My dad says I should blame it all on Vanna. It’s her fault I’ve been away so long! I love the way that sounds. But first thing’s first . . . we need MUSICA to go with our Fairy Tale.
Don’t be mad at us ~ we come bearing gifts . . . I’m sorry I’ve been away so long. I hope I didn’t worry you, I missed you just as much as you missed me! Everyone is happy and healthy around here and keeping out of trouble the best we can. You can see we are surrounded with mini-miracles, Girl and Jack in the same photo!! Yesterday! (Look at his cute folded paws!)
‘Course the whole world is a miracle now that the lilacs are in bloom . . . this is my view out the window from my art table.
Here’s up close and personal, a bee’s-eye view.
Here’s the sky view, lilacs are everywhere on the Island right now ~ it smells wonderful outside!
So here’s more of what’s been happening around here. Besides the fact that we have two new baby squirrels coming to the feeders ~ who won’t hold still for six seconds so I can take their picture, but they are adorable! The tiniest ears in the world.
Our tulips and daffodils bloomed, so perky after that cold winter. You have to call that a miracle!
And then there’s this . . . our ornamental pear tree. I’m very big on spring flowers, I like the shock of it! This does it for me!
We still have a few of these Angelique tulips in bloom . . .
My birthday was perfection, thank you all so much for your well wishes! My dad and his wife Jeanie sent me this darling birdhouse!
And the dogwood did its part by blooming soon after . . .
Heres another photo of the dogwood . . .
When Joe was digging the hole to plant the dogwood, he found that little blue bottle in it. I celebrate that little bottle all the time. Buried treasure! Kind of a fairy tale, don’t you think?
Here’s another picture of the pear . . . I can’t get enough of it. I could live there.
Here it is again, showing off with the weeping cherry and forsythia . . .
And more forsythia, not to be outdone . . .
When we bought this house in 1989, there was a wonderful magnolia in the garden that bloomed every year and made the perfect spring picture for all passers by. In fact, long before I bought this house, I used to drive past it in the spring, just to see all the wonderful flowering trees in bloom. The woman who owned the house before me, Mrs. Bowditch, was a garden lover.
This was her tree, and the legacy she left for us. But one day, this beautiful 
tree up and died, and I’ve mourned it ever since. I know Mrs. Bowditch was looking down from heaven saying, “Susan, Put it back. It’s your job.” It took three years to find the right kind here on the island to replace it with. I wanted the exact same variety. But they didn’t seem to carry it in our nurseries ~ only other varieties, with different flowers. In addition, I find it hard to trust the name tags on the trees, I trust them more if there is a flower I can see.
There was exactly one flower on this one when we found it last year at Vineyard Gardens, but it looked like the right kind!!! So excited, we took a chance and brought it home.
And prayed that it wasn’t some sort of trick. I waited for it to bloom this year, and we got lucky, because it was the right kind! It still has a way to go before it reaches the glory of the original tree, but I am so happy to have this view back! A pure pleasure. Happy Mother’s Day, Mrs. Bowditch.♥ Thank you for the inspiration!
And here we are in the way back . . . enjoying more . . .
Oh yes, we’ve been celebrating by walking through the woods out to the pond and the ocean every day . . .
The leaves are back! We watch seagulls, terns, finches and osprey flit, dive and prey and we do “Morning Science” which always starts with the words, “I wonder why” . . . Big breaths of this air soothes the winter soul. A blessing.
Speaking of blessings, here’s one of the things I missed ~ well, I missed sharing it with you ~ was Princess Charlotte’s Birth Day! Weren’t you thrilled they had a girl? How perfect! And isn’t Kate’s dress adorable?
William and Kate must wake up and pinch themselves every day! Now Kate can shop for baby dresses! Of course we non-royalty types celebrate in our own way, by drinking tea from our new Emma mugs! Not a bad way to go! Too cute! I hope everyone got one . . . Kellee announced their arrival on Facebook . . . I know they’ll sell out from Emma soon, if not already. They always have a limited supply of these special event mugs which is the good news and the bad news!
Another thing I missed with you was . . .
So, Happy Mother’s Day to all of my soul-nurturing Girlfriends. The world wouldn’t be fit to live in 
without you! You are kind of IT. ♥ I just saw a wonderful movie that I think would make the perfect Mother’s Day gift for you. It’s not new, it came out in 2011, so it’s available on Netflix and all kinds of places, even on YouTube. I know you’ll love it. It’s called The Well Digger’s Daughter. It’s French, you have to read subtitles, but it’s easy to get used to and the cinematography is heaven with lovely views of the French countryside. I loved the musica too. And the dad in this movie is wonderful too. Also, the clothes on his five daughters! It’s set just as WWI is beginning. So happy Belated Mother’s Day dearest ones!♥
So where have I been? What is my pitiful excuse? You aren’t buying the Vanna excuse? I didn’t think so.
I’ve been doing this ↑. I’ve been writing our book. I made you a promise to try to have it before Christmas do I decided to put my shoulder into it and make it actually happen. The Musica for today was a hint. I’ve been playing it for inspiration and strength. I think anyone who must march to a finish line would be helped by playing this music.
And this is where I am now. Deep into my watercolors, making new art for our new book, which finally has a name. You’ll be the first to know . . . ready? I’m scared . . . OK, here we go . . .
Here’s the first time I wrote it . . . trying it on for size . . . to be or not to be, that is was the question.
And I liked it! So here’s where I got serious.
And here’s where I started to mean business.
And here’s where there’s no turning back. Yesterday, Kellee posted THE FAIRY TALE GIRL in the web store for presale (everytime I type presale, my auto fix changes it to “resale” and now it’s 
changing autofix to “outfox.” Stop helping me outfox!)
Anyway, this is the book I’ve been trying to write since about 2006 and would not have been happy in life if I didn’t. I had to, even though it’s a completely new thing for me and I had to practice by writing A FINE ROMANCE first. Which was not only fun, but very helpful as far as learning is concerned.
THE FAIRY TALE GIRL began as just one book, but when I added the art and photos and recipes, it was too big, so I had to make it two books ~ The Fairy Tale Girl comes complete with a cliff hanger ~ so very soon we’ll also have the sequel called MARTHA’S VINEYARD, ISLE of DREAMS. And guess what else? They are novels! Based on my diaries.
I know, but it’s true. And this isn’t even all of them! So, of course I’m scared to death! But counting on the fact that
I’m plowing forward despite trepidation. I think you will like it, it’s sort of like the blog only more and longer. For the next month, before it goes to print, I will be digging through old
photographs like this one, laying out my pages in the book with them so you can see what I’m writing about ~ and painting the art so you can go on a little virtual journey with me back to the 1900s. What do you think? A novel with pictures!
For those of you interested in preordering The Fairy Tale Girl, yours will be signed copies and shipped to you first before anyone else ~ as soon after August 15th as possible, on a first-come first-serve basis (because we really never know how many to print of these things). The actual “Publication Date,” when you should be able to find it in stores, is October. That’s so we have time to send books to reviewers.
And now, because I’ve been away so long, and because that was bad, I want to make it up to you by GIVING AWAY the first ten copies of 
THE FAIRY TALE GIRL to ten of YOU! So leave a comment and we’ll have a drawing, and wear poor Vanna out with all the work to choose ten winners! It’s good for her! They’ll ship out the moment they arrive. And BTW, if my Blog is delivered your email address, you need to come here to www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ in order to leave a comment ~ at the very bottom of this post, where you see a row of tiny words, look for “comment,” click there, and voila, leave a comment, and you’ll be entered.
for your support ~ love you Girls.♥ Everyday I’ve thought the same thing as I’ve been writing, “What would the Girlfriends like me to tell them about?” This time it’s a fairy tale, complete with a Prince Charming, a bite of poison apple, and lessons learned! We all have a bit of that fairy tale in us, right? ~ but I’m not telling anymore! Until maybe next time. Previews are only fair. ♥
Have a wonderful day! XOXO
How exciting to anticipate a new book from you! Happy indeed will the winners of your giveaway be!! I have to tell you what we did at work to celebrate the birth of the new royal baby – we threw a tea party on our lunch hour!! 6 of us did a mini pot-luck and it was luverly! (said like Eliza Doolittle). We each brought in a dainty tea cup/saucer, and brought in several types of tea sandwiches, tea pots and selections of tea, scones, homemade jams, pasta salad, mini cheesecakes, fresh fruit, flowers, tablecloths…and of course no paper products, only china plates, cloth napkins, etc. Everyone who walked into the lunchroom was just pea-green with envy (said like Scarlett O’Hara). It was so very fun to do and we thoroughly enjoyed it! 🙂
Brilliant! I love that! Making such a nice day for everyone.
What a marvellous long posting and so full of the joys of spring too… gorgeous, gorgeous blossom! I just had my birthday too, yesterday, and it rained the whole day, but that didn’t dampen my spirits, not a bit! Photography and crochet have been keeping me busy!
The Fairy Tale Girl sounds just lovely!
Happy Birthday Sandra!
Oh, Susan, welcome back!! Truth be told, we were a bit worried about you, and we did miss you. But we were hopeful, patient little souls, and we are so, so happy you held the pedal to the metal with your book…what a perfect title 🙂
Thank you Shannon! I loved doing this post!
Uh oh….we might have broken the preorder links in this post! When I clicked on them it showed me how to make an apron! No problem, though, I ordered one by going directly to the shopping link. Hugs!
I fixed it, just in case!
I don’t know how you get anything done, living in that house in the spring. I would be outside constantly with my nose to every petal.
I am so looking forward to the book!
Well, we do walk every day so I get as much of it as I can. Thank you Nancy.
wow! and, whew!!! you are OK, and we can stop kind of being panicky!!!! you’ve been quite missed! but…thought and prayers were all ging towards you, sooooo, do keep up your very wonderful work! we all await the results!!!!!mmmmm. do take care and do not let the work grind you into a burger-y mess. we’re all with you! gorgeous visit…thank you tons!!! xoxo
A new book is coming, that is great news. I am sure it will be out standing. Everything you do is wonderful.
…’have always believed in fairytales, magic, and miracles !!!.. ‘so good to hear from you again, dear Susan !.. and ‘ very happy for you ( and us !) in seeing your news about your upcoming arrival !!..( I’ve already pre-ordered it… what fun !! )..thank you, Susan !!…with love, as always..
..p.s. that is you and Joe on the cover, right ?!?…that DRESS is so you !!
it’s a surprise . . . you’ll see Mary Spring!
‘Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you …’ and it did! So very excited for you and for us girlfriends. I’m visualizing a new van wrap and long lines at scads of book tour signings! Still fantasizing that you’ll tour the southernmost regions of Alabama {wink-wink}. Good to have you back <3
Sharon in Alabama
Susan: Thanks for your remarkably uplifting approach to life! Also, thanks for capturing small beauties in your photos and art so that we can enjoy them too!
Jan
I did miss the blog, sent up a prayer that you were only immersed in your paints. Cannot wait to read the novel! Here’s to making dreams come true!
Oh how I’ve missed you. So glad all is more than well. My next move is to preorder your newest treasure.
Thanks Susan!
Hugs,
Debbie J
Your new book sounds wonderful! I would love to win a copy! Thank you and good to have you back at the blog. Love the pretty blooms at your house-It’s Spring So Sing!
Love you too Susan Branch! Soooo happy to see you back on blog. 🙂 I just pre-ordered your new book (along with other things 🙂 can’t wait) and would be just elated to win a book too! LOVE this blog as always. The pic of the kitties is wonderful and can’t wait to watch the movie. Thank you. I got the most wonderful Mother’s Day gift from my beautiful, thoughtful daughter, Rebecca. A Susan Branch Bee Skep for my garden! No prompting – she knew I would adore it especially because it came from your store. Take care and so glad everyone is doing well and hurray for Spring/Summer in New England!!!
It’s great to read your blog again, I was afraid something was wrong! Please don’t stay away this long again, we miss you!
Janie
So glad that you are back – you certainly were missed 🙂 The new book sounds like a great adventure. I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy Spring there in Marthas Vineyard! Our tulips, daffodils, and flowering crabapple trees are just blooming here in Minnesota. 🙂
I’M IN HEAVEN…I/M IN HEAVEN…..SO HAPPY I CAN HARDLY SPEAK….TO READ that YOUR BOOK.. will be …OUT…. IN JUST …A MEER… MATTER OF WEEKS.!!! ANOTHER …TREASURE TO READ AND CHERISH . PURE MAGIC. CAN HARDLY WAIT…FOR PUBLISHING DATE!!…P.S…..AND A SEQUEL…..OH MY….LIKE A DELICIOUS DESSERT TIMES…TWO….!!!…..Jwli.
LOL!
How thrilling to have you back and even more so to have not one but two lovely books to anticipate! The world is so beautiful, and more so because you are in it, waking us up and opening our eyes to joy.
So glad to hear from you. I check every day (some times twice) for new post. Loved all your spring photos. Here in Kentucky, we are long past tulips and spring blooms. Now it’s time to get to work and get gardens planted. I will look forward to reading your new book. Congratulations on completing it. Betty
Dear, dear Susan! Yes, it has been a long time since a blog post, but the wait is worth it. Such lovely flowers from MV, and what an amazing offer for the giveaway!
Your cheerful words are very welcome here. The worst possible thing happened to the wonderful charm bracelet with all (except Autumn) your charms on it. Somewhere it is lost – perhaps at a rest area on the way for a week-end trip. So, so sad about that. However, our wonderful daughters gave me the ultimate surprise for Mother’s Day, and I have replacements for Kitty Love and Be An Elf. I was very careless to lose the bracelet, and I hope I’ve learned a lesson. At my age, I had thought there were no new lessons to learn.:-)
I am heading to preorder the book. Definitely want to add another Susan Branch title to my library!
Sending happy Saturday wishes to you.
xo Nellie
So sorry to hear about the bracelet! xoxo
We’ve had great communication with your helpers in California. Sure do wish there might be a chance for those first three charms to be reissued.
xo Nellie
Hi Susan! Glad you are back and all is well. I sure enjoy your posts and was happy to hear you were able to find your magnolia! They don’t bloom for too long but they are worth the wait. Can’t wait for your new book! I have a feeling it will end with “and they lived happily ever after” like all my favorite fairy tales!
Would love to win a copy of The Fairytale Girl to share with my mom! We always share Susan! …By comparing notes on your blog, tidbits from A Fine Romance, details from your book-signing in San Luis Obispo, classic recipes…thank you!
Such a wonderful post today, Susan! Such pretty spring photos! You have been missed. I’m so glad you have another book out. What a lovely name for it. I hope I win one! Have a nice spring!
God bless, Kathy in Illinois
Gee, it has been a whole month…I was really getting worried. I am not on any other form of social media, so I was at a loss on how to get in touch with you…just so glad you are good!
I guess working on the books is really legitamite reason for the blog gap….can’t wait to read all the new adventures. I love the different lettering of the title…it is hard to chose the favorite one, they were all wonderful!!!! It seems we missed so much news in a month’s time…glad we had time to catch up with everything. Have a great Spring. Oh yes, and PLEASE enter me into the book giveaway.
Kathie from Limerick, Pa
Oh, oh, oh! Such exciting news! It is so wonderful to hear from you again! Now we know why it has been so long, and it will be so worth it! I just love your house. The gardens and plants are so lovely when everything is in bloom.
I can’t wait to see those wonderful new books!
Have a wonderful weekend!
welcome back!
you have been sooooooooo missed.
the miracle of spring has reached us here in Ancaster as well and the promise of your new book(s) is sweet anticipation!
glad to see your beautiful post and know you are well!
don’t work too hard…….all things come
So great to hear from you, Susan! I kept up with what you were doing through FOSB on Facebook…it was helpful to know you were writing up a storm! So looking forward to your next book…the title is perfect! Glad your dogwood made it through the winter…I have a dogwood, too, but the climate here is milder so it does well each year. Glad you are Back!
What a joy to have an update on your blog. I would check every day and when you weren’t there there was something missing in the day. Glad to know that you were doing great things & enjoying the blooms of Spring. What fun to look forward to your new book.
Well, at least we know where to find you if you go missing again! You’ll be sitting in your pear tree, soaking up all the sights and scents of spring and dreaming of life and love and making lovely lilac memories. Thank you so much for sharing your corner of the world with us, Susan. You always manage to cheer me up.
Love the cover.
HAPPY to hear that!
When it’s my turn in the fall to choose a book for Book Club, I am set! Woohoo!! Off to preorder mine (just in case I don’t win one!)…thank you!
Congratulations on the new books! You must be so excited…so are we. 🙂 Spring around here (LI) has been amazing too. Each week there is something else coming up. One woman stopped her car in front of our house the other day and said….stop, you’re making all of us look bad. She was just kidding of course and said something wonderful. We love when people stop and enjoy the flowers. Maybe I’ll put some up on FOSB? I think your next tree/shrub should be a viburnum…maybe you have one already…it smell so refreshing. Have a wonderful day!
I feel sure that Vanna will pick my name this time for all of the following reasons: I have a daughter named Charlotte! She is not named after any family, we just loved the name, and that was 25 years ago-she is my first baby. She will be moving across the country from us this July 🙁 , so I will need this book to remind me that she is doing this to become her own fairy tale girl! In August I will be sending my youngest baby off to his first year of college. I am predicting that I will be shedding a few tears between my oldest and youngest testing their wings (I already have had to buy several new boxes of tissues) so to have this beautiful book arrive around my birthday (August 18th) will save me! It will remind me that I have my own fairy tale complete with my very own prince to have keep having adventures with! I am a fairy tale girl too! Can’t wait to have this gift of a book in my hands! Thank you Susan, for the lift this morning!
Ohhh Kristy, you’re making me sad!!! It must be so hard! Change is a terrible thing! 🙂
Ps. Hope you had a lovely birthday…happy belated birthday to you ,Susan
I was a bit worried about you and yours.I am so excited about your new book. It does sound as if you have had a charmed life.Wishing you the best with your new book! Judy from KY
I was worried about you too! So glad to hear that you are well and busy 🙂
Can’t wait to read the new books. If they are half as good as A Fine Romance they will be amazing! Enjoy the beautiful spring – it goes by so quickly.
As much as I look forward to a posting from you on your blog, what with all the pictures and all, I am super excited for your new book! Your recipes that I have tried are yummy, so to have some of them included in the book is an extra bonus! I can’t wait!!
It’s so exciting that you’re back!! We all know that you will still be busy with painting and writing, but also hope to see a word or two – and a picture or two – from time to time.
And speaking of pictures – the photo of Girl and Jack is Fabulous! It’s a “framer” for sure!! I’m so goofy that I would like to have a copy and they aren’t even my cats.
We’re all so looking forward to the new book. (I’m taking the liberty of speaking for the whole group.) I think you’ve really hit on a great thing. Combining a story line, art work, photos, and recipes is so special. We can hardly wait!! There is now a real reason to look forward to August – a new book!! It’s so-o-o exciting!!
It’s so very nice to hear from you again. I’ve been going back to “May postings” from years gone by to “catch up” on old news from the island, but new news is so much better. XOXO
What an exciting and beautiful post from you. My favorite picture is the church steeple in the background with your new blooming tree. Could be England. Your new book(s) sound wonderful. We all have something lovely to look forward to. Thank you for working so diligently and yet never missing the beauty around you.
Must comment. So good to hear your “voice” again.
Flowers are so pretty. Gift from God. Just got back
from the Biltmore Estate for the Downton exhibit.
It was really nicely done. There are going to be 7
more stops in the States. But, if you can’t go, there
is a great little book of the exhibit that you could
order. It has the clothes, characters and how the
clothes were made, vintage or not. Name of book is:
Dressing Downton, Changing Fashion for Changing Times.
I think it is 19.99.
PS: Book news is very exciting. A NOVEL!!!!!!! WOW!
I’ve heard, would love to get there, but that book sounds great!
I am so excited to see the new book, and very happy to hear from you again. Everyday I checked to see if you had written and today was wonderful.
I am so glad I am not the only one taking pics of the gorgeous spring flowers. Waiting with great anticipation to the new book!
Welcome back, Susan. We girlfriends missed you, but were encouraging you in our thoughts everyday! Your blog is beautiful – I could almost smell the lilacs! The cover of your new, much anticipated book, is perfect – lovely and endearing. I preordered it as soon as I saw the Facebook notification. So…….if I would happen to win a book, I would give it to my dear friend Patti, who loves you, also. She and I unknowingly gave each other A Fine Romance for Christmas 2 years ago!
I love the new royal baby’s name, Charlotte. I wonder if they’ll call her Charlie? Wouldn’t that be darling!
Or Lotty! (Cuter with an English accent of course!)
Welcome back, Susan! So happy to hear from you again…I’m excited about the new books and will be happily anticipating each one coming out. Loved your post today. Springtime on the Vineyard is beautiful. It has been a long hard winter, resulting in a glorious rebirth of spring! Here in northeastern Oklahoma, the greenery is abundant, responding to the life-giving rain we have been receiving from Mother Nature. Thank you for sharing with us girlfriends!
xoxoxo
Hi Susan,
Love the cover and the title. We should all wear white flowing things. I have all your books and really looking forward to this one, and the next one after that etc. Would love to be entered in your drawing. Missed you.
Nancy Jo
Congratulations on another beautiful book, Sue!! I can’t wait to read it! XOXO
Janie, I’ve missed you! Especially around my Birthday when I should have said, HELLO and XOXO
Having loved all your books I know your new one is going to be fabulous! A Fine Romance was pure delight. Not only was it beautiful and entertaining I loved all the details of what it is like to take a long trip that includes an ocean voyage. Are you also writing a book about your childhood? Everything you write is absolutely wonderful!
susan, we’re the same age and “like minded”, as far as I can tell! i cant’ wait to read your fairy tale, as I have followed you since your first cookbook days and I have a fairy tale inside as well! thanks for sharing yours…
I’m so excited I have tears in my eyes!!
Hooray! You’ve done it, and I can’t wait to read it! Congratulations and keep enjoying that beautiful Spring!
What a wonderful post. Love the Spring flowers and trees. The first thing I planted after moving into my house was 2 lilac bushes. Its been 20 years and I’m still in love with them. The book sounds so great.
Oh happy day, Susan! You’re giving us new glimpses into your beautiful life. And we’re delighted to see Jack and Girl Kitty in one picture together. They are sweetie pies!
Oh, that new book cover looks so inviting… we can hardly wait. And we thank you for working so hard on our behalf!!
I’d love to be included in the draw for a copy of the book. If it’s here by Christmas my Christmas shopping will be easy peasy this year. Grin.
Sending you loving thoughts….
Brenda
xox
PS. I had a hankering to read A Fine Romance this week. I’m slowly savouring my way through it. Today we’re at the page where you share the Hot Milk Cake recipe. Ooo, that sounds yummy! And since we’re having a fine rainy day, guess what I’m making for treats for our afternoon tea?
Ta….
My girlfriend and I were just discussing you yesterday! She must be working away we thought. Even if we don’t win a book we are just happy you are out there. We so miss you……you keep us on the straight and happy. xoxoxoxo
Oh thank goodness! I was so relieved to see the post this morning…..you have made my day … My whole weekend!!! I was really getting worried about you….I knew Spring must be arriving to your beautiful island and no post…but then with the birth of Princess
Charlotte AND Mother’s Day and STILL no posts….I was beginning to panic!! You have been missed! Now the excitement and anticipation for the book! Congratulations !!!
Susan… We are lucky to live in houses where the previous generation planted the yard. I have a Cherokee plum tree in the back of my property and I can smell it when I open the back door. Lilacs, forsythia, rhododendron, mountain laurel, azaleas… and a 57 yr old Tulip Poplar tree. Spring was worth the wait wasn’t it? So sweet that you replaced the exact tree. It’s good to hear from you. Looking forward to reading your books! Love the catties together!
Looking forward to your book. My birthday is August 18, so winning a copy would be a wonderful gift!
I have recently found a new love for reading and it will be a delight to read your new book and eventually place a copy of it on my shelf.
what a neat posting! welcome back!! as i read it i thought, shouldn’t we all aim for fairy tales in our everyday life? there are so many chances to change small things into special things if you just work at it! loved your flowers and trees! our lilacs are almost blown away here in northern illinois but the lily of the valley is making up for the lovely smells! the new book sounds right up my alley so sign me up! we had our own royal birth in march-grandchild #7, the second girl-and she’s a doll!!!
I love your cats! I enjoy ALL the things in your posts, but your cats just seem to be my favorite! They have so much personality. Glad your “back”!
I truly wait for each of your posts and never disappointed! Thanks for all the continuing inspiration. Congrats on the latest book and thank you for an opportunity to win. 😉
I love a good fairy tale especially from my favorite author! I’ve read A Fine Romance several times so I’m sure The Fairy Tale Girl will be just as loved. So looking forward to it!
PS I’m glad your back! I’ve missed you and Jack (Joe & Girl Kitty too!)
As soon as I saw the title of your post “You’re Never Too Old for Fairy Tales” I knew something magical was happening…. your book! the kitties together! the walk through your garden! All such treasures. You remind us to look around our everyday lives and recognize the beauty. I’m off to the store to preorder “The Fairy Tale Girl”. Thank you Susan!
Susan, this is wonderful news about your new books. I can’t wait. I think I read “A Fine Romance” about 4 times.
So loved the pictures of the flowering trees and bushes. How I miss all of the ones at my farmhouse where we lived for 35 years. I too had a Magnolia Tree right outside the kitchen window and always wished that it could have bloomed all summer long. Looking forward to reading The Fairy Tale Girl!
I’ve been waiting with baited breath (is that the old saying?) for your return to Blogland, and the NEW BOOK(S)! I was so excited to place my preorder for “The Fairy Tale Girl”, and can hardly wait for the preorder for her sequel! Wonderful news that all’s well with you, & your family, in your neck of the woods & miracles continue in many forms! Wahoo! Your poor little nose at the grindstone, with your labor of love, soon it will be healing! Thank you for the beautiful blog, and your NEW BOOK(S), and hugs, love & prayers headed your way!!!! XOXOXO
Every time I say that, which I do (baited breath), I end up thinking of fish and deleting it! 🙂 It really will be healing when all work over and just the book is there. Thank you Joan!
I did miss your blog….even thought of calling California to ask about you. But, I totally understand you have been busy (understatement I know…Ha! writing a novel) So confident your book will be great, since A FINE ROMANCE is a treasure and reading your blog is a joy, that I ordered the “presale” last night. And, I would not mind winning a second book to share with a friend.
Now I look forward to Harper Lee’s new book in July and YOUR book in Aug. You touch many hearts.
And you touched mine! xoxo
I was wondering how you were doing and missing your posts. Oh what beautiful pictures of spring! So much fun to read today of all that you have been doing and I am excited about your new book! Love the title!
What a “novel” idea… a novel with pictures 🙂 Sounds wonderful to me!!
We missed you!! And I’m absolutely in LOVE with that white dress……..can’t wait to see the new book!
Wow! What an interesting book! If I don’t win one, I’ll have to get one on my own. I always especially love the pictures of the window sill over your sink. Thanks for another one.
Welcome back. I hadn’t realized the book would be available so early. Definitely looking forward to reading this. Marie
Today is my birthday so what a fabulous gift for me and everyone else! Yea!! Thank you so much!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHERI!
I can’t wait to see the book! It’s spring here in California too–we’re actually getting some rain. So glad to see the beautiful pictures in your blog.
Susan,
I have been anxiously awaitng your return. 🙂 You, of course, have come back with a bang! Really enjoyed this blog. Thank you. I am so excited for your new book! I tried to preorder your it but when I tried it gave me an apron pattern??? I went to shopping and found it but it is only Pay Pal. Old school and don’t understand or use Pay Pal. Can I buy it another way? I have added a new girlfriend for you, she’s headed to England and I can’t wait for her to comment on your blog and trying not to spoil it! 🙂 So want to tell you the story……:)
I fixed it Glenda, sorry! Yes, I think we do have Mastercharge ~ definitely other choices besides Paypal. Ooooh, a mystery, love it!
Wishing you every success with the new book, Susan! My Princess Charlotte mugs are ordered, and just found Czech pearlescent pink tea plates, 5 for $4, at the St. Michael’s thrift store on Tybee Island. Started the day exploring the beach. The perfect day! Susan, what a joy to see the lilacs and flowers at your home. Heaven!
Can’t tell you how excited I was to hear about the new book and then to find out there is two OMG…… August can’t arrive soon enough
Missed you! Welcome back!! I cannot wait to read The Fairy Tale Girl!!! Great title!!!!
Looking back, I must say you have always led a fearless, fairytale life ….. Going out on your own at age 17 …. Going to Mexico City, living in Fernando’s parent’s house, required to learn Spanish to get breakfast from their servants …. Back to central California… Planning and building houses and gardens …. meeting your adventures head-on and loving every minute ….. A girl from smallville walking free and creating her life on her terms! Truly a real life Fairytale Girl …. moving bag and baggage to a small island…. A girlfriend’s, girlfriend and the fairytale goes on with two new books on the verge of being published!
Yoiks, gimme a break! Dad
Oh you are so funny, well I learned it all from you! (As you know, I just thought I’d tell you before you told me!)
Good mornin Dear Susan, Yes Iv’e missed you and prayed you were well!! So very happy you are more than well,cause you’re doing great and busy to boot!I can breathe a sigh of relief and am lookin forward to your new book.Would luv it if Vanna picked me out of a million as I haven’t won anything for decades and your book would cheer this soul so very much.As you say we.re never too old for fairy tales.The dress you have on the picture with the young lady and the man next to her looks like pure romance!!!! Fun!!Looking forward to reading The Fairy Tale Girl!
You are so loved and you bring joy to so many!
It’s truly a two way street!
Hi Susan!
Your girlfriends have missed you, but we totally understand your absence. Oh, it would be wonderful to be a winner of your new book. I can hardly wait to read it and see your beautiful artwork on every single page! You are so talented and such an inspiration to all of us! Thanks for always having such a generous heart! The spring goodness you shared is absolutely awesome! Love it all!
Glad to see you are back and that all is well. Congratulations on finishing your new book. In some ways you’ve been practicing all along. I’ve always enjoyed the tales and tips in your cookbooks from way back when. The raft story in your Summer book still makes me laugh.
That’s true! I’ve been practicing all along!
Hi Susan. I’ve been a fan of yours for many years, but this is my first time leaving a comment on your blog. I would say that all of us girlfriends have a “romantic” spirit about us, same as you, and thinking about reading another magical novel stirs my heart with much anticipation. I applaud you for bringing us along. I’m just another grateful “companion on the journey”.
Enjoy this glorious spring season surrounded by these beautiful trees and flowers. Much love, Judy
Thank you Judy, so nice to hear your “voice!”
Thank you Susan for all the beauty you bring to my life♥
This really is exciting, a new book fairytale. Spring at your house is just magical, thank you for the photos.
Glad all is well, I was worried. But when I click the preorder link, I get instructions to make a lovely apron. Very nice but I wanted to preorder the book. So glad you are making progress!! And spring looks lovely there.
I fixed it! oops, sorry!
OH~~I WANT. I WANT, I WANT your new book:))) I can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
Thank You for taking all the time you needed to finish~~~now get busy on the sequel~~~(just kidding:)
It’s almost done too!
Yaaaaaay!!!!
Good Morning Susan, I can’t wait to read how all the mystery and beauty
unfolds for the the fairy tail girl. How long of a gap will there be between
the first and second book? I know, I’m greedy! BTW, love the cover and
the title. Thank you, Nancy
I’m going to keep it as short as possible. They’re both at the same stage now . . . but all attention will turn to The Fairy Tale Girl, and as soon as I turn it in, I’ll go for Isle of Dreams…
I’m going out right now to buy another Beatrix Potter
figurine to keep me company while I wait and to celebrate
the new books.
Brilliant! Exactly the right thing to do! 🙂
How wonderful to ”see” you again! We were worried about this very long silence,but i am happy to see that you are all well [what a beautiful portrait of the kitties! ] and that you have been very busy with the books. Spring looks so beautiful after your long winter.Here in California, spring lingers a bit more,but our first crop of roses has come and gone already!
I also watched this French movie,and i agree, it was a treat to watch.Now you don’t say anything about ”Wolf Hall”.Did you get to see it on your tv shannel?
I absolutely got hooked on it! Which brings me to the books of Hilary Mantel,i haven’t read any of them, and after watching the series ,i am very tempted.
So,Congratulations with your books, i am sure they’ll be a great success and in great demand! If i don’t get to be one of the fortunate winners,i’ll get the books from you,i just didn’t understand when and how you can order.
In the meantime ,have fun with the illustrations! And please do not stay silent for so long!.
Well, you can order now by going here ~ thank you Martine!
So happy to hear from you again! You have been missed. I loved seeing Girl and Jack together in a photo. My southern yard is in full bloom after a harsh southern winter, and I am so grateful. Nature can be so amazing and sooo appreciated. Welcome back!
Loved seeing a new post today – I check almost every single day! I (like everyone else) love your books and calendars (especially “A Fine Romance”), so I am really looking forward to the new books. Your outlook on life is really special – thanks for all that you do!
I’m glad to see that all is right with the world at the Branch/Hall creativity house. The long absence was worth it to see the title and cover of the new book. So exciting, I am ordering now. Good luck and can’t wait to receive my preorder but don’t forget to “take time to smell the flowers.”
Welcome back Susan! Love seeing spring is in all her glory on the island and we are looking forward to your new book and anxiously awaiting upcoming book signings so we can say hello again!
I haven’t had time to think about book signings yet . . . would love that!
Well, you know you have been missed….and now that we know where you’ve been, August can’t get here fast enough! Can’t wait to have my nose in your new novel, in my reading corner..laughing and crying and imagining your inspiration diaries…your fairy tale. xoxo
You are such a sweetheart Laura! xoxo Thank you!
Hi Susan,
So glad you are back. Your posts are always a little bit of sunshine. Cannot wait to read the new book! I love both of the titles. I am so glad spring has finally arrived in your part of the world!
The little birdie sang every day for a month, but no new posts appeared. I did remember your comment about working on a book, so I visualized you drawing and painting and looked forward to the day a new post would appear. Hurray! Happy May 16h. I pre-ordered your book this morning. I cannot wait until August! Lynne
It’ll be here before we know it, and we’ll all be talking about the leaves about to fall!
What a lovely surprise to find a new posting from you. We worked all morning long mowing the lawn, fertilizing, spreading mulch and pulling weeds before the next rain storm hits tonight. Took a shower and sat down at the computer and found you. Yea. Can’t wait for the new book.
It’s so good to hear from you again. Thank you for the movie recommendation. I love a good movie, nothing like it. Speaking of good French movies, have you seen Amelie? It’s a love romantic story with a charming actress.
cannot wait for this book. I’m so excited. I’m pre-ordering my copy now. It’s thrilling just to know that it is coming soon.
Oh yes, adorable movie too.
I would love, love, love to have a Dogwood tree in my backyard. Do you think they would grow in Northern California? So excited for your new book.
-Kathleen
They grow here, and they grow in North Carolina, so why not! Google them, and see.
They are our State FLOWER here in N.C.!!!
Sooo delicately beautiful with a wonderful Legend to tell!
HA! I got to preorder by going directly to the shop on line where it is conveniently posted. So if the link doesn’t work, just go to the shop. I feel so triumphant now. I feel I have overcome the negative forces of the interwebs. For the moment.
Hahaha, good for you! I should go look and see if the link is there . . .
Missed you lots ! I knew you were working on the book but still checked every day to see if you were back ! I’m torn about the preorder—I’d love a signed edition but I want to support my bookstore—they are really struggling ! Loved this blog !!!
I totally understand about the bookstore and I say go for it — you will be happier if they can afford to stay in business!