Hello all, Welcome! I hope you all got your WILLARD (if you didn’t, don’t worry, you will, it’s going out today but it takes three days for them all to go). I wanted to have everything ready for you when you got here, so yes, in the vernacular of the day, I’ve been “tidying up!” I have lots to show you, but let’s start with the little things that make life sweet with background MUSICA perfect to energize us for the job ahead . . . 
I love this time of year! Time has slowed down, a lovely long January is gone . . . our Island outside my window is cold blue sky, leafless trees, old houses, quiet and colorless (except for the cardinals, our flying Valentines), and in complete healing-mode from the Summer onslaught. No cars going by, no one on our walk in the morning but us. 😁
If you read my last post, you’ll see my sideboard looks very different than it did over Christmas! I’ve been putting my house back together. It was fun decorating with all the holiday stuff 🎄, I was a little sad to see it go, but then felt huge relief to have it all gone! It’s usually around the 5th of 
January, when suddenly all the sparkly, pine-needly things I LOVED in December, begin to drive me crazy. The wreaths on the kitchen doors block the light and drop needles every time we go in or out, then leave a Hansel and Gretel pine-needle trail from the kitchen to the studio. Time to say goodbye to the old year, and hello to the new. The tree came down (we don’t drag it through the house because then vacuuming takes forever ~ Joe takes the branches off to keep the mess confined, and tosses everything out the window!), ornaments were boxed up, bows and ribbons are back in the attic, dusty mistletoe is gone from the doorways, my house is peaceful and quiet with only the sound of wood falling to ash in the fireplace, joy is sparked to the nth degree! 
So, in case you can’t tell, we’ve been watching Tidying Up with Marie Condo. Have you seen it? It’s about a woman who loves to organize, she wrote a book about it, I think more than one, and now has a show on Netflix where she comes to people’s homes and teaches them how to de-clutter their things. Watching someone else clean is inspiring ~ and it’s catching! It makes you want to jump up and get organized ! My eyes suddenly see the chaos around us. How can we live this way!!! If you need help getting going I highly recommend it. Even Joe’s gotten into it and that’s saying something!
She has all sorts of tips ~ she teaches people how to fold things into tiny packages (something I will never do because I choose speed over neatness), and file them on their sides in boxes in drawers to make them more visible. Which was thrilling to see, because it meant I was doing something right!! I’ve always done Joe’s shirts that way (except for the tiny-package folding!) . . .
. . . filed them in a row so he can see the logos and know what he’s getting into without unfolding. It’s not perfect or tiny, but Joe loves it!
I don’t know if it was Marie, or if it was because it was January, but as I was cleaning up the Christmas things, suddenly I couldn’t stand to see boxes or bags parked conveniently next to a wall, did not care for piles of books anywhere but in the bookcases, didn’t want to see folded market bags piled on my little red kitchen chair, or any little bits and pieces dropped here and there that added up to clutter. 🚫 I needed clean walls I could walk up to like a starving man needs a ham sandwich. I couldn’t even work until I got this house under control!
I did it! Everything’s in its place (well, not everything!) with sunshiny face . . . now it’s February (rabbit-rabbit💛) and I’m back to work! Of course, now my studio is a complete mess because as you know creating is not neat, but the rest of the house is heaven. All my best intentions fulfilled, lightheartedness returned!
Most of my table tops have barely anything on them! It won’t last long, but right now I see this and go “Ommmmmm.”
Candlesticks & votives, glass, wood and brass, are sorted and put away, Christmas 
books are back in the hutch, tablecloth and napkins are starched and ironed, on hangers, in the front closet, floors are swept and vacuumed, we’re dusted and ready for the next event. I think of my house sort of like a movie set . . . once Christmas is put away, everything is organized, I leave it smooth and plainly cozy until the next season or event, then I change the throw pillows, add flowers, bunnies, bunting, garden books, and voila! It’s spring!
There’s a big difference between clutter, and decorated. I do not see these shelves as cluttered! I think it’s because everything up there gets used on a fairly regular basis. I could never be a minimalist and hide everything away. Serious minimalism looks heartless to me. Life is too short not 
to set out my Beatrix Potter figurines, hang my teacups on hooks, fold cute dishtowels over the handles of my stove, or put a paper calendar on the wall in my kitchen. Real life is not going to allow me to hide away our family photos, or baskets of rosy apples, or old quilts just for some crazy fashion that will change in an hour anyway!
I wrote about it in my Girlfriends Book. How when I was 11 or 12 I would try and get my girlfriends to play, “Let’s go home and decorate our bedrooms.” A game I mostly ended up playing all by myself! I still redecorate the way I wrote about here . . . and put back one “joy bringer” at a time.
Marie suggested that as we sort, we shouldn’t be looking for things we want to throw out, instead we should look for things we want to keep! It does make it easier! Gather everything into a pile, keep just the things you love and get rid of the rest! She sees organizing as a spiritual endeavor … believing there’s a divine spirit in everything. It feels like that to me. A sort of gratitude for all we’ve been given. It reminds me of a quote I put in my Autumn book by Joe Friday (respected elder of the Alaskan Yup’ik Eskimos) . . . who’s gone now but should should be remembered for this lovely thing:
So glad to the wood. Everything is related. Touch one thing, you touch it all. I say thank you as I oil my wooden cutting board, imagining the people who made it, remembering all that chopping for all those dinner parties, as I oil the wooden handles on my old pots and pans,
and my wooden cooking spoons (my dad made the one with my name on it 💞 ). I want them to last forever. I starch and iron my curtains, shine my windows, make my stove sparkle with plain hot water, refold my old quilts, and dust my bookcases. Because things we use every day have character. Makes me happy.
These things aren’t just merchandise, part of a throw-away world. They’re gifts. When my Grandma died, the only thing I asked for, since I had always gotten her very best when she was alive, was the old wooden spoon she used to scramble her eggs and mix her cookie dough. Because that spoon had her in it. That spoon and my grandma had cross-pollinated their DNA, while alone in the kitchen, beating brown sugar, butter, and walnuts, a long time ago.
It’s why I love old things and that includes this old house of creativity filled with kindly ghosts of the past. As I was tidying up, it was easy to know which of our things “sparked joy” as Marie says, and which ones made me sing out, 🎵 Yaaaard Saaaale 🎶 as I packed up boxes to go. Our busy lives and this modern world do not naturally provide us with the peace and sustenance we need to grow, space for creating, a gentleness for our families. But we can make it for ourselves. We have all the power. As the Chinese proverb says, “Outside noisy, inside empty.”
One more thing, in case you find yourself in a cleaning-emergency on a day when deep tidying and tiny folding is not going to be possible, with possibly just ten minutes to clean your house for guests, here’s what you do:
So, in-between the tidying up, what have I been doing in my studio? Lots. I guess I should say, “we.” We’ve been busy!
Here’s the other half of “we,” my partner-in-crime who plunks his righteous self down in the middle of my art table any time he wants and gives me this look. Like, “What?” Requires belly rub, many kisses. Petty pet of my dreams.
I made a soft little embroidered doll of Jack. Put his heart on the outside. Gave him a little quilt all his own. He’s only 6″ tall (extremely gentle, for children) ~ he and his quilt will come in a sewing/embroidery kit. We’ll have the kit in the web store soon, so some little child out there, maybe yours, can put Jack to bed someday. ♥️
And a quick update, for all of you who pre-ordered and are waiting patiently for your little vases, butter dishes, tea bag holders, and all the others, we are being told to expect them soon. I keep asking, when, when, when, they keep saying soon, soon, soon 😜 . . . so have faith and know the SECOND they arrive, yours will be first to go!! We won’t forget! Soothing MUSICA to make you forget. 🎵 And this:
And, despite kitty distraction in the Studio, new cups are on the way! At the end of the last post I asked everyone what cups they’d like to see and did the best I could to make you happy! So here we go: Four new cups, Fine Bone China, made in England, coming late March! This one, the large 16 oz, is “Bella Luna!” For all you moon-watchers like me! 💛
Every time you use it you can wish on a shooting star! I never painted a shooting star before!
The moon and constellations in a sea of stars . . .
And here is brand new Cup #Two, “Home Sweet Home” . . . this is for you who love the smaller, 11 oz. size, a bunting-draped celebration of . . .
Here’s the side, says it all.
Here is the other side…. a little house of my own . . .
And here is the cute handle! These are only paper mockups, I promise the real things will look much better!
And #3, You all asked, so Yes! A great big 16 oz. Birthday Cup! Because everyone has a birthday and what would be a better celebration than “Having your cake and eating it too?”
There is singing . . .
. . . balloons, a hat, and suggestions for fun!
And another perky handle! Happy Birthday Girlfriends! 🎈
And one more large, 16 oz. cup, due to popular demand, it’s the “English Corgi” cup . . .
With the perfect T.S. Eliot quote surrounded by blue forget-me-nots:
An empire of imagination!
And the side . . . complete with Union Jacks, lamb and castle.
And would not be complete without an English rose on the handle.🌹
And, extra exciting news, guess what? For the first time, the actual BBC website is going to carry one of my cups, this one! For their print catalog and web store! And also my book, A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside! So honored! Secretly extra-thrilled as it is one step closer in my diabolical plan to get to the National Trust. Would love for them to carry my book someday. At least now we’re in the same neighborhood! 🇬🇧 👍
They’re already in production in England, and up for Pre-sale now… as you know, I try to make sure there’s enough for everyone, it helps so much when you pre-order, that way, when I give the factory final numbers, I’m fairly sure everyone who wants one will get one! I usually add on some extra for those who forget, but sooner or later they’re gone. So if you have a special birthday coming in September, be sure to think about it now!
Movie News: I keep promising you an update on the “movie” ~ the project in the works to get my book Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams onto the big (or even little) screen … and every time I think I will just blab what I know, the person working to make it happen sweetly warns me not to!!! 🎬 Grrrr. So all I can say is that it’s still a possibility. Which is better than saying it isn’t! Seems so easy! Movie about starting over, woman and three cats in darling cottage in woods? What could be better? Just say Yes!
Okay, back to the drawing board, 🎨 but before I go . . . I was thinking, what would be a really special giveaway for today? I thought of the perfect thing, then another idea popped up, then another, I didn’t know which to do! I finally gave up and decided to do all three! It’s almost Valentine’s Day! 💖 All you have to do to enter is leave a comment at the bottom of this post (click at the tiny word “comment”), and you’ll be automatically entered for all three gifts! In a few days, Vanna, our resident “Random Number Generator” will draw the names of three lucky winners and I’ll announce them here. So, here’s giveaway number one, very rare . . .
A brand new copy of Girlfriends Forever! When I find out the winner’s name, I’ll personalize it before I send it. They’ve been out of print for a long time, but during my “Tidying Up” phase, I found a small pile of these books in the back of a closet! Buried treasure! And timely, because what could be better for a Girlfriend’s Valentine than a book about best friends! You may have one, but perhaps a special Valentine girlfriend of yours doesn’t! So anyway, this one’s for YOU, and Sheri put the others in our web store for however long they last!
And then I was walking by my newly decorated stove shelf, and was suddenly reminded of this timeless Valentine . . . charming old words I found carved on a stone on a dovecote in England.
Here’s a closer view! Giveaway #2, Love Stays!
And, last but not least, this luv-lee 16 oz, fine bone china cup that asks, “Have I told you lately that I love you?” Is there a better Valentine Message? This one will be going out to some lucky winner in honor of our Girlfriend Dee Lamphear and her husband Brad 💞, to celebrate their forever love and happy marriage.💖
This is the back . . . it says it all, cup-wise, winter-wise and love-wise.
So don’t forget to leave a comment! Remember, you have much better chance of winning here than if you played the lottery!💖
Last but not least, here’s a delicious recipe to help keep your house warm . . . I wish I could send out smells from my computer, so when you opened my page on a freezing cold morning you’d find the cozy smell of baking biscuits. That’s how you would know it’s me. I wish someone would invent that. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, you’ll have to make them for yourself!
Make them in heart-shaped pans and they’re the perfect Valentine gift.
Cut them in half, toast them, add orange marmalade or yummy Christmas Jam and bring them to a lucky Valentine near you. For more Valentine’s ideas, plus a link to get a Valentine Bookmark, go HERE.
If you haven’t signed up to receive my Blog in your mailbox, and you’d like that, or you’d like to surprise your mom, sister, grandma, or best friend, please go HERE.
Winter is king of intimate delights, Enjoy the quiet, light the candles, make a fire, pull on toasty socks, feed the birds, eat hot biscuits. Life is good. Have a wonderful day Girlfriends, kindred spirits. Bake and stay warm! More surprises in the next blog!
Oh my goodness! I feel like I just came home again reading your blog and Willard! It’s been a while and I have missed your sweet thoughts and happy words sooo much! Most people in this modern world don’t understand the good feeling of simple happiness and down home thoughts! I’m over the top excited about a new book and a possible movie. Thank you dear friend who doesn’t know me, you brought me out of the hectic life and back to my happy place! 😃
Kisses! xoxo
Dear Sue, So many people I talk to are doing the Tidying Up thing. So I found my book and read it. While reading I was doing lots of tidying and organizing and loving it. I fractured my right shoulder while skating on our lake so I had to do a modified version. Thanks for your lovely and inspiring letter to us all. So nice to read and savor it this evening. With love from your friend Crystal from Cannon Falls
My daughter and I binged tidying up than I told my other daughters! I have the book but there was something about seeing it that brought it to life! I not only found 10 pairs of pants that I couldn’t button but sheets for a full size bed I no longer have! I also use her methods when I visit charity shops I ask does this spark joy before I BUY! I will say I found joy in your moon gazing mug and I am going to preorder tonight! Your blog posts bring me joy😁
I’m another of your fans so looking forward to your next book. One of my favorite things about your blogs is that they are lovely and LONG !
Reading your blog makes me feel warm and cozy. What a treat after a long, exhausting day.
I always smile when I see your name show up in my inbox. I am going to clean a very messy closet right now!
I just read your blog and Willard. I loved seeing how you are cleaning up, giving your lovely spoons special treatment and enjoying your coziness. Your new cups are beautiful. And how very special that you found a stack of your out-of-publish books. It would be a wonderful treat to someday win a giveaway of yours. Your writing is so very uplifting.
Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️! Beautiful post as always ! Congrats on the bbc carrying. Your corgi mug! Everything is so pretty and luv the lemon 🍋 biscuit recipe! Would luv the girlfriends book 📚 or love mug! And looking forward to the new book and movie 🍿! Keep spreading the love and good vibrations ! 😊👍💕
Oh I love the corgi mug! We survived the Polar Vortex and had our pipes freeze in 3 places. PLUS we had a burst pipe and with all that crazy wind – our door froze open from all the water squirting and freezing! It was absolutely insane. We are terrified to get our gas bill for this month. Can you imagine the below zero days and a door frozen open?! not far, only maybe 2 inches but oh man was it cold in my kitchen. All is fine now and we are back to normal. I took photos to show people how I had a 7 inch long icicle hanging from my doorknob inside my house. It was the size of a fat carrot hanging from my door handle. Craziness. A winter to remember. Wondering how many others had similar experiences.
Loved this! Thank you for the joy!
Thank you for the recipe, they sound delicious 💕 it’s mid-summer here in New Zealand but I’ll be trying these soon xx
Susan, I am thrilled with all your artwork….and just love the new Birthday mug! I have a young Kitty named Fiona, who looks so much like your Jack, we just love her to pieces! Your girlfriends book is wonderful, and I love all your cookbooks too! Happy February to you, and stay warm!
Such a cozy read on a blizzard midwestern day!
Are we having problems posting our messages? I don’t see mine as others were also concerned about? Is there a significant delay? Sorry, never happened before.
It’s because so many are coming in at a time, and I want to read them, so they don’t go up until I do! If you left another comment, I’m sure you’ll find it as we go along!
My heart smiles when I get an email that you have posted. Your words are sweet and I love your pictures of your house and kitty. I would be honored to win anything from such an inspiring writer and artist.
So enjoyed getting “caught up” on your blog today! And now I’m signed up to get updates in my inbox. yay!
Happy Valentine’s Day dear Sue n’ Joe, lovebirds forever! Love your blog, love who you are. ❤️
Have resisted buying the tidying up book. After reading this blog, I’ve been guilted into it!!
HA HA, this is a no-guilt zone!!! xoxo
Dear Susan,
My name is Jenny Cockburn from Canberra, Australia. I have been a fan of yours for years now. I have all your books and love reading them over and over again. They make me feel happy. I look forward to purchasing your new book soon.
Lots of Love Jenny xx
Hello down there Jenny! You’re heading into fall soon! I hope it’s a beautiful one!
Pick me, pick me, tweedle dee dee!
I have admired your artwork for many years, and so enjoy your writing. Thank you for making my day! I also am an Anglophile, loving all things about England. And I also am smitten with everything that Gladys Taber wrote — her books helped me through some difficult times when I was younger.
Well, this is our fourth “snow day” (officially translated that means “no school” and many businesses closed) in the last two weeks. Today was a dreary, rainy, snowy, and icy day with very difficult travel. I love winter and winter sports, but this weather makes outside sports nearly impossible. I was delighted when I found that my “Willard” had arrived today. That made everything better and it filled me with optimism and inspiration. Thank you, Susan for bringing a smile to my face!
What a pleasant read on this cold and icy winter’s day…thanks for a little ray of sunshine.
Great blog post and wonderful new mug designs, the moon one is really special 🌜💕
Consider this me purchasing my lottery ticket for your giveaway! Crossing my fingers that I win one of your luvlee gifts!
Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Susan, hope the rest of your Winter is lovely and peaceful, thanks for the Willard newsletter, the blog, all the many, many things you do. BTW,the new cups are beautiful. Wishing you all good things to come this year
❤️ Your site your posts make me smile, it’s the little things in life that make it special
I always so glad to hear from you-you inspire me to paint. Thank you for sharing your artist talents and your humor!
You’re making me excited for Valentin’s Day. I think I’ll try the biscuits!
Love your blog.
Thank you for sharing your artistic talents and for your humor. You always inspire me to paint.
Valentine Greetings!
The new mugs are lovely!
I’m thinking I better gear up the Netflix and start organizing! Ive heard lot’s about the show…I think I avoided it…fear I’d be overwhelmed! Lol.
Thanks for getting me into looking around my home for things that bring me joy!
Susan, I love the Home Sweet Home mug. It’s perfect.
And a perfect contest too!! Happy February. ❤
Somehow you even manage to make post-holiday winter sound charming! And your bout of deep cleaning inspire me!
OMG! I have been watching Marie Kondo as well! Tidying up all over the place. HaHaHa. I tried folding things into tiny packets, but I, like you, would rather go speedy so I can spend my time on quilting and being creative. I dumped out my whole utensil drawer and wiped down all the little compartments (how did they get so yucky???) I sorted out and put everything back but one cheese grater…apparently it did not bring me joy! Then I spent the rest of the morning going back and opening the drawer and admiring it! So silly. Every time i opened it I would giggle and talk to myself. It’s funny how much christmas decor brings us joy but then gets to us after the holidays. Leaner and cleaner surfaces have an appeal all their own. I am ashamed to admit that my little tree in my front living room is still up. Things have been all topsy turvy here since we lost my Mom-in-law so soon after Christmas. We have been working at her house trying to clean out a life time full of stuff. So sad. I promised myself I would take it down this weekend.
Have fun in your house of creativity…We all benefit from your efforts!
Fingers crossed for that movie.
Love, Mary
P.S. I’m trying out a new craft, punch needle embroidery. I love the look of it.
No joy spark on the cheese grater! Ha ha! I understand the topsy turviness! Love hearing from you Mary!
Wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day 💕
~~just read a comment from Pat Dorwin remembering you at Conner Prairie. I remember that and more recently when you were in Asheville, NC! LOVE receiving WILLARD and now the new format! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hello and Happy New Year, Susan!
I have been away from the blog for a bit, so this was a lovely “Welcome Back” post. As usual, it quieted my mind and made me smile.
You are a blessing, dear!
Katherine
Hello Susan
Thank you for each & every precious memory & trip you take me on! I💝ve reading everything you write. It truly makes my💟smile.
Thank you for adding some sunshine ☀️ to my inbox today! I’ve been getting Willard for quite awhile now, but totally excited to start receiving your blog emails! Oh happy day! 🍃🌸🌿
Each one gets better! Thank you.
I never see any of my comments. Boo- Hoo😢 where do they go???
They’re here! xoxo
Your post was a bright spot of loveliness on a blustery day. I haven’t watched the show but I read Marie’s book several years ago. I’m in the process of getting my house ready to sell. We’ve lived here for 18 years and accumulated quite a lot! I’m using her techniques to declutter and pare down but I know I’ll never be a minimalist.
pls put my name in for drawing. I am totally confused by new “Willard instructions” so hope by doing nothing will continue to receive your blog. You are listed under my “favorites” and that is how I receive the blog. I am really not up to date on all this computer stuff – (too old I guess – 84 yrs) – but I love reading everything and hope it doesn’t disappear!!!
I think you’ll be fine Joan, if not, you know where to find me! xoxo
How wonderful it was to see “Willard” in my inbox! I had missed your cheery and beautiful newsletter. Happy Valentines Day to you !
Hello Susan -thanks for the wonderful post. I needed it after tumbling on the ice twice yesterday -seems to have straightened out all my aches and pains -lol!
Back at it today and made good progress. I’ve been hoping for winter and now we have it:) More snow and less ice would be good. I LOVE snow -esp when baking bread and making soup, sewing valentines -so cozy. Hope all is well at your cozy home too.. I Konmaried my frig. yesterday -now the food even looks more appealing Love the new mugs. Happy Valentine’s to you and Joe and Jack from Peggy in Madison Wi
Be careful! xoxo
Greetings Susan! Your tidying up column was perfectly timed as I spent the afternoon starting a clean out of 20 years of basement “treasures.” Hope you are staying warm in marvelous Martha’s Vineyard! I read today that Chilmark Chocolates was closing after 33 years. We visited their island store two years ago and were sad that we picked a day when they were not open for business. We missed out! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Joe, and Jack!
You spark joy! Happy nesting season!
Another good one-always a joy 🙂 The Lemon Pepper Tea Biscuits look like Saturday morning!
Oh my goodness Susan, I have NO IDEA what took me so long to find your blog but so glad I am here now. I read “your 3 story books” one right after the other this fall and for some reason didn’t get on your mailing list until now. I have loved your art for years and it was so fun to read about your whole life from CA to your life with your man. : ) Look forward to more adventures with you.
A post from you always brightens my day.
Thank you so much for iviting us in to share your happy life. Your email is like a shiny “Restart” button.
Thanks for the directions on how to subscribe to your blog. I’ve always wondered what that symbol was!
Of course you have caught the tidying up bug too! It is very inspiring, but I like the way you balance tidiness and hyggeness (is that a word?!). Hope you have a lovely love filled Valentines Day ❤️
Oh Susan! Just love reading your blog! I pour myself a cup of coffee, get a piece of chocolate and sit down to read and enjoy your beautiful stories!
Happy Valentines Day
I can’t wait for your new book! I loved the others. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Oh Susan! Love reading your blog! I get myself a cup of coffee, a piece of chocolate to sit down and read your wonderful stories!
Happy Valentines Day!
New cups, how fun. I have several of your mugs and drink tea out of them everyday (and have a chocolate or two). It is the perfect way to brighten these gloomy winter days.
Happy early Valentine’s Day!
Susan,
What a fun post. I’ve missed you! Happy New Year, thank you Martin Luther King, Jr., Happy St. Valentine’s Day, and Happy Birthday to all the presidents!
*hugs*
Kelley~
New cups. Hip Hip Hooray! So cute all of them.
Absolutely love your blog and all the things you love.
Your blog always makes me happy! I love the show tidying up too. Just ordered her book. Your house looks great!
I love the new mugs Susan, thank you for making a rainy, cloudy day bright. The tea biscuit sounds delicious, I must make some to share with my girlfriends.
Beautiful giveaway!
Every thing you do and say is so inspiring. Thank you 😊. Can’t wait for your new book
Hoping for the movie!
Your new cups look lovely! Almost impossible to pick a favorite!
Hi Susan: I’m finally getting around to reading your Willard/Blog! A great idea to combine Willard and your blog, and easier for you, too! It’s been busy here — cleaning up after Christmas — love your organization ideas. I sorted, tossed old stuff, and repacked all my Christmas decorations and stored them away! I keep out the evergreens and twinkle lights and red ribbons, and replace all the Christmas stuff with red wooden hearts scattered here and there. That will stay until Spring! I’m like you — can’t do creative work until the rooms are tidied up and taxes done (ugh! but someone has to to do it!!) Got all that done; and finishing up paperwork. Then a couple of clean-out projects (sewing closet and my office) — then we’ll be ready to roll again. Also some doctor checkups for Gene and me scattered in there. Whew!! We’re getting there! Thanks for sharing mock-ups of all the cups! Oh, the ROSE on the English cup handle!! That did it!! I was having a hard time making up my mind (wish I could get them all, but will have to do one for now). When I saw that rose, I said, “That’s it!” Have to have the English rose cup! Wishing you great creative success as you get back into your book again. Looking forward to that! Our love to you and Joe! Jane xoxo
Thank you dear Jane! xoxo Hugs to Gene!
So happy to be hooked up to your BLOG now! Willard has been wonderful! But this will be even more frequent visits from you! Thank you so much for this new year gift!
Thanks also for the tidying up post, and for well, just all the sweet & helpful & cheering bits you bless us with!
thanks for uplifting message this month
thanks for great uplifting thoughts
Hi Susan, I not only love getting your Blog, but love the musica! It might be my age, haha! It is so relaxing, a cup of tea, the music, your Blog, the Girlfriends comments, HEAVEN!! I also would like to thank all the girlfriends that have said how many times that they have read your books. When I first read that, I thought “how can anyone read a book again after having read it recently?” Boy was I in for a surprise, had no idea how much I missed the first time, and how many times I was saying to myself “I don’t remember that!” I had loaned two of your books, one to my daughter and one to my sister so I had to call and hurry
them up! Waiting with anticipation for the new one! Thanks for all you do, love it all. Oh, just ordered the black iron 4 cup holder for my counter, so ordered another cup, yay! Happy Anniversary (of your 1st date) to you and Joe, doesn’t it seem like the years have gone by SOOO fast! My husband and I will celebrate our 59th Wedding Anniversary on the 20th and it just doesn’t seem possible, then I look in the mirror, and can’t believe that either, ha ha! Give a hug to Jack for me, cutest mustache ever!……..Carol
I was so glad to receive the email about signing up again for your blog and Willard. I had not been receiving it for a while, and I’m glad to be back on your mailing list. I so enjoy your all your work – books, photos, home decor, designs, recipes. Thank you! MARY CAFARELLI
Hi Susan.. Today was a snow day here in ks! 😁 being a teacher I had the day off and spent it watching a few episodes of Marie on Netflix and then cleaned out some drawers. Going to tackle my closet this weekend! Marie’s method is so inspiring!! Love all the new cups. Going to pre-order the little house…always wanted the winter cup but waited to long and it sold out😢 so I will not procrastinate! Love your art💗
Love hearing from you Susan glad to hear you and Joe and your sweet Jack are all well.The new tea cups are just beautiful.I’ve been busy just like you cleaning everything in sight washing bedding putting away Christmas cleaning drawers Snow is melted here we had 18 inches but two spring like
But we had two spring like days .We went for drive in country had lunch at The Pine Tree Barn.
I don’t think my comments are making it either
Really like new tea cup designs
How do you oil cutting board and wood spoons what kind of oil?
HERE YOU GO, Yvonne!
Thank you for just the jumpstart to my week that I needed. After my tidying up from Christmas, I need bare for a bit, today you reminded me to add more beauty and warmth!
Wish I would’ve known you when you were in SLO. Makes all your books and references to our sweet community that much better. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and all your lovely talents. You do brighten the world.
Happy Valentines Day from my home to yours!
I watched all of Marie Kondo’s netflex shows, I definitely have the bug. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I just can’t save it for my kids. It’s my stuff, sad face.
So ill say Happy Valentine’s Day and hope my comments are getting posted.I do enjoy hearing from you.Can’t wait for a new book Luvv the new tea cups pet that little Jack for me he’s so sweet stay warm Springs coming
Hello I’m new to this.
Thx for the free give-aways. Thought I’d give it a try.
Thank you for the WARM greetings and inspiration. I have loved your special watercolors for many years.
Thank you also for the opportunity to win your lovely artwork.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Keep Warm.
What a blessing to read your Willard this very loud, blustery windy night! Today is my birthday, and just decided to check my emails when I found your message. Thank you so much for the great tips on getting uncluttered. From one anglophile to another, God bless, love,
Cindy Norton
Happy Valentine’s Day, Susan! Love your new mugs and can’t wait for your new book, Enchanted, to make it’s debut!
Susan….You wisk me away to an “Enchanted” world…..so excited about your new book.! Loved all the new tea mugs…..I love Jack.! I too have been watching Marie Kondo …..she exudes “tranquility”.!
Enjoy all the peace that surrounds your home during this season….
I so enjoy hearing from Willard.! 😊♥️
Your “Love Stays” poem has great meaning to me–when I first discovered it, I shared it with someone very dear to me who was being treated for endometrial cancer. There was so little to say that could encompass everything I felt, all that had passed between us, and my hope for the future while still acknowledging what might lie ahead. Those simple verses did all that. It brought me a lot of comfort and it still does. I believe it was comforting to Chris also, which makes it precious beyond measure. Thank you could never be enough, but once again, perhaps simple words will do.
Blessings on you Beth. There is nothing like reading these beautiful comments from our kindred spirits. Lovely, lovely, lovely. xoxoxo
I’m trying again. Thank you for the WARM thoughts and inspiration. I have admired your lovely watercolors for many years and have many of your stickers, papers and calendars, etc. They stay classic. Also, I was so touched by your stories of special items (i.e. Grandmother’s spoon). I also share warm memories of items my mother and Grandmothers cherished that I now have. My Grandmother’s rolling pin that my Dad wood-burned the years on starting with 1894.
I also share your love of vintage and antiques. Thank you for a chance to win some of your beautiful artwork. Happy Valentines Day!!
Oh how I wait for your sweet messages to all of us! I so enjoyed reading your latest…….Thank you for sharing your days – you give me such motivation! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe. Spring is on its way,…….🌷
P.S. I find so many of those 6° of separation between you and me. One of them is I lived on Parthenia Avenue the same time you did according to your drivers license that I saw on something you had written.
Love a giveaway especially that mug. I just broke one of my favourite mugs so I will be looking for a new one. I too have been having a big cleanup during the summer holidays. It’s a great feeling to have clean cupboards and find things you thought you had lost.
I too, love getting the Christmas decorations up, and am relieved to get them out of the way. We always wait until the first opportunity after the 6th of January. That is “Driekoningen” in Belgium, the day of the three wise men. It’s still very much part of the holiday season. The children get dressed up as wise men and go door to door, singing for sweets and some pocket money. It’s an old, old tradition. Over the last decades Halloween has become a thing, too, heavily promoted by stores. “Driekoningen” is a lot more modest and feels more “real” to me. When I was 10 I’d never heard of Halloween, it was only when our family moved abroad and we became part of an expat community with lots of Americans that we learned about it. Funnily I was watching Marie Kondo as I was putting away the Christmas decorations, a month ago. Since my house feels homely and tidy (but not minimalistic by any standard) and I have enough bits and pieces to fuel our creativity, but not so many that we trip over them, I don’t feel at all inclined to “Marie Kondo” my house! Right now I’m heading towards spring in my decor. There is a bit of pink for Valentine (another imported holiday that still feels foreign to me), but the main focus are the hyacinths and daffodils on the windowsill. After Christmas is gone I keep getting new ones until the daffodils in the garden come into flower. It makes waiting for spring more bearable. As we go into Lent I will add real Easter things, like little chick egg cups and a beautiful bonbonnière in the shape of an Easter egg, with a mama duck and her ducklings on it (by Villeroy and Boch, they make glorious porcelain!).
PS If I win the book, could you dedicate it to my oldest and bestest friend, Lillie, please. We have been best friends since we were 10, we are godmothers to each others babies, and even though we don’t live in the same country and don’t see each other as often as we’d like, whenever we get together we feel like those 2 little girls again!
PPS If you’d like to see the super cute baby quilt I’m making for a nephew on the way, go and have a look at my blog! I love it and just want to share :-). (I’m thinking of sharing the pattern on my blog when it’s done)
I would love to be in this drawing ❤❤❤❤
Dear Susan, I’m all of a dither now and fancy a good tidy up myself…..off I go ,inspired by your words….as ever. I will look out for you on the BBC and chat to my friend at the National Trust about needing your books in their shops.
Sending love from England…..
It’s always my Girlfriends that see me through ~ I hear you have a few daffodils coming into bloom! Ahhh to be in England! xoxo
Happy Winter Day! So cold here today but a good book (A Fine Romance), a cup of hot tea makes it all bearable!
What a joy to find such great things when cleaning! I am a February birthday girl so, I am crossing my fingers this month and, thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway! Stay warm and drink tea!!