Happy Monday Girlfriends! MUSICA . . . We’ve been busy-busy, as usual. How’s everything with you? Joe and I are just getting “ready to GO” cross the country and meet everyone . . . doing little things around the house so I can feel proud that when we come home, nothing will upset us. Like dirty curtains or something. Hate that.
Joe repainted the downstairs bathroom, which needed it. We took all the pictures off the wall, cleaned them, washed and shined the glass, and put them back. And then I washed this little dresser scarf we have on a white painted table in there, oooooh, needed it bad.
Spring is for Dust Bunnies.
I love old-fashioned starch you mix with water . . . crisp and white is the name of the game. Starched things stay looking fresh a LOT longer than unstarched things. By about a year I would say.
So pretty. So happy here in . . .
I did the little curtain in the bathroom too. Ancient though it is. But starched, you can’t tell. If this curtain could talk!
When I first moved to the Island I brought lace tablecloths from California and made bedroom curtains from them. This curtain watched me write my first book! It saw Joe and I fall in love! It’s the last survivor of them all and I am babying it.
Section-by-section, I remove dishes from the shelves, put them in the dishwasher, wash the shelves and put them back. The last time I did this was last fall . . . We’ll be gone two months and if I didn’t do it now, by the time we get home, this would probably reach out and slap me the moment I walked in the door. It’s all sparkly now, and I’m a proud mommy.
As for spring, we’ve had a week of anything but, including rain storms, huge winds, and giant clumps of snow.
Can you see it out there? It’s all melted now, but we’ve even had fires and made chicken stock. Gathering in the last bits of winter.
Y U M
With just a soupçon suggestion of spring . . . because my kitchen is my favorite place.
We stopped by the nursery before the rain started . . . very cheery . . . the juxtaposition between the indoors and the out!
Between snow drops and rain yesterday, I ran out and took pictures because oh yes, it is coming. Yellow is the rightest color for spring. ♥
Unless it’s pink. The buds for the magnolia and cherries are fat and swollen and ready to pop on the first sunny day. And we’ll still be here to make one of these bouquets. ♥
Oh yes, and hang some laundry on the line. Fluff the quilts. We are happy!
I do think we will miss this . . . the Beauty Bush will have to bloom without us here to see it.
And likely we will be too late for this when we get home in July. Definitely the peonies will be long gone. But if it gets nice before we go, I will be planting the garden the best I can so it will be pretty when we get back. Home. My favorite place. Home, without a book to write, just a house to clean, a stove to cook things on, and a garden to dig in? Oh, you know, I am so looking forward to that.
And these guys. I will miss them. Hardest thing of all to say goodbye to. Because I’m afraid they will think I’m abandoning them. But I’m NOT.
B E L O V E D
HOWEVER, there is a lovely exchange . . . I get to go see everyone, and put faces to the lovely comments I’ve received from my Girlfriends while creating books . . . As I’ve mentioned, there can be a real loneliness to book writing . . . but you make it much more bearable! So, as usual, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you are going to one of the signings, be sure to wear your Fairy Tale Girl Badge so we can know each other . . . You can get it Here . . .
And Lookit how cute you are.♥ I can’t wait. . . The funnest book signings in the world are what I get to go to. Joe loves them too. And we didn’t get to go for The Fairy Tale Girl . . . we stayed home so I could finish Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. This photo was taken back in 2013 when we went for A Fine Romance . . . so this next book signing adventure is actually a double whammy.
This was from the tea party in Wilamette (near Chicago) in 2013, and we’re going back for another one! Who wouldn’t! These people are so happy because they have just been given the best tea in the world, cakes and everything! I’m telling you, I have the best Girlfriends! ♥
So often, it’s a family affair, mom’s and daughters and sisters come together . . . LOVE it.
You all know Chris Wells from Texas who leaves such nice comments on the Blog? There she is (on the left) in Ohio with her whole family! I have no words for how honored I felt that they came to see me.♥
And some of my California Girlfriends . . . came from Palo Alto to San Luis Obispo. Honored again! ♥
So yes, I’m doing this . . . lots of it. Not that it’s helping in any visual way, but I’m feeling pretty perky on the inside with lots of energy, despite the ravages of time fully developed on the outside. Whatever.
Mas MUSICA
And I got this sent off to the printer . . . It’s the 30th Anniversary Edition of Heart of the Home with lots of new pages and art and recipes. SO exciting. The endpapers in the first book were blank, so I got to decorate them for this book, and lots of other things . . . and of course this one will have a nice bright red ribbon. I can’t help it. I have always loved books with ribbons.
And I did a cute ad for Yankee Magazine . . . for the May-June issue. AND, I got an entertainment lawyer to work out the details on the option for the three books for either a movie or a TV series! Remember that? It is still sort of happening! I don’t think it WILL happen, because it’s just too crazy, but it still could! It hasn’t fallen through yet, and until it does, I intend to enjoy the heck out of it! The first thing the lawyer asked me was who I wanted to play me. That’s how I knew I would like him. Those are the fun questions!
And I invited my Island girlfriends to a TGIT (uesday) Birthday Party next week ~ because it’s my birthday and I get to give THEM presents, which they deserve for having such a terrible MIA girlfriend like me for so long. I promise to be better (as soon as I get home!). 🙂 Oh well.
And look, somedays I even find this on Amazon. Not always, but sometimes, and it definitely cheers me up! And this is because of you too, don’t think I don’t know it. We are all word of mouth Girlfriends, this I know. And I love that we are selling the book for less than they are! And ours our signed. Ha! And we have them, but they don’t! Oh the power. Proud mommy. And then, yesterday… this happened:
Oh yeah . . . the books came to the Island. And today, the books arrive in California and the mailing BEGINS!!!
And this is the first thing you will see when you open your book . . .
Here they are on my table . . . I’m signing them for my brothers and sisters and best friends, and Tuesday Girls, and Diana, and Publisher’s Weekly and Little, Brown and everyone I have known for the last half century.
My kitchen is now complete. It’s a strange feeling to see the book actually here. But a good one. And the other thing I’m doing is signing SIX of them for giveaways to YOU, right NOW. So this is your moment to leave a comment. ♥ If you already bought a signed book from us, that’s okay, this one will be personalized to you, with your own name, and you can give the other one to your best friend. It’s a win-win!
And Joe had a good idea . . . he said that I should save my worn-out paintbrushes, the ones I used to paint Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams with and give them away with these books, along with one of my paint-blotters-turned-bookmark. So each book in this Giveaway will have a paintbrush and a signed bookmark . . . So sign yourself up for the drawing by leaving a comment below . . . I already warned Vanna about the extra workload of drawing SIX names this time, poor girl. She’ll need a vacation in Cannes after this one! Love you Girls, Happy Spring! Still working on fabric and Willard! . . . talk soon!
Such a wonderful post!! So excited for you and Joe and your travels!!
Thank you Debbie!
CAL-I-FORNI-A, HERE I COME!
RIGHT BACK WHERE I STARTED FROM….
Know you are excited to go back to old haunts and discover new ones. The Blue Door in LA is a great hideaway restaurant.
Can’t wait to read and chat about your newest book!
Anna Ball
So happy for you!!! Getting ready for a road trip is such fun – all the anticipation! Praying you and Joe have a safe trip and that you will get an idea of how grateful we are for you and how you share your wonderful gift of friendship, art, inspiration, encouragement, and love. Bless you!
It’s going to be great! Thank you Rebecca!
I am so looking forward to this one. As a lover of your island and your work, I believe Isle of Dreams will be your best book yet. I’ll be putting all other reading on hold when it arrives.
Good luck to you on your journeys and may all the energy from your loving girlfriends sweep you on to your next adventure.
I hope so. It’s a different sort of book! Thank you so much Gale! xoxo
Good Morning Susan!
You are such an inspiration to get moving and get cleaning on my own house.
I am patiently waiting for my book in the mail but one that is signed for me personally would be WONDERFUL!
I so wish that your book tour was coming to the Northwest but maybe another time or I could make a road trip with some friends to California! Who knows!
Have a wonderful day and I hope that Spring will come to the Northeast soon.
That would be wonderful . . . Danville is probably the closest and a fun place to visit, but if you can, try for Morro Bay, that coast line is worth the trip all by itself. xoxo
Mary Alice, I’m from the PNW, now living near Sacramento – I have a great idea – fly down to Sacramento and we’ll pick you up at the airport on our way to Danville! My friend and co-grandma, Linda (my daughter married to her son and we share 4 grandkids) are making the trip together and it will be SO FUN!: A girlfriends roadtrip to meet Susan and other SB girlfriends! What could be more fun?!
If you make it to Morro Bay, let me know and my girlfriend Sandy Perry and I would love to meet you.
Yes, we’ll be in Morro Bay doing a signing for Coalesce Bookstore to benefit the Women’s Shelter!
I have been looking forward to this for soooo long! Can’t wait to get my book 🙂
Almost there!
Lovely!! Another wonderful idea from Joe to complement your creativity! Yes, praying for a safe trip. Enjoy spring and early summer coast to coast and back! 🙂
As always, loved your post! Looking forward to following along on your book-signing tour, and can’t wait to receive my copy of Isle of Dreams! 💕
Wishing you well as you embark on this journey to meet everyone. Can’t wait to read your latest creation! Happy Spring, Happy Travels!!
Oh you sweet girl,
I just love all your pansies around your home they are so bright and cheerful just like you, me and all your girlfriends. To know you is to LOVE you in so many ways. This is such a loving place to be my heart go a flutter every time I read a new post! You should be so PROUD! I know because we are! Again, you have the best blog ever, hands down, in Blog land! You make me feel so special just knowing you and all these lovely people that love you like I do. So all that being said, you and Joe have a wonderful trip, God’s love going with you! And, Oh yes, Home will be waiting along with your darling fur babies to welcome you back with open arms. You are the best! Joe too! Love, Wendy-Louise oxoxoxoxoxoxox
Hi Susan, I’ve never read any of your books but now I’m glad to start with Isle of Dreams. I am in love with the story of a new start and a golden age for you, everything ahead of you and dreams about to come true. Have a wonderful tour!
This is a good place to start! Thank you Dana . . . hope you like it!
I can’t wait to receive Isle of Dreams. I read The Fairy Tale Girl in two days. It was so heartfelt. I must admit I smiled when you told the story of how Cliff played “Doctor My Eyes” for the first time. My mom (who is about your age) loves Jackson Browne.
Yes, he was our poet. One of them anyway. We had a lot of good ones. Say hi to your mom for me!
Oh what a happy day! To start my day with a blog post and a giveaway on this first Monday in April ☺. I am so excited as there are three of us coming to Wilamette, IL. You have no idea what a big deal this is as I am facing my nemesis (Chicago traffic) and driving us all through it to get there!!! My mantra will be, “you will be okay, you will be okay.” Happy homemaking in the meantime. Of course we are all dying to know who you have in mind to play you but know you are saving that for the “when it happens” surprise post.
Have a wonderful safe trip! Wish you were coming to my part of the world but, as always, I’ll be following you via your blog. Can’t wait to get my copy. Take care and enjoy every minute of it.
Where are you Betty?
Oh, my! What a wonderful beginning to the week!! A truly beautiful post from you!! And – complete with a marvelous giveaway!! For six people!! Yay ahead of time for the lucky ones!!
Perhaps I need to schedule a cross-country trip. That might motivate me to do some of that “cleaning things till they sparkle” around here.:-)
Still anticipating that trip to Asheville in June at Malaprops!! Looking forward to it so very much!
Have a wonderful day!! This is the first full week of the wonderful month of April!! Birthday month all around us here, too!!
XO – Nellie
Just invite someone for dinner, I’ve always found that to be a great motivation for housecleaning! See you soon Nellie!
HaHa! That’s so true about housecleaning!
When things get crazy around our house, my husband will say, “Let’s pretend we’re having folks over for dinner and CLEAN UP!” And sometimes we really do invite company! haha
How I would love to be in one of your book shops to celebrate with you in the States. Hélas, too far right now. But I shall always be a fan of you and your writing and will look forward to your next journey to MY dream island: Great Britain. Good luck for the travels over the next months, on your continent and mine.
But I’m coming to you, next fall, and we’ll have that dream Island together! Can’t wait!
Good Morning Susan,
I was delighted to read your post this morning! Who do you want to play you in the movie or TV show? I think Sandra Bullock or Katie Holmes would be perfect. And Joe could be played by Ryan Reynolds or Alec Baldwin!!! If it were in the old days, you could be played by Olivia de Haviland, and Joe could be played by Danny Kaye! What fun!!!
It will be very exciting to receive Martha’s Vinyard, Isle of Dreams which has been pre-ordered on your website. I am hoping you will be touring near my home in Stockbridge, and would love to meet you, Girlfriend!
Be Well,
Ann
Poor Vanna! Lucky Branch Girlfriends! Looking forward to seeing you in Kansas City. It is one of those times I said, “This is the Year!”. Along with a May trip to the Keys, you are my future happy thought.
Safe and happy travels. You will be home before you know it.
I can feel your happiness and joy! Good for you! Thank you for sharing because joy and creativity multiply. So happy for you, Susan😊
Oh the excitement is at fever pitch! We can hardly wait to get our books. Madame Birdwhistle (94 years young) has reread A Fine Romance for the 6th time and The Fairy Tale Girl for the 3rd time to prepare for the arrival of the new book. We thank you in advance for the wonderfulness of it and wish you Godspeed and safe travels as you go out to meet your girlfriends. And we thank you as well for always being a bright spot in this world and lifting our sights to the good and happy and worthwhile things.
Blessings~
Carol
Susan,
Oh happy day! Happy for you! Sounds like all good news! Safe and happy travels to you and Joe. I need to get busy doing some of that Spring cleaning stuff too. Was able to spend the weekend with my daughter, son-in-law and their two little girls for my daughter’s birthday. Had a tea party with my daughter and granddaughters – tea set, tea, cookies, and hats included. They loved it! Grandma too! Have a great week! 🙂
Jan
Such a beautiful book, can’t wait to get it. Good luck and safe travels on your book tour.
You’ve worked so hard to get this second book out to everyone so FAST! Thank you so much for everything you create! I’ve pre-ordered a copy for my Mom & I & we’re both so excited to read it. I know I will be watching for the mail lady everyday until I get your absolutely gorgeous book, I love the lighthouse on the spine! Safe travels to you & Joe on the road 🙂
I think, if the mail works right, all of them should be sent by the end of the week. Kellee and Sheri are so quick! Thank you Sarah!
Oh SO exciting!!! I just can’t wait to read the book!!! And yellow has to be the perfect color for spring because it is yellow that we are all dying for in March isn’t it??!!! And now I know who Carl Sandburg is because I was visiting his house in NC just last week!!! Sadly didn’t know of him before that. Got to pet a bunch of goats in his backyard….Thank you for inspiring us in so many ways!!!
Hi Susan! I’m so excited to know that the books have arrived and will be mailed soon. What you’ve shared already is absolutely beautiful and I suspect this will be the best of all. I am so looking forward to reading it. I met you on your last tour through Ohio and looking forward to a second face-to-face. On the first, you did your imitation of “My-toe-huts-Bet-tee” for me and it still makes me smile. Thank you for bringing together so many kindred spirits… you’ve created quite a family.
Oh! I remember that . . . LOL, well someone asked so what could I do? I should practice that again, it takes my very best Julia Child voice to make it come out right! Thank you Glenna, see you soon!
Glenna, you have “hit the mark” when you say that Susan has brought together so many kindred spirits! Yes, we are all out here, across the country and even the world. So many of us that think and feel alike, who Susan has been able to bring together with her charming way with words and thoughts. Who knew there were so many of us in this “family”?!!
Yay! Our books are coming! I am so excited to read Isle of Dreams. P.S. Hello from Montana!
Hello TO Montana! And to you Becky, and thank you!
Would love love love to receive anything from you! So sign me up! That Joe has great ideas! So enjoyed seeing your Spring cleaning. Love it when things are fresh and clean and pressed and starched. Enjoy your trip and seeing all the girlfriends! I missed out on getting into the party in New Hope, Penn. but maybe another time I’ll get to meet you. Cant wait to get my new book. Got to get on the stick and purchase one!
If the curtains could talk … I’m with you on that girlfriend! Heart of the Home Book Tour ~ Benefit Tea never meant so much in a heart of the home 1902 Victorian manor where the curtains will be talking (and dancing!). Historic downtown Prescott AZ is the place to be on June 11th 🙂 Best.Tea.Ever. See you then my friend ♥ xoxo
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Seeing ALL of those books stacked on your kitchen table is marvelous! Thank you for the chance to win a personalized copy….a real treasure. Can’t wait to see you again, Susan, at Vromans in Pasadena. Safe travels!
Love your work–always have–always will. Thanks for sharing your life.
Can’t wait for that book! I look at Fairy Tale Girl every day, reminding myself, “Just a few more days until…”the rest of the story.” So excited! Be safe in your travels!
Hi Susan! Congratulations on your book! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait for my book to arrive in the mail. Have a fantastic book tour! Hugs from Barbara S. in Parrish, FL
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my order. Your blog and books are a favorite of mine. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law just moved to England from Vancouver, Washington–for a year and a half. I gave them your “A Fine Romance” book and told them “This is all you need for a tour guide book–and it will assure that you see and enjoy the best places in England.” Thank you Susan for sharing with all of us!
I’m so pleased that you’ll be at the King’s English in May! And…. I’m glad my preordered copy will arrive soon. I may have to get the new edition of Heart of the Home, my old one is well used and loved.
See you soon!
Elizabeth
I always lurk in the background…reading everything you write, Susan. I love it all. Been taking care of my sick mama for the last couple of months and no time to pre-order you latest. Then, I saw this drawing this morning and thought “Why not?” So, here’s my first comment ever and my hoping that I will win. Thank you for all you do for us…you are the best!
Wahoo! Cannot wait to see you in Ohio. What a brilliant give away. I must tell you that I copied the Full Moons 2016 bookmark for my girls and myself. Every full moon, we reach out to each other, look at the moon and count our blessings. We moon gaze from Denmark, to Arkansas, to Washington DC and Michigan. It has been so fun.
Happy travels and happy spring! Thank-you for your art, your words and your time. You continue to touch our lives. xo
Love your posts – they are so much fun! Especially this one – can’t wait to receive the book that is pre-ordered. And I would love to be able to pass it along as a gift (just in case I am a lucky winner of your give away!). Love the Spring flowers, and the Spring cleaning that’s going on at all of our homes now. Hope you have a great book-signing trip!
Hello Sweet Susan,
Hope you have a safe and happy journey! And have a very, very happy birthday, too. MY birthday is April 15th – I wish we could celebrate together! I plan to have a great big slice of tiramisu and a glass of cold iced tea. What would make it all perfect is if your new book were here by then, even though I don’t think that will happen just yet.
Love from Diane in North Carolina
How fun, to start your spring cleaning! Nothing better than to be gone away and come home to a clean house 🙂
I think a TV series would be wonderful; even include some cooking and cleaning tips!
I hope you and Joe have a wonderful time on your book signing tour.
Such a fun post today! You have such wonderful adventures! Your new book looks so inviting, interesting, beautiful! Have a great day.
..good morning, proud Mommy !..your newest baby is absolutely beautiful !!..I can’t wait to see her !..also, what a thoughtful giveaway ( your paint brushes too ?!? )…. an early Happy Birthday wish is being sent to you from me..’hoping that all your birthday wishes and good dreams come true !!.. with love, as always.. and, oh yes, Susan, thank you again, for all you do !!
…ooooh..my daughter in Westerly just sent me an instagram; it’s snowing big, fat snowflakes right now !?!..in April ?..she is so ready to garden..maybe not today though..lol…
Susan,
Cannot wait for my book to arrive.
I’ve re-read both A Fine Romance and Fairytale Girl, all while sitting in my local coffee shop.
Prayers for safe travels, for both you and Joe.
~Kiki~
Have a Fabulous trip!!!!
Books on their way is great news! And let’s not forget that a new Willard s in the works, too! I’m so greedy that I’d be so excited to win this special give-away, as well! So much good stuff coming our way from you. Yay!
Don’t blame you for being sad about missing spring at home. It’s so good for the soul to watch your own garden waking up. I’ve been watching azaleas, dogwoods, and hostas do their thing. Something new pops out every day. And some of my parsley reseeded this year. New seedlings popping up in some (gasp)flower pots. I’m going to repot a few today to permanent homes. But the rest get to stay in pots with the flowers that come up.Theyll look beautiful together. So. Much. Fun. But, just think, you’ll see spring everywhere you travel to sign those books for all the girlfriends. All those smiling faces…I can see why you’re excited! Happy Trails!
I can’t wait. I will be in Hudson Ohio to see you. Susan you have accomplished something wonderful. I know the time it took to put both books together so we
could read and dream. God Bless you sweet Susan.
How exciting!!! I have pre-ordered but would love to pass it on to my daughter if I win in the giveaway. Still planning to see you in Austin with my daughter about 2 weeks after her wedding at my house…talk about motivation for a good cleaning! Looking forward to all the June events, be safe on your trip.
Hi Susan,
Really looking forward to your visit to Morro Bay. You will love our views of the Pacific Ocean! Safe travels.
Lynn
I am looking forward to meeting you on May 21st at the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver. My longtime friend and sorority sister, Susie, and I will be there with bells on and books in hand!
Have a safe and wonderful trip! It will be gratifying to see all your fans that so love the wonderful way you write and embellish your books. Your books are all treasures. FYI – I’m almost done with “The Best of Stillmeadow” and have enjoyed it so. Thanks for not letting us forget Gladys Taber.
Susan, I love when you share your housecleaning days because my energy always revs up at the sight of those sparkling glasses and I end up with reorganised cupboards or shining windows or company coming for tea 🙂 And I had to laugh at your “whatever” cause at 65 I say that alot :D. Thank you for the laughter and flowers and sparkles and freshly starched curtains and everything else you gift us with! See you in Danville xxoo
I reread The Fairy Tale Girl last week so it will be fresh in my mind for when the new book comes. Even though I grew up in Texas instead of California in the same time period, I can see so many similarities. Looking forward to seeing you in Austin, Texas! Got my badge ready!
I love getting a glimpse of the new end papers for Heart of the Home as well as the map of the island in Isle of Dreams. They look terrific. Have a wonderful trip and thanks for posting. Please let us know if you are doing any events in the autumn here in the UK. It’s such a wonderful time to be here – I hope you two love it.
Hello, Susan!
Your positivity and joie de vivre are an inspiration to all of us! Wishing you safe travels and serendipitous adventures. Can’t wait to read Isle of Dreams!
Have fun and keep enjoying the journey and blogging when you can find the time…
Oh no….bad timing. How can I do spring housecleaning and sit on my tuffet and read Isle of Dreams coming real soon? My spring cleaning will wait! Happy book signing tour. xo
Hi Susan,
I loved The Fairy Tale Girl and am excited to get Isle of Dreams! I also wish you were coming for a book signing in my city, Sioux City. I know you can’t be everywhere! I am so anxious to see the new fabric, as I am an avid quilter. Your blog is always so upbeat and inspiring to read. Thanks for all you do!
Hi Susan! I so wish you were coming to Western CT. But I guess unless you clone yourself, you can’t be everywhere. :o)
To make myself feel better, I will just pull up a little chair next to my mailbox and wait each day for my package with a cup of tea and a scone. I plan on devoting a future post on my blog to how comforting and joyful all of your books are, especially if you read them in the garden among the butterflies and birds. Enjoy your journey!
Becki Hardman
I so love your area of the country, your books, and your fun. You have given me so many ideas for parties. I LOVED the rings around the birthday candle. GOing to use that one in June!!!!!
Your travels are always a delight to follow! First cross country, then cross the ocean, what a life!
I’ll play you in the movie!!!!
I’ve been waiting so excitedly for Isle of Dreams! Time flies (which I dislike) but it’s finally here!!!!!!!! Almost…
So exciting… your posts are cheer me up… can’t wait for my book to come… I reread them all the time. Enjoy your trip. 🙂
Hi Sue,
What a free feeling it must be to finish your projects. looking forward to the new book and I will order the new Heart of the Home. Yes I understand the curtain thing. Just reading all the BRONTE books. But will be done in time for your new one. What a life those girls had. Thanks for being you.
Nancy Jo
Love you and Joe, so proud of you! Congrats on the new books!! Have safe travels!!! xoxo
I hope you told the movie people that Emma Thompson should play you!! She is my choice for sure!! Love Emma Thompson – and all her work – and love you! The two of you would be great together.
Now I have to think about who I think should play Joe.
Thanks for the “spring cleaning” inspiration. I’m not on my way anywhere right now, but maybe the fact that you are will help me get my act together.
Happy Monday! Enjoy the preparations for your special day with the Tuesday Girls!!
Oh my, Susan dear! What a wonderful way to start a new week! So excited that Isle of Dreams will be here soon in my mailbox! Would LOVE to win a copy to share and to have a paintbrush and blotter would be such a treasure! Joe is so smart to know that we would love that. Your lace curtains and linens are lovely! Spring will be here soon and they will be beautiful blowing in the breeze of open windows viewing flowering trees just outside! Enjoy your week! Looking forward to another fun tea party in Wilmette, IL soon! x
Congratulations! Such exciting news and, as always, such a lovely post!
What a wonderful post!
So excited to see all those beautiful copies of the book. Can’t wait to get mine!
I can’t wait to meet you when you visit Utah!
The first time I have ever left a comment but would love to own your book. Just love your blog with all of its wonderful art and sayings. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us. Joyce H
So much exciting news! Can’t wait…watching the mailbox now!
So happy for you. Your excitement cannot be contained. Looking forward to your book. Have an amazing trip!
My husband and I are coming to greet you at The Learned Owl in Hudson, OH in May. I am missing my book club gathering that night, but meeting you will be so worth it! I appreciate your cheerful, beautifully illustrated blog- I am instantly uplifted every time I read one!
Oh Susan, such great news! Your beloved kitties would never think you
were abandoning them. They’ll miss their mama, of course, but they’ll be adored while you’re traveling. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for an extra special copy of Isle of Dreams. You are proof that Fairy Tales REALLY do
come true! With love to you and Joe and all the girlfriends.
Happy Spring from Nebraska! Very excited to read Isle of Dreams and get my hands back into my garden soil again!
Safe travels. I soooo love your kitties. I love how your books bring together so many different kinds of women. I also love how it doesn’t matter the age of any of them. I will keep looking on twitter and the blog for your travel updates!
I never seem to be organized enough to get a signed copy of your books when they are first in your store but I’m going to be today….and because I’d just simply die on the spot if I got one of your paint brushes and paint blotter bookmarks I’m going to throw my name in your giveaway hat as well..Your excitement is contagious and I’m ready to enjoy your much anticipated new book! Thankyou so much for including us in your dreams..Mari in Colorado
I cannot wait to see you at Fox Tale Book Shoppe this summer! I love how absolutely cute everyone looks at these pictures from the book signings!
Joy, joy, joy, what a wonderful way to begin a week with such a lovely post. You have inspired me to begin my spring cleanina….no wait…I must be off to work. I will just enjoy the fruits of your housekeeping labors.
Susan, Spring has deserted us over the weekend – six inches of fresh snow but we know it won’t last. It is April, after all and your birth month. Happy, happy birthday. Loved that your book will be winging it’s way to us very soon. Safe travels to you and Joe. Hugs.
Everything looks so much better with clean windows and curtains blowing in a Spring breeze but the weather here is still winter like so I must wait a bit for that. I would love to win one of your books.
Ooh I cannot wait to read it and to FINALLY meet you!! We’ll be taking a mini road trip to Iowa – checking one huge dream off my list!!
Hi Susan! So excited that the Isle of Dreams has arrived. It looks wonderful! Will be watching my mailbox in snowy southern NH!
Did I ever mention that many days I will chose one of the pictures from your blog to leave up on my computer all day long? It always gives me such a delightful lift when I return to my computer. Today it is the photo of the books stacked on your kitchen table. Ahhhhhh………bliss!
Blessings
Carol
I will be so happy to open the mailbox and see the new book. I’ve introduced you to so many people and they are waiting anxiously, too. Such fun.
Susan,
Can’t wait to read to read your new book!
Have a very Happy Birthday next week.
Patsy
Your post made me look forward to cleaning my windows and curtains. I actually love spring cleaning and having a clean and neat house. Thank you for the inspiration, Susan. God bless you and all that you do. Pat Holland
I am so EXCITED to get your book in the mail! I just finished the Fairy Tale Girl and loved it. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!
I’m so excited for you!! Good luck.
Thank you for your books and blog and art. They are always inspiring.
Happy Spring and safe travels! So many looking forward to reading your new book (especially me!) and meeting you along beautiful pathways of America! Blessings abound!
Hi Susan!
I bet you are so torn…excited to go on this trip but sorry to leave home. It sounds like Spring is a magical time on the island. As you know there isn’t much change here in sunny California. Not complaining…it’s always beautiful here by the sea.
Hoping to get to see you at a signing!
Hugs,
Debbie
Inspiring you are ! have a great trip ~ Im over on the Cape looking at the snow falling ~ will cook one of your meals from your book today ~ enjoy ! cant wait to get a copy of your new book !! safe trip xx Lorraine
I am so excited for Isle of Dreams! I just read Fairy Tale Girl (I’m a little late to the party…I’ve had it for awhile, but kept putting off reading it because I knew that I’d be sad when it ended) and immediately started to re-read it. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
I enjoyed your first book, and I love the chance to win a personalized copy of this one! My honeymoon was on Martha’s Vineyard in 1974 (!), and it truly is an Isle of Dreams!
Love the new end papers on Heart of the Home. They remind me of Laura Ashley wallpaper, so pretty.
You are an inspiration to me at this difficult time in my life. When I awake each morning, I always turn to you to start my day on a cheerful note. It doesn’t last, but at least you help me begin my day with hope. I plan on attending your book signing in St. Charles, MO, if I can possibly make it.
What a perfect birthday present for you……your book!!!
Looking forward to the new book for my birthday : )
Safe travels………
Happy Monday, Susan! I’m so looking forward to your new book. What fantastic life adventures you have had, and off you & Joe go on another. Wishing you both safe travels and wonderful times. All good things……
I’ve already made my trip across the river into Cinn., Ohio, to reserve my book for the book-signing…This will be my 1st book-signing.. though I do have all your other books, etc…So very excited!!! Safe travels!
Hoping you have a wonderful trip (we must get an independent book seller to invite you when you have your next tour!). I cannot wait to receive the new book. By the way, the Kitty photos were delightful!
~queenmum (who is watching snow fall)
You have been SUCH a busy bee, Susan!!! Noone is more excited for you about the months ahead than we are! You so deserve to reap all the abundant fruits of your abundant labors! I look so forward to curling up with your latest creation….and then being able to see you again soon! Utter joy! Enjoy your days leading up to your upcoming road trip adventure! The fun has already begun! xo
Susan,
Enjoy your beautiful springtime and the spring across our country too. Thank you for all the goodness and love you add to the world! I look forward to and enjoy your blogs and books and all your art. Travel Safely.
Very exciting. Wish I had your energy to just accomplish the spring cleaning before going on a trip. Looking forward to your book so much and hearing about the book signings.
Joy in Oregon