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. 💖
I also love shadows and light and how they mingle into something altogether different. Just an observation, all of the zuchhini bread recipes I have ever seen say “makes two”. Why? Why can’t we make just one? I’m serious. Can we just half the recipe if we want to??
I do it all the time. The only conundrum is the 3 eggs it calls for. There are all kinds of ways to handle it, use two and take out a tablespoon after they’re beaten… use one egg plus a tablespoon of half and half … All the other ingredients are easily divided by 2. I think they do it this way because it’s such an easy recipe, someone was thinking, you “might as well get two.”
Sweet Susan…
I too adore fall. Have been longing for the golden, gigantic Harvest Moon to rise and soothe our souls with soft cool breeze and the atmosphere of dreams. Been super hot in Oregon for the past month and fall is slowly speaking. Cool dark mornings and early sunsets…leaves dancing to the grass are a sure sign.
I love your posts and wanted to say that your zucchini bread recipe is just like mine, however the one I use calls for 1 teaspoon of cloves also…really enhances the flavor in my opinion. Thank you for all the inspiration. Sincerely, Susie Starfish
Loooove your post today Susan, thanks for the fun break in my day!!
Hi Susan,
This is post as I love all of them. I just made zucchini bread yesterday 😄❤️
I came over here from Willard! There are so many quotable gems in your newsletter, I just love it! And if I don’t win the books, I’ll be running out (to amazon) to buy them!
I am ready for Fall–my favorite time of year!!! Oh to listen to the crickets, enjoy the color change of the trees, plant mums, walk and crunch the dry fallen leaves, sleep with the windows and doors open, no sweat (ha!). Life is beautiful!!! I am starting to decorate the interior for fall—placed your Autumn book on my coffee table last weekend!!!
I am ready for Fall–my favorite time of year!!! Oh to listen to the crickets, enjoy the color change of the trees, plant mums, walk and crunch the dry fallen leaves, sleep with the windows and doors open, no sweat (ha!). Life is beautiful!!! I am starting to decorate the interior for fall—placed your Autumn book on my coffee table last weekend!!!
I, too, love the light at this time of year, though I do feel a bit sad to see summer end.
I have been counting down the days til fall! A summer shower brought temperatures in the 80’s here in Texas this week. It’s a welcome break from the heat and makes me want to make soup and chai tea and sit and watch old Doris Day movies! Ahhhh! Can’t wait!
Love your blogs…any season…but Fall is my very favorite one…so everything about it is amazing and welcome! My daughter nust became mommy to a lovely tuxedo at name Sullivan…she calls him “Sully”. He is a cuddler and adorable and has a WHITE moustache on his black fur!
Darn auto spell…she ” just” became mommy to a CAT!
Thank you for the Zucchini Bread recipe, and getting me all excited for Fall to begin! And then on to Halloween, and the Holidays! So much fun. I love the 2018 calendar already, and I can’t wait to see pictures from your upcoming trip to England and Scotland. Happy travels!
Love your books !! So enjoy blog and Willard 🙂
Hi,
As always so much fun to read your posts. I love the way the sunlight dances as well. I enjoy to see it each and every season. You are right, it is always changing. My favorite is in February. After the dark period of December and January, we notice the light dancing on a February afternoon.
Thank you for the recipe.
Carla
I so love how you explained the light. It makes us pause and appreciate the changing of the season from summer to fall. Alfred Hitchcock used it so wonderfully in the movie to add suspense. Thank you for your wonderful blogs.
Is there anything better than the anticipation of a trip? …especially one to England, one of my favorite places! It has everything I love: tea & scones with clotted cream and jam, glorious gardens, amazing architecture, walking paths in every direction with lovely pastoral vistas, double decker buses & cozy pubs – but I am singing to the choir. I’ll look forward to following along on your next trip!
Living in San Antonio, Texas, and being a transplant from Michigan, what a treat it is to see windows opened and hear bird songs through them once again. We have so few days when we can open windows at all. It seems as if we either have the air conditioner on for months at a time or the heater for the rest of the year. You have such a sweet way about your writing, it’s down to earth but very informative. What a wonderful day it was when I ran across your blog–“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.”
As usual this is another peak into your life which is fascinating! It’s almost as good as visiting in person!
Susan I love everything about your posts. Your wonderful illustrations are my very favourites. The zucchini (we call it courgette over here in England ) bread looks so delicious, one to try out! I can imagine you are getting excited with the preparation and planning for your trip over next year and I’m excited at the prospect of meeting up with you and fellow Branch girlfriends at the picnic next May!
So happy to see your post today. Yucky weather today in San Luis Obispo, CA. I just watched Miss Potter (life and loves of Beatrix Potter with Renee Zellweger) from 2006 and thought of you. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Loved today’s Willard! Thank you <3
I love reading your blogs. So much fun. I have read all three of your books. Loved them all. I cried in the first book.
Fall is beautiful here in Ohio. Will have to wait for at least six weeks to see the leaves change.
Will be turning 80 on Christmas. What a nice present that would be if I won.
The beach path is especially beautiful this time of year. I love after walking through the trees you see the path open up with the bright light spotlighting the beach. Thank you for sharing!
Love the mug and tea! Would enjoy the books and share them with my family, too! The fall shadow pictures are wonderful!
My favorite time of year is coming!!!!! I have made some zucchini bread. Our library is starting a commemoration of WWI with historical books and some WWI based movies-can’t wait!!!! Your blog makes me so appreciative of the little things in life. As I get older (Medicare in a month) I really understand and SAVOR what is important. Thanks!
Loved the Shadow theme to this posting. So good to receive this today, thought to myself yesterday, hmmmmm wonder what’s new with Joe and Susan? We just watched the movie The Trip. Do check it out, British humor as two British comedians travel theough the north country near Manchester. They have a second movie, The Trip to Italy and now a third is being released, The Trip To Spain. Food, gorgeous scenery, wine, tea, and funny impressions as they travel together. I had my I-pad at the ready and as they stopped at restaraunts, hotels or inns I looked them up. Delightful places. Hoping for a few more weeks of summer here on the Lk Michigan shore. Be well.
Oh, the envy of it! A dial to set for the oven! You know I have drooled over it before, but I can’t help it, I detest these electronic key pads that are made not to last. The current oven cost twice as much and has lasted half as long. sigh
Autumn is my favorite cookbook. I’ve given so many copies to friends when they
ask for “my” recipes. Credit needs to go to whom it belongs: You!
Loved your eclipse shadow pictures!
We’re in it together, Vickie, you can call them yours! xoxo
I Love your blog, I read A Fine Romance about a year ago, and didn’t realize there were the two other books… I just read them BOTH last week. I grew up in the 60’s too. I would love to get the Autumn mug, signed books and tea! i just signed up for Willard and am looking forward to receiving my first issue!
Susan,
More lovely words, thoughts and pictures, thank you so much!
Now my son is so much better, my husband and I are in England. I am having so much fun showing him my favourite places and seeing family and friends, he’s loving it.
A busy, serendipitous time, in haste,
Sally
Thank you so much for your beautiful books, and so much more.
Heres to the WONDER in lifes simple pleasures. Thank you Susan!
LOVED the movie narrative–what a hoot! The Willard was soo good but won’t make any other comment about that as I don’t want to give anything away but that cottage you have pictured on there looks like a loaf of bread! How CUTE! I just ordered a few cups and the 2018 Wall Calendar–I need to plan ahead. So good to hear from you as always and I absolutely love the way we all of us girlfriends are connected — thank you! ☺
You’re my first Willard Review! Looking good! Wait till I take us all to that loaf of bread! Yum!
Really enjoy your blogs. I have rose chintz dishes, love houses and cats. Preppy is my style
(I’m 76) still locked into it. New England, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket are my idea of heaven. Loved your books… Shared them with friends. Your a very special person.
One more thing, I have the kitchen Madonna too, it was my mothers☘
Such good reading love your kitty in the window!
Thanks for the wonderful post! The eclipse was exciting here in Kentucky. I never thought to watch the ground for shadows. You teach us to look for the little special details in our beautiful world 🌞.
I love Autumn 🍂, especially with a nice cup of tea ☕️ and a warm slice of zucchini bread!
Autumn is my favorite season! Even better with a Susan Branch cup and book. Thank you!!
I too started noticing the changes in the morning light thru my kitchen window and it gets me all excited because I know that Fall is just around the corner 🍁🍂 and what a perfect day, baking and a classic movie! So excited about this beautiful giveaway!
My daughter is just starting to read Fairy Tale Girl. She is a big fan of vinyl, so really enjoys the parts where you write about the stereo store. My favorite book has to be Autumn, though. Something about it is just magical. I would love it if you would write a “Vineyard Seasons Diary” and put into book form a story of your current life and happenings on the island (a girl can dream, at least if one can’t be there, lol).
Dear Susan~
I’m looking forward to receiving the latest Willard–can’t wait!
I have my own kitty shadow now–his name is Jasper–love him! A few years ago, I still had corgis and my Spencer saw his shadow and it was around Halloween 🎃–with those big corgi ears, his shadow looked like Batman–so funny!
I love each of our 4 seasons (when we get them, properly) in the Northeast–but have to say Autumn is my favorite! 🍂🍃🍁
Looking forward to planning our next Girlfriends trip abroad! 🗽🛳🗺
Sitting outside on my deck on this glorious day feeling the slight change in season and looking at my tree leaf shadows now too! Where you lead… I will follow ✨🎤✨… 😊. Thanks for the fun read and yummy looking recipe. Just love you SB!! 🤗Happy Wednesday!
That is my zucchini bread recipe! For a few years now I have been making 6 small loaves in place of the 2 large ones. My grandsons love zucchini bread and this way they can each have their own. I suppose when they get bigger they will each want a large loaf!
Hi Susan, I love your work and own everyone of your books! Happy Fall ,
OMG, “Suspicion” is one of my favorites movies ever. I think it was one of the first I ever bought on DVD. I think I could lipsynch the dialogue if I really tried! One of Hitchcock’s best. Plus Cary Grant in a [possibly] sinister role? How can this be, Cary?? This movie reminds me of all the Spielberg movies in that it grabs you right from the beginning & doesn’t let go til the end. A good story well-told. If I was watching “Suspicion” with something delicious in the oven, I don’t think I would have even HEARD the timer go off. Petrified zucchini bread. But yours looks delicious. PS – love the “kitty silhouette in the window” photo. So charming.
Our temperature cooled into the high 70’s today. After reading your post I am ready for some zucchini bread and hot tea. Fall will be here soon😊
Another great one, Susan! Love your dappled shade theme!! I haven’t seen the movie, so now will have to!! I would love to win the cup and books. I would give the cup to my friend Ann, as her birthday is in October. She adores Autumn! Perfect!! I’ll have to get to our nursery and see what they have, too. I have a wonderful hydrangea that is blooming in pink, lavender and blue this year! Just gorgeous. I’m going to propagate it and see if I can get some others. I have become absolutely smitten with hydrangeas! Looking forward to Willard, and have my MV cup to enjoy tea while I read it!! Thanks again, so much, for all the beauty you bring to our lives! Jane xoxo
What a post! Only you would notice and photograph so well the shadows of the eclipse and on such different surfaces–so, so special. And the ‘Suspicion’ description and photos–if I didn’t look such a disgrace right now I’d run to the library for it. Instead I reserved it and can’t wait to watch. Hoping for a dark and stormy day to add to the atmosphere.
Thanks to your blog, I found ‘English Villages’ with Penelope Keith on Acorn TV thru Amazon Prime and am enjoying it immensely. Thanks for all you share with all of us.
Love ❤️ me some zucchini bread, a cat and anything by Susan Branch! Always look forward to receiving my Willard!
Love your shadow pictures Susan and I took one of the many mini moons under a tree too, we had 99% coverage. But will have totality in 2024 so I am keeping my eclipse glasses in a safe place.
Oh and can it win this time? If not I can at ;east make and enjoy the zucchini bread…
Wow, I’m getting ready for autumn now! Haven’t seen “Suspicion” in years and it’s time we dusted it off. Loved the Willard and this blog – you brighten my outlook when it seems the news will simply take me down. Thank you!
Lovely blog and Willard is just wonderful. A perfect break in my day, making more new Fall jewelry for my online store. Happy Fall Susan!
Susan you make my heart sing. I love you ❤️ I think we were separated at birth. How else do you know every part of my soul? Thank you for the essence of you!
This is kindred-spirit-ville! xoxo
The change from summer to fall brought the sun’s light shining down the upstairs hallway. School was starting, my kids another year older and farther away. Winter approaching and good times with family and holidays. Seasons…always a nostalgic time for me. We just retired, bought our first house and are moving next week from L.A. to Paradise, CA. I can imagine being curled up with one of your books and gingerbread tea in that darling cup!
Susan, your photos of the moon shadows are magical (“I’m being followed by a moonshadow,”–Cat Stevens). As a child, I took pictures of shadows with my Brownie camera, fascinated by capturing the light and absence of light.
What a delightful post today! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and loved your step by step of the movie. Must see it now! Have a great day!
Another fun post…. now off to read my Willard…. or your Willard:)
Love the dancing shadows of the changing of the seasons.
And now must make time to watch the movie too!
So love reading your posts, and you have got me looking at shadows all over my house! 🙂
Thank you so much! (I love the Autumn cup!)
Lucky day! I read both your Willard and blog while sitting in the sun. Perfect afternoon.
You got me so excited about the movie “Suspicion,” that I had to google the ending!
The new mugs are beautiful. I picked up my first Emma Bridgewater last winter when I was able to visit England. I thought about you and your lovely stories of England. I am a tea drinker and the Gingerbread Cake Tea sounds delicious.
Yum! I think I’ll make your zucchini bread for our quilting retreat this weekend. Love your pictures of the dappled light. The eclipse was so exciting! Happy fall!!’
As usual there was an abundance of beautiful things to see. I can’t hang bird feeders by my kitchen window as I have a screened in porch and it drops down in back of that a full floor. But I often have a chorus on the porch as I have wild birds that are waiting to be released in my yard. They stay on the porch and listen to the other birds and the changing of the day outside. For the most part they are brought to the refuge and raised till they can be released. Then they come to me and I get to see them year round, as long as they like my yard! I have many tasty things for them. I even had bluebirds that raised a family in my bluebird box! I don’t know for sure but they may have been one or both that I finished raising and turned loose in the yard. I love to hear birdsong also, I even have one or more Barred owls that live in the trees. I’d love to have them outside the kitchen window but I’m happy with all that I have here. I’ll miss all the flowers when autumn gets here but I love all the seasons. Your zucchini cake looks delicious but I now have Celiac disease and don’t know if my “flour” blends will work for something like this. I’m new to it all and an experimenting. If you or anyone has any idea about it or any recipes adjustments they’ve tired I’d love to hear about it. There are more and more things coming out as more people really need the help. But as always good eating is easy to do. Lean meats, veggies and fruit. Just now and then my sweeet tooth gets to going. This would be the prefect thing to subdue it!! *L* Hugs to Jack, Joe and of course you Susan. Take care all!
Thank you for the recipe, I will try it soon. And a wonderful giveaway!! Fingers crossed. Lots of kisses
I love to look through all my Susan Branch books — the artwork, the recipes and the little tips. Also like to go to my Susan Branch pinterest board I have. It is pure JOY. Your talent is just fabulous. I cleaned up my craft closet and hope to clean out a large basket where I keep recipes I have clipped out of magazines or newspapers. Hope I win the prizes. Would definitely be a highlight of the day. Have a great end of summer and fabulous fall!!!!
I can almost smell that Zucchini bread through my laptop, it looks yummy! I love all the old black and white movies, too. Last night I watched Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember – I cry every time I see it. And the view from his grandmother’s home overlooking the bay, just wonderful. I’d love to win the prizes Susan and hope my comment gets posted. The last few times for some reason I didn’t see them on here. xxoo
Mmmmmm. Homemade zucchini bread and Cary Grant? Count me in!
I love Alfred Hitchcock movies – but I think Rear Window is my favorite.
Received my Martha’s Vineyard cup and the 2018 wall calendar last week – lovely! My husband got the cup as a remembrance of the lovely trip we took to Massachusetts in 2014. We both thought Martha’s Vineyard was amazing. But being from landlocked Indiana, the whole east coast was stunning.
Looking forward to autumn – my favorite time of year. Have your Autumn book out to look at and dream with.
The shadows during the eclipse were almost better than the eclipse. I wasn’t able to get a good photo of them though, sigh. This was my second solar eclipse, it was a total eclipse here in Charleston SC, cloudy and raining in parts of the city, but we saw it just fine in our front yard. No sign of Fall here yet, but I’d love to win the books. We’re planning a trip to the NC mountains to enjoy the leaves and the cool mountain air. Now I’m off to find that movie somewhere.
I love your Willards. And I agree about you being a fine movie critic. I will be looking for that movie. I love Gaslight. So suspenseful. Have a great day.
Trees are starting to turn here in Michigan. Fall, my favorite season, is on the way!
What a great post! Thank you. Now, I have to buy zucchini and rent that movie!
You made me want to watch that wonderful, old, suspicious movie while the zucchini bread bakes and the tea kettle whistles, and I don’t even drink tea!!!
Wow! It’s zucchini bread day in Connecticut, too! Must be the New England air. But I’ll bet you’re having more fun with Cary Grant while waiting for the hour to go by than I am reading the history of the Mayflower!
I read the Philbrick book on the Mayflower and loved it, so interesting!
That it is! He’s a marvelous writer and has brought clarification to many areas of our history. I look forward to reading more of his books. Just took my bread from the oven. The house smells wonderful! Happy Fall!
Susan — I always appreciate your appreciation of the changing seasons! You remind me to take notice of small natural wonders around us. Thanks!
Ooooh……….. Suspicion is such a good scary movie. No one can do it like A. H. He was definitely the master. Another favorite A. H. movie is Rear Window with Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stewart.
Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe. I have a chocolate zucchini cake recipe, but I have a surplus of zucchini and it’s nice to freeze for a gift or just to have on hand.
Looking forward to receiving Willard.
Living my whole life in NY has meant that I have had the fortune to experience all four seasons many, many, many times! I do believe however that fall is my favorite! I absolutely love how spring brings about an awaking of the earth here in the northeast and the summer sun helps us to forget the harsh coldness and often daily bleak gray of winter (although I loved winter as a child!) There is however for me something magical about fall. Maybe it is the change in the light or the smell in the air. I’m not sure. It could also be that as child who loved school and now as a teacher, fall means back to the classroom and because I spend my day with our youngest learners I love September and classroom-made applesauce and pumpkin picking and Halloween and corn mazes….the list is endless!
Your Autumn book is my favorite. On display on an easel on my kitchen counter. My autumn cup beside it. Perfect!
Ok, now I have to see that movie! I’m sure Netflix has it somewhere.
I love your blog, I love your style! You’re my hero.
😍 xoxo
Susan, After reading your blogs, I always see my world in a more positive and creative light. Thank you for opening my eyes to all the beauty around me – I know it’s always there, but sometimes it helps to have someone point it out to you again. You are such a joy!
Havent recieved my Willard yet, but enjoyed this. Makes me want to make some zucchini bread and watch a good old movie. ☺️ We saw 96.3% of the eclipse in our part of Oregon. Was awesome. Never thought to look for shadows on the ground…Phooey…but it still was quite the experience.
Now . . .I must go watch that movie! I love old movies~ The clothes are so stylish! I have some of my grandmothers clothes from the 40’s-which she took wonderful care of. So many lovely little details. Happy Almost Fall!
How exciting!!! Three wonderful books and an Autumn mug. My favorite time of the year … Autumn. I love everything about it. Thank-you Susan for always sharing special things with all of us.
Your circular shadows on your windows look like capiz shells (only found in the Philippines). They were used as part of the sliding wooden windows back home, so light can come through them when they are closed, like when it’s raining outside. Now they are sold as room dividers, as current homes are mostly modern in style! I miss them! Thanks for the beautiful video of the birds!
Interesting Salve! Thank you!
Hi Susan…getting to b fall here n Central Calif. My favorite time of year! I received my beautiful Martha Vineyard mug I ordered. I now have a PC. Of Martha’s Vineyard n my hutch…so beautiful!!! Take care..enjoy ur day!!
After everything that has been going on lately, I was so waiting for your blog to make me less depressed. You did not disappoint! Thank you. I also love the old movies. The pictures of the eclipse shadows were special. But what made me laugh was “Joe” looking thru the window. That is something my husband would do also. Got to love them!
It’s coming… I feel that little touch of Fall in the air and my hearts smiles. Love your recipe for Zucchini Bread, it a family favorite.
You blog posts and Willards make my day. Thanks for sharing part of you life with us. Jack is a real treasure!
Oh my, zucchini bread recipe and the opportunity to win a SusanBranch giveaway, over the moon with excitement!
My grown son and I enjoyed all the moons on our deck as we experienced the eclipse in Georgia. A special window of fun that does not come often!
God Bless you, for all the brightness and loveliness you bring to all us girls.
What a delightful post! Charming, encourages me to slow down & enjoy all these sweet moments in life.
What a simply terrific blog post! I love fall and all those shadows. “Suspicion” is an awesome movie! I’ll have to watch for it. Haven’t seen it in ages! Thanks for the zucchini recipe!
Oh Susan, I really needed your breath of fresh air today! How I love your Autumn book. I have given it at my annual sister Autumn tea gathering that I host, one to each sister and niece. I also love old houses, we are remodeling one now. Blessings to you and Joe, hope you truly have a wonderful beginning to the Autumn season!
I just love reading your blogs! It encourages me to try a little bit harder to see the beauty in the world we live in.
I know, Susan – the light IS changing. And there is also “that certain slant of light”, as Emily Dickinson said, which makes the change in the season feel even more different for me. I loved all your photos, especially the ones of Joe, as well as the ones from the old movie (which I have GOT to see now! Can’t believe I haven’t before) with Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. Well, I would love to be as lucky as your man in the quote who falls into the sea and comes up with a fish in his mouth, but we will just have to see. Thanks so much for your blogs and for giving us these wonderful chances. Terilee
I’m recovering from knee surgery so your blog today has been a wonderful distraction. You’re the bestest ever for sharing your life and your surroundings with us.
Ever since I saw your Beatrix Potter collection in your window sill, I began collecting the same. Mine is on my old fashioned record player (I have to move them when I want to play a record), but they are so pretty, so retro, and so much fun. Thank you for bringing us into your day…love, Jeanie
Hi Sue – yesterday was my birthday, and my daughter, son-in-law and grandson were here for a week – always the West Tisbury Fair week, along with the Oak Bluffs Fireworks, Illumination Night, and then my birthday. It’s an annual family ritual. Yesterday afternoon I was handed a Bunch of Grapes bag as one of my presents, and, fabulously, what was in that bag was your new Martha’s Vineyard mug! They weren’t looking for it as they walked through the store…… but they knew I would want it. There was nothing to think about. My daughter gets me your calendar each year for Christmas – she knew the mug had to be mine. It is even better than in the photos, everyone!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN! xoxo
I love your giveaways!!! Now I want to watch an old Cary Grant movie😍
I sure am looking forward to fall! What’s not to like? I cannot wait to wear my handknit sweaters again.
Loved this post. Fall is my very favorite season. I especially loved the shadows: the eclipse, the movie, the house with the kitty in the window. I would love to win the autumn books and mug. Xoxoxo. Sherry
My fingers are crossed and I’m hoping to win. And I really enjoyed the shadow pictures. 😎
Suspicion is one of my favorite movies!! I love her mother sending her to buy more wool for her needlework.
Do you suppose zucchini bread is ever so much better for us because it has zucchini? I like to think so, but suppose that wouldn’t hold up if I asked a nutritionist. Nevertheless, since the new puppies ATE my garden this year, I’ll have the buy some zucchini at the store, because this is on my list for weekend baking, even if it is still in the 100s in Austin. Your lovely post reminds me that yes, Fall is just around the corner, but its a longer block in Texas, so its a little further to the corner.
Hugs,
Peggy
My husband’s parents live on 8 acres in northern Iowa. Many family members camp there during the summer and we were there last weekend. There are trails cut through the woods by my multi-talented and amazing father-in-law and as we walked along I could feel the seasons changing. It’s subtle, but there. The light, the air, even before the leaves change. Thank you Susan for keeping us tuned into the beauty of nature all around.
It was a lovely visit with you today. The shadow theme was amazing. I am thrilled with the moon/tulip shaped shadows. The whole thing reminded me of the way the light and shadow danced across my bedroom when I was a girl. …Zucchini bread sliced thin with cream cheese is heaven. Fall makes me sad but a chance to win your books does cheer me up.