Hi everyone! Let’s see, where were we? Well, let’s not go to where we were, let’s move ahead to where we are! Lots going on in the Heart of the Home these red-letter days, almost too much. I’ll catch you up with some of it now, and save the rest for the April 19th Willard! ♥ Have I told you lately that I love you? Well, I do . . . MUSICA
Dawn breaks in my kitchen, and the outline of the rabbit ears just makes my Good Friday morning. ♥ Run, go get the camera. Love the sunrise as it filters through the trees in our garden, into the windows, landing on my Beatrix Potter People and those bunny ears saying, spring, spring, spring.
It’s doing the same thing outside. A stormy sky is background to the white steeple across the street when the sun peeks through the cloud cover and splashes it with light through the trees. Isn’t that a perfect Easter scene? So New England, so full of
It’s spring again, and the robins are bobbin’ along . . . we are so lucky.♥
And that isn’t all. A big brown UPS truck pulled up out front yesterday ~ I could see him through my studio window, I jumped out of my chair, and Steve, the driver, and I walked together, him, outside, carrying a box up my driveway, me inside, seeing him through the windows as I walked through the living room, then the wood room, meeting him at the kitchen door . . . me thinking, could it be? It seems early! Steve, seeing my eager face, teasing me, holding the box back for a second and making me laugh.
It was from the printer who sends us stuff all the time, but I got the camera, because it looked like it, it felt like it, and just in case, I wanted to do a “You are there” moment, for my Girlfriends who’ve stood by me through this entire long process of book making!
And it was! The first two copies, hot off the press . . . There is something SO scary/exciting about a new book, 
makes my hands shake and stomach quiver . . . I will never get used to it. And coming from my diaries, this one is especially scary. Suddenly the poor little thing is on its own, off to see the wizard with protective mommy getting further behind, singing Que Sera Sera and hoping for the best.
I took my time and looked her over carefully. Did she have all her fingers? Toes? What color were her eyes? (Blue.) I’m counting time by heart throbs. Ba-bump, ba-bump.
I opened it . . . and thought Oh, my, welcome to 1982 and my first little house on Martha’s Vineyard. From this photo above? I still put that rabbit head over the wood container with flowers on the wall next to our door every year, and the garden sign at the bottom is now in my picket fence garden, waiting for the tulips to bloom around it. The pumpkin bit the dirt a long time ago, but I’m still madly in love with dappled things.♥
And this. I can’t wait to take you there . . . you are going to love it!
I opened the book, and began to turn the pages . . . and there they all were, just like I painted them, just like they were supposed to be! Oh yes, a ribbon marker too. Her eyes are blue, and her ribbon is sea green. 368 pages of pretty paper, good deep color, recipes and zillions of photos . . .
I always felt bad about leaving that cliff hanger in The Fairy Tale Girl ~ it was cruel and inhuman of me . . . I am so glad that is almost over! Here we go! . . . The Fairy Tale Girl was the Appetizer, A Fine Romance was dessert (which we ate first, because that’s who we are) and now, for the Main Course, Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams. I hope it’s been long enough so that you are very hungry!
I could not leave out one of my very favorite quotes. This new book is full of quotes, definitely more than any of my other books, and mostly ones you’ve never heard from me before . . . because I wrote about the inspiration that made me put them in my first book way back then . . .
And the inspiration for my love of train travel is there too, and the reason I got started with it, and my interesting run-in with John Madden, the famous football coach, on that first trip, which you don’t know about so far, but you will . . .
And my dad . . . we received two books, one for me to show you, and the other one went off to Blogdaddy yesterday (along with a bag of wisteria seeds that have been popping off our climbers all week). I am SO excited for him to get the book (and the seeds)! I know you know! As far as I can tell we are still on schedule for delivery of YOUR books . . . I think you should have them in hand by the second week in April, yes, and they will all be signed, I’ve been signing book plates for every book.♥ And for those waiting to get the books in stores, I think they’ll arrive maybe 2 weeks later ~ we ship to our Girlfriends who’ve ordered first, then the stores (and then I imagine they have some processing to do when they get there), so for sure by the first week in May, we have a Mother’s Day pub date ♥.
I’m almost done with all the projects I’ve been working on for so long. I decided to make my 30th year a banner year the best way I knew how. BTW, note the space I have to work in? I’m lucky I get that. If you don’t think there are kitty hairs worked into each and every watercolor, then you don’t know from kitty hairs. What are you watercoloring, some might ask . . . and I would answer, for this ↓ ~ I actually got to relive the writing of my first book . . . and feel again all the hopes and dreams that went into it. 
Never in my wildest dreams did I think, when I was sitting at the dining room table in my first little house on the Island, recovering from a broken heart and 
trying to write a book, not knowing how, and not knowing whether I would ever find a publisher, that 30 years later, I would be celebrating its birthday like this! ♥ This is a mockup for the new cover (which will take the place of the ← old one). I promise, it won’t look so glued together when you see it in person. And I already changed it a little. I didn’t like “revised and enlarged,” at the bottom because it sounded like I made the pages larger, or the print larger or something . . . so I changed it to this . . .
The finished book will still have the gold banner but it will say,”revised and expanded,” since that is what it really is. Words. Gotta love ’em. And I loved every second of the expanding! I wrote a 
long forward for it, added lots of new recipes and art, new quotes too, and a much more complete Index. You know this was my first child, I love her very much and I hope she will meet a whole new generation of newlyweds, best friends, sisters, nieces and all the other lucky people who know that cooking is an art, but that it’s mostly a giving thing. This is my Christmas present to everyone. It will be in stores around September first, but in our own webstore for our Girlfriends in June. . . I’ll let you know when it goes up for presale, just trying to let Kellee get her breath from all she has to do about the one that came in the box yesterday!
AND, in the meantime . . . Joe and I are walking every day, getting wisps of spring breezes, smelling the warming earth (smells like chilled leaf compost), seeing the trees beginning to bud, going to the shore and listening to the birds cry as they swoop and dive into the waves . . . It’s happening again, just when you think it might not. It’s GORGEOUS out there this morning and we are heading out as soon as I say good bye to you.
It’s the perfect place to say our Easter prayers . . . we have so much to be grateful for. Our health and family and home and love, warm beds and applesauce and cottage cheese, and tea and kitties, not just today, but every day. With current events as they are, its up to us to hug each other tight and never let go.
We’re having a pork roast for Easter dinner, and, as usual, I’m making this delicious fruit compote to go with it . . . it’s on page 59 of Heart of the Home, if you have it, but if not, here it is . . . it’s also an old-fashioned perfect “Grandma dinner” with lamb or ham! For the people you love. 
I know most of you have seen this recipe many times, but we have new Girlfriends coming to the blog all the time, and this Bunny Cake is so easy and so fun and so festive and so kid-like, it’s always worth a little reminder. No matter our age, we all have a bit of kid lurking inside ~ which it’s good to nurture! For the Joy, because . . .
And now, last but not least, I have a secret (I actually have two) but the one I’m telling you about now has to do with fabric. And that’s all I’m saying. One cliff hanger down and one to take its place. Anyone have a favorite fabric of mine that they wish had not gone away? Love to hear about it! Love to hear about anything you want to talk about! Love YOU! Happy weekend! Make kindness your middle name. ♥
Hi Sue,
What a great post as usual. I will be watching for the new book, and I will also be looking for the new HEART OF THE HOME UPDATED. Then I will have all your books.
just adopted A BIG ORANGE 14 POUND KITTY. About two years old. She is right here on the desk with me, or any place else I go. Too funny, and I think the smartest kitty I have ever had. She is chasing the letters on the screen as I type. O f course she has lots of toys and sleeps in our bed. We are thinking about getting a bigger bed.
Nancy Jo
LOL! How fun! Two years old, still full of fun, lucky YOU! Lucky Kitty!
WoooHooo!!!! Our books are here!! Oh, I can’t wait! Can’t WAIT!! I love the whole idea of writing about your transition from California to Martha’s Vineyard to start a new life. So brave and courageous given what you had been through.
Plus, I do love the new cover for your 30th Anniversary edition. I am definitely going to get the latest version. Will you allow us to order early on your website like the other books? You are right, they would make a perfect wedding present as well as one for those who love to cook. I am looking forward to the new recipes and all of the other details you have decided to include.
It is going to be a rainy and stormy Easter Weekend here in Florida, but our bunnies down here absolutely LOVE the green grass that comes from these days so I am not complaining one bit.
Happy Easter to you and Joe! Enjoy your wonderful dinner complete with Bunny Cake and good friends. I am so happy to be one of your many GirlFriends here on your blog too. We all have such fun and get the best perks like easy access to your books:D! Please tell Blog Daddy I send him a big Florida hug for Easter too! My Daddy always helped my Mom hide the eggs in our backyard for our annual family egg hunt after lunch. Did I ever mention that one time, they hid a small purple egg inside a purple tulip growing in the back yard? Yep, I found it!!
Ooooh, that was a good one. What a magical thing. Love it, and your Florida-bunny update! Happy to have you here Winnie! It would not be the same without you. xoxo
Happy Good Friday to you my dear and all! Wonderful surprise, a new blog this morning! I was right there with you, greeting Steve! Beautiful books, I can hardly wait….& sea green ribbon….perfect color! Kitty help is good, a little paw print here & there & b&w hairs are added bonuses to your books! Hmm, secrets & fabrics & 30th Anniversary – our cups runneth over! Love the way you greet each morning with the church steeple! Thank you for sharing your soul, creativeness, and friendship with us! Hugging all very tightly! xoxoxo!!!!
That steeple is right outside our dining room windows, it’s like the best thing about this house! 🙂 xoxo
How exciting! Books, fabric, and calendars! Oh! My! And the book talks? Swoon! So much to look forward to over the next months! You are Queen of Joy!
Favorite fabric? I love the entire collection a few years ago with the vintage feel… I can’t remember the name, but I have YARDS of all the fabric! There were flowers and hats and all matter of sweet little flowers on lovely, bright colors of red and purple and blue…. It is becoming a sweet Dresden Plate quilt. I can see it, dappled on the picnic table by the creek, with lovely noshes lovingly placed about the top… Oh, dear! I must get stitching!
Thanks for so much wonderful news this morning! We must grasp at Joy wherever we can these days, mustn’t we? I believe love and joy will overcome the darkness trying to edge into our lives. We must just shine a light on it… <3
I believe what you believe Matty, and in this crazy world, we are definitely not alone. xoxo
What a great idea for those fabrics. I have some, too. Dresden Plates would be great.
I can’t wait to have your new book in my collection. Looks amazing!!
Well, if pretty counts, then we are definitely on the right track! 🙂
Good Morning, Sweet Susan!
I thought I had already ordered your new book, but couldn’t find that I had done that. So, I just now ordered it. Goody! Goody! Can hardly wait to receive my copy. Have I waited to late for it to be signed by you?
I read your other two books cover to cover in record time and have re-read them several times. What a treat they are. When this new book comes, I’ll be spending a lot of time in the swing my husband made for me a couple years ago for my birthday, just reading away.
Thanks for MY red letter day, too!
Love from Diane in North Carolina
No you are right on time . . . until the very last moment, I’ll be signing bookplates for everyone! Love your reading spot, and the weather is getting just right for swinging!
..oh, dear !..my heart is literally racing ! ( “be still, my heart ” !) !! ..well, Susan, a huge congratulations is in order for the arrival of your newest baby !!.. ‘looking absolutely beautiful !!..the last couple of days, I have been re -reading A Fairy Tale Girl, anticipating this very moment !!..it won’t be long now !!..we all are so happy for you (and us ! ) !!..happy springtime and have a blessed Easter !..with love, as always ..
Thank you so much Mary, you are so aptly named! 🙂
Can’t wait to get the new book in the mail!!!
Any day, just when I thought it might never happen, here it is!!!
Woo hoo!!! YOUR BOOK!!!!! So happy for you. It is sooo beautiful. I simply cannot wait to read it. I will read it all in one sitting (because I am still on a cliff) and then again nice and slow immediately afterward. I will make sure to leave lots of reviews on Amazon Goodreads etc. I will pin on Pinterest and do my best to help promote it. AS WE ALL SHOULD. I’M TALKING TO YOU, GIRLFRIENDS!!!! WE REALLY OWE IT TO SUSAN AFTER ALL SHE DOES FOR US. DON’T FORGET. I WILL REMIND YOU. Ok, bossy pants are off. Your front door pic gave me a lump in my throat. I loved it. So you, even then. The cover for the new EXPANDED HOTH is gorgeous. So bright and cheery. And I loved your bunny watercolor. It is so vibrant. I loved that. Thanks again for the recipes They are good ones that feel like cozy home. Happy Easter, dear friend.
YOU are such a doll! It’s so hard to, oh, I don’t know, for lack of a better word, “compete” out there in the corporate world, for a little speck of the roomspace for a new book. But I have always thought word of mouth was the very best advertising there is, and feel lucky to have Girlfriends like you who understand that too.❌⭕️ Because of you, I was able to keep on writing books, and that is saying something. A true gift. I wasn’t quite done yet! Happy Easter to you Charissa, dear.
Happy Easter dear Susan! To you and Joe, kitties and family and friends – celebrate all the joy of new life♥ I can’t WAIT to have your new book in my hands!!! So excited I actually teared up a little while following along with the grand opening and the turning of the pages. Jack on your table was the topper! Miss all my kitties now over the Rainbow Bridge, and I’m so glad I can share yours 🙂
Fabric? Did I read fabric??? I have missed your Martha’s Vineyard line for years, even with my small stash collected 🙂 And I always loved your way back florals. Happy colors and patterns! Well, no walk this morning for us. We have t’storms brewing. Glad to hear they’ll be gone before the weekend. Enjoy your walk and your weekend. Thank you for such a wonderful sharing and joyous post this morning! XOXO
Thank you too Mari, for being here and contributing to our blog.xoxoxo Stay dry and inside!
Ohhhh, you put a map in the front of your book! How DID you know that I love maps in books? It’s getting harder to wait for my copy to arrive. It looks lovely, Susan.
Have a blessed Easter weekend. ❤️❤️❤️
I just guessed! 🙂
Another “map” I’d really like to see is the floor plan of your lovely home. Then we could imagine you wandering through the rooms with your camera, stopping to pet kitties, make a cup of tea, talk to Joe, etc. Sometime when you’re bored with nothing to do 😉, just sketch one quick and post it for us, okay? Never one to ask for much…
Happy Easter to all!
That would be easy to do! It’s kind of like a very long trailer! My two favorite rooms are the pantry, which is as big as a normal bedroom and feels like a pure luxury, and the other is the dining room, which is one of the main reasons we bought this house, easy to picture our families all fitting at the table. With a little maneuvering and crushing of bodies, we’ve managed to fit 24 people at the dining table(s). I’ll do that someday when I can, but you have to remind me please . . . xoxo
Thanks, Susan. You can count on a reminder. I’ve wondered about your floor plan for a long time. I hope that doesn’t sound too incredibly nosy…
Good!
Oh yes I would love to see that too!!!
Oh dear Susan…While you sing “Que Sera Sera” and are “hoping for the best”, we are waiting patiently for the “adoption” and I promise we will love and cherish your “baby”!! I cannot wait! Love you, my dear!! You and Joe have a lovely Easter!!
I trust you totally, come what may xoxoxox Happy Easter Jackie!
So glad you are in this world for us to enjoy your art, kind thoughts, and books!
It just so happens that you validate what our lives mean to this world. You make me feel good about myself. (Do you know what I mean)? Excited about my book arrival!!!!
Sort of, I’ve never really thought of myself as a validator, but I do know how important good hearts are to this world and how little credit they get for the wonderful little things they do that make the day of everyone around them. So in that respect, then yes, because we are the world, we are the children, right? I do so love us. XOXOX won’t be long now Bobbie, and thank you!
Good morning Susan!
Thank you for this lovely blog; I thought this morning “will Susan have her Bunny Cake on her blog today?” and there it was! And this Easter, we are going to make it, my daughter and I, so even better!
Looking forward to receiving the new book, and to meeting you in New Hope, PA.
I have one favor to ask: is there aaaany chance, aaaany at all, that you could possibly make an index for all us girlfriends who have all your cookbooks? Now, there are some recipes that we make almost all the time (German Pancake – yum!) and of course, Christmas Wreaths I know are in the Christmas book, but there are so many that when I go to look them up, I say “which book” – and then we scour through all them, and get lost in all the beauty of them, and we forget what we were searching for in the first place!
So, if you have a smidgen of time on your hands, and I don’t want to impose on all this wonderful “free” time that you have now, maybe, just maybe, think about an index? Of course, you can add any and all artwork your little heart desires!
Many, many thanks, and most important of all, Happy Easter to you, Joe, the kitties, and all your family!
I keep threatening to do it, and never make the time. Maybe while I’m traveling? I’d have to bring all the books with me, but wouldn’t it be fun to have a good Index?! Happy Easter Patricia!
🌸🌹🌷Good~Friday~Morning Sweet~Kindness~Sue… This is The Purrrrfect~Easter~Weekend~Blog OMG!!!! Your “Our” New~Book Was In That Box!!! Pink~Champagne~Popping!!! Bravo Sweet Sue!!!!!!!!! (Applause~Applause) Yay! 🙂 Wings~All~A~Flutter 😊🐰✨ I Love Today’s Musica! 🎶🌷 Spring~Spring~Spring I’m Twirling! I Love The Photo With You & Jack! Oh So Cute! Your Roast~Pork Sounds Like It’s Gonna Be Oh So Yummy! Herbster & I Are Going To Make A Ham With a Pineapple~Clove~Brown~Sugar~Glaze & All The Yummy~Fixn’s (Even Your Corn~Pudding) 🙂 Sending You… Sweet Sue & Joe & Girl~Kitty & Jack… Easter~Blessings For Your Easter~Weekend With Lots of Love & Hugzzz & Easter~Spring~Pixie~Dust For All! We Love You! xoxo Poof! 😊💖🐰💙🐣💜✨💚🌟💛🎶☔🌸🌹🌷 P.S. Blog~Daddy is Going To Be So Happy With Your Glorious New Book! 🙂 I Know All Us Girl~Friends Are So Excited! Yay! P.P.S. Hippity~Hoppity Easter’s On It’s Way! Yay! 🐰🐣🎶🌸🌹🌷xoxo Angie~Kindness~Tink 😊💖🌸
Your comment looks like a flower bed Angie! Spring wildflowers! Ham and corn pudding, a match made in heaven! Have a wonderful day and thank you for your good wishes for Blog Daddy! I’m just about to give him a call! I’ll make sure he’s reading the comments!
😊💖🌸💙🌹💜🌷💚🌟💛✨Happy~Day~After~Easter Sweet Sue… “Spring~Wild~Flowers” It Really Does Look Like a “Flower~Bed” 😊 I Read Your Tweet…. Your Easter~Feast Was Scrumptious! 😊🌟💛✨ Ours Was Too & We Are Gonna Enjoy Left~Overs Tonight! Hugzzz & Love For Our~Blog~Daddy! 😊💖 & Always Kitty~Kisses & Love For You & Joe & Girl~Kitty & Jack! Yay! See Ya Later…xoxo Poof! 😊💖🌸💙🌹💜🌷💚🌟💛✨ P.S. Those Monday~Chores Are Almost Done lol Whew! 😊💛
Now for the Tuesday chores! 🙂
I could feel your excitement when reading about the arrival of your first two books. I am soooo looking forward to reading Isle of Dreams. I have Heart of the Home but will definitely purchase the “revised and expanded” one. Love your post, you are so inspirational.
Wishing you and Joe and the kitties a very Happy Easter.
Thank you so much Paula! Happy Easter to you and yours!
Happy Spring Susan! Your new book looks lovely and I am excited it may be here for my birthday on May 3rd. What a happy present to look forward to! How fun to share the arrival with Steve a stork in brown 🙂 . Thanks for the bunny cake recipe as we have granddaughters here for Easter and I hadn’t thought what to make for dessert yet. Spring has come to middle Tennessee early and we have bleeding hearts blooming and perhaps the Dogwoods will be open by Sunday. You and Joe and the kitties have a wonderful Easter. Kim S
The brown stork, I can just see myself explaining that to him! Dogwoods already! We have a long way to go before that happens for us!
I just finished your book ” the fairytale girl and loved it. It was delivered Easter Sunday! Poor mailman but I was all smiles . I can’t wait for part 2 now! The girls loved making the bunny cake by the way. The are 9 and 8. It turned out cute. Afterwards it looked like a zombie bunny though 🙂
Yes, cutting off the ears is sort of sad . . . really hard to cut off the head of the lamb cake! I’m glad you like the book, thank you, Kim!
So exciting…I loved this post. I ordered your new book so quickly, so I can’t wait to get it! I am going to try to go slower with this one and savor it. I’ve read the first one twice, but I want to make this one last. Love your books so much and can’t wait to get a new 30th anniversary copy to sit next to my original on my bookshelf. I like those cherries! Wishing you a blessed and wonderful holiday. Thanks for making our weekend!
I like the cherries, and I like the red plaid, I’m having a wonderful time with it! Thank you back Teresa!
Seeing your finished book is now making me eager to receive my pre-order in the mail! I love all the attention to detail and quality in everything you do.
Happy Easter, Happy Spring!
Thank you so much Marla, hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sue, what a delight to read your blog on an icy Maine morning. I recall vividly when I bought your Heart of the Home book. It was in Cold Spring, NY on a girlfriend reunion. How appropriate!…. and I have been a devoted fan ever since!
And what is it about cats that they must lie in the middle of whatever work is in progress?? Love it!
Leslie From Maine
I don’t know, I will never know. He’s giving me the eye right now! 🙂 So nice to hear from you Leslie!
*•-:¦:-•:* Happy *:•-:¦:-•* 30th *:•-:¦:-•* Anniversary! *:•-:¦:-•*
The world is our oyster & YOU are our “PEARL”!
Happy hugs!
Bunny XO
Look at you Bunny! xoxoxo Thank you for that darling thought. xoxoxo
Such a cute name to have at Easter time, Bunny! I love it! 🙂
😍
Oh my, oh my I can just smell that new book and feel the beautiful cover! Second week of April can’t come soon enough, and then in May I am driving from New Mexico to join two other of my girlfriends at the Tattered Cover to meet you, smile like old friends we are and then read the “rest of the story” to my Mom who has anxiously been awaiting the arrival of this book as much as I have!
Love the bunny ears, the spring walks to the sea and the joy in prayers for the blessings of a life well lived! Happy Easter to you and Joe (and the kitties, hair and all!) Love…
FUN, road trip! Meet you there Christine! xoxo Hi to your mom from me please.
I stopped by your blog this morning to read about Martha’s Vineyard. We’re thinking about planning a trip and to my surprise a new blog post. Yippee!!! Oh I am absolutely counting the days to read your new book! Just this week I baked the Orange and Lavender Polenta Cake from A Fine Romance and it was a huge hit at our house. There’s only one slice left! 😉 Now my husband is a fan too! Your blog and your books are a joy and pure delight. Thank you!
The books got the girls, and the recipes brought in the guys (even if they didn’t know it), and it all worked out just great. Makes me so happy to hear that Lyn! Thank you!
Good morning, Sue! Hope you had a nice walk before the rain arrived. (Well, it’s going to start here in NY soon, I don’t really know about M.V.) SO excited to hear about the books arriving — can’t wait! About the fabrics… I wish I had some of the almost-toile-like fabric with designs (nautical?) from around the island – at least I think that’s what it was. I remember bidding on some remnants on eBay – and lost! It was a red pattern on a white/cream background, but I think it was also available in a second color (black? green? navy blue?) Definitely a pen-and-ink sort of design. I think I had hopes of making kitchen curtains for my 200+ year-old-house! Sorry I can’t be more precise about the design, I just remember loving it! Hope you will consider making them available again – or something similar. That’s my two cents’ worth! Happy Easter!
It got us, we were on the road and big fat drops came splashing out of the sky. We forgot to look at the weather report and it was GORGEOUS when we left! That hardly every happens, but it definitely did yesterday. Yes the Martha’s Vineyard Toile, that’s a definite. We had it in red, green, and blue. I think black sounds wonderful too, might have to think about that!
Susan, your new baby is beautiful! I cannot wait to see it in person. I think this one will be my favorite yet…of course, I say that about each one. I have lots of your fabric. Like I told you on Twitter, I am finally having the hat quilt made out of the “language of flowers” fabric. The lady who is making it has been sending me pictures and it looks amazing. She is making me some pillow shams to match. Oh, the joy your art has added to my life. I am truly grateful. Happy Easter to you, Joe and the kitties!
How fun that you are doing that Charlene! You’ll have to put the photos on Twitter someday so I can see! 🙂 Happy Easter to you too! xoxoxo Sending love.
This post is so exciting!!!! The book looks WONDERFUL!! Both books actually! Can’t wait to refresh my Heart of the Home–and gift them to several for Christmas!! The new additions sound super!! THANK YOU for the inspiration you are!! You help me realize the blessings of cozy home and family!! And FABRIC????!!!!!!! Can not wait!! I still have some that I love so much I can’t bear to cut into it! Now I can really stock up and use it!!!!!
(My UPS driver is also Steve! Ha!) Happy Easter to you, dear Susan, and wonderful Joe!!
It’s funny how we become attached to our UPS people, coming to the house and all. Happy Easter back to you Amy!
I am so excited! I am so ready for both books to be in my hands. They look fabulous. I love the uniqueness of your books as well as the content.
That’s why I love Thomas Edison’s quote “There ain’t no rules around here, we’re trying to accomplish something.” My dad could have said that too. Thank you Sandy! Happy Happy Easter and love your bunny plates!
As usual, your lovely blog made my day. I have all your books (and all of Gladys Taber too) Looking forward to getting the next two. You bring such joy to us-your girlfriends!
Thank you so much Mary! It’s really a two way street. xoxo
Golly gumdrops, you’ve filled our virtual Easter baskets to the rim with this happy post! Have a blessed Easter and a joyful spring…and hubby and I will see you in New Hope in May❤️
Goodie Gumdrops, you’ll be in New Hope! Yay!
What a wonderful Easter weekend surprise! It is like you loaded an Easter Basket just for us: new book, bunny cake, another new (updated) book coming soon, and the promise of FABRIC! I have all the fabric that girlfriend Matty has and am hoping to get started on a quilt soon—up until now I just get it out and look at it and pet it once in a while and pop it back in the drawer LOL ☺. Happy Easter Weekend to you and Joe and kitties!
I too am such a petter of the things I love! Sweet Lynn Marie! Happy Easter from us to you and yours!
So sweet to see your reaction on getting your new book…its arrival, a bundle of joyful work….you should be very proud…..I always purchase your books at my local independent book shops passing on the love of community…..we live in very odd times, and your art, ability to recall life moments, love of history are more important than ever to all of us.
Thank you ….
It’s been a joy to do, writing about the times we’ve lived in, times we’ve shared, we’ve all been planet mates, and have so much in common because of it. Thank you for supporting the Independent Bookstores. I love how so many of them are supporting their local libraries these days . . . what comes around goes around. xoxo
Happy Easter, Susan!!! Love the pictures, quotes, recipes….. love the WHOLE inspiring blog!!! Can’t wait to see you in St. Charles, Mo. at the book signing in May, although I do hate waiting so long to buy my book! Also, I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve regarding fabric as I am a fabri-holic/quilter!!! So I’m thinking you will be coming back out with your own line of fabric!!! Yeh!!! So much to look forward to! Thank you, love you back, and embrace every beautiful day with all your heart and soul! Mary Ann
It’s very easy to do, it’s all so wonderful, even the cold and overcast days, they say, Okay, grilled cheese . . . and what can be wrong with that!
Many congratulations to you dear Susan on this wonderful accomplishment. I absolutely cannot wait to get my copy in the mail. I thought the cliffhanger (no pun intended) ending of Fairy Tale Girl was perfect. You left us gasping for more–and now we will have it.
Charles Dickens’ hugely popular books were written in serial form, published a chapter a month in English magazines. Then those magazines had to go on a ship across the Atlantic to get to the US. Crowds would gather on the New York dock shouting to the crew, asking for news of the latest chapter.
You have a loving crowd of girlfriends, all “waiting at the dock” and eager to read the next chapters in your life which you have so generously and creatively shared with all of us. Thank you for that and–did I say?–can’t wait!!
I know about Charles Dickens serial books, I wish it was possible to do that today! I think people would love a story in their favorite magazine! And thank you! I feel like we’re a little club and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
Your wish is Julian Fellowes “Belgravia.” julianfellowesbelgravia.com
Juliet Stevenson from “Truly, Madly, Deeply” fame, is going to do the narration for the audio. LOVE HER!
Speaking of which, yonks ago some of us mentioned it would be grand if you did an audio of “A Fine Romance,” before we knew of the trilogy. To hear your voice speak to me about England would be lush, as well as your very own life story in YOUR voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Caution to the wind thrown at the high-fa-lutin literary types shunning the power of a well placed exclamation mark/marks!!!)
I’m 54 years old and I think Isle of Dreams will be as germane to my life as well as the 20 something year olds you referenced in an earlier comment. We are never too old for our dreams to manifest. England…..
By the by, I was inspired on the day of DA’s finale with a book idea that takes me to England, truly, on a very specific search…a jolly adventure I believe waiting in the wings.
Maybe, just maybe, a bit of “The Vicar of Dibley” viewing in your near future? Sorry, the DVDs were antiquated when I believe it’s now available on either Netflix or Acorn, blast.
I’ve been buying Daffodils like they were Cadbury chocolate. Bought nearly 400 daffs and brought them into the land of cubicles and surprised folks. When standing up in cubieland, it’s like Daffodil Hill (which truly exists in Amador County) and it has been quite the sight. Throw in a several amaryllis I found for a buck 75 and it’s been a veritable visual cornucopia of botanical delights.
I’ve since rushed my Aunt with the same number of daffs in celebration of her 80th! Brought a bunch of old but washed up vases, cut the stems and placed all throughout her house. I also brought some planted sweet peas on a trellis as well as forsythia branches. But the piece de resistance, was the Christmas Cactus I brought her all potted up. It was a cutting from her beloved grandmother’s Christmas cactus from Idaho Falls. The cactus came to California w/my Grandmother, and then my mother and now I have it. It’s around 80 years old. Now the only survivor between my mother and her two sisters, my dear Aunt, has her own plant from that of her dear grandmother’s.
Undoubtedly, you have Greyfriar’s Bobby on your Edinburgh list as well as Clarinda’s tea room on the Royal Mile, the latter I’ve mentioned previously. The will both make you weak in equal measure.
It’s all blue skies and time to make haste, gird my loins as it’s all a go this Easter weekend (borrowed and tweaked this line from Gaskell’s “Cranford.”)
Weap, not week….
Didn’t even see it. How encouraging that is to me! 🙂 Even though yours was probably caused by some good meaning computer outreach. xoxo
I even contacted a person to do the recording for me, but then I realized that half the time I would be saying, “Oh I wish you could see the photo on this page” — then I’d be describing the photos and throw people totally off the story. When I get home next winter, I’m going to sit down with the books and read them out loud and see how much sense they make without the photos! And you are so right, Isle of Dreams will be germane no matter what your age. Dreams are dreams and they don’t know or care about age. Your daffodilitis is just lovely, what a thing you do for your friends and family. There is nothing like a daffodil at the end of a cold dark winter! Nothing! Bright and happy and sturdy!
And that Christmas Cactus, you are even brightening up this blog with that talk! Love hearing from you Carrie!
Oh dear. oh dearie me, no no, we can’t have an “imposter” reading AFR/FTG/IOD. Heavens to Betsy, that would be tantamount to fingers on chalkboard or even, dare I say, being ‘trumped.’ Must say, it’s either you or bust. It would be blasphemous to have another lend their voice to your words and YOUR story – oy vey, I’m apoplectic at the thought. While I’ve attached a link on self- audio books, despite intuition telling me you’ve done plenty of research, I would much prefer hearing a technologically unsophisticated recording with a bit of background noise, not dissimilar to the sound of old wire recordings, just to add some Susan Branch authenticity and sensibility to the recording. I’d pay beaucoup bucks for even the poorest of fidelity spoken in your voice than a free audio recording of another’s voice. Have I been to subtle or conversely, perhaps, put too fine a point on it?
And as far as the pics, if you got to a bit that truly made no sense without a comment about the pic, couldn’t you just say, “take a look-see on page 215 to see Siobhan’s version of a scarecrow called Gloria?” (Have you noticed the English rarely same named, as in she’s named Susan. They say called, she’s called Susan.) All of this would add much more flavor and interest than someone completely devoid of the personal attachment and love of these words.
Just in case:
robdircks.com/yes-you-can-record-your-own-audiobook-heres-how/
I’ve been here in blogville, keeping up with the latest and greatest news. But I also have been trying to lay the groundwork for my writing project that takes me to England for a good few months. I’m telling you, the thoughts came fast and furious on that night of the DA finale. It was what happened prior to the DA finale that is my muse. Just the idea of the people I might meet and the places I may see in my pursuits thrills me, regardless of what happens with my writings. At least for posterity sake my family and those coming after, will have a bit of me and that which I love to read and maybe see why it is I’m so head over heels with Albion.
See you on the book tour, either Danville or Morro Bay. I have tics to Morro Bay. The latter would afford the opportunity to hear THE voice of AFR/FTG/IOD. 😍
No no, not to have them read it, but to have them record it . . . the studio guy! The fidelity guy, who is very good by the way! 🙂 I agree, I love having the author speak! I know, I could just talk and even talk about the photos, and it would be like a conversation, sort of, and maybe even funny, ad libing and all, and fun to follow along if you do have the book, but quite possibly irritating too, depending on the person. Yes, I will practice my reading on the road! 🙂 So happy I will be seeing you! I want to hear more about your book idea. ANY excuse for a few months of research in England sounds like the perfect book to me!
Enjoyed your blog on this Good Friday. Cold and windy here today, yesterday was monsoon rain! I’m glad it wasn’t snow! I have enjoyed the forsythia blooming but I am afraid the cold will ruin it, but that is the tug of war between Winter and Spring that goes on every year here in NW Ohio.
I am so looking forward to your wonderful new book and the revised and expanded Heart of the Home too! I agree with your wise words, what with the things that are happening in our world, it is up to everyone one of us to hug each other tight and pass on love to each other everyday!! So I am passing on my hugs and love and Easter blessings to you Susan, Joe and kitties, and all our SB girlfriends, families and friends!!
Happy Easter!!
Thank you Candice, I could feel that all the way from there! xoxo
I just love reading your posts! You are such and inspiration! I am waiting patiently for my copy of your new book. Can’t wait to fix a cup or two of tea, sit in my comfy chair and read and enjoy “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams”.
May you and Joe have a blessed Easter. Love!
You too Barb, thank you for being here! Happy Easter!
Happy, blessed Easter to you, Joe, Jack (Jack, your dad!) and family. And of course to all the girlfriends. As I started reading this post, I was thinking that the best thing about all the wonderful people and things in your life is that you appreciate and very grateful for all. Then of course, you gave thanks. I can’t wait to read your book and the thought that you’ll have fabrics for us again made me want to jump for joy! Yay! Selfish me is hoping we’ll see the completion of your pancake and tea books. I’m really excited about those two in my future. May all the Easter promises of renewed hope and new beginnings grace us all.
Lovely words, as usual dear Carmel. xoxo
Hi from Oxford Sue. So happy to see the next generation of ‘Heart of the Home’ and will be giving them to my four granddaughters for their hope chests. It was the very first book of yours that I bought. I loved it so, and remember that I wished I could hang it on the wall of my kitchen! Hoping you have happy days ahead with your book tour (can’t WAIT for ‘Isle of Dreams’ to arrive in the post) and I know you’re having happy dreams of England. 🙂 xxx
I am, so much, as you know Carrie! Love hope chests, how lucky your granddaughters are to have YOU!
Happy Easter to you Susan and not forgetting Joe!
A lovely post as usual, I love spring, and all the anticipation that comes with it.
We have a wonderful day here in North Devon, made even more special by having our Grandson Tom, and his sweet girlfriend Sophie visiting us for Easter. We started our day with a walk up the hill to the church. Lambs skipping about the field, with their moms looking on very protectively. The primroses are flowering in the hedgerows, and wild daffodils poking out their yellow heads.blue sky, warm sunshine, and a fleeting glimpse of the sea. Yes we really have to hold on to our loved ones tightly and be thankful for the Joy and peace we have to share with each other. Can’t wait to receive my copy of your new book Isle of dreams! Since “finding” you, you have opened up a beautiful little window to my life, adding such warm and friendly chat on every post. I really look forward to your words, drawings, recipes …Thank You! With warm affection Gill xx
Hi Gill! It sounds like heaven there. I am so happy you are out enjoying it. Frolicking lambs, what a perfect picture of Easter! Have a wonderful time! xoxo
Absolutely LOVED The Fairy Tale Girl, just passed it along to my sister, who will love it too!! I have to go order the next book now!!! Any of your designs on fabric would be fabulous! I have just begun to sew some more!!!! Thanks for your lovely talent!!!
Enjoy your Easter weekend!!!!!
Thank you so much Lori! You too!
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your new “baby”, book! What a treat to look forward to.
I wonder if you or any other girlfriends know this….Many years ago, friends of ours (who had a few chickens) gave the chickens a few tiny pieces of chocolate for their dinner on the saturday before Easter sunday. Can you guess what happened? On the Easter sunday, there were chocolate eggs in the chicken hutch and a few more in the garden! How’s that for magic!! Their small sons had a lovely time looking for eggs!!
Have a lovely Easter weekend, with love from
Nicoline
I am so gullible. That I think this could be true. But then, I don’t think so. Right? 🙂 It is a wonderful Easter story of magic! Especially for those little boys, and the wonderful person who put those chocolate eggs in those nests! I bet they never got over it. xoxo
Good Morning! I am patiently waiting for the book to arrive…and I do so love the little teaser-photos 🙂 I have 9 more days in South Florida before I head back to the mountains of Asheville and the real Spring. Still, tropical FL is beautiful- skies of blue, lovely beaches…but I’m ready to go home. Looking forward to seeing you at Malaprops! Wonderful to have things to look forward to- and you are a big part of them <3
Thank you Jacqui . . . yes, no matter how wonderful a place is, there is still no place like home!
I am so upset, but as a loyal girlfriend, I must tell you I believe I spotted a misspelling in the first line of your new book! I think it should be descent. Planes ascend and descend. Want the book to be absolutely perfect! I am thinking it’s not too late to make changes.
OH NO!!! Well, that’s what I get when I go from the printed words into my own handwriting! I am so mad at myself. First line. Good grief. No, way too late, this will have to be the thing that makes the first printing more valuable than the second, which will not have that misspelling in it! (so mad)
I know you don’t think it’s okay, Susan, but I don’t care if there’s a misspelling because I think of them as hand-done books and tis human to err; the smartest people I know often make typos or do bad grammar or spell things wrong. I don’t care. I love all your books. Don’t be mad.
I’m not mad at anyone but me. I’m happy, just a happy idiot! 🙂 Don’t worry. I’m fully aware I’m human! It’s not my first mistake and it won’t be my last. xoxoxo
I would never have known!! Nor will most who see it! Love and joy to all of you!
My prayer is that everyone is reading so fast they run right over it, just like I did!
So sorry! All books have typos in them it seems. We are all human. It’s your wonderful story telling ability and happy personality we love. Can hardly wait for my copy. And today’s blog posting was wonderful!
I suggest everyone start quick and read fast, just for that first line! 🙂
Piffle, who cares.
Well, you made me laugh! So thank you! Piffle is my word of the day!
“Way back when,” needlecraft projects were worked with an intentional stitch mistake to show that no one is perfect. But I still think you are anyway! 🙂 LOVE your map of Martha’s Vineyard in the beginning of the book. It would look absolutely gorgeous framed and hung on my wall!
That’s such a nice idea, and you are sweet to think of it for me! xoxo
Oh, you’re priceless❣
Just pretend that it was done on purpose – reminds me of the Amish quilters who would purposely put a block in backwards, they were called “humble blocks”. The book will be even more special now – can’t wait to receive and read this new book! You would laugh if you knew how many times I have read the first two books!
You are a sweetheart. Yes, on purpose. 😳 That’s the way to go! xoxoxoxoxo
Amen, Sylvia in Seattle! Piffle, indeed!😊😊❤️!That little typo makes the new book all the more precious.
I do not know how I ever managed to write books without you girls next to me! I didn’t know what I was missing. If someone tried to take away my computer now, and access to you, I would fight them for it! 🙂
Isn’t that what editors are for??? Your job is creative genius and you do that spectacularly ♥ xoxo
Yes, well they edited, and from there, I rewrote in pen and that’s where the danger begins! Thank you Mary! xoxox Yes, creative genius, I have to not forget that! LOL XOXOXOXOXO
Now that I know it’s there, the typo will just make me smile. Goodness, this is like reading your unedited diary, and who doesn’t misspell when writing for one’s own self? Don’t be mad at yourself, it’s all part of the charm!
You are a doll to say that.
I agree with everyone. Piffle… Don’t be mad… It will make me smile:) Gee, isn’t it nice to have Girlfriends?!
All the difference in the world xoxoxo
Happy Good Friday and Easter weekend to you dear Susan (& Joe too!)
I’m so excited that the new book is almost here – in my hands – so I can gobble it up. 😉 And new Willard almost here too! Thanks for the wonderful update and recipes. You’re a jewel among gems.
Have a blessed Easter. xoxo
You too Carrie, have a wonderful weekend. xoxo and thank you.
I had been wondering about Blog-Daddy and how he was doing because we hadn’t heard from him or about him for a while. Glad to see/hear that he is ‘up and doing’ and going to plant wisteria seeds!!!
Time is passing, and he’s not running quite as wild as he used to, but he’s still guarding over the blog and reading what the Girlfriends have to say. xoxo
Good to hear. He had been in my thoughts too🤓
I’m imagining him soaking up the AZ sunshine as he enjoys the beauty of that clear blue desert sky and the incredible sunsets our state prides itself on. Know we are all thinking of you Blogdaddy ♥ xoxo
🌅👏🌞💖💋 Blogdaddy. xoxo Thank you Mary
Dear Susan,
I am so excited your new book will arrive soon !!!
I want to let you know that season two of “Turn” is available on Amazon….my copy is on the way. I love the series so much I wanted to learn more. I found a wonderful book you will love by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, “George Washington’s Secret Six”. This is the spy ring that saved the American Revolution. This book highlights some of our nation’s unknown heroes who never sought credit or recognition. What an eye opener.
Happy Spring to you Joe and the kitties.
Hugs, Carol
Sounds like something I would LOVE to read . . . will go get that right now!
Congratulations on holding your new book today. I also walked this morning and visited the emerging dogwoods, azaleas, and lilacs. I’m having to say goodbye to the daffodils and hyacinths and am a little sad to see them go. But, there are new bleeding hearts blooming that look like miniatures because I just started them from an old plant last year. What a gift! And…there are primroses in abundance along with the Lenten rose and pansies. I just love Spring…sorry to carry on so….but I knew you would understand my joy. Enjoy this special day. I can hardly wait to receive my copy of your book. I am so, so delighted to hear a hint about fabric….I came late to your blog and missed some of your others. Will you please just tell me there are little birdies somewhere? Surely there are bunnies. Oh, one more thing….the picture of you at your desk reminds me of the opening scene of some Beatrix Potter DVDs I say I bought for the grandchildren….but they are really mine. Hugs for a happy day.
As I get older I feel more and more like her! 🙂 Feel free to carry on like that around here anytime you want Viv!
Susan,
I literally got goosebumps when we opened that box! The book looks beautiful….I cannot wait to hold it in my hands! I will have to block out “white space” after it arrives because this Mama Bear will be busy! I can’t wait to read the rest of the story! You have worked so hard at bringing “wonderful” to us and I am so grateful for your time, talent, and courage! I look foward to the exciting months ahead as all of this unfolds. The best thing about “you” is that your books don’t just get read and then fitted neatly on a bookshelf…they (the contents) are often kept amidst the folds of our daily lives. Spring is a time of new beginnings and that is just what you have made of it in many ways. May yours blossom with all the goodness in turn for what you have already put forth. Wishing you and dear Joe a blessed Easter. xo
That was so beautiful Tina, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Susan, Tina is so right…we don’t just read your books and then fit them neatly on a shelf. Mine are always within arms reach where I read. I use them when I need advice, or a quote, or a recipe, or I need to dream, or I want to decorate, or I need to escape this world, or want to be creative, or I need to be inspired, or I just need something pretty to lift me up, or I’m asking myself “how would Susan do this or that”….the list could just go on and on. You and your work, heart, and books are just so much to all of us. I’m so excited to see your new book arriving, and it is coming at a perfect time for me to be able to enjoy it. You must be over the moon! What awesome news to hear secrets about fabric. Now my creative juices are flowing. I really hope there’s Christmas fabric. You showed us a swatch of fabric on your blog a couple (or more) years ago that was really nice…a time when you thought there might be more fabric coming available. You would have so many nice designs for us. Be still my heart. (In my mind I’m already sewing aprons and quilts). Happy Easter to you and Joe and all the Girlfriends. Hugs xo
Christmas, yes! Thank you Rhonda, it is an exciting time, and you all make it even better. XOXO
..yes, oh, please !!..Christmas fabric would be wonderful !!..
I too had goose bumps seeing you take the books out of the box! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Love that we can all do it together. . . how amazing is that! Thank you dear Internet!
Yippee! The new book will be arriving soon and I can hardly wait! I’m also looking forward to pre-ordering the new Heart of the Home book to go with my original one! Thank you for sharing your hopes, dreams, tears, and life with us. We girlfriends enjoy each and every word you write. Thanks too for sharing your beautiful kitties with us. I also have a tuxedo cat named Tut and his girlfriend, a tortoise shell named Katie. They bring such pleasure to me every day with their antics and their love.
They are wonderful friends to have around!
Hi Susan, 🙂 Speaking of new babies and favorite fabrics of yours ~ my sister made a baby quilt (the one with your hats in the blocks and a scalloped edge) for my baby girl 17 years ago – very sweet and beautiful (the quilt & the baby girl ~:o) ) … I pulled it out recently (the quilt 🙂 ) , and the white fabric has some spots and discoloration, it looks like from something having splashed on it. 🙁 I don’t know how to remove them. If you or your nice readers have any advice, I’d be happy to hear it. And cannot wait to read your newest books. <3 Love from Townsend, MA xoxoxo
When I want to wash an old quilt, I soak it in cold water in the bathtub with Biz, and dry it on the lawn. But I thought this website had some smart suggestions . . . Good Luck Diane!
I haven’t looked at that website yet but I, too, have washed vintage quilts in the bathtub. I swear, though, you need two people because they are heavy when wet and you don’t want the fabric/stitches to pull as you bring it out of the tub; I’ve had that happen, where the fabric starts pulling away. The other thing I had learned, oh years ago, was that when you lay the quilt flat to dry in the sun, also cover it with a white bed sheet to protect the fabric colors when the cloth/dyes are so, so old…or the sun can bleach/fade them out. Of course you want to also protect the quilt from underneath; I forget what I used to lay them out on; maybe it was just layers of other clean sheets or a large piece of plywood since I didn’t want any green-y transfer/damp from the lawn. My husband’s aunt washed a quilt that his great-great grandmother had made IN THE WASHING MACHINE and she totally shredded it. My mom was able to save enough of it to make a smaller quilt top with a new backing/batting but, oh, it was a disaster. Beautiful pale blues and white quilt. She of course felt badly about it. I’ve done that when younger and stupid, with old embroidered cloths and not only did it fade the embroidery thread but it also badly damaged the linen. I still cry for a Spring-like, soft pinks/greens (embroidered) tablecloth from the very-early 1900s I ruined beyond repair which had been in the family for a long time. You have to be so, so careful with the old things.
Well, just read from Susan’s link and that person only recommended drying a quilt outside in the shade!
I’ve always put mine on the lawn, flat out, in the sun, they dry quick and I like a bit of bleaching, just a wee tiny unseeable bit, for the white parts of the quilt. You have to do what makes the best sense to you. Thank you for the information Vicki!
Yes, you have to be very strong (and careful) to deal with that big wet thing. I left mine in the bathtub for a couple of days, going back to push it down, and slowly let as much water as possible drain away from it. I liked that website’s suggestion of letting the machine do a tiny bit of the work, watching so it doesn’t get carried away. I would never put one of my antique quilts in there, but definitely something newer, makes sense. Yes, you just have to be very careful. I wash my quilts very little. They have to look really bad for me to fool with them.
I agree; only wash if you absolutely have to! Just airing them can make a real difference. In another lifetime long ago, I got to go to Europe and can vividly remember being in small hamlets of the Swiss Alps where, on a sunny day in a sweet alpine valley, the ladies of the houses would throw their quilts out over a window frame, like on the second or third story of chalet-style farmhouses where the windows had big wooden shutters, no glass. I was traveling in very-early May, so they were getting good Spring sun power and less rain.
I currently have a crazy quilt sewn by my great-grandmother which picked up a mold smell after being stored for 70 years; I’m pondering just what to do about this, which is why quilts are on my mind. I’m terribly allergic to mold and clearly anyone would be put off by the smell. It’s going to take more than ‘airing’. The only reason I washed my favorite double-bed (full-size) quilt was because my new adopted spaniel peepee’d on it. It was the one and only time we had an accident in the house with him…he was so smart and a good little thing (he just got very excited, running around and leaping here and there, exploring his new home, and I think he shocked himself as much as he did ME!); of course I didn’t scold him for the world except to exclaim, “We do NOT do that in THIS house!!!” Of all places, why my cherished quilt??!! I don’t even know how he got enough ‘lift’ to even jump up that high onto the bed! I’d had this quilt as my ‘bedspread’ for 30 years…sewn by the mother of my mom’s best friend in about 1918. Beautiful combo of daffodil and blue sky colors; love it, still have it, minus the wee…
Oh the puppy! That is awful and funny at the same time! I know just how you feel!
Thank you to all for such good info. The quilt is small, it’s this one: pinterest.com/pin/167125836143379911/ (that’s not my picture, just found it on pinterest) – so it shouldn’t get too heavy, and it’s sturdy, too. Biz soak and Dawn liquid on a toothbrush to lightly scrub at the spots is what I’ll try first – and laying out in the sun (as soon as we get any!) I also like that soft bit of bleaching effect. It looks like something sprayed near the quilt (it was up on the wall of the nursery for a few years) and those tiny spray spots have browned — will be sad if they’re too stubborn to remove. Thanks again for all the great ideas! xox
Good luck! Tell us how it goes!
I know of two things you could try…first, Dawn Detergent (the blue one) is an amazing spot cleaner..supposedly the same formulation as Synthrapol which is used to removed “bleeds” on quilts. The second thing I’ve read, but never tried, is lemon juice and dry in the sun to bleach. Not sure if this would be good on colored fabric or not. There are also products specially made to to “revive” old quilts. Good luck! Also, wanted to say to Sue that your posts are so wonderful. We need more of you!
Sorry Susan for muffing up your name! (O.L.D. disease!)
Have to remember the name for that disease! xoxo
Thanks for the good info Pat, and the sweet words. xoxo
Susan I just shared my book with my SIL and she was excited to see how unique it was. Cannot wait for this new one. Love you gal. Remember meeting you in East Dundee years ago, a thrill of a life time for me! Have all your books and still love them.
Thank you so much Diana, very nice to hear from you!
Congratulations on your newest baby! She looks beautiful, cannot wait to read her. Love the picture of Blog Daddy in there too. He must be so proud of you too! And I am so looking forward to the new “Revised & Expanded” Heart of the Home, so many exciting treats for us all. I adore that picture of you working in the space Jack has allotted you!! That’s why I love cats! I would love to have some Jack (& Girl) hairs in my books, please send if you can, lol. And oh my that fruit compote sounds yummy. I have never made that, so it’s going on my menu now. Thank you for everything you do for us but mostly just for being YOU. Happy Easter to you & Joe & Kitties. P.S. Can’t wait for Willard………♥♥♥Sharon, oh, one more thing, that bunny cake is adorable but now my family is looking forward to the Lambie cake again!! Oh no, what did I start!! 🙂
Yes, I understand! Good that they are “looking forward” to it, love that. Thank you Sharon, I’ll be sure to include cat hairs with your book! 🙂
thank you dear Sue, xoxoxo kitty hairs!
Happy Spring! Happy Easter! The book is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l, just as I knew she would be. I cannot wait to get my hands on it. It is always well worth the wait. I loved seeing Jack overseeing you at your desk. My Louie does that too. How important they feel being nearby. What’s a little cat hair? My sister is still in disbelief that I feel like that. Love does that to you. The Easter bunny cake is one I’ve made many times over the years and it is always a huge success in the happiness dept. It is so easy! Wishing you all Easter blessings~
You too Susie, and thank you!
Dso looking forward to your new book! I have ALL of your other books if fact met you on the vineyard just as Autumn was released(2004). Hope to make it out to the vineyard again this fall. I live on San Juan Island in NW Washington but used to live on Maui ( I think we brought you Hawaii chocolates and coffee when we met). If you are around this fall maybe we could meet agin. Happy Spring & warmest aloha, Mary
We are going to England again in the fall and taking the blog with us! (at least virtually!) Aloha Mary, happy travels to you and thank you for the chocolate and the coffee 🙂
While reading your post, I just kept thinking about how delighted I am for you…and for all of us. To think of all you’ve accomplished and then getting to share it with so many people is truly wonderful. When I make a pretty quilt or a yummy dinner a maximum of 10 people get to see it! But, it still makes me happy and it was such fun to read this post and share your happiness with you.
Happy Easter to you and yours and once again, thanks for making our lives brighter.
I love to piddle around the house, make curtains or something, and I haven’t been able to do it in a while. I’m most looking forward to that . . . probably not until we get home, but then I’m going to do it like crazy! Thank you Mary Lou! xoxo
So excited for you and for ME cause I am anxiously awaiting the book too.
Happy spring day! I am waiting for the GRANDS to arrive for a mini Camp Nana overnite. We are playing games, baking and crafting. Best of times for me.
That’s for sure, and for them too!
Thank you for all of your lovely quotes. I have lived with the Hyacinth quote all of my life. It was one of my grandmothers favorites and then my mother and now me! Art and beauty have always been such important parts of our lives and I thank them both forever!! And now so much art and beauty comes from you it fills my soul!! Always look forward to your blog and books to feed my soul! A very Blessed Easter to you and All around you! So excited for the completion of the story.
Thank you Christine, that was lovely!
I can’t wait to get the new book! My heart will skip a beat when I turn the key and open our little p.o. box and there it is. Hope I don’t yell too loud and scare everybody in the post office!
My absolute all time favorite fabric of yours would have to be the one with hats and all the bright cheery colors. I had just started working at a quilt shop and was asked to make your quilt pattern with the applique hats for a store sample. It turned out so adorable and I always wish I would have bought some of the fabrics. What was I thinking!
Have a Happy Easter!
I think that might have been my very first line of fabric! LOL, yes, don’t scare the PO People! 🙂
I missed your fabric days. I would like to look at every fabric you ever did, Susan. Do you have a former post on them I could read/see here on the blog?
I don’t know if I do or not. But what I can do is put some of them up on the blog one of these days!
I would love that. Thank you!
Susan,
Congratulations! So happy for you. Can’t wait to get your new books. I am looking so forward too, for the rest of the story….As I read your blog today, it choked me up. I just “feel” all your happiness and it carries over to all of us. You are such a darling person. Thank you so much for giving us so much of you! May God continue to bless you and Joe!
That is so sweet Glenda, I feel a little choked up myself. All of this and you guys too, it’s too good to be true! xoxoxo
Happy Easter weekend, Susan! A glorious, sunshiny day reminding us of the hope of the Resurrection! Congrats, congrats, congrats on your new baby! She is simply PERFECT!!!! Can’t wait o meet her on my own very soon now! Fabric?! Oooh!!!! Can’t wait for more news on that front. I found some of your “Friends” prints a few years ago and I’ve them! They look like you hand-water-colored them. I made some drink covers for a few friends because the circle print of the fabric was the perfect size. Making your Lamb cake today! Wish me luck! Have never tried it but recently found a lamb cake mold. Blessed Easter to you, Joe, Girl, Jack and the new “baby!” ♡
Thank you Karen, good luck with the lamb cake, I’m sure it will be wonderful, and you are going feel like the smartest kid on your block when you see that little cutie! Happy Easter!
Made the cake and, SUCCESS, it came out of the mold in all its glorious perfectly baked splendor. Not decorating until Easter morning so it will travel well but made cupcakes with the leftover batter. Hubby loved them! That faint hint of lemon…..little crisp on top. All that sifting REALLY makes it so light and spongey. Glad I didn’t skip that part! A new Easter tradition has been born! ♡♡♡♡♡
Hooray! And you still have the fun part, the decorating! I’m so glad his head stayed on!
Sorry I meant So looking forward to your new book!
Easter blessings to you, Susan!
Thank you for this wonder-filled blog on Good Friday. I especially love the running bunny, surrounded by flowers and the great book news.
I will be spending this magical weekend with our grand-angels, enjoying all things Easter.
Melin
Wonderful . . . enjoy!
I just have to tell on myself….
When January rolled around and I had to take down your lovely 2015 calendar I realized that for the first time in years I hadn’t bought one for the new year. I was so disappointed went until mid March before I could scrape together the funds (without feeling guilty for spending) to buy a new one for 2016. I decided on the smaller one this year which is just precious and really fits my office wall space a little bit better that the big one I always have had in the past. So anyways, after I got it-and hung it in it’s place of honor right next to my computer monitor where I can see in constantly during the day-I went home a few nights ago and lo and behold! I found the full sized calendar that my bestest girlfriend Lori (she introduced me to you!) sent to me last year! I’d put it away so good that I’d forgotten that I had it!! Happy dance ensued! Now I have two of your beautiful, heartwarming calendars on my office wall and I can see your lovely artwork from anywhere I happen to be in my office. Senior Moment!! LOL
On another note, I’ll be flying to CO in May to see Lori and we will both be coming to see you at The Tattered Cover in Denver on May 21st! When I suggested that I come to see her and we go see you together, she was thrilled. (I live in Texas.) We are both so excited and I already have our name tags printed out and ready to go.
Wishing you a very Happy Easter and safe travels!!
See you soon!
Christy in SoTex
That’s fantastic Christy, that you two are coming together! I’m so excited about this tour, can’t wait to see and talk to everyone! Good work on the calendar too! 🙂
I need this ASAP! It looks beautiful, Susan! When will it be in the Bunch of Grapes?
Hi Robin! I think they’ll have them in maybe 3 or 4 weeks. Yay!
thanks Susan, I just ordered it on your website ~ I’ll have it in my hot little hands sooner that way! Can’t wait, it looks beautiful!
Thank you dear Robin!
Dear Susan, I am visiting my son and family in Mn. Spring has three inches of snow so your blog warmed up my heart ! Can hardly wait to buy the new book . May your pork roast be yummy ,your compote be sweet and your day a day to remember .
And the same to you, have a wonderful time! Stay warm!
Susan,
I am totally fan girling over here. I just happened upon fairytale girl while wondering through my local book store one day and instantly fell in love with the cover. I know, I know…. Not suppose to judge a book by its cover but if a person was ever to judge, this one is it! I consumed that book as if it was the most delectable dessert. It was so inspiring to me and got me out of a creative slump. I needed more…instantly. I ordered a fine romance and squealed with delight when it came in the mail. Well, I can not even put into words what this book means to me. Seriously. I feel we are kindred spirits. The English country side? I mean, come on! I am obsessed with all things English and it is my life long dream to visit. I want to visit all the spots where some of my favorite children’s literature authors lived or wrote there enchanting books ( JM barre, jk Rowling, lewis carol, Michael bond, and roald Dahl, as miline and of course Beatrix Potter… just to name a few) Reading your book puts me right there. As if I am there with you and Joe. I book is exquisite, and luscious, and cozy. Every time you stop for a spot of tea, I brew a cup and read on. I am almost done and am trying to make it last as long as I can because I don’t want it to end. And now the much anticipated isle of dreams…ahhhhhhh….like I said, fan girling over here. Ive only been to Martha’s vineyard once ( 16 years ago on my first wedding anniversary) and fell in love. I knew I was home and swore I’d be back. Of course life and three children prevented that but you have reawaken my dream and I will make it happen. I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you! You are my spirit animal and inspiration. Your strength and courage to dust your self off , dare greatly, and follow your dreams is the stuff that makes this life we live … Magical
Well, that was SO nice, I had to print it out and go read it to Joe! I had to explain fan girling to him, but he had no problem with spirit animal! 🙂 I have never been a spirit animal before, but I am PROUD to be yours! You are a doll, thank you so much Gina, you are a beautiful writer yourself. I think I see magic there too. I hope you get your dream of England, just put it on the calendar, that’s the best start, way out, and then march toward it with intention. Because I can already tell, you will LOVE it! xoxo Thank you dear, you made me feel so good.
Fabric! Are you speaking of home dec or quilting fabric? Either one would be great, but as a quilter, I am hoping for the latter. You will be as popular in quilt shops and quilt magazines as you are in bookstores. Can’t wait to see what you have in mind.
Perhaps, both! eeeek!
Oh Susan, so looking forward to seeing you again in Kansas City in May. It will be so warm and lovely here then (I hope anyway) and I am bringing my mother with me this time. I am also looking forward to getting your new book in my hands as soon as it arrives. I hope your secret is that you have a new fabric line coming out. I am just starting into the land of quilting and would love to use some of your fabric. Blessing to you and yours this Easter weekend!
I’m so happy you’re bringing your mom! This is going to be fun! Just making sure about the fabric, but I’ll be able to say more very soon. xoxo
Susan,I cannot wait for my book to arrive.I’m 64 and I still feel like a girl at times.You inspire so much in me,we seem to love the so many of the same things.We live on the Ware River and so Enjoy the change of the seasons.I also saw a Robin yesterday. A bluebird is building their nestonce again,the osprey have returned and are nesting. Have a lovely Easter.Mary Lawrence
They say we have bluebirds on the Island but I’ve never seen one. But the ones in California look like Walt Disney Bluebirds, they are so perfect and so blue. Happy Easter, Mary!
Dear Susan,
The new “Isle” book looks beautiful !! Can’t wait to get it and read how it all happened when you first came to Martha’s Vineyard. Especially interested to know how you “accidentally” bought your first cute little house — how does one “accidentally” buy a house? The mystery will be solved … soon.
Also looking forward to the new “Heart of the Home” book. I bought the original 30 years ago at a wonderful bookstore here in town, which has since closed, like so many independent bookstores. I have loved it and your subsequent books so much. Happy 30th anniversary!
A very happy and blessed Easter to you, Joe, Girl Kitty, Jack, and all the Girlfriends.
Barb
You’ll see. It really was an accident, I would think it would be impossible too, but really you had to be there, and soon, you will be! XOXO Thank you dear Barbara!
I made sock bunnies this year with some treasured Susan Branch fabric I have been hoarding for years. Now I wish I had taken pictures of them before they all SOLD! Please bring back the original fabrics. I’ll be first in line to buy them!
What if I did a stretchy fabric? Would that be good?
I like the plain old cotton fabric. The dresses for the bunnies need to be a little stiff and starchy so that they stand out like dresses did when I was a little girl.
My two favorite fabrics are cotton (love poplin, love pique, love all 100% cotton) and heavy linen.
Oh dear Susan!
At last, the book is here! Once again, congratulations! I so loved all the little “sneak peaks”; hurry, hurry, hurry, I want mine now! Ok, I’ll wait my turn! New and expanded “Heart of the Home” (I do have your first edition!). And, of course, I will be pre-ordering once you let us know when.
Wishing you and Joe a most beautiful and blessed Easter! Yes, definitely, lots of hugs and holding on tight!
Thank you so much Merci . . . hope it’s a beautiful day for you!
Hi Susan(@:
Whatever we want to talk about? Well, I want to talk about Robins. I am a California transplant to the Midwest and I don’t remember California Robins being so cute and PLUMP. Perfect harbingers of spring, too. They’d be fun to watch at the bird feeders but I can’t seem to keep the squirrels away. Well, I don’t try very hard because they are very cute and entertaining.
Our robins, since you are into the subject, arrive in gangs . . . actually you are supposed to call them “rounds” — there are rounds of robins hopping all over our yard on some days. Maybe 9 or 10 at a time. Don’t you think that’s kind of different? SO fun to watch!
The funniest thing happened in our yard yesterday. A huge raven decided to take a bath in the freshly fallen snow in the front yard. It was a cross between watching a bird in a birdbath and my Pomeranian drying herself on the towel after we gave her a bath. There were bird parts everywhere. I’ve never seen that happen before. We actually managed to get a video of it because it went on so long. Hilarious!
He must have really needed a bath! 🙂
YOU, are our dreamy delight Susan Branch! Thank you for YOU! May we all, gratefully accept kindness into our lives, and peacefully pass it along, everywhere!
The world needs us. We’re a little band of girl guides, with some boy guides thrown it to keep it spicy!
Oh, the anticipation! In my life I’ve rarely looked forward to anything as much as your wonderful books ~ I have most all except a couple of the smalls. But this one (coming soooon) is the cherry on top. Everything comes together, you truly walk into the place in this world you were destined to be ~ oh, the excitement of reading this joyful tale ~ once again I’ll give it my best shot at going slowly. Not. A Happy, blessed, Easter to you and Joe!
LOL, Elaine . . . I made it longer! 🙂
Wow! Many blessings for us all in this post! Thanks for being you, darling Sue!
Happy Easter. Much love, Marsha
Love to you Marsha!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment with us all! Your description of walking with the delivery man was like a moving picture in my mind, I felt the excitement grow with every step! And thank you for making the cover – especially the spine – so pretty and inviting. We have hundreds of books on shelves all over our little house and when I need to read something really charming, it is so easy to find your books scattered among the old leather bindings of ancient gardening books, or the cookery books or the biographies. I like to keep them spread out, so I have a little treasure from you tucked all over the house. Happy Easter and Happy Spring. You are a treasure! Love to you and all your kin, and all the Girlfriends all over the World. Hold fast! Love really is all around us.
Thank you Jennie Lou, true words, from a true heart, xoxoxo Happy Easter, Happy Spring.
Susan Kindness Branch!! Fits you perfectly to a “tea” Be still my heart!! You have overloaded this blog with so many things that I don’t quite know where to start! I will also be stalking my mailman soon and very soon! I have already warned my sweet hubby that I might disappear for a couple of days once it arrives BUT all is well! :o) I can’t wait to see Blog Daddy’s comments!! How very sweet of you to send him the first copy!!
I have yet to own your first book so once again I will be stalking my mailman hee hee!! It looks lovely and I think you did a fantastic job on the cover!! I love all of your quotes so it will be so nice to have them all in one place…..and new recipes!!!
Woo Hoo! Fabric!?!……oh my goodness! You have been such a busy bee!! So glad you have your sweet Joe and such a beautiful Island to take walks on and be refreshed! I am so exited for YOU!
Wishing the two of you a wonderful Easter weekend!!Thank you for sharing so much AWESOME news and JOY!!!!
So excited to finally meet you in person in Woodstock, Georgia….I can hardly wait!! LOVE, Belinda Kindess Riffenburg
Love to see you here Belinda, and on Twitter! Love-lee words, Kindness is the perfect middle name for you!
Hi Susan
My heart is overflowing with joy. First for you, your books and commitment to them!
Second for me and your openness in sharing your life with all of us. Thank you so much❤️!
Happy Easter🐣 From my home to yours🌷
Sylvia
And back to you Sylvia!
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your new “baby”, book! What a treat to look forward to.
I wonder if you or any other girlfriends know this….Many years ago, friends of ours (who had a few chickens) gave the chickens a few tiny pieces of chocolate for their dinner on the saturday before Easter sunday. Can you guess what happened? On the Easter sunday, there were chocolate eggs in the chicken hutch and a few more in the garden! How’s that for magic!! Their small sons had a lovely time looking for eggs!!
Have a lovely Easter weekend, with love from
Nicoline
I think I love that! 🙂
I cannot believe your blog started out with the hyacinth quote! I have been looking for it all this week. I read only a part of it several years back and decided I wanted to commemorate it with a cross stitch of the verse and bloom. I have fond memories of my mother’s joy when her hyacinths would bloom in the spring. Planted in a protected strip next to our driveway, it was always a thrill when they would reappear and I could be the first to tell her they were back! Thank you for making my memories complete.
How gorgeous it will be in a cross stitch!
Susan ~
Congratulations on your latest book and on the reissue of your first book! Your career has brightened the lives of many and you deserve all the success that has come your way. It is always nice to see talented people rewarded for their efforts
winnie*
>^..^<
Very nice of you to say that Winnie. It’s been a two way street, my life has been brightened by the people who’ve read my books. xoxoxo
Lovely post! I have been reading Gladys Tabor’s “The Best of Stillmeadow,” and am almost half-way through. But now I realize I am going to have to set her aside so I can reread “The Fairy Tale Girl.” That way, when “Isle of Dreams” arrives I’ll be able to dive right in with memory refreshed. I can’t believe that in just a few weeks I’ll have your book in my hands. It seems like we’ve been waiting forever. What a great way to end winter and welcome spring! Good thing Stillmeadow books are the kind you can put down for awhile and pick up later as if never having taken a break! In the meantime, I think I’m gonna make that fruit compote. May you and all the girlfriends have a blessed and joyous Easter!
I agree, I can pick up Stillmeadow anytime and find myself right back into it! Thank you Linda! Happy Easter!
Frequently, when I read a post of yours for the first time, I well up. You always seem to echo what we’re feeling…you put words to it in the right way. You’re all about comfort…you make me feel better. I recently described to an artist-friend of mine, when I was ticking off fave artists, that I love your illustrations because they soothe me. Happy art. We need some happy.
The photo of you with Jack in your paints is going to be one the historians go to long after you’re gone. It says it all to me, of where and how and why you create. If Joe took that photo, he deserves a medal, because it’s perfect…of you, the artist, at work, at home. You look contented, in your element. I love this photo a lot!
Oh that is so nice to hear, Vicki, thank you so much. Yes, Joe that picture, I think yesterday or the day before. Jack liked it too. xoxo
I just got back from being out and about, thinking “I’m so glad Susan is coming back to California this spring instead of last…” because here in SoCal & up the coast north, we got enough rain to green up! It wasn’t enough rain to break the drought, and we’ve been back on water restriction for awhile, but I’m just going nuts over all the wildflowers blooming, the foothills springing to life with green, people’s yards getting some color (finally) and even a tree, just like you told me would happen, here and there, rebounding from near demise with new leaves (some will make it, some won’t; they’ve been so incredibly stressed and I’ve mourned for them). Spring is the hopeful thing (our skies couldn’t be bluer today; it’s 82 degrees [f] approaching 1:30pm PST) and it’s been a blissful March here so I’m hoping it’s still nice for you when you come to see your mom and do your California book tours. I think it’s so important that you’re seeing your parents on this trip. It must mean the world to all of you when you’re separated by such distance. None of us is getting any younger although thankfully we feel young in our hearts! Happy Easter to you and Joe and kitties; thanks for the lovely post; can’t wait to get my book from your shop; I ordered it awhile back. Congrats to you! You know what is a fave Easter tradition of mine? I always have to have hot cross buns!
I would mourn for them too Vicki. I’m so happy to hear of the greening. Let’s hope it keeps up. Too beautiful of a country for no spring flowers. It means the world to see my family. But it’s never long enough. And nobody wants me to move back in and stay forever! 🙂 So, satisfaction comes in short blasts. I adore hot cross buns too!
I began to hyperventilate when I caught a glimpse of OUR NEW BOOK! I am soooo excited for you….and for me! Congratulations dearest GF Susan!
Perfect, hyperventilate, me too! 🙂
Happy Easter! Hurray for our special new book from YOU! We have 14″ of heavy white ssssnow on the ground here in northern Michigan so your spring photos bring me hope for the future…sigh…waiting to see our first robin…hunting for Easter eggs will be a new challenge in the snow…memorable to be sure! Xoxo
SSSSnow! Can’t last much longer!
Happy Easter! When I was young, my mom would make a similar bunny cake at Easter. She would put coconut & a little red food colouring in a bag & shake it to make pink coconut. We thought it was so magical.
I know. Those moms!
A new book! I did not read the first one yet just so I could read them together! I hid it away so I would not be tempted! The island looks lovely, and another new book in June. I miss New England so much. Happy Easter🐰👒🌺🐥
I thought about putting them in one book, but it was going to be way too heavy, no reading in bed! Happy Easter Ruth!
Happy Easter Sue, Joe n’ kittie babes! I was so excited reading your words and looking at the pictures of you opening the box and there it was – in full beautiful color – your book!! What an amazing feeling for you, to finally see all your hard work – there in your hands, your creation, your life… wow. Very very moving. I excitedly read your words to my Dave (who ordered the book for me months ago, my honey). He’s going to read A Fine Romance (being from London his wee self). Love your blog, as always. You are one amazing and inspiring woman. And I love reading all our girlfriends comments as well, such fun. Enjoy Easter weekend and may God bless. xo
LOL, his wee self. I love him already! Thank you for the kind words Wende, Happy Easter to you and the wee one!!!
Oh Susan I can’t wait!!! Your new book & spring arriving together!!!
Happy Easter from Iilinois!
Laura
Happy Easter Laura!
Congratulations Susan! So excited for you…sure Blogdaddy will be proud! I am excited for the main course…very hungry! See you soon!
Good to hear that Donna!
I can just feel the butterflies in your tummy and your shaking hands as you opened the box! I have this funny feeling that tourism will be increasing big-time on Martha’s Vineyard not long after this book is released. I know that the island doesn’t have much trouble attracting tourists on its own, but seriously, once your lovely prose paints even more pictures of the New England paradise for everyone, who will be able to resist!? Look out! 😉
I know, and once again I say, thank goodness for winter! 🙂
Well, I’m getting ready to sit down to the new book feast! And I’m going to devour it like I did with the two wonderful others!
Won’t be long!
Awww – I am so proud and happy for you, Susan. It has been a journey. And FABRIC! Did you say fabric? I must look at my dwindling collection and see what I need (need) more of.
Hugs, Ellen
Hi Ellen! Always so nice to see your name here! xoxo
I love the little painting behind your bunnies in the “morning” window. Did you paint that of your beach or was that a great find?
This last summer we went to several art openings, and at each one they were passing out small cards with representations of the artists work on them . . . of course I snapped them all up and put them in my window to be a miniature gallery.
Oh my goodness!! Did you say fabric? And secret surprise? I’m so excited if your fabric is coming back! I was not as deeply fabric- and quilting- addicted when your fabric was out the first time as I am at this moment. (Did that sentence even make sense?!) But I’m writing this from my “sewing turret” upstairs in my house in SLO and I’m definitely getting excited if your fabric lines are coming back!! Happy Easter! Happy Spring!!
Made perfect sense! Love the turret too! 🙂
Ah, so hard to wait to have my copy of your new book, and then your newer book….I think your work is so beautiful and brings so much happiness into so many hearts that you should live in a world beyond joy, if such a thing exists! (Maybe it does!)
I do feel very blessed dear Kristi, because I have the best Girlfriends in the world!
Thank you for this uplifting blog! Do I miss something of yours? Desperately!! I miss the Jammie’s that I wore out wearing them so often! They had garden print on them. So soft. So comfy. I am thrilled that I will be able to buy The Heart of the Home for my daughter. Problem might be that I will want it so she can have my original. Or I’ll just need to get two! Happy Easter to all at Branch Hall🐰🌷🌞
Thank you Judy! Happy Easter to you too! xoxo
I never knew you had jammies or fabrics, but I would be missing them both if I had known!
Sun-kissed whites against a stormy sky is one of my favorite things to see. I got to enjoy them here (near Cincinnati) yesterday, when sunlight shot through the blue-gray storm clouds and lit up all the freshly blossomed Bradford pear trees in the neighborhood. Breathtaking!
Oooooh, that’s a good one!
Happy March 25 dear SB!
A wonderful Easter present, to see this blog post in my email! They are re-filed to a folder where they are saved to treasure and read again. I have always loved watercolors and used to piddle with paint and brush a long time ago but intend to begin that adventure again and so I’m trying to remember, have you shared what brand of paint, papers and brushes you use? I do remember the cup you use for water was one you have from Disneyland (or Disney World?)
Happy Easter to all the Girlfriends! 🐰🐰
It was Disneyland . . . long time ago. And look at the top of the Blog, it says something like ABOUT ME. There’s a dropdown there, and two places about art, one of them tells about what paper and brushes and things I use. . . I’m glad you’re beginning again, Debbie, it’s a lovely hobby. Have fun!
Thank you! Can’t wait! And about the fabric — I am picking up quilting again and have developed a serious addiction to fabric so looking forward to seeing what you bring to us!!
I hope it all works out!
The posts are very inspiring and full of diversity of interests. I am excited for the new book in April, too. But I KNEW that was coming but was totally taken by surprise by the hint about your old fabric. So I’m putting forth my hope that the designs you showed the February 2011 blog that were never made, as well as those not shown, could somehow come to life! I think there would be quite a market for them. Perhaps pre-production ordering? At this moment I wish I were the best production person who could figure it all out. But I am not, so all I have is a dream!
I’m with you on the dreaming part Denise!
Definitely in “can’t wait” mode for the new book. I’m taking a two week road trip up the coast and over to Tahoe first part of May. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful treat to have the book to read along the way. Will even be passing through San Luis Obispo. Question for you. The picture that is on the mantle behind the bunny statues…is that Big Sur area and by artist Erin Gafill? Looks just like her work. Her family owns NEPENTHE and she lives on the property – one of my favorite places in the world. Just curious. Happy Easter to both you and Joe…and all the girlfriends.
We love Nepenthe!!! How could anyone not. With all that history, and that view of the world all the way to Hawaii! Heaven. That was a card of the art from an Island artist I collected at a gallery last year. And I think you will have the book in plenty of time for your trip! If you’re getting it from us, you’ll have probably already read it!