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. 💖
Love the picture of Joe in the window! And the video of the birds! I love to sit on my porch and watch the birds at my feeders. the stress of the day always goes away while watching the birds 🙂
Dear Sweet Susan … anxiously waiting for autumn because San Diego is terribly hot and humid but no complaints thinking of our friends in Houston …
I am re-reading your Isle of Dreams, more slowly this time to capture 35 years ago (?) in your shoes … and to exchange thoughts with my girlfriend whom I gave
your book to for her birthday!
I truly am inspired by your words and art … you make the day shine brighter!
Alo-ha-ha, Evie in SD, CA
Luv your books Susan thx for receipt luv your kitty Jack 💕🙏for the people of Houston.Thank you for your beautiful post I always look forward to seeing it.Hi to Joe.Your flowers are do pretty .🌼🐦💕
Love this post, Susan! The cool air coming through the kitchen window tonight was making me a tad sad but your post has me feeling this cool-down in a little different and more expectant way. Thank you:)
Willard was wonderful! September is my birthday month so it delights my heart that you are working on that month for your calendar! I already have mine for next year, and of course always flip to September before I look at the others!
A delightful blog post…i felt like I was watching the movie with You!
Holly
Oh my goodness! Those recipe boxes you mentioned in Willard are delightful! Maybe you should add your art to some old recipe cards and make copies (like you made your friend years ago!) I’m sure we’d all love them!! Thank you for being so creative and sharing your gifts with all of us!
Thanks so much for your lovely blog! Although I always look forward to it, I save it for Dessert. Thanks again for being a much anticipated Oasis. Michelle >^..^<
Dear Susan, such a wonderful Willard, and this post as well. Your trip to the UK and Ireland sound like an absolute dream! I’ll be one of the Girlfriends there in spirit, please have an extra sip for all so us back home. Thank you so much for sharing. As an aside, we have such similar tastes in the good old movies and even have ‘vintage’ moms (mine’s nearly 92!) that do not remember very well, and you put it so touchingly, by saying you remember for her. Love, hugs and continued blessings to you and Joe.
Susan
Great Willard! Wonderful blog as always—–fall—-the most wonderful time of the year! Can’t wait to try the recipe. I got a recipe for zucchini bread from my aunt but lost it and have never found one like it. Maybe this will be it! Thanks for all your beautiful words.
Love your eclipse shadow photos! Wish I thought to do the same. Will be making the zucchini bread soon. I’ve seen many Hitchcock movies ( some of my all time favorites!), but never that one. I’ll definitely have to track it down now! Would love to win so I could share with my sister, who is pregnant with her first child, loves the autumn, and is due around Halloween! Thank you for sharing always!!!
Hi Susan..fall is definitely arriving here in Michigan! trees are changing and the beautiful coolness! I just picked a zucchini out of the garden! Serendipity!!! Love your blog and Willard!! You bring sunshine to all!
Hi Susan! Fall is my very favorite season. I’ll be decorating my home this weekend in hopes and anticipation for cooler weather. It’s been a hot summer here in the South. 🙂 Thank you for the generous giveaway! Everyone who has the pleasure of reading your blog is already a winner. 🙂 God bless you today!
I have not seen this movie, but will definitely check it out! Thank you for the lovely pictures and descriptions! Love all things British. What a lovely give-away, Susan. Thank you for allowing me to enter.
Morning Susan!
Just want you to know your blog is a breath of fresh air. When I see I have an email from you, I wait until I can read it without any distractions. I truly enjoyed reading your love of dappled light. We are kindred spirits in our love of old movies. I can watch them over and over and still find details that I missed. Thank you for being you!
Beautiful post, my favorite season is Autumn, even if we get very little of it in Texas! Definitely going to plan some “me time” with zucchini bread and Suspicion.
You are a kindred spirit indeed. Sometimes I think you are my shadow. Our lives have run such a parallel path in time and experiences. I now live the dream of being a full time artist and am married to the perfect Brit after many strange and challenging twists and turns along the way. Have a golden autumn.
Happy Autumn! I, too, love this season so much and you are so right – it’s such a CREATIVE time of year! I have been busy painting shelves, chairs and even wooden bowls filled with flowers and fun. Next, I will be painting my dining room table and chairs with Dixie Belle chalk paint – oh so fun!!!!!! And yes, the kitchen smells of Rhubarb bread all cinnamon-y and yummy! Herbs to dry, Spring bulbs to plant and day trips to the ocean to take – all of it is my BLISS. And your lovely Willard newsletters are the whipped cream on top!
Hi Susan, Love the moon shapes. So cool looking. Been thinking what to bake this morning, great idea, zucchini bread. My recipe is a little different, I grind my zucchini up fine. I am going to try your way. Less work. I have three to use that just came out of the garden yesterday. I have only four more bags of frozen apples to use and then time to pick more apples for the season. How time has flown. Seems like yesterday my hubby Cliff just picked 51 quarts of blueberries. Where does the time go? We still have a second crop of peas coming and not ready yet. Getting colder now and time to get ready for old man winter. Hope it is not as bad as last year. Thanks for the blog. Keep up the great work for all of us.
Hi Susan,
I loved this blog post, plus the Willard! So many lovely sentiments were expressed. What a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon, baking zucchini bread and watching a Cary Grant movie!
Lovely give-away Susan. Someone will be very lucky indeed. Your Zucchini bread looks delish. I’ll have to try that this fall sometime. I’m at my daughter’s this weekend helping to get ready for baby girl #3. She is due in a few weeks. Happy September to you! Fall is certainly creeping in around here. Today is my 60th birthday. Hard to believe that number has come around so soon in life. Enjoy Labour Day weekend!
Rabbit~Rabbit Sweet~Sue Are You Getting #MyTweets In #Twitterville? 🙂 Just Checking & #When Is #Vanna Gonna #Pick #TheWinner???? 😉 #TwirlingIntoSweetSeptember & All #TheMagicOfFall xoxo #Poof 🙂 P.S. I’m Re~Reading #YourAutumnBook I Just #TurnedThePage…..#AutumnBliss #WeFly Then We Must Do #ThePumpkinJiggityJig 😉 P.P.S. Kitty~Kisses To #JACK #Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 🙂 I Need Some #CornPudding Now! #PrettyPlease #Love #Joy & #AutumnPixieDust 😉
Autumn. It’s my favorite. I just pulled out your Autumn cookbook the other day and started day dreaming about the delights to come. Crisp air, leaves, caramel apple cider and pumpkin bread, cozy everything. Oh, Happy Day, Sept. 1st! Rabbit rabbit . . .
Rabbit! RAbbit! Hope I am not to late for Vanna to draw my name! WE have been traveling. ENjoyed the post and Willard! My fingers are crossed! Happy Fall!
Susana,
This blog about the shadows on our doors and windows reminded me to SLOW DOWN and enjoy the beautiful, simple things in life!
This is why your blog is so calming to my soul. Its like taking a mini vacation…ah….Gracias!
Lydia from Ohio
OMG!!! Susan!!!! I can not believe you left us hanging about that movie!!! I was REALLY getting in to it! LOL! Now, I am DYING to see it! Zucchini Bread looks yummy and what a perfect time to have it, in these cooler days!! I LOOOOVE Autumn! I can’t wait to start making soups and chili and all the cooler weather recipes in your book!
I hope you know how happy you make us all – there’s almost nothing better than opening up our emails and getting a new blog post from you – except, perhaps when a new “Willard” comes out! Hope you have a beautiful Labor Day weekend on the island. Wish we were there, too! Love you, always. XOXO
Thank you Sue! The weekend has begun and it’s perfect for the beginning of fall, cool, windy, we played on the beach today, out of the wind, under the clouds.
I love your photos! What camera do you use?
It’s a bit old, it’s a Canon EOS T2i.
I enjoyed seeing the eclipse shadows. They are so cool! My husband was in Wyoming for it and got some great pictures!
Love the kitty in the window! I am baking Applesauce cookies today. Just realized I am out of chocolate chips. Oh well, I will just put raisins in instead, Thats the kind of baker I am,anything goes. As always, thanks for making my day, toni b 🙂
Lovely watching Fall glide in! The air is so crisp here today. Thanks for another beautiful post!
Oh boy! I have lots of zucchini in my garden & I will be busy using your recipe very soon! May I be so bold as to suggest that after buttering the pan, sprinkle it with sugar (not flour!) It adds a special crunch to the edges of the bread when it’s finished baking. Yummm. My Mom always did this for the breads that she would bake and super-wrap and mail to Vietnam for my brother so many years ago. I’ve done it ever since! BTW, I love your loaf pan!
I Love Willard!! I Love Jack!! I Love this movie!! I Love you & Joe! I love your blog! I’m a love kind of person today!!
Also – I would LOVE to have Vanna choose me. “Pick me! Pick me!”
Have a wonderful loving day, Sue – and all the girlfriends, too!
♥Deb♥
Yes, you are, a LOVE kind of person! xoxo
It’s still hot here in the southeast but when I read your writings, I can see the leaves changing and smell wood smoke. Thank you for bringing fall to me early : )
We got a huge hunk of fall today, I’m hoping we put a few more degrees on our day tomorrow, but just a few!
Anxious to watch the movie…I just hope it’s not TOO scary!!
It’s not, I promise, just the right amount. More suspenseful than scary. You’ll love it!
Love chocolate zucchini bread especially…chocolate makes everything better. Also loved seeing all the little moons! How special!
I live in NC and my grandchildren and I watched the eclipse together. Their favorite thing was the eclipse-like shadows. They were so neat and I hadn’t seen any mention of looking for them in all the eclipse info.
I so enjoy your blog……you are a delight!
Thank you for the touch of fall, and the reminder of changes to come. I’m leaving my house of thirteen years, so I will be finding new shadows on new surroundings. It’s a bit sad, but it is also an adventure, and a mystery. I plan to immediately fill the new house with spicy autumn fragrances, vases loaded with changing leaves and seed pods, and warmth from the fireplace on those cool nights to come here in Colorado. Happy Pumpkin Season!
Your imagination has already made it home! All my best to you Donna!
Oh! We love sunshine, shadows, and trees here on our several acres in Virginia. When the sun is “just so” each afternoon, it’s Magic Time as the sunshine illuminates the woods that are just west of the house. Lovely!
Thanks for your good cheer and the zucchini bread recipe sounds wonderful. 🙂
Wishing y’all* well!
* “Y’all” is ALWAYS plural, as in more than one person is included. Really!
Delightful as always. 😘🌷🌺🌷🌺🌷especially loved seeing jack putting his feet up. Your cake smelled delicious and the crunchy outside… yum.
Love, Love, Love kitty in the window – mine notice the change
looking for a warm corner to sleep – noses cold and wet
Have to ask, when are the Autumn cups and Christmas expected to arrive, been on a waitlist for a bit – so looking forward, hope u do not retire them before purchase. Perfect with the wrapping paper –
Any sneak peek for your new cups? like a cat one, starring Jack?
Also, you had a book mark with all the moons, would you have another print I can access –
Keep up all your wonderful writings and musings – it is so uplifting –
They are here now, I’m afraid the Autumn cup is sold out, hopefully there are still some Santa cups… if you ordered them, they would have been sent by now… if you did, but didn’t receive them, let Kellee and Sheri know at [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ Sneak peeks for the next collection will be coming soon!
Just bought a few of your mini calendars to share with friends. They always appear late summer at my local Big Lots, which means……. Fall is almost here!! My favorite time of the year :-). Have fun with figuring out what to cook for your company….I’m sure it will be a delightful time.
Dear Susan, Wonderful blog to get us in the mood for fall! Especially nice for those of us having a hard time letting go of summer! I’ll have to add zucchini bread to my pumpkin bread and banana bread fall baking. Although it won’t be just yet, it’s 110 degrees where I live in California today. The only thing baking here is us! ☀️😎☀️
Love, Helen
Hi Sweet Sue!
Couldn’t sleep so I am up early and thought Oh My Goodness I need to see what wonderful Susan Branch is up to. We have been taking in all this wonderful New England summer being out doors mostly, I’ve not been checking my emails. So nice to see you and Joe living in domestic bliss, so happy and cozy, Hygge! Maybe I should make that zucchini bread and have some tea in this wee early morning. Thanks for such delight my friend! Love, Wendy-Louise XXOO
Nice to hear from you Wendy-Louise!
Dear Susan,
I’ve never seen this movie but now I will have to find it since you recommended it- it has some of my favorite things: England, suspense and SCRABBLE! The light is changing here in Pittsburgh, the kids are off to college and I have some shredded zucchini in the freezer just waiting to be made into bread. Then tea in my Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams mug! Enjoy the start of fall weather!
Oh, to win your fall “give-away” would be the pumpkin in my pie!!!
Hi Susan, This is the second comment I have written. Guess the first one didn’t go through. Anyway just wanted to tell you that I am obsessed with any thing of yours and you. Especially your books, calendars even fabric that I use in my quilts and tabletopper. Thanks for all your inspiration and happiness that you bring to all your friends.
I did see your first one Judy, and hopefully, you’ll see this one go through! Thank you for the sweet words! xoxoxo
Hi Susan Thanks for making my day especially with your books calendars and even fabric witch I use in my quilts and table toppers. Everyone at our quilt show wanted to know “where did you find that fabric”. Of course I told them. It is not easy to find in my area so some of it I order from your store. Hope you come out with a new line soon.
My fabric is only available through Spoonflower now …. just in case you are looking for some new designs. Thank you Judy!
Cannot think of a villain easier to forgive than Cary Grant. Of course, tea & zucchini bread tend to put me in an expansive mood…
I love the memory recipe box idea! I may have to do that myself 🙂 I’m looking forward to more news about your upcoming England and Ireland trip and can’t wait to armchair travel with you on the blog! Thank you for providing a space for us kindred spirits.
I’ll have more to add soon, Sarah. Say hello to SLO Town for me! xoxo
Have enjoyed your books for years and now your blog provides lovely reminders to be thankful for oh so many tiny blessings in each and every day. I first picked up a book years ago because my sister-in-law’s first and middle name is Susan Branch, and I loved the illustrations. Thus began my adoration. Many recipes, books and blogs later, I still find much inspiration and enjoyment in the old and the new. Thank you 😊
Thank you! I feel you are a kindred spirit, what a wonderful world.
Okay! You inspired me. I cut some hydrangea to fill a basket and to dry. I switched the summer wreath for an autumn arrangement on the front door, and pulled out the fall decorations for the buffet. The pumpkin bread just came out of the oven.
Love the movie story. I haven’t seen “Suspicion” for ages. I love it. Also, love “Notorious.” He plays a good guy!
Your description of the Hitchcock movie has me needing to know how it ends!
Thank you for your generous giveaway! I love the pic of smilin Joes face! What a cutie you have!
Your video of the bird feeders is addictive. I have come back several times to watch it, so calming and comforting! Thank you! love and prayers for all, jep/judy
My friend Christy and I were next door neighbors, as we were raising our kids, on the shores of small lake in Georgia…surrounded by trees, and birds, and kitties and dogs. One of the things she and I always loved was what we called the arrival of “The Autumn Light”
We’d sit on her porch or mine, sipping wine, and watching the kids and animals run amok as the light danced through the trees, and made us both feel a little happy and homesick for something we couldn’t quite explain.
I sent her a text just last week: I see The Autumn Light
And then we set a date to go to the beach together before it gets too chilly.
<3
I so understand the homesickness for something we can’t quite explain. Very lovely memory Vicki … hello to Christy from me. Here’s to the Autumn light. xoxo
Hi Susan…greetings from soggy, but slowly improving Houston! Your blog and Willard have been bright spots in a very wet, dreary week that must have actually been a month long. I was lucky and my house stayed dry, but so many have lost everything. I know you’re a hurricane veteran there on the island and understand. Please update your blog as frequently as possible…a lot of struggling Texas girlfriends will continue to need those lovely bits of sunshine and normalcy!
I do understand, and have worried about you all week (all month!) … such a tough job for so many cleaning up. Prayers are with you and yours!
Hello Susan,
I so enjoy your love of “little things”, especially vases that you mentioned. We have these cute little yellow buttercup like flowers that pop up in our lawn (some would call them “weeds”) but they literally pop up overnight. When I’m short on fresh flowers by my sink, I go out and pluck them up. The neighbors probably think I’m pulling them out of annoyance, but I like their happy faces! 🙂
Me too, some weeds make very pretty flowers!
I loved everything about this Willard…I think it’s the first or second one I’ve received. I always feel happy after I read your blog…you remind me that life can be very charming.
And you remind me! Thank you Barbara!
Labor Day Weekend – upon us already! I have my original Heart of the Home and my original Autumn book – of course not signed! The third book would be a treat but the mug – would be ‘heart’s delight’! Someday, when I visit Martha’s Vineyard, I will purchase the MV cup as a wonderful reminder! Will try your Zucchini Bread next time friends are coming over! Thanks Susan!
I too was struck by the crescent shaped shadows during the eclipse. And the when it was over the crescents were the other way around! Nature is so amazing if we just stop and look.
Winter, spring, summer or fall….all you have to do is call.
Bring a Susan Branch book, I’ll make tea and sweets and we’ll have a wonderful afternoon!
Susan, you have such a special gift for slowing life down so it can be embraced and enjoyed. Thank you for sharing!
Hello Susan ~
I hope I can still get in on the drawing, but if not, know that I have loved reading your books!
Yum thanks for the recipe ! 🍞 I was telling my neighbor I wanted to make some zucchini bread ! Love your new cups, would like a cuppa tea in it very much !
I LOVED the pictures of the Eclipse sun/moons. At the very beginning of this post, when you were showing the pictures of the sun sparkling all over your house, I was wondering if you had taken any during the eclipse. What a special thing to be able to see the sun and the moon at the same time! Thank you for sharing it with us. It really is a very Susan Branch thing. <3
One of my favorite movies. This time of year is still hot where I live, but I am noticing the shorter days. Not as much time to play with the doggies after work.
I so enjoy your blog and Willard letter.
Thank you
My daughter’s birthday is in September and Autumn is her favorite time of year. It would be so cool to win an Autumn tea cup…since they are out of stock already. Wow they went fast. Love your blog. I read it at night before going to bed…perfect ending to my day.
There are a few cups left, very lightly blemished, so light you can barely see anything, no chips or anything like that, perfectly good, and they will be on sale (as seconds) on the website very soon. So watch for those, I hope you get one!
Hi Susan! I’m new to the computer, your blog, your art, your books. I’ve tried to leave a comment here several times, but it hasn’t been posted for some reason. Don’t know what I’m doing wrong??? I’ve been a fan of Gladys Taber for over 30 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 should I say girlfriend??). Now I’m hoping to win your Fall-Giveaway!!! I hope this goes to the correct place so Vanna can choose me!!! I love you for “just being you”, so real!!! Your friend across the miles!
Here we go Linda … this one should post! Nice to meet you!
Oh my gosh & golly, I loved reading Willard again this morning….the pictures, the food, the quotes, your words, the paintings, every teeny bit….so thank you for starting me on my Sunday with a joyful, heartfelt, delightful mood! Now I’m ready for coffee! Blessings to all!
I know exactly what you mean about the sparkling shadows. I love them too. We also have a crystal apple we put in our kitchen window that casts rainbows all over the kitchen – highly recommended!
I so enjoyed reading your blog. Love the pictures of light coming in the house. That’s one of my favorite things about this time of the year – the golden color. I wish I had paid more attention to the shadows during the eclipse!
Good morning sweet friend! I adore how you enjoy all of the little wonderful things in life! It’s always a joy to have tea with you! Blessings on your day, you’ve certainly blessed mine!
Now I want to find the movie! Thanks for the fall giveaway. My fingers are crossed.
Love the moon shadows. Where I am(far south suburb Chicago-Kankakee County-like in the song City of New Orleans “train pulls out of Kankakee”) the cloud cover was so thick you could not see where the sun was at all! Well maybe next time. Thanks for sharing
Susan
Sailed with you last year on the Q-2 enjoyed meeting you and Joe…..did not make the pinic, but read you book on Ship and lived it on land(wrote you all about it, but it was on the wrong site(friends of susan branch) lol. we had do much fun…got to meet family in Sheffield for the very first time..Hope to go again
Loved the receipe, we love zuchinni bread in this family, have passed down that
tradition to my daughter she is now the official baker.
Barb
It’s a little bit addictive, isn’t it Barb?! Hello to your daughter for me!
I love your view from the kitchen window. The birds are so entertaining! I am a September baby (the 4th) so I figured that must be why I love autumn more than any other time of year. Enjoy your blog.
Another Susan
Happy Birthday Susan!
I was late getting to read Willard because of a computer hacking and then my house was filled with family for a week—a wonderful reason to not be on social media! But I wanted to thank you for the shout out to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an absolutely terrific place to live. And I’m sure I’m not the only one here who is a Susan Branch fan!!
I saw that pin drop, Christine, it must have been you!
Dear Susan, I used your zucchini bread recipe and it came out delicious! I made one loaf for my Mom and one loaf for me. We both enjoyed it with our new Susan Branch mugs ❤️ I am reading your Autumn book again, trying to decide which scrumptious recipe I will try this year. I had to “introduce” my Autumn mug to the Autumn book, they are best friends now 🤗
Love hearing that, they do look related don’t they?
Dear Susan,
Love your blog as always, here in holland its beginning to look like autumn, leaves are falling, it smells great outside! ooh I love the autumn!
and the herfstaster is in bloom (my birthdayflower, it always is in bloom at my birthday in september)We’ve had a lovely long Sunday walk with the kids here along the water/river de Lek and windmills of Kinderdijk.
Here I am keeping my fingers crossed, hope to win ofcourse.
Lots of love, Willemien( and a hug from our littlest boy who is a year and half)
Is that wild aster? We have them here too, one of my favorites! Love that hug from the littlest boy! Thank you!
Loved this post! Big fan of old movies and zucchini bread and… Fall is ABSOLUTELY the best time of year!!
What a lovely post! You cheered my day! Thank you!!
I’m off to track down Suspicion. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it and it sounds right up my alley!
Dear Sue and Joe
hope it’s not to late to be entered in the giveaway. I was away from civilization for a week. I would love to win the cookbooks and tea. In regards to your tricks for travelers….. I have found that in a hotel. or cruise ship cabins small quarters in can come in handy to carry a battery operated candle for a bathroom night light, and using a product called poo pourri to spray to avoid smelling up the room when going number 2
I too am looking forward to fall. It has always been my favorite season.One of the joys of living on the east coast.
Best to you both…. Sue
Hi Susan I can’t wait to make your zucchini bread it looks yummy. I love your blog and willard too! XOXO Sherry K.
Yes, the light does change during the shift in season, but it takes a special eye to appreciate it like you do! We watch the birds all year long and feed the bluebirds and their little ones (three broods this summer!). Enjoy your trip planning and thanks for sharing it with us, even if we are all sitting at computers dreaming about it!
I love the birds and the Beatrix Potter figurines on the windowsill. Fall is my favorite season.
Hello, Susan!
I’ve already commented once, but I’ve been watching for my Willard and so far, nothing has appeared! I checked my computer settings and re-signed-up, just in case. I’m wondering if they have all gone out already…in which case, I will wait for the archive version to pop up. Thank you for all the love, time, and labor (Happy Labor Day!) you go to for our reading pleasure!
Here you go Susan! WILLARD!
Yes! the light is changing and it is more golden that earlier…The days are getting shorter and the sky is changing from cerulean to ultramarine….For me, living on an island in Puget Sound, this is what we call Indian Summer and I adore the switch over into Autumn….Fall is my very favorite season of all…and it is right around the corner!!! And October is my most favorite month of the year! It is still pretty high temperatures here 85-90 degrees and very humid yet…unfortunately that is what is leading all the western states into these horrific wild fires….It is almost time for 2 of my favorite Autumn watching movies, Little Women (Wynona Rider) and Mrs. Miniver….I have to watch those every year, or is just isn’t fall!!! Won’t be long to hunker down for the fall weather…wind, rain, cold nights and sunny days….Which brings out the down comforter, comfort food and a nice fire to dream by!!! I am with you Susan, Fall is the Best of All! and your give-away, is the most wonderful give-away yet..It is right up my alley!!! all the AUTUMN stuff!!! All a treasure!!! thank you for your posting… I always enjoy spending time with you and your adventures!!!! Till next time….take care and enjoy everyday!!!
Going to make that bread soon! Just had foot surgery but when I’m up and around I’ll make it with the zucchini we grew in the garden. And thank you for the movie recommendation. I’ve not seen it in years!
Thank you for the movie recommendation!! I just placed a hold on it from my library. Can’t wait to pick it up! <3 It's so exciting to hear about new movies or books from someone with similar taste 🙂
What a delightful post… all my favorite things! Light and shadow (I’m in love with a moon shadow), little birdies singing, kitties in the window, zucchini bread, husbands who wash windows, the last days of summer gardening, beautiful teacups, and gingerbread anything. Thank you!
Such Autumnal happiness! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
Zucchini bread – total winner!
Hello Susan:
I just want to thank you for all the joy and beauty that you bring into the world – every time I look at my calendar I smile! I truly enjoy reading your blog and Willard – love your style.
As I was clearing out a closet I found a box (10 1/2″ x 12″ with a divded insert as a top shelf) from years ago that I could not bear to throw/give away, then or now. It’s a scrapbooking box that contained an album, papers, and stickers designed by you in association with Colorbok. It is beautiful. I know you’re a busy lady but I’m wondering if you have any plans to create this type of thing in the future? Hope so!
Oh, I remember that box. No plans right now . . . that was a licensed item … it does help to have others making things, while you are also making things, you get lots more done!
Enjoy the last bits of summer – Fall is in the air!
Adore your posts they inspire me and make me feel so cosy 🍁🍂 thank you for sharing I’ve told my husband Martha’s Vineyard is on my wish list for places to visit it all looks so beautiful and magical xx Vicky xx rolvenden Kent xx
We can switch places, keep the weight distributed!
Susan,
Yours is one of the few blogs by authors that I continue to follow, just because it’s always so beautiful and uplifting. The photography is so luscious! I admire that you make us “girlfriends” all feel like part of your life. I always wait to open it until I have a few minutes to savor it, so I can look at the pictures and all of your artwork and really enjoy it.
I always enjoy your Willard’s. Do you think its possible another Willard book could be in the making. Just love reading them. When I’m feeling down, I like to go to your books, it gives me joy. A red letter day. Would love to have another Willard book :). I enjoyed the shadows from the eclipse, it’s the simple things in life that make it grand. Thank you for sharing, it’s always a pleasure.
Hi Sue! Is it frightfuly naughty of me to try and win the prize when I was JUST the winner of the last one?? Oh my, I think it is but I wanted to tell you that my grandbaby, Molly, who is 6 (the one who helps me make up the stories of her baby doll and kitty Henry going over to visit your Jack and Girl kitty, absolutely LOVES the Beatrix Potter book and has looked at every page over and over again since I won it. You have made both her and me very happy so thanks again! I’m thrilled with this Fall weather!! Have a great day!! Kerrie
Thrills me to my toes to hear that Kerrie! I knew that book was going to a good home! xoxoxo