‘Morning Girls, here’s your MUSICA for today. ♥ This is a very good song for memorizing ~ it’s delightful for singing at the top of your lungs in a Smallville shower, nice while cleaning out cupboards, fun while driving in the car, even good if you have to be in bed to wait for your new knee to heal (or something like that).♥ Sing it into the ear of a child, or your better half, and life gets really good.
Speaking of Smallville; here is a little thing that will make your frozen mornings 
a little less so. I have two pairs of these darling sexy shoes you see above,the most comfortable shoes in the world . . . this pair is in the kitchen in front of the heat vent getting warm, while the other is on my feet, slowly (but surely) chilling up. Soon I will exchange places with them and my cold feet, as they slip into the deep warmth of freshly heated shoes, will purr the immortal words: Ooo La Wee.
a little less so. I have two pairs of these darling sexy shoes you see above,the most comfortable shoes in the world . . . this pair is in the kitchen in front of the heat vent getting warm, while the other is on my feet, slowly (but surely) chilling up. Soon I will exchange places with them and my cold feet, as they slip into the deep warmth of freshly heated shoes, will purr the immortal words: Ooo La Wee.
Some variation of these two old cashmere sweaters and that brown shawl are my daily outfit for working at my art table. Not pretty, but cozy ~ works perfectly in Smallville. I took the picture pointed at my lap (sucking in my tummy to protect the innocent).
As you know, I’ve been doing lots of painting for my 2016 calendars, but I took a little time out and did something just for fun I thought you might like to see.
This is Paul Lucas, he is the darling husband of my good friend Rachel. It’s his birthday at the end of the month. And it’s a big one.
That’s Paul on the left, Ray in the middle,(we’re in Maine) and who’s that other guy in the picture with the beret? Oh, yeah, that’s Joe!
Some of you know Ray from Twitter, some know her from Sugar Moon Brownies, and others from her own Blog (she’s more famous every day, another hardworking girl in Smallville) . . . and,
Here’s where they live. You might recognize it because I wrote about Ray and Paul in A FINE ROMANCE; they are English and live in England and part of the reason we went over was to see them. You might remember that wonderful recipe for Ray’s amazing Lemon Butter Cookies on P. 139 of A FINE ROMANCE? (One of our Girlfriends made the cookie HERE in her Blog, in case you don’t have the book but need the recipe!)
This is Paul with Ray’s darling nephew Will. Paul is doing a one-of-a-kind birthday cello recital for Ray’s mum on her sun porch. See? he’s wonderful.
♥
Just ask the love of their lives . . . this is Ray’s and Paul’s “dog” Alice. I use the word “dog” only because I know Alice doesn’t look at blogs.
Her collar says it all.
You may have noticed that Paul is the picture of sartorial splendor, he always looks darling. As you know if you read A Fine Romance, he sometimes wears an ascot. He’s one of a kind. I love his new beard and mustache.
It’s men like this that give me hope for the world. (He’s in my pantry ironing his pants a couple of Christmases ago.) So I decided I wanted, even though I’m much too far away to do him total birthday justice, to help him and Rachel
So I decided to paint him in all his dapper charmingness, or at least as much as I could muster onto a flat piece of paper. Including the dog pin on his lapel and the brilliant scarlet handkerchief in his pocket.
The colors in that photo of him made it easy to make the decision ~ I had fun painting every single stripe, plaid and eye sparkle.
I’m almost done!
I added a few descriptive words, put on a little border, watercolored his name and then signed it. Paul is funny with words: instead of Vineyard Haven, he calls where we live “the Haven” (no one calls it that); and instead of Martha’s Vineyard which many people shorten to “The Vineyard,” not Paul, he calls it “Martha’s.” He calls Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, “Kimmie.” And now, so do we and all our friends do too. It’s catching . . . if you like Kimmie, you’ll probably call it that from now on too. It will go viral!
Witty, Talented and Cute. Oh yes, and he raises bees in their garden.
So, while Joe reglued an old frame we had lying around Smallville, taking out all the teeny nails and framing it for me . . . I wrote a card, and went looking through my sticker collection for something Birthday-like to put on the 
envelope. My eye landed on a three-dimensional pink polka-dot birthday hat, with a real, red-yarn pompom on top (no longer being made if you can imagine that sad state of affairs) I tried it on Paul. It fit perfectly. So him.
envelope. My eye landed on a three-dimensional pink polka-dot birthday hat, with a real, red-yarn pompom on top (no longer being made if you can imagine that sad state of affairs) I tried it on Paul. It fit perfectly. So him.
So I left it there, stuck to the outside of the glass, thinking it was kind of the cat’s meow. Joe wrapped it up in 3 lbs of bubble wrap and it’s on the way to England even as we speak.
So that’s what makes Smallville special, we’re in charge around here. We make our own fun.
And speaking of fun . . . it’s your turn! You know I can never just come out and announce the winner of a Giveaway. Oh no, must drag out the suspense like my dad used to do at Christmas, thereby almost doing his children in with the hysteria of the thought of what Santa might bring them!!! Unbearable! Hope I can do the same for you. (No, I know ~ it’s not quite the same thing!)
OK, anyway, Vanna, unlike her usual self (usually she sleeps in late, resting up because of the many Euro Trash parties she loves to attend), is actually already UP, and dressed and ready for her big moment. She wafts by me in the palest whisp of Chanel #5, wearing a gown that looks suspiciously JUST LIKE the one that Kate Hudson wore at the Golden Globes, (Vanna has no idea how she freaks out the people who live in Smallville. But her joie de vivre is so compelling I can’t bring myself to put a damper on her. I just let her do what she needs to do and get her out of here before Joe gets up!)
Our Vanna is named for Vanna White, the most well-known Game Girl of our times. Our virtual Vanna is a professional when it comes to 
drawing the winning name from a huge vat of names. Nobody does it better. She’s the double-oh-seven of the Game Girl world and we are proud to call her our own. This is one of her bedroom slippers.
drawing the winning name from a huge vat of names. Nobody does it better. She’s the double-oh-seven of the Game Girl world and we are proud to call her our own. This is one of her bedroom slippers.
And so. While I was writing about her, she was busy digging deep into the well with all your names ~ she actually dives in, a graceful high dive (especially in that dress), and swims through them to mix them up, she’s like the Little Mermaid that way, a little silver fish. And she just popped up with teeny piece of paper. Let me get my glasses . . .
Ohhhh, how wonderful! Here goes: The winner is . . . drum roll please . . .
J A N H A M M O N D !!!
Congratulations Jan!
You are our LUCKY Winner! Please look for an email in your box, write me back and send me your home address so I can pop your books in the mail to you. I hope the new books help organize you and Gale (in her comment, Jan mentioned that if she won, she’d give the other book to her girlfriend Gale).
But that’s not all, there’s more . . . first of all, here comes Valentine’s Day, and Janie made us some adorable new banners! I wanted to let you know before they’re all gone . . . Kellee snuck them into the store last week and they’re already flying out.
Janie always makes the cutest envelopes to go with the banners ~ these little banners make the perfect Valentine’s gifts.
Janie made these Swedish hearts for us too, they come in both white and red and in darling envelopes of their own.
Sooooo, I hope everyone is feeling festive and organized and no one is too disappointed ~ the hardest thing I do is announce a winner! But I really wanted to thank you for the lovely, wonderful comments you left on the last post. You are an amazing bunch of Girlfriends!
I feel like we’re on some sort of roll, I hate to see it come to an end, so, because it’s almost Valentine’s Day, I thought . . . maybe . . . we should . . .
have another. . .
another what? ~ another what? . . . another cup of tea?
La-dee-da . . . la-dee-da
GIVEAWAY!! After all, winter is long, and the secret of a happy life is continuous small treats, right? . . . and a tea pot really isn’t very big . . .just the perfect size for Smallville.
Remember, you saw that teapot in A Fine Romance?
I’ve had mine for a long time ~ remember how well it mixes with my mismatched dishes?
And how cute it looked at our Valentine’s Breakfast party with the Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz dishes? I think you would love having one as much as I do.
And there’s even more, it’s a really BIG Giveaway! Because I thought it would be nice to include this ~ a tin of our own private label Earl Grey tea with Lavender and Rose Petals. Yum!
Oh yes! And one more thing, since it’s Valentine’s Day we’re talking about . . .
I thought, even though most of you already have it, A FINE ROMANCE would make a good Valentine’s present because 
you could give it away to someone you love. And if you don’t already have the book, if your name is drawn, you would now have access to the recipe for Rachel’s Lemon Butter Cookies. It’s a win-win! And I hope you do! Win, I mean. My way of saying Thank You!
you could give it away to someone you love. And if you don’t already have the book, if your name is drawn, you would now have access to the recipe for Rachel’s Lemon Butter Cookies. It’s a win-win! And I hope you do! Win, I mean. My way of saying Thank You!
Kitties love it too.♥ And vice versa.
So, we’re going to have another drawing ~ after all we don’t want that silver manicure of Vanna’s to go to waste, 
and she adores Valentines Day more than any other . . . so, to sum up: if you left a comment on the post below for the Internet Address Books, you are already entered for the teapot, book and tea! But if not, leave a comment at the bottom of this post and tell your mom, your sister, your grammie, your BFF, your great-aunt Mary, your Twitter friends, Pinterest Peeps, and Facebook pals to come on over and enter too. 
The prizes: one of our dear Girlfriends is going to get a 4-cup, Emma Bridgewater Heart Teapot, my “Come Sit Stay” tea tin with delicious Lavender and Rose Petal Earl Grey Tea, AND a signed copy of A FINE ROMANCE.♥(And you think YOU’RE having fun! HA! When people talk about “the power of the Internet” I think this is what they mean! At least here in Smallville.)
Rubbing hands together in attack of pathological enthusiasm.
And P.S. if just thinking about this inspires you to envision having a Valentine’s Tea Party, the first thing you will need are invitations . . . so here you go! 
Click there and you can print out as many as you need on card stock or heavy paper (one of our girlfriends said she used a cut-down manila envelope and it worked perfectly! Probably an interesting color too, quite creative!) ~ 
invite your best girlfriends, your sisters, your mom, your best guy, or someone who simply needs an airing (as Joe would say, usually about me when I’ve been in the house too long), and celebrate as we do so well here in Smallville. Make Rachel’s cookies and some cucumber sandwiches, light the fire and a candle or two, talk, talk, talk, solve all the world’s problems, hash over Downton Abbey, and watch the cold and snow fade away to nothing.
Click there and you can print out as many as you need on card stock or heavy paper (one of our girlfriends said she used a cut-down manila envelope and it worked perfectly! Probably an interesting color too, quite creative!) ~ 
invite your best girlfriends, your sisters, your mom, your best guy, or someone who simply needs an airing (as Joe would say, usually about me when I’ve been in the house too long), and celebrate as we do so well here in Smallville. Make Rachel’s cookies and some cucumber sandwiches, light the fire and a candle or two, talk, talk, talk, solve all the world’s problems, hash over Downton Abbey, and watch the cold and snow fade away to nothing.
Ah yes, here’s Nature’s Valentine, out on our feeders . . . making the world more adorable one little birdie at a time.
Love you Girlfriends, have a wonderful day!♥
So many lovely things in one post. Gosh, I’m sure Paul will be over the moon with the painting you did, it’s brilliant. I haven’t got as far as thinking about Valentine’s Day yet. I seem to bring the same decorations out each year so perhaps I should think about making some new ones for a change. I just love all your pink china as well. The table settings look so inviting.
Oh, alright. So much to love about this post. Let me count the ways…thank you for a delightful blog post, introduction to a fellow fox terrier lover and baker, lovely recipe, fun watercolors, CARDINALS!, and that teapot!!!! Oh my…
Love your table set with the chintz dishes. I used to have a set of Johnson Bros. Blue Indies dishes. I loved all the cute shapes the dishes came in, the dessert plates were square. They were my first set of dishes, I was in my 20’s and the dishes weren’t as expensive as they are now. Lovely post Susan!
Good morning, Susan. What a special gift you made your friend! I so enjoy your art work and your blog, and would love to win your Valentine give away. Thanks! Stay cozy.
Thanks for making my day warm and cozy! I am sitting in NH drinking my Earl Gray Tea, watching the snow flakes start to mount, reading your blog and feeling very grateful – Life Cant Get Much Better Than This. Thanks for all the wonderful joy you bring into our lives ! 🙂
Love Emma Bridgewater….just need an excuse to acquire her mugs!
Oh, I’ve always admired that teapot!
I love Smallville. 🙂
I love tea, I love hearts, I love Valentine’s Day, and I LOVE your blog! I cherish my copy of A Fine Romance and have given several as gifts to my dear friends and sisters. Thank you for giving me the gift of “pretty things and whimsy” in my inbox. It always brings a smile to my face and lightens my heart! Bless you!
Dear Sue,
Thank you so very much for always thinking of us. What lovely surprises you always select for us. Visiting your site ALWAYS brightens my day !!!
Hugs, Carol
The heart teapot?? YES, please !!!!! (-; Blessings and good luck to all.
Adore the painting of your friend! Thank you for the fun giveaway.
Your blog is like reading a lovely fairy tale. If I win your sweet tea pot I’ll bring it to our library’s February Tea and Books get together. Won’t that be fun?
Your beautiful book is a continual delight. And I Adore Emma Bridgewater. You are featuring some of my favorite things. Will it be tied up with brown paper and string? Thank you for all the lovely inspiration and general happiness you offer to us all.
your illustration is lovely! He is lucky to have you as a friend. Love your blogs, they are a delight!
love the illustration!
Oh!!! I LOVE this precious Tea Pot! Just as I LOVE all things you, Susan Branch! Thank you for the smiles your art and your perspective bring!
I love you site, your blog is my homepage. Your book about England was so wonderful I have given it to everyone I know!
Sun is streaming in and Molly Cat loves watching the birds at the feeder from her tower in the window. Oh my, perfect morning for a cup of tea! Your blog starts the day off right as well.
Oh Vanna pick me pick me!! I spent Christmas thru New Year’s in the hospital and am still not feeling myself…my happy gene seems to have gone missing and I need it back so badly…can’t think of a better way then to have that glorious teapot!! My emma heart cup fellout of the cupboard and I can’t use it to drink out of anymore but the hearts still put a smile in my heart! Thank you Susan for shining your light!!
What a disappointing way to spend your holidays – in the hospital! Of course your happy gene is inactive – you’ve been sick for too long. I hope you turn the corner and start feeling better very soon. We’re all pulling for you, Melissa.
Teapots, tea, and a book…oh my!! Sounds like heaven to me! Myself? I am firmly ensconced in Smallville, as well. I just didn’t know its name. 🙂 Thank you for providing a much needed ray of sunshine in this otherwise rather depressing world!
Susan,
I absolutely love reading your blog…I received A Fine Romance as a birthday gift last year and loved it, I have started reading it all over again recently !.
I agree that Valentine’s Day is the best holiday, and am in love with the Emma Bridgewater valentine hearts teapot ! I have the Black Toast teapot, and usually buy everything in that pattern, but think I need to start including the hearts too ! They are precious ! Your blog always brings a smile to my face ! Thank you !!! Nancy
Susan, Your posts always brighten my day. You are a lovely person and I am thankful for you being there.
I love Perry Como, I remember growing up and hearing his beautiful voice on the radio while mama polished the dining room floor with a dry mop. In the meantime, I would make my way out through our kitchen screen door to play outside. Oh what wonderful memories. Thank you, thank you for your generous heart in sharing all your wonderful treasures and I love your musica!
Oh Susan! What a wonderful friend you are! That picture was marvelous.
I thought I had entered for the Address/pass wd books but as I was looking back to see if you had written me back, sadly I could not find my post. So, I hope this goes through for your next generous give-a-way. I already have A Fine Romance (got it last year) I read it in a day. Wonderful:) I’ve read it many more time since and I let a friend who went to England on her honeymoon (how awesome and romantic is that) read it before she went. Anyway I digress I would love to give a copy to my cousin, Muffet, she would absolutely adore it! Thanks for making my day so special and cozy with your blog!
Lovely give-away….thanks for entering my name <3
Happy New Year Susan! I think you have started this year with a bang…..you had so much in this post I had to re-read it. Please include me for the drawing…..I would love to make a tea in that teapot, and to have a SIGNED copy of a Fine Romance!! I tried to come to a signing, but my plans were changed for me and I had to miss it. Someday I will get to hear you in person 🙂 Thanks, Holly
Thank you for this opportunity. What beautiful portraits you do. It inspires me to try. I love your Blog and thank you for sharing yourself with us all.
Hi, Susan! I love your painting of Paul– how adorable! Your drawing for the teapot, tea, and book sounds wonderful. I already have a copy of your book, but I’m sure one of my daughters would love a copy if I win 🙂
For the last few days, I have been really wishing for a big snow here in Roanoke, VA. Not just a little skiff (like yesterday’s), but an all-out major snow event. I started looking through your winter posts from the last few years, admiring your beautiful snow pictures, so it only increased my longing! Your teapot, tea, and book would be the perfect accompaniments to a snow storm! Thank you for always brightening my day in my Smallville.
Wow!!! Just Wow!!! what more can I say. Everything about this post is wonderful. Paul and Rachel are lucky people…especially Paul at this moment…to be your friend is a gift.
Speaking of gifts…I am counting on being lucky. Hear me Vanna? This little teapot will fit right in with my red and white transferware…just saying…Vanna are you listening?
Thank you for the chance to win such lovely things. I appreciate you & all you do. Health & happiness to you & yours.
OH My! What a great giveaway! You put the best stuff together. Thank you for always thinking of others and being so generous!
Lovely teapot–so cheerful for a winter day. Always enjoy the blog, thanks!
Oh, I don’t remember if I left a comment for the books, but… in the event I didn’t I’m leaving one here for this newest drawing. How sweet is the teapot which I will make sure to use when having friends in for tea and cookies. Thanks.
Wonderful give away, Susan! Thanks for brightening our days 🙂
Jenny
I enjoy your life so much!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, your art, your home and especially the kitties!!
What a wonderful birthday surprise you have created for your friend! I agree, he is quite dapper! Would adore a pretty little teapot and some more of your wonderful tea! Thank You!
Forgive me if already entered, but that teapot……I can’t take a chance that my name is not entered! Enjoying the blog and winter pics.. So much fun to check each day to see if new message from you.
The teapot is adorable and I have just the teacup to go with it, a heart covered pretty from Gracie china. A tin of your Earl Grey with lavender would be the perfect brew to sip and I could even make matching cookies with the tea.
Thanks for having such a generous giveaway.
I love the painting of Paul, happy birthday to him!
The timing of this post couldn’t be better. I’ve just started planning our annual Mother/Daughter-Making-Valentine’s-for-Family-Tea. I’d love to share the prize at the party! We’ll be using the invitations and some of the decorations from this post at our party.
My mother reads your blog every day. She told me I needed to check it out. I’m hooked! To say she loves teapots is an understatement. I would LOVE to invite her to tea and then give her this teapot as a gift. She always makes Valentine’s Day special for my sister and me. It would be great to gift her with these amazing things you are so generously gifting to a reader. And thank you for your blog. I am so inspired right now. I am going home and getting out my Valentine’s Day decorations and try to create a splendid display. Thank you! Have a blessed day! 🙂
Welcome Natalie, give your mom a big hug for me, and thank you!
Susan, what a beautiful, fun, bright and cheery post! I love the whimsy of the party hat that matches the sparkle in Paul’s eyes! I’m enjoying a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar tea right now to help with a bit of a sore throat and cough but look forward to a cuppa of Earl Grey. I also enjoy a cup of Lady Grey quite a bit as well. Thank you and have a wonderful day!
What a wonderful gift for your dear friend Paul! Who wouldn’t want a Susan Branch original for very special birthday? And I would LOVE the darling teapot and tea. I’m crossing my fingers!!
Hello Girlfriends,
The portrait of that handsome man is a really precious gift…what a lucky man he is I would be histerical when that package arrived. I would enjoy the tea pot too! This is the greatest time of the year when the pressure of the holidays is past and you can enjoy the lull of a few week to rest and attend to your creative urges Happy lull time….
Lovely post, as always! I log on when I need a break from every day stress, and remember when I had a little ones at home and spent my time chasing them and cooking from my “Heart of the Home” cookbook. Thanks for being a part of my world!
Oh, I love that teapot! I celebrate Valentine’s MONTH, which begins on January 14 and goes through February 14. I need a month to tell everyone I love how special they are to me.
Oh my oh my!! Hello Susan and all the girlfriends everywhere! I’ve been off the computer these past few days and did not realize a new post had been given to us! Oh what a grand surprise!
Congratuations to the big winner of the address books… Jan Hammond! I know that she will love them and also her friend, Gail.
The birthday card/gift for Paul Lucas is really sweet! You’ve captured his issence and the little bees are so cute. Love the birthday hat! I will have to try out his cookies also.
Another giveaway is instore for us too. This is so exciting! I am going to get a couple of the banners as well to give to a couple of close friends. So, here’s hoping that I can win this one. A Fine Romance is just the tip of the cake as far as I’m concerned. My friend would love it!
The sun is shining today!!! First time in almost 3 weeks. Such a surprise, as we weren’t to see the sun this week at all. Clouds are filling in and soon the blue will be gone, but oh, how lovely it’s been for awhile!!
Love the Cardinal on the bird feeder!!
Carol M
Oh, so lovely a giveaway! Nothing better than some tea and a good book. tnd Though I already have the wonderful book, it will will be great fun to continue the giveaway spirit and pass it on to a lucky loved one of mine<3
What great treats! The Emma Bridgewater Heart Teapot is the cutest. I’ve had my eye on that one for a long time. : )
Hope Vanna has sticky fingers and picks me for the beautiful teapot. Montana is a long way from tea parties on Haven!
Love you!
Greetings my sweets, Wishing you a great day and greater week. I just wanted to thank you for your time blogging. You always make me so happy and did you relalize with your book you have started a great movement toward LOVE and Happiness. So you should be so proud of your self I know the lord is. Spreading goodness n joy and clean cut fun is fantastic. So have Joe pat you on the back or better yet a back rub . Joe is at the right had of God too so then pat him on the back for all he does. not to forget the fur balls they help so much also . All my love to you and the family fur balls included . Love extends through this screen Love and blessings to you both n kitties for health n prosperity in all ave of your lives . Love Cheyenne from Henderson Nv XXX
Love these beautiful posts!
I heart you and would love this special gift! I make tea every day and more than once!
I love the “A, You’re Adorable song.” It will be my new song to memorize and sing to my grandchildren. Their current favorites being, “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean” for which I made new verses, the last verse being Sleep now, sleep now, sleep Bonnie Babe for me…
I needed a happy moment in between projects, thanks again!
I had my purse calendar out this morning on my desk at work. Someone went by and said, “Oh, are you a Susan Branch fan? I love her stuff?” And then we discussed all our favorite things we love about Susan Branch. We talked for quite a while. It felt like I met an old friend. Love your blog and always have your calendar hanging in my dining room. I have a Santa Claus pitcher by you that can’t wait to come out every year and show off. He knows he’s my favorite. He just went back in hiding. I am thinking the teapot would like to hang around with him sometime. Hope you are staying somewhat warm!!
Be sure to say hi to that work-friend. Love that, thank you!
Dearest Sweet Sue, I need to get your snail mail address along with my things that was taken too my big address book rolodex. So if you could include your reg mail address then I could mail you some goodies for you n Joe n the fur balls too . Have a great warm week . All my love and Blessings to you all Love Cheyenne from Henderson Nv.
Cheyenne, you are so sweet, but I want you to take every penny of that and put it in a jar for your move away from Henderson! I would love to see you go realize your dream xoxo
Pick me! Pick me! Come on Vanna – I’m the one in the back row frantically waving my arms.
Omigoodness, I love this, Susan! 🙂 Thanks so much for doing all of these wonderful giveaways!! Crossing my fingers. 🙂 Also, where did you find that photo of the couple with your book?? What an adorable idea for an engagement session! xoxo
What a lovely post to come home to on a cold, blustery day here in the U.K. Thank you ! Penny L in Dorsetxx
I love that teapot and the red cardinal!! It will match the new red and white quilt I just finished! With the winter here in Wisconsin, although not a lot of snow.. we have lots of cold and bright red just kind of warms me up!! Thank you for another giveaway. Happy New Year 2015!
What a nice addition this would be to my collection! One can never have too many teapots me thinks.
Dear Susan, So far I have bought three of your books: A Fine Romance. I kept one for myself and gave the other two away. Such a wonderful book and I thank you for living it and writing it and sharing all your great adventures. Hugs from our cold part of the world to yours! j
As it happens I am having a Valentine’s Day tea party❤️
The teapot would be perfect!
Thank you for your generous, joyous heart!
Aloyce
Los Angeles (on a perfect blue sky January day)
Fave 2 pics are the kitty “reading” & the beeutiful cardinal!
Hi Sue!! Would LOVE to win the tea and the pot! Love the blog…love you!
I love everything about this blog post! Especially the teapot!
I am from the Philippines but currently residing in Wisconsin, and have been, for over 18 months now due to my husband’s work. I have seen a couple of your works in the Philippines, mostly calendars, but never picked up one for myself (I know, I know). I would only admire them from the revolving racks, not realizing until of late, that the lovely illustrations are creations of an even lovelier lady!
2 months ago, I stumbled upon your blog while I was looking for ways to polish my silver cutlery and thanks to you, I have a refreshed perspective on my domesticated life. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a homemaker. I honestly feel like I’m so cut out for the job but you made me love it even more. I wish I had met you (thru your blog) much, much earlier. I feel like I missed out on so much! But good thing there is an archive where I could read your past blogs! I am working my way thru the entire list plus I got myself a 2015 calendar (yes!) and copy of A Fine Romance, which I just finished and tremendously enjoyed! Your blog is a delight to read! I find comfort in knowing that making a house into a home for all loves ( husband and kids) of my life is a shared commitment with numerous other women!
I have 2 grown kids and though both still live with us (thank God), they leave the nest in the Fall to pursue their University studies. That is also when my husband and I fly back to the Philippines and resume our former lives, this time without them. Will my life then, be similar to yours with Joe (I do a lot of crafty stuff, including sewing and enjoy kitchen work)?! I sure hope so!
Though I am a new comer to this blog I hope I could still join the Teapot, etc. giveaway. Should I be picked as the winner, I would definitely bring back my gift to the Philippines and will, for sure, host a tea party with girlfriends. Who knows, that will be the beginnings of FOSB Philippine Chapter? Just a thought. Thank you Susan for the joy you give!
Could anyone have a happier birthday than your handsome friend Paul? What a lovely, funny and sweet card. You are just full of those wonderful surprises that bring joy into our lives. Thank You!
I must admit I have always coveted that particular teapot and would be thrilled
to receive that along with the other treasures.
Oh, Susan, you are so funny and fun and I love reading your blog. Love that pretty teapot. You’ve inspired me to have a Valentine’s party for my girlfriends.
Dearest Susan,
What an extremely joyous afternoon tea I am having with you and all the girlfriends . It is picture perfect outside snowing and making every window in my cottage a lovely picture, and the happiness in side my cozy cottage, with Tuck dear at my feet reading your delightful words, well, come and get your HAPPINESS ! Thank-you my dearest friend for sharing such JOY ! That Paul Lucas is soooo charming as is his sweet Rachel. I have a charming Paul, they are so dear, just like dear JOE ! Sooo blessed ! My cup runneth over for sure !!!!! Love, Wendy-Louise oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Oops, sorry about sending my comment again. I thought I was unable to click the send button when I couldn’t find what I sent. Didn’t realize it will take awhile for comment to be posted. Sorry about that!
That’s OK!
You are the bees knees. I’m sitting here with the sorest darn toe, foot propped up after some surgery yesterday. Ow. It hurts! But you made me laugh and lit me up with the pretty illustrations and your cheery, sunny words here. A tonic! Who needs ibuprofen?!! Give me Susan Branch Blog!
So, you’re a genius; if I got a framed card like that in the mail, I’d call the newspaper or go door-to-door, showing off my birthday gift.
I don’t blog TOO much, and any of these giveaways I’ve ever ‘entered,’ come up with only happiness (envy?…maybe a little!…) for the other gal who got so lucky. But you’re really generous! It’s a lovely giveaway. Thanks for thinking of us!
Have a great day! We’re 73 degrees up here on the SoCal coast. Having had a wee bit of rain, these crazy little earthworms are popping up everywhere, like little corkscrew artwork in the mud!
thoroughly enjoyed this recent blog, and a giveaway?
I missed the book giveaway but am making sure I don’t miss this one 🙂 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is my absolute favorite and we (my sisters and cousin) call it “Kim” but I like “Kimmie” much better! Did you know Kim Crawford is a man? Kim’s a him. She’s a he. We like to laugh about it because we all assumed Kim was a girl and were slightly bummed when we found out he wasn’t. Oh well, we’ll still enjoy “Kimmie” immensely anyway 🙂 Love Downton too! It’s great to catch up on your blog–I was missing it!
Oh I just love the Emma Bridgewater teapot! Thank you for this give away and what an adorable watercolor of Paul!
Susan, you are so sweet to us! That heart teapot would look wonderful with the tea towels I made from your teapot pattern. You were so sweet to post a picture of them that I sent you. I love having a cup of tea anytime and A Fine Romance would be perfect to help savor the event. You are a bright spot in my day when I come here to see what you are doing next. Hugs, Jane
What isn’t there to love about hearts on a teapot? That’s love in the purest way. Love love LOVE your artwork, and your books, and all that says Susan Branch. Wish you were my neighbor; oh we have so much in common.
Thank you for all that you do, it brings sunshine into my world!! I understand totally how you felt when visiting England, what an enchanting place, a bit of heaven to be sure as I also felt when visiting there. ♥
I am going to comment again only shorter this time as I would love to win the Emma Heart teapot to go with my Emma Peter Rabbit mug. I think my first one got lost as I thought I entered around 2am this morning and I can’t find it. Love everything on this blog. Thanks, Sandi/TX
Your home is my dream! Also, thanks for sharing your sweet inspirations. My recently adopted black and white tuxedo kitten and I love reading you thought and ideas.
Love tea! Love the tea pot !! ❤️❤️
Oh my, I am excited by these giveaways! They are quite lovely.
Kristin
p.s. Susan, we have a black and white kitty who will be 1 year in April and her name is SweetPea. She is sweet but gets in trouble a lot!
What a wonderful post, I would indeed have to have a Valentine Brunch if I were to have that beautiful tea pot! Thank you,
Karen
I adore the teapot and would love to share tea from it with my niece, Elizabeth, who likes to inform all who will listen that her favorite tea is oolong. I believe she simply likes the word. Lovely, lovely pictures, writing and products. Thanks!
Being a newly wed this is our fist Valentines together as husband and wife. Would love to win this! ❤️
I love the teapot. I hope I win. I love your drawings.
Oh my goodness, please enter me in the fabulous giveaway contest!! Thank you for the opportunity to win. That teapot would go with so many of my teacups, Susan.
Just LOve lOve loVe lovE anything and everything Susan Branch!
You have really made my day today!
What a wonderful, special gift for your friend! I’ve loved your drawings for a long time now. Reading this was like a visit with a friend!
Would love to win that sweet teapot and your book!
Wow! What a fantastic giveaway! I’m still new to the Susan Branch world, but I’m amazed at every turn – the website, your books, and even the 2015 calendar I have hanging up at home! Thank you for the smile you put on everyone’s face! 🙂
Welcome Kristen!
I have all of Susan’s cookbooks! I was first attracted to them because of the art and then quickly found that the recipes were fabulous too! As a matter of fact I found my way into my now husband’s heart by cooking her carrot cake recipe for him!
That would do it for me!
So much cuteness! Love the art, the banners, the teapot! And I just noticed today my supply of loose tea is getting low, not a good time of year for that to happen! 😉
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a great birthday card-present! Paul is sure to be delighted by your creative and thoughtful gift.
Speaking of thoughtful, thank you for offering another great give-away package! The teapot is simply *divine*. I would be so pleased to win it AND your book!
Thanks for sharing the LOVE, Susan!
Thank you for this lovely giveaway. And a heartfelt thank you for your books and art. I’ve kept my husband for almost twenty years pretty happy and it’s mostly down to your chicken salad (with apples and cheese and lemony dressing) recipe. With much love from Michigan!
Such a fun post to brighten up a dreary day. I’m inspired to do a tea for Valentine’s day after seeing your lovely red and white table!
Just love the little rose watercolor! Got my feet wet with a birthday tea last week. Already planning Valentines Day Tea.
Love every piece of artwork on your blog. Happy 2015!
What a lovely tea pot! Hope I am the lucky one. Earl Grey is my favorite and I would love to try your blend.
That little teapot is adorable and I have the perfect spot for it 🙂 I love reading about your adventures and my favorite part of this one, is the party hat sticker you placed on the picture frame glass. So cute, fun, silly and the perfect way to finish off that wonderful gift…like the cherry, on a sundae topped with lots of whipped cream…yummy cuteness!
I would love to win the pretty tea pot. I would give it to my friend, Linda who loves everything Susan Branch-I do too, but not quite as much as she does. She is over the top.
what a lovely giveaway!