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
Your blogs always make me sooo happy!
Susan, so happy your new book is finished and you can enjoy the end of Summer on MV!!! Hope you made it to the Ag Fair, maybe you tossed your skillet!!!
hello susan ,
the post was wonderful worth the wait so good to hear all the joys in your life!
over 3,000 posts wow I can say I knew you when .. cant wait for the book I feel
like a kid at Christmas bye for now, marisa from the western n.c. mountains
Don’t worry, you still know me when! 🙂
I can’t wait to read the new book! Your book about England is one of my all time favorites. Of course, always good to visit the kitties.
So glad you’re back to posting and a new willard too! A great pick-me-up at the end of the summer season!
I’ve loved your work for many years!!
A Susan Branch post, especially with kitty pictures, always makes my day brighter!
How exciting! I hope to one day convince my husband that sailing to England would be just the ticket!! And I love that one of the giveaways is your “scratch pad” I think sometimes these are the most lovely of all 🙂
So glad you’re back at the helm on your blog – and Willard too! How I’ve missed those! As always, there’s so much goodness overflowing here, from you to all of us…Sweet corn, sweet flowers, sweet kitties And sweet opportunities. Thank you for it all!
Can’t wait for the new book! I am looking forward to every page!
Such a beautiful posting. The photos are dreamy. Love your kitties. So nice to have little companions to share time with. Thanks you so much for sharing and for a very nice giveaway.
I found myself driving down a road not knowing where it would take me just because it reminded me of the English country lanes you drove down in A Fine Romance. It was such a delight seeing the sun peek through the trees, the winding road, old houses, and streams. It’s little magical moments like these that refresh ones soul.
Love it Chrissy!
I am re-reading A Fine Romance and Girlfriends this August in anticipation of your new book…can hardly wait! Thank you for all the joy and inspiration that your blog, books & + bring! While we will probably never meet, you enrich my life with your talent, style and warmth. Happy, “it is in the printer’s hands” time! Looking forward to reading your new book and have fingers and toes crossed that I might be a lucky winner. 🙂
So fun! Always glad to get a new Willard!
happy day, I’m so excited for your new release
Reading Willard is a way to be good to yourself.
Thank you for inviting all of us into your world! I love reading your writings!! Thank you for all your wonderful give aways!!! This past week & now this week…we are experiencing early fall weather & enjoying it completely here in St. Charles, MO! Glad you are enjoying your freedom!
I can’t wait to view your newest creations! Of course, if I am chosen, I would get a sneak peek and would love that! Glad the blog is back in business!
I’ve been loving your books (and blogs, now) for 30 years!!
A mere 28, let’s not push it! 🙂
Thank you for your lovely books and calendars and drawings … they brighten my days! Thanks, too, for the drawing … hope to win! Linda
Your words always make me smile. I’d love to win so I’ll have some smile material for the winter. Brrrrr
Come back here, we can help with that!
Have loved your books ever since someone was kind enough to gift Vineyard Seasons for my birthday many years ago. Even when I lost them all when our house burned down in the fires in San Bernardino in ’03, my friends bought them for me, as they knew how much I loved them. Can’t wait for the new one!
Now that’s what friends are for! xoxo
Susan, even your “test paper” has a real artistic beauty :)) I love Jack preferring sink water! Ha. Xoxo
OOPS! I think I commented under the wrong post initially.. So glad I went back to check 🙂 I hope I’m doing it right this time! My Mom & I adore you & I would love to win & share it with her!
*This was what I meant to post here originally, but accidentally did it on the blog post under this one :)*
My Mom has been a fan of yours & read your books to me since I was little..we would pick a recipe from your books & make them together..Some of my greatest childhood memories, include a “Susan Branch Book”! Now, that I’m 31, I have my own collection of your books & Mom just loves the fact that she has rubbed off on me so much! I would LOVE to win & share it with her..she absolutely deserves it, after all the hard work she put in to raising me & my sister:) My Mom & I absolutely love you & your talent to pieces! Thank you, for keeping “Imagination” alive..it can be hard to find sometimes!
Love to you, your sister, and your mom! xoxo
Love all the squiggles!
I always enjoy reading your blog! I have been a fan of yours for years.
I look forward to reading your book. I also enjoy all of the pics of
Jack and Girl.
The coming of Autumn brings nostalgia as well and a welling up inside that I just can’t explain but know that I am in good company with this group. I inherited it from my mom and we both are feeling the fast approach of Fall.
Reading your blogs just makes this all that more exciting. My mom and I both read them. Thank you for making us feel like an old friend.
Love having you here! xoxo
Having lots of fun enjoying your blog!
Thank you for all the smiles, joy and light you bring to all of us who read and enjoy your wonderful world. Your blogs, Willards and books are lovely and special. Thanks for sharing all your talents with us. Love all of them.
I just loved the photos of your Beatrix Potter “family” getting their baths – so precious!
Susan, I feel as though you and I are Kindred Spirits! You are so blessed, and you share your blessings with us so eagerly and willingly! I look to your words and illustrations for inspiration in my life. They provide the nudge that I often need to keep dreaming, and working to make those dreams come true. You make me appreciate dappled sunlight, soft breezes, the smell of spicy pumpkin pie and the billowing waves on the sea. Please never stop what you’re doing, because you are doing something wonderful and meaningful with your life. Thank you for being you!
Thank you Patti xoxoxo
Magic! Your work is pure magic.
Dearest thing to say, thank you Ginger!
Thank you so much for the owl bookmark! I love reading your blog, especially when I need to relax. Retiring soon…….
I would love to win! You bring beauty to life!
What a delightful post! You are so busy, so blessed, so full of joy! I wish I had time to read all the comments today as I sit back and wonder where summer has gone, yet enjoy this beautiful breath of fall-like air that is settling in to northern Indiana.
Loved seeing the apple-star. I used to share a star story with my second graders each fall as we did various apple projects. Nice memories.
BTW — has my dear friend Lucy shared her most exciting news with you???
Enjoy every day — Life is good!!! Ethel
Not sure . . . did she? Inquiring minds need to know!
I just love love love Everything you do. You make me happy!
Jaimee
Thank you Susan for the awesome blog!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Dear Sue,
I have many Beatrix Potter People, too. Actually that was my greatest ever thrift store find: 19 little figurines for less than a dollar each for F Warne and Company Beswick England figurines. I scooped up my lovelies before they ever hit the shelf! They love living with me, too.
Hugs,
Connie B
Ooooooooh. That was amazing Connie, lucky person!
I just love all of your stuff. I wait less-than-patiently every year for the new calendars (one for home, one for work)….Thanks for everything.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S . . . Susan !
As you surely must know . . . all of us “Girlfriends” out here are thrilled for you and your new books ! I was planning to do some calendar shopping but how exciting if I were to win one along with all your other goodies that you mentioned . . . Now, relax and enjoy the rest of your summer with your man : )
Love, Linda of So Cal
Im so excited.. I received my first willard and i just loved it.. Thank you so much.. I love your post my day was on drab and you brightened for sure with some inspiration. I have my new calenders 2016. I couldnt wait to order so i pre ordered and received last month. I just had them out and looked at them again.. Im glad your able to post more your really a kindred spirit… Have a blessed evening with love Janice ps I just love Jack…
Yankee Magazine in my mail today, saw your full page add for your new book! YEA!
I have been a fan since long before the internet so its fun to be able to enjoy you whenever I want! You represent all that is happy, and I can’t help but be uplifted while “in your presence”. Thanks for the fun blog and Willard, and everything else of course! Thanks for being my happy.
Fall + Susan Branch= A Match Made in Heaven. :0)
Thank you for making our seasons bright!!! Cannot WAIT for your new book…hugs from the mama and daughter in Idaho.
Sorry if this is a duplicate. I am being told by my daughter that I posted the first time in the wrong place??. So, I am trying it again. LOL! I will try and make this one much shorter. I have enjoyed your work for so long now..ever since the very first time I saw one of your recipes in the Country Living magazine. I used to rip them out and put them in a folder and I would just marvel at the words and the drawings. I used to think “boy I wish I could do that”. I had always dreamed of writing a cookbook someday. You know what?..I did! I made scrapbook cookbooks with family recipes for both of my girls to have. (single mom here). One of the first recipes of yours that I did for my girls, was the watermelon whale. It turned out so cute-just like the picture in your cookbook. My girls loved it-and we had so much fun with it. It made a plain ol’ summer day become a wonderful memory. Thank you Susan for all the wonderful talent you share with us all. It is very much appreciated.
It’s the little things that count. xoxo Thank you Felicia!
YAY!!!! Another book!! Are you going on another book tour??!!!
Love to you!!
Nan
When the second one comes out, spring, the perfect time!
Wow…how blessed you are to have so many ‘friends’….and we are blessed to have someone like you who brings such delight. Thank you for always thinking of us!
It’s so good to have TWO long communications from you this week! Thank you for indulging our fairy tale fantasies with your wonderful raffles…hope I win something because it’s so thrilling to WIN! Recently attended a Downton Abbey Tea at the Shakespeare Corner Shoppe in San Diego and failed abysmally on the quiz, so that must mean it’s time to tune up and review all the past seasons in preparation for the upcoming last one. Looking forward with you to your new book(s), the calendars, and the fall! You help me to cherish these days of life well-lived. Thank you!
Reading your blog is like putting on my favorite sweatshirt. You make me feel warm and comfy cozy. I love your pictures. You bring me back in time when we vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard for years and years in a row. A long time ago. Such great memories. Thanks for sharing your view of the island.
I must hang my head in shame. I don’t think I’ve ever given my Beatrix Potter figurines a bath. Clearly, my care-taking skills are lacking. Oops!
N.B. Your “night sky” photograph is intoxicating!
You will almost hear them giggle when you do! 🙂
So appreciate your artwork, would love to win.
You are so very generous in the way you share your life with others. Thank you so much! I love your blog, your books and your calendars. You really make my day!
Hi Susan,
Today would have been my parents 67th anniversay♡ My dad was as handsome as could be and my mom was pretty and shy. She taught me how to decorate and I always thought we would have been great friends if we were born at the same time! The cover of your Fairy Tale Girl book reminded me of her~she would have been a Susan Branch fan too. And so, my 2nd mum on earth is 78 years young, English and full of charm too! She introduced my husband to old movies when he was very young so when I married him 32 years ago, we started to watch all the great ones together ~ I haven’t seen Hobson’s Choice yet but I’m looking forward to watching it! Lastly, my son & his wife had a feisty little redhead, Callie, about 4 months ago and she has fairies painted all over her walls♡ So reading your blog tonight reminded me of how blessed I am♡ Thanks for all the smiles you bring!
Delightful!
So enjoyed this Willard! Thank you.
Your artwork is so beautiful! It makes me smile and feel optimistic even when I was feeling down.
Beautiful night sky! How exciting to be able to step outside and just take it all in. What a blessing. So glad you’re “back”.
How indulgent! A Willard and a blog post all at once. I’m almost overwhelmed… but still able to leave a comment for the drawing. Would it be wrong to bribe Vanna?
Thank you for your lovely words of cheer. Have a beautiful summer finale!
Susan, when I read your blogs, books, or any of your creations, I can literally feel my heart swell with joy and peace. Thank you
You’re right. Even with over 3,100 comments I am more likely to win one of these prizes than the lottery because I keep forgetting to buy a lottery ticket. Seriously! I never think about it until I see the sign telling me what the current amount is, and then I say to myself, “Self, you can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket.” Then I forget again. Too many other things going on in life that keep me from stopping and buying a ticket. Maybe I will next time…
I never buy them either, I figure I have the same chance of winning the lottery whether I buy a ticket or not. I’m really not the big-money prize winner type! Now a quilt, I could win a quilt! 🙂
So nice that you’re posting again since you emerged from your writer’s cave! Glad the Potter crew got a bath. And, as usual, I enjoyed the kitty fix.
Now I’m really craving corn on the cob for some reason. 🙂 Off to the store, I think. . . .
I love your work! Everything reminds you of home and family.
Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures! I would love to win one of your giveaways!
I love your work Susan. Today I got to write in your Baby Love book for the first time. After a very long time my husband and I are finaly pregnant! I bought the baby book used. Any chance these books might come back in print?
OH my goodness, I am SO HAPPY for you and your husband Tatiana!!! Wishing you the MOST wonderful pregnancy in the world, and a fabulous, slippery, quickly-born, beautiful new baby! As for that book, no plans at this time, but I’m very happy you found one. xoxo
What wonderful things happening for you. A new book!!!! Fantastic!!! Love you books!!!
I can’t wait to read the new book!
always a daybrightener to read your blog! and a hopeful chance at prizes!! thank you!
Thank you for the magic your work provides – showing glimpses of wonder in the every day!
Have always adored your work, your words, your wonder. Keep it up. It makes me smile, and sometimes, that is so much.
Good Luck to all the Girlfriends out there! And, me too! Thanks, Susan!
I have loved your artwork for many years & would be overjoyed to win your giveaway! 🙂
I am so happy that you are back to “normal” life and are blogging more again! Your posts are always so cozy and get me excited for the current and coming seasons!
Thank you so much for what you do and share. You make life happy and magical.
Can’t wait to get the two new books I ordered. Love reading about what you have been doing and your life on the island.
Hi Susan, I have, and love, all of your books. I miss your family style calendar. I am really looking forward to your be book. Thank you for creating all of your beautiful works of art.
You are so cute! I hope you will write another book about your next England visit.!
LOVE reading Willards! I know it had to happen, but those snail mail ones would still be fun to see in my mail box! And, congrats on the new book! Hugs ~ Donna E.
Susan, you brighten my world! Thank you for sharing your life with us. I can’t wait to read your new book! 🙂
Hi Susan from Kim in San Luis Obispo. I’m glad you are back to the normal routine. Love the pics of the kitties. And everything else. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Kim
Say hello to San Luis for me!
Susan, no matter what the season, you always add to it! Love the photos.
Love your blog!!! Love your kitties :). Can’t wait for your new book. Congratulations!!!
Lovely!
Looking forward to your books, just re read A Fine Romance and I don’t read books a second time very often- just as enjoyable as the first time through.
What a very nice compliment! xoxo
I love your site, it is so inspiring! Your delightful painting, cooking and sharing of yourself is such a blessing! thank you so much!
Suzanne
Sitting down with a cup of tea to catch up with your blogs. Makes me so happy. Puts a smile in my heart.
I just love your blog. It’s always so cheerful.
I love your beautiful pictures.
Wow,,,what a delight to find a new post and Willard too. Thank you so much to take the time for all the updates of home and you pictures are priceless. I love the night sky and so many stars to count our blessing and glad you have some time now to enjoy these beautiful days. Thank you again for all your generous beauty you share with us. Enjoy your day.
Thank you so much Susan! You are so sweet to share yourself and those you love with us – Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I agree with everything Patti Fitzgerald said. You are an inspiration & a blessing!! Love your blog!!!
Wonderful Willard! Your adventures and love of domesticity and life are a joy ! Thank You!
Loved your Island in May! It was very quiet & a good first time visit! I hope to return one day! There is magic over there!
I would imagine you probably brought some of it along with you!
A lot going on around here in my little world as well. We have our 10th grandbaby arriving 7 weeks early and just leaving the NICU after having spent 31 days there! Finally had a chance to sit down and read this post along with Willard. Enjoy your posts so much and I’m very happy that things are back to normal for you as well. Looking forward to your posts through the fall.
Love this blog…have some of your books and have always loved them…they are always whimsical, happy, light and make me smile! 🙂
I love everything you make and would love to win anything at all!!
I just love everything you do & so happy to get Willard today ‘cuz I needed something wonderful to read…..thank you so much. You are the best !
Hoping Vana draws my name. You are so generous. Thank you.
Dear Fabulous Susan,
How often is it, that we get to meet women from “our tribe”? We usually know within moments, that we speak the same language. We probably hum the same tunes.Through some pretty awesome gifting from the universe, we have a love and deep appreciation for the treasures that are given to us each and every day. Whether it is the crunch of a leaf, or a wave reaching for the shore, we get it, and we feel dang lucky that we do! We look up. Stars, the moon,& clouds still amaze us. No matter how many times we see the sun rise over the water, we let out a quiet whisper of “wow” at that first little “bling” (if it made a sound…) of that big ‘ol sun.
Vineyard Seasons was on a coffee table at a house in which we were staying on MV, many years ago. I remember picking it up, and falling in love with every little detail. I immediately recognized your work from Country Living Magazine, and was giddy at the fact that I got to see more than one page of this “place” that one falls into somewhere between your words & your art. I love that place. I know that place. I was so enchanted by how you brought us into that place, and shared the things that made it uniquely yours. Those who know “that place” superimpose their version of traditions, special recipes, simple pleasures, and memories. You managed to not only speak to your “tribe”, but you also illustrated and wrote in a way that made the thoughts of “our place” come very much alive! We spent many summers on MV, and I even saw you a time or two walking in Vineyard Haven. I maintained the MV code of being nonchalant at the sighting of any “celeb type”, even when Carly remarked about the cuteness of my little gals! Our girls are now 23 & 32 ( sort of like two only children), and it has been quite some time since we have been back to that magical place. Having your books, reading your blog and FB page, brings happy memories, and stirs my creativity in such a delightful way. Good grief, people with a lot of passion need to be given a limit when writing about things they love! Sorry for the length! I will leave you with this: When comparing notes on summer vacations with other families, some just don’t get what the attraction is, if there are no big loud amusement parks and minute to minute activity. They would ask, “what did you do on MV?” To which I replied “well, we hunted for sea glass, and discussed what flavor ice cream we were going to try next at Mad Martha’s.” Yep, that’s about it. We were so fortunate to discover what is called the “Cape Cod” of the midwest, after my husband was appointed Director of The School of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University 18 years ago! We go to Door County, Wisconsin every summer, and I can say without hesitation, that it is as every bit magical as Martha’s Vineyard was to us so many years ago. I heard a rumor that Cape Cod brochures are saying they are the Door County of the East Coast!!!! haha!
Now that I am in my sixties (GEEZ that feels weird to write), if I ever get back to MV, and see you strolling in Vineyard Haven, I will toss the idea of being nonchalant, introduce myself, probably give you a hug ( it’s a reflex), and say,” I love it all, keep sharing!” <3
Love it . . . sea glass and what kind of ice cream should we have — that’s just it, and what book will we read. People write and ask sometimes what is there to do on the Island, and honestly, most of the time, it’s just those very things you mentioned!
….eating egg rolls in the a.m. at the Farmer’s Market because you can’t wait, taking in the scrumptiousness of the entire market, and yes, of course, summer reads. No matter what books I have schlepped over on the ferry, a visit to the bookstore has me re-arranging my reading list! Wow! I can’t believe how many memories have been triggered from our exchange! Thank you Susan!
So nice, Angela!
Hi Susan,
You’ve been missed.
Welcome back girlfriend.
XOXO
Arlinda
August 24, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Hi Susan,
Today would have been my parents 67th anniversay♡ My dad was as handsome as could be and my mom was pretty and shy. She taught me how to decorate and I always thought we would have been great friends if we were born at the same time! The cover of your Fairy Tale Girl book reminded me of her~she would have been a Susan Branch fan too. And so, my 2nd mum on earth is 78 years young, English and full of charm too! She introduced my husband to old movies when he was very young so when I married him 32 years ago, we started to watch all the great ones together ~ I haven’t seen Hobson’s Choice yet but I’m looking forward to watching it! Lastly, my son & his wife had a feisty little redhead, Callie, about 4 months ago and she has fairies painted all over her walls♡ So reading your blog tonight reminded me of how blessed I am♡ Thanks for all the smiles you bring!
Not sure, I blinked and maybe this is posting twice and maybe not, but if not, I did have a one word comment for it . . . Delightful! xoxo
Hello Susan! Three giveaways? Oh happy day! I so enjoyed catching up here with you! Thanks for Willard and this wonderful giveaway! Good luck to all! xoxo
NICK of time Rosinda . . . as soon as I write the new Blog post, we’ll have our winner! Good luck! xoxo