I can’t believe it, here we are, at the end of August already and all I can say is, tick-tock, how did we get here so soon, and OH GOODIE!
MUSICA! 
I have been suffering from this hot and sticky August that seemingly will not end . . . I’m ready to move on! Love the quote, “There are only two seasons, Autumn, and waiting for Autumn!” Fits me to a T, especially right this moment. And then, a couple of days ago, at the top of my suffering, I accidentally did a happy thing . . . 
I opened up my Autumn Book, just to take a look. As I turned the pages a thrill went through my heart, and I realized, it’s almost here! My favorite time of year!
So I went and got some sunflowers . . . and cut marigolds from the garden for little vases . . . because
It perked me right up! Changed everything! Sweaters are coming! Leaves! Crisp air! Corn Pudding! Makes me almost want to go on a diet. That’s how perky I feel! (“Almost” being the operative word, I am not done with toast and peanut butter yet!)
I know, not everyone looks forward to cold weather, but I love having a reason to heat up the oven and bake something! And in my 
glee, I planned the rest of the year: first a long breezy, colorful autumn (and can we 
have a normal Halloween? Why not? Everyone wears masks anyway!👺 That will cheer everyone up! The kids will be thrilled!), leaves blowing through the woods on our walk, crisp salt air off the water, quilts airing in the breeze, more cozy covers on the bed, church bells ringing and boat whistles blowing, and then a short, cozy, snow-white winter around the fireplace, with a new Christmas book and a new puzzle to do during the winter, which will be SO short I’ll have to hurry! And then, an early burst of the most flowery spring ever ~ in a brand new world filled with fresh beginnings! Covid gone, children going to school, everyone back to work, Easter egg hunts! Kitchen table Tea with girlfriends, with new remembrance, respect, and deep gratitude …
While all these nice thoughts were brewing in my head … My cups arrived on the kitchen porch!!! I’ve been waiting! I hope you got yours too … if not, you should soon. We had a little slow-down at the PO, so if you ordered one, and don’t have it yet, it’s definitely on the way!❤️
And then there’s this happy thing. Joe is outside building us a 12′ picnic table, in two pieces, one 8′ and one 4′ … so we can have a party of six for dinner, a couple at each end, and one in the middle for starry September evenings! Just planned our first one for this Friday Night!👏 I’m cooking! Joe’s grilling! Keeping our sunny-sides up.💖
Now what’s this you may be asking. It’s a surprise! Another unexpected book! It will be called Distilled Genius, Wisdom of the World, Words to Live By, (or something like that) and contain my forty-year collection of brilliant quotes from the ages, gathered into categories as I have them here in my Studio, such as Courage, Tea, Gratitude, Gardens, Happiness, all onto pages like these . . .
. . . whole genius sections about Love, Dreams, Time, Girlfriends, Cooking, Creativity, Earth, Fairy Tales, Beauty . . . so on and so on… Look how cute it’s going to be! I have about 40 pages done so far. I’ve been asked to do this for years, and I do think it needs to be here for the future! Everything that has ever mattered has been beautifully said by someone whose attestment has teeth,
from Marcus Aurelius, to Mark Twain, Black Elk, Rumi, Langston Hughes, C.S. Eliot, Churchill, and the Bible, to Louisa May Alcott, Toni Morrison, Shakespeare, Dickens, Anne Frank, Lincoln, and so many more … plus, plenty from that prolific genius, Anon… and lots from people with less familiar names, whose smart, funny, wise, and touching words inspire curiosity, and open whole new worlds that lie beyond them. I’ve always read quote books like novels! I hope this book will be finished for that wonderful spring I’ve been thinking about. More hope in a time of need. May have to be two books, might even be three, still waiting to see! I know, I have next year’s calendars to do, and my wonderful book, Enchanted to work on, and lots of blog posts and Zoom events and dinners to cook, and Joe and Jack, and the House of Creativity, and all those other ideas, but here I am, Girls, 73, and there is still so very much I want to do!
Some of you will remember that I did my very first Zoom Webinar last week. First I had to learn how to do a Power Point slide show. That about killed me. But at the last moment, it sunk in, and I found out just how easy it is to do. All about pushing the right buttons. Then I had to write about the photos, ⬆️ that’s me reading over old diaries to make sure I had the details right ~ it was a Calgon Zoom Party, took us far, far away, back to the English Countryside!
And THEN, there was a week of daily Zoom practice with the encouragement of Andrea, the wonderful person who had extended the invitation for me to speak. We got to know each other pretty well! She was very patient!
We ended up doing the same program two days in a row, because the Zoom Room had gotten so full. I knew lots of you were there, because I got pictures! This one above is from our Girlfriend Mary Brehm! She has sweet peas!
This one came from Karen England and her Kitty . . . so fun to be in everyone’s houses!
This one is from Trahlyta! I got so many wonderful photos from you guys! Thank you! The program lasted about an hour and 15 minutes. I know some of you wanted to join in, but could not ~ so, as promised, here’s a link so you can see it yourself on Youtube. In the beginning, it’s just me staring at the screen, watching the names of attendees scrolling by really fast … such a fun thing to see, so many I recognized. I wish that part showed so you could read them too … but instead you just have to watch me staring at them and saying them out loud. Might want to skip that part!
IN THE MEANTIME. Guess what? There are going to be more Zoom parties. In the column on the right of this Blog
you’ll see EVENTS. Here is the Link for it, but you can get there yourself when you need to check back for new event dates. I’m about to add more, so watch for them so you can register and receive an invitation to join.
The next one will be a Sunday Afternoon Christmas Tea Party 
presented by the wonderful people at Titcombs Bookshop, just over the water on the Cape, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm EST on September 20 ~ BYO Tea because you’re all invited to my first virtual book event for my new Home for Christmas book! Here’s where you can sign up! If you don’t know how to do Zoom, you can Google “Youtube how to use Zoom” and they will show you. It’s just a matter of which buttons to push ~ it’s easy. When you sign up, they will send you an invitation to our zoom party … which will have a link for you to click on the day of the event. Put it on your calendar!
One flower stands out on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s the hydrangea… they are everywhere! Drive up and down the streets and that’s what you see. We moved these from another part of the garden last year, and I’m so glad we did. Aren’t they romantic? They’re just starting to turn pale pink, something they do in the fall . . . and now we can see them from the kitchen windows from this dear old house I have loved for so long.💞
We’re still going on our walk everyday … joy of life.
It’s been very warm . . . sometimes we have to cut our way through the air, it’s so thick . . . but it’s nothing like what our California Girlfriends are suffering. We pray for them every day. You too, Girlfriends in Iowa, we know about that crazy storm that shot through your state. And now, 11′ storm surges in Louisiana.😢 🙏 2020 is some kind of year!⚡️ We were spared the other night, we were told to hunker down and expect one-inch hail ~ it got very dark out there, but it never came! Thank God. Deep breath, ahhhhhh. Remembering how much we have to be grateful for.
The woods are still green as Sherwood Forest, but every so often there are tell-tale signs that change is on the way with bright spots like this one!
And now, look, I had to show you this sweet letter I got from someone writing about our DamPanic, Go. Be. Love. postcards! Made my day!
Dear Susan, Several weeks ago I purchased a package of your “Go. Be. Love” postcards and sent them to a number of friends. Oh, my gosh! I send lots of cards and notes and have never received so many oohs and ahhs over a card I sent. My dear friends loved the postcard and just showered me with compliments and thanks. You deserve all of the credit. You created the perfect greeting to send during this pandemic and I am so grateful to be a longtime fan and follower and saw them in your online shop. Stay safe and well. Sincerely, Marge
Just in cases YOU might need to be “showered with compliments and thanks” I thought I would share this!
And the New Pumpkin Go. Be. Love. postcards came in too …
I had this pumpkin postcard printed in honor of what our Great Grandmothers did for us only a hundred years ago this August 18th!💖 Joe carved that Halloween pumpkin a few years back for our front window ~ I thought it would be a good way to celebrate those brave and determined women, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and best friends (and men too), who put themselves out there in a very big way for US! We should never take it for granted … they went through some very difficult and dangerous years, to make it happen!👏
Yes, Jack . . .
And one more thing . . .
In case YOU too need something sweet and homey to inspire you with my wind-in-the-trees formula for cozy, Kellee just put my Autumn book up at 25% off until midnight on Labor Day! You probably already have it, but maybe not, and maybe you need a gift for a friend!🍂
And for you?
Time for a good Giveaway, don’t you agree? I think this is the perfect place to thank all of you for sticking with us through thick and 
thin and dampanic too, for me and for Kellee and Sheri, your kindness has meant the world to us over the years, going to work is a gift because of you, but especially these last months, you have no idea what a positive force you are. All you have to do is read the comments to know what lovely kindred spirits visit here. No matter where in the world you are, we have so much in common, I’m very proud of us.💖 Thank you.
So we’ll start here . . . 3 cups, 3 winners! As you know, these cups are mostly sold out now, but we saved these to surprise someone(s) ~ I hope one of them is YOU! Just leave a comment right at the bottom of this post, click on the teeny grey letters that say “comments,” leave a few words, and you will be automatically entered for the drawing . . . I’ll let you know who won in the next post, then I’ll send an email to the winners, who can write back with their mailing address, and voila, your cups will be on the way, either for you to keep, or perhaps to give away as a Christmas gift! And more . . .
Shipping from the printer is still on schedule for August 26th, which means we will probably have to wait until the day after Labor Day, September 8 to get HOME FOR CHRISTMAS delivered to the Studio! So, 3 more winners in this next drawing ~ and for each, a signed copy of my new book, hot off the press! If you’ve already ordered it, then Boom! You’ll have another one to giveaway! A little bit of “pay it forward.”💞
Leave a comment as suggested above … and now we will have six winners! Makes my day!
Okay dear ones, that’s all she wrote for today! I hope you’re giving yourself those hugs I talked about at the Zoom Party. They do help, and you do deserve them.❤️ Petty-pet hugs are good too! XOXOXO
I was crushed to realize the day of your zoom event that I had forgotten!! I got busy and that was that… it was even on my calendar. So I look forward to the next one.
I love hydrangeas, they are so luxuriant ! Someone sent me a purple one and now it’s pink. I put coffee grounds under and around it because I read that would turn it blue, which is hasn’t, YET!
I’m not ready for autumn but I will be by the time it’s here. I’ll be 75 tomorrow and can’t waste a minute wishing time away. I could see people outside on my deck before it gets cold in case the pandemic doesn’t go away any time soon… but I suppose I’m a natural isolator. I like Joe’s tables.
Thanks for yet another beautiful, happy post.
Hi there, my maiden name is Roth! Small world.
Hi Susan,
Loved the Zoom Meeting! Your blog is so full of wonderful quotes. All of them make me feel so good. The photo of your home is so beautiful. I love hydrangeas too. When Cheryl and I were in the Vineyard we drove by and can see why you love it so much. Would love to have you take us on a tour of your home some day, on your blog. Of course, would understand if that’s a private place for you and Joe. Looking forward to cooler autumn weather for you and for us here in CA. Have a wonderful day❣️
Over the years I think we’ve been in every room of the house, including two bathrooms!🤣
That’s true, however, there may be many friends who haven’t had the opportunity to see those rooms. How about giving us a tour at Christmas time. Your house always is decorated so beautifully. It’s so very “homey” and gives us that traditional Christmas feeling. (Just a thought)🥰
Thanks for reminding us that all things change –
Cool weather is coming !
Hooray!
Your blogs are like a little vacation! I especially need you now! Thank you, Susan!
Hi Susan
I always enjoy so much reading your posts. Today was especially sweet, since I was feeling a bit down. You inspire me to enjoy each moment and see a blessing in most every detail in life. God bless.
Hi Susan
I love your blog.
Going to order your autumn book.
Waitng for my
Christmas book to arrive in Sept. I am like you for the heat and humidity to be over with.
We are in Minnesota, and is 97 out side right now in the South
Eastern partof the state by the Mississippi River.
Take care.
Thanks for being a spot of brightness in my inbox and day today. I needed this.
great post! been thinking of you and hoping you would write! your christmas book looks incredible and i adore you are doing a quotation book! your quotes have meant a lot to me over the years and i love when i stumble on one that is perfect for that time. i think you were the one who introduced me to the Chief Seattle quotation and i used it at Thanksgiving once for our group and still hold it dear. all the best!
Fall color is truly creeping in even as we enjoy these waning summer weeks! I just pulled your “Autumn” book off the shelf last night to have a glance. Beginning to think of the delicious comfort foods we’ll soon enjoy. Finding your post today was delightful! 🤗🍁🍂🌻
I LOVE your stuff and your Autumn book is my favorite! Be cool to have a mug that matches it! :*)
Thanks for the reminder that it’s nearly time to shelve your “Summer” book and replace it with “Autumn”. I just love when a new blog post arrives in my in-box. Looking forward to your quote book(s)!
Thank you for giving us somewhere to turn to when we need some JOY. When I need a dose of happiness, I just reread one of your blogs. Thank you for being a bright spot in a sometimes dark world.
Big hugs to you!
Can’t wait for your Quote Book or books! So exciting to hear about that!
I sure am looking forward to fall but living in hot steamy bad hair day everyday Florida It usually doesn’t get here till after Thanksgiving sometimes later. ☹️
Joe’s table building is quite impressive! Have a wonderful dinner with friends!
Stay Well.
Have a happy day!
You bring such joy and peace to so many. Thank you for your wonderful posts. They are so good for my soul.
Love the blog!
Thank you for your books, art work, products and most of all your quotes. I have been collecting many of your heartwarming “products” since a friend gave me the Heart of the Home cookbook in 1987!! Sometimes, I just take all of your cookbooks and page through them, remembering when I made the recipes and always reading the quotes and quips with a smile! I even read the older paper copies of Willard which I have kept! Thank you for all you do.
I usually don’t enter for giveaways, yet 2 of the cups, I can already see whom I would gift them to..and of course keep one for myself.
I always look forward to your calendar which hangs promptly in my kitchen each year..and now the blog. I hope you will have a free bookmark of the full moons for 2021! I love the one for this year.
I’m with you awaiting the cooler weather and Autumn color. This summer was too hot to make all my gardening dreams come true, but the ideas will still be there for next year. Thanks for your cheerful words.
CUPS & BOOKS.. oh, my!! Sweet rewards for being a fan?! Seems we should be rewarding you, Susan! Thanks always for the calm and joy you offer in art & words. I was delighted with you webinar of A Fine Romance.. now will go register for the next! Happy getting-ever-closer-to-fall to you !
Susan … you are giving us all so much to look forward to … Now a “quote book” to add to my list!! Thank you for being such a blessing in the middle of my day!!
I have to tell you something I read this morning that made me laugh, you mentioned about 2020 being “some kind of year” … this person wrote “2020 should be a new cuss word … as in ‘I don’t give a 2020’!! ” It really made me laugh!!
I love that Joe is building a “Social Distancing Picnic Table” … I am sure you already know this, but you have a real “keeper” there!!
Wishing you a very blessed day & week … Michele
LOL😂, perfect!
I love your Autumn 🍂 Book can’t wait to pull it off my cookbook shelf.
I so look forward to your blogs, Susan. I’m going shopping at your store once I finish this comment. I’ve already ordered the Christmas book and know I’ll just love it. Idea for quote books is wonderful! Bless you for bring us all so much love and joy. I love Autumn, too!
I have enjoyed all your books and look forward to your emails……they always make me smile! Thank you, you really make this crazy time in history so much better. Stay well!
I’m always happy when I see a post from you! Summer here has been hit and miss with weather, but the flowers bloom regardless and that makes me happy. How fun to have a special picnic table to host properly distanced dinner parties. Joe is the handiest of handymen. I LOVE the idea of a quote book (or 3). I have quotes collected from here and there over 40 years and have thought of putting them all together somehow, but now, you are doing it instead. I bet we have a lot of the same quotes, too.
Fingers crossed for the lovely giveaway.
Susan,. I have been a fan for years and years. Looking forward to the quote books. The email from you always brightens my day. Thanks
Love the quote about Autumn at the beginning of your post, as it’s my favorite season, too! I was one of the lucky ones who was able to join you for that first zoom session. Like many others, I prepared a cup of tea in my special tea cup and settled in to enjoy touring England with you. It was one of the NICEST afternoons I’ve had since this whole damnpanic (good one, Joe!) began in March – so, thank you!
💞💞💞
Perfect timing, as usual. I really don’t care for August, but I love October!
Hello Susan,
Your Autumn book!!! Good idea!! I’m going to get it off the shelf right now! Thanks!!!
I love the quote you shared — Two seasons – Autumn and waiting for Autumn!! Yes- we are hot here in the Midwest and need rain but my heart goes out to those battling the wildfires and awaiting the storms – Marco and Laura. My heat isn’t anything compared to those 😔
I can’t wait for the Christmas books and oh how I hope the random drawing picks my name so I can win one of your adorable mugs! 👏
A good reminder. It will over. Things will be different then but as tightly as we like to hang on, things are always different. Things that matter- family, friends, art, nature, humor- stay the thankfully with us. Thank you for the reminder Toni
Just got off the phone after chatting with a dear friend and we decided that despite all our current difficulties, we’ve still got to concentrate on whatever bright spots can be found — and your blog definitely is!! Many, many thanks, Susan! Alice
Susan
I am looking forward to the book of quotes. Your emails always brighten my day. Thank you
Susan,
Autumn is my favorite season. I love to read your blogs, because I get so excited! Thank you for your wonderful words through the years!
Autumn leaves of red and gold!
Vicki
I am looking forward to your quote book! Your Christmas Memories book has been a family favourite to take out every year to reminisce. Thank you for your uplifting words.
Ooooo, a book of quotes—-how delicious! Can’t wait for autumn also!
Your posts are always such a breath of fresh air, and I love hearing new “musica” that I’ve never heard before.
As so many of us have expressed, you are a kindred spirit to us, with us, and for us. I am thrilled about your eventual book of quotes, as I, too, have kept multiple spiral notebooks with quotes for decades, starting in the mid 70’s. Besides loving the words and appreciating the time I took to write these down, it’s also fun to see how my hand writing has changed over the years!
I look forward to your emails, as they are almost as good as real letters!
Thank you for the update, Susan! The quotations book sounds wonderful. Another one to add to the collection. 😉
I love seeing that you have a new blog entry in my E-mail. Your blog makes me happy! Looking forward to fall!
I can’t wait for the Home for Christmas book. Every time I see it pictured I think of that song from the 1960’s, “We Need a Little Christmas”, right this very minute! Rather hoping for a blue Christmas this year though, wink wink. : )
Like you I am over this humidity. I am looking forward to fall. I would love to win a cup. I did order your book and I am impatiently waiting for the christmas book I ordered but know the perfect person to pass it on to if I should win.
thank you for such a nice blog post
I love reading your positive blog! With so much ugliness and negativity in the world your Blog is refreshing!
Loved, loved attending the Zoom Party with you via the Duxbury Senior Center. Living in No. California, it was so wonderful for the Senior Center to open it up to all the girlfriends world wide. It was SO fun! I’ve already gotten my ticket for the “Home for Christmas“ Zoom Tea Party from Titcomb’s Bookstore. Can’t wait!
I’ve received your 2021 calendar and just received my 2nd Santa cup…just in case something happens to my original! Looking forward to receiving my copy of the new “Home for Christmas” book in a few weeks.
Exciting news about the new “Distilled Genius” book! Looking forward to that, too.
In the meantime, your Autumn book and all of my Autumn decor will come out on Sept 1st. Take care, sweet Susan! So much Fall beauty just around the corner. My favorite time of year! 🍁
many things to look forward to!
Susan,
Autumn is my favorite season. Tick Tock for me! I am 70. There is so much I want to do. Where did the years go????
Autumn leaves of red and gold!
Vicki
The heat here in south Georgia is suffocating so thoughts of autumn (not sure if it lasts more then 2 days) are wonderful! If you could only hear my southern accent this would have a greater impact(-: As always a sweet read.
Greetings from the mountains! My husband and I have been isolating and quarantining for too many months and your newsletter’s arrival today lifted my spirits. I too love fall and our abundance of rain this summer should give us an abundance of colored leaves soon. May you also stay safe and well! I’d love a mug, but I appreciate getting to tell you how much the newsletter meant to me today.
“There are only two seasons, Autumn, and waiting for Autumn!” I love this too. This year our Autumn will be “extra special” with the arrival of our 1st grandchild!
Thank you so much Susan for all of the joy you bring and for the lovely vision of Autumn.
Susan,
Tick Tock for me! I am 70. There is so much I want to do. Where did the years go???? Sounds like you are going to be very busy!
Autumn leaves of red and gold!
Vicki
Susan I could not agree more about autumn. I’m a midwesterner and could not live without it. The earth getting ready for it’s long nap and renewal. With everything that’s going on in the world I think we could all use that right now.
Thank you Susan For another lovely blog post! I always enjoy your words, photos and artwork!
I READ ALL THREE OF YOUR BOOKS AND NOW I AM BORED, HAVEN’T GOTTEN INTO ANOTHER AUTHOR. ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION I READ A SECRET GARDEN AND LOVED IT. I AM WAITING FOR THE HEAT TO SUBSIDE IN CALIFORNIA SO I CAN BAKE. I BOUGHT YOUR FIRST COOK BOOK AND AFTER I TRY SOME OF THE RECIPES, I WILL BUY THE AUTUMN ONE. LOVE YOU AND JOE. HEAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BOTHER MEN, WHY IS THAT?? I LOVE COLD WEATHER TOO. WE USED TO RENT A HOUSE DOWN IN MORRO AND IT HAD A KITCHEN THAT WAS PERFECT. FOR BAKING.
Dear Susan,
How great to get your post today when it is in the mid-90s here in Colorado with fires everywhere! We too dream of cooler weather, some monsoon rain (ha!) and beautiful Fall aspen leaves. The book of quotes will be my favorite I know as I collect them from your calendars and put them in a book myself!!! Can’t wait for that to come out. So excited. Continue to be safe, dream of Fall and all it brings, and thanks for keeping us up to date in these crazy times!
Susan, thank you again for all that you do. As I’ve said elsewhere, you are a light in a dark time. Super excited for the next zoom!
Hugs,
Lori
Hi Susan! Thank you for your words, pictures and artwork today. A cup of tea and a blog post from you is a pretty sweet way to spend some time on this sweltering August afternoon!
Good Bye… until we meet again in your next letter❤️
There just could not be another start of Autumn without YOU! Actually,you are the official harbinger of all our seasons!!
Thank you for the heartfelt joy in your stories and art.
Sharrie
Lovely as always. Thank You Susan!!!
Thank you so much for your post today, i needed the smile and the feeling of a hug so badly. The Dampandemic has gotten to me today and your post helped to push away the feelings of doom and gloom. I would love to be a winner of a cup or a book even though i ordered my book the first day you put them out for order. Hugs to you and Joe and Jack too…….
I also love the fall. Just went for coffee this morning and to my surprise they had pumpkin spice. What a way to start the day!!! And my hydrangeas are also turning pink just like yours. Visited Martha’s Vineyard a few years ago….can’t wait to go back. Keep the fall alive.
Lovely and what a wonderful gift
Thank you SO much for this blog, Susan! It was just what I needed…can I put in an order for that fall/winter/spring you described? May your autumn be super blessed, dear woman! ( and Joe and Jack’s too of course!)
“There are only two seasons, Autumn and waiting for Autumn”…love that! I completely agree! Your webinar was so much fun, and you looked adorable. I’ve thought of another endeavor for you…designing eyeglass frames! Yours are really cute. I’ve preordered my Christmas book, and the book of quotes sounds wonderful. Yay!👏🏼 Pretty sure you’ll include one or two from Gladys Taber? You and Gladys and Beatrix Potter were all cut from the same cloth, I believe, and the world is better for the three of you❤️Hugs…our “group hug” on the webinar was a heart warmer.
Oh yes, no doubt about it! What a compliment Shannon, my girls! Hugs for Health!💖
Autumn leaves and pumpkins please! Can’t wait! Thanks for your lovely thoughts! Happy early Fall y’all! From Charleston SC ! 🍁
How wonderful- a quotes book! I’m eagerly awaiting your new Christmas book, and I would like to think I can wait wait to read it till December, but I know I won’t be able too. Every year in December I put together a puzzle my sister gave me 35 years ago called The Christmas House (only missing 4 pieces!). Now your puzzle will be a part of the Holiday Season puzzle making too! Much love to you and Joe xoxo
Once again, a Susan escape from all the continued bad news…we worry for all the kids trying to go to school, their families, their friends…the teachers, administrators, and trying to do it safely.
If anyone gives you a hard time about the need to wear a mask…just tell them, “sadly, I now have over one hundred and seventy five thousand reasons to wear one”.
Wash up, mask up, and never give up!
Be well and safe until we all can enjoy a true Heart of the Home year!
p.s. Don’t know if you have seen the Mona Lisa wearing a mask…rather 😄, but I say if the most famous smile in the world can wear a mask…(I prefer face covering) then we can too.
Thank you so much, Susan, for your joyful and comforting spirit. Stay beautiful and keep laughing.
Can’t wait to read Home for Christmas! It will warm me thru the cold winter. But Autumn is the BEST!
I was feeling bummed about summer ending and then I read your post and remembered, I do love fall! Your cheerful blog always reminds me to look at the flowers and snowflakes rather than the weeds and snow shovels. 🙂
Hi Susan, Just pulled out my Autumn Book and also spotted a few changing leaves near the driveway. And the air is different and the color of the sun. It’s coming! Yeah!! We’ve only lived in New Hampshire not quite two years now, so this is still such a new thrill after the ever green Oregon. Have a marvelous Autumn.
Hi Susan 🙂
I too am looking forward to a cool Fall season!! I am in California and the smoke and heat have just been awful….I hope and pray all the fires will be out very soon!
God bless the firefighters and all who are helping with the efforts to get the fires out!! Hope you have a blessed day!
I’m never ready for fall 😩. I live in the mountains of Idaho where summer is short so I hate to rush it! I just got two more of your Santa mugs to compliment the first two from a couple of years ago. Now I can have a socially distanced tea party😉. I am still anxiously awaiting any news of a Susan Branch movie.
I am so glad someone else is ready for Fall! Here in Maryland summer is The
season!! The only thing I like hot and sticky are sticky buns! Thanks for being a kindred spirit!
WOW, another Roth. That’s my maiden name!
So ready for cool weather! I love the bluebird cup.
That quote book has my name written ALL OVER IT. 🙂 I have collected quotes for many years. I probably got it from you, since I’ve been a big fan of yours for decades. 🙂 Can’t wait to see it!
I so look forward to your posts. I do not always comment, but felt I had to today. I always use your calendars – on the wall and in my purse. I spent summers on Martha’s Vineyard as a child (in Chilmark) and have many fond memories of our times there (in the 1950’s). Of course, old photos and movies help, too.
Keep your inspiring words and paintings coming.
Hi Susan. Autumn’s return sounds so good to me right now as I’m sitting here sweltering in San Diego! Your Autumn book may be just what I need right now! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Just when I think I just can’t go on…your letter arrives and perks me right up!
Once again, there is fluttering in my heart and warmth as I read every word and admire your artistic skills….your letter brings hope and happiness! Thank you!
Dear sweet Susan,
Your blog today lifted me up so much. I detest this awful heat of summer too but I love to look for clues that signal the end of summer like the way the sun is coming in the windows at a different slant and that it is now almost completely dark by 8:15 as opposed to 9 or later. But I have to say that for the first time, summer brought forth eggs on the parsley plants laid by black swallowtail butterflies that happened by my garden. I ended up with 6 eggs. After watching big fat caterpillars munch on the parsley, they went into the chrysalis stage and began emerging just yesterday as grand and beautiful butterflies. So far, 2 females and two males have fluttered away after a short stay to let their wings harden. Two more to go. This little project of mine was especially magical and timely as just last week my daughter gave birth to my first granddaughter! Seeing the new life in both nature and in my family have opened up my heart to even bigger joys and the presence of miracles than I ever believed possible. However, I will be most grateful to say hasta la vista to summer, especially this covid one and welcome the blessed relief of all things fall and especially my fav, winter! Bring on the cozy candles, all day rain showers, cool winds and leaves on the lawn. And snow, lots and lots of snow. I will be able to breathe again! Take care and stay well!
Love reading your blog!
Just wondering what’s on the menu for Friday night dinner party?
Hope you have a wonderful evening
So excited about your new quotations book!!
I live in Central FL now but, before moving, lived in Sandwich, not far from the wonderful Titcomb’s Bookstore. My husband and I were just talking this morning about things we miss about New England and my heart was filled reading about Autumn, hydrangea, crisp air, bookstores, tea parties, and more. I’ve never done Zoom but I plan to step out of my comfort zone for a virtual trip “home!”
Dearest Susan….Your posts lift me and so many others up and away from our mundane everydays. You are a gift. Virtual hug!!!
Pre-Ordered your puzzle. Will have to order the Christmas book also.
Susan, your posts are always something beautiful to look forward to!
Thanks Susan for the great boost on an otherwise dreary day. Your spirit and writing makes me always feel better. I’ve signed up for your September Zoom meeting and am very excited to get your new book and be in attendance with my cup of tea.
Thank you for you inspirational words! So important during these times. I have been a fan since your first book was published and you never disappoint.
Thank you Susan! I am gong to pull my Autumn Book off the shelf now. You’ve also inspired me to get out my Autumn kitchen towels 😊. Still hot and sticky here in Nashville too but we have so much to look forward to with Fall right around the corner! Love reading your posts, take care ❤️
Hi Susan….thanks so much for all the encouraging words…..I too love the fall, and also your Autumn book….have had it now for many years, it was the first one I ever had, and still my favorite!!The hot weather bothers me too, but here in Montana it is not humid….but I grew up with humidity in Western Massachusetts, so I know what you mean!!! Take care, and enjoy the soon to come fall weather!!!!!God bless you all! Love, Donna from NW Montana
Thank you for all the happiness you impart to us. We all need a shot of it,for sure!
I enjoy paging through the “Autumn” book, too.
Your blog brightened my day and gives me hope for a better future.
Hi Susan and friends! What a lovely idea to send “Susan” Post Cards to friends during this Pandemic time. I too have been spreading cheer to family and friends. I sew sets of pot holders and mail them out as a surprise! The response has been wonderful! People genuinely love them! It’s fun to brighten someone’s day unexpectedly. Thanks for your blog Susan. Look forward to Fall…Happy Fall Y’all!
What a delightful surpise to find your email today! It was a busy day here and I needed a chance to stop and take a deep breath! There you were! THank you!
Enjoyed the Zoom call 🙂 & just signed up for the September call. Thanks!
Susan, your work makes me smile. Thank you!
Corn pudding! Pumpkins! Tea! Oh yes I am ready too! Thank you for the gift of you,
Susan. Big love from Wichita, Kansas! 🌻🌻🌻
Susan, thank you for your posts. They touch my heart. I especially enjoy the pictures of your home, flowers and the water. Enjoy your Fri dinner with friends😊
Dear Susan,
You just know the words we need when we need them the most! Thank you for your uplifting blog! What a blessing you are! Loved Zoom-ing off to England last week, just what I needed after so many months at home.
Huggles~
Lynn
Yes! Another breath of fresh air in my email! I love your blogs, Susan – and like you, I am an autumn-lover through and through! I’m not ready for snow yet (it can hang around a little too long here in northern WI) but we already seeing a red, orange, or yellow leaf here and there. And of course, I’m really looking forward to cooler weather! It has been so humid here! Stay healthy and happy, my dear friend!
Dearest Susan, I was just telling a couple of friends that I am finally BORED with this quarantine. I find myself napping, wandering around the house, eating too many cookies, watching too much TV and staying on the computer too long. And, then……you write us a long letter and take us from a glorious fall to spring, making us hopeful for beautiful autumn leaves, children in Halloween costumes, snow at Christmas and then Easter egg hunts. I am so excited about your Home for Christmas book and puzzle…..and the promise of another book of “Distilled Genius.” You fill my life with wonderfulness!! I enjoyed the Zoom get together…to see and hear you, almost as good as in person, although there were no hugs from/for you and Joe. I have already signed up for Sunday Afternoon Christmas Tea Party and put it on my/your calendars, so I will see you September 20. I think you should have Joe and Jack make an appearance. Thank you, Susan! Love ya, Rachel
I too am looking forward to Fall. Maybe our fires will be out by then.