Hello girls….do you need sweet Musica? It’s a day for Counting our Blessings . . .
This is my idea of beautiful and good . . .
And I hungered after it. I’ve had a bad cold ever since my birthday girlfriends, and this is part of what is making me feel so much better today. Chicken soup, for the body and the soul–rich, healthy, vitamin-filled homemade broth, mushrooms and chicken . . . Something we could all use a little of right now, some self-nurturing, considering all the terrible news this week.
This is one of those times that being your own chaperone, feeding yourself from the well of sweetness is the only way to have a little bit of control of this wild and crazy world we live in. It’s been a hard time. The TV, which takes up a much larger 
percentage of space in our house than Boylston Street takes of the globe, is bringing us terrifying news that makes us feel like the whole world is on fire. I try for perspective, and it’s not easy with all this coverage and announcers making it much worse by using every ultimate word they can find. Is what happened to those innocent people in Boston worse than the 30,000 deaths by gun violence that take place in this country every year? I’m coming to the conclusion that as long as there are weapons and madmen we are going to have to learn to live with this. Despite the incredibly heroic efforts by law enforcement and first responders (our knights in shining armor), or the uncountable numbers of kindnesses between strangers (people can be so heart-touchingly wonderful), what makes the biggest buzz in my ear is the bad news and the hopelessness it seems to sell. But what is different really? This is going to go on. For me it’s sad because it thwarts the child-thinking fairytale world so many of us were raised to believe in, the world we wished to give our children. As the down-to-earth and brilliant Mark Twain said . . .
“Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.”
We have to fight to hold on to our precious fairytale dreams of life. ♥ We must steel ourselves — that’s one thing no terrorist can ever take from us, the belief in the beauty of our dreams. So turn the channel (at least hit the mute button), and let’s feed ourselves from the well of sweetness. If it gets us, it gets us, but on this blog, for now, we turn all our worries over to law enforcement, say a prayer to God for peace, and then we take a big deep breath, because remember, nothing even remotely like what is happening in Boston is happening at your house, or in the miles and miles of peaceful American neighborhoods and farmlands. There are only eggs and bacon frying in pans, roosters crowing, and kids getting ready for school . . .
There are wide open spaces and people doing the good things they do everyday, kissing each other good morning, saying good bye, off to work . . . If you are a lucky stay-at-home-mom, turn up the music, get the broom, dance when you sweep and then hang the clothes on the line . . . If you’re at work, find a park bench or take a magazine to lunch, and look at the sky the sky the sky . . .
Yes, everything out there is truly tickety-boo . . . big red barns, rolling fields ready to be planted, and look at that beautiful sky . . .
Nothing’s happening on the island either — in Menemsha, flags are catching the morning light as they flutter from fishing boats in the chilly springtime ocean breeze.
All is quiet on the highways and byways of America, the snow melting, gathering strength in droplets, turning into streams and rivers, sparkling along the roadside in puddles and rivulets . . .
The breeze is still coming up from the Pacific, blowing the grass on the California Coast, near Morro Bay. A few more miles, you can have tea in Cambria, visit garden centers, and there are lots of antique stores to wander in….
And let’s not forget, everything is perfectly normal in England; people are at Hill Top Farm, seeing it for the first time, falling in love with it, shopping in the Beatrix Potter gift shop right this very moment ….
And lucky people are driving across the Yorkshire Dales, ooohing and aahing at the beauty, stopping to smell the wildflowers . . .
Yes, life goes on . . . And here at home, birds are singing, Cardinals are pecking at the seed we threw on the driveway, Jack is drinking out of the kitchen faucet, I’m getting well, enough to walk out back yesterday to see the forsythia blooming . . .
And lay on my tummy in the grass. The ground was warm and smelled like grass and dirt, and the only thing going on there is wild violets . . .
Our magnolia tree is in bloom too.
My birthday celebration was short, because my throat burst into flame the next day, but it was sweet. Joe made us a birthday lunch and we ate it in front of the fire …
Fresh New England lobsters with lemons and hot butter for dipping, and fresh spring asparagus cooked al dente. Could a person ask for anything more? No. But there was more . . .
Elizabeth brought me this family of bottle brush lambs for my Birthday present! ♥
I introduced them to my dog, now they are all together, getting along swimmingly. Dog watching over lambs.
And these! Handmade for me by twelve-year-old Maddie Honeycutt, the daughter of Sheri who works in my studio along with Kellee, someone many of you have spoken to when you order from the web store. Maddie made the bird too, it has little wire feet.
Didn’t she do a wonderful job? I was so surprised! She dressed the lamb in a little British flag scarf — I think to match the lamb I painted for the book (and BOOKMARK, did you get your bookmark? Click there if you want one). How sweet is Maddie? Lucky me. THANK YOU DEAR MADDIE ♥ ♥ ♥
and there were birthday flowers too, and the girls also sent us a box of oranges and limes they picked from our California fruit trees, and pretty new clothes from my dad and his wife Jeanie, and lots of cards and phone calls and everything anyone would want for a wonderful birthday.
And being sick this last week has given me a break, a definite transition from what was to what’s about to be. I am feeling better, more energy today, and soon I will be my old self, and already, this is what I’m thinking of, revving up my engines, and starting springtime . . .
More than anything, this is a day to count our blessings. When things are bad, that’s always what I do. Something I wanted to share with you: While I was sick, I got a note from the professional editor that did the editing on our book. He’s someone my publisher found for me, and lives far from here, but he did a wonderful job of finding all the commas I forgot to put in, making me look smarter than I am. I wrote to thank him and this is what he wrote me back to say:
Susan: It’s wonderful to hear from you. I am an overly cynical, world-weary editor whose editing mileage far exceeds his age, and that age itself is creeping up. Most of my work is on dry academic tomes, and it’s amazing the amount of contempt I can work up for authors on whose areas of expertise I know little about. But I’m very comfortable working on 400-page books on entirely obscure topics that would put even people interested in them fast to sleep.
Hope you feel all better soon!! I LOVE the bottle brush lambs – they are so sweet!! Going through a tough time right now, but trying to count my blessings often 🙂
It’s a big help xoxo
Thank you , Susan, for your reminder that our beautiful country and its beautiful people are real and ongoing blessings. No evil can ever change that. If nothing else, times like this give us an opportunity to strengthen our souls. Feel better soon…..and “Happy Birthday:>”
…ah, Susan…you know that we have been (somewhat ) patient, really waiting to hear from you !!..’teary -eyed, as I read such a thoughtful letter to us all…firstly, I’m so glad that you are feeling better and also so glad that you had such a nice birthday…’love all the quotes you posted from George Eliot to Mark Twain and of course Gladys Taber…so inspiring and gives us faith and hope in our precious world and lives..regardless.. of course, the editor would absolutely LOVE your (our) book…so charming..as you are and all that you do !!..thank you and please take care !!…we soooo need you !!
Thank you Mary xoxo you take care too!
Dear Susan,
Mary has written exactly everything that I wanted to say here…
Thank you! We do need you so very much!
Thank you Patty xoxo
~Good Morning Dear Susan & Girlfriends~
It is so nice to come here to this special place to take a break from “reality”~ I must say that I am very impressed with NBC news for carrying the entire Interfaith Service on television yesterday~ with so much focused on the negative~ what a surprise to see such a positive and inspiring promise of hope for we Americans and humanity in general~ The light will overcome the darkness~ yesterday was proof with that!~
So nice to hear about the book too!~ Thank you for being ~Positively Positve!~
BYW ~ the sun came out today~ even if its not going to last!~
Happy Friday Blessings~
Lynn
I loved the service to Lynn, it was so beautiful and filled with hope, and the good!
I also watched the service yesterday. Very inspiring and full of hope.
~ I forgot to add this that I read in theWriters Almanac~ and that it was written on this Spring day in 1944
” Is there anything more beautiful in the world than to sit before an open window and enjoy nature, listen to the birds singing, feel the sun on your cheeks and have a darling boy in your arms”
Anne Frank
Three months later her family was found in hiding~And even though we all know that the hatred in the world stole her young life ~she will live on forever because of the beautiful and positve message she left for all of us to read in her diary.
Thank you Lynn. I have never read this before. How perfect at he end of this terrible stressful week.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
So wonderful to hear from you, but sorry to hear you’ve been sick, especially at birthday time. Ah, chicken soup to comfort you, and your spiritual words to comfort me. It’s been such a hard week. I kept clicking on your link, hoping that your sensitive words would show up — thus today has been joyful for me. I indeed had to turn the tv off yesterday — just could not take any more sorrow, and today have only listened off and on for an occasional update. So, turning my head to the great outdoors, to the few signs of spring we have here in northern Indiana (which sadly might include snowflakes tonight!) — daffodils, magnolias, hyacinth, and rhubarb popping up to say hello — has helped immensely, as well as taking in the beautiful photos you included today. Ahh, that Wisconsin farmland is the best! How are your plans coming for the book-signing tour? I think Lucy is retiring just in time — we definitely will be making a road trip somewhere in order to catch up with you. Blessings your way and to all the girlfriends — we all need to stay strong. Hugs, Ethel
I haven’t had a chance to start planning the tour yet, but that will be soon. Happy to hear from you Cathy!
You are right about Wisconsin farmland~ especially when it has cows , an old farmhouse and a big red barn on it!
Good Soil in WI!!! I miss it!
Cathy are you going on a girlfriend road trip??? Sounds like fun!
Happy belated Birthday. Glad your feeling better. You are so right. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy, but I must say, I had to turn the TV off because it felt like the whole world was coming to an end. We must keep our hearts and minds strong to keep hope and love alive for all of us. We must help people out of the mud pit and we can’t do that if we are sitting in it with them. Anyway, I also wanted to say what beautiful presents you received for your birthday. The little lambs made by your friend Mattie are wonderful. She already has a career in front of her as an artist. What a blessing. We need more artist in the world. (Coming from someone who doesn’t have an artistic bone in her body). God Bless you and your family.
You are good with words Laurie, that’s art! xo
And remember, if you do it from the heart, you are an artist . . . or whatever!!!
Amen! :>)
Hello Ms. Branch! I have never commented on any posts before, but I have been following you for ages, since I was about 10. (Just turned 19). Every once and a while, I like to escape college work and visit your blog, which always reminds me that there are people in the world who think like me! I have loved and admired your work for years, and actually wrote to you, when I was about 14 years old, because you inspired me so much! You sent a few letters back to me, which I still have!!! I just wanted to say Happy (belated) Birthday, and that I hope you are feeling better soon!!! I pray too that Boston will have some peace soon!
– Thank you for inspiring so many women every day!
My pleasure Alison, thank you so much! I especially have loved the letters I’ve gotten from young people, so thank you for those too! xoxo
♥ ♥ ♥ Sweetest Sue…I Muted The Telly…& Read & Re~Read Your Wonderful Blog…You Brought Me Back to Normal! 😉 Thank~You… Like all of Us I’ve Been Glued to The News & all The Madness I’ve said Many Prayers & have all The Questions…but Evil Exists The Bad Guys do Very Bad Things Then The Good Guys Handle it…Life is a Gift We Need to Hold On to Each Other Love is The Answer ahhhhhhhhhhh Just Breathe….I’m Happy Your Birthday was Magical Sorry you caught a Cold Happy You are Feeling Better 🙂 I Love Love Love Your Guardian Angel Drawing Beyond Cute! 🙂 I Adore all Your Photos & those Lambies! Those Words from Your Editor…Pure Magic Sweet Sue…We are All going to Love & Cherish Your New Book! (So Exciting!) Twirling with Joy! I am Counting My Blessings & Saying Prayers for All Stay Safe My Friends….Pixie~Dust for Everybody! Springtime Hugzzz & a Few Flutters from Me Wings! Kitty~Kisses to Girl & Jack! Time to Fill The Birdie Feeders & water all My Flowers! xoxo Poof! 😉 ♥ ♥ ♥ 🙂
Love you Angie, never stop twirling!
I Won’t Sweetest Sue (I Promise!) & I L♥ve You! xoxo Poof! 🙂 ♥
Wonderful, wonderful post, Susan! And I’m glad you are feeling better.
Hope you’re feeling much better, but please take it slow. No need for rushing about and wearing yourself out. Congratulations on the “review” from the editor! What lovely praise! Good for you. Take care.
Hi Susan,
It was such a treat to read your words this morning. It made me feel so much better. Your words are very comforting. I’m so glad your on the mend. You really do count your blessing about feeling good again. so happy you had a wonderful birthday. All your cute goodies. Susan thanks again for your words and wisdom. It really does help us all to get back to living life.
Many blessings to all and to our country.
Love,
Gail
Thank you Gail xo
Thank you dear sweet Sue, I needed that, or I should say we needed that (as in this blog)! I already know I ♥LOVE ♥ your new book! Your new editor has a great way with words, and such a brilliant man to “like” your new book! Today’s writings, pictures, paintings, quotes – the whole thing – made my heart happier. You certainly do beautiful work! Sorry you had to celebrate your birthday with a cold, but it looks like between the lobster (wine), tea, and the soup, you filled yourself with healing nutrients. Be well my dear! Again, thank you, you give us great hope for a more kind, loving world. Prayers for all! Love, Joanie
Thank you Joanie xoxo
Thank you for this post. Thank you for a bright spot today with all that is happening to our neighbors, friends, etc. Belated Happy Birthday to you. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I’m so looking forward to the new book.
Thank you, Susan. Your post is such a blessing on this day of heartbreak. We kept our five year old grand boy over night last night, and did not watch any of the news channels until he went to bed at 8pm. This morning we thought he was engrossed in watching one of his videos on the iPad and we turned on the Today show….he looked up suddenly and said “the guy in the white hat is bad, but don’t worry. We have helpers to keep us safe.” Out of the mouths of babes…we told our son about it when he came later to take him to preschool. Seems that after the massacre in CT this little guy’s teachers had told the class what Mr. Rodgers said so many years ago…..when scary things happen that make us sad and anxious, look for the helpers, meaning police and EMT’s and first responders and teachers and people who love us. Hubby and I took a walk after he left, and we said a prayer for the saftey of our helpers. We have not turned the TV back on yet. We will later, but not just yet.
It’s basically a good world, out of the mouths of babes xoxo
Susan,
So happy to see your post! Hope you are feeling better and back to normal very soon. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday ( even though short lived). Bought seeds and pots in hopes of starting my herb garden today, but is still cold and rainy. Loved your violets and blooms. Take care of yourself and keep thinking those nurturing thoughts. Oh, one more thing – we knew your book would be “absolutely charming”. It had to be – when written by very talented and warm-hearted you!
P.S. My Grandma used to make us tapioca pudding when we were sick . If you lived closer I’d make some and bring it over.
Ohhhh, I love tapioca! xo
Eeeuuuu…..fish eyes!!! LOL!
LOL!
We love tapioca at this house. We even found colored tapioca (red, green and white) for Christmas!!! Yum
The only way “fish eyes” are good is in Bubble Tea!
Dear Susan… sometimes (not often) I am at a loss for words… your post spoke for me today too… thank you for always, always knowing just what to say to calm us in this world gone oh so crazy… my “I love you’s” always come easy for me though… to my family… and friends… like you!… sooo… I love you Susan, for keeping us grounded when the ground seems shaky… I am so sorry to hear you have been sick… did you tie a sock around your neck like you told me to do when I was sick???… it really did help me!… all of your lambs are just precious and how adorable little 12 year old Maddie handcrafted those for you, with a British scarf even!… loved seeing inside the Beatrix Potter gift shop… two of my nieces are going to London on the 27th for 19 days to visit relatives and they promised they would bring me back a Peter Rabbit dishtowel from there!… hope they can find one… and wish I was going with them!… sending happy Springtime thoughts and feel~better wishes to you, xoxo Julie Marie PS Your soup and your birthday lunch look DELISH!!!
Of course I tied a sock on, it’s sickness tradition! Can’t be sick without a sock! xoxo Julie Marie!
Be well, Susan. And thank you for taking the time to post your so-very-meaningful message.
good morning susan,and hello girlfriends. I do hope you are feeling better susan, and many belated birthday wishes. like everyone here, I just turned off the telly and couldn’t bear to hear anymore about the tragedies going on, my heart goes out to all of the people. but I went outside and worked in the barn to get over the sour mood it put me in. Dotty our female duck is egg sitterin’ and so is Hermione one of our hens along with Miss Prissy and Prudence so we will see if we get any babies out of all this egg sitterin’ going on. my tulips are coming up all over the yard, and its glorious, red, pink, and yello tulips and my daffodils are still blooming and the snow drops are just finishing. unfortunately my hubby ran over some of my little violets so I chased him around the yard with my mop and finally clobbered him, teach him to plow over my violets with the lawnmower. its cloudy today and looks like rain, Miss Dotty took a swim and is back on her eggs, life goes on and so do we. but its nice to take the time and see the beauty of it all, sort of eases the sadness. feel better now susan, have a great day today everyone. hugs…. 🙂
just wandered back in from the barn, and checked on the peeps in the house…we may have a new little rooster in the batch…good. they are so much fun to watch grow up and when they are starting to learn to crow its hilarious. they sound like a toy bugle played after it got flattened. its the silliest sound you ever heard but they try to crow like an adult and keep on trying until they get it right. can’t wait for the fun to start. the lawnmower brigade just rolled on by and I waved to them from the front porch. and with the warmer, sunnier days ahead I know the tractor brigade is not far behind. things are definitely looking alot better around here, now if we can have some ducklings and chicks hatching in the next month, life will be good. I know Daddy Dongo duck is enjoying his time in the new pool, never saw a duck that loved a pool as much as this one does. he spends hours just floating around in that pool….. the good life for him. LOL!!!! have a great day and a great weekend everyone!!! hugs…. 🙂
thanks, for the updates in your life, Pat. Maybe for our new girlfriends you should explain what the lawn mower and tractor brigade is! I never thought of roosters being little and learning to crow! That must be fun!
Keep us posted!
Linda
Pat, you said it well!! Thanks for the up lifting.
Glad to hear you are feeling better and can get outside to enjoy your beautiful yard. (Last night I dreamt I saw a cardinal on my fence) But I am here in Cambria…no cardinals, and I just enjoyed my pot of tea with my cat, Marianne sitting in my lap purring. There is much to thank God for giving.
I am blessed to hear that people are taking golden retrievers to comfort people in Boston. I have two here with me and it helps.
Sounds perfect Loris!
When I read your comment on the Cardinals…….you might enjoy “dreaming on” with Fannie Flagg’s book “Redbird Christmas.” It’s such a sweet book and touching. I live in “the South” (of U.S.A.) where Cardinals are “revered” and my home is near Fannie Flagg’s home, so I especially loved this book! Redbirds (Cardinals) are a true delight……….want to know what’s on my wishlist? AN ENGLISH ROBIN! One of the sweetest little birds ever!
Thanks for the idea, Nanette. I will look for that book. I like reading that author!
Hi Susan ~ I’m so glad you posted a blog….I don’t know anyone in Boston, but was thinking of you when I heard the news of the marathon bomb, and then started to worry when I didn’t see any postings for awhile….”Oh no, was she one of the injured?” Whew, just a cold! Happens to everyone once they finish a project of epic proportions, right? Just like the first day after finals week in college – I always got sick then too! Thank you for all your words about the things that are still beautiful in life….it is comforting in contrast to all we hear on the news. I hope all is resolved soon without any more violence.
You’re right, when you don’t have time to be sick, you just save it up until you do!
hi susan! is this chicken soup recipe in any of your books? i have all your books, but for the life of me i cannot remember if i have seen it in any of them! oh darn, i guess it is time to reread them all again! tee hee hee! i love your books…they have such a nice calming effect on me…with everything that has been going on this week i think that is just what the doctor ordered…a trip through all of them this weekend! thanks for the post today…and keep getting well!
If you’re asking because you’d like the recipe, you’ll see where I mention it on the blog that it’s underlined and in color? Click there, and you’ll get the recipes for the stock and the soup. Thank you Sandi!
LOL…i did see the link for the recipe, i just was wondering if it was in one of your books. i was hoping it might be, because i tend to misplace loose recipes/pieces of paper…but i know right where my books are at all times. 🙂 i guess that sounds sorta silly…i can always put loose recipes in my susan branch recipe binders! i have had them for a few years, but you know how that goes sometimes…thanks susan!
Oh yes it’s in a couple of them, it’s in the Autumn Book, also the Girlfriend book, and the stock is in Heart of the Home.
thank you susan!i am so looking forward to finding out when and where your book signings will take you…i am thinking if you are close enough somewhere, i might see if my girlfriend, who is also a devoted “heart of the home” fan, might want to take a road trip! i would so love to meet you in person…have been collecting your books since the first one came out in ’86, and both my boys baby books are yours. your sweet nature just oozes from your books, and everyone i have ever given them to as gifts has gone on to aquire others, because they have enjoyed them so.
We’ll start working to make some dates set for booksignings very soon. I will be sure to post them, and let everyone know, because I’m the same way, looking forward to meeting everyone in person! Thank you Sandi!
Susan, high praise, indeed, for your beautiful book. You may have to keep that cotton in your ears, lol, because you are going to hear a lot of praises for your book. Glad you’re feeling better. Chicken soup helps. Just watching the noon news with all the events unfolding in Boston. So sad – two more people dead. Sending prayers.
Thank you, Susan, for always reminding us of the goodness in the world, and for counteracting the darkness with your special kind of light. I was so moved by President Obama’s speech at the memorial service yesterday and personally related to the quote: “We must run with endurance the race that has been set before us.” It applies to so many of the challenges in life, not the least of which is being steadfast in our optimism and love of the world. On my refrigerator, among all the family photos, is one of your quotation cards that says, “Count your blessings out loud.” Such great advice!
It’s a good thing Rosanne! We are kindred spirits.
Glad you are feeling better. My sinus infection is going, too. It was really nice to see your photos of the forsythia and the wild violets. Looks like Spring! We got 8″ of heavy wet snow yesterday/last night, places nearby got up to 20″! Blue sky and sunshine here today and the plows have been through so the roads are just wet. Even I am saturated with the snow–now onward to Spring! 🙂
I’m almost saturated with your snow too! Wishing you only spring now.
When I came to my computer today and found your post it was like….okay now I’m going to feel better. I have a post from Susan to read…Yeah!! You have a way of making us all come pack to what is really important. I love all the simple lovely things you have reminded us of today. I have the wonderful priviledge of homeschooling my children. It is one of the biggest blessings of my life (even the days when it is very hard) I count it a blessing. I get to be with my children every day – what a priviledge. So all this week, lots of hugs, lots of prayers and lots of giving thanks. Praying that you are back to your self again soon. Love the story about the editor too!
I love that you call it a privilege.♥
Hello friends! Such a beautiful post today, thank you. Precious little lamb gifts! We are on a TV news ration here, it was overwhelming. So Pandora is my companion while quilting. It’s a great website, and working to George Winston music calms ones soul. My music taste is quite varied, and on Pandora I can listen to anything!
Get well soon Susan, but enjoy your time resting.
Thanks Holly!
Good afternoon Susan,
I’m glad you are feeling better! I think the chicken soup did the trick!!!!
I was so happy to get your blog, you do have a way with words. We all need to hear something good today. How sad for the people of Boston. We all pray for families that are suffering from this terrible act. We have a lot of safety people trying to do their job and put our city back to a safe place for people to live, work, play and enjoy life in the city.
Your Birthday dinner looked wonderful!!! How special to celebrate with a wonderful meal in front of the fireplace. Makes me want to have a Lobster!!!
Joe is a gem!!!!
May the sun shine and make everything good!
Your words to God’s ears xoxo
Susan –
So glad to hear that you are on the mend!
Of course the editor found the book “charming” – you have charmed & influenced so many of us through the years so why not a crusty old editor?? 😉
Hoping that people in Boston and in West, Tx continue to feel the love, prayers & support coming from many people and places!
Like many have mentioned, reading the blog this morning was very comforting – we had 3 bomb threats yesterday in LA area – one of the universities closed down, Hollywood Blvd closed off, and courthouse in Pomona partially closed down!! Seems like things have gone off the rails!!
Cleaning house and enjoying spring weather today – tuning off television! Hope that you and all continue to heal and have a calm weekend! 😉
Thank you for sharing your darling birthday gifts!! You are a gift yourself! XOXO
Goodness!
Hello Susan!
Sorry to hear about your cold at your birthday time! Bad timing! But glad that you are on the mend. Regarding the latest tragedy, the news coverage does get to be too much–but some place I saw the story of what Mr. Rogers had been told as a child by his mother, to comfort him when there was bad news. She said basically to look for the helpers, that there would always be people helping. I see that same sentiment on your blog. I love the quote you mentioned about us being our own chaperones, and yes, prayer and gratitude definitely help our feelings of hopelessness and worry. I am grateful to you for the light you bring to our world!
Susan,
Forgot to tell you, your Birthday gift of little sheep are adorable. Are they handmade ? If so your friend is very talented with her art.
Yes, the little wool ones were handmade by my girlfriend’s 12 year old daughter. So sweet!
Well done, Susan! I find this blog to be very soothing and healing! Your words should be read on the network news reports!
Exciting news about an “outsider” having such a positive response to your book! I can hardly wait until my copy arrives!
It’s good news, too, that you are finally feeling better! Taking steps toward a proper springtime will be just as effective as medicine.
We have birthdays here next week. Do you suppose Joe would come to prepare our birthday lunches?:-) Definitely good enough to eat!
I suppose you have heard that Gert has been in the hospital, and she is now in a rehab facility, hoping to be able to go home before too long.
Rain, rain, and more rain here today! Just received email from the Steamship Authority about the Daffodil Festival on Nantucket next week-end. Now, wouldn’t THAT be lovely?
Enjoy your day, and take care of yourself!
xo Nellie
No I hadn’t heard about Gert! I will have to run over to Twitter . . . thank you for letting me know!
Please tell Gert that many of us wish her smooth recovery! 😉
thanks, Nellie, for letting us all know! Gert, you are in my prayers!
Linda
I thank you, Susan, for the anchor you throw out to the girlfriends, during stormy and troubled times! You are such a bright spot during dark times!
Your post was most uplifting and there were so many things I wanted to comment on but I don’t want to use up more than my fair share of “space” in comments…….I was touched by the praise your editor honored you with……..we already knew it would be THAT KIND of book but isn’t it nice when an unexpected reader learns that there really is CHARM left in our world?! And you helped bring some pleasure and joy into that world!!! How lovely!
Next, I wanted to tell you that since I’d been going through all my little eye problems this year, I have kept my “mental shopping list” in my head of what I’d use my “fun money” for when I finally got out and about…….
I had seen your “scrapbook book” (book of pages and stickers that you have in your on-line store) at Sam’s this past November but I was in a big hurry to get finished up with grocery shopping and thought I’d just pick them up “next week” when “I come back.” Well! You know what always seems to happen if we wait…….right? And it happened to me! They were all gone! (Good for you. Bad for me! sigh.) I needed three of the books to use for scrapbooking my daughters childhood photos………They are all grown up now and it’s my goal in life to leave them with memories of having been cherished babies/their mama’s cherished girls all their lives……….So……..today, when I went online to pre-buy ” A Fine Romance,” I found the scrapbooking papers on your website! I had so much fun treating myself and now my eyes are getting so much better that I can finally do their scrapbooks and read the travel journal!
So, even though there are awful, horrible things happening in our world, God has graced us with so much blessing all around and thank you for helping us live in that sweetness! You are a very big part of MY world, Susan. Anyone who knows ME………knows that! My thank you is a very big one and so very heartfelt! I am glad you are on the mend! Bless you!
You’re a doll Nanette, thank you so much xoxo
Oh, Nanette, you have spoken all the things in my heart as well! Susan, what can I say, you just work your charm on everyone! What a fun surprise for that editor! And, Nanette, I am so glad to hear that your eyes are getting better! It is hard to be patient and persist, but now we can rejoice with you!
Linda
Oh, Susan~~~ I’m soooo sorry that you have been sick! Sounds as though you had a pretty bad one at that. So happy that you are beginninng to feel better and are on the road to recovery.
Sounds as though you had a good birthday, beit you being sick and all. Those little bottle brush lambs are so cute!! I’ve never seen anything like those before. Hm…. wonder where you can get them. Look on the computer says me, haha.
Thank you for the uplifting blog today, as we are all heavy with grief about Boston and West.
Until later,
xoxoxoxox
Carol M
Later Carol, thank you!
Good to hear from 🙂 I hope you are feeling better soon! My cousin was a block away from the blast.. SCARY stuff. He is ok so I am greatful for that. I refuse to watch what is going on today on the news. I will watch more news when they have more upbeat stories that they report on. Not saying that they shouldn’t report on this, but unfortunately the news today is almost always bad stories. I prefer to stick my head in the sand and live out the fairytale in my head 🙂
Those little lambs are sooooo cute!
Good girl Sara.
Lovely post and photos ! Oh my you are much farther in the spring of things then we are . I am sorry to hear you have been sick and hope you get and feel better soon ! Congrats on the wonderful words from the editor , but honestly did you think anything not good would be said ? considering your work is amazing as is your site here always a treat to read and see you beautiful works ! Yes lots of sad things go on in the world but also wonderful things as well , I like to focus on the good like your site always a beautiful place to come to ! Have a good day !
Thank you Elaine!
You sure know how to lift our spirits to all the goodness and beauty of this world. Thank you for that. Feel better soon and enjoy this wonderful springtime!
Hi Susan,
So glad to hear you are feeling better, and the soup looks delicious! Thank you for your blog today, it is just what we needed after everything that has been happening. There has been so much flooding here in Illinois this week, but the sun will come out and your blog helps.
So glad to hear about your book praise, just wait til all of us read it!! I loved your flower pictures as always and so glad to hear that Joe made you such a nice birthday dinner. Thank you for all of the quotes, I love Mark Twain.
Please take care of yourself, we need you!
Jackie
What a wonderful endorsement for your book! I’m so eager to see it.
As for madmen and weapons, I fear that as long as there are madmen, there will always be weapons.
Well said.
Thank you for spreading hope and comfort even when you’re not feeling so great yourself. It’s so easy to despair these days. We can wallow in that or we can move toward hope, like Gladys Taber said. And that is what you have done.
Thank you for helping me to do that, too.
I hope you feel better soon! What nice words from your editor…now I really can’t wait to receive your book! Your bottle brush lambs and dog are very cute!
Susan, I collect sheep things and I love bottle brush ones, where did she get them?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phillipians 4:8 This is my mantra to dispel the dark and evil in our world. That and keeping the TV and the radio off and playing lovely music! 🙂
Thanks Susan , for reminding us to count our blessings, for we have so many. Hope you are much better soon and congratulations on your “charming” review. It will be my word of the week.
Hi Susan,
I’ve missed you , glad to see your post. Glad you are feeling some better, keep resting, these things can be tricky, eat that soup.
Yes the world burps now and then, and we can feel it,but its a big world and I like to think that all around the evil the angels swarm. Now I want Chichen soup too and I feel fine.
Nancy Jo
You reminded me of You’ve got mail when talking about your nasty cold. If I were there I would bring you Daisy’s and a bouquet of freshly sharpened watercolor pencils! Now I know that made you smile! Feel better Susan Laurie
Oh Laurie, thank you!
You had me at “at look at the sky the sky the sky…” As always, exquisitely-written/exquisitely-appropriate. God bless you, Sue. Thank you for always managing to bring back the Light on these awful dark days… xoxo :>)
PS – if I ruled the world, this blog would be required daily reading.
For everyone.
I love the game “If I ruled the world!” 🙂
And what a world it would be if YOU did rule it! :>)
Waaaay better. 🙂
Hi Dearest Susan,
Hope you are feeling better and back to your sun shining self really soon! Glad to hear from you…I missed you so! I am sorry you were sick around your birthday…Happy Be-lated Birthday to you!! Thank you for the wonderful post today. It is such a nice reminder of how many wonderful people and dreams and things we really do need to be thankful for in our own lives. Get rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat your gorgeous chicken soup!! Take Care Dearest!! Much love and many prayers!! Hugs to you!! XOXOXOXO Tricia B.
Thanks, Suasn for taking the time (while you’re feeling crummy) to send this.
Hope you feel all better soon!
And P.S., WHERE do you get those A~D~O~R~A~B~L~E bottle brush sheep and doggie?!
I need to ask Elizabeth, she brought them to me from California and I didn’t ask.
Thank you for lifting our spirits with this post! It is just what was needed…Can’t wait to see your book, and hope you are feeling better soon!!
Cheerio, Susan! You can even make being sick sound like fun. 🙂 I know what you mean about having a “perfect stranger” like your work. You thought we love it because we love you….so see! We love it because it is charming and all those other good adjectives.
The problem with TV news is they don’t just report the event and update when there’s news (as in, “something new to say”). For some reason they stay on the air (so they can be the first to tell us, I suspect….so is it all about ratings?) and have to fill all that air time with babble (with no commercials, no less–who’s paying for that?) and end up sensationalizing everything. Yes, it is “sensational”, but we don’t have to dwell on that do we?! No, of course not. So your post is your part in bringing life and love back into our day. Thank you for that!
I like how you put the Boston event into perspective by noting the 30,000 deaths by gun violence (that sure was disappointing wasn’t it when the Bill did not pass). What we have to remember when we hear of any mass tragedy is that there are individuals every second suffering the same kind of tragedy for them–someone close to them has just perished for whatever reason–it feels the same for them even though it’s just one person who has died. We are so quick to give our time and dollars to help victims recover who are strangers to us, while neglecting the neighbor or even our own family members who have suffered a loss. Why is that? Too close, I suspect. It IS difficult to be that close to someone’s grief and wonder if you can make a difference. But you might be surprised how even a small act of kindness can help soften the blow. I never understood condolence cards until I received them when my father died–the first death of someone close to me (I was 28). So if someone wants to help, perhaps spreading a little sunshine in someone’s life nearby is the answer.
As always, I love your photos. Hard to pick one, but I’d have to say it’s the down-in-the-grass view of the violets! It really represents who you are, in my opinion. I suspect you get down to a child’s level, too, when you speak to them. 🙂 In other words, you’re not afraid to put yourself at whatever level (whether high or low–i.e., confidence or humility) you need to be to experience all that life has to offer. Bravo!
Getting perspective was hard this morning with the commentators going positively crazy. But perspective is easy when reading everyone’s comments. Wonderful.
Like it?? We’re going to love it!! Not a doubt in my mind! Just a little jealous that other people have laid there eyes on it and it seems an eternity before we get to ooohhh and aaahhh over it! Oh well, we do want it to be perfect. I would be so disappointed if there were missing commas or dangling participles! Probably wouldn’t be able to continue through the book ~ LOL!!
I hope you are on the mend and have been able to snuggle under some of your beautiful quilts with a kitty or two to keep you company!! Take care.
Thank you, Susan, for a bright spot in a very sad day. Our world sure has become mixed up but we must continue to see the good in it and in others. Glad you are feeling better and looking forward to The Book!
The television here at The Bakery is OFF. I don’t think I can watch another minute of sad and bad news coverage. Before I run my errands, I always check my ‘puter to see if there is anything of note. Today, your blog posting was it, and I am so glad to be a creature of habit. I will now go out and about feeling cheerier and definitely looking up (except for when I am driving, oh dear). So sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with a cold and sore throat, but equally happy to know you are feeling well enough now to go outside a bit and write to us girlfriends! Thank you for always thinking about others; that’s your essence.
Congratulations on so positively impacting a weary editor. I think his note to you was charming, and I know it was well-deserved. I am using the birthday money given me by my mother-in-law to purchase A Fine Romance. I told myself, “Who knows? You just might use it as a travel planner, Sheryl, ol’ girl.” Woo-hoo!
And I love the little bottle brush sheep, too. One of my bedrooms is sheep-themed. Love the sweet little creatures!
Take good care of yourself, Susan!
Thanks Sheryl!
“The Bakery.” I love this! How cute! How creative! :>)
Hi Susan I’m so glad you’re on the mend. Your post today was much needed and appreciated what with the horrific events this week in Boston and Texas. Gratitude to you for helping me escape from all the madness. I turned off the news coverage, played Pandora softly in the background ( besides your blog, Karen Carpenters voice soothes my soul ) and, after reading your latest entry, picked up my copy of the current Victoria magazine with a soothing cuppa Constant Comment. My heart and soul feel restored, spending the afternoon with you , the girlfriends, my favorite tea and magazines. Take care of yourself dear Susan.
Susan, you were just a shot in the arm, maybe even a kick in the rear..I have had a bad week too my younger Sister almost died, she is doing better and that was terrible enough but we had 2 funerals both expected.but the people in Boston and Texas have their worlds turned upside down and I’m feeling sorry for myself. I’ve started counting my Bessing..right now
Hope you are feeling better too . your words were so touching and cheering. Thank you for that
With hope and love
Pat Beckman
I’m so happy your sister is better, Pat!
Make Beauty; Spread Love, Eat Lobsters with Butter……….
Best part? Lying on your tummy in the grass and taking in the Earth’s smells and beauty…..
When we do THOSE things, they go inside us and grow new beauty and hope and joy.
We all need to go out there….I will when our 18 inches of snow melts, which it is quite quickly. Thank you Susan for being a bright spot while the TV wreaks of horror and fear, there is light….here….always.
xoxo
Joann in CO
I hope you feel better soon. Your birthday looked delicious! This is the second time I’ve been on vacation when terror struck – it’s awful. This one hit really close to home, a former student of mine is still in hospital. She has more surgery scheduled for this week and possibly even two more, the road ahead as long. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
You are so right, thank you for the perspective, we just need to pray and focus on the positive. I know that all the news agencies want to be the first to report, but they cause so much stress for people. Good to know you are feeling better, and that you are getting to enjoy spring. I am so impressed with Maddie’s talent, and she is only 12? Wow! I wish I had talent like that. Thank you thank you thank you for the bookmark, I’m going to print it out and use it when my book comes I really can’t wait. I don’t know if I will ever get to England, but I plan to live vicariously. Congratulations on the review from the editor, you do have a charming way of spreading happiness! It seems you enchant even the hardened heart.
Happy belated birthday! Feel better soon. Yes, some days it seems as if the whole world has gone mad. I haven’t had a TV for 20 years and I guess in times like these I am thankful I do not own one. However, I do have a computer which might be just as bad. It constantly screams out stories of horror and great sadness then on to the silly; what color underpants the latest star is wearing. Oh, my.
This morning I rode my horse out into the majestic Rockies and communed with God and nature as the sun came up. The meadowlarks were flying about and life was good.
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl
That’s the way to go. I can just picture it. xoxo
Lovely post, Miz Susan. It’s been a tough few days…with a close family friend running in the Boston Marathon and having some scary time between hearing from her and family living in that exact area – it’s just hard to be on the other coast waiting to hear from them. It’s draining, scary, but your post brings brightness to the day. Thank you. Especially loved seeing your lobster/butter feast – could not think of a better birthday lunch. Fortunate lady. Take care of yourself, Miz Susan. Your girlfriends love you!
Remember how slim the chances are than any of us gets involved in a terrorist attack. Hard to believe sometimes, feels like it’s just so close, but it really isn’t. I hope you’ve heard from you loved ones Linda!
Thank you so much Susan for your wonderful post. I have not had the tv on much, but just checking online for updates of the horrors, but even that dragged my spirit down in sorrow. Thank you for giving perspective and a lift to all our spirits.
oops! I was typing my comment and somehow lost it all — so here I am back again. I was saying that I’m glad you’re feeling better and that it sounds like
you’ve rounded the corner are will soon be ready to seize the day!
In regard to the terrible and tragic events in Boston, I, too, have been glued to the TV, our modern day community center, where we gather to share and experience something that’s happened to Americans elsewhere in this country.
I feel like, if there can be any good to come out of events like this and 911, it’s that these events bring out the best in us. When someone shows their
inhumanity, we throw it back at them and prove them wrong…we are a good people who care for one another, especially in times of great tragedy. Heroes and angels live among us as neighbors, firefighters, and first responders.
The people of West Texas are also in my prayers — this was a horrific event that claimed the lives of heroes and innocents alike.
Thank you, Susan, for a drive down the beautiful country roads of America and England too. This world is still beautiful because love will always prevail.
I wear my rose colored glasses daily, but “if I see something, I say something”.
Nothing wrong with a healthy dose of viligence! Peace and love to all.
JoAnne
Very good JoAnne — if you see something, say something! xoxo
So sorry you were sick, but glad you are beginning to feel better…thank you for the pictures of spring…I love wild violets growing in the grass and forsythia…we had snow AGAIN yesterday here in western Minnesota!!!…still have piles and piles to melt, BUT melting has started and it may get to 40* here in about a week…HURRAY…your beautiful pictures took me away from all the tv noise…I was up watching all night long…just couldn’t stop myself, so I am moving very slowly today…the sun is shining so that is a GOOD thing…xoxo…
I’m so sorry to hear that you have had such a bad cold. I do hope that you are feeling much better very quickly. My prayers are with you !
How kind to bring sunshine and flowers to our computers to push back the gloom and distress.
Thank you and get “weller”!
Susan, ‘take good care of yourself, you belong to us…’ Well, truly, each person belongs to him or herself, but is shared with all loved ones, and you are a much, much, much loved person! We’d love you, I’m sure, even if you didn’t charm us to the heart’s core! Your editor’s response was ‘charming’, truly enchanting! Chicken soup makes everything better, from the blues to serious sickness. My grandmother had been an LPN in horse and buggy days, and believed in only very light fare when ill. My way older sisters (11 & 19 years older) had a great story of when they had the terrible scarlet fever. They were perhaps 7 and 15 at the time; Gayle was over it and Gin was well on the mend, but still assigned to bed. Gin had been fed a diet of soup, runny eggs, and milquetoast for weeks, and that night the family had fried chicken, and the smell was driving her crazy. She sent Gayle as a scout to retrieve a drumstick for her. Gayle had just got her hands on the drumstick when in came Grandma, and Gayle took off running upstairs, with Grandma not far behind her yelling, “Come back here! You come back here with that chicken, you little harlot!” Gayle had to relinquish the chicken, the girls were reprimanded, and as Grandma toddled off with her righteousness and chicken, the girls spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out what a harlot was. One of my favorite family stories, although I always felt badly Gin didn’t get the chicken. But, they got better, that’s the main thing. Grandma was good at reminding us that terrible things happen in the world, but life goes on. They went through two world wars and a serious depression. I can remember finding old ration books in the attic when I would rummage up there. Pray/meditate/think positive thoughts for and to those affected by the terrible events in the world, and count your blessings, count your blessings, and then, count your blessings. Take little pauses in the busy day to love your loved ones and be aware of how much you love your loved ones, and how much you are loved. Thank you for this beautiful blog today, the wonderful photos, the reminders of how much is right with the world. When tragedy happens, it’s like having a pimple on the end of your nose when you’re a teenager…it seems like all you can think about. And there is Mom, reminding you what a beautiful person you are. Thanks for being Mom in this time of trouble, reminding us all how much more beauty and “all’s right with the world,” there is, even as we hope for those with terrible troubles and trials. And, I think, since your birthday celebration was a bit clouded over by your illness, when you are feeling better, you should continue to celebrate for awhile. Now that illness is out of the way, wishing you a most wonderful year!
Victoria, I enjoyed your What’s a harlot? story. 🙂
great story, Victoria! I hope you are writing your Grandma’s stories so they are permanent. And her remedies and advice sounds great! Write that down too!!
What a great story! And how true that one can still find something right with the World during/after tragedy or just plain old hard times.
Love you Susan…this was a wonderful post. Everything you wrote spoke to my heart. xoxoxo
xoxo Dawn.
I was longing for a niceness. Went to the library and checked out Gladys Taber books. Clean soft sheets on the bed and a martini in a beautiful glass and Gladys. Life is good!
Lovely!
Susan
“We count our blessings when we bless others, we count our blessings when we help those with less then, the hungry, lonely, sadden, the forgotten! We thank our good Lord because all things comes from him, from him we can share what ever we have or how little we have with those in our life’s and our world!
“Blessings: A smile, a caring word, sharing, a hug, giving, helping, praying, loving…
Blessing are people who love and share love, in doing so our world becomes a place of Joy And a Blessing 🙂
Bless you and thank you for this post~
Aww, Sweet Susan. So sorry your birthday was interrupted by illness. Hope you are better soon. I received a lovely package from your store last night! I made myself wait to open it until this morning. I smiled the whole time. Each item delicately wrapped in tissue, sealed with a sticker. My vintage Gladys Taber Stillmeadow Sampler….how special the first word was April! My Late Mom’s birthday would be next week so April is always special for me. And your birthday, too…special people, special month! The sheep bank looks so cute under the farm scene that always hung in my Mom’s house growing up. Thanks to your ladies at the shop for being quick and caring in their work! Take care and thank you for the beautiful post as we wrap our arms around girlfriends everywhere.
Thank you for the right words at the right time with me in the right place.
Blessings to you.
Susan, i am so excited for myself and for everyone else who will get to read your new book coming out this fall. I know it will be the impetus i need to get myself over to England (some day, soon). Thank you for writing it and thank you for being you! I am so glad that you are in the world. Thank you!!!
I think it will be the impetus or I haven’t done my job. 🙂
I am reading this while lying on my bed (which I have yet to make!) and my Maine Coon Sir Dandylion Whiskers of Purrsalot is lying by my side, giving himself a bath and occasionally washing my hand for me. We have just been joined by orange tabby Fletcher Cat, who has settled himself in the curve of my tummy and leg, preparing to sleep and purring contentedly. Thank you so much for this post and for your wise words. I am treasuring my loved ones, human and animal, just a little bit more today. 🙂
The perfect spot at the purrfect time Elizabeth. xo
I have a great idea !
If you want another stranger (sort of) to read the book,
I am available to represent the “girlfriends!”
Thanks for the uplifting blog. We all need to get involved
and try to change the things that we can.
The bottle brush lambs are fabulous and Maddie’s sheep
are amazing. I can’t believe it! Just 12!
Such a creative age! And then there’s you, creative at any age! 🙂 Loved that offer, why didn’t I think of that!
Can’t blame a girl for trying !
The Chicken Soup recipe is very
unusual and sounds wonderful.
I know I will try it, sick or not !
Thank you for sending it.
And we would have done it at no charge!
And we would not have been prejudice in any way!! smile…
So sorry you have been sick! Good to know you are on the mend now. Down south we are having allergy problems. Mine got really bad and my mess weren’t helping at all, so I quit taking them and turned to an old home remedy.
2 T raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
2 T locally grown honey
1 cup hot water
I drink mine like a hot tea. My husband drinks his over ice. It has worked really well! I have heard its good for colds, too, among other “ailments”.
Counting our blessings and thanking God for every one makes us realize how very blessed we really are!
Blessings to you and Joe!
Thank you for that recipe Maria!
good morning everyone !..’don’t have a cold or allergies right now (knock on wood) but I am writing this concoction down !!…sounds very good !!..thank you Maria !..and , by the way, dear Susan, I am counting my blessings last night and this morning after reading your dear post…soooo helpful,,,can’t ever thank you enough…and thank you, dear “girlfriends for all your sweet comments !!..
I say the same thing, thank you dear girlfriends for all your sweet comments!
I would like to try this for my allergies. Where does one get raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar? Because it doesn’t sound like Heinz’ in a bottle will qualify. The organic section? Or a health food store? Could I make my own with plain apple cider? Any advice gratefully appreciated. :>)
Phew! I needed that! Thanks for reminding us of the good & fun in the world; keeping things in perspective is a challenge, but we must do it! I hope you feel better soon. So many people have been slammed by one virus or another this winter. Take care & thanks again for your wise words…..
Kelly from eastern PA
I feel like the real estate taken up by the TV is part of the problem — compared to the tiny pinpoint in the universe that Boston truly is…. a tiny pinpoint we love and care for, but still.
I understand completely…..
How utterly happy I am for you that your editor loved your book! Surprised, no, but that shows you the appeal that it has and will have as word spreads! Yay! Been so heavy-hearted watching and listening to the manhunt going on. Its refreshing always to be cheered by your uplifting words and sweet paintings. So glad you’re on the mend and what a sweetheart for Joe making you that yummy New England birthday lunch! My hubby saw the picture and is quite jealous! Have a wonderful weekend soaking in the beauty of what the New England Spring is bringing to you! xoxo…Karen P.
We are all going to roll around in spring this year, when the weather starts to warm up. I hope it’s an even temperature rise and we have a long flowery springtime.
Happy be-lated birthday Susan! I hope the love in the chicken soup gave you the energy to get outside and smell the goodness of the air…. I love what your professional editor discovered about you, it’s the same thing I discovered about you with the first book of yours I ever came across. It must have been in the early 90’s. I had a candy manufacturing business and it was Christmas and I was so busy, but did have time to feel sorry for myself – sorry that I didn’t have time to celebrate THE SEASON but instead was working like a crazy person… I delivered an order of English Toffee to a business and I had not been in their store before and so looking around I found your Christmas cookbook. I HAD to have it and bought it right there and decided that reading this beautiful book would be my Christmas celebration. It allowed me an escape from the craziness of my business and the season. You had done it all for me, each hand painted page enthralled me… how could I have gone this long without knowing about you and your books??? I bought one for my best friend since kindergarten and of course she loved it too. We gave each other all your recipe books for years thereafter… I know you have no idea how many lives you have made more bright and how many smiles you have put on the faces of those that have found you and your talents. I do know how that professional editor felt… and it’s all from the heart… I have followed you since then… you are a star that hasn’t stopped shining, an angel that hasn’t stopped loving. Your ability to put on paper something that is truly beautiful and inspirational is spot on! Give Jack a kiss on the forehead for me! Feel better SOON! xox
Susan
I can’t tell how much I look forward to your posts. Sometimes I go look and there is nothing new but today—when we all needed some reflection you were there with it. I am sorry you are not feeling well. I am sure the soup helped. l am introducing my grand-daughter to you. She loves your kitties. She loves to paint. We are going to do some water color painting this summer. Enough from me…..get well…healthy wishes sent your way. (Love those sheep)
Chris Morgan
Tell your granddaughter I said hello!
Susan
Happy Birthday many blessings, May you continue to be a blessing to others….Hope you feel well soon {{{HUG}}}
Susan, I am glad to hear that you are finally feeling better!! It sounds like you have been through a bad bout of Flu. So totally miserable!! Your comments today were so poignant. We cannot allow the evil of a few to override the power of the beauty and love we experience everyday. It has indeed been a few months of unspeakable terror and tragedy!! I am agreement with you that the best antidote is to kiss those we love, say prayers for peace and lawful resolution, and live our lives with gratitude and live with intention to make the world a better place one positive deed at a time.
It is so good to hear from you and sharing the continued good news about your book!!
I’m so sorry to hear that you have had such a nasty bug Susan, but it’s so good to know that you are on the mend. As my heart has been so heavy this week with the news in Boston, I’ve been checking your blog every day. I’ve been yearning for the “well of sweetness” that your words and pictures bring to my heart. Thank you!!! You have a way of helping to swing my heart-compass back to where it’s supposed to be…me and hundreds of others who love you so much for it! ♥ Last night I got to babysit my not-quite-three-weeks-old grandson, Asher. I unswaddled him because he was fussy and he wanted his little arms and legs to be free. I lay on the floor with him, gazing into his sweet little eyes and kissed his sweet baby belly and the sorrows of the world floated away. I have sweet fairy-tale dreams for him that I refuse to give up! Thank you for your words and pictures that help and inspire me to give my grandbabies all of the beauty this world has to offer. Blessings, Susan! ♥
Dear Susan,
I’m so glad you had a lovely birthday, though the days since have been rough. I always am delighted when the notification of your blog shows up in my email inbox. I love the handmade sheep gift (complete with scarf!) as well as those cute bottle brush sheep you received as a gift. Charming.
On a different note, I don’t believe that, in this world, we will ever have lasting peace–but I have hope! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13.
I hope you continue to feel better, and that you completely enjoy your spring.
Marilyn
Hope is the best ingredient to peace. Thank you Marilyn. xo
Okay, I think I just HAVE to have some of those fuzzy little lambs and that little bird. How does she make those? Get that little girl busy stocking your online store with her wonderful goodies! 🙂
I think there might be laws against that 🙂 Believe me I thought of it!
It’s called needle felting and for a twelve year old she did a wonderful job. It’s not the easiest thing to learn and if you’re not careful you can stab yourself with those very sharp needles that a used to felt the wool rovings. Google needle felting wool rovings, you may find some instructions there or check in at wikihow.com. Create & Decorate also has needle felting projects in almost every issue. We had a gal in our rug hooking guild try to teach us needle felting and for first timers, I wish I could show you the sheep we all produced. They were a riot! Mine came out looking more like a pony than a sheep so that’s what I tell everyone he is. It is fun, you have to try everything at least once…….
Kellee made me a kitty that I took to England with me. I’ve never done it, but I think it could be addictive!
I took a class in needle felting and I think I flunked. Broke 3 needles. love the things you can make, but I just couldn’t get the hang of it…others in the class looked like pros! our project was adding felted sunflowers to denim shirts 🙂
LOL! That’s OK, some things aren’t meant for everyone! At least you tried, and now you have a funny story!
Of course, she’s 12… she could turn around tomorrow and have a new favorite crafty project. But please tell Maddie she has an order for an entire flock from me if she wants it! Too cute for color TV! :>)
I’ll tell her Janet!
Susan;
So sorry to hear that you’re sick, but on the “road to recovery”! Yay! You guys are sure ahead of us for springtime! We’re still dealing w/SNOW (a 4 letter word in April)! Not much of it, but it’s still there!
We sure do like you “bottle brush lambs”………do you happen to know where these are available for purchase?
Keep up the “good thoughts”! And don’t forget that God still cares! He loves us & cries when bad things happen to us!
Get better soon (& go hang some quilts out on the line to get some “fresh air”).
Trying to stay healthy in Michigan, Laurie
I don’t know,I should ask Elizabeth where she found them.
Susan,
So glad you are getting better! Thank you for bringing me back to reality, I find myself getting too wrapped up in these horrific events. Thank you for putting happy thoughts back into my mind and heart.
God Bless You,
Carla
Your blog today with link to Musica was the perfect antidote to “the news”. I wonder if we could get the news networks to take a break from time to time with something similar to give themselves and the viewers and listeners a REST already. The music you selected was a brilliant choice. Thanks. Take care of yourself. Love that editor and his note to you. Must have been just what the doctor ordered :-).
I think the media should listen to you, a break every so often. There are other things in the world. Thanks Sylvia.
So sorry to hear you’ve been feeling poorly, especially around your birthday. Which reminds me ~ my “best wishes” are sent woefully late but sincere all the same.
Thanks for the gracious words you wrote for us today ~ all the beautiful reminders of what is good & kind & enduringly true.
Here in the Sierra, the gigantic sequoias and evergreen pines still lend their primeval peace. The forest trails remain tranquil for walking. In the foothills, the lavender lupine and orange poppies are now in full bloom and, all-too-soon the dogwoods and fragrant western azaleas will be blossoming by the rivers. The songbirds are seldom silent in the mornings. The raccoons wash their paws on the porch every night. Two fuzzy-headed eaglets have hatched in the old nest by the lake. And the sunlight dancing upon the water is heavenly at mid-day. The dogs smile relentlessly, encouraging us to play, play, play.The cats continue to savor every patch of sunlight, reminding us to abide right here, right now… in this : Our own little corner of the world. To dwell upon that which is life-affirming and encouraging to the soul & spirit.
Thank you Susan for reminding us to do that with your litany of blessings.
Those stunning trees, how lucky you are to be near them. The trail of a zillion seasons of layered crushed pine needles, I can smell it now. Thank you for the beautiful word picture Harmony, you are well named.
I enjoyed your description, too. Gigantic Sequoias are still on my must see list!
That’s it! We’re all moving!!!!!
Sorry to hear you are sick. 🙁 Hope you are feeling better!
I love that we think so much alike. Sometimes when I feel the way we all have lately, I go to my “happy place,” which is also England. Sometimes it is Stratford and now it might be Chawton. I love being able to go there in my mind when stress creeps in. I also love the barn picture you posted, so peaceful.
Can’t wait to get my copy of your book in the mail! I plan to add some of my own mementos between the pages to make it “our” book.
Feel better soon! <3
Makes me happy to hear that.
How could the gentleman not love your book as it is filled with love of life, family, girlfriends, life around you, etc. Please save me a copy and sign it for me. I cannot prepay but want to be included among the first edition of your book. I am so looking forward to it as I do to spring this year and my years are up there with the gentleman.
Love, love all your posts and as for the bad news…..throw out your TV and just watch the old movies you love and any other DVD’s you enjoy. We did that over 15 years ago and have never ever regretted it. The news is aimed to keep one filled with anxiety; it is controlled and it controls you if you watch it. One always knows what is happening without it spilling over into the home and one can pray for those that need our prayers without it spewing into the home.
Your pictures are beautiful as usual and you give so much JOY with your personal drawings. I am blessed each time I view them and that is why I so want your new book as it is you blessing us because YOU CARE.
Thank you and bless you and Joe and get well now, you hear. (as we say in the South)
I hear Sylvia — 🙂 Thank you!
Even on a day like this one, when it seems that nothing but bad news comes our way, your wonderful thoughts, pictures and sayings make us thankful for what is good in the world.
Thank you so much,
Janet
I know I’m preaching to the choir. That’s what makes it so wonderful. xoxo
Lovely! and ooooh that chicken soup with a gazillion mushrooms in it! Oh gosh, never would I have dreamed of putting 4 or 5 containers of mushrooms in soup….but now I will. YUM! mouth-watering. our weather has gone from low 30’s to mid 40’s to 76!!!! and now back to gale force 50 mph winds and forecast of (horrors) snow tonight! high tomorrow 45….and we have an outdoor wedding to attend! WHAT TO WEAR? Will they come to their senses and move it indoors? (I can only hope) Beautiful blog post, “charming” sweet Sue, focus on the beauty of the world and springtime loveliness…not the maniacs!
Make that soup and follow the recipe closely and you will find yourself with the true elixir of the gods. Deep dark and delicious!
I couldn’t stop thinking of the mushrooms….so this morning while frying up “home fries” to serve w/scrambled eggs, I cut up a whole container of mushrooms and added them to the potatoes! 🙂 mmmmm
Try cooking the mushrooms in a hot pan with no oil or butter, a dry pan, and cook them down until all the liquid is gone. They get a really good texture and are delicious on everything.
I make a Mushroom Orzo Soup that is absolutely amazing! Those fresh mushrooms are the best!!
Yum Gert, that would cure everything!
You take care of yourself Susan!!! I love the Vanderbilt, Stein and Taber quotes. We all need time to recharge. Small town and country help me recharge, or a walk on the beach or in the world. In fact hiding at home with a cup of tea helps too. City traffic here drives me crazy!
So…I saw peace in the pictures of the house and barn (Trying to make me homesick are you?) , your garden, and a boat. Fresh food…LOBSTER…Yum!
I meant the woods (not world). I love the mountain pic too. Someday I will see those.
We could get lobster when we lived in California, but it never tastes the same as it does on the Island where it fits right in!
Hello Susan,
Ten and one half years ago, I taught at a school a mile from where the DC sniper took his first victim. Our school was on lockdown every day for over 3 weeks with the shades pulled down. We could not enjoy the beautiful October weather. To say I was scared driving to work everyday was an understatement.So I sympathize with my beloved Boston as they wait for this nightmare to end.
Your blog today was so encouraging. We cannot be scared because that is what our enemies want from us. I love the Mark Twain quote and I am going to put it on my facebook page today.We can’t let go of our dreams and fairytales. What will we have left?
Happy belated bithday, Susan! I guess you had a special day even though you did not feel well. I amglad to hear you are felling better.
Thank you Ann. You were so brave driving to work! xoxo
Here in West Michigan there are many rivers that are above flood stage and driving people from their homes. This is our wettest April in history; already we have had the annual rain amount for the month and it is only the 19th! Still I agree that one must look for the good as much as possible in this world. We Pollyanna’s may be scoffed at but we are not stupid. We are aware of what dangers are out there and who has felt them but we still look for the good in people and remain resolved that people are basically good. If they were not, there wouldn’t have been Bostonians running to the blasts to help and runners running to the hospitals to get to work. There would not have been neighbors in Texas pulling their friends from beneath the rubble and the parents of Newtown would not have set aside their grief to plead for background checks. Good will ultimately win. So I continue to walk the dog, lay my mulch, sing and hum as a stroll along knowing I carry a prayer with me, “All will be well. All things will be well.”
Winter is back in Central IN today it feels like a February day with cold temps. and winds that cut right through you….I’m a news junkie and like to stay informed I want to say that first; but, overload is not a good thing and clutters our minds with darkness. I’ve chosen to replace the darkness with light given to me by my belief in GOD and HIS promise that Goodness shall prevail. We have to believe there is hope when we see all the signs of new life in every flower, baby animals, tree buds/blossoms….they resemble the Resurrection of Christ…..HOPE = Happiness Of People Everywhere!!! Blessings
Thank you for this post, Susan. After all the news this week (and monitoring it with such vigilance, as if my keeping watch would do anything to change anything for anyone), I’ve decided to go on a media diet, except for that which is Good for me. I love the Gladys Taber quote you gave us. This is the view here: It is a beautiful sunny day in southern California. My grandgirls are coming over after school to pick flowers to arrange for the local garden show this weekend. There’s sweet william and sweet allysum, pink breath of heaven, lavender, lilac and a cornucopia of roses big and small, from cream to peach to pink to rose red, waiting for the plucking. The birds are singing and the butterflies are winging. God is in His heaven and all is right with the world, or as right as can be…Glad you got to celebrate your birthday in style (love that the dog has some sheep to watch over). Hope you’re feeling better soon. Meanwhile, snuggle in with some good books, old movie friends and tea. Wishing you truly well. Have a happy, healing weekend~
Your view is beautiful!
Lovely post Susan,
Your words, drawings and photos are my chicken soup for the day, and Im sure your readers feel the same way. One thing we all have the power in us to do is be kind to each other, go that extra mile to show someone you care, cherish today, stop worrying so much it probably will not happen anyway, vote and write your congressman, laugh, sing, dance, leave things better than what you found them in, and tell the people you care for that you love and cherish them, and have compassion and understanding for others even if it is a hard thing to do.
Thank you…
Jamie 🙂
Perfect words of wisdom from Jamie on Doty Island. xo
What a wonderful thought…This blog is “Chicken Soup for the Girlfriends’ Soul”
So sorry you felt poorly, so glad you are on the mend!!
Can you share the name of the lovely pink wine in the photo of your fireside lobster lunch?
Many thanks.
Wasn’t that pretty? The label says Triennes Rose 2012. Delicious–Pink wine for my birthday, pretty sweet of Joe.
You are so right Susan, in effect, ‘you are what you eat’. If you allow too much ‘junk’ (and the medium revels in it….and it goes on and on.) pretty soon you’re having a grumpy day. I’d like to toss my TV in the Rogue River…..but then I couldn’t see all those old movies. Get better, and I was sooo thrilled with your editor. You think everyone’s synical and then it warms your heart that he see’s what we see in you. I don’t know about anyone else but it sure gives me hope!!
Gave me hope too! 🙂
Oh Susan, Your post today lifted my spirits. We were in Boston on Monday while my dear, sweet Mother was undergoing surgery when the blasts happened. We have been traveling 2 hours each way to see her everyday, and todays happenings have kept us from seeing her. It makes me so sad, but your post reminded me of all that is good and beautiful in life and has let me release my anger. Thank you. You were just what I needed today.
Happy to hear that Kim. So sorry it caught you up when you need to be with your mom.♥ Hope she gets better soon.