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! ♥
Merry, Happy, may the joy you bring to others come full circle back to you, exponentially expanded.
Cannot wait for every posting you do each time this blog…Thanks Susan!
Merry Christmas Susan! I love your blog… it always inspires me and gives me a warm and cozy feeling. Thank you!
Your blog is such a treat – causing me to pause and soak up the visual beauty you send our way. Thank you for your dedication to all your girlfriends!
LOVE the vintage tea set. I can just see myself sipping egg nog from it (I use the term sipping lightly…..more like guzzling).
Just came by your blog thru Bloglovin. What a wonderful sweet surprise. I have always adored your work. Enjoyed reading about your trip across the states. Love Beatrice Potter and the color of the china is beautiful.
How beautiful the cardinals are. Thanks for sharing!
I smile each time that I visit your website. I always find something interesting to read, or bake. So grateful for the small things in life. Such a beautiful giveaway you are hosting, much blessings.
Darling Friend–I have my mom here today and we’re making YOUR Christmas wreathe and nut cookies. Then we’re going to have tea! What a darling set! So kind of you to share! Keeping Christmas in your heart, as usual, I see. XO!
JoEllen! Hello, tell your mom I said Hi too!
Susan, how very generous of you to be giving away to one of your “girlfriends” a precious English tea set that you lovingly transported back to MV from your cross-country adventure. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Many thanks for peeks of snow and cardinals and a warm crackling fire—here in Florida, we haven’t even had any decent “cold” yet! Your lovely post helps to get me into a holiday spirit!
Merriest of Christmases and a wonderfully creative new year to you!
Laure
I love your blog so much, my daughter and I bought your book and went to England! Thank you for your wonderful book and inspiring us to travel to England. I took pictures of us holding the book in various places.
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Bernadette
It all looks simply lovely. I will have to try almond brittle .. .. that would be different! and Yummy!
Praise God for giving you and Joe safe travels, special memories and a great home to come back to ! My friends and I enjoyed seeing you a couple times along the way : ) What a great give away you have going now . . . Beautiful, fun dishes and a yummy homemade treat ! : )
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
What a fun tea set. Your blog is so homey. I love to visit. Hope everybody has a very Merry Christmas and a healthy 2014. Blessings….
It is always so nice to have Susan at home and in the kitchen! She is always cookin’ up something good! Thanks for always thinking of and sharing with us! Enjoy these days and may your heart and home always be happy! 🙂 xo
I make peanut brittle every year even when we lived away from family I’d send a tin to my dad for Christmas. He hides the tin from my mom. The almond brittle looks so good–would absolutely love to win some made in your own kitchen.
I miss the seeing the red cardinals, not a native of the intermountain west.
Love your blog–thank you.
Hi Susan! Welcome home. Guess what I got from one on the gals in our ‘stitch & bitch’ group? Yes, a copy of your book, which I didn’t have yet! Yeah….can’t wait to read it. My friend and I are going to London in March of 2014. thanks for thinking of us while you were away working and antiquing.
It’s only 30 miles from London to Hever Castle ~ Keep that in mind when you read that part. And have a wonderful time!
Welcome home, Susan. What a wonderful journey that you took us all on. While I don’t have your newest book yet, I’m hoping it will be a Christmas present from my family. Otherwise, I’ll get one after the first of the year. Wishing you, Joe, Jack and Girl Kitty a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!
Oh, please let me squeeze my name in the bunch. I so enjoy coming to your website to find out what is new in your world. Thank you!!
Thanks for the Christmastime scenes. Inspires me to look around and appreciate my surroundings, more, and to unbury a few talents and get busy making my life and my loved ones lives more beautiful. Keep it up.
Thanks for making my heart smile today. I needed that. A very Merry Christmas to you and Joe!
Your blog puts the joy in my jingle! Merry Christmas to you girlfriend!
Welcome home, Susan & Joe! What a beautiful set of china you are willing to part with for your girlfriends, and your “goodies” look so yummy! I am having the best time giving Susan Branch Christmas gifts this year — as I have done for several years now. I love introducing you to my friends and family. Won’t be long before I can open up my 2014 SB calendars! Merry Christmas to the two of you, and I hope 2014 holds many wonderful blessings for you.
O. M. G… what a beautiful, gorgeous post! Gorgeous PB people, gorgeous goodies, and that tea set.. “sigh”.. what can I say…. GORGEOUS!!! that little blue flower in the pattern is the TOPS!… and the spoon.. I am kind of drooling/dreaming of it all now!… Susan you are so generous and a gorgeous person inside and out.. I know my chance of winning will be slim, but whoever is the LUCKY LUCKY one will be beside herself!! Blessings and a wonderful Christmas season to you, Joe, et al…I am also having a slow-motion Christmas.. Just put our tree up on Monday and got it decorated last night… slow and steady wins the race!! 🙂 HAPPY HAPPY, MERRY MERRY to all the Girlfriends too!!!
Merry Christmas Susan!
I love your Blog and loved following you across the country this fall! I live in Long Beach, CA and loved hearing about your time on the Queen Mary with your dear mother. Especially about the tea time on board. I had a tea party catering business years ago. It was a great excuse for buying pretty teacups and teapots. When I saw the tea set you bought and featured on this blog, I fell in love!
And then when you said you would give it away, I couldn’t believe you could part with it. I would LOVE to win it!
Sending you a big hug for all the joy you bring to your many “girlfriends”.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas,
An adoring fan, Susan Christmas XXX
Dear Susan, Traveling can be fun but there is nothing like being home for the
holidays. I so enjoyed your book and have picked it up to give as gifts this holiday as well as share my own with friends. The trip around the country was
very inspirational and you could almost write another book on your experiences.
Love your blog. It feels like being part of one big family……..thanks.
I love, love your blog! And your postings from your trips – I feel like I was also a passenger! Merry Christmas!
Love, love, love to read your books, blog and newsie letters. I feel like we are such good friends. Thank you for all of your love & care of all of us!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Love, Judi
Susan, I’m a newcomer to your blog (just this fall) and LOVE checking it out! But I am a long time fan of your cookbooks and art!
Best Wishes & Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful post and so warm and happy and light. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words all year long. The tea set is just perfect! Merry Christmas! ~Kari
Welcome home! How you must be enjoying being home again, with Christmas right around the corner. Looks like you will have a white Christmas.
The little tea set is a beauty and any of us would be blessed to win it. The Almond brittle looks just yummy!!
Glad to have you back home again. I look forward to your posts so much and when I read them, it feels so cozy and warm!
Lovies, Sue K
That is an amazing tea set! I can’t imagine how you can part with it but I’m betting your generous spirit had a part in that decision. Merry Christmas to all of your wonderful household and shoot a few rubber bands for me.
Hi. I enjoyed your post and seeing your pretty pictures of snow and birds. I am one of your Florida girlfriends, so I love looking at a true winter landscape. I would love to win the tea set and treats. I hope Vanna lets me know soon! Merry Christmas!
Your post has me so excited to go home and make goodies with my mother for the holidays! We’re planning a special “Crafter-Christmas” this year because it will be just us! So we’re going to make felted lamb ornaments, and finally make mittens out of the old wool sweaters we’ve been collecting all these years. (And plenty of good things to eat, too!) Maybe while we stir the chocolate for our needhams, we’ll read aloud from our copies of A Fine Romance and work on planning our trip to England in June! Thanks for making us all feel like “girlfriends.” You are an inspiration.
What a great fun thing to do!
I was thrilled to see the dishes from OKC where I was born and raised but living in Connecticut now and then when I saw that you were giving them away to a lucky girlfriend I flipped. Please give my name to Vanna. Your candy looks delicious, I have made 15 batches of peanut brittle in the last two weeks. I must try your almond brittle. I will be making batches of your chocolate sauce this week end for all the neighbors. Merry Christmas and I am glad you are home for the holidays.
Oh my goodness! Your gifting that tea set to someone! I love it, green is my favorite color! As soon as I checked your blog to see if anything mew was posted, I went from blue to happy because I love your blog, then, I saw that tea set and thought “wow is that ever a pretty tea set, wish it was mine.”. Im hoping Im luckier with Vanna than I was with the multi million dolor lotto :/. Merry Christmas! Laura in Rockford
Jack thinks you said “anything mew was posted” on purpose. 🙂 He is blowing on his fingernails and rubbing them on his chest fur in pride right now.
This BLOG made my day!! It has been a little difficult to be happy all the time since my love of 48 years passed away, but your BLOGS bring joy and happiness to my heart.
One of my great joys has been to purchase as many of your books as possible from eBay and give them away to my dear friends who have now become devoted “Susan Branch followers” too.
My dear roommate from college days, Suzette, bought me your newest book “Romance…” and you signed it for me in San Luis Obispo! What a treat—to have a special signed copy with my name!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as we remember Jesus’ birth! Our love to Joe too for taking you everywhere around the US to see your girlfriends!!
Karen Ruth
Blessings to you Karen. You remind me of one of my favorite quotes, “The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay, Love isn’t love til it’s given away.” You have found a wonderful healing place, you’re very lucky and your friends are blessed. xoxo
I love reading your posts during my breaks at work. I may be living in the heat of the South, but your words illustrate your surroundings so beautifully that I can almost hear the crackle of the fire, taste the delicious candy and feel the warmth of your New England home. Happy Holidays!
I always have such a warm and cozy feeling when I visit your blog! And goodness, what a lovely and generoous giveaway!
Oh Susan, the tea set is so cute. So generous of you to give away! Merry Christmas to you and Joe and the kitties of course! I’m off to the kitchen to make more candy!
I love your blog ! What a beautiful tea set . I can’t wait to make the almond brittle. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year Judy
Beautiful china from England!
I loved your book so much I bought another to give for our book club Christmas exchange! What a good choice for your charity, as I’m familiar with it here in CA.
Thank You for posting your great recipes! Would love to win that beautiful Tea Set as I have a Tea Hutch with lovely tea items in it and know it would look lovely in there! Happy Holidays to you, glad you are back home and keeping warm! 🙂
The dishes are beautiful! Your blog is the one place I go when I need sweet thoughts, beautiful scenery, and a serenity that hides the sad stories and the unkind ways of man. Merry Christmas to you and your Joe!
Your Blog is absolutely captivating…I find myself searching in antique stores for Beatrix Potter figurines, gazing at the trees hoping for a cardinal and definitely planning for the chocolate toffee for my friend who loves toffee. A Christmas gathering last night of 6 girls – there were 5 of your books being unwrapped at once and shrieks of fun rippled throughout the restaurant. Your 2014 Calendar is poised here eagerly awaiting New Year’s Day and coming out from under the 2013 December …Be An Elf! Thank you for the inspiration to cook, walk, read, talk and just have fun.
YOU are an elf Peggy, thank you!
Your blog is so much fun to read, especailly after a day at work. The chocolate almond brittle looks great. And the sweet potatoe-I have to do that tonight.
Thank you, Susan for coming into our hearts and homes.
Merry Christmas,
Tricia
Susan, love the blog and love that Jack helps in the kitchen. My boys Chubby & Vern are always curious when I am cooking. Chubby helps making coffee every morning even though he is afraid of the coffee grinder.
Miss you out here in California, we are in a gray funk in the Central Valley today. Wish we had cardinals to brighten up our world!
May you, Joe & Jack have a wonderful Christmas and a spectacular New Year!
You scared me for a moment that you had a son named Chubby and he was afraid of the coffee grinder!!! LOL!
Wow! What a fabulous holiday gift give away! Those dishes made me swoon, so pretty! I’m glad to see you are home and enjoying the Christmas season. You are very sweet and generous for sharing lovely tidbits of your life with the world! A quick side note- I made your Grandma’s stuffing at Thanksgiving. Hands down, the best home made stuffing I’ve ever had!
Cheers! Sarah
Yesss, my Grandma lives! I’m so happy to hear that Sarah!
I sit here enjoying a cup of green tea in a dainty teacup with a Christmas treat; brought to me by my hubby Joe. What can I say, you brought me a relaxing few minutes as I read your blog. Yes, I too should go slow……if it doesn’t all get done that’s ok. I would find the tea set a joyful addition to my teacups, so I hope Vanna pulls my name out!
Kathy
p.s. tonite we go door to door in our neighborhood singing ‘we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you…..’ and take them plates of treats. I treasure my dear neighbors.
I’m sure you are treasured by them!
How yummy AND beautiful!
I always love hearing about your Nesting days…
Merriest Christmas!
Hi Susan, I’ve enjoyed taking your book signing trip with you.. You should be so proud of yourself to have sold so many books.. Your art work is “out of this world”—–sooo nice.
I’m glad you’re home though and I know Jack and Girl Kitty are too. Your cardinals are so handsome with their red coats.. I just love them.
I would love to have the pretty little green tea set in my home but most of all, I would love to taste your candy..
Thank you for writing such an interesting blog with so many lovely pictures.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a very happy, healthy new year.
Charlotte in Virginia
The tea set is adorable. I think I have one plate that is similar. Happy Holidays, love the blog and seeing all your wonderful pictures.
Oh how sweet are your lambs and new BP figurines! I collect both myself so I know you must be thrilled. The dishes are beautiful! Merry Christmas!!!
Dear Susan–Since I love green, I would love to win the tea set!!
Is the little strip with the boy being pulled by the dog, your art. Since I have 7 grandSONS I just fell in love with it and the Mag. cover. Enjoy your holidays. I’m baking cookies today. Pam
That little strip was part of the same magazine cover from the 1930’s.
OMGoodness over 1000 comments! Well had to pop in and wish you and Joe, Jack and Girl the best holiday ever! I am so happy you are safe and sound back home and NESTING. I love your nesting! Merry Christmas to all the Girlfriends out there too.
P.S. Oops forgot to say that picture of Jack is sooo darn cute makes me want to kiss that mustache face!
By the way…please tell Vanna to not draw my name as I have a nice china set and would rather see someone get it that doesn’t have one. However, that almond bark really looks good!!! LOL! 🙂 (thanks for the recipe!)
Dear Susan,
Thank you for always bringing warmth and light to us through your blog and delicious books. When I read the bit about your gift to us, your girlfriends, I welled up.
You, like your Cardinals, bring color and life into our lives. You ARE the gift.
Merry Christmas.
Love,
Laura
and Fiona (beloved Boston Terrier who has tolerated me for 15 plus years now)
Hi Susan!
Of course I am entering the contest… I just KNOW my time has come!
Besides that, I wanted to tell you just how amazing you are! My wife and I finally got “A Fine Romance” and it’s just so wonderful. The way you draw and paint and the way you handwrite every page so carefully – not just in the book but in all that you do – is masterful. It’s also very personal. You are a great artist and a fabulous writer to boot. It’s people like you who inspire the rest of us! Seeing your work makes me even more excited to work on my own art.
Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us and generations to come!
Jake you are a doll! I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again, you’re a doll. xoxo Thank you and tell your wife I said hello!
You made my day! And Melissa says “hello” right back to you!
Susan,
You never cease to amaze and inspire me! I love your attitude and outlook on life!! Me and my kitty cat Lula, are going to go right down to the kitchen and make some almond brittle in case I don’t win the drawing but I really hope I do because I LOVE that yes set!
You know I meant tea set – I was typing too fast!
Well you included one of my favorite words instead!
What a beautiful tea set! You have such an eye to find beauty everywhere, and such a generous heart to create so much beauty for the world to enjoy! Thank you, Susan Branch.
What a beautiful tea set. I too am nuts about beautiful dishes. However I do not need to win because your wonderful blog is present enough. Still…..I could find a place for such a lovely set. We are absolutely nuts about Downton Abbey. We’re planning a trip to the UK in 2014 and would love to see Highclere Castle. Blessings for a beautiful Christmas. It will be a white one here in west Michigan.
We tried for Highclere, but it was closed because they were filming! Have a wonderful time!
Oh my gosh!!! While I was enjoying your adventures and drooling over your treasures, when I saw that tea set… oh my heart did a flop!!! Gorgeous!! And then to find out you are giving it away!!!! What a sweet, sweet thing to do… and the yummy candy is like the icing on the cake!!!!!! You are truly a special person!!!!
Merry Christmas Hugs!!!
Teri
Hi
So glad you’re enjoying settling back in at home. I’ve bought the book as Christmas gifts. Even living in England and even having visited some of the same places, they are somehow fresher and more magical through your eyes.
Have a very blessed Christmas. Love Jane, Manchester, England
Say Hello to England for me Jane!
Welcome Home, Susan! And thank you for this yummy post, too. Since our dad always made fudge & divinity every Christmastime – and our mom made hundreds of Christmas cookies, holiday kitchen treats are always wonderful to read about for my sister and me : ) Thanks for these ideas!
I love pretty dishes too!
I am glad you have gotten to know and found Mrs. Tittlemouse and friend. I will send you the story sometime. My sister didn’t know who Benjamin Bunny was! I got my niece two coloring books for Easter. One of PR and one of BB.
Let us look for old crochet patterns for those potholders, OK? Mine are getting faded.
Susan, I love your website and reading all your precious posts! What a lovely giveaway! Merry Christmas!
I love visiting your site while at work…it’s always such a pick-me-up!
Merry Christmas from Chicago!
Merry Christmas! I love to read your blog and enjoy trying your recipes. Your cats are so cute! I know they are so happy to have you home again. Thank you for sharing all your adventures!
Welcome home…and Merry Christmas! You may be slowly working up to it, but you’ll get there! The tea set is absolutely lovely. And of course, your almond brittle is delicious…such a great gift! Thank you for all you do for all of us and so generously sharing with us!
Hi Susan!
Welcome home! Love your Lamb collection and the Peter Rabbit collection. Have a merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2014!
Your post was so home-y! My mom would love the tea set…so I’d give it to her if I won. Nice of you to have a surprise giveaway.
So pretty and my favourite colour is green. Merry Christmas Susan.
Susan, Your blog is inspirational. A wonderful escape on a cold winters day.
So generous of you to off this most beautiful tea set.. I can picture it on my table serving tea and scones.<3
I hope I’m not too late, but I just want to add that although I read all the blogs and wonderful comments from such articulate girlsfriends, I’m intimidated to write here. So I’ll just say, all my best wishes to Susan, Joe and to all the girlsfriends (what a wonderful group of very smart women) for a beautiful Christmas and New Year!
Never be intimidated Annita, especially when you write like that! Love having you here! xoxo
HI Sweet Sue & Girlfriends,
We’re getting close to the night the animals can talk. I remember an episode of “I Remember Mama,” with Irene Dunn as Mama, when the animals in their barn talked on Christmas Eve. Lovely thought, eh? My Grand Son & his girlfriend are going to a Musical Christmas Program at our church tonight, with me. Really looking forward to our choir (very large) & orchestra (some members play in the LA Philharmonic) perform. Know it will bring a thrill to my heart. Here in LA, we’re having a rainy day today. Seems appropriate for Christmas. I always make Peanut Brittle for everyone at Christmas. The same Grand Son came over last night with his new girlfriend. I always make peanut brittle for family & friends. I didn’t know her too well, but we sat around our round kitchen table shelling peanuts for the entire evening & I knew her fairly well by the time we’d finished shelling four large bags of peanuts. A good way to meet others. Put them to work so they aren’t that self conscious. Really works, even on shy people, even on someone like me who is a bit sad over the loss of my husband. Keeping busy works. I’m going to try your yummy brittle. Sounds so great. Merry Christmas all you wonderful friends! (Sandy, from a very wet Chihuahua Flats)
One more comment to add to your many. Last year I gave my niece your scrapbook-like cookbook and put her grandmother’s recipes and photos in it. Not quite so ambitious this year. I do love your drawings and photos.
OMG . . . I would so love that beautiful tea set, so sweet it is, and of course, the goodies. Thank you so much for offering the give-away. Merry Christmas and Blessings!
Thank you for sharing all the coziness. It looks so wonderful. Christmas Blessings to you and yours.
Oooo, I love the tea set! So vintage and cute – and the green is just great.
Merry Christmas! Going to make some brittle as soon as I’m done making my party mix. So glad your home. Love it when you take us to your kitchen.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Joe, Girl and Jack. May you all have many blessings in the New Year. This past year has been such a delight for all of us who follow you and we can’t wait for 2014. Love from Georgia,
Susan
Hi Susan. Love the lambs collection. I also collect lambs–one of mine has a broken leg–so i have a little band aid around it and she just looks fine on the kitchen window sill. Have a great holiday. Nina
Susan, Everything about your blog makes me want to curl up in a quilt in front of the fireplace, with a cup of tea and my copy of “A Fine Romance”! You always reach my heart and soul! Merry Christmas, and enjoy your time at home! 🙂
So happy for Jack and Girl Kitty now that Mama is back home and all is right with their world. Another gorgeous post Susan ~ love your words, photos, sentiments and generosity. I think Samuel Whiskers is one of the cutest of the BP people, even if he is a rat!
No, we don’t have those splendid red cardinals but we did have plenty of snow last week here in the California Sierras. A good taste of that icy, wintry “White Christmas” scenery you so treasure. California usually writes its winters in small little chapters. Short story seasons. New England winters are more like novels, lengthy & deep & full of characters! (Gladys Taber, Henry Beston, Edwin Way Teale, Henry Thoreau, Mark Twain, so many fine literary souls!)
Christmas Peace & Holiday Joy to all who venture into Susan’s beautiful world here, where happiness always reigns. (The tea set is a beautiful find and a gorgeous giveaway ~ add me to the list of hopefuls.)
All The Best,
Harmony
Thank you for a coffee break while reading your blog. Very enjoyable.
I’m so glad you’re home & baking & sharing with us. We had an early family Christmas celebration in Oklahoma this past weekend & I received your new book. I’m ecstatic!! It is so pretty & I carry it with me everywhere. I’m especially happy to have your book because my daughter & daughter-in-law & I are planning a trip to ENGLAND next summer. Thank you, thank you for this fabulous book. Oh, I wouldn’t mind have the gorgeous tea set either 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Susan!
Oh, Susan!
That tea set is wonderful. I would love to win – maybe this is my lucky chance. You are soooo generous. I bought the Yankee magazine but I’m going to save it to read on Christmas eve. Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thanks for the chance to win.
Terry in Iowa
What a lovely gift to share with us! Merry Christmas to you and Joe!
love love love your toffee and tea
perfect for the holiday season
m
Oh my goodness. I just found your blog from following “linkies” from other blogs! I love this place! I used to use your products a lot when scrapbooking but unfortunately I put away my scissors and glue when I picked up needles and yarn. I will see you much more often now
I got the identical recipe from my aunt in Plymouth, MA only she called it Almond Butter Crunch…either way, it’s delicious ! Enjoy your Christmas at home…Jack looks so happy to have you back!
Loved seeing you in San Luis Obispo … Love that you’re back home and sharing your Christmas spirit! Love how you are so happy nesting! I, too, love nesting and making our home as cozy & comfy & safe for my family. Even though it’s been a busy and hectic holiday season, things are slowing a bit and soon everyone will be together to celebrate and share in the Christmas love. Merry Christmas Susan
What an absolutely fabulous present for you to give! We live in Tulsa, so it would be just too good to be true for the tea set to come back to Oklahoma! Not to mention the special goodies! Have a blessed Christmas and New Year!
Oh! What a BEAUTIFUL tea set and delicious looking brittle!! I’m glad you are home, too!!!! I love reading about your travels, but there is something about your house and cardinals…and Jack!
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!