Oh, I have treats to show you, blazing fire too! Here’s treat #1: Musica
Something delicious is cooking!
Where do we start . . . let’s see, how about here. . .
This is Titcombs Bookshop in Sandwich on Cape Cod where I went to sign books last week. But look what they did — with brown plastic tablecloths, they made the front of their shop into a gingerbread house! They cut heavy white paper plates in half and glued them around the doors and windows, and used some as edges to the “house” . . . they made candies out of them too, and lollypops in the window boxes. Isn’t that brilliant!?! I thought so too. I’d love to try this on our house next year.
I’m almost all unpacked from the trip now . . . I thought I’d show you some of the things I got at antique stores as we crossed the country. First off, lambs! You know how much I love lambs! I had a few before we went away, but on this trip whenever I saw one I thought would fit with my little group, I would get it. It was so fun to unwrap them, slowly, after forgetting what I’d gotten. I have a flock!
And look, treasure! I found a Beatrix Potter figurine of Samuel Whiskers! There was no possible way for me to leave him in that dusty old store, alone and unloved. I’d never seen this figurine before . . . did not even know what I was missing. Adorable thing, I saw it from across the room and honed in on it like a submarine sonar system. (Like I know what a submarine sonar system is, I think I made that up, but you know what I mean! Like Jack and his rubber band!) And now Samuel has friends. Never to be alone again.
And later, in another store, I found Mrs. Tittlemouse! Another BP person from 1948 I did not know existed. In her jaunty striped coat with the
bow on the back! She’s now lined up with the others on my kitchen shelf . . .
And look at this gorgeous vintage tea set I found! It was displayed on a starched white lace tablecloth in an antique store in Oklahoma City and practically glowed in the dark it was so pretty. I walked round and round it like a tiger in a cage. It was such a good deal, I couldn’t leave it there, so we wrapped it all in newspaper and brought it home, and now I’ve given it a nice soapy bath.
It’s all hand-painted, gold-edged, and made in England, it even came with an old silver sugar spoon!
The set serves six, it’s only missing one cup. But I mixed-and-matched it with both old and new china cups and mugs, to see what it looks like, and I think it’s even better. I love mismatched! You know what a dish person I am.
Here’s what it says on the bottom. I don’t think it has a pattern name; I’m thinking Tuscan is the name of the China company. Has anyone ever heard of it?
I love nesting . . . I’ve been making up for lost time . . .
We’re taking it slow . . . we haven’t even trimmed the tree yet. That’s OK, it’s in a bucket of water in the dining room, so we’re close. There’s a wreath on the front door, we’re getting there. We have Christmas in our hearts! I’m determined to enjoy this season and in order to do that, I want to go slow and not feel hurried. If something doesn’t get done, it won’t matter. A little poinsettia in the window is just fine for me . . .
I’m just happy to be . . .
I’m spending lots of time in the kitchen with my little buddy . . .
Jack is interested in everything I do, and everything that goes on outside our window ~
It’s been really cold, but beautiful . . . decorative cardinals have been flocking around the feeders. Note, you California/Florida Girlfriends, that there is no color out there in the garden, it is a sepia/white world here in the winter, which is why we were blessed with the Cardinal. What a gift!
And it’s not cold inside, it’s crackling and cozy and smells just wonderful . . .
One thing I’ve been doing is making a few little food-gift items for friends. This morning I made one of my favorite candies for this time of year, chocolate-covered Almond Brittle from page 132 of Vineyard Seasons. SO easy, and perfectly irresistible ~ and very mailable . . I thought I’d show you how, in case you have a last minute someone you’d like to please . . . . But first, more MUSICA for the kitchen dance . . .
So all you do is (don’t blink because this recipe is really fast!) put one pound of butter and two cups of sugar in a large heavy pot on top of your stove.
then pour in one-quarter cup of water . . . hook a candy thermometer to the side of the pan . . . don’t let the tip touch the bottom.
Melt the butter together with the sugar and the water over medium-high heat . . . boil mixture briskly until your candy thermometer reads 300°.
Stir and stir, boil and boil, and while you do you can count your blessings and . . .
watch the birds and stir a little more . . .
The mixture will cook and darken like brittle should. When it reaches the “crack” hard candy stage on your candy thermometer, 300°, remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in two cups of sliced almonds.
Then spread the mixture thinly on an ungreased (plenty of butter already in the recipe) cookie sheet (or two) and allow it to cool.
When the brittle is almost cool, melt eight ounces unsweetened chocolate over low heat in a heavy pan, stirring constantly.
Then brush the warm chocolate over the top of the candy. Let it cool completely before you
break it up into pieces (I hit the bottom of the pan with a hammer to put hairline cracks in it all over, then I do the rest with a knife).
. . . and then I fill the tins and boxes I’ve collected to use for Christmas gifts . . . old ones and new ones from the pantry . . .
I had this darling box that I lined in a lace doily, and I knew the perfect person to give it to. . .
It’s the same person I’m giving the dishes to . . . the perfect little gift for . . .
Y O U !
Surprise! Yes, it’s YOU ♥ YOU ♥ YOU, (like bread and fishes, I wish it could be all of you, but for a few days, it will be only YOU, and then, one of you really will walk away with this elegant little English tea set, just in time for Downton Abbey! It’s my present to you. It’s been so long, I wanted it to be something nice. The minute I saw these dishes, I thought, my girls will love these. But then, I couldn’t send them out without a little homemade something! That wouldn’t be right. So I made you some Chocolate-Covered Almond Brittle to remember me by. Now all you have to do is leave me a
comment at the bottom of this post and you’ll automatically be entered for the drawing for the Tea Set and box of homemade candy.
(BTW, If this blog comes to your email box, in order to enter you will have to click on www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ and come here to the online version, then scroll to the bottom of this post, look for the tiny word “comments,” click on it and leave a word or two and you’ll be entered!)
Then our girl Vanna (Vanna is the same as a “random number generator” only our Vanna has a lot more verve and style) will be pressed back into service. She’s done NOTHING for months, it’s about time she earned her keep. In a few days she will choose one of your names from her giant Santa hat and I’ll announce the winner. Tell your friends too Girlfriends, your sisters and your mom, because even if you don’t win, you could get invited to Tea (possibly even Twine) at their house and have candy to boot. You can leave as many comments as you want, Vanna knows to only count each name once. She is a contest-engineering genius.
So while I’m cleaning up, I’ll tell you about another surprise. Because if any of you bought a signed copy of our new book A FINE ROMANCE from our studio for your friends and family during this month of December, you don’t know it, but you’ve already given a gift to some very 
special people. Oh yes! Seven dollars from each purchase through our studio for the entire month of December will be going to Casa Pacifica, an organization in California that “Builds Foundations of Hope” for abused and neglected children. ♥
So I got lambs and new BP People and I got to go out and meet so many of you, and you got dishes and candy, and lots more I hope, and we all made a little bit of a difference for children and families, because without you there would be no FINE ROMANCE. ♥ High five, Girlfriends. Thank you also for the wonderful reviews on Amazon, I know it’s you. We are still number one in England Travel Guides! Thank you so much! We make a little difference in our own little kindred spirit world. What goes around comes around.♥
And now it’s time . . . I can smell it from here . . .
I put a little something in the oven for lunch . . . and it’s ready!
A big delicious, salted buttered sweet potato all caramelized and ready to go. Oh yes. Perfect for this cold day. Off I go now. Don’t forget to leave your comment Girls. Good luck, I hope you are having just the very best time! ♥
I get your blog via my email. Always a joy. It would be great to win and have a little party with the winnings!
I’m a new girlfriend, but your warmth makes me feel like I’ve known you forever! Own two of your books and my new hobby will be searching yard sales and flea markets for the rest. Beautiful tea set – I would love to be the proud owner! Merry Christmas to you and all the girlfriends out there 🙂
Welcome, new girlfriend, Kathy!
You will love this “cozy kitchen” where we all visit, cheer each other on, cry together, get sappy and silly. Can’t wait to meet all the new girlfriends that Susan met this summer on her cross-country tour.
From your new “girlfriend”,
♥Deb♥
The whole time I’m reading your blog I’m thinking how wonderful the china is,so delicate so colorful! I’m watching Mary Poppins, wrapping Christmas gifts by the tree lights. It’s so Christmasy. I just love reading the cozy dreams of Christmas you evoked.
Susan, I feel we are the dearest of friends. Thank you so much for sharing your joys with all of us. May you have a lovely Christmas!
Ann
So happy your home and cozy! Thanks for taking us along through all of the seasons, with the warm and lovely simplicities of home. We could all do with a little more of the simple things in life. Your the best…….Merry Christmas
How lovely! All those beautiful things you found on the road! Enjoy being home. I love how you think and I enjoy rereading your books I have all 7 of them. I dreamof busting the UK someday.
Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂
Merry Christmas!! You inspire us all!!
Blessings to you this holiday season!
Merry Christmas, Susan! What nice prizes. The tea set is lovely, and the candy looks yummy. I always enjoy reading your blog, and I love all the pictures of the snow. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for all the joy and special eye candy you bring to this CT angophile. Blessings to you and yours and Merry Christmas!
Love your posts. Merry Christmas to you!!!
Janet
Susan you and I were at Hill Top Farm at the same time. Arriving in Manchester intending to head for Scotland, we saw a train at the airport that went to Windermere. I’d always wanted to see the home of Beatrix Potter–so off we went. We spent sunny days hiking and sightseeing. We walked to Hill Top from Windermere, took the little ferry and had found our way to the farm. Wasn’t it grand!! As a children’s librarian, I was thrilled to see the pages of the books come to life. A friend saw your book and told me I had to buy it. Now I don’t have to make a photo album of the trip. You’ve done it for me :-). Thank you.
Perfect!
What a lovely gift to share with one of us, I hope it’s me! Glad to see you and Joe home safe and sound and settling in for Christmas. There’s no place like home!
Happy Christmas!
Love, love, love this blog post! I, too, love dishes and I hope I am the lucky winner! Thanks for your fun suggestions for s simple life. Love you, Susan!
Susan, I’ve loved traveling cross country with you, but I’m sooo glad you are back home. I was missing Martha’s Vinyard. I would love to receive that beautiful tea set and yummy brittle. Can’t wait for your next post!
Merry Christmas!
Oh my gosh, what a lovely thing to do! So sweet of you to think of your readers and girlfriends. Love the tea set, love the sweet treat and box too! Thank you for the giveaway. So glad you are home and cosy and warm Happy Christmas to you and yours! And to Jack too. 😀
Oh yes, yes, yes please, how I would love that wonderful tea set!! It’s a real treasure!
I’d love the almond brittle too! I’ve made it before ( from your cookbook ) and given it as gifts. Everyone always loves it!
Lovely post, Susan. I feel like I have been a guest in your charming kitchen, smelling good things! Have a happy winter solstice…
You have just given me two gifts: the gift of anticipation, and the gift of a perfect alternative to the homemade presents I will never finish in time. Hugs and kisses to you.
Oh, what a delightful gift to receive. I would love it!
I hats spell check this thing thinks it knows what I want to say! I mean’t to say ..visiting the UK someday. Sorry. Busting does sound kind of violent. Oh well Merry Christmas again.
The tea set looks so lovely. I can picture having a Christmas tea with girlfriends in front of the fire. Or, perhaps enjoying tea while watching Downton Abbey. The addition of homemade almond brittle really puts this gift over the top. Happy Christmas!
I am new here and so happy to have read this post. I love your ‘finds’. How I would love to have that lovely tea set and the almond brittle. I have been reading through your blog and am tickled to have found you!! Thank you for sharing that lovely tea set…=) I have just the spot for it and it will be lovingly used by me…=)
I’m very new to your blog but not to Susan Branch. So glad I found this blog. Love
all things Susan Branch.
Such a lovely post! I love the cardinals – seeing them can really cheer up a bleak day! Would be fun to win that lovely gift!
The tea set is beautiful. Love the green and gold detail. Thank you for sharing with your readers. A Merry Christmas to you!
Oh, Susan! When I saw the first picture of this tea set, I asked “Where can I find a set like this!” I do love tea and tea sets! It would be the best Christmas present ever if I could win this. Hope, Hope, Hope.
I also have been looking fore the BP figurines and have found two I could afford. One is Tom Kitten for $5 and the other is Lady Mouse for $48 – the average is great! I do love them and look every time I go into a thrift store or antique mall.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Before I moved from Maryland back to Illinois, my daughter and I had some time together, just cuddling, watching movies and laughing.
I shared one of your posts with her and at the end I said, “I wanted to be Susan Branch!” She knows, except for your painting, I’m “almost” your twin. She just burst out laughing because she saw I was serious!
Okay, this is totally rediculous….but we missed you while you were on the road doing all that moving about!!!! So glad for you and us that you are home for Christmas! Wouldn’t be the same without you and Joe on your island, coming to all of us electronically! I just read the article in Yankee! Now you are forever in my house, even if the power goes out this winter! Great article! Merry Christmas from Kansas City. Tea set: adorable!
Your blogs make me happy. Upbeat in a world that is often down. pray blessing back to you for your loving heart,.Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful post! And that tea set and your goodies are the best Christmas gift for a lucky reader! Hope it’s me! Merry Christmas Susan and thank you for sharing with us!
Susan,
I am so happy you are home. I don’t know yet if
you get my comments, could you let me know?
Thank you
What a lovely post, Susan!!! And so kind of you to offer up your beautiful tea set……….it really is gorgeous. What an honor for anyone to receive such a gift!!! I have all of your books and am now inspired to make that almond brittle!!! It’s been a tough year on this end, and I’m trying to lighten things up at this festive time on the calendar……….I always appreciate how you notice the small things in life, and your thankfulness is a wonderful quality. Thanks for your sweet posts, which offer a little respite from the dailyness of life! Blessings to you and Joe during this special season!!!
So happy to hear that you’re home and enjoying this beautiful weather! We have snow in CT and it just makes it feel a little bit more like Christmas. Excited to enter the drawing for the pretty tea set. I’m planning an afternoon tea with some girlfriends and looking through my favorite cookbooks for delicious treats. Guess which books are my favorites…..yours of course! I’ve never made anything of yours that isn’t totally delish! Enjoy the holidays ( I know you will )!! Bye for now♡
Hi Susan! Welcome home to snowy New England! It’s Christmas season – fires crackling, kettles singing, snow crunching under our feet…what’s not to love? ♥
What a beautiful tea set! I too am a dish girl : ) This set is soooo pretty! I like what some of the girls said about having a Downton tea party! I wish we could all do that : ) Thank you for making me feel warm and cozy on a cold winter’s day!
Danielle xo
Hi Susan,
Oooooo….. What a wonderful treasure to find on your adventures! Would love to share it with my new daughter in law. And many hugs to you for sharing your life with us and reminding us that life is best lived, simply. Merry Christmas to you and all your snuggle buddies!
I couldn’t resist the challange of trying to find out about your charming tea set so I set myself the task of finding out about Tuscan :
Tuscan Fine China was founded 1878 Staffordshire, England by R. H. Plant. The Plant family were important potters back as far as 1775. They were a strong family business, well run by generations of family members, until 1967 when they were taken over by Wedgwood, who added the name “Royal” as a prefix. Research and product development was very important to them like other successful English Potteries such as Denby.
So now you know the set is at least 50 years old (no ‘Royal’) and a stepchild of Wedgwood — how cool is that !
Very cool!
I was vacationing on Cape Cod when I found out you were going to be signing books atTitcomb’s—in another two weeks! Timing IS everything in life. We passed by it on the way home. Oh well. Maybe you’ll be heading south in a few months.
Welcome home and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Joe and the kitties and all the girlfriends out there.
Merry Christmas, and happy new year
Merry Christmas. It would be lovely to win.
Susan,
It has been a very stressful day. Then I opened my e-mail to find your blessings in my inbox. I have kitty fever and just loved seeing Jack. Your tea set is gorgeous as well as your Beatrix Potter (one of my favorite authors) figurines. I am not a fan of peanut brittle but I am going to try the almond brittle. Thank you for always being here for us girls!
Bridget
Why is it that my comments are never posted? I left a comment regarding this and it isn’t here.
Sorry! I see that it is. My mistake.
What a beautiful tea set. It reminds me of my mom who also loved dishes. She also loved England and Gladys Taber. I enjoy your blog so much! You brighten my day.
Oh Susan, how very generous you are! Such a lovely tea set give away and a delightful, merry post today. I’m ready to do my baking now! Happy Christmas to you and Joe.
A tea party in December is practically magical!! I will have a tea party with my friend Lilly and her daughter Faith, Faith has cancer and she is 5 years old. Every day we pray for more time with her. Merry Christmas!
Love It, Susan! Love it all! and SO glad you guys are home! :0)
Thank you for your thoughtfulness by sharing that beautiful English tea set and ofcourse the almond brittle with your BFFs. I would love to win this … I have seven granddaughters who would love a tea party. Maybe I will be able to “stretch” this set to provide for the eight of us (me included of course). Welcome home and enjoy the holiday season with Joe, your friends, and the kitties. 🙂 Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.
Oh, my gosh, Susan! Your generosity never stops…both with your inspiration and just plain awesome gifts! Again, so many wonderful things in this post.
1.) the “two fond hearts” plate. I have a transferware plate hanging in my
kitchen window that says: “As I was wandering oer the green
Not knowing where I went
By chance I saw a pleasant scene
The cottage of content.”
It came with the brown set of transferware that I inherited from my
great-aunt Marge from Kingston, NY.
2.) Not only is it a pleasure to look at all your beautiful dishes, but also your
cooking pots. I love the obvious fact that they’ve been used for years
to create all your delicious recipes, and used with much love.
3.) the picture of Titcombs. I pulled my co-worker, Yvonne, from her desk
and asked her if the picture looked familiar(Titcombs is her favorite
bookstore.) She immediately guessed Cape Cod and felt it looked familiar.
When I scrolled down to the name, she squealed with delight.
4.) then I showed her the picture of the cardinals. “She super-imposed
those onto the picture,” was her reply. “No. No,” I said. “They’re just
that beautiful.” Someday I will see one “in person.”
5.) and then the gorgeous dishes is my absolute favorite “vintage” color too?!
I can’t wait to taste the brittle while sipping some rose lavender tea 😉
Oh my gosh! The candy alone would be a wonderful gift; how I do love nut brittle! But, the china tea set too!!!! Oh my, oh my, how that makes my heart sing and do cartwheels!!
Your baked sweet potato looks scrummy! I know it’s probably really basic but would you post directions for it sometime for those of us who really do need directions to follow? Just a quick temperature and how long kind of thing.
Hi Susan,
OMG What a beautiful tea set you are giving away,plus the brittle! If I win , I will use the set when I watch the new season of Downton Abbey. I feel kind of lucky because my name is Cora and my husband’s name is Robert(just like Cora and Robert in DA), plus, I have a tuxedo cat named Tux!
Thanks for sharing so much with all of us.
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year
Merry Christmas, Susan and Joe. So glad you are home and settled in, enjoying your Christmas preparations. The tea set is beautiful! Whoever it goes to, we all are enjoying seeing it. You have blessed us so much this year, taking us along on your (our!) trip. And then to have the signed copy of the “A Fine Romance” for a keepsake. What a treasure. Thank you! Blessings to you both.
Thank you for bringing to all of us such a wonderful INSPIRATION STATION. What a wonderfully warm and delightful place to be while reading your words. I would be so thrilled to be the winner of this beautiful tea set and would so enjoy the almond brittle, yuuuuuum – Wishing you and Joe the warmest, coziest and most joyfull Christmas ever –
Susan, How exciting! What a special Christmas gift this would be! Delicious Christmas candy to serve on the pretty, square plate…what a beautiful set of dishes this is, spring green and spring flowers all ’round. Thank you for the chance to win. Rebecca
Love love LOVE the green in that teapot …. and i’m going to take that almond brittle recipe and make it for my neighbours. I’m new to your blog and LOVE it. So much so that I have signed up my book club seestors. We love to read, drink tea (& wine) and talk about a trip together. One of them is getting a copy of your book. Merry Christmas Susan. Thanks for blogging with words and pictures!
Our bathtub cracked so our bathroom is messed up, our dishwasher quit so our kitchen is messed up, but darn it! last year we had carpenter ants and couldn’t make Christmas treats at all, so I was determined to do some this year. I made chocolate mint fudge for our wonderful veterinarian and his staff, and sent it off to them via hubby this afternoon, accompanied by a diabetic dog and an asthmatic kitty. I love the teaset (green is an unusual color for one, I think) and I’m sure the candy is scrumdiddlyumptious! Please enter me, I could use a cup of tea and a treat!
Win or loose,I love having a peek into your kitchen,especially at this time of year. Wish we were neigbors!
I recently signed up to receive your posts by email and I slowly read each one top to bottom, because there is so much, I hate to miss a thing! The tea set is just lovely, you are so sweet to even consider giving it away. Thank you for such fun posts!
Susan, you and I make good Christmas partners this year. Sounds like we both just want to “be.” Simple is very good these days. The dishes are beautiful and such a wonderful gift. Someone is going to be very happy. It’s really nice to find someone who shares the love of dishes that I do. They are not just dishes…they are memories, love, shared times, history and the list goes on, all rolled up in the very “fabric” of the dinnerware. I look at any dish, and it’s like spotting that huge tree in the woods in “Christmas Vacation.” Yes! This is the one! I just might have to make your Almond Brittle this year. Looks delish.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your home and mine! Looking forward to a lovely holiday season and afterwards the new season of Downton Abbey! Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Enjoying your latest book so much, passing it around to my friends and family.
Merry Christmas. I check your blog everyday as part of my morning routine. The tea set is beautiful.
I was drooling over the beautiful set of china! What a find! And then to find out I have a chance to win it. Oh my! It’s the icing on the cake for sure. But I promise to be happy for whoever wins. And I’ve also fallen in love with sheep. I have a nice little flock of my own too. So glad your home Susan. Merry Christmas to you and Joe and girl kitty and of course Jack.
Thank you so much for the fabulous giveaway! I thought that you were so lucky to come upon such a beautiful tea set during your travels. Now one of your girlfriends will be the owner! Thank you so much for your generosity and love. Happy Holidays!
[email protected]
Oh how beautiful!! I just LOVE the tea set! Your giveaways are amazing.
Thanks…..and a very Merry Christmas!
Your posts warm my heart every time. You are so very kind to share your home, your adventures and your creativity with us all. Like going home, visiting your website and blog posts give comfort to the soul. How kind of you to be willing to give away your beautiful tea set and home made candy. One of us will be one lucky girlfriend. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very special New Year.
Hi Susan! I said, “OH!” out loud when I got to the part about the prize. I absolutely love the tea set, and the candy looks delicious! Thanks for the chance to win them!
Loved seeing your home ready for Christmas! The tea set is amazing, Tuscan is very fine English china. The colors are beautiful. How generous to gift this to one of the girlfriends!! The Emma Bridgewater box with almond brittle would just sweeten this gift even more. You are so thoughtful!
Oh what a wonderful giveaway! I would love to have tea with my girlfriends and tell them all about your blog and your wonderful books!!
Oh Susan! I wanted soooo badly to come see you at Full Circle in OKC, but we were snowed/iced in, 45 minutes away, and had a tummy bug. Yuck! The tea set is gorgeous! You have inspired me greatly this past year and I want to say- thank you! I love all your stories about your house and your art and cats. I knew you were my kind of lady when I saw Girl-Cat- she looks just like our cat Madeline! Merry Christmas from OK!
I’m from the “Perry Como” era – loved all the Christmas carols!! Merry Christmas to you and yours too.
Such a lovely, gift hand-picked with special thoughtfulness of mind … a rare treat for the person who is chosen … to be treasured and passed down … you’re a special lady for sure. Thanks for being genuine …
What a wonderful tea set! Thanks so much for the chance to win.
I enjoy your blogs so much! And now, another wonderful giveaway. The dishes are BEAUTIFUL. I kept looking at them wondering when I will run across a smilar set. I would love the chance to display it in my kitchen. The brittle looks so easy, I will definitely try it. I read your Christmas book every year. It really puts me in the Christmas spirit. Thank you, Susan, for sharing so much with us.
Oh how wonderful – you’re making Christmas bright! Love the dishes, of course. And the brittle looks scrumptious – I’ll have to make a batch. Have a warm and toasty holiday, love ya.
What a beautiful china tea set…..and how kind of you to share your delightful find. I love the thrill of hunting for those fun vintage goodies. Welcome home..I so enjoyed meeting you in Michigan and loved following your adventure across the country.
I’m afraid of a candy thermometer, but I’m going to try the brittle recipe. Also, I need to find my friend’s recipe for Fairy Food so I can make some for my mother-in-law. She doesn’t “need” anything, but loves, loves, loves chocolate and anything sweet. You have inspired me once again!
Wishing the best of the season to you, Joe and your fur family.
Don’t be a afraid. It just hooks to the pan and sticks up and looks just like the ones in your backyard or wherever you tell the temperature. You boil until it gets to 300 and voila, you’re done. It’s beyond easy.
Oh what an amazing Tea Set and the beautiful colors !i know whom ever receives this precious gift with be such a happy soul inside and out! You are such a beautiful blessing to all of us Susan! I love giving my family an friends your books as birthday an Christmas gifts! Every year I pick a new person I have met and I enjoy giving them one of your beautiful books anonymously! To make their day much brighter! It’s a joy to secretly see their face!
Hugs !
Hi Susan, So glad you are home safe and sound. Your pictures from your kitchen window are beautiful, and the candy looks yummy! I’d love to win! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
We love to see all you do to make your house into a home. Classy, fun, and charming in so many different ways! Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas Susan, to you and yours. It’s so nice to know we’re not the only people just getting started on our tree trimming. And what a lovely tea set. What fun it would be to sit down with friends and a pot of tea. Not to mention the almond brittle. Although to not mention it would mean I could eat it all myself! Oh what to do, what to do if I win. Who will win out, the good hostess or the candy fiend? Hmmm…
Oh, what a lovely tea set! And thank you for the almond brittle tutorial — I’ll be putting that on my to-do list. Merry, Merry Christmas 🙂
Susan as alwaysm you are my inspiration. Feeling a little down w/all the sickness I have been through. Still not 100 percent, but I’m just going to have to be patient. My husband has been sick too, so that is always hard to take. They are a handful. But my boys will be home soon from Virginia after they close the, “Nutcracker”. So I am kind of looking forward to that. I think maybe if I get cooking I’ll feel better. That candy looks to die for. Well I’m glad your home too. I would love the tea set. It is beautiful !!! 🙂
Merry Christmas Susan, Glad you made it home safe and sound! Enjoy the Blessings of this Beautiful Season in your cozy home.
What a great recipe for the almond brittle. It looks so easy I might even try it. I also love seeing the photos of the cardinals in the snow. Here on the west coast of Canada we have no such bird or even snow. My wish is to one day see cardinals in the flesh, or feather. We do have darling little black-capped chickadees though. I love your posts, Susan.
Wow, this is amazing! Here I was thinking how perfectly your rose tea cups go with the pretty new china and then read on to discover you are giving away the tea set, and with homemade treats, too. You are most generous and thoughtful.
This was so much fun to see the beautiful china and the new figurines. Way to go on the number one spot on the best seller list for A fine Romance. Merry Merry Christmas!
Susan you make the world go around!
best best
Elyse
I wish I could be looking out at that snowy scene right now! But happy to be having and celebrating a wonderful holiday this year with my husband, 3 yr old and 1 yr old after spending last year’s holiday season having chemo. Love those cardinals!
You have the coziest blog EVER!! I was motivated to comment in order to be entered to win the tea set and divine-looking brittle. But, even if I don’t win, I just wanted to let you know that your blog always warms my heart and makes me feel all cozy inside. Thank you for all the time you put into the blog posts. I suspect you make many people happy and cozy-feeling inside!
Looks so delicious, I think I will make tomorrow. Thank you for all your wonderful
stories and pictures.
What a great recipe and giveaway. Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Susan, I was reading your post and just told my husband how lucky you were to have found such a beautiful tea set and that it was so wonderful….only to read further that you are giving it to one of us lucky readers. How nice of you! All I can say is ditto, ditto, ditto to what has already been said. We love you and you are such a kind, giving person. I’m so glad you made it back home safely, had a wonderful trip and are enjoying your kitties and taking your time enjoying your decorating. There’s no place like home! Merry Christmas, Nancy
I am never disappointed when I read your blog and look at your pictures……..I always love looking at them. It’s as if we grew up in the same house. I’m so happy you made it home safe and sound ! As the saying goes ” There’s no place like home ” ! Wish I could click my red heels three times and be the winner, but whoever it is, Congratulations, you are a very lucky woman !
What a lovely tea set – I loved your adventures of traveling through the United States and love the pics from your home…must be a dream to live there and to do what you do…I recently followed my dream and made the move from teaching to owning a tea room so the time I used to spend in travel is a distant memory…love living vicariously through your blog!!!
Susan-
I have a plate in the same pattern as the tea set and I love it! I gasped when I saw the tea set, and can’t believe you are giving it away! Thank you for always thinking of us, “girlfriends”. Glad you are home safe and enjoy nesting and your fur babies. Merry Christmas!
Your post made the day brighter! Lovely tea set, lovely surprise for us, and lovely gesture to make donations from your book sales! Enjoy your Christmas preparations and thank you!
I always think it’s a thrill to get something that’s old, that’s new to me. It’s also so nice to get something to satisfy one’s sweet tooth that can be served on that old, new to me beautiful treasure. They both go together. And, of course I would give them such a good home in the Iowa countryside, you know.Thanks for giving us so much fun, Susan. It puts a bright spot in the day!
I have been thinking a lot about you since we met. I sit and drink your special tea every afternoon. I open the tin and carefully take out tea and drink it out of my china mug! I feel so special! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and get some rest.
I wish you could feel how excited your girlfriends are when we can read your letters . It really makes our day. Assuming I can speak for all the girls.
Thank you for sharing your life with us..
After reading Pat Stansel’s post….as much as I would love that beautiful tea set, I hope she wins it. Maybe it will brighten her day a little after the loss of her son-in-law.
Merry Christmas to all…………..
What a lovely post! That tea set is gorgeous! Love that pretty green! You are so thoughtful to give it away. And your almond brittle looks great, too. I am getting ready to make peanut brittle for the first time ever–finally found raw peanuts today! I’m making it for my husband using his grandpa’s recipe, which he loves. His grandpa always made it every year, but now he’s celebrating Christmas in Heaven. I hope my brittle turns out okay:)