I’ve got some good things for you Girlfriends!!! MUSICA
Oh, how I’m loving October! 🍂 Weather has totally changed on the island, summer is a thing of the distant past. We’ve had two Nor’easters recently, wild wind and rain out of nowhere . . . ferry boat was stopped, we’ve been cut off, out here alone, leaves flying by the windows. My favorite. Light the candles, make a fire, cook, and cozy-in to the quiet. With Jack. And Joe.💞
Look at me! After three months of an out-of-order broken wrist, I’m painting again!
I wasn’t sure I’d still know how! I’ve started working on the 2021 calendars (yes, 2021 😜, try not to think about it). As you can see Jack has been lending support. I’m still going to Occupational Therapy once a week, working to get all that luv-lee flexibility back. But I’m sooo much better. Lifting little weights! See that writing up there? Now look at this:
This is a shopping list I wrote with my left hand a couple of months ago! I told my brain, “MAKE A ‘G'”, but my brain said, “Is that a right turn or a left?” This took HUGE concentration! I kind of liked it!
Still eating healthy, and still loving it. Doesn’t that look delicious? Well, it was! Best words I ever told myself about losing weight? “I don’t care how long it takes, I’m doing it.” Very powerful. As they say in the Biz, “It’s a Lifestyle Change.”
Here’s a wonderful little healthy snack. If you are a homey cottage-cheese lover like I am (and many aren’t for good reason ➡️), there is nothing nastier than the milky wet cottage cheese you find in so many grocery stores. So I have something new for you to try. Look for Friendly Farms Cottage Cheese. It’s heavenly. Sturdy and creamy. Not drowning in milky wetness!! Available in tons of places. Perfect to put on crackers, or, like above, on buttered, toasted Ezekiel Bread, sprinkled with seeds, nuts, salt and pepper! Sprouts taste good on it too. It’s a treat!😋
Yes, it’s that time of year for Carrot Cake! Lots of Birthday’s around here lately . . . and Saturday is Rachel’s Birthday! 😘😘😘 Sending love to you Ray ~ I really wish you could help yourself (all of you!) to a piece of this! I won’t be a bit surprised if they figure out how to do that someday! Wish they’d hurry! You can wish Rachel a Happy Birthday here in the comment section, OR, write her on Twitter, HERE!❤️
You’ll recognize the recipe for the three-layer carrot cake I took to Jaime’s house for a birthday party . . . I forgot how good it is! Everyone loved it!
If you’ve never tried to make a carrot cake, you really should! It comes together so easily, and it’s filled with fruit and nuts! Right, Jack? Right!
Here I am at the party, sitting on the floor in front of the fire, among my oldest and dearest, toasting Joe through the crowd as he takes a nicely blurry photo of me!
In this one, I have the camera, so you can see what my view was from my floor position. People putting their rings around the candles, so everyone gets to make a wish.
My cake came in last and I was too busy cutting it to take pictures! I’ve made it lots of times, but usually, I just 
put frosting between layers and on top. This time I made extra frosting and did the sides. Decorated with chopped (green) pistachio nuts, a marigold from the garden, and strips of carrot peel I rounded at top with a knife, and made pointed at bottom. Isn’t it cute? I thought it looked like a happy circus cake! There were zero leftovers, no crumb went unattacked! You could do this!!!😘
The fans would love it! This recipe also makes amazing cupcakes. You can tint the cream-cheese frosting if you like.
All home-sweet-home this time of year. Hovering between 50º and 60º most days now. See our wisteria, so insidious, sneaking its way around everything, will crawl under a window and into the house if we aren’t careful! But very gracefully!
I love being a homebody. Garden is changing so fast . . . but we still have a few herbs, some nasturtiums, kale, lettuce, and a couple of tomatoes growing. A few rose buds and marigolds. No freeze yet, so we’re milking the garden for all it’s worth.
The wind blew our yard full of leaves . . .
And, btw, that Carrot cake recipe (and cupcakes) is in the book on the table! (Heart of the Home 30th Anniversary Edition.) If you make it, cool the cake before you put the frosting on!
Look at this! Fun with food! Joe cut into this radish and look what he found! Good enough to sell on eBay! (No, we won’t😅) Had to take a picture of it! Love the tail! Crazy radish bug!
And yes, Casper is back in his high spot, in the guest room on the second floor . . . looking out . . .
Over the neighborhood . . . he’s become a tradition, lighting up this window every October for years.
Cheering a stormy day, a harbinger of Halloween . . . he’s got a perfect view.
I wob him. When we go into downsize mode someday and sell this house, I hope the people who buy it will want Casper too! Because I know he will want to stay.🎃
There is something in October . . .🍂🍁🍂
Out on our walk, the bittersweet is wild!
Such a magical vine . . . invasive, they say, but what a way to go! We’ll be decorating around our front door with it!
The woods are prettier every day . . . we’ve had lots of sunny, crisp, and breezy days . . .
And the rainy days just make it better!
We just make a fire! Last night, girlfriends came over after Mahjong, we sat on the sofa and talked in the quiet, listened to the fire popping, clock ticking, wind blowing outside . . . 🍂🍁🍂
What’s up at the Studio? We’re getting new things all the time, I can’t quite keep up. Doing our best to make our web store one-stop shopping where you’ll find lots of little special things filled with ❤️ ~ with the holidays coming up so fast, it’s that time again!
Just in ~ our brand new Winter Dream Charm ~ like any starry night, you can make a wish for dreams come true.
And these too, precious house cut-outs ~ one of which is now sitting on my stove shelf. I tried it all over the house, on a window sill with my rusty birds, on the mantle with a candle behind it, there’s no bad place! It’s going to be gorgeous with my white Christmas trees!
SO, something else . . . There’s a new article featuring guess who? Me! in Edible Vineyard (the 2019 Harvest Issue), a wonderful island food magazine produced through the Martha’s Vineyard Times. It’s available everywhere here on the island . . . and I have to say, every article in it is interesting! Really well-written. Kind of like the New Yorker of food! I don’t know if the paper is selling them, but I’m sure you could ask.
On October 26, I’ll be speaking and signing books at the 
newly renovated and beautifully restored Carnegie Library on North Water Street in Edgartown, MA, from 2-3 pm, sponsored by the Vineyard Trust and Edgartown Books. It’s free! And they have a gift shop! 😜 I’ll bring signed copies of Edible Vineyard to give out! Come join us! And guess what? Kellee and Sheri will be there (Joe too!). They’re coming to stay with us for a few days next week, to get a little taste of New England fall!🍁 💃
The Edible article was beautifully written by Alisun Armstrong, photos by Lexi Pline. Quotes from the Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams. Recipes from the 30th Anniversary version of Heart of the Home and my Autumn Book.❤️
No reason for this photo, just loved the colors!
This too! I told you it was a huge Birthday Month . . . I also had a Birthday Party for Martha . . . this was the table setting. Very simple, purple flowers (Johnson Brothers WindsorWare plates) and plaid napkins on old bedspread, with hydrangeas from the garden.
Colorful! Girl Party! This whole lunch was scarily done without a recipe. When we were in Hudson, I tasted some fantastic things, spicy 
sweet-potato fingers with minted lemon sauce and a Coconut Cilantro Chutney (with hot peppers and garlic and ginger). I wrote down what I could, so I could try making it at home. I was nervous, realizing too late that this might not be the smartest way to do a birthday lunch, but it turned out GOOD. I served it with deviled eggs, minced red onion, and smoked salmon, and toasted walnut bread ~ with homemade Basil Ice Cream and Lemon Polenta Cake for dessert. My wrist allowed me to do everything except Joe chopped the onion and got that pretty green ice cream out of the freezer container! Pretty darn good!
And then there’s this! Because I couldn’t find them on the Island, I had to make them. Since they’re not here, I imagine you may not be able to find them either, so I thought this recipe could come in handy, for Apple Cider Donuts! They’re easy! They bake in the oven like a cake! You have to have them!🍁
So Here’s what I did . . . first off, on the stove, out of sight, is a pan filled with Apple Cider (the plain, non-alcoholic kind) boiling down to a syrup (don’t worry, I’ll put the recipe at the end of the post). Then I buttered the donut pans with melted butter and set them aside. Don’t have donut pans? Stay tuned . . .
I lightened the flour by stirring it with a whisk so I wouldn’t have to sift it. Then I measured it out lightly and put it in a medium bowl . . .
and whisked it together with baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
In another large bowl, I whisked together egg, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
whisking . . .
. . . adding in the reduced cider . . . whisking until it was blended.
Then, because it’s too difficult to get the dough neatly into the tiny donut pans with a spoon, I poured the batter into a plastic bag …
. . . then squeezed the messy thing down to get most of the batter in the bottom of the bag,
then I twisted it up at the top, and cut off a tiny bit of corner, so the batter would come out in a controllable manner.
. . . and Voila . . . into the oven they go!
While they baked, I melted some butter and mixed together sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon for coating the donuts when they were done.
And here they are, hot from the oven. I slipped a tiny spatula around them and they came out like buttah.
I dipped them, tops and bottoms in melted butter, and laid them into bowl with the sugar and spice . . .
Spooned over sugar, pressed it in, until they were well coated. Pushing Joe, get away. no touching. Oh, poor baby, okay, eat one. Gimmie a bite.💋
I wrapped the rest of them in an old linen bridge-table tablecloth, put them in a basket and walked over to lowely’s for Mahjong . . . we start with tea, and yesterday, with donuts still warm from the oven!
The recipe made six large donuts and ten small ones. So, who wants to make donuts? Leave a comment, we’ll have a drawing, and the winner will receive the exact tins I baked these donuts in! Two tins, used once only, they’re festive, they have red bottoms, together they make six large donuts and a dozen little ones . . . there are more in our web store, just in cases. And I’m including a package of holiday recipe cards!
I’ll toss in a signed copy of Edible Magazine too…
So that’s it . . . sunshine through blowing leaves, through kitchen windows, sliding across the stove, weaves through sugar-donut fragrance, skips along the floor, over the table, dancing fairy-like over a bowl of apples, and shimmers onto our walls.
Our world sometimes feels upside-down, we can feel overwhelmed by daily happenings, making ends meet, meeting the needs of our beloveds, drains energy, there’s no rest for the weary or the worried! Dreaming of a better tomorrow? Let it show in everything you do. Let the things you value in life shine through, home, family, friends, the little things that make life sweet. Do stop and smell the flowers, run and catch a leaf in mid air. Watch an old movie with your petty pet. You’ll feel better, I promise. Kisses and blessings on you and yours. Take a deep breath . . . ahhhhh.
Don’t forget to leave your comment for the drawing! HERE is a little chart that shows you how to sign up to get this BLOG delivered to your email address.❤️
A P P L E C I D E R D O N U T S
Makes six large donuts and ten small ones.
Set out 1/2 c. whole milk and one egg to come to room temp. Slowly melt 1 1/2 c. (12 TB. or 1 1/2 sticks) butter (you’ll ned some to grease the pans, some for donut batter, and some for the topping). Put 1 1/2 c. non-alcoholic apple cider in small saucepan. Bring to boil, then simmer until liquid reduces to one-half cup. 👀 Watch it. Takes about 15 min. Set aside to cool. Use a pastry brush, butter the donut cups.
Preheat oven to 350º
- 2 c. all purpose flour, whisked to lighten, then measured
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. cloves
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 egg, room temp.
- 1/2 c. whole milk, room temp
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 TB. melted butter
- 1/2 c. reduced apple cider
- 1/2 c. dark brown sugar
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
T O P P I N G
- 1 c. granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice*
- 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- the rest of the butter, put in shallow wide dish.
Preheat oven to 350º. In a med bowl, whisk together first 7 ingredients. Set aside. In large bowl, whisk the egg, then whisk in the rest of the ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet and whisk until smooth. Fill a large plastic bag with batter. This is messy. Once filled, hold it at top and squeeze batter down, twist the top so batter is pushed into bottom. With scissors cut a tiny corner off the bottom of the bag (not too much, you can always cut it bigger). Squeeze the batter into the donut cavities, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 10-12 min until they spring back when you poke them (I baked the small donuts slightly less time). Let cool 5 min in pans, Use a small spatula to loosen each one and turn them out onto tea-towel-covered cooling rack. While they are baking, make TOPPING: in a small bowl, mix together first 3 topping ingredients. Put the rest of the melted butter in a shallow dish. When donuts are cool enough to handle, dip tops and bottoms in melted butter, put them in the sugar mixture and spoon over generously, patting them so the mixture will hold on. Eat! Lovely in a cloth covered basket to bring to tea! Excellent with a cup of coffee!
*You can make your own PUMPKIN PIE SPICE for the topping, just add 1/2 tsp.nutmeg, 1/4 tsp.ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp. ground cloves to the cinnamon.
I love it when you include a few healthy food ideas in each blog. My doctor has recently told me I need to get back of my healthy diet since blood sugar and cholesterol are creeping up. I went back and noted all your good ideas from recent blogs and look forward to seeing a few in each one just to keep life interesting. I am 70 and in fairly good health but need to watch blood levels and optimize how I feel just as you did. Thanks for the encouragement you give us and of course the wonderful food ideas, many of which I have tried. We all need inspiration!
All the good crisp mellowness of Autumn in your post!
Glad your wrist is doing better!
xxooxx
As always…a MOST DELIGHTFUL blog post!!!…Surely IF AND WHEN you sell, the buyer will want Casper to stay as well…I mean ONLY a true KINDRED Spirit would even be attracted to your home!!! Blessings to you and yours…LOVE me some Fall!!…
I believe that too!💋
When I receive your new posts, I never just open them up and read them fast. I wait for the perfect time–quiet, cozy, tea thirsty, and hungry for inspiration. I miss summer already but your post lets me hang on to good things all year round. Love the idea of making my own cake donuts–that’s what the grandkids like now! Carrot cupcakes–outstanding!
Thank you for the colorful pictures of fall and the recipes. Glad the wrist is healing and painting again. Enjoy the holidays–waiting to see what you do this year!!!
Hope your wrist is better; I, too, broke mine this summer but am NOT an artist. Don’t know how you’re painting! Have loved you for centuries!👏😍
LOL, 👏😆
Fall wrapped up in a delicious blog post…….only Susan!
Love,
Sharyn
Hi Susan, these donuts sound so yummy! Love your post always. Glad to hear your wrist is bending well. You are such a positive person Susan and full of love and inspiration. Happy Fall!!
Susan,
I’ve been craving apple cider doughnuts. Thank you for the baked version as I’m taking your approach to health. It works and it’s yummy!
Shay
Apple cider donuts! Perfect for fall. Can’t wait to try the recipe. Thank you.
The comment about Casper brought tears to my eyes, and warmth and happiness. Over the years his appearance here is like the much loved familiar decorations of Grandma’s house, I thank you. I do feel that same coziness from all your posts. I’m so happy to hear and see that you’re doing so well in your recovery and back to your beautiful work! Thank you for bringing such warmth, happiness, and all the coziness of Grandma’s house into my heart and life.
Joy
HI Susan-
thank you for sharing that donut recipe, they look so good i was trying to figure out how to get them from the computer screen on to my lunch plate. One of these days i am going to get to come visit MV and see it in all its fall glory. If i ever win the lottery, i may buy one of those little pretty cottages of many colors and because a resident….haha! Thank you for all the contest- all of us girlfriends love them……You are a rare gem and we all love you. (and Joe and Jack too) of course.
Happy Fall!
Love from Kentucky.
Kathy
I’m a little late, but Happy Birthday Rachel. Was it on the 19th? If so, we are birthday buddies. : )
Happy Birthday Eileen!
Thank you so much for sharing your autumn with me. I am living in the desert southwest and absolutely heartsick with missing autumn! The apple cider donut recipe is perfect and I will make as soon as it cools down enough to turn on the oven!
Yum! love the donuts!
Hi Susan,
I tried the candy corn cookies from your last blog ~ they turned out great!
My kids really loved them! Now I will try the Apple Cider Donuts ~ the donut pans look very nice. Thanks for all the fall inspiration ~ almost everyone’s favorite season of the year!
Happy to hear that, thank you Michelle!
Enjoy and look forward SOOO VERY MUCH to your “letters” to all of us … a fan for many years and not slowing in my adoration ! Happy fall …! ❤️❤️❤️
😘😘😘
Hi there,
Can’t wait to make these for my grandchildren!
xo
Sue
Would LOVE LOVE LOVE the donut pans!
Hi Susan! This was a wonderful post, as usual! We have Edible Houston mag here and Edible Austin and Edible Dallas and Edible San Antonio. They are all so good with lots of great articles and recipes. You can even sign up to get them online. I’ll have to check out your Edible Vineyard too. 🙂 Thanks for always cheering us up! 🙂
xoxox Lisa
Vice Versa Lisa, I LOVE you on your horse photos! xoxoxo
Went to a wonderful apple orchard this weekend in North Georgia. Bought just a half dozen Apple Cider doughnuts. Yum! Not enough! So guess I will be trying to make some!
I definitely will be making donuts. One of the pleasures of the season, along with pots of soup and mugs of tea. Beautiful Autumn post today! Thank you!
I have made your carrot cake recipe with great results. Going to try the donuts next. I have a pantry cupboard that needed a redo. It took me a few days to paint and install new hardware. looked nice but I wanted shelf paper to protect the white paint. Being impatient and “cheap”, I remembered I bought some wrapping paper at a yard sale. It was real cute and would do the trick for the time being. I started to cut it to fit and realized it was YOUR wrapping paper from 1996! I even have enough to actually wrap some birthday presents for my girlfriends. Maybe you should design some shelf paper in the future, Just a thought.
OH MY GOSH YES!!! I was just watching The Good Witch and they brought up Cider donuts so it’s a SIGN! I need to make them, but more importantly, I need to eat them! How fun these would be to make to bring to my daughter when we visit her for Thanksgiving!!!
A great surprise!
Wonderful seeing that you’re able to start painting again!
Thanks for the cider doughnut recipe. They look delicious, and I’m imagining licking the cinnamon and sugar off my lips, as I relish each bite.
The best part!!!😋
I love, love, love apple cider donuts …. haven’t had one in a very long time … I live in Florida and they are not an item here … just have to make them myself! Thanks so much for the recipe. Diana
Hi Susan. Thanks for your cheery e-letter❣ I love all the seasons, each one brings me joy, so I’m happy to live in the north-east. The grass is still green and I have a beautiful, healthy maple tree in my back yard. The sun is shining through the maroon and greets leaves making spectacular shadows on the lawn. The temperature is a lovely 70 degrees, so I am going outside to soak up some of the warmth of the sun. I’m glad you are healing and can get back to doing what you love to do to our great happiness. Hope your day is good!
Thank you again for making my day so special.
My husband LOVES cider donuts and in a little town 1/2 hr away in an old bakery they make them only on Saturdays and are usually gone by 10. Needless to say he hardly ever gets there to get them. So…. I am going to bake him some in the morning:) The Aspen have almost all fallen and our local “Decker” fire is almost out, with the little snow we received over the weekend. We are thankful and ready to relax and enjoy the Fall weather. Your inspiring and refreshing letter is a great start. Blessings Mary in CO
Everything you make looks yummy!
Curly leaves are rustling
Crisp air makes for bustling
Squirrels are scurrying
Deer are hurrying
Autumn is here and
We all want to cheer!
Yes we do!!!😄😘
My husband LOVES apple cider donuts! Thank you for the recipe, now I can be a hero.. 😉 We usually have to wait and pick up a couple at our local farmer’s market but this will be a hit at home hot out of the oven! Happy Fall!
Hi Susan! Today was extra special because I could ‘feel’ the coziness of your kitchen, sense the beauty, feel the breeze and hear the leaves rustle as you and Joe walk in the forest, the comfort of the burning candles and most amazingly those donuts!!!! I had three for the record 🙂
Thank you from my heart for these precious moments when I can sit and take a breather from the days stresses and needs.
I’m so happy for you that your wrist is getting back in the game!!!
Have a beautiful evening and God bless you.
Thank you Colleen!
Hi Susan! I couldn’t believe when I read you stayed in Hudson NY and visited Rhinebeck. I live in Hudson and work in Rhinebeck and would have been amazed to see you locally!
After buying your mugs as gifts, I finally purchased one for myself – the corgi one, though I’m known far & wide as a Cat Person, with two Tuxedos, BRAVO my big boy love; and Ella, my pretty girl. I’ve been using Emma Bridgewater mugs, but am so pleased with your fine china – my evening cuppa does taste different with it! “-)
Thanks for all your inspiration. What was the Hudson eatery that pleased you? I’m curious!
La Perche was the restaurant I remember the most… but everywhere we ate was delicious! Beautiful part of the country! So happy you’re enjoying your cup … I do love that thin lip myself! Nice to hear from you!
What a lovely time you’re having in October! My October started out a little raggedy because I had pneumonia–HAD to stay in! but now that I am slowly recovering, I, too, have been enjoying being a homebody–making hummus to have with my still–growing Corno del Toro sweet peppers (last crop growing AND the critters can’t stand them!) You should try growing them. I put about 5 little plants in a giant terra cotta pot and they thrive! So beautiful with their bright red color! My husband was remembering when he was going to move to this country from England at age 10, the headmistress of his school called him into her office and she said,” Do you know that in America they call Autumn “Fall”–so, I spotted a little plaque at the store that says “Autumn”, decorated around it with some pretty dried roseships, and hung it on our front porch as a greeting! Now my husband can see that WE do call this season “Autumn” after all! Happy Autumn everyone!
Happy Autumn Dorothy, and to your husband! 🎃🍂
Susan, such a delightful and yummy fall blog! So nice for those of us who haven’t seen much fall at all! Still waiting here in TX!! I use to make Carrot Cake often but haven’t in a long time! It was always a favorite and not a crumb left as you said. So glad to hear your wrist is healing so nicely.
We’re so glad you love our donut pans… we love your blog! Happy fall!! 🙂
Yummilicious newsletter, as always. 😉 I can’t wait to try this recipe for Apple Cider Donuts. 😉
With Gratitude,
Jodi
I LOVED this post! I’m sitting here at work at my computer on my lunch hour reading your post! I don’t feel like I’m here, I feel like I’m there! THANK YOU! Plus, your last message in your post was exactly what I needed. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new grandbaby, but feeling overwhelmed at the same time. Your post talked to me, just when I needed it. Now, I will stop and smell the flowers, run and catch a leaf in mid air, and wait for a new joy in my life to be born. Happy fall!
How exciting, tears in my eyes, so happy for you Debi!
Growing up in Illinois, we often had cider donuts from a local apple cider house. I miss them! Now, in Tennessee, we eagerly await the coming of fall weather. Had a few cool days, then the temps went back up to 70 overnight. Sheesh!
I made this cake for the first time Saturday for my mom-in-law’s bday. It was WONDERFUL! Instead of layers, I put it in a bundt pan and baked for 1 hour which was much easier for me. Thank you for the recipe!
The doughnut pans are lovely! I am trying to enjoy this season as it is without getting overly excited for Yuletide. I usually work 50-60 hours a week so I haven’t been able to do much! But I am looking forward to Yuletide as I have a two-week vacation from both of my jobs! I would definitely bake up a doughnut storm then!
Ohhh fun, something wonderful to look forward to!
Hi Susan,
I went to the Friendly Farms Cottage Cheese website. They have some great recipes (2 for yummy deviled eggs) and they have some that seem yukky. Thanks for the info on a creamy cottage cheese. I’m anxious to try some and am on my way to Stop and Shop (the website said I could find FFCC there). Shall I pick some up for you?
Mahjong love, Carol from CT … tra la!
P.S. Don’t forget to cut Apple Cider Donuts (especially stale ones) into chunks, put the chunks on skewers, and hold them over a fire or heat source. The sugar melts making crunchy munchiness loved by all. Tested and truly a treat!
Gosh I’m hungry!
Excellent advice! Thank you Carol! xo
Stale doughnuts!?~ how can there be leftovers? ! Lol
I’m sitting in my little house in Washington state, where the wind is blowing the golden leaves in my big leaf maple trees. Leaves are spiraling to the ground, and there is a pretty carpet of them on the lawn. So autumnal, and then this lovely post made my fall day even better. Thank you!
I can’t wait to make doughnuts in the oven!
Another beautiful post…I love the fall, as well. Such a beautiful time of year here in E. Oregon. 🙂
Thank you for having such fun things to share in your giveaways. 🙂
Thank you for this recipe! You’d think we’d have lots in Maine, but I only want them if they’re hot and have the cinnamon sugar all over. And I can never seem to find those! Maybe better not to, but still. I bet your kitchen smelled wonderful after baking those. They look delicious.
Me too, hot, smothered with cinnamon and crunchy sugar, crisp on the outside, soft in the middle. Yes, steer clear!😅
I love it when you invite us into your home and show us all the wonderful
things you do to make it extra special. Maybe I could make the donuts and
they would taste better just knowing that you have already used it for baking.
There is a little golden bird in his golden cage that lives in my china cabinet
that you bought in England awhile ago and I was the very lucky winner. I love it and every time I glance at it I think of the happiness that you spread around. Keep up the good work. I am so very thankful that you wrist is all
better.
Oh yes, I bought that at Blenheim Castle! How wonderful that you have it! 👏
Thank you Susan for the reminder of the details that make Autumn so wonderful! I’m looking forward to trying the cider donuts. I hope to win the donut pans, but will definitely try that recipe regardless! I look forward to your next blog, and I wish you continued healing for your wrist.
Thank you Susan for another terrific blog! I’m glad to hear that your wrist is on the mend. I can’t wait to try the donut recipe!
I love the weather changes! We’ve already had a few freezes, so my garden is gone. Except for rosemary, thyme (it lives beneath a tree), and sage. I just whacked my sage to bits and filled the dehydrator. But it will come back. Hopefully. LOVE apple cider donuts! Wonderful!
Susan, Thanks for another beautiful blog! Such a fun time of year.
I always love looking at all of your dishes. The cake is on such a pretty plate, I have a few pieces in that pattern. I believe they are unmarked.
Happy birthday to all the girlfriends with the October birthdays! I am one of them. In just a few days my brother, my daughter and myself will celebrate ours 🎂 one right after another. Happy Fall to you , Joe and Jack. Time to get out my Autumn book for more recipes and inspiration.💕 Bridget
Another October fan here, but OH, it is going so quickly – but then, I think I say that every month! I have happy memories of some wonderful trips to New England in the fall, & am hoping I might get across the pond next autumn – something to plan & dream about. Thank you for your recipes & ideas for healthy eating – they encourage me to try. I want to feel healthy & energised so I can make the most of this one precious life.
I could smell those donuts! I would love to have those donut pans. I’ve been looking for some, but haven’t been able to find them. If I should win them, it would be icing on the cake.
Those donuts look so yummy! I’d love to try making!
So glad to hear that your wrist is doing better! So scary to have your painting hand go out on you! The cider donuts look really good, I’ll have to try your recipe. Love Casper — your neighbors must really love to look up every October and see him glowing up there! Neighborhood traditions are the best — and so….you mentioned downsizing “some day.” Hopefully that’s in the VERY distant future, not near future! Take care of your wrist and Happy October!
so glad your wrist is healing well. and oh my, those donuts – so very fallish!
Dearest Susan, so glad to see your hand ‘working’; ). Love the blog as usual. I call this blog part of my pre -birthday celebration. I enjoyed reading it. Let me share a little of my birthday celebration with you. Last year I turned 69. I decided to celebrate all year. I got my calendar out and proceeded to mark my b’date with 69 & 1 month, 69 & 2 months, etc. I made plans or bought myself something every month. For October (69 & 11 months)I got myself a Blue Willow Tea for One. I am decorating my china cabinet with quotes I framed. One says: I am not 70… I am $69.95 plus tax. Another one says Sweet Seventea (I enjoy a cuppa). I embrace the Lewis Carroll quote from Through the Looking-Glass:
‘There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents…and only one for birthday presents, you know.’Finally: ‘A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip!’
I have my German Chocolate Cake ordered…70 here I come. Until next time.xoxo
‼️❣️‼️ When my mom turned 80 … it wasn’t 80, it was 70-10!
Yum, yum, yum! Those donuts look delicious. I love apple cider donuts, but I’ve only ever made the regular ones. I will definitely have to give these a try! Happy Autumn, Susan!
Susan,
You have so many ways to celebrate being a homebody. Never mind that you do get out and about quite often to magical places, it’s clear where your heart is. I love that.
Jann in Richmond, Va.
Susan,
Thank you for another delightful blog. I have always wonder about Apple Cider Donuts….SSSOOOOOOOO now I have the recipe and just going to wait for a little cooler weather here in California…and I will attempt to make them. Thanks for the mouth watering inspiration…can hardly wait. love, Susan P.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Susan. I was having a very bad day & then I got your email. Feeling much better now. Adjusted my attitude. Gonna make some Cider Donuts. You bring such joy to all your girlfriends. I’m so happy to call you one of mine! God bless you!
Mmmm…my husband loves donuts, and I am always looking for a good recipe for baked donuts. Thank you for this!
These look yummy! Definitely want to make these. Warm donuts on a snowy morning, or a chilly fall night….ok who am I kidding…..anytime!
please do not ever sell this house!
OMGosh I think I can smell those doughnuts baking right now! I think I’ll go to the store tomorrow and get some cider! Gotta try your recipe!
Thank you for the donut recipe. They look delicious. I have never heard of cider donuts before. Looking forward to making and EATING these little treats.
Oh, to be in New England in the fall! We don’t see any fall color until later in November here in East Texas. Those Apple Cider donuts look out of this world! The only time I’ve ever had any was on a tour of Tasha Tudor’s home. I can almost taste them! I was really lucky last weekend. I found 4 Beatrix Potter figurines for $2 each at a church sale. Ones that I didn’t already have. Jackpot!!!!!
Oh, my gosh, Susan, you certainly did hit the jackpot. Lucky girl. Even nicer, you didn’t already have them. Enjoy!
My daughter and I just visited Martha’s Vineyard for two days, just after one of your storms. We arrived on Sat. 12 October; we were fortunate not to be booked on the 11th, no ferries that day!! I took her away from her busy job plus wedding planning for a few days in New England, also escaping the Georgia heat that is still lingering! We had so much fun!! I wish I had known about the article in Edible Vineyard… I would have purchased a copy!! I’m glad to see your wrist is healing well!! Enjoy your beautiful autumn there!!
Can’t wait to try the apple cider donut recipe! I do love your carrot cake-have made it several times-my husband’s favorite for birthday cake!
Glad you’re healing and obviously able to do your lovely art work again.
Many pictures on your blog did not come through-not sure why-I feel cheated because they are always wonderful.
Happy Holidays!
Try refreshing your page when that happens, the photos should be there! xoxo
So glad your hand is better! I have your 2019 desk calendar next to my computer and wall calendar up on the wall. Have to have all the beautiful watercolors around me, so I’m glad you are working on the 2021 calendar. Just finished Lori Holt’s Autumn quilt and got it back from the quilter so I am ready to start to celebrate fall except it is California and still 91 in Los Angeles. Happy Fall from your Reseda Park ducks in the pond friend.
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It’s getting chilly here in Southwest Idaho with a dusting of snow on the mountains. Thank you, Susan, for the new recipes and a chance to win!
OMG, the Apple Cider donuts look so good! I’m definitely going to try this recipe!
Who does not love Fall? I call it the cozy season, slow cooking movie watching, and in my case, napping. Glad you are healing nicely.
Happy Fall
Yet another sweet and cozy blog read 🙂 enjoying the crisp California evening, after a not-so-Fall’ish, warm day.
Hi Susan from your Texas “’60’s look alike buddy!” What a joy and heart -lifter when I see there is a new blog from you in my inbox! Your energy and creative self always inspires and amazes me. I’m so glad your wrist is almost 100%! And I agree about writing left handed– I tried it once and found it kinda fun and good for the brain! (But only in small doses. . .grin) I truly have never heard of apple cider donuts– they look delicious and I would love to try them! Happy, Happy, Autumn, dear Susan– I’m currently re-reading Isle of Dreams and pining to see your Martha’s Vineyard in ANY season!
The donuts sound yummy and a BIG THANK YOU for all you do to spread the sunshine.
So happy that your wrist has healed enough for you to paint. The description of fall was beautiful♥ Thanks for the recipes!!! Going to give them a try.
Oh Susan…sounds so yummy! Happy fall!
Hello Susan, So glad to see you are getting back to normal. The Apple Cider Donuts look heavenly, I baked Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip muffins and they were yummy and easy-peazy, plus made the house smell like Fall. I have been super busy getting things around for our Christmas trip to England. Tickets have been purchased and luggage is out. Christmas gifts have been purchased, now to get everything packed up and hope we don’t go over our allotted weight. EEKK! Our departure date is Dec 8th and we return Dec 29th. Very excited and can hardly wait to spend Christmas with my British family for the first time! In the meantime, Happy Fall and Halloween to You, Joe and Jack!
Ohhh, apple cider donuts look wonderful ! Thanks for sharing. I’ve never had them but may have to get a donut pan and try making these little bits of heaven. Looks like a fun project for a cool day (still waiting for a cool day here in SoCal but sure they’re coming). Always look forward to your new blogs :).
I have never had a cider doughnut IN MY LIFE (I wonder if the Apple Farm in SLO has them..?..nope, just looked at their menu and the bakery; no doughnuts but of course a ton of other stuff that’s yummy-delish). However, I’d been reading about cider doughnuts a few weeks ago as I’m always interested in Fall ‘culture’ and New England destinations since, as you know, our seasons in SoCalif are/can be boringly-subtle; found a few online sources to have cider doughnuts shipped to me but they were incredibly expensive so I ultimately didn’t do it.
I kept finding two kinds, either one that is glazed or one which is sugared; which was most authentic or best-liked? I had no clue. So, now you’ve solved my problem; sugared it is, and I can make it all by myself (that just sounded like I was 8 years old, but I’m not much of a cook).
Your sign-off to this post really struck a chord with me so I copied it down and stuck it on my kitchen cupboard door, right where I can see it: “Let the things you value in life shine through, home, family, friends, the little things that make life sweet.” I’d been feeling a bit down. We’re facing a lot of home repairs, right when we don’t want them in retirement/fixed-income life. And I just had to have a favorite fruit tree removed that we lost in the first Santa Ana wind of the season (10 days ago; you might have read about the San Fernando wildfires here, Susan; it was a BAD start of the 2019 Santa Anas; it’s only just begun and we had wind all day today where I am, with 95-degree temps and low humidity; dry as a bone).
So, I was mourning loss of my tree (and the cost of yard clean-up; ouch). But then, on a diff subject, the roofer called today and said we actually do NOT need a new roof this year, he can make relatively minor/interim repairs of which he’s quite confident will do the trick for a good long while yet (he’s the same guy who put this roof on quite a few years ago; a man with true integrity and honesty, business passed on from father to son, and now the son is nearly my age; good guys, they’re out there, just gotta find ’em!); AND, this spruce-up/repair job is totally affordable for us right now (whereas a total re-roof definitely wasn’t). Yay. Or should I shout, yippee! My husband and I felt so renewed; like we’d shed an old skin that had been weighing us down. We’ve worried about this for MONTHS as we try to save & save for the expense.
“Let the things you value in life shine through” – – and never underestimate the value of a little good news!
Hooray!!! Best news about the roof!
Oh my goodness, those donuts look good! I can actually smell them baking!
Your blog posts are so timely and always fill my heart. My only child is getting married this weekend, and your reminder to smell the flowers and take a deep breath is exactly what I need! Thank you for sharing your love-filled life!
Happy Happy! 💞💘💖
🍁~Hi and Happy Fall~ 🍁
It’s time for me to bring out my Hall Autumn Leaf dishes!~ Some were Grandma’s and some were my mom’s~ They both are gone to Heaven but their dishes are here with me every October through Thanksgiving~ I got really lucky and found a pair of salt & pepper shakers at an estate sale this past weekend that I didn’t have~ For $2.50!~ so maybe somebody up there is watching me use their treasured shakers and knows I get to love them now~
Stay well & warm~🍁
Lynn
So glad you can paint again! Wonderful post 🎃 Happy Halloween
Lucky me! I woke up early this morning with a fire in the fireplace, and a hot cup of tea thought I’d check for your blog and was delighted to see just what I was wishing for. I’m inspired to make a health breakfast and get on the right track. I will look for the cottage cheese. It looks like I’ve been eating the wrong kind all this time. I’m dying to try the real deal. Happy Birthday to all your buddies and pals. I’m ready for Fall now, with the right attitude. I admit I was still clinging to Summer and sad to say good bye to it , but enough whining, time to embrace the coziness of Fall . Glad your wrist is doing better. Love to all.
Love, Barb
Let me know what you think of the cottage cheese!
My daughter and I just visited New England 10-14 October and spent two wonderful days on Martha’s Vineyard! I took her away from the stresses of job and wedding planning and Georgia heat and we had so much fun!! I wish I had known about the “Edible Vineyard,” I would have purchased a copy if it was available then. I’m so glad to see that your wrist is healing well. I loved the grocery list… I am sooo right handed that anything written with my left had would look so much worse!! Hope the book is coming along well… I re-read Isle of Dreams in prep for our trip and so I am continuing with “A fine Romance” in anticipation of the new book!!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!! xoxo
Our world does sometimes feel upside down. You have all the sunshine to share and that makes it feel right-side up. : ). I love your kitchen table by the window. I always have….with the lamp on it. I moved mine like that once because that’s how yours was. I need to move it back again and put a quilt over the bench too…you’re the best. Inspiration Woman. Like WW for Wonder Woman…only IW for I N S P I R A T I O N. xoxoxoxo
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Thank you for this post! It helps in these tough times. I still hope you make a cozy healthy lifestyle book! XO
Hi Susan!! Please send me some Fall, miss it so much after being transplanted to Arizona from Massachusetts. Here we still have 90 degrees and summer weather. Cider donuts look amazing, will try them soon. Glad your wrist is on the mend, please give Jack kitty a squeeze from me. Best wishes to you and yours from the beautiful Southwest.
Thank you so much for inspiring contemplation of the good things in life – the simple things: good food, good friends, gratitude for all of it. I look forward to each and every blog because I know that I will feel better in so many ways after reading it. Keep up the good work, the good vibes, and take care of that wrist!
I really look forward to your posts! I’m planning to make those donuts this weekend..fingers crossed 🙂
Glad your wrist feels better!!
So excited to try these donuts! Thanks for the recipe!
As always dearest Susan thank you for sharing your joy and happiness!
So happy to see you are healing and back at your creativity!
Big hugs from Columbus, OH!
Christie
I love Fall so much and your blog just adds to it!! And I can smell those donuts. Thanks for all you do to make life better!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful autumn ideas! Here in Minnesota we have had a beautiful autumn so far, so many changing leaves…..
Always look forward to seeing and reading what you’re up to at your home. Thank you so, so much for sharing your life with all the girls!
Having a rainy windy cloudy day here in Minnesota, but your blog is a day brightener! Thank you!
OMG those donuts look amazing! So happy your wrist is healing! Happy fall!
Hi Susan,
Let me start by saying that I look forward to, and love everyone of your blogs. It sounds like fall has finally come in Martha’s Vineyard. It has also arrived in North Texas (yeah!) Autumn is my favorite time of year….just love everything about it. Your blog about the weather and your home just makes everything feel so cozy and warm. I love everything about your home and Martha’s Vineyard. I just finished reading your book Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams for the umpteenth time. I never get tired of reading your books…they inspire me. October is a great month for birthdays…my husband celebrated his on the 11th. We also got a new great-niece who was born on his birthday. We always called her mother (my niece) a little “mud hen” when she was little, so now we have a little “mud chick” who shares his birthday. She’s a beauty, just like her mother. We were watching The Good Witch Halloween movie the other night on the Hallmark channel, and in the movie they were serving and raving about Apple Cider donuts. They had them throughout the show. I actually had never of heard of apple cider donuts before, so I guess I am missing out. I thought it was ironic that you made them and posted it in your blog. Now I am going to have to try them…..they look delicious. I love anything with cinnamon, nutmeg and all the earthy spices. I am really glad your wrist is on the mend and that you are painting again. My husband and I were discussing how I used to be able to draw and paint in my youth. I haven’t done it in years….actually I don’t know if I still could. Maybe it stays with you, I don’t know. I can just admire everything about your artistry. Enjoy Autumn, Winter and Christmas will be here before you know it. Blessings to you and Joe…
I am sure, SURE, it stays with you . . . interesting thought, don’t you agree????
I guess it is an interesting thought that I really didn’t think through. You are the perfect example because it definitely stayed with you. I probably should give it a try!
I think so!!!! How fun!
So happy to hear you’re on the mend!! The Apple Cider Donuts are on my To Do list!! Happy Fall!
As always, an uplifting, beautiful post filled with tons and tons of eye candy! I love reading each post, again and again. Thank you, Susan, for all you do for us girlfriends! Life is a better place with you in it! ♥ ♥ ♥