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!
I would love a movie of your book! Bring it on!!!
Your giveaways are always so exciting! Hooray for buried treasure! I made your marmalade cake last weekend because I have just discovered Keillor’s Marmalade. Served it to hubby and his dear friend, who was bemoaning the lack of cake in his life- and cheered him right up. Happy Valentine’s Day, Susan.
Love Joe’s folded shirts. I’ve started doing my T shirts and sweaters that way.
Hi Susan, I ordered your book of Martha’s Vineyard and I can’t stop reading. Thanks for an amazing book and Happy Valentine Day!
Thanks again Susan. Had my afternoon coffee while reading this. It is always a pleasant visit.
Dear Susan, oh my, the new mugs are delightful and I just had to order the English Corgi mug! Love it! Can’t wait for March to come around. Cathy
A lovely post as usual. I am currently living in the desert southwest and miss four seasons terribly. But one bright spot is my lemon tree and a good excuse to try out the tea biscuits! Enjoy the snow for me.
We just found out today my husband’s cancer is stage 3. Your blog always makes my day and today I needed it! Would love to win one of the give aways but just reading your words, seeing the drawings, always brightens my day no matter what. Thanks Susan, you are a gift to the world. Gail
Prayers and blessings on you both Gail. xoxoxoxo Hugs too.
Hi Susan! I’m excited to see your new cup designs. I use either my 2018 Castle Cottage, English Countryside (Yanks on shore!!) or my MV mug every single day! I love them all and they remind me of my favorite places!! Best, Sandy
I gave a girlfriend of 59 years and myself your English Country cup to remember our time in England doing a summer of teaching. She was in Norfolk and I was in Cornwall. Now when we talk on mornings I ask her if she has her coffee so we can begin our chat. What lovely emories we share of that special place. Thank you for creating them😘
I agree, better to keep our charming things that give delight !
Susan, love your new cups! Feeling inspired by the tidying up messages! Thank you!
Happy Valentines Day to you, Joe and Jack! You have set my mind to whirling about tidying up. Hummmm….When do I start???? At least you gave us some good tips on starting : )
Love your ideas and energy to freshen up “home” after the holidays. Thank you!
Today’s blog was a big breath of fresh air for me! Chock full of the good stuff…I’m feeling anxious/agitated ahead tonight’s State of the Union address and this is just what I needed.”Courage, dear heart” ❤️ Thank you. Anyway, mugs are ordered and I’m SO looking forward to ordering the little Jack kitty and quilt kit. I know a darling little two year little old who will love it when it’s completed. Hugs!
Thank you Susan for another heart warming and uplifting blog post!!! Happy early Valentine’s Day❤️ Donna from Idaho💜
Love the new cups!
It’s a beautiful day here in the South, very warm. We will pay for it this weekend when the cold hits again. But after reading your blog, I now have the perfect occupation for those cold days again. Tidying Up! Winter is the perfect time to get all those house chores finished.
Love all your cups and goodies!
Ginny Gaines
Hello Susan! I’m enjoying Marie Kondo series as well, even though I don’t do the teeny tiny package folding, I have been stimulated to clean out some awful cupboards. Feels so good! Your mugs are adorable. I especially luv luv the corgi one! Wishing you and Joe the most romantic Valentines Day! Xoxo
Lovely blog as usual, Susan! I just love to see your name in my inbox!
Susan, I could read your Willard all day long — keep going back to the beginning until the end and even keeping it as unread so I can read it over and over again! I’m not very creative but love to look and read everything you do. How I would love to be your neighbor!!!! Blessings to you, Joe, and Jack!
I have my tea each evening in a Susan cup…….sweet! Would love to win a treat…..
As I sit in my own little studio and paint, creating a life of my design, your letters remind me that life is sweet, people are good, Mother Nature is magic and girlfriends are forever. Thank you for that! xoxo
Happy to see your blog today! Always A bright spot in my day! I’m going to try the Lemon Pepper Tea Biscuits! They sound yummy! Also like the the tidying up ideas, going to give it a try! Wish me luck!
I just love visiting your blog posts. I always leave so happy. I hope that you are having the nice weather we are in Lancaster, PA, this week. Lovely!
The Timeless Valentine is precious!
Know some elderly friends who would appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing it!
May God bless you with even more of His Wisdom!
Susan.
What a lovely visit with both you and Jack. I’m going to England in April and it will be my first visit. I’m also meeting my childhood penpal. She has always lived in Wales and I have always lived in California. We started corresponding when I was nine or ten. It’s been over fifty years of long distance friendship. We’ve shared marriages, divorce, children, grandchildren and even the loss of our mothers. I’m terribly excited about finally meeting her for a big HUG!
WOWOWOWOW! You’ll have to tell us how it went!!!
I Marie Kondo’d after I read her book:) My drawers..thing is though I cannot get rid of everything that doesn’t spark joy..many of my warmest sweaters do not spark joy..but I need them..winter’s been so cold this year..
So I do keep things clutter free but I love too many things and refuse to hide tham all as if our home was for sale.
I love family photos..tea cups..pillows..my wooden spoons out in a cute crock..oh the list goes on an on..but my books are by height lol..and everything has a place..a bit of a neat freak;)
Love the Home Sweet Home and Birthday..Adorbs..as always.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you both.
Your posts are like a warm hug from a best friend. Thank-you for sharing yourself and your warmth with us all.
I just discovered “Marie” two weeks ago. What a treat! A tiny ‘sprite’ of organization! Very inspiring… Thank you for another delightful and uplifting blog post today, Susan. 🙂
Your blog always comes with a side dish of 🌞 sunshine.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Inspiring me to tidy up! Leaving DC right now with 17 high school seniors who give hope for our future! They are part of a nonpartisan group that teaches civility, compromise, and cooperation.
Ready to get home to Ky.
Don’t see my post….here I go again….
I enjoy my tea each evening in a Susan cup….heaven!
“You are a better (wo)man than I am, Ganga Din”!
My dad always said that … something like that!
Susan,
Once again as I read your post I am reminded of my mom and how much she loved what you love: travel, beautiful and simple linens, DISHES, TEA CUPS, time with family and friends, and creating a home where everyone is welcome. Thank you so much for sharing your life with all us daughters without mothers. You bring joy and happiness to days that sometimes seem lonely and empty. God is good though, and your words and wisdom does inspire hope.Thank you Susan for being exactly who God created you to be!
Thank you dear Amy. I am reading through these comments, all so wonderful. What a glorious bunch of Girlfriends are here. I wish I had time to answer every one of them, but there are over 300 waiting for me to read right now, so I just can’t.
But I wanted to shout out I LOVE YOU!!!! So everyone knows.
Thank you Susan! I love you too! Have a blessed day and Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe!!
My dear mother-in-law introduced me to your book, A Fine Romance, when it first came out. She passed away a year ago today. We are having a tea party tomorrow with family members in remembrance of her. Thank you for your cheerfulness! Your writing is fun as was my mother-in-law.
Luv-lee tea party for luv-lee memories…. I’m sorry for your loss, but love your togetherness in her memory! xoxo
Susan, your macaroni and cheese is a favorite in our family of 12. When my husband and I go on our date nights, it is one of the recipes that the kids make together for dinner. A couple of them have little touches that they add to make it their personal specialty. Love it!
Reading this post was such a treat for a gloomy looking day outside. 🙂
Happy Valentines Day Susan and Joe! 💕
The cups are so cute! Congrats on the BBC deal! National Trust needs to catch up! 😉
You’ve inspired me to tidy up too! I will try to find the show you recommended .
Love your blog ! So much fun to read!
Oh your new cups are beautifull aspecially the one with the gorcky!
A few days ago I heard that the last one of the Queen has died and she will not have another one because of her age.
Thank you so much for your give-away presents! You are so kind.
I have seen Mary Kondo on you tube and because I will move house there is a lot of stuff that has to be go! But sometimes it is hard to let it go because of the sweet memories they have.
Stay safe and lots of love to you both.
Greetings,Trudy from the Netherlands
I love receiving your emails and all of your encouraging words, ideas, and recipes. Thank you for sharing with all of us. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe💟
I love the new cups and will head straight over to to pre-order!! Can’t wait for the new book, I hope the writing is going well!!
In this busy world, with people rushing madly everywhere, it’s comforting to know there are others like us who love to simply BE at home – and this is the season to snug in and enjoy!
Susan . . .your posts are always the bright spot in my day . .thank you!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for another wonderful post! I am so very thankful for you. You inspire, encourage and teach me in so many ways. I needed this today. I love that you (and all the girlfriends) are so sweet and uplifting. I read and re-read posts and my heart truly is lifted. Thank you for all of you, your wisdom, kindness, talent and happy gene (that is contagious). You make a difference 🙂
Love to you!
debby
Hi Susan,
I agree with you about tidying up after the holidays. The house seems fresh and new again. Your idea about how you fold Joe’s shirts is such a good idea. I am going to do that for my husband. Thank you so much for sharing all your ideas, I always take something special away from your blogs. February is always the gateway to Spring and as I look out my window to the beautiful fluffy white clouds in the clear blue sky, I’m looking forward to getting back to my garden. We’ve had more rain then I can remember here in So Cal so the wildflowers should be magnificent. Happy Valentines Day to you and Joe and the other love of your life, Jack❣️
Susan, your blog posts truly make me feel all warm and cozy inside and I read them several times through each time! I love the way you talk about your home, your projects, cooking, Joe and Jack…I feel like I’ve stepped inside your home and sat down for a cup of tea (in one of your gorgeous mugs, of course!) and chat with you. I would be over-the-moon thrilled to win your giveaway! xoxo
Love your blog, always brightens up my day!
It’s all LOVERLEE!
Love the new cups and love your creativity. You really do make art with all your heart. That’s why we all love you back.
A lovely post as always. Tidying is very satisfying–I should try it more often :). The problem with Marie Kondo’s method is that ‘keep it if it sparks joy’. My ‘sparks joy’ pile would rival Mount Everest. Too many things make me happy.
Your news about the BBC is wonderful and I will keep fingers and toes crossed for the National Trust. What are they waiting for, for Pete’s sake? It’s such an obvious choice.
😘
Love your blog — so many inspiring ideas! I have been with you from the beginning when Heart of the Home was published — was thrilled to have it signed when I met you at Strawberry Patches in Bakersfield.
Hi Susan, so enjoyed your new post and getting a peak at your new mugs. I saw Marie Kondo on Stephen Colbert’s show last night. She is a delight. Stephen was quite enamoured with her. Thanks for your give-always. Fingers crossed 🤞! Hugs, Elaine
Thank you for the Lemon Pepper Tea Biscuit recipe! I will definitely make them as ❤️‘s. They will be perfect for a little tea I’m having for my granddaughters💕. Really love the designs on all the fabulous cups❣️ I have loved reading and re-reading A Fine Romance and can’t wait for the next one! Happy February to you🌸
Thank you for this post. I will try the lemon pepper biscuits as I have your cast iron heart baker but the scones I made recently were tough. Overworked the dough I guess.
Thank you once again Susan for the inspiring ideas. I too am tidying up, but this time for a big move- from California to Virginia!
You always find a way to brighten my day- I love your blogs.❤
Susan, my very generous sweet friend bought me 4 of your cups and every time I drink my tea from one I ALWAYS say….”I LOVE THESE CUPS!!” and every time my husband hears me he says….”WE KNOW ALREADY!!”
I’m seeing some new ones in my future! Thank you!
It’s always wonderful to read what you are doing–I’m inspired every time. Now, onward to de-clutter and find the things I want to keep!
LOVE the new cups – best yet! And thank you for the bookmark. I still have the print of girlfriends that you signed for me when I used to have my own store and you were at the Javitts Center in NYC. It hangs over my scrapbooking table and it brings me joy every day and reminds me there are always girlfriends surrounding me.
Love the coffee mug with the shooting stars! It’s always fun to receive your blog letters. The included photos make it even better.
It’s time to get inspired like you and start de-cluttering! Marie Kondo has some good ideas.
❤️ Friends!
So glad a new Willard is on the way. Seems like such a long time since the last one. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!
So many pretty things! Perfect for winter dreaming … thanks for all the inspiration, always. (AND for not calling it “inspo.”) Having the second snow day in a row in Southern Oregon, and loving it. Cheers!
How I look forward to each installment of your blog, Susan. It is always a treat to read quickly once and then return to savor slowly again and again. Thank you!
Suddenly this bleak February day is filled with
sunshine…..Susan popped by!!!
Time to go feed my flying Valentines.
Forgot to say that I store socks in a drawer the same way, standing on their sides so you can see them, sorted by colors.
I would love, love, love a copy of Girlfriends Forever. It has been on my wish list forever. Your clean home inspired me to break out the bucket and sudsy water to put the sparkle back inside while the rest of winter marches to spring. The thought of keeping the things I love is freeing and so practical. There are several areas calling out for this kind of attention. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love setting out your books around the house just to cheer me!!! And love the new cups…
I just signed up for your Blog. I was thrilled to get the WILLARD and hear all the news. You have been my friend for years- ever since I saw one of your illustrated recipes in Country Living. I have all your books and love each one dearly.
Love the new cups!
How inspiring you are about getting cleaned up and organized! Just what I need to do! I’m a pack rat and sentimental gal who loves all things clean… Tough combination!!!
I am going to look into Marie Condo’s book too. Thank you for the nudge!
I always enjoy your posts and re-read them for inspiration. Love your spirit!
As the kids used to say when they were younger, “Oh my dears to chicken ears!”
Which meant they were very excited about something…that sums it up for me, too! Always happy to read a new post and adding a giveaway is just icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing!
I’ll be making the biscuits to go with my Christmas jam!
I love all your thoughts for winter, even here is Ca, where it has been raining for weeks (thank goodness) we needed it. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
I love my heart scone bakers.
Susan,
Susan,
This has been a glorious day in Virginia – 70 degrees – worked in the yard all afternoon. I came inside to have a glass of cranberry juice and decided to check my email. Voila! Your post! You definitely put me in the mood to clean and declutter, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Mid to high 70s this Thursday and Friday – so back outside! Cooler temps tomorrow for working inside. Perhaps if I declutter, I will have space for your giveaway – hmmm. I will try the tea biscuits for my bridge club – yum!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
I’m happy you are feeling better!! I love the cups and your things always make me feel happy 🙂
Love peeking into your lovely world, you’re an artist with words as well as paint. Your cups are divine 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win those wonderful things.
Jack is so handsome:)
Love, love, love your new cups, blog, Jack, you and Joe!
Dear Susan, you even make cleaning house fun! Thanks for the encouraging blog. I never miss one and am always delighted to see your email. Love all the new cup designs! Who wouldn’t? I have four granddaughters, and they’re all going to be Susan Branch fans. They love to create and are so creative. Happy February to you and Joe! XXOO
Thanks for the winter inspiration for tidying up my home.
I love the new cup featuring England and a corgi. I have a corgi named Katie and I LOVE
England, so it is perfect for me 😊.
Susan, I found your “Girlfriends” book in a local bookstore that had been previously loved by someone else, but I grabbed it, knowing a treasure when I see it. I haven’t been able to part with it, but would love to give a new copy to a friend. Thanks for a wonderful give-away. You spoil us❣ Happy ❤️ Day❣
What great giveaways!!!!! Just love reading your blog. Such inspiration. Can’t wait to start organizing closets, drawers…..the whole house.
Also, loved the reference to the red cardinal and valentines day. I love to watch the cardinals, they are so beautiful.
Love the idea of keeping what I love and off the other goes! Thank you for sharing that little tip. Joe is so smart cutting off the limbs before the tree goes out. That is a good one. Yes, dear Susan, life would be so boring if one did not have my needful and meaningful things around me. While putting away Christmas, I found my whimsical rabbits and put them out because they always make me smile whenever I see them. I would be so very happy to win any SUSAN BRANCH item. Thank you for the opportunity. JudyC
Susan,
Your blog is always a dose of “just what I needed”. Thank you for sharing your touch of whimsy and joie de vivre!
Susan,
This has been a glorious day in Virginia – 70 degrees – worked in the yard all afternoon. I came inside to have a glass of cranberry juice and decided to check my email. Voila! Your post! You definitely put me in the mood to clean and declutter, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Mid to high 70s this Thursday and Friday – so back outside! Cooler temps tomorrow for working inside. Perhaps if I declutter, I will have space for your giveaway – hmmm. I will try the tea biscuits for my bridge club – yum!
I’d love to win any of your lovely giveaways, but the “Have I told you lately…” mug would be especially wonderful … my sweet husband asks me that every day!
Waiting to curl up with Willard during our Feb. thaw here in VA. We’ll get more cool, and hopefully more snow soon enough.
We call it hunkering down time. Pup asleep on my feet while sitting in front of the fire with colorful wools being hooked into springtime landscapes. Heaven! Quiet, toasty, warm. Life is good.
Thanks Susan. I’ve been following you since your very first cookbook. Love everything you do!!
Tidying up was exactly the fun I needed today. Thank you.
I love reading your news makes me feel all warm and cozy! The cups are just beautiful!
Looking forward to reading Willard. The tea biscuits really sound good.Think I will make them for our supper ( as we say in the south).
Loved this! I’ve been doing some of the same! And I’m so happy to own Have I told you lately That I Love You…. actually I gave it to my Jim, because he sings that me❤️🎶😍.
But the Bella Luna is a must! When it arrives, my next project will be rearranging my hutch to fit all 10. (Am I excessive?)
And so exciting to have the Corgi cup and AFine Romance carried in Britain! Smarties! And a very magical Valentine’s Day to you and Joe (and Jack, of course!)😍❤️
Us to you two, Pam xoxo
Thank you so much for the chance to win one of your gifts! You are the best!! Even if you make me sick (in a southern accent) 😉 Not sure if you remember me. I met you in Denver. I was with my daughter and granddaughter. You told us no one had ever told you that. Love your blog and everything you make!! It just makes me happy!! Thank you!!!
I remember!!!! 🤣
So love this blog! The illustrations are so very pretty and whimsical. Thank you, Susan.
Thank you! Always love reading your blog. And books. Sadly had to leave all my SB books behind when we moved… Come visit us next time you are across the pond!
Thank you for this post. The new goodies to buy are sweet and beautiful.
Susan,
I agree with you about minimalism, my treasures are wonderful! If I want to keep them, so what! Life is about enjoying the things that make you happy!