Gotta say Rabbit-Rabbit first, because that’s a whole October of good luck for all of us which we will need if we ever hope to get through 2020 in one piece! Then must pass out the luv-lee MUSICA because it is in charge of lifting hearts ~ but, really my very first words to you this morning are
Yes, I do, so very much And you probably know why if you read the comments in my last blog post. “I hope the angels know what they 
have . . .” wrote our Girlfriend Annie in Sydney, Australia about my mom.😢 Dear, kind, loving words AND thoughts (because you knew I knew) from ALL of you, meant the world to me. Teary-eyed, I read every wonderful word. Then I went to my art table and painted that ⬆️ because I was thinking it the whole time I was reading. Big, tall, skinny, and watercolory, it had to fit on the page. This connection between us was what I felt even when writing my first book, and look at this, it happened!👏👏👏 So, a little gift for you, a small token of my great affection, I give you, The Sky . . 
Just like I label some of my photos by color, I have a huge number labeled “The Sky.” You can see why . . .
It’s one thing that follows us wherever we go and gifts us with works of art like no other. The orange on the water! Dark at the top, dark at the bottom, both moving toward the center and the light. And all free, a gift from God.
In this photo we’re driving across England. We pulled over and got out of the car for a deep breath of this soul-expanding open space that smelled of grass and freedom.
Delicate, soft, flittery, blue and lavender and peach … a calm sky that says Forever, adding Hope, Truth, and Beauty.
And this! Where the clouds are chasing the sun into the sea… a reminder that at some amazing moments in our lives, there is no better place ON EARTH for us to be . . .
Stormy skies at sea . . . a parting of the clouds, where the sea and the sky are like a bowl . . . and we were the toy boat floating in it… I love looking at these pictures and thinking about being here again! Lots of foreverness out in the Atlantic . . . you feel small and so so so so lucky.
This is moonrise over our harbor . . . rocking boats . . . lapping water . . . cry of gulls . . . smell of saltwater . . .
Streaks of white contrails made by water vapor from airplanes, turn to ice that slashes through this Scottish sky. (There’s a little checked-upon Morning Science for you!)
Green and pleasant land . . .
On our way to Boston, Storm and sunset made beautiful music together . . .
Sun peeks through the clouds . . . the last warm rays touching the water . . .
The Shenandoah is a wonderful addition to our harbor . . . see how the light touches on everything white and makes it glow? That’s what happens here sometimes as the sun goes down, especially wonderful against that dark sky.
Doris Day’s voice soars in my mind, 🎵 You sigh, a song begins, you speak and I hear violins, it’s magic . . .🎶
Pink halo over Stonehenge under the same sky since it was built 2500 years before the birth of Christ. And yes, we are a part of this.
This sky was right outside our kitchen door … Yes, Toto, in our very own back yard.
We pulled up to this rock wall for me to take a photo of this rainbow over Galway Bay in Ireland . . .
and snow flowers
The discussion here, driving from Colorado to Utah, was, “Look at that sky! Yikes! Is this the right way? Should we turn around?”
And just down at our own beach where we walk every day, water and sky, all pinky blue, if you were painting this scene you would also use blue when you painted the sand . . .
We get lots of gorgeous skies from our room with a view when we’re crossing the country by train . . . here at a Kansas crossroads . . . look at all those choices!
Rich colors of purple and orange, mixed with the wind and sound of the waves are beautiful together in this Menemsha sky.
Lambs tails . . . look at them all running away!
Sometimes the sunset in our rear view mirror grabs my attention . . . I never want to miss anything!
I almost missed this picture of the sun, it almost slipped away! We were just getting on the ferry to home . . . I had to take it right through the rigging, but I GOT it!👏 And now, to
Oh yes, and last night was the Harvest Moon, our sky, filled with moon which woke me up this morning when I caught it trying to break into our bedroom through the cracks in the curtains!
We can feel the summer going, but we are stretching it out as long as we can. The flaming candles in the “bug buckets” make it cozy. But time is passing, September is gone, we’re already wrapping ourselves in blankets when we sit out late … so we just did the MOST wonderful thing. I’m so excited!!! We finally broke down and ordered one of these:
Yes, we did. A fire pit! Look at it! Isn’t it cute? I can’t wait! It’s supposed to be delivered October 6th. More stars! More sky! Now that we finally did it, I don’t know what took us so long. We celebrated 31 years in our house last month ~ It deserves a little something new and hygge for good behavior.💞 
It comes with a screen and a poker … all for around $200, I think it will be TOTALLY worth it. Fire pits come in all sizes, 
shapes, and styles; HERE’S the one we chose. See the ring around the top? I hope that’s for our feet! I think I might light a fire on December 31🎉, bundle up, and take my 2020 calendar outside. I see myself scanning the sky for stars on the last night of the year, staring into the flames of a cozy wood fire, burrowing under my blanket, saying prayers to go up in the crackling sparks and smoke, as I toss the pages of 2020 into the fire and BURN IT UP, while praying for a peaceful, healthy, boring 2021 filled with hugs.💞 So MUCH to look forward to, holidays and decorating and cold weather and blue skies for all our West Coast Girlfriends . . . I just turned in the art for the cover of 2022! This is the year we think we’ll get to go back to England!
But of course that doesn’t stop us from finding magic in the here and now . . . it’s in us, and around us, no waiting required!
Our woods are turning gold, leaves dance like fairies in the trees, magic abounds this time of year! We dawdle here every day.
Cool wind and the smell of leaf mulch, Joe and I walk to the sea, do our Morning Science, and solve all the world’s problem . . . 
So exciting out there watching everything change, so much FREE stuff!🍂
Better than any florist ~ we bring it all home . . .
For the ultimate in a homemade happy life, don’t forget your health darling Girlfriends . . . make sure you are MOVING. Too 
many things can go wrong when we don’t! And our energy levels get so much better if we DO. This dampanic is making me fat ~ we got a little too good at lockdown around here (I mean what’s a donut in times of trouble, or two, or a bag of potato chips to soothe the spinning head? Tater-Tots and ice cream and peanut butter on toast to tranquilize the bewildered soul) ~ when the pants got uncomfortable, I decided to do something about it … will tell you in the next post!
I’m so glad you’re all getting your books! I’m receiving lots of cute photos like this one from our Girlfriend Cynthia. Looks like Santa’s traveling around the world early this year! For our UK Girlfriends, Amazon UK has the book now, and I’m hearing many nice things from our Girlfriends on Goodreads and Facebook. Thank you all so much … I love writing books for you!💞
And look at this photo I borrowed from Facebook posted by Karen K. . . she took a picture of our Titcombs virtual Tea Party! She’s in my kitchen and I’m in hers! Love Karen’s red!♥️🌹💄❗️📕🍎
Look at my homemade set up! Proving, no, I do not know what I am doing. But it all worked out, it was so much fun! I know not 
everyone was able to make it, so I’m going to do two more mask-free Sunday Teas this month! The first one will be via Zoom on Sunday, October 18, at 4 pm EST for Bookends Bookstore in Ridgewood, NJ … you can sign up HERE. Yes, there will be signed books and door prizes (Puzzles!)! The very next Sunday, October 25th, we’ll be hosted by the wonderful King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a Crowdcast event …. you can register HERE. It’s a great way to get out and about without leaving home! And where else can Girlfriends from Hawaii, England, Texas, and Australia all meet at the same time?
I know you’re probably not coming to every one of these events, but I do want to thank you for helping me support these lovely Independent Bookstores who need us all the time, but especially during these days of the Panic! These bookstores are a tradition, they’ve been serving communities 30 and 40 years! I’ve visited and fallen in love with them in real life … I can’t wait to go back someday in PERSON! Do you know that for every $100 you spend at an independently owned business, $68 will stay in the community? Keeping our small-business economy alive is part of what we need to do. I do love seeing the patriotism of dampanic as we get through this thing together, sea to shining sea.❤️
See what I have? A cricket singing in the kitchen.🎵 Yesterday, on the same day as full moon and rabbit-rabbit, making October a red-letter month already!
Is this quilt cute or is this quilt cute? Do you love it? Well, so 
do I! But I think I will love it even more if it somehow ends up getting a new home! Maybe yours! What do you think of that? A new giveaway as a special thank you and extra connection for all we are to each other ~ all aired-out and ready to go! I found it in an antique store many years ago. I don’t know the name of the pattern, and it’s not signed, but it was obviously made by someone with a joyful heart!💖 You know what to do, leave a little comment so you’ll be entered in the drawing.💝
Yes, we do . . . so maybe even something more? Make my life a little happier? 🎄 Why NOT?
So if you were at the Titcombs Tea Party event, or have had a chance to read Home for Christmas, you know my book was partly inspired by this little book called Once on Christmas, published in 1938, which I found a long time ago in a used bookstore and mostly used each year at Christmas. It looked adorable on the coffee table in front of the fire. But it gained new meaning the afternoon I read it out loud to my two young nieces.
It’s a sweet little memory of Christmas at the turn of the century…❤️
… illustrated with charming line drawings by Lois Lenski.
A book made extra special because it’s out of print, and the vintage ones have become very hard to find.
But, and you know what I’m going to say! We did it! We found one. And now, drum roll, this little book will be going off to one of you!💖 At the bottom of this post you’ll see a whole bunch of tiny words in grey letters, and at the end, the word “comment.” That’s what you click on to leave one. I love reading them, and I often comment on your comments! But something tells me this might be a busy giveaway, please forgive me if I don’t get to comment . . . I’ll be reading though!❤️
We just found out they don’t want the kids to Trick-or-Treat here on the island this year. I was hoping, masks seemed so perfect for this time of year. But no. But that doesn’t mean we can’t decorate and be festive and lift the hearts of others with some pumpkins on the porch!
Or in the garden . . .
They make so many cute ones these days!🤣
They look good on the fridge . . .
And over the front door . . .
Or on the kitchen table . . .
Because it’s that time of year, and no dampanic can tell us what to do with our pumpkins!
I’ll tell you about the new fire pit in the next post, with pictures! I have a new recipe for you too, all kinds of good things, but I’ve gone on long enough. Remember to leave a comment if you want to be entered in the drawing. No matter HOW many comments we get, you’ll still have a better chance of winning than by playing the Lottery! Plus, no numbers, and no money!💝
Love forever, your pal for life . . . 💖 
I’ll leave you with THIS . . . 💝
Love seeing your lovely walks to the sea. I’d love to be breathing some clean sea air and watch the waves. What a wonderful place to call home.
What a wonderful way to end my day: snuggled in bed with the winter comforter on, watching all your glorious sky pictures, ending with pumpkins! Would have loved a cup of tea in my SB Pumpkin Head mug but then I’d be up all night! Many thanks for helping me to NOT loose faith in our crazy world. “Thank you” just never seems adequate to say for all you do to feed our aching souls. Nature, family & friends and home are all we ever need in life. You point that out every chance you get and for that I am always a Grateful Girlfriend.
I’m with you Susan. I don’t understand not allowing trick or treating. Just got the Santa book. Can’t wait to read it!
Thank~you, Susan, for uplifting our spirits by your words and art. I always look forward to your monthly newsletter. Received “Home for Christmas” in the mail and I’m savoring every page.
Love it! Such a beautiful quilt!
Hi Susan
So sorry about your mom. It is always so difficult. Hugs to you! On a Happy Note, love fall here in upstate NY, we were at beautiful Letchworth State Park and enjoyed our lunch at the Glen Iris Inn overlooking the falls. Lovely, if you are ever in upstate NY great place to visit.
Thank you for all your great blog posts.
Anita
Oh my gosh, I laughed out loud when I saw the picture of Jack looking out the window at the pumpkins! Very Hitchcock kind of photo, perfect for Halloween!
Thank you for all your positivity Susan, very uplifting!
When reading this post I came to an immediate halt at the Lois Lenski drawings. They took me way back to my childhood and reading Strawberry Girl and The Little Engine That Could. Thank you so much for the very fond memories and of the charming drawings of this talented illustrator and artist.
Dear Susan, I loved your Christmas book, can’t wait to decorate with it in December. Okay is the pen present a real story? So sweet. ❤️Debby
Dear Susan, when I go to your shopping section, I can’t find “vintage finds” I am so looking forward to your online garage sale. Am I looking in the wrong place? Thanks Debby
I think you will love your new firepit. Contained and tamed fire is so mesmerizing, I think all humans love it.
Thank you for all the beautiful photos.
Another blissful & blue, tranquil & lovely post. Thank you for bringing us a sense of calm during this crazy time.
Hi Susan! What lovely gifts you are giving away this October. My birth month, so always my favorite, and now it has also become the anniversary of moving to Oregon, where I am so happy to be riding out the damnpanic in beautiful Ashland. Where a BEAR has been using our front lawn as its bathroom! Once a week, on trash night! A BEAR!!! What a thrill to host him/her, happily on the other side of sturdy walls built in 1897. Thanks as always for all the pretty words and pretty pictures and soothing thoughts. Stay safe and healthy, all treats and no tricks!
Happy October. I was listening to the “Beatles Live at the Hollywood Bowl” last week and I’m sure I heard you and Karen screaming!
Happy
I already have pumpkins out, my VOTE postcards ready to mail, and have read your Christmas story …just for me! Thanks a million…
Just love your darling posts! I took a photo of our orange moon last evening but it was orange due to the Napa Fires! I sent a copy to my nephew and his wife who had a baby boy in Salem, Massachusetts yesterday stating we get to look at the same moon no matter where we are and wish I could transport myself to see the baby. So many joyous occasions we are missing out on! Here’s to getting some “ normalcy “ in 2021! Stay well.
I’m so sorry about your mum. Today in the Catholic world is “ Feast of Guardian Angel’s “, your mummy is an extra guardian angel for you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Oh my, that quilt is pretty. I love all the pictures of the beautiful skies and I’ve copied out several quotes from this post. I love your positivity.
What an exciting giveaway. Love the quilt and the book is so lovely.
I was so excited to get your new Christmas book. We are just about the same age and I could so relate to so many things you did when young. My only part different was that I was an only child! I so often wished I would have had a brother or sister. My Mom didn’t work outside the home or drive a car so we spent so much time together. She was the best friend I could ever have had. She sewed so many doll clothes for my dolls. She made a bride’s dress for my Toni doll.(still have it as a treasured keepsake.) I also had a Tiny Tears doll and a Ginny doll as I got alittle older. Sometimes I wish for older times for today’s children as they have Barbie”s, Ken’s and so many “grown up” type dolls to play with and miss out on the imagination you could create in one’s mind as you played with our “old dolls.” Thanks so much for writing your book…it will add to my Christmas memories for years to come.
Susan, Such beautiful sky pictures! I like the way you organize and categorize your pictures. What a brilliant idea! Maybe someday I’ll get around to doing that also. We, too, here in Michigan are enjoying the crisp air and beautiful autumn colors. For me the magic of autumn never gets old. Speaking of “old” – what a pretty quilt. Speaking of weight gain, we have added on a few pounds ourselves. Funny how that happens. 🤷🏼♀️ I always enjoy your posts. They are always so warm and “homey”. Hope you have a great weekend.😊
Thank you for the smiles. I’m afraid I have been feeling rather “dumpy” lately. It’s not quite being depressed but not happy either. Calgon, take me away….remember that old commercial?
I love your blog but my favorite parts are the wonderful quotes! Some I’ve read before but so many of them are new to me and I would have missed them if not for you. Thanks.😊
I enjoyed the virtual tea so much!! The photos in this blog were fabulous! Thank you!
Love your photos! Your September and October looks so different from ours here in Arizona. I love your colors of Fall so much. I look forward to seeing your new fire pit. Stay safe and well. Best wishes for a lovely Autumn season.
Beautiful pictures! I loved them all. We get some pretty sky portraits here in the Pacific Northwest too. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your uplifting and glorious photos and happy messages! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Lovely pictures! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love reading your blog….u bring peace to a hectic ,crazy world.
Looks like that book might have been illustrated by Lois Lenski… you’ll have to tell me if I’m right!
Susan:
You lift my heart and bring me so much joy! I can’t tell you how inspirational you are. Keep up the good work as you are touching all of our hearts.
Susan,
I always look forward to your emails. You made me realize that I am taking the sky for granted. Thank you for reminding us to appreciate nature in every season.
MJ
I’ve never seen the word dawdle in print before. I love fall, all the pretty pumpkins and Halloween. So sorry about your Mom. I lost mine in 2016. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Love the quilt . My grandma made the same one for me as little girl but I don’t know where it ended up
Your blog always comes at the perfect time♥️ I love all the sky photos, truly amazing. Your new fire pit is the cutest I’ve ever seen. I can see you & Joe all wrapped up on a chilly evening enjoying it. A good October to you♥️
Your blog has brightened many a dampanic day. Thank you, dear Susan!
Happy October and hello from Northern California
I’ve always thought that the skies are an ever-changing canvass for creativity. I love little warty pumpkins. The photo of Jack looking out over the picket-fenced garden is perfection. It would make a great card! In fact, most of your photos could be made into blank greeting card sets. Your trusty-dusty camera and your appreciative observations make great partners. Thanks for sharing nature through your keen eyes.
BOO back to you!
Your blog came into my inbox this afternoon but I waited until tonight to sit down and savor it, just what I needed after a day of clearing out my mom’s house (we lost Mom in June). So many memories and feelings to process. It really helped to take a few minutes tonight to read about your world and look at your wonderful photos and art. Thank you!
Just what I needed before I’m off to sleep—reading your blog! Tomorrow I’ll start putting out the Halloweenies. Have a new small wire mesh witch hat and tiny lights to put inside. Maybe on my kitchen windowsill? Always love seeing yours. Thank you, dear Susan, for calming me down during this troubling week.
Love from Michigan.
Good Morning Susan,
I couldn’t sleep, worrying about too many things, and so here I am so grateful for your new blog post at this wee hour of the morning. Thank you for the reminder that there will always be blue skies ahead.
The flower basket quilt is so cheery, especially its bright colors and flower basket theme. It reminds me of a hexagon quilt idea that I just saw on Pinterest yesterday where all the hexagons are embroidered with various embroidery “doodles”. I’ve made and given away two hexagon quilts in the past but now I’m tempted to make a third using this idea. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw your quilt and so thank you for reminding me of it.
Love “moodling”, and in fact, perhaps I need a little moodling right now to help me fall back to sleep.
Goodnight and sweet dreams,
Franny R
Hi Susan! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the sky photos!!!! And I also love the quilt and the sweet little vintage Christmas book. I have been a Lois Lenski fan for years (I taught kindergarten for 30 years and loved reading books with her illustrations to the children)! Happy October!!!
Susan
Seeing your glorious pictures makes me wish my Grandmother Marguerite Ballard Wilson was still alive. If so, I would bundle her into my car, take her to the airport and fly to Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy an October week of beauty. She was a writer who wrote a Sunday column, “Country Garden Gossip” and other pieces and poetry for the Kansas City Times and Star when there used to be morning and evening newspapers in the 1950s and 1960s. Her column was based upon her lovely lawns where she planted thousands of bulbs and where a long row of tall, old fashioned lilacs and another long row of forsythia graced the north and south sides of my grandfather’s perfectly manicured croquet court. Small flowering gardens were planted in each nook and cranny around her home. A half acre of vegetable garden that she and my grandfather planted each year provided food enough to enjoy during the summer and to can for the winter months. Her home was filled with beautiful antiques. She appliqued and hand quilted 5 quilts, one for each of her 5 daughters to inherit. Her quilting frame was in a west window and the afternoon light helped her make tiny, perfect stitches. She was a fabulous cook; why didn’t I ever ask her to teach me how to make her chicken and noodles? When I visited my 5-miles away grandparents in the winter, there would always be a wood fire in the fireplace which was crowned by a white mantle decorated with blue glass antique pieces and a hand-stitched picture of a ship with a white sail on a deep blue sea in a pine frame which was a gift made by one of her daughters. The house was silent except for the ticking of the mantle clock and conversation filled with laughter. My grandmother lived a life that in some ways seems to me similar to yours Susan, peaceful, hard-working, beautiful, creative and loving.
Lovely quilt and adorable little book ! Just had to throw my comment in for a
chance to win. Also, I received your Christmas book but holding out for a wintry
day to enjoy it (hopefully by some time in November; here in southern
CA, summer is taking it’s sweet time moving out). In the meantime, Happy
October. Thinking I need to go in pursuit of a pumpkin or two to welcome this
new month 🙂
Can’t believe you didn’t add a picture of the little upstairs ghost! Happy harvest, happy festival, happy halloween, happiest of fall!
Such a joyful welcome to escape into your world for a while and return to mine feeling encouraged and refreshed with a heart of gratitude for your generosity in sharing all that you do. A wee bit of refuge, thank you.
What glorious skies!! Cannot thank you enough for all of them. I even saw a rainbow here this week, and the sunsets have been so beautiful lately. Thank you for bringing all this light, beauty, color and hope into this crazy world. 🙏🏻🌻🍁🎃
I loooove every one of your posts, Susan. You brighten my life every time I get your newsletter! Blessings to you and Joe!
Dear Sue,
The sky pictures! Perfect for October’s bright blue weather. I love to look at the worlds that are in the sky, my mother always loved looking at the sky and she would sit outside with all of us kids and tell us stories of those magic places behind the clouds. Thank you for this lovely post.
Love to you and Joe and Jack,
Lillian O.
Love all the photos of the beautiful sunsets and skies on your travels. Also love the pumpkins!
Just received your Christmas book in the mail today and can’t wait to read it.
Glad you are all happy and well in these crazy times. Good to see Jack doing well too! My seventeen year old kitty was ill last week but is doing well now.
Wishing you a great Autumn and enjoy that adorable fire pit!!
Hi Lisa, how’s that Diana sweater of yours?
*Please do not enter me in this lovely and generous contest*
Hi Carrie,
I can’t believe you remember that!
I haven’t worn it in so long as it’s so warm here in Southern California! But I treasure it always as it reminds me of Diana and also of my dear Dad who bought it for me.
OMG, Susan! I hope you don’t burn your Heart of the Home calendars at the end of the year! Santa has brought me one of those calendars each year since 2015. They’re all marked with things I did in those years. It’s so fun to go back and see the fun stuff I did in years past. This year’s calendar only has one fun thing- a family cruise back in January, but the rest of the calendar is so beautiful, I couldn’t get rid of it, no matter how bad the year. When I went to count my calendars I found a bunch of other calendars from various years. Perhaps I’ll burn one of those and pretend it’s from 2020… I think Santa might be bringing a Heart of the Home calendar to me again this year. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 thank you for your posts, the skies are beautiful in this one! Teri V
You are such a kind and generous spirit. ♥ I needed this today♥ You make your mother proud.
I just love reading your blog, you have such an uplifting personality and I must say I need some uplifting! I am a blogger from Corbett, Oregon in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Have a wonderful weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa 🙂
What would we girlfriends do without you. Thank you for beautifully lifting up our moods and making us all know that, yes, MAGIC is in the MOMENT, and helping us along our paths keeping us spunky like we need to be. Am making your Christmas book a part of my Christmas list and will treasure it.
What a sweet lovely message….all those skies! All that positiveness….thanks so much. I would love to see Lois Lenski’s drawings. As a children’s librarian (retired) I have seen many of her books, but not the Christmas one…..xoxox
The black cat and pumpkins are “Purr-fect!”
Today, I put my fall wreath on the front door. I have a few little pumpkins, and yes, there is candy corn and candy pumpkins in the candy jar! Tomorrow, I think I will get out the box of Halloween decorations (Yes, I am down to one box; last year I gave a lot to the nearby elementary school. The teachers usually buy their own decorations–they were thrilled to get free ones!) Since my “baby” is 35yo and over 6 ft. tall, I don’t think I need quite as much, anymore!
Happy Fall, October, All Hallows’ Eve, etc.
love your blog, Sue b
First, I just wanted to tell you I just received my Christmas book and LOVE IT! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for posting this wonderful, inspiring blog. It brightens even the gloomiest of days! 🥰
Your blog came at just the right time. Thank you . It was so positive and uplifting, it made my day. I always look forward to reading your blog. I feel connected to the world and to you. Please stay safe! We will get through this dampening. Thanks for the new word to describe what we are all experiencing in 2020. It’s perfect!!!
What an adorable little book! I love the illustrations by Lois Lenski. Their simplicity really touches your heart! How wonderful to offer us a fun give away!
Thank you!
I am taking the weekend to decorate the house for fall and to bring the beauty of the season inside! We have had a destructive year of forest fires very close to home and throughout our beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. We pray for all the fires to be out soon as well as Californias.
Thank you for a wonderful read and the lovely music that accompanied this letter!
Home for Christmas was pure delight to read!!! Sat in my 1850 rocker with a cozy blanket and read the afternoon of lockdown, fire, and weariness away. Far, far away. To laugh out loud was delectable! Oh, pure joy. Thank you Susan!
My heart was longing for a Susan Branch blog post this week!! I didn’t even think about it being the beginning of the month. I just realized, when I let out such a contented sigh, that my soul was absolutely famished for this heaping helping of happiness! Thank you so much, Susan!! <3
Loved the gallery of sky photos x
Thank you for making us feel better, Susan.
Love you, too.
I opened up the package with your Christmas book in it today and it’s so perfect. Every Christmas, along with the ornaments and everything else, I bring out a few favorite Christmas-themed books I’ve had ‘forever’ including some of those old IDEALS magazine-style issues which date from the late 1950s/early 1960s and, I’m tell’in ya, they are all as special to re-read and gaze upon again as looking through old, treasured photos. Memories, memories. Now, your Home for Christmas book joins them. Thanks, Susan!
Every night I check if you have a new post what a treat to get this today, boy did we all need it! Love from another Southern California girl
I just love reading your posts. It is way late at night right now, but I thought as I laid down, “I wonder if there is a new post”!? And there was!! Yay!! I always enjoy them so much!! Thank you for such happy reading!!
Wendy Zenor
I always love to read your posts! I had a bad day at work today, came home and brought coffee and toast to the computer for a little relaxation….just to tune out from everyday life for a while . And I found your lovely blog post in my inbox – hooray !! Just the thing !- I so enjoyed seeing all the different photographs of the sky – a timely reminder that I am only but a small minute part of this wonderful great big world ! You always seem to find such lovely words to add – a sentence or paragraph written from song lyrics or a notable person which resonate so well with so many of us, such pretty watercolour pictures, absolute eye candy !!! I love to have sneak peeks into your house – such inspiration ! I loved seeing the little autumn leaves strung across your window, and the simple arrangement of flowers collected on your walk, so cheerful and bright. Thanks for making me feel whole again !
I love to watch the sky. I usually say if someone painted that sky you would think it’s so pretty but not realistic. God is the ultimate painter.
That quilt just lifted my spirits!!❤️ 2021 can’t get here too soon for me. I think every appliance went bad this year plus furnace and air conditioner but inbetween came your blogs. Thanks
Dearest Susan, My heart is heavy for the loss of your mom. As long as you are remember her, she will be with you, living, forever in your heart.
I can’t express how much your writing, art and photos comfort me. My husband had a mastectomy for breast cancer this year. He is not well enough to ever receive chemo, but he did undergo radiation. I just pray we vanquished the cancer.
Thank you again for sharing your creative gifts with the rest of us. They are a treasure in these turbulent times. We love you too!
Catherine L.
Good works of art
Please add my name to your competition to win your gorgeous Christmas book.
I discovered your three biographies, or should I call them “life stories”?, at my local library here in Tauranga New Zealand. I have been enchanted by your blogs and newsletters ever since. They warm my soul especially in this dampanic year! They inspire me so much for I love to write about the heartwarming simple things of life, just as you do. Oh, I so wish I could paint such whimsy to illustrate my ramblings. Im learning though – your paintings inspire me to keep trying. That’s what life is all about though, isn’t it? At least the dampanic has given me time and permission to play!
Thank you. I adored the sky pics. And I adore that little Christmas book Also. Would love a chance to win. Hugs. Thanks. Peace
Autumn, a book and a quilt – wonderful! Autumn, an old quilt, and an old book – even better!
Your sky photographs brought my lovely mother-in-law to mind. Twenty years ago when she died in Australia, we were visiting friends in the furthest reaches of Scotland. The long, exhausting trip home with a two year old and another who was six, ended as we flew into Brisbane as the sun rose. Every cloud was edged in sunlit gold loveliness. Her name, devoid of any middle name, was simply, Dawn, and that arrival was a poignant, perfect moment.
Happy Autumn! So thankful for you!
Happy Autumn! Thankful for you!
Beautiful Susan to cheer us up in this scary time xx
Susan, I love Jack looking out your window at the pumpkins! This is their month after all. Thank you for a chance at your giveaways. Love all the sky pictures too!
So many skies to uplift us Susan, just beautiful. Sending you best wishes from a rainy Wales. Xx
I do.love positivity and you provide it in spadesand shovel fulbs. Thank you Susan.
Dear Susan,
I am always happy when I check your website and there is a new blog. I love the photos, quotes, and vintage musica. What a lift in this exhausting time! So thank you from another island (Whidbey — 30 miles north of Seattle). And may 2021 bring us all TRUTH and beauty. God Bless, Jackie Hovick
I really look forward to your posts. Thankyou. Autumn is my favorite season and my cottage is decorated accordingly. My garden is getting more beautiful every day but it does need sweeping. It seems that the season is progressing at exactly the same rate in England and where you are. The Crafty Rabbit.
I absolutely loved Home for Christmas! It brought back so many memories. It is such a moving tribute to your wonderful mom. Her spirit filled the entire book. Your special relationship shone through. My heart ached for both of you that you’ve been separated, but you will obviously always be together in spirit!
PS Could you please write a sequel to Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams (which I have read several times)? The first time I read it in one day on Mother’s Day when I received it as a gift – which I had requested, of course! I am dying to hear all the details of buying your house and how you adjusted to success!
Thank you for another lovely Blog post! I love the Autumn colours.
Thank you for your uplifting blog. We can all use your message during this “dampanic”.
Your sky pictures are beautiful. Nature spoils us!
Loved the new book! Every bit of it reminded me of our Christmas celebrations. Nine of us kiddos and mom and dad, grandmas and aunts and uncles and cousins. The same meal and the same excitement. Remember getting my Tiny Tears doll with her wardrobe. All those years ago…
All I was thinking was that the sky’s the limit! So many great pictures of different skies, so many moods, so many colors, so vast, an umbrella that covers us all. What a great way to start my day! Thank you ❤️
I enjoyed this post so much ! Love the inspiring quotes and beautiful pictures. Wishing you a happy Fall !
Your blog is just what I needed! Thank you for the walk through your wonderful life and Thank You for keeping the spirit of October alive its a time of year like no other ❤️
Thank you, Susan, for all the beautiful skies. Over England and over America.
Bless you and all of us.
Love,
EJC
fall – yes the best time of the year.
Pumpkins at the farm market today and mums from a different one tomorrow.
all is well, all will be well, all will always be well
life is good
Marcia in Sewell, NJ
**wonderful facebook group in my community “Buy Nothing”. Items no longer needed, take a picture, post on the FB page, and wait for response. I have given away crystal, bathroom decorations, porcelain birds, among other things. Happy to give to someone who actually needs/wants it.
Dear Susan,
Yes that blue sky is so beautiful! My dear daddy is up in heaven, and every evening I look up to the stars( there’s always one big bright star up there) and think of him. Yesterday we had a rainbow, Gods grace! Autumn is so heerlijk:) very nice. In the mornings I walk to school with my 2 youngest boys, a lovely walk I smell the leaves and the grass! And getting new energy for the day with a pile of laundry:)
Lots of love from Willemien, o yes
I almost forgot: at the end of October we’re getting a Puppy!!, a Boerenfox dog not to big, brown and white. :):) I’ll have to get a name for her… still thinking…
Lots of love XOXOXO
I love skies too, in Scotland recently they were spectacular and we just had to keep pulling over for photographs!
I’ve just clicked to join the Zoom on Oct 18th, but I think the set up to buy a book for a ticket would not include the cost of shipping to the UK, and I don’t want to take profit from the shop, so I will wish you well and hope the event goes well for everyone involved.
Stay safe over there!
Love from England.
Perfect ending to a beautiful blog! Thank you . Looking forward to more zoom readings 🙂 Chris
Love your decorations! Fall is my favorite time of year but I think I like yours better than mine because yours seems to last a little longer! We had snow here yesterday where we are, tucked away in a little remote corner of Michigan. But my pumpkins are out and my witches and cats are scattered around the house and I am loving it. Thank you so much for your upbeat words – they are much appreciated during this trying time!
I had a RED letter day today! I ALWAYS loovk forward to your blog but you can imagine my surprise when I saw a picture of MY red kitchen mentioned in your blog! You have inspired me since I first found your “Heart of the Home” cookbook in 1986. I’ve been a huge fan ever since. I loved your sweet Christmas book and vivid memories of a time long ago. I can only say that because I also grew up in the 50’s. I’m really looking forward to decorating for the holidays this year. EVERYONE deserves a VERY special Christmas this year. Thank you for being you and providing such joy and positivity during this unsettling time. All the best to you and Joe!
Same to you Karen! Wonderful photo! Thanks for sending it!
Hi Susan,
I love the Christmas book. I read it all one evening, before the last zoom tea party, which I attended. I would love any of your free giveaways. Thank you. I am most excited by the new pen pal post on FOSB. Great way to make friends with people of common interests. I am having a hard time purchasing on your site, and also leaving comments. Not sure why? Hope this one goes thru.
I woke early this morning, 3:00 am, decided to get up and read. When I saw a Susan Branch email, I got so excited, coffee and a great read!!! The skies filled me with reflection, so many skies I have seen and remember their stories, a trip to an Amish Town and the very dark evening skies with thousands of sparkling stars, took my breath away. Had to stop the car and get out and soak it all in. Fall cloudy sunny day skies always bring me memories of my friend’s passing, I so remember the sky that day. A delight your morning read has been. And did I mention “The Little Red Book” I received, it has brought evenings of fun, laughter and great memories. Read a couple pages to my husband last evening, brought fun memories back to our days of youth. Can’t wait for my next read to hear about your fire pit, evening stars and cozy warm blankets. I’ll cuddle up under a warm blanket with Apple Cedar and enjoy yet another great read. Can’t wait!
Your sky photos are stunning :). Last night we had a full moon here hanging low in the evening sky…..just beautiful.
I love quilts…..they have such a comfy, tactile quality. Until recently, it’s been a huge joy to take practically every one I’ve made, to children being rescued out of very poor conditions in East Africa so they have something that is made and given with love that belongs to them. Now, ( because we can’t travel), I’m continuing to work through making them for my grandchildren.
How sweet are Lois Lensky’s illustrations? I would recognise her drawing style anywhere and a Christmas book illustrated by her is an extra bonus.
Your fire pit looks like a lot of fun and I expect you’ll enjoy many nights toasting your toes and other goodies around it. Have fun!
Hi Susan
You have CAPTURED your LIFE through the lens how beautiful! So we our into October and every October 1st my daughter and I recite October’s Party by George Cooper together. She learned it in 3rd grade. Annual fun thing we do every October. Enjoy the chill in the air, hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, friends, and good conversation. Listen to the crunching of the leaves when you are on your walks. Enjoy October make it a party!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful sky pictures. Wishing you a wonderful Autumn and lots of photo ops with your new fire pit. Enjoy!
Another lovely post – photos and your sentiments on life and loving and giving. I always enjoy the inspiration of your writings.