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 . . . 💝
And we love you too Susan!!From all parts of the world!
Your photos make me so homesick for Martha’s Vineyard.
Hello Susan,
Your posts are so lovely, and feel like a warm hug from an oh so special friend.
Thank-you so much for the love, so very needed during these topsy turvy times, your kindness and generosity, so very welcome.
Please know our love is winging it’s way to you on those fluffy clouds, they are angels wings in that boundless blue heaven. Hope you are already starting to make wonderful memories with your new firepit, you can enjoy the moon and stars whenever you want. xoxo
Hi Susan,
Happy Autumn❣️ My favorite time of the year. Love to read your blogs. They make me feel like a ray of sunshine is always shining for us. Don’t forget that this year we get a blue moon on October 31!! How great that would have been to be trick or treating this year with a full moon. But I’ll sit in the backyard gazing at it eating that bag of candy! Take care.
Good Morning Susan
What a fabulous post with the most beautiful skies* I enjoyed that. Did you end up getting the cricket? my daughter just found one in her bedroom. Happy Anniversary of living in your gorgeous home* 31 years is a long time. We have only lived here 22 years. You will LOVE having a firepit*
love all the pumpkins, the squirrels took huge bites out of mine the second I put them on the front porch steps, now they don’t look so pretty anymore
have a great Sunday Susan
deezie
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Always excited for your posts!!! The sky pictures are absolutely breathtaking. Love looking up to see how wonderful the view is. Thank you as always for sharing your life with us. I always feel cozy after reading!!
Just received two gifts to myself from you – A Fairy Tale Girl AND MV Isle of Dreams. And I too have made a cozy corner upstairs in my little 1800’s farmhouse in CT, where I shall spend hours slowly savoring the deliciousness of your books over the hunkering down we call winter! Sometimes we just have to stretch the budget a bit and treat ourselves to something very special, and your books are some of the most special things I could give to myself. So thank you for helping us all along on our journeys. Your words, pictures, and drawings lift our spirits as well as the corners of our mouths into smiles when we slip into that delightful time when you share yourself with us. And yes, please, an entry into your fishbowl would be appreciated!
Dear Susan,
On Saturday, at 3:00 in the morning, I was writing in my journal that I “needed” beauty, nature, animals, earth, sea, and sky. Then I received your post! You gave me all of that plus rainbows, stars, sun, and moon! It was crazy coincidental. I’ve heard a true artist is someone who sees things others do not. You certainly belong in this elite group of artists. Thank you for sharing your lamb tail clouds and lighthouse-reflected water. By the way, your pictures are stunning! Would you mind sharing what camera you use?
Yes, thank you Stephanie💞 … it’s a Canon, probably 8-10 years old, EOS Rebel T6i…
Loved the post, thank you for being here. Life is so strange right now – – day of week?? Schedules?? I finally quit worrying about those things and decided to live one day at a time and find beauty in the day here at home – – knowing that God has a plan and trusting Him. I am striving to do what I can, where I am, with what I have. Just don’t ask me what day it is lol.
While our story is not the same, “Home for Christmas” evoked happy memories of my own childhood. I know they were not all easy days, but it was a less complicated time. I can certainly relate to heading out the door in the morning and playing until supper time.
I also love clouds and collect photos of them. Your photos are so lovely!
As always, thank you for your gift of words and watercolors for the world!
Susan, you are the Queen of Free Delights! Thanks for helping us all slow down to notice. As I once told my husband (after sex!)– “And just think, it’s all free and legal!” 😉
That post was super fantastic, ( they’re always fantastic, this one was even more) thank you.
Divine!
Those sky photos! Oh my! I too am always looking at the sky. Thanks for sharing.
October 21st will mark the fifth anniversary of my mom’s passing. It still hurts, but each year that passes is a tiny bit more manageable.
I love that quilt, it’s so original. Never seen one like it. Would love to own it.☺ Yours is the blog I always love to read. I admire you, and you inspire me to do better. Thank you for keeping up this blog and all the amazing things you do. Happy fall with your new fire pit!
What a beautiful beautiful post! It warmed my heart. ❤️
I feel uplifted by every post! So. much beautiful artwork, encouraging words and quotes. Thank you for sharing all of your gifts💕
Again, thank you so very much for this blog. I always find it hopeful and encouraging… reminding us all to PAUSE to see the important things on this earth — the sky, the small creatures of nature, the sea, and more things of beauty. As you know, the little things are really the big things! Happy Autumn to you!
Have been a reader of yours for many decades now. Your work has always been a wonderful source of optimism, and is especially important at this time in our history.
We love you, too! ❤️
What a lovely blogpost. The day always gets better when I find there’s a new one! It’s pouring with rain here in the U.K, so those photos of glorious skies were just the ticket. Thank you. Much love Pennyxx
Susan, your photos of sunsets are truly lovely! Your post is so heartwarming and one can’t help but be uplifted. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your enchanting world!
Such beautiful photos. We’re fixing up a little spot in our garden that is hidden by bushes and flowers. A secret place to relax and dream. A fire pit would go great there. Thanks for uplifting us once again!
Every month I look forward to receiving your newsletter. It always cheers my heart and brings a smile to my face seeing your “shadow” hanging out with you. So many things in your pictures, recipes, and appreciation for our past just remind me of my happy childhood. My mom passed away in August and as you know, even though you realize the loss will come, it doesn’t make it any easier. Your August pictures of tablecloths drying on the line really touched my heart as my mom loved to hang things outside. This month, the Eskimo Legend struck a wonderful note in my heart and I will pass this onto my grandkids! Thanks so much for calm in the storm of life. I know we will make it past 2020 and I am thankful for the your inspiring thoughts each month.
I loved reading all your books and look forward to The Christmas Book. When I read your emails, I feel that we are kindred spirits. I am an artist also and appreciate all the beauty in nature. Wish there were more people like you in the world.😊🤗
There are so many💝, and a lot of them are leaving comments right here!👏👏👏 Thank you Jackie!
I love that quilt! I don’t see how you can part with it! That book is darling as well. Fingers crossed and thank you for being so generous. God bless.
Dear Kind Susan,
Reading your newsletter is the perfect start to my day! Thank you for all the lovely sunsets images, moving quotes, sweet art work and a big chunk of “Susan-tude” (that’s Susan attitude, and I’m hoping my iPad won’t change it to rude! That auto correct is often so wrong! Ha!)
You always inspire me and lead me to the bright side of things!
Happy day!
I loved the tea with you at Titcombs. I’m still waiting for the Christmas Book and know it will arrive soon. My mother loved Gladys Tabor and I have 13 of her books as they are m remembrance of her. Through you I learned of the Gladys Tabor Society and have joined.
Thank you for all you do to make our days happy.
Susan,
I was so excited to receive my Christmas book. It will be a treasure each season and read to my grandkids when they visit.
Your images of the sky are beautiful and remind me of just how fortunate we are to live with nature.
Enjoy October and I look forward to seeing how much you enjoy your new fire pit.
xo,
Karen
Time to put the garden to bed, and put an enormous pumpkin by the gate! You and Jack are SUCH an inspiration!❤
Beautiful photos! I’m already for my new Heart of the Home calendar! Lous Lenski. I can remember her in my library in Baltimore. My elementary school was Featherbed Lane Elementary School. Don’t you just love that name?
You make my heart happy!!! What a treasure you are to all of us. Thank you for your ever positive spirit and outlook on life, even in your time of grief, which in the crazy year we’re all having is needed now more than ever. And thank you for your generosity offering the beautiful quilt and book as give-a-ways.
Hi Susan,
I got the Christmas book! I was hoping that I would have enough discipline to save it for my Christmas decorating and have it on top of all of my other Christmas books that I surround myself with but not a chance. It was smiling at me with a wink here and there and sure enough the book won. I read it twice in the morning with a fire in the fireplace and two cute little dogs by my side snuggled up in my blanket. The first read was just for me and the second read was for my hubby. We love it! Such nostalgia and memories of the olden days. It made us proud as we have followed most of your same traditions with our own children down to the orange in the bottom of the stocking and cutting our own tree. Maybe because we grew up in California too. Plus we are kind of old fashioned. I once changed our traditional Christmas menu (just a few sides) and NEVER heard the end of it! “MOM WHY?” They wouldn’t even pretend to try something new….lesson learned! YES. Pumpkins on the porch, happy ghosts hanging in the trees keeping halloween alive. I hope you put your ghost in the window?! Enjoy the lovely weather and I too am paying attention to what is being eaten around here, at the hardest time of the year I might add as all I want to bake are things like bread pudding rather than fresh steamed veggies but I’m making an effort. Eating through the dampanic was the perfect excuse to cheat a little bit and now I’m in my “comfy” clothes all the time with the excuse that I’m not going anywhere while ignoring the fact that I can’t button my jeans 🙂 Pet Jack for me. Lots of love coming your way………..
Dear Susan,
October is my favorite month! Your sky photo’s are amazing. And you inspire me to organize my reference photos! Have a wonderful month!
I love your blog posts. When it magically appears in my in box I get excited. I keep it there till Sunday morning to savoir it with my cup of coffee and the peace and quiet of the house.
Keeping you in my prayers in the loss of your wonderful mother. You’re a testament to how great she is, since you’re so wonderful! Love your spirit, art, and open heart you share with us!
My goodness, Lois Lenski. I haven’t seen one of her books in years. She wrote tons of children’s books. Seeing her book in your blog is like a blast from the past.
I am reading your post a few days after it came through. Things are getting a bit busier at the end of summer trying to get tasks done before the snow flies. I am taking off all of the screens from the house bit by bit and rinsing them, letting them dry in the sun, and storing them in the basement until spring. My house is so much brighter with the screens off and the colors from the trees scream fall. Now that it is getting colder more of them will get taken down
which should make the inside of this house glow on a sunny day.
The pictures you have taken of sunsets, clouds, and the sky are beautiful. You are quite skilled with a camera and not just a paintbrush. Every time I read your blog I am settled and can almost feel as if all’s right with the world. A girl can pretend, can’t she?
Happy October! 🍁🍁🍂🍂
Love your blog and the wonderful art you share as well as the stories! Of course reading of your travels is so awesome! 🧡🧡🧡
oh, a book with illustrations by lois lenski! i’ve loved her ever since i was a child when i first encountered her in the betsy, tacy and tib stories. what a delight! and that quilt – well, what can one say. vintage quilts (and new ones) remind us of the art and craft that women around the world bring to our lives. 💛🌼⭐️🌻
Dear Susan,
As always, your blog lifts my spirits and makes me happy in this very troubled time. Thank you SO much for never losing your indomitable spirit! You inspire me to do better every day.
I have a dear friend battling Stage IV cancer. I always forward your blog to her and she loves it so much, always saying how much it lifts her spirits.
Than you and God Bless you and Joe…you so deserve it!
Happy October!! Love your fire pit!
Much love,
Suzanne
Blessings on you both Suzanne, please give her my love.♥️
I love all of us too. What a wonderful group of kindred spirits and loving, caring individuals we are. Many days if I am feeling down, I will come and read the posts here and the comments. Look at the art, listen to the music, read the quotes. They always cheer me up and help me not to feel alone.
My sister love LOVED the mug! Thank you so much for sending it to her. She was over the moon with it and so thrilled to receive it and your kind note. You are such a dear!
I have loved seeing all of your photos of the sky this morning. I, too, am a sky watcher. I get up really early most mornings and I love to watch the sun rising and the cloud formations of early morning. This time of year I love to scan them, watching for birds flying south for the winter. I can often hear them before I see them. Last year on one occasion, they flew directly over me and seemed to be so close I could almost touch them. There was a special golden light on their bellies that took my breath away, well them whole experience did really.
You new book looks so charming. I loved watching your zoom cast at Titcombs. Are we not amazingly blessed to be able to stay in touch with the magic of modern technology! It was like I was right there.
I am also loving seeing autumn come to your home, with all your decorations and your new fire pit is gorgeous! I hope you are able to rest your tootsies on the edge and toast them along with some marshmallows! Happy October everyone! 🍁🍁🍂🍂🎃🎃
So happy to hear your sister liked her mug! It was so thoughtful of you to wish that into being! Love hearing from you Marie! Happy October!
Love,love, love the idea of burning the 2020 calendar page by page!!!😃 thank you for your wonderful mental vacations.
You don’t know this, but you’re MY guardian angel. Yes you are! Whenever I feel stuck, Isle of Dreams reminds me to be patient (and to go for long walks on the beach, talk to my girlfriends, and play with my kitties). Whenever I feel the misty need for slow travel, A Fine Romance takes me there. You have inspired me and reminded me that it’s not only ok to be sentimental and cozy, but that there are like minded spirits out there still (hard to find in California). Thank you for your authenticity and consistency. And your stuffing recipe. Seriously, THANK YOU for the stuffing recipe!
I was on Martha’s Vineyard last year for the Harvest Moon and it was spectacular! I sat on Fuller Street beach and watched the giant moon pop up over Chappy… so amazing. Unfortunately my phone ran out of juice seconds before it happened, so no pictures 🙁 I know you’re missing England during the pandemic… I’m missing the Vineyard, especially in fall. Hope to be back soon!
What a wonderful post. Just what I needed. I also received your beautiful ‘Home for Christmas’ and have gotten through most of it. Trying to make it last! I love Lois Lenski: my mother-in-law is Lois Lesnik (maiden name) and my husband and her daughters thought she was Lois Lenski for the longest time when they were young. They thought she was joking, or being modest, when she said she wasn’t. But then again, she may have gone along with it for a while 🙂 I guess you take your respect wherever you can get it! Thank you!
It’s gray, gloomy, and chilly in Michigan, but reading your blog with my cup of tea has made it a much brighter morning!
First of all, I am so sorry about your Mom. Your love and devotion to her was so blessed in your posts. It has been a long time since my Mom left me and I miss her so much every day.
Thank you for this uplifting sky post on such a difficult time. It is hard to stay positive and your are a source of light at this time.
Thank you.💕
Becky
Thanks Susan (Kindred Spirit I will probably never meet) for a wonderful, uplifting start to my day! Now I feel like I can conquer the world! Our Nebraska skies are beautiful too and I have loved them all my life. I urge you to research the poem “Possession” by Jane Marchant. I have it framed and hanging on my wall and her life story is inspiring. I’m so tempted but I am saving my little Christmas book til at least the day after Thanksgiving! I have a basket of Christmas books that I set out every year to reread and savor. So happy to have a new one this year! Happy Fall and thanks for reminding us to enjoy each day.
I love this post! The cloud picture that you call “lamb tails”, my mother always called a buttermilk sky. I, too, have gained weight! Comfort food does work wonders, temporarily. And on top of everything else, back in March I completely tore my Achilles tendon (a few fibers were still kind of holding things together), but at that time, afraid to go to the hospital. So last Monday, 6 months later, now considered chronic, I had surgery. I’ll be nonweightbearing on that leg for another 5 weeks. Thank heavens for my knee scooter and my husband. I would love to exercise in the cool crisp days of October- and can’t! Oh well, I’m trying to eat healthy and sit outside on the porch, breathing in the fresh air, as often as possible, enjoying my favorite season, Autumn!
l love when I open your blog and there’s a new post! Thank you for the start of a red letter day! 🙂
What a year it’s been! My husband gave me your new Christmas book for my birthday. I’ve been saving it for my first fire…hopefully soon. I teach second grade on LI and everything is so different. The kids wanted to know when they were going to have recess. They won’t until this is all over, but they are safe and so are we. We have to enjoy the little things like autumn, and walks, Christmas stories, and quilts. Thank you for bringing some joy into the world! 🍂
My hubby and I have saved (or collected) toys that were special in our own childhood. We have hundreds from the 40’s – 50’s including dolls, tea sets, wind-ups, dollhouses, trains, building sets, and trucks. We also have a huge collection of childrens’ books from that same era. Each year I decorate a local historic home from head to toe with my collection so that I can share them with children of all ages. (Fun to find and own, more fun to share with others.) The Director is always thrilled with the upbeat in ticket sales as folks know they will be there and come to enjoy and remember their own childhood. With all the Christmas stories I own, I had never seen the sweet one you took your inspiration from. It’s charming – But then so is the one you penned and I am enjoying it very much. It may be new, but I want you to know it will be on display from Thanksgiving through the new year at Barrington Hall.
Love that Nancy … and what a gift you give with your wonderful collection! ♥️
Happy October to You too Susan!! As always thank you for sharing pictures of the beauty surrounding you. =(^.^)=
Your posts are always such an inspiration! In a time of yard signs and robocalls it’s so-o-o good to focus on the sunset and the night sky!
This is truly the most beautiful time of the year. We must concentrate on the colorful leaves, the cool, clean air, and the wonders of the sky.
Have a fantastic October!! XOXO!!
Happy October Sandra!
I love you too Susan! You are going to love the fire pit. We’ve had one for years, and it’s so nice to sit out on a chilly evening with a glass of wine, looking at the stars and listening to Andrea Bocelli. I highly recommend it.
Mmmmm, no doubt about that and he is on my phone already! We got our fire pit yesterday, stayed out cooking sausages on long forks until after 8 last night. What a treat this little thing is!!!
Oops, somehow my husband’s name posted itself instead of mine! I thought, gee, I know I talk about Susan, but I didn’t think Bob actually went on the blog. Maybe I’ll tell him he is now a genuine fan! Peggy Cooper
I always look forward to your posts. We just purchased a fire pit as well and I think we’ll be having our first fire tonight as the temps have started to drop here on Long Island. For me, your posts always embody a hygge sense of comfort, coziness and warmth. I’m embracing the beauty of this season where everything seems to glow. Thanks so much for sharing your slice of paradise. I really appreciate it. P.S I have your Christmas book; Home For Christmas, but I’m waiting to read it by firelight next to our tree. I can’t wait.
I felt like you this week when I went to an antique store near me in rural Iowa. I bought a table after a year’s hunt in furniture stores. Also bought an old quilt that I just love. Read my Santa book and will reread several times before the holidays. Love everything about ” Susan Branch ” Susan. Thank you.
When I see your email I find a time to stop, slow down, and revel in it. I am struggling with this dampanic and as I look ahead to Christmas, I fear we will not be able to gather with friends and that is so important to me. However, as you said about Halloween, we can decorate! I plan to do so and share the Christmas Books that I ordered with my best friends. I love mine. It is so special. Thank you for sharing your artistic gift with all of us. You make life even more beautiful.
I always read your blogs just before going to sleep at night and find that those are the nights I sleep the best. You certainly have a way of calming the senses and make me feel that everything is going to be alright. Even though we are all going through tough times it is wonderful that there are those like you among us that have a way of making things feel right. Thank you Susan for bringing a beautiful outlook on life for all of us. The sky pictures are gorgeous and just proves that the sky is the limit!
Dear Susan,
This blog post was just what I needed to read this morning; your words of joy and gratitude as well as your beautiful artwork and photos lifted my heart away from the difficulties I am experiencing right now. I had forgotten about Lois Lenski, I loved her books and artwork as a child. Thank you for all that you do!
Oh Susan, What a beautiful person you are. Your posts bring so much joy to all the girlfriends. I feel a sense of calm whenever i spend time with everyone on your blog. So thankful especially at this time now. Be well.
I fed my honey bee hives their fall simple syrup mix yesterday giving them an extra boost of feed before the cold surely sets in. I lingered watching the girls quietly buzzing in and out of their hives gathering nectar and pollen from asters and goldenrod. I stood a few moments watching the leaves swirling down from the nearby sugar maples and oaks before walking back to my house. Such a gorgeous beginning to the fall season.
Thank you Susan for ushering in a beautiful October!
Your sky post was uplifting and a reminder to turn to nature for consolation
and inspiration. Have a happy October! Stay safe!
Loved the picture of your kittie looking down on your garden and pumpkins.
Reminded me of this quote I got from Blue Castle by LM Montgomery….
” People who don’t like cats always seem to think that there is some peculiar virtue in not liking them” …haha. Too true “)
I LOVE YOU TOO!!!
your posts make me happy in this crazy world!
Bring on the pumpkins
XOXO
Nothing better than a warm HUG from Susan during the most beautiful of months-October!
Thank you for your lovely posts. They always lift my spirits!
I have loved you, forever! I get ‘lost’ when reading anything you write and lose all sense of time. It is the most pleasant distraction! Thank you…we can all use some pleasant distraction, this year!
I have loved you, forever! Or since being aware of you, probably 30 years ago. Anyway, I get lost in your writing and it is a pleasant distraction which is what we all nee, this year!
Susan, I have always treasured books loved by many, the older I get even more. I am in my seventies and I have wonderful Christmas books my mother saved for me from my childhood, many are a type of cloth. Through the years I am always on the watch for these treasured books, what an addition this would be!! Thank you Susan, I always get excited to see your emails. Have a wonderful October.
Happy October, friend whom I have never met in person!
I enjoyed the posting, most especially the sky themed photos! I find myself visiting New Mexico and family here, and since I live in Pennsylvania normally, find it fun to read of you in your state -dampanic and all 🙂
Roast a sausage for me, and keep giving of yourself- true happiness is hard to find these days!! Hugs from another Sue.
Thank you, as always, for your blog! It always makes me smile and often get a little tearful.
Your sky photos were stunning and made me remember trips I have taken and trips I would like to take! You are also enabling my habit of getting another pumpkin every time I go to the store😹🎃🎃🎃 (thank you). I only admit that to people who will support that behavior!
Happy October!
Don’t you miss traveling? Especially to England?
YES!!!
Love the quilt! I’m updating one of my guest bedrooms for my granddaughters, and d it would look darling at the foot of one of the beds!
What beautiful pictures of the sky, thanks so much
Love this time of year! The colours are brilliant. Not only do I love reading your blog, but I get an extra bonus reading all the comments. Plus you introduce me to other bloggers through the comment page. Thank you.
When I read your book, Home for Christmas, I experienced a sense of deja vu. Some of your memories are mine, too. Christmas 1956, I was eight, and living in Canoga Park in the San Fernando Valley. We lived in a brand new house in a brand new subdivision, which were being thrown up rapidly, post war. Although there were only two kids in my family, the Christmas memories you write about were mine, too. I also received a Terri Lee doll in her Brownie uniform (platinum blonde). Thanks for letting me relive my childhood for a brief moment.
Thank you, Susan. Your words and pictures have always been jolly good medicine for me. I need them now, more than ever. Sending love to you and yours.
Heartfelt hugs on the passing of your dear Mother. May her comforting presence be always near you…And thank you for sharing your incredibly beautiful photos of the ever-changing sky. I have long felt that the sky itself is a miracle, revealing the glory and power of God… and all we need to do is to look up to appreciate it, because it is always there for us.
Happy October, Susan!
Love seeing all your beautiful photos and reading your inspirational words!
You’re the absolute best and we love you too!🥰❤️❤️❤️
From your last month post, I got inspired to do a SB cooking marathon. Got out your Autumn cookbook and away I went. Just to mention a few….we tried your Roasted Fall Vegetables, Pecan Spinach Toss, Pear, Grape, Spiced Pecan Salad, Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms, Chicken in Cream Sauce over Happy Rice, Touchdown Chili, and Pear Tatin with Bourbon Praline….used the rest of this sauce over vanilla ice cream. Everything was yummy!!!!! Cooking is my passion, and boy, does my Hubby love that!
Susan: I love seeing the amazing antique quilt you are giving away. In this pandemic year I finally pulled out a long saved project of taking my grown daughters baby dresses and am making them memory quilts for a Christmas surprise. (the first time I have ever done this but receiving wonderful help from a fabulous lady at my local sewing store). It has been such a labor of love and I have a whole new respect of all the amazing quilts I see and knowing what went into the creating of the end masterpieces! Your newsletter is such a bright spot in my inbox every month. In these times of staying in and hunkering down the small things that might have been missed in the rush of times before are now highlights and inspiration. I hate this damnpanic as you call it but you do have to be grateful for the silver linings of a slower tempo of life. Love the new Christmas book and am excited to get it! Love from East Texas!
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous, gorgeous photos. They are a watercoloring inspiration and a consolation. I admit, though, my favorite is the last!
Dear Susan,
You are much loved by your “Girlfriends” and for so long you have been giving so many of us comfort with your wonderful words and fabulous art. I’ve been following you since I first bought an American magazine, I think it was in the ’70s. Was it called Country Homes? I can’t remember, they used to have a full-page recipe in there which was beautifully illustrated by you. I used to save them, not to cook from them because I didn’t cook back then. I used to keep them by my bed and they always gave me comfort through the trials and tribulations of my late teens. I’m forever indebted.
I love your photos of the sky and on a side note, when the suns’ rays are streaming through the clouds, the late Bryce Courtney, an Australian author, used to describe it as ‘God’s fingers’. An apt description.
I’m staying present to the beauty around me and your posts continue to inspire me to rejoice in all the blessings I am gifted daily. May health and joy be yours this October!
Susan…you always bring a smile to my face and especially to my heart….with your artwork, your joy of life and Mother Nature…and especially because we all love having you for our favorite girlfriend! Cheers to you🌻
It’s good to hear our words encourage you as much as you encourage us! I’m always so excited for the first of the month to read your new posts. The sky is beautiful, the moon and stars are beautiful and so is your new little fire pit. I decorated my window, and bought some halloween candy for us and to share at work and with friends. While looking up your chilli recipe in my Autumn book I seen the potatoe bugs recipe and am going to try them both. We may not be able to trick or treat but we can still celebrate! I recently bought a bunch of old and new books. I got about ten Gladys Tabor books, plus some old ones I’ve wanted and Marlo Thomas “What makes a marriage last” and Alex Trebek’s “The Answer is…” which I am reading now and it is very good. After that I’ll probably read your Christmas book next. I had a little stimulus money left and thought these books will cheer up my year. I would love to have that little book “Once on Christmas”. It looks so cute! Years ago a relentless encyclopedia salesman talked my mom into buying a set. In one volumn there was a beautiful picture I loved to look at of a christmas tree outside all lit up and with bright shiny christmas balls. The picture on this book reminds me of that. Karen K’s heart book holder looks nice with your cookbook in it. You have the perfect halloween Jack cat!
I love all your posts but this one I love, love, love. It spoke to my soul.
Happy October!! Thank you for your posts—they always brighten my day and give me some company during these very weird times. We are still waiting to hear about trick or treating in our area. Thanks again for being you! 💜🌈⭐️🍀🙏🍂🎃
Thank you for all you do to make us think how lucky we are during this time. I am happy to see your house “dressed” up for Halloween even though no trick or treating on the Vineyard. Very sad for little one but maybe time for make new traditions.
Hi Susan. Always makes my day a bit brighter when I see you’ve posted. Love all you pics Hope you have a wonderful fall. Enjoy your fire pit Laurel S
Love reading your newsletters and seeing all the beautiful pictures. I have not been writing you but I want you to know that your art work is fabulous . I love my yearly calendar not just to use but to read and enjoy.
Keep it up because you put lots of smiles on our faces.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for the beautiful skies. Here in Central California our skies are filled with smoke and poor air quality. It is good to be reminded of the beauty of the Earth.
Today in the Episcopal church is the traditional Blessing of the animals. My husband was looking around for our Siamese, Pippin, so he could participate! (On Zoom!) And I thought of your Jack, and how much you would love that tradition!
Blessings for today and all days…..
oh pumpkins…i love them sooo…on doorstops, on fabric, on greeting cards….in piles at farmstands….lovely post as usual and terrific giveaway!
I just read your lovely post and feel so uplifted! Yesterday was the anniversary of the day that my sweet brother Colin went through those beautiful clouds and up to Heaven. He is the one who gave me the first one of your books that I ever had! I am one of six siblings, and our whole group would meet on the Vineyard from when we were very small until we were all grown ups. Some of our happiest memories are there, with our very wonderful mom. He bought me your book in Vineyard Haven, at Bunch of Grapes, one of the best bookstores EVER!
I treasure it because it is from him, and because it is such a great book, and because introduced me to ALL of your wonderful books, and to you. Thank you so much for taking the time to send us some happiness every month in your blog. Oh, how we all need it!
I am going to imitate you and consign the pages of the calendar for 2020 into the fire on New Year’s Eve. That is such a great suggestion. Wishing peace, good health, and much happiness to you and to Joe and to Jack and to all whom you hold dear! And thanks for ending this blog with a little bit of Jack to make us all smile.
Beautiful blog! Thank you for sharing! My dryer recently quit & my hubby was away hunting so I had to “make do” until he returned to see if the dryer could be repaired or replaced. I found clothespins tucked away & used clothes hangers & hung the laundry outside using the BB net as the clothesline. The result? Scratchy towels! Sunkissed sheets! Everything smelled so fresh! Peacefulness while I folded clothes outside on the patio! Blessings & good memories of times past when I didn’t have a dryer! Hugs & thanks to you, Joe & Jack
Thank you for, once again, a wonderful and cheery post! So needed! I love the sky in all it’s variety…so it was such a pleasure to see your lovely photos. My husband and I had a two week tour of the British Isles booked for this last August into September, but of course it was canceled. I had reread your
“Fine Romance” again for the second time to get prepared. I guess I will read it for the third time next year to get ready for the trip in 2021, keeping fingers crossed. Thank you Susan for being such a LIGHT!
I look forward to your newsletters each month. Your words of wisdom, beautiful pictures and anecdotes, all provide some peace and tranquility during these difficult times. I’m inspired to get my fall decorations out as well as your Fall book, as I do each October! Sending lots of love…
Finally a sunshiny day here in rural WI – but I have a case of the lazy’s. Anticipated visitors this week but we decided to be grown-ups and wait out the dampanic. What good is a vacation from work without family to share time with? Maybe a batch of scones and good book will do! Thanks for opportunity!
Thanks for being positive during these difficult times.