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 look ford to your blogs every month.
Thank you Susan
Hi, I love the new Moon Cup coming out! I also love your kitty Jack.
❤️❤️❤️
Yum, made the biscuits tonight!!! Perfect for cold, rainy eve…along with your blog!!
Thanks!
Ginny
From California
Hi Susan,
Your artwork is always so delicious, regardless of whether it’s in a cookbook, a calendar, biography, travel book, cards, fabric, etc. etc. As soon as I get some cream cheese, I’m making those biscuits!
WOW! What a wonderful surprise to see in my inbox! Now I will never miss a Susan Branch blog post again. YAY! Thank you, Susan, for giving us all the chance to win some real TREASURES!!! Here’s wishing you and Joe a Happy Valentine’s Day! (And . . . my husband and I are going to be celebrating our 29th anniversary on March 3rd – we will be spending the weekend in NYC! I would love to give him the LOVE cup!) Oh, and thanks for the tea biscuits recipe. It sounds yummy!!
Happy Anniversary Sharon! xoxo
Every word you said about your Grandmother’s spoon is soooo true….no one will ever love you like your grandmother!! I too, love “old” things. I know when people visit they question why my coffee table, side table and rocker are so worn, pure love from my grandmother. I have followed your blog for years and am thrilled to have it delivered to my e-mail!
Blessings from Nashville!
I followed her around like a puppy. And no one will ever love me the way she did. “Sue, Darling.”
I absolutely LOVE reading your blog! It puts me in such a good mood! Thank you for taking the time to do so😊💖
Susan, you are inspiring me to do more tidying up here too. It seems to be ongoing though. I don’t consider myself a hoarder, but I am a collector and a keeper of many things. I wish it were easier to let go. So many things truly do bring joy to my life. Fortunately I’m fairly organized about it all and rotate the joy in and out through the year. Still, they say “less is more.” Right?
The new mugs are fabulous. Love, love, love the birthday mug! And your three new generous gifts for lucky ones are sure to make the winner over the top happy. My Girlfriends book is one of my treasures. I have a stack of your delightful books in my office. I opened up LOVE last night to take some inspiration for some February treats. The wonderful quote is one I’m saving in my files. Darling cup!!!
Happy February, Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Valentine’s Day, and just Happy Happy! You know you make all of us happy with your wonderful nature of sharing!
I’m so glad you didn’t get too far into that de-cluttering! It’s the sweet little touches on your stove & windowsills that I love to see in your home. Not cluttered, just homey and loved-in!
Your posts are a bright spot any day the notice arrives in my e-mailbox.
I will be ordering a corgi cup for my best friend that has just adopted a new corgi puppy.
I’m so happy there is you and your musings.
xo,
Karen
Thanks, as always, for brightening my day. Enjoy your blog. Come on, Vanna, and pull my name, please!!!
Love seeing a new post from you Susan! After Christmas is always a great time to declutter. Haven’t watched any of the Marie Kondo shows, but boy everyone on social media has certainly been taking her tips to heart.
Have you read any of the books by D. E. Stevenson? She’s an English author and wrote in the late 1930 through the 1960’s. Wonderful books, take place in England and Scotland. Most are out of print but have finally started appearing on Amazon Kindle. Hurray!
I think I have, I’ll look her up, the name is familiar!
Beautiful things and lovely words to warm me this winter! Thank you Susan for all you do!
Janelle
Thank you Susan, love your new cups , am excited to watch tidying up and need to buy my niece a corgi cup ! I would so love to win, my husband of 30+years is the light of my life !
Dear Susan,
I also tidied up with Marie Kondo! My little packages look so neat in our dresser drawers. My husband is also in on it! Your blog posts are always inspiring and full of great ideas.
Linda
Love to win! Thank you for the chance, not sure if my first msg went through
♥️ Well, my little sunshiny dumpling ~ this Willard is the Bees Knees 🐝💨♥️ ! Tashmoodley-doodley
Love the new cups and a hint of what this time of year means to you!
I am a new reader and just wanted you to know how much I love your beautiful blog and all your artwork. I turn the big 50 this year, I think I need to get a mug to help celebrate!
I love to putter and declutter. It is a real stress reliever.
Please let me be a winner!!!!! I’ll share w my sisters. We did the big declutter last year and while some things were a little tense it’s made life so much easier. Having the stuff we really love around. Your blog is great and always makes me feel good and reminds me to stop and smell the roses, and enjoy the roses. Thank you so very much
Linda
Love the newsletter! Now I must get busy decluttering! Thanks so much for a chance to win your treasures!
Susan your blog as always is such a delight to read and one day i will find your books on sale somewhere in Australia
Hi Susan ☺️ Adore the new cups! So lovely. We’ve been watching Tidying Up here, too. I’ve done a little here and there and it’s amazing how even a little progress -an empty drawer or shelf- makes a difference. We’re enjoying a school snow day – first snow of the winter. ❄️❄️ Took a snowy walk with doggie, baked chocolate chip cookies, and watched a movie. Snow days are just as magical now as when I was a kid. ☃️ Thanks for always brightening our day with your blog. Looking forward to baking a batch of the lemon biscuits. 🍋 💕☕️
Oh Great Scott!!! I dearly love your posts!!!
And…I believe I can smell the biscuits!
Thank you, dear Sue, for making our world sweeter.
I don’t have the Girlfriends book yet! One can hope!
Such a beautiful day, today, in New England–wonderful weather, a heartfelt congratulatory parade for the Patriots, and now you give us a chance to win a lovely Valentine’s gift! And thanks, too, for the tip for folding tee-shirts. My husband has so many and now he won’t have to dig through them all to see which one he wants : )
The Bella Luna mug is wonderful. My fingers are crossed on winning.
I so enjoy your story blog. Thank you. I always read them a second time.
Yay……Susan’s in my mail !!!! always make’s my day !!! Thank you !!
Love reading your posts and enjoy seeing your decorating of your lovely home.
Love your message Susan. Home is where the heart is, filled with things we love. Hoping the groundhog is right and we can see Spring flowers soon.
You always give me so much to think about. I will start cleaning and trying to decide which new cup I’ll buy next. They are so beautiful. Thank you for everything you do for us
I would love to win your second giveaway- the plaque. My dear husband has suffered from dementia since the fall of 2015. He got sick jJan. 16 and now is in the nursing/ dementia ward. I have been mourning for a long time but now I am alone and so is he. I visit every other day, he can’t take long visits. It is a little death every day but we still love each other. My heart is broken. Your posts make me smile and yes after everything- love remains.
This has been an exciting post in so many ways! So much to look forward to!IyI
Susan, Thanks again for brightening up my day exquisitely. You weave a world of sweet day dreams with your words and artwork. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Beth Barnat from Indiana
I love when your blogs come up on my emails. Your illustrations, quotes and everything else are so much different than anyone else’s blogs. I am always excited to read them. I hope they never stop.
Thanks for brightening my day! I love reading about your adventures into cleaning as it so sounds like me, I mean when you just need things to be organized and clean to feel like your sanity has returned. I don’t know why but I always feel calm and relaxed in a clean and organized house. Don’t get me wrong as it never stays that way but oh so love it when it is. Take care and stay warm.
Comfort and beauty!🥰
Love your blog
Thank you for the cheer! The mid-west needed some sun today and you provided it!
I hate taking down Christmas too but after decorating for Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas, I’m ready for the decorating break! Love the new cups!!!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful uplifting post! I love this time of year because I can make a big pot of soup and maybe some cornbread. Sit in front of the fire and enjoy a quiet evening with my precious husband and our two cats. It makes this crazy world a little easier to handle when your home is your sanctuary. Bless you Susan!
Love <3 your posts!
Took down a lot or my home decor – pictures, shelves etc to paint. Just recently put them back up and it feels so much cozier. Looks much better – the heck with what the style is!!
Have to tell you I scooped a heart shaped clump in the kitty litter and thought to myself, “I must be channeling too much Susan Branch!” I had just reread Isles and Fairy Girl. I did stop myself at sending you the photo on Twitter.
As always, Thank You for doing what you do. It is an unselfish person that can devote so much time for our pleasure.
Ha ha! Joe called me to Jacks’s box one day for the very same thing! Heart shaped. We thought our cat was soooo talented!
Wonderful to hear from you finally! Was worried something was amist. But tidying up can do it. Have been struggling with it myself. But finally letting go of things can be so difficult but worth while.Love the new cups!
I walk into some houses and want to ask, “So, your favorite color is…white?” I love a house with interesting contents. Keep it curated and it won’t be clutter.
Happy February Susan!
Love you and your art…to the moon & back 🌙
I’d love to win the cup for my husband.
Wonderful blog! Love all the beautiful words and things you share.
I love going through the house and getting everything organized. The only problem is that now I can’t find anything!
Everything you create is just pure magic! Love that moon mug.
Dear Susan,
I have followed your blog for years, I have almost all of your books. Your book ‘Girlfriends Forever’ is one of my favorites! A reminder to celebrate our girlfriends as they make life so much sweeter.
One of my favorite things: quiet alone time, with a nice cup of tea in one of my bone china mugs, reading my Susan Branch email. I always make sure I set aside enough time to complete the whole email at one setting.
Happy Valentines Day!!
Hard to say anything that hasn’t been said, so I’ll just say how grateful I am that you use your artistic skills to brighten our lives as well as your own (and Joe’s and Jack’s).
I love your blogs!
I wish I could be as inspired to de-clutter as you write you have been. But so much of what I have in my home truly makes me ‘happy’ and I can’t imagine getting rid of or giving away family treasures passed down through the generations. Sadly, my daughter does not share my love of old familiar things.
I love your timeless valentine quote and the beautiful mug commemorating your friends years of love/marriage. My husband and I will celebrate our 50th Anniversary in June (on Flag Day) of this year and both quotations are so apropos for us. Thank you
Wow, you have did it again. What a terrific email. It’s as if you know exactly what I need to read at just the right time. Thank-you so much.
I’m always thrilled when your blog comes out. No one I know enjoys life the way you do. The new cups are darling.
Hi Susan! I absolutely agree that there is a big difference between clutter and decorating.
I love your hutch and the way you have things arranged artistically yet it is used and practical.
Organizing and putting things back in order after the holidays always feels so good to me.
It just goes along with hunkering down in our cozy warm homes for the Winter.
Was wondering what you use to oil your spoons?
So excited about your next book and the possibility of a movie!!
The embroidered doll of Jack and his own little quilt are adorable. I cannot wait to get them. I also love the new cups. I hope Kellee is feeling much better. My sister’s granddaughter (almost two) and son-in-law have the flu and they both had the flu vaccine. Hmmmmm! It is so good to hear some news about Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams on the big screen (or small screen). It was 74 degrees here in South Carolina today. Robins are running about everywhere in my yard.
Thank you, as always, for sharing your little bit of Heaven on earth – we are all so blessed.
Great timing, Susan! I’m in the process of keeping things I chose and would choose again and letting go of the things that chose me … things I keep Only because I dearly love the person who owned or gave them to me. Not so easy!
A wonderful post, as usual! I love all the cleaning and tidying up tips. It’s one of my favorite things to do 😊 I can’t wait to see how all the cups turn out!
Thanks for always brightening my day
Hi Susan! Loved your blog as usual! Can’t wait to get my Willard in my email very soon! Happy Winter!
I love to tidy too! My husband and I are now empty-nesters and expecting our first grandchild this summer! So having lots of fun re-organizing the empty bedrooms left by my sons.
I dearly love the moon mug! I am also a big moon person!
Happy Valentines Day to you and Joe!!
My daughter told me to watch the Tidting Up show said I have way too much stuff! Well I love my stuff, so I ignored her advice! lol ! Enjoyed your blog, I survived the polar vortex by decorating for Valentine’s Day ! Now in the middle of an ice storm! Next the bunnies will be hopping in to my decor! Spring can’t be that far away! Enjoy your week!
I am thrilled to enter your contest. This is my first time. I love your blog and I have read all your books. Love you for who you are.
Love the cups!
Thank you Susan for sharing how you tidy up after the holidays and your tips on de-cluttering! I’m so hopeful to be the winner of one of your treasures! mind how you go, YvonneJ
Susan,
Never knew that I needed to oil my wooden items in my kitchen. What oil do you use?
Thank you for your inspiration to get my house cleaned with a sparkle!
Can’t wait for your big announcement some day soon about your life on an island and finding the love of your life!❤️
Happy Valentines Day from Ohio!
Ruth B. (The Inklings)
HERE you go, everything about taking care of your wooden things.
Susan, reading your blog is such a joy! I love doing it because I get to spend time with you. I met you at a book signing in Danville, Ca. several years back and I knew I was with a kindred spirit. Thank you for brightening the world we live in.
Thank you, Susan, for your timely letters to all your girlfriends! It never ceases to be the highlight of my day 🥰
Love all the giveaways!!
Always such a delight to read, and I love that new Birthday mug!
Oh ME, pick ME, oh please pick ME Vanna! 🙂
Dear Susan, such a delightful read! Love the new cups, especially Bella Luna and Happy Birthday! 💖
Oh Susan, I love your blog, but my heart sank when you mentioned the little ‘Jack’ pillow was declawed for children. Do you not know how brutal declawing is for cats? This is not something to make light of. I feel sad.
Well, it isn’t a real cat. I would never do that. Just a little tease, not meant to offend.
Receiving Williard today made my heart happy – food for the soul! Thank you. Mary Therese
Thank you so much for making the world more beautiful, Susan. We appreciate you!
Hello! I have been washing and polishing all my rooms and it feels great! And took 8 bags of items to Goodwill. 😊 I loved the story about your Grandmothers spoon. It is how I feel about a cast iron pancake griddle of my great-grandmothers, that I own. 💕Kit
I have a day off on Thursday and I was planning on spending the day at home “tidying up”…
good timing!
Looovvvve the moon mug! I must pre-order. Can’t wait! (But I’ll have to.) Thanks for bringing us so much joy. YOU are the spark joy for so many of us girlfriends.
I am one of your fans and I salute your ability to make us so cozy and comfortable.I treasure your posts.Thanks Sus an
I love your blog the most for its overall celebration of girlfriends. I do have great girlfriends!!! I hope they know how much I love them, even though my general demeanor is more Oscar the Grouch than Susan Branch! 😁
I would imagine that’s what they love best about you!
Just love your cheery blog. Thanks for offering 3 great prizes.
Dear Susan. When ever I feel a little low I take out one of your books. They always bring me joy ,peace and inspire me to look around and find some little project to make my home as cozy as yours . So heartfelt thanks for all your inspiration. Think Spring!
I really enjoyed reading the Willard and maybe I will begin cleaning out my house. I’m a saver and find it’s hard to let go of “things” that I’ve had forever or belonged to a grandmother or great grandmother. Cleaning out is very hard to do for me!! But I will give a try!!😀😁😃😆
So happy to hear your house is back in order. What a good feeling! I’m going to make a date with myself to clean my hutch and everything in it…no small project. You have inspired me to make a date with myself to do this soon. Enjoy the rest of the winter in your nice warm home. Sincerely, Barb
Always feel the better for taking time to read your posts! Thank you.
Love the new cups and this posting was a wonderful way to brighten my day!
Receiving a Willard always brings a smile to my face. ❤️❤️❤️ Love love love the new Birthday and Corgi mugs. September is my birthday month and I share your love of England.
Thank you for being so wonderfully you and sharing with us all your love of life with a delicious recipe or two! Cheerio 🥰
Can’t wait for all the new goodies I have ordered! Susan, your God-given talent is a breath of Heaven…
Every so often, I find that I need a day to just “putter” around my house. I go around rearranging the collected things from a lifetime of homemaking, some from previous generations, and some new, too! I feel like I am meeting kindred spirits on this blog.
Always look forward to your blogs – I can feel myself “unstressing” as I read through them & look at all your lovely pictures. Your new cup designs are absolutely beautiful! I have one of your cups, which gets treated with the utmost care – it gets used for those special times that call for some serious unwinding with a good cup of tea!
Hi Susan,
Wow, how do you have time for everything you do? Yes, I’ve watched some of Marie Kondo’s show. It does make sense to keep only what you love, but it sure takes me a long time to go through everything to decide if I love it or not! Old habits die hard. I know that the rewards will outweigh the pain of letting stuff go.
Love your constellation mug! And, as always, I look forward to your next book!