Thought you might like a little springtime something this morning 💛, with MUSICA, of course . . . 
Love you 😘 . . . XOXO Have a happy day!
The best time to plant a Dogwood or a Crabapple tree is three years ago. The second best time, is now . . . XOXO
Susan,
I am so happy when I see your emails, I wish you were coming to the Pacific Northwest 🙁
Was it you who recommended “Turn” as an alternative to Downton? I’ve tried but I can’t seem to get in to it.
But…for all you sad Abbey fans, I heartily recommend Poldark. I loved it very much.
I wish she was coming to the NW too 🙁 What’s the name again of those beautiful dishes?
Johnson Brothers’ Rose Chintz
Loved Poldark, too! Do you know when it returns?
I loved Poldark. Just sorry it ended.
Susan, thanks for the little kiss of sunshine!
Beth
Me too, loved Poldark! Thank you Beth!
I really miss the smell of sheets dried on the line–HOAs don’t allow clothes lines so I haven’t been able to hang out laundry in years…reminds me of when I was a girl and we learned the “proper” way to hang out clothes–personal items had to be on the inside lines and sheets and towels, etc on the outside lines…times have changed. Love your blog! Hope you’re enjoying your travels!
That’s so funny that you said that, Pat. I was just hanging up my laundry and wondered if anyone still does that–I live way out in the country, but I always put our under garments on the inside of the line and the towels and sheets on the outside. I don’t even know how I know to do that–we didn’t have a clothes line when I was growing up in the Southern Cal suburbs.
And what is wrong with those HOA boards? How can anyone be offended by people harnessing sunshine for the common good? Harrumph.
I just love hanging out sheets and pillows cases ,my dad made !my mom clothesline poles and had them welded very strong,they lasted untill1984 we had a very bad ice storm- took down all our big old elm-maple & 0ak trees and our clothesline poles When I see S.B’s quilts and sheets hanbing on the line I. Think of my mom, & my sisters.
Linens flapping on our line is mesmerizing to me . . . thank you Linda.
Just finished Isle of Dreams and it was wonderful! I cried and laughed..best mother’s day gift ever! Sad that you won’t be touring in my area but I wish you and hunky Joe safe travels!!
P.s beautiful pphotos on today’s blog – don’t you just love spring??
Xxxooo
Raerae
YES! xoxo
I’ve read all three now and am yearning for more books! Gosh, you are such a talented artist and NOW also a very talented AUTHOR!
PLEASE write more books!!!!!
I’ll try Kathy, thank you for asking!
hi Susan, there you are….on the road again with Joe….and you still have time to send us a note…thank you, thank you, thank you; received your recent book…ordered two and gave one to a fellow Anglophile and BFF concerning all things British…we both love the book (we love all three books) and you are so generous to share yourself with us….safe travels to you and Joe~xo
Lynn Hamilton
Rochester, NY (Greece…near our big Lake Ontario)
Rochester, NY (Greece…near our big Lake Ontario)
clothes dried on the line are the absolute best! Happy Trails to you and Joe.
Agreed!!
Susan,
I just finished the new book! It’s “ENCHANTING 🙂 seriously though, you are such an inspiration. I’m on the cusp of 32, I have 3 (soon-to-be 4) kids, and I just mustered up the courage to open my first Etsy shop..thanks to you!! I actually, want to illustrate children’s books but for now (while my kids are little) I’m trying something small. I even secured my own little spot at my local farmer’s market for the summer. Here’s hoping people like watercolors and notecards of cows and chickens as much as I do. haha Anyway, I just really wanted to say…Thank you Thank you THANK YOU for all your beautiful cook books, your blog, the quotes, and most importantly for just being you. Thank you for letting us into your life and always being real with us. You are one of MY heroes and I will forever be grateful.
Heaps of Blessings xo
Tatiana
Oh what fun and what an adventure! Good for you! What courage! Could you send me the link to your Etsy store? I like cows. 🙂
Christy, Thanks so much! Here you go: etsy.com/shop/LittleMooStudios?ref=hdr_shop_menu
(Susan, I hope this was ok to post here, if not, please feel free to take it down) xo
Thank you for sharing! I love your shop already. One of those little “hearts” is mine. xxx from a Susan Branch friend in Oregon!
Oh, Susan, so happy to read your blog! It has been too long! My mom (Sally) and I still talk about you and read through your books! She is planning a trip to stay with me later this month and I can’t wait to show her your blog! Sending you a big hug from Indianapolis! Meg
I am reading your Isle of Dreams book and it is beyond fabulous – – it is just priceless and I am enjoying it so very much. Thank you for putting it all down in words and adding all the wonderful drawings and pictures. It is a definite keeper!
All the best to you! Thank you for brightening our world!
What a great post!You have such great ideas! Hope your travels are going well!!
oh, Susan! again, such a nice surprise visit. mmmm. now, hubby and I are on a rd trip of our own…complete with camping-travel-trailer. and that is how you REALLY get to take home with you. it is raining on us, and it is the most deeee-lightful sound . gooood zzzzzzzs tonite. oh, a tussie-mussie. a tussie-mussie is a teeny-tiny vase, filled with those tiny flowers, which you pin on your blouse, jacket etc. nice. well, do have fun & be safe…..we just MAY cross paths with you @ some point. oooh. hoping!!!!! ox
Love this! The little touches make everything so special.
I know you’re very busy on the road so I especially appreciate the new post. I love those dishes and your dogwood must be loving its new home. I recently bought another sweet vintage little table cloth at an antique shop in Leesburg, VA ( a charming historic little town). It has hand embroidery – little yellow daises on the corners and a teapot in white with the word “tea” above one corner. So sweet and reminds me so much of my mom who taught me to embroider. I will be using the starch you suggested. I buy all sorts of sizes of table cloths so matter how small (for my table) because I will put a large cloth underneath in a matching or neutral color. That way I can buy whatever vintage cloth I love without concern about size. It works beautifully. I mention all this because I have friends who will throw out lovely cloths (some handmade) when they get a new table. Yikes! Well, continue to enjoy your travels and stay safe.
Aack! That would be a tragedy. Great reminder for all of us. Thanks:)
I double up table cloths too Carmel! I love the old table cloths. I am really into the ones from the fifties/sixties with the printed designs right now. I also have embroidered ones, and ones with woven flower patterns in the cloth (usually all white).
Margot
Love this blog. Beautiful Spring pics!!
You make me want to dig out all my pretty floral linens and even make some pillow covers. Lovely uplifting post!
That’s what I’d be doing if I was home! 🙂
Sadly the text was too blurry to read, but still great to see your name in my inbox!
I’m sorry . . . I’m not seeing that . . . I wish I could do something!
Ahhh, spring!
Is it a dogwood? So pretty!!
It’s a dogwood!
The tree is beautiful! *S*
Like my girls used to say,
“Scratchy towel season has begun!”
Yep, it’s been super hot here in Oregon, so the clothesline is always full.
Haha, years ago, one of my new neighbors asked me if my dryer was broken.
Nope! Letting the sun be my maid.
x O x
Teri
Most delicious thing!
Susan,
I am attempting to steal a little time each day to enjoy spring and invite spring into our home – mock orange branches in bloom (delicate white flowers with “to die for” fragrance and our native mountain laurel. The rain is making is very difficult to enjoy spring, but I’m not giving up. Grateful for no tornadoes when I look at the plight of others. Thinking about you and Joe each day on your trip – wishing I could travel along! Continued prayers for safe travels~
We also have mock orange at home, like a wedding bouquet, so romantic. Thank you for your prayers, we do appreciate them. We need them with the trucks!!!
Dogwoods are so lovely. All your pictures and all your most delightful words are so inspiring. Thank you sweet Susan. Love the lily of the valley discussions with the girlfriends. Safe travels and happy spring spotting.
Love and bunny hugs,
Shirley
tussie mussies and clothes dried on the line…….ahhhhhh teacup bouquets and spring popping up everywhere makes me almost forget the winter doldrums…love this post of yours My garden is bursting with forget me nots and sweet violets, I mix in lambs ear to make the sweetest little bouquets and give them to whom ever stops by…………if you were only to do so, you too would get the sweetest one safe travels to you and your guy
Do you have a book on around the house romance? I would so buy that. 🙂
Safe travels and enjoy the journey! ~Jennie
This evening I was walking our dog, and as I walked by a neighbor’s house, I smelled a beautiful scent, and looked down to find a patch of Lily of the Valleys. The fragrance reminds me of a childhood memory, when I visited a distant aunt and uncle’s house. I was wondering how I could bring the smell to my home, or even if there were a perfume that captured the scent. Then Sophie (our dog) spotted a rabbit, and I was suddenly in a tug of war!
Rachel – There is an old Coty perfume called Muguet des Bois (French for Lily of the Valley) and you can get it on line for about $12.00. I got married last May and wore Lily of the Valley in my hair and wore this perfume. It was heavenly! I had remembered the perfume from the 70’s when I was a teenager and was so happy I was able to find it!
..aww, Beth..you brought back a sweet memory for me ; as a teen, I just loved this perfume ..such a wonderful scent !! (‘need to order some.. )… btw, Susan, I have been following along on your and Joe’s cross country journey..thank you for taking us all along .. and, btw, also, I’m anxiously awaiting my “spoonflower” order to get busy with sewing projects again !..what an incredible site..thank you.. i love the fabric designs that you’re offering..and, also, I am re- reading Martha’s, Isle of Dreams..slowely, this time and loving it again….. happy travels, Susan and Joe..safe journey.. with love, as always..
Wonderful, I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
So funny to see someone who remembers the Muguet des Bois….I have a bottle of it even today! A former house of ours had a patch of Lily of the Valley at the end of our front porch and this was a sweet time to breathe in the fragrance.
Guess we were teenagers in the 70’s together!
Beth, I have been searching online, but everyone seems to be out of stock. If you don’t mind, where did you find yours?
I just received some Lily of the Valley body wash for Mothers Day and it came from the Bath and Beauty place in our shopping mall–they are a chain and not sure that is the right name but am sure you will know where I am talking about.
Is it Crabtree & Evelyn? Their Lily of the Valley soap is Joe’s favorite.
Probably Bath and Body. One of my favorite stores. Soon they are bringing back a lot of the old favorites. My favorite was always Garden Strawberries.
Love love the Dogwood too! Love all the beautiful pictures:-))
Best, Nancy
Dogwoods are so sweet and symbolic they break your heart. Smell the sweet air, im sure you are missing the beautiful ocean smells of your Island. Take care
I love these ideas very much. Thank you for the suggestions. There’s the smell of sweet blossoms all through the air around our town now and everything’s bursting! So much fun.
Susan,
I’m enjoying following you along on your booktour! Thanks for the lovely pictures.
My husband and I just came back from the Lake District, and that was followed by a week in York. The highlight was to visit Hilltop! We had a lovely talk with one of the sweet ladies there, and had such a good time! Unfortunately, it was freezing cold, hard wind blowing, brrrr, so not much fun to take walks. But we thought winter had arrived a few days later, when we even had a snowstorm!! Great big snowflakes, like cotton balls, and white snow covered mountain tops the next day.But all that doesn’t matter at all, oh my what a gorgeous part of the world it is!
So, thank you, dear Susan, for your stories about this part of the UK, you helped us make our way up there!
Safe travels, and best wishes from across the pond
Nicoline
My Lily of the Valley are very fragrant for some reason this year. Yesterday I was out working in the beds & could smell that wonderful scent every time I walked passed them. All the azaleas, flowering trees & Spring flowers are beautiful this year. You can tell we had a mild Winter here in Ohio. As always love to read your blog & look at all the pretty pictures!
By the way, is that Laura Ashley wallpaper?
It’s not Laura Ashley, just something I found ~ it’s the wallpaper in the Peter Rabbit room.
Love the Peter Rabbit room!
My daughter’s old bedroom has Laura Ashley wallpaper. It has been up there for 30 years and I just can’t bring myself to take it down. The room needs an update, but I think I should decorate around the wallpaper again, maybe finding some ways to make it an exciting endeavour….perhaps borrowing some ideas from the Peter Rabbit room.
Sorry this got posted twice, I thought it hadn’t gone. My mistake.
Congratulations on making the NY Times Best Sellers list!! You’ve always said how much you like to read about how others “did it,” but so many of us have been anxious to read about how you “did it.” I knew this book would be amazing…I read parts of it almost every day. It’s becoming my “go to” book. Besides adding beauty to the world, you keep us going, inspire us, help us to be better people, make us want to be better people. You’ll never know this side of heaven, just how important you’ve been to so many of us. You’ve laid out a wonderful blueprint for my life, changed it completely for the better. I can not even put into words the value you’ve added to everything in my life. That’s huge Susan. You’re making the world a better place.
Glad you and Joe are getting some rest and relaxation as you go across the US. Keeping you in my prayers.
My daughter’s old bedroom has had Laura Ashley wallpaper in it for 30 years now. I just can’t bring myself to take it down, but had no clue what to do with it. Now I know. I’ve always wanted a Susan Branch room (like your Peter Rabbit room), so voila….it’s the perfect backdrop to do that. I’m excited!! Think I’ll frame the ad for Isle of Dreams out of the Yankee magazine…inspiration and osmosis. It’s been a red-letter month for me really and one of the reasons is a quote by Albert Einstein you often use…I can choose to live my life as if everything is a miracle. Thank you for everything you do Susan. Sending love and hugs.xo
Oh Rhonda, I’m touched ~ that’s so sweet, I had to read it to Joe. I love your red-letter month, keep the miracles coming. Isn’t it great when you see a tiny bouquet in an old jar and know it’s a miracle? Makes every day wonderful. Thank you! XOXO
Oodles of good wishes for your road tour. Must tell you, your Isle of Dreams, was a life saver for 3 weeks of reading. That first 3 weeks of a broken right arm was miserable and your book transported me away from that reality! Thank you…….xo
Happy Spring! The text was too blurry for me, also. I keep all my calendars for the beautiful pictures, so I pulled them out and reminisced! Have safe travels, and show us spring beauty across the land!
Just waiting for all the yellow pollen to be over so I can do our annual scrub down of the screened porch….where I LIVE all summer!
Grew up in the South before Air Conditioning…ugh!
But my six siblings and I LOVED the day each early Spring that our mother would order us into our bathing suits, hand us each a bucket of suds with sponge yelling “Go to it!” Our oldest brother controlled the hose and you can imagine the soaking, slippery chaos that ensued! Somehow by the end of it all, we had a sparkling clean screened porch where we spent our lazy hazy days of summer playing cards and jacks, watching hummingbirds and eating watermelon!
Always pined for such a porch. Your description of the great scrub down and subsequent summer delights is fun to read.
I love this!
It’s so nice to see pictures of Spring. With the exception of 3 days, it’s been raining cold damp and gray in Baltimore since April 27th. You’re so lucky to have such a great chauffer to drive you through this beautiful country and it’s so much fun to follow you two around.
Hi Susan!
Oh my that Dogwood tree is lovely as are your pretty teacups and dishes, you speak my decorating language!
I so enjoyed meeting you at the event in Wilmette, IL! I’m very much enjoying Isle Of Dreams, thank you for sharing your inspiring story 💗
Thank you for being there Stacey! xoxo
Hi Susan! I just love Spring and all the pleasures it brings – sunshine, fresh air, flowers, the smell of a freshly-mowed lawn. It is all delightful! I hope you and Joe are enjoying your journey and please be safe. The sun is out here on Long Island right now but rain is coming this afternoon. I’m so looking forward to getting outside this weekend. Have a wonderful day! Love, Karen 🙂
That’s what I would love to do, work in the dirt a little bit! Next summer! You too, have a wonderful day Karen! xoxo
Hope you and Joe are getting lots of rest along the way. Hi Joe!
We really are, taking advantage of our “off” time, to sleep, read, exercise . . . all that good stuff! Thank you Becki!
Yay! Good to hear that!
Just wondering if you’d be willing to invite us all to your adorable home? 🙂
Since you probably can’t, would you be willing to let us tour every room with pictures?
Gosh, I’d LOVE that!!!! We all love you so!
Pretty Please!
I may have almost done that . . . look back at the posts and I bet ‘most every room is there! 🙂
Dear Susan, Thank you for thinking of us on your busy road trip. I love seeing your name come up in my email to tell me you have posted something new!
I’m so happy you are on spoonflower.com and I want to order some of your adorable “Little Patches” fabric to make a dish towel. Do you have any idea which fabric I should pick? Is the 17.50/yard (ultra cotton) nice enough for that? I’d like to make more towels in the future….I love all of your fabrics!
I don’t have my swatches here with me . . . They will send you a whole package of them, 20 different fabrics, for very little money, and you can feel and decide . . . I want you to get the right one. Thank you Diane! xoxo
Thank you, Susan. I will order the swatches….they’ll be handy to have!❤️
They’re cute too!
Romance and spring go hand in hand, that is for sure. We are seeing tulips, violets, lily of the valley, and receiving a wonderful shower blossoms from our blooming trees. Our lawn and drive way look like it is snowing. Ha!
I am loving Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams. Reading your book has been one of my best outlets, as my family has had some severe health issues lately, along with a breast cancer scare of my own, this week, that turned out to be negative. Whew! I would just go into lock down mode, and allow myself to “get away” in your book. It lifted my spirits and has helped me enjoy the beauty of spring and everything around me. I even bought my first blueberry bush and am eagerly awaiting the blossoms on our lilac bushes. Thank-you for this book. I am reading it again, as our trials are still nipping at our heals. Ha! See you on your book tour. Can’t wait!!!!! xo
Out run those nipping trials, all my very best for more outcomes like your breast cancer scare. Thank you Sydney!
Hugs to you 🙂
Hi Susan,
It was such a treat seeing you in Wilmette, IL this week! Thank you so much for coming to see us. It was a highlight of my year for sure! Loved your whole outfit, especially the blue suede ankle boots!
I love your dishes too. What maker and pattern are they?
I was fortunate to see the garden historian and author Marta McDowell, who was on a book tour also, two days after seeing you (it was a very special week!) and I asked her if she knew who you were and she said, “She’s like a rock star!” LOL! Yes you are to all of us. Thought you’d enjoy hearing that ; )
Many safe and super fun travels for you and the lovely Joe.
Susan
LOL, that’s funny! I haven’t met Marta McDowell, but I’ve Tweeted “Congratulations” to her, so that almost counts! I would love to meet her someday. Thank you Susan! The dishes are English, Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz . . . a very cheery pattern! xoxo
Hello from Niagara Falls!
What a beautiful spring we are having here. I hope you and Joe continue to have a great time on your trip. Take good care! Thanks for all you do.
I would love to be there in the spring! Thank you Barbara!
Hello, Susan…I really enjoyed Isle of Dreams! I kinda put off reading it, cause I thought you looked, so sad, on the cover. But once I got started, I couldn’t stop. I so love reading about how peoples’ lives unfold, and how they find their joy! Thank you for sharing your wonderful life, with all of us. I just wuv you! Candy 🙂
Me too, I’ve always loved reading how other people “did it” — lived this journey of life. Fascinating to me. Thank you Candy!
Willard is like a great friend coming to visit; one looks forward to the time together absorbing all the positive energy it puts out into the world. Thank you for this gift.
My pleasure Grace . . . I will try to send out another Willard when I get home, toward the end of July, first of August!
There was mention of “teacup bouquets” in this post and I hadn’t realized that the term already existed prior to my making 14 of them for a lovely luncheon for my 92 year old mom this past week. Mother is suddenly unable to walk well (after 91 years of almost perfect health and vigor) and her short term memory seems to have slipped to almost non-existence. But the ladies from her church Circle in another city had planned weeks in advance for this luncheon in the private dining room of her Senior Living facility and we proceeded to have it anyway. The china cups were Mother’s, her mother’s, and mine from years ago when we would purchase a teacup while on vacation. The little bouquets totally transformed the long dining table and no centerpiece was needed! Everyone oohed and ached when they walked in and saw the table. Would have loved to have had some mock orange and some Lily of the Valley!!
Sounds beautiful Betsy!!! Our yearly Ag Fair on Martha’s Vineyard features a ribbon for the best teacup bouquet . . . always one of my favorites. Hooray for charm! Thank you for sharing, all my very best with your mom. xoxo
Hi Susan, great to see posts from you even as you are on the road! Sometimes I think I need to put up a clothes line, I have the room, but I guess I’m just too lazy in my old age. Towels tend to be scratchier when line dried, I remember, but oh that fresh smell! I have one special memory of mom drying clothes on the line. Once she washed and dried the sheets, and had made the beds up fresh with the clean sheets. Of course it was summer and I remember that good feeling of slipping in between the sheets after a day of play, the fresh outdoorsy smell ready to send me off to dreamland. I put my hand down over the side of the bed, which was against the wall, and when I brought it back up, a huge bumblebee was perched on it! Needless to say, I jumped up, shook the bee off, screamed and sent mom looking for the bee, which I think she found. I think after that she made sure to shake out everything she took down from the line. But I still remember those days of a wringer washer, hanging clothes out, sometimes double, conserving the clothespins as much as possible, dampening and ironing everything because most things were cotton and not much permanent press in those days. Great memories, though! Keep us up to date and safe travels!
For us it was drying diapers on the line, a constant thing at our house. Those soft cotton diapers!
Thanks for that “little something”, so nice. Spring is working its magic around here as well. My dogwood is so pretty now it makes me weep! It’s a soft pinky white color (sigh). I’m about halfway thru “Isles of Dreams”, I’m at the part where you’re wearing your “Too Mean to Marry” tshirt. LOL, I need one of those! 😉 And I just love your little house! So sweet. Just what the doctor ordered. Hope you and Joe are having fun on the road! Wishing you safe and happy travels😘 xoxo
We are having a wonderful time . . . stopped at Mark Twain’s house again yesterday . . . all is well. I hope the Too Mean to Marry people start making those shirts again!
Hi Susan, I had a rough friday night. It is lovely to read this post and remind myself of all the small everyday beauties we have all around us.
We all need a reminder sometimes, those rough days are spread around way too much. xoxo
Hugs to smooth out the rough patches:)
Dear Susan,
If you answered me, I missed it. I have grey hair. What can I say?
But what happened to your first darling home on the Island. Did you sell it, or do you still have it and rent it? How did you find this wonderful home? I realize that may be a whole other story. Please respond to my e-mail at [email protected] so I don’t miss it. All best on your travels, Tiah
When Joe came along, we realized Holly Oak wasn’t big enough for the both of us! And his house was too much like a fraternity house, so one day he came home and said, I have a house I want to show you . . . there’s a lot more to the story (as there always is), but basically that was it!
Have you blogged about buying the house you live in now? ( Memory fails sometimes ) I think it would be a good little mini-series sometime down the road when you are finished touring and have taken some time off for yourself. We’d all love to hear more about the time following Isle of Dreams and marrying Joe and all. Of course, I know you have a lot of things you need to do and want to blog about, but it never hurts to ask! Hugs from Ohio!
It’s in the plans Susan . . . just as you say, as time allows!
Sweet Sue: The Shirley Temple peony I planted a couple years ago (in my mommy’s honour) is just starting to burst forth in glorious array! What say you and Joe make a little side trip to the Great Pacific Northwest and I will put on the tea kettle to sing and bake you something gluten free and scrumptious (chocolate donuts with coconut cream icing?) and we can sit on the glider bench on the front porch and enjoy her beauty and fragrance while we exchange stories and laughs and watch for the faeries in my garden while petting my pooch and dreaming of kitties and far off lands? I will be wearing my girlfriends’ name tag.
Sounds perfectly delightful Julie Ann!
A sad day indeed…. I finished Isle of Dreams. I dove right back into A Fine Romance that I had read 3 years ago. I just think that there’s more to your story! I want to know more about Joe (perhaps he doesn’t want us to know all the details!) I was born & raised in Boston so I have such a connection with Martha’s Vineyard (and Nantucket, where we honeymooned before moving to Seattle). You also don’t mention anything about your retail adventure in California. I now live in Sun Valley, ID and I am hoping to drive the 5 1/2 hours to Salt Lake to see you on the 24th. Happy Trails to you Miss Susan!
You are so right, there are many years between when I met Joe in 1987, and when we sailed to England in 2012! Lots mor stories! See you in Salt Lake Jodi . . .
I have been wondering about your retail store in CA too. I did pick up some details about it through our 5+ years of blogging.
Hope you are enjoying the visits to see your fans. We are certainly loving the chance to meet you. I’m planning to attend in Pasadena next month. Love your book, I’m savoring every drawing, recipe, and story. Sometimes it reminds me of similar experiences, since we are within 6 years of age. It’s fun to remember some of those times, and it’s very interesting how you managed to pull your self up and continue to forge a wonderful life. You are very talented and deserve your fairy tale life. You worked hard to achieve it. I believe the phrase that stands out most is… “If you can dream it, you can achieve it!” You did that. Thank you for all the encouragement. You are such a blessing.
That was so nice Debra . . . Thank you . . . and see you in Pasadena! xoxo
This has nothing to do with your post, but I wanted to tell you this before I forget. Have you ever watched the BBC program ‘Rosemary& Thyme’? It’s described as: “A cozy mystery series set in beautiful English and European gardens, ‘Rosemary & Thyme’ features two women brought together by a sudden death who discover their shared love of the soil. Being gardeners means that they overhear secrets and dig up clues which lead them to handle floral problems, solve crimes and capture criminals.” It’s light and entertaining and the homes and scenery are lovely. Maybe you already mentioned it at some point but I missed it. It’s available on Netflix. It’s not Downton Abbey but it’s British and you might find it entertaining.
Thanks so much Patty!
Oh, spring spring spring! What a wonderful season! I’m in the middle of reading your latest book and so enjoying it!! Stay safe in your travels and continuing having fun at all the book signings.
xoxoxox
Carol M
We will Carol, thank you!
Hi Sue! I’m still on cloud nine from getting to meet you in Cedar Rapids Iowa! You are just as I imagined. You did not stop smiling the whole nite! The room was filled with kind people and kindred spirits. I could not have been happier! Safe journey and continued happiness in your travels. Love.
Wonderful to finally meet you too Laurie (Walt Disney’s daughter! ha ha). For a person who has been face down writing books for so long, these smiles are really good for my face!!! Like exercise! It was a great time, thank you so much for coming! xoxo
Susan, it was such a pleasure to meet you today in St. Charles, MO! I got tears in my eyes when THE VAN pulled up! Joe was driving and there you were! You guys are so gracious and sweet and it was wonderful to be able to speak with you. You brighten my day and what a gift that is. Enjoy the rest of your tour. 💝
It was my pleasure . . . and Joe’s too! Getting out of the car, I just wanted to stand there and look at everyone! What an amazing scene. Thank you for being there Paula!
Dear Susan,
Belatedly, I want to thank you (& Joe!) again for including New Hope, PA on your book tour. I was thrilled to meet you and loved hearing you read your stories. The event was all the more meaningful because my neighbor/Girlfriend Carol was there with me. She introduced me to the world of SB & for that alone I will be forever grateful. Whenever I see a new post, it just changes the spirit of the day. On Saturday I went to a church tag sale with my 3 yr. old grandson, Lucas. Never too early to introduce him to treasure hunting, right?
Anyway, I spied a set of the Rose Chintz china! I ignored it as I had Lucas in hand & the china wasn’t priced. Went past again & was told the price was $23 for an almost 20 piece set (missing a teacup, I can get on eBay). My deal of the year! It reminds me of something my Mom had but they must have broken over the years. Do I need these? No, but they make me happy and now I can have tea with Carol on a semblance of a set. Have a continued safe and restful journey across the country. Hope you enjoyed the little goodie bag I left with you in PA. xoxo K
My blog sometimes has gremlins . . . I thought I saw this post before and answered it, but just in cases, Congratulations on the Rose Chintz!!! Fabulous find. And yes, thank you for the goodie bag! XOXO
The whole bad thing about a road trip is that I kept thinking about Spring and airing out the house! We aired the boats in NC, sold one! Hit the road for St. Charles. What a wonderful town!!! I wish I could have met more of the “girlfriends” yesterday, but I did make two new friends that know where I live in WI. They come up every Summer! How cool is that!!
So glad to finally meet you (and Joe) yesterday!!! Sorry that I had to hit the road to drive back to WI. Made it back by sunset as far as my Arnie’s mom’s place. Four more hours to go to get to the Door!
More hugs, OOOOXX
Margot
Thank you for coming such a long way Margot! St. Charles was quite something. We got to wander around the next day and would love to go back someday!
It was time to meet my pen pal of 5+ years!!! I had to make it happen after I didn’t get up to Cape Cod last Autumn. I would have liked to visit more, but such is life.
I am now back in Sister Bay. I think MO is worth a second trip too. I still have to go to Hannibel. Did you see all the tea in the British Shop?? I have a new favorite to go with the pot I bought in Miss.. I know~I caved! LOL It was made in Middleton, and it had a gardening theme!
My mother-in-law told me she was at a quilt show in Cedar Rapids the 3 days before your stop (she never told me that was where she was going when we were coordinating schedules last week). I told her I almost went there, but I had to do somethings in St. Louis. A friend of mine told me to go to St. Charles years ago, as it is her hometown.
Well, I’m glad you picked St. Charles for Pen Pal meeting event!!! We stopped in Hannibal on our way down to Kansas City … we’d been before, and loved it just as much.
I meant that you are my penpal (blog pal). 🙂
Susan,
You are pure magic! Your books and blog provide at least one guaranteed smile for the day. For that, I am truly thankful. Having your Christmas from the Heart of the Home book on our family room table every winter has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. My mom and I are SO excited to see you in Danville 🙂
See you there Jennifer!
I can think of nothing I enjoy more that sleeping on sheets that have been dried on the line. Mine are hung out on the line year round. And new bushes and trees are the very best!
Yes, those sheets are heaven.
You’re never short on charm! Love it all, thanks!
We would love a dogwood or a magnolia, but we just ordered a Canada Red Chokecherry Tree (prunus virginiana) for our front yard because it is so cold hardy and yet can take full sun. It has leaves that come out green and turn to red, plus white flowers followed by red fruit.
I LOL’d about “the right time to plant a dogwood or crabapple”. I would have loved a crabapple too -my Gran always made the best crabapple jelly. Yum!
Be well, sending lot’s of pink bubbles of happiness your way. 🙂
I’m feeling it Gabi! Love your new Chokecherry Tree . . . the gift that keeps on giving!
My mother used to make Chokecherry syrup for my dad’s pancakes.
Dear Susan, I love reading about your bookish travels here on the blog and also just peeked at Twitter – and I have to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS for making the New York Times bestseller list!!! You are in such excellent company in that top ten list, I must say! Wow! And another wow for good measure! Now you can always refer to yourself as “New York Times bestselling author Susan Branch” – perhaps work this into daily conversation, etc….? ;O)
Also, I love that you are reading “I Capture the Castle” – one of my favorites. I never read it when I was young but it must be just as good at any age, I think! The first time I read it I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish. So so good. Happy trails – love seeing all your Twitter pix. Nothing better than rooms-ful of happy women and men holding books in their hands. Looks positively joyous… xxoo!
Yes, LOL, work it into daily conversation. Right next to, “did you see that sign,” or “can we go to the next McDonalds? I need more iced tea.” LOVING that book! It makes it fun to go ride the bikes in the fitness rooms of the hotels we’re staying in! Nice to hear from you Sarah!
I will coach you on this – “can we go to the next McDonalds? New York Times bestselling author Susan Branch needs more iced tea.” See, it’s easy! I feel sure that Joe could tolerate this form of address for, oh, at least a few interstate exits. Possibly more…? ;O)
Kidding aside – it’s an achievement to celebrate, and then tuck away in your heart of hearts. Big gold star, dear one.
LOLOLOL! Yes, why didn’t I think of that! I will use it for sure! Thank you Sarah!
CONGRATULATIONS SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST. HOW EXCITING IS THAT. CAN IT GET ANY BETTER????? OH YES IT CAN YOU HAVE SOLD THE RIGHTS TO MAKE YOUR BOOK A MOVIE. WOW YOU AND JOE MUST BE FLOATING IN THE VAN ABOUT 9 FEET HIGHER THAN ANYONE ELSE. SO HAPPY FOR YOU…..YOU SO DESERVE IT! And just think all of us girlfriends knew you before the N Y Times did and we also knew that you had a winner long ago! Enjoy the moments……Love you and so very happy for you! SEE…. IF YOU DREAM IT CAN COME TRUE SUSAN P. XOXOX
It couldn’t be better . . . it feels a bit like it’s all still hanging by a thread, but these wonderful “things” keep happening, so we’ll see! It does feel like a dream Susan! Thank you so much. It’s double everything because of my Girlfriends . . . who’ve stuck by me and kept me going. XOXO
I’m so glad your trip is going well and you’re getting time to see things like Mark Twain’s house. I live an hour away from Elmira NY where he and his family are buried. I was born in Elmira so I have been to his study and grave a few times. Such a humble site for an awesome man. Him and his wife lost there only son to diphther1a at 18 months. A daughter passed away at 24 of spinal meningitis and another drowned in the bath tub at 29 years old as she suffered epilepsy. His only surviving child, a daughter had a large stone monument erected at the grave site for her father and her husband. The awe and respect I hold for Mark Twain and his wife is tremendous after knowing the trials they had to endure and still wake up and breathe everyday. I hope you and Joe and all the Girlfriends will be able to visit it someday.
I read his wonderful autobiography and learned about his losses. Very very sad end of life for such an amazing person. I’ve been to his house in CT too, but never to Elmira. I guess that will have to be next!
Dear Susan,
Just finished reading Fairy Tale Girl. Oh how I loved it! I laughed and cried and enjoyed every page. Loaning it to my Mom so she can read it next. Now on to Isle of Dreams. Can’t wait!
Thanks for the great read!
Wonderful! Thank you Donna!
Congratulations on making the NY Times Best Seller list! You must be on cloud 9!
I can’t believe it. I’ve gone back to their site 3 times to make sure I didn’t imagine it! There’s just something about that list!
Spring is one of my favorite seasons; late fall is the other. We’re enjoying spring here in NC with everything in bloom. Just ordered your book at Malaprops in Asheville and look forward to seeing you there in June! Happy trails to you and Joe as you travel!
I’ll see you there Mary Ann!
Mary Ann your NC is truly beautiful now!! I was in Charlotte last week visiting my sister Kathy.
Dear Sweet Susan,
I am writing this with a heart so broken it’s a mosaic! My Auntie Penny, our HILARIOUS friend Tillie, and I booked a hotel in Danville, I bought a new “this is my outfit to meet Susan Branch”, and I just found out that the Rakestraw event is a ticketed event and they are SOLD OUT!!! I can not believe I didn’t check this right away. But since it was a signing and not a “talk” it never dawned on me!
I have to talk with AP and see if we should just go anyway, stand outside like 17 year old groupies, hoping for just a glimpse of you! I haven’t broke the news to them yet.
I’m so delighted that you and your books are getting the love and attention and celebrations that you’re due. Next time I’ll be more on the ball.
❌⭕️❌⭕️,
Tawni Urrutia in Lodi, Ca
Yes, if you can, just go anyway. I’m sure they aren’t keeping customers out of the store. Come toward the end of the signing, and there I will be, and of course I will sign your books!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER LIST!!! I just knew it would happen. It was the feeling I had when I finished the book. It came to me immediately. You deserve it and more. You put so much into that book and you truly deserve lots of awards for it. I want to give you a blue ribbon and a gold star and a pulitzer or whatever other fancy book award there is. You need trophies too. Since you sold the rights, have there been any updates as to what they might do? It probably takes a bit to get anything made, I assume, but was just wondering. I am just so thrilled for you, New York Times Best Selling Author, Susan Branch:););)xoxoxo
And another Congratulations on your TV interview!!! Your darling demeanor and answers and darling hair outfit and glasses. Who knows what to do with all this darlingness?! You do. So much to be happy for. I have a feeling there will be a lot more of those interview especially with movie/TV rights sold plus a trilogy of books. Wow… you must feeling on top of the world. Thanks for taking us Girlfriends along. I bet there will be a lot more Girlfriends too. Yippee! All happy things to you, New York Times Best Selling Author, SB. I can’t stop saying that lol 🙂
Thank you Charissa, I feel like a deer in the headlights at those things. Trying to think and smile at the same time, rub my tummy and pat my head, and then it’s OVER. So, thank you for the kind “review.” XOXOXO
Thank you darling Charissa! xoxo On the movie rights, they have two years now to write a screenplay and “shop” it . . . so I guess I probably won’t hear too much for a while, although I have no idea how this works! I’ll be sure to let you know whenever I get any info!
Dear Susan, You are coming to Salt Lake City and I’ll be there to greet you! I am so excited about your visit. All of your books decorate my book shelves- you have influenced my life as a homemaker in so many ways! And, you are the only author I know who also illustrates her own books. Amazing! This is significant to me because I was surrounded by authors at Stanford Univ. for years in my work there, and you’re the only one. Thank you for coming to Utah. May 24th is going to be a special day for me. Safe and happy travels to you and Joe!
And here we are, it’s May 24th and you and I will be meeting in just a few hours, Gini! Thank you so much for coming! I would have LOVED to have been surrounded by authors at Stanford University for years, maybe I would have learned something!! Lucky you!!! XOXOXOX
Hello Susan and Joe:
It just keeps getting better! I cannot imagine the thrill of making the NYTimes Best Seller list -and all the offers -and all the adulation that you are receiving at every bookstore event.
It is no secret that your fans live vicariously with you and through you. Thanks to your willingness to share your life and observations, we are all walking on Cloud 9 today.
Enjoy the ride-literally and figuratively and continued safe travels. Marty.
We truly are Marty, thank you for your good wishes! Happy NY day to you from Salt Lake City!
I love this time of year when I can get the clothesline back and dry things on the line and sorry Susan but I am mean to the rotten neighbors we live behind and dry Ed’s holey and nasty looking undies on the line along with his holey t-shirts and stinky socks. his feet sweat so the socks are extra stinky when I put them in the wash, then I hang them out on the line to get rid of the rest of the smell. I even got in a real mean mood one time and offered to dry the local theatrical company’s old fashioned bloomers on the line for them…. now that was a sight to see… LOL!!!! hugs….. 🙂
Hello Susan! CONGRATULATIONS on making the New York Times Best Sellers List!!!!! BRAVO for your KC Live TV interview!!!!!! You are amazing!!!!!! I am so happy to see you shine so brightly for all the world to see!!!!!!! Keep having fun traveling the country with Joe! Please know I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers! I am having fun daily catching up with you via your blog & Twitter (even though I am not with a TwItter account). Your outfits are so cute and I just love your updo hairstyle!!!!! You are a STAR Susan………keep shining brightly………all your dreams are coming true!!!!! Take care and have a wonderful week!!!!
Oh, you are so sweet Carilyn. It’s been an amazing time. . . Thank you so much. (I’m not a star, just the regular me, but really good things are happening, for which I am overwhelmed sometimes, and always grateful . . . especially for the supportive people like you!!!) xoxox
..perfect words, Carilyn..you said exactly how so many of us are feeling..good morning Susan !..I was just thinking too, the other day how, yes, what a bright and shining star you have become , sincerely..with love..’ so happy that your journey is going along so well ..
Well, if that’s at all true (true for all of us whenever we’re with our girlfriends), it’s because of you two and everyone here. I guess I’ve never fit into a corporate mold, but I definitely feel welcome at any of your kitchen tables. 💞🏡☕️
TRAGEDY AVERTED!!
I called Rakestraw books in Danville…fighting off tears(only kind of kidding), and explained how the website says they’ve sold out, but that surely doesn’t mean SOLD OUT, right?!
There was a mistake in there link info, but it’s now corrected. Soooo I’M COMING, with the adorable Auntie Penny and the hilarious Tillie!❤️❤️❤️
❌⭕️❌⭕️,
Tawni Urrutia in Lodi, Ca
YAY! Good girl for not giving up!
Hello Susan-
Anxiously awaiting your visit to The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Wanted to let you know about an intimate little restaurant right across the street from The King’s English. The Paris Bistro is open Monday-Thursday from 6:00-9:30. They have indicated that generally on week nights, same day reservations are fine. The Paris Bistro’s address is:1500 South (Emerson Ave.) 1500 East. Phone number for reservations is:801.486.5585. The area in which both of these businesses are located is called Sugar House, Utah. Voted a couple of years ago in Sunset Magazine, to be 5th top city to reside in/USA. See you May 24th!
Pat, Jill & Ann
YUM! Thank you Pat, Jill, and Ann!! See you tonight!
As I recover from total knee replacement i enjoy following you around! I am pretty homesick for my old New England. So your flapping laundry was fun today see and reminded me of a summer long ago. My mother had hand washed clothes. And it was a mass of stuff to hang because it was for three adults and five kids. She had it out on the line when a light sprinkle had wet them so it was decided to leave them till am. About ten o’clock she was rinsing some glasses at the sink and looked down in the yard. Big dark spots greeted her eyes. She thought some clothes had fallen but when she ran down to the lines there were nothing on the ground. Clothes had been stolen. Sheets, towels and the quils her grandmother gave her as wedding present were gone. Tshirts, underwear , socks all still hung there. In the house next door were visitors and hanging out of their trunk was something that looked like sheets. But the police would not ask them to open their trunk. The sadness of the loss of the quilt was great. We were a poor family but my mother said ‘guess they needed those thing more’. A testament to her gentle heart. We never left laundry out after that !
Terrible bad visitor neighbors!!! I’ve heard of that happening, and I do keep an eye on my quilts and things, but people would have to venture very far into my yard to take things, and so far, knock on wood, we’ve been okay.
I’ve thought many times about your divine destiny. God led you to the perfect place on this planet to do the work you are doing…..tucked safely away on your own private (sort of) island. MV has allowed you the freedom to do so many things with ease and without interference in a lot of ways. Blessings from above.
It has. The quiet, the seasons, the history. I do feel it Rhonda, thank you so much. xoxo
Oh, BFF Susan!! You know how much I love you and admire your talent of making all of us HAPPY! Well, I must share the news from ME!! Tonight I became a Great Grandma once again – My Baby Girl (Winona Mae) came into the world (via her fabulous mother, Nawal) at a whopping 9#1oz and 21 inches long. She gave her Mom a good ride – but both of them are happy and healthy. Brother Felix is awaiting the chance to take her on her first walk (he is 3). And I am the most proud GREAT grandma ever!!! Thinking about you on your busy trip around bookstores! Happy trails, girlfriend!!
HAPPY NEW BABY DEAR PAT!!! Such exciting news, I can tell you are over the moon! Congratulations! XOXOXO
Another recommendation for Downton withdrawals – the Cranford series, with Judi Dench. Lovely. Set in the mid 1800s. Gentler and with more humor than Downton. Loved it and didn’t want it to end. My sister loved Bleak House, but I have yet to watch that.
Cranford is Fantastic. I totally agree with you, and another one that was nowhere near long enough!
I think I just figured out why my comments are always blocked and Susan never answers me! There was an entry in the “website” field below that I think shouldn’t have been there. Please answer so I know I’m still a girlfriend!
I’m not sure what might be happening, I don’t know what you’re saying about an “entry” and as far as I know, there is no blocking going on . . . although sometimes I do think there might be gremlins running around here! Anyway, of course you’re still a girlfriend! (Sometimes I’m just late replying, like especially now, because I’m away from the computer way too much!)
Just returned home from visiting my daughter for a week so I’m catching up on my ‘computer reading’. Thank you for taking us along on your book tour and sharing all the little things to appreciate…..like clotheslines. Safe travels to you and Joe.
Thanks Donna, nice to hear from you!
Susan, it was a joy and a tonic meeting you at the Learned Owl in Hudson, OH. You signed the book “Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams”for my redheaded daughter- actor, singer,dancer Lizzy. Now I have to tell you about my method of reading your book….I gobbled it up in marathon reading sessions as I do with the books of all of my other, favorite contemporary writers (Ann Tyler, Anne Patchett, Alice McDermott.) Then, this past, quiet week I reread it, savoring it and consulting my 1986 copy of “Heart of The Home” (purchased at a little store in northern Michigan in 1987) open on my table. Those beautiful pages of my trusted cookbook have taken on a new life of their own. I have loved this dear trilogy but “Isle of Dreams” touched my heart with your open heart and FAITH. Thank you. There are so many of us and just one of you, but that beautiful evening in Hudson OH you could feel the love of all of your fans. I realized how wonderful it was to be with a group so attracted to GOODNESS!
Now you know how I feel, Anne. 👭👭💞👭👭 Thank you so much for being there and being a part of it!
Stayed up ALL night to finish Isle of Dreams. Whoa, Susan — you outdid yourself! You took all of us along. We felt the chill that required several sweaters over your jammies, and the deep, silent aloneness in the beginning days, when you considered putting your precious house on the market. But you stayed the course. And there was always someone to help make that happen. So fortuitous. And your train story with You-Know-Who listening to your meditation tapes. How crazy wonderful was THAT??? Our palms went sweaty along with yours when you initially tried to present your book. We breathed and smiled confidently, knowing that You-Know-Who was the right publisher. We’re so glad you rewarded yourself with a Laura Ashley binge. And we held our collective breath when you were later enticed with nothing less than a private jet. But I won’t say more because that would be a spoiler alert. So, so, so PROUD of you and what you’ve accomplished. Congratulations on a life well lived, and best wishes for a wonderful tour. I’m going to try to find a way to make my way to you from New Orleans.
So sweet Christabelle, thank you! Hope to see you out here somewhere!
There it is; there are gremlins looming for sure! OR, what I foolishly have been doing is filling in the Website line with your website. My husband pointed out that since I don’t have a website, I shouldn’t put anything there. Silly me! Looking forward to seeing you Susan, on May 24th- Salt Lake City. You’ll recognize me immediately; I’ll be the one with egg on my face! Glad to hear I am still a girlfriend. You’ve made my day! Sending you hugs over the miles.
No problem, you figured it you! (Or the gremlin gave up!) See you in Salt Lake Gini!
Hi Susan, Utah has been rained on a lot in anticipation of your visit. We’re very green right now in you honor. So hurry up and get here before we turn brown! 🙂
We’re on our way . . . at the top of the world right now in Rawlin’s WY, somewhere around 7,000 feet, sleeping over here, waiting for the giant spitting cloud over us to go away! See you soon!
Dear Susan,
Just finished Isle of Dreams. WOW ~ spectacular! What a life you are living. You are truly gifted to put it all into words. And each page is a feast for the eyes. Such talent and inspiration!
Will be starting A Fine Romance soon and just thinking about it puts a smile on my face. Thank you, thank you for sharing your gifts with us! ♡
Thank you back, Donna! I makes me so happy that you enjoyed it. When I’m writing a book, I never know if I’m doing it “right” — so your words are important to me. xoxo
What a beautiful Spring weekend we are having here, hopefully all the girlfriends are, too, everywhere! Susan, I hope your travels are going as good as all of us hope they are for you and Joe, meeting all the blog followers and SB Book readers along the tour across America!! Continued success with all you are developing! Enjoy each day, Denni
Thank you Denni!
My Birthday present today (May22) from my husband is your newest book, “Martha’s Vineyard-Isle of Dreams”! …and it was mailed to him April 8th! He’s had it all this time waiting to surprise me! He gave me your second book of the trilogy at Christmas. He’s a keeper for me, just as your Joe is for you. Thank you for your beautiful work and sharing with us. Safe travels.
He’s a patient man! It’s so hard for me to “save” gifts once I have them in my hot little hand!!! What a nice surprise ~ he’s definitely a keeper!!! xoxo Happy Birthday Melissa!
I’m writing this out of the blue before I forget. Some suggestions for who should play you and Joe for your tv/movie show: Check out the cast of Good Witch on Hallmark. Bailee Madison as a young SB, Catherine Bell for older SB, James Denton to play Joe. How about Diane Keaton? I’m thinking…just in case you smell something burning…
Thank you, Susie!! I need to get that list done! This is a very good start. If they decided to narrate the story, they could go with Diane Keaton! That would be fun!
Oh an a younger Joe could be the boyfriend of Carol on Real Housewives of New York. He is a chef. Then the older Joe could be James Denton. I can see it now… ps: who knew I could be a cast director?
I just want to thank you for your Denver visit on Saturday. You’d think after waiting hours in line to see you I’d have more to say and/or ask you but was just dumbstruck and shy. I want you to know my heart was full and I’m so very happy to have actually met you. My husband was happy to meet you as well and said it was fun for him to watch all the “girls” having so much fun AND learning all about “demographics”. He has a whole new perspective on women, ages, interests, etc. Loved meeting Joe as well. My husband said he heard you say that you didn’t get tired – that the energy was just too high. That same positive/happy energy kept us all there till the very end and meeting other girlfriends in line was really uplifting and fun too. Like you said, “There is a lot more good in the world than there is bad.” Such a fun and special day for me. Safe travels to you and Joe and a hello to your mom and dad as well. Utah, you are going to have a blast!!!! With love, Cathy
SO happy to hear from you Cathy! Yes, it was just the most uplifting of afternoons. I was truly overwhelmed by everyone, what a wonderful crowd of all ages. It was like a Memorial Day Picnic! Say Hi to your husband ~ we do have lots of fairy tale boys in our midst!
I have two white dogwood trees, they are so beautiful in bloom,make quite a mess when the petals fall, but well worth it, great choice for a nice addition to your very nice yard.
It’s replacing and old one that was at the house when we bought it. Just didn’t feel right without it there!
The new Tree looks just lovely! Perfect spot!
I will agree will others who wish you would visit our PNW corner!
I have been wanting to ask…what is your favorite kind of water color brush???
xo
I use a # 1 Windsor Newton University Series 233. It’s probably not the best, but I’ve been using them forever and they work okay, although they do seem to wear out quickly. They are very tiny brushes.
Hi Susan!
Just wanted to let you know I’ve been sharing the love about your books 🙂 I took A Fine Romance with me to an appointment and the receptionist and everyone oohed and ahhed over it. And I told them about others too. LOVE your books and art work! I have read A Fine Romance before but now, having read the other two in the series, I enjoy it even more.
Thanks for the wonderful books!
Dear Sue,
Just finished your new book. I loved it!
What an adventure your life has been, but isn’t that what life is about? Have fun, go places, meet people, cry, laugh…
And, yes, kiss a few frogs and have your heart broken. It’s all part of the journey, the turns in the road that send us somewhere new.
Your books have a permanent spot on my bookshelf now, and I hope my kids pick them up in a few years. They’re works of art – I work in a library, so books are a big part of my world and your books really shine -, and really inspiring.
Bravo 🙂
Allison
Thank you (deep bow) for your kind words. XOXO
Please come to the Seattle/Everett area !
I have been a fan for many years and think you would be inspired by the Puget Sound region.
More !
Lynn in Everett
I’ve been there many years ago, and LOVED it . . . have always wanted to go with Joe, he’s never seen that area. We did try to go to Powell’s Books, Elliot Bay, and several others in that neck of the woods, but for whatever reason, we could never seem to get a definite date . . . we’ll try again next time!
Hi Susan,
I recently saw a newspaper ad for your “Traditions Recipe Binder” and looked up your website. I have been looking for a full page binder like this for over a year so I rushed out to purchase it. Now I have no idea what to do with all the little extras included–the pattern sheets, the 230 stickers, and the 47 embellishments! Are any of the sheets printer-compatible recipe sheets?
I can’t find any samples of completed books online. Can you direct me to some completed samples to give me ideas of how to use the extras?
We just saw you at Rakestraw in Danville, California. It was such fun to see the van pull up and you and your love step out. I have been to many author signings and never, ever, ever has an author walked the very long line to shake everyone’s hand. Wow!!! And then you noticed that there were a few “wisened” girlfriends in the very long line and you sent them to the front in order to save them from a long wait. Another Wow! And a sincere thank you as that line would have been tough for them. Your heart truly shines through.
I’m so glad you were there, Virginia. I had a wonderful time . . . just felt bad that everyone had to wait so long ~ I couldn’t leave them in that long line without at least saying hello first! And they could NOT have been nicer. I went home feeling nothing but blessed. Thank you! xoxoxoxo
CONGRATULATIONS! On the NY Times best seller list. That is truly an accomplishment and well deserved. I just finished the “trilogy” and loved all three books. My favorite was “Fairy Tale Girl”. I am looking forward to whatever comes next. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Thank you for the good “review” Gwen . . . XOXO
Congratulations, Susan, on making the NYT Best Seller list! We GF knew all along it was a best seller!LOL!! I just got back from 3 weeks in Europe and have been out of the loop on what has been happening here. The photos shared tell it all. Happy GFs everywhere meeting with you and enjoying your books! I am so happy for you and all the fun that you are having crossing the beautiful USA. It is such an amazing country that we live in and full of special people and places everywhere.
Enjoy your time in CA visiting with family and friends and I look forward to more updates of all of you and Joe’s adventures!
Thank you Winnie, so nice to hear from you. It’s been a wonderful trip. I’ll write more when I can! Only an hour and a half before I have to be at the FoxTale Book Shoppe signing here in Woodstock, GA — so off I go, time to get out of the jammies! xoxo
Can’t wait to see you this Thursday in Woodstock, GA. But I write today to ask a favor. I am the steward for 5 Little Free Libraries in Roswell/Johns Creek and Alpharetta, GA. I can not bear to give away any of your books that I own – somethings one cannot share. Any possibility that you would donate a few copies of any of your books for others to also fall in love with your way of looking at life?
If so, I would be happy to pick them up at your Woodstock event or send you my address. Thanks for your consideration. As one lifetime reader to another I hope you will share the love.
FYI, Woodstock Georgia is on Saturday, June 25th . . . making sure we’re on the same page for that! Talk to Joe at the book signing about the library books. xoxo
Dear Susan,
you are a girl after my own heart! I have loved your work for a long time! You are a part of “my home” through your artwork, books, calendars (yes, multiple) I always enjoy reading your blog and Willard! You are a “comfy, cozy” sort of person 🙂 I hope you never retire! My daughter, Nickie and I got a kick out of your Downton “recapping” we miss it as well and we are impatiently waiting for the return of Poldark…in the meantime, Nickie is reading the books. Did you know Poldark was first aired in the 1970’S ? Anyway, looking forward to reading your new book. Keep up the great work…the world is brighter with you in it! Thank you!
Thank you back Cindy!! xoxo
It was fabulous to see you and Joe again in Iowa! I was thrilled to have my mom meet you for the first time…and have my daughter, Spenser, be blessed to see you again. You are such an amazing person…we all enjoy your books so much. Thank you for sharing your world!
Thank you Donna, sending love to you and Spenser. . . and your MOM! xoxo
Oh, I’m so happy. Just received my 30th anniversary edition of “Heart of the Home”. I had to have it , even though I already own the original. It looks lovely. Can’t wait to compare and contrast the two.
They’re alike but also very different ~ I’ve been taking mine to lunch while out here on the road and I feel like it’s all brand new! Glad you got it Kathy! Happy cooking!