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! 😘
As always, I truly enjoy reading your blog. Please enter me into the beautiful cup drawing.
good morning Susan, Girlfriends, another beautiful sunny day here and warm. tackling the Monday laundry, first washing it and then getting out on the line and keeping the turkeys and geese away from it. I keep a broom handy by the clothesline. also tackling the catch-all room, its the room in the house that all the junk seems to end up. time to clean that up and clear it out…. boy is Goodwill ever going to love me. we are also getting for a fun weekend down in town (Grants Pass)… Boatnik!!! its 3 days of boat races, drag races and sprint races and a big marathon race on the Rogue River for the Memorial weekend. plus barbeques, the carnival and fireworks for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. and a big parade in the historic district for Memorial day, a big fly-by by the Air Force and the memorial wreaths floating down the river. loads to see, and loads of fun. all this week the boat racers are practicing on the river to get familiar with the currents and the race course. wish you all could be here to see the fun and come sit on the riverbank to watch the boat races. it does get a bit loud with those engines, but it is loads and loads of fun to be there, and that cool river breeze, and the cool grass feel wonderful on a warm weekend. looks like Reuben is back to his old habit of pestering Dotty the duck so Dongo is reminding him of whose lady she is…. talk about jealous and overprotective. the ducks have cornered him 2 times already and those new tail feathers are disappearing fast… LOL!!!! looks like he is going to be a bald butt chicken again this summer… hehehehe!!!! off to rinse out the water tubs, and get fresh water in them, check on the laundry and try to grab some lunch, clean out the cat box and sweep off the porches.. busy day here and oh yes tackle that messy room…… have a wonderful day everyone. love much, laugh often and live well. hugs… 🙂
oops forgot to mention, all the races, sprint, drag and marathon races are on the river, its all boat races. the sprint race is where they open up that boat engine and roar to a certain point and see who has the fastest time, loads of fun and the spray from those boats is very cooling… 🙂 !!! the drag races are through an obstacle course of buoys and it is also a timed event, and test for the navigators to direct the boat through the quickest way. and the marathon race is on Memorial day and it is one long run down the Rogue river from Grants pass to Gold beach on the coast. we watch the race begin and head to a few of our favorite vantage points to watch them come racing through. in the meanwhile one can sit and enjoy a picnic of crunchy fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon and some ice cream, the fresher the better. we just Memorial weekend for all the barbeques, and the picnics, the boat races and all the fun. wish you all could be here to enjoy the fun. hugs…. 🙂
Your posts are always refreshing. Received and love my cups. Thanks for encouraging hearts!
I love you so much!! Your treasured book signed by Julia Child is so awesome, much like my signed copies of your books! Your posts bring me joy and peace and inspire me to create the life of my dreams. You and Joe are adorable and I love your team work! Thank you for being my girlfriend! xoxo (wanted to post a pic of us-but can’t figure out how!) lol
My pleasure Julie! Thank you right back!
Oh Susan, thank you for the inspiration and bravely showing your ‘before’ photos. I recently de-cluttered the home office and found one now has room to breathe. My 91 year old dear Mum is in a nursing home now for the past 2 years, and her paper work had proliferated to an alarming degree, finally did the right thing and the order from chaos is a blessing. Absolutely LOVE.YOUR.MUGS! Will try the ‘Vulcan mind meld’ with Vanna and hope it works! Love and hugs, Karen.
Brilliant! I won’t tell anyone you said that! 😃
Hi Susan, enjoyed reading this post this afternoon. Jack is a real cutie. Love his antics. Have a great week.
Carol
Thank you for the cleaning companionship! I am very slowly attempting the same thing. Hope to see you at Titcomb’s soon. Can’t wait to see the new book.
Much love to you from your mainland neighbor,
Marybeth
It’s heartening that you showed your piles and over-stacked shelves! We know we’re not alone! I am helping get my mother “ready” for assisted living and our piles are merging into mountains. It feels pretty over-whelming, but step by step….I’ll keep your organizing in mind as I attack my stacks & piles! I love your to-be-made bluebird cup….it’s wonderful!
Your de-cluttering is such an inspiration!!!!! You are brave to do it so thoroughly!! Thanks for the ideas….and such pretty little cups….!! Happy Spring!!!! 🙂 Donna from Montana
Reading your blog makes me forget my present troubles and slip off to day dream.
Thrills me to hear that Daphne!
Well done passing off those gorgeous stacks of books to the 2nd hand store. I have the hardest time letting go of books.
I know just what you mean!
The new mugs are spectacular!! What a marvelous job you did on them. I can’t wait to order the new ones. I especially love the Autumn mug. That’s my favorite season and I love the squirrel on it. I have a collection of squirrels so this mug will fit in nicely!! Say hello to Petey for me. Best wishes on your decluttering tasks. You are a true inspiration.
Cutting down the stuff is such a challenge. After dropping off donatables, I stop at the antique store on the way home. Intervention is necessary. Love the updates on Jack…keep them coming!!
Dear Susan, I want to tell you how much I love your 3 mugs. I love the colors and your special touches on them. I also love your feeling so free after having tackled the stuff in your special room. I recently called my young neighbor friend Kim to please help me, as I am 89. She is an organizer and it only took her 2 days of work to clear and clean out my corner bookshelves. Found some unopened pistachio nuts that a mouse fairy must have carried to that far corner. I can feel the bliss when I look over there now. Have more to do, but it is so satisfying to see order in one’s life. Thank you for the wonderful blogs as it takes me quite some time to digest it all, plus all the comments by your loyal fans. With much love,
Loved this latest post! I love to clean and downsize. Do it regularly. Hoping Vanna picks me for a lovely mug.
Thank you for helping me to move forward today with your always calming and inspiring posts. Love seeing the flowers in your Martha’s Vineyard home, we are about a month ahead in bloooms. Spring is beautiful, but I am moving forward to summer!
Ah, yes, I need to do some decluttering, too. It does feel more spacious and free when it’s done. I just received my mug! It was waiting for me when I came home from a trip and I’ve been using it non-stop. I love it! and I love the large size…more tea! Looking forward to getting more of your mugs.
I delete so many email things, but never yours. I save them up if I don’t have time. I told my daughter I wanted your set of three mugs for Mother’s Day, but they were sold out. So disappointed. So I’ve already ordered the next set :). Love you, Susan. You are wonderful and inspiring and so real. Thank you.
It won’t be long and you’ll be rolling in cups! xoxo
Oh, and your stacks of books is me! We moved to a new home a year and a half ago, and I did a lot of purging. I didn’t want books stacked on top of books. I only kept what I could comfortably put on the shelves. I didn’t account for my tendency to order more and more books. Now I have three towers on the floor. Oh well, need to purge again!
Susan,
Really enjoyed this blog. I have been going through all my closets and shelves and drawers and taking care of business. My thoughts are: This all has to do with seasons of our life. We gather, learn, enjoy and use all of the things we found or were passed on to us…and then in return we pass our treasures on to the future…..passing on the love of the past to the future. That is why Antique stores will never go out of business. haha Before I send anything out I ask my family if they would like to have it. I also have put books together for all my sisters and brothers…Called “I Wished I Had Asked” All the things that we have from our parents and grandparents…and their stories about each items. I took a picture and then wrote the story next to it….then who also has it now in their home…the reason for that is, we do change are decor and if it belonged to mom or dad or the grandparents…those things never get tossed. They send it to me and then I ask all the family if anyone would like it..with the promise that they never throw it away..but pass it on to a family member.
I was in a antiques store on Sat and I watched a young girl try on a vintage dress for a wedding…she said to her husband..”I don’t know why but this makes me happy…I like it” Yes they bought It!!! We are all connected in some way to the past and future and to each other. Enjoy the journey of cleaning and finding lost treasures! Love, Susan P.
Love all of your cups! Would make tea drinking extra fun!
Thanks for the cleaning inspiration!
So enjoy your blog and love your mug designs!
Hope I win one.
Judy
My mug arrived the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. Yay! I put it in the guest room with potpourri in it. I have other Susan Branch stuff in that room like framed prints from some of your artwork. You have a Peter Rabbit room, I have a Susan Branch room. 🙂
Ha!
Well you have now inspired me to do a clean sweep! It is long overdue and I agree with your comment that just looking at the clutter stresses me! I hope to win a cup since I waited too long to order and now it’s too late… 🙁 But I will definitely pre-order this time for the others!! Thank you for your continued inspiring posts, I love them!
Did I read something about a possible, future, TEA book !?!? YES, PLEASE!!
and thank you for the opportunity to win one of your beautiful cups!
Oh My!! Cups!! Do we all have too many and never have enough?? I’d LOVE to be a winner and I think I’ll go shop!!!
This is incredibly funny. I’m reading this in the midst of piles of my life treasures, trying to decide which I can now do without. I took a short break and began to read only to find you are doing the very same thing! I don’t feel so bad now. I’ve only been at it for two days, so I’m not the slacker I thought I was. I will definitely be taking pictures of everything in the thrift shop boxes now. It makes it easier. Thank you!!!
Ha ha ha, not a slacker!
Congratulations on a lovely clean room, great job! Hope to win a mug for my dearest friend, crossing fingers. Want to share my new year project, I don’t make resolutions. I promised myself to eliminate one large grocery bag of STUFF from my home for all 52 weeks. It’s working so well and like you one cupboard, one closet, one book shelf a week and I have a great feeling of accomplishment. It’s been very doable. Thanks as always for sharing. Happy spring, summer is on the way🐦
Looking forward to the new mugs in the fall while enjoying the current mugs!
These mugs are beautiful; the PERFECT girlfriend gift for sure.
I just ordered two Bluebird Cups!
You just keep blessing us with your exquisite creations.
Thank you Susan.
Susan. This posting really spoke to me. Coming at the end of this coming September, I will have been in my house for 37 years and have never had a really good clean out. Oh, small ones here and there, but not the major start getting rid go things that it needs. You have inspired me and I, too, will begin working inch by inch. Thank you so much for sharing, I don’t feel quite so bad now. Oh, and by the way, my cats loves to play in the sink with the water. They seem to prefer drinking from it more than they do the fresh water they get very day! Thank you, again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. For being brave and taking pics of the clutter. I bet many of us blog readers often think that the homes of the bloggers we read always look like a magazine spread. Then we walk in the door at the end of a long day of work to our lovely homes and feel inadequate. You’ve made me feel better as I read this on a Monday morning. Between work and caring for an ill Mother, 2017 has been tough. Now I am inspired to face one room at a time, and get things done. Tonight I will pack away Easter decorations…………yes, I’m THAT far behind! Blessings to you!
Yup, we are the normal ones! Clutter happens. We take it until we can’t anymore, and then we take pictures of it, so we can revel in it all when it’s clean again! 😜 It’s rough caring for someone you love and can’t fix. One day at a time. xoxoxo Sending love.
I love your “In Love with Nature” mug! I also agree wholeheartedly with the taking photos of dear possessions, before ‘retiring’ the objects. I decided to do that when settling my parent’s house. SO many things, and memories, but now, while I have quite a few of their precious things, I don’t have overwhelming clutter. Photos are great!
They are. And a couple of years ago, I went through both of their entire houses and took pictures of everything just as it was. I love cameras. That was a glorious invention wasn’t it!?
So good to see someone else’s studio looking like that. Your stuff is cooler than mine, but I just decluttered my craft room last week. and I feel so much lighter now. I also was thrilled when the mailman brought a box to my door Saturday – and there were my cups. I could only get the Love and Little Things; Nature was already gone. Have learned my lesson and have preordered the next three. They are beautiful and can’t wait to pour my first cup of coffee each morning! Keep going girl and doing what you do.
👍 Thank you Elaine!
As always, enjoy reading this blog. It always makes my day just a little bit better. The cups that you are designing are so charming in every way. Would love to win one of those beauties!
Susan,
There is something to be said about de-cluttering. It clears the mind and it is true, you do feel much lighter and it makes for a more productive work atmosphere. I recently put down all new flooring. As is the process, everything got packed away while the work was in progress. I loved the open, airy feeling so much that I haven’t put half my things back. Of course, we all need somethings out to give it that homey feeling. I am loving the new cups!
Would love to win a mug! I’ll be pre-ordering the Santa mug, he’s just the perfect image of Santa Clause! Thank you!
Your blogs are such a joy and I too am trying to get into the mood to purge and clean. Your space looks great and you are inspiring me to clean out my sewing room. Can’t wait to get a bluebird mug. We have them in our back yard and I love to watch them.
I know I’ve already commented but just thought of something as I was perusing some of the comments (too many to read them all for me) and I do like to give credit where credit is due…I do want to applaud your efforts on all of the replies you give to the comments posted on your blog. There are way too many bloggers that want you to read their blog, purchase their wares, help raise their standing in the search engines for revenue etc., but they cannot be bothered to reply to comments or questions posed to them. Some might even be for clarification on a recipe or instructional. Most of them may only have 10- 30 comments in total and still can’t be bothered to answer 2 or 3 questions…yours frequently run in the many hundreds and yet you take the time. Personally I find that even if I like a blog, if the person posting can’t be bothered to reply to questions, etc…I ditch the blog. It’s an attitude thing, methinks. Anyway, wanted to let you know that I find that admirable.
I feel the same way. I don’t think people realize how much social media highlights generosity of spirit! Sometimes, like with a giveaway, when there are more than the normal number of comments, I just can’t answer everyone ~ but I always read them all. On normal posts, I almost always reply, try to answer everyone, and it’s not difficult! The hard part is NOT replying, everyone leaves such nice comments, wonderful, funny, and touching stories of experiences, families, pets, and memories. I consider the whole thing an honor! Thank you Laura! xoxo
Oh a good cleanup is a soul lightening thing. If I took a picture of my office right now I’m fairly certain that the camera would explode. I need to find time to do as you are doing and get to it. 🙂
I love “the secret life of Jack” as I, too, am being trained by a certain tuxedo cat with a mustache, named Poirot. I think tuxedo cats are brimming over with purrsonality, our last cat boy, Kipling, was a character too. 🙂 Rick thinks the head butting thing is a holdover from being a kitten, but I agree about the meeting of the minds. Great glorious gladness of Spring to you dearie! I love all the cups!
Get your feathers all smoothed and plumped in your nest and happiness must follow.
xoxox
Gabs
Dear Susan Great minds think alike I have been busy decluttering my house. I hope to finish soon but it seems to be a never ending job. Oh well it keeps me out of trouble. Thanks so much for your blogit always make me smile. Judy from KY
Love my set of the first mugs – they make me happy just looking at them. Looking forward to the day the new ones arrive. Yes! to the Tea book!
Hi Susan
Bravo!! You have accomplished so much – inspiring all your girlfriends. There’s a lot to be said for white space.
Mugs why yes! They are spectacular. I’m ordering Christmas and bluebird for sure.
Have you read Wallace Stegner? I think you’d love his books.
Happy Spring 🌷
I, too, have been trying to declutter as you are. It really does feel good and help clear ones mind. Thanks for being brave enough to share. We wanna be artists admire you even more. And really great ideas to photograph special things. MJ
You must be the best auntie ever, taking your nieces on such a remarkable trip! I can only imagine what FUN you all had…and how their lives were enhanced by such a trip! I dream of doing this with our little “grands”, when there are just a bit older. Super enjoyable blog post, Susan, and I love our mugs, which just arrived Friday! Thanks so much!
Susan, thank you for the inspiration to get into the collected life in my house! So many years, so much living, and enough room to “hide” a lot of easily forgotten mementos! I will keep your message as my inspiration this summer, as I tackle one room, one shelf, one drawer at a time! What a joy I heard in your delight in empty space! That will be my hope as well!
So difficult to choose! I love all the mugs, they are perfect! Right up there with my Beatrix Potter figures!
I am inspired to clean and drink tea!! Thank you for being part of my day today!
I have been trying to clear the clutter in my house for some time now, and you’re right, it is like a treasure hunt! I’m always delighted when I find special things that I had forgotten I had, like letters that my mom sent me when I was in college. I also have books piled in stacks on the floor, so I’ve been donating the ones that I know I’ll never read. It’s a slow process, but it will be worth it!
I struggle between enjoying a clean, uncluttered space and having ALL the things around me that I treasure. You are an amazing inspiration and I would love to win one of your cups; even though my cupboards are overflowing with mugs, they all have special memories attached and a Susan Branch mug would reign supreme among them.
Lovely,
lovely post about something I also love, organizing!! Hooray for a kindred spirit organinzer!! Love the Santa mug going now to pre order!! XOXO
Dear Susan, you helped me more than I can say to carry on with the daunting task of cleaning out one of our bedrooms that has been a storage place for 30+ years. Lots of mystery boxes in that room. Plus your videos and photos and stories and everything in your posts delight, entertain and brighten my days. Thank you!!
Susan, good for you – decluttering and getting organized. My craft room needs it badly – perhaps this is the motivation I needed to get going. It is so difficult to be creative in a mess! and I so love to create.
You have inspired me, Susan! I am now ready to start my sorting, donating, and throwing. Most of my stuff is already in storage bins, so I will open one at a time – like opening a present 🙂 .
Your cups are so beautiful and imaginative! How fun to drink my Earl Gray, or hot chocolate, from one !
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one cleaning, organizing and donating all the excess stuff that we (I) have accumulated! Whew! It sure feels better to have some white space…..I SO agree with that!!! Love all three of the mugs and would be so excited to win one of them! Happy sorting and organizing!!!!
Sue, you are inspiring me to do a room by room purge in my house! I have already done a purge and reorganization of my garage, so I was halfway there when I read about your activities. Time for me to get busy!
I love the new mug designs! I have a small collection of Emma Bridgewater mugs and need your mugs to add to my collection. I would love to win one of these treasures.
So glad you are enjoying being home. There’s no better place, especially when it’s filled with those you love, both family and friends. Happy, happy days!
Thank you again for sharing your precious life with us girlfriends.
xoxoxo Sherry K
I was born to do this! A perfect quote for me. It made my day. I will start cleaning my studio, TOMORROW! LOL
Oh Susan!
I am in tears! XOXO Thank you for this blog entry. Now I know I’m not the only one to have creative clutter (and just clutter). I must do what you’ve done. Especially when we’ve decided to sell our beloved home in order to buy Mom’s house and move in with her so she can have continued care.
Do you have any secret tips on how to sort things out. Of course secretly I wish I were on the island right now to bring home one of your donated treasures! LOL! How do you choose what to give away? How How How! I have books galore that I’d love to keep to refer to. Books I’ve never read but intend to. Family Antiques from 2 generations + back. Cut glass from my great grandfather’s cut glass factory which he lost in the great depression. Oh Susan, I have no idea WHERE to begin.
We don’t have the time or the energy to try eBay. I thought about opening up a little shop but that takes time too. I know I could nicely furnish another house… I think I must sort through our goals first. Prioritize them and then get to it.
OK, enough about me. Thank you for your wonderful words, and your happy creations. We do need such JOY in our world today. I’m missing the time I used to have to just read everything on Twitter and follow up on each of your posts. I’m happy to see others have stepped up to the plate to encourage and cheer you on.
Sending much love to you and Joe. Hoping our paths will cross again soon to share hugs.
Longing for the sea…
XOXO
Georgie
Just one corner Georgie, pull everything out, clean it, and then put back just what you need/want. If you look at it as the whole entire project, you will get overwhelmed, just see it in bits and pieces and start slow. I was surprised on how much stuff I had that actually meant nothing to me! Start with that! xoxo Love and luck to you and Joe.
Oh, your new mug designs are darling! A line of Susan Branch dishes would be sublime… <3
Decluttering totally frees up the energy in your home. When I do it, I feel like I can breathe better. I can’t remember what writer said this, when they were stuck for story ideas they clean up. After cleaning, a whoosh of story ideas would come.
I just finished rereading A Fine Romance. I loved soaking up all the charming places and gardens you visited. Made my romantic heart sigh in contentment.
I live in The Bronx. It is now on my travel list to do the transatlantic crossing to England. Knowing I can board close by in Manhattan, it is a must!
That whoosh is happening for me too … it’s a wonderful feeling!
Thanks for always brightening my day with your lovely blog. I’ve been trying to declutter my life a bit too this past year. The hard part is not bringing home more “treasures” to fill things back up! Can’t wait to see the new cups & a tea book would be wonderful. Thanks also for the darling video of Jack – what an adorable kitty. Big Hugs!
I’m getting ready to move (to Boston!) and have spent nine months downsizing. Oh my. Amazing what you can get rid of when you put your mind to it. I’ve been photographing too, as I go along; that’s been a comfort as I make decisions. Of course, giving things up frees up room for my new Susan Branch mugs! I’ve pre-ordered your Bluebird mug – very sweet!
Your springtime garden is so beautiful – you are a lucky woman, and Joe is a lucky guy. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
I would love one of your gorgeous, special mugs. They are really something. My husband and I are seriously income challenged right now so I can’t buy one. But my desire for one is strong! I loved this post about your organizing too. I’ll never be a minimalist either, but have some things I really need to get taken care of. Happy Springtime!
Thank You for the inspiration to declutter! As soon as I’m done dealing with a current medical scare, I am determined to begin my own purge. Love following you on Twitter & Instagram too. Blessings to you, Joe & Jack!
Regards,
Barbara B.
Hope it all evaporates soon! xoxo
Oh Miss Susan, I feel your lightness! This year my friend and I closed our occasional shop after four years of fun (and buying and making so many things). Many of the treasures ended up in my home and garage and attic, where there was no room to begin with. And then my husband and I just closed our business of 21 years, and I still had every single piece of paper from day one stored in our attic. Needless to say, I have spent the last several months doing nothing but clearing, packing, purging, sorting, and finding lots of memories. I have perhaps two more weeks of it, and then I too will feel light, free, and ready for a new adventure! Thank you for sharing your photos, it makes me feel so much better : )
Oh darn. I just want to play with flowers and my kitty, read books, knit and drink tea while there you are working and getting organized. Maybe tomorrow.😊 Anyway, thank you for creating the beautiful mugs! I love the two I have (started with one but one just wasn’t enough). Now I must have Autumn and Christmas too! Suddenly it’s warm and sunny here in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, and my kitty wakes me in the wee hours ready to run outside and make funny noises at the birds, and climb the tree outside my bedroom then do a tightrope walk to the fence. She is in love with Nature, and so am I.
Dear Susan: Your mugs are so charming, I hope I’m lucky enough to win one! Thanks so much for your ongoing generosity.
Hmmmmmm, Vulcan mind meld. Karen let the cat out of the bag. hehehehe Well, you did it again. Inspired me to start cleaning out files, closets and shelves ~~ tomorrow or maybe the next day. It’s been raining off and on all day so I’ve been working on my latest hooked rug (see pic on Twitter). Hugs to you, Joe and Jack
It is such a freeing feeling to remove clutter and to simplify! Thank you again Susan for a lovely and inspiring blog. I feel like I take a mini trip to Martha’s Vineyard for a visit when looking at your pics and reading about your wonderful home and garden. I can almost hear the boat whistle in the distance. I’m in the midst of worrying about/getting my sweet kitty back to good health, it’s nice to be transported somewhere else for a few minutes. Loved the pic of your folks and your Dad’s painting of Chief too!
How appropriate to read your inspiring message today. My husband is out of town and I worked hard in the yard this beautiful morning then cleaned out two (only two so far…:) ) shelves of summer clothes. Then a trip to Goodwill and I feel accomplished! Now how do I ever start my craft room? Where do I put all those photos???? I’d rather be out in the yard…..
Dear Sue ~
Oh my, what a marvelous thing it would be to win one of those sweet sweet cups !
Please send one to California and make me a very happy woman. ~ C ❤️xo
P.S.
One of my fondest memories is meeting you at Vroman’s. I have the photo of the two of us inside my Autumn Cookbook. That was September 1, 2004 and surprisingly the two of us still look exactly the same ! . . . well almost.
Thanks for being brave enough to show us your “before” photos. I need the encouragement to get to decluttering and cleaning, now that I’ve “rested” for 6 months since retiring. Thanks also for the video of Jack and letting us know how hard Joe is working on your large and lovely yard. I love the bluebird mug, but mugs are something I have too many of and not enough storage room for, so maybe I need to purge them! A tea book would be so welcome–hope it comes to fruition.
Seeing those wonderful cluttered rooms, I love you more than ever! And knowing you actually went through everything, and organized it, I have more respect in you than every. My life has been a life of Jane always getting her papers sorted through, and never finishing. So, you doing this sorting thing really encourages me to follow. I too have my three cups…..they are so beautiful, and feel wonderful. I’ll look forward to getting the 4 seasons ones which are smaller! We are going on a short cruise with our grown children and two high school graduating seniors. So, I’m looking forward to a fun new experience. Getting something to prevent sea sickness to carry, since you said to be prepared!
!
Yes, and normally there’s a Dr. on board who has little seasickness pills, for last resort. Smooth sailing Jane!
I know you are reading this comment, Susan. Even though you cannot answer all of them. Tee Hee 🙂
I savor the personal cards you have sent my way over the years, one when my daughter was born and another one when I was feeling low. I hope you are doing well and enjoy spring time in your beautiful home. I love the way your office looks after all that decluttering. It looks great.
Tee Hee, you are so right! Thank you Belinda! xoxo
Dear Susan,
I have recently retired and have begun the “de-crapifying; decluttering process – getting rid of cobwebs in the house and the brain. I love your before and after photos,feels good doesn’t it! I would love to be chosen for the Earth Love mug, I think my husband would love drinking his tea from that one. I have all my fingers crossed. Much love from B.C. Chris.
Dear Susan, “Great minds think alike”. I have also started to, as I like to call it, reorganize. Every cup, dish, book, chair, lamp, etc., in my home has a story. I have some awesome memories associated with my “things” but have to accept the fact that’s probably all they will be to someone else. These “things” speak bliss to me and therefore that is really enough, isn’t it. My cat Fast Eddie also “head butts” me too. Aren’t they just beyond worth?!! Love all of your beautiful mugs. Have a wonderful week.
I am decluttering too. … Beautiful mugs
Thanks for sharing your progress in decluttering. It made me feel much better and inspired me. I have been trying to declutter over the past eight months — going through 35 years worth of stuff I’ve collected in one house. I still work full-time (and a lot of overtime), so some days not much progress is made in “purging.” I do get overwhelmed, and I appreciate you reminding me to take it one shelf, one drawer, one cabinet at a time. I know it will be worth it.
Did not get the chance to order your last mugs before they were all gone, so would love for Vanna to pick my name. I will definitely get my order in sooner on this new lot.
Thank you for always being such an inspiration to me and lifting my spirits with your blog posts.
Marsha Robins
Down South in Alabama
I received my In Love With Nature mug last week…..I can’t find words to express how much I love it. I have been a “Nature Girl” my whole life…I am so in love with our natural world and the animals living in it. It is my passion. Thank you SO much, Susan, for being a constant source of inspiration. You make me work every day to be a better person. I have been a HUGE fan of yours since I bought your first book in the 70’s. I’ve read your trilogy and LOVE them!
Your new blog post today is perfect! Just the inspiration I need to get to work organizing and decluttering!
I love your style….it exemplifies my style and everything I love. Thank you for all you do for all of us…..you are, as I told you when I met you here in Austin, a “National Treasure”!! ❤️
Wishes for a lovely, happy Summer to you, Joe and Jack.
Oh Suzanne, how sweet you are. Thank you for the kind words . . . I love being able to “meet” everyone here on the blog . . . and also, in real life! xoxoxo Happy Summer!
Well you have done it again. I am totally inspired to sort, go through, clean out, and re-do… Getting ready to do it soon. Retiring in a few weeks, then let the fun begin. I received my mug and I love it. Going to order the fall one when I am done with this comment. Even my husband loves to hear all about your blog posts. I have read him parts of your books. He totally understands us. I feel blessed. Have a wonderful spring.
Dear Susan – I don’t know if it is because it is Spring, or being 70 or married almost 50 years (June 10), but I have been reorganizing and purging, and painting my sewing room. It feels great and makes me feel lighter to reorganize and clean. I am glad to find that you, too, are in the “zone.” It is raining here all week so a perfect time to stay in and do these projects.
It is nice to find a “place for everything and everything in its place!”
Diane
It’s nice to know that even you (so creative & accomplished ) can get behind & have many piles of “projects” that never seem to get done! SO —maybe there’s hope for me! Whenever I do tackle it all— I’m so proud of myself & know you will be also. And you do find treasures, don’t you?! Makes it all worthwhile. Happy de-cluttering!
Your cleanup story arrived just at the right moment in my life.
Such great and honest before and after photos….but as we are being honest, I have to tell you, even the “before” pictures are actually kinda’ Susan Branch cute…but oh, those glorious, airy “after” photos! Inspiring! Uplifting!
I have been trying to de-clutter our study, otherwise known as my craft room, grandson’s bedroom when they come to stay, & the dump room!! It is a long on-going process. I am leaving the book shelves to the last as I find it so difficult to part with books.
Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your mugs.
Thanks Susan for another inspiring blog. You make us all want to be better guardians of our Blessings no matter what form our families, our homes, art, letters, recipes or pictures.
You are doing what I need to be doing Getting rid of to much stuff It does take the energy out of life Please enter me in your giveaway Very cute
Thanks
linda m
Was thinking of back…remembering the lightheartedness of being 22? It’s probably because we didn’t own anything! Ha ha ha ha!
Dear Susan, I have such trouble trying to decide which books to keep and which to give away. You have introduced me to many wonderful books, thank you very much! I love the Gladys Taber books and Elizabeth Von Armin too! Thankfully, many of my friends love reading, so I can pass my beloved books on to them!
I kept those, and got rid of Ayn Rand, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Linda Goodman’s sun signs! Among others!
Hi Susan,
You are an inspiration about clearing out the book shelves and closets, and desks! I need to start doing some of that ! Love the video of Jack playing with the water. He is such a sweet kitty!
I love all three cups, except I have a phobia about mice, so would not want to receive the In Love With Nature one. But any of the other two I would love, if I would be the lucky winner!
Thank you for your post and for sharing your garden with us!
Lucy in California
Love the cups they are all so lovely. Thanks for the inspiration of decluttering, I need to get started on my house. Your pictures of before and after are very encouraging. I always enjoy reading your blog posts, the drawings and photos.
Well, Susan, I thought I left a comment this morning before work, but now I am home and checking and see that it never was published. I hesitate to comment again since last time it was repeated.
Anyway… I was saying that my Mom and I have had this very discussion several times about clutter and we think that those of us with hobbies ie: quilting, sewing, cooking, gardening, reading etc. just don’t have the time or space to remain clutter free. Example, my sewing room/spare bedroom is always cluttered with projects that are in progress. I love to be outside gardening, but then those days the inside doesn’t get clean and tidied up. So we just do the best we can. I too like to have a clean space but I do enjoy the things that keep my life full.
I love the mugs and charms and plan to order mine soon. Thank you for all that you do to make life enjoyable.
So many comments came in at once, I’m up early to “moderate” but I have 257 still waiting, and I’m sure yours is in there ~ I’m reading! Just FYI, and good morning!
Thanks for sharing your clutter, Susan – now we know you are one of us!
I have a small house with zilch storage space so I have had to purge frequently in the 33 years we have lived in the house. Now I feel as you do, it is time to get rid of a lot more and just simplify life. Once you get started it is easier and it feels so good to know that the things you once cherished can now be enjoyed by someone else. Plus, there are some things that just need to be tossed out!!
In any event, your home is lovely, warm, and charming, cluttered or not 🙂
Well, you have done it again…I am inspired by you and the pictures of your clean and organized spaces! I’m embarrassed to say that I have areas in my home that look like your “before” pictures, but now I’m motivated to work on them little, by little, to get similar “after” pictures! I want to thank you again -Your books, your blog, and Twitter (and now Instagram-yay!) are places to visit for kindness, warmth, and beauty.
I declutter every four months. Yes I know I am nuts, but I have always been an organizer. As a matter of fact Susan, many years ago I wrote to you about organizing. You sent a hand written note back!
Your mugs are all beautiful, would love to win one.
Hi – sent in my comments yesterday, but today this popped up, so will assume my post is flying around in outer space somewhere! Always look forward to reading your blog posts, and thank you for the great pics of your “real” house, where you live your “real” life! The creep of clutter is inevitable if you are someone who appreciates the little things in life. But how light we feel when we get organized. A calmness falls over all! Please put my name in the bowl for a chance to win one of the new mugs. I received the one I ordered “The Little Things” and it is perfect. A gift from me to me 🙂
Thanks for the new blog. You have inspired me to clear out my basement. And what a great idea to take pictures of things that pull my heartstrings. Being an only child I now have a basement full of my mom’s, two grandma’s and a great-grandma’s things. My daughter isn’t interested in much. It’s so hard for me to part with their stuff. But making a photo album would help. Anyway…I’ll let you know how I do. My hubby will be thrilled. Enjoy the Memorial Day festivities! Love, Lucy
The thing that helps me is that anyone who would do this cleaning for me, might get frustrated and just throw everything away. I’ve chosen the creme de la creme, the most meaningful, and saved it. I know who my great great aunt is in that photo, but no one else will. Good luck Lucy!
Hi Susan. Our wonderful friend Dot, our Queen, ordered your special mugs for the six of us to celebrate our years of friendship. Unfortunately, she was taken from us before they arrived last week. The five remaining Princesses celebrated with her gift this evening remembering our wonderful memories of friends trips, afternoon teas, and special activities over the last many, many years. She loved your cookbooks and thought the mugs were perfect! When we use your beautiful mugs, we’ll be remembering our very special friend. Thank you for creating such beautiful mugs.
Oh I’m so sorry, and look at her parting gift, bringing you all together again. That was lovely, and so are you. So very sorry for your loss. xoxo
What a wonderful job you’ve done cleaning up and organizing your work space! It must feel very liberating! I’m so looking forward to receiving my two mugs. I’m thinking they will arrive sometime this week. In June, it will be the one year anniversary of my visit to Martha’s Vineyard, and I’m feeling very nostalgic as of late. I found so many beautiful seashells on the beach at Vineyard Haven. We had lunch at the Black Dog restaurant. That quahog chowder tasted heavenly! Ahhh. So many lovely memories….
It’s dangerous territory Rosinda, always claims a piece of a person’s heart!
Thanks for sharing your decluttering activities. I’m in the midst of that too. I haven’t seen the top of my desk in years. It’s time to simplify my life!
Wonderful to hear from you, as always!
There must be something on the air~~I have been de-cluttering as well! It feels wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!