People often ask me what inspired me to move all the way across country, from California where I grew up, to New England ~ to an Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, so very far away from home, where they had this thing called winter. MUSICA? Well, the short answer is the break-up of my marriage in California and the strong urge to escape the pain of it. But the deeper answer is . . .
Not just autumn, but all of it . . . everything New England seemed to offer (from all the books I’d read), deep traditions, romance and inspiration that comes with nature, the authenticity of the old houses that had seen so much~ it all seemed to represent a solid foundation where I hoped I could build a solid new life.
And no, 35 years later, I’m still not used to it. I don’t think I ever will be.
I still see the change of seasons as a miracle. Four-times-a-year for extra celebration, totally organic, not man-made, God provided, and real as real could be. So I thought I’d give you my “Best of Autumn,” just in cases you aren’t yet in the mood 🎃 ~ hopefully when this post is done, you will be, because what I want to do is help you . . .
Is that color possible in nature? No. Not possible. Probably the camera had a piece of red cellophane over it!!! Wrong. But that’s actually what I used to think when I was a child and would see photos of New England in the fall. It just couldn’t be real.
Now that I know better, you would think I would get used to it, but apparently that’s never going to happen. Looks like magic to me.
I’ve walked down a dirt road through the woods to the water almost every day of the last 35 years. The first five I did alone, then I met Joe, and we’ve done it together ever since, in all seasons. I told you, I love tradition. The over-and-over leaves an ownership imprint, and someday far into the future, Joe and I will haunt this place for eternity. When I wear this loosely woven sweater, I can tuck in stems of the wild things I find growing along the side of the road. 🍂Then of course Joe feels the need to hide in the bushes all the rest of the way home!
Is this not romantic? Sooo romantic, little cottage by the sea, we walk by it every day. Simple and surrounded by color . . . in the foreground is bittersweet, it grows wild and free, it makes a celebration where there might not normally be one. You see? Not my idea. It’s nature! We gather it to decorate our front door. 🍁
In the fall you can feel the icy breath of winter in the wind that blows leaves through the air. Black crows fly low across the road, cawing the whole way. Someday I will catch one with my camera!
My traditions hold inside the house too. My little rusty birds, garlands, wreaths, leaves, owls, birds, festoons, out of the boxes they come!
Then of course, there’s the dance of the tea towels . . .
I can tell you about the fall breezes, but here you can see it . . . and we can smell it too ~ and not only the fragrance of the sea ~ but as it flits around the Island it gathers perfume from everything 
that grows wild: goldenrod, clematis, wild apples and pine, blueberries, sandy beach plums, asters and bayberry. 🌻 As I wrote in Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, “the salty breeze slips in and out of seashells, climbs tree trunks, dives into squirrel holes, slides along old porch rails, stumbles through the bittersweet, skips along picket fences, scoots beneath falling leaves, whistles past ancient graveyards, flits over and under dragonfly wings, and steals all the wishes off the dandelion puffs, flinging them in every direction, wishes for all.” It’s the pure romance of the seasons. 🍂
And my little bo-bo waits for me to come in.
Our very best tradition. Cat-loving people that we are. True blessings are all around us.💞
I brought in the last Just Joey rose of the season ~ in the little blue bottle Joe found while digging the hole to plant our Dogwood tree. And you can see our best tradition peeking out from the corner of the screen door.
The garden isn’t finished yet. I plant things that bloom late so we keep ourselves stocked in garden flowers for as long as possible, till the first freeze.
To some, marigolds are common, but they are the BEST when it comes to fall color right from the garden. Long-lasting flowers that know their job and do it well.
Lighting candles, part of the tradition of the season, for the shorter days and colder nights, wind beating our shutters against the house. And P.S.: LAST NIGHT!!! PBS was golden! The new season of The Durrells started (you would love it), and after was Poldark, and advertised was the new season of Victoria starting in January! So much to look forward to! Right now, while I’m writing you, I’m listening to the BBC production called Byron (as in Lord). I just spoke into my remote, and there it was!
Lounge lizard.
More wind, crunch leaves, sweet smelling sheets . . .
This is a sandy driveway where the leaves have been driven over so many times they are imprinted. I thought it would make gorgeous fabric.
And we’ve been cooking too . . . this recipe cooks at 250 degrees for 7 hours! Makes the house smell heavenly. It’s Spicy Short Ribs, I made it for you last Christmas in another post . . . just click HERE and scroll to the bottom for the recipe. It’s so good!
And here’s the Marmalade tea bread! (Recipe is HERE, just scroll to bottom of this old post.)
All for my favorite thing, setting the table, with my purple Windsor Ware . . . and, here’s a little tip: flowered dishes look best with striped, plaid or plain-colored napkins.
Some things are a must at this time of year . . . homemade pie crust is one of them. I have to say, if you haven’t had a real homemade pie crust in a while, you don’t know what you are missing. Fill it with pumpkin . . . homemade is best! There is nothing like cooking and nurturing to make you feel 100% better about the world.
Am I right, or am I right?
I love this photo. It was on a door of a tea room we visited years back and I just love it ~ it screams halloween! 🕷 Or maybe I scream halloween. But definitely, someone is screaming! 😱
And this foggy day showed all the dripping little webs that normally you don’t even know are there. In our woods they’re on the ground, between every leaf and twig. . . sparkling in the mist and dew. 🕸
And now, about pumpkins . . .
We found these pumpkins at a craft show. They are easy to make, but you have to grow them and mark them while they are young ~ it’s so easy, you can put your family name on them, read HERE for a How To. . . it’s pure magic for children! 🎃 There are so many interesting pumpkins available these days. Below, the warty ones are called Knuckleheads . . . there are Cinderella and Lakota too, beautiful and fun to grow, remember for next spring! Put it on your calendar so you don’t forget!
I’m a star pumpkin girl myself, but Joe always does a few faces . . .
Don’t forget to put cinnamon and nutmeg on the inside of the top of your pumpkins for wonderful smells when lit.
And of course him. Casper. Our ghost. SUCH a tradition. This house would not be a house without our ghost. How many years have we had him now? Maybe twenty!
We have a street coming toward the house, with a stop sign out front, and for twenty years Casper has been in our upstairs window saying HELLO to everyone who goes by. I’ve never seen another one like him, but I think it might be possible to make one (not by me, but I think Joe could do it, or maybe you can! Or perhaps you have a Joe of your own who might like a project that will last forever) …. would you like some photos of his innards? I can do that!
You can get an idea of his frame by seeing the light through the cloth ~ its like a wire dress form. The cloth is cotton, starched to the nth degree, and lightly covered in the finest glitter. There are two tiny lightbulbs attached inside to the frame, top and bottom, and one inside the pumpkin all on one cord that we plug into the wall.
Here he is from the front, holding a pumpkin . . . which is also framed in wire ~ its fabric is felt.
There are two round frames, one on the bottom (which you can see in the photo above) which is what Casper sits on, the other is visible in that first picture ~ from the back ~ up toward the top of the head. And all the vertical wires are hooked to them.
The little arms are separate, and here’s how they are hooked to the main frame.
There are two lightbulbs fitted into the two round frames.
There’s a tear in the ghost fabric to hook the frames together, to hook the pumpkin to the ghost, and for the light for the pumpkin to go through. The pumpkin hides the tear.
And voila!
You can see him up top center window.
There have been a lot of Autumns at this house. Tradition, authenticity, romance, endurance, security, dreams, and somehow, despite everything, a symbol for the continuity of life, the manifestation of my childhood faith in forever. Cue the Musica . . . 🎵 I would love to see how it looked inside on the day this photo was taken, what they were doing in the kitchen, go to the barn and see the horses … go for a ride in the carriage down to Main Street . . .
Gathered from the woods, from the farmstand and from Michael’s Crafts.
We are ready! Bring. It. On. We get a jillion kids at halloween. We have a responsibility to give back some of the magic we’ve been given.
Our other house decoration is our big BOO in the window!
Lovely wonderful bittersweet. Another miracle from nature.
Last year we were in England for the fall . . . I’m standing in the 13th century churchyard looking at the moon across from where our dear friend Rachel lives. Whoooo . . .
Here we are at Carrie’s darling house in Oxford! Lots of you know her from Twitter . . . go say Hi! Aren’t blue and orange perfect together?
And here we were, apple tasting with our friend Siobhan in the glorious English Countryside . . .
Perfectly wonderfully charming . . . an apple on every fence post . . .
Last October 19 we were busy setting the table and decorating the dining room in a house in Bath where we were staying (with Ray’s friends and family) to help celebrate Rachel’s birthday! Yes, balloons and hats and bunting, streamers and candles!
While we were doing that, she was waiting in the kitchen ~ no peeking! Drinking wine and overseeing the cooking of the birthday dinner. 
Here’s Ray’s cake, with all of our rings on board, ready for her to make a wish and blow out the candles. It was a wonderful time and a luv-lee memory. And now, here we are, one year later! We can surprise her again, Girlfriends 🎉 . . . click HERE and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎁 … or, HERE . . . or, if you live in the UK, go HERE, and get a sample of the amazing Sugar Moon Brownies she makes, packs and sends in the mail! Her birthday is on Thursday and I’m not going to say a THING . . . 🤐 shhhhhhh.💞
In the meantime, I go to my studio every day . . . making new things, painting for the 2019 calendar with my little three haired brush . . .
And this week, I’ve been choosing thread colors for my new
Coming soon . . . Have I told you? Yes, we found someone wonderful in the USA to make them for us . . . coming to our web store soon.
This is the newest . . . just finished and needs ironing, but I think it’s going to be darling! This is cross-stitch, but some of the kits will be printed too . . . Nothing like needlework to take your mind off the cares of the day and leave it to wander and dream in an aimless, do-something kind of way. Hand sewing and old movies go together like ice cream and cake. I speak from lots of happy experience. I tell you more very soon.
Jack’s been helping us plan our next trip to the UK! Maybe not helping, perhaps blocking.
Also, for you who’ve been asking ~ two of our “Sold Out” cups came back in! The manufacturer let us know they had some “leftover” decals ~ and asked if we wanted them to make a few more . . . we said we’d take them all . . .
So, there were two . . . the 16 oz. Martha’s Vineyard . . .
And the 11 oz. Autumn cup ….
We didn’t get many, but I hope this will fix it so that everyone who wanted one, gets one!
One more of my favorite fall traditions: I just bought the most delicious new flannel jammies. I love thick cottony flannel for our wintery nights . . . the best ones I’ve found are at Garnet Hill . . . . when I find something good, I need to tell my Girlfriends! 💋
So off I go to write a new WILLARD . . . in case you don’t know, WILLARD is my Newsletter, you can sign up and every so often it will just appear in your mailbox . . . lots of interesting things to tell you about . . . it should be going out sometime next week. Until then my dear, darling Girlfriends, remember to choose love.
Thank you for the Autumn Willard!
Followed you for years from the first Heart of the Home book. Your words and drawings have guided me tjrough some difficult times and let me escape and dream through them. Thank you
My pleasure to share the time with you. xoxo
Enter me please for the very lovely things. ❤️
Would love to know how you got those leaves to stick to the window! Wonderful decorating idea!
Oh I just stick the stems into tiny places ~ …
Please enter me – a fan from forever.
Love the new Willard and the new dishes!!! I thought of you today as my daughter and I traveled to Franklin,Tn. We live in a beautiful valley but we noticed as we crossed the mountains that the fall colors there were ahead of those in the valley. Thanks for all of your inspiration and for reminding us to pay attention to the little things! And thanks for all of the pictures of Jack.
My friend and I need you to write another book. We enjoy them so much. Love to read about your life and experiences.
Dear Susan,
I was so delighted to see “Willard!” in my in-box this evening.
Your lovely, heartfelt, insightful and whimsical writing literally transports your dear readers into a warm cocoon of…… wafts of molasses cookies baking, a sweet kitty gazing, filling our lungs with sea breezes as we smile at the line of sheets blowing with their direction, a jolly pumpkin carver, longtime friends for tea, a beret on the hall post, the crackle of leaves on a lively jaunt on a trail of beauty…. and the list in my heart goes on. My heartfelt gratitude for how generously you share the multi-gifts and talents you have blessed with Susan. God bless you. Know that who you are makes a difference, a truly wonderful difference.
The gift of being able to express my gratitude already warms my heart. Should I be the very blessed winner of the dishes, it would simply be the cherry on top.
Many blessings to you and yours in the heart of the home and beyond.
Warmly, Suzie
That was so beautiful Suzie. I am the blessed one, to have Girlfriends like you ~ and so many kindred spirits stopping to say hello. I’m truly amazed and humbled by it. Love having you here!😘
I always look forward to receiving the latest Willard. Thanks for the fall inspirations.
Love Willard, and just now, for the first time have read your blog. Fall is my favorite time of year — I can’t imagine living in a place that doesn’t have the change of seasons. It would be an honor to win the drawing, and have all those wonderful items to gift to my girlfriends.
Loved your “remembrance post”! I recall vividly my grandfather, a WWI veteran” handing me a poppy to wear each Nov. 11 and explaining what that day signified. I don’t know when the custom of wearing a poppy fir remembrance was list in the USA, but I’d love to see it retutn. The gift shop at the World War I museum and memorial here in Kansas City sells wonderful poppy items!
Please enter me in your latest drawing!
I love how you can bring out the memories I have stored in my brain! I was born in MI and moved to MO so the 4 season’s are something I just love to see.
I have to say that those tea pot shaped plate is absolutely adorable and I would love to send one to my mother in MI soon. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive breast cancer 🙁 She has a very good prognosis so we feel blessed.
Thank you for sharing your life and helping me to remember some of the good things that have been buried in my head full of cobwebs , ha. Blessings to you!!!
Blessings for you and your mom Shirlene. xoxo
Hi,
I see my original post was removed though I’m not sure why. I’m a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (sorry just retired recently after 30 yrs) with tours to Kosovo, Bosnia and two tours to Afghanistan; and Remembrance day means a lot to me as I have also lost many friends on various operations around the world not to mention family in the two world wars. The poppy has been a symbol of remembrance for a long time, here is a link to the Royal Canadian Legion site history if anyone is interested. legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/history-of-the-poppy. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who wrote “In Flanders Fields” was a Canadian, we also wear the poppy starting the last Friday of October through to 11 November. Just like our friends in the UK the poppy is seen everywhere, the sales of the poppy pin go to assist veterans and not just WW1 & WWII vets but also our vets from more current engagements.
Thank you Susan for a lovely post highlighting the poppy; I have followed your blog for some time, often as an escape (especially while I was deployed). Because of you I learned about Tasha Tudour, Gladys Taber (I’ve been buying all her books I can find), and have learned more about Beatrice Potter. I have travelled to the UK and Scotland many times and it always feels like home when I step foot into the highlands. Your wonderful descriptive posts and photos always bring me back home. I love your books and illustrations and of course would love to have those dishes!
Thank you dear Barb, and all your comrades in arms, for all that you have done (and still do) to make the world a better place. I don’t delete posts, so either a gremlin ate your first one, being so delicious as it obviously was, or, well, I have no idea what happened! But here we go, to try again! xoxo
What a treat to find Willard in my inbox this morning! Thank you for the time and care you give to all of us.
I’m so excited to see the lovely things that you have available. Willard made me smile and shed a fear tears of appreciation for all that I have this beautiful, cozy, wonderful autumn morning. Thank you for the chance to win some of the treasures. Blessings and peace to you…
Willard made my Wednesday, and it’s only 7:00 here in Great Falls, Montana. Please consider making our small but loving town a stop on your next book tour. With my first grandchild arriving next week, I would love to start her with a set of your beautiful new dishes. Tea parties with my sweet little Lottie – can’t wait!!
Tea Time with Lottie! Sounds like a book! Congratulations Suzy! Anticipation!
Hi Susan. You are amazing. Thanks for your amazing, cozy, beautiful art. Arlene
Please enter me for the drawing. Love your artwork and you!
Autumn is my favorite month. 🍁🍂 flannel, corduroy & wool, bring them out! Thanks for all the Jack photos! I miss my kitties 🐱. Enter me in the teapot plate thing please. I have a notebook of favorite sayings, you have more than me! 😊.
Susan, your words and pictures evoke deep feelings of contentment, joy, and appreciation for the wonder of Autumn. Thank you so much!
Please enter (and choose) me.
I just had to break out the ice scraper to clean the windshield this morning! I’m not ready! I want to stay inside with a nice hot cup of tea. I love your new dishes! Pick me! Pick me!
I’ve been a true fan for years. I always find your calendars at malls and if they don’t have them I order from you. They turn into my journals, as I write happenings of each day. What a beautiful way to look back over many years! Thank you for sharing your life with us🙏💐‼️
The list could start anywhere of reasons to say “thank you, dear friend” and continue for pages and pages. For today, it includes “Chicken with Pears and Cranberries”, dancing tea towels, embellished sweaters, bluebird lampshades, peace and remembrance, traditions, home and toasty star croutons made fresh this morning for serving this evening. Home is where the heart is and with all the warmth in your heart, yours is truly be a cozy place to be! Thank you for sharing a bit of it with us. Love to you.
Sometimes I forget, it’s nice to be reminded Deborah! xoxo Must go turn on the light with the bluebird lampshade! 💞
Susan …. You bring such comfort,peace and positive energy into my life with your words and sharing the “everyday ordinary” …
I have visited MV all my life. Receiving your email is always a highlight of my day. My entire family have been BIG Susan Branch lovers since I can remember and now I have grown up, had my own daughter, and we too, love you just the same. Please enter me for these lovely things! 🙂
Enter me, please!! I absolutely LOVE everything Susan Branch!!
Love your blog. It always leaves me feeling nostalgic and peaceful. Please enter me!
I ❤️ Willard!!! Thank you for everything!!
You are always an inspiration to me. It is so warming to read your post/blogs at the beginning of my day!
You always give us something lovely to look forward to. Thank you for all you do.
Enter me, please!
Vanna please!
You inspire me to add more beauty to our home. Thank you for your lovely sentiments.
Feeling lucky today. It’s my birthday–so you never know what kind of magic might happen! *Fingers crossed*
Happy Birthday Annie!
Missing our “jack” who we called Specky.
Susan, I had an old O’keef & Merrit stove just like yours I inherited from my Great Aunt in
California she & her husband worked for the Company and took extra attention when their stove was being built with an extra coating of enamel We sold it with the house when we moved to Colorado as it wouldn’t fit the new space. I feel your love for this gem she is a beauty ! thank you for Blessing us with your talent Holiday Blessings
You are an inspiration to all of us who have been a fan forever!
Love the blog, love Willard! I so would love to come to England in May with you and the girlfriends. England is my dream place, someday maybe. I’d love to win, too. You are so inspiring!
Autumn is my favorite season, and your beautiful paintings and blog posts make it even more special. Thanks for all the sunshine you spread through your books and art, and for creating such a kind place for girlfriends to gather – I wish we could all meet you!!
please enter me in your plates contest….they’re lovely!
thank you ….nancy bivona
When Willard arrives, I put everything down and get lost in the words, drawings and photos! Thanks for sharing your little piece of Heaven with me! ❤️
Hi Susan…
Please enter me in your contest. I would give your beautiful dishes a very good home!
Hi Susan,
I posted a comment yesterday, the 24th, but cannot find it in either the older comments or the newer ones. I’m wondering why it wasn’t included.
Thanks,
Lisa
You mean this one below? Yes, it was approved, and I answered it with a link to the Martha’s Vineyard photos you were asking about… if you go to the top of the blog page, you’ll see the words Martha’s Vineyard, click there for the pictures you want. I don’t ever delete comments, just fyi, although we do sometimes seem to have an interfering gremlin!!
Lisa Van Valkenburgh
Dear Susan,
I love your blogs and wish that I had known about them years ago. They always cheer me up and send me out to my yard to gather flowers for my little vases 🙂
I’m wondering if you’ve ever done a blog with pictures of Martha’s Vineyard. I have been there one time with a tour group and stayed at the Harbor View Hotel. The island is so beautiful. I’d love to know more about it and to see pictures of all the places you haunt and of the homes there – i.e. in the same vein as your blogs of England. If you’ve already done that, can you direct me to that blog, please? Or if not, is it something you might consider doing? I’ll bet I’m not the only one who would be interested.
Happy autumn! I wish I were there to see all the colors.
Best regards,
Lisa
Hi Susan,
Well, the gremlin definitely struck! I can’t believe I couldn’t find it. I looked so carefully, or so I thought. Anyway, thank you for pointing out that you have exactly what I was looking for at the top of your blog page. I’m getting really worried about my powers of observation 🙂
Love you,
Lisa
I’m glad you found it Linda! xoxo
Dear Susan,
I have followed your work for some 25 years now in words, drawings, recipes, but most of all for your beautiful thoughts that uplift my soul. Thank you for just being you! Please enter me in this lovely drawing.
So much fun! Sooo many things! Here, Wyoming, we are being blown away, but we had beautiful colors while they lasted. There are a few hardy souls still hanging on!
Happy Autumn to you and Joe!! My last post on the Willard page said there was a problem so will ask to be “entered in the giveaway” on this page. Love the new products and so “Susan” as always. Have been a fan since I bought first cookbook 30 years ago in Oak Bluff in the little gift shop.
My dad served in World War 2 and my Grandpa in World War 1 where his best friend from Mt. Orab, Ohio was killed right next to him. I love the poppies and the veterans will be selling the here soon. I bought your mini and large calendars and just love your art. Thank you. Melissa Williamson
What a wonderful read on this windy autumn day! Thank you.
You have really “branched” out keep moving on with your new ideas . I’m one of your many fans that have watched you grow. You get better and better.
Thanks for sharing with us!
I enjoy hearing from you.
Hi Susan! My husband is taking me to Plymouth and Martha’s Vineyard for Thanksgiving. Both have been on my bucket list, the second because of YOU!
I would appreciate your recommendations. Happy Fall!!!
Plymouth is wonderful. When you get to the Island, get the local paper. Inside you’ll find everything you need to know about what is happening on the Island, and also which restaurants are open at what times. There’s a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, across from the lighthouse.
Thank you for sharing!
I always look forward to your whimsical newsletters. A whole bunch of happy coming right to my inbox. I’m so excited about the cute teapots! I know I’ll need to buy a few for gifts! Have a great day!
I remember the first time I saw snow falling on the sand of the beach in Long Branch, New Jersey in 1967. Being a newly wed from So Cal, it was a strange sight for me to see! I always loved Autumn the most of any season in the east. I love the squirrel mug! I now live in Cayucos, CA in the outback where we have a pretty persimmon tree with red leaves! Happy Fall. Gail
I would love to be entered. I enjoy your beautiful blog so much!
I would be so happy to be entered!
I love all that you share. Your creativity is so inspiring. Thank you!
Love your email, books and blog Susan!!! Celebrating the beauty of life! Inspirational I daresay…..I always write down one of your quotes to put in my art studio 🙂
I put on Willard when I need a break from the stress. Thank you! I love your art and your love of detail and color and seasons! I’d be so honored to win one of your dish sets 🙂
As soon as I see Willard in my “In box” I plan my time without interruption and in a cozy spot to savor every bit of it. I so enjoy the illustrated quotes, poems, funny stories and feeling a part of your wonderful world. Your work means so much to so many….thank you for sharing your creative self!
I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! MAYBE BECAUSE MY BIRTHDAY IS OCT JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE HALLOWEEN, LOVE ALL THE FALL COLORS.MY MOM USED TO BUY THE POPPYS AND THEN HANG THEM ON THE SHADES IN THE CAR TO ENJOY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. EVERY MEMORIAL DAY THERE IS A MAN WHO READS FLANDERS FIELDS AT THE LOCAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE. I LOVE YOUR ARTWORK!
Happy Birthday Dawn!
Hello Susan 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win such lovely things 🙂
I love your artwork, such a gift you have for capturing moments in time. A gift indeed ! but how you have managed to capture our memories too, is extraordinary. Thank you Susan 🙂 Iris,SavedbyGrace
Vannna pick me, pick me 🙂
I have enjoyed your products for several years. I always look forward to the newsletter and all the fun I have learning more about you and your husband and pets. Great work!
Enter me
I LOVE your cat. Jack is adorable. And I love hearing from you.
Wishing for a happy, creative, quiet, homey, lucky Autumn so enter me!
Love your upbeat blog. Makes me want to light candles!
Today was the perfect day to receive your email of joy. As I scrolled through your blog the pictures of poppies reminded me of the Buddy Poppy poster contest I won in 3rd grade!Your warm thoughts reminded me of my former little house in the CT woods and my Mom. Hug yours tight! Thank you for all the nice.
Happy FALL to you my friend!
Loved Willard this time…keep forwarding it to friends, asking if they get it…knowing they’ll be blessed by your words full of hope, inspiration, life & love.
A few of my favorite falls words: crispy, cruncy, chilly & cozy!
Thanks for the memories of Poppies and Armistice Day (changed in 1954 to Veteran’s Day). I love everything Autumn–my favorite season!
Susan, your beautiful Bluebird Mug sits where I can see it from my desk–it makes me so happy just seeing it!
Hi Susan, I’ve followed you for years and dearly love your books, scrapbooking supplies, dishes, notepads, etc. Much to my delight, I’ve had the opportunity to meet you a couple times and it touched me so much. Love hearing all your stories and what your next plans are and especially about your family…I’m one of nine myself. I hope you enjoy your Fall season, for there is so many wonderful places in the East to see and do in the Fall.
Please enter me for the drawing, would Love to receive your new things.
Blessings, Cindy Laun
Susan, It’s been awhile since I’ve had the pleasure of reading your blog, so was very happy when I received Willard in my e-mail today. Enjoyed reading and catching up on what’s been going on. Your blog always makes me smile! Take care, Lindy
Love your content always! So heart-warming! Please enter me 🙂
Love all that you create. You and I share the same music, I’ve often thought I was born later than the music I really enjoy, but grew up with as my folks loved the same. Thank you!
Hello again
I’m not sure the first one posted?? Help??
Doreen
Greetings from “The Mitten” (Michigan)!
We’re enjoying peak colors right now, and like you, I feel the 4 seasons are magic!
Thank you for making me s.m.i.l.e.
Make it a good day!
Don’t you love being the Mitten? So cute!
Would love to be entered in the drawing. Thank you.
Years ago I saved all your recipes that were in Country Home. 🎃
Nina
I love all your work… Please enter me in your giveaway.
PLEASE. ENTER. ME !!!Susan, I love you.
HAVE ALL YOUR BOOKS.
I SENT YOU THE LITTLE SUSAN DOLL MANY YEARS AGO.
WE WETE IN Martha’s Vineyard about a week ago, a dream of mine.
Though we did not see the colorful foliage we were expecting, and it was unseasonably warm, I fell in love with it!
I’ve been battling a second bout of cancer for the past year. And this trip was a tonic for me.
I read every book you have written , and when we returned from Cape Cod, I READ ” MARTHAS VINEYARD, ISLE OF DREAMS” yet AGAIN!
All in ONE DAY.
I was tired and it was raining, so I curled up with your book and relived our trip over agin. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
Susan for sharing with your readers, your life, your talent, you’re wit, your honest, and YOUR LOVE!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND JOE!
Thank you Paula . . . I still have the little doll! So long time ago, she is holding Heart of the Home!
Woohooo! Please enter-ith me poor-favor!
From your fellow “grew up in the valley person”…
Still live here too, though sometimes I wish I could lift my totally cute and charming house that I love off it’s foundation and move it somewhere where there are seasons, but I do have mums and marigolds in the yard. 🌼🍁
Lisa~
You delight! May the winner enjoy your generosity!
Every day is made better with a little Susan Branch (or Willard) in my email mailbox! Many thanks for every word and image and note of music!
Enter me please!!
Enter me, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASEEEEE!!! If i won i would be so very happy. I have wanted some of your lovely things forever and ever, i am such a fan!!! I just can’t afford to buy due to health reasons 😢
You are entered Michelle, I hope you win!
Fall is my favorite season. Thanks for sharing your fall pics.
I have loved you for decades, Susan Branch!!! You always make me smile😍!! Thanking God for you❤️.
Enter me, please.
I love your blog. It’s always so cozy and fun – I think that comes very naturally to you!
Thank you for sharing your world and cheerfulness.
Susan,
I love your Willard editions! I always wait until the end of the day to read them because they are like dessert! I like to save the best till last! Thank you ever so much!!
Hi, Susan…..Just finished reading your Inspirations of Autumn and, oh, how many
memories came fooding back. I can remember how excited Mom and Dad were
the day the war ended. Goodness, I think the world stopped to enjoy & cele-brate. I still look for the folks with their hands full of poppies each Nov. 11th &
wear mine proudly. Still remember each year at the 11th month & 11th day & at
11:00 AM stopping whatever we were doing & standing to face the East to honor
all those who gave so much. Only found you a few years ago when my daughter gave me your book, A Fine Romance, which I devoured and have since read all of the others as well as the cookbooks. What a treat and plan to share a few this holiday season with a few friends. I’m fast approaching 80 in a few months, but I still enjoy a new recipe! Love your artwork too….it brings many a smile and warms my heart. Enjoy spending many an afternoon with you just reading all of the old Willard’s, and look forward to reading all about your upcoming trip and adventures in England. How I’d love to have made that trip. Sure I can’t carry your suitcase for you????
We’ll take you virtually, don’t worry. I love that you can remember the war ending. I missed that part . . . get most of it from old movies and books!
Love your artistry! Thank you for sharing it with us! Please enter me! 🎨☕️
I’m a Cape Cod girl living in sunny California and truly missing the changing seasons! I love to read your stories and look at your pictures, as they transport me back home. I thank you for sharing them! As my mother-in-law told me when she first introduced me to your loveliness with one of your cookbooks several years ago, you are a true kindred spirit!
And vice versa I would say . . . hello to your mother-in-law from me!
“Hope springs eternal.” Please put my name in, Susan. Thanks. Sincerely, Susan
Please enter me in the contest for the dishes thank you!
Joe, with his beret on, makes quite the proper Englishman!! I love your art, and your writing fills my heart with such happiness, and visions of life as it should be! Please consider me for your lovely set of teapot plates!
This is an awesome Willard! It is just how I feel about this time of year all wrapped up in a beautiful package! Pumpkins/apples/colored leaves, I love it all. Thank you for this wonderful indulgence in the season!
Just discovered your lovely website and love it already!
“You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day;
by the deeds that you do, and the things that you say.
And others read what you have written, distorted or true,
so what is your gospel, according to you?” (poem heard on the radio)
So enjoy reading your gospel.
Love that! True for all of us, our actions and words, a chapter a day. xoxo “Choose with a careful eye what you wish to be remembered by.”