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 sorry about your broken wrist! Take care of you – we all need you! Thanks for being there and for the lovely, lovely give-aways. Love to you!
Susan Thompson
Bummer about your wrist! I can relate as I had shingles in my dominant hand with residual nerve damage. Learning to do things over.
Love all of your merchandise.
I so enjoy your blogs Susan! Also have many of your books and can’t wait for the next one to come out.
Hi Susan! I LOVE your art work!! I have most of your cookbooks, they are my favorite! I also enjoyed reading your books and the super cute art work scattered throughout! Thanks for the fun GiveAways!
I just discovered your blog recently and have now read the first two of your memoirs (chronologically). I can’t wait to read the third. I love your writing, your art and your personal stories. It’s lovely to discover such wonderful books and feel a connection. Like my dear Lucy Maud Montgomery’s kindred spirits. I hope all goes well with your wrist.
Your blogs are always a treat! I was sorry to hear about your wrist. But though the break was not the type of suprise we would ever wish for, it showed you the full range of everything this wrist does just for you! And that, dear heart, is the hidden gift! Heal well!
Love all the give-aways!
I’m so sorry you hurt your hand. We don’t realize how much we rely on our hands until we can’t use them. I hope you heal quickly and get back to your normal routine.
Hi Susan,
I am so sorry about your wrist! Devastating, at first, I am sure! I’m glad you didn’t need surgery, as my daughter did. Her senior year of college, final semester, English minor, she had three huge papers due, and broke her wrist on her first snowboarding trip! After a metal plate with 6 screws were put in, she recovered quickly and didn’t have to put off graduation a semester, as one of her professors suggested.
In honor of the new season of The Great British Baking Show starting in just TWO DAYS, I’m watching a few old episodes to get re-acquainted! I’m thinking this will be the only way you will get to bake for awhile, my dear girl. Living vicariously through the TV. Do like GBBS as much as I like it? It’s my favorite!
Anyway, I LOVE all the mugs! They definitely make coffee or tea time MUCH lovelier! Thank you for the drawing! Such fun! Nancy, Snowflakelady
Thanks for another great post. I hope your wrist is feeling much better soon, Susan.
Love all the new products!
Dearest Susan, Your posts are just what the doctor ordered – a bit of much appreciated sanity with a reminder that simple pleasures are best and beauty is all around us if we only take a moment to look, be still, and notice.
Oh my dear Susan! My little 7-year-old granddaughter Maeve just suffered the same injury. She spent the afternoon of her first day of first grade getting a cast applied. Writing and crafting have been difficult, no gym class and showers instead of baths have made life a little uncomfortable. But a bit of fun has been injected… her daddy helped her craft a paper chain to mark the days until cast removal. Six more days until the last link… but just before that a special red link (Red Letter Day, don’t you know!) marks the day the entire family travels for a visit to our newest family member. A baby cousin! Cousins Day, best sort of Red Letter Day of all! I hope you heal quickly and completely. I love the new mugs and the courage bead too! I’m off to order my bead right this minute. Toss my name into Vanna’s bin, what a lovely giveaway.
So glad Robin got the store/gallery renamed! (Since the former name showed up “permanently closed.” Loved meeting her and purchasing a slew of your stuff! I love my birthday china mug! Tell Joe I love the one he designed when you two went to the factory as well as the hearts one. You’re both artists! Hope your wrist heals quickly!
Dear Susan, The first time I was ‘introduced’ to you was in the early ‘90’s with ‘Christmas from the Heart of the Home’. Unfortunately, I was a single mom living in Alaska and definitely short on time, BUT, I knew some day I would come back to this beautifully illustrated book. Then in 2001, my girlfriend gave me ‘Girlfriends Forever’ for my birthday and thought “Hmmm, this is a keeper” and tucked it away but never really READ it. Fast forward to 2019, back in Alaska visiting after moving away in 2005. I’m staying at a longtime friend’s house while they are away, gazing across at beautiful Auke Bay, AK over Gastineau Channel and deciding “I need something to read”. Guess what I found. A Fine Romance. Oh my gosh. I am hooked, and as soon as I return to my home in Southern Oregon, I order all three and read them back to back! The funny thing to me is, when I’m thumbing through my friend’s copy of Romance (I realized immediately I needed to wait and start from the beginning with “The Fairy Tale Girl”), I realized you were already in your early 70’s (not much older than I) and feeling robbed that you hadn’t just left SLO like…two years ago! No!!!! How could this be?!?!? Okay, I got over it. (How dare you age?!? 😊). Anyway, I am just so thankful to have rediscovered you and now that I’m retired, can take the time to thoroughly enjoy your writing. I grew up on Cape Cod, so any time that I can be reminded of that time and place, it is a joy. Thank you for being you, Susan.
All Above Perfectly Divine ❤️❤️
Would love to have the set
…Oh how lucky I could be to have a mug sent just to me….
breaking anything is a bad thing, but it looks like you’re doing very well, so far, heal quickly!
Thank you for you!
🎤🎶Courage, give me courage🎼
Hope you’re fully mended soon! Thanks for the sweet giveaway chances!
Got my calendar!!!!’nn
I’m so sorry about your wrist! I can relate. I broke my humerus when I was riding my quarterhorse and a dog raced out of the tall grass right in front of us and my horse bolted to the left. I flew off and was knocked out. I had to write my Christmas cards with my left hand.. not easy. I’m glad you’re better!!
((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
Your blog always brightens my day! I long for one of your mugs!
So glad you are on the mend!
Dear Susan..so sorry to see that nasty cast, but your picture was lovely !
Time to order my new Calendar ! My delightful Grand Daughter and I eagerly look forward to the Joy of turning to a new month and reading and enjoying all the Good Sweetness. Thank You for Sharing your Home, Fun Times, Sweet Jack, dear Joe, and life on the Island!
You truly ‘Make My Day! ‘
Lovely photo of you Susan, pretty lipstick and that little jacket could have come from Beatrix’s wardrobe! Would love to win the 4 mugs to share with friends, Marie
Can I purchase the courage charm from you? Feel better and heal!
So glad you are healing up well! Love all the new cups and inspiration cards! Beautiful!
Hope is for the Heart!
So sorry to hear about your broken wing… I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Downton Abby movie, being released 9/20… I can’t WAIT!! The story continues. Oh and please, please Vanna pick me, I’d love the Pumpkin cup.
I never knew what I was missing until my cousin in Michigan sent me your blog
and then a copy of your Heart of the Home cookbook. I especially love your
fanciful illustrations, quotations and comments. As a former copywriter PR professional and sometimes artist I appreciate your creativity.
I look forward to each post. I may put your book and a couple of your teacups
on my Christmas list. I’m going to sign up to have your monthly blog delivered
to my mailbox. Don’t be too surprised if my cousin and I show up on your
porch step one day because one of my favorite vacation places is Cape Cod.
I’m also a self-decorator so I enjoy seeing your home and gardens.
I’m so sorry to hear about your hand. I hope it heals quickly. As I read your post I was sitting in the urgent care room (for 4 1/2 hours) waiting to get a diagnosis on my injured knee. Jumped off a little wall and knew something was wrong. Luckily nothing broken, just badly sprained. Sent off with crutches and a brace. Like you, I’m beginning to realize what I won’t be doing for a while…like driving and working in my garden. Prayers for you…
Oh, the Corgi bookmark!! It looks like a portrait of my Cooper 🙂
Wonderful to see you again (you were missed) and I am so, so sorry about your wrist 🙁 Take good care of yourself.
You are so talented. Thanks for the giveaways.
Oh my! So sorry about your fall and break!
I love the champagne bubble hearts!
This blog post was worth the wait! Hoping September 14 is the day for right-handed freedom!
So sorry to read about your broken wrist. I broke my left one 8 years ago and was surprised how much I needed my left hand as I am right handed. I guess they just work best together. I love all the cups and I’m excited about the drawing. Best wishes.
So happy you are mending, dear Susan.
Susan, thank you for what you do. You are appreciated.😊❤️
Seeing a new blog post is always a happy surprise! Makes my day 🙂
Love 💗, Love 💗 Love your blogs! So fun !
Such lovely gifts!
Thank you for the chance to win a lovely prize.
Sending light and love for a speedy recovery ❤️🙏🏻
Dear Susan,
Hoping and praying for your quick recovery! Just returned from my first trip to London and
the country side. Thought of you while visiting.💕❤️🇬🇧🙏
“Season’s Memories,” to be savored daily.
Prayers for a full recovery, Susan. Thank you for your beautiful spirit, and for making this world a brighter more lovely place.
Oh COURAGE! Something I’ve really needed since the first of the year! Breast cancer diagnosis….I’m doing well but it was a long winter. Not the same as broken wrist….but when we are broken in body in any way we need that courage right? Best wishes for a great recovery of that wrist! Keep smiling too! We always have things better than someone else right? Thanks for the fun newsletters too! Love them!
Feel better!
Matt Haig is great!! (Follow him on Twitter!)
Love it all!
Hi Susan! Speedy recovery for your wrist. What a bummer!💕🌸🌸
Peace. Even without the beautiful script, your words and images of life’s simple pleasures bring peace to a worried, hurried, and sometimes aching heart. Thank you, Susan! 💕
I’m glad you are healing. I am left handed and have carpal tunnel. You just don’t realize how much you use your hands until you cannot
It is always a special treat to open my email and find your blog post. I enjoyed reading your healthy eating tips. I also love the wonderful photos and inspirational encouragement you include in your art. I hope your wrist heals soon! ❤️🏠 Melissa
Dear Susan, I’m so sorry about your wrist! Bless your heart. I had just thought yesterday that we hadn’t hard from you in a while. Take gentle care now.
Lovingly, Julia
Beautiful words as always Thanks Susan 🍃🌸🍃
So thankful you didn’t have to have surgery. I pray your wrist heals quickly. I love all the adorable new goodies you have available. I currently have 5 of your cute cups. They make me smile & of course my coffee & tea taste so much better. Thank you for all the inspiration you send out to me & many others. Healing Prayers🤗
Mugs are delicious!
You are a Wonder Woman! Your perseverance is amazing, you go girl!
Dear Susan, Your blog is one of my favorite places to come and read and see beauty and I just love the cups you put in your post! I’d be thrilled to win (any of) them. I hope you heal quickly and are pain free very soon.
Colleen
What an inspiring blog to read about courage! Today my dear Mom who is the Heart of our Family has to take on cancer. She smiled and laughed and showed us her courage. She came home, made stuffed peppers and organized a family dinner for tomorrow night. You women truly are an inspiration. Thank you for brightening my day. Take care of your wrist, sending Blessings with good cup of tea. xoxo
Praying your arm is back to normal very soon. And thank you for doing your blog. I love the way you find delight in the everyday, normal things.
Oh I’ve missed you! My kids went back to school last week and my husband and daughter have been sick all this week. I’m beginning to feel a little blue. Your blog put the smile back on my face though. The cheeriness I needed to turn my attitude around. Thank you always! Larkin
Susan , so sorry to hear about your broken wrist. That’s no fun , wishing you full healing and a fast recovery ! BTW was at the Apple Farm in SLO this last weekend and saw all your lovely products in person. As always the Apple Farm does a wonderful display and I couldn’t help but purchase a few.
Take care ,
Darla B
Sooooo sorry about your arm!☹️😭Hope you heal fast,❤️💜💐🌹XO Melissa R
Beautiful!!❤️
Feel better soon ❤️
Oh dear, do hope you are back in perfect working order in a snap!
So sorry about your tumble dear Susan. Glad you are on the mend! 🙏🏼
I love seeing Fall items coming out.
Thank you for brightening my day!
Oh my! So sorry to hear about your wrist. Hope your special glove comes off soon. Congrats for continuing to eat whole, nutritious food. Enjoy these lovely days of summer…
Fall will be tiptoeing in soon!
Happy to hear you are recovering! Must have been so frustrating for you to have your creativity stifled. Pace yourself as you return to action!
We miss you!! Susan best wishes for a speedy recovery 💗🙏🌿😊
On dear, Susan! So sorry about your wrist! I hope it’s completely healed & back to normal by Thanksgiving!
Hugs, Kathy
Pick me!! Thanks
Can you believe it—— September already. Hope your arm heals quickly.
YOU ARE JUST AMAZING SUSAN, HOPE YOU HEAL QUICKLY AND CAN USE YOUR HAND AGAIN SOON, WITHOUT PAIN.
THANK YOU FOR A CHANCE AT THE GIVEAWAY!
Oh, Susan, you have such perfect timing! Your blog arrived on a day that needed lots of sunshine and it brightened my day! Hope you have a speedy recovery. Love the new cups…enjoy the last days of summer!
I have been searching every where for that Winter cup!!
Loved reading your book – it was a feast for the eyes!
Love your healthy eating pictures–encourages me to eat healthfully, too! (And they give me ideas for menus.)
Quick recovery ❤️
My summer cup full of peppermint tea and thee! What could be better!
So fun! I love the pumpkin head cup and all your courage items. I’m in love with Joe’s heart cup too
My husband was diagnosed with cancer last year and my two college daughters have been very brave. The beautiful gifts would put some bright cheer in their apartments.
Dear Susan, I am sending you healing energy for your wrist. So good to hear from you again. Have a nice Labor Day Weekend.
❤️ Wendy Marvin. From Michigan
Love your blog posts! Just what I needed this evening. I’m so sorry about your wrist. Take care of yourself – we love you!
I never knew what I was missing until my cousin Sharon in Michigan began
sending me your monthly blog and then sent me a copy of your Heart Of The Home cookbook. I especially love your illustrations, comments and quotations
since I’m a sometimes artist, self home decorator and former PR person/writer.
I appreciate creativity, a passion for enjoying the Lord’s creation, travel, reading, and the simple pleasures of everyday living. Thanks for sharing your gifts.
I always look forward to your interesting newsletter and to see enjoying your artistic talents. Bless you and hope you recover quickly and completely.
❤️ all the ways you provide inspiration…it’s like a mini vacation from all the craziness of life these days.
I bought two of your “Little House” cups, one for me and one for an Anglophile friend’s birthday. I use mine every day and I know she’ll love hers as well. She just returned from Scotland so I popped in two boxes of shortbread cookies from Edinburgh. Now, won’t that be a lovely present? A great way to enjoy afternoon tea after a hard day’s work.
thanks Susan, just the reminder I needed to breathe more, listen more, let go more . . .
I am in love with all of your new products! You add sunshine to so many lives. Thank you!!
Love them!
Oh, Susan, I’m so sorry you suffered an accident! Especially because it resulted from your desire to be helpful. Well, your positive attitude through it all is truly an inspiration. Please know how much I appreciated the musica you shared. Nice old Frank sounds so smooth and soothing-thank you. Wishing you complete healing in a timely fashion so as to savor the glorious Fall season in New England.
Nancy Scofield
P.S. There shall be no raking of leaves by you this year!
So sorry about your wrist and I am hoping for a speedy recovery for you! I love all your beautiful products and would be grateful to win any one of these items Thanks again for your ray of sunshine on my day.