That’s how I feel, lighthearted, dancing down the stairs this morning, did my exercises, played with Jack, went outside to sniff the garden. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, then get ready for my version of War and Peace! A nice cup of tea would go good right now, and then my dear girls, Musica!
I have lots of photos to cheer your heart this lovely morning . . .
Starting with these . . . during a spring rain . . .
the colors make me so happy . . .
. . . my kitchen smells like a flower shop! And I’m all well. My cold is finally gone, I get down on the floor every morning now and do stretches and leg lifts, lift my little weights and feel like I’m starting all over!
I couldn’t help taking a kazillion pictures of this vase full of tree cuttings . . .
But then my perpetual audience climbed on top of the fridge to survey his kingdom . . .
of which I am his people — is it the cat or the vase that is the real star of this photo?
It’s the cat. So regal, such a star . . .
The pink cherry blossoms, heavenly!
Letting me loose with a camera can sometimes be a dangerous thing. You should see the ones that got away!
And here’s where I go to gather the pink booty . . .
I could never do it justice with a mere paintbrush . . . never never never
Because looking into this sparkly pink pear tree is like a prayer.
The smell alone is enough to inspire the sweetest dreams . . .
And the breeze, the island breeze filled with the ocean, the blossoms, the green grass, the violets, the sky and all the good things of nature.
And Jack. Well, my cup just runneth over. ♥
We had friends to tea the other day, and despite the diet (I promise you, I am being very good!), I made something mighty delicious — a blueberry angel food cake with lemon glaze! (Fat free, but filled with delicous sugar!). I’ll give you the recipe for this the minute we reach our goal weight UNLESS there is strong request for it now, and then, of course I will give it to you!
We ate about half of it, heaven’s sugar cake, and took the other half, a quarter-cake each over to Lowely and then to Martha! It’s so nice to have girlfriend neighbors with whom you can share the wealth ♥ and don’t get mad at you for doing it!
I used my pink dishes to match the flowers. And then guess what I found out? A year or so ago Joe and I made a little video called “How to Sift Flour.” Truly one of the greats as the title implies! But I just found out it is #1 on Google in the massive Sifting of Flour category!
XOXOXXOXOX
Yes, if you Google How to Sift Flour, this is what you get, without even mentioning my name. We, my girls, are number one! In the world. On Google! WHAT an accomplishment! I’m kind of excited about it! It’s the little things in life!
Remember a couple of years ago we got a new Dogwood tree for our backyard? Well, we just placed an order for this year’s addition to the springtime floral extravaganza at this house. We ordered a Magnolia x soulangeana, a weeping Higan Cherry Tree, and a Honey Crisp apple tree. Also seven new forsythia bushes to put behind the fence in front of our house. Not sure if they will be in stock, but it’s a good time to plant them, so we’re hoping our nursery can find them for us. It’s so gorgeous out there, why not make more beauty if we can, so it’s almost silly crazy romantic over-the-top beautiful? Nothing wrong with that.
Flowering trees are so special — something magical about them after a long cold grey winter. Here’s the dogwood last year — it’s not in bloom yet this year, more to look forward to! One of the reasons this is all especially beautiful to me this year is because . . .
I’ve had a sort of tunnel vision, like looking at the world through a straw, for a long time.
My concentration on our book, the single mindedness it takes, made the world look like this to me . . . here’s Girl Kitty.
Here I am making tea first thing in the morning. I had other things on my mind at all times: What could I say, do, paint, dream up, remember, include, make happen, so that A FINE ROMANCE will be something you will love.♥ I wonder if other authors see the world like this when they are deep in the throes of a project? If ever I was going to write something called “How to Write a Book” I would have to try and explain this.
This is what the kitchen looked like to me at around 4 am.
And here’s a snowy day — it registered because of its beauty but in “real life,” I was looking at the sea from the rail of the ship, or in England walking through wildflower meadows, looking at maps, touring castles, driving narrow backroads, and drinking ice cold peah ci-das in pubs!
I would look out and see Joe shoveling the snow out front and it was vaguely confusing.
He came in every day and made us a cozy fire, but my focus was always always always on something else . . . this was my background music, snap, crackle, and pop . . .
Believe it or not, even this guy never got all the way through . . . but he sure tried.
Ahhhh, here we are . . . this feels familiar . . .
Determined daily to make a movement toward the finish line . . .
One tiny brush stroke and pen mark at a time . . .
Every moment, the pure joy of creating . . . combined with the agony of wanting it to be done . . . but not too quickly, because there was enjoyment of the moment, as strange as that may seem.
Until I got to this, page 8 of A FINE ROMANCE . . . The other 259 pages went to print as of last week, but I had to wait to do this last one. I needed to get legal permission from several song writers in order to print excerpts from their songs in our book, because what would our book be without MUSICA? The last permission came through on Friday, and I was able to do this page. The last one! Oh MY!
And when I finished, the tunnel vision went totally and completely away, and the bright world came shining through . . . all new like I’d never seen it before.
Colors are brighter and prettier than ever . . .
The world is a lovely place! Time for my fake tap dance!
Our walk to the water is more beautiful than ever — it’s 68 degrees on Martha’s Vineyard right this moment and as soon as I finish saying hello to you, we are on our way to our walk to this very spot to see the sparkle on the water.♥
But first, you have been so patient while I was looking at life with blinders on, you cheered me through and were with me the whole way — so, so wonderful . . . isn’t it about time for a giveaway? YES!
It’s possible most of you have these two books . . . but maybe you have someone who you could give them to? Or you could save them for birthday gifts.♥ Spanking new lighthearted copies of The Summer Book and Girlfriends Forever, and isn’t spring the perfect time?
The SUMMER BOOK is filled with delicious recipes for the season, barbecues and picnics, my picket fence garden, and stories such as “Library Days”, “How to Go to a Tea Party”, and “The Raft”.
GIRLFRIENDS FOREVER is a celebration of US — everything we love, Girl Parties, healthy recipes, decorating, clothes, beauty, exercise and a Spicy Mango Salad on page 82 that is to die for. This one also has the story of How I Met the Beatles (when I was “Just Seventeen”).♥
I would love to sign them, to whatever name the winner chooses: her own, her daughter’s, her sister’s, her mother’s, or her best friend’s! Just leave a comment here to enter the drawing at the bottom of this post where you see the tiny word “comments” — (and if you don’t see it, click on www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/, scroll to the bottom of this post, squint because it’s tiny, and there it will be). In a few days we’ll pull Vanna off the tennis court or out of her bubble bath (such a lady of leisure) and let her choose the winning name. And I hope with every fiber of my being that this time, it’s you. xoxo ♥ Hope this makes your heart take wings! Bye for now Girlfriends!
Thanks for the glimpses into your artistic process – such fun to read! And the opportunity to win one (or two) of your creations is always appreciated. 🙂
Happy spring!
Same to you!
Soothing . . . what more can I say. The flowers, the colors, the wonderful music in the background, the sweet kitties, the CAKE . . . and just everything. It makes me smile and take deep breaths. So happy the warm weather showed up for you. Oh, a honeycrisp apple tree too???? wonderful:)
Hope we find one! At the end of the winter Honey Crisps in our market were $5 a pound! Crazy!
Wow! That’s quite a bit for an apple. I’ve never boughten one as they are almost $3 per pound here. 🙁
Just taste one someday when you can. They are insanely good. But forget those prices!
Beautiful flowers, pretty kitties, lovely music, sifting lesson, and that cake! My oh, my, I do love lemon and blueberries, together or apart. Happy Sunday morning to you.
To you to Andi!
Please enter me for the book give away! I tell you the names (It will probably be me!)once you let me know I have WON. Oh, and I NEED that cake recipe sooner, rather than later! Thank-You!
How sweet of you! Reading about your bright and beautiful day is a lovely way to start my own. We planted two little Honeycrisps three years ago and have watched with delight as their little fuzzy leaves have unfurled this year already. We are crossing our fingers for apples and dreaming of the first crunchy bite and the first apple pie. Way to go with the Sifting Flour video! You’re a rock star in the baking world, apparently, and got their on your own merits.
Lucky! I wish I’d planted them three years ago! But three years will pass, and then it will be my turn!
Who wouldn’t want an “extra” copy of your books! — and signed! Please count me in for the drawing! And THANK YOU for the Spring-y inspiration!
First, so glad you are well and have a bounce back in your step! Second, thank you for all the lovely Spring photos, and love the photo of Jack surveying his domain!
And last, what a wonderful give away, someone will be truly gifted with your books!
Happy Spring!
Cocoa from San Diego
When I was 17…I married my husband. We are celebrating our 49th anniversary in June. How blessed we are. Wishing all who read this a wonderful day filled with great memories to last a lifetime. Thank you Susan for another wonderful post. But then “What are girlfriends for”…. Thank you for being one of mine. Hi to Joe.
Thank you for your lovely flowers today. Daffodils are my very favorite but I seldom (almost never) get to see them here in Florida. Guess you know that you surely made my “heart take wing”.
I’m so happy that your tunnel vision is gone. Can’t wait for my copy of “A Fine Romance” to arrive. ****Please note . . . I am the first to comment. First time ever, you know. Do you think that perhaps I’ll be one of the lucky ones? Oh my . . . hope so!****
Your blog entry this time was absolutely over the top! Loved all the pics of Jack and Girl Kitty! Loved your sharing your “process” and posies and blueberry/angel cake with us…and how perfect that you are also sharing some of your wonderful books. Perfect! Thanks so much, Susan. Soooo looking forward to the new book! A wonderful Spring to you!
Love the smell of all the blooms this time of yr… I take my cue from you Susan and clip sweet smells from branches and shrubs all around the yard… ‘ the best things in life are free”…..Happy Spring Susan
You put spring into my heart today with all your lovely pictures! Thank you so much for sharing.
Mary M.
Ohhh I can hardly wait for the cake recipe…looks devine! Absolutely love the pictures of the flowers and kitty, too.
I must confess that I am just a tad jealous of your lovely flowers. I love forsythia so much but I am so allergic to it I can only enjoy it through pictures…Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you…lol.
Honeycrisp apples are my favorite. Hope the tree does well and provides for you.
As always, lovely post. Enjoyed it ALOT!
You sure brightened my morning. Thank you. Oh, and so anxious for the recipe for the cake!!!
A Very Happy Spring to you Susan ! Enjoyed all of your pretty flowers and book pictures and also feel lighthearted after your post. I LOVE your books and would love to be include in your Give-Away !
Hugs, Sue Ziff
Monson, Ma.
HOORAY! Congrats, Susan. And what a beautiful, beautiful spring you have! Enjoy every moment. And if I had that book, I’d certainly enjoy every bit of it, too 🙂
I am going out tomorrow to obtain flowers of my own to sprinkle in the house. So enjoy our time together, thank youl!
Hi Susan, sooo glad to hear you are better. Loved the post, your flowers are just to pretty. I was wondering if you could tell me where to buy a “Honey-Crisp” tree? Would love to try growing one, I have never had an apple tree before. My Just Joey rose is full of buds! Oh, one more request, that yummy looking blueberry angel food cake recipe, please please please. Love Jack and Girl’s pictures. Happy Spring to you. Oh, how could I forget, Vanna, pick me please!!!
Here’s ONE place . . .
Thank you so much for the listing on the honey-crisp tree.
I love your watercolor drawings. I totally enjoyed all the wonderful pictures in this post. Beautiful flowers. I have your 2013 calendar in my kitchen, love it and I have a nice address book with your illustrations. I don’t have either of these books and would be so excited to win them. We went to Martha’s Vineyard once from a cruise vacation and we really loved it there. It was Fall and the weather was lovely.
i too hope it’s me this time 🙂 loved the post!
How I loved seeing the dogwood trees! I once lived in the South and do so miss those divine trees. Thanks for the reminder of a gentler clime! I now live in Colorado, and it’s really high desert and very dry indeed. I wish you, Joe and your lovely kitties a splendid day!
Dear Susan,
Happy Spring to you! Thank you for sharing your cat’s and Joe with us. I always look forward to see what is happening around your home. I can hardly wait for the recipe for the yummy blueberry angel cake. Have a great day!!!
I eagerly await each and every blog posting. What a wonderful time of year to come out of your “writer’s tunnel”!! I am anxiously awaiting the new book. Have a lovely spring!
Ah spring! My cup runneth over – the beauty of the flowers, the kitties, the house, the water, the yard, the quilts, the trees, “our” book(!) – is there any better time of the year than right now???
Thank you for making the world a happier place, Susan. Thanks for sharing so much with us – I truly appreciate your blog and your pictures and you!
{{hug}}
The most amazing thing is that we can say that in almost any season. There is never any better season than NOW!
I’d love to enter the giveaway – a touch of Martha’s Vineyard would travel to Denmark 🙂 Have a lovely weekend (what’s left of it)
Good Morning Susan: I always look forward to reading your blog. I was gone
for a few days so just now was looking at your beautiful pictures. Love all your
books so would love to win the ones you are giving away. You are so sweet to
do that for your faithful readers !!! Thank you and God Bless You and Joe !!
Loved the flowers and I’m glad you are feeling better and things are looking up. Spring is about renewal and that’s what you have in front of you healthy living and a project done! What’s next??? I hope a relaxing day by the fire and a cup of tea for you. Have a good 1 today.
xo Tiina
Sounds wonderful over there. I’d love to be in the draw…Thanks 🙂
I relate to the microscopic world and the bright colors after the project is finished, I always felt that way in college during finals, after the last final I would walk outside and it would be like Dorothy opening the door of her house after she landed in Oz, from sepia to technicolor! Patty
VERY good description! From black and white to full technicolor!
It is very obvious that you had so much fun writing/painting/drawing your new book! I can’t wait to read it. Love all the spring pictures you shared today, but my favorites are always Jack and Girl Kitty. And that cake looks divine! Please share the recipe when your goal has been met! (we’re having a little trouble with “goals” over here too!)
Susan, your words & photos are so wonderful. They just portray the loveliness that surrounds you in a realistic way. Very welcoming and comfortable! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of the island today. I visited last summer and your pictures bring back good memories of that heavenly trip.
I have given “Girlfriends Forever” to MOST of my special group of Girlfriends, but now that it’s out of print I have had a difficult time finding copies that were not well loved…because everyone loves “Girlfriends Forever,” and the used ones are well loved. Sooooooo, maybe, just maybe, you’ll draw my name for the spanking new copy you’re sharing with a lucky winner. The pictures today were gorgeous, Susan, and I’m off to spend a few minutes in my backyard to enjoy my own little bit of heaven. Have a wonderful day.
I present an empassioned plea for the blueberry angel food cake recipe.
Your calendar was a splurge to brighten my student apartment and I would love to have a more permanent way to add beauty to my little world by acquiring a couple of your books. Thank you for bringing digital beauty to my life as I wade through my own thesis tunnel.
This post just made me smile, giggle, and learn something new! What a great idea for sifting flour…simply brilliant! Your “tunnel vision” did make me smile….I have been having quite a few of those days lately…but laughter always makes it better. Lastly, I think that I have a cat crush. Every time you photographed Jack, with tunnel vision, it made me laugh. He should be in the movies…he never misses a pose. I miss my cats a lot…no longer an option for me, due to allergies…and travel.. But, Jack…well, I think I am in love!
As always, a wonderful post to start a new week. Thank you for sharing your writing process. You put so much into your books, I don’t know how you decide which quotes and pictures to use. I love the results, though!
Your Spring is nicer now than ours here in Ohio. Enjoy your lovely day!
Susan, so glad we have you back. I know we’re all excited to read the new book, but we’ve REALLY missed you. Your flower photos are gorgeous. Makes a girl feel like skipping. Girl Kitty and Jack look wonderful. Jack seems all grown up now. By the way, I tried your chocolate sauce recipe and loved it. With the leftovers, I heated it up and added a teaspoon of espresso powder. Oh my!
Lovely spring piccies. It’s gradually arriving here, we get a couple of nice days and then it’s back to being cold again. It seems reluctant to really get going. Your new trees and shrubs are going to look glorious.
So glad you are feeling better and that the book is finally done. There is so much painstaking work involved I can imagine the freedom you must feel now. And a giveaway too, yippee.
Also looking forward to the cake recipe at some stage, it looks yummy 🙂
Dear Sue,
I must say that I was having a particularly difficult day today…filled with angst, worry and all the other ‘mind games’ that get in the way of seeing any vision…even if it’s just ‘Sunday’s Vision.’ Then, alas, I opened my computer which goes directly to your blog and there it was. Photos of beauty, words of wisdom and a reminder that life is simple in its basic form – there is beauty all around us.
After writing this I am going to reread your original snail mail Willards…more inspiration, more beauty.
I can’t imagine what it takes to write a book but I am sure the vision must be strong. I am so looking forward to reading it but perhaps like others, I will only read it one part at a time. I do that with your other books as the seasons change. I rarely remember every part and each time I read it I find something new. They are like a treasure that never ends.
It is beautiful here in Charlton, MA and everything is finally coming up. Your new purchases sound wonderful and I too, relish the spring colors before everything turns green.
Thank you for again, bringing light and good energy to me. xo Tracy
Your good energy shines right through this comment Tracy!
Thank you Sue. xo
Hello sweet friend… Hello kitties!… Hello Joe!… what a gorgeous sunshiny (with just the right amount of Spring rain) post!… love all of your gorgeous blossoms… and your plans for new trees and bushes… and your quote about why not make everything even more beautiful!… why not!… Jack is of course my focus in all of the photos that he is a part of… that’s the way it should be I think… our precious furry babies come first!… and he does look quite regal!… I gave our sweet doggie Tessy the additional title of “Princess” Tess and she sure knows she is one!… so happy that YOU are happy and over your nasty cold… Springtime seems to cure all my ills… and I feel like I too am “blossoming” after the harshest winter here in Utah since 1949 (the year I was born matter of fact!)… I always love how you describe all of the beautiful smells along with your posts… the ocean, your violets, the blossoms… I think our computer must be “smell enhanced” because I could swear I just smelled the ocean!… I for one would love the recipe for that cake!… lucky neighbors you have!… thank you for brightening the day even more than it is… we just got back from our walk too, and life is good… much love, xoxo Julie Marie Oh yes, please enter me in your generous giveaway…
How do I not answer every single one of your wonderful comments??? It’s the hardest thing I have to do — but I know you all understand — did I say THANK YOU???? xoxoxo
Hello Susan and THANK YOU for this beautiful blog today I needed some cheering up and all the beauty of your photography sure did help me. I’m sorry to say that I do not own the books you are giving away and I would be honored to belong to your “book club” if so lucky. I’m going to try and see life as the gift that it is and block out all the obstacles that are trying to penetrate that beauty with darkness/sadness. Wish me luck and have a beautiful time on your walk to see the water and all the nature that is awakening after a very long Winter. Blessings
I do wish you luck Deborah … go outside and take a deep breath as soon as you can. xoxo
When going thru a tunnel don’t we always focus on the white light at the end? At least I do. And then, into the brightness we go! Just like from winter to spring. The colors just jump out at us and wrap us in their glory. Love your pictures and words that paint a picture for us. You always make my day better. Your Girlfriends book is the only one I don’t have. If I don’t win, I’ll just have to buy it for my birthday! 🙂 Have a wonder full Sunday!
Hi Sweet Sue!
We’re enjoying “liquid sunshine” as I write this! Ohio needs these long, slow showers; what nourishing drinks after a long drought last year!
Our pond is slowly recovering, and I’m so thankful a few geese & wood ducks saw the “vacancy sign” glowing at our farm as they were passing over! Our bison seemed to nod their heads in agreement this morning! lol
I thought of you when I read this: ““Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
― Maya Angelou: That’s just what you’ve been for us, only our Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow is your book! Look at it sparkle!!!
Take care & have a Dilly of a Daffodil Day!
Hugs, Bunny XO
Thank you Bunny xoxo
Susan, you got me hooked on Honey Crisp apples and now I can’t get enough. I was eating three of them a day! Sadly, they are nowhere to be found right now but Kiku apples are a close second.
Congratulations on having the stick~to~it~ness to finish your book. I can’t wait for my copy. What a treat it was to read this blog while you were working on it. A real joy. Thank you for including us! xoxox
I found them, organic, at our supermarket for the ridiculous price of $6.29 a pound. Hence, we are getting a tree! 🙂
How did you get your photo next to your name?????
Susan, you are back….well, you never were really gone, but I can hear your return in you “voice.” And, boy, are we glad to have you back….more, longer posts and a give-away. Yeah!! Plus, “our” book, off you art table and to the publisher/printer…..can NOT wait till fall!
Hi Rachel! You have such good intution! You hear correctly, I feel just that way, Back!
Oh, that is just wonderful! Congratulations to you and I wish you a lovely Spring!
I really love your blog and would love to win your books!
Beautiful pictures this morning! As usual, I love, love, love it!!!! That cake looks good. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Have a great day Susan.
Oh what a pretty post . I do love all your photos ! We spend two days in the gardens preparing them for flowers , new triple mix topsoil and Cedar chip mulch , now I am going soon to choose my flowers at our favorite Garden center . I to love flowering trees and bushes and we are slowly getting them put in each year ! Oh that blueberry sponge cake looks YUMMY ! We love blueberry anything here lol ! Looking forward to the recipe please ! Thanks so much for sharing with us ! Have a wonderful day !
What a pretty post for a Sunday morning! We are going full-tilt toward summer here in Northern California…we had our first 90 degree day last week. I wish spring could last longer, as I love the daffodils, flowering trees and re-birth of the earth from winter. Thanks for all the beautiful pictures from your neck of the woods!
Glorious post! The spring flower bouqets nearly make one swoon – they must smell divine!.
Your vivid explanation as to your writing process and the single mindedness required was so fun to learn about – a true vicarious experience of an author. Thank you for loving what you do so much, it makes for a truly rich and colorful experience for the reader.
Love the sifting post is #1. My other favorite is your Cinnamon toast with dancing shaker!
Carrie
Nice to hear Carrie! I just think others would like to write a book but might think they can’t do it, but as you can see, they can!
Susan,Just found you about a year ago when I received a card from a wonderful friend (one of your note cards) I love your posts and your willingness to share a part of your life with us.I must start my book collection.Thanks for all the beauty.
Beautiful – one can never have too many photos of flowers! Went down the mountain yesterday (for a beautiful bridal shower) and the hills are green and full of lupines, poppies, and other wildflowers and the dogwoods are flowering! Then I get to see your east coast spring – I’m in heaven. You are a breath of fresh air, always. Thank you Susan!
P.S. so glad you’re feeling better!
Soooo glad to read you are feeling better! It’s been like that here at my house too, but FINALLY the “crud” has left us, & I feel like I’m seeing the world through “Rose Colored Glasses”! I am getting ready to head outside this beautiful day & see what pretty flowers have sprung up in my absence…. I can hardly contain myself, haha. Enjoy your beautiful day too!
What a fine spring day…both in Martha’s Vineyard and in California! Thank you for the drawing! Would LOVE one of your books!
Spring is So beautiful in your part of the country! Thanks for sharing it with us. Will have to find your summer book and see how summer feels through your eyes. Love everything you write!
Thank you for such beautiful pictures! It’s wonderful to see Martha’s Vineyard in all its splendor with the changing seasons. I feel like they all merge together down here in Florida. I pre-orderd a copy of “A Fine Romance” and after catching little glimpses of it on your site, I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for giving us a peek into your creative process. : )
I just bought Honey Crisp apples for the first time last night -can’t wait to try them. We have also just put in a raised bed vegetable garden and plan to put a picket fence around it soon. Your words and pictures inspire me to not give up on these simple pleasures. “The Summer Book” will hold me over as I dream of summer fun.
You are in for a huge treat, Suzanne — nothing like the Honey Crisps!
Yellow, the color of sunshine!!! Loved every picture you posted!!! I’m so glad you’re 100% well, yippee!!! Even though you loved every minute of creating “A Fine Romance” it makes me so happy for you that the tunnel vision went totally and completely away, and the bright world came shining through again. I’ve pre-ordered the book, and am really looking forward to going on the journey to and through England. Understanding how much time, effort and creative genius you have given to create each page of this book, makes me appreciate it all the more. Thank you Susan for being who you are and for sharing so much of your beautifully wonderful life! Love, Marie ♥
Thank you Marie, so sweet xoxo
Wonderful post today. Loved the photos, the flowers and especially your travel in “tunnel vision”. Made my day. Hope you have a wonderful week now that you’re “all well”!
I love all the pictures , specially the ones with yellow! It’s always been my favorite
color—so cheerful & makes you feel glad to be alive !
Your posts are always so beautiful, both visually and in verbal content. 🙂
So happy to spend time here with you.. I am enriched & renewed!
Sigh….that is what this post gave me! 🙂 Absolutely love the purge of Springtime that is finally happening here in MA! That cake looks so heavenly….anytime you want to share that recipe is fine with me! The creative process can be grueling….can so relate it to that same tunnel vision we feel when our lives are overwhelmed with task. In turn, can also relate to the feeling of overwhelming accomplishment when all is said and done. That is when the sigh comes in! So happy to have you back and feeling well again. So happy we get to look forward to and will soon indulge in the fruit of your many recent labors. In the meanwhile, we can enjoy the abundance of happiness and pleasures you have already spread! Every day is a Susan Branch day!
Another wonderful post! I needed all this goodness!! The colors were soooooo gorgeous, a touch of heaven! Flowers have to be my first love of nature! Who could resist such beauty? And, CONGRATULATIONS on finally finishing all the pages of our book! What a great accomplishment too, to be THE video on how to sift flour!! How cool is that?!
Thank you for all the sweet pictures of Jack! I know he has won over everyone’s heart! I love him to death, (along with my own 3 cats) lol!
I have a request dear Susan. I loved the photo of your brush painting on a border of flowers. I would just love if you could put up a little short video of you actually painting something. Just a quickie so we could see how you do it? I know some of the other girlfriends would be interested in seeing it too! And, one more thing, I really want that blueberry angel food cake recipe! My dear sweet husband has a passionate love affair with blueberries, and this is one recipe he has never had! Thank you sweet Sue! Have a wonderful day!
I keep thinking we will do that video — It would be easy if I could paint and hold the camera at the same time! But I have to rope Joe into the equation. I’ll try — and you can tell your husband the blueberry angel food cake will be up soon!
I would love to see that video! Please, Joe, puullleeeasseee!?! 🙂
Absolutely…me too! Watching someone paint is so motivating….PLEEEEEEZE!!!!!!
Well sweet-talk Joe, and I will tell my dear hubby………wait, maybe I will surprise him, with Blueberry Angel Food cake! Thanks Susan! I’ll be keeping my eyes open for a video and a recipe!
Would a tripod work to hold the camera?
I could probably make that happen, why not. Good idea. Thanks Cathy!
Truly, your posts are so uplifting and happy – I really enjoy reading them. And I’d love to win one of your books!
Oh how I love waking up to the sunshine, spring flowers and having a new “spring” in my step…It has been a long time for you, with your head down, adjusting your light, sitting for hours, tunnel vision on your artwork…But to rise up and have it finished and now to be able to have sunshine and flowers!!!! What a wonderful morning for you…Congrats on all of it!
We have had a few days of sunny weather, but today is overcast…So that means for me…..household chores to get done..so when the sunshines again, I will be outside, or for a drive, or with friends for tea or lunch out!
I have a new “volunteer” project I am working on….One of our neighboring little towns has a “Slug Fest”…We have many slugs in the northwest….There is an artist here who actually creates ceramic slugs (about 8 inches in length) in a few different shapes….Then those are given to local artists to decorate, any way they like…(and most of them are over fabulous!!!)…Then in August, there is the actual “Slug Fest” and all those slugs are hidden all over the town….To participate, you have to purchase a “hunting license” for a few dollars to go looking for one…If you find one, it is YOURS….(one per hunting license) All the money collected, goes to a scholarship fund and is awarded to an art student…
This is my 3rd year making a slug….this year, I am doing 2….they are so fun to do and some of the ideas.. are crazy fun! The first one I did, was a Viking..complete with helmet with horns and a beard made out of steel wool!!!! and last year I made one with a straw sun hat with flowers and ribbons, sunglasses and called it California Dreamin’….This year I am working on a Chef Slug….and the other one, yet to be decided!!!! So fun to see everyone’s before they end up hidden…..and it is a great money maker for scholarships….last year, I think we brought in around $4,000…..
Back to you and your blog….Thank you again for the wonderfulness of the flowering tree branches…they are so fulfilling and uplifting …to know life is beginning….Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh SPRING and renewal………..Here’s a toast to you with your morning tea……CHEERS, Dear Susan!!!!!! xoxoxo
Oops, almost forgot!………Oh how I would love to have another one of your books…this time not for me…but for a wonderful loving friend, who has helped me so much these past few months…She didn’t know about you, until I introduced you to her, by looking through my collection of your books….I would love to be able to win one and give it to her….
She is a TRUE girlfriend, in every way….♥
PLEEZE, PLEEZE, PLEEZE (is that enough pleases to get my way?) provide us with that wonderful appearing blueberry angel food cake recipe? PLEEZE…..PRETTY PLEEZE. During WWII my Gram used to bake angel food cakes & pack them up to send to my uncle who was overseas. Don’t know in what condition the cakes arrived, my uncle never told me about it. Nowadays, we enjoy strawberry season with strawberries on top of angel food cake. Here in CA, workers are in the fields harvesting strawberries. What a backbreaking job out there in the fields. I bless them all, as we drive past vast fields of strawberries with the workers working to bring those little nuggets of sweetness to our table. When I cut up our strawberries, I add a bit of sugar & a a sprinkle of almond flavoring. The almond flavoring is delicious on strawberries.
Yesterday my husband & myself went to our daughter’s house to see our grandson & his friends all dressed up for Prom night. What beautiful young people. There were twelve couples. Our daughter has a talent for photography. The photos she took were all very professional looking in quality. She has many lenses & even knows what they’re for! She even used reflecting circles that made the faces of her subjects shadowless. The gowns of the girls were simply stunning. So many beautiful young women. So many handsome young men. All full of promise, all full of expectation, carefree youngsters who hold the world in the palms of their hands. When I graduated from HS, I said to myself, “self, now you know everything. There isn’t much else to learn.” Honestly, that’s what I felt, I remember thinking that! Oh my. I soon found out I was wrong of course. I found out that learning never ceases. How wonderful to have all of those learning experiences out in front of you, like these young people will experience. There were a lot of tears in the eyes of grandparents, parents, & friends, as we all ushered our kids out of the front door, hoping they’d remember their Prom as being a happy rite of passage. Our grandson’s mom (our daughter) told us that she’d be concerned about our grandson until he got home in the morning. I told her that as a parent I could tell her that we never stop worrying about our kidlets. Each time Prom rolls around, I worry about the young people who weren’t asked to the Prom. Am I too sentimental?
There’s a lake nearby that has lots of ducks on it. There are little babes learning from their moms, swimming all over the place in a line, one after the other, following their mommy duck. We feed them on a regular basis. We count the chicks each time we go to the lake, as there are hawks that fly over. We’re hoping the hawks will pick on the mice in the fields instead of the baby chicks.
I just let “our” Jack (Wired Hair Fox Terrior) out for his morning inspection of our 1/2 acre backyard. He’s the king of his throne, just like your Jack. Master of all he surveys. I can’t figure out how “your” Jack can jump that high, waaaaaay up on your fridge? He truly is an amazing cat. His eyes are his communicators that have big question marks in them. So very adorable, he is. And, Girl is Ms. Priss. She’s the sort of cat that is regal. A true watcher of the world, eh? I’m about to go out to my garden this morning to plant some wonderful plants that will attract hummingbirds. Our cat, Bootsie, will plant himself under a bush & watch every move I make outside. Bootsie loves it when I’m working in our yard. I have to decide on where to place our small bird bath, which has been in a sunny spot on our garden wall. I put my finger in the water yesterday & it was very hot from sitting in the sun. No bird is going to drink from hot water, much less take a bath in hot water. I have to find a shady nook, under a bush, near our feeder. Our flying critters will be much happier with cool water, I’m sure.
CA weather is mild & beautiful this morning. There are some who say CA weather is boring. Almost always the same. I say, “I love it!” It’s a day for sitting on the patio reading my latest book, with a kitty on my lap happily purring, while our dog chases birds wondering why he can’t fly like the birds can.
Hope you have a dreamy day as well Girlfriends. May happiness be a part of your day, today, & always. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Oh, you’ve captured the beauty of this wonderful season! Everything so fresh and bright. And that cake! just lovely. I look so forward to your new book…Yayy! I was just thinking of you last night as my daughters and I watched Ms. Potter, and I said…Susan Branch’s book, so much of this loveliness will be in “A Fine Romance”! Looking Forward to it! Have a great day.
OOO, I don’t have either of those books!!!!! I can’t wait for your new book to be finished. I just about died at the glimpse of Beatrix Potter. I visited her home in England and it was the highlight of my trip!!
I know just how you feel Kim, it was so wonderful!
Thank you for such lovely flowers this morning! The sun has hidden itself away for now, but hopefully will make an appearance here later today. I cannot wait to have my copy of A Fine Romance in my hands, the photos of the pages are marvelous!
good morning girlfriends, what a glorious sunny spring day, have bed sheets on the clothesline drying and waved hello to the tractor brigade from the front porch while watering my plants. the barnyard birds are out and about, the younger chicks, or peeps as I call them, are outside in a pen. time for them to come outside and enjoy the sunshine, and I swear the sun makes them grow bigger. soon they will be with the rest of the barnyard birds and by late summer or in the fall they will start laying eggs. I have ribs marinating in the fridge for tonight and a salad made already, its been perfect BBQ weather here lately, nice and warm during the day and pleasant in the evenings, perfect for cooking on the grill and sitting on the porch eating supper and watching the cars go up and down the road. the lawnmower brigade is coming, you hear them before they show up so off to say hello to them and get busy on putting on the new sheets and quilt on the bed. tomorrow the quilts will be washed and dried on the line, along with the rest of the laundry. have a sunshine day everyone. hugs….. 🙂
I want to live with you. You have made your house a real home. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
sure come on over!! hope you don’t mind peeps in the house, along with cats and one looney-tunes cockatiel!! plus turkeys out in the back yard and of course the barnyard crown out in the barnyard.
oops meant crowd not crown!!! yipes.
Your cheery spring pictures have certainly brightened up things in my very dreary and rainy neck of the woods, but the cake . . . that cake . . . that beautiful delicate cake! I hope you won’t wait too long to share the recipe. I’ve already set out the cakestand and dessert forks!
Of course I have those 2 books Susan! I have all of your wonderfully charming books and I would love to share them with a special sister in law who is going through a rough patch right now. Crossing fingers and toes that you pick me and happy spring! It finally feels like it has arrived.
How wonderful to see into your process. There is so much pleasure in creating art of all types, but it is such an intense thing. I have really enjoyed seeing how you work, and thank you for the beautiful pictures-both watercolored and photographed. Your joy always shines through, and it is so contagious.
Your future trees will be phenomenal on your land, and Honey Crisp apples–my favorite!
Happy Sunday!
Gail
So lovely you hear from you and see what you see: the flowers, the music, the kitties, that cake! Can life get any better? I have both books but would love to win them for two new girlfriends. We met walking our kindergarters to and from school everyday. I’ve told them about you and your wonderfulness! I know they’d love to start their book collection. Wednesday is May Day! Anyone else leave baskets of flowers on neighbors’ doors?
We did that when we were children — I think I might have to do it this year — so flowery around here, it should be easy.
In Iowa when we were growing up we made paper cone baskets with handles to hang on doors for May baskets and filled them with a mixture of popped popcorn, salted peanuts, and those pastel little pillow mints. We would hang them on door knobs, ring the doorbells, and run. Does anyone else remember doing that as children? Gert–do children still do that in Iowa?
We did and for some reason we used old wallpaper for the cones — must be something my dad found on the side of the road! 🙂
we used to do that in my old neighborhood when I was a kid, that was so much fun. we used old files for the cones and painted flower pictures on them. we used to do so many things when we were younger, like a our shoe box parade on summer nights. we took old shoe boxes and cut windows out on the sides and on the top, glued different color tissue papers in the windows, lined the bottom with tin foil and sand and put a votive holder in there with a candle in it. I used to glue the votive holder in there so it wouldn’t fall over and burn my shoe box. then we punched a hole through one end of the box, attached a long, and strong piece of string so you could walk and drag the box along easily, then when it got dark all the kids brought out their shoe boxes, lit the candles and we walked up and down the neighborhood with our shoe boxes following along. it was a really pretty sight and the grown ups said it was like watching little stained glass windows go by. all the adults would come out and sit on the sidewalk to watch our parade every night. I miss those good times, be nice to see it again.
That’s a good one! It does sound beautiful! You had trusting parents! I don’t think matches were in the cards for us! Speaking of cards, loved how they sounded when clothes-pined to my Schwin Bike spokes. rrrrrummmm!
who do you think lit the candles??? our parents did, it was my best friend’s mom, Betty Putnam, who started the shoe box parade for all the neighborhood kids. and I still put cards on my bike spokes…. rrrruuuummmmmm!!!!!! 🙂
First but not least, Jack is the star? The vases of flowers are really beautiful.
I am going to plant some sweet peas this afternoon, just for the wonderful fragrance they have. And yes I would love to have the recipe now for the blueberry angel food cake, what a great desert on the table at a mother’s day luncheon or brunch. We can cheat a little on that day!
Thanks for all the photo’s, and the lambs are absolutely adorable, just like the ones outside on a farm nearby. The little ones are so cute.
Emily says that Jack is now a big kitty, and she sends hugs and love from her to Jack.
I just found out that today, Sunday, is national blueberry day. Now we can celebrate by having the angel food cake recipe…hint hint…
Happy spring to you Susan. I loved seeing your beautiful flowers. And just to imagine even more for next spring. I would love to be walking with you to the sparkling water. How lovely it must be. Can’t wait for “The Book” to arrive. Have a lovely day.
Happy spring to you! We have a howling gale at the moment- thank goodness for our cosy wood stove, crochet blankets and flickering candles.
We girlfriends are so lucky…..to share the joy of your blogposts and to possibly WIN!!!!!! I can hardly wait for your new book….patience is such a hard virtue!!! Happy Sunday to all. XXXX
Oh dear, I’m not sure I can wait for the cake recipe it looks oh-so-delici-o-so!
Thank you Susan for the shot of good cheer and all the lovely pix. Congrats too for making it through the process of writing your book. I know I’m going to have to wait for it’s publication but it ain’t gonna be easy! 😉 I’m looking forward to having “A Fine Romance” in my hot little hands.
Cheers to you and Joe and Jack and Girl Kitty!
Always love the kitty pictures…we now have (2) month old kittens (& mother, of course)…one black & white, the other a carbon copy in gray & white…”Pearl” & “Earl”!
Your cake looks amazing…would love a bite right about now. I gave my “Girlfriends” book to a dear friend that lost her mother…I’d love one to take it’s place & signed by you would truly be the icing on the cake.
Happy Spring from N. California 🙂
I love your kitty names !
My two girls are Pinky Lee (pink nose, gray and white)
and Pearlie Mae (mostly black with a phantom of the opera
face/half white.) They are like two little old ladies so
their names suit them, especially when they spat!
Cute!
Oh I do hope it’s me too! I have very few of your books & these are not in my library. I’d love to win. :o)
Wonderful pictures as always, dear Susan! And, big thanks for the giveaway! It would be really difficult for me to decide which book I’d love to have more. I love summertime; so, The Summer Book would be just perfect. But, I have 3 BFF with whom I have been friends for 17 years! So your Girlfriends Forever book sounds perfect as well! Wouldn’t it be lovely, if I won both? 😀 Happy springtime for everyone!
Just returned home last night from a one week Disney World vacation with grandkids. Oh the joy of seeing everything through the eyes/heart of a 2 yr old! And now, my next greatest joy…YOUR posting to the girlfriends…seeing the writing process through your eyes! Made me smile and actually brought a few tears to my eyes just imagining how you must feel. There has been a book “in me”for a long time and now I believe more than ever that it is ready to be born. Thanks for always sharing and encouraging, even when you don’t realize that you are doing so. I would be so thrilled to be the winner of the giveaway. I hope Tinker Bell covered me in enough pixie dust to make the magic happen…lol Glad you are feeling better, Susan. We love you!
Oh, my! What an exciting post, Susan! Springtime on Martha’s Vineyard is looking lovely, Jack is full of himself (as usual), you have recovered, the book is done, – and what a giveaway! Who wouldn’t absolutely LOVE to win this one?
Sending happy wishes from Knoxville to Vineyard Haven! Save some of that cake! We will all be at goal before you know it, and we’ll be ready to share that sweetness!
xo Nellie
Oh, something I forgot…… Since I know all of us Girlfriends love music, I wanted to tell you something I found out. You probably all heard that Dorothy McGuire of the fabulous McGuire Sisters passed away this past fall? I hadn’t heard about that sad day until recently. The McGuires have given us so many happy memories, from their days with Arthur Godfrey, through their young years of recordings. When I heard the news, I immediately went to my computer & ordered three CD’s of theirs, which I play in my sewing room as I’m quilting. While in Reno a few years ago, we went to see them in person. My husband knew I’d want to see them up close & we got front row seats. They were & still are, just outstanding beauties. So exquisite. The quality of their performance hadn’t diminished one little bit. My magic wand isn’t working too well lately, but if I could make a wish on it, I’d wish that the McGuires would always be around singing together, bringing their perfect harmony to our lives. Well, I do have their voices on my CD’s. Maybe my magic wand isn’t totally out of whack! What do you think? (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
We’re blessed to have the music from the past at our fingertips all the time! Amazing world we live in!
So funny that you talk about the McGuire Sisters today..I have one of their CD’s and had that thing going 100 MPH yesterday, with all the doors open, letting the sunshine in and singing right along while dancin’ in the living room…!!! ha ha…..”Sincerely” is one of my all time favorites and brings back so many wonderful memories………Dancing with Grampa, is one!!!!! Thank you for bringing them up in the blog today! xoxo
I like to dance with their music as well. You’ve no doubt heard, “dance as though no one were watching.” Who the heck cares if someone is watching? When our grandkids were small, they loved dancing with me, their “Meemaw.”
Love all your gorgeous photos, TY so much for sharing them I love reading your blog. Always makes my heart sing.
Love all your gorgeous photos, TY so much for sharing them. I love reading your blog. Always makes my heart sing.
Such a wonderful post, I can almost smell your flowers here in Texas!! Have a great walk!
Susan, thank-you for this amazing post! The wonderful, abundant flowers of your yard remind me of my yard in Virginia growing up. Sweet, sweet daffodils and Forsythia just make you happy and encouraged. Also, the amazing “tunnel view” of life that you ,the artist, lived in order to create your book. I had no idea! This little insight just makes me more appreciative of all that it takes to get something like this done from idea to book in hand. I cannot wait to enjoy the copy I ordered last Fall. It is also great news to hear that you are finally over the horrible cold and able to enjoy the arrival of Spring in your part of the world. It must feel like one of the most wonderful Spring arrivals ever!! Thank-you for keeping up with all of us girls despite volumes of work, deadlines, nasty cold weather, and then the coup de gras of colds! I for one always enjoy every post you find time to share with us! You are just the BEST!
Hi Susan! I have these two books, but a dear, dear friend, Gale, does not! And, you see, we both just adore you, and we are so hoping that when you go out to signing spots around the country, that you will come to Denver or Cheyenne or Albuquerque or Santa Fe, preferably Denver, but we’d drive to any of these cities. We follow your blog faithfully and you lift us…lift us up and make us so happy! I know I sound “gushy,” but that’s the way we feel.
Love and Friendship, Jan Hammond
I’m sure I will be in one of those, or more, so that’s very good to hear, because I would hate to be there alone! xoxo
Isn’t spring wonderful…AND to finish a project…PERFECT! 🙂
Love this post with all the sunny yellows! Since I am fairly new to the “Susan Branch Fan Club, I really would like these books to catch up! Thanks for always uplifting my spirits!
Spring is here!!! I love the flowers of Spring. Here in the midwest the flowers are just starting to bloom. It is refreshing to see new growth after a cold winter. I would love to win one of your books and it would be given to no one else but “me”.
Such a beautiful post. So close to home this past month as my husband tries to recover his sight after a tree limb puncture. After two surgeries we have hope and may find out this week if his sight will return. Not a “tunnel” but a blur at this point. Thank you for keeping my spirits up.
This post was such a beautiful blessing.
Hello Susan, Joe, and everyone,
Just loved looking at and reading this email today! Such beauty, color, and of course great pics of Jack and Girl Kitty (love them!). I am enjoying all the new flowers in my neighborhood too! After all our recent grief and sadness (I lost my husband of 28 years on Feb. 10th, my son and daughter lost their dad). It has been so hard for us, but we continue to put one foot in front of the other. It is the little things like this email that truly help alot. So I thank you Susan for these uplifting updates.
Good luck to all the girlfriends in winning this contest! It is such fun! Peace o all, Doreen
Dearest Susan,
You always brighten my day. Friendship is the 2nd greatest treasure we can have – the first is love. I would love to give my best friend your Girlfriends Forever book. Keeping my fingers crossed!
So glad to learn that you are well again! Loved the beautiful photos! Hoping that Vanna draws my name this time!
Would love to win these (my name please Vanna!) for my daughter Pam, who introduced me to your blog & she was right… I love it!
I just love the mom-daughter teams we have here! Say hello to Pam for me!