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! ♥
Happy holidays, Sue; and to Joe, Jack, and Girl too! I would love to win the tea set. It would match my kitchen beautifully. My three kitties, Al, Ozzy, Socks and I would have a wonderful tea party, my girlfriends too, of course! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Are you serious giving away that beautiful vintage tea set? Someone is going to be blown away!
Merry Christmas to the winner
I so hope this posts, b/c I’ve always wanted to enter a contest and tell you how much I love your newsletters and Jack and Girl Kitty!!!
Oh, Susan! I love the tea set and what a generous special gift!! It nearly matches some plates and a cake plate my aunt gave me years ago. Wouldn’t that be lovely to serve one of my cakes and tea to my friends!! I love it that we are making Christmas gifts at the same time! I have made 13 jars of your cranberry jam and giving them to neighbors and friends!! So fun!! I have collected jars for some time and hand tags and bags, so a great and inexpensive by tasty gift!!! Thanks for the recipe. Your Christmas sounds like it is coming together beautifully! Have a wonderful, magical one!! 🙂
I love the teaset. It looked so beautiful after its bath!
It would be lovely at my house.
Susan,
You always put me in the mood for the holidays–I love the music, your cooking and decorations and your joyful spirit. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Susan – What beautiful teacups and teapot! I would love those. You are correct, Tuscan is the name of the china company that produced these lovelies.
On another note, can’t think you haven’t heard of Mrs Tittlemouse before! My husband was nicknamed Tittlemouse after Mother Goose nursery rhyme – “Little Tommie Tittlemouse, lived in a little house…” So she is my favorite and I have a few figurines of JUST her in my cabinet. Have to restrain myslef – I sometimes see BP figurines on EBay, and would love to adopt them all. By the way, I love your flock of sheep.
Merry Christmas to you and Joe and Girl Kitty and Jack! I so thoroughly enjoyed meeting you in Pasadena, CA for your book signing. One book is on its way to my girlfriend in Colorado and the other is going to my girlfriend here in Southern California!
oh my goodness that tea set is beautiful! I don’t yet own a tea set but would love too have that one 🙂 Also would like to know how to make that yummy sweet potato, Im new to domestic bliss!!!
I was totally surprised that you were giving that to one of the girlfriends here! I was expecting to see a photo of one of your sweet friends there. What a blessing that will be for the lucky gal!
Hmmmm, I sent you a post on here at work today, but now I can’t find it. I’ll try to remember what I said, then feel really embarrassed when it shows up twice. I said I would LOVE to win this beautiful tea set. Please tell Vanna that I will taken very good care of it if she will just draw my name. 🙂
I also asked how your cats did while you were gone for so long. My 27 year old son recently got a new job and a new girlfriend at the same time, so he was gone a lot more than usual. His cat started acting out, tearing up the house and leaving messes everywhere. He also acted sick. He took him to the vet and they decided he was suffering anxiety from being left alone so much. Things are much better since my son has been making sure to spend more time with him.
Also, I had a question about the almond brittle. I have been making it every December since 1991. Most years it turns out perfect, but several times it has been grainy and wouldn’t harden. What am I doing wrong? Someone told me it could be too humid on those days for it to set correctly. Your advice would be appreciated.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
They need love. My cats were good because the people I left them with love them. Otherwise it would have been impossible for me to go!! They played rubber band with Jack everyday. And cuddled with Girl. So all was well.
Try cooking the mixture a little bit longer, it needs to get to the hard crack temperature which is right around 300.
How thrilled I was meeting you in Iowa City and reading about your travels, but I need to admit, I’ve missed you just being home!!! You’re an inspiration! Thank you again for being “you” and sharing your world with us! Love tea in the afternoon and this teaset is beautiful!! Hope! Hope! Hope is all I can say!
I am new to you Susan. I discovered you while you were on your trip. I could not wait for you to get home. I have been enjoying your updates. Your tea set is beautiful and the brittle looks yummy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Welcome home, I’m looking forward to your posts.
Carol
PA
I’m home Carol!!! It’s going to be a fun winter with us girls.
Welcome home Susan and Joe! I can’t even imagine how over the moon Jack and Girl kitty were to see you! I too, am over at the moon at the mere thought of being the lucky recipient of your beautiful china and candy. You continue tobe an inspiration. Happy Christmas, Love, Nancy
pick me, pick me! I want to be just like you when i grow up 🙂
What joy you bring to all of us! Sent off all of signed gifts from the Bakersfield Tea Party with Suzanne today to my Petals (Pen Pals). I know there will be squeals of delight come Monday. Your brittle looks so good. I think I will head into the kitchen and make some right now with our WingNuts. As always, thank you so much for your incredible generosity and friendship. Christmas Hugs to you, Joe, Jack and Girl kitty. <3
Still living in the glow of that delightful day with Suzanne and everyone!
All of my favorite things in one place: home, nesting, tea, beautiful china, Downton Abbey, recipes, Christmas and a new blogpost! Merry Christmas!
dishes … a happy addiction
Susan, I love everything you write about because it all brings such sweet memories of my darling Aunt Elsie. She was my Gladys Taber. My love for blue and white dishes, Blue Willow especially because she used them every day. Her homemade cottage cheese hanging in a cheese cloth bag on the clothesline to drip. Making butter cakes by hand and her smile as she creamed butter and sugar. And on and on. I collect tea pots and cups and would cherish these. Many thanks for the memories.
What a gorgeous set. Love love love it. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. This is the first Christmas that I can’t bake, “deck the halls” or put up a tree, (due to recent shoulder replacement surgery). I’ve been getting much of my Christmas spirit rereading your Christmas books all week and remembering all the delicious recipes I’ve made from them over the years. You definitely have a way with Christmas cheer!
Merry Christmas,
Ginny
You may just have the holiest and sweetest Christmas ever. There is nothing like quiet to bring on the blessing-counting. xoxo
My husband and I arrived here in Las Vegas yesterday. We live on a small lake in the Adirondacks in the summer and the fall. This year we stayed for Thanksgiving to have our oldest Son, his Wife and our 2 Grandchildren who live in Philly come for the holiday. We had perfect winter weather – 7 in. of snow fell after they arrived – perfect for building a snowman.
It is called the North Country where we live, but I call it Paradise – absolutely beautiful. I will miss the birds and the partridge and all of nature around me for 6 months.
We drive across this wonderful country twice a year. This trip we stopped in Williamsburg and stayed in the old colonial homes and saw Grand Illumination. We stopped in South Carolina and visited with my Sister and her family for a couple of days. Then on to Route 40 and home to see the little Grandchildren here in Las Vegas. I thank the Hampton inns also. The people are always so nice. So I just want to say that I love your blog. I basically do the same things as you. My love of dishes and little things in life make me a very happy soul.
We are blessed with a lovely family and a good life. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Susan Joe and kitties……I just loved what you posted Susan, you have totally made my day!! I was not feeling fine, but I am now. Christmas is meant to be a slow process, like celebrating Advent but today has been tiring and rushed so now I just want to slow down and enjoy and as you said what ever doesn’t get done so what!! So I bless you dear one, may God Bless you as you have blessed all of us girlfriends. I love the tea set, I love china and Im going to have a Christmas Tea for my grandaughters 5 and 8 it will be the first time they have ever been here in my Christmas house.
Love Samuel Whiskers & Mrs Tittlemouse…have never come across them before. Love Jack helping you nest…my favorite way to spend a day. You are the sweetest girlfriend to all of us….giving us the gift of your blog, your home, and your heart. Merry Christmas to you and Joe, Girl Kitty, and Jack! Trim that tree! 🙂
Oh how beautiful that tea set is! I love, love, love dishes! This really would be lovely in my little dining room cupboard. We are big tea drinkers at our house too! Wish me luck!
The dishes are lovely. Happy Christmas!
So excited that you found those adorable Beatrix Potter figures. Loved seeing them! I tried making some toffee for the first time yesterday and it turned out pretty well. I like your idea of stirring the nuts in before pouring into the pan. I had the nuts on the pan and when the toffee got poured on top they moved out of the way – it was a bit of a mess. Still tasty though! Thanks for sharing your recipe; it looks wonderful.
I would just love to have those china plates!! Thank you for think of us and Merry Christmas to you both.
Hi Susan! I’m one of your e-mail followers and have never commented before, and of course I would love to be entered in this lovely giveaway. You and your blog are delightful…and it really brightens my day when I find another post from you in my ‘mailbox’.
A very Merry Christmas to you!
Hi Susan
I always can’t wait to get a new blog post in my mail. And this one was fantastic. I always enjoy every single thing you post about. Love it all. I sure hope I win that beautiful tea set. So so lovely
happy day Susan!!!
deezie
Merry Christmas Susan and Joe and Kitties!
You sure brighten up the early dark nights with your blog! I think I saw a tea set just like this one in the new “Romantic Country” magazine–it is beautiful–and so are you!
Susan! You are so generous! I gave my copy of “A Fine Romance” away for a birthday gift to friend Mary, the only other Anglophile I know. Can I vote that the tea set goes to Pat? She needs it more than I do!
I want to make the almond brittle right away. I am excited to be in the drawing but even if I don’t win you have given me so much already this year. Thank you so much for the love and beauty that is your art. Merry Christmas!
I got a wonderful present in the mail Saturday. My aunt sent me a copy of A Fine Romance. When I opened it I cried; I have been wanting it so! It is beautiful. And now I am doubly pleased because of the donation as well! There is nothing so heartwarming as helping children. I was admiring the lovely mince pie box you are using for the almond brittle. It reminds me of Emma Bridgwater, is it by chance? So glad you are unwinding and relaxing. I have an old cookbook from The Black Dog; I need to find the box it is in and see if Joe is in it. I think he just might be.
Not sure I’ve ever commented here before, but your blog just makes me happy. Is it chicken to comment at last, because of that beautiful tea pot?
Not chicken … LOL!
Love the BP figurines, and the tea set is lovely. I was enjoying some homemade English toffee while reading your post (I just couldn’t help myself). Have fun trimming your tree!
I just discovered you in September and have so enjoyed reading your blog, both present and past posts. Thank you for sharing your life and the blessings you have received. Happy, Happy Christmas!!
I loved your blog today! It was fun to see your lamb collection! I have one, too! I have 9 little lambs that never cease to bring a smile to my face when I gaze up at them on the shelf of my sewing room! I also loved the BP figures you found! I just finished reading Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell and thoroughly enjoyed reading it and discovering so much more about Beatrix Potter’s life! I have BF Hallmark Easter ornaments, but none of the real ones! So enjoyed seeing your finds! And, then, you put up pictures of the china and my heart melted. I thought how absolutely beautiful it is and what a lucky find you had! I couldn’t believe you got it for one of us girls! I also love old English china and just had to write to you! Someone is going to be very blessed! Welcome home, Susan, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holidays to the fullest!!!
Sweet potato clarification…how much butter/salt to you put on them? Do you wrap them? You must put them on a baking sheet? I’ve been thinking about them since your previous post, now here they are again! Maybe a pictorial “how-to”? Thanks so much!
I butter and salt them before they go in. Just put a chunk of butter in your hands and rub them together like handcream, then over the potato skin, then salt it and put it in 425 oven. Not on baking sheet, because no one wants to clean up the mess they make — put a little piece of aluminum foil on the shelf under them.
What a lovely gift! And in an Emma box! Must make the brittle and enjoy with a cuppa – a great winter treat. Thank you for A Fine Romance, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it right before our visit to England a few weeks ago to see our daughter and her family. Merry Christmas to you!
Oh, my! I’ve been going to your website in my “Favorites” for days now because I’m kind of dragging and needed a little boost. And you never, ever fail! I have my daughter and her boyfriend coming tonight because they are leaving to go to the other side of the country for Christmas with his family this year. I’m sad, but trying to look at the twinkly bright side. And your Christmas cheer and busyness helped lots. Please enter me in the drawing — the teapot is simply fabulous! I’ll invite you to tea in Seattle if I win!!! Happy, happy Christmas to you and your dear ones.
Susan and Joe-
Welcome Home….enjoy everything about being home too….reading this post just gave me the idea to go put a sweet potato in the oven for my 2 little boys who love them too. Blessings to you both…and Merry Christmas!
Kathy and Dave Seeman
Susan,
I would absolutely LOVE to have these gifts come from the Heart of YOUR home to the heart of mine!!
Love you boodles and bunches,
Rori
What a marvelous tea set, and yummy goodies too!! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to win them! I would love to have them. 🙂
Glad you are home safe and sound and cozy!
What a pretty tea set. I love tea all year, but especially in the winter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
You are so very generous sharing your gifts with all of us be it in book form or water colors or recipes but this is amazing!! Merry Christmas to you !
Sent one comment and lost it so here goes. Thank you for your
happy gene blog. It’s the best! Also happy that you were able to
rescue so many wonderful treasures on your trip.
Merry Christmas…… thank you for always thinking of your girlfriends and simply…thank you for being you! P.S. January 5, 2014…debut of another season of Downton Abbey can’t get here fast enough!
Oh what a lovely post to read with my tea by the Christmas tree. That teaset is
Beautiful. This tealady thinks it bring great delight over tea with a friend.
Just loved the gingerbread house. Might try it next year as well. Will definitely make the brittle — we just LOVE brittle. Can’t wait for the next blog to hear I won!
What a wonderful, warm and cozy post! It makes me feel like I’m spending it with you in your kitchen! I would so love to give this dainty tea set to my daughter. She loves all things beautiful, and is in dire need of a pick-me-up this Christmastime, as it’s the first one she is spending without her children. She has three of your books and has been busy baking gifts…Hope I win so I can cheer her up!
I look every day to see if a new blog has arrived, and there it was, waiting for me today! What?–You are going to give away that beautiful tea set? Don’t you want to keep it? You love it, right? I collect Tuscan china (okay, and Emma B., Aynsley, Johnson Bros. and on and on) and think Tuscan is one of the finer made chinas from England. It has beautiful gold work on it. (Yes, Tuscan Works is the maker, and your set was made sometime after 1947 in Longton, Staffordshire, England and was originally [1898] known as R H & S L Plant (Ltd.) Thanks for beautiful pictures, yummy treats, and views of Martha’s Vineyard snow!
I love it, but I got it for YOU!
I am seventy-six years old and I LOVE your blog. I too, love dishes. I think I inherited this love from my mom because while she had little to spend on things we didn’t need, she always found a way to buy dishes. I crochet and sell my things at the local farmers market when I can. Thank you for sharing your God given talent with others. It inspires us to keep working to create beautiful things regardless of our age.
I truly, truly adore you. 🙂
You’re such a joy and I’m always so thankful that you take the time to share your life with me. (and a few million other people but, still…)
Merry Christmas to Susan and everyone! I just spent my afternoon baking cookies, just finished, and came down here and there was a new blog entry…how fun…’tis the season 😉 Wishing everyone wherever you are the happiest of holidays and peace in the coming year!
Please include me in the drawing for the tea set. I am a dish person too! I enjoy your books and blog so much.
what a wonderful post from a joyful heart! I love reading your blog and this would be a lovely thing to receive!
So glad you’re finally home and taking it slow. I love your lambs, and the BP figures you found!!! I love the dishes you’re giving away, and the brittle looks awesome!!! Will try to make some because I love almonds and brittle! Thanks for the chance to win! Merry Christmas to you and Joe and Jack and Kitty.
OMG….. Love the tea set! You found it in Oklahoma City? I shop in OKC on occasion, as I live in Tulsa area. Small world sometimes. Love all your blogs. The almond brittle looks really good! I have all your books, so will look it up. Have a Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing your world. It’s way fun for me!!!
Susan,
What a wonderful gift for you to give to your fans! A beautiful tea set that would find a wonderful home waiting for it, if I’m so lucky. I love your blog, art and recipes and have your newest book on my Christmas list. Merry Christmas, Susan and a happy, healthy, blessed New Year!
Susan, you are so generous!! I enjoy your blog so much and live vicariously through each and every post. Blessed Christmas to you and yours !!
I’m not sure I’m entered by how you described it, but no matter, I’m enjoying rediscovering you after many years. It’s fun to see your home and decorations. I haven’t done tea in ages, and it would be fun.
Oh, is that a Charlotte Russe, how delicious, stated Cora. Are you all coming with me, asked Lord Grantham angrily. It would be such a waste of a good pudding said the Dowager (she would have loved the pretty tea set) and I love it, too!!!! Countdown to Downton has started.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I hope you know the joy you bring to us all with your wonderful stories and pictures. We all love you so very much! And you generosity is amazing. Whoever gets that beautiful tea set will know that it was passed on with much love and good will.
Dear Susan,
I love that you donated to Casa Pacifica…what a great idea.
When I was little visiting my grandmother’s house she had the most beautiful tea cups and saucers. She would always serve me tea (milk with a few teaspoons of her tea) in my favorite cup – the purple one with flowers. A few years ago she gave me all three of her tea cups and saucers. Imagine my happiness…of course I cried. I love having them in my home along with the beautiful lace doilies that she made herself and her table linens. I also have a needlepoint picture she created hanging in my living room. I love being surrounded by things she created and gave to me with love. ♥ She’s 91 now and still so happy and always gives the best advice…without telling you what she thinks you should do…if you know what I mean. 🙂 It’s early, only 6:30pm, I think I’ll go call her!
Thanks for making me think of precious memories,
Maureen
I absolutely love your blog. Each time I visit, I feel like I’ve had a chat with a friend! Your home is so warm and welcoming and we love that precious face on Jack! The tea set is gorgeous and the brittle looks downright sinful! Glad you had a safe trip and are once again back at home! Merry Christmas!
Dishes AND chocolate! Couldn’t ask for a better gift!
Love the gingerbread house storefront. How clever and creative.
Merry Christmas!
Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful! I love the feeling I get when I read your blog and look at the lovely pictures! It’s such a cozy, warm, fuzzy feeling! The tea set is lovely!
Love, love, love the tea set! Must try the Almond Brittle. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. You brighten my day with your posts. Thank you.
Susan, you have the spirit of Christmas all year in your heart. Christmas Hugs to a most wonderful new posting..xoxo
Hope to share the tea set with half a dozen friends if it comes to my house, and promise to keep you informed of it’s future escapades.
Am horribly behind but will try to take your comments about going slow and having Christmas in my heart “to heart”.
As always, thanks.
I would love to have the tea set and your yummy goodies! I am looking through my Cristmas books written by you. I love all your books. My mother and I were so thrilled to meet you in Meredith NH on the book tour this year and have our book and calendar signed. Love your blog. Merry Christmas to you!!
Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your talents and warmth of spirit. Would love to be the winner of the tea set and candy.
Happy New Year !
Thank you for the beautiful “nesting” blog today. I have been nesting, too, to purposely enjoy December home and hearth. Could not resist your invitation to enter for the drawing after I had let my eyes linger on the pictures of the tea set even before the mention of giving it away. The pattern is so lovely. Here’s hoping it is me…
Just got home from the hospital after having my 2nd hip replaced. Feeling low and very tired so checked my email and found a blog posting from Susan Branch, reminding me of the comforts of home. Thank you, Susan! Hip, hip, hooray!
My friend had two hip replacements in one year. And you should see her now!!!! You are going to be very happy, very soon! Good for you brave girl!
Beautiful..! & I love the tea towel beside it..!
Merry Christmas! Oh how I wish I could sit and have a cup of tea and some sweets with you. You remind me that there is no better place than home even when it is a little jumbled. Such a pretty tea set,good luck to all!
Merry Christmas! I love the tea set and it will look awesome in my china cabinet. The homemade brittle is icing on the giveaway.
Hurrah, I was taking a break from cookie baking, and wha-la, a new blog! thanks for the cheery homey Christmas photos which always make me smile. Now I am renewed to wash cookie dishes, I needed a little pick me up. If I won that tea set with the almond bark, I would honestly faint away! Have a joyous Holiday to all the GF!!
New to your blog, but not to your work. I am so loving A Fine Romance! Beautiful tea set! Fingers crossed. Thanks for the fun!
Susan! You have given me the Jingle Bell Chills!! I loved this post and then..surprise! Those gorgeous dishes and candy made by YOU ! Oh, joy, oh rapture!!
You really know how to get a Girlfriend’s heart a pumping!
This wonderful cozy post will be very hard to beat! Thank you so very much for the thrill!
XXOO your Girlfriend, Chrissy
P.S..I love how you are taking time to savour this precious time before Christmas.
What a pretty tea set! It would look lovely for a Christmas tea. I just recently ordered the girlfriend charm for my best friend and it is beautiful. Her birthday is the day after Christmas, not sure if I will see her before either but I am so excited to have it for her and it is so hard to wait. We came to the Grand RApids Mi signing this past fall, it was me Brenda and Kris. I am sure you cannot remember everyone of our faces but we sure had a wonderful morning that day. I am sure I am repeating myself with that remark. Love your BP figurines. If I ever should see any that are not out of my price range I think I would swoop them up after seeing yours. The almond brittle sounds yummy. I have a peanut brittle recipe that causes a lot of thinking time also but I have not made it in a few years because….well I am not sure, maybe I should. Merry Christmas Susan! Love from Michigan!
The tea set looks lovely. Makes me think that if I don’t win I should be looking for something similar in the antique stores in Washington State. I so loved A Fine Romance. I have given it to friends as a gift so that they can enjoy it as well. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!!!
So many of the things you write about are dear to my heart, I have always loved lambs. I haven’t collected the figurines but am collecting fabric with them on. I love sweet potatoes! It looks so good! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
what a lovely set and how generous of you to give it away!!!
What a beautiful tea set! Your blog makes me smile! Merry Christmas to you!
Oh Susan, your flock of little lambs is adorable, for Christmas and the whole year through. The first glimpse of the beautiful tea set took my breath away! What a treasure! Meeting you twice, at Anderson’s Bookshop and at the Tea Party at Westmoreland, made September the luckiest month of my whole year! ♡ It still feels like a dream. Dreams do come true!
It’s such fun to see so many new Girlfriends here since your book signing tour! Our little ‘kindred spirit world’ is growing in the sweetest way!
Warm hugs,
Dawn
♡♡
Merry Christmas Susan!!!!! omg, you have always made me appreciate all things home, cozy and wonderful ever since I spied you in Country living many years ago……loved you then and now !!!! That copper pot looks like it has made a lot of candy !!! Your home is always welcoming, cozy and charming….as is your blog…thank you for inviting us in….smiles, Linda
What a lovely tea set and what a generous heart you have! Thank you for sharing so much of you with us! Here’s hoping…
Dear Susan, You have such a kind and generous heart. Your almond brittle sounds perfect and what a treat for tea time! The dishes are elegant and I know which ever Girlfriend wins the prize will be so delighted!
I love seeing all your lambs. How fun to have collections to add to, hunting as you travel.
Best wishes to you and Joe for a lovely Christmas season.
What a treat your post was today, on almost the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. I, too, will be making the almond brittle. God Bless You this Christmas for encouraging your blog friends from the heart of your home.
So glad you are home and enjoying the holidays. I see you have snow, too! PA has gotten covered and it’s lookin’ wintry and the Christmas spirit is everywhere. Enjoy your cozy home! Hugs, Marie
Susan, so glad you are back home, my husband laughs at me 10 days away from home and I am homesick..( have lived in this same house 40 years). I will get rid of some dishes just to win an English tea set.oh my would that be wonderful. Have a Merry Christmas…love to all
Pat Beckman
Cincinnati Ohio
Merry Christmas!! Thank you for your wonderful beautiful books! I can’t wait to visit Marthas vineyard someday!!
Merry Christmas from one nesting dish person to another! Thank you so much for the joy you send out into the world XXXXX
Dearest Susan,
I would love to be the lucky winner! The post was so great with the gingerbread house sending my brain turning on how I could adapt to my house! The lambs! Such sweet faces! I too prowl the thrift/antique stores looking for those special items. I especially loved the tea set as I also prefer to mix the sets. It makes the setting so much more interesting and it’s fun to put them together, almost like putting together an outfit! Once again you get my creative juices flowing. Thank you!
I loved A Fine Romance! It made me wish I could go back to England again – so many places I didn’t get to see when I went. The tea set is so pretty – and would go nicely with my growing collection of tea cups and saucers! 🙂
Oh the joy of simple things, home and hearth, and handmade goodies given from the heart. And the joy of playful things rescued and given a new and loving home. The beautiful tea set will soon have new stories to tell as friends gather around the tea table and celebrate the joys of friendship. Merry Christmas to all.
Merry Christmas Susan!! This is one of the most beautiful tea sets that I’ve ever seen. The green color and small flowers are exquisite! Thank you so much for thinking of us during your travels. Hope the new year brings you more and more success. You deserve it!!
Hi Susan,
What a lovely blog! I went to a little girlfriends’ dinner last night where the hostess taught us to make brittle similar to yours. Seeing your process today reinforces it so I think I might just be brave enough now to give it a try. Thank you!
Loved the lambs on parade, the crocheted potholder, your beautiful touches around the kitchen, and the remote possibility that I might win that darling, precious tea set. Thanks for the daydream!
Enjoy the holiday moments and thanks for sharing with us!
YOUR BLOG IS ALWAYS SO CHEERFUL – MAKES EVERYONE HAPPY. THANK YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. MAYBE I’LL BE THE LUCKY RECIPIENT OF YOUR TEA SET AND CANDY.