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. 💖
Thanks for all your lovely observances — especially the moon shaped shadows!! So much fun!! I am looking at shadows in a whole new way now — thanks for reminding me to enjoy those subtle reminders of the changing seasons!!!
GOOD MORNING THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVING POSITIVE ENERGY. YOU ARE A TRUE KINDRED SPIRIT. HAPPY LATE SUMMER FUN AND LOVE TO YOU, JOE & KITTY. PEG
No one has mentioned that your beautiful mugs are so delicate and wonderful to touch! There must be a more refined word than ‘mug’ for them! They are a joy to hold and use. I’ve had mine for a couple of weeks and find myself surprised every morning with coffee in such a featherweight and dance-y container! They are elegant! (The handles are a beautiful addition with their happy paintings!) Thank you, Susan!
Susan, I love all your shadows! When I was a little girl I loved spending the night at my grandmothers. She had a big soft bed covered with quilts on the third floor. At night while in bed I would watch the shadows of her big Oak tree dance on the wall and window by my bed. Your shadow pictures reminded me of that wonderful memory. Thank you…And I watched Suspicion on TMC too..love that movie!! Anything with Carey Grant!..oh and love the recipe for zucchini bread. I made a chocolate zucchini cake last week..had tons in the garden!!!
Bread looks great… fall is coming !!!! yea!
Well I think it is my turn now to be picked. Pick me, pick me (waving arms up high)
Oh my goodness–while making my way through Willard, I’d already put three of those items on my Wish List! Thank you for a wonderful Willard adventure, Susan.
The shadows and the marvelous spider webs are preparing for October spookiness. Natural decorations are amazing..
I’m making tea and patiently waiting for Willard.
Your shadows are beautiful! It’s still summer here in Kansas (and will be thru October) but what a summer—everything is still green! Normally by now, it looks like Death Valley. Autumn is my favorite time of year–would love to win the cup, tea, and books. Your birds are very noisy and friendly.
Susan, Your latest Willard is just great. Such a fun, newsey post. I am glad I am on the mailing list! Would love to win the goodies. Can’t wait to see the new cup!
Evening Susan, I enjoyed this post. I’m a bird lover so photos of your lovely feeders and the official, smiling Joe just made me happy. I know it’s still August but a couple of mornings this week I caught the scent of fall. Have you ever made Chocolate chip Zucchini Cake? You would love it. Crossing my fingers😉
A New England Fall… I’ve only experienced one of them, but oh, how my heart yearns for them each time this time of year rolls around! Thank you for sharing with us!
Jessica
Fall is in the air here in MN – there’s so much joy and anticipation for each season change.
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I must be very observant to see the small seasonal changes in southern california, but I can. The light changes here and there is a different feel to the air, but oh how I wish I were in the northeast……..someday.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for this relaxing read right after I watched my TCM movie for Summer vacation before fall viewing starts again. “Pride and Prejudice” with Greer Garson and of course Olivier. I still adore the newer Colin Firth version, but this was good itself. This week I have been watching TCM’s Cary Grant movies, what a treasure. Also love you new kitchen redo and now with birds right out the window! Next week – the original :Rebecca with Olivier again and our Joan Fontaine. I’ll make time for the zucchini bread as my husband loves it too.
Oh, thanks for the idea of buying plants now when prices are lower. What a great idea. You are so resourceful, Susan and I think it is wonderful you are making luncheon for the $4k auction bidders. No pressure! Can’t wait to hear the recipe! I know it will be fabulous!
Can’t wait to try your recipe for the most wonderful zucchini bread!!
Hi Susan, I’m new to your blog, books, and art. I’ve been a fan of Gladys Taber for almost 50 years. Friends of Gladys Taber is how I found you. I checked out Isle of Dreams from the library and became an instant fan (or girlfriend). Now I’m hoping to win your Fall Giveaway—beginners luck–maybe–you just never know unless you try!!?? Thank you so much for just being you!!!
That zucchini bread is making my mouth water ~ thanks for the inspiration Susan!
❤️ how you set the scene, Susan, with photos, music, and imagined scent (freshly baked zucchini bread)! I look forward to every post, my friend. You make my day!!
Definitely need to find and watch that movie! Thanks for sharing the zucchini bread recipe – looks fabulous. Beautiful fall time…..lovely!
Thanks for posting about the great movie, Suspicion. One of my favorite Hitchcock movies. Love the scenes with Beaky, Old Bean! The shadows in black and white movies take on a more sinister look than when filmed in color.
Now, I want some tea and to watch an old English set film. They are my favorite!
Wow, I love reading your books. I have a few of your books and I am reading ” A Fine Romance” over again. You writing brings me right to were you are at in the story. I am so glad that I found you again. I discovered some of your note cards in 1999 I believe and bought them. I remember thinking “who is Susan Branch?”. Now I know. Thank you for all the enjoyable words in your book and watercolors with quotes.
So Susan, my honeybunch and I were in your old neck of the woods last week. We stayed at Morro Bay State Park for our end of summer camping trip. Thought of visiting Arroyo Grande and your little town but, alas, we went to Pismo Beach instead. Still beautiful but I was “missing you”. 🙂 Came home and, while going through emails, saw your Willard and your “very generous” gifts. So please place me on the list. What fun! Happy Autumn! Thank you.
Very interesting blog. Loved the shadow comments and pictures, especially the eclispe ones. The zucchini bread recipe looks good…it should work with yellow squash..that’s what is growing in my garden. I will try it tomorrow.
Since we don’t have 4 seasons here in Hawaii, I experience it through your blog photos. Made those tomatoes on toast and now it’s my favorite snack. I’ll try that zucchini bread recipe.
Autumn is my favorite season! Enjoy your blog, books & recipes!
We begin each day with TCM, which is a gentle start–despite the murders and mayhem–compared to the actual politics and news with which we end it. I feel a strong need to be informed in order to bring about change, but it does my heart good to spend time back in the ’40’s first, when everyone seemed to have a better set of manners than they do now.
What a lovely day!! A Willard AND a blog post on the same day…and I watched the awesome BP Society video while I had my morning coffee on the porch! Wonderful!! I have a zucchini waiting for me to transform into some delicious tea bread, too. You are SO inspiring!! 🤗
Thanks for being you and spreading sunshine…and lovely shadows…for all of us to enjoy!!
LOVELY post and ooooh a beautiful generous giveaway!!! How lovely. THanks for the recipe. I haven’t made zucchini bread in years… Time to get back on that! I have given my birds a break as they were getting quite hoggish with the feeders and so I will start filling them again around the beginning of September. Love seeing them navigate in many different ways, as each bird has their own way of getting to the seeds. I also put up a suet cake too. Luckily I have finagled it where the squirrels can’t quite get at them….. which is fund to watch them try though!! LOL…. Thanks so much dear Susan… have been out of commission and was catching up on all the posts since April!!! Yikes… Now to do my Willards…. tomorrow…. Time for bed! Love to all the girlfriends and fingers crossed Vanna does me a big favor… LOVE FALL, LOVE TEA, and especially LOVE SUSAN BRANCH!
Ok, la were back at cha with lots of love too!
I have kept telling you what a wonderful peaceful spot your blog has been for me. I so enjoy the way you stop to smell the roses, see the shadows and have a cup of tea. Sure, I still work and have to fit sleep in around that, I have just realized that the only thing standing in the way of enjoying today, is me!
Thank you once again for being that example of Heart and Home, for grabbing each day and finding the beauty in it. I’ll be out for a walk under the trees this weekend in a near by park and then on Monday, a picnic under the redwood trees with my Bible Study friends. Making memories and experiencing the beauty. 🙂
Thank you for your posts. I check for new ones all the time.
I’m new to your blog, and I feel like I just reconnected with an OLD friend. We go back many years, another dear friend gave me your Girlfriends book in 1997. Just reread it…you always make me smile.
Susan, you are just adorable and I love how I feel like I’m getting all cozy on your couch, smelling fresh zucchini bread and watching Hitchcock with you!
Thanks for bringing some delicious New England to this former California, freshly turned Wyoming girl.
😘😘
It would be nice to know you. I seem to love everything you love Tea and talking would would be a happy afternoon, spent.
Lovely post. Inspired me to reinvigorate my home-making with the season about to change. Would love that lovely parcel of things- especially the mug!!! With all best wishes to you and Joe. Hala nr. Bath (Class of Stourhead picnic 2016! ) xxx
What a lovely set of books to give away.. Hopefully you end up sending them here, all the way to Finland.. 🙂
Satu xx
Hi Susan, thanks for the zucchini bread recipe. I’m thinking of turning up the a/c and bake some loaves (it’s still approaching upwards of 100 degree temps here in So Calif).. I’m so ready for autumn and cooler weather and long sleeved shirts and baking again ! Loved reading your blog and Willard. They are such a treat. Love your books too. I received my first one “Heart of the Home” as a gift many years ago from my sister and been a fan ever since. Someone will be very fortunate to win the giveaway of items you’ve put together. Best Regards, Sharon
I so love hearing from you through Willard. I also pray you and Joe will have a wonderfuller time in Ireland and England than you have before although that might be hard to imagine! All the best, Marge. 🙂
Love to see the seasons change! Each time it brings with it a new smell in the air, a change of colours and renewed memories of days gone by! Thank you Susan for another peak into your life.
I’m off to the store now to get my ingredients for zucchini bread! Looking forward to enjoying it with a cuppa! We have been having rain here where I live! Another harbinger of Fall! 😊
Hello Susan! I’m Monika from Poland 🙂 Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe and your blog and books, I love it!! ENJOY…
hee hee hee, ha ha, Jack with his feet up, too cute!!! ♥
And do count me in for the drawing, yay! 🙂
Hi Susan – I see that one of your girlfriends doesn’t like the word “mug” to describe your pretty cups. On the old show “Keeping Up Appearances” they called them “beakers.” Don’t know if that’s any better. Now I must get busy and make some of that wonderful bread. It smelled too good while I was reading your blog. Hope I can find that movie too.
Love this post. What photos!! Dancing light, shadows…I love it all and those were some amazing photos. Funny you mention this change as I experienced a strange light Tuesday evening. Unearthly. I first thought “spotlight” and that it was artificial. Fleeting thought. My modest street of motley homes isn’t a stage set. Then I thought “illumination” as the light hit the house across the way, just a part of it, and the middle of the street. I peered out — what in the world? But it was otherworldly and again reminded me I live in the land of the Hudson River School artists.
Then the bird song! Love love love. Growing older, that’s one of my Important things. I feed birds but can’t see them from house. I’m trying to get my garden full of fruit and berry shrubs and trees and pollinator plants. Just starting! Looking at your singing video I got the idea of planting something in front, even thought it’s street side. It’s also outside kitchen window where I look out. We spent time st our kitchen sink!
Hi Susan,
I’m a retired nurse and my friend Nancy introduced me to you. I have been in love ever since!! I eagerly await your blogs to read about simple beauty and the way life should be lived….Thank You!!!
Love your beautiful mugs! They are perfect for tea and hot cocoa. Thank you for this lovely blog post… fall is the perfect time of year.
Thanks for the bird song video. Where I live in Maine, we can’t have the bird feeders out in any season other than winter, the bear come and steal them! I feed the birds all winter and I miss the flocks in he summer. Watching and hearing your video was a treat…and speaking of treats, now I’m off to read my Willard!
Dear Susan, thank you so much for the reminder to slow down and savor this beautiful time of the year. Fall is my absolute favorite time and I can’t let it fly by without enjoying every second ❤️. Thank you for the special give away chance; I sure hope Vanna picks me!
Autumn is my favourite time of year and I enjoy the moment when I first notice that the light is changing. It means good things are ahead!
I love starting my day with an e-mail from Willard. My two cats, Daisy and Rose are a bit smitten with Jack–perhaps he needs his own fan club.
I used to live in a big old house. I loved to just stand in a room and look at the light and shadows. How different a room could look at different times of day and even times of the year. Lamenting the fact I have no zucchini this year. I could almost smell your bread baking.
Susan! There are over 2,000 comments here ALREADY!!! Whow!!! Vanna has her work cut out for her. You are soooooo kind to give us all a chance to win such an amazing prize! And I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post and seeing all of your wonderful photos. “Suspicion” was a GREAT movie and yes, Alfred Hitchcock’s shadows were striking. And thank you, thank you, THANK-YOU for the wonderful recipe. Now it’s time to make some and watch an old movie this weekend . . .
I love when the sun starts casting shadows in our sunroom. You know fall is right around the corner. Yay!! I love your cups, they are my favorites to drink from. Your pictures of the eclipse thru the leaves were great, thanks for sharing.
Oh, how my heart soars as I walk around our little lake and see the golden alder leaves sprinkling down. We’ve been to New England several times in Autumn and I can absolutely imagine your salty, nippy air. I loved the shadows from the eqinox and we are all so blessed that you always manage to point out the teeny tiny things that fill and delight our lives. You are a respite in today’s storms.
What a great post! I’ve noticed light changing here in Illinois as well and expect an early fall. Love, Love, Love your commentary on the “Alfred’s” film. He’s the best! And the bread for tea. . . .well, I’m going to make up batches with the zucchini I’ve been given! I like that I don’t have to haul out the kitchen-aid mixer and I still get a great product! Susan, Thank You for sharing so much of your life with us. It truly is an inspiration!
done
That movie looks so good! I will have to check it out. Your posts always make me excited about the season we are in or the one coming round the corner 🙂
Susan, sorry to be a pest but do you know the name of the company that makes the zucchini bread ceramic dish? I looked online for the store you mentioned but had no luck. It’s just too cute!
Hello Susan, Thank you for yet another beautiful, from the heart, blog and Willard. I can’t wait for Fall either..my favorite time of the year! Your story about singing with your mother so many summers ago was so touching. I love the stories about your amazing childhood from your blogs and books (yes I have them all…fingers crossed you will someday soon reprint ” Days”.. my journals aren’t the same without it) Anyway, reading this Willard prompted me to dig through my desk and find my two very coveted snail mail Willard’s each from 1998! One is from June and is hand addressed and sports a 32 cent stamp!! The other is postmarked November and in it you talk about just having been to the International Quilt Show in Houston! So long ago, and your creativity just continues to bloom and bloom remaining a constant source of inspiration and reminder to me ( I am just a few years behind you) that we can continue do anything as long as we have heart… raising my wine glass to you in thanks.
Thank you for every beautiful post! You make our days…and can’t wait to make the zucchini bread as I just bought zucchini from our local farmstand. Love the photos and notes about that wonderful old movie! Will think of you and Joe when I watch it, nibbling on my bread! Thank you, Susan!
That recipe for bread looks so yummy. I’m going to make that tomorrow! Have you ever seen the snow on Acorn TV called “Walks with my Dog”. It’s a wonderful series about actors in the UK who take these wonderful walks with their dogs all over the UK. The scenery is stunning.
Ooo, yes, please! I love your art and whimsical style. Thank you for doing this drawing! And thank you for the moon shaped sunlight pictures. Our sky was too overcast to be able to appreciate the eclipse but it was dark like a storm was approaching. The sun moons are amazing!
I love your home, it’s charming! Your new mugs are so pretty and your cookbooks are pretty amazing too. Thank you for brightening up my day.
Dear Susan,
Thanks for the chance to win your wonderful things. I plan to make zucchini bread today. So good! We’ll be using our new Autumn mugs when we enjoy the first slices. I’ve received your 2018 calendar collection and truly love everything. Thank you for bringing such beauty into the world, Susan. Your words, recipes and artwork are like a soothing balm during these troubled times. Thank you!
Hi SB, I too was amazed by the shadows during thee eclipse, and took pictures!! Fascinating!
Happy almost Autumn🍂🍁🎃!!! Your new mugs are soooo wonderful! Made your clam linguini the other night and my whole family loves it… Thank you Susan for being such a dear, sweet girlfriend❤️❤️
One of my very favorites. So handy, you can always have the fixin’s in the house! Glad you like it Laura!
Definitely feeling the fall vibe here in the Chicago area…kids are back to school, great sleeping weather has returned, block parties are in full swing and our local farmer’s market is bursting with fruits and veggies. The change in seasons makes my heart happy!
I love reading your blog, fall is my favorite time of the year.
Joy
It has gotten so cool here the last few days, and I am loving it – cannot wait for September and October, my favorite time of the year! Got Willard just this morning, and would love to win that wonderful giveaway – I treasure your books! I even have some of your recipes pulled from Country Living way back when! Love and hugs! (Could I have used any more exclamation points????)
Beautiful post!
Can almost smell that zucchini bread. Loved the post!!
Greetings to you Susan and all the girlfriends..thanks for the luvlee post. A very nice way to start a day. Here in the Midwest, it’s still beautifully green but the light is indeed changing and a slight feel of fall is in the air. Let us enjoy each and every day of our lives as much as possible. I’m so enjoying TCM this month and have lots of movies recorded. Greer Garson, Cary Grant, etc. etc. What a blessing to be able to watch them later when I will have more time to savor each and every one.
We enjoyed the total eclipse in all it’s beauty! A glorious gift from our loving Creator. I also took pictures of the leaf shadows as we chatted with visitors from other states. A most rewarding experience. Happy Fall everyone!
I love Cary Grant and I’ve never seen Suspicion! I must plan on seeing it soon.
Zucchini bread, yummy. Thank you for the recipe.
xo,
Karen
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands! Solar eclipse, autumn, and a give away. I’m sure the give away is the cherry on top. please enter me into the drawing. Thanks,
Denise
Cary Grant looks good even as a bad guy! Swoon!!! The world needs more Cary Grants!
Thank you, dear far away friend, for another glimpse into the heart…all of our hearts. I must get to the library quickly to check out “Suspicion” & watch it again with new emphasis on the shadows❤
Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe. I have lost my favorite one, so I will make yours. I am excited to try it with the english walnuts 😀 IT will be a nice 1st welcome into the changing seasons. We have had some fall temps (70-low 80’s) here in MO as of late. Happy Friday to you, Susan!
Thank you Susan for such a descriptive story about your afternoon making zucchini bread or cake for your tea and a movie. No one makes it sound better than you. Judy
You are right! It would be better than winning the lottery to win your give-away!
Maybe not better, but you definitely have a better chance, odds-wise!!!
Thank you for the cute bookmark in Willard! And thank you for the chance to win your wonderful giveaway.
This post put me into such a dreamy state. Thank you! Ordered one of your books. Have always loved the Autumn one I had. (Forgot that you came from CA! I am with you–can’t imagine life without seasons…) Beautiful pix and you’ve inspired me to watch Hitchcock tonight.
Love the give away…….I bought 2 mgs so far and would love a third…..Thanks for your talents Suzanne C
I would love to win this! Thanks so much for the opportunity 🙂
You put a smile on my Joe’s face this morning when I read your blog aloud and then asked him if he would like for me to make him some zucchini bread! Thanks for giving me the inspiration! Joe also enjoyed your recap of the movie. He is a a real movie buff, especially the classics. Loved seeing your beautiful view from the kitchen window! We love our birds, too!
Susan,
My initial comment seems to have disappeared so until it is found out there in the clouds somewhere I will write again to say: Love the Shadows and Jack’s feet up and Joe and the windows.
Sign me up for you generous gifts.
Also my Willard has not come and I’m getting anxious!
Jeanne from Iowa
We had a lot of fun using different devices to view the eclipse, it was 96% here! I love the Fall and hope the season is nice and long this year. Thanks for the zucchini bread recipe!
Hooray for the coming of autumn my favorite time of the year!
Hooray for the coming of autumn my favorite time of the year!
Love your blog. I smile when I see photos of your kitchen. I, too, have Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz as my every day china. I recently scored a great find in an antique store. I found eight demitasse cups in this lovely pattern. I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland so I enjoy reading about your travels to Britain.
Only the shadow knows! I love the light in August, with an eclipse or without one! We are in sync—zucchini bread baking is on today’s agenda, with a gift of three giant zucchinis from our neighbors garden. I’ll use your recipe this time! Savor summer!
a good movie, good “tea cake” and a hot cup of tea….perfect! and then add in Jack and it truly is perfect! I love all your books, and when Willard pops up in my email I wait until I have five quiet minutes to enjoy reading it! always puts me in a happy place ! 🙂
Beginning my Autumn display in my home now. Happy fall!
Haven’t read Willard yet, so will go to my E-mail after this. Love the give-a-ways you have even though I never seem to win. Happy Autumn. It’s coming whether we want it to or not.
Hello Susan from Lake Erie: Just received Willard and my goodness what a lovely way to start my day. Soon to be my 85th B-day, I so enjoy the many things you write about that I can relate too from my early days with Grandmothers in their kitchens. My fathers Mother from Hungry cooked on a wood stove. Watching her make home-made noodles and allowing me to help her fluff them to dry on the kitchen table will always be a wonderful memory. Thank you Susan, for reminding us of the Good Old Days, in a Good Way.
Happy Birthday … what a wonderful floury memory!
Love reading your blog. Fall is my favourite season of all here in southern Ontario, Canada!
Susan,
I loved your post and this edition of your Williard was one of my favorites.
Thanks for getting me excited for Fall as I begin my 11th year as a school nurse on Monday! And I’m getting even more excited for my Labor Day weekend on your beautiful Vineyard!
Happy Back to School Gloria! You’re lucky, you still get to do it!
What wonderful pictures of the crescent moon shapes. Just delightful as everything is that you post. Can’t wait for your next book. Thank you
…good morning from the PNW, where Autumn is beginning to show changing light and colors as well .. Nature’s amazing grace…well, once again , thank you for another outstanding, heart-warming post for us all and thank you for having such a generous and wonder full giveaway… happy Autumn -ing…
p.s…Susan, I loved your Willard as well !!!!!.. it is the simple things in Life…isn’t it…