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
I am looking forward to reading your new book. Enjoy all of your pics, drawings and Jack and Girl……..
Your squiggles page, to me, is like the gold you refer to in:
“Autumn is three seasons told”
The Summer heat does not hold;
The season ends in freezing cold;
What’s in between is pure gold.
Thank you for imbuing your blog posts and Willard with the thrill of anticipation and the wonderful inspiration.
Carrie
Ohhhh, Carrie, only you. Thank you dear.
I’m so pleased to be one of your girl friends. Thanks so much for all that you do and share with us!
Well finally the last of your 56,000 Willards were e-mailed out — so I guess Vanna will want to give these folks that were late receivers a couple days to get registered for the big giveaway drawing …. Seems like the right thing to do, even though some of the girlfriends would probably like you to get ON with it! Blogdaddy
You are exactly right Dad! Give everyone a minute to get signed up before Vanna takes the big dive!
Blog Daddy is so AWESOME!❤️
I love your Willards!! I’ve been going through some papers/magazines to get rid of excess baggage and I came across some old Willards – pre-internet ones! This find gave me energy to continue because, who knows, maybe I have some more stowed away! Of course I’m going to continue to save these.
Hi Susan,
Your books inspire me daily! Love your blog as well!!! Can’t wait to see the new book!!!
Thanks!
Jonna
Reading your blogs and drinking in the whimsical drawings should be bottled and sold as SB’S stress reef potion <3. Think about it; I can see it now w/ one of your new fairies on the label, a <3 and a little fairy dust.
Mmmm, thinking what could BE in the potion. Yum!
I’m so glad to be back, had some internet problems but fixed now, thank goodness !!!!. Can’t wait for the new book. Closing summer place,going to be home must doing tons of dusting, and getting ready for fall. Not ready for winter but ready for your book,fall meals,and season change !!!.
You are an amazing, talented delight. Didn’t realize how much I missed Willard but it shows you’re keeping busy creating.
So glad there will be a new Willard….also happy to see you blogging again, missed, missed, you.
I love your blog! I bought your cookbook “Heart of the Home” and today I made my very first batch of homemade mayonnaise. It makes me very happy to see it in the green mason jar in the frig.
Aloha, Susan!
Did you see a pin drop over Honolulu? I received Willard and loved it!
When I looked at the “pin map”, Hawaii wasn’t visible. I wanted you to know
Willard reached the Aloha State! I share your website with many of my
friends and always experience the same response: they love it! Congratulations on your new book and for adding yet another special adventure and work of art to the universe! Lucky us! Mahalo!
I could move it from right to left, watching, really, the whole world! It was something new, and extremely mesmerizing!
Aloha, Susan! Did you see a pin drop over Honolulu? I received Willard and loved it. I share your website with many of my friends and they love it.
Congratulations on your new book. Thanks for creating another adventure and work of art for the universe! Mahalo!
I DID! So fun! Mahalo Margaret!
So glad to hear that you have finished the book and I cannot wait to read it. My husband and I have bought our plane tickets to visit SE Mass the week of Columbus day and plan on spending a night on the Vineyard. We rather enjoy the island during “off” season.
Reading your blog, and Willard with your art and pictures was one of the highlights of my week! I’m so grateful you are still writing and bringing such joy to our lives!! I have followed you from the time you wrote your 1st book and treasure it. Thank you for your prayers for the fires we are having in California. They’re better here in No. CA, but the smoke is now bad. You are a blessing.
Your new book “The Fairy Tale” Part One sounds awesome.Thanks for having a giveaway and thinking about all of us at the other end of your computer!Mollie
Well, it is just about time to pull my Susan Branch autumn book off the shelf so that I can have my pretend fall season down here in the land down under… I just finished your wonderful Romance book and so look forward to receiving your new book — just ordered it! But that doesn’t mean I sure wouldn’t love to win your drawing….. drum roll….. and the winner is…… !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for being a ray of goodness and light in our lives.
Your giveaways are the best!! Thank you for prayers for our region out here–we are so smoky and hot right now! We need all the prayers we can get. Happy Almost Fall, Susan!! 🙂
we need the rain, a good soaking rainstorm about now would be a big help, especially in clearing out all the smoke.
Thank you , thank you!! I love seeing your wonderful work and look forward to reading the new books!! Been a fan for a long time~
It’s so nice to have you back Susan, we’ve missed you. So lovely to see all your beautiful flowers and pictures of darling Jack & Girl Kitty (and Joe too ;)), and your dear Beatrix Potter people. I’m so happy for you too that you’ve got your life back…and congratulations on finishing your book!!! I hope I win it!!!
Cheers to you for your wonderful watercolors, quotes, music, and sharing your dreams!
I love reading anything from you! I only wish I had a way with words and a paint brush like you. I just love your genuineness. LOL.
I just finished reading the latest Willard, so exciting, and could not wait to come over here and try my luck in your drawing!
Susan
So hope you get to go on your next UK trip, Susan! I’m excited just thinking about it!
Hi Susan :-). Just finished reading Willard and your Blog which is always a delight — kind of like taking a mini Martha’s Vineyard vacation. Thank you for including so many great pictures. Would love you to consider coming to our local bookstore for your Spring book signing tour. Sundial Books is on another beautiful island called Chincoteague on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The island was made famous when Margurite Henry wrote Misty of Chincoteague. Now you can relax a bit and enjoy the rest of the Summer. Sarah
So delightful to have a Willard and blog at the same time. So glad you are getting to enjoy some of your summer before it is gone. We were at a wedding reception at the end of May in Maryland and then up to tBoston for a Holland America cruise to Bermuda. Wonderful time! On the way home stopped to see friends and family. It was a long trip but fun also. Loved seeing all your roses here. Beautiful. Happy for you your book is finished! Hugs to you, Gail.
Looking forward to your new book – so excited!
Missed hearing from you, welcome back. Can’t wait to get my copy of The Fairy Tale Girl! Enjoy the the cooler days, can’t wait for fall.
Oh Susan! To win this would be a dream! I simply cannot (but will have to) wait for your new book! Thank you for sharing your heart!
Welcome back from that tunnel you were buried in for so long….missed you.
Looking forward to a book to delude me into thinking that fall isn’t coming.
It’s just lovely to have you back, Susan, and so exciting to anticipate the receipt of The Fairy Tale Girl! Oh, happy day!
Susan,
Just got a chance to read Willard, as we were out of town and hadn’t received mine before we left. Delightful! Always enjoy them.
Jan
You are such an inspiration to me – thank you!
I enjoy reading your blog and have appreciated your artwork for many years.
Howdy Susan and Girlfriends! Lovely long post, and wonderful prizes to be won – of course I have to throw my hat into the ring! Have been puttering away at getting my new kitchen remodel rolling, but it’s taking far too long to suit me. At least I know it will be done sometime soon. And – we have a beautiful new kitty – a gorgeous big black and white tuxedo-wearing fellow. His last people had to move to a new place and couldn’t take him, so I was thrilled to get him. He’s a lover, always rubbing ’round and ’round our ankles. No cute mustache like Jack, but very handsome nonetheless. Hugs and good luck to all giveaway participants! ♥
Lucky kitty to get you for a mom!
I love all your blog posts- always so fun, cheerful, and upbeat. Thank you for the Willard and the owl bookmark! And I love your new fairies! So sweet and cute!
Can’t wait to read your new book, Susan. Loved every page of your last one. Your positive, grateful spirit is a gift that keeps on giving…..thank you for continuing to inspire year after year!
Loved your latest Willard. Can’t wait to read your new book! My cousin and I have both pre-ordered and plan to read your book together. Love how you think and see life and the world around you. Your spirit and soul are refreshing and inspiring. Love you!
Hi there! So looking forward to your latest storybook full of art. I grew up on fairy tales. They so often set standards and good guides to how to treat others. A good start for a child. I really enjoy good paper and charming art so your style makes for an unbeatable combo. Been a fan for many years, always a pleasure to get a new post, a Willard or anything from your pen! Thanks for everything you do to include us in your world. It’s lovely you share it with us all.
I have enjoyed this month’s Willard so much! Thank you for sharing your heart. I feel like we are “kindred spirits” even though we don’t know each other. I love days that I can look at a room in our home and create; take old things and display them in a new way to savor a memory. Thanks for inspiring me to take time to see the beauty in each day.
Glad to see you back. I LUV your words!
I already have your wall calendar for next year! Now for the book….
thank you for all your years of creating and charming everyone with your stories and products. you delight us continually. count me in with all the others who can hardly wait for your newest book, “the fairytale girl”! betcha it’ll be a ‘fine’ read! hope the joy you share with others comes back to you tenfold…for you uplift all of us in so many ways! ~ ~ ~
I enjoy your blog so much, and can’t wait to read your new book.
Just finished reading Willard, and loved it!
Happy Early Autumn!
I am a complete neophyte to your books and blog – but not for long! Looking forward to checking everything out!
Dear Susan,
Your “squiggles page” is wonderful….it’s you. It would be a framing treasure!
So happy your blogs are back as they are my cozy-comfy moment sharing Smallville with all the girls. Your presentation make one feel like they are right there with you……and I think we all wish we could be some days.
XO Mary
Returning to normal routine after a busy time is one of the best feelings – it is renewing and comforting at the same time. So very happy for you!
Love seeing the kitty photos, lost my sweet black and white Charlie in May and still grieving — he was my best friend — but I still can enjoy Jack and Girl Kitty.
Just happy, happy for you after reading this post.
Fantastic! Everything you do is just fantastic. I always enjoy your posts and love how you point out the magic in life.
a fine romance was one of my favorite books! I read it several times and gave another as a gift. I can’t wait for the new book!!
Thank you for sharing snippets of your everyday life with us. Beauty is all around!
Your books sound delightful!! I would love to win one!
Intergrated in my writing process is reading books – it’s really helpful to step back and hear someone else’s words instead of my own. My favorite reading companions are a good cup of tea and my kitty-cat. 🙂
Yipeee! Another trip on the Queen Mary 2! How exciting! (don’t forget your armbands!)
Your are amazing and inspiring !!!! When I need to know that the world is alright, all I have to do is read one of your books or blog. Thank you for that pleasure.
I have been a fan from book one,I am so excited about your new book.
Thanks for all you do in producing your blog posts and Willard. They are “Joyous”! Also a couple of my sorority sisters and I have been using your scrapbook pages for our teacher sorority scrapbook. They have saved us a lot of work and they are sooo beautiful too. You are blessed with amazing talent and that blesses your followers in turn.
Thank you for lovely blog post! So enjoy everything you do. Can’t wait to read, The Fairy Tale Girl.
Love your calendars, Susan! I always have one of the month pictures, depending on the season, framed and hanging in my kitchen!
welcome back, susan and willard!
Glad to see your blogs again, and the Williard- all very sweet. Looking forward to your new book. And your possible trip- as I recall you were thinking of Scotland. Great choice if it is. Try to visit Doune Castle where Outlander was mostly filmed.
I bought my very first Susan Branch book at the gift shop in Oak Bluffs and subsequent items at Bunch of Grapes. Over the years my girls and I have stayed on the Island at a friend’s house in Vineyard Haven. It is one of our favorite yearly retreats to “peace and quiet and relaxation!” nd we have taken that road many a time to swim!! Can’t wait to get your new book and read all about your fun adventures over the years.
Hi Susan, love reading your blog and the Williard is great, too. I really look forward to seeing a new entry in my mailbox. Please keep them coming!
Your work and words always make me smile…………thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the sunshine…that beams from you and touches our lives. In so many ways the joy you share, the positivity, and life outlook uplifts the spirit.
I know us girlfriends express to you how meaningful the gift of the blog is to us, and on days when we face challenges…..there are times your words make all the difference in our day.
So happy for you, thank you for the Willard, the fun and the joy….. and can not wait for the Fairy Tale Girl!
I am so excited for your new book! I am also excited to begin teaching my second graders this fall. My own two children have been carefully moved into their new college ” nest ” seven hours away . It was very hard to say good bye. Sarah was accepted into veterinary school and Steven plans to be a speech pathologist. They are in eastern Washington where smoke is thick from the wildfires. My maternal instinct was to load them along with Nicole (their Basset hound ) into my car and bring them back home with me. My husband assured me that they were safe from harm near the WSU campus. We are all starting a new chapter in our lives! Thank you for your inspiring blog! It will help brighten my days during my empty nest transition !
Wishing you the best with the transition ~ cook lots of good things, it’s soul soothing . . . I understand your wanting to keep them home!!
Thank you for you kind words… They mean more than you will ever know! The fact that you took the time to write back means so very much to me! I must redefine my life right now. I have always loved to cook from your lovely cookbooks. I will need to scale down and cook for just two. I am also starting a new journey . I was given a kiln and want to dabble with clay, water color, and anything else I can find. I have alway been creative but these outlets have remained dormant while I was raising my children. You have been such an inspiration to me! Thank you!
A Kiln! How wonderful! Thank you Julie …
Can’t wait for your book! Congratulations!!!
I love your Willards and I can’t wait for the new book!
Can’t wait for the new book. One question, should I read Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams before reading A Fine Romance?
You don’t have to read these two new ones in order to understand and enjoy A FINE ROMANCE, it stands by itself — the two new ones are about my life before AFR. If that makes sense.
Can’t wait to read the new book. I have everything you have ever written!!
Glad you’re able to enjoy some of your summer Susan, it looks beautiful there. Can’t wait to read the new book — thanks for all you do for us!
Found “Hobson’s Choice” at our local library and watched it last night — LOVED it!! So touching and funny and cute! And to see a VERY young Prunella Scales was really something. Thanks for the recommendation, I think ALL your Girlfriends will truly enjoy this movie! Love this Willard, too!
Love your review!
I have loved your artwork and books for years! I live vicariously through Willard and your blog. So excited for the new book ~ congratulations!
Life is Good. So many blessings around us, no matter what time of year.
A lot of us think the way you write, so it’s like we all think alike, but I doubt we could all write it as well as you do.
Wishing prosperity for The Fairy Tale Girl.
J
come on Autumn … I am SO ready!!!
Here I am – late as usual. I haven’t checked into your beautiful blog in awhile, and how lucky I am that there is a drawing, a new calendar, AND a new book going on!!
I am crossing my fingers for the drawing, and will be watching for the calendar and book to be on sale – just in case the drawing doesn’t pan out!!
Great photos in your posting – such beauty in our own backyards -thanks for sharing yours 🙂
I’m very excited to read your new book and hoping you will come back to Oklahoma City for a book signing. I so enjoyed meeting you at your A Fine Romance signing.
I loved it too! Thank you Lori!
WILLARD is always wonderful to read. I have missed it! So many exciting things happening!
good morning everyone, hope your weekend was excellent, our county fair is over now, summer is winding down here and its cooling down a bit so we are now getting a feel for Autumn. I have a recipe for cocktail munchies, it helps to get rid of the endless stream of cherry tomatoes by the end of the summer harvest. just take a small bowl and pour some good vodka in it, chill overnight in the refrigerator, wash and let dry a bowl of cherry tomatoes, and chill them an hour or so. now in a small plate or dish mix some Morton’s nature’s seasoning and a small bit of celery salt to taste….. bring out the chilled tomatoes and put toothpicks in them, dip in the chilled vodka, then in the seasoning mix and pop into mouth, you have a bloody Mary on a stick. very refreshing to go with cocktails or for porch sitting these late summer evenings. also a big hit with cocktail parties… its a different treat and so simple to do. enjoy!!!! hugs… 🙂
Thank you Pat!
my pleasure, and I hope you try those some time, they are really good. I love them when we are out on the porch watching the tractors chug on by, and pretty soon the tractors will chug for the last time this summer. enjoy!!!!
Hi, Susan,
Thank you for always brightening my day! Your words and thoughts are so true, and it is wonderful to know that I have a kindred spirit in you–loving nature and counting the many bountiful blessings in the world. Thank you for YOU! Hugs, Laura
Love your blog, Susan! My grandma showed it to me about three years ago, and I still read every post. I’m probably one of your youngest readers since I’m only 15! Thanks for the books and the blogs and the calendars and everything else!
You probably are Vienna! XOXO
Thank you again for the wonderful Blog and Willard. They are such a treat to read and I always enjoy all the pictures too. Thank you for taking time to fill us all in on everything! Best of luck on the future trip! I can’t wait to see the new book as well. Take Care.
Vanna – Pick me, pick me! Dear Susan – Summer has been a constant part of my summer for years….I’ve got photos of Lady-slippers on June 1 for several years running – Thank you! And how did it take me till TODAY to find this blog? XoX
Welcome Kathleen! xoxo
Love it all Susan, so nice to have you back. Looking forward to Fall and Holidays with you and cant wait to read your new books!
thank you! Hugs and kitty kisses to those wonderful kitties. toni
Congrats on the new book! Can’t wait to read it! And, oh, those Jack pictures…..I could just watch him all day! I have no idea how you manage to be as productive as you are without getting distracted :o) Take care!
Such fun and anticipation! Thank you for all of the inspiring posts and beautiful pictures. Have a happy day.
Welcome back! Does it feel like you missed out on summer with all the deadlines you had to meet? I’m glad you have time to enjoy your island before the days get too short 🙂
Summer is oddly, my least favorite season, so if I have to miss one, this is a good one to miss! It’s not over, I’m making up for it now!
I am sooooo ready for the Fall to get here. I am tired of this summer heat… and yes we are talking triple digit heat!!! YUK!!!! I’m ready for soup and sweater weather, stews simmering away on the stove and pot roast in the oven, hurry up Fall we can’t wait forever but we will try 😉
I am sooo glad you are back with us. I have missed the joy that you bring to my day. Thank you for being you and sharing your life with us. Carla
Just what we all needed, a trip back to the Island to visit! We have missed you, Sweet Susan! Thank you for working so hard on this lovely new book that we are all counting the days to read. How wonderful to enjoy what you do so much! We have had a lovely summer in Wisconsin and look forward to the Fall. Wishing you and Joe well! Love the picture of the bathroom where we can see his fishing pole-my hubby, Tim, would be right on board with that!
Susan,
As always, this blog and Willard were JUST what I needed to get over my sadness that always occurs now, at the end of a wonderful summer. Many, many thanks.
Nora
Hi Susan: Just finished reading Willard for the third time. There was so much wonderful info there, I needed to absorb it. I’ll probably need to read again and again. I love it. It’s my first Willard. Enjoy your September, October and November (my favorite months too). Much love to you and yours.
I’ll try to write more of them!
Susan, I’ve loved your artwork for a long time, and I have your cookbook, Vineyard Seasons, which has more beautiful artwork and tasty recipes!
Oh so fun to read your blog. Absolutely the best out there. Hope things are more relaxed for you until your next project begins.
Hope I win, hope I win, hope I win….. Thanks for the opportunity!
yayyyyyy just got my Willard and snuggled in with a big coffee mug full. My household knows I’ll growl and maybe bite if Im interrupted when reading you in any form. Its like my fairytale escape to somewhere all my own, courtesy of you! So I get only halfway thru and its the UPS man banging and of course NOone is around but me, so I must growl to the door. Growl turns to pure joy when its my box with your Autumn book and new calendars and Notes for the year and several other goodies!!! I think I just skipped back to my laptop!!! Interruption forgiven!!!! Long Live Willard!!!!!
Excellent timing on part of UPS person, otherwise I feared for him! Thank you Linda!!
Such a pleasure to find Willard in my inbox. Always brightens my day. Thank you!
LoVe all your work Susan! And the Jack & Girl Kitty pics~~~squeeeee!
I LOVE your work and can not wait to read your new book! I am such a big fan or your lovely art work and so happy to have found your blog page!
Thank you!