‘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!♥
i recently purchased your little “chick” salt and pepper shakers for our grand-daughter . I thought you would delight in knowing they have a very happy home.
She gave her chickens a spa time and painted their toenails. i thought it might have been the kind of creative, fun, joyful thing you would do if you had chickens !
Thank you for all the fun !
linda
Time for a tea party. Thank you for the inspiration. What a wonderful giveaway also. Your Earl Gray tea is delicious!
Your posts, with the lovely art, pictures, and fun … never fail to make me smile! Happy New Year to you!
Dishes! I love them. I have open shelves in the kitchen, and love to change the look every so often. Another great post. The Paul painting is great. Would LOVE the teapot. Kisses to the Kitties!
Love, love, love the teapot!!!
I look forward to your posts as they are so uplifting and always bring a smile to my face.
Hi Sue, my sweetheart got me one of the heart mugs for Christmas this year, I would love to add the sweet little pot to go with it!!! Sweet!
Be still, my anglophile heart.
Salting you with a cup of earl grey tea
I bet you anything that auto correct got to your “salting you” comment! 🙂 A moment ago it changed my words “a popular shoestore” to “a popular shooter!” Caught it at the last moment!
What a wonderful give-a-way! You do create so much fun!
Would love to win this drawing! I do already have a copy of A Fine Romance, but I would give the second copy to my mom who turns 91 two days after Valentine’s Day. (Yay!) I have to say that I read quickly through books lately, but yours I read slowly, and enjoyed the words, the stories and, not least of all, your lovely illustrations. I also enjoy reading your blog (via Feedly, so I don’t miss any posts.)
I love all your blog posts especially when we get to meet new people. I have been a Susan Branch fan for many years. I would like to share the wonderful books, blog and goodies with my daughter who is now old enough to appreciate it. What better way than to host a tea party for her, my grandson and granddaughter. I think there will be a lot of wild stories from the little ones (and probably the older ones, too)!
I think your friend Paul is quite dapper!! What kind of dog is that? I have allergies and I can’t have kitties 🙁 or most dogs. I think that is one I can have.
That Wm. Morris quote is one of my favorites!!!
Although I am not a transferware liker, I think Rose Chintz is beautiful!!!
I think your friend Paul is quite dapper!! What kind of dog is that? I have allergies and I can’t have kitties 🙁 or most dogs. I think that is one I can have.
That Wm. Morris quote is one of my favorites!!!
Although I am not a transferware fan, I think Rose Chintz is beautiful!!!
Alice is a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, like Asta on Thin Man!
Thanks for the edit and the info about Alice. 😉
What is Thin Man???
Lovely little lovelies for Valentine’s Day! I adore Valentine’s Day. I know many dislike the day but it’s special to me. My darling husband proposed to me 21 years ago this Valentine’s Day and it’s been a wonderful journey thus far and only getting better!
My goodness, Susan, that was one full blog post! I’m ready for some sunshine, and fun, and this was one fun post! I enjoyed it from top to bottom.
Just curious, where in Maine were you?
Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Nancy
In that photo we were in Portland.
I think just the chance of winning this teapot is making me dizzy! But anyway… I loaned my Fine Romance to my 92 yr old Grandma Billie. She has had a lark telling everyone that visits her she is reading “Romance” novels now. That Girl loves to tease.
So if we win we will each have a book And a tea party! And I know my 7 year old Granddaughter Paisley will be invited.
Blessings on you for being a generous soul.
<3
Hi Susan,
I love the birthday card you made, it was brilliant, and the birthday hat was simply perfect! What a fantastic gift to receive. My Mom loved the card also. She is craftier than I, in more ways than one…. She is 95 now, (Dec. 21st.) and says “of course…the shortest day of the year,” then laughs and says “that means I get extra gifts to make up for it.” and snickers. Since her favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day, we are going to have a tea party using several of your recipes and some of ours, with my daughter and grand kids. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway and all the smiles.
I already love your mom!
Thanks!! She loves you back!
Just as I am getting tired of evergreeny holiday décor, along comes Susan with ideas for Valentine’s! So cheerful, and maybe, just maybe, an early sign of warmer weather? Warmer hearts, for sure!
What an awesome gift for your friend. I’m really taken with cookies and biscuits after getting hooked on The Great British Baking Show, so I will be trying out the lemon cookies soon!
Oh, Susan, what wonderful prizes! I just had a tea party with my two granddaughters last weekend (7 & 5 – never too young to enjoy the benefits of one of life’s greatest pleasures) and planning another one in Feb. Your teapot would be so lovely! My maiden name was Hart and they both know hearts are grandma’s favorite shape. Please do enter my name in your wonderful drawing. I will be keeping my fingers crossed! AND…thank you for warming our hearts during these cold winter months……Elane
Oh Susan! I have two pairs of those darling sexy shoes too! My feet love them. I never thought about warming them before wearing….my feet bless you!! I will do that right now!! I have one…yes, only one Emma mug and it is the heart pattern. I gave it to myself last year when I celebrated my 40th Wedding Anniversary. This February 1st it will be 41 years! We were going to get married on the 14th…Valentine’s Day because that would be so ROMANTIC….but we couldn’t wait!! So……it would be so nice to have that adorable, cute Teapot to match!! Wouldn’t it? I mean it would be so nice for all of us to have one…but, what an anniversary gift! I have A Fine Romance already, but it would make such a fabulous gift for my BFF don’t you think? Anyway, thanks for everything!! I look so forward to hearing from you in my emails. It brightens my day no matter what the weather!! Stay warm, my friend!! Byeeeeee!!!! <3 <3 <3
Happy Anniversary Linda!
Thank you Susan. I so enjoy “going places” through the words and pics you share. After I read this one several more times, I will be looking forward to your next one!
OOO! Emma Bridgewater AND A Fine Romance – who could ask for anything more?
What fun! The tea sounds amazing, and I already have your book…so if I’m lucky enough to win, I’ll send this copy to my Mom in North Carolina. I must say, that one cannot have too many teapots! Will definitely make Rachel’s Lemon Butter Cookies before, during and after Valentine’s!
Well, I left a comment on the Smallville post, but just wanted to say how fun this post was. Paul will be delighted with your depiction of him. Soooooo fun! I read Rachel’s blog and thoroughly enjoy them. I also noticed Paul and my husband have the same birthday – obviously a couple of great guys were born on that day. Rachel and I are so lucky.
Thank you for having another drawing. Love the teapot, and the tea, and the book (even though I have one)… Fun, fun, fun…
What fun! I just love your art work , and have enjoyed using some of your fabric in my quilts. I would love to win! <3
Love your creations, they are beautiful and whimsical and oh what amazing talent you have. I wish I wish I wish to be so creative. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am an admitted pinterest addict, and look forward to following your blog, twitter page, facebook, and pinterest posts.
Debbi Burnie AKA (Drops of Jupiter) (Sergeantswife)
I need to get busy with my pinterest page — I have SO MUCH to add, and not enough time to do it!
I didn’t know you had a Pinterest page, Susan!!!
Mary S. in Fresno, CA
Wow! I went to Pinterest and put in “Susan Branch” and all kinds of boards popped up – people who have boards dedicated to YOU!! LOL I couldn’t find your page anywhere!
Thank you so much for the opportunity;) How fun!
Love, love it all!
What a talented woman you are. Love reading, but I get all my heat from the ceiling so I can’t warm my shoes. 🙂
Great birthday card btw.
I do not have Rose Chintz, but I do have a few pieces of Johnson Brothers Rose Bouquet…love, love, love! You’re so thoughtful to be doing giveaways, it brightens up the winter! Thanks for being generous.
Your posts always brighten my day. I’ve been a bit down for a few weeks, and popping over to your blog has truly brought a genuine smile to my face. I love your art and clever words from Smallville. You are such a sweetheart to have these lovely chats with us all and to send wonderful birthday treats to your friends. Thank you for the giveaways, and I hope you have great day.
Hi Susan – I always love reading your posts! When I need something warm and cozy, and a refuge from the craziness of this world, this is one of the first places I visit! Thank you for all you do!
I know that, even if you love it, your blog takes a lot of time and energy. But those of us who read regularly (thanks, friend Linda for telling me about this) are a little more romantic, a little more daring at decorating, a little more thoughtful at holidays thanks to you. Thank you so much!
You are a sweetheart Diane. xoxo
Please add my name to the drawing, but, truthfully, I really don’t mind if I don’t win anything because I’m already so excited about the darling tea party invitation! We are big on tea parties in this house and now have the perfect way to invite friends. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
How lucky Paul is to have a friend like you paint your beautiful birthday greetings…bless you..xxxoo
Thank you Susan for all your inspiration and for sharing your creativity!! I love your blog and have been following you since the beginning! I would love to have that tea pot! A copy of A Fine Romance would make my new year!! It would surely inspire me to have a very pretty February Tea Party with some friends! I hope to win!
Happy and healthy New Year to you!
Susan, I am so sad! I checked the website yesterday, and the store is already out of calendars. Any chance you’ll get more? Pretty please!
Not this year, but I think Amazon has a few wall calendars left. Hope so!
Hi, Amazon does have a few left and are now selling for $9.99 (just bought one)
Yay!
Laura C., I don’t know where you live but we still have calendars here in Northern California so if you email me your address, I would be happy to look for one and send it to you. Blessings, Robin ([email protected])
Hello Susan and everyone,
What a wonderful blog!! I just loved it as always. Paul’s scarf is fantastic as is your of painting him!! I keep talking about getting a proper tea pot and just never get around to it, so it means that this teapot is for me!!! LOL Good luck to everyone! Such fun just entering and wondering who will win!! Thank you Susan!
Peace and love to all,
Doreen
What a delightful blog today! You have brightened up a gloomy day here at the shore in Virginia. You’ve made me want to meet Paul and Rachel – and I can just imagine how special this lucky man is going to feel when he gets his ‘over-the-top’ birthday greeting from you and Joe. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Smiling in Virginia.
Love your give-aways, blog, A Fine Romance, and everything Susan Branch!!!
Thank you, Susan, for the chance to win on your blog. Each of the prizes is lovely. I do already own your book, which I read, and which my husband read at my request, so that he could relate to everything I was telling him. The tea sounds lovely. My husband actually ordered Lady Grey tea for me from a grocery store in England, and this sounds similar to that, which has been my favorite for several years, but which I could not find where I now live. The teapot is pretty, and would look so nice with the Old British Castles cup I am using as I write.
Thanks,
Rebecca
Oh my. This sure would make my day. 🙂 And I already have all your other books. This would make my collection complete. Best of luck to us all!
One of my daughter’s gave me your book, A Fine Romance, for Christmas. I love every page, it is so wonderful. I feel like I am England with you! I would love to own anything from England so enter me in the drawing.
I always look forward to your blogs and while reading them, there is a corgi at my feet and a cat sharing my chair. What a lovely giveaway and I would love to win. In the meanwhile, I will look forward to your next blog.
Ohhhh, I just love Corgis!
Oh Susan, how I love this post. I want to put hearts everywhere now 🙂 Wow-that birthday painting for your friend Paul is marvelous. What a wonderful gift. And this new giveaway is perfect, suits me (and probably all of us here) to a “tea”! Good luck everyone.
What a lovely giveaway!
Hello Sweet Susan! Thank you for this giveaway! Maybe if I win the darling teapot I will invite you over for tea in my new HGTV Dream Home…when I win that…after all I am feeling lucky! Lol
Oh Susan! So good to be back on your page! I’ve been very ill with 2 more strokes (that is 4 in last 19 months) but silver lining, I’m doing better every day! I have read and reread your wonderful books, drinking my tea or coffee and thinking fondly of all your cherriness! You’ve helped me more than I can say! Would love to win a give away… didn’t get a Christmas so we’re doing a big valentine! Yay! Hugs to you!
Sending a solid beam of white light from my heart directly to yours Shannon, filling your heart now, can you feel it? xoxo
For Christmas of 1995 my favorite aunt gave me “Christmas from the Heart of the Home”. I was nearly 16 and thought ” I’ll never use this…I’m going to be a impressive, independent woman living in a megacity somewhere in the world, NOT Vermont”. I held onto it though and it was one of a few items that survived college and many moves. My aunt was wiser than I ~ she predicted in the front cover that I’d be a homemaker in our native rural Vermont with a van full of children someday and she was right! I use that book every year and remember how lucky I am to have my health and my family around me I think the celebration of homemaking in Susan’s work is a bluebell balm to what can be an exhausting calling- Thank you from me and my ducklings on the frozen shores of Lake Champlain!
Wow, look how you thought of yourself at 16! That is very impressive. Your choices are impressive too. I was an amoeba at 16! And I chose Smallville too. And aren’t we surprised at how it all turns out!
Love your painting of Paul. I’m sure he will be thrilled! What a wonderful gift. And speaking of wonderful—what a giveaway! Would love to win! I really, really like Vanna’s bedroom slippers too!
Beautiful post and love the personal birthday gift you made! I am not sure if I commented in the Address Book giveaway so am commenting here just to be safe! Thank you and I don’t have the book so would love to win.
Love your watercolor paintings! I’m sure your friend will cherish this.
I LOVE Valentine’s Day! A Tea Party is so yummy! Enjoying conversation with your Girlfriends! I moved to Phoenix 7 months ago & this would a great idea to grow friendships in AZ! Thank you Susan for all your inspiration & boosting my creative spirit! ❤️& blessings!
Hi Susan! I’d love to win the darling teapot! I’d go have a little tea party at my mom’s assisted living place! She’ll be 93 on Valentine’s Day!!! I love all your dish photos! My favorite! And love the picture you painted of Paul! What a treasure!! Lucky fellow! Stay warm!
Francine
Susan Branch, I love you! And I’d love to win the teapot and the signed book, etc. My daughter introduced me to you several years ago when she loaned me one of your books. I’m hooked. I also love England, the home of my ancestors. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit there twice, with a front-row seat to a small village. I had an English penpal who had a little girl neighbor who became my daughter’s penpal. This lead to having the English girl, when she was college age, live with us in California for a semester of learning, first-hand, Social Services in our country. Subsequently, our families visited back and forth. She is truly our adopted daughter, and is now a grandmother! Last year she traveled to be with us again to attend my husband’s memorial service. He would have been so delighted to see her again! Wonderful experiences! And your blog is also — always makes me feel happy!
Isn’t that just world-lovely! xoxo
Hi, Susan. I have been a tea afficianado since childhood when my grandmother initiated me into the pleasures of tea as a five-year-old. (More milk than tea in the cup then, but I was hooked nevertheless.) I would love to win the teapot, the scrumptious-sounding tea, and your book. I could read the book while sipping!
I so love receiving your posts! Each one makes me smile and I feel like I’m right there with you! And this one inspires me to do something special for Valentine’s Day. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
what a way to cheer the masses…….as we enter the cold of January and pack away the Christmas things! lets get out the cheery Valentines things and sip some tea and read a book in a cozy chair! fun fun fun…..~~~~~~ and i hope the winner is me!!!!!!
My mom and I have loved your art for years, and I am just now discovering your blog and Facebook page (how is this possible?! I’ve been missing out!) Anyway, so glad to find you here, and I’m excited to read more 🙂
I have drooled over that teapot for about 3 years, at least. I would love to have it to celebrate for Valentine’s Day. I lost my Valentine 2 years ago, but still celebrate the special day with my “roses in December” and enjoying the children we had, and now their children. I hope Vanna draws my name, as that would make this a truly special Valentines Day.
I would LUV to get that teapot. It’s soooo ADORABLE! Perfect for parties….xoxo
Enjoyed this so much and would love to win this giveaway!! The perfect combination!
Thank you for another day brightening post. I am starting to get excited about Valentine’s Day coming up. Our 34th anniversary is the week before, we are very happy in our own little Smallsville farm and vineyard. My girlfriends and I will celebrate Valentine’s day by running a Hot Chocolate race in Nashville. I will be spoiling my children and grandchildren as well.
The first Valentine Tea I put together was for my son and some classmates. I made scones in the shape of hearts, Linzer Hearts, and assorted little sandwiches that children love. I used my holiday china, and the children treated it with respect. Even my sister has Valentine Teas for her grandchildren which I have attended. The crystal and the silver come out and even the littlest ones know how special the whole feast is. That teapot would just be wonderful for my next Valentine tea!
What a lovely blog I have discovered. I would love the tea pot and tea. It has become quite cold here in northern Michigan and I am spending my days with a crochet hook or book in my hands most of the day.
Such a treat reading your blog (and books!). What an exciting giveaway you’ve cooked up – I adore Earl Grey for my morning cuppa and that teapot with its hearts would look quite nice upon my table. I do feel like a kid at Christmas, you are very good at generating enthusiasm! 🙂
What a lovely post today, Susan! Just perfect for my cup of tea. We are having ccccold temps here in the Midwest. I made my tea today in a blue Engish teapot I purchased years ago, how lovely the heart teapot would be! I do love my heart mug and cup I treated myself to a couple of years ago. Paul’s card is wonderful–what a lucky man! Thanks for brightening my day! ❌⭕️
Love…Love…Love your blog! Especially liked seeing your adventures on Nantucket and the train ride across the country. 🙂 Your pictures are breathtaking and heart warming. I love opening an email with your blog in it. Thanks for showing me how to enter.
I do so love your blogs Susan! My sister and I took “your” crossing to England last year…your wonderful book inspired us! It was all we dreamed it would be and we thank you for the inspiration! Winning the lovely teapot would be the icing on the cake!
Finding you blog in my inbox brightens the dreariest of days. I scroll slowly and try to take in all the beauty, for me and for my darling daughter who lives in the mountains of Lesotho. She can’t load pages with lots of pics, so she has to wait and do it just a few times a year when she can find free internet. We both love your artwork very much. And the kitties. We adore the kitties. Thanks for a chance to win!
Hi Susan, I’m intrigued by the little dogs marching along the shelf behind Paulin the picture you posted of him that you used as a model for your painting. Please persuade Rachel to share a closeup of their collection. They look so sweet. I’m pretty sure they are miniatures of Alice. Thanks so much.
She let me take a picture of those little dogs when we were here . . . I have that . . . should probably add it to the post!
Thank you. That would be great.
Such a heartwarming blog entry. A Valentine tea would be so fun. I will get to planning it right away, but that darling teapot would make it ever so nice just like you! Big Hugs.
I wish I could move to Smallville! We’re remodeling our kitchen and master bath — 8 weeks of dust and workmen and decisions ahead! Tell Vanna I NEED a break this week … 😀
Please enter me to win~especially the book 🙂 dying to read it!
Happy Day to you Dearies!
What a charming gift for Paul- you’ve captured him most wonderfully-he looks very dapper, debonair and charming!
Days are grey and hazy herein Salt Lake but with two little cats purring softly, curled together in one basket next to me while I work, a pot of tea, toast with a knob of butter pooling on its surface, and your lovely post to read I can’t be anything but snug and cozy. Thanks evah so much!
xxooxx
What a wonderful give away! The teapot and tea would be so wonderful on a cold winter’s night here in New Jersey! Thank you, Susan!!!
Beautiful painting of Paul! Your photos are making me long to have a tea party! In fact, that might be the order of the day this weekend!
What a pretty post! I love Valentine’s Day! When my oldest daughter was four, she asked me what God’s favorite holiday was. I ran a mental list of holidays, debated between Christmas and Easter in my mind, when she interrupted me and said, “I know!” I smiled awaiting a simple, childish answer, when she gave one…and blew my mind: “It’s Valentines Day!” “Valentine’s Day?” I questioned. “Yes, because God’s all about love!” From the lips of babes! And I believe she’s right, because, after all, God gave His only son to die for our sins because He loves us so much! Sweet love!
Susan, your blog always brightens my day! I love the things you do and your wonderful attitude towards life! Would love to win the teapot, tea and signed book! ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ Looking forward to your next post – Thanks for all you do! Andrea P – Boyertown, PA
What a lovely giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity to win such beautiful things!
Thank you for another fun giveaway. My dear Anglophile friend loves your book that I gave her and I know she’d love the teapot and tea too! And THEN maybe I could have a copy of the book for my very own!
Love is in the air! I so look forward to your posts. Makes me feel like cooking or decorating. Thank you for sharing your life with us……
Book, tea, tea pot…Sounds like a Valentine dream for a waddly pregnant gal like myself! 😉
Maggie Brown’s gonna have a B A B Y. ❌⭕️
Oh! I would love to win some tea stuff from Emma Bridgewater! And then drink some tea with my BFF in front of the fireplace and talk about our men, jobs etc…
My daughters and I would use that beautiful teapot for our little Sunday night Downton parties….with scones. And, of course, daily at tea time too! Love the stories of your friends and your travels, Susan!
You spoil us so. I have very much enjoyed each of the posts in this new year. I still think the posts should be put into book form. To tame the volumes, I’m thinking just the blog posts themselves, not including the comments. This would be a perfect fit for your very own publishing company. Is there anyone else out there that would love to see this happen?
Happy Birthday to Paul. And Susan, that is such a wonderful and personal gift to your dear friend. I’m sure he will treasure it always. I do have one question though. Does he read your blog? Surely you sent it before the post so he would be surprised.
No, Paul is not a blog person at all, otherwise I would never have been able to do this! We might as well all be on the moon as far as he is concerned! 🙂
I absolutely LOVE getting your blog! I’m a new fan but your aesthetic is exactly mine & when I read each entry, I feel as if I’ve settled into my own cozy world described better than I could do myself. I guess that does make us sisters as you so frequently refer to us all out here. Thanks for the loveliness you bring!
Susan, my dear sister Emily introduced me to you last year by giving me “A Fine Romance” for my birthday. She knew my penchant for all things English and adventuring. The book, your 2015 calendar which I now own and your blog make me wistful and almost hopeful that I could somehow be as creative someday. Your card for Paul was adorable and as I share the same birthdate and nearly the same BIG ONE as he I was especially intrigued. How fortunate is he to receive such a loving and lovely gift. Glad to be among the “Branches” (especially since I used to be a Wood). Tah Tah!
I love my Merrills too! I wear them to my volunteer “job” at school every day because they are the ONLY shoe that does not tire my feet out walking on carpet covered concrete floors. They are my only shoe/boot for hiking–and I did a lot of that with friends this past summer. Miles and miles of trails in Mt. Rainier Nat’l Park. Doing that again this coming summer.
Thanks for the chance to win the teapot and your wonderful book! I am thinking I could take it along in my backpack to whip out after a hike while we are relaxing at Paradise Inn drinking coffee. It’s not the English countryside, but I could get a neat picture of the Mountain and your book all at the same time!
Thank you for the lovely letters you post. They brighten up my day so. I love you!
Susan, I feel warm and happy when I read your blog! On a rainy day in GA, that is a really good thing! Would love to have this lovely teapot (and the other wonderful goodies) for my husband and my 4 p.m. teatime. Read your autumn book and can’t wait to get your Romance book. I’m going to B&N and buy both of them.They are keepers! Thank you for the lovely place you fill in my life!
Lovely post and what a wonderful gift for your friend—he’ll love it!
Loved reading this whole post! Quite a bit of great info. Please enter me to win! Many thanks!
What a beautiful card for Paul! I’m sure he will cherish it – handmade is always the best gift. Love the adorable teapot! Please add my name to the “pot”!
All the things going on in this big world of ours right now, I like being in my little cozy house, safe, warm, doing my crafties, forgetting about the outside world. What a wonderful giveaway from you, someone will be “cozy” with them. thank you, thank you
Well, I for one am so impressed, you take me on a journey all the way to England, there and back again, to the world of Smallville, and Vanna, and tea parties! Sitting here in this too cool old house with a stack of bills to pay, a dirty cookie sheet soaking in the sink, and the washer calling my name saying, “Annie, where in the world Are You?” I’m not telling, I’m hiding midst a sea of color, happy images, cutie pies, and transfer ware! I’m holding my breath, before I burst into song, hoping I win the giveaway so I can take another private getaway!
Oh that was just lovely Annie, no, never answer those voices! xoxo
Love hearts, love the teapot, love the song — I had forgotten all about it. Thanks for reminding us 🙂
Love the teapot! It would be a nice addition to my teapot collection. Thank you for making my days brighter! Love the blogs and I read them over and over.
Brenda
Love, love, LOVE the portrait of your friend, Paul! I’d so love to be there to see his face when he opened the parcel. I am just up out of bed, still in my jammies, and now, I need a tea party before I can get dressed! The Lemon Butter Cookies are calling my name, and I have to go make them before I do anything else!