Hello my friends … First … deep breath, and a cup of something ~ go get it, I’ll wait. I’m no good without you anyway. I promise not say a thing of substance before you get back (and maybe never🤣, we shall see). Perhaps some fine olde MUSICA to send you on your way? MUSICA…
You back? Okay, here we go . . . Ahhhhh, these bewitching late summer nights are what I live for. They are the thing that made me stay here forever. Doors and windows open, cool air blowing through, leaves beginning to drift, talking into the night accompanied by the songs of crickets, with bug buckets glowing . . . Know what a bug bucket is? It’s that ⬇️ … a big candle in a bucket that burns citronella to keep bugs away … we surround our chairs with them.
Darkness falls streaking the sky in pink and lavender, bug buckets and twinkle lights lit . . . quiet voices in the night . . . making some summer souvenirs . . .💞
Stars shining bright above us🎵 . . . and for a while we forget the troubles of the world . . . and lose ourselves in the hearts, memories, and laughter of our friends . . .
You can’t solve all the world’s problems. Now go wash your hands and come to the table. 💖My Mom
So basically, that’s what we’ve been doing, coming to the table. Definitely a thing of substance, you can tell by the way the trees are leaning in to listen. We did it last night and we’re doing it tomorrow night. I feel like I’m trying to grab onto a speeding car! September being the car.🍂🍁🍂
I’ve been wandering through my recipe books. We’re making Chili for tomorrow (p.78 in my Autumn book or right 
HERE), in fact it’s cooking on top of the stove right now. I’m sorry to all the other chili makers out there, but this recipe is the BEST in the world. Please give it a try. Deep, dark, and delicious. The other night we put fresh littleneck clams in our linguini, tossed a spoonful of pesto on the top of each dish … and served it with my dad’s delicious buttery garlic bread, so so so good, you can read about it HERE.
And of course my shadow hangs out in the kitchen while I’m cooking, he is always where I am. Next to me now, I reach to pet him, on your behalf, big round eyes look up ~ tiny mew! This is his birthday month! He’s almost ten! How can that BE?
And this, because NOW is the time for juicy, sun-ripened garden tomatoes ~ pop them into a jar with basil, garlic, and olive oil, and then into the sun for a few hours. It’s one of my favorite summer recipes.
And corn? Have you had your allotted amount of fresh corn yet this summer? Now’s the time, those little kernels are popping off the cobs … and, do not forget this wonderful recipe for Corn Chowder … put it in a mug for a cool evening in the garden . . .
Joe’s homemade picnic tables turned out great … We had our first sit-down dinner for six since last winter! It’s been a dinner-drought during this DamPanic! And everyone was at least 6′ away!
So many memories under this arbor … not only ours, but for the people who lived here before us.
Especially the Bowditch family. Mr Bowditch built this arbor, Mrs. Bowditch named it the Teahouse of the August Moon . . . we love these people so much, I’ve told you before, they owned our house from 1949 to 1980 and left us so many gifts. Like their forever-foundation of rose arbors, creaky wooden floors, old trees, and a fireplace that can talk. They are gone but not forgotten.
“O’ thou who has given us so much, grant us one thing more, a grateful heart.” 💝 George Herbert
The other blessing of these summer nights . . . the beautiful moon we share with the whole world. But, this moon is not seeing the same thing everywhere it looks. As it drifts across America this year, it sees less and less twinkle lights and more and more hungry, isolated, and homeless people 💔, NOT enjoying 
linguini in Clam Sauce, wishing for a big bowl of corn chowder, longing for a breath of fresh air from a pure breeze over a clean moon, and no smoke, and no heat, no orange skies, and a peaceful end to this 
crazy year that Michelle, one of our girlfriends, described as “the new cuss word,” as in “I don’t give a 2020.” But we DO give a 2020, don’t we? I’m showing my gratitude, best I can, by donating an early Christmas present to Feed America and the Red Cross. And we can’t forget our darling animal friends who make our earth a brighter place to be. When humans are in trouble, animals are in more trouble. We can’t do everything, we can’t all be nurses or firefighters or teachers, or first responders, heroes all, but we can do something, don’t ever think a dollar doesn’t matter.💞 They need us, and we need them and . . .
So what else magic people . . . ?
This, me, painting for the (OMG) 2022 calendars. You know I did my first calendar in 1993? Almost 30 years of celebrating the days! With a few time-offs for good behavior! But I love every moment of it. Writing out the words of distilled genius, painting these little letters . . .
Letters that go perfectly with now. So, dinner at the Teahouse of the August Moon requires tablecloths! Which gives us this wonderful thing I wanted to share with you in case your dreamy fall-wind ration is wanting . . . here’s some of ours…
XOX
Laundry is the very best way to catch the wind . . . (Ah, but I may as well try . . .🎵)
First little leaves are floating out of the trees ~ this one got caught in a clothes pin!
Mmmmm, line-dried laundry . . . even folding it smells good.💓
For us lucky ones, these are lovely days of noticing the little things in life . . .💓
Good morning sunshine . . .☀️
What’s on the porch? Oooo, heavy … oh my!!! Could it be? Little heart flutter …
Yes! Home for Christmas has come in for a landing! The little baby is born. My first view of it. 💞
Hello Baby! We think the rest of the books will arrive at the Studio tomorrow, or maybe Monday, but SOON… and then, off they 
go, to everyone who preordered, first come, first serve! 💝 With all my heart.💖
I should tell you, even though I do not like to say it, and I’m sure you do not want to hear it, but my precious mother went to heaven in April. I’m sorry. I’m one of those people who can’t talk about such things for a long time, it takes me a while to learn how to live with it if that’s even possible. But from the moment she went on hospice care, I began writing this Christmas story. I wrote all through late winter into spring. I was with her the entire time 
and she was with me. It was the perfect place to be. She’s the “Home” in Home for Christmas. I knew a lot of you had figured it out, and I was sure that when you read the new book you would ask, so I’m sharing it now, because in so many ways, you knew her too. She was in my right hand at the writing of every book, the hand connected to my heart that connected me to you. It’s her spirit of love you read on every page. Dearest person, mom of eight, wise beyond her years. She said the simplest things, like, “You know the difference between right and wrong.” And she convinced me I did!
Patricia Louise Smith Stewart, a girl after my own heart.
I immediately sat down and read the first book out of the box and made myself cry. You know I’m okay. My mom WANTED to go to heaven. It was the right thing at the right time. Thanking you ahead for all your kind thoughts. You don’t have to say a thing. Because we both already know.💞
And because I have it now, guess who gets the next three copies from my box of Home for Christmas? Oh yeah, YOU! Let’s draw the names of our winners!! Our random number generator, the famously wicked and charming Vanna, named for another talented Vanna, is ready for the pick! I say, You go girl! And she does! Down, down, down, deep into thousands of names she dives, scissor-kicking to the bottom, crinkled slips of paper like from a fortune cookie flying through the air, each one has a name, and here she comes … her green eyes are sparkling with success as she hands me the three bits of paper, and back down she goes, into the melee, on her next quest: to find the winners of the cups! SO, let me see, I’ll give you the names and a bit of identifying something from their comments, so there won’t be any mixups … the winners for the Books are, drum roll please . . .
Katie Craig! She’s one of our heroes, a teacher working very hard to make things right for her kids during Covid!👏🎉
Number two, is Karen Giordano! She wrote that my Autumn Book is her Labor Day tradition!👏 🎊
And last but not least, Susan Karasievich ~ she appreciates fairy tales!👏🎈
Kindred spirits, all!💞 Congratulations! I will send you an email soon and you can send me your address and what name I should write in your books and off they will go!
And Next? Three cups . . . fingers crossed, Girlfriends, I hope you win one of them!
And here we go: For the Bluebird cup . . .
The winner is …. Marie from Chester, Oh! our girlfriend in England! Hi Marie! Looks like you’re going to surprise your sister! xoxo 💝
Next is the Santa cup . . . are you ready Linda Beck? You better be! (Perfect because she has been “coveting” cups!)💓
And very last (except we’ll do it again someday)… the winner for the Little Things cup . . . Here we go! It’s Amy from Wisconsin ~ Yay Amy! (she moved back to Wisconsin in 1979 and she’s been happy ever since)!!!🎉
So happy for you all! 👏
Here’s the full-page ad I did for the Nov-Dec issue of Yankee Magazine ~ it tells more about Home for Christmas … look for it and a smaller version in Victoria Magazine!
I hope I’m going to see some of you in my magic mirror on September 20th, at 3:30 pm EST, for Sunday Tea with me and Titcomb’s Bookshop. It’ll be on Zoom, so easy if you haven’t tried it yet (believe me I don’t know what I’m doing either, but let’s not let that stop us!), you can Google “Youtube, how to do Zoom” and they will show you how. It’s going to be another BYOTea, just like today, except with zoom-a-vision … Go HERE to sign up.
So what else might I have in my bag of tricks? Oh yes, because I heard you when you asked . . . here they are, Holiday Cooking Greeting Cards! You’ll see I write about my mom’s famous Snippy Doodle in the new book, so I thought you might like the recipe! And of course, who doesn’t love Cranberry Marmalade! Something to share!
Ten cards with envelopes, and each package comes with a candy cane bookmark! For Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or for any old reason, because the more connection to each other, the better!!💞
This is inside Cranberry Marmalade . . .
And here’s Snippy Doodle.
And here’s the back for both of them! A kiss across continents! Christmas Cards are coming soon!
And another good thing happened, the 3rd printing of Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams has finally arrived . . . in case you were looking for one… they are BACK! And FYI, just so you know, the new puzzle is right on schedule⏰ … they should be in at the end of October. Perfect timing!💓 And so, sweet people, off I go … Until next time . . .
If you can,
Thank you for everything . . .💞 See you next time! I have an idea about the next post. Can’t wait!👏
So sorry you lost your Mom, Susan, she sure did great job with you xo
xoxoxo
Dear Susan,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a happy, beautiful soul who raised an amazing daughter who continues to do her good work. I have a quote I cut out of one of your calendars on my fridge..”Hours fly, flowers die. New days, new ways pass by. Love Stays”. These words you so kindly shared have helped me so much. No matter what, Love Stays. Sending all my love to you and your family. Your Mom’s love will very definitely stay…she lives in you❤️
I feel the same way … Love stays.❤️
❤️🌈❤️🌞❤️🌹❤️🌟❤️😘
What better place than in heaven……
Your mother’s love will live on in you and your siblings. May you always feel it when you think of her. 💞
Oh, Susan. I am struggling to know what to say as tears flow. All I can do is let you know how deeply sorry I am, and that I’m sending healing love and light to your pain. There is a bond between a mother and her daughter that nothing can sever, not even when one goes on before. She will always be with you.
Deb in Wales xoxo
I know you are thinking of your own wonderful relationship with your mom, Deb … we were so lucky to have had them for so long. Thank you so much for your kind words. ❌⭕️
Dear Susan, have you ever thought about making a set of dishes with the leaves and acorn pattern that is on the inside of your autumn book?Or even just cups with that pattern, no words? I am dreaming of them on my Thanksgiving table.
Sorry about your Mom, I lost mine 41 years ago, I still cry every time I think of her.
Thinking of you, Debby
Just ❌⭕️ to you and your family for your loss. We all share your sorrow.
I know how intensely I worship and adore my mother, so I can only imagine the pain of losing her, regardless of the amount of time that passes. I will pray peace and comfort for you today as you continue the journey through the grief. Thank you for sharing with us, and allowing us to pray for you and your family.
So so sorry for the loss of your Mom. My Dad passed away years ago, my Mom, just a few ago. The thought that I’m no one child’s anymore…sigh.
Well, you know we are, and always will be.💞
So sorry to read about the loss of your beautiful Mother, Susan.
From what you wrote about her, I know she definitely made the world a brighter place.
And so do you.
So sorry to hear about you dear mom! Mom’s are so important and I love that since I’ve “known” you, you’ve always celebrated your dear mother and gave her all the credit she deserves. What a blessing you were to her, I’m sure of it! Blessings to you!
“”Everything was actually just right”…
Bless your mom for all that she gave to your family. Girlfriends can feel the warmth of “just right” in the memories that you have shared throughout the years. I can’t wait to receive my copy of “Home for Christmas.” It will probably make me cry.
You have taken everything that your mom “gave” you and spread it around the world. Your kindness, compassion, empathy. Your sense of right and wrong. Your spirit of community and friendship. Your willingness to accept and share. Your loving heart and giving soul. You share the spirit of your mom in everything that you do. You are the seed that your dad planted and the beautiful blossom that your mom tended and nurtured throughout her lifetime.
Girlfriends all benefit from the fruits of your mom. Bless her heart. Bless your heart, Susan. You will continue to be blessed with her eternal love and support.
Squeezy hugs and xoxoxoxo…AND! as always, pets for the furry love.
😘😘😘😘💞
As for your Mom…
sounds like you have “good back up” for your guardian angels!
Please let us “borrow your Mother” down the road, when you feel like more Mom stories…
¡Con amor a nuestros padres!
Susan, I love your newsletters! I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I lost my dad last fall and made it through the 1st year with all the missing milestones. Sending you much love!!
Susan, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your sweet mother. Even though she wanted to go to Heaven, doesn’t make it easier for those of us left behind! My beautiful mom passed away when I was 18, sure wish I’d had her for as long as you had yours!
So sorry on the lost of your mom. I still miss my mom even after 16 years. Just take it one day at a time. Thank you for the new Christmas book. I am looking forward to getting my copy. As for taking a deep breath, it is dangerous here in California. So please take one for me and all your girlfriends in California, Oregon and Washington.
….what a heart – felt post, Susan !… thank you for sharing so much of you with all of us !!..and for that we are grateful and love you so !!
When someone near and dear to us passes on, I always say we’re not really saying good-bye, but, “See you later!”
..uh oh, my computer said I did something wrong…oh well, I meant well..
So sorry to hear about your mother but glad she is in a better place 🙂 Just know that she lives on through the lives of her children and grandchildren and through the lovely stories of her you’ve shared. I wish I’d had a mother like her! She sounds a dream!
I am so looking forward to your book. I cannot wait to get it in my hot little hands!
Loved the hanging table clothes and the blue sky peeking thru. Just gorgeous as everything you do. I am so sorry about losing your Mom. It’s raining cats and dogs here in Maryland. Sending you love, ♥️
I have always loved the stories about your best friend, your mom. How young she was and how you grew up together taking care of those babies. I lost my mom way too soon (ALS) and miss her everyday. I still want to call her and talk to her all the time.
I am getting ready for the tea party. Since we are talking about your Christmas book, I am thinking I will need some Christmas cookies to share with everyone (virtually, although I will have real ones!
A ❤️ to let you know I’m thinking of you, dear Sue. ❤️
💞
Oh, Susan…I am so, so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I know your heart is broken and that it’s hard to talk about, so please know that I will be holding you close in my own heart and prayers.
Jack is so darling. That photo of him with his arm over his eyes….that’s what I call the kitty “you can’t see me!” pose.
Yummy recipes…will have to hurry and try those tomatoes in the sun before there are no fresh tomatoes left! (Waah!) The link for your garlic bread is not working – thought you’d want to know.
Much love,
Melanie
I absolutely love your blog posts! It’s such a treat of warm, comforting and cozy words. My sincere condolences for the loss of your mom. I, too, lost my mom one year go, September 5, 2019. I knew there was a reason I was so excited about this book – I believe your words will tie together my childhood memories as well. Love to our mothers who now know the best rest they’ve ever had. XO
I’m sad to hear about your mom. It seems to be the “season” so many of us are in in life. It used to be weddings every weekend, then baby showers, now it’s graduations and sadly, so many parents passing on.
My dad passed away two years ago. My thoughts are with you.
My daughter and I were JUST TALKING about whether to put our washed pillows outside since it’s a bit cooler, to let them dry. I said, “Susan Branch would have hers outside!” Then not 10 minutes later, here is your lovely email, complete with a video of your laundry drying on the line. 🙂
That made me laugh!😂
Oh, Susan. I am crying over the loss of your mom. So very sorry. Be thankful for all the good memories and lessons from her …and the love.
Congratulations to all the Girlfriends who are winners. Lucky!
Your blog is the best birthday gift for me today beside the calls and texts from my grandchildren and children.
No signs of fall here in coastal Carolina just yet. Inside decorating for Fall has begun. 🍎 Apples and leaves and little fall gnomes are all around the house. 🍎Apple month. Birthday month. 🍎
Thank you for your blog. I cannot wait for my Christmas book to artive. I will cherish it.
Love you. ❤
No matter how old you get, you never get over losing your mom.
Love it 🍂all🍂 And love you, your mother’s wonderful daughter. ❤️❤️❤️
Not quite fall here in Houston. Still over 90* outside. You better believe as soon as that book arrives in my mailbox I’ll be cranking down the air to make it feel more like Christmas. Making a cup of gingerbread cake tea in my Santa mug. Putting on some Glenn Miller in the Christmas Mood and enjoying the whole book! I can’t wait! PS I would love it if you would sell some Christmas recipe binder pages!
Very sorry about the passing of your dear mom. Glad to know, though, that you and she were both at peace with the timing. I hope your days are full of continual little bursts of remembrance of her, so that it’s just like she’s sending you lots of “kisses across continents”. Heaven is kind of a continent, right?!
All the very best people live there!💞
Oh I’m sooo sorry about your mom. I too have suffered the same loss a year ago, and my precious daughter only 2 months ago 😞. Hugs to you and heartfelt condolences from my aching heart.
Thanks for your beautiful artwork and for sharing so much of yourself.
Sending prayers and love to you and your family. Your Mom will always be with you in your heart and memories.xoxo
A lovely blog post, Susan. I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. Thank you for sharing her with us all of these years. She was one of the lucky ones…she lived a nice long life with YOU as her wonderful daughter! 2020 has been a hard year in so many ways…I’m glad she gets to spend it in heaven.
Hugs and love to you and your family,
xo, Christy in California (@KindredChristy)
I lost both my parents by the time I was 40…first my adored father, then my mom. As a close friend was explaining to her (then) 6 or 7 year old son that “Sue’s mom died, and now she doesn’t have any mom or dad,” he looked up at his mother and asked, “Does that mean that Sue’s an orphan now?” My mother’s death wasn’t unexpected and I had kept it together — up until then! No matter how old you are, that’s how you feel, isn’t it?
Sending love…
That’s it, Sue!💞
So good to see your post right now, Susan. Lot’s of troubles in our lives right now, so your posts give me hope.
mind how you go, YvonneJ
Sending love, hope, faith. Your mom and God address really not a far away as we think sometimes. Thank you for sharing with us. Joy is enhanced and sorrow is bearable when shared with friends! 💖
Dear Susan,
I was so sad to hear about your Mom’s passing. She sure was Mom to all of us. I loved
Your tales of her in all of your books and blogs. It is very difficult rite of passage when
We lose our Moms. But their spirits live on in the stories, the recipes, the holiday traditions, crafts, and all.
Can’t wait for the Christmas books to arrive–they look beautiful! I ordered one for my daughter-in-law and one for myself–two of your biggest fans! Thank you for brightening a
Rainy day with your blog! Prayers for your Mom and all your family.
Oh Susan I’m so sorry about your mum but she lives on in your heart and in your book bless her. I lost my dear mum last year in her 100th year: she was ready to leave this world and she needed to go but I miss her everyday. So I understand your feelings. She’s that bright star in the sky every night. Our parents never leave us xxxx
I am very sorry about your mom. I look forward to reading more about her in your book and am looking forward to getting my copy. I also ordered one for my MIL for her birthday. 🙂 And as much as I know 2020 has been awful, there have been many blessings in the year — graduations, new births in our family and for some of my friends, children going off to college for the first time (at least in my family). So I thank the Lord for each new day and the blessings that come even amongst the hard. Yes, incredibly hard for so many people. I can’t believe Jack is 10 years old. He is adorable!!! My kitty is 12 years old now — that also amazes me. I have enjoyed reading your post on a cool and rainy day here in the Midwest. Just wishing we could send the rain out west. 🙁 Blessings Susan!
Sending you a hug, Susan; so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a delight to read about and, obviously, loved you all so very much. I look forward to reading your Christmas book and remembering what a wonderful woman inspired it.
Susan and Family,
So very sorry about your Mom, you are all in my prayers and thoughts.
You are all so blessed to have had her with you so long and to have made all the wonderful memories that you’ve got and can share…
Blessings
Ruth
You didn’t lose your Mother. She is with you always just like she has been since they put you in her arms. She loved you then and she loves you now.
So sad to hear about your Mom, my Mom is 87 her birthday was on August 26th, and we had a nice party for her 6ft apart from each other! But the love was there so it was fine!! Love your posts! And artwork! Love Linda
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. I’m pretty sure she was a very special human being. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry you’ve lost your dear Mom, from this earth only. Moms are never “lost” are they. She’s with you always. I talk to my Mom every day, and appreciate her more each time. Such an amazing phenomenon, this connection that survives death. I just copied and pasted this (God has provided us with everything!):
During pregnancy, the placenta allows a small transfer of cells between mother and fetus — a phenomenon called microchimerism. Each of us is born with our mother’s genetically distinct cells inside us, and our mothers end up taking in cells of ours.
There is no doubt in my mind! ❣️😘
Thinking of you today as you miss your Mom (and I miss mine). Weren’t we both just the luckiest of girls to have had the Moms we had? And how nice (in its own way) to think they are pain free, burden free, happy go lucky girls again in Heaven now. Take good care of yourself. Sending love to you.
❤️
Well. That did me in. Why did that hit me so hard. I’m crying so hard I can’t see the screen. I feel like I knew your Mom because she reminded me so much of mine. I’m so so sorry for your loss. I don’t know how you are able to stay so positive. I have been trying so hard to stay positive and happy but somedays are just so hard. Thank you for all of the lovely inspiration and happy that you put into everything you do. Gotta go sit and stare out the window now and wait for the lump in my throat to subside.
Awwww Mary… you should see me reading all these comments. I’m a mess! 💝 I love us so much!❌⭕️
So much to process in this blog entry! Your mom goes on living forever with the angels. You have shared her with all of us xo
Your Christmas book will be such a treat this time of year!!!
Happy ‘Ber’ months Susan. Wise like your mama.
Sending you my heart hug from Maine. You are a blessing.
Thank you, Susan. Although we know we can’t replace your mom’s love, we are here to love you and try to fill the gaps.
You are Blessed beyond measure by sweet Memories of your Mom. Here in Western Pennsylvania, we too, are enjoying the long ( almost ) Fall evenings, just cool and breezy enough to discourage Mosquitoes but still comfortable with a little Wine and the Singing Insects Choir. This is a comfortable time between the heat and garden/lawn chores and the Crazy but delightful Holidays coming so fast. Yep! Time for Chili!
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet mom! Hugs to you ❤️
“If I had a flower for every time thought of you…I could walk in my own garden forever.”
Alfred Jennyon (on memories of his mother)
Susan: My deepest sympathy on your mother’s passing. Through you, we came to know a wise and lovely woman.
No matter how old you are, losing your mom is still hard. <3
I’m so sorry for your loss. I just burst into tears reading of your Mom’s passing. My Mom has been my biggest cheerleader in my life. I guess not being able to see my Mom during our current covid situation makes me very emotional about our Moms. The other thing I wanted to say was THANK YOU for your early Christmas present to the above listed charities. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to help others.
Dear Susan,
I lost my mom in 1972 when I was 19, and she was 49. My mom, like yours, was sweet and loving, and full of common sense and wisdom. I am who I am, today, because of her. She helped me to understand others, to think about the why of things, of life. She could be funny & silly, and I was lucky that in the short time she was my mom, I actually experienced a feeling of friendship with her, besides the mom/daughter relationship. She also really knew me, knew my strengths, and she validated them. She knew that I loved her.
I am saddened by your loss of your mom, however, I know that she lives on, forever, in your heart, just as my mom lives in mine! I found the following quote, and poem, soon after my mom passed away, and they brought me comfort. I would like to share them with you.
“Those who die, and dying still can love, still believe, do not die. They live still in the beloved.” D.H. Lawrence
Poem by Elaine V. Emans
She had a way
Of changing the color of a day
From gray
To a hue we preferred
Sometimes without a sign or a word
She stirred
Up blue-and-gold weather
Or all the rainbow tints together
But whether
The times were dark or fair
The beauty of it was that she was there
To share
Sending you, Joe & Jack much love!!! Enjoy the blue & gold of September!!! Barbara VV
So beautiful … “The beauty of it was that she was there…” xoxo
I am so very sorry for your loss of your mother Susan! 😢I have not had that experience yet and I am not looking forward to it but it may be soon because my mother is almost 93 now. I will be praying for you to not be suffering from her loss. She gave you a wonderful life as a wonderful mother. 💕I look forward to trying your recipes I have all of your books! I am awaiting the 2021 calendar at this point. Planning to order the Christmas book! Keep up all the things you do so well! Blessings, Sherri from Modesto
Aw, I am so sorry about your mom. But it sounds like you had a really great one! I hope my kids can say the same about me when I’m gone. Thanks for the post…really needed it today. 🙂
I am thinking of you as you honor your dear mother. Linda
Oh Susan! I cried when I read this. 🙁 Our Mom’s have given us so much and I am thinking what a loss it is for you to have her gone. I know your Mom is now in the arms of Jesus! Best place to be but I know you miss her. I love you, Susan, and I’ll cherish the little Christmas book all the more. Thank you for sharing and giving of yourself to us, girlfriends, every day!
xoxoxo
Lisa
Lovely seeing you in my email today
Waiting for my Christmas Book…It’s never too soon for Christmas
It will be a difficult year for you.
I’ve been there and I am still drifting through the Holidays. Remembering the Happy times
Susan, Whenever I see the sun shining and the wind blowing, I say inside my head and heart what Grandma always said under these weather conditions, “It’s a good day for hanging out.”
Thank you for your inspiring post, as always. But most of all, deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear mother. She is in heaven, as you said, and will always be in your heart, as you also said. I hope both of those thoughts bring you comfort. She must have loved you and been so proud of you as well. My prayers are with you and your family.
So very sorry about your precious mother, Susan. The anniversary of my mother’s death was this month. I completely understand needing time to process before talking about it. We never lose our memories and all of the wonderful things they taught us. They are ALWAYS in our hearts. 💕 Bridget
Oh Susan, my heart is saddened by the loss of your Mom. I love her quotes, recipes and all her hard work raising your family. Loved the stories of your Dad too. I thank you for sharing all your memories.
A Thing of Substance is just what I needed today. And, I brewed a cup of Bengal Spice Tea to enjoy while I read it! God Bless you as your heart heals from the loss of your mom.
Thank you!
Bless her heart. I wondered for a while now about her. I am glad you could be with her; it means so much to those who need the smallest thing at the end – just to have a loved one near and comforting. May God bless you dearly, Susan.
Sounds like you had wonderful Mom!! Which one you will
See again!! The promise we have.. Made God give you comfort…
❤️Dolly
Oh the Christmas Book!!! YAY!! Your mom is so proud, Susan, you know she is. I can’t wait to get it.
I cherish your calendars too — since 1993 (except the year there wasn’t one during which I suffered greatly from SB withdrawal). Thank you for your beautiful additions to our world.
Oh, sweet Sue & Joe,
Squeezes to both of you! It is so hard to lose our mamas. They are in heaven now and have taught us so much. Ours especially LOVED Christmas and did all they could possibly do to make each one super special.
I will think of your mommy and my mommy, when I read your Home for Christmas book.
God Bless your broken hearts,
Melin
Very sad about your mom. I’m glad you waited until you were ready to tell.
Oh, the taste of autumn! Here in central Georgia it is still doing 90s and 70s at night. I am hot all the time. Sometimes the 90s start in late April and last year it was through the end of October. A record was set for the longest amount of days in the 90s. But I can almost taste it! Those linens on the line were just dreamy! I could feel the cool breeze and the wonderful smell of line-dried laundry. The Tea House of the Autumn Moon is so special. You have such a beautiful place there. It’s as much a character as Jack almost in your sharing of your life, though of course a living thing is always more important. I should know, I have four cats and three dogs! I’d love to see a few inside pages of that new book!
I love reading your letters in my new home in Vancouver, Canada and then sharing it with my dear friend back home in Jackson, Tennessee. We love so many of the same things.
Pat 💙
Dear Susan~
Understand your pain…I lost my dear Mom this year too…
Understand your “never get over it…” quote…
Their love for us is a gift that never quits giving…
God keep you close to Him with a hugs wrapped with His love & peace.
Dear Susan,
Mothers are so special and so very important in our lives. Your Mother was super special and I appreciate your sharing her with us through your work and through yourself. Such a gift. Sending a hug your way.
Love and hugs to you. My Mom passed 35 years ago, and she has been with me every day. She was gracious and generous and kind, as you are. I hope she and your Mom get to say hello. Big, big hugs from smoky Oregon.
I first discovered your books in 1992 when I was pregnant with my first child and brought home “Christmas from the Heart of the Home.” I remember poring over it late at night while I was experiencing false labor and couldn’t sleep. I was so impressed by your stories of your mom and her big, beautiful family, how she gave you beautiful Christmases and filled your home with love. She was one of my inspirations over the years as we raised our family of “stairstep children.” (Five children in eight years.) She was a lovely women, a wonderful mom, and you were so lucky to grow up in her love.
Thrills me to my toes to hear that Laura Ann 💖 Thank you … xoxoxo
Consider it said. ❤️❤️❤️😢
I’m so sorry, Susan, that you lost the earthly treasure in your mom. Her impact is living on through you and for that, I am grateful!
Oh Susan,
So sorry for your loss (but not gone)….all your loving memories will stand you through the next months…from all you have written – there are a tons of them.
lots of xxxooo Stay safe and warm
Susan, Deepest sympathy about your Mom, and Clare is correct, you are perfect too! On another note, I have to tell you, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your table clothes, I several similar ones. A girl can never have too many of those tableclothes! And, lastly, your arbor, so aptly named, is so beautiful and I’d love to have one just like it! Lucky girl you are!
Hugggs from Iowa, where the drought has broken and we have had 3 beautiful days of soft rains, constant drizzle! LaDonn Jonsen
Dear Susan, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing away, it almost feels like we knew her too, through all your wonderful writing. Thank you for sharing her with us, and thanks for continuing to bring such light to us with your love for life & the little things, even more meaningful in in these dark times ❤️ Rebecca in Tidan, Sweden
Rebecca, so far away, it’s very nice to hear from you!💞
🎉Congratulations to all the lucky winners🎉
Snippy Doodle??!! And all these years I’ve thought my mom (born in 1910)
invented that little cake and its name! So glad to see it here, Susan.
Cinnamon-sugar blessings on you and your memories of your mom.
Susan, I am so sorry to hear about Pat. She was such a lovely woman when I worked with her at McDonnell Douglas from 1984 through 1989. She was always so proud of you and she is the one who got me started on your books and enjoying your artwork. I know how hard it is to lose your mother – I lost mine in 1986 and she is never far from my mind. I lost my husband in 2011 and life is never the same. Take care.
So nice to hear from you Peggy. Thank you for the sweet words.💞
So sorry about losing your Mom…it’s the hardest thing in the world. I knew something major had stopped you from writing the next book and totally understand why you chose to write this Xmas book instead. All the best to you this fall!
Hello Susan,
So sorry to read about your Mom’s passing. You have so many wonderful memories to hold on to. Sending cyber-hugs. XO Stay safe & well. ~C
I recently lost my mom too, it is a difficult thing to walk thru, and everyday I think of her. We are on the west coast with many many fires, a lot of them arson and it is not a good way to go thru Sept. Thank you for your happy words and lovely pictures, it helps a lot.
Snippy Doodle??!! And all these years, I’ve thought my mom (born in 1910, birthed me at 41) invented that little cake and its wonderful name. So glad to see it here, Susan. Cinnamon-sugared blessings on you and your memories of your special mom.
Sorry for your sadness. Heaven just keeps getting better…
So very sorry to hear about your mom. I know how heart broken you must feel.
Here’s a quote from Winnie the Pooh that came to mind.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”
Enjoy your beautiful fall weather….unheard of here in steamy frizzy hair making Florida…lol
Stay well.
Condolences on the loss of your Mother. Thank you for a wonderful blog and all the yummy fall recipes. “See” you on zoom, Sept. 20th.
I’m sorry for your loss, Susan. Now matter how you prepare, it’s still hard. Take care.
Oh Susan, I’m so sorry but isn’t it the best to have such grand memories to comfort you? She sounds like the most lovely Momma.
Xoxoxoxo right back to you
I’ll just say we were both so blessed to be blessed with our mums!
Thank you for this lovely break in a lovely Fall day – I’ve swept the porch, trimmed the plants and ready for my afternoon rest.
THANK YOU!
Sorry about your Mom. I’m so glad I ordered your Home for Christmas book. Can’t wait for your cards. You really know how to lift spirits. God speed!