Well, for the first time, I finally sort of have everyone where I want them! Home! MUSICA
There’s my hero off to rob the grocery store! We are doing fine here, so far so good. On our third week of staying home, doing our part to protect ourselves and the brave health workers at our little hospital. Joe doesn’t LOVE going out dressed like this, but he does it for me.💞
Still dark and quiet this morning . 
. . I finished the new calendars yesterday! DONE💃! Yay! Now I get to write my Christmas Story! So excited! I put everything away and cleaned the studio to get ready ~ and now the house is smooth and quiet. Behind a chair on the floor of this room is a little machine I got many years ago … a recording of birdsong on a constant loop. Because it’s still too cold, we can’t open our windows yet, but it’s April and I, personally, am ready, READY, READY for spring. Recorded birdsong works for me till the real thing comes along. Makes me happy!
It’s getting a little lighter, a little warmer every day . . . Which is perfect because for some reason our supermarket decided the one thing they could live without during this pandemic was, wait for it, yes . . . F L O W E R S. Totally nutty. So good for the soul. They’ve been #1 on my shopping list the two times Joe has gone. But, no.
So here we are, in the NICK of time! Spring, the season of hope and rebirth.
And it’s purr-fect here! Just ask Jack!
So out comes the yellow . . . Easter is on my birthday this year! I love it when Easter’s on my birthday! And by the 12th, we’ll already be almost halfway through April. This time with pandemic feels like forever, but it will pass much faster than we think. I’ve been thinking about what I’ll have to show for it. (Besides, of course, a hundred thousand prayers.🙏)
I’m such a homebody, as you all know, that if I “HAD” to be “quarantined” ~ “stuck” on a desert island so to speak, I could not think of a better place than Home! Where all my best things are. Tea, candles, dishes in soap suds, clean dishtowels on the stove, jars with red lids, peanut butter cookies in the oven, Beatrix Potter people on the window sill, Jack in my drawer, Joe at my side. All the good stuff happens here anyway. It’s trouble out there. Home is the only place we are in charge! 
Was “Zooming” with my English Girlfriend Rachel the other day (*see Zooming below) . . . we were comparing what we’re going through to what the Brits went through during WWII, when their “pandemic” fell out of the sky and blew up houses while people were sleeping ~ which they lived through every day for SIX years. How DID they sleep? No sugar, butter, eggs, coffee. No gas. Everyone like sitting ducks. Sons and husbands in danger, far from home, not heard from in months. Ray gave me a book called Nella’s War, an actual diary of an everyday English woman during the war and what I learned: we are so lucky, even now. Staying home? Lucky us. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. If they could, so can we.
What if, the way this went, we were all quarantined in a 
dentist’s chair? Right? Way worse! Or a highly air-conditioned department-store bathroom, locked in with a bunch of strangers and only two plastic chairs? There is no nicer place than home especially when bombs aren’t falling. We LOVE our own beds, we LOVE the musica that plays here! No strange dentist-chair music in THIS house. I’m stealing daffodils from the garden, and forced a tiny stem of cherry tree. If I didn’t have a garden, I might dress like Joe and take a walk on our deserted street with my scissors.
We are like this. We go out to stare at the garden before we go for our walk and holler to each other. “Joe, over here!”
SO exciting! (Norman Rockwell was clearly one of us!)
SEE? Happening all over. New life. Isn’t it thrilling?
I’m so proud of everyone. The whole world is on a mission. We’re in it together. “If you can’t do what you do,” said Bon Jovi, “do what you can.” And so we do.
If we want to have breakfast for dinner, we can and we do! There is something so cozy and comforting about pancakes for dinner. Then we watch two series on Acorn, Brokenwood Mysteries, and 800 Words. We are loving the creative art of cooking more than ever. Dinner is like an event, what are we making? Let’s have PANCAKES, let’s put bacon in them … yaaaay!
I wasn’t always a good cook ~ no one is BORN that way, not even Julia Child, who said, “Before I was 32 all I did was eat.” And as you know if you’ve read my books Fairy Tale Girl and Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, I didn’t just burn up one stove, I burnt up two.😱 But cooking was right smack in the middle of the road I took searching to find my passions and the things that would make me happy in life. Cooking was like a secret way of giving. I could make people happy when I did it.❤️
It was my own little pandemic that brought me to this cottage in the woods on Martha’s Vineyard. When my life was 
suddenly thrown into reverse, I went inside, in more ways than one. And it was in that quiet where I learned most everything else that’s brought me to now. Sometimes we need a little pandemic in our lives to help us see the road. It’s awful when it’s happening, you fight it in the beginning, but later, if you survive, if you aren’t allowed out too soon, you think, Oh, thank God.💖
What helps the fear? Little things. Naps with kitties, tomato soup, scrambled eggs, a good book, bubble baths, MEDITATION, finding new recipes, cleaning out a closet, 
maybe writing that book you’ve promised yourself you would do. Are you homeschooling? You could teach history the fun way. Watch with them: Darkest Hour, Schindler’s List, Amistad, Lincoln, Amadeus, or Chaplin. Show them where on the map these heroes were born, or where the story took place. Make it all real for them. Google “Best Silent Movies” and show them the world of their great grandparents. Check out my Movie List ~ maybe you have a budding vintage-movie buff in the family. Have a Family Book Club: read out loud every night: The Diary of Anne Frank or To Kill a Mockingbird. Take questions. I have a Book List too, tried and true, guaranteed to bring a laugh
or a tear. Get online and fill out the Census. Teach good citizenship and explain how doing this makes your community strong. Teach them how the stock market works (😳I’m still trying to figure it out!). Paint a bedroom. Check out TED TALKS, so much genius free for the taking (watch Isabel Allende speak passionately, brilliantly, about Passion). Create a photo wall in your bathroom. Make a homemade pie crust. Teach kids how to iron, knit, watercolor, embroider. There are lots of embroidery kits and fill-in family cookbooks in our web store (make Christmas presents). Get out that hammer and nails and Google How To Make a Bird House. Every lesson for everything you’ve ever wanted to learn is on Youtube. Things you never thought of, things you hardly ever have time for, you do now. Who knows? You might stir up some passions!
My own personal divorce-pandemic took me here. From California to a small island and this little house . . .
Where I cried myself to sleep and healed with kittens and Potato Pancakes.
A recipe I then put in a cookbook I wrote at my dining room table . . . 
. . . that changed my life and gave me a future and made my pandemic worthwhile, all six years of it.
I never imagined this book would turn 30! But it did. And it got a makeover, not just the cover, but there are lots of new recipes. I’m thinking you or a friend or a relative may 
be needing a little extra TLC right now, a little bit of vintage charm in a topsy-turvy world ~ so I’m putting this watercolored, hand-written book full of homey recipes, 176 pages of how-to’s, and family stories, on sale ~ each with a signed bookplate inside.❤️ For the whole month. And don’t worry, I am living proof . . .
None of us know what the future will bring, we have lots of these books in stock right now, it would be better not to have them lounging in a warehouse somewhere, they should be out there, spreading their homey goodness, doing what they do best, inspiring family togetherness with potato pancake, carrot cupcakes, linguine in clam sauce, Gazpacho, my dad’s garlic bread, stuffed pork chops, enchiladas, rainbow jell-O, onion pudding, German pancake ⬇️ . . .
. . . the way to fry an egg so the yolk is
still soft, bubbled up with crispy edges . . . bean soup, cranberry tea cake, caesar salad, twice-baked potatoes, lemon chicken, bread and butter pudding, chocolate eclairs . . . and so much more…
As my parents did and taught us, if you want something bad enough, you just make it. 
I just checked my cupboard, I have three Heart of the Home’s here on the Island, which I’m going to give away to YOU. All you 
have to do to win one of these books is scroll to the bottom of this post where you’ll see a bunch of tiny little words, including the word “comments” … click there, leave a comment (anything, so the blog registers you there), and you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing which we’ll do next week. ❤️ I’ll email the winners and personalize each book before it goes out. Little something to look forward to.
Here’s another small treat you can make yourself ~ extra simple made with boxed mix, but outstanding for kids ~ and you’ll feel pretty proud too.
One of our Girlfriends sent us her version!
What else . . . Oh yes . . 
No doubt you have figured this out, but just in cases, our Mother’s Day Tea Parties in Duxbury have both been canceled, until, we think (and hope), September. I’ve been saving my old paintbrushes and pencil stubs and making bookmarks to hand out at the signing . . . which means there will be more by the time this happens! See? It’s all good. I’ll announce the new dates when I get them.
Another 2021 Calendar preview, it’s April! Just a reminder, we will be placing our calendar order with the manufacturer on Monday. Hopefully you have yours on order . . . but if not, if you are going to want either the 2021 Photo Wall-Calendar or the regular Heart of the Home wall-calendar, now is the time to get them. Nobody knows WHAT is going to happen to the stores that usually sell them, our manufacturer may make HALF as many this year as last, we just want to make sure our Girlfriends get one if they want one.💞
I’m sure you’ve heard of ZOOM, but if you haven’t let me tell you . . . it’s like an on-line conference call . . . I 
have used it twice now . . . once with seven girlfriends here on the island, (we had our TGIF, with cocktails, via Zoom) … and the other with Rachel and Paul with us here and them in England (and more cocktails). It’s free! It’s easy! If I can do it, anyone can. And it’s highly satisfying. A safe way to reach out and say I’m still here and I love you, you can see the love-light in their eyes. You can even kiss the screen. You’ll see. Excellent invention.💞 
Another especially fun family project is Ancestry.com … get your DNA done and start working on your family tree . . . my sister and I do it over the phone together . . . it’s wonderful to feel your family connected to the world, puts a new sort of foundation under you, deeper roots in a world of curiosity and investigation! Shelly finds a name from 1736, and I’m practically screaming the WOW-ness of it into the phone! We get totally tangled sometimes saying such lunatic things as this, “No that’s Irene’s DAD’S father’s brother’s OTHER son!”
Well, look! It’s light out. Blustery and cold, leafless ~ once again, have to say, right now real world is isn’t quite as wonderful as it is in this cozy house . . . look, my agapanthus are blooming in my studio window! Birds and squirrels are feeding outside the kitchen window ~
It’s as good as it can get. One last thing before I go . . . one thing you must do. Turn off the news. Do not listen to daily numbers. Don’t hear strident voices all day. If you’re at home, following the rules, and staying inside, you’re already doing EXACTLY what you’re supposed to do to protect your medical centers and your amazing healthcare workers (under so much stress it’s unfathomable), from YOU. Blessings and prayers for them, and also, for our first responders, grocery-store people, volunteers and delivery people, who put themselves on the line for us every day. Social distancing is working! Too much negativity will make us as sick as the virus does. Just keep praying, and go World-War-Twoing through to the other side. Think of magical words like delphinium (say them out loud, pure poetry), hollyhock and foxglove. Lily. Pansy. Because it won’t be long.
💞
Don’t forget to leave a comment for the book! Would love to hear how you’re doing!💞 Oh yes, I have a new bookmark for you! You can see it below. Just click HERE and print it out either on card stock, or do it double thickness. From me to you . . .
As always, dear one, you are a cup of comfort and sunshine! So blessed to travel life with you!
Thank you, Susan, for once again being the bright spot in my day! I’m sharing your post with several family members and friends. Stay healthy in your cozy home until this is all over!
Your message brings joy in a difficult time for so many people. Thank you for passing on the fresh breezes of Spring. They help us all as we cope with this new chapter of life. Pray! Then rest in His peace and His many blessings! 💐❤️💐
Oh Suzy B. (as you are commonly referred to in our home), I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to read your blog post. Like you, HOME is my everything. While some may say they “need to get out”, etc. I am in HEAVEN here. I only wish our daughters were here safe and sound with me, my husband, and our son. Being the nagging mom, I am ALWAYS reiterating the need to stay home, order online, get groceries delivered…if there is ever a time to nag, it is now…and because I’m the mom, I CAN 😉 AND I WILL! Thank goodness they can cook and enjoy it. Nothing like staying home, cooking and eating anything you like, and wearing pajamas all day if so desired!.
Stay safe and Stay HEALTHY!❤️
Yes, could not agree more . . . I am a HUGE believer in nagging!🙏 You go girl!💞
Thank you for brightening a snowy day in Colorado. You are definitely an inspiration!
Now I am going to make the most of this day.
I have a lilac scented candle burning and bird sounds from utube playing to help spring along here in Michigan. The weather is supposed to be nice for the next couple of days, so maybe some yard clean up work. 🙂
Thank you for the ray of sunshine your newsletter always bring. I always look forward to the next one.
Susan,
I have tried a lot of your recipes and love them. I don’t have a printed copy of your books, I have a notebook of your recipes that I have run off over the years from your blogs.
Thank you for sharing your positive outlook. Bless you, Joe and Jack
Susan Williamson
My, what a long list of replies today!
Thank you, Susan, for your wonderful letter. I feel, every time I read your work, as if we are friends who just have never met!
And I was so hoping to possibly meet you in early June when we WERE hoping to come to Martha’s Vineyard. But not this year, I think! Plans have changed for everyone, of course, and we have hopes to come in the future. Enjoy your island and the coming of spring and better times!
Of course I will comment – in hopes I am a cookbook winner – for my dear friend, Molly, who has changed her wedding date 3 times!!! because of the pandemic!. Thank you for telling me not to watch the news – so sad to realize how unprepared our country was.
New subject: why does your typewriter print change at certain times – it almost looks like it makes a little switch to other languages – but I’m not sure why.
I know Kedra, I was surprised to see how unprepared we were. Scientists been talking pandemic for so many years, I just automatically assumed our tax dollars were going to preparations. Other languages? That is a surprise! I’ve never heard of that. Maybe try refreshing. Let me know if you can. And virtual hugs to Molly!!! 💞
I keep coming across this quote: “You’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home”
So very true…
Dear Susan, thank you so much for your blog and sharing your gift of writing filled with homey photos. I always love to take my time reading and then send it off to a friend. I recently ordered your Spring Mug and enjoy drinking my tea each morning. Thanks for helping us find joy and contentment during our time at home. May we all find this extra time in our homes to be a blessing.
I pray for all to stay safe!
Victoria Melvin
I recently found your first Heart of the Home book at Goodwill, I’ve been searching for some time! I now have all your books, but I would love to win the newest version of Heart of the Home❤️
Thank you for the rays of sunshine and reminders of spring beauty!
I always look forward to these posts because you are so positive. I think you were born sunny-side-up. Happy April.
It’s always fun, uplifting and encouraging to read your words and look at your pictures. Thanks for what you do!
The photo of the agile squirrel raiding the bird feeder made me laugh out loud. Thank you.
Thanks so much – your posts always bring joy and peace
Hi, greetings from the Netherlands, also in lockdown. We read, bake and chrochet!
Greetings to you Els! Stay safe! xoxoxo
Susan, you have brightened my day. Have been reading your blog for about a year and I always enjoy them. You are a lady “after my own heart”.
I guess I’m a bit of a pessimist because when I saw your beautiful cups were on sale, I thought, “I’m not sure I’ll be alive to enjoy them.” But finally I did order two, the day before the sale ended. That is my affirmation that I will make it through this pandemic and will be able to ENJOY those beautiful cups. Now I will also look at ordering the 30th Anniversary of Heart of the Home (I have the original one) and the calendar. I’d love to WIN a copy of the book as well. Thank you for the opportunity! And thank you for your uplifting blog posts. They bring me comfort.
You are not finished yet Susan, you have a lot of living to do! 👏👏👏❤️
“Still the stars and shining and still we spread our little seeds of peace.”
A Blessed Birthday to you!
I am new to your works and I love all the things that you do. I am a RN who has to work but I love being in my home which is my safe haven. Thank you for being inspirational. You are a great artist and writer. Thank you.
Jacklyn, I can’t thank you enough for what you are doing to keep your community safe. Our health care workers have turned out to be the heroes in this very scary story. Thank you, please stay safe and know that we are ALL, the whole entire world, praying for you.🙏🙏🙏 xoxoxo
This is the first time I have commented on your blog because I usually just read it and enjoy it , etc. and never feel as though I have anything important to say, really. BUT-this time is different-your reminders and comments brought tears to my eyes because you are so very right about everything you said today and then, seeing that silly squirrel [I love those rascals] made me laugh so hard and Jack’s green eyes and antics were wonderful, too. Thank you, Susan, from my heart to yours for your blog today-it means more than I can say to you.
We are so blessed, and it’s good to see it sometimes. Thank you Barbara, thank you for being here.❤️
If I know you have posted a new message, I specifically wait for morning to read it, in the quiet of my kitchen with a cup of coffee. That way I get to enjoy your art, your pictures and your words all to myself! 🙂 Thank you for your positivity and calm. We WILL see the other side! Stay well!
Love your posts and pictures. Life in isolation can be reflective. I’m reminded of WWII. This to shall pass. Love your recipes.
Thank you for brightening my day 🙂
I loved your post. It came at the right time when I was feeling kind of low.
Thank You!
Your posts bring happiness and light into my heat and home 💕
I’ve been watching “Anne With An E” on Netflix; I was hesitant as the Canadian version is such a classic and Richard Farnsworth will forever be Matthew for me—but this version is also well done and I needed a good dose of irrepressible optimism. And your blog is a consistently perfect dose! Thank you!
Dear Susan,
Enjoyed your beautiful post. Like you, I am a home body, so have enjoyed not having to go and do on a set schedule. Enjoying the things of “HOME”. Watching two bunnies chase each other around the backyard right now. Simple pleasures! My daughter is an ICU nurse and as she keeps saying – “STAY HOME”. Prayers for everyone. Happy Birthday! Happy Spring!
All will be well in time. For now, I’m enjoying no deadlines or schedules, just time to paint, garden, talk to my grandchildren and friends on the phone, go for walks, and be grateful every day that we’re safe and healthy. And it’s SPRING!
I am a homebody too. Last week a friend told me she was bored already. I realized that I would never be bored at home. There is so much cooking, baking and reading to do! During the past few weeks we have been staying in and I am also tackling all those little projects that needed to be done. I love having cleaned- out drawers and cupboards. There is so much satisfaction in a clean house! Enjoy the spring!❤️🌷
My sister sent this blog to her daughters, me, and our two other sisters with the note,
“In case you want a dose of homey cheer.” We all do! Thank you for this.
Every time I see an email from you in my inbox, it truly brightens my day. Thank you so much for that!
Hi Susan!
Focusing on what is good and right and beautiful is so important to our mental as well as physical health. Thank you for brightening my morning with your cheerful optimism and sunny look in these unusual times. I think I can now tackle my first chore with a better frame of mind! Take care and stay well!
I love your positive attitude Susan. One of the bright sides of this for me is that I am getting, essentially, a “second maternity leave.” I am a full-time working mom to a two year old who is fortunate enough to be able to work from home during this. Without the stay-at-home order that Ohio is under, I would not be able to spend all of this extra time with my daughter. Without the virus, I would have never had this opportunity to watch her dance, play and grow everyday. And for that, I am truly thankful.
I had been thinking all day yesterday about how lovely it would be to have a Susan Branch Blog – and you must have heard all our prayers because – here you are and this one is a top ten of encouragement. Thank you Susan. I got a cup of tea and some banana nut bread to sip and nibble while enjoying your beautiful blog. Thank You!
Hugs and Blessings!
I don’t know where my first comment went? So, thank you again for this lovely blog. Very up lifting. I am in NYC where things are a little scary. I want to than all medical personnel and first responders, teachers, grocery store employees, custodial workers… the list goes on and on!
I want to wish you Joe and Hack a happy Easter and a happy birthday! 😍Mine is on the 13th, and I was actually born on Easter Sunday. Love to you all from NYC🥰🥰🥰
Joanne Hope this goes through this time!
God Bless You, Joe your family and community. Your messages bring a lot of joy and comfort
Now and always. I live in New Smyrna Beach Florida and our Governor closed all the beaches
In Florida yesterday. Never thought that would ever happen. No walks no biking. Fortunately we are able to go outside in our own yards and garden.
Absolutely to filling our lives with beauty and positive energy! Probably all of us have a story of how we’re being affected but…we woke up above ground and it’s already a great day! “If I can do it…” is wonderful! I’m north of Medicare and so many techy things are difficult, if not impossible, but I keep trying.
Fortunately, I live in the middle of 70 acres and have *plenty* to do on a farm. Yesterday, I started unpacking MORE boxes and found…tada! Christmas Memories AND Girlfriends Forever! Here’s to a pleasant afternoon, pot of something cozy, homemade shortbread and reading. Ahhhh, life is good!
Dear Susan and Joe, also, Jack, thank you for the lovely post. So much helpful information, not to mention fun. Thank you for brightening my day.
Very uplifting, Especially the advice – turn off the daily news.
“It is always darkest before the dawn.” Or – “Never destroy a generous impulse”
Thanks for what you do!
Bob
It’s always so lovely to see your cozy home and see your watercolor paintings. We love Martha’s Vineyard but haven’t been for a few years. We definitely need to get back there soon.
I wish one of the news people would read your blog to their viewers, it would lift the hearts of millions. Thanks for your inspiring words at this time.
More pictures of Jack, please. He lifts my spirits with only his ears showing.
Stay healthy. Tell Joe he still looks handsome as a burglar.
Susan, Thank you for the wonderful. encouragement blog. Yes home is the best place to be in times like these.
I always love all your pictures and the wise words that go along with them. I especially loved the green shoots coming up for spring!! I just got my tiny little garden planted and of course the radishes are the first to pop up. Something so satisfying about seeing those seeds coming to life.
Thank you so much for the good thoughts 🙂
Makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves, our history . . . xoxo
A beautiful yellow goldfinch brightening up this gray day – a harbinger of hope to see us through! Perfect!!
I am just so thankful to God to be here another day, when so many others aren’t. My middle son (I have 3) just survived COVID-19, and I am rejoicing and doing a happy dance. Thank you, Susan, for taking the time to encourage and bless us. There are so many little things each day that now brighten our lives. Before, when we were consumed with busyness and nonsensical chatter we didn’t even notice them. Our awareness of the preciousness of life has now been heightened and we are now appreciating LIFE and not taking a moment for granted. Blessings to all and keeps those bandanas on duty.
SO happy to hear it Susan, so scary! xoxoxoxo
Thank you for your comforting words. I really needed them today. We will get through this together!
Dear Susan,
God has certainly blessed you with warmth and talent. I find so much comfort and enjoyment in each one of your blogs. I too am entirely comfortable with the coziness of home. I am sad for what the world is experiencing, but “home” is not a bad word. Your sharing of everyday life is inspiring me to be appreciative of all that matters. Wishing you all my best!
Hello from California. I ventured out to the market yesterday looking a bit like Joe. Happily I was able to bring home flowers, which are always the first thing in my cart. Thank you for writing such calming and beautiful blog posts. I always look forward to seeing your illustrations and handwritten quotes.
Dear Susan,
Your blog is always a bright spot in my day! Thank you. My birthday is April 9 and (almost) 52 years ago, I came home from the hospital in a sweet, yellow, egg-shaped bunting, hand sewn by the women’s auxiliary, embellished with lilac and green rickrack. We’ve been hunkered down in Idaho. With all things cancelled–including our trip to UK next month 😭–, my two daughters, both graduating seniors, have been completing the last of their coursework. At least my older daughter, earning her BFA in illustration, will have an opportunity to participate in a December graduation ceremony. My hubby’s “essential job” as assistant IT director at St. Luke’s Health Care System (aka, the hospital), we hear the daily numbers. They started to appear linear then, a surge upward yesterday. I’ve been doing what “I can” to maintain normal for the household and myself. Lots of homemade dinners around the table, reading, reading, reading, binge watching Netflix series (a lot of it about food…hmm), daily walks around the neighborhood, and listening to the birds. I still go to bed at a reasonable time and wake up early to let my two kitties outside to roam about the backyard. Continue to do your part, Susan, including your blog. Stay safe. Keep Zooming with your girlfriends (Zoom has been quite a lifesaver, indeed). Stay healthy.
~Cheers~
Samantha (aka, Mt. Borah Lady ☺)
Hi Samantha! Love hearing from you … sending love to you and yours. xoxoxo
Made me laugh out loud (the oven fires :))
Thank you and Early Happy Birthday to you!!!
Susan you are sunshine to my soul! Thank you for the joy you bring, your words put me in a dancing mood! Perhaps your own “pandemic” all those years ago was meant to not only change your path but serve us all in this crazy time.
Thank you for being you!
Kathy
Bend, OR
They say inspiration is the whisper of God in your ear and I believe it. xoxoxo
Absolutely! ♥️ Wendy-Louise!
Susan, you always remind me how important it is to be grateful. That will be my project for today — to look with grateful eyes and feel with a grateful heart.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Good morning from Camano Island, WA.
As soon as your blog popped up this morning, it received its click. What a glorious way to start the day, a rainy one at that. However, here on our property, the “earth is laughing in flowers”: daffodil, camellia, cherry, magnolia, rhodie, azalea. Not to be outdone, the peonies are waking up! Wish you could walk along with your camera.
Love Joe in his Irish western look. Stay snuggled you two.
love, Diney
I use your old calendars to make my bookmarks. I get joy using them year round.
Thank you for your beautiful picture of home. That is exactly how I feel about my home on a lake in northern Wisconsin.
Hello Susan!
We are having a homey spring here in coastal North Carolina. Its warm but we can’t open our windows because we have something here called pollen – nasty yellow dust that covers everything for weeks! But luckily being at home has been a good excuse to cook, garden, sew and be quiet. Somehow restful.
Hope all will come out well on the other side!
Keep up your good work by keeping up all of the girlfriends spirits up!
Thanks
Lynda
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting so frequently during these difficult times. We are truly blessed if we are healthy right now and can appreciate being home. Can’t thank you enough for your positive remarks, beautiful art and photos and wonderful recipes!
Spring is trying to spring here…still in the 30s at night. 53 yesterday! Lots of tweeting going on outside, and my Cardinal guy is finally back home. Eric and I had a cold over the weekend. He was so nervous as he thought he might be asymmetrical 😂, so I took him to see my doctor. “Your mom was right.” #skilled nursing.
Dishes in soap suds is making me happy, in fact every time you post the picture of your crystal being Spring cleaned it makes me happy. Finally the house is starting to shine!! I can stay HOME! My mom always said that you can’t get anything done if you don’t stay home! I keep thinking, # WWGD, what would Grandma do?
You could have been a Home Economics teacher. You may be singing to the choir with our age group here, but we can teach our children and grandchildren…🤗
BTW~Make the puzzles! Sales are up 300+%!
Love the Willa Cather quote.
🤗🤗🤗
Margot
.
My sewing and cooking teachers were my favorites! SO productive in those classes, came home with actual skills!
So true❣️ Although I learned a lot of cooking 🍳 and sewing 🧵 from Mom and Grandma before that. 🏡 Math, gardening & lawn mower repair from Dad. Learned to 🧶 crochet from a teacher.
And you dear girl, are so very blessed. xoxo
I know that for sure! As were you…I miss both our dads.
Hi Susan, I should have guessed I’m not the only one who longs for the song of birds! Hoping you guys stay well, xo Clare
No truer title than now…”Heart of the Home”. Home is truly the heart of it all.
Your words are a breath of fresh air! Despite the snow that fell yesterday my one tulip still stands strong! Blessings on you and Joe.
I love the flowers and the spring and the birds and sounds of the birds as much as you do Susan! So thankful for my dog and kitties oh and family too who give so much love! My favorite picture from your blog is the one with the daffodils in the window! This should be in one of your future calendars! BIG so I can frame it! Lol! And loved the Easter Bunny cake! Will try to make one of these! 🐇
Thank you for sharing your words and thoughts of spring! So uplifting! Be safe and healthy! Charlene
I’m getting ready to sew some face masks for my family and thought I would read your email first to get myself in the right frame of mind. Thanks for your positivity, Susan!
My family has a tradition started a few years ago by my daughter. We have an Easter breakfast for dinner on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. That way we are not pressured on Sunday to rush to church ( we are far enough away that we each attend different ones) and not rushed to make something, then can’t enjoy enough visiting time cuz we’re off getting ready to go back to work or school. Everyone ones brings a great dish to pass. This year, since we’ll be in isolation, we are still going to make a dish and post it for each of us to see. (LOVE the technology)Maybe even on zoom, which we did a week ago. One warning on that – I think if you have more than three, and your getting it free, it cuts you off after 40 minutes without a warning. My oldest son who works in IT, at first didn’t want to install the app, but finally did, than uninstalled it afterwards.
That sounds smart! So far it’s never cut us off . . . but I’m watching it!
Good morning from California!!! Still must work as I am in public safety but doing it mostly from home. Wishing everyone much health and happiness as we go through these challenging times.
I always enjoy reading your blog. Today, it was especially comforting. Thank you! And have a very happy birthday!
Your newsletters always brighten my day, and at this time we can all use a little brightness in our day – thank you!
This is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank you for your lovely post!
Susan,
You bring so much joy to so many with your musica, quotes, recipes, newsletters, and positivity. All you calendars over the years, your books, your mugs, and so many other items you offer have lifted so many spirits over the years. I feel so blessed that you are a part of our lives. In times like this, especially, you are such a gift to us all. Thank YOU for ALL YOU do for so many.
Thank you for the sweet dose of perspective. My dear husband is on the front lines at an assisted living facility. SUCH pressure. I do my best to make our home a haven of peace and deliciousness for when he arrives home and his eyes, brain and senses need a respite. Peace and blessings to you.
My uncle turns 89 inside an assisted living facility tomorrow. He is totally deaf, can’t hear me on the phone. Makes me sad he is so alone, but he does have friends there, and so far, it seems they are all healthy. I cannot thank the people who work there enough. Terrible pressure, I can just imagine ~ the responsibility! Please give your husband all our love and appreciation. You are the best Staci, because I know it’s almost as hard for you. 💞
The very first thing I made when this all started was A German Pancake! Hahaha!
Thank you for your encouraging thoughts and words, Friend!
Thank you for your timely writing. It is uplifting to see your cozy home, sweet Jack, your yard, etc. Each time you post I feel a little bit better about everything in my life and in our troubled and assaulted world. Stay safe, please.
Aloha Susan, Such a breath of fresh air🥰. We all need to stay grounded and get back to nature and cooking and creativity and relax. Amazing to think that we Are All In This Together. I think our world needed a time-out! It’s been way too stressful! But we do hope and pray for our care givers and all those effected by this terrible virus. I hope that people will stay calm and follow the advice of our professional doctors.
You make me appreciate so much more after reading your post! Life is Good! Enjoy this quiet time we’ve been blessed with!
You and Jo, Take Care!
Bruce and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary tomorrow in our beautiful home that Bruce built. What’s a better way to celebrate than just being together!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your wonderful post!
Aloha,
Susan from MAUI
Aloha Susan, Happy Anniversary!💖
LOVE that pic of Jack peeking over the cakes on the table 🙂 Thanks again for the warm rays of sunshine from your home to ours, Susan ~ Judy
Your latest post made my day. I appreciate your positive way of looking at everything! We’ll get through this time together!
There’s No Place Like Home & Home Sweet Home are recurring themes in our home, plus bunnies, cardinals, seahorses. We were homebodies before the pandemic so this has been fairly easy. I hate to admit it, but we get scared to even go to the grocery store now, so we have taken to wearing face masks. I am still walking with my pups in the neighborhood. Often I stand on my lawn and talk to my neighbor across the street as she stands on her lawn, 15+ feet apart. Neighborhood streets are quiet, not many people going to work here these days. It will be a quiet Easter in our house this year. 🐇🐑
We have been baking and so have others. In addition to hunting for toilet tissue we have shortages of flour and eggs now.
Our hair and pups are getting shaggy, but that’s ok. We have 2 daughters who are nurses. Their days are harder than ours. Prayers fill our days and nights for our families, for everyone.
I am enjoying seeing news broadcast from people’s homes. I love looking at their living rooms and offices. My favorite is Senator Claire McCaskill’s kitchen.
Tough times to continue for awhile. We can see it through. We have old movies, music, books, blogs, lots of on line stuff, just like you said. Lots to enjoy and to be thankful for.
I am thankful for you and your blogs and tweets. You always have sweet and honest things to share with us. Love you, sweet Susan. You and Joe stay safe. 💗 🐇
😘 Love you Peggy!
Thank you for reminding me of how lucky I am. I was getting a little whiny, which I detest! Your blogs make me homesick for my childhood on the farm in Michigan, when my grandparents, aunts and uncles were the center of our world.
😂😘
Your emails always brighten my day! Just finished making a big pot of mashed potatoes. I see potato pancakes in our future, with chives from the garden. We are in NE Florida. Our weather has been lovely and I am thankful I can be out in my garden everyday. I am following the stay at home, but I nanny for an ER nurse. She is needed, so I am too.
So happy & excited to see your blog in my email this morning. It put such a smile on my face on this rainy morning. I continue to social distance a few days per week with grandchildren and then alone at home the other days. Not so bad! I love the movie Mrs. Miniver and how they kept upbeat during that terrible time. If I start to get grumpy I remember times so much worse and get over it. No Nazi’s in MY kitchen – lol! Stay safe, Susan & Joe & everyone else. Keep your wonderful messages coming 😻
You’re so right, Nancy, Mrs Miniver had it way worse.💞 No holes dug in the backyard to huddle in with your children. xoxoxo
Thank you Susan for your kind words. We will all get through this if we do our social distancing. Maybe it’s a kind of reset, for people to appreciate their families and what’s important in life.
Prayers for my daughter in law who is an RN in the ER in California. She has a new son, 5 months old, our grandbaby Miles. She has to put her life on the line everyday! Stay well everyone.
Amazing heroic people doing this all over the country. I hope she feels the love being showered on her from coast to coast. Please tell her. 💖🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
What a wonderful day-brightener to find your email in my inbox today! Your bright & sunny attitude and delightful illustrations are such a joy to scroll through. Please keep doing what you do so well — you definitely make a beautiful difference! Thank you.
🥰🧡🌞
Thank you Susan for always brightening my day! I so enjoy your blog…and exactly what we all need right now:-). I believe the world will be a better place after this.
In 1990 I was introduced to your Vineyard Seasons cookbook and was hooked. SO LOVE your work! I just found this when looking thru Vineyard Seasons (see link below)…made my day!!! How lucky and blessed are we are for our friends.
Happy for the opportunity to win a cookbook!
We shall get through this and my hope is for a better world.
Stay safe.
photos.app.goo.gl/rX3B3AvJE3i4vvru9
Susan,
Thank you for the warmest, fuzziest inspirational post! It is just lovely and uplifting. Great suggestions!
Deborah
🌞🥰🧡
Thank you! Love German pancakes.
Thank you for another cozy visit from your cozy home. I am with you, cozy in my cozy home. I have been practicing for this for a long time! Home sweet home! The perfect place to send prayers and Love from! Happy Easter birthday, mine (the 7th) is also sometimes on Easter, and 40 years ago on the day after Easter, my son was born. What a birthday gift that was!! Thank you for turning your personal pandemic into such a gift for all of us adoring fans. Love and Peace always.
Peace & Love! Stay safe!
Thanks for the cheerful post!! We did turn in our DNA and only have a few weeks to wait. It’s been fun putting together our family trees and finding out such neat tidbits about our families. Happiest of birthdays to you too! Hugs! Lisa Hay
Enjoyed your blog.
I felt a thrill of happiness when your email popped up in my inbox. Your posts are such a balm during these strange and uncertain times. Thank you for putting your sparkly rays of peace and beauty out into the world! I also wanted to ask if you have ever shared the story of when and how you moved from your charming little house into the magical, glorious abode you now call home? Sending love and wishes for good health!
I haven’t yet, I hope I get to!
All is good in messages from you, Susan. Thanks for your encouragement and comfort.
Linda Driver in TN
Seeing the new blog post in my inbox made me happy, happy, happy, so thank you! We are tucked in here in California and finding all kinds of projects. Working on my genealogy book, reading, catching up on movies and shows, bike riding, deep cleaning and the list goes on. We are doing our part and pray this ends sooner than later, but until it does, we find joy in everyday. Hugs to you and Joe, stay safe and well.
Definitely a time for introverts! 😉
I was born in 1938 and have lived through so many of these Oh My Goodness situations. My attitude is Keep Calm and Carry On. This too shall pass. Follow the guidelines and this will soon be an unpleasant memory.
Dear Susan,
Your posts are always such a ray of sunshine! Thank you for the reminder to order a 2021 calendar. It will be such a lovely surprise when it arrives months from now. The photos this month are lovely, and your words are a spring balm for the soul.
In spite of it all, Happy Spring!
Kristen
Staying home and making masks for the community. My diary is pretty boring. Nice to read your blog, as always!