Oh, I have treats to show you, blazing fire too! Here’s treat #1: Musica
Something delicious is cooking!
Where do we start . . . let’s see, how about here. . .
This is Titcombs Bookshop in Sandwich on Cape Cod where I went to sign books last week. But look what they did — with brown plastic tablecloths, they made the front of their shop into a gingerbread house! They cut heavy white paper plates in half and glued them around the doors and windows, and used some as edges to the “house” . . . they made candies out of them too, and lollypops in the window boxes. Isn’t that brilliant!?! I thought so too. I’d love to try this on our house next year.
I’m almost all unpacked from the trip now . . . I thought I’d show you some of the things I got at antique stores as we crossed the country. First off, lambs! You know how much I love lambs! I had a few before we went away, but on this trip whenever I saw one I thought would fit with my little group, I would get it. It was so fun to unwrap them, slowly, after forgetting what I’d gotten. I have a flock!
And look, treasure! I found a Beatrix Potter figurine of Samuel Whiskers! There was no possible way for me to leave him in that dusty old store, alone and unloved. I’d never seen this figurine before . . . did not even know what I was missing. Adorable thing, I saw it from across the room and honed in on it like a submarine sonar system. (Like I know what a submarine sonar system is, I think I made that up, but you know what I mean! Like Jack and his rubber band!) And now Samuel has friends. Never to be alone again.
And later, in another store, I found Mrs. Tittlemouse! Another BP person from 1948 I did not know existed. In her jaunty striped coat with the
bow on the back! She’s now lined up with the others on my kitchen shelf . . .
And look at this gorgeous vintage tea set I found! It was displayed on a starched white lace tablecloth in an antique store in Oklahoma City and practically glowed in the dark it was so pretty. I walked round and round it like a tiger in a cage. It was such a good deal, I couldn’t leave it there, so we wrapped it all in newspaper and brought it home, and now I’ve given it a nice soapy bath.
It’s all hand-painted, gold-edged, and made in England, it even came with an old silver sugar spoon!
The set serves six, it’s only missing one cup. But I mixed-and-matched it with both old and new china cups and mugs, to see what it looks like, and I think it’s even better. I love mismatched! You know what a dish person I am.
Here’s what it says on the bottom. I don’t think it has a pattern name; I’m thinking Tuscan is the name of the China company. Has anyone ever heard of it?
I love nesting . . . I’ve been making up for lost time . . .
We’re taking it slow . . . we haven’t even trimmed the tree yet. That’s OK, it’s in a bucket of water in the dining room, so we’re close. There’s a wreath on the front door, we’re getting there. We have Christmas in our hearts! I’m determined to enjoy this season and in order to do that, I want to go slow and not feel hurried. If something doesn’t get done, it won’t matter. A little poinsettia in the window is just fine for me . . .
I’m just happy to be . . .
I’m spending lots of time in the kitchen with my little buddy . . .
Jack is interested in everything I do, and everything that goes on outside our window ~
It’s been really cold, but beautiful . . . decorative cardinals have been flocking around the feeders. Note, you California/Florida Girlfriends, that there is no color out there in the garden, it is a sepia/white world here in the winter, which is why we were blessed with the Cardinal. What a gift!
And it’s not cold inside, it’s crackling and cozy and smells just wonderful . . .
One thing I’ve been doing is making a few little food-gift items for friends. This morning I made one of my favorite candies for this time of year, chocolate-covered Almond Brittle from page 132 of Vineyard Seasons. SO easy, and perfectly irresistible ~ and very mailable . . I thought I’d show you how, in case you have a last minute someone you’d like to please . . . . But first, more MUSICA for the kitchen dance . . .
So all you do is (don’t blink because this recipe is really fast!) put one pound of butter and two cups of sugar in a large heavy pot on top of your stove.
then pour in one-quarter cup of water . . . hook a candy thermometer to the side of the pan . . . don’t let the tip touch the bottom.
Melt the butter together with the sugar and the water over medium-high heat . . . boil mixture briskly until your candy thermometer reads 300°.
Stir and stir, boil and boil, and while you do you can count your blessings and . . .
watch the birds and stir a little more . . .
The mixture will cook and darken like brittle should. When it reaches the “crack” hard candy stage on your candy thermometer, 300°, remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in two cups of sliced almonds.
Then spread the mixture thinly on an ungreased (plenty of butter already in the recipe) cookie sheet (or two) and allow it to cool.
When the brittle is almost cool, melt eight ounces unsweetened chocolate over low heat in a heavy pan, stirring constantly.
Then brush the warm chocolate over the top of the candy. Let it cool completely before you
break it up into pieces (I hit the bottom of the pan with a hammer to put hairline cracks in it all over, then I do the rest with a knife).
. . . and then I fill the tins and boxes I’ve collected to use for Christmas gifts . . . old ones and new ones from the pantry . . .
I had this darling box that I lined in a lace doily, and I knew the perfect person to give it to. . .
It’s the same person I’m giving the dishes to . . . the perfect little gift for . . .
Y O U !
Surprise! Yes, it’s YOU ♥ YOU ♥ YOU, (like bread and fishes, I wish it could be all of you, but for a few days, it will be only YOU, and then, one of you really will walk away with this elegant little English tea set, just in time for Downton Abbey! It’s my present to you. It’s been so long, I wanted it to be something nice. The minute I saw these dishes, I thought, my girls will love these. But then, I couldn’t send them out without a little homemade something! That wouldn’t be right. So I made you some Chocolate-Covered Almond Brittle to remember me by. Now all you have to do is leave me a
comment at the bottom of this post and you’ll automatically be entered for the drawing for the Tea Set and box of homemade candy.
(BTW, If this blog comes to your email box, in order to enter you will have to click on www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ and come here to the online version, then scroll to the bottom of this post, look for the tiny word “comments,” click on it and leave a word or two and you’ll be entered!)
Then our girl Vanna (Vanna is the same as a “random number generator” only our Vanna has a lot more verve and style) will be pressed back into service. She’s done NOTHING for months, it’s about time she earned her keep. In a few days she will choose one of your names from her giant Santa hat and I’ll announce the winner. Tell your friends too Girlfriends, your sisters and your mom, because even if you don’t win, you could get invited to Tea (possibly even Twine) at their house and have candy to boot. You can leave as many comments as you want, Vanna knows to only count each name once. She is a contest-engineering genius.
So while I’m cleaning up, I’ll tell you about another surprise. Because if any of you bought a signed copy of our new book A FINE ROMANCE from our studio for your friends and family during this month of December, you don’t know it, but you’ve already given a gift to some very 
special people. Oh yes! Seven dollars from each purchase through our studio for the entire month of December will be going to Casa Pacifica, an organization in California that “Builds Foundations of Hope” for abused and neglected children. ♥
So I got lambs and new BP People and I got to go out and meet so many of you, and you got dishes and candy, and lots more I hope, and we all made a little bit of a difference for children and families, because without you there would be no FINE ROMANCE. ♥ High five, Girlfriends. Thank you also for the wonderful reviews on Amazon, I know it’s you. We are still number one in England Travel Guides! Thank you so much! We make a little difference in our own little kindred spirit world. What goes around comes around.♥
And now it’s time . . . I can smell it from here . . .
I put a little something in the oven for lunch . . . and it’s ready!
A big delicious, salted buttered sweet potato all caramelized and ready to go. Oh yes. Perfect for this cold day. Off I go now. Don’t forget to leave your comment Girls. Good luck, I hope you are having just the very best time! ♥
I feel like we are fruends–I have most of your books and have had your calendars , rubber stamps, stickers, and more. You are a gifted artist–also a truly nice person who shares so much wisdom. Thank you! I bought your newest book through amazon. I would love to buy one for my 90 year old mother-in-law, who also loves England. But she needs a large print version. Any chance that could happen–a large print book edition?
Have a peaceful and joyful Christmas!
P.S. Have you ever read Agnes Sligh Turnbull books–I hope I am remembering the correct author? I think you would like her–if it’s the one I think she is.
I absolutely love, love LOVE the tea set. What a wonderful treat it would be to win..and just in time for the new season of Downton Abbey. And candy also, I would feel as though I was in heaven.
Oh what a lovely gift….Im still so excited about seeing you in California and now this….Who ever wins it will be just thrilled…. Merry Christmas Susan “The Best gifts our tied with Heartstrings”.
What a charming tea set – how marvelous it would be to sip-n-see the newest series of Downton. You do everything with such grace & style …
Best wishes for a Happy Christmas.
Jeanne Murray
I love the tea set and I so love your blog. You might want to scan the front and back of the plate and send it or email it to Replacements. They helped me identify my great aunt’s Havilland china. I had searched for years without any luck. Now I can get some extra pieces if I choose to do so. The china is almost 100 years old. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Thank you for the good feelings with each of your blogs.
What a lovely way to start my evening of “Christmasing.” Going to get some cookie dough started or maybe cards — I’m late but still love that old-fashioned tradition. Or maybe putting the finishing touches on the tree. SO many choices. Glad you are home! Since I live in Massachusetts, albeit the other side of the state, I feel like we’re neighbors! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
What a sweet tea set and a sweet soul to offer it up! Thank you!
I’ve made my home in Florida for the past 20 years and I love it. Even now we have flowers and bushes blooming in the yard. But, sometimes, I do miss snow and the smell of wood smoke. Your lovely pictures make me nostalgic and now I want a cup of hot chocolate!
Merry Christmas! What a beautiful tea set and the brittle looks and sounds yummy! I’ve enjoyed your book so much. I just gave one to a friend to read on her first trip to Paris. I know she’ll love it too.
Susan, what a beautiful and generous prize. And I love the Downton Abbey connection. Perfect!
What a lovely tea set! Merry Christmas to you Susan, Joe and kitties. Thank you for your wonderful blog. It brings such happiness to all those who read it!
Susan, what a heartwarming post! The tea set is gorgeous and the food looks divine! Butter and salt caramelized sweet potato sounds super easy. Jack has stolen my heart, he’s so handsome, sigh. The cardinals are so striking against the snow. No snow here in Fresno, CA but we’ve got a couple of hummingbirds that stick around during our winter, came right down to our water fountain within a few feet of us the other day. Thank you for the cooking inspiration, better get started with my Christmas baking.
Merry Christmas Susan, Joe, kitties and everyone!! The almond brittle looks so good and not hard at all to make so I would like to give it a try. The tea set is beautiful, cardinals are gorgeous and all the rest wonderful and inspirational as always!! Thank you for everything you do xoxo
add my name to the “pot” pleeze! 🙂
Are you Santa? Who could want anything more lovely! Bless your sharing heart!!!
Big hugs from California.
I’m a secret Santa!
Christmas blessings and thank you for the last minute homemade Almond Brittle recipe . Our family has drawn names for our Christmas gifts and we are each making something homemade for one another. The candy is perfect gift for a person that has everything. How can anyone resist chocolate and almonds. Thanks your blog and the many inspirations you share.
What a sweet tea set! Thanks so much for the opportunity……. stay warm! Sincerely, J
What a lovely gift; British treasure given by Susan Branch, a living treasure. A Fine Romance is such a wonderful love story. Is there any thought to making your beautiful courtship into a film? Mandie Moore would be a great Susan and Richard Madden (using a American accent) could be cast as Joe. Any thoughts as to who should be cast? Have a wonderful holiday. Thank you for the beauty and joy you create and share with us throughout the year.
So fun to think about Grace! 🙂
i love the tea set! most of all i love the color green that it is (haven’t seen very many green tea sets)! still hoping you are headed to the washington dc/maryland/virginia area for a book signing! if nothing i’m persistent! have a very merry and joyous christmas susan!
Glad you are home safe and enjoying the season. Thanks for the candy recipe, just made shortbread, I will start on that next. Just found an old copy of your Christmas book. I gasped when I saw it across the room in a used book store and everyone looked at me…it is a treasure and compleats my collection…..Merry Christmas from the beach!
A tea set AND almond brittle…oh, yes, yes, yes! Count me in.
Merry Christmas to you!
What a lovely tea set and chocolate almond brittle is my favorite! Thanks again for sharing your life with us. It really makes my day. xoxo
Oh Susan! I would love to win your wonderful tea set. You make the holidays so much sweeter with your blog. I just LOVE, LOVE reading what you do & what you write!! So glad you’re back home & settling in.
Happy, happy holidays. That brittle looks wonderful. A great idea!! Again, thanks!
You are soooooo generous. I’m telling myself to “breathe”. Today, Dr. Oz told of the benefits of artichokes. A cup of artichoke tea daily does wonders for our bodies in several ways. Should I be so fortunate…….I’ll be taking my tea in this very fine china tea cup! Merry Christmas to you and Joe.
Oh how lovely those dishes are! They look just
As always enjoying your blog, your adventures of the “everyday” …so important to celebrate the little things of life that make life soooo much merrier…yesterday at dusk, while still snowing here in CT, I just had to put on the backyard floodlights, to watch the snow falling, in the dark, outside the kitchen window……the itty bitty “kitchen” Christmas tree, with it’s white lights, sitting just inside the window, against the backdrop of the snowfall…- a. little “big picture” moment bringing big smiles!!! Thank you Susan Branch for sharing and celebrating the joy of your everyday with all of us…(I just pulled out your “Christmas From The Heart Of The Home”-(the chocolate poached pears may just have my husband’s name on them this year! Yummy!)
I live in Oklahoma City and had a book for you to sign but the streets were too icy as you well know. I hated to miss meeting you but better safe than sorry. I can’t believe you found those BP figurines!! Where in OKC did you find the tea set? I love it!
Streets were way too icy! I was surprised to see anyone there! The antique stores . . . I’m not sure where we were exactly, but there were several big shops in a row on a street on the way to Cattleman’s Steak House, if that tells you anything. I bet you can Google them. They had GORGEOUS things. It was a pleasure just to be there!
Gosh, I was so excited about entering the drawing for the tea set I forgot to wish a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you, Joe and your two furry kidz. I thought for sure we were going to have a white Christmas this year except now we’re expecting 68 degrees on Saturday! Can you believe that! That will finish off all the snowmen in the neighborhood. Seems like the Grinch is coming to NJ. waaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I checked http://www.replacements.com and there is a company by the name of Tuscan. I searched the number, but with no results. However, whoever wins the set could go one by one and look at the patterns without numbers, and it might turn up. They have lots and lots of patterns. If I find the time, I’ll do a little more research. I love looking at dishes, so it would be a treat, not a chore.
Thank you for another lovely post. You are my inspiration. If there isn’t a song by that title, someone should write one, dedicated to you. Hmmmmm. More research.
Joan found it (I think it was Joan) and the name for the pattern is Blenheim … a perfect name.
Wow! I received my Teatime Mag. and having the flu decided to take some rest and read. When I came down to the office yesterday I decided to look up the website…I am so glad I did. I don’t have a lot of time online…busy mom with six mostly grown children still at home, living on a homestead, doing the books for my husband’s (and our family’s) textile mill and doing most things from scratch….but this looks like such a NICE place to take a deep breath. 🙂 And teatime…oh yes, that was part of the flu recovery regime. Thank you for the opportunity and the wonderful recipe. Look forward to perusing some more. Ruth
Busy lady, I’m happy you are here. I’m the oldest of eight children, so I have the general lay of the land at your house.
So glad you had safe travels home. The story of finding the tea set is wonderful – sometimes “treasures” just speak to your heart, don’t they? Always enjoy your posts. Hope your Christmas is merry, warm and toasty!
That is the most beautiful tea set! I would love that! That brittle doesn’t look too bad either!
Baskets of Holiday Wishes to ALL!!!!!
Merry Christmas! I am so glad you are home with Jack and Girl. I wasn’t able to come to your book signing in SLO due to my husband having a surgery. My friend got your telephone book for me at my request and you signed it. I am so thrilled. Thank you so much. I had ordered your new book and gotten it from you when it first came out. Very sweet. We have done two driving trips to England with friends in the past and you can not beat it.
I was drulling over how pretty the dishes are as I was reading the blog. I am also a dish freek. Then to read that you are letting Vanna give as a gift to one of us, including homemade candy, I was sooooooo excited!
I think you and Joe are really meant for each other. He likes/loves to do the things you do and he is as clever as you with building, fixing, etc. He reminds me of my husband John.
Blessings to you and Joe and the “kids.” *
Beautiful tea set!!! Downton is definitely the perfect accompaniment! And I will just have to try making that Brittle! 🙂
Merry Christmas!!
— Alison in “Little Rhody”
I look forward to your blogs. The tea set and candy would be a wonderful treat! I am gathering greens and trim to make our swag for the door. Kids arrive Saturday!
Oh Susan, thank you again and again for your blogs. I absolutely love reading each and every one.
Merry Christmas! What a beautiful tea set! So hard to resist pretty dishes! Love love love all your recipes and of course your beautiful paintings…..such a talent!
One of my favorite things about the UK and Ireland are the abundance of lambs in the oh so green countryside. Looks like a photo shoot. Not that I need another set of dishes…….but have never seen a pretty dish I didn’t want…..and it’s fun to be in the excitement no matter who wins……girlfriends always cheer each other on! Merry Christmas Susan and Joe……..now that I have met you….even nicer to wish you happiness during this special time of year.
Well, someone is going to have a perfectly delicious “Susan-style” Christmas with those goodies. And of course, I hope it is me! Just wanted you to know that I had a couple of BP figures, but you have started me collecting them. I have a garden window in my kitchen and they are perfectly adorable there! I have found several on ebay – there are lots of different ones listed there!
Happy Holidays Sue! I just love reading your updates to your blog. They cheer me up so much, especially during this blah weather season. Snow, melted snow, grey gravelly streets, ice and cold. The almond brittle looks so easy, I am very tempted to make this. I love the idea of painting melted chocolate on the brittle. So festive. I am so happy you are home! Have fun, jingle, jingle!
Would love to win the tea set. My daughter and I have a monthly tea together, each month is a different theme. The set would be lovely for one of our teas.
Susan you are the best!! I just love your posts! My day is blessed when I can go on my computer and read a new post from you. I love you girlfriend!!! Keep up the good work!
Your friend.
Linda
WOW. That is a beautiful set of dishes…….and thank you for the almond brittle recipe. I must make that SOON. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
You’ve made me feel so good – finally finished decorating the tree Monday evening! All packages mailed (fingers crossed they are all delivered) & everything wrapped here! Thought I was the only one taking her time this year!
I liked your comment about the cardinals – you’re right about the sepia tones in other parts of the country!! You deserve the wonderful winter color!!
Cheers and Happy Christmas to you!
I was tired from your trip too. While watching our much milder winter storm I would wonder just what stretch of Interstate you two were traveling. So glad you had Traveling Mercies and some fun stops. Merry Christmas from East Texas.
Hi Susan, remember me…Queenie! I sent you a photo of my ancestor’s village high on the mountain top in Italy. You inspired me to just get on that plane and go!! I had a cross stitch pattern made from my photo of the village and… 23,000 stitches… yes…. 23,000 stitches and one year later, I finished it!! I sent a picture of the completed work to the company that made the pattern and they are going to use it on their newly designed website in January. I hope you’ll let me share my cross stitch picture with you. If it’s okay, to what address can I send it? You are living my dream, Susan!!!
Queenie in Pennsylvania
Please send it Queenie, I’d love to see it ~ Good for you! … go to [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/.
How pretty! I don’t have a tea set. Yet.
For a moment, I thought Joe turned your house into a Gingerbread home. Such a heart and heartwarming post. I LOVE the tea set and know it would Texas! Thank you for such a generous and sweet offering.
I do so love your blog, Susan! Always such a nice bit of warmth, especially on a beautiful snowy day.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to you, Joe and the kitties !
Your dishes and tea sets are beautiful! Have a Merry Christmas!
Because my wife’s last name is Tannenbaum, we can wait as long as we need to put up the tree. It’s nice having that excuse at this busy time of year. I am re-watching “Creatures Great and Small” on Netflix and thinking of you and dreaming of northern England. Merry Christmas and happy solstice!
Leah
Hey Susan, thank you for your lovely blog, and i just want you to know that I bought your book A fine Romance and loved it to pices. I told my oldest daughter about it and she bought it to read on her Christmas vacation and then I bought one for my friend for Christmas. Loved it so much and will send you a picture of the book in Iceland.
Hugs from Iceland
Oh good Edda, I’ll love that! Thank you!
Love your blog! I heart the tea set and lovely candy! Merry Christmas special lady who like me…loves her kitty kids….
I so enjoy your posts! Always uplifting! 😉
Love your blog! You are such a joyful person. The dishes are lovely and perfect for a viewing of Downton with the yummy brittle! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
This is the first time I’ve been on your site, but not the last. I love it! The tea-pot is lovely. Merry Christmas!
Welcome to the neighborhood Norma!
Such a beautiful tea set! Whomever wins it is one lucky friend. I already feel blessed by you this year Susan, since I got to meet you in person out here in Ohio! One of the thrills of my year (and I had a pretty good year, so that is saying something). Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the new year!
I fell in love with that tea set as soon as I saw it……so I just had to try to win it.
Just wanted to tell you how much I loved reading your book over the summer….I really couldn’t put it down….just brought me to places of joy and wonder…I think I’ll re-read it over the Christmas holiday. I really enjoy reading your email’s also…..where do you get the time??
B
So very pleased part of the proceeds from your amazing book will go to Casa Pacifica. I am very well aware of this wonderful organization and all they do for children out here in CA.
The red cardinals are the best Christmas decoration, love seeing your photos each year.
Thank you for your lovely writings and letting me know what is most important at Christmas time, home and family. I hung the banner I made last year which you inspired, love it.
Merry Christmas Susan and Joe and all the kitties.
Dear Susan,
Your blog was especially lovely today! I am home recovering from a hip replacement surgery and today your blog made my day! I was lucky enough to meet you at Rainy Day Books in Kansas City in September, when you passed through on your book tour. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being in my life!
Barbara
Oh my, a beautiful tea set and homade candy too. How marvelous! I hope I win.
Thank you for your holiday kindness.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for your generosity. I am a fanatic about dishes and I LOVE tea sets. Last week I gave a Downton Abbey tea party for my girls. They came with big, beautiful hats and I welcomed them with my tiara! A lovely party with lovely women. This set will go perfectly for the next tea party. Happy Holidays!
Lorraine
You are full of ideas, fun, sentiment,—and generosity, Susan. I only learned about your blog last month when my daughter came to visit from No. Carolina and brought your “love” book, which overwhelmed me with the art, your sayings, and unusual pictures. Then daughter told me I could see more of your talent on your blog and she signed me up . It is a gift to enjoy. I know you are busy night and day to keep up with it all but do take time to enter my name for that darling tea set, and some wonderful candy to eat while sipping.
Susan, Thank You for sharing your family, your adventures and all your wonderful talents, experiences and the things you like. I so, so enjoy reading your blog and soaking up your art (paintings, photographs & writings) and observations. Merry Christmas from Halfmoon Bay, BC.
Oh how adorable is that tea set-we must be “kindred spirits”. Green is my favorite color. I made pecan fudge, walnut fudge, buttermilk candy, and divinity today-looks like I’ll be making your brittle tomorrow!! Loving your blog-Merry Christmas!
WOW! Awesome! Beautiful dishes (I love dishes–Santa is bringing me some for Christmas) Love reading your blog
Oh Susan, I so love your blogs, your pictures, your recipes, all of it! I love being part of this fun group of girlfriends! Thank you again for sharing your travel time with us! Beautiful! Cold here in Michigan but I don’t care! Cooked a pot of pea soup today with a ham bone, onion, garlic, carrots and made cornbread to go with it in my cast iron frypan. Loved it! All ready when my hubby came home! Merry Christmas!
Yummy! Pea soup with ham bone, and cornbread … please, that’s just the right thing!
Love that green in the china! I have my great-grandma’s quilt with that exact same color. Seems like they should live in the same house, don’t you think? =D When I make the almond brittle, I just toss the chocolate bits onto the pan of hot brittle, it cools, and I spread it around. Easy peasy…and one less pan/dish to wash. Planning to make some tomorrow to send to my father-in-law. This time I’ll try your recipe which is slightly different. Blessings!
Oh, Susan, how thoughtful of you to share this lovely tea set with one of the girl friends. Again, such a cheerful post. I think of you a lot puttering in your kitchen. The almond brittle looks so delish and easy, too! Thanks for showing us how.
Merry Christmas!
Nancy
Hi Susan,
I have loved your books for so long and the books and website are so special
as are you. It kind of brings out the little girl in me again. The tea service
is magnificent and how exciting it would be to receive it. I still have the child’s tea service I received as a small child.
Thank you so much,
Margaret
Once a little girl, always a little girl. That’s my motto. xoxo
Thank you for a lovely post to remind us of the comfort found in the simple pleasures of the holidays. Your website and all of your work is a such an inspiration! Today’s is my mom’s birthday and she was one of your biggest fans after reading your Heart of the Home book in 1989. She was hooked…and now I am too! : )
Pls enter me in the Beautiful Tea Set and Yummy Choco-Almond Brittle Contest!
Hope I have better luck than the Mega Million……LOL
Mmmmm! My mouth is watering! Slow is the way we should do Christmas. I think the stores and malls have got us all thinking we need to get going by Halloween and be ready by Thanksgiving. I’ll take one holiday at a time, thank you very much. When I was a child, my mother decorated the house on December 11th because that’s my birthday. The tree didn’t go up until the night before Christmas Eve. We probably would have done it on Christmas Eve except that was my twin cousins birthday and we were at their house every year for a big family gathering. If you start and are done too early, you’re just tired of it by the time Christmas actually comes. Enjoy, savor, and a very Merry Christmas to you, Joe, and your furry children on the Vineyard.
Oklahoma City? Did you see my friend there? Her name is Kandi. She and I love to browse antique shops together, but she just moved back to Oklahoma, so we haven’t done any “antique-ing” in a while. I miss her…and I miss antique-ing with her. If Vanna chooses me, I believe I would share the set with Kandi. She and I would have matching cups and “have tea” together…she in Oklahoma, and me in California. What a treat that would be. How cozy and wonderful your darling home is this time of year. It would be very appropriate if you did the “gingerbread treatment” to your house as the book store did, because your house is what gingerbread houses are like on the inside (in my imagination at least). Cozy and warm and sugary and kitties for fun. Enjoy your coziness Miss Susan. And thank you for sharing it with us.
What a nice posting. I love the tea set!
Happy Christmas!!!
You are so sweet to offer another give-away!!!! I adore your blog
and your recipes too!!!! May you have the merriest of Christmases
and best wishes for the New Year!!!!! With love and hugs from
Pennsylvania!!!!
I used to have a teacup & saucer in that pattern, and I gave it away to a girlfriend when she moved away years ago. I have never seen that pattern since then-so beautiful as a tea set! Thanks for sharing your lovely things and your lovely self with us.
I so enjoy reading your blog and looking at the pictures of your lovely house and yard. It’s all so charming! You live a beautiful life.
Thank you for thinking of “your girls” !! I absolutely love your blog/website and would love to own this English tea set! 🙂
Reading your post I felt like a 5 year old again. So excited to see your little treasures and being inspired to go out again and look for simple little things that pull at my heart strings. I make homemade simple edible gifts, too. However, no one reciprocates; I do like to prepare them and give them with heart so that is the joy anyway. I have to embarrassingly admit my heart jumped with joy when I read that the tea set is for a lucky reader. Who is it?
Dorothy was right, There is no place like home! So happy that you have had a Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride of it all. You have left many smiling faces in your wake. I’m loving your log fire and I’m pretending….we’ve had at least a week of “Spare the Air Days” over here in the Bay Area. When I read the comments, it is obvious you are creating happiness and distractions for so many, Susan! I LOVE the new BP figures. I found Jemima Puddleduck and Benjamin Bunny the same way in an antique store in Oregon and you’d have thought I’d saved a living thing the way I reassured them they were safe at last and going to a happy home! Merry Christmas to you and yours! XXO
Susan … a little (lot) off topic but my mouth has been watering ever since I saw that sweet potato just resting there … how do you bake yours? Do you spread anything on them or just poke a few holes and put in the oven at a certain temperature and just let science take its course? I would SO love one for lunch tomorrow!! Thanks ~ Linda
Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe you could part with that beautiful tea set so soon after unpacking it! Since you are, though, please enter my name. Then should I win, any time you want to borrow it, you may. Oh, and I will invite you to all my tea parties. That’s silly. I would be delighted if you would come to any of my tea parties–tea set or not!
Merry Christmas to you and Joe and both kitties!
Your home is absolutely beautiful all year…you really outdo yourself for Christmas and it’s a joy to behold! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Welcome back. It’s such a busy time of year and, for me, this year has been more stressful than usual. Thank you for your lovely blog.
I fell in love with the cute little lambs! I weave and knit so I’m now inspired to try to knit a little lamb….it probably won’t look like one…..but worth a try. So now I just need to drink a cup of tea from that beautiful tea set for true inspiration! Thanks for the fun event.
Merry, merry to you Susan, and thank you for adding merry to our day with your lovely post, pictures and “how to”! Also loved the Good Housekeeping cover. (Wouldn’t a return to illustrated covers be wonderful?) Thank you for making Christmas shopping so easy this year… all MY girlfriends have “A Fine Romance” under the tree waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed! Such a pleasure to finally meet you in San Luis Obispo. If your lovely tea set finds a home in my kitchen, it would be the frosting on the year! Enjoy decorating your tree and home sweet home!
Robin
Welcome home, Susan! While I certainly don’t need that tea set, I’d love to be the winner. There’s a lovely hutch shelf that is just calling for it!
What a beautiful, beautiful set! I would love to win. Thank you for the chance. Your blog inspires me, and I can’t get enough of your artwork. Thanks Susan! 🙂
You are such an inspiration!
I look forward to your inspiring and heartwarming blogs, and you are so very generous to share your life with all of us who eagerly await your latest posting!
The tea set is wonderful, what a treasure you have located on your travels around the US! (and doesn’t England produce the most amazing china?)
My Mom also makes brittle for Christmas, although she uses peanuts, so your instructions bring back memories from my childhood 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Wishing you and Joe and your kitties a blessed Christmas from Sweden where we are enjoying the long nights and this season of candles and warmth from the fireplace.
I was just reading your post, ooh-ing and ah-ing at the beautiful china and yummy brittle, and what a surprise that you’re giving it away! Thanks for sending out so many little lovelies to us, and for the chance to win! ~k
Merry Christmas, Susan! I love your blog, and all your GENIUS work. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing it with us.
~xoxoxo~
Ohhhhh! you so inspire me. What fun it would be for you to lead us on a shopping adventure! You find such wonderful goodies. The tea set is spectaularly beautiful. I Wish I could sit by the fire and read your books and blogs all day! I long for a winter spent on the Cape- as I think it reached 60 degrees here in San Jose, CA. Not a cardinal in sight! We do have some beautiful finch’s though. You always help me to look at the little things all around me and to express gratitude in my heart every day for all of those wonderful things.
Just when I’ve finished admiring all the Christmas treasures Idecorate with, I find your new, lovely blog entry and feel Christmas pleasure all over again. The Longest Night full moon last night was another December pleasure.
Hi Susan,
I was drinking tea with honey when I was reading your blog. It’s a cold day here in San Francisco and I needed something to warm me up. Have a Merry Christmas!
-Kathleen
What a generous gesture and after the busy schedule you have been keeping! It would be lovely to be the recipient of such a beautiful tea set and the almond brittle, delicious, I’m sure! Thank you for all the time and energy you put into all that brings us so much joy. Merry Christmas to you both. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and Joe and all the girlfriends! So happy to see you Susan enjoying your home. You inspire me and many others in so many ways. The china is just beautiful that you have found–and to think you are gifting it to one of us is just wonderful. xoxo ♥
You had me at “gorgeous vintage tea set”. I love it…the colors are very pretty and it looks so elegant. Thank you for another heartfelt blog.
OMGosh!!! Really??? I think you must be related to Santa Claus because you seem to find such joy in giving, and lucky us! The recipients! Or at least one of us…please, oh, pleaseVanna pick me! 🙂 Your home-loving joy is contagious and just brightened up what has been a bit of a stressful day for me. Thank you so much, Susan and Merry Christmas! ♥