Hello Lucky Girls . . . from your other lucky girlfriend! MUSICA? Something old and delicious? OUI! Let’s celebrate SEPTEMBER!
Hi Girls! It’s the month of the changing light (as you can see), and one big wonderful moon coming on the 27th. Are we lucky or what?
Mark your calendars for this moon. Try to plan a picnic and go somewhere to watch it rise. It’s going to be a big one! A “Super Blood Moon Eclipse!”
Also, it’s the month of my sister Shelly’s birthday . . . this is the photo she found on her phone on the 15th. Her twins made the hat for their dog Lucy. Aren’t they adorable? Imagine finding this on your phone! My sister is one lucky woman! ♥
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SHELLY!
And me? I’m one very lucky woman too . . . because I have diamonds on my walls and I didn’t have to do a thing to get them!
Shimmering away . . . sparkling up my kitchen!
And this too!!!! Not quite as sparkly, but just as exciting to me! It came last week. I showed our Girlfriends on Twitter, but thought I better put it here too, just in case you didn’t get to see it. A “BOX” arrived!!! I grabbed the camera thinking . . .
Because I just “knew” what was in it.
The printer had promised me she was going to overnight a copy of THE FAIRY TALE GIRL to me the moment it was off the printing press. And so she did! I went real slow. Savoring the moment. In a ripping and tearing sort of way.
My first peek. Thar she blows! EEEEEK!
Oh my, oh my. Words fail me. It’s the best and the scariest and the funnest feeling I have. Pure butterflies in my stomach. My baby is born! Ribbons and curls, oh what a girl . . . ooooh, she’s heavy!
I could never get used to this.
I thumbed through it really fast, just to see. The paper is perfect, just what I hoped it would 
be. The color? I could not ask for more. The ribbon? Oh yes, just where it should be. “Printed in the USA” is prominently displayed. (Because, as you know, we’re worth it. ♥) Thank you R.R. Donnelly in Crawfordsville Indiana, for doing an excellent job for me and my Girlfriends!
Here’s a little peek inside . . . you should smell it! And very soon, you will! !t won’t be long now!
Because today (Monday) it arrives by the truckload to our Studio in California and Sheri, Kellee and 
Alfredo are all ready! They’ll begin packing them up and sending them out to YOU! They are so good and so fast, I believe they will have them ALL out to everyone by the end of this week, or very close. The first books will go to the winners of the give-away we had a couple of months ago, and after that, it’s first-come first-serve. I’m SO excited that it’s finally happening!
That’s my Summer Book, and that thought is as good now as it was then. Those little girls are two of my sisters, I painted it from a photo of them figuring out their outfit for Halloween, wearing the same pair of pink pants and same jacket. Mary is on the left and Shelly is on the right. They are very enthusiastic!
We’ve had a busy week! We took a day and went off-Island to go shopping (and out to lunch to delicious BLEU in Mashpee on Cape Cod, so good, so FRENCH! I had escargot! Oui! I vill eet zee snails eef zay come in zee gahlic buttair!) . . . this is the way the harbor looked from the front of the boat as we were pulling out of Vineyard Haven.
And these are my favorite thing I bought while we were off . . . fuzzy new slippers. Because we’re going to the far north next week, and we think it might be cold up there! We HOPE! Leaves are beginning to blow across our yard, so we think the time is just right.
And here was the sky as we came back into the harbor later that evening. . . . Hello. Welcome home. Thank you very much.
We also went to Lowely’s gallery opening to see her beautiful new art . . . it was a group show and several of the artists gave away cards with their art on them ~ I brought them home and made a little kitchen gallery of my own.
If you look at the card in the center window on the lower right side, you will see what a little splotch of sunlight, in just the right place, can do.
And Him. Mr. Precious. Jack. These days he LIVES to go outside. I’m out, taking pictures of the turkeys in our yard, and he’s inside and not happy about it.
“Please Mommy!” He rubs himself on the screen, “Please please please! Please take me out!” He doesn’t get to go alone. I have to carry the little lord.♥
“Grrrrr,” he says, trying to stare me into submission. Never fear, I do his biding, I carry him out so he can get his greens. Lawn munching is his favorite thing.
And this one of MY favorite things. Letters. When we got home from our little trip off-Island, 
I found this letter waiting for me. I knew you would love it. Who doesn’t love a handwritten letter!? Anyone who thinks the world has changed too much for their liking should read this and know there are kindred spirits in every generation. Many, many more than we might ever suspect.♥ Look how wise 15-year-old Emily Pulver is already! My kinda girl!
Bye Bye Girlfriends . . . watch your mail, XOXO 
It must have been thrilling to receive your first box of The Fairy Tale Girl! I am so happy for you, Susan! We Girlfriends are all looking forward to receiving our copies of your new book. I can’t wait to read it and its sequel next spring!
This is always the nervous-making part for me! xoxo
Hi Susan and family…I’m so happy your book is out…will order mine at my bookstore, hopefully soon…I love reading your blog and feel that you truly care about the things you share…love your kitchen window…and reading the page when you were running away from home…so sad but you live a real life, like the rest of us…thank you…have fun sharing your book with us…what an accomplishment!!!db
Thank you Diana! Yes, real life, has ups and downs, but all seems to be as it should, somehow! xoxo
…good morning Susan..i’ve just got to “comment” for this post..for it really “spoke to me “(as they usually do !!..lol..) !! ..first off, congratulations on the arrival of your precious baby girl… we all share in your joy !!!!.. I am especially ready to read this book for in ways I’m about ready to do a similar journey..this house of mine sold and all my possesions have been going in to storage for awhile aand then I am “hitting the road”..scary, but exciting… I particularly love the quotes you’ve chosen..they spoke to my heart as well..thank you, BFF, for all you do !!..with love, as always…
..p.s… don’t we love the changing light of Autumn ?!?.. “diamonds on my wall”…my thoughts exactly !.. this gift of light stops me in my tracks quite often..thanks..
Today is even crazier, I can stand in the kitchen and see four rooms at once, all with light sparkling in each one!
Where are you going Mary?
first to Washington state ( I have family there) and then to California to spend some time with my parents, and then God knows where..thanks for asking, Susan..
Are you going in a car, or a van, or a bus, or a train, or a motor home? Enquiring minds . . . 🙂 How long will you be “out?”
..good morning, Susan..firstly, by plane ( eeek, I know) to Denver and then on to Seattle..after awhile I thought I would take a train from there down to Cali.. ( when I was back east for my older daughter’s wedding this past June, I rode the train for the first time from Westerly to Boston and absolutely loved it !! ..right now I am storing my most precious possesions, being my pottery wheel, piano, and treadle sewing machine… packing up is difficult, yet I am taking time to enjoy the moments..thanks..
It sounds like a true life adventure. And all true life adventures start out by being a little bit scary. All my best love to you Mary!
Be strong, Mary-you are on your way to something good. Don’t let the bumps get in your way-just keep your eye on the prize -a life that you choose and doing it in your own way. Good luck and Good Fortune to you!
♥
LOL, it’s working!
..dear Marty, thank you for your well wishes !!!
Hi Mary, I’m also going to Washington State this week and I can’t wait!! Whenever anyone tells me they are visiting ‘the greenest green you’ll ever see’, I light up just thinking of a trip home. The Pacific Northwest will always be home for me, even after 11 years living in the central Cali. Three more days of 99 degree weather here in the Sacramento Valley, and then I’m off to the bee-u-ti-ful blue-gray skies of Seattle, the gorgeous blues and greens of Puget Sound, and the familiarly awesome peaks to the east AND the west (the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains) presided over by magnificent Mount Rainier!! Can’t you just smell the crisp fresh salt air?! I’m flying cause I only have a couple of days of vacation left this year (after a wonderful week spent near Boston this month). I hope your travels are a wonderful as I know mine will be!!
xxoo SB Girlfriend Christie
hi Christie ..yes, Washington state is absolutely beautiful ; I’ve been there several times before and love it !!..enjoy your trip !!!
Christie…. You described the western side of Washington State to a tea. Such beautiful words to entice anyone to come see for themselves. I grew up on the Southwestern side of the state in desert land. My husband
and I are back once again after living in Northern CA. for 16 years. I have to admit that I like the pine trees the best, but it’s really good to be back close to the kids and grand kids.
Mary, stay brave in your new life adventure! Prayers have been sent your way for a safe journey and new life.
What a grand, exciting post to wake up to this morning! I have vowed to myself to be the very first person to pre-order Isle of Dreams! Then I will know for sure that my book will be one of the first books to go out. Any minute some GF will scream, “it’s here! I have it!” And I will be happy for her………but I will still be waiting….anticipation! I just can’t wait!
I love the dappled sunshine in your house and wondered why I don’t have any. And then, there it was! Little dapples of light on the coffee table, dancing across the books. It was there all the time…..I just didn’t look! It won’t come to those who don’t look!
Still waiting for Fall. Some of the little signs are there, it is just so hot! We have had two lovely little showers and I noticed two little roses blooming! Sweet.
Happy Bithday Shelly!!!!!!!!!!
Have a grand time Susan, you earned it!
Chris
Forgot to mention….way cute slippers!
LOL! Can’t help but love them!
I was almost sad when I read you had no dapples, but YAY! You do! Don’t we all have to have them if we have windows? Praying for a big whoooooSH of cool wind for you Chris!
I told you that you’d beat me! I’m glad – you deserve something good right now. And I know one thing, when the opportunity to order the next book arises, I am going to step aside. I’m not getting in the way of a determined girlfriend placing her order ! LOL!
hahahaha! Have I told you lately that I love you? 🙂
♥
Now I have to LOL every time. Must get used to this. Love it!
Only Fairy Tail Girls have D*I*A*M*O*N*D*S dancing on their walls!
The book looks lovely! So excited for YOU….and ME!
Watching and waiting at my door…like Jack pressed against the Screen! Ha!
He speaks very plainly with never a word!
♥
This is my “like” button.
Works for me! It’s my like button too!
Good Morning Dear Sue. It’s 43 degrees here…I fell asleep with the windows open and it is downright deliciously chilly in here this morning! I put on my favorite fuzzy slippers and a big fuzzy sweater and all is right with the world. I love your new slippers! I have a thing for slippers…especially brand new ones…when none of the fluff and squish have been squished out of them yet. I get a new pair every christmas. I also love it when the heat gets turned on for the first time. That dusty, warm furnace smell…and the clock quietly ticking on the mantle…makes my heart happy. I loved the reading the first page of your book. I felt sad for you, but I know there will be a happy ending.
I went to see a wonderful show Saturday night. It was about Gene Kelly. His widow did a talk about his life with wonderful anecdotes and clips from all of his movies. I found myself smiling and teary eyed. It was wonderful. You would have loved it, being the kindred spirit that you are.
Have a wonderful trip up north. I think your timing will be perfect for the fall show. Have a wonderful day. <3
You are so right, I would have loved it! That wasn’t the first page of my book, it was actually right out of the middle. Not that it matters because you’ll get it soon and see for yourself. It’s FREEZING here this morning. Not really, only by comparison, it’s actually a perfect 60 degrees. I had to close some windows and I’m wearing a wool shawl! We’re about to go out on our walk, should be nice and fallish out there! Fall is here, and every time I say that, the first thing I think is . . . soon . . . Downton Abbey!
I know you would have loved it. You should go if it comes to your neck of the woods. His wife’s name is Patricia Ward Kelly and she is a wonderful story teller… very smart, very chic. I grew up watching Gene Kelly with my mom…Long Sunday afternoons of ironing and watching old MGM musicals. Very sweet memories for me.
Isn’t that funny how ironing and old movies just go perfectly together!
Mary,
My mother got to meet Gene Kelly. He had a dance studio in Pennsylvania, in Johnstown, I think, and my mother took tap dance lessons there. He had several studios, but he happened to be at this one when mom was there for one of her lessons.
My mom is 92 now and she still has the most beautiful legs. I think it was all that tap dancing!
♡
Yippee! I can’t wait to receive my copy. Looking forward to another post about your trip up NORTH!!! Have a great week.
I think I’ll put that in a big ole WILLARD and send it out when we get back!
Good morning, Susan! Thanks for the cheerful Monday morning wake-up blog post!
You are so welcome Barbara!
Happy belated birthday Shelly! What an adorable picture your boys made for you. Way to go, guys! I’m trying to remember whether A Fine Romance was delivered by UPS or by our mail lady…which ever way it was, it got here very quickly after it reached CA. We are going to Boston this weekend by train for a little getaway because “we’ve never been to Boston in the fall”…that’s a song the Muppets used to sing a VERY long time ago…and if she’s arrived by then I’ll take her along!
Hope it will stay nice and cool for your trip! It’s perfect today here on the Island!
The arrival of your book is so close. My friends and I are beyond excited. The books and the calendars are being delivered to me and then we are all going out for lunch to celebrate your book and one of our birthdays. Just can’t wait! I plan to wrap each book up so there is even more anticipation or I might even wait til we get together to open the box! Loved your slippers, too. How was your walk? Hugs.
Be sure to tell everyone I said Hello — wish I was there! 🙂 Sounds like so much fun! Haven’t gone walking yet, waiting for Joe to come down the stairs!
diamonds on the wall……………how beautiful….
watching the mail…………..
I am re-reading A Fine Romance in anticipation of The Fairy Tale Girl (yes, I realize it’s a prequel, but I never do much in the right order!). I am just re-beginning the part about the Cotswalds (my favorite). Congratulations officially! I am soooo excited to be receiving the new book soon. Meanwhile, Francesca (kitty), Pierre (doggy) and I are enjoying the adventures of Jack at the screen door! We were all relieved that he was able to go out with you for his greens. Your blog, twitter, youtubes and books are diamonds on our walls!
XOXOX, Ann
Ohhhh, what a NICE thing to say! XOXO!
Giddy with the excitement of “The Fairy Tale Girl’s” arrival. A new book during Fall…….cozying up with slippers, a sweater or blanket and cup of tea to dive into the story. Here in Northern Indiana the nights are very cool and the days crisp and in the 70’s. Lovely weather! Hoping your trip is wonderful and full of color and memories.
Thank you Lynn Marie, I’m sure it will be!
You have pushed the anticipation button in the middle of some 4000 girl friend’s foreheads ….all with their noses pushed against the window , just like Jack …what a huge wrapping and mailing job for those girls in your studio…. plus those cases of books are so heavy…better send a package of malted milk balls to your studio for the girls to keep their energy up…..
When do you think Amazon will get their flats of books so they can start filling orders ?
Hi Dad! Amazon won’t get it for three weeks probably . . . first it has to go to the distributors who will send it to them. So there’s some shipping time involved. Malted Milk Balls is a fabulous idea . . . I’ll send something! They have MEN MEN MEN coming to help move the boxes! Alfredo’s boys, who are all grown up now, will be there ~ and I think Sheri’s son too. It’s a family affair!
You can so tell it’s a family affair! Special memories from SLO and the Remnants of the Past show. Watching your girls and their girls work together was amazing. And they were all still smiling at the end of a very long day 🙂 You are so lucky to have them … and I know you take such good care of them! Malt balls are a great idea from a very wise father ♥ xo
And **A*N*T*I*C*I*P*APT*I*O*N** is right Jack! Rising across the country! Singing that Carly Simon song again 🙂 I can’t wait to see who posts first and from where when their book arrives. I was thinking you should give a prize for that but the prize is the book ♥
Me either, can’t wait! xoxo
Hello Blog~Daddy! 🙂 You Are…. Correct~Sir! We Are Just Like Kitty~Jack…We Await With Sweet~Anticipation! OMG!!! 😉 Meowzers! xoxo Poof! ☆★♡♫♬✰❀❄♡♪ 🙂
Hi Blog Daddy from me down here in Florida! I totally agree with you that malted milk balls are in order for this joyous but heavy lifting occasion. They are certainly my Favorite and a great idea you have!
Susan, I got a message this week that my early order book is on it’s way!! Yay!!!!!!!!!! I am thinking I NEED some malted milk balls for when I sit down with a cup of tea and open up my book.
Hi Susan! I wrote last week telling you how they could just drop off my book because I live in Indiana. Well, guess what? When you put that it came from Donnelly’s in Crawfordsville, that is only about 30 minutes north of me!!! My best friend’s dad retired from there. What a very small world. I remember he used to bring us home “seconds” from there around Christmas. That is how I got my Fannie Farmer Cookbooks!
Have a wonderful day!
Wow! We’re all related, practically!
I have a friend in Crawfordsville, IN – her name is Susan A. It’s a tiny little town so I’m surprised to see it mentioned. 🙂
Oh, wait, this is RR Donnelly, the printers. We have one in our county, too. Small world.
Yes, they have several plants, very big, old company.
And Crawfordsville is home to Wabash College … my father-in-law’s alma mater … and one of the few remaining “men’s only” colleges left in America!
Say Hi to Susan A for me Cindy!
I will, Susan B! (She works at Wabash, BTW.) And I forgot to mention – I have two lovely B&W kitties and those two pictures of Jack at the door are very evocative of kitty begging.
Dear Susan,
What a treat, to find another lovely post, this monday. Its mid afternoon here, and no dancing diamonds on the walls, I’m afraid. But we had a wonderful day yesterday, our yearly apple picking day! We go with friends, and have a really nice time, picking apples and tasting a few while we’re at it! The orchard we go to has a lovely eco friendly way of keeping the bugs off the apples, they grow a huge patch of summer flowers to attract the insects. These flowers are anuals, so they need to be removed at the end of the season, so the best part is that we get to pick these flowers too! So we have an extra reminder in vases of a lovely day. Plus the 17 kilos we came home with! Guess I’ll “need” to make plenty of apple pies and crisps etc, yummy!
I am waiting very (im) patiently at the mailbox for your new book, I hope it will cross the pond sooooon!
Happy monday!
Nicoline
Me too, Nicotine, happy apple day! xoxo
..oh, my dear Susan.. Nicoline, not Nicotine…lol…( I am sure Nicoline laughed as well.. )
LOL!
Hi Susan,
The very best way to start any day is with a good story and the best stories are fairy tales! I have had a great start to my day and the whole week! I am going to put my “Joy” ahead of any other things I have pressing this week, so the whole week will be lifted along through the air as if l’m in a hot air balloon.
I hope you have a wonderful week too!
XXOO Janet
Beautifully said. You fly girl!
P.S.– Jeanie just glommed onto a $75.00 gift card from Subway Sandwiches … So glad we’re not dieting –ain’t life grand?
Life is perfection, Daddio!
Lucky Jeanie! Hubby and I swung by our local Subway Saturday and picked up a 12 inch Reuben to share…threw in a couple bags of baked chips and a couple oatmeal cookies and headed to a picnic table at the lake. Good sandwich, perfect picnic!
Simply lovelicious!
Your posts always make me feel the pleasure in life’s “little blessings” like diamonds on the wall, one of life’s most wonderful things. I have some cut glass candle holders that I put on a China hutch and one morning I was up early enough to see that I had unknowingly placed them right where the morning sun would shine in on them and cause them to sparkle! What joy! I made an effort to look for those sun shine sparkles every sunny morning there after. And another generation of girlfriends like Emily, how wonderful!
Good Afternoon from a Sunny Shire in Wales! What a lovely post~lunch surprise this is today, just a few snatched moments before I go out and do some clearing up in the garden for an hour or so.
Amazon has bumped the delivery date back to 26 November 🙁 permission to pout and sulk please? Sometimes, they do this and then bring it forward again, so it is fingers and toesies crossed like crazy.
Still, we do have Downton Abbey to keep us warm now, for a few short weeks before it is all over forever. Oh, why did I have to bring this up? Shhhh, don’t tell anyone but the Dowager Countess is on top form again! Lots of smiles, tears, and the odd raised eyebrow or two as ever. Waiting patiently to see Dame Maggie in The Lady Who Lived In A Van too.
Did you know Doc Martin is back for a new series too? I think several Girlfriends here watch that also. I remember when our little surgery was just like that and life was so much simpler back then to visit your doctor; why, it was almost a social event!
Afternoon is running away, and the sun is shining so I must be out to the garden now!
~~~Waving from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Congratulations on your new book…..I will buy it from a local independent bookseller soon……enjoy the autumn light….thank you for sending us photo’s and writings of your northeast autumn, changes in the sky, and the air…..I also loved the hand written letter…all things cozy, and classic…..congratulations again and I look forward to first, re-reading “A Fine Romance”, then your new baby!
Good morning Susan! How grand life is for you now….diamonds on the wall, your sweet Joe, kitty kat Jack and Girl kitty, and now your book 🙂 I am so happy for you.
R.R. Donnelley printed your book? Small world, R.R. Donnelley was in our small village of Greenfield for years but sadly they shut down this plant a couple years ago. We are all connected somehow. Hugs!
I just want to say I love everything about your post today … the photos, the sentiments, the information. I relished reading it after I had written three letters to be dropped in the mailbox today … one to a cousin in Germany, one to my sister one province over, and a thank-you to a friend who surprised me with ten fat quarters for no reason at all.
Spreading that magic around!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Can hardly stand the anticipation! the book will be coming soon! Loved seeing your dads letter. I see where you got some of your gift of words. Cute! The slippers reminded me of my sweet daughter in love. She loves getting new fuzzy slippers. Her favorites are her bunny slippers. She has 2 very sweet buns as she calls them. Hazel and Fiver. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Thinking about the diamonds on the walls…we washed our windows on Saturday, inside and out! My house instantly looked better! Many shining diamonds coming through! Have a great trip! Cant wait to see the Willard and the book! Like Christmas in September!
Shelia
Yay ! The book is on it’s way ! I am going to the beach in FL for a week, starting Oct.3rd. I would love to save it for that trip, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to ! I love reading your books, blog, and Willard, and FB posts ..oh and Twitter ( but I’m bad about checking Twitter)
xoxo
When I opened my mail this morning and saw your post, before I even read it, I thought “I wonder when the book will arrive?” Well, now I know it will be SOON! I am so happy! I loved young Emily’s hand written letter – a lost art for sure – except amongst girlfriends:) Oh, happy day!
I’m having eight for lunch tomorrow, and I need to concentrate so that all will be in order. Oh, dear! How will I keep my mind on food instead of anticipating the arrival of the new baby. Won’t be easy! Glad it’s not arriving today, or I’d be calling Dominoes for pizza because I couldn’t tear myself away from reading to cook.
What a sweet and lovely letter from Miss Emily! You’re so right, a kindred spirit is a kindred spirit, whatever his or her age. 🙂
I’m so excited to get my copy of your new book, I can’t even tell you. (::sings “Anticipation” à la Carly Simon) Hope you have a wonderful week.
The books are coming! The books are coming! I am so excited to get my copy! September 30 is my last day of work….I’m not retiring but simply taking a break from the working world for a year or two. I shall celebrate by reading your book! Congratulations!
Absolutely loved this post and so excited about your book!
How exciting to receive the final book. I cannot wait to receive mine in the mail.
Thanks so much!
Oh, how exciting. I can’t wait to receive a copy (thanks to my friend Elaine from Toronto who ordered it for me) and snuggle up with a cup of tea and read it. I just finished re-reading your Autumn book. I take it out every year at this time when the leaves are turning and the cooler days arrive.
It won’t be long before the Christmas book comes off the shelf to enjoy. Thank you for bringing pleasure to all the Girlfriends. You’re the best!
Hi Susan! How tremendously, amazingly exciting! Great blog, as always. Enjoyed all the glimpses of the book! Looks like they did an amazing job! Can’t wait to get mine!! Now I have to go create some excitement of my own! It’s all your fault!! 😉 <3. Seriously, so hugely happy for you. I know a tiny, tiny bit of what an awesome undertaking this has been . . . and continues to be (book 2)! Just totally inspiring!!
Congratulations, Susan, on receiving your new book!! Our excitement can’t match yours in this personal fulfillment of putting your life on paper – we will experience a bit of it when we get a copy in our hands! Safe travels and wrap yourselves up in a cozy sweater heading north to enjoy the colorful leaves.
Dear Susan, I can hardly wait for the arrival of your new book! You don’t know how much I enjoy my SB books and all of your posts! You are such a bright spot in my day! Have a great day!
Oh, Susan. Love the new slippers. And escargot! We have a restaurant right here in tiny HOulton, Maine that serves escargot on crunchy French bread. Last weekend I went with friends and my 12-year-old niece. She had her first taste of them and loved the, (Who wouldn’t all garlic and buttery!) Then she learned they were snails. Wide-eyed she exclaimed, “They were really good. I thought they were just escargot!”
As I am writing this, my husband and son are in New London, CT for my son’s audition with the Coast Guard band…say a prayer and cross your fingers for him, please! And when I looked it up on the map, they are only this far ( ) from Martha’s Vineyard!! They are so lucky to be there and I am hoping he gets the job…how fun to have a vacation spot THERE?!?! Looking forward to getting your new book in the mail and getting lost in your words yet again…love to you, dear Sue!
Fingers are crossed Jackie!
Dear Susan,
A friend told me that once I let my cat, Sheba, outside, she’d want to be outside all the time. She was absolutely right. Sheba got outside last night, in the dark, in the midst of all the night demons. Oh my. Used to be that when this happened, I couldn’t sleep. Now, I’m used to her whizzing by me when I let our dog, Max, out for his last, nighttime potty run. Sometimes I even lock her into a bedroom when I know I’m going to open the door for Max. If she’s outside at night, she’s extremely anxious to get back inside in the morning, thank heavens. The only place she goes to is our backyard & patio, which is large & supplies her with lots to explore, without having to jump the wall. She’s never gone out of the backyard. It’s a very curious thing that she hasn’t jumped the wall. I know she could if she wanted to. So now, I’m relaxed about her outside explorations.
Lucy with a hat on is hilarious. Gave me a chuckle. Pets & kids are just a natural together.
Those slippers are a kick. If you wear them around Jack, he’s going to think there’s another kitty on the premises.
You see light & shadows & think DIAMONDS. That’s why you’re so wonderful Susan, you see “little” things & cherish them. Detail is important to you.
As for the letter from the fifteen year old………I love writing notes & letters to others, always have, always will. When I lived in NY, I was nine years old. I loved my Gram dearly, who lived in PA. She & I wrote letters to one another all the time. That was my first experience writing letters. I even had a pen pal. When I moved to CA, (I was twenty years old), I wrote four letters per week to my family. One letter to my mom, one to my Gram, one to my aunt & uncle, one to my mom-in-law. Nowadays, I don’t have many loved ones left to write to on real stationery, but I do have the stationery ready, if I get an opportunity to write to someone. There are few stationery stores that carry real stationery, but the Vromann’s in Pasadena, where you, Susan, had your book signing has lots of beautiful stationery. I frequent that store, ohhhhhing & awwwwing at their lovely supplies of stationery. Another thing that surprised me about the fifteen year old’s letter was that she wrote in cursive writing, which is often ignored by the educational systems of today. My grandsons weren’t taught how to write in cursive. Young adults of today print. Sad, to my way of thinking. One of our grandsons bought a book on cursive writing to teach him how to perform that elusive method of communication. To my way of thinking, writing in a cursive format personalizes written communication, permitting the reader to observe the originator of the communication in a personal way. I still recognize my mother’s writing in the Grange cookbooks she gave me. I cherish her little notes throughout my cookbooks, written in her beautiful style, the style I used to copy as a child, wanting to write as beautiful as my mother’s penmanship.
Off to order your newest book this morning. What pleasure you bring to all of us Susan. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Thank you Sandy!
Susan,
What a wonderful way to start a week, a blog from you. I know everyone tells you how wonderful they are, but I doubt that you can really understand. Your blog helps each of us in different ways, for me it’s my mini vacation from everyday life. Your blogs are exciting, interesting and just plain fun. And after each one, I just want to say a big Thank You.
I, too, am excited about the new book. Will we soon be ordering your newest book?
Love,Kay
I probably don’t know because they seem normal to me, and sometimes I feel dull as dishwater, but I sure love hearing that so thank you! Soon as I’m further along, I’ll put part two of this series up for presale and we can start all over again! 🙂
How exciting! The book is out and about! I can hear the squeals of delight across the lands. I must, must, must reschedule all my appointments because my nose is going to be in that book once it arrives. Big sigh!
YEEP! Can’t wait! Happy day! I’m watching the mailbox!
I love your slippers!
☆★♡♫♬✰❀❄♡♪ Good~Afternoon Sweet Sue! 🙂 Excellent New Blog~Post! Thank~You! 🙂 Feeling all Warm & Fuzzy Just Like Your Adorable~New~Slippers!!!! Those Will Keep Your Toes Warm & Toasty All Autumn & Winter! 😉 Those Photos Of Jack…Sweet~Purrrrrrrrrfection…..a Full~Moon~Picnic is a Brilliant Idea…The Harvest~Moon……Very~Magical Indeed…. 🙂 Wishing You The Sweetest~September…..Only 9 Dayzzz Left…..Savoring September…..as We Twirl~into~October & All The Magic of AUTUMN!!!! Thank~You Sweet Sue! xoxo Poof! ☆★♡♫♬✰❀❄♡♪ P.S. Happy Birthday To Shelly She is So Blessed With Her Beautiful~Boyzzzz P.P.S. I Feel Sorry for All Our Postmen/Women I Hope I Won’t Be Too Annoying as I Await The Arrival Of “The~Fairy~Tale~Girl” OMG!!!!!!! 😉 ☆★♡♫♬✰❀❄♡♪
I am sitting here at my computer AND watching “Manhattan Murder Mystery”…one of my fav. movies….and I just discovered that you have received your NEW BOOK! Yay! I am so happy for you. It has to be one of the biggest joys in life to create and then be able to share it with so many others. To see your books in print would have to be the most enormous pleasure! I was wondering if you and Joe have a celebration party? I think that would be so appropriate. I cannot wait for my copy to arrive. I actually am happy it was a tad delayed because it seems the perfect book to read at this time of year when it is getting more and more Fall-like outside. We have a gazebo in the backyard….and I love to curl up out there and read with my cat. My kitty gave us a scare this week because he developed a scratchy skin infection, but he received anitbiotics and is put on a new food….he is perfectly fine! It makes you realize how much of a member of the family our little furry babies are when you face a crisis with them . I think Jack Poirot is sooo funny. I can picture him eating his greens outside and not wanting to back inside. lol. Anyhoo….congratulations!!! xoxoxo
OH OH OH- I will have to rush home from work every day this week to see if my book has arrived….i can’t wait!@!@! yeah- i love your books!!! Its a good thing.
Love the new slippers- i need to find a pair myself, it is starting to get chilly here at night.
Have a great week- and you have made us all so happy with your new book!@!@!
So exciting and I can hardly wait. I should be working but just had to check your blog and here it is! And don’t be nervous. Everyone here is here because they love you and your work–writing, painting, photos–and we will all love your new book.
The diamonds are twinkling here too with the low sun thru the trees. They are twinkling in my garden as well. I drank my coffee this am watching my white garden bench and flowers twinkle in that light. Why didn’t I get my camera?! Tomorrow is another chance.
Just wondering if my comment ever went thru? It is still awaiting moderation. Hope my computer isn’t doing funny things!
I have about 46 comments awaiting moderation and I’m just reading them and answering, but I’m sure yours is probably in there and not a problem with your computer . . . the newest comments show up here first!
Glad it’s not my computer! Thanks for that, Susan.
Susan,
Must let you know I spotted your full page, colored ad, announcing your book in Yankee magazine. Beautiful! I’m sure my copy of the book will arrive soon. Yay! What cute, adorable, and thoughtful nephews you have! Great idea for the dog’s hat too. Love your slippers – they look so soft and warm. Getting cooler here, so will soon have to switch from my Spring-Summer slippers to my Fall-Winter slippers. Need to busy at getting my Fall decorations out too.
Always get a chuckle out of your Dad’s comments 🙂
Jan
Hello Susan! Gosh, the printers are only about two hours from where I live. I should have them drop off my copy on the way. 🙂 So excited, as I know all the girlfriends are! Love your slippers too.
I bet it must be a huge buzz to see all your hard work, and love all bound and sealed into a brand new smelling book.
I’ve ordered my copy and looking forward to it arriving.
Love Leanne NZ
How happy it makes me to see my book traveling! 🙂 Thank you Leanne! Almost Spring for you!
Hi Susan, as always, thanks for the new post. I’m so excited to get my copy of your new book. I wanted to buy some of your Private Blend tea, is it decaffeinated? I didn’t see anything in the description to tell me one way or the other. Thanks for your time..
No, so sorry, it’s not decaffeinated.
Thank you!
Hi Susan,
O what joy!!! I pre-ordered your book from your website about a month ago, and I’m so excited to hear that it should be arriving soon. I may go out and hug the postal delivery person!!!! I too have diamonds on my great-room walls every morning. When the sun comes in, it hits a mosaic glass candle holder that sits on my coffee table, and “bibbity, bobbity, boo, magic!” Thanks for brightening up my Monday morning. Hugs to Jack, and Girl.
Loved this post about your leisure activities for a change, and how Emily Pulver’s nice letter was waiting for you. Snail Mail letters are so much fun. It’s becoming a unique way of sharing now I guess. I hope it catches on again. Just love finding a personal letter in my mail box. Finding your new book there will be similarly thrilling for sure — just took much longer to write :-). It’s just a hop, skip, and jump from California to here . . . Oh Boy, Oh Boy. I’ve been cleaning up my piles of paper as if company is expected — so I can sit and read without anything nagging at my conscience. 🙂 I’m seeing in my mind’s eye all the girlfriends and boyfriends curling up with their new books while the dapple diamonds dance around them. Such a lovely vision.
I COULD write about cleaning out my upstairs closets, but I thought I would spare you! 🙂 Too bad I couldn’t do the same for myself! 🙂
🙂
Can you hear me squealing from Michigan? Thanks for the sneak peek!
I WANT those slippers! Name of store, please and is there an “identifying #” on the slippers? Perhaps they will do an online order 🙂
It’s John’s Shoe Store . . . I cut off the little tags inside! Yikes, so sorry, but you can describe them, leopard fur, black suede with hard bottoms. Leather bow on the toe. They’ll know. Good luck!
Opening that box was just like seeing a new baby for the first time. I can feel your excitement! That little teaser page you showed us reminded me of my own journey on Feb 17, 1980, exactly 24 hours after I married the love of my life. We were headed to OK from our home in MA to begin his Army career. I had no idea what lay ahead for me but I knew if I was with Him, all would be ok. (And it has been for 35 years now.) Can’t wait to read your book!
A wonderful love story Ann!
A nice birthday surprise today….a blog post! And I was able to look at your picture of the MV harbor and say “been there!”….just the week of Labor Day. What a beautiful place to live and love. Now I can look forward to another birthday surprise….your book! Love Jack at the screen door…..happy year to Shelly!
EMILY PULVER ! ! Welcome to the fold of kindred spirits and lovers of Susan Branch..Do not be afraid to admit that you are a crazy fan of Susan’s…WE ARE ALL CRAZY FANS OF SUSAN.. I’m so impressed that you were brave enough to write her a letter! You are so lucky to have learned about her at your young age, so that now you have many many more years to enjoy all things..”SUSAN” !
Thanks, I needed this.
Be so grateful for your Shelly, I lost mine a month ago today, it shouldn’t happen with littler sisters. My Shelley’s birthday would have been 1 October, but will send those birthday wishes early to you dear sister. Happy Birthday dear Shelly, Happy Birthday to you.
Oh dear Jo, I’m so sorry! XOXO
My book is coming SOON–yippee, skipped!!! I still savor A Fine Romance, sitting here on my coffee table for all to see. (Sorry, no one can borrow it). Loved looking at Lowely’s pastels, too–never knew she was an artist as well as a decorator! You have neat and talented friends 🙂 Thanks again for your blogs–love them!
Isn’t that the way, you want your girlfriends to meet each other? xoxo
I can’t wait to find your book in my mailbox! I’ve been re-reading A Fine Romance in preparation for this next book. Ahh, that new-book-smell and the magical contents within . . . ANTICIPATION!
You will find the temps in NH moving into the autumn mode. This morning: 48° delicious degrees in southern NH — just perfect for taking two English Springers for their morning walk.
Wow, we had 60 and I thought that was cold! I better get ready! 🙂
OMG, I am drooling. I’m sitting here in a heatwave in Southern California.
Hi Susan!
There is so much to celebrate this week! I even decorated my mailbox for the arrival of a most special book. 🙂 It won’t be long now…
Wishing you a lovely time on your Autumn trip! Take lots of photos!
Love you,
Dawn (in Illinois)
♡♡
I’ll do it for sure Dawn!
Hi Susan,
You made my day! Thanks. Feeling very frustrated caring for spouse with severe memory problems. Reading blogs, books, whatever is my escape. So looking forward to that pkg soon. Enjoy your trip “north” and don’t forget you said you’d tell us all about it!
Oh I won’t forget, I’ll do a special Willard for it!
Dear JoAnn,
Please check out the Alzheimer’s Reading Room. You can sign up for a daily email. Sometimes I read them and just delete them and sometimes it speaks to me and little by little I am learning a new way to deal with dementia. I know how difficult this is for you. And I know some days are harder than others. It is really hardest on the caregivers. There is help out there…..please look for it. And you do need to take care of you! And this is the perfect place to do that, among girlfriends!
Dear Sweet Susan,
I just love your thoughts and the fact that you share them with me (us). I LOVE the light reflections…in all the right places.
I can not wait to get my new books, one for my and one for my dear sister-friend, Linda, who gave up her copy of “A Fine Romance” to me because I loved it, no LOVE, it so very much! It is joy to treat her to “The Fairy Tale Girl”, after all aren’t we all fairy tale girls?
Melin
xoxo
But, definitely. xoxo
I’m very excited about the book, so I’m hoping to see you at Innisfree to get my copy. Best of luck with it!
Good move with the slippers. It has just gotten a little chilly around here over the past few days. Then again, I live about 60 miles north of Meridith.
Oh, you are UP there. Hope to see you Megan!
Hi Susan
I just love when I see you have created a new post. Just listening to you talk makes me so happy. We can certainly tell how much you Love life. Makes us all feel so warm and cozy. I am so happy your book is ready for all of us to get. I can’t wait to read it. That sunset was just gorgeous. You are a lucky girl!!! and a handwriten letter!!! that is the best
enjoy this magnificent day
deezie
Thank you Deezie, you too!
Every one of your posts is a little gift to all of us. How can one not feel happy while reading your blog? I got a box today, too! But it was filled with fabric and I am in Happy Land thinking what I will make with it all. Love you, Susan. You are a blessing. Cannot wait to read your book.
Good kind of box to get!
Happy Monday, Susan!
Yes, it won’t be long now until the mail delivery brings along something very special! Be still, my heart!
What lovely fluffy slippers! I so hope you come in touch with some colder weather so they can be put to good use.
Don’t you think anything is always better with garlic butter?:-)
Jack is definitely the “king of the roost,” isn’t he? Whoever said that a cat can’t be trained? 🙂
Looking forward to that wonderful moon! You are correct! We should plan an extra special picnic under the moonlight this time!
Speaking of which – needing to be sure there is a calendar here next year, so I’d best get busy with that!:-)
Have a lovely September day!
xo Nellie
The cat, I’m afraid, has been the one who had done all the training. I am his little slave, he thinks it all up himself! xoxo
Yes! I know what you mean!:-)
So excited to see your blog and know my book will soon be winging its way to Washington State, I feel like a child when I say……’I just CANT wait’. No diamonds here but today that wonderful mellowness and golden glow to the air, the last of the humming birds are visiting my salivia, and in trying to prop my french beans back up after they fell over in the winds yesterday, I have discovered a bounty that were hidden in the leaves. Cant wait green beans and butter, the good things in life! Have a wonderful day enjoying the Autumn weather and dropping leaves…remember the old song…..The autumn leaves drift past my window……cant remember who sang it, but boy was he good looking, HA
Everybody sang it and they were probably ALL good looking! 🙂
The very best version (my opinion) is by Nat King Cole–so mellow!
Congratulations on receiving the books!! What a joy!
I love dappled light this time of the year too. And I treasure real letters. My best friend who lives in Germany and I celebrated being kindred spirits for over 20 years. We decided celebrate by writing each other once a month for a year. This has lasted for a couple of years and I hope even longer. We celebrate 25 years starting Jan 2016 and are trying to come up with something special to do throughout the year to commemorate, celebrate and have a remembrance to save. I can’t wait!
Anyway, thanks for the special blog posts and updates. I’m hoping to see you on the 3rd of October!
Blessings
You’ve met in person? Maybe you can meet each other halfway!
Yes, we’ve been friends for nearly 25 years and have never lived in the same city at the same time. Life is funny, isn’t it?
I would love to meet in England!! That would be beyond exciting, wouldn’t it? We’ll just keep on dreaming until it happens!
Your book looks fabulous and I can’t wait to add it to my collection. How long do you think it will take to get to (not so) far-off Canada?
From my Studio, or from Amazon?
I just received an email from Amazon today that my back ordered copy should ship mid-October. Can’t wait! It may be in full Autumn when it arrives. The season of magic. A Fine Romance sits amongst an embarrassingly large number of books in my book cases… but in that special place where my very favorites sit.
So when I am feeling down, I can take one of them off the shelf quickly. I have a feeling your new book will reside there, too. We just love you!
Thank you Brenda!
I love your new slippers–seeing your feet with socks on and long jeans in the photo…I’m wondering if Fall will ever come. The leaves are starting to change and apples are ready, however, we’re having temps in high-70’s and low-80’s and the weatherman is predicting this unseasonably warm weather (complete with schnauzer-scaring thunderstorms!–get the Thunder Shirts out again!!!) to last into October. 🙁 I’m ready for turtleneck/long jeans/socks weather!!! 🙂
I know how you feel Pat, here’s hoping all the weather guys are wrong!
EXCITED! I can hardly wait to sit and read each word s-l-o-w-l-y so I won’t finish too soon… and I hope the surprise presents I ordered for my girlfriends will be just as happily received. I know if someone (the man sitting behind me on his computer) ordered me something (anything) that came with a Susan Branch label I would be ecstatically hugging him.
To all the girlfriends travelling to Washington State. Fall is a tad different this year. It’s warm-ish, almost balmy in the evenings. There is rain, but it is different. You know the Oregon Mist (my mom says, “Missed Oregon, hit Washington.”) but not all day. Rain in downpours but not all day. Wind stronger than usual. The leaves have been falling for a month. Still very dry and little to no snow in the mountains. It is a different Autumn for those of us with moss between our toes.
Thank you Vickie for the weather update. That does sound a bit unusual, but still recognizable. I grew up in Seattle then lived in Olympia for 30 years, so I can remember all sorts of season changes. Ten years away hasn’t diminished any of my evergreen attributes, including the moss, so whatever weather I find on my visit home will be just right…..cause there no place like home.
Hello Susan! Congratulations!!!!!! So very happy for you, as you see and hold your new “baby girl” book!!!!! What a jewel you have created! No wonder there are diamonds dancing on your walls of your rooms, it must be Fairy Tale dust!!!!!! I must get my windows, curtains, and fall cleaning done this week, as I know my nose will be in your book once it arrives and NOTHING will get done!!! I’ve already been double checking the mailbox for the past couple days watching to see if YOUR book has been delivered! I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa Claus to come on Christmas morning! Oh, does Jack every get a tummy ache from eating the green grass? Hugs and kisses to him and Girl Kitty! Wishing you a safe and splendid trip North! Take care of yourself. God Bless.
Jack doesn’t seem to get a tummy ache, he loves the stuff so much I almost feel like I have been denying him and should start fixing him salads!
you could try growing some cat grass in pots for them, they have seeds in the garden section marked cat grass or sweet grass. works really well for the Fall and Winter when they really crave the greens, its good for their digestion.
I feel like they might dig it up all over the kitchen!
Oh, my cat is almost age 20 and he’s eaten grass his whole life. I carry him out to a grass plot in a safe place and let him munch away. My dog eats grass, too…usually to CURE a sore tummy. I’ve read that there’s a type of indoor grass you can grow, like in a little square container, for cats who, say, live in a New York/Manhattan winter and are on the gazillionth floor of some tall building where the closest they get to nature is to look out a window at the sky.
Have you seen those little grassy boxes you can buy for cats? You get them at the pet stores. Supposedly good for kitties, plus they love them. Gives them vitamins. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
I just pull up a handful every so often and put it in a bowl!
my cats don’t dig the grass up, they chow on it. I use a big heavy flower pot, put good potting soil in it, plant the seeds and put in a sunny window or spot and let it grow, the cats sniff at it and when the grass is tall enough I put it by the window and let them chow down on it. I use to clip grass and put it in a bowl but they made such a mess, so I started growing it for them.
Thank you Susan for another beautiful post! (And your new book is already on my Christmas list– with several asterisks, meaning Mom really, really wants this!)
I love getting books for Christmas!
Oh dear Susan, the page you blogged about you and your sadness in the plane, brought tears! However, we know now what you didn’t know then, so that thought made me happy. In other words, your life today…………! I cannot wait for my book………am planning on purchasing a few more in Meredith for Christmas presents for some favorite unsuspecting friends. Have a wonderful vacation in Western New England, enjoy the foliage and see you in Meredith!!!! xoxo P.S. Got a letter in the mail today from my 94 year old Aunt Rose………she and I correspond via letter-writing at least twice a month…..a very special lady she is!
I am sure you make each other’s day with those letters! See you soon!
I re-read this 9-21-15 post…I do that with your posts, Susan; you send such big, juicy posts that it’s almost too much to take in the first time around but that’s what’s so fun, to go back and see other comments and get to devour what you wrote again (I think I’ve become a rabid fan)…and, anyway, I read that page of the book about being on the plane and it made me get tears, too, Ann! I very much remember when I also ‘ran away’ (over a guy…I was age 31 and I thought my life was toast when we broke apart [we’d been together since I was age 23] and that there was no way I could ever find anyone else and start over again now that I was SO OLD and past 30, not to mention that he was also my best friend in all the world and, oh my, how I missed him, too much); looking in my rear view mirror and seeing the pavement disappear behind me, my beloved foothills growing smaller in the distance; just feeling in such despair that I was being forced to move away from all who were near and dear to me, and the place I called home (realizing also, of course, that no one was actually forcing me, not really…it was my decision to escape, so that I could find another life). I tried to grit my teeth and bear it, buck up; I wanted to be fearless…but I had to pull to the side of the road about 20 miles in and just let the tears flow. And as it turned out, moving away was one of the best things that ever happened to me and I did, in fact, return ten years later but, in the decade between, I did a lot of growing…and married somebody else (we’re still together!). So, I’m insanely excited to read about your journey, Susan; I’m betting I can relate a little bit maybe to what you were going through; it’s gonna be intriguing to see what happened after you got off that plane (I can sense your version will be a lot more colorful than my small leap, and I’m not just talking about your illustrations!). This is going to be one awesome book. I went to the post office today to see if mine came in yet; I’ll go every day now to see if The Fairy Tale Girl is in my box! Then, everybody better let me hibernate and read it from start to finish!
I think you were reading over my shoulder! 🙂
Susan, Since you obviously have contact with Janie the Beautiful Banner Gal….after admiring her gorgeous Swedish hearts….I can imagine she would make the most beautiful winter..SNOW FLAKES !..could you put a bee in her bonnet about that possibility ?
Most definitely!
Susan, what a treat. Home from the doctor after having the surgical bandages removed, and here, a reward for being a good girl and not screaming while the tape takes hide off, A new Blog. Thank you, thank you. I am going to go back and reread it ever so slowly. THE BOOK, you should be so proud and we are proud for you.
Love and bunny hugs,
Shirley from Aledo,Tx
The tape is worse than the wound!!! I hate that stuff! You are very brave! xoxo
Hi Susan,
Regarding Mary Brehm’s comments on Gene Kelly…..He is and always will be my favorite. I used to search the tv guide every Sunday looking for his movies and highlighting them in yellow!I was 14 or so at the time and a true fan. In my early 20’s I heard he was performing in a play, “Take Me Along” in Ohio. My boyfriend at the time and I drove there from Michigan and booked a room in the same hotel in which the cast stayed. During the show, the curtain closed behind Mr. Kelly, and there he was, all alone on the stage, and “Singin’ in the Rain” began playing. He danced and sang to that wonderful song and I thought, “this is truly magic”. Then the play continued as if that “interlude” never took place. That evening I left a note at the front desk asking Mr. Kelly if I would be able to meet him before we left the next morning. A call from his secretary came through to our room and Mr. Kelly was happy to meet me in the lobby the next morning. At the appointed time I was in the lobby and here came Gene Kelly, smiling with a little golf cap on his head, and I thought I would keel over. He said, “Hello, Mary” and shook my hand. I said, “Hello, Gene Kelly”. (Not Mr. Kelly…Gene Kelly. I was surprised I got that much out). I thanked him for meeting with me and for the happiness he had given me through his movies. It was lovely. As I got in our car his was parked right next to ours at the front door. I looked over at him before we drove off and he waved and smiled at me. Forty years later I remember every second of that 10 minutes. A lovely gentleman. A great memory. They don’t make them like that anymore.
xo Mary
Nice. Thank you Mary!
Omg, how exciting! ANY book is a thrill to open when it comes in the mail, but when it’s your own ……. well, that must be quite different. The fruits of your labor! Every new book I get, I have to open it, bury my nose in its pages, and sniff — book smells are the greatest! And I am so looking forward to opening The Fairy Tale Girl 🙂 Your fabulous new shoes for some reason remind me of the caterpillar I found on a fire hydrangea leaf a few hours ago; maybe it’s the fuzziness. Straaaange looking thing, I didn’t dare touch it, but I finally googled a picture of a saddleback caterpillar, and was surely glad I followed my instincts. I’m sure your shoes are much warmer in more ways than one! It would not do for Jack to swat at one of those things, no siree bob! Loving the Indian summer and crimson leaves on my maple, but would love to see fall in New England. I’m the only one in my family to feel that Vermont should be my home state, but I can enjoy New England through your posts and pictures of your travels 🙂
I enjoy the trips even more, knowing I’m taking pictures for my Girlfriends!
hello Susan, hello girlfriends. I just can’t wait, its almost Fall. got all my Fall decorations up and I ready for nice cool, crisp days and beautiful leaves and soft golden sunlight. I love the diamonds on the wall, I have a couple of crystals I hang in the living room window and when the morning light hits them, you should see the rainbows all over the walls and floor, the cats love chasing them round and round. love the new slippers, went shopping this weekend and I did the same thing, bought myself some new slippers for the cold days ahead. it was about time my old slippers had holes in the soles the size of the grand canyon, definitely time for a new pair of slippers. just hated parting with them they were so warm and comfy but holey!!! busy with laundry now so off go fold laundry and fix supper. have great evening everyone.. hugs…. 🙂
good morning, Happy last day of summer everyone. hello Susan, hello girlfriends. got to try out my slippers this morning, it was chilly and I love warm toasty toes. now I have a problem…. my feet do not want to get out of the slippers, they like them so much they want to stay in the new slippers. for once they my toes are all nice and warm and toasty and my feet want to stay in the slippers…. how does one convince one’s feet they have to get out of the slippers now and get some shoes on???
Good luck!
I finally managed to convince my feet to get out of the slippers, after all one cannot wear slippers and work in the chicken pen and be allowed to come back into the house. took some doing but my feet finally agreed.
You’re a good little saleswoman!
What a lovely surprise for you today Susan :0) What a lovely letter to receive as well! Yes, I still love to “write” actual letters and send homemade cards to my dear friends, and love to receive them too! Have a lovely week Susan. ~ Marge ~
Good afternoon Susan~~~
How exciting to look forward to the book coming in the mail very very soon!! These days all we get to look forward to is JUNK mail! Get the occasional package from Gina K Designs when I’ve ordered things to make more cards. Once per month, I get the magazine Victoria. You know, we didn’t even get that many Christmas cards this past Christmas. Now, that’s so sad! Most everything is done via FB or email. Very rarely are there any large Christmas or birthday presents to open up. Gift cards are today’s rage. I’m not one to really talk, as I get lazy and give a gift card mostly as well. I do send out ‘thinking of you’ cards every so often from the ones that I make. You know, when you really stop to think about it, that’s rather on the lazy side as well. A short ‘note’ verses a ‘long’ letter.
Ok, I’m done ranting and raving 🙂
I loved the birthday card you posted for your sister. I love older cards like that one.
Poor Jack….. he looked so forlorned looking out the screen door. Can hardly believe that he likes to chow down on grass that much. Usually, when a cat or even a dog eats grass, they have a tummy ache.
I’m enjoying the yellow finches once again. We have 5 babies. They fight over who gets to get on the feeder first. Four can usually get on at one time. They spend a lot of time drinking as well. There is only one adult around and once in awhile you will see her feeding one or two babies. LOL, they are eating us out of home. They go through 2 feeders in nothing flat. I love to watch them.
Ok, I didn’t mean to write a book here, ha ha. You and Joe have a great time up north.
xoxo,
Carol M
Ours too, eating us out of house and home. We have to pay big time for the entertainment, but it’s worth it!
LOL…. you can say that again!! I wouldn’t give up bird watching for anything. Well worth the money! 🙂
Susan … Happy Monday and especially because you started our day …
I am almost done with re-reading A Fine Romance and when your box comes ..
rip rip rip and I’ll begin Fairy Tale Girl immediately!! Know how much you
inspire and are loved loved loved! With Aloha from San Diego, Evie
Aloha Darling Evie, thank you!
Susan- i was just surfing online and i found this and thought of you and Joe….
dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/
he is traveling across the USA on a train and blogging about it- it has some wonderful pics – just thought you might enjoy it. I hope so!@!@!@
Thank you Kathy, all so familiar!
So excited for you, Susan, and for all of us girlfriends!! Can not wait to get my hands on your book. So glad you are pleased with the final product. Very exciting!! Also loved the picture of the beautiful sky – what a sun set!! Glad to see that Jack got some outdoor time – our poor kitty, Grace, is not allowed out (coyotes in the area!!) and thankfully, she never really even asks to go out. Again, congratulations on your beautiful new book.
I started something with Jack, hopefully he will forget all of it this winter! 🙂
How did young Emily get a letter to you? Can somebody just write to you in Vineyard Haven and the post office knows how to get it to you?!!! I wrote a letter once to one of the Olympic athletes, when I was in my starstruck teens…the Olympics were big that winter and there were a lot of instant-celeb-medal winners around my age, so I was a little gaga over them!…and, I will say, the p.o. DID get my letter to him even though I, of course, didn’t have his personal address except the name of his hometown (and I even got a handwritten reply…from his MOM!!!).
Thank you for the nice post and I can’t wait to get my copy of your book. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to hold a book in your hand that you’ve written and illustrated yourself. A Kindle or similar device can NEVER replace the weight of a good book in the hand. I love actual hardcover (or, second choice, softcover) books SO much. They take up too much room in my house, but I couldn’t have it any other way. Unfortunately, I know too many people who never display or read a book. So weird to go in somebody’s house where there are no books. Even when I was a kid and we were ‘poor,’ we still had an encyclopedia set from the grocery store…where Mom would buy a volume each week or two, to complete the set with some kind of rebate or deal she got with her total food purchase (stores used to have promotions like that, which is how I amassed my first set of pots and pans when I first moved away from home and had my first apartment).
I continue to yearn for your fall days as I sit here in the 90s north of L.A. I just know that your photo-essay to come, of Lake Champlain and environs, will be a feast for my autumn-starved eyes!
Many of my books have a PO Box number in the back, it’s Box 2463, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. I can’t really answer them anymore (like I used to!) but they’re still fun to read. xoxo That’s so cute you got a note back from his MOM!! Darling! I agree, the best wallpaper is books! I’ll give you lots of Autumn when we come home, I promise!
Can’t wait to read your new book!
I like zee snails, too, with zee butteure! Lol
But most of all, I Love your new Slippers!
You’re got to tell spill the beans on what store
carries them! They will keep my toes warm this
Winter in Indiana! I also had to giggle when I
read your book was printed here in Crawfordsville!
Yippee!
Oh I like your spelling of zee butteure! (but spell check doesn’t!) I think I could eat old socks with zee butteure on it! I got zee slip-pairhs in Falmouth — HERE.
omg omg omg!
I cannot wait for MY copy of “The Fairy Tale Girl!” I am living my fairy tale part of the week; my darling son, whom I haven’t seen in 15 months, will be meeting up with me to see the Pope! Yes! I actually somehow scored a ticket for the speech!!!
And then I will be home to my book!! Joy joy joy!
What a perfect week! Can’t wait!
WOW, you are going to be part of history, and with your son!!! How fantastic.
Saw a terrific Beatrix Potter exhibit at the Philadelphia Free Library today!!! A big one is planned for the near future. They have a large collection of drawings, water colors, letters. It was awesome!
Fantastic!
I share your love of handwritten letters. They’re so rare these days. It cheered me to see the one you received from a 15 year old 🙂 I guess there are young like minded people like Emily who will continue the joyous letter writing tradition.
I also enjoy the quotes you share; I’ve been copying quotes in my journals for 50 years and still find new ones to be inspired by!
I love seeing someone so young already having depth. Being her own lovely person.
Oh hallelujah! This is my ‘crazy week’ getting ready for our once-a-month sale, and the thought that your book may be arriving soon is cause for celebration, as I will be able to tuck in with it at the end of a very long day and just breathe…and read. I can’t wait to smell those fresh pages! Congratulations!!!
It was as exciting as Christmas tonight as I stood by your side on my tiptoes waiting to see if “our” book was really in the box. And, oh my stars, it was! Just how exciting is that?…I have no words (other than excited, which I’ve used way too many times). If we’re this excited, Susan you must be right over the moon and it’s a big one. Well done and congratulations. Can’t wait for it to show up soon at my door. It will be a good friend to spend fall with and take me right through the winter season, just add tea. I’m dreaming tonight………
Oh my gosh!! I’m so excited:The Book is on the way!! This makes my day!
Oh my, what a sweet letter from that darling girl. I love writing letters, I just don’t do it much anymore!
I shall hang out at the mailbox at the end of the week!!
Big hugs,
It’s so exciting! There’s nothing better than waiting for a brand new book to come in the mail, and no other book comes close to the anticipation for yours! I looked at the little snippets that you showed us, but then I had to look away. No sneak peaks, I’ve decided – I want it all to be brand new. ( But it looks good, I have to say!) Jack is adorable; his desire to be on the same side of the door as you is evident. Now don’t you feel nervous! When your books start appearing in mailboxes, girlfriends everywhere will be thrilled.
My dad’s wife read it. Jeanie. I really trust her. She liked it. She’s a big reader, and a straight forward, smart person, and so I am CHOOSING to believe her! 🙂 Nerves are part of the territory! xoxo
Susan,
I love the season. We’re still pretty warm here in SoCal but there have been a few cool evenings so I’m certain we’ll be ready for sweaters before long. I can’t wait to read your book.
xo,
Karen
Opening the box with you was so much fun, Susan! It’s a good thing the Blood Moon Eclipse is on Sunday night, because there’s no mail delivery that day so there’s no way your book can come that day. If it did, I would not be watching some dumb old moon when I could be reading all about the Fairy Tale Girl! However, if the weather cooperates, I’ll be watching the lunar show from the east side of Lake Wawasee.
Incidentally, Shelly’s boys are cuter every time I see a picture of them. If Shelly doesn’t already have one, she’s going to have to get a really big stick to beat the girls off of those two!
Where are those beautiful diamonds on your kitchen walls coming from? Crystals hanging in another window? Where? They are so lovely!
That quote about being “overcome by an attack of pathological enthusiasm” is great, and I think it just might be a wee bit of an understatement about your excitement today when you saw THE BOX! 😉
By the way, your French accent is tres bien! I had to look that up, but anyway, you sound just like Julia, especially ‘zee gahlic buttair’! In closing, I have to mention your little kitchen art gallery, which is brilliant, Susan! (Pun intended.)
Have fun on your trip. Your new slippers are ‘the bomb’! 🙂 Sara 🙂
West side of Lake Wawasee! :-/
The sun was coming through the wisteria leaves on the arbor outside the windows in front of my kitchen sink which was blowing in the wind and putting diamonds on the walls and kitchen door! Thank you Sara!!
I can’t stop commenting; I’m sorry! But all this talk about diamonds on the wall is reminding me of that Paul Simon song from the 80s, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” (Graceland album). I can never look at a sun-dappled wall again now without calling them diamonds; what a beautiful expression, Susan! Magical, just saying the word as they catch the eye!
Yay! So happy I pre ordered The Fairy Tale Girl!! I think I’m almost as excited as you are! Almost seeing as how it’s your baby!!!!! Can’t wait! Love seeing Jack, who wouldn’t!
There is definitely a little piece of everyone who writes me on this blog in the new book! Even when I wasn’t blogging as regularly, not a day went by of the writing when I didn’t say to myself, Hmmm, I wonder if they’ll like this? xoxo
What a VERY special day!!! I know you have likely been trying to keep yourself
occupied so that your mind would maybe…possibly…unlikely… be off of it…
but NOW it’s time!! (Woot! Woooot!!)
I am so excited with it and with reading the one page here in your blog and then seeing the picture you did of your sisters (not to mention the bits and pieces in some of your previous posts…I ordered it today!! (I honestly don’t really know why I did not order it waaaay sooner…just procrastination, I guess.) I am so looking forward to receiving it in the mail, just as soon as it can get here!
(Some MUSICA for YOU!: youtube.com/watch?v=xRdtlwVBQ8A)
😀
Wishing you as much good luck and excitement as you can possibly stand, dear girlfriend!
And thank you for the great post here and sharing your fun with us!!
<3
P.S. And thank you so much,too, for the site for Lowely's artwork and show…Beautiful!… She really does have that water and waves down…I need to really work on those myself!
P.P.S. Happy Belated Birthday to Shelly!!…What a sweet surprise for her on her phone!! 🙂
Mr. Postman! Had to listen to the whole thing! Glad you enjoyed Lowely’s art! xoxo Hope you love Girlfriend’s Forever!
Excitedly waiting to see the mailman walking up the driveway to deliver your book! Thanks for the preview page and now all I can think of is getting my hands on the book (or rather my eyes) to read it. We will be on the east coast October through the first week in November and I am hoping there will be a book signing that I can get to. I would love to get a chance to say hello and thank you in person. Your blog posts and Willards always brighten my day.
There is a book signing at Titcomb’s Bookshop in Sandwich on Cape Cod on Saturday Oct. 17 from 1 to 3 . . . How does that sound for you? Wouldn’t that be great Judy? Hope to see you there!
I am going to do my best to make it!
I can’t imagine the excitement of opening that box! Wowsa. Well, when mine arrives it will come pretty close I reckon! I can’t wait for it to slip through my letter box. Oh . . . I must be patient.
Downton began here on Sunday Evening. I thought of you. I won’t spoil anything for anyone, but just say one thing. I reckon he has saved the best for last. If the season opener is anything to go by, we are in for a crackin’ ride! Yahoo! Bliss.
Loved all of the photos. I love the light this time of year. It’s the best. We will soon be hunkering down after not having had very much of a summer at all . . . sigh . . . that is England. Nobody comes here for the weather. xoxo
I just knew he would go out with a bang! I’m so happy! Now don’t whisper anything else to us! I want the total surprise! I love your moody weather. Although I’ve only been a visitor, maybe it’s different if you live there. It rained almost the whole time we were there last time! We started having a special relationship with mud . . . because we still loved our walks. Have a wonderful day Marie!