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
Thank goodness your book is soon to be published. Can’t wait!
We live very close to those wildfires and they are scary to see eating up all the forest and buildings and homes. Was glad to hear the military is finally sending our poor firefighters some help with 200 National Guardsmen. I’m here to throw my name in the three giveaway hats! What a fun thing. Always love seeing what’s going on around your house. I especially love the kitty pics. Jack is such a special kitty with a unique look. Too cute.
Your blog never fails to brighten my day! Thank you for sharing your loveliness! 🙂
You have been missed. So happy for you to finish such a huge project. Enjoy some Home and Me Time…..
So happy to see your post; brings delight to the day. Glad your now out and about enjoying your lovely island. Cheers to all the girlfriends!
I’m so looking forward to a WILLARD! I bought all the old Willards and loved them very very much! I savored them … like I do all your books. Thanks so much for being YOU!!
So excited for you and all your recent accomplishments; doesn’t THAT feel great?
And we’re the lucky recipients of your creative mind and your unique way of looking at small things and pointing out how wonderful they are? So grateful that we could end the summer with your wonderful posts.
What a lovely way to start the day with a Willard and a blogful! I can’t wait to climb in your pocket to go to Scotland as I’ve always wanted to go! Barbara in Lodi, CA
I love all the stars too!
Oh Susan Im waiting with baited breath for your new book, Im having knee replacement surgery next month. It will help me from getting bored while I recover. I miss my walks like you and Joe take. My husband and I use to walk three miles a day, seeing all kinds of wildlife from eagles to lady bugs. My nick name is Ladybug, my first husband that I lost to a accident
,his nickname was Junebug. So, everyone called me lady bug. Also I love that you use Ticonderoga pencils, I use the first grade ones because they are easier to write long notes.lol So excited for your new book and future adventures. Joy to you and your. Mary Elizabeth in Gloucester, Va.
Sweet, Lady bug and June bug xoxo
Hello Kitties!
Looking forward to the new Willard and enjoying the remaining lazy, hazy days of summer!
Enjoy!!
Congrats on your new book. Can’t wait to see read it!
I am just about cross eyed trying to find the post that you mentioned what kind of oil you put on your farm table. Love the white legs! And you mentioned what the white was too! Just can’t find it!
The oil is mineral oil because it doesn’t go rancid (or have poison in it!). But the legs came painted that way, so I’m not sure of the color there.
Is your hoped for sail across the pond taking you to Scotland? I remember you mentioning a plan to visit the Highlands and Lowlands in an earlier posting. I hope so!! Scotland is my favorite fantasy travel spot, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations about the places and people of “Caledonia”!!! Jackie Z
This was my first Willard. I am absolutely charmed. Someone on the Growing up in Long Beach Facebook site said they thought that you grew up there. True?
I was born there! And went to Minnie Gant grammar school for kindergarten — lived on Park Avenue!
You made my morning! A Willard and a blog post to read on the same day, it can’t get much better than that!
Thank you for the lovely post and the sweet giveaways. It is amazing how one can get lost in your blog post, when I come to the end, it is like ohhh where am I? I am not down in the rabbit hole after all! See what wonderment you bring to us?
Yippee, Skipee how exciting Susan, the book and a trip on the ship again!!!!!
So glad to have you back with us ‘girlfriends’…it was a long, lonely summer without you! I’m so looking forward to your new book and hearing about your trip to…wherever-I feel like I’m along for the ride, too. All best wishes to you, Joe and the kitties and I can’t wait to see your pictures this Fall-I have to live vicariously through your blog because here in sunny Florida we don’t have the same kind of fall as you do. (But then, our winters aren’t like yours, either!)
Thank you so much for the new Willard… you have been missed… looking forward to your new book and maybe travelling with you again across the pond…wonderful! Julie
I love when you publish a new blog! I work from home, and I intermittently check your blog for new posts, and when I see one I use it as a reward for finishing a bit of work!
I’d love to be entered into the drawing…love your blog and you!!
Oh my goodness!! I’m out of breath from reading your blog! I’ll have to catch it back to prepare for the new Willard when it comes out! Susan, it’s SOOOO nice to be able to read your blog again; you were greatly missed during your writing time, Welcome Back! As Jo March did in “Little Women,” you were “In a vortex,” I believe that’s the phrase she used. So glad you’re back again with us — I need to read the positive-ness during my breaks at work! Enjoyed the new pictures of Jack and Girl Kitty and can’t wait for your book! And Fall, and apple picking with my grandchildren! Have a lovely day…
So good to read your blog again! Can’t wait for the new book to arrive! Enjoy the rest of your summer.
It is pouring down rain here today and cool. The Minnesota State Fair starts next week so I KNOW Fall is around the corner! It usually is beastly hot at the start of the fair and then by the end, Fall is here. Here’s hoping Vanessa picks me for a copy of your new book! 🙂
I can hardly wait to read Willard! Thank you for sharing another “give a way”. Would be “the cat’s pajamas” if I were to win this time. Thanks for the opportunity! Love your post as always.
Dear Susan, sooo happy to hear from you! Like everyone else the anticipation for Fairy Tale Girl mounts daily! I love all the photos today – probably my all-time favorite picture of Joe (welllll, I know the tea bag shot is most likely first in everyone’s hearts) but I do love this one. Happy for you that you can finally enjoy this glorious Summer, it’s been a beauty. The other night while watching a movie I checked the clock and was stunned to see it was only 8:15!! What?? It was pretty darkish…Fall is on the way, our favorite season. Thrilled about the trip – glad I can go along again, maybe I’ll buy new luggage! Joy to you and Joe!
Thank you for adding some sunshine to my day. Jack is getting so big.
You are my “happy place”!
Thank you for the new blog…and the anticipated Willard! It must feel great to be back to normal after all of your hard work. I am so looking forward to the new book. How generous you are to put together 3 give-aways. You treat the girlfriends so well. Now, put your feet up, relax and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Your Willard and Blog Post were definitely worth the wait! Thank you, Susan, for always thinking of your fans/readers! xo
Thanks for the Jack-heavy post! I have my own little tuxedo guy but I still get the biggest kick out of yours. I missed seeing pictures of your kitties while you were working on your book. Can’t wait to read it! I love the idea of ladybugs being lucky but this morning I found a praying mantis in my car–I’m kinda scared to think about what that means!
LOL!!!! hahahaha.
Just finished reading my “Willard”. Thank you for catching “us” up on your life.
Sitting here in rural western New York, I can dream along with you on your walks….except I have my own woods and a little “creek” behind the house……
still water!?!? Right? Birds, bugs, insects and my 2 kitties. Also had a great adventure watching 3 fox cubs play in our yard each night this summer, just as it started getting dark, they would come out……ooohhhhh, how cute they were!
I don’t see them any more, as they have gotten bigger, and are doing “serious” hunting in the woods now although I do still hear them sometimes. Anyways, it is a summer that I will long remember.
Thank you again for “Willard” and I am anxiously waiting for my (pre-ordered) book!
Since yesterday was Black Cat Appreciation Day, how apropos that you posted pictures of your partially-black kitties! I have a mustache girl myself, Miss Zelda, and she rules the roost!
Missed your posts. It was a quiet summer. Look forward to the new book.
Thank you for thinking of us as fires rage here in California. We thank ALL firefighters all over this country as many have been called to help here and we know the risks they take. We are so looking forward to Fall and the new book!
Hi! So glad you are back! Missed your fun blog writings. Also, happy you finished writing your book! Congrats! Kiss those kitties a thousand times!! I admire your passion for writing and living your life just the way you do! Thanks for the Willard!
My daughter would love that piece of paper used to test pens, she is an artist as well!
That is just the cutest! Did you wonder if they saw your van? If it piqued their curiosity? This is so exciting!! A new book, calendars, Willard, blog, contest, free stuff, and a trip to England!!! Woohoo! I’m doing my happy dance! Do you see me?
Susan, dear Susan….
You are such a delight! So excited we are!!!
xo
Phew! That was a good one! Nice and long. I haven’t yet received my Willard, but I can’t wait. It’s so good to see you back in my inbox. Looking forward to getting back in touch! Blessings.
Dearest Susan, ah, you are back! Oh, how we girlfriends have missed you! I was so happy to read your post today. How lucky we are! And then to follow up with a new “Williard” on top of it. My daughters and I are so excited to have your new book soon! Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer! Warmly, Nancy
Hope that trip back to England happens. It is one of those things on my bucket list.
Hi Susan~
I love how you continue to bring so much beauty and joy to others lives with you writings and art, you are such an inspiration!
I haven’t been on you blog in such a long time as I lost my husband last year, a Susan Branch fan, too, and so it took me a long bit to get back to being able to once again enjoy reading your beautiful blog!
Thank you for continuing to be here for us all, you are loved!!
Welcome back dear Rori, so happy to see you here again. xoxo
Lovely post, Susan! Tell me ~ what do you use that little whisk broom for that is hanging on your kitchen porch? It looks so convenient for dusting off freshly-mown grass or sand from your sneakers and boots. Just curious:)!
Have a most loverly day!!!
That’s exactly what it’s for, there are also a couple of chairs there, and a little table, so whatever needs whisking, we are ready!
I love these emails. They are like a breath of fresh air, and even more so with kitty photos. Keep them coming, and give Jack and Girl a smooch (if they like them!).
P.S. I think that is the most beautiful birdbath I have ever seen!
It was a gift from a friend for Joe’s 40th birthday and I couldn’t agree more, I am SO appreciative of that amazing present!
Dear Susan,
Absolutely love the photo of Joe holding Jack, too cute! You are so kind to share snippets of your days with us, thank you. I am waiting in eager anticipation for your newest book to arrive!
mind how you go, Yvonne
Giveaway entry! 🙂 Love all your stuff Susan….you inject happiness into my day whenever I open one of your blogposts or Willlards – thank you!
Please, please pick me!!!! Love everything you do!
LOVE READING YOUR BLOGS AND SEEING THE PHOTOS OF YOUR LIFE ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD, THANKS FOR SHARING
Beautiful! And excited to try the coleslaw recipe. My son especially loves coleslaw and my own homemade dressing. Adding apples – sounds SO good!
Count me in! Would love to win one of your giveaways. Thanks for your good thoughts – we have a thousand acre fire burning on the Cuesta Grade and near Santa Margarita. Pray we get rain this winter!
I am praying. I didn’t know there was a fire there. Awful.
A new blog post always makes my day. Thanks, and I especially liked the apple core pic.
How lucky are we to see beauty in the moments that make up daily life!
It’s SO good to see you back, Susan! Can’t WAIT for your book! We visited the island in June, and miss it so much (bet we wouldn’t miss the crowds now, though) Ooooohhh…another trip? Can’t wait!
Oh, Susan! You are thinking of taking another trip abroad! Please consider leading a tour to the the sites you highlight in A Fine Romance. I was disenchanted with my recent trip to the British Isles because it was a touristy trip…no interaction with locals… but I would go again in a heartbeat if you and Joe would lead a tour.
Please, please, please…
I love your posts and look forward to them. I’m also looking forward to reading your new book. If it’s as good as A Fine Romance, I know I will love it!
So happy to have a long blog post to read today. I love reading about your life back East on an island. Unfortunately, my mountain views are gone today due to the smoke from all the western wildfires. Thank you for your prayers!
So excited about your new book. Here’s hoping I win one of the great drawings!
Looking forward to the book and to autumn, my favorite time of the year. Can’t wait for the next voyage to England. Does this mean another book about the trip? I’m ready for you, just bought a new bookcase!!! Keep the books coming, I will put them with all your other books that I have bought since you started! Another California fan, Dee
I have musica, kitties, your adorable home and corn on the cob….what a delightful way to start my afternoon . Thank you for transporting me – can’t wait to get a peak at the new book!
What a fun blog post and what wonderful give-aways! It would be wonderful to have you choose my name for one of them! Thanks!
What a great read today! Thank you.
I love seeing your blog pop-up in my email! Such a fun, bright, and cheery tidbit to make the day more enjoyable. Can’t wait to see more from your new adventures, whether it be at home or abroad. Beauty can be found anywhere and everywhere, and you surely have the talent for discovering it. 🙂
Dear Susan, Where do I begin? The BIG news about a possible cruise to “the homeland”, the book is finished and coming soon (I can’t wait), your life back to normal for fall weather and another Willard zooming our way. Thanks for all of your creations!!
Susan, I truly love reading you blog (and your books!!!) They are just so charming and definitely a mood enhancer:) Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your treasures!
Enjoyed all of your updates and the cute kitty pix!
Your blog posts, books, calendars, drawings–all a breath of fresh air! I love the way you take delight in small beauties, everyday loveliness. It’s a reminder to the rest of us to pause and look around in wonder at the world God has created for us. Thanks! (Oh, and the kitties are my favorites!)
One tennis ball-sized brain tumor in hubby’s head, one brain surgery, one lost job due to said brain tumor, one high school graduation, one father-in-law fall at said graduation, and whatever summer we squeezed in the middle of all that later……..and your blog arrives…such a very much-needed breath of fresh air. I needed that escape today. Thank you, Susan!!! I passed up the Autumn book once when it was the last one in a store….I have kicked myself ever since. I do love all things Susan Branch. <3
Oh my dear, so much. Time out for some very little controllable things. xoxo
Hi Susan,
Lovely to hear about your summer – it sounds delightful! Congrats on your new book. I am re-reading A Fine Romance. I am a playwright and won a Fulbright to the U.K. and will be there for almost a year starting this fall. Your book is inspiring me to plan day trips. I can’t wait to ramble through the countryside and London.
Congratulations, you LUCKY, TALENTED girl! You will love it. Remember how small it is, nothing is really much more than 4 or 5 hours from London, and lots of it is much closer! You will get a great head start on ideas through the National Trust.
Thank you, Susan!
I’m glad to see your blogs again too! I can’t wait to get the new book and read it. (Now I have to go back and read the whole blog, taking my time.) 🙂
I always love a drawing for goodies. I am looking forward to your book coming out. I can’t wait for our next trip with you also. The trips are wonderful and makes me feel like I am there with you.
Hello Susan, been following you since 1995. I am excited to get your new book. Thanks for all you do. Theresa
After twenty-six years on this beautiful earth, I have finally decided that FALL is my favorite season! Looking forward to your recipes and celebrations for the upcoming season!
Hi Susan! Thank you for another wonderful post, filled with everything Susan. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a little Fairy Magic to come my way!
Oh Susan! Reading your blog is just like, hmmm, candy! Or, my favorite quilt shop, or my favorite knitting shop, or my favorite anything! Such a yummy treat. So glad you have finished the book and I anxiously await my little copy. I love the fishing pole propped up in your bathroom by the sink! Thanks to you and all of your readers’ prayers for us in the West and the wildfire situation. We are in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and are okay, but the Eastern Oregon region is being hit hard. And the best news of all sounds like another adventure to England! Something else wonderful to look forward to! Enjoy the rest of your summer! xoxo
Becki in Oregon
Thank you as always for such a lovely post. It is so wonderful of you to share all your adventures with us!!! I love, love, LOVE the kitty pictures!!!!
Sue! I have to say, you have a magical way to ramp up the already over-the-top anticipation of the pending arrival of your new book…not to mention the give-aways AND your possible trip! You do KNOW you ARE going, right?!!!
Anyhoo, I am waiting patiently here for my Willard….it has been a long time and it will be wonderful to sit and enjoy it!
So, thank you for staying in touch with all of us out here Susan Branch Fan Land! Miss you!
xo peg
Well, it’s awfully far away, but we really WANT to go and we ARE going ~ but you never know and I really hate making promises I can’t keep. Love you Peg! FOSB Forever xoxo
Hi Susan, I so enjoy your emails!!! I put the kettle on and savor every word, quote and picture. I have been enjoying your work since I collected the recipes from Country Livings Pantry years ago!!! Thank you for sharing your excursions with us! And also for the chance to win a great giveaway!
Oh, how I would love to be one of the names Vanna draws out of that bag. And to think another trip? Almost too good to be true but magical things still happen so who knows??? Maybe??
I am eagerly waiting for your new book!
I think I would love to win the book the most! 🙂
Your rose looks beautiful. I Wish I could smell it through the screen. I love how soft the petals are! When my oldest son was a toddler he used to pick the petals and rub them on his belly 🙂 it was so cute.
Dear Susan,
It’s so nice to read your blog, you truly are like a girlfriend. Your life does sound like a fairy tale & I’m glad you let us in on it. I’ve been getting your books since they first came out & have enjoyed every one of them, so I’m sure the new one will be awesome-I’m really looking forward to it. Give Girl & Jack a hug! Thanks for all you do.
Debbie
Lake Placid, Florida
So happy to see your cheery notes again. I cannot wait to read the new book. The first one was such a joy. I keep finding myself returning to it for inspiration. Glad you are beginning to return to “normal” life again, too. I know that feeling after long projects are completed.
You are always a breath of fresh air! I enjoy hearing about your beautiful area and home.
So nice to have you back and this is such a delicious long post filled with wonderful images. Thank you!
Wonderful blog as always, Susan. I’m sure we are all loving your sharing your time, photos, art, and words with all of us. What a treat. I read each multiple times so I don’t miss a thing. Can’t wait til Willard arrives.
Loved the old whisk broom hanging by your door. When we closed up my in-laws’ wonderful old Victorian after they died, on impulse I took their whisk broom, real straw, real string, real wood knob–must be 100 years old–as a memory of a happy home. It hangs in my kitchen now to remind me of them and their simple, practical New England ways.
Also loved your presidents’ story. I waited a lifetime to visit Ireland til I knew exactly where my ancestors were from. After years of work, I discovered those places and made my plane & hotel reservations. So excited!! Then the Queen of England announced the first royal visit to Ireland in a century when I’d be there. Oh, no! Visions of ‘CLOSED’ danced thru my head. Then the President of the US announced he too was visiting his ancestors’ home town, near one of mine, when I’d be there. Oh, double no!! Luckily these personages did not interfere with my own trip of a lifetime. Do put Ireland on your travel list–you will love it and they will love you!
Greetings from Montana! I absolutely love your books, website and all your work! I find it comforting and inspiring, and somehow feel like we are kindred spirits at the same time. Thank you for mentioning the fires out West and keep us in your prayers, and we will do the same for you when one of those big Nor’Easters comes along that we’ve heard about!
Fall Blessings,
Heidi Viers
Exciting times ahead for you it seems. Glad to see you back in blogland — I do find your happy gene, which comes through so clearly in your posts, is a real pick-me-up.
Diana, from another Island in the sun (we’ve had a cookin’ hot summer) — Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy reading this each time. Every word and every image tells such great stories. Thank you!
I loved Fine Romance. Read every word. bought 2 more copies for my sisters.
Susan:
So glad to see you are back blogging. We’ve missed you so much that my friend called the Southern California contact phone number to check on you! Looking forward to reading your new book when it launches. Hope you will some day get up to Northern California for a book signing at one of our independent book stores (Kepler’s in Menlo Park or Books Inc. in Palo Alto) would be great! I was thinking of you when I visited Nantucket in June–didn’t get a chance to get to MV this time though. I did meet ACK author Nancy Thayer while on island and turned her on to your blog. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
A lovely break in my day…..love Joe & Jack…their faces are so cute together!….and love, love Girl Kitty. We are getting so excited about our upcoming September trip to MV! Thank you Susan!
Susan, I am so ready for fall to arrive! I love fall cooking, fall gardening and fall reading. Your Autumn is the 1st book I’ll re-read. I just can’t get enough of you!
L.M. Montgomery is one of my favorite authors too! Some day I’m going to P.E.I…have you ever been?
Not yet!
Boy oh boy! An embarrassment of riches awaits! Glad you’re back. 😀
It’s so good to hear from you! So many stories, so many delights. Shame on the rock mover….birds have a hard enough time without some cretin causing more problems. Love the photos of Jack and Girl. She really does have a regal manner. Of course, Jack is the pop up, jack in the box surprise. He is a delight. Looking forward to the Willard. I love to read it while having tea.
xoxo
Pam
Susan, your enthusiasm is infectious! I’m feeling so excited about the book release, the calendar, the new flowers being planted and Jack playing with his elastic bands. Thank you for sharing your joy!
Susan, Susan, Susan (and Joe, and Girl Kitty, and Jack),
Your blogs are the best thing about the whole Internet! Seriously. We’ve got recipes, and shopping, and fun, and ideas, and inspiration, and lovely pictures, all wrapped up with the love and warmth of the stories of your life. Comfort and joy, I like to say.
All the best to you and yours,
Barbara
Always look forward to your Willards! I have all your books (and all autographed!) & eagerly await the new one. Had a wonderful time on the Vineyard in June – can it already be 2 months ago? So many memories there, but it’s hard to get to often when we live in So Cal now. Thanks for all you do for us!
I am sooooo excited for the new book to come out!! Yay!!!! Thanks Susan for the wonderful bookmark!! So glad you will finally have some free time for yourself……