“Hello,” as my dad says, “from Smallville!” ‘Cause that’s where I live too. And I like it 
here. Sometimes the world just seems too big ~ but the bigger it gets, the smaller I get ~ because here in Smallville, it’s always a nice day. There’s plenty to do in Smallville too … it’s not a boring place.
Things that don’t count in the big world are EVERYTHING here. When the world tries to get into Smallville and upset the smallness, I shut it out, turn on the MUSICA (listening to this now), light a fire (hearing it crackle), watch the birds busy at the feeders (peep-peep), and do what needs to be done.
Like cleaning shelves. Nothing more common sense than this, sometimes it needs to be done. I give myself a sense of purpose and accomplishment by getting the cooking juices off 
my shelves with a hot soapy cloth; washing dishes (I wash the ones with gold trim on them by hand) and putting them back on the shelves, shiny and clean. Standing back and looking at my handiwork and saying, “ahhhh, look at that sparkle!” I’m always happiest when my corner of the world is clean and organized and a new year for me always includes organization, which my mom says, is the key to success.
Some of the dishes are washed by hand, and these just came out of the dishwasher.
It’s before dawn and my audience is very quiet, just waking up, she pussyfoots around. No loud applause. Just purring.
And speaking of organization . . .
The other thing I wanted to share with you is an organizing thing that has turned out to be SO GOOD I had to tell you about it. I had this old (no longer in print) unused address book lying around, so I grabbed it and turned it into a brand new thing.
It’s now my “Internet Address and Password Log Book.” Before I thought of this, I had all my 
websites and passwords written, but not alphabetized, on four pieces of paper (adding more pages all the time) that got limper and more tattered and worn by the day; torn on the fold and messy with additions and pencil smears ~ I would have to “re-do” the whole thing every so often.
Now I have a real book I can put everything in. Like here, under C, the phone number and email address for Customer Service at my Studio.
It’s a hard-cover book with alphabet tabs that keep everything I need right at my fingertips.
For instance, under M, for Mom, here are all the websites, user names and passwords I need in order to pay my mom’s bills online. There are copies of her two credit cards, in case I need them. (These pages look a lot better in real life than they do in these photos ~ I didn’t think it would be very smart for me to show the world my passwords so I sort of squiggled them out; I knew you would be proud of me for the quick thinking.)
Under G is my Google Password, and all my contacts with the people at Gladys Taber, my Gmail and Goodreads Passwords too. Under S, I have web addresses for all the online places I like to Shop, passwords and usernames for shoes and sweaters and art supplies (sometimes I cross-reference and put art supplies under A, or U for Utrecht); under P, I have my Pinterest and Paypal account numbers . . . under C I have my Computer fix-it people, my Credit Card account numbers and contacts, and so on. I can pack this book up and take it with me no matter where I go! Very handy don’t you think? SO much better than my previous way of doing it.
I thought maybe this was something you might want to do. And, just in case you don’t have an old address book lying around . . .
I do! Two in fact, you can choose! You like yellow? We have yellow. You like blue? We have blue!
Both come complete with alphabet tabs . . .
They’re both in full color, binder style, they come with lots of pages. I blow on my fingernails, polish them on my sweater, say to myself, Brilliant! It makes me feel good to be organized.
And if you like it too, I have something for you!
A new drawing for these two “Internet Address Books,” one for our lucky winner, and one for the lucky winner to give away to her lucky friend! All you have to do is leave a comment and you’ll be entered into the drawing. (NOTE: If the blog is mailed to you, you might not see a place to leave a comment, go directly to www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/, scroll to the bottom of this post, look for the tiny word “Comments” at the very end in tiny grey letters, click there to comment so you’re entered into the drawing.) Vanna (she’s our virtual in-house Game Girl and “random number generator,” although she would hate to be called this) is on high alert, ready to do her job in a few days, to choose the winner.
So here in Smallville, all is well, even though it’s freezing outside . . .
And everything is coated in this crisp frozen-on snow crust . . .
The wind whistles and the shutters bang and ice crystals grace all our upstairs windows ~
Inside Smallville, it’s 72°, it’s organized (within reason) and as flowery and summer-like as I need it to be while I paint for our new 2016 calendars.♥
Last but not least, I realize there’s not enough Kitty Love in this post, in case you need a fix, go HERE, for full and complete inundation.♥
And a reminder of the best of the little things in life:
A kitty will make you laugh every day and that is simply priceless. Love you Girlfriends. ♥ Don’t forget to leave your comment. Have a wonderful day! All my love from Smallville, USA. XOXO
Retired from AT&T/Southwestern Bell with 38 yrs svc…so LOVE the blue directory with the classic telephone!!
I have an address book for that purpose too. It is old and has had so many changes made that some letter’s pages are full………….sure could use a new one.
Hi Susan
What a great suggestion. Just ordered your Address book. I have a book that is stuffed-crossed out-whited out of passwords and computer sites and everything under the sun (as my Mom used to say). Great to have pages that can be moved. Wondering if extra pages can be ordered?
Hope you aren’t too chilly. We can’t complain here in Pacific Palisades even though we think we have to turn the heat on when it is 45 in the morning! 😉
Happy 2015! Let’s hope for a more peaceful year but it hasn’t started out so good. ;(
January is always the time for thoughts of reorganizing and clutter control and just plain refreshing our environments. I agree with your Mom – it IS the key to success. Your address book is a very useful part of that plan. Count me in…:-)
I have actually been using an address book to do this for several years. It has gotten full and crossed out and rewritten too many times. I could use a new address book to start a fresh for the new year!
Hi Susan!
Good to hear all is well in “Smallville”. We are experiencing quite balmy weather on the northern California coast and I’m envious of your crusty snow outside and crackling fire inside. I do have a kitty, though, who purrs at my side every evening and thinks I have nothing better to do than to pat him as he snores on the couch…. which, is obviously true! But reading your blog post, I am worried about you actually traveling with your address book of passwords and credit card info. Yikes! Handy it may be at home, but if it is somehow misplaced, lost, or stolen, you would NOT be a happy girl in Smallville! Very clever to organize your passwords but please be ever-so-careful to protect this info-sensitive book, even at home. Love you. Stay warm and safe. Going back to patting my kitty now.
I have to take it with me, I go away sometimes for two months. I put it in the bag I carry with me at all times. I know, I would die.
Greetings on this blustery day of January! What an awesome idea…. That will make my life easier with all the countles pass words we now have. It will be easy to hide when you leave for travel too! Since I take care of my elderly parents this will give me something to do at their house too! Lord knows with age their minds are forgetting small details.
So glad to see your blog a bright spot in my week!!
I really like your idea for an Internet/email address/password notebook. This is a nice giveaway. (I would choose yellow for me since it’s my favorite color & I would like to live in a little house like the one on the cover.)
Thanks for the giveaway!
aww good morning Susan, girlfriends. its a cold, cloudy and foggy day here about 39 degrees and going low tonight…BRRR we are expecting another Artic blast tonight and through the weekend…. yipes!!! good thing I went out and splurged on myself and got a new winter coat, and so soft and cuddly inside 🙂 !! so far its been a rough New Year for us, some sneaky Raccoons got in the henhouse and we lost 11 hens and 1 rooster, Jack our Barred Rock rooster. luckily we still have Reuben. J. Cogburn to keep the hens happy for now, but I plan to scoot over to the grange today and put in our early order for replacements, and I may try some Leghorns this spring, and replace the Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Delaware and Plymouth Barred Rocks we lost. I am counting on the turkeys and ducks to get busy with the eggsitterin’ and the hens as well. I am counting on a busy barnyard for this spring and summer. we have our new kitty around her, think he is hanging out by the barn, our new kitty is Bootsy, a domestic shorthair, black with white stockings and chest and white whiskers, he is a sweet little guy, definitely up there with your Jack Susan. he is our latest rescue, I just did not have the heart to return to his people who were not feeding him or caring where he was, that it was Christmas time so who can turn away a little darling like that??? not me!! that is my project for next week, wash the cupboards and cabinets in the kitchen, and all the cups out on hooks to get the grease and goop off of them. and reorganize some of the cabinets a bit . like those address books, and such a marvelous idea you have…. may have to go get one and do the same, beats looking them up in the notebook I keep and its pages of stuff that need to be organized. well I hope you all are staying warm and comfy, off to the local grange and then on the winter farmer’s market to see what I can find for dinner. have a wonderful day everyone, and a great weekend. talk later…. hugs……. 🙂
What a great idea! Thanks for the chance to win! ahh, kitty love, it’s the best!
~ Good Afternoon From The Frozen Tundra of the Midwest!~ positively bone chilling here~ it has a been good week for indoor projects ~ finally finishing undercoating the house 🙁 but looking forward to getting in there and getting it done~ and all the new projects to do~ I need to re~ do my address book as well as change some passwords and update my password book~
I also need to clean out my coupon holder and go through my stack of magazines ~ lots of busy work that I don’t like to do when the weather is nice! ~ might actually get a walk in on Sunday as it will be double degrees above zero ~ but it has to be before the Packer Game~ Go Pack! ~Stay warm and busy! ~ Lynn
Brrr, it is cold here in Northern Minnesota. It is barely above zero with gusty winds. Yes, your sweet address book would be perfect for all of my internet passwords. By the way I just received my SB order with a new journal and some Fine Romance tea. For a warm and cozy afternoon I will have some tea and start my 2015 journal. Thank you so much,
Mmmm, I have a cup of that tea right now, I still love it just as much! Happy day Nancy!
Wow, what a great idea! Never in a million years would I have thought to use an address book for internet passwords, etc. I love the blue one!
Great idea for your address book! Hoping I’m the lucky winner!
I love the “Get a Kitten – Just do it” Motto!
I have a small black one that was made for keeping your passwords and websites but it is so dull and messy now. Would absolutely LOVE the yellow one with the pretty pink flowers!! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win one. Yours are so lovely. I always feel the need at this time of year to organize and dig out!
Kindredly, Lynnie
PS my email changed. 🙂
Oh how I would like to become as organized as you. Your blog always makes me feel so cozy – I feel like I’m sitting right there. I would love to give those books a try to help organize myself…I’m a mess, but keep striving. Stay warm.
Never give up, that’s what life is all about!
you are brilliant but I think you already know ;). Would love to have this and get all that kind of info in one place neat as a pin. My children would forever be grateful. So if I don’t win at least you’ve shared a wonderful idea I hopefully will implement! Thanks so much for all you share throughout the year. Your posts always bring along a sunshiny day. Enjoy yours !
Hello and Happy New Year!
We also live in Smallville and totally love it! Freezing out this morning but the beautiful sun is shining! ((Smile!))
You inspire me to clean and shine! When things around me are clean
and shiney it makes my heart feel the same!
Thank you for being such an encouragement in my day!! XOXO Teresa
Absolutely LOVE this idea! Yay……..for organization 🙂
Oh dear, I don’t see my first comment…..it may have jumped back into a warm bed. Bless your mom for raising a wise organized daughter……I hope your organizing tips rub off on me….one small project at a time. I’m overwhelmed right now
I just love the thought of being organized and having two one for me and one for my friend would be lovely. Your blog is awesome. love it, especially the kitties.
I feel the same way in January Susan. I want to sweep the whole house clean and start afresh. It helps to get me through dark and dreary January. Organisation gets me through the month! Xxoo
What a very sweet idea — the chance of winning a new organizational book for this year. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sure !
This is a wonderful idea. I have so many pieces of paper floating around my desk. If anything happened to me, my husband would be up the creek. This would help tremendously. By the way I have two kitties – Gertie, 17 pounds and Lucy or as we call her Lucifer because she is a devil. Both are loved very much!
I love your beautiful blog and those lovely address books! Please put me in the drawing for winning them! Thank you so much!
I had switched to a rolodex 20 years ago but saw your adorable pink address book several years ago, HAD to have it and then decided to use it just as you suggested, I keep all my user names and passwords in it. Two years ago I reorganized it all into the pretty turquois-y one with the daisy liner (my mother’s favorite flowers were daisies, and they became mine too) and am now thinking that you should paint a cover for a smaller pocket-sized one so that we can have a travel password book (because, like it or not our electronics tend to come with us)… you know, in your free time!! I have given them as gifts with the recommendation that they be used as password books. Love mine!
What a clever idea for an address book! I’m going to use mine for the same purpose.
What a most excellent idea! I’d love to do this myself. Consider me entered! 🙂
What an absolutely grand idea, I would choose the yellow one!
Susan, In this crazy world we do need some peace and this would do it for me. Your blog is calming !!! your books will do it. Have a great New Year !!!!!
I absolutely love to come in here, and now to see beautiful tableware and darling kitten. 🙂
I have done the same thing with a little book, except mine is t alpabetized. So your a step up on me! I really like the address books and could always transfer my info, and do it alphabetically!
Hi Susan,
Could so use a new address book…My current one (your blue) is among the missing
since we moved into our new house….it’s right now in the Bermuda Triangle ! when ever anything goes missing that’s where we say it went !!
Yes please…I would love to win your address books!
Love reading your blog and keeping up with your “goings on”. Thank you so much!
It was lovely running into you today in Smallville!
You’ve inspired me to get to some cobwebs I noticed on the kitchen ceiling recently. Only now, I’ll do it with the proper music playing and your sweet spirit in mind. So, that’s good.
P.S. You have a Pinterest account?? 🙂
Yes, it’s new and I’m still adding things, hardly anyone knows about it, but it’s HERE . . .
I adore pinterest! So glad you made your way there! You will love it!
It’s fun, just need more time to play there!
Love the fire Susan! I love your blog and get what you mean about organizing 100%; putting all the holiday decorations away last weekend and doing so fairly thorough cleaning makes me feel fresh and in order for new beginnings in the new year. Stay warm!
DEFINITELY need this book! I’m in such chaos (paperwork wise) after the holidays. Would put them to very good use, Susan!!
This “sandwiched” mom, wife, and daughter needs all the help I can get! Thank you, Susan, for your rays of joyful sunshine of problem-solving ideas! Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Those books are gorgeous! We got crazy snow here and it’s been very cold so this morning I baked bread … and ate half the loaf myself 🙂 It says it’s healthy though so it’s ok! Here’s the recipe in case you’re interested 🙂
sweetpeaskitchen.com/2012/05/honey-oat-quick-bread/
Hey Susan!
I am a big fan of yours…just found you one year ago. You have brightened my life up more than you know in the last year. I would LOVE to win these two books – one for me, and one for my BFF, Bette, – who also found you one year ago. We enjoy you together! Thanks for sharing your life with your girlfriends!
My pleasure, hello to you Pat, and hello to Bette too!
Great idea. I don’t know how many times I’ve reset various passwords because I couldn’t remember which password I’d used for a given site. How nice it would be able to find them all alphabetized in a book with your charming illustrations. And keeping our aging parents important information in the same place-brilliant-why didn’t I think of that?
Why didn’t I think of it sooner?
This is such a wonderful idea, Susan. Thank you! Maybe this will be the year I get organized. 🙂 Thanks for all the inspiration.
Warmest wishes!
Patricia Stewart, is a genius. I also believe that “Organization is the key to success”. Like you, I love to clean my china closet and curio cabinet and make each object shine. Oh, I would be delighted to have one of your address books for my very own ” Internet Address and Password Log Book”. Here in Elizabeth, PA it is cold, snowy and windy….. my kind of day to be a mole inside my cozy house and read your lovely blog!
Her genius comes right from her heart.
What a lovely and clever idea! And necessary for not only me…but what if something happened to me? This would make it so much easier for someone to take over (or clean up). Thanks, dear Susan.
It’s very true, but in your bank account numbers, your SS#, your insurance, even the location of your will — it really can be a handy little thing.
I would be very happy to win one of your address books. I was just thinking I need a new one. Thanks!!
Me, me, me wants a Susan Branch address book or two…what a great idea, because my passwords seem to always be a secret to me, where are they!!!
Also, we are getting a kitten, she is only 1 week old right now, a Ragdoll kitten, and will be ready to come home in a couple of months, hope my Angel, 16 yr old kitty, is ready to rock and roll…actually she is used to having siblings and a Momma around and they are all gone now.
Good Morning Beautiful lady n kittys. I hope you have a great new year you and Joe sweetie pie. I would love the blue book but would be greatful for any gift I got from you. So glad your daddy is feeling much better. Did pray for him to be well. Have a great week . Love to you and Happiest of new years to you both actually all 4 of you kitties included. Love Cheyenne in Henderson Nv XXX
Oh, how lovely are your blog posts! My mom and I enjoy getting them. Thanks for sharing all the kitty photos as well. Your two are simply adorable.
What a great idea, Susan! Our password folder is so ugly–crossed out passwords and a jumbled up mess- About once a year we retype them if we can tell what they are-Love your mom’s words of wisdom –organization is the key to success! Tackling a few of those jobs today in Smallville, USA. ♥
What a lovely idea, and a lovely way to organize! 🙂
It is a beautiful way to get organized. I had passwords Ina site on my iPad. They disappeared. I panicked. My stepdaughter helped me find them. Hallelujah! I need to write them down on paper.
As they say, trust but verify.
A great idea to have a book for all those bits of information. Thank you!
Reading your blog is so relaxing. Happy New Year to you!
I have that same address book of yours that you used for your passwords. I still have addresses in mine that I use for my Christmas card list every year, but I love the password idea. I think I’ll add that. I was going to ask you if you sell extra pages for it, but then I just looked and you already thought of that and there are a bunch of extras in the back! 🙂 Thanks for the idea!
I just took down Christmas and put everything away..dusted where the greenery was and vacuumed and washed the floors.
After Christmas always makes me organize..just re-arranged my desk in the kitchen too.
It makes everything look so fresh and..well..younger.
I love the idea of the address book..mine are on a sheet..s of paper not in alphabetical oder so this will be a project for me.
Brilliant idea.
I live in Smallville too.
You have made me love this word.
My dad made me love it ♥️. . . what comes around goes around. xoxo
WOW!!
I am so pleased with us! First, I am now taking down the remains of Christmas. It takes me so much longer to take it down than put it up because I clean each thing and pack it away as well as clean each thing that I return to it’s pre-holiday place. Among these chores is emptying and cleaning everything in the china cabinet, curio cabinet and my dish/glass cabinets. Finishing the kitchen today, I bring out my Christmas dishes over Thanksgiving weekend and use them until now. so the dishwasher just finished and I am ready to pack up the dishes and glasses and bring out the “regular” ones.
I have the very same old address book…and I have been using it as an internet address, passwork book for the past few years…in fact, I was looking at it last night and thinking that I may need to “refresh” it. The pages have been corrected and passwords have changed and it is starting to look less than lovley. I am so happy to have these connections with you….thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year, Happy clean organized home from Buffalo NY!!
I’m going to use the great idea, whether I win or not. I feel sure that your address book would be much more fun to use!
Brilliant idea, Susan! I need to do this whether I win or not!
I love this idea and I love reading your blog. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Happy new year to you and yours!
I made a mistake I would love the yellow one sorry got so excited that your dad is well I said blue cuz seeing him sick made me blue but now im happy he is well n on the mend. Love to you sweetie pie too and pet the fur balls for me . I did get another kitty it was a abandoned kitty actually about 7 months old some one let go , so I had two n now have three she is so cool . We named her babette after the lady who found her Barbara Goodson such a angel of a woman very kind . Each friend you have should get one more cat to care for , that would be my wish for 2015 . Love to you Cheyenne from Henderson Nv
Lucky little kitty to find YOU!
My passwords, etc. are scribbled on little pieces of paper, some out-dated, in a folder…need to organize!
Have you seen the 2015 HGTV Dream Home on the Vineyard?
Yes, drove by it while it was being built.
My “first edition” SB address book definitely needs an update. Just have to keep old ones tho. My husband is always asking things like, “What was that town by the lake your sister lived in 10 years ago?”. Address books become kind of a living history!. Also, since this is also a kitty post — have all of you seen the HEXBUG NANO? Got mine on sale for $3.38 at Target. It is a cockroach (sorry) sized plastic bug that has a tiny battery. It scoots across the floor and if it hits a wall it turns around. If the kitty flips it over, it rights itself. My 12-year-old Kitty is in love and it is good exercise for both of us — because sometimes the bug scoots under something and has to be retrieved. All we have to do now is say, “Where is the Bug?” and she starts looking for it. Best stocking stuffer ever, lol. Arline in Burbank
Am going to Radio Shack TODAY to get one of these little crazy things. Jack will LOVE it! Thank you Arline!
Congratulations on finding a use for your address book! Last year I realized I needed to write my passwords, usernames, etc in one place (not on several pages of a notepad) and found a little book specifically made for that purpose. Before I saw it, I was considering buying an address book. Now I just have to remember to write new or updated information in the book 🙂
Happy new year to you and your family!
The funny thing is I already have a book for my passwords, etc. but I NEED an address book. I decided that while using my old, old book for addressing Christmas cards. Pick me, Vanna 🙂
Great idea! I love getting organized. Sounds like a great winter project with a cup or two of tea.
My passwords are on sticky notes, stuck all over the edges of my computer screen like a fringe. Ridiculous. I like your new system MUCH better!
LOL Barb. “Like fringe!” I took a photo of my studio one day and noticed, in the picture but not in real life, post it notes all up and down the frame of my bookcase. Yikes! They had to go!
Happy New Year, Susan! Thank you for all your wonderful posts. I love reading them and especially liked the last one where you blogged through the past year. Always a great day when a SBB arrives!
What a fantastic idea! Would love to win an address book.
What great ideas!
I started out with a small address book years ago for my usernames and passwords and found it worked perfectly when I needed to look one up. I use it all the time, but now I need a new book because I’ve just about used up my old one! Hope I win the drawing!
Thank you for the great idea and for the opportunity to win. I have a notebook that has websites and passwords, but it is not in order and is falling apart!
I love reading your blog on this cold winter day! You are a breath of fresh air. 🙂
Would love 2 beautiful books – one to keep and one to share. Thank you Susan!
I am looking for a new bank . Could you tell me some recommendations for a good bank. I was thinking of Chase. If you think of one please email me ok again Have a great week, I love the beautiful table wear, I know you probley got it from antique store I would love to have some of the pink n a lot of the gold goblets n oval platters love it all . You know you have the best taste in beautiful things. I love it all. Any suggestions where to find things like those?? I now live in Henderson but plan to move to the pacific northwest area . This place is so transient and a lot of problems with drugs which I actually Hate with a passion since I want to live not do drugs. But in one years time going to find a smallville place to move and settle there .We also want more community too def not here unless u gamble plenty of community at the casinos too but don’t need that kind of community. Would love to live on Whitby Island near Seattle Wa or Bainbridge but it cold n rains a lot but its beautiful . Here its hot n warm but I guess I would get used to a lot of rain , we will see love you both n kittys too Cheyenne in Henderson Nv
See if there’s a local bank near you, google it and make sure it has a good rating. And yes dear Cheyenne, move away from there, it doesn’t sound like your kind a place. Make 2015 the year you do it. Put it on the calendar. Drop money into a jar and run away! All my best wishes to you! xoxo
Hi, Cheyenne! You might want to think about look for a FEDERAL CREDIT UNION – instead of a bank. Credit unions are owned by their members and dedicated to promoting thrift and providing credit & other financial services for their members. And bonus – NONE of these organizations were involved in any of the greedy and thoroughly-unintelligent business practices that led to the Crash in 2008. I joined a credit union in 2001, and read that if everyone with bank accounts moved their $$ to credit unions, a very loud [and disapproving] message would be sent to the country’s banks. Maybe one that will make them think next time – because we all know there WILL be a next time. Good luck.
Good advice! Hometown banks, credit unions, the littler folk, in Smallville.
I actually use the blue address book for the same purpose, only I just have them written in the Notes area. I like your idea better, alphabetized and easier to find! Such adorable books, both of them. Keep on the Coziness!
I love reading and appreciating your blog. It helps me slow down and “smell the roses”. I would love to win the address book to use for my passwords…right now they are all on little pieces of paper stuffed under my keyboard.
That’s exactly where I kept mine. Panicking momentarily every time my papers would “disappear” either into the drawer underneath the keyboard, or off the back of the desk.
What a clever idea! I am always mislaying my passwords/access codes; what a simple & efficient solution. How wonderful it would be to have it all organized in one of your charming telephone books.
I enjoy seeing your washing-up snaps – what a beautiful collection of dishware & glasses.
Hope that you are keeping warm on the chilly evening.
Jeanne Murray
I also forgot to ask does your mother live in Seal Beach, and your sister also I lived there most of my life moving to Henderson only a few years ago. I love Seal Beach when I saw the pic it reminds me of home. I do hope your mum is well too love Cheyenne of Henderson Nv
Yes, my mom’s in Seal Beach, my sister is down near Palm Springs.
I am so glad that we are kindred spirits. Thank you for the beauty and magic that you consistently share with us.
Well, it seems like with each passing year, fewer of my friends actually write REAL letters… I am determined to be the exception…. if not long letter, at least, a newsy postcard with a great picture on front! I would love to have a beautiful address book… what a joy that you made them!
that is such a great idea! I love this time of year for organizing before the spring days call me outside until late fall. you have way more imagination than I do . . . on another note, one of my beloved kitties came home on Monday! Squeeky disappeared for over a week and it is very unlike him. I had decided the coyotes or some other predator we have around here had found him (just lost a chicken too) I was feeding my other barn kitty and he is pretty wild, but he showed up meowing to me and ran to the door . . . I opened the door thinking he wanted out and my Squeeky ran in! It was a wonderful reunion. I love when these things go my way (thank you Lord). Have a wonderful January Susan. love, Kathy
What a perfect happy ending!
Thanks for your blog and giveaway! What fun!!
Hi Susan. Great idea for the address book – I can use some organization!
I actually am lucky enough to have the original address book but boy is it beat up…been thinking I should replace it and I would love to give the other one to my soul sister girlfriend Debbie…love your blog…stay warm. Nettie
I love it in Smallville!! Sometime I just have to turn off the news and enjoy my own little corner of the world — birds at the feeder, a fire in the woodstove,
and maybe cookies in the oven…. and of course, my dogs and kitty, snoozing away.
A place for passwords — what a great idea! Mine on on multiple post-it notes
and frequently get lost. I’m in!
JoAnne in rural NW New Jersey — under a little cover of snow!
Okay, I found your Pinterest page and followed it. Excited about that. 🙂
You don’t need to make this comment public…but I was just re-living the excitement & happy feelings that you brought me right before Christmas when your elves surprised me with a tiny Peter Rabbit book in the mail. I had left a comment on a FOSB Facebook post asking what we would order from your site if we were to receive a gift certificate. I NEVER leave comments on posts like that, EVER. I’m caregiver to my husband with temporary brain damage caused by a medication and so I was just feeling down & discouraged that day and thought some Susan Branch might cheer me up. I had absolutely no idea that anyone was fishing for elf targets. (I still am not quite sure how they connected my FB name to my address??? Although I’ve ordered things from you before, but still.)
It was truly one of the best surprises of my life, due to the timing and contrast to what we are dealing with every day. I will treasure that tiny reminder always and use it to remind me of all the good & happy things in life…and also the power of Small Things to touch the lives of others. Thanks so much! (I’m assuming you were behind the Top Secret orders, unless you were merely following orders from a higher ranking official. heh heh)
So, just thought you’d enjoy hearing some feedback regarding your undercover elf activities. I love ya, Susan Branch! Your presence on earth has definitely brightened up many of my home-making days in Smallville. So glad we’re neighbors.
Oh Kathy, that was so sweet. I hope your husband is better every day . . . sending love!
As always love your inspiration, I was just looking at the linen closet thinking that this weekend would be a good time to tackle reorganizing, sorting stuff and putting together a Goodwill box. I need to pull out the treasures from the other ‘stuff’. Can I sort while the hubby watches the football play-off games, You Bet.
Have a great weekend and keep sending inspirations.
That’s a great use of your address book — wish I’d though of it!
(maybe I’ll get a chance to try it!)
thanks, Susan
I have the ‘original’ address book, much-loved and used, with a photo tucked inside of you and me taken in 2000 at the QVC studio in Westchester, PA. What a very clever idea for using it you’ve come up with, and I would be thrilled to win your giveaway! Always a happy day in Smallville when there’s a new Susan Branch post <3
Sharon in Alabama
Hi Sharon, that was a trip in the way back machine!
Love this idea too. You and the kitties stay warm.
Organized in 2015! Love this idea! Sure hope Vanna selects me for one of your pretty address books… Blessings this new year!
Ahhhh….as I started to read I said out loud to myself “I love this!” Love cold inside days of time alone organizing and cleaning my treasures and things that I love. With the little fireplace crackling. I’m ready for a cold weekend doing the same things and a pot of vegetable beef soup simmering on the stove. Smallville. I think it
just might be the new name for my little corner of east Texas!
As for the new system for passwords I need it. I am a late starter in the Internet world. A friend warned me to start a booklet for passwords etc. I failed to heed completely and caused myself much grief trying to recover or change passwords. I’ve finally learned my lesson!
Thanks for this new advice. I’ll take it to heart!! And warm wishes to Blog Daddy in his own Smallville
I know, you start out with one, then there’s two, then three, all very manageable, easy to memorize, your mom’s middle name, your birthday, then they say “never use anything personal for a password,” then they tell you a password has to be eight digits, then they say it has to have at least one letter in it, then they want both caps and lower case . . . you wake up three years later and you have twenty different passwords!
Oh, Susan. You amaze me! I had all my passwords on dashlane and one day POOF! they were gone. Something technical with the software upgrade so I am struggling to remember not only my passwords but the sites I had as well. AND I just happen to have your old address book that is tattered and worn but in my old fashioned way is priceless to me. I even take it on trips so I have all my numbers and addresses with me. My passwords will be going in that book today! I would love to win the new address books. I have a daughter and a daughter-in-law that I share your things with. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Losing all my passwords at once would be a nightmare! My new computer is remembering them all for me, I used to have most of them memorized, but I’m already forgetting them ~ now, if something happens I’ll be very happy to have my little book!
Susan,
When I was a little girl growing up in PA winter was frigid ( a lot moreso than now). If there were ice crystals on the windows, my mother would wake us up in the morning by telling us that Jack Frost has visited overnight. My sisters and I would jump out of bed to check out the designs he left us. (He must really love you because yours look like the start of a heart.) Thanks for bring back a sweet memory!
Happy new year!
Mary Frances
Sweet!
Happy New Year Susan…and thank you for the Full Moon bookmark!!! I am now ready for the New Year of reading…my new book has 609 pages..that means I will need to read 30 per day before it goes back to the library!!! That is doable especially in winter!!! Thanks for a chance to win those super address books!!!
I love a good book that lasts forever!
Great organization idea, Sue! It is incredibly challenging to keep all that pertinent info where you can find it! I, too, have been eyeing the shelves in our kitchen. I seem to notice that they need attention at the weirdest times (bed time, just before guests are to arrive, just as I leave for vacation…..you know!). I find the best time to tackle the shelving is when it is raining *(Ha! Like THAT’S going to happen any time soon!!!!). And, I’m with you ~ when all is done…you step back and marvel at the sparkly, shiny, almost-like-new treasures that are so happy you took the time to do the sprucing! You have made the call and so I will get to it soon! xoxoxo peg
Im worst when I polish the silverware. Then I have to open the drawer six times a day just to admire the shine!
Most brilliant! Like many have commented here, I have a plethora of little notes with passwords, but at least I do keep them in the same folder! Absolutely love getting your emails, brightens my day! mind how you go…
Susan, we are on the same wavelength! I love to polish and organize in January after the glorious chaos of Christmas. With my darling sister’s help, we took four sets of crystal out of a glass-fronted cabinet, cleaned them all, polished up the cabinet and put them back. While the glasses were drying, my 9-month tuxedo kitten, Jasper, felt it necessary to jump on the kitchen island to inspect our handiwork with the crystal and gave us heart attacks. Needless to say, if I were to be so fortunate to win the contest, my sister would receive the second book. So clever to organize all the info in one place!
PS. Love the photo of the ice crystals on the window. Girl looks lovely as always. Stay warm and keep those great ideas coming!
Would love to win anything Susan Branch!!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us. I check every day to see if you have posted a new entry — always makes my day better.
Nesting,getting organized,catching up on my reading….Love these long winter days!