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.♥
Dearest Susan, greetings from Spain!!
I’m so happy that One of my dreams in life came true, visiting the island & meeting you!! Your words, pics, art pieces are part of my life & I share them with my/your friends, here in Spain!!
Thank you so much for your inspiration!! I shortly found out that I’m a Highly Sensitive Person (check Elaine Aron), and that’s the resason why your work is a sight for my soul!
Happy Thanksgivimg & happy life!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! Me and all the other girlfriends are so thankful for you! You are a blessing to the world. 🙂
Right on Julie, I’m with you.
Thank you Susan for the sunshine!! My mom and I are preparing to decorate our Thanksgiving table and this will definitely serve as our inspiration! We talk about you in our house like you are our best friend…”Susan said this…” or “Did you see the picture of Jack today??” We love you, and are kindred spirits just like Anne of Green Gables says. I even made my own Autumn banner for my kitchen, inspired by you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! **Hugs**
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Your most recent blog post has given me so many new ideas to try. I agree – there is an art to keeping a home!
Now, off to begin…….
Happy Thanksgiving!! I just finished The Fairy Tale Girl and cannot wait for the new book. You are inspiring me to be me. Thank you😊
I couldn’t ask for anything more. xoxo
Your beautiful home validates my love of all things vintage! (And I’ve fallen in love with the cute little yellow cottage drawing in this post. Is this your work?)
Yes, It was in A Fine Romance and since then it’s been in one of the calendars.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Inspirational, as always! Love the wonderful photos. Susan – I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
This time of year makes me weep often. Joy? Sadness? Thankfulness? Wistfulness? Maybe all of the above?
So… I teared up reading today. You are right. Joy is everywhere. We just need to see it…
Wob you more! :O
Every blog turns on my engine (and sometimes causes a tear or two). Today as soon as I saw your red bedspread my heart took a jump. I’ll bet it’s white& red on the other side; Grandma’s was blue, and she let us kids use in on the front porch swing. This busy days blog has my memory in overdrive. Gotta go now and oil all Grandma’s wooden spoons.
I just love looking at your beautiful pictures!! Your home looks so cozy,
friendly. and inviting. I love your idea of stacking old books on the table as
part of a table setting. I just finished reading The Fairy Tale Girl. I loved it!!
Now I can’t wait to read the sequel. Once I read it, I think I will want to
re-read all three books in order!! Thank you so much for all the joy you bring
into our lives. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and to everyone!!
May God Bless You Always!!
You really should look into a book signing at Left Bank Books in Belfast, Maine. It’s owned by three women and is a magical place. You’d love it. You’d also love the craft store “Fiddlehead Artisan”. It’s full of such inspiring fabrics and art supplies.
My house already smells like Thanksgiving as I’m cooking extra turkey parts today so we have plenty of gravy to smother everything with. A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you, Joe, friends, family and kitties.
The tables are perfection. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and all who share it with you. 🙂
After reading the Willard, which was very nice BTW, I’d like to recommend an independent bookseller on Milwaukee’s “fashionable” East side. It’s called Boswell Book Company – boswellbooks.com or phone #414-332-1181. They’re on Downer Avenue which is near the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee campus. It’s truly a lovely store and you would love the neighborhood – near Lake Michigan and less than 2 hours North of Chicago.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Your creative thinking and bright spirit light up the world. Happy, Happy Thanksgiving from Oregon, where we will gather around our table with love and gratitude.
P.S. As a pretty alternative to candles, I put a string of teeny tiny lights the size of a grain of rice inside a big cranberry glass vase. When lit, it gives off the most beautiful glow. I have seen this done even with plain jars and such. Have ordered more of the lights for my kitchen windowsill for the little Christmas things I love to set out during the holidays. The lights are $6 on Amazon. Fun and festive!
Great idea. I. Going to try that
Hi Susan and Joe,
Happy Thanksgiving from us!
Susan and Joe M.
Counterparts!
Wishing everyone near and far, a very Blessed Thanksgiving full of love and wonderful things……………
Susan, thank you so much for your kind, warm words. We all need to be reminded from time to time. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
What a wonderful idea to date our houses that we live in and remember all their Thanksgivings that have been made by their hearths. Our house will have its 253’rd this holiday! Enjoy your holiday … and your house too!
Wonderful! Where are you?
Love love love the idea of using books!!!!!
Thank you so much for all of your posts. I look forward to them every time and they just cheer up every day! Everything looks beautiful, you really have a gift. Have a wonderful holiday season!
What a lovely table! My mother always liked to set a beautiful table. The house candles are enchanting.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Looking forward to seeing your “movie”.
Your Chinese book is adorable. So happy for you. Happy Thanksgiving, Susan to all of you on the Vineyard. xxoo
Beautiful! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Love.
I love the decorating tips! I must admit that I thought taping leaves to the window was a little strange. BUT when I was raking up leaves in my yard the other day I found myself admiring all the colors and how they blended so beautifully. My maple tree had three colors of leaves – red, yellow and gold. So now I have about a dozen leaves taped to my sewing room window. LOL!
Beautiful and inspiring! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
Susan you inspire me! You are putting me in the holiday spirit, thank you for helping me look at the world in a different way!
Love to have you Kathy.
Happy, Happy Thanksgiving, Susan and Joe!
Happy thanksgiving you ! I don’t get the black Friday thing either remember when it was just the day after Christmas? Just the start of the Christmas shopping season lol.cute book idea but I would be afraid something would get spilled on them yikes!
So far it’s never happened. And we have white carpeting in our dining room! 🙂
It’s always a thrill when I see there’s a new post from you. I enjoy them all.
Happy Thanksgiving! Your table settings are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us. 😊
Continually delighted by Susan’s original thinking paired with a humility that reminds me of my wonderful grandmother. Thank you, Susan, for keeping us girlfriends in your world. And wishing you, Joe, and all those you care for a wonderful Thanksgiving season. Feel gratitude for the small, silly things, and the big stuff will take care of itself. 🙂
Perfect thought!
Good morn’n. Thank you for sharing and inspiration. Love your walk…no shopping on Friday for us. No!!!. No woods where we live,but I can take my grandchildren to the park for a walk. Love the tables and your pretty home.Yes I was born loving wallpaper..and dishes and if it is pretty I like it.. ….and funny thing today is our 44th anniversary….I don’t remember it ever being on Thanksgiving Day before. Thank You again.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Deborah!
It is raining buckets here! No spending the day outside like I had planned.
Thank you. I love the dreary damp days…it didn’t rain buckets at our place. Stay safe. Rain is a good thing in our neck of the woods…but the flooding! NO. Hope all is well with you and your hubs. hope his recovery is going well.
Deborah, that is so sweet. He is doing so much better. He had a nephew come by Saturday, that he had not seen in several decades and they had the loveliest visit, reminiscing about family. He can remember all that! So it was fun to hear him tell stories about his grandparents and brothers and sisters! He was so engaged in the visit. I am sure it was good for his spirit.
I wanted to tell you before, when Susan comes to Austin next year, I am a good half-way point for you! Would love to have you!
Putting my nose in to say XOXOXO
Good Morning, & Happy ThanksGiving!
I stumbled upon your beautiful writing & pictures 😊
This morning that have given not only a smile, but a few inspirations in preparation for this blessed day. I particularly enjoyed your thoughts about getting outside vs Black Friday shopping… Thanks so much for the positive inspirations for a long day ahead 😉
Nice to meet you Michele!
Happy Thanksgiving to Susan and all the girlfriends !!
I just love Thanksgiving- being surrounded by family and friends, all those that we love, and the food… I think it is just one of my favorite days. I love all of the table decorations(what a good idea to photograph all of our tables !!) I loved seeing Girl Kitty on the table- our kitties were always stretched out on the white linen tablecloth when I was growing up. I always wondered what the guests would think if they could see them – I always thought it was
adorable !!
Soon I will pick up my mom who is 87 and we will go my brother’s house. My nephew will be there with his brand new baby boy- Camden. I am so excited for my mom to meet her first great grandchild ! I want to take lots of pictures of the four generations while my mom is still here with us. Such a gift to have four generations gathered together on Thanksgiving, we are SO blessed !
However, this year I can’t help but also think about the world we live in, and how sad it is right now- not like the 1950’s when I grew up. A couple of quotes I have heard recently that I love- “Let your faith be bigger than your fear” also, “When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.” This Thanksgiving as we gather around our Thanksgiving tables (beautifully decorated) let us all join hands and pray that around the world, hearts could soften, people would lay down their weapons, and the world could begin to change. I pray that people could begin to find joy in their homes, wherever home may be, in their families and friends and in all the simple joys that life has to offer. We live in such a beautiful world, now if only we could all live in this beautiful world, in peace. xoxo Judy
From your lips to God’s ears . . . xoxo
I agree Judy!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. This long weekend I will be busy reading your latest book while gazing out at my bird friends. Such contentment. Thank you for that!
Sounds wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving Jennifer! 🍁
Your table settings are simple, old and so very lovely. It makes the room so warm and cozy. I hope you and yours have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Same to you Helen! ❌⭕️
The house is quiet this morning as I am the only one awake yet. It is Thanksgiving and this blog entry has further inspired me to make today beautiful for my husband, 2 boys (25 and 15) and my Mother. I strive to bring touches of comfort and beauty into our home all the time and although they may not always be conscious of it, I do know they feel the peace that results. I love visiting your webpage and blog because you also know that there is an art of the home and this world could use more of it. Blessings on this day of gratitude!
Oh, I have no doubt they can feel the love xoxo Have a wonderful day Liz.💖
A very Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and everyone! You never fail to inspire me with your wonderful blog. Have a great day!
You too Barbara! 🌼
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Thank you Susan for the beautiful post. Your dining room looks beautiful no matter what the occasion. We moved to a small house and I no longer have a dining room, I do miss it. xoxoxoxo
Happy Thanksgiving Betsy! xoxo
Thank you for the beautiful table settings for inspiration. I live in a very small studio at the moment and am unable to do a lot, but you always have great ideas for simple, yet impactful decorating. I hope you, Joe, and the kitties have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Small works so well I think . . . less cost for one roll of wallpaper vs 14! Happy Thanksgiving Sarah!
“…memories we’ve maybe never even had.” I have never read anything that describes my feelings as well as that. I always wonder how I could miss things I never had.
I am so grateful for you Susan Branch.
Thank you so much Lee xoxo 🍁
Hi Oh your table’s are beautiful!!! Just love them thanks
for so many ideas. Love the Sue spoon.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Darlene
Same to you Darlene! 🌻
Happy Thanksgiving xx
Thank you Pam!
Hi Susan
Happy Thanksgiving from Inverness Scotland where this Thanksgiving we are grateful for warm fires, furry dogs, afternoon tea and walks in the woods. Have a wonderful holiday!
I’m thankful for messages like yours, Erin!
Happy Thanksgiving!🦃 I do not shop on Black Friday. I use that time to enjoy my family and start decorating for Christmas. After all Santa arrived this morning during the Macy’s parade. That is my clue, since I was a little girl, that the Christmas season has arrived. Love your blogs.
Wasn’t the parade fabulous? I was so proud!
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan! I’ve just enjoyed the special treat of getting caught up on the last two Willards and your Blog and am happily adding that to my list of many blessings to be grateful for! I feel delightfully “Susan Branch-ed”–the whipped cream on top of my Thanksgiving pie!
Grateful for you!
XOXO Thank you Grace!
Happy Thanksgiving from Virginia all the way to where you are, Susan. Enjoy this season.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Such a beautiful cozy home! So inviting!
Love the vintage feel it does evoke memories both past and present.
I am taking your advice on a walk tomorrow sounds much better to me!
Blessings in abundance to you and Joe and all the girlfriends out there!
Yes, today is the day of peace and gratitude and digesting, and all that good stuff!
HappyThanksgiving, Susan! (the day isn’t over yet!) I love your Thanksgiving table. I have two very similar needlepoint chairs and I also use them to fit more chairs around the table.
As always… thanks for sharing.
Robin in NJ
Funny how chairs can really add to the whole picture. xo
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe! I just love your wonderful blog and it always brings a smile to my face. I take care of my 98 year old mother in our home and usually I can’t get a smile from her — she just seems weary of life. But I read her your 4 Stages of Life from your blog and she laughed out loud! Thank you for sharing your sense of humor and family life with us all — you are a treasure! (So in love with your beautiful house too — I’m borrowing some of your table ideas for Christmas decorating)
Oh my goodness, that makes my day!
Mine too! My Mom lived to 101. She had a wonderfully infectious laugh that shook her whole body for a while before any sound came out. Toward the end there wasn’t much that brought that on, but it was so great when it happened. 🙂 I think I have to write something about that . . . Thanks JoEllen for reminding me.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Susan, you make entertaining look EASY!
Well, I’m putting away my Autumn book (not too far away) and putting out my Christmas from the Heart of the Home book, as well as Christmas Joy!
I’m a happy lady!!
ox
It’s been a beautiful season!
Susan~You give me such a glowing, yummy feeling when I read your blogs! You make me want to be a better, nicer person in this sometimes not nice world.
Thank you for being so happy and upbeat! You inspire me to want to ‘write’ too, and I’m not much of a writer.
Blessings to you and Joe on this Thanksgiving. xoxo
Don’t want to lose those precious memories! xoxo
Just finished looking at your lovely Thanksgiving posts. I wanted to tell you that I was checking at our local book store [where you actually visited] for your calendars – no luck. BUT I headed on over to our Meijer supermarket, and for goodness sake THERE THEY WERE! I now am ready for the next year with one for my wall, my desk, and my purse! And I do not allow myself to read on ahead until it’s time to turn the page.
Yes, the people I license and design my calendars for don’t really work with the bookstores, unfortunately, they like the BIG places . . . so the little ones have to search it out. I’m just glad they’re anywhere!
Just love your love of all thing good – home, good food, friends, family and fur kids. Just doesn’t get any better! Every day, you make a difference. Be thankful for you today, as we all are!!
Thank you Lorraine! Right now I’m thankful for the MOON! It’s peeking through my studio window and I can see it from my chair. Walking home from dinner across the street at our friend’s house last night, it was amazing.
Good Morning Sue, Belated Happy Thanksgiving. Love your creativity of your tables. Thank you for sharing your ideas. Love your posts, always look forward to read them and Willard. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.
Good Morning Nancy . . . thank you, happy to hear from you. We have 50 degrees at 7:30 am, warm for this time of year. About to go for a walk! Have a happy weekend yourself!
Dear Susan, thank you for your beautiful blog! I love to read it before I drift off to sleep at night because it gives me such a cozy, happy feeling in my heart!
Love that!
Thankful ❤️. I have enjoyed reading the blog and catching up on all the comments this morning. There are so many sweet and unique individuals that are Friends of Susan Branch, what a blessing this place is! We can all come together and be encouraged….be a light to one another. Thank you Susan for creating this space and sharing your heart on a continual basis. You are the leader of our “tribe.” Everyone needs one!😊
Thank you Dana, we do have such a wonderful “tribe!”
Tribe 🙂 What a great concept.
Love what you do Susan. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
thank you for brightening my day!
Susan, you are a breath of fresh air! I finished reading Fairy Tale Girl, loved it, I’m your age so it was like reading my life, your recollections led me to remember things that I had forgotten, such sweet memories! Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We have much to be thankful for, don’t we?
Betty Cameron
Hi Susan and Joe,
I love your dishes! Thanks for the table setting ideas and I don’t shop on Black Friday. I would rather go to my job at the Library and spread sunshine to our harried customers! Thanks for the encouraging words!
They NEED you! 🙂
Happy Hilidays! Love your blog…….always makes me smile. Thank you❤️
I am happily not out shopping on this Black Friday. Just enjoyed reading your last Willard and blog entry. Table settings so beautiful! Thank you for your thoughts, ideas , photos! You made my day!
so excited about your newest giveaway. hoping with much excitement that i’m the lucky one who gets to read your books. have a wonderful holiday season.!
Yup, it’s time, at last, to make Christmas. First, the Christmas books, dusted and stacked and placed in the hutch near the dining room table…..so whomever wants to add a Christmas story to dinner can do it easily! Then, everything washed, dusted, waxed and polished. Next, all the Christmas dinnerware out and the everyday stuff put away. Light up the creche that’s always in the curio at eye-level for small people. Clear a space for the 25 days of Christmas project we’re doing this year. Plan a day for the rest of the decorating……..we’re gearing up, happily. Thank you for all the decorating tips over the years. So helpful. Loved your Fairy Tale Girl. So like my own story in so many ways, since you and I are close in age…..including California. The Bay area and Malibu, in my case. Much later, Sun Luis Obispo…….Happy Christmas….may your days be merry and bright.
Spent Black Friday listening to old timey Christmas carols…and drinking hot chocolate!! A beautiful warm day in these beautiful mountains, each season has its beauty, what a change, the starkness of our trees and behind them mountains that are hidden by the leaves in Spring, Summer and Autumn…and all of the sudden, beautiful vistas!!! Right this moment, at dusk, pink, cotton candy clouds!! Such wonders….
I’m reading this as I wait for all my family to arrive for dinner, thank you the inspiration! It was a beautiful green earth day here in Ohio. Black Friday?? It’s almost like they are rushing Thanksgiving right out the door, poor holiday only gets one day to begin with, so why not make it last all weekend? Wob you too!
We live in So. Cal (pleeeease come to Vromans Pasadena!) but we are at our vacation house in Idaho enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday! It’s so nice to have some snow. I’m relaxing and enjoying this time to catch up on your blog. Thank you for all you do. You bless me and in turn I bless my family and home with making things cozy because of your inspiration. Also, I have all of my grandma’s silver and all of that polishing intimidates me! If you use polish do you then have to wash it so you aren’t eating the chemicals of the polish? 😕
Yes, definitely. But read about how to do it all very quickly because it does work.
So fun to decorate a beautiful table! Thanks for the inspiration!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your inspiring posts. I’m always so amazed at how how much we have in common when I read your posts. I’m so excited your book tour is bringing you to Cincinnati next year!!! It would be so awesome to meet you!!!
Biggest fan ever,
Kathy
Looking forward to it!
Greetings from Southwestern Pennsylvania. Every time I read your blog, dear Susan, it makes me heart so happy! Your home is always so cozy and inviting…I’m sure your guests never want to leave such a lovely place.
If you are ever traveling thru southwestern PA I would encourage you to visit a little town called, Ligonier…. Check out their website: ligonier.com Tonight was light up night. It’s such a sweet little town that I think you and Joe would really enjoy.
It does look cute. I put it on our map, in case we are in the area, I’ll remember! Thank you Kim!
You’re welcome, Susan…you should also check out their Facebook page where you can see more pictures: facebook.com/LigonierChamber
Okay, I will do that!
Ever blog post you share the wisdom of your life and it is inspirational, on this day after Thanksgiving, I thank you.
I especially want to thank you for your suggestion to get out side and enjoy nature on this day rather than going shopping, a particularly brilliant idea and one that would benefit all of us.
Merci beaucoup, Vielen Dank, muchas gracias, molte grazie and many thanks.
I love that you closed this blog post with a nostalgic sepia photo of your home decades ago. Thanksgiving is a time for acknowledging our blessings and visiting with family; the day after, for reflection and memory. I’ve never been shopping on this day or on the day after Christmas (and I’m in my ’70’s). These are my afterglow days and provide nourishment for my soul. Speaking of nourishment, Susan, I want to thank you for feeding all of us with your world view inspired by “the happy gene.” I’ve only been reading your posts for two years, but many a time when I’m down or lonely, I reread them or delve into the past years or read the comments from our girlfriends. You are a blessing!
“Afterglow days,” so RIGHT and well said. I’m all still in candlelight the day after Thanksgiving . . . can’t even think about disturbing the peace in a crowd of shoppers! Thank you Nan!
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe! From Gail and Joe! Love your table settings and so enjoy the glow from the candles. I’m happy for your love and for God’s blessings. Yes very scary time in this country and in the world! Faith will get us through! Hugs, Gail and Joe
So blessed by this. I chucked when I read that you love setting the table more than cooking. I have an older friend who hosted a group of us for Thanksgiving this year. About a week before the big day I dropped by for a visit. She asked if I would do the centerpiece. She is in her 80s and sadly slowing down. She confessed that she likes to set the table ahead of time and likes that part more than the cooking. I told her I love planning the menu and I adore setting the table and trying out new ideas and playing with linens. And so, I went and set her table a few days before Thanksgiving. An old bean pot with orange roses and fall flowers.
And yes, what a strange people we are. We give thanks for all we have and race out to purchase more. I am cutting way back this year. I have several friends who give their children three gifts: a need, a want, and a book. (Three gifts worked for the very first Christmas!)
Thanks for the photos and a fine read. Always inspiring.
The perfect three gifts!
Cyndee,
I love your idea of the 3 gifts! A need, a want and a book! I might talk that one over with my family.
Hi Susan,
After a busy day of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, it was time to relax. I sat down with my favorite Tea and my IPad and headed off to enjoy my time reading all about your Thanksgiving treasured memories and wonderful tid-bits of news and ideas. And of course, reading your posting of Willard. Now, I am ready for your next posting and all the Christmas news and ideas.
Thanks for always making me feel happy and ready to take on a new adventure.
One of your avid readers,
Fran
thanks so much Susan for your inspiring and uplifting blog posts. I have been so busy with children and grandchildren that your posts have been piling up. my “black Friday” was spent with a cup of hot chai tea and my feet up, relaxing and reading all of your November posts plus a Willard! All the while snow was falling outside my window. What a wonderful way to spend the day after the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving!
Hoping you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, was raining here in Wisconsin and mild, but a good day none the less. I am anxiously await the arrival of your next book, I loved A Fine Romance and The Fairy Tale Girl. Reading your blog and seeing the pictures almost makes me feel like I am in Martha’s Vineyard – hope to visit there someday. I wish you health & happiness for the upcoming Holidays!
Thank you Cathy, wishing you the very same!
After the busyness of Thanksgiving and family, your blog is a wonderful treat for me. Thanking God for the gifts He has given you.
Oh thank you so much Jody. I am feeling extremely grateful this morning reading all of these wonderful comments. xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing, encouraging and shining a light of hope out here in this world. It’s so easy to see only gray in life. I cried tears of hope reading Willard and your blog. You’re a blessing.
Thank you Jane, and might I say, so are you.xoxo
Hello Susan, love reading your blog and all you wonderful art. Have a blessed holiday season. Meow, meow to your 4-legged friends from my fur face.
Blessing xo Rosemary from fort lauderdale.
Hi Susan! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am cooking down what is left of our turkey for soup, having a cup of tea and finally catching up on your blog and Willard! Thank you for all of the fab ideas and dear pictures–I always enjoy them so much.
Susan, When I cannot sleep at night I reach for one of your books. They are so soothing and gentle. May you be blessed.
And you too, sweet dreams…
Susan, your posts are always such a pleasure to read. I love the photographs, your writing, and all your beautiful artwork. You inspire me to make my home look better, too.
That makes me happy to hear! xoxo
Susan, Once again a charming, witty and inspirational post. Thanksgiving is my favorite
holiday along with July 4th!!! Real family-time celebrating, fabulous food and no presents
to shop/wrap for!! Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday season <3
Omg, how small this world is, I was just at a ceramics sale in Santa Margarita, Calif. a couple of weeks ago, and met Paula, and bought one of her pieces, it even has fish on it. 😉
Is she still doing plates and bowls? I wasn’t quite sure from her Facebook page. I have a fish plate too. Is yours black and gold?
Your blog leaves me feeling such joy and contentment everytime I read it. Your tables looked amazing for Thanksgiving, so warm and inviting. I always want people to feel comfortable, content, and at home when they visit my home. I do so enjoy my things in my home. To someone else they may not be much but they are a reflection of me and bring me such happiness. That is how I feel about your home and things. I would so enjoy Vanna pulling out my name for the drawing. May this upcoming holiday season fill you and Joe with much happiness and joy!
Thank you Deb, that was beautiful xoxo
Lovely post!
Isn’t Thanksgiving just the best?!!! Here it is three days after and I am still smiling thinking about all the love and many blessings that one day holds. And I thought a lot about you, Susan; especially when I made the cranberry sauce from the Autumn book. Delicious…just like any recipe I make of yours! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
We did, it was perfect, and there was a gorgeous moon to put frosting on the whole lovely evening.
Oh My! Your are such a comfort and inspiration!!! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Bless your wise generous HEART!
XOXO TeriGrace
Dear Susan,
I have only recently discovered your blog. I check it every day because whenever you write anything new, your words and photos add such a lovely lift to my morning. I can’t wait to hear all about your next adventures and I really look forward to collecting your books!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Check it this afternoon Patrice!
Thank you for reminding me of the best part of life as right now we are needing it!!
I am excited to get to know your ceramic artist in Santa Margarita who lives 10 minutes away! Thanks so much for this connection!
Have a wonderful Christmas season.
Kathy
Well, please tell her I said hello! Hope she remembers me!
Wonderful Thanksgiving Blog! Happiness to you and yours! Dragging Christmas out from everywhere and playing house today! Happy Holidays too!
Me too, I did artwork all day yesterday with Christmas music and a fire. Was heaven and more of same this morning!
Hello Susan,
I am in recovery mode from a household filled with pure love from tiny faces filled with lots of kisses and hugs that are priceless. So much to be thankful for….please include me in your give away. Happiness and love being sent your way.
Ahhhh, sweet recovery!
Susan,
It’s extra fun to get on your site and read all your doings! Thanksgiving was big at our house… 36! We started it 4 years ago with the original cousins and their children, and now their children, coming the day after Thanksgiving. We take turns hosting, and it was my year. Your tables are so cozy with all the interesting dishes, tablecloths and décor.
Your book “A Fine Romance” is just like a trip with you. What wonderful detail, artwork and stories! I carry your little 7 x 7 calendar in my purse, though, because it’s not a phone and makes me happy when I pull it out!
Love your ideas for black Friday!
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
LOL “because it’s not a phone!” Too cute.
Hi Susan! Giving thanks for you and for the inspiration you give to all blog friends! Hope you and Joe had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had 10 for dinner and then shopping on Friday with my wonderful adult daughter. It is our tradition and we love spending the time together. She is busy with her two boys (my grandsons), husband, teaching and now has gone back to get her Masters! So as you can imagine, I don’t get to enjoy her company that much! I give thanks for any time we get share! Love you Susan and so look forward to your blogs. Pre-ordered my book and just received my 2016 calendars so I am all set for the new year. Merry Christmas Susan, Joe and furry friends. 🙂 Love ya!
Same to you Asha!
I love your table settings. So much inspiration for my own dinner parties!
That’s so nice to hear, I like to think I’m helping! 🙂