Welcome! How about some nice cool MUSICA? Oui! I imagine lots of you are just coming over from your 
It just started going out today (Wednesday), and it now takes about five days for it all to go … if you don’t 
already get it, sign up now and maybe you’ll be in time to find a letter in your box. It’s a fun one! It has announcements! I thought today, in celebration of the coming change of season ~ I’d make us Zucchini Bread for tea! But before I do that, a reminder about the new Fall Giveaway I mentioned in Willard! When you get to the bottom of this post, look for the tiny word “comments” ~ click there, leave a few words so you’ll automatically be entered in our drawing . . . for this . . .
Not one, not two, but three books ~ all of them signed to the winner (or if you’ll be giving them as a gift, to whomever you like!), Autumn, Heart of the Home, and Gratitude ~ in addition, for complete celebration, I’m including one of our new Autumn cups along with a bag of Gingerbread Cake Black Tea.👏 Just leave a comment, and keep your fingers crossed! It could be YOU! It really could! Much better odds than the lottery. And we ship, so no matter where you are, if you win, you win!
Speaking of fall … this is one of my favorite things, a harbinger of the changing season, the way the light dances on my kitchen walls as the wind blows through the leaves outside ~ it’s mesmerizing!
It actually shimmers all over the house . . . there is something very cozy about it . . .
I’ve been taking pictures of it for a long time. This was the porch of my first Island house, 
called Holly Oak, during my first fall on the Island (my first “real” fall, period). For those of you who don’t know ….I had moved to the Island from California and had only lived there for a few months, but I could feel the season changing, and I knew then I was falling in mad love with this place. It’s been the same every year since, watching the light and the way the colors change is magical. 🍂
Joe and I walk down this dirt road each morning, through the dappled woods, trees and thickets are still green, but we’re starting to see tiny pops of color (you can see some at top, over the road).
I even take pictures of other people’s shadows!
The solar eclipse was only partial up here in New England, but it made the shadows even more fun … you could see the moon in them. Making me realize for the first time, that when you see a splotch of sunlight through the trees, you are seeing the entire sun in that one bit of light. Because here, the moon is blocking part of it … and so you get these little scalloped moons dappled under all the trees. Isn’t that wild?
So much moon and sun, they almost made tulips!
This little one … the moon in the sun … quite an amazing bit of sweetness.
They even made it into the house… sparkled down the kitchen counters and across the floor. I wonder how many times this has happened in this house, and what the other people we’ve shared these old rooms with must have thought about it.
There’s Joe, my hero, outside washing the specks of spaghetti sauce and bacon grease off the windows and filling the bird feeders for me . . .
We visit through the windows while I set the oven temperature for 325° and find my recipe for Zucchini Bread. Ah yes . . .
I’ll show you how to make this delicious seasonal yumminess . . . and don’t worry, I’ll put the recipe at the bottom so you can print it out. First we need a couple of bowls and a loaf pan.
This recipe is as fast and easy as any packaged mix ~ I make it at least once a year. You get two big loaves from it, one for you and one to give away or freeze. In one of the bowls, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
In the other bowl, whisk eggs, then add sugar and vegetable oil and whisk well.
whisking well.
The you grate zucchini . . .
and stir it into the egg mixture . . .
The birds keep me company while I work, always a good thing!
Stir well.
Add the dry ingredients,
along with the chopped walnuts,
and the vanilla . . .
And voila! Mix well and pour into buttered loaf pans. Bake 60 minutes until a knife in the center comes out clean.
While the cake was baking, I took Jack and we went into the wood room to put up our feet and watch a good old movie.
See? His feet are up.
Our movie starts out all nice and sweet … with Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine ~ Perfect! In this movie, she’s wealthy and shy and he’s a charming playboy without a penny to his name, but she doesn’t know that yet. She’s falling, hook, line, and sinker.
Boy meets Girl, it must be love . . . and I’m settled in, happy as a clam ….
“Have you ever been kissed in a car?” he asks her, and she says, “no” and he says, “would you like to be?” . . . and then they go on an amazing honeymoon and waltz all over Europe to this MUSICA … so delightful ~ they come home to their new house that I would like to own and he immediately puts on “their song” and they dance around their new living room from happiness!
And she is now Mrs. John Aysgarth … sooo happy. But, I forgot to mention, this is an Alfred Hitchcock movie, so it comes with a twist. ⚡️
. . . Which I’ll show you in a moment (not giving anything away, even though I’m pretty sure you’ve seen this movie ~ it came out in 1941, but just in cases) ~ this film has everything I love . . . it’s set in Sussex, England, so there’s already plenty of unspoken history and gravitas, there are darling cottages, and cute cars ~ they have tea, there are quirky characters, and a wonderful scene on a train…
. . . plus it’s mostly British actors, Dames and Sirs, and there are things like riding to the hounds . . . (… just about now, that cake in the oven was starting to smell so good, all cinnamon and sugar!)
. . . and little village churches. Alfred Hitchcock was English so he knew about these things.
The hair, the clothes, the architecture, are all perfection. Everything I love. Love the little bow ~ a bit of 1941 Diane Keaton.
Wonderful romantic curtains, and look, leafy shadows on her windows!
The buzzer just went off, my zucchini bread is done! YUM! Out it comes to cool . . . back I go to the movie . . .
SO, yes, Alfred Hitchcock, which means that besides the charm in every scene and especially the charm of the wonderful actors, there was another character in this “romantic psychological thriller” that got no billing at all . . . Bwaaaaaah! It’s the shadows! Look at them! They aren’t mentioned in the credits, but they are a definite presence in this movie and tell you everything you need to know. I don’t think the shadows in my house are sinister at all, but here, they definitely are! First thing I would do if I was her is get a dog. She actually has a dog but I would get another one with bigger teeth.
Because this movie is called Suspicion, and you don’t have to say it twice, it’s in every scene. Look at those shadows . . . I feel suspicious right now.
For example, what fresh hell is HE up to, lurking around the bar . . . we don’t know, but we know it’s something!
Oh, Alfred, you are so good! Slashed with a shadow! They don’t make ’em like they used to!
Even here, she goes into this office (in the adorable little English town that’s actually probably some place in Hollywood) and look what he’s done with the light ~ I have no doubt that he controlled every corner of this movie.
Cake’s cool, time for tea! No problem, I can watch TV while I make tea! My biggest problem? Which cup shall I use? I take turns.
My shadow’s right with me … lotta shadows in this blog! But this one is the best. Back to our chair we go . . .
Uh-oh — Cary and Joanie play Scrabble with Beaky (Nigel Bruce, naive friend), and we get another rather huge clue . . .
And as time goes by, it becomes more obvious that this lighthearted movie isn’t as lighthearted as we thought (or is it?). Here comes Cary with the poison milk! We know it’s poison milk because it’s all lit up! And we are very suspicious, because of the sinister shadows from the moonlight through the conservatory roof. We can see that milk coming up the stairs a mile away! Bang with the shadows! 💥
OMG, he’s in the bedroom, don’t drink it Joanie!!! (Love the satin pillow on the left. And whatever is behind it. Love everything in this house.) I better stop. I’m going to give the whole thing away. You are just going to have to watch it yourself! Make a loaf of Zucchini Bread first, it’s moist and nutty, and all chewy on the edges ~ it adds a lot to the ambience.
XOXO
Joe’s feeders are emptying fast but the windows look so much better! The birds outside our kitchen windows are constant entertainment ~ they bring their babies, fight for footholds, and sing their hearts out. We keep a bird book nearby, to identify possible strangers.
In my next blog post, besides announcing the winner of the drawing, I’m going to write: “How to Travel: the Tricks of the Trade.” We are getting to be experts. Only thing we haven’t figured out yet, how to take only one suitcase! Getting us ready for our virtual and real trip to the other side of the pond. So excited … love all these months in front of us for planning and “looking forward!”
One more shadow . . . we were downtown over the weekend, walking home after dinner, and looked up to see one of my favorite sights, a kitty in the window!
Today I get to plan the menu for the winners of the Possible Dreams Auction that was held 
here on the Island a couple of weeks ago ~ they’re coming on Friday! You might remember, I mentioned the auction in one of my recent posts, and just in case anyone is interested, here’s the update: I’ll be making lunch and spending the afternoon with the highest bidder and three of her friends (I heard it went for $4,000, which all goes to our local Community Services so it was a wonderful thing for someone to do 💗). What shall I make, what SHALL I make . . . going to get out the books. I’m thinking we should eat outside under the arbor … I want this to be GOOD.
We went to the nursery yesterday, where everything is on sale, it’s end of season! We wanted to freshen the garden, get some fall color . . . and look how pretty, that’s our cart!
It’s a good time of year to get plants. They’re less expensive, you can see how big they are and know for sure what color the flowers will be. And then next year? Oooh, la wee!
Love you Girls, I’m still singing Dancing Queen from the Willard, 🎶 You can dance, you can jive, havin’ the time of your life … 🎵 See that girl, watch that scene, digging’ the Dancing’ Queen . . .🎶 … Have a wonderful day! Don’t forget to leave a comment to win our Giveaway! XOXO
Z U C C H I N I B R E A D
Preheat oven to 325° Makes two 8″ x 4″ loaves
- 2 c. flour (unsifted, lighten by stirring with fork, then measure)
2 tsp. baking soda- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 c. sugar
- 1 c. vegetable oil
- 2 c. grated, raw, unpeeled zucchini
- 1 c. chopped walnuts
- 2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking sodaPreheat oven to 325°. In a lg. bowl, whisk together first five ingredients and set aside. In another lg. bowl, beat eggs, add sugar and oil and beat well. Stir in zucchini; then add the dry ingredients along with the walnuts and the vanilla and mix well. Pour into two buttered loaf pans. Bake one hour until knife in center comes out clean. Cool completely before turning onto serving dish. 💖
Hello Dears,
Oh that cute Joe, cleaning the windows! I loved the moon shadows from the eclipse. I’ve been singing that Cat Stevens’ song ever since…”I’m being followed by a moon shadow-moon shadow- moon shadow!”
The Zucchini bread smells lovely in my mind and inspires me to make some of my own, although I’ve been obsessing over a Buttercup Cake as described in “Anne of the Island” for Anne’s adopted birthday picnic, so that will probably come first.
Thank you for another Willard- I always enjoy reading it.
Your notes on Suspicion are spot on as they say!
Have a great day and enjoy all the light you may!
xxooxx
P.S. we have two hummingbird babies in a nest under our eaves at the back door. They are such a lucky thing- a huge blessing to watch them!
Wonderful post! I feel relaxed and refreshed as if I’d been there with you and Jack, watching the movie and smelling that Zucchini Bread baking. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Dear Susan, thank you for sharing your home life with me. I really enjoyed the video with the birds in it and the little moons on the tree shadows. So cute! The funny part is, in your video I was just as interested to see what was on the back of your kitchen sink is out the window ha! I hope you have a truly delightful day!
Hello from England Susan 🙂
I’m waiting for my Willard to arrive I am guessing it’s aboard the good ship lolly pop and may take a little longer to arrive on our shores across the pond. did you say gingerbread cake tea? I really hope I find out what that tastes like, have a lovely day x
LOL, yes, it’s on the Good Ship Lollypop (love that!) almost there Krissie! xoxo
I am in the middle of my Willard right now but had to break off to leave you a comment about wonderful Willards and wonderful “Susans” that arrive often in my inbox. We get musica, we keep up with Jack and Susan and there’s all the beauty surrounding the sweet words. Molasses cookies are baking in this afternoon with you. Thanks over and over for hanging in all these years I’ve been with you.
It’s still pretty hot and humid in my part of Texas. I’m really looking forward to a cool down and change of season. Want to bake and eat hot soup! This post is beautiful…I love all the little moon shadows. It looks like autumn is on its way in your neck-of-the-woods.
Your Zucchini Bread Recipe is very similar to mine – I add a bit of pineapple chunks into mine. So perfect for a Fall treat. Especially with your yummy sounding tea! I have all your other books except the Gratitude one – I think I must add it to my collection. Thanks for the pause to reflect on the simple things!
Fall is the best season!
This is my favorite post ever dear Susan!… romance, mystery, excitement… Jack… Joe… zucchni bread… tea… oooh… Autumn!… birds… love every yummy bit of it!… anxiously awaiting my Willard to arrive… then I will linger over it for hours… much love to you, thank you for being YOU!… xoxo… Julie Marie
I love the Willard, I love you and love, love , love Mr Jack.
Love the light and shadows at this time of year, change is in the air with autumn right around the corner. Good books offered to prepare for the season ahead! xo
Hi Susan,
I live in San Diego and even though our seasons are sometimes barely noticeable we do have signs of fall’s arrival too. The light changes here, and it’s often dark when we get up in the morning, but the thing that I really notice is the profusion of spiders making webs and hanging out getting chubby or getting ready to have baby spiders. I’m not sure. It never fails.. When the spiders are here, fall is on it’s way. San Diego will not feel like fall in our hottest month of September, but then fall will ease on in in October and our liquid amber tree will start to turn bright read and the nights will get a little cooler. Fall usually doesn’t happen until late November or December which is technically winter, so maybe we skip one or the other..Then we can hit a nippy 50 degrees.. Brrrrrr. Lol. Actually we are going to Napa so we can see the vineyards turn color and wear a sweaters. You need to take a trip to really experience fall when you live in San Diego. Our best fall trip was to Montreal and Quebec City… Amazing!!! Enjoy
Susan,
Loved the shadow pictures from the eclipse – wasn’t it fun. We kept running out side the shop every 10 minutes or so to check the progress. I had to laugh at the picture of Joe with all the plants – glad to know that someone else goes a little crazy at a plant sale. So looking forward to the Willard and making some z cake to have with my tea while I read it. Have a fantastic time with the auction winners on Friday – I will pray that you have pretty weather so you can eat outside. Hello to Joe.
Can’t wait to receive my Willard. I’m also looking forward to Fall. Your blog is always appreciated. Love you, Susan!
Thanks for a wonderful afternoon read. I so look forward to your blog, and I love seeing what Jack is up to.
Blessings and Hugs,
Kathy
How could you leave me hanging!!!! It can’t be that obvious, Alfred was tricky. Cary could never be a murder. Can he? Now I have to find that darn movie. This summer there was nearly a murder in my home too. All summer I teetered on the edge of committing computer homicide. I spent my time creating 2 eBooks and a new website, and my entire family now knows that technology is NOT my friend. I did prevail. The computer is still alive and I now have 2 books (one for free) on my new website and blog. Saturday 8/26 will be its unveiling. (so wait until then) If you have time I’d love for you to stop by and check it out. http://www.debbiespence.com/ As always, you are a great inspiration to me, and your blog is a delight!
This was a great post. I just love all the shadows in it – the kitty in the window is wonderful. I,too, love fall, but I do think this summer went by way to quickly.
I am watching my daughter recuperate from getting her wisdom teeth pulled this morning and your blog post lifted my spirits! Thank you!
Hey Susan, love the pictures you always post!! Would love love love to win the contest this time just got my three mug set and didn’t order the fall cup so would be a great addition to my collection!! AND my birthday is coming!! Fall is a favorite season for me!!!!!
Your delightful (as always) post has me remembering my first summer of Zucchini Bread and Sun Tea – I made them all 1974 or 5 summer long!
I have loved several of the old movies you have listed on your blog and will now put Suspicion in my Netflix queque. Alfred Hitchcock has always scared me half to death, but I’ll brave his super-suspense to see his shadow art and to see where the glowing milk takes me. Thank you for the gift of your blog.
Leaving a comment like the obedient girl I am ****wink***
Thank you, as always, Susan for your blog. I love old and new movies. I am always intrigued and appreciative of set design in movies. Practical Magic has one of my favorite houses. Shadows! When I was a child growing up in NYC I could tell it was time to be home on fall afternoons by the long, long shadows on the sidewalk. I have bird feeders as well. When you sit at my kitchen/dining room table they are right outside. I adore watching them every day. We have 2 cardinal families, crows, morning doves, chicadees, tufted titmouse, wrens, warblers, and finches. I have put up 2 big feeders and have to refill them every other day. Bunnies and squirrels come by for whatever they can find as well. Don’t you just love watching the birds? They are so entertaining and their songs are so individual and magical! I love in the country here in No. Carolina. I love our trees and grass and birds and big, blue sky. Love you, Susan!
I am totally going to have to try out your zucchini bread recipe, I have some left over and I wasn’t quite sure how to use it, now I know!
Your posts are like mini-vacations to me. Love everything about them!!
I have not seen that movie, but am going to request it from my library right now. And I would be extremely delighted to win your latest offerings.
Can’t wait to read your next blog post. After reading A Fine Romance we are planning a trip to Great Britain next fall. I am so excited to be trying to decide exactly where we I’ll go.
I love reading everything you write.
Can’t wait to read about planning a trip. My husband and I are just beginning to plan a trip for
Next fall to Great Britain. I just finished reading A Fine Romance and decided hat next year we have to go .
LOVE THE FALL BOOK! FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO MESSAGE. JUST ASK A YOUNG PERSON!
Dear Susan, I was so excited to find Willard in my mailbox, thank you for bringing a smile to my face. I love your cups, so charming! I have not seen Suspicion yet, but it is now on my list 🙂 Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors and another good movie he is in: Talk of the Town with Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman. It is classified as a screwball comedy and is so funny. There is a cute cottage named Sweet Brook which Jean Arthur rents out. A must see!
A creative (and fattening) way to serve your Zucchini Bread (or any quick bread really) is to slice into thicker slices, butter each side (another use for that amazing butter you shared!), and grill 🙂 When done sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with fruit, bacon, sausage or what have you 🙂
Your Zucchini bread recipe sounds wonderful. I can hardly wait to try it! Looking forward to cooler weather, Hot tea in the mornings (I just can’t drink it when it is 90 and humid). I am anxious to see the reprint of the autumn book. I am hoping for a mug for Christmas!
Looking forward to cooler weather and hot tea in the mornings! Would love to win your special prizes!
Oh my Goodness! I love your joyous nature! I wish we could just hang out-a lot! I’m a smiler-can’t help it and don’t want to, lol! Most people do not get why I’m happy, but you do. You find beauty and joy in wonderful simple, fanciful, old, and new things -today it’s shadows! I was thrilled by them last Monday during the eclipse, just as were you. Keep it up, Susan. By the way, I want the books, tea, and mug! Love you!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for the opportunity to win the books and mug. I hope, I hope, I hope I win.
Another wonderful post! I’ll have to find Suspicion on Netflix, since I don’t recall seeing this movie! I, too, am planning a 2018 trip to Ireland. Will be eager to see your itinerary. And, thank for a wonderful giveaway!!
Thank you Susan, your zucchini bread recipe came just in time!!! I have a bountiful assortment from my garden. Will bake up a few and freeze. I haven’t watched Suspicion yet, how did I miss it? Have you seen Shirley Maclaine in Mrs. Winterbourne yet? You may enjoy it. It’s on Amazon.
Now that my son is safely away for his second year of college, I plan to take my mind off of my empty nest with your movie selection. Thanks as always for brightening up our world with your blog and your Willard! And teacups, and kitties, and moons, and flowers, and books, and ocean liners…
I love everything about Willard! You make my heart long and look forward to each season and all the beautiful “little things” in life. I missed out on getting the Autumn mug. 🙁 I’m hoping my daughter got it for me for Christmas! Thank you so much for sharing the your precious, spectacular, and sometimes, perfectly ordinary life with us. XO
Oh! And I forgot to mention that I had a wonderful cat named Chipper that used to play with rubber bands, too. The picture in Willard brought back wonderful memories for me!
Loved the “moon shadows” from the eclipse! I was here in Washington in my cabin and saw many shadows but not the sun. It definitely was a gift!! Thank you for the recipe for Zucchini Bread – I don’t bake but I am going to do this!!!! I am looking out the window and seeing huge clouds forming and wondering if this means rain or what. Thought about when I was going home to Paso Robles for about 30 seconds and then…….what the heck, I can stay longer!!!! I love the Inland Northwest. All of my kids (grands & great-grands) are surviving without Gma so all is well. Hugs to you and thanks for the shadow pics!!!
Thank you for another wonderful letter full of lovely experiences for us to share……made the zucchini nut bread…with my courgettes I,ve grown..delicious….fantastic recipe .Yes Autumn is on the way here too…thinking of pumpkins and those gorgeous colours even here in the uk.
Sending many blessings to you both and your lively.and lovely Kitty too.
Please hurry with your How to Travel tips. We are taking a trip to Spain and Portugal soon. I can use all suggestions. Trying to take only one suitcase. Love this blog . The shadows are amazing.
Hoping this comment will post…I’ve had trouble the last few times. Loved your blog and my daughter and I are making the zucchini bread from your recipe. Sounds delicious! Would love to win the cup and books, etc.! Love all you write and paint and do! Be blessed in this, the prettiest of seasons!
Wow, I blinked and now there’s over 1500 comments! 2 paws up for this wonderful post, chock full of things I also love. Photographing shadows is something I’ve done for years…kudos on your shots, especially those whimsical eclipse photos! I so wanted to capture those too but since we were on a mountain top with nary a tree around, I just stood with mouth agape to stare at the wondrous site in the sky. I’m off to make a plucot tart and to find out who drank that dang milk! XXOO
PS…congratulations on the big bid! I’m sure whatever you make will be super delish and they will LOVE it, those lucky peeps!
So charming. Reading you is always such a delight. Thank you.
Hello Susan,
Thank you for this wonderful blog entry. Side note: my very best girlfriend worked for an 🎬Oscar winning film producer in LA for a number of years. I would call her up late on a Friday afternoon at work to find out what movie plans we could make for the weekend. Sometimes she would put me on hold while she took another call and when she returned I would say that I hoped I wasn’t taking her away from something important…’oh no, it was Cary Grant calling and I took the message’ she would say. I was so star struck in those days that it would be all I could do to contain myself! But she was so professional in her job and it never fazed her the way it did me. She was perfect for that job because she handled working with some of the leaders in the film industry with such professionalism and grace. Then one more side note: I was flying home to SF and was in the baggage claim area at SFO when I spotted Alfred Hitchcock. He was standing along one of the walls with two small dogs on leashes next to him. Everyone was buzzing about seeing him, but he did not mind, he just waited quietly. So this blog entry of yours had two very special connections for my gal pal and I. Oh and by the way, she is a big fan of your work too!🌻
Question for you. Have you ever read any of Louise Penny’s mystery novels?📚 I saw her interviewed on 📺CBS This Morning today and she reminded me of you, so articulate and charming. Just wondered if you have read any of her books and any recommendations you may have?
Thank you Susan! Best to you, Joe and your four legged feline friend!🐾🐾
Kelly
from Walnut Creek, CA
I would LOVE to answer all the comments waiting for me this morning, but there were over 600 and I have 6 for lunch today…so I have to read and run!!! Ask me again! xoxoxo
It’s still hot, hot summer where I live but I feel cooler and refreshed reading your blog and looking forward to fall. Thanks!
I watched the movie last night and loved it. Thanks for pointing shadows and things out. It helped me be more suspicious! The dog was adorable but yes, needed bigger teeth! Your movie and book recommendations are always welcome by me and I have seen and read things I might not have picked. Keep those ideas coming please.
Hello Susan, Girlfriends. its a lovely clear day here, no smoke. no it does not mean the fires are out, just means the winds have shifted and are blowing the smoke elsewhere. but the skies are blue, its a nice 83 degrees here and I just finished watering the front garden, and checking on the laundry and chasing after the goose for attempting to get some t-shirts off the line. for things are perfect. I love these golden days between the end of Summer and Fall, the last of the veggies are ready for picking, the Queen Ann’s lace is in full bloom, and the trees are showing a bit of color, yes Fall is definitely on it’s way. I will be so glad to finally roll up the hoses, hang up the sprinklers and put them all away for next Summer. our little tree frogs come around to visit nightly and roam about in the wet cool garden area for bugs. we are hearing the Katydids start to sing while the crickets are going away now. seems that our big old rooster, Reuben, is being terrorized again by the ducks.. wonder who he was bothering now to get them so mad at him and he has a few tail feathers left, those ducks are slipping… usually they are all gone and he has a bare or bald spot where the feathers were. LOL!!! that’s life in the barnyard I guess. time to get busy baking, I usually start baking bread for sandwiches and breads like zucchini bread or nut bread for dessert. time to restock the pantry on flour ( a modest variety like wheat flour, rye flour, white flour, bread flour, cake flour and so on.) for holiday and daily baking. time to get ready for making apple butter and putting up the last of the jams and jellies, and canned tomatoes for winter. it will be Fall before we know it, and apple season… I love the Fall, its my favorite time of the year. well off to get the laundry off the line and ironed and put away. then maybe time for a cup of tea and some porch sitting, or maybe treat myself to a video of Pride and Prejudice. love Greer Garson in that movie. have a lovely evening and enjoy. love much, laugh often and live well. hugs…… 🙂
We got to experience totality here, and those little sun/moon shadows were one of my favorite parts. Would love to win the goodies, I would share them with my friend Audrey, who loves Autumn and introduced me to you!
Hello from Pa! Just loved all the shadows, especially the parting shot!!😺 I received my two mugs a bit back now but love them! So pretty! I purchased the bluebird and autumn, the little things mug earlier, thank you for such lovely designs and quality! Enjoy your day!
Also thank you for offering such generous lovely giveaways! Hope a Vanna chooses me!
love the zucchini bread recipe…. have made cupcakes also with your cream cheese frosting recipe….we are at a wedding in ourey colorado and the shadows and autumn hinting are magical….happy almost fall….❤️🍁🍂❤️
Susan, hearing from you is always such a pick-me-up. Thanks for taking the time to send another Willard and post on your blog. Loved your shadow pictures of the eclipse. Enjoyed watching the excellent coverage on TV as it was overcast here on the coast of California. I caught a couple of old Cary Grant movies this week, too. Fun and relaxing. Would love to win your generous giveaway. Knew I couldn’t win unless I took the time to say “Hello” and enter!
Hi Susan, another lively post! Thank you! Reading your posts always make me so happy! Have a great evening!
So excited for fall, my favorite season. And I’d love to give your autumn book to a friend because I love my copy
I also have noticed the changing light and today I saw a bit of red in the maple tree. Fall! I love it the mostest. August is fire season in our part of the US, but today the sky is clear and blue. I can feel autumn coming.
Thanks so much for Willard and your blog! Love your portrayal of the changing seasons on the Vineyard, and Jack, too, of course! Would love to win the books, cup and gingerbread cake tea. Especially would love your Gratitude Book. My best friend from childhood and I are grappling with the illness of the third member of our “Three Musketeers” group. She has early-onset Alzheimers and is getting closer to the end of her struggle. We have been expressing our gratitude lately about how fortunate we are to have had her in our lives for as long as we have, counting our blessings, and trying to stay positive for her even though we sense she does not recognize us any longer. Thought I might give your Gratitude book to my close friend as we begin the process of saying goodbye to our third Musketeer.
Ooh a great movie warm bread, tea, a kitty and a great Mann–ahh–life is also GREAT!!
Oh, how I would love to win! I love everything about Susan Branch – she is an inspiration. I have my own “vintage” family recipe boxes with lots of cards printed by other people. I hope my daughter will one day appreciate them as much as I do. I’ll have to start looking for more in antique stores; I never thought about finding someone else’s treasured recipes this way. My heart always breaks when I see old photographs that the family doesn’t want anymore. I never, ever throw family memorabilia away; I have an oddball collection ranging from dog licenses from the 1920s to deeds, and so on! In one old will, my great-grandfather leaves his “…cow Bessie to my wife to call her own.” Isn’t that priceless! He left money to his children, but only the cow to his wife – I hope she had a good sense of humor!
Try, try again. How I love your posts! 💕
First, thank you for the zucchini bread recipe – can’t wait to try it. Second, my love for getting that ever special treat – Willard – will never get old. And finally I can’t wait to hear all about your lunch for the lucky auction winners. I am trying to imagine all the special touches that will be included in your day. I hope it’s a wonderful time for all.
Your blogs always bring sunshine and this time. . .shadows into my world. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the cat shadow. . he’s watching and waiting. Pets are the best.
Yay another letter from Susan. And guess what? You are absolutely fabulous! So generous with your gifts, warmth, humor, photos, recipes….sigh. What more can I say? Sending hugs your way from Seattle via Pismo Beach (just cuz we want to pick up our old beach girl vibes from the 70s) ♥♥♥
Just loved your post. What a wonderful day you had! I’ve noticed that the light has changed – a harbinger of a new season to come. Autumn is my favorite…
Oh please do ad me to your drawing!! This time of Year is my favorite season on the Cape. I was married in Yarmouth on September 29th- simply glorious fall weather. Wish I could be there now each fall.
Have you ever added lemon zest or orange Zest to your zucchini bread. Adds a nice bit of yum, so does a lemon glaze!!! Mouth watering!!
Enjoy the best season of the year up in the best state in the country!!
Elizabeth
Ooh, Suspicion is one of the Hitchcock movies I have not seen yet, and I love Hitchcock movies. I look forward to seeing it in the near future — with some zucchini bread. I have a friend from church who used to work in the Southern Living kitchens as a tester of recipes here in Birmingham, Alabama. She makes the most delicious zucchini bread for bake sales at the church, and her recipe makes two loaves. She knows I will buy at least one, and I tell her ahead of time to put my name on one of them. This looks like a yummy recipe that I should try — one for me and one to share with my brother!
What a great giveaway! Please add my name to the drawing.
You always brighten my day!
OMG! Just read Willard. Do you know how much I want that teeny Courage vase??!!😲 And thank you for all the wisdom and positive thoughts in Willard!❤️❤️❤️
I’m inspired! Heading out to the garden to grab some zucchini to use in your recipe. ❤
We use to sing a similar song as the one from Willard – It went: I’m a little acorn brown/ laying on the cold, cold ground/ everybody steps on me/ that’s why I am cracked you see,/ I’m a nut, in a rut, boom, boom.
Never saw the movie and now I can’t wait! I really imagined myself in your kitchen this time with birds and shadows, the cat and the wonderful spice smell.
“Happiness is something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.” Lots of people think about the first two but forget how important the third ingredient is…..well, Willard is always something to look forward to, and when you are giving away a prize, that’s even better! Thanks for all the beauty and all the memories and all the fun. We wuv you, and now, for something to do we can make zucchini bread!
Love reading your wonderful blog and Willard!! I also love old movies, Autumn, zucchini bread , England (was there in September 2016), and all Susan Branch things!!!
What a lovely post. I shall have to watch Suspicion – it sounds wonderful. And thank you for the recipe for zucchini bread. I’m pleased to see it doesn’t contain any ingredients we don’t have here in the UK! The shadows with all the little moons were amazing – hard to get my head round somehow.
Only a few days ago I told one of my friends that my favorite thing in the world was to watch the sun move across the interior of the house. My kitties really know how to how to enjoy life! The small moons you captured during the eclipse are my favorites photos of that historic day! There is only the slightest indication of fall in the Chicago area. You can hear the faintest rustle of the leaves when the wind blows. I’ve never seen the finches go through so much bird seed or the hummingbirds so much nectar.
I’m off to make zucchini bread and watch Suspicion!
Every single time I receive Willard I’m sure that it’s the best issue ever…but this one tops them all! So many of us adore this time of year and your love of the change of seasons, especially summer in to fall, is contagious. Makes my heart sing! I’m so happy that you and Joe will be spending some time in Ireland on your trip next spring. Hubby and I went there for two weeks 25 years ago, flew over on Aer Lingus on an overnight flight. The early morning clouds broke up as the plane descended on its approach to Shannon Airport and I caught my first glimpse of the land…green fields marked into squares and rectangles by stone walls and hedgerows and little gray and white blobs.As we got closer to the ground I could see that all those little blobs were sheep.I totally surprised myself and hubby at that point by breaking into sobs and tears. The flight attendant happened to be walking down the isle at that time, and she looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes and said “this is your first sight of your mother land, isn’t it.” Bless her, my great grandfather immigrated from Ireland, and although it was a place I’d always wanted to visit I hadn’t realized till that moment the heart-pull it had on me. The trip was life changing. This giveaway is lovely! I have the books and mug, and should I be the lucky winner I’d love to pass them on to our blog friend, Karen, who had surgery for cancer a couple weeks ago. Karen, if you see this, I hope you’re recovering just splendidly! I think of you each morning as I drink coffee from my Autumn mug and say a little prayer for you.Hugs
So sweet, your first view of Ireland, you made tears in my eyes! xoxo
Fall is my FAVORITE time of year! Right now I have 4 loaves of zucchini bread ready for the oven. (Your recipe of course!) My sister and brother-in-law are getting ready for a road trip across the US then up to Alaska! They need something to snack on! And so do I.
Our HOT summers here last a bit too long for my liking … I’m ready for autumn now! Love your blog posts. And love Cary Grant too 😍
Oh, Susan, I too am a fan of Autumn – my favorite season of the year! It always has the best smells and colors – burning leaves, zucchini or banana nut bread cooking. Wonderful memories of days past when my children were small and oh, so easy to please! Thank you especially for your Autumn book. I’ve purchased 5 of these and have given them as gifts – what could be better? Your Autumn cup would make a wonderful addition to my shelf! Thank you for your warm heart and generous soul.
Love your books and blog. Hoping to have a new cup too.
Love how you incorporate love, laughter, art, friendship and genuine appreciation for the simple things in life.
What a wonderful way to transition to fall even though these last August weeks of summer are my favorite! Would love to win!
Also ” Suspicion” & ” Rebecca” are my favorite Hitchcock movies
Love your beautiful photos of the changing light. You inspire me to slow down and really notice the world around us. Thank you, Susan.
Yummy bread recipe – many thanks!
Autumn, dear Autumn……such a lovely season – take a deep breath!
Told my husband that you wake Joe up @ 6AM. He said, “Don’t even think about it here” !😧
Enjoyed your Willard and the “blog”, always make my day.
I look so forward to reading your blog. It always brightens my day, and I save it to savor with a cup of tea. I’m checking for Willard, but he hasn’t arrived in Kansas yet. I’d love my tea in the Autumn cup!
Oh, my word. Getting my ingredients together for the zucchini bread immediately, then on to find some bird feeders! Birds are some of my favorite people!
Vanna, Vanna ~ pick me!
Today was a very bad day at work (I’m a nurse). I came home and had a bit O’ Glenlivet, to relax, and considered retirement possibilities. Then I went to your blog. Thank the highest of powers that you had a post. Joe, so cute cleaning the windows. Then, one of my favorites, Cary Grant, in a movie full of shadows and ‘suspicion’. (he was such a good actor!). And, your delightful eclipse shadow pictures, which delighted me the most, because I work in a hospital basement (no windows.., who thinks of that!?) and missed the whole eclipse, any way. I think I liked your pictures more than I would have liked the actual eclipse. They were lovely. On top of all of that, the post was FUNNY! Your comments on the movie were so funny to me! (Glenlivet??, no, I only had a couple of sips. It is your sense of humor). So, Susan, thanks, again!, for lifting me up. God bless.
OH, yeah, one more thing. My kitchen is empty and getting gutted this coming week. I am jealous of anyone who can bake zucchini bread for the next 8 weeks! Can’t wait to bake in my new kitchen! (I so badly need a new kitchen!)
Would love all that you are giving away but reality says “not a chance”! Hope springs eternal! I so enjoy your blog and Willard and come away refreshed and uplifted. Thank you for the bookmark!
Thank you Susan, for sharing all the sweet pleasures of a lovely afternoon at home. Enjoyed the zucchini bread too – I could almost smell it- and no calories with my “serving.”
Can’t wait for Autumn! Would LOVE for Vanna to choose me. We just moved from CA to CO and are in a small apartment until our house is finished (*maybe* before Christmas…). My fall mugs are in storage, but I did keep my Autumn charm ready for sweater weather. Good luck to all!
Thank you, Susan, for bringing your world to us!
Loved reading this, Susan! I love old movies and I just made zucchini bread, too! I have the very same recipe. A friend gave it to me in 1970! Love you and your thoughts and lovely photos, Eileen
I have to say I loved the picture of the Queen on your windowsill. I just finished watching a documentary on her for her 90th birthday. Love love love your blog
Love it all Susan! I so look forward to willard, all the blogs are wonderful Thanks so much Susan!
Loved the moon in the sun shadows!!!! That was amazing. I’ve never seen that and, of course, I was working at the time of the eclipse and so missed them this year. Sad me, but I am grateful you shared. Again, just amazing.
Susan,
I enjoyed your new blog! Thank you. Loved the photos. You make shadows seem like artwork. I must admit that I will now pay more attention to them! I have not received the new WILLARD, something else to look forward too, Yeah!! Put my name into the hat for the great giveaway! You are so generous! I am looking forward also to Autumn, my favorite season. I can almost see all the great fall color, and taste the sweet goodness!
Oh I love light and when it changes, and the shadows, great photos. Such a lovely time of year!
Susan, was that movie from Netflex? My granddaughter is moving in with me soon and she has Netflex and we will be sharing it! I do hope that movie is available! I’m sure I saw it back in the early 40’s but who knows and I love all the actors; weren’t actors in the 30s, 40s, and 50s just the best? I recall skipping 8th grade to sneak to the movie house and watch Rita Hayworth in some risky movie! We didn’t want to get caught so following the movie, we slipped out the exit and walked all the way home. You tell Vanna to be sure to hang onto my name if she picks it next time as I’d love to be a winner! Thanks for all the family talk, thanks for the kitty talk, and all the other conversations!