Hi Girlfriends! How are you? I’m fine, still working on our new book, I’m on a roll and so excited about it. I know 
I keep saying, ‘SO close,’ and we are, but not quite done. I’m painting page 243 right now; I have up to page 247 laid out and ready to be written in pen and painted, and three more pages to finish writing after that. Which means the book part of A Fine Romance will be done. After that, only a few more things: the Index, Table of Contents, Copyright Page, Title page, and the flaps and spine for the 
cover — the end papers are done. It sounds like a lot, but compared to where I was when I started, it’s a drop in the bucket! Book writing is funny. You do page one and you think you will never be done; you just plod along. And one day,if you don’t give up, and that’s a big IF, it’s done! And it seems so strange! You get to go out and learn how to live real life again! You also get to do spring cleaning, Which is something I can’t wait to do this year. I have done nothing to this house all winter, it needs me! It needs my little vases of flowers, and perhaps some new spring sheets, perhaps they will be pink!
I love my dust bunny, especially the pink bow in her hair. ♥ I never get to show her enough! She has the perfect attitude for spring cleaning, you can tell by her smile. The reason she’s so happy is because that while she cleans, she listens to this MUSICA and knows all the words to this song. It’s perfect for washing dishes on a spring day with the windows open. (I know, it’s still too cold for most of us, but I have a case of)
And a brand new issue of my favorite magazine on the face of the earth showed up in the nick of time.
Here’s an inside page . . . Photographs of photographs usually aren’t that great (not mine anyway) but the general gist, the takeaway that I got was . . .
We should be paying attention to PINK. This issue was so festive and cheerful, it took my fever down a full two degrees so I thought I would give you some of my own brand of pink!
Can you almost smell them? So Pink! It’s my own “Branch-Like Living Magazine.” Free on your local internet news stand now.♥
What magazine worth its salt wouldn’t have a recipe in it? So let’s drink to Pink!
Pazzazzy start to the day, keeps us in the . . . OK, I promise not to do that. ♥
Anyone having a birthday this week? This is for you …♥
Love Pink embroidered vintage dishtowels. They are so cheerful!
One of my favorite things, this little child’s cup. Doesn’t say a thing on the bottom, but it called my name from a shelf in an antique store a long time ago.
Last spring, Angelique tulips in my garden. From the Gardening section of our magazine.
And every so often I feel the urge to Paint in Pink too.
As I’m sure you’ve already noticed!
Coconut Cake! I tinted the frosting PINK to make it a Circus Cake with animal cookies and gumdrops.
Joe and I went to the Gift Show a couple of years ago and because I love Pink, I had to have a photo of this.
Pink roses in my picket-fence garden, I forget the name of this rose, but I’m pretty sure it’s one of these!
I use seashells to decorate in the Summer . . . I have them everywhere, in the bathroom, on the porch, on the adirondak table out back . . .
I found this cheery little pillow case with all the tiny French knots at a yard sale!
We used to have this wall-hanging in the Vintage section of our webstore, but I think it belongs to one of you girlfriends now. I kept a picture because it is so adorable!
Some of you might know that for a few years I worked for a company designing pajamas. That was fun!
My garden seems to know the words to the song too, it certainly looks happy! You should see it now. Everything full of promise, but that’s all, just a wing and a prayer, waiting for spring!
Homemade applesauce in Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz
A little selection of rose and pink depression glass at a summer dinner-party bar.
Here we are again, back at the Gift Show in New York, looking at pink ballerina sheets!
I’m sure this was originally part of a pitcher and washbowl set, but something must have happened to the bowl, because the pitcher was all I found. Maybe that’s why it was so inexpensive. I use these pitchers to serve water and ice tea at summer parties (or whenever I need a giant vase).
First sign of spring — quilt-flapping under the maple tree.
A “before” picture of the arbor — Joe rebuilt it and painted it last summer, with climbing Pink New Dawn roses, so romantic.♥ Especially with fireflies and candlelight.
And to carry the theme through, this was my orangie-rosey-pink breakfast this morning!
I guess that’s all for now girls. Joe just got back from the hardware store and said, “It’s 52 degrees outside! Let’s go for a walk out to the water!” And I am saying, “YES!” I hope you all have a wonderful day! ♥ Next time we get together, I’m going to take you to California! For some fun in the sun!
And I promise I’ll update the blog more often as soon as I turn the book in. Thank you for being patient — I love reading your comments! ♥ I’m taking a few days off from the book to design next year’s calendars! So that’s what I’ll be doing when we get home from our walk. I have so many ideas! Can’t wait to start doing it. Everything needs to be turned in and done by April 1, so you can see it won’t be long now! And then I’ll be doing the Happy Dance right out to the garden! Love you! xoxo
I love the picture of the quilts out on the clothesline. Gray and cold here today after a weekend of rain which took the snow down a lot but was so dark and dreary. Nice to look at the photos of bright “spring-y” colors…
When I lived back home in WI and later in NH, I always wore yellow in March. Folks called me either Miss Sunshine or Miss Daffodil. I was glad to help brighten the day. LOL
Hi Susan. Your little “dust bunny” in today’s blog reminded me that I suggested to you a year or so ago in the blog that you should do another seasonal book and call it “Spring has Sprung…from the Heart of the Home.” You answered…”I say brilliant.” Don’t you think your little dust bunny would be the perfect cover!! Spring flowers. Spring food. Spring projects. Spring cleaning. What a wonderful book it could be. Any chance of such a book…once you rest your fingers and mind from “A Fine Romance.” Today is my 37th wedding anniversary. Met in a stack of books at the local library. I was wearing your color … PINK, of course. It is gorgeous today here in your California. Glad you’ll be visiting after the book is done. Can’t wait for it to come out. Enjoy your 52 degrees 🙂
The perfect post for a rainy, chilly Monday! Love the Angelique tulips. I have some of your pj’s – blue with a gingerbread boy on the pocket. Are you designing a planner for next year?! Thank you for the cheer-up!
No planner for next year, sorry Heidi!
No pocket planner? 🙁 That is my very sad face.
Yes, we will have a pocket planner! Turn those lip corners up!
Yay!! I don’t know what I would do without a pocket planner, and your is the most beautiful one I have ever had. Thanks! :-). That is my lip corners turning way up.
LOL lip corners!
No apologies necessary – ever! You already do so much to make our days happy. Your pocket calendar is perfect for personal appointments – just thought a planner would be great for work. Maybe, something to look forward to some day….Happy Tuesday – one week from tomorrow is Spring!
I love planners and miss having a SB one. Just want to add my wish too Heidi, not that Susan needs another book to do!
Does that mean no purse planner?… I hope not, I love mine and carry it with me in my purse always!… xoxo Julie Marie
We’ll have a purse planner!
sorry to be a pesky pest . . what is the difference between a purse planner and a pocket planner, please?
They are the same thing, and are the shape of a checkbook (at least over here!). The Day Planner is the one I’m not doing anymore, and that’s usually book shaped.
ah! got it! Thanks for the explanation. xo
I use the “Days” book for a planner… book-size but not huge – easily fits in tote. Wonderful paper to write on too – smooth, heavy & no matter what type pen, it never bleeds ink. Pet peeve of mine… I do calligraphy & have become a terrible paper snob. :>)
I am a paper snob too. There are so many beautiful papers in the world!
Me too!!! I have so much stationary too, that I hope they NEVER close the Post! I LOVE a hand written note!!!
Susan I love all the pink, springy things you have for us this morning! Spring is on its way for sure. Here in VA we have daffodillies blooming!! I picked some yesterday and put them in a pink depression glass and they look so cheerful on my heart table. I’m so happy you get to go for morning science—enjoy the fresh air and breathe in all that wonderful salty air. Happy dance —you are almost finished with ” A Fine Romance.” xoxo ♥
Thanks for the birthday cupcake! Yummy 🙂 Perfect timing, my birthday is Wednesday 🙂 What a lovely, beautiful post to read to start off my birthday week!
Happy Birthday Debby!
Just happened to click on – I was dawdling because I didn’t want to go upstairs to do some ‘spring cleaning’ – I’m more partial to going through closets and cupboards and looking for things to put on display around the house – I shall now bring down the PINK and white Flying Geese quilt, all the bureau scarves with flowers – in pink! – and get out my bunny figurines, etc.
I view your blog as a wonderful reminder to look at everything around me with perhaps ‘new’ eyes – and appreciate again what I am blessed to have – I’ve been so lucky to have been given quilts, needlework, etc from both my husband’s family and my own – it makes for a wonderful, cozy home.
Thank you for being an inspiration!
I know what you’re saying, I do all my shopping right here in my house!
I store my seasonal knickknacks on open book shelves in my laundry room. That way I get to see them all year round–some seem to never get their turn upstairs anymore but I don’t want to part with them because they remind me of the different decorating tastes I’ve had over the years.
I am just tickled PINK with your blog! It is a rainy, gray day here in Indiana and it was just what I needed. Thank you Susan. I think I will listen to that great song again … and wish/hope.
It’s PINK alright! 🙂
Your joyous feelings are jumping off the page!! So happy that your in such a great
mood. Sounds to me that you’re really under a lot of pressure—–deadlines on book
& calendars, blogs and gazillion other things —-you amaze me no end!! This blog
is so charming, love your dust bunny so endearing.
My blogroll just dances with delight when a new post from you appears, Susan.
I’m feathering my nest and all of your post’s loveliness gives me a dose of motivation to continue.
-Karen
Oh how wonderfully PINK! I love it! I could almost feel the linens and smell the roses. We had lovely 60 degrees yesterday, so I could get in the yard and work, but I also saw, with the bright sun, that my windows were filthy! I hope to have a smile like the dust bunny when I finally get to do spring cleaning. Enjoy the walk to the water and breathe in some wonderful sea air for all of us!
Susan, Pink was just what I needed today!!! Thank you! I just received my copy of the British Country Living – I LOVE this magazine!!!! I watch the mailbox like a hawk waiting for the next issue to arrive. And, then I read and re-read and re-look at ALL the wonderful photos and articles. It is absolutely a delightful read! I call it my “monthly trip across the pond!” wink wink…
I do remember your pajamas, I have almost ALL of them and still wear them! Only now, I wear the summer ones all year long – they are perfect! Make me smile each time I put them on. And, since you no longer design for them, they really are a treasure!!! As are you!
Exciting to hear about all the book progress, I can’t wait to have mine in hand – you’ll probably hear my squeals of delight from the mid-west to CA!
Hope your day is delightful. I have your calendar right to the left of my computer screen and glance at it and admire it everyday!!!
Hugs and love and gleeful springness to you!
XooX,
Jeanette
Pink is also my favorite color , just bought a flat of pink pansies. Looking for another variety that is more pink..and I ordered Strawberries and cream asiatic pink Lillie’s….oh my I get carried away…one more pink thing I have the exact same pink pitcher with the lid…
Keep on working we all know what you are doing and don’t mind that you don’t have time to post , because everyone is excited about the book.
If we were all closer we could come clean while you work…….lol
Spring is coming
Pat Beckman…Cincinnati ohio
Delightful blog entry, dearest Susan! It has been way too long since I have been able to treat myself to your blog, so I just stopped and gave myself a scrumptious visual feast. It is comforting and exciting to know that I have a few of your blog entries to catch up on–a treat to anticipate. Thank you for taking the time to share with us girlfriends!
Your diligence in your work is an inspiration, Susan. Congratulations on nearing the finish line of your book!
I enjoy all the pink, and I have a keenness for the darling hats you tuck into your blog!
Some bunny loves you, too!
Susan, your blog is worth the wait. You give us an abundance of good things to look at & to think about. It’s all so beautiful & uplifting. Thank you! I’m really looking forward to your book.
Feeling so much more light of heart after reading this! We have 6″ of new snow from last night & can’t even begin to see the top of any raised garden beds. My heart did a flutter when I spotted that pink Depression ware pitcher. I have one just like it – from my grandmother who was a farmwife & raised 12 kids – made a lot of lemonade!
Oh everything is so pretty in pink ! I to love pink and yellow and oh well I just love happy bright colours lol ! beautiful photos and post . Thanks so much for sharing with us ! Spring has sprung so far for us here all our spring birdies and Geese are back my fave being the Robin and critter’s have ventured out and about now. It was a very warm sunny weekend temps in the 60s and there is the odd snow patch left . Rainy here today , mucky and muddy here in our neck of the woods at Our Country Cove in the little valley village of Southwestern Ontario Canada ! Have a good day !
So pink, so pretty, so spring-like – SO US!
So US!
Hi Susan! I was missing u and knew u were busy with the book. I put my order in yesterday. Cant wait! Please excuse my grammar and punctuation LOL I am pecking this on my droid 🙂 Glad u and Joe could get out and enjoy the day. Sounds like ur creativity is going full speed ahead! Thanks for checking in and letting us know u were still able to get out of that chair! love u Girl!
Susan – Thank you for the cupcake with the candle as I am celebrating yet another birthday today. Speaking of birthdays, I became a great aunt yesterday to a beautiful baby boy compliments of my nephew in Colorado. And then tomorrow, my daughter celebrates her 31st. Oh my, where does the time go? Have a great day and enjoy your walk. Looking forward to your book next fall.
Happy Birthday Stephanie!
My son’s birthday is tomorrow too!
~ Good Afternoon~
Love the pink!~ my bathroom downstairs has pink, magenta~ish and gray ceramic tile work~designed by my hubby’s grandparents many, many years ago~ I will be “putting on pink” in the house after it is done “wearing of the green” for St. Patrick’s Day~ I found a celery vase at a recent estate sale that I will be filling with spring~ like flowers and there will be some pink in there of course! ~ I need to brighten ~up all the gray outside~ melting snow is not very pretty to look at!
Happy Monday~
Lynn
Lynn, I know exactly what you mean by needing to brighten up “all the gray outside”…I think this is why Spring is not my favorite time of year. Sounds like we may have a spring snowstorm heading our way for Sun./Mon. next week and I’m hoping for some bright white snow to momentarily clean things up! 🙂 But good idea about the flowers. We both have allergies here so I have several bins of nice silk flowers. I think it is time I go “shopping” to my “flower-shop-in-the-bins” and make a new arrangement to brighten things up inside! 🙂
I LOVE it that you talk to each other!!!
Thanks to you Susan!
I agree about the melting snow. March in WI and MN is yucky.
It must be Tuesday because it is snowing here again! Bet you really don’t miss slush do you Margot!
Good luck Pat with yet another March snowstorm Sunday/Monday~ that means we will probably get some more~ on Tuesday!!
Gray slush! Yuck!!! I really don’t like it when it refreezes!!! One feels like one is driving on an old corduroy road!
I feel that there are different types of snow storms. A few weeks ago I said it was slushing out and folks didn’t know what I was talking about. LOL
Yes, we’re getting maybe 5″ tonight into Monday with predicted “blizzard conditions” and warnings to people to have “storm kits” in their cars if they are driving out in the country. But the good news is that it will all be melted in a week…and tomorrow I’ll be in “storm mode” making soup, bread, and reading or knitting while watching it snow and blow outside. 🙂 And, Lynn, once again you will be getting it on Tuesday probably. But at least you can be ready for it when you know it is coming…LOL! Enjoy these last few snowstorms as in a couple of weeks spring will truly be here and soon we will be wilting in the heat and humidity! 🙂
Yes!!! Pink is such a happy color. I remember wearing a lot of pink in the early 1980s then we got into the black scene when pink looked so out of place till a few years ago when it finally started coming back. As I read your pink column I realized I’m wearing a pink shirt, using a pink coaster and my to do list is pink, fits right in to today’s blog.
Speaking of California, it’s blossom trail time in Fresno County and hubby and I made plans to take the drive tomorrow morning. gofresnocounty.com/blossomtrail/blossomindex.asp Our farmer friends told us the orchards are dusted in petals from blooms right now.
Thank you for the beautiful post and news about “our” book.
Donna
Happy to see you so in the pink! I was worried the last storms of winter were getting to you!
We had a perfect winter, enough snow to make it special, and not so much that we felt housebound. Thank you Christine!
I wish my dust bunnies were that cute! I love the plate with the quote, and the “Some bunny loves you” art. Very sweet!
Stay Warm!
Kristin
I so enjoyed your pink blog this morning! Pink is my favorite color, and what fun to see the 26 pages of pink roses (my favorite flower). Thank you for the birthday cupckake. Mine was Saturday. It was fun to enjoy the calorie-free internet cupcake and be able to continue my weightloss. I have lost 121 pounds in the past 13 months. I feel so good, have energy and feel younger! Your blog inspires me to use my energy to do some decorating and gardening–get the house ready for Spring and plant some more pink roses. Looking forward to “our” England diary. That will inspire some travel!!
OMG, MaryAnn — that is so fabulous. Congratulations! You must feel like a million dollars! Happy Birthday!!
Congratulations on the inspiring weight loss!
Thank you, Carol! How sweet of you.
Congratulations MaryAnn! You’re amazing!
How kind of you, Joan! Thanks!
You are a million dollars girl!!!
Yikes–MaryAnn! Congratulations!!! However are you doing the weight loss? Calorie-counting, W/W, ???
Thanks, Pat! How nice of you. I cut out sugar and most carbs.
Way to go, Mary Ann! Congratulations.
Thank you, Faith rose. It was so nice of you!
Thank you, Faith rose! You are very kind!
Susan, How sweet of you to respond! Thank you! Yes, I feel SO great! Thank you, too, for sharing the name of your dishes. I have noticed them in past blogs. Their pink color has caught my attention. I see they are listed on Replacements, LTD. I think I “need” to order a cup and saucer! I will think of you when I have a cup of tea.
You do deserve some rewards!
Yeah! For you, MaryAnn!! That is so fabulous! So happy for you, I know what hard work it is.
Anyway just wanted to say, Good for You!
Chris
Congratulations, MaryAnn! You go, Girl! What a terrific achievement for your health!
Happy Birthday! You Go Girlfriend!!!
Loved the bunnies. Thank you! I lost my mother to cancer two years ago this spring. Her nickname was Bunny so they have a special place in my heart. Even spring in Northern Maine today!
xoxo Cyndee.
Susan,I absolutely love your art work. It’s warms my heart. I love all your photographs around your beautiful home. Much good luck finishing up the book on time. I am so sure it’ll be a hit. xoxox, Susie
I’m so impressed Susan. I’m so glad you don’t run out of ideas, because I do, and I love gleaning from you! Yes, spring is here. Looking for my first robin. I know you are busy but thank you so much for posting as often as you do. I love reading your blog!!! Thank you!
Thank you Lisa!
Thank you for the cheery PINK blog! I think it’s the happiest color and would have a whole house of pink if I didn’t share it with a man. I always wanted a pink kitchen. I just inherited my mother-in-law’s pink flowered china and her rose etched crystal. It is nothing like I would have picked in ’70 when I was married, but I love it so much! Love, love all of your pink flowers, too! It’s a dreary rainy day here and your blog took me out of it to a shining spring day, Wonderful!
Happy to hear it Carol! Thank you for being here!
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos as always. Love the teapot, and the Rose Chintz dishes. Hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing walk. I think you’ll need it. Sounds like a busy few weeks to come for you. But spring is almost here, so we can all rejoice.
It was wonderful out there, mostly the clean fresh air — the trees are bare, there’s not much color, the little fishing shacks are still all boarded up, but the air was wonderful.
I LOVE PINK, TOO! The bunny illustrations are adorable. Thank you for taking time to write your blog. You are one busy gal!
This month, yes, next month, let’s hope not!
Hi Susan,
Love the picture of the embroidered pillowcase. I’ve been embroidering since I was a young child and french knots have always been my favorite stitch. Good luck in finishing next years calendar. They have always been one of my must have’s ever since you started them and I keep every one of them. It’s amazing how you can stay so creative with so many projects on your plate at the same time. Do you ever have times when the creative juices just aren’t flowing? If so, what do you do to get them going again?
I should do a post on that someday. Mark Twain told me what to do. In his autobiography! Basically you wait.
You are so busy. Thanks for the update. I look forward to reading your blogs daily!
Ohhhhhhh Spring!!!!! While I do have a HUGE love affair with Winter, I am ready for spring 🙂 What a happy post!!!!!!! I kept thinking of you this weekend, we went to the Peaches to the Beaches yard sale!!! So much fun! Lots of little treasures including an old Fannie Farmer cookbook 🙂
Good find Sara!
I’m a broken record. What can I say again, but “I love” your blog this morning, and “I love” pink. If you are looking for pink sheets, Target has some lovely Shabby Chic pink sheets with little tiny rosebuds on them. I had to have them and (yes) I LOVE THEM. Can’t wait for your book. I’m inspired to make your coconut cake. I made doggie treats for my dogs yesterday from your recipe and they loved (there’s that word again) them. Thanks for all the pinkness today.
Love is the best word and can never be overused! 🙂
Susan, I’ve never been a fan of pink.
However, if it’s true that history repeats itself, then I want to come back a big fan of the color pink. I also want my own entourage of cute dust bunnies.
LOL Marysol!
Love pink – such a peaceful and relaxing color!
Well I’ve missed more frequent blogs – but I am so looking forward to the book (and next year’s calendars!) that I understand! I think I will appreciate all your books even more now that I see how much work goes into them! The calendars are so lovely and brighten up my kitchen – I see them every day – the little one by the sink and the big one by the door!
Here is Jeanne Crain singing “It Might As Well Be Spring” from State Fair 1945 – too cute!
youtube.com/watch?v=7bUNh1gTBp0
(if you ever want to be inspired watch the first 10 minutes of that movie – it’s on youtube – for the cutest 1945 farm kitchen you will EVER see – priscilla curtains and canned pickles – so cute!)
I adore that movie! Thank you Stephanie!
I just LOVE that pillow with the jillions of French knots – such exquisite craftmanship and skill! I’ve been embroidering since my teens and have done many pieces – it’s so relaxing yet you feel productive at the same time – but for some reason I never mastered French knots. Even now 40 years later – so I really appreciate it when I see them done so well. And every one of them is beautiful. If you ever get tired of it [yeah right], I’d be willing to “take it off your hands” for you. Wink…
PS after I had my “colors done” in 1983, I did some reading on colors, their effects in decorating and design, how they influence & effect people, what your color choices tell us about ourselves etc [I should go dig out all that stuff someday] and I do remember that PINK is the color of love. And ORANGE is the color of creativity. There’s also a fun “color-personality” test online at http://colorquiz.com. Have a great week Sue and everyone! :>)
I adore that movie too! It’s such a hidden gem!
I picked up a 6oth Anniversary edition of the movie State Fair — a two disc set with the 1945 film and the 1962 remake with Ann Margaret and Pat Boone and THE kiss. Special memory attached to the newer version in that our pastor took our teen Sunday School class to see it in the theater when it came out and used it as a lesson of some type given all the furor that arose over Pat Boone and the on screen kiss with that Sex Kitten from Kitten with a Whip — very risque for those days, I guess. For weeks afterward pairs or trios of us would break out in the halls at school singing the song Sweet Hog of Mine — such rebels we were — giggling just to think of it.
Love all the pink in the post today, pink is one of my all time favortie colors…and purple.
I have to say that someone sure liked to make French Knots….the pillowcase is beautiful.
What no Jack with a pink bow???
I tried. 🙂
Well that was all you could do, 🙂
Thanks for the “pink” thoughts Susan! The perfect tonic! I love Dust Bunny too -she’s so cute I want to give her a little kiss. Had “Morning Thunder” yesterday morning w/Sunday breakfast – it was deliciOso – as always! I got me the Spring Fever too – bad -I absolutely had to go out and buy a new blush – in a beautiful pink color of course! Now I think I need a new purse….mmmmm…what color 🙂 Did the coconut cake last long? It looks soooo yummy!!
It never lasts long! Not with me around! xoxo
You darling girl, you took a GF break, thank you! And, I’m glad you & Joe went for a walk, it restoreth your soul! In The Pink (a camellia) are you! Such beautiful pictures you shared with us, I enjoyed every single one & yes I love Dust Bunny’s Bow, too! Next dusting I do, I’m adding a pink bow to my hair, it will surely make dusting more fun. Your creative juices are sure flowing – calendars and your book, you’re amazing! I’ll let you get back to work my dear, you’ll be just in time for Spring when it’s all completed! xoxo
I like the Bow idea Joanie!
Oh I just love my British Country Living. The february issue, with it’s beautiful layout on bird nests inspired me as I was painting art for my bathroom spring re-do. Talk about love….that’s how I feel about spring cleaning too. Time to get back to it.
Dear Susan,
I am looking forward to your book signing when you come to California! I live in Long Beach, California and was so excited about your idea of the “High Tea” on the Queen Mary! I will plan to come wherever it will be. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder of Phoebe the hummingbird!! I watched her every day last Spring and cried when I saw the post that she lost two babies. I am now keeping an eye on her too!
Safe travels! Susan Christmas
I love watching Phoebe, but I have to steel myself. I’m surprised how few of her babies make it to full grown! I think it hurts me more than it does her!
I stopped watching Phoebe too. I don’t like seeing her lose her babies, it hurts my heart. So I’ve said a few prayers and wish her and her babies well. ♥
It’s wonderful to see a hummingbird up close like that, but I’m with you.
OK, Susan – I just plain out adore you. I am a seven-times over grandmother – have children (yes I said children!!! They will always be my kids!) who are in their fifties – sooooo can I adopt you as another one of my kids???? Just love what you do – you cheer me up and make me laugh. So eager to get out in my garden (and yes, I also have a white picket fence!).
You could adopt me, but you know you are waaaay to young for that ! xox
HI Susan,
I also love pink! I am redoing my bedroom right now to include light pink roses and white furniture. It’s amazing what a bit of paint on furniture can do. I am wanting to do a poster sized encouraging saying in my room and I love the fonts that you use. I discovered you because I bought your 2013 calendar and it now hangs in my kitchen and makes me smile every time I see it. I am excited you are doing your next year ones.
So the main reason, I love the fonts you use. I was wondering if they are available anywhere. I especially love the one on the title of the 2013 calendar. I also like the one you wrote the smooth recipe in. Could you share the information with me?
Thanks,
Elmina
Salem, Oregon USA
I draw and write those by hand. They aren’t fonts. Sorry!
I remember when we ALL voted for you to keep writing by hand Sweet Sue! It still seems kinda mean to me, because it is such a labor of love on your part, & your little hand must get pretty sore writing all that cursive, whilst we just sit here waiting………!xoxo
Thanks for the reply. You are very talented. I will hold out hope that one day you might event a font like it.
Hi Susan — I was beginning to worry about you, but happy to hear you’re enjoying the beginnings of Spring and almost finished with THE BOOK (yaayyy!). Linda Pintarell and I got together at the Aubrey Rose tea room in La Mesa last week to check it out as a possible venue for your booksigning and were thoroughly delighted with the beautiful Victorian atmosphere and delicious food. I encourage the San Diego area Girlfriends to give it a try — I think you’ll be as charmed as we were. We were told they plan on having a Downton Abbey-themed tea soon — we both literally gasped in happy anticipation upon hearing that! Spring has not quite sprung here yet, but my plum tree has many buds almost ready to bloom, so it’s a little early, but Happy Spring to you and all the Girlfriends!
hi susan!
so exciting to have the book so close to being finished. i can hardly wait until mine is shipped to me 🙂 hopefully will be able to find you at the show this fall at madonna inn. you must feel very proud of your new baby!!
thank you so much for the lovely pinkness!!! i love pink, i love the pink antiquie stuff in the pictures and the pink roses. what would you think of having that pink pot you painted actually made for real?? it is my birthday month so thank youfor the pink cupcake! your blog matches how i feel today. it is spring here and the weather is marvalous!! i do not want to be inside working i want to be out planting garden seeds. the blog today gave me a great break from work hehe.
have fun with the calander, till the next page of lovelyness comes our way….
take care,
natasha
Thank you Natasha, you sound like spring!
I almost didn’t notice the chick peeking out from under the hat with the bunny, so cute.
Good eye!
Dear Susan,
I’m IN THE PINK after reading this wonderful blog! Thank you for taking the time from book and calendars to reach out to ALL of your friends! Loved the assortment of pink treasures and the breath of springtime that came with them. It’s sunny and beautiful in southern California today and you’ve intensified those golden feelings.
Good luck with your many projects! The world appreciates your gifts!
Thank you so much Patty!
Hello Susan!… what a happy beautiful post!… I LOVE everything PINK!… with pink roses being my most favorite of all “happiness, gracefulness and gentleness”… you are too cute, I clicked on your link where you said you were sure your roses were there, and wow!… I am in pink rose Heaven!… your dust bunny is adorable… wish my real ones looked like that… I love Spring cleaning too and have already started mine as well… love seeing your pink Depression glass, and your pink quilts blowing in the breeze, and well, just love it ALL!… I know, I use the word “love” an awful lot!… what can I say… so happy you are going to be able to do your favorite things more now that the book is almost complete… Spring is a beautiful time for “rebirth” of all the things we love… Jack and I just took our daily Nature walk too… it is in the 50’s here today as well and just beautiful!… just wish I had the ocean nearby like you do to walk along… thanks for putting me in the “pink” today!… oh yes, I have been meaning to ask you… is there any chance you can get some of the Beatrix Potter dishtowels like yours in your shop?… I want one soooo bad!… love you, xoxo Julie Marie
I looked for them when I was at the Beatrix Potter gift shop, it was sad, they didn’t have them. If I ever see them, I will be sure to let you know!
Julie Marie, I shall keep an eye out for you too, if you’d like. I might come across some here as I live in the UK.
Well hello Miss Pink! Just renewed my subscription to Country Living love! The pink cake was darling, maybe I’ll make one for Easter. Can’t wait for spring. Can’t wait for the book. My snowdrops are blooming, they are a sight for sore eyes! Keep up the good work Susan!
Hello Miss Pink right back to YOU! xo
Wow that link to pink roses wasSUPER AWESOME !!!!! Thank you so much
nothing like the beauty of nature.
I enoyed all the lovely pink ..so inspiring and soothing…as much as we love your entries, please never apologize for not updating the blog…we never want to be a burden to you !
You never would be. xo
Hi, Susan! Thanks for “thinking pink”. It does make the winter grays look a bit rosy. I can hardly wait for your book. You probably will make the best sellers list just from the pre-orders from the sounds of the girls on the blog! Hope so. We finally are getting some 50 degree days here in Spokane and the pussy willows are fuzzy, the crocuses are up and the forsythia is about to burst open. I’m with Joe, let’s go for a walk.
We did! I think you loved it!
Oh thank you for making my day. I love pink, everything pink. It makes me smile. I want to paint the photo of the pink zinnia. If I only knew how
Just try. Try it with a pencil first. Look at the picture and draw a petal in pencil. You keep doing that, noting how far the petals are from each other in the picture, and then in what you are drawing. You just keep doing that, and then, you have a picture. It isn’t as hard as it looks, as long as you are not expecting more than “hey, that’s pretty good!”
Ciao Susan,che bei colori e oggetti nel tuo post!Io sono amante del rosa,anche il mio nome è Rosa.Ho un blog che parla della mia casa e del rosa,mi piacciono le rosa rosa,son tutta una rosa!Baci e buona primavera!Rosetta
Here’s what “Google Translate” says she is saying!
Hello Susan, what beautiful colors and objects in your post, I am a lover of the rose, my name is Rosa. I love pink rose, are all the rose and Kisses good spring! Rosetta
I say, Grazie! ♥ 🙂
Susan, I have four pairs of your pajamas from back when (including the pink garden pattern you show in the above photo) and love them all. I’ve taken good care of all of them so they would last FOREVER….I even kept the box that that first pair came in, it was so adorable, I just couldn’t part with it! Sure wish they were still available.
Me too. I do have one pair of new ones left which I’ve been hoarding. 🙂
I don’t blame you Susan but you have to break them in and enjoy the comfort! I’ve been known to wear them alllll day, many days! 🙂
Lucky you, Judy!
I know! I just LOVE them all! When Susan first had them available back then on the website, I jumped right on it and ordered them each year with the newest pattern. 🙂
Judy (& Susan)
Mine are almost tread bare – but still holding together!! 😉
I don’t think I will ever part with them, even if they fall apart. I have to say they’re the best made p.j.’s I’ve ever had plus having the beautiful artwork of Susan’s!
I’m loving all that pink, Susan! Reminds me of spring and I can’t wait!
Loved the “internet magazine”! 🙂 I too have spring fever! We still have a lot of snow here in Minnesota. I want spring so bad I can almost taste it! I loved all the pink you gave us! The feminine side of me didn’t come out till well after I was married. When it did, it was like……”Oh thank you for letting me out”! lol. So, I have been enjoying nail polish, frilly clothes, lipstick, and PINK for sometime now. I love it!
I’m looking forward to the book being finished. It’s so nice to hear that you are so very excited about working on it so much!
Hope enjoyed your walk!
I know! We’re so lucky to be the girls!
It’s 56 in sunny north Texas. A walk sounds good. But I need to go out in the garden and put a couple more roses in the ground. Especially after seeing your tantalizing rose pictures. And feed them. It’s time to give them rose food so they’ll be beautiful in a three, maybe four weeks! How exciting!
I love China tea roses and older varieties because I love the scent! So pretty.
I hope on one of your spring walks you and Joe plan your next trip so you can write book Number Two! Yes, I know Number One isn’t out, but it is a long planning process, isn’t it? 🙂
We’ve been talking about it!
Oh dear heaven, let it be a return to the motherland that is England 🙂
Yippee!
They say that anticipation and planning is more than half the fun. Can’t wait to see what transpires! (and can’t wait for this book to come out!!)
Dear heaven, let it be to the motherland!
*Hope this hasn’t come thru twice but if so, just shows how passionate I am about Susan Branch returning to England for an Encore*
This is SUCH a good idea! 🙂
Don’t forget the book about “charm” that you were thinking about writing!
That would be the fattest book in the world!
What a happy blog today! Though we’re still mostly buried in snow, with rain pattering down, and the driveway turning to mushy mud–we know that Spring is just around the corner. I’ve been eyeing the snow-covered flower bed, wishing the snow away so the snow drops I planted last fall and the daffodils can show their faces, which I’m sure are already sprouting. I have little vases standing by–Little birds are crowding the feeders, the goldfinches are beginning to show some touches of their sunshine yellow summer finery, and the neighborhood squirrels are beginning to act a little “squirrely”. Such fun to watch! I’ll be humming Spring-Spring-Spring for the rest of the day I know.Thanks for all the beautiful pink today. That’s a color that’s been hard to find anywhere for quite a while around my neighborhood. 🙂
It’s coming Anita, stay strong xoxo
From one pink person to another, I ♥ ♥ ♥ this post!!! I especially loved seeing your breakfast in the Betty’s Fat Rascals cup 😉 If you are ever in San Juan Capistrano (take the train) you should go to a shop called “Studio Pink” and their sister store “Whim” … a shop where you want to take home one of everything … and where pink is prominent. Have fun with those last few pages … You must be so excited … and relieved! “I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
xoxo yes, I do adore that fat rascal! And I believe in Audrey Hepburn!
So, did you know that the Fat Rascal is celebrating its 30th anniversary? It is basically a “turf cake” or scone with a face made from cherries and almonds 🙂 Betty’s of York made these cakes famous. Did you ever get to a Betty’s Tea Room in Yorkshire? Here’s a Fat Rascal recipe from Bruce Richardson’s Great Tea Rooms of Britain: elmwoodinn.com/recipes/FatRascal.html
We saw one, but we’d just had lunch, so we missed out. I love the things we missed, now we have to go back!
You’ll get to Betty’s next time. Your cup will keep reminding you! On behalf of all the tea lovers out there, can I put in a plug for a tea page on the calendar? The pink teapot would look smashing surrounded by all your other pink tidbits … or teabits 🙂 Just a thought … ♥
Kinda did it today! 🙂 Perfect timing Mary!
Hi-Hip-Hooray…a post from Susan! You’ve been missed, dearly! I know you’re beyond busy, but I personally couldn’t go another day w/o hearing from you.
Now, get back to all you do so brilliantly.
Thanks for the “shout-out” to Spring and the color pink.
Hang in there Girlfriends, I’m beginning to see the Spring/Summer light at the end of this “book tunnel” and then we’ll have our fav girl back more often.
Bliss!
Marie xo
Thank you for your patience Marie! I miss you too!
Oh, Marie from my hometown, we are beginning to see spring
aren’t we? I always celebrate the lovely weather and drive down Rt 60 and spend the day in Williamsburg. Susan, this pink post is the best spring gift ever!
You my dear, tickled me pink for sure, just hearing from you, I did the Happy Dance ! I am patient so don’t think I am wondering what on earth you are doing. We know how hard you are working ! Glad you went out for a walk with your wonderful man. Paul and I went yesterday in the 50 degree weather and it was heavenly…….it’s coming, SPRING, it really is coming. Perfect timing I must say, you are so serendipitous ! I can’t wait to do my spring cleaning right along side you ! Please keep us posted on all the ways you spring clean, it would make it lots more fun to do it with a friend ! And Thank-you for the Birthday cup cake, it’s my Birthday this week !!!!!! You are approaching the finish line and we are all there waiting for you or shall I say we are right along side you cheering all the way ! All good things being sent your way, Love You, Wendy 🙂
Happy Birthday Wendy! xoxo
HI Susan,
Yes you deserve a happy dance, and it looks like its coming soon. Almost done and summer is yours. Love all the pink, I never can decide what my favorite color is. Is that the England Country living? I must have that.
Nancy Jo
Yes it is — I put a link there where you can get a subscription. Expensive, but I look forward to it every month.
~I think Barnes & Noble has it in their stores too~
That is where I usually pick it up but I’m thinking a subscription would be cheaper…usually is, anyway…
So good to here from you Susan. I loooove pink. I just redid my kitchen in pink well just the placemats, table runners, lamps, and of course my Emma Bridgewater teapot. Truth be known that’s why I picked pink. I put lace curtains up turn on the soft lamp light and sit in my newly reupholstered chair to read my cookbooks. Ahh heaven. Can’t wait for the book have fun on your walk.
It’s so fresh, I bet it looks beautiful. Joe had a great aunt at one time who had a totally pink kitchen, the tile, the stools had pink vinyl seats, it was especially beautiful because it was done in the 1930’s so it had mellowed. But it was quite something.
Sweet ! Only you can make a dust bunny precious ! I love her !
I can’t believe someone sold the pillowcase with all of the French
knots ! Obviously, they knew nothing about “home art,” beautiful
linens and the art of hand wrought needlework. So glad you gave
it a lovely home !
I feel like that about most of the things I find in antiques stores or yard sales, like, how could you ever give that away!
i feel the same way about the yard sales and antique stores around here, i found an original Black Beauty by Anna Sewell at a yard sale in a box of old books, i snapped that up in a hurry. also found some interesting naval books and items that belong in a museum and donated the box to the navy museum in San Diego on the Naval base there.
On Saturday I bought an embroidered napkin holder~ it cost $1.00! ~Like you I cannot believe how unappreciated ” the arts ” are! ~Good for me though~
I clean, press and starch all my old linens I buy and give them a good home!
i love going through the old linens and laces and every spring i just have to show them all off around the kitchen and on the kitchen table, and in the napkin basket…i have a very large antique basket that holds all my vintage linen napkins. and i found the best way to keep my vintage laces white…..lay them out on the green lawn on a warm sunny day and the grass will actually bleach them white.
It really does work — I dry bedspreads like that in the summer.
I hand wash mine with Biz and hang on the line~ they smell great too!
Just beautiful, Sue, that’s what I think!! Beautiful. Loved your teapot watercolor 🙂 It’s Spring! (well maybe not truly, but it’s raining outside, and that is melting away all of the snow). It’s actually totally yucky out, mud, mud and more mud. So pink is a lovely diversion and I welcome it! The PJ’s were adorable, how did I ever miss them? (probably wouldn’t have come in my size anyway, so I didn’t have that disappointment). I also adore pink – but I equally adore that bright green and it’s a lovely compliment to pink. I just ordered a “designer” teapot from Crate and Barrel – Ltd edition – and it arrived and I thought OMG the LAST thing I need is another teapot but it’s just so gorgeous I couldn’t resist. It’s bright green with gorgeous butterflies painted on each side. My adorable daughter said, don’t open the box and I’ll give it to you (and pay you for it) for Mothers Day! Excellent idea 🙂 Can’t wait for the new Country Living to arrive 🙂 fondly remembering the days when I looked for a new Susan Branch recipe inside. I made your coleslaw last night to serve w/dinner – yum! I add craisins with the apples and golden raisins for a boost of color (dare I say “pink”??) Got a new hairstyle over the weekend to propel me into Spring and I think I’ll go upstairs right now and put on something pink to wear to tonight for cards with “the girls”. Have a great week ladies!!
Fun comment Barbara! Thank you!
A wonderful rosey kind of day and so enjoyed my visit with you among all of your beautiful treasures. A very important job you have – those calendars are certainly important to a lot of us… just not sure I could ever buy any other after having your calendar on my wall in my sewing studio for the past few years. Spring has sprung here in North Carolina and three dogwoods and five azaleas were planted amongst out pines over the weekend. “Some bunny loves you” is so wonderful – I think I need more bunnies in my life and need to start looking for some, especially to go with my little vases. Judy C
Wonderful new trees! How exciting!
My goodness!! Am I really the first one to come upon your blog for today??? There were no other replies listed!! Well, anyway, LOVED today’s message. I love pink also and your blog really brightened up a slightly gloomy day in otherwise sunny Florida (might get rain tomorrow). My favorite it the large pitcher. That is gorgeous and you are probably right (the remaining part of a pitcher and bowl set). They are not easy to pack! I’ve carried one around through 12 major moves (over 27 years) and have managed to keep both parts whole. It’s just creamy white but still beautiful. Found in the Salvation Army Store in Basel, Switzerland. I asked a friend to look for one for me and she really did a great job. Hope you and Joe had a lovely walk today and don’t work too hard. You deserve a break real soon. Thanks for once again brightening my day. Kathy in Melbourne
Hi Kathy! Thank you!
I loved your pink theme. It’s put me in the spring fever mood. It’s 78 degrees in Cali and it feels like spring is really in the air. I can’t wait to get to gardening section at Lowes this weekend. Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
xo Tiina
78? Amazine!
Dear Sue,
I pre-ordered my book in GREAT anticipation! I too, have started spring cleaning here. I remember the days when I could do both floors in two days. Now it takes me several weekends! I took out Heart of the Home to display on my book stand and was noticing how yellowed the cover has become, as I have had it for so many years. I remember back when your following was smaller and all I wanted to do was TELL people about you! Now, with the internet, we share you with so many people!
The Brimfield Antique show is coming up in a few months and I always think of you when I go. I live just a few towns over from there and it is the highlight of all us antique collectors!
I hope you have a wonderful spring and the Vineyard warms up quickly!
Tracy xo
We must have passed each other at Brimfield over the years!
🙂 I think I would have squealed with delight if I saw you!
🙂 Tracy!
I love your pink “Susan Branch Living Magazine”! The bunny is adorable and so well done — it should be on every Easter card in the market! Love all the transfer ware too, always a favorite of mine. And of course PINK is always beautiful!
Your explaination of writing a book is very much like making a quilt, which is what I do everyday. I start with a stack of fabrics, work everyday to rearrange, cute and sew, then one day if I’m very committed a finish quilt finally emerges. And sometimes it feels like it will never end, but it does.
You know I find that decorating, cleaning, fresh flowers inhances the creative process. When creativity is lacking or a project is lagging, just cleaning a room, picking flowers for a vase, or just doing up the dishes provides a new energy for a project or idea.
Happy painting/writing! Enjoy the final bits of making your book. Of course you know we are all anticipating it like a kid at Christmas!!!
It’s just like making a quilt. In a way, like giving birth. I think these things are here to teach us about time, that indeed it does march on, and sooner or later, if you just keep going, you will be done — and that your very best things are the things that cause you the most trouble coming to fruition.
It occurred to me today that I never got the most recent Willard! Do I need to resubscribe? I know it was going out in batches, but it missed me! 🙁
This last Willard missed some people and we do not know why. Please check your spam folder, and if it isn’t there, then yes, do sign up again. Sorry!
I love all colors! But your pinks are really making me smile today! So much nicer than the snow we still are seeing outside our windows!
So happy for a new blog today and all the pink! Since my birthday will be soon, I’m imagining that birthday cupcake is mine!! I can almost taste it! Yum! Always LOVE to see the vintage linens and dishes – thanks!
Happy Birthday Francine!
Hi Susan –
So happy that spring is coming closer! Enjoying having more daylight at the end of the day!
I thought that you would select the Think Pink song from Funny Face!! youtube.com/watch?v=KX6TaA6IRkk LOL!!
So happy that you are nearing the finish line for A Fine Romance! Have fun with the calendar!! Can’t wait to see the finished product! 😉
Have a Marvelous Monday and terrific rest of the week! 😉
P.S I vote for the Dust Bunny to be the next screen saver download! 😉
I put a little hint in Kellee’s ear . . .
Thanks to you both! 😉
oh honey…..we pink ewe!!!
redbubble.com/people/andreael/works/6559992-oooh-la-la-baby-lamb-sheep-nz
a walk in spring air…..oh, you lucky duck! Ya know, you taught me how to hum “spring,spring, spring!” xoxoxox
Sweet!
Your spirited PINK blog came at a perfect time — been watching for it and our day has been grey, but suddenly it felt like springtime. I absolutely burst out laughing when I clicked on your rose referral as “I think it’s one of these”. Didn’t think those pretty pink roses would ever end –and LOVED that there was a rose plate in there, too. I’ve been busy knitting pink scarves for 2bagsfull pink scarf project — that is another pretty sight, isn’t it? (I became connected to that blog through YOU!) We all get reminders in October to THINK PINK, but your blog was a great reminder of how lucky we all are to be ladies! Can’t wait to share your little cupcake with my 2 yr old grand daughter. Congrats on your book progress and have fun getting ready for Cali! Ethel
Thank you Ethel!
This just made me very happy!
Oh Susan! I love today’s post. There’s no such thing as too much pink, in my opinion.
When I saw the little hanging plate, I ran up the steps to take a look at my little plate hanging in the spare bedroom. It’s exactly like yours except mine is pretty much brownish instead of pink. I love that little plate.
I also love my Doctor W. VanFleet rose that lives at the corner of my garden. It will be covered in May (right around Mother’s Day!) with the palest of pink blossoms. Don’t you just love the name of this rose? I’m not usually in love with Knock Out roses, but there is a single one called Rainbow Knock Out that turns from a beautiful coral pink to yellow as the flowers age. The pink is scrumptious and then you get to enjoy the yellow petals later!
My grandmother’s depression glass is called “Pink Floral” and I truly love it. My father gave her two pieces in 1931 from the dime store when he was only eight years old. They probably cost all of a quarter. Those two pieces now belong to me along with a collection of about sixty other pieces of Pink Floral that I’ve amassed. Sometimes my two granddaughters and I make pink popcorn, pink lemonade and eat and drink from my depression glass. Such fun to make pink popcorn!
….swoon….I’m in the pink now….going to make some cupcakes with pink icing.
Thank you! Thank you!
Diane in North Carolina
Pink Popcorn…how do you make that???? how much fun that would be when my grandgirls come to visit!!!!! please, please…I want to know!!!!
Look up how to make “Popcorn balls” and you use food coloring…
Can’t wait to do our spring cleaning too but we have snow again and they’re forecasting -6C tomorrow. I wish spring would hurry up and come, we need sunshine and warmth 🙁
You should put out your own magazine. It would be beautiful and inspiring. Btw, do you/did you design fabric?
Never mind…just read FAQs and realize you have fabric 😮
Susan, thank you for the birthday wish! My birthday is Saturday the 16th. That is why my mom named me “Patty” the day before St. Patty’s Day of course! I consider your blog post a gift and a beautiful post it was. So many pretty things to look at. We all know you are so busy getting that book done so that we can all enjoy it, but you are missed. It was a treat today to read this! Patty
Happy Birthday Patty!
Hello Susan thanks for coming out and playing with us….I truly think pink is a color (in all it’s many hues) that just makes you feel happy? Also, men like the color pink according to a survey I saw once on a piece they did on 60 mins. They normally paint the walls in a room in jails because they claimed it has a calming effect on people?? I love my pink in the garden and adore magenta especially with purples. Your blog was fun and the cupcake/coconut cake just looks so yummy. It was this time last year that your blog on carrot cupcakes inspired me and I went out and purchased all the ingredients and 2 days before Easter I made the cupcakes and then the Saturday before I iced in 4 pastel colors and put tinted coconut to make small nest and put in mini jellybeans….Everyone loved them!! I have a daffodil just ready to burst open in the backyard so can’t wait for them to start opening. I’m sure it is almost time for all the little baby farm animals to start being born and I can’t say which is my favorite; lambs, calves, foals, piglets, chicks/ducklings, just so adorable each one of them. Thinking of you while you are finishing up your book, and good luck with designing the calendars. The cupcake you just posted wishing anyone with a birthday this week made me think how adorable would a cupcake decorated in different colors every month hidden somewhere on your calendar page (sort of like where is Waldo) would be fun?? Take time out for “you” and thank you for all the hard work you are putting into getting the book/calendars to the presses!!! Breathe in the fresh air….aaahhhh
Hello from Lake Ontario where the setting sun this evening (my Daddy used to call it evenling) cast a pink glow everywhere, creating just the right mood for enjoying your pink post……how copacetic! Such lovely art and photographs! You sure do spoil us, Susan, with beauty and inspiration. Needed that pink cast of the sun to help cover up the yucky piles of melting snow. Around here the wind whips sand into the blowing snow so when it melts it gets browner and browner and even when it’s gone the grass is covered with sand until the first big Spring rains wash it off. Sometimes the sand is so deep we have to rake and shovel it off the grass. Tiny little downside to living along amazing Lake Ontario. The Lake is giving us our annual “National Geographic Special”…. it’s teaming with bobbing and diving gulls, ducks and geese. The sky is full of honking geese organized into Vs and quacky disorganized flocks of ducks. The excitement of Spring is everywhere! A friend reminded me to put remnants of thread, yarn and skinny ribbons on bush branches then watch to see if they become part of the nests that will be built in the next few weeks. In your honor, Susan and Girlfriends, I’ll be sure to include some pink! Have fun chasing Dust Bunnies. As always, DonnaRay
Just make sure the pieces are small because birds have been known to hang themselves accidentally or get wings or feet caught in them if they are too long! Small pieces of yarn are good, too. And when I clip our schnauzers in the springtime, I shake the hair clippings out for the birds…
today was a bit of dreary till I read your blog. it put the pink in my checks and a bit of a hop in my heart! thank you!
You have inspired me! Since my daughter Hayley has moved out and is “on her own” I have dreamed of turning her bedroom into a pink and white room. I have saved brand new sheets, pillowcases and curtains (all Rachel’s Shabby Chic Line) and have so much cute stuff- all pink and white….I even have a little pink chandelier. But I just never find the time…to paint (I already bought the Icy Pink Pastel Disney Princess color) and just do it. My daughter said “no way!” to pink, so now I can make it my extra hideaway room. I also have an child’s antique desk with a flip down seat and a little hole for the ink well- which I am going to use as a nightstand with a white hobnail lamp on it. Cutie-cute! Well, thank you for the push I needed…..Love you Sue! —-<–<–@ Randi
It’s going to be darling Randi!
Dear Susan,
Thankyou!Thankyou!Thankyou! xoxoxoxo
I love EVERYTHING about your posting and can’t wait to soak it all in for days to come. About your Dust Bunny–I love her apron and all those cute ruffles. I collect aprons and love to wear them too! I love feeling like June Cleaver! And, pink–it’s such a happy color!
I know that whenever I don’t hear from you, you are busy with The Book. I try to picture you at your desk, painting away. I know that you are still alive because I read your comments to the Girlfriends! And, it’s funny, but I was just thinking, “I wonder when Sue has to do next year’s calendars??” only to read that you are doing that now! What a busy gal you are! And we appreciate it so much!
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us!
Oh, by the way, my middle son and his wife dropped over about an hour ago with Great News!! They are having a baby in November!! It’s Baby City around here (!), with my 8 month old grandson; another grandson on the way; and now news of another one. Needless to say, I am delighted!!
Well, Sue, hang in there. The end is in sight! I am so thrilled for you! You can do it!! Rah, rah!
Love,
Linda
Congratulations Linda!
Hi Linda~
I have 2 new grandsons and a great niece or nephew coming within the next 5 months! ~Busy here too!~ Very Exciting!!
Have you seen “The Apron Book” by EllynAnne Geisel? ~Love it~ I am waiting for another book she wrote “The Kitchen Vintage Linens Book” ~should be arriving any day. ~ Can’t wait!~
From one June Cleaver to another~ Have a good day!
P.S. do you remember the show ” I Married Joan” ? I really am more of a Joan than a June!
When I first moved down here I was single, a guy I dated said I was stuck in the 50s. I said, Actually… the 60s, and you can leave me alone while I go and vacuum in my shirtwaist dress and pearls if you don’t like it!!!
His loss!
Thank you for the compliment. Now I have my Arnie from Wisconsin!
Dear Lynn, So you know how I’m feeling?? It is so much fun–all those little darlings– and it changes your family dynamics in such a good way.
And, yes, I do have the apron book and love it! I even have an apron at school! Once a week I have lunch room duty and in the pockets of my apron I carry napkins, utensils, etc. Plus, if I open something and it sprays everywhere (inevitably it does), my apron protects me!
I don’t know “I Married Joan” or at least I don’t think I do. I will “google” it and find out.
Hi again~
I will be Nonny ~Nana for the 6th time ~3 of each!~
My future grand~son~in ~law calls me Nonny too! ~3 new little ones by August!~ I Married Joan is a hooot! ~ she is always getting in some sort of predicament ~ sometimes with her sister~ just like me! Have fun with those babies!
I forgot~ one of the new little ones is my great niece!
I was just reading all the comments from the girlfriends. What movie is the Spring, Spring Spring song from? It’s on the tip of my brain, but I just can’t remember. 🙂 Oh wait! It’s from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers right?!!! I knew I just watched it recently!
I received a pair of your pajamas for my birthday years ago,
at least I think I did, they were white sleveless with a summer theme, watermelons, beachy things. Could they have been yours?
Hi Susan and also to all the ‘girlfriends’ out there ~~~~ All this pink was just the perfect blog for me today, as it’s cloudy and looks like rain. Oh Spring Spring where art thou?
I loved seeing all the pictures from the gift show. I remember the picture of the ballarina shoe sheets. At the time, I thought “how cute are they” and I STILL think that.
Loved the pink flowers in your garden as well! Makes me want to go out and start planting in my garden. My garden mainly is containers. Not so much weeding to be done. Call me silly, but I do not like to get out in the cool fog to work in my garden any more than I have to. I mostly feel as though it is the autumn time instead of spring and summer that it should be.
Off to start some dinner now. I’m enjoying an hour longer of light now, although my sleep is comprimised for the time being of getting used to missing that hour of sleep 🙂
xoxoxox
Carol M
Funny — I remember being very smitten with those ballet shoe sheets as well though I’ve never been big on pink. In 7th grade I took a fancy to Dusty Rose and it was the paint I used in my own room in our new home — it lasted less than a year before I painted my room a soft green. But lately — pink is starting to worm its way into my heart and house again — lots and lots of it is featured in the floral fabrics and framed rose prints I used in the wine red bedroom and more pink to come in my living and dining rooms when its their turn to be refurbished!
Hi busy bee! I got the cutest little book in the mail today called, Walking with Beatrix Potter: Fifteen Walks in Beatrix Potter Country. Between your new book and this book, I’ll be set for my Lake District adventure two summers from now!
I am “contemplating” getting my ragdoll kitty. I am going to get a retired birth mother. Here’s the link. Isn’t she pretty?
crackonoonragdolls.com/queens/blue-moon-aka-boo-a-blue/#
🙂
Your pink is so lovely! I had a pair of those pajamas. They were so soft and cuddly!
What an elegant cat! And yes I have that darling book, we used it when we were “there” and I put a picture of it in A Fine Romance
Love the “pink” blog today! I set out my Easter items, around St. Patrick’s ” and my big Pink Bunny teapot. Can’t wait for breakfast tea tomorrow morning!
I look forward to each new blog and the smiles it brings, thanks so much!!!
Thanks for the lovely wonderful Spring everything. A perfect (purrfect as my kitty would say) upper lifter, yes indeed.
Gotta say, this blog just tickled me pink!! I remember my grandma using that phrase many, many years ago, whenever something delighted her :). How I wish those adorable pj’s were still being made! So cute!
What a beautiful blog today. I LOVE pink,my favorite color.
It’s so exciting to be almost finished with your book. What a great feeling that must be, all those hours of work right in front of you to share with the world.
My Mom (who is quite ill) has a birthday on Wednesday. I will show her the cute cupcake!! Love that dust bunny too!!
It’s almost spring!! Take care!! XOXO
Sending my best wishes to your mom and a Happy Birthday!
Spring is almost here! The tulip bulbs are peaking through and I have to say a huge thank you for the Phoebee the Hummingbird link! I’m watching her nest at this moment……and you’ll love this, trying to figure out my first “smart phone”….a Droid RazorM…..and guess what color it is! PINK! I’m an 8 year breast cancer survivor, and PINK is my very favorite color. Oh, here’s Phoebee, feeding her little ones. What a beautiful day she is having! Looks like there a lots of spring flowers where she lives! What a dedicated momma bird! I hadn’t heard that she looses babies :(…..I saw them put in an orphan into this nest and she took it right under her wing….ha ha, no pun intended). Well Susan, glad to see your blog today. Excited and anxious to see “A Fine Romance”. Also hope we can see you when you get out to California. Stay warm and take care. Hello to Joe and pets to Jack and Girl Kittie.
Jan from Northern CA
Hi Susan,
Thanks for brightening my day. YES, I remember those wonderful pajamas. Can you sell them again??? PLEASE? This Christmas my family will gather in WV and I would love to have all the girls in the family in new matching Susan Branch pj’s. They were the best pj’s ever.
I think I have had every calendar you have ever made except for one sad year when I went a little crazy and purchased some other random brand. They just make me happy. Thank you for all the work and love you put into them.
Gloria
There was one year, back around 2004 or 3 or maybe 5, when I didn’t do one! I had to put a stranger’s calendar on my wall that year!
I bet that was strange! I am so glad I can say, “I know the person who does my calendars–as a matter of fact she’s my Girlfriend!!”
Love the pink! And of course I ordered the British Country Living. I had been wanting to order it so thanks for the link….birds of a feather!
I know you’ll love it Janice!
I hope you know how much you inspire. Whenever I see one of your posts in my Google Reader, I get my tea and settle in. Thank you for continuing to spread happiness.