MUSICA Rabbit Rabbit 2016
to 2015
We had a lovely Christmas . . .quiet and filled with all the gentle reminders of what Christmas is supposed to be. Food, friends, family and
But now it’s time to . . .
Turn your calendar over and
Because, for the New Year and always . . .
HERE’S TO US . . .
I love having you here . . .
Time for
I remember last year around this time . . . out my front studio window, it looked like this!
And here, from the kitchen window . . . it was birdland!
and the wonderful world of Cardinals.
Beatrix Potter people were warm and toasty on the kitchen window ledge . . . despite the blizzard . . .
And it was so Beautiful! Every morning I would jump up to peek out this window in our bedroom to see what the morning would be.
Pristine and white, I could never be thankful enough.
Deep dark and delicious
Magical Fairyland
And even though we have no snow now . . . it is still very beautiful, and getting colder every day. Today, in fact, is a three sweater day. . . that’s what I am wearing right now. I took this picture yesterday while we were out walking . . . I’m looking into a rain puddle with the leaves at the bottom and the woods and the sky in the reflection. Is this not gorgeous?
In this one you can see where the puddle ends
And here, where the woods begin . . .
Overhead fly the swans . . . so I painted this one for my new book . . .
And out at the end, the waves come on shore and it smells fresh and wintery and like a garden of composting leaves . . . and way back you can see the ferry crossing . . .
Sunday! Be still my heart . . .
Our last season . . .I will love every moment . . .
Downton will make our winter very cozy, Downton, the kitties, Joe Hall Guardian Angel Extraordinaire, and me, with a book project and my paintbrush. It will be a nice winter. MAS MUSICA
Just about to start putting away the old year . . . dreaming of the new one coming and all the good things I hope will happen . . .
The table is cleared . . .
Christmas dishes are all put away . . .
My Days Book is next to my bed with all the lovely empty pages inside and the future yet to be known . . .
And me?
You know where I am. Every day I add more pages to the new book, Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams ~ finished pages. My goal is to have it done by, at the latest, Valentine’s Day . . . not printed, but off to the printer by then. I thought you might like to see a few new bits I’ve painted for it recently . . .There’s a little story behind each watercolor, but I’m saving them as a surprise for you.♥
Yes, there is singing in this book!
And Kitties!
And Jack, who is constantly with me, proudly helps, thank goodness, I could never do this alone.
my first house
You remember the little cottage I bought when I first came to the island? It was called Holly Oak.
Well, in this new book (which should be coming out right around April), we go inside the house, I want to show you around, it’ll only take a minute, as you can see, it’s not very big, but it has a really cute stove . . . I’ll show you both with watercolor and with lots of photos, before and after photos too. I think you are going to love this book.
It’s totally tied with heartstrings. And this is too . . . wishing you all the very best . . .
Happy New Year! Thank you for another wonderful year of connection, of knowing we are not alone. I’ve loved every second of it . . . XOXO
Happiest New Year to you and your loves!! All the best, blessings of goodness, endless joys and oodles of love!!!
XoXoX,
Jeanette
A very Happy New Year to you too! Can’t wait for the new book. I marathon-read the last one and I’m chomping at the bit to read the rest of the story.
I, too, am looking forward to Downton Abbey 🙂 A few of my daughters and daughter in law keep saying we need to have our own version of Downton tea – complete with hats and dresses 🙂 We bought wonderful tea pots and tea cups from the thrift store.
I’ve also been ‘re-inspired’ to pick up my journal. Sadly, I have let many moons of writing in it go by …. told my girls they need to keep me on track 🙂 I miss it. My mum was a faithful journal writer, too.
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year!
…now turn your frozen puddle picture around and it is magical and amazing also !.. well ,happiest of New Years to you, Susan and, well, everyone !!..’so looking forward to a wonderful new year, full of adventure !!..we’ve missed you but know that you have been immersed in the wonderful things that you have been doing…now, time to go back and read your full post..with love, as always..
Happy New Year……looking forward to another year of your
wonderful blogs and another book : )
Happy, Happy New Year!!!
How can it be anything else?! The remnants of a wonderful holiday, Downton Abbey on the horizon, a new book in the offing (that has cutaway pictures of a little house!!!), and Valentine’s Day just around the corner! Who could ask for anything more?!?!
What do you have cooking on today to bring luck during the coming year. When I was growing up in the south we always ate black eyed peas with ham. Here in Pennsylvania it is pork and sauerkraut. Mine is cooking away in the crock pot which is so-o-o much easier than using the oven! There must be something special from either your tradition or Joe’s. Whatever you eat, may you have a wonderful new year filled with joy and happiness!! XOXO!
Happy, happy New Year, Susan! What a lovely way to begin the new year – connecting with you & all the girlfriends across the globe! Your happy heart makes me happy & grateful for the little things that make life special! Peace & blessings to you, girlfriend!
Happy New Year, dear Susan! Thank you for always looking on the bright side and encouraging me and all the girlfriends to do the same. It means the world to me. I’m so looking forward to your new book! Have a wonderful day! xoxo ♥
Thank you for your uplifting, happy, and forward email this Great New Year morning.
It was very beautiful and meaningful. Wishing you the best on your new book. I especially
love the poems and art work, thanks again!
Happy new Year!
Still no snow?
We do now..lots and lots..
Love the wish at the end..
I can’t wait till DA either..and your new book will be wonderful~
Happy New Year Susan, Joe and your adorable kitty babies!
Just beautiful. You make me love snow! Which I hate! Make no secret about it, either! Happy New Year to you and Joe.
Happy New Susan and Joe and kitties
Happy New Year, Susan! I hope 2016 is wonderful in all the important ways. Keep those kitties close. ❤️
Happy New Year, Susan, Joe and kitties. Looking forward to the new book, and your entries in 2016!
Happy New Year, Susan!!! May 2016 be a very happy and healthy year for you and Joe!!! Have a wonderful day…. Loretta/Santa Nella, Ca.
Lovely – as usual. I keep my Christmas dishes from December 6 (St. Nicholas’ day) to January 6 (Epiphany, or 12th day of Christmas)…
Your posts are always so inspiring and beautiful. May you have a blessed New Year. Can’t wait to get your Isle of Dreams. Patricia
And New Year blessings to you, dear Susan! Thank you for all the joy and loveliness you bring us!
Looking forward to your new book!
Happy New Year Susan! Loved Jack on the Quilts, how do cats always find those clean soft spots? Lol.
Thank you for filling my morning with beautiful pictures that make my heart soar.
They take me to another world of snow and wonder. It is a blessing to be able to create such beauty and then share.
Susan, Thank you for making each day a special occasion and so filled with your “magic touches!” Don’t stop the wonder of it all!! Maureen
I love receiving your blog. It always brings a smile to my face.
And a happy (peaceful) new year to you, too, Susan. Not that I’m asking for it, or anything like that, but we haven’t had snow here in the DC area yet. We’ve had a lot of rain and holy Sherlock! Actual fog! Which still makes it all quite easy to tuck myself in with a blankie and a book these days. Thanks for the happiness you share all around the globe.
Thank you for this lovely post. What a blessing to begin this new year with a reminder to be thankful for the beauty of nature and home and so many “little” things. Happy 2016!
Peace on Earth…………..
Another lovely blog. So fun hearing from you. Always look forward to your stories.
Happy New Year!! Thank you for being you! Putting up your calendars today. They are wonderful!! Can’t wait for your new book!! I wob you! Xoxo!!!
What a wonderful post. So many beautiful words of wisdom.
Thank you and wishing you and Joe a happy, healthy New Year.
I cannot wait for your new book…..so excited to get to see your first house on Martha’s Vinyard!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I, also, can’t wait for Sunday night and Downton Abbey!!
You are right, I will love this new book if you’re drawing pictures of your sweet little cottage. I love that Jack looks like he’s getting ready to pick up that brush and help you paint–a magic little kitty who’s helping you finish this book in record time! Do you come down in the morning and find a page painted? And the photo of the leaves in the water reflecting the woods is priceless and almost (almost) as good as snow. After much rain and warm temperatures we have sun today, but cold and dry. But I am grateful for calm weather at this point after hearing of the extreme weather elsewhere. I left a message on your last post that has not been moderated yet, so I’ll leave it here again because I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you and how you’ve influenced my creativity greatly. May 2016 be your greatest year yet!
Happy New Year Susan & Joe! What a lovely lovely post. I cannot wait until the new book comes out. I so enjoyed the fairy-tale girl!
Big year for my household this year lots of exciting things to look forward to. Just have to remain positive about some of them…. change is good!
We have just had the very very last Christmas edition of Downtown in England on Christmas night but that’s all I’m going to say. We are now looking forward to the new series of Mr Selfridge coming next week can’t wait!
Take care Susan & thank you for the New years post! xxxx
Dear Susan, I’m hoping this is a way to reach out to the Texas Girlfriends and any other who will travel to Austin for a book signing at Book People. I contacted Julie…..julie@bookpeople.com….and ask that she have a book signing for you, but she wants to know how many people will come. So, ladies and gentlemen, now is your chance to e-mail Julie and let her know that there many of us who would love to come to a book signing for Susan. For this to happen, I really believe we are going to have to let Book People/Julie know that we will be there. And, Susan, Julie has ask that your PR person contact her, so plans can be made.
Love having a new post for the New Year!! So many new things to be excited about….Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams (adore seeing some of the art work), Downton Abbey, book tour, traveling with you to England and Scotland in your suitcase….and perhaps a new book from that trip…we all hope.
Happy, Happy New Year to You and Yours, Rachel
You are a doll Rachel, and we will contact Julie . . . and Thank you! Yes, they do need to know people will come. Book People is a very important bookstore and everyone wants to sign their books in that wonderful bookstore. One way people can let them know is through their Facebook page . . . Like them and leave your comments there, and THEN call them. 🙂
Done!
Thank you Chris!!
Chris, thanks. I’m looking forward to meeting some, maybe a lot, of the girlfriends who share Susan’s wonderful world, among other things. Rachel
Just finished Fairy Tale Girl and loved it! So much in that book reminded me of my teenage/ young adulthood years…many wonderful – and some terrifying – times…I laughed, cried and everything in between! So looking forward to the next book!
Here is to the Happiest of New Years, dear Susan and family,
Your friend in CA,
Robin C
Happy New Year Susan from Kentucky. You write and paint my loves of life. The best for Joe and you in 2016. Vicki
Happy New Year Susan!
I just finished reading “The Fairy Tale Girl” and absolutely loved it. You have led the most interesting life. You are a blessing to those of us who may not have lived your adventures, however, we can live vicariously through your books. Keep them coming because they are a joy to read. We all will join together as we watch our favorite Downton Abbey show. What could be better, our Susan blogs , books and Downton Abbey.
May the New Year bring you Happiness and good health!
Kay
Hi Susan,
Your postings have always made my day. It’s wonderful that you bring cheer and magic to all us girlfriends. Can’t wait for your new book.
Happy New Year to you and Joe and the kitties.
M.Salvatore
My daughter gave me your latest book for Christmas and a wall calendar.Can’t wait to read it!!!
Rabbit! Rabbit!
Happy New Year!
Happy writing! 🙂
Happy New Year!! Loved seeing the glimpse of your paintings for your new book, especially of your darling little house! Can hardly wait until its release! I put up your new calendars, big one in the kitchen, small one in my craft room, recording all the family birthdays and apts, etc. Ahhh, I love new calendars at the beginning of the year! Especially yours!
We got a dusting of snow on Christmas Eve day, but the flakes were Huge as they floated down! It was quite magical while it lasted. It was my Christmas wish!
Looking forward to Downton Abby on Sunday. It will be bittersweet, knowing it’s the last season…..guess we’ll just have to savor every episode all the more!
Cheers!
Happy New Year, Miz Sue! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the puddle leaf pictures. You are quite the photographer and we, your girlfriends, love to see pix of the area surrounding you. Thank you muchly! New Year’s Day…the skies are bright and blue in Southern California (those who watched the spectacular Rose Parade know that). My treat to me this Christmas. A visit to the Mission Inn in Riverside, California which is spectacularly decorated for the season…people come from far and wide to see it and it is well worth the trip, my girlfriends, for anyone who can get to that area of our beautiful country. HIGHLY recommend it!
Susan, your new posting is a lovely way to start the new year. Thank you. Wishing you and Joe and the kitties lots of blessings and good health and much happiness in 2016. It promises to be quite the year! Hugs.
I love your blog, Susan! Your first house is adorable! Jack too! Wanted to tell you that I have a collection of the Spode, Pink Tower dishes too, including egg cups! When I got married three years ago and moved from Kansas to Cape Cod I had to get rid of several sets of dishes, but saved the Pink Tower & love it as much today as when I started collecting about 20 years ago!
Happy New Year to you & thank you!
Linda
Oh yes, it’s a keeper. Mine came with egg cups too. I’ve given a couple of them away to another collector friend of mine who didn’t have the egg cups and was lusting for them. I had extra so I fulfilled her need!
Thank you for the all the pleasure your work has given me this past year. Now looking forward to a new year of your posts.
Happy, happy New Year, dear Sue! (I’m packing up 2015, too, reluctantly…I confess).
xo peg
xoxo I understand Peg!
hi susan… and Happy New Year!! Just loved waking up to this post… a little New Year’s Day gift… I unwrapped my SB calendars too…I love them and never peek ahead ( rather a tough thing to do I might add)….so I have a little Susan Branch surprise each month… Looking forward to so many things in 2016 and feeling very blessed. St.Louis and our region is experiencing the effects of a devastating flood right now. This area has not seen this kind of flooding since the great flood of 1993 and it has wreaked havoc for thousands of people. It rained for three days straight and some areas received 12+ inches of the wet stuff…. just too much water for the Meremac and Mississippi Rivers to handle. We live high on a bluff, so we are ok.. but please keep those that are struggling with these conditions close at heart. Counting the hours to Downton Abbey… it seemed like a long time to wait when they first announced when the premier of the last season would be shown and BAM!… here it is!!! in just 2 days!!! Looking for to your book tour and all the fun and adventure it will bring!!! Here’s wishing you and Joe joy, comfort, good health, and peace in 2016! Cheers to the beginning!!!
love, cindy
HAPPY 2016 TO YOU, SUSAN!
It was ever so nice to hear that you got a bit of the beautiful white stuff……your pictures are lovely. We still have snow on the ground which has not melted from Christmas. I had a few wonderful days after Christmas visiting my son and his family in Sunny San Diego. The little ones have grown at least an inch since October. They are full of the wonder and joy which being young brings to their world. A trip to Toys R Us to return duplicate Star Wars presents, and running around at Liberty Station was such a joy.
I hope that everyone has a wonderful year. Thank you for sharing with us, Susan…………xoxo
Downton…your new book….snow days……..already the New year is filled with wonderful anticipation! Happy New Year! May the days bring good and magical memories to you and yours!
I leave up my decorations until the 6th.old Christmas.Just like my grandma.
Well, ours are still up, the tree is lighted and blazing away right now, so the way things are going, we’ll be like your grandma too. I’m not in any hurry.
Dear Susan,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! It looks like I’m one of the first to comment, yeah!! Its evening here, and seeing this post is the icing on the cake of this lovely 1st day of 2016!
Well, today was a gorgeous day, with a clear blue sky. In the morning we went over to my parents to wish them a happy New Year, which was really nice. This afternoon me and my husband drove to the coast, and we enjoyed a lovely walk on the beach. It was pretty busy, because there are loads of people who take a new years dive into the sea…brr, rather them than me!
When we got home, we had tea with your truly delicious Christmas Coffee cake. Yesterday was the 1st time I made it and my son licked the bowl, and said the batter was one of the best he’d tasted, so we couldn’t wait to try the cake! Lightly warmed, with clotted cream, yummy!
I’m changing the name, though, and calling it Susan;s winter cake, so I can serve it at other times too, hoping you don’t mind!
Then, to my happy surprise, our son came down to watch the Christmas edition of Downton abbey, ohhhhh you will LOVE IT!! Not telling you anything, though:)
And then your post popped up! a perfect ending to a lovely january 1st.
Dear Susan, I wish you and Joe and the kitties a lovely, happy, healthy new year! May it be filled with joy, happiness, good health, lots of laughs, furry kitties, nice books, overseas traveling and love and sunshine!
Nicoline
No, don’t tell me. But I can’t wait! Maybe I will make us Winter Cake too! 🙂 xoxo All most wonderful blessings to you too Nicotine!
Happy New Year dear Susan! I hope that you and Joe have a healthy, happy and prosperous year…
Some of the favorite things in my life are your books (I have every single one and sometimes two, except Baby Love) and your blog. It is so uplifting and positive. So glad to have you in my life… Love, Joyce aka ChiChi.
Happy New Year Susan! Let the New Year begin!
Happy New Year dear Susan, I got the Fairy Tale book for Christmas from my daughter and finished it in 2 days! What a wonderful life you had even though you had that awful heartbreak. Cannot wait for Isle of Dreams for your fairy tale to continue. Loved the pictures of the puddles on your walk. And of course Girl (beautiful) & Jack, so innocent when sleeping, lol. Lots of wishes for a happy and healthy and beautiful New Year. Hugs & Kisses from windy So. Calif. xoxoxo
Wonderful, just wonderful!
…..and a Happy New Year to you, Jo, the kitties and to all the girlfriends!
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i ti, Jo, y cathod ac i’r gariadon!
A little bit of Welsh for you!
With love from
Karen 😊
x x x x
Another beautiful posting! Happy New Year and waiting – waiting for April!
A very Happy New Year to you and Joe and those two beautiful creatures who share your home! I am really looking forward to sharing your 2016 adventures and that book can’t come soon enough!
Dear Susan,
I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
I love your blog and I can’t tell you how relaxed I feel after reading about your beautiful home and kitties.
I love the snow pictures. We never see that in Florida.
I miss the beautiful snowy Winters in Ohio.
Cheers,
Carmen Mays
DEAR SUSAN,
ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH YOU. MAY YOUR 2016 BE HAPPY, HEALTHY AND FULL OF LOVE.
Thank you for sharing your lovely life with us. So much charm and joy-it radiates from your work. Just finished Fairy Tale Girl [in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down] and am awaiting ‘the rest of the story’. Glad Jack is helping you!
Happy New Year, Susan. Blessings, peace and love to you now and always. Thanks for enriching my life with your art and sense of peace.
Looking so forward to another joyful year with you, Susan! LOVED The Fairy Tale Girl and am eagerly awaiting Isle of Dreams. Xoxo!!!
Ellen : )
Thank you for reminding me to put up my new calendar! We are having a lovely day of mimosas, fire and football. Dinner is in the crockpot. We are covering all our bases. My mom’s famous sauerkraut balls for a little pickup food and blackeyed peas for dinner with a pork tender. Family have all gone home. It is a quiet day with the fur babies. A good day to count our blessings. I want to live with my Christmas decorations just a little longer. Then I will put them away the way I put them out, a little at a time.
Love, love the sneak previews of THE BOOK. Isle of Dreams will be a little like Downton Abbey; the end of the story………EXCEPT……we still have you with every new blog!!
Here’s for the best and healthiest year for all of us….ever!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I’m looking forward to many more wonderful blog postings………drawings, music and lovely, lovely photos. Kisses to you and the kitties……hugs to Joe.
Thank you so much, Susan. The sweetness in your paintings and lettering and the words you use make my soul feel better.
I love the painting of the cute girl in the brass bed. I love everything you paint! I love the blessings. I especially needed them.
May God bless you and yours this year.
Candace McBride
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing such loveliness with your readers and for continuously being one of my inspirations for creating a life of beauty, authenticity, sweetness, hope, and love. You’re one of the BEST! Here is to a happy, blessed, healthy, and prosperous new year for you, Joe, and the kitties. XOXO
I so look forward to your emails! I treasure both A Fine Romance and The Fairy Tale Girl. I have given both to the special girl friends in my life.
What a wonder way to start off the New Year with you. Can’t wait for the new book. Read the other two so fast and I didn’t want them to end. All the best to you in the New Year!
What a wonderful way…sorry about that can’t type as fast as I think.
Thank you. Happy New Year, too, to you and Joe! Those “Christmas dishes,” I think English pottery with the red and cream pattern, look so pretty to use also at Valentine’s Day. Do you ever use them then, or do you have others for that holiday? I gave myself and a good friend Your “Fairy Tale Girl” book for Christmas, as I did with “A Fine Romance.” We both find them such treasures of writing, photos, and of course especially your art work. Can’t wait to see the new book. Keep up the good work! My friend Dori and I have been your fans since you first started publishing, many years ago!
Ah, once again your gift of your blog turns any hint of stress into miles of smiles and deeply inhaled quotes, photos and new water colors. Thank you for your inspiration direction. Love the photos of inside and outside your home. Hang on; after many days of rain, then dreary cold dampness, a full day of authentic snow this January 1st. So hang on another day as our Michigan weather should reach your eastern coast by tomorrow. Peace and unexpected blessings are sent your way. JoAnn
I heard that on the news tonight and I have one word for you, actually two, thank you!
Happy New Year to you too.May you continue to bring such joy to all who read your books! God Bless you. Love Georgia
Happy New Year Susan! Wishing you, Joe and the kitties all the best for 2016. April can’t come soon enough for your new book. How I wish you could come to Canada for a book signing ( it’s quite a trek, I know).
Happy Downton watching!
Have a Blessed New Year. Thank you for your wonderful spiritual quotes throughout your blog….they mean a lot:)
Could this be? Am I the first to leave a comment? The first words of response on a brand new blog page in a brand new year! Maybe not, but I think maybe so! And if the case, I am thrilled with the honor! You have added more excitement to my excitement, Susan! I always find New Year’s a bit bittersweet…..but yet, I always look forward to the freshness of a new year, the anticipation of things to do and things to come, the unknown and the unwritten, the dwelling in the possibilities! Here’s to 2016…..may it be happy, healthy, and blessed for all of us! I am of grateful heart for all the ways you make our days wonderful! xo
Yes, I feel it too, the transition is just a little hard to make, wanting to hold on to the past, and then being investigative, wishing to see what’s next. xoxox Hoping it’s all good things for you Tina.
Blessings to you in the New Year. Thank you for your spiritual quotes throughout your blog…..
Happy New Year ! Thank you for your lovely inspiration for peace and joy and your constant awareness of beauty in natures bounty! It’s the act of being present and aware of the beauty around all of us! Free for the taking if you just take the time to see it! All the best for 2016😀🎉🍀MJ
Happy New Year and blessings upon you and yours! Thank you for your lovely, inspiring blog. I was just headed out to my art studio and needed some inspiration. You have given it to me in spades! Thank you Susan! It is cold in No. California this week, but my honey put the heat on in the shop so it should be toasty when I get there. Sixteen is my lucky number…here’s hoping that goes for 2016 too.
Wishing you both, a healthy and happy New Year! xo Tracy
Hi! Happy New Year to you and your Guardian Angel Extraordinaire, Joe!! I love the pictures of the trees reflected in the puddles! Some talented artist should paint that…..YOU! <3 Can hardly wait for the new book! I gave my sister the Fairy Tale Girl for Christmas, and its funny, she told me the other day she is almost done reading it, and can't wait to finish but also doesn't want to finish!! That is just how I felt reading it! Thank you for the New Years message of hope and enthusiasm, you can sure make me feel better! XOXO
My Japanese friends tell me they believe whatever you do on New Year’s Day you so all year long … SO … go have some fun!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 With a grateful heart I wish you, Joe, Blogdaddy and all the Girlfriends a very blessed New Year ♥ May 2016 be full of PEACE and all good things ♥ xoxo
Oh that is good. We walked, we ate a homemade pizza, we messed about in the garden, and I worked on the book. I could do that all year!
Perfect! So happy you have Joe to share it all with ♥ And nice that he is such a support during your writing / painting phases … especially with his superb culinary skills which I’m sure are MUCH appreciated 🙂 xoxo
Happy New Year to all!,,,,..
No snow here either, but it is colder than a few days ago. My Christmas was quiet…one party with friends on Christmas Eve…then just our small family on Christmas day. Had a vacation of 5 days off from work…which was nice. I am planning to retire mid 2016…so that is really something to look forward to this year.
Love all your updates on the upcoming book…the pictures are beautiful as always. I like your Christmas dishes…very festive. Thanks for the New Year blog…wishing you and yours a happy holiday season. Put my SB calendars up at midnight…so I am ready for all the new year brings us.
Kathie….from Limerick
Cannot wait for your new book, have pre-ordered it awhile ago. Snow has arrived here in Michigan. It missed Christmas and twas a bit disappointing but seeing those large, lovely snowflakes coming down this morning was wonderfully beautiful. Loved your blog today and was an unexpected pleasure. Give those kitties some scratches from me. Happy New Year Susan.
Susan, thank you for starting my year out perfectly. We both have the same thoughts, as far as last year’s blizzard, and how perfectly content it was to look out our frosty windows at the magical scene right outside. Indiana has mild weather as well this year, but this morning there were teeny flurries and now, at mid-day, a light layer of white covers the ground.
Your photos of Martha’s Vineyard brought back such memories of my hubby Tom and my trip there in October to celebrate our 40th anniversary. I fell in love, as I thought I would. And your posts bring me right back, so thank you, Susan, for letting me wander back where I felt so in tune with this magical place.
Now, off to do what January 1 leads me to do: Empty my fridge, toss out things that have been waiting to be used all year, and clean every square inch of the inside of the refrigerator, taking apart all of the drawers, soaking them in sudsy water, and seeing the sparkle as I finish the job and close the drawer. Ahhh…a new year, a new fridge!
Happy New Year, Girlfriend, from one romantic artist to another!
Barbzie
Oh that is so funny. I love it when I clean the fridge. Never often enough, but such a good feeling when that chore is mercifully DONE. xoxo
Happy Happy New Year Susan! God bless you abundantly!
Happy New Year!!! Wishing you a wonderful and blessed 2016! Can’t wait to meet you during your book tour this summer.
Oh Susan, I cannot wait for your new book. I love, love Fairytale Girl! Such a fabulous walk through your life which brought back memories from own since we are the same age! Can you believe 2016 is here? How did all the years slip by so quickly?
Happy New Years to you and Joe!
Karen C.
How did Jack get up there on the quilts? Oh wait…he’s a cat….
Yes and let’s not forget the tiny wings. 🙂
This was such a lovely post. I read it while my husband ran into Fred Meyer grocery for a razor. I can’t wait to get home. I want to make a replica of that little cottage door you show behind some little green pot or something. I will make it in dollhouse scale for my garden. Was wondering too, does anyone live in the Holly Oak cottage? Happy new year to you too Susan. God bless.
The new calendar is in the kitchen, the smaller one is in the laundry room. Happy New Year! Thank you for all the warmth you share, Susan!
Susan in Cincinnati
(Looking forward to your visit in spring–already scheduling a vacation day!)
Sorry you have no snow. It is so cold here in So Cal that we might get some. Here’s hoping. We had an inch or two last year but it only lasted a day or so. Great fun for the kids and beautiful to see. Here’s wishing you a wonderful year and a great book.
I was so hoping we would hear from you today as we start out a New Year. What hopes we all have and wishes all around for 2016! I love this network of “girlfriends” that you have started and blessed us all with. Happy New Year to you and Joe and the kitties.
You give us so much enjoyment thruout the year I just wanted to take the time to say “thank you” for the joy you bring with your blog. It’s always a sunny day when you post. Hugs and happiness for the New Year… Susan Lewis
LOVE,❤️❤️❤️ Happy New Year! The best thing is happening……my 11 year old daughter is falling in love with your books just like I did! So happy she will have special memories of our time together and our time with your books! Just had to share 💕💕💕
Happy New Year! Happy 2016, Susan and Joe and kitties!! I love the 2016 calendar that you painted and I’m looking forward to your latest book in the Spring! I’ve recently moved from Cumming, Ga to Parrish, FL so I hope to make it up to Atlanta for your book signing! I really hope to get to meet you then. Hugs from Barbara Stillman in Parrish, Fl
Happy, Happy New Year, Susan (and Joe & the kitties, who share you with us 🙂
Your blog is so delightful and inviting ~ what a treat for this brand new year!
Happy New Year Susan!!!!! Looking forward to the adventures we will get to have with you and Joe this year too!!!!!! Can’t wait!! And can’t wait for that book! Off to the store ASAP to buy your calendar because it didn’t show up under the tree…. 🙂 My own year may be filled with life-changing adventure but at this point nothing is for sure……it’s still fun to dream about though!
Happy New Year dear Susan! Looking forward to being a part of your journey this year! I am holding on tight for new adventures!
No snow here in OH yet (except lake effect North of here). I enjoy an early quiet morning on New Year’s Day reflecting and planning. A new canvas or blank page waiting for inspiration. I am dragging my feet on Christmas decorations – just love the tree and lights throughout the house. Love peeking through (or out of) the windows of your life. Your book will bloom along with our bulbs – excited about both.
Happy New Year Susan….loved the blog. So nice to read your words after a long day of company! I have been drinking my tea out my Emma Bridgewater Holly cup and hate to put it away! We have had snow here and it is falling off the metal roof today with loud noise… winter has arrived! Blessings on your household….and yes I am longingly awaiting Downton Abbey…it is wonderful!