Brown, the color of nature and quiet, of tea and warm 
blankets, linen and wool and brown corduroy, thick socks, and fireplaces . . . of fairy tales and real things like wood, chocolate, and old violins, of fertile soil and plowed fields, it’s roots, it’s rustic, it’s natural, it’s texture, it’s perfect for winter. Brown is the color of cozy, the sense of belonging and protection and that’s what I hope you feel as we dip our brush into the wonderful and delicious color of BROWN. MUSICA!
I have to start with this gorgeous Walter Langley 19th century painting! In her lap, pictures of house and garden, a bow in her hair, and she’s wearing an apron with a fringe of 
tiny pleats at the bottom over her cozy dress, the browniest brown I’ve ever seen. A girl after my own heart. I had so much fun doing RED last month, I thought, now is the time for BROWN! I keep my photos in labeled files for every subject imaginable, from “sunsets,” and “graveyards,” to “moons,” and “Girlfriends,” (to name a few) and by color too ~ I’ve always thought brown sounds boring, but as you’re about to see, and I know you’ll agree, it’s NOT. It’s luscious! It’s the color of coziness. My dad sent me the cups that make coffee hearts. I love being able to use photos that don’t necessarily fit in another “story” ~ but when the only criteria is color, a whole new world opens! So here we go!
Cozy suitcases, probably handmade. Where have they been? Paris, for sure! I hope they went via ship to England to see the English Countryside! Might have belonged to Sam Clemens. Who knows? Not one of them on wheels, and even empty, they weigh a ton. Tough traveling in the good old days. Except the owner of these most likely had baggage handlers! And what charm!
I tinged the pages brown in A Fine Romance, to make it more cozy so it will make you want to hug it at the end and go ahhhhh. These two pages have lots of brown, so nice for the eyes!
Little brown house in the woods.
Little brown squirrel, also in the woods and slightly frosted.
Most beautiful gentle brown creatures. Here for us. How did we get so lucky?
Beauty, ruffled in the winter wind.
The real Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott. I hope everyone was able to see the new Little Women . . . we LOVED it … just heaven! (You can click there and see our visit to the house.)
The Alcott family’s piano. Little Women was very autobiographical . . . the piano belonged to Louisa’s real sister, Elizabeth, who, like Beth, died young, at only 22.
I’m glad to the wood! Especially glad to my grandma’s cookie-stirring wooden spoon.
Yes, lovely. Please don’t hate me cuz I’m beautiful😌 . . . this is how it is when we walk in 30º weather! Not a lot of skin showing! Very cozy and very brown!
Love finding wonderful things.
Plain, deep breaths of salt air . . .
Our old legs are still taking us! Out to the brown. Joe’s practically invisible!
I decided this was brown. Not gray.
Wonderful old house . . . built to last forever.
“The little old kitchen had quieted down from the bustle and confusion of mid-day, and now, with its afternoon manners on, presented a holiday aspect that as the principal room in the brown house, it was eminently proper it should have.” Margaret Sidney
This carving was on a chest in a museum in Plymouth. Carved by someone a very long time ago. And there we were, still connecting with it and the person that made it. Some things do last forever. Little homemade handmade things.
This old book too, in the same museum.
Old brown bricks help the fire spread its warmth in our 1849 house. Then go in, and turn on the stove and make . . .
Or some other wonderful thing . . .
Pancakes! The coziest!
These are old family recipes, in my mom’s handwriting, my grandma’s, and my great grandmother’s. Prized possessions I take very good care of. These things can so easily be lost to history, but if, in the future, these disappear, God forbid, they will never actually go away, because I have pictures! 
I think these are gingerbread, but it’s been so long, I’m not sure WHAT they are. But they are brown and cute!
Some of those old recipes went into my books!
Not sure how long it’s been since you made a homemade pie crust, but I can’t recommend it more. Do something brown!
Or make an Orange Marmalade Cake! Mmmmm! Teatime!
Or Gingerbread cake with lemon sauce . . .
Most delicious old-fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake, so brown and cozy!
Or just buttered toast . . . 
I have always loved to paint baskets. This old one is to carry pies to picnics. Pre-Tupperware.
This was my first Man-Kitty, I got him in Holly Oak. Cat in a basket!
And this is elegant Margot in our garden decked in brown…
And this is her little brown dog. And ⬇️ here’s one of those photos I never put up because I can never think of a reason why! But it’s nicely brown!
Here’s another photo I can never think of a reason to show! But, remember in Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, when I went on an airplane to Vermont with Cliff and wore the “perfect flyer-girl outfit?” This is it! It also had a calf length narrow leather skirt to go with it, but I gave it away a long time ago. This jacket just went to my niece Heidi a couple of months ago. But I took a picture of it, so I have it forever! And she was thrilled and so was I!
My basket of old letters . . .
Kept on the back porch for a quick getaway in case of emergency.😁
English Pub!
One of those golden-brown and cozy Cotswold towns . . .
Someone made this path with only brown rocks.
English pubs, because they are meant to be cozy, with old wood and old books, are almost all brown.
We took a little cruise on this wonderful old boat on Lake Windemere on a rainy day!
Wooden chairs . . . and a guy named Jack!
Plain and brown. Some of my old baskets.
These hats and bags were hanging on the inside of the front door of Holly Oak, so I painted them around, I think, 1988 . . .
Four-poster beds . . . such beautiful old wood to whom I am very glad.
Had to take a picture of it.
Was making Halloween placecards with rubber stamps and burnt edges.
A ticking clock has memories and gives a room depth.
Says it all . . .
Old wood barn in a New England snowstorm.
For this female cardinal sitting on the wisteria outside my kitchen window, I was torn, “brown” or “orange?” So I did both!
Brown for sure. This guy pulled our sleigh through the snow.
On our walk. This is a puddle and you are seeing two things, leaves under the water, and the reflection of trees above!
Not totally brown, but you know what this means? It means a personal red (Brown!) letter day! A Fine Romance has just gone into 7th printing!!! Since we publish it ourselves, some day we’ll have to stop reprinting it, but right now, in the nicest word-of-mouth way, this little book keeps-on-keeping-on. Thank you Girlfriends for liking it and making it the little engine that could.💞
And THIS is what’s on the chair in our kitchen right now… They’re having a two-for-one sale at our cleaners, so that’s where I’m going next! Having a meeting this afternoon with Kellee and Sheri, about NEW things, and everything 2020! I hope you all enjoyed the wee Brown-
Out today. You know I’ve been sick, got all kinds of flu and cough and cold after Christmas, Joe too. We are practically MADE of soup and toasted brown bread now! But it worked, we’re feeling much better! Painting again with old movies. Loving 
PBS Sunday, first with Howard’s End (in three parts) and afterwards, Sanditon. Both just perfection! I’m sure you’d enjoy them too. Our weather doesn’t know what to do with itself. One day it’s 50º, then we have a blizzard that melts the next day, and today, it’s bright blue skies, sunshine and 20º! January! But we are safe in our cozy brown house. Sending love, and lots of creative juice! Love You!
I love brown! It is truly my favorite color ❤️
Hugs
Laura in Illinois
😘
Susan such a nice post. Funny I just ordered a fuzzy dark brown throw this morning. All things brown goes really nice with my very LARGE yellow and orange kitty.
Now I have to get out my Little Women book and read it again. Sooooo many books to read. Guess that’s a good thing. Its a very old copy. Love books that are old, you can wonder who had them before. Thank for such a nice post. VERY SOOTHING, AND CALMING.
Nancy Jo
Nice to hear that Nancy Jo!
Susan,
You not only captured the warmth and coziness of BROWN, but you did so with heart, humor and charm. I found myself smiling as I read each snippet of the path to brown.
Thank you!
Loved this.
Best,
Kelly from Walnut Creek♥️
Thank you right BACK, Kelly! xoxo
Do I want more of little cruises in old wooden boats on Lake Windemere? Of gorgeous photos bringing up happy memories? Of a blog window into your MV Home Sweet Home and British homes away from home? Yes, please! And thank you! (So glad to know you & Joe are finally getting better!) xoxoxo
Your wish is my command Christie! xoxo
Thank-you Susan for another beautiful blog. I’ve been watching the cardinals and other birds at the feeder as a few little snow flurries blow around. Definitely a day to snuggle in sweaters and warm socks. Your blog is a welcome, warming gift on cold day. Take care and stay well. 💖💖Bridget
You too Bridget, thank you!
I am so happy that you are back and now well…I like all of us, have been worried about you!…I love this posting …it is so warm and cozy! We have had snow here too, but it is now gone and things are getting back to a little more normal!!! I have had the chest cold also, with a lot of coughing…and it is no fun…So we spend days inside being lazy, eating warm soups and biscuits and taking many naps!!! In January, hibernation is a good thing…after the holidays, it is time for down-time! January 24th is my birthday and this year I turn 75…but inside of me still lives a young person of 26!!!! I have to count my blessings that I grew up in the 50’s, they were the perfect time to be a kid! I am so happy to see this post of yours today….Makes my birthday week so much better! Take care, be warm and cozy at your home….Hi to Joe and a pat for Jack!!!! Hugs!!!!
I know, I’m still 26 too Susan . . . maybe all Susan’s are! Happy Birthday!
Thank you, I will have a very happy Birthday!!!! Maybe I will only have 26 candles on my cake this year!!!! hee hee! Why not?
Happy Birthday, Susan in Little Norway,
From another 1945 gal.
Lovely blog as usual….I have been watching Howard’s End and Sanditon on PBS and really enjoying them both..I must say PBS has some of the best looking actors !! Give Jack a pat from me ….Have a wonderful day
You are so right!
Susan, Susan, SUSAN!!! Now I crave a book of colors through the eyes of YOU. Jeeze, Louise! I’m on the wait list for Susan’s Book of Colors. Both the red and brown blogs are wonderful and the first two chapters of your book! Re-reading and re-reading the color blogs will NOT be enough to satisfy us. Nope! Never! EVER! Please consider this addition for Girlfriends’ libraries of your adored books. It would be a HUGE success…HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Children’s book…Enchanted book…Book of Colors…SO much to look forward to.
XOXOXO
FayE in CA!
Love you FayE! xoxo
LOVE YOU too! HAPPY you two are well and warm! Lovely post!
Happy 2020 Cathy!
Your Blog always makes me feel happy, and looking at things differently, I have never liked the colour brown, unless its a russett brown, but all others have always seemed so dull and depressing. No more, after reading this I will look at brown differently. I loved the reflection picture, and wanted to walk where that was and gaze awhile.
Off soon to my daughter’s house to Nannysit and help her with her just two and six month old while their Daddy is in Chicago for the week, going to be tiring and physically challenging, but also filled with lots of hugs, wet kisses, smiles and laughter. Have a good week, our snow just melted and it looks very brown and muddy outside!
Such little ones! Have fun. Take naps when they do! xoxoxo
Just what I needed a new blog post. I made a cup of tea, sat under a blanket, and took it all in. Beautiful. I then looked out the back window at the sun on the trees, oh brown trees! I even took a picture. Thanks for the inspiration. Sorry to hear you and Joe were down with the flu but glad it is history. I’m trying to eat an orange every day, so far it’s working, knock on wood…brown wood that is! 🙂
I’m doing the same thing Kathy! Eating an orange everyday. So delicious and juicy and cold!
Love the Brown blog! Just what I needed! Wob You and Joe!! xoxo!!!
Lori from Black Diamond, WA…:)
Wob you back!
Thank you for a lovely post. Something pleasant instead of negative. Hope you are,all feeling better. Have a wonderful day .
We all know the insanity is out there, but I’m starting to blame “social” media for so much terrible anger … it didn’t used to be like this. I’m enjoying our little brown cubby safe from the storm. xoxo
That’s why I don’t “do” Facebook. It encourages people to believe conspiracy theories, lies….I feel very safe with Susan Branch, Carrie in England, and a very few others on Twitter, but shame on fb for knowingly allowing it. Words have consequences. Unstable people are encouraged to kill their fellow man, woman and children, or at the very least, to hate their neighbor.
I think most people would agree. It’s so wrong to let them do this!
How lucky we are to be offered up “brown”! A lovely blogpost, Susan. Glad you’re on the mend! There are adventures to be had! Thanks again so much for sharing your magical, extraordinary, ordinary World! We’re the luckier for it!
I know, Sherry … most I could muster was Twitter! Better now. Painting like crazy! Lovely to see you here!
How lucky we are to be offered up “brown”! A lovely blogpost, Susan. Glad you’re on the mend! There are adventures to be had! Thanks again so much for sharing your magical, extraordinary, ordinary World! We’re the luckier for it!
Thank you for being here Sherry! xoxo
Brown is a color my mom made me wear.I had deep auburn hair,and she thought we looked best in Brown and yellow.As an adult I took to hot pink,and any other color but brown.As a sixty seven year old woman,I can say I have no brown in my closet.Having said that I do love brown in everything else in my life.Brown dogs,beautiful brown shoes,old furniture.I just don’t wear brown.I loved all your brown,and it is warm and welcoming.Glad you are both feeling better.Can’t wait for your new book.
I’m an autumn, so I have to wear brown! 🤣 But I’ve learned to love it. You are probably a spring or summer or something, naturally gravitating to pink!
I love your brown blog! Brown things seem so fundamentally natural. I am always looking for pens that write with brown ink – not markers. The cream color of paper is so kind and gentle to the eyes. Thank you for sharing some of your brown. I know you have so much more… (old lace, pine cones, oak leaves and acorns…)
Pen and ink, they’d have brown, might be fun!
You are absolutely the most adorable thing in that hat!! <3 And thank you for the coziest read on this very crisp 20 Degree, winter's day! xo Tatiana
Ha ha! Well thank you, Tatiana! It’s warm, covers my ears!
OH! Just realized, you must mean the cowboy hat! I thought you were talking about the fuzzy winter hat for a moment!
Love you in the cowboy hat, Susan! I live in western Canada where we still have lots of cowboys. You’d fit right in!
Laurie
=:3
😎😘
These are all gorgeous brown pictures and never thought of place pictures in this way! Love it!
In my box with recipes I have a lot written by my Mum which she gave to me when I was going to live on my own.
Still making a applecrumble tart/pie(?) In the way she did.Sometimes in my way adding pineapple and nuts or peache.
Have a great day
Greetings Truus from Holland
Wonderful family memories in those recipes!
I will never look at brown in quite the same way. Thank you! 🤎
😘
I agree 100%, Nancy!
Nancy, I agree!
Brown! What a grand homage! Perfect for a dark winter day! Makes me want to make gingerbread! Thanks, Sue! I’m off to the kitchen! xoxo♥
Did you take your stove with you when you moved Peg?
Wow! You outdid yourself today! Another great blog making me appreciate every day things.
Onion soup. Baskets. Shoes. Even better – sandals! Wood floors. Brown dogs- beloved Millie, my son’s chocolate lab. Calico cats with brown.
My husband does woodworking – furniture, signs, lanterns- and I do the staining. Great brown stain names: Golden Oak, English Chestnut, Puritan Pine, Espresso.
In the 70s we decorated in browns and tans.
Stay well. Stay warm.
Thanks for appreciating brown from this brown eyed girl. ❤
You got it Peggy! xoxoxo
<3 I adore reading your blogs. They bring me right back to where my heart is at – home, domesticity, cozy comforts and the exploration of all the things that interest us. I am also an ardent fan of Louisa May Alcott and am the teensiest bit jealous that you had the chance to visit Orchard House. 🙂 It's on my bucket list. 😉 Thank you, as always, for sharing, Susan <3 Hope you and Joe continue to be on the mend, 100% back to your happy selves. Happy January and happiest of browns !
Happy January, Amy! You’ll get to Orchard House someday, it’s just sitting there waiting for you!
Aw Susan! Thank you for your cozy blog. It has been very chilly for days now in No. California…this was a pleasant way to warm up. Hope you are all better and stay that way. We are off in a few days to celebrate our 43rd anniversary in the nice warm desert! Take care!
Happy Anniversary Mary! Enjoy the warmth!
Within the past few days, I posted on Facebook that, in trying to stay positive, I’d never noticed how many shades of brown there were. I suppose winter everywhere is indeed variations on a brown theme.
Reading your blog made me smile, because I was on the same page with you. I’m the least creative human bean I know, so this made me happy.
You think you are, but you’d be surprised if you really knew how totally creative you are. Everyday you create your life. I have to say I always used to wish I was creative. Everyone else seemed creative but me. It wasn’t until I’d written 5 books, looked around my house at all the things I’ve made, and said, “HEY, this must be what creative IS!!” Who knew!?! I forgot that cooking, writing letters, sewing on buttons, planting the garden, making a card, knitting a scarf, writing a diary, are ALL creative!!
Hi Susan,
Who knew the color brown would contain so much magic? Well, of course you did! And I appreciated every single way you reminded me of its beauty! I feel so ready to embrace brown and all of its comforts. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty in all things and brightening my day.
I’m so sorry you and Joe got sick after the holidays. It can be challenging enough having to take down all the color and sparkle from that time of year. But it sounds like you are on the upswing and moving on into 2020 with your usual gusto and positive outlook. Cheers to better health!
Chris
We simply ignored it. Joe is, in fact, in the living room right now, packing away Christmas baubles! We’re late, but no one knows, except you and me! Thank you Chris!
Hi Susan, we just put our tree out today. It will provide shelter for the wee birds and beasties in the garden seeking shelter from the storms of winter. We undecorated it a week ago but left it up with just the lights to enjoy for a few more days. Everything is packed away now except the candles in the window. We like to keep those lit till Valentine’s Day. I’m glad you and Joe are feeling better. Who knew brown could be so cozy? Hugs, Elaine
We still have wreaths on our doors, which we’ll keep for another month probably, unless they actually turn BROWN!🤣 Pine wreaths are one thing that’s not so good in brown!
Susan, what a treat for a winter’s day! I loved all the cozy, snuggly brown of this latest post. We’ve had similar weather in Houston, minus the snow, thank goodness. When we get six flakes here the fourth largest city in the US comes to an immediate HALT! It’s the funniest thing in the world, but probably wise considering that the locals — and southerners in general — don’t know what to do with the white stuff. Other than Christmas, I can’t say that I miss it very much…
I’m glad you and Joe are feeling better. Welcome back, and hugs to Jack!
Thank you Sue!!
Only you could make brown so “unboring”! Thanks for this “cozy” post!
Don’t forget the eye of the beholder! 😘
Loved all your browns ….always a comforting homey color to me like being wrapped up in winter nature 🥰 …logs for the fireplace, stew on the stove… love those browns!
The more you look, the better they are! xoxo
So so sorry that you and Joe were ill — so glad you’re both feeling better. Enjoy the New England (I live in CT) sunshine today — it a perfect (for January) weather day. Love all of your pictures!
Thank you Tara!
Awesome Browness….
Brownie recipe written in pen . I can’t wait to make and bake—I can almost taste them
Thank you Susan..You always make my days better
Linda from Connecticut
They’re the chewy kind! My favorite!
Hello there, Dear Susan,
BROWN< how nice!! So many different colors of brown, so many different THINGS in brown, LOVE YOUR BASKETS, and you are making me look around the room, to see what I could add to all your gorgeous pictures…
Maybe the greyish/browny hairs of one of our kitties?? She's a tortoise shell and has ginger and white fur too….Oh I need to make the yummy gingerbread cake soon…..
Sorry to hear you were sick, but thankfully on the mend, that;s great! Does Jack keep you good company?
We are still waiting for Little Women to arrive in the cinema here, boo hoo, it's certainly taking a long time to get here….I did order the Downton Movie though, and we are looking forward to watching it again! We saw it in Exmouth, Devon when we were on holiday there, twice actually, since it was "cheap monday", and at just 4 pounds, we couldn't resist!
I;m going to re-read your post tomorrow and have a better look at all the pictures, it's bed time here now.
Going up a bit early, so I can read for a while longer….Have you ever read any of Rosamunde Pilcher books? Or the delightful Miss Read?
Happy monday
Nicoline
xoxo
Jack is totally attentive. But so fat he gets on me and I’m trapped. I wouldn’t change a thing! Sweet dreams my friend. Yes, I’ve read both of those . . . how about you and Barbara Pym? Have you tried her yet? You’ll love her. xoxoxo
Perfect day for this here in Colorado! Overcast and bleakly brown / grey. Always love your posts, which stir up a warm fire in my heart!
Thank you Karen!
Oh Susan! Please tell me the name of the pattern of dishes that the teapot is on the wood tray.
My grandmother left me a few pieces that she had left, but soooo many memories.
No doubt out of stock, but want to track some down. Name of pattern please!
Best place to find pieces too?
❤️❤️❤️💜Bobbie In Seattle
The teapot is Vernon Kilns Mayflower, and I’m sorry but I gave away the creamer and sugar and don’t remember the name on them! I find these things just wandering through antique stores when we travel… so I’m not much help on where to find things specifically. I believe there is a china replacement website … try googling it.
Susan, I was beginning to think that either you were ill or had moved – horrors to both thoughts! I am so glad you and Joe are on the mend. Trying to avoid the flu here as well. I love this color theme – brown. My mother passed away in November. I miss her terribly and I was dreading the “brown” of winter; however, I have focused on the different shades of brown in the leaves, the marsh grasses out our window, the birds at the feeder and of course, the pesky squirrels. Going through Mom’s clothing, I kept several sweaters – dark and light browns. They have her scent and I remember how beautiful she looked when wearing them. As you regain your energy, I hope you are working on your next book. I look forward to reading it. Best wishes for 2020~
Oh I’m so sorry Ann. 😥 xoxoxoxoxoxo
Lovely!! Thank you for the much needed new perspective on Brown! (And the sudden need to go home and make tea & toast!) 😉
Yup tea, toast, perhaps grilled cheese, nice toasty brown!
Fantastic read, Susan! I don’t know how you do it, but I’m glad you do!
Thank you Nancy, happy to see you here!
Hi, Susan aka “Jo”. So happy to know you and Joe are feeling better. Both of you I’ll at the same time is a challenge. But your chicken soup and brown bread are miraculous medicines. Happy 2020!
Same to you Susan! xoxo
What a wonderful post from beginning to end. First of all, I am glad that you and Joe are both feeling better. There’s a nasty flu going around this year, and the back and forth weather only makes matters worse. I hope that your readers got their flu shot (unless opposed, of course). I have been fortunate so far- probably because I haven’t been able to get out as much as I’d like (I’m still out of work while recovering from foot surgery).
The Musica was perfect for putting one in a “cozy” mood and the post, featuring brown, only added to the coziness. I’m sure that many of us will never look at brown in the same way again (i.e. of being drab). I know that I won’t. I absolutely loved the picture “A Daydream” by Walter Langley. In fact, I had to stop reading the post and quickly research him, as I was unfamiliar with his work. Many lovely pictures- and they all spoke to me. Thank you for the introduction.
The suitcases – yes, the stories they might tell! We can only imagine, of course, but they look well-traveled- possibly a Grand Tour. When I was small, I used to pack a pigskin bag of my father’s when visiting my cousin. I wish I knew what happened to the bag. It was so soft. I do have the memories, though!
As a knitter, I love the picture of the sheep. Alas, I had to again stop reading and look up the breed. I thought that it might be Herdwick, but I believe that it is Zwartbles- a breed that was recently introduced to the UK. The fleece is supposed to be wonderful for spinning. I’ll have to keep that in mind on my next trip to England. If, of course, I become proficient at spinning.
I again visited Orchard House with you via the link. Did you know that Margaret Mitchell also wrote Gone With the Wind at a typewriter set on a table not much bigger than the typewriter itself? I love the picture of the owl. In fact, I longed to see it in person after reading the “Louisa” post many years ago. Orchard House was unfortunately closed the day I was in the area, but I do plan to visit in the future. I was pleased to learn that May was well respected in her day, as I didn’t get that impression from the movie. Maybe it was just how “Amy” felt about herself.
I love the refection picture. It would make lovely note cards. Hint. Hint!
And the squirrel. Did you know that there are black squirrels- jet black? I spotted them on a recent drive around the Saratoga battlefield. I thought it was a cat at first! Google to the rescue- there are black squirrels in upstate New York.
Thanking you again for a wonderful post and a big helping of “cozy”. I read it through from beginning to end twice after my initial interrupted reading. Now, I’m all snug and warm. P.S. I love your grandma’s cookie stirring spoon. Again, the stories it could tell!
Nooo, I didn’t know there were black squirrels, are they pretty? They sound pretty! Nice to hear from you Dianne! xoxo
They are pretty, as they are a shiny black, similar to a black cat. I was so taken by surprise, as I’ve never seen them before. I live in New York, but may not have been far enough north. They’d actually be a nice addition to Halloween artwork, but people might wonder if the artist made a mistake. Thanks again for introducing me to the work of Walter Langley.
I Googled them! How wonderful they are. And they say they aren’t aggressive, even better. They’ve been spotted in 60 towns in MA including Boston. I hope we get them!!!
Lovely, as always.
Hi Susan! It seems that earth tones never really go out of style! Brown pairs so well with pink, blue, yellow! Love those combinations! Always love reading your posts. Glad you are feeling better. This year so many ill the day after Christmas for around three weeks! I know here it was, along with friends! Stay well and thanks for another great blog!!!
I think the whole island had it! At least we weren’t in it alone! xoxo
I sure hope you are feeling much better! So sorry you’ve been sick. Love the “brown” post. I’ve always thought brown was warm and cozy and of the earth. Take care of yourself!!
We’re trying!
In the early years of my teaching career, we always started the first graders with colors and used the absolutely wonderful book “Hailstones and Halibut Bones,” a poetry page for each color illustrated by the famous Leonard Weisgard. I thought of this book when I read your red blog, and with today’s brown, I pulled my dog-eared copy out.
“………
Brown is a feeling
You get inside
When wondering makes
Your mind grow wide.
Brown is a leather shoe
And a good glove –
Brown is as comfortable
As love.”
Thank you, dear Susan, for bringing comfort and inspiration into these quiet brown days of January!
I hadn’t heard of him, but the poem is cute, thank you Patty!
He illustrated a number of Margaret Wise Brown books and also Golden Books.
Patty, I love the book “Hailstones and Halibut Bones”…truly a great teaching book for rhymes and colors…as well as beautiful to page through.
Beautiful, well worth the wait!
Thank you Nancy!
I never imagined I would love the color brown so much but after seeing you post of today I now realize there are so many wonderful and beautiful things in our world that are brown. Thank you for reminding me that brown is a most lovely color.
It was only after I started labeling the colors … then one day I typed in brown and all this came up! That’s when I realized, wow, brown!
Oh, Susan, I LOVE this post! Thank you. It makes me appreciate, even more, the beautiful trunks of our bare maple trees which wait, patiently, for Spring’s arrival. A wonderful color of BROWN! xoxo Cat P.S. Do you stock the adorable heart cups? I am pretty sure they are one of life’s necessities…?
I don’t even know where he got them! Aren’t they wonderful? You don’t really realize there’s a heart there until you fill them!
I LOVE brown. My whole house is decorated in shades of brown. And I love that picture of you in the hat above the leather jacket. You look GORGEOUS. And I also love Sanditon. Good to see the infamous Mr. Pamuk back in action. 🙂
So good! I bet your house is the land of peace and quiet!
Glad you are feeling better. Stay well. Happy brown.
Thank you Joleen!
I absolutely love your website!!! I would love to swap lives with you for just a while — I love New England, especially in winter, and the pictures in this letter are just priceless!! You are so blessed and so talented!! Thank you for all you share with all of us who love your world so much !! Can’t wait til next time —
Wouldn’t life swapping be a good thing! We’d learn so much! Maybe love each other more.💞 Thank you for the sweet words Anita!
Thanks for reminding me of brown bread….stuff my mom had for us from time to time….and since you think it helps get rid of your cough and cold, etc., I am going out right now for a can….and have it with soup tonight.
It’s so delicious! Such a wintery thing to eat. You have to toast it like 3 times to get a crisp edge, in case you like it that way!
I was wondering if you both were under the weather…. so good to hear you are on the mend! I loved the ‘brown’ theme and how you wound in so many wonderful things. Stay warm and healthy❤️ From Leslie in Maine
You were right! We’re better! Thank you Leslie!
just testing….
I’m here!
I love the color brown! Been my favorite forever! You’re right.. it IS a cozy color and I just want to wrap myself up in it. The color of dirt, and tree trunks, and all things earthy. Hot cocoa, chocolate bars, it just keeps getting better and better:-). Thanks for sharing a ‘brown’ day~
Nancy
I know, once you start thinking about it!
So glad you’ve recovered, missed you.
Me too you. Was a long haul! Enough sleep for a lifetime!
Thank you so much for the brown treatise. It really lifted up my funky Monday spirits! I now have a new appreciation for the browns of the world. I looked out the window from my apartment in the barn and saw the late afternoon sun shining on my son’s 1772 stone house, and really SAW all the different colors of brown in the stones. Amazing! (Trying to figure out how to share the pic with you.) Have a glorious, browntiful week!
It sounds perfectly gorgeous! xoxo
I posted the pic of stone house on your FB page!
I went and looked for it, but can’t see it! xoxo
I loved seeing the movie Little Women. My new favorite movie! Loved the picture with the brown horse! Thank you Susan for bringing some sunshine to my day today. I printed it out so I can enjoy later.
❌⭕️
Oh, my.
I feel that we have just taken part in a MASTER CLASS on “How to REALLY See.”
Thank you.
😘😘😘
Oh my goodness…….divine !!
Two more words come to mind…..Luscious Sepia !!
I want to run around the house (inside & outside) and do the same…..
Thanks for such a FUN idea. xoxo Joan
Thank you for reminding me to look at BROWN (which is one of my least favorite colors) with new eyes!! I hope you and Joe stay healthy now!! We’ve been missing your missives. Alice
Wow! I LOVE ❤️ it! Brown IS so very warm and cozy!
Thanks for reminding us!
I loved this! all the recipes, all the brown…perfection!
I was rushing to get everything on my To Do list done and then I came to your Brown Blog and, oh! my! I slowed down and just enjoyed. Thank you for putting a stop to my craziness. There was no reason to finish everything – just my self-driven craziness. Now I will enjoy everything Brown for the rest of the day! Thank you!
Sweet, Diane! xoxoxo
Hi Susan! Thanks for the cozy post! We’ve had the same weather here in Michigan and I’ve had the same crummy cough and cold. Happy to hear you’re feeling better. I am too. I never thought I was a fan of brown, but after reading your post and looking around my home I have a lot of brown! The antique tables and bookshelves recede but when viewed separately their simple beauty stands out. Thanks for the reminder to look for beauty everywhere!
Make life soooo much better doesn’t it Yvonne, to see the beauty in the little things we already own!
Susan – so nice to hear from you, all healthy and wintery! As I look at my brown Maggie Mae 12 year old dog, with her melty brown eyes…..and I get ready to pack for a trip, with my brown sweater and brown linen shirts! Thank you for “brown”…..for Christmas, a friend gave me a copy of “A Fine Romance” and said “you don’t have this , do you? You NEED it!” I told her I had it and had read it 3 times, BUT we needed to leave the copy she got me at her house, so we could refer to it when I visit (which is perfect for sharing that book with her, who has been to London 17 times!!!!) So I am readying for 2 weeks June-July, to go back to England with a friend – this time we want, of course, more days in London, and we will explore East Sussex, Charlston, Great Dixter Garden and Monk’s House , for a few days, trying to find a B and B, and ways to travel between those 3 places, since we won’t have a car…..so more adventures and exploring…..I thought of you – Alan Titchmarsh, a UK gardening guru, has a show called “Love Your Garden” – well – on YouTube, if you can find I think it is in season 6, where he designs a garden for a woman who used to be a Land Girl in WWII, and is now in her 90’s……you would love love this story – it is filled with heart, and sweetness, and giving and love.
OK – onward to a nice, rich, brown cup of coffee!
love you
Love that area so much. Adore Charleston. You will too Regina! Get a driver, they have them all over the place in England, you probably already know that. They will pick you up, take you where you want to go, hang with you, help you, show you. You’ll meet a sweet English person!
I do look forward to visiting that area….are there B and B’s, and are they able to lead us in the direction of hiring a car and driver? Luvly luvly….thanks!
Yes, try looking at the Chamber of Commerce website, they have lots of info. When you get off the boat, there will be cabs right there, and I bet any of them would help you get around. Although I’m sure we have tour guides too. We have buses that let you get off and on wherever you want. The Island is only 100 square miles … but you’ll want to see it all!
I think your last reply was related to visiting Martha’s Vineyard and not East Sussex, England! But I love your response nonetheless!!!!
Enjoy your early early day…..love, Regina
Ha ha ha! You’re so right, I saw “here” and thought “HERE!” B and B’s in England are often Pubs. Pubs with rooms. I might get myself centrally located to all your destinations and stay there the whole time. You could even rent a house! The places you mentioned aren’t very far apart, and there is more to see in that general locale. That way your guy can pick you up everyday and off you go!
Regina, You will swoon over those gardens in East and West Sussex. See if you can book Virginia Woolf’s “potting shed” at Monk’s House, smack dab in her garden. Actually hers and Leonard’s. You go to National Trust online and see it. It was not really all that expensive, and so very worth the money. When the house and gardens close and before they open, it’s all yours!!! I still have the rose petals, etc that were on the ground, it was September. We loved the village of Rodmell, and spent another week at Deep Thatch Cottage, a lovely small apartment just up the street. A totally perfect base from which to explore.
Hope you see this before you book.
Thank you for your post! Debbie in Tampa
Enjoyed your blog this morning. I hope your readers will make your wonderful, simple cheesecake….it’s quick but oh my how delicious. God’s Blessings to all!
Luv-lee suggestion, it’s truly the best. Simple, but still the best!
At this time of year in Kansas, most everything outside is brown. Most people say it’s ugly and drab, but I like it. How can we really appreciate the soft greens and yellows of Spring, and the fiery reds, oranges, and golds of Autumn, if we don’t have the subdued browns of winter to compare it with? Digging through an old box of saved treasures, I found a large, brown and white speckled tin mixing spoon I got many years ago. I’d forgotten all about it, but now I’m hanging in my kitchen to admire. When I was a teacher, my first graders always wanted to know my favorite color. I told them that I like every color, it just depended upon what a particular object was. I love tartans in red and blue, but I wouldn’t want my dogs to be that color. I’m especially partial to black and white spotted animals, whether dogs, cats or chickens. Brown is perfect when the earth is sleeping. It’s calm and warm, just how I strive to be this time of year.
I so agree with your black and white spotted animal admiration! They go so well with the furniture!
So sorry to hear you’ve both been sick. Soup is such a comfort during a winter sickness, isn’t it? Thank you for showing us the many beauties of brown!
Yes it definitely seems to make things better. Good old soup!
Thank you for the wonderful brown-out, Susan Branch, and for reminding us of all the simple beauty we have in front of us every day, as well as the special ones like Little Women, Howard’s End, and Sanditon. Did you happen to notice all those beautiful bags and satchels Jo had slung over her shoulders as she climbed the Boarding House steps? They would be a fine addition to today’s post. I’m glad you’re feeling better….one of the best things about 2020 is anticipating your new book. Stay well!
I sure did, I was on eyeball alert during that entire movie. Must see again!
Ah this was lovely. As I contemplate the rich brown in my tea cup, I’m reminded of the browns in my 4 generations of rolling pins, my dad’s old leather hat, my mom’s cherry desk, hand made with beautiful dovetail joints by Daddy. My grandfather’s old felt hat, my other grandfather’s walking stick. Makes me not hate my brown hair (what isn’t silvered) quite so much. Brown is beautiful!! Thanks as always Miss Susan.
You are all coming up with even more of the BEST browns!!! rolling pins! Anything brown felt! xoxo
What a great idea, as always! Brown. Now I will have to notice all the brown things in my house and outdoors. That meringue pie is perfection–wow. And the painting by Walter Langley (had to google him) is haunting. Do you know the name of it? I couldn’t find it online.
I don’t even know if it has a name, but isn’t he a wonderful artist? Love his work. I’m jealous of whoever has the original. If I owned it, I would never get any work done, I’d be staring at it all the time!
Lovely, cozy, refreshing as always—wonderful photos, quotes, and thoughts to ponder with a mug of tea and the afternoon sun angling for its final hour into the window. Thank you, Susan.
Nice to see you here Carolyn, thank you!
Brown was my favorite color as a child……the color of chocolate!!! 🙂
🤣
Hi Susan!
Ah, how I love brown. My 88-year-old mom just gave me her grandmother’s Brown Betty teapot! Although it is a modest vessel, it is an absolute treasure to me!
Thank you for a lovely, cosy blog. In the midst of a cold, Canadian, January day, it warmed my heart and my bones ☺️
It would be a treasure to me too. Perfect. xoxo
Love this “brown” blog! It gave me a new outlook as I looked into our back yard where little brown birds eat at the feeders and the trunks of trees in our timber really stand out.
My hubby and I had pancakes and bacon last night. We do enjoy breakfast for supper.
Looking to a bit of a warm up in eastern Iowa. From high’s of 4-5 degrees to 30’s with a bit of snow added for good measure.
Now, to sip tea in my oversized leather chair, or my “throne” as my husband refers to it.
Here’s to the warmth of brown.
LOL Barb, your throne! Perfect! xoxo
Only you could make everything brown so charming! Thank you!
I am glad that you and Joe are feeling better!
Thank you so much Charlotte!
BROWN, Laura 👜
Love Brown!
The soft place under my dachshunds paws, between the pads – brown.
The silhouettes of trees holding up the moon in winter – brown.
The old leather handbag with a key tied on (which unlocks a mystery) – brown.
The smooth aged wood on the waxed table – brown.
The flower pot filled with daffodil bulbs, waiting in anticipation – brown.
The old scrapbook with ribbon tied as binding – brown.
My husband who gave me this warm name – Brown.
Enjoying colors with you and our merry band of friends! Glad you and Joe are feeling better.
May your creativity float on fireflies wings, gently settling on the pages you are preparing for all of us.
Aptly and warmly named Laura BROWN! And thank you for your very creative good wishes. Bathing in it. xoxoxo
Hello Susan, i just recently found your blog and signed up right. such a lovely, warm, and cozy post! thank you so much for this blog, your books, for everything!! you are a gift i appreciate greatly. glad your feeling better.
Happy to see you here Jenny, and thank you! Much better! xoxo
Hi Susan, I just got my email notification for your new post! Looking forward to reading it and enjoying all the yummy eye candy you provide with pictures, art work, etc 🙂 Since I’m new to your blog, I am wondering if there is any notification for your replies to comments?
I didn’t even know you had left this comment from January – until today 02/01/20 Before looking at your recent post, I went back to January and had to scroll through all the comments to find mine-then see your reply. I know on a few other blogs I’m subscribed to, you can check a box to get follow up comments/replies, so I’m wondering if there is a way to do that on yours? Maybe not, you had well over 500 comments on January post!!! my goodness-that’s a LOT!! No surprise tho….your a favorite of so many…me included. Thank you, have a wonderful weekend, i am off to enjoy February’s post!
So far we don’t have that option, so sorry . . . I think there’s a way but it might be different for every kind of computer, try Googling it. Do you have a Mac laptop?
Hi Susan, thanks so much for replying. No, I don’t have a Mac, I have a Chromebook. I will Google it and see if there’s a way. Thanks so much 🙂
On my Mac you hit Command F … just in case that helps!
You and your Grandma have taught me to make piecrust. I’m so pleased, I was always a failure before.
And the Spiced Pecans are a winter staple here… along with Gingerbread. Pineapple upside down cake so reminds me of growing up – Mom used cherry halves on hers for a bit of extra flair.
I’ve always liked brown. Thank you for the reminders to pay attention to all the luscious shades.
HOORAY🎉 My Grandma would LOVE to hear that!!! I’ll be sure to tell her before bed tonight!🙏 I made a sauce for the Pineapple cake, and I have to say, YUM. xoxo
I only recently started wearing brown and now I love it. This blog is a symphony of browns! I especially love light brown leather like your gloves.
But the best photos for me were, the English pub (marshmallow gin!?) and the B&M brown bread in a can (childhood memory). Thanks Susan, for a dreamy interlude before tomorrow’s Frustration-a-Thon.
LOL, you are so funny Denise. Let’s breathe. OMG. Long and arduous.
So sorry you and Joe were both sick, but so glad you are mending! Loved your picture of the reflected trees. So beautiful! It’s my birthday today, so the husband is taking me out for an early dinner for fish! Looking forward to it! Take care friend!
Happy Birthday Dear Lee!!! xoxo🎂🎊🎉
Where does the teapot you showed for tea time hail from? It reminds me of the Spode dinnerware (Alden) that I have collected over the years.
The name on the teapot is Vernon Kilns Mayflower.
What a fun post. You might be interested in this series of books – press.princeton.edu/our-authors/pastoureau-michel
I enjoyed your overview of brown very much. Thanks Susan!
Ha! The history of colors! Luv-lee! Thank you back Louise!
I’ve been watching and hoping for a new blog from you! It always lifts my spirit! And Brown?I felt let down🤣 such a drab one I thought at first…then you caught my imagination as I looked for chocolate, Coca Cola, maple syrup, a brown velvet blazer, baskets and old spoons of course…no brown paper bags? The more I thought, I could not stop, how wonderful to gather a memory of my Mom and Dad in their WWII Army uniforms💕. See what you started? Thank you!
Ps. Keep meaning to ask if you post one of your great recipes, could you name one of your books it’s in? My printer does not need to duplicate🥰
Once you get started, you’ll see brown everywhere! Yes, I will try and do that, although there are lots of recipes like the Marmalade Cake that aren’t in books (yet) … can you copy and paste the recipe into an email and then print that?
Just thought it would be easier to look them up, I think I have all of your books! 🥰 Just a suggestion ! if they’re not in any books, just say so? TY
Ps. Glad you guys are better. My hubby and I had the same thing since day after Christmas. We did the same- homemade soup and brown bread!
Susan,
I’m so sorry you’ve not been well. A lot of that went around here too, right about Christmas time. We were hit with a very bad cold as well. Ours actually started 8 or 9 days before Christmas and lasted for 3 1/2 weeks. We missed the whole holiday season this year with hardly any decorations. I did manage to hang my Christmas tree banner from your store along with a garland of red, green and gold balls under it. Feeling much better now, hope you do soon too.
Funny you would do the color brown. My husband’s favorite color is brown and everyone always looks at him strangely when this little tidbit is mentioned. Brown always reminded me of dirt. LOL! But now I see brown in a different way, thank you. So many beautiful and wonderful things, and wonderfully tasting things, are brown. I just never really thought about it. Other than beautiful antique furniture.
I have to share this! I was cleaning out some things the other day and came across an old magazine article I tore out of Gardener magazine, the May/June 1997 issue. I am such a pack rat when it comes to beauty. It’s a a 6 page article entitled, A Vineyard Haven, showing what inspires you-your garden! It has lovely photos of your garden, and one with you walking in the front of your home, also the green convertible VW, and one of the kitchen garden with it’s beautiful picket fence and your adorable kitty, Man Cat. He’s standing at the open gate guarding it. He’ so cute! Your painting above of him made it come to mind again, and wanted to share. And still I’m keeping the article. 🙂
Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful year. May it be happy, healthy, joyous, and peaceful.
Maureen
from So. California
I remember that article! Been a long time! Nice to hear from you Maureen, happiest 2020!
Dearest Susan and Joe: glad to hear you are on the mend. Red is my very favorite color, but Brown is near and dear to my heart too. I am a brown eyed, once a brown haired girl, so I tend to lean into all things brown. To add to your list we must include CHOCOLATE (a treat to the eyes, nose and taste buds), cinnamon, whole grain breads fresh from the oven, penny loafers, wood stacked by the fire place…..I will stop there thanks for posting. I have missed yo
Penny loafers! I’ve missed you too Cheryl, thank you!
Susan,
I love brown too! What is the pattern of the ironstone tea set in the photo by the drawing of the jar of honey? It is very beautiful! Glad to hear you and Joe are feeling better. Stay warm and cozy with this crazy weather!
It’s not an actual set . . . it’s sort of mix and match ~ the teapot is Vernon Kilns Mayflower . . . not sure the name of the cream and sugar because I gave them away!
Loved “brown” a color we take for granted never really noticing it. Thank you for calling it to my attention. Such a fun read, as all your blogs are. Glad you are feeling better. . . . . . Looking forward to what ever you and the girls come up with in 2020.
Thank you Denise!
An absolutely delightful post.
I, too, fancy brown.
Your painted baskets are so lovely and intricate.
And the heart shaped brown cookies are, I believe, lace cookies. Tasty!
Going to check out your recipes. Many thanks! 😊
Thank you Dixie!
Susan, you surely have made the case for the color brown! I never have chosen brown or think of brown, but it’s definitely a warm fellow. Thank you for brightening my day with the yummy and warm color brown.
It looks good with so many other colors too!
I love that you are doing color pages. Brown has never been a favorite color of mine, but now I see it in a completely different way. Thanks for sharing. Your blog feeds my soul!
I’m so happy to hear that Joellen, happy to see you here!
Thank you for such a nice refreshing journey into all things Brown! A wonderful respite.
That poem by Florence Bone is dear to me. I framed that poem as my inspiration as my dear husband and I looked high and low through the Black Hills for our perfect retirement home. Last April we found it, and are now happily at home in our little house with wide windows that see for miles. It came with cozy nooks, red firelight, and we’ve added the rows of books. The wooden floors and tall trees standing ’round make it complete.
Hoping you are both feeling better soon! <3 Jan from South Dakota (and our corgi, Jack 🙂 )
Perfection! xoxo
I love brown and really enjoyed this. Especially the leaves under water pic! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for being here!
Cozy warm browns – what could be nicer ! love brown velvet dresses and coats! Love gingerbread! And browns of leaves, trees and grasses in the winter landscapes and brown brackish stream waters.
Brown saddle shoes! xoxo
Funny you should talk about brown. When I moved into my house, I told my friends, I was goingto paint my dining room with a choclate brown. No, no, it’s going to be too dark and drab. I painted the ceiling and upper wall with a cream, the bottom brown,and mixed two different mouldings to make a chair rail. They were surprised, and loved it. Now they all say how cozy and warming the room is. I am glad you and Joe are feeling better,nothing like soup and tea, when under the weather. Enjoy your blogs so much.
You were very brave and it sounds absolutely beautiful! Thank you Inez!
Lovely, cozy post … our home has LOTS of browns … each room feels like a warm blanket. Hope you two are feeling much better. Sick is not fun.
Well is much more fun! ☺️
I read on Facebook that you had a new blog so I made some fresh brown coffee (alas no heart cups) and poured some pumpkin seeds in a bowl and settled down for a cozy read. You have made me see brown in a new way Susan! Thank you so much! Glad you and Joe are better. Hugs from Kentucky where it’s 24 degrees. 💕💕💕
Oh dear, we are all freezing! ⛄️
I recently re-did my family room in shades of soft brown, cozier than the black accents that were there before. I filled my great grandmothers oval kraut bowl (wooden) with a variety of pinecones. . sugar, digger and others for texture. Many colors of brown. I like to add my mother’s favorite color of aqua or cranberry glass to give a different look.
My dog, Lily, is a Lakeland terrier, that I adopted, her color is called Wheaton and she is carmel and other shades of tan, fits right into the décor and ones heart. Glad that you are on the mend from the bad bugs.
Sounds beautiful Nancy. And I think Christmas decor goes well with brown too! It’s a win-win!
Hello Dearies,
Hope you are feeling all better by now.
I do believe that brown is a very underrated color -for most of my favorite things turn out to be brown too.
Wishing you all a very glorious, prosperous, and joyous 2020!
It would be very easy to decorate a whole room in brown, from fabric to throws to furniture. If we ever move, I think I might try it!
Hi Susan, I hope you and Joe are feeling all better. The flu and colds are rampant this year. I love your “brown” blog! I think people tend to forget about brown but it is such a natural color. I happen to love it; in fact, I’m crocheting a scarf in light brown, gray and cream. Brown to me is one of the cozy colors. It’s been a cold day here on Long Island but bright and sunny; a perfect Winter day. A dear friend whom I’ve known since high school and I got together for an afternoon of lunch, laughs and a little shopping. Just delightful! A very short week for me since we’re going home to Maine on Wednesday. Our new friend and neighbor says home is where your heart is and since our heart is now in Maine that is home. :-). We’ve been packing, sorting, clearing, etc. Our house will go on the market in another couple of weeks. And off we go! Stay warm, be well & be happy! Love, Karen
Do you live in Maine now, or are you moving there? Exciting 2020 Karen!
Thank you! I have never liked brown as much as I did while reading your post—and a lovely post it was. (Your photo of the leaves and trees reflected in the puddle is so beautiful, really.)
Nature! 💖