Since we’re all going to be busy these next few days, I thought I’d wait until after Thanksgiving to draw the name of our lucky winner and 
make sure everyone has had time to sign up for our Giveaways (there are two, scroll down to next post to read about them) ~ this allows everyone to BE the actual winner for a little bit longer. Until the bitter truth is revealed by our in-house bitter-truth revealer, Vanna, when she draws the winning name. Until then, maybe a blog filled with photos of all kinds of holiday decorating? And MUSICA?
But first off, speaking of honey. Look at us, we’ve got almost 1800 comments on the last post and everyone of them is a pure jewel.♥ If you ever feel sad about the world, which is easy to do these days, read the comments on this blog and it will cheer you up. I sit here and cry when I read your 
words of encouragement and kindness ~ you’ll never know ~ and when I read that you’re waiting for a tornado to pass, that you’re raising three rowdy boys and a husband, that you have Chinese friends, or you are Chinese, that you are from everywhere, Mexico, Germany, England, The Netherlands, that you have tea parties for your girlfriends and read to your moms. You are true Fairy Tale girls, getting through surgery, new knees and chemotherapy; nursing, celebrating and remembering loved ones, sharing 
the things that make you feel grateful, cuddling your pets and your children, watching old movies for strength (Little Women makes the MOST wonderful background sounds while you are rolling out pie crust btw), laughing about how your daughters race to change the calendar page each month. You stop mopping the floor to read Willard, you love Gingerbread tea, and you send blessings to each OTHER ~ yes, you do that ~ you even talk Arf and Arfy to me now. Your Christmas cookbooks have magazine articles tucked into them, you love Louisa May 
Alcott, you love wearing your elf charm with the card that says: Go. Be. Love. The World Needs You. And that’s just the beginning of the beauty of YOU.♥ Thank you so so SO much. You reaffirm my forever belief that the world is filled with wonderful, good-hearted, loving people. If you need any reaffirming yourself, I encourage you to read these comments. And leave one yourself, if you haven’t already. All comments from these two posts will be entered into the drawing. Oh yes, and thank you from the bottom of my pea pickin’ heart. I wob you too.
Now, down to business Girlfriends: let’s talk about tablecloths and silverware, place cards and table settings, shall we? (Would like to Un-invent spell check, so far we have table scares and silver wipes.)
Here is my dining room on a relatively calm day. No big projects on the table, but you can see it’s the holidays because I have paperwhites on the window sills. The calm before the storm.
This was a table setting for New Year’s Eve a few years back . . . champagne corks for place cards . . . and old books, and old glassware I’ve collected over the years.
And here I am thinking about tablecloths and bread baskets . . .(for some reason I’ve been singing this song all week, now it will be your turn!)
And here is Girl Kitty trying out the tablecloth . . . Oh yes, I have lots of help! Don’t think I do any of this all by myself.
And here is the table set for Thanksgiving. I use all our mix-and-match smaller chairs in order to get more people around the table . . . two at each end, so we can serve 14 here. I like it best when people are a little bit squashed together. The party is more lively that way! Secrets can be told! And little bouquets, all the way down the table, so no one has to peer through flowers.
You all know what a china and linen fiend I am, just like so many of you! It’s the never-ending quest for beauty. I love setting the table more than I love cooking! The cooking is the support system for the table setting!
The painting is the support system for the cooking. It’s all tied together.♥
We have three “eating places” inside the house. This table is in the living room, for when it’s pouring snow and when we want to have a small cozy dinner in front of a crackling fire.
Here it is, all draped and ready, pillows on the chairs for a comfy dining experience. You’ll note that I don’t really care if everything matches perfectly. The red tablecloth on the bottom, by the way, is an old bedspread.
Here we are in the kitchen for a casual dinner and no tablecloth, with napkins that don’t have to be ironed. But the candles are lit, the cute bread basket is there, the mugs I got years ago at Dansk in Carmel, the iron candle sticks I found in an antique store, and the heavy pottery pieces I bought way back when, done by Santa Margarita (CA) artist Paula Teplitz in the 1970s. You wouldn’t believe how I would haunt craft shows looking for her work. I found everything one piece at a time. Each is different and all depict animals and nature.
Oh my! I just decided to Google her and see if she was still around. And she is! Go here and “like” Paula . . . this will be a total surprise for her! I don’t think she knows how much I loved her things and still do. ♥
I still set the table with Paula’s creations. Or bake pies in them.
Speaking of setting the table ~ This is how my grandmother taught me to do it at Thanksgiving when I was little, except in those days it was much simpler, only one fork, not two, and one glass and the one glass was for MILK (mmmm, a big glass of ice cold milk? YUM! I can hear the eeeewes from here). And the napkin goes on the left.
Sometimes I get so excited to take the picture, I do it before I should. Here I’ve already lit the candles (on the bedspread) while I’m trying out glasses. Ignore the napkin placement, it doesn’t stay that way . . . thank you.
See? Sooner or later I do figure out where the napkin goes! I love a romantic, old-fashioned table, one that brings back memories we’ve maybe never even had.
You’ve probably noticed, candlelight makes everything more beautiful. BTW, be sure to take photos of your table. I’m often so busy I forget, and now I wish I had them all! (See Girl Kitty, under the table?)
Candlelight puts a twinkle on everything at the table including into the eyes of the people you love. And of course, don’t forget the MUSICA.
And of course, I’m a big one for quotes, no matter where I am!
I think books make the MOST interesting table decorations and use them all the time, this is a set of Shakespeare we found in an antique store (I must sound like a broken record, but the truth is we rarely buy anything new). The corks are from other memorable parties. I’ll tell you about 
those leather baby shoes in my new book Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams . . . I found them in my first house, they’re part of a magical mystery. You realize that I’ve told you all about what happened before I went to Martha’s Vineyard, and lots about after I got here in my books and on my blog, but not very much about the five interesting years after I first arrived on the Island in 1982, totally unprepared for pretty much everything, and until I met Joe in 1987. We’re about to change all of that. In words and pictures.
Oops, books. As decor. Yes . . .
Thanksgiving is a good time to evoke memories with cookbooks and an old recipe box. Little bowls of faux fruit and wooden spoons, why not? As I always say, shop the house for table decor.
This romantic setting was for a Valentine’s Day party.
All books work: Christmas books, old fairy tale books, 
garden books, books on tea, bird books, 
children’s books, books of poetry, wildflower books, books by favorite authors, even songbooks ~ all make wonderful companions at the dinner table.
We use this old set of Charles Dickens for Christmas (plus some of Joe’s childhood books).
Old Christmas books are perfect in front of the fire for a Christmas Tea. You can see them here, emitting comfort from their very presence.
They also fit well with my small collection of house candles . . . because ♥ home is where my heart is.♥
And now? Place cards . . . just a few little easy ideas . . . because place cards are a very nice thing to have. That way people know where to go, no bumbling around the table. Something I did once for a buffet but unfortunately did not take pictures of: I enlarged cute and funny pictures of all the guests on my copier and used them for place mats instead of place cards. When they came to the table with their filled plates, they knew just where to go.
So easy if you are a champagne-cork saver . . . This way all your past memories join with the ones you’ll be making at the dinner table.
They almost make themselves. I just used scissors with a decorative edge (from Michaels Crafts) to cut out the cards and the wires on the corks did the rest of the work.
Leaves, from the yard. Beyond easy, almost cheating. I used a whiteout pen to write Joe’s name on this nice thick rhododendron leaf.
And they can be small and simple . . . A watercolor brush and readable handwriting is all you need for this little card. I try to write the names big enough and dark enough so people can see them without their glasses!
Now of course, you need the fastest way possible to shine up the silver, right? You really don’t feel like sitting there all day polishing it piece by piece . . . so here’s what you do. (Click and be amazed.)
And maybe your wooden spoons are dried out and almost splintery looking? Can’t have that. So easy to keep them dark and buttery . . . Use a pasty brush to coat the wood with mineral oil ~ let it soak in and voila! You can read more about your wooden things HERE. P.S. My dad carved the Sue spoon.♥
Most of the time, my house is decorated rather simply, unless it’s the holidays or we are having a party. The living room, in real life, is almost naked.
I change pillows and quilts for the season and leave room for flowers. It’s a little like a movie set.
Because flowers change everything.They are really the only decoration you need. Maybe some nice votives too.
A little bouquet here and there cheers everything up, don’t you think?
My bread basket cheers me up too. I found it at a flea market, zeroed in on it, mine, so mine. It is the little things! Now, don’t think you have to do ALL of this, or even any of it. Mostly, you know, it’s just about the gravy. And having fun. And hugging the people you love. Now, a couple of last things before I go, something you should all be aware of ~ There are:
And let’s talk about Black Friday, which is the perfect day for a stroll in nature. . .and if not a stroll, then perhaps a little sit. How they ever made the day after Thanksgiving dedicated to spending money I will never understand. So, turn your Black Friday into Earth Green . . .
This is the perfect place to pray for our world because even the smallest voice can be heard from here. How can people fight over television sets in discount stores when there is this?
and this ~
and this?
XOXO With love forever from me to you . . .from this House of Creativity to yours . . . now about to celebrate its 166th Thanksgiving.♥
P.S. For anyone who might have missed WILLARD (with all the newest news), click there. And if you’d like to have Willard emailed to you in the future, click here to sign up.♥
Oh, Susan you do inspire me so very much. Love the table settings, I use my mother’s china during November because it is the color of fall, then I change to the Christmas china in December. Very festive and it puts me in the mood for the holiday. I will be using several of your ideas for table settings, very fun. Thank you very much for the inspirational photos, words, and love.
Thank you Susan for all the lovely photos, you inspire me to write my Children’s books to setting my table. By the way, love you music choices. Especially today, I went to Woodruff High School in Peoria, IL with Dan Folelberg, your music artist playing. Dan was in my art class, he was a big deal in high school as well.
I miss him, especially his New Years Eve song, that was a true story.
God Bless and Rest in peace Dan.
Love you, and all that you do to share your life. You warm my heart. <3
Am I entered in the contest now? Hope I win, I have never won anything. Xoxo
I hope you do too Barbara!
Hi Barbara! I also loved Susan’s music choice today! Growing up near you in Pekin, Dan Fogelberg has always been one of my favorites too!! When I was in high school, his Dad was the band teacher at PCHS. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
That is so great!
I’ve been married 49 1/2 years. We lost a lot of things before XMAS last year due to water and mold invading our home. I lost books on table settings and this new blog is wonderful. We are going to a town soon that is all antiques and look forward to finding great fines as you suggest. Enjoy Christmas and New Years.. The future is always fun to look forward to.
Susan, your table looks beautiful! — all set for your Thanksgiving meal and guests. I know you love dishes, and I do, too. It’s hard to resist them sometimes when you’re browsing in shops because they’re so pretty. My husband and I were out yesterday doing just that, and I came upon a 16 piece set of 2-handled cream soup bowls and saucers for $35. I showed them to my husband and he said why don’t we buy them, but I didn’t want to spend the money because I said I already have a lot of of nice dishes. So I continued on looking at other things in the shop. A few minutes later what do I see — there he was walking past me with those soup bowls! He said for that price if I break them, it won’t matter! And I guess he’s right about that. And they are really beautiful and I used some last night. Yes, he’s a nice guy! Susan I hope you and Joe, kitties and all your guests have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! Sharon xxoo
You have a good one! Tell him we said hello! xoxo
That is a good man…….A MIGHTY GOOD man!!
What a good guy! Such a loving and thoughtful gesture.Thanks for sharing your story. Here’s to your husband and all the men who are such gems!
I have been looking for that path to walk here in my hometown of Porterville, CA. No ocean surprise but lots of trees, mountains, and foothills. I don’t know if I long for the beautiful surroundings you experience or the time to enjoy them! Either way, I am on a quest!!!! Happy Holidays to all of you!!!
Dear Susan,
What a wonderful post! I will be decorating my table with books for the next holiday meal. Always an inspiration this blog is my go to when I need fuel for my imagination. P.S. I savored your book only allowing myself just so many pages a day so it would last longer never ever peeking forward . You have touched me with your honesty. AND MORE TO COME be still my heart! Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S.
The name of the Dan Fogelberg song I love most is “Same Old Lang Syne.”
Dan’s girlfriend looked like “Kim Kardashian”.
Happy Thanksgiving! Love you, have a wonderful evening. God Bless.
Such a beautiful, uplifting post Susan! I love every entry in your blog and envy your talents and positive spirit! Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for brightening our lives!
Such a lovely post – all of it – from table settings to silver polishing. And then at the end, the best of all – why has no one ever said it quite as forthrightly as you – turning Thanksgiving into a financial free-for-all is a sacrilege. The words of Gladys Taber were the most wonderful conclusion to all the beauty contained here. Thank you, Susan. You make my heart happy and fill my spirit to overflowing and hope – yes, spending time on these pages with you is one great reaffirmation of hope and happiness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hello Susan! Oooooooooooooh my goodness, all of your centerpiece ideas, and place cards are awesome!!!! Your creativity makes my head spin with possibilities!!!! Oh Susan, I have similar brown baby shoes from my Great Aunt Tillie, who was born in 1897, the leather is quite worn, but those tiny side buttons are all there. I never thought of spotlighting them on old books, as a centerpiece……so special!!! I can’t wait to hear of the magical mystery of those antique shoes in your second book!!!! I also have my aunt’s grammar school autograph book that all of her classmates signed with little poems way back in 1911…….even little dried flowers in between pages. (Most were written in English, some in Czech.)You have the knack Susan!!!! I love your old photo of your home when it was newer, it truly must be a keepsake for you and Joe. Do you know of any ghosts that reside there with you? Just was curious, as we stayed at a very old Bed & Breakfast in Lexington, Michigan several years ago, and it was haunted!!!! (My favorite centerpiece of all is Girl Kitty sprawled so comfy upon your white tablecloth, all cuddled up!!!!) Oh Susan, what would we do without you!!!! Your posts are golden!
I dearly love your blog with all the decorations and kitties. So heartwarming. Would love to visit Martha’s Vineyard some day. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and kitties.
A hug of appreciation to you, Susan! Your blog brought a grin to my face, a laugh-out-loud moment( 4 stages of life), and a sweet feeling of “ain’t life grand?”. How can I convey to you all you give to me? My heart is full and you remind us all how love, loving attention to detail, nature and beautiful spaces can lift our hearts and make us believe that anything is possible.
As the Lovin Spoonful sang “Do you Believe in Magic?”…yes I do, because of you!
May you and those you hold dear have a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Chris
What a treat for me to have two blogs and a Willard to read this afternoon! Will be pre-ordering the new book and also getting the gingerbread tea, which sounds soooooo yummy!
ALL I CAN SAY…….READING YOUR BLOG, ALWAYS GROUNDS ME.
THANK YOU……P.S. I just got a rescue puppy…that looks just like Jack!!
Since it is starting to be crunch time for the holiday, this will be brief. This Thanksgiving I will be including you in my list of what to be thankful for…..your blogs/emails have often brought joy and light on some of my gloomiest days. Funny how you know when to post. So thank you, Susan. May God bless you and Joe.
Elaine, my sentiments, exactly. Susan is the gift that keeps on giving.
🙂 xoxo
Dear Susan, I was so happy to see a new blog! I dont think I have ever CRIED yet when reading one…..until this one! I still feel a bit teary-eyed because it was so beautiful and funny and inspirational. Thank you for sharing so much. This one brought me back to when I was growing up and we all went to my Grandmother’s ….two of them….for each holiday…for each giant meal. Actually, my father’s wife also had parents we visited for yet a third meal…..ususally the night before a holiday. Thankfully I was young, skinny, and could eat my three brothers and father under the table…lol. One Grandmother always had everything so formal and elegant, and the other was more formal, but casual too. Anyhoo…I dont have a formal dining room in my house now, so I have decided to adopt yours for myself! It is simply beautiful….your entire house looks gorgeous! 🙂 I just appreciate so much how you decorate and set the table, and squish the beautiful chairs together ….and light the candles etc. LOVE IT! Oh, and my very fav. of all of your dinner sets has to be the unique pottery you use in your kitchen. I fell in love with those! I loved everything about this blog….it made me so happy I cried! lol. Have a wonderful, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! xoxoxo
Makes me just that happy to hear that Diane!
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Yarfou arfare marfy arfinsparfirarfatarfion
YES, “over” is arfovarfer and you did all of this PERFECTLY!
Tarfhe tarfeacharfer arfin marfe jarfust garfave marfysarfelf arfan arfA
Plarfus . Harfave farfun carfookarfing🍂🍁
Arfo Karfay.
Susan;
Thank you once again for an inspiring blog. Love all the table setting. Totally agree with you about the Black Friday thing. Definitely staying home in the Peace and Quiet.
So happy you share your world!
oOnce again, I have enjoyed myself reading your blog and looking at all the beautiful visuals. The music of course; quite lovely! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Love the tiny box of “Secret Notes” I ordered a few weeks ago. Are they all gone? I’ve already used soooo many in cards and notes to friends. I want MORE please. Saving the precious box for my 4 year old granddaughter.
We’ll probably get more, write to Sheri at [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ and tell her you need them!
So happy to read your latest post! Such beautiful pictures of decorating , and I love the dinnerware!
What a great idea using a blanket for a tablecloth and layering it!
Susan, YOU make my day cheery and bright. Reading your blog gives me the feeling of being a most welcomed guest in your lovely home. We carve out little moments in this kaotic world we live in and reading your blog is my happy, sweet moment when I have faith in the goodness of people. Thank you for doing what you do! You do your part to make this world a better place! Happy thanksgiving to you and Joe and may your turkey be delicious!
I remember one Thankgiving it was just my husband and children and everyone was scattered throughout the house. Me in the kitchen. Hub upstairs watching the game. My boys playing xbox. No company, no excitement. I was still making a nice turkey dinner and I decided to set the table with the good china, crystal flutes, silver and my good linens. And candles. Everything had a glow as afternoon drifted into dusk. My husband finally made his way downstairs sniffing out food and stopped short when he turned the corner into the dining room. He was surprised I went to all the trouble for just us. Unbeknownst to me as I finished cooking, he rounded up the kids, and they all changed out of their sweats and came to dinner dressed in honor of the celebration. Might have been one of my favorite Thanksgiving celebrations. It wouldn’t have happened just so had I not set a lovely table. Have a blessed Thanksgiving , Susan! Xo t
That is BEAUTIFUL Thea. Just a wonderful story.
Thea, Thank you for sharing your lovely family Thanksgiving memory. The picture of you gifting your family with the most beautiful table and all-out traditional feast, and your family dressing their best to honor you and show you their appreciation in a way they knew you would love is now a memory I will treasure, too. The best we have to give is never ‘too good’ for our families. God’s blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving. xo Christie
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your kin, Susan and all the girlfriends. I’m busy shopping my house for all my very old Christmas decorations (and I have lots!) to decorate for the season. I was inspired by our recent visit to the National Christmas Museum in the Lancaster area of PA. Everything you remember as a child about Christmas is there. What a place! And thank you, Susan, for another inspirational blog. You hit the mark again. Jersey hugs to you…..
Susan, you and your wonderful talents of romance and beauty and homemaking and love, and gentleness, and cooking have made my life better.. Reading your blog, Willards, books, looking at your painting, and writing, have provided something I didn’t even know I needed. Sorta like a sister would do. I am 74 years young. I enjoy my home and children, and husband and church and friends and family…..And the things you paint and discuss. Your photos have brightened my life. Etc. Etc. Etc. We gals out here in the world vote for you to live in the white house. Has Joe considered running for president? He better not, because we would vote him in.
Next life. 🙂
Hello, dear Susan!
I am busily planning for the holiday week ahead! Our older two boys will both arrive home to us on Tuesday (they each only live in other parts of MA but we miss their faces daily nonetheless!)…and then Hubby and I will have a few nights when all 4 of our peeps are back under one roof again…..and there is no greater peaceful sleep than on nights like that! When children grow and go….that becomes the sweetest treasure! We are entertaining many here for the holiday so it will be lots of excitement and hustle and bustle….and then we break out into Christmas mode come Friday! Thanks for always being about joy and kindness – the world certainly needs you….that is for sure! I am grateful for you! Wishing you and all of those you love a bountiful Thanksgiving and continued blessings. xo
Ahhhhhh., Susan! It feels so good to read your latest post: relaxing, inspiring, positive, and comforting. In your beautiful way you always remind us of “possibilities”. No matter what’s going on, it is “possible” to create an atmosphere of delight no matter how simple or elaborate. A few extra touches at the dinner table can do wonders. I’ve always known this, and once in a while even I need reminding. Thank you!
Love the table setting ideas and the old photo of your house! We have an old photo of ours that was passed on when we bought it. We treasure it! Happy Thanksgiving from Missouri!
Hi Susan,It;s late Sunday and you just made my weekend calm!! Love the table settings,saw two bowls like what I have. The tan ironstone with blue and pin stripe,this makes my day. I collect old ironstone bowls and this gave us something in common . Bed time calling HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and JOE have a GREAT DAY.!!!!!
..
Thank you for taking us on a tour of your beautiful tables, place settings and some of your collections! This past Saturday I taught my step daughter the art of lefse making, gotta keep those Norwegian holiday traditions alive for the future generations 💕 We made enough lefse for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Looking forward to Friday, Minnesota is promoting the out of doors…free admittance to all the state parks, great opportunity to hike away some of those extra calories consumed over Thanksgiving!
Susan!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Having emerged from a cozy, hot bubble bath this evening, after spending my day, twinking and twanking away in my little house preparing for Thanksgiving, it was a purely beautiful end to my day, reading your blog, and REPEATEDLY, gazing at your lovely photos!!! I have already pulled many of my beloved old books from here & there, trying to recreate your wonderful idea. Thank you for your sharing, your love, your heart, your home, your support! Are we not just the most fantastically blessed & amazing group of women, forever connected to each other, thanks to you! Happiest of Thanksgiving everyone♡♡♡
My heart is on Cape Cod. Wish I lived next door to you. Love your creativity. Share your love of cozy, comfy and mixing things up—dishes, decor, books and all things collectible.
Besides you, two of my other favorite Cape authors are Gladys Taber and Scott Corbett whose book titled We Chose Cape Cod I picked up in Orleans at Parnassus bookstore many years ago and have read countless times. I love your illustrations and cherish your reminders of living and loving a kinder and more gentle lifestyle, appreciative of nature and the Creator.
When life gets too busy, your art and quotes encourage me to push the pause button and utter a prayer of thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving Susan. Stay on the path.
I adore all your table settings! I love that people still try and set a pretty table. That is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. And I love how you use “found” items to make them special for each event. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving! Kit
🍗🍗🍷🍾
Every year at Thanksgiving I take out the kids’ Thanksgiving artwork from 25 yards ago and put out on my sideboard along with other treasured holiday turkeys and pilgrims..
So very thankful this year to be with family and friends (furry and others) for this, my favorite holiday.
The best to you, dear Susan, Joe, kitties and others!
Dear Susan, I don’t leave comments very often but just had to tell that your posts are so nostalgic for me. My great-aunt Elsie was a lot like Gladys Taber and I spent quite a bit of time with her while growing up. It was then while pretty young that I got my love for Blue Willow dishes and what I think of as cozy rooms, cozy furniture and when I think of furniture I think of checking out the Antique shops where most of my “stuff” has been found. We always had large family gatherings for every holiday and family picnics in between but one of the most memorable for me was seeing Aunt Elsie carrying in the turkey on a large platter with a huge smile. Thanks for all things Aunt Elsie and Susan Branch. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe. Love your blog and “Willard”. XXXOOO
2 give-a-ways!!! WOW! what fun! well in one word…..YUM! Soooo spot on during this wonderful time of year as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Your use of this word, YUM, is now part of my world with a prominent place in my kitchen. It makes me smile!! HappyThanksgiving!!!!
Your whole post was wonderful! The comment that stood out to me was, “brings back memories we’ve maybe never even had.” This Thanksgiving I’m remembering beautiful parts of my past and planning for new memories in the future.
You really are such a bright light, Susan! Thanks for bringing a smile to my face and getting me in a very Thanksgiving mood!
Another beautiful, warm, inviting tour of your past and present memories of your beautiful, traditional holidays. Thank you for sharing and “Happy Thanksgiving”!
Dear Susan,
Seeing an email from you always lifts my spirit and this particular one is no exception. I am so thankful you are willing to share your life with so many, including me. When I asked my daughter what she would like for Christmas, there was no hesitation…”Anything from Susan Branch!” So, my shopping has been done on your website and I just know she will be pleased beyond words. Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan, I love setting the table more than cooking, too! Mixing antique pieces, linens, candles, and flowers is endless fun. Special books also decorate our table so often throughout the year. I try to photograph the table for special occasions. I have a special album filled with tea party memories ~ the table settings, guests, and the menus. ‘Tea for Two’ are my favorite gatherings! It makes me so happy to look back and remember. Each Thanksgiving, I begin writing in our Christmas Memories (book two). It’s such fun to celebrate the small moments that make the entire Christmas season (with all of our family birthdays!) extra sweet.
Sending hugs to you and Joe this Thanksgiving!
Love,
Dawn (in Illinois)
P.S. So curious about the mystery of the leather baby shoes!! 🙂
Can’t wait to tell you . . . there’s so much actually! Horrible to have to keep it to myself! Not normal! 🙂
We both share old house love. There are often wonderful secrets that come with old homes. Maybe the baby shoes are one of these kind of secrets???? 🙂 All will be revealed in the Springtime! ♡ Thanksgiving Blessings & hugs!
Susan,
I just had the conversation with my daughter today after yet another experience at church of all places encountering mean women. I was in tears not understanding people and not wanting to be on the same planet as mean people anymore. I sat down and read your blog, again it was exactly what my soul and heart needed. You are so many things to so many people. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. Thank you for your beautiful words and art, your photographs, and Joe, thank you for sharing your life with us. I hope you can feel a sliver of the love we have for you and the beautiful ways you fill our lives each day. The world brings me more joy because of what you share with us and who you are.
Blessings of thankfulness to you from Sharon, xoxoxoxoxo
I feel more than a sliver, and I’m happy you do too. Lucky, we have each other! xoxo
Book People, Austin (deep in the heart of) TEXAS, has been liked ✅ But Texas is a very big state! You will need to stop at least one or two more places in Texas!
I just received my autographed copy of Fairytale Girl, and I have already read more than half of it.! And it is wonderful. Just as good as I knew it would be.
Love your autumn pictures!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Your emails are the highlight of my day. Thanks for sharing your delightful tablescapes. I can smell the gravy from here. I’ll see you Thursday……….;)
What a wonderful blog to read on such a rainy Sunday in November! You bring sun and coziness to all! Would love to stop by for a cup of tea and honey.You make my day.Thanks for all you do for the world.You motivate me to enjoy the little special moments each day,the beauty of nature in all seasons……. MJ
Such sweet sentiments, Susan, about your girlfriends from far-flung places who have one thing in common–you, our own Susan Branch, who continue to pop into our lives with your characteristic warmth and winsome words. 🙂 You really do represent the best of the Heart of the Home, you know!
We love the glimpses you give us of your and Joe’s life on Martha’s (Ha! I remembered!), and for taking us along with you, whether you’re riding the rails, luxuriating on an ocean liner, or signing autographs and/or exploring autumn in the Fine Romance van.
I love the photos of your dining tables dressed up in your favorite things! You have such a knack at selecting commonplace treasures to set a stunning table. And books? As part of the table setting? I’ve never thought of doing that, but now I will! I imagine that all of your guests must want to linger at your table for more conversation and relaxed banter, long after savoring your marvelous cooking. I don’t know about you, but I think the best conversations are those that are sandwiched between dinner and dessert around a candlelit table.
That quote about having nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful, I love that. I think I need to go through everything I’ve squirreled away over the 22 years I’ve been in this house and do a little sorting to benefit the Salvation Army! It’s officially winter for us, due to the 8″ of snow that fell yesterday, so I have lots of time now to do that sorting.
I’m with you on Black Friday–and what a horrible name for the day after Thanksgiving! If there’s one place I don’t want to be it’s with masses of people trampling each other to get a waffle maker for $4.99!! I appreciate your suggestion of the sane alternative of getting out in nature, and, yes, we can all do with a lot more playing and praying instead of all that $paying$!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Susan!
🙂 Sara 🙂
Just a reminder, we ALWAYS have a choice. Being mindful of our choices and choosing well helps to make a life we will love. Susan, your choices are inspiring to me and, reading the comments, to others also. Thanks for being you and for helping us all to feel connected. Blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, for you have been giving joy and hope to all of us – thank you.
Fun to see your preparations and inspirations. I tend to do things on the fly, so it is good to get myself in the right frame of mind.
I have that little set of Shakespeare’s plays too, love them. They are tied up with ribbon in my art room – just looking at them is fun.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan, hope you & your family have a wonderful weekend. I love your table setting helper, looks like a little sweetie.
Blessings,
Ruth
Susan, I am so jealous! But in a good way. I have had to downsize into a small 520 sq. ft. Apt, no room for anything, so my little place looks like a museum but no room to create. I so badly want to be your neighbor! We are so very much alike, all your interests, collections, ideas jaunts are right up my alley! But I will settle for your blog and Willard, it is all so much fun. I am so happy you found your Joe! May God bless you and yours and keep you safe always. Happy Holidays! And thank you so very much for sharing all your creative gifts with all of “us”. Love YSIC, Lyern
Susan, I was sooooo excited to read in Willard that movie rights to your books are being requested!! Oh, my goodness!! Wouldn’t that be so awesome!! Wowee!
I can’t believe how cute Girl Kitty looks playing in your tablecloth! What a good kitty, to be so helpful!
Your dining room looks so very lovely and English! My favorite magazine is The English Home, and one thing I notice is that English homes have lots of wallpaper! I love it!
Thank you so much for all your Thanksgiving and Christmas table decorating hints. They are all so wonderful!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe, with lots of love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA xoxo
I think I was born loving wallpaper!
Just lovely! Thank you so much for those beautiful photos and sweet words. Such a treat. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving full of good friends and yummy goodies!
Just feel so good after reading your blogs. I’m home a lot with my two four-legged grandchildren and don’t get to interact a lot with people, although I’m very sociable. You’re so real, warm, and personable, and make a person feel good! When are you coming to Iowa City again? You were here before promoting your delightful book about your adventures in England with your charming Joe. Are you familiar with Beth Howard, the “Pie Lady” who lived in the American Gothic House for four years? She has written two books, one is a cookbook of pie recipes. She now lives in L.A. She’s a writer and also travels around the country and world teaching people how to make pies. She’s originally from Iowa like your Mother. I’m thinking of using my grandmother’s quilt as a table cloth for Thanksgiving this year. I just love all of your creative ideas for table settings and decorating. Also, have you seen the Netflix documentary about the very original and stylish 94-year old former interior designer, and style maven? She’s amazing, too. Just like you! Have a wonderful New England Thanksgiving with your dear husband and friends!
How I loved seeing all the table ideas! I’m so excited that I’ll be hostingThanksgiving dinner for my MN family after being away for several years. I have been collecting dishes piece by piece for years, as well as books from antique stores, but my tables have never looked as glorious as yours. Would you believe I picked up Turkey paper plates?! I’m not sure what I was thinking. Other than those vintage plates seem so small and they don’t look like they would mix and match so well together. No matter. Thank you for all your inspiration, and I wouldn’t think of shopping on Friday or Thanksgiving night either! Cheers!
LOL, yes, you made me laugh about the turkey paper plates!!! Too cute!
I enjoy all of your posts, but this one especially touched my heart. And I loved your quote “cooking is the support system for the table setting”. 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! xox
Three beautiful quotes for your future books: (!!)
“It’s the never-ending quest for beauty…”
“I like it best when people are a little bit squashed together…”
“…one that brings back memories we’ve maybe never even had…”
Thank you for inviting me into your lovely and hospitable home… Happy birthday, House of Creativity!!!
Well…I have some news…I am 67 and have never lived…(in my entire life) in a house longer than 5 years..and I have hated that. Even when I was little I can remember getting attached to a house and then we’d move. I would get a house fixed just the way I’d like it and…something would happen and we would move. My husband was a pilot in the air force and after we got out he went into the wood industry…blah, blah blah. But now…ironically, we are moving next door to the first house we bought and this will be the last house and I will never have to move again. We are completely renovating it. It was built in the twenties and is loaded with charm and very quaint. I have had studios as small as a closet…anywhere I can put one and now I have a bedroom that will be all mine..and a bookcase for all my BOOKS!!! I put a friendship latern at the end of our sidewalk that comes on at dark. My mother always had one and I guess I will too!! To welcome everyone. That is what I’m thankful for…our last house and never packing another box.!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I’d love to write this in letters ten feet high: HOORAY KAREN! I am so happy for you! Your new house sounds perfect!
This made me happy! Our beautiful old home of 15 years (longest I’ve ever lived anywhere) is for sale and it’s breaking my heart, but the one steady “thing” I’ve had in my life for 47 years (my hubby Dave) is tired of repairing, raking, etc. etc. and we’ll downsize, don’t know where or when…..it’s been troubling thinking of it, but your comment, Karen, gave me hope and inspiration. I guess I’ll keep Dave! Love that you love your new home!!
Thank you Jane. I love your name….my Grandma’s name was Anna Jane and she (mother of five) was the sweetest loving person and adored by everyone. I hope you find your perfect ‘nest’!!
Thank you Susan! I am sooo tired of moving, because I hated tearing apart my decorations I so painstakingly spent putting in their proper place!! Now they get to stay put!! My home is my nest and I am like a frenzied bird without one. I am perfectly happy spending what money we have on my home…and happy to be there all the time. HOWEVER…The lure of England can call my name ANYtime!!
I speak the language!
I loved the quote about the kettle singing! Its going on my chalkboard tomorrow!!
Such a comfort to find your post prior to Thanksgiving. I just set our table with decorated autumn leaves. Such a treat to do it ahead & enjoy it. Been prepping two dishes each day. Got to tour your island last Friday & was given a super tour by a dear friend that now lives there. Wonderful place to live & glad I got to see it. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Lori
Your home is gorgeous! Pure pleasure in reading your blog. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours.
Dearest Susan,
Seeing your many candles made me want to share how a few years back I started lighting a candle and saying a little prayer for a loved one when I thought they needed an extra loving thought or just because I was thinking of them. Tonight I lit a little candle for you because your blog makes me and so many others smile regardless of what is going on in the world. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I’m so excited that your book is now available in Chinese! It is going to be my Christmas present to my daughter-in-law who has a degree in Chinese. Perfect!
Can’t wait to read the next one.
We did a lake country tour in England this Fall and fell in love with all things Potter because of your book. Thank you
Thank you for the inspiration Susan. Your posts always give me a nice, hollow feeling in my stomach, like I have something wonderful to look forward to. Thank you again for that!
Susan, I have so many comments in my head, I won’t remember them. But I love that little pink and green quail! So cute. And your New Year’s tablecloth loks like a chenille bedspread – is it? Your dining room in that first photo is the best view of that wonderful wallpaper! Oh, the roses. I also love the rabbit dishes by that woman. Love your beautiful table settings. By the way, your memoir was so interesting & I look forward to the next part. Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan!!! Another fantabulous post! I just love Thanksgiving! I love the food, I love the cooking, I love setting the table (although, my mom still does that, and I will let her until she can’t do it any more!) I love the smells and sounds. Most of all, I love to be with family. May you and Joe and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving! Peace! 🙂
Your blog filled my soul; now I’m ready for the turkey dinner to fill my tummy. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d like to say that I’m so thankful for bloggers. Your blogs inspire me and enrich my life.
I’d like to share some information about other blogs you and the Girlfriends might like.
sweetbriardreams.blogspot.com comes from England. A lady named Chel is a wonderful photographer and takes me on little journeys all around England.
bitaboutbritain.blogspot.com is another way to see England through the eyes of a blogger with a camera.
lovemademyhome.blogspot.com is a blog with a linkey party every Friday, called “Five on Friday”. Fifteen to twenty-five other bloggers from all over the world join in and share five things which made them happy that week. I check it every week and come away feeling connected to all the Girlfriends around the planet. I get wonderful ideas and inspiration from different cultures. If you log on any day other than Friday, you can find the “Five on Friday” posts in the archives.
I hope some of the Girlfriends have a chance to take a look. I’m an armchair traveler right now because of my kitty, and I’ve certainly seen a lot of England without spending a cent (or a pence).
So fun to see all your beautiful treasures on your tablescapes… it’s inspiring!
Speaking of decorating with books, I use one of your books in just about every season in my house! There is a copy of “Autumn” on a book stand on my piano right now, next to a tiny little basket and two oil lamp candlesticks. Wish I could put a picture on here for you! Thank you for your lovely words and your lovely heart. You truly inspire me to think on all things beautiful. ♥
Thanks for the glimpse into Thanksgiving at your house! I also love linens and dishes, and attempt to locate new items whenever we travel. As I live abroad (in Sweden) it is always interesting to see what is happening in the US in regards to Thanksgiving. Thank you for reminding me of the joy of celebration in the US, and especially in your beautiful white house. Wishing you a joy filled holiday!
What a joy it is to read your post. Thank you for all of your table setting ideas. Never would have thought to use books but I love that. Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Dear Sue, You always give us such food for thought!!
The elegance of your table settings are extraordinary!!! Thank you for
all you do for us….Gobble, Gobble……
❤️ This!
I, too, love table clothes. My mom always used them. I have her linen collection. They are so nice I don’t want to use them. Maybe this year. I must mention….you have WHITE carpet in the dining room?! You are brave. Much love to you and yours for the Holidays. Fairy Tale Girl was great and can’t wait for the sequel.
Love and Prayers,
Mary
Such a beautiful post with warm a fuzzy places to rest one’s mind. Thank you for that. May you and Joe enjoy a most memorable and loving Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you and all the beauty, joy and encouragement you bring to my life.
My friend and neighbor gave a birthday tea for another friend last Friday. It was such a wonderful party. But I thought of you and the wonderful teas you must give. She matched teas to the items being served, and how perfect the flavors were.
We live in Monterey, and I am sorry to tell you the Dansk store closed years ago.
Love all your posts. You inspire me to do a little more for my dinner parties.
Dear Susan, It is so good to read your thoughts, and Gladys Taber too. I want to tell you about a beautiful tablecloth I saw in the Berkshires about 30 years ago. The woman who made it was showing it at a craft fair, not to sell, just to show. It was a plain white cloth. On it she had written, and then embroidered, the name of every place she had ever been. When I say place, I mean local farms by name. She was a person who had grown up in the Berkshires, and been there all her life. I don’t imagine there are many people like that any more, people who never leave the county. The tablecloth was not really a thing of beauty. It looked as though she added to it as needed, and chose a different color embroidery thread . But to me there was something so wonderful about it. I’ve thought about attempting
one…maybe one of the places my Spoony and I have been to together. Best wishes for a beautiful holiday and a peaceful world. Sincerely, Leslie
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. I wasn’t going to leave a post for this contest because I won one before but couldn’t let it pass without giving you my heartiest thanks for your wonderful blog. You are a ray of sunshine in all the girlfriends lives and we are so lucky you include us in yours.
This will be a lonely one for me as is my first without Mom but she will be with me in spirit. I got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my doll club Saturday with turkey and all the trimmings-potluck style…….sure was fun. A better feast couldn’t have been had by the Rockerfellas!!!
Linda from Idaho were it is sunny and cold but no snow yet!!!
Dear Susan, Thank you for all the inspiration for creating beauty and comfort in the world! And most especially for your generous and gracious manner toward all of your friends!!
your posts are just what the world needs more of these days. thank you for being love, and a very happy thanksgiving to you too!
Hello Susan, what a wonderful post . It felt like I’m taking a tour in your dining room and enjoying every minute of it. The table settings are really beautifully done. Have a meaningful Thanksgiving .
Thank you for sharing your beautiful table settings. Love those little birds sitting on top of the books. What a cute idea!!
Just when we think there’s no hope for the world, just reading your blog brings back the hope that there are good people. I think your idea for the day after Thanksgiving is great. People should stay home on Thanksgiving and not give the stores what they want, perhaps they would be closed if they didn’t profit from it. Keep bringing us hope and happiness Susan!! Can’t wait for that book!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Happy Thanksgiving! Your recipes have been a traditional part of our celebration for decades!
Popping in to say thank you for the Kitchen Bookmark. My dear “foodie” niece is coming to Thanksgiving: hooray! I’m busy decorating her room with all sorts of Thanksgiving treasures from years past, and I know that her heart will sing when she sees your bookmark tucked in to a book on her bedside stand. xxx Beth
She’ll know you thought of her, who could ask for more? xoxo
Thank you so much for another inspiration-filled blog post! I love seeing your tablescapes. I am soooo bummed! Been looking for years for those beautiful pilgrim candleholders like yours and finally found them on Etsy last week. Went back to purchase them and they’re gone! I’m guessing that another Susan Branch fan probably found them! It is 2:25 a.m. and I’ve been awake reading The Fairy Tale Girl! Can’t put it down! Your story is familiar and relatable in many ways. Tears and smiles have made their way here tonight as I read. I am amazed at how you found your homemaking creativity at such a young age and have loved reading about the beginning of your painting journey. Thank you for writing this book. I am loving this intimate look into the past that has brought you to the place you’re at today and into our lives! Must go to bed now. xo ….Karen P.
Thank you Karen! So happy you’re enjoying it. And yes, bummer about the candleholders. I have things that got away in my life too, and I will always think of them!!!
Oh, and my Black Friday is always spent at home with the first allowed Christmas music of the season blaring all over the house as I begin the days-long process of decorating the entire house for Christmas! I look forward to Black Friday every year for that reason!! xo….Karen P.
Isn’t that how it always was? That’s how we always spent the day after Thanksgiving. Eating biscuits with turkey and gravy and thinking about Christmas.
This was such a refreshing post, took my mind into a fairytale world. I loved doing all these things in my day too. Loved making the name tags from pressed leaves, shining the silver, candle light whether big or small is a must.. My hubby is now in a nursing home. Life changes very quickly, so enjoy each moment as it comes . And always be thankful for our God .
The wheel turns and we move through it with grace, as you do Gert. Blessings on you. xoxo
Dear Susan,
We are a family of Canadian diplomats who moved to Paris (France) last August with two teenage daughters – the eldest (20) studies at Ottawa U. I’ve always been a fan of yours but even more so these days, in light of the events that happened in Paris. Yes, we live in a scary world but we find comfort in love, family, the smile of a stranger, setting a lovely table for friends, crafting, baking, drinking chai on a cold afternoon and going through my collection of Susan Branch books – Good thing I brought them to France with me ! Thank you for bringing me joy Susan Branch !! Geneviève
Thank you for writing Geneviève, it was lovely to hear your voice. We are so worried about everyone in Paris. It is good to see you going forward with life by celebrating all the things that make it so wonderful. Please continue spreading your light. Much Love, xoxoxo
I really enjoyed Willard. And to speak to your earlier statements, I always come here and read all the way through the comments. It helps me to remember in these troubled times that there are still good and kind people in the world and many of them are right here. Keep doing what you do here Susan. The world needs you to. Happy Thanksgiving, and yes, I will go enjoy nature on Friday. I think that is a lovely idea.
It’s all sol lovely. I really shouldn’t read Willard before I go to work, makes me late!
The dining room table looks perfect, I love how everything is mismatched but goes together so beautifully.
Wishing you a wonderful, and turkey-full Thanksgiving.
When I read your blog and your books or look at your calendars … it IS like enjoying happy memories that I’ve never had. On the other hand, these experiences are a part of my happy memories. So thank you! Happy Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!
Thank you for there especially wonderful post. Happy Thanksgiving. Arlene
Great post! I totally agree about the black Friday shopping. Our world is a beautiful place. Being out in nature inspires me, re-fuels me, helps to heal me and I feel so close to God. What a great time of year to count our blessings, and we are truly blessed. Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Dear Susan,
You filled up my heart this morning. I’m sitting here with happy tears, and I’m grateful for your goodness.
Bless you,
Rebecca
Your blogs are so restful and inspiring to read. I check your blog every morning as I’m drying and curling my hair for work! A nice way to start the day.
Thank you for all the lovely pictures, just found out yesterday I was hosting Thanksgiving, so I was in a panic, not about the food. But how to decorate my tables And you gave me so many wonderful ideas. So, I am now going to shop around my house. I love the idea of books on the Table, because in my house we have a saying one can never ever have to many books. Thank you for making my morning, I am ready !!!
Love that Sheryl, love your family saying! 🙂
Thank you so much for this beautiful post, reminding us of what matters most, hearth and home, hospitality and loved ones far and near. May you, your friends and family and everyone at your website have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan! You are such an inspiration! I love you for all that you say and do in amidst our crazy world. Thank you so much!
You are tuly inspirational. Happy thanksgiving!
Hello Dear Susan!
Thank you for reminding us to find happy with those things we already possess….love of family and friends and time together. Repurposing our treasures, is such fun. I will be using my late husbands adorable toddler shoes as a decoration on my Thanksgiving table this year. They are all scuffed and worn, telling of his active childhood. This is my first year in my new home, a mid-century modern…..quite a change from my darling tiny farmhouse. It will be funky mid century….the tone is set by my old pinball machine!! I’m excited now, to make this holiday season warm and cozy……enjoy yours with your specials!!