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!
Your blog is always cheerful no matter what you are going through. I always love the quotes you include – many I write down in my quote book.
So sorry you broke your wrist – but you are an over-comer, an achiever so soon you will be back to normal.
Blessings to you and Joe and thanks for your beautiful and inspiring blog.
Oh Susan – I’m so sorry you injured your wrist. Feel better soon!!
Sorry to hear about your wrist, but nice to know you are a “good patient.”
Jack just cracks me up! I have a neighborhood cat that comes out every evening and finds my small dog and I as we go for our walk. He always ends up walking right beside us . Soooo funny and sweet.
Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway! Sending you get well wishes too!
Love your night lights. That book sounds interesting! Especially when I’ve got three young adults who are a little TOO into social media!
Btw, hope you get your cast off soon!
Love! Heal well!
I am having knee surgery tomorrow and I would love to have a mug to cheer me up💕💕💕
I hope you aren’t like me and end up with a left and a right brace! I broke my left wrist in 2009 while skiing. I broke my right wrist Dec. of 2011 crossing an icy street (a worse break than the left but no surgery). By mid February I was able to cross country ski with my brace and a men’s XL glove. Hang in there, you’ll be surprised how quickly the body heals.
This does explain your long absence, glad you’re back!
Jill
You’re posts are such a balm to the soul, a reminder that even in these difficult, angry days there is love out there!
Sorry to hear of your mishap, but glad to see you are mending and getting back to normal. I am sure you are more appreciative of your 2 hands now 😉
So sorry about your wrist. Been there, done that! Love the cups and find the book your reading intriguing.
So sorry about your fall, wishing you well as you recover and hope normalcy returns soon. Love the mugs and would be great to be the winner! Love the blog as usual. A bright spot in my day!
Get well soon! (I’ve broken my left wrist and that was bad enough–can’t imagine managing to do things without the use of my right hand, like you’re doing.)
Can Jack get any cuter? Also, would love to hear more about what you’re eating. Thanks.
I can sympathize with your injury and recovery…I am 3 weeks today post gall bladder surgery (open with complications, ugh !) and finding myself wanting to “do” much more than I am physically able to do right now. Your blog is a precious reminder of all the good things in life, thanks for it and hope you get back to 100% soon.
Love this post! Sorry about your arm 🙁
Must read that book!
No fun to break your wrist! My husband had to have surgery to reattach a ligament in his right thumb after a mountain bike riding accident. Sometimes the most basic things, like buttoning a button, cannot be done without help. I hope you are soon yourself again.
Sorry to hear about your wrist, hope your back to full speed soon, love the background in your picture, hard to believe it’ll all have a fall/winter look before we know it!
Hope your arm is on the mend. Love Jack.
Hope your wrist heals quickly!
Oh My! Those little kitty paws are to die for!!! Such love and a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing that book as it is an excellent reminder of what is REALLY important. Have a great day and hope you are mended fully soon!
Bummer! Broken bones are not the way you want to spend your summer! But as long as you are all healed up and able to wrap your hand around a cup of pumpkin spice tea when autumn finally nips at the window, all is good! Mind the doctor’s orders, and let Joe pamper you as you recover….best wishes for a speedy return to normal life!
Love your blog – I always learn something new, and it’s like a letter from a friend.
Healing thoughts for your wrist! Been there..how do you put on your underwear now LOL!
Yes, the little things. Love the page picture on the cell phone dad….
PUMPKINHEAD! haaa… I cannot wait for FALL….
I really enjoy your blog and the pictures . Speedy recovery!🌻
What a unique blog. Glad I found you.
Your posts are always delightful! So sorry about your wrist!
Thank you for your writing Susan. I’m glad the Martha’s Vineyard mug is available again. I like the night light, so beautiful. Get well soon.
A speedy recovery to you!
🌼💗🌼💗 Happy Labor Day Weekend Susan!!!!
I broke my R wrist the way you did a year ago. So Sorry!
You fill my day with positive thoughts. You calm my mind. ❤️
Dearest Susan, Sending best wishes for a quick recovery of that sacred hand of yours!! Your words of courage and love inspire me, and I thank you, dear friend.
So sorry about you wrist. If I had a new cup I would toast to your health.
I knew Joe took great care of you, he always seems too. Tell him hi for me.
I was wondering where you disappeared to! I stopped in a couple times a week , to see if you had posted anything new. Your blog is my means of decompressing during work breaks 🙂 So sorry to hear about your wrist. Mend soon 🙂 All the best xx
Please can we have a update on your new book ?
When can we preorder?
Dear Girlfriend–I am sure you have considered the possibility that the bum wrist was putting you on notice that occasionally one has to slow down and listen for the quiet. My best friend introduced me to you several years ago. Now at age 94 she is in a rehab community where she likely will live out her life. So I print out your blogs and send them to her, as she has no access to the internet. (350 miles separate us.) She considers these mailings as precious gifts. And you, Susan, are a gift.
Good Morning and BIG Thank you Susan for the wonderful new bookmark!!! I collect your bookmarks and cherish them all…especially the Full Moons!!! I love the new Pumpkin cups!!! Delightful!!! Heal fast dear friend and take care!!!
Hi Susan –
Such an uplifting post from you – a great antidote for the times we live in! Hope your wrist gets better soon and many thanks for your wonderful, inspiring efforts to make the world a better place.
Love your blog!
So sorry about your wrist! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Love all your new items and thanks for the give aways!
Thank you for all of this beauty and goodness in one post!! Such a lovely gift you have given here! Wishing you all kinds of healing magic and sunshine! 🙂
Enjoyed your blog. Looking forward to having some new mugs and nightlights. Happy healing from NY.
wow…I love all your posts, but I really love this one….The courage charm is perfect…the heart champagne mug is adorable ( I know a few people who would be charmed by this mug)….Hoping for a speedier recovery for you and the wrist….Thanks so much for all your sharing….warms the heart….Cheers
I hope you feel better soon! Thanks for filling my inbox with sunshine.
I don’t know what I would do without your lovely blog. It keeps me sane in these trying times. And the food, and the cat, and the Sinatra. I know it may seem odd to mention this here but I’ve seen Tarantino’s newest film 5 times. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. For some reason it’s therapy for me and pure joy like your blog without the violence, lol. Anyway, I hope you and Joe will have a chance to see it because I couldn’t help but think of you living in California in the 60’s…many thanks for what you do and who you are and appreciation for all the delightful things you share with us. Forever a Susan Branch fan.
Oh so sorry about your wrist – and the right one, no less! Here’s to speedy healing :-). Love all the beautiful mugs and those notecards – there’s nothing like the act of writing a note to a friend on a gorgeous card. Thanks for lifting the spirit!
I’m so sorry to see that you broke your wrist. I hope your recovery is speedy and you will be back to 100% very soon. I have loved your calendars and books for several years now. Your story is truly an impression to me. I so adore how you follow your heart with everything you do. I have also gone through a divorce and have and still do feel uncertain about my life, especially right now. I have lost two jobs in the last two years, and feel very lost. Your email came at the right time. You are so positive and sweet. Your keep going no matter what. I want to read your 3 books again, I feel such a connect with your life story and how you made it happen with your art and your life. I’m 53 and still need to make things happen. Anyway, thank you! Katie 😽
Just so you know, 53 is young, and the right time for making things happen!😘 Look forward, nothing behind you matters anymore.💞
You do brighten our days! Thank you Susan and your precious Joe (he is an artist!) Your colors, your thoughts and your photographs joy our hearts. Love to you – Chris and Glenn So good you are having physical therapy on that very important right wrist – glad you are a good patient!
Dang! So sorry about your wrist.
Courage dear heart is such a lovely quote! 🙂 Thank you for making beautiful things!
Hope I’m lucky!
As always, wonderful to hear from you…take good care and think happy thoughts and healing will happen (and we are reminded how amazing our bodies are!)
With hugs,
your never-met friend, Linda
I would love to receive one of your give aways!!!!
My dear Susan,
I of course noticed your absence but knew there was a reason for it. I am so sorry about your wrist and understand the pain and inconvenience of the dratted thing but I am sending you a bit of white light to spur on the healing. I went through a 3 month bout of incredible pain in, to put it delicately, my right sitting muscle and was about to give up when, WHOOSH, it was gone. No reason for the coming or going but such a wonderful feeling of “all is right with my world” that each day was a joy (whether it really was or not).
Another joy, I haven’t been able to taste or smell for over 6 months (before that only sporadically) but the other day I went to our Mexican restaurant in town (after moving back to Decorah from Southern California I would have died, well not literally of course, if we didn’t have one) with friends and ordered a peach margarita and (bring in background effects – sun shining, birds singing, people dancing to Whitney’s “I want to dance with somebody” plus wind in my hair) I COULD TASTE IT, THE FRESH PEACHES AND EVERYTHING!!!!!
Yes Susie, there really is a margarita god. No taste since but what a moment. That,I think, is the gist of what finally having your right hand back will be like, but in the meantime, as you said, “courage, dear heart”.
Thanks for all of the chances to win something “Susan Branch” for as you say, it’s hard out there right now (“the world is too much with us” but I hope that we will have the courage to stand up and change it) but you, pictures of Jack and Joe’s champagne bubbles help – I will think of him every time I drink my cuppa coffee. Take good care dear one and know that many. many people have you in their prayers.
You are a joy as always 🙂 sending cheer to us when you are the one that needs it! Heal quickly dear girl, the world is a better sweeter place because you’re in it. Prayers & Hugs 😘
I’m so sorry to see you broke wrist. Speedy recovery! This email came at the best time for me. I’ve been feeling lost and sad because I lost two jobs in the last two years.☹️ You are such an impression to me, especially through your life story in your three books. I’m going to reread them. I love your wall calendars as well. I love how have been able able to be yourself with all of the people that follow you. I could go on and on. Keep writing, keep creating. Looking forward to your Fall blog and photos! Katie 🥰
Inhale, exhale thanks for always providing a mini-vacation when I read your blog at work over lunch! Speedy recovery dear.
So glad your wrist is doing better. I hope it’s 100% soon! I’ve missed your blogs. They are always so fun to read and inspirational too. Happy autumn (well almost!)
Ohhh! Ouchy boo-boo! ( we all need a little babying once in a while)! Glad you’re on the mend!
Thank you for another beautiful blog post! (So sorry to hear about your wrist!)
Heal fast. Good job Joe.
I’m so sorry about your arm, that must have slowed down your life for a while. I like the book you recommended. I see too many people on their phones and ignoring their friends and family. I would love your mugs, they are so cheery. I have been buying your products used(in perfect condition) because I often can’t find them locally.
Love your sweet blog. A favorite in my mailbox!
Margi
Dear Friend,
Clearly you are also blessed with the “darling” gene also because your sparkle overcomes even that (highly inconvenient) wrist-fixer of a cast! We would all agree that healing takes far longer than we would like and makes little fiddly tasks nearly impossible but we find comfort in knowing that Nurse Joe and Therapy Kitty Jack are capably providing you with the best care possible and that all of your diligent healthy habits will help you overcome this little bump in the road! Take advantage of the “down time” to wander in the garden, curl up with a good book, swoon over the music drifting in the background of your favorite black and white move and smile contentedly when you think about how many quiet healing prayers are sent to you with love! You bring light and joy and happiness to so many grateful hearts! Love to you and wishes for a lovely weekend ahead. Deborah
so look forward to your posts, esp ones with kitty paws. 🙂 I’ve been going back thru the archives so I can read every single one. thanks
Love the mugs! They are beautiful ❤️💜❤️💜 Hope you get well soon 😃
Welcome back, Susan! Sorry to hear about your mishap, but glad it wasn’t worse. Sending hugs and wishes for a speedy return to doing what you do best-keeping in touch with us ‘girlfriends’. XOX
Hands, bones, hearts, hopes… all heal in their own time. Glad to see you again my friend!
Love your posts!
Oh So Very Happy to have you back! I have been checking everyday almost to see! Love all your Art! Painting, Writing, Dishware, Gardening, Food Prep,and most of all your blog! Stay well! Want no more dry spells!
Me too! Same wrist. Learned to adapt creatively. Healed perfectly.
Hello Again, Was that Frank Sinatra singing w/ the Tommy Dorsey band?
Yes!
So many lovely things! Always look forward to hearing from you. Heal quickly!
Always enjoy your beautiful blog. Sorry to hear about your wrist. Hope you are back 100% soon.
Sorry about your hand
I am so sorry to see that you broke your wrist. Speedy recovery! I have admired you and your story for years. I love your three books about your life story.
So impressing. Your email came at the right time for me. I lost my last two jobs in the last two jobs and I am feeling defeated. I am going to read your three books again. I love how you said that you really do this for you and you have reached so many people with your art and sharing your life with us. At 53 I don’t know exactly what I want to do with my future, but you give me impression to follow my HEART! Looking forward to getting your 2020 calendar, reading your books again and your next blog. You have given my AHA moments over and over. Thank you so much for just being You!
Katie
Oh, Susan! Sending you love, hugs, and speedy recovery vibes!
Thank you for your blog and all the wonderful things you make and do. You make life so much more wonderful and loving.
Hope you are healing quickly Susan! We girlfriends need you 🙂
Dear Susan,
I am so sorry about your wrist, but so glad it is healing and that you are able to do some of your everyday things. I refer to you among my friends and family members who don’t know about you as “my best friend whom I have never met!” I plan to order several of your newer items for someone I know who desperately needs some love and courage in her life. Thank you dear friend. I am hoping I will meet you some day. ❤️😊
Happy fall! The weather’s changing and I’m so excited for all the beauty to come. Wishing you a full recovery!
OH DEAR!! I’m so sorry to hear about your wrist problems! I know exactly what you’re dealing with sister. I had wrist surgery several years ago. You really are “growing” new pathways in your brain when you are doing things a new way/with your left hand. (yippee, huh?) Well, I’m praying for a smooth recovery and patience with the process so that you may soak up everything these challenging days have to offer. Now I’d like to ask……WHAT IS THE REST OF THE SENTENCE from page 141 of your helpful book??? “She believed the cure for it wasn’t to always have company, but to find a way to be…………..”???? When you are right-handed again………no rush. 🙂
Hello! What a beautiful post, loved every single bit of it! I’ve had you in my prayers that everything was okay with you and yours. You rarely go this long between posts, so I’m very relieved to know you’re okay, and on the mend. Thank you for all do for us girlfriends, Susan. Wishing you, Joe, and Jack good health, love and peace. ♥ ♥ ♥
Now I need to re-read all the Narnia books!
I hope you are feeling all the love come bouncing back with added measure that we are so blessed to receive from you, thank you for all you share with us! Continued healing and much happiness!
Oh hope you continue to heal and appreciate that wonderful man in your life! Love love love all the new items!
All your mugs are beautiful!
I think Jack ends up being the star of every post! I hope your wrist heals quickly.
Thank you for all the beauty you add to the world with your art work.
Feel better soon! Love this blog and the surprises.
So sorry to hear about your wrist….
Delighted to see what’s back (and also new) in your shop, though. Husband will not be thrilled as I love buying your things to gift to friends and family, but cannot resist adding one of the same to the basket for me to keep! 🙂
SUPERCALIFRAGILOUSEXPEALADOCIS!!
I have been wondering how you were doing, I hoped you were up to something fun. I am so sorry to hear that it was an accident that has kept you away from us, I hope you recover quickly.
Thanks for the lovely book mark and for the opportunity to win your awesome products.
Have a great day.
ok Vanna, pick me! (heal quickly Susan!!)
Susan,
Your blog makes for interesting, entertaining reading, and impetus to try to maintain sanity and hope!
You always bring me cheer! That’s why I wait to read your blog until I know I have time to savor it. So glad I found you!
Broken wrists are the worst! Who knew such tiny bones could be sooo necessary to every day functioning! Feel better soon-
Hi Sue,
I haven’t written/commented in a while. I read all your tweets religiously and so agree with you. I alternate between always hopeful optimism and panic/depression over the state of our country and the world. I listen to several podcasts which also feed/help with the stress. Sadly, I don’t think being in my 60’s helps any of this. But I’m a believer in moving forward! Like you! So sorry about your wrist! I had it happen once, equally as gracefully, and it is eye-opening how much you can’t do that you take for granted.
Take care and keep up the cheerleading – I sure appreciate it!
Love, Sue from Simi
I love everything you create! Someday I hope to be able to afford some of your beautiful dishes, especially those lovely little teapot plates!