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 . . .
Wonderful as always. I hope the Chinese realize how lucky they are to be able to a have a version of your book. And have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I think I’m the lucky one, but that’s very sweet Sherrie!
Always check out your site for inspiration and a good way to
start my day!
Hi susan I loved reading the latest blog and the willard you can’t believe how much they have lifted my spirits. Thank you for all you do. Lots of love from Sherry K.
Such a wonderful blog to read on a Monday morning. Susan, I just love your table settings! My husband and I love china. I think I must get a set of Lenox Autumn at some point, especially since Autumn is my very favorite season. 🙂 I spotted the Cunard wine bottle; my husband came back from a business trip where he stayed on the Queen Mary! I love old books, flowers, linens – I have a collection of old handkerchiefs that my grandma found at yard sales years ago. And books, glorious books! Seriously, our next house needs to have a library with a fireplace, comfy chairs and quilts! I wish you and Joe a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
How in the world did I miss this lovely post?! Thank you for waiting and mentioning the GiveAway again in the next post – that’s how I found out! Whew! Glad I didn’t miss it! How incredibly, wonderfully exciting all this must be for you!! Wowee! I can tell you are bubbling over like a champagne bottle that’s just been opened! SO HAPPY for YOU!! So amazing to think there are girlfriends like us in CHINA! It must be so much fun to look through that book – you’re going to have to figure out how to be able to read their comments when they write to you. How does that even work? So much I don’t know. Like Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World – in that line “They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know.”
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is certainly so much to be thankful for!
Oh, Susan, do have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with all the blessings of family, friends and the beauty of the gorgeous fall season!
Oh how I look forward to your posts…especially these days when the darkness threatens…there is light that shines brighter. There is love! There is beauty! There is kindness! Love and shalom from one of your friends in Israel…
I just bought my umteenth copy of your glorious book ” A Fine Romance”, at a lovely store in my hometown of Claremont California. Barbara Cheatley’s is the store, and it is now a fairyland of christmas trees, ornaments, and of course your books and calendars! I love your blog, and read it daily!
All the best to you dear Susan, and thank you for brightening our lives with your ideas, kitties, and travels!
Karen Juergens
Tell Barbara I said hello the next time you see her, would you please, Karen? xoxo
Oh how wonderful Susan! 🙂 Your book looks just lovely! I love how they kept the integrity of your original design. Just wonderful.
Thank you for such a day-brightening post! It gets me in the mood for the holidays! Yeah!! : )
I love the picture of Louisa May Alcott’s home, one of my favorite movies for sure. I feel like I have traveled back in time when I watch it. I have an old copy of the book which growing up I read every Christmas, you have inspired me to renew this special tradition, thank you! Happy Thanksgiving from Portland Oregon.
Giving Thanks for the beauty of your heART on so many, varied canvasses… your brush has painted us all right into your world! Happy Thanksgiving!
i loved louisa’s house all snow covered and perfect….i really can imagine all the christmas busyness in there…even though the windows aren’t lit. congratulations on your book and your book in chinese! wow. such beautiful dreams come true. your magic is reaching into all corners of the world.
How exciting for you to have your book published in Chinese. I am looking forward to your trip to Scotland. I went with my son for 4 days in September and fell in love with the country, The people couldn’t be more charming and the scenery is breath-taking.I wish I could have stayed longer to really see the country like you will be doing. You also need to rent a car to see all the backroads and small villages. I was hoping to get way up north where they still speak gaelic…..oh well, next trip. Have a great Thanksgiving. Sue
If a bookstore is listed as a stop in the last Willard, does that mean it is set already? I understood it, that we should still contact that store about our interest, but perhaps I haven’t had enough coffee. I will contact Left Bank Books if I need to do so.
Not yet, that is our wish list. I’ve already changed one thing, we won’t be going to Atlanta, instead, somewhere else, I’ll let everyone know soon. Yes on Left Bank Books, please, or Main Street Books in St. Charles . . . one or the other.
Done.
I am so in love with your first two books. I can’t wait for the next one.
I hope you’re getting to your Thanksgiving baking. We have so much to be thankful for … so blessed. Enjoy your friends and families, everyone! Hugs, Ethel
Can’t wait for the drawing. I love to share the holidays with you and yours it makes for a homey and happy holiday. Enjoy your turkey.. joyce
Thanks for another great newsletter. Love the pictures!
Movie!!!! Woohoo. YhT would be fun!! The Chinese version. My cousin lives in China. Maybe he can get me a copy if I am not a winner.. Thank you girlfriend. Happy Thanksgiving!!
How exciting for the Chinese book and how wonderful for you!
I love your ideas for the corks for place cards for NYE!!
Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful!
Hello Susan! Soooooooo glad to have found you again! I used to read your work each month in a magazine, I believe it was Counrty Living. Lost touch with the magazine and you while finishing college and starting a career in teaching. Just found you again on Facebook, yahoo!
Love your blog too!! I love love love your work! Keep it coming girl! Bonnie Moate
Oh my goodness…A Fine Romance is GORGEOUS in Chinese! You must be over-the-top thrilled! I’m not sure Gingerbread Tea would be a big seller in China (but what do I know?) I do know it would be a hit here in WA…we need lots of comfort to survive the gray rainy days, especially in my little kitchen. Tea and Pumpkin pie…heaven! Thank you for your generous giveaway…someone will be very Thankful!
I just received your new book for a gift of happiness. As my husband goes through cancer treatment, I am able to be thankful for all of life whether feast or famine. You r books have. Always been sunshine at just the perfect times…thank you!
Beautiful. Blessings on you both xoxo
Love ALL your plans for 2016!
Hope I can see you while on tour!
Hi Susan, I have been following you since your first book, Heart of the Home. And I still get excited hearing from you. I have every book and filled out two wedding books. One for my daughter and one for my son. So keep your books coming. I love them. Thanks,
Sandy
I absolutely love that picture of Orchard House. Totally dreamy! Happy Thanksgiving Susan. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful pictures & recipes. I’m dying to do some salmon Joe’s way. It looks scrumptious.
Thankful for so many things — especially friends like Susan M, who help me wind my way into, and around, such a fun blog! 🙂
I do not have one of your books, Susan, but I don’t know what I would do without your calendars. I started purchasing them in 2007, and I have kept every single one. Though I have never managed to find time to keep a journal, I enjoy taking out “old” years and reading all of the recorded events. I also use the previous year to make note of all the birthdays and anniversaries in the current year. On the first of each month, I sit in the early morning hours with coffee cup in hand, colored pens spread before me (denoting each member of my household) and read every word while mapping out the month’s events. Delightful! (I also have an electronic version of my schedule, but I will never give up on the old school kitchen calendar!)
Happy Thanksgiving, Sue!
Hello–maybe again. I tried posting somewhere else, but it didn’t seem to work. Here’s Take Two:
! I’ve been enjoying your blogs and also the latest Willard. Thank you for bringing your love and beauty and fun to all of us out here in Web-Land. I’m scurrying around getting my house ready for family arrivals and Thanksgiving. But I did take time to pre-order your new book–am very excited, but will patiently wait, as I know the wait will be worth it. I’ll look again through your blogs and the Willard, for decorating ideas that even an arthritic, ten-thumbed girlfriend like me can do. And, once again this season, I’ll be making your Famous, Fabulous Faux Cranberry Orange Marmalade and a batch of Cranberry-Apricot Holiday Chutney as gifts for family and friends. Everyone loves the Marmalade (and even I can make it), and the Chutney’s purty good (and easy-peasy) too. Now I’ll end, sending you and yours my wishes for very Happy Thanksgiving, filled with family, friends and great food !
I love the picture of Louisa May Alcott’s house!
Thank you for your sunshine and reminding us all of the love and joy still in the world!
Loving your posts…I also contacted Politics and Prose in Washington, DC…because I really, really, really , really want you to come to DC on this next book tour!!! Meeting YOU is on my bucket list, and has been for a very long time…ever since I missed your book signing at Border’s in Waldorf, Md. back in the 80’s! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Susan!
My bucket list includes Martha’s Vineyard. Some day. At least I have a girlfriend that shares. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving !!
Dear, dear Susan! I just wrote a long comment , and the computer ate it, somehow! I am so much a fuzzy, not a techie! Okay, I want to say that among the many things I am thankful for this holiday is YOU, and your art, and your blog! My dear dear friend of my life, Jenny, had you send ‘A Fine Romance’ to me, since she knew I was grieving for my mother, who had just passed away. I read it in 3 days and then lent it to another Anglophile friend ( there are a LOT of us!) who read it and then ordered a copy for herself. She returned it to me and I lent it to another Anglophile friend, who read it and instantly ordered a copy for herself, too! Then I somehow lost track of the book, because people who are recently bereaved often have trouble laying down memories! Today I found “A Fine Romance’ on a special shelf in the library. After I finished your book , I searched out your older books and created a special shelf near the books about England and English history! I get to start re-reading the book tonight! In the meantime, I bought and greatly enjoyed ‘Fairy -Tale Girl’ and I am pre-ordering “Isle of Dreams”. There is so much joy and happiness in your books and your art and your blog. Thanks for being you, and sharing with all of us! Suzette in Oregon, waiting for snow!
Thank you too Suzette! Humbling, I would have to say, and touching. xoxo
Love your blog.
Your books are an inspiration.
Sweet if you to say that Laura!
Chinese? What will be next? Most exciting indeed!
Love all the table settings, it seems many of us here have a thing for dishes! We always say the food tastes better when using cute dishes. We also believe it!
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I made place cards for Thanksgiving too! They have glittery trees on them. What fun:)
Here in Michigan we had our first snowfall and it makes me want to decorate for Christmas!! I am holding myself back as we are hosting Thanksgiving and certainly don’t want to confuse our guests! And it is suppose to all melt by mid week:(
Have a blessed Thanksgiving Susan, family and girlfriends!
Thanking you again Susan for your kind and loving words that give so much to all that read them!
So grateful for your optimism tonight, Susan! I’ve read both Willard and the Blog and feel light as a feather! -Judy
What a beautiful post! Your writing and the following of all the girlfriends across the world, with the comments and blessings outward and to one another remind me of the book, “The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering” by Sharon Mehdi…one by one the girlfriends do save the world. This is such a special place. We can never be thankful enough! Thank you, Susan. xo Kari
I love reading Willard. Thanks for sharing your story and talents.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan, enjoy all the day has to offer, make memories you can share with all of us later! Congratulations on completing the next book, looking forward to that.
Hi Everyone – wishing everyone a happy and healing Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving week – the preparations are just as fun as the day itself.
Joe’s Salmon looks soooooo yummy! I will be trying that recipe soon since we are ATTEMPTING to eat healthier these days! Bought Fairy Tale Girl for my daughter’s birthday and she read it in a day and half! Told her not to reveal anything!!!! She said I will love it and she loves you even more after reading it! Hoping to get it for Christmas (if I can wait that long). Maybe if I leave enough hints for my husband-haha! God’s blessings to you for a beautiful Thanksgiving and let us remember to pray for the safety of all during this busy time of year in these very trying times. Love, Mary
Hosting 30 for Thanksgiving! Grocery shopping finds me practicing my patience. Spotted Susan Branch 2016 calendar. Must have! Home now waiting for the whistle of my teapot as my china cup sits holding a pumpkin spice flavored teabag. Finding solace as I sink into a favorite over stuffed chair. Sipping tea and slowly skimming through January-December 2016. Thank you Susan Branch for the month of November as it states Heaven Is Being Home For The Holidays!”
oh I bought the new calendar too- love it- I haven’t opened it to see all the pictures yet- because I am going to wrap it up- its a Christmas Present to myself-so it has to be wrapped and put under the tree. I know- sounds silly, but I never have presents to open under my tree- I love Christmas and all that goes along with it- so this is my way of having a nice little celebration at home- with me and my 4 dogs.
I did that one year and loved it. I opened presents that I really wanted and was SO SURPRISED! 🙂
You fill my heart, wonderfully, Susan. Thank you for our visits.
I am delighted to see your book in Chinese! What a hoot! And they took such care to “get it right”! Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I wish you and Joe and your kitties a wonderful, warm, tasty Thanksgiving!
Kinokuniya is a Japanese bookstore that has locations around the world, and they have a really great Chinese section, as well as English and Japanese of course. They also sell online. So it would be great if you could get them to stock your books! ps. you made me so hungry for salmon, I so love it!
Susan– Your posts are always a treat! Thank you for a peek into the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard and life outside the big city. May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I’m enjoying your writings away up north in Alberta, Canada. Today I enjoyed Willard who makes me glad to sit with a lovely cuppa and join the gang of “Willardites”. It has been lovely getting to know you via book. Thanks for all the precious times and journeys.
I absolutely loved your latest book! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thank you for the lovely blog post! It always brightens my day!
It is snowing at my house this morning in central Oregon, but my mind is still with you and Joe on the Atlantic, going to England. AHHH! I am loving re-reading “A Fine Romance”! I managed to successfully pre-order your ‘Isle of Dreams’ book, too. Now to do the house and table and write up the schedule for Thanksgiving cooking day! Suzette
Hi Susan…I am SOOOO thankful for our beautiful country, beautiful sky and sunshine and so MANY other gifts that the good God has given us and a special thanks for you and for sharing your lovely life and talents UNLIMITED:-)))
God bless and keep us all…Toni from Sylvania OH
Thank you for sharing the Chinese version of A Fine Romance! So cute! They did a wonderful job!
Love the books and the mug! Very thankful for your blog. Drucye
I would love to be entered in your giveaway! 🙂 I do love reading your blog posts!! It’s one of my favorite things… The salmon looks wonderful.
I adore your blogs and especially this Thanksgiving one…I began a small list of my girlfriends to alert every time I discover you have posted something new……And I just must comment on your little cup of wine and champagne corks on your table……I have been single for some years early on dated a wonderful man who would write on the cork or corks we shared for the evening…..date and where we were or what we did……Over the years I had quite a collection of corks and would love to sit by the fire and go through them remembering the many good times….One day my mother came to visit and she always saw my home as an opportunity to dive in and just thoroughly clean what I may have neglected…….no questions asked……..So one sad day I walked in to find her with my kitchen sink filled with soap bubbles ad all my precious corks (which I had not been dusting on a regular basis) and she had scrubbed them clean….. ….Needless to say it was yet another tragedy I will not soon forget!
Thank you dear Susan and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your staff/family.
Kathleen
Many of ours are written on too! That really would be terrible ~ oh well, you’ll just have to make more memories!
I made Joe’s salmon recipe and it was the ‘bomb’!! We all loved it! So easy to do too, with just a few ingredients.
So cool to see your book in Chinese too! What a small world it truly is.
Oh Susan! How I’ve missed you and the Girlfriends! Our trip was WONDERFUL. This time it was just the 2 of us. Joe had a little scare just days before we left, but the doctor took a look and said “Go on your vacation with a clear mind!” Isn’t that just precious! So… we did!
Your give away sounds just marvelous!
So much had been happening for YOU and your sweet trilogy. What an early Christmas present 🙂
I’m now off to your next new blog!
XOXO
Georgie from NJ
“Just precious!” And wonderful and fabulous. xoxo
I absolutely adore your blog! I love all of your table settings! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful ideas with us! Happy Thanksgiving!
Don’t tell anyone. I’m at work and should be posting but, I couldn’t help but check on your blog for Thanksgiving, and It’s perfection as always and inspirational in a homey way. Thank you for your blog Susan! You always make me feel warm and fuzzy, in a best friend way. And I do have many girlfriends but few are as warm as fuzzy as you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, you and Joe and all your friends.
Dave and I go going up to Leakey Texas to spend the day with our daughter and her husbands family. They bought a cabin in the Hill Country of Texas. If you’ve never been to the Hill Country, may I offer a warm Texas invitation!
Love your books, your blog and all your beautiful works of art!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Susan,
Here’s wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season! Thank you for being such a genuine, sincere person. I feel like you are my kindred spirit, loving nature, treasured & timeless traditions, and embracing simplicity. You capture the simple things in life in your words and art and present them in the most beautiful of ways. I have been a huge fan, ever since I received my first cookbook of yours on my 12th birthday. You are a gem, and I only wish someday that I could meet you! Are you planning on coming to the Chicagoland area on your book tour?? I would LOVE to see you in the area! Thanksgiving blessings & hugs to you!
Always such a treat to find a blog to read! You inspire me to rush home and decorate and cook and get creative! Thanks for making me happy ~ Joanie
I’m 15 and I am a proud girlfriend! My grandma told me about you and I’ve been loving your blog ever since. 😘 I’m thankful for family, tea, books, Adele and the 6-week-old kittens we are fostering. Lots to be happy about! 💕
Love everything you do . . .Happy Thanksgiving Vienna! Kiss your Grandma for me!
Vienna , I am a 17 year old proud girlfriend too! It is so nice to here of other girls similar to my age who have found the joy of Susan Branch! Susan you really are a blessing to us!
This next book I’m writing is really, secretly, for you girls. xoxo
So sweet nice your telling each other
I love secrets!😊
Then this is YOUR time of the year! ♥️
Can’t believe I am 1899 in comments,,You are one popular lady!! with good reason,,Love all your table settings and homey pictures,,Love this season,,I am thankful for all of you,,,,,Judy
Almost missed the drawing…thank you so much for sharing your life with us. .. a blessed thanksgiving to you, Joe and family.
I thought of you when I read this post – it is a must-see – you are going to LOVE it! It’s full of glorious, idyllic photos of a walk along the English coast and inland a bit to the most charming villages. Like a mini-vacation! theanxiousgardener.com/2015/11/24/a-walk-from-seaford-to-berwick-station/
Wonderful! And especially because a few of the photos were recognizable to me! Thank you Liz.
What a lovely thought you left us with, that house in the snow is absolutely gorgeous!
Your blog and Willard letter are like a big warm hug..so lovely to read your plans and stories. I have been a fan of yours since I first found a copy of your Heart of the Home & Seasons combined cook book in Tuesday Morning….. Have a lovely holiday time !
I love all of your posts- I’m always so happy when there’s a new one! After reading this one I’m inspired to try to have beautiful table settings for the holidays. Your pictures are all beautiful! On a different note, I just finished reading a book that I think you’d like: “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It’s heart-wrenching at times, but I loved it, and I think you’d enjoy it, too.
Hi Susan!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for getting me to actually look forward to the approaching winter! lol! You are the queen of cozy! I started drinking tea and lighting candles last winter after reading your blogs! Oh and of course listening to 40s romantic music! You are such an inspiration! Thank you! I love reading your blog! I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! Best, Jackie
Always inspired when reading your posts! Love your table settings – so romantic!
Wishing you, Joe and the kitties a most joyful and restful Thanksgiving, Susan!
Teh book looks wonderful and how exciting, it’s like a who,e new world for them and you.. I have not had the pleasure of purchasing a fine romance yet but I do have the fairy tale girl and just love it I mentioned before read almost the whole book the day it arrived couldn’t put it down. I have purchased you scrap book and large Homemade recipe binder and love them I’m hoping to add my first photos this year. Just really exciting and it is nice they kept it pretty much the same or it would not be you… Love n hugs for a grand day Janice in S.F.
It’ been very warm in SoCal and Thanksgiving is around the corner! But I was put in the season’s cheer of all the things I am thankful for. I started to going through all recipes and I picked up your Autumn Book and I wondered “what is Susan doing in her kitchen with her Okeefe & Merrit Stove?”. Hehe, for now mine will have a pie crust that my son will bake for chocolate pie. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful home, I love your tablescapes. Happy Thanksgiving!
As a watercolorist, I love your paintings. My style is so different, but I love to delight in yours and how much pleasure you bring to others with your artistic vision.
Hi! Thank you so much for your posts, they’re so amazing and when I finally get a chance to read them they always brighten up my days.
Susan – delightful blog as always. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for sharing your art, writing and holiday decorating ideas with us…Reading your blog is always a treat! Hope you enjoy a very special Thanksgiving!
I’ve enjoyed your book, Fairy Tale Girl — finished it in 3 days.
I thoroughly enjoy your posts, especially the pictures.
Thank you for sharing with us.
I can’t wait to read your books.
Happy Thanksgiving and congratulations on your successes! When you are on your book tour I hope you can come to Reader’s Books in Sonoma or Copperfields in Petaluma or Napa, CA.
I adore your artwork, your quotes, your books, blog and newsletter!
My sister, Lisa, introduced me to you- as she just recently passed away- I wanted to let you know, that your work brings joy to people! Thanks for sharing with us!
Best Wishes to you and yours this Holiday Season!
Terri
Thank you Terri! I’m so sorry about Lisa. Sending love . . . xoxox
Such a great, long, fun post! Happy and blessed Thanksgiving Susan! We are all thankful for you and how you brighten our days!
I just love reading your blog…and how exciting to see your book in another language so others can enjoy your writing!
Thank you for sharing such lovely photos of your home. It feels like you are giving us a personal warm and welcoming tour! You inspire me with your homey touches such as your table settings. Love all the details. Happy Thanksgiving!!
When I’m feeling low or searching for inspiration, your site never fails to lift me, inspire me and give me new eyes to continue my day. God bless and enjoy Turkey Day totally….although
I suspect you will! 💕
Oh please do enter me in the two giveaways — would love for Vanna to pull my name. My boss (who is half my age — she just turned 30 and is pregnant with identical twin boys) is Chinese. I think she came to the states when she was around 9, but her parents live in a town not too far away from Birmingham, AL, and they still speak a great deal of Chinese. We even have some Chinese clients at our company because my boss speaks Chinese. Always enjoy your blog and Willard. They brighten my day. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Dear Susan,
Coming to visit your blog is like going to the neighbor’s house for a cup of tea. It’s delightful, interesting, and I always learn something new. Thank you!
Susan
HI Susan- and Joe,,,,,tomorrow is Thanksgiving day….and the weather here in Kentucky is nice- beautiful day….and not too cold….so that is good- of course I want to enter for the contest- ALWAYS!!! I am comment 1950- hahha- maybe that is a lucky number. I hope….
but I noticed when you were talking about Joe cooking – you called him Joe B. Hall- did you know here in Kentucky one of our famous basketball coaches is named Joe B. Hall….he was coach from 1972 until 1985. He was inducted into the SEC Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012….I just thought Joe might want to know that- we are really serious about our Basketball here in Kentucky!!!! ha!
I love your blog- Willard and all your books- I have pre-ordered of course….can’t wait on the next installment….your books just make me happy. I love to touch them- look at the paintings and feel the paper- so nice….but there is nothing like the feel of a good book. Just makes my heart happy.
Thank you – for making my heart happy…. best wishes sent your way. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and all your family and friends.
oh Susan- I want your dishes- the pink ones! LOVE THEM!@!@!
I’ll tell Joe about the other Joe! You make my heart happy too Kathy! Thank you!
Oh my, so much to take in. Just read Willard and 2 blog posts. They are all delightful.
I will have to see if I can fit the Chinese version in my budget. We had a Chinese family live with us for 6 years. What a delight it was. I would love one for Rose.
Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
I’ve been super busy this past week to comment, but I wanted to squeak in a go at the giveaway! Which is awesome, just like the Willard and blog posts! That salmon looks delicious as well. Congrats on the Chinese publishing of A Fine Romance, it’s such a good book! Tomorrow I’m making your “Grandma’s stuffing” recipe (I made your cranberry sauce recipe yesterday) I must confess, it’s my personal favorite on the Thanksgiving table! Many thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sarah B
Love to receive your Willard’s …now on emails. I used to receive them as old fashioned mail a while back. You have such beautiful letter writing, artwork, quotes to cut out or memorize, and recipes that tempt me. And your books are wonderful. We live in MN and are preparing the Thanksgiving menu items for the feast tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving, Susan and Takk!
Same to you Charlotte, hope it was a good one!
Good evening Susan……just wanted to let you know how inspiring you are in helping me with all my preparations for Thanksgiving Day. It has been a busy few days ….almost finished my dining room table settings including help from my three year old grandchildren’s place cards……we did their hand prints and made them into turkeys with of course colorful feathers and each person’s name ……can’t wait for everyone to see them tomorrow! I want to send along some special thanks on this Thanksgiving Eve for all that you do for all of us who follow you along your path of life …..THANK YOU…..that’s all I can say!! You have no idea how much you make our days!! Love you and thanks again!! A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
How darling! I’m sure they were the hit of the day! xoxo Thank you Trisha!
I can’t wait to place an order with Louie and try Joe’s salmon recipe. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I love reading all the comments!
Susan, Joe and all of her staff have shared their lives so generously over the years. I am grateful for finding your site–and all of your books, sayings, photos etc.
How happy and excited with anticipation am I? On this very special day for America I have just placed my order for Susan’s forthcoming new book Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams, woohoo!! So looking forward to the next instalment winging its way across the pond. Happy Thanksgiving girlfriends, may this day be a blessing to you and all those you hold dear.
With love to Susan and Joe from Ann in Chester xx
Love to hear from you Ann! Thank you so much!
Thankful to be virtually sharing the Thanksgiving holiday with Susan Branch, an inspiration for life and creative joy!
Thank you Susan, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!