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!
Glad your wrist is on the mend. You had a great, big smile on anyway. It makes you grateful for little blessings that we take for granted.
Thank you for today’s blog. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I love the set of 3 tins that you have now. Red! They look wonderful and happy on my windowsill. I am looking forward to the new mugs coming to my house. You bring us so many fun things to choose from.
Love you tons!
So so lovely to see you back here which means that not only are you healing, but you have stored up all this wonderful in a note to us. Be careful not to overdo, though. Sending hugs.
Dear Susan:
Sending healing wishes your way!! I broke my dominant wrist in a fall in 2017
so I am with you on this one. Thanks for all the wonderful things to buy! Your creativity is a pleasure to behold.
Much love,
Jane
Holey moley! I love it all.
Feel better Susan
I love your Blog! In a day filled with running around and doing all that needs to get done, your blog is that shady tree by a stream with the scent of summer roses to calm my soul. Thank you for being such a treasure.
🌸🐝🌸
Oh Susan, thank you so much for the opportunity to win one of your beautiful works of art! So sorry about your wrist – I hope it heals quickly. It’s true you never know how much you need something until you don’t have it!
I love that pumpkin cup, and the autumn cup, and the winter cup, and ….pretty much everything you create. What a gift you have and how lovely that you share it with us.
Always a joy to read! Thank you.
Dearest Susan, OMG! But happily Joe is with you to give support and make the tea ! I adore everything you create and would love to win something from your collection. Heal quickly! Greetings from Yvonne in Michigan
Thank you for this newsletter- and thinking of your subscribers amidst the pain of a broken wrist. You are truly a treasure!!
So sorry to hear about your broken wrist. Hopefully, you will have a speedy recovery. Thanks for taking the time to give us an update. Take care.
I’ve been checking daily for your new post (now I know why its been so long!). I so look forward to them. Glad to see you are well on the mend. Take care, relax and enjoy lot’s of tea!
Happy healing!
(Excellent left-handed one finger typing by the way.)
Hi Susan,
Sending you hugs! Sending you heal well wishes! And thank you for sharing the 2049 therapy session!!! Oh my. Goodness I see just that more and more.
I love the night lights!
Love, Carla
Congratulations on persevering through the past few weeks. You are amazing!! It will only get easier going forward.
Oh, Susan, sorry about your broken wrist. I hope you mend quickly so that you can back to doing all of the things you enjoy 😊.
Dear Susan – I really look forward to your notes. They brighten my day. Sorry about your wrist.
I LOVE that heart mug!! I’m going to put it on my birthday wishlist!!!
Hello dear Susan….do take care, move gingerly, and watch where the toes are leading you….our energy for life means we move quickly and yes, at times, we do silly things like fall, using our hands, our arms to break the falls…..gingerly, please!
Fall is a-coming…the change of light, the air, even though it is hot here in Seattle today, we feel that change…..the colors, the smells – aaahhhh ….
Hope all is well out there in the Vineyard….take good good care of YOU please….
love,
Regina
So sorry about your broken wrist! Hope you enjoyed the summer anyway. And fall is coming! thanks for being you. Have a great one!
Oh Susan! Summer in a cast is no fun. I hope you heal quickly.
P.S. that pumpkin mug is too cute!
YEAH !!!!! FALL IS COMING !!!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT.
Susan – You are so good at knowing just when I needed to see a new blog from you. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and I have been on a roller coaster ever since. Some days up and ohhhhh then boom – down. Anyway, I love your courage charm and the courage mug – have to have them both! So many things in your blog that I love and will purchase!! My credit card will be on fire…….
Sorry to hear about your wrist……but it sounds like it is on the mend now! Don’t overdo, you don’t want to set yourself back, right? Take care!
Wendy
Blessings Wendy. As they say, the only way to it is through it. So very sorry. XOXOXOXO COURAGE!
Hi Susan,
Hope your wrist heals quickly!
I have to tell you something funny. As soon as I received my 2020 wall calendar I turned to November 3rd (election day) to see if you put some hidden sign of hope for normalcy to finally return to our country. I realize you have fans on both sides and it probably wouldn’t be appropriate but I’m hoping that some of my happiness returns on that day. Secretly can’t wait!!
with much love,
Kathleen Morearty
I just love getting your newsletter. How lovely to get one of your surprises!
Hi Susan, my father-in-law is in his final days and he has an amazing Aide who cares for him and I am going to order her one of your Champagne Love Heart Mugs
spreading the love, Victoria
Hello! I’m brand new to your Blog! Don’t know why it’s taken me so long to get connected – I do enjoy your writings and your artwork! So fun and refreshingly delightful – peace and love in this troubled world. Thank you for sharing your precious gifts! And, continued healing of that wrist! Blessings.
Bless you, Susan, for returning to us!! We’ve missed you and hope you heal quickly!! Take good care, Alice
Love your mugs!
So sorry about your wrist, hope it heals well. Thanks for another fun bookmark! The book looks interesting. All the best.
I love, love hearing from you…and all that you are doing. I’m taken away for a bit to a calm, cozy, learn something new moment! We love you so much!!
Courage is just what I need. Two surgeries down, two to go.
I just knew something was “up” in your life because we hadn’t heard from you in a long time. I thought it had something to do with the violent storm you experienced recently. No, it was a fall…..heal well and hopefully the cast will come off September 14th. I just love the champagne heart cup!
Hi Susan. Thank you for your generosity and thinking of ways to spread the love.
Quick question – do the night lights have a swivel plug that makes the night light upright even if the outlet is horizontal? (I hope that makes sense)
I absolutely love your art and your cups are magnificent. Glad you are on the mend and I know you will be marking the days until they remove the fancy “glove!”
So sorry about your wrist! I am glad you are almost healed up!
So sorry about your broken wrist! Praying that it mends well and you can get back to doing what you love to do. As for the cups, I sure hope I win the Martha’s Vineyard cup since my husband accidentally wacked mine against the side of the sink while doing dishes (how could I get mad at him!) and cracked it. He’s broken so many of my crockery that he won’t wash my Emma Bridgewater cup anymore. (too afraid) My MV cup is sitting on my art table to use for cleaning brushes if I ever get back to painting, but I sure would love to have another as a reminder of the wonderful week we spent there in 2012.
Glad you are on the mend.
You are doing great even with only one hand. Love your blogs.
OMG -What a great treat for my freshmen college daughter. A girl with a kindred heart. this would make Sophia’s day for sure. Loving New England I think she’ll never come back to Philly area. This would be a great surprise to send her at college.
I truly enjoy your blog but I appreciate your tweets more 🙂
I love the 4 seasons cups! They are perfect to change coffee (or tea) cups during the entire year!
Also, the 3 new cups you designed (Joe designed one!) are wonderful also.
I BELIEVE IN SUNSHINE THERAPY! TOUCHES THE HEART, MIND AND SOUL IN THE MOST HEALING AND LOVING WAY!
Sorry to hear about your wrist-hope therapy goes smoothly for you. As I’ve gotten older I’m more afraid of falling:) Thank you so much for uplifting blog today-I’m trying to wean myself away from reading so much news- it drags me way down! Good luck with all your projects!
I love everything you do!!! I especially loved
‘A Fine Romance ‘.. We took it to England with us…
loved all the quaint little places!!!
Glad you are on the mend! Love, love all the goodies. What a delight to have the chance to win!
Glad you are healing! You’ve been missed. I love the delightful cups! And… lucky Martha’s Vineyard… you’re getting the Obama’s!
I’m hoping!!!
Welcome back, Susan!
I have my 2020 calendars all ready to be updated. And I have a new grand nephew’s birthday to add to next year’s calendar!
Thank you for the giveaway – my fingers are crossed!!
I love your blog!❤️
So many pretty things !
First of all, I hope your wrist is back to 100% verrrrry soon! I’m so sorry you broke it! Second, I love Joe’s champagne hearts. So cute! And finally, thank you so much for the giveaway!! I’ve got my fingers crossed! Oh! and the bookmark too! I just received Fairy Tale Girl (I’ve read your books in reverse order 😂) so I’m going to use it there.
Just looked the other day to see the last time you had written and I began to wonder. Well, now we know. Oh, my! Take care and don’t overdo. 💕
Thank you for all the lovely things you share so generously. I enjoy it soooo much. Can’t wait for my cup to arrive!!! Hilary
Every morning I drink my tea from one of your beautiful cups. I love them!
Heal quickly – have missed your posts.
Holy Cow! Get well soon and soon get well!
A whole lotta people and kitties are counting on you!
Thank you for your wonderful post Susan! I always enjoy seeing what new things you have to share with all of us. Wishing you a quick recovery. Now back to my job search!
Amy
Oh, Susan, I am so sorry you have to have a cast on your right hand! Doesn’t that so make you realize how much we take our hands for granted? I hope you have taken this season of cast wearing as a time for some rest and relaxation, which of course, is good for your soul! But I know you want to get back to all the great things you are always doing! Anticipating your new book, when it comes out and maybe that movie….?
Wow! Thank-you so much for posting when you have a broken wrist! I hope you are feeling better, and continue to do so with each passing day. I love love love all of your contests, you are the best! And I esp love the last photo of Jack and the silence quotes. So true in these crazy times. Thanks again, I look forward to all of your blog posts.
Karen
I just love everything you do!❤
Hello,
Hope your wrist heals without complications and you are back to the best of health very soon!
Jenny
I can relate to the broken wrist. My husband broke his while bowling and he had to have surgery (a plate and two screws). Love your blog and your kitty!
Susan,
I’m sorry you broke your wrist. I’m sending positive, healing thoughts your way. P.S. I am in love with the new cups! You’re the greatest:)
SO, SO sorry to hear about your break! But glad you’re on the mend and that the Dr appreciates the good patient that you are :o) – here’s to a speedy recovery and may the 14th come soon!! Thank you for the generous give aways! What a nice Fall treat!
I hope I get chosen. Yeah!
I broke my left wrist 3 years ago but did have to have surgery. No fun!
Howdy Susan!
How I treasure your blogs! Always positive and inspirational…thank you.
Kim
Hi Susan, take care of your injury. My comment is…I luv ur blog!!! Take are, Loretta/Calif.
Hi Susan, I hope your wrist heals soon.
I love all your merchandise, and would be thrilled to win anything at all. Thank you, Dale
So wonderful to see you ‘pop’ up on my iPad this morning.
You make a day so joyful even with a broken bone to all of us reading your blog.
Fall is coming and it seems Fall is my favorite season even tho my sister tells me when the daffodils arrive I say Spring is my favorite. Tee hee!
Joy to you
M
What a treat to find this blog on a waning summer afternoon!!
I would love to win one cup…let alone four!! Oh please, please pick me!!!!!
Happy Fall all!!
Dear Susan,
My best friend and I , along with our brilliant husbands, took our first trip to England in June. This was my first trip out of the USA. We used your book as our guide. We were there for 9 days and stayed in the Cotswolds. Every day was my “favorite day”. They were all splendid. We went to the the Downton Abbey Live concert on the grounds of Highclere and went back for a tour and tea a couple of days later. We went to Gifford’s Circus ( my husbands’ favorite) . I kept having to pinch myself to see if it was all real. Thank you for your inspiration. You are the best! I am so sorry for your broken wrist. You are so right in that you do not know how much you do with your hand until you cannot use it!! We take so much for granted. Praying that it continues to heal. Blessings!
Love the cups! I wouldn’t be able to decide which I like best.
I love everything you do! You are so talented! Great to hear your wrist is getting stronger! I just received my 2020 wall and pocket calendars!! Love!
Lorraine
I can but dream to be chosen. You already have a very dear part of my heart.
With love, Diana
Going to Martha’s Vineyard next week….so excited. Love your blog!
Your blog posts have a strange way of magically appearing exactly when I need a pick-me-up. My recent college grad just found out he starts his job on Tuesday (800+ miles away). So I’m feeling sentimental, and to quote Mary Poppins, “Practically perfect people never allow sentiment to muddle their thinking.” So thank you for the pick me up, although I suspect I’ll be a bit muddled dissolving in probable puddles before the big move is completed. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, thanks for posting on Instagram and especially for your very important work and message on Twitter.
So happy to hear you again Susan! Love your beautiful mugs! Hope I can win one!
I Hope your dear hand has healed Susan!
Dear Susan,
If anyone can find joy in an accident, it would be you!
Thank you always, for your inspiration for living.
Heal quickly and enjoy the upcoming Autumnal season.
Fondly,
Debbie from Eastampton, NJ
Oh no! So sorry to hear of your injury. I injured my right arm (traumatically) years ago and so can relate to the realization of utter helplessness with normal, everyday tasks. It sucks. Lol. But eventually you adjust. I am hopeful that your recovery is quick and complete. Your posts are a ray of sunshine and I always look forward to finding them in my emails. Blessings to you and yours. Please scratch Jack behind the ears for me. Lol. 😁❤️
I love them all!! So sorry about your broken wrist, and I sure hope you get the cast off as soon as possible.
I always look forward to your blog and stop whatever I’m doing to read it. Love your new items, especially the night lights and the teapot plates. I was excited to see the Hans Christian Andersen quote because I’ve just returned from Denmark and traveled to Odense, his hometown, where I got to visit his museum and childhood home. The little neighborhood was so charming!
Of course, I always love seeing Jack make an appearance!
Susan, love your blog and always look forward to reading it. Congrats to Joe on his first mug, it’s darling.
Oh Susan, I hope you heal perfectly! I fell two years ago (black dog, black Oriental rug and no light in the hallway) and broke the left wrist needing surgery and metal installed! We really do use our hands and fingers so much, don’t we? Good Luck with cast removal and PT!!! Thanks for your lovely, cheery words. I feel better after reading them!
Gentle hugs,
Katy
I’ve been missing your cheery news lately. Now I know why! Here’s hoping your wrist is soon healed and you are able to take up all your artistic endeavors right where you left off.
It’s good to hear from you!
Kay
Love your newsletter as usual. I will have to look into that book.❤️
Greetings from NC. Your words arrived on a day when the news is so gloomy. And like a breath of fresh air you arrived and made me feel that things are not all that bad. How could they be when a happy soul (even with a cast) came into my house and blew all that negative “stuff” right out the window. I love all your new things and have to reread all your words that make my heart sing. Happy Fall my dear friend and thanks for all you do and all you say. JQ
Thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds very interesting, I’ll have to check it out from the library.
Thank you, Susan for all the joy, love, and positivity you bring into the world. I’m naturally pessimistic, but I when I read your blogs and books, your positive world view seems to rub off on me. You are the boost I need when I get overwhelmed with the state of things- both on a large scale with the world (politics), and personally (hard times).
Hope your wrist heals quickly!
We’ve missed you! Take care! God bless you and Joe! 💕
I hope your wrist heals soon! It seems you have learned to cope with it well. I love the pic of Jack in the window, sleeping peacefully away in the summer breeze : ) Some of creative artistry must have rubbed off on Joe, great job with the champagne bubbles!
Melissa
I think you wear that odd-looking glove quite well. . .
Get Well!
Love these and have for yrs.. one of the brightest spots of my days
Your blog is the happiest email I get! Thank you for being an inspiration in so many ways to all of us. Sorry about your broken wrist and so glad you are on the mend. Love Joe’s cup design and have it on my wish list! Keep the good news coming! 🙂
Oh, Susan! Sending gentle hugs from my heart to yours!💕 Hope that your wrist will be as good as new very soon. Physical therapy will definitely help make that happen!
Such happy surprises today! I love the stripe of pink wrapped around the ‘Courage, dear heart’ bead. It’s the perfect color for nurturing and love. I must add those words to my Self-Care journal.
As always, you and Joe make a great team. Please give him an extra big hug from me!
Sending much love,
💗Dawn (in Illinois)
I just LOVE everything Susan Branch. I feel so good when I read your posts and blogs and would love to have some of your wonderful mugs for morning coffee and afternnon tea.
Continued successful healing! And please, an extra hug for that gorgeous boy cat, Jack, from me in CT!