I knew you were coming so I got ready! First off, click here for my new theme MUSICA (which you will understand if you’ve read the Willard ~ eeeek!). 🙂
And now, HELLO WILLARD PEOPLE! Welcome to the Blog! 
Since I wrote the Newsletter, guess what!? So excited and happy to tell you, that the Giveaway I mentioned has just been doubled ~ because look what showed up ↓
Do you know what this is? It’s
in Chinese!
Here are my two children meeting for the first time.♥
Yes! It’s the just published (but only in China) Chinese version of our book A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English 
Countryside. Now I have the extreme privilege, among other things, of taking the Chinese people up to Hilltop to see Beatrix Potter’s legacy!
Who would have ever thought it possible!? I’ve been pouring over the book, looking at all the details. They did such a nice job. They even kept the watercolored first letters on every page because they thought they “looked pretty!” Even when I mentioned that it might not make sense in Chinese because those first letters have nothing to do with the text ~ they still wanted them which is one reason I really like this publisher!
It’s almost, page for page, exactly like the English version…and it’s a real book you can hold in your hands, because did you know, studies are showing that reading “real” books is healthier and increases intelligence? They are!
See the little writing around the poppy? And the captions? They made sure all the movies were there and the music too! And where there are English words,they used a cute little handwriting font.
I’m trying to see it through their eyes. I wonder if they say the same stuff to each other in China? I bet they do.
Now they know more about us than I ever imagined. They know that there are idiots all OVER the world. Isn’t that funny? I am happy to be an idiot in the quest for world peace.♥ 
Like this, now they know this! I signed the contract for this book over a year ago, but I didn’t realize how I 
would feel when it actually arrived. I’m honored, but not used to it yet. None of my other books have ever been in any language except English . . . But as the song goes, you are my lucky star . . .⭐️
Here’s the recipe for Rachel’s Lemon Butter cookies! There 
will be people in China eating Rachel’s cookies! I wonder if they changed the part about how Joe and I met and all of that ~ the one hotel room, the robe like armor, etc. Maybe one of you reads Chinese and can tell us!
I get to take them to Siobhan’s house too! I wonder if they have fairy lights and pink sofas in their kitchens the way Siobhan does? Probably they do! I hope some of them write me!
Notice the little bits and pieces, some of the English writing is still there, all the hearts, the captions, the watercolored underlines, the little arrows, are all still there. They took such good care! What a small world it is.♥
Here we are about to discover King Richard’s childhood castle, remember? And the arrows pointing to the castle ruins are still there! That Chinese lettering is so cute! If I would have been born in China I would have LOVED that handwriting. It’s like little pictures. They must all be artists over there!
Here’s the part in the book where I saw the Irish seagulls as the Queen Mary 2 passed under Ireland . . . in Chinese! I immediately sent a copy to the Thomas Crane Public Library because I was told they have a very large Chinese population in the Quincy (near Boston) area . . . it will be a surprise, I hope they like it!
And the rest of the books I kept. So far. I mean it’s only been a couple of days.
Oops, there’s one right now!
Look at that watercolored title! So my thought is that we might have a little east meets west as our second 
Giveaway, and include, with a signed copy of our rare Chinese Romance book, a canister of that delicious Gingerbread Tea I mentioned in the Willard, perfect for the season! So even if you can’t read Chinese, you can have a cup of tea and look at the pictures! So now when you leave a comment, you’ll be entered for Two Giveaways, not just one . . . there will be Two Lucky Winners. We just doubled the odds!
A LIFE SHARED IS A JOY DOUBLED. (OR QUADRUPLED, OR in the case of this Blog? MUCH MORE.)
All the books in both of these Giveaways can be personalized just the way you’d like, including the out-of-print Christmas from the Heart of the Home. Which means you might have some pretty good little gifts here ~ a mug and some fairy tales are always appreciated at the holidays!
And you might be asking, will we be selling the Chinese book in our web store? And the answer is, yes, kinda. We got a few of them, not very many, they are in our web store 
right now . . . but they are expensive which probably has something to do with our dollar and their (what is it? Yen?). Plus, they cost a LOT to ship them over . . . so we don’t figure we’ll run out of what we have too soon. But IF we do run out, and IF you don’t get one and IF you still want one, the new plan is that we will then take preorders so we 
know how many to get, and do a one-time purchase just for our Blog Girls. We’re not going to carry this book because of the cost, which is something around $40 each, but check it out if you think it’s something you might want to have. I don’t think there will be too many of them here in America, and they can always be an interesting conversation piece!
So now, let’s change the subject and do a little
Shall we? With Mas Musica? Oui! I’ve always just naturally gathered healthful winter fat to protect myself against wolves and starvation in the freezing cold, but already 
this year, from all the sitting, I’m afraid I could feed an entire wolf pack all by myself. So I’m looking to get a little healthier so that when I finish Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams (BTW, that’s a new little piece of art I did for the book yesterday ~ of me, ←on the plane, landing in Boston, singing my fear song ~ it’s dawn outside that window, on a very stormy day ~ but I digress big time), I can go out on the road and you will still recognize me! So in the quest for that, I thought I’d give you Joe’s recipe for the most delicious, crunchy tender salmon steaks in the world!
And just in case you’d like to make this, but good salmon is hard to come by in your neck of the woods, call Louie at the Net Result here on the Island (1-800-394-6071 and tell him Joey sent you) and he will overnight you the most delicious fresh fish imaginable, in a box also filled with Martha’s Vineyard sea air for which, believe it or not, he charges NOTHING ~ and they have everything, including oysters, clams, and Lobsters, fresh cod, and this delicious salmon.
The magic in well cooked salmon is in the crust! And no one does it better than Joe.
If I was the one making this, I would ask Louie to cut off the skin for me. But Joe knows just what he’s doing . . . gets his sharp little knife under there and wastes not a shred. You definitely want the skin off so you can make it crusty on both sides.
Then he rinses it in cold water and pats it very dry with paper towels.
And cuts it into steaks
which he liberally peppers and sprinkles sea salt over . .
He put the tiniest bit of olive oil in the pan — 2 tsp. — and heated it over high heat until, as he put it, the pan was “shimmering.” This is what a shimmering pan looks like.
He added the fish to the shimmering pan, with the skin-side up, he then salted and peppered that side. The salmon cooked, uncovered, over medium high heat for about eight minutes until they were toasty brown. For good browning, none of the pieces should be touching each other. And if you have a thinner piece, like we did, make sure it cooks for a shorter amount of time.
When he turned them over, they looked like this. Already I want to pick off a piece of the crunchy crust, that little piece hanging off the left end of the piece in the front would be perfect thank you.
But I didn’t have long to wait. Another four minutes on that other side, and voila! Once again, Joe B. Hall shows 
his cooking genius, totally up to the magic.♥ Tender in the middle, crisp on the outside, healthy all over! Serve it with a squeeze of lemon and a crisp green salad and you will go to bed laughing at how healthy you are.
Alrighty then! I’ve now managed to swallow up a large chunk of your busy day! I hope I’m satisfied. I COULD actually go on! I have tablescapes to show you, light and shadows, quilts! Oh yes, there will be more.
OK, I hear you, but one more thing, please don’t worry if you haven’t gotten your Willard yet, they take four days 
to all go out, if you’ve signed up, but haven’t gotten yours by Saturday, let us know ~ be sure to check your spam folder first.) ~ And be SURE to leave a comment at the bottom of this post (click on those tiniest letters that say comment) so you’ll be entered in the drawing for the GiveAways!
Oops, one more thing ~ I found this wonderful photograph I thought you might like to use as a screen saver for the season. Just click there. We’ll put it up in the web store under “Free Stuff” soon along with lots more festive things for the season ~ it’s that time of year!
Isn’t it gorgeous? We were just there a few months back ~ it’s Louisa May Alcott’s House, Orchard House, in the snow. So, romantic. Can’t you just see her and her sisters throwing snowballs in their long skirts? I’ll leave you (finally, whew!) with that lovely thought. Enjoy your day Girlfriends! God Bless our world, and especially beautiful Paris. ♥ XOXO
And don’t think I did this all by myself . . .
Thanks for the Willard and your blog..enjoy them both so much.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Love your blog – it really is a cheer- up and inspiring as well. Makes us realize that keeping our home fires burning in this crazy world is an honorable thing to do! Happy Thanksgiving. (We’ve had ours – I’m from Canada)
I am so happy for you getting to see your book in Chinese! Wow! Double Wow Wow! I love seeing their handwriting too. It looks so joyful. It’s like shorthand. I so enjoyed Willard. I will re-read it again and again in case I missed something. When, not ‘if’ you get a movie deal, can I play one of the “Girlfriends” (like I already am)? Can you imagine the fun of it all? Did I say double Wow Wow?
Mmmmmm….salmon looks yummy! Hope you can make it to St. Louis!!
I can hardly wait for your next book! As I read The Fairy Tale Girl, I discovered that you and I have some connections! I too was born at St. Mary’s in Long Beach (1960) and I too attended Minnie Gant! I lived on Marita Street which runs parallel to Atherton. Cool, right? Susan Branch, you ROCK!
Very cool!
Loved the blog! Chinese!!!! Is there no end to your fame? Also loved the screen saver….thanks for all your creativity! Of course I want to be entered in the give-away….maybe I’ll get lucky! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours…HUGS
I needed the break. Thanks for inviting me into this world of beauty. So very refreshing.
Hello,
I have read the Willard for years, but this is the first time I have visited your blog. I don’t know what took me so long! It’s so warm and joyful and totally enchanting. I love it, and I love you for who you are and for what you do.
Thank you so much.
Welcome to the neighborhood Sharon!
Oh my! The Chinese book is so very enchanting. It’s beautiful just to look at. How very proud you must be! On a silly note, there is no way I will ever be able to Arf Arfy! I’m lucky to get words out in plain English! I bet you could have spoken Ubbi Dubbi from my generation (a kid in the 70’s). I never got it. Anyway, many congratulations on your latest achievements. We’ll keep cheering you on!!!!
All the best to you and yours for a happy Thanksgiving and wonderful holiday season.
So thankful for you and all you share with us. I can hardly wait for “our” trip to Scotland. Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.
I’m hoping I didn’t delete my Willard in Spam. Don’t usually look at Spam, just hit the Delete All button. Willard’s have been read here for many years, maybe back to the first ones. They’re a wonderful “extra chapter” of Susan’s blog.
Today is as crisp as a gingersnap, so I’m burrowed indoors reading your blog and planning salmon for dinner. Thank Joe for the recipe!
Love your post! So exciting to see your book in Chinese – what a great job they did!
So Susan,
Who would be your ideal onscreen fairytale girl?
and who would play Joe?
love to allof you there!
Well, it’s a big question. We have me figured out, but not Joe. I mean, how do you match the real him? But me, there are lots, and so far my favorite would be Zooey Deschanel.
Loved the blog, congratulations on your book in Chinese, I hope the quotes and the whole essence of the book are as beautiful in Chinese, Happy Thanksgiving!
How thrilling for “A Fine Romance” to be translated into Chinese! Another indication that really, it is just language that separates the people of the world. We love and care about the same things. It is fun to think of a group of Chinese women gathering for a book discussion centered around your story of travel and romance. They are laughing and delighting in it all just like we did in the U.S. Congratulations!
A Willard and a Blog Post? Is it Christmas Morning?
Thank you very much for the Willard – I LOVE getting them and love all your books , calendars, etc
LOVE all of this!!! Just catching up as our power has been out, so haven’t read ‘Willard’ yet, but plan to make a cup of tea and get to it. The salmon looks SCRUMPTIOUS so, yes, I am absolutely craving it now!. 😉 I delight in our ‘visits’ and am so happy for you! <3
Susan – I still have pages of your recipes that I ripped out of (I think) country living? so many years ago before any books were published! They are folded and pressed in your cookbooks that I have — long before the internet I do believe that I stumbled on to you….seems like yesterday….
L.
It make me smile when I see your email in my box. I get my tea, open the blog and just relax, read, and look at your wonderful pictures. Thank you for what you do Susan.
Congratulations on the Chinese edition of your book! I love the photo of Orchard House too. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the Willard – I needed a little pick-me-up!
Hi Sue, I am very happy that your new book will be coming out earlier than I thought. And maybe a movie! I’m beyond thrilled.
Your uplifting Willard’s and your blog are a tonic. Thank you. Happiness given is happiness returned. Love you…
Dear Susan,
Thank you for such a lovely blog. It made my Wed. It is so dark and gloomy here and pouring down rain. Although I do enjoy a good rain sometimes. Sat by the back patio door with my cup of tea and enjoyed. Can’t wait until my Willard arrives!
Congratulations on your Chinese language book. You are officially a citizen of the world. Did you ever dream???
I’m sitting here with my mug of tea listening to the musica, reading your blog and feeling extremely heart-warmed! <3 Thank you, Susan!! I love the Chinese version of your book. Btw, is Chinese read from right to left, opposite of how we read? If so, would those reading the Chinese version of your book be reading backwards?? Maybe not. I'm so confused! Anyway, I think it is delightful!!! 🙂
I’ve been following you for years buying your books when I can,, your recipes are always good and thank you for your inspiration.
What a wonderful surprise to see your new blog post! I have been down in the dumps for the past few days – must be the cold and rain and the fact that it gets dark before 5 o’clock. You made me laugh – at the part about the Chinese finding out that there are idiots all over the world. I can’t wait to hear their response to your book – I am sure it will be love and thrilled to be part of your world. Tell Joe thanks for the Salmon recipe – we are lucky enough that a store flies in fresh Salmon here every week or so – to say that Missouri is land locked in an understatement.
So looking forward to the Willard!!!
Susan,
I’ve always admired your red floral dishes, can you tell us about them?
Thanks for all the beautiful books.
Which ones. . . I have two sets that could be described as red floral dishes…
I just love it when I get news from you. As another person mentioned it is like a mini vacation!
While the sky in the mountains is grey and dreary, your Willard brightened up the day. Do so enjoy all your creative and color filled posts. Thank you, Susan.
Although it is dark, grey, and dreary here in the mountains, your Willard arrived to brighten things up a bit. Do so enjoy your colorful and creative blog! Thank you, Susan.
What great giveaways! You are so inspiring! I enjoy reading your blog every time and I can not wait to get the new Williard! Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe!!!
The book in Chinese is exquisite! Love the lettering – wonder how hard it is to learn?
Hi Susan! Wow, so much EXCITING NEWS!!! So glad you are planning another cross country adventure next year! Have you thought of going to Woodstock Illinois to the Read Between the Lynes independent bookstore? They have just moved from a small store to a bigger store just down the street. They are in the beautiful historic Woodstock Square and it would be a lovely place to have a book signing. Woodstock is where they filmed the movie, “Groundhog Day!” More magic. It’s close enough so that all the girlfriends from Wisconsin could drive down for a day trip:) Hope we can see you next year up here in the North! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Susan, I so appreciate all your blog posts, fun and fabulous art, life and the “loves” of your life. keep it up it keeps me sane! Ps Congrats on your book in Chinese!
Thank you. Your postings are always a welcome break in my day!
I love getting your Willard’s and reading your blog posts. I have been a fan of your books and other items for years and am hoping to get to attend one of your book signings next year. Wishing you and Joe a blessed Thanksgiving!
Your blog is like a mini-vacation…a little escape in the middle of my day! I simply love love love you and your blog. <3
I would love to win your books. Getting a Willard is like finding a long lost best friend. You have no idea how much I needed this newsletter and blog post today.
Thank you for everything you give to us dear Susan.
You may never know the depth of our appreciation but we sure like to try to tell you.
Pam Baker
Susan, thank you for the latest email Willard. I just love them! Also, WOW for leading the group of Chinese people to England and having your book published in their language. You go girl!
I saw the map of places you hope to visit on your book reading/signing trip. My eyes almost popped out when I saw Salt Lake City was on the list. The no. 1 Girlfriend could be only 20 minutes away from Centerville, where I live. I will definitely be there with my girlfriends!! Fingers crossed.
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
Claudia
Hello dear Susan !
Thank you for brightening my afternoon with both your blog and the latest Williard installment! Love hearing from you and your exciting news: possible movie deal AND your book printed in Chinese ! Congratulations.
Oh, my! So much excitement! I agree with that song — You Ought To Be in Pictures, and I hope, hope, hope it happens.
Thank you for this wonderful Willard – so much JOY!
Blessings,
G G
P.S. The arfy thing is way over my head 🙁 but it’s not your fault. I need coffee…
LOL, I understand. If you had someone like me to talk it AT you for a few days, you’d get it!
Hooray for you!
Who did the proof reading???”
For the Chinese book, or?
Just sent a note to Elliott Bay Bookstore in Seattle for you to come there with the new book! I hope you come, it would be a dream come true to meet you!! xoxo!!
I love you for doing that, we really want to go to that bookstore and your phone call helps pave the way! Thank you Lori! Hope to see you there!
Karen from Elliott Bay Bookstore just messaged me back thanking me for the request! The wheels are turning, I can feel it!! I love you too!! Xoxo!! ♥
You made my morning. I got Willard and your new blog on the same day! I have put your book on my Christmas wish list. I hope my kids pay attention. I know you will have fun in Scotland. I made another return trip there in June. I loved the Isle of Iona and the Orkney Islands. Skye is always beautiful. I think will be fun to travel with you next year. Love your art and books.❤️
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving next week, and don’t worry about feeding the wolves!
Hi Susan,
I enjoyed reading your Willard today! Your book in Chinese is wonderful!
I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing your talented art-work, too!!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Regina
Can’t wait to try the gingerbread tea. I read the latest Willard with a pot of pomegranate tea.
What fun! Willard AND Willardblog! Always a wonderful break for my day! I see you will be at BookPeople in Austin, TX next year. I am going to do everything I can to BE THERE! The last time you came through TX, I had recently had strokes and couldn’t go. I was heart broken. THIS time will be different! Thank you for ALL you do… Peace, Shannon
I enjoy all your posts. They make just usual days something special. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Love your blog, newsletters, books, etc……………Really disappointed to see you won’t be visiting Lancaster County in Pennsylvania on your book tour…………..
Yes please…I would love to win the giveaway!
How exciting to have your book in CHINESE!!
Please keep The Tattered Cover, Denver on your bookstore itinerary! It’s one thing to receive a signed book through the mail, quite another to meet in person! Looking forward to meeting you in 2016…
I am not sure why but my comment hasn’t shown up I posted yesterday. I just wanted to thank you for the lovely post and say congratulations on your new edition. It has been a rainy day here in Kentucky while I sit on the couch recuperating from dental surgery reading your post and waiting on my Willard to arrive. Thanks for making my day a bit brighter !
Been cooking out of your Autumn Book. My family loves the corn pudding. It’s been added to the Thanksgiving menu permanently. Would love to have the Christmas one!
Your drawings are so beautiful that they change my mood for the better when I am down. Thank you so much!
Absolutely Loved reading Willard newsletter !!!
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The British Baking Show will start a new 4 week series on network TV on November 30…… it will be a holiday show! I am so excited.
Doing the happy dance. It is always good to hear from you. Tell Joe he can cook salmon for me any time! Thank you for explaining Arf and Arfy – that was a hoot. Will try to get a hold of that book store in Cincinnati, although that is about 3 hours from us. Happy Thanksgiving!
Have you ever been to Wisconsin for a book signing? If not, I officially welcome you!
Thank you, and yes, once we did a signing in Winona, and also Minneapolis. Would love to come back . . . so beautiful there.
Congratulations on your beautiful book being translated into Chinese. They have no idea how lucky they are yet. You are an inspiration to both me and my 12 year old “aspiring artist” daughter. Your blogs, books, and recipes bring such warmth to our lives.
Yeah! I just preordered the book. Can’t wait. Loved the first two in the series.
Are you coming to Learned Owl Bookstore again this year, in Hudson Ohio?
So far I don’t think so, we were really trying to go where we hadn’t been before, not that we wouldn’t LOVE to go back there, we loved that book signing.
Love Williard!!! I share this love with my former next door neighbor and soulmate Mary Dyer who moved from to Colorado almost twenty years ago. Although we don’t see or talk to each other as often as we’d like, it’s always as if we’ve just left off . . . kind of like revisiting our favorite Susan Branch books. I’ve just sent City Light Book Store in San Francisco a note and have also posted on their Facebook page. I’d love to see you in San Francisco!!!
Hi everyone,
What a great day…Willard and a Blog to read. So inspiring. You are soooo lucky to go back to lovely England…you will love Scotland…I was there a number of years ago….It is a beautiful place to visit.
Your Salmon looks delicious…and I haven’t eaten much today…so I am extra hungry!!! It is one of my favorite things to eat!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.
I have fond memories of Concord and the Alcott house…We had a great tour when we visited this past summer…on our way home from Maine.
The giveaways are wonderful….as always….Vanna please choose me.
Thanks again for all your inspirations!!!
Kathie from Limerick, Pa
Susan, Thank you for continuing to delight all our senses! You inspire me.
Congratulations on having “A Fine Romance” published in Chinese! You are definitely an Ambassador of Good Will. I will recommend that Powell’s in Portland, OR ask you to be a guest speaker. May I please be added to the names in your hat for the drawing? Thank you for your wonderful book and blog.
Hi Susan,
I think I loved the Great British Baking Show as much as you did!! I’m so excited to tell you that it’s back on right here in the USA starting November 30th on ABC! Mary is judging American bakers though I think it’s filmed in England!!!!!
Another great show that I think you mentioned you also enjoyed was The Intimate History of The Roosevelt’s that aired on PBS. I posted on your Facebook page a picture of my daughter holding your “Fairy Tale Girl” right in front of Teddy’s Sagamore Hill Home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. I was thinking of you and how inspired you would have been just as I was touring his amazing home where so much profound history was made.
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan and I’ll be thinking of you again as I prepare so many of your wonderful recipes from my treasured Heart of The Home Book collection.
Your book in Chinese is AMAZING. So many characters! I have a Chinese friend who told me that in Chinese writing there are hundreds of characters to learn, but there is no spelling or punctuation. Isn’t that something!
I didn’t notice any independent bookstores in North Carolina on your list. That’s a real shame since there’s a great one in Raleigh called Quail Ridge Books. The previous owner opened it about 30 years ago and is still semi-managing it. Her name is Nancy Olson and is so wonderful. You may want to add it to your list of wanna be visits for another tour. You won’t be disappointed at ALL! Love your notes, blogs, wisdom, and love of all things Gladys Taber, but I think you already knew that, Susan! Have a fabulous holiday season with Joe and those sweet kitties!
My first Willard, Susan! Joe’s step-by-step cooking of salmon is a keeper! Thank you! What a delight! Love hearing from you, as always. you are upbeat and celebrate the ‘little things,” which truly matter in life after all! Such as LEAVES! Like ankle-deep, blanketed lawns of yellow, red, amber, russet, brown leaves! Autumn’s paintbox! ! I hope the blight you wrote of is attended to by all tree lovers in your neighborhood and that your neighbors are not like mine, looking upon fallen leaves as an enemy combatant and with those professional, ear-piecing leaf blowers, force them into piles and swiftly carting them off! Gone are the days of crayon leaf rubbings, sealing their colorful brilliance between two sheets of wax paper with a iron, or even raking tall piles and jumping into and rolling amongst them! Or keeping them to cover garden beds or make compost! Thank you, Susan and bless your leaf-loving heart!!! xoxoxox !
Thanks for the chance to preorder your book. I’ve already purchased my ornaments because one year they ran out before I got to them. They are so special. Thanks for all the joy you bring the girlfriends!
OMG! So totally awesome, in Chinese! Wow, way to go Susan! Such a talented lady! As always, you brighten my day!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and the Kitties!
Susan – as usual, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the blog AND the wonderful Willard. Can’t wait for the new book. Loved the other two. Your positive attitude is so uplifting!
Love everything you do..just finished The Fairy Tale Girl….enjoyed every page..excellent..know you are working on the next chapter. Since I am 89 years old and I would like to know the “rest of the story”..time might be limited…😊 Love you. xoxo
Congratulations! So much excitement!
What lovely giveaways. Thank you! I have worn my well-used, well-loved Christmas from the Heart of the Home to tatters. Literally. But it sits proudly on display on the cookbook stand all December, anyway. So pretty, so fun to look at, and besides, we can’t get through Christmas morning around here without candied bacon.
Oh Susan, won’t you please come to North Carolina? I didn’t see any little red dots on the map for North Carolina!! What do we have to do to get you here? Love everything you do, always have….always will! And I love the Louisa May Alcott photo. I’m saving my new book for Christmas time, when there will be more time to truly enjoy it!!
Love the book in Chinese. Always so good to hear from you. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Always a good day when we get a new blog post from you and a Willard too! We share a love of dishes…my daughter says I need to stop collecting, but I say I’m still alive! Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of your loved ones!
It’s a dark, rainy day outside, but I’ve cozy inside soaking up the warmth of this edition of Willard. Thanks for brightening my day.
Loving my wonderful, witty, Willard Newsletter!
Thank you so very much for taking the time it does to put together such a great “Willard”!
(((Hugs))) ~ Lacy
It’s a warm but dreary day in Michigan making it a perfect Susan blog day. Thank you so much!
Wonderful Willard! Wonderful blog!! Wonderful and exciting news!!! We have a rainy late afternoon here in Virginia, so I had the chance to sit and really enjoy it all. Love the salmon recipe and will be trying it soon! And, of course, Jack is just his darling self in all the pix – what a cat he is!!! What a personality ♥♥♥
Was hoping to see my Norfolk bookstore on your tour, but, alas, it seems not to be. You and Joe are attempting a major journey here, and I’m sure you will be seeing many, many girlfriends on the tour 🙂 It’s all good!
Great giveaway to dream about…just pre-ordered your new book – couldn’t miss that!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and kitties and family – we are truly blessed!!! Thanks for such wonderful news and your gift of creativity and talent!
p.s. that is one of the best photos of your house that you have ever posted JMHO – oh the colors of the Autumn sun and leaves against the white house – isn’t it the most glorious season??? Enjoy!
The salmon looks soooooo good! The giveaway looks even better! The picture of Orchard House set me dreaming of little girls giggling in the attic while acting out in homemade plays. What fun!
These are exciting days for you with A Fine Romance in Chinese (hopefully it might be published in some other languages, too, some day), Isle of Dreams coming out soon, a new trip planned – this time to Scotland, and, possibly, a movie about your life based on your books. I hope that works out! (I was trying to decide what actresses I think look somewhat like you and you might be surprised to hear that I immediately thought of Lady Mary from Downton Abbey?) My heartiest congratulations on all these wonderful accomplishments! I know it’s taken a lot of hard work and planning on your part, and help from many sources. (I have my fingers crossed for you – and us – on the movie. Hope…hope…hope.)
How excting! I need to read mine again!
I loved the new Willard and hearing all about your second book, book tour and trip to Scotland next year. You must go to Doune Castle where Outlander was filmed for Castle Leoch. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve been wondering where you’ve been not receiving a Willard in a lonnnggg time. A book I see! Congrats!!! And thank you very much for the salmon recipe.
When I met my Japanese sister-in-law, I thought we couldn’t be more different. Then she told me about how she loved watching Little House on the Prairie as a young girl and could we talk about that … well, I knew we would get along just fine!!! So maybe there are readers waiting for you in Japan too! No matter where I live, I will be a life long fan of yours… you are my sister too! Thank you for making my overcast November afternoon so smiley, cozy, and wonderful. Love you!
Valerie
Congratulations on being published in Chinese! I can’t wait to show this post to some of our students from China. They’ll be thrilled!
I love your blog and Willard newsletter! I have the first two books and
can’t wait for the third book.
Many congrats on your Chinese version———-who doesn’t love to escape with a great book! Happy Thanksgiving!
PS. I also emailed RJ Julia’s in Madison, CT and asked them to invite you to their bookstore… It’s not far from Providence – where you’ll be going. And I would love to meet you!!!
Your books are wonderful. I read them over and over. I have made many of your recipes. I really really want to win that stack. I hope that you make it to Powell’s in Portland.
Thanks for the newsy Willard and the latest blog! You help get me ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, in your own special way. I’m already looking forward to your busy year! So glad you’ll be taking us with you.
Hi, Susan! Loved Willard, it was so much fun!!! And now, even more fun…giveaways! Thanks for the great read…
Hi!
On your book tour, any chance to stop in Boise, ID??? We have a very nice, Barnes and Noble store. 😀 And, congratulations on all this success! I’ve been following you since the beginning and am so happy for you for all the wonderful things that are happening to you in your life. You are definitely being blessed from above!
Sooo hope you are able to come to S.F. or Northern California. I will gladly drive the three hours to see you!!!!