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
Can’t wait for the new book! and… I even like your cats….and I am not a cat person.
Willard’s arrival today made my day…and inspired me to plan a Martha’s Vineyard vacation for next year!
I can not wait for BOTH books!…and Willard is never too long…xoxo
Love, love your stuff 🙂 It always is so cheerful!
I have been waiting all summer to hear from you – welcome back! It must feel lovely to have some to the end of your most recent project. What a wonderful giveaway and post! Thanks for including me in the chance to win!
Love your writings, paintings and recipes , have been a fan for along time, can’t wait to read your new book!
There are so many things to love about this week, a Willard and a giant post all in a few days, it’s like Christmas!
I think reading your new book would be a wonderful way to enjoy a fall day!
Congratulations on finishing the book. I can’t wait to get my copy.
Autumn is almost here-yee haw! I love fall almost as much as Christmas, & it lasts for three full months, & so the Autumn book is quite special to me.
Oh! What can I say…do SO love your postings…Another trip? New book arriving at my house (WHEN?), can hardly stand it! Hard work writing your thoughts down for us to enjoy but it’s worth it I say…you have a loving and loyal following…XO Jenny
Oh, boy did I ever need a dose of Susan today! What a joy it is to see your new blogs. I rather dislike computers and the net (wonderfully handy as it is), so your blog is the only one I follow. Thank you for the joy of it all!
Now back outside to my flowers and birds and little doggie. 🙂
Hugs and sunshine to you, dear Susan, Rhonda in Wyoming
I just gave all my B Potter figurines a bath too! Looking forward to the book!
Dear Susan,
The edge of my chair is almost worn completely through as I wait for your new book to arrive!!!! You are such a joy and I hope you know how much happiness you bring to one and all. Fall is coming and it is my most favorite time of the year. The pumpkins have already peeked their little heads out of the closet! Thank you for sharing your love of life and the miracles around you.
What a great newsy chat! Made my day!
It’s wonderful to hear from you–feels like hearing from an old friend! Nothing beats getting a dose of POSITIVITY in your In Box– a celebration of family, an appreciation of nature, a savoring of the seasons–an appreciation of time and place. Thank you, Susan. ….and MY favorite time of the year is fast approaching; love those crisp Fall days and changing leaves…
What a treat to read about Martha’s Vineyard, England and all of your wonderful quotes, pictures etc. your blog is a pleasure and I look forward to your newest publication.
Reading your Willards and Blogs are like siting down with a very dear girlfriend and spending a beautiful day visiting. We like all the same things and I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thanks for filling my days with great ideas and lots of fun!
Susan….looking forward to The Fairy Tale Book. thank you
Scotland! Will you see the Mull of Kintyre? I can’t wait till you go. Debby
I was so excited to read your latest blog post and Willard…….thank you!
So, oops! I may have left my comment on the wrong post! I complimented you on the new Willard on the Monday post! Oh well. Love your new giveaway idea and hope you “pick me”!
It always brightens my day to see what you have been up to and thinking about. Love the beautiful flowers!
How fun!! Enjoyed every sitting — reading a little here and a little there. Thank you!!
You inspire me to look around at the world outside my window more and work hard at creative endeavors. Thanks for posting yet another fun blog post!
Love your blog! Not much to say from upstate NY.
A new book (sooo excited!) ! A fantastic Willard (I’m one of those who have saved all of them, snail mail versions from the start as well as digital!)! And a lovely blog post!! What a week! Thank you for keeping us up to date on the goings on in your Fairy Tale world. 😉
Is that a fishing pole in the bathroom? Too cute…
how exciting to have 3 drawings! hope I am lucky this time! thank you for all the wonderful things you share with all of us; it is greatly appreciated………..
Sharon
Looking forward to reading your new books!
Thank you Susan, for always bringing a little bit of magic and whimsy to my average life! I find myself reading your blog with a smile affixed on my face and I catch myself humming a tune, usually “Fly Me To The Moon”
I read your cookbooks over and over again (I think I have them all!!) as if they were a novel that I cannot put down!! (I also make some of the recipes as well:)
So, thank you, thank you again for the serendipity you so lovingly supply. 🙂
I’m so happy that you are free! And excited to read “The Fairy Tale Girl” 🙂
Oh, Susan, you are a dear. Three giveaways! I enjoy your blog, your books, Willard, well, everything!
What a joy to travel to England with you again…I can’t wait!! The kitties look so happy…and so does Joe. I’m so looking forward to the new book!!
Hooray for the giveaways!! Hope against hope Vanna will pull my name out. Love hearing about the happenings on the Vineyard. Loved the place when we visited in October of 2013. I even stood in front of your house and had my picture taken. Would love to come back for a longer visit. Can’t wait to read ‘The Fairy Tale Girl’.
Thank you Susan for your beautiful escape via the Willard! I look forward to each and every post and read every word start to finish! Thank you :0)
Congratulations on finishing your book and enjoy this wonderful time of rest and recharging (and the first signs that Fall is approaching).
xo
Oh thank you for reminding me of my grandparents old gingerbread screen door! I loved the sound it made when it closed. As a child I spent many summers and some winters with them! The screen door in the kitchen was a joy to me I could eat my breakfast and look outside to pear and peach trees with miles of green land as far as the eye could see. Dotting land here and there were beautiful black and white cows , with a few brown among them . On summer nights it looked similar to your picture with the light on in the kitchen I could see my grandfather sitting at the table playing his card games while he listened to a baseball game on his radio. I was outside catching fireflies and looking in! I miss those days but I have such good memories. XO
How fortunate to have lived your memories.
Glad to see a new Willard in my mailbox. Looking forward to the new book. Count me in for the giveaways!
~blessings to you as you bless others with your gift of sharing all things lovely~
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for all of us who live out west and are dealing with all the wildfires. I enjoyed reading Willard and your blog as a little escape from the smoke-filled air here in Northern California. Thanks for reminding us that fairytales do come true!
I love, love, love everything Susan Branch!
Welcome back to the land of the celebrators of the end of summer. School starts for me NEXT WEEK!!! I think I need an SB blotter calendar for back to school.
Susan,
Your blog and Willard always fill my heart with delight and hug my soul with new dreams. For the last several years I had the pure joy of sharing them with my Mom. She had been to England in the 80’s. You added to her memories with each and every blogpost along your travels through the English country side a few years ago. In fact, Mom couldn’t wait for me to open up the box full of “A Fine Romance” books when they arrived and had read almost half of the book before I got home from work. Mom passed away of a heart attack at the end of July – after living a spunky 99 years. The week before she died, she asked me why I hadn’t shared any “Susan news” with her lately. I reminded her that you were nose to the grindstone with your next book and she told me if any news came in I could wake her from her nap. What an honor that was.
Thank you for the happy memories you gave me with my mom.
Oh Lorna, you are making me cry. Thank you so much. I’m so sorry for your loss, but it’s clear your memories are wonderful ones. You are so blessed to have had her for so many years. Sending love xoxoxo
Can’t wait for your new adventure. I traveled through the English country side with your book in hand…loved every minute of it. Looking forward to your new book. Kim
Have loved your books for years. Excited to read the new ones!! 🙂
Reading what has been posted….all of the wonderful/ordinary/magical things, help me to escape for just a brief bit of time from my regular schedule of work, chores, etc., and it always makes me smile!! That smile and the feeling that provokes it is such a treat!
What a wonderful prize. I hope I win!
My heart is racing and filled with inspiration. How do you do that? For that, I thank you.
I’ve watched for inspiration all my life, now I’m just trying to give back some of what I got. xoxo Thank you Suzanne.
I love that you started this blog with a Lucy Maud Montgomery quote! I hope that you and Joe make it up to PEI someday (soon). I have been blessed to have spent time there almost every summer of my life. Here is my favorite quote by Lucy Maud Montgomery, about PEI. Truer words were never written. If you go, you will find out for yourselves…
Peace! You never know what peace is until you walk on the shores or in the fields or along the winding red roads of Abegweit on a summer twilight when the dew is falling and the old, old stars are peeping out and the sea keeps its nightly tryst with the little land it loves. You will find your soul then – you realize that youth is not a vanished thing but something that dwells forever in the heart. And you look around on the dimming landscape of haunted hill and long sand-white beach and murmuring ocean, on homestead lights and old fields tilled by dead and gone generations who loved them – and even if you are not Abegweit-born, you will say, “Why, I have come home!”
Lovely, she was QUITE the person. xoxo
Indeed she was. Have you read her journals?
Yes!
Hi Susan! Such a fun post. LOVE the photo of Jack “looking up to the sky”. <3 In the photo of Jack on the ironing board looking toward the gazebo….what is that gorgeous hot pink flower in your yard??
~ Jamie
It is a hydrangea at it’s peak!
Hydrangea!?!? Good lord what do you do to get it to look that color? Is it the variety? Or your put a secret potion on it? 🙂
~ Jamie
It’s the variety . . . and I don’t know the name, but I think it’s really old . . . it also goes from pink to purple!
Looking forward to Willard! It is so good to have you back.
I, too, look forward to Willard’s e-letter! I feel happy when I read about the idyllic summer on the island, the photos of Susan’s flowers and kitties and Joe, her quotes and musings. Many, many thanks to you for your gifts, Susan!
Your roses are absolutely gorgeous!
I just love your love for beauty! Thanks for sharing your beautiful life with us 🙂
All the photos look as tho summer is just beginning! Love the Beatrix Potter figurines ! And the fairy tales do come true banner reminds me of a signI saw advertised on line at the Irish Shop… a “Fairie Crossing” sign! I adore whimsy. And the thought of a trip taking us along ? Can’t wait! So exciting!
oh this is such a generous give away I would love to share it with my mother who is in love with your books..
It must be so much fun planning a big trip to Great Britain! I’m jealous. Can’t wait to read all about that trip!
Aloha Susan! I am so thrilled to know your lovely new book “The Fairy Tale Girl” will be out soon! I have adored your books and artwork for many years. I travel frequently and reading your blogs brings me peace, joy and a source of happiness to look forward to as I often have to merge out from my busy world. I have kept all of your Willard newsletters and was so happy to get the latest one – yippee! So fun! Keep those incredible illustrations, photos and inspiring messages coming – you make our world more of a delightful place. XO!
What a delightful night cap it is to have a Willard email! I’ve just skimmed it, but will go back and read it at a more leisurely manner tomorrow after work, with a lovely iced tea at hand and my feet propped up properly!
So looking forward to the new book. I really appreciate the descriptive manner in which you write. One can truly become enmeshed in the story. I too am looking forward to fall. After being in the 80’s to 90’s here, it was a mere 70 today with a slight chill in the air.
Morning walks, beautiful photos and word pictures, flowers, kitties, and drawings, calendars, delightful book covers and the anticipation of the books, to boot~~what is there not to love?
Your perseverance paid off and now you are living with freedom and a wonderful sense of accomplishment! I think we are all rejoicing with you, Susan!
Many blessing upon you and Joe.
Susan,
I really enjoyed reading your blog and hearing about all that you have been doing since finishing Fairy Tale Girl. Oh! Lucky you planning another trip on Queen Mary 2. I made the crossing in May with a girlfriend and fulfilled a dream I’ve had for years …. I went to Hill Top Farm and the Lake District! Be still my heart. ☺️ It was everything I hoped it would be.
I also visited some of the other places you described in A Fine Romance. Thank you for reminding me that life is good.
Marge
Susan,
I forgot in my previous post to recommend a novel I read called Remarkable Creatures. It was written in 2010 by Tracy Chevalier and tells the story of Mary Anning. A girlfriend from Germany mentioned her in a post yesterday.
Marge
Thank you . . . I went and read about her a bit, remarkable!
Soooo excited for the new book! Pre-ordered and just waiting for delivery. Thank you! I am looking forward to savoring it!
Thanks for sharing your story with us. My life pales to yours and I think I’m busy as I’m in my retirement years gardening, cooking, piece quilting, corraling two Bichon puppies, cleaning, shopping, etc., etc., etc. Include me in your absolutely wonderful giveaway!
I love your Art, Books, Blog, etc. Thank you for sharing your happiness with all of us. Can’t wait to read the Fairy Tale Girl!
What a wonderful way to usher in FALL! Change is in the air, so reading your book while sitting in my patio swing and enjoying the nip in the Colorado air is on my agenda.
Reading Willard is time well spent. Loved the picture of your roses and your darling Jack.
OK…that cat of yours; Floor water is not good enough for him now, he watches out the window for any possible trespassers, he watches me watching him, I can’t believe he’s real – I almost peed my pants! You may have a write a book about him one day.
Hi. Susan,
Love reading your letters. Little short stories. You want to keep reading and never stop. You have that touch of writing that all your readers love. Can’t get enough. You have that special touch in writing and drawing, water color painting. From one of your loyal readers. Thanks for all you do.
Susan/ how I relate to your test sheet. So many times trying out my pen or brush to work just right. Only yours is magical. How I would love to have your sheet to frame. Still keeping my fingers crossed!!Have ordered my book and like everyone counting the days. Joan
so many comments show how popular you are would love to won your give away it is hard to find your items here in Australia these days very annoying. love your blog thanks for sharing your life with us.
Sorry, I am so late to the party! School just started and the new group of darling second graders has me hopping! It has been quite a summer for us all. Now it’s time to settle in, take time to enjoy the next season that’s on it’s way and WHAT???? What is that you say? A new drawing and the FairyTale Girl all just around the corner. Well, I for one just can’t wait! Bring on the fun. 🙂
Hi Susan, just popped over from reading your latest Willard ( a trillion thanks for such an exciting read). Like you, I am looking forward to September, partly because we are off to Beatrix Potter country again for a few days and partly because I am fed up with waiting for the summer to arrive here in the UK. April was a fabulous month and since then – nothing. No rain, very little sunshine, grey skies and lots of wind. It will be such a relief when Auumn arrives. Will be praying for some wonderful Autumn weather for your next visit in 2016 and stunning Stourhead will definitely be on my agenda. Not only will it be amazing to meet you and Joe but I would love to meet up with some of your UK girlfriends. May all the plans you and Joe have for next year be blessed in abundance.
With love from Ann in Cheshire xxxx
You’re coming Ann! That just makes my day. I really don’t imagine there will be many of us, but we will be kindred spirits when we meet!
It was a new revelation to me that ladybugs are a sign of good luck. I’ll be looking for one…or more…in the house in hopes that it means I am entered into the drawings from your resources.
My husband and I are going to commit soon to a plan for something special to do over the Christmas holiday. I am suggesting a barefoot cruise, perhaps with 6 or 8 others on board with us. He is suggesting something entirely different that includes time in a casino and I just can’t jump on board with any excitement for that. (we have done that) We are in our early 60s and I see this as time to take new adventures. Wouldn’t you agree??
Indiana summer has been remarkable. Other than more-than-abundant rains, we are still green and growing and the temperatures have been more moderate than I can ever remember. We have spent so many more evenings enjoying our backyard patio while watching the birds at their various feeders. It’s the simple things, right?
Reading your blog was the right way to start my day…..THANK YOU.
B.
Yes, ladybugs, called ladybirds in England, you can make wishes on the ones that land on you, or on your bathroom wall. xoxo
Congratulations on finishing your book!!! I’ve missed you while you’ve been writing! I enjoy your blog and love the new Williard! You’re such an inspiration!! Can’t wait to see and read your new book!! Take the time to relax now and enjoy the last of summer!! I would LOVE to be the lucky recipient of your giveaway!!
Your pictures and stories make me happy. Looking forward to the new book!
3 giveaways…Oh my how wonderful! I am waiting for my Willard. Hope it comes today. Thanks!
If it doesn’t please let me know!
I am so glad to see the blog and to receive the Willard~it brings me such JOY.
For you writing and art, I am grateful.
You are filled with sunshine and happiness, you have made my day. Congratulations regarding your new book! Thank you for the freebies, the stack of quilts truly speaks my language. The Autumn Artwork is lovely and you can be assured that on the first day of Autumn, one of them will be my wallpaper.
Thankyou for the chance to win a prize! Kitties are the most wonderful companions. I cannot imagine life without them! 🙂
Good Morning Susan – just read Willard. THANK YOU! Home today from two days of Professional Development for teachers…two days of sitting and listening to people talk and learning to use WAY too much new technology – so I made a big cuppa and this morning ( before I “love” my house back into shape) I wanted to savor Willard. THANK YOU again. Can’t wait to make bookmarks for my friend and some of the students at my school. And the stationary….once school gets settled I am going to love September and cool evenings and writing to friends. SO much work at school, but like your book…I know it will get done and then I can enjoy all the Willard treats. One of the things I did learn to do yesterday was create a blog. I did one for my students to talk about what books they read over the summer…and I was thinking “wow, how does Susan do this all the time…this is a lot of work”, but it is also the first step in my dream to create a personal “playing house” blog. You are an inspiration! Thanks for everything you do to help us all enjoy this fairy tale life we all live…I heard a podcast the other day about “Ghosting”…when friends just disappear, you never hear from them again, and how it makes you feel sad…Susan, thank you for never “ghosting” all of us girlfriends. You truly are special, we are thrilled with your success in your new books, and can’t wait to read them. OK…off to scrub down the kitchen, clean the rest of the house, make a peach pie and get ready for company on the screen porch tomorrow…a “fairy tale” life !
Much less ghosting is possible these days, we can follow them everywhere with technology!
How wonderful to have you back. So enjoy your pictures and comments.
Love your dishes, too!
I am a big fan … I love everything you do!
How wonderful that you are planning another trip and that you will share it with us again. A Fine Romance and all your Blog sharing, inspired me to take the most wonderful English Garden trip this past May. Returning on the QM2 was the icing on the cake!! Of course, I carried your book with me……….many thanks
I’m so happy you had that wonderful experience. xoxo
I am one of your admiring fans in Northern California. I ditto all of the above written comments.
Oh, I am so excited for you and us…sweet Fairy Tale Girl! Just lent my favorite, A Fine Romance, to a friend from England. She is loving it but it’s making her homesick…perfect!
Enjoy so well deserved time for you.
Melin
Tell her I’m homesick too, and I’m not even from there! Totally understand!
Oh No ! My Willard just came ( I m a W) and I have to leave for an appointment with no time to read it right now. will get that cup of tea when I return and settle in for the awaited read. Can’t wait! We will be visiting MV again in early September which is find is also a lovely time to poke around the island.
I just love everything you create, I am so thankful for you! I love, love the latest edition of Willard, and all the wonderful music links! It all takes me away to another place of calmness, sweetness and dreaminess! And there is nothing wrong with that! I would so love to win this giveaway ( as does everyone else I imagine!)
Congratulations on completing book one of the two. The Willard was wonderful! Enjoy the rest of summer!
I want to walk down your dirt road and anticipate winning your new book and treats!
I just received Willard! So excited to read it when I am home tonight after work all snug on the couch and ready for my weekend! Thank you Susan, cannot wait for the new books!!!
Love, love, LOVED receiving and reading “WILLARD” – so wonderful of you to share such good stuff with us – thank you!
Reading Willard was the perfect start to my day! Thank-you!
Your Blog is a Happy site A pleasure to see and hear the Musica 🙂
I’ve looked and looked for the comment I left but can’t find it, so I am leaving another because I am so happy you are back blogging and would love to win one of your give-aways! So happy you are having time to enjoy some of the summer! And planning a trip is SO fun – in some ways I enjoy the planning almost as much as the trip (almost- but not quite. ;0) Everyone looks as if they are doing well – particularly handsome photo of Joe and Jack! Hope your MV girlfriends are catching you up on summer fun and your family is doing well too! Willard just arrived yesterday for me so Im off to that and tea. (((hugs))
It is wonderful to read Willard and your blog again! Summer on the island sounds
interesting. Already have my 2016 calendar. Am anxiously awaiting all the new things!
I am sitting at my computer, while my students are taking a test, smiling like a crazy person. YOU always put a smile on my face! l love your blog and how you share special parts to allow us to feel like we know you so well. Thanks for taking the time to do that for us. God has truly blessed you with talents beyond belief and has made YOU a gift to US 🙂 YAY!!!
I’m sitting here smiling like a crazy person, so I know how you feel, although I don’t have an audience! xoxo
Susan,
Go to iTunes for Season 2 of TURN! Enjoy!
AHA!
Thank you for Willard today! Love your writing and paintings. Reading your blog is like sitting down with a dear friend, who knows how to make everything special.
I love so much reading your books and blog… I spent this summer undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Being at home, I rediscovered my collection of your books (and Willard!) and found it cozy and peaceful to be reminded of the simple things I love in life. Reading quotes brought back beautiful memories that filled my heart with gratitude and truly made me feel that life is so precious and the beautiful moments truly arch over the difficult ones. Thank you for your work and know that you bring so much joy to your readers ~Bless you…
I hope that soon you will be MUCH better, sending blessings to you Kerry.