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. 💖
Thank you Susan for sharing your eclipse moon shadows along with your dancing leaf shadows. Were you circling your home, inside and out, looking for moon shadows? Looks like you didn’t miss any! Since I haven’t seen Suspicion yet, I’m on my way to pick it up from the library. I’ll watch, and then read the rest of your post. A two-part read for me this time. Thank you as always!
Always a treat to see your name pop up in my inbox. I enjoyed the shadow photos. I was fortunate enough to get a few of my own. The bird video was so nice to watch, I never get tired of seeing them in my garden. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
So wonderful story u make me smile along the road of everyday life. God Bless you and Joe last but not least Jack.
We haven’t had a very sunny August in my bit of the U.K, so it really feels like Autumn is on its way. It’s my favourite season so I’m starting to feel a little bit of excitement… we do have a lot of courgettes (zucchini)though, some I’m definitely going to try your recipe xx
I just came in from spending the day in the garden which I have been doing all summer. Having just turned 85, it is time to downsize and it is exhausting. I wheelbarrowed 8 loads of mulch from the back corner after taking up all of my daylilies….the deer get them every time. Spread three loads of cyprus mulch on the pathways, replanted iris…..and not finished yet. But what a delight to come in and read your latest and could almost smell the zucchini bread!! I wish I had some right now to go with my new lamb cup of tea, but the farm market awaits and I just printed off the recipe. I have so many things I want to tell you, but one of these days I will. Hugs!!!
I just love reading your blog posts and have especially enjoyed this one! Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for the giveaway. Fall is my most favorite season and here in SE Indiana, we are starting to see just a few hints of the changing season. I’ll be looking forward to receiving the Willard!! Thanks again!
Kudos to you on your lovely eclipse photos! Glad you weren’t looking at the sun 🙂
Isn’t it interesting that at the end of August, you feel that fall feeling. Even though it’s still summer, and it’s still warm, you just know that fall is in the air. We’ve had a lovely dry summer here on the south end of Vancouver Island. Not to hot, not to cold, just right. But I am looking forward to those cooler days and the light and shadows. I have my Autumn book close at hand. Thanks for the wonderful zucchini recipe. My youngest son’s favourite birthday cake is chocolate zucchini bread. Thanks also for the shadow show. Those moons are amazing.
Hi Susan, I’ve noticed the light changing too! I tried to mention it here at home, but was quickly shushed by my loves who don’t want summer to end. 😊
Yum, you’ve made me hungry so off to make some zucchini bread. Hopefully less calories than the peach cobblers I’ve been making! Thank you.
I think we must be long lost twins. Whatever you say, I feel also and could have said it myself, if only I were a writer. Thanks for making my life better for sharing yours.
I love reading your blogs! They encourage me to see the beauty in the simple things we take for granted. My new goal is to collect all of your books. A friend gave me “Isle of Dreams. I couldn’t put it down and was sad when I finished reading it. I wanted it to go on and on. Loved it so much I sent a copy to my daughter in law.
Thank you Susan. Great post. I don’t think I’ve seen Suspicion. I love the sets in those movies, I always love to see the big moulding and wainscoting. Everyone else thinks I’m nuts!!!
Thank you for the zucchini bread recipe, I can’t wait to try it, and for the movie review. Your newsletter is wonderful, I sit down with a cup of tea and feel as if I am there with you. Thanks, Nicole from Toronto, Ontario
Love when your posts pop up. You are an inspiration. Going to England/ British Isles in one week and one day so I have re -read A Fine Romance….excited.
What a fun post! Shadows are an overlooked wonder and delight. So much “scope for the imagination!” I love zucchini bread, thank you for the recipe.
Much love,
Susie
Thank you so much for all that you give us to celebrate the seasons, to celebrate our days, to celebrate our hours. You inspire us, you encourage us, you share fun, moments of delight and joy. You are a breath of seasonal fresh air. I send you blessings. May you celebrate your days with fun, delight, joy and much love.
P.S. your photographs are wonderful, thank you for sharing them.
Life is changing here in western New York as well as I sit outside my old historic farmhouse. Painting some rickety chairs black, for the upcoming autumn season. As I paint a few yellow leaves begin to fall. Would love to win your beautiful package of gifts. I dear Aunt, who I call my fairy godmother, just sent me the last book in your trilogy. I blame you for not getting anything done this entire season! Instead, I could be found all over my property, actually all over Western New York, reading your delightful missives. 💕📚🍂
Live when the shadows grow long earlier in the day and the way the light play changes with it! Thank you so much dear girlfriend!
What a lovely giveaway! Plenty to keep and to share! Thank you Susan and good luck to all!❤️
I love the observations about the light and how it filters through our lives. So pretty-and it’s everywhere, and it is free! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty that is everywhere in our daily lives.
I would be tickled pink to be up North for the Autumn but I re-read your book each year and it helps me get in the seasonal spirit.
What would I do without you, Susan? Just when the news of this world has me down, you save the day. I need everyone of your posts. I have been to Martha’s Vineyard because of you!
Fingers will be crossed. Your posts brighten my day. Can hear Canadian geese here in Colorado–a sure sign fall is on its way
Yesterday I saw my first tree with its leaves just beginning to show Fall colors. What a welcoming sight, as Michigan is so beautiful with her autumnal colors, her lovely blue of the Great Lakes and deep green of the pines.
How I love shadow play in the home! Every season has its pattern. I remember watching that movie a long time ago – I need to add it to my list! As for that bread…that is what shall be the dessert this evening. Thank you for sharing!
You make me feel Autumnal!💕🍂
So nice to have some positive news to read–and happy too! Thank you Susan , love reading everything you write. God bless you and Joe. Keep the happiness coming out to all of us.❤️
Thank you for sharing your partial eclipse wth us. It was lovely!
Susan, Can I just say how much I love your blog. I look forward to your posts and relate to you on SO many levels!! Thank you for your darling books and all you do. xx
I think I will be watching Suspicion tonight! So I can find out if she drinks the poison milk, or maybe it’s not poisoned… only the shadows know!
Just what I needed today: a happy, happy blog post with lots of things to make me smile. Love your bird feeders! What do you do with all the plants that grow under the feeders from the bird seed? I’d really like to have bird feeders but my husband says we would have weeds under there. I say, Susan will know!
I loved the pictures of the eclipse shadows! We drove to KS to see the eclipse (from OK where we live), and it rained, so I missed out on those but have so appreciated people posting pictures of them! But the night time darkness at totality—- well, no matter how ‘modern’ I might be, I was surprised at what a goosebumps moment it was! Hitchcock would have appreciated it. I love watching the light change in my south facing living room and am so looking forward to FALL!!!
Loved your post, thanks!
I so love your posts!
We viewed the eclipse shadows through a colander’s shadows and then a glimpse or tow through another neighbor’s eclipse glasses. Just stunning even though we got 82% here in Virginia.
I miss having your Autumn book. I loaned mine to someone and never got it back. I do have all of the first editions of your cookbooks. I pull them out often and dream about what goodies to make and that maybe one day I will be able to watercolor with even a fraction of your talent.
Can’t wait to read the upcoming Willard.
Susan, I have received Willard probably from day one, but never read your blog before. You are such an inspiration, and I now am probably going to pick up my paintbrushes again after putting my painting on hold for a very long time – so thank you for sharing and reminding us of the beauty in the simple things in life.
Looking forward to trying the recipe!
Love your updates, Susan. Been a fan since the very beginning. Thank you for bringing happiness into our lives.
Autumn…after living in New England, how I miss it here in Central FL! Loved the unique eclipse pictures. You never cease to amaze me.
My bluebird cup arrived! I was lucky enough to be in a place where I could watch the eclipse in totality. It was magical! I love your shadow pictures of the moon over the sun.
Be still my beating heart! Autumn is my all-time favorite season!
The eclipse was magical. Love your shadow pictures too.
Would love to win, although I already own two of the books. I don’t own any of your mugs and would love to have the autumn one. Gingerbread tea also sounds interesting. I’d like to give the books to my daughter, or maybe one to a friend. Love so much of what you do and share.
I’ve had outside cats for over 20 years but when a rescue kitty came into my life this past spring, thinking of your Jack, I made him an inside kitty. His name is Milo and last week I adopted a baby sister for him, named Mila. They have added so much joy to my life. Love the pics of Jack!
First year in many that I won’t be visiting the Vineyard in September. Autumn cup would take away some of the sadness…
It’ll be nicer next year. 💞
Always enjoy reading your blog and Willards! I will have to make a zucchini bread soon yours looks delicious!
Hee Hee – got my Bluebird mug and made Zuchinni bread, too! But no
Alfred Hitchcock movie😢 I have seen that one years ago and will have to
find it on Netflix. Enjoying the tea and bread and a much cooler morning
after the eclipse! Looking forward to Fall but not trying to rush it. Still
have more harvesting in the garden before closing it down at the end of the
month. The Zuchinni and yellow squash have been HUGE! Made a lasagna
yesterday with Zuchinni noodles….Yummy! Hubby thinks I’m a culinary
genius! Lol. Oh, loved your moon shadows…Wahoo😍😎
Great post! Happy almost fall!
Love your narrative and pictures of Suspicion mixed in with your zucchini bread baking. Such fun!!!
On Susan!!!! You did it again. I just finished developing photos I have taken and friends have sent me of all the wonderful eclipses all across the U.S. But omg!!! Susan how could anything outdo these absolutely magnificent and so so charming shadows you captured. They actually reduced me to tears Susan. It was such an awesome event to to be alive and experience. And you found a way to outdo the rest of the worlds photos. Thank-you so for sharing them. I have finally made it to my NORTHWOODS home. After a tree year absence due to caring for my beloved sister who I lost. So now the work really starts. So much damage from the winters of the northland it will take months to bring back to the beauty I left. But know that your uplifting words cheer me along the redo. Along with the joy of the Beautful Cups you designed. A cup for every mood and season. Bless you for all you do to bring Joy to us gals through every trial and tribulation we must face. My gratitude pours over the edge of everyone of your cups. And it always will………with such appreciation. Love to you Susan. Gayle Hall
Oh Gayle, good luck with your Northwoods home. I know your sister is watching over everything. I hope you bring it back soon to what it was, but until then, don’t forget the power in a couple of flowers in a tiny vase. Sending love!
If anyone could get me excited about autumn (Spring is my favorite season), it would be Susan Branch. Yep, you did it!
All your thoughts are phased so we feel like we are there with you.
Yes, I can see some signs of fall coming also
Thanks for the chance to win
Your blogs are very enjoyable especially when I am taking a break from my work in the corporate environment. Wish I could retire and sip tea throughout the day, read books and watch old movies. Just recorded Mrs. Miniver today since it’s Greer Garson day on TCM. Thanks for allowing us to enter a fabulous contest.
Cheers!
I love your charm and love of all things old, charming, and beautiful! I love that you are down to earth. I have always looked forward to your Willard letters and I especially value the ones that i received by snailmail. Wishing you continued happiness, good health, and blessings….💖
Who would ever give a signed copy of your books as a gift!
LOL!
Susan, Today I told someone I was channeling my inner “Susan Branch” by mustering up the courage to help our community develop a woodland trail . I offered to create a little book sketching and documenting the flora and fauna of the trail. I am battling breast cancer right now so this is a leap of faith for me. Thanks for imbuing me with the courage.
I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than a leap of faith. It’s one of the best things about the human spirit. And then, on top of it all, you’re helping develop a woodland trail! Where others will be inspired. Thank you for what you are doing! And don’t let anything stop you, on any front. Sending love to you Cheryl … thank you. xoxoxo
Dear Susan,
Your shadow photos are wonderful as is your narrative. I especially enjoyed your interpretive comments and observations of the Cary Grant movie. I really enjoyed it and you put a smile on your face. I am curious what your bird feeders hang over – is there cement, grass or a porch of some type underneath? I put in a bay window in my kitchen this past winter and decided to put my feeders on a double shepherd’s hook but it is on the grass. I have no trees but still attract quite a lot of birds and pesky squirrels too. I so enjoy the birdsong and hungry birds. I am enjoying my lovely bird mug you created so fun. I have made my zucchini breads but I added banana, blueberries and walnuts to it. I make mine in small loaf pans to give to friends and coworkers. I have had an abundance of zucchini’s this year. Last weekend I shred a whopper of one and it gave me 7 cups that I now have in the freezer and will enjoy this winter. Looking forward to receiving my Willard soon. Thanks for all the wonderful news.
Good question, because whatever birdfeeders hang over is bound to be a bit of a mess. Ours hang over a little garden of bushes, two hydrangeas and a beach rose ~ which we squirt with hoses often, and do our best to keep seeds, etc, cleaned up. And for the most part, it works.
If you ever want to try something different with zucchini, look up zucchini custard pie! It’s amazing. I had it for the first time this past weekend. It’s delicious 😋
Shadows, zucchini bread, fall gardening and wonderful surprises! I must see this movie now. I always look forward to your posts and sharing them with my Mother. Thank you!
Hello Susan, This is Kristi in Colorado again. When you were here at the Tattered Cover bookstore, I asked you how your plumbing repair was going, and it seemed to be still a rather sore spot. I hope by now you have found a way to make lemonade out of those lemons. Would you mind showing us on a blog post sometime how you have conquered that project? We all have projects that we either initiate or are FORCED to undertake, and your optimism and creativity would be welcome and inspirational. Our family is in process right now and could use a little sunshine! Hope you are well! Loved this post, Susan. Thank you!
Lovely!! I read an article before the eclipse and it said that the show isn’t just in the sky and be sure to look around at the crescent shape shadows, but alas! Mother Nature giggled from behind the clouds as I shook my fist at her. Too many clouds so it was a bust in my neck of the woods. I got to enjoy them through your eyes and that is good enough for me. So spectacular. And I gasped at your generous give-away! I think I’m going to do my favorite thing – buy it from the website to avoid all possibility of not being the winner – and enjoy it like Christmas in August! To me, from me (and you), with love! 😉 And a note about the zucchini bread – I made it last year and it was DELICIOUS, but it stuck to my pan terribly. I did butter it first so I wonder if I should have floured the pan also??? Has this ever happened with yours? The good news is that I decided they weren’t pretty enough to share so my husband and I ate them both! Haha Silver linings everywhere! Looking forward to Willard. You give us so much to look forward to. Thank you! XXO
I didn’t flour mine, I buttered the loaf pan, then let the cake cool completely before I ran a knife around the edge and “decanted” it onto the serving plate … you were very smart to eat them both and hide the evidence!!!
Success! The key (which you clearly stated on the recipe, yet I ignored) was to let the bread cool completely before removing from pan (yes, it was torture). I also noticed your loaf pan. I used my glass ones this time and not the metal ones and voila! Two beautiful loaves! Now I’ll be forced into sharing. This really is the best zucchini bread, but shhhhhh don’t tell my mom I’m not making her recipe anymore!
Love all the seasons.
Nothing better than a warm treat with tea.
Love your posts.
Cindy
Thank you for showing the beauty in everything ! I love it !
Thank you so much for this delightful letter. The birds outside your kitchen window are enchanting! I almost feel I’m there with you, sipping a cup of tea and nibbling on zucchini bread. Off to the nursery this coming weekend for some plants! Cindy
My homegrown zucchini did not survive the Missouri hot spell in July, but the local grocery store had 45 locally grown items yesterday. I bought zucchini and put 2 grated cups in each freezer bag and have it ready for baking bread all winter. Thank you for helping us all appreciate the simple things, especially in these trying times.
I also saw the crescent shapes and shadows here in Virginia yesterday, during the solar eclipse, out among the trees over the driveway. It did not get very dark, however, during the eclipse. Love your blog!
I am looking forward to receiving my Willard and reading it! Thank you for the chance to win such a lovely assortment.
Seem like yesterday I wrote can’t wait til you open your windows and hang your aprons and table cloths on the line.. I will make your bread and appreciate the photos as I’m very visual.. enjoy your fall this year… light those fall scent candles and wears a cozy sweater… thanks for your beautiful blog Susan. Julia
Sigh. I just love your blogging, Susan! Now I must watch Suspicion!!!
Your message is so lovely. You are so far away but make me realize we all areenjoying the beauty of nature,joy of cooking and celebration of the simple but wonderful things in life no matter where we live.
I celebrate my garden and my life inpoetry. The change throughout the year The pure magic of nature. I see everything in a magic light
This is from my new book” Frost and Flowers”
September
A gentle murmur rustles
In the still afternoon
Trees mottled lace canopy
Sky silk blue and cloudless
Lush green garden
Glows with colours
Rich bouquets
Shades f fed. Ink
and pearl white
Lavender
heavy with mauve breath
Host as booming. Nodding purple
Tomato vines blushing red
Reaching out to me
Clouds of emerald parsley
and basil.
I memorize the moment
as a bumble bee buzzes
round the basil
I tuck my memories away
to reach for
In mind numbing
Winter’s daze
Beautiful! But no reaching for the numbing thing for a little while longer! xoxo
Enjoy your posts, so refreshing! Love your books, artwork and your photography!
Thank you for making my day!
So very GRATEFUL for your blog today!
So many negatives in the world and on tv I rarely watch anymore.
Thank you for reminding us of the beautiful simple things in life! Cannot wait to celebrate Autumn and all its beauty! Hugs to you and Joe….
Love your autumn book and looking forward to rereading it soon, in the season. Doing so while drinking tea from an autumn mug would be the ultimate.
Has Willard made it to space yet?? (looks up towards the International Space Station!)
The light is changing here in Wisconsin, too, Susan…just started the fall decorating so was tickled to see your post! You are such a breath of fresh air, especially now…thank you for keeping us all going!
I have crossed my fingers and toes. A girl can hope and dream. Such a lovely post and giveaway. I just don’t seem to find enough of your work in Canada. Cheers!
Absolutely amazed at the “moon shadows” – incredible! Who’d have thought? Another wonderful newsletter, Susan. I do so enjoy them. Perhaps I’d better go and bake some zucchini bread while I await the arrival of Mr Willard.
I love Suspicion! It’s one of my all time favorites. I love when they meet on the train and he doesn’t have all the money for a first class ticket so he gets a stamp from her to pay and tells the ticket taker “legal tender, old boy legal tender”.
We got the full eclipse here in Tennessee and it was amazing. Truly a once in a lifetime event. We took the boat out to watch it from the river. There were lots of other boats and just before totality, a hush fell on everything. When totality occurred, everyone cheered. It really felt like we were all one big party together. It was a great experience.
What a perfect afternoon: a wonderful old movie (we never trust the handsome ones, do we?) the aroma of baking zucchini bread and an adorable kitty. Sounds lovely! Especially while the wonderful husband is doing chores. I have a Joe also and they tend to be wonderful.
Just bought some Russian sage for my driveway border…the deer have eaten all of the hosta even with diligent spraying!…Will have to beg for some bread, usually I am given more zucchini that I can use but for some reason none this year…oh well, pumpkin bread is just around the corner!
Oh, DEAR! I know better. What was I thinking?! The Autumn cup is already sold out. (Did you hear my heavy sigh all the way over at your house?!)
Autumn is my favorite season, too. Pumpkins, wool sweaters, hot apple cider, leaves crunchy under foot, a blazing fire.
What a great fun post! While I love Suspicion (who can resist Cary Grant?!) my favorite is Rebecca. I am sure you have seen it, but if not, give it a try. Romantic and scary as Manderly is everything a creepy English manor should be. Can’t wait to get home and make the zucchini bread. And there is nothing like the sun reflecting off Vineyard Sound (from the Cape) in August. Thank you for brightening the day with your post.
Love your birds and WANT your books. haha
What fun to think about the coming of Fall. We are experiencing it here in Michigan, too. I think Zucchini Bread is in my family’s future. Thank you! xoxo
School started this week! My students and I love peeking in on you as you walk the path to get a tiny taste of seasons. Thank you for letting us tag along!
It’s a rainy late afternoon here, so the candles are lit in the living room. Hmmm, I’ve got a zucchini lollygagging in the vegetable bin, who I think is now bound for “grate-ness”, pardon me, couldn’t resist! I love how much you love your home; I feel the same about mine, and it was my grandma’s, to boot! Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Thanks for the day brightener in an otherwise dim day! Those moon shadows were beautiful. If i had a zucchini I’d make bread.
A cup of tea in a beautiful cup and books to read. What could make an afternoon better than that.
I felt like I was right there with you smelling that lovely bread baking and worrying about Joan! (And, now, I’m going to have to find that movie to watch it myself!) Loved all the shadow photos, but most especially the eclipse ones! Who knew??
Lovely post! From the cake to the cat to the helpful handyman to the birdies to the movie to the shadows (especially the partial eclipse ones) — just lovely. Thank you for sharing, Susan. And autumn is my favorite season. Just saying. 😉
Here are my “few words” to enter the contest. Thanks Susan!
The opening paragraph in Willard quoted from Charles Dickens is so Now and that is so sad. However your wonderful blog just brought my spirits right up and so eager to travel with you (via your blog) on your next adventure.
Your inspiring messages help keep us on the up and up –
Thanks for always reminding us to look, really look at the world around us every day. I love the shadows.
❤️❤️The post, As always!! Can’t wait for Fall!! My favorite!!🍁🍁🍁🍂🍁
Oh, yes, I would love more of your charm in my house….I’m grateful that you do what you do – it’s a balm in these hard days….
Your solar eclipse dappled light is beautiful. I love your shadows. Thanks for helping me get excited for Fall, my favorite time of the year. I have your Heart of the Home first book, so if I won I would give the gifts 🎁 to my sister. Thanks for all your hearts ♥️ ,
Even in sunny, steamy, hot, hot Florida you can see the light changing. I notice every year about this time.
Thank you for always sharing such lovely stories!
Have a beautiful evening.
Your lives are always interesting. Your happiness in just the simplest things is inspiring.
Please keep on sharing. Best, June Emmert, Michigan
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I love your new tea cups!
I purchased your Heart of the Home cookbook for my nieces very first apartment!
I would love to pass along one of your cookbooks to my daughter!!