I’m weary of swords and courts and kings. Let us go into the garden. 🌸 Mary Johnston🌸 Chair dance anyone? Oui! ☺️ MUSICA
I ask myself the same question every day when I get up, “How do I move myself forward today?” It’s a great question, it gets me moving . . . because, I have places to go and people to see, and I need to work diligently in the direction of my dreams. Or I’m not happy. Even my tiniest steps forward add up!
For several years now, I’ve been on a mission, to learn more about the writing process, to see if I could figure out how to write my memoir books, to figure out how to get them 
published, and then to get it done. And while I did it, many other things in my life went onto the back burner. I was busy! And, one thing I wasn’t doing was deep cleaning, no good old-fashioned organization, or home care for my darling dear house that deserves better. But it got me for a mom, and 
therein lies the problem. As you are about to see. I can’t believe I am going to show such terrible photos. Normally I clean up before I take the pictures. It’s probably the worst I’ve ever seen it, mainly because we were hardly home last year, and when we got back, I began to “drop off” stuff in my studio, move it out of my view “until I had time to clean it.” I’m thinking someone else out there may experience this problem, so I thought I would do some before and after photos and talk about Spring Cleaning and how to de-clutter, lighten up, and simplify your life.💞 Shield your eyes, here we go . . .
The question is: Who’s in charge here? It was a daunting project to begin. I almost didn’t know where to start, every cupboard and drawer in our house is stuffed to the gills. But as 
time goes on, I’m becoming quite cutthroat about it. I choose emptiness. I took pictures of some of the harder things to get rid of. Now I own the memories associated with them forever! The bookshelves are full of books, some of which have been there since we moved into the house in 1989, any new books since then have had to find another place to go ~ I keep inserting tiny bookshelves in corners of the house, packing it all in even further, and now the only place left is the floor. But the floor is already almost totally covered with projects and boxes of who knows what, it’s layered. You could do a dig here, like James Michener’s The Source.
I began to empty the shelves and take most of the books to the living room, where I’m packing them to give to the second-hand bookstore on the Island. Not all of them of course. I kept the good ones! But not too many. I want empty shelves. I want empty shelves so bad. Room for new thoughts, new ideas! Room to breathe.
Because I can no longer live like this. I think it’s stealing my energy just having to look at it. There are three stacks of original art in plastic pages on the floor under the shelves! I don’t recognize the rest of it, it’s too much of a jumble. Stacks of books, stacks of papers, crowded Beatrix Potter people. I had to design cups on top of the mess in order to get them done in time. Doing a Willard in this mess would be impossible!
All so wrong. That door to the front hall has been blocked closed for maybe three years (It was way worse than this, I’d already moved most of the stuff!). And as I begin to move through it, I ask myself, do I need this, is it adding value to my life, and if the answer is no, then I say bye-bye! I want smooth surfaces, table tops especially. I’ve been getting happier and happier every day, and lighter and lighter, and basically, I’m downright giddy now! Waking up singing! The unbearable lightness of being!
It doesn’t look like this anymore. And as I’ve done it, shelf by shelf, going through everything piece by piece, file by file, box by box, I found interesting things I’d forgotten all about . . . and realized I was engaged in a form of treasure hunt.
I washed each shelf which had not seen the light of day since 1989. Basically the answer to how to do this, is one shelf at a time.
Yard by yard, it’s very hard, but inch by inch, it’s a cinch.
See the cupboards underneath? Same thing, one at a time. And that mess on the 
worktable? That BIG pile on the left is recipes, ideas, and quotes for my Tea Book which I’ve been adding to and saving for years, with no place to put it. It’s not there anymore. Now it’s organized, and my Tea Book project has one of those clean empty shelves all for itself!
And, I think, in my most maniacal of moments, now I have room ~ I can go antiquing again! 😜
Here’s one of the treasures I found, this card was in a recipe box I did for my mom around 1979. I forgot all about it, I don’t think I’ve seen it since then.
I’d brought home my mom’s recipe file from California, and inside were handwritten recipes and letters, from my mom, my grandma, and my great grandma. I also had recipes from my dad and my sisters . . .
And this detailed letter to my mom from my grandfather Willard’s mother, my mom’s “Gram,” and my great grandmother . . . her typing strokes are indented in the soft blue paper ~ Sioux City, Iowa is written at the top ~ and she is writing my mom in California about the only news that ever really matters to our lives. Turn off the TV, and this is what there is, the real stuff of life. 💌
This is the rest of the box I did for my mom . . . so I put all the recipes from everyone else in it . . . and a card explaining who is who, for the future people who will someday find it, maybe my brother’s and sister’s children, or who knows. Maybe some rescuing type of person in a second-hand store. But I have a picture of it now, so it’s mine forever, and the box will be saved in a special family file box.
Then I began on the file cabinet, pulled out each file, went through it, threw out tons of useless paperwork, then rearranged and put back what mattered. This de-cluttering adventure is a long-term project, but I would rather do it now when I choose to, than later, when I have to! Right now I just want to! Not all of it is memories, some of it is just stuff I don’t need. I’m recycling, donating, and throwing out. I already cleaned the kitchen and emptied the sideboard in the dining room, and got rid of 
half of it, and after I get this room done, I go upstairs! That’s also when I will get to start seriously painting four hours a day. As soon as the studio is clean and I feel the spaciousness of it, I’ll dip my brush in water, and hear the ringing sound as it hits the side of the dish and put my first color on the paper, early one morning, in the quiet, with my tea and my cat. I don’t think I’ll get the whole house done until sometime around August. I go as slow as I want. I go to the garden, I stare at the dogwood tree in bloom. Joe and I go to the nursery. I’m planning a tea party. I shoot hair bands for my kitty. I talk on the phone to Siobhan and Rachel in England. I design cups. I brake for John’s Fish Market chocolate shakes! But all while I’m lightening my life, and indulging in the treasure hunt and the joy of memory.
Luv-lee letters like this get photographed, and put into a “children’s letters” file. I’ve looked up names on some of the old letters ~ and amazingly found and followed them on Instagram (@susanbranchauthor)! Sometimes I don’t like the Internet, and sometimes, I love it!
And now, I have all my ideas for books in one place, in files, and NOT, as was before, in piles on the floor. Every day I feel better, I feel more and more inspired about what will come next . . . and think of the words I heard on some TV show, ” I tremble on the brink of life’s next great adventure.” But I can’t get there until I am out from under the weight of this stuffed house!
I’ve consolidated, whittled down, and distilled . . . honestly, so much of it just didn’t belong here anymore. I saved a few old things, like products I’ve made . . . put them into boxes, labeled them, and up the attic they go, saved for posterity. A very little bit of it. Stuff I hope that someday someone else will want. But if they don’t, at least it’s consolidated. I’m doing this thing just like I redecorate. Taking everything off the shelves out of the cupboards, washing and cleaning them, and putting back only what I can’t live without, and getting rid of the rest.
I had to keep a little bit of this! Just in cases.
And this too!
And of course the piles of original artwork . . .
All organized and stacked on those empty shelves where I can access them. Most of my original art is in an old bank safe in California. Each book I’ve written is totally intact, all the original pages are there, and each book is in its own acid-free box. 
Look at that. I’m making white space . . . ahhh, emptiness . . .
A finished person is a boring person. 💙Anna Quindlen
Don’t worry, I’m not the minimalist type, for me that would be going too far. And I’m not done. Only about half way right now . . . but I can see the trees in the forest! I thought you might like to see some of the treasures I found:
First off, this. The box of everything, all the photos, all the memorabilia, the diary pages, even some souvenirs, everything from the trip we took in 2001 with our nieces Heidi and Holly, to London, Paris, and Bath (where we first discovered the English Countryside) . . . our theme music from that trip was Dusty Springfield from the British Invasion cassette we had in the car . . . we sang as we traveled hill and dale . . . we still sing it. Joe sang it too . . .🎵 I don’t know WHAT to do with my self . . .🎵
Here we are boarding the ship in New York. In this photo, Heidi, on the left, is 11, my 
brother Brad’s daughter, who grew up in Colorado. On the right is Holly, she’s 12, she belongs to my sister Mary and grew up in California. The cousins had met only once before we took them away across the wide ocean for six wonderful weeks. We’d been planning it since they were six. It was the very best time I ever had. They were wonderful and funny and smart! The box with everything from this trip was on a high shelf here in my studio and hadn’t seen the light of day in years. I still have to go through it, and someday, when I get the photos scanned, I’ll do a post about that magical trip.
Something else, a note from my dad. Writing me about the correct way to drink tea.💞 Now it’s in my mom’s recipe box.
And this painting my dad did of his beloved dog, Chief.
And my mom’s jacks and balls. Which I labeled and saved.
And I found this photo of me and my brother Jim with my cute mom and dad, which I don’t remember seeing before, something else to put in her recipe box. Too bad about the over-exposure, but still . . . look how their arms lean into each other. They are in it together. And there’s a picket fence back there! I must have seen it and fell in love!
And this book was in the pile. I still remember the night I met Julia and how much it meant to me.
Deep in the files was this little notebook I used when writing my first book with all kinds of little reminders, quotes and notations, and even grocery lists. The address of Little Brown, and Random House. Lots of dreams tied up in this messy little book.
And I found the hollyhock seeds sent to me by Nicoline, one of our girlfriends from Holland, over a year ago! But I wasn’t here to plant them last spring, and we also went away in the fall, so they didn’t get planted then either ~ I decided to see if they would sprout, and look, they did!
Kind of a miracle . . .
You might remember Nicoline from our picnic in England! She and her husband came from Holland and she brought her own Petey doll to show me!
And now her hollyhocks are planted in my garden . . . I get so many plants from my girlfriends, I call my garden a friendship garden!
This was what it looked like outside this morning, the wisteria has begun to bloom, Lowely’s bluebells are blooming too, at the far corner of the picket fence!
I bring the blooming things in for the little shelf over my kitchen sink . . .
And took a photo of the inside of the little bells of Lily of the Valley . . .
And, you may ask, what has Joe been doing all this time! Oh, we are a team! He has been doing to the yard, what I have been doing to my studio. He’s been thatching, raking, mulching, top dressing, seeding and watering. Men ask, “What do women want?” But they should know . . . This is every woman’s aphrodisiac, someone to build a life with.💞 When we stand next together, our arms press together.
💛💛💛
You can hear Jack meowing! I love it when he talks in a video, not easy to get him to do it!
I heard the ferry boat whistle just now like a long musical note. 🎵 Sometimes I forget where I am, how close the sea is, until I hear the boat whistle!
And as so many of you know, the Studio has been busy too . . . sending out your new English bone china cups . . . 💞
And these are the people who’ve been making that happen. Alfredo, Sheri and Kellee at the Studio. Couldn’t do it without these wonderful people! Monday is Kellee’s birthday!
And I got mine!! Just as excited as everyone else!
I’m very proud of them. It’s hard finding really beautiful things, and then being able to afford to get them made, especially in foreign countries! Now we are importers! We talk palettes, air freight, and customs! TMI for sure!
It’s been a lot of fun on Twitter, so many Girlfriends have written and sent photos, saying, “Got mine!” Marcia (@msmrph) sent this darling photo of herself and her best friend Julie captioned “Tea for two Besties!” Makes my day! Our cup club is not very big, but it’s very wonderful!
We’re working to make your Christmas especially easy this year. I know it’s a long time until then, but in order to get things made in time, we have to start now… we love planning surprises. Especially for you. Like our dream charms. So many of you have asked us to bring them back, so we did. 💞 Here they are! I think they’ll be in our web store the first couple of weeks of June.
We reordered three of our most popular charms . . . Autumn (in that first photo), A Fine Romance (see the hedgerows?👍),
and the ever-popular “Be an Elf,” all with small gift cards . . .
And in the midst of cleaning the Studio, sort of on top of the layers, I did manage to finish designing the bottoms, the handles, and the backs of the new mugs, and sent them off to England where the process of manufacturing has already begun. They are supposed to be here by August! We’re taking no chances they would be late for Christmas, and we need that Autumn cup first! And, yes, they are in the web store for Presale right now! I know it’s hard to think Christmas, but please try, because, like with the last ones, when these are gone, they are gone. You’ll be glad when December comes and you don’t have to go Christmas shopping! ❤️ Here they are:
Santa Claus is coming to town! In 16 ounces of fine bone China from “the Potteries” in Staffordshire, England! And, yes, they are all dishwasher and microwave safe!
This is the back . . . (only a mockup, made from paper in these photos, will look a lot better in real life!)
I did a construction-paper chain for the handle. Oh by gosh by golly!
And we have a 16-ounce Bluebird of Happiness. Which is going to look really good in my new blue kitchen! 💙
Here’s the back. It’s trying to be whimsical!
And the handle. I think it’s adorable. But still, only paper!
And my Autumn cup is a little bit smaller, 11 ounces, because you asked! I’ll do one for every season, all this same size. The only difference between this design and the real life one to come, the handle is actually going to be on the other side . . . This quote will actually be on the “front” of the cup. . .
And this will be the back ~ the handle will be on the other side from what you see here, and the squirrel will be on the left facing the other way . . . I decided I liked it better like that. Decisions, decisions.
The handle. 🍂 Signifies abundance.🍁
And now, my Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams 16-ounce cup. You drink from it, and I hear, could be a rumor, but I think not, your dreams will come true. ⚡️
It’s a short trip to the Island, via cup. 🛳
And here’s the handle. 💙
Be sure to read the small print on the ordering page, it explains lots of things, like what we are doing, and why, when we retire each of the cups . . . too long for the blog, but extra reading while ordering and good clarification! Hope you like them!
Now, last but definitely not least, Jack. He has taught me a couple of new tricks. You know 
how cats jump up to rub on your leg? Well, he gets on the table and rubs (sort of butts) my forehead, and now I softly butt him back, and we have a meeting of the minds. He puts his head near mine and wants me to do it. We are blood cat brothers. He also LOVES the running water in the bathroom . . . we go there to play . . . he is rather calm in this video, because I have the camera and he knows it, but usually he makes me turn the water on and off really fast, he bites it and grabs it and sometimes he comes out of there wet! It’s his secret life. Joe doesn’t even know about this. How do I explain that I’m being trained by the cat?!
💙💙
And one more thing, I have a surprise for you . . . I thought we’d give away one of these new cups! If you already have yours, it’s okay, you’ll have a best-friend gift all ready to go!
And whoever our lucky winner is will get their choice of which one! In Love with Nature on the left, Little Things in the middle, or Love on the right. All you have to do is leave a comment! And in a week or so, we’ll get Vanna back from Bali (I think that’s where she is ~ she’s hard to keep up with!) to pull the winning name. And I hope it’s YOU! 🌸
Bye for now Girlfriends, have a wonderful day! Love and ❌’s, Me.
Oops! P.S. Almost forgot to say, in case anyone will be around, I’ll be signing books and visiting at Titcomb’s Book Shop on Wednesday, June 7, from 1 to 3pm … joining this wonderful, independent, family-owned bookstore in celebration of their 50th Anniversary! Please come by and say hello if you can! It’s on Cape Cod in East Sandwich, click above for details. There will be cupcakes, and you don’t need a ticket to come! 😘
Hi Susan! What a wonderful post! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your blog and Twitter posts. You are a true inspiration and bring joy to me each and every day! Sending you hugs from So. California! Have a marvelous Monday!
Doing the same here susan !!! my studio and house looks the same as yours, so don’t worry your not the only one that needs to declutter, I found receipts from 30 yrs ago for furniture I bought , that I don’t even have anymore. and just sold weekend house in country and didn’t need any of the stuff in it , but couldn’t part with some of my treasures, so had to DECLUTTER big time. And keep telling myself one day at a time, and I will eventually get it done. And my house is the pit stop for some of my childrens things that they don’t have room for at their places. Love the job you did though! And the new mugs are adorable!
Thank you for this update. I had heart palpations looking at your studio, but feeling much better after much of the clutter/life was reorganized. Btw, I love my cups and did not know they are both microwave and dishwasher safe so thanks for clarifying. Have a luv-lee week dear Susan.
Ahhh – your posts are such a breath of fresh air! Like laundry on the line on a violet-sky day, birdsong on a peaceful morning, trees whispering softly together, and gentle ocean waves. Thank you, Susan!
Amazing the way even doing things we love to do can pile up our lives. Last week I finished cleaning our 3 nightstand drawers because I couldn’t close them all the way anymore. Here’s to simplicity… of our space, our time, our enjoyments.
Love all of these mugs! I would be happy with any one. Please pick me!
Your cleaning in inspiration. I like your idea of taking a picture then letting it go. I too, hold on to too many things that I need to let go of. Things that really just clutter our lives and our souls. Thanks for the inspiration.
There is a weight that comes off ones shoulders when we get rid of “stuff” and keep only the things that give us pleasure and memories. LOVE the cups!! Will have to have a Martha’s Vineyard one. Visited your lovely island last year.
Nancy
I was so happy opening up my mug! I loved the bookmark too. I love the painted handles of all your mugs.It is such a sweet p.s. to the thoughts on the mug.
So happy to be back in the garden! Iloved the first sentence of this blog. Gardening grounds us and gives us hope for beautiful blooms not yet seen . : )
Good old-fashioned ‘spring cleaning’! I love you new mug designs – I just ordered a lovely Martha’s Vineyard mug – so beautiful!
Martha from CT
Love the mugs, especially the Xmas one.
Thank you.
Got my mugs…love them and can’t wait for the next ones.
I’m cleaning too, our Mothers taught us well. Pam
They sure did!
Ah.. I’ve been doing the same. Some much needed deep cleaning (Slowly) only I get to do the inside and outside. Unfortunately, I have a pack rat husband that WON’T go thru his things! Frustration. I’m sure that trip together to Europe for the nieces will be a wonderful lifelong memory. Oh.. the head butting…my cats do the same. It is actually called head butting (sometimes bumping) but it is a much more personal thing than rubbing up on your or purring. It’s bigger than a hug or a kiss.. in the kitty world it means… I LOVE you!! It’s for special people only.
And… I’d be happy to have the little things mug!
Not sure my comment got posted. I can’t find it.. Doesn’t mean it’s not there but I looked twice. We lost our electricity in the middle of reading your blog and things were messed up for awhile when it finally came back on. But I’ve been enjoying reading the comments tho. They are very motivating. Seems like lots are in the same boat of getting rid of the old excess. . I loved what you said …the stuff stays the same but we change. That hit home..that should be a Susan branch quote. 🙂 . Cris M in Oregon.
Hope you see this Cris! xoxo
Oh the de-cluttering! It seems like it never ends. I did it in a major way a year and a half ago and I need to do it again. Thank you for sharing all of your little treasures.
Thanks for this lovely blog, Susan! I need to declutter big-time myself. I have started in MY studio. I had let it get so bad, I couldn’t do my work up there. It’s lovely now, but I’m still painting at my kitchen table – I kind of worry about messing it (my studio) up again.
Anyway, I hope I win a cup! I appreciate your blog so much. It reminds me of what I hold dear.
Oh what a lovely post! Organization, memories – sweet memories, kitties, gardens, teacups and LOVE. Thank you for giving me a good excuse to feel REALLY happy on a Monday morning. Sigh . . . and now back to work.
Hello Susan!
I received the “Little Things” cup from my daughter for Mother’s Day along with a bag of Fairytale tea. What a surprise! I am so in love with the tea cup…it’s so beautiful! I have had my coffee and tea from it since I opened it!
I missed out on the first teacups! I am definitely preordering for a couple of them coming out this year! Thanks for the chance to win one of these. Love your blog still!
Love the photos! Most of can be a little embarrassed by the messes, but it is life. I did the very same thing to my little home a year ago and promised myself to keep it that way and surprisingly I have, decluttered. It is a bit surprising how freeing it can actually be, there is a weight to the stuff. Enjoy your efforts!
The cups are beautiful and I am thinking about which girlfriends get which ones.
Have a beautiful Spring Day!
Funny, I just looked at the name and email lines before I started typing this, and someone else’s name and email were there. I don’t remember that ever happening before.
De-cluttering, sorting, and lightening up, all better than down-sizing. Appreciate your sharing, and I am gearing up. So many projects to do, but 1 room, 1 shelf, 1 box, 1 drawer at a time! I just made that promise last week. Today is day one of the new program! I had better get started. I would like a new mug, who wouldn’t, your drawings make everything special! By the way, I looked at my copy of the Pepperidge Farm cookbook–a spoon is a spoon, and will always be a spoon, but that’s about as far as it goes! Love your style! It’s timeless and enchanting!
Hit refresh Pat, I think that might help with the name thing! And thank you! xoxo
Started the act of removal around here with the goal of donating or recycling one bag a week……. although I did not determine the size of the bag:) It became rather a game actually. I also made myself take the items to their destination quickly upon completion so as to not have a change of heart. It does work! I have empty spaces where before there was chaos. And everyone thinks I am organized? It is also rather funny how one can not part with something one week and the next….. it is out of here!!
Am I done you ask? Not by a long shot and we live in a rather small house compared to most houses. I continue to plug along a drawer, shelf, cupboard at a time. It is an ongoing process as what is so important changes at any given time. But the basement does beckon from time to time and so far those calls have been left unanswered! Maybe the next rainy day will find me flinging this and that into piles there?
I also found a little trick to make parting easier, just ask yourself: Am I using this? Do I have plans to use this? Can it be replaced? Easily and reasonably? If so, it is nice to think of it being with the person who will enjoy using it now:)
Perfect advice!
I moved 2 years ago and went through the weeding out process. I have to say, I don’t miss anything I donated. So many things I hadn’t seen or used in years. As you mentioned, it does re-energize once you do a cleaning out. I still can’t part with many of my books-including yours- Heart of the Home etc. and they will happily remain on my bookshelves along with photo books, recipe books, and music.
It can be tricky finding the balance between cozy and cluttered. I believe that every one of our possessions demands a small sacrifice from us, so we need to choose the ones to keep that are worth the cost, the ones that bring us joy or enrich our lives in some way. It’s very individual, of course! Your studio looks great, by the way!
It’s so nice to escape to my “Susan Branch World” where all things are just the way I like it. Such a wonderful comfort to me. I’m making myself a big note to remind me to get to Titcomb’s on the 7th of June. Hope I make it this time as I will be so pleased to finally meet you in person. The 7th is also my 37th wedding anniversary so another chance for cake!
Dear Susan,
You seriously are just the sweetest. I’m having a rough start to my day and reading your lovely blog, has made me smile and brought me some energy on a very slow-going Monday morning. How relevant to talk about cleaning up/parting with treasures. For some reason over the past couple of years, I’ve become worse and worse with house cleaning and organization (like you, too many other things going on) and when I do have spare time, I just don’t feel like tackling the chore. You’ve provided me with new inspiration here. Oh, and I adore the little video at the end about the secret life of Jack. I do love my two kitties and our daily-visiting “yard cat” (that’s what I call her).
Wishing you all the best,
Linda in Illinois
This blog arrived just in time for me–such serendipity! I’m clearing out my parents’ house, taking pictures of those things I really don’t need (like my Dad’s Eisenhower jacket from his daily Army uniform, or the lovely little dresses my Mother made and hand-smoked), putting aside items my parents collected during their travels for my sons, and keeping those things that have such a hold on my heart that I can never let them go. Then, of course, I need to downsize MY stuff. Perversely, I’m happy to know that I’m not the only one who has a hard time letting go! You’ve given me renewed impetus to get on with it! Thank you!
Thank you for this wonderful blog post. I am doing the same at home. It’s hard because I am sentimental and have three college-age kids who are very creative and have made lots of wonderful, artsy things to treasure. The teacups look very charming.
The cups looks beautiful as does your yard in spring. We have flowers here on the farm in Iowa…..but we seem to be having a hard time getting to warmer temps! Your studio looks wonderful. I do more sewing and quilting and some paper crafting. Trying to stay organized and on top of things is a work in progress!
I loved your ‘de-cluttering’ blog…inspiring…greatly needed for my ‘get-up-and-go’which is ‘stuck’ but hopefully ‘not gone’. I have been in the same house for 69 years!!! and when my daughter who has 8 children (!) spring-cleans, she brings to my house all that she is no longer using!…BUT, I finally had to ‘put a stop to that’! Her children are going to help me have a yard sale, but oh my, as I try to sort…what memories, and I put ‘it all back away’…too overwhelming but will keep trying…maybe keep a diary of my thoughts about a lifetime and get rid of all tangibles except pictures!
Tell your daughter and those 8 children to write their names on the bottom of the things that they want. That will really help!
Thank you for showing me that I am not alone in the disorder, but also in the serenity that comes from paring things down and passing things on. I am looking forward to some time in my little room getting some organization back. You inspire me in so many ways!! Thank you Susan!
Gosh, first you entertain us and teach us decluttering and then you offer a contest! Woohoo! I love your new white space in your studio. I’m ALL about white space.
If I win, I’d like “little things”, please.
Thank you.
Would love a mug. I have had a blue kitchen for 47 years in 4 different homes and I still love it. Hope you do, too. I’m a great fan–have many of your books and also give them as presents. Many thanks.
Love your posts, they really lift my spirits! A friend and I are also on a purge, we are committed to one -job-a -day, ( we call it 1jad),, but we are ‘ free’ over weekends and holidays so that we don’t feel burdened. It has has really spurred us both on. I am mingling ‘wanna-do’ jobs with ‘ gotta do ‘ jobs so that I keep up with the challenge, and I feel so much better, —-though I have a long way to go ;)))
Beautiful new mugs especially the bluebird of happiness, you are so blessed to be so talented!
Have a good and happy spring!
Hi!! I would love to win the In Love with Nature cup. I never had the chance to order one. The moon and Earth’s creatures feed my soul. Thanks for the chance.
Well that was so inspiring!!! I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing to my studio…organization brings a sense of calm and how can you create amid chaos?? I’ve gone into friends homes and growing up our house was always in order. My grandparents lived with us and between my mother and grandmother everything was neat and tidy. I identified them as ‘master-homemakers’. And what I gleaned from tidy houses was a sense of well-being that all is well and good in the world. I may not be as tidy but I can’t stand it till I do clean and tidy.
I think you should do a ‘Jack’ cup…..immortalize him forever!!! I love your new cups!!! Congrats on your clean studio and the inspiration for me to clean mine….you are such a dear friend to me Susan.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (I only save red hearts for family!!😊).
Love your blogs, Susan. A friend and I are also on a cleaning/ de cluttering spree, we do
one- job- a-day (1jad) , often it leads to a little more, but no weekends or holidays! I’m already feeling inspired. I’ve added ‘wanna do ‘ jobs to the ‘gotta do’ so that I keep on track, and I’m even surprising myself how much I have achieved in a couple of weeks.
Beautiful new mug styles, I love the Bluebird of Happiness ( and all the others! Oh my!)
Have a wonderful spring!
Maryrose xx
Oh, Susan – how do your post always reflect what is going on here in my cozy home ? As we get ready to move and “shake it up” in a new apartment home with big windows looking out on nature we are going through everything and being ruthless. Like you, once you get started it becomes addictive and you can breathe better in clear space. Also, like you – I will never be a minimalist, but cleaning out 40 years of photo albums and keeping only the keepers is fun. Right now my beloved dining room is filled to the gills – wish I could share a photo on here – with things for upcoming yard sale. There simply will NOT be room for everything in the new space. I shudder every time I walk past and think “oh, no – the Hoarders film crew will ring the bell and want to film this chaos”!!! – but there is joy in the sorting. Dishes to a great niece who needs them for her new cozy farm house, books to her little daughter, my mother’s – her “GG’s” – cedar chest to her home along with a book about grandmothers and memories made by Lane…who made the cedar chests. Are you familiar with it – called Something to Remember Me By. I got 10 copies for all my nieces when my mom passed away – if you can’t find a copy, I still have one and would be happy to send it to you. And, our beloved Yogi bear rug, shot by an uncle in the 1920’s and always on the wall in our garage went to my godson and his son yesterday at his First Communion party. Oh, my – once again – the JOY little Jake had knowing the bear will be on his wall in his room, and tears in my godson’s eyes when I told him that Uncle Joe – long gone – would LOVE that Jake is getting his bear….priceless. OK, more stuff to go through….but regarding your posts after the election I just want to say – read this book I just read called On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder. My dear husband and I read it in one day. Hope for the future…it inspired me.
THANK YOU for all your posts, for them coming at the right time….just last week I went through THREE binders of recipes and culled the best and now they reside in a SUSAN BRANCH Homemade Recipes binder….Bliss.
Love the tea cups! I also love that you are making space for new ideas in your life… I’m going to follow your lead!
Susan, It is early here in Olympia but I was saving your blog until I could read it when the house is quiet and I could savor it all to my self.
The pictures of your “before and after” are such an inspiration to me as my craft room right now looks pretty much like your “before” pictures too. Right now I am working on the scrapbook of the trip to England that my husband and I took last summer. Things need to get organized! We are taking our train trip to the mid west in July and this scrapbook needs to be completed before we go. So having said that, thank you soooo much for the inspiration of getting the craft room organized AND the scrapbook finished.
The cups you have designed are so precious. My husband and I have started having tea every afternoon and I think that these would be the perfect thing in which to enjoy it.
Thank you for making my day and inspiring me to get going on this “cleaning project” bit by bit.
Fondly, Mary Alice
Love the creative ideas you put on your mugs. Would love to win one.
I received the first 3 mugs and love them. They make my day a little brighter just seeing and using them. Thanks@
Welcome to my world! The carpenters finally finished the house before May Day, then the plasterer came. All is not done yet, because I have painting to do now. So last week I started to do what you are doing—sorting. Combining the neglectful way the previous owners left the outside of the house and my years of moving I have my work cut out for myself. I haven’t even digested your last two blogs yet!
I can say, I am a blue girl and I like your new Spring decor!
Hugs,
Margot
Those cups are wonderful, I’d love to win one!
What can I say that hasn’t been said above, but that I look forward to your blog and am so excited when it arrives in my mailbox. I love the simpleness of the life you show in each and every blog–the world is such a mess so this view of life is precious. I think your Blue Bird cup would make a wonderful Christmas gift for me from my grandchildren who never know what to buy me!
Oh you are giving me a guilt trip! I told myself when I retired that I would clean out all the closets and drawers–that was 4 years ago and not a one has been done! I need to stop thinking of it as a huge undertaking and just proceed with baby steps, one at a time. Like Susan Branch!
By the way, I recently found a brand new unused roll of your shelf paper at the thrift store and didn’t get it (because hey, I didn’t need to clean out any cabinets). It was so cute with little kitchen items. Well, I regretted that I didn’t get it and when I went back to the store, it was gone! Some other Susan Branch lover had bought it!
I would love to win one of your mugs. It would be hard to choose one because they are all so cute. [email protected]
“It must be in the water” , for I have also been deep cleaning all the nooks and crannies of my existence. It definitely does feel lighter, especially when you come across a treasure you keep “just in case I may need that.” Recently came across my wonderful electric frypan in perfect and shiney condition that I only used for frying chicken – and now at 76 I no longer eat fried chicken. Duh! Now the perfect space to keep the trays I love and use. Way to go, Susan!!! “We did not know we had it until we found it.” Lol JudyC.
BTW – I keep everything Susan Branch and one of the Love cups would be delightful. Hint
Dear Susan,
I agree that the need to declutter is something that comes with age. I have this wish to keep only the most loved and cherished items and keep my life simpler, focusing my time and eye on that which brings the most joy.
I would, however, love to win the In Love with Nature mug. It would remind me of my love of nature and of my oldest sister who introduced me to your wonderful books. She gave me Vineyard Seasons, Heart of the Home and Christmas from the Heart of the Home. The last two are first editions. The books always remind me of her, as do your blogs as you have her same sweet smile. Thanks you for your wonderful blogs which always transport me to a calm, loving and simple world.
Thank you for showing your deep cleaning with us. I feel bogged down when things pile up around me and have to organize to keep my sanity. It’s lovely seeing your happiness in doing the same thing.
Loved this post. I think it’s a sign of our stage of maturing that my friends & I have been working at de-cluttering, sorting, organizing, & reminiscing! And you’re right — it’s a treasure hunt, finding long forgotten items!
After reading your blog, Susan, I know I must attack my file cabinet! …then my closet.
What a joy-filled post! Could feel your weightlessness all the way in Seattle 🙂
You make cleaning feel fun, and so rewarding to the soul! It’s difficult to get rid of “stuff” picked up on excursions as the memories are so attached, but we’re trying! One little trinket at a time. Have you designed any “boxes”? They are beautiful to stack on the floors filled with memories. They come in all different styles and sizes, even suitcase styles with little handles. I would so collect yours!
Love the Santa mug. I have no more room for mugs, but that one is a must.
As I read the blog about your discarding and organizing, I felt reassured that you also have the need to do this. Of course, while everything accumulated at your house, you also produced wonderful books and mugs and calendars and other treasures. At my house the productivity level is minimal but still there is a need to clean out. Again, thank you for sharing your life with us.
I watch a couple of episodes of Hoarders, that always inspires me❤️ Yes, cup please.
I have been purging as well and find that I can pass along my many “blessings” to people all around me! It has been interesting to see who comes to mind when I come across one thing or another or who crosses my path needing the very thing I’ve been pondering how best to dispose. It’s a God thing, I believe, even these small opportunities to be an unexpected blessing and to BE blessed in return.
Love, LOVE your cups. How to choose??? Autumn is my favorite time of year, but oh, that Christmas one…!!!
You are such an inspiration. I will try to channel you while attempting to bring more “white space” to my lovingly cluttered sewing/craft/office! Would love it if Vanna granted me one of your lovely cups to sip my cuppa from while bringing calm and tranquility to this nest. Thank you for the little oasis you provide for all of us.
It was so funny to read your last blog post!!! I have just moved from my house after living there for 42 years. We did a lot of sorting, needless to say. I also took photos of things I loved, but had to part with, and found treasures as well.
I too am going for that lighter, simpler approach to life and really do believe it frees you up. So often I read your blog and you touch on the very important things to me about my life, my family, my home, nature, respect for the others around us.
I have a cup of tea brewing as I write this and would love to be the recipient of one of your newly designed mugs. They’re adorable!!
Loved this post. About a week ago I was at home recouping from a medical procedure and happened to catch an episode of “Hoarders: Buried Alive”. That was all it took for me to (well almost) spring into action and start sifting through things that I had been meaning to get thru.
It is marvelous to discover treasures tucked quietly away, pass things on to new loving hands and discard what needs it. It is definitely a motivator! Your workroom looks marvelous!
Thank you Susan for sharing your thoughts and life activity with us, I enjoyed this post as I do all of the others I have read over the years.
Thank you Susan for inspiring us to de-clutter and live simply! I hope to follow your plan and and need to keep in mind that it will not happen over night. It took a while to accumulate all these “treasures” and it will take a while to determine which to keep or pass along. I would love to be lucky enough to win a mug! They were sold out when I went to order. Thanks again for being a bright spot on this rainy day in Texas!
Hi Susan! I have been wanting to say hello and to say how much I have enjoyed your books. No, I’ve loved them! I am reading them out of order but doesn’t matter. I am getting ready to order the next. Your writing and art just makes me happy.
Thank you for this blog message about de-cluttering/organizing. Your pictures and advise are priceless. I love the picture taking idea. I have started to organize and de clutter my little studio/art work room and I agree with a previous post, it makes my little room look bigger!
I must also mention I love Jack! When I first saw his picture, my Oliver and Gatsby could be his brothers! I rescued my boys 4 years ago and they add so much love and spirit to our house. I love the videos of his meows! I’ve been saying love a lot!!!!
Thank you Susan for your words. I hope you consider me a friend over here in Arizona. Perhaps I will have a lucky star watching over me and win the beautiful mug.
In the process of redoing our kitchen – gave away tones of stuff already. And I sure once I empty the storage container, more stuff will have to find a new home. Also emptied bookshelves in living room to make way for new flooring. Also found new homes for some books that have been too long on the shelves. I, too, want order and some white space. And I still have to decide if I want to continue using the dining room for my quilting! Thank you for the continued inspiration.
Wonderful post! You inspire me, as always!
I love my new mugs and can’t decide which design I like best!
Ms. Branch,
I look forward to reading your newest posts on this wonderful blog; it brings me such joy. Since following you around your office, watching your process of decluttering or “lightening”, I’m inspired to try it in my office (if not other rooms of my home) ~ Thank you!
As for cups; I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed…It’s the Little Things, isn’t it?
Many thanks,
Deb
I just discovered your blog and your calendars this January and have enjoyed both very much. I would love to win one of the cups. I think Little Things is my favorite but they’re all wonderful.
Susan,
I discovered your books last fall and have read them all. There is something about them that is magical. I rarely reread books but a few weeks ago I needed a boost and I started reading Isle of Dreams again. Best medicine ever! The way it inspires me and puts me in a happy place is something I can’t explain. Thank you for all the happy you have given me. Hopefully my cup will be here today!
I love seeing you on instagram and twitter. Your post are like a breath of fresh air that pop in and out amongst the chit and chatter, it’s so refreshing. It gives me my “Susan fix” in an instant. I hope you are having a wonderful day, and give Jack an extra pat for me.
Dear Susan,
One of your best blogs ever! Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who saved those pieces, scraps, remnants of childhood and of times long gone.
Thank you for brightening this chill, grey day in Maryland.
Phyllis♥
Hi Susan,
I think I have a new favorite blog of yours – how can that be with so many old “favorites”!?! At first I was startled, Jack next to the teacup stack planter – he must be graceful to sit there without tipping! The best part tho’ was your dad’s tea recipe – will that be in your tea book? Any date on that? I’ll need to choose a mug to go with reading it. Thank you for clearing our minds of clutter and reminding us of the important things, while you declutter with gusto!
LOL, no date. Still mushing through everything! xoxo
Oh, my. Thank you for the chance to win one of your lovely cups. This post is reading my mail. I needed that!
Happy trails to you,
Rebecca
You are so inspiring, Susan! I am ready to unload the bookshelves and keep only the treasures! ❤️❌❤️❌❤️
hope to win a cup!
Susan, can I just stay in your world for a while? I promise I wont make a sound, just let me stay….I escape to your world every time I look through A Fine Romance. Can you also bottle up and sell me some of that “happy gene” stuff??
I really enjoyed this post. I have moved more times than I can count, and have always felt renewed when relieving myself of excess “goods”. I love your books and products, but especially like “visiting” with you on your blog!
❌⭕️ Bebe!
What a lovely “Welcome Home” gift….your new blog. Loved everything about it. In the midst of all the opening up the house chores, I ran out and gathered some lily of the valley. Then I saw your post! But…I’ll have to remove some, as they tend to smother the other things. Most apple trees are in bloom, except, thankfully, the old wild one we’ve babied along for almost 20 years. It blooms late which gave us a chance to spray for the fruit flies/worms before the bees are on the open blooms. Love that old tree. The heirloom one I planted is also looking good. Lilacs are just opening and crab apple the same. And Yea! the transplanted bulbs survived. Peonies are up and covered with bloom buds. When the are in full bloom, I use every vase in the house.
The little chipmunks are still here, same ones as last summer, we know the scar patterns. No baby rabbits, at the neighbor hood pet cats have wiped them out. I’ve also seen them kill baby red squirrels and chipmunks, kill fledgling birds right in front of me. Tried to reason by showing them the data from England and American Audubon Society as to the millions of birds killed by pet cats allowed to roam. They answer that it is “cruel” to keep a cat inside. But not cruel to the birds and other critters? And to the cats themselves? Everyone on this road has lost pets to the fishers, cayotes, foxes. They just tisk, and get new cats. I can’t understand how people who are involved in nature conservation societies can have such a blind spot. We will still be good neighbors when needed, but can never be real friends. Oops, too much Ranting.
So much to do, but it will eventually get done. Mr. Tom is doing his clean up outside. Roofer will begin soon. We squeaked by another winter without major leaks.
Thanks for your mention of photographing loved treasures before sending them off to new homes.
Mucho love to you, Susan,
Debbie…. finally in Franklin, Maine!!!!!
Loved hearing about spring in Maine . . . it sounds like it’s just perfect! Welcome home Debbie!!! xoxox
When I see today’s date, I’m reminded that my Dad passed away 36(!) years ago and there are still times I want to tell him something and hear what he thinks !! Oh, well, I know he had a good life. My cat, Puddy, also likes to bump heads but he sits on my lap and puts his dear little fat paws by my neck and bumps (his drooling I can do without!).
Inspirational blog again! I now need to start on my study/office area! My mug that I ordered is apparently on its way ( somewhere over the Atlantic ocean I guess). Can’t wait to see it and would love the chance of owning another one.
Ahhhh! I love seeing your decluttering. I’m doing that now, too, only it’s called nesting because I’m expecting! 😀
How fun! A new kind of clutter! Tiny little shirts and shoes!
PS
Hmmmm, no I didn’t show the cats the data. 😉 Their owners.
Debbie in Franklin
Susan Branch-your post is so timely!! AND VERY MOTIVATIONAL!!
My husband and I built a Little Free Library recently and are tackling our family’s overflowing bounty of books by giving them away to whomever strolls by our home where it proudly stands street side. I even gladly bid adieu to the two IKEA bookcases by my husband and son managed to carry up and fit through the door of his Brooklyn apartment! WE REALLY NEED TO TACKLE 28 YEARS OF CLUTTER! I thank you for YOUR honest and real sharing of your successes! If I win your lovely mug raffle, I promise to donate two in our overflowing cabinet to thift!!! Love you lots, Susan!!!
Oh how beautiful – its such a big decision. Can’t have them all so I will have to pick. I absolutely adore the Christmas one with Santa – bee-u-tee-ful!
Dear Susan,
What perfect timing! Yesterday I emptied my garden shed and I swept and cleaned and rearranged the big pieces of furniture that hold the stuff I need for the yard and and outdoor seasonal decorating. When I got that done ( I was really tired ) I made everything I put back into that cute little shed, earn its way back in. I can not believe how much stuff I was tripping over that I never would use again. I have a little more work to do today but it is the fun part. Now I can spend my time working on the things I want to work on instead of climbing over junk and looking for things. What a good feeling.
What a good post.
Anne
Oh! Susan! I, too am trying to unclutter! I love to have empty shelves! I have so many things that I just have no idea why I have them!
You have inspired me to get to it! Now I know what to do on rainy days!
I just love your shelves, I wonder if my hubby would build some for me like that!? I will ask him!!
Enjoy your “cleansing”. My mom loves her cup! And I am hoping to win one for myself!
Hugssssssss
Linda in PA
Hi Susan, I have been Spring cleaning too- it feels good. Best of luck with yours. Would love to win a cup – Hugs.
I believe that creative people like more stuff. I am an art teacher that is changing jobs and I have been going through seven years worth of classroom materials. It is amazing how much stuff one person can amass in 7 years.
Your yard and studio is looking nice. The mugs you created are wonderful. I can’t wait to get one.
Thank you for making this world a brighter place with your creativity.
I am so inspired to de-clutter. I have been procrastinating for so long. It’s hard to part with such “treasures.”
What a wonderful way to start the day…..you encouraged me to go
into “that room”and see what magic I can create….thanks!!
Dear Susan
Loved your blog! I think we all need to do some de-cluttering and re-organizing!..I do! Spring is the perfect time to do it! Thanks, as always, for your inspiration!! I would love to win a mug!! I love them!! beautiful and functional!!
Would love to start each morning with my coffee from one of your darling cups.
Jack is a smart cat using faucet water to wash his face
Please pick me. I procrastinated and put off ordering and now I am sad and forlorn! 🙁
Be sure to check with [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ …and make sure there isn’t a cup or two still hanging around.
Got up this morning, poured myself a cup of Herb Tea in my newly arrived Little Things Susan Branch cup. Plumped myself down on my most comfy chair to read the final chapter of Gladys Taber’s Stillcove Journal.Thank you so much for introducing me to Gladys Taber Books. I cant wait to begin reading “My own Cape Cod. I must say honestly that I had not heard of Gladys Taber until I started following your blog several years ago and I found Stillcove Journal at the Main street Book Shop. I was so thrilled. I would love to win another Cup to give to me girlfriend who I recently introduced to your blog and your books. She is now a huge fan and follower of you. I loved your blog this morning, I just began this last weekend the chore of organizing and
uncluttering my spare bedroom and I can so relate you what you are going thru. I as you do need to go over each and every item and paper so I don’t throw out something important. I wish my shelves look as cleared and organized as yours but I have hopes they will.
Have enjoyed you and loved your work since I was young and bought my first Susan Branch Cookbook ~ have given many items for gifts ~ Would treasure one of your special new cups ❤️•.¸¸.•´´¯`•• .¸ ❤️ ❤️
Oh Susan!! You have so inspired me to get busy and do some organizing..One of your blogs had a suggestion to display the things you love and make it into a special place. I did that and it is still clear of clutter!! On to the rest of the place to see what is lurking in my closets!! I may have to sit down a few times and enjoy some tea!!!!
Your simplifying is just what I have to do to regain my equalibrium. And soon! Wonderful videos. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Mugs are so special. The little house on Little Things always draws me in when I see it. Wish I could buy the whole collection! Keep on inspiring us dear, dear Susan. gmapat
Love it all and love you!
I couldn’t be happier with my Little Things cup!! What you say is so true– it’s the little things in life that make us happy–simple pleasures, taking time to enjoy the little blessings in life and appreciating what you have. Like kitties and birdsong and flowers. As soon as I finish this comment, I’m going to preorder the Bluebird of Happiness cup. It has such beauty to it, and white space, and a feeling of tranquillity. Thank you, Susan, for all you do!
I’m so inspired to go home and clean my closets and back room!! And I’d love a tea cup too =)
Lovely new cups! And another great blog with words of inspiration for organizing. Off to Marlow tomorrow to visit daughter and family so lots of English tea and country walks. So I will soon need a new cup, LOL.
Beautiful tea cups! Your blog brings a smile to my face. Thank you.
Tricia