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
OMG another trip to England!!!!!! Oh my! That would be wonderful but I don’t know how we could top our last trip. *L* Just be sure to make room for all of us please! As to the give a way’s, I’d be as happy with the squiggles as anything. Love things like that. As usual the kitty’s are darling, and regal. I always looks forward to the blog or Willard to see what is new in your life. The island should be getting quieter as the days go by and fall approaches. Yay! I’ll be gone from my NC the first of September till the end of October out west in Arizona. When we get home we’ll be in full blown fall. *S* Take care all, be safe and have lots of fun in your lives!
We are all as excited as Christmas for you, Susan! I love seeing the cover of the new book and knowing that one day it will be in my very hands and I will be savoring it word by word just as I did A Fine Romance. Lovely, lovely anticipation! Blessings galore for all your last-minute summer celebrations now that you’ve been set free!
I always enjoy seeing your name in my inbox. Thanks for making me smile. That was the highlight of my day! Glad you are having such a delightful summer.
Oh my! Hobson’s Choice — such a delightful film! Haven’t seen it for a bit but like all wonderful films, you remember!
I hope in your and Joe’s dreaming about your next adventure you do decide on Scotland! We paired ideas from “A Fine Romance” (thank you a million for your wise counsel!) and our own results of research to spend three great weeks in England and Scotland. Recommend Edinburgh, Isle of Skye and the charming port of Oban! I know that if you go to Scotland and write about it we will have to go back. Oh, and the sheep are darling in that more northern country with very thick coats, often a tartan! Happy planning – that is one of the best parts of travel! Can’t wait to find your book in my mailbox!
Just talking with my husband about buying “Vineyard Seasons” when we moved to Princeton, New Jersey in 1988 and falling in love with the beautiful coziness of Fall in the East which you so beautifully captured in that wonderful first book!
Thank you!
You really are the Fairy Tale Girl! Thanks for sharing the magic with us.
So great to see a new blog post….with fun things to get a chance to win! Can’t wait for Willard to arrive and thank you so much.
Your blog always comes to me like a breath of fresh air, and lifts my spirit!!! Thank you…thank you!!
I adore your blog!! I’m addicted really!! You are truly a gift to us girlfriends! Thank heaven for you and Joe, Jack and Girl Kitty!!
WOW!!!! I am so glad to see you are back to the blog, but I know I will enjoy the books you have been writing. So glad to hear that your lives are back to a little more normal and I especially hope you get to enjoy the rest of the summer and the fall season approaching. Thank you for blessing all of us through your talents with words and water colors and for sharing your lives – both yours and Joe’s and the kitty kids!
Hi Susan!
I am eagerly awaiting delivery of the Willard. So wonderful to have a new blog post while I wait! Thank you for bringing us your special joie de vivre. And Jack’s antics as well–one of my kitties also uses his teeth to cut down balloons or ornaments that have strings or fishing line attached. He also likes to eat flowers so all bouquets must be placed up high where he can’t possibly jump. But it’s a wonderful trade off.
Susan, Have missed your wonderful posts but I am enjoying the lengthy one you sent today. Such wonderful information and pictures of you and Joe and Girl and Jack.! You are so generous with your time and the giveaways. I would love to win anything that comes from you; if not, I will be happy with your posts and Willard.
I always have to stop whatever I’m doing when I get one of your updates – they make my day! I’ve got 2 boy kitties, Hobbit and Peach, and I plan to get some pony tail scrunchies to shoot for them. I’ve done some watercolor in the past and enjoy your illustrations so much – I need to order your 2016 calendar for sure before they’re all gone! Your energy and talent is so inspiring -thank you, Susan!
Rhonda from Vancouver, WA – on the way to Flora Vista NM to see family :o)
Hello Susan!
I’m so very, very glad you’re back! I’ve missed you!
I’ve enjoyed reading all the archived blog posts. Celebrating with you about the new book! I’m looking forward to reading it. My 2016 calendar has just arrived! Yipee!
Sending love & prayers from rainy Manchester, England xxx
Oh, red letter day !! A
blog, a Willard, a bookmark & another day closer to receiving your new book plus dreams of another exciting trip to parts unknown. I feel lucky. Really lucky. Thanks from one of your many fans.
Barbara Stewart
Love visiting with you. I felt I met a kindred spirit. I love, love, love, A Find Romance. Took it to England with me last year..visited some of the same spots. It was a retirement trip and my first trip(was a Kindergarten teacher). Fell in love with the country. I also own your Autumn and Summer books. I take them out each season. Looking forward to your new book (pre-ordered it). When we built our home some years ago I named it Once Upon A Time…each day I awake in a fairy tale world. Life is good. Thank you for just being you! Hope you come to Georgia soon.
Oh, red letter day !! A blog, a Willard, a bookmark & another day closer to receiving your new book plus dreams of another exciting trip to parts unknown. I feel lucky. Really lucky. Thanks from one of your many fans.
Barbara Stewart
Loved the post ! All of your plans, adventures, and that wonderful L.M. Montgomery
Quote !
Having been to England and Scotland several times, and loving A Fine Romance, I know you would love western Scotland and the isles and I can’t wait to see what you will do with it!
So glad to get your newsy letter today. I can hardly wait for your new book, and I can hardly wait for fall! I have a granddaughter and a grandson starting kindergarten in about two weeks. My grandson has some doubts about it! This weekend I thought of an old song that my mother sang to me when I was about that age: “Would You Like to Swing on a Star.” I googled it and found a YouTube recording by Bing Crosby and also Frank Sinatra. It made me think of your MUSICA! I sang it to the kids, and they thoroughly enjoyed it!
I always feel like I’m getting a little present when I open my email and see your name . . . today I got two presents! My lucky day!
Thanks for the wonderful Willard! Can’t wait for another trip!!
Hey Dear Susan, you are A-D-O-R-E-D!!!! Thanks for pouring blessings on us lucky ducks!!! Cheers & love, Kay
Hi Susan! I am sooooo excited about your new book! I can’t wait! My husband had a stroke 3 months ago and it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through! Reading your books is one of the ways I use in my spare time to take my mind off my troubles and be transported to another place (as in England)!
Thanks so much,
Christy
Sending love and all my best wishes for what you’re going through Christy.
Jack is so handsome! Girl is so beautiful! You should write a little fairytale with them as the main characters!
It was so wonderful reading your last couple blogs and knowing a book will be out soon. So excited for you! By the way, your coleslaw recipe is now a standard at our house, especially in the summer. Thank you!
I am not one for too much commenting. But I am one of your biggest fans. I enjoy your books and blogs soooo much. Thanks!
Oh!! How I would love to get some of those treasures!!! God knows I could do with a little mágic in my life. You are amazing Susan!!
I’d love a chance to win all those wonderful things — Jack and Girl look happy!
Thank you, Susan!
I can’t wait for Willard! But a blogpost from you is wonderful too! And I hate to quibble, but you are so popular and have so many followers now, that our odds of winning the lottery are not that far behind the odds of winning one of your drawings. But we can live in hope. 🙂
Hey Susan!
So excited for the new book to come! Will you try to come to The Woodlands, TX on your book tour? I would love to see you and give you a taste of my Lemon Verbena bread! It’s the bomb! 🙂
xoxoxo,
Lisa
You must be VIBRATING with excitement, Susan, at the release of your new book! I know that I AM!! 🙂 I’ve not seen the video that you are offering as one of the prizes … I think I’ll go online and see if I can find a copy to purchase (unless my name gets luckily pulled…luckily pulled? That doesn’t sound right but that’s how I feel!).
May the balance of your summer days be intentional — days of wine and roses and all that you hope and desire from these last summer days!
xo pam
The arrival of the blog couldn’t have come at a better time. Today has been a difficult day to walk, stand or sit. I still need that Tshirt that says “Groaning Old”. LOL Glad to see Queen cat, I never get to see daughter’s as she stays tucked out of sight.
I’d love to have a second copy of The Fairy Girl for myself, I’m gifting the copy I purchased to my daughter in Australia. She has been a fan since she was in middle school and is now 40! I need that new calendar, too. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Hi Susan, so happy you’ve completed your book and have come back to us. Will look forward to the books. Hope Vanna picks my name this time.
Oh, I’ve missed you so much! It’s wonderful to sit down to a cup of tea with you once again. And I adore the photo of your beautiful stars! I know we share the same sky, but I rarely see so many stars where I live. Thank you for taking me along on your adventures!
Oh red letter day. A new blog, a new Willard on the way, another day closer to the new book & the hope & planning of a new trip to lands far away. I feel lucky really lucky today.
Best wishes.
Barbara Stewart
Plano, Texas
Oh, Susan….. I look so forward to your emails! It is the delight of my day! I swear we must be soul sisters! I love everything you write and all your pictures and your whole life! I live a fantasy thru you!
So looking forward to receiving your new book! I know I will savor every work and every picture like I did your last.
You know how to love each moment of the day and all that it brings, good and bad. You are such a magnificent human being! Please don’t ever stop!
Hugs to you, your perfect little family and your wonderful staff! xxx000
Always a pleasure to catch up on your adventures!
You always inspire me Susan! I need to give my figurines a bath! Don’t you love the Emma Bridgewater Zinnias mug? One of my favorites. Autumn is coming!
I LOVE seeing your beautiful kitties when I read your blog. I was just in my craft room trying to make a new bed skirt and I had to pick up our youngest kitty Lucy (I call her Lucifer because she is a devil) and move her so I could sew. She then jumped up and sat on the corner of my chair so she could see more. We have a sign on our front door “Please don’t let the cat out no matter it tells you”. Gertie will dart for the door (she is 17 pounds so she doesn’t dart too quickly) so we catch her and bring her back in. We live on a very busy street so they are not allowed outside.
How fun to enter three drawings at once. If I win, this will go to my daughter in South Africa who is fighting hard to keep from going into pre-term labor at 30 weeks. We’re both huge fans. Thanks for always bringing a smile to our day with your lovely artwork and sentiments. You do more good than you know.
sweet sweet Susan,
Cannot WAIT for your new book. I’ve asked my hubby for it for my birthday, which is next week. Patiently, eagerly waiting for the goodness!!
Love all your pictures and the fun you share with us. xoxox
I usually read your blog while drinking a cup of tea-today it was iced tea!
I’m counting my blessings, too… Just returned safely home from a road trip to Charleston & Savannah and got through road construction reading Anne of Green Gables to my dear husband- chauffeur. He loved Anne as much as I do! I can’t wait to read the latest from another of my favorite authors–that’s you!!
Lovely Willard and photos. Welcome back, Susan! Enjoy the summer that remains…
Sorry, Susan my comments printed three times should have been just once. Crazy computer or maybe just the user.
Barbara Stewart
So good to have you back in blog land! Can feel the joy and relief in your post. Enjoy the end of summer and beginning of glorious fall. Thanks for your ebullient sharing!!!
Wow! What a blog entry – loved every detail. Thanks for the Lucy Montgomery quote. I love her too & just finished rereading Anne of Green Gables, which made me laugh out loud many times. I’ve downloaded all of her books on my kindle for my upcoming vacation! Can’t wait for your new book, and will enjoy Willard when it arrives too. Have a great day.
As always, such beautiful pictures, making me miss MV so much! Can’t believe the last time I was there was when I met you! Such wonderful memories 🙂
I love reading your emails and blogs. Please sign me up for your drawings.
Thanks!
Thank you Susan I just so look forward to reading your blog it is my little escape from the days stress. I really look forward to reading your new book! Give your kittys a hug for me.
~Anticipation ~ ~ ~ The wait is over. Such a wonderful treat. I get to savor this blog and a Willard also! Oh goody, goody! It’s almost like Christmas, or a treat for my birthday. .. which is the end of the month. Thanks for sharing your beautiful life and self with the rest of us girlfriends.
I just finished re- reading A Fine Romance, for the 3rd time. Still
one of my favorite go to books. I am over the moon about your
newest one and would love to add it to my stack.
Love seeing your sweet kitties, reading about your time with
your honey, Joe, and you have inspired me to start Fall cleaning. Perhaps
starting by giving my B.P. figurines a liitle bath.
Crisp Colorado mornings are here♡
Thanks for your lovely blog and for brightening my day!
So glad to hear that you are getting to finally enjoy “the apple core art” after all your hard work with your latest book. I can’t wait to read it.
Looking forward to another trip to England with you and Joe.
I always look forward to an e-mail from you. It gives me a few minutes of joy as I look at the pictures of your cats and your daily walks. I am still reading your book about your trip to England and thoroughly enjoying it. I can almost image myself on the Queen Mary!
So thrilled for the new blog entry…will be checking my email every day for the new Willard. You certainly have been missed, but I understand the accomplishment that you must feel at completing so many projects…Yeah for You! Thrilled also that you will be taking us along in your suitcase on another trip…Yeah for Us! Thank You.
Loved your new post! I always like to read about your life on the island. Looking forward to reading the new book. You are so generous with your giveaways….hope to win someday!
Thank you for our Girl Kitty and Jack pics and news. Your rose splendidly beautiful! Yes I am counting the days too..longing to read your Fairytale❤️Just finished watching all 3 seasons of “Call in the Midwife” loved it! I was thinking of you and wondered if you watched it?
Hello Susan, (my sister in laws name too) greetings from fire country. Your life seems very busy, but wonderfully nice busy. I can’t wait to see the new books. And the calendar. I always look forward to your blog posts. The kitties, and hubby, and the walks to the ocean. My Mother in law introduced me to your art 25 years ago. And now that she is gone it reminds me of her and her love of gardening and baking. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Hugs to the kitties.
I have missed your blog, yet happy now to read your lovely words, beautiful photos, and positive approach to the world. I often feel that we ARE friends because the things you treasure are so much like those of mine. Thank you for a chance to win your new book!
Best wishes to you for some time to savour the season, relax, and rejuvenate.
I really enjoy your website. My daughter told me about your site not long after you started writing it. My Mom had just passed away and I was so sad and lonely for her company. She was 93 when she passed and she was the greatest Mom in the world. She was very creative, she loved to decorate, loved the holidays and she loved to cook and entertain. She passed those talents on to me and my daughter. We were like three peas in a pod, the best of friends! We all seem to like the things that you like! Reading your site every day was very comforting to me. It helped me not to feel so lonely. I check it every day to see if there is anything new. I was so glad that you had given us an update. Reading your site makes me feel like I’m visiting with an old friend! I have bought your books all along since you published the first one! So in a way you are an old friend! My daughter Cathy wrote to you years ago and you wrote her a letter back, she still has it! She is also an artist and you were very encouraging to her. She is now a jewelry designer and has her own website on etsy. The address is etsy.com/shop/sparklecityjewelry. Please take a look at it, I think you will love it. Her designs are so pretty and colorful and she makes every piece to perfection. She would be so thrilled if you looked at it. You could leave her a message on her site! Take care, we love all of the beautiful things you do. You are such a sweet girl!
Yay for getting back to normal and ordinary days. I missed hearing about you, the kitties and Joe!
I am so happy the book is finished and you are blogging again, I missed all those lovely photos of your wonderful life and am excited about another trip!!!!
I am a relatively new girlfriend of yours- my friend Pam introduced me to you just a little while ago. I feel like I have known you forever (wish I really had) and I am enjoying our visits ever so much! Your books, your blog, your photos- everything that you create- just gives me the warm fuzzies. Thank you so much for the lovely escape you provide….
Thank you for this post. I’m happy to see all the things you are happy about; roses from the garden, mmmmmmm; crickets, walks, sunsets. I’m glad you didn’t dash to see the Presidents, they’ve been seen enough although I am sure they missed you and Joe! You have such a great gift to make others happy through the things that you like, your home, your kitties and, not least your husband. Your colour-testing sheet of paper intrigues me, I hope to see it. And I hope to meet you one day. Thank you again…
Yay! Another Susan Branch blog in my e-mailbox. We all wait for your newsy missives, as you wait for your new book. Of course we are waiting for your new book as well. Guess this is a lifetime of waiting, isn’t it?
I’m sitting here in a very hot Southern California, eating a Gala apple with Peanut Butter for lunch….hopefully my keyboard will not smell of peanuts all afternoon.
Joe’s birthday must have happened recently, as mine did. I just turned 80!!!! Friends & I that I went to school with, can’t believe we are that age. One of my girlfriends and I, were in 1st grade together. We’re thinking 80 is the new 60. Still feel 19 inside.
Sending Hugs and Squishes,
Carol
I love the evening photo of Jack kitty sitting by your kitchen screen door with the little whisk broom hung just outside. It’s simply charming and inspires me. We are feeling fall is in our morning air. There are even fairy pumpkins at our local fruit stand. Love it. Beth xx
Waiting with excitement for Willard to come. I can’t wait to read your new book! Dying! Will another book come from another trip on the Queen Mary 2? A fall trip would be fabulous. Maybe a fall inspired book of your travels. Sounds so exciting and you deserve it sense you are giving us another sweet book to read. 🙂
So looking forward to your new book! I know it will be beautiful! As for the “squiggles”, I would be so honored to win them! Winning anything from you would be great. Love all your stuff!
I simply LOVE your blog, your books, your kitties, your home – EVERYTHING that is Susan Branch. You are amazing!!
How wonderful it is that you share your talent with us in such a delightful manner! I’m looking forward to reading Willard, and am thrilled that your book will soon be available. Thank you for sharing! Hugs and blessings to you!
Words can’t describe the excitement I feel waiting for your book to arrive! I love each of your blog post. I gathered all of my Susan Branch books and stacked them like you do yours. I don’t have many yet, but am on the lookout for them along the way. You inspire me to be a better, more creative person. To live life in a way as to not get all carried away in the rush that we miss out on the little things.
Enjoy your well earned leisure time!
So happy that you are back! Love reading your posts.
Oh my, I can’t wait for Willard! I love this post and I am anxiously waiting your new book! Sitting on pins and needles. Take care.
~Good Afternoon~
I’ve been away for awhile as were you ~Glad you are back!
Thanks for the chance at your give~a~ways!
Lynn
I’m glad you got to get outside and grab a piece of summer before it’s gone already. Our ash leaves are turning orange and maroon, a bit early, but it has been a strange summer. Fall will be nice. Enjoy!
I’m listening to the continued “2 Hours of Big Band” collection from your “Musica” – mood music for a gray, rainy day! Autumn is almost here and I’m looking forward to reading about your continued adventures in the new Willard and then there’s your new book! Life is never boring! Enjoy the waning days of summer and the coming of a beautiful fall!
You may feel your garden is neglected, but it looks lovely to me. Dreaming of traveling on the Queen Mary someday….and wishing fall was here already!
Susan isn’t it the best when a busy time has passed and you get to be domestic for a while ? I am going into my busy time but had to take a break from the paint brush to say thank you for sharing with us today. I have a good friend who works for the National Park Service in the summer and today he is taking his last jaunt before his job is through for this year and he heads back to Missouri. He decided his jaunt would be to Martha’s Vineyard….happy for him, I hope he is enjoying it for me! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your new found free time! You’ll get busy again before you know it! (And isn’t that a good thing!)
” Dirty Pigglets”… what a riot!! What a magnificent night sky you were under! The romance in your life is just heaven! You have been inspiring me for…ahem…a LONG time ! So glad you’re back with us! You were so missed! Of course we all understand while we go through our withdrawals!!! Cant wait for the new book, calander, and ANOTHER TRIP??!!! Oh! Be still my heart!Thank you for the new wallpaper, it’s up and I love it!! Love, Sara
Susan – Thanks for sharing your life and your work. I love your blog – I get excited whenever I see a new one popping up on my Feedly site. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Carol
Susan, I’m so glad you’re back! Thanks for the drawing of such
fun gifts! The best thing about them is they are your creations!
You really make my day bright when I’ve read your adventures!
I also enjoy so much how you see the world! Blessings, Teresa
Can I just move into your house? Because it seems SO perfect! Your cats and flowers are just precious. 🙂 I also loved the latest, long, chatty Williard, and I LOVE Turn–I’m so glad you love it too.
I can hardly wait to read your new book, have ordered two. One for me and one for my BFF. Will you do another book if and when you travel to England? I have read it twice and ready to read it again.
Thank you for another day brightener!
I LOVE your drawings, maybe I will win one day!
Reading your inspirations gives me great peace with a little spark of laughter!
Wow, wow, wow! Exciting things happening!
My goodness, Susan — where does one begin? Such delightful happenings there. Such wonderful photos — Jack’s preferring sink water reminded me of my late, great Buckwheat Elizabeth who was the same way. And another cruise?! Envious here! Have a most blessed and abundant day, just as you did when you wrote this post.
Thanks for another wonderful visit to Smallville. I loved seeing your roses today!
Hi Susan!
It is sooooo wonderful to have you back…You put sunshine in my morning and a smile upon my face today. I love it! And now I see that your are thinking of another adventure…QE2 and where or where this time? So excited for both Joe and you. I ordered your book a while back and cannot wait to get it in my hands…Shouldn’t be long now….and also excited about the new Willard. Your photos of your walks in the woods and to the beach always makes me wish I was back on the cape for a visit again…Maybe someday. Have a wonderful day today….much happiness from my island to yours….xo
Love everything Susan Branch❤️
Today began with a horrid splitting headache, computer trouble, and a schedule out of whack all before lunchtime. But…then I open my e-mail to see this sweet gem in my inbox and my day begins its glorious turnaround. Thank you, sweet Sue, for taking the time from your busy schedule to gift us with your beautiful words and pictures! What a treasure, and one that does not go unappreciated!
Wow! What an embarrassment of riches! A nice newsy blog post, Willard on the way, three giveaways and a possible trip abroad. Thank you, Susan! Glad you are getting back to normal. It’s been Domesticity City for me, too. Cleaning out closets and drawers and using by spiffy new label maker. All the while, my tuxedo kitty, Jasper, was in the mix. (He did not get a label.) I keep going back to admire by handiwork. ☺ When you plan your next book tour, will you and Joe please, please, please come South? We’d love to see you and shower you with iced tea and good food.
So much excitement!!! Loved getting Willard and how exciting to finish just in time to enjoy fall!!!
I just received my WILLARD. Loved it, as I do anything you write, paint and illustrate. You have progressed into another generation as my daughters are both fans as well. Thank you for all of the beauty you share with all of us.
Looking forward to receiving the Willard. Love your posts.
What a surprise! A Willard and a new blog all in one day! I will read them both again after supper tonight. Last week I became a grandma for the first time! I am over the moon with joy! We are also getting hints of fall in Indiana. Life is so good! Hi to Joe and the kitties!
Love, lucy
I love! love! love!… any and everything Susan Branch! Oh my so excited. How lovely of you to share goodies with us. I especially love the chance to get a copy of your wonderful watercolor doodles. So blessed by your treasures and trinkets. Have a blessed and glorious day!