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!
Thank you for reminding us often to treasure the gifts that nature and life provides to us! I so look forward to your posts and pictures!!! WOW. Being in Oregon, it gives me a tiny window into the world on the opposite coastline.
Oohhh! I just love receiving your e-mails! It truly feels like a wonderfully warm and fun letter from a lifelong friend! I almost hate to drop my name in the bucket (but not quite!), all these wonderful ladies and their lovely comments ahead of me – dare I dream?!? On a different note – later this afternoon four girlfriends and I will meet for a two hour ‘Paint, Wine & Cheese Workshop!’ I’ll try to channel my inner Susan Branch while painting!
What a wonderful way to spend your time — say hello for me to the girls!
Dear Susan can’t tell you how happy your blog and facebook page make me, I find myself somewhat isolated because of my husbands illness. I am pretty much a caregiver 24/7. Your writings and drawings bring much joy to my heart.I’d love to win any of your books..
Blessed are the happiness makers . . . ♥
Thank you so much for your lovely newsletter & all of your flower photos today!!
Definitely a salute to Spring. And thanks for the chance to win your books. Glad you are finally over your cold. They seem to hang on even longer in the Spring!
Susan~I love the way you see the world…at all times. You never cease to inspire.
Happy Everything, Girlfriends!
Bliss!
Marie xo
The cake looks delicious and the flowers are wonderful.
ps. Please send rain to Texas…
Susan, believe that publisher is Shapiro, BernstEIn (not IE) & Co. It looked odd to my former copy editor’s eye so I Googled. Just wanted to be sure it got checked before publication. If course this for you only, not the blog girls!
Sincerely, Betsy Breckow of Paso
I know, it’s OK, I fixed it. I fixed it before I dotted the i — but it will be done by computer. Good eye! 🙂
It’s a dreary, cold, rainy day here in NC-but you have put spring back into my day! It just seems like spring is dragging its feet this year! We will have a couple of beautiful sunny days and we run around outside planting things and sewing seeds then it turns back to wintry weather again. Its only 56 degrees and I am sitting by the wood stove, warming my tootsies again! Thank you though for putting some spring blooms into my soggy Sunday!
I am so excited about A Fine Romance! I can hardly stand it!
Yay for those two “absolutely necessary” books of yours, too! I’m going to bring them out right now!
I have that same light-stepping feeling! I have a new red poppy waiting to go outside just after Mother’s Day! SO pretty!
Jack and Miss Kitty are sure cute!
Dear Susan, it is so nice to see springtime through your eyes! Let us hope that it is here to stay. My favorite time of year, when days are warm and you don’t need a coat, but nights are cool enough that snuggling under a blanket feels sooo good. I’d love to add your books to my collection.
This is so true, we are in the snuggle period here too. Cold nights, windows open, lots of feather comforters.
Susan, You brightened my day! I’m just getting my family over a tummy flu, and I have the feeling….I am finally succumbing to it. But, reading your blog before I go crash will fill my head with pretty thoughts! Bless you!
Lori
Hope it goes easy on you Lori! xo
Lovely pictures and post! Gotta love Jack and Girl Kitty. 🙂 And thanks for the chance to win the books. So excited for the opportunity!
-Merry K.
Thank you so much Susan!
I needed to see those beautiful blooms so badly. Here in Northern Michigan spring has been very slow coming. There are still some piles of snow on the ground for heaven’s sake. It finally started to warm up about 3 days ago and it has been wonderful to be able to go outside without a jacket, and see all the little bits of green starting to peek out of the ground. And some of the birds are back and singing. But I don’t expect to see any flowers for some time yet, so your lovely flower photos are sooooo appreciated. I just got a new camera that I’m dying to try out. Hope I don’t have to wait too long. My husband is starting to get annoyed at having his picture taken, but I have to figure out how to use the camera, don’t I? Hehehehe :0). Have a wonderful Spring!
I love your blog and all the beautiful drawings. It always brings a smile to my face when I receive your updates.
Hello Susan,
Such a pretty post, the cat of yours makes me smile, watching over you all from the best spot in the home. I would love the opportunity to win one of your delightful books. Just think with Mother’s Day coming up I could sit outside reading your book all day!
Happy days.
Bev.
I would love to have one or both of your books. Thank you for your pictures of the spring flowers that I love.
Seeing your daffodils and forsythia made me just a wee bit jealous, but I shouldn’t be. Our daffies lasted almost a month this year. It was wonderful having that splash of sunshine right at the back door. We’ve moved on to the iris and roses stage. I was kind of shocked this week to notice the roses. It seems early, but it is almost May.
I’ve always sifted flour the way you do. Are there other ways? I wish my sifter had a cute flower painted on the side.
Thank you for your generous heart and sharing your books. What a fun giveaway! Can’t wait to see who wins them. Hope it’s meeeeee!
Kiss the kitties and wallow in spring. ♥
You can find a sifter like that at antique stores or yard sales! Some people use a sieve! I’m wallowing!
Hi Susan!
Thanks for this wonderful post! The beautiful colors of Spring make me so happy! The blueberry angel food cake with lemon glaze looks amazing….. Would love that recipe 🙂 Thank you for your kind generosity in offering these 2 lovely books!
Ann
Susan, reading your blog always makes me feel like I’m having a cuppa with a good friend. When I read this post, I went straight to your shop to find the friends forever book to give to my girlfriend for her birthday, and couldn’t find it. Then I read the rest of the post and saw you were giving away a copy. I would like to win it as I know my friend Sue would feel the same about your
‘chats’.
Thanks for the Spring pix. Unfortunately, it feels like Summer already here in Fresno…it was 90 degrees yesterday! May you have many more lovely Spring days before you start feeling Summertime.
P.S. I love your flour sifting video. Congrats on being #1.
So glad you are well now! It would be great to win the books! I have The Summer Book, but not Girlfriends Forever.
Dear Susan,
I’m so glad my/our niece led me to you! Although the snow has started melting, most of my flower beds are still under at least a foot of snow. Such a long winter this year, and I don’t usually mind winter! Thanks for all the lovely words, images and colors!
Oh, I hope with every fiber of my being, Vanna picks me, too! Such generous gifts.
I love your gorgeous pictures, and especially the pics of tunnel vision. I know I will enjoy the books, because one way or another, I intend to own them someday. 🙂
Thank you!!!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
I loved the bright,fresh flower pictures – – they are so pretty, especially the pink ones.
Thanks again for all you do.
How lovely, to see that the springtime has arrived to your home. It’s wonderful to see the earth is awakening from her long winters’ sleep.. the beauty of it all.. If it were not for the winter, we would have no spring, or appreciate it so much. God bless you Susan, for your wonderful, warm heart, and for sharing your talents with us!
Thank you for another lovely post. I am looking forward to making that angel cake for my girlfriends here in England.
Please include my name in the draw for your books – it would be wonderful to win them. I already have Girlfriends Forever, so could give that to one of my girlfriends if I did win.
Hi Susan,
Totally enjoyed your spring flowers and Jack. I also have a “Jack” cat, all black though, no mustache! Would love to win your books! So glad you are feeling better.
Vicki
Gorgeous pictures, especially the flowering trees! We have been having a cool, wet spring in the mid-west, but it is so much nicer than the heat and drought of last year! Looking out my window I see a crabapple & pear both blooming…lovely!
With snow every Tuesday in April, it is so special to see your photos of things blooming. Ready for spring, but more snow is scheduled, I mean forecast for May 1, so your photos are the spring I get right now. Thanks for the pictures and the give-away. Love it.
I’ve read this blog three times today. The floral photos are stunning and the pics of Jack always make me smile. But now I’m beggin’ ya–pleeease share your recipe for that blueberry angel food cake soon? I’m in a baking mood and now nothing else will do. 🙂 xoxox
It’s coming soon Maria, I hear the voices and I must answer! xoxo
I would love to get a copy of this for my friend Jodie! It would be a perfect gift.
Nothing more beautiful than sprintime on the Vineyard ! Thanks for sharing the pictures…..
Oh Susan, this blog entry made my heart sing! You are so much fun ~ An awesome writer, photographer and lover of all things beautiful! Thanks for blogging! And thanks for your generosity! Blessings on your little piece of heaven! Cathy in Idaho
I have been in a slight tunnel vision myself. Nothing compared to yours, I’m sure. Just finished speaking at women’s conferences for the last 2 weekends and all the time of preparation. So now I too can take some time to see spring outside my door. But first it is off to visit my son who has been away for 3 months. I am thrilled!
When I got home from an antiquing expedition your new post was waiting for me – icing on the cake of a delightful afternoon. Two of my dear friends are leaving for. England on Wednesday. I’ll be with them in spirit and they promise to tell me all about their adventures when they get home. I’ve already ordered your book for them. Love the pink pear blossoms and yellow forsythias. I make angel food cake often but have never thought to add blueberries – so pretty, perfect for spring. Loved your “tunnel vision” pictures especially of Joe in the snow and the kitty ones. Glad you’re back in good health and ready for the next step in this great adventure called life.
Hi Susan! Thanks for the beautiful flowers you posted! Would LOVE to win a book to give away! God bless you!!! Donna (Idaho)
Dear Susan,
It is always such a joy to read your blog…..Here in NY we are slowly creeping towards Spring….everything is starting to bud and bloom !!! Yeah !!! Thanks for helping our spirits along !!
Kathleen
Thanks for the beauty and the chance!
I would LOVE either of the books. Thank you for such beautiful pictures and positive blogs. I look forward to each one.
Jack is a handsome fella!
Spring = Hope! It is so green here in northern Indianan that I keep saying “Welcome to Ireland” when I walk outside. We have our yellows, too – forsythia, daffy-down-dillies – and some stray pinks and purples (hyacinths) so far. More to come! The lilacs are greening, the peonies are pushing up and the tulips are about to burst forth. Spring!
Maybe spring will give me two new books, too! 🙂
I too, would love to have the recipe for your blueberry angel food cake! 🙂 And thank you for the chance to win your books. I’d love to give one to each of my daughters-in-law. Hugs….
I am so glad you’re feeling better and able to enjoy the spring. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Back here in northern Illinois, spring is finally peering out from our mixed up weather systems. It is said that our area has two seasons: winter and road construction. Well I have seen many heavy duty yellow/orange trucks so it must be “spring”. Can’t wait for the angel food cake recipe 🙂
I have always thought that Spring was a most marvellous season 🙂 The colours! The scents! The sounds! The sights!
In fact, just today, we discovered a teeny tiny box turtle in the garden- about a little over an inch across!
What a beautifully cheerful blog about Spring! It must be wonderful to be able to See everything again…not just that little circle of focus you were in for so long! Everything probably feels new and wonderful! I love that you are getting new trees….and especially the HONEY CRISP tree! You inspired me to try them, and they are just the best apples ever! Please post a picture after planting? OMGoodness…that blueberry Angelfood cake….yum! I am begging for the recipe!!! Angelfood cake has been my very fav my entire life….my birthday cake!…..but I have never tried it with blueberries….which happen to be my very fav. Fruit, if not food!! Please ? Thank you for another fun giveaway….I kind of hope I win this one so that I can give it to my daughter as a Graduation gift from high school! Xoxoxo. So glad you are enjoying the glorious Springtime. I do have a question for you….have you ever watched the British television shows…”Midsomer Murders”? I have been watching some of them and love the scenery of the small villages, and they make me dream of receiving our new book about our vacation to England last year! 🙂
Half the reason I love the British films is because of the background scenery! I haven’t seen that one, but will look for it. The small villages, they are so very beautiful.
What a great opportunity for someone to win two of your wonderful books. Have been reading your blog for quite some time now and it always seems to make me smile and appreciate more the simple things in life. So glad you are feeling better. Take care
So it is a sunny Sunday here. We had 5 inches of rain yesterday and lots of thurnder & lightning. Stayed up late last night listening to it and the sounds of my hubby, sweet 7 year old son and our faithful guard lab LuLu Belle. They were all in my bed snoring away during the storm. Wish I had thought to grab the camera! I have the Summer book and it is one of my favorites! I would really like to have that recipe! Blueberries and angelfood are my hubby’s 2 favorite things! Thanks for the chat! Always good to hear from friends!
LOVE Page 8 — with top and bottom quotes of Ella and Zelda! A brilliant synchronicity methinks. I’m thrilled you got permission to use this music/ lyrics. I was two years old when this song was made. My Dad played the piano and I’ve often thought probably the first things that registered in my baby brain was music he played. So I do enjoy all the Musica you include in your blog. Did you catch the Google Doodle right around the time you were given permission? It honored Ella Fitzgerald on her birthday. . . I love it when things come together like this. Now I’m really excited for the publication of A Fine Romance. My Dad also loved the movies and actually played piano for the silent ones when he was quite young. My first memories are of going to the movies with Mom and Dad where I’m sure we saw Fred singing A Fine Romance, Shirley Temple films and lots of the movies you mention when they were new. Mr. Fey (his former employer) would greet my Dad at the door which I thought was pretty special. Thanks for the memories Susan. Loved the tunnel vision pic of Girl. This might be a day I go plow through some old sheet music. 🙂
It’s my parents music too Sylvia, I think we love what they loved.
Loved all your spring photos. Here in northeast Kansas we have had a cold April and flowering trees are just now coming to life. Sadly, it was too cold for my lovely apple tree to bloom so no apples this year. Too sad. But my two crabapple trees in the front year are coming out full force! Glad to hear you are feeling better and enjoying the spring sunshine.
How delightful! I’d love to celebrate spring with books! You are always so generous with the girlfriends! Jack is a very handsome guy.
Oh how I love to have a dogwood tree live in my yard. We just don’t live in an area that they survive.
I LOVED, LOVED LOVED this post!!! This is the most incredibly beautiful spring of my entire lifetime because I can see all these colors and love the flowers and trees and sky! I really understood your post so well………For several years I had such brown cataracts that I could not see much at all and after they were removed I could see again……..for a few weeks……..until they gave me drops that burned my corneas and then I could not see at all! My husband described the blooming cherry trees and dogwoods and told me how pretty everything was! I thought I would never see it again. (I couldn’t even match my own clothes much less see anything out doors!) And then……..I GOT BETTER and I can see ALL THE COLORS AND ALL THE FLOWERS and I am in love with this world and spring time! I just had to share my happiness and seeing your spring photos brought tears to my eyes! Thank you!
Now that’s what I call appreciation! I’m so happy for you Nanette, that you got better, and in the nick of time! xo
Where I live we have rain, rain and more rain, briefly followed by bouts of sun. If I could figure out how to ‘share the bounty’ with all you girls out there in need of some dampness, I surely would. 🙂 Thank you Miss SB, your posts are SUCH a day brightener!
That blueberry angel food cake looks delicious! I would love the recipe! Would also love to win your books. Take care of yourselves.
I would give the girlfriends book to our daughter–full of life and having fun with her girlfriends at college–good clean, not making your parents wonder about you fun. The summer book would go to a good friend who has shared good conversation and warm days in the shade of her outdoor living space with me. Thanks for the chance to win.
I just checked out “Heart of the Home” from my local library and I’m enjoying it. “The Summer Book” was my first exposure to you (also a library treasure). Thank you for the delicious recipes, the beautiful artwork, and your friendly style of writing. And, I must thank you for turning me on to Gladys Taber, too!
Hi Miss Susan, so excited for another giveaway… So far today I have walked 8008 steps. I am going to try to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. I took many pictures as I saw alot of things thanks to you. You have inspired me to look at the world differently. I see so much more. Well I would love that blueberry sugar cake recipe. It looks absolutely wonderful. I need to bake a cake. It is crucial for my mental health. I have so many worries right now, and baking helps me to process all of my worries. Love you, Miss Susan. Thanks for the note. <3
Baking is good for the soul — that’s how it feels to me too!
One of these days I will win one of your giveaways!! Maybe this is the one!! Thank you for the beauty of your posts!
Oh Susan, you are such an inspiration to me, I so appreciate every one of your blog posts! pics and the blueberry angel cake looks so yummy! Of course I’d love to finally win one of your books! Enjoy the gardening!
I love those books and my numerous “sisters” (we grew up together) and their children are amazed of my collection of your work and that I began making my own family calendars because of YOU about 15 years ago! The first ones were all done by hand (about 20 to begin with then the kids grew up). So now I make about 50 on the computer making sure I get your calendar out to tell me when all the full moons are and use the names of the moons that you use. They expect and love them each December.
I would love to win one of the books. I have a lovely group of women 16 exactly that meet several times a month to have tea and make lovely items from aprons to rosemary topiaries in broken teapots. We have a library of wonderful books that the girls love to check out. It would be wonderful to add one of your books to our others. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for the great pictures and another beautiful start to the day! We took a walk on the west coast this morning along the sparkling Pacific Ocean. So glad you are feeling better, Susan! I can’t wait for your scrumptious Blueberry Angel Food Cake recipe. It looks like the perfect dessert for a Mothers’ Day Brunch. : – )
So happy that page 8 is free and clear. Now you can squeeze every second of beauty out of spring! I’ll cross my fingers and toes that I’m the lucky winner of one of the lovely books. Thanks for all you bring to your “girlfriends”.
Hi Susan,
Spring has Sprung…..The Winters Done…..A new Post From you Today! 🙂 Thank you for sharing all you packed in this post….The old fashion flouring sifting…memories…love it! A new Blueberry Cake……yes would love the recipe please! I so enjoyed all the beautiful pictures of your flowers. My good friend Lisa and I try to walk at least three to four times a week….and we have been enjoyed seeing every bud, every flower, all of nature to. I am so happy your cold is gone and your feeling better today…and exercise is going okay…good for you. Keep up the good work …Sue…you can do it! Congratulations on the finishing touches of “A Fine Romance” and thank you for sharing all the insights into your book.. I would be so Happy 🙂 to win the books…thank you for the giveaway! GoodLuck to all the Girlfriends and HAPPY SPRING TO YOU Sue! Hugs & Smiles
Barb
It is finally spring here in northern Iowa, trout lilies booming in the woods and on the paths, daffodils yellow and white in the flower beds. So glad you are feeling better.
Tis spring…and your flowers are so lovely. Thank you for giving us a little “floral vacation”!
Oh a feast for the eyes and mouth—when you share the blueberry angel food cake. Thank you Susan, now best of luck with your new body adventure.
Bunny hugs to all of you.
Congrats and it’s wonderful you e come out of your tunnel in time to witness spring!
Susan, thank you so much for brightening my cold, gray, spring day in northeast Ohio. I absolutely love when you include Jack and Girl Kitty in your posts. I, too, have a precious fluff ball in my life named Toodles. They bring such joy, don’t they? I can’t wait to receive your latest book. I am also a huge Beatrix Potter fan. thanks again for sharing your spring day.
Thank you for the smiles you bring to our home, for your creative inspiration, and for affirming that “Contentment consists not in getting what we want, but in enjoying what we have.”
So true, and we do have so much! Sunrise here this morning was a long line of hot pink!
Loved the delicious yellow blooms and abundance of delicate pinks in this post! plus a big yay!~ for a Spring GiveAway!
Always look forward to your posts:-)
Enjoying post with a cup of tea!
Wendy
What a pleasure it would be to win your book! Thanks for the chance!!
Hi, Susan! I get more and more excited about your new book every time I see the little glimpses of it — love, love, love the Zelda quote! Plus, I was really squinting to read the Beatrix bits — I have been reading the Beatrix Potter mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert recently, and they are darling — I am completely obsessed with Beatrix Potter now. 🙂
It’s easy as you get to know her! Happens to the best of us Jackie! 🙂
Love everything about this blog! So happy the writing phase of the book is behind you and that you are now able to lose that tunnel vision and enjoy the full beauty of spring. Hubby and I went to Washington DC yesterday and I don’t think I’ve seen that city look so lovely. The weather was perfect. The cherry blossoms are gone, but the azaleas and tulips and red bud trees and a hundred other “spring things” are in full bloom….breathtaking. And it’s just as lovely, although on a MUCH smaller scale, here in our little corner of south central PA!!
Blueberry angel food cake recipe, yes please!! Winning the book giveaway, yes please!!! Jack and Girl Kitty, yes, yes, please!!!! Okay, kitties not included but thank you for including them in your blog as I so love seeing pictures of them…and everything else!! Delightful!! Thank you for all that you do Susan!
Hi Susan,
What a generous give-a-way. I’d love to win. AND… I’d LOVE the recipe for your blueberry angel food cake. My mouth is watering after looking at the picture!
Thank you for a dose of spring! we in Wyoming are still waiting on another blizzard, not believing that spring could be here – three storms in a row will do that to a person… but I have planted a little garden (bowls of herbs and salad greens) and check hourly to see if the seeds have sprouted! These books would be delightful too… thanks for sharing your life with us!
Jack sure poses nicely for the camera. Would love to see a video of him jumping up on the frig! Glad you are feeling better! So enjoy the flowers. I too just bought a red bud tree,peach tree and forsythia today. Welcome Spring !
If he would please tell me he’s going to jump and then give me a moment to get the camera, I would give you that video. There is so much he does that I wish I’d photographed, but I’m always way too late!
Vanna – pick me, pick me! Thanks Susan – I sit to read the blog, usually on Sunday late afternoon – there are the flowers, the recipes, the smile I see – yes, you are always so happy to give your girls treats – and there it is —-
the giveaway!! Yippee! There’s always a chance, yes it could be me today!
You are the bright spot in my week! A sermon on Sunday morning and Susan on Sunday afternoon! Life is good!
So glad you are better, Susan! Anxiously awaiting A Fine Romance to hit the shelves and I can appreciate all your hard work! Although, does it really feel like work when you do what you love? I love to catch up on Jack and Girl too!! Thank you!
It is always so wonderful to read your joy. I want to have your outlook of life and I appreciate your uplifting messages. Thank you for bringing beautiful things to our attention. Your blog has been a blessing of cheer to me, thank you.
Happy to hear that — you live in a beautiful place Jen!
Thank you for all of the flower photos. We still have snow. It made me feel better. I absolutely love the photo of the quilts on the clothes line. I am glad you got your book done. I’m sure it was a relief. Thank you for sharing the beautiful spring pictures.
I could really use something that would make my heart sing!
One of the books would be a lovely gift. Hope your week is filled with lots of sunshine and more flowers.♥♫
Hi Susan, glad that it’s spring where you live. Everything is so beautiful. Glad, too, that you can see it all in full color now that your book is finished. I’d love to win your other books, too.
I do have both those books, and so when I win, the signed copy will go to my bff, soul sistah, Gail!!
Such a lovely, happy post-thank you! The only book of yours that I have is, “The Heart of the Home”. I have ordered, “A Fine Romance” so I guess that counts.
Hoping Vanna finds my name:-)
Aloyce
Oh pick me please. I’d love to give a set to my BFF Diana. She would fall in love with the stories and she loves to cook. It would be perfect.
Lovely photos, they are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing life on Martha’s Vineyard!
Love your blog and all your photos. I have 3 dogs so your cat adventures are a bit different, yet fascinating for me. Happy Spring! jill
Thank you for sharing your lovely Spring photography will all of us. Our snowball tree is in its full glory — we delight in it every year.
Of COURSE your post made my heart take wings! It never fails…you get all kinds of “Oh!”-s and “Adorable!”-s, sighs, smiles, and giggles from me when I read them! I would love to win one of your books, then I’d have my Susan Branch fix at my fingertips! Hugs!
It’s wonderful to hear that you are finally over that nasty bug and ready to take in the world! Can’t wait to see what the rest of spring and summer have in store for you and us!!
Susan, I love experiencing the beauty you capture in your photos, feels like I’m there, so soul-refreshing! you are a treasure~! xox
What a treat it would be to win these two lovely books! Thank you for always brightening my day. 🙂
Spring. The most wonderful season of all. I really enjoy reading your blog and the blueberry angel food cake looks heavenly!
Dear Susan
Your posts always make my day just a little bit better
How thrilling for us girlfriends that you are having this new giveaway
Please< please enter my name as I do not have either of these books and either of them would be a blessing
I hear the music I am looking at a couple figurine a friend gave us closer to our twenty fifth wedding anniversary and that was thirty five years ago
It plays musica>>>>>how great can a gift be
BLESS YOU AND CONGRADULATIONS ON THE FINISHING TOUCHES OF YOUR BOOK>>>A FINE ROMANCE>>>>>>>>
Having just moved last year from the place of my dreams, where I had these same blossoms growing in the yard, I so miss them. There is nothing more wonderful than to cut fresh branches from your yard (smell so good too) and have them in your house, to celebrate spring. Now I live in the mountains of Co and although quite beautiful, I still so miss spring at my other house. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos with all of us….I can feel the rain storm too. 🙂 Drought here. 🙁 It would be great to win your books….I have several girlfriends, who are now followers of yours too and would love to give them as gifts.
Find something of your old home to bring into the new — if possible. Even a bunch of store bought daffodils might do the trick. xoxo
Oh the joy of Springtime. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Thank you for sharing the beauty today!