Another beautiful day in Paradise and lots to share in celebration of the good old Summertime! And a drawing-winner too! Plus MUSICA! 
From the land of swaying flowers and fat bumblebees . . .
I bring you the glory of summer . . . starting with ripe tomatoes . . .
This was our first taste, one of our favorite days of every summer, the ripening, the picking, and the eating of the first tomato . . . we shared it, very simple, sourdough toast, mayonnaise, sweet, vine-ripened, still-warm-from-the-garden tomato, salt & pepper … heavenly! Summer joy.
Now this is the part of summer I could really live without. We get humidity sometimes (that’s not rain out there), and it’s so heavy and thick, you actually have to chew it before you can breathe it.
This is how I feel on those days. Hideously inelegant.
So, I turn on the air conditioner, and read in my chair with Jack, my kitty, next to me, while the sun flitters over me, and count my many blessings.
Because soon . . . these summer days will just be a memory . . . even on our walk, the leaves are starting to show the strain of having to hang around for much longer . . . 🍂
So we are intent on getting everything out of these summer days possible. This is my great-niece Maggie who came to visit … she’s nine ~ she would say hello, but she’s busy. We loved enjoying a little bit of summer through her eyes!
And my here’s grand-nephew Wyler… he’s 7 . . .
This is Eliza, who just turned 13 … Look how brave they are… jumping off this bridge is a right of passage in a Vineyard summer. I don’t think I would do it, but they all did! Their parents too!
There goes Eliza!
Family came to visit! From New Hampshire, my niece Jess, her husband Cory, and their two girls … and from Durango, Colorado, my nephew Ben, and his wife Paige, and their two boys.💞
And so it was . . . we did all the Vineyard things . . . like clamming … this is Paige, married to my nephew Ben, with their youngest son, Beckett, who’s four ~ he’s got clams!
This is Ben, Ben is Paige’s husband, my nephew, and Jess’s brother …😘
Ben and Jess are the children of my brother, Jim. This picture of Jim and Ben has hung on my wall for years, I LOVE it. Colorado, with snow on the high mountains and wild flowers under their feet, and two good boys. Have I confused you enough name-wise? Well, there will not be a test, ignore everything . . .
That’s Jim, next to me (with rollers in my hair) … back row on right… closest to me in age, he was my partner in crime crowing up … 💖
So, it was wonderful to have his children here . . . this is Jessica, Jim’s daughter, Ben’s sister, my niece, and the mother of these two . . . .❤️
. . .Eliza and Maggie, who’s father, Cory, you’ll meet in a moment.
There he is, in the back row, in pink with the hat on! Here they all are. Lovely people! So much fun!
They brought home lots of clams and Uncle Joe showed the boys how to shuck them. Fascinating!
Then Joe taught them how to make stuffed clams (kind of lost the boys here, but definitely not the rest of us!).
I showed them how to make my Dad’s famous garlic bread (their great-grandfather, hard to believe!). Almost ready for the broiler! (P.66 the new Heart of the Home!)
Of course we had the Island food of choice . . .
Bowls full of steaming lobsters . . . Paige demonstrates, while her son,
Brave Beckett, touches lobster (of course, already cooked).
And me and Jess, we’re just happy!
We ate outside every night. Paper plates, candles, and twinkle lights! Corn on the cob rolled in the butter stick, watermelon chunks, hot bread, crispy potato pancakes, fresh swordfish and juicy pink steak. We had it all!
If you’re happy and you know it, say “Rawr,” and show us your watermelon!
My backyard never looks like this. Ever ever.
But I liked it. They told me this was a “rocket ship to the moon!” Looks pretty good! Excellent imagination and creativity! They got an A!
Inside was a human sacrifice. Somebody had to do it. We’re talking science here, the furtherment of mankind. Three cheers for Beckett!
And here? The proud sisters of Mission Control, Eliza and Maggie.
The first morning, while everyone was still asleep, I peeked out my upstairs bedroom window like I always do to see what the weather is like, and was shocked! Where was I? What’s all that stuff on the lawn? Blink-blink. This can’t be my house!
I went downstairs to find the victim taking his revenge on the girls of Mission Control …
Off we go on an Island tour in the Fine Romance Van! Turn up the MUSICA! Because
We drove all over, had lunch with a fabulous view at the Aquinnah Shop above the Gay Head Cliffs. (That man over there, standing, wearing the hat, really liked us!)
And I can see why . . . Ahhh, family!
Here comes the french fry thief …
This is where we were eating. Very good view from the roof for the french fry thieves. See the three jars down there, on the left on the railing?
Sun tea. My kind of restaurant.
Here we are in Menemsha (where Jaws was filmed) … walking the jetty, looking at the boats …
Joe got us a plate of ice-cold oysters to share . . . (Jess and Cory again, who run five miles a day or so, even in the humidity!).
Delicious! Icy, shivery, like liquid silver! (If you’ve never had them, don’t worry, they taste MUCH better than they look!)
Here we are, Paige, Joe, Cory, Ben, Beckett, and me … al fresco eating at it’s very best!
While Maggie and Eliza looked for buried treasure . . .
. . .and found it, tiny little shells and beach glass, the best sort of Island souvenirs. (Love the color on Eliza’s nails!)
One day we were looking for these two…found them leaning against the washer and dryer in the pantry. Why? We don’t know . . . Wyler’s T-shirt says “Shark Proof.”
Little pile of sweetness ~ Cousins! Maggie, on the right, is going to be a writer. She was telling me about the Warrior book series she’s been reading (by Erin Hunter) … all the characters are kitties in clans (such as Riverclan or Thunderclan), with names like Tigerstar and Squirrelflight. She was SO excited and animated telling me about these stories, now I want to read them!
We so enjoyed every moment with them . . . and then as quickly as they came, it was over, poof! and off they went … but the memories, along with summer, stayed …
So we went looking for some more
Freshest air in the world, salty, windy, lovely sound of the waves . . .
We went to visit Joe’s niece Jennifer and her husband Mark … they live in New York, but they’ve rented this “camp” by the water every summer for years. We had gazpacho (con tomatoes!), salad, and quiche! When I see Jen, I think of this quote . . . ❤️
You get to their house by a very (very!) long dirt road through the woods and scrub oak . . .
The house is unfinished inside, has no insulation, it’s the opposite of fancy, but really comfortable, perfect for reading and dreaming . . . this is the view from the kitchen window . . . there’s nothing out there but the wind . . . I could barely keep my eyes open!
It was a perfect day for a walk on South Beach ~ that’s Mark and me and Jen, Joe has the camera.
Looking back from the beach to the house …
Can you picture yourself here? Deep breath of ocean air, feeling drowsy? . . . ommmm . . . .
Sometimes people ask me what to do when they come to Martha’s Vineyard, and honestly, this is more or less it. You listen to the screen door slam. It’s the opposite of what to do, it’s more like how to be!
And so, you know Girlfriends, it’s time . . . you have been so patient . . . but Vanna has arrived in all her glory . . . and it’s time to give away the luv-lee journal of Beatrix Potter.
And my story of finding her in the English Countryside, at the end of a very long path I began to walk when I was around 22.
Don’t forget, you lucky winner, about the secret that’s hiding in the back of the Beatrix book! SO, who shall it be darling Vanna? I want you to know, Vanna’s toenails are 
polished gold, they’re shiny, like earrings, and she is now perched, toes curled and clutching the edge, on top of my art table. Now she’s up, graceful as a swan, and over, and INTO the vat she dives, with all your names, swirling down and down and down . . . scissor-kicking her way to the bottom, a whirlwind of papers, flying around and through the air now . . . and . . . here . . . she . . . comes . . . clutching one fluttery piece of paper, and now, handing it to me . . . the winner of our luv-lee little giveaway, chosen especially by Vanna from over 2,000 entries from all of you darling kindred spirits, is YOU, dear KERRIE FOLEY, (but only if you promise not to DIE if you win, like you said you would do in your comment!). Because you just did win!
CONGRATULATIONS, KERRIE! I’ll email you; you can reply with your address ~ I’ll sign both of your books and pop them into the mail for you.💞
AND, now it’s almost time for me to go write a new WILLARD, because by the time I’ve written it, and you receive it, it will almost be September, we will be feeling it (eeek with joy), and I have new news to share. Make sure you and the ones you love are signed up for this little bit of “All Good News” celebrating the change of season, that starts off a little like this (in case you’ve never seen it):
And, oh my goodness! Just as I was about to sign off . . . UPS pulled up outside my window, be still my beating heart … I grabbed my camera . . .
. . . and ran to the kitchen door, because I feel like I’ve been waiting forever, and now, Hooray! It’s my turn! So many of you have been writing on Twitter and Facebook to tell me you got your cups! And I’ve been whining and moaning because mine hadn’t come yet!!! But just as I was finishing this post, here they are! (Yes, three boxes, I told you I was doing my Christmas shopping!) Sorry, I was too excited to hold the camera still . . . and then I took a big time-out for the grand opening of the cups …
Ta-daaa! First box I opened turned out to be the Bluebird of Happiness. How appropriate! I love it! 
(‘Course the moment I grabbed the camera and began to run to the door, my shadow was right behind me!) What is it, what is it? A cup? Are you kidding? All this for a cup? 🙀
And then, more appropriate timing . . . the next one out was the Martha’s Vineyard cup! Then the Santa cup, and then the darling new smaller size, Autumn. Which means, I am SET! 💙
What a nice note to end on! Blessings to you all…. I hope you are loving these last lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, these ARE the good old days! Thank you for all your sweet comments, Girlfriends. More fun for us to come soon. And now . . . I’m going to make a cup of tea! XOXOX
Thanks for helping me get even more excited about AUTUMN in Sweet Home Alabama!
I’m so happy for going back to England ! I wish I could go just once! I hope to go to all the places you went in your book. My mom and dad got me the gardening mug at The Apple Farm! I’m so glad they live in SLO; I want the Autumn mug also. I always look forward to your Willards! Thank you for doing a giveaway! Have a wonderful and safe trip!
Blessings to you from Norway…thank you for sharing life and inspiration with so many of us!
Susan & Joe, thought of you when I took a day trip to MV spent the time in Oak Bluffs a short visit, but must be so very magical in the fall. Thanks for the wonderful pictures of the changing light in your most recent Willard. Life is Good!!! 🙂
My sister has lived in Alaska for over 30 years but we grew up in Mass. and NY so every year, she misses the smells and colours of Autumn leaves . A couple of years back I sent her my copy of Autumn from the Heart of the Home so she could have a bit of a New England Fall with her. It is something she enjoys every year. A lovely bit of memory..
I love your blog and newsletter. I have always wanted one of your signed books!!! I am totally in love with your artwork.
I’m getting ready to read “A Fine Romance” to my 93 year old aunt. I bought it for her when it first came out (and one for me too). It gave her great pleasure as she was reminded of her long ago travels to many of the same places. Dementia has now left her living in the past (most of the time she thinks it’s the 1950’s); she can’t read or write and has lost enthusiasm for life. I thought if I read your book to her a little at a time (she doses off frequently) it would again bring back those happy memories of her travels. The bonus for me is being able to share some meaningful moments with her. Thank you, Susan!
I love all your drawings – they remind me of a simple time. Enjoy the light coming in from a window. A bird just flying. Those things will always happen even in this crazy time.
I just love all of your work Susan!!! It always makes me smile and feel happy. I have some of your books and have started buying your calendar every year to hang up in my sewing room.
Good sunny morning, Susan,
Blog treat yesterday, and Willard treat arrived this morning. Just one word after this morning’s Willard: Love!
Lynn
I love all the light and shadow pictures! I also love seeing water reflections which I find mesmerizing. Thank you for writing such a lovely blog and creating such beautiful things!
Hi Susan!
Every time I see your art, my soul skips a beat at the kindred nature. I so enjoy your Willards.
Have a lovely day!
Taking time to love everything we have around us, big and small! Thank you for reminding us! Find the joy there.
What a refreshing blog. Your pictures always make me want to be where you live. I was just looking at my Autumn book and picking some recipes. Thank you so much Susan for your blogs. They brighten my day.
I really enjoy your Willard newsletter and all your books cups etc. I especially enjoyed the pictures of your family. I agree with you, there is nothing like family.
We just got home from a trip to the east coast and got the spend a night in Vineyard Haven! There was only one room available I think on the whole island because it was the night of the Illumination at Oak Bluffs! We had no idea… but got lucky enough to stay at The Look Inn and I think walked right by your house several times! 🙂 Heart you and heart my cute Hubs for taking me there. It really is a magical place.
Hello dear Susan…..I am the 552nd person to leave you a comment so the chances of my winning the great gifties are quite remote. Still, I am going to try! I love your art, your writing, sharing your adventures, everything! My days would be incomplete without your calendar hanging on the kitchen door! So please, keep up the good and wonderful work. You are truly a light in the world. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
I love reading Willard and your blog. The sunshiney kitchen window in Willard was lovely. Thank you for doing a giveaway. Happy Almost Fall.
A friend recently introduced me to your blog, which is wonderful, and recommend I read your travel book on your trip to England via the QEII, and I loved it! Made me want to hop right on a ship and visit all the places you described. So thank you!
Love your wate color drawings.
I notice in the new Willard you have a map with pins in all the countries it is sent to, I’m located in Denmark – but I have no pin😥😥.
Having lived in South Florida for the past 30 years, I’ve come to dearly miss the beautiful autumns I experienced in Northern Virginia. However, I get to vicariously enjoy them (and winter too!) thanks to your blog posts, and Willard. Thank you for sharing your lovely world with us!
Thank you for all the stories and inspiration you share! I’ve bought countless numbers of your books for gifts over the years. The apple crisp recipe is the only our family will use ; ) The mornings seem brighter when I look at my calendar, love the quotes and artwork. Keep sending the happiness and love through your passion!
Hi Susan. I love your web page and blog! Thank you for your inspiration!
Thank you for the lovely mini trip to your island! Summer is such a wonderful thing and family makes it even better! Looking forward to fall now that your zucchini bread is ready….thanks Susan for a lovely break today :0) Hugs, Teri
Oh how I would love to win the drawing. I bought my first Heart of the Home book just when it was first published in 1986 and I was newly engaged. In the spring of 1987 after our wedding, we took a trip to Martha’s Vineyard because I wanted to see the place where my favorite cookbook author lived, just wanted to have my feet in the same area. Was such a nice visit to your lovely island, rode by your house and waved and hope to see you but didn’t. Cook from your books all the time. Have given them to friends and my mother in law is also a huge fan (because I told her all about you and gave her some books). Happy end of summer and here’s looking forward to Fall.
I was in East Sussex in July to visit daughter and granddaughter. Toured Arundel castle and had tea with scones and clotted cream in Alfriston. Did lots of shopping and got fabric for next quilt. My Peter Rabbit motif quilt is at the quilters just now and should be done this week. I loved the photos you took in England. Made me sad to leave. Love your calendars that I have had for many years. Thanks for all of it!
Fall is my favorite season!
Your blog is very uplifting. Thank you!
Susan, I just love your blogs and Willard too! They make me feel so good in this crazy mixed up world of ours!
When the days grow shorter, Autumn returns. Family get together to send off the Grandson again to college in Colorado. Thank you for sharing your family.
Fingers crossed to be so blessed to win🐸
I look so forward to your newsletter and I have been to the Lake District and many other parts of England but it has been many years ago. I would love to see the place that Beatrix Potter lived. My daughter’s nursery was all Beatrix Potter over 27 years ago and I have some of her figurines. I also love your books and hope to win!!
Love summer too….. but Fall!!!!
Another wonderful trip to look forward to!
My heart will be with you.
Wishing you safe travels.
Thank you for being you and providing a comforting respite from all the things going on in the world. I love to pick up one of your books and sail away to a happy place. I love Willard too!!! xoxoxo
Such a wonderful giveaway! I love all of your things and I am quite a fan of Beatrix Potter. With a little luck, I will join you over in England, where my fathers family came from many years ago.
Also, I know what you mean about the change of seasons this time every year. My youngest daughter was born August 22nd and I feel the subtle change in the air every year a few days before her birthday. I am writing a children’s book about her and would love to get it published. Any recommendations or suggestions on how to go about it? Thank you and Have a Blessed Autumn!
I just love your artwork and receiving your newsletter. I buy your calendar every year and have quite a few of your books. Love it all!
My Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams mug has arrived and it is even lovelier than I had imagined it would be! It is a birthday present for my sister, who deserves this wonderful present because she is so wonderful. Thank-you for creating these beautiful things!
I’m eagerly waiting for your picnic on the lake district lawn, with the spirit of Beatrix Potter blowing a breeze through your hair as you enjoy your tea. I hope to get to England, but until I do I enjoy your pictures, videos and blog. You have been a kindred spirit for many years through your cookbooks, books, calendars and web site. Thank you for sharing these special things with us. Enjoy the autumn days, Dawn
P.S. Your “A Fine Romance” is on my winter reading list.
thank you Susan for the fun get away , i just finished all three of your book and feel like i went with you , it was great
Autumn, my favorite season. The colors,the smells, the cool air.
Thanks for your lovely blog.
Oh what a delight when I arrived home to find a box on my doorstep!! Two delicate and beautiful cups. Just charming. Martha’s Vineyard for me to bring back memories of my wonderful vacation of the island last Oct and my nephew who spent a college semester out there for music sharing all that he loved about the island. Santa cup for a friend who collects Santas and loves tea and tea parties. It’s going to be so hard to wait for Christmas to give it to her. Can’t wait to see her expression when she opens it. Well, time to make tea, read Willard and finish reading The Fairy Tale Girl. A perfect way to end the day! Is there a chance that Girlfriends Forever will be re-released? A dear friend from Cape Cod gave one to me a few years ago and I would love to give as a gift also.
Thank you for all the inspiring quotes. Love them!
Love your blog, your books, and Willard!!
Your Willard and blog take me to such a wonderful romantic place. A place where it’s cool. We’ve experienced temp’s of 112 this year. Today, however, a cold snap has taken over..it’s 97. Thank you for all the ‘goodness’ and sharing your life with all of us! I hope you have a wonderful trip, the best ever.
with all the crazy things happening in the states these days- visiting your
webpage is my idea of reality………..wishing & praying hard for peace on earth!
Autumn eyes see Susan Branch!
I am so happy you’re returning to England. I love receiving your “letters when you visit. It feels like a little vacation for me too. Thank you for your “letters” on the blog. I’ve been a faithful reader for years and years. Your voice reminds me to notice, appreciate and be thankful for life’s treasures; eclipse shadow moons and finding joy in the routines of the home, easily overlooked in the hurrying of life. Thank you Susan.
Appreciate your “perpetual positivity” and always your interesting artwork! Have just retired from 27 years at a local university and I am loving being able to garden when I am full of energy instead of trying to fit it in at the end of the day or on weekends only. We live in a woods full of woodpeckers, at least one pair of pileateds, and many more varieties of birds that we love to watch from our kitchen window and back porch. Thanks for your creative inspiration!
I love your books!
Always so good to read your posts and I love the new mugs! Can’t wait to ready my Willard!! Zucchini bread looks delicious…my husband won’t eat it though. I would have to eat the whole thing!
My first introduction to you, Susan, was shortly after I was married and bought my first home….I found Autumn in the library, brought it home and made every recipe. It was then I fell in love 🙂 Though I’m now divorced and no longer in that nest, I continue to love every Autumn that comes because of that feeling your book -and every book of yous- gave me. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift and beautiful spirit.
Thank you for the Red Letter Day bookmark. It’s beautiful!
Thank you for free book marks, beautiful music, your uplifting Willards and just being you, who we all love so deeply! I think Claudia M. above me deserves to win if it brings back memories to her 93 year old aunt. I have a lovely 97 year old mother-in-love in a nursing home who can talk with us and when I took her red tomatoes from my garden, she said, “Ricky, go get me a butcher knife and a plate.” She proceeded to “lick the platter clean” This is why I have a garden, to grow veggies for us, the young children who eat tomatoes from my garden without any salt, and the seasoned folks among us. Bless you mightily, Susan, and all your friends and family!
Getting your newsletters is like meditating. They are fun, calming, but by the time I finish reading them, I am excited and energized to start something new. Maybe it will be a quilt pattern I have been thinking about for a long time. Maybe it will be that primitive rug hooking pattern my friend gave to me. Maybe it will be refinishing (finally) a small antique bookcase that belonged to my late Aunt Jean. OK – I need to end this and get started on one (or maybe all) of the above right now!!
Hello, Thank you for all your inspiration. Autumn really is my favorite time of year. It seems the busiest professionally too. 🙁 Just never have the time to enjoy it. And POOF! In a flash its over & we are bundling up for a wicked winter. I so enjoyed this Willard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥. Its always a pleasure to spend time in your world.
Love Cindy
🙂
Such fun reading and brought memories of our visit to Portsmouth ,RI,last fall We stayed in a lovely older cabin by the sea. So lovely and peaceful we almost hated going sightseeing. You live in a wonderful place and share the BESt of blogs. Thank you
It is so great to see the wonderful pictures, recipes and inspiration…thank you for all of the cool summertime thoughts and optimism toward Autumn! Love the Willard! Hope you have safe and wonderful travels! Thank you again!
Autumn is my fav-or-ite time of year. My birthday is autumn too! I just love your posts. You make me feel like I am right along with you. Thank you for that.
Have loved all your books, have them all, use them all! Would love to win the Autumn package!
It is a cool, crisp day here in the upper Midwest….a harbinger of the fall to come. And then there was Willard in the inbox! What a pleasant and beautiful surprise. Thank you so much, Susan for all the happiness and joy you bring to all!!
God bless you!
Oh my goodness!!! How I anxiously await for your postings/emails, etc.
Keep ’em comin’!!
Your art and prose always makes me smile and be happy.
Your art and prose always makes me smile and be happy!
Hello Beautiful Lady, ~ Oh, The Autumn Is Very Much Here, Even though, It Is Late August! I Was So Happy To Receive The Willard Today! It Brightned My Day, After Ten Days Of Trepidation! My Uncle Was Recently Diagnosed With Liver Cancer, And, Doctors Have Been Not Giving Much Hope; However, Tomorrow We Will Know, If Treatment Options Are Available To Him! Our Hearts Are Full, Since, He Is My Only Uncle Left. Thank You So Much For Always Being Such Light! You Are My Inspiration! Much Love, Ani
I’d love to be in England with you next summer. However I don’t think that will be possible for me. It has to do with spending huge sums of money at the dentist so I can keep me teeth and be able to eat your fabulous recipes!
I’m sure you will all have a wonderful time.
thank you for your blog and newsletter. I enjoy every one of them.
First thing’s first!!!
I read Willard on August 23rd, my 66th birthday in beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes on Lake Michigan’s coast. It looks like Martha’s Vineyard! You are like a close friend. I am amazed you love and appreciate many things I do. I love the movie, “Suspicion,” and have a copy. I have beeen thinking of going to England for genealogical purposes and had talked about going to Ireland with my daughter, Lindsey. She was just there for a wedding, lucky girl. Maybe I will be just as fortunate to go on a tour and picnic with you and other fans!
What a wonderful joy this is for me. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, travels and everyday joys! Many hugs to you!
I read Willard on my 66th birthday at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan. It reminds me of Martha’s Vineyard! I am hoping to join you and other fans in England. I was happy to know you also love the movie, “Suspicion””. I love it so much I bought a copy. Also have many of your books and enjoy gifting them when available! Thanks for being there!
Have loved you for years~have the original books and am happy to see you have reissued them. I met you in IL. at a tea in Dundee, and you signed my wonderful calendar on my birthday (your grandma’s birthday too), and have kept this treasure all these years. You were such a wonderful person, and so YOU! Have a wonderful trip and love how you share with all of us. Have all your books , and they are all special treasures for me. I also have your hat wall hanging and sorry to say I haven’t made it, bought it in 2000, shame on me. Planning on doing it next year.
Dear Susan, I have been so busy all summer I have missed you! I am glad to be back and am excited for our next adventure ~*
Love your books. Your blog about the sea food makes my mouth water wish I was there to enjoy. The cooler weather is coming and will have time to read as gardening is over. Get out your books and reread them.
So excited to see your Willard in my inbox today! It always makes my day!
*sigh* I won’t be in New England this fall, but your beautiful words take me there…
Thank you so much for bringing joy into my life. I love England and my husband and I went to Ireland on our honeymoon 37 years ago. I love looking at your pictures and reading your verses. YOU are the icing on my cake
Autumn is one of my favorite cookbooks, and that Cinnamon Ice Cream is amazing! Love the Autumn cup…so sweet! Crossing my fingers!
We are definitely Soul Mates! Every blog I read, book, quote just speaks to me. Keep up the great work and keep us looking so forward to each calming word, drawing , photo, book, mug, I could go on and on. But mostly thanks for the peaceful feeling I get from your work. It is always a “Stop what you’re doing and just be calm” moment. Thank you so, so much.
I was so excited to see you blog today! Love Autumn and all that comes with it! I’m half British and almost cried hearing about our lovely trip back to the “old country,” but I will have to wait a few more years until my husband retires. Your blog is so good for the soul and what a talented women you are… keep them coming!!
You make me smile and you make my day! I work in the title field, and we had a family who owned a home in Martha’s Vineyard and had to close their transaction off the island. The gentleman was telling us how much the ferry costs, with and without your car. I thought of you right away. Bucket List numero uno! Take that ferry to the beauty you share with all of us. Bless you. I have every book you have written, many signed, so I’m happy to have this opportunity too! Bless you for the love you share with all of us <3
Just finished reading Willard. Always brings a smile. I feel like we are chatting and enjoying the day. I love your love of family! Such joy it brings you and of course I enjoy mine too! I envy your beach life and only hope one day…..thank you for being generous with a giveaway. Thank you for a piece of peace….
Thank you Susan for reminding us by your example that even in the craziest of times, the things that matter the most are those that tug at the heart…family, friends, books, laughs, life and above all- love!!
Happy Almost Fall Susan!! I was vacationing in Lake Tahoe gilzillion years ago when I came across your Heart of the Home cookbook in a small store there. I was mesmerized by the drawings and the way you wrote each page like we were friends talking. It was the start of my “friendship” with you and I’ve enjoyed “reading” every cookbook from you since. It’s like catching up. (Oh and I have made a few things here and there–all yummy!) Thank you for that and for your blog and Willard. I’m listening when you say how fast life is and how we need to slow down and just enjoy life. Thank you for that reminder. I will definitely try. In the meantime, take care and have a wonderful holiday (aka vacation). 😀
Gosh just finished Martha’s Vineyard today. Love love your books. I can feel the love you put on them. They are simply scrumptious. Please please write another!🐞
I was born and raised in Massachusetts, those summers on the Cape, ice skating in winter. I miss it so much and your books make me feel so close to my New England roots. I have been a fan for many years. Thank you for filling my heart with memories.
Oh Susan,
Reading Willard and everything you post is like having a sweet conversation with an ol’ pal. You make me laugh, wonder and think about my own family treasures, including people, pets and things. Thank you dearie!
And I hope I win your lovely books and Autumn mug. What joy and excitement!
Yippeeee!! Wish me luck
Martha
Dear Susan & Joe,
May the joy you bring others return to you 1,000 fold. Thank you, thank you, thank you from Fogelsville (Fogel is “bird” in Pa. Dutch), Pennsylvania
So thankful to receive this Willard, just a wonderful installment of fun, friendship, creativity and light! Enjoy autumn on the island! 🙂
The new Willard made me very happy. I love all your posts and all the /Willards, but this one touched my heart unlike others have. You always remind us to look for the joy int the everyday little things, and that’s a message our world needs so badly these days. Thank you for being there to brighten even the gloomiest day, and I love the little reminder that’s there’s always five o’clock. Blessings to you and Joe and cuddles for Jack.
Love Autumn as its my favorite time of year, too! Yesterday I started taking my summer decorations down & replaced with fall ones. Although we don’t have “real” seasons here in the central coast of CA, our trees still turn colors & leaves fall. I love to collect the leaves & add them to my decorations. Love to get your Willards & you are always an inspiration to me! Happy Autumn, Susan, from CA! 🍂🌻
What a lovely give away. I love reading “Willard”. It is a great stress reliever. Thank you, Susan for sharing with us a part of your life.
I have been a big fan of yours since I received your very first cookbook when I was a young “Army wife” !! All your books have traveled the world with me!! I just finished ” A Fine Romance”. I hope there will be a 4th book!! Thank you for sharing your life!
What a treat to read about your wonderful life! Love your style!
Thank you for sharing your painting talent, photos and music with us! It makes my day brighter 🙂 I enjoy every post. Blessings to you…
I have enjoyed your books from the very beginning! They take me to a fun and relaxing state of mind. Thank you for your talent that has made my life happier! I’m looking forward to your revised editions and new book. And my teapot is waiting for your tea and a cup to put it in! I’m sharing your “art love” with our next generation! Thank you!
Having grown up in Southeastern North Carolina, land of the Longleaf Pine, I did not experience Autumn in the way that I do now. The lovely colors and rustling of leaves is so very beautiful. I really appreciate your artwork and have some of your books. A Fine Romance is utterly enchanting!
There is nothing that makes me happier or smile more than when I get a Willard from you! You make me want to do more, be more creative, write letters, sew, make cards and go bring my neighbor some cookies!
Thank you for the light you bring to the world and your gift of inspiration!
You are going to absolutely fall in love with Ireland! We will go back someday! The green, the green! Susan your Willards make me smile, your Instagram posts are happy-making! Thank you 🙂
I can only hope for cooler weather here in Texas! I’ve only been to the Northeast 3/4 times in the Fall & I have loved the experience. It’s magical! I can’t wait to try your tea; it sounds wonderful. Hope I get to have your 3 books. I enjoy reading your work. It’s like sitting with an old friend. Thanks for sharing the zucchini bread recipe-can’t wait to try it! Sarah