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! ♥
OMG! How can you part with such a beautiful set? I am hoping it’s me that wins it! Thank you!
Love your blog and really look forward to it. I share it with my mom back in Minnesota too. I live in Vegas now and kind of miss that holiday look outside this time of year 🙂
Thank you, Susan! Your lovely blogs always renew my spirit. Have a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!
Hello Susan!! You always brighten my day! I look forward to your blog and have read A Fine Romance more than once!! I did not want it to end! You are a true inspiration and I hope to meet you someday. Thank you for thinking of all your girlfriends out here in blog land. Happy Happy holidays!!!
OOOOOOOO The bookstore front is sooooooo fun!! You found so many wonderful treasures on your Book trip! The lambs are precious! The Beatrix potter figurines are awesome!!!!!!!! That tea set is a gem!!!!!!! I love the journeys you take me on, It is like being in one of my own Dreams! I am yearning for that Brittle! I love being here, listening to your wonderful music selections which always take me back in time, Isn’t it funny how music does that! you can feel the time of the season it was, like your there again! Thank you for this wonderful trip and the pictures we love to always see, sharing your home and kitchen and precious kitties with us!
Big Hug!
Connie Sue
Susan, your blog is the first time I click on every day! And the tea set is adorable! I’d love to receive it! And, welcome home~
Oh Susan, I am so excited! I saw my dishcloths in two of your pictures…so glad you are using them. I am still cranking them out over here and giving them to all my friends. 2013 was a healing year for me after having major surgery on my nerves in my spinal column. It’s been a very long recovery and crocheting these has become a past time…makes me feel productive.
So many treats and you are so generous. The tea set is absolutely gorgeous and the brittle looks absolutely delicious! Happy nesting, Susan…..
Love the flock of lambs, the new BP figurines and seeing your pretty snow-covered yard. Your posts are such a treat.
Merry Christmas to all!
What a fun giveaway! Gorgeous China set and my hubby would be all over that almond brittle. So I’m in…..pick me, Vanna!
What a wonderful giveaway! I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Lovely blog !! O’ I love it ! I just pulled my Vineyard Season’s book from the book shelf, I will be making the brittle for my Christmas potluck on Sunday. I love the lambs … And O’ my the Beatrix Potter fixtures, especially Samuel Whiskers, he’s so cute.
My kitty Boy Ziggie sends a big kitty Christmas hug to Jack.
From Ca to the Vineyard … Merry Merry Christmas Susan and Joe.
Thank you Susan for enhancing my life so much for so many years with your creativity and the way you live & share your life.
Much Love,
Carla
Susan,
I love cardinals and snow and cozy fireplaces. I am originally from Kentucky and I miss the snow and the pretty cardinals at my bird feeder, so thank you for sharing the photos! The tea set is simply lovely and the brittle looks so chocolate-ty and good! So sweet of you to give them as a gift for some lucky person to enjoy while she (he) watches Downton Abbey! Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us throughout the year. Enjoy this beautiful season and have a Merry Christmas!
Love your Christmas spirit and the feeling that whatever gets done is fine and if you do not get to all of it, so what! It is Christmas anyway and not too rushed.
The fireside music you put on your blog post was delightful! How you managed to find time to link to wonderful Christmas music with a burning fire I have no idea. But thank you!
My husband smiles each time I tell him I’d love to have a beautiful china tea set to have my daily tea in. Right now I have a nice mug, but there’s nothing like a pretty antique set to thrill the eyes and bring an extra nice touch to tea either alone or with friends. Please enter me in your drawing. How lovely it would be to win!
May you find abundant blessings surrounding you this Christmas and always!
Lisa
Oh what a precious treasure! It would be delightful to win. I would give it a good home and make a special place for it in my china cabinet. Thank you for always posting such darling posts and taking us along with you on your adventures. You are the best travel companion–always picking up the tab too!! 🙂
The almond bark looks SO tasty! Yum! Here in SC we aren’t looking for any snow (thank goodness) but are enjoying the holidays just the same. (I read somewhere how a person was amazed at how Southerners could sing “dashing through the snow” with such exuberance since we don’t get much snow… haha). I so enjoy your blog and your giving heart. I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas!! Hug the kitties for us all!
What a lovely tea set! And that almond brittle looks like something even I could make. I believe the system ate my other comment. Hoping this isn’t a duplicate now.
Oh this was a delightful visit! I think we should all get back into a more handmade/homemade Christmas. Merry Christmas Girlfriends!
Ok, I admit to a few moments of envy when I saw the pictures of your gorgeous china find. 🙂 How generous of you to share it and your yummy looking treat with one of your readers! I absolutely love your blog, so sweet and so encouraging!
Welcome home, Susan! I so enjoyed tagging along on your book tour, but I’m happy to be able to “visit” you at home again. Reading your posts always brightens my day!
Ann
Your blog makes me want to quit my job and go home and be domestic all day long! So many ideas and I can’t get enough of your pictures. Have a very Merry Christmas, Susan, and a peaceful 2014.
Candy
O……..M……..G!!! You had me at Downton Abbey! I can’t wait for it and your gift would be PERFECT! Must have tea party with my daughters and friends!
Thanks for the chance to win. This so reminds me of my grandma, she collected tea cups and dishes also.
A beautiful green English tea set! What a pretty way to nestle down into my favorite chair on a cold winter’s day and enjoy my new found author Susan Branch! Happy Reading!!!
I love reading all of your posts! Your adventures inspire me and your recipes keep me busy in the kitchen. Thank you for bringing a little ray of sunshine 🙂
Thanks for your blog, I have been trying to finish up and the last thing on the list is baking/cooking homemade treats….Hope I can fit it in. You are such a Christmas Elf! What a beautiful gift….I love the tea set and can almost taste the almond bark, maybe this is my inspiration to get going and head toward the kitchen! Enjoy the holiday prep….it is almost as much fun as the holiday isn’t it?
Appreciating you from snowy and chilly Buffalo NY
It wouldn’t be Christmas in my house with out you!! I have followed you since your Country Living Days (I would take my moms) and have bought and enjoyed ALL your books over the years. I enjoy your blog postings and watching your house change from season to season and just everything! Have a Merry Merry Christmas (Joe and Jack and Girl kitty too!
Hello Susan. I simply adore the china set. I have fond memories of tea parties with my Gram using her china cups. The tea always tasted better in those cups! Thanks for all you do. I so enjoy reading your blog. Merry Christmas!!
I just took a small peek! Am at work and don’t want to rush thru it! I’m counting the minutes until I get home and can cozy up and enjoy the rest!
PS: I would love to read your doll story again! Any chance you’re going to repost it this Christmas?
I’m going to paint some things for it, add some sweet quotes, make some borders and publish it into a little children’s book for big people.
Wonderful! We big people will love it! Thank you! xoxo
Yeah! Can’t wait! Thanks Susan!
I want one!!! <3
Hi Susan and welcome home! Been following your blogs – I love them, but haven’t left a comment for awhile. I love the tea set and would love it for my own. My daughter gave me a copy of “A Fine Romance” and I so enjoyed reading it! Working on SB Cookbooks for my 2 girls now under the gun trying to get them done. Do have a Merry Christmas! Love, Gloria In S. California
What a great post. I suspect you are one of us who keep Christmas with you all through the year! Enjoy whatever gets “done”, don’t worry about what doesn’t and have a lovely Christmas in your cozy home.
Lovely tea set, lovely blog. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Joy
You simply touch me. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the chance. I, too, am a dish collector. In fact, I have some of the dishes I see in the background of your blog. They were my grandmother’s and I treasure them.
Merry Christmas!
What O’ my you are giving the dishes ! fainting here .. let a miracle happen 🙂
Merry Christmas from Ohio! That tea set is beautiful and I can’t wait to try your almons brittle recipe.
Hello Susan,
I always am happy when I see an email from You. The tea set is lovely & I have never had almond brittle, might have to give that recipe a go this year. I so enjoy your blog, thanks for having the giveaway. How wonderful for someone.
Merry Christmas!
Diane S.
What a lovely gift! I know just who I would invite to tea if I would win. My sweet daughter, Maggie who was born in Oklahoma City!
It’s such fun to see that you and I are on the same wavelength — at least occasionally! I recently started a collection of antique and new Santa face mugs — and thanks to my sharp-eyed niece, Robin, I also have a Santa face pitcher! I’d planned to plant poinsettias in them, but it turns out some are too tiny and well, I put them on the shelf at the top of my stove, so the flowers just wouldn’t work. Yours by the window looks wonderful! Merry Christmas to you and Joe. ♥ Alice
The tea set is lovely as can be, for when my Halle comes to tea.
Only one girl, with four fine boys, we’ll have to escape from all that noise.
Find a corner, pull up a chair, Curls & Ribbons in her hair.
Little Cakes & scones perhaps, then afterwards we’ll take our naps.
Granddaughter one, but just enough – to play with all this girly stuff!
Merry Christmas to you & Thank You for all the Loveliness through the year!
The tea set is adorable….I love, love, love dishes too. What a great find and then a beautiful thing to gift it to someone. Maybe even me! Thank you for being you and sharing yourself with all of us out here. It makes home and family and homemaking and the simple things of daily life such a joy.
i so look forward to your blog posts. they always leave a warm, fuzzy feeling with me after i read them. thank you so much!! merry Christmas to you and joe, jennifer
What a lovely blog entry to read as I rock my 12 week old baby to sleep… The Christmas tree is glowing by me, the sleep sheep white noise is humming, and Christmas spirit is all around!
You have it all Naomi! So happy for you!
“I couldn’t leave them there…” favorite words on any antiquing adventure!
What a lovely treasure from your road trip and such an exciting drawing! Just exactly right for Downton Abby in just a few weeks. Another good quote, “I’m an American. I don’t share your English hatred of comfort.” —Cora, Countess of Grantham. Yet English tea; so comforting & comfortable.
LOL!
Merry Christmas Susan
You are such an inspiration and so glad you are home! Jack is handsome as ever. Thank you for giving me some Christmas spirit.
Kathy
Merry Christmas! How kind of you to find something so beautiful and then be happy to share this loverly set with someone. Of course, I hope it’s me, but your generosity and sweetness are so wonderful at any time of the year, but especially now, at Christmas time. Thank you for this giveaway! xoxox
What a fun and wonderful post, Susan. I so enjoy seeing your snow photos whenever you have them. Living in the south, snow is a rarity for us. The little lambs are just too cute and those dishes….OH MY! Beautiful. Just beautiful. You are such a huge inspiration to us all. My smile gets bigger when I see an email from you in my inbox! Merry Christmas!
Dear Susan,
You are so generous and I love you for it. Music, recipes, reading all about your adventures and now giving away such a beautiful gift. Thank you so much for sharing so much with all of us. May you have a wonderful holiday season filled with the love of family, friends and of course wonderful little kitties.
Hugs,
Brenda
How beautiful! I have to try making that treat, YUM! And those beautiful dishes, they would look lovely with my depression glass and some of my other dishes. I LOVE dishes!!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas and give my love and blessings to all your family.
Blessings, Linda
I always sound like a broken record when I leave a comment. But here I go again. I just love your blog, it sure brightens up my day to find it in my mailbox. Everything about it is so special. Thank you, again for writing it for us and all the work that you put into it. The tea set, Oh my! The BP figurines, so very sweet. 🙂
Always love seeing the pictures of your cold weather, as this past week it has been in the high 70’s here in Phoenix.
Sandi
You don’t sound like a broken record Sandi!
How simply Downton Abbey these dishes are.I would love to have them to sip tea and watch the tangles and tales. Merry Christmas!
Linda L. in Texas
Sweet thoughts. Plan on making this candy.love the pictures and of course Jack!
I just love old dish sets. I just ordered some vintage silverware that a company I found on the internet is doing. No two pieces are alike, but they monogram each piece with your initial, so they all go together in the end. Just like all of us Girlfriends! 🙂 I think my mismatched flatware would look lovely with that dish set! 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful blog, as always.
Oh Susan, what a lovely china tea set… and delicious almond brittle, too! You are always so kind to think of all of us. She who wins the tea set and brittle is very lucky indeed! I can just imagine drinking tea from the tea set while nibbling on your almond bark, maybe on New Year’s Eve (my birthday!) or January 5 when our beloved Downton resumes. Susan, thank you again for your thoughtfulness. Good luck to everyone!
Merry Christmas Susan to you and your family.
The Tea Set is beautiful! The recipe you shared sounds and looks delicious. Thank you for the opportunity to win this set.
Wishing you new adventures and joy in the New Year.
Oh, Susan! You have done it again. Just when we think it can’t get any better, you manage to top it. Merry Christmas to you and all the Girlfriends. <3 In the words of Tiny Tim – "God bless us, everyone."
Love your blog, Susan! Merry Christmas!
Oh, what a beautiful tea set! The only thing better on a cold winter day than enjoying a cup of tea served from that lovely set and a bit of almond bark, would be sharing it with you! You inspire me with each new blog post and each new book. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. Merry Christmas!
Eye candy and real candy. They both look yummy. Glad you are home.
Precious Lady….thank you for the opportunity to win…that in itself is a gift.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
K.
You give us gifts all the time – the recipes, the musica, glimpses of your life. This giveaway is the whipping cream on top!
Love the flock of lambs and your darling little BP figurines.
Enjoy just being at home!
I agree with Monica D. – so much better than the lottery (even the MegaMillions!) One day I will get brave enough to try Almond Brittle on my electric stove.
Ellen
Just keep stirring and you’ll be OK!
0-: I think I will try it next Christmas – when I will be a relaxed retired person. (-:|>*
Ellen, are you in touch with Elaine? I am of course, we’ve been close friends for all these years.
Welcome Home! I adore that sweet tea set… the “green” is out of this world! I can imagine sipping tea with friends while munching on some of your yummy brittle.
Enjoy your week-before-Christmas!!
Help! Need some Christmas spirit!! The warmth of your words and pictures certainly helps-
Read your post and as usual, put me in a wonderful mood, even more Christmassey!! My daughter and son-in-law are coming home (from Oregon) tomorrow for Christmas and I can’t wait. You always say the best things. Don’t usually make candy, just cookies, but maybe I need to try the almond brittle. Merry Christmas to you and Joe, Jack, too. XO PS Sure hope I win your beautiful tea set! Either way, I know it will go to a good home.
Oh my goodness! I was admiring your beautiful tea set, thinking how very lucky you were to find such a beautiful set, hunting through antique shops! And then I read that you’re giving it away to some lucky friend! The beauty you share with all of us, makes us see beauty in and around us, daily! Thanks for being such an inspiration, Susan, we can never get enough! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas from Cleveland, OH!
I have the Samuel Whiskers figure. My Mom started to give me Beatrix Potter figures for my birthday years ago. I am so glad you found him, and his isn’t alone in that old shop.
My red tabby cat, Jack, sends greetings to your Jack.
I may try to make the Almond Brittle on my 1948 Tappan DeLuxe stove. Thanks for the recipe.
Love your blog.
So glad you and Joe are home and cuddled up in your beautiful house! The almond brittle looks divine, but the tea set looks even “diviner”! Hope you have a Wonderful, Very Merry Christmas!
Hi Mary, I feel like we are old friends because I have all your books and have followed your blog forever. I love your blog today because it’s just how I feel…always so good to be home! If I’m coming home from vacation or just work, my little house feels soooo good. AND it would be even prettier with that set of china 🙂 …thank you for all the beautiful uplifting stories…love you, Debra
Oh, my, wouldn’t that look darling tea set look perfect in any of our homes?? The brittle is talking to me, so out comes the cookbook and heavy pan… I think there is time to whip up a batch before feeding the goaties…. If not, they will have to wait! Surely they will understand…
Soooo in the Merry Christmas spirit this year! Merry Merry, girlfriends!
How happy I am for you and Joe! To be home at last for this heartwarming season. (Listening to “Oh Holy Night” by Mr. Crosby on Pandora as I type. ) What a labor of love to travel to all of your girlfriends (and some guyfriends, I imagine) to share yourselves and book.
The tea set pattern seems familiar, however, I can’t really place it. BUT, I WOULD LOVE TO PLACE IT on a table in my house:).
God rest you two merry gentle ones. Merry, merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Welcome home Susan. Merry Christmas to you and yours…and all the girlfriends!
You are so sweet. I just got home from work and found this waiting for me. I have 7 granddaughters and we have Tea Parties whenever we can. If I would be lucky enough to win this we might be serving our tea using it.(and then again maybe not since there are so beautiful) I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thank you so much.
This was such a wonderful post with an even more wonderful surprise! I will be researching the Beatrix Potter figurines that you found as I didn’t know those little characters! The tea set? Well that’s just “gravy”
Thanks from one Susan to another!
Hi Susan. thank you for your gift to us, sharing the beauty in your life. Each time I receive your blog, I am smiling throughout. I love this tea set. Antique shops and flea markets are tops on my list of things to do, always looking for that piece I’ll treasure. Looks like you found some special treasures. Reminds me, I have your cookbook on the shelf next to me. Time for baking and candy making.
Blessings and Merry Christmas.
Just discovered I don’t have Vineyard Seasons…will be on the lookout for it in my travels! I’m glad to have the almond brittle recipe though 😉
Wow! I didn’t see that coming when I read it! How very sweet of you to think
of all of us! I hope you had time to read the little note I gave you when I met you at Remnants of the Past book signing. I didn’t want to take up too much of your time since there were still so many behind me. I had plenty of time to write you my little note while I was waiting! It was a thrill to meet you in person and I just received an email from Judy that the Remnants of the Past show is going to be in San Jose, Ca where I live. So very happy about that!
I love looking at all your cozy pics and the figurines are so very cute! Have a super day today!
xo
Jennifer G
Hello, Susan! Just received your 2014 calendars in the mail, will be giving them as Christmas gifts! Love the china and almond brittle recipe… can smell it all the way from here! Happy Holidays to you and Joe!!
i just made a batch of the almond toffee the other day for gift giving…yummm!! my sister cindy gave me a signed copy of your book for christmas and i can’t put it down. makes me feel like i am there with you. wishing you, joe and the kitties a very merry christmas and a happy and healthy new year 2014!
Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway! You are so sweet Sue!! Merry Christmas!
Dear Susan,
I’ve been making several batches of your “Mary’s Mother’s Snowballs” recipe which are a favorite of my friends, and mine too. Your holiday decorations, music and recipes are inspirations for me! Love your lambs and tea set! The brittle looks delicious! Happy Holidays.
Cam
Oh how wonderful!
I have just become acquainted with the loveliness of taking tea. On my last visit to see my little dad, I brought back one of my late mother’s tea cups. I had given it to her as a mother’s day gift many many years ago- having saved my babysitting money to purchase this exquisite (in my mind) cup. My mother (rest her sweet soul) thought it was the best gift she ever received…….it cost me all of $5.00, but for her it was a gift above all others……… and for me, now that she has passed away- a reminder of her and happy times when she would sip from it and tell me how tea in this cup tasted ‘better’ than anything.
Season’s Greetings Susan!
I LOVE the donation to the Children’s Home and really appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness! Love the Beatrix Potter finds; I too enjoy the hunt for treasures and purposely hold off adding to my collection because it is so much nicer and memorable to get one or two at a time. I agree that there is no place like home and can tell you are making the most of it despite getting a bit of a late start with the decorating. Thank you for your inspiration and wonderful books; I am so glad I wasn’t born before Susan Branch!!!
Oh! Oh! Oh! How enchanting! You always make my day more enjoyably! Your excitement is contagious! As another girlfriend posted, I need a tea set like a home in my head! Already have them everywhere! But! But! This green one is so lovely and so dainty….. Just tell Vanna to pick wisely! Bet she will have on a lovely name-picking dress and matching apron for the event! Thank you for joy! Merry Christmas…almost!
Merry Christmas, Susan, Joe, Jack & Girl Kitty ! What a beautiful tea set AND homemade candy ! You are so generous to us, your GFs, all year and now this ! Wishing you all the best in 2014. Health, Prosperity, and Peace.
Dear Susan,
Happy Christmas! I have been waiting and waiting for your blog entry. The dishes are beautiful! How can you bear to part with them? They are gorgeous. I love the color. I wonder about their history, where they have been, who cherished them. The almond brittle is surely going to be on my to do list. Thanks so much, Susan. You inspire me. Robyn
You certainly know what delights the girlfriends…and this darling tea set does just that! And the homemade almond brittle just sends us right over the edge! Thanks, again, for the Inspiration and Archives links. I’m having a marvelous time catching up…I did not join the party till early in 2012, and it’s wonderful reading about what happened before I ever “met” you, and how your wonderful blog has developed in such a relatively short time. Love, love it.
Collecting your books and many of your items brings me JOY. We are like minded people.
I like to make treats for my brothers and their families at Christmas and your post has given me the recipe for this year! The tea set is so pretty…love the forget-me-nots on it. And all your lambs!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Oh Thanks! I love it all, from the green tea set to the snowy yard!
Merry Christmas!
A gorgeous tea set and a one of a kind chocolate treat sounds like a dream to me! What wonderful gifts that would be treasured in my sweet Alabama home!
Susan, you have always felt like a friend and your books feel like a visit. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
So homey and cozy and wonderful. Just love it! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Love…Love…Love… you are to kind…Susan this is beyond all expectations! Glad you are home…Suzanne C.
So glad you returned home safely. Now on to Christmas! I love to keep up with Jack, he is such a handsome “man.” I wish I had the patience to make candy . . . but I would love to get the tea set and candy. too!
Oh, Susan! I just love everything you do. I hope you, Joe and the kitties have a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Reading your posts are like cozying up with a cup of tea and good Christmas movie. I bought 2 of your Fine Romance books (from Amazon), one to keep and one to give to my sister, whose daughter lives in London, so they go every summer.
I wish I could have seen you when you were in OKC! The tea set is beautiful. My daughters and I love our tea times! Merry Christmas to you!
Tea and Twine for Thee and Thine!! Hahaha… I just took a break from cookie baking to check my favorite blog and check on the girlfriends and what do I see? A contest just in time for Christmas! Merry Christmas, Susan! Merry Christmas, girlfriends!
I am taking Christmas slow this year as well –> boiled it down to the basics: Christmas cards, tree, lights around front door, gifts for my twin boys, Grandma Maynard’s southern Pralines (for me), Choc chip cookies (for boys), Christmas playlist on ipod, then glazed ham and mashed potatos for dinner. BUT, I could just about taste your almond brittle and may whip up a batch tonight!
Vicki from Ellicott City, MD
P.S. I bought my copy of “A Fine Romance” on Amazon last month and it’s wrapped and under the tree for ME on Christmas — can’t wait to open it!!!!
It’s such a beautiful tea set! And the toffee looks wonderful. My father-in-law will love to get a tin of it for Christmas so off I go to make him some. Thanks!!!