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!
Happy Spring! Can’t wait for the book and fabric too!! 🙂 Thank you !
Can’t wait for this one–absolutely devoured Fine Romance and Fairy Tale Girl (and, I might add, have cooked something from every single one of your cookbooks, speaking of devouring–so I’m looking forward to the 30th anniversary edition, too)–so fingers are crossed!
Dear Susan ~ Thank you for generously sharing your world with us!! Your writings, art and photos go right to my heart and always inspire me to appreciate and celebrate the simple joys of life and God’s creation. I so look forward to your blog posts ~ even if it’s a gloomy Monday morning I’m reminded of good, happy and beautiful things and my spirit is lifted!! I blazed through ‘Fairy Tale Girl’ in 2 days and now ‘Isle of Dreams’ is on pre-order through Amazon. I’d love to give a copy to my sister who is borrowing ‘Fairy Tale Girl’ from me right now. 🙂 Be blessed on your upcoming journey across America!! Best regards, Michelle in Seattle
So excited for you. I’d love to win a copy of your new book and paint brushes too! Such wonderful prizes.
Love your kitchen ! and your bath curtains, I remember those ironing starch days, my mom use to keep the bundle in the ice box till she found time to iron. Can wait to get my book! would love one of your paint brushes and paint blotter! ope your gona bring us with you on your trip.
How fun…anticipation for the mail and new chapters to read. Just in time for spring celebrations! Happy Spring! happy forsythia, happy daffodils, happy tulips, it’s my favorite time of year! -r-
Good Morning from Texas!! Susan I love your stories of places I’ve dreamed of seeing and hopefully will one day. Until then thanks for sharing your most beautiful life with us. Have a blessed day!
I always look forward to reading your blog and learning what you are doing.
What a special friend you are! I feel that I know you so well through your books and your blog.
All your books are treasures and I’m excited to add a new treasure to my collection.
And…. you inspire me to start spring housecleaning. Love your curtains.
XOXO
Hope to see you at the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. Can’t wait!!
Goosebumps alert! Goosebumps alert! Such an exciting post. You almost had me get excited enough to start spring cleaning my own home! I said almost! 🙂 Loved the treasured beautiful bathroom curtain. Wowza! It is so perfect there. Once more we are similar. Who knew? I knew what curtains I wanted in my new home before I had my new home. They have been in my living room for 26 years and I still love seeing them every day. They can still go another 26 years. Have fun getting ready for your big jaunt. The pictures of Girl Kitty and Jack are purr-fection!
So happy for you. Can’t wait to see what you have created for all of us to enjoy. Trying to think who should play you in the movies? Fun!
Good Morning, Susan, from Bainbridge Island! It’s sunny here. ☀️ Thank you for the giveaway, fingers crossed.
OH MY! Sign me up for the giveaway! So wish you were coming this way, and really, really, you need to plan a trip to Franklin, TN. The quaintness of this little bustling town is just the kind you like. Have a wonderful trip. Sounds so fun!
Blessings!
teresa
I’m so excited!! Can’t wait for my book! My kids live on Huasna Rd. Can I just go pick it up?? Lol!
Oh, I can’t wait for my book and to win one would be fabulous too!! I am giddy with anticipation!! 🙂 xoxoxo!!
YEA…long-awaiting book is coming soon! Can’t wait! Hopefully your spring cleaning will energize me to do the same…some much needed tasks to be done but living in California…it’s just so hard to stay inside. Spent weekend in Palm Springs where it was GORGEOUS! Safe travels to you and Joe…enjoy your time…you always do and it is so much fun to go along with you.
So excited for my copy to arrive. Each night before bed I allow myself a chapter or two- then I am sure to have sweet dreams. I’ve re-read The Fairy Tale Girl many times, still love it! Enjoy your trip (I completely understand being sad to leave your sweet pets- I hate leaving my dog, even just for the day!)
Oh. Happy. Day! So excited to get yet another book of yours and can’t wait to see you again in Morro Bay with my girlfriend Sandy Perry. I think we will wear our Happy go girlfriend t-shirts that you signed last time you were here. Safe travels to you and Joe. Good luck to all the girlfriends out there <3
What an adventure life is, and you have the precious gift of finding and living the joy in every single moment. I tried, unsuccessfully, to connect last tour. (I tried to schedule a visit to our Bookfest.) I will just have to travel to you when you reach California this time. ♡ Enjoy every single minute! Go! Fill your cup!
😊💖🌟💙🎹✨💚🌸💜🌷💛🎶 Lunch~Time!!! Happy Monday Sweetest Sue! Excellent Blog~Post & Musica 🌟🎹🎶 Thank~You!!! I Love Spring~Cleaning Then Everything Is Oh So Sparkly & Shiny & Smells So Good! 😊 I Am So Excited About Your “Our” New~Book…I’m Going To Drive Our Mail~Man Nutzzz lol 😊💖 The Photos of The Kitties Make Me Smile…Meowzers & Kitty~Kisses & Warm Hugzzz….I Wonder What Shoes Vanna is Going To Choose for This Give~Away…??? Very Exciting & You Know My Wings Shall Be Crossed!!! Sending Love & Spring~Time Pixie~Dust For You Sweet Sue! xoxo Poof! 😊💖🌟💙🎹✨💚🌸💜🌷💛🎶 P.S. Just Breathe…..Then Twirl As We Count~Down To Your Birthday!!! Watch For The “Real~Mail” Yay! 😊💖✨💚🌸💜🌷💛🎶 P.P.S. Our Taylor’s Birthday is This Thursday…April 7th She is Turning 12!!!! Oh My Goodness! lol 😊🌸💜🌷💛🎶
I have been cleaning too! I cannot wait for your book and if by chance I win this drawing, I would want the book to be signed for my granddaughter Megan…she is already getting all three of your books for her graduation since we both are fans and followers of your work.
Can’t wait to meet you, Susan…I’m so excited to be coming to one of your book signings ! I hope, I hope, I hope that I’m finally a winner this time. What a thrill it would be to have one of your paintbrushes ! We are enjoying a lovely spring here…my fa or its time of year ! Everything is blooming, and gorgeous ! Can’t wait to read the new book. XOXO
Sooooooooo excited for you and all your girlfriends you will be seeing across the country!!!! I have goosebumps just seeing your books on the table!!! You – and Joe – are such delights, and although you will miss spring in your back yard ☹️, you will get to see it unfold all across the land! Gazilliony blessed, I’d say❣ Happy trails to you on your journey!
Have a wonderful journey! Your words and art always make us smile! Can’t wait to read this new book!
Wow😄1.47am and I’m sitting up in bed reading your blog..my ordered book will soon be on it’s way! Love the idea of the used paintbrush..happy dreams for me!
Beautiful post, I always reread many times to make sure I caught it all! I really laughed reading about your pretty curtains, (and other linens) the starch, the care you put into them to make them crisp, super-white and a delight to the eye. Haha, mine are crisp all right, not from starch but just because they’re been hanging waaay past a much-needed washing date! I’m willing to bet most of them would stand up on their own right on the floor – yike! Oh well, another day, another project! Pace yourself dear friend so you’re not exhausted before the great book signing trip of 2016, you and Joe are going to have so much fun again!
Hi Susan,
So much excitement in your life, I’m so happy for you! I was wondering what happen with the movie/TV series; yes, it will happen! How could it not! Wow, my book will be in the mail soon, I can hardly wait to read it! Love the book give-a-way idea, a paint brush and a signed bookmark, just how extra special is that! Fun travels and continued success!
Your trip preparations are admirable. You’ll be so happy to come home to what you have done. Have a beautiful time across our country. I look forward to going along with you in your blog. BTW I didn’t know you could wear out so many paintbrushes. I would love to have one.
I didn’t know you could either! When I wore out my first one, I was shocked! Probably kept it way too long, but I didn’t know they wore out!
Thanks for the update! I too should be cleaning….funny how your photos look so much fun to spring clean! Ha! My sister and I will be in Willamette IL for tea with you and all the other girlfriends in May!!
I can see Shiri Appleby, Katie Holmes or Rachel Bilson playing you in the TV series or movie! Similar soulful eyes. 🙂 I am looking forward to receiving my advance copy, but I would love a personalized version! Can’t wait to connect the dots between Isle of Dreams and A Fine Romance. 🙂
Non-creepy but still with some of your DNA. In my case, I need some of your creative DNA, please.
As usual, it’s Jack’s picture that spoke to me the most. He looks like he wants to be “fluffed and hung out in the air” just like the quilts. So lovable.
Have a wonderful trip and please reconsider coming into Florida. There are loads of loyal girlfriends down here.
Island Bookstore in Duck, North Carolina is a very nice place to spend Memorial Day weekend.😉 Not sure if you can fit that in your schedule, but you will love Duck and Corolla if you visit. ⛱.
You could do the movie with you as narrator looking back.Diane Keaton would be great.
Have a great book tour!
Andrea Tandler
Can’t wait for my book to arrive! I will read it slow and savor it. (At least I’ll try to read slow.)
I can’t wait to add Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams to my wonderful
Susan Branch collection. I hope your books do get made into a movie.
I think Jennifer Garner would be the perfect actress to play you! She
is so pretty and sweet.
I hope you and Joe have a wonderful time going across our beautiful
country on your book signing tour. I will have fun following you on your
blog. Thank you so much for your beautiful art and heart!! XO Susan L.
Safe journey and have fun on your travels. I’m sure the welcome from the kitty’s when you get home will be wonderful and they will have missed you as much as you do them. Kitty cats are very forgiving! Wonderful idea about the paintbrushes and blotter page = Joe is a clever guy.
So excited about receiving your new book, my sister-in-law thought I was cuckoo over your books until I leant her your A Fine Romance and after she read it she called and said “now I get it, her book was wonderful” so yeah, another convert! Have fun on your roadtrip!
Love that Judy! Some people think I am really sweet! But we know I’m normal!
Oh Susan, thank you so very much for sharing your exciting and heavenly blessed life with us! Would love to meet you but I’m in northern Idaho with your Salt Lake City, UT stop being the closest, wish you were coming to Boise! Happy travels!!
You are my inspiration for spring cleaning!!
It’s so much fun to share in everything that’s going on with you… Enjoy it very much!! All the best!
Susan
I so glad that you and Joe are going to get a much needed break and get to travel across this beautiful country of ours. I just wish you were going to be in Florida somewhere so I could come meet you. I’m anxiously awaiting my copy of Isle of Dreams. I really enjoyed Fairy Tale Girl and an anxious to read the rest of your story. I’m sure it will fun to meet some of the many Girlfriends in your travels. Enjoy!
Sue in Fl.
The books look so good. I will be eagerly watching the mailbox for my pre-ordered copy! Congrats on the new release and Happy Early Birthday – mine was last week!
Happy Spring, Susan. And Bon Voyage on your cross country trip with Joe. I so love your books, blog, and heartfelt comments you share with us. Can hardly wait for your new book to learn more wonderful memories and wisdom from your view of the world. I would only wish that some day your book tour will come to the Northwest where we share your similar seasons and are reveling in the glory of sunshine yellow Forsythia and jewel-like like pink and blue hyacinth blooms.
Suzi in Spokane
Happy Travels! Hope to see you at Joseph Beth Books in Cincinnati!
I am so excited to meet you in Cincinnati at your book signing!! My daughter and I will be there. She is taking me for Mother’s Day! Such a awesome daughter!! Love her!
I’m looking forward to the 30th Edition of Heart of the Home. (to add to my “Susan Branch Collection”) And the May/June publication of Yankee Magazine! So much to look forward to!!
See ya in May!!
Hi Susan! Adorable blog as usual. One of the first things I do every day is to check to see if you’ve written a new blog. If you have, I just KNOW it’s going to be a good day. I love all of your beautiful linens. Old linens are one of my passions too. I have to ask–how on earth do you keep your Beatrix Potter figurines on your windowsill? I know if I put mine on my windowsill my kitty Bodie would think they were put there specifically for him. I can just see his furry double paw pushing them off to see, will these things hit the floor and break? Yep, oops, I guess they do. LOL And a Happy, Happy upcoming Birthday to you too. Can’t wait for my Isle of Dreams!!!
So far, they don’t go near them. It’s a little crowded there, what with the sink and the faucet and the window all so close, maybe that’s why. It’s dangerous though. You might notice there is a missing ear on Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail! Down the drain it went!!! Me screaming, no no no no. 🙂
So excited to read the book and for your visit to Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati. Safe journey.
Susan
I so glad that you and Joe are going to get a much needed break and get to travel across this beautiful country of ours. I just wish you were going to be in Florida somewhere so I could come meet you. I’m anxiously awaiting my copy of Isle of Dreams. I really enjoyed Fairy Tale Girl and an anxious to read the rest of your story. I’m sure it will fun to meet some of the many Girlfriends in your travels. Enjoy and hope you have a very Happy Birthday!
Sue in Fl.
I guess I’ll be extra attentive to my mailbox in the next week or two. I live in rural Vermont & on a dirt road. When the mailman has arrived, I see his car’s tracks from the top of our hill (today they’re in snow!), but whether snow or mud, I’ll be hustling down there to get my latest Susan Branch book! Can’t wait!
It should really be very soon now!
your books bring so much joy to me. I recently lost my husband so I pick up one of your books and I’m not so alone! enjoy your trip!! and thanks for what you do!!
I’m so sorry for your loss Judith. Sending love . . . xoxo
Oh, the anticipation of checking the mailbox daily begins! So much fun!💜💛💚
Such a joy to read your posts. You are an inspiration and fill lives with joy.
thank you for sharing your life, and your love..sometimes i feel like your Alice in wonderland and we are looking in thru the mirror to see what you are doing!!!
Thanks again for all that you do for us..xo
I’m beside myself with excitement you’re coming to Austin! Can’t wait….however, I notice only “signing” not “talk, q&a” on your events list for Book People. Does that mean what it implies? 😥
Have a wonderful, safe journey, Susan. I am an artist too – I paint miniature landscapes and pets and hope to begin selling them at craft fairs in the fall. I’d love one of your bookmarks or brushes – you are SOOO talented and I really admire your work.
Rita
Too excited for words!!! I live in Mass but used to live in NJ and me and my BFFs planned a reunion in June that was initiated because of your book signing there. We all came together in the 80s when your first books came out. We have been your biggest fans from the beginning.b I have not seen them in 15 years so thanks for your book signing in Ridgewood. I love you large SB.
Your blog has been such a spirit lifter. Came across it when you were on the “Fine Romance” trip to England and have loved it since. Hope your book trip is a great success. Thanks for sharing so much with us.
So excited for your new book to come out. I look forward to your blog too. Your pasion for the simple life and simple pleasures is inspiring. Thank you for brightening my day.
I’ve been letting Jimmy Durante play while I was reading your blog and am writing this and I remember seeing him on TV variety shows when I was growing up, and my Dad especially liked him. He was a great entertainer and was funny too. Brings back fond memories!
Oh, now I’m getting excited as the books are in and soon will be going out to all of us waiting so patiently(do we have a choice?) I love the pics of you getting your house ready, cleaning, ironing, everything fresh and crisp, new potted pansies on the window sill, makes me want to clean too! It’s cold here this week too, we had snow yesterday but it all melted thankfully. And that lovely stack of fresh new books on the table has to send you over the moon. I was especially thrilled to see one of the pics, the one just under the kitty pics; that’s the Learned Owl Bookstore and my daughter and I were somewhere in that line, but not visible, but I remember it so well. I plan to be there again in about a month when you come back to Hudson, Ohio and I hope our weather has settled down by then. Have fun planning and getting ready for your trip and I hope to see you soon!
Congratulations, Susan! What a great idea to include the paintbrushes in your giveaway! I can’t wait for my book to arrive, I ordered it ages ago! My thoughts are with you in having to leave the kitties, but it will be worth it in the end when you return to their sweet little faces in July! Have a marvelous Monday!
I can hardly wait to get my book in the mail and would love to win one for my daughter!!!
Happy travels!
Shirley
Oh my goodness I’m so excited!!!!! I’m so glad your book and spring will be arriving together here in northern Illinois!!
(Hugs)
Laura
I look forward to reading your new book. The Fairy Tale Girl brought back so many memories from my younger days. I love all the beautiful pictures you paint to go with your stories.
I wish you a wonderful trip to celebrate your new book. Safe travels.
Sharon
So so very exciting. I wish you were heading to Mobile AL! Love you and your post!!
The Books are Coming!!! The Books are Coming!!! Can’t wait for “Isle of Dreams” to arrive. Wish you were coming to the DC/Northern Virginia area. Maybe next time???? However, definitely excited about the arrival of “Isle of Dreams”. Can’t wait to read it. Safe travels to you and Joe. with your drive across the country. Love road trips. So much fun. XOXO
I can’t wait for Isle of Dreams so I can read the rest of the story! I hope I win one of your paintbrushes too 🙂
Monica from Littlestown, PA
Another one of your books to read! Unfortunately, this will interfere with my spring cleaning…again. Fran in the Berkshires
Aside from your talent which is so beautiful and lovely, I admire your energy! How you give, and give, and give of yourself, remaining happy, fun and loved. So looking forward to the new book!
Looking forward to reading your next book! It looks lovely! Being a fellow Beatrix Potter devotee, have you read “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” by Marta McDowell? It’s the most extraordinary book I’ve read yet about her….her properties, her gardens, her artwork….I think you would love it! I can’t wait to revisit Hill Top Farm!
Thank you for more spring inspiration. Here in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley I am lucky enough to work in an office we share with 5 (!) office/warehouse cats that are all black, white, or a combination! I told them about the book give away and they are excited we might win and are sending good vibes to Vanna. We have pansies here too and it is so green right now you would weep! Thanks again.
Can’t Wait!!! Loved seeing your freshly ironed curtains – my first shower curtain was a beautiful blue and white cut work tablecloth. Counting the days until you come to Prescott, Arizona for the afternoon tea/book signing!!!
What an exciting time for you, Susan. You’ve worked so hard for so long – congratulations on all of your accomplishments.
Have a wonderful trip!
Hi Susan! I finished “Fairy Tale Girl” in two days, but I know it is one book I will return to again and again. Can’t wait to read “Isle of Dreams”. Thanks for writing these books and helping those of us who have followed you for years get to know you a little better. All the references to your younger life, the music you listened to, the clothes you wore, took me back to my earlier years too. I am glad to see on your blog today that you are having time to spend on the everyday chores that bring so much pleasure to making a home. I was a “snowbird” for February and March, and have just returned home where it is a joy to settle back in. Wish I could come to one of your book signings, but you aren’t coming very near to where I live. Safe travels to you and Joe.
Are you going to have any book signing’s in the San Luis Obispo area? Sew looking forward to reading the latest book.
Yes, at Coalesce Books in Morro Bay, a fundraiser for the Women’s Shelter . . .
I’m waiting in delicious anticipation for your book to arrive at my door. Thank you in advance for filling some wonderful hours with the best reading ever!
Your blog makes my heart sing!! Thank you for being you! What kindred spirits we are and all the others never fails to just blow me away!! Enjoy every single moment of your beautiful life!!!
It’s snowing here in Central Mass. The poor daffodils have their heads bent in submission. Not much inspiration for spring cleaning, but today’s blog post was like a breath of spring! Thanks for that! Sipping tea and thinking warm thoughts.
Oh! I’m so happy for you! Such a lot of work, and you are stillso bubbly! Makes me feel better reading this post! Thank you for perking my day up! Makes me “see” the spring blossoms under the snow in the yard!🌟
Happy Trails!!! I would LOVE a book!! I hope to se you in the Bay Area of California!!! Have a safe and fun trip!!! Can’t wait to read this new one!!!
This is so exciting! Looking forward to receiving this book, Isle of Dreams! I have seen your books in stores for years but just recently began to READ them (and try some recipes). But once I started A Fine Romance, I was TOTALLY HOOKED! Loved Fairy Tale Girl and have been waiting anxiously for the second part! So I HAD to order it. I am just a little younger than you and remember those Beatles days, etc. quite clearly. Blessings to you as you start your trip.
Dear Susan,
I know you will thoroughly enjoy your birthday next Tuesday with your Island Girlfriends. Have a wonderful, exciting, and safe trip!
Fondly,
Debbie from southern New Jersey
Happy travels dear Susan! Sure wish I could meet you but we’re doing our own bit of traveling. 🙂
Oh My! So much to be excited about…book, movie, book signings, travels and entering your drawing. You make me marvel! So Happy…..
What a wonderful way to start the day with a new post – and a contest 🙂 Love following your blogs, books and adventures.
Love, love, love your books and your blog!!!!!
Beautiful post today with your pretty white linens! I never thought about up cycling a white tablecloth into curtains! Thanks for the tip! I also like to clean before a trip….funny thing, right? It is snowing like a December day here in Chelmsford MA. today…..what a spring! I ordered your book for my Kate and one for myself and I cannot wait for them to arrive! Safe travels Susan and thank you again for sharing your stories in your books and on your blog~ It is beautiful and inspiring! xoE
Lovely post. Safe Travels. Need to rush out and buy some good old fashioned starch. The smell just wafted in from my memories. I feel most compelled to iron? Never thought I would say that!
O Happy Day!! Can hardly wait for your book to arrive! I have a dear friend who would cherish the book I preordered if I’m lucky enough to win my own personalized copy.
Love your idea of making curtains out of tablecloths! And the pansies on your kitchen windowsill are adorable! What a great way to bring Spring inside when the weather outside is atrocious! Will you plant them in your garden before you leave? Sure wish you were coming the the Pacific Northwest! Sigh….
Hugs,
Laura
P.S. If I’m lucky enough to win your book with a paint brush, mabey some of your artistic talent will rub off on me if I use it to paint! I’m just beginning to learn how to paint with watercolors! I can only Hope!!
Whoo Hoo, you have been ticking off the to-do lists in the House of Creativity writing department as well as in the House of Domesticity spic n’ span department! My Mother would say you’ve been “tearing up Jack”….a phrase I never really understood and certainly inappropriate for you since, goodness gracious, you would never tear up your own wonderful Jack!
Your excitement is contagious……my favorite kind of Spring Fever. Can’t wait to crack open your new book …and explore the new recipes and drawings in the newest edition of my dogeared, cooking splotched, well loved Heart of the Home. Happy Trails! As always, DonnaRay
Great Post!! Be safe and have fun in your travels. I won’t be able to visit you while you are on the road, but I will be with you in spirit. I hope you will still post while on the road. I can’t wait for my book to arrive!! Thanks for creating such masterpieces for us GFs to page through on a lazy afternoon and identify with the stories, get excited about locations we have also been too, and just dream that one day we get to do that and add it to our bucket list. With a cup of tea of course. Til next time.
Looking forward to your book tour post! Love your Spring clean post today.Happy Spring and safe travels.
Oh, my friend Lori and I are so excited about seeing you in Ohio in May! Having one of your paintbrushes would just be tooooooooo fun!
Our family vacations on the Vineyard every summer (past 22 years!) and I love to make dinners out of your books when we are there. Safe journey to you and Joe…I know you will be gathering inspiration on the way! Heading to England in June and taking Heart of the Home for one of my dear friends to enjoy! Perfect hostess gift!! Enjoy the spring!
I am so excited to see my book in the mail, and the chance to win one! Thank you for all of your hard work, I love all of your books and I have most of them! I hope to see you in Iowa again, it’s only 2 hours from where I live in Illinois! My daughter and I enjoyed seeing you there in 2013. So fun to meet you and Joe. Have a safe trip and enjoy your travels! And thank you again for your lovely posts, so nice to see on a Monday!
Be still my heart! I would be “in joy”, down to my toes, if I won one of your books! The personal inscription, paint blotter bookmark, and paint brush are wonderful inclusions. I (a fellow Susan) have been following you from the beginning of your career and your books have brought me so many smiles and great recipes – thank you, Susan! I am looking forward to following you, and Joe, in your travels, from bookstore to bookstore. Signed, Susan Thompson (A Forever Fan)
Read every post, but don’t always stop long enough to leave a comment. Oh, sign my up for the give-away. How I would love to be able to give one away to a friend. Happy travel preparations, kissing kitties good-bye, and hopping in that lovely vehicle of yours. Enjoy and savor each and every moment.
Wish you were coming to the south hills area of Pittsburgh on your tour. My daughter Cathy and I would love to meet you. The two of you exchanged letters many years ago. She lived through a similar experience as you and your reply to her letter was very kind. We’ve been fans of yours since your first book. We have your other books and they were great. We can’t wait for this one. So who do you want to play you in your movie???
Oh how I’d love to win a book for my friend who lives in Edgartown. She got me a signed book from you…I could repay her! I’ve been really working hard to get caught up around here because I know the second the book I ordered arrives, everything will stop till I am finished reading it. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful inspiration and part of my life. Safe travels.
Dear Susan,
About a year ago, I told one of my dearest high school girlfriends about A Fine Romance. Of course, she loved it and read A Fairy Tale Girl. Now, after 23 years of not seeing each other (distance was too great), I am visiting her so we can both go to your book signing in Madison, CT! Thanks to you and your wonderful books, a friendship will go on and on and on! We are soooo looking forward to meeting you and catching up with our lives.
Now that is great news! Really, I’m so excited for you both!
Hi Cheryl,
I purchased my first Susan Branch cookbook “Heart of the Home” at Electric Ave Gifts in Bigfork, MT in the late 80’s. Now I have all her cookbooks and trilogy set and had the pleasure of meeting her on the Vineyard in 2004 when she signed my Autumn book. I now live on San Juan Island in NW Washington which is similar to Martha’s Vineyard but on the west coast but work for a company based in Bigfork. I advised Laura the owner of Electric Ave Gifts to carry more of her books in the future. That is so great that you get to visit with your dearest friend from such a long time ago and get to share a book signing visit with Susan as well. Hope you have a fabulous time! I’m returning to Martha’s Vineyard for a visit this fall for the first time since 2004 and really looking forward to it. Aloha, Mary
Can’t wait for your book, hope I win a signed copy! Thanks for your art!
I can hardly wait to receive my pre-ordered book–so exciting! After reading it, I plan on putting all the books together and reading them in chronological order. They will make my happy place all happy again! Thanks so much for all your hard work–the pleasure it gives is immense!