Hiiii! We’re home!! MUSICA? Yes! It’s great to be here, and we had a WONDERFUL time in California! It was soooo good to see everyone. And I did bring home that special giveaway I promised ~ you’ll find it at the bottom of this post . . . but W A I T, don’t go yet . . . because getting home was the BEST. Here we are racing toward New England in our train room with awesome view . . .
. . . Hoping the whole way that we might still have some leaves on our trees. It was the end of October and normally by then they’re gone. But the way things were looking, we were thinking m a y b e . . . 🍂 🍁🍂🍁
Speeding through upstate New York, I was heartened by the color! Nothing like leaf-peeping from a train window.
We got off the train on Sunday in Albany, rented a car (so we could make the last ferry to the Island that same night) and drove through the gorgeous Berkshires, feeling more and more positive there would still be leaves on our trees at home.
We made the last boat but didn’t get home until after 10, so we couldn’t SEE the trees! Sleeping that night, when we finally got in our very own bed for the first time in a month, was as exciting as the night before Christmas! Would there still be fall when we woke up?
Dawn, from our bedroom window, assurance, and every dream come true.
I raced from window to window upstairs . . .
And down . . .
Then out to the side garden . . .
And around the house to the back . . . soooo
Then all the way back for the long view! Fall waited for us! Leaves blowing down, chill in the air, smell of the sea, sound of the ferry horn, church spire to the sky, sturdy house that has seen it all, everything that says Home. Thank you God. Ommmmm.
My own kitchen, and no noise or rocking, just me and the benevolent ghosts of time gone by. And since I’d done a lot of decorating before we left, we were pretty much ready!
AHHHHHHHH…. Home ~ our bed is pure heaven, cold rooms at night, snuggled under covers, mooshing the comforters around my ears, dragging my cozy flanneled legs out in the morning, stuffing my feet into wool slippers, throwing on an old sweater, padding down the stairs, Jack leading the way, tail high in the air, filling the tea kettle, deciding which cup. We are sitting, and we are staying. So this was Monday, our first day home. On Tuesday the dining room curtains came. On Wednesday it was Halloween. So let’s start with the curtains! Ready?
And of course, I know what you’re waiting for, in the category of “everything that says Home,” Jack, furry soft petty-pet and perfect decor. He seemed really happy to see us. Presented himself upside-down, in wiggle formation, for belly rubs, and gave me a very Loooooong forehead butt, a meeting of the minds, the brain exchange. So here are the new curtains for the dining room. And where does Jack choose to sit?
On them. And why not. King of the World can do no wrong. Reunited and it feels so goooood! 🎶 He’s still my shadow, he still brings back the hair ties, he still cuddles next to me when I read. Now Joe and I aren’t going anywhere for the next year and a half, we are 
I peeled Jack off and we hung the new curtains . . . (Jessica, who made them, with Lowely, my darling friend and neighbor)
And so voila, here they are! What do you think? I’m thinking the flowers make up for the ones we lost when we took the wallpaper down.💞
I’ve wanted “real” English curtains for sooooo long! They make you feel like you live on the inside of a marshmallow! We are now padded head to toe. I couldn’t wait for dark so I could light the candles!
They’re extra cozy because they’re completely lined in heavy flannel (just like the ones in England). They keep your house warm too.
Okay. So here was the problem and the reason I waited so long to show you the living room. I know you won’t think of this as a “problem.” With problems like this who needs enemies? Or whatever that phrase is. These are the curtains we got before we left and I’ve been pondering ever since. They are also very beautiful, thick and cozy, but for me, for the House of Creativity, for US? They feel a little much.
A wee bit too Duchess of Devonshire. I adore the fabric and love the pillows Jessica made to match, and I love the curtains too, they are glorious, but I was afraid after a while I might start doing the circular queen’s wave when I leave the house.
So we tried to tone it down (ps, they look pink in this photo, but they are really a soft beige with pink hydrangeas) . . . the first thing we did was take the decorative trim off the hems of the valances. Which softened things a little and took away some of the formality. This old house is your basic farmhouse with a barn and uninsulated pantry, the bathroom used to be a “three-holer,” and there are rooms you have to walk through to get to other rooms (i.e., no hall). It’s not a fancy house. It has “good bones,” as a dear friend said a long time ago, and also that New England simplicity I love. You have to give a house what it wants. And I try. But I think my imagination was bigger than my stomach, or what ever that saying is.
So next we tried removing the valances all the way. And I liked it SO MUCH BETTER. Back and forth we went, throwing out ideas, me, Joe, Jessica, and Lowely, with the tape 
measure, up the ladder, down the ladder, measure and pin and hold it up, stand back to see what it looks like, what if we get rid of the floral chairs? What if we change the lampshades? No stone was left unturned . . . and what we sort of decided is to keep the valances but bring them down so they aren’t all the way up to the ceiling, and then shorten the valance skirt by about 6 inches so it just covers the wood trim at the top of the window, to the first panes of glass. Make the valances lower and shorter is basically what we decided. And the other end of the room?
Here they are, the same fabric, but these are simpler and quieter.
Maybe I’m just bad at change! But I have to say, we’ve now been living with them for six days, and they’re growing on me. Most of my life I’ve made my curtains, so I’m used to unlined, crooked, half finished, a bit wrinkled, mostly made out of tablecloths, which is probably the problem! These are too good!
Jessica also made me a curtain for the guest room . . . Which I LOVE. Just a simple little thing, and pillows to match with a tiny blue and white stripe piping.
Just sweet and simple.
So then it was time to get ready for our Halloween party!
It was a pot-luck Halloween neighborhood Open House we were having, after the trick-or-treaters had gone home. Lowely brought cold slaw, Martha made a big pan of Corn Pudding, Carol brought a bowl of Dry Bones, Jaime came with a big green salad, and Barbara brought Brownies. I made Touchdown Chili and
A Pumpkin Trifle
Broken up chocolate cake on the bottom, then pumpkin mousse, then crushed oreo cookies, whipped cream, more chocolate cake, and more pumpkin mousse with a Hershey’s Syrup spiderweb on top!
While I was doing that, my boyfriend for life was outside in the driveway on that perfect fall day, carving away!
Making my favorite star pumpkins for our front porch.
offering me pumpkin seeds . . .
I came back in and did the dishes . . .
. . . then watered plants to stuff into baskets for arrangements for the house, swept the leaves off the porches . . . made sure all the votives and candle holders were filled . . . put Jack’s food and toys upstairs and locked him in our bedroom where no Halloween Cat thieves could find him . . .
We lit the fire,
And lit our ghost in the upstairs window . . . Casper is our “neighborhood watch,” he has a great view all the way up the street.
Bowls were filled with candy ~ We had hot spiced-cider for the moms and dads. We were READY! Bring on those kids! And here they come!
I love this tradition. Parents bringing their kids, waiting behind them, most of them in costume too … Look at this pink princess . . . Adorable or what?
We have friends who live so far out in the country they don’t get any trick-or-treaters ~we invite them to our house to give out candy at our door ~ we share the wealth ~ because, we definitely get kids! From all over the island . . . we are one of the few neighborhoods where the houses are close enough together for kids to get to without walking a mile in the dark! Halloween is huge on our island.
Is it ever! Early in the evening, at dusk, they’re very young, some even babies, in the cutest costumes, cows, and trees and bunnies, oh my!
As the night gets darker, the kids get older . . .
We stop them to take their picture, and they put up with our 10,000 questions!
By 6:30 our neighborhood is in full Halloween mode. The police close down the streets to cars. It’s not just us, up and down our street and around the corner, its a mad house! 🍁
I got my camera and came around out front to take photos of the door … loved the tree shadows on our house from across the street, whoooo! To see the pumpkins Joe made, I had to wait until the everyone moved aside . . .
Which took a little while . . . everyone running in the dark, superheroes and angels, clowns and unicorns, with bags of loot, laughing, chewing tootsie rolls and eating M&Ms!
Other than the one partially finished pumpkin I saw when Joe was doing them, I hadn’t seen what he’d done. I looked at that one in the middle! Whaaat?
And I got closer, laughing all the time. Went inside and Joe got a big KISS for this good surprise! Doing his part to make a cuter neighborhood, and a better world!
We had about thirty people for Chili dinner, and I was so busy eating and talking (receiving compliments on my new curtains!!!) I forgot to take pictures, but it was wonderful seeing everyone (remember, we just got back!) and it ended in the living room, where a girlfriend with a ukulele played while the dregs of the party (which would be us and some neighbors), had a sing-along. 🎃 It was a wonderful ending. And since it’s party season, here are a few ideas to make giving a party a bit easier. No matter if it’s a small party or large, formal or casual, Thanksgiving, tea party, book club, or election night party.
And, speaking of election night parties . . . Here are some delicious recipes, all tried and true, perfect for a roller coaster ride which this night is bound to be. Won’t it be FUN when
it’s over? Then we’ll all live with the results and can stop thinking about it for a while. And then we’ll get to do it all over again in two years! Politics seems to be America’s newest sport! I remember when I was in high school, I didn’t even know what I was! Or anyone else. I think my mom was a Republican and my dad was a Democrat, but they never argued and they both LIKED IKE! ‘Course the two political parties were 100% different then, and we didn’t have as much to worry about as kids do now, we were safe at school. It was a simpler and I would say a rather happier time. One of the many, many things on which we are all in perfect agreement, we all LOVE to eat . . . so let’s start HERE:
Yummy, from my Autumn Book . . . in case you have it at home, otherwise you can print this out!
These recipes are from Heart of the Home . . .
Wonderful spiced nuts from my Autumn Book . . .
. . . which I just made! I use them all season long!
Deliciousness from Heart of the Home. We’re going to my girlfriend Lowely’s house on Tuesday night to watch the results come in, I’m bringing Cheese Bites!
Opened my eyes from meditation, and across from where I was sitting, Jack was asleep on the sofa. 
I got the evil eye when I put the camera close . . . I SEE YOU, it says in green technicolor.
When we were in California, I picked up a box of my mom’s papers to bring home ~ I went through some of it this morning ~ it was a treasure trove! Saved birthday cards, old letters my grandma wrote, yellowed birth certificates and fancy engraved marriage licenses, hand-written report cards, and certificates of baptism, priceless to my mom, and priceless to me. Above, is a 91-year-old brushed LEATHER ribbon-tied folder with gold lettering, four pages of names and this . . .
. . . my Grandma’s Sioux City, Central High School Diploma from 1927. That’s her, below, on the left. Her class graduated only three weeks after Lindbergh flew the Atlantic non-stop to France! Those 
kids must have felt like their generation was going to own the world! Just a few days after they graduated, Lindbergh’s ticker tape parade was held in New York, which they listened to as a family on a radio the size of a refrigerator. I’m sure my grandma and all her 18-year-old girlfriends shortened their skirts, bobbed their hair, and danced the “Lindy,” . . . they were teenagers during the Roaring Twenties, Calvin Coolidge was president, F. Scott Fitzgerald was the literary star, The Jazz Singer came out in 1927, the first movie with sound! Only two years later, when she was 20, the Great Depression started. She’d already had one World War to deal with as a child. The cards were being dealt. Life was unfolding. And before she fell asleep in her house with a music room on the 3rd floor and nine brothers & sisters, she listened to the most popular song of 1927. I love history, and picturing people in their times. My Grandma shared the planet with Mark Twain for two years. She shared it with Anne Frank, and then she shared Anne Frank with me.💞 Now I have her diploma.
And this! It’s my great grandmother’s 1925 application to join the Martha Washington 
Chapter of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution in Washington, DC. Four pages of family names, births, and deaths back to 1710, all in her lovely handwriting … with “Ancestor’s Services” that tells that her 5th great grandfather (and I guess my 7th), Captain Asa Foster of Andover, Massachusetts, was appointed in 1765 to “oppose the arbitrary measures of the British Government.” Eeeek. My grandma had given me a copy of this when I was in my 20s (part of my dreamscape for New England before I’d ever been here), but it was very different to hold the real thing in my hands. After recently reading a biography of George Washington (Ron Chernow), I 
realized just how dangerous it was to come out against your government back then. If they’d lost (and there was no reason on EARTH they should have believed they could win against the British Empire!), they would have all been hanged! But hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do and he believed in his cause. His son Abiel graduated from Harvard in 1756, was a minister who represented New Hampshire in the first Congress. I could write a book about these people! We found both of their graves, in Old North Parish Burying Ground in North Andover and in the Canterbury Cemetery in New Hampshire.
And this little slip of paper was in there too, written in my great grandfather’s hand, showing the 
dates of birth for his parents (my great, great grandparents), and their children. I met Merrill James 
Orr, born in 1871, the man who wrote this, the father of my grandma ~ that’s him holding me, my mom’s on the right, my grandma’s on the left. I feel the generations behind me, and I see younger members of my family going on into the future. Such a connection. And the threads of that connection go on and on, out in all directions. Pretty soon, as you research your family tree, you start thinking you’re related to EVERYONE. Then you get your DNA done and find out you absolutely are!
And now it’s my turn to save little old pieces of paper, tiny fragments of a lifetime of memories. I guess I got that from them! 💞 Like here, in the England diary I’m now illustrating and rewriting in my “good 
handwriting.” You can just imagine how much I revel in the magic I feel when I write, spellbound in the dream of it (hours and clocks mean nothing), about the history we found in Enchanted England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. My pages will be peopled by spirits of the past, Winston Churchill, Beatrix Potter, Jane Austen, hill forts, stone circles, and fairy winds . . . all that and Rachel too! I’ll do it as the leaves blow, as the snow flies, as the cat naps, and when the daffodils come again, I’ll still be here in my old house, fireplace glowing, shawl pulled tight, pen noises scratching, paint brush ringing on the side of the water dish I bought in Disneyland before I knew I could paint, Jack at my side, living the dream with my boyfriend for life, loving the road, because
I kept Joe’s pumpkin for our front window . . . like keeping a light on! Never forget our fathers and grandfathers fought for this right, so that today, no matter how we came to this country, we get a say in the kind of government 
we want. It was EVERYTHING to them, their lives were on the line, and there’s nothing quite like it in the world. The right to vote. Honor our ancestors. Go vote, and take someone with you. Don’t think you don’t know what you’re doing, because believe me, you probably know more than most! The world has fought for civility since time began, fought to overcome human nature prone to barbarism, it hasn’t been easy, but despite all, we keep bringing it forward, so families everywhere can live in peace and prosperity. They’ve told us that we have nothing to fear but fear itself, and proved it time and time again. Because we can solve all problems when we come together. I know they’ve made it hard to tell truth from 
lies, the water has been muddied, even on Facebook, where we put our family photos, and share recipes! But it’s not impossible. No source is perfect but we can find a balance. When I have specific questions, I go to websites like Politifact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-finding website. They can answer almost any question, “Did such and such REALLY happen, Did he REALLY say that, Does America have open borders, What is the Caravan made up of, Which members of Congress take money from the NRA, Who IS (fill in the blank)” ~ even old questions, like “Did Iraq have weapons of mass destruction, what was the Fairness Doctrine, what happened when the banks failed?” On and on, they have researched it all. Huge help for lovers of history like me.
“All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of thing shall be well.” 💞Julian of Norwich, the first woman in recorded history to write a book. And aren’t they the perfect words!
SO, we’re going off for a walk to the water, but before we go, as promised, last but not least, NEXT Saturday, Joe and I hop on the ferry to the Mainland for the day, where I’ll be at the West Falmouth Library answering questions, signing books, and reading the first chapter of Enchanted, just like I did at the Apple Farm in California. If you’re coming, or even if you’re not, click here and please print out this name tag/bookmark. Write your name on the bottom so we’ll know each other! And yes, for everyone who’s going to be there, you each will be getting a copy of your own first chapter. I’m sorry tickets for this event are sold out, but I promise I’ll be out again in the future, and we can try again. And if you remember, waaaaaaay back when I started this post, I promised YOU a giveaway! So here she is! To win, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post (you’ll see tiny gray words that say, “comment” ~ click there and say hello, and you will automatically be entered. And if your name is chosen, you will receive your very own signed copy of the first chapter my new book!
In fact, Kellee made me FIVE 23-page booklets, all just for you💞 . . . so, this time, there will be five winners! Yay!!! I hope one of them is YOU!
I wanted to start at The Beginning with a love story, like I did with A Fine Romance, so I did! I hope you enjoy it!
That’s it for today darling girlfriends. I shall return! Have a luv-lee evening. Keep the home fires burning!
Our trees peaked this week too, even with rain the Orange ones have stayed on our Sunset Maple. Beautiful! Our Halloween was beautiful, 64 degrees and sunny, happy kids filled the streets and neighbors sat in their driveways having parties. I love it when everyone celebrates! Thanks for the stories!
I’m so so happy to see a new post from you, and share in new adventures! Love the family papers and memories. We will definitely be voting here in northern Indiana on Tuesday! Can’t wait to see your new book when it comes out!
I just love hearing where everyone is from! 💞
Thank you, Susan, for brightening up a dreary November Sunday! Loved Joe’s “vote” pumpkin! Here in Kansas, we have advance voting so many of us have already taken care of our civic duty! Cheers to you both!
I love your new curtains but especially LOVE the guest room curtains. Soo lovely. Welcome back home.
Loved reading about your homecoming and reunion w/your sweet Jack, the “reveal” of the new curtains, and Halloween happenings. Anxiously awaiting the publication of the new book! Thank you for sharing your story w/us.
Boy, did I relate to the curtain reactions! I do that all the time, think I really need to change this room, or curtains etc. Then I will look at whatever I did and think OMG, do I really like this?? Should I have done this? Maybe I like the other ones better. I think it is just the change itself. Usually it grows on me and I love it. But, oh boy the drama in between. They really do look very nice! Your blog was wonderful, homey and helping us remember as usual what really matters in this world. Things can get bad in this world. But nobody can take away what we believe in and know is good and right. We just have to stay on course and spread all the love and joy and kindness that we believe in and know is the way we should live. With you helping to remind us, we can’t go wrong Have a wonderful time at home, enjoy every minute.
Mary Jane
You know it also happens when I do a new book. When it first comes in, I’m, eeeeeek, what was I thinking???? It takes a month to find it bearable, and about a year later I read it and say, Hey that’s not so bad!😜 Good old cuckoo human nature! xoxo Thank you Mary Jane, for your words of wisdom!
My mom grew up in a teeny, tiny town in Iowa called Early. She went to business school in Sioux City–she lived with a family and did housework to pay for her board. She was barely out of her teens when she came out to live in Hollywood and worked as a legal secretary in Los Angeles. She had a lot of fun in Sioux City!
My mom moved to California too! Funny!
I am so thankful for the happy gene, for kind, encouraging people, for those that are content and thankful for everyday blessings where ever they may be at that moment. So by now you must know that I am so thankful for you Susan. May blessings abound for you!
Welcome home. I’ve been waiting for an update on your drapes. Everything is beautiful. I think I like the no valance look best. You asked my opinion, right? LOL whatever you choose it will be lovely!
Why do I always feel like I’ve gained ten pounds when I read your posts? LOL Because all that delicious food (and this time, Hallowe’en candy to boot!)…
Your cat is so cozy, the curtains are so pretty, the pumpkins are so perky, the children so darling, the historical mementos so precious. Thank you for sharing everything with us!
Glad you and Joe are back safe and sound and that you get to stay and sit for a well-deserved while. Home is where we hang our hearts.
Now that’s not good. I feel like my blog is relatively calorie-free. 🤓 My heart is hung on the moon. And under it, my heart magnet! XOXOXOXO
Happy Fall Y’all
Hello Susan, just what my weary soul needed on this Sunday evening. Thank you!
Hi Susan! Love the new curtains! Your home looks so lovely, warm and cozy! I simply adore Jack! Looking very forward to the new book. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for people like you!
So glad you made it home safe and sound. It was such fun to follow along going and coming. Thanks for all the “tweets”.
You’re doing a great job with the curtains, Changes such as that are really very difficult. Years ago we had dear friends who built a new house, The very talented home owner made beautiful formal draperies for the living room, and when they were in place she realized that they were much too formal for their house and their style. Those beautiful new draperies were sold to a friend, and she made curtains that fit right in with the new home and the decor. Sometimes you just don’t know what is best until you see it in place. XOXO!!
Wrote a long comment about Sioux City Central High School–did it not get published? Was it too long, or did I violate some other rule?
Welcome home Susan. Glad the fall colors waited for you!
Love your post! And am so glad Fall waited for you! Tell Joe the VOTE pumpkin is great! Welcome home!
I love your blog esp. the pictures of Jack . What a cutie.
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree” ~Emily Bronte…
I am so glad autumn held her leaves for you to return home to join in the dance. I love the family history and the pictures and the curtains and the handwork and the recipes (we call the baked potato bar “Irish Sundaes”!) and your writing! Thank you for the delicious eye candy of a post and for taking us all along on the trip out west and back again.
Many Blessings and love to you and Joe! xo ~ Kari
Welcome home!
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” -Nathaniel Hawthorne
I love that quote! I have been in his cousins house, you know, the one with seven gables.
Love the VOTE pumpkin that your Boyfriend For Life made! We are totally going to copy that in the future! We can vote early in our State, but it just doesn’t feel right to do so. We’ll be at our polling place on Tuesday, as usual.
Us too! We only vote early if we’re going to be away . . . otherwise, I WANT that little sticker for my lapel, and LOVE saying hello to our neighbors at the polling place! Have fun Barbara!
How lovely your house looks ,those curtains are gorge.I loved them both ways,so I would be no help. Your Halloween was so exciting, we no longer get any children, because our county does a big Trick or Treat down main street. We went to church for All souls eve, celebrating those that left us in this past year. Our darling Son-in law Chris taken too soon at 47.
So happy you are back on your wonderful island, I live on a small island in Gloucester county. My husband built a road across the marsh in 1968 , so we can get of on high tide. The smell of the salt air is something we all need at times to bring us back to where we came from. Have a great Thanksgiving, we are spending Thanksgiving with my sister and my 92 year old mom. Her mind is foggy, but at times the memory light clicks on, for that we are grateful.Love that you have so many lovely memories of your family. Jack is handsome as ever and Joe oh be still my heart , the kindest and best of men. Waiting for the Christmas blog! A girlfriend: Mary Elizabeth Marshall Lawrence
Loved every word! It must be very cozy in your neck of the woods. Love the thought of your Island! Does it have a name? xoxo
Hi Susan, love that you are the guardian of your family’s history. My favourite voice from the past is a letter written to my mom from her dad when my brother and I were born. Back in 1946 the arrival of twins was often quite the surprise. No one suspected my mom was carrying twins. We were quite small 6 lbs and 6 lbs 3 oz. I never knew my grandfather so having the letter he wrote on the occasion of my birth means a lot to me. He wrote a letter when my sister was born three years earlier and she has it framed.
We had 98 little and not-so-little trick or treaters. The cutest was little Isaac, two years old, who sang happy birthday to our pumpkin. So sweet. Hugs, Elaine
How darling! Would have loved to see that! And the letter written by your grandfather! Priceless! I’m sure he was beside himself!
Hello, so glad you’re home. Love all the pics of your new curtains and Jack.
Susan,
Love to read your books and blog! Hoping you make it to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area sometime too! Wishing you safe travels always!
I so enjoy reading your blog (and your books!!) I so loved hearing about your train travel. We really want to take the train to visit family in Arizona in the next year or two. I know we’d love it. Thanks for taking the time to share your life, home and travels!!
You really know how to live! I enjoy your posts, thank you.
I grew up on flat land in the midwest, but treasure my memories years later of the rolling hills and colorful fall foliage of New England. Thanks for sharing those photos and the events of your household with someone who now lives out in California. Wish I had thought of making a “VOTE” pumpkin – great idea, Joe.
Dear Susan,
Hello from Upstate Western New York! Would love for you to stop and set a spell next time you and Joe are passing through!
So glad you are home safe and sound…..Happy Writing and Happy Nesting!
Hmmm–I think I need new curtains too!!!
Heaven getting a new blog.Love all your new curtains ,so lovely.Like them before and after lol Looks like a very exciting Halloween in your neck of the woods.We
Sending love xoxoxo
We are so blessed to have the right to vote. It’s something we can never take for granted!
And I’m so bad with curtains and decorating that I asked my friend to pick them all out. She did, and I love them. Thank God for friends!
Isn’t that the truth!
A rainy, blustery Sunday in Wisconsin. Friends are out doing GOTV in this weather. Took today off from GOTV and especially, working afternoons helping with early voting. We were Busy! Tomorrow it’s picking up and setting up our equpmentvfro our poll. On Election night, keep an eye on Wisconsin, especially Governor, and the 1st (Randy Bryce, Iron Stasch) and 6th CD (where I live). We could have a change in representation in Congress for the 1st time since the mid 60’s, when I was 9!
After the election, we finally sand and finish our dining room floor. So excited to see it done.
O M GOODNESS, How exciting. I tell you, I have been ANTI-ROLLER COASTER all my life. No no no, not getting on one. But Tuesday, for the first time, I’m getting on for the ride. Its going to be up-down-up-down all night long! Best wishes to you and yours Paulette!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sensible voting on Tuesday! You deserve a good citizen award for speaking up on very important issues that matter. It doesn’t always win friends to speak your mind but we need to have courage, especially now, and you do.
No it’s not winning friends I guess, but women have always been encouraged to keep quiet, and I’m feeling over that now. If you can’t say “vote,” what can you say? Thank you Mimi!
What can I say?
I just LOVE you!!
xo
Well I love you back Debbie! xoxo
I’ve missed your posts. So glad you made it home to Jack and the fall leaves. The colors are just vibrant and beautiful this year. I look forward to more adventures.
We had a wild wind storm last night, then daylight savings, so it got dark ridiculously early tonight and most of the leaves blew off the trees yesterday, so hunkering down is occurring, wood pile is ready, candles ready, cat napping, ready.
Dear Susan – your blog is a true joy to read! And, I’m sure all will agree we need all the joy we can absorb. Consider me grateful!
Thank you Pam!
Welcome back home! It must feel so good…
I love the new curtains and I think your idea of tweaking the livingroom ones is a good idea. I’m sure it’s lovely.
I love your “Vote” pumpkin… such a great idea! Your Halloween pictures are very good (mine look awful…).
I always love reading your posts.
It feels WONDERFUL, to be back where we belong. No tugging by the heart magnet, because we’re HERE!
Oh, dearest Susan! Wow! This just filled my heart! Soooo needed right now! VOTE message…perfect! Curtains…perfect! Recipes & party ideas…perfect! Thank you! Oh thank you…for being you!! All love, as always! Keep well. Faithfully, chris
Faithfully back to you Chris!
Welcome home! Everyone should go out and vote on Tuesday. If you don’t vote you do not get to complain.
Thanks for a wonderful, positive, hopeful post. Your elections have this Canadian’s mind and heart twisted in knots. When I read of the diminishing kindness and the threat of evilness, I need blogs like this to remind me of the wonderful people who live beneath our shared border.
I lived in Mexico long ago, have wonderful Mexican friends. The ones I met and know are soft and gentle, it kills me to hear them called rapists. In Mexico they’ve lived with zero middle class at least since the 70s, and probably waaaay longer than that, there’s SO MUCH corruption amongst the upper class, there’s nothing left for others. Now there’s even support of gangs coming from the powers that be. It’s so unfair. No wonder they want out. But, just to be clear, we do have laws, and people who want to immigrate should obey them. It’s just so understandable why they come though, when you see the violence they are living with, anyone would try to save their children. I think the governments should be working it out. Because they are the ones that caused it. Hold on to your heart Brenda. xoxoxo
Whether I’m a winner or not I love that you include those of us that can’t come to you. Trying to be patient but know there’s a special place for the coming volume. Your home is such a sanctuary-love visiting. Oh, and I’m an early voter.😉. Thanks again for a lovey visit to Susanland.
I haven’t finished savoring your gorgeous photos and heartfelt commentary, but wanted to be sure to be entered in the drawing. Since I live in southern California, I really appreciate all those great photographs of fall color! Thank you, thank you, Susan, for the beauty and joy you add to our lives.
Welcome home! Your dining room looks beautiful, and the curtain in your guest room is lovely. I copied the list of old movies from this year’s calendar (October) and last week watched The More the Merrier on youtube – I had never heard of it. It was so cute!! Loved the Mr. Dingle character, especially. Thanks for making the list!
Wasn’t the porch scene with Jean Arthur and Joel McCrae just the most chemistry you’ve ever seen between two actors? They were adorable! Glad you liked it … that list is FILLED with movies just as charming as this one. Happy winter!
Wonderful post. Thank you so much for being you. And the curtains are beautiful.
How perfect that you quoted Julian of Norwich. Her most famous quote is endlessly comforting. I repeated it to myself, and to my old dog when we sat together during his last summer, and I think there is enough wisdom and challenge there to last me for all of *my* days.
And I do think you made the just right choice on your draperies. I must confess that when I saw them I felt a little pang and thought, They’re very fine but I like the first set even better. But by the time you’d tweaked them and made them your own, they fit you just as well and fit your house and I can imagine that you smile every time you see them, which is the test, isn’t it?
Yes, I agree. We shall see. And if I don’t like them in a year, I will bring the sewing machine downstairs and MAKE new ones at my dining room table!! Ha ha ha! That has always worked best for me!
Welcome home, Susan (& Joe),
I just soak up every word you write. You inspire me so. Kindred spirits, I felt, from time I was introduced to you years ago. Rage has consumed me & hopelessness has tried to sneak in & take residence since early 2016. I am so disheartened by the state of our country…the hate, gun violence, racism, the darkness in so many lost souls led by the evil leaders our country. I’ve already mailed in my ballot & I pray that good trumps evil this Tuesday. Thank you for speaking out.
There are so many clear-eyed women with HUGE experience running for office this time. It’s thrilling! I love listening to them concentrate on the issues. My hopes are with them. Nothing will happen over night, we were in trouble long before Trump, with all this anonymous money in our politics. We forget to look deeply sometimes, but it’s more than one man. However THIS man, has driven the wedge between us deeper than I’ve ever seen in. I doesn’t have to be that way, we have so much more in common than our differences. If he would please quit saying that Democrats (and Independents) want “open borders.” That would be a start.
Susan your post about finding the money in the bottom of your purse with your dads birth year on it reminded me of a similar happening to me. I was out walking the hills a month after my daddy’s death and I happened to find four perfect arrowheads on one walk! It was too surreal! I just knew the angels and my dad were with me that day. My daddy taught me the love of finding Indian artifacts when I was a young girl and I had never had that good of luck before. The feeling I received that precious fall day brought me so close to my dad! Your ordeal gave me that same “feel” again! Love,Marilyn
HOW WONDERFUL! My dad loved old coins, but he also had a small collection of arrowheads. What a find! They will never leave us! xoxo
Dear Susan,
Thank you for sharing you. So many things I want to say. Although I love every blog this one especially. The family history makes me want to talk to my Grandma more then ever. I was reading this to John and kept having to stop because my tears were blurring my vision. I would think opening your Mom’s box was both comforting and sad at the same time. Just typing that last sentence makes me choke up.
Thank you again!
So many emotions, just as you say, awe, admiration, bittersweet. LOVE realizing how connected to family they were, the pride in family ~ they had to work so hard to leave information for us (no computers to make it easy). None of them left behind “stuff” ~ just memories, connections, letters, a homemade dishtowel, a recipe card, the important things. For those of us who’ve lost so much of our history, instead of lamenting the loss, we can start NOW for the future. Pull our families together through our history. Thank you Sheryl!
Hello, Susan, and welcome back! I am so glad you had pretty leaves to return to; here in southwestern New York State we didn’t get much color this year. By the way, I think your curtains are gorgeous, and I cannot wait for your new book.
My you’ve been busy! Enjoy the sweetness of home 💗
Hello Susan,
Love your posts and observations. Your books are like a warm cup of tea to me!
Welcome home, the trees look lovely autumn is my favourite season. I never know if my comments make it on the blog or not… and I realise you have probably made up your mind about the curtains, but I was wondering is a plain pelmet might be nice, something to match the ground of the floral curtains? We have lovely upholstered pelmets and they are a beige with a vey subtle stripe of varying widths… we have plain white curtains and they look good to me a mix of pattern and plain seems to work well.
That’s a nice idea!
I love your post. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Welcome home Susan and Joe. I am so glad you are back on the east coast. Love, love, your new curtains and the pink room. Cannot wait for the new book and to read about your last trip. Happy Autumn! Marian
I have followed your trip every day/every twitter. Such fun! Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip. To say I would like to win this drawing is a little understated…..I would LOVE to have/read this First Chapter!
Hello from Alabama! We love our leaves here too! So glad you are helping to get out the vote!
I love following your “tweets from the twain”. It really makes me want to make that journey. So much to see and enjoy from your cozy little cabin. ❤️ What a great time of year to do it! Our fall leaves are staying around too! Such an amazing gift! We usually get big fall storms that blow them off of the trees, but not so far 👍🏼🍂
Tell Joe his pumpkin was such a great idea!! Clever boy. 😊
I love Politifact. They always are so helpful at getting you to the truth. And I can’t wait to read the book!!
Love the fall – the colors, the smells – especially burning logs or leaves, the caw of the crows, the chill in the air, which fades into winter and Christmas! Such a wonderful time of year.
This year I have chosen to focus not on national politics (though I did my civic duty and voted) as I don’t have much influence there, but on my neighborhood and community where I can have a positive impact and find common ground. Strong communities make for a strong country. I refuse to let the negative national discord which would have us believe there is no common ground to color my love for my fellow countrymen and my beloved country.
SO important, local politics, I think we forget sometimes. I urge everyone to check on their state Attorneys General, corruption here can be a nightmare, they have HUGE power over our lives and they’re often overlooked. You can find out who yours is HERE . . . Then Google him and find out what kind of job he’s done, what he stands for, and who’s running against him. I love your last sentence, so positive. You go girl!
enjoying your curtain drama … we are working on the same sort of home project at the moment (less drama but many questions)
and beyond happy that the autumn leaves were kind enough to wait for your return …
happy november 🙂
So good to hear from you again, Susan. Love your beautiful curtains. Nothing like being home in New England for Autumn.
So right!
I was really feeling Fall today, and I pulled your book Autumn off my shelf and read it cover to cover. It was so much fun to read again! And it got me wondering what you might be up too, and I found your blog through Google. Such a treat! Keep up the wonderful work you do. I enjoy your art and your words so much. Thank you. 🙂
Thank you Kim! Happy to see you here!
I love the new curtains. It’s such a pretty, soft pattern. Do you feel like you don’t have as much of a window view…does that make sense??
It’s more about the light actually, because it is a bit darker, but considering the time of year, that’s okay. I might take them down in the spring, just for the joy of it!
Yes, cozy and perfect for winter! 😉
I do like your new curtains and the changes you made to them like lowering valances and removing added decorations. They look very English. The flannel lining is an added bonus. Joe’s VOTE pumpkin is very nice too. Welcome back to your cozy home in time for winter. Enjoyed your post, Susan.
I love your books and your outlook – would love to win a chapter!
I enjoy all your adventures and stories! I love your new curtains and it makes me think about making some new ones for my home! Thank you for being you! And I’ve already absentee voted! 🙂
Hi Susan,
Thank you for sharing your life/love story with each of us. Your post was just what I needed tonight. My mom passed away in 2016 and I miss her so much! Today was an emotional day, missing mom and my dad as I celebrated my oldest daughter’s 29th birthday today. The holidays are coming which makes me all the more emotional and full of memories. When I read your posts or books I feel a kindred spirit to my mom. I think you and my mom would have been wonderful friends! Thank you for sharing your life with me and all the other women who see a kindred spirit in you!
That’s a very sweet compliment, Amy. xoxoxo
Happy to see your most looked forward to blog was new today. Thank you, loved your
fall leaves, curtains, recipes, Joe’s voting pumpkin, about your Grandmother, recipes and
all the fun well chucked letter to us all.
Thank you Roma!
Susan, the dining room looks great, the drapes are perfect! not so sure about the living room…I love the cozy chairs and pillows on the cozy couch but the drapes – a bit too much.
You must let us see it after your changes are made!
I remember walking on your street back in september and can only imagine how fun it must have been Halloween night!
We look forward to it every year!
Thank you, Susan for the beautiful fall photos, for the Halloween party, and so much more. Where do you get your energy, I want some!
Thank you for sharing your week with us. I so enjoy reading the blog – it is just like reading from one of your books, which I have read and re-read, with joy. I am so looking forward to the next book. Your home and life are what I have always dreamed of for me.
Welcome home !!! It’s always the best feeling to walk in the house and smell what you’ve been missing !! There’s something soothing about walking around all your “things” and seeing them again !! “Hello” kitchen, “Hello”, garden, “Hello” all of my life !!! You and Joe have created a beautiful cozy place – now you get to nest again !! Enjoy every minute ! I made this sampler years ago and look at it with a grateful heart each day ! It says -” To know how sweet your home can be -just go away but keep the key.” Blessings !
It has been a while since I have posted! Thank you for the positive influence
you radiate to all your readers! And gentle nudge you have given me to finally hang the curtains we purchased from Country Curtains when they went out of business two years ago! We have been too busy painting walls.(They have been in storage awaiting their debut. )Life and its star is rising! The show must go on!! Our living room will ring in New Year 2019 with a better frame of mind, (I mean windows) and outlook on our world, I am sure! They, like yours, have a floral motif, and will bring sunny spring inside while winter lingers! I cannot wait to hang them!
Your travel to California and back has prompted my husband ( a real train buff and model railroad railroader) to revisit a long overdue visit to our son in San Diego! What an adventure, as it was giving birth to this babe, the first of four sons, thirty years ago this December.! Your fearless, joie de vivre is contagious, and makes me a braver and better person for knowing you through your blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love you lots!
It’s wonderful to have a big change in the house, especially going into a new season! Thank you Jean, for your sweet words. xoxoxo
I was surprised to see your grandmother’s high school diploma from Sioux City, Iowa. I live just 7 miles to the north of sioux city and work at the Unity Point hospital there on 27th and Pierce St. Summit St is just 7 blocks to the south. What a small world!! Love your posts and pictures!
My mom was born there, too, I’ve always felt very connected. Thank you Renee!
What a lovely Halloween you had! Thanks for all you share. I love traveling vicariously with you and Joe. And so happy to see Jack waiting patiently for you!
Susan,
Thanks for the wonderfully complete update. I join the other girlfriends in praising Joe for the “VOTE” pumpkin carving. What a guy! Here’s hoping everyone who is eligible to vote and has registered actually votes.
Since Jack didn’t make a blog appearance until over halfway thru your blog, I was at first afraid something had happened to him. Was so relieved to see His Cuteness relaxing amid the curtain activities and Halloween prep. Loved the “evil eye” picture.
Your grandmother’s HS diploma is remarkably official. Documents like this were so impressive–presentation folder, flowing signatures, etc. They knew how to do things “back in the day.” It wasn’t a throw away culture then.
By the way, have you seen the new PBS program with Penelope Keith traveling through various small English towns and villages? A few weeks ago the Lake District was featured. Each trip is extremely interesting.
Last, thanks for all you do to focus us on the good and worthwhile people, memories, and values in our lives and our communities. You’re a real blessing to many.
Peace,
Lois from Westchester
They knew how to make them in the old days. Good leaf on a leather cover, can you imagine!? We’ve watched the entire Penelope Keith series and say only one thing: More! Just heard VICTORIA returns for new season on Jan 13!!! Thank you so much Lois, always nice to hear from you!
It’s always like getting a gift, clicking on your icon and finding a new post! Love the pictures, love the prose, love the music. Welcome home.
And the gift I get is hearing back from you. xoxoxo
I love your new curtains! The changes you made are perfect. And you are going to stay home for a year and a half. Is anyone taking bets?
I’m writing a book! 🤣 Have to stay near the art table. I’ll go for a day or something, but none of this England or California wildness for a while!
It sounds like you had a great Halloween! I love to travel vicariously with you and Joe, such great photos and stories. And how wonderful that Jack was waiting patiently for you. Welcome home!
North, South, East, West I love your blogs about HOME the best.
Love the “vote” pumpkin and the English curtains! Glad you are safely home! All good things to you!
Thank you for being, you. I find most of my friends have given up on many of the things I still love to do, such as gardening, cooking from scratch and my animals. So glad my husband shares my loves, also. We still farm in the middle of Illinois and love our farm life.
Reading your blog is always a bright spot in my day. Please continue.
We had a cat that looked just like Jack. Our girls named her Miss Emily Pickles and was a delight to have.
I can’t imagine living without the comforts of the home arts! xoxo
So glad your home for awhile! Loved following your travels. Looking forward to the new book. Love the new curtains and the changes you made. Hope to be a winner.
Ah, Susan…..you never fail to inspire and encourage. The world is a more beautiful place because of you.
So sweet Pam! Thank you! xoxo
I needed this, Susan! Thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding us of the hope and joy in the world and sending you and Joe lots of love and so many good thoughts always! We have to be brave and you help me a lot in that area!
So lovely that you are back to your island!
So love to read your blog! It always brings a smile to my face. I to love Halloween and all the kids in their costumes. Can’t wait for the new book. I would love a sneak peek at the first chapter, please enter me into the drawing.
Thanks, Denise
Welcome home. It lovely to say and hear those words. Thank you and Joe for reminding us us of the privilege and responsibility of voting. Our heritage has given us much to celebrate and to pass on to future generations.
Just love your curtain saga. I think we share the same faith in our decorating skills. When we built our new living room addition, I left it white primer for almost five years. I must have purchased a zillion color samples and brought home even more chip cards. And one whirlwind weekend I selected a dark sagey green and we painted the whole 500 sq foot room in one day. And I love it! And, while we were at it – the adjoining dining room went from white primer to pinky peach. From no color to COLORFUL. Sometimes it just takes a leap of faith. Love the vote pumpkin. This former voter who only thought about elections on election day has been hosting phone banks and postcard writing parties in the peach dining room for months now. I know it is asking a lot, but I am hoping it all starts a return to civility.
What a good girl Maryellen, your hopes are mine. If we could get rid of the lies, I think we’d stand a chance. Maybe the next two years everyone could concentrate on how to find unbiased sources of information. I love C-Span for that, BBC is good too. None of them perfect, so I look for consensus, when 5 or 6 decent sources are saying the same thing. C-Span is great.
Thanks for the post!! I needed some sweet and beautiful in my life today. I thought the curtains were lovely but you know you and your house best, may they bring you many years of happiness. Glad you have gotten to experience some fall. The leaves were short lived here in Kentucky. A huge wind and rain storm swept most of them away. Happy holidays as they are fast approaching!!!
What a beautiful post filled with joy and hope. Thank you for this wonderful gift!
Susan, you LOOK like your young grandmother in the bathing-beauties photo! It’s amazing!
I agree, they look like twins….beautiful ladies.
Thank you for the chance to win! I love your work and find it inspiring for my own.
Welcome home!
So nice to be all tucked up in my own bed with a cozy read and your beautiful home to look at.
Hello Susan,
I’ve enjoyed all your books so much. I’m really looking forward to your next one. Your blog is inspiring- thanks for sharing your life! Curtains…👍
I check your blog every Sunday and was so happy to see your beautiful home, Joe carving pumpkins, Jack nestled on your new curtains, and your Halloween trick or treaters and celebrations. I love that Joe got a kiss for carving VOTE on his pumpkin.
You two are so much fun and bring so much happiness by sharing your lives with us, your readers. Thank you, Susan.
will there be a “pre-order” soon for the new book? Can’t wait!!!
When I get more of it done, I’ll put it up! Thank you Joan!
Hello. What a wonderful blog. Thank you Susan.
Welcome home Susan, will new wallpaper be available soon in your ‘free stuff’ also has aWilliard gone out lately, I haven’t received one in a while. Give jack a pet for me😻
Need to do a WILLARD too! I’ll ask Kellee to put up the wallpaper, thank you for the reminder!