I’ve been decorating for a whimsical Christmas — lots of inspiration for it! Starting with MUSICA . . .
IT’S A KITTY CAT CHRISTMAS . . .
I thought you might like a “Life of Jack” update — and I know everyone thinks their cat is the smartest in the world, but this is actually the smartest kitty in the world.♥ He just is. You know how cats rub against your legs? Now every time Jacks walks by me, he doesn’t just rub against my leg, he JUMPS up, his front paws leave the ground, so he can rub against me. He jumps up, then curls around me and comes back and jumps up from the other side. Do I love it? Yes! Then he stretches out on the floor in front of me, full length, so I can rub his belly.
He’s also not as interested in ball-retrieval these days, now he likes rubber band retrieval . . . the thick elastic kind you use on a pony tail. I shoot them, and he leaps into the air and catches them, or chases them, and brings them back to me. I tell you he is brilliant! I will be reading a book, feel something come up into my lap, look down, there’s a rubber band. He’s little too. Not growing very big, so far, for a 16-month old. He’s a little, smart cat.
He adores the fire. Curls up in front of it, stares at it, rolls around next to it, naps as close to it as possible . . . to the point where I have to stay there with him, he loves it so much that I’m not too sure yet that he is aware that it is HOT in there.
But, just so you know, Joe and I do leave the house sometimes … we’ve been getting the house ready for Yankee Magazine who, if you read Willard or have been hanging out on this blog, you know, is coming to take photographs of our house! Here we are at one of our garden centers called Eden. They always do the cutest things at their entry way! Nice “roping,” don’t you think?
And we found our tree! At Vineyard Garden Center. Thar she blows. Now to get her home!
I started my paper whites — I save the rocks from year to year; I also found a bag full of moss when we were shopping off-island … thought it would be pretty to mix in a little bit of green.
Speaking of green, for a while there we could not see a speck of it outside, our lawn was wall-to-wall leaves . . . But Joe made compost out of them . . . and while he was out there raking, he, got an idea, inspired by the roping at Eden. . .
And made this with the bushes in our yard! Isn’t that great? I was very impressed! Who knew that, #1, we had the stuff to make this — even though I should know, I see it every day …. or, #2, Joe would be able to do it! (Although I should know, he can do anything!)
While he was doing that in the yard, I was baking cookies — and, by the way, this recipe is SO Delicious, I’ll put in the next post (this one is already too long!) . . . It’s a chocolate chip cookie different from any other — Joe loved them and so did I! Good Housekeeping is what we were doing . . . here on Christmas Island.
And then Joe, even more inspired now … came in and surprised me with this! We usually buy wreaths and put our own bows on them . . . but he got the urge to try making one; went out there and cut more Chinese and English Boxwood, Holly, Ivy and Pine — and look how cute it turned out, all fresh and perky! I hope he realizes what he has gotten himself into. One is seriously not enough.
My job was to add the toys, the bow, bird, and pears!
So he went back out and brought in a whole box of greens for me to play with! I love whimsy; a little decorating-sense-of-humor is a good thing at the holidays, but I also love tradition. When you google Decorating Whimsical Christmas, there are lots of white trees, bright pink, turquoise, and silver ornaments. I love looking at the pictures of this . . .
. . . because they are full of creativity and joy … BUT I’ve never quite gotten over the old-fashioned traditional things, and need to have them! When I think of Christmas, I remember how I saw it as a child when I was at my most personally whimsical (believing with all my heart in the magic) . . . sparkle, and lights, candles, color, stories, singing, cookies … pure magic! That’s still what I love. I want whimsy, but now I’m grown up, I know about tradition, and I need my old things too. ♥
Like wreaths and roping made from traditional greens that are green, my little trees in the window sills, or my bird tree on the table . . . I had fun playing with the leaves and branches over the windows — I just poked everything under the curtain rod!
And talk about whimsy, these were the “men” sitting in the “yard” of a gingerbread house on display in a coffee shop downtown! Aren’t they adorable? I think it’s marzipan … my favorite part is the tiny chocolate shots stuck in the top of the heads! With whimsy, the sky is the limit!
But this probably as traditionally whimsical as I get . . . my bird tree. I’ve had it for years and years, and guess what? It’s been up for a week, and Jack hasn’t touched it yet! It’s on the kitchen table, just over his food bowl, and he just isn’t interested. Knock on wood.
Rachel, my English girlfriend, gave me this tiny precious cup; I brought home leaves from our walk, another little bird and voila! Nature whimsy!
Plus of course my little old house that I found at an island flea market, it goes on top of the stove, like every year …
I’ve also been setting out my old quilts, which Girl loves . . .
I took this picture last year . . . it’s the ornament I got the year I move to the island. Now that’s a tradition!
And of course I have to do my shelf-scape of Beatrix Potter People; they needed a few trees and pears. ♥
And there’s not too much more traditional than Christmas apples and old books . . .
Yesterday Joe and I carried the tree down the driveway and around to the front door, which is the best way to bring in a tree at our house, through the front hall, causing the least amount of damage, both to us, and to the house, and there she is! She smells wonderful!!! When we get her trimmed and ready for prime time, I’ll be sure to show you!
I am not done decorating by any stretch of the imagination, I have the fireplace to do, the Peter Rabbit room, and lots of other spots. Which is where I’m going now. But first off, I remember how much you liked the picture of the beautiful cardinal on the feeder outside my kitchen window, and was thinking, what would the girlfriends like for a Holiday Giveaway . . . ??? Something whimsical would be just right, I think!
And I thought, maybe this little notebook, of the boy bird feeding the girl bird, the way it should be in real life at all times! And then, of course, because I love mine so much, you really must have one of these darling new mugs we just got in. They are just like the bird cup . . . four pieces, the cup, the lid, a mesh basket inside for loose tea, and a saucer for your cookie! So cute …
So yours. ♥ And the little pad opens up, is perfect purse-size for little winter notes . . .
And one more thing. Joe says he will make you
One of these! And I will decorate it! And we will send it along with the mug and the cardinal notepad, so we can wish you a Merry Everything girlfriends, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Soltice, or as Jerry Seinfeld called it, “Festivus!”
To be entered in the drawing, just leave me a little message in the comment section (if this blog is being emailed to you, you have to click here, www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/; scroll to the bottom of this post, click on the tiny word “comments”); in a few days, our Winning Name will be pulled by the wonderful and beautiful Vanna . . . and I will announce it here. Joe will make that wreath at the last moment so it will be fresh! ♥
We say Bye for now! We would jump up and rub your legs if you were here! ♥ xoxo
Susan…In this sometimes too hectic, crazy, over the top month…you, your blog, the Willard letter help me through! A curl up with a cup of tea and your Christmas book is all I need to get back at it again! Thank you for all you give to all of us!! Merry Christmas to you and Joe!! P.S. That man should be cloned!!!
I’m right there with ya Jack! Rolling dreamily in front of the fire! Mmmm.
What a lovely post to read this morning! “The heart whispers ‘Home, home at last'” – that resonated with me in such a powerful way today. Had a little scare with my mother Monday evening, thinking she might be having a heart attack. After two long days in hospitals and many tests later, it was declared that we could rule that out and chalk it up to a reaction to change in meds. My sweet mom is such a homebody and kept telling the staff that she would be fine if she could just go home. I had to laugh when we did get her home – if she could have, she probably would have gone around the entire house, patting everything as she went as if to say, I’m home! It’s ok, everybody- I’m home! So home, home at last – exactly the sentiment of my mom’s heart! Thanks for sharing that.
And the Christmas spirit came early to me this year for some reason – I was celebrating it in my heart before Thanksgiving and have been so excited with each new strand of lights I see going up, the cookie recipes abounding, and the smell of fresh pine! If we could just have snow, then this will be the best Christmas ever! Nothing is so magical as the Christmas season, don’t you think?
Love the outcome of the story of your Mom — perfect!
I love your blog, I bought your calendar for my purse and I love looking at it when I write it some appointment down.
Joy
When I was a child, my mom always served the brown bread out of a can with cream cheese. What a treat and we loved it. I had forgotten all about it. I think I will look in my stores today.
Merry Christmas!
Christmas is my favorite holiday. Although we didn’t get many gifts when I was a child, I still have my favorite doll that I received when I was five year’s old. It is now 62. I am baking cookies next week to exchange with my fellow quilters at our annual Christmas luncheon and I’m making tiramisu for dessert. We are each making 2 dozen extra cookies to give to the Veteras Home here in Omaha. I love all the decorating you do in your home. I will put the ceramic Santas that I made many years ago on our fireplace mantel. For years I bought a new Christmas picture book for myself and will display those along with the Charles Dickens Christmas Story book that was my father’s. Have a Merry Christmas!
Loved this post! Without any snow here in MN it still doesn’t quite feel like Christmas but I will be careful what I wish for 🙂 Your blog helps me get in the spirit! We FINALLY got our tree in our house last night and decorated a little! Can’t wait to see your house for the magazine!
Your pictures and thoughts inspire me to be at home and create. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me! Happy Christmas!
As they say “there’s no place like home” — so true!
OH My! Another wonderful post!
Joe is so creatively cool!! My husband is that way. Years ago we would make our wreaths out of the eucalyptus branches and leaves from our tree. The berries and pods were pretty, and made good pipes for the snowmen I made.
I love creative people!!
Your offerings are fabulous! I always want to be “the one” who wins!! I think this time is very-very special! You brighten the day once again..
Wishing you and Joe a lovely day too!
Eucalyptus is perfect! Especially for California coastal people!
I so enjoyed the story about your first Christmas in New England. Your blog is always so interesting to read. Your joy is infectious and makes me happy every time I read a post. Thank you for sharing your love of life.
My extreme pleasure Gail xoxo Thank you for being here.
I love this blog post, Susan. It makes me very hopeful and excited for Christmas coming up. My husband and I just bought a new house and we got the painting done yesterday I am so excited to move in and haven’t begun to yet, so with this post, it gives me inspiration and ideas for Christmas decorating!!!!!!
Happy new house Ally!
I love the cup/set. Beautiful. And those birds. Precious. Your Joe is so talented — love the wreath. Merry Christmas to you both!
Merry Christmas! It was so nice to spend time with you over a cup of tea this morning. It got me thinking about my own Christmas memories and the loved ones I’m preparing for. The stress and tiredness were instantly replaced with thankfulness for all the rich and joy-filled traditions we enjoy and excitement for the coming celebration. I love Christmas not only for all the good things that come with the season, but am reminded that we enjoy its fruits because its a celebration of where all those good things came from.
I love your decorations and your warm, cozy home. You inspire me and I can’t help wishing I could drop by! Looking forward to seeing it all finished – but the process is magical too!
Love hearing from you Linda!
The house is decorated, my first batch of Christmas baking is done and cleaned up and when I look at your blog it inspires me to do more! I love puttering around the house and after reading your blog, I have oodles more ideas, so thank you! I can’t wait to see your magazine spread, your new book, who wins the drawing. You always give us something to look forward to……so wonderful!! XXO
Hi Susan,
I just love all your decorating ideas and I now have a swag across my kitchen window like you do. I hope you don’t mind my copying it. You are so lucky to have a guy like Joe around and he is so creative. I would love to win one of his wreaths so put my name in the hat please. thanks. Have a great day!
WOW! What a lovely blog! I would very much like to be entered into your give-away! I had sort of reached a flat spot in my decorating but you always manage to give me just the exactly right “gentle nudge”. ;0) Thank you AGAIN! Hope your camera shoot goes perfectly!
Have finallly had the time to enjoy your postings and pictures; Jack and Girl kitty are wonderful. For the first time in over 30 years I am without cat(s) and dog…miss them but maybe someday I can have another rescue cat..The Christmas tree will just not be the same, but, reading your posts and looking at your house and four-legged residents was a real treat, and I thank you and do have a blessed Christmas with Joe and the kitties.
For a while, a few years ago, after my three cats had gone to kitty heaven, I tried not to get anymore, because I felt I traveled more than they would like me to — but then I realized that I didn’t travel ALL the time, in fact I was home more than I was traveling, and I didn’t want to live my life without a critter or two. So, now we just do the best we can when we have to go away, and at all other times, I’m in heaven. Just saying . . . 🙂
I loved reading Willard as I am a So Cal girl raising a family much in the same way as your dear mom…but we have only 6 kids. Are you still planning to write a book about the Christmas you received the special doll and accessories? Merry Christmas to you and yours!
“only,” hahaha. Yes, I will do that book for next year maybe! It’s just a little story.
With 4 children, I don’t get to do as much decorating as I would like but I get such inspiration from your blog! You prompt me to make the time for the thing I like to do best…make a beautiful home for my family. Thank you.
Lisa R.
Vintage-y Christmas decorating screams warmth and love and happy memories!! And kitties on quilts? What’s not to love??!!!
Reading your blog brings sunshine and warmth to my day any time I need it.
I’m in my second year of retirement and you help me to stop to smell the roses.
I look forward to your posts. Thank you!!
You are an inspiration to us all! Your Christmas decorating is so fresh and delightful. I have three cats and adore them. They are such a comfort when I am alone. The wreath Joe made is gorgeous. The winner of the giveaway will be so lucky!
Feeling warm, cozy and Christmassy!! Thanks!
I am in love with “Jack”. He is adorable and I am sure he is a delight. My Sam is a choclate apple-head Siamese is the next smartest cat in the world. I rescued Sam from a shelter nine years ago. He loves my American Bulldog and lets her groom him. They are so funny together. Your home is wonderful. I want to see pics of the Beatrice Potter Rabbit room, please. Merry Christmas.
Go to the top of the blog to “Home Sweet Home” — put your cursor on it, a list will unfold, toward the bottom it says “Peter Rabbit Room,” just click there!
My auntie Nadine told me about your blog. I spent a whole Saturday curled up on the couch reading your older posts with a cup of tea.
And now, Christmas posts! My cup runneth over!
I love your posts and we have so much in common! I have a tuxedo kitty who plays fetch as well! And my mom, my aunt and I made a pilgrimage to Stillmeadow when I was younger. It was a wonderful trip and the cutest little house!!
Please say hello to your Aunt Nadine for me . . . she must be a good Aunt to take you to Stillmeadow!
Every time I read your blog I want to just stay home with my kitty, read, play music and bake. Ahhhh, what a good life!
Oh to get a gift from Susan Branch, what a treat that would be! Merry Christmas Susan!
Susan, this is the BESTEST give a way ever! I love all your little touches in your beautiful home….whimsey is wonderful but memories and our past dictates in my home too! Have the happiest of holidays and a blessed New Year!
Oooooh – I go away for one lousy weekend and miss all the fun! What a lovely giveaway, please enter me, and give Jack a little rub for me too – just behind the ears – he knows the spot…
B & M brown bread…..mmmmmmm! I sure do have it in my pantry! My mom used to slice it thinly and make little cream cheese sandwiches with it. Yum-eee! Take a look at the ingredients list on the can, by the way……nothing “bad” there to deter one from enjoying it to the fullest. Thanks, once again, for the memories, Susan! I wonder if you have any idea how much you mean to us all. Of course you do, which is why you write us your sweet replies and give us wonderful art and freebies and friendship and a hearty welcome into your life. Thank you, girlfriend, from northeast Ohio ( Kirtland: that’s the snow belt, baby! )
It’s a two way street, mutual admiration society around here Diana!
Is it too late? I’d like to win it for my mother– she is just had surgery last week and is having another one the very week before Christmas…. Merry Christmas to all of you, especially SB! 🙂
Not too late, right on time Lauren! Tell your mom to feel better soon!!!
OK – I came to this party late – I had better write to you at least twice more today to heighter my chances here – either way, can’t wait for the new cookie recipe! (As if you haven’t already given us enough!!!)
Love from,
Sue in Simi
You are right on time Sue!
Susan, I have been a lover of your cookbooks for years and was over the moon when I found your blog. I absolutely LOVE reading about your life (and cats-I miss my late Phoebe). You have such a gift. Oh, and your house looks way too cute decked out for Christmas. Jealous!
Nice to see you here Laurie!
LOVE brown bread! My mom used to serve it to us with baked beans; that is the only way she served it, same brand. I never thought about toasting it and serving it dripping with butter – yummm! Can’t wait to go get a can at the store. Thanks for bringing back a childhood memory I had nearly forgotten.
I’ve never seen bread in a can! I’ll have to look for it. Love all your decorations—I’m just getting started on ours, but we do have the tree up. What a sweet giveaway ; I can’t wait to see who wins!
Merry Christmas to all! Our “little” Jack is not so little anymore, but just as cute. I agree with him, the best place is in front of the fire. I just love your window decorations. And Joe really out did himself with that beautiful wreath. I am all done decorating. Now, on to baking Christmas cookies! A big hug and kiss to Girl, who is as pretty as ever!
Merry Christmas!!!! Will I ever stop the decorating tho? I keep finding little things around and thinking I must set this or that out- or maybe embellish something with this pretty ribbon etc etc etc…. I love it all tho & it makes me smile happily so that’s always a nice thing. That’s the same smile I get each day reading your sweet blog. A MILLION thanks and a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS to you & your hubby…..
You too, and never stop Linda! It’s good for you!
So love the snowy, Christmas-y illustrations and photos on the recent posts. The sweet choices for one lucky winner are so generous of you and Joe. Who doesn’t love polka dots? I have them sprinkled all over my house on pillows, frames, sheets, teapots, mugs, towels and on and on—they are cheerful and lighthearted and they blend in with plaids, stripes and the rest of my eclectic choices of things I like to have around my home. And your posts are lighthearted and cheerful, too! Thank you so much for the time you spend to make us all happy!
I just read your post this morning and must say it was the perfect start to St. Nicholas Day! We’ll be bringing in some greenery later this afternoon…wonder what the chances are that my own dear hubby has some secret wreath making skills up his sleeve as well? Not much. But he does make the most amazing stuffed poblanos and sets quite the festive table to boot so I’ve nothing to complain about!
Love, love, love that little stove top house of yours! Quite the find that was!
Wishing all things merry and bright to you and yours,
natalie jo
Please enter me in you latest drawing. I can hardly wait for your new book to come out. I am still looking for your first one. When I find it you will probably hear me shout. That will be from Kansas City.
Lynn
I will be listening!
Lynn, have you checked half.com? It is a division of Ebay and has several of Susan’s books on there.
I just ordered your calendar and a Christmas cup yesterday. An e-mail just arrived saying that it’s been shipped – that is fantastic service!
I absolutely love your blog – it just makes me happy!
I’ll tell Kellee and Sheri, they will love to hear that! Thank you Laura!
What an inspiration your web-site is, and your calendars! I have your tote, The World Laughs….even the colors on the canvas are rich.
I love that one too! Thank you Diane!
Thank you Susan for all your great ideas and recipes! Love them all and Merry Christmas to you and Joe and Girl and Jack!
Thank you for the bright spot in my day! I love your website and look forward to it so much! I would love to win!
Dear Susan,
You have evoked such wonderful childhood holiday memories for me. One look at Joe’s wreath and I’m reminded of how my mother, grandma, pappy and me used to go walking through the woods the week after Thanksgiving in search of ground pine for wreath making. This was a tradition that started before I can remember but it ended with the passing of my pappy when I was 21. The thing is, I had forgotten about it until I read your post and saw Joe’s wreath. I could remember the crisp cool air in the woods, the crunching sound of the leaves under my feet and I remember we wore old coats and hats that had many miles on them. That way if we were snagged on a tree branch or anything else we didn’t ruin our “good” clothing. Maybe I forgot about it because I hadn’t done it in so long or maybe I forgot because as a child it wasn’t one of my most favorite things to do at the holidays. Either way, I now recall it fondly because it was something I got to do with my grandparent’s that they didn’t do with any of their other 11 grandchildren. So that makes it special to me.
I now have a family of my own with our own traditions, some new (like gingerbread house making) some old (listening to Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee while making Christmas cookies and candy). I hope that my son holds these traditions in his heart when he’s an adult.
Thank you and Joe for bringing a holiday tradition back to my memory and my heart!
That old saying, the things you love in your childhood, you love all your life . . . it’s true!
BOUM back to you Susan! I loved that song, have played it about 3 times so far. Your Joe is a wonderful guy to make all those greenery wreaths! Those are my favorite kinds of Christmas decorations. Mother Nature is the best decorator 🙂
I can’t wait for the chocolate chip recipe. Those look so yummy. Your posts are such a treat. Thank you for all the inspiration you give us. xxx – Doris in CA
Hi Susan,
I read your blog each day….it is such a bright spot in my days! Thank you so much for sharing your life and talents with all of us.
I look forward to each new entry..they hold such wonder and happiness. My life has been very stressful this year in particular with losses of family members….and knowing that I could go to your blog and find some peace and solace was a wonderful gift.
I have been a fan for many years…Heart of the Home was the first in my collection of your works. I love it just as much now as then. My daughter loves you as much as Ido and now her daughter, who is 2…..knows you by name! We have used your blog to teach her many things about nature and home!
So…thank you for all you do to make our lives and of those who will be our future….better in so many ways.
Fondly,
Dolli
A two-year-old knows my name! You have made my day! Thank you so much!
Festivus! indeed! I’m looking at my dining room window right now and know exactly how I’ll decorate! A handmade green wreath would be perfect in the center! Looking forward to the chocolate chip cookies too!
I love your blog. I would LOVE to win the prize!!!! 🙂
SUSAN YOU HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL TALENT FOR MAKING A COZY,BEAUTIFUL BUT STILL FUN HOUSE. PLEASE WRITE A DECORATING BOOK. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
You have the cutest decorating ideas! Love the little bird in a tea cup and the bird Christmas tree! Your blog is just “happiness”!
Your house is officially my computer background here at work 🙂 Would love to win!!
It is so fun to follow your blog. I love seeing your home and all the surrounding area where you live. I love kitties so it is fun seeing what your kitten is doing. I would love to win your special prizes.
Hi Susan! Love your blog and Willards…Could you please re-post the recipe for the Cranberry-Prosecco cocktail shown in your Willard? It was a big hit last Christmas and I’d love to serve it again. Thanks so much!
Yes, thought I would put it up with the cookies!
This is my first time to post a comment. I guess I’m a shy post-er! Thank you for the many, many years of joy, inspiration and incredible delight you have faithfully delivered to my world. Thank you for being YOU!
How sweet of you to come out into the sun and leave me a comment! Thank you Jamie!
While I love all things Susan Branch, and think that Joe’s wreath is to die for, I am totally smitten with that sweet kitty Jack. He reminds me so much of my tuxedo cat, Slash, who we lost this past year at age 20, although Slash was never as clever as Jack. Keep the pictures and stories of Jack coming….
Christmas – what a wonderful time of year! Your decorations look great!
Susan, I have loved your “stuff” for years. This post is great and so are the kitty’s. You lift my spirits every time. Hope you continue to do so for many more years. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
How wonderful! So sweet of you to think of us while you are so busy preparing for the Yankee magazine cameras. Please include me in the drawing. I’m now off to make your chocolate sauce recipe. Mmmmmm. So very tasty and such a lovely gift as well.
Thank you for all your inspiration and happiness! You make the world a better place and always put a smile on my face 🙂
I love the whimsical wintry post! And thank you for always including kitty pictures! 🙂
Hi Susan !
The litte “men” in the yard of the gingerbread house are the “Minions” from the movie “Despicable Me” ! So cute! I also have 2 precious “Tuxedo Cats”. They are our rescur kitties and they are brothers. Their names are Shorty and Pinky (for his pink nose). They love spending time sitting under the Christmas tree and occasionally taking a gentle bat at a low hanging candy cane.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Festivus this year !
That’s supposed to be “rescue” kitties. Would a “rescur” be a doggie? Gotta cut back on the eggnog when I am e-mailing! : )
Nice try though! 🙂
Merry Christmas Susan! Thanks so much for getting us all in the spirit of the season!
Gini
Your Christmas tradition and whimsy has inspired me. I haven’t decorated yet, but plan to start this weekend. We are in a new house, so I need alot of fun, new ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Susan – I am in the midst two wonderful weeks off from work – getting ready for Christmas! I’ve been shopping, wrapping, sending Christmas cards, finding the perfect Noble Christmas tree, and decorating my tiny home for Christmas. While decorating I put on vintage Christmas music and occasionally thoughts of you pop into my mind and I think – I bet Susan is having a wonderful time decorating her sweet and charming home. Your decorating style is so similar to mine; however you are so much more talented than I – so I love to read and learn about all the ways you decorate your home throughout the year! This year is extra special for me because I have become a first-time grandma! A little boy named Lincoln! I can’t wait to have my sweet little family all together, sitting down at a table set with my Grandmother’s china and silver, and a wonderful Christmas feast, creating new memories for this sweet little boy. Thank you Susan – for all the inspiration you provide to others – you are a treasure! PS: Please tell Joe his wreath is AWESOME! What a wonderful and loving surprise! Merry Christmas to you both! Naomi
Congratulations Naomi, and to Lucky Little Lincoln! Merry Christmas!
Hi Susan
I just love your blog, it always brightens my day. Jack is so adorable, I also adopted a tuxedo cat several years ago, they are the best. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
Hoping to be lucky this time and win the drawing, but if not the blog posts were sure fun. How nice of Joe to contribute a wreath! So much talent and cuteness in one family. Hoping that you enjoy the photoshoot. I’ll be on a quest to find the brown bread locally – I’ve never had it or even heard of it and now think I can’t live without trying it.
My Molly kitty loves a warm fire too. She lays there getting warm and every so often she lets out the sweetest sighs. Your blog always makes me so happy. You have a wonderful way with words. And because of FOSB I have met so many wonderful new and I’m sure lifetime friends. Merry Christmas to all!
Kindred spirits here and on Facebook!
Just found your blog. Love it!!!! I had a sweet kitty that looked just like Jack. Her name was Puddin. Miss her. Have a Merry Christmas and I will keep on enjoying your blog.
Dana
Hi Susan! I left a comment earlier but didn’t see it pop up. I wanted to be sure I was in your fantastic drawing!
~Michelle
Gremlins! You are Michelle! Sorry!
I love, love, love the wreath and garlands that Joe made. How handy he is! And your cats are adorable. I think Jack is such a funny guy. I’m sure Kitty Girl gets fed up with him in a hurry! 🙂 I would be tickled to win the little birdie notebook and Christmas cup and saucer! Thanks for the chance!
Susan, you are such a dear–we appreciate your Christmas Cheer! Love to you at Christmastime.
What a gift your blog was today! The brown bread brought back lots of great memories. Mom would buy it only during the Christmas season, so it was a real treat. One slice apiece….cause there were six of us. But it was so good. Going out in a little while to gather hemlock, pine, cedar and holly branches. My nephew shot the mistletoe out of the tree yesterday! Cookies and candy making are next. Thanks for the great memories and ideas.
“shot the mistletoe out of the tree!” LOL!
a realllll life joe-wreath????? i can’t imagine! and your whimsical cup and saucer are soo cute! thanks for your generosity, and i hope vanna picks me <3
i'm grateful either way! happy holidays!
Love the post as always. Feeling envious, as always. You have your Joe and I have my Jack. Your Joe is extremely talented in the household decorating thing, my Jack is not. But much like you cat Jack, my guy is very special to me and I think that I’ll keep him. Love the notebook and the Christmas cup, very thankful for the opportunity to take a chance. Have a great day Susan!
I am so happy you are keeping him! He probably has his own charms! xo
Hi Susan, Love your blog, your artwork, books, calendars and all your wonderful stories. Thanks for all you do. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hi Susan,
I think I can spot your home from the jetty near our summer cottage in Dennisport, MA. That is, squinting with binoculars on the freezing cold beach! Anyway, thank you for your whimsy and style—as a post 65 citizen, I enjoy your blog very much! I am still waiting to win any contest before my demise—one item on my Bucket List!
The merriest of Christmases to you, Joe and Jack—and all others reading this!
Hellooooo out there!
Merry Christmas, Susan and Joe!!! Thank you both for the sharing and giving of your hearts to all of us. The two of you are shining examples of a blissful life and I look forward to each new post. They always leave me with a warm feeling inside and a smile on my face.
P.S. I’m gonna need a copy of that “Yankee” magazine next Christmas season. I have never seen it in my area, so….. (lol, I’m hinting for a possible future giveaway).
What a good idea!
Since I received a card from you personally thanking me for my letter many years ago, I have been a fan of yours for years. I look forward to all your posts and get so excited when I hear you are writing a new book!! Winning something personally from you would be such A blessing!! Happy Holidays Susan!!
Hi Suzy, nice to see you here!
Susan, the little men are so cute. The note pad is beautiful!
What a wonderful and generous give away! That is so kind of you.
Mecky
i just made a holly swag as a gift for someone. and it kept sticking me! lol I think it didn’t want to leave me! as always you are just too generous! xo
hahaha Thea!
I wish I could jump into your blog post! As I read and enjoy your drawings it’s just as I imagine a Christmas season should be. Deep in the heart of Texas we are having 80 degree weather and the decorations of snowmen just don’t really capture the true feeling like your blog posts do! Thanks so much for sharing.
Sitting with Jack in front of the fire with a cup of tea and a good book – wish I was there right now! You inspire me to get busy creating some swags and wreaths of my own – and to decorate with my teacups and old books!
Oh, MY! Yummy, yum, yum! Brown bread in a can! I need to get that (again!)! My mom would serve it toasted with a thick helping of cream cheese! It was sort of presented as a ‘right of passage’…that I was ‘old enough’ to appreciate a finer offering of tasty snacks! Thanks again for the nostalgia (I just added it to my shopping list!).
…and, of course, I want Vanna to pick ME!
Merry Christmas! Don’t you just love Christmas, the music, the decorations, the food!! Your home looks so cozy.
I just absolutely adore your “Jack”. I hope you don’t mind I’ve saved him as wallpaper and call him my virtual kitty. He makes me smile every time I see him. Thank you for including both cats. Kitty Girl is pretty special too. You are blessed. Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing your warm home with all of us.
Perfect, and virtual kitty doesn’t knock Beatrix Potter people into the sink! Best of all worlds! xoxo (except for the tummy rubs, and that’s where real kitty wins!)
Pictures of Jack make my day! How can you not smile when you see that adorable, up-to-something face?!
We are in the process of buying a new home, our first in 17 years; it’s very exciting! I wanted to spend this Christmas in our new home, but the wheels of home-buying drag slowly – we won’t be moving until Januray, so my new view is that we are spending our last Christmas here and will give this house one more holiday! (It’s been a good house – I think it deserves that, don’t you?) So the decorations are up, the tree is decked out, and we are getting ready for the holiday baking.
Your giveaways are so thoughtful and wonderful, perfect little packages of delight! Merry Christmas to you and Joe and love to your Girl Kitty and Jack!
=^..^=
Oh, another post, a Willard, Christmas cookies and such a fun cup! Joe’s wreath is the sweetest thing. How much he must love you! (Glad he shares you with us!) Thanks for letting us in your world of beauty and grace. Can’t wait for that magazine article! Patience!
He shows it every day…so I feel very blessed.
I love your blog and your Willard letter! Thabks for inspiring all of us. Joe should be cloned, I agree! You’re the best Susan!! Thank you!!
Yikes! Didn’t read this one right away….hope I’m not too late for the drawing. If I don’t win, do you suppose Joe could come to my house and make some roping for my front porch? We could creep over to the neighbor’s yard and clip some pine…I’ve got the holly! I’ll fee him…I like the brown bread with cream cheese! ~*
Yikes! Didn’t read this one right away….hope I’m not too late for the drawing. If I don’t win, do you suppose Joe could come to my house and make some roping for my front porch? We could creep over to the neighbor’s yard and clip some pine…I’ve got the holly! I’ll feed him. I like the brown bread with cream cheese! ~*
You’re right on time Bonny! Sorry, Joe is spoken for for the next few weeks! 😉
You have a wonderful day, too, Darling. You got me in the Christmas mood. I’m out the door to harvest some greens and reds for my house. Thank you!
Hugs
Hi Susan,
I’m getting ready to bake all my cookies for the neighbors. They love the cookies and it has really opened up doors for getting to know them. Of course my amazingly cute, sweet Daisy Dog has opened up even more doors. I’m so looking forward to decorating this weekend and baking up a storm with lots of Christmas music and old Christmas movies….delightful!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Nancy
My dad’s dog is Daisy too!
Love brown bread! My dad ate it growing up just as you described above (toasted and buttered to perfection). Most requently they ate it as side dish to a mail meal of hot dogs and baked beans (the hot dogs were cooked submerged in with the baked beans). It is the most warm, cozy, stick to your ribs meal around. We have it every year at some point over the Christmas holiday. Tradition! : )
I like the old fashioned Christmas best too… I just can’t get over that…but then I really don’t want to get over it! I just love red and green
You are just the sweetest person to take so much time for all of us when I know from reading your posts, you are just the busiest lady!! You put your heart into everything you do. Thank YOU!!
Brown bread in a can has been a staple with my coffee since I was a little girl… I am now turning 50 this summer and STILL love it! And yes, I’ve been drinking coffee since I was about 6… I grew up in Louisiana and that’s just what we DO, haha. Our family is actually trying to ignore Christmas this year. We love it so very much, but our family has been devastated this year with job loss and so we decided to make it a nonpresent Christmas… It can be so very stressful and so very many folks in our country are suffering right now. We decided to work soup kitchens and Salvation Army all month and celebrate this wonderful season THAT way. Our kids have been precious about the whole thing… I love your work, Susan and love that I can take a little ‘vaca’ when I read your blog and oogle your pictures… It makes the day happier and I thank you for that.
It’s so easy to connect with those in need these days … wonderful that you are making it a family affair!! Thank you Shannon for that wonderful gift of YOU!
my sweet basset hound Beatrix loves to snooze on our hearth – i can’ belive she doesn’t mind the heat. Susan, your house is beautiful – feels like home when i read your blog.
Beatrix! Love it!
Your inspirational website assisted me today in finding my ‘happy’ self. I was feeling excited to see my college son unexpectedly drive up, as I was taking out the recycling bag of recyclables. He attends a local community college, however he lives in a house with other guys that play with him on their basketball team and so I don’t get to see him very often. He is busy and I miss him. I had forgotten how much, until I saw him drive up but, as I soon discovered it was only to pick up some mail! 🙁 He had to leave and then it hit me, the sadness and the gloom of the cloudy day here in Idaho. The next thing I knew was I had to do something to get me back… and on my facebook page, there I found your updated blog mentioned and just had to get to your website, hoping it would have something and that I could snap out of my funk! Surely enough, through teary eyes, I found so much to be “thankful” for, especially how you notice things, everyday kinds of things and memories from the past that meant a lot and still do, but it takes someone to notice what those things are and to also DO those things and pass them on for the next generation. Maybe it was that he was sad to have to leave too, I marvelled at the difference in my changed outlook and suddenly wanted to and needed to plan for the next time he comes home to stay for awhile, at Christmas, just a few weeks away! Thank You Susan Branch for your Blessed messages and encouraging artwork! It has been a great help to me this day! I’ve appreciated you for years, however, today in a new and wonderful way, now I am off to improve my home and make it a special place to come back to, also, thanks to you and the wonderful gifts you’ve shared ! 🙂
It sounds like you did your job, and raised an independent human, although I don’t know how moms handle having the babies leave. Perhaps, may I suggest? A kitten? They are wonderful company .. if you don’t have one, or aren’t allergic .. and in that case, as roseanna roseanna dana always said, never mind.♥
What fun! Love seeing everything come together. Joe is AWESOME!!
Good luck on your photo shoot!