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 . . .
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This is a wonderful day to remember my Irish grandmother! Though proud of her homeland, she was prouder of her adopted country, the U.S.A. Her uncle was a shipbuilder that worked in Belfast. When a certain large ship was completed but not yet christened, all the workers were invited to tour the ship their hands had help make. He bought a little item for my grandmother from the gift shop. It’s still in our family. Oh yes, the boat was the Titanic!!!
I love reading your posts.
I have loved Gladys Taber for a very long time. I found her one day sitting quietly on the library shelf. Generally I will read one of her books during the winter when the cold wind is blowing the snow all about. I will sit by the fire and let her comfort me and bring small smiles to my face as I picture her averting yet another house or dog catastrophe!! Would love to have this special book to add to the others I have found. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Loved the music of the “Quiet Man” and loved that movie…Had a reuben today….does that count!!! Enjoyed the corned beef!!! 🙂 Waiting for Spring and ready to get the gardens going….
Hello Susan another fine blog, hope I have luck of the Irish and get that book, a funny story, I grew up with a grandfather in Joplin Missouri I would visit my grandparents every summer, My mom told me my grandfather was Irish which he was, but he was 4″ 11. his name was Charles Storrie, his nick name was shorty storrie, and I thought my grandpa was a leperchan. Any way thought that was funny especially as a small child telling other children my story. We have deffinately found our pot of gold, when we found your blog.
Many thanks, Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for sharing your story about your little leprechaun grandfather! It gave me and my husband a chuckle!! How sweet!!! You should write about this story so it can always be shared with your family!!
Thank you for being you Susan! You are my inspiration. I hope to meet you one day 🙂
Always on the lookout for Gladys! Thanks for thinking of us.
“May the road rise up to me you….” Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Susan! We love you and Jack and Girl Kitty!!!! 🙂
Over the years, I have been very lucky to find several of Gladys Taber’s books in used book stores and several very old editions of John Fox, Jr’s books. He lived in Big Stone Gap, Virginia and his The Trail of the Lonesome Pine was set in our southwest Virginia mountains. I treasure my old books which also include Tasha Tudor.
One of my goals for this year is to read about Gladys Tabor so winning this wonderful book would be a great start! Anything you recommend is sure to be a winner! Have we told you lately how much us readers love you?? You are such an inspiration and when I see a new blog entry, it’s like a little skip of delight for me.
Keep working hard on that book, Susan. I know it will be another winner.
Nancy
If you enjoy reading it half as much as I’m enjoying writing it, it will be more than OK with me!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I would love to find out more about Gladys Tabor! Thanks for so much information on this fascinating lady!
My mom was given a bunch of books. She asked if I wanted any. There were more Gladys Taber books than any other author. I never heard of Gladys Taber, but I thought if she had so many of one author, the books must be good.
Oh yes, they’re good.
I have read Gladys Taber’s books and columns for many years. Such a cozy writer. Becky visiting in Eureka Springs, AR where ther is snow amongst the green!
Well, I dare say, Susan, when you were finally able to focus, you came up with a very nice mix of subjects to write about, draw, comment upon, and entertain us with! I am glad you stopped each time “important memories or perfect descriptions” crashed into your best intentions, because we will all get to enjoy those descriptions later, besides still having today’s blog.Talk about having one’s cake and eating it, too!
I hope a large venue has been secured for your talk at the Gladys Tabor event reunion; you will draw a fortunate crowd. 🙂 Your thoughtfulness is a delight to observe, Susan–to think of gifting The Best of StillMeadow to one of us Girlfriends–wow! Don’t you love it when you find a treasure tucked away undiscovered except by you?
Yesterday, 16 March, was so delightful that we spent several hours outdoors, then during the night we were awakened by icy rain pelting against our windows, only to rise this St. Patrick’s Day to find it completely still and quiet with a blanket of snow over lawn and fields! That is spring in Central Oregon for you. It has been windy and cold today, but there are definite signs of springs: tulip leaves unfurling and crocuses bravely blooming.
Your new book will be handwritten, as well, I hope? Your style of writing (wording and printing) is very, very charming, entertaining, informative, and cheering. You have eager readers awaiting its completion. Happy writing!
I do believe it will be handwritten … but I’m waiting until it’s done because it will tell me what it wants. It already does! Nice to hear from you Paula!
Happy St. Pat’s Day to you! We’ve had crazy “Irish” weather in Seattle but my daffodils are pushing through the ground so Spring can’t be too far away!
Would love to learn more about Gladys. I recently read Beatrix Potter, a Victorian Genius and the Roy Rogers book you recommended. Enjoyed them both!
Top o’ the evenin’ to ya! (If there is such a thing – it’s sure not mornin’ here anymore!) Aye and begorrah, dear Jack is handsome as ever and struttin’ his stuff! The beef stew sounds wonderful – I’ll have to try it! We had our traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage – the whole family expects it and loves it! I had to really search this morning to find a green sweatshirt – my winter uniform! – but find one I did – from Pike Place Market in Seattle, WA! No mind, it works! And when I went shopping for cabbage and parsnips today, I bought a couple bunches of daffodils – I only have two in my garden and since they are my favorite flower, I had to have more when I saw them. They are buds right now, but by tomorrow morning, I’ll have some bright yellow flowers to wish me a good morning and remind me that Spring will be here on Thursday, also my granddaughter’s 11th birthday! I hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day, wore your green and didn’t get pinched! Much love from out west!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I love your kitty.
Hi Susan, Happy St. Paddy’s day to you and Joe and of course Jack and Girl Kitty!I just inherited my Mother’s teacups. They are so beautiful. All of them were made in England. I think I have Downton Abbey fever. I can’t get enough of anything English. I went to the library and took out Downton Abbey 1,2, and 3 to watch. My husband Michael and I love watching the series. The dresses are amazing. I would love to own the Gladys Taber book. Thank you for all you do for us by writing all those fabulous books. I am re-reading A Fine Romance, that’s how much I loved it. We raise a glass of Guiness to you!
xoxo thank you Kathleen! Cheers!
Seeing this a little late tonight, but I am in my green pj’s! Mom always made corned beef -and- cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. Good luck to us all!
I love your new lamb cards! Jack’s green eyes are beautiful; I always try to get by with my green eyes on St. Paddy’s Day! 🙂
Hi Susan,
Spring is just around the corner! Really, I believe it!
We are blessed with daughter-in-law and 3 grandsons that wanted to travel 10 hours to spend their spring break with us. My son brought them yesterday and had to leave for Kansas City to work this A.M. But he’ll be back Wednesday. She and I share a passion for quilting so we always get a lot of sewing done when they are here. Happy days!
Thank you for the lovely post!I love the dancers in the video that you put up! I can just picture me danceing like that after eating Irish stew! ha ha!Happy St. Patrick’s Day {even though I’m not Irish}!
Spring is popping in the Pacific NW. I stopped at the bottom of the hill today to take pictures of the Greenwood Pioneer Cemetery which is bordered with big graceful pink trees and carpeted with lush green (for St Paddie’s day). The sky so blue and the clouds so white, makes one want to dance a jig! Thank you for your generous gift! Gladys Taber would be tickled pink (as will a girlfriend be!) Happy Spring (almost!)
Oh forgot to mention that we will be watching the Quiet Man with John Wayne tonight. One of my favorite movies! We had our corned beef and cabbage and our Guinness so we are all set. Shamrocks to you Susan!
Happy St Patrick’s Day. What a great giveaway. Enjoy your blog.
I love celebrating our Irish side with Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots and Guinness Cake! Each year I tell the kids at dinner about the great-greats that crossed the big sea in 1822 and met each other climbing up the embankment after getting off the ship in Quebec–never having met while crossing on the same ship– They married and here we all are today in Minnesota! So many of us have such amazing stories about our Irish side….Happy St. Patty’s to you all!
Dear Susan,
I would love to be the new owner of your Gladys Tabor book! Better yet, I’d love to come to your presentation but I live in Oregon so of course that’s out of the question! You’ve mentioned her name so many times in your books, calendars, etc that I finally did some research to find out about her. Every review I’ve read is always so positive and so it would be wonderful if I could be the owner of my very own Gladys Tabor book. Thanks for your wonderful, inspiring blog..Gladys Tabor would be very happy to read your words!
Pam
Thank you Susan for your lovely blog.I look forward to reading it every day. I am still trying to get your books in Australia. Maybe I should do what you do and look in a dark corner of a book shop.
I started reading Gladys Taber when I was just married I have some of her books, they are as good today as they were when they were written.
Today spring ala Susan Branch arrived on my front stoop in two packages. A used copy of The Summer Book, owned once by another Linda who lived in Bermuda according to a sticker on the back cover, turned out to be a first edition. My favorite, though, is a pillow with foxglove and a hummingbird. A cheerful addition to our living room. Here in Michigan, real spring can’t come fast enough. Thanks for adding beauty to the world and for your lovely, happy blog!
That book was obviously waiting to be found by Susan Branch. Love the spoiled kitty pictures. lol
Hi Susan…I so enjoyed your post today and your celebration of this Holy Catholic Feast Day. My husband is Irish and also a Patrick named after the dear Saint and each year I make him Irish Stew, Saint Brigid’s Irish Oaten Bread and a delicious Irish Apple Cake served warm with soft whipped cream. I enjoy decorating our home with the wee people Leprechauns dressed in their adorable costumes and bright green festive Shamrocks. Your Irish Stew recipe looks delicious…I will have to try it! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you!
~Debbie
The wee ones have been learning about the famine and the Irish immigration to
America for our homeschool history for the last few days…that is how my family got here. Hard to read without crying but also makes me proud to be part of such a resilient people! Our youngest is named Padraig Colmcille (Paddy for short, after the saint!) xoxo mb
That is such a wonderful name! Yes, it sure does make you cry.
Hi Susan,
Love your blogs..Happy St. Patricks Day to you! I love those green eyes that Jack has! What a beautiful green..the pics of him are beautiful! He is a handsome fellow! Enjoy him. Have a wonderful spring and summer! Much love and happiness to you!
I sure do enjoy your blogs! Now you have me wanting to search every antique store for hidden treasures! How I would love this book…..put my name close to the top so Vanna can find it! ( I also want to check out the Gladys Tabor newsletter site).
I live in CT not far from Gladys Taber’s former homestead Stillmeadow. Thank you for the introduction to this intriguing writer. My mission is to read some of her works. I applied for membership to her fan club and I am hoping to be eligible to go to the reunion this June. I enjoy your blog and would love to see you as well.
See you there!
Love that kitty face! What a sweetheart. Thanks for the St Patrick’s Day post. I must try the Irish stew!
[email protected]
Always wonderful to stop and read a post. I have to giggle about Jack, my kitty Miles would be just as mischievous if I was trying to be productive! I love Gladys Taber books, you inspired me to begin reading her stories several years ago. Love her simple life. Nice to know that there are (were) other people in the world like me, who enjoy animals and all the comforts of home! Happy Spring to you, Joe and the kitties!
I found you quite by accident while looking up Beatrix Potter’s cottage. I am hooked on your blog now and can’t wait to read your new book. I would love to win your vintage Gladys Tabor book. My mother’s name was Gladys. Top o the evenin’ to ya.
Sandra
Happy to meet you Sandra!
I would love to own a Gladys Taber book! I found a book in our church library, that I believe is one of hers. A friend had donated it– it was her mother’s book. I told her she might want to read it, that I have heard she is a good writer. She is presently reading it. I also shared your links to information about Gladys, with my friend. I almost share a birthday with you two–mine is April 13. I will be 62–I think you are about my age Susan. I have loved your work for a long time. I have most of your books, calendar, rubber stamps, fabric. We share a lot of the same tastes. I have the rubber stamp of the girl holding onto her straw hat. My stamping group all love that one–wish it was still available. Love reading your blog–I feel like I know you! Is Tasha Tudor someone you also enjoy–another of my favorites. Thank you for the joy you add to my world.
Love Gladys Taber! I found her before I found you!
I love Ireland. My favorite bicycle vacation was down the poet’s coast (south west side). And the people are so sweet and friendly. I don’t think there exists a mean Irishman! And so excited about the drawing!!
Good evening Susan,
I just read Annie’s Snippet for St Patricks Day, Author unknown. I’m sure
you have seen it before, but it is new to me. A BEST FRIEND IS LIKE A
FOUR-LEAF CLOVER; HARD TO FIND AND LUCKY TO HAVE. Your blog brings many girlfriends together. Kindred spirits! Your special drawing for the book Stillmeadow looks very interesting.
I hope I have a little Luck of the Irish
Happy St. Patricks’s Day! I will try your stew next time… I made mine today in the crock pot so it would be ready when we came home from work! Yum!
Love all of the Gladys Tabor books and articles. Nothing like settling in with a Stillmeadow book to relax + decompress
What a wonderful gift it would be to win that Gladys Taber book. I have started to slowly collect her books , because of you inspiring me ,all your books are alongside hers on my bookshelf. I try amazon looking for her books, my goal is to have a collection like yours. Her books are inspiring and comforting..
To me they are little anchors of what matters in a world that seems like sometimes it has forgotten.
“Best of Stillmeadow” is a wonderful surprise and a wonderful way to celebrate spring.
We need tea, Irish soda bread and Gladys Taber books here in So. Ca. to divert us from the ever present possibility of earthquakes. This one was nothing, I was surprised it was over 4, we shake those off………………but, there is always concern about the next one……………………….
My butt is a pretty accurate Richter Scale, I seem to be sitting when they hit. Y’know, reading, sipping tea and reading Gladys stuff. I can call em’ mighty accurately being a Ca. native and vet of some biggies.
Anticipation of the new book overshadows even Downton Abbey withdrawal!!
Go Sue Go!!!!!!
They are nerve wracking. I have a good Richter scale of a butt too … can tell a 5.5 from a 6.2 in a second!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day . The Irish have given us a wonderful celebration. I read the NYT article, so heartbreaking. We must not forget the past. Irish Blessings to all the girlfriends.
My mother has been a huge Gladys Tabor fan. I was living in Connecticut and very pregnant with my daughter. My mom flew out to help me and while waiting for the big event we drove over to Stillmeadow to have a look. I was as big as a barn but I have a picture in front of her home. If I remember right the neighbor lady came out and had a nice chat with us. That was the summer of 1992…
I so look forward to your blog entries… Always something new to savour. Thank you for your recent ‘squirrel’ moment! ( I crosstiched a wee one for my dear friend Ruth- we can’t seem to stay focused on any one point in any given conversation but somehow manage to cover a lot of ground nontheless!
I only learned of the wonder that is Gladys Taber from you. It would be so wonderful if my name was picked for her book.
Cheers from here.
Oh, I just love Gladys Taber! And I love your books. How lovely to receive one of her books from you!
Happy Spring!
I recently read A Fine Romance…..and loved every word!!!!!! Thanks for the chance of winning Gladys Taber’s book!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hope to be lucky today–my Boston might even be sporting a special four leaf clover for this one!
A cold and grey St. Patrick’s Day in Indiana but dreaming of a summer vacation helped. We are planning a major road trip similar to yours; only I won’t be in a lamb clad van or signing any books. We are driving from Indiana to Estes Park Co., to Yellowstone, to Mt. Rushmore and home again; jiggity jig. It is the big road trip before my sons who are 18 and 19 no longer live at home or are willing to crowd into a van and go on vacation. I would surely enjoy taking that book along for company!
Enjoyed your whole post, and loved that you mixed the light and sweet with the deep and thought-provoking – a very Irish thing to do. Erin go Bragh!
Kathleen Noble from warm and sunny California
Well, it’s kind of how we Girlfrieds are! 🙂
Just love your blog posts. Jack is such a cutie! What an expressive face he has. His personality sure comes across in the photos you share. Our kitty, Ms. Stripes, reminds me of your Girl kitty – very lady like most of the time. When we pull the laser pointer out, however, I’ve never seen a more excited, frenzied and undignified lady! 🙂 Good luck with your new book!
Happy St Paddy’s Day! We made Ruben’s. Love Love Got your new spring
cards. Love Love them, too!
Your Jack is SO like my Bitz. He gets tired of my kisses too, just like many little human boys get as they get older. But I am undaunted. He is just TOO sweet. He likes to help me type here on my laptop, often sitting on my right arm and the arm of the chair, being my furry little spell checker. Gladys Taber has recently been added to my reading list,love getting to know her.
So happy to check and find your new post. The sequential pictures of Jack are hilarious!! Would love to win that book……..I remember Gladys Tabor’s writings from Woman’s Day magazine, I think it was.
Happy St. Patrick’s day….we did have potatoes for dinner but no corned beef and cabbage or anything!!
Blessings on your continued writing!! That will be a wonderful book!
Irene in Colorado
Thank you, Susan for the lovely blog posting today. Luck of the Irish to you today and everyday!
What a fun way to celebrate the day.
I enjoyed the video of coloring the Chicago River for St. Patrick’s Day. Erin Go Braugh! Also, your Gladys Taber book looks positively yummy!
I love collecting books and would love to have one of Gladys Taber’s to add to my collection! not only do I collect, but I do read them all, too. thanks for the chance to win one again!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day and happy spring (finally). Enjoyed this blog about all things Irish. My great-great grandparents immigrated (from County Cork) to the US to escape the famine in Ireland. Thank you for sharing this NY Times article. I am in the midst of reading Ireland by Frank Delaney. I am an avid reader, but have not read much Gladys Taber … if I don’t WIN, I plan to seek her books out at the library. She comes highly recommended 🙂
Our family enjoyed our once a year tradition of Corned Beef, cabbage, potatoes and beer bread for dinner. This year we added some yummy scones to enjoy with coffee as an after dinner treat. What a wonderful meal with loved ones gathered around the table!
Blessings to you!
Love your blog and would love to win one of your favorite books. Come to Oregon some time! Or a girlfriends tour of England would be such a fun thing for you to do for a big group of your fans!
Overcast here today but nevertheless it was a good day! My Mother’s maiden name was Riley and my oldest son named his daughter Riley. My Mother’s father was a lovely man with twinkly blue eyes (my Mother got those) who dearly loved showing pictures of his grandchildren to who ever would look. Miss them both terribly! Our daughter’s name is Erin in honor of the Irish on either side.
Love Gladys Taber and her books and also your kitty cat, Jack! Hope you had a great St. Paddy’s Day!
Today is my dad’s birthday (in heaven) and this visit to your blog has added a sweet finish to a melancholy day. Thank you for always giving us such positive words to ponder!
I love your posts. As my family is Irish (maiden name Cawley or “Crowley” in the original spelling) I enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. I don’t have any of Gladys Taber book’s so I would love to own one! Love your giveaways! I hope spring comes for you soon….
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too, Susan. What a lovely give away. I’d love to add this book to my small collection of Gladys Tabor books. Thank you for introducing her to me a few years ago.
Spring! Spring! Spring! I can’t wait thank you thank you for the article on St. Patrick’s Day .Being a “Patrick” myself it’s an extra special holiday. My Momused to get out of school for it. I really enjoyed the whole blog. Thank you thank you! Your temperatures may be cold but your heart is full of spring!
ok Vanna ~ pick me!
Hi Susan, I too love Gladys Taber’s books. They are good relaxing reads. Your books and blog are fun and relaxing to read also. Best wishes with your new book. I can’t wait to read it. I look forward to your blog. Thank you for the chance to win the book. I would love to have it.
HAPPY ST PAT’S DAY TO EVERY ONE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IRISH!
Would love to win Gladys Taber’s book! Thanks Susan for all of your great posts, and my kitties thank you for Kitty and Jack’s photo’s! They both have to admire them each time I read your post! They love their pictures! They wish to be friends?!
Happy Early Spring!
Susan, I’ll always be grateful you connected all us girlfriends to Gladys Tabor. I love her writing….I love her love for her surroundings….thank you!
My pleasure Ruthanne. xoox
Happy St.Patricks Day. Hope you had as good of a day as we did!
Would love to win. 🙂
Just came home from enjoying Celtic Woman……….have you heard of them?
Winning Stillmeadow would be a wonderful way to end St. Patrick’s Day for this year and this endless winter……6 inches due tomorrow. Hoping to have a wee bit of the luck of the Irish!
Susan, I just love your blog and am so excited when I see your latest blog post on my email! Also love everything Gladys Taber. What Joy it would bring to win this book! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I would love to win the Gladys Taber book. I am 60 years old and my mother has been gone almost 20 years now. I have precious memories of us reading Gladys Taber together — and looking for her unicorn. Thank you for the happiness you give me reading your blog. And I got to travel to England with you vicariously. Luv to you.
LOVE all of my Gladys Taber books. This is one I would love to add to my collection! Crossing my fingers! Luck of the Irish and all…!
I reminded my sons today that we have ancestors from County Down! They were actually Ulster Scots but still. . .
Susan – I am a newbie to SB, it has only been a few months of reading your wonderful blog but I have been baptised – I bought “A Fine Romance” and only read it on my lunch hours, slowly, I want it to last. I have read the only two GT books in our library and have become a FOGT and I am about to read my first newsletter. By coincidence, I too ate Irish bread with butter today and drank tea – it was a salute to my dear departed Irish Mom. I have been a black & white cat person for 40 years but have just switched to torties which are also very dear. I hope to win that special GT book, that is what brought me to send you this e-mail. One more thing – I don’t know if you have ever found the best way to clean tea stains out of teacups, I know it was a question a few months ago; so I wanted to tell you and by extension, the girlfriends – fill a teacup with warm water and drop a denture cleaning tablet into it and leave for a few hours – easy pesy lemon squeezie – the stain will vanish. Happy St. Pat’s, we have 9 more minutes left of the day. Good night.
Sweet Dreams Donna!
Happy Patty’s Day! Thank you for the wonderful post, the music from “The Quiet Man” just fills your heart with joy and makes you feel like you are right there among the rolling green hills tending the little sheep. Thank you for the inspiration!
Well, I’m Norwegian/English/German but I never miss making a big Irish meal on St. Pat’s Day! Corned beef, colcannon, and always Irish soda bread. Erin go Bragh, and I hope I win the book! 😉
I am clapping my hands because I’m happy and I know it. And a new post from you makes me even happier… recipes, new tea, darling index/greeting cards, wow! And the pictures of Jack just make me smile. What a character he is. Wishing you a happy St. Patrick’s Day too Susan. I hope to be the lucky one to win the Gladys Taber book signed by you! What a wonderful gift for one of us girlfriends! Thank you for your generosity! ♥
What a wonderful post, Happy St. Patrick’s day to you and yours.
I have a recipe for soda bread that was was posted on the internet this week that has chopped semi-sweet chocolate and candied orange peel, not a traditional recipe but I can’t hardly wait to try with a nice cuppa.
I’m a redhead, the only one for miles around in my family, so growing up I always felt like St. Patrick’s Day was somehow “mine” – which is of course ridiculous because everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s, red hair or not!
I baked a batch of candied ginger and dried apricot cream scones – a friend’s adaptation of a Marian Cunningham recipe that is SO easy – no butter just heavy cream! If you’ve never tried this method of making scones I can’t recommend it highly enough: chinesegrandma.com/2011/12/creamier-scones/
Love red hair! That’s the way I make scones too, all cream no butter … I like them soft not dry and crumbly — my recipe for Cream Scones with Orange Butter is in my Autumn Book
I would tell my older brother he couldn’t pinch me on St. Patrick’s Day because I was wearing green – my green eyes. He said that didn’t count and would pinch me any way! So ornery!
St. Patty’s day was a dangerous time to be a child!
Jack is so cute….his antics make me laugh, always!! He is the master of the house…and then some!
Oh, the Irish Stew sounds delicious! Must try. Enjoyed your post today. Would love for Vanna to choose me for the lovely book. Here’s hoping…… 🙂
Happy Writing!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
What a wonderful giveaway! I would love, love, love to win this beautiful book. I’m reading The Book of Stillmeadow now thanks to being introduced to Gladys by your posts here and her quotes that you share in your own books. I’m completely in love with her and her writing and now gush over it to anyone that will listen to me. 🙂
That’s so great. She deserves to be more well-known! Thank you Kelly!
Dear Sue, I wish I knew how to use the modern magic to send you a photo of our prettiest Spring view. The park in front of the capital building is lined with a row on either side of blooming cherry trees all pretty in pink. In the foreground is a huge bed of blooming daffodils and just behind that is the fountian that shoots the water way up into the air in a giant curve. Spring in Salem, gotta love it! I would love to win the Gladys Tabor book.
Thank you once again for a thought provoking post! And a recipe and cheerfulness, and kindness, and generosity. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us “out here”.
Thank you for sharing your many gifts!
Blessings to you and Joe and all of your readers on St. Patrick’s Day!
Take care…
Please choose me for your Gladys Taber book. It would be a pure delight to read about a New England Spring through Ms. Taber’s eyes. Thank you!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!! The tulips in my front flower bed are peeping through! Can’t get too excited because here in Colorado Springs it is supposed to snow tomorrow!! I just hope my apple trees can survive the snowy spring weather! P.S. I love reading A Fine Romance over and over!
I hope your St. Patrick’s Day was fun, fun, fun….even though your night tonight is COLD, COLD, COLD…………..goodness sakes, doesn’t MV know it’s an ISLAND??? Well, I guess it’s not a South Pacific Island or a Hawaiian island….but it’s an island. It’s not supposed to be 13 degrees tonight just a few days away from Spring!
LOVE Jack….just love the little guy. He’s a keeper!!!
And as for the book….count me in!
xoxo
Joann