Hello darling Girlfriends . . . I just wanted to do a quick update so you can see why you haven’t been hearing from me! Today is Joe’s 64th Birthday🎈 and we will be celebrating this afternoon with about a hundred of his nearest and dearest friends, we’re going to let him know that we will still need him, we will still feed him, even though, he’s 64 . . . So we’ve been keeping ourselves very busy getting ready!
Old friends have come from far and wide ~ we’ve been planning this party since last January ~ and even invited everyone before we went on our cross-country book tour, but with everything that’s happened in these last months, the actual organization part was put off until maybe these last two weeks, but even so, the tent showed up right on time . . . we have lots of tables ~ I’ve been cooking, and today we 
decorate! Party starts at 4:30 pm. The man bringing the music system comes at noon, the birthday cake (to serve 100, three tiers, coconut lemon cake) comes at 4pm … I spent all day yesterday with three of my dearest girlfriends making a playlist for the party!!! 🎵 🎶 It was SO MUCH FUN. We included my Dad and had Tennessee Waltz on the list, and for about 4 hours, we sang along 
with the songs, decided whether they should make the cut, said yes or vetoed, and jumped for joy when we remembered the perfect song… like this one MUSICA … we chose a mixture of 70s and 40s musica from Dancing Queen to I Only Want to Be with You, plus La Vie en Rose, and Fly Me to the Moon ~ my niece Holly has already requested I send the list to her …. We hope singing and dancing will break out all over! It’s a once-in-every-15-years-type-party to celebrate Joe with all our good friends ~ actually, the last time we did a party like this was for his 40th birthday! But this boy deserved a party, and anyway . . .
⬆️ This was dinner last night . . . There’s Diana from California on the left (BFF from Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams), our dear old friend Peggy, then Paul, of “Rachel-from-England-fame,” then Elaine (BFF who hired me to work in the record department in Fairy Tale Girl in 1971), then Rachel herself, then darling Bob, Peggy’s husband, and then Siobhan, from England (from that adorable stone cottage in A Fine Romance). So this was a fairy tale dinner . . . 💞 with the freshest farm-stand corn that just jumped off the cob, and with people who love to sing over dessert!🎵
⬅️ Remember cute English Paul? He calls Vineyard Haven, “Haven,” and Cape Cod, “Cod.” We love him. This little portrait was HIS birthday surprise last year . . . . 🎁
Here’s Ray and I . . . pen pals is how we met, she in England🇬🇧, me in America🇺🇸 …. she’s 20 years younger than me ~ we’re going to England to celebrate her 50th 🎂 this fall ~ a few years ago, Ray and I discovered that we both wrote to Queen Elizabeth when we were children, AND we both got letters back from the same Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen (the longest serving Lady-in-Waiting in history) …. 20 years apart!!! Now this is a friendship that was meant to be.💕
So now I must go . . . so much to do, but I had to let you know what was going on so you wouldn’t think I was just ignoring you!!! Never! XOXOXO
Have a wonderful day! 💛
A very special Happy, Happy Birthday Dear Joe! Have a wonderful birthday, and may the coming year be your best yet! The preparations sure do look like a party about to happen any minute! Hello to all those friends we’ve been visiting with through years in books and blogs! Party on!!! xoxoxo
Hello Susan,
Thank you for sharing all the lovely party details. And a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOE!!! I hope that his special day is filled with everything wonderful!!! By the way, coconut cake is my favorite, and lemon filling, what can be so bad about that!!! Enjoy the celebration.
Blessings,
Sheryl
Oh, Susan! Thank you for taking the time on this busy, exciting morning to share with us! Love your Fairy Tale dinner party last night! So many of the beloved pieces of your life story together at one table! What fun that the couples aren’t sitting together! That must make for some unexpected conversations. Wishing Joe a fabulous, fun, best-birthday-ever party today!! Enjoy every wonderful moment and cherish this time with all of your special visitors. Much later on, when everything is a sweet memory you can share the fun again by telling us all about it! Happiest Birthday, dear Joe!!!! ♥
Happy hugs!
Dawn (in Illinois)
Happiest of Birthdays to your Joe!!! God bless you both!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing party preparations with us. Sounds like it’s going to be one grand shindig…singing and dancing and cake with good friends, you can’t go wrong…..more wonderful memories in the making. Have fun!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! YOU WONDERFUL, DARLING, PRINCE OF A MAN! everything looks,and sounds perfect Susan. Bless your heart for thinking about us when you are so busy! So happy to see all of your friends and hear of all the fun and love. I sang the Musica at the top of my lungs:) in bed this morning while reading on my phone. Tom suprisingly joined in for a few verses. I am so happy for all of you. I know it will be a whole lot of wonderful memories. Hugs to all and tell everyone how special all the Girlfriends think they are. I could just squeeze them all;) ps if your sending out that list can we have it too? If it’s not a lot of trouble;) xoxo
Happy Birthday to Joe. Today is also my daddy’s birthday. He would have been 90 years old. Can’t wait to read all about Joe’s big party.
Blessings to you all,
GG
I wish the happiest of birthdays to Joe, obviously one of the most special people
ever! Happiness always to a VERY wonderful couple.
Dear Joe and Susan,
Joe, have THE BEST BIRTHDAY ever!!! If I were there I’ve have baked you a cookie….ha! But, the coconut lemon cake sounds wonderful. Sing, dance, eat….enjoy being with so many good friends. “Oh, what a night….”
Susan, thanks for the quick update. I don’t know how you do it….entertaining lots of friends from out of town AND a huge birthday party!! I hope there is some pot-lucking and/or catering going on there. Thanks so much for taking the time to put names with faces….makes us feel like we are there. I hope you will do the same for the gazillion photos we will be expecting after the party….and a picture of the cake….it’s all about the cake for me….ha!
Love, Rachel
Happy Birthday to Joe! We enjoyed a chat with him at Malaprop’s and he was so friendly and kind enough to take a picture with me. No wonder he has so many friends! Enjoy your special day, Joe!
Hi Susan and Joe!!!! What tremendous fun and memories made….I love how you all have brought all of these lovely people together… you and Rachel… the original kindred spirits!!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!! not a better gift than to be surrounded by those who you love and who love you… oh happy day🎶🎶🎶🎈❤️XO
Love,
Cindy
Happy Birthday Joe!!! Here’s wishing you the happiest birthday celebration ever! Looks like it’s going to be a blast. Enjoy 🙂
Susan, I love your dining room! It’s simply beautiful, especially when it’s filled with beautiful people.
Happy, Happy Birthday to Joe!! What a wonderful celebration you will have – are already having!! A real international experience! XOXO!
oh! a very happy b-day, Joe!!!! and, MANY happppy, healthy returns-of-the-day!!!!! ah! i’m SURE someone is singing….”will ya still need me….will ya still feed me….when i’m 64????? mmmmm. i’d say….the answer…..UN-EQUIVACALLY is…..YES!!!!!!!! and, who in the whole, wide world could do a better job of it….than Susan!!!!????? enjoy the day! carpe-diem. God Bless!!!!! xo
Happy Birthday Joe! Enjoy every minute of this wonderful celebration.
xo
Jackie
Dear Susan and Joe,
My very best wishes to Joe for a wonderful birthday and a year filled with health, happiness, and peace.
Fondly,
Debbie C from Southern NJ
I’m beside myself! “Fun is Good” indeed! We’ll celebrate Joe, and love, and friendship from coast to coast! Thanks for the excuse (like we needed one) to get cake and champagne. I’ll pop in my Edith Piaf cd and we’ll all be in sync! Happy Birthday, sweet Joe! XXO
Oh happy happy day to Joe and to you and all your wonderful friends. What a special day. Enjoy every moment of it. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Blessings~
Carol
PS. The line of cupcakes across the top of the blog reminded me of something I’ve wanted to ask for a long time. I have used your wonderful stickers for years and years but they are almost non-existent now. I can’t find them anywhere. Any chance you could produce a line of stickers again? They are the cutest things ever and take a letter from great to fabulous!! Just a thought:-)
Happy, Happy Birthday, Joe!!! Looks..and sounds like a wonderful celebration!!!
A wildly Happy Birthday Joe!!!! Great friends, fabulous food and a woman who adores you! Cosmic, euphoric ambrosia!!! God bless your entire year!
All the best,
Val
Happy Birthday to Joe! I hope you have a blast of a party with all of your friends from near and far!
Hope the party is winderful! Your blogs brighten my day🌸💖
Happy Birthday to Joe! What a terrific celebration. I also have lots to share, but I’m back in Georgia staying with my sweetie pie granddaughter, Alice. I love having fun with her while her parents get an adult getaway. Susan, I’ll be back later! XO Susan L.
Happy birthday handsome Joe!!!! I wish you a wonderful birthday and enjoy your time as Kind for the day. P.S. We are the same age!lol Susan you are the best.
Hello to you two. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE !!!!! Hope you both have a grand time with all your BFF’s and Family and Friends. Joe has done so much to keep you going on the road. You are so greatful as all we know for him being your compass through out your journeys. Have the best kind of day. Happy Bithday Joe. Have FUN..
We all expect a full recounting of all the fun, food, and festivities! Happy Birthday to Joe, who is certainly one of the ‘greats’!
Leslie in Maine
Feliz Cumpleaños Joe. I hope it’s happy, happy, happy. Oh yeah, & fun, fun, fun. If the music selected is any indication you’re going to have a blast. Birthday blessings on your special day.
Happy Birthday Joe! It’s your turn to shine………….ENJOY!
What a wonderful time you two are having! Many, many happy returns of the day, dear Joe, and thank you for making that fairy tale girl so happy. Susan, I think you should make this Joe’s Birthday Festival Week since your friends are visiting! Hope you included “The Birthday Song” by McCartney — it’s available on YouTube. p.s., I’m enjoying your books in reverse order and loving every word!
What a wonderful birthday celebration you’re preparing for Joe. He’s a lucky man! “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!”
The tent looks fabulous!
Happy Birthday to Joe! I’ll be 74 next year – maybe I should hint to my family that a tent would be lovely!!!
WOW! That’s some party you’ve planned for your special guy!! Happy, Happy Birthday Joe…the man who’s brought many smiles and so much happiness to OUR Susan!!
Have fun, looking forward to see all the photos.
Happy Birthday Joe! Have a wonderful day. Love and hugs to you both, toni b
Susan: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to share. Looks & Sounds like sooo much fun! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE -and- may the year ahead be full of wonderful memories.
Don’t forget the Beatles “will you still love me when I’m 64?”
I know you’ve already got it. Now I’ll go back and finish reading.
Happy Birthday to Joe. He looks so young! Julia in SC
O Happy Day!!! Happy Birthday, Joe!!! Enjoy every minute, musical note and morsel!!! It’s been a long time in the dreaming and planning 🙂 Many blessings and a perfect day to all!!! ♥♥♥
Oh happy day to Joe! Everything and everyone looks so happy! Enjoy your day and your precious company!
Oh, Susan….. sounds wonderful! That’s so cool that sooo many friends are coming to the party! You must have been planning this for a long time, as it’s really hard to get that many people together at one time. We are all going to want pictures to see the fun. Looks as though the weather is cooperating as well.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU JOE!!!!!
xoxox
Have fun! Looks to be a fabulous party! 🎉🎂🎈
It looks so much fun!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR SWEET JOE!!!!!
XOXOXOXO
Hoping that the birthday is a memorable and that all goes well.
Last night I was actually at a concert of a band that became popular in the late 70’s early 80’s. So I am sure you had a grand time with music to help memories.
All the best for a wonderful year.
Happy Birthday Joe, I know the party will be wonderful. I hope we will soon see photos of the celebrations.
Kay
Well, a Happy, Happy Birthday to darling Joe! Looks like Susan Branch and Co. have everything under control. An amazing celebration is obviously on the horizon. Coconut lemon birthday cake ~ there isn’t anything better. I’m actually taking the same to a friend’s birthday party next Saturday. Do you use the famous seven minute frosting from our childhood? It’s like eating meringue. The bestest ever!!!! The festive tent, a band, great food from your kitchen, and best of all, all those darling friends come to celebrate. It will no doubt be amazing. Wishing Joe the happiest of birthdays, and the two of you many wonderful years celebrating each other in the years ahead. Hugs from TX!
Happy Birthday Joe!! Anxiously awaiting party fun report!! Enjoy
Susan, you are so precious! Have a great time and wish Joe a Happy Day from me.
Cecelia
Happy, Happy Birthday Joe!! What a time you all will have!!
Happy Birthday, Joe! Sounds like a lovely party! Blessings to you both-
Happy happy happy birthday to your kind Joe. What a party! I hope it’s wonderful!
Happy Happy Birthday, Joe – have a wonderful time at your party! (I would love the birthday play list, too – perhaps in a future blog?)
Happy Birthday Joe! Enjoy the festivities, delicious sounding food!
I also would like to mention that I tried to place an order from your shopping site, hopefully I was successful but didn’t receive any kind of confirmation? Don’t know if I should have or not. Used my credit card of course to pay. No expected delivery date etc. or tracking info.
I’m hoping someone will read this and check and get back to me. Sorry for any trouble or confusion.
Thank you so much!
Dear Susan, I just finished reading Martha’s Vineyard and absolutely loved it. I too loved Pyewacket and Gladys Tabor. My English friend, gave me the book A Fine Romance as a Christmas gift so I have been reading about your life in backwards order. I have always been a flop as a cook but have been inspired by your book to get your Heart of the Home cookbook and “give it a go”. I was born and raised in New York but I have always felt like a New Englander in spirit. I am a second grade teacher and have been helping kids fall in love with books for 38 years. Thank you for the gift of your writing. Happy birthday to Joe! Sincerely, Marguerite from New York
One of our girlfriend’s moms said, “If up can read, you can cook.” And you can … the recipes in Heart are easy and delicious…make something for someone you love. xoxoxoxoxoxo Yes you can!
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful celebration and it looks like the weather cooperated just for you.
Of course the perfect song was, When I’m 64! Happy birthday Joe! My 64th is in a few weeks! Love and Huggs Debby
Happy Birthday Joe from me and my Joe! Hope all your wishes come true!
The pahteee of the decade for Joe Hall…Happy❤️🎂❤️Birthday Joe❤️🎂❤️Thanks for sharing Susan with us. Enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday, Joe! I know all of us Kindred Spirit Girlfriends would chime along with Holly – a list of the playlist songs would be a treasure!
Happy happy birthday Joe!😸🍧🎁🎁🎊🎈🍰🎀😀❤️🎂💥😄🍀💐🍹📣
Happy Birthday to Joe*** have fun celebrating, Birthdays are so special. Hope its not too hot there, its in the high 90’s here with lots of mosquitoes 🙂
that cake sounds absolutely yummy
deezie
Happy Birthday Joe!! Have a super fun day and remember it always!! Friends are the most wonderful thing to have in your life.
Happy birthday, Joe, hope you have a blessed day. I feel honored that you shared this with us today.
Happy Birthday to Joe! Looks like it will be such a fun celebration! So great seeing all your friends there, especially after having just “met” them all in your recent books. 🙂
Hugs,
Susan
Fun, fun, fun! I want to be there for Joe’s party on your isle of sanity. Thank you for taking us vicariously. Is that the correct word? Happy Birthday, Joe.
Happy Birthday Joe – you are a LUCKY MAN!!!
Have so so much fun! Make those memories happen!!
You guys really know how to celebrate! Happy birthday Joe! Glad I got to meet you and chat in Denver this year! Have a fab party!
Great music selection. December ‘ 63, I was pregnant for one of your biggest fans, Stephanie Cripe, my beloved daughter. Great song.
Simply put: Happy Birthday, Joe! To elaborate a bit: Thank you for sharing Joe with us, Susan. I adore your love story. And everything else you write! Have a fantastic celebration!
Dear Susan, What a wonderful whirlwind weekend you are having with dear friends! Do wish Joe a very happy “Beatles Birthday”!!! That’s what my husband and I called our 64th birthdays as we played the song and reminisced about not believing we’d ever be that age!! 🙂 Everyone will surely love your wonderful cooking and the birthday cake and the memorable celebration. ENJOY! Pam W
Sending a very Happy Beatles Birthday to Joe! And congratulations for turning the prep work into such fun little parties, and thank you for letting us in on that fun.
Sounds like my kind of party, best friends, great food, wonderful music and the dearest
Birthday boy. Everyone enjoy!
Happy Birthday to Joe from North Carolina!!! Sounds like a real reunion as well. Have a great time. BTW I finished isle of dreams and going back to read a fine romance. Enjoying It more this time around.
A very happy birthday to Joe! I am so happy for both of you, for all the joy you share, and I thank you for the bright influence you have on the world!
Happy, HAPPY Birthday, dear Joe! Have a wonderful, friend-filled celebration!
<3 peg
A VERY special day indeed! I hope you all have a blast. Thanks for sharing with us!
I am so excited for all of you. I hope you have a wonderful celebration. Sounds like so much fun.
Happy Day…Happy Year…Happy Always & Forever to Joe!!
How awesome that friends and relatives have come from far and near to celebrate Joe’s special day with him. Hope you sing and dance into the wee hours of the morning!!
Many Happy Birthday Wishes to Joe!
Enjoy the celebration……
Happy, glorious, celebration to Joe! And, please oh please share your musica list!! I know it will be a fabulous soundtrack for a special evening.
Happy Birthday Wonderful Joe ♡
Happy Heavenly Haven Party Days Susan and Darling Friends ♡
XOXOXO
A very Happy Birthday to Joe! What a wonderful time for you to celebrate. Enjoy every minute, make magical memories!
Hello Susan,
Happy Birthday to Joe … Sounds like a wonderful celebration!!!
Enjoy all your family and friends …
Mary
Happy Birthday Joe! You are both blessed and a blessing. Hope you enjoy the playlist, which by the way should definitely be shared with the girlfriends….don’t you think? Really! Have a happy, happy day!
Happy Birthday Joe! Enjoy the celebration just for you!
Happy Birthday to Joe. I hope this is the first day of a great year [for both of you]. You have LOTS more than 100 friends, it’s just that some of us couldn’t make the party! 😉
HAPPY,HAPPY,BIRTHDAY ❣
Happy birthday to Joe, may he have many more. May I suggest you put your playlist on your next blog post. Many of us would like to see it.
Happy happy Birthday to Joe your special guy! I would love to know what the music playlist is …maybe one day you will share….I love life’s celebrations, too, Susan, so I am feeling it! Love to all~mp
Thanks for the update on Joe’s birthday; the party plans, the friends, the music and cake all sound perfect. Have a super duper party! From one Leo to another: Have a dynamite birthday, Joe!
Happy Birthday to Joe!!! Many happy and healthy years to come together and many Blessings. He is still so young and looking very handsome! Do enjoy life!!!
It is so wunderful to have friends and have a party together.
greetings Trijntje Huppel/Trudy from the Netherlands
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! I have a special Joe for a husband too! Hope you all have a wonderful time and thanks Susan for taking the time to always share in your fun. I have wanted to meet you for quite a while and everything was lining up…you came to TEXAS and I was going to be there, and then life got in the way. My sweet niece celebrated her wedding and of course I was there, which meant I didn’t get to go and meet you. One day…you are on my bucket list sweet lady. You have brought joy to many, especially me and now go spread your joy at YOUR special Joe’s party!! Love, Anne
Happy Birthday Joe, the long suffering (only kidding) cohort in crime ! Have the MOST wonderful celebration and be sure to sing “Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m sixty four?” at least three times during the party !!! I can hear the music starting up all the way to Duxbury MA from The Vineyard ! Enjoy this very special time ! xoxoxoxox
Ruth Gardner Lamere
[email protected]
You rock, girl! What a guy to have you for his special girl. Everything will be perfect for his 64th! Happy Birthday to Joe and we all can’t wait to see some pics. Love the one of your dinner party with your special friends.
Hugs and blessings,
Carol
Dear Susan –
When things calm down – do you think you might share the ♫Party Playlist♫ with the Girlfriends??
Thank you!
…and Happy B-day to Joe!
Happy Happy Birthday to the greatest guy the sweetest gal could ever hope to find <3 <3 <3 Celebrate love, Susan and Joe!!! Blessings and wishes that this next year is your very best year, yet!!!!
xoxo
Julie
Sending Happy Birthday wishes to Joe from sunny San Diego. The party prep looks wonderful and what fun to have so many wonderful friends gather together in celebration. Have a joyous day!
Happy Birthday Joe!!! I celebrated the same number on 6-29 ! I think it’s going to be a good year for us😀!!!!!! Susan, I just finished Fairy Tale girl yesterday. I really think I’ve been reading it for almost a YEAR, and that’s bc I just didn’t want it to END!!! Seriously! I know it’s weird….I would just read a few pages, look at all the pictures over and over. The too cute for words illustrations. Every page is SUCH a delight. It was super wonderful. I just started Isle of Dreams, which my sweet daughter got for me at the Tattered Cover in Denver.
Have the best party ever tonight🎉🍾!!!
Happy Birthday Joe. What a lucky man to have these fabulous women and men to share your
Life. Enjoy your party! And Susan, please please post the playlist for all of us to enjoy.
Have a glorious happy day! The party will be fabulous!!!
Happy Birthday Joe…. I hope you really, really have fun at your party, and that the year ahead is blessed.
Happy Birthday to Joe!! He and our granddaughter share a birthday! She is ten today.:-)
That cake sounds amazing! Very appropriate for a special birthday! The guest list sounds perfect, and wonderful friends from near and far are already there. Would love to hear that music; sounds like it would be something that would get my feet moving!
Enjoy your day!
xo Nellie
Thank you for the wonderful update, Susan. We all can’t wait to see some photos from this blessed event. Happy Birthday Joe!