Happy New Year, Girlfriends! 🎉Well, off we go to a really amazing House of Creativity that you’ve never seen before, the tour of the Holy Nativity Convent I’ve been promising you . . . but first, I’ll say Good Morning, then MUSICA . . . and then a few words about Christmas past!
Jack says hello. We had a lovely Christmas, still kind of celebrating around here . . .
Although the house is getting back together . . . I mean, boxes of wrapping paper are put away anyway!
But my kitchen cupboards are still decorated . . . I hang ornaments on the knobs, and if there’s a bit of pretty wrapping with perhaps a bell, that goes up too.
No little outcropping is safe from my passion for decorating. This tree, star and bell? We found it in England and a Christmas Fair.💛
I have to show you the gift I received from Kellee, Sheri, and Alfredo at my Studio in California. I put this photo on Twitter, but not everyone goes there and I knew you would want to see it. Personally, I’m totally WILD about it. Cutest little purse in the world.
Early morning beauty, the ribbon went on my head, the purse went to my kitchen cabinets where I marvel over it every day. Kate Spade is what the label says. I can’t wait to go on the boat again, and just quietly put it on the table during dinner. So darling!
We put our tree on the living room table this year . . . our coming home and unpacking from England ran right up against bringing everything down from the attic for Christmas! So we kept it simple and did not move the table out of the room. 
My friend Elizabeth sent me the perfect kitty tree decoration, a mirror image of Jack-Jack-Bo-Back complete with mustache.
We were guests at Martha and Gerry’s house (across the street) for Christmas Eve ~ Didn’t Martha do a beautiful job decorating the dining room? (If you remember the dog Iris who used to come visit us, she belonged to Martha and Gerry.)
This is Martha’s black cherry cheesecake!!! I don’t think I need to say a thing. Wow.
On Christmas Day we went to our friends Bob and Peggy’s and this was their beautiful dinner table. We had a secret Santa gift exchange next to their sparkly tree after dinner that was so touching, small, thoughtful and real, the exact spirit of Christmas I was hoping for this year. I love Secret Santas! So simple, but special, and not over the top, shopping-wise.
Speaking of the spirit of Christmas, remember this lovely votive candle I showed you a few posts back? I mentioned that it was a gift from the Sisters of the Holy Nativity Convent, and that we were going to visit them, and that I would do a post about it? Well, it’s time!
And here they are . . . this was the day we met in 2014. Let me introduce them, from the left is Mother Pelagia, Mother Xeni, Mother Seraphima, and Mother Martha. And those smiles you see? They never went away. I was there doing a book signing for my book A Fine Romance at the wonderful Best of British (imports from the UK and Ireland) in Newburyport, Massachusetts. I was signing along, when I looked up and was surprised to see there were four nuns in line. This never happened! No nuns had ever come to my book signings before. “What?” I thought, “Nuns? How interesting.” And they were! You hardly ever see nuns anymore, at least in this country, most wear regular clothes now, so they sort of blend in with the rest of us, but it wasn’t always that way. One look and I realized, I missed seeing them! 
Look at that face! These girls were so sweet, so happy and filled with joy and such Anglophiles, crazy about all things England which is why they’d come to the signing. I fell in love with their loving manner immediately. We took pictures together, recognizing that we were kindred spirits, and they said…
And so we did! We went off-Island a couple of weeks ago, to Christmas lunch with our good friends Bruce and Gayle (they’re the ones we stop and visit at the water’s edge when we’re on our walk in the summer). In the winter, Bruce and Gayle live near Boston, so we asked if they wanted to come along, and they said, “To a convent? 👀 Okay!” Because how often do you get invited to a convent? Gotta do it!!! Could be the MOST wonderful thing in the world! So here we are, in front of the convent, just about to go in.
And there they were, waiting for us! There are 17 Sisters living at the Holy Nativity Convent. Our original four friends were there, smiles still totally intact, and as we toured the house, we were introduced to many more people. Mother Seraphima has stayed in touch with me ever since we first met. The convent has gifted us with delicious homemade bread made by Mother Effie, and it was SO good that I asked for the recipe. Mother Effie generously sent it to me so I could share it with everyone on the Blog, because it was WONDERFUL ~ and they sent their convent-made beeswax candles, and they prayed for my dad, and Mother Seraphima tells me she prays for me all the time (she knows I need all the help I can get), which I love, because I think their prayers go straight to heaven. So here we were, not having any idea of what this would be like except I hoped to be inspired with the spirit of Christmas. I thought, for Joe and I, lunch with best friends, and a visit to Mother Seraphima and the Sisters, would be our Christmas gift to each other.
On the wall inside the convent, a cross-stitched truth of life.
And of course, with hearts like theirs, they are kitty people. They have three beautiful cats living with them in the house . . . I should have written more things down, including the names of their kitties!
I don’t know what I expected a convent to look like, but I learned, it looks a lot like home!
The brick house was built in Brookline in the 1930s, rooms have been added, but the original charm is still there. This is the window over the kitchen sink which can be opened in the summer to birds singing in the garden. They feed 17 people breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, so their kitchen is very seriously outfitted with blenders and food processors and a huge old restaurant stove.
And, including, of course, a favorite cup collection . . . just like home!
There were charming knobs on the cupboard doors . . .
. . . enough knives for everyone to help, and well-worn wooden spoons.
And travel souvenirs on the wall.
We had a wonderful tour . . . here’s Joe looking at the calendar on their wall . . . we thought we recognized it from somewhere . . .
Oh yeah! I’ve seen that before! And they’ve marked off who’s in charge of cooking for each day . . .
I liked the cloak room. Each peg is marked with a name . . . for rather obvious reasons!
They had their Advent Calendar up and going! In their Home Sweet Home.
This was the front room of the house, or parlor. In the corner on the right, is their “shop.” We went through that back door into their lovely candle-lit chapel . . . 
And met another gorgeous kitty along the way. They have two like this one, a breed called Rag Doll ~ because these kitties have a tendency to go limp and relax when they are picked up. Is that not the perfect cat? I think so! Jack wouldn’t know limp from a hole in his head!
They go limp until they get sick of you, and then, the relaxing stops, and they go! Just like home! You can see Mother Pelagia’s prayer bracelets, which I asked about . . . they make them from wool and colored beads.
The reason this post is called The House of Creativity, is because that’s what this convent is. The Sisters support themselves through their industriousness, they make and sell their handmade things, the whole house is a hive of activity. I think that’s one reason they are so happy. It’s amazing, what goes on there. 
Just like my own paint blotters at home!
They paint the religious paintings you see all over the house, and also huge murals are painted in this room. The walls behind us were covered with canvas on which they were painting murals.
Joe is facing two of the wall murals in this photo, one low down on the wall and the other higher up, mostly penciled in as they were just starting them . . . they enjoy good light for their art from the tall windows.
They paint the murals in-house and then move them and install them where they are wanted.
This is an example (from a photo) of their murals on the wall of a church.
And here’s a little bit of it in their dining room . . . I love what they do with gold leaf!
They have a laser machine and they make greeting cards . . .
and bookmarks . . .
and plaques . . .
They do beautiful trim for their own windows . . .
Mother Seraphima’s uncle left them the money for their woodworking shop in his will . . . his forever gift.
The woodworking shop is where they make wonderful laser-cut clocks, and wooden boxes, pendants, and beautiful delicate crosses with olive wood imported from the Holy Land. Mother Seraphima gave me a small, lacy wooden cross in honor of my dad.💞
Here’s their well-organized tool shop! Every time we turned a corner we would see something new and amazing. I think I thought nuns just prayed all day. But there was real life going on in here! 
Joe is holding one of the sand-carved tea lights, like the one Mother Seraphima gave us.
They etched the glass in their windows themselves and made the casings . . .
This is where jealousy began to take over, but I was in the perfect place for asking forgiveness. That is a paper cutter like nothing I’ve ever seen. Because yes, they also bind books! And paint the edges of the pages . . . 
This is another room, doesn’t every house have one of these? Because they make beeswax candles here. Because of this, the whole house is lightly scented with honey. 💟
We were shown how the candles were made. I don’t know how they learned to do all of this, but I would imagine it happened one day at a time.
These candles, I can tell you from experience, are slow burning and smell beautiful . . .
They sell them in their webstore shockingly inexpensively . . .
In all sizes and shapes . . .
You can buy them HERE, along with prayer-bead bracelets, sand-carved tea lights, and all the other wonderful things made in this House of Creativity; pure Inspiration, Inspiritus, the breath of God.
This is the sewing room where they make things for churches . . .
. . . like cassocks and vestments and other church items . . .
There is beautiful religious art on every wall in the house . . . on a much, MUCH smaller level, it reminded me a little bit of Westminster Abbey in London, so many things, so much interesting calligraphy, and everything handmade.
Like this . . .
Which they do for their own enjoyment . . .and to honor their deep faith.
They also make things with Mother of Pearl, I’m not sure if they made this, but it was so special I had to take a picture.
And here is where they dye wool which they sell and spin themselves . . .
Some of the dye colors . . .
Coloring the wool . . .
Color-match samples on rings in the dyeing room.
And a little spinning going on . . .
There were drawerfuls like this one of dyed wool in all colors. . . the convent does not solicit funds, they don’t wait around expecting to be supported, they work for a living . . .
If I was a nun, I would want to be the embroiderer! Baby’s bibs, jean pockets, and pillowcases!
Their doll collection on a shelf in the yarn room . . .
And cat bed nearby, just like home!
This is their third kitty, a rag doll also, but this shy kitty does not go limp when there are strange humans around. It goes the opposite of limp and gets out of the room as quickly as possible. Got a good photo of her little nose though.
They also make beautiful mosaics . . . this one is only about half done . . .
We were shown how they break up the glass to make the right sized pieces . . .
And the tools they use to do it . . . we just shook our heads in amazement.
Mother Xeni thinks I should write a book about our trip to Scotland! I told you, they are ANGLOPHILES!!! Mas Musica, for the Sisters and for us . . .💞
In their cupboard, vintage dishes and tea things, and their collection of Beatrix Potter coins from the Royal Mint in England. My kind of girls!
When they added their library onto the Holy Nativity Convent, they knew they wanted a room big enough for all of them to sit in front of a fire on snowy days and read, or make things, or drink tea or pet the kitties, so they built this! The most comfy room imaginable, and all dressed for Christmas. So homey on that cold blustery day!
There is no doubt in my mind that these Sisters dreamed this all up and made it happen for themselves. The nurturing life they wanted to live ~ so special, creative, and original, it just had to happen that way. I’m standing at the fireplace looking back into the library where everyone was gathering.
Emma Bridgewater tea things, of course, what else for a house filed with Anglophiles! They presented us with an . . .
And beautifully done . . .
With lots of yummy things to eat, including homemade bread, and real English Lemon Curd…
Gayle was thinking, just like me, how did we get so lucky? Because this was just the taste of Christmas spirit we’d hoped for. Almost a real-life Santa’s Village, filled with charming, indefatigable elves.
Laughing, talking about books and England, and about their once-a-year trip to the Holy Land . . . having a wonderful time.
Mother Seraphima gave me this thimble with the image of Beatrix Potter on it . . . I just love it.
It has these words on the back . . . now it sits with my Beatrix Potter people on the kitchen shelf over my sink . . . SO lucky. ❤️
They fed us so well! Bruce finally had to give up!
We had to get a picture together . . . look at darling Mother Pelagia and Mother Xeni at the bottom. Sisters! Full of light and joy.
It was getting late, there was a storm brewing, lots of wind, it was time to go, and they all came out on the front porch to say goodbye…
It was a wonderful afternoon. It won’t be the last. We’ll go back someday.
T H A N K Y O U D E A R S I S T E R S. 💖
And that wasn’t all! They sent us home with a bag filled with wonderful things to put under our tree, one of which was a music box, a wooden creche with a star on top that you can turn to hear Silent Night!
And this candle lights us into the New Year. We’re going two doors over to my girlfriend Lowely’s house for dinner tonight. We’re in charge of the salad which I need to get busy with now! Hopefully later tonight, by the time the ball drops in New York, we will be tucked in our beds, visions of sugar plums still dancing in our heads with prayers for a peaceful loving 2017.💖
My first project in the New Year will be to finish the 2018 calendars (they are due the end of February, and will go on sale sometime in July, believe it or not! I started painting them 
in 2016, FOR 2018, which is more confusing than you might imagine!) We’re getting a reprint done for AUTUMN and A FINE ROMANCE . . . And then, as reward for all our hard work, Joe and I are taking the train to California for my mom’s 87th birthday at the end of February. We’ll be out there for about a month, that way we can go back and visit Mom three times, in-between other visits. I’m also planning a book signing in San Luis Obispo at the Apple Farm sometime between the 12 and the 25th of March, just in cases you are in the area, I would love to see you! I’ll let you know the date as soon as it’s set in stone. It will be the only signing … too short a time for a book tour! We need to be back home early April, for lots of spring cleanup around this place and a garden that is calling my name! Might have to write a new book too! I’ve been thinking about it. Lots of fun surprises in the New Year.
Hope you enjoyed our trip to the convent! You never know what you will find on this blog (and interestingly, I never know either! 🤗) But I’ve heard that lots of you have the smell of Spicy Short Ribs wafting through your houses today, so life is good! 🍾 Happy New Year to you all. ❤️I’ll see you next year! ❌⭕️
Hi Susan,
Loved the tour with the Nuns. I have been buying their candles since you talked about them in 2014. They are the best. Now when I order more I can picture where they come from. Thank you!!
Nancy Jo
Thank you for the delightful and uplifting post. Just what we needed for
the New Year. The sisters are beautiful. If I were a nun, I’d want to
be one of them but they would find me lacking and lazy! Love that they
have cats. Just like home. Happy New Year to all of you and safe travels
to see Mom. Julia in SC
Oh my! This entire post is just breathtaking. Get thee to a nunnery takes on a whole new meaning! All that and yarn too! Wow!
Yarn, kitties and tea! I mean, who could ask for anything more?
Rosanne, you might want to check the Elizabethan slang for “a nunnery.” Ha! I know what you intended, but always found this amusing. Rachel
Susan, what a truly wonderful day! The sisters are amazing. Thank you for sharing with all of us. Have a blessed New Year.
Same to you Sharon!
Oh my. What a beautiful post. The convent is gorgeous, warm, a safe haven, lovingly cared for and such talent. I have never been to a convent and this impressed me so much. The nuns looked so sweet, you can see the light in their faces. Thank you so much for sharing.
My pleasure, I knew everyone would love it as much as we did!
What a lovely blog today, so happy and joyfull. Thank you for the visit, a perfect day.
Here is hoping we can keep that joy in our heart!
Happy New Year from the Treasure Coast of Florida. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
Love those kitties!
Fingers crossed Bev!
I ordered their beeswax tapers when you shared a link awhile ago. Such nice candles! I love 9ve seeing where they live and hearing their story. Ohhhh, a book signing for my March 13 birthday…might have to take a drive to SLO-town! Happy new year!
That would be good!
Happy New Year Susan, Joe, Jack, and All the Girlfriends! It seems the start of a new year fills us with hope and anticipation … I pray it will be a good year for us all.
Thank you for the “tour” of the convent. What lovely and talented ladies they are! So interesting to see where they live and work, and all the things they create! And their cats are beautiful …
And thank you, Susan, for sharing your year with us. Bittersweet memories of losing your Dad and Girl Kitty … I still miss them! And wonderful adventures on your book tour and the trip to Scotland and England. I’m glad you’re thinking of writing another book … I hate to nag you about that, but the Twitters from the Twip just didn’t do it — we need details, photos, drawings, names, recipes — well, you know.
Wishing everyone a fantastic 2017!!
Barb
Oh my heavenly word! That is like a place in a dream! I want to just immerse myself in that wonderfulness. Go and never leave. I almost can’t believe it.
Thank you for showing us this amazing place.
There’s only one word, “magical!”
I’m off to make the whole-wheat seedy bread. Thank you…and Happy New Year, Susan and Joe!
Same to you Shanna!
Thank you so much for taking us on a tour of the convent! I loved every moment of it, from the beaming smiles of the sisters to the beautiful warmth of the rooms (especially the dining room and the library) to the inspiring arts and crafts of their hearts and hands. And that first kitty — a bruiser! Would love to know his/her name.
As for your own lovely home, you and I have the same sense of style when it comes to decorating — I hang all sorts of goodies from knobs and knockers around the house, too. Little bits of Christmas joy sprinkled throughout to lift our spirits.
Hugs to you, Joe, and Jack as you say farewell to 2016 and bon jour to 2017. May God’s love be your guiding light.
Thank you Marigold! xoxo
love your name Marigold, its so sweet
This was a beautiful post! I absolutely loved it all. It was wonderful to see inside the convent. It was nothing like I imagined!
Me either, just the coziest of homes with every room a craft room! Definitely all women live there!
Yes, Susan, please, please, please write a book about your adventures in Scotland! Thank you for this inspirational post – such a delight to read. Happy New Year to you, Joe, Jack and everyone!
Same to you Penelope!
Happy New Year to you and Joe ! Loved your visit to the convent…my Uncle Father ( you will get it in a minute) was a priest and when I was a little girl and went to visit he would take me to the convent and the nuns spoiled me. They made me a doll with handmade habit just like they wore…Sisters of St. Cyril and Methodius. I loved it…and then it ended up in a box of dolls and several moves later I found her…in pieces. Luckily we live near a wonderful little doll shop and the lady/magician there had done a great job on my Aunt Mamie’s Queen Louise doll from the early 1900’s…so I took it there. She put her back together, starched her wimple, found rosary beads for her habit and she was back as good as new. Recently I learned about a “sort of cousin” of our family that celebrated her 75th Anniversary as a sister of St. Cyril and Methodius…I looked her up, went to visit, and we now are pen pals…even though she is 95 she is as sharp as a tack and has that wonderful “nun” handwriting. SO…once the doll was all done I wrapped her up and sent her to the retirement convent for all the nuns to enjoy ! Felt good to send her “home” all spiffed up ! Have a fabulous New Year’s Eve…we are having dear friends for an early dinner – loved setting the table and making it festive – then everybody home early and dreaming of all the good things to come in 2017. Wishing you and Joe much health, happiness, and luck in the New Year !
Lovely story, Ann. How thoughtful and loving to send your doll to your cousin and her sisters, and lovely to think of their smiling faces and the happiness you gave them with the doll. Thank you for sharing your story with Susan and us GFs ♡
All that and Heaven too!
Thank you for taking us with you, Susan! I’m inspired to make 2017 a year of creativity!
Love,
Debbie
That’s a wonderful idea Deb!
The convent is so close to us we will visit sometime. Your pictures are fabulous, what a wonderful place to visit at Christmas time. Happy New Year to you and Joe. XOXO
Same to you Kathy, and to George too! xoxo
Oh my stars! What an amazing group of women. Of course they would be lead to find you! Thanks for introducing us to them. I will be ordering some candles from them soon. These are the kind of inspiring women I love to support. Just like you! Happy New Year!
Thank you Judith, and Happy New Year to you too!
Susan-I love ALL of your blogs but this had to be the most interesting! How lucky you were to be invited to this lovely convent. Just couldn’t believe how many beautiful projects these sisters were involved in. What a wonderful gift to you and Joe. Happy New Year to you.
It was a gift ~ the perfect Christmas present! Happy New Year Mary!
Thanks for another wonderful post. What a treat to see where the Nuns live and work and to see such joyfulness in those beautiful faces. You’ve made my day! I plan on saving the link to their store and will do some early Christmas shopping for next year – never to early to start! Happy New Year to you and Joe and to Jack. May it be the best year ever!
Never too early to start, Fran! So right! Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing your visit with the Nuns. I hope it will stay on your website for a long time so I can be inspired over and over. How homey and inviting. I would love to spend some time there and the cats WOW. I am waiting to pick up my Balinese kitten which I just purchased. Thank you again and Happy New Year.
I keep all the posts on my website forever … just look down the right hand column and you will see they are there! Have fun with your new baby, Jean!
I’m not exactly sure why the beauty of all this made me cry – the creativity, the smiles, the gift of each other, and the warmth of their welcome – a little touch of heaven, perhaps.
Thank you for inviting us along.
My pleasure, so happy you enjoyed it. xoxo
Oh Susan, I am delighted you have shared your visit to the convent. What industrious, loving, joy-filled women. Makes my heart feel so good to see all that you have shared! I think I can see how much they enjoyed your visit. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas. Happy New Year to you and Joe! Love, Martha Ellen XOXO ♥
Happy new year to you both ……thank you for your story of the visit to the nuns..amazing…just makes me want to get creating.
May you be blessed in 2017 as you bless us all through your words, photos and music..thank you.
Happy New Year to you and Joe! May you be blessed this year with health, friends and happiness!!
Carol M
I am amazeballs over those nuns and their many God given talents!! Thank you so much for sharing them with us! I absolutely love your face in the picture with the boat purse! You look almost exactly like that little girl with the reddish hair you posted from one of your other blog posts! So adorbs! I just love you SB and wishing you many blessings in the New Year!
xoxoxox
Lisa
Happy almost New Year! Or, if we were in Scotland at this very minute I would say, “Happy Hogmanay”! Looking forward to all the wonderful things we will read on your blog next year! This visit to the convent looks amazing!!! What a house of creativity! I can’t believe it!!!! Thanks for all the beauty you share with us!!! Looking forward to that new book…..
What a winter blessing you have given me(us). Thank you so much for sharing – as you always do. I am terrified of what 2017 may bring but with your help, will think on these things,:Philippians 4:8.
It’s a tough time for the world. First thing to do, turn off the tv and radio for a while and only watch TCM movies. xoxoxo
One of your movie suggestions (from Netflix) is here now, along with our first snow – we’ll have a fire and pancakes and watch it!!
Dreamy! Pancakes and old movie, who could ask for more!?
Happy New Year, Susan! Thank you for always brightening our days! I loved the glimpse into the convent! So cozy AND creative! I think a life like that would never be short on contentment!
Hi Susan,
What a beautiful visit. Just the kind of escape needed in the world we live in today. And so creative, like you said. Unbelievable.
I went to the link for your “Moons” bookmark, but what came up was all kinds of weird things, not your bookmark. Don’t know if it was just me or that happened to others. Thought I should let you know. I look forward to that bookmark every year. Can’t wait to see what you have planned for 2017.
A happy and healthy new year to you and Joe.
Try again HERE for the Moons Bookmark! Hope this works!
Thank you for another great post as you have put so much in it! I love seeing your table top tree, little touches of decorations here and there. I always hate to take everything down after New Years because it gives the home more warmth and sparkle just when days are too short and nights too long. I do remember Iris the neighbors’ dog from when you posted her picture on here. I really enjoyed the visit to the convent, and the pictures show it is nothing what I thought a convent would be like. So warm and inviting and pretty! The nuns are very talented and artistic; I don’t know where to begin; it’s amazing they can do so many different crafts and not only support themselves doing it but bless others who get to buy their crafts. That advent calendar hanging across the fireplace is clever, and I wonder if there are 17 special treats/gifts in each bag! What a wonderful visit you and your friends had, tea, treats and all. Thanks for another great post and hope you have a wonderful time tonight. Happy New Year!XOXOX
Oh what joy you brought to my last day of 2016! I loved every minute of reading this post and seeing the wonderful photos from the Convent…what a special treat! I’m sure your visit to them was as special a treat for them! Thank you so much for sharing this truly lovely visit! Happy New Year to you, Joe and Jack too! See you next year – hopefully at the Apple Farm:)
whew, just ran down all the pix and will read and enjoy later, on my way to the annual Messiah Sing Along, a lovely way to end the Christmas season. Perhaps you mentioned it, but I did not see a pic of you and Princess Leah (sp??) who stole your hairdo! Blessings for the new year, hugs from Sandy 🙂
Susan,
“The True House of Creativity” is fabulous! Thank you for sharing the story.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” to you too!
Hugs,
~C
Made me feel like I’d better get get off this tablet and do something. How totally inspiring. They all look so blissfully happy 🙂 Excited to see you in SLO in March. Blessings in the New Year.
So excited that you will be back in San Luis Obispo! Looking forward to your signing at Apple Farm and will plan on it as soon as the date is announced. I got to meet Joe when you were in Morro Bay this year but couldn’t stay to meet you. Definitely will do that this time! Happy New Year from San Luis Obispo County!
By far, my most favorite post of all time. Thank you ❤️
What a delight! You were kind in sharing your visit with the Sisters.
Happy New Year
Hi Susan
This was by far one of my favorite blog posts. How I loved seeing those sweet nuns and all that they do. I would live there!!!! it was so cozy and so fun to see so much creativity. That will surely be something you will never forget. Have a fabulous time with your friends Susan. Happy New Year***
deezie
Happy New Year Susan! 🎉🥂🍾🎉 Wishing you and Joe a lovely and memorable New Year. One of the highlights of 2016 was meeting you at a book signing! Sending love and all best wishes to you and yours,
Love,
Kelly
That last kitty looks just like mine!
First of all….Happy New Year!!! May 2017 bring you much happiness, good health and a wonderful year! I must say, this post was wonderful!! What a great time you had visiting the sisters. I had a great aunt that was a Mother Superior. She was from Portugal. What a sweet lady she was. All of 4ft. 9 and a very sweet lady. I only got to meet her once. She came to America to meet my grandfather (her brother) after not seeing each other for 55 yrs. It was wonderful. The sisters are so crafty and make beautiful things. In addition to being great cooks! Thanks for bringing back memories for me. Loretta
That was an inspirational Blog. I’m ready to join that convent and play in all their art. Happy New Year!
Oh Susan what a truly delightful post, portraying a magical time The Sisters have at CHRISTMAS. Wishing You and Joe a very healthy and contented New year. Gill x
Loved it all. I so enjoy your letters and feel we are kindred spirits. I met you
at Gladys Taber’s a couple of years ago. She is also my kindred spirit. Just keep
all these wonderful letters coming for the new year. And a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and Joe and of course Jack. Beth
What good friends you make wherever you go! Your convent trip made me feel like I was along with you. Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for sharing your visit to the convent. On this New Year’s Eve Day, I’ve been thinking about how I want to move my focus away from so much of the negativity of politics and the news. In 2017 I want to more fully embrace each moment and be open to beauty, kindness, goodness, & compassion. Reading what you shared about the lives of these nuns is very inspiring. We can make a difference by choosing the path of peace and kindness. Thank you so much for this post!
Sue, A delight to read as this year passes on to a wonderfully exciting new year. It will be worth reading again tomorrow. The sisters are so joyful and crafty and hard working. I am happy they have HYGEE and are willing to share. Thank you so much and a happy and prosperous 2017 to you and Joe.
These nuns are so special amd charming! I would love to visit with them! Thanks for sharing, and wishing you and Joe a very happy, healthy, amd prosperous New Year! xoxo
Thank you so much for this beautiful post!! What amazing women of God! You too, my dear! love you, Happy New Year!
Just WOW!!!
This so much for sharing! 💖
Carol
Thank you Susan! What a gift you gave us….the nuns work hard and are rewarded with love and peace. Beautiful tour for this holiday season. Let’s keep it in our hearts and bring it with us into 2017! All my best to you and Joe.
WOW! What DON’T they do creatively? Just the 17 of them? They are busy ladies.
Oh Susan, LOVE this post about the nuns and their convent. I attended an all girls’ Catholic school for twelve years, which also had boarding students, so we were sure Hayley Mills’ movie The Trouble With Angels was written about us! Our nuns were sweet (except one) and smart and such a great influence in my life, the order Religious Sisters of Mercy. And the kitties!! My husband and I have a Ragdoll, she adores him and kind of likes me so when I get a purr or allowed to love on her it’s a great day! Rainy cold and drizzly here in Little Rock, getting fireplace ready for New Year’s Eve and football games on TV. Hope you and Joe and all the Girlfriends have many blessings in the coming year🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so much for this post, Susan! Never thought I’d see the inside of a nunnery and such a pleasant surprise. So much talent and creativity. And kitties too!
My hubby and I and the bunnies wish you all the best in the new year. We have a heavy snowfall warning here so we’ll stay close to hearth and home tonight.
Blessings,
Laurie
Happy New Year!!!🎉 As always, your post was delicious to read, sweets for our souls! Thank you for sharing the Sisters with us, allowing us to feel the love, peace, and joy through your photos!
Christmas at our house was blessed with lots of Susan Branch beauty…cookbooks, calendar, and the Grandma Tell Me Your Story book!🎄🏡 I absolutely LOVED filling in special dates on my calendar…leisurely as I marveled over the works of your hands! How wonderful not only to give your books, but to receive from your storehouse as well!!!
I join with the Sisters in praying God’s blessings for you and Joe in the new year and beyond!
Thank you for blessing us!
This is such an interesting post and proves that creativity is everywhere. These nuns are amazing and using their God-given talents, with great joy, to help the world to be a better place. Wish I could be having your “spicy short ribs of beef” tonight, but have a really bad cold and they will have to wait. Fortunately for my hubby, I bought a 6 qt. stock pot last week and filled it with a beef/veg soup to try it out. It has saved the day since I haven’t felt like cooking and he doesn’t. He’s grocery shopping for me now (which he does really well) and will get his reward of ribs soon. LOL! Hugs and happy new year!
Feel better Barbara! xoxo
Oh I loved reading about the sisters. Thank you for sharing about them! Now I must go as I just have to go visit their online shop.
Happy New Year!
What a wonderful thing it is to know that there are women who live and create together in so much beauty. Have always thought that nuns in convents live a life devoid of the lushness that these sisters surround themselves with, no wonder the smiles!
Happy 5th Day of Christmas and a Joyous New Year.
Truly Heaven on Earth! Thank you for sharing!
Have a fabulous New Year’s Eve.
What a beautiful convent – full of love, art and warmth! Thank you for the tour.
It warmed my heart to see they have kitties. We had a beautiful Ragdoll for almost 18 years and we miss her. She was a real sweetheart.
Happy New Year everyone! Keeping fingers crossed for a good 2017!
This little visit is just what my heart needed. The perfect way to close out this year. Thank you, dear Susan and Sisters.
Wow!!! So much talent under one roof!!! You have seen some wondrous things in your life!! 💜How absolute special!! Those cats are so beautiful!! A little question for ya….in your pictures of your house what kind are the dishes in the pic with the little boat purse?? I bought a set from you called I think Washington Booth….I think. Are those the same???
Those are Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz in that photo.
Susan . .I loved your blog and thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the convent. I couldn’t help but notice in your pics that I have the same wallpaper in my dining room that you have in one of your rooms . .pale yellow background with groups of roses! I also noticed that I have the same dishes as one of your friends . .as soon as I saw the lovely table setting I (screamed) because I couldn’t believe I was seeing yet another similarity between us. Guess we must be kindred spirits after all!
Must be! 💖
Susan, I am as close to speechless as I possibly can be- this post is AMAZING!!!!! These beautiful nuns are very gifted women. What a blessing they are to the world! Thank you, Susan, and happy New Year to you and Joe!
Wow! Just wow. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place. Now I kind of want to be a nun 🙂
What an interesting post. I’m teaching myself how to crochet for the new year and talk about creative inspiration. Also, I’m reading The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell, it’s a British expats experience of moving to rural Denmark. The funniest part is how much it reminds me of Isle of Dreams… with a sceptic, reluctant Londoner who has a dry, depreciating British wit. I think you’d really enjoy it (plus you really learn about hygge in a funny way). Happy New Year!
Definitely a “little touch of heaven” in this blog. Just the most appropriate time of year too! Thanks so much for the beautiful blog as usual. I always glance at the pictures first they go back and do the reading. I absolutely look forward to your blog! Were you caught in that snow storm over the past week?
The snow missed us. Still easy to walk out to the sea every day, so we are counting our blessings while waiting for snow!
Dear Susan,
For the Sisters and for me could you put “Epiphany” or “Little Christmas” on January 6th of your 2018 calendar? Some also call it the Three Kings Day.
Thank you for sharing your visit and friend’s table settings.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎆
Margot
I truly love the clock and the saying. How much fun would it be to cook together? Tell your friend that I think the white table setting~candles and flowers was breath taking…
Margot
I’ll do it. I did already, but now I’ll do it for you Margot!
Talk about “hands to work, hearts to God.” What a lovely place. I’m not even Catholic and wanted to be a nun after first seeing the Sound of Music, and this post makes me want to again. 🙂 When we lived in Virginia, we visited a Trappist Monk monastery that is kind of the male version of this place–busy, making fruitcakes, tending the land, etc. Just a lovely place of purpose. Thank you so much for sharing your visit, and best wishes for a wonderful 2017.
LOL, the music in Sound of Music made us all want to be nuns! I have tasted those AMAZING fruitcakes from the Trappist Monks, they are my new Christmas forever tradition, so delicious. I still have one in the fridge!
Lovely post Susan! I was thinking about having to make calendars so far into the future and you must feel like time is really slipping by…I know I think that quite often. It’s so important to enjoy every moment, isn’t it?
I’m in South FL working and performing Shakespeare in the FL Renaissance Festival for the next 3 months- beautiful weather but I do miss the mountains of Asheville, NC. Enjoy your getaway! Happy New Year to you and yours xoxo
You are performing Shakespeare? How wonderful Jacqui! Break a leg! xoxoxo
Haha- performing Shakespeare in the Renaissance Festival keeps me young! (I’m pushing 60). I figure as long as I can keep doing it, I can defy my age. It’s like the fountain of youth. xoxo
I’m sure it is. Gets your mind on more important things too. So creative!
Thank you for sharing, Susan. Your comment about realizing you’d missed seeing the Nuns as soon as you saw them at your book signing rang true with me, too. Those smiling and content faces give me a feeling of peace. Happy 2017 to you and Joe!
Fantastic blog!!!!! Loved every word, picture…..have a wonderful New Year filled with all the love and creativity your heart desires!
What a beautiful post today! Thank you for sharing the warmth, smiles and creativity of the sisters, as well as their shop link, where I’ve just placed an order. I spent a good portion of the day writing all the special days in my 2017 Susan Branch pocket calendar. I too hang decorations from knobs and such. Taking us into your lovely home and the convent brightened a gray, dreary day. Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful convent and joyful nuns. I did keep hoping to see at least one loom (since I’m a weaver) set up with their wool. Perhaps the next person who joins that order will decide to add that skill. But they certainly have an amazing number of choices to create beauty. Hugs to you and happy new year (2017 in case you forget).
I think there was a loom there … I’m pretty sure!
What a beautiful way to spend a few minutes! Thank you for sharing your visit with us. Such a magical place and such a talented, lovely group of women. Happy New Year Susan, Joe and Jack!
Susan,
I loved the post. The nuns are delightful; just like you. We are cut out of the same piece of cloth. Again, you must come to KC to visit me and stay in my Beatrix Potter bedroom (where you will stay) in my English Manor house. If you dream it, it will happen!!! Happy New Year, dear girl.
Many hugs and love,
Becky Ross
You can do anything! xoxoxo
Happy New Year Susan! You always take us to the most amazing places, this has to be one of my favorites. What an example these nuns are to the rest of us to live life to the fullest and with creativity, along with a happy heart! Looking forward to whatever you bring us next in 2017!
I loved this. Just loved it so much. I know nothing of nuns. I didn’t know they could be surrounded with such color and joy. I think it’s wonderful they can have self-expression in the name of Christ. The glow and love in their faces just fills ME with joy. Thank you for bringing their story to us. I went to their shop site and ordered a lot of stuff. It’s lovely, locally-handmade, organic, decently-priced, SPECIAL stuff; a win all the way around. But mostly, now, I’m hooked on these gentle souls and so impressed for what they do for others. Your photos make me want to jump right in there and be a part of such a nice day; I can feel the warmth of the people and the room, the Christmas decorations and food. It’s all love, just pure love. Makes me cry. But they’re good tears. Love you, Susan; thank you for giving me such a gift today with your last-day-of-the-year post. Sweetness is the right word. And you’re going to have a sweet 2017, you sweet person YOU.
PS: Adorable cruise ship (ocean liner?!) mini purse from kate spade new york. I’ve seen it elsewhere! Love all their novelty purses and bags…and jewelry…and, of course, The Clothes. I admire from afar (pricey[!]; I think they sometimes use 12K/14K gold on bag clasps…made/sewn to last; excellent quality and SO much fun); lucky you/perfect for you. What a thoughtful gift!
It really was so thoughtful! Of course I’ve heard of Kate Spade but haven’t really looked much at what she has. No department stores on the Island, so unless we go to her website, we just don’t run into her much! It was a wonderful surprise.
Love you Vicki, thank you for everything!!!
If THIS post doesn’t warm one’s heart, put a flutter in the pulse and inspire the soul, then I don’t know what will. Wow!
I’m already looking forward to your next visit w/ them! 😉
A wonderful Southern woman author, Flannery O’Connor, once said, “Everything that rises must converge”, one of her book titles. I’m feeling this meaning as it applies to you, dear Susan. You have risen above sadness and loss, above bitterness and written and painted your way into our hearts. You give us every day ways to rise to meet our troubles and possibly pass on the love and hope you give to us. Of Course you and the wonderful nuns would converge, and we are the beneficiaries.
Must check on the ribs!!! Always better the second day. Tom and I are both salivating, but will save it for tomorrow.
Thank you for this wonderful blog. Tears of happiness dripping on my lap.
Debbie in Tampa….for now.
Susan and Joe and the most adorable, Jack, First of all a very
A Happy New Year to you all. You received the best gift of all, the living, breathing spirit of Christmas. Then showing and reminding us all of this spirit in action. Thank you, thank you. And the surprises to take home. How wonderous. And the most delightful wrapping to hide the treasures inside. I know you must have snippets of it tucked away in your memory box. And so many talents in one place. Plus, we now feel as if we were there with you all.
Much love and bunny hugs to all,
Shirley from Aledo, Tx
Thank you for sharing such a special day. That was a true blessing. I’ve already looked at their website and I see some purchases in my future for the New Year. Happy New Year to you and Joe and I really appreciate your sharing your wonderful experiences with us. Blessing for 2017.
What a delight to read about your visit to the Convent. Happy New Year to you!
Loved your trip to the convent!! Beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing this most wonderful visit to the convent – an enchanted and magical place! I am in awe of the creativity in this home. Each photo was a feast for the eyes. It would have been difficult to leave. You have so many marvelous experiences, truly life in abundance. I know you know how very blessed you are. Best wishes for the New Year. May 2017 bring hope, peace and love to our world.
Coming out of that house, Bruce and Gayle, Joe and I, just stood in the driveway AMAZED at what we had just experienced, feeling so very lucky and in the spell of total blessing. Your wish for 2017 is mine also, Ann. xoxo
Such a wonderful tour to end this sad year! Some of the happiest people I have ever knownare nuns and this convent certainly is full of love and life in equal measures. Wishing you and Joe and all yours a joyous New Year Susan. Thank you so much for all you share and for your sweet heart.
Fabulous wonderful post. Cozy and inspiring. Im going to search for the convents online store. They are amazingly gifted artists.Thank you
Debra
Thank you, Susan. This was absolutely heavenly! What a great way to greet the new year.
Susan, your blog never ceases to fill me with happiness. This one was especially stunning! Thank you as always for sharing your joy of life and love of beauty. Your blogs and books are a feast for eyes and soul. Wishing you and Joe and your family much happiness and good health in the New Year!
Thank you!
All the best for 2017 and beyond.
And, listen to Mother Xeni….write the book about Scotland (please)
What a wonderful tour. Thanks so much. Happy 2017 Susan!
Hello Susan,
What a wonderful letter, but they all are !! You remind me of Anne of Green Gables, you are a kindred spirit to the way the world use to be & wish it still was in many ways!
So happy to hear you are going to be at the Apple Farm Inn, my husband & I were up there for Christmas holiday, it’s so beautiful , it’s a wonderful place to do a book signing, I hope to see you there . I did meet you a couple years ago in Pasadena when you did a book signing there.. always love to hear about what you & Joe are doing!!! A very Happy New Year !!
Well, many things show me the world has not changed as much as TV and the movies might tell us (be selling us). Most people, I’ve found, are wonderful. We all have so much in common that way. xoxoxo Happy New Year Shelley!
The aroma from the Short Ribs was wafting around here soon after you posted the recipe. Wow…..VERY delicious! Thank you. Tonight I’m delighted with this visit with the sisters. Great way to bring in the New Year. And a new book……?? Yes, please!
Please please write a new book. Include your recent trip to England. Maybe a book with each Chapter a trip. Such as, off Island to Boston, Christmas shopping off Island. A trip to a bookstore. I know A roadtrip book signing book. Each Chspter one of the sweet indepentdent book store you went to on your recent book signing adventure. Please a chapter on, if you did, eat at cute nostalgic diners along the way. Please another book
Debra
Okay. xoxo
This was a great post Susan. Wonderful pictures and looking at this on my iPhone so can’t wait to see on my computer . Always love all your post. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Lovely! I have visited only two convents in my life. Neither was as wonderful as the one you recently visited, with so many treasures and so many workshops and so many fine crafts. And I especially loved the library!
Thank you for sharing!
I’ve never been to any others, but this was a place of magic!
P. S. I love your Queen Mary ship purse!
Love your newsletter, especially your visit to the convent. Amazing women, Thank you for sharing and for being YOU. Happy new year!
I’d love to visit. It was a dreamy look at such love and determination to take care of themselves with such beautiful treasures to share with others. Thank you for sharing your visit!!
Heaven, I’m in Heaven………. Singing this just seems so natural and continues the sheer love and joy which oozes from the faces and home of these amazing girls. Most certainly a House of creativity. Thank you so much for this beautiful account of your visit to the Convent, what a wonderful experience. Beaming Nuns with huge hearts and unending talent,very special girlfriends of yours, thank you for sharing Susan. HAPPY NEW YEAR.