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. 💖
Susan,
Your postings are the very best! You are one of a kind; you and Joe two of a kind! So glad that I am lucky enough to read your mailings and to have met you in St. Charles a couple years ago! In addition to having your fabrics, your stickers, stationery and note cards! Your visit to St. Charles was such a memorable experience indeed.
Jean
How could I forget? I have most of your books also! Am I forgetting anything?
Your lifestyle is an inspiration!
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Summers in Montana are beautiful and winters are too BUT, the snow and cold comes on as early as September here on the ranch. A blazing fire, a cup of tea or hot chocolate, bread in the oven and incredible cookbooks to read. I hope I get lucky and win!
well, I thought my zucchini bread recipe was the best but now I’ll have to try yours!
I baked zucchini bread this week too.
Have just started to think of fall these last few days. Our weather in Michigan has cooled off a little and the breeze coming into our bedroom window at night is delicious.
Waiting for my Willard and hoping to win your generous give a wayl
Hi Susan,
I just escaped with you for a while, and it was wonderful. Listening to the music and feeling like just you and I were having a chat. You are absolutely delightful in your thinking and doing! Thank you for sharing your day! Have fun at your charity luncheon and I look forward to hearing what you serve.
💜
Anne
I’ll let you know!
Dear Susan,
Every post you write brings happiness into my heart and sunshine to my soul! Thank you 😊
For some reason it is saying my comment is awaiting moderation…not sure what it wants me to do?
Susan; I always love reading your blogs. They really get us in the mood god the changing seasons
Mood for the seasons! Hate spellcheck!
I hope so much that you pick me to win these treasures!!!
If I make this zucchini bread I will eat every mouthful!
Ah, Susan, I love this, love the houses, love the shadows, love Joe doing the windows! and love the thought of fall coming. If I happen to be the lucky winner, I will be in 7th Heaven! Thank you so much for writing your blog, your books, and now another Willard to look forward to.
Thank you for the recipe! It looks delicious.
I love a lot of the same things as you, flowers, birds, pretty cups and Beatrix Potter. It makes reading your blog feel like visiting a friend 💕
Thank you so much for your blog! I always look forward to it! I loved seeing your moon shadows! I never thought to look for those! Fall is my absolute favorite season! It will be awhile before we feel the change of season here in North Carolina but your blog and giveaway has me super excited for it! Thanks for sharing your life with us! Virginia White
Your post was timely, what with all the zucchini coming in now. A little cooler here in Philly tonight, good for baking a couple loaves. Loved watching your birdfeeder video, they add such joy don’t they? We are enjoying watching goldfinches feasting on our coneflowers, even my husband is amazed by the activity. Well, I’d love to win your little pile of goodies, fingers crossed!
Loved all the dancing lights! I am fascinated /entranced by them myself.
Susan, you provided two extra treats this issue: 1) the birds singing outside your kitchen window and 2) an easy zucchini recipe that I am eager to try! I will split my batter in half and put nuts into only one loaf to accommodate family with nut allergies.
Thanks again for the beauty you put out into the world. It is uplifting.
Hugs
Patti
My daughter and I always love to look at the dappled sunlight in our rooms this time of year. The film of Cary Grant was so great, so handsome they should name a star after him for all eternity to worship. My all time favorite Cary Grant film was Arsenic and Old Lace. Love, Love, Love it. Your gift of writing is enough but I would be most happy to be entered in your drawing. Best wishes, SB
I so love your posts! I look forward to every new one. 🙂
I adore watching old movies also. The decor and fashions and romantic nostalgia have me hooked! They are just wonderful to watch on cozy afternoons or while that zucchini bread is baking! Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Hello Susan
I love and have collected all your cookbooks. You inspire me. Life can be so stressful, put you make me and other people feel calm and safe. You teach us so much about how life should be. It is about home, family, children and our pets,
flowers, trees, good food, planting, good books and good books. Enjoying the little things in life. Be happy – Take Care – God Bless you for all you do.
That’s exactly right. xoxo
Greetings from southeast Tennessee! We had about one minute of totality during the solar eclipse Monday. It was one time the word “awesome” truly was appropriate! Thank you for sharing your pictures and thoughts with us on a regular basis. It makes me feel as if I know you! Love your books and look forward to going on the virtual journey with you to England this fall. Have fun, and keep us informed!
Ahhh…Autumn…my favorite time of year! Thank you for the lovely post 🍁
I love reading your blog, it makes my day. Fall is in the air here in Michigan. Cooler days and nights, kids going back to school, and anticipation of change. My husband and I are looking forward to our fall vacation to Michigan’s upper penisular at the end of September. We also enjoy our trips to New England. Maybe next year, and We will go to Martha’s Vineyard. Happy Fall!
Love old movies just today watched Rear Window!
Summer is wrapping up in Colorado too! I have a sweater on needles and bought some. Beautiful autumn color for a cowl today. My garden is ready for the last trim and some is already spent. It’s been a summer of tomato and cucumber salads- and lots of zucchini bread.
Today I thought my favorite time of year!
‘Love all of your shadow photos! And I am currently reading James Runcie’s “The Shadow of Death” – a Grantchester mystery.
I love your shadow pictures. Who would think something so simple could be so beautiful and magical…Spent the entire summer going through chemo and really could not enjoy the warm summer months. Last day of chemo was yesterday and I look forward to long sweater filled walks in the coming months. Prayers appreciated 🙂
Thank You <3
The last day. Good on YOU Kathy! Enjoy a world of the little things that make life sweet! xoxo
On to better days ahead Kathy.Every day is a gift. ❤
I had a stroke last fall after back surgery and as I was reading the Willards I Miss in my coma and afterward I was like a breath of fresh air. I have most of your book and a season starts with a Susan Branch book. 😊 I love you books. I have SB stickers. I don’t have any mugs etc but hope to someday. Perhaps Christmas😊Thanks for all you do to brighten my days♥️♥️You reminded me of Betsy Tacy books and I bought several on Amazon.
Thank you Kathie! Blessings on YOU and yours. xoxo
Great blog. You always provide insight in the seasons and simple pleasures!
My across-the-street neighbor just brought me some freshly grated zucchini -can’t wait to try your recipe! I hope your blueberry cornbread is in your first edition Heart of the Home, Susan. It sounds so good, and I have some fresh blueberries ! Miam !!
Aaaaaaa! How could you leave us hanging? Who drank that milk??? I will search for that film but I’m so hoping Cary is not the bad guy! In the meantime I too am loving the changing shadows. I’m a fall girl! Is it too early for pumpkin chocolate chip bread? Enjoy your days! Love, Lucy
I get so excited when I see a SB email. Can you take me to England. I’m very quiet and I don’ eat to much. My one day dream is to see England and especially Beatrice Potters home and land.
I read your blog while drifting in my kayak…wonderful memory
Here in San Diego, I am still picking zuccini, yellow squash, cucumbers and mellons!. I can smell your zuccini bread and my mouth is watering. I will be baking my own loaf after this post. If I ever won your giveaway, I would die, but then again I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the goodies, so my heart would stop beating for just a second and then….I’d let out a whoop. Perhaps someday, but for now I will win by making my own zuccini bread as today has been coolish and it won’t heat up the house. Love and hugs back to such happy homey BFF blog writer!
Wonderful blog post~ I just had to make the zucchini bread immediately!! 🙂 I wish the TV had the Susan Branch channel! That would be THE best!
Oh, so many lovely comments, pictures, recipes, etc. As usual, my favorite pictures are of handsome Jack. What a stunner! Can’t wait for your next cup design. I use my cups every evening when my husband and I have “tea”. I alternate between the Love cup and the Martha cup. But a cup with lambs will be my new favorite. I just know that my Border Collie, Ivy will pick it as her favorite. I’m so looking forward to our upcoming trip to England and Ireland (virtual for me). Unless of course, my lottery ticket is the one that gets picked this evening for the $700 million jackpot. If I win that, I’ll buy the ship and rent you the Queen’s suite for $1.00/day. (Just dreaming.)
I received my 2018 calendar last week. Another beautiful creation. Give Jack a pet from me. Enjoy your lunch for the generous auction winner. I bet that they are “over the moon”.
Here in Idaho my zucchini is getting almost big enough to make bread! We love it also! Would love to have another Fall cup (for my husband), as I quickly ordered one for myself! Fall is my favorite season!
We are going to be on your island at the end of September! I’m so excited! We are going on a Fall foliage tour on the east coast and I chose the guided tour company we are going with just because they include Martha’s Vineyard!!
Happy almost Fall!
PPS Cary Grant is so cute that he absolutely can’t be sinister…or can he???Alfred really was an amazing script writer. I haven’t seen this one in ages. gonna have to go back in time….but after I make my Z bread.
Susan…. I love your blog. My dishes were done my table cleaned. I sat down to savor your blog and then in a flurry…. my kitchen in disarray and then the smell of the zucchini bread emerging from my oven!!! Wow!! Thank you so much! Which Susan Branch mug should I use for my freshly perked coffee????
What an interesting blog today! My favorite things: a good Alfred Hitchcock mystery, food & Jack! What a wonderful read! Thank you, Susan, for all the joy you share with us!
Hi Susan,
Just love Hitchcock movies and have seen Suspicion a number of times. I watch TCM all the time. Movies from the ’40’s are my absolutely favorite, and I also like movies from the ’50’s as well. Thoroughly enjoyed your post. Also, thanks for the zucchini bread recipe (exactly the same as my dear Mom’s). My husband and I watched the eclipse through his welding glasses! We live on the Cape and it was great even though it wasn’t a total eclipse.
Always a real ‘Fiesta’ finding your mail in my mailbox.
Frank Sinatra singing, reading and looking at the lovely drawings, sentiments, photo’s you show is a bit of sunshine in the middle of the night here in Europe.
Hi Susan,
I knew that you were busy, there hasn’t been anything lately on Instagram. I know summer is quickly coming to its end, I too look forward to the change in season. So, take a little time each day to stop and relax.💗🏡☕
Looking forward to Willard! Love your blog posts!
Autumn is my absolute favorite season. Don’t get me wrong, all of the delicious sunlight and adventures summer brings are exciting…but fall just stirs my heart; those fall colors, baking everything pumpkin, cozy sweaters coming out of storage, heavenly!
Loved all your shadow pictures! I got a few leaf shadow photos during the solar eclipse here in the Seattle area….so interesting and beautiful! Thanks for the zucchini bread recipe! =^..^=
Thank you for a wonderful blog and Willard! I love the shadows throughout, especially of the eclipse. Our skies were cloudy so we drove up the road a bit to watch from a parking lot .. with a lot of other watchers! I missed seeing the shadows on the ground 🙁 thank you for sharing yours! Loved the birds video too! Nothing better than happy birds to bring cheer to the day. And hearing about your upcoming trip abroad .. I will be going with you in heart looking forward to seeing pics and hearing about your adventures. Fingers crossed! .. I don’t have the books or cup or tea! And selfishly I would keep them all just for me! Well I would be willing to share a cup of tea and page through the books with friends! Thank you for sharing joy and inspiration 🙂
Love this time of year in New England.
Can’t get more than one load of laundry dry on my clothesline outside this time of year but I can live with that.
Love your art work and writing!
Can’t wait for my Willard to arrive, always so much to look forward to. Love the eclipse shadow moons, so very cool. Love all your sale plants, next weekend is the sale at my favorite plant place here. Can’t wait to go to see what strikes my eye and can add to all my plantings. Only wish I had the space you do to plant. Running out of places to dig up and plant all kinds of pretty things that I can enjoy for a little now and then look forward to coming back next spring. Always love all your news. Enjoy this beautiful weather!
Loved the shadowy blog! Autumn is my FAVORITE time of year…I get a nest-y feeling and creativity soars. It’s like the cooler weather blows the summer cobwebs out of my brain and makes room for exciting new projects to take root. Loved the recap of a Cary grant movie!
Your writings always make me smile. The photos are lovely, your words are bright, cheerful and optimistic (much needed nowadays) and now this wonderful giveaway. Thank you for brightening my inbox with your writings.
Autumn is my FAVORITE season! I love your books and have been collecting them over the years. I never tire of leafing through the pages just drinking in the hand-lettered text and sweet watercolor images.
Every Thanksgiving, I make your layered Jell-o dish. Everyone is impressed with the gorgeous layers and the perfect mixture of sweet with sour cream. Thank you for making me look like some kind of super hero in the kitchen! My son Kyle requests your corn pudding at every opportunity, too 🙂
Ooh I’ve got to find that movie and make that bread! Then wait for the perfect fall day when I can open my windows wide! Thank you Susan! You are a sweetheart!❤️
Oh what a great reason to step into my garden for another big zucchini! And naturally I would love to be the winner of the Autumn cup and books. Thanks for another great post. Barb
Got excited with the blog. I too love that movie. I have watched it so many times. I don’t have my Willard yet, but I am waiting anxiously. Hope tomorrow is as good as today was.
Hi sweet Susan,
I am also a shadow watcher. Everyday around 4:00 the shadows start and end around 7:30. It is my favorite time of the day! The shadows come in the many windows on the back of our house! Thank you so much for writing today. I just broke my wrist and had to have an operation yesterday. It was great to have you with me today!
Jean
Hi Susan!
I had a dear friend who always made zucchini bread. I will make zucchini bread in memory of Nancy.
Thank you!
Terry
Great old movie! Cary Grant – that face… How could he ever be a bad guy? Favorite is “Bringing up Baby”. Slapstick with two great actors!
A Very generous giveaway that is sure to be cherished!
We experience all four seasons, too, in the Pacific Northwest. Fall is my favorite of all – time for fabulous colors, crunchy leaves, and “football weather” – cool and crisp. “Indian Summer” – perfect for a day at Husky Stadium on Lake Washington and my Bday!
Good Afternoon,
I am trying your zucchini bread tomorrow looks great. Yum!
Love the movie, “Suspicion” I have the DVD and many more classic movies. We seem to have the same taste in movies and cooking as well.
Traveled to the UK several times and loved it. Love your shadows, birds, kitty, and all the flowers. Wow!
I enjoy all your books, you put a smile on my face, it seems like we are friends.
Your posts are wonderful, take care and keep up the great work.
I love autumn, beautiful patterns of light and zucchini bread. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Hello Susan from Fayetteville GA! I have loved your illustrations since your Country Living days. I started clipping your pages for both the artwork and the recipes. Looking at them always makes me smile! Now I enjoy looking at your books and remembering those by-gone days sitting down to read my issue of Country Living and seeing your illustrated recipes. I will forever be a fan!
My aunt gave me the ultimate compliment the other day……well, aren’t you just like Susan Branch . I’ll take that compliment ! 😁 Have a great day!
love this post! I never noticed the eclipse coming through the leaves! we had one pair of special glasses at work and all of us took turns using them! then we would run in and get someone else to go outside to look. (kinda like Tag-You’re it!) and even those that didn’t want to bother we would say – it only takes one minute and you WILL like it. well, even those people were all smiles when they did look, and they were glad they took the time to go outside. 🙂 it was great fun – AND no one went blind 🙂 Thank you in advance, Sue, for your giveaways. I’m hoping you pick me, but whoever wins it’s just great fun to anticipate.
Love the Fall, can not wait till it gets a little cooler and the leaves turn.
Thank you for all your wonderful posts. I am buying your mug today!!! Love them all
Autumn is my favorite season and almost everything about it is magical.
Thanks for all your posts; they are delightful.
I’ve been salivating over the new mugs. I love them! I’m quite fond of autumn, too, but it’s sometimes hard to go back to school when the days are so beautiful (I teach 8th grade English). I moved my desk (for the first time in 17 years) so that I could sit by he big window in my classroom. I think that will help!
Thank you for another one of your wonderful, exciting giveaways !! Still waiting on my Willard, I’ll be checking my mail every 5 minutes !!
Autumn is my favorite also! Wish I could see your changing seasons. Maybe some day.
Here in central Texas our autumn(such as it is) is much later.
Because of your blog, Susan, my daughter and I have determined that we must go to Martha’s Vineyard one day–and hopefully, sooner rather than later. We both love your stories, photos and videos. Keep up the good work!
This is my first time to add a comment even though I am a faithful follower, have read all your books and have several mugs. We just returned from Oregon where we saw the total eclipse and the little moon shadows in your blog. I am sitting in a hardware store waiting for my husband to solve a problem and instead of getting tired, and yes impatient, I am smiling at your blog. And, it’s our 59th anniversary today. Thanks for making me happy.
Happy Anniversary Ginny!
Happy Anniversary, Ginny!
Fall is the prelude to the peace of winter. I love it!!! Gingerbread tea!! OH, my goodness, gotta get me some of that.
Please include me in the drawing, how lucky to be able to win. Yippee!!!!
Blessings….
Love,love,love your blog, books and Willards. 💕 The simplest thing in life bring the most JOY. Thanks for sharing your simple joys with your loyal fans like me! 😘
The old “black and white” movies are some of the best and I enjoy watching them again and again, especially in a cozy setting such as yours.
Mmmm! Zucchini bread is one of my favorite quick breads. (Good with morning coffee, too.)
I always smile when I see your email post arrive in my box! Thanks for brightening many days along my way. Your spirit shines through your art and words. Sending love back to you xoxo
I like to take pictures of the light changing, too, and special trees, and other people’s houses. Love your blog – it is always a highlight of the day to receive it. Love that movie, too. Will have to watch it again. I remember that glowing milk scene, but I don’t remember the ending!
Bonnie
I will need to order a new Heart of the Home. Mine is very old and stained from use. Delicious and easy recipes; many are family favorites. Thanks!
see you on Marthas Vineyard for the next eclipse! i love your shadows and cant wait to show them to my daughter! she will love them! happy autumn!
Since my birthday is in October I’ve always loved autumn. Can’t think of a better gift than your prize offering. I have my fingers crossed. Love your newsletters!
Hi Susan – I must admit that reading about SUSPICION intertwined with your baking experiences is about the only way I can get through an Alfred Hitchcock film. Although Richmond, VA, experienced 91 degrees yesterday and 85% humidity today, I, too, have been relishing the changing light, the changing color of the dogwood leaves, and the distinct sound blue jays make when autumn is on its way. I’m also touched by the messages from the sweet women who are ill and yet write to say how much they enjoy your blogs, your books, etc. Thanks for your spirit of happiness during these times when I can’t even watch the news on TV.
I’m happy to do it, love the connection Linda! xoxo
I just returned from Wisconsin where I grew up, and when I read your posts, they take me back home. Listening to the sweet songs of the birds, waking up one morning and the smell of fall is in the air. The maple trees are a blaze of orange and red.You wake up one morning and the ground is covered with white crystal flakes… there’s no place like home and family.
So excited to see a new post! Love all the beauty you share with us in photos and your art. I do love the fall in our area where we watch the Wasatch mountains radiate the gorgeous color before they get dusted with snow. Aren’t we lucky tp live in such a beautiful world! Greetings and Happy Fall to all!
I can’t wait for Fall… I love everything butternut! Such a fun giveaway! Pick Me!!! :oP
Love the pictures of the shadows the eclipse made, who would have thought we could be as amazed by those dancing shadows as by the eclipse itself! There really is beauty in so many things.
I just discovered your books this past winter and fell in love with your style of writing. I wish I had known about your books years ago … we are the same generation so I enjoyed reading about the music industry back in the day! I have also purchased your first cookbook (the anniversary edition) and love it with all the stories to go along with the food!
Oooooh I love that movie! I read once that the original ending was different with Cary as the bad guy, but after screening for audiences Hitchcock had to change it because the audience didn’t want Cary to be a murderer! Too funny. Thanks for Posting!
Your observation of the eclipse in the shadow of the leaves was so interesting!
Wish I had known this Monday.
Love your Blog! A good friend let me know your name and blog info! So glad she did! Fun!
One of the many things that I appreciate about you Susan, is the way that you take something ordinary, put your spin on it and make it magical. A favorite was the blog about your stove. Your perspective is appreciated!
Where did you get that adorable bread pan? Such a cozy house. Jack is a lucky kitty!
I got it at a Christmas Tree shop! Of course!
Love the eclipse pictures. Wish I had thought to check the shadows in my garden. I was on the deck and it was all sun. But I did try the colander trick, which was watching through the holes in your colander. That worked pretty good. I am so ready for Autumn, it’s my favorite. What a great giveaway to get us all in the mood. You are most generous.
Have loved your writing and art work for years! I appreciate how you incorporate so many elements of hygge, zucchini bread & tea being so cozy…. with mugs & flowers… and the lengthening of shadows!! Autumn is one of my top four seasons! North east is a great place to be! Thank you so much for everything!!❤️
Love all your shadows, and the Autumn cup, and pictures of Suspicion, and
Zucchini bread…
Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Hi Susan. Enjoy your blog, your lovely artwork, and your give-aways. This past spring I too got to England. Loved it. Now I can relate even more to your writings. Take care.
I watched “Suspicion,” too! It was Cary Grant Day on TCM. My favorite was”An Affair to Remember.” I cry every time. Do you?
I’m in PT right now for rehab from rotator cuff surgery. I asked my 20 something therapist if she’d seen the movie or heard of it. Of course, her answer was no. I reminded her of the scene in “Sleepless in Seattle” when Tom Hanks was in a kitchen and they were talking about the movie that makes every woman cry. She did remember that. So, I said you’ve got to see the real thing with Cary Grant and Deborah. It’s the best.
The eclipse was incredible wasn’t it!
Thanks for your zucchini bread recipe. Looks great!
Take care.
That zucchini bread looks amazing! I must try it. I’m so looking forward to fall. Getting tired of the summer heat even though in CA we will probably have it for another few months.
-Kathleen Morearty
Autumn has always been my favorite season. The weather is perfect-not too hot and not too cold. The leaves are changing into beautiful colors before they fall. As a teacher, I hate to see summer go, but the perfection of autumn days makes it bearable.
You and your blog are a sweet, cool breath of sanity! Your illustrations have always been a simple comfort to me. Now I see that you also love Polish pottery ( the loaf pan for your zucchini bread). It fits! It is You!
I must admit that I have always felt melancholic as August flies into September and the shadows grow long, but you have given me a new perspective and a more up-beat outlook.
I thank you! 😘🍁💚
Loved the eclipse shadows, so very interesting! Here in NJ it was about 70% partial but it still was noticeably dimmer, even the birdies noticed it and flew for the trees!
Love the birds! Can’t wait to find out how the movie ends! Thanks for sharing!
I love how you remind us that every day we need to see the beauty around us whether it is the shadows or the darling birds or a sweet kitty or a handsome hero or plants or tea or delicious zucchini bread! You add happiness to my day every time I read some thing you wrote or drew! Thanks for that!