R A B B I T R A B B I T Hello October! MUSICA♥
Good Morning, Gypsy Vagabond Girlfriends (and all the rest of you too), Happy October!
Here’s the view outside our upstairs window this morning. Rain and blowing leaves for us today.
Last night, we had our first fire of the season!
We went away last weekend. I had a wonderful booksigning and then went up to Exeter, NH (this is our view from the hotel window) to go leaf peeping and graveyard wandering.
Here we are, parked in front of Best of British in Newburyport MA. It’s just the most wonderful store ~ the charming owners Bernadette and Bob Williams along with the wonderful people who work there, Cathy, Dolina, Lucy, and Evan — and Wendy Louise who volunteered for the day, made it SO nice for us. (If I forgot anyone, please forgive me!) The store is in a darling town you should put on your list to see if you are ever in this neck of the woods. There’s plenty of reason to be here; everything in this area is filled with early history of our country. We went over to Plymouth too, and visited the Mayflower Society House.
They saved us a parking space right out front! (Oh dear, she already has her mouth open!) (Photo borrowed, with permission, from www.karenharveycox.blogspot.com ~ she was there, thank you Karen!)
I signed books for two hours having so much fun because everyone in line was talking and laughing as if they’d known each other forever. It was a Girl Party! Everyone was remembering Joe with the tea bag! Ha ha ha ha! We all agreed we have the “best girlfriends” ever! We even had nuns from the Holy Nativity Convent come to say hello, my first nuns at a booksigning, and they were adorable, you would have loved them like everyone else did. This is Mother Seraphima.♥
I asked for permission to introduce them to you; they said OK, and so, from left: Mother Pelagia, Mother Xeni, me, Mother 
Seraphima and Mother Martha, all from the Holy Nativity Convent. And they’re all Girlfriends on the blog ~ They came because they’re fans of A FINE ROMANCE ~ they drove in from Brookline to have their books signed! We had such a good time ~ they were so happy and fun to talk to, I was honored (as I was with every person I met) that they came. They brought me a loaf of amazingly delicious bread, homemade by Mother Effie (who wasn’t with them), which I’ve been eating ever since, feeling very blessed. ♥
They also brought us these . . .
. . . gorgeous, handmade (they make them at the convent) 100% pure Beeswax candles with the delicate delicious scent of honey. I have one going here in my studio right now, they’re slow burning and don’t drip at all. And I discovered they sell them on line! They are so inexpensive I couldn’t wait to tell you about them, what a nice Thanksgiving or Christmas gift . . . only $11 for eight candles! (11 1/2″ long x 3/4″ diameter) . . . Girl Kitty loved them too, here she is this morning,
. . . wide awake in the holy candlelight at 4:30 am.
I munch this crunchy toast one mouse-bite at a time so it will last as long as possible. It’s whole wheat with every healthy thing, flax seeds, oats, sunflower seeds, honey and lots more, including bulgur. Mother Effie sent me the recipe to share ~ I’ll give it to you soon. You will love it! It’s heavenly!
Our Girlfriend Martha was also at the signing (I’m sorry to say, we didn’t take enough photos!) and brought me this recipe which I made for dinner last night. You can print it out if you like. Lately I’m leaning more and more toward a vegetarian diet, not rigidly, but I like it better, I feel better, so it’s easy to do. So when I saw this HEALTHY recipe from Martha, I said, oh yes, please!
Here’s how it’s done: You start with a bunch of kale (try to get organic if you can) ~ wash it and let it dry.
Put the zest of one orange into a small bowl . . .
. . . and mix it with a half-cup of fresh orange juice.
Speaking of orange . . .
Whisk the juice and zest together with the rice vinegar and maple syrup and set aside.
Cut or tear a bunch of Kale into bite-sized pieces . . . removing the stems.
Put the kale in a large bowl, pour the orange dressing over, mix well, and then massage it ~ (I know, this is a first, massaging greens, but massaging softens kale, takes away the bitterness, and makes it easier to eat) just take each piece of kale between your thumb and first two fingers and give it a good rub. To know if you’ve done it right, taste it, if it’s still bitter, massage some more. You probably know how GOOD kale is for you? ← Click there if you don’t.
Once the kale is ready (you can even see it’s softer here), add a bag of broccoli slaw, and a half-cup each of dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and sunflower seeds. (Or instead of cranberries, try adding beets and orange segments, and maybe some creamy goat cheese).
Mix it well and let it marinate for four hours in the fridge, stirring every so often. Give yourself a hug for making such a healthy salad! It keeps in the fridge for four days.
GOOD HEALTH IS THE THING THAT TELLS US THAT NOW THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR. Franklin Pierce Adams
and here’s another healthy salad . . . this delicious Quinoa salad, I wanted to remind you in case you haven’t tried it yet ~ it’s perfect for a fall dinner and would taste just as good even if you weren’t trying to be healthy!
Some beautiful new things have come into the Studio, Girlfriends ~ starting with THIS ↓
. . . A brand new dream charm for your bracelets and necklaces! This one is magic, it says “BE ♥ AN ♥ ELF” one of my favorite little sayings. These days, elves are more important than ever before.
This is it from the side . . . the charms come in a small clear bag, each with a different gift card and message that says it all.
Here’s our other new charm . . . To celebrate AUTUMN from the Heart of the Home . . . ♥
This “I LOVE AUTUMN” dream charm is all about the swirling leaves of fall ~ but I’m sorry to say, there is one problem . . . we only received about a quarter of our order . . . there was a mixup with the rest of them. I don’t think what we have will last long, but they take such a long time to make ~ I don’t think we’ll be getting anymore this year since Autumn is racing toward winter . . . so if you like it, go now!
On top of that, our annual Limited Edition Christmas Ornament has arrived!
Santa in all his pink-cheeked glory hanging from a gingham ribbon!
I’m watching a movie called The Merry Widow while I’m writing you ~ and they just did the most wonderful waltz, I thought you might enjoy it! It’s Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette Macdonald. I have more to tell you, but I need to go now ~ I’ll write more soon! I promise! xoxo Have a wonderful day!♥
It’s raining, it’s pouring the old man is snoring . . .
You just make my day! It was so good to hear from you!! Thank you for sharing these lovely recipes. I can’t wait to try them. And that toast looks simply delicious. Happy October Susan, I hope you enjoy it to the fullest!
P.S. I tried some Honey Crisp Apples after reading your blog. They are my families new favorite! Thank you for introducing them to us. 🙂
My pleasure, I just love them too!
I remember reading last year around this time that maybe you and Joe were going to plant a Honeycrisp apple tree. I was wondering if you did?
No, I forget why!
Susan…..love the Nuns!!!! Love that they had your book!!!!……………we are going to Gloucester tomorrow for a few days…..I’m a New Englander and have never “toured” the coast of Massachusetts, there is so much to see and this blog proves that. I must visit the Best of British….must, must, must!! Am so looking forward to your visit to Westfield, MA on Oct. 14……..the tickets are going fast! Going to order some candles, too. OMG, have you made my day! xoxo
I’m so happy for you Ann — what a perfect time to travel. Be sure to go to Salem to see the witch trials graveyard, and go to Plymouth to see the Mayflower. See you in Westfield!
Wern’ t you related to one of those alleged witches …. That could explain a lot … Is it true Joe has to hide all the brooms on Halloween ?
He’s very smart, he keeps them hidden year round! Taking no chances.
“There’s A Little Witch in All Of Us” 🙂
Oui! xoxo
Hi Ann, Have a wonderful time in Gloucester. I will see you on Oct. 14, at Susan’s book signing. I am bringing 3 ladies, they are ALMOST as excited as I am.
See you there Carol!
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for the link for the candles. Just ordered some. Can’t beat that price! LOVE your site!
No, that price is almost unbelievable — I think they’d be $50 here on the island.
Great to see a new post! Your second picture, the one with the leaves outside your window…I always wonder when I see your house with the small porch/walkway on the second level, if you ever use it???
It really is only a roof, but with gingerbread on it. There is no door to it. You could go out the window if you needed to.
I watched The Merry Widow this morning, too. Love the old movies! Enjoy this month of October, Susan. It happens to be my very favorite month~
Good to see you back! Hope you had a good time off……
Petra from the Netherlands.
I just looked on our biggest website that sells books here in the Netherlands to see if your autumnbook is there yet (no) and I saw that nobody wrote a review about your Englandbook yet! So I did write one Susan and I am always telling everybody about you! I am your pr-woman in The Netherlands haha!
I love you Petra! Personal reviews make all the difference, so thank you! You are my PR woman in the Netherlands! (This is a sentence I never thought I would say in a lifetime!) 🙂 Thank you!
Rabbit, Rabbit – Wonderful book signing – congratulations! Loved seeing the Nuns (here they’re not wearing habits anymore & I sure do miss that!), and the bread looks delicious! Salads look yummy too! I made your Apple Crisp for a GFs get together & delicious as always, many raves! We had Fuji apples, used them, & were very good! Waltzing in beautiful ball gowns, what a great movie! Gorgeous charms & new ornament! Now that I’m feeling uplifted, I guess I’ll get back to doing chores! Thank you! xoxoxo
I miss the habits too. There always seemed to be a little glow around them. Thank you back Joan!
I always feel uplifted after visiting you. Thank you. Such lovely words and images.
Karen
I’m so happy to have you here Karen. xo
Every time I open your blog and the little bird starts singing,my 2 kitties are looking around to find that birdy! lol
For my birthday I got your lovely book-A Fine Romance!!! What a wonderfull book and I do enjoy it so much.We went often on holiday in England and visit many places you are describing in the book.
So every time I be back again on holiday.
Love your kale-recepy -never eat it raw only cooked! So I’ll try this!
greetings,Trudy
Greetings Trudy . . . thank you!
So glad to hear from you, my best friend and I am celebrating our birthdays…hers today, mine tomorrow…we spent the weekend at Nubble Light, beautiful weather…New England is so wonderful, rain or shine…Pickety Place tomorrow, sun may be shining…your blog was an early gift…:)
Nubble Light, that’s a long way out there! Happy Birthday to you and your best friend! Say hello to Maine for me!
Thank you, we also visited Stonewall Kitchen, a lovely place….done well! The colors of the trees have been wonderful.
As always, your blog posts remind me to stop and breathe in every beautiful second of the season and savor it. Celebrating 8 years cancer free with a walk in the Race for the Cure this weekend with loved ones, beautiful fall weather on tap! The autumn bead is just luscious, the elf bead and Santa ornament made me smile! Love the recipes. The nuns are adorable, and those candles oh my! I will be ordering some of those. Thank you Susan for sharing and brightening our days!!
Good for you Vickie, I’m sure you’re a huge inspiration to people who need some of that magic! Thank you!
It occurs to me …. If you would give a little talk in that burg , Little Rock ….
We could call it the” Little Getty’s burg Address…..” I know , Baaaad
Yes, but funny!
Dear Susan, thank you again for a lovely post! you are batteries for my soul. As we prepare for another triple digit temperatures here in the San Fernando Valley C.A. I have Fall in my heart and in my home:), in the fire place there’s little orange lights to give the sense of a warm fire going on.( A C set at 76) I’m dreaming and I love it. Tonight, quinoa salad ! XOXOXO
You have a good spirit Patricia!
So happy to find your beautiful blog post in my mailbox! You just made my afternoon. Thank you for the recipes and beautiful thoughts, illustrated so wonderfully!
My pleasure Vicki!
Oh, I love Girl Kitty pictures. She looks like a wise old soul. Can’t wait for the bread recipe. Yummy!
I think you are right about Girl!
Me neither! It looks scrumptious!
Girl kitty speaks with her eyes.
She is beautiful.
Audrey.
Always love new blog updates from you….Loved the picture of you and the Nuns….Can’t wait for you to post the recipe for their bread….it looks delish.
I love Newburyport. Have visited several times as my college roommate has lived there all her life. This past week end I attended our city’s Apple Pie Social and Harvest Fair and what a wonderful day it was. Warm(almost 80 degrees). The whole town attends as there’s something for everyone there especially the apple pies. The Church that sponsors the Social spend several days making and baking the pies. The best news was that I found and bought at the Used Book table 11 of the Beatrice Potter books The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Squirrel Nutkin, etc. What a great find and in mint condition. I love small town living on a beautiful day. Happy October to you all.
Oooo, what a find Barbara! The pies sound amazing!
Hi Susan, I love the pictures. How fun that the nuns came. Makes me miss the nun’s home here in our town. Your salad look very good and so did the lovely bread. Those candles are very nice. Blessings to all, xoxo,Susie
And to you too Susie!
Happy Fall Susan! I’m sitting here having a cup of tea and a maple cream cookie (yummy!). My hubby and I went on a long weekend trip to Westport Mass on the26th for a belated 30th anniversary. It was on June 16th but I was taking care of my dad and then he passed away. So this trip was much needed for healing my soul. Did you see me waving across the pond to you??
We had a lovely time just ambling around enjoying the sights. I had my first Lobster roll and we went to a bunch of antique places. It was lovely. Thank you for a lovely post. I love the nuns they look so cute. They reminded me of the nuns from the show “call the midwife” have you seen it? It’s wonderful. It’s cold here as well…stay warm and enjoy all the pretty colors…Mary Brehm in upstate NY : )
So sorry to hear about your dad Mary. I’m glad you had a sweet little getaway. He’s in heaven now and I’m sure he loved watching you eat that lobster roll! Yes, I’ve seen Call the Midwife — love it! Happy Autumn dear Mary!
What a wonderful blog, Susan! Thank you for the recipes. Can’t wait to try them. LOVE the nuns! How enchanting. New charms and candles – I’m going shopping right now! Rabbit! Rabbit! oxoxox 🙂
I LOVE October!!! It is MY month you know. 🙂 Thanks for the link to help the sister~girlfriends!
Like the recipe and the new beads!!!
The bead is gone…:-(
I was hoping to buy it for my October birthday…
I knew it. But we’ll get it back next Autumn. They make us buy so many of them, they have a minimum order, plus they are pretty expensive, if I could get half an order, I do it in a minute, but a whole one is just too many. Next year! Something to look forward to Margot, and in the meantime HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
~Happy Birthday Margot!~
Thanks Lynn, I hope to be up your way in December.
I guess I was too busy looking up the places in CA to get my bearings, and I should have ordered first, blogged second.
If a whole order is so many ….How come you are out in five minutes ?
We didn’t get the whole order ~ 3/4’s of it didn’t make it through quality control.
Can’t put anything past you!
Jack (blogdaddy), I mean, of course:)
Jack Daddy just cracks me up!
Great post!! I LOVE the nuns! They were adorable!! Love the new charms too. Any chance of getting the girlfriend charm in anytime soon?? I can taste that toast with some yummy butter!!! I can’t wait to try it!
We had originally thought we would make the charms a limited edition, but so many requests for more, perhaps next year. They’re expensive and they make us buy a minimum order, so we sort of try to make sure we don’t have them left over. But still, I do hear what everyone is saying . . . xoxo
Would it help things if people pre-ordered the charms? Then you’d know what would sell for sure, and I’m sure the pre-ordered number would definitely cover the minimum order amount. If it didn’t, at least you’d know – and wouldn’t have to cope with leftovers on the inventory. ???
It helps but not everyone likes to preorder, they want to see what they are getting first. Understandably ~ for the color and everything. But I think maybe next year we’ll do another order of them all!
Well, that’s true – I wouldn’t want to buy a piece of jewelry sight unseen either, but can’t the manufacturer supply a sample – for preordering purposes? Seems like that would be easy to do. Just wondering…❤️
No problem, I don’t mind you asking. They have to make a die, which is where the expense is, and they won’t do it for just one, that’s why they have those “minimums.”
Hi Susan! So glad to get your post today. I’ve been waiting to hear from you! I even had a dream that you and Joe were visiting me last night. We all had a great time! Too bad it wasn’t true! I just ordered your “I love autumn” charm, because that is my very favorite season. I only wish I were back in New England to enjoy it. My husband and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary yesterday, and we honeymooned in New England, so had many memories yesterday of that time. We love going back every few years, but haven’t been there for about 3 or so now. It’s time for another wonderful trip back there again! Will definitely try the recipes. I actually really like kale and quinoa, so they look very tasty to me. Have a beautiful day in beautiful New England!
I think you could even mix them up a bit! Happy Anniversary Carol!
I just sent you a comment about my trip to CA in the last post. However, I may be able to make it to Cayucos. How far is it from San Diego???
It’s a bit of a hike, Cayucos is about four hours from LA . . . I forget how far LA is from San Diego, but I think it’s a couple of hours.
Yes, San Diego is about 2 hours South of Los Angeles on a good traffic day; however, much longer between 2pm and 7pm on a Friday evening! Well, any evening really.
Good point!!!
Are there trains that run up the coast?
Yes, there are — but you do have to change in LA. After LA there are quite a few trains each day (some more direct than others). You would go to San Luis Obispo, and from there you would need to have a car to drive up Highway One to Cayucos (about a 20 min. ride from SLO).
I live in San Diego and it’s about two hours to Los Angeles…then another four up the coast…as Susan said.
OK, that’s what I thought, thank you Linda!
So what are you doing next week Girlfriend Linda? 🙂
I feel like singing, California here I come, right back where I started from…We left Long Beach when I was two (when my dad retired from the NAVY), so it has taken me 52 years to get back!
I was born in Long Beach, and the Queen Mary is there too!
I was born in Long Beach too …a looooog time ago
Isn’ t ” NAVY” an elegant word ?
Hello Susan
I loved today’s post with all of autumns glory. My favorite time of the year. I’m even seeing some of our leaves turning bright red here in sunny (and very hot) Southern California. What more can we ask for?
Toni
The heat can’t go on forever! Fingers crossed!
I only use beeswax candles. They don’t give off any toxic fumes in the house. Thank you so much for the lead! Have a beauteous fall, madame! xo t p.s. I’ve been in Outlandia and I’m still talking with a Scottish accent. Love!
I heard they don’t put the dark smoke on your walls either. I just love them. Outlander is bothering me — I’m a weenie when it comes to violence and that 45 minute flogging pretty much did me in! 🙂 I Tweeted the producers and even Diana Galbadon and used the G word (gratuitous) but I mean nothing to them! Probably I’m just old-fashioned, but I think I’ve seen enough.
My husband watches the show but after the first display of violence I left for good. Could be that they are trying to make it “Deadwood” style for the guys to watch? I’ll stick to my memory of reading the book 10 years ago since watching it with real people makes me squirm but reading it was my own imagination of it that I enjoyed better.
Terrible. So disappointing. I liked my imagination better too . . . I think, if it was that violent in the book, I probably skipped over it!
Hello Susan… Happy October to you!… I started out my post today with “Hello October” as well… my favorite month of all!!!… I was so enjoying this post, then had to leave QUICKLY and hop on over to your shop to get my “I Love Autumn” bead!… Yay!… I got one!… they are soooo gorgeous!… and Autumn is my very favorite Season of all… I want it to last forever… today is also my sister Jill’s birthday… she and my nieces all received “A Fine Romance” from me last year… I actually bought them for them for Christmas last year, but was too excited and could not wait… they are all big fans of yours too… thanks for all of the wonderful recipes you shared here… and I loved seeing girl kitty!… (Hello Jack, wherever you are???)… those nuns are adorable at your book signing!… Hello girlfriend Nuns!… we love you!… and that photo of your first fire of the Season is just beautiful!… it is cool here today, 44 degrees when I walked Princess Tessy this morning down the trail… the scent of woodsmoke drifting through the morning air… I could just talk about and gush over Autumn all day long!… love you!… xoxo… Julie Marie (Can you tell I am excited to get my Autumn bead?????)…
I think SO Julie Marie! Happy Birthday to Jill . . . hope you all had fun!
Julie Marie, had to tell you our middle daughter is a Julie Marie (and her birthday is TODAY). Our youngest daughter is a Jill. The first time you commented I thought it was our daughter:). Life is full of coincidences. ooo’s judi
~ Good Afternoon~ Thank you for the link for the candles~ I have to get some too~ finishing up the Fall decorating~ live this time of year!~ Rabbit~ Rabbit!~
~Love~
Love it ~ Live it! Live the Life of Autumn!!!
Yep~ Yep!
Ride around WI for me Lynn. That was my present when I was a kid, to see the leaves change in October. Like I said, I will be having “Endless Summer” for my birthday. Hopefully, up near my cousins in Northern CA there will be trees. LOL
I know…I can’t have it all.
Will do Margot~I can even just look out the door!
Dear Susan, I have to admit I am feeling blue today. No special reason, just normal stuff that we all deal with from time to time. I kept checking your blog because you are such sunshine on a cloudy day! To my surprise there was your lovely post and those shining, smiling faces of the cutest nuns! Instant smile and a sense of sisterhood came over me. I hope you know how precious you are and that you are so loved by so many. No pressure! Loved the glow of the candle with girl kitty so cute! Can’t wait for the bread receipt. Love to try new things. Love.
I’m glad you are feeling better Laurie, sister hugs to you. xoxo
Happy October Susan
What a fun blog post. Love the candles. I will be ordering them also, the price is amazing. Love all the pictures you always let us see, its so much fun
I have never been to Salem, I think we will take a trip there this weekend.
happy day Susan
deezie
PS. that bread looks amazing!!!
Go to the graveyard . . .you’ll love it, if you don’t cry. Be sure to look at the ground as you enter the Witchcraft Victims Memorial.
Thank you so much for the recipes and for the link for the candles! I love this time of year so much and always hope for a nice, long autumn season. Wishing you all the best!
Me too, let’s drag it out as long as possible!
I haven’t been online too much but always take the time to read your missives..noticed Girl Kitty but no Jack…I do hope he is still around, he is a truly good looking boy.
Cool temps back up here in northern mi (not the u.p. but not far south of the bridge) Colors on the trees are much better than those seen in the past couple of years.
Loved the Merry Widow clip and the info re the candles.
Happy Hunter’s Moon to all. suz
Jack is definitely still around and going nowhere! 🙂 Happy Hunter’s moon!
Oh thank you for the update..was afraid of bad news. I have had cats and dogs all my life, well, cats for a longer time and have been without a kitty for 2 years now..husband wants to wait..well, I am standing here tapping my foot (metaphorically speaking) Am looking forward to making the kale salad – it looks wonderful.
Best wishes for happy and colorful fall – our trees here are coming out in brilliant oranges and deep reds..
Oh no, if something happened to Jack I would tell you. But luckily I don’t have to do that. It is my personal opinion (get ready) that you have waited long enough for a kitten! You may quote me! 🙂
Happy October! Or Birthday Month as we call it around here. Daughter-in-law, 2 sons, granddaughter, good friend, goddaughter, and ME! Loved seeing Girl Kitty. Thanks for the recipes and the nuns. Hello sister-girlfriends.
Happy Birthday to you all! Hello sister-girlfriend!
Wow …..arn’t you thankful for October …. If it wasn
N’t for that month you all would have missed the boat
I love two part answers . . . keeps me on my toes! 🙂
Susan,
Strange coincidence – I made the quinoa salad last night (before this post rolled in). I must have been getting your mental vides. Anyway, first time making it and I loved it. Made your broccoli salad last week too. Both winners! So nice to have yummy food that’s actually good for me. I was inspired after re-reading “Girlfriends Forever” in search of some healthy tasty lunch options. I have pages marked all over that book to try. Have to try and “get in shape” for the holiday season before it’s too late. Thanks!
I’m right there with you Colleen!
Hah. I feel like I’m the only person who gains weight in the summer! Too much fun, I guess. Oh well, life’s short!! : )
My weight does not discriminate by the seasons, I’m an equal opportunity kinda gal.
Hi Susan and Colleen, I made your gingerbread and lemon sauce for dessert yesterday and when I flipped your calendar over today, there it was, too. So good. Even better today.
I love that gingerbread . . . so glad you liked it too Elaine. It just tastes like fall!
The salad does sound great. And if you have a Trader Joe’s handy they have a cruciferous mix already to use that includes kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage and broccoli. It is really good and easy!
I’ll have to look for that next time we are in the Trader Joe’s neighborhood!
~ Speaking of mixes~ well not really~ more of a cross~ I see there is a new veggie coming out this Fall called ” Kalettes”~ a cross between kale & Brussels sprouts ~ sounds & looks interesting…….
It all sounds so yummy. Arnie krinkles his nose at any one of those veggies. I just say the Dr. told you to eat your veggies. LOL…and more fish!
Thank you, Susan, for coming to Newburyport to visit some of your north-of-Boston friends. It was such a treat to meet you at the book signing and to chat about Elizabeth Von Arnim and the Beatrix Potter figurines of Peter Rabbit’s friends. Your book inspired me to get the three I have out of a drawer and put them on my grandmother’s bookcase to enjoy every day. They are glad to be out of that drawer!
Your book also inspired me to finally finish the photo album of my own trip to England–many of the same places, including Hilltop. Thank you again for the book, the blog, and all the delights you share with us all.
Very nice to meet and talk to you Virginia. It was such a wonderful day. I’m so glad the books came out! I feel that even if I’m not reading them at the moment, I get their benefit through osmosis, they exude book dna into our house! Thank you for coming!
Susan, Happy October to you and Joe too! Looks like MV is turning to fall…with golden leaves scattered across the landscape! Our days this week have truly been fallish…between beautiful temps, to rainy…cool days! If it would stay like this till spring, I’d be happy! Lol Oh, what fun you must have had at your book signing! Having the sisters come had to be a unique experience! That bread looks “yum-yum” delishous! And I know it has to taste as well…looking forward to the recipe! For the time being that kale salad looks amazing and healthy! What more could you ask for? smile… Your new beads are beautiful! And would look great on my bracelet! Enjoy your fall… Bless you!
And you Gert! xoxo
Happy October, Susan. Love the view outside your upstairs window. Fall is really here. Thanks for those wonderful recipes. The kale salad looks delish, and I know I’ll have fun massaging it.lol What a sweet face Girl Kitty has, so thoughtful looking. She is a beauty.
Beautiful on the inside too!
OMG! I rushed right over and got my order in for that wonderful Autumn bead. Autumn is my very favorite time of year so you see I just had to have it. I usually don’t like kale but your recipe makes it worth giving it one more try. Fingers crossed I do it right. Rabbit, rabbit and Yeaaaaaaaa Autumn is here! Jersey hugs my friend………….
Kale’s very healthy and quite a strong green, and being so makes it not everyone’s cup of tea, but massaging it definitely makes it better.
Hello CarolK… I was right there with you, running to Susan’s shop to get my I Love Autumn bead too!… Autumn is my favorite time of year too… Susan’s “Autumn” book is my favorite ever… and then there is Susan herself… (love you Susan if you are reading this, and of course you are!)… and her own love of Autumn… and the beauty she shares of Fall on Martha’s Vineyard with us… I think her Autumn posts are my favorites she does!… xoxo…
Yes, I am Julie Marie! 🙂 xoxo
It was such a treat to talk to you this weekend and to get my books signed. The Best of British store was a perfect backdrop for your book. I may even learn to like tea!
It could happen! 🙂
I love October and your whole blog posting about it. You’ve been busy and that log fire makes me nostalgic! No fireplace in my small apartment, but we’re well-heated in the winter months and I’m not complaining!
Candles can really help! 🙂
It was such a treat to visit with you and having my books signed at The Best of British book signing. What a wonderful store! I may even learn to drink tea! Looking forward to your next book.
I agree, what a wonderful store!
Hooray! After a fun lake day with girlfriends I find a post from you! I loved the nuns! Can’t wait to check out the candles. Fall is really here now in Granger. Trees seem to be turning color over night. Isn’t this gift of autumn amazing! I’m wondering what time you must go to bed. Things at your house at 4:30 am seem to be hopping. I’m sure girl kitty has plenty of nap opportunities all day though! Enjoy the season! Love, Lucy
Yes, things are hopping at 4:30 — I go to bed somewhere between 8 and 9. I love the morning so I gave up the night to get more of it!
I love the nun photo! I once asked a nun what she would have liked to be if she hadn’t been a nun, imagining she would say a nurse, or a teacher, or someone who rescued small animals. She confounded me however by instantly replying ‘An Air Hostess’ ! It taught me never to make assumptions about people! X
Isn’t that funny! You are so right.
Gorgeous photos, recipes, a link to beeswax candles, and the promise of the Sisters’ delicious-looking bread…..thank you, Susan!!
XOXO JoAnn
What a reward for doing the dreaded yard work! Thank you, thank you! You have revived my spirits and given me recipes to use soon. Like some of the other girlfriends, I, too, have been in a blue funk (must be the official change of seasons, the turning of the page on the calendar)–but thanks to you I see some delights to encourage and inspire me. Focus on what I can do, not what I didn’t do. You are the best!
Good Vickie!
Friend Amy and I spent part of yesterday visiting a cemetery until the sun was overshadowed by rain so we toddled off to find tea and something to go with it.
We both agree that Autumn is the best season, nice to have you with us on that.
Lovely to have you come for a visit today and like Lynn, above, I remembered to “Rabitt, rabitt” this month.
Thanks for the seasonal delights and including us in your company.
What a lovely afternoon with Amy! Thank you Jo!
Oh, cutting kale takes too long. You simply must watch Ann and Jane Esselstyn strip kale youtube.com/watch?v=0Mim98lSRFI. They are wife and daughter of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, one of the cardiologists responsible for Bill Clinton’s heart disease reversal.
The salad looks yummy. I’ll try it. As a 100% whole foods, vegan, I’m always looking for new ways to dress up my greens.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen with various ways to prepare portabello mushrooms. They are divine. I’ll send you a recipe if you like. I love your posts.
Great video! Cutest ladies! Portabello mushrooms are the steak of the vegetables — so many great fillings for them. YES, would love a recipe!
Me too!
Me THREE!!!
It’s still very warm here in Southern California, so it’s good to see pretty leaves, and to hear about rain and your first fire. We might not be able to light one until December! Thanks for the post.
I’m wishing you a little cold weather!
Thanks for the recipe. I’m spoiled. Most of the markets and now Trader Joes has BABY KALE in a bag and its more tender and not quite as bitter. I don’t like the taste of cooked spinach — too much from a can in the 1950’s– but with the availability of kale, I substitute it for the spinach. Wonderful!
I wonder about all this Baby stuff they are coming out with . . . Because spinach as we used to get it, was curly and had sand in the deep grooves, it was very dark green and had thick stems. Now it’s these tiny flat leaves that I wonder if they’ve been GMOed to death?
Yes, valid point! I always try to buy non-GMO vegetables…
I still pray for the day they regulate food better and have to TELL us what they are doing to the food.
I have seen both, but I thought that the little flat leaves were baby spinach. Tough to pick I would think. I never thought of the GMO thing.
I’m not sure, but it does seem strange that a vegetable we were all so familiar with could completely turn into something else. Baby. Hmph.
I don’t buy anything I suspect has been GMO-ed and question the produce staff quite “vigorously” [as my sister said] at my market, Wegmans. This chain is dedicated to healthy, even organic products wherever possible; they even have their own test farms and fields, deal with organic farmers etc, so I do trust them. The bottom line is that the markets will not sell things the public won’t buy, so we all need to speak up about not wanting GMO products. And if necessary, we need to be obnoxious about it. The future of the planet may depend on it. Go get ’em, Girlfriends!
If you look on page 72 of my Girlfriends book, there’s a phone number you can call to talk about GMO’s.
I’ve read there is a difference between GMOs and hybrids~ Like the Kalettes I spoke about earlier. A GMO has been changed or tampered within their DNA. Hybrids are created by cross~ breeding compatible plants~ I guess that can/is done in a lab too so…..~ I think hybrids can be somewhat better~ Think roses (and flowers)…. We have a right to know what’s in our food and how it got to market~ I’ve become pen~pals with my legislators!
Yes, me too. I’ve been reading also Lynn ~ I guess it’s up to us to figure things out ~ that “be your own chaperone” thing again!
My mom grows spinach in both her spring and fall garden. And yes baby spinach is a little flat leaf that if you let grow, turns into that big curly strong tasting spinach. We always picked it young because it is so tender. I don’t really care for that strong taste in older spinach. I would guess the same is true of kale.
The trick is organic, then we won’t have to worry. You are so right . . . I got curious, I’ve been reading about GMO’s – and it doesn’t look like they’ve done anything to spinach, although they aren’t required to label. But apparently buying organic solves the problem. Thank you Chris!
Hi Susan. I wonder, where is Newburyport, MA? It looks lovely from the picture. I see the New Hampshire already has it’s beautiful autumn colors in full bloom! Things are just starting to turn here in the Hudson Valley. It is quite a site when the trees are in full autumn bloom to view them from the top of the mountains here. Gorgeous!
Can’t wait for that bread recipe! It looks so healthy and yummy – a pat of sweet butter, a bit of cream cheese &jam, or even a drizzle of honey. A great way to start the day. I am not too fond of kale or bitter greens for that matter, but your salad looks so yummy and healthy, I just may try it again – with the massaging this time! I never knew about that little secret! I suppose you could substitute baby spinach in that salad too, and it would be just as delicious.
Hope to hear again from you soon! Happy Autumn Sue!
Newburyport is above Boston on the coast. I’m sure spinach would work perfectly and be very healthy too!
*Sigh* I just love your homemake-y photos…that fire is lovely and I adore the photo with your cat and the candle! 🙂
Love to have you here Amy!
Oh, what a wonderful day you had….thank you for the link to the candles. They will be the perfect gift for girlfriends ! Your blog was such a Fall Treat….I just love that October is here. Rabbit, Rabbit !
Me too Ann!
Santa looks a bit like Joe… 🙂
I will try the kale salad, I have been resistant; I didn’t know to massage the leaves to remove the bitterness.
Oh my Susan, I was not prepared for the Merry Widow music. My mom was an accomplished pianist and played this often when I was growing up. Things like this bring the echo from those days. Lovely.
Thanks for the link for the candles – so fun that the nuns are fans! I look forward to the bread recipe.
Thank you for all your charming posts, Susan.
I was going to put that in the post, it IS Joe. He sat on the sofa in my studio and let me paint him. Good eye Elaine! xoxo
Susan and friends, The book signing in Newburyport was soooo exciting! Such a perfect venue to celebrate A Fine Romance, Autumn, and the new calendar! Our line snaked around the fabulous British products, ( Emma Bridgewater galore!) to where we could have our books signed. We were all giddy with excitement and anticipation chatting in line and when we had our time with you Susan, you were so kind & generous taking time for each one of us.
I shared the Kale Salad recipe with you and am very excited to see it within this blog post!! I love your step-by- step pics Susan which will make it easy for the readers to follow.
Here is another tip for softening the Kale: I tear the pieces of Kale in small pieces and then put the Kale in a very large ziplock bag (IKEA has really great, strong ziplock bags!) with the dressing, zip up, and then “massage it” in the bag. After the “massaging”, I add the rest of the ingredients. While it is “marinating” in the fridge, you can squish it up a couple of times in the 4 hours that it needs in the fridge. I make it on Sundays and have it to take to school all week! I put some kind of protein on top each day- leftover chicken, beef, cheese, or a hard-boiled egg. It is fair to say that I am addicted to this salad and all of its possibilities! The dressing is also a wonderful marinade for chicken, shrimp, etc…Enjoy! ❤️
Hi Martha of the famous Kale Salad! And the dressing is so healthy too! Thank you for the massage technique, and for the recipe! It was so nice to meet you ~ very fun day!
Hi Susan,
It was such a delight meeting you on Sunday in Newburyport. I love that little town and all its shops and Best of British is on my list to return to and poke around on another trip there. Thank you for signing all of my books – I had seven or eight and you didn’t wince when Wendy Louise kept pulling them out of my bag and passing them to you….after being a fan for over 20 years, it was a dream come true. Shared the experience in my memoir writing group on Monday and encouraged all 15 of my writing friends to get on the blog and enjoy your wonderful writing. Hope it isn’t 20 years again until our paths cross. Thanks for always making my day bright.
All best,
Nancye Tuttle
Wells, ME
I don’t wince Nancye, I’m too grateful! I’m just glad you came! xoxo
Hi Martha,
I was very excited to see your recipe on the blog late last night when I was reading it, especially since you had shown it to me when we were standing in line on Sunday. I am not a huge fan of kale either, but I think I will try this recipe and hopefully the massaging process will made it tastier. Thanks so much for taking many pictures of me with Susan…truly a highlight meeting you and becoming a part of the Girlfriends network!
All best,
Nancye in Wells, ME
Dinosaur Kale isn’t so tough! Easier to chop too. I take it off the stem part, then stack the halves inside each other and chop it into smaller pieces. Voila!
Thank you Margot!
good afternoon Susan, Hello girlfriends and Sister-girlfriends. Happy October everyone. I love this time of year, the leaves here are just starting to turn, the mornings as well as the nights are cooler and chillier and Halloween is just around the corner already. our sick little turkey is doing so much better now. she is eating and drinking water, she regularly tries to life herself up and strengthen her wings, she chirps and clucks at the other turkeys out in the yard when they are close by and her color is just about normal now. hopefully we will get her out to the henhouse soon and in the yard with the rest of the barnyard crowd. I don’t know about you all but I have been enjoying this first week of Autumn, the cooler temps, the crisper air and the beautiful colors showing up on the leaves. every morning I hear the geese honking on their way south, oh and before I forget your young male turkey is finally gobbling, he started gobbling this weekend, and he figured how to make the booming noise when he displays his feathers, silly but to us its an accomplishment. well I have to go get supper going, pot pies tonight. you all have a great evening, and a wonder Autumn season. Happy Fall everyone. hugs…. 🙂
Love watching our little pets “grow up” ~ 🙂
he is quite grown up now, but for the longest time he was not making the booming sound when they display their feathers nor was he gobbling as every male turkey should do. well I guess he figured it out either that or Ed’s gobbling at him finally made him realize he had to answer back and he did, he gobbled. hopefully he will keep the ladies happy and we will have more baby turkeys this spring. we are having a Fall themed quilt show here this weekend down in Grants Pass, I think you know where I will be… admiring the quilts and drooling over them. hugs… 🙂
Lucky you! Enjoy the quilts!
I will, I love all the craft fairs and quilt shows they have this time of year around here, just gets all my Christmas shopping done early!!! that way I can avoid the retailers of whom I boycott every November through to January.
Except for the little guys. 🙂
Good to hear from you! I will definitely try the kale recipe. It looks so “crunchy-good”. I love kale — eat it raw sometimes, but ADORE kale soup — Portuguese style! Have made it twice this summer ’cause the kale looked so good in the farmers markets. Thanks!
Jackie
mmmmm!
Tell us what Portuguese style is??? Does it include fish?
This style includes Portuguese sausage, either linquica or chorico (spicier). Very tasty!
Hi Susan, I love your news posting for October and especially the photos of the nuns from, The Holy Nativity Convent. I have ordered candles from them in the past and still using them. They provide a wonderful product and prompt delivery.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and fall foliage. Our fall foliage should arrive at the end of October and beginning of November.
Nice to hear that Millie!
Such a treat to read your blog. Your recipes look delicious. I lean toward vegetarian also. Have you tried Jonagold apples–cross between Red Delicious and Macintosh? They are also great. I like Honey Crisp very much but also like apples that have a touch of less sugar, especially to bake with. Eager to see the bread recipe! That toast looked very good. I have been buying your books and stickers, and more for many years. Wish I knew you in person! I love children’s books–authors and illustrators–books for adults too
. I always wished I could draw but really, I can’t. But I now, as an adult, realize there are other ways to be artistic, like having a good color sense. I make cards and also create with fabric. But I must say, I still wish I could draw. Instead I savor artists like you.
You’re a doll Gerry, thank you so much. I was watching a PBS special the other night with Prince Charles showing the artwork of the royals. They all received very detailed lessons when they were children, probably every day. It was a part of their education. And the artwork they did was wonderful, even when they were ten years old. It made me wish we could all have that kind of early training . . . maybe it’s in there in all of us.
Hello Susan ~~~
I loved the picture from your upstairs window of the rain and leaves. A REAL Fall picture! It’s sunny here, but I just peeked at the temperature and it’s only 69 degrees! For my walks now, I need to buy a pair of cotton gloves to keep my hands warm and also start wearing my tennis shoes. The past couple days I’ve gone to the mall to walk as it’s a bit too breezy for my liking.
I have a question for you…. in your kale salad, what are the long things with the kale? You didn’t mention it and I don’t know what they are.
I’m thinking that the town you were in to sign your book looks like a real New England village. The store also looks to be filled with all sorts of neat things. I like places like that.
Well, I’m off to finish up dinner now. Been busy making some cards of late.
Carol M
I think you’re talking about the broccoli slaw? Yes, the towns in that area were settled in the 1600’s. They are wonderful!
Hi Carol,
I lived just north of Newburyport in New Hampshire about 10 years ago. Many of the towns in New England, especially along the coast look like that. It feels very Old World. In places where they couldn’t or didn’t run a paving truck for cars you can still walk along the original brick paved streets. Some streets one car barely fits through in the oldest neighborhoods. Imagine horse and buggy…some places there are walkways between buildings that are brick, and I called the one I used to walk through, my secret pathway. It took me 3 years to notice it.
Margot…. sounds like a bit of heaven to me! Thanks for sharing.
Happy First day of October!
So, so sad that I missed out on the Autumn charm.:-( I went to order just as soon as I saw this new post from you, and they were already gone.:-( Sniff, sniff.
But – I took care of a few other things, anyway.
We love kale here. It was my very favorite when I was growing up. Dad grew it in the garden every fall, and Mother knew the “right” way to prepare it.:-) Not at all like we prepare it these days, though.
I truly wish I could make it to one of those happy book signings someday!
Sending October hugs your way!
xo Nellie
Tell us the “right” way Nellie! 🙂
Oh, Susan! You don’t really want to cook that luscious kale with all that seasoning pork until there is no bright green remaining. That’s the way the country folk from this area did greens when I was growing up. Mother wasn’t so keen on the seasoning, but the greens were definitely overcooked compared to the way I prepare them these days. Nonetheless, those greens from the garden were favorites from my childhood.
Now – I am off to do something with some North Carolina apples we brought back from a few days stay in the mountains. Unsweetened applesauce sounds good to me!:-)
xo Nellie
Ohhhh, I understand, no you’re right, I wouldn’t want to do that! 🙂
We have got to get Susan down here Nellie! What kind of apples did you get and what town in the mountains were you??
Where is the year going? I guess the same place the rest of them have gone. October my favorite month and not just because I am a Halloween Baby. I love looking at your pictures and am amazed at Mother Nature’s beauty. We have already had our first snow here in September. The old timers are saying it is going to be a bitter cold winter this coming year, but they say that every year.
My sweet gentle old soul Mischka is 28 years old now. He is my favorite horse out of 18 of them I own. But, he can hardly walk. I don’t ride him, but he still isn’t ready to depart this earthly plane. So, I suspect he will be in the barn most of the winter which he hates. I take him out for a walk, but the cold can be deadly for him now.
My family have owned cattle ranches since 1880 when they came from Sweden to America. However, it is amusing because of our religion (Seventh Day Adventist) we are strict vegetarians. We don’t kill animals and we don’t eat any living creatures. I guess I am a bit of a conundrum. But, ranching was what us Swedes knew how to do. I am happy to hear you notice feeling better with an increase in your vegetarian diet. I am vegetarian 3 days a week and vegan 4 days. Just can’t seem to totally give up the milk, cheese and egg whites. Lol.
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl
That’s why I can’t have horses. I would have to bring him into the house! I’m so sorry he’s getting older, our animals are so important. And horses, with those melting eyes ~ 28 years, amazing. I still put milk in my tea, that is a must-be, but I’m fine without cheese and eggs ~ except for baking — but I saw a sad video called EAT, that had me in tears at the end, and I finally decided that for me, no more. For the most part. Every little bit we do helps the planet, not to mention us, so I don’t feel bad for not being perfect, I just want to do better.
Love the nuns!
Susan, Happy October! So happy to hear from you. Those nuns were adorable! I will be watching for the bread recipe. Sounds so yummy. Autumn and Susan Branch go together. Had a cup of tea last night and enjoyed looking through my Autumn book. It was my first Susan Branch book and it may be my favorite. You are a blessing to me!
Thank you Patty! Yes, the nuns were darling, they radiated that joy you see on their faces, who could not LOVE that!
Hi Susan Branch!
The beginning of your post where you quoted the line from the poem “A Vagabond Song” reminded me of when I memorized that poem a few years ago in school. Memorizing poems is one thing I enjoy doing as a student. That poem is the epitome of fall!
Thanks for the sweet post,
Lauren
Hi Susan,
Looks like I left my comment on the wrong post LOL. I ran right over and tried to purchase the Autumn charm and it’s already sold out 🙁 I so hope you get more in soon…I just love it. My GF and I go to Newberry port every year when I come home to NH too visit. I always run into the Brit store and buy a couple of Emma’s mugs too!
Hugs, Lynnie
Say hi for me the next time you go in, please?
I love love love these blogs….you are such an inspiration girlfriend!! Gonna try the recipes and share with my girlfriends who also like to eat healthy…my husband is a true meat and potatoes kind of guy. Heading to the Adirondack Mountains tomorrow to do a little hiking and lots of leaf peeking…..enjoy each and every moment of fall and this glorious weather
Oh I bet it will be gorgeous up there Nettie, have fun!
Welcome home, Susan & Joe!
What a heavenly booksigning in Newburyport, MA! Thanks so much for sharing these healthy recipes. Can’t wait to try them! Wishing you lovely October days!
Warm hugs,
Dawn
♡♡
Thank you!
Thank you for the recipe for the kale salad! I can’t wait to try it…I have made kale chips and I love them, so I am sure I’ll love the salad. Have a wonderful Autumn!
Tell us how you make your kale chips?
I mentioned Jonagold apples being a cross between the wrong two apples–they are a cross between Golden Delucious and Jonathan! Sorry. I also like Empire apples–they are a cross between Macintosh and Red Delucious! Senior moment!
Ha ha ha! OK, well that’s good!
Hi Susan,
How fun it was to visit with the sisters. I was taught for 12 years by various orders of nuns and what a dedicated educated group of women! Girl kitty I see is still working hard. But at 4:30 in the morning!!?? What a slave driver! She must get extra cuddles for such devotion. Let me know if you need suggestions….
She’s always drumming her nails on the table when I come in, waiting. 🙂
Happy Fall everyone! Thanks, Sue, for sharing your wonderful small town experiences. I loved the adorable nuns whom I’m sure are also women of substance. You’d have to be to do their work, I would think. Will buy their candles! I love the new charms. Too late this evening to buy the autumn one, but I did get the elf charm. The charm and message are perfect for what I was looking for to wear through the holidays. I bought my wonderful lace shower curtains through the website where you bought your ivy lace curtains. I can’t find their website. Do you know if they’re still in business? I tried Google, etc. unsuccessfully. I loved their Irish lace. All the best with your continued success with your book and enriching adventures.
I’m not sure Carmel, the website I have for them is decoratingwithlace.com — but when I went there, it said page not available. On Google I saw lots of links and got this phone number . . . 877-663-3135. If you call, let me know, I would hate it if they went out of business, I love that place. They’ve been there since 1986, they can’t go!
Thanks, Sue. I tried the number you gave me twice and it wasn’t working. I tried the website again and any others that I thought would be related with no success. Maybe they will pop up again. I believe they were a family owned business and I loved the lace items they sold. I am sad. I appreciate all the vendors you’ve shared over the years.
That’s really terrible news . . .but one of our other girlfriends had a good suggestion that I haven’t had time to check out yet . . . Heritage Lace, the phone number is 877-863-1270.
Yes, thanks. And if I find some other lace curtain, etc. vendors, I’ll share.
Carmel,
If you can’t find that store, try Heritage Lace. Their number is 877-863-1270.
You’re kind, Margot. Thank you for the number. I took at look at their website and they have some nice things. I’m in Arlington and my friends tell me to visit Virginia Beach sometime. Do you have any suggestions for hotels, restaurants, etc.?
Yes I do! Hotels I don’t know, but restaurants and places to see I do. The Lynnhaven Fish House is top notch and has a wonderful view of the Chesapeake Bay, on the ocean front Mahi Mahis and Waterman’s are very good, and out in the country near Sandbridge is a mom and pop place called Margie and Rays. Sandbridge beach is just north of the NC line in VB, and it isn’t so touristy. First Landing State Park is on the Bay just past the Fishhouse. Swimming on one side and a great hiking area on the other. On Fort Story is the Cape Henry Lighthouse and it is the first place the Jamestown settlers landed before heading north to Jamestown. There is a nice aquarium with local marine life. Norfolk has a great art museum, with a glass blowing school to watch. And then there is the NAVY…and they have tours.
Thanks for taking the time to give me such wonderful information, Margot. I love it. It’ll make for more of an interesting and fun trip than the usual first trip as a tourist.
He went to bed, and bumped his head,
And couldn’t get up in the morning!
Sang that song many times to my boys and now my grands!
Looking forward to that bread recipe. That piece of toast looked amazing.
It was, is, having a piece for breakfast with, get this, beans and rice soup. My bean soup recipe with rice added for protein. Rainy day, so bean soup sounds wonderful to me. It’s all planned as you can see.
I had Pumkin Pie for breakfast ….that counts doesn’t it ?
It counts BIGTIME . . .
Oh, I wish he hadn’t said that. Now I WANT some!
Rabbit Rabbit to you dear Susan.
what a great way to start ‘Bright October’!
I just finished THE BOOK!! Oh my, it was several days of pure bliss. I felt like I was there from NY to NY. I didn’t want it to end and I can’t wait for the NEW BOOK! Your blog and all of your work is so uplifting to me. You have a real gift and the world is a better place for having you.
Oh Suzanne, that was such a nice thing to say — I love that you enjoyed the book! xoxo
What a wonderful post. I’m sorry I missed the Autumn Charm 🙁
I’m so sorry Janet!
I’m so happy it’s October, I just love Autumn! My daughter’s name is Autumn, so of course I was crazy about your “I love Autumn” dream charm (sold out, by the way 🙂 but I’m not surprised!). Thank you for the beautiful post, it helps all of us get into the “fall-ish” mood!
What a pretty thing to name your daughter!
Love the photos of the smiling faces of the nuns. The joy radiating in their smiles is contagious. I agree with Laurie, your posts are a ray of sunshine on even the cloudiest of life’s days and every new post is awaited with great anticipation. Autumn is my favorite time of year! I love the change in the sunlight and the cool, crisp, earthy smell in the air. Days made for tea, candles, fires, snuggly blankets (and pets), a good book, movie or music, and maybe even a yarny project. But, alas, when I popped over to the store to order an ‘Autumn’ bead, they were all sold out. So, I’ll be the one to request the impossible…a re-order of the ‘Autumn’ bead?!
Happy Autumn!
I suppose we could reorder, but they have minimums, which means we have to get lots of them, they won’t just let us order half — and also, they take two months to get, so we wouldn’t see them until just around Christmas ~ should I still try? I could check and see if they can put a rush on them.
Good idea, since they messed up your original order.
Please reorder all of the “out of stock” beads! We girlfriends promise to snatch every single one of them up!
As a rule I do not purchase jewelry for myself, but leave this up to my dear husband, who does a wonderful job at such things as bangles and baubles and shiny pretties to wear about necks, wrists and fingers. This summer I had planned to purchase beads for my girlfriends to commemorate our trip to Martha’s Vineyard. But the beads have not been available. I am so sad!
As soon as I saw the mention of the Autumn beads I decided I must break my own rule and order the Autumn Bead for myself… and I told my dear husband what he would be buying for my birthday, which falls on the BEST DAY of all, next Wednesday, October 8.
Alas! The bead was not available already!
Please dear Susan, ask them to make more… we will buy them, I promise! I think an Autumn bead would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a girl with an October birthday! (or even June, July, February…)
We thought maybe as a celebration, when the next book comes out, we will possibly reorder ALL of them??? Yikes! I’m working on the Autumn one now, seeing what they can do at the manufacturers.
I’d rather have one late in the year, out of season, than not have one at all!
We’re waiting to hear from the manufacturer about them — whether or not they can do them — the last batch, only a quarter made it through quality control. They would have to do better!
I agree that “out of season” is better than “out if luck.” I hate to be a pest about it, but would there be a way to preorder? If so, put my name on the list!
I still haven’t heard from them. But I asked again!
I zoomed over to the store to buy “I love Autumn” charm and they are already sold out, boohoo. Fingers crossed you get more in!
Awww, sadness. The autumn charm is already gone! The girlfriends are on their toes today! I loved reading your post and seeing the smiling nuns. I have happy memories of the nuns at my school when I was growing up. Can’t wait to get the recipe for that yummy looking bread. The Kale Salad looks amazing, too! Thanks, as always, for sharing!
Sorry Teresa, hopefully we’ll have them again next year.
Hello to you, Susan and Happy Autumn!!!
I was so happy to see a new post from you this evening. I smiled my way through the entire thing! Your Autumn bead has already SOLD OUT! Can you believe it? In on day too!!!
Hope you’re having a lovely week.. Off to buy some of those beeswax candles! And the Christmas ornament too.. 😉
So sorry about that . . . if you remember, remind me next May and I’ll reorder them for next year!
Thanks for that wonderful salad recipe! Will be making it this weekend to take to a friend’s house–really looks and sounds good! High of 48 degree and snow flakes in the air mixed with rain for Friday here in Minnesota. Our beautiful leaves won’t be lasting long in the trees…
We’ve got rain, no snow yet! It will be awhile before that happens around here — although with the weirdness of the weather lately, I should knock on wood!
Snow already???
It pays to proofread a lot more carefully! DELICIOUS!
I’m looking for it, which delicious is it?
I wrote Delucious instead of delicious–about the Jonagolds being a cross between golden delicious and Jonathan apples. I am being too detailed! I do love all the apple history and how many different kinds there are, etc. I wish I knew more about it. Do you have favorites? I assume there are varieties where you live that we don’t have in MD. We have wonderful orchards here–Smithsburg being one place.
I like delucious just as well and may have to steal it from you! I’m just in love with Honey Crisps at this time. They are DEEE-Lucious!
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for the candle info – just ordered a bunch from the nuns but now I need to order another copy of your wonderful book. ( I gave mine to my future daughter-in-law to give to her mother just before her trip to the British Isles. ) Also – never heard of pear cider before I read your book and while I was out to dinner with friends the other night I happened to notice on the menu that they had pear cider! So of course I tried it. Yum! Next I have to try Pimm’s Cup (Is that what it’s called? See – I need another book.) LOVE your blog and all your books!
Great that you found Peah Ci-da! You’ll love Pimm’s Cup too . . . Joe’s favorite. Thank you Mary Frances!
Hey, Susan –
Do you watch Stephen Colbert? He always talks about the Colbert ‘bump’ when guests appear on his show to talk about their new book, movie, etc? I bet the nuns are experiencing the ‘Branch Bump’ for their candles! I know I just ordered a bunch! Just love beeswax candles and just love the price of theirs! Will continue to order from them now that I know about them! Thanks for the tip!
I adore Stephen Colbert! The Branch Bump, hahahaha. I hope so! You’ll love the candles, they’re beautiful quality.
So great to hear from you. I loved the photo of the nuns, I too will order those candles. Girl Kitty always looks like a princess.
You are so lucky to live where the seasons are “normal”. In California we are about to have another five day major heat wave! That really makes the joy of Autumn more difficult to feel. I am an October birthday girl too. I’m hoping next week the weather will cool off.
Happy Autumn Susan!!
I heard, something like 101 in LA today. That’s going too far. Wishing you some cooler breezes very soon. Happy almost Birthday Lisa!
Dear Susan ~~~ such a treat, sitting here, checking the virtual business of overnight on my laptop, waiting for the kwah~fee to brew {house already smelling good} in that precious still few moments before the day begins, here you are! Yay!
Happy October ~ I am so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers!
I do so love this entry, you have the beautiful nuns ~ I love them dearly already and I cannot tell you how happy I am to see them with you. We have a convent near us, very much a retreat convent and the nuns are all in ‘plain clothes’ too.
Your gift of bread ~ my goodness how delicious that loaf looks! ~ has convinced me to buy a new Kitchenaid! I have not made bread in a long, long time and my soul hankers after a loaf such as yours. I adore the hand made candles for that they are handmade with love and are just perfect in their simplicity and natural beeswax colour.
Kwah~fee is ready, going to pour some in one of my Emma Autumn mugs ~ brb ~~~
okay, I’m back now, kwah~fee kicking in ~~~
I had planned to do a journal entry myself on my charm bead bracelet but have not done so yet ~ I’m glad I waited, for I can share the image of your two new beads! I wear my Girlfriends bead alongside my Cariad Clogau gold one. My two special favourites side by side! What I put on my bead bracelet has to have a deeply personal meaning to me these days and I am making plans to buy the Autumn one as soon as possible! As a seamstress I am thrilled to have found one of a pair of shears!
The days are cooler, the nights are longer, and it is now all about cosy fire sides, mugs of hot cocoa, and lazy days full of dreaming as the world winds down ~ well, maybe not that lazy, for there are leaves to jump in and then sweep up!
Oh, blissful October ~~~ my Birthday Month too! That makes me real happy that my birthday falls in my favourite month of all {and I love opals!} ~~~
~~~Waving~~~ from Across The Pond ~~~ Debs in Wales ~~~ xoxo
Deeply personal, so well said, that’s the way a charm bracelet should be. Happy October, and especially, Happy Birthday! Waving back Debs!
Oh, Susan ~ the Autumn charm is already sold out! I do hope more will be in very soonest ~ the trials of time difference ~ oh, well, I guess I will buy the Clogau acorn and leaf for Autumn instead, but it will not be quite the same.
Thank you for your wishes! ~~~waving~~~
“~ I am so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers!”
Well said Deb! Ah gardening and sewing…you are my kindred spirit. Nothing beats a good pair of shears.
I think my sister needs a bead like yours, so what does Cariad Clogau mean?
Waving Back,
Margot
Hello Margot!
Clogau is jewellery made with a touch of rare Welsh gold {just a touch, as it is rare and costly; all royal wedding bands are made from it since the Queen Mother chose it for hers in 1923} Here is a link, I hope it works, best to sit down first with a big mug of tea!
clogau.co.uk/ and Cariad is Welsh for loved one. My Daddy used to call me his ‘little cariad’ <3
I have a retired design of Cariad charm and a daffodil so far, but a very long wish list! I will be journalling them soon. ~~~waving~~~
Thanks for that. I will share it with my sister.
The link did work with a www in front. Beautiful!!!
Merry Christmas to me! My husband doesn’t know it yet, but he’s going to slip that little Be an Elf charm right into my Christmas stocking. When it arrives, I will hand it over (we love to give each other things that we just HAVE to have) and then I will forget all about it. Imagine my “surprise” when I find it in my stocking!
I recently led a program on Random Acts of Kindness at my women’s group at church, and I made Be an Elf cards to give out. I wish I had had the charm then! Well, now I can hardly wait until Christmas. Wearing the charm will be a great reminder to everyone all during 2015 that you can be an elf any time of the year. Susan, you think of the CUTEST things to remind people to be the best that they can be.
What a good husband you have, Connie! 🙂
I do. And I’d say, “I do” all over again. We started out as college sweethearts and just celebrated our 54th anniversary this month. He’s still my best friend, too. Talk about “elves.” He’s the real deal. He is SO like your Joe. Aren’t we lucky?
Definitely!
What a great LOVE story…
If only everyone would try to be an elf, anonymous random acts of kindness! I like to be an elf.
Good Morning Susan,
I just loved reading your newest post! Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and of course, went straight to your store when I saw your new charms. I was so sorry to see that the “I Love Autumn” charm was already sold out. (I was going to buy them to celebrate my twin sister’s and my birthday that was in September!!) So as you said above, I will be patient and wait till next year . . . In the mean time, I will try the Kale salad and enjoy the rest of fall! Thank you!
Sorry Sharon! Have a wonderful birthday with your twin! xoxo
Thank you!
Thank you so much, Susan!
Hi Susan,
Just posted a comment under Martha’s response (definitely will try her kale salad). But in case you don’t see that, I wanted to thank you profusely again for taking time to talk and sign all 8 of your books that I brought to Newburyport on Sunday. Was a treat to meet you after all these years and I hope it isn’t another 20 before our paths cross again – because by then I’ll be 90!!!
Happy October and enjoy the fall! Rabbit Rabbit!
Nancye T.
Wells, ME
Yeah me too! I hope to see you sooner than that, thank you Nancye! It was wonderful meeting you!
I think you will both make it!!! Then you can say I am 30 (times 3).
Welcome HOME Sweet Sue….Leaf Peeping & Graveyard Wandering….Divine! 1st….Girl~Kitty By Candle Light….Sweet Purrrrrrrrrrrrfection 🙂 2nd….You & Those Nuns…..Priceless…:-) 3rd.”Be ♥ An ♥ Elf”&” I Love Autumn”…Two CUTE Magical Charms Sweet Sue Oh My Goodness! Dear Santa All I Want For Christmas…. 🙂 Pretty Please 🙂 Well My Dear I’m Thrilled Your Book Signing Was Heavenly & Your Trip…..I Know The Kitties Are Happy You Two Are Back HOME Meowy! oh The Santa Ornament Is Pure Joy & Santa is Joe!!!! I’m Doing The Jiggity~Jig! 🙂 Thank You For A Delightful Post Sweet Sue I’m Gonna Get All Warm & Cozy in Front Of Your Fire & Sip Some Apple Cider & Breathe in All The Magic Of October…..From One Gypsy To Another Hugzzz & Love & Time To Twirl into The Pumpkin~Patch! 😉 xoxo Poof! ♥ ♥ ♥
Thank you Angie! xoxo
Susan: Thank you for sharing your visit with us. Definitely trying the Kale Salad by Martha Noon. Also, the waltz (sigh) I love waltzing with my hubs. Our song is the Blue Skirt Waltz. Even though my eyes are brown…lol…he sings to me. We have the most wonderful memory, we waltzed in St. Mark’s Square in Venice to the orchestra there. *Sigh* Have a blessed day! Ana
Joe is many many things, but waltzing is not one of them! You are a lucky girl, such a romantic dance!
I grew up watching my parents waltz at the drop of a hat in the kitchen for years and years. That’s pretty darn special. I think the Blue Skirt Waltz was one of their faves. What awesome memories this brings to mind. I feel very blessed.
I know … I sing the Tennessee Waltz to Sue … It brings tears to her eyes …….I have one other favorite called ” On the wings of a dove”
That one really gets Sue , she has to sit down and hold her head
she just gets so emotional sometimes
Right of course I do. It’s your soaring voice that gets me. Total tears in my eyes! XOXO LOL!
Susan, Thank you for the wonderful new blog entry! I just now read it and am feeling all autumny now. It’s beautiful here in Princeton with the leaves changing. The farm trucks have been going past our house filled with corn from the harvesting, tobacco barns are giving off the wonderful smell of tobacco being cured, and mornings so refreshingly cool.
I missed out on the autumn charm. (insert sad face here), but ordered the elf one. I love your charms!
Have a great autumn!
jan
We’ll try to get more Autumn’s!
Ahhh! Autumn is my favorite, I’m loving the October post and the smiling Sisters! I cannot wait for the bread recipe.
Me too. It sounded heavenly. And healthy!
Hello Susan! So happy to hear your recent book signing was a superb success!!! Thank you for the kale recipe, looks delicious!!! (Can’t wait for the bread recipe, as they look as though they would go together in one meal.) Just wanted to let you know that YOUR 2014 calendar hanging on my kitchen wall is the BEST decoration ever for Fall!!! Turning the page yesterday made me smile and finally surrender to the season. Colorful leaves, pumpkins on porches, blossoming mums, and apples galore in the stores are all around in Dearborn, Michigan….. making our souls burst with excitement for Autumn. Thank you Susan for blessing us each and every day by showing us how to appreciate the simple things in life! Take care and have a terrific Thursday!!!! What would we do without you????????
The feeling is mutual Carilyn — your enthusiasm is infectious! xoxo
Hi Susan!
Great to hear from you again! I became a vegetarian 4 years ago. Best choice I´ve ever made. I miss hamburguers, chiken and fish, but if some of these animals can live a hole life and don´t be slaughter because I don´t eat them, its worth it. Besides, it´s a lot more healthier! I stopped needing anxiety pills when I became a vegetarian, probably because everything is Energy, and the meat of an animal is impregnated by fear. The key to a vegetarian food, I think, is the seasoning (condiments, lots of them!) so you won´t feel like “something is missing”. Great blog!
This film I watched called EAT informed meat-eating on three levels, our own health, what it does to animals, and what it does to the planet. Every bit of it was devastating to me, but the animals are what really got me. Their lives in the hands of corporate money-people, is not my cup of tea. Thanks Barbara — hello to Argentina!
I LOVE hearing about all of you V E G E T A R I A N S!!
Great,great,great!! I have only been now for about 10 months…but I will never go back. It really was the same with me as you ,Susan…the little (and big) animals. I never ate any animal like deer or lamb or veal or bunny…I just told folks that “THOSE are NOT for eating”…But what really “did it” for me was seeing a movie called “VEGUCATED” on NetFlix. After that…I was DONE!…I just tell folks now,”Nothing with a momma! Thanks.” 🙂 It is not even that difficult to do…I wish everyone knew how simple and easy it is…and how much better they’d feel!!
Thank you again, dear Susan, for all that you do for us…Your recipes and stories and spirit…and just your thoughtfullness! You are our angel…and our BFF!!
We are truly blessed.
<3
Thank you Judy! Yes, I’m finding it really easy to change my diet. Last night I put a little oil and minced garlic into a pan, when it was hot I stirred in some of that Kale salad (with walnuts in it among other things), shredded carrot and a couple of cups of basmati rice. Just a fast dinner, and it was DELICIOUS. Joe ate the same thing, with a steak. He’s doing much better than he used to do, but he still can’t give up the meat. Yet.
That is soooo funny about your Joe…My husband is just like that too. We have graduated him from “meat and potatoes” to “meat and vegetables”…but we’re getting there! Still, when I am at the market and getting ready to check out, I look down and say to myself, “Am I trying to kill him?” (LOL) But, on a serious note, (I heard) if one is a vegetarian, 95 animals a year are spared.
I have been eating meat for 62+ years and I am not judging anyone, for sure…Just something to think about. Lots and LOTS of great reasons to try being a vegetarian/vegan, anyway!! Continued success to you, dear friend… and me!…I still have a bit of a tough time when I smell a steak on a grill…But thinking of that pretty little cow face sure helps me get over that…immediately!! 😉
<3
The great thing is you can choose the degree you feel comfortable with. If you need a sparerib at least once a year, go for it! This “Why Go Veg” tells it all . . . I note that all of the sites and the video I saw start with our own health as the best reason to eat less meat, but it’s the reasons at the end that get me, the animals and the earth. I read that some of the farms, instead of making it better for animals when all of this came to light, just built higher fences with barbed wire so they keep the media out and no one can take photos. Money money money, whose idea was THAT?
I should have said I HAD been eating meat for 62+ years! 😀
I look forward to your meatless recipes down the road…(And don’t forget, when you add in mushrooms, nobody misses the meat!!)
<3
Got to the blog a little late but here and loved it. I love beeswax candle and am more than happy to buy them from the wonderful nuns. If they had the bread for sale I’d have bought some and am looking forward to the recipe! That is my kind of bread! I love autumn and would love to be in New England now! But I feel like I was there with you all as usual!! I bet it was a gay event at Best of British. Love the look on the nuns faces, they were really enjoying themselves and that is great. They work hard and deserved a treat like this. Hugs to them and all the other girlfriends!!
Hi Susan, that pesky bird here is still saying “your underwear’s dirty”.
Would so love to meet your train with a Texas gift basket when you roll through. I know where there is a rest stop. Is that possible?
Share your love of autumn, however ours is so much slower than yours.
It would be so much fun, but the train doesn’t go through Texas! Just yesterday we were invited by The British Emporium in Grapevine Texas to come for a signing! I would LOVE to do that, but it will have to be next year. Won’t that be fun!?
What a wonderful post. Loved seeing the nuns enjoying the book signing and to know they are on the blog too. It reinforces the fact that anything Susan Branch is all goodness and love. I was just sitting down for a little lunch when I said, ooh, let’s go see if Susan has posted….and viola, there you were! And with Girl kitty too. I usually start whining when Fall arrives because I love Summer so. But, having you in my life makes me love each new season. You make it warm and cozy. I just have to go to my SB tea tin, make a lovely cup of tea and read your blog and I can learn to love all the beauty of the day no matter what season. Whew! Thanks Susan and girlfriends! xo
It made me feel WONDERFUL that they liked our book! Meant a whole lot! xoxo