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!
I am so sorry to hear about your broken wrist. I am sending healing thoughts your way. I love all your mugs, especially the Martha’s Vineyard one. Every morning I either pour my coffee into that one or my other favorite one Life is Good, with Jack on it.:-) Savor the last days of August!
Hope you’re feeling back to normal soon. You always have so much going on and so much inspiration for all of us.
Love your work Susan💕 Hope you’re back to 💯 soon 🍀
Oh my oh my. prayers for a speedy recovery. Sometimes things in life happen to wake us up to notice the silence, right? Love your positive posts.
What a beautiful array of give away items. My grandson loves corgis so I’ll make the bookmark for him!
May your recovery be fast and full. 💟
So sorry to hear about your hand. Glad to hear you’re mending well! Take care of yourself, and thanks for all the chances to receive one of your beautiful mugs! 😊💕
Such great information about your eating plan! Thank you! I am going to give a go! Just ordered my calendars!
Sorry to see your wrist in the splint. Be patient and find a good hand therapist to help get it back to tip top shape it is worth it. You need the hand to continue doing your wonderful and beautiful work. Good luck.
Courage right back at ya, sister!
Beautiful items….I could only hope to be a lucky winner! Get well soon!
Ah. Dear Susan. Right wrist breaks. Never a good thing. Especially in the last humid months of summer. I’m glad you’re surviving and thriving and hmmm…can’t thinking of another rhyme except jiving and it’s just not hitting me at the moment.
I think you’re right. The world does seem to need a bit of extra happy right now. Can’t quite figure it out but ennui seems to have settled a bit in many of our personal cracks and crevices. Sigh.
I love the giveaways, but mostly I love a chance to escape real life at the moment and visit your lovely home and smile.
Thanks for being you. Thanks for being a light in the world.
Gentle hugs to you, dear lady.
I know what you’re going through Susan. I too broke my right wrist quite a few years ago and it wasn’t easy. I’ve never taken for granted ever since how important the use of our hands is! Hope you’ll be good as new soon!
Your posts and my Southern Living magazine and state retirement check all come about the same time……..best time of the month.
Sending healing thoughts your way. Feeling limited can be so disheartening. Take care.
I thought the “blueberry” porcelain shade was sweet…nothing is just a blue dot…I saw blueberries.
Sorry you had to experience disability with a fractured wrist. With the “breaks” in life, we grow. The good and the bad.
Hello…best wishes for speedy recovery
One day I’ll make it the vineyard.
You are my HERO
Sorry to hear of your mishap. Drats! At least you’re home and not traveling. Right? Here’s to s speedy recovery. All my best!
I’m so sorry to hear about your fall and broken wrist. I, too had fallen and broken my wrist gardening, wrestling with weeds. It can be frustrating as I watched the summer go by but I decided to use my time reading and the time went quickly. My husband was a big help too!
Take care of yourself and continue your healing!
Hoping that your wrist is healing well and that you can get back to normal ASAP!
Glad you are on the mend!
Oh Dear Susan ^;^. I am so sorry for your mishap ! And yes you are very blessed to have your Joe and Jack. I was wondering what was keeping you away so long from your friends ! Take care and listen to your doctor 🥼! Love the new charm and cups . Thanks Joe !
I love your cat.💕 He makes me smile and I usually need something to make me smile.
Can’t wait to get the set of new cups I ordered. My husband keeps asking when they will arrive. We use them every morning. They really keep the coffee hot. More so than the other mugs we have.
Won’t be long and you’ll be in the pink. Take good care. Sandy M.
Susan, I hope you have full use of your hand and arm real soon! 💗
So sorry about your hand Susan…..I have had one heck of a summer. I can do imagine curling up in front of the fire with your cup and a soft blanket and my WHT Gabby beside me. Sometimes it just comes down to that!❤️❤️❤️
Hi Susan!
Thank you for the chance to win some cups!
I love them all , I love the pumpkins so cute!!
Love Jack!❤️
I hope you get better soon just take it slow I know it’s hard for you!!
You’ll heal faster!!
Enjoy your evening
Darlene
Thanks for your uplifting blogs, FB posts and tweets. They always make my day 😊 Especially now during these uncertain times.
A reading of your blog always makes my day happier. Thank you for being such a gift to the world.
I understand the pain and nuisance of a broken wrist. This, too, shall pass .
Would love those beautiful cups!!! Sending healing wishes for your quick recovery.Thank you!
Love the kitties.
Hope you’re not into much pain! I’ve missed your blog.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Sending you hugs!
Oh Susan … sorry about your injury. My husband broke his right wrist a few years ago. He is right handed so like you he was limited. Love all the new cups, trays, and especially the nightlights. Take care … you were missed.❤
You did a great job typing! Keep taking care of yourself so you can heal.
So good to have you back….even if not completely healed! The new cups are awesome and Joe’s idea for the champagne heart cup touches my heart. My calendars have been delivered and all is good in the world. We just got back from an amazing Night Sky visit at Rocky Mountain National Park. I believe this falls into your “silence” piece above. Black sky, no other humans around, total and complete darkness and the Milky Way and stars and constellations and planets… We found a that a profound peace came to us that night and I have not felt like that since I was a child. Thank you for the reminder that its okay to be quiet, to be still, to be.
Hoping you will be out of your cast. What a set back especially for an artist such as yourself. Hugs for your healing
Take heart—a wrist can heal. I broke a wrist four years ago and knitting and keyboarding helped me heal! No arthritis in it either. Take heart!
Hit “Refresh.” That’s what the Susan Branch Blog does for me. It’s like hitting the Refresh button in my heart. Listen to the quiet is my big takeaway from this one (except I hope to take away the precious blue-and-White dotted night light, too.) Susan, I hope your wrist heals and the cast is off very soon. I am a hopeless “rightie,” and I cannot imagine being restricted.
It’s so good to have you back again. Take good care of that poor wrist. Jack must be missing the rubber band flinging! Btw, thanks for the tip about the coconut almond milk. Yum!
Hope you’re back to normal very soon.
How sad to have your wonderful creativity stifled by a fall! Hope all heals well and glad you are back! Best wishes, Carla
I have loved your art work and your books and recipes way back before I learned you had a blog, and now I look forward to your blog. When I get the notification of a new one and I’m rushed, I keep it for later when I can truly savor it. Such a nice breath of fresh air. Thank you for what you do.
Martha
Sorry to hear about your wrist but glad you are doing better! Love your designs and the new cups!
Oh dear, Susan, I’m so sorry about that necessary right hand! Soon it will be rested and full of good ideas and rarin’ to go. Thanks for showing us the good book you’re reading. Find a bunch more, curl up with Jack, and read read read without an ounce of guilt. Sending love your way!
P. S. So good Joe is more than ever your “right-hand man.”
I just had to order your Courage charm!
I am inspired and enCouraged by you and your art! Keep on being a heart-to-heart blessing to us all!
I would love to win anything! I ordered all the calendars and they are gorgeous.
Love the nightlights!
Gotta have one of those cups! So adorable, Susan!
Oh Dear Sue,
So true that we don’t know what every does until it doesn’t. I’m glad you’re on the mend and I send all the pink healing energy I can muster your way.
Falling down is not such fun!
When Rick broke his leg four years ago and had to sit in a chair for 12 weeks it was a drag all around, so I feel for you and Joe!
Lots of love and good vibes,
Gabi
Best of luck with recovery! I had shoulder surgery in June and it’s amazing the things we take for granted that our arms so naturally do for us each day! Until they don’t!!! It gets better each day once you start the recovery part of healing! Patience is key. 🙂
So exciting, what a great! I pray you heal quickly!
I’m so sorry about your wrist! So glad you’re on the mend! I love your charm bracelet! Why did I never think of putting them on a bracelet that way?
Sorry to hear about your wrist 🙁 . Would like to know how you prepared the shrimp in that yummy looking meal. Feel better
Not being able to use your “handy” hand is such agony! It sure teaches us patience; good luck healing & hopefully you’ll be back to normal soon. I LOVE Joe’s champagne hearts💕
I’m going to try your diet!
Best wishes for a smooth recovery, Susan! Thanks so much for your constant generosity of spirit and little gifts. You bring more joy than you possibly could imagine.
Cindee in CA
Your sweet Jack is just hilarious.
So happy he has such a wonderful life in your home.
I’ve read all your books and enjoy your blog so much. I also have all your cookbooks and enjoy going through them each season. They serve as decor on my counter for each corresponding season. Question… have you ever created any mugs for breast cancer? I completed treatment for stage 3 metastatic breast cancer last winter and am now cancer free! If you had a breast cancer fighter or survivor mug, I’d buy it!
Prayers for you as you continue to heal from your broken wrist.
I always LOVE the precious Jack pictures.
Love the William Butler Yeats quote – “Come away oh human child! To the waters and the wild.”
Me Me Me PLEASE! I love it all! I hope you get better very soon Susan. I have had surgery twice on a non-dominant hand and it was awful. I can’t imagine what this has been like for you!
Dear Susan: I have missed your posts very much. Hope you had a grand summer and that your wrist heals completely and you can get back to the beautiful water colors that we all love! God Bless, Freya
Once again you have ‘centered’ me. Thank you.
Love pumpkinhead mug!! Halloween is my fav holiday (well, ties very closely with Christmas)
Hope your cast comes off soon!!
So happy you’re doing better and that Joe is taking good care of you. I have a very special husband, he took care of me through four surgeries in a year. Your post has been a bright spot in recovery. Heal fast.
Hoping your wrist is much better very soon!!! I am excited to be entered in your giveaway❤️
Thanks for the newest letter. It had to be hard with just 1 1/2 hands. I REALLY need that “Pumpkinhead” mug! When our daughter was pregnant with our second grandson, they refused to tell us what his name would be. I started calling him “Pumpkinhead Ned” just to be obnoxious. Fast forward 10 years and he will only let me call him that! But, he calls me “Sugar” 🙂
I have also been out of commission for awhile. I hurt my neck before Christmas and am feeling about 85-90% normal finally! It’s been frustrating not being able to do regular things but slowly but surely it’s getting better. Yay! Praying for your speedy return to normalcy!
Hope your hand feels better soon.
Wow!! Delightful surprises!!! So sorry you are injured!! Prayers for a full recovery so you can get back to doing all you love!! Please enter me in give away and love, love the champagne heart mug. Love does tickle your nose!!
Oh, how I would love to win one of your lovely creations. And yes, I would share with my daughter. I wish you continued good healing for your hand.
Monika
I just discovered your ” brand” My mom passed and I was going through all her cookbooks, found Vineyard Seasons, I was very curious and started looking at your other books. I bought Fairy Tale Girl and can’t put it down! (I recommended it to my girlfriends.
I love the teapot plates! Thank you for sharing your life.
Praying to be chosen!! Feel better Susan!!!
So sorry to hear of your accident! Happy that you are on the mend. Your beautiful art and inspirational words have brought me such joy! Love my calendars and I have many of your books. The world today can be challenging to take in and it’s wonderful to know that you provide a respite from some of the daily assaults that we may encounter. It’s so important to continue with joyful thoughts to help us along the way. Wishing you a swift recovery! Kind regards to Joe and Jack.
Susan – your positive, ‘can-do’ attitude is very inspiring to me. I love reading your blogs, listening to the classic background music and seeing your artwork!
“Never give up!” is the rallying call of our suffragette foremothers who were celebrated yesterday, the 100th anniversary of getting we girls the VOTE!!
Jan
It’s always a good day when there’s a new blog post up!
Hi Susan, we are sisters in spirit! Glad you are on the mend. My throw rug threw me and I fractured my left wrist in March, was able to get the cast off before a 10 day trip to Japan but had to wear a temporary brace for protection when traveling. I spend 40 -50 hours typing on a computer for my job and became an expert at the one finger method :). I have the garden and the moon mugs and they always brighten my day and night! Thanks for your fun blog which always leaves me smiling 🙂
Cheers! Patti B.
Here’s hoping that you heal quickly! We girlfriends need you!
Sorry to hear about you accident. Take good care and rest your hand. I have lots of your art since 1992 and we all need more of your of your sunshine. Thanks
Hope your wrist heals quickly. You’re such an inspiration to me! And I love the hearts. ❤️
Love your blog Susan! and oh that pumpkinhead mug just suits me….my birthday is on Halloween!!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog!! I always feel so uplifted and good after reading through it. I look forward to the next one, but do hope your hand will be feeling ever so much better by then!”!!
Glad to hear you are healing nicely!!
Dear Susan,
So sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you mend quickly and before the beautiful fall weather arrives.
Here in the Midwest we have suffered with horrible amounts of rain in the Spring and now are experiencing a very dry summer. I’m afraid fall isn’t going to be as colorful as years past. So please send us some beautiful pictures of Fall in Martha’s Vineyard. No matter what season it is there it always seems so homey and perfect.
Your mugs are an inspiration to me. Joe certainly has an inward talent he needs to release.
Keep up with your new eating lifestyle as it shows in your picture. Everything you post that you eat looks delicious.
It is soon pumpkin time and anxious to see if you come up with something delicious for your meals with that.
Heal quickly and know I’m wishing you only the quickest recovery.
Sincerely, Lynn
What a perfect way to end your blog with Jack snuggled in a blanket. Much better then the start and your poor wrist. Happy to hear you are healing and soon you will be free of the cast. Love all the cups and the new charm. Courage we all need it these days with this crazy world, but also reminds me of those of us battling cancer and any other illness to have heart, have faith and lots of courage. We can win this. Thanks for a wonderful blog and continue your healing ways.
I have loved your artwork for years and am enjoying many of your pieces today. I’m glad you have branched out in your merchandising.
Oh my goodness! You are BACK!!! Hooray! So sorry about the wrist but we know you will be right as rain and back in the saddle in no time at all now. Love the cup set–pick me, pick me! Fall is beginning to niggle its way into the breeze and evening air. I am not quite ready but Mother Nature will do what she wants anyway. SOOOO GOOOD to see you back ☺.
I love your blog and wondered what you were up to. I broke my wrist once too and had a job of typing so I was off for a day and got back at it by using my other hand and punching out the letters as best I could. All is well now – no surgery either so you will be fine. I gave one of your cups to my sis-in-law and she always tells me how much she loves it. Thank you.
I love all of your work Susan!! I have followed you for too many years to count and look forward to all of your beautiful work and adventures!
I would gratefully accept any or all of the mugs. Heal quickly so you can do what you’re oh so good at…creating in various ways.
LOVE LOVE LOVE everything in this blog. The book your reading, the food your eating (photo:-), the story of your husband designing your new mug, the mugs, the notecards and the story of your tripping and breaking your wrist! So glad that your back and writing, drawing again 🙂
Hello and so sorry to hear about your misfortune….we are such creatures of habit. Sure hope your wrist heals soon and you are back to your old self and doing all the tasks you are used to doing. Good to hear from you and love love all the new goodies.
Cottagelu
Sure, I’ll leave a comment! Broke my ankle last summer. I could relate to the frustrations expressed, even though it was a walking joint, not a writing a joint. I always enjoy slowing down, and then I was forced to for months. It was layered with good, but I’m happy to be done with that season. Hang in there! Enjoyed the blog post and photos, as always. Reading the post and listening to the very wonderful musica brings a cheery time for me at the end of a work day. Thank you!
So happy to see your blog
Wishing you a speedy recovery
I love your blog and your art! Thank you for letting all of us be a part of your wonderful world!❤️
Love reading your inspirational posts! Would love to paint, draw or just hangout to talk ! God speed your recovery!
Jack is adorable wrapped up in something cozy with his little paws peeking out…bye the way, Susan…is Jack an indoor cat? I ask because I now live in a place that requires me to keep my cat inside…and I feel soooooooo badly for her…Autumn is her name…she’s about 13 years old now…and always could run around outside. If jack is an indoor cat, he sure looks happy…I want mine to feel that way too!
The warmth I feel every time I visit your blog is so good for my soul! My work is so hectic and I immediately start to relax when I read your adorable words. I often break open your books and just read a few passages. My fav book, A Fine Romance. Thank you for bringing joy into my life with your everyday musings and happy positive stories!