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. 💖
Oh my, I love the shadow theme! I must watch that movie, but I’m going to wait for fall break from school and watch it close to Halloween!
I also love the pics of Joe. We all know he’s a cutie patootie, but is he getting even cuter? I’m thinking “yes.”
I’m here to testify that yes you can go to Europe w/ just a “purse” & one carryon! I did it for a three week trip. The “travel guy,” Rick Steves inspired me. I do have to wash things out in sinks, & it does help to have a washer/dryer at some point in the trip, but I didn’t until our third one.
Did you like it? Would you do it that way again? I can’t imagine it! LOL, but then we have all our electronic equipment, has to come along, computers and cameras and all that fun stuff.
I did a 2 week trip to Paris with just a carry on bag. It helps when you don’t know anyone and so don’t worry about wearing the same outfit over and over! Plus I wore the same comfy shoes for everything. I’m not sure your tea kettle will fit in a carry-on bag 😄
We realize now we don’t need to take the kettle, they have them in our room on the ship, and at every place we’ve ever rented. But we do need to bring our cups!
Yes, am doing it again this fall! One “secret” is to press out each item w/your hands, fold in sleeves, or fold in half, then roll the skirt, shirt, or whatever. Then I put what will fit into a gallon size sealable plastic bag & press the air out. Until our recent Ireland trip, we relied on public transportation w/o a car, so having only a wheeled bag was important. So far the highlights my hubs & I have seen are: Paris, Rome, Prague, Bruges, London, ALL of south/west Ireland, Edinburgh, & Copenhagen. Cinque Terre on the northwest coast of Italy, Sorrento/Isle of Capri on the Amalfi coast were also wonderful! This fall we’ll see Germany & Croatia, & most exiting for me is next spring, (after you’re there, sadly), we fly back to Gatwick & plan to spend all 3 weeks of our trip in ENGLAND! I’m so excited! You MUST see Ireland. We flew into Dublin, rented our first car, & drove to Kinsale, w/stop at Rock of Cashel. Then to Kenmare, Dingle, & Doolin, next to the Cliffs of Moher. A MUST!
Great memories Rita! I think we’re on your same track for Ireland!
Yes, you will love Ireland, rain & all. One thing I’d do over is spend at least two or three nights in Doolin. A “perfect” tiny Irish village. My husband & I stayed at a wonderful home on a hill above the village, the Doolin View B&B. The woman who owns it is expecting her first baby this Oct., but she loves what she’s doing, so hopefully her place will still be there when you go. It was one of my favorite places. Just down the dirt road is a really cool & undiscovered, (I was alone snapping pics there), church ruin. If you stay in Kinsale, which was my husbands fave, the Old Presbetery is THE place to stay! One of the best B&Bs ever.
The house we’ve rented is half hour south of Doolin! So much to see!
I love the way you and Joe exemplify cheerful living and embracing the simple things in life. Your paintings are so sweet and talented, I took up watercoloring a few years ago and find it to be such a joy. Seeing that you love to knit as well practically makes us kindred spirits! I teach knitting classes from my little house in the country, maybe someday you will grace my table while we ladies sit around clicking our needles, sipping tea and talking about life. 🙂
Hi Sue, It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me–Ginny, the Texas newbie, born in California like you, but recently from Nova Scotia-it’s been a busy summer. Today, I finally had time to savor your recent posts-ah, all is now right with the world.
Remember how you helped me transition away from my happy life in Canada to my new life in Texas. Well, now I am going to rely upon you to bring fall to me, because we don’t do fall in Texas. (No, but we do hurricanes, flooding and tornados well–just ask “Harvey” who is swirling crazily outside right now!) Anyway, thanks for the shadows! I have stored them in my mental joy-box, along with those of my own memory. Mom taught me to watch and enjoy them eons ago-wonderful, magical harbingers of fall, aren’t they?
Thanks again for the restorative blogs. I’m going to order some of your books now, as I feel the need for more joy and beauty coming to my mail box!
Blessings, Ginny
I will do my best to send you some fall Ginny. In the meantime, be very careful over there! Watching TV, what a nightmare a hurricane can be! Blessings to you and yours, and all the wonderful people in Texas.
Thank you for the well wishes, Susan. Today was harder. It is unnerving to watch the water creep closer and closer to the back door, as the rain just keeps pouring down. We have now moved anything of value upstairs or up and out of the cupboards, closets, files etc! High alert here in our neighborhood. Trying to focus on happy thoughts.
Wishing you so MUCH good luck Ginny. They are saying do not go into the attic for safety if the water is rising, go to the roof. If you go to the attic, they say take an ax with you. Stay strong. This will pass, and people all over the country are sending money and people to help. xoxoxoxo
Thank you thank you! I just found your blog and it’s delightful. Love your thoughts on the movie, bread baking, birds and plants. Was just thinking I’ll be making pumpkin bread again soon and now I’ll add your zucchini to my quick bread rotation.
With appreciation—
Thank you for often mentioning dappled light, I look for it in my house too. It is definitely magical. Just back home from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard (the only city with an apostrophe). Charming and quaint little towns. Thank you for sharing your stories.
Greetings from California! We are getting shadows too thank you for causing me to notice them. Thank you for all you do to make us so happy!
Love the fall mug and would love to win it. I usually say in these comments that I would give my prize to my dear friend who introduced me to you, but I’m quite sure I would keep this one for myself. I can imagine my daughters fighting over who gets to use the autumn cup when they come over for coffee or tea at my house. 😊 Fall is our favorite season!
So many things to look forward to!!! I too love autumn !
Dear Susan,
I got your WILLARD and wonder if you have a good Butter Brickle Ice Cream rcipe? There used to be an ice cream store in Denver called Dolly Madison Ice Cream. It was there in the ’40’s thru the ’70’s, and then gone. I presume the people retired. But no one took over this gem of a store. Their Vanilla and their Butter Brickle were just fantastic. I have an ice cream maker and haven’t hit the right recipe yet. Can you help? Please reply to my new e-mail. Thank you,
Tiah
I don’t have one Tiah … I’m sorry. Google it, I’m sure there has to be the perfect recipe out there for you!
I love all your calendars and cookbooks. The art just makes me think of “Home”. I also love the pictures of your house on The Willard emails. Your home looks so welcoming and comfy.
Thanks for sharing your talent.
I love Fall too…so glad it’s right around the corner.
Celebrating my summer blessings–even if I don’t win!!
I loved reading your post! You got great crescents for the eclipse. It was an amazing event and we are looking ahead to the next one in 7 years. I haven’t watched a Cary Grant movie in a while, but your description of Suspicion has piqued my interest. Thanks for keeping us grounded, in nature, in the seasons, in hearth and home.
Fall is my favorite time of year, even though I live in South Florida and we don’t really have a fall. So, I have to create fall INSIDE my house. When you walk in, you think you’re somewhere else! This autumn mug was my favorite (well, that and Santa. Who doesn’t love Santa??) and I would love to win this little bundle! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the wonderful blog post & Willard. I love to unwind at the end of a busy day by reading your posts.
I believe I have every one of your Willards! Lucky me!
Thanks for all the joy and inspiration.
My first visit to your site!
Dear Susan,
Just a beautiful blog again this August! Thank you for being so sweet to all your “girlfriends” sharing your home, flowers, birds(I’m jealous!} and that delicious zucchini bread…mine is in the oven tomorrow! I add chocolate chips and send it to my college grandkids. Just love my bluebird cup…so delicate and special.This is my second comment…hope this one reaches you! with love……
Hello, Susan! I really enjoy your posts! They help me to remember to enjoy the simple things in life. I’ve been enjoying a loaf of zucchini bread that I made from a zucchini picked from my garden this week. I used my grandmother’s recipe that we grew up eating every summer. Zucchini was one of the only things that actually grew in my garden this year. I’m a newbie gardener, plus I’m 9 months pregnant, and currently waiting on baby’s arrival, so my energy levels this summer were not at their highest to put all the work in to it. 😊
Thank you for all your sweet encouraging words! I look forward to reading them!
I went to England in 2000 and have literally been homesick ever since. I do hope you enjoy your next trip; how could you not? Now, Autumn is my season! Air fresh, dramatic colors! Mother nature does our decorating for us
Susan, so glad to have found you. I’m currently reading Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, and find it hard to put down. It is enchanting! I love all seasons, but who would not favor Fall, with its rich color, crisp air, and crunch under foot?
I love Fall like all of us!
Hello from Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Thank you for the Willard. What a perk me up. It makes me think of You’ve got Mail with Meg Ryan. I haven’t watched that in a great long while. Hope I get picked…that would be fabulous! Savor every last moment of this summer. I am excited for fall but am concentrating on what is right in front of me. Summer days with cool mornings……. a special time.
We are kindred spirits for sure!!! And even share the same name! I’m Susan too!
Thank you. Just that. Thank you.
Shadows! What a delight!
Dear Susan,
Your post has kept me company this evening with camomile tea. Love the old movies and the classic dress style….hair, homes and all. I would like to see clothing like that now. I recently watched Mrs Miniver which is a favorite. Thank you for reminding us of our beautiful world. Have a great evening! Kate
Hello Susan! Just today I started putting out the Fall decorations! It is my favorite season!! I have been getting things all cleaned up and pretty for the upcoming season. 🙂 Thank you for the movie recommendation. I actually have not seen this one, but love old movies, so I will have to check it out!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this wonderful package!! Please add my name to the drawing!! Who knows!! Someone has to win!! 🙂
Take care!! Thank you for all the wonderful blogs/Willards that give a few minutes of relaxation to sometimes crazy days!! 🙂
Wendy Zenor, Council Bluffs, IA
I have only dreamed about spending time in New England in the fall.
one day we will get there because I love New England and I love everything about fall. I cant wait to see pictures of your upcoming trip. We were so blessed to be able to travel to Europe this past summer and make a stop in England. It wasn’t nearly long enough and I still can’t believe we were there, but now have dreams of our return.
Susan, we’re in England now and came for 3 weeks with one carry on and one backpack each. Our stops include London, the countryside and the beach! 2 places have washers, so we travel light… 😊
There are darling shops too, enjoy your stay!
OOOOoooooohhhh! I love autumn! It’s my favorite–I love the change in the air and the change in what’s blooming, becoming ripe and fall festivities. <3
So fun to read Willard, and inspires me to bake, have tea, & watch an old movie! But oh so much more…think I’ll have to read & re-read it until I can squeeze all of the good stuff out of it!
I just love that English cottage. I keep going back and looking at it Wonderful and how lovely to be spending a few days there. Most enchanting. I would love to win your giveaway. You are being sooo generous,
I miss Robert Osborne. We had no idea he was ill. I’ve seen “Suspicion” countless times and never remember the ending. It’s a great excuse for rewatching every time TCM offers it for viewing. Cary Grant has nothing to do with it. 🙂
I baked a boxed ginger bread the other day as a hunkering down treat while we wait out hurricane Harvey. It’s the most disgusting thing in the kitchen, and no one wants to eat it. (We’re a pair!) That’s what I get for trying to rush fall when a pound cake would have been just fine, but our summer was a scorched earth affair and it’s still really too hot for baking here. I love winter more but I’m grateful for each season. Your neck of the world is as different from mine as night is from day, still and all it never fails to amaze me how we are more alike than different. Zucchini bread is a favorite here too!
Thanks for entertaining me tonight. If you could just make it stop raining . . . I’d bake two loaves and freeze one. It’s probably a good thing we’re flooded in!
🙂 I’d have to buy zucchini though. Everything I planted this year scorched.
Be well.
Got my fall and Christmas mugs and I can’t wait to use them! But I will.
Thank you for the beautiful post, which I read while drinking tea from my bluebird cup. I just showed my husband the pictures of the crescent sun pictures, he said “I didn’t know it would do that” …….so you were part of our morning science!! I watched the eclipse at work through a welding shield, it was pretty amazing! Happy Sunday☺️
Hello Susan:
I look forward to reading your blog. So fun! Makes me want to snuggle on the couch with my dear kitty, Hope! Keep up your awesome work. I love it.
Love you too!
Wanda Susanne
Enjoying your lovely blog w such beautiful art work. Your book inspired my garden trip to England . Look forward to your next trip. Thanks for such a generous giveaway.
Dear Susan,
What a great blog! It seems you spend as much time with a camera and keyboard as you do with a paintbrush, but we are the richer for it! I always wait to read your post until Sunday morning as a personal treat to myself, it never fails to remind me how lucky I was to spend a year in the Berkshires. I had almost forgotten how the shadows and light danced on the floor and walls where I lived, but you captured those special moments perfectly!. Thank you for sharing the changing seasons at your end of the world which I miss. Now I am inspired to find a good movie and make a pot of tea. Hugs from Southern California 🙂
Susan, you are so clever to get those photos with the moon shadows, I couldn’t stop looking at them! Dusk makes my favorite light, my back den has beautiful shadows and the walls just glow, my husband always reminds me that I’m repeating myself every time I make that comment.
Ohhhh fall, it alludes and taunts us here in Southwest Florida. We’re feeling the bands of rain from Hurricane Harvey so we’ve been joking that with the overcast skies and rain, if we turn our air conditioning down low we can pretend it’s autumn, if only it was true!
I just love looking at your photos, I think I mention that everytime I post, but only to assure you to please keep it up!
Love the old black and white movies, just watched “Christmas in Connecticut” on TMC this week, one of my all time favorites! Love, love Alfred Hitchcock movies, was my first introduction to mystery movies and still think they’re the best to watch.
I better go, back yard is completey flooded, front water ditches are overflowing and there is very little yard left for a poor doggie to go outside…happy Sunday!
Susan, I love the watercolor pictures sprinkled all over the Willard. It makes it so much fun to read. Love the pictures of your Jack, what an amazing splashes of “paint” on his nose. I’m a fellow cat lover living with 5 furry companions and I too have a tuxedo kitty, his name is Mittens – you can imagine why. From all the shadow pictures you shared, the best are the ones of the solar eclipse, so whimsical and magical. Love the video of your kitchen window bird feeders, I imagine Jack spends countless hours watching and listening to the birds and their songs. Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe and for sharing your art and imagination with us, many blessings.
Hi Sweetheart! And you are! Loved your blog. Always do… (Except the political ones…to be avoided as they don’t keep us happy.) Your blogs are rays of sunshine.
We just returned from 12 days of heaven in Maine. Our son, daughter-in-law and precious grandchildren, Jimmy (5) and Keira (2), spent a week in a 1790 red salt box home on 83 acres of land overlooking a small pond and the Sheepscot River. Formerly owned by an ornithologist from Cornell University, bird feeders were everywhere. The “River Room” was a favorite place to relax in. There were 3 feeders immediately outside our window, as well as a purple martin “apartment,” a hummingbird feeder, and several bluebird houses.
We went to the Pemaquid Craft Co-Op in New Harbor, and Jimmy came running from another charming room where I was selecting a small, hand-carved bird ornament (I do this each time I visit here) for our Christmas tree. “Look, Nana! It’s a hummingbird, just like the one who visits our house!” And it was! I had been considering that same treasure for myself and Jimmy found one on a Christmas tree in the next room! (Yes, I bought it for him.). Another highlight (of too many to mention) was a boat trip and tour of the Harbor of Booth Bay, including a Lobster/Clambake on Cabbage Island. A wonderful and fun family-run affair, with a delicious blueberry cake for dessert! Would love the recipe! My husband and I headed north after their departure and spent time in the Blue Hill area of Maine. We do so love New England, including your special island which we have enjoyed several times! Safe and wonderful journey to you and Joe! Susan
Susan, I’ve been a huge fan since your first book. I am an artist an love all your beautiful photos of light!
Excited to enter the contest and hope I win. I’ve always LOVED your art…you inspire me and I love your blog and books and all that you share beyond your art and recipes. BTW I display your books in my kitchen and change them around according to the season so I have a little of “you” with me throughout the years. Also we too are planning a trip in spring to Ireland, Scotland and the lake district so can’t wait to see what you suggest! I loved reading A Fine Romance and am sure I will follow some of your suggestions there. 🙂
I love the eclipse shadows! So magical.
Dear Susan, love this post! Always such a wonderful treat to read!
I did not receive Willard this time. This has happened before and you were kind enough to see that I received mine. I checked my spam, but not there. I know there is a conflict sometimes with aol. Love all of your wonderful writings..you are so motivational and I am a fan of anything you do. Thanks so much.
Kellee is going to see if she can sign you up again Susie …
Susan,
So inspired by this blog to get outside and finish up my fall planting…but WAIT Summer thinks it has a few more weeks here in California….HOT HOT HOT & HOT…. so as not have all my flowers burned in this heat wave I will have to wait. So I will put all of my energy into the inside of my home, yes, I will start the fall decorating….just a little here and there…like the leaves changing and floating down on our grass,,,not too many yet just enough to say..I am changing seasons, So a table cloth there…wooden candle holders here…fall napkins out…some pine cones….just scattered here and there…..So there you have it just a little hello, I am just the around the corner and you can’t stop me!
Thank you again for a very enjoyable hour or so reading your blog then allot of the comments…so relaxing and inspiring! Love, Susan P.
I just love your Willards!!!! I feel really good after reading them, it reminds me to slow down, yep…it really is the journey!!! Thank you for reminding me of that!
Good Morning Susan,
I’ve been following your blog now for, it couldn’t be 10 years, but close to
that, although I’ve never written to you. Goodness its probably been 20
years ago that I purchased your first book, is that possible?!……….but I don’t
think that I’ve ever sent in a comment. I fell in love with your art and writings at “first sight” and have made many of the recipes you’ve sent, much
to my husband’s and children’s delight. Thank you, thank you. I’m sending along a hug and a little hug treasure, trust you will enjoy it.
FACTS ABOUT HUGGING
Hugging is healthy.
It helps the body’s immune system.
It cures depression.
It reduces stress.
It’s rejuvenating.
It has no unpleasant side effects.
It is God’s miracle drug!
It is all natural, it contains no chemicals,
artificial ingredients, no pesticides, and no preservatives!
Hugging is practically perfect.
There are no parts to break down, no monthly payments,
non-taxable, non-polluting, and of course… It’s fully returnable!
Here are your hugs for the day!
Hugs,
Carolyn
Thank you for that lovely thing Carolyn, I believe every word of it! xoxo
I just finished reading your article…You have given me inspiration to watch an old movie while enjoying my orange spice tea and your zucchini bread this afternoon, after I work in my small patch of garden that is. My wonderful husband has removed all of the bricks around it, as we are going to enlarge it to incorporate more flowers and hide an electrical wire that is some how “mysteriously” growing in the yard. Actually we have a slight dirt erosion problem…LOL
Fingers crossed and sending hugs to You and Joe.
Bev
I absolutely adore Fall. Going “back to school” shopping with my children and all the shiny, new things were just some of my most favorite things to do! Looking forward to fall while we are drenched with rain following Hurricane Harvey. Dream. Dream. Dream.
Please pick me! I just can’t get enough of your posts and books. And I really covet those mugs.
Dear Susan, I will be so happy to win as You are my Hero and I absolutely love all what you do!!Thank you for being such an inspiration to me, to us! You are a beautiful soul! Lots of love for you and Joe!
Xx from the Cotswolds, uk
Xx back to the Cotswolds, and to you Julie.
Thank you for your post and new Willard, Susan! You are a bright spot in challenging times. I’m grateful for you.
Dear Susan ~ I am following your instructions ~ happily & obediently ~ and leaving a comment & crossing my fingers… And also just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your new Willard & this entertaining blog greeting. We are so lucky to have you ~
We’re nowhere near Fall here in East Texas and don’t see the leaves change til November! So I will enjoy seeing Fall through your eyes. That Gingerbread Tea sounds really good especially if it was paired with Zucchini Bread. What a great giveaway! [email protected]
Susan,
Love every new post! Look forward to all the beautiful pictures and inspiration to be cozy at “homey”! Wanted to share that I recently came across a delightful read by Mary Mackie, “Dry Rot and Daffodils”, about her life in a National Trust house when her husband was the Administrator of Felbrigg Hall. Fascinating…I learned about the National Trust through your books so was fascinated and delighted when I found this title in a nearby independent bookstore. I purchased her other two titles about their experiences on Amazon, so now am immersed in “Cobwebs and Cream Teas.” You’re probably way ahead in knowing about these books, but thought I’d mention just in case! Would love to join you for tea at Hill Top next May, however, I am a music educator so will be still teaching away at school!!
Thank you, Teri, Now I’ll order Mary Mackie’s books right away. We’ll be in England next May. Probably won’t be able to get over to see Susan, but I’ll look for all the National Trust houses mentioned in Mackie’s books. Actually stayed in Monk’s House, Virginia and Lenard Wolfe’s home in Rodmell, in Sussex. Spent 11 days there. Those NT and English Heritage rentals are great, especially if you want the gardens all to yourself before opening and after closing time.
Patiently awaiting cooler temps here along Alabama’s Gulf coast as I catch up with Willard! Sending loving thoughts to your mom <3
Love this time of year, especially the changing of the shadows, misty spiderwebs on plants and dusky evening skies. The Zuc bread recipe will be fun to make, too. Happy Fall!
Hello, and thank you for all of the sunshine and joy you bring to my quiet life! I enjoy reading about your adventures and wanderings and memories…your blog posts, Willards, and Instagram photos are all little teleportation posts that take me to magical and whimsical places. 🙂
Happy to hear that Jacque!
I am so happy I found your blog! I have checked out a few of your books from the library over the years and they make me so happy, they’re about everything we should be thinking on…quality of life, home, loved ones, making good food for one another. I am pretty excited to read your blog, thank you for sharing!
When you’re counting your blessings, troubles can’t get in!
Todays breakfast will be French Pancakes, Maple Surup with Local Gravestein apple sauce. Gravensteine 🍎 apples are become extinct and very perishable. This will be a once a year treat. Enjoying each newsletter and have a collection from 30 years of all your books. Many first edition. A big fan Girlfriend😜 Joyce from Glen Ellen
Thanks for turning my day around. Am off to kitchen to make your zucchini bread……mmmmmm.
Thank YOU for being so charmingly pliable! 😘
Susan, I could watch your video of the birds outside your kitchen window all day. I even tried to save it somehow so that I could go right to it when I need stress relief! It’s just so beautiful and relaxing. Thanks for that little piece of your world.
It’s mesmerizing. I have to be careful when I get to the kitchen, or I’ll never get my work done! The babies are the best, and the little dustups!
I am so excited for FALL. I am having to use a great amount of restraint to keep me from putting away my Bontanic Garden and Butterfly Meadow dishe. I so want to bring out my FALL Fiestaware in Paprika, Woodland Spode dishes and orange pillows… ..However I would never put away Old Country Roses…. lol
Auto correct does not know what I want to say all the time….lol Botanic Garden and dishes….. is what I wanted to say….ugh 😬😬😬😬
Ahhh nothing like Autumn in New England…and Summer…and Spring…and Winter! Love all of your ‘cozy’ activities 🙂
Just finished reading Willard and your blog post. Lovely, two lots of Susan Branch :). Well after a grey and cold summer we at last have lovely warm sunshine. Didn’t see any of the eclipse or the meteor shower but love your photos of the little moons, really sweet. Love this time of year, warm in the day and just a hint of chill in the air in the evening. We are off to open air theatre on Wednesday evening so if it stays like this it will be gorgeous.
Reading your blogs are a gift I treasure over and over again. Thank you for always adding sparkle to our lives!
Looking so forward to Fall, and Happy Birthday again to Joe!
Hello Susan!
Every one of your blog posts is a lovely treat. Gives me the same feels as watching Little Women in the fall, Pride and Prejudice, or reading Anne of Green Gables. I love how you see the joy in the little things and capture it. Such an awesome way to enjoy life and stay grateful. I hope you have a fabulous end of Summer and can’t wait to see what else you have in store for us. 🙂
Sigh…simply love Cary Grant, romance and English films. Ronald Coleman, swoon. Random Harvest is one of my favorites, which leads me to Greer Garson and Mrs. Miniver. I’ve always wanted a Mrs. Miniver rose and recently found out that it was almost no more until a nursery in England purchased a plant from Germany. Perhaps someday….
And your ‘shadow,’ I love to see his photos as they always make me smile. Up until last week I had 3 ‘shadows’ until I unexpectedly lost one to a cardiac arrest. A big, grey tiger; Luigi, who used to drink from every faucet in my house and complained whenever I would dare to turn off any of the taps. They were to be left on in the event he was thirsty at any time. But I am still blessed to have my 2 Siamese who sleeping with me nightly and join me when I read, cook, nap or watch old movies!
Thank you for a lovely blog. I enjoy them so!
So funny how they train us! I’m so sorry for your loss, Kathy, it’s awful to lose a pet.
Your Willard came at just the right time. It was nice to read something that was all good news!
Love your blogs and pictures, recipes, etc! Especially the eclipse shadows! We had a partial here in Wisconsin, too, so my friends and I did the old pinhole through the white sheet of paper to see it.
I enjoy all your books, but Autumn is my particular favorite. I have made the corn pudding recipe numerous times. Thank you.
Have you ever read books by Angela Thirkell? They are sometimes hard to find, but delightfully English and humorous. She was related to Kipling, I think.
Reading your latest entry or simply re-reading my favs is my antidote to our current political mess. Remembering that people’s goodness, nature’s beauty and your writings are life’s blessings and balm to an agitated soul.
And rereading our muse Gladys Taber also soothes the spirit.
Susan, Thanks for being an inspiration to me thru good and challenging times.
You touch sooooo many lives.
Deepak Chopra is coming to Santa Barbara in Sept! Too bad you’re so far away.
I studied with him since the mid 90s, gone to India with him, trained & certified by him to teach his meditation….will be honored to teach you his meditation technique sometime when you’re in California.
Much love, Sandra
One of my favorite books is Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. We’ve even had it in our web store. How wonderful to have this closeness to him and his teachings. Would love to learn his meditation technique! xoxo Thank you Sandra!
It’ll be my pleasure! We can coordinate when you’re on the Central Coast again as it can’t be done long distance:-)
Today is Law of Giving – giving what you need to get.,
Gave a sermon on Giving – started it out with because I’m selfish! It feels so good when I give🎉
You give constantly! Thank you!❤️
🙏Namaste
PS Hope I win😻
Giving is the very best kind of selfishness! 😃 Because we know who gets the best deal at the end of giving the gift.
Oh, the shadows! I am intrigued and will have to watch the movie now. I’m a little late to the game and only just saw my first Cary Grant movie a year ago. Everyone tells me my husband looks and reminds them of him. I’m a lucky gal. He’s a charmer and so is my husband, minus the poisoned milk! Eek! We have been very happily married for 35 years! I’m off to make zucchini bread with a tall glass of delicious milk for my sweetie.
Oh, how I love your pictures of shadows. Especially the ones the day of the eclipse. We were in Emerald Isle, NC with our son and his family on vacation last week. We had wonderful time and it was so beautiful what the sky and the sun’s shadows did on everything. Like you, when packing for a vacation, one of the first things that went in the car were a couple vintage table clothes and a canning jar bouquet of daisies and black eyed Susan’s from my yard. We had great fun making memories. Last year at this time we were getting ready for our trip to Martha’s Vineyard to a sweet little cottage we rented to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary.
The zucchini bread looks delightful! Makes me wish I had planted some zucchini, maybe next year. Loved your shadow pictures! It was so cloudy here in SE PA we didn’t see any shadow moons, only slight darkness. We enjoyed watching beautiful pictures on TV though.
Your blog postings brighten my day, thanks so much for sharing your time with us.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on life! Great advice to slow down and enjoy an ordinary day!
Susan the light in your photos is such a treat to view. Thank you for sharing your island with us. Hope you enjoy the upcoming fall season.
I love the sparkily light too. Every since I was a little girl I would notice the way the light would play & dance on things and think it was like magic. I really LOVE the moon shadow sparkles!! So awesome.
Thank you again for this awesome give away-You’re the best!!
Hugs,
Debbie
from So Cal
Hello Susan! I just read your Willard & cannot believe my good fortune. I wasn’t able to visit your book tour a year ago in July at a bookstore in eastern Ohio, but a friend & I will be in England in May 2018 & hoping to make it the charming picnic. So many reasons to be excited about our trip which had always included the Lake District, but now with a wonderful addition. I cannot wait!
I so enjoy reading your blog & Willard. Thank you for sharing.
See you there Teresa!
~Susan~
Funny last night I was #2484 writing you and my computer froze (did my message get sent??) , now I am #2649!! What a lovely Fall giveaway you have, it would be amazing to be the winner, better then last weeks lottery !
I am still visiting in Sept. so I am smiling when you said the summer visitors are leaving , that is what I want to miss the crowds !! Do any of the island shops carry your mugs and other items?? Wish I could meet you , a dear friend of mine said she meet you twice , lucky girl !!!
Thank you for sharing your journey in life with us, it truly is an amazing adventure !!
Paula from In.
You are picking a good time to come! September and October are my favorite months, although this has been one of the prettiest Augusts I’ve seen in a long time. Only Bunch of Grapes carries things right now, but the mugs are new, we may have them elsewhere one of these days.
Thank You !
Your Willard and blogs and Facebook & website are so uplifting, Susan! It has been a difficult summer for us with various health issues and family drama, and you never cease to lift me out of the swamp. I find myself being so much more aware of the simple things and grateful for God’s gifts to us. Slowing down to take time for the beauty around me and smelling the roses.
I haven’t baked in a while, and baked a loaf of Pumpkin Banana bread this weekend. Your Zucchini bread is next. My kitchen would love a new tea cup and cookbooks. Thank you for being wonderful you!
I was just drinking from your Bluebird cup as I read this! So fun! Thanks for cheering up my day!
Pick me, pick me. And while you are in the mood for re-doing, would you be doing you’re Tea book over. It’s out of print, and would love to have. There’s nothing like a good hot cup of tea and some goodie to go with.
Ha ha, “in the mood for re-doing!” I have been putting together a collection of recipes and thinking about doing a new tea book. Hope I get around to it!
Dear Susan
It’s been so comforting to read your blog post. A couple of weeks ago I lost my dog, and hasn’t really felt truly happy since then, but reading about your everyday life and looking at your beautiful pictures and drawings is like a balm for my aching heart. Also, I’m a huge fan of Hitchcock, I love Notorious and Marnie, but I haven’t seen Suspicion yet. Now I must find a way to watch it (it isn’t easy to watch old movies here, in Hungary, we don’t have TCM etc. 🙁 ) Lovely giveaway as usually, it would be a perfect birthday present if I won 😉
Xoxo
Eszter
Oh Eszter, I’m so sorry about your dog. Such a loss, our petty pets, who know everything and love us anyway. Sending love. xoxo
Hi! Great post! Just what I needed today!
Such fun! I was watching that movie the other day too, while making velvet pumpkins. So fun to think you were watching right along with me…I would have traded you a cute little velvet pumpkin with a driftwood stem for a slice of zuchinni bread!
Hi Susan
How are things in cape cod. It is a magical place and so is your blog. Hope you are very well and I love your giveaway!
So, this is like a complete shot on the dark to win the Autumn set, but what the heck! It’s worth a try! I always love catching up with you here (and now on Instagram!) and get so excited to see your Willard newsletter show up in my email. Thank you, Susan, for being you and sharing all that you do with us. Blessed indeed!
Susan, thanks! How lovely having Willard and a new blog entry for my Sunday afternoon! Loved all of it. Suspicious is on my must see list now. No one comes close to Cary Grant. The Bishop’s Wife is my favorite. Funny that you mentioned butter. Having travelled in Europe and enjoyed their continental breakfast of crusty roll and butter; recently, I’ve been so hungry for that and haven’t been able to find anything that comes close here in America. Sigh…
Loved your dappled light pictures! Isn’t this time of year and taking notice of the changes in sunlight and shadows wonderful?! Fall will be here soon! Have so enjoyed this weekend of looking through old Fall magazines and cookbooks to get ready! My favorite, as always, your book, Autumn. Absolutely adore this book and have for years! ❤️
Hi Susan,
Just moved to Harwich last month and am looking forward to spending my first fall season on the Cape. It’s my favorite time of year. I enjoy your writings and art work. Thanks for sharing your stories with us.
I have missed you! I think it’s been awhile since I got an email from you and summer has been crazy busy here. I saw the Willard in my inbox and decided it’s time to stop and sit a minute and just exhale. I always enjoy reading your Willard. It’s like taking time out with an old friend.
I LOVE autumn and living in the mid-South, I’m MORE than ready for it! I love your mug! The shadows are lengthening here as well, but the temperature just refuses to get with the program! Soon! I hope. Thanks for all you do and who you are. 🙂
I love reading your blog — really hearing from a ‘girlfriend’! I was able to see the eclipse through approved eclipse glasses here in NJ — about 70%. I’m sorry I didn’t think to look for thr shadows on the ground — too busy looking up! Thanks for sharing them. I’ve been enjoying my tea and coffee in my SB bluebird mug — it’s so special! My plates and other mugs are blue and white so it blends with the theme. Your mug holds A LOT! Don’t need to get up for my 2nd cup!! I can feel autumn in the air here too — we’ve actually had 3 beautiful, cool days in a row. I love it! Wish I could feed my feathered friends all summer, but we have black bears here and don’t want to invite them into my yard. I make due with my hummingbird feeders. It’s a sad day when they leave — about the 3rd week in Sept. They always say “good bye” before they go — usually hovering in front of my face. You’re right — it’s time to think about baking something smelling of cinnamon. I have grated zucchini in the freezer! I’ll get right on it!
Looking forward to my favorite time of year.