m the lucky person who gets to be her Grandma, so I’m a little biased. Jackie is actually 3 long hours away at SWOSU in Weatherford, OK. We love fall, and have all kinds of fun things planned when she comes home for fall break. By the way, she bakes a delicious apple cake. Yummy! She would love to have an autographed copy your Autumn book. She thought I’d already bought her a copy, but when she looked all she found was mine. She was so disappointed! I’m excited to see your kitchen when it’s finished. I love your cozy, happy style of decorating. You’ve inspired us to make some changes here. Thank you.
It is Fall! It even arrived “here” Saturday. I was in a completely different frame of Mind. Happy Happy Happy was the word of the day and I had so much energy. I threw open the dooors and windows. I got a package of Ohio sweet corn out of the freezer and Jim and I had corn fritters and bacon for breakfast with Ohio maple syrup! Yum.
Okay, so I tried to take a magnifying glass to the picture of the book so I could read some of it…didn’t work:( Can’t wait to put my name on the pre-sale list.
I am headed for Ohio this week, so I know for sure I will be able to experience Fall! Jim has his 65th high school reunion in Findlay this weekend! and after that we head for NE Ohio where I am from, to spend some time with family.
Always love the girls’ pictures, you really do a great job capturing their expressions.
As always with love from West Texas.
I said “girls” don’t tell Jack I said that. Every furry thing in our house is female…so it was a slip of the tongue. I meant, always love the kitty’s pictures!
The Autumn book is one I don’t have, so count me in! I could use a little Autumn here right now – it’s still much too hot in CA.
Your lovely English diary is tantalising! I can’t wait to see it. ::Jill
We live in LA where early Fall is pretty darn hot. So we call it Fake Fall and celebrate anyway!
Fall is here in Colorado. Crisp nights and yes out comes the down quilt and sweaters. They are saying the first snow by the end of September here in the Rockies. I even had a dream last night a light snow was falling. September is early-usually first snow by Halloween. We need the moisture (think drought) so I am not complaining. It is my favorite time of year. I love the way Mother Nature shows off her beautiful bounty with breathtaking colors.
Treese Colorado Cowgirl.
I love the chili recipe, have made it a few times along with those biscuits made with (gasp!) heavy whipping cream. So good. Love your blog!
I am sooooo looking forward to your new book! Glad to hear it is progressing nicely. It is a lovely day here in West Virginia…the sun is shining, clouds are floating and just the right amount of “nip” in the air to make it pleasant.
From England here – hello!
I’ve been trying desperately to find your Autumn book to no avail, as it is my favourite season by far. The leaves, and the breeze and the smell of woodsmoke all come together in such a beautiful way.
I am also hugely looking forward to your England book too, as seeing the country through your eyes and spirit revealed so much, even for places that I thought I knew like the back of my hand! 🙂 Hope you and Joe have a wonderful time on your leaf-peeping break! xx
That’s a very special compliment, when you make the wonderful English people happy, you are doing something right!
From hilly Cottontown Tennessee where I have never seen cotton and we have had some lovely cool days recently. I love Autumn and would love your book 🙂
Just spent two days volunteering in a donut booth of our nature center’s fall festival. Perfect time for freshly made donuts and apple cider. I’m from the Syracuse area of New York.
Hi, Karen~
My husband and I were there (if you’re referring to the Beaver Lake Harvest Festival) on Saturday morning! The weather started to turn after a while and we left without our donut and cider….but we DID grab a bag of that delicious kettle corn on the way to the parking lot. I hope the festival was a success in spite of the wind and rain….we’ve been going for many years!
What is the pink flower in your bouquet? Thanks for another cheery posting.
I LOVE your word “Meanderment.” My husband and I occasionally do that, but we didn’t have a word for it! 🙂
Could you tell us a little about the Happy Children book you show in your stack of Great Britain books?
I have wanted the Autumn Book for a long time – have a couple others of yours but not that one. Would very much like it! 🙂 (But not trying to butter you up!)
I am feeling really buttery though! The Happy Children book was published by Frederick Warne, same people who published Beatrix Potter; it’s an illustrated story book, with lots of different stories, like “Princess Crystal’s Lessons” and “The China Dog’s Day” — includes some classics too, like “The Three Little Pigs” and “Robinson Crusoe.” No pub date, which I really wish it had!
Thanks. I’d been wondering if it was one story or a collection. Now I know!
All I can say is “ooooh” and “ahhhh” about your English Diary! How fun to get a little peek at all your creative work. I thought I saw Fred Astaire in there puttin’ on the Ritz? I am recovering from the loss of my kitty (thank you for your caring comment the other day), and this blog helps to lift my heart and my thoughts into happy places. And I love how you can read your kitties’ minds.;)
Hi Susan,
I am from Miracle,Kentucky.
Autumn is playing hide and seek with Summer where I live.
One day you see him the next you don’t …I love this time of year!!
Have a lovely day!!
I love your blogs….they make me very happy. I wish I could just go with my creative urges and do it. Something is holding me back. I do not pretend to have terrible amounts of talent but I think it is wonderfully fun and I love to create. Maybe I should just write it in my daily plan and do it???I love your books and would adore the autumn one….signed by yours truly. Cute Cat too and it is so fun to include your animals in the blogs.
I’m on Vancouver Island, off the west coast of Canada, in beautiful Victoria, where the ocean breezes blow and autumn is slowly meandering into our gardens and woods.
Your new book is going to be just beautiful!
I love your work Susan and so enjoyed going on your trip to England with you. It’s one of my very favourite places to visit! Your newest book should be wonderful. I can’t wait to see it. I would love to have a copy of your Autumn book.
I live in southern Ontario, Canada, and wish we had more of your books and calendars in our book stores. It’s not often I come across them up here.
From: Wisconsin Susan….have you finished your breakast book that you were working on???? If so, when will it be available?? Will you publish the England trip one??? Can’t wait to see your finished kitchen!!!! I LOVE fall!!!!!
Susan, about 7, 8 or maybe even 9 years ago you were doing a book signing for the Autumn book in Plymouth, MA. My sister and I left my son’s football game early to attend. I was so excited about meeting you and getting a signed copy that I tripped getting off the bleachers and sprained my ankle. But that didn’t stop us. We drove towards Plymouth and proceeded to get a flat tire. Had the tire fixed and continue on our journey. We got soooo lost along the way that when we finally made it to the bookstore where the signing was taking place, I saw the back of your head as you were walking out of the door. Needless to say, I never got the signed Autumn book but I would love, love, love to win it. My fingers are crossed.
LOL, well that’s terrible! You should have followed us, we went to a tea room on Main Street!
Hi Susan,
I just have to say how much I love Jack! He is the perfect kitty love:) Girl is sweet too but….Jack steals my heart. Thank-you for sharing him with us! I would love a copy of your Autumn book. It is a perfect gift for this lovely time of year. I am writing from central Michigan; also, a pretty place to enjoy fall. We have lots of farms, apples,pumpkins,cider and cinnamon donuts here….yum.
Wendi
It has finally cooled off here in Atlanta. The humidity is gone. I’m thinking soup recipes!
Can’t wait for the book to be finished…….whenever it is, it will be a wonderful treat to sit down with a mug of tea and get lost in it’s pages!
Have fun on your meanderment!
Oh my gosh I’m so excited, this new book will be amazing I just know it, I’m writing to you from my dining room table in Northern Ontario on the shore of Lake Huron and guess what I’m doing, ha ha, I’m writing a cookbook for my children and i’m watercoloring my illustrations, you have been such an influence in my life, I thank you for that.
I already have your Autumn book and its on my counter right now, I use your recipes all the time, ( I have all your books), don’t worry, I’m not a stalker just an admirer, you have such a wonderful happy go lucky family orientated kind personality and your art is wonderful, a true talent.Your books brought me through a very hard time.
AUTUMN tiptoed in yesterday as the rain washed away the summer… I love the fall, the crispness of it, it makes me feel like the taste of a bit of a newly picked crisp macintosh apple. I’ve lived in Cold Spring, NY (about 60 miles north of NYC on the Hudson River) and we are surrounded by tree covered mountains that become nature’s patchwork when they turn every shade of the rainbow. I would so love your book, but if I don’t win, I do know that someone will receive it and love it and treasure it. Do you know Cynthia Riggs? I love her books set on the island and can’t wait to be stay at her B&B. Now to the music – I just rewatched Julie and Julia last night and realized I had to buy a copy to watch whenever I wanted.
Be well, enjoy your trip. I remember fall family day trips from when I was very young, filled with beautiful trees on back roads, covered bridges that we always had to stop and walk over, lunches at roadside diners and sing alongs in the car – also sometimes, staying at motels built as “themes” – snow white and the seven dwarfs where we stayed in Doc – tee-pees – little doll houses… love those days – so sorry our children (and grandchildren) will never have them.
Oh Happy Day, Susan! So wonderful to see a preview of The English Diary—60 pages and counting—Oh My!!! I, for one, am appreciative of your present focus on this mission!!! But am also pleased for you and Joe that you have arranged for a nice getaway too, which will also recharge your batteries, I’m sure. Larry and I were just yesterday booking our room for a few days in Savannah at the end of this month. We may also make an excursion to Tybee Island too; we haven’t been there yet. The open road just beckons one out of our nest for a few last outings before getting snuggled in for the winter, doesn’t it? I loved the photo of your two little ones—such a peace scene.
From what everyone says in the Comments the Autumn book is certainly well-loved and much-used. Given what people are asking for them online, perhaps a Second Printing might be a possibility?
Hi Kathy….
Just wanted to check in with you and see how Tut was doing…..is he still radio-active? ………I have been wondering ever since I read about what he and you went through on the previous blog post. Hope the treatment worked and that he is doing well, and that he is no longer “glowing” in the dark! ♥ ♥ ♥
Deb
Hi Deb, Tut is doing fine. He and I were just making the bed together. He is still glowing in the dark but that has been gradually wearing off and he will be OK to resume normal snuggling by Friday afternoon. It has been hard to keep him off our laps but we haven’t done too badly and I say little prayers if I think we are exceeding the limit! Thank you for asking! Have a great day!!!
Loved today’s post….it is getting cooler in north Georgia …and we have had some rain!!!!! Fall is my favorite time of the year ….I love all it brings…colors, activities, and wonderful weather …Have a great day everyone!!! Gloria in Commerce,Ga
Somewhere around here, someone asked where I get watercolors, and her comment disappeared before I could answer, so I’m answering here, hoping she will find it . . . I get watercolors wherever I find them, from Michael’s Crafts to DickBlick and Utrecht — it doesn’t matter to me, paintboxes or tubes, all are good. If you like color, you want as many as you can find.
FORGOT – where do you get your watercolors? I absolutely love them – can you give me the producer of these palettes? Thanks so much!
Beautiful blue sky and cotton ball clouds in Burlington Ky. I’m really looking forward to your new book:)
hi susan!! boy oh boy..it’s been a while….have kept up on the blog but so dang busy at school..this time of year is especially hectic but fun… oh my gosh..cannot wait for “THE BOOK”…even from afar it looks amazing….. got out my Autumn Book over the week-end….can’t say for absolute sure…but…it may be my favorite!!! I use it year round, but during Sept and Oct and most of Nov. it takes special place on the piano…right where the sheet music goes..very impressive!!! : ) Today was our first “sweatshirt morning”…. crisp, clear, sunny and cool..love it…so I donned my new Cape Cod sweatshirt from this summers’ travels….cozy… great time of year…the apples, the football, the leaves falling, the smells, the fires… the Homecomings, the sweaters and the plaid stuff!!! wonderful!!!…good luck with the kitchen..looks like it’s coming right along…anxious to see “the after”…. happy that life is good for you all….special people!!! love, cindy
I live in wonderful Warwickshire and can’t wait to read your English Diary. I’m sure you’ll capture the spirit and character of we English so well, in your words, drawings and photos. In the meantime, I would love to win a copy of your Autumn Book, having missed it when it was in print.
Good-bye for now, or, as we say here, “Ta-Ra me duck”!
I got that! 🙂
I, too, have a copy of your “Autumn” book–in fact, it’s laying on my kitchen counter right now opened to page 54. I’m going to make corn pudding for supper tonight to celebrate the lovely fall weather we’re having in central PA today! If I win the signed copy you’re giving away, I’ll pass this one along to my niece. So excited for your new book, and that we’ll be able to pre-order it. Looking forward to seeing your kitchen reveal–love the pic of the kitties 🙂
I’m from Florida near Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center. We are getting ready for a garage sale and I was going through books yesterday. Of course, your books get to stay. Every time I pick one up it reminds me of such a special time in my life, just married and nesting. I found Heart of the Home in the library and was hooked from then on (I must have told you that too many times by now). I don’t have the Autumn Book and it would be nice to have it. I used to lend my books to all my friends and one of my neighbors still has your lemon noodles in her regular dinner rotation. I am impressed with your discipline to work. That is hard to do from home, especially where you live!
It’s true, there are many opportunities for twin darlings procrastination and hooky.
Remember me? From the Channeled Scablands of Central Washington? It sounds really ugly, I know, but it’s not. We shouldn’t let geologists name things in this country. Our season has also changed We may be a little further north than you. The winter wheat is up about 3 inches, now and all the harvest around here is in. Now we’re watching for frost, waiting for the apple crop to be ready, dreaming of winter squash and getting ready for our annual Deutschesfest celebration this weekend. It’s a German thing, can’t you tell? All the churches and civic groups in our little town of Odessa make all kinds of German food and tune up their German band and stack up the micro brews and sausages for a bang-up time. Thousands of people come to town. We let them park in the ball fields, parks, by-ways and back yards. They place becomes a huge, wonderful RV-Campground-Yard Sale-Food Fair-Arts & Crafts event. Our quilt guild puts on an antique quilt show in our oldest church, St. Matthews. I’ll have pictures on my blog. In the weeks before, the whole town smells, alternatively, of pickles, Kraut Ranzas, apples and struedel. Yum! I tried to get your Autumn book but couldn’t find it. I have almost everything else. You know, I found an old copy, about 1948, of one of the Stillmeadow cookbooks. A book dealer in the Midwest sent it to me as a consolation for another book he had, but could not find, after I bought it. He refunded my money and sent me this other book which is my treasure, truly. Cooking BEFORE the dreaded microwave! He said it had been wet, at one time. Hey, it doesn’t even smell! I sniff books, I’m afraid. Well, one does like to know where they’ve been, sometimes, doesn’t one? Our kitties have a relationship similar to Jack and Girl’s. Our blackandwhite is a 10-year old male named Norman. He has his own blog. The female is a white and tabby 6-year old named Bodecia, also a blogger. She tears around and jumps over Norman. He HATES that! He’s a very BIG cat, so it’s quite a leap for tiny ‘Decia. Sometimes they lick each others ears…..just before they wrestle and spit. Right. Thanks, Susan, for your gifts, which you share so nicely. We need them. I can almost smell the sea…….
I think all booklovers sniff books sometimes, but few will admit it.
I’ll admit it! If it is a used book, you have to smell it before you buy it.. Nothing worse than bringing something musty in the house. And in a bookstore, I just breathe deep. I love the smell of new books! : )
Me too, I confess! Weird – but true. First thing I do when I get a new book home is open it and INHALE! For some people, it’s the smell of a new car. For me, it’s a new book – the great scent of print-and-paper-and-binding. :>)
I have loved your books for years – wish I had your talent! My husband and I live in the country in north Alabama with our dog, cats, horses and donkeys…never a dull moment! We’re having a touch of autumn-like weather today and I love it – my day started with a short horseback ride after breakfast. Thank you for your wonderful blog!
Love ya Susan!!! From Cincinnati, Ohio. Enjoyed beautiful fall like weather this weekend…took my little girl to her first pumpkin of the year, just couldn’t help myself 🙂
Greetings from sunny Fresno, California! Another scorching sunny day here. Again. I long to live in a place where there are changing seasons (not just Summer and Winter) and where there is weather (not just sunshine every single day). So, I’m planning an Autumn trip to Martha’s Vineyard next year to experience the real thing even if it’s just for a few days. And, in the meantime, reading your blog is the next best thing to being there. It’s such a happy gift to open from you every day. Would love, love, love a signed Autumn book.
P.S. Excuse the whining about the beautiful sunny weather here in California. I’m just anxious for Fall.
Hi Susan, Yes, you both are working very very hard. Your kitchen will be finished and beautiful. Your book will be coming along (looks beautiful already) and you can enjoy your 4-day get-a-way together and not think about anything waiting for you at home. But, when you return, you will be cooking up a storm. I get that way after I’ve been away. While I enjoy eating out…………can’t wait to get back to the kitchen and make my own special recipes. That’s the one thing about living in Florida that is a little wierd for me. The only months to make soups or stews (what I consider winter recipes) is really January and February. Neither Joe nor I like to eat soup in the summer……..too hot. Yes, I’ll be interested in pre-ordering your book when finished. If my memory serves me correctly (hope I have the right name), Petey, is right there with you helping you finish your book. By the way, I am so happy that my son in Virginia just sent me your 2013 calendar……………just because………there was no occasion. He knows how to make me happy! What a surprise! Continue enjoying everyday and have fun while your at it. Luv, Gail Buss, Beverly Hills, Fl XXOO
Now that is one darling boy!!! How thoughtful, Gail. Good job! 🙂
We live near Etna,CA. close to the Oregon border. We are already cooling down. 36 degrees this a.m., then up to the mid. 80’s. Lots of forest fires this year and we have had quite a bit of smoke. Can’t wait for your new book. It looks so beautiful. Don’t have your Autumn book, here’s hoping! Thank you for the chance.
I have your Autumn Book. I would love to give the signed copy to my dearest friend in the land.
blesssing to you.
Fall came to Victoria, TX yesterday as well. We woke up to cool 66 degree weather with no humidity! Temperatures got up to 93, but a cool breeze fluttered in occasionally letting us know that autumn is coming–so much better than 105 to 108!
I do own your wonderful Autumn Book, but would so love to give a copy to my BFF who is a most accomplished quilter (and hopefully a breast cancer survivor) and she is making me a Susan Branch quilt. I’ve started her collection of your books. I have most all of them and Love, Love, Love them!!! Perhaps some day, if we’d get really lucky, we could visit Martha’s Vineyard and walk past your beautiful home…that would be my dream come true!!
God’s continued blessings to you, dear, dear Susan Branch!!
P.S. Wish more stickers were available…I treasure the ones that I have.
…oops, I am from Cedarburg, WI ~
I love reading your adventures on your blog!! 🙂 Autumn is my most fav time of the year!! Gone is the heat and humidity…. hello to open windows and cool breezes and leaves changing!!
I’m from Ontario, Canada!!
Hi Susan, Kim D. from Dublin, OH. Thanks for working so hard on your England Book, i can’t wait for that one!!! I just love your flower arrangements, are they all from your yard? Such gorgeous colors and types!!! Fondly, Kim D.
I am so looking forward to your new book, I love all of yout art work, and of course I love England. We Re having beautiful weather here in Toronto, but the leaves on the trees are turning, but we had a lovely summer ,and maybe still a little more ,
Hi Sue!
I got my Autumn book out last night!!! I made the Roasted Beet Salad. I added carmalized fresh figs and then made fig balsamic dressing with fig balsamic vinegar that I got a LaRoux. It was wonderful! As always, thanks for the inspiration…
Love the feeling of Fall!
Cheryl
Darlis from Virginia. We’re finally getting cooler nights and mornings. I love Fall the best; pumpkins, colored leaves, quilts for warmth. Just a wonderful time.
Hi Susan, I live in Il. We finally have recieved rain here! First drought, now more rain than we need!! Our floweres all died, but now are coming back up like its spring! There as confused as we are! Lol! I have your Autumn book its my favorite! Probably because Fall is my favorite time of the year! I get it out every fall and make the recipes and read your wonderful stories! Alot of our leaves have fallen so don’t know what our fall we’ll be like. We’ve lost alot of trees and evergreens. 🙁 Have a good day!!!
As usual your blog is such an inspiration. I take a lot more photos than I ever did before and include them in my diary (which I’ve restarted since reading yours) hoping that it will be an heirloom for my children. Autumn is just beginning here in England – a glorious start with beautiful weather. Proud to be British today when watching our emotional Olympic celebration parade through London.
No kidding! ‘Autumn’ is out-of-print already? I bought it – I think – on the first day I knew it was available – in fact I’m pretty sure I called ahead to have a copy reserved. Wasn’t that just 2 or 3 years ago? Good grief, it’s true. The older we get the faster things move.
PS – I laughed out loud when you wrote that you were buckling down and “…getting up really early…” to work on the book. So very cute. EARLIER! As it is now, you’re up at the crack of dark! Most work-at-homes folks I know sleep late, dawdle over breakfast and household chores, then drift into offices and studios around 3 or 4 pm. If you got up any earlier, you could skip going to sleep at all! I worry about you and hope this means you are an early sleeper too – tucked up in bed by 9 each night. We don’t want to see you as the poster child for sleep deprivation! :>)
I’m on the opposite schedule and drift OUT at around 2pm ! Yes, am tucked up very early, 9 latest, unless FUN arrives, then I do that. Autumn came out 8 years ago … yes, time is literally moving faster, speaking as scientifically as I can.
If I had your schedule, I think I’d be nodding off at 11 am every day – which would actually not be a bad idea for you, Miss Lady. I just saw a TV news health report touting how beneficial even a brief 20-30 minute nap can be for anyone. PS – my paternal grandmother took a nap daily from 1-2 pm all her life – even when her kids were little – maybe especially when her kids were little – and she lived to be 98 and a half! :>)
Sue, after reading this last comment of mine here, I think owe you an apology. I did not intend to sound like I was your mother or something. Which is exactly how this comes off to me as I read it over. Very sorry – didn’t mean to go all preachy on you. I just worry about my friends and you are definitely one of my friends. PS – Maybe I can blame my rude behavior on astrology. I’m a Cancer and we basically think we think we are EVERYONE’S mom! :>)
Oh don’t worry a bit. I love naps!!!