Hello Lovely People! Happy 2018! I hope you aren’t worried about me! It’s been too long ~ Tick Tock! 
I’m sorry, but all of a sudden I have two major deadlines looming, one is this Friday. The designs for the Springtime cups are due. I’ve been working in a frenzy, but they’re done… they’re with Kellee now ~ we’ll get them in on time. (A little preview is further down.) Also, I want to design some special badges for our Picnic at Castle Cottage. And, believe it or not, the 2019 Calendars are almost due! Which I’ll get back to doing after I finally say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! MUSICA (Girlfriend Requested😘)
We had such a wonderful snow on Christmas . . . it was perfect, thick and quiet, and like a fairytale.
A winter wonderland . . .
And just right . . . in an uncertain world, one thing mankind has always been able to trust, the one thing that never disappoints, the seasons will change. You can set your clock to it.
I love how snow blows and drifts and piles up and makes everything more interesting.
Early morning, walking through our pantry, I saw the view of our barn from the window and ran for the camera.
And of course, there’s Joe, as viewed through snow flowers… Joe, who makes it all possible. He loves shoveling snow! I don’t know why, but he does!
We’ve had fires almost every day…
On New Year’s we went to my girlfriend Lowely’s house two-doors-over for dinner ~ and afterward we played Pictionary! I bought the game about twenty years ago at a yard sale, but we’d never gotten around to playing it. It was so fun! We laughed ourselves silly! This is Joe showing off his depiction of the movie, Tarzan! I would have said HangMan, but luckily there were other people playing besides me! I drew Beauty and the Beast ~ but despite excellent “pretty-girl” drawing (including bow in hair and small crown), no one got “Beauty” ~ and despite excellent depiction of beastly beast, no one got that either! 😜 I need practice! But how would you draw “Beauty?” Inquiring minds need to know!
I need all the help I can get!
This is the New Year’s “Wolf” moon, early Jan 1, just setting, from my kitchen porch ~ what a gorgeous moon we had, right? Memorable. By the 3rd, our rising moon was still huge and had turned yellow. Which reminds me, I have something for you for the New Year! Our Full Moon Bookmark with dates and Native American names for all the full moons in 2018. Just click HERE, print it out, fold in half, glue sides together (laminate if you like), and 
Don’t forget to make your wish on every moon!
Most of our decorations are all packed up and back in the attic, waiting for next year. Sad to say goodbye, but they’re a big part of what makes Christmas so different and special from any other time of year!
We still have our lights. We leave them up out back, we light them in the summer too. I took this photo from the dining room window ~ you can see through the porch windows, through the windows over my kitchen sink, all the way to the barn door with the wreath on it! Three sets of windows to the barn. I don’t know why but I like this!
I like this too. 💞Jack is in love with his Christmas kitty toy! He’s ecstatic about this feathery thing!
Those eyes! That mustache! What a baby. Several of you have asked for a Jack Cup ~ I just designed one! I’ll show you soon! Yes, I can tell you true, that is the softest belly in the world.
And now, time is rushing on, soon it will be Valentine’s Day, which is fine with me, I love my heart bunting and especially love something sweet to look forward to . . .
And you know me, I think Valentine’s Day was invented for women 💞, it’s as close to the tooth fairy as a grown up person can get! So, perfect timing, because a whole bunch of Valentines just arrived from England! The cups are in!
And for our UK Girlfriends, we found a retailer in England to carry them ~ no more terrible shipping costs! If the new cups aren’t HERE yet, they will be very soon. They still have a few of the older designs.
I hope some of you that preordered have received yours already? Kellee, Sheri, and Alfredo been working late at the Studio to get them out ~ I hope you Love them! This will be our first dated collection ~ I’ve always liked things with dates on them ~ all the cups coming from 2018 on will have the year on the bottom. So in the year 2083, people can look at their cups, say wow, old, and wish they could talk ~ just like I do with every old thing I have!
Sunrise is coming earlier and days are getting longer, HOORAY! Each day a step toward spring, spring, SPRING, only 68 days to go! Yesterday, shockingly, we had a rare 50-degree day! We went for a walk for the first time in weeks! Just beautiful out at the water, the seagulls white against the bright blue sky, drifting on the wind off the water, wheeling away with long cries. . . they were celebrating just like us!
Before we know it snow flowers will turn to the real thing! This might be a form of denial, but isn’t it all so lovely? The pure magic gift of the changing seasons always gives us something wonderful to look forward to!
I have no problem getting out my Spring photos for a little pre-celebration! Daffodils, Freesia, spring rain, and cherry blossoms! That little blue bottle in the window is the one Joe found in the hole he dug when he was planting our Dogwood tree. You should have seen my face when he brought it in ~ just like Jack with his Christmas toy! It’s the little things! 🌸
I was looking for some bergamot seeds on line the other day, and found the most inspiring website that put me completely in the garden-prep mood! It’s British (and 
unfortunately, they don’t sell to America), but it’s such inspiring reading that it doesn’t matter! It’s a web store for Heritage Seeds, where Brits can buy the oldest varieties of flower 🌺, herb, and vegetable seeds to make their own 15th (16th, 17th, etc.) century gardens! You can go here to see it: http://www.thomasetty.co.uk/seeds/index.html Some of the lovely old descriptions will fill you with ideas for your own garden: Such as this for MEADOWSWEET: ‘..the floures boiled in wine & drunke, do make the heart merrie. The leaves & floures far excell all other strowing herbes, for the smell thereof makes the heart merrie.’ 💞 Who doesn’t love a “Merrie Heart” ~ I want to run right out and get me some of those seeds!
Yup, soon it will be time for this! Lamb Cake! Go HERE if you’d like to see how this guy was made.
So you see? January is wonderful! The month of New Beginnings. All you need is a little imagination! (Help! Turn up the heater, get my shawl, warm my slippers, bring me tea!)
Our temperatures have risen, but for a couple of days last week it didn’t get over two degrees. Brrr! But I discovered something excellent about the cold ~ cut flowers last longer! That’s Stock in that little jar (I have a thing for tiny jars 👏), Joe brought a bouquet home from the supermarket ~ I didn’t have the heart to tell him this is basically a two-day flower and not worth the money we spend on it, despite how delicious it smells. Well, we’re going on a week now and look at that flower! Fresh as new! In the window, close to the cold, they thrive!
I have much to do before it’s really spring ~ I can seriously use all the “not-spring” days I can get … . Calendars need to be finished by the first week of February. I think I may have already showed you September, but just in case you missed it . . . 
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying painting new art for them…
This is my happy place!
Okay, I promised a preview of the new spring cups I’m working on. This is only a glued-together paper mockup, not perfect, but it gives you a fairly good idea. The colors of the pansies will be more like the colors in the paint box. They will be gorgeous on that bone china! Want to see the other side?
Here you go! And those little wildflowers above will go all the way around the bottom.
The handle will look like this except I think it might be in better focus! I adore pansies, such a happy, tender little flower. L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables) wrote: Nobody can keep on being angry if she looks into the heart of a pansy for a little while.
The “Jack” cup isn’t quite done yet, I’ll show you the other side soon. Here he is, peeking through the books with a ponytail band in his mouth. So “him.” These new cup designs won’t arrive to our Studio until April . . . but soon there will be a new WILLARD where I’ll show the other two designs, the new “Spring” cup, and the “English Countryside” ~ by then they should be ready to go up for presale. I’ll also have a link so you can print out your badge for the Picnic ~ (and BTW, if you are wondering what a WILLARD is, it’s my free Newsletter. Click HERE to read old issues, find out why it’s called Willard, and sign up to get your own💞). WILLARD will also have a new giveaway. Lots to look forward to!
Made this last night, a double batch of Macaroni and Cheese. We have a friend who had surgery, so we brought half to him and we kept the other half. My mom’s recipe. The Best. Comfort food for the ages.
So easy. Whoever invented pre-shredded cheese deserves an award! The recipe is in Heart of the Home, and seriously takes about ten minutes to make! Twenty-five minutes later, you are in heaven.
Here are the rest of Joe’s flowers, I just wish I could send you the fragrance, I close my eyes and put my face right in the middle … it smells like a flower store in the spring. The added benefit during this extreme cold when the furnace is blasting and the fire is roaring and the macaroni and cheese is bubbling in the oven … is the pitcher of water these flowers are in. It helps to put moisture in the air so that when you reach for your kitty, or kiss your dearest other, you don’t shock them! So your lips don’t chap and peel off your face. If you don’t like using a humidifier, do what we do. Besides bowls of flowers, we dampen towels (I use the spray thing in my kitchen sink) and hang them in the rooms we use most, the bedroom and the TV room. And I drink water all day, starting with a big glass every morning before my tea, cold water topped off with 100% unsweetened cranberry juice ~ and another glass just before bed. That’s it, winter tip of the day!
Have you seen The Darkest Hour? We just saw it. It’s the story of Winston Churchill’s first month as Prime Minister. SO GOOD, SO SO GOOD! You’ll love it. History, wonderful acting, gorgeous visuals, and no violence. Look how pretty “Clemmie” Churchill is. I would like the whole outfit. Maybe not the head net, maybe not the fur-body, but for sure the rest of it.
V for Victory. I won’t give anything away . . . just go see it!
I came home and Googled Churchill’s wife, Clementine, wonderfully played by Kristin Scott Thomas, because, for one thing, I was curious to see if she really wore those darling curls as shown in the movie . . .
And those scarves, and her other interesting head gear. And she did!
So off I go, off to make new Calendars. Love you Girls, I hope you are all well and fine and doing everything you can to make your dreams come true.
That’s what I’m working on! All my very best for a wonderful, peaceful, creative 2018 ~ “To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.” Love, from your Pal for Life. We share this planet, isn’t that amazing? Born at the right time.💞 XOXO
Happy New Year Susan! If you can believe we moved from Payson, AZ, to Minnesota! I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting you in Prescott, AZ, so now hoping you will some day visit MN! Just want to say I am loving MN, for a SoCal girl that’s saying a lot, but then again, I’m sure you would understand. A beautiful state with four seasons and snow! Wishing you and Joe a wonderful New Year with tons of continued fun, love and happiness. To include, of course, continued success!
Lovely post! Thank you for keeping us updated. I’m sure many of us were wondering where you had gone. Blessings and peace for 2018.
Happy New Year and thank you for the photo’s….we had a white Christmas here in Seattle this year….my rescue dog, Maggie Mae, quite enjoyed sticking her nose as deep as it could go into the snow…..three of us are planning our trip to Scotland and Ireland in May….how fun is it to spread out the maps and the Rick Steves’ books and make dream lists – we already have our B&B reservations in Edinburgh and St. Andrews….In Ireland Galway and visiting a friend in Dublin are on our lists….any where in Edinburgh, any street with colorful eateries or shops you recommend? Thank you for touching bases with all of us….you are an absolute gem…..
Of course there is nothing wrong with January especially since I was born in January! Wink Wink 😉
I love love the Jack cup and can’t wait to get the latest mugs in my mailbox! Stay warm if you can! I can’t believe it’s gonna freeze again her in Southtown (Houston, TX) Ahhh! I’m ready for the sunny warm weather again.
xoxox
Lisa
Thank you once again for your happy blog. Your house in the snow is so gorgeous and, even though it is huge, it looks so cozy and welcoming. I love the hearts in the window. My granddaughter and I will start cutting and stringing hearts as well soon. Schools have been closed for 4 days due to snow and ice here in North Carolina. We don’t usually get 5″ of snow and then such cold weather that lasted for days. Pretty, but dangeroys. It was good to go walking with my pups yesterday when it warmed up. Back to 5 0+° today.
😁 I ran out of room and wanted to chat for just a moment more. Your newest mugs are fantastic. While each has been pretty, they just keep getting even better and better. I cannot wait to use my Christmas gift certificate to pre-order. The Jack mug! The Mothers Day mug! Your English countryside mug! Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for tweeting on Twitter. I wish you lived in my neighborhood or I in yours. Love you! 🐩
Happy New Year to you sweet, sweet, sweet Sue! This post definitely brightened my otherwise dreary day. I look forward to the Jack mug…fingers crossed for it to be 12 ounces…but a 16 oz will just be more Jack to love! He reminds me of my beloved tuxedo kitties.
Dream on, pal!
♥♥♥
I think the photo of the wreath on the barn door through the window should be a Christmas card. So moody and beautiful.
I pulled out all of my vintage Happy New Year postcards that have collected at flea markets and put them on my mantle for NYE. (You would love them) The dates range from 1910, 1915 and up to the 40s. I love reading the messages loved ones sent to each other back then. I think to myself wow these have traveled through time and into my hands. People who thought of each other during times of war etc and that was their way of saying hello and sending messages and invites to each other. I also love the artwork and graphics from the different eras too.
Happy New Year!
Love it ! I cannot wait to get my cups !! Still waiting for my shipped notice, then I’ll be harassing the mail man every day !! Thanks for the blog and up dates as to what’s been going on in your world !!
Thought Joe’s Tarzan image pretty good. Maybe you’ll let him draw in your next book.
Oh, whew…. there you are…
So glad you are thriving in this new year.
All the best to you.
Sue
Happy New Year. A lovely post to read. You have certainly had lots of COLD weather on the east side of the States. Lots of new goodies to look forward to ordering – thank you – especially as you kindly sorted out a British supplier. My husband was an “extra” in Darkest Hour and found the whole experience fascinating. That was a whole year ago! He played a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons scenes. We’re looking forward to seeing if we can spot him.
I loved The Darkest Hour! I momentarily thought it was about the present day USA. 🙄
What a special joy to find this in my inbox and spend some lovely moments reading through it, seeing your beautiful home in the snow (glad you and not me!) and anticipating the glories of spring with you! Thank you for sharing your lovely art, photos, and writings with all of us! We are so blessed to be your girlfriends, Susan!
Dearest Susan, Your timing is perfect!
Yes P L E A S E, enter my name for lamb cake mold and book – I not only want them – I NEED them physically and emotionally! Love Jack’s cup-thanks.
Santa Barbara is beyond belief, the fires were the worst we’ve ever had in California and still not over them….Thomas fire still burning.
3:30 am Tues , 1/2 inch rain in 15 minutes set off the worst water, mud, boulder, home slide – you can’t even begin to imagine. Hwy 101 is a sea of mud, boulders, trees, twisted cars, septic tanks, homes, you name it! Took rescue workers 2 hours to pull 14 year old girl pulled out of mud – she lost her home, her brother and her father! A 2 year old baby ALONE in a mud/rock damaged home! Devastation beyond belief as the fire wiped out all the vegation and there’s nothing to hold back the dirt, trees, and boulders. Homes that survived the fire have been reduced to match sticks and washed away. 3 homes next door to each other in 300 block of Hot Springs Rd by entrance to Casa Dorinda (exclusive retirement community where Julia Child lived) washed out their foundations and pulverized to nothing. So fast and deadly. People had just gotten back in homes after fire evacuation only to be evacuated again. Many chose to ignore mandatory evacuation only to be it so hard. Helicopters still flying over my home to hospital with injured as I write this. 50 hoisted to helicopters yesterday, ~200 know land rescues yesterday, 101 parking lot lake of mud & debris for 30 miles yesterday! They’re hoping they can clear 101 by late Thurs night…..California is crippled without 101 – they detour to Interstate 5. So many employees live in Ventura and can’t get here to work. It’s closed from just north of Ventura to south Milpas exit in Santa Barbara. There’s a whole area, Romero Canyon, section of Montecito completely isolated with 300 people they’re attempted to get to today. Cars have been thrown around like toys everywhere. It just goes on and on with no end in sight. So many people missing. 17 dead as of this morning. One can’t fathom how fast and furious this mud slide is….Said it took 15 minutes from top of burned out mountain to reach the sea….freeway & rail road tracks helped to stop it!
It’s a miracle how our Miracle Rescue Workers from as far south as San Diego Coast Guard Helicopters up to Lompoc from fire, police, sheriff, Cal Fire, Guard and whomever else I can’t think of are working together to accomplish what they are. We are completely ISOLATED with all roads blocked by HUGE boulders and mud. Their pre-planning has truly saved many lives and property. Their predictions were accurate – if only people had believed them and evacuated when ordered.
This has touched all our lives – you can see and hear the pain in the voices and eyes of the officials reporting – it’s almost too much to comprehend, Susan.
Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and for having this blog to communicate my terror and grief to all of you.
Much love and appreciation, Sandra XOXX0
PS Please, no more prayers for rain!
Love this page! I needed to be reminded that Spring isn’t that far away! Sighhhh…
Always good to hear from you Sue! How did YOU guys get uptown 50 degrees yesterday?! Here in New York, we barely made it to 41 — and ran around without our jackets on to celebrate! The rest of the week promises to be even warmer. Maybe the warmth and rain will thaw out some of the 18″ of frozen ground! Looking forward to receiving my mugs in the next day or so, as per notice — Yay!
Thank you for posting this today! It is my birthday and there’s very little that would make my day more pleasant than reading this post. Of course receiving one of my new cups would be the icing on the cake, but the mail has yet to be delivered. Have a blessed day.
I love your new mug designs, and am also dreaming of spring. I know it’s under there somewhere, beneath the snow and ice. Thanks for reminding me that it is coming in ONLY 68 days!
What a simply joyous blog. I already like winter, but you just reminded me of the whys: Those comfy meals, a cup of tea, Christmas lights, and a bunch of flowers to remind you that spring is on the way. If every season was the same, we wouldn’t have anything to look forward to. Can’t wait to see your Jack cup!
Dear Susan,
What a wonderful breath of fresh Spring air…even if it is just a little in the future. In Maine it has been bitter cold for several weeks and seeing flowers just makes my day. Thank you dear friend.
So so enjoyed the fresh flowers, what a romantic your little hubby is….Love the lights and snow as well. Isn’t it a glorious world our Lord created !!! xoxoSherrie
Waaaa….the Winter mug is sold out already….??? I just tried to order one, just saw it in this blog. ☹️
Oh no Pat … it went up for presale on the Blog last October, I think, if not, early November for sure … I’m so sorry.
Hello Susan….so nice to hear from you!! Love your blogs! Wow, you have been a busy lady!! Love the new mugs….want to get another one soon. Here we are already in January! How time flys so quickly…..yep, all Xmas put away…for next time. A kitty hug for Jack and a hello to Joe……take care…Loretta/Calif.
Thank you, Susan for a touch of happiness and cheer on a January day. I was needing that, it seems. The new cups are so beautiful, and also thoughts of spring! Thank you, and best wishes on your projects.
Dearest Susan, Happy New Year to you and Joe! I am saddened as I always forwarded your wonderful blog post’s to my dear Aunt Junie. She passed away Monday and when your post came in I cried. She loved reading them so much. Thank you for all the joy you bring to all of us. Hollis and I did see Darkest Hour also and so enjoyed it. Please stay warm and know you are loved! Dawn Jones
What a sweet and exciting, fun filled note. Jack makes ur family smile. Cannot wait to purchase the mug. Happy ‘counting the days’ til Spring!
Dear, dear Susan,
What a breath of fresh air this Willard is! Here in W. Mass. we too have been absolutely freezing this winter, until now. I shall read it and re-read it. It is so beautiful.
Thank you for being my friend on Martha’s Vineyard
Thank you for a look at your Winter Wonderland! It’s been chilly/rainy here, but 80’s are coming for Saturday 🙁 I know I shouldn’t complain, but “the older I get, the more I “miss” seasons.” said the Southern California girl, who was transplanted from Illinois 40+ years ago.
So overjoyed to receive this blog from you. I prayed much as it appeared you all had a huge winter storm. My heart is thrilled to get the first blog of 2018. I am so enjoying your 2018 calendar.
Hugs and Blessings!
Susan: Thanks for sharing your upcoming dishes!
I can’t wait to see the finished cup of Jack! Looking forward to
placing one in my secretarial desk cabinet with other tuxedo cat
collectables. Such wonderful cats! Jack makes great photos too.
The Jack teacup is adorable. Gonna have to get me one……and a second one to give away. Love the snow pictures! We’ve had the arctic temps in southern Tennessee but no snow….yet. There is talk of some wintery mix happening Friday night. I have my fingers crossed for snow, no sleet. We’ll see.
That Jack cup is going to be hard to resist!
I want to see that movie about Churchill – love Kristen Scott Thomas. Right now I am watching The Crown on Netflix, and John Lithgow is really good as old Winston!
Sending love to you girlfriend! I can’t tell you how happy I was to see the blog today. Just finished reading Isle of Dreams last night, and feeling sad and teary to see it end. Alas, I have just started Fairy Tale Girl! We are so close in age and everything you write about resonates and brings back memories. Happy New Year to you, Joe, and Jack! Xo Karen H.
Happy New Year, Susan! In a few weeks I will be flying down (from Portland) to visit my best friend in Arroyo Grande and we’ll do our two favorite things: have lunch in Cambria and then spend time at the Avila Barn in Avila Beach. Sound familiar? We’ve known each other since kindergarten and now we’re older than we will ever admit! Question: is there a Susan Branch coloring book? I thought there might be but have never seen one. And if there isn’t … please add it to the suggestion list. Thank you!
Love your news…it always makes my day brighter.
Just printed the Full Moons bookmark…so fun! Thank-you!! I like them so much that I am going to make several for my book group. We read Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams last year, and we will really enjoy them!
Your drawings are dreamy. Your thoughts are inspiring. Your ambiance is catching.
I say thank you for you and everything you are!
June Emmert
Happy new Year2018♥
Love peeking into your world..cozy ..comfy pretty and artistic..Joe is giving you a run for your money w/ Pictionary:)I used to love that game.
Mugs are adorb.♥♥.lights..hearts..your lamb cake which I will be making again this year.I love that mold and the recipe..and cutest cake:)I had a ball doing it..
Susan a girl I met made me the cutest little tea cozy..saving it for Easter..:)
I am getting “hooked” on cosies..(zies)..
Have your 2018 calendar on Jan..so pretty..
I love Kristin Scott Thomas..classically beautiful..charming..every role ..5 stars..
I only saw Wonder this past year at the cinema..before Christmas..loved it.
I have a vintage(my mom’s) tabletop hand crank grater for cheese with a few other slicers and it makes grating any cheese a breeze.They last forever..obsviously as my mom would have been 99 on the second..and I love everything about it..Ebay often has them..
Our frigid spell just ended for now..but Spring is far away..Thinking seeds though..just not starting them indoors as early as last year;)
Take care~
Thank you sooo much for the breath of Spring today! Pansies are one of my favorite flowers and the new mug with their cheery faces gave me have a cheery smile! And I believe I smelled the lovely stock flowers all the way over on the west coast. My New Year resolution is to treat myself to a lovely fresh bouquet of flowers at least once month, one I’ll be happy to keep! XOXO
Dear Susan,
How great to see your blog in my mail! It is like sunshine to my soul when it comes! You are always so busy. I am anxiously awaiting my cups!! We are expecting a snowstorm tonight, so I am making Wild Rice soup for our supper.
I have never made it before, so I hope it turns out! Yesterday, we became great-grandparents to a little girl, Hannah, born to our grandson and his partner Abby. I have only seen pictures of her on Facebook, but she is so CUTE! In October, we got a great-grandson, Rory & he is Cute too. He has a 3 year old brother, Drake. That is what is happening here. My husband is not doing too good with COPD, so it is many long days spent at home, but I ordered your counted cross-stitch & have completed one, working on another. I am also working on a cross-stitch picture for our granddaughters wedding in May. Her other grandmother had started it and she passed away suddenly, so my daughter-in-law asked me if I would finish it & I told her it would be an honor
to do it. I have until May to finish it. I am so happy you are my friend! DeLores E, Johnson (Minnesota)
My dad had COPD. It’s a tough one, blessings on you both DeLores. Happy stitching. xoxoxo
Hi Susan,
It was so good to hear from you today. I am excited about the new cups.
My favorite flower is Pansy and I love Jack. He is so cute. I too have a black and white cat named Spot. He has spots.
My husband and I saw the Darkest Hour also. It was really good. I was so glad
we had seen Dunkirk before. It made the “civilian fleet” so much more impressive.
Keep painting so we all have cups and calendars. 🙂
hugs,
Star*
More wildly patriotic too … brave souls who refused to give up!
Happy New Year to you and Joe…we’re freezing here in central NJ too and now that Christmas is over I want Spring now. Oh well. Mac & Cheese is on the menu for tonight. How did you know. hehehehe
I’ve been waiting and waiting! And here it is! I was hoping for one on Sunday, when I was traveling to what will be my new hometown (Athens, OH) for househunting. And after a day of looking at houses, I was hunkered down in my hotel room, and I thought “oh, a Susan Branch blog would be just the thing to inspire me to pick JUST the right house.” But, it’s ok that you waited until today, because it was just the thing to perk up a dreary northeast Ohio afternoon. I find your blog is ALWAYS just the right thing to make the day a little happier! Thank you! All of your cups are amazing, but the Jack cup – LOVE – I think it will need to be a housewarming gift to myself!
Thank you sooooo much for the 2018 Full Moon bookmark!!! I thought I had missed it!!! Whew!!! You can imagine my joy when I saw that I had not missed it!!! From my whole heart…THANK YOU!!!
Happy New Year! I’m working on making some dreams come true in 2018. Looking forward to seeing the next Willard x
Love this post, so many good things in here. I loved revisiting Christmas, it comes and goes so fast. I love all the spring cups but I think my fav is the one with Jack. Books and fur babies are two of the finer things in life! Happy Winter and stay warm!
Thanks for the update on life in your neck of the woods. Love the looks of the new cups. I am waiting for my Winter cup to arrive! Happy New Year!
Lots and lots of fun things in this post! First of all, I am anxiously awaiting delivery of my mugs. I got my ship notice yesterday, so I’m pretty sure mine were in one of the boxes on the truck at your studio yesterday❤️. Love the new designs, especially the “Jack and the books”one😻How adorable is that?? Can’t wait for a sneak peek of the spring mug, too! Thinking ahead to the summer mug…any chance you could paint some hydranga tumbling over a white picket fence? Hubby and I have visited Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard in the summertime, and it’s one of our favorite things about the area. They seemed to thrive and grow beautifully everywhere we looked. It’s a balmy 40 degrees here today in south central PA. Just 48 hours ago we were experiencing wind chills temps well below 0, hadn’t been “warmer” than 20 degrees since New Years Eve! The snow and ice have melted off the flower border, and I went out to see if I could see any signs of my snow drops pushing through the earth. Nothing yet! I must admit, though, I’m one of those souls who appreciates cold days and icy winds and early sunsets. Days seem to pass a wee bit slower this time of year, and I am thankful for that. Hugs!
As always, such a cozy post. I’m looking forward to spring, too! Even in Houston, the coldness gets old. 🙂
Happy New Year! By chance will you be getting anymore 2018 desk blotter calendars in stock? I made the mistake of ordering one from Amazon in early December for a Christmas gift for my mother and it never arrived. Then when I came to your website, I see they are sold out.
Talk to [email protected]/~susanbs3/susanbranch/, she might have an idea for you.
Oh my, that Jack Cup! Perfection. I LOVE BOOKS! They are like friends all around the place. Add a Jack person and what could be better. I squealed out loud when I first saw your prototype design. I’d put in my order today if I could. It will be my favorite I’m sure.
I want to tell you about something that was revealed to me over the holidays. A nephew’s father-in-law did some ancestry sloothing for him about our mutual Watkins great grandfather. My own Dad had always said his father told him “you don’t want to know anything about them, they’re all a bunch of horse thieves!” This was said in jest (I believe) but we just didn’t know where they came from. So it turns out there is a direct connection to Sir James Watkins of Shotten which is in Wales. So, I have a lot more English bits than I might have thought. Pretty cool eh? I can even find this ancestor written up with a Google search. He came to America before the Mayflower and hung out for a while in Jamestown. Fun to know and think about.
I can’t wait to see The Darkest Hour so thanks for the previews. Hoping it will come to my neighborhood theater soon.
Once again, thanks for the delightful post.
Love family trees! Always fascinating!
P.S. The whale watching boats from Santa Barbara and Ventura are shuttling people, especially employees. It’s $35 one way, 1.5 hours, running daylight to sunset….imagine, $70 transpiration fee per day to get to and from work. This was first morning and seas rough – wonder if they provide seasick pills.
I love the blog, Susan, so up and positive creating possibility for a better year in 2018.
I especially LOVE Dean singing – certainly miss him 🙁
Thanks for a few moments of happy memories….Those were the days!
This too shall pass dear Sandra, I’m so sorry. xoxo
Susan,
Thanks for the newsletter! Happy New Year! Please let us know where in England you will be on May 19th, the day of Prince Harry’s and Megan’s wedding. Have you ever visited St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle? What is it like there? What do your English friends say about an American joining the English Royal family?
I love your beautiful stories and pictures. In Canada we have had an incredible winter so far .
I have worn my boots every trip outside . I sing with a wonderful choral society and we are all together for a new year of exploring the magic of music and friendship.
I write poetry and have just seen my newest in print A happy life for a widow .I never forget the man who filled my dreams but left me with a perfect family and a life of glorious memories. Your lovely web site inspires me🍁🤗💝Joan Kehoe in Toronto Canada
Your Valentine hearts are always so inspiring. This year, I really am going to make my very own! Glad you survived the severe temps.
Thank you
I so enjoy your blog, and I needed a cheerful something
And this hit the spot , Seattle isn’t snowing but it’s gloomy
Is there a preview of the spring cup? 🙂
Coming soon!
Yeah! Can’t wait! I wob you!! xoxo!!
Wob you wite back!
Hi there, Susan,
Gosh, how many times have I tried to communicate to/with you? Many, many,
Just want to say a big, big “thank you” for all the joy you bring to me and my computer. You are such fun, so talented and a great gal. Keep up the good work cuz we all love you.
Love and hugs, Fran
Thank you Fran, love hearing from you!
Thank you for the moon bookmark. I love these and savor waiting for the full moons !
Thank you again, Susan, for a lovely post. Even in the frigid winter, hope springs eternal! Can’t wait for the new cups. Many happy blessings to you in 2018!
Love,
Susie
Hi Susan
So glad you’re back! Just a note: What is the name of that gorgeous flower that you have in the vase that gives that incredible smell? Thanks so much, stay warm! Lisa
It’s called Stock.
What a lovely missive from you today, thank you. I was a bit teary-eyed walking out of the theatre after watching the movie..very moving. Am looking forward to your new edition of tea cups.
Me too, and Joe too .. 😢
I love the Mother’s Day and “Jack” cups. Are they the small size or the large size?
They’re both the 16 oz larger size … there will also be an 11 oz. cup for “Spring” to go with Autumn and Winter.
Joy to the World right back to you – Happiest of all New Years to all. We are also thawing out here in North Carolina with highs in the 50’s. I rather enjoyed the “stay home” time because of the10 degree days and was able to get the binding hand sewn down on eight of my quilts. Having a quilt over you while working on it came at a perfect time. I do envy your snow and IMHO we do not get near enough here. Looking forward to your Spring cups. Hugs from JudyCinNC
Happy New Year, Sue. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now. Eventually, everything will get done and before you know it, it will be SPRING!. We’ve had a bit of snow and cold temps here on the south end of Vancouver Island (nothing like you on the east coast), but today as I was passing the large fields around my house, the daffodils were starting to poke their leaves up. These fields belong to the Vantreight family and they supply all the daffodils for the Cancer Society’s April campaign. When the fields are in bloom, it is gorgeous. Most people here have them in their gardens, even on the side of the roads. Your new cups look lovely and I can’t wait to get a few more. Thanks for the reminder of the mac and cheese recipe, it’s definitely the best comfort food. Looking forward to Willard and all it has to offer. Take care and try not to work your fingers to the bone.
Susan — so glad I checked in to find a NEW Blog! I was hoping you or Joe weren’t sick. Thanks for the photos of Spring — I can’t wait! In the meantime, I keep my bird feeders full. I can get about 18 Mourning Doves — I have a nice large flat surface for them to land. They bring their Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins with them, I think. I love seeing the little brown Wrens. This past weekend was bitter! Below zero windchills but now it’s in the 30’s and feels positively balmy!
I love the new mug designs. I’m so happy with my bluebird mug. It brings Spring to my kitchen (and my heart!). Thanks for sharing Jack again — he is so precious! I bet his mug will be a best-seller!
JoAnne from thawing NW New Jersey
I enjoy your blog so very, very much! Yes, we saw “Darkest Hour” last week at a historic old theater, “The Colonial” in Phoenixville, PA. The movie was lean- forward-soak-it-all-in-good! After the movie there was a Q& A with a college professor retired from Chestnut Hill College. Turns out it was John Lukacs who wrote “Five Days in London May 1940” on which the film was based! He is 93 years old, born in Hungary and educated in London. He’s a dear friend of W & C’s youngest child, Mary! Lots of wonderful stories and insights were shared. It was a total gift! His book was written over 20 yrs ago, and a British filmmaker contacted him and asked to purchase the rights a couple of years ago. A late in life surprise for him!
Happy New Year! I just received my Winter Cup and look forward to mock up of the Spring Cup. I also Like the mock up of the Jack cup. what could be better than Jack and books on a teacup?
Good to hear from you, Susan! Loved the photos…especially the one of the barn and wreath! I put away my parlor tree and undecorated the tree in our den but i knew i was going to miss its soft glow so I put several Audubon birds and a squirrel in it with some snowflakes and will make it my winter tree to enjoy for a few more weeks. The birds have real bird sounds but i dare not mess with them too much as my alert English Cocker will be in it, too.
I can’t wait for your dated cups. I put my Santa cup away but got out my Love cup. They are a wonderful size for oatmeal, too!
Thanks for your post! I am still smiling!
Being in Virginia, we are on day 5 of no school due to the snow and ice. It has been a welcome time for rest and reflection to recuperate from the Christmas holidays! I have been reading, knitting, watching movies and creating Valentine tags for my friends. I will make the heart-shaped cookies closer to Feb. 14th. So what a treat this afternoon to receive your post! Your home is beautiful in the snow – love the warm fire and porch lights – cozy and festive. Happy New Year!
You have made my day, Susan Branch❤️ Absolutely love your postings❤️Thankyouthankyouthankyou ❤️
I am so glad that I went online today and found your blog. I can’t say enough about it. your home is so comfy that I wish I could curl up in front of your fire with a cup of tea and a good book. Jack made me laugh and smile. What a cat! I can’t wait until his teacup is ready for sale. And your Mother’s Day teacup is absolutely delightful. Every time I read your blogs, I feel like I’m coming home. you inspire me to be more creative and take pleasure in the little things in life. God bless you, Susan, for being you. Happy 2018.
Susan, your blog always puts a positive happy time to read. Love the photo’s and the two new cups. Hope your having a great day!
Snow-White
by Carolyn Fitzgerald Rodgers
__
Is your house painted white?
Does it take on a yellow cast
‘gainst the snow on the ground,
When a surprise snowfall comes in the night?
Do you first become aware of it
When its glow pierces the closed curtains
And wakes you to its wonder?
Will you dream of making snow cream in the morning?
We looked first toward the house across the road,
The only painted house in the triangle
That was our neighborhood,
That took on that dingy hue
When snow had fallen in the night.
We looked first toward the painted house
And noted the discrepancy
Between its new dinginess
And the snow-white blanket
That pulled its covers up over us as we slept.
___CFR 2016
Lovely! xoxo
Susan,
Thank you for another lovely hygge blog post. The snow was lovely but the cold was a bit TOO cold! It kept Joe’s flowers going longer, I love the fragrance of stock.
Perfect timing, I always have bookmarks with me and my books but, this time I don’t so your Full Moon bookmark arrived just at the right time! Beautiful cups, what fun you are having.
Thanks for the tip about The Darkest Hour, I will see it because Sir Winston was one of my heroes and Clemmie was so supportive.
May your 2018 be happy, healthy, inspiring and exciting. Best wishes, Sally
Susan, your mother’s day mug has my vote as the prettiest of all! You outdid yourself. Needless to say, Jack showing up makes it even better….
This has been a horrendous winter for so many — we even experienced snow in Houston, though it disappeared pretty fast — seeing it predawn when it is still perfect was like icing on the cake. Happy Spring!
Sharon
Those lovely flowers are what we call Stock. They smell what Heaven must surely smell like! Use them all the time in my little home based flower shop.
I love the dear kitty of yours. Do be careful with the feathered toys, daughters cat started eating them. 🙂
Love your cups and I remember when my husband used to bring home flowers. It seems with dementia that part of his memory is gone. Yes I know I could buy them myself but it just isn’t the same. I’m just happy I still have him and he still remembers me and how to drive. 🙂
Winter bliss among our sisterhood! We almost share your houseshoes! 🙂
Say! How about designing a pair for us all to share?!? 🙂
Thank you, Susan!
XO, Winette in Virginia
Hi Susan!!! Great uplifting Blog! Spring is coming! Love you China Cups! and Love that you will be dating them. Thanks!!! Can’t wait to order! Waiting on mine now from CA. Thanks again and stay warm! Lor
I never get tired of seeing a banner pop up on your blog! ❤️ Happy New Year, Sue! XOXO
And I never get tired of looking at them, dear Janie. I loved my dove banner this Christmas. It’s still up! You make everyone feel special with your lovely work. xoxo
I’m happy to know your dove banner is still up. I took mine down and then put it back up as a wish for peace for our world. I think I’m going to keep it right where it is, because every little bit helps. Thank you for your sweet words, Sue. Sending you love and hoping you’re managing to stay warm. xoxo
Janie, your banners are just the best. I also have my white-heart banner up now, in my front window as I’ve done every year since you made it! We’re okay over here . . . we get a few days warm enough to walk and that’s the best. And yes, every little bit does help! xoxoxo
Thank you, Sue. ❤️ You have the perfect window for the white heart banner! XOXO
Happy soon to be spring! I live in the mountains and love to see the spring flowers start to glow. May 2018 be your best year yet.
Charlotte
Thank you for the blog message, Susan. I’m needing all the cheering I can get, ’cause even tho I’m looking forward to being able to do all sorts of things once I have both knees replaced, I’m a bit nervous as surgery for the first one, the right, draws near. The 16th is when I go in – 6 days, but who’s counting.
Your messages always cheer me up and make me happy – so I feel better after this one. Thanks,
Susan
Scary. But think how many people have had it, and they all come through with flying colors. And you will too and your life will be a thousand times better. Easy for me to say, but I know, and you know, you’ll be fine, just be sure to ask your hospital people “Could I please have a warm blanket.” Makes a world of difference. xoxoxoxo
I ♥ ♥ ♥ shovelling snow and always have. When I no longer played in it, it gave me an excuse to be outside in it doing *something.* The only negative about shovelling is that it disturbs the majestic peace that it brings to the landscape.
Unfortunately living in Texas for 25 years now has changed that for me. No snow in Houston. No real seasons actually. The one thing I still long for from my previous life on Long Island.
beautiful, as always–so look forward to your blog. xo
Oh you are so wonderful and right once again! You have an amazing gift for into the well of goodness that unites us all! Every one of your posts make me smile. Yes! I think that too… born at the right time, sharing the planet with you, and the girlfriends and the show Hamilton! EEKK! Christmas present from my beloved!!! and we brought our God son!! who loves history! A girlfriend who I had never met before, walked into the box next to us, and burst into tears, which is just what I had just done! We became friends and hugged and hugged:)
Then, more wonders!…. My winter mug came yesterday! It really is so beautiful! I can’t let it languish in the dishwasher all day, but wash it by hand so it can spend the day looking beautiful and charming in my glass cabinet! Little red houses covered with snow! That is what I live in!
Happiest new year! May all your dreams come true! Caroline
PS…(Sometimes my quirky computer doesn’t seem to reach you until I write a PS) That is ok because I always remember something else I want to tell you all… When I was in NYC, I went with one of my dearest friends to the Downton Abby exhibition! It was wonderful, on 3 floors .. the bottom floor was set up like the kitchens and servants dining room. Next floor.. Lady Mary’s bedroom and the upstairs dining room; all set in splendor! Third floor was so many of the beautiful costumes. The experience made us want to rewatch the show and go to the real Highclere castle where I hope the gift shop serves tea and has downton Abby hats for sale!
I can’t come to the picnic in May:( But I sure will be following you all on the blog. I would so love to have a pen pal over across the pond in England! Anyone want to be pen pals? how do I find one?
It has both, hats and tea!!! Go on Facebook and ask about Penpals, we put people together all the time! So excited about our trip! xoxo
💫🌟✨💫🌟✨ xoxo
Cold, damp, dreary weather…..I have been sick all week…haven’t been out since church on the weekend…..thus is a ray of sweet sunshine…..thank you!!! I enjoyed every word and picture and of course went right over to Amazon and ordered myself Dean Platinum CD! Happy Week Susan & Joe & Jack 🙂
Dear Susan, okay don’t laugh, but in your first snow picture on this blog, did you add the snow or is it real? And does your neighbor’s house look like yours. Sometimes when you are looking out your window I think I am looking at your house.😜 cannot wait for JackCup!❤️Huggs, Debby
No, that was a GIF someone made… snow’s not real! Most of the houses on the Island are white, our neighbor’s house is too, but the structure is different than ours. xoxo
Today was my lucky, lucky day! I received my winter cup and I was so excited that I wanted to tell you. THEN, when I came to leave a comment, there’s a new blog! Woo hoo! Oh happy day!
Anyway, back to the mug. I love it. I love the size, the colors (blue is my favorite color), and the feel of it. It is positively perfect in every way. I also want to send my thanks to Kellee and everyone involved in inspecting, packing, and mailing these lovely mugs. They always arrive safe and sound and packaged up so carefully with lots of love (you can tell these things when you open a box). Thank you one and all. You are an all-star team! Is the “Mother’s Day” and pansy mug the spring mug? Or is there another one? I love the Jack mug too! Please be sure to let us know when we can pre-order the spring mugs.
As usual, it was so fun to read your blog. Thanks for brightening up my day. We’ve had a bit of a warm up (Chicago area) but we had a stretch of brutally cold days. I can take winter, but it’s a lot more challenging when it’s too cold to go outside. One morning it was 17 degrees BELOW zero! Needless to say, I consumed a lot of tea. We’re heading to southern CA (San Clemente, La Canada, Oxnard, etc) to visit family and friends. I’m so looing forward to being warm without wearing 15 layers of clothes but a little concerned about all the mud flows, etc. Yikes… One special person we’re visiting is my aunt who just turned 92 last month. So excited to see her. It’s been two years….
Keep warm, enjoy your work, and evenings by the fire. Thanks again for all you do to make the world a brighter place.
I love how you see the beauty and sweetness in everything. It makes me feel happy to read your blogs. Thank you for this. Happy New Year to you and Joe.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for such a wonderful start to the new year. Your blogs just make me happy knowing they are in my mail box. I won’t open and read until I have some quite time and my “cuppa” ready. Then the music – ah a bit of Deano today! The updates of your to-do’s and happenings are like a bit of comfort food – warming and filling and nourishing the soul.
I am also very grateful for the 2018 Full Moon Schedule. I wrote the girls on the west coast wondering when or if you would be producing one this year and voila – it arrived the next day in your blog. I hadn’t realized how much I used/counted on them until I didn’t have it when I was setting up this year’s planner. I set it up as a planner insert and move it forward each month, just after the full moon. A few years ago I learned about a journaling/vision board process that works hand in hand with the full moons through Jamie Ridler’s Studio. My life has been blessed because of your Moon Calendars and Jamie’s creative process.
My “winter” cup arrived earlier this week. So lovely! I can see right now that the cup with Jack and the books will be right up my alley. A house is not a home without books and a kitty!
Love your blog and every picture!!! Can’t wait to see your next adventure. I have a quick question. The recipe for the macaroni and cheese….is it in the older copy of Heart of the Home or the revised edition?
It’s in the new, revised edition, but also, it’s in Vineyard Seasons.
I loved The Darkest Hour too!! Go see The Post. It is equally wonderful.
I love your artist’s eye for capturing photos at your splendid home–scenes you glimpse out of your windows and say to yourself, “just have to get that in a photo.” Like your barn with the wreath, and a second photo where you tell us to look for the wreath through the windows. I think I’ve said this before, reading your blog is like going on a lovely, mini vacation.
I’m looking forward to 2018 with you, and seeing your new creations inspired by God’s creation.
Great blog post, Susan. I’m like you. I can use all the winter days possible, too. I’m so busy I don’t know what day it is! But loving every minute. I had some great feedback on our book which means re-doing some pages. Does that sound familiar? Probably not anymore; you’re so good at this! But we are charting new territory through the wilderness, so we are learning as we go! Oh, I love the look of that Churchill movie. I’ve got to see it! And the new cups just keep getting better! The Wolf Moon was gorgeous here, too. Saw it off our porch in the evening and out the kitchen window in the morning! Huge and beautiful and stayed that way for days! One of the best I’ve seen. My winter cup arrives tomorrow!! YAY!! There will still be plenty of time to use it. Well, better run, and get back to lettering. Gene is finishing the LAST illustration (#20!). I’ll have to find something else for him to paint! Blessings on all your hard work!!! Jane xo
Happy workday, dear one! Your home looks like a picture postcard with that pristine white snow surrounding it (something to paint someday, perhaps?!)
♥♥♥ Let The Musica Commence!
Darling Jack! My three kitties are “seniors” and are pretty sedentary. It looks like Jack still loves to play. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Hi Susan and Happy New Year! Loved reading about all
your up coming projects that your followers (like me) really get to
benefit from! I can’t wait to see the finished Mother’s Day mug…I
especially liked the prototype colors on the pansies. I hope they will
still be that vibrant on the finished ones…they looked soooo real, I
could almost smell them💐