Grab your favorite cup, fill it with something warm and delicious and come back, because I’m going to try and show you what New England in the fall is all about! MUSICA
This mug has been in my family for as long as I can remember, it was in the house when I was a little girl. I don’t know where it came from, maybe if Blog Daddy remembers it, he will know . . . I loved it since I was little, the colors are what attracted me, and of course, anything with a house on it. I snapped it up at the first chance I got! Which was long ago, I’m not exactly sure when my parents lost custody, I’ve had it a long time. It’s just
Of course, if your kitty is like mine, you are going to have company while you wait for the water to boil . . .
Back about a month ago, one of my photos showed this mug in the background; one of our Girlfriends asked for a closer look, which I promised I would do ~ seemed like tea time was the right time to do it! (I’m seeing something almost alike in our colors here!)
This is my only clue as to where it came from . . . Germany 29 ~ but we are not German, and have not gone to Germany, so I’m thinking it might have belonged to my Grandma or Great Grandma (even tho’ they are not German either!).
Jack could care less about which mug I use . . . he just wants to be where I am. In order to distract him, I gave him a little milk to lap up . . .
So I could take pictures. You know how much this kitty loves me? This much { ↔ } or more.
Know how much I love him? To the ends of the earth and back and then out again.♥
. . . and then, while he’s busy, milk for me. So here we go, on a road trip through New England, are you ready?
Come on Jack, let’s go to the studio . . . my shadow goes everywhere with me.♥
So here we are, this last weekend, on the back roads of central Massachusetts, going out to two book signings . . . one at Titcombs Bookshop in the darling historic town of Sandwich on the Cape . . . and the other, a fundraiser for the Westfield Library, clear on the other side of the state.
We could not have asked for a better weekend, leaves flew off the trees as we took the side roads and stayed off the freeways as much as we could.
This leaf blew up and landed on the windshield then went for a little ride with us . . .
See the leaves coming down out of the trees? My favorite thing about Autumn, they way the leaves fly through the air.
Look how gorgeous, this is why I moved here, I needed to smell this!
Just following signs off the road less traveled, curiosity brought us here to a place we never heard of called Wallum Lake in Douglas State Park.
Pretty ♣ pretty ♣ pretty. Smelled as good as it looks, fresh, clean, woodsy, fallish. Sounds of water lapping on shore.
Hard to believe the color . . . ♣
Or the lovely New England Architecture.
I thought this stone house was just about perfection of coziness. I could almost smell the corn pudding baking in there!
We saw beautiful Oak Ridge graveyard and went for a little walk.
Peaceful, old and elegant.
See the leaf flying by? You can’t make this stuff up.
Colors are wonderful, leaves are crunchy . . .
. . . Trees are brilliant . . .
And the roots . . .
go way down . . .
I think cemeteries are works of art . . . so real and human and filled with love and loss and all the important things like memory and history and reminders of carpe diem . . . because life is for the living . . .
Right Jack? This little boy never spends one moment of his day worrying, especially about anything he can’t control. Which brings me to something I would normally ignore, and that is Ebola. I’m sorry, I realize you are inundated with it these days, but I just need to say something and then I will forever hold my peace.
You know how when a storm is coming to your area, the media, almost 100% of the time, blows it completely out of proportion? 
(When we have a storm forecast for the Island my entire family calls from California, they are so worried about us, we answer the phone and tell them not to worry while we are busy lighting candles and roasting a chicken, loving every moment of it, figuring if it turns bad, we’re as ready as we’ll ever be and cross that bridge when we come to it and every other cliche we can think of that means we have a handle on it.)
This is what we do during storms.
Remember Y2K? When the entire world was supposed to come to an 
end and all the planes were supposed to crash at midnight between Dec 31, 1999 and Jan. 1, 2000? The media had a field day with that one, it went on for months. Then, when they were wrong, as they almost always are, it’s just ooops, sorry. I don’t think they are sorry. I think they like it. Because when we get afraid and fearful we are more likely to tune in and watch every word that comes out of their mouths, which means they get higher ratings ~ and higher ratings brings in money. It’s always money these days. You can always ask yourself, OK, who makes money from this?, and you’ll usually find the answer and that will be your culprit.
Anyway, bottom line is this: The chances of most of us getting 
Ebola is somewhere between zip and zilch. Unless we physically touch the urine, sweat, blood, vomit or feces of someone who already has ebola, we can’t get it. It isn’t spread by a cough. Common sense will guide us about this, our brave hospital worker-heroes, all very smart, caring, wonderful people, will have it under control in a very short time. I have complete faith.
✮ Faith ✮
Faith that it’s the little everyday things that make life sweet. Not denial, but faith. Don’t let the media scare you or your loved ones.♥ Life is for the living, and that is us. If we get it, we get it. Other than that, we aren’t going to. So turn off these people and go about your business, with maybe just a tad more caution because you know you have much more common sense than any of these fear mongers do. I rest my case. Off the soap box I step. With love for all of us in this beautiful season of color and nature, kitties and God. xoxo
Now, I’ve been saving this to tell you about . . .
Much more constructive to think about your health in terms of what you can do to make it better, which brings it all back to home sweet home . . . our favorite place.♥ I found something I’ve been wanting to share with you! My new favorite thing! And you’ll see why.
This is me making noodles out of zucchini!!!!!! YES! It’s true. I am making noodles out of zucchini!
Take a look at these, in a matter of moments, the easiest thing in the world ~ delicious squiggly noodles, just like pasta, only better, less fattening, healthier, and really just as good, only better! (One small caviot: I’ve been reading about GMO foods, zucchini is one of the biggies they have really fooled around with ~ only use organic zucchini when you make your noodles.)
This little machine (Kellee got a few of them in to our web store, go NOW if you want one) uses no electricity!!! Another reason to love it. It’s easy to clean and easy to use. You just cut off the end of a zucchini to make it flat, pop it into the pusher, crank the handle and out they come from the other side.
You can put any sauce on them, make Linguini and Clam Sauce if you want, or even the simplest thing: heat a little olive oil in a frying pan, add some garlic, maybe some mushrooms, perhaps carrots or a little broccoli slaw, and saute everything until soft . . . add the “pasta zucchini,” cook until al dente, pour onto your plate, sprinkle over salt, pepper and Parmesan, and voila! You can add them to soup too!
Here I toasted up the potatoes before I put in the zucchini ~
Besides zucchini you can make vegetable noodles out of potatoes (like those above), carrots (get the largest you can find), beets, onions, sweet potatoes, apples, eggplant, cucumber, radishes, cabbage, and butternut squash. FUN! It comes with three blades, in three sizes!!!
Here I am tossing the potatoes in the pan with some shallots . . . Use another blade, make them slightly thicker and you have curly fries! I mean, it’s truly the best thing in the world. With all due respect to all the other best things in the world.
Like Kellee in her darling Pilgrim Thanksgiving apron . . .(whoever took the picture cut off the best part!)
Or, Jack helping me with the laundry . . .
or, Girl Kitty, prepping for a nap.
or, the Turner Movie Channel (TCM) which is much better than the news and leaves you feeling up, happy, positive.
a Bountiful Harvest of the Best things in Life.
Like Penelope . . .
. . . who just naturally keeps . . .
Her face turned toward the light.♥
XOXOXOXOXO
Hello Susan… thank you SOOO much for this beautiful post of Autumn in New England… it made me especially happy today to see this, as I am “grounded” for the next two to three weeks with tendinitis in my knee and hip… no Nature walks, hikes, nothing but rest for that whole time!!!… and since October is my most favorite month of all, I was feeling really sorry for myself this morning… love love love the leaves blowing in mid air!… what a wonderful time you and Joe must have had… my favorite photo today is the pumpkin that reads “Bountiful Harvest”… I grew up in the little rural town of Bountiful Utah (which borders my little town of Centerville I lived in today)… so a Bountiful Harvest pumpkin is just about perfect!… love to you, Joe and the kitties and Happy Leaf Peeping!… xoxo… Julie Marie PS Getting lots of compliments on my I Love Autumn bead!… xoxoxo…
I’ll try to keep you nature-fied Julie Marie! Feel better soon!
Merci!… oh yes, love that little stone cottage so much!… xoxo…
Oh, Julie Marie! I was too late to order one of those Autumn beads. (sniff) Hoping to be able to order one next year!
Susan, what a beautiful blog, nice and long, too. I’m with you on the ebola thing. We need to be informed, not scared witless. Loved the little “spiral” machine. I’ve seen them mentioned in various magazines and thought I would like one. Now I know I would. Thanks for sharing it with us. Imagine, pasta with no pain! Hugs to everyone.
I promise you will love it! I’m not much of a gadget kinda gal, but this is one I can vouch for.
Susan, wanted to mention that I’m reading Emma Bridgewater’s book “Toast and Marmalade”. It is very interesting to read how she started her pottery business and the photography is gorgeous. I’m sure you would enjoy it.
Thank you for the suggestion!
The sweet beauty of fall, the sweet voice of common sense, what a relaxing read for me as I take a break from housework and have lunch. Thank you Susan!
Thank you back Esther!
Beautiful post (as always!) And I could not agree more on all the Ebola, Y2k etc. Media~~UGH!!!! Oh well we always have Fall~even a little bit here in San Diego:)
P.S.~~Can I please live in your house for a week:))) lol~ I LOVE your home!
:-)!
And the way they make fun of people who “blame the media!”
Susan, That is a beautiful assortment of autumn pictures. I love that your cat stays close to you. He must be a joy. I love warm and cozy when it’s winter or stormy out . Blessings to you and yours, xoxo,Susie
He is a pure joy.
Ohhh, I can smell the autumn air now! On your blog, that is — not in California, where it has been hotter than Hades for weeks now. If I draw the shades and crank up the air-conditioning, I can look at your blog and PRETEND the days are getting cooler … Thanks for the peep of your leaf-peeping; we’ll just have to live vicariously through you!
I’m going to try and bring some cool weather out there when we come!
Sigh, I feel that I could just drop everything to go drive around New England during the fall. Our leaves are still green here, unfortunately here it depends on the weather we had in late summer. Sometimes leaves are beautiful, and sometimes it seems that they just fall from the trees before they turn. Is every autumn in New England gorgeous, or do they have bad years too?
I guess you could say some years are marginally better than others, but it’s always pretty good. The only thing that could really ruin it is a bad storm or hurricane.
Hi Susan,
I am so glad you got up on your soapbox and reminded me of common sense. eternal perspective and carpe diem. One day at a time, one moment at a time…
that is the way to live. Counting my blessings with you!
XOXO Patricia!
Just what I needed a dose of Susan Branch to cheer up a cloudy day!
First of all – thank you for another “Sensible Susan” remark, re: Ebola and the media hype – and always asking the question of ‘who is making $$ from this’ says it all. “Keep Calm and listen to Susan Branch” 🙂 🙂
Secondly – thank you for your blast of fall color — wonderful!
And last but not least – veggie noodles! Have got to get that – pasta is pasta – but using veggies this way? Pure genius!
That’s what I thought Rosanna, pure genius!
Thank you Susan for your wise advice. Thoughts and prayers are with the ill and those who have heroically put themselves on the line to care for them, work to find an answer or give time and money to help.
Live in reality and look for the beauty that is all around.Share love, not fear.
Well said Marty!
Happy Friday! Thank you for sharing the beautiful fall colors……picture perfect New England. I can so relate to your tea mug…..as someone who will buy anything with a picture of a cute house on it……especially yellow cottages with red roofs 🙂 And as for Ebola……speak it Sister! The media should be embarrassed for the sensational coverage…..and ashamed because whether they know or care, they are influencing the upcoming midterm elections by promoting hysteria and fear rather than facts. Amen. Zucchini noodles are much more fun to think about!
Yes, it seems a little bit unAmerican since this is the land of the BRAVE. 🙂 xoxo Zucchini = more fun!
Lovely, as always! Don’t you just love having a bit of china from your childhood? I have the cereal bowl that, as a child, I used to watch my Gramps eat his oatmeal from-I always watched for the scene on the bottom to appear under the porridge and cream. Plus, I have two of my Great-Grans teapots passed on to me by my lovely Gran. I truly cherish them!
Your fall is so colorful- I love it. I also love that Penelope is thriving. Go girl!
Thanks for the Ebola thoughts, I completely agree- can’t watch “news-fear-mongering” anymore. I live a much happier life on a news reduced diet.
Love the spiralizer- I’ve been thinking of getting one too so that is a great review to have. Lots of love to you and all the lovies in your world! <3
Same to you Gabi!
Such a wise woman you are….. thank you for the lovely post, the pictures are beautiful! Progress has given us the ability to have “way too much commercially directed information.” It’s a slow news/weather day without some kind of crisis. We will endure and we will survive, of that I am certain.
You are absolutely on the money re: TCM…… simpler times, simpler plots, incredible acting, directing etc. We pay a lot of money so that we can still enjoy these films. Love everything you do Susan. You have been an inspiration for me for nearly 25 years. You are a blessing.
Thank you Nancy! We are kindred spirits!
Thank you Susan for sharing the beautiful fall pictures. Oh that graveyard and the stone cottage and the swirling leaves. Simply amazing! I always love Jack and Girl Kitty. I could not agree with you more about the media trying to scare us all. Thanks for speaking up and thank you for sharing so many beautiful things with us.
Jackie
Thank YOU for being here Jackie!
What a perfect afternoon completed with a perfectly beautiful New England fall post! After a week of chilly, rainy damp here in the Midwest, we are lapping up the beautiful SUN today. To celebrate, I’ve just made a cozy pot of potato soup for lunch… and for dinner, I’ve baked a warm, cheesy pan of au gratin squash and potatoes to accompany my cranberry glazed pork roast. As I sat down to enjoy my cup of soup, I thought I’d take a peek and see what was new…. and wow! Did I luck in to a wonderful lunch break with charming reminders of God’s glory all around us?!? Thank you for the beautiful post this afternoon…It topped off this already marvelous start to the day. Mmmmm…the house smells wonderfully warm and cozy…. now off to decide what yummy treat to make for dessert! Carpe diem, girlfriends!
You are making me drool Samantha!
There you are, Susan! Yeahhhhhh, yeahhhhh, yeahhhh. We needed you this week, “happy girl!” You knew the news would get to us, didn’t you? I listened to the Ebola crisis, then turned it off immediately. It’s up to us to keep happy, to “stay calm, & carry on.” I love that saying. Hope to purchase it somewhere, or even make it into a pillow. The English are such brave people.
I have one of those “what ‘cha ma call it’s,” that you made veggie noodles from. I LOVE it! Why is it that when you cut a vegetable a certain way, it tastes different than the way you’ve been slicing/cutting it always, & ever before? Do you find that? Tomatoes taste different when I slice them thin, than when I cube them.
Your pictures are amazing. Being originally from PA, I remember the fall colors, walking through leaves, with the smell rising up, & the rustling sound at your
feet. What a sensory experience. As children, we used to rake a big pile of leaves into the ditch in front of our house, then run down the hill, the fastest we could run, right into that big, huge, pile of leaves. What fun.
When you get to CA, expect wonderful weather. Mild, sunny days. My kind of weather. I get so much accomplished when we have this sort of weather, like this morning, I’ve been sitting in my high back office chair, (the one in which I often fall asleep in) reading book reviews, downloading the books that look promising into my IPad. Hard work, eh? Oh my, but I do spoil myself. I have so many books downloaded that I’ll probably never get through them in a year. I can dream though, can’t I? Isn’t there a song from the 30’s like that? I could go out & get rid of weeds growing in my gardens, or I could vacuum, or finish up the laundry, but no, here I am, once again, enjoying life, dreaming the day away. My mother was right, I’m a day dreamer. I’m meeting a friend in a few hours for lunch, then I think I’ll call it a day, come home, sit on the patio in my rocker with the soft pillows on it, & read. Jack & Sheba will be willing to take a nap beside me on the patio. They love it when I sit out there. Life is good. Keep calm & carry on. (Love that saying). My family is sick of hearing me say that saying. Tee, hee. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
You are so right about those veggies, I never thought of that! 🙂
Admit it. Bookworms will rule the world….as soon as we finish one more chapter!
I saw that saying the other day and it made me chuckle.
Chris
Shall I tell you how I found you Susan? It was over a year ago that I was looking at Etsy at a lady’s lovely ribbon. She made drawings on the ribbon in the style like you do. At the bottom of her site it said that she was in no way assosiated with Susan Branch. That made me curious! So I looked for you and since then I have read EVERY SINGLE THING on your site! ( and do hope you are never going to put advertising on it because that makes it ugly I think, as I see on other blogs) You have inspired me to start my own blog, without the cute drawings of course. I bought a nice camera and a new world opened for me; blogging gives me a warm feeling, makes me happy. So I don’t think it was a coincidence that I found you, it was ment to be. Thank you for being such an inspiration. (boy, isn’t that fun to hear haha?) By the way….I ordered your autumnbook and will write a review again when I am done reading it.
have a good day, here it is almost bedtime allready, your pr-woman from the Netherlands, Petra.
Hello PR-Girl! Thank you for your sweet comment! xoxo
Oh how I love Autumn. I am missing it. Thank you for the picture of the falling leaf. Brilliant! I like PILES of leaves, but they don’t like me. Moldy.
I knew that was a German village. I could tell by the church tower. You should go to Germany and Switzerland, so quaint and clean. Soo many flowers!
I need to do that!
Hello Susan! Autumn is in the air, and you Susan are the “Autumn Angel” sending us beauty abound from the most gorgeous Autumn sightings ever seen!!!!! Your photography takes us there without even leaving our seats!!! Your posting today will be one to review over and over again!!! Thank you for the “talk” regarding the media news recently. (I confess it’s upset me and I have begun to worry about it a lot. Now I have to limit how much TV/radio news I hear every day. Too much is too much.) Here in Dearborn, Michigan the leaves are quickly changing daily, but still not in full color as of yet. I just love how Mother Nature knows how to decorate at this time of year, sprinkling those pretty leaves around the lawns, like sprinkles on a cake! Have a wonderful weekend Susan, and take care of yourself!!!!!
You too, nice to hear from you Carilyn!
Happy Autumn…..we are having a beautiful day today and the leaves are brilliant and calling me outdoors, but wanted to say thank you!!!
I ordered the embroidered doorstop, two soaps with dishes and the darling darling double decker bus bank. They arrived and I can’t wait to give them as gifts…should have ordered some for me too…:)
The bus bank is going to our 9th grandchild…Oliver…his first birthday is December 4 and we will be in California with him to celebrate…:) 🙂
I have the “spiral pasta” maker…love love love it…so glad that you do too…I can now eat pasta with the rest of the family…and they actually love my pasta too..especially the zucchini and carrot combination….
Thank you for the lovely “Autumn Trip” we know what a short season it is and as I said…it calls you to be out side enjoying it while you can…
xoxox
Glad you liked everything Sue!
Susan,
So happy that you got up on your ‘Soap Box” hahaha But you are so right…our media does so much harm…. when they could do so much good. They have all forgotten about, just plain old COMMON SENSE. … and BEING RESPONSIBLE for what they say. There are so many people who have the access to get the news out there…but they have lost their common sense for…..other gains….and have no values…….ooopppps I will step down off my Soap Box…….
.For your blog was WONDERFUL TODAY… I LOVE OUR LIQUID AMBERS out here in California … and as the leaves change colors and do their annual dance to cover our lawn….it makes me just happy to sit and watch the whole production.
Also like that mug…the colors are the ones I use through out my home…reds, ,greens and the more muted colors…and my grandparents came from Austria…so I like all the old world looks. The stone house is wonderful, for it lives in a whole different world than others…the home owners are truly blessed. Your pictures of the leaves in mid air are the best….we or I try to catch them in mid air….(I could just see my husband chasing a leaf down the street) we women are lucky for we can get away with some special things…hahaha Love you and your blogs.
To you and all the girlfriends ENJOY ENLJOY AND THEN ENJOY EVEN MORE FOR THIS DAY AND THIS SEASON OF FALL HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US AS A GIFT… FROM GOD. Love, Susan P.
Love you back Susan P!
Thank you, thank you, Susan, for posting the picture of the wonderful mug!! I wish I could find one exactly like it. I love and adore it, but not as much as I love and adore YOU!!
What gorgeous photos of central Massachusetts!! Wowee!! It has been my and my husband’s dream for years to visit the East Coast. Well, I think that dream may soon come to fruition!! I want to go when it is NOT hot or even really warm (being from Fresno, I hate the heat!), but not yet too cold and snowy that it would be difficult to travel. When would you suggest would be the ideal time to go?
Love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
Go on October first, start north and work your way south. It starts to cool down in September, usually by October it’s not hot anymore, and peak color for leaves moves from north to south. By Halloween, its wet, windy, most of the leaves are usually getting close to down. You are going to LOVE it Mary!
May I add to the suggestion as when to traverse the east coast? If you plan to camp (in a motorhome, or trailer), the campgrounds on the east coast shut down after Labor Day. No water, or other facilities at all, after Labor Day. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Thank you so much, Susan! It will be difficult to wait a year, but it will take that long to plan the trip! I’m not good at things like that!!
And thank you, Sondra Fox! But we don’t do camping! 😀
Amen, sister! Your words about media hype and scares was right on point. Thank you! Common sense and “keep calm and carry on” is always best! Folow the Money for sure. Loved the fall foliage and the cemetery scenes. Thank you!
Amen back to you sister!
Hi Susan~
Lovely post today! Ohio is much like New England in the fall. I look out my kitchen window & the yellow leaves on the little tree next door are just glowing. I so enjoy your posts, they do make my days brighter.
P.S.
I love wandering through old graveyards, too, everyone thinks I am ghoulish!
They don’t know what they’re missing!
I love old graveyards, they are so serene. used to walk them with my grandma while she made her etches. she had so many beautiful etchings of old graves. plus the stories those old gravestones tell, I love looking at them. our town puts on a haunted walk through the older cemetery every October, and folks conducting the tour dress up in the costume of the person they are representing and they tell the story of that person.. how they lived and died, what was going on in that time period. its really fun. best walks are at night, never know when you might meet a spook or 2. BOO!! LOL!! 🙂
Oh I love the history . . . this sounds like a great way to tell it!
Love your pictures of the autumn trees! Beautifull colors ready made for a quilt.
Looks to me that the picture on your German mug is a Dutch mill and house,but I don’t know anything of that sign under your mug.
Enjoy the weekend
greetings,Trudy from Holland
You too Trudy!
After we talked I went on your new blog — didn’t even finish reading it …..went directly to your studio …talked to Kellee and ordered a Spiral cutting machine …..Kellee ane had a nice
Brief conversation ……and I think I,m set to get a machine next week…..s-m-i-l-e !
I heard that! LOL, you are going to LOVE it Dad . . . fast easy delicious cooking.
Hi blog daddy…….I lost my own dad when I was only 11. It never fails to touch my heart that you are SB’s biggest fan. What a lucky daughter she is!
Thank you, Susan, for posting this today. It is just what I needed to read to find peace…and be reminded to look for God’s blessings in each and every day, no matter the season or the storm. I think sometimes your posts must be nudged by one of my guardian angels! 🙂
I would love that to be true!
Hi Susan! I’m so Happy to see your post. It is a beautiful day here in up-state New York and I am a happy Happy girl. I have been vacuuming and dusting and washing windows like crazy, all the while with music playing on my Allison Krause station on my Pandora station. I just love her, especially during the fall.
It has been absolutely gorgeous here. The weather actually got up into the high seventies! I have been in a huge slump since my dad’s passing in June, but I feel as if I am finally emerging out from the sad, dark place and into the lovely golden light of autumn. It has been hard dealing with his estate and dispersing all of his things but with each task I accomplish, the weight has been slowly lifting. Life is for the living and we are all human and have some down days, but seeing your lovely posts helps remind me about all that is good and nice in my life
You are so right about the media and the ebola madness. Between that and the barrage of election season ads, I find myself grumbling and yelling at the television. So I do what you do, tune out and immerse myself in my own little home and life. My husband, my daughters, my kitty are safe, well and happy and that is what my focus is and should be.
Have you ever read “Bambi” by Felix Salten? There is a chapter about the last two leaves of autumn. It is so sad and beautiful. My Mom used to read it to my when I was a little girl. I found a link for it here:.dpmh.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Songs/The%20Last%20Two%20Leaves.html Thanks for your lovely post and for being you. Mary B <3
Grief gets you, and you have to let it, and you did. It’s not a little thing to lose your dad. I’m so happy you’re coming back though Mary, the world needs you. XOXO ♥
Thanks for the encouragement Susan. I was actually on an airplane at midnight on Y2K, and as we all know now, zip, nada, nothing happened. I’m loving your beautiful fall photos, especially the one with the floating leaf. Blessings!
You are one of the faithful! xoxo
I just love you, my friend, Susan Branch, whom I’ve never met, but who makes me cry with her beautiful books (I’m the one who burst into tears on your leaving England on the ship in “A Fine Romance” and told you about it in my review on Goodreads) and helps me. Yes, really truly HELPS me keep positive in this challenging world. Two weeks ago I cancelled my paper and I have not listened to the news since last Sunday when it nearly sent me over the edge. I haven’t had a full-blown anxiety attack in about a decade now and hope never to have another, but I have to work at keeping it in check. Your site and your books are one of my coping tools. I am a “Highly Sensitive Person” (just reading that book now) and I have been since I was a little girl. My faith keeps me grounded, but I have other tools in my toolbox and your work is one of them. Can I thank you enough? No, but I wish I could.
I popped by to get your corn chowder recipe for tonight and thought, “Oh! A new post!” I was so very surprised then, when, mid-post, I felt your words speaking directly to me about this outbreak.
So, look at this… only 5 or so comments ahead of me, so I hope you see this and just know how much – and in how many ways – the things you do bless this one person’s life. I feel lucky to share the world with you.
~ Nicole
You are a sweetheart Nicole. I think I must be “highly sensitive” too. I wish everyone was! 🙂 Thank you!
Hi Susan!
Great VEGETARIAN recipe! love it!
Your words are so wise about the media… I chose a long time ago not to read news anymore, instead I read your blog. And if there is nothing new, I read your older post! Feeling good and being happy is what´s important. Thank You!
Life is short xoxo
hi susan!! Oh..what a beautiful blog post today.. your pictures are just gorgeous causing all kinds of smiles around here. We are a bit behind MA and the East Coast in colors, so this week-end and next looks like peek time for us to leaf-peep…as a matter of fact, we are loading up the car to head out to southwest Missouri for an autumn jaunt AND A WEDDING!!! I just love a good wedding!! and this one is especially good…the bride is a young 71 and the groom 70 and if they are not the most darling in-love couple …..they are having a country-themed small gathering and everyone is bringing something to share for the party afterwards…….your carrot cake cupcakes are making a highly requested appearance!!!! I used ever so cute rodeo and bandana cupcake liners and little toothpick western-themed sticks (cowboy hats, rodeo riders) to decorate them. I even found a cake plate that is made from a tree!! There will be cats, dogs, horses, bales of hay to sit on and beautiful setting in the Missouri Ozarks…. I am inspired from your post and cannot wait to get going!! Have a wonderful week-end and joy to autumn!! love, cindy
ps…love that cup..it’s the little things…xo
Now that’s what I call a WEDDING! How fun Cindy!
Thanks for this nostalgic reminder of my nine years in New England (~sigh~). And I strongly concur with your statement: “You can always ask yourself, OK, who makes money from this?, and you’ll usually find the answer and that will be your culprit.” … which is not just limited to the media. I’ll be watching for Blog Daddy’s input about the mug!
Sharon in Alabama
Thank you Sharon!
As I just had a wonderful bike ride this morning (Eastern PA) through our fall leaves I could still smell the dryness of them just looking at your photos. Blessings to you and thank you for sharing.
I am home with the flu feeling cabin fever and restless UNTIL I read your Autumn Blog. Made me feel so cozy and comfortable as if I were there in New England with you. Fall is my favorite and you capture everything I love about the season with the whimsy of your words and charm of photographs.THANK YOU!
Feel better soon Mare! xoxo
My husband and I are heading out on Sunday to the Autumn Drive in Woodstock. You get to visit 15 real live farms, vendors with wonderful wares and apple cider, pumpkin baked goods and antiques and collectibles galore! Weather predicted to be perfect for the occasion – 55 degrees with a few clouds but otherwise glorious! Thanks for the New England tour – it made my blood race (in a great way)! Even greater thanks for the heads-up about how great life is and how much we have to be thankful for. You’re a peach!
I was just invited to speak in Woodstock either at the end of 2015 or the beginning of 2016! Maybe I’ll see you!
Woodstock, Illinois? It would be so lovely to see you again, Susan! Jo and I sat together when you visited Anderson’s Bookshop last year. It would be so exciting to have another gathering of Girlfriends in our area! ♡ Fingers crossed!
Yes, Illinois, but quite a long time from now. Don’t want you to get sick of me!
I’m there!!! xo……Karen P.
Yay! It will be a very special Girlfriends reunion! ♡
Dawn, so good to see a post from you! Hope life is treating you well along with all the other girlfriends! Susan, it would be ever so wonderful to see you in Woodstock or wherever. I’m marking my new Susan Branch Desk Calendar in hopes of it being in late 2015. Woo-hoo!
I’ve been in touch with them, we are penciled in for fall 2015 or Feb 2016 . . . they will let me know and I’ll be sure to post it!
Very well said on the Ebola. My gut instinct is telling me to stay off of airplanes for now. And my motto is……Keep your hands off your face, completely, (that means eyes too). When out in public. Scrub hands good as soon as you come home. Just ask my kids-hehe.
I love your fall photos!
I just finished piecing a table cloth quilt, my own design. All the fabric is Susan Branch Tea Party. I’ve been saving it till I knew exactly what to do with it. It is so sweet! xxoo
How fun!
Carol…I hope one day you’ll be able to share a photo of your quilt, maybe on Susans Facebook page?
A fellow Iowan….
I love seeing your walks and homemade cooking. It really reminds me to do healthy living for my family. Thank you
Happy to have you here Jamie!
How beautiful and calming are your words, Susan. I loved the pictures from your visit to Oakridge Cemetery. The colorful trees with their roots remind me of the “Octopus,” a most wonderful tree that occupied the southeast corner of my grade school playground so many years ago. It was so tall, I often wonder now if it was really as big as I thought it was. It was taken down several years ago, but I’m sure it had to be. The most glorious thing about the tree was its base with roots around the whole tree that provided the most wonderful imaginative outdoor “rooms” for many children, all at the same time. Different sizes, different levels, perfect nook and crannies for homemade fireplaces and sweet little cupboards to store brilliant leaves, sticks, and penny candy. I’ll never forget that special place, and I thank God that he made that special tree that made so many children at Holy Family School so very happy.
I can picture it Nancy!
Dear Susan,
Wonderful trip through MA in the fall! It makes me wish I were there. I really do think I could move there in a heartbeat if I could just take everyone from here with me.:-)
There are so many “fear mongers” out there trying to scare us about any number of things! I just refuse to let what I hear on TV make me a nervous wreck.
Faith – that’s such a vital word for us to remember! Take a deep breath, and think calming thoughts, then remember the usual things that help us get through the day.
The mug is truly a treasure, whether anyone knows the original story behind it. How fortunate you are to have it.
We had “volunteer” pumpkins that grew in the garden from our compost, and we roasted the first one which yielded us much pumpkin and the tastiest “pumpkin juice” that serves very nicely as syrup on Pumpkin French Toast! Perfect for the season. We simply halved the pumpkin, scooped out the seeds, and placed it cut side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Baked it at 375 degrees until it was soft to the touch. Don’t burn your fingers testing it!:-) Then, set it off the pan before all the juice soaks back into the pumpkin and puree as it is needed. We are having a virtual “pumpkin fest” around here.:-)
We a gorgeous blue sky here today, and those fall-like temperatures that one always hopes for are to be on the way before the week-end is over.
Sending good East Tennessee Autumn wishes to you!
xo Nellie
Mmmmm I am longing for pumpkin pie!
Hi Susan,
I was out taking pictures of trees along the river in our area today, and also picking up beautiful fallen leaves to bring home, and maybe make one of those leaf garlands. Wonder if its best to spray anything on them to make them last? I can’t get enough of the leaves right now, and have several more hikes planned in the next few weeks. I, too, have been interested in trying that veggie noodle maker, but haven’t yet, so thanks for taking the plunge and sharing with us! I agree with your opinion on the media coverage of major events. Glad some of us have common sense!
Me too! I am one of the few people who’s never sprayed leaves. . . but I think it probably works well! Maybe one of the other Girlfriends knows???
Hi, Linda~
I collect leaves every fall to scatter around the house and to use, especially, on the Thanksgiving table. What works for me is quite simple: I lay the leaves flat between 2 pieces of wax paper. Place between two towels and press with a hot iron. The wax transfers onto the leaves and they turn out just beautiful! Happy Fall!
Debbie
Hi susan!!!
I just love it when your posts begin with something like “Grab your favorite cup…” It almost always means it’s going to be a long and cozy one…my favorite kind! So as per your instructions, I got up to make myself a cup of coffee before sitting back down to enjoy a few minutes in your beautiful world 🙂 Just what I needed!!
Thanks for reminding us to focus on the good and not let the media get us down.
Hugs from NJ 🙂
Tatiana
ps. did you mean GMO squash or is there some new medical insurance veggie threat out there I don’t know about (HMO?) hee hee
hee hee hee, I do that every time! I think I might secretly be in the insurance business. (Thank you, I fixed it!)
I am a New Englander and do appreciate all of the seasons; however, because I grew up here and lived here most of my life, I think I took it all for granted. We see falling leaves and think about raking and cleaning gutters! You, Susan, take a season in New England and make it look like one of your paintings……you see the beauty in everything and share it with all of us. This blog, the pictures of colorful falling leaves, tree roots, cemetery, the kitties playing, resting, all of it makes me shed tears of happiness! We New Englanders are blessed with nature’s 4 seasons, historic buildings, majestic mountains, coastal seas and Susan Branch! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You are, lucky to enjoy this miracle since childhood Ann ♥ ♥ ♥
What would we do without your voice of reason and you reminding us of faith? Your blog is just the best! Thanks for being you. 🙂
Thank you Lee!
The zucchini “pasta” looks really good. Would be good with spaghetti sauce, too! The pictures of New England look just like what we saw when we were I Door County, Wisconsin, this past week. They have a lot of sugar maple trees there, too, so there were splashes of brilliant red leaves, too. I’m so glad to have the heat/humidity of summer behind us… 🙂
I know how you feel Pat!
Oh how I miss October in New England. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Fall!!!
Oh Susan! Perfect timing. I thought you a little while ago when I went for a walk. I picked up a dozen or so beautiful leaves to make a little leaf banner for my kitchen window. Just guess who walked with me….Several months ago I wrote to tell you and the girlfriends about my husband needing a lung transplant. It was very scary and touch and go for a while but his name went on the list on August 8. Since he was so very sick his name was in the top three in the country. On August 15 he had a lung transplant! We’re so very thankful that the parents of a young man who was tragically killed decided to donate all his organs. In fact the person in the room next to Sam received his heart. We were given a precious gift. Today was the first day Sam walked outside, unassisted, without a cane and the best part..WITH ME! Thank you for the beautiful pictures today! And all of the prayers and good wishes from the girlfriends! XO, Willa
OH WILLA! That is the best, most amazing news. I am sorry about the young man, but what an amazing gift of life he and his parents bestowed. It’s a miracle. I have a friend who’s life was saved with a donated kidney, from a living donor, a perfect stranger. It’s beyond profound, the kind of thoughts that go with something like that. Blessings on you both, enjoy many more lovely walks of appreciation together. xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you Susan. Life is a gift!!!
Ah! Blissful Autumn ~ Dear Susan I have fretted much since last Wednesday when my internet connection went out, struck by lightening! All the time I fretted and fussed that you would post and I would miss it and voila! Reconnection happened today ~~~just in time! Hurrah!
I am thrilled to see all the brightly beautiful colours of autumn you have shown us, for much as autumn is my favourite season, we seldom see the colours, or the magic of the trees changing here in the west ~~~ I revel in every glorious morsel I can glean of pictures everyone shares online ~~~ and that is an odd thought, that I enjoy the magic of my favourite season by the magic that is the internet! Just as well, for I am still ‘indisposed’ and cannot stomp through the crisply crunchy ground cover ~~~ oh, well ~~~
I do so love your pretty mug. As soon as I saw it, my thoughts flew to either Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium or some other mid~European nation where there are such quaint cottages and windmills ~~~
~~~ waving ~~~ from Across The Pond ~~~ Deb in Wutheringly Wonderful Wild West Wales! {yup, we are back to that time of year again!}
Yes, Debs, when you’re knocked out by lightening you get to say wild west Wales!
Feel the same way you do about the news media….more doom and gloom the happier they are. Just wondering about your book. I hope it has lots of art in it. Any news about the progress??
I’ve been away from it for a bit, will go back asap — lots of art, yes!
I love Jack on the counter and Girl on the dining room table…………..makes me giggle and recall Gladys Taber’s comment about misguided souls who don’t believe cats belong on the kitchen counter. If someone comments on my kitties being on a counter, table or whatever, I say emphatically ” oh that is absolutely not allowed” and continue on with the conversation. The “misguided souls” have never seemed to have a response to that!!!
I will have to remember that, LOL! Good one!
So sweet . . . Susan and Jack having tea! And beautiful . . . a road trip through New England in Autumn. I hope that I get to experience it in person some day. Plus, the absolutely gorgeous cemetery . . . I love old cemeteries . . . they are so peaceful. I am so envious of your walk there. Thanks for sharing the photos. I will look at this post for days on end and dream. The vegetable noodle machine looks really nifty. I will have to order one and try it. And Susan, thanks for your boost of FAITH! I am sure we all needed to hear it . . . I know I did. Thanks for all your wonderful posts, hints and tips . . . much better than Martha Stewart! You make things so relaxed, comfortable, homelike and . . . attainable. Like . . . we can all do this! I am certainly going to try!
XOXO Sharon!
Such a delightful blog today. I was inspired to go shopping — still thinking about the gadget 🙂 Loved the Julia Child quote about noodles – double 🙂 🙂
Now I’m going back to read it all again. My computer got hacked and corrupted my e-mail somehow, but I’m going to CALL a couple girlfriends to make sure they don’t miss this blog post. Hopefully help is on the way this evening for fixing the e-mail problem. I feel like I’m in limbo :-(.
Nice to hear from you during the email crisis! 🙂
Another beautiful post, Susan! I had always wanted to go to New England in the peak of the Autumn season because of all the photos of gorgeousness that I had seen over the years. We were able to go a couple of weeks ago and tour Tasha Tudor’s Corgi Cottage. That, along with all the Autumn beauty, made a trip of a lifetime for us! As Ann Shirley says, “I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” My fave time of year! Love that spaghetti shredder, too! Ingenius invention! xo
Mine too Karen! Joe and I walked late today, coming home, sun was slanting through the woods leaving big splotches of bright light. SO gorgeous! I was pretty much in a rapture out there!
Rapture is a perfect word to describe it!
Lovely post as usual Susan, I’ve been checking daily…and missing you. I have to say a word about your new kitchen gadget…I bought one exactly like it about a month ago, and I LOVE IT!!!! I’ve been off pasta, bread, and sugar since August and I happen to see this gadget on a someone’s blog and thought what a great idea this is. It’s like having your pasta and eating it too!!! I come to love the zucchini pasta as much as the real stuff, but much better for the waist line! I try to buy most of my foods organic now, because of all the GMO foods…it’s scary too reading about how industrialized our food has become. If you ever get the chance read the books by Michael Pollan, it’s an eye opener.
Your photos are just beautiful of the New England countryside, I am so glad I live here in Massachusetts too, with each season brings such unexpected beauty.
My feelings are exactly like yours too about the Ebola panic. I refuse to listen to the news anymore…when I’m making dinner I’m either watching the food network or TCM as well. I just can’t take them continually saying the same things over and over again. Well I hope you are enjoying this most beautiful, glorious, autumn day. I guess it’s supposed to be cooler and very seasonal this weekend. Happy Day Sue!
Joe was reading Michael Pollan and I would follow along, pick it up when he put it down, and read here and there. He is a wonderful writer. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the noodle machine too!
Did you know that Michael Pollan is Tracey Pollan’s brother? Tracey is married to Michael J. Fox. Tracey, her mom and two sisters have recently written a cookbook called “The Pollan Family Table”.
Dear Susan, what a wonderful post about New England, you always bring so much joy! it shows that everything you do, you do it with so much love. I treat myself to a movie when I have my lunch,TCM films are the best I like the early 1930’s. Thank you for the delicious cooking ideas, specially now I need much help, my husband and I start tomorrow our training for the 2015 L.A. marathon ( we’re no spring chickens) our time to finish it is six hours and thirty minutes so we need all the good eats 🙂 to keep us going, and last but not least a big thank you for sharing pictures of your furry angels! XOXOXO
Wow, that is very impressive Patricia! Good Luck!
My niece who just got married told me yesterday about making zucchini pasta! She said she loves it along with her new husband. I am definitely going to have to get one since I can’t eat any wheat or gluten products. Thanks for all the wonderful ways to use it!
You’ll love it!
Lovely post as always, Susan.
You give us beauty, something to think about and a clever idea to enjoy our veggies in a new, fun way.
I’ve seen that nifty gadget in a couple of catalogues and wondered if they work. Guess they do….so I will definitely get one!
Thanks and Happy October!
Nancye T.
Wells, Maine
Happy October!
I ordered the noodle maker and heard back right away that my order had been placed. Very excited to try it. Also ordered your weekly sale special – the holiday package with paper, stickers, etc. I plan on giving it to my daughter, who is an avid scrapbooker. Thanks for all you do to inspire us.
Nancye T.
New England in Autumn…so amazing. A couple of weeks ago hubby and I were in Bangor (Maine) and drove through Mount Hope Cemetery. It was so peaceful. I noticed some very old graves (1700’s) on top of a hill, bright red and gold HUGE trees all around them and they were facing a beautiful sunset. I thought – a lovely place to rest for eternity, under the shelter of the trees with sunsets through every season!
I’m pretty darn sure I’m not going to contract ebola – God bless those who have and those who help them. Hubby and I have started changing the channel when the “Ebola Scare” stories come on. As far as the weather people go…if you live where snow falls…it’s going to fall when and where it wants to! We make sure there’s peanut butter, candles, and that the woodstove is full, that’s about it! Then we sit back and enjoy whatever nature decides to give us!
Enjoy Autumn wherever you may be girlfriends!
love from MDI, Maine
ps – I don’t usually have the volume turned up on the computer when I’m online, but did today. When the little bird tweets started, my border collie Zoe came running into the room, stared at the computer and then at me!! Cute…
Cute! 🙂
Having my cup of tea and enjoying reading this lovely post. The leaves are breathtaking!
Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Susan,
What a beautiful post. You’ve made me homesick for my adopted New England “home”! I want to be there so badly, but we’ll be off on a trip up the California and Oregon coast starting November 1st, so that’ll be a close second! I could not agree with you more about the media and Ebola. My husband and I were just talking about it this morning. I feel so badly for those who it has effected, but I refuse to worry personally about something that will most likely not touch us. When will you be on that train out west?
We leave on the 30th — in two weeks! Yikes!
Thank you for the gift that you give to us with every blog.
This one was a delight after all of the heavy news on TV.
My mother had an enamel cup from her childhood with
a little Dutch boy on it. It was also made in Germany. Anyway,
she used it in her soap powder box and did a lot of damage
but at some point I rescued it and replaced it with a
measuring cup and I’m sure glad I did. It is precious to me.
Love family history. Anybody’s family! I sure hope we get
to go on the train trip. That’s on my “to do” list. Have Fun.
Oh yes, I will bring you along as best I can!
Finally…a voice of reason. Thanks for this posting. And I love, love, love the leaves turning.
Love ♥ the autumn photos, do you have a Pinterest page to pin them to so we can pass them around & spread the love? Mine is ChicTiquesCafe & YOU are already on it 🙂 (books!)
I don’t have one Tisa, no time yet!
Hi Susan! Your “Fall” is a bit ahead of ours here in Westchester County. Things are just beginning to really get colored – and since we’ve had quite a bit of rain this last week, those leaves have been sprinkled all over my car when I go out in the morning to go to work! I mumble and grumble about have to swish them all off my car, but really, they are very pretty – and the ones I can’t reach blow off once I get up on the highway!
I agree with you about the Ebola thing. I also feel the our media is trying to blow it all out of proportion, reporting on every incident like it is a reality show. Your perspective on the whole thing is spot on. We should be concerned, informed, but not hysterical! I hope the best for all of us, and like you, have confidence that our health care system will get it all figured out soon.
Love the zucchini “spaghetti”! What a great idea! How about sautéing it with some onion in bit of olive oil, then adding some beaten eggs and making a delicious omelet/frittata? Toast a piece of Mother Effie’s homemade bread – a smidge of butter on it – what could be better?
Thank you for the beautiful peek at your New England Fall!
Mmmm that frittata sounds delicious! 🙂 So many ideas for these kanoodles!
Thank you for the loveliest visions. All the nature that never looks like that in Texas. Makes us yearn for your part of the world. The tea, the little whiskers on the cutest little face lapping up the “spilled” milk, and the message. I needed your blog.
I was barely back from England, and found out my sister was in the hospital for a bloodclot and too much calcium causing hallucinations. Then a week after, we found she had uterine cancer that had spread to her brain. A week after on Oct. 7th she went to Heaven. My little sister is no longer hurting, but I am.
Thank you for listening.
Love and bunny hugs,
Shirley
Oh dear Shirley, I’m so sorry. And glad that she waited for you to be home. Sending love and prayers and blessings to you and yours xoxoxoxo
Thank you sweet Susan. God’s timing for the trip made being home possible. And that she knew me when I arrived was such a blessing. Now time is needed to heal my heart. She loved this time of the year.
Love and bunny hugs,
Shirley
I’m sure, time is good for sadness and heartbreak, but it’s a tough go. My heart is with you Shirley, and bunny hugs back to you.
Dear Shirley,
We send our love and may God comfort you. Remember the good times and keep them in your heart. Sisters are forever.
Susan, I am not sure how I originally found your blog website, but I am so very glad I did. What a gift! As soon as I see you in my inbox, I go into Zen mode because I know I will be soothed, serenaded, and satisfied. Your Autumn blog was absolutely wonderful. Even though I live in NE PA, I can never get enough of Autumn and the Fall foliage. You make me want to move to the Cape. I must also tell you that I thought I was strictly a dog lover, thanks to my Beautiful Scottish Terriers, but after meeting Jack and Girl Kitty, I now know that I could easily welcome them into our home. I can not thank you enough for sharing your life with us. Your gift has become our gift!
Thank you Roseann! It’s my pleasure to have you here!
(((((SUSAN))))) I just have to give you a big cyber hug! Your post has calmed my soul this afternoon. Life is just so busy and I haven’t taken the time to stop and smell the roses. After reading your post, I have decided that tomorrow, before I go to work, I am going to go out and take a walk and snap my camera over and over again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. It is such a blessing. And I will leave you with something I say to myself over and over again, especially in light of all that is going on the world today, “The Lord knows…” Happy weekend everyone!
Lovely. xoxo
Hi Susan, Lovely post and what beautiful trees. You can just smell the fall looking at those pics. Well said about the “ebola”. Thank you for reminding us what is most important and for inspiring us with all your wonderful posts.
Happy Fall Ya’ll.
P.S. Do you know if you will be getting any more of the lavender soap with the wooden dish? Love them.
I think maybe we got it back in? If not, it’s coming soon! Happy Fall Ya’ll — 🙂
This is one wonderful blog post that you just cannot rush through… have to savor each word, each fragrance, each color, each scene… oh my, lost in Autumn, and what a wonderful place to be! ♥ I am am Autumn baby, and today is my birthday – what a wonderful b’day surprise to see a new blog post pop up on my phone. But I had to head to computer to see your words and pictures in rich color glory 🙂 Jack is adorable…Girl Kitty ♥…and that stone house ♥♥ Autumn is just now touching us here in central Virginia, and we are loving every minute, but nothing beats a New England Autumn in all her glory! Thanks so much for making my day and placing a great big smile on my face and in my heart. Enjoy every leaf!!! ♥
Mari! Happy Birthday!!!! ♥
As always, your post brightened my day! Especially when you share a New England Autumn with me. Yes, I’m another one who considers Autumn my favorite season! Just wish the color and cool temps lasted longer before our cold and cozy winter.
Thank you for sharing your take on the news media. They do tend to overdo it a bit!! It’s good to keep informed but there’s a limit to how many times you can here the same thing over and over again. I’ll continue to pray for those who are suffering and have faith that God will watch over them. I’m turning off the news more often and turning on TCM! Love old movies!
Love you, and thank you for your positive outlook. YOU are a day brightener!
So are you Deanna!
Hi Susan – just wanted to let you know that the New England Fall pictures are absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing!
It just seems so wrong reading your blog all about your beautiful autumn when down here we are in full blown spring. I wish you could smell my lilacs.
Jack is one spoilt cat allowed on your kitchen bench with milk and all.. I bet he knows it too!
Lovely wise post. There is just too much negativity in the media I think that is why a lot of people blog and read blogs these days. Changes are a coming.
Love Leanne NZ
We pray. And yes, I always think about you and wish I could do two seasons at once, yours and ours. It seems so strange! Lilacs, spring, how wonderful for you, the baby of the year!
I whole-heartedly agree with your assessment of the media and the money trail. And there are more than a few bad guys out there who like to see everyone afraid. Thank you for addressing this in your thoughtful way. The best thing we can do is live our lives and not let them beat us.
I live in New Hampshire and just adore autumn in New England. I also take a morning walk through the woods and think of you often when I do noticing some of the same details that you write about.
Now it’s time to find a good old movie to watch tonight. I’ve already watched Random Harvest this fall!
Thanks also for letting us know about the spiralizer. I’ve seen them often, but it’s good to hear from someone who has used one and finds it useful.
Mmmmm, just love Random Harvest! I know you’ve seen Mrs Miniver, right? How about Hobson’s Choice?
Mrs. Miniver – yes. Hobson’s Choice will be next on the list. Thanks.
Tell me what you think when you get there!
Leaf peeping is so much fun! Hi Susan! It is such a romantic time of the year. Candles lit, pumpkins carved, leaves brightly glowing, soup on the stove, and bread in the oven! Cozy blankets and a great old movie. We also love Hocus Pocus this time of year! Great glimpses of New England. Thank you for the tour, loved the cemetary! Stay cozy girlfriends! Love.
Susan,
Thank you for your common sense Ebola soapbox proclamation. You hit the nail on the head with your beautifully worded attitude and how to live life to the fullest. And boy, do you, Jo, Girl Kitty, and Jack know how to live a full life. Thank you for your example and sharing so much of yourselves.
Blessings,
Denise
Blessing on you too Denise, thank you!
Thank you for replying to my question about your adorable bunny in the last post! Even if it’s not available in your store I’ll just love it vicariously through you!
🙂
What a beautiful post…..I love Fall and all of nature’s colors and you captured it perfectly 🙂 I have the spiral slicer as well and you have given me more ideas on what to do with it than William- Sonoma…………..super gadget!
Have fun Barbara!
Thanks for the sensible post on ebola. The media keeps making mountains out of mole hills. I have to believe that our health care system will rise to the occasion, if there is that need.
My daughter loves her zucchini-spaghetti maker. I think I need to give it a try.
The leaves in Massachusetts are much more colorful than they are here in suburban NY. They’re still mostly green here, with a few reds and oranges showing through.
Happy Autumn!
Western MA is ahead of us too . . . our woods are just beginning to glow.
I wash my hands so much more than I used to! After going to store or doctors or just out When I get change I wash as soon as possible and use hand sanitizer. Try to remember not to touch your face while out but if you must, cover your hand with a Kleenex or just pull your sleeve down. Protect yourself from yourself!
A long time ago, when the world was even buggier than it is now and there were no antibiotics, everyone wore gloves. I think investing in a glove manufacturer might be a good financial move at this time!
Yes those through away rubber gloves would be good.
Yes, they should hand them out before every flight, but I’d like those little white ones with the lace edge! 🙂
…good advice, B.D… also, ‘fist bumping’ now is better than handshaking, so I’ve heard…while I am here I just have to add that as much as I don’t care for all the “news” I want to hear it , like it or not…as BOTH of my daughters are nurses and I’ve already lost one “child” far too soon in life…’just had to say…btw, the photos of Autumn are simply gorgeous, Susan…and I always appreciate all you do for us…with love, as always…
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the beautiful fall color! I’ve never experienced New England fall color first-hand but your photographs made me feel like I was there. I just bought a beautiful fall colored coleus this morning to sit next to my porch-pumpkins so I can pretend!
Big California hugs to you for your wonderful sharing!
Susan, thank you for your perspective on Ebola – I agree with you 100%! If we listen to what we’re being told by the experts, our chances of contracting this is very slim to almost non-existent as you said – the media should concentrate on reassuring everyone instead of instilling fear. The beautiful pictures of New England in the Fall is just what we all needed! So pretty!
You’re so smart, so right about the media scares.
Jack is adorable and full of charisma.
Oh, the leaves are so gorgeous! I have been taking zillions of photos of leaves every day. I can’t believe how gorgeous they are and how sweet fall is!
You are so right about things with houses on them. Home is best and our houses are our sweet cocoons! Thanks for a wonderful post, Susan!
Thank you Pom Pom!
Love your blog – just what we all need today. Autumn is so beautiful and Jack and Girl contrast so well with the autumn colors! I’ve been feeling stressed about so many things this week and came to realize it’s the beating of the fear drum, ebola especially. Thanks, dear Susan, for the common sense. I’m determined to enjoy my raking and watching the beauty around me.
XOXO
Gorgeous pictures of your New England Susan! Thank you for sharing. I do love all of your art, but today, I love your kitchen and food art. Have they ever been made into stickers or some type of embellishment? I would sure buy them. 🙂
They were at one time, we had some wonderful stickers, but they aren’t making them anymore. 🙁
Hello Susan,
What a wonderful time of the year. Crisp fall leaves and the colors are just living art to view every day. The corn fields are still standing awaiting the farmers to harvest and baking cookies that put many smiles on my families faces. The oven and crock pot have been getting used and the smells that generate from the kitchen are priceless. The Ebola situation is alarming and it is making me read more than wanting to view TV. Love the new gadget for making curly noodles. Great new idea for the waistline. Your blog today is appreciated and I have enjoyed my visit with you over a cup of tea this afternoon. Enjoy your leaves on the island.
Love cornfields in the fall . . . maybe we’ll see some from our train windows!
As I type this I am looking across the lake at the fantastic colors of a Michigan Fall. Sadly, I will have no long rides through the woods this year so I enjoyed all the pictures you gave us to enjoy. Even more, I love the pictures of Jack. Our family has three tuxedo cats, one named Jack! I also find no reason to deny my girl a place on my kitchen counter or a drop of milk when I pour myself a glass. I do look forward to each new blog and enjoy reading previous ones whenever I feel the need of a smile.
Happy to have you here Patricia. xo
Beautiful autumn colours, and I am very happy because I received my ‘Autumn from the Heart of the Home’ book the other day, along with my 1995-2003 Willards. Thrilled beyond measure to open my lovely book and find it is a signed copy! Now how did That happen?? Lots of cups of tea to accompany my reading, and the fire on to keep cosy. Bliss XX
We have our ways . . .
Loved, loved, loved the fall colors! And that pilgrim apron is the best!! Thank you so much for sharing your world!
You are absolutely, completely CORRRECT about the media frenzies!!!!! Thanks for being a voice of reason along with many of us. (I’ve developed a distaste for the news over the last few years. Waste of my time.)
Beautiful autumn shots! We don’t get brilliant colors in this part of North Carolina, but the mountains are now at their peak. Time for a little road trip, perhaps?
Oh, and that pretty stone house and the zucchini noodles and…
Simply delightful. All of it. Sending blessings from here on the farm!
Blessings to you Mary Ann!
Ahhhh. Where have you been??? So good to read happy stuff…and you are most certainly ‘happy stuff’! Thank you. 🙂 Reading your words always makes me want to bake a cake or go skipping in the woods! 🙂
Love the new gadget! Looks perfect for sweet potatoes !!
That’s my next one to try. I’m also thinking apples, stir fried with butter and cinnamon and a little, dare I say it, cream. Mmmmmmm. perhaps a few plumped raisins.
That really sounds delicious!
I thought that veggie noodle maker was just for the zuchinni—but you have informed us of all the other veggies to use and now I HAVE to have one. Have a wonderful Fall. Here in northern Indiana the colors are the most intense I can ever remember. I am getting all my comfort food recipes out and starting to go through them in anticipation. I made the Kale salad recipe you shared on an earlier post and have been nibbling on it all week, it is delicious.
I need to make that again!
Yesterday I brought home one of those Cinderella pumpkins. I absolutely love them and I love this time of year. Your photos of the fall colors are beautiful (and so are the kitties).
On mornings when I use my treadmill I turn on “Andy Griffith” or “I Love Lucy” or “Leave It To Beaver”. I’ve found that there is more truth in those programs than on the news. Certainly more entertaining than the news. Thank you for sharing some of the beauty in the world on your blog.
I know, comforting!
What a lovely Autumn post Susan. I have no talent for photography so I am always happily dazzled when someone can take a picture of a single leaf falling. Leaves are “little” things I know, but yet, so very special–to me anyway 🙂 I loved the picture of Girl Kitty getting settled for a nap. Now really, couldn’t you just kiss on/up her little furry arm? (I know it’s foreleg–until you become a mommy to a fur-baby, then forelegs become arms, right?) Anyway, so darling. Thank you for getting my mind off the news media bombast and on to the best things in life.
Right about those arms! 🙂
I always feel better after reading your posts. Thanks.
I love Jack…such a cutie.
Karen
It appears you “hit” fall color at the peak! Great timing:)) Looks just like Minnesota in the fall. I have been getting updates/videos from family (a painters palette full) and just need the crunchy sound when you walk and that smell now:)
You crack me up with your noodling stuff! Does Joe like them? I’m sure BlogDaddy will have a stellar comment:) I’m sure they are good…and healthy too.
Thanks for the lovely pic, your new find and of the heart throbs (Jack & Miss Girl Kitty). tbc (to be continued) j
Blog Daddy made himself our first customer! They really are good!
I can see it making chopped up cabbage for slaw too but I’m either doing French fried noodle potatoes …. Or that mix you mentioned
with apples , cinnamon , raisins and cream !
The versatility of this thing is terrific.
Dad, we just had sweet potatoes, with an apple and a parsnip. Garlic, butter, olive oil, raisins, salt and pepper, stirred around in a hot frying pan, then Parmesan. SO DELICIOUS! (Sorry couldn’t help but scream it) — filling, and all veg! It’s my new favorite thing. Yours is on the way, you’re going to LOVE it!
Susan, just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your blog today……along with photos of the falling Autumn leaves, plus the old cemetery…… I love reading old headstones! Also appreciated your common sense attitude about Ebola! I agree with you in regard to the media! Our daughter, Sarah, stopped by today for a little bit and told me how Aaron ( her 13 year old) was worried about the Ebola. She explained to him that it isn’t an airborne virus and how it is contacted. He tends to be a worried, whereas his sister ( age 11) hasn’t even mentioned it.
And, I love the new gadget. I have IBS, so this might be a good thing for me to be using to make healthy foods.
Until we hear from you again, take good care!
Sherrill in CT
I remember worrying myself silly about nuclear war when I was a little kid. Thinking about that makes me sad for the little ones these days, there’s so much more now.
You are so right!! I think it must be difficult to be a child these days, unless you have parent’s who can help put things into perspective.
I was born in 1942 and had a wonderful childhood. Was the media then what it is today, I wonder?
Not at all, only three networks, and the news was on maybe once a day (right after the Mickey Mouse Club), on the 6 o’clock news and they weren’t fear mongers! You had it even better, no TV at all for a while, only the Lone Ranger on the radio, and a lovely president that said, we’ve nothing to fear but fear itself.
Heaven, I’m in heaven – love it all including the noodles! Thank you Girlfriend! xoxoxoxo
Loved this post. I could see, hear, and smell all the beautiful things of fall in New England. I was not disappointed when I saw it for myself 3 years ago when this Illinois gal took a trip east. Loved the kitty pics and comments, too, kind of partial to the felines, myself. After hosting a ‘fall luncheon’ for friends today—things are really pretty here in the midwest, now, too—, I sat in my chair and read the blog and took a deep breath. That’s what your postings, writings, and calendar do for me. We recognize we cannot hide our heads in the sand concerning the serious situations like ‘ebola,’ but we can still enjoy the beautiful, fun, delicious, and sweet things of this life which God has made possible. Thanks, Susan B for reminding us of these!
Beautiful photos, Susan. Today I and my dog Andy took a walk and collected beautiful leaves. I laminated them, cut them out and placed them under a fall flower arrangement on my kitchen table. Much more fun than being glued to the TV watching the media circus about ebola. Tomorrow I’m making a big pot of bean soup and I will bake a loaf of French bread to go with it. So much to do – so little time before all the leaves are down and gray November is at the door. My motto is “Don’t waste a day.” I think that must be yours too. Thanks for the beautiful blog.