‘Tis the Season, for the memories, for the things that matter . . . and for the MUSICA! Happy Monday! Rabbit-Rabbit!
Being my camera-loving Mother’s daughter (except and because of the fact that that we no longer have to buy film), I have 
over a hundred-thousand photographs in my iPhotos … so many they don’t fit on my computer, I have to keep them in a separate hard drive with a ton of memory. They’re filed by category, under headings like “Holly Oak,” “Family,” “Quilts and Sewing,” “Birds,” “England,” “Tablesettings,” “Children’s 
Letters,” “Tea and Dishes,” “Heroes,” “Decorating,” and “Tiny Vases” ~ 135 categories! There are innumerable subheadings too, like “Diet,” “Time,” “Courage,” “Happy,” and “Dreams.” They’re also filed by color. So if I type “GREEN,” into my Photo Search, over 100 photos come up, all green, from green fireworks to my green Girl Scout badges. The color headings include lots of photos you haven’t seen because they haven’t necessarily fit into a story. I can’t wait to show you BROWN! Brown sounds so boring but it’s NOT! But today, in honor of the season, we are going to do RED! It’s my biggest color category, almost 300 photos, and as you might guess, over half of them have to do with this wonderful time of year!
This is one of the pictures Joe took for the back cover of my Christmas Book.
“I love bright red drinks, don’t you? They taste twice as good as any other color.”
―
You can see, the silverware and flowers aren’t even on the table yet, but I didn’t care, I had to light the candles to see what they were going to look like on that tablecloth which is actually a bedspread! Just thinking about that bedspread this morning . . . where is it? Need it!
Right now our kitchen table is a gathering of little piles with addresses and cards . . . this to there, and this to there . . . spreading cheer where we can.
As you can tell, I love this radish. As a lover and collector of whimsy, here was never a more perfect photo to add to my RED pile than this one.
Food is Love
It’s not a very big book, and it’s almost full … not every dinner party gets in, but every so often, I write down the whole thing, what we ate, who was there, what we were thinking . . . For the memories.
See what I mean? RED is everywhere in the Christmas season!
Even the tiny bits of red stand out in these guest-room towels!
And this old guy. Years ago we had a person making dishtowels for us, but he retired and so that was that, but not before I got this one for my collection! Joe modeled for me, that’s how I drew Santa… “His eyes ~ how they twinkled! His dimples ~ How Merry!”
‘Cause, when I can’t make them, I draw them . . .
Making the cupboards shine . . .
with sparkly glasses . . .
Symphony in RED, my Mom, Me, and my Dad. I’m mashing, she’s thickening the gravy, he’s got the salt. The perfect number of cooks in the kitchen, if you ask me.❤️
Joe’s handiwork . . .
Reflections . . . I don’t know what it is about them, but they feel like magic . . .
Roses.
Heaven and nature sings . . .
“…and so many orchards circled the village that on some crisp October afternoons the whole world smelled like pie.”
―
Need I say more?
Sometimes the RED is very subtle . . .
And sometimes you really don’t have to look for it!
I am not allowed to throw out a poinsettia. I have to hide them to throw them away, because Joe will even take them out of the trash if he sees them. So, see the little one on the left? That came limping in from the previous year.
Just good RED.
And embroidered RED for the bread basket.
And my boy with his Christmas feather!
Through the pantry window to the barn after fresh snowfall, I should play the song, Isn’t it Romantic . . .🎶
Cheese Blintzes and Cherry Sauce!
5. You make magic, like Santa Claus . . .
Spiced Pecans and best old stove, heartbeat of the house.❤️ MAS MUSICA!
My other boy at work in his village . . .
A heart-shaped strawberry. Nature does make the most whimsical REDS.
In my next life, I will paint my house cranberry red just like this! I think I should even aim for this very one!
“But Jo, I think I will be homesick for you, even in heaven.” ❤️ Beth, Little Women
This slipped into the RED category because of his cheeks!
The pear is actually a candle. I think this and the book was a Giveaway from a few years back.
A Valentine from Joe. I do wear it sometimes, like on Christmas morning, when I want to be festive, even though it goes up to my knuckle! Do not think it is a real, what? Cranberry diamond? Because it’s not. It’s just sweet as pie.
Making memories…
I mean, did someone say RED? Remember when we went to Vermont for a sleigh ride?
Then there’s this . . . it snowed on our first Thanksgiving in this house, which was exactly thirty years ago this last Thanksgiving! ❤️
Just a picture I never get to use, but I love it. That dishtowel is hanging on my stove right now!
There’s that cranberry cake! Tea party, cozy fire, sugared fruit, vintage tablecloth . . . 
One of the other Photo-Categories I love is “GLASS” ~ 132 photos of sparkling pitchers, lamps, candlesticks, sugar bowls, and etched champagne glasses. These Star Bobeche are perfect additions. AND they are our Giveaway for this very RED Letter Day.
For the Lucky Winner, a pair of Star Bobeche will soon be flying your way, from me to you, just in time for decorating! Vanna was downstairs earlier, she climbed into the barrel filled with all of your names in her flannel Santa Jammies and kitty-cat slippers. She stirred the little slips carefully, and for a very long time, but finally, she did come up with one name (one, is not enough, I wish I could do fishes and loaves and have them for EVERYONE💞)… BUT here is our grand and I do mean grand WINNER:
G I N E T T E W H E E L E R
Congratulations Ginette … I’ll be emailing you, please write me back with your address and your Bobeche will be on the way!❤️ 
I’ve been listening to and watching Little Women while writing this post . . . tears and joy and the spirit of Christmas.
“Jo, your hair will grow back and it will be as lovely as ever, but you will never be more beautiful than you are right now.” ❤️ Marmee
Love you, dear ones . . . Deep Breath, do what it takes to make your hours turn into Red Letter Days.❤️ A little cup of tea here, a little pet-the-pet there, a little baked potato with lots of butter here. 💋 Use your powers for good . . . XOXO
Wishing you and Joe a very Merry Christmas and a lot of good things to come in the new year. I always enjoy all your posts. Keep them coming!
Red, red, red! I love red, my favorite color since forever.
Merry Christmas to all!
Rebecca (Riverside, CA –are we still adding where were from?)
I love it when you do . . . fun to see how we’re connected! Thank you Rebecca!
👋🏻Hi Rebecca! Merry Christmas 🎄 to you too! I’m your neighbor in Corona!😊 I love cranberry red at this time of year & adore Christmas! So happy our hot weather is behind us!! Enjoy the season.
I just love this post! Going on a hunt for my red things and Christmas books!
Thanks so much and Merry Christmas from the great NW.
So lovely, all the red, the quotes, the joy twining itself through the sentences and paragraphs. May you have a red-letter day, too!
Love all the red! So cheerful and holiday! Wob you!!
Lori from Black Diamond, WA
Wob you back Lori!
I love, love, love red houses with crisp white trim and all the lovely red things you mentioned in this post!
Thank you for this post! Just perfect to get in mood for December (which came too quick after Thanksgiving this year)!!
Merry Christmas and God Bless Us Everyone!
Debbie (White Mountains, Arizona)
Congratulations Ginette! They are lovely. Enjoy using them!
The “Reds” brightened my day. Sharon from Topeka, KS
I am sitting in my red and white kitchen, Susan. Im drinking Winter Wakeup tea from a red Johnson Bros. teacup, whilst wearing a red wool cardigan and my new red leather slip-ons. Always trying to boost my root chakra. Nothing does that better than a post from you…Merci!
The house is decorated inside and out. We have 10 inches of new snow. Last night I went out and took a picture of the house lit up, wreaths covered in snow, and snow falling. I texted it to my family & my son responded…”Nice! Susan Branch would be proud.” Hmmm, I’m proud that he thought of that!!!
Ha ha ha Kathy, that is so funny! I have to imagine that you raised him right! xoxo
Hurray for Ginette! Susan, that picture of the two of you, in the snow,on your first Thanksgiving in that house, is really fantabulous!!!! Magazine cover material, just sayin. This was such a beautiful post. Thank you.
Happy December!
Always a beautiful post, but this one is so beautiful. Love all the red. Always my favorite and makes all things bright and cheery. The swag/banner (not sure what you call it) with the red flowers and green leaves you have here and on the handle of your Hi! Tea! cup, has been my absolute favorite of your flowers for so long. I love them all, but love these ones the best. The reds and oranges are so beautiful and with the greens, they are the perfect color combinations that make it so cheery and bright.
I made your cranberries to go with our Thanksgiving dinner, (yum) your Apple Crisp for dessert, (a big hit!) and I then took your advice and the next day, used the left over cranberries and orange marmalade and made the best jam! So good! It was a very different and cold Thanksgiving. For southern California, we had a lot of weather for Thanksgiving and lots of snow around us believe it or not.
Wishing you, Joe and Jack a blessed Christmas. Merry Christmas to all.
Love from Maureen (Corona,CA-right next to Riverside, CA)
Did you have snow in Corona? Isn’t that fun when it happens out there . . . I always loved the occasional cold day!
No we didn’t have snow, but some not too far off areas did. Although sometimes Corona gets snow on the hills behind our house and occasionally hail at the house. There was snow in Banning, and other areas around southern California, and of course the mountains of San Bernardino (friends who live there were snowed in). A change of weather is definitely welcomed. It was a very hot summer.
Just what I need: the reminder to make these potentially-chaotic December hours into Red Letter Days. Thank you for doing that for me today!
I LOVE RED! My white kitchen has red accents all year round with a touch of aqua/turquoise. For Christmas, I put my special Mary Engelbreit tree in one corner – covered with her ornaments collected through many, many years and lots of red cherries! Here’s to all things RED! Loved this post. Merry merry!
Hi Sue,
What a fabulously fun post! I too LOVE RED. My kitchen is decorated with red and I never tire of it. I think I will LOVE RED forever. I especially loved the holly and Joe’s red cheeks.
Enjoy your December,
Melin
Oh Susan what a great letter to us..full of cheerfulness and fantastic photos..and as I am reading it I am wearing a red jumper..perfect..
Isn,t this the best time of year…I love Advent, candles and calendars..shopping for gifts and making gifts..only I wish I had started in August..the smell of Christmas cake cooking and oranges…
Have a wonderful December..enjoy every day and celebrate all things glass…and red..I will follow you in this..happy December
With love and blessings
Sandra x. …in BIrmingham UK
I have a poinsettia plant from last Christmas that is thriving today. This is the first time I have been able to keep a poinsettia plant alive. I enjoying watching it gradually turn back to red. Congrats to Ginette.
In SLO, over by the train station, on one of the buildings over there, poinsettias are growing like a vine up the side of a wall and spread all over the roof of a building, I think it’s next to that big brick old warehouse building. I never knew they could do that!
Fabulous, Susan!!!! Every bite bit from your sorting by color to your first Thanksgiving in this house is absolutely fabulous!!! I very recently came across your Love from the Heart of the Home and Christmas Joy books – how did they get packed away?????? I am so pleased that they are in my hands once again!
Christmas of 1981 was our first Christmas in this house. Our last babe was born that summer. I was making Jule Kage and I had not yet discovered the source of all of the cold air leaks and had finally held tea towels around the microwave top of that old stove to keep heat. I had saved the Woman’s Day for this evening.
Inside was a story by Madeline LeEngle and in it, she talked about doing something to prepare for Christmas every day of December. That has been my goal ever since. Today, it is getting out the little glass holly cups that I used for everyone in December. It has been just the two of us for 13 Christmases and they have been put away! Let the red decor begin!
Oh beautiful!!! Red is my favorite!!!! I even threw a tantrum in the appliance store to get my red washer and dryer! ;-} Red is the largest stack in my fabric stash!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Happily loving RED in Bountiful, UT
Way to go, Ginette!
Another fun post, Susan.
—Shanna, from NY, FL, and SF!
Oh my Goodness! So much of everything wonderful packed into this post! I love you you categorize your photos. looking at your pictures makes me happy and whistful all at the same time. We watched the newer version of Little women the other night (the one with Winona Ryder) I just love the sets and music on this one and it makes me cry overtime i watch it! I am so happy for Ginette and a little jealous too. I put the start bobeches on my christmas list…I hope Santa remembers! I am currently hunkered down as it is snowing like crazy here. We have over 20 inches and it’s supposed to continue snowing through the night! The Governor declared a state of emergency! But we are fine here… me, my hubby Bill and my daughter Sarah. The tree is twinkling and there is a half finished gingerbread house on the table. Turkey soup bubbling on the stove for dinner. I still have my pj’s on!
I’m a tad worried for my daughter because she has to drive 10 hours back to Michigan. She was supposed to leave this morning but couldn’t because of the storm. We shall see what tomorrow morning brings. Have a wonderful evening and thank you so much for sharing your wonderful joyous spirit with all of us girlfriends. Love you lots
Mary
Hope she’s home safe and sound Mary! xoxo
Love the red! What a cozy post for a dreary winter day. Did you hear – Revlon is making Mrs. Maisel-like collection of lipstick. Lots of different reds. May have to get one for all those holiday parties. Thanks, Susan – just got out my “Be An Elf” bookmark from YEARS ago. Going to read A Christmas Carol aloud each night with my sweet hubby – then it is our book for book club discussion this month. We start tonight with big RED mugs of hot chocolate. Enjoy the season!~
Ooooh! Just what I needed to get me in the mood to decorate for Christmas, thank you! With Thanksgiving being so late this year, I just now putting away pumpkins and bittersweet. No time to breathe in-between this year! On to the next holiday we go!
From Wilmington, NC
What a BEAUTIFUL post Susan ~ I couldn’t hold back my tears as I read your words at the end, use our powers for GOOD! Christmas time can bring many feelings, most are simply magical, occasionally though, it brings a bit of sadness. We lost a dearest, sweetest friend just before Halloween, although we miss her SO VERY MUCH, I found love, kindness, & hope in your blog, in your words, & especially in your amazing photos! So, thank you Susan, you managed to turn my heart light back on, bringing me much needed joy, & Christmas magic~😙❤💚🌲🎅
Red has always been my favorite. I had very dark hair until it wasn’t. Ha! Love all your red and stories too. Katie from Prescott Az
How I love red! Thank you so much for all the beauty and happiness you spread! In my earlier life, my then-husband was a teacher of 4th grade. One assignment he gave them was to write a poem. One little boy wrote about “Brown” and while I don’t remember the rest of the poem, one line has stuck with me: “My heart is dying for Brown.” Since brown is my favorite color to wear, I just loved that sentiment.
I couldn’t love that more if I tried! No wonder you remembered it!
I love that red English clock!
Love the red and stars are my absolute favorite ever. I wear a silver ring with tiny stars end to end every day. Wish me luck…lol
Oh joy!!! A post from you in my inbox! It made my day a brighter and redder. 🙂
XO to you!
Susie
Love, love, love this! Color coordinated photos! What an idea!! Red is springing out all over here, too. Red ribbons on all the candles, red throw, pillows, our sofa is red plaid. And so it goes — everywhere! This truly is my favorite, too. Just loved looking through all yours . . . my inspiration and enjoyment for all the things I haven’t time to do right now — living vicariously through yours! (We are buried in VA paperwork and more things to do than I can even talk about — but it’s all good! Gene will get good care, at last — and that’s the bottom line!!) Thank you for this, Susan! Blessings to you both! Merry, merry, Gene and Jane
You are saint Jane, a loving wife and tireless caregiver. I know it all comes straight from your heart, but it must be hard sometimes😘. Just sending you love and best wishes for every good thing.❌⭕️
Many thanks for passing on your Christmas spirit! Sometimes we all need a little nudge and your pictures of red were just the ticket! Mwahhhh! <3
I LOVE your blog. You are soooo artistic and one can tell that you are a very loving person just by what you show and express in your words and photos.
Debbie/ Heber, AZ
Former New Englander
Loved your RED newsletter!❤️🎁 Always a treat to get your emails!🎁❤️ Congratulations to Ginette!🍀🎄
Love all the touches of Red, a vibrant and wonderful color – just like you, Susan. Thank you for filling my bookcase with beautiful books full of lots of Red! Lovingly, Katha, Saint Peter, MN
Just got out, for the holidays, my “Heart of the Home” cookbook which was acquired in 1990! Much used and loved. There’s even a little tear in the dust cover where our puppy took out a bite!
Thank you for so many smiles in one newsletter. 😊 Red, red, red is everywhere here in my home in Middleton, Wisconsin. Thank you for reminding me that I don’t need to be trendy to be happy.
Red, red, red! So very cheerful! I love red, and have red accents in my kitchen all the time!
Congratulations to Ginette! Things will be sparkling at her house!
Thank you, Susan, for this cheerful blog post! Presently enjoying a cup of tea in one of your mugs from years back! I should take a picture and post it somewhere for you to see! It’s always such a treat to take these steps back and remember happy times!
Sending love and hugs to all who are within your house!
xoxo – Nellie
Love, love, love all your photos. Something to look thru over and over. No one has an eye for the little things like you, Susan, and for composition. Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us. From VirginiaB in VERY snowy northern Massachusetts.
Hi Susan
I always love when I see you made a new blog post. What a fun fun fun one *
love it all as usual* have the happiest Christmas *
love deezie
Your posts are so delicious!!❤️ Thank you for speaking joy and love into our lives!❤️ Just today I came across the photo of you and your Mom & Dad as I’m rereading Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams!❤️Of course, one of my favorite things on this page is that chunky, furry little groundhog!!! That’s what my books are about!❤️Have a blessed day and the merriest of all Christmases!!❤️
Red and white, so lovely and cheerful!! Your towels make me want to embroider again. Haven’t done it in years but my Grandmother taught me when I was a young girl.
Merry Christmas to you dear Susan, Joe and kitty and may the Prince of Peace grant us all exactly that – peace!
You make all of us so happy! We look forward to your kind words.. Lucia MD (Maryland, not doctor!!)
Happy Holidays Susan! What a cheery blog filled with happy pictures! Loved the cranberry painted house, especially.
Oh this post has put me into the spirit of the season. Some red and white will look mighty nice! Love you and so blessed that you share with each of us. You are inspiring!
What a perfect post to put me into the Christmas spirit! I’ve been drawing Santas and finishing house portraits for people to give as Christmas gifts and I needed just a LITTLE more holiday cheer!
I also look forward to seeing your little stack of Christmas books. I have many that I read every year myself, some that I found because of your little stack! I just started “Merry Christmas, Mr. Baxter” from 1956 last night. I’ll also read Bess Streeter Aldrich’s WONDERFUL book of Christmas short stories, “Journey Into Christmas”, which seems like something that would be right up your alley! And then there are the Miss Read Christmas stories – “The Christmas Mouse”, “Village Christmas” and “No Holly for Miss Quinn”. I also tuck into Gladys Taber’s books each season to revisit Stillmeadow and her other homes.
Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you for the wonderful book reviews! Nice to hear from you Jake! Merry Christmas!
Goodness, what a delightful break from making Christmas gifts! My printed words are just not capable enough of thanking you for the gifts you share with us. I can get lost in everything on Willard:) Aaaahhhhh
Ginette I hope you have many sparkling times with your gift.
Have a beautiful week to all of us, be the blessing!
P.S. The picture of you and Joe and the snowman is soooo romantic!
How do you keep Jack from eating the Poinsettias? Or any other flowers for that matter? I can no longer have cut flowers in vases or any blooming plants as all 3 of my cats destroy them. And many will make them sick. Oh, well. We deal. I love all your red. I need to organize my pictures like this. Well, back to my decorating. Your post was the perfect break.
He doesn’t eat flowers for some reason, he would rather have string or ribbon!
Lucky Ginette, it’s her red letter day! You made my day with this red blog. Thanks Susan. ♥️
I watched Little Woman yesterday. Perfect way to start December! Enjoy the season!
Christy from Alameda, CA
happy times to you, dear Susan…your lovely friend Carrie sent out on her twitter this artist: kateevansgallery.com/SNOW-DRIFT ….. I hope you take a look at this British artist and her winter views of farmland….another example of beauty in the world…..
More luvly news? The British movie “The Holly and the Ivy” is finally here in the US, on DVD and available on the TCM website…..
enjoy enjoy enjoy all the luvly…..
love,
Regina from Seattle
I HOPE TCM will play it this Christmas season! If you hear, please let me know! Lovely art too Regina, thank you! xoxo
YES! TCM will play “The Holly and the Ivy” thiscoming Sunday Dec. 8th at 10:15 p.m. (I imagine that is Eastern time?)
Enjoy this very Brit movie, in a snowy setting, with wonderful characters, and some lovely life messages….
happy happy,
Regina
SO excited, Thank you so much Regina, I just set it to record. Now I will “own” it! I’ve never seen it! And because of my whole life of passion for old movies, I can’t say that very often! So very extra special. I will make a morning of it, food to go with it, Joe, Jack, the whole 9 yards!
let me know how you like it…..and it sounds like the best way to enjoy it with your cozy crowd!
love to you….(is the time indeed Eastern Standard Time?)
Regina
Yes!
I checked double checked and am sure you did too….the film is on at 7 p.m. Pacific time here in Seattle, so should be 10 p.m. your time…
Oh I definitely have it! Thank you so much!
hope you cozied up and enjoyed the film!
love,
Regina
I returned home yesterday from a wonderful holiday with friends in San Antonio and am thrilled to find your latest blog post today. What a lovely way to bookend Thanksgiving! Now, I’m more than ready to gather everything Christmas and deck those halls. That is, if I can ever remove my precious little tuxedo kitty from my lap. He seems happy to have me home (and don’t you feel sorry for people who don’t have tuxedos to come home to?).
I love your cheerful and sentimental blog. Have a fabulous Christmas!
I am admiring your snowy photos from southern California, so I admit to a small amount of envy. Love to you and all your readers.
I love when good things arrive as a surprise. Opened my email and found you there, Susan.
Helped my day shine and sparkle it did. Thank you, Dear One.
Dearest Susan,
Just loving the Red letter from you. December is my favourite month – being a December birthday girlie! Then there’s Christmas! What’s not to like?!
Love all your reds in this beautiful, schparkly blog…just what I needed as I’m half way through writing my Christmas cards!
We’ve just been to Norway on a cruise around the fjords, for our 35th wedding anniversary and saw the aurora borealis – The Northern Lights – simply amazing greens blues, yellows and a hint of red…phew!
Have the most wonderful December.
Love
Karen
Cambridgeshire
U.K. 🇬🇧
Happy Holidays, sweet Susan – As I look at this favorite color since childhood, I’m inspired to dig out a photo of our family home (RED and wonderful, 1924, single paned windows, heated by four fat old fireplaces, cozy and warm) I’m going to frame one for each of my kids, all lit up at Christmastime! I’m turning 70 on Friday and don’t feel a day over 45! You just warmed my heart with this post — what a wonderful surprise to find in my emails as I just finished frosting the sugar cookies, sticky and drying on the counter to pop back in the freezer for gift giving. God Bless You for filling our lives with joy and kindness. You are so dear!
Red is a wonderful color.I’m a heart kind of gal.I had red hair as a girl.The season of red is upon us.Have a joy filled Christmas.We are heading to the Biltmore next week ,to see how the other half lived.Happy Christmas!!! Mary Elizabeth
My inbox fills each day and I am rapid fire deleting and unsubscribing…a second here and there each day sure adds up. Each time I come across your email I simply smile! I set aside time to read and just reflect on each sentence. You make me stop when the world tells me to Go! Go! Go!. Forever grateful you share your enormous heart and whimsy with us <3
Meghan – from Ohio
I’m honored! Thank you Meghan!
Happiest of holiday season to you and Joe, Susan! Like Joe, I have a hard time throwing plants away – even tho I have a “black” thumb! Love your pictures, paintings, and most of all your joy and kindness <3 Merry Christmas from Bruce, Wisconsin!
About the beautiful cranberry diamond ♦️ ummm 🤔 I’d wear it on a beautiful soft gray overcast rainy day! Gladly up to my knuckle 😊! Loved the red and joyfulness (?) of the red season of this sweet letter! Lifted my day! Blessings
Susan,
I just wanted to let you know that I print out your blog for my Mom and when she is done with them she gives them to her friends to enjoy. It gives me such joy to share your blogs with others. Happy Holiday’s to you, Joe, and Jack!
Makes me happy too, thank you Kathy Anne!
Wonderful post…loved all the beautiful pictures, especially Joe in the Santa hat! Have a wonderful holiday season!
Yes…my favorite color is Red All my cars have been Red….the paint on my kitchen walls is Red….Tea from my Susan Branch cups Red Cups of course.
I could go on but i won’t bore you …..
Thank you again Susan—You are the best
Red, Oh what a delight. I created a red and white wall hanging quilt for the dining room wall. It is hanging. Last year I made little Redwork ornaments from your delightful little shop and this year I added a Redwork nativity to join the little Redwork tree. My dining room table has a white under cloth, a frosty blue oval topper, and then Christmas plates, red with snow dot napkins, red glassware, red glass bowl filled with glitter ornaments and starry bobeches hanging down over the silver-plate candle stick with red tapers that are fake but look real-batteries and a timer. It makes me happy. The quilt bee
is coming tomorrow night. The room is ready for the ladies to arrive. A red velvet cushion in the large rocker with a red and white quilt to sit and read. Your post came at the perfect Red letter time.
Thank you for it all.
Bunny hugs to you three,
Shirley
What a wonderful, delightful post, Susan! Just beautiful. Thanks so much. I met you and Joe a few years ago at a book signing at Main Street Books in St. Charles, MO! What fun! You are such a special person. Where can I find the recipe for the cranberry tea cake? It looks wonderful.
It’s one of the new recipes I added to the 30th anniversary edition of my first book, Heart of the Home.
Greetings from San Luis Obispo. 🎅 Your blogs are such a bright spot in my day❣ Thanks for the fun holiday cheer. 🍬 🎄
I too sort by color! My books are shelved like a rainbow. I often say red is my favorite color. I love your photo storage and I’m going to photograph my favorite red holiday treasures and post them. Reading your blog makes me merry!
Red! My very favorite color ever! The world would not be the same without it. Nancy from Nevada
Susan, I just love you ♥ Your posts, this one in particular, just brought JOY into my late afternoon ( to join the Christmas decorating joy that is already here 😉 ) I realize that through the years, I have so many of your beautiful things, your artwork, your books, your dishes, a treat or two from your store…everything blends in and shines so well with my favorite things! Christmas ♥ is the best, and this year right after what was a grand Thanksgiving is the very best! I actually enjoy the rush lol My Thanksgiving things are on the table and my Christmas boxes are open all over HA! Joy! Joy! Joy! Thank you from my heart for all you are and all you do! A very blessed and Merry Christmas to you and Joe and Jack and all your family! XOXO mari
Red and white are favorites as well as blue and white. Your photos are so lovely.
We live in South Carolina, so I enjoy the photos of your winters with cozy fires and all things antique. I make Christmas ornaments with vintage hankies and satin red ribbon bows. Each one is unique and so pretty on the tree. I sell them at craft fairs.
Your posts are such a wonderful gift. They always seem to appear just when I need them. Thank you, Susan
My favorite color is blue, January through November, but it changes to red in December.
Thanks!
Such a very festive blog, Susan! This time of year goes by so quickly that
we must remind ourselves to saver the little things each and every day! I love and respect
your organizational skills. You must have known, early on, that someday you would need
all these memories! Merry holiday making!
A lovely post, Susan. Sending you lots of love and the color red from snow covered New Hampshire!
You got my number, Susan, I love red and especially at this time of year! Thank you for posting your Pumpkin Cheesecake before Thanksgiving. Your suggestion to substitute gluten-free gingersnaps was just the idea I needed for my Thanksgiving contribution. Yum-mee!!!
Many Happy-Joyful-Blessed-Red-Letter-Days!
Red is my favorite color and I so enjoyed your post! It is such a festive time, I have been decorating today and making cards for some lovely seniors in our county. So much inspiration looking forward to spreading cheer as I receive it from you – time to pay it forward! Have a lovely day!
Oh Dear Susan!
Yes, yes and yes. Red is my very favorite! and i can see I’m not alone, looks like lots of girlfriends are on the Red train. Soon December will be in full swing and time will be flying by like the Polar Express! You will be our inspiration here and there, in table setting, in gift wrapping, in cooking and baking and in just loving and being an ELF! Doing those little sweet secret things that give people a little smile and a bit of Hmmmmmmm:}. Thank you for taking time, for writing, and for thinking of all of us out here, hugging you from a distance.
Happy,Merry, Red Letter Christmas to you and Joe ( and Jack!)
Kim from Brevard, NC
Well, if that doesn’t get everyone into a festive mood I don’t know what will! Red is the best color. You are so lucky to have cardinals, they must look like decorations when they land in a tree or on the snow!
Jill from SLC, Utah
I call them flying Valentines! They do look wonderful in the snow!
Love your RED post…..especially Jack and his red feather. Wishing you & Joe a blessed Advent season.
Red for Christmas, soon to be followed by red for Valentine’s Day! I think those of us in the north, need that shot of red during this rather otherwise dreary time of year. But, red for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day is also quite wonderful!! It is just a happy color. Your photos are lovely! Most esp the one of Jack and his red feather. My daughter moved into her first home earlier this year and adopted two sweet kitties, Lucy & Bubbles…..they, too, love to play with their feathers!!
I’m still seeing ‘red!’ 🙂 All these photos made me so happy–and I actually smiled from ear to ear to see the photo of you and Joe by your snowman thirty years ago. So sweet! Here’s to a magical, heartwarming Christmas season.
Red is my favorite color! Thanks for the beautiful post and inspiration. I have been busy decorating the kitchen to take and making Christmas cards for some seniors in our county. Love this time of year and having the opportunity to give back and pay it forward. Thanks as always for your upbeat holiday cheer! Have a lovely day!
Wow, was that a red ride or what?! Love, love, loved it! Thank you a million-billion.
❤️♥️♥️❤️♥️
Red is such a happy, deep, passionate color, thanks for your blog! What a lovely time of reflection on this color, thank you, Susan. I am an artist of oils and currently on a painting of a pair of professional tango dancers, inspired by the color RED!
I have the (Joe)Santa tea towel as a Flag/Banner that I retired from flying (outside) before it got too damaged and use it as an indoor wall hanging now!
I think you should paint your house red!
We have this thing where I live called the “historic district.” You paint your house red, you go to jail without passing go. Once I thought I would put a great big happy face on it, but decided to stay in good graces instead. 😍
Red is such a happy, deep, passionate color, thanks for your blog! What a lovely time of reflection on this color, thank you, Susan. I am an artist of oils and currently doing a painting of a pair of professional tango dancers, inspired by the color RED!
Passion!
Bless you! What a wonderful post. I adore red. Our cottage is red and then I had to paint my kitchen red and everyone thinks I am a great cook:) I heard once that red makes one hungry:) I feel very happy for Ginette! I was wondering the name of the convent where your friends, the nuns make the incredible honey smelling bees wax candles? I need some more to get through winter! Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and a beautiful green Friday.
Yes, Caroline, that’s the Holy Nativity Convent in Brookline, Mother Seraphima. Aren’t they wonderful?! xoxo
I am in a plaid mood this year. Plaid on Plaid. Plaid alone. Every colour.
will be leaving all of it until April 1!
Marcia in Sewell, NJ
Such a beautiful post. I love Christmas. And red.
What organization!! I’m envious of this trait. Never had it, never will something tells me. But you are an inspiration . . . RED is my favorite color so this post is a real treat. Happy Christmas time. Lots to do for you I’m sure. I’m taking it easy. My kids brought decorations and put them up for me so the place is cheery and sparkly. We’re trying to get enthused about cookie decorating. My oldest, Heidi, lost her husband of 30+ years this spring, she was the faithful hostess for T-day and the cookie party for many years. We went out to have a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet in a beautiful setting, looking out over a boat moorage with clear turquoise sky above and coral on the edge as the sun set, The sliver of new moon was so bright sitting in that beautiful scene with Venus and Jupiter sparkling beside it, making for a lovely experience. Kind of a subdued Holiday Season this year. Your blog is always a bright spot in the midst of all this. I’m so glad you kept all those photos filed away. I’m anxious for the book you are currently working on. But don’t stress your wounded wing.
Ohhh that’s so sad Sylvia. It’s a good year to do something different. Sending love to you and hugs to Heidi. xoxo
All the red puts me in the holiday spirit! I love your beautiful pictures. All of them!
Thanks for brightening up my day with your red, red, and more red, I love it!
Mary Huff from Carroll, Iowa
Hi, Susan!
I was watching Little Women right along with you. My mother called during the movie and I asked if she was watching. She said the news was on so I told her to change the channel and watch Little Women with me. She said, “Yes, Sir!” She’s 91 and still full of spit and vinegar!
This blog is a treasure, full of the magic that makes Christmastime so special. Thank you for reminding us what really matters. ❤️🎅🏻🤶🏻🎄
Love, Linda
LOL, “Yes, sir!” Very cute … and fun to watch together! 💖
Ohhhh…I thought we were getting the recipe for that wonderful looking cranberry tea cake! It looks delicious, but then everything you photograph looks spectacular.
May your red get redder and never fade. Keep it coming girl, it gets better all the time.
Take a hug and give one…
Gail
❌⭕️
Hi Gail! It’s me! HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!
su-cha fun post! and nice and long too!
Always such fun to get your posts! Love everything red too! Thanks for always lifting our thoughts with your cheerfulness xoxoxo!
Love all the red! I have red dishes that I bring out for the Holidays that just make me happy. And speaking of happiness, please post your winter/Christmas desktop pictures so my computer background can be Christmas-y!
Will do!