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!
I would love to win your book. I could then gift my ordered book to my 86 year old neighbor, Teresa. She wasn’t feeling well a few months ago, so I gave her A Fine Romance to read. She was smitten. I knew she would love you.
I think she read The Fairy Tale Girl in two days. It would be so nice for us to each have our own copy of your new book.
Have a great time on your trip.
Give her my love!
Anything Susan Branch makes me happy!
I still have the recipe pages ripped out of
Country Living about a million years ago!!!
Not a million! 🙂
I have been learning so much from all these blogs. Especially happy to know your birthday is this week! Happy Birthday to you Susan! Don’t forget to keep a book for yourself! Love the idea of receiving your worn paint brush with your newest book. You just jump from one project to another! I also love to iron. Used to love ironing my dad’s business shirts. He always knew when I did the ironing because I hung the shirts “left handed” on the hanger or to a right handed person I hung them backwards facing the wrong way! At least they were ironed! Enjoy getting your house in shape before your book tour. Enjoy Wilmette and Chicago Hope you get to have some Susan and Joe time while there.
My Mom would be over the moon to win one of your books, she adores you!
Can’t wait to see you in Cincinnati!
oh Susan, you are such a doll and dear! A dear doll! Oh how I would love one of your paintbrushes!! I think it would actually help me paint better, your creativity flowing thru it to me. And of course the new book!! I’m happy for you accomplishing so very much, and with exciting things yet to come. Bless you 🙂
Susan, you & Joe have a wonderful trip & book signing, sadly you are not coming close to me in Mi., but I can’t wait until my new book arrives and I can continue the Fine Romance story curled up with a pot of tea & maybe a scone.
Congrats on the book! Will be waiting for it to arrive. I just wanted to ask, if you redo any other books, would you do Christmas From the Heart of the Home, or Vineyard Seasons? I don’t have those, but would love to have them. Have a great trip. Happy Birthday! Kisses to the Kitties!
Good evening, Love how you want your home clean, so, when you come home
it looks good! Don’t you just love the sparkle of glassware on the shelf.
I was enjoying Spring—–now we are in the snow with our Daffodils peeking up
through the cold snow. Only in New England !!!! Always look forward to the next week when the weather goes back to SPRING. Your kitchen looks wonderful with all your new books. Hope you come to Titcomb’s for a book
signing.
I am. July 2!
Happy Birthday dear Susan! thank you so much for bringing such light into our lives. I can’t wait to read your new book. I was so mad at my husband when he cleaned out my books and now I can’t find my treasured Vineyard Seasons and Heart of the Home cookbooks!!!!! SO I am so happy that you are publishing a new one which I am keeping under lock and key. HAve a fabulous trip and I am so happy you let us go with you !
I’m away from home this week and was so relieved to see your newsletter in my “in box” on my phone. Whew. I was in desperate need for happyness and starched curtains so you just made my day :))
I will certainly pass on those good vibes too!
Oh honey, I’m wondering if you’re going to be here in Oregon?
Will definitely order your book either way —
XXXXXX
luv luv luv
Teri
So excited to know the book will be arriving soon!!! Can’t wait to begin reading the ‘rest of your story’.
Have A Great trip. Happy Spring!🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Safe travels sweet girl.
Kate Winslet? Hmmmm…. Saoirse Ronan sounded interesting at first, but I think Kate!
my fingers are crossed to win one of your lovely giveaways! I also can’t wait til your fabric comes out, as I am a sewer and quilter. Have a wonderful trip!
Have a Happy Birthday, a safe trip and hope we’ll see you in Pasadena, Ca
Oh Susan, would love to have a clean house like yours. Those freshly starched curtains and dresser scarves are gorgeous !! You will have so much fun on your road trip! Joe is a peach isn’t he?? And a good driver,,, those are some of the things I always loved about my Tom too.. Happy Birthday next week….girlfriends will make it happy I know.. Oh how I’d love to win one of those books , then my daughter can have the one I’ll be getting in the mail real soon…smile..
Bless you…
I can hardly wait for your new book. We have a beach trip planned in May, it will be the perfect book for reading at the beach. I love reading your blogs. It is so nice to read something so inspirational and peaceful. I loved reading about the curtains. It’s like I took a trip back home and Mom had her startched white curtains hanging at the kitchen window. What a wonderful memory! Thank you!!
Goody, goody! I can hardly wait for my book to get here. I love your blog! When it arrives in my inbox, I look at my day and pick a time when I can sit down, read it slowly, and study your lovely pictures and drawings.
You have written so much through the years about your wonderful home in Martha’s Vineyard, and all the joys of living on the island….tantalizing little bits and pieces of information here and there in many of your books and blogs and Willards, etc. that make me know I would LOVE living there myself! At least you help me to live there vicariously through YOU and your fabulous descriptions! So I can’t wait to actually get my hands on a copy of your new book all about the island! Even though I live in California, I feel a true longing to visit MV because of all the lovely things you have revealed about it. Sign me up for the drawing please!
Happy adventures to you and Joe, and safe travels.
I love the idea Joe had about the paint brush addition! If I were so lucky to be a winner…would/could Joe sign the/my book too? He is certainly a big part of your world. You are the artist for sure, but we can feel the large part he plays in your world.
He will, but you have to sneak up on him. 🙂
I bought Heart of the Home oh so many years ago & how I loved it & everything you have done since. Even though I can hardly draw stick figures, sew on a button, when I cook I advise everyone to eat the meat slowly b/c the veggies won’t be done for another 10 minutes, & like to bake, but moderation is not a word in my vocabulary & 8 cookies is a modest amount to eat one after the other in my world. But I love to peek into your world & admire you for all the things you do so well. Can’t wait to read your new book. My husband has cancer & that miserable plague seems to be winning the battle for now. So I love to escape into your world for a nice break away from my not too happy one for now.
Sending all my best for what you are going through. Love having an eight-cookie eater join the others of us here on our blog.💝 Your way of being is perfect to get you through your tough times. With love . . .xoxo
Cathy, I’m sure I am not alone in sending thoughts to you and your husband as you go through these hard times. I hadn’t learned of Susan Branch and the wonderful world she has created when my husband was ill, but I used to escape to Gladys Taber’s Still Meadow Farm. Take your moments of joy when and where you can find them.
Happy Birthday. Winning a book would be the best.
Dear Susan,
So many comments, so little time! Thank you for making my email perk up with beautiful photos, commentary and inspiration.
Hoping to make it to Pasadena for the book signing,
Aloyce
P. S. Safe travels.
Ok, so here comes my “comments” just so I can actually get a “special” book for ME. I already pre ordered, but this is being selfish, I want the signed and beautifully picked book for ME. Again, selfish, but what the heck.
Susan, you are such a inspiration to me. You bring out the creativity in me. Just last week after re reading your blog (read it when it came out, then a couple of times later), I went through all my Susan Branch items. Loved reliving my purchases and loved just running my fingers through them again. Took all my fabrics I purchased and relived how I was going to use them, which of course I have not, because they are so pretty to just have sitting in my baskets. Thank you for that. I remember when I purchased every sticker you had for sale at one of our local craft stores, this was at least 15 years ago, if not longer, and said to one of my co workers that I could not believe I spent over $75.00 just in stickers alone…..how was I going to hide them from my husband, well, I used almost all of them, thinking I would be able to replenish, but has been to difficult to find those ones! thank you again for being such an inspiration.
Can’t wait to get the new book. I devoured the 2 others in 1 day each. I hope you included lots of pics of your little cottage as I’ve already imagined it so many times in my head. I will be moving into my own little cottage at the end of April – there can’t be anything better than to have my very own piece of cozy, except for maybe chocolate. Have a great time on your tour of the states as you meet so many of your “kindred spirits”.
yessss, before’s and after’s too! Congratulations on your new little house Patricia!
Hi Susan! Just received your “Sweets to the Sweet” book. I came late to the Girlfriends party only discovering you with “A Fine Romance.” I’m trying to collect all your books and I’m just about there thanks to our friends at EBay. I’m sure you and Joe will have a wonderful time touring our great country in the glorious springtime! Enjoy all the Girlfriend love you so richly deserve.
I cannot wait to receive my book! Reading your books is so much fun with all your artwork and photos. Poor Girl Kitty and Jack are going to miss you and Joe while you are on your book tour!
I am just getting my Susan Branch book collection going. I have three. I would give anything for Vanna to pick my name and I could have one of your personalized books.
HURRAY! It’s almost on its way-your newest creation. Can’t hardly wait! Thank you for sharing your creativity with us. No book signings in Washington State, bummer. Maybe someday … 😄
I wish you were coming to Washington state too!!!!
Susan, You are the bright spot in my day. So look forward to you blog. Your books are a beautiful gift I’m planning on when school is out for the summer.
Hi SUSAN ,
We’re the girlfriends in that picture on the blog that’s me in the orange and my best friend Kathy we both have red hair . We are coming again to the Learned Owl in Hudson . We can’t wait . I am bringing my other books for you to sign as well , can’t wait to see you and Joe again . I took off work that day!
I totally know who you guys are!!! Can’t wait to see you again! How nice!
So happy when your blog appears in my email. Will be irdering your new book and anniversary edition of your cookbook to build up my collection. Don’t know what I like best, your writing, your art, or your photos. Wish you were coming to/near Pittsburgh, PA.
I visited Martha’s Vineyard just once many years ago when I and 3 of my girlfriends, all teachers, celebrated our summer vacation by taking a trip out East. We had such a good time, and I remember how excited we were to board the ferry to take us out to MV. We were all young teachers then, and now I have already been retired for 6 years after teaching for 42 years. But the lovely memories linger. I am eager to read your book and wishing that one of your tour stops would be in my area (south of Chicago). Traveling mercies!
Yay!!!!!! Congratulations on your new book!!!! I’m looking forward to reading it! Blessings to you from Kansas!
That stack of books is so exciting! It’s fun to read and see your delight in spring cleaning. Me, not so much. Happy Spring! Happy Birthday (a little early)! I am so looking forward to meeting you in person at BookPeople in Austin on June 18.
I do like the wonderful idea of the paint paper bookmark with a celebratory paint brush! Only you (well, maybe Joe, too), you clever girl! I have to get the new edition of the first Susan book ever, also. Such delight.
Absolutely loved Fairy Tale Girl. It took me back to my teen years and I could not put the book down. So looking forward to Isle of Dreams. You are finally answering all the questions I had about your personal life. It is so kind of you to do so but then I realized that is what girlfriends do, share our secrets and feelings, joys and sorrows with each other. Bless you Susan and Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday! Just gave “The Fairy Tale Girl” to my sister and my daughter for birthday gifts. My sister gave me “Heart of the Home” as a wedding shower gift in 1988. It and “Vineyard Seasons” are my most used cookbooks! I am anxiously awaiting my copy of “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams”…guessing I will read it in one night like I did with “The Fairy Tale Girl”!! Would love to see you visit the Monterey Bay sometime. Have a wonderful birthday and thanks for brightening my days.
I can’t wait to read the book that will “complete the trilogy”!!! Thanks, Susan, for sharing your stories with the world!
When I read that the books had finally arrived in California & were on their way out to all those who had prepaid eons ago… I shouted to my hubby “One of them is coming to me!!” I’m so excited for you Susan… all your hours of hard work have paid off and now you can enjoy the accolades & the fun part of being an author. My hubby Paul and I met you & Joe in SLO at Remnants of the Past and now we’re looking forward to seeing you again in Danville, CA… just a 20 min. drive from our home in Pleasanton. Until then, safe travels & enjoy the ride…
Wish you a Happy Happy Birthday and best wishes! I would love to receive one of your paint brushes and a bookmark, and of course the best would be your new book!!!
I just adore your books and paintings and blogs and *all!* Hoping to see you in Denver. <3 It's so inspiring to see someone enjoying her life and making a living doing so! Many blessings to you as you prepare to set off. 🙂
One of you own very personal paint brushes!! For my very own!!! I can’t wait!!! Vanna you had best not disappoint me😬
Susan,
I am glad I will still be alive to read the book. The truth is that I was told I have stage 4 breast cancer last November. I ordered the book anyway hoping I would get to read it, So I had a note inserted to ask my daughter to read it for me, because I knew it would be precious and wanted so very much for her to read it if I couldn’t. The doctors have given me injections once a month to shrink the tumors and to strengthen my bones and they are working. I may live for years, no one knows, so far I’m feeling good. I’m so excited that I will be here to read your book. I’ve been looking so forward to it. I can’t tell you how much joy I get from your books and your blog. Thank you for being such a great inspiration to me daily. Bless you girlfriend. Hope you enjoy your tour, if you come close to southern Calif or San Louis Obispo I’ll try to come out to meet you. Sincere regards.
People do it all the time, break the rules and live forever. I’ll be in Pasadena AND in San Luis Obispo . . . go to the right hand column of the blog and click on EVENTS for details. And keep doing what you’re doing brave girl. Sending love and prayers and uncountable blessings to you. Thank you for your kind words. 😘 XOXOXO
I have to tell you that I found Susan when I was taking care of my mother in 2011 as she fought breast cancer. Susan is an inspiration and I hope to meet her one day, too. Stay strong! I am holding you in my heart!
I can not wait for your trip and all your updates. Hope you can post weekly at least. Love your many talents! So inspiring and love to visit and be comfy enjoying every word and picture! 🙂 Safe travels!
To win this would send me over the moon. Come on, Vanna, pick me!
Yes it is really late but I just finished reading The Fairy Tale Girl again to get ready for your new book to arrive. Of course I couldn’t put down until it was finished. I really am going to try to not read the next one in one day so I can spread out the joy I feel when I read your books over several days! No promises though. Thank you Susan for sharing so much of your life experiences with us, it is truly inspiring. Have a fabulous Birthday and enjoy your book tour meeting all the lovely Girlfriends out there.
Looking forward to getting my copy of the new book. I have preordered a couple but a signed copy just for me would be great. Also looking forward to the new Heart of the Home. Have a wonderful, safe trip as you go out for signings.
I see a post from you in my reader and I say, “oh goody.” I don’t click on it right away, for some blogs can be read in less time than others (still most enjoyable), but for your posts, I like to be in the right frame of mind. No hurry at all. Time to sit and enjoy. This evening I finished a huge stack of marking (Romeo and Juliet quizzes and assignments), then I dumped out my school bag and organized it (I found at least 100 paper clips!), and then I had a drink of water. Only then did I sit down here on the couch, a pillow at my back, and begin to read. Such lovely domestications (I just made that up, but it sounds like Anne of Green Gables to me) around your place. Starched linens, sparkly dishes, and that wonderful stack of books. Sigh. Can hardly wait to get it in my hands and DEVOUR it.
Hi Susan!
Oh I do hope you will have a book signing in CA (preferably Southern California). Did you mention that somewhere and I missed it? I did call up the book store in Pasadena and beg them to arrange a signing. But how do I find out if you are going to be there?
And thank you for being so generous with your wonderful keepsakes. I would dearly love to win a personalized bookmark!
SAFE TRAVELS, my dear!
Oh what a beautiful book! I love the ocean colors…I bet when you open the cover you can smell the sea. I just don’t know how you find time to starch and press your curtains. Yikes. I’m such a slug …I don’t iron anything. And now it’s Spring! I’m outside, too busy breathing fresh fragrant air to care about curtains. Enjoy your travels with your beautiful books, filled to overflowing with oodles of heart.
Hi Susan. My mom died about 2 years ago…and well, I was beginning to think that there wasn’t any more joy in the world. At least not for me. But then I found your blog… your witty, beautifully decorated, funny, Beatrix Potter loving, Marthas Vineyard living, antique searching wonderland. Alice has nothing on you. I admire your artistry so much. But more than that, your heart has really touched my soul. I can’t thank you enough for sharing the simple beauty and adventures of your life with the world and me . I’m honored and so grateful. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
💞
..oh,dear, Nina..your post struck a chord with me !..firstly, I am so sorry for your loss !!.. I am so grateful you found Susan and what she is offering everyone !!.. I, too, in recent years, have gone through immense, personal loss.. ‘couldn’t find “any more joy in the world”…and then, one day, Susan took us all took England for a much needed journey !!..please stay with us, Nina..
Thank you Susan for responding to my note. You are a dear woman. And thank you Mary. Your words mean so much to me…especially since that was my mom”s name. I promise. My sister-in-law calls that a God wink:) I hope this message finds you well….after all..we have books to read:)
..’love hearing back from you, Nina !!..take care and with love, as always… and, btw, I don’t know if you know that Susan is taking us all along on their journey to Scotland this autumn and, yes, meanwhile, we have books to read and dreams to dream !!.. with prayers..
Yes, we are going together!
Susan,
Don’t know what happened to my comment but will try again. Had said – Oh happy day! So happy for you! Looks like all good news! Safe and happy traveling to you and Joe. I need to get busy doing some of that Spring cleaning stuff myself. Was able to spend the weekend with my daughter and son-in-law for my daughter’s birthday. Had a tea party with my two little granddaughters – complete with tea set, tea, cookies, and hats. They loved it! Grandma too! Have a great week! Looking forward to getting your new book! 🙂
You are such an inspiration to me!! Looks like another wonderful book I would love to win! XO
Cant wait until the books start arriving in So. Cal. Coming to Pasadena to see you with my friend-since-6th-grade. See you there! Arline
Love your blog and this post! I’m inspired to clean and starch my curtains! I’m hoping to see you when you come to Texas.
Susan,
silly me! I already found the answer to my question above about the book store in Pasadena. I went to your events page (duh!) and found the info. And guess what? You will be there the day before my birthday! So I will come see you at the signing and get an autographed copy as a birthday present to me! Yippee!!
And I also forgot to wish YOU a very Happy Birthday, so I am glad I got to post again. I hope you have a truly special, WONDERFUL day – (just like you!) Thank you for all the JOY you have brought into my life!
Smooches!
Hi Susan,
. I think if a movie is made, Sally Field would be my choice to play you. I can hardly wait to get my new book! So exciting! Keep posting about all your adventures, it’s so much fun hearing from you. I would love to win a Susan Branch paintbrush. I would probably caress it and then frame it. I love good paintbrushes! Have a wonderful trip and post some Pics of Joe too. He’s so cute!
❤ Randi —-<—<–@
Can hardly wait to get your new book! It’s been so much fun following your blog with the progress of your latest creation.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday! Enjoy every moment.
I can’t wait to read your new book!
How lovely! Hoping to make it to see you when you are in San Luis Obispo County!
I hope this trip will be above and beyond all your expectations! Take care and enjoy!
Me, me, me. Thank you for inspiring me to try water colors. We will see how it turns out. I am going to snuggle down and read “The Fairy Tale Girl”
Ok, fingers crossed, and wishes in thought, a book, a bookmark, and a paintbrush! Wow, cool! If only those paintbrushes could talk 🙂 If I’m lucky enough to have one, I will have a conversation with it right away and I will listen to see if it talks back! Have a wonderful trip out West! I’m hoping to see you in Danville ..
All the best to the kitties to feel extra loving while you two are away!
XO
My favorite “me time” is spending time with you and enjoying all the beautiful pictures you post … talk about “priceless”. Can’t wait for my book to come or maybe even win one. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!!! So I too need to get my spring cleaning done in preparation to head to our summer lake house in Minnesota. Girlfriend, you always inspire me to think positive and find the joy in the little things of life. God Bless YOU!
So sweet to see you spring cleaning before your travels. I always like to return fresh sheets on the bed even if I’m gone for just a couple of days. And while I have the very best dog person, I ache leaving her. Have a wonderful time!
Have a wonderful book tour. That Joe is full of good ideas. I would love a signed copy.
Such a happy blog!🎶. I would be over the moon if Vanna chooses me. (I have a secret wish to some day win one of your drawings, so perhaps this will be the one.) 😊 I think you should have put your name on the calendar along with Gladys Taber’s birthday. After all, you are famous to all of us and so admired. Hoping you have a very happy birthday with your girlfriends!
Warmest wishes,
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
April is my birthday too! We are special people, first sign in zodiac. Powerful, strong, gifted, beautiful. Loving God, and loving life to His creation. Praying for safe travel to and fro. BLESSINGS!!
I can’t wait to read your new book! Happy birthday to you next week!!
YOU spread so much love and happiness and now it’s all coming back to you. Can you feel it?
I have read through the comments and everybody gets so uplifted by your blog.
Have a wonderful book tour!
I feel it every day! Thank you Audrey!
Hi Susan! I’m looking forward to receiving the latest book which of course I pre-ordered. If I’m lucky enough to win a personalized copy from you, I shall give the other copy to my sister in law who has become a recent fan of yours. It’s cold and blustery and snowing one day and balmy and warm the next day – typical wacky Spring here in Chicagoland . Safe travels to you and Joe and hopefully I can make it to one of your events!
We are thrilled you are coming to Morrro Bay. We are telling as many girlfriends as possible. When they see your books so many have a story to tell how they meet and know you., us too here at Summer Cottage in Morro Bay.
I can’t wait!
Dear Susan, I’ve read your last two books and have admired your artwork for years.I’m very excited foe the release of your new book.Please sign me up for the giveaway.
I envy you the trip ahead. Todd (my husband) and I are always dreaming of driving across America. Although ours would be more of a pleasure cruise, somehow I think yours will be also even if it does involve the work of book signings, etc. How wonderful to be able to meet and touch base with your fans and readers. God willing one day I will be in one of those groups! I have my fingers crossed. April is a month where Winter and Spring seem to swing back and forth sometimes . . . but with the showers come May flowers. Or we can hope so at any rate! I am way excited about the arrival of your book, but I will try to contain myself. 😉 Fabric and Willard . . . two new things to anticipate. Yay us! Aren’t we so very lucky! xo
Susan, I’m so excited I could burst! This year, my daughter Amy has agreed to drive me to Prescott from Phoenix and attend your tea and book signing, so I have purchased tickets for both of us! I pre-ordered my book, but my daughter did not get one, so I am hoping to win the drawing for my book and I can give my pre-ordered copy to Amy. She will love it! I;m going to buy her a calendar too! We have also talked about visiting the Island too, now that I am retired and her kids have grown up and move out of the house. Love everything I have seen and heard about Martha’s Vineyard! So excited to meet you, dear Susan. Have a safe trip!
Oh I hope it’s me!! I have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks and can’t think of anything I’d like more than a good read by my favorite never-met girlfriend!! Hope to see you in AZ (Prescott)! You are the best! xo
Susan,
I am soooo happy for you , what an accomplishment completing your third portion of your memoir ! We will finally get to read the missing chapters of your story , and with photos and illustrations! It’s all too wonderful! I am out in Washington State and have been putting little primroses and daffodils and tulips in all my windows with my Beatrix Potter little ones and waiting for the full bloom of Spring as well ! I am heart broken that Seattle didn’t” get with it ” and make way for you to come here on your big book tour. I don’t know what happened but Elliot Bay (a great bookstore up until this point, anyway really missed the boat ( as well as the other large & famous one of a kind Powells bookstore in Portland that is something like 6 stories high…) I will pray maybe one of them wisest up and nabs you for another next time (?) , so then there is still something to look forward to… Right?! I have to think this way… Positively! I hope you have a wonderful birthday and truly know that there are so many of us kindred girlfriends that we’re glad you were born and that you have shared your gifts with us. I am amazed at how many people God has gifted and you in particular, because you inspire us to be the best we can be in so many ways! Btw the used paint brush thing Jie suggested is just killing me, it is just the perfect touch, By the way you will simply have to check out the FREE Downton Abbey paper dolls I found on line @ vulture.com/2012/02/print-out-vultures-downton-abbey-paper-dolls.html. They are hilarious and this link is my special birthday gift to you and all the girlfriends that may not have seen it!! I printed them out immediately and thought of you!
I hope preparing for your trip isn’t too stressful and that you have a safe and enchanting trip! Hello to Jack and Girl Kitty , Love and best Spring Wishes to you and your family!
Tamara 🙂
Thank you Tamara! xoxo
I am so happy that your new book is in the mail!!!! I can’t wait for it to arrive at my house in Delaware!!!!! Have a good time on your travels.
Cannot find my replay from yesterday so I will wish you again a safe and happy journey with meeting a lot of girlfriends.
For my birthday I ‘ordered ‘ several of your books as I did last year with A fine Romance. Don’t we all want a fine romance in our life?
Looking forwards to your stories about your journey.
Greetings Trudy from the Netherlands
Can’t wait for the new book to arrive!
Wow! I am so excited. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book. So please, sign me up, drop my name in the bucket, do whatever you have to do, but please, please hurry. I would love to own a personalized copy. That would be amazing to say the least. Have a wonderful time on your book signing tour. Wish Seattle was on the agenda, but thats ok. Maybe next time.
Hi Susan,
I just love your illustrations they are all so beautiful!…and how lucky are you to have so many girlfriends lol. I live in England and love reading your blog, so happy, and colourful, with the extra special kitty cats too..have a great trip.
Sue
Have enjoyed reading all of your books. . .they are a breath of fresh air in todays world. Your blog is always so positive and uplifting, a joy to read from beginning to end. Have made many of your recipes, shared them with neighbors and church friends too. You are a delight
Having a very hard time waiting for my book…..but i know any day now it will be here, i vote for tv series!! then we can stop–rewind– then stop again and rewind to see over and over and …
I like the way you think!
Please add my name to the draw😀. I would love to share a copy with my beautiful friend who lost her wonderful husband a few months ago and her precious mum at Easter.
What fun it would be to join a book signing but it’s a pretty long swim across the Pacific! However I’ll enjoy the adventures via the blog and all the friends’ comments. What a blessing you are to the Susan Branch community because that’s truly what we are!
I look forward to your blog and all the interesting things you bring to it. Love your flowering trees; ours are budding but not blooming yet. Spring is so up and down with the temperatures; we get a warm day and then several cold and rainy. Rainy the next few days and cool. I am going to get a magnolia tree this year; had one at our prior home and sure do miss it’s beauty in the spring. Looking forward to seeing you in May. I wish you safe travels as you begin your book signing trip. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I would be to win a book, paintbrush and bookmark from you. I will think positive. Until next time I wait in anticipation for what is going on in your part of the country.
All of your linens and dishes look so fresh and clean. You’ve inspired me to get to my Spring cleaning. Love that beautiful stack of books! My daughter and I are so excited to meet you in Prescott!! Safe travels. Enjoy every day!
Girl Kitty and Jack must be pretty independent to not mournfully meow while you are gone. Our daughter’s Flynn can’t even stand to be alone upstairs when anyone is downstairs. He is a pitiful mess! I’m looking forward to your travels–so enjoyed your last book trip you posted. Wouldn’t I just love to have Vanna pull my name out–not very likely, but as “they” say, you never know until you try.
I’m looking forward to attending your book talk at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ. I’ll probably have a couple friends in tow. I already have my signed copy of Fairy Tale Girl and can’t wait to read the fairy tale ending of how you met Joe!
I don’t know how you can leave those cute kitties for so long, but assume they’ll be in good care. I’ve done a little Spring cleaning myself, even though Mother Nature has flipped the page back to Winter for a few days here in rural NJ!!
A very Happy Birthday to you Susan, and best wishes for safe travels.
JoAnne
THANK YOU !!!!!
Thanks Susan, I was hoping I’d get a copy in time to give as a gift for my mom’s 88th birthday!! She and I traveled together to England together just before Diana’s wedding so many years ago; therefore, your first book was a real treasure!
P.S. I’d like to volunteer to house- and kitty-sit for any of your upcoming trips!! : ))
Wishing you a wonderful trip filled with new memories, Susan and Joe! I bought a signed copy of A Fine Romance while in Sandwich at Titcombs Bookstore last September. What a treasure! Although I’m not sure I’ll be able to make the trek from PA to Cape Cod this summer, your books transport me back to my happy place! Sincere thanks and blessings to you!
Looking forward to your new book. Have a safe and happy trip across the country. Thanks for the opportunity to win your beautiful book.
I am so excited that the tour is beginning!
I am hoping to come and get to meet you in Danville CA
Thank you for your new book!!! 🙂
Love Love Love your books and can’t wait to see you in Asheville!! Safe journey
I have had this book pre-ordered forever, can’t wait till it shows up at my house!! What would be even better is to have one show up from you! Then I could give mine to someone I love (hi Theresa)! Have a happy trip!!
I would love to win this book. I have loved the other two, so can hardly wait for the middle:)
Thank you.
Enjoy the adventure, Susan! Safe travels! Thank you for all the color.
~ from Chilly Chilmark, where the daffodils are finally blooming~