Hello Girlfriends!!! I am in such a good mood! Except I miss you! Musica? Of course!
It was 60° here yesterday! Which is ridiculous because it just never happens in January, but we took advantage of it and opened all the doors and filled the house with fresh air. We hear it will go down to 20° today which makes me happy (in a strange way) because I really hope the first buds of spring, and the finishing of our book, happen at exactly the same time! I definitely wouldn’t want spring to come first! I do not trust myself with something like that . . . I might never get the book done if flowers start to bloom!
This is one reason I’m in such a good mood. We are getting the book ready for the printer — the scanning of the pages has commenced! Kellee put together this two-page spread — the first I’ve seen where all the photos I’ve chosen are in with the art (not just xeroxed and pasted on). I can finally see what it will really look like! Hope it makes sense to you . . . it’ll be much bigger in real life! That doesn’t mean I’m finished writing it . . . I think I still have about forty pages to go, but we are getting so close!
These little guys always make me happy — their colors are spring personified, even in the deepest darkest winter. They are my muse. Another thing that makes me happy is the new WILLARD I’m planning. As you might have noticed, I haven’t sent one in a while . . . this one is going to be really special — it’s exciting to have secrets and surprises for people I love! Makes me happy! I’ve decided that it should be your Valentine Present, so look for it around then . . . and be sure to sign up everyone you think would like one too . . . then it can be YOUR Valentine Present too. ♥
Speaking of Valentines . . . no one could be sad when they have something like this to cheer their day . . .
Reminds me of me! I can see this post is going to be all over the place! I didn’t know what it would be when I started, and now look where we are . . . let’s get out of here! Let’s see, where was I? Oh yes. Happiness.
This is on a page of one of my old diaries and tells the reason I feel so happy right now. Because I’m getting to be creative! Each page of A Fine Romance is its own little world. It requires 
words, sketching and watercolors, maybe a photograph, it needs to be put together, hand-written, with a quote, or maybe with some other little surprising thing. And that’s what’s so fun for me, figuring it out. I did a cute page this morning, about tea, with a cute teapot, a cup and a story, with the perfect quote no one has seen before, like the whole book …. all new art and everything . . . and that alone is enough for me to smile the rest of the day! Now let’s see if I can find something that will make you smile . . .
Hello birdie! How about a cupcake? Or, perhaps a walk out back on a spring day?
. . . to be mesmerized by windblown quilts . . . this always makes me happy! Love that ocean air . . . the harbor is just two blocks away. ♥
snow drops . . . right? Happy?
mmmmmm, a blooming plum tree and soft sunshine . . . can you hear the bees? zzzzzz
Weather news is reporting that some places in the country are experiencing really low temperatures! Was it South Dakota where it was something like 40° below? crazy . . . I’m thinking . . .
Not that I’m any hurry to move the season forward; I am happy here with my cozy shawl and my crackling fire, truly I am, but sometimes the eyeballs require a little relief, and the nose needs to i m a g i n e the smell of flowers. Just for fun. A little break. Here we are again in the Sissinghurst White Garden in Kent. What a day that was, all those wonderful white delphiniums swaying in the breeze, looking a lot like the tower behind them. Lovely to send you Sissinghurst in January — because we have the internet! Yay! Makes a person wish she was a bee, just for one day!
Love that this creamy rose isn’t perfect — definitely not from the florist. Can you smell it? Doesn’t it look like it’s part gardenia?
Forsythia, I cut from our bushes last spring and forced . . . still a little bit early for that, but what a wonderful thing to bring into the house at the end of winter! And to look at, eye candy, free of charge, no work at all, in January.
When the book is done, Joe and I will get on a train and go west to California . . . here is my garden there, on a foggy California morning. Every time I look at this photo I’m in a little bit of shock. Must have been a REALLY good day! Aren’t those yellow-topped golden cypress bushes the cat’s meow? Their shapes make a good contrast to the flowers.
We can just bring springtime, or a reasonable facsimile, indoors! If you need more little vases filled with flowers, here they are!
What’s more wonderful than daffodils in the house on a snowy day!?
OH yes, this is more wonderful! I had to do it . . . Time out from flowers, I just saw this photo! Remember when Jack saw a bug? I love this picture!
Is this working, is it making you happy?
Remember eating outside? Remember lightening bugs? Remember cricket noises?
. . . remember dinner under the arbor . . . ?
I feel like he does. So lucky.
Just went to the kitchen to start some water for tea, held Jackie up to the window to 
watch some robins on the lawn and saw a robin eat a holly berry. The robin picked the berry up in his beak, flipped his head, and popped it down his throat.
Tea water is boiling girlfriends, back to the drawing table for me. Love you all, hope life is being good to you. Bye for now! ♥ XOXO
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands………sure does look like you Susan! It really does. Love the saddle shoes!…….Wonderful post as usual……have to admit I really don’t know if I want winter or spring as this weather is so confused and so am I now…..smile. It’s crazeeeeee!
I saved your email with the blog post until the end of my day today, because it ALWAYS cheers me up, and makes me smile. Today that was really needed. The book looks wonderful, and I find I’m getting very excited about having my very own copy. Thanks again, for the inspiration and all the love!
Peggy
Pure J O Y! What a way to end the last day in January! Wonderful! The picture of Jack checking out that bug made me laugh out loud. I just love his expresssions. I was wondering if you know where I could find a tablecloth like the white and red plaid one in your picture titled “remember dinner under the arbor”? I love that tablecloth! Thank you Susan for all the beautiful pictures in this post. I’m very happy! xo
I found it in an antique store, just happened upon it … sorry I can’t say where there would be more.
Thank you so much for the answer to my question Susan! I figured it was a vintage tablecloth, but I just had to ask. Happy first day of February! I can’t believe how quickly January went flying by! Love and hugs.
HI Susan,
Yes indeed a happy post. Looking sooo forward to the book and the willard! Do you still own a house in California?
Nancy Jo
Yes we do …
Every single thing about this blog delights me! Happy happy joy joy, happy happy joy 🙂
Oh, how great ! The book looks wonderful and will be out in time for
my trip. I am filled with longing when I see your picket fenced gardens.
On the island where I live the deer eat everything. I am going to put up
a tall fence because I can’t live happily without flowers. Hope you have
a few more snow days. I used some of your Christmas ideas and they
made me happy. Especially the garlands on my kitchen window. Thanks !
Your beautiful flowers gave us a glance of what it will be like in a few months, but I so love the snow in winter, the wind whistling through the trees and even just watching the snow come down. God has surely blessed us with his beauty in every season! So while I look forward to gardens and flowers and fireflies, I’ll sit back and enjoy the cold of winter and enjoy being inside. Thank you Susan for inspiring us yet once again…and I’M DYING TO GET THAT BOOK!!
Susan ! Each sample page you share of your book is like a long slow drum roll..enticing us more and more and more until the day we can finally have in our hands ….TAAA DAAAA !! ….our very own copy of “A Fine Romance “…can’t wait…and…I wish I could enjoy, right now, one or t w o of the scones you painted as well ! The picture posted later on of you clapping and wearing your saddle shoes…so sweet….my Mom saved my toddler size saddle shoes… I just love looking at them and imagining my young Mom and Dad back then.
Thank you for the very happy post today. You always know just what we need. Here we are in WNY on the shores of Lake Erie and what do I see in my garden yesterday? Two Violets blooming their little heart out! I brought them in so I could have a bouquet of two in a little vase knowing that today the wind chill would be zero. Can’t wait for spring but not ready to give up this quiet coziness yet either. Thanks for the flowers.
Also, it’s nice to have a random springlike day in January but these crazy weather patterns scare me!
Wow! you’ve got robins in your yard already?! Or do they stay all winter there? We won’t see any in NW Iowa until at least March, if it’s warm enough.
I am the happiest girl alive I think! xxoo
They seem to be staying all winter!
When in MN in Dec. a daughter had a group of 7 robins in her backyard. THEY are NOT suppose to be there in the winter. Generally the males come back (to MN) around the first week in March followed by the females 1 – 2 weeks later. I haven’t checked w/her lately to see how they are. They were hanging around her heated bird bath…poor darlings:( p.s. 🙂 I think my comment of 1/31 at about 3:30 p.m. got put in a holding cell….UFF DA. 🙂 judi
I probably haven’t gotten to it yet, believe it or not, they come in so hot and heavy at first I can barely keep up! Sorry Judi!
Hi Susan, I just finished reading your blog for today. Just got home from work, temperature is 22degrees. I am so looking forward to spring. It is my FAVORITE time of year. Love to see the flowers budding, the trees with leaf buds and my favorite….flowering trees. The fruit trees are so beautiful in the spring. Your blog made me very joyful to see the flowers and Jack! Have a wonderful weekend…your book is looking fine….excited to see it’s completion and share it with other girlfriends.
Julie
You have definitely made me happy. It is in the teens here in Kansas today and will be colder tomorrow! I loved looking at the flowers and imagining that it is warmer! Thank you for your cheery writing!
Susan,
I am reading your blog with my 9 year old daughter, Elizabeth. She loves the picture of you when you were a little girl! The sneak of your new book looks wonderful! Can’t wait to get it! Have a wonderful day!
I was rejoicing in our cold and snow, after two days of 60 degree temps. This is in Lexington, Ky. and we just don’t get much snow anymore, and I really miss it. So your previous post had me sighing, glad someone had snow! It will be back for you too. The winter breaks are well used, as I can wash the horse blankets and let them dry on the back railing of the deck, while the horses roll in mud and enjoy their equine nudity. Spring is lovely, but I would like to enjoy winter a little longer and anticipate spring! Each of your posts is such a delight, thank you. And I am even more excited about your book, I have a friend who I know will love a copy, and I can’t wait to surprise her!
I know how you feel!
Thanks for the reminders of spring and summer with their wonderful flowers, and eating dinner under the stars, which were very much needed because we’ve had some nasty weather here the past few days, what with sleety snow and rain over the weekend followed by a few temperate days followed by more rain complete with thunder and lightning and 40-50 MPH winds which started last night and are only starting to die down now. My poor cats ( Momcat and her two grown-up kittens) are always so spooked by the wind. What put me in a good mood yesterday was winning an eBay auction for a very rare antique metal Easter chocolate mold of a little boy wearing a newspaper hat and blowing a horn while riding a cute little chick. I can’t wait to cast it in plaster and paint it for Easter (which is coming on the last day of March this year; too early!). So excited to see the book taking shape! Thanks for the sneak peek.
Congratulations on the eBay auction — what a fun thing!
Your blog made me sooooooo happy tonight!! Love love love the frog sculpture, and all of the little vases! Thank you!! Happy creating on your book.
Extremely happy Susan! We here in Indiana had 65 degree weather last week….32 and snow today,schools are on 2 hour delay in the morning due to low temps…brrrrr……last week I had a crocus in bloom….just a teaser for Spring! Can’t wait…love the pictures, tiny vases, pretty flowers,quilts on the breeze….and “our book”…..so very excited!!!Jack is a cutie…..Carry on with the book, waiting for Willard…..Mary “Barefoot sparkler” 😀
How thrilling! To see the page from A Fine Romance and know it is getting closer to be finished is beyond bliss! Thanks for sharing the pages, vintage Valentines, and the wonderful photographs of lovely spring images. I have enjoyed them and your creativity so much-=how inspiring each of your posts are! We went from near 70 degree weather to low 30s in one day here so can empathize and sympathize with everyone’s comments on the weather. My husband picked a bouquet of daffodils from our yard for me to put on my office desk! Can it only be January 31?
I am soooooo excited for the new book…I have my $$ saved up for the great occasion of purchasing mine! I must say….. the way you are, the things you write, and the heart of love you share, this website, your paintings, your generousity, Jack, Joe, GK and the other girlfriends…everything!…it makes me very very happy! 🙂 I love hearing all about your corner of the world and what is going on in the girlfriend’s lives right now. We are having weather in the 50’s with sun and clouds/sprinkles off and on all day today….which I love. It makes me want to organize my house and gives me energy when it is warmer like this in January/February. We are planning a day trip on Saturday over on the ferry to Seattle to pick up our annual goodies for Superbowl Sunday and to indulge in some wonderful seafood. Such fun! Thank you for another wonderful, happy blog…..have a wonderful weekend my friend-that-I-wish-I-could-meet-in-person-someday!!!! xoxoxo
Thank you Diane! Happy Superbowl! xoxo
I don’t know which is better — eager kitty feet in the chair or mesmerized kitty. I spotted the first daffodils of the year yesterday (they are pretty much a February bloomer here, maybe March in higher elevations). They are my favorite flower and, much as I wish we had more winter like Northerners, I always love to see the blooms of spring — jonquils, crocus, snowdrops, forsythia, cherry trees, and redbuds. This spring I am intent on having an outdoor clothesline put up — can’t wait to hang out the white sheets and towels! I am so looking forward to your new book coming out; it will be one to savor during some uninterrupted time with a pot of good tea. And since my mother loooves England and has been several times, I will also get a copy for her. Btw, you were one adorable little girl. I remember going to the shoe store for saddle oxfords; can still smell the leather. Hooray for a Valentine Willard! Enjoy your crackling fire, shawl, and warm slippers for awhile longer 🙂
Its that Hollywood Sani-white shoe polish I remember, with the nurse on the blue box … the thick white chalky stuff. I actually liked polishing my shoes with it.
OMG, flashback! We had the same polish, I think – I do remember a nurse on the box. At our house every Sat afternoon just before suppertime was shoe-polishing. My dad – who did his stint in the Army as an MP – was a very “spit and polish” kind of guy. We had a large wood shoe shine kit and Dad did his shoes for church the next day, then we all did ours and as oldest of six, I took care of the little white Stride-Rite “training” shoes the baby-of-the-moment and toddlers were wearing at the time. I remember liking the smell for some reason. Fun memory! :>)
I loved the smell of that polish! Hmmm . . . Maybe that’s what turned me into an Ethel !!!!!
I think that could easily be it! 🙂
Your blogs always make me smile! I love the double – page spread that you let us peek at. I just know that this book is going to be a real treasure! And speaking of books, after seeing that other girlfriends got lucky in used bookstores, I decided to browse our local bookstore to see if one of your earlier books would be there. Score! I found both Vineyard Seasons and Heart of the Home! Ah- life is good 🙂
I know just what you mean! The sky was so blue in Denver today and I think that is why I had so much zip! I didn’t get frustrated with my students, I hopped around in front of the class, showing them things and explaining. They did all their work! It was awesome! But I still don’t have a kitty. Sad.
That’s what spring is for! Kitties galore!
Well, I got my dose of happy at ‘Hello girlfriends!’
Susan, you were such an adorable little girl. And not much has changed.
It is COLD, blowy & snowy here, but your blog……happy, happy, happy :O
Thank you!
Enjoy the 60 degrees! We had it earlier this week and tonight it’s going to be way below zero!!!!! Only 11 tomorrow! Another wintry day in northern Illinois! I do have 3 pots of primroses in my house yellow pink and purple! My amarylis is about to bloom and I have another one ready behind that one!!!
Exciting news about the book, and very much looking forward to the Willard. Your page on Batemans brought back some memories. We went there years ago when our daughter was small and she kept in contact with one of the room wardens for years. I also spent some time in Kent to visit National Trust properties and went to Sissinghurst. It was beautiful. Your blog has brought back happy memories 🙂
I will love to see if I did it right about England Pam! I wonder sometimes when I am pretending an accent and writing it phonetically if a bonafide English person will take issue!
I’m sure everything about the book will be enormously enjoyable, I’m really looking forward to it. I certainly wouldn’t take issue with anything, and reading about your perception of the places you visited in England and the people you met just adds to the charm.
I love this blog…it is the start of my birthday weekend and I am so happy. I have been sorting and organizing my sewing room as I look out the window at my garden that is just waiting for spring. I feel so completely filled with gratitude today, even though I have had the greatest sadness of my son dying I can still be filled with hope and life. I am grateful to celebrate a birthday and give thanks for the wonderful family I have. Your blog makes me want to put together a cd of my garden and summer days and nights, I just may do that. So I love your blogs and I really want to get together to have tea and create……
Thank you Nettie . . . I love your outlook on life, it’s beautiful!
Her outlook on life IS beautiful and so is SHE! Most of what I’ve learned about gratitude comes from my dear friend, Nettie.
btw…Susan…keep your fingers crossed- I made the cutest little b’day card with your chubby little groundhog and it will be delivered soon with the best ever chocolate birthday cake…hope she laughs..(actually, I KNOW she will love it!)
Nettie and I share a complete love of your art, your writing, your recipes and your life-giving spirit!
Happy Birthday dear Nettie!
Oh, Nettie! So sad to hear about your son! Sending warm thoughts to you… glad you are finding ways to cope and heal. ♥
Thanks for such a greta post, Susan. I loved the flower pictures. I needed this today.
Loved your blog today…as I always do!! I just found my first bouquet of daffodils (my favorites) in a grocery store!!!!! Love them! Very cold here though, after enjoying 1 day that reached 60! I’m looking forward to your book!
Oh my goodness!!! YOU have a “heart-throb” frog too!! I have one that is resin. He was a lovely green, then he bleached out in our Oklahoma summer sun! One day he fell out of his potted plant perch and lost an eye ;(, but I fixed him right up with an EYE PATCH!! Now he sits among my asparagus fern, million bells, and geranium in a much safer (for him) potted plant! Love that crazy frog and love your blog . . . and, yes, I am happy and smiling now . . . thank you!
Ahhh…yes….You made me happy…this morning the windchill here in western Minnesota was -36*!!!…the warmest temperature today was -28*!!!…brr…but the sight of Jack on that chair looking out the screen door was enough to make me smell spring…thankyou…thankyou…thankyou…I loved the Mark Twain quote at the bottom of page 103…yes~I squinted and read both page 102 and 103!!!…it is mah~velous…I love the history you write about history…can’t wait for your new book to come out…hoping there will be a book signing somewhere in Michigan this fall…the Grand Hotel, maybe???…keeping my fingers crossed…xoxo…
Susan, you two would love the Grand Hotel if you have not been there!!!
I always thought it would be the perfect place for a huge girlfriend party! The Somewhere in Time Hotel
Hello everyone! Such a wonderful ~~happy~~ post, full of lovely flowers! Those creamy white roses– a whole vase full– would make me really happy. Your photo as a little girl is adorable — you look like a cuter Shirley Temple!
I’m going a bit stir crazy here, it’s been snowing all day…. and I haven’t been out of the house in a week!! So…. I’m tearing apart my quilting/weaving studio and moving things around. It’s quite a mess at the moment, but the changes will be good. Thanks for the reminder that Spring is coming, and to enjoy what we have now….. Winter has it’s benefits too. Thanks for the news about “our book”. I hope knowing we are all out here urging you on, and can hardly wait to read it!
T
Another great blog post! Something I’ve been meaning to ask~is Musica a reference to Lawrence Welk? An-a one-a, an-a two-a! <3
Not really, I guess because of the time I spent in Mexico, which really wasn’t all that much, just enough to fall in love with it …. “Musica” just came out in one of my first blogs and seems to have stuck. Everyone knows what it means now … so that’s good.
I had fun scrolling back and forth through this post and the last…Spring/Snowy Winter/Spring…what a contrast! Looking forward to what is coming in the garden after the long winter’s nap…I lost myself in the book pages and cannot wait to read more! Thank you for the snippet 🙂 xo
Oh my heart—that picture of Jack really touches me! He reminds me of a little
child looking out in the big wide world—–standing on the stool. So sweet!
I realized that you working on forty more or so pages will make A Fine Romance
About a hundred more pages than heart of The Home etc. So worth the wait.
Thank you for being you!
What a lovely finish to my day. It’s been a rough week, and this made me smile hugely! It was 81 out in San Diego today – a bit early for Spring. I hope it gets cold again too! Thank you for the good mood – very much appreciated & needed.
OMG! You look like Shirley Temple! When Jack saw the bug – I just had to laugh! hahahahaha —- I’m looking forward for my Willard! Salamat po! (thank you ‘with respect’ in Pilipino language)
Thank you back Salve!
Hello Happy Sue,
Hugs and tons of Smiles being sent to you too!:):) Love the Shirley Temple song..just have been singing it all night long! The colours of the flowers so vibrant to see….along with that yummy carrot cupcake recipe. A Fine Romance will soon be on its way…..here is a Hip Hip Hooray…..to Share my Excitement for you today! Love, Hugs & Smiles :):):):):):):):):) Barb
As always, you just gave the right words for the day. Tired out from a long drive to visit my sister who has begun her final journey via Hospice. She was strong enough for the whole family to go out for dinner! Yay! We shared a decadent dessert! Maybe never again. Now, back in the hotel, and what cones up? A beautiful blog to put my heart at ease. You just have the right words every time. Thank you.
xoxo Sending love Mary Pat.
Love, peace and hugs to you and your family. judi
A big thank you!
Thanks Susan for thinking of all of us girlfriends out here in blog land! wonderful music brought back some lovely memories of me and my grandma, we would watch Shirley Temple movies together! I think we are all waiting with baited breath for this book, you keep tempting us.. lovely. thanks Noelle
Thanks for making Spring feel like it’s within reach ! I can’t wait for your new book to come out ….I will definitely add it to my collection . 🙂
Hugs,
Sue Ziff
Thank you Sue!
I have been searching high and low for Flopsy, Mopsy, & Cottontail….love yours!
I just got Hunca Munca and her babies….Love the picture of Jack looking out the screen door while standing on the chair! Cannot wait for the book!!!!
We have some new figurines in the vintage section of my webstore … not sure if the threesome is there, but look and see!
will do…..right now!
Hello Susan! What a delightfully cheery blog!!! Right before I opened your blog, my daughter had just texted me from her college dorm room in upper Michigan stating she missed the summertime flowers!!! Then, I saw all of your beautiful flower pictures and I instantly felt happy…..thank you Susan for all the “Happy” you put in all of our days!!! (I think we all feel “cabin fever ” once during these long cold winter months in the north…..even for an instant.)
A little relief makes us strong for the rest of it! I hope!
I bet you love Downton Abbey!!
I love Downton Abbey. They are doing such a good job of writing it, the story is full of life.
I always look forward to your blogs- they are so comforting and cheerful- I get the same warm feeling reading you as I do reading Gladys Taber! In a sense, yours is better because of all the darling pictures and photos and Jack and Girl Kitty. Thanks for taking the time to share your life and times with us!
Thanks for being here Linda!
I am sitting here in my reindeer jammies and fuzzy socks, trying to keep warm! It is -47 degrees celcius here in Saskatchewan, Canada, not sure what that equals in farenheit, but here it means exposed skin will freeze in less than 5 minutes. We all bundle up like eskimos these days. In our part of the country, we have been in a deep freeze for over 2 weeks, with temperatures ranging from -30 to -45….I so needed a little spring time cheer up tonite. Thanks for posting such lovely pictures, it was just the little pick me up I needed. Now to let my doggies in from the cold and hunker down for the night. The wind is blowing up snow past our little red barn in our yard, and my sons and I are going to have hot chocolate and play board games…..
Oh that sounds so cozy Kathy! Stay warm!
Now, I too am very happy after reading this blog! My frown (as I had been clothes shopping) turned upside down! That little clappin’ girl reminds me of you, too! We get to see 2 pages of “our” book, what a treat, I squinted really hard, it’s wonderful! Sue, your creativity is a great joy to us, too! Only 40 pages to go, you’re doing great! OK, I guess I’ll let you get back to creating! Love & Hugs!
Thanks Joanie!
Thank you for a peek at your new book and memories of spring. Nothing brings me hope for spring like snowdrops in bloom. Love them dearly! Snowing tonight here in north central West Virginia but I love that too!
Becky,
I am a West Virginia girl who transplanted to Florida 26 years ago and we love it. I do miss WV in the fall though. Just wondering where is WV you are? My husband and I were both born and raised in Morgantown and graduated from WVU. Nice to see that another WV girl appreciates Susan Branch like I do.
Sue in Fl.
Wow, did I need to read this happy post after a rather bad day at my new job! I almost got happy-teary-eyed reading it, after spending the day wanting to cry because things were not going well at work. Thank you, Susan!
New jobs are always tough, but it’ll get better Patricia!
Seeing pictures of beautiful flowers always makes me happy-happy! Thanks for sharing.
I love that you have created the life of your dreams. You inspire us all. ♥
I always thought — and said it to my ex-husband, if you want a picket fence life, first you get a picket fence.
Good quote, Susan! Here’s another one: If you want a picket fence life, first you have to get a LIFE! And you have created a beautiful life for yourself! Cannot wait for your new book! Thanks for the preview!
I’m not sure I had a life before I had the picket fence! But I did have dreams, and of course, that’s definitely a life!
Love that! I want a “rose arbor life”!
Right, so what do you have to do? 🙂
I’m already on my way! But what KIND of roses is what I need to know…
You mean the cream ones? I hate to say, but I don’t know! What I do know is my favorite rose is Just Joey … apricot, prolific and wonderful strong smell.
Thank you Susan! I was already happy with friends and family calling me to wish me on my birthday. And your post was the icing on the cake! Well, it will do till my cake comes home this evening 🙂 (It’s already Feb 1 in this part of the world!!!)
We just caught up with you! Say hi to the cake for me! 🙂
Poor mangled black forest cake says hi back at ya! 🙂
Hi Sreekala, Happy Birthday nice to meet someone else with a Birthday on the 1st!!!! I had a very cold 5 degree day spent with family/friends and my daughter even came to the restaurant carrying a dozen peach roses (gorgeous), and a homemade pineapple upside down cake saying “Hello, am I late”…..I wanted to cry it just made my birthday perfect. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!
Happy Birthday Girlfriends!
Thank you Susan.
Thanks for the beautiful inspiring post. You always make me smile. What beautiful flowers! You are such a lucky girl to live in such a magical spot! I can’t wait for the book. It’s going to be great!
Fabulously happy news from that Happy Talented Remarkable Exciting Gifted Brilliant Sue!!!!! You are AMAZING, my dear!!! You opened my eyes to the flowers in the vases & I will go out tomorrow and get some from the market and fill my Fiesta pitcher and anything else I can find – I DESERVE FLOWERS! The quilts were great – but it reminded me of the “happy” Joe shirts dancing in the wind – now that is happy!! Beautiful morning on the patio in Paso Robles with my 6 mo. old Sophia enjoying sunsunsunsunsun!! She loved it & so did I! And I intend to set up something in the patio so I can have dinner there with my “pretty” dishes – I have lots and cherish everyone of them! A FINE ROMANCE is a treasure and once again I am reminded how absolutely amazing you are! I am so glad we are BFF’s! Stay happy!! Hopefully I will see you in November. Seriously, thank you for sharing YOU and your gifts!! XXXOOO
You do deserve flowers, and I bet, where you are, they are outside, free for the taking! Have a wonderful day Pat!
Loved your new blog, but I think I say that about every blog you write!! Loved little Jack looking out of the door, I can just picture his face!! And the beautiful flowers, I especially liked the roses at night with the fairy lights, heaven. Loved the pages of the new book, and can’t wait for Valentine’s and a new Willard. Just wanted to let you know that yesterday I made your “Punxsutawney Pudding”. OH MY!!! It is now my favorite side dish in the whole world. I have been telling everyone I know about it. My Sister made me freeze her some so she can have it when she gets back from Arizona. Thank you Susan, for all the happiness you give to us!!!!
So glad you liked it Sharon! 🙂
What a delightful way to spend a few minutes. To be able to sit down at the end of a long day and read something so cheering…..To look at the lovely flowers and know that before I know it….it will indeed be spring…..Thank you for the reminder and the pause. Blessings to you Susan.
What a lovely post Susan! Thank you for sharing happiness with us. It sure worked. I cannot wait for the next Willard. I’ve been busy creating homemade Valentines to give my bffs this year. Your posts always inspire me. Have a great day.
Susie
Life is good. Thanks for all the ways you remind me Susan.
Good mood? Oh yes, I am definitely in a good mood and your precious photographs put me over the top! You know the saying about “Oh to be young and in love…” well, I’m old and in love! It is just as wonderful when you are more “mature”! My mom passed away last October and I have been very lonely but now have met a kind, loving and caring gentleman (he even quilts!!!) – it’s close to Valentine’s Day, Spring is around the corner and my heart is all “mushy” and feel like a kid again! Yes, I am in a great mood! Yes, life is grand!! Happy Spring Susan!
HOW FUN!!! Falling in Love! You just never know what life has in store for you! He quilts! Too wonderful Karen!
Oh my goodness! That made my day! ❤ Full of best wishes for you and your lucky valentine!
❌⭕❌⭕,
Tawni Urrutia
Hi Susan, That was a very cheering up post; I am on here now before bed so am cheered up to sleep!! Love Jack up on the chair and the lovely yellow daffodils! They are my favorite flower and they come so soon in springtime. Thank you for such a sweet, happy post. The book will be so fun and such a blessing when it comes. Surely do hope you have an autograph party in Colorado Springs, Co!!!!!!
Blessings, Irene
We will try Irene!
Perfect post for me today. I checked to see if there was a new post, and saved it for the end of the day. Before reading it, I found a letter in my email telling me that a friend in Scotland of 40 years, a big part of my childhood, had passed away. Feeling sad, but I have so many happy memories of her, and your post cheered me up.
So sorry Elizabeth, xoxo.
Love the picture of you clapping, so happy, in your black and white oxford shoes, exactly like the pair I wore growing up. I kept them polished – brought back a lot of memories. What a sweet smile you had (and still have).
I was not feeling too happy today even though it is 75 degrees here in SoCA. My Mom is very ill so somedays it’s hard to block that out. Your blog always makes me smile and takes me to happier places and days. Thank you so much for that. My parents used to live in Cambria, so I know how beautiful the central coast is. I hope you will come out to the Valley for a book signing. I had you sign my book at Cherish’d years ago. Is it heartbreaking to leave Jack and Girl Kitty when you come to CA? I bet you also hate to leave that gorgeous house. Keep up the good work, and keep making us happy Susan.
I’m sorry about your mom Lisa, such a hard thing to go through. Yes, leaving those little guys, even to wonderful caretakers, is really hard. I almost can’t believe we left them for two months to go to England! I’m sure it’s worse for me than it is for them, which makes me feel better. You take care Lisa, I’ll say a prayer for your mom. xoxo
Thank you so much Susan, your prayers are greatly appreciated!! Love & Hugs!!
Hope you are getting my replies.
I enjoy your blog SO much!
I put out my first bird feeder and love watching the wild finches in my back yard. It took them three weeks to find it!
Can’t wait for our book!!
Safe travels back to California! Are you bringing your kitties?
Much Love my friend.
Susan Christmas
The kitties really don’t want to go, although I would LOVE to have them …. they like home best. Hardest thing is leaving them, but it would be even worse if I didn’t have them at all!
Oh, how lovely to see the signs of spring, even if only in photos. It does perk up the end of January.
I also love the photo of you in your saddle shoes. I remember my first and only pair of saddle shoes. I was unbelievably excited to own such special shoes. I think it was just five.
Aren’t we all a bit like the stone frog – so blessed, so lucky?
Greetings friends! Susan, I suspect you arrived on this planet earth being happy. I cannot imagine you ever being agitated, angry, or anything but pleasantly happy. In reality, I know you must have a variety of emotions, but being happy must be your most prevalent emotion, the emotion you live mostly with. I too am one of those persons who is mostly happy. The teachers I taught with for years accused me (jokingly) of taking happy pills. Never have I counted on booze or drugs to make me feel happy. Life, people, animals, flowers, Mother Nature, food, grandkids………..I could go on & on. What’s not to be happy about? When sadness does come into my life, I try to handle it with God on my side. I know my husband will only be with me for a short time. He has terminal cancer. I cherish every day he’s with me. We met in high school & have been married for fifty three years. I’ve been trying to cook & bake his favorite foods & get him to do things with me that we both can do, as he can’t walk all that far these days. Yesterday we went to a beautiful garden, Descanso Gardens, near Pasadena, CA, & rode a tram through the beautiful Camellia forests there. The Camellias weren’t out that much, but the few we saw were stunning. We’ve been enjoying the white rose bushes in our garden for months. They seem to bloom all the time. Our Azaleas are also in bloom. Camellia time in CA is one of my favorite seasons. We have Camellias in our garden. They’re a bush that doesn’t require very much care at all.
To those of you girlfriends in GA, I’d like to wish you well. We travelled through your gorgeous state two years ago. We absolutely loved GA! When people talk about southern hospitality, it’s so true. Southerners take others into their hearts. I’d like you to know that we are concerned about the suffering you’re going through after all of those horrible storms.
I’ve been checking your blog for several days now Susan, wondering when I’d see news from you. I know how busy you are though & I do appreciate each & every blog you have time to do. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
What a nice comment Sondra, thank you so much. I love how you are spending time with your husband, enjoying the beauty around you. Blessings on you both, enjoy your day xoxo
Hi Susan,
What a lovely post. The frog was the best part for me!
YES! I’m happy!!! I love this post and all your wonderful pictures and descriptions. I especially love the picture of adorable you! You really look happy. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Writing, Painting, Playing with Jack, etc. !
Nancy
Rabbit, rabbit girlfriends.
Rabbit rabbit Judi!
Here it is February 1st and I am late in reading your blog from yesterday. I need happy as this morning here in Palm Coast, Florida we are at 30*s.
Baby it’s cold outside. Our cold weather shelter for the homeless has been open for two nights and it looks like it may be open for another four nights. Waiting for groundhog day so we can know when “Spring” will be back in Florida. Thanks for the happy thoughts.
First, I wonder if I missed PREORDERING A COUPLE COPIES OF “A FINE ROMANCE”……oh I can hardly wait!!!! And you are getting us so excited for the big day! Thank you so much for sharing your glorious trip with us all, Susan! <3 Second, a taste of Spring was just what we all needed to cheer us. Ahhhh, yes…..thank you. I think I'll go hunt down some daffodils to fill my yellow Fiesta pitcher up with! ..or should I put them in the red one?….hummm……
Hmmm. 🙂 Pre-ordering will happen in the near future Care!
I’m so happy to hear that the new book will be so long! I just re-read “Girlfriends Forever” and one of my favorite things about it is your diary-style memoir in the first section. Everything else is lovely too, but your autobiographical writing is so funny and true, much like what you post here on the blog. More please… ;O)
The white garden is legendary, how amazing that you were there when everything was blooming! So beautiful! How I love Vita Sackville-West. Her garden writing is so good, and so are her travel books – what a woman.
I was afraid this book would not end! I had to fight with myself not to include every single photo we took, which would make this book go three times around the moon!
Spring looks WONDERFUL. The quilts on the line always do it for me! Like the other girlfriend, I would like to be laying on the grass under the quilts. Hope you don’t mind, the quilt picture just became my wallpaper on my IPad. I have looked at Winter Horses long enough.
Weather here is crazy, it’s all over the place, sometimes in one day. I dress in layers for work and peel them off one by one as the day progresses! We are supposed to have a nice weekend, I hope to get outside and work in the yard. (I also need to get the Christmas Decorations off the porch, blow the dust off them, and put them back in the barn) last evening I checked on my Winter Honeysuckle and sure enough it is blooming! I planted it 3 years ago, so it’s not big yet, but it survives with little watering.
Blooms in January/February are a grand thing!
I can hear The Ferals bouncing off the walls in the next room, so I must go and feed them. About 6 more weeks until spay & neuter time and then outside they go to be Barn Kitties. I am ready to get my guest room back.
Thanks for the wonderful post and the hope of spring. Happy Writing Susan!
Love ya, Chris
I came and got so much happiness Susan you lovely girl. I just want to squeeze that little Susan sooooo much, what a darling little girl who has grown to be a darling woman ! Our England book is going to be a smashing hit and I so love your format, it is so wanting for the eyes I just can’t wait to feast upon it. I can’t believe that on January 31, I was in my little Susan Branch inspired garden, weeding at 7 am in the morning. It was 67 outside up here on the mighty Merrimac River! I certainly am not out there this morning at 21. As Mark Twain said, ” If you don’t like the weather in New England just wait a minute.” I love the weather because in my wildest dream I did not think I would be having my hands in the lovely dirt in January ! Give Joe and the Kitties a hug and kiss for me this lovely wintry morning, fire tonight while I crochet a new baby blanket for my first grandbaby, GIRL, coming in June !!!! A new Susan Branch lover for sure !OXOX 🙂
June, how perfect! Something about freshly thawed dirt, isn’t there!? Smells better than any other!
Happy Friday,
Susan you might not believe this but, I think I could hear you humming as I read this perfect post for a winter’s day. Good feelings all around. We too had the warm temps (too warm) and are now back to normal January/February temperatures. My friend and our daughters are running in the Frosty 5k tomorrow (my first) in Lewisburg, PA. They are having there annual Ice Festival. I have a feeling the ice carvers are glad for the drop in the temperatures, last year no carving because of the warm winter. We all need to find those reason to love the cold. Why not an outside festival. Next, we just need to wait for Phil to wake up and let us know about the upcoming six weeks.
Happy Groundhogs day tomorrow!
Oh your beautiful pictures of warmer days are so welcome here in Minnesota today, where we woke up to our coldest morning of the season ‘so far’ they tell us. Let’s hope today’s temp of -14 will be the record and we can warm up from here! Windchills are from 30 to 40 below zero, but since I do not plan to go out in it today that temperature will simply be ignored.
If I close my eyes I can try to imagine the sound of crickets, but right now all I hear is our old furnace working hard today to warm up our drafty old house. My 22 year old kitty is snuggled next to me as I work and drink my hot coffee, so I am good.
YOU CERTAINLY KNOW HOW TO PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE. THE FLOWER PICTURES ARE JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED ON A CHILLY FOGGY DAY IN CT. i HAVE NEVER WRITTEN BEFORE BUT I WANTED YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I ENJOY EACH BLOG. SO FAR I’VE BACK TRACKED TO LAST FEB. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH ALL OF US. NEW FRIEND IN HEART AND MIND.
Nice to meet you Karen!
I have returned to your blogsite so many times over the last few weeks just enjoying every word and photograph! How thrilling to know that you are so close to finishing A Fine Romance! The pages that you have shared have just increased the anticipation even more! And I have to say, I just don’t know how you keep yourself from keeping Jack in a constant hug and cuddle! What a charmer he is! All of our daffodils have sprung between the near 70 degree weather and now back into the 30s again so we are already looking forward to Spring and dogwood blossoms! Thanks for sharing pages of A fine Romance and all of the photos and valentines. They have really brightened our days and continue to be such an inspiration!
You know how when you were little, and some relatives just wanted to hug you hug you hug you, and how you felt about that? That’s how I think Jack thinks about me!
I have a cupboard that holds every size and shape vase one could imagine! It also holds candles – again – every size and shape. I’m so looking forward to Spring and picking sweet little bouquets that I put all over the house. What a great posting, full of beautiful pictures, to start off a cold February day! Thank you!!
xoxo from SW Hbr., Maine
Thank you for the beautiful reminders of things to come. During the dreary winter months, it is such a treat to be reminded that “this too shall pass” and soon spring will be here. I was born and raised in South Dakota, and there were some “brisk” winter days! I remember all the layers we would pull on just to walk to school. It’s a wonder we could even move! But, we knew that when the calendar turned to February, we were not far from warmer weather and no more bone-chilling cold.
Dearest Susan…who makes us smile,
What a happy post and perfect for me to read, this morning.
I am facing surgery early Monday morning…so, have had that
butterflies- in- the -tummy -sick- feeling for a few days. Your post
reminded me of all the beauty and good times to look forward to.
I am most excited about “The Book”…and will do the happy dance when
we can pre-order it!
Thank you, thank you for sharing the love…and to all the girlfriends…
I love us!
Best to you Mar! Never fun, but what miracles and wonders they do these days . . . only one day, one afternoon, and then, you get to FLY! Sending love and protection prayers. xoxo
Good morning! Came into work, flipped the calendars over and all new quotes, stories and your post to read. I always cut the cutest of paintings, quotes, poems out of the “old” calendars of yours. This morning I pulled out the cute birds saying “have I told you lately that I love you?” Find a good spot in my office to display it, and then the end of the month stick it back in my tickle file for next year. Thank you for making us so happy. Your enthusiasm just spills out all over us! Have a good day.
Good Morning Sweet Sue…& Happy February! 🙂 Your Blog & Your Choice for Musica Today has Made Me Very Happy! Yay! 😉 Wow 60 Degrees & Windows Opened…Sounds Like Florida! 😉 We are going into The 40’s the Next few Nights & 60’s for The Day! Yay! Then Back to 50’s & 70’s…Still Yay! 🙂 “A Fine Romance” so Very Exciting Sweet Sue about Forty Pages to Go…Amazing! & Then All Aboard…On a Train to California! Twirling with Delight & Tweets from The Twain….Choooooo~Choooooooooo! 😉 This Blog is Filled with Joy & Happiness & “Willard” for Our Valentine….Pure Magic & I Thank Thee! This Weekend is The Super~Bowl….That Makes Herbster Very Happy…I’m Thinking…Chili Bubbling in The Crock~Pot…Your Corn~Pudding Baking in The Oven….& All The Yummy Fixin’s 😉 “Touch~Down”! 🙂 Wishing Everybody a Glorious 1st Weekend of February! Pixie~Dust Filled with L♥ve & Hearts … I L♥ve You Sweet Sue! xoxo Poof! Twirling into Happiness (I’m Clapping My Hands & Wings!) 😉 ♥♫♥♫♥♫♥♫♥♫♥♫♥♫
LOL, you always make me laugh, clapping hands and wings!
♥ ♥ ♥ I am Happy That I Make You Laugh Sweet Sue! Yay! 🙂 The Super~Bowl Party was a Huge Hit…Lots of Fun & Yummy Food! I actually Missed Downton Abbey 🙁 Yikes!!! I Hope I can Find it repeated this week (Wings~Crossed) 🙂 Sending Lots of Pixie~Dust for Your Week Sweet Sue Happy Annivesary to You & Joe! Twirling into L♥ve….xxo Poof! 😉 ♥ ♥ ♥
Oh, I am crazy about all your happy pictures! I love the expression on Jack’s face as he eyed that bug. And, guess what! I have that same frog in my garden here in CA. Isn’t he wonderful?
He almost makes me cry!
Bless you my ‘SunShine Sue’. we had warm, rain then WIND! now to wake up and see the birds sitting on the bird bath looking at frozen water, I had to laugh! Went out and poured in Hot water, they came back and got their drinks and now it is frozen again! guess its cold out!
during the warm I was eying my garden, itchy hands wanting to go out and snip, dig and smell the warm earth! Had to remind myself ‘self, not yet!’ AND Susan brought me my thoughts again, Spring flowers!
I knew I could rely on Susan to bring me Flowers, wind blown Quilts and KITTIES!
Just finished another lap quilt, switched to crochet grannie squares, something to keep me in my chair and out of trouble! LOL
The page of your book ! I want to shout YES! you are doing such a good job can’t wait till I can get my name on for a copy and return to ‘Our trip’ to England!
Had to laugh from your other post with Joe and the warm clothes from the drier! Snuggles and Hugs!
Thank you Ro!
Loved the picture of Jack standing on the chair! And the flower pictures inspired me to put my Emma Bridgewater flower mugs front and center on the cup hooks: daffodil, tulip, and my favorite, morning glories. Just the cure needed for cabin fever; it’s been so dark and gloomy and windy the past few days. So excited to see 2 actual pages of the book; can’t wait for the whole thing!
thank you susan…i came into work this morning draggin my tail(fighting off the remains of the flu) and saw your happy blog and sure enough you carried me away! what a joy to see the world thru your eyes! have a wonderful weekend!
Feel better Melissa!
Thanks for your “happiness” blog. I don’t always have time to read the replies from other girlfriends but apparently we have some with heavy hearts today.
How wonderful that you’ve found one of your true gifts — to love as you go;
touching as many people as you can. All the girlfriends will go on with their day, happier, because of the promise of Spring you’ve sent our way! I think the flowering plum tree did it for me…I could actually feel the warmth of the sun and hear the bees busily buzzing…. I also loved the roses at night with the twinkle lights. Night shots are hard to get — did you use a tripod, timer, and fill flash for the flowers? I worked for several months with the owner of our local photo store, to learn how to photograph my yard at night. I finally got a few photos I’m proud of! I haven’t seen robins in my yard yet but I’m sure I will soon.
It’s time to pop the corn and watch “Groundhog Day”. Best wishes for safe train travel. Am I right in guessing you don’t like to fly?
JoAnne in sunny, but chilly, New Jersey.
I just pointed the camera really, I need to spend some months with the owner of a photo store too! That was just a lucky shot… it seems that sooner or later, if I push that button enough, I will get something at least passable. Yes, much happier on the train. It’s my vacation from the vacation … three days of heavenly swaying across the country! Happy day JoAnne!
I love your posts-they make me so HAPPY!! And all the girlfriends’ comments -sometimes I actually LOL! and sometimes I cry… What an amazing community you have started! Thank you for wonderful flower pics today! What kind of climbing roses do you think would be a good choice? I love them to smell gorgeous and be extra easy because I have never grown them before.
I also have one special request for your new book- although you probably already thought of it – I love it when you put a ribbon bookmark in your books!
I know, I love our girlfriends, they are amazing, and I feel the same way about their comments as you do. It’s just like going out with the girls!
I want to do a ribbon bookmark, I love them too– but they’ve gotten rather expensive to do — which is why my last publisher didn’t put one in my Autumn book. I’m still trying though!
A ribbon bookmark would be perfect in “A Fine Romance”. If you are not able to do it, maybe you can design a bookmark for us that has sheep/lambs and English countryside or anything else that will remind us of England and that we can use for our English book exclusively!
I wish I could paint, I can imagine how you feel, so much to do, so little time! Must drive you crazy at times! Thank you for making each day joyful!
People think I’m kidding when I say I wish there was cloning!
Oh Susan, I just read your post this morning. You must be pulled between the East Coast and West. Two “Picket Fence Gardens” to enjoy, which one do you want to be in? When I see the Martha’s Vineyard home I say how does she leave it. It is a happy moment, looking at all your “little vases”, flowers in every room. Our Garden Club is having a Art in Bloom Challenge for our meeting this Sunday. Seeing all your vases of flowers has helped me decided how I will do my arrangement, Thank you. Our hall will look like a breath of Spring! We will all be so Happy with our flowers.
Your train trip across the country sounds delightful! Are you inviting all your girl friends to travel with? Happy planning, Marion
Having two of those gardens is one way I learned to cope … I always feel at home, and I’m always homesick!
This definitely made me happy, sweet Susan! Especially the photo of Jack eyeing that little bug!
And what REEEEEEALLY makes me happy is that you’re going on a cross country train trip soon!! That is a pipe dream of mine – to get on an Amtrak and just GO! So very much looking forward to your commentary and pics during that trip! I love to live vicariously!
Have a beautiful day!
I usually “Twitter from the Twain” with up to the minute tweets about what is going on — which is usually just napping, knitting, reading, or eating . . . but sometimes we get amazing sunrises and sunsets, and it’s fun to see what goes by outside the windows.
Yes, I remember Twitter From the Twain. Can’t wait!! <3
Just ended season 1 of Downton Abbey. Couldn’t resist after you mentioned it in one of your blogs. LOVE it! Have a great wintery day! In the 70’s here in Phoenix. I only dream of long, snowy winters 🙂
It gets better Laurie . . . each season has been a bit better than the last, and right now, wow!
What a wonderful post! I LOVED it! It touched on so many favorite themes! My dad was named for Kipling by his England-born father. (Dad’s middle name was Rudyard!) I am adding a visit to Bateman to my “must-see” list. My grandfather used to sit at the dining table with us on Sunday’s and quote Kipling’s works from the heart…what wonderful memories…. And I so enjoyed the peek at the book and the flower show! Plus a trip back to the land of mini vases….glad to see other souls out there bringing these treasures home to a new life! I woke up thinking it was a great day….but reading your blog today made me smile even more! Thank you, Susan…enjoy the day! Happy February!
No kidding! Named after Kipling! That’s something!
It’s about 15 below zero here in my part of MN this morning, so your dose of “happy” was extra-delightful! I keep thinking about my jonquils and beautiful little grape hyacinths sleeping under the snow — can’t wait to see them. Until then, your post full of sunshine, flowers and an update on the book was an uplifting treat. 🙂
Thought I’d report that it was -16 this morning with a wind chill factor or -30. But Fosston, MN (in far northwestern Minnesota) gets bragging rights at -31 with a wind chill factor of -50!!! We have blue skies and sunshine, though. The feathery/fern designs that Jack Frost left on our windows last night are beautiful. I’m going out soon to our knitting group that meets at the library. I will just bundle up in my long down coat and do my impression of Mrs. Michelin. (the tire guy, for those not familiar, who advertises Michelin tires–rolls of tires–translated: you look like quite roly-poly!!!) But will be warm, so who cares? 🙂
It’s worth it for the knitting group!
NOTHING keeps the hardy MN gals inside:) It’s just life as normal whatever the temps.
Oh, the little peek at the book!!! It is going to be such fun to read and enjoy over and over again. And a Valentine Willard?? Yippee!! I love your Willard’s so much! I must admit that the unusual warm wether in Florida has pushed us into an early spring. I am so not ready as we have such little winter weather here. While I would not like to be as cold as North Dakota, I love the cozy fires and thick hot soups of winter. Please Old Man Winter, please stay just a bit longer!!
February is going to be an awesome month when you send us the notice that the book is completed. Can we have a virtual blog party to celebrate with you??
We will!
You are the best, Susan! Being part of your blog community is such a wonderful addition to my life. I am so happy that you decided to do this last year. Whoop! Whoop! We’re going to celebrate together when your book is done! All of us girlfriends united in great anticipation!
This is the first book I’ve written where I had girlfriends with me the whole way! Made it so much more fun!
Such beautiful flowers, and your California garden is exquisite. By any chance do you happen to recall where you got the adorable frog that is sitting on the railing? I love frogs in the yard, and have frog fountains in my koi pond, and would be thrilled if I could find a frog like yours to put someplace outside. Can’t wait for the book!!!
I tried to find one this morning because I knew someone would ask — I can’t remember where mine came from and I couldn’t find one on the internet. But I probably gave up too soon.
I forgot to add, you look just like you did as a young girl in the 50’s. That is a great picture of you. I hope that you have it framed and hanging on a wall somewhere in your house.
put it in the peter rabbit room:)
fragrant-laden and OTT gorgeousness! thank you for that whiff of Spring!
Sue,
That photo of you is awesome! If I saw that someplace out of context I would know immediately was you by the twinkle in your eye. It’s the exact same! You should be a porcelain figurine.
Best thoughts,
xoxo
LOL!