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 . . .
I have enjoyed your blog for years and now Willard. You asked when the Great Britian Bake Show would be on. Nov 30; a 4 episode program on ABC is being advertised on TV in our Deerfield area. Hope this helps. I loved that program also and Mary Berry’s suppose to anchor it. I’ll be watching! Linda.
Susan, I only started collecting your books within the last few months. Each one I get I browse through the book and immediately decide my daughter needs one too! Reading your books, your blog and the Willard is always a highlight in my day, usually with a pot of lavender earl grey tea and my cat right beside me. Congratulations on the publishing of your Chinese edition of A Fine Romance!
That’s such a good sign, that you want them for your daughter!!!! Thank you!
Something about that photograph of Louisa May Alcott’s house just struck my heart – I must go there one day! Thank you so much for the inspiration, Susan!
Wow, your book in Chinese is so cool! They did a really good job reproducing it. Congrats! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan and Seattlites…I , too, just wrote to Elliot Bay Books in Seattle, to encourage a Susan-invite to do a book signing……Susan – do check out their website – they are a Seattle institution…plus you’d love their café and bakery for sustenance!!..let us know when you get their invite!
Yippee!
Don’t worry, I will!
Susan, Today on this sunny but cold day, my sister and I started out early this morning and spent time, first at at church craft sale, seeing “Oh so many wonderful” surprise items for the holidays! It was especially fun talking and laughing with the crafters and having them express their thanks to “lightening” their load when the sale was over later today. I really think they are our creative-like Susan Branch girlfriends we see in your blog writings in disguise. After a short trip to the craft store we went back and she had some matresses and boxsprings to move around her house. The two of us were showing our age going up and down the stairs (Sister Power!!) and remembering our parents knowing we could do whatever we put our minds to (R.I.P. Mom & Dad). When all was done, I sat down and saw that ‘Little Women’ was on T.V. We will be together with our other sister next week so the fun will continue. Today has been quite a fun and gratifying day! Wishing you and Joe and the Kitties, and all the girlfriends out there, a very Happy Thanksgiving!
The Chinese version is beautiful! Loved how they kept the character of the original! Well done!
Dearest Susan
Forgot to say in earlier reply that I will be looking for you to roll into Portland, Oregon and do a signing at my favorite book shop, Powell’s. I will be stopping in there soon so I will put in a good word. I don’t do Facebook but I have many girlfriends that are British Fans. I have been spreading the word about A Fine Romance since I ordered in 2013. Just love everything you send us. You are so much fun!
See you in Portland Amy!
Dearest Susan,
I loved your illustration of a table setting. One thing I have forever wondering about is about chargers. What in the world is their function and when to remove them. Can you PLEASE tell me? I’ve looked everywhere for this information and can’t find it.
Here’s hoping for an answer,
Karen–a loyal fan
They are supposed to stay on the table the whole time and act like a decorative base for the salad plate, then dinner, then dessert. I have never used them, but I’ve been places where they do.
Dear susan. The salmon looks so yummy. I love recipes that are kept simple. Have enjoyed all the lovely fall emails. We also had a beautiful fall in Nebraska. Thank you for your inspiring posts. JOYCE RYAN.
Thanksgiving and much to be thankful for. Using several Autumn recipes to celebrate. Happy Fall to everyone.
I have enjoyed reading your blog and Willard! Happy Thanksgiving ! We have so much to be thankful for!
I am so excited! I have mentioned several times to my son how much I would like to get The Fairy Tale Girl for Christmas. I think he went to go buy it today!!!!!! The anticipation is almost too much!
Hi Susan,
So glad you will be coming to Powell’s Books in Portland. Looking forward to your “Isle of Dreams book. And thanks for all the light and color you share!
I love salmon. I’m going to have to try that way of cooking it. Looks yummy. 🙂
Susan, you have a rare gift of making people feel included and a part of things. A big Thank You from a new Girlfriend!
Well, we are kind of in it together!
I have looked and looked for days for my comment to no avail, so as not to miss out on the drawing I’ll just say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”. I apologize if this is a double entry.
Fondly,
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
I don’t know what’s going on, because I remember your other comment Nancy, and replied to it too . . . grrr, I really don’t care for my blog gremlins!
So exciting! It must be a real treat to see your work in other languages! I think the book looks fabulous in Chinese and it was really interesting to see it (thanks for sharing with us). Had fun reading Willard too. Hope you have a very nice Thanksgiving.
Always look forward to your blogs and Willards. You inspire me.
What a lovely post. Love the salmon recipe!
Hi there. I live in guadalajara Mexico and I really enjoy your blog, it makes me travel and dream with beautiful places. I´ve never been to England but when I read what you write I can feel the cold air in my face it´s like magic.
Thank you for being part of my life.
Hola Cecilia! So happy to have you here!
From a grateful me to a gracious you:
You are always warming my heart & home, Susan!
p.s.
Thank you in advance for choosing me as one of your winners of your most wonderful gifts!!
How exciting – I would love to win one of the 3 books or the mug! That would make for cozy tea and reading during Christmastime. 🙂 Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful way to start my day! First finding that Willard arrived and learning the secret language. Now enjoying this. You put a smile on my face. One question, where do I find salmon at 5 am in Wisconsin?
LOL!
We are moving to another state in 4 weeks, eeeek! This would make a lovely housewarming gift to me.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing your art, your thoughts, your caring and bright perspective on our world. I enjoy your blog and your books, Willards, travel suggestions ….. everything so much.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Uh oh. I didn’t see my Willard yet. But as I am knee-deep in the latest Friends of Gladys Taber newsletter, I forgot to check my spam folder carefully.
I’ve purposely waited to read Fairy Tale Girl because I put it on my Christmas list. My family is always complaining that I never know what I want. But it’s easy to put Anything-Susan on my list. It has NOT been easy waiting to read Fairy Tale Girl. A Fine Romance was just soooo, ummm, soul-filling. Made me want to pack my bags and hop on a ship. Some day I will do just that.
Has anyone been reading the charming books by Brit Jenny Colgan? I just adore them. Based in England or Paris, she makes you fall in love with the countryside as well as the less than perfect characters.
When I saw your comment Sandie, I went back to the Blog and put the link to the newest willard at the very bottom. Thank you, please do sign up again and we’ll see what happens next time.
I love your books – pre-ordered Isle of Dreams – and the Willard Newsletter plus your blog. Everything you do is done beautifully with your unique style. I live in eastern North Carolina so your snow photos are enjoyed and envied just a bit. Love seeing Jack who is adventurous like my cat Jesse. Also I share your love of all things Beatrix Potter – for my 1st birthday my father, who was career military and in a war at the time, sent me an English Peter Rabbit card (that has a special place in my studio) and it established a lifelong relationship with her stories and life. Enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
How wonderful!
Just spent the last few hours “digesting” both your blog and Willard while curled up at 530AM on a rainy Sunday in Charleston, SC surrounded by my 3 cats (Marshmallow, Fluff, and Peanut). Reading your posts bring back memories of growing up in Mattapoisett with my very English grandmother and mother. Can’t wait to read your newest book (which will be a gift from my mom).
Thank you
Thanks for your lovely books. Have made many of your recipes for our family gatherings. They are always a hit. Looking forward to the new book. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Treese/COLORADO COWGIRL
My sisters and I grew up speaking “Alfa-Balfa” which sounds exactly like your made-up language! Many decades later, we can still speak it very fast when called upon by our children to do so! They like to learn it, too, but the sisters are the true masters of the language….
🙂
Love your fear song. I must remember to try that.
After you sing, “please don’t make me go,” you give a little “Fo-rt Ho-oh.” Then a whiny, “no, Mister Custer . . .” 🙂
Hi Susan. I have to tell you your dining room is georgous. My cats also like helping to set the table so I have to pretty much wait till the last minute to do it. I have been reading “Fairytale Girl” and love it. We grew up in pretty much the same era, wasn’t it great! I love your Willards so please keep them coming. Well it’s off to work I go this morning so here is wishing you a great Thanksgiving!!!!
P.S. A Fine Romance is on my wish list
Dear Susan,
I tell you my copies of “Heart of the Home ” and “Vineyard Seasons” are just yellowed and faded with age…..the inside pages are splotched with cooking stains and I love them just the way they are! Your journey thru life and through art remains so interesting and compelling to me. I follow your blog with delight. I have given your books to my dearest friends and now to my new daughter-in-law and I will build a collection for her and for my new little step-daughter. What fun! You know your recipes will go on and on and your focus on making the small things count in life will too! Boy! Does this world we live in today need that …..more than ever.
Hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Just ordered your calendar again, I believe I have them all. This year it’s on my bulletin board at work at Easter Seals! I’m introducing you to a whole new group of people. Makes me happy each day to look at it. Thank you,
Karen
Chinese! Before you know it, your books will be published in many languages. It just is not
Fair to deprive anyone of the joy you bring in your books. Thank you too for all your wonderful hints on table settings. We had our first dusting of snow here in Indiana yesterday and it was glorious. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and the Girlfriends❤️
Love the salmon recipe, please keep the recipes coming, I love the step-by-step instructions w/ pictures, I need all the help I can get! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe & the kitties! <3 Kristen in Baltimore
Just had the opportunity to read your latest blog and loved it as always. I would love to win your latest book and since I have the other two, I can think of a couple of lucky ladies who would enjoy them as gifts! Just wanted to say “Hi” and wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
My sister in law is from China and I am sure she would love to read your lovely book in her native language. I am just always so excited to read your wonderful books
Coming to your blog is such a lovely treat every single time! Thank you for all your inspiration!!
Thanks again for all the treats this Fall season. The biggest gift was meeting you again after all these years. I am having an ALL THINGS SB THANKSGIVING this year and I’m tickled pink.
I love you, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, thanks gain for really showing the rest of us, how to open ours eyes and see all of God’s blessing at our finger tips.
Thank you back Marle xoxo Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Susan I love reading your blog so very much and I really look forward to each one. And I would so love to have your books, to take their place in my sewing room, I have a small area near the window all set out for my afternoon readings. I would be so tickled pink to win them, they could live with me here in country Australia. I could read them and watch the Kangaroos as they feed outside the sewing room window. The babies feeding from their mothers pouch is a beautiful sight.
Kangaroos! Now that’s something we don’t see much of around here! 🙂 Very exciting Janice!
When I receive a notification that I have an email from your blog, I instantly have a smile! I look forward to reading about your latest thoughts, recipes and dreams. Look forward to practicing your secret language with my college age daughter this Thanksgiving. Thank you for always being so uplifting. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Blessed Christmas!
It’s the perfect Thanksgiving thing to do! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I wrote a post about my darling Chinese niece and her attempts to teach me a few words in Mandarin — but it hasn’t shown up. This is an insurance post for the drawing! Arline
I have enjoyed reading Willard for years, and now your blog. Love, love, love seeing all the beautiful pictures of Martha’s Vineyard. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Susan, Just finished “The Fairy Tale Girl”, could not put it down! Can’t wait for “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams”.
Oh please, Vanna!
A warm and wonderful Thanksgiving to everyone.
Hi Susan,
When I am poking around antique stores/book sales and find one of your out of print books, I always buy it because I know I will find the perfect person to gift it to. I just started “The Fairy Tale Girl” and am looking forward to the new book!
Happy Sunday, Susan! I’ve been re-reading your Autumn book, and just received a signed copy of The Fairy Tale Girl as a gift from a friend! We’re both looking forward to the new one coming out as well. The real world is a scary place right now, and your books give us a beautiful place in which to escape!
Susan, You have made my day bright by your beautiful words. I noticed you will be signing books at Joseph Beth book store in Cincinnati. I am going to see if my local Joseph Beth in Lexington Kentucky might consider a book signing their also. I think it would be on the way to your next stop further South. I will not shop on Black Friday I will take a walk and dream of the Vineyard, I was there in September for a week. My brother and his family live there. He daughter and sil owns Slice of Life in Oak Bluffs. I love your Vineyard photos and your quotes and your love and positive view of life. Thank you for Willard,your Blog, and the best black cat pictures ever.
Your cookbooks have some of my most favorite recipes. I love a carrot cake recipe in one of your desert books. I can rely on what I make from them to be good! Would love to win other books.
Soooo cool, your Chinese language book. I hope you’ll be translated into many more languages.
Just wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and to let you know how very much I have enjoyed your writings and drawings over the years. You never disappoint your readers…your writings hit the heart warmly and your pictures are irresistibliy beautiful. Thank you for making my days brighter.
Happy Thanksgiving, loved getting the new Willard.
I loved seeing all your pictures of your table settings. Now, let me tell you about how we celebrate Thanksgiving. We started 30 years ago when my youngest daughter had just turned 2. We spent Thanksgiving with friends at a rented cabin at Fall Creek Falls State Park. No table setting – pot luck. Fed the kids first, then we ate. We’ve continued the tradition but had to move to VA because one family moved and we needed a half-way point. We have added daughter- and son-in-laws and 9 grandchildren among us. It’s still a pot luck but my friend does bring good china and silver for us to use. Most of our cooking is done ahead, frozen, and then reheated. There is always enough food to feed Cox’s army and then some. Traditions include board games and hiking on Friday. Can’t wait to go on Wednesday.
Happy Turkey Day.
Wishing you and your readers a very a happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks you for the chance to enter the giveaway.
Hi Susan:
I hope I’m not too late to have a chance to win the giveaways! Vanna, pick me! And your book in Chinese looks lovely! What a conversation piece! And what an accomplishment… so looking forward to your next one!
Susan, I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the warmth of your friends and family, and eat way too much, then go for a nice long walk down that familiar path of yours and Joe’s!
I love getting your Willard’s and blogs, they remind me what is important!
We just had our first snow storm here in northern Illinois. Now the sun is shining on the snow and trees and it looks like a fairy land. Perfect day to sit by the fire, have tea and be able to read your new book! Please enter me in your wonderful drawing. You are such a delight to all of us followers. Hugs!
Happy almost-Thanksgiving, Susan! My special treat just for me is reading Willards and your blogs in the quiet on the couch. (Like now!)
Susan ~ A Fine Romance is one of my favorite all time books EVER! It’s so beautify and parts of it are so funny!! I love all of your books, calendars etc. You are a beautiful & happy inspiration to me. Keep up the great work!
Add me in for the giveaway please! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
We would love you in Seattle. Elliot Bay Books perhaps!!! Also I hope this puts me into the drawings😊. Have both books do far and would be at the store you choose here in Seattle.
Your website is an injection of beautiful into my day. Thank you for sharing your talents and lifting my soul. I would love a book that I can share with my girlfriends in my part of the world.
As always, you have inspired me to reach a little further, make it a little prettier and, above all, enjoy the moment and share it with others. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
Thank you so much for your blog. I look forward to each one, they are so inspirational! You bring bit of whimsy and comfort to our world. I can hardly wait to read each one. It’s like I took a trip to a peaceful place. Keep on writing your books, they are wonderful.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe! Thank you for sharing those happy genes of yours and reminding me of all my beautiful family times. Celebrating the holidays is always more special remembering those long ago days and making our holidays a happy memory for my grandchildren.
Susan, I have enjoyed your Willard’s, blogs and books over the years! I have one question? If you decide to have your last 3 books to be made into a movie, who would you like to play “Susan Branch?” Thanks, Linda 🙂
Some of our Girlfriends have suggested really wonderful people — I was thinking maybe Zooey Deschanel. She has to be younger because for the most of the time in the first two books I’m between 24 and 40 . . . there are just too many good choices!
I JUST FINISHED READING YOUR ENGLAND COUNTRYSIDE BOOK. YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FAIRY TALE GIRL WHICH SHOULD COME IN FEW DAYS. CANT WAIT FOR MARTHA’S VINEYARD, ISLE OF DREAMS TOO. YOU CERTAINLY BRIGHTENS ME UP. THANK YOU SUSAN FOR EVERYTHING.
SMILES,
CATHIE
Your blog and Willard are so inspirational !!! One of the happy parts of each week. I first loved your work when you did recipes for Country Living. I’ve got them ALL and ALL your books!!! I’ve been to Beatrix Potters house too and England….you speak to our hearts of the simple pleasures of just living.
Thanks for causing me to rearrange my house on a monthly basis :o) and to hang paper birds in my windows and to put quilts on the table. I love it all!
Sue
Hello Susan,
I absolutely love all that you do. I read your books, drool over your artwork and so admire your romantic home and how you embellish it. Being born and raised in England, and now living with my husband Joe in a cottage at the foot of the Adirondack hills in Upstate New York, I can relate to your love of nature and passion for the simple (and best) things in life. Thank you for the enormous pleasure you give me. I have written on this comment page many times but have not yet seen it appear but I will not let that deter me from writing in the future. Happy Thanksgiving.
I sure hope your comment will appear !!
Hi Susan,
So glad everything is going well for you. I really enjoyed The Fairy Tale Girl. Can’t wait for the next book. Have a great Thanksgiving
Hi Susan,
After reading Willard and seeing your map of bookstores, I posted on FB that it would be wonderful if you had a book signing at their store,Vromans, in Pasadena. Let’s hope it will happen. I can’t wait to drive up from Huntington Beach to see you and have you sign a new book.
I’m sure we’ll be at Vroman’s . . . we’ve been there before and they are our friends now. See you there Kay!
Oh the Chinese book is so special – my two children are adopted from China and I love that the people there can now read this awesome book! China is part of my heart now as is the UK. I’ve yet to get to go but I read books set there, watch more of their TV shows than here, and my ancestors came from there. It’s at the top of my bucket list. I’ll bet there will be a bunch more Chinese tourists in England after this! I love how carefully they kept the integrity intact while adding the Chinese characters.
That little teacup tin is my favorite thing. I hope you carry that a while longer in your shop until I can get one!
Thank you so much for Joe’s salmon recipe. I was just gifted a whole sockeye salmon and was at a loss of how to prepare it. Thanks to Joe, I now know how I am going to cook it and I can’t wait to share it with my Mom and family 🙂
Oh what a lovely giveaway Susan! Your wonderful books! You should be ever so proud having it translated into Chinese! You go Susan! We are behind you and beside you 110% I adore that mug on top of the books too.
Many hugs and Love, Lynnie
Knowing how much you love the Queen Mary 2 had to tell you last week saw her parked off St Lucia while on vacation. She certainly is a beauty. Love the bits of the Chinese version of the book, so beautiful! Have a wonderful Turkey Day.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your beautiful home with us! I have been a fan of yours since Willard was printed and sent to our homes. You inspire me with so many wonderful ideas…. Thank you for everything that you do and share with all of us. We are truly blessed to have you in our lives!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Congratulations on the book in Chinese. Oh my goodness, each of the letters in chinese are so intricate!! Also, I must say, I love your decorations for the table, very cozy, and beautiful. Always relaxing to take a few minutes to read your latest blog:) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Donna
Now I just want to eat salmon as I long for your “… Isle of Dreams”. By the way …. how cool is that to see your book in Chinese?!! And…..loved your Willard! Always do, but I must confess, I miss holding it in my little paws.
Best wishes for your feasting this week! You’re one of the many blessings for which I’m thankful. Take good care!
Dear Susan
I sew enjoy your blog and art >>>>>> it inspires me to quilt. I love you bow tie quilt that is draped over your charming kitchen chair.
May your friends and family have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Karen
Thank you for sharing pictures of your lovely home and the Martha’s Vineyard area with us! It is always such a feast for the eyes!
I just got my first Willard and loved reading it! I read “Fairy Tale Girl” recently and look forward to “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams”. I have always enjoyed your art and have had a small calendar on my desk at work that makes me happy just seeing it there. Lately I have been getting your books at the library and want to find more of them-so winning books of yours would be such a treat. A wonderful holiday season to you:)
Oh it’s discouraging, but here I am giving it another go. Third time lucky, maybe. Where do my comments go? Big sigh. Would like to have a chance with the drawing. Testing, testing. Thank you.
I don’t know! But here we are again, so let’s say a little prayer! I’m going to put the approve button . . . here I go . . .
I love it all! And oh what a kitty. He is just the cutest! 🙂 Kit
Hi Susan,
I have been a fan of your books for years, and was so happy when a woman in my journaling /art class brought in your book ” A Fine Romance” to show us. I ordered a copy right away and just adore it! I just finished reading your recent Willard and wondered if there was any chance you could ever print up the recipe for your onion casserole that is partially visible in the old wooden file box in the last willard newsletter. I loved all the comments about grandmas and that ‘A house needs a GRANDMA in it ! ‘. My family used to love an onion pie we used to get pre made locally and I thought that onion casserole looked like something my gang would thoroughly enjoy.
Thanks for all of your happy writing and your lovely watercolors!
best to you, Leslie
I will get that recipe published very soon Leslie!
I have enjoyed reading your books thru the years. They are all stacked on my coffee table so this Thanksgiving all of my family can also enjoy them. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving because of you … dear Sue!
I love every word you’ve written … with heartfelt
blessings with all your gifts you’ve shared and inspired..
With Much Love and Aloha, Evie
I’ve been reading your blog for years and look forward to reading each of your posts. I bought “Heart of the Home” in 1986 and poured of the recipes and pictures for hours. Since then I’ve eagerly waited for each new book to come out. Love your writing style, it’s like talking to an old friend. I received “A Fairy Tale Girl” a couple of weeks ago, and like “A Fine Romance” I started reading it and couldn’t put it down till I finished it! Your paintings are amazing, it’s such a pleasure looking at them in your books. I can’t wait to read “Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams”. Happy Thanksgiving!
I LOVE seeing the pictures of your cat. He is adorable!
Love the photo of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House!
Thanks so much (again) dear Susan for all of your whit, whims and wisdom!
Don’t know what we would do without YOU! 🙂
Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!!
<3
P.S. Sorry…I meant WIT not WHIT! …Quite different! :/
Have a great week!!
<3
LOL!
I love that Chinese writing! It reminds me of when I was a little girl (81-1/2 now) and my Dad was the Time Keeper at Western Pipe and Steel and did payroll for the Chinese workers. He took great pride in learning some Chinese and would come home and show us 6 kids. It was soooo fun. I love the Arf and Arfy too and just called my 87 year-old sister in SF and she remembered it! We shall practice on the phone! You are truly a jewel, a rare one! Have a Happy Turkey day and eat all you want, you have my permission. Love you, Marilyn Taylor Young.
I agree about the movie “Emma” with Gwyneth Paltrow. I had the pleasure of interviewing the director of the film several years ago. He was charming, interesting, and so sweet!
You are so lucky! I love that movie!
Love,love,Love everything you do! Thank you for beautifying our world with your creative gift! My mom is Chinese and can read the characters so I may just have to buy her your book so that I can introduce her to your world! Thank you for making us all feel like we really are your “girlfriends”!! Happy Thanksgivung!!
SOOOO enjoy your musica! Yes, Fly Away Home is a great movie! It’s a Sprouse House favorite! Happy Thangsgiving!
Hello Sweet Susan,
My dear hubby and I just finished a longer than usual road trip to my parents home in Georgia. We stopped to get gas and stretch our legs at what seemed like a fairly easy place to get back to the route we were traveling. Funny how something so simple can go so wrong so quickly! We could not get back into the lane we needed to be in to make a left turn so my husband decided to go straight and follow the directions on the GPS to get back on track…wrong decision…. apparently “she” didn’t know how to get us back to where we needed to be without adding almost a hour to our travel time. I kept trying to tell him how to get back but he wanted to do it the way he was handling it…so I went back to watching my movie and listening to him fuss with the phone continuously as it kept rerouting us over and over…I conld not help but get a little tickled at his frustration. But I also remembered that he likes to handle the situation the way he has planned in his mind. I don’t understand why I can’t help but after 21 years of marriage I know he has always gotten us where we needed to go and we will have something to laugh about later!! I am telling you all of this because men and women function differently in their brains…so I am sure couples in China go through the same crazy things! 🙂
How exciting to make new girlfriends in China! You are making the world a most wonderful place one country at a time! Love you Susan and the way you share your beautiful life with us so ours may be enriched and thoughtfully filled with joy and delicious food and gifts and love from the heart of the home. My life has been blessed by you for just over 20 years now…I remember when Willard came in the mail with goodies…You are as generous as ever! So in counting my blessings this Thanksgiving you are close to the top!