I don’t mean to gloat, but I have to say how grateful I am that in my very own lifetime, I had the extreme pleasure of slow-dancing to this silly young crazy yearning 
song: MUSICA And I know lots of you did too! How LUCKY are we???? Timing is everything!!! Don’t be jealous of us all you 
young whippersnappers ~ just put it on, and go to it. But it won’t be the same unless you can think of some way to make your hands clammy and your heart race. Be sure to close your eyes and only move your feet about an inch at a time. Ohhh, Earth Angel, earth angel, will you me mine . . .
That song still makes my heart race, and so does this! Here we are the other night having dinner at Home Port, a delicious fish restaurant up 
Island in Menemsha, and that, dearest ones, is the sun setting right outside our windows. This time of year we get amazing sunsets. And it all happens to this very special one-of-a-kind MUSICA . . . (you can play both MUSICA’S at once ~ and you can turn this off if you want, but we can’t ~ it’s a good thing we LOVE it).
As we left the restaurant to go to our car, voila, down drops the sun and up pops the moon! You know we have gorgeous moon rises on the Island too . . . those and sunsets are just two of the kazillion reasons I love it here . . . Here are a few Island sunsets just for you . . .
Hello. This is the beach at the end of the walk we take everyday. It’s the nature’s address where I find my best happiness.
Here we are at East Chop Lighthouse built in 1869 . . . Look at that sky, one hundred percent real color, no faking anything here!
This is the pond across from Bend-in-the-Road Beach . . . Just driving along and there is your basic sky. Pull Over!
Here we are on the deck of the Aquinnah Shop . . . overlooking Gay Head at the far end of the Island.
We look out our kitchen door, see a sky like this, and jump in the car to look for the source, like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
And here it is, glimmering gold and worth every penny!
So what are your favorite things about fall? I mean besides the sound of the crickets?
It makes me happy to listen to them while putting up my fall dishtowels . . .
and making the house smell good with one of my favorite fall dinners . . . Scalloped Potatoes and Sausages. (Page 97 of Vineyard Seasons)
And while putting a little bit of the season on the kitchen door . . .
I LOVE the chilly wind, perfect for washing tablecloths and skirts and drying them on the line.
It’s also a wonderful time for re-reading old books and putting yourself in a happy mood. I read this one over and over again, reliving one of the best times of my life. Diaries are a very good thing! Thank you for inspiring me to keep this one!
I love my easy decorations like the leaf garland I drape over the sideboard in the dining room . . .
And my owls, out they come to take their place over the fireplace in the living room.
and on the kitchen windowsill . . .
And of course, flowers! I’m really just getting started!
And the crow collection, meeter and greeter at the back kitchen door.
HUH?
This morning it was pure nirvana on our walk. I had to wear a warm sweater and a scarf and keep them on the whole time. A chilly wind was blowing, the sun was shining in the clear blue sky, and bright yellow leaves spotted the woods. It was just as wonderful as you could hope for, filled with singing birds and cawing crows. Like usual, Joe and I played 
Morning Science the whole way out to the water. We noticed a trail of tiny broken pieces of styrofoam on the dirt road, and of course, being naturally scientific, we thought, what’s this? We hashed it over. What could it be? How could it get there? Conclusion: Possibly bits from insulation that fell off a truck on its bumpy way to the building site for a new house out there. Then we noticed another problem, more alarming: Look at that tree! What happened? It’s hanging by a thread! 
Scientific conclusion: due to little pile of styrofoam at the base of the tree, we concluded the truck with the insulation caught on corner of the tree and cracked it down the middle. The only thing keeping it from crashing to the ground was the tree next to it which the cracked tree had glommed onto on its way down. Additional conclusion: Somebody better do something about that tree before it kills us. Profound perceptions from the two Morning Scientists. For any of you who’ve never heard of our game of Morning Science, here’s what I wrote about it in my AUTUMN Book.
BOOK NEWS: TODAY, Tuesday, the printers in Indiana have told us they are shipping the books! It’s so odd how if the clock ticks long enough, we really do finally get there! How long till The Fairy Tale Girl gets to us via truck? The scientists are just not sure. Four days? A week?
But you can be assured, when those books come in, first thing, for those of you who ordered it sight 
unseen (except for the occasional pages like those above), based on Faith and the Adorable Inner Girlfriend Support System Mentality, the very first thing we will do is pop your book into the mail. Makes my stomach quiver to say that. There is something very scary about a new book. Always has been, always will be. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see it, see how it all looks together,the paper, the ribbon, how it smells, all that book stuff!
And then, later this month, we’ll be hitting the road, driving the highways and bi-ways of old New England, taking the back roads to Western MA, where we’re spending the night at a B & B that used to belong to my friend Lowely’s grandmother, where Lowely spent summers as a child. Did I tell you we’re going with another couple? Our neighbors, two doors, up, Lowely, and her equally adorable man, John. Yes, so we get to see some of Lowely’s roots. After Lowely’s Grandmother’s house, we’ll head up through Vermont almost to the top, to an island in the middle of Lake Champlain for a few days. Then we drive across Vermont to New Hampshire for our book signing at Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith, NH, at 11 a.m.
I took a picture of this bird house the last time we were in Meredith. Gorgeous spot on Lake Winnipesaukee
We get back to the Island in October and then I’m going to write you big fat WILLARD and tell you all about the trip with lots of photos of leaves ~ I’ll do my best to make you feel like you were there. It’ll be a mini FINE ROMANCE.
You probably remember my girlfriend Elizabeth, the one who was redoing an old house down the street from me? Well, it’s all done and she invited Lowely and me for tea the other day. I only took a few pictures but I thought you’d like to see them. This is her “snug” the cozy room with the TV in it … see the pillow? She made that with my Martha’s Vineyard fabric, so I feel right at home here…
Just so you can put the face with the person, this is Elizabeth and Jack in one of my favorite pictures of Jack. The eyes!
This one isn’t as good of Jack, but it’s much better of Elizabeth!
Here we are in her brand new kitchen with the beautiful working fireplace! She rents this cozy
place out, believe it or not, so if any of you are looking for a Fall or Holiday getaway in New England, you can go HERE and get more info. (Mention FOSB (Friends of Susan Branch) if you call. Elizabeth told them to offer a special off-season price for my Girlfriends!) It’s got three downstairs fireplaces! And it’s insulated!!! This is an important thing if you want to come in the winter! It was written about in a local magazine, you can see more photos here.
She had the table decked out California style ~ California is where Elizabeth spends half her time . . . And, in case you can’t tell, she’s an interior designer! Here’s her web site!
This is Elizabeth contemplating the big question of any tea party, WHICH CUP???? Sooooo exciting!
I love her kitchen chairs. And that little thin china cup, she reminded me, is what I brought her to celebrate when the house was finished. It couldn’t be in better hands. After this moment we were much too busy talking to take pictures!
And now this last photo, back in my dining room, just showing you how fading hydrangeas STILL look pretty! Trying to take my mind off the shipping of the books! SOON! XOXO Bye for now earth angels, Keep in touch!
Oh, you are an Angel ~~~ I’m sitting here trying not to feel sorry for myself, with a head cold that came from nowhere ~~~ way too early in the season for a cold ~~~ but finding you here in blogland this afternoon has cheered me up no end.
I’m going to get a cup of hot tea right now and come back to indulge myself. Already had a quick scroll down, but want to read properly now.
Thanks a Whole Bunch of Flowers for cheering me up today
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Poor girl! Well you will just have to get cozy in bed for the day!
a good hot cup of tea with lemon and honey will fix that cold up in no time, and plenty of rest. stay warm and cozy, drink lots of hot tea and take care of yourself. fell better soon. hugs…. 🙂
..a cup of ginger tea with cinnamon and honey is good also !!
Best wishes on a speedy recovery Sending you warm fuzzies from Texas!
Sending good morning wishes to you, Susan! Loved this post!
We had 53 degrees earlier this morning – nice and cool! I love it!
Recovering here from a freaky sort of thing that developed from a simple bruise on my leg, so time just isn’t right for planning any sort of walks to enjoy the changes nature gives us this time of year.
Elizabeth’s house is darling! How I’d love to spend several weeks in the fall – or anytime of year – on the Island!
I just know it won’t be long until that book arrives at my house! I’ve already taken steps to carve out time for reading it without interruption! I know I won’t be able to put it down once I begin.
I’ll look for that Scalloped Potatoes/Sausages recipe this morning! Sounds like what we need at this point!
Have a happy day!
xo Nellie
Hope the leg is better soon Nellie!
So sorry to hear about your leg. Best wishes on a speedy recovery! 🙂
I live in Indiana so they can just drop mine off before sending the others on! LOL. How exciting. I have to say that I have tried to forget about the book so that when I go home after work one day I will stop to get the mail like I always do and be like “A package, what on earth did I order?” Then when I open it, I will be surprised! But I can’t forget about it, so I am trying to keep my house clean and everything else in order so that when it does come I can sit down and enjoy it. It is hard to relax when there is work staring you in the face. I am so excited though! Have fun on your adventure! I look forward to hearing about it. With living on a farm, I travel through others adventures. Yours adventures are the best! Thank you for taking the time to share them with us.
Ha ha, I bet that could happen in a more normal world! I feel that way every time I get a package ~ “I ordered something? Oh boy!” And it’s Christmas! Happy to have you here Hope!
In a bit of a hurry this morning – it’s cool and gorgeous here and my plants need attention, I need the fresh air and my mom needs to go to the store 🙂 – but I had to tell you that your post this morning was so inspiring and inviting! Thank you!!! Thanks for sharing Elizabeth’s house – been by there and love her restoration ♥ Can’t wait to see your new book in my mailbox!!! Have a wonderful, lovely day, Susan!!!
OMG! Am I the first girlfriend to comment? I went to your website to get motivated to get in the Fall mode…..and I was not disappointed! Susan, you just have no idea what your blogs mean to the average gal. I explode with energy and motivation after I’ve read any of your blogs….a few tears, because you are so heartwarming and generous with sharing your thoughts. I have to read it again and now I want to rent your friend’s wonderful little cottage. We have reservations in Meredith (with friends) to go to your book signing, of course. So looking forward to it. xoxo
SO HAPPY Ann, can’t wait to see you again!
Oh my Goodness, the first thing this morning I logged on to your blog, just because….and there it is….the Best News Ever. We will all be waiting anxiously checking our mailboxes. Sooooooooo exciting, I can’t stand it. Yippee!!! Woohoo!!!
Thank you Dear Susan for the beautiful blog this morning and for sharing with us such wonderful news. You are the best!!! You are our Earth Angel!!! 👼
XOXO Debbie!
Susan,
Good morning, and thanks so much about the book update. Like everyone, I’m so excited that the time is near and we’ll soon be reading your book. I know it will be one of those books that you have to read in one setting the first time.
Also thank you for showing us pictures of your home, it’s nice to see how you live and decorate. I also enjoyed the viewing of your friends home, both are so homey.
Thanks for sharing so much in your blog.
love,Kay
The good thing about this book as opposed to the last one, there are TWO!
THE BOOKS ARE COMING – HAPPY DANCE!!! And the island looks so beautiful wrapped in sunset and moonrise….big sigh….
Your description of the sights and sounds of fall are wonderful! It’s my favorite month for so many reasons… the feel of the air, the color of the sunlight, the sounds of the birds and insects–such a festive time! Plus, that feeling of preparation for the cold months… gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling! Looking forward to your new books! 🙂
PS Your sunset pictures are stunning!
I love your Morning Science! Our leaves are starting to turn, too. I love the smell! I have already raked once and put the leaves on my garden to till in for next year! Compost… yum!
A place is waiting on my nightstand for my book… I refuse to start another until the new one comes! No distractions! I envision a full Sunday with tea and cheese and bread, a good book, in bed!
Puh-lease! Hurry! <3
I knoooooow!
Dear Susan,
Its a beautiful day here in NJ. There is a little crisp in the air, though I hear it will warm up as the week goes on. I’m inspired to get out my Autumn book and bake and decorate. I’m in a SusanBranch mood! So happy to find a new post on your blog and so very excited to know that Fairy Tale Girl will be here soon. I ordered sight unseen. Tonight I’m going to snuggle up with A Fine Romance.
Thanks for years of warming my heart and home.
Thank you for your trust! I just pray everyone likes it! It’s a good sign that I felt just like that before A FINE ROMANCE showed up!
Other than the very welcome cooler temps and windows-open sleeping, my very favorite thing is the sunsets this time of year when the angle of the sun is pure perfection as it tickles the clouds.
Dear Susan, I’ve read your post and listen to Earth Angel several times and it’s just pure magic!!
Can’t help but to go make my own magic, It’s Raining!!!! in L.A. right now,hot and muggy outside,but with help of air conditioner inside my little home is what I dream Autumn is 🙂
Thank you so much!
can’t wait for your book, xoxoxoxo
Fingers crossed that it keeps raining, but not to the point of flood!
What a wonderful blog posting – so full of glorious things like sunsets and walks in nature and signs of autumn. Elizabeth’s house is beautiful inside and the kitchen is just my sort of kitchen! What wonderful sunsets you can see and the moon rise is no less beautiful! I wish I lived closer for a holiday getaway!
Love those charming fading hydrangeas and your autumn decorations!
Oh boy, am I the 1st person to comment?? What a ray of sunshine you have brought to this dark, wet, cold day….Thanking you as always for a lovely post, with pictures of the gorgeous Jack! I wanted to show him to our ginger Miss Emily, but she’s snuggled up on a quilt I’m working on….She just NEEDS to sleep almost under the needle, silly cat!
Happy day to you, dear Susan, and I’m so looking forward to getting the book in the mail!
Jack likes to get under my paintbrush !
my cats love the yarn basket, they weave huge tangles all over the front room at times… wonder how they do it???
Sunsets to me are one of nature’s gifts to us humans. Just breathtaking and yet so peaceful. Susan, did you take photography classes? Your photos are really lovely. I look forward to seeing a new set when you post your blogs. Thanks so much!
Yay! I can’t wait for Fairy Tale Girl. I ordered a copy for my daughter, my daughter in law and myself for Christmas. Should I wrap mine? Of course! Don’t you just love to open presents (even if it is a gift to yourself)? Sweet! Enjoy your science walk tomorrow with Joe. Claudia in Utah
I say wrap! 🙂 No photography classes, because digital cameras take such great pictures I don’t really have to do anything!
Love that the books are winging their way to you. Beautiful sunsets – can’t duplicate that shade of pink, ever. So enjoyed seeing Elizabeth’s charming little house. We went for a little drive in the country yesterday and I found two beautiful transferware dinner plates with a turkey motif. The pattern is called “Wild Turkeys” by Johnson Brothers. They were in a thrift store and were only a dollar each. Their prices were so good we felt compelled to make a donation. Charming volunteers, too. Enjoy your holiday with Lowely and John. Hugs.
Wow, timing is perfect for turkey dishes! Esp. for a dollar! Good find!
ooohhhhhh I am green with envy, what a wonderful find, enjoy the turkey dishes 🙂
Fall Greetings Susan!
Isn’t this the best time of year here in New England? Love it, love it, love it!!
What fabulous news about your book signing at the Innisfree Bookshop again! My husband, Gray and I met you and Joe two years ago there and it was the highlight of my summer! Am so looking forward to seeing you both again. (I brought along a couple of sheep cookies for you to munch on back then.)
It has been wonderful to have you back with your lovely blogs again. I thought for a time this Spring that perhaps you were giving up your blog but was so thrilled when you began filling us in on all your writing challenges. Cannot wait for for your new book to appear on my doorstep. Loved all your photos of the sunsets down your way – so beautiful!
See you in a few!
Hugs, Michele
I have to say I really missed the blog during that time! But I just could not seem to get focused and knew I would NEVER get the book done if I didn’t force myself to DO it. All is well, back to normal, whatever that is!
P.S. King Arthur is a definite stop – it is a fun place to visit and lunch is yummy but you have to be there around 11:30 a.m. before the “rush”. I live about 20 miles from there and stop in a couple of times a month. They have everything in the baking department that you would love! And, Hanover, NH is right across the river where Dartmouth College is located. If you are on Instagram, you can “follow” King Arthur and see what delights they feature most every day. And, their new “Sift” magazine just came out. Don’t miss this wonderful place – I have taken several baking classes and just love the place! Enjoy!!
How cute . . . “Sift” magazine! Gotta get one of those!
So happy to hear you’ll be back at the Innesfree Bookshop again this year. I bought a copy of A Fine Romance there 2 years ago and plan to be there for your book signing in October. We’re coming up from RI and hope we’re not too late! I see that you will be there at 11:00 but for how long? I have almost all of your books and love your blog!😘
SO happy to hear that Mary Ellen! I usually stay until everyone gets what they need, signing wise!
Good morning, Sue! If you haven’t finalized your whole trip north yet, I bet you’d enjoy stopping at the King Arthur Flour shop in Norwich, VT. It’s easy off and on Rte. 91 at exit 13. I haven’t been there in years now, but from the photos on their website, it’s better than ever. And every kind of flour and baking ingredient you can imagine! I love putting their cinnamon chips in my scone recipe in the fall, and their lemon chips in spring and summer scones! (– if my son hasn’t eaten them all out of the package first!) Have a great trip!
I will keep that in mind Lorraine! Lowely would love that too!
Can’t wait for my book to arrive… excitement is at a fever pitch!
And I forgot something…..(my Friend Rachel would say I was suffering from leaky brain syndrome, haha)
Is the East Chop Lighthouse, the one that was moved earlier this year? In the news we saw a very short piece, about a Martha Vineyard lighthouse that was moved a few yards. I kept my eyes glued to the TV, hoping to see you standing in the crowd…..
Bye from Holland
Nicoline
The one they moved was the Gay Head Light, or perhaps it’s now called Aquinna Lighthouse.
Very nice blog this morning ….. Your one and only remaining blog reader
Signed – Donald Trump :-)>
V. Funny Mr!
Hahahahaha!!!!
good morning Susan and good morning girlfriends. its finally cooler here, so very much like Fall now after a weekend of high 90’s and triple digits.. YUK!!! I love the Fall and its the Katydids singing now, not the crickets. summer is over and its time to get ready for the Fall. we accomplished our big goal, get 6 kittens and mama adopted out before Fall and we did it!! the last 2 kittens were adopted last Friday and have gone to their new forever home. the family decided to take them both and keep them together, didn’t seem right to break them up now after all they have been through together. now all the cats have new forever homes and will be loved, spoiled and cherished. i’ll miss the kittens, all the fun morning mischief of pouncing out from under the grape vines and attacking me or the geese or the turkeys, think they attacked the turkeys more than anything else….LOL!!! it was fun to watch them sneak up and chomp on the tails, didn’t hurt them just surprised them. of course they were always after the birds and squirrels, and we had some toys out there for them to play with and keep them out of too much mischief. now they are all gone and the backyard is quiet and I know the turkeys and geese are relieved that they are gone, but I do miss them. I do love that sausage and scalloped potatoes what kind of sausage do you use and could you please print out the recipe, it sounds like a lovely, warm and hearty supper for a cold Fall day. I love the beautiful leaves of Fall, and the smells, the crisp air, the wood smoke from the chimneys, the scent of the leaves on the ground and of course the lovely scents in the kitchen of sage and onions and maybe a roasted chicken… good warm and hearty meals for cold nights. and the lovely scent of soup or stew simmering on the stove… does life get any better than that… I think not. enjoy your trips around New England, wish I could be there and go along, but being there with the girlfriends will be fun, just poke a few holes in the trunk or suitcase. off to sweep the porches and then get out my Fall leaves, time for Autumn to get here. have a great day everyone…. hugs…. 🙂
oh I forgot, the actions of those starlings is called flocking, they practice at flying in unison as a flock, happens just before the Fall and then again just before the Spring. it seems a way for the birds to fly together and keep predator birds away from them, flocking!!!
I’ll have to scan the recipe from the book which I’ll try to do later . . . unless you have Vineyard Seasons because it’s in there. So happy your kitties got a good home!
thank you Susan, I miss them but I am so relieved they now have good homes, I was getting a bit desperate as Fall was coming in so quick and I did not want those last 2 out in the bad weather. at least I am proud to say we did not have to resort to the method my in-laws are using and have been trying to sell us on, catch them in a humane trap and transport elsewhere to dump them off to fend for themselves, an act as cruel as their other idea which was to shoot the kittens… like the its all the kittens fault.. somehow I don’t think so. I would not have a thing to do with those ideas and warned my husband if he even thought about them I would turn him in along with his folks to SPCA!!!! I am happy to say that posting a sign on the front fence worked out just fine and they all have good homes now.
Well, thank goodness for YOU, Pat! XOXO
thank you Susan, it just seems so cold and cruel to do those things to the kittens and I know I could live with myself if we did that, I have no idea how his folks live with themselves having done those things. you would be pleased to know that 3 of the kittens were tuxedo cats, 2 were black and white ( Tuxedo and Spats) and 1 was grey and white ( Socks) with the other 3 being solid black and gray, 2 blacks ( Blacky and Boo) and the solid grey one was Smoky!!! they were all lovable and adorable.
You are making me want a kitten! 🙂
I meant could not live with myself… typing faster than I think today.
If I had in-laws like yours Pat, they’d never enter into my home, or my heart! What cruel people. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Sondra, I can barely tolerate going over there now, and I know one thing they are not invited to this year’s annual barn party we have every Fall. and I doubt very much I want to spend Thanksgiving with them. if I had known that Susan I would have saved one of them for you, they all were so loveable and adorable.
That would be wonderful, I would LOVE another kitty, but I think Jack would have a fit!
You are a good egg, Pat 🙂
Good Morning Susan, I was so excited to see a new blog post today and I
had convinced myself it was going to say, “THE BOOK HAS ARRIVED”.
Well the good news is, it is on the way to you which means soon soon soon, I
will have it in my hot little hands. The pictures were dreamy in every way and
I wanted more info on that darling house of Elizabeth’s but when I clicked
on “here”, there was nothing. What a dream come true it would be to stay
there and see Martha’s Vinyard. Have a wonderful fall and trip!
I reposted the link Nancy . . . and Elizabeth is giving us a discount, so be sure to mention my name if you call!
..hey Nancy…guess what !..the book has arrived !..a little twittering bird just told us a few hours ago ( pictures on Twitter) !!..’so happy..
Good Morning Susan, I was so excited to see a new blog post today and I
had convinced myself it was going to say, “THE BOOK HAS ARRIVED”.
Well the good news is, it is on the way to you which means soon soon soon, I
will have it in my hot little hands. The pictures were dreamy in every way and
I wanted more info on that darling house of Elizabeth’s but when I clicked
on “here”, there was nothing. What a dream come true it would be to stay
there and see Martha’s Vinyard. Have a wonderful fall and trip!
Here is the HERE! Be sure to say I sent you, because there is a much discounted price for FOSB!
Thank you and sorry about the double submit – The
computer and its user don’t always agree.
I speak the language.
So excited about the book!!! what a lovely post! Love the sunsets, the walk and I always love old houses. I even live in one of them!
We are having lovely rain here in California! we so need and love it. I am appreciating the “new” word petrichor from your calendar! Petrichor is everywhere this morning! Thanks so much. You always make me smile!!
Thank you Susan for a delicious visit to almost fall on the island! Such a gift of words and photos. And next the book…The anticipation of finding it in the mailbox is so much fun! Must tell you that yesterday at our library book sale I found two Gladys Taber books. I felt like I was on an Easter Egg hunt and found the biggest best eggs! You and Joe have a delightful time on your sojourn north!
Fantastic!
Hi Susan, Loved the sun and moon photos! We are sun and moon people!! My morning walk around our little town included the sun coming up over the cornfields of Wisconsin today! Gorgeous! and so right. Love the refurbished house and all of its furnishings! Breathing hard at the thought of your new books!! Happy “falls a-comin'” Day! Kathy
Please tell Elizabeth that I LOVE what she did with her little house. Also, the link didn’t work on information to rent it…Fall is here in the Midwest, too. Leaves are changing, cicadas are singing, and apple orchards are advertising. Sweet Tango and Honeycrisp apples are in the markets, as well as acorn squash, pumpkins, and mum plants. I love the change of seasons… 🙂
Here you go Pat . . . There’s a special discount, tell them you are a Friend of Susan Branch (FOSB)! Honeycrisp, I cannot wait!!!
Susan, your pictures of sunsets are glorious!! I’m interested in Elizabeth’s house for rent but the “HERE” link didn’t work. Could you re-post it next time, or send it to me? Thank you for sharing your life thru your blog (and books….can’t wait!)…. makes me happy!
Lynn
I reposted it . . . also I asked Elizabeth for a discount for US — and she said OH YES!!!!! So be sure, if you call to mention FOSB (Friends of Susan Branch)!
Oh dear, Susan, I can hardly wait to receive your new book “The Fairy Tale Girl”! It won’t be long now! Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous photos of your island! I especially like the blazing sky photo of the lighthouse! Just beautiful! And your friend Elizabeth has a lovely home and the perfect kitchen for tea. Enjoy your day and don’t forget, your book is coming very soon to folks like me who can’t wait! xoxo ♥
Hello!
I’ve been reading a book: “When We Went First Class” by Ellen Williamson, have you read it? It reminds me so much of you and all of your travels. She wrote it in 1977, but it’s about her growing up years in the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s and traveling by car and boat to upper Michigan, train travel to CA and NY, and then the open seas on the big ocean liners.
I am sooooooooooo excited!@!@!@! Can’t wait!!!! The book is coming soon!!!!! Yeah!@!@!@ i might just have to re-read A Fine Romance while waiting this week for my copy of The Fairy Tale Girl!!!!!!! you have made my day….thank you.
Hi Susan,
Enjoyed your blog this a.m. It was a nice break from my own reality. Thanks for the side trip.
If you grew up in the 1960’s and you are in your 60’s, you remember “Angel Baby.” I even knew a guy that had a custom 1956 Chevy and according to the license plate, it was named Angel Baby. You gotta love it!!
Thanks for all the visuals!
Laura
Another wonderful song!
Well it’s all just lovely: sunsets, moonrises, kitty, good friend, tea. And, the California table cloth. I can’t wait for Fall. It’s still warm here, no scarves or coats, but it is finally raining–hope the rain travels to Northern California to help with the fires up there.
Just spoke to my sister, she’s stuck in a California rain storm! I thought she was kidding. Hope it’s a good one!
I hope its a soaker, a good thorough soaker, they need it, but then so do we.
Susan,
What a beautiful and delightful blog post! You manage to assemble remarkable pictures, stories, and quotes each time. Thanks for all you do to enrich our lives.
Blessings to you and Joe,
Lois
Dear Susan, I just knew we were going to get a post today…..just so much excitement waiting for the UPS truck to arrive!!! We are all holding out collective breaths, just until each of us has our own copy in hand!!
I must admit I’m pea green with envy…..fall in Vermont and New Hampshire…so unbelievably gorgeous with the fall leaves and cool weather. I hope you are able to go to Shelburne Museum….it’s wonderful, so much to see. The hand carved wooded circus; the Dorset House filled with carved duck decoys; a costume and textile collection; a round barn, innovative for it’s time; a covered bridge; the steamboat Ticonderoga; a New England light house! I was absolutely dumbfounded when I walked into Electra Webb’s parents’ 1930’s New York City apartment relocated in the Memorial Building, filled with paintings by Monet, Manet, Degas and Mary Cassatt!! So, plan for a whole day, wear comfortable shoes, grab a map and enjoy. I’m hoping you can pack us in your largest suitcase for the trip…..and you and Joe can relax and read and do some sightseeing. Love you for just being you and sharing your life with us, Rachel
We’re definitely planning to go to the Sherborne. I’ll take lots of pictures! xoxo Thank you for everything Rachel!!!
Thank you, Susan, for sharing all the beautiful pictures!!! And the little tea cup you gave Elizabeth–where did you find it? It’s so pretty! I can’t wait for your book to arrive!
In an antique store ~ it has nothing written on the bottom. So it’s just one of those little serendipitous things.
I said I’d be back later and here I am! I’ve read it all two or three times now ~ listened to the crickets and devoured the menu of Home Port which got my mouth watering and I think I’ll have the Lobster Pot Pie with a side of slaw, followed by a Home Port Sundae please ~~~ Wondering what a Quahog is though? Must Google that one. Elizabeth’s web site is perfectly lovely too. I love her photographs. No wonder her kitchen is so perfect.
Well, you and Joe will now have some insider knowledge, a little local insight when you go off on your travels again! Oh that next Willard seems so long away, but I know it will be so worth the wait with all your new adventures!
Wondering do you get a new Fairy Tale Girl van for this one?
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Quahog is a clam! I had to learn it too! We sort of love our Fine Romance Van, and think we will just keep it! xoxo Waving back to you Deb!
I learned what a quahog was from the Black Dog cookbook given to me by a girlfriend. Why did it take me so long to realize that Joe was a chef there? Doh!
Sometimes the world is TOO small! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your autumn pictures with us! I always enjoy them so much since your autumn starts so much sooner than ours. It’s supposed to be in the high 90’s here this weekend. But we did get a little rain here yesterday in our parched part of the world. Not a downpour, but we’re thankful for every little sprinkle! I can hardly wait for your book! Love from Mary S. in Fresno, California
Susan. A wonderful blog….I went to Elizabeth’s web site and so enjoyed all of the work she has done…SO BEAUTIFUL… I sat on the front porch last night enjoying the wind and watching the storm clouds coming in. YES…. IT DOES RAIN IN SO. CALIFORNIA. I love to watch the sunrise and the sunsets and always in the Fall of the year …they just seem to be so much more breathtaking!!! So where ever you live…you can always enjoy those gifts of nature. I laugh at your science walks…my husband and I have those talks also..and they go just about the same as yours…my husband not saying much and me going on about what do you think about that..etc etc etc. And His Answer: “I don’t know”
Okay, So all my son’s college books have been delivered…… so I will not get over excited and scream … then find out they are his books. SSSOOOOOO ANYTHING COMING IN A BOOK PACKAGE WILL BE YOUR BOOK!!!!!! YAY I CAN HARDLY WAIT. Congratulations Susan, You dreamed it…you worked hard on it…you made it happen and it is about to be delivered to all of us. Enjoy, Enjoy and then Enjoy again all the rewards of your hard work. Love you, Susan
Thank you so much Susan, I’m watching for that big brown truck!
OMG JUST SAW YOUR TWEETS THE BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED. NOW IT WILL SOON BE IN CALIFORNIA!!!
SO EXCITED AND I COULD SMELL THE NEW BOOKS AS YOU OPENED THE BOX!!! OMG I CAN HARDLY WAIT. I was so excited….I had to go back and fix all the mistakes I made while I typed this to you. I should of left them as is….it was kinda funny. Oh, Susan, you must be TO THE MOON AND BACK. GOOD GOING, LOVE, SUSAN P.
To the moon and back Susan, one HECK of a red letter day! You put happy and scared together and you get the zippiest heart ever! It’s beautiful though, the printer did an amazing job.
Beautiful posting celebrating the most wonderful months of the year from now through Christmas…..amazing sunsets..adorable cat child…but could barely pull myself away from the huge pan of most delicious looking scalloped potatoes and sausages !! ( I do have Vineyard Seasons too….will definitely be making those! )
They’re delicious. My mom made them for us when I was a kid and I loved them then and still do.
Hi Susan! So excited for the new book. Can’t wait to dive in (and probably read it all in one day ’cause that’s how I roll 😉 Will you please ask Elizabeth if she will share where she got her owl fireplace screen? It’s so beautiful!
Joe’s on the phone, can you write her on her blog and ask her . . . I will never remember if I let your comment go by!
Good almost Autumn morning to you, dear Sue!
Loved this morning’s blog….(there hasn’t been one that I haven’t loved, btw!!!). The photos of the sunset skies are incredible! So glad you caught them all for us to see!
I’m worried about that tree…..maybe Joe needs to call…….somebody….so there isn’t an incident that will give you the should-a could-a would-as.
We had our first real rain last night (3:30 a.m.) and it POURED! The garden looked up and said, “What is This????!” We are in for more tonight tomorrow….wonderful, wet rain!
I am so excited that the book is on its way!!! YAY!!! And, Congratulations for finishing part II! What an accomplishment!!! So, now you are off to New England to enjoy our favorite season of all. What could be better than that??
Keep us posted…we love hearing from you!!!!!! xoxo peg
Thank you Peg, I love hearing from you too! RAIN!! My sister’s are on their way to my Mom’s, in the rain, and no one can believe it. We’ve been on the phone!
Thank you, Susan, for another wonderful blog. The pictures of the sunset are gorgeous. Whenever I see a beautiful sunset I am reminded of a Disney book I received called Grandpa Bunny (first published in1951). He told his grandbunnies that someday when he was no longer with them, he would be painting the sunsets and, whenever they saw a beautiful sunset, they would know it was Grandpa Bunny and he was watching over them. It was a precious story. Funny how small memories like that stay with you. And speaking of books – we’re getting closer and closer to seeing The Fairy Tale Girl! Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to sit in my comfy chair with a cup of tea, and s-l-o-w-l-y read your book!
Lunch break and a beautiful new blog–puts a smile back where it belongs. The sunsets, moon rises and star-filled skies-just love your view of the world –and it truly belongs to everyone.
Did you ever think that you could make so many people HAPPY? It is a rare gift and one that does not go unnoticed. Many thanks for sharing-food , friends, family with us. Marty
It’s really a two-way street Marty! xoxo
Susan Dear, I’m so happy that you’ll be taking a pleasant trip with your friends. How very special.
The look on Jack’s face as he’s in the arms of Elizabeth, is so funny! No wonder it’s one of your favorite pictures of Jack. Jack has to put up with way too much, that’s for sure. The other picture of Jack enduring sweet talk from Elizabeth is also amusing. His little precious head seems to be turning away, backing off from Elizabeth’s enduring, cushy, words. If you could see me reading your blog, you’d see me smiling & laughing when I read your comments about Jack. Such a funny, funny animal friend. My Sheba (Himalayan kitty with gorgeous blue eyes), is seated right beside me right now, in a matching chair. Max, (rescued doggie), is asleep under the desk, on his office bed. They spent part of this morning, sitting side by side, watching about twenty five Starlings feed off of our backyard lawn. They were both on high alert, watching the birds, with Sheba crouched down, as though she was about to jump through the screen. I had the slider open so I could listen, smell, & watch the RAIN. What a blessing! Yes, we had RAIN today, right here in our drought prone CA. My dear, darling pets so enjoy the time I spend in my office, which is where I spend a good deal of my day, writing notes to home bound friends, keeping in touch with friends on the phone, playing games on my computer, paying bills, organizing my household chores, you know, all the things we all do in our offices. Anyway, it was such fun watching my two pet pals learn about Starlings. The noise the birds made as they flew away, was especially intriguing to Sheba & Max. They looked to me as if to say, “where the heck did those things come from, & do you allow them in our yard?” I don’t know if the Starlings are migrating or what. I’ve never seen so many in our yard. My Hummingbirds are gone. Makes me so sad. I thought they stayed in CA all winter. All of a sudden, one day last week, they didn’t feed from their feeder. I watched for them off & on, all day, to no avail. I think our extreme heat scared them off, setting them into migration. I’ll have to wait for spring to have them return. They say that once you feed them, they’ll return to your feeder. I hope so. One of my favorite birds. I love birds, all birds.
You’re always interested in Science, so thought I’d share this with you………..
My family gave me this gorgeous BLUE orchid plant, several months ago, which recently lost it’s blooms. The plant was just loaded with blossoms. The blossoms gradually all died & dropped to the floor. When I’d pick the dead blossoms up, they felt just like crepe paper, & had this little crinkly sound to them when I’d pick them up. They were so lovely, it was hard for me to just throw them into the trash. I kept them in a little saucer for awhile. Everything around us is a Science experiment, wouldn’t you say? Your keen interest in each & everything around you Susan, is your love for life.
I totally agree with your assessment of the music our generation grew up with. I think I’m about ten years older than you though Susan. Even so, we lived in this wonderful era of memorable music, music that lead to dancing cheek to cheek with someone who made your heart flutter. Last Fri. night, I was in the company of friends, in a large pizza restaurant, where a live Bluegrass band was playing. The band played “Tennessee Waltz,” & my brain went back to a time when I was at the YMCA gym in my hometown, (New Castle, PA), learning to dance for the very first time with a boy who had asked me to dance. I was probably thirteen at the time. What a beautiful song. That song has been special to me my entire life. Each time I hear it, my memory takes me back to that hometown gym. I even remember the ballerina shoes I wore that night.
Our neighborhood rooster just began crowing this morning. He’s terribly late. I think he stayed in his coop because of the rain. He probably has never experienced rain before.
Have a great trip Susan.
Love you Dear Girl, (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
You probably know The Tennessee Waltz is my dad’s favorite too! So it’s one of mine also. How could you not love it! xoxo
I even have a clock that chimes Tennessee Waltz! (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Oh my goodness, I’ve enjoyed this, Susan. I clicked on the links you supplied to see Susan’s home listing, and then the article on her renovation of that sweet space. I find myself taking deep satisfied breaths when reading your posts…they just make me slow down and savor, both mentally and physically. It’s one of my very favorite things to do…to stop and really soak in the beauty of your posts. I, and many others, thank you so much. You make me stop and dream, each time. And that’s something that we all could use a little more of.
Much love and thanks,
Barbzie
p.s. The doorbell just rang as I typed my last line. It’s my box of new pens and brushes from Dick Blick. Every fall I replenish my teeny tiny brushes and pens, ready to start another season of handpainting my Christmas ornaments for my Etsy shop. Now, off to see my new pretty supplies!
Oops…I meant ELIZABETH’S home listing, not Susan’s!
Gotta love that Mr. Blick! xoxo Thank you Barbzie!
Love love love your beautifull pictures of the sunset and the moonrise!!!
And like you do love to walk in the Woods behind my house in autumn when it is very quiet in the early morning.
The birdhouse is wonderfull and so the house of Elizabeth. The painted chairs we have also in a small town called Staphorst–they are dark red with painted flowers.
Have a lovely trip and enjoy your stay there.
greetings Trudy from the Netherlands
Have a wonderful day Trudy!
So happy you are enjoying the beginnings of Fall! Me too!
I’ve been thinking of you all morning because you love Fall so much, and because I was out gathering acorns for some crafty project. I hadn’t intended to, but apparently it is a banner year for my big oak and when I saw all those perfect acorns with their little hats intact- well, I just couldn’t resist! They’re in the oven drying right now – and here you are with a new posting! YAY!
Your road trip plans sound wonderful! I lived in Vermont for many years and it is wonderful this time of year! Be sure to get your pumpkins! I am going to a wedding in Maine soon, and then on up to Acadia! SO EXCITED! Never been to that national park – hope we both have great weather!
Looking forward to my copy of the new book showing up in the mail!
So much to be happy about!
I wonder if you could put a little slit in them and make them into place card holders!
What a fun post, all that wandering—down memory lane, down the lanes through the trees, through a kitchen, and more. I love the cute birdhouse overlooking the water, and the paper cut-out hearts.
Yes, fall is here and the leaves are turning and dropping. I have to give up my summer blues and whites and replace them with warm autumn colours. I even have a leafy garland like yours. Now, where to put it…
Decisions, decisions!
I don’t know if this helps but I have a garland of leaves and every year I try to find a new spot to put it. this year I sort draped it around our front window and it catches the afternoon sunlight perfectly and just makes the whole room glow with warmth, might try doing that with your garland or last year I sort of left it all wrapped around itself and put it on the dining room table as part of the Fall centerpiece with a big brass pitcher in the middle and some beautiful Fall leaves in the pitcher.
I know, they are very useful little items!
I have a bronze-coloured tin container that I put seasonal coloured (fake) flowers in. Last year a wrapped the leaves around it under the edges of the flowers. It made a pretty fall bouquet. This year, I may put them around a large glass jar that currently holds a blue candle nestled in sand that I scooped up on Florida’s gulf coast. Perhaps I’ll replace the candle with one in oranges and browns. Hmmm.
It’s that time of year!
Those are lovely ideas, Pat. I may have to buy more leaves, or go cut some.
you’re very welcome Wendy, I end up collecting more leaves and flowers each year, I think one of these years my hall is going to explode with all the Fall decorations I have stashed in there.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing those beautiful sunsets. Although it feels very Summer-like here on Long Island, there are quite a few signs of Fall – pumpkins are showing up at the farm stands, the shadows are lengthening, our sedum bushes are all rosy, the pool is covered and the nights are chilly. I think the crickets are having a symphony! And I’m listening very hard for the Great-Horned Owl. You and Joe must be very excited about your upcoming leaf-peeping trip through New England. Hubby and I will be on QM2 heading up to Canada/New England the end of the month. We’re looking forward to lazy days at sea, foliage, maple syrup, crepes in Quebec City and the fresh air. Be well & be happy!
It’s going to be gorgeous!
Such amazing skies! I am so happy today…it’s raining in southern CA! Yes in Long Beach, it started about 3AM and continued pretty steadily until about 10AM. It is still cloudy and the forecast is for “maybe” a bit more this afternoon. Thank goodness I don’t have to be on the freeway though, they are a horrid mess with jackknifed trucks and flooded underpasses. I am hoping all the people are only inconvenienced and no one hurt.
So far no rain though in northern ca where the firefighters are exhausted after weeks of raging blazes. And so many people have lost their homes, over 500 in the last week! Everything is just so dry and a single lightening strike can start a new fire. So although I am thrilled with our showers I am hoping they will race north now and give everyone some relief.
My mom just called — said there were something like 600 car accidents in the LA Basin between 4 am and 8 am. this morning People forget how to drive in the rain! Hopefully it’s all fender benders ~ the trees must be almost fainting with delight!
more likely dancing with glee at all the water they can drink up.
I’m not able to take time to read all the comments just now and perhaps someone has already posted this bit of trivia for Morning Science. Those large flocks of starlings are called murmurataions of starlings . An on-line search will link you to the most amazing videos of their flight ballets.
Thank you so mush for sharing these wonderful glimpses of island life, Susan.
I love the murmurations! We have them here! Noisy though!
Susan, you have to be one of the lovliest bloggers and writers and artists around! I love reading your blog and I loved your first book – it was positively enchanting. After losing my beloved doggie of almost 16 years this week, you’ve given me a smile today and some ease of heart. Thank you!
Oh I’m so sorry Carol, that has to be so hard. XOXO Sending love . . .
Thank you, Susan. XXOO
Ohhhhhhh Carol, I know how you feel losing your dear dog. I just put my seven year old dog, Jack, down a few months ago. How I do miss him, even though I have a new rescue dog. Each dog is wonderful, but I do miss the ones that are now in the past. Jack was my little comedian. Each dog has it’s own personality & way of doing things. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
I’m so sorry about your Jack. They are, indeed, all unique. Emma was my super creative and smart Border Collie. I’m blessed to still have Holly (Pomeranian) and Mrs. Minnett (rescue Chihuahua), my little girls. Thank you, Sondra!
My sincere condolences, Carol, on the loss of your dog. You were blessed to have had 16 years with your beloved pet.
Thank you, Ann! You’re very kind.
Dear Carol,
I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our Golden earlier this spring. I know what a loved member of your family your dog was and how hard it is and 16 years! I truly believe they wait for us on the other side.
Chris
Awful. Pets should last as long as we do. It would be that way in a perfect world. But then again, look at all the little people-pets we might not have met. Such a gift from God, giving us animals to love and to live in our homes with us.
Thanks so much, Chris! The grief we feel is the willing price we pay for the blessing and joy of sharing our lives with our animal companions. Sixteen years well exceeded the breed lifespan of a Border Collie, so I’m grateful for that.
So sorry on the loss of your doggie. My heart goes out to you. Here is a poem that I hope helps…Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
That’s a beautiful image, Charissa. Thank you, dear, for taking the time to write it for me. XXOO
hugs:)xoxo
Beautiful post. Can’t wait for my book to arrive. We were in Burlington, VT this summer looking at colleges for my son. Such a gorgeous place, and we took a cruise on Lake Champlain. What is the island in the middle of the lake?
I forget the name of it, but I looked at the map and saw it there . . . I’ll do a blog about it and tell you later!
So funny about picking out which cup to use! I do that with my coffe cup every morning, and laugh at myself for doing it! It’s like we’re making a major life decision!
Sometimes it feels that way!
So funny! I do the same thing picking out my cup for tea in the morning.
Us too. It’s the little things in life that mean the most!!
Hi Susan,
You have the most beautiful blog. Your pictures and art are just wonderful. I loved a Fine romance and looking forward to the Fairy Tale Girl and will enjoy reading your Autumn again this time of year. Have it on my coffee table. Thanks for this beautiful. It makes my day.
Thank you back Charlene, your words do the same for me!
So many lovely snippets in your blog! I also collect sunset pictures. We have a holiday place in Norfolk, England where we have one of the very few east coast resorts facing west, hence gorgeous sunsets for us as well.
Looking forward to your book. I’m now going off to search for your Autumn recipes.
Have a luvely day Jane!
That sausage and potato dish looks delish! I looked it up in Vineyard Seasons and lo and behold it was on the same page as stuffed peppers. I’m already planning on stuffed peppers for tonight….It’s a sign! I’ll make the sausage dish tomorrow! My hubby will love it. His kind of meal for sure. Enjoyed your blog and am keeping a very close watch on the mail for my copy of the new book.
Watch out, it’s addictive. Need a bite of sausage and a bite of potato on the fork at the same time!
is there any special kind of sausage you use in the recipe Susan???
I just use those little frozen breakfast sausages.
oh we have a wonderful butcher shop here in Cave Junction, Taylor’s Sausages and he has some sausages with sage in them that are to die for so I may go get some of those and try that recipe, I get hungry thinking about it and looking at that picture, looks so yummy!!! 🙂
Well, the photo looked wonderful and the comments just make me want to make it even more–however, unfortunately all of our books are boxed in storage prior to a move! 🙁 Maybe I will try the library???
When do you get moved Pat?
I never danced to that song..no one ever asked me to dance until I was 17..so..1971..
If I can eat by the water..when we go out..that’s where I eat.. we visited Menemsha..in 1999..time to return.East Chop lighthouse also..
Our home base was Craigville.. what a darling little enclave..the historic centre..I used to walk around Lake Elizabeth Drive..up and down the few old and charming streets..I loved it all.
I just have to go back one day..and see it all with different eyes.
Love you neighbour’s new /old home..the whale:)
How sweet are thin china cups.. would the other cup be one of your works?:)
Didn’t have Vineyard Seasons..just ordered it.
Happy Fall gift to me.
Not fall here yet..I still have herbs and roses and geraniums and sedum..and dahlias..so much pink still..
grateful.
My daughter’s dollhouses..are so similar to that birdhouse..
moreso..a dollhouse I keep above my kitchen cabinets..You have made me think to revamp it;)
We danced with girls! Those were the days! xoxo
Hi Susan:
Wonderful post. It’s all getting more and more exciting as “the” day grows closer! And thanks for sharing Elizabeth’s home. It is absolutely adorable!! I know almost exactly where it is!! I’ve bookmarked it for future consideration of travel to the Island.
Working hard here and too much to tell, but an Open Studio held by a friend with good connections in our home/studio in October is coming soon, and some note cards are a new venture — featuring Gene’s art. Doing a test run before ‘going public’.
Must get back to work. But following closely all going on here!! Have a wonderful autumn trip to VT and upstate NY. You’ll love it!!
Jane xoxo
Thank you Jane! You know one of these days the clock will tick to the right spot and you will be done too!
That has got to be the cutest darn cup I have ever seen and I have got a LOT of cups. There are a few things I have a very hard time saying no to….teacups, china and vintage linens. The California table cloth caught my eye right away as well. Gorgeous! I think Elizabeth’s adorable little rental space isn’t going to see many vacancies. I can see Carly Simon’s “Anticipation” being your next musica before your book comes out. Won’t be long now!!!
I just got it! Go to Twitter if you can and you can see the photos!!!!!! I can’t believe it’s here. They overnighted me a copy! The rest of them are on a truck on their way to the studio!!!
OMG, OMG, OMG … Love your step by step opening of the box on Twitter. WOW. Looks good, feels good, smells good 🙂 How exciting!!! Anticipation officially over! Doing the happy dance is right! ***C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S***
ooooooo THANK YOU Mary! I feel so excited, don’t know how I will sleep tonight! Either drop dead worn out from excitement, or too excited to sleep!
♥ Sweet Fairy Tale Girl Dreams ♥ xo
I slept like a LOG last night. xoxo Must be your little prayer.
Did the baby..I mean…book sleep in the middle last night? I wouldn’t have been able to put it down.
The baby was quiet, slept through its first night and let mummy, exhausted by the thrill of it all, sleep a long deep happy wonderful thankful and especially grateful sleep. Baby’s next to me now. Very quiet. Such a good baby. xoxo
💗💗💗💗💗💗
What great news–your book is on its way. I confess I have been checking the garage door where the mailman leaves packages every day so now I know it can’t be too long.
Your sky photos–sunset, moonrise and all of them–really take my breath away. It is woodsy where I live, and I do love all the trees, but I can only see more than a bit of sky if I bend my head way back and look straight up. So thanks for sharing those glorious vistas.
Your friend Elizabeth did such a great restoration of her house. Thanks for sharing that. It’s so inspiring to me and to all your girlfriends on the blog to see the results of your creativity and hard work and of your friends as well. Makes us all feel we can do it too!
It’s woodsy here too, but surrounded by ocean, which allows for those photos. Much harder in my backyard, more of a straight up kind of thing! xoxo
I just love that you read your own book! I have been re-reading your “Autumn” book. It accompanies me to the high school parking lot everyday when I go to wait for my cheerleader daughter & trumpeter in the marching band son to finish their practices. It’s a friend to me!!
Hugs!
Laura in Illinois
How fun!
Ooh, I loved seeing all those beautiful sunsets and the sunrise picture, which reminds me of a certain song, which now is playing in my head, drowning out Earth Angel! Drat!
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years
Dah dah dah, dah dah dah, da dah dah
Laden with happiness and tears…
I guess we must have both to be balanced. Speaking of Earth Angel, I remember the sweaty hands and dancing just as you described, at sock hops in the gym so we wouldn’t mar the basketball floor. (Sigh) Those were the days… (reverent sigh).
Your Morning Science notes are just the best! More! More!! Please!
I could see myself living for a bit in your Elizabeth’s house, but where would I put my grandsons? And besides, I don’t think their parents would let me take them all the way from Indiana to Martha’s; and kidnapping (even of your own grandkids) is so frowned upon. Soooo, I’ll have to pass, but lucky are the people who get to play house in those lovely digs!
Favorite things to do in the fall, easy-peasy, celebrate my birthday on Oct. 25 with a big slice of homemade Devil’s Food Cake with Penuche icing! I also love seeing the early morning fog over the pasture and the horses like apparitions grazing in and out of sight. The spicy aroma of apple butter cooking in the oven. Lighting the wood stove and watching the flames dance while drinking my first cup of coffee… I could go on, but I need to get your Vineyard Seasons book, so I can make scalloped potatoes for supper! I wonder why my mother called them escalloped potatoes. I’ll have to Bing that later.
You two have a lovely vacation with your friends! Isn’t it neat to share the things we love with the people we love? 🙂 🙂 Sara 🙂 🙂
Wait until the boys are older, then you can get away with it! xoxo
Hello dear Susan,
I just wanted to let you know how much you and your work enrich my life. For years I have cherished your books, and I am just so delighted to discover that you have this magical blog! I never wanted “A Fine Romance” to end, and I am thrilled for you (and all of us) that you have these beautiful new books coming…SO exciting!
You live in a most enchanting place…thank you so much for generously sharing your world.
With much love and admiration,
– Irina
My pleasure Irina, xoxo I feel very lucky! Thank you sooooo much!
2 weeks until my 65th birthday, I am Tennessee Williams, show me the “MAGIC!”
Yes, ma’am!
Funny you should mention re-reading books. Last night I was re-reading “Girlfriends Forever” and I noticed something I’d missed before.
On page 11 in the upper right-hand corner, there’s a little boy wearing white shoes and what might be a diaper. He has his hand on his hip and he’s staring directly at the camera with a look which says, “And just who gave you permission to take my picture?!” I love that little guy! What became of him? I suspect he might have become CEO of a large company or maybe a Marine drill sergeant.
I’d also like to mention that the poppies on page 43 make my heart sing, and the basket on pages 64 and 65 is truly a masterpiece. Your talent blesses us with each stroke of your paintbrush.
That’s my brother Chuck — or Chuckie if you know him like I do! He writes songs, the most beautiful music. That’s my brother! Thank you Patsy!
All the Girlfriends love musica. Maybe Chuck(ie) will produce a CD to sell through your website?
I’ve tried! So far, he doesn’t seem to be going for it!
Oh Susan…..the pictures!!! Really just breathtaking!!! Sunsets are my favorite, so fleeting, so beautiful and melancholy and joyful all together!! Thanks for the eye candy!! Fall is coming in little by little here in Illinois. The corn is dry and stalks are ready to be cut, soybeans are turning, the air has a coolness to it, especially at night and the cicadas have been making their presence known for quite some time!
So very excited about the book!!! My husband and I are leaving Saturday for Michigan and staying on old Mission peninsula and then going to Mackinac Island and around about those parts… SOOO very excited to take the slow roads and see things unseen to us previously! I also see a few wineries/breweries/antique stores, etc. in our future! I wish you and Joe a wonderful relaxing trip. I know my hubs needs to chill out for a while after working too hard without a break for some time now…. I am recently not working or as some people call it, retired, so just excited to get to take a trip.
I think I could probably make a decent grade in you and Joe’s science class, though I was never very good at it in school. Nature has a way of amazing us doesn’t it!. Well, HAPPY FALL to all the Girlfriends and thanks for the opportunity to stay in a gorgeous place on MV sometime! That will go on my TO DO List!!!
Love to all.
Mackinac, in the fall, without the summer crowds, oh my, that just sounds like a dream come true! I’ve never been there, only through the movie Somewhere in Time! Yes, in our science class everyone gets and E for effort! xoxo
Where do I begin??! I will have to reread this post several times (I can never get enough) but the photos! The books! Wow!! Are you even able to sleep at night?! I have such exciting news, too….thanks to you, after all these years, I’m finally able to plan a trip to New England! Fall leaves back east has been on the bucket list for years. 2016 it’s happening (squeal)! I’m guessing October is the best time to see fall colors?? I’ve been keeping a notebook of various places you’ve mentioned and now the prospect of renting Elizabeth’s house surfaces! This moved to the top of my page of tattered notes! Oh Susan, how do I explain it?! You’ve inspired so many things in my life that I’m losing count. Thank you for that. And BRAVO on another job well done! XXO
I feel your happiness, and it makes me almost excited about your trip as you are! Yes, October is the best! You’ll love it! xoxo
Your excitement is contagious! I did not preorder a book (kicking myself now) so when will they be available in stores or Amazon?
Both will be available in around two or three weeks. You can still get it from us, because it isn’t there yet!
I just love these posts – they help me get my S.B. “fix” before the book comes!! SQUEAL ….it’s coming soon. Yay!!
I know I won my copy, but I just may need to do some Christmas shopping in your store, so I can share with all. I think that will make me one popular Christmas elf.
Blessings to you and thanks for keeping us “in the know”. xo
Your book will go first, right on top of the pile dear Carrie!
Hi Susan,
Love the blog, and your friend Elizabeths’ house. I’ve been cooking bean soup, and baking blueberry muffins. I love to have hot soup when I come home on a cool Autumn day!!! I can’t wait for my copy of your new book to get here. I may run out, and hug the postal delivery person!!! Have fun on your trip, and I’ll look forward to the next Willard. Hugs to Jack and Girl.
I almost hugged my UPS man today, I wonder if they get that all day long!
Oh wonderful, Fall photos from Susan, our favorite girlfriend. It was 2 years ago this week my friends and I first visited Cape Cod, then Nantucket and then Martha’s Vineyard, such wonderful memories, left a piece of my heart there for sure. Next weekend my husband and I leave for Pismo for a weeks stay. So many places to see, haven’t been there in years and years.
So anxious for the books to arrive, thankfully not by truck!
You’ll love Pismo . . . the views are the best!
Cindy, be sure to look carefully for some spouting when you look at the ocean! We were in Cambria at the end of August, and saw a lot of whale activity out there. I was next to beside myself to see one breach! They had been sighted at San Simeon Pier earlier, but moved southward. While we were in Cambria, we heard that the pier in Pismo had to be evacuated. More people than could safely be there were out there whale watching. Pack your binoculars! Maybe they’re still in the area.
Smiling and humming along to Earth Angel, remembering the Woodhue and mouton jackets and circle skirts, and enjoying today’s dapply, glowy sun and maybe-a-thin-blanket nights, our swish of leaves and thoughts turning to Pumpkin Spice coffee and apples.
A grin and a giggle when it brought the memory of a similar time, a similar song—my date was just the Handsomest Guy on the floor. I could feel a lot of eyes on us as we swayed the obligatory half-step shuffle, and then he began to sing in my ear: “You are my PUR-PLE Angel.” Makes me just cackle now to think of it.
And rejoicing now, way down the column, at your happy news! I’m trying to think how to say it, but it’s such a coincidence that I’ll attempt to phrase it so that we can both preserve a secret or two. My husband has a “particular set of skills”—not the Liam Neeson kind, but one that sends him to five surrounding states to ply his craft and keep commerce rolling smoothly.
I had not the vaguest idea until you mentioned it—would never have dreamt of such a confluence of events , but he left early this a.m., headed over there to expedite “A special shipment of books.”
Oh, Goodness. As my friend Maggie says, “I die, I faint, I fail.”
rachel
Hmmmmm. What is not to love about that! XOXOXO’s to the purple angel!
Lovely sunsets and sunrises. The Creator is THE BEST artist.
He knew what He was doing.
I was thoroughly enjoying your blog today on my lunch hour, and didn’t realize that I was chuckling out loud as I read along. Then I looked up and saw folks staring at me like I had a see-through blouse on or something (which I did not). That made me laugh louder. I was filled with joy and didn’t care who heard it, thanks to you! So, I can add more items to my “what I love about Fall” list; reading your blog about Fall, Morning Science, and that priceless look on Jack’s face as Elizabeth holds him. You made my day – again. You are SO loved.
Oh Darylene, thank you so much, oxoxoxoxox
Susan, I just loved the beautiful sunsets – gorgeous – God’s paintbrush. Also, I love the crow you have by your back kitchen door. I also have a collection of crows that I started after my Dad died a few years back. My maiden name is Crowe. Everywhere I go I look for them. Wish I could find one like yours. Do you have someone who made it so that you could sell it on-line? I am looking so forward to receiving your new book – I can’t wait!!
I should start looking for crows! They are a weird bird. I love how they look, but they terrorize the other birds, although they DO marry for life, which I am all for, so I have a love-hate relationship with them!
Happy Tuesday Dear Susan. I’m on my way home to Sacramento from visiting my son’s family in Massachusetts. They surprised me on my birthday morning with a fabulous British Birthday Cream Tea Breakfast!! And what a joy to find the warm homemade scones and clotted cream that all three boys (11, 8 and 6) helped prepare! They were so pleased to surprise Grammie with her favorite kind of treat! And the excitement of receiving handmade birthday cards from all three!!! And then……..the grand surprise birthday gift – A Fine Romance!! (The secret fact that I already have two copies in no way diminished the thrill of receiving their gifts of love) – they knew how much I love Susan Branch and they wanted me to have the Best Birthday Ever!!! Which I did because it was. How lovely to have you a part of the celebration!
And soon another SB Surprise will be delivered to my door!! September has always been a magical month I think 🙂 Happy almost Autumn xxxooo
THANK YOU CHRISTIE, I just loved that story!
Oh my! That sky! Such a beautiful sight. I could just sit in a comfy adironack chair with a cup of tea and never move! Such a cute house Elizabeth has! Lucky girl! Can’t wait for our book to arrive! Will be waiting with bated breath! xo….Karen P.
finally September has arrived…….with the promise of crisp air, painted leaves and Susan’s new book……….
Life just seems to get better and better……………..
Can this day GET any better?!!! It has been an absolutely break-your-heart beautiful early fall day here in south central PA. I love your choices for this blog’s musica, but for me the sound track for days like this is Ashokan Farewell 🙂 It started this morning with your teaser Twitter about our book.Then I went to breakfast with three of my dear heart best friends, came home and was thrilled to see that you had posted your blog, gobbled it up in a speed reading session because Hubby and I had planned an afternoon at our county fair, stopped by the farmers market on the way home for goose gourds and mini pumpkins and a crimson potted mum and caramel apple lattes, and THEN came home to s-l-o-w-l-y savor this blog.Pure, simple joy. Love what you called those of us who pre ordered the book, the Adorable Inner Girlfriend Support System Mentality…of COURSE we ordered your book sight unseen! We know a good thing from you even when we haven’t seen it in person!So, so happy your newest baby has arrived, can’t wait to hold her! Hugs!!
I hope you have the crickets, I’m sure you do in PA — outside our windows now, all the doors open, just cricketing away, so industrious, LOVE them. Thank you Shannon!
We sure do…love, love them, and love the little spring peeper froggies that sing in April, too!
Fall is not my favorite season of the year, so I really needed some inspiration to feel excited about it! You inspired me to start getting out my fall decorations and my copy of Autumn. Your comment about calling Morning Science “Morning Stupid” made me laugh! That’s how conversations with my husband go when he’s not paying much attention to my ongoing comments and questions about something. My daughter loves lighthouses, so I forwarded your beautiful picture of the sunset and the East Chop Lighthouse to her. She thought it was gorgeous and planned to check her photos from her trip to Martha’s Vineyard to see if she had a good one of the lighthouse. Your blog always makes my day better!
I’m sure Joe could do without it too, but he’s stuck now! Thank you Sondra!
The pictures are gorgeous. Absolutely love the lighthouse. Been wanting to go to MV for our anniversary for awhile (coming next month) but money doesn’t grow on trees (not mine anyway!) and the ferry cost is off-putting. (We’d be driving down from NH and staying 2 – 3 nights.)
Looking forward to seeing what your new book is like – it’ll be on my Christmas list. I’m one of those people who actually WILL look at other people’s photo albums and not just a cursory glance. I’ve loved reading your anecdotes and the pictures you’ve included in books.
You don’t have to bring a car, Tam . . . there are buses that go every where. And lots of walking around in each little town. Yes, this is right, other people’s photo albums!
You, my darling are an angel on earth! (I love that song!! And yes, I’m old enough to remember and danced to it too! I’m one of the lucky ones!! What fun you guys will have on your adventure through those beautifully fall colored states! (Can not wait to see and hear all about it!) Wish I could rent your friends newly decorated house! It looks cozy and amazing!! (I love fireplaces! And to have one in the kitchen “Wow!” that is all I can say!) The book…the book… eeeks that is way toooo exciting! I think we’re all sitting in our lowly homes waiting for the mailman to ring the doorbell…and say ‘Susan’s book’ is here…”lol”
I said the same thing when I saw the house with the fireplace IN the kitchen!!!! It has a little bread oven next to it too, although I forgot to ask if she made that work yet — I know she was planning to. She did an amazing job rescuing a house that might very well have been torn down by someone else. xoxo
Printed in Indiana and that is where I live😜. Your book signing looks like so much fun. Will look forward to the Willard about the trip. I also have to give you a BIG thank you for opening up the idea of a pen pal that I now have. Got a lovely letter today and I am enjoying it so much. Have not had a pen pal since I was a young girl and we somehow got lost. Will not lose this one. We are both excited about the new book and the next one Whoo Hoo!
Am also going to get some more Fall decorations out this weekend. My grandson is having a major knee surgery and will be staying with us until he can maneuver up the stairs to his mom’s second story apt. He will keep me pretty busy! Enjoy this lovely time of year and thank you for sharing a bit of New England with us.
Makes me so happy to see how many people are connecting with pen pals on FOSB. Lovely spot to meet a kindred spirit! Hope your grandson heals very quickly . . . he’s a lucky boy to get to do that with his Grandma!
Sending healing thoughts your way:)
Dear Susan, You did it again, the excitement of reading what you have written on your blog, I can’t help but smile wide through the whole thing. Paul walks bye and says ” I can surely guess what you are reading, it’s one of those great letters from Susan Branch!” Then he says, ” tell her I said hello and Joe too.” So,” hello ”
from Paul. Thanks for the big piece of delight you bring to so many lives. You and your friends are so darling I can’t stand it. Have a wonderful trip, I can’t wait for “THE FAIRYTALE GIRL” to grace my doorstep, and hearing from you again. Thank-you, you delight us all !!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Wendy-Louise oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
Hi back to Paul! xoxoxoxo back to you!
Oh wow. I just love your sunset/sky photos. Lovely! Can’t wait to get the new book! I need to reread A Fine Romance, perfect for curling up weather! I have to dig it out of my boxes of books for a move that hasn’t happened yet. 🙂 I also need to find the cookbooks!! 🙂 I’m always so cheered by your posts.
Thank you Amy!
Susan,
So happy for you that your book has arrived! Looks beautiful! Am sure looking forward to receiving mine. Loved the pictures of Elizabeth’s little house. Her kitchen chairs are just adorable! How exciting for her. Have my Fall colored mums sitting on my front porch and back patio along with miniature striped pumpkins. Like to decorate the outside for Fall too. Canned peaches today and probably chili sauce tomorrow. Will be glad when my garden is finished, but am thankful it has produced so well this year. Oh, almost forgot I have more tomatoes to can too. Home canned food does taste so good in the middle of Winter though. Enjoy your book signing and Fall getaway. It is such a beautiful time of year. Happy traveling!
Jan
Mmmmm, all your canned things sound so wonderful! You are going to love opening those peaches in February!
Yes- it rains in California! What a nice change, but it didn’t last nearly long enough. It was a strange day though; big, billowy clouds like we don’t usually see. Your beautiful pictures made me take more than one look. They’re all that’s dreamy about MV! Reading about all the excitement that’s happening on Twitter makes me feel excited too! The book, the book – can’t wait for a look!
I’m so excited! It’s right here next to me (of course) — a real book!
OH NO! I must admit I forgot the book was close to being released and I am NOT in NC but AZ! My husband had open heart surgery for a quirky thing that happened to him in May. He knew he was schedualed to work in Yuma, AZ September and October if he was ok by then. The day before his surgery he said he’d been thinking about the last year and how much I also had gone through seeing that everything carried on and taking care of him. He thought we should load my car up with the dog and drive to AZ. Then I could have two months to recoup myself. Two months away is a long time, but I was happy he thought of it. He said this way I would see him everyday, although he’d be leaving early and sometimes coming home late. But I could make sure he was ok. So here I am, about a week into the two months and am having a great time! Seeing old friends that live here and talking, talking, talking!! Your sunsets are beautiful and I have been lucky enough to have glorious sunsets here also. The desert is beautiful. So it’s a good thing I had my mail forwarded instead of held at home. So my book I preordered will get to me a little later but that’s ok!!! I will get it and devourer it as I am a lady of leisure for the next seven weeks. *L* Me and the dog will chill with a cup of tea and the book. Life is good! Hugs to all, appreciated the good things in your life and never take them for granted. Hugs!
Love the lady of leisure part, and it sounds like your husband has a handle on this quirky thing!!! xoxo
He is doing great. It is amazing how he got back on his feet. We thank the almighty that our prayers for a full recovery were granted. Our daughter also works with him so we are double teaming him! *L*
Gosh, that song brings back memories of sock hops in the school gym. We really did take off our shoes and dance in our socks. By the end of the evening the floor was polished and shiny. Bet the janitor loved it when there were sock hops on the calendar. Thank you for the lovely sky pictures, I’ll just moon over them for awhile. Next week we’ll be at Lake Winnie and I’m hoping I’ll get some great sun/moon shots too. I can hardly wait for your new book to arrive in the mail. In the meantime I’m rereading A Fine Romance a little every evening to keep my SB fix in gear. Jersey hugs………….
Thank you Carol . . . have a great time in Lake Winnie . . . I never knew it had a nickname — now I can quit trying to remember how to spell it!
I always had a hard time spelling it too and when I heard it’s called Lake Winnie by the locals I latches on to it pretty darn quick. I’m so excited about going up there. We’re ordering tickets to ride the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad up to the highest point on the East Coast as one of the touristy things to do! I can’t wait to check that out. New England in Autumn, now that’s heaven!
The Mt. Washington Hotel is there too . . . big old time gorgeous place like the hotel in Somewhere in Time (the movie) — It’s gorgeous up there!
Taking a break to read your blog. While packing the other day I didn’t know what to write on the box with wine glasses and tea cups~so I wrote TWINE and thought of you! House is up for sale this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well.
I have to say…Elizabeth has great taste in paint colors. I too painted my kitchen yellow and my hallway blue. Great minds think alike.
Thanks for all the pictures from the shore. I will have to take some for you after I move to the Door Peninsula. I think I may try to drive up to Meredith while the house is on the market. I love it up there!
Excited for the book to come to the house. I always sing that Wells Fargo song from the Music Man when I see a truck coming down my street. LOL
You have so much excitement around you right now Margot!!! Love the box of TWINE!
So much excitment, it’s exhausting! I hope the color scheme is OK with the buyers.
Drove my son’s belongings to my sister’s house in GA last weekend, so when he gets to Jacksonville, FL for his first civilian job he can drive up to see her and get his stuff. He is waiting for his clearance…our efficient government!
Have a great day! It is sooo sunny today.
John called yesterday, he started his new job. I wish I had a picture like the first day of school pictures. 🙂
Oh I can’t wait until that package arrives in MY mailbox. I’ll have to wash my hands first ( to make sure all of the mommy~ness is off and won’t get a thing on the book) and then I’ll take a deep breath, hold it in and slide it out. (really, I do that) And my daughters will watch knowing that their mama loves books THAT much! (my Anna is 12, she was adopted from China when she was a baby and my Abigail is 8 but looks like she’s 5 and she’s Irish to the core, red hair… just in case you were wondering who will be watching as I hold my breath and open it) I’ve been rereading Falling in Love with the English Countryside (again) to get in the mood (along with Autumn)
Thank you Susan for sharing your gift with me; with all of us. You inspire in ways you don’t know.
PS~ it was lovely to meet you last fall at a book signing in MA… I was the ‘teacher’ who told you the story about a little boy (now all grown and a teacher himself) who gave me my first Susan Branch book… the Christmas one. And he had written in it “For Mrs. Baker” And you said my sweater as pretty. That was a happy happy moment!
Enjoy your trip… you deserve it!
Your children sound adorable! Hope I get to see you again sometime Tara!
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous sunsets! I am so looking forward to receiving your new book!
My first copy was overnighted and I got it yesterday. The printer did such a good job. The paper is wonderful and the colors are perfect!
Susan, this blog felt like it was written just for me! (Just one of the girlfriends, really!) The susets are magical when you look in the sky and see the amazing colors taking it over. The water views, nature as a complete state of peace and tranquility when calm. Of course, before I checked-in to your blog I was delighting in browsing travel in Ireland. Another Island of Beauty!! My empty teacup is calling for a fill-up so I must go. Happy Autumn Travels!!
Nothing like dreaming! xoxo
Fall here is having the first frost before you dig the carrots. It’s the kitchen filled with the aroma of tomatoes cooking down for salsa. It’s school children walking by and it’s loads of books from the library.
You are having frost? Where are you Brenda? Happy Fall!
Hello. If we live in San Luis Obispo county and purchase an item online, can we pick it up at the A.G. Studio to save on shipping ?
I sent your email to Kellee, I’m not sure how they would handle that, it seems like it should be OK to me ~ she’ll get back to you, Julie.
Ahhhhh! Earth Angel Earth Angel, will you be mine. My darling dear love you all the time. Brings back such good memories. Yes, just little steps back and forth, not real dancing involved. Sweaty and shaky palms. Congratulations on the book. I confess, I haven’t ordered it yet. I’m putting it and the 2016 calendar and maybe on my Christmas list for the kids and dear husband to buy me this year. Trying to cut back on what is spent on gifts by everyone, and just giving and receiving things with true meaning rather than the more expensive things we used to think we needed to buy. Still pretty hot here, but some cooler breezes in the evenings, and we can see the changes coming. Little Sadie Jane feral kitty has become a first class grasshopper catcher, so I wonder how she’ll take to the quieter environment of winter when there are no living critters to hunt. There’s something in the raised vegetable beds that she and Abby the Springer have been after for a while now. I hope I get to see what it is eventually. I know Bob saw a toad out there a few weeks ago, so maybe that’s what’s living there.
I’m wondering what Jack will think of snow too. He’s become addicted to grass munching. Does NOT like it when I take him out in the rain!