‘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!♥
Oh, there is nothing “small” about this giveaway!
I dream of having an Emma Bridgewater teapot!
Maybe . . . just maybe . . .
Oh, Susan, I can hardly wait until you post a new newsletter. I love them!
I also have 6-7 wonderful items from your store. Next on my list is the small polka dot creamer. I just love it. It speaks to me every time I look it up!
Could I ask to be entered into the tea pot give-a-way, please? I am a coffee drinker but my dearest friend of 60 years is a dyed-in-the-wool tea drinker. I would love to gift it to her.
Thank you for all the care you give to the Girlfriends!
Becky Daugherty
Oo I’m so excited to be a part of this amazing give-away! So many lovely things to look forward to 🙂 I think it’s very dear of you to have these exciting give-aways. Your books have made my life that much sweeter: last week, I made coronation chicken for my friends when I had a few come for lunch. Also made the tarte tatin, which was delicious, although a little too sweet, but instead of making one big(gish) one, I made 5 individual ones….fun!
Thanks again, Sally from Vermont and originally from Dorset, England (!)
If my name was Sally from Dorset, I would have to embroider it on everything I own!
Hi Susan, I’m crossing my fingers so Vanna picks my name!
You are just the BEST girlfriend any of us could possible hope for Sue! I may end up being thrown off the girlfriend list because I don’t want to pass on the news of this fabulous giveaway to my pals – I want to keep the news all to myself and cut down on the competition!!!! So glad to see that you have joined PINTEREST.
I love your “Happy Birthday” painting you did! You are SO sweet!! My very favorite things are HEARTS!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win the giveaway,
Terry
I have wanted that teapot for awhile now. I have the book and it is my go-to comfort read.
Thanks for the opportunity! Blessings!
What a delightful jam packed post!
Oh, THANK YOU Sue! I am just getting over the flu, back at work trying to un-bury myself from all the ketchup (catch-up!), and I took a moment on my lunch break to read your new post. I feel one thousand percent better now! It’s WONDER-FULL!
Lucky Paul to get such a wonderful birthday present from you (AND Joe!) and lucky us (girlfriends) who get to read your posts and enter your fabulous give-aways.
That Emma B. teapot has been on my wish list forEVER and, should I be lucky enough to win it, I will definitely throw a tea party for my girlfriends (it’s been TOO long!)
You are the bees’ knees!
xoxo
Love love love your blog! Please enter me to win the Emma Bridgwater teapot, Lavender and Rose Petals tea, and your ‘A Fine Romance’ book! It would make my winter *and* Valentine’s Day so lovely!
reading your blog lifts the winter doldrums and makes me so HAPPY! LOVE the Emma teapot and would LOVE to win!
Just recently discovered your work and I’m in love!! Hope I can win the teapot!! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh dear SUSAN, yet again you make me drool with your satirizes of life and friends and your appreciation of it all through your art Nd collections. I must certainly be your oldest fan at age 68! And no secrets here that I am taking my first Beginning Watercolor class this evening. Hats off to you. LOVE your recipes as well,
JoAnn from Michigan.
Oh, you brave thing. I love this! Have fun JoAnn! Remember, it’s all in the way you look at it. xoxo
What a wonderful way to start my morning. Your blog is a feast for the eyes and soul. Love your painted images and heartwarming inspirational sayings. You are generous with your writing and your giveaways. And I just happen to have the perfect mismatched sugar cannister and cup and saucer to go with that divine heart teapot!! It would be the icing on the cake where friendship brews and tea is the preferred beverage of the day. Thanking your kind spirit.
I love
Susan, I also have Johnson Bros Rose Chintz. Last November my girlfriend had a tea party and asked me to bring my collection, which she fell in love with. She now has her own set! And I love pairing this with Emma Bridgewater’s hearts. With the private label tea, and A Fine Romance for ambiance, it’s a tea party in waiting! Thank you for such a great give giveaway!
Donna
Southern California
Love, love, love your blog, home, products, books style, kitchen, all you do, loved reading A Fine Romance.
Oh Dear—My teapot and teacup collection would be so happy to have your heart tea pot sitting amongst them.
Susan, your emails make my day.
Come by for some tea & toast anytime.
Your post today inspired me to take a moment for a relaxing cup of tea – thank you! You are such a breath of fresh air in the midst of this busy life. Ahhhh…
What a cute tea pot! We celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family and this would be a cute addition to our party!
Love, love , love your blog, home, products, style, books, home on and on…. I decorate my home like a little English cottage…. hope I win!!!
I have been a devotee of yours for years. Even before I discovered your blog i loved your stickers and papers for making cards and scrapbooking. I would absolutely faint if I won your prizes. I love all things English and all things Branchish. Please tell vanna to dig in the barrel till her fingers stick to this submission.
Thank you, Susan, for this breath of fresh air on a rainy day in GA! Would love to win this teapot (and the other goodies) to serve my husband and me at our 4 o’clock teatime.
That teapot is to die for….love it .What a great giveaway , hope I am lucky.
I am so inspired by your post to get started on some new decorations for Valentine’s day. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!
Thank You for making our days brighter with all of your fun ideas and wonderful art! I have all your books and calendars and have given your books to several friends – they’ve become fans, too! You’re such a fun “friend” to have!
Along with the many others who have commented, I, too, hope to be a lucky winner. I’ve admired that teapot forever! Nothing cuter, and So Susan Branch!
What a wonderful way to brighten dreary winter here in Michigan. I would soooo love to win this, Thanks for the opportunity
I would like to enter the contest to win the Beautiful Heart Teapot, i absolutely Love it, i Love all Susan Branch items, When i receive your blogs in my email and i read them i am completly inspired and get in a happy mood, I Love you Susan Branch!!!
Oh, dear Susan, another lovely giveaway! I have a friend who lives in California (I’m in Indiana) – we have been friends since we were 14 and we are soooooooo close to 65 it is scary. Her 97 year old mother has been ill and my friend, Diane, and her sister, have been taking turns staying with her at home. She would just go bonkers over A Fine Romance, while drinking tea!!! It would give me such pleasure to gift her your lovely giveaway. Love your painting for your friend’s birthday also! Such a wonderful talent God has blessed you with and then you share it with all of us – blessings everywhere!!
Susan – Thanks so much for smoothing words. It’s been hectic and scary since the day after Christmas at my house. Husband has been in the hospital twice. I’ve learned through all this to enjoy every moment we have with our loved onces, you never know when the moments will end. My love Steve is recovering now and for that I’m so grateful. I’ve also learned to take a little time for myself. A small pot of tea, a little relaxing and a book keep me going during these hard times. Thank you.
Dear Susan –
I can’t even tell you how much your blog brightens my day — the happiest moments in my workday are the times I allow myself to check in to see if there is a new post or image! This latest post did not disappoint– they never do — but this was so lovely. And your portrait of your friend is adorable — a lifelong treasure for the lucky recipient who enjoys not only your talent, but your friendship as well.
Linda
I would love to win, we had our storage taken to say it nicely. Everything gone our entire house hold full of stuff , we were going to move n every thing was take even my things Susan Branch. So I have to get another book A fine Romance since now I have NONE it makes me so depressed I have to keep reminding my self that it was only STUFF , but it was my stuff and beautiful to say the least. Well over several hundred thousand Dollars worth of art n things. I would never do that to any one Oh well don’t want to get sad today so please would love the book Sue and you know who I am since I was in one of your Willards a few years back Love to you Thank you ahead of time. Would love the recipe for those brownies that Rachael makes. Loved that pic of Paul and Happy Birthday to him . Joe looks so handsome in his Beret well he matches you A beautiful Girl that’s you Sue love to you both n the fur balls too .. Love Cheyenne in Henderson Nv XXX
I hope I win so we can can use the tea and teapot at my baby shower! Thanks for having the drawing! It is very nice of you!
Congratulations, Jan ! And I feel like I won because I just loved the idea of using it for passwords and I cleaned out my computer area and found an address book I had never used….not as nice as yours, but I can fix that with a couple of Susan Branch stickers ! Also, already posted, but want to be in the mix as I love the teapot, too. This past Sunday my dear husband and I started the tradition of pulling out the two real tea cups and saucers I have and putting them on a tray in front of the fire with the last of the Christmas cookies to enjoy with Downton Abbey. I just needed Bates to serve !!! Hope to win…it will make the tray even more special. Thank you, Susan, for your continual treats !
I love, love, love, everything you do-I want to be just like you, but I can’t draw or paint or cook very well, but I try and have all your books. I think I might just try to make one recipe a week and see if I can do it! Anyway, I love tea, and love that adorable tea pot! How exciting it would be to win. Thank you,♥️
Your posts are not only entertaining but beautiful!! Look forward to any and everything you do..And I do love Emma Bridgewater items!! What fun it would be to win.
Sweetie pie I forgot to ask you Where did you get the teapot you take with you on the train. The electric Tea pot the name and if you remember the round about cost I need one that size n that looks cute , Thank you dear Have the best week ever love to you XXX Cheyenne in Henderson Nv
I got it long ago, in a drug store, on the way to catch a train, a last minute addition!
What a treat to read your blog! It brightens my day every time. Lucky Paul to have such a special birthday present painted by you! I love your darling Heart Teapot! You have inspired me to have a Valentine tea party! Thank you so much for being you!
What a beautiful, open, giving heart you have…..Lovely gift for your dear friend, and what an amazing wonderful give away !
I would love to be entered in the contest for the sweet little teapot. I can think of nothing more pleasant for Valentine’s day than tea and cake with my husband of 55 years. I enjoy your posts tremendously and look forward to many more. Thank you.
Once upon a time, long, long ago… before blogs, the Internet, Facebook, and e-mails… girlfriends communicated over a cup of tea or through handwritten letters. My sister-in-law and I were those girlfriends. Each birthday we would gift one of your books or calendars to each other… having been Susan Branch fans from the very beginning of your career. Well… time has marched on, my sister-in-law moved to Maine… miles away from me… and has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I travel a few times a year to visit and chat over a cup of tea. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to pour our favorite brew from the sweet tea pot and read your book together??? Thank you so much for being a part of our lives.
Thank you, Susan for your wonderful blog. I have been a follower for a long time. 🙂
I love your valentine table, would love to have a breakfast like that!
Hi Susan, Please enter me in the drawing for the teapot, the tea and best of all a signed copy of your wonderful book! Your description of your visit to Beatrix Potter’s home made me feel as though my friend Arden and I were there again seeing the same things you were seeing and feeling the same things you were feeling. It makes me smile every time I read it! Thank you!
Am I too late to the party? For some reason I’m no longer receiving your posts. I will sign up again. Love your blog and everything in it. Happy day to you. Patty
Hello Susan,
Oh my goodness! Your posts are always such a delight! I loved seeing the photos of Rachel and Paul. He looks very handsome in his beard and mustache! The painting/frame you made for Paul is fabulous! I’m sure he and Rachel will treasure it forevermore! And boy, oh boy, what a fabulous giveaway! Happy New Year! All the best in 2015! xx
Rosinda (from Canada)
Oh my!! They are going to ADORE that picture. Your art work is define as usual. I would love to have the teapot because I would put it in my granddaughters hope chest. (Who has hope chests anymore??) I talked to my daughter and we decided we were going to start one for her. For some strange reason when I find people I like or even good friends and family I buy them a teacup and saucer. (I always say..’let’s spread the tea!) Lol. A teapot, tea cup and good tea to me are the epitome of what good friendship is….warm and cozy. Here’s to re-newing Hope Chests and filling it with embroidered pillow cases, China, quilts, your books! And all sorts of wonderful stuff.
Your blog and books are a respite for my soul in this world. Thank you for writing and painting and sharing. Would love to win this giveaway. I already have the book, but I have someone in mind that I would love to give it to! 🙂
St. Valentine’s day is such a wonderful respite in the middle of winter. I especially love tucking love notes into my children’s lunch bags and making them heart-shaped, chocolate chip pancakes before school. Hooray that this year it’s on a Saturday! Perfect for a leisurely day, and tea and cake in the afternoon. Hugs to you, Sue, and all the girlfriends out there.
We had tea parties (no tea bags allowed only loose tea) when I was a kid. Little did we know that my Mother and Grandmother were giving us lessons in manners, but still have very fond memories.
Love the birthday picture and your bog.
Peace and Blessings
Martha
Please enter me in the drawing to win the book.
Its snowing and a good book is what we need around here.
Hi Susan, Please enter me into the teapot and tea giveaway. I already have A Fine Romance and I have purchased several for girlfriends…I love the cookies too, they are a treat of ours! Ciao, Terry
Would love to win this giveaway. The tea pot is lovely! Thank you Susan.
Love your blog! Very warming ❤️
Thank you for the smile this morning! Your post was so inspiring! I’m trying to give up coffee for tea this year….. what a timely giveaway! 🙂
How adorable the painting of Paul is! He’s going to love it!!!
I dont know if my last reply went through so im re-entering, Im a big fan of Susan Branch, Love reading her blogs!!!
Oh I love hearts and have admired this teapot since I first saw it on your table! What a precious gift you made for your friend Paul. That is a teasure. He’s gonna love it!
I’m sure Paul will cherish the painting forever. Happy Birthday Paul
Oh my goodness! I haven’t visited in quite a while and here you are giving away some of my favorite things! Looking forward to seeing what else you cook up to brighten our dreary Massachusetts winter!
Hi Susan,
What a treat to open my email and find a post from you! Such fun to read and the comments are priceless too. Just got a new Emma Bridgewater catalogue today and found the perfect engagement gift for my friend’s son – the Mr. And Mrs. Mugs from the Toast and Marmalade line! I think you would love them too!
Nancy
Oh, how I love your blog entries! A long time ago I fell in love with your watercolors and now I love seeing them in your blog posts. A tea lover also, I haven’t yet tried your lavender and roses petal tea, but would love too, especially if I could brew it in a cute heart covered tea pot (hint, hint, pick me!). From your last post, I had to read the background on Jack because he is so cute. We currently only have a small terrier, no kitty, and sure miss our Miss Moppet who lived to be almost 18 years. She was a sweet, sweet kitty.
Hi Susan, I loved reading this post! And, I love your gift to Paul-it’s perfect. I know he’ll swoon when he gets it and it will become a treasured keepsake. My last name being Lucas, I wonder if we’re somehow related way back since my family originated from the UK. I have tried the lemon cookie recipe and it is definitely a keeper. So glad you put it in A Fine Romance. Thanks for the chance, it’s an awesome giveaway!
Would not be a bit surprised!
I love the book and would love to have the tea pot as it would go with my pretty dishes. They would match deliciously. I already have chosen who to give the book to if I should win!
A Valentine Breakfast party! What a nice idea. A nice idea just for two, also. 😉
As I was reading your blog, I thought to myself that I want to have that teapot! And although I bought the book for a friend, I never did get one for myself. So I would love to have both with the tea, as well. What a wonderful prize it would be to win these. Then I could proceed with my plans to have a tea party soon.
It is a very grey day here in NC! I am enjoying my cuppa Earl Grey and wishing for that lovely teapot! I must have a tea party for Valentine’s!
Your Valentine Giveaway would make it a very Happy one
to WIN and have a little Tea Party with my girlfriends with
my new Heart Teapot and your Tea and of course, I’d have
to whip up a batch of a Ray’s Cookies! Since I already have
an autographed version of your book, I would have to become
Vanna and draw a girlfriend’s name to give your VD prize to
one of them! I do relish the suspense!
Thxs for your new entertaining Blog and Giveaway! I was in
Sales for 30 yrs so I love contests!
ahhhhh….such good timing to offer us a gorgeous teapot during these cold. winter months!! Everytime I spot this beauty in one of your pictures I tell myself how nice it would be to own one. Just returned from 2 thrift shops with heart-shaped candy dishes which means will gift someone with one. Your wonderful painting is really something. Lucky Paul. Keep warm from your pre-warmed shoes to your cute hat with the ball fringe. Making Amtrak reservations for Florida trip tomorrow. Be the Good Lord willin & the creek don’t rise!!
Oh! My daughter Bella and I would just LOVE to have a tea party with that lovely tea pot! Crossing our fingers and toes here in our own version of Smallville that Vanna picks us!!
Thank you for entering me in the giveaway! On this “ocean effect” snowy day on the Cape, didn’t feel like driving to the grocery store to get something for supper so decided on burgers from the freezer. Whenever I read your posts, I think of Gladys Taber and I thought I remembered a recipe she called “Louella’s Goop” that she put on burgers. The internet/Google is a miraculous thing! Found the recipe right away so our frozen burgers will be dressed up and fancy.
Love your ideas & creativity! And can’t wait to read A Fine Romance! My mum loved England as well – because of our heritage and love of the country, people and antiques. Thank you for sharing your love & fun!
Hi! My daughter Janet is entering me because I don’t have internet or an email address. Imagine that! I have been a fan for years. I enjoyed your recipe pages in Country Living in the eighties. Keep up the great work!
p.s. Vanna, please pick my mom. It would be such a thrill for her to get this unexpected package in the mail. Janet
I LIVE in Merrills just like yours…they’re wonderful. A couple of years ago I bought a pair with fur-like lining…incredible! They’re ALWAYS warm. I’m not sure if they still make those, but it’s worth checking it out!
Mine are those, lambs woolish type fur. But my feet have the power to turn even them to ice on some of these frozen days.
You are an amazing artist! What a special birthday card for your friend Paul. And, I love the new Valentine’s day banner. Thanks for always brightening my day!!
Dear Susan,
I just watched the movie Miss Potter yesterday and was thinking of you! A Valentine’s Tea….hmmm…you do inspire! My husband and I were just looking at the year ahead with your gorgeous 2015 calendar in hand. My favorite thing to do in January is plan new adventures! Valentine’s Day on a Saturday AND on a 3-day weekend AND with Mardi Gras the Tuesday after…if only I could conjure up a trip for 2 to New Orleans. ;o) A girl can dream. More likely scenario, candlelit dinner for 4. My kids get a kick out of candlelight dinners with MUSICA (by Frank Sinatra).
Best wishes,
Julie in Columbus, OH
To me, that would be a very great gift you give your children! They will grow up and say, “You won’t believe what my mom did when we were kids!”
Oh I do love your blog…..it cheers me immensely. This week has been not a cup of tea per day,but a cup every hour. I just might need that teapot to handle the overflow.
I love your wall calendar and I do take a deep breath at night and make a wish for the world,
It needs good wishes now more than ever.
Love you for doing that. I believe it helps.
What talent! Loved the card. We have an Iowa landscape watercolor friend, John Preston, who always sends my kids a Birthday card every year….so special! I smile sure Paul will be thrilled! Oh, Valentine’s Day…my favorite holiday. I was thinking of you when I baked up a batch of sugar cookies today…new recipe. I cut in heart shapes and frosted…waiting for college kids to return home and taste test! Whoever wins teapot…will be lucky! Crossing fingers in Iowa…
Donna
PS, my daughter, Spenser, and I were reminiscing fondly of meeting you in September a year ago…she said it ‘was a perfect birthday gift!’
Love to you both, Donna!
Congratulations to Jan – what a lucky you are. Loved the above post about Beatrix Potter, Gladys Taber and Susan Branch – so totally agree with her.
“There are many mansions in heaven and I hope mine is next to yours.” Judy C
Imagine the wisdom between those two!
Whoever said, If you have a good book and hot cup of tea, you don’t need anything else, must have been reading about your give away! I always look forward to reading your sweet blog!
I love following your blog and seeing everything you create. I wish I could decorate my whole house with your creations. It would be so bright and happy. Thank you for sharing your heart and your talent with us! <3
I always enjoy reading your blog and I love your artwork that always goes along with your words. You are very talented indeed. Your friends are going to love receiving your very special birthday gift.
What a great idea….a Valentine’s tea party for the girls. And I know I could amaze my guests with lots of treats they’ve never had before like those lemon cookies you mentioned. That teapot would sure be a nice addition too (wink, wink).
Loved the addition of the hat on your friend Paul. Perfect!
Living in Michigan’s “Beautiful” Upper Peninsula, I look forward to Valentine’s Day as the perfect foil for the “winter blahs”. Having a heart-covered tea pot, lavender and rose petal tea and a fresh new copy of “A Fine Romance” tucked into my mail box would go far in helping Spring feel but a moment away. Thank you, dear Susan, for your gifts from the heart of the home.
Your blog posts are such a special treat. I would love to win the tea pot so I could have a special tea party with my four BFF’s. We get together each month to craft, chat and drink tea. I love all your books especially “Girlfriends.”
Wow! What a wonderful giveaway!! I love tea and I love teapots and I already have your book, so then I could give the copy (if I win) to my gf. You make me giddy with excitement!! Love your artwork! You are awesome!!
This is just wonderful! My and my husband’s 10th anniversary is January 29th! We get a few weeks of romance for valentine’s day every year (not that he isn’t romantic the rest of the year, but I theme it up then 😀 ). I absolutely LOVE you Valentine tablescape as well!
Happy Anniversary Koreena!
Susan, Lucky Paul, living in England and a new treasure arriving from you. How wonderful. When the photo came up, Paul and the iron; so understand why you must create that Dapper Paul his own portrait. I must confess, I was thinking about a Valentine Pie Party. Tomato basil soup, and then PIE. I am going to give them each a pie pan for their dish, lined with doilies because of you, and what pie slices they do not eat, they can take home. I have your Valentine and Sweets books out today looking for pie recipes. Probably not a dozen like the summer pie party, but at least a half a dozen. Come join us. Drinda said to tell you hi. Happy painting, happy creating and happy sharing. Thank you. Love and bunny hugs, Shirley
I have a Banana Cream Pie to die for on page 127 of Heart of the Home. . . also, an amazing Sweet Potato Pie (with a crunchy pecan topping) on page 141 of Vineyard Seasons. Just in case you’re looking for recipes!
Susan, Thank you for telling me the pages and book titles for pies. I have them and will add them to the Valentine Pie Party.These will be perfect. I will credit you and you will be part of the party. I have had a sick granddaughter for two days and was behind on my search. Love and bunny hugs to all of you. Shirley
Love my cup of tea every evening after work, this would be great to win.
Your artwork always makes me smile. It’s so cheerful. That’s why I love your calendars. I also love that you handwrite them and your books. It really makes them special.
That teapot is lovely! A Fine Romance is the one book I don’t have yet. So I would love to win. Then I could brew a pot of tea and sit down for a great read.
Dear Susan………..oh my goodness…………..I have always loved that teapot! Can’t believe it………..hoping I’m lucky this time. In any event, so enjoyed your birthday card you drew for your friend. What a lucky guy and such great friends. I just might have to think about having a nice Valentine’s Tea! My sister is visiting from CO and we went out to a tea room today. It was so delightful. We also visited an Alpaca farm and gift shop. They are darling animals…………..just so sweet.
Enjoy the rest of your calendar painting. With hugs and love, Gail xoxo
Have a wonderful visit with your Sis, Gail!
What perfect timing today! I took an afternoon tea break with my Emma Bridgewater mug and read lovely your post. I think it’s time I make a batch of the lemon butter cookies — they sound so yummy!
Loved your book( from the Library) would love to own my own copy.
I must make those lemon cookies. Perhaps the tea pot will follow.
Paul will treasure that birthday card.
Hi Susan,
I can’t wait to order the Valentines – so cute! Loved your letter and photos. I adore Merrills and wear them a lot. Nope, they aren’t sexy but so comfy.
I’m always thrilled when you post a new letter on your blog. An update on you, Joe and furry ones makes my day happier.
We have had lots of cold weather out here in Naperville, IL. But, I think a warm up is headed our way. SADIE dog can’t wait for a long walk.
I’ve been reading a lot lately and Crossing to Safety by Stegner was wonderful. I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it yet.
Be Well-
What do you mean they’re not sexy, she cries. then laughs. and says, oh, well. And goes to get the warm ones. xoxo Starr.
I would so love to win your Valentine giveaway! I only just discovered your blog today as I followed the address from Amazon after ordering A Fine Romance. Your 2015 wall calendar graces my wall and lifts my spirits just as your blog did today. I look forward to reading the book when it arrives tomorrow and you’ve inspired me to have a Valentine tea~ the perfect antidote to the winter cold and short daylight hours. Thanks for the gift of you and your unique talents.
Hope you like it Barbara! Nice to meet you!
It’s perfectly lovely just lovely! And I would love a hearts teapot to match my mug, and special tea to brew, and my own copy of A Perfect Romance. I did buy a copy, to give away, to my good friend with whom we have traveled to England 3 times! She absolutely loved the book, and so did I, having read a library copy, I am a librarian, afterall, retired now, but not then. And anyway, librarians never retire from loving books!
This is a true thing!
Awesome post! Loved all the photos.
Winter is ever so much easier to move through on the ‘wet coast’ (Steveston BC) when your words, so positive, pop up in my email. I still have the letter you wrote me. In the. ’90’s, your drawing of 2 swans on the front. We too enjoy the birds who come to our many feeders & suet hung about…the one visited on our living room window knocks the ‘thinking’ out of our heads & brings us present which is always a better place to be.
I just put your Chirstmas book away. Our neighbours 11 yr old was by for a visit & I had to share that book with her. She is a Susan Branch fan in the making!
So thank you Susan. You make a lovely difference in my world. ❤️ Mary Lou
I remember your name Mary Lou! Nice to hear from you!