Happy to Be Home

Hello my darling girls … I can NOT begin to tell you how happy I am to be home. I’m going to put on some ★ MUSICAfor us . . .
This is the view from out the windows over my kitchen sink.  It’s good to go away for three months, then when you get home you are extra grateful with cup runnething over all over the place.  Alive!  Alive!  We made it home alive!  We were living as birds on a wire out there.  The big wheelers and oil trucks did not kill us after all!  We did not slip off the road into a ditch.  The house is still here!  My cozy quilts, candles, the stove!  The cooking!  The cats!  The TV clicker we know how to work!  Nothing changed!  A long delicious winter is coming.  Downton Abbey is coming!  Very happy . . . but we were tired.  It was a long trip ~ we didn’t realize how long until we stopped.  We’ve been going to bed early, smooshing in our cold bedroom with rattling windows under big feathery quilts.  Last night for dinner we had chicken soup, a wedge of ice-cold iceberg lettuce with chopped tomatoes and creamy-lumpy blue cheese on it, and a big sweet potato.  In front of the fire, all quiet and crackling, log falling, embers breaking.  It’s freezing here.  We ate the skin on the potato too, because it was organic ~ I buttered and salted it and I cooked it hot at 425° so the skin would caramelize a little bit and be extra flavorful and we didn’t have to put any extra butter on it because it already tasted so sweet and good.  It wasn’t fast food.  It wasn’t something from our ice chest.  It was real!  The heat from our stove warmed the kitchen.  We are coming to ourselves again, and this Friday is the big yearly Christmas dance our friends have given at the yacht club every year since 1979.  So in addition to sleeping, napping, unpacking, eating right, playing with Jack and Girl and getting organized, I’ve been trying to figure out what to wear.  So far it’s a ballet-length black taffeta full skirt, with short boots, a v-neck beaded velvet top and a separate  brown fur peter pan-type collar.  The goal is to look as good as possible, but even more than that, to be warm.  The secret is in the jewelry which is lots of shiny jet beads and gold earbobs in the manner of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.  This party gets so crowded no one sees you from the neck down anyway. I keep threatening to wear my jammie bottoms and shearling slippers with my velvet top and jewelry.  No one would notice. But that’s the outfit, unless I change my mind.  The earbobs are a for-sure.  Right now I’m typing with one dark reddish brown fingernail . . . trying out the color for the outfit.  Ladeedah, ladeedah.  The life of a person with a house, a bathroom and closets.  Today, we are going to the movies.  Buttered popcorn at 3:45 ~ a matinee, my favorite!  We’re going to see About Time.  I hear we’re going to love it, don’t tell me if you’ve seen it ~ not until tomorrow.
I had a really nice thing happen the other day.  I was asked to do an interview by Jennifer Carroll who has an online magazine called Celebrating Everyday Life
(what’s not to love about that title).  She asked the best questions, about A FINE ROMANCE, but she covered lots of other topics too, like “who would you have for dinner if you could have anyone?” I liked that question!  Had to think!  I answered them as best I could, and then I thought, this would make a nice post for the blog. I think she’s planning to run the interview in January or February, I’ll be sure to let you know… in the meantime here’s the preview for you, my Girlfriends . . . some of you will recognize these answers, but so many people are writing to say they just found my books or my blog … we have new Girlfriends, and this is especially for them . . .  here goes: 
Jennifer: When did your love of England begin?
me:  Little by little, mostly through reading, art and seeing old movies, clues of interest kept coming up.  
England is an “empire of imagination.”  I think we crossed this bridge in our car!
But those clues were like the lambs scattered on the sides of English hills, one here, one there, they did not come in a clump.  My mind was slowly cataloguing them.  Over time I became more and more curious about the culture, then about the history and learning about my English ancestors as I discovered them.
It was a very slow unfolding, but after seeing my first English garden and realizing there were hundreds of them all attached to ancient castles, cottages and manor houses; realizing I could visit and even stay at some of the homes of my literary and artistic heroes . . .
. . . seeing the countryside where all the history I’d read about came alive because it’s all still there, nothing has changed; learning more about the interesting lives of people I’ve known from their art and writings, and then the surprise and serendipity of learning about people and lives I’d never heard of before (but should have), I became more and more enthralled more and more inspired.  Each time we have gone over, we found ourselves deeper in love and always learning something new.
Jennifer: A Fine Romance – what was the creative process of writing and illustrating the book like?
me:  I wrote the whole book while we were traveling for the two months in England, as a diary, one day at a time as it unfolded, mostly while we sat in gardens and pubs.  
Sometimes I would paint at night.  When we came home to Martha’s Vineyard, I rewrote it in my good writing, and put in the photos of the Queen Mary 2, of Beatrix Potter’s House, of the gardens and pubs; I drew the maps, tested the recipes, and added more watercolors.  As always with all my books, I just work one page at a time and try to make each page as interesting, fun to read, and as informative and pretty as I can.
 
It’s a joy, I’ve been so lucky because I love to make things, and I love to share my passions with other like-minded people.  Beauty is the very best of life.  I love to try and make some to add to all there is.
Jennifer: A Fine Romance has been a runaway hit. Can you tell us your favorite part of being a bestselling author and what has been your biggest challenge in the journey?
me: When Joe and I decided to go to England and keep a diary of the trip, we decided to take all my “blog girlfriends” with us.  I told them in a blog posting to get their passports ready and lose some weight, because we were going to
Every one of these chaise lounges had a Girlfriend on it, but they were so careful — I got out the camera and turned around, boom, they were gone.  We did not get caught.
smuggle them aboard the Queen Mary 2 and take them along with us to England and they needed to be as tiny as possible.  We would hide them in a lifeboat.  It was the joke that ran through all the postings of the trip ~ that they were being so “good and quiet” and no one knew they were all smooshed into our stateroom with us.  They complained sometimes about being “packed so tightly” in our suitcases as we moved from place to place and about having mash lines on their faces, but they handled all the folding and unfolding very well, and were very quiet when room service came. They liked to dance, and one of them fell into a river on a walk to Ellen Terry’s house, but we all returned safe and sound with memories galore.  Whenever I took pictures for the blog (and the future book) I always thought, “What can I show them?  What would they like to see?”
What will make them laugh, or cry or go ahhh, or go OH! ~ and that awareness of them made it even more fun for me.  Previously, I’d written all my books totally alone in my studio with kitties to keep me company.  This time I had a whole group of Girlfriends cheering me on.  That was my favorite part.  When the book was finished, it was “our book.”
 I can’t think of any real challenges except
. . .  of course, as I am reminding Joe in this photo, the phone never worked while we were there.
Jennifer: What is your favorite region of England? Why?
me: This question is kind of impossible because it’s shockingly beautiful almost every place you go.  But, I will say the Yorkshire Dales put a thrill from the tips of my toes to the top of my head . . . positively spiritual with a strong feeling of coming home, tears-in-eyes beauty, the history and sweep of it all.  As the wind blows fragrance of wildflower, rain and grass across the vastness of the Dales and the lambs are baaaaing high on a hill, you want to open your arms to the view and draw it all into your heart to keep it there forever.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Jennifer: You’ve also published several cookbooks. What first drew you to cooking?
me: I helped my mom by making desserts when I was very young, brownies and potato chip cookies for sack lunches for my brothers and sisters.  But, really, it was setting the table that truly got me going.
  I just loved to set the table, mixing and matching old china dishes, etched colored glasses, putting flowers from my garden in little vases, lace-edged napkins, or the ones I would embroider myself, mixing and matching bowls and silverware, lighting candles and making it pretty.  It was like playing house.  But then, it was difficult to get people to come look at my pretty table without food on it.  They simply did not care.  So I learned to cook.  And loved the art of it, combining recipes, flavors and trying new things.  
And when I walked into the room carrying a homemade banana cream pie with the flakiest crispiest crust, rolled out on my kitchen table with my wooden rolling pin, just like my Grandma made
with sugared whipped cream and bananas and toasted coconut, my friends would go, “OH MY, look at that, you are wonderful Susan, yum yum yum ~ and the table by the way, it looks so beautiful!”  They made me feel so good, I couldn’t wait to do it again. It was the first time I really felt like I had something I could give.  It was one of the ways I began to notice it was the little things that made life sweetest.
Later writing books, hoping I could help others experience that wonderful feeling when they brought a homemade banana cream pie into the room, became my passion.
Jennifer: What do you consider your “go-to” dish?
me: With all the cookbooks I’ve written, there are so many recipes that are go-to for me.  My Mom’s Spare-ribs and Juice with Onion Pudding (I’m the oldest of eight children so my books have lots of home type dishes) . . .
. . . always has them rolling in the aisles from happiness.  I also have the best Apple Crisp recipe alive in the modern world as we know it today.  I’ve tested them wherever I go (a rotten job but someone must do it), and this is a true thing if I do say so myself.  Also, crisp-skinnedroasted chicken with my Grandma’s Bread Stuffing.  I really could go on all day.  A big one-dish casserole of Pork Chops, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes.  Cold White Rice Salad scattered with fresh flowers and herbs.  My roasted Cranberry Sauce mixed with Orange Marmalade for toast and tea.  In my new book, A FINE ROMANCE, there’s a recipe from my English girlfriend Siobhan.  It’s her Orange Lavender Polenta Cake, moist with the little crunchy bits, it’s gluten-free and it serves about 24 people so it’s perfect for a tea party.  You would like the recipe?  Oh yes!
Jennifer: Tell me a little about your ideal day at home?
me: I go into my studio very early before it gets light. I close my eyes and meditate and count my blessings which is a good way to start because it usually brings on a bout of ecstaticness. I have my tea and maybe it’s snowing outside and all I can hear is the furnace humming and the patter of snowflakes on the window.  I swirl my watercolor brush in water then load it with paint, put it on paper, and watch the color spread.  I write in my diary, make a list or work on a new book.  Later, I take Joe his tea, the snow melts and we put on our big jackets, mittens and hats and walk out to the water through the woods (we live on an island so there’s lots of woods and lots of water) . . .
We come home and eat a healthy breakfast. I shoot ponytail bands across the room for my kitty Jack and he retrieves them; we do this about a hundred times.  I take my book to lunch, sit at a corner table next to a fire, eat and read.  Then a nap.  Then a bubble bath.  Then Joe and I make dinner together and friends come over and we laugh and drink wine.  
I normally don’t get all those things in one day, a nap and a bubble bath and lunch with my book?  Not all on the same day.  But those are the things I love best and you said ideal.  I have red letter days, red letter weeks, etc. Where I get to do the things I love in moderation.
Jennifer: What’s your favorite way to make ‘an everyday’ feel special?
me:  Everyday ~ perfect for your magazine!  I would say the Bubble Bath.  With the book.  Then the diary, and of course the kitties and Joe make every day special.
Jennifer: Describe your favorite celebration…
me: I love Valentine’s Day.  I do think it was invented for women, so I like to make sure all my Girlfriends feel loved on that day.  I also love to give Tea Parties.  There are so many creative things you can do with decorating the table! I’m a Christmas person too… I don’t think there is a holiday I don’t like!  I like non-holidays too, which all seem to revolve around winter and breakfast.  Sunday breakfast in bed.  Winter breakfast parties with friends.
Jennifer: Can you share your philosophy when it comes to entertaining?
me: I go by the six senses.  Does it smell good, look good, sound good, feel good and taste delicious?  (The sixth sense is Imagination.)  If all those bases are covered, you can’t ask for any more.  Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows in front of a crackling fire, dinner under the arbor draped with twinkle lights in the garden, cinnamon spice wafting from the oven, old music playing, if the church bells ring across the street, then it’s perfect. Most important to remember: It’s not what’s on the plate that counts, it’s what’s on the chairs.  Your friends and family.  A party is a gift you give the ones you love.
Jennifer: If you could have anyone in the world over for dinner, who would it be?
me: What a wonderful question.  I would like Albert Einstein to talk about the spiritual side of his life ~ put his elbows on the table, start talking and not stop until he told it all. I know a little but not enough.  I’d love a dinner with Elizabeth von Arnim to hear how she was inspired to write her first book (Elizabeth and Her German Garden).  I would like Beatrix Potter to talk to me about her childhood.  I would love to get caught in a big nor’easter storm with Gladys Taber where the electricity goes off and we light candles and make baked apples in the embers of the fireplace while shadows dance on the wall from the flames.  I would love a fashion-show tea party where Diane Keaton models everything she’s ever worn — at the end Greta Garbo would come out wearing the dress she wore in Ninotchka (the white off-the-shoulder sparkly one, the prettiest in all movie history) ~ while Frank Sinatra (preferably with Tommy Dorsey’s orchestra) sings It’s Always You. 
One date with Mark Twain, lunch on a rainy afternoon, just the two of us, elbow to elbow, at the Plaza Hotel in New York. That’s the young Sam → in that photo.  (I would probably come home and write “Susan Clemens, Mrs. Sam Clemens” a hundred times in my notebook, wondering will he call?  Which he won’t because there are no phones, maybe he will write!).  After the Plaza, I’d jump through time to pass a tray of orangey-cherryish Old Fashioned’s to everyone at the Algonquin Round Table in the 1920’s (the way to be popular with this crowd, but never saying a word, only listening and praying not to be disillusioned.  It’s always dangerous for dreams to truly come true, you take your chances, imagination is a wonderful thing and perhaps all is best left there; in some cases the dream itself might be enough).  And that’s all.  I’ll just leave you with a few words of wisdom from the genius who should know all about it . . .
Well, I hope there was something of interest for you in this interview.  I may have gotten slightly carried away with the dinner parties!  Oh well, must get ready to go to the movies . . . bubble bath first, on quest for a red letter day and “being home.” Hope your day is going wonderfully.   Love you all! xoxo
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860 Responses to Happy to Be Home

  1. Jane Flannery-Hall says:

    You are such an inspiration in this world. Sharing your exquisite talent and sensitivity for nature and life. Thank-you always!

  2. Ann says:

    Vanna – Pick me!

  3. Sonya Hewes says:

    What a beautiful present to give. I was so excited to read the blog and what a nice surprise at the end! I hope I’m not too late for the drawing. 🙂

  4. suzanne ludwic says:

    Thank you for bringing a Christmasy feeling to Florida! I think I will have a Downton Abbey tea party even if I don’t win the tea service. What a lovely idea!

  5. nancy rock says:

    Love reading your blog for a little inspiration! Thanks for all the beautiful photos of your cross country trip. So sorry you couldn’t get to Ridgewood NJ!

  6. Nancy Bedard says:

    What a lovely tea set. I love tea parties. I used to have my little granddaughter for a tea oarty, with my childhood tea set. I love your photos of the Vinyard. Spent some time there, and I love the bookshop in Sandwich.
    Merry, Merry Christmas!

  7. Sue Stoddard says:

    Love your lambs! SO enjoy all your posts!!!!!

  8. Your artwork throughout your blog is amazing. You have so much talent. Thank you for all you do…you inspire everyone.

    Melissa

  9. susan wilson says:

    Thank You, your blog is wonderful.

  10. Sue says:

    What great ideas for sharing and making Christmas even more special. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to all!

  11. Miss Lucy says:

    You certainly know how to put a smile on a girl’s face! Happy, Happy, Happy sums it up! I can taste the Almond Brittle now. Tis the season to be jolly! Happy Christmas to you and Joe.

  12. Leslie Gammelgaard says:

    Merry Christmas! Your beautiful home looks happy to have you back in it. Jack especially…after all, you must have your people home for Christmas. Washington missed out on the gift of cardinals…we have saucy blue Stellars Jays to decorate our morning’s dusting of snow. Wouldn’t it be lovely if they could mingle? A red, white and blue Christmas!

  13. Jen from Sebastopol says:

    It was so fun meeting up with you at Madonna’s Inn. I met several ladies that share the same enthusiasm as I about you and your books…..and I met Joe. Your fans are relieved that you made it home safely, you did drive a lot of miles and the weather had turned to winter in many states. Wishing you and Joe a Merry Christmas.

  14. Marla says:

    Well who WOULDN’T LOVE this tea set!!?? I have all your cookbooks and plenty of butter, sugar, nuts and chocolate, so this just might be my afternoon project!

  15. I love your books and looking at your blog always lifts my spirits. And since my
    husband has been laid off today, even more. Thank you for being you.

  16. Penny says:

    Thank u, Susan, for coming back to the central coast. I enjoyed talking to u again at the Madonna Inn and cherish my treasures from u. I love, love, love your new book and also the article in “Yankee” plus my pretty Santa dish towel hanging in my kitchen, smiling at me everytime I look at him.

    U r such a treasure to all of us girlfriends.

    Have a VERY Merry Christmas!
    Penny

  17. Becki Smith says:

    You always make me smile, but this was big smile! Thanks for the chance to win! I love old dishes too. Merry Christmas!

  18. Julie says:

    Inspirational!

  19. You lovely tea set shouts: “Invite friends for a Christmas tea.” Enjoy!

  20. Judith says:

    Love the pretty dishes!

  21. Your lovely tea set shouts: “Invite friends for a Christmas tea.” Enjoy!

  22. Joan Peterson says:

    I love your website. It feels like home. Thank you, Joan

  23. Sarah Silva says:

    Love your site. Brings back precious memories of when I was a child, a feeling of loved ones being together.

  24. Aloha from Maui! Sending you much love this holiday season.

  25. Christine says:

    Love The blog and the books!!!

  26. Rachel Rose says:

    I am posting a comment for your giveaway simply because my daughter adores all that you do. It would be lovely if you gifted me with a calender I could give to her…but, having it sent from you would be delightful!

    Thanks for the lovely page. Your artwork is extraordinary!

  27. Doreen says:

    I so love all of Susan’s books, especially A Fine Romance. I REALLY want those green dishes from England!

  28. Lisa Ryan says:

    Merry Christmas! Would love to win your tea set!!

  29. Lisa Ryan says:

    Merry Christmas!! Love your site and your tea set. Would love to win it!!

  30. Lynn says:

    I don’t know why but dishes are a big deal to me too….maybe because we share their beauty with others and try to minister to them a little bit with tea or a morsel or a feast!! These teacups are special and brought me joy when I saw them. Can’t wait to read more of your blog and find out about your books.

  31. Kristen Lee says:

    I love love love dishes!!!

  32. Georgi Henderson says:

    Love, love your books and reading your blog! Love the tea set and the candid looks delicious! I read “a Fine Romance” while vacationing in Wyoming this summer. I truly felt like I went to two places…..bonus! (:

  33. Kristen Lee says:

    I love love love dishes

  34. Betty & Joe says:

    Love all the wintery scenes….Keep them coming….!

  35. Peggy Lancour says:

    Love the book! My husband took me to England for our 25th wedding anniversary too!! We have now been married 42 1/2 years! Love U

  36. Betty & Joe says:

    Love all the pictures of winter….the snow….red cardinals…..and most of all….Jack the Cat!!!

  37. Loriann Ferrer Plock says:

    English tea set! Woo.hoo, thanks for the opportunity.

  38. Barbara Rhodes says:

    I just love your Blog. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

  39. cheryl says:

    I so enjoy everything you write and draw!! Looking forward to giving your calendar and book to special friends as their Christmas gift!

  40. Angela Stein says:

    And I am so glad you are back…always enjoy your blogs and Willard!

  41. Christine says:

    So jealous that you spent so much time in England! Would love to live there, tried to purchase your book at Barnes & Noble they were sold out!!! I have to get a copy! Happy Christmas!

  42. Mama Kate says:

    Loved you from the beginning…and love you still! (Merry Kissmas!)

  43. Diane Hillas says:

    I love your books and reading your blog! Merry Christmas!

  44. Christine says:

    Love all your books actually!

  45. Thank you Susan for this fun year following your blog and adventures. I love my book. I have always loved your books. When I feel stressed, I read your blog. It is soothing, calming and fun. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year! I look forward to future adventures and pictures of MV. I miss New England so much!

  46. Anna Evans says:

    A dreamed about tea set….the perfect gift!

  47. Lorna Joyce Packard says:

    Love the beautiful tea set,,
    Susan you have been fan of mine for many years.

  48. Darlene Osborn says:

    Just had a Christmas tea for the ladies in a retirement home Last night. They all brought their favorite cup to share as a story and have tea. It was a delightful time and the stories were precious. Hope I am still in the running for the teaset, if not have a Merry Christmas and memory making time! Darlene

  49. julie Allen says:

    Merry Christmas to all and a special call out to my snail-mail Pen Pal Linda Weaver of San Diego, CA. Between Susan’s blog post of her book signing and Linda’s Pen Pal letters… this has indeed been a “very fine year” for me!
    Thank you for the joy you have brought to us!
    Julie Allen

  50. Bonnie Trego says:

    Susan ~ I have loved your books from the very beginning and have all of them except “Mom”, don’t remember that one. Love Beatrix Potter, have a collection of her books from when I was a kid and have been lucky enough to get a couple of the figurines from you. Would love to try your candy!! Thanks for all the sharing that you do with all of us.

  51. Bonnie Trego says:

    Mahalo!!

  52. becky Balli says:

    Love the tea set!
    Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!!

  53. Pam Sites says:

    Susan we must be friends I can’t imagine we have never met…..i so enjoy your stories and food and fun and furry kids! Have a most wonderful …delightful Christmas, nice and slow! <3 Pam

  54. Jody Burtch says:

    Glad you made it home safely after your long trip. I’m sure Jack was happy to see you. I love seeing all your decorations. Have a very Merry Christmas!

  55. Mama Watts says:

    Such beautiful china; how exciting to find such a treasure! Fingers crossed that I win 😀

  56. Katie Graves says:

    I would love this tea set but whoever wins will love it . Thanks for all the wonderful blog posts and inspiration.

  57. dpblake says:

    Just stumbled upon your site while looking at a friends info on facebook..I am officially in love!! I feel like i have found a long lost friend

  58. Amy Slater says:

    Most lovely website..love the pictures and recipes..if i win the teapot it will be a family heirloom with a story to be passed down for a CHRISTMAS STORY for all the future family to share! Have a BLESSED and peaceful season!

  59. I love Susan Branch, and so does my prayer partner Sue. For her birthday one summer, I made 2 matching scrapbook pages using your June and July stickers, one for her (July b-day) and one for me (June b-day). Thank you for your encouragement, recipes, artistry, travel blogs, books, and everything else!

  60. Donna Kindberg-Perron says:

    I love your art work with all my heart and soul. I have been a fan for many years.
    You inspire me.

  61. Margeaux Holland says:

    Oh, Susan….how I LOVE you! What a blessing you are to be so transparent and share your heart and life. Love it! It may sound crazy but it brought a few tears to my eyes just to hear about your making a special candy to go with your most precious tea set….that set is GORGEOUS! The green is vibrant…so rare. Don’t you love tea, beautiful things, all mix and match, delicious little delicacies ;D I Googled your tea set and they have many different patterns and looks to be about the 1940 era.

    Love your photo’s as well…good eye! Thanks for being a blessing…never give up!
    Margeaux

  62. Margeaux Holland says:

    AND>>>>> I love the lambs and Beatrix Potter things…..good taste ;D

  63. Debby Peckham says:

    So love your posts … making a home ready for Christmas!
    Thank you for sharing the love, Susan ♥

  64. Fran Seefeldt says:

    Merry Christmas to the Susan Branch family and hard working elves. <3 <3 <3
    Love everything SB <3 <3 <3

  65. Patsy says:

    I love your website…and the beautiful china recently posted. You are like myself-
    a rescuer of old things! I just found a beautiful pink, yellow and green appliqué
    Quilt top in a thrift shop. It was filthy! I took it home and soaked in my bath tube half a day…it is renewed ! And it will be treasured for what it is, valued as one woman’s labor of love and the hours of work that went into it!

  66. Jan Akright says:

    I absolutely love your artistic abilities! You are the best! Merry Christmas!

  67. Sally says:

    Merry Christmas to all! Love reading your blog!

  68. Judy Stogsdill says:

    This is one great site. Plan to subscribe for sure. So interesting and want to try your recipes. May start baking tonight. Thanks for posting/ blogging. Merry Christmas.

  69. Linda Knypstra says:

    I’ve really enjoying wandering thru your site, lovely photos and yummy recipes. Cheers~

  70. Lacey Lou says:

    Susan, as soon as I saw the tea set, I thought, “That green color looks just like green milk glass” -which I collect! Almost made me cry to look at that beautiful china. Thanks so much for including us by having a drawing! Looking forward to getting your newest book. <3 <3 <3
    -Lacey

  71. Paula DePalma says:

    I love all your collectibles! I too, have a collection of PB plus a lovely “tree branch or “cut stump” that has areas the PB figurines can sit on. I love tea sets like you have.
    Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas!
    A former Massachusetts gal

  72. Mary Curl says:

    I simply fell in love with these. I would be so happy and use them with the memory of this Christmas. Thank you.

  73. Susi Ming says:

    Hi from San Francisco!!! Sending the best of the holiday season to you!!!

  74. Paula DePalma says:

    I love all your collectibles! I too, have a collection of PB plus a lovely “tree branch or “cut stump” that has areas the PB figurines can sit on. I love tea sets like you have.
    Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas!
    A former Massachusetts gal

  75. Carol Skaggs says:

    I have enjoyed your blogs this year so much as you traveled across England. Then I enjoyed your book, A Fine Romance, and the lovely handwritten pages with your beautiful artwork. If I win the tea set, it will be icing on the cake. Thank you for all your positivity!! I look forward to following your blog again next year. It always makes the day a little better.

  76. Robin Coxon says:

    What a beautiful tea set. Just the necessary item to have a big girl tea party. Love it.

  77. Can NEVER get enough of your creative,comforting soul! I’m so glad you showed your books stacked…..I stack mine the same way….and realized I had a “WHOOSP” in my stack!!!! I’m MISSING ONE!!!!!! ): will be looking for it now….Amazon here I come AGAIN!…wishing you TONS OF MISELTOE this holiday season! Xoxo, One of Your GROUPIES! (;

  78. Becky D'Arrigo says:

    What a precious gift to give one of your “girlfriends”! Sure hope it is me!

  79. Judy Ransom says:

    I only recently discovered your blog and have become a fan, but, oh the surprise when I read that this very sweet tea set was discovered in Oklahoma City! Although I live nearly 5 hours away in another state, I was born and raised in that delightful city and still call it home.

  80. Nanette Whelen says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your blogs, your warmth, your beautiful and creative talents and drawings. I have always loved them and collected most of the books-I love the beautiful china tea set. But most of all thank you for the grace and contentment you bring to so many. Merry Christmas!

  81. Ellen Johnston says:

    I love your blog, and the green dishes are so beautiful!!

  82. Rose Bradley says:

    Love reading your blog.

  83. Cherry says:

    Like puppy kisses your books and blog make me warm and happy!

  84. Kathleen Williams says:

    Sometimes, when I am at work, and it is time for lunch, I visit with you, Susan! I love the photos, and the descriptions you post for us. It is like a nice visit in the middle of a busy day! Oh, and I love the new book!!!

  85. Carolyne says:

    Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents, being an amazing inspiration to all your fans~girlfriends and blogging about it all. Love it all. Wishing one and all a Merry, Merry and a Happy, Happy 2014

  86. Paula Good says:

    I love your blog. It is so warm and entertaining. Cardinals, almond brittle and my favorite shade of green tea set! Oh, a girl could lose herself in all of the holiday loveliness. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

  87. Melissa Bailes says:

    Love your work, it always brings a smile to visit your blog. I have a Tailor of Gloucester music box that I treasure so it was fun to see your collection. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

  88. Pat Britt says:

    Reading your blog is a gift the tea set and candy is a big prize!

  89. Cindy faulk says:

    Good Day Susan!

    I want to take a minute to say how beautiful your posts are. They always make me cry. I can’t imagine the time it takes to produce each one. This last post was like a small book. I recently had to move in to help my mom at her house and lost the ability to decorate my house the way I am accustomed to. Seeing the holidays through your eyes is so uplifting. Thank you! All my decorations are in storage but at least I was able to use them for many wonderful years. We hope you and Joe have a great Christmas!

  90. Mary Martin. (From Hermitage, TN) says:

    I treasure my Susan Branch items and books, and my Susan Branch Christmas banner is so welcoming at our front door. Thank you for bringing lots of smiles to our home and Merry Christmas.

  91. MJ Payne says:

    Love …Love….Love. Merriest of Holidays to you All xoxo

  92. cindie meincke says:

    Merry Christmas and thanks for the opportunity!

  93. Sandi Angerami says:

    Dear Susan,

    I adore this tea set! I would love to have it with my collection! I have always enjoyed seeing all of your delightful antiques roaming in and around your china tea cups on your shelves, along with your various pieces of dinnerware. There is no better way of having fun with friends then having tea parties, serving homemade scones, sandwiches and sweets! And thank you for posting your latest writing of Happy to be Home! Love it, Love it!
    You are the BEST artist on the planet, and I so have enjoyed all your books, stationery, cards, stickers, calendars, weekly engagement books and many, many other delightful items!
    Merry Christmas to you and your Family.

  94. Connie Douty says:

    Being a woman whom younger women look to for mentoring, I have introduced of their young daughters to teas parties at my house. Often they wear hats, gloves and their Sunday Best. A new tea set would be used and appreciated by many that will continue this very lady like tradition.

  95. Diane V. says:

    I’ve enjoyed your recipes and artwork since your first book…they are always at hand to cook with or just peruse with a cup of tea.

  96. Derry Tomczyk says:

    Oh how beautiful and Merry. There is nothing much better then siting by a warm fire and sharing memories while enjoying some tea and cookies.

  97. Julie says:

    I love the pretty tea set. Merry Christmas Susan!

  98. Shelia says:

    I love your paintings, your books and your blog and…I would love a chance to win those gorgeous dishes! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  99. Love your books. Especially loved the new one about your fanrastic trip to England. Love tea in fine china since I am of English heritage but never have been to England. Love reading your blogs.

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