Of course our blog is wearing green today, it would not like to be pinched! But I am now on my fourth try to write a new post! The first three failed because important memories or perfect descriptions have been crashing into my best intentions demanding to be added to the new book before I forgot them. I will try my best to stay focused here! This will help . . . MUSICA made in heaven. First a little something to make your mouth water . . .
Happy Saint Patricks Day Everyone! How’s it going for you so far? I don’t know if you have a special something you like to make in honor of the day, but this ↑ is our favorite recipe for stew. It’s very different, it has raisins! 
And orange juice! And cayenne! And nutmeg of all things! That’s because I got my hands on it, and thought, those creative Irish, they would forgive me for messing around with their stew. Yummy, egg noodles, with butter. Yes.
I know, it says Irish and the only potato is a sweet potato and there’s no Guinness but I would wager you (and that is Irish) that the flavor of this stew will make you jump up to do your own version of Riverdance, from happiness.
For more wonderful Irish things that don’t make total sense to us go HERE and laugh. And HERE, for a wee taste o’ some things that make Ireland so wonderful. And here’s to a day of love and blessed luck for you all! ♣
Had to show you Jack this morning! He is in a very feisty mood. Jack is never in any danger of getting pinched on St. Patricks Day because . . .
. . . he brings his green with him wherever he goes, he is always Wearin’ the Green.
He knows what the camera is now, because he makes me chase him around and he rarely holds still anymore . . .
I get the camera and he begins to jump about or roll around so it’s difficult to focus on him. I have to take LOTS of pictures before I can get one that isn’t totally blurred into oblivion . . . It’s those green eyes I love so much.
He gets bored with me very quickly though . . . Get that thing out of my face, he yawns . . . (and please, WOMAN, stop kissing me, I am BEGGING you. You’re messing with my DIGNITY.)
Or else I will just leave. Very spoiled, very sure of himself.
So I say, OK, be that way, and go into the kitchen to get my newest Gladys Taber Newsletter to show you. I wanted you to remember that third thing down, in case you’re interested, and remind you to make your plans because I would love to see you there. ♥
I was trying to show you the article in the Newsletter about the Reunion where I will be speaking and signing copies of A Fine Romance, but of course the minute I don’t pay 100% attention to him, he is back. Now he wants to play! I take it any way I can get it. Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets . . .
And Lola wants to drape himself on just the parts I would like you to see . . .
I hope lots of you are already a member of the Friends of Gladys Taber? She has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. The quarterly newsletters are always delightful, interesting, informative, fun and evocative, I save them … ↑ here are a few of them from years past. If you’d like to read more about Gladys Taber, find out how to become a member of her fan club, or get better information about the Reunion in June (and tour her house Stillmeadow), I did a post about her HERE and put the dates and times at the bottom.
I finally got the Newsletter out from under Lola and on top of him. He took it rather well before he tore out of the room and up the back stairs. Like a nut.
Let’s see … oh yes, well! I asked my little-old tea-leaves blender for something Cinnamony and Green for spring, and preferably Caffein Free and they sent me a few packets, some more cinnamony than the others, some more flowery, but I think they got it just right with this one . . . it has body and balanced flavor and smells wonderful . . .
Only three more days until the first official day of spring.♥ Last night after dinner, I sat in front of the fire (because spring-schming around here is the real truth) with a cup of my new Spring Tea and read my Newsletter and I almost didn’t care that it was 28 degrees. (Ridiculous.)
I also made us some “Celebrating Spring” cards (2nd row from top) that can be used as Greetings cards for spring or Earth Day, as postcards or Easter Dinner invitations, or even recipe cards — they’re lined on both sides, are 4″ x 6″ on nice, heavy, uncoated card stock and come in sets of 25. Happy Spring!
Even if there is no spring (yet) at your house, I can’t tell you how lovely it is to read about a New England Springtime through the eyes and heart of Gladys Taber. I think this is my favorite of her books, probably because it was my first, but also because it takes you through every month and each season of the year. Especially good if you can’t make it to the Friends Reunion for Gladys Taber, this is a little
because I am going to sign this lovely book to the lucky one of you whose name is drawn as the winner of this vintage copy (in almost brand new condition) of this out-of-print title published in 1976. Oh yes! I found it on a back shelf in a dark corner of a group antique mall on our trip across country and have saved it for today. Just leave me a comment and you will be automatically entered.
One Last Thing, almost a PS: There are always lots of fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s day, delicious recipes, lots of parades, prayers at church, and bagpipe music; they even dye the Chicago River green. But for those of you that would like a more sober look at a piece of Irish history, this lovely MUSICA is practically an Irish National Anthem. There was a story this Sunday in the New York Times … my girlfriend Lowely (Finnerty) from two doors over, brought some of her famous (still warm!) Irish Soda Bread to help Joe and I celebrate this morning. We smeared it with butter and ate it while we 
read the article and listened to the words of this song together. Then we cried. I felt like I wanted to add something meaningful to the celebration, so here you go ~ it’s history we never want to forget. (Spoiler alert: I must say I don’t agree with those that would politicize this subject as was done with this article, just so you know. There is nothing political about hunger and the story is important; as my mom used to say, there is a difference between right and wrong. I try and think about it the way St. Patrick would wish for me to do and toss in a bit of common sense for luck ♣. We can’t change the past but as Oprah put it so perfectly, “We did then what we knew how to do; now that we know better, we do better.”) Blessings to us all dearest Girlfriends. XOXO (Don’t forget to leave your comment for Best of Stillmeadow!♥)
BACK TO BOOK WRITING . . .
I would love to have the Gladys Taber book. I have never her of her before. It is so much
Fun to discovered new authors. I am a preschool teacher and today we had our
Annual Green Eggs and Ham at school.I just love your blog.
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Pick me!! Pick me!!! So in love with Gladys Taber..
Hi Susan, I have “The Book of Stillmeadow” that I found somewhere, but only after you had mentioned your love of Gladys Taber. I would love another of her books, but they aren’t easily found in my price range!
Thank you for the lovely sad song. So many wrongs in this world that can’t be made right now, but Thankful for all that Irish added to our great USA.
Happy St. Patti’s Day!!!! Erin Go Braugh!
Looking forward to some yummy Irish Soda Bread when I get home from work today… Thank you Susan for always inspiring us. After I read your last blog I so want to start journaling but I open the book and look at those blank pages and I don’t know where to start! I’m not much of an artist so drawing anything lovely is out of the question. Any helpful hints on how to get started, would be welcomed!! Oh and I would so LOVE to win the Gladys Taber book… 🙂
Thank you for another wonderful post. They make my day. The book looks wonderful. have a great day!
Away from home, but your post is always a homecoming! Making a wish for the day – I would love to have Gladys’ book! 🙂 I would love to read though the months with her. As always, thank you for your sweet generosity to your readers. Blessings to you and Joe.
I’m making Corned Beef and Cabbage and Irish Soda Bread today, not because I’m Irish ( I’m not) but others near and dear are, and I like to celebrate everything. Would love to win the Gladys Tabor book, it sounds like the very thing for sinking into as we wait for real, actual, Spring. Sleet and snow today hereabouts, but at least not -15 as it has been for so long now. Love your blog, Susan.
I still refer to my Gladys Taber book “My own Cookbook- From Stillwater and Cape Cod “. Reading Gladys’s notes are so enjoyable !!!
Happy St. Patty’s Day to you!!!! I didn’t know my heritage until I was 40 when I finally met my birth mom, and guess what, I am mostly Irish! So I really love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Now I know why I always cry hearing bagpipes too!
Fun discovery! Bagpipes ♥
Susan…hello my friend! Thanks to you, I do get Gladys Taber’s newsletter, and I love it! Congratulations on being in it this quarter! How exciting!! I love all of her writings…they are timeless! I would be privileged to win this book!!
Happy St. Patty’s Day to you too! Love Jack’s green eyes…no pinching him for sure…I took a pic of our neighborhood black cat yesterday, his eyes were bright yellow! smile… I’m thinking if I could catch him, I’d have to pinch him! smile..
Hope it warms up soon for you!! We’re warming up slowly here in Iowa…but those winds sure make it feel “cold”… However yesterday, our yard was full of turkey’s, rabbits, squirrels, and birds! Spring truly is getting closer…
Oh, Irish soda bread! I still miss the bread a colleague used to bring in to work every year. She baked it in the wee hours so it was exactly-perfectly warm for eating on arrival [with butter, naturally]. Luckily I do have her recipe but somehow it’s just not the same. Love that photo of “Fierce Jack” [in mid-yawn].
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you GF’s & Susan! My day started off Irish when I turned the radio on & “Danny Boy” was the song I heard. Today was my Gram’s B’Day. She’s been gone over forty five years, but I can still hear her voice & laughter. She died the day after our daughter was born. Her B’Day cake always had a bit of green on the icing. She was Welsh, although her personality had a bit of the Irish in it. What a grand lady she was. She took my mother, my brother, & myself into her home when my father deserted us. She taught me so much about character, just by the way she lived. At one time she was very poor, but she said she’d never take money from our government. That was wrong to take money from the country you loved. She also taught me how to make pies. My grandsons brag about my pies. She taught me how to love. She never drank a lot, but I do remember when she & my mom went to a neighbor’s house on New Year’s Day to have a bit of the bottle. They came home very happy. Gram went to the couch to take a nap. She put an afghan over her face & body & went to sleep. Her nose was sticking out of one of the holes of the afghan. That become a family story that we all laughed about for years. So, to my marvelous, wonderful Gram, Happy Birthday wherever you are.
I was doing some mending this morning when we had a bang of an earthquake. Not a bad one. Just enough to give us a little scare. No big thing. The news has made a big thing out of it. On & on they go about it. Nothing else must be happening around here & the world. How the news exaggerates. I wish they wouldn’t scare people so much.
Your pictures of Jack are just wonderful Susan. He’s a pistol. I just LOVE him. He’d get lots of kisses at our house as well. Guess what? I got a kitty yesterday. I went to the groomer with our Jack. The groomer was grooming a Himalayan kitten, whose owner was using the kitten as a kitten machine, getting over $200 per kitten. This little girl had had one litter. The owner took the kittens from her & gave the kittens to another female the woman owned. She kept the kittens in enclosed cages & just bred them over & over. She gave my kitty to our groomer, who took her so she could find a good home for her. Our groomer is an animal lover, like I am. She was grooming the kitty when I went in with our Jack. She brushed the kitty out, then bathed her, with never a meow out of that sweet cat. I fell in love with the cat. I took her home with us. She’s in one of our spare bedrooms, getting used to us. I won’t let Jack see her (even though he sits by her door) until she’s really comfortable with us. She’s been with us five days now & is still shy. She stays under a bed. I pick her up & pat her, but she still shivers. Never a meow out of her, poor little thing. She’s eating now, so I think she’ll soon be at ease with us. My groomer is going to call the Humane Society on the cat breeder. She’s a horrible woman who only wants to make money on the cats. My cat had never been brushed, so we think. I named her Sheba. You all know I’ve been looking for a cat for awhile. She sort of came into my life’s journey when it was the right time. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
You got a kitty!! Thats so wonderful Sandy! You rescued her. I’m so happy for you. xoxo
I needed a smile and there Jack was. That sweet face always brings a big one. He was doing what any self respecting cat would do, driving his Mom crazy! If it’s what you want they don’t. You want to take pictures they are whirling dervishes. You want to love on them they’re outta there. But every now and then they relent and submit to your whims. *S* Almost to a cat every time I was sick they were glued to me, to comfort me and keep me warm. Just when you think you have them figured out they surprise you. That’s why I love them. I haven’t had a cat in a while but you never know what is corning around the corner. Hugs to the kitties and of course you and Joe.
Oh, also Happy St. Patrick’s Day from a Harp!
A smell new soft cozy kitty!
Well so glad you say Spring is around the corner,it snowed in Toronto today.A trip an hour un north to see our summer place showed us three feet of ice on the lake and huge snowdrifts. Oh. I want to garden and bury my boots in a hole. Goung to make some soda bread from your receipe and I have the Grasmere gingerbread receipe to try. …Happy Spring and I love reading your blogs !!
What a lovely giveaway! If I win, I’m sure my local library will thank you since I am constantly checking out their one and only copy! 😉 I re-read it any time the weather doesn’t agree with me since Gladys has something nice to say about all 12 months.
Happy St. Patricks Day, Susan.
I read your blog often . Always inspirational
I love Gladys Tabor books. She makes me smile too
We are all looking forward to your new book.
Kindly,
Pam
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Susan! And thank you for sharing the article…it is spot on!
Having a hard time today and your post cheered me- thank you!
I’m like Jack and wear my green every day with my eyes, too.
Reading A Fine Romance and loving it to pieces . . . have a lovely, very green day!
Hope it’s better today Jennie xoxox
Hello Susan… I just adore your Blog. I love your writing, the pictures you share, the beautiful artwork and of course, Jack and Lola. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from a country girl in Arkansas!
Your blogs are the highlight of my week. When I see them pop into my mailbox, I mark them “unread” so I can go back and read them at my leisure. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Thank you, Susan. It’s always such a delight reading your blog.
Spring is sooooooo close now! Loved the cute Jack pics. I was happy to find your new post today. I always enjoy reading them. Happy St Pat’s Day!
Hello dear Susan…..We had the opportunity to visit Glades Tabor years ago. 1966 B.C. (before children!) It is something I will never forget. Everything was exactly as she talked about in her books. And now, all these years later, I find people who are still enthralled about her. You will not be disappointed when you visit her home. Please give Jack a kiss from me and don’t forget Girl Kitty too. I just love cats. Thanks for the new post today. Happy St. Pat’s Day.
Loved the blog Susan and would love to own the book by Gladys – that is very special! Spring is coming one of these days on our islands! Hang in there!
I remember as a child celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in school by wearing something “green” so you wouldn’t be pinched. When I told my granddaughter this story she gave me a funny look. It seems that some traditions are not celebrated today?! Hence the quote by Oprah – she is right about the first part unfortunately based on what is happening in our once Great Country we do NOT know better. Common sense tells you that “Dependence on charity is not to be made an agreeable mode of life” as stated in the NYPost article. I, for one and for lots of others, has worked hard for my way of life not to be taxed to death just to pay for someone to sit at home doing nothing instead of paying for their own way??!! If I want to give to charity it should be my choice not someone else’s……. BTW, everyone should get out of the mindset of being a Democrat or Republican or Independent or Conservative – we are all Americans and we, the People, should be taking care of our America/Americans first and foremost………………….stop the bickering, name calling, stupidity, etc., the politicians should be doing what’s right for their people!
An example: Someone I know. Unlucky in love, although she tried to the point of actual danger. Now left alone with two children under ten. She works at McDonald’s full time, it was all she could find. Has no child care, must arrange her days hit and miss to get her kids to and from school, if they get sick she is in trouble, sometimes she has no choice but to leave them alone, hopefully when they are sleeping. Right now, she’s looking for a cheaper place to live. Her car is a jalopy so here is no escape, not to mention the cost of gas. I don’t see that person as someone who is sitting home doing nothing. I see them as trapped in quicksand. I see her children not having the right start in life. And then, I worry about what they become — do they get the most wonderful education so they make our country greater? Or do we lose them because we want to punish the mother for not “working hard enough.” It’s just one small example of something going on all over our country. To think that someone is taking away from us who have “worked hard all our lives” is one of the arguments they use to turn us against each other. Both sides will always tax you because both sides live for the money. It’s what they do with that money that we need to care about. It’s our world, our country, our children, our future.
I know there are a LOT of people like this, Susan, and am glad you’re giving this woman a bit of a voice. I’m listening.
Hi Susan,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day….and Happy Spring! Spring is my favorite season. My mother gave my daughter a Gladys Tabor book named A is for Annabelle. Lovely drawings. I see that I have snowdrops popping out of the cold earth. Warm weather is around the corner. However…it is 28degrees here with 9mph winds making it feel like 19degrees. But it is sunny and I am putting away all my winter/snowman decorations and putting out the spring things! Your house always looks cheerful. You are always cheerful. It is a joy to read your blogs.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day
We are having colcannon with meatloaf for dinner. I’m hoping the Irish colcannon (the cabbage version) will be the Irish balance for simple meatloaf!
I love Gladys, one of my all time favorite authors.
Just love your little fur ‘angel’, Jack! Just like my cat, jumping right into the laundry basket!! Too cute!
My friend, who is a chef, made some Irish Soda Bread with currants for our ‘Women’s Master Mind’ meeting this morning. It was absolutely delicious!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day! Today my mom celebrates 78 years and my grand nephew celebrates 3 years! I am blessed to have them both in my life. cheers!
I have loved Gladys Taber for many years and own many of her books (in fact I just finished rereading Stillmeadow Sampler!) but I haven’t ever come across your give away book. I would LOVE to have it! Thanks Susan, for your lovely blog.
I am clapping … I am clapping! New Susan just read, great music playing, lunch with Lucy, thoughts of Gladys and a dear ol’ friend of mine, and a week old (new) baby grand-daughter happy and healthy! Thanks for the special Irish blessings and wonderful quote from Oprah. Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all! Ethel
You must be so busy answering our comments — honoring you and honoring Gladys! How special it would be to add that book to my collection!
Congratulations Ethel darling!
What an article! I’ve read about the famine but didn’t realize how much the political policies were to blame.
Thank you for the chance to win the book of Gladys Taber. Our local library doesn’t have any of her books and my daughter and I have yet to find one at garage sales, flea markets, or antique store. We’d love being able to enjoy one of her books.
I got my cancer support group daffodils this morning. They have opened up and are just beautiful on this “winter” day. It is too cold for March 17th. Happy St. Paddy’s Day. Did you celebrate St. Urho’s Day yesterday?
In case anyone wants to know . . . St. Urho’s Day . . .
My mother and I have been a member of the Friends of Gladys Taber for many years. We shared a love for her books and the descriptions of the seasons of New England and even though we hail from Ohio, we felt like we were at home. Susan, love your blog-I feel like I have another kindred spirit who loves Gladys as much as I do.
Susan,
Irish blessings to you~
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILIN………….
Looks like a darling book Susan
Top of the Mornin to you
Why did you call Jack Lola in the post? Is it a reference to someone in the book? I haven’t read Gladys Taber, but would like to now!
There’s an old song from Damn Yankees, “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” . . . HERE it is on Youtube. Sometimes I think it’s Jack’s theme song.
Erin Go Bragh! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all!!!!!!!!!!
I’m throwing my hand-made, whoolen Irish hat in the ring! I have a very basic beef stew waiting at home, even though I have NOT had my traditional corned beef and cabbage yet this season. Thank you for the MUSICA. This is the music my father played ALL the time during my yonger years. Slainte! Blessings to all.
An Irish Blessing from a German/Swiss/Ruthenian girl…
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back, (especially today)
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Happy St. Patty’s Day, Susan! My family has a double reason to celebrate today… My hubby’s birthday AND St. Patrick’s Day! (my grandfather was Ireland born so some of us are very Irish!). I absolutely love reading your blogs and I’ve been a collector of your books for many years. I’m currently reading “A Fine Romance” – almost done but taking my time because I’m enjoying it soooo much! I would love, love, love to win the G. Taber book from your personal collection! Have a wonderfully “green” day!
Maybe winning the book will be my pot of gold! Wishing all of our girlfriends the luck of the Irish today. Thanks Susan for the chance to own this book and thanks for sharing the happiness and optimism of St.Paticks Day and the Irish people as well as reminding us that we must remember how fortunate we are and how much we can and should do to ease the suffering of others.
What a wonderful treat it would be to receive the Gladys Tabor book! It is just the sort of thing I love – and happy to have the chance to tell you how much I treasure my signed copy of your book – A Fine Romance. I would like to recommend my favorite author to you and all the girlfriends, and that is Miss Read (Dora Jesse Saint) and everyone of her books about the little English villages of Fairacre and of Thrush Green. She wrote close to 40 of them, beginning in the 1940s. Reading them is like a wonderful visit with dear friends!
I dearly love Gladys Taber and try to buy her books when I see them in used bookstores. When I was a girl I read every one of them I could get my hands on at our little library in Maine (because I had cocker spaniels and still do). Reading one of her books is such a comfort; you feel like you know her. I did not know there was a Friends of GT -I’ll have to join!
Hope Vanna will pick me! Thanks for a breath of spring on this still-too-cold-for-March day!
Happy St. Patricks day to you. Can’t wait to see what the new book is about
Pat, in Cincinnati ohio
I grew up with a love of reading with Gladys Tabor books!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! Real spring is just around the corner!
The book you are giving sounds wonderful!
I’m making corned beef and cabbage for the first time in my life today! And if I have my way, we will watch The Quiet Man. It’s a beautiful movie!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Susan, always warming our hearts & souls. ♥
Stillmeadow, be still my Irish(for the day) heart! I would love to rub my blarney stone and make a wish for that book! I love that you are working on another book! Can’t wait! I like having something to look forward to. Happy Spring girlfriends!!!
Hello!
Hi there!
Susan,,I have been reading Gladys Taber since i was a wee girl when my Mum would read them to me out of a monthly magazine,,I also have found two of her books at old book stores and would love to add another one to my night stand,,,,Judy
Happy St. Paddy’s Day Sue from a still frozen province 400 miles to your north. The only signs of Spring are on your lovely blog – thank you for that.
You have the best give-aways – someone is going to be delighted to win.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s feeling like spring here in Texas–still a little nip in the wind, but oh, the blessed sun!
Dear Susan, I’m half Irish and I’ve always loved learning some Irish history. My daughter’s name is also Irish (Cailyn) which is a version of Colleen and it means “girl.” Her middle name is Marnie which means “of the sea,” isn’t that lovely?? Girl of the sea 🙂 I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately and your beautiful handwriting! I have a little project planned for my “girl of the sea!” I found a wonderful quote from the book Matilda and I wanted to write it out and frame it for her and I was thinking how great it would be if I had beautiful handwriting like yours! Ha! Anyway, have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!
She would love your handwriting much more than mine. Lovely beautiful name!
My family came to America from the shores of the Emerald Isle in 1680, so I’ll be celebratin’ me Irish roots today! (I’m rolling my r’s as I say this…) 🙂
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Hi Susan!
I am the caregiver for both my parents (Mom 95; Dad 94). Today I read your blog to my Mom. She enjoyed it and thought Jack was cute.
I was born in Chicago and have lived here all but 5 years. My parents have lived here heir whole life, but I went to your link for the Chicago river being dyed green and my mom and I watched it together. She said, “I never saw that before”-meaning watching it being dyed (either in person or on TV/tape, etc.)
We’re not Irish, but we had a good time watching, thanks to you!
Happy Patty’s Day to you too!! I learned about Gladys Taber from your books and recently read one of her Stillmeadow books. She was a lovely person and led the most interesting life devoted to recognizing and celebrating those details that make every day, every season important and rich. This signed give away is a treasure for sure! If I lived closer, I would definitely love to attend your Friends of Gladys Taber event. It would be quite fun to listen to what others had gathered from her writings.
Irish Stew and Irish Soda bread? Mmmmmm, they both sound delicious and perfect. I too have Irish heritage from my father’s side and wish I knew more about our family immigrants to America during the famine.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands! If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands! If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it, If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!!!
Seeing Jack’s face makes me happy and smile! What a ham for the camera!
It would be absolutely wonderful to win the Gladys Tabor book. I love the way she writes and I love the way you write. Both of you have such a calming effect on me.
I am a new reader of your blog, and it has been so much fun….thanks for your beautiful outlook on life and sharing those thoughts and dreams so creatively…I would love to have my name drawn for Gladys Taber’s book… thank you for your generous giving ways!
You find the most wonderful things and then are generous enough to share them. You scour every square inch looking and always (at least it seems that way to us) find a treasure. What a delight.
The Stillmeadows event sounds wonderful. Wish I could attend but a bit far from home base in Southern CA and we are not traveling this year. I’ll look forward to receiving the book. Just in case Vanna misses my name I’ll start scouring for myself and see what I can find. Sooner or later a treasure will surface. I’ll keep you posted.
Your tea sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to try it. I love green tea. I immediately put two Gladys Taber books on hold at my library this morning. Thank you for your blog. What a charming way to start the day.
Lots of love from the Netherlands. I’ve been very busy packing, cause we’re moving soon. What a mess… everywhere. But there is your lovely post to read! Makes my day a little more pretty! Thanks for your lovely post, I’d like that Spring Tea! Looks nice.
Good luck with your writing Susan! I haven’t got a book of Gladys Taber so It would be very nice to win one! Keeping my fingers crossed.
Lots of love and hugs Willemien
Hoping your move goes quickly and turns out to be just the right thing to do!
Susan,
Happy St Patricks day to you and all your girlfiends! Thank you once again for a lovely post, and a chance to win such a lovely book!!
I am still reading your old posts, and am at july 2012. I want to read them as slowly as possible, just so it will last as long as possible….:)
Big kiss for Jack who always steals the show, and best wishes from Holland, where the meadows are GREEN and starting to fill with lambs!
Nicoline
That soup sounds so delicious and interesting! I think I’ll make it on the next stormy, rainy day.
You know how much I love Gladys Taber. I don’t know why I never became a member of the fan club…maybe I just like to feel connected to Gladys through her own words. But maybe someday I’ll join. 🙂
Thinking of you…sending a big hug,
Dawn
Dawn you would LOVE the newsletter! I know how you love New England, so it would be just your cup of tea.
Joined the FOGT just so I can get to meet you in June! Received the newsletter and truly enjoyed it, Have not yet found one of her books, but have borrowed from the library. Love that you have sparked a literary interest in me……..and could not put your A Fine Romance down once I started reading it……..I look forward to your future books. Thank you for being you!
See you there Ann Jane!
I love the Dropkick Murphys version of this song also. It’s more powerful and less mournful–both appropriate emotions, I’d say!
Would LOVE to win the book. I’ve been on the look-out for Gladys Tabor ever since you introduced me to her work.
Down here in Georgia our spring has finally arrived…we have daffodils, hyacinth, and forsythia blooming and little green leaf buds coming out. It is really welcome after such a long, cold winter.
The book sounds lovely. I have certainly enjoyed reading what little of Gladys Taber’s writing I have managed to find 🙂
I am happy you are coming along so well on the book! Even if it does mean you are pulled away from the blog entries at times 😉 At least it is for a good cause!
Now, off to make some soda bread to go with our leek and potato soup for tonight!
Hi there,
Cead mile failte! Or “One hundred million welcomes” as they say in Ireland. I am glad you are already celebrating the day! I love what I have read of Gladys Taber – although never this book. Wish I were closer to go and see her house (and you!)
Enjoy your week!
Sue from Simi
Green is such a wonderful color…so fresh and alive. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day too. Hope your day was a great one!
I have been a Gladys Taber fan ever since the Butternut Wisdom days…I wrote to her as a new bride (in the 60’s) and she answered my letter…handwritten… so I immediately framed it. Also, named my first Irish setter, Rebecca’s Hollyberry Red. Then someone toured my house on a housewalk and discovered my collection of Glady’s books and we became friends so naturally she introduced me to the Society. I always look at your calendars and books for mentions of her after I noticed that you always mention her birthday. It is fun to find kindred spirits!
What a nice story of discovery!
Susan,
The Irish music is playing away on the CD player while reading your
green blog today. Can’t wait for Vanna to pull my number and win
The Best of Stillmeadow.
Pat S.
Looking forward to meeting you at the gladys reunion this june. My best buddy and i are making the event together. I have quite a number of gladys books but not the one yhat you found. What luck! I love everything glafys wrote and even named our new place, stillmeadow, to honor her.
Look at all the Girlfriends coming to Connecticut, this is going to be SO fun!
Hi Susan! I so look forward to your weekly blog and knew younwould share some interesting St. Paddy’s day recipes and quotes. . .and you did! I am also intrigued about Gladys Taber. I am not familiar with her, but plan to google her later. You always manage to provide so much interesting info your blog. . . .BTW, thank you for talking about The Goldfinch. I am aoutnhalfmwaynthru the book and am hooked!! So glad you mentioned it. I do also have a question for you. I am wondering how you do your back ground drawings. I am noticing all your darling backgrounds and wonder if you do them all by hand, or some other way. This weeks blog is exactly what I am talking about with the sweet blue flowers. Ever thing about designing fabrics??? Bye for now, Lee
I paint them like everything else, just paint and paint until they’re done. I’ve done fabric collections in the past, there are even still a few of them in my web store. See you soon Lee!
It is my birthday today so I’m a lucky girl to have two things to celebrate! I’ve had a lovely day with lots of emails and phone calls plus a wonderful latte and sweet at a cafe/bakery called “The Sweet Gallary” and then to come home and find a new blog with a Gladys Taber give away, well I am overwhelmed! Thank you, thank you, and did I say thank you? Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone.
Happy Birthday Elaine!
The sun came out Saturday for the annual dyeing of the Chicago river followed by a lovely parade. We here in the Chicago area were hoping the ice on the river would break up and it did just in time for the festivities. If you ever have the chance to see it in person you will be so amazed at the vivid hue! Pictures don’t do it justice. I just got done serving my favorite Irish American his favorite corned beef dinner complete with carrots, potato, cabbage, horseradish and soda bread. He’s now peacefully napping in his recliner, content and happy having eaten his all time favorite meal. I really should make it more often but that smell!! If the could only take the odor out of cooked cabbage! Hope you and Joe are having a lovely holiday! Crossing fingers and toes that I have the luck of the Irish and win the signed book!!
Your Irish Stew smells Heavenly, Susan!!! All the way down here to icy NC!
You should have seen me last night making a mad dash around our yard in the dark frantically gathering bouquets of daffodils… saving them before the ice came (again!)to claim them….I couldn’t bear to lose one more to stubborn Old Man Winter!!! Time for him to leave for good!
Haven’t yet read any of Gladys Taber’s books, but because of your love for her, I’ve read alot ABOUT her! Amazing woman! Did you plan your special Give-Away on St. Patrick’s Day in honor of her sweet IRISH Setter, Holly??? haha!
Loved the post, the fun, the serious. Gladys Tabor is such a treasure to read! I have her Stillmeadow Sampler and Still Cove Journal.
I’m having a cousin reunion this summer and gathering letters their moms (my aunts) sent to my mom through the years. I’ll bundle each family’s letters in a special bandana tied with cord in honor of our “Prairie Reunion”. All this to tell you that on the top layer of the box I was going through today was a letter from one of my aunts to my mom written exactly 67 years ago today…March 17, 1947. It was like a St. Patrick’s greeting from over the rainbow to see that sitting on top just in time for me to randomly choose that box to open today! Plus, inside the box was something Mom had written about how important it was to read letters from those now gone in order to have their voice with us again. That’s precisely why I had decided my gift to my cousins would be their mother’s old letters even before I saw my mom’s thoughts about letters. I guess I AM my mother’s daughter by birth and in my heart. 🙂
Thanks for letting me share that special moment with you!
That was lovely Sarah! xoxo
Sarah, my aunt gave me all the letters she had saved that my mom (her sister) had written to her. They are a record in her handwtiting of everyday events kind of like a journal or diary but in letter form and they go back many years. I too keep notes and letters that I receive and re-read them from time to time. They are real treasures. And I love the way your mom said “so we can have their voice with us again”. Your coudinscare going to be thrilled.
Aah a lovely post for the wearin’ of the green. My birthday is St. Patrick’s Day, so has been a special day for 68 years now. Tis the strangest Irish stew recipe I have ever seen but I think I may have to try it. Your blog posts always bring a smile to my face and the tea sounds wonderful. Happy St Paddy’s Day to all. Lynn
Corned beef is starting the scent the air and I cannot wait for our supper. I hope I am lucky today.
Susan,
like Jack, I to wear my Irish green each day! My Irish eyes are smiling.
We had Irish stew today, and it was yummie. (we eat our main meal at 1pm. because my ken works second shift.) So excited, about the Gladys Tabor book.
At the present time I am reading a novel by Philip Beard, called Dear Zoe, He is coming to our small town in June for a signing. Do you think you will ever be in PA. for a signing? I was telling our local library all about you !!!
peace, love and friendship.
Love Love Stillmeadow and Gladys Tabor……how sweet of you to offer this wonderful book!!!
Happiest of St. Patrick’s day to you all….kitties included:):):). Enjoy your stew:):):)
Smiles, :):):)
It is always a good start to the week when we get a Susan post. Now we shall tuck back into work refreshed! Thank you.
Greetings across the water from Newport. I’m celebrating the day with my orange tabby cat, Heidi. I’m also going to the Redwood Library to sit in their lovely reading room with the green chairs. Love Gladys Taber. Love your posts.
Wonderful posting! Thank you.
Looking forward to reading Gladys Taber – I so love being a homemaker and wife and mother! Bet my mother and Grandma read her, but just never said anything! Going to make your Irish Stew and Soda Bread today! LOVED the pictures of Jack and his BEAUTIFUL green eyes! His mustache reminds me of Hercule Poirot 😀
Looking forward to getting to know Gladys Taber and reading about Country Living, as My husband and I and our last 2 of our 6 children embark on a new adventure with some “country living” . Any positive’s about this adventure will be appreciated! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Just returned this morning from rolling storms and brilliant sun breaks at the beach, through pelting rain and hail in the mountains, to my home where I currently sit looking out on a wet street of pink flowering cherry trees and dripping yellow daffodils. Such is the legendary unpredictability of Spring in Oregon. At least everything is GREEN!! Emerald, olive, chartreuse, lime, avocado, moss, mint, forest, fern, pine, teal, laurel…….. Name a green — we’ve got it. Our reward for enduring the rain. (Actually I love the rain — it refreshes everything) So corned beef tonight and a toast to the green — ALL of them!! In the meantime, a cup of green tea in honor of you and all the uplifting things you send out into the world. Thanks for making my day brighter!
Oh, Susan…what a wonderful giveaway ! You are very generous…thank you for always having a surprise for us. Will try the Irish Stew next year as I just put the potato topping on our individual Shepherd Pies. Last night we watched The Quiet Man with a cuppa …and a fire too because we had some SNOW here this morning !!! Hope you have a wonderful rest of the day….
As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me;
the power of God uphold me;
the wisdom of God guide me.
(A prayer of St. Patrick)
Ohh….A is for Annabelle is written and illustrated by Tasha Tudor, not Gladys Taber. (oops)
Your stew looks fantastic–think I’ll give it a try tomorrow for dinner. Going to be rainy and cold, so I think it will hit the spot! Come on Spring! Thanks for the chance to win such a fine book. Have a nice evening.
Happy St Patrick’s Day to you, Susan and all the girlfriends! Love seeing the green eyes of Jack–he is so cute and full of life–so much energy–Must be contagious! The New York Times article was so touching and a reminder that history is important to visit and not repeat……Thank you for all the important ponderings. xoxo ♥
My mother was able to see a Riverdance performance a few months before she died. She said it was the most beautiful thing to watch, and I should add it to my bucket list. I’ve always loved them, too. Thanks for adding the link to the youtube performance.
Do you know the correct response to “Top of the mornin'”? It is: “And the rest of the day to yerself”! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all those with Irish roots like me, and all who are just Irish for the day!
Excellent information Julie Ann! “And the rest of the day to yerself.” What a lovely blessing indeed!
What a great little tidbit of information! How friendly it is!
thank you again for a wonderful post! I want to try the stew today!
Happy St. Patty’s Day, Susan and Joe. What a nice surprise it was from my sweet daughter to receive a birthday greeting comment from my favorite Susan Branch. Thank you so much….it just made my birthday so much more special. My mom named me Patty because I was born the day before St. Patrick’s Day.
xoxo Happy Birthday one more time Patty!
I love seeing the changes of seasons through your lovely blog. Brightens my spirits!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I have a couple of Gladys Taber books, but not that one!
Thank you for all the nice posts and the fun give aways!