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 want to wish you both a very Happy Valentine’s Day I also watched on Netflix Tidying Up inspiring on my list to do. Love your new mugs beautiful
Thank you for another great giveaway, Susan.
Your posts always make me happy – thank you!!
Happy Valentines Day!!
I want to wish you both a Very Happy Valentines Day. I also watched on Netflix’s Tidying up very inspiring On my bucket list to do. Also love your new design mugs and I also love your blog
Hi Susan,
You’re cups are amazing! There isn’t one I wouldn’t want to have sitting in my kitchen! Thanks again for a lovely post. When I see I have mail from you, I look forward to getting my cup of tea, starting the music and reading away!
Our local paper had an article on that series and was commenting how donations to Goodwill and Salvation Army were up due to that program. Love all the items in your giveaway!
Love the news cups. Got the cleaning bug too! Thanks for a chance to win.
You signed my books in Hudson OH on your book tour. I’m a few years older than you and relate so much to that era of fun, friends and happy ever afters. At times my heart aches for simpler times but you bring that to us just when we need it. Thank you.
Susan
Thank you for writing your blog. It reminds me of the days when I would run to the mailbox to see if I received a letter from my friend who moved away. So comforting.
My day is always improved when I see your blog in my IN Box 💓 but I must admit, I miss the days whenWillard arrived by snail mail. Such a treat.
I just got my first blog from you on my e-mail. What a TREAT!! I LOVE ALL THINGS ENGLAND. GOT TO GO THERE 2 TIMES AND MY FAVORITE WAS THE COTSWOLDS. LOVE ALL THINGS BEATRICE POTTER TOO. WILL LOOK FORWORD TO YOUR NEXT BLOG!!
I just reread the older February Willards, and clicked back to see if there was a new posting on the blog. There was! I gobbled it up like Valentine chocolate! Thank you for brightening my day, Susan!
Oh my! I just love your new line of items Susan!
Oh Susan, what a delightful post! I love de-cluttering because then the things that I love really stand out. A lovely idea not to have ALL of them out, ALL of the time! I am not a minimalist either. I have traveled so much and, for many years on a sailboat, so I learned to be tidy, to acquire little and to give a lot away…
If I had riches, a big house and entertained a lot, I might indulge my love of beautiful china. I have 2 sets, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester, both with many happy memories of people and dinners ~ and that’s enough!
When I wish for more, I think of the homeless who don’t even have a roof over their heads for china or anything else. Now, if I had riches, I’d love to give it away. I give smiles and whatever I can these days.
Blessings and thanks for the joy that you bring to me and to all of us!
Thanks for the quick clean-up tips. Also, that little embroidered Jack and his quilt are darling. Happy New Year!
Susan,
I love your blogs; they are like opening the blinds and letting the sunshine in! Oh, and the clean house. I think you’ve inspired me!!
Sharon
Thanks for the lovely post. Just what I needed on a hard day after coming back from cancer care. Would love to win! <3
Could not not reply to this as we share a name. I will put you in my heart.
Hi Susan, I love your sweet blog posts! I’d truly love to win your giveaway too…that mug is darling. Please keep the posts coming! Thanks, Lisa
Your house looks so pretty Susan! Thanks for your consistently happy reports ❤️❤️
Susan, I love your blog and all the goodies you pack into each and everyone.
Thank you!
The cleaning frenzy must be in the air, as it got to me in Michigan! When spring comes, I will be ready to roll, as many deep cleaning tasks are done!
What a perfect surprise for a windy, rainy, chilly….but wonderful day in SoCal❤️ I’m also spring cleaning & gathering many unnessary things to pass on to others. Looking forward to getting my mini vases for the spring roses🌸
The new cups are lovely. Thanks for the encouragement to simplify our home. This is the perfect time to do it in Minnesota.
Hi Susan,
I love reading your blog! And your books! And you are such a wonderful artist! Thanks so much for sharing you!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new corgi mug!!!!! I have had corgis for several years now. My latest one is named Riley and she is a ball playing fanatic. She also loves Frisbees but can’t quite launch herself in the air like the “big dogs” to catch it in the air but she still tries!
Susan,
I simply love your blog and your sweet spirit! I’ve been following you for so many years and have several of your books, including your little “Love” keepsake book which I always pull out around this time of the year! You inspired me to start watercoloring a couple of years ago! I only paint for myself, not to sell. But, I was wondering if you have a post ( I may have missed or forgotten) or considered a post about your favorite watercolor supplies? Thank you for being your wonderful self!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Yes, look at the top of the blog, I think it says About Me, click there ~ you’ll find a couple of posts about art and watercolors and all that good stuff. Happy Valentine’s Day Alison!
Oh Susan!! The new cups! I have to tell you I am pregnant and if it’s a girl we are naming her Luna! And I’m due in August! Just in time to get it! (I cried a little bit when I saw it, what can I say pregnancy hormones!) And then the Little House cup looks just like our little yellow cottage that we live in! You just made my day! I will be ordering both cups! Yipee! Your posts always inspire me and bring so much sunshine into my day! I can’t wait to read the Williard!!
xoxo
How exciting Danielle!!!!! I’m so happy for you. BELLA LUNA. Now you’re making me cry! 🍼 Happy!
I remember how your book Island of dreams motivated me to do some things in my house. I have always loved to play house and I still do. I take January to purge and clean. So refreshing after the excess of Christmas. Put my name in the drawing!!
Hi Susan – I love reading your blog posts so much – the wonderful & wise sayings – and seeing the beautiful art work. Your pictures of Jack are a special tribute
Thank you!
Oh, sweet Sue! I’ve been with you almost since Day One and have used (and saved) your adorable wall calendars over the years and sent your note cards and have practically of your books and now just delight in your blogs! I love your always~optimistic outlook on life and the sweet ideas and recipes and your love of life, Joe and Jack, and your incredible artwork. Having always lived in the south with very little change of seasons and never experienced the myriad of colors in autumn or waking up to a White Christmas, I’ve often felt slightly deprived of those seasonal delights. Thank you for bringing them to life for me! I have visited merry olde England, however, and can very much relate to your love affair of our motherland! Even though it’s a warm evening in Florida, I’m craving biscuits and tea❣️
Love January for the same reasons…great to get into all the nooks and crannies!
But love having things around me that”spark Joy”. Last week I used lemon oil(on a Qtip) on a little Bavarian weathervane house my grandfather gave me in 1967 when I was 10. It looks new! And it still makes me smile!
So nice to read your latest news on a cold winter’s day. I’ve lit the candles and have laid the firewood for a cozy night in. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe.
I love all you products! Just wish I could afford more of them! Thank you for your lovely words and pictures. 💕
The new mugs are beautiful! How will I choose? 😊💗
Always an inspiration and the cute just keeps coming! Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and talents.
Reading your blog is like being in the fairy tale with you. I used to have a fairy tale too. Then my husband got cancer. We cling to every happy moment. We choose happy.There is always someone who is far worse off. Enjoy every day. Life is your biggest gift.
Beautiful Darlene. Blessings on you two. xoxoxo
Thank you for always inspiring me to enjoy life, bake something, read a book and love!💕
I love the mugs. They make the best gifts for my besties. I’ve gotten one closet with coats and such off to Salvation Army; and my kitchen cabinets cleaned out with everything I could recycled. I cannot say how much lighter and happier I feel for having them culled, clean and organized. Ahhhh. On to my China cabinets.
Susan ~ I loved reading about your Christmas activities! With the winter still upon us, I will try enjoying all nature has to offer. You are so creative and such an inspiration to me!!
Thank you for making today much brighter. It is very gloomy here. Love your paintings and books!
Just LOVE the Bella Luna cup! After I send this email I’ll order one.
I recently wrote an article for my local paper about Swedish death cleaning, a form of organizing and getting your things in order on a regular basis so your loved ones aren’t left with a huge mess when you die one of these days. The last thing I want is to know that my sons had to spend large amounts of time going through my things and asking, “Why in the world did Mom keep this?”
Swedish death cleaning is not the same as tidying up. Whatever technique one uses and whatever works for you is always a good thing. We tend to have more things than we can possibly use. Rather than throw things out, try to find a home for the things you don’t want or need or no longer love so we do not fill up our landfills.
Hi Susan, Isn’t it lucky that I just came across my heart shaped muffin pan. I will try your biscuit recipe tonight. Love the idea of tidying up, but so far haven’t become motivated. Maybe after the latest snow storm clears I will as I am stir crazy without being able to get outside. But then my skis are calling. Too many distractions.
xoxo
Pam
Hi Susan ! I just love your books. I feel like we are kindred spirits. Martha’s Vineyard is my happy place so when I read what you post about it on your blog or instagram it takes me there. I live in New Brunswick Canada and my husband has family down there so we get there as much as we can. Please enter me in your Valentines contest.
I’m just about inspired to get to it…will watch Netflix to finish the job! Thanks Susan🙏
Love it
Home sweet home, so heart warming. Thank you.
Hello Susan and thank you for the post. The older I get, the more I realize that I don’t need as many “things” in my life. I try to remember that my happiness is not dependent on what I own, but on what is in my heart, mind and soul. If one thinks about it, a glass is a glass, and does the job of serving the water, whether it is crystal or not. Of course, crystal is beautiful and something to be admired, but it is not what I build my self-worth upon. I like my precious possessions, but I try not to let them possess me. Two years ago, our home was burglarized and my wedding and engagement rings were stolen out of my jewelry box (there due to my arthritis). My heart was so sad, but I have been able to deal with it because I know my marriage is to my husband and not my rings. At the end of last year my husband lost his job of 30 years (7 years short of retirement) and for the first time in all the years of our marriage we didn’t buy a Christmas tree (we used a small artificial tree we had). Christmas was just as wonderful, because we remembered the reason for Christmas, Christ, and we enjoyed the time we had with all of our family! This perspective helps me realize that it is easy to give up the excessive things that I don’t need and we will be having a yard sale at the end of March! Now, after all of that, wouldn’t it be funny if I were a winner! But wouldn’t it be a surprise and a pleasure! As always, lots of love to you and yours.
Love these beautiful mugs ! Great tips on organizing drawers 👍 thanks ! And those lemon 🍋 pepper biscuits nothing sounds better .
Have you checked the Hallmark Network to get your books made into a movie 🎥 ? It is totally their genre 💕 ! Love Hallmark & would love to see your work be a part of it .
Penny from Mt. Rose 🌹
Lovely post! I’m inspired to tidy up! Thank you, Susan!
oh my goodness, Susan! The new mugs – ordering all of them! I need to have another shelf built to hold them.
Thank you for the inspiration to tidy up rather than toss out!
You are inspiring me to de-clutter! I love all of my things about me but understand I have too many. Completely agree that “decorated” is not necessarily “clutter”. However…right now there IS too much clutter. Several friends are doing exactly the same thing so…..time do discover what really make me “sing”.
Thank you!
What a coincidence! About two weeks ago I bought 4 Girlfriends books from EBay. Unfortunately, unlike your stash from the closet, they definitely look “used” so only truly good girlfriends will be able to receive them as gifts. Ha…looks like I found a secret test for friendship. A true friend will not even notice the ripped book jacket.
Love the new cup designs Susan! Going now to pre-order and hoping Vanna drops the Love Stays on my doorstep.
Loving all the new cups💕.
My luv-lee daughter gave me your book, A Fine Romance, and I was hooked. Love getting your blog in my email each month. Thank you for the positivity!! I will look for Marie’s show!!
Your sweet words about your Grandma’s spoon and comments on the Konmari method warmed my heart. We can’t put everything out of sight! Especially the quilts. Thank you sweet Susan.
Finding this in my in box after a day at work is pure joy. Thank for making my days brighter.
Thanks for the helpful hints
My daughter had the Love Stays quote written in calligraphy and framed on a table at her wedding reception. It was surrounded by wedding photos of grandparents and great grandparents. Her birthday is in February, would love to win this for her!!
I love seeing an email that you have a new blog post up – makes my day! Everything you make is just gorgeous!
We’ve been watching Marie too, and tidying up around our house. She is contagious. What also sparks joy, is opening my email and seeing a new Susan Branch episode!
So keep them coming please! Happy February!
Beckie
Susan, thanks to you I am inspired to tidy up, bake a batch, and share Valentine love.
Feels so homey when I read your posts, feel like a kid again.
Absolutely loving the “Home Sweet Home” cup. Cute, cute handle also. xoxo
Let us know when you have a garage sale. I’ll come from Ohio and ‘help’ you get rid of stuff. Love little Jack and his quilt and all the new cups. Thanks for making me smile today.
I would consider winning any of the 3 items a blessing!
Dear Susan, how did I not know you are supposed to oil your wooden spoons?! Thank-you for this vital homekeeping tip! xx
Keeps them brown and juicy looking… use mineral oil, it doesn’t go rancid!
I keep forgetting to ask you about the mineral oil each time you’ve post about oiling your timber cutting boards and spoons. I’m not totally sure but my understanding is that mineral oil is a petroleum product and as such isn’t probably that great for our health. Does anyone know of an alternative?
Oh, I’ve never heard that about mineral oil. I use it because it doesn’t go rancid as other oils do. I think they used it medicinally in the old days. But we find out new things all the time!
In the midst of a cold winter and chaos in our news, your message brings warmth, peace, and love. Thank you for always providing positive and creative thoughts.
I love tidying up. I know I am crazy but organizing is in my blood. LOL
Your art work is so Magical! Whenever I see your blog pop up on my screen, I put the Musica on and am carried away to a soothing place. Thank you!
Susan,
Your blog always always comes when I need it most. My precious daughter has been in the hospital for seven days and will be dismissed tomorrow. The diligent, caring medical providers do not have a clue what is causing her numbness and tingling after many tests. We know God knows so we rest in the promises in the Bible and trust Him. Thank you for making me smile.
I can only imagine the worry! But look at all they ruled out! Best wishes and God bless you all. xoxoxo
Can’t wait to give some birthday mugs as gifts so my friends will feel joy when using them.
Susan,
Love the moon cup. I am a teacher and we used do a wonderful moon journal project. The students would observe the moon each night and write different types of poems. We also created amazing artwork with the art teachers. I can’t wait to order one for myself and partner teacher.
Love your blog. Going back to England a second time this summer for a month to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We went 3 years ago after I read your book. Even visiting many of the same places. Looking forward to your next travel book from your last year’s travel to England, Ireland etc.
thanks for your amazing spirit. It lifts me up. So needed in our world today.
Karen
I too love this season–Christmas decor put away, house clean, cozy and warm, time to be indoors working on crafty projects, reading long-awaited novels, baking and cooking comfort foods. Enjoyed this blog especially!
Happy Valentine’s Day. Always special…it was supposed to be my Birth day, but I came on the 13th…couldn’t wait! 🙂
Today is the 10th anniversary of my dad’s passing. He and I had a love for the moon since I was a little girl. (I’m 73 now.) “I see the moon, Daddy!” I preordered a moon cup and a birthday cup. I can’t wait to enjoy them and relive happy memories while making new ones! Thank you, Susan.
Love, love your darling ideas for house decorating and company coming! You always make me feel all warm inside. You are such an inspiration!
love the new mugs. Would love to have one. Glad your house is all in order again, a nice feeling. Have a wonderful year to come.
Thanks again, Susan, for a refreshing post! It makes me want to clean and declutter! Thanks so much for all those happy thoughts! Stay warm! By the way, I love all the new cups! Nice job!
So uplifting and sweet! Thank you Susan…I have read your trilogy of books. Boom. Boom. Boom. Could not put them down. Your story absolutely MUST be on the Big Screen!
Beautiful post as usual.Love the idea of decorated versus cluttered.Totally decorated for Valentine’s day now. Can’t wait to try the heart shaped biscuits.
Thank you so much, Susan, for your comforting blog. I am always excited and amazed at the length and detail of the blog. Fine food for the mind and the heart. I read them again and again. That is great that your products will be featured on the BBC shop site. I am looking forward to that. What month will that start? Girlfriends Forever, Love Stays, Have I Told You Lately…..Great giveaways!!!!
While I would love to purchase many of your lovely items, my retirement budget doesn’t really allow for it. No reflection on you for I think they are worth every penny. It is enough for me to read your thoughts and look at your beautiful illustrations. It is so nice to have your upbeat and positive spin on life, especially given the dark period we seem to be going through in the USA. Thanks so much for sharing your home and your optimism.
Beautiful….I hang on every word. I love the clean house feeling after undecorating too. Looking towards Spring!
I have, and continue to, gotten so much inspiration from you – thank you!
Love the blog! My house cleaning has been going well. I do believe I have convinced my husband, Jim, to paint our upstairs bathroom and our oldest daughter’s former bedroom. This room now contains our handmade computer table, which we saved from a house built in the 1800’s, that Jim tore down. Also 2 wonderful, comfy chairs, quilts and a TV for watching movies when Jim is watching sports on the big screen. Very cozy.
I still have lots to do, and get rid of, but the process is very satisfying.
Happy February to you, Joe and Jack.
Hi Susan! I agree, I could never be a minimalist. I love to have things around that I love and “spark joy”. But, I have also been tidying up too. Feels so good to walk around and look at clean drawers and closets!
I am enjoying the last few weeks of winter to stay snuggled up inside sewing, cooking and catching up on Netflix before spring arrives, then on to the outside work. Love and hugs,
Stephanie
Best Willard ever!! The cups are the best! My b’day is in September – perfect timing! Thank you Susan and Joe for all you do !
Loved the post about Tidying Up❣️
Glad I received Willard letting me know to sign up for the blog emails.
Love and hugs to you🥰
What a lovely blog! Would love to win a prize.
Susan, I was worried when I first started reading your post. Glad you’re not getting rid of EVERYTHING. You’re right, clutter gets to be overwhelming and ties us down. But not the stuff we really love. Thank you for a chance to win one of the lovely prizes! Would love that.
Always exciting to read your latest blog. Thanks for the bright spot on such a rainy day.
I have been sickly since surgery last August following back surgery so your blog and Willard really cheered me up!❤️. Not sure what is causing it, but I am sure someone will figure it out. So looking forward to the new book and a movie. I am definitely seeing Tidy Up on Netflix, I need de cluttering in the worst way. Thank you, dear Susan, for your encouragement and making my day a better one.
I hope you start feeling better soon Ruth!
I’m always so excited when I see you’ve sent a new blog post. It’s like hearing from a dear friend. Thanks for spreading joy.
your give away’s are always what the doctor ordered. Always thoughtful and insightful, thinking of others. And yes I used the M. Kondo method for my closet! There are some lucky folks who have needs greater then mine. And I feel great about it too.
How nice to read after I’ve hotten my dinner casserole together and a few mintures to myself. The tea biscuits will be tried as I have the pan- need another recipe for it! The cups look lovely and good for this lefty!
Best- Barbara in Lodi,CA
It just makes my day when I see a post from your blog…and your thoughts and words stay with me. Thank you for all the happiness you bring to so many!
You’ll want to celebrate Galentine’s Day, a day to honor girlfriends, on 13 February. It originated in 2010 on a Parks and Recreation Episode. It even has an entry in Wikipedia. 🙂 Your Girlfriends Forever would be the perfect gift!
Your posts are so timely. It IS the organizing time of year!!! Rabbit Rabbit… it’s February and we are on our way to Spring. I am sure the snow will fly a few more times but that will be wonderful as well. Happy painting!!!
Hugs to you, Joe, and sweet little Jack.
Smiles,
Liz
It seems hard to believe that later this week in South Central Virginia we may have temperatures in the 80s. Records are being broken… but remains the same is how much I always enjoy your posts. Thank you for your cheery and positive approach to life!
Hi, Susan. I enjoy your blog so much. There is wisdom in every one.
I have the girl friend book, but should I be blessed to win it, I have a friend who was born on the same day as I who would get it. Happy Valentine’s Day!