I promised you “a surprise” in my last post (about a hundred years ago, oh my goodness, I’m so late)! MUSICA (nice old Frank)🎶 I don’t usually start things off with a photo of me, but I had to make an exception to add oomph to my explanation for why I’ve been away so long! In the photo, I’m dressed and on my way to give a talk at Island Writes, but you may notice something not quite right.
Yeah, why is she wearing that black glove? What an odd-looking glove. Hey, that’s not a glove! No. It. Is. Not. It is a (stupid) cast for a broken wrist. A broken right wrist. The hand that does everything. So anyway, I broke it a little over a month ago while packing up things for the yard sale. Tripped over bags, hand-to-floor, caught myself, the end. Which also ended the infamous yard sale for this year. Ended almost everything, because I had no idea what all this hand 
did until I lost it. Besides typing, writing, and painting, it opens cat food cans, washes hair, signs books, holds a freaking fork, puts on earrings, uses scissors, deadheads roses, DRIVES, and chops onions. Hello. At first I couldn’t do any of it, I gave my brain a new kind of workout by practicing writing with my left hand, but one-by-one I’ve been getting things back. And Look Ma, I’m typing! I think I MIGHT get the brace off Sept. 14, my Doctor keeps little secrets to himself, I’ve learned, but I am hoping! It wasn’t a bad break, no surgery; I glowed like a 7 year old when he called me a “good patient.” It’s the little things in life. Yes, physical therapy will follow, but I’ve been doing exercises to keep my arms strong, so I hope normalcy returns soon. Thank goodness for Joe! He’s been taking such good care of me!
But I promised you surprises, and you’re going to get surprises! 🌸 Our Courage Charm has arrived . . . isn’t it wonderful? Gold with a streak of pink that goes all the way around. Pink, the color of nurturing, for yourself, and for others. The color of love.💝
It comes on its own little card . . . the charm is engraved with the words “Courage, Dear Heart . . .”💞
Thought you’d like to see my bracelet . . . I think I have them all so far!
And this? This is not for sale! This surprise of all four-seasons of my cups (which are all sold-out and no longer available anywhere on earth), is for the lucky person whose name gets drawn by Vanna in the next post! I told you I would have surprises! Just leave a comment, and you’ll be entered! It can be for you, or maybe you’ll want to take it apart and make four Christmas 🎄 presents out of it! Leave a comment!’Tis almost the season! Here comes
And this? This is for everyone! A brand new bookmark for all my Anglophile, Corgie-adoring, Queen-admiring girlfriends and the people they love! Just click HERE, print it on card-stock, have it laminated if you like . . . it makes a very sweet stocking stuffer or book-gift accountrement.(In case you’re new here, the bookmark is tucked into a copy of my book A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside.)
And what else? Oh yes, for everyone that preordered and waited so patiently, I’m thrilled to tell you the new cups are scheduled to arrive in California TOMORROW, on Thursday! And yes, I ordered extra so we would have some to last through Christmas, just in cases.
The heart cup is another Courage item. The world is so wild these days, we need as much of this as we can get. And there’s another secret about this cup . . .💞
I didn’t design it! I designed a red cup with hearts on it which Joe thought was a little boring, and said, “Why don’t 
you make it look like champagne?” I said, naturally, “What are you talking about?” He tried to tell me, but I couldn’t picture it, was running out to lunch with girlfriends, and said, willy-nilly, over my shoulder, “Draw me a picture!” Because I know Joe is an artist even though he never does it. But I didn’t expect THIS. Champagne bubbles made into hearts. Of course I fell in love with it. My boy is a genius!
Very appropriately, this is Joe’s first cup ~ Champagne Hearts! He will very likely never do another one, not sure I can figure out how I tricked him into this one!🙃
I designed the bottom and the handle, so it was a group effort. From the Heart of our Home.💖 You’ll have them by the end of next week!👏
This one too! The Martha’s Vineyard cup, arriving at the Studio tomorrow, and in case you’re coming to the Island, it’s already available in the shop that carries my things here ~ which, by the way, has changed their name to Vineyard Arts Gallery, it’s still in the same place in downtown Vineyard Haven, and Robin still runs it. And one more by-the-way . . . another reason for you to leave a comment ➡️ Yes! I’ll be sending some lucky person their very own Martha’s Vineyard cup too! It’s an Autumn extravaganza!
This too! Leave a comment to win this Pumpkinhead cup! So far that makes three lucky winners and you only need to leave one comment to be entered for everything! Why you may ask? Because I can! (Writing now, from day after I published this post: Reading the lovely comments ~ can’t answer so many with bad hand, but reading 🤗, loving, sometimes tears, THANK YOU.💞 This is why. We are the world!) I detect a need for cheer and doing my best in this little world of ours, to make some of it for my Girlfriends! And, to make it more fun, the winner of this Pumpkinhead cup will also get a box of my Inspiration Notecards.
Hope you love them!
Jack also wanted me to let you know, in his own unique way (by draping himself on the thing I’m trying to photograph), that the 2020 calendars have arrived! If you preordered, you should have them!
Other good news, our teapot plates are back in stock! We’ve gotten lots of requests ~ sooo happy they’re finally here!
Great for holiday cookies, as a little serving dish and. . .
also looks great hanging on a wall!
And brand NEW, two night lights!
Blue dots on a scalloped porcelain shade!
And little flowers too!
You can read about them HERE.
I have soooo much more to tell you, but this is my first day back at typing and I’ve just been made a wee bit painfully aware, it’s time to stop! I’m only half done! Wah! Guess I will join Jack doing what we do best!
Still eating yummy whole food!
Have devolved to one-finger typing, left-hand ~ but one last thing, I’m reading this helpful book I think you might like.
Interesting book that reminds us of our lovely humanity . . .
We need to remember in our crazy world . . . also, from me to you💞, want to remind:
Don’t forget to leave a comment (one word is fine!) to be entered for Surprise GiveAways! And sign up HERE to have this blog delivered to your email box!
Broke my arm last year, takes time to heal!🤗
Sorry to hear of your accident, but glad to hear from you
So sorry about your broken wrist! My husband just had a stroke and lost the use of his right arm and leg so I know how difficult it is to use you “other side”. I hope you are better soon! Love your work!! Cindy
Be patient and sort all of your photographs and recipes while you are recovering. Things you can do with one hand and things we put off when we are fully able to function, Get well soon. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you.
🌿☀️thank you Susan, for your constant ray of sunshine!☀️🌿 (wishing you a speedy recovery!)
Oh, I so hope ai win all of these wonderful things! Even one would be perfect!
Missed your postings – hope you heal very quickly! (Have a selfish reason for your quick recovery – I am so anxious for your next book!) Wow! – all these giveaways – it’s like Christmas!
I’m so glad your typing has improved enough to treat us to a new post! I hope you’re all better soon.
I particularly appreciate the quotes about silence and noticing the quiet.
Would love to drink my tea in one of those mugs. Thank you for the chance. I look forward to each of your blogs, hope your wrist gets much better soon.
I too broke my wrist this summer. So sorry for you.
Three things: Hope you are healing well and that your cast comes off soon, your cups bring such a smile to my face, and the photos of Jack are just the cutest ever.
Fabulous, Susan. Sooo glad you are healing well. Love your designs and Joe’s brainstorm! The nightlights are the cutest!
I am an occupational therapist and broke my left leg last year. Urrrgh, the worst, I will never take walking up or down stairs for granted, or taking a shower or going to the bathroom. I think it made me a better therapist being on the other side and more to take the little things for granted. Good luck, be patient with yourself.
Heal well and quickly ! <3
I love everything that you create and have since the beginning. It is so wonderful to see how you change and grow over the years!
Darling cups! Hope you heal veryfast!
I am so sorry to hear that you broke your right wrist. I am sure you made the best of it as you are a very positive person. Glad that you are healing well and didn’t need surgery.
So happy you are on the mend!🥳🎉🎉🎉
So happy to hear from you BUT so sorry to hear about your injury! Don’t rush your recuperation.
Loved all the good news and surprises…..so many! Joe’s Champagne Hearts mug is such a good idea. I’m going to have a hard time making choices.
Take good care.
I was actually wondering where you had gone as I saw no travel updates so I thought ‘hmmmm’….I am so sorry you broke your wrist! That’s a tough one for the hand that you use for everything. You should know on this side of North America I was glad to read your post and instantly smiled. Take care of you.
I am so so happy that those cups are in the contest. The seasonal cups are my favorite, especially the winter cup and I was unable to purchase when they were available. So crossing fingers and toes on this one! I have recently gained a penpal from NY through your blog (i know us youngin’s in our 40’s lol) We are old souls though. Truly. I love that C.S Lewis quote so much. Needed to hear it right now as I am going through my own difficult time. COURAGE DEAR HEART indeed! I am glad you have Joe to take of you and your kitties too. Much love. Thank you for giving the world beautiful words and items to put into our homes!
Oh my goodness!! SO SORRY about your wrist. A quilter friend had hand surgery and she couldn’t do any of the creative things that fed her soul. It was so hard! Her husband was terrific, just like Joe! Speedy recovery!!
Your “joint” champagne heart mug is perfect as is the courage charm. We’re so lucky you share it all with us!!
I would love to win!!
Sweet Susan you have been missed. So sorry to hear of your accident. Heal quickly. Wonderful Joe, caretaker and now codesigener of mugs! Looking forward to the rest of your surprises!
Love reading your blog! Thanks for sharing!
So sorry about your wrist. So glad its better and you shared life with us again. Love, all the hearts to you and Joe.
Love everything!
Hana
Summer should get a speeding ticket – it’s just going by waayyy too fast!
Thank you!
Love your art, your books, your lovely thoughts.
I am JUST back to work after 12 weeks of recovering from shoulder surgery. One of the hardest things was not being able to type!! I was amazed at how much ONE SHOULDER does! It does give me a much greater appreciation for the whole amazing body. Heal well!
Sorry you’re nursing a broken wrist. Most of our parts go unappreciated until they go missing. There’s a lesson there somewhere.
Hi Susan,
Wishing you continued good healing. Thanks for your beautiful art and inspiring messages each day. I would like to be entered in the drawing.
Cassie
Sorry to hear about your broken wrist! Love reading your newsletters!
Such a precious meow in your life!!!!!!! They really love to get their suntans, don’t they?
Jack is the cutest! But on to cups – cups! cups! cups! What magic it would be to drink my coffee from a beautiful Susan Branch design, so enter my name, please!
Oh, my gosh, that picture of Jack at the end of your post. Adorable fluffiness.
Keep up all the good work you do, Susan. And prayers for full recovery and use of your wrist. Glad you’re being well taken care of by Joe. P.S. I love the champagne hearts cup!
You provide so much creative inspiration to those of us who love your notes and ideas. Thank you, Susan.
Oh what a bother! No use of your right hand? That’s just not fair to ANY of us! We RELY on your right hand to write half of the wonderful updates, and paint the lovely pictures, and cook the yummy recipes! I bet Jack misses your right hand, too – is that your rubberband-shooting hand?!? Take good care of that hand, Susan… I just couldn’t bear not receiving your charming updates throughout your favorite season!
Be well girlfriend!
Learned to sloppy-shoot with Left!
Of course you did. This is love!
Susan Branch you are a sparkly soul! Get well soon!❤️
Oh oh oh! Those seasonal cups are magnificent! I have the corgi cup and have been saving up to buy another. Winter! Autumn! Pumpkin! And that fruit nightlight!!!!! Oh my just looking at them makes me so happy! I don’t use my corgi cup as it is precious to me but I have it proudly displayed in my kitchen for all to see! Just looking at it makes me feel warm and happy inside so thank you for your great talent and for your sharing with us “girlfriends”! Sure hope your break mends quickly and the physical therapy is effective.
Love that last picture of Jack and his adorable paws…what a cutie!
I really enjoy reading your blog, thanks for taking the time to update us!
Thank you so much for the bookmark. I love it.
SO happy to get this note dear Susan! Thank you for your painful but courageous efforts for little old us in typing this special note! You take such good care of us. You’re a doll! It’s the best thing to have someone to take care of us when we feel…crummy. Yay for your Joe!! And yay for you! You’ll be better soon I know! Many thanks.
Dear darling Sue! I am so sad that you broke you wrist! I know how much you are missing the one hand that did most everything! Just know…it will be healed soon and in no time it will just be another chapter in the continuing journey of Susan Branch!
Love the Jack ‘O Lantern cup! What a wonderful array of prizes you have chosen to share with your FB Girlfriends! Love the new charm, too! I think you should look into adding the bracelet to you web store! I’m sure many of us would love to have one to show off our charms!
Miss you so much! Love to you & Joe! xoxox peg
Wishes for a speedy recovery and some good news from your doctor in September! Love all the cups and goodies.
I love receiving everything you send. I’ve waited too long to order the cups that will no longer be offered. That I will regret, especially the Spring cup. I would love to see more of your cat Jack. I have a sweet girl cat named Snickers. Softest thing I’ve ever touched.
Heal well! 👩🦳❤️
Bummer about your wrist, I can relate to the lefty problem. Love all the giveaways, the Pumpkinhead is my fave.
That champagne heart cup – oh beauty! I think we need more of these team efforts! ♥
Oh my goodness! So could you say it was a lucky break? Could have been far worse. Glad it seems to be healing up and you are learning to make do.
Love this timely blog….I’m desperately trying to recover from a total knee replacement and keep having set backs..my doctors and physical therapist say I’m doing everything right it will just take time! I want to be all better NOW so I feel your pain with the broken wrist……patience patience and then more patience….we can do it we are strong women. Your blog is a bright spot in my day…thank you. Oh I would love a package from you so I do hope Vanna picks my name
So sorry about your wrist break! NOT FUN! Have been through that with my husband 3 times! (me, the caregiver!) So glad Joe is a great caregiver for you!
Thank you for all the time you take writing such uplifting posts!! I have your cookbooks all together and now that i feel a touch of fall, I’m starting again looking through The Vineyard Seasons and had a memory so am making Chicken in Cherry Sauce once again!
Dearest Susan,
Each and every time I receive your blog, I feel refreshed and energized and look forward to what’s right in front of me: people who love me for who I am and the way I look; not expecting perfection from me or in anything I create for them. To make something for them warms my heart and feeds my soul. Thank you oh, so sincerely for refreshing me with all your kind words. God bless you and what you do for others!
Hello!
Wishing you a speedy recovery dear, wonderful, inspiring Susan!!!
Thank you for always delivering the HAPPY-not just in our emails, but in all you do and all you are! xoxo
Susan, you are magical.
Love your work! Been a fan since your first book.
Dear Susan, I am so sorry to hear about your broken hand! And your writing hand at that! Prayers for a speedy healing, and wisdom to know when to rest it…as you demonstrated quite well in your post! (I’m a nurse) I adore your book, a Fine Romance! I finally took the plunge and bought tickets for myself and my hubby for a Grand Tour of Europe! I have never been over seas, and age is chasing me! The tour starts in London! I’m so excited! I’m reading your book, again, in anticipation! I received the English Countryside Calendar! Thank you for your inspiration! Denise
So sorry to hear about your wrist.
I hope all goes well with your recovery!
Dear Susan… Ouch! I can identify with a broken wrist in someway. I’m left-handed and it was my left hand. However, I wasn’t making a living as an artist and a writer😳. I was just a junior higher at the time and enjoyed the attention😊. Glad that you are beginning to get a little use of your fingers and that September 14 will soon be here! Thank you for the recommendation of the book you are reading; just reading these pages alone gives someone lots to think about🤔. Always look forward to reading your posts and was missing you! 🥰
Oh my goodness that book is scary funny.
Love cups! Love receiving your blog posts in my email!
Thank you Susan, always love hearing from you. Heal that wrist!
Susan I love everything you create. Love the little lamps and the books
You published.
Everything is so homy looking. Such a warm feeling. Lu Ann
What beautiful cups!
Sorry to hear of your injury, Susan. My prayers for a swift and complete recovery. Received my calendar of a trip through the English countryside several weeks ago. Love it.
Love these beautiful thoughts❤️
Susan, Your writings and drawings have inspired me for years and have seem me through some tough times. Thank you.
Baby Jack is adorable and so are you! Love and speedy recovery, Julie D.
What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you, Susan !
Love you Susan. So sorry about your wrist. I hope I win the cups because I have some very special friends I would give them to. I introduced them to your wonderful books this summer. They are now also in love with you. My husband bought a cup for me last Christmas, but I am afraid to use it for fear I will break it. So I display it on a very safe shelf.
Hi Susan you brave, girl, you. How frustrating it must have been for you not to be able to use your right hand. That’s where Joe comes in. He has always been your right-hand man and now you know where that expression comes from and how very true it is.
Oh, my, goodness, such beautiful give-aways. You’re the best. And yes, September is almost upon us ready to usher in the fall season and dare I say it, the Christmas season. And we must be ready to embrace it. Hugs, Elaine
I grew up with a keen appreciation of one’s right hand. My Dad lost his right arm on D-Day on Utah Beach in Normandy, France. I was amazed at all he could do with one arm. (The things you , I’m sure, are discovering right now!!) He drove, cooked and cleaned, worked on a newspaper, so typed, changed diapers (he had 5 children and 11 grandchildren), and what I found most astonishing, tie his shoes!!! The only thing he needed help with was cutting his nails on his left hand. He never complained. He actually often spoke of his amputation being the luckiest thing that ever happened to him. You see, the VA hospital he, by chance, was shipped to in Detroit for treatment (because there was no room in the hospital in his home city of Boston) was where he met my mother. He passed away on their 60th wedding anniversary. We were blessed to be raised loved and inspired by him.Our “humble hero.”
SO beautiful. Thank you Colleen!
Love it all!
Oh my. What a horrible thing to have happen. But I’m so glad to see a new post up. I can’t tell you how much I love to look at and read your posts. And I hope that Jack has been giving you lots of healing purrs.
Argh! So sorry to hear about your wrist! Happy to hear that you are clearly on the mend! Cast off just in time to pick up all the pretty autumn leaves!
Heal well and soon.
So sorry you broke that talented wrist. Get well soon! I’d love to be entered in the giveaway. 😊
Hope you are doing better everyday!
So sorry to hear about your hand – and happy it is healing❤️ It’ very nice to read your new post. I had been missing you and was wondering.
Hello Susan,
I was wondering where you had been and had just checked the blog in case I missed Willard…and then about an hour or two later saw this! Hope you are feeling better each day! You’ll be back as good as new in no time. Wishing you the best!
xo,
Jonna
Great post! Take care,don’t over do it, and when the time comes be faithful to the exercises!
I love my “A Year in the English Countryside” calendar and can’t wait to receive my Martha’s Vineyard cup!
Sending many wishes for a completely healed wrist. Thank you for all the effort you did to update us in the most beautiful way!
Your giveaways are always so fun!
I totally missed out on the stunning seasons mugs! Sad for me, but perhaps my name will be drawn! Love all of your art and your thoughts.
Hope you heal quickly! We need you back at the helm of encouraging and good thoughts!
Way to go keeping positive! It makes us so appreciative of what we usually take for granted when we lose it!!
Oh, I hope you heal quickly! I had that same break and it’s such a nuisance!
I love the pictures of Jack–who can relax better than a cat?
Oh no! Wishing you uneventful healing! Have many of your cookbooks-they are my favorites. Hoping for a long, beautiful fall here in Central IL-the last few days have been spectacular!!!
Thank you so much for this amazing giveaway! Sending you get well wishes!
Love all the cups!
Sorry to hear about your wrist. It is so hard to do things with the non-dominant hand when you’re not used to it. It feels really awkward and all sorts of wrong. Your brain feels confused. LOL Hope you heal quickly!
So happy to read a new blog! So sorry to hear about your broken wrist. I collect mugs for the different seasons and would be thrilled to win yours in the drawing! Pictures of Jack make me…sigh… What a sweet boy you have! I already have your new 2020 calendar and now I’m in love with your night lights. Your creativity and Joe’s too, help make the world brighter, thank you!
I am beyond grateful for drawing our attention to what is beautiful in our homes and in our world, on healthy eating and well-being, and for your advocacy for our country. What an incredible, powerful combination. You bring joy, hope, and learning to me and to so many. A beacon in troubling times and just pure pleasure in the good times! Thank you.
Susan, I have loved your works since the beginning of time. I have every one of your books. They are cherished and well loved.
Black and white kitties are the best!
We’ve missed you Susan but glad you’re working your way back!
Any cup would be great, but I really, really love the pumpkinheads!🎃🎃🎃