Welcome! So much excitement here in Smallville! If you just came from WILLARD, you are going to need another cup of tea and some more MUSICA! (If you haven’t gotten your Willard yet, don’t worry, it will be going into your mailboxes from 9am eastern time Tuesday Aug 18, through Friday 
the 21st.) But you should know, our Giveaway has grown, now there are three! If you haven’t time to read the Blog just now, scroll to the bottom of this post where you can sign up for the drawing by clicking on the word “comments” and leaving a message. For the rest of you . . . I can only hope you agree that
I love this quote by one of my favorite authors. Wonderful things ARE happening. I used this quote in my new book, and asked Kellee if she would make it into computer wallpaper for you . . . and she did! Click HERE ~ it should be up by now, along with some gorgeous new stationery . . . As you’re about to see, things are getting back to normal!
You really know I have a little more time on my hands when you see this.↑ I’m finally giving my poor Beatrix Potter people a bath . . .
Filthy piglets, hadn’t bathed since Christmas! It was the very first thing I did to gain control over my house again after so many months in book writing mode.
Now they’re back in their places, all sparkling and happy, and the little vases are filled again and I am saying . . .
If I ever missed taking a closeup photo of a rose in the summer, then it just wouldn’t be summer, no matter what else I think I have to do!
There is nothing like roses from the garden, they look and smell like no other roses.
One of the first things Joe and I did when everything was turned into the printer was go to the nursery for these: ↓ Our garden needs help! Better late than never!
We also decided to celebrate our newly-found freedom with a long leisurely lunch at the restaurant at 
the golf course ~ “leisurely” is difficult to find here in August, with the Island so packed with vacationers. But we thought this place was a little bit out of the way so we’d have a chance. Well, it didn’t work out quite as we expected because we accidentally went on the day that Presidents Obama and Clinton were both there playing golf!!! We sure know how to pick ’em! So much for the quiet lunch. There were dogs sniffing the FINE ROMANCE VAN, believe it or not, and we were wanded (that’s what the secret service called it) before we could go inside. But after that, everything was normal until the two presidents became visible on the 
golf course, then the entire restaurant stampeded outside to watch and take pictures. All except us, because we had seen them before. Yeah, we’re so cool ~ it’s old hat to us! But we did put our flag on the front of the house! Afterwards we went to the nursery, also my first visit this summer . . . and no presidents were there! Yay! We’re replanting around the poor neglected bird bath right now . . . Once again, it’s Domesticity City around this place and we are happy as clams.
Out go the fluffy, healthy, quickly reproducing weeds, making room for actual flowers.
We also stopped at the farm stand and got our first corn of the season, hot, buttered, salted and peppered, it just popped off the cob! DELICIOUS! I’m sure you’ve done this ~ now I know it’s really summer!
We went out at 7 am this morning and have been walking our walk through the woods out to the water every day. This is the place where Joe and I hash everything over . . . from the habits of cormorants, to the unknown idiot who figured out how to move the huge rocks protecting tern nests so he could park his car there, to what’s for dinner and future travel plans/dreams. And we stood at the water and said a prayer for the victims of the terrible fires out west, that they be showered with love from their families, friends, and communities. My heart breaks when I see the ruin the flames are leaving behind.
We’re ooohing and ahhhing every night, and counting our blessings.
Coming home after a walk to the harbor to our little greeters . . .Jack’s looking at Girl who is waiting out of reach, on the kitchen table . .
Then back out with the camera because the sky at night has been wonderful, filled with stars. I’m a big believer in ladybug magic and there was one in the bathroom last night. Insert five exclamation marks. Second floor, hot crickety summer night, brushing my teeth, and there she was. A lucky omen. Believe me, I look for them every day!
Jack thinks our starry night sky is wonderful too, because it seems like it’s dropping . . .
. . . yellow cat toys!
Joe’s birthday balloons were tied around a bouquet of giant sunflowers that Kellee and Sheri sent from the Studio and within 10 minutes of arrival, Jack’s scissor-like teeth had severed the ribbons and all balloons were floating free.
Just the way Jack understands life to be. All about him. Which it is.
Yup. He’s our guy. Aren’t they adorable?
Busiest cat I ever knew. Floor water is no good anymore, he wants sink water.
Grass, he loves it. I take him out and sit with him while grazes. He’s really not an outdoor cat at all, I never let him out alone, and he is so good, he never tries to get out the door. He likes me to sit next to him the whole time.
On Cat patrol, sitting on top of the ironing board in the pantry, watching out the screen door for any possible trespassing by anything, bunnies, turkeys, neighborhood cats.
He also watches me working . . .and I watch him watching me. Sometimes I can’t believe he’s real. I don’t get as many photos of Girl Kitty these days, but never doubt that she is still our Queen. She just likes to keep her throne in the back of the closet most of the time, so she’s hard to get in action shots!
But they both were with me the whole time I was wearing these pencils down to the nubbins, and now they watch curiously as I reorganize the studio. I’ve been cooking too, filling the fridge with August-type healthy goodies we love, ice cold Gazpacho and . . .
. . . my favorite Coleslaw Recipe ~ stuff to munch on. Look at that apple core in our compost pile! Isn’t it beautiful? (If you click on the recipe you’ll also see us repainting the kitchen a couple of years ago . . . just scroll down for the Coleslaw recipe, I promise, it’s there).
Nature. Just wow. I realize we are finding wow in the compost pile, but I can’t help it. I had to dig this guy out and take his picture. I almost put him on Ebay.
I can already feel fall coming and we hear it in the woods, we’ve even seen a couple of bright red leaves out there! And what’s back to school without book things? I know there were two Fairy Tale bookmarks in the Willard, but I thought, considering the time of year, some of you might want our wise old owl once more. Just click there, cut around him, and he is yours.♥
And now for the Giveaway(s) to celebrate my new book which I can barely believe is really finished! The first one I mentioned in the new Willard ~ it’s my 2016 Wall Calendar, plus my AUTUMN book, plus my new book, THE FAIRY TALE GIRL, and, for the cherry on the top . . .
a fairy tale banner! I’ll sign the books ~ and it will all go out to the winner the minute THE FAIRY TALE GIRL 
gets here, which should be about three weeks at the latest. (But who’s counting? Me, I am!) All you have to do to enter the drawing is scroll down to the bottom of this post and leave a message ~ just click on the tiny gray word under where I sign off that says, “comments” and leave a comment and that automatically enters you in the drawing. And the good part (or the bad part, depending on how you look at it) is that you have a lot better chance at winning this than you do the lottery!
Also, another surprise! Something else for my Girlfriends, Giveaway #2, because when I think of fall, I think of three things, delicious recipes, books, and old 
movies ~ and this Giveaway covers them all. My Autumn Book, filled with fall recipes, and a wonderful old movie called Hobson’s Choice. I think you will LOVE this movie! I have it, but I have to keep it, so I bought you a brand new one. It has everything going for it: It’s old, it’s English, and it’s pure charm. And it makes you feel good. What more could anyone ask for?
And this strange item, for good measure, will be Giveaway Number Three. I was cleaning up my studio (WHAT a mess!) and came across this. I saved it because I think at one time I was going to cut it 
up and make bookmarks out of it. It’s one of the little bits of paper I use to test watercolors and my ink pen before I paint or write something for a book or a calendar. As you may notice, my pen was giving me all sorts of trouble — I didn’t want it 
to blob onto the “good” paper, so I kept playing with it, making squiggles until it started behaving. Anyway, I thought one of you might like the results of the squiggles . . . the originalist of the originals, stream of consciousness without the consciousness, no rhyme nor reason for it ~ but I did sign and date it … it’s about 6 ½” by 9″ and would make a fun little piece of kitchen art for your fridge or bulletin board. And it does have fairy magic in it. And you can win it.
And that makes it three Giveaways on this blog today. Leave a comment, and Vanna will draw three names in a few days and I HOPE SO MUCH that the name she draws is YOURS!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, I will be watching for the UPS 
man to bring me my first stack of The Fairy Tale Girl. I wait ever so patiently, but I am as excited as Christmas.
With the new book and the new calendars, Kellee and Sheri have been shaking in their boots about the WILLARD and asking me to make a special request to remind you how tiny their four little hands are. The phone has been ringing off the hook at the Studio about the calendars and they want me to tell you that they 
will try their hardest to get everything out as quickly as they can . . . if it takes a couple of extra days to get your things, you can blame it on the dratted calendars, but have faith, they’ll be there very soon. And so will your books!
And then soon, we might be doing this again, sailing out of New York harbor on the Queen Mary 
2!!! We are dreaming big time. Anything could happen between now and then, but we’re going to try. We took all our travel books with us to our leisurely lunch at the golf course the other day ~ looking for cottages to rent, pouring over maps and plotting our possible course. Figuring out whether we should go in the summer or in the fall . . . we’ve only ever been in the spring, so there will be new things to see. And we’ll bring the Blog along, so get ready Girlfriends!!!
And there she is ~ our beautiful in-house Queen joins me to say fare thee well for now. Thank you for your support and friendship.♥ Joe thanks you, Jack thanks you, Girl Kitty thanks you, and . . .
. . . I thank you . . . ♥ Have a wonderful day Girlfriends! XOXO
Hi!
I’m just back from a wonderful camping holiday in East Sussex. We visited lots of places you describe in your book. Reading your entries and seeing your art made me feel a bit like you were there with me. I also did some Susan Branch inspired watercolors (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and all that). I would like to send you a picture of me with you book at Newenden, the little village we stayed at. Do you have a P.O. box for fan mail?
I really hope to win you new book! Can I still subscribe for a signed copy, or am I too late?
I just found the answers to my two question on your website! So I’ll be pre-ordering, and sending you that picture.
SO happy you found the answers on the blog . . . can’t wait to see your photo!
/so happy that you are finding pleasure and happiness in the so called normal things, like washing your figurines and planting flowers. So looking forward to your book! Love the pictures of your home, hubby and cats!
It never ceases to amaze me how I seem to always find a common experience, interest, or affinity when I read your latest blog post or book and explore your website and calendars. Today’s post continued the trend. Recent changes in my life have triggered a reclamation of beloved domesticity as well!! Thank you so much for being you and sharing your art and everyday treasures! Your work is like a friendly hug; reading and exploring it is like nestling into a billowing down pillow. I am always looking forward to your next publication. Dare I say, you make us all smile!
XOXO Tara!
It’s such an exciting time! I am, like you, joyfully anticipating the new book, and am happy to see you got to replenish your garden beauty. “God’s in his heaven and all’s right with the world.” Btw…..I can be ready in 15 mins. for the next trip. Enjoy your new found “home arts” time.
Hi Susan:
So good to read your latest blog! Am so looking forward to
your new book–all your hard work coming to fruition. Can hardly
wait to receive it. You have inspired me to embark on learning
to do watercolors–not an easy endeavor, but you are a fine
example of infinite possibilities. So have signed up for a beginning
class and will see how it goes! Love all your books and am getting
AUTUMN ready to reread!
Such excitement! I’m so looking forward to autumn.
What a lovely post today and I look forward to your new book. One of the fun parts of our recent trip to England was reading A Fine Romance before the trip – almost like doing two trips! Excited to here you are doing another trip over.
Bronwen, Vancouver Canada
I found your blog after enjoying some of your books at our local library. Thank you for sharing your joy of life with us!
so excited to read your new blog and looking forward to finding a Willard in my inbox soon! reading your blogs feel a little bit like coming home after a long time away and just slowing down to breathe in the joy of belonging to a place. have already preordered your new book, one for me and one for my daughter. I am sure I will end up getting another for my mom. glad you are taking time to enjoy the last days of summer
So glad you’re back! And congrats on wrapping up your book – a labor of love! I followed the coleslaw recipe link and your post there has inspired me to spruce up my kitchen in time for fall…I’m only 6 months behind schedule on my “spring” cleaning. I’ve got my fingers crossed for the DVD – I’ve never seen it but love a lot of David Lean’s films and Charles Laughton is one of my favorite old-time actors; love him in Witness for the Prosecution!
Hi Susan,
Sounds like you’re back on track! Can’t wait for another “Fine Romance 2.0” !
Hugs and have a lovely day.
Elaine in Florida
I am so excited that your book is almost here! And for the record, I DO believe in fairies!
xoxo Ann!
It is domesticity city here, too, now that everyone is back to school and work! My sewing machine is calling me, sheets are hanging on the line, and now I can hold on to a glimmer of hope that some of your magic fairy dust lands on my comment and guides Vanna to pick me as one of the winners. (Although just reading your blog is its own prize!)
Girl after my own heart!
I have been a fan since your first book waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy back in the day…
look forward to each and every blog post………can’t hardly wait for the new book(s) to be out……….
hugs and blessings to you!
Dear Susan and family..2 legged and four !!
What a wonderful treat to find your Willard e-mail waiting for me this morning. I sat and read it all the way through along with your blog. How have so many years gone by so fast since I first read your then ‘new’ willard newsletter?!
I’m so happy for you and know the new book will be wonderfully received and much loved and appreciated. Thanks very much for all the joy, creativity, beauty, love of all things good, that you share, for us to receive and call our own in the sharing. You are like a coming home…to a safe warm and serene place where we can revel in God’s beautiful gifts which you exemplify so well. We are blessed to know you. Very glad to see a pic of Joe, so now I can picture the two of you on your explorations together. Be well, stay happy and thanks for all you do. Your artwork and writings feed my soul!
Hopefully your book tour might include the Cape or Concord areas. I have flown your flags every week that I have been in Falmouth this summer,my neighbors know when I am home . Thank you for all your kindness.
Titcombs Bookshop in Sandwich on the Cape has already asked for a signing, so I’m sure I’ll be there. Thank you Christine!
Yes, it’s so nice that you are back from book writing and illustrating. We missed you!
Lovely to wake up today and find you have written another blog…I know for sure it is going to be a great day now!! Thank you. Missed your wonderful outlook on life!
Thanks ever so much for making my Tuesday when I saw your blog. And Im thrilled that your back ! I absolutely cant wait to read your new book !!! You bring so much happiness and joy, thank for that !
So much to read, so little time! I’ll have to return to read Willard and everything else you’ve posted. Wanted to mail in a comment to hopefully win a fantastic prize! Thanks!
Wow!!! Willard and a blog post after missing you so much!! Your enthusiasm and joy are contagious and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you! I’m going back to reread both and enjoy the pictures! Have a blessed day!!
So glad you and Joe can have some fun now! Appreciate your dedication and can’t wait for the new book!
Emma in Texas
So great to have you blogging again. You are such an inspiration! Can’t wait for your new book. Love you, Karen
I love your work, Susan! I have been a fan for many years and your art always makes me smile…and for some reason makes me feel CALM! That’s a real feat these days. 🙂 Thank you so much for including all your sweet little bookmarks for us. I make them for myself and for friends. The friends are always delighted when I give them one! I am soooo looking forward to the new book. I know it is going to be fantastic. Enjoy the end of your Summer…and soak up your Fall happiness!! <3
I enjoy all of your work so much and it is a real treat when a new blog is posted. Giveaways are especially fun! Glad your life has calmed down so that you can enjoy the end of summer and glorious Autumn!
Thank you for adding so MUCH beauty to my life. You are such a treat, Susan!!!!!
So happy to find someone who loves the “little things”, too!
How exciting, your baby is ready for the world to meet, it will be a grand meeting! Blessings to you Susan!
My favorite cookbook is your Summer Cookbook – from many, many years ago. The potato salad is my favorite true Summer dish to make. I am making the cole slaw recipe. I live in Nashville and we Southerners take pride in all things “cole slaw”.
Let me know what you think! Joe would rather have his with vinegar, but I just love this recipe!
I can’t help smiling when I read your posts. what a beautiful way to start my day.
Faith (from CT)
Waiting patiently for your compost art to appear on e-bay so I can bid on it!
And did you know your rose photos are enchanted? I can smell them on my iPhone’s smell-o-vision app.
You got that! I wondered how it was!
Such a delightful post as usual – brightened my day during this heat wave. We’re staying indoors 🙁
Your work brings such joy and a perfect touch of whimsey. Thank you so much from this devoted fan since Heart of the Home!
Now we’re at 208comments! ….may be my name won’t get lost in the shuffle! ….love your art work and always look forward to getting your updates!
Before getting ready for an appointment, I dared checking your blog and found your delightful messages and pictures. My husband is reminding me that time is fleeting so I can’t write more, but I join the other girlfriends in their thanks and praise for all of your artwork and talents that you so willingly share. I look forward to your new book.
Lois from Westchester
hi! I am now officially entered! eeek! we moved into our new house (little cottage on the hill) and the first thing on the wall was your 2015 calendar! oh yes…now I have it hanging in my studio. I converted an outside shed into my studio/extra furniture placement/storage of all things girly and creative space.
ha! love it…. enjoy your week!
Rae
p.s. I copy most of your ideas…haha
I so enjoy your blogs and look forward to Willard! Truly autumn on the way – little acorns crunching underfoot from the stately oaks that are such friends and blessings.
I feel fall coming, too! The wild sunflowers and goldenrod are starting to bloom and the light is changing, having a bit of a golden shimmer to it. I hope we have a long, long Indian summer!
How fun to wake up and read your nice long WILLARD and a fun blog post and see the cover for “Isle of Dreams”! Your cheeriness has set the tone for my day. Can’t wait for the new books and your next England trip, but I’m glad you’re able to catch your breath for a bit and enjoy the goodness of everyday life for awhile.
I miss that walk so much! Brings back wonderful memories when Kellee and I stayed with you. Love you!
xo
Meme Judy
Delightful page to read today, Susan. Wishing we could live your fun life!!!!
Hello Susan! It was so nice to see a long full of Jack and loveliness blog post today! It makes the day so wonderful! I am so excited for Fairy Tale Girl. Thank you for working so hard for us girlfriends. Now enjoy this last bit of Summer magic before beautiful wonderful Autumn 🙂 (my favorite time of year) Have you ever been to The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC? The garden there is gorgeous right now. The food is spectacular and the house is so mysterious and fun! I think you would like it. My family and I went yesterday and I thought of you! Anyways I hope you have a great day and enjoy some relaxing summer days! Thank you for the giveaways!
Yes, but it was late fall, so I don’t think we got the full garden treatment. We’ll have to go back someday! Thank you Amanda!
Amanda,
We love the Biltmore too. We have a tradition of spending Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas day there. Easter is one of my favorite times, as they do an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn and all the children are dressed in their Sunday best. We’re going again for Labor Day weekend, to watch the magnificent change in season just as the leaves begin to turn.
Kiki.
So happy to hear from you! Love, love, love all the pictures and the update. Can’t wait for the new book. (((Hugs)))
I am so ready for Fall here in the South . Glad you are enjoying some free time. Look forward to seeing the book. Hugs.
Hey Susan,
It’s your friend from Coronado, CA. who wrote you way back when (after your very first book). Well, we have been off the island for 21 years and returned to retire here on Aug 2nd. Oh so good to be back! Water all around…love it and have missed it. Your blog and Willard are just like being there with you. So wonderful. How’s our little mouse? (the one I brought you in San Luis Obispo)? Was that her in the picture getting a bath? So much fun to spend time with all things Susan Branch!!! Looking forward to your new book! Congratulations!
Lana! How nice to see your name pop up! Congratulations on making it back to Coronado! Your heart magnet! Yes, that was our little mouse! All clean!
WOW all of these comments so far….I’d say my chances of winning are slim pickin’s:)) But so glad to see you have your life back…Fall, yes my most favorite time of year, is just around the corner…SO ready after these dreadful hot days we’ve had here in San Diego!!!!!
Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer!
Kathy
Hi Susan
Soooooooo glad you are back “among the living”. I have missed you very much; I check each day for a new post from you. Since discovering you several years ago I can’t tell you how enjoyable I find your posts, pictures, & recipes. I have your calendars each year & have read several times “A Fine Romance” it is in my bookcase almost as a dear friend in my home. Your roses are lovely this year, by the way. Look forward to receiving Willard in my email. Welcome home!
So glad you are sending another Willard. Also glad you are done with your second new book. I can hardly wait to get both of them. You have no idea what pleasure it brings me to read your enchanting stories. Keep it up.
Oh goodness, a wonderful post from you. I’m especially excited to head across the sea again with you… so to speak. We went on a cruise to Alaska last summer and I just loved looking out at the water from before dawn’s pink glow to dusk from our balcony. Ship travel was wonderful and I’m looking forward to your posts from the crossing. Take care and safe travels. Bon Voyage!
Oh what a great opportunity! Love reading your blog entries so I am glad your book is done and you are back.
So happy to see Willard again! I have given away your book “A Fine Romance” as gifts and it is so loved by all the recipients. Such a wonderful book! I am looking forward to reading “The Fairy Tale Girl”.
Samson, an ocicat, sends his greetings to Girl Kitty and Jack. He wants them to know how much he appreciates the blog and Willard because it means more laptime for him. His mistress concurs and hopes she is one of the lucky winners.
Your illustrations and your lovely “handwriting” always make me smile, they are just embodied joy! So glad life is back to normal again. I’ve missed your blog posts!
Good afternoon Susan,
Your Jack reminds me of our Buster. He’s a little more of an adventurer though and likes to scare us once in awhile if we loose sight of him. I think he disappears for a few minutes because he’s awaiting a dramatic reunion, where he’s showered with hugs, dog licks and the like.
Glad you now have some free time to dream,
Kiki
So happy to get a Willard on my Birthday. Looking forward to your new book and wish I was able to walk to your pond everyday. Thank you for the chance to win a fun giveaway.
The Fairy Tale is just beginning…..love your watercolor doodles. Looking forward to your new book….a Fine Romance was very good so I know this one will be too. Best wishes ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Count me in, please! Glad you’ve come up for air in time to enjoy some summer–soak it up.
So happy to see you back blogging more often. Have ordered your new book, and am waiting for my Willard to come. Thanks for all of the fun you make for all of your fans – you are a special lady for sure!
Hi Susan,
I am so happy you are back again with a new blog. I absolutely love reading all about what you have been doing. The pictures you post are such a feast for the eyes! I truly feel as though I am right there with you and can taste and smell all the deliciousness (is that a word?) of the food and flowers. The roses reminded me of my dear grandmother who always had the most beautiful, fragrant rose flowers in her yard. Such sweet memories for me. Even though she’s been gone many years, I still smell those perfect blooms.
So glad you have some free time now that the book is finished to enjoy yourself. I have received your calendars for Christmas for the last two years and they delight me.
I’m so excited to read your new book and can’t wait to travel with you again on the Queen Mary!! I wonder where we’ll go……. Thanks for the giveaways!
I am looking for places I know you’ll love, but I’m keeping it a secret!
So excited for your new books. Already have my 2016 Wall calendar and just filled it up with school events for all 3 of my kids. Don’t know what I would do without your amazing calendars every year.
Hi Susan,
So good to have you back with us! We’ve missed you. I wanted to ask you if the white dress on the cover of The Fairy Tale Girl is a wedding dress? It looks so different and romantic. My daughter is getting married next year so we’ve been dress shopping so I think I have wedding dresses on my mind.
Maybe it wasn’t an “official” wedding dress, because it wasn’t satin and it didn’t come from a wedding dress store, but that was what it was used for. There is a little story about that dress in the new book. You should take a picture of your daughter in every dress she tries on and make an album of it! Wouldn’t that be fun?
I love the look of that dress, Susan. It is very unique. Mine had a cape with fur and it was different, too. Good idea to make an album out of the dresses my daughter tries on—that would be a lovely pictorial for her to have.
:). Love to see Willard pop up in my inbox
looking forward to your latest book being delivered! Would love to win one of your drawings!
I do enjoy every little thing that comes out of Smallville! Hoping I’ll be the next winner of goodies!
Another trip on the QM2 – how exciting for you…and us!!! 🙂 I’ve read the book 3 times and see something new every time – I just love everything you do. Your art has inspired me to take the leap and try watercolors myself, and I find it relaxing and very enjoyable. Can’t wait to get the Fairy Tale books!
Great read as always. Love Willard arriving in email and every time your blog lights up my day. Thanks for sharing your life and art, special touches, in an extra-ordinary way to an ordinary day.
Can’t wait to get my Willard. Love this update with all kinds of info. Along with those wonderful kitties! Look forward to your book. Seems like it will be a good winter read (so hoping we out here in So. California actually have a winter it’s been so hot and dry!). Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent.
Excited for the book! Congratulations on all your hard work ! Now enjoy the rest of the summer!,,,
I might be more excited that you a ‘re blogging again then I am about the new book!
I love your work and cannot wait for The Fairy Tale Girl! Excitement and anticipation is in the air!
The stars at night=heavenly! Love the apple seed photo, too! Have you ever eaten the apple seeds by themselves, just chewed and chewed on them? They taste like almonds! I’m so excited to have a chance to win! Thank you!
~Heidi
I can’t wait to read your new book and enjoy all the lovely paintings. So much fun to enjoy over and over again.
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful things with us.
Sharon
I’m so looking forward to your new book! Your kitty’s are just so adorable. I also have two kitty’s my maine coon cat Precious is 19 now. He is like your Jack he likes to go outside with me . He eats a little grass then heads to the porch to lay on the settee and sleep.
So love how Willard makes me smile. After living on the Cape for 20 years, we now live in central FL. Reading Willard makes me feel “at home.” Also, having had black & white cats and having tried my hand at watercolor (oh my!), I love hearing about that too. Thanks!
Can’t wait to read the new Willard!
Oh, Susan, so glad you are back. I’ve miss you and your beautiful blog and am so excited to read your new book. I’m ready to go on your new adventure – virtual bags are already packed. Thank you for the beauty you bring to my life.
Kathy
It was a 2-cup post, but I enjoyed it. I’d love to win a copy of your book.
Loved the long newsy post. So glad you get to enjoy some summer before it is gone! Looking forward to Willard and the new book. I really love everything you do. Enjoy your time off. Your faithful fan in TN.
How exciting! I love your posts and newsletters. They brighten my day. Has their ever been a Susan Branch page-a-day calendar? I would love to buy one of those!!
So excited to read your new book. I used to be such an avid reader, but I haven’t finished a book in years now. But THIS book will be read from cover to cover in a matter of days, I’m sure.
Yay! I can’t WAIT for my book to come! I’m so glad you have some time to putter now. Jack and Kitty = SO cute!
8-18-15: would love to win anything at all. Especially the original work of art.
these giveaways are the best!
thank you Susan!
Marcia in Sewell, NJ
One of my favorite things to do is to sit out on my patio in the cool mornings and read your blog. With a good cup of coffee, singing birds, and my three dogs. Thank you for the beauty you add here!
Hi Susan! So glad you’re back and sharing your joy with us all again!! …We missed you! We missed you’re photos! We missed your tales of Jack and stories of things happening around the house & island! So looking forward to the release of the new book! Sounds like life is good and back on track. Keep up your fun updates, you know how we love them!
Welcome back … Fondly, Linda
I am so happy to read a new blog entry, and look forward to receiving my Willard! I am also happy that once again, Susan, you will have some time to enjoy all the small, medium and large things that make up your interesting life and surroundings.
I’ve missed you! Your blogs are so much fun to read. I can’t wait for the book you have worked so hard on. Everything you do is beautiful.
Wish my little town of Glendora, CA had a little bookstore – then maybe you would come visit! How about Barnes and Noble in Glendora, CA? Hope I win!
I love Barnes and Noble — after watching what happened to Borders, I worry for them now. Thank you Sherry!
Susan,
I’m so happy that you are back and with another wonderful drawing things couldn’t get better. Isn’t the corn n cob this summer the best, I hit the farmers market each week for corn and the best ever pickling cucumbers. I have the best dill pickle recipe, it’s so quick and easy. I give the jars of pickles as hostess gifts ( I usually give a bottle of wine) and I get the jars back empty people looking for refills.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and welcome back I truly missed you. I am lucky enough to be able to spend along weekend on the vineyard the end of September can’t wait.
Chris
I am eagerly awaiting my Williard. I keep them for the horribly, crappy days to remind myself that there are nice people who do nice things just for their nice-ness.
There are and obviously, you are one of them xoxo Thank you Laura.
So much to read and enjoy. Got lost in the words and realized how much we have to be grateful for…..all of summers delights!
I sat down this morning with a cup of coffee in my cutest mug and read Willard, the took a hop, skip, and a jump over to your blog! What a great way to start the morning!
Congratulations on the completion of your book! What an accomplishment! It looks like you are enjoying much needed rest. And thank you so much for the great giveaway!
My pleasure Paula!
I always seem to miss you when you come to Titcomb’s Book Store in Sandwich, Mass. I live over the bridge in East Wareham and enjoy your pics of the Vineyard. I hope to win anything from your site. It is a relaxing place to visit on the internet.
I’m coming there again, I think in October. I’ll post it.
Love, love, love your blog. Jack is so beautiful and the perfect buddy…so want a cat, but no one else in my household wants one. They don’t know what they are missing. Pics of the sunset, stars, and roses are wonderful…I enjoyed them immensely. Glad you have your books finished..can’t wait. I want one for myself and friends, too. Will be looking forward to Willard in my email.
Thanks for sharing the days of your life with us.
Get it and then watch them all fall in love. Tell them, no way, private property!
Enjoyed the post.
Susan, I love coming here. You’re always so cheerful and optimistic and we all need more of those. I want to be like you, so thank you for inspiring me to see the good around me! I feel lighter after reading your posts. Lovelovelove your Beatrix Potter figurines! And your kitties are the sweetest. Much love!
Am so looking forward to reading your new book! After reading A Fine Romance, I have a dream of sailing on The Queen Mary 2 with my daughter one day – thanks for all your splendid ideas!
Three chances to win. I wonder if I will be one of the lucky ones. Love your blog!