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. 💖
Cary Grant was one of my all time favorite actors! So glad you reminded me of one of his movies! I’ve always loved the way light plays on the walls, better with a pretty glass wind chime. Love the ideas you graciously share. Thank you so much!
Hi Susan,
Reading your blog is such a delightful way to sit down and relax for a few minutes in the middle of doing some chores. I loved watching this movie along with you and now have to find out how it ends. I also loved seeing all the shadows you captured and will pay more attention to them now. And seeing all the birds at your feeders too. Actually, I just loved your whole blog! Thank you for sharing your world with us.
Marlene
xo
Loved the kitty in the window darling!
Hi Susan!
I love your sun splashed pics… I often take pictures of the sunlight coming through my windows, especially in the morning. There is a peaceful, dreamlike quality to the morning light – so perfect for capturing in a picture. I especially loved those little moons during the eclipse!
I am actually looking forward to the Fall and the nice clean, crisp weather. Nice cool nights for sleeping and cuddling with a fuzzy blanket and hot cocoa or tea, good things in the oven, lots of orange, red, gold leaves, and especially, the end of the summer humidity! Your zucchini bread fits the bill, and would be perfect with a slather of cream cheese and some raspberry jam!
The movie “Suspicion” – I caught it on TCM I believe it was last weekend? Unfortunately, I only caught the middle to the end. I had never seen it before, but it was a 40’s movie – and that’s my favorite time period for what I believe are some of the best films ever made! The black and white only enhance the mystery, suspense, and reality of the stories. I will have to keep my eye out to see when it returns, because it was really a great one. It happened to be “Cary Grant Day” on TCM, and the movies they were showing really showcased Cary to perfection.
Looking forward to your Willard! I absolutely loved the last one, and I’m sure the new one will not disappoint! Enjoy the rest of the summer and the changing of the season. Fingers crossed for the Fall Giveaway!
Sitting in a cabin in the woods on Lake Champlain, VT, being completely entertained by your beautiful posts….thanks, Susan, for giving us all a lot of happiness!
Dear Susan, another blog to touch my soul!! Dappled sunlight, zucchini bread, warm and fluffy kitties, old movies with British accents, and the sweet promise of autumn (my favorite!) and another Willard (also a favorite!)! What more could a Girlfriend ask for??? Oh yes . . . . to experience the thrill of winning books, a bag of tea, and a BEAUTIFUL Autumn mug from my favorite author/artist/Girlfriend/Kindred Spirit!! Thank you, as always, for brightening my day and lifting my spirits!
Love the small framed photo of the Queen on your kitchen windowsill !
Love your pictures of the shadows from the ecclipse! We got to see those also. First time here, but I do believe I will be back. 🙂
Just love reading your blogs. You always remind us to take notice of things in nature and to enjoy the simple things in life. I’ll have to be more aware of all the shadows around me. We’ve always liked watching the birds at the feeder and listening to their songs, too. Happy Autumn!
Went for a lovely long walk today and it felt like autumn so it has been a delight to read the blog and Willard. Perfect timing, Susan! Thank you! Picked up my first acorn of the season and stopped in a favorite coffee for a pumpkin spice macaron – hopefully not rushing the season….looking forward to your packing tips – although my hubby prefers only one overhead bag per person when we travel!
Suspicion is my favorite all time film. Happy to see it here and hear that it is yours as well. I watched it too on TCM Sunday. I am in the throws of planning our month long stay in England this Dec and am determined to have my first real English Christmas. I’m using A fine Romance of course but I also made a list from the film of things I wanted to do while we are there. Sit in a window seat of a manor house and read. We’re staying at a Manor House that has a window seat like this in a public room. See a (no kill) hunt, our hotel has one on the property Boxing Day morning. Go to Newbury Races, Carry pretends to go to work but goes to the races instead and looses a bundle. We are going to the St James Christmas races at NR on Dec 20. Stop the car and look at the sea, we will be in Devon at some point, easy to do. BTW there are no towns of Wickstead or Hazelton, printed in the film on the shipping label and train ticket, I looked them up. But I suspect it is suppose to have taken place in Sussex, you can have access to the sea in that county. Please don’t say it really is California. Although your probably right as the magnificent Rebecca was filled up the coast. Visit a parish church with a covered gate, St Peters in Upper Slaughter for midnight mass, xmas eve. Play board games after dinner, hotel has them. Visit a charming local book shop and buy a lot of mystery stories, don’t think that will be a problem. Now all I need is Cary Grant, oh wait my husband is a bit of a Cary, ok I’m fine. thank you Susan, such fun!
Would love to hear about your visit after the holidays. (I’m half British and would love to spend a Christmas in England). Just finished a wonderful book that you might enjoy- The Captain’s Daughter by Leah Fleming. You might want to include a visit to Lichfield Cathedral and the close in your visit. The cathedral looks amazing when visited online. Have a wonderful holiday. P.S. I often celebrate on Boxing Day since, as an ICU nurse, I often work on Christmas
thank you for the suggestions. this has been a dream for 30 years, finally. hope you get to do it too. Anne
Hi Susan! It always brightens my day to see a new post from you! The zucchini bread looks delicious, I have been wanting to make some…and now I know what movie to watch with it! Love you!
I love Fall (and zucchini bread). I have one tree that always is the first to lose it leaves. It has lost almost half it leaves, and when I walk on my driveway to the mailbox, it sounds like Fall is here.
Loved your pictures of shadows, especially of the eclipse! How delightful. Just took your signed Autumn book off the shelf because it is getting cooler here in Gettysburg, Pa. Also, read your Isle of Dreams book this summer. Really liked how you started out “living and cleaning” your Holly Oaks home. That book was wonderful. Got really into your feelings……………….THANKS!
Hope the island still has alittle summer left for me! Will be arriving in Oak Bluffs in ten days for a week of Girlfriend Fun with my big sister – can’t wait! I’ve ordered our Martha’s Vineyard mugs and we are ready to relax at the Pequot Inn with tea and cookies on the porch. And the moonrise at Inkwell Beach. Maybe we will run into you – that would be such fun! Much love from SLO and me!
Patty in SLO
Seeing the eclipse in your shadows, how charming…just when I thought we had covered every angle through media, etc. Sometimes the best can be found right in our own backyard! Thanks for sharing, and for the recipe. p.s. To Joe, I have a couple windows that could use attention😊
Love your photos of the moon patterns. I wish I had thought to look for such things! You are indeed artistic in many ways – you look with an artist’s eye. And the shadows of the leaves are magical. I WILL be looking for them.
I, too, will be making zucchini bread. I have a couple recipes that I like to make – a lemon glazed and a chocolate – chocolate chip. But I will try yours as well. It sounds yummy.
I will cross my fingers that Vanna dives deep and pulls my name for the books and cup. They would be wonderful to own. Love the fact that you share so much of yourself and your products. Thank you!
Loved the bird video and the simple life…a garden, flowers, birds, baking, family, friends!
Just finished reading Willard…..your blog and Willards are so uplifting. Thank you for such positive and loving words.
Hello from Ohio, wonderful post about shadows and the eclipse. I find myself paying more attention now to the shadows that the sun creates in the house when it’s at that certain angle streaming in, especially in the evening. Our sky became a little cloudy on Monday so the eclipse wasn’t as dramatic, but we did see a crescent shape in my pin-hole box, as we were about 70% totality. In seven years we will be in direct path of it, so looking forward to that, and going to make sure I get out and get some of those glasses before it’s too late. I made your Gazpacho today with some of our delicious tomatoes, had it for lunch. Yum! I gave my neighbor some last year and she still raved about it the other day, so I gave her your recipe. Also made the Zucchini Bread, though I didn’t have any nuts for it, but it is delicious anyway, and I snacked on it all afternoon. Will probably make some more to freeze after I get nuts, because I like it that way best. So nice of you to have the giveaway with the books, Autumn mug and tea, someone will be very lucky indeed. I got Willard today, and in reading it when you mentioned your Mom and memories, thank God we have those, at least we pray we will always have them. My own mother lost her’s too in later years, but I have so many! When you talked of the slamming screen door I remembered the one’s at my grandmothers house, nothing but a simple spring slamming the door shut, and it always had a bit of a bounce after. I think I was told not to let it slam! But those slamming screen doors and summer went together! Oh, and what a wonderful idea with the vintage recipe boxes. I think I need to go through my recipes too and add a few pictures, tidbits and stories about certain recipes, something for my daughter Sarah to hopefully treasure someday. And finally, I have been enjoying my morning coffee in your Nature mug every morning, it really does make it taste better. Forcing myself to wait until September first to use the Autumn one! Have a wonderful weekend and have fun planning that next trip!
Susan,
I love everything you do. I wish I had your talent. Reading your stories, envisioning the poetry, the colors, etc. unlocks my mind and brings forth so many warm memories, warm feelings, and sweet dreams. Please don’t stop producing your artful blog and items for sale. You fill me with delight when I get your email. Keep it up. If I ever win the lottery, I’ll come visit, but first let me win this.
XOXO
Paula
Hello Susan.
I loved seeing the name “Robertshaw” on the temperature control dial for your oven. My Dad had a second job at Robertshaw Corp. ~ raising 9 children with Mom, who had the greatest job of all…homemaker (those unsung and unfortunately now endangered heroes) ~, and seeing that name made me wish my Dad were here so I could give him a hug, (Mom, too!).
Thanks for the post, Susan.
I just returned home from a trip to Chicago, to see Hamilton, which is all in my brain now, the music and the words. It is fun to have something new to rattle around in my head, so I appreciate your Musica!
It is starting to feel like fall here in the upper Midwest, and the light has changed here as well.
As zucchini is always abundant in farm share boxes, I will enjoy making your recipe for zucchini bread.
And try to find Suspicion, and try not to be scared! I’ll concentrate on the decor, clothes and background.
Wishing you all the best, and please, do put me in the drawing…thanks!
I just made zucchini bread this week – one loaf and a dozen muffins. Perfect size with a cup of tea! Enjoyed Willard and the blog! You are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day 🙂
Hi Susan!
Loved the shadows and the recipe for zucchini. Yummmm….My daughter made some last week. Starting to feel like autumn. Would love to see the seasons change but not going to happen here in SoCal. Enjoy your autumn. 🍁🍁Thoughts and prayers to all of you on Texas coast line. Stay dry and safe!
Yes, please enter me into the drawing! I would very much love to win your books and beautiful mug! I so enjoy your blog! Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Three Cheers for Willard! Always uplifting!
I love my hand-written recipes. My favorite is a sugar cookie recipe written by my all-time favorite teacher, Mrs. Bishop from third grade. She had the most exquisitely perfect Palmer penmanship. Thank you for the lovely memory!
I love your photos of the shadows! Wow! And I will have to look for that movie. It looks intriguing to say the least! I’d love to win the wonderful books and mug and tea. I have one of the books, but I could share!
Hi Susan. Your Autumn book was my introduction to the wonderful world of Susan Branch. I happened upon it at my local library probably 15 years ago or so, and have been hooked ever since. Autumn has always been my favourite season. I loved school and can relate to your comment about new pencils and fresh notebooks. Now I have fun buying school supplies for grandchildren. Nothing like a brand new box of crayons or coloured pencils. I would love to win this prize and share it with appreciative friends who are also SB converts.
Dear Susan,
What joy to see your letter. I had brought my husband home from the hospital where he had cataract surgery, came into check my e-mails and there you were. Such a happy feeling on both counts, his cataracts are gone on both eyes & I don’t have to be scared to death riding in the car with him. LOL Since I consider you my good friend I loved the letter and the good recipe. I wish you lived close to me so you could come & have tea with me. I got my cups and I love them!!! I haven’t gotten my Willard yet. Maybe next week it will come!
Thanks for the Willard newsletter, Susan. It was nice to sit and read about your wonderful adventure called life. Thank you, girlfriend!
You make my smile wide and my heart full to the tip of my toes. Why didn’t I look at the eclipse shadows closer?! Thank you for sharing your birds, shadow magic, movie night with zucchini bread, and open windows with us. I would be so happy to win your sweet autumn cup and lovely books.
Dear Susan,
Tomorrow I will make and enjoy your zucchini recipe with a cup of tea and think of you. Looking forward to the new Willard! Thank you for giving us all a cozy, peaceful place to come to no matter how crazy the world is out there.
I’ve watched a lot of murrrr durrrr mysteries lately. Am I the only one who wonders how Oxford can have so many murders and still have a functioning population??? Anyhoo. Off to make some ZZZZZ bread. Xo
Thea, that always makes me laugh. 🙂
I just finished reading your interesting post and I could just taste your lovely aromatic zucchini bread!! Right now, I’m on the way to the kitchen to make me some Zucchini bread, yummy!! Thanks so much!!
Hi Susan, I am still waiting for my Willard. I used to receive them in the mail some years ago.
I was volunteering at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve today, just south of Carmel. There were many visitors to the Whalers Cabin today. I often ask where they are visiting from. Guess where one couple was from? Martha’s Vineyard. The man said he had worked on your house at one time. A thrill to meet someone from MV.
Hope you will visit PLSNR someday, especially when I am there.
I need to watch this movie and wonder why I never have. If you only knew the joy of traveling with only one suitcase between my husband and I and one carry-on each. We tried it one year going to stay in London for six weeks. I figured we only needed clothes for one week since we would have a washing machine in the flat. I never looked back. Give it a try, come on girl, become a minimalist! It is so liberating.
Colette
As usual, while reading Willard, I had to stop often to show my daughter parts she’d love most. (Willard has priority over homework.) I have every recipe book and quite a collection of beautiful SB things. The collection isn’t done yet either. My 5 year old granddaughter told her mom she wants a teapot like my “That is Home” teapot. My daughter, Autumn, loves to cook, loves your books, and loves the Autumn cup! If I get lucky and win, guess who is going to get the prize?!
Yay Z-Bread! One bite and the world is a better place! Love “visiting” with you every time I read your words. So often I could comment, “Me too!”, if we were actually face to face 🙂
Thanks for the fun:)
Autumn is my favorite time of year, despite the rainstorms we are receiving from the Total Lunar Eclipse on 8/21/17. Normally we’d give anything for rain in July/August, but with over 10″, Mother Nature is working overtime in the heart of America. God bless the farmers.
This was such a lovely post Susan, shadows are amazing when we take the time to look! Can’t wait to see how this movie ends too, it looks so good. I loved Joan Fontaine in “Rebecca” another Alfred Hitchcock movie. I too look at all the clothes, and pretty props in the background. Thanks for the recipe, it sounds delicious!
Happy Labor Day! Thanks for brightening the season, as always!
Just finished Martha’s Vineyard . Love love your books. They are truly scrumptious . New to the site as of today. So excited to find it. Please please write another. Can feel all the love you put into them. 🐞
Looking forward to reading your wonderful trilogy again when I return to the Vineyard from two wonderful weeks next month….I always read one of your books while I am there. I love the Vineyard in September……lovely, quiet beaches, zillions of trails to hike with my husband and pups, no traffic, great dining out and the best sleeping and napping weather. You live in paradise and I am so grateful you share it with us on a regular basis!
Love Hitchcock! I think I have seen about every movie he made. The first time I watched the movie the shadows was one of the things I noticed also. I think I read that the original ending was not what was in the theaters. It was more diabolical but I won’t give it away to those that haven’t seen it. But I liked this ending better.
I love the fall! I think your house is beautiful, would love to see more pictures.
I absolutely love reading your blog, it brings me a lot of joy. I love nature and enjoy many of the things you do, I get the love of nature from my parents. My mom recently passed away unexpectantly and I find comfort in your posts. Thank you.
Most sincerely,
Jill
Wonderful post…and ready for fall here in PA…the air is getting cool and crisp and you need a sweater after dark. Can’t wait to try the cake and LOVE that movie…all old movies! Thanks for sharing, Susan !
Fall is arriving a little early here in Michigan. It is one of my favorite times of the year. And reading your Willard and your posting about the joys of the season make me look forward to it even more!! I would love to win!!!
Fingers are crossed. And I’ve got to try the zucchini recipe!
Love your posts! They always make me smile.
Brenda from Lewes
Such a delightful post….your blog is so special!
I loved “A Fine Romance” and just bought another copy to give to a friend undergoing chemo for breast cancer. She loves traveling in England also, so I know she will enjoy it. “Gratitude” comes in handy for all sorts of gift occasions. “A Fairy Tale Girl” was wonderful reading, too, as it brought back memories of living in CA in the early 70’s. And it was so interesting to read about how your artistic/writing life evolved. Thanks for sharing your talents with us!!
Love this blog, and this post. You make smiles happen.
Love your blog, and I allways read it, Susan!
Hi, Susan!
I just got your Autumn book (2 of them, actually, one’s a gift) and the mini 2018 calendar yesterday! I want a mug in the worst way but we’re redoing our cabinets so I’m holding back from ordering anything else for a few weeks…….please don’t sell out!
Just hoping to win the beautiful set but with almost 1500 comments I should probably play the lottery! *g*
I look forward to your blogs and Willard letters and love all of them. Take care!
Southern Iowa is turning falling. Bought a new white rocker for my front porch and enjoy watching my huge family of 15-20hummingbirds.
I look forward to all your inspiring ideas receipes, stories and comments . They make me soooo happy. Thank you for everything you do for all of us!! I hope I am the lucky winner. ann teach, Worthington, Ohio
Susan, I so enjoyed reading my recent Willard and this blog! Your shadow pictures are beautiful and especially the eclipse shadows! I need to spend more time observing the shadows. Thank you for the zucchini recipe. I have been looking for a good one to use with my zucchini! I want to anmake recipe box for my daughter and will plan to include this yummy recipe!😊
Again another wonderful post. Thank you for the Zucchini Bread recipe, will definitely make this up this weekend.
So love your calendars every year! and I have most of your books, but I have none of your lovely cups to drink my tea from!
I love to read your posts. They are so calming and relaxing. Thank you for bringing sweetness and charm. We need it.
Dear Susan:
Your blog always brightens my day and makes me smile when I see it is in my mail. I wait until evening to read it when it is quiet and I can take my time reading and looking at your lovely pictures. You are a joy to know. Love XXOO
Loved the zucchini recipe! I have been looking for a good recipe to use with my zucchini!😊
I want to make a recipe box for my daughter and plan to include this recipe for her. What a treasure!!
Sue, you picked a good one when you picked Joe. He looks boyish in that picture through the window. Your day of tea, zucchini bread, and an old movie sounds wonderful. My neighbor’s 30-year-old son brought over a huge zucchini a couple of weeks ago, so I made zucchini bread. Now a friend gave me two good-size zucchini. Just might try your recipe this time.
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Thank you for the opportunity to win that lovely prize. I hope I do!
I just found your blog today. As an artist, I love your attention to light and shadows. I am going to enjoy reading through your many past posts.
Dear Susan,
Slowly getting over an annoying health issue, so I’m a bit late sending you this note. I was utterly entranced with your light and shadow photos and commentary. Loved how the light just shines throughout your home, lighting up corners and walls and floors with infinite patterns of cream and gold. And holy cow! The eclipse in all its glory, leaving those wonderful crescents, pink and white and yellow, scattered singly and in great bouquets everywhere, inside and out. Think my favorite was the kitchen counter crescent, pearly white but shot through with the dusky blues of your counter. And Oh Boy, Mr. Hitchcock surely did know how to make sets of shadows make me want to stick both hands in front of my face and try to peek through slightly open fingers that I could slam shut as needed. I do so love Cary Grant. I read a wonderful memoir written about him written by his daughter. He was one of the great, real gentlemen of the silver screen. Once my daughter (19) is back in college, I’m going to catch up on some good films. I’ve watched some of her favorites and it was fun to snuggle and watch and eat ice cream (bad doobies–eating ice cream in the living room!). She did finally watch Casablanca with me, and liked it a lot. Of course we followed it with the Marx Bros. Night in Casablanca–one of their best!. Oh dear, I’ve run away with the keyboard again. Haven’t been able to write in a while, and just wanted to tell you how much I look forward to your life-calming blogs and Willards, where my eyes and heart can take in beauty, read intelligent commentary, laugh at Jack’s antics and learn about all the wonderful things you and Joe do, around the house, around the country, and across the Pond. So, I promise I’m stopping here. Give Jack a scratch in one of his favorite spots; say “Howdy” to Joe for me; and save a very big hug for yourself. Sending faith and love, hope and humor, Rosemary (and Lucky, my little elder statesman mini-schnauzer–10 years old this month)
Always a joy to read your musings. Guaranteed to sweeten and uplift any day. They are so cheerful, positive and hopeful.
I always look forward to your comments and illustrations in Autumn. You really know how to dignify the season, Susan 🍁🍂🌻
Thank you for the fantastic Willard! And it reminds me that the only thing on my Christmas list this year are your calendars! In the meantime, I’m dreaming of winning your books, tea and mug! 🍁🌻🌰☕️💛
Thank you again for a wonderful post. Always look forward to your life on the island. It does seem like another world.
Love the scenes from Suspicion. You know how to pick a good movie! And your giveaway is putting me in a fall mood. 🙂
Love the shadows too. Interesting how they can be cozy and romantic or scary and sinister. Love your blog.
Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe, I’m always on the look out for zucchini recipes at this time of the year! Also, thanks for reminding me of one of my all-time favorite movies, “Suspicion”, I hadn’t thought of it in years! I really love movies from the forties, I too like the surroundings as much as the plots.
I made your zucchini bread and it was a great success. Love the blog!
Received my Willard today. It’s a good one!!!! Enjoyed getting away for awhile this afternoon reading it. Ahhhhh!!!!! It’s like taking a trip with you. Thanks!!!!
So enjoy reading your blogs, Susan, and getting a taste of what the East Coast is like. Thank you for all the wonderful photos and adventures you share. Blessings to you from colorful Colorado! 🐺
Love all the shadow pictures and especially the black and white shadow who follows you around. I cannot wait to open doors and windows here in Phoenix, it will be a few more months.
Oh, how I wish I was your neighbor! You make everything look so magical. I love your eye for beauty. It just warms my heart. I am so grateful that you have been so brave to share your life with us “girlfriends”. And how lucky I am to be “one” of them. Thank you!
Willard made my day today, here in Southern California – so wonderful coming home and finding the latest Willard is HERE! Susan Branch, you and your wonderful writings make me happy and it’s so much fun reading it all! Ta Ra Love! (as they say in my birthplace….Jolly Old England) 🙂
I wished I’d thought to look for little crescent shadows!
Oh those dappled shadows of fall…even the word “dapple” is so cool. The shadow from the staircase scene in the movie looks like a spider web…eek. I’ll have to watch that movie! Did you ever post a list of your favorite old movies? And if so where can i find it? Happy fall!!😙
All that kind of thing is at the top of the blog under “About Me” — but you can just click HERE! Dappled is a wonderful word!
Oh Dear Susan, I am so thrilled to hear you will be visiting Ireland on your trip. We just returned last Saturday and I already miss it so. We rented a house in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. It was so lovely with views of the beautiful Burren out every window. It was hard to leave the house, The owner met us and welcomed us with a delicious loaf of brown bread, butter, an apple tart, and a bottle of Baileys. She had the tea pot hot and ready for us. Each night we had a fire in the marble fireplace. Our son and daughter in law joined us and every night we would visit our neighbors, the cows and sheep in the pasture. We drank Guinness, visited lovely restaurants and pubs, shopped and ate (best smoked salmon EVER). The entire countryside looks like a magnificent quilt of every shade of green imaginable. We were blessed with magical rainbows. We survived driving on the left on such narrow, winding roads. (So many roundabouts!). Our third visit and would go back in a heartbeat. My Irish eyes are still smiling,
Can. Not. Wait!
I love everything about this post, Susan. And I love everything about this time of year. It holds such promise. I know, it sounds upside down. Shouldn’t spring be the promise season? Not for me. Autumn holds me spellbound. (Oh, another great Hitchcock film!)
Thank you the chance to win a bit of Susan Branch and a bit of your corner of this amazing world.
Fondest regards,
sharon
aka
sally/mom
Fall is my favorite time of the year also. I can’t wait to try your zucchini recipe. It looks so yummy. It makes me happy to see your name pop up in my email. Thanks for bringing so much joy to others.
I love Willard so much…I look forward to it and can’t wait to read it! I have most of your books—they are all my favorites…I display them standing on my hutch cupboard…I will look forward to your trip to England and Ireland…when I read and look at “A Fine Romance” I feel like I was there with you and Joe…good day!
The autumn mug is beautiful! How delightful it will be to sit before a fire, with a warm cider donut in one hand and a cup of hot, spiced cider in the other! 🍎Can’t wait! 🍏🍂
Just had to order “Suspicion” after your description, love Cary Grant and it’s one I haven’t seen! Thanks for the zucchini bread recipe, the garden is being overrun with them this year! I’d love to win the books, mug and tea! Thanks for the opportunity!
I love Hitchcock flicks! Always classic, like Dial M For Murder, another diabolical husband. Anyway, fall is in the air, you can feel it all around. The cherry trees drop their leaves first and you know the rest are just waiting to fall. Happy Autumn!
Hi
I received my blue bird mug and LOVE it! Thank you. Well, I didn’t win that HUGE lottery last night so maybe Vanna will draw my name…
Thank you Susan! I love everything about this post and would adore sipping my tea from your autumn cup as I thumb through your Gratitude book, because aren’t we grateful for our lives!
As always…enjoy reading your posts! Waiting for Willard…
I have seen that movie but need to watch it again now. I don’t remember the ending.
I had to laugh at you choosing just the right cup for your tea. I sometimes have to wash the one I want. It’s very important you know! ☕️ I love your shadows!
Your blogs always lighten my heart! If I win the prizes, I will share with my sister. I have introduced you to her!
Those dancing shadows are a promise of fall. After a long very hot summer it is balm for the soul.
I so enjoyed this post with all the shadow pictures–wasn’t the eclipse just grand?! We don’t seem any closer at all to Fall here in Georgia–but a girl can dream! Would LOVE to win your autumn bundle💕🤞👏🏻
I have never noticed shadows much but will definitely be on the lookout now. Love all your shadow pictures. I haven’t gotten my Willard yet. Something yummy to look forward to. 😊
I, too love black and white movies! Isn’t Alfred Hitchcock a genius? Such a master of light and shadow. I could feel the suspense growing while looking at the pictures you posted from Suspicion. Speaking of pictures- I love the dappled light in your photos. I really must get busy scrubbing my windows inside and out!! I missed the eclipse, as I was inside at a performance of Porgy & Bess. I’m not sure that I would have noticed all those little crescents. You have such an eye for the detail in nature. Thank you for sharing those images. The yield from my garden was very limited, but I do have some zucchini that I plan to freeze in order to make zucchini bread for Christmas gifts. I’ve always finely grated my zucchini, but I’m going to try the recipe with coarsely grated zucchini instead. I’m anxious to see how it changes the texture. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the smell of wood smoke, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and the crispness in the air. I look forward to making your pumpkin cake (from a magazine in the 80’s, I think) for an inservice in September. My bluebird mug has arrived, and it is beautiful!! in fact, I am going to purchase one for a friend who is retiring in October. We have worked together for over thirty years, and she has always been a “bluebird of happiness” at work ( not always easy, since we work in an ICU). I hope she’s not reading this post, as I did introduce her to your blog. Once again, thank you for sharing your special brand of sunshine and for opening our eyes to the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Oooo looks like a great old movie. Definitely now on my list.
Thank you for the opportunity to win, and for your lovely posts!