Welcome! So much excitement here in Smallville! If you just came from WILLARD, you are going to need another cup of tea and some more MUSICA! (If you haven’t gotten your Willard yet, don’t worry, it will be going into your mailboxes from 9am eastern time Tuesday Aug 18, through Friday 
the 21st.) But you should know, our Giveaway has grown, now there are three! If you haven’t time to read the Blog just now, scroll to the bottom of this post where you can sign up for the drawing by clicking on the word “comments” and leaving a message. For the rest of you . . . I can only hope you agree that
I love this quote by one of my favorite authors. Wonderful things ARE happening. I used this quote in my new book, and asked Kellee if she would make it into computer wallpaper for you . . . and she did! Click HERE ~ it should be up by now, along with some gorgeous new stationery . . . As you’re about to see, things are getting back to normal!
You really know I have a little more time on my hands when you see this.↑ I’m finally giving my poor Beatrix Potter people a bath . . .
Filthy piglets, hadn’t bathed since Christmas! It was the very first thing I did to gain control over my house again after so many months in book writing mode.
Now they’re back in their places, all sparkling and happy, and the little vases are filled again and I am saying . . .
If I ever missed taking a closeup photo of a rose in the summer, then it just wouldn’t be summer, no matter what else I think I have to do!
There is nothing like roses from the garden, they look and smell like no other roses.
One of the first things Joe and I did when everything was turned into the printer was go to the nursery for these: ↓ Our garden needs help! Better late than never!
We also decided to celebrate our newly-found freedom with a long leisurely lunch at the restaurant at 
the golf course ~ “leisurely” is difficult to find here in August, with the Island so packed with vacationers. But we thought this place was a little bit out of the way so we’d have a chance. Well, it didn’t work out quite as we expected because we accidentally went on the day that Presidents Obama and Clinton were both there playing golf!!! We sure know how to pick ’em! So much for the quiet lunch. There were dogs sniffing the FINE ROMANCE VAN, believe it or not, and we were wanded (that’s what the secret service called it) before we could go inside. But after that, everything was normal until the two presidents became visible on the 
golf course, then the entire restaurant stampeded outside to watch and take pictures. All except us, because we had seen them before. Yeah, we’re so cool ~ it’s old hat to us! But we did put our flag on the front of the house! Afterwards we went to the nursery, also my first visit this summer . . . and no presidents were there! Yay! We’re replanting around the poor neglected bird bath right now . . . Once again, it’s Domesticity City around this place and we are happy as clams.
Out go the fluffy, healthy, quickly reproducing weeds, making room for actual flowers.
We also stopped at the farm stand and got our first corn of the season, hot, buttered, salted and peppered, it just popped off the cob! DELICIOUS! I’m sure you’ve done this ~ now I know it’s really summer!
We went out at 7 am this morning and have been walking our walk through the woods out to the water every day. This is the place where Joe and I hash everything over . . . from the habits of cormorants, to the unknown idiot who figured out how to move the huge rocks protecting tern nests so he could park his car there, to what’s for dinner and future travel plans/dreams. And we stood at the water and said a prayer for the victims of the terrible fires out west, that they be showered with love from their families, friends, and communities. My heart breaks when I see the ruin the flames are leaving behind.
We’re ooohing and ahhhing every night, and counting our blessings.
Coming home after a walk to the harbor to our little greeters . . .Jack’s looking at Girl who is waiting out of reach, on the kitchen table . .
Then back out with the camera because the sky at night has been wonderful, filled with stars. I’m a big believer in ladybug magic and there was one in the bathroom last night. Insert five exclamation marks. Second floor, hot crickety summer night, brushing my teeth, and there she was. A lucky omen. Believe me, I look for them every day!
Jack thinks our starry night sky is wonderful too, because it seems like it’s dropping . . .
. . . yellow cat toys!
Joe’s birthday balloons were tied around a bouquet of giant sunflowers that Kellee and Sheri sent from the Studio and within 10 minutes of arrival, Jack’s scissor-like teeth had severed the ribbons and all balloons were floating free.
Just the way Jack understands life to be. All about him. Which it is.
Yup. He’s our guy. Aren’t they adorable?
Busiest cat I ever knew. Floor water is no good anymore, he wants sink water.
Grass, he loves it. I take him out and sit with him while grazes. He’s really not an outdoor cat at all, I never let him out alone, and he is so good, he never tries to get out the door. He likes me to sit next to him the whole time.
On Cat patrol, sitting on top of the ironing board in the pantry, watching out the screen door for any possible trespassing by anything, bunnies, turkeys, neighborhood cats.
He also watches me working . . .and I watch him watching me. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s real. I don’t get as many photos of Girl Kitty these days, but never doubt that she is still our Queen. She just likes to keep her throne in the back of the closet most of the time, so she’s hard to get in action shots!
But they both were with me the whole time I was wearing these pencils down to the nubbins, and now they watch curiously as I reorganize the studio. I’ve been cooking too, filling the fridge with August-type healthy goodies we love, ice cold Gazpacho and . . .
. . . my favorite Coleslaw Recipe ~ stuff to munch on. Look at that apple core in our compost pile! Isn’t it beautiful? (If you click on the recipe you’ll also see us repainting the kitchen a couple of years ago . . . just scroll down for the Coleslaw recipe, I promise, it’s there).
Nature. Just wow. I realize we are finding wow in the compost pile, but I can’t help it. I had to dig this guy out and take his picture. I almost put him on Ebay.
I can already feel fall coming and we hear it in the woods, we’ve even seen a couple of bright red leaves out there! And what’s back to school without book things? I know there were two Fairy Tale bookmarks in the Willard, but I thought, considering the time of year, some of you might want our wise old owl once more. Just click there, cut around him, and he is yours.♥
And now for the Giveaway(s) to celebrate my new book which I can barely believe is really finished! The first one I mentioned in the new Willard ~ it’s my 2016 Wall Calendar, plus my AUTUMN book, plus my new book, THE FAIRY TALE GIRL, and, for the cherry on the top . . .
a fairy tale banner! I’ll sign the books ~ and it will all go out to the winner the minute THE FAIRY TALE GIRL 
gets here, which should be about three weeks at the latest. (But who’s counting? Me, I am!) All you have to do to enter the drawing is scroll down to the bottom of this post and leave a message ~ just click on the tiny gray word under where I sign off that says, “comments” and leave a comment and that automatically enters you in the drawing. And the good part (or the bad part, depending on how you look at it) is that you have a lot better chance at winning this than you do the lottery!
Also, another surprise! Something else for my Girlfriends, Giveaway #2, because when I think of fall, I think of three things, delicious recipes, books, and old 
movies ~ and this Giveaway covers them all. My Autumn Book, filled with fall recipes, and a wonderful old movie called Hobson’s Choice. I think you will LOVE this movie! I have it, but I have to keep it, so I bought you a brand new one. It has everything going for it: It’s old, it’s English, and it’s pure charm. And it makes you feel good. What more could anyone ask for?
And this strange item, for good measure, will be Giveaway Number Three. I was cleaning up my studio (WHAT a mess!) and came across this. I saved it because I think at one time I was going to cut it 
up and make bookmarks out of it. It’s one of the little bits of paper I use to test watercolors and my ink pen before I paint or write something for a book or a calendar. As you may notice, my pen was giving me all sorts of trouble — I didn’t want it 
to blob onto the “good” paper, so I kept playing with it, making squiggles until it started behaving. Anyway, I thought one of you might like the results of the squiggles . . . the originalist of the originals, stream of consciousness without the consciousness, no rhyme nor reason for it ~ but I did sign and date it … it’s about 6 ½” by 9″ and would make a fun little piece of kitchen art for your fridge or bulletin board. And it does have fairy magic in it. And you can win it.
And that makes it three Giveaways on this blog today. Leave a comment, and Vanna will draw three names in a few days and I HOPE SO MUCH that the name she draws is YOURS!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, I will be watching for the UPS 
man to bring me my first stack of The Fairy Tale Girl. I wait ever so patiently, but I am as excited as Christmas.
With the new book and the new calendars, Kellee and Sheri have been shaking in their boots about the WILLARD and asking me to make a special request to remind you how tiny their four little hands are. The phone has been ringing off the hook at the Studio about the calendars and they want me to tell you that they 
will try their hardest to get everything out as quickly as they can . . . if it takes a couple of extra days to get your things, you can blame it on the dratted calendars, but have faith, they’ll be there very soon. And so will your books!
And then soon, we might be doing this again, sailing out of New York harbor on the Queen Mary 
2!!! We are dreaming big time. Anything could happen between now and then, but we’re going to try. We took all our travel books with us to our leisurely lunch at the golf course the other day ~ looking for cottages to rent, pouring over maps and plotting our possible course. Figuring out whether we should go in the summer or in the fall . . . we’ve only ever been in the spring, so there will be new things to see. And we’ll bring the Blog along, so get ready Girlfriends!!!
And there she is ~ our beautiful in-house Queen joins me to say fare thee well for now. Thank you for your support and friendship.♥ Joe thanks you, Jack thanks you, Girl Kitty thanks you, and . . .
. . . I thank you . . . ♥ Have a wonderful day Girlfriends! XOXO
Hi, Susan! I’m so excited for you that your book is finally finished and will soon be in everyone’s hands to indulge and to enjoy! I love all your kitty pictures, the beautiful flowers, and especially the simple picture of the road that you and Joe take walks on….lovely! Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us and your “fairy tale girl life” on Martha’s Vineyard!
SO enjoyed your diary from your trip on the Queen Mary 2 and A Fine Romance. I work at the Eldredge Library in Chatham and a volunteer just got pack from a “Roads Scholar” trip on the Queen Mary and declared it “the trip of a lifetime.” Will have to start saving our pennies and start a “Queen Mary” fund.
Thank you for the tip of using Daler-Rowney Pro White for touch-ups and hi-lights. I color with Copic and Prismacolor markers and this is the first “white” that I can put color on. Love you bunches, Mary
So happy it helped, Mary!
Wonderful things indeed! I am so looking forward to my issue of the Willard as well as THE FAIRY TALE GIRL, but “Who is counting?” ME, ME! I AM TOO! That is a breathtaking sky filled with stars! I could stare at that for hours, but that tree on the other side of your home . . . is looking a bit scarce at the top. And, Jack looks like he can pack quite a powerful punch. Is he your . . . watch cat? Loved this post today Susan. It gave me a much needed break from compiling my little book. It is always so nice to get a glimpse of your life on the Isle of Dreams.
A new blog and a triple give-away! What fun. Thank you, Susan.
Soooo looking forward to the Fairy Tale Girl. Cute bath pix by the way. I went to buy a Hunka Munka today and she was gone!!! Should have purchased her when I spied her a few weeks ago. Rats and mice. May the rest of the Summer be lazy and hazy.
I’ll look for Hunka Munka next time I’m out prowling the antique stores!
Welcome back— you have been missed…..but for a good reason! Thank you for generously sharing your life, and your home, your kitties, and your family. I always smile when I see a blog from you.
My fingers are crossed!
So glad to see you back blogging Susan! Want you to know that I am signing up for a watercolor painting class at our Senior Center starting this Fall; I was inspired by you. I am A LOT older (I will be 64 on Sunday, August 23rd!) than you were when you started, but what the hay! My youngest child will start college next month, so I am ready to start a new chapter. I bought your Autumn book ‘way back when it was first published and I love it. I have every one of your books and they never fail to fascinate me; I can’t imagine being able to draw and paint like you do. The best I am hoping for is some sort recognizable flower! Glad you and Joe are getting some “home time”!
So great to see you, Joe, Jack, and Girl Kitty back with us all for the remainder of this hot (& smoky, here) summer!
Congratulations on finishing your book. I can’t wait to get my copy! Your creativity is without boundaries. Lucky for us – your fans!!!
That is so funny, because when I was younger, I didn’t think I was creative. I thought everyone else was, but I really wanted to be! Now I think it’s all about how we see ourselves!
Thank you,Thank you! I am so excited about your new book (or books)! A Fine Romance is my very favorite! I just love it and can’t wait to get your new one!
I loved A Fine Romance so much that I gave copies for Christmas. I can’t wait for this new story!
Ohhhh, can hardly wait til Fairy Tale Girl is mailed out!!! How blessed are you, Susan !!! And YOU bless me!!! Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Susan, Your post made my day! Started back to work in the schools, which means back to my regular evening walks, packing lunches, and that cross over from end of summer to beginning of fall. Your lovely blog is part of that routine, so it’s comforting to get grounded again — glad you’re back. Can’t wait for your new book — am re-reading A Fine Romance! (And I hope so much Vanna pulls my name!)
Nice to hear from you.
Coming your way in September – hope all those people are gone off the island by then so we can see it not so crowded.
Be blessed!
Can’t wait to read your new book!! Love getting blog posts again…being selfish here because your posts bring so much joy to my days! But, your time spent writing was time well spent, I’m certain, and we’ll all be blessed by it when we get to read your book!
We have been in Canada for the last 7 weeks and only sort of in touch with internet. Just spent four days driving down through Washington, Oregon and half of California. The smoke from all the forest fires is really bad all the way. Not to mention a large fire in our area. (Santa Margarita area) Our thoughts and prayers go out the the firefighters and the families who have lost their homes, and the ones who are evacuated. Thanks for your inspiration!
I worry about beautiful Santa Margarita!
Oh, Susan, we love you! My babies (daughters, ages 15 & 17) and I just savored your blog. I have a suggestion for a prize: let me and my daughters come have tea with you! I hope you would love us as much as we love you! Blessings!
I have to say I do!
Your Blog was wonderful as always. Can’t wait to read Willard. It’s a jewel filled with sparkling news and glittery information about your enchanted life. The new book will be like an early Christmas present to all your devoted fans and readers. Thanks so much, Susan, for all you do for all of us.
So nice to read a new post from you! I’m hoping you have little more time for us now. At least until you start part 2. I’m impatiently awaiting Willard – he hasn’t dropped in on me yet. If I were to win one of these treats, I would shout out that “fairy tales do come true”! Thanks so much for the generous giveaways.
Can’t wait to see your new book! I loved a FINE ROMANCE. Your blog lefts my spirits! So glad to having you blogging again.
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for the freebies (bookmarks, stationary, etc. ) and for sharing your amazing talents for us all to enjoy. So excited to have ordered The Fairy Tale Girl…now the countdown is on! Sending furry love to Jack & Girl!
Susan,
I so enjoy your artistic eye and delight in the little things and the whimsical!
Thanks for working so hard so “the girlfriends” can enjoy another one of your books!
So good to catch up through the the blog! Looking forward to your new book… I ordered it last evening with some of your lavender earl grey tea… A great combination for a beautiful fall day!
Thanks for your kind thought on our people who are struggling with the fires. It was so smoky and hazy coming home from work along the Columbia River, I couldn’t even see Mt Hood or the foot hills.
Give aways are always so great but just reading about your corner of the world is a treat. We are so dry this year and so many fires – very unlike the Evergreen State! Have had way too many temperatures in the 90’s for this part of the USA but will surely look forward to the fall rains!
I am so excited for the new book! And the new calendar! And to re-read your Autumn book! So much to look forward to 🙂
Susan, I can hardly wait for The Fairy Tale Girl! Everything you write makes me so happy! Thank you for spreading sunshine into all our lives. And I love the picture of the starry night! ♥♥♥
I really enjoyed your new posting, especially the amazing close-up photo of that exquisite rose and new photos of Jack and Girl Kitty. I am always inspired by your beautiful blog. And speaking of cats and their water drinking habits, the water bowl for my Addie resides on the floor of the shower. She loves to play with water and some nights I hear her moving the bowl so she can watch the water go down the drain. We love them for all of the fun and sometimes strange things they do.
I hope in your travel plans, you will include some more meet and greets like the fun times we had last time. Such as meeting you in Santa Barbara. Such fun.
Think about it please.
Welcome back, Susan. So happy to have you back. Can’t wait for Fairy Tale Girl.
Glad to see your book is done and anxious to read it!
I am so glad you’re back and enjoying the end of summer with yummy corn and flowers and walks!
Your little fairy is so lovely…and those little blue butterflies used to fly around me on “my” hill where I grew up in rural Wisconsin. Although our family no longer owns that 40 acres of spring-fed paradise, we have visiting privileges…and the new owners have welcomed us like family…what a blessing; a treasured heart-home and new friends!
I love to read about your life, and find your photos and artwork seem to unlock something in my memory and soul…thank you!
Such a lovely compliment. I can tell you when I’m writing, I have no idea how people will feel, so that’s wonderful to hear.
Susan, thank you so much for your generosity – giving away your beautiful handiwork! I love that you made your pretty little house as the cover of your ‘Fairy’ book. I have a lot of your good stuff, the Williard booklet and an original real ‘Willard’ from back in the old days! You make us all happy, we all are already winners! Enjoy your future trip with your good guy Joe!
Both of the new books are all “old days” — I think you’ll like that Salve! XOXO
looking forward to the books!
dear Susan, so happy to receive your blog once again! and with all the fires around us, it truly is a cheerful welcome! how funny you’d go for lunch where the presidents were!!! LOVE your little Beatrice Potter ‘people’ and glad they’ve had a bath – Thank you for all your sprinkles of Joy!
Hi Susan;
I was so excited to read your post that I haven’t even looked in my email for “Willard” yet! I hope you know that you do bring some happy to our days. I’ve been thinking I should buy a lottery ticket, then I saw your post and that the odds are much better for winning your wonderful giveaway, so here I am. But did you know that you have (as I’m writing this) 1309 comments? I think the odds are changing. LOL But its a lovely giveaway. Glad to see that you are enjoying getting back to normal, washing the Beatrix Potter critters, I love doing those things too, comforting in a way. =) Glad you and Joe are contemplating a trip to England again. I mentioned in a previous post that I was reading “A Fine Romance” for the 4th time. I just finished it, and your love of England and the gardens and hedgerows and Beatrix’s home and Jane Austin’s home is so heartfelt. You get me crying because you tell the story so beautifully and the love shines through. Also love your comments of being quiet as Joe tries to drive on the wrong side of the road! HA! He’ll be an old pro when you go again. Sorry for rambling on, you have so many to read and here’s a rambling one. Kiss the sweet pussy cats for me, I’m allergic, but crave having one. xo
Thank you Paula . . . and yes, Joe and I have been talking about the driving again, thinking of a new strategy for re-entry for next time. Maybe going out at 2 am here and practicing a little! Thank you!
Hello girlfriends!!
I’m so happy you now have time to enjoy summer… or what’s left of it. The weather here in Indiana is already changing a bit. I too am ready for fall and for life to slow down a bit. Can’t wait for the book to arrive!!
It is so much fun to read the new blogs and to see the pictures that you have taken recently. What a relief for you to have completed giving birth to this new book. We took our second trip to UK and Scotland this past May and had a marvelous time–raining for ONLY one day in London. We can’t wait to see where you will be going. Also, we have enjoyed TURN and Poldark, too, with so many things happening in that last episode. Enjoy the rest of the season with all its glory as it comes to an end. By April we all will want warm weather and summer to come quickly. God bless.
just love your blog, like a letter from a close friend and missing the time in between. thanks
Loved your book A Fine Romance, so really looking forward to The Fairy Tale Girl.
Yay! Can’t wait for the new book like so many other girlfriends! I think it will make a great Christmas gift for lots of gals on my list!Would love to be one of the first to have it in my hot little hands! Thanks for all your hard work-love all things Susan Branch!! XOXO
I love your blog. So much enthusiasm for life, joy and inspiration. How nice you are doing a giveaway again. I would love to win anything. I especially like the “paint blotter”. I would love to see that hanging in my house.
Have a wonderful week.
I first discovered you in a Ghost Town (really, Okaton, SD, not much left there anymore) whatnot shop. I think that was the same trip on which I bought a bunch of test tubes at that shop…. anyway, they had some stickers by a whimsical artist I’d never encountered before and I’ve been hunting for her again ever since.
Enter the wonders of the Internet and a tech-y husband who always says, “Look it up on the Internet.” Hmm, never thought of that on my own. And now I get a Willard in my inbox, and a chance to win something from this wonderful artist.
Thank you for all the beauty and fun and love.!
– Holly
How great Holly!
My goodness! 1300+ comments ALREADY – cannot WAIT for the arrival of “The book” 🙂
Thank you for your blog posts! They always brighten my morning, or afternoon… My mother-in-law sent me your Summer book several years ago, and I was so excited to discover you were real 🙂 I love the way you write, and the mix of recipes, paintings, and quotes. I’ve been following along ever since, and I would be so happy to win the giveaway!
I always love seeing pics of Jack–he’s quite a guy! How can one not be enamored by that mustache of his. The one and only I’ve ever seen and he wears it with such dignity, except maybe for that back end view sitting on the sink. But if he’s not embarrassed, I won’t be for him either. Thanks for a chance in your giveaway. I am looking forward to reading your new book!
It’s like Christmas in August!!! I’m half way through your book that my brother and his wife got signed by you last fall in California!! Three give always sound heavenly!!
Dear Susan,
Planning your trip to Scotland sounds wonderful! I do hope you go and take us all with you!
Susan…
I can hardly wait for Fairy Tale Girl’s arrival as I have pre-ordered. Glad you are able to still enjoy a bit of summer. Thanks so much for everything but mostly for just being wonderful YOU!!! XO
I just got my first Willard – what a delight!!!!! So good to hear you finished the book! I can’t wait. I read “A Fine Romance” three times and bought another copy for my 10 year old granddaughter cuz she loved it so much. Also excited for your 2016 trip and I bet you are, too! You are amazing!!!
When I can write a book that grownups like and then give to their 10 year olds who like it too? That is what I call a red letter day!!! Thank you Kay!
A one-in-a-gazillion chance is better than none. What great giveaways….all three.
Just love your style…we are about the same age and I like a lot of the same things you do….thanks for sharing your life with us!
Knowing my chances of winning your giveaways are small, I still cross my fingers and hope you’ll draw my name. Still, reading your blogs are just as good as winning….thanks for your happiness, Susan!
Susan, I checked my Megamillions and Powerball tickets just this morning and looks like I won’t be taking a trip on the Queen Mary anytime soon. However I am confident that I will be Vanna’s choice (oh the power of positive thinking!) If the Vineyard is crowded, consider a trip across the (small) pond to the Cape. We are fortunate that Titcomb’s Bookstore has quite a nice collection of your calendars which will have to do until Vanna arrives bearing wonderful gifts.
I should be there (at Titcomb’s) in the near future. And you should know there are ways to go on the Queen Mary 2 that don’t require you win the lottery! You would have a smaller, maybe inside room, but you would have access to all the same amenities on board that everyone else does . . . and you are hardly ever in your room! Just sayin’.
I just love the owl bookmark. I intend to print it for my nine year old granddaughter who loves owls. She is currently reading The Guardians of Gahoole series by Kathryn Laskey for the third time and listening for the barn owl in her backyard. So happy you are planning a return trip to England and will be happy to go along through your blog.
Love, love your morning walks and the pictures of the woods and the water. I can visualize it all and almost feel I am walking with you. Just sneaking along like I did with you on the trip to England. Looking forward to the new books and all the surprises you have in store for us. Your oldest girlfriend, I think, Annita….yes, two n’s!
I’m going to throw my cowgirl hat in the ring in the hopes that I might be one of the lucky winners but I’m also going to order all that I can of it from your store on the outside chance my name isn’t among them! I’ll be so happy to get these special things anyway I can.Ps. I live in the San Luis Valley just over Wolf Creek Pass…and we were lucky to miss the river mess that Durango had to endure.You are very generous of heart and we are the very fortunate recipients!
I’m so happy you missed the orange water — that was awful!
My daughter Annie is a river-rafting guide in Durango. She’d come home to Indiana for a week’s visit, and while waiting in the airport to fly back home, she saw the news of the orange mess in the Animas River, back home in Durango. It’s put a halt on all of the recreation there, and the rafting businesses had to shut down for the summer. What a mess!
Awful. Two of my brothers live there too.
Yes, Pick Me!!!!! Pick Me!!!!
Waiting for Willard too.
Oh man, my cup runneth over…I am in A GLUT of Susan Branch, both with a new post here at the end of my day as well as my first-ever WILLARD in my email box. (I don’t know why I’ve missed Willards before but I think my system was dumping them as spam; all corrected now; yay.) Thank you, Susan, for such goodies! You’ve given new artwork on all these new things which I always love to see, like the corn cobs, the fairies and just all of it! SO much fun, and I can’t wait to go along with you (virtually!) on your upcoming trip(s). Just wanted to say again that Sheri and Kellee in the shop are the best; excellent customer service. Whenever I need comfort therapy, I shop your online store. Thank you again for giving us so much wonderful stuff to read and look at…OMG, Jack has the most adorable pawsers; what IS it about those white paws?!!! How old is he anyway?
O
I don’t know what that wild O is at the end of my comment; maybe I was feeling like throwing hugs and kisses(??!!).
That’s what I thought!
He’s about to turn 3.
Oh, good, you have YEARS of fun with him yet; if you’d previously mentioned his age, I’d forgotten. I love how he’s so playful. My old boy is watching me do laundry at the moment. (They do eyeball us, don’t they!) He’s quite arthritic (we do everything the vet comes up with to help him on that) and his 19th birthday is in October! Just a nondescript mutt cat I took over from a neighbor when he was a wee kitten…so little I could hold him in the palm of my hand (they had him outside as an outdoor cat [too little for that!!]; I was so scared for him; we’d secretly put him in our garage at night in a warm bed…it was winter and sometimes even here in SoCal, in the old days B.D. [Before Drought], winter could be cold!). I say smugly he preferred us to ‘them’ but, mostly, it was because another old boy-cat of mine embraced him from the very first day in a grandfatherly way which was unheard of, for him [grouchy old guy who would even groom the kitten; just took him under his wing, showing him the ropes!]; they meshed, kinda like some people, huh!!
I don’t know how I missed it – but when I checked your blog tonight I saw that there were TWO posts and a Willard on the way!! I know your summer has been spent nose-to-the grindstone working hard so I’m glad you can enjoy the last bit of summer. I was out gardening last night as the sun set and there was a cool tinge to the air. I think I can smell Autumn on the way- a little bittersweet as lovely summer comes to an end but my favorite “domesticity” season soon to arrive 🙂
I just received my calendar this week however am entering the giveaway for Fairy Tale Girl and will cross my fingers. Love all of your many talents and savor every post and want to purchase more items! 🙂
Susan, So glad you’re finally free to enjoy what’s left of this summer! I so enjoy your blog & your books, I can’t wait to read Fairy Tale Girl! Thanks for always making me SMILE & helping me to appreciate the little things in life that $ can’t buy!
Please enter me in your give-a-way. So glad you are back Susan. Missed you.
Susan you have been missed! I’m so excited to get my “Willard”!
Greetings, thank you for the bookmark…now if I can get my computer and printer to behave I plan on sharing one with one of my older grandchildren (so blessed..11 and counting!). Thank you Susan for all your lovely photos and pen and watercolor work.. So homey and light and full of joy!
I’m so glad you’re back!!!
Hi Susan – you made my day so very special with Willard and a new blog! Congrats on finishing your book (can’t wait… already pre-ordered, so excited) and on your summer freedom! Enjoy every minute! We too, are having exquisite summer weather here in Vancouver and I’m love love loving it! Best wishes to you…
Greetings old friends its been a while I have missed YOU ALL So MUCH. I am so glad to see you re all doing great and happy and well. Sue you deserve only the best and with Joe you two are meant for each other . I love all the pictures of your kitties n Joe what a great guy with an equil girl YOU. I love and MIss you . I am going to get your new book before the deadline The Fairy Tale Girl . I cant wait either my LOVE TO YOU ALL . Keep up the great work . Be well and just BEE Love Cheyenne of Henderson Nv. We are hoping to move to cooler area im so tired of this oppressive heat 109 today its late n its still hot out . So want to move some where cool n that has seasons . love you X
It’s so wonderful to hear from you Susan! Now you have me looking forward to Fall. Thanks for all the love you spread around!
Dear Susan,
It’s so lovely to have you back in my inbox!!! Thank you for the lovely moments you share with us!
Liberty
Fairy Tale Girl looks wonderful! It will be a great summer read.
Thanks, Susan for the suggestion. The next time I clean house, I’m bringing in the cut flowers FIRST!
YESSSS! First thing’s first! Then turn on Frank Sinatra . . . so you can dream while you work. xoxo
Looking forward to having your new book on my nightstand next to “A Fine Romance”. It’s so nice to have something sweet and happy to read after a long hard day. It brings sweet dreams.
Summer is almost over, can feel the change in the air. Air at the moment is filled with smoke from all the fires here in Washington. Reading through your post is like a little vacation with the info and pictures. If my entry is picked it will be cherished by my best friend. Waiting anxiously for my ordered book! Happy thoughts your way………….
I have just pre-ordered your beautiful new book and I can’t wait for it to be published.Australia seems a long way away when you are waiting for something to be sent from overseas. I’m glad you are back to your blog I missed your regular posts. Enjoy your coming Autumn days while I am looking forward to spring and some warmer weather.
So glad you’re back! And 3 giveaways, red-letter day!
I love “crickety!” However, while I was reading your latest blog, out my window the Katie-dids were winning out over the crickets!
We have cicadas and they drown out the crickets too . . . but they mostly quiet down at night.
Oh, I hope, I hope!
Still waiting for my Willard. Patience. Looking forward to Fairytale Girl also. Thank you for all the hard work and pictures of Jack, I love him! 🙂
I’m curious..do you do all your first draft writing in pencil? Not ink or on computer?
I checked my email early this morning and no Willard, but there was the blog post to enjoy. After I finished reading it I checked my email again and Willard was in. What a lovely way to start my morning. 🙂
Until A Fine Romance, all my first draft writing was in pencil. But when I started writing more and having less recipes, I started doing fast first drafts on the computer, and then pencil. Pencil is so forgiving!
Such a treat to read your blog and see the pictures. thank you.
I have had a fun evening out at PRIME, a lovely steakhouse in Ventura, CA. The next time you are in California you and your lovely hubby need to go there. It is an old fashioned steak house, deep dark leather seats, excellent food, expansive wine list and good cocktails. The Ojai Wanna Bee’s, from our local Trivia games decided to go out to dinner tonight and not play. There were seven of us aged 87 to 57~It was a perfect evening. On TUESDAY’S PASTA WITH FRANK is awesome. There is a Frank Sinatra singer there who sings all through appetizer, 1st through 4th courses and dessert! He is wonderful…………….just got home and checked your blog and here I “bee”, have a look see and put in for a Vanna giveaway! How perfect is this day?
FUN!!!
Oh, I really love your stories, drawings, photos and cats!
They are so lovely. It is just like listening to a friend, telling what she has done and how she is feeling. You give me a lot of joy. I am Dutch, so please forgive my mistakes in the English language.
With love from Marijke
You do a lot better with English than I would do in your language! Thank you Marijke!
Susan, I am so happy you now have time to play and enjoy your kitties, Joe, home and summer! Thank you for the new WILLARD! I will read it tomorrow while enjoying my tea!
Best Willard ever. The fairytale banner is fantastic. Thank you Janie, you are so talented. And thank you sweet Sue for all that you do.
We are kindred spirits for sure…haven’t found anything yet that we don’t share in common!!!! Well, you have 2 cats and I just have 1!!!
You need to do something about that! 🙂
Just spent several days on the cape, visited Martha’s Vineyard
last Wed. and enjoyed the rain. Yes, some roads blocked cause the President was there. Thanks for your continued inspiration. Was thrilled to meet you at Strawberry Patches in Bakersfield during your book tour. Thanks for the generous giveaways.
Hi Susan, boy have I missed you! I kept checking on your post each and everyday telling myself, no she won’t be there, she’s working on THE BOOK, and sure enough you were, so I went away, saying “maybe tomorrow”… and eventually, here you are, back with us again. I’m so glad! We needed Domesticity City very badly!
Now I feel that every thing is right with the world again, and we can continue towards fall and all that it holds for us. Looking in my email each day, now, for The Willard and that will be really exciting!
Hugs, Judy from Arizona
I loved the Willard and the blog. I’ve missed you so much this summer but I know it’s been for a good reason.Can’t wait to read the book – glad your back!
You are such a blessing, Susan.
Hi Susan!
Thank you for your prayers. I live in Orange County Southern CA, and our drought is awful! We have fires all year round now, not just in the Fall, so thank you so much for thinking of us. I Love Hobson’s Choice too! I saw it on TCM, our station that shows vintage movies a long time ago. I bought the VCR tape, when I had a VCR, but I no longer have a VCR. Somehow I feel that Hobson’s Choice empowers women!
Thank you for your lovely blog! I love everything about it! I can’t wait for your new book!
Happy leisurely days to you after all of the hard work on your book!
Laura Marec
Can’t wait for your book. You’re the best. Hope you get to go on that trip soon. Love you.
Connie
So looking forward to the new book! I’ve ordered a copy but if I will I’ll share.
You, Joe and the kitties are all just too cute!
Congratulations! Such a wonderful accomplishment and exciting chapter in your life! Happy to celebrate with you!!!
Yippee for summer!
I am always so excited to see that you have posted, I don’t think of myself as a stalker, I just feel in a strange way that we are friends. Sometimes, I find myself telling someone about one of your stories or posts and I say, my friend …
In October, I turn 50! I don’t have children so I won’t be throwing a wedding or enjoying baby showers for them so I decided to throw my self a big celebration. If you are going to be in California in October, I would love to have you and Joe attend :-). It will be a unique experience.
The party begins with an overnight camping stay at the San Francisco Zoo. For the less adventurous, a party and BBQ on the lawn at the Zoo. Again, I am not a crazy stalker, just someone who appreciates the peace and smiles you bring to me and so many others …
I am learning to paint with watercolor and gouache in some classes I have taken at the zoo…. none of my scratch paper looks nearly as amazing as yours. Who ever wins that prize will have a real treasure … Thank you for sharing your art with us and for caring enough to share your time as well…
yours, another
stranger friend
Fifty is a wonderful time! And you sound so full of life and fun and all the good things we need. Enjoy! And by the way, the reason I started this blog was because I felt like I “knew” the people who read my books and wanted a way to connect to them, and have them meet each other . . . so I’m your stranger friend too.
Thank you so much for you posts. I am looking forward to reading your new book. Your paintings are so warm and lovely.
Nancy
Love Willard, Love your Blog and I cannot manage without your wonderful calendar each year – turning the new month over is always a joy. Andto win one of theses amazingly generous giveaways would be the “cream on the cake”! Thank you Susan for the opportunity! Here’s hoping I’m lucky……!
Have missed you! Great to have you back. Looking so very forward to your new book!!