First off, my favorite MUSICA for bringing in the New Year… for remembering, for dreaming . . .
? T H A T ‘ S T H E Q U E S T I O N ?
What would you buy?
D R E A M Y O U R D R E A M S a n d B l o w !
Za world, she is your oyster . . .
M A K E Y O U R W I S H for a
S O M A N Y R E A S O N S T O
Another good reason to celebrate is that we have each other ~ it’s been an interesting year, hasn’t it Girlfriends? Between us in our little on-line city of sisters (and brothers!) that grows stronger by the day, we’ve shared much joy and some sorrow too. We’ve made new friends, welcomed new babies and rescued kittens (or let them rescue us is more like it), we’ve learned new things, have fallen in love with the English Countryside, shared recipes, music and books, 
travels and family stories, we’ve laid our darling friends, our lovely pets and our dearest family members to rest, we’ve seen each other through accomplishment and struggle, because that’s how life is, but always the thing that survives and triumphs is love glorious love, and HOPE. So much to be grateful for.♥
And now, whether you party until midnight wearing a pink paper crown, blowing a horn and kissing everyone in the room, or you sip soup and champagne in front of a crackling fire, kiss the only person in the room, and tiptoe up to bed by ten pm (guess which one is me) . . . I wish you all a wonderful happy healthy new year. We have so much to look forward to. XOXO
We sleep the sleep of the lucky, the grateful and the blessed.♥
Hippity, Hoppity New Year’s to you and all you love. Happy early to bed, me too. Good luck with the weather. But I know you will be fine, you have Joe to watch over all of you. How lovely. Enjoy your tea and fire.
Much love and bunny hugs, Shirley
Wishing you a very Happy New Year – 2014 full of wonderful surprises and amazing delights.
Look out 2014 – Here we come!!
Blessings,
Nancy
Hi susan,
Oh I like that Fletcher poem, maybe love it. Think I will write that down. Also like the back side of Jack picture. Gotta love a kitty. Ready to start another year with you, and even though we were invited out tonight for New Years we be right here having pizza and in bed about the same as you, you know ten thirty ish. Downton next week, Oh goodie. Happy New Year.
Nancy Jo
Happy New Year, Susan and Joe!
Thank you for making my blog reading time a little brighter in 2013.
May 2014 be healthy, happy and exciting for you both. May it be a mix of hope and laughter, quiet and peace.
Please keep up the lovely blogging!
I am squealing with delight!!!!!! I just opened my 2014 Susan Branch Large Wall Calendar…….so tickled with the January artwork I don’t want to turn the page to February…I want to live in that January house and sit in front of the fire with Scones and Apricot Jam, while I knit all winter long…..cozy, cozy, cozy!!!!
Happy New Year to my most favorite artist!!!
Jerri,
I, too, was excited with January’s artwork! The cozy house, the beautiful border, apricot jam! Perfect! Won’t it be fun turning the pages all through the year–together–all of us Girlfriends??
Linda
Happy New Year, Susan to you and your Joe. You make the world a little brighter and little sweeter by being in it. What a gift.
Happy New Year, Susan, and to all the girlfriends out there in cyber space. I found this today while reading The Language of Friendship.
The world is so empty if one thinks
only of mountains, rivers, and cities;
but to know someone who thinks and
feels with us, and who, though distant
is close to us in spirit, this makes the
earth for us an inhabited garden……………Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Thanks you Susan for taking all of us into that inhabited garden.
NJ Hugs………..
Lovely.
Dear Susan and girlfriends,
Happy New Year from Dunedin, New Zealand! It is already January first here! yesterday, We had tea at the Larnach castle with a little bubbly (reminds me of “twine”, Susan!). Next, we headed back down the hill to our delightful little Rose Cottage, had a quiet evening, and like most of us girlfriends, didn’t quite make it to the midnight hour…we are still a little mixed up on the time change from California. Today we are headed to fjordlands here on the South Island.
Thanks for all you have done for us this year, Susan. We are so lucky, aren’t we, girlfriends, to have each other… Virtual friends or otherwise… This blog brings a smile to my face and a song to my heart evy time!
Greetings and love to you all! Marsha
Oh Susan…Yes we all have had a wonderful ‘girlfriends’ year! Thanks to you I have so many new and wonderful friends!! I hope you have a nice evening…like us sit here watch a movie and be in bed by 10! Smile!
Blessings and Happy New Year!!
Gert
Happy New Year to you and Joe. Enjoy everything! I know you will. Thank you for being you Susan! Karen in Michigan
Hello Susan and girlfriends, just popping in to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and all the best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year. will lift a glass to you all tonight and wish you all well. to you dear Susan and Joe and the dear kitties, a wonderful, and adventurous New Year, may it be full of fun and adventure. Happy New Year everyone. hugs……. 🙂
Happy New Year to you, Pat!
I can’t wait to hear you tell more of your adventures in the New Year. It’s fun!
Linda
Hello Linda, Happy New Year!!! no really new adventures yet, just got in from feeding the squirrels, and they are chowing down major time right now… guess they were hungry. also had to convince tom turkey to not gulp down all the leftover tater tots and some for his lady friend… miss nippers. other than that, life as usual, hens let out, frost on the ground and the ducks zoom out to go swim in their pool so I have to stand back after opening up to let the barnyard crew out for the day. Happy New Year everyone…… hugs…… 🙂
Ditto:) Another fundelicious year to you ALL! xoxox judi
Kiss 2013 goodbye, grab hold of 2014 and give it a happy hug! Thank you for all the fellowship, friendship and fun you provide for us. Happy New Year Susan and Joe and the sweet critters.
Happy New Year, Susan. 2013 has been joyful, especially the joy brought to me by your wonderful book. Tomorrow I plan to spend the day reading it yet again. Because we live on the west coast, we have a box on the TV that allows us to get 4 Detroit channels, so we watch the ball drop at 9 p.m. our time, which of course is 12 p.m. your time. And so, like you, Joe and the kitties, my husband and I and our kitties will be cosy in bed by 10 or 10:30 p.m. Loved your choice of musica for today, it was the best.
I am ending the year with a wonderful memory I made with my 11 year old granddaughter today. Abbi got a sewing machine for Christmas, and today I sat with her and taught her the basics! She made a cute little pillow made out of Paris fabric we picked out last week. Adorable, my work here is done! Happy New Year girlfriends!
Oh the power you just gave that girl! At eleven, perfect timing!
Just want to join in to wish you, Joe, and all the girlfriends (and boyfriends) a very Happy New Year, with much good health and happiness all around. I loved your post today and the wonderful rendition of Auld Lang Syne. So enjoy reading the comments from the others. Wish I could hit a little love button on each one. You are the best–our cheerleader of life. Thank you for spreading the joy around.
Happy to be a member of our little cyber-city. It’s a lovely place to be. Looking forward to the days to come.
Happy, happy New Year!
Happy New Year to Everyone!
Be careful out there tonight.
{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
See you next year!
Happy New Year Susan and all the girlfriends! I used to write the same resolutions every year: lose weight, exercise, get organized, stick to a budget, etc., but I’ve stopped doing that. This year’s resolutions are: Have more fun, worry less and laugh more, face my fears and try new things. So having said that, with your inspiration, I am taking a watercolor class in January. Have never felt like an artist, but you’ve inspired me to at least try.
Come on 2014 – give me what you’ve got. I’m ready for you!
Wow,We are having Lobster with butter, Loving everyone that is here, especially the four legged critters, watching old movies, sipping a little bubbly later on, strawberries and special yogurt dip, being Thankful for everyone in our lives, with new ones on the way, and heading to bed at 10pm. I wish the world and all of you a peaceful, cozy,loving New Year ! With everyone helping one another maybe just maybe we can have Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Mankind. Susan you do your share for 100 million people !!!!!!!!!!! oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
I love it that it was Dougie MacLean singing your musica. His name made me smile and then his version was quite lovely! Thank you for sharing. How do you find your musica? That would be a posting and a story to share, I’m sure!
Happy New Year! xoxo
It’s years of it — just all the people I’ve always loved. When we say Dougie, we try to do it with a Scottish accent, and say Doogie. 🙂
Of course! That would be the way to say it! 🙂
Happy New Year Susan (or “sugar” as my little girl calls you ;)! Hope you have a very blessed 2014!! 🙂
Sugar? I love it!
Happy New Year, Sweet Sue! Also to your soul-mate, Joe, and your fur-babies! Thank YOU for a wonderful 2013 on your blog, with your art, on your English countryside sojourn, in your “A Fine Romance”, and alongside (the REAL) you in Vroman’s of Pasadena!!! Its been a great year!
Happy New Year to all the Girlfriends, too! I so appreciate the loving home-making, the shared concerns and hopes that happen in your lives and on Susan’s blog. God mightily bless us all in 2014! ♥♥♥
Happy, happy 2014! May you and Joe be blessed (and Girl Kitty and Jack).
Sweet Sue,
My corgis and I wish you a beautiful and bountiful year. I feel blessed to have your joyful spirit in my life. God bless.
A very Happy New Year to you Susan. I just have to share with you a Christmas treasure. You know about it already actually. You were part of it. 🙂 My dear, sweet, forever friend met you at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena recently. You see, I had shared with her my disappointment that I could not see and meet you there that day. I had to attend my son’s teacher conference. She happened to be headed to Pasadena that very same day for a conference. I jokingly told her to “stop in and say “Hi” to Susan for me. Well…precious friend that she is…she did. She finished up with her conference about 1:45, but took a chance you might still be there…and you were..so she and her oldest son (we each have two boys and they are the same ages…such a treat) waited for an hour (maybe a little more?) in line to buy me your book, have you sign it and take her photo with you. Isn’t she just about the best friend any girl could hope for? Of course, she kept all of this a secret. I did not know a breath of it until I opened her gift (which my younger son had sneaked into the house without my knowledge). Imagine my surprise and utter and complete delight at a signed…TO ME!!!!…copy of A Fine Romance…and then inside the envelope marked “open me last” a darling photo of the two of you. The two best girlfriends on the planet. I don’t think I stopped grinning all day…maybe even yet…and telling everyone who would listen about my amazing gift. Thank you so much for being part of that delightful surprise Susan. (By the way…you might just remember her…she was the adorable blonde who was VERY LAST in your line that day…and her name is Ilona…I wonder if it might just mean “Angel” or something similar…because she is…and you are too.) It was a very Merry Christmas indeed. All the best to you in 2014. Thank you for all you do to inspire and encourage us all to find our hearts’ desires. May 2014 be a year of blessings for you and Joe (and the kitties of course) and all the “Girlfriends”. Hugs to all!
I DO remember her … she was thrilled then about her surprise. I’m so happy it was kept a big surprise, what fun! Happy New Year to you and to Ilona too!
Isn’t that the BEST story?!
Great story! The epitome of the Girlfriend Idea!! ❤️
Wishing you a very happy New Year….filled with health and happiness and fun! Love your post…enjoy big celebrations but love the “home by the fire”, too…that is our plan. Went to the library and got New Year’s Eve dvd…never saw it an it seems perfect. Watched The Enchanted Cottage earlier in the day….LOVE that movie. Going to enjoy the enchantment in our cottage tonight and wishing the same to you !
Getting ready to hang my signed 2014 Susan Branch calendar. Yesterday the librarian, told me that the signed copy of “A Fine Romance”, which I donated to the Deerfield, NH Town Library, has been given rave reviews by all readers. It does noy stay on the book shelf very long. Happy New Year to the new girlfriends I met at the Toadstool Bookstore and the girlfriends throughout the world.
Hope you get some well deserved rest and relaxation after signing thousands and thousands of books this year. Health and Happiness in 2014 to you and Joe!
Oh Grace, how sweet you are to tell me! Thank you for doing that!
I’ll be tip toeing to bed at 10 also.
Happy New Year…2014…
Balisha
Happy New year to you and Joe. You have made our lives happier with all your wonderful posts and your book. It’s been a great year and my prayer is that everyone reading this will find joy, love and good health in 2014.
Happy New Year Susan and Joe…Wishing you the best of the best in 2014~~!!!~~
Happy New Year Susan! Thank you for sharing what make’s YOU, YOU with all of us. And thank you for all your inspiring notes and artwork about life that you share with us. I’ll be curling up with the love of my life and our 3 kitties – all before 10 too : )
Love, love your drawing of the little house and wonderful words giving us reasons to go on living and reasons to CELEBRATE!!!! Happy New Year Susan. You fill me with the spirit of a new year!!
Happy New Year 2014! May 2014 be the year to bring all of our troops home! Peace on Earth…..
Happy New Year to you Susan! And Joe too!
Thank you for the joy you bring, you are such a beautiful, inspirational woman!
Happy New Year to you and Joe and kitties dear Susan!… this has been a fabulous year for sure, traveling through England with you in A Fine Romance… then traveling all across our beautiful country with you on your book signing tour… thank you so much for featuring my Tessy girl on one of your posts as she “read” A Fine Romance too… that was the highlight of her year… woof!… can’t wait to open my new Susan Branch calendar tomorrow… I never peek… I love to be surprised!… much love… xoxo Julie Marie
I lost my sweet boy Rusty, a Boxer who was almost 13, on Easter. We’d raised him from a 3 month old puppy. This after loosing my sweet girl Mia, also a Boxer, the year before. If it hadn’t been for my daughter coming home from Okinawa with my grand dog Jenna I don’t know how I’d have gotten through it. My husband lost his job at the end of 2012, quickly found another but was gone for 8 months out of the year. I flew more this year than any before to visit hi and with him coming home for a couple of breaks. Katie and my sweet Jenna helped me stay sane. *S* That and reading your blog Susan which I looked forward to. It was a very hard year for me and hopefully 2014 will be a much better year. I wish all of you the best year ever. Hugs to all.
Oh my, I am blushing that I forgot to add how much I looked forward to and getting our book!! I took it on the plane with me!!
All the best to you Cyndi in 2014 and things will be better….I see some of Angie Tink’s fairy dust sprinkled on you now! Many blessings to you and your family.
Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year! I believe in signs so the fact that there is a New Moon on the first day of the New Year seems like a terrific omen for a great year to come! Stay cozy, friends!
Happy New Year! Thanks for another year of great blogging Susan. Now, it’s off to bed for me as I’ve got to get up early tomorrow. May God Bless you in 2014.
Dear Susan and Joe..A very Blessed and Holy New Year to all of you. Just wanted to add that we are making our way to our dreamy, soft flannel sheets at 9:29PM Eastern and will let many others freeze out in Time Square! When we were younger… but NO MORE!
There even is a dive in the old Maumee River tomorrow afternoon. There will quite a few takers!!! The lake is partially frozen, so I’ll just watch it on TV. Thank God my womanhood has been proven by my femininity and I feel NOT the slightest urge race out into the river to prove anything, except my brainpowder may have escaped my logic. BRRRRR!! ps there are quite a few women who participate???Go figure!!!
Live and learn 🙂
A happy, healthy New Year to you and Joe!! A quite night, but a pajama brunch with the grandkids tomorrow! It’s become a tradition!
Happy New Year Dear Susan, Joe, your families and friends. Happy New Year to all of the girlfriends too. I always look forward to your blog and what everyone has to say. Blessings to all.
Xoxo Pam
Dear Susan and Joe, may the worst of 2014 be from the best of 2013.
Happy New Year!
Hi, Susan…….just want you to know my girls were thrilled with their copies of A Fine Romance! I think they all “get” me now. They saw how giddy I was when I got to meet you in November! If they didn’t have such busy lives, I’m sure they would be among your blog reading friends. As it is, they just have to listen to me rave all the time! 🙂 I’m looking forward to opening my 2014 calendar tomorrow to see what you have written. 🙂 Thanks for the happy memories.
Happy New Year!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
Happy New Year dear Nancy:
I’ll always remember that day when you told me about a blog you loved, written by Susan Branch. Yeah, yeah…I’m busy. Don’t need another blog to add to my already long list of blogs. Little did I know then that I did NEED another! Thank you Nancy for putting the bug in my ear about Susan’s blog and the bug in my ear to have her visit our store for a book signing. You have this sneaky, quiet way of getting your way! ha I’m so glad I listened!! I’m looking forward to 2014 and all the wonderful surprises it has in store.
xoxo Suzanne
I noticed that sparkle in Nancy’s eyes when I was there Suzanne!
You are so sweet! Thank you.
Happy New Year Year sweet Susan! Thank you for a year filled with beauty, you inspire us with each new post, to find joy in each new day. Went to see Saving Mr. Banks today with my sweetheart. A wonderful movie.
Now that you are home and the holidays are soon behind us, I am supposed to remind you to tell us all how you came to be pen pals with Rachel.
Hugs 🙂
OK Joy, I put that on my list of things I want to blog about!
Thank you!
Ahhhh – here we are – on the cusp of yet another year – putting behind us treasures that filled the year past. I realized tonight that when you are 70 years “young” it really does feel different from that one day of December 31 and into the other day of January 1st. More so now than all of the other years and I really don’t know why. I do know that I am going to live a little more than I did last year. I will not wait around for life to hit me in the face and say “WAKE UP, LADY!” Susan, you have helped me realize the importance of opening the eyes and heart to make things happen in life. I may not be an artist, but I do have a heart and it needs to be shared with the people I love and the places that are important to me. I am worth it! A special Happy New Year to you and Joe – you make my life complete! And to the BFFs out there – let’s hit the road running, Girls!! XXXXOOOO Pat
We are all artists when you think that everyday we are creating the life we choose to live. You do a darn good job of it Pat!
Susan is right Pat, You do a darn good job of it. You share your heart with us on every blog post, and I for one, look forward to reading your comments. Happy New Year dear Pat…..I’m running right behind you….just a little gimpier ( probably not a real word) 🙂
Chris
I too love to hear from you Pat! I’m with you, let’s make it a wonderful year!! There is always something to be thankful for and to rejoice in. Some days you just need to look a little harder for it. =)
xo Suzanne
Pat, I agree with the others. I think we all make life interesting and we all have some creative part in our soul to give to other people. Happy 2014 to you and all the girlfriends out there in Susan’s blog land. You all keep up with the postings. We need to hear from each other often.
Carol
Happy New Year dear Susan (Joe and Kitties). Thank you for keeping me smiling through 2013 (tough year). I look forward to 2014 being a wonderful year.
dear Susan and FOSB, I needed this kind of message today. been very sick three days and not recouperating like I want to. makes me feel better just knowing we all do go thru things, wanted or not. so cheers to everyone for a blessed 2014. xox
You’ve given us the most delightful year through your blog. Thank you for sharing your kind, generous heart with us. Wishing you a blessed new year.
Happy New Year Susan, Joe and kitties! Out with the old, in with the new. Here’s to 2014!
Happy New Year Susan!
Thank you for your love and encouragement through the years…. You only get better with time. Looking forward to 2014…. However… How can it get better than 2013? A Fine Romance was an unbelievable treat! Thank you so much!
Also….. I forgot to mention….. I LOVED the music..
Thank you so much for making my New Years Eve…… Even better:)
A Very Happy New Year to everyone!
Happy New Year, Susan and Joe and the kitties. Looking forward to a good new year and wishing you the same.
Happy New Year Susan! Wishing you all the best in 2014! ♥♥♥
HAPPY NEW YEAR SUSAN, JOE, AND TO ALL THE GIRLFRIENDS!
Dear Susan,
I send along wishes for a Happy New Year to you and Joe! May 2014 be one of peace and joy!
Never thought I would be up at this time of night on this New Year’s Eve! I would be more like the one heading to bed very early on most occasions. Actually, it is good to be spending New Year’s Eve at home. No loud noise, no smoke, no worrying about a parking place, food is where you want it, and it’s a short walk to bed when you are ready. No traffic problems!
Your blog is a wonderful source of cheer and positive attitude! It is such a pleasure to follow along!
Best wishes for the coming year!
xo Nellie
What a great list you’ve “built” in your little New Year’s House. Love that shot of Jack too, from behind his head as he gazes [no doubt fascinated] at the twinkling Christmas tree. Here’s a wish for the happiest and healthiest of New Year’s to you, Joe, the kitties, your families and of course All Girlfriends everywhere! xoxo
If you think of it Sue, please let Iris’ mom & dad know how very VERY sorry I was to learn that she left us this Fall. When I found out I actually got tears in my eyes. How goofy is someone who starts crying over a dog she never met? Pretty goofy I guess. Well, I don’t know why but Iris just walked into my heart the first time I saw that snowy day video of her on your kitchen porch. It was probably that mile-a-minute tail, or maybe she just reminded me so much of my own dogs, now long gone. But whatever it was, she always made me smile. A lot. I hope the sadness her Mom & Dad feel will soon be replaced by nothing but the loving and fun memories they have of her. I will be making a donation to the Humane Society in her memory. PS – I thought I left a comment a few posts ago but can’t find it anywhere so if this is a repeat, my sincere apologies. I just couldn’t let Iris’ passing go without saying again what a dolly-girl she was.
How nice of you to do that Janet, we here in the neighborhood are not finished bringing up Iris’s name — including last night. She was a wonderful dog… I will be doing a retrospective of loved faces for 2013 on the blog, and Iris will be one of those memorable faces.
That is great idea Janet, I will do the same! Iris would like that.
Happy New Year Janet!
You too, Chris! Happiest year ever!
PS – yes, Chris, I think you’re right… Iris would like that…. xoxo
Happy New Year Everyone!!!!
XOXO & Blessings,
Linda
Dear Miss Susan, thank you so much for letting me be one of your girlfriends. This year has been a year. I don’t like to say it’s not been good, just challenging and I have much to be thankful for. One thing is I finally have got over the bacterial pneumonia with another trip (4:30 am) to the ER. on Monday. This time I think the treatment is working. I bought no one any Christmas presents, just me and my love with my arms open for hugs and kissed. I also managed to cook up some pretty good food. And boys love to eat. One of the highest, high lights of my life was when I met you. Really Susan I am one of 4 girls and I think I would trade in all of my sisters for 1 of you. Well New Year’s is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year. So much hope and it’s all, well new. Getting ready for a snowstorm, so now I just must get the kitchen stocked. Happy New Year, Susan !!! I’m writing my visual journal this year. <3
Thank you for all you do. What a lovely gift you are to all of us.
Happy Magical New Year Sue Sue and wonderful GirlFriends! Thank you for your lovely sentiments to us all! It has been a year of many cool FIRSTS and we shared so much together on your blog for sure.
Here’s to a safe and fast Wintertime. I’m already ready for some warm weather. CHEERS TO 2014 you all!
Its almost 10 o’clock and time to bid 2013 good-bye, it went by so quickly, or so it seemed. I want to be more mindful of my days and time in 2014 and treasure each day for the gift it truly is. You have such a kind soul and you have such a way of shedding a beautiful light on our world. A very Happy New Year to you and yours.
Happy New Year, Sweet Susan and Joe! One of the highlights of the year for me was that I was fortunate enough to meet you both in person! It was a real thrill and something I’ll cherish forever. Your bright enthusiasm and loving encouragement has helped many of us to survive and turn the corner during challenges we’ve faced in the past few years.
May your every wish and happiness be fulfilled beyond your expectations this next year. You deserve it, Kiddo!
Love to you, always. – Angie Scott-Chavez
Happy New Year to you, Susan, and to all of our dear Girlfriends out there! I really do feel a wonderful kinship with you all, thanks to you, Susan! I have to say, though, Susan, you feel more like my sister than a girlfriend. As we all do, there is such a connection to so much of what you stand for and what you do in life…. I’m so glad I’ve been privileged enough to be a part of it all. Meeting you at Vroman’s in Pasadena in November, and then again at Remnants of the Past truly was one of the highlights of my year! Thank you for taking time with each of us Girlfriends, and making us all feel special. YOU are so special! May the coming year be good to us all!
Happy New Year to you and Joe, Jack and Miss Kitty! Here’s hoping that 2014 is a stellar year for you all and filled to overflowing with love, joy and peace. It’s wonderful to have a fresh new page to write upon. That is what I like most about the New Year. I just hope this year doesn’t swing by as quickly as last year did! May we all blessed!
“May this sweetest oldtime greeting
Heavily laden with good cheers
Bring content, and peace and plenty
Enough to last through all the Year.”
Happy New Year to you Susan and to Joe and the kitties and to all those who so enjoy your inspiring blog. Thanks so much for sharing your life with all of us.
I received my $3.48 copy of CHRISTMAS JOY in the mail today – yay!!
Happy New Year, Susan and Joe! I love you!
from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
Happy 2014! Looking forward to your uplifting blog in this new year. All the best to everyone here.
Such a beautiful post! LOVE!! Happy new year!
Happy New Year Susan, Joe, Jack, Girl Kitty and all BFOSB(I love that!)! 🙂 2013 will be the most memorable for me because I had the greatest opportunity to meet you, Susan and you were so gracious to allow me to give you a hug! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the connection you make with all of us “blog friends.” My SB calendar has been hung in the kitchen, my pocket calendar is in my purse – all ready for a fantastic 2014. I am reading A FINE ROMANCE for the 2nd time around, which of course is even better than the first! Love you! oxoxox
You too Asha, it was so nice meeting you! I feel like the luckiest girl — everyone leaves the most wonderful comments xoxo
Happy New Year Susan and Joe.! Thank you for the blessing of you! you have shared your life, your talent, your beauty with so many and blessed us so much! You are like one of God’s angels sprinkling fairy dust on us all and lighting our lives. Keep on shining! Are any of your designs in cross-stitch or have you ever considered that? would love to be able to stitch some of your designs onto towels, tea cozies, the list goes on! Thanks again for being you!
In my corner of the world it is a stand on the heat register in your barefeet and flannel nightgown kind of day.
Happy New Year Susan and Joe!
I love the thought that we are a cyber-city……but since I am allergic to large crowds, I shall think of us as a cyber-village! Lake Sue-Be-Gone! And I love all my neighbors…they are so smart and talented and sharing and caring. It’s a great place to be.
Now I am off to open my SB calendar and decide if I will only look at January or read it all!
Happy New Year Every One!
Chris
Dear Chris,
Oh, go on and look at every picture in the calendar!! You will forget what is on each page as time goes by. (Ut-oh, I didn’t mean that to sound like you are forgetful or anything!! I just know what I am like!) I am loving the January picture. I always love when Susan packs so much on a page. So much to look at and soak in. The colors alone are thrill worthy!
I, too, like the idea of a village. It sounds very cozy and English countryside and let-me-just-nip-over-to-Chris’s-cottage-for-awhile! Yes, that is it! Our little village! No matter how many more girlfriends join us, it will still stay small and friendly with everyone knowing each other!
I am so thankful for you, dear Chris, because you are one of those smart, talented, sharing, and caring people!
Love you,
Linda
There’s a curving lane down the middle of it, with little branches to roads off to the sides and hedgerows and the cottages are surrounded in flowers, roses on porches, etc.
Ah, more fun in ’14! xoxo judi
oh my goodness, Susan, you just nipped down the lane, slipped through the gap in the boxwoods, and skipped up the three steps to my back porch. I, who have been making a delicious smell in my kitchen all day, open the door and welcome you in!!
How about that?! I love living in our little village!
Linda
That’s what we do. Sometimes we stand in the middle of the street and watch the kids play while we talk.
And every house has a picket fence garden,
of course!
Ha ha ha, Linda you are so right! I WON’T REMEMBER! So I savored January and then took a quick look at the rest of the calendar and next month February will look brand new!
Happy New Year dear friend. In our cyber-village, I hope you live right next door to me! Back door friends are the best!
Much love,
Chris
Well, of course, we would be next door neighbors! And the path between our back doors would be worn so much that our husbands would complain b/c they could never get grass to grow there. But we wouldn’t mind–not one bit!
Hi Susan, your German Pancake recipe is already posted. Girlfriends can click on the “Home Cooking” link at the top of your blog, choose “Breakfast in Bed” and then click on “German Pancake with Powdered Sugar and Hot Maple Syrup”. I’m off to make it now for breakfast. Thought I’d mention this for the girlfriends who don’t have your wonderful first book. Enjoy this very beautiful, very cold here, first day of 2014.
PS It was so good, better than I remembered. Haven’t made it in a while. Mine only served two, though. Perhaps my servings were too generous, lol. Thanks for the recipe.
Happy Happy New Year and thank you so much for being YOU and sharing the wonderful You with all of us. We appreciate all that you do and say and be! Truly a gift to us all.
Happy New Year Susan, Joe, Girl Kitty and Jack!!!! I look forward to more inspiration from you in 2014!
Happy New Year Susan and Girlfriends!!!
Happy New Year and don’t forget your black eyed peas today…thanks for bringing us your beauty and kindness..looking forward to sharing your thoughts and beauty in 2014… Don’t forget, you and Joe are always welcome in Kentucky when you travel again…
Love the celebrating chicks. Thank you! Happy New Year. I went to bed early too.
we welcomed our 6th grandchild-first girl!-on the 29th!! it doesn’t get much better than that!! we wish you and everyone the happiness we feel for the new year! mb
Happy New Year Susan! Joe and Kitties too! 🙂
I love your “Reasons To Go On Living” adorable HOME…I am always amazed by your creativity!
I have not been through all your past posts yet so I don’t know if you have already talked about this, but you seem to have a love of quotes like I do. I collect them I guess you could say! I am always curious to know how others organize or “keep” them. Sometime would you perhaps share your way with us?
I am now off to cozy up with my book. 🙂
Happy New Year Susan, Joe, Kitty Girl and Jack! Thank you for all the joy you bring to my life. Even a cup of tea has taken on new meaning this year! Simple joys! May they continue to reign on. Sending hugs~
Happiest New Year Susan, Joe, Girl and Jack! I loved your house of reasons, but you forgot one thing, I could not go on living without reading your blog!! Can’t wait for all the new things that I’m hoping will appear this year, i.e. “Pancakes” and maybe one on your 1st little house? (Please). Love to you and yours through out the new year xo P.S. I too cried when I heard about Iris, we will miss her greatly, she was a kindred spirit too (in dog form). xo
How did I miss about Iris? I am so sorry…and so sad.
I haven’t really talked about it much yet, want to do her justice. But yes, she was a kindred spirit. One bark at the back door and we knew she was here.
A very Happy and Healthy 2014, to you, Joe and those you love. May you continue to delight us all with your lovely posts, thank you for the joy you bring us through it. God bless. Patricia, England
Say hello to England for me on this first day of the New Year, Patricia. xo
Happy 2014 to you and yours, Susan! Thanks for all the loveliness you share. Your sweet Reasons To Go On Living image should be required reading! Bess
Happy New Year!! Can hardly wait to see what the year brings…Slow down and enjoy all things that come our way.
Happy New Year!!! Hope to see you in June in CT 🙂
Happy New Year! Wishing you a joyful and blessed 2014. Thank you for all the joy you bring to us. Santa brought me A Fine Romance and it is wonderful! I am afraid to read through it too fast as I don’t want the journey to end. Oh well, I will just have to start over again when I finish!
Susan and Joe, Blessed and Prosperous New Year – keep up the happy and good work you always give us! Salve
can’t wait to see what the new year brings to you Susan, because what is good for you seems to be good for us.
Have a great New Years
And vice versa Carolynn!
Happy New Year to one and all. This year, 2014 is going to be a good one.
Carol
Happy New Year, Susan! I try not to leave too many comments…more buttons for you to push…but I had to tell you my sister’s story of A Fine Romance. I gave her an autographed copy that you so kindly signed at Vroman’s. She loved it. She shared it with her England-born friend who grew up in Kent. She loved it. She (the friend) shared it with her mother, visiting from Kent for the holidays. Her mother found a photo of the very pub, the very table that she and her husband visit every week! I believe it is the The Three Chimneys on page 97. She shared the history of this name…for there are NO three chimneys! 😀 This all happened at a lovely New Year’s party last night in No. California that my sister and her husband attended! Well…it seems that the mother rents out “quarters” and my sister and I have been invited to come and stay!!!!! If I could draw my wide-eyed look of wonder here, I would do so! So, dear Susan, your labor of love, A Fine Romance, continues to work its magic! It is the topic of delightful conversations at dinner parties and makes friends out of strangers. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥
It is the Three Chimneys!!! That is so amazing. GO! You have to, it’s gorgeous there! I have a wide-eyed look of wonder too, what a small world! Thank you Charlene — happy new year!
FANTABULOUSNESS!
Hi Susan Just wanted to wish you & Joe & all the girlfriends a very happy & healthy new year! I always think of this time of year as a time for reflection on people, places, events etc.
This year was a bloomer! I celebrated a big birthday, got to hang out with my best buddy (on your side of the pond) & last but not least got to meet you & some of the girls @ your book signing on MV.
And now its time to look forward to a brand new year! With four new seasons and 365 new days!
Thank you for sharing your days with us Susan. You truly are a great blessing.
xxxx
Have a wonderful year Nina!
Happy New Year, Susan, to you and to all the GF’s out there! Thank you, Susan, for all you share with us during the year.
Always start the New Year off right ,by putting up my Susan Branch calendar!
Oh, hear your weather report….I always LOVED a good snowstorm. Survival mode would kick in. Milk, check, cocoa, check, bread, butter, soup, propane camping stove – to use outside only if needed, check. Now it is….everything charged up 🙂 in case of power outages. Plenty of birdfood and sit back and watch Mother Nature!
Being an early riser I would love wading thru the snow just at dawn to sweep aside the snow with my boots under the birdfeeders and cleaning them off. I could hear the cardinals (they are the first at dawn and the last at dusk) just waiting for me to go in. Have your camera ready and i would love a little video. HAPPY ’14 FRIENDS! judi p.s. run out and catch a few flakes on your tongue and eyelashes for me:)
Too dark to see here so far, but we hear it’s coming…
Ooooo, 100% snow and wind….and tomorrow night your low is 8 degrees! Yikes, batten down the hatches!
Stay warm and enjoy the storm.
Yikes, I didn’t know that. Oh boy! I better keep the camera warmed up!
It’s coming!! We already have almost 12 inches… and the snowflakes are getting bigger now! It looks just beautiful… like living in a snowglobe!!
Stay warm, everyone!
Dawn
♡♡
You are getting the snow, we are getting the cold. “Highs” of -14 F. for Monday and Tuesday. I’m kicking into “storm mode” already…stew planned, hot chocolate mix, etc.
Oh, Susan, you have truly filled my soul with inspiration and given me a little nudge to try some new creative expressions in this new year. I am almost finished with “A Fine Romance”. Can hardly bear to finish it because I’d love it to go on and on … I’ve decided that I’d like to learn how to do beautiful and stylized lettering as you so exquisitely do. Any suggestions for how to start? Art books? Materials? I’ve just retired, and I really look forward to stretching my creative spirit. I’m a quilter and I love to include tags with my quilts, and I love to send cards. If I could learn how to do some nice lettering, it would enhance my endeavors. Thanks for sharing your talents! Happy New Year!
Well, my way of doing it is just to write as neatly and legibly as I possibly can. But there books that teach calligraphy and lettering… Google “Books on lettering.” It’s always about practice, you really do get better as you go along. Good luck!
Happy New Year. It’s been a very wet and blowy New Year’s Day but it’s been warm and snuggly inside. 🙂
We are waiting for a big storm today…or so they say.
Susan, thank you for introducing me to Dougie Maclean. I loved his rendition of Auld Lang Syn. I’m putting it on my list of favorite songs. That led to a You Tube search for Tribute, which brought up a playlist, which led to Caledonia. Dougie and I spent the evening together. Later I did a search for the history of Scotland, of which I am Scottish, and I spent the rest of New Year’s Eve. Thank you for giving me a piece of myself. I now have a greater vision of how to spend my time in 2014.
Isn’t he a joy? The heart in that boy.