‘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!♥
Thank you for the music. I have always loved Perry Como. It wouldn’t be Christmas without listening to his LP. Love your books. Love tea time, and I would love a chance for the teapot. It is cold in Maine this January.
Susan, your blogs are so incredibly inspiring. I love to read them. You help my creative juices start to flow. I am totally in awe of your talent. How fortunate your friends are to receive a hand painting for their birthdays. You are a blessing to many of your girlfriends❤️
Susan, Please enter me in the contest for the teapot and tea and the signed copy of your book. I have one already but I would love a signed copy. I have been following you since I first saw your drawings and recipes in Country Living. I still have those pages in clear folders and inserted into your recipe binder. Love your writing and your drawings. Thank you for giving us this beautiful art.
I’ve been a huge fan of yours for over twenty-five years – oops, now you know how long we’ve been around! As a librarian, I bought your book, ‘Christmas from the Heart of the Home’ for my library…then one for me! My library and I have nearly every book you’ve written, plus I buy your calendar every year as well as a pocket one.
I recently received a set of Johnson Bros. china that belonged to my Aunt Lee, who was also my Godmother. This teapot would compliment the set perfectly.
Thank you for your creations – they brighten my life.
Your blog entries always whirl me away to another place and more dreams. When a new entry appears, two friends and I email back and forth so none of us misses it. I love that Friends of Susan Branch on FB always gives the heads up!
So love reading your blog….and love the thoughts of another chance to capture a prize!!!
Congratulations, Jan! And thank you, Susan, for another lovely post. I was so happy to see it in my e-mail today. You have such a gift for spreading happiness–you should be given a title–like the felicific warrior 🙂
How exciting! I love, love, love hearts and romance. A real mush. That’s me. Your card for your English friend Paul was wonderful! A real keeper. He looks like a real keeper too.
Question for Susan and girlfriends: My local honey is turning crystalized. Any suggestions as to why and what I can do? Is it cold? I just know someone has an answer for this. Thanks!
Susie,
Have you tried sitting the jar (or bottle, whatever container the honey is in) in a pan of hot water? I’m not sure why honey crystalizes, but I remember this was always my Mom’s remedy for it. It may need to sit quite a while. I honestly don’t remember how long, but I’ve done it before and it does work. And I also remember that she said to take the top off the honey when it is sitting in the pan…also not sure why that is, but I do it and it works! 🙂
Good luck!
Pam’s advice is good! My parents kept bees as a hobby. Some honey tends to crystallize, some won’t…..I don’t think bee keepers know why. But gently warming the honey will liquefy it again and should solve your problem….and it won’t affect the flavor.
Thanks Chris!
Thank you Pam!
I think it’s because too much air is getting into the bottle. It tends to happen with the plastic lids. Transfer your honey to a glass jar, place in a pot of hot water and let it sit until the crystals are gone. Then seal it tightly and store in a dark cool place. I typically buy my honey in bulk from Sam’s Club and it comes in a very large plastic bottle. The first thing I do when I get home is transfer it to a half gallon mason jar and make sure the lid is on tight. It’s never crystallized on me. Glass is so much better for a lot of things, but especially for honey. 🙂
Thank you Ashley! I’ll try that too!
i love the teapot. It would go perfectly in my dining room. I gave miniature teapots and minature cup & saucers on a tree in my corner. I’m sure the tea is delicious & I’d live to nave your book. Please pick me
I received your first cookbook for my birthday back in 1987 from my twin BFF’s and I’ve been a fan ever since then. Thank you so much for all you do! Reading your blog makes my day!
What a delightful give-a-way!!!! Thank you for the opportunity!
love your bird at the bird feeder. Saw my hummingbird, Buddy, just the other day.
Thanks for a heartwarming blog!! Paul Lucas will be thrilled with his birthday card. A man who irons and calls Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Kimmie is ok by me!!! Stay warm and cozy.
love your work, your name ;), and would L-O-V-E to win!
Hi Susan, I love the tea party invitations! Thanks for sharing them. I think I might like to have a little party. I found a darling Shelley cup and saucer for my Mom 🙂
I just introduced a new friend to your art and blog and she’s hooked! She was so excited to see the pictures from your visit to The Learned Owl.
Stay cozy!
I got my first Emma Bridgewater tea cup for Christmas I was over joyed!! Would love a tea pot to go with it.
Now that you have your own printing Co. wondering if you are going to publish any more of your Christmas memories books? Every Christmas someone in my family asks where they can get one. 2015 will be my last year to log in our Christmas memories 🙁
You have no idea how much your blog helped me today. It had been such a bad day after hearing my best friend has breast cancer. When I saw your blog, it gave me a few minutes to forget that bad news. Thanks for that break. Now, back to the real world.
“The only way to it is through it” Power through this thing together, with deep breaths and amazing grace. This is my prayer. xoxo
i’m so glad to gave found tou on Facebook, Susan. After filling in one of your daybooks a few years ago, I was charmed but only recentlyfound your site. I feel welcomed home! Thank you forbeing so special.
Good, and to make sure, Welcome home Michelle!
Love your the blog. I enjoy seeing all the little sayings (quotes) and how you put your readers right next to you by adding pictures to your descriptions and experiences.
Susan – it’s so nice to be back. It seems like I’ve been out for a “long winter’s nap” and have unfortunately been away from your lovely blogs, which inspire me every time I read them! I can’t wait to order the beautiful Swedish heart garland. Hearts are my favorite! I can’t wait to put my other heart garland around my front door. I was just looking back on last year’s calendar in December and seeing again that you had wished me a “happy birthday” on my calendar on the 19th, when I got to meet you a year ago down in SLO reminiscing looking through my pics on my husband’s phone of meeting you at your book signing. I hope to brew some of my beautiful homemade tea that I brought back from Hawaii last summer in the tea pot I might get to win! How exciting that is! The tea is very delicious and has licorice in it that makes it taste like it’s sweetened and leaves a taste of “sweetness” on your lips when you drink it, so much so that you’d think there was sugar in it, but there isn’t. I would love to send you some. It tastes even better iced! 🙂 Gotta go now…your faithful friend – Ramona from Atwater in the Central Valley of Sunny ole oops I mean “foggy” ole Central Valley of California. 🙂
<3 your books, your art, your humour, the teapot, Earl Grey tea, and the little red cardinal, since we don't see them in our part of the world….. 🙂
I love spending time on your website….reading and re-reading everything. But the art is what keeps me happy. I am in awe of your drawings and Paul is a very lucky guy to get a treasure like that from you! Everything you are interested in has become an interest of mine, which makes the day fun to see what else I can find out about all the prospects. I love teapots and have a few in my kitchen and would enjoy a new addition to the set. I have friends I would love to gift with A Fine Romance as I have one of the first you gave out and treasure it daily. So thankful you share your life with us! And the musica is fantastic! I wait with anticipation for the next blog! Thank you!
Love you Bonnie!
Dear Susan, Love your blog! I didn’t think anyone else watched Downton Abbey episodes 3 times for details that might have been missed. Would love to win the Valentine’s giveaway. I already have your book, but I would give the copy to my granddaughter who grew up having afternoon tea since she was 3 and listens to me rave about things English. The teapot would go nicely with my pink Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles, collected over years at flea markets and yard sales. Please keep sharing your words and drawings, they are so very special. Be blessed.
My husband and I sat today planning our summer trip to the UK. One of our stops will be the Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke on Trent. So excited! My husband has enjoyed A Fine Romance also. I still need to read the driving part to him as I announced that I will probably be making lots of noises from my side of the car
It’s good he should know and prepare himself. It’s nice that he understands that he is not alone in the car, that your imminent death matters to you, and so saying a little something now and then is to be expected.
What a nice picture of your friend! You are so talented…
. I love your artwork, calendars, recipe books and everything you do. The teapot is adorable and I would love to win it….thanks for having the draw!
hello Susan, what a doll you are! I can’t decide what I like more, reading your blog or this precious teapot. Well I just decided! Your blog. Simply too gorgeous and fun to stop reading till the very end! However, my dog park friends and I would certainly love to use that pot for a Valentine tea party. We enjoyed a Christmas T’wine after reading about yours. Tea and wine are a new institution around here now!
They belong together, like cake and ice cream!
Susan,
I love everything you do! When I’m feeling down and out (from lupus
Sending best wishes and strongest prayers xoxox
Your blog is always such a warm cozy ray of sunshine in my FREEZING cold WI winter 🙂 I’d LOVE to win that gorgeous prize. Thanks for all you bring to our lives!
Thank you for the delightfulness you provide with all your charmingness. I would be so grateful to be blessed with any of your whimsical creations! God bless you!
Oh, my Susan ! You’re getting me in the mood for Valentine’s Day already ! I love giving “tea parties” for my two little Granddaughters and would love to have the “the darling teapot” for a Valentine’s Day tea party…..I would keep the sweet “tea tin” for myself and give the
“wonderful book” to my daughter. See how many people you would make happy ! 🙂
Take care, Helen
Please and thank you, so very much……xoxo
Hi Susan, It all started with your cookbooks, of which I have all of them. Then there was Willard, and now your Blog to enjoy as much as possible. You got me buying up as many Beatrix Potter figurines as possible from Ebay and Gladys Taber books,too. I bet I was competing with fellow Susan Branch fans over the items I wanted. It’s remarkable how much you can collect once you get obsessed over something. The photos of your home are eye candy for me. It made me realize that it’s okay to display the things you love. I am much happier once I made that connection with my brain. Thank you for that! Yes, I also love tea!
I’d love to win! This cold weather is the perfect time to sit down with a cup of tea and a chance to read your book. A nice glass of “Kimmie” would do the trick too
I collect tea pots and this is adorable. Just finished a cup of chai tea, yum. would like to try your blend.
You had me at Earl Grey Lavender tea! As much as I have loved
And adored you and your blog for a few years, this is very first
Time to ever comment on yours, or anyone’s! First one I open
Every morning and pray to see pop up and make my day! Born in
NH, grew up there till I 17, and been landlocked in Mo.
For last 24 years, after living N,E,S, W, but East is best! Lord knows
Why I shared all this, but felt lead to finally extend my compliments
To one so deserving of admiration for such creativity, imagination, and kind heart.
Happy to meet you Karen! xoxo Thank you ~ come back soon!
Oh hearts on a teapot and a tea party. Wouldn’t that just make for a perfect Valentine’s day. Paul is very, very lucky to receive such a charming birthday gift.
I adore teapots. One can never have too many me thinks….
Smiled all the way through your lovely post, then laughed out loud at “Someone who simply needs an airing”…what a great expression! Hope you won’t mind if I borrow it!
Not at all. Joe looks at me every so often, says, “Get dressed, we’re going out, you need an airing!” I always do as I’m told. (In this particular case anyway, “always” would be a stretch!)
Hi Susan,
How thoughtful of you to have ANOTHER giveaway so soon. = ) You are so kind and such an inspiration. = ) Thanks for being sUe.
I could just live on this page all day! How lovely to have so many followers – and there are no even-slightly-negative reviews and comments! Love from New Hampshire
No, I think negative people are positively grossed out by us! 🙂 Yay!
LOL…love it!
Me too!
Oh Susan – what could be more perfect than a tea set, tea and “A Fine Romance”? I would love to have them – fingers crossed!
Your friends Ray and Rachel look like a lot of fun – and your picture of Ray is spot on! So nice to have such good friends on the other side of the pond!
Thank you for brightening our days with your blogs! With all the craziness going on in our world these days, it is so nice to be able to wrap ourselves up in your pictures and words. You truly lead a charmed life! We are happy to share in a part of it!
Susan, you are sooooooo generous! I wish I could give as many in our church raffle – I contribute a Bible – and people are happy to win it! Good luck to all!
Just loved reading your interesting news today.. and the card you made is just darling! Oh to be able to draw like that! You are so gifted. That red polka dot teapot is “the cat’s meow” as my mom used to say!
I started a Valentines Tea Party tradition a few years ago and would love to serve your tea in the charming heart covered teapot! We do a teacup exchange too…it is alot of fun. I love your cookbooks and whimsical art…keep up your beautiful work. ♡
HI Susan,
I was happy to see you post when I checked my email during a few quiet moments on the train on the way home from work. And what a fun read. When “A Fine Romance” was published, I didn’t have my own romance story but I remember meeting Paul and Ray in its pages (love the tea party in the stream). What a fab painting of Paul! What a great birthday present! Well, this last October I got engaged to be married for the first time. I’ve been young for a long time 🙂 and had pretty much given up finding romance but it happened in spite of me. My birthday is just before Valentine’s Day so I’ve always had and loved hearts on everything. So this will be a special Valentine’s Day for me with my own fine romance! Thanks for always keeping romance in the world for all of us!
Love, love, my Susan Branch…blog, books, calendars, recipes and WILLARD!!!
You introduced me to Emma Bridgewater and I’m now proud to own a couple of her charming cups. A local shop carries her pottery, but I have never been able to splurge on a tea pot. I absolutely promise to throw a Valentine’s Day party if I’m the lucky girlfriend! 🙂
You are fabulous and so upllliiifffting! Thank you!
Oh Susan! You were in rare form today! Your muses are certainly in touch with what all of the girlfriends long to hear. Of course, I have A Fine Romance, but I will happily gift a new one to my girlfriend that is retiring in June to travel to the Motherland……the British Isles! I would be honored to steep the tea in that delightful pot and serve it to my hubby who is a recent devotee to tea.
Much love and thanks for the gracious gift offers you always provide.
What a wonderful way to brighten the winter blues! The heart teapot is just so adorable! It would certainly make my day to win! I love your posts, Susan. They’re a bright spot in my day.
I love your art, Susan Branch! It is very special and personal, and close to my heart.
My husband and I graduated from Boston University in 1987 and on July 4th of that year he left Marine Corps officer training to come see me on Martha’s Vineyard where I was visiting my sister and her husband with the rest of my family.
At twelve noon, he suggested we take a walk on our friends, the McGuinesses property. My yellow pin striped yellow sundress kept blowing open in back and I was walking one hand in his, the other holding my dress down.
When we reached the water, we sat and watched other people enjoy the water and then he initiated the conversation about spending our lives together, opened a ring box and proposed!
I had, just two nights prior , reached the conclusion in my journal that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Michael and so I looked at him in amazement and replied with an assured “yes!”
That was 27 years ago. We never get to Martha’s Vineyard anymore seeing as it is so far away and we no longer live in Boston.
But your art…it takes me right back to the ferry, cross the bay and reminds me of those sweet, sweet days of early love. (Later love is very sweet, too!)
I remember our college visits to my sister: the walks, the bike rides, a baked good, and I just ponder on how fortunate I am to have such a sweet story. And your art captures something special about it, somehow. Every cherry, cupcake, teapot, flower reminds me of the time and place that will always be special to us.
I just love it.
Wonderful story Evelyn! Thank you!
Another Adorable, Beautiful blog by a Cutie Full of Charms! Hehe…couldn’t resist! Your giveaway is Darling and Exciting, too! Would love to share it with my annual Valentine Tea guests! I must buy one of Janie’s Swedish heart banners. They would go so well with my dining room Swedish theme I use at Christmas and Valentine’s. ♥ Thank you for making my day in my own Smallville even better! 🙂
That card for Paul was awesome. Love the banners also I think the snow is good for your creativity. Stay warm Susan
Such a lovely, generous give-away! Sure hope that Vanna has MY name in her silver-manicured fingertips!
You are just SO creative! I sure wish I had gifts you have. I have no doubt that Paul will love his picture! And I would LOVE to win the Valentine’s giveaway. I hope you have a happy day!
Your blog is an ahh moment in words and art. I’m sure Paul Lucas and family will be awed by this beautiful painting!!!
Your website brightens my day every time I read it! I have an old house (1894) in a small town in Pennsylvania. It is not nearly as dear as yours but I keep trying (although it is white with black shutters). Thanks for all of your photos and ideas. My parents have both passed away and I use your books as my “mother wisdom” that I so desperately need sometimes. I have five children and sometimes I need to sit and hear the birds tweet on your page and drink a cup a tea! Please enter me in the drawing!
Blessings on your own “Mother Wisdom.” xoxo
What a beautiful card for your friend! He will feel special indeed! Thanks for hosting another fabulous giveaway–that is so generous of you! This prize would be perfect for using to host a girlfriends Valentine’s tea!
WOW!!! What a wonderful giveaway! I think I have some measuring bowls that will match that teapot. I use them all year long just because they make me smile. I’d really be smiling if I won a matching teapot, not to mention your tea. I keep meaning to get some but have yet to get around to it. I do have a copy of your wonderful book, but it just so happens that we’re having Stitchin’ Camp the weekend of Valentine’s so that copy would make an excellent door prize for one of my campers. I’m crossing my fingers now and hoping my little slip of paper is the one that pops out of the bucket.
Vanna gets the easy part, choosing the name of the winner ~ it’s me that has to do the hard thing . . . telling everyone . . . wish I had a couple hundred, or thousand, tea pots!
I know that teapot would love to come live at my house:) Thanks for the opportunity for it to live with me. Love the “Paul” card…it is exceptional and very charming. He’s a lucky friend.
I thought I would check my inbox really fast this afternoon. What a pleasant surprise to have such lovely mail for a Wednesday afternoon! 😉 I am having a tea party for my granddaughter (who is 4 and the sweetest thing ever) to celebrate our birthdays! She will be turning 5 and I will be turning 50. Your invitation is just perfect!!! I have already downloaded. Thank you so much.
Everything you paint, pen, or post is like sweet peppermint tea to my drizzly January days. Thank you, Susan!
it.is.truly.the.little.things.that.mean.the.most.
thank you for reminding me.
Tea & A Fine Romance=Perfection!!
Would LOVE to win. I would have a tea party with my daughter, BFF & her daughter for valentines day.
I would love to serve tea from your wonderful teapot….and about those Merrell’s, I also have 2 pair, there is nothing warmer or more comfortable. I wear them around the house as slippers!
Susan: you are a breath of fresh air–I love your posts!
Love that teapot! I gave A Fine Romance to all my girlfriends for Christmas! The perfect gift! I would love to win that teapot!
So happy you’re home from traveling. Missed hearing from you, although so happy you spent quality time with family. Hope Blog Daddy is well. Wanted you to know that I will be hosting my 4th “Valentine Girlfriend Tea” because of you. My guest list has grown and all ages attend. It’s such a nice tradition.
Your fourth! Fun!
I’m sure Paul will be thrilled with his card. So sweet! Thank you so much for having another drawing so soon after the last one……I hope Vanna picks me one of these days! If not, I’m always excited to see who wins as I know THEY are excited!!!
Oh please oh please pick me! What a treasured gift this would be.
Hearts and kisses from South Jersey <3
What a lovely give-away! I grew up in England and though I have lived in Canada for 30 years +, I still miss it and would love a copy of your beautiful book! Thanks for all your blog posts and give-aways!
Susan I just love the birthday gift what a real treat 🙂 It is cold here in Ca too and I love to drink tea it will warm us right up! You really make my day when I see you have a new post on this wonderful blog where you so sweetly share with all of us girlfriends <3
Earl Grey tea would taste devine in that pretty teapot and your book is on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win this great give-away!
Love, love, love! Already have the book so I’ll give it away 🙂
Love your artwork and witty sayings!
Hi Susan and Girlfriends,
Thanks so much for sharing “A, You’re Adorable.” My mom sang it to me as a little girl, and I sing it to anyone who will listen. Often to my dogs, who tolerate all sorts of serenades with equanimity, bless ’em. And since I am lucky enough to have a pet care business, a lot of client critters get told how lovely they are, too! Thanks, also, for the frequent blog entries this month! So cheering. AND, a final thanks for the cardinal photo. I miss them, since I’ve lived in California (I know, I know, hummingbirds, a good trade!) for 35 years, but my first 24 years were Down East. I adore that you split your time between coasts, so clever of you!
I bet your clients never want to go home!
Susan, I’m wishing-hoping- praying I win the Teapot and Tea Tin. What a wonderful prize. I have the Johnson Rose Chintz dishes (which you inspired me to get).
Hi Susan,
I most certainly remember Ray and Paul from A Fine Romance! He is just so charmingly dapper in that photo (with the scarf) and you captured him perfectly in your portrait. What a treasure that will be for them to have! I am such an Emma Bridgewater fan…in fact I received the new spring brochure today and I am in love with it all as usual. I have a small collection at home and I am always so cheered when I have a cuppa in an EB mug. I do not have a teapot from EB, but I adore that heart one so…what a generous giveaway! Your tea sounds lovely as well! Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!!
Hi Susan!
I have followed you for a long time. I have a file folder full of old Willards that I received from you many years ago. I identify with you in so many ways. I am from the same generation as you, was also born in California, and I moved back east too, although I lived in Pennsylvania. I’m back in California now, but love to remember the beauty of the changing seasons. I read “A Fine Romance” before taking my first trip to Great Britain last year. I took the book along too!! I have always been a tea drinker, but now I am a tea affectionado! I’m introducing my great nieces (3 and 6 years old) to tea with tea parties. The Emma Brdgewater teapot would delight us all so much!
Whether I am selected or not, just know that you are a delight and bring such joy to us all!
Blessings!
I am new discovering your blog, but have been using your cookbooks for years. They are a pleasure to the eye and the taste buds too!
I just love your work–you are awesome and cute and smart and fun. Oh and talented!
Love your blogs, they are always so wonderful. Paul will definitely cherish your birthday card. My father drew a birthday card for my husband many years ago (my Dad was a cartoonist on the side, a policeman the rest of the time) and my husband had it framed and it still hangs in our living room. Every time I see it, I fondly remember my Dad and how he could brighten our days even with a drawing on the outside of an envelope. Not a day goes by I don’t miss him. Would love to win the drawing, teapot for me, book for my sister.
A lovely post and inspiration for a girlfriend create valentines tea party. Thank you!
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and just adore it! I so enjoyed reading A Fine Romance and have reread it many times. My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit Scotland last year, along with London and Paris, for our 30th anniversary. We rented a car and drove all over Scotland. We had to get a larger size car to accommodate our son, who was 16 at the time and 6’5″! My husband drove and can surely empathize with Joe’s trials and tribulations in navigating the narrow roads and those infernal roundabouts! We almost knocked off the left mirror and I kept telling him to “get over!” But we loved the landscape, the castles, and especially the people. I look forward to hearing about your trip to Scotland and to your new book! Visiting Martha’s Vineyard will have to be on our to-do list. It’s beautiful. We haven’t traveled to the other coast, but we will definitely have to make that a priority!
Oh, how I love that teapot!! Got your book for Christmas and was so excited to receive it. How did my brother know I wanted it? lol. Would love to win all the sweet give aways – and would give the extra book to my best friend!!
Susan, I have been lusting after the heart tea pot and cup for a while now…SO cute. And to have the tea tin go with it would be simply divine! I already have the book, so that would be given away to a friend. Please give Vanna my best wishes, and give Jack and Girl Kitty a love rub. Enjoy your cozy wintery weather!
Can’t start the day without my cup of tea. It’s the first thing I do when I get to work. My granddaughter loves to draw. She would love the birthday card. I will have to show it to her.
I love love love the teapot!!!! So beautiful! Of course, I love everything I see on your site!
Love you back, Susan. It is always fun to read your posts. I will put the “Come to tea” invitations to good use. Sharing a warm pot is the ultimate in social gatherings. My favorite way to spend time.
xoxo Pam
Susan! I gobble up your blog, but have never commented…til now. I just can not resist the chance to win these delightful things! I have been a fan for over 20 years and when I first discovered your blog I was exstatic and….a little bit jealous that I no longer had you all to myself!!! I got over it and shared you with one of my best girlfriends, my secretary Mary Ann. She loves you as much as I do, of course! We have fun surprising each other with Susan Branch presents. She gave me A Fine Romance and your last 2 calendars and I’m having fun building her Susan Branch library! One day we will come see you at a book signing! Until then, keep up the great work!
Sharon
Nice to get to meet you “in person” Sharon! Say Hi to Mary Ann!
What a wonderful give away and how marvelous you are. Oh, I would just love to
have that darling teapot. Love your blog and your art work. Marie
(Fingers crossed) Hope its me! Envisioning tea time in that pot with my littles!
I’m fairly sure I’m in love with the Emma Bridgewater teapot! And the delicious tea is such a wonderful bonus, but I must admit . . . I’d just die to get your book, “A Fine Romance”! I’ve bought it twice, but had to give it to someone very dear BOTH times! I’ve resolved to NOT have anyone dear for a while! Not really! But I would love to get your book SOMEDAY . . . even if not in this drawing, it is on my “I need to own” list, along with a tiara! 🙂 Thank you for your wonderful blog . . . what a day brightener!
Carol
Yes, no more someone’s dear! LOL! Generous girl xoxo
Susan. My ❤️ skipped a beat! I love that teapot and would love to use it at my Valentine’s Day Tea Party. Thanks for the opportunity!
My best,
Carol
How lovely to see your postings and read your blog. I’ve been a long-time fan of your drawings and writings. I would definitely have a tea party with my 21 yr old daughter when she’s home from college and we watch Gilmore Girls. While she is the tea drinker, I will gladly join her in a rare cup of tea.
I need to jump start my creative spark. Thanks for writing, creating and encouraging.
Dear Susan,
Your posts brighten my day and put a smile on my face! Thank you for each one that you share with us 🙂
Have a warm and cozy evening,
Katalin
almost done giving little boys their baths. Time to say I love this teapot (pick me, Vanna), and have a glass or two of Kimmie, currently residing in my fridge. Thanks so much for the wonderful post and the giveaway.
Would love to win any of the wonderful prizes. Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh, Dear Susan! Your posts make my heart sing with happiness. You are such a jewel and I am so very happy to read and breathe in every word. Thank you for sharing your artistic gifts with the world. You make the world a much more delightful place to be!
What a wonderful post! Congratulations to the winner of the address books (and her lucky friend!) Valentines Day always puts me in a good mood because it means Spring can’t be that far behind (can it????) : )