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 . . . 💝
Oh so needed to read this❤️
Beautiful pictures of our skies..so calming and serene..thank you, Susan once again for sharing with us the beautiful things in this life..
A very good idea for “toasting” in the new year with the 2020 calendars!
Here’s to a wonderful fall season and all the holidays it brings.
Much love to you, Joe and Jack
Robin C
This is a lovely post and the photos are beyond gorgeous. I love clouds and like you I take pictures of the sky, clouds, moon, rainbows, and other sights in the sky whenever I can. Sunrises are my favorite. I do adore the quilt in your post as well. I am a quilter and I know my quilt group would think this is a fabulous find should it be gifted through a drawing to me. Thank you for the lovely images, wise words, and monthly dose of inspiration.
Such a delightful surprise to see Susan Branch Blog in my Inbox a few minutes ago…some cheer on a rainy day in South Florida. I enjoyed your Titcomb’s ‘Tea’ zoom call (and they did a lovely job with shipping the books, it made me happy to support a ‘small’ bookstore). Being an antique lover, I immediately searched online for that sweet little Christmas book you showed…with no luck. So how kind and generous of you to be giving one away!! 🙂 Thanks for all the JOY and LOVE you spread!!
Rabbit- Rabbit! May October be FILLED with red letter days! ❤️
What a wonderful post!
Thank you, Susan.
Lovely post. Your little fire pit should make Fall all the more special for you. I loved all the sky pictures. The sky always reminds me of a canvas with beautiful abstract art painted on it.
Thank you Susan, Blessings
PS. I love the little painting of the Blessed Mother.
Thank you for your lovely posts – they cheer up the day. Your cloud pictures are beautiful. I miss the New England autumn, but Colorado has its colorful Aspens, magnificent mountains, dramatic skies – and pumpkins.
I look forward to every post – love all the pictures of the sky and clouds this time…..and the cat, as always. Always positive and puts me in a good mood! Got the Christmas book for my 3-year old niece and look forward to reading it with her for a new holiday tradition. You are SO talented!
Thanks!
Oh Susan, I can already smell the fresh air collected in the quilt for your giveaway…what a treat….and the book! Oh my, how wonderful this is. Thank you SO much!
Thank you as always!
Your blog is like a little surprise gift during this tough time. Your little sayings are so sweet. They always make me smile. Thanks you!
I love Fall most of all….most likely because I was deprived of it for 15 years living in South FL! Happy October ❤️
Lovely, lovely sky pictures! Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
Susan,
My heart has been made happy reading your blog today.
Thank you for your words of encouragement (we need now more than ever), your beautiful photos and your genuine care and positive outlook. I’d like to spend a day as your shadow 🙂
Love to you and Joe and Master Jack.
Debby
Susan,
I received my Home for Christmas book in the mail today! I absolutley cannot wait to read it. I couldn’t help but peek at a few pages. Absolutely precious!!
Thank you for your continued inspiration.
Debby
Susan,
Read the book… could not put it down! had a cup of tea and read it from beginning to end. It did not disappoint, it was so sweet and wholesome. I loved everything about the simplicity of the time. Oh how I wish we could taste that in our culture today. Over the years, you have talked about your parents so much – but this picture of them was by far the sweetest for me. Your mom – makes me cry – I can’t even tell you how touching it was to read your book and yet know that during that time she passed. Lord bless your heart!
Debby
Oh Debby, such sweet words.💔♥️♥️♥️
Your Christmas book arrived and caused me to experience deja vu. I was six years old in 1956 and lived in Connecticut but you may as well have been writing about our family!
Seven children, Nana’s visit, the sense of abundance despite a frugal budget, the mass, the food, the long-for doll, the orange in the stocking.
Are you sure you’re not a McEnroe( my maiden name)???
You captured my childhood memories perfectly. Thank you.
Mary Andrews
Hi Susan: I have been following you since the eighties when I bought my first cookbook you wrote from an in-home party. Have loved you for all these years and I always look forward to your newsletters – always so happy! Thank you for all these years of happiness!
Hi Susan
And a very happy Friday to you!
I love all of your Halloween decorations. I especially love the pumpkins above the front door.
I think many of us the favorite season is Fall. The smells outside as well the toasty smells at home
Happy Boo to you.
When reading your blog, I am transported to a special calm place full of creativity and much love. Thank you for the travel escapes if only for a few moments. Make me realize life is good.
Love the travel log, especially not being able to go anywhere for ages. I love your uplifting messages and pictures; so needed during these times.
Thank you so much for such a lovely post! Just what was needed this week. And I have the perfect spot for that quilt…
This October is extra special…We have two full moons in October! A Blue Moon on October 31st for Halloween! The first time the United States will see a full moon on Halloween since 1944! How exciting…and a little bit spooky! So typical for the year 2020, isn’t it?!
You brought back a happy memory of reading Lois Lenski’s books about the Small family with my mother! Thank you for spreading joy!
Ahh. So lovely to sip tea and read your post. And the maple leaf is just exquisite. My book arrived but I won’t be home to read it till after thanksgiving. Thanks for holding us together during these difficult times. Love. Hilary
This last picture of kitty at the window was the perfect ending to another delightful post. Autumn is thw best!
I hope this works, for some reasons my messages to you never arrive. It’s a funny little story. I was in a wonderful hardware store outside of Philadelphia and I overheard two women discussing that exact fire pit. One told the other “that’s the exact model Susan Branch just ordered”. I saw her picture of it on facebook. The other woman responded “no wonder I love it” !!!!! xoxoxoxo
This year we all truly “need a little Christmas”.
Hi Susan!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your charming letter that always seems to find me when I’m having a gloomy day! You never fail to cheer me up and present me with new ideas of things to do. So, I will now get up off my covid plump read end and take a walk around the park to see what there is to discover. Happy weekend! 😁
Michele
Thank you, dear Susan for these moments of pure bliss! I just love reading your blogs. My birthday just passed and my kids gave me your books Fairy Tale Girl and Isle of Dreams. Oh my goodness you are amazing. I read them in 2 days so now I need to put a Fine Romance on my wish list! I pray all is well with you and yours, looking forward to the next blog!
Love Love Love The Christmas Book! Your Santa is my favorite one ever!!! I love all the pictures in this post!! Thank you for all you do!!
Oh, winning the Christmas book would be so wonderful! I collect Christmas books. Of course, I wouldn’t mind winning the quilt either. The weather is getting chilly and it would be wonderful to get all cozy under that quilt. Fingers crossed!
Dearest Susan~
You continue to bring so much Light and good cheer to this troubled world! What a joy it is to read your loving words! You truly are one in a million. <3 <3 <3
Thank you, Dear One. 🙂
Hello,
It has been a most dreadful year, with cancer touching many in my family, along with the widespread Covid. However, when I read your blog and take stock of my life, I still have hope that things will be all right. Thank you for giving me this sense of hope even in these dark times
Just the pop of Fall festive fun I needed in my inbox !
Happy Happy Fall 🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂
Thank you 🧶
As always, Susan, your blog brightens my whole day! Thank you so very much! Am making Halloween treats for the six grandkids for a little something special as suspect there will not be trick-or-treating for them either…hope it helps! Hang in there…you are our lifeline!
Thank you Sue, for helping us all have some Fall Fever! 🎃. It doesn’t feel like Fall here in San Diego today… It is 102 degrees here, so it seems like summer doesn’t want to leave! I have my Autumn book out, and I’m so ready to make those yummy apple and cranberry yummies! It’s just too HOT to turn on the oven just yet…🥵 We grew our own pumpkin patch this year, and my little garden yielded 16 good sized pumpkins! I have them decorating my porch, and later they’ll turn into pumpkin pies, and other yummy pumpkin recipes! 🥧
Have a Fabulous Fall my Friend, and know how much you are loved by me, and everyone else that knows you! ♥️♥️ Say hi to Joe, as Tom sends his love too! xoxo 😘
You made my day. I love the sky photos and the fact that they are skies in different locations. Thanks for continuing your BLOG. From Ann on cape cod
Happy Fall, Susan! It is my absolute favorite time of year, even here in Southern California where it has been over 100 degrees. Thanks so much for bringing a little of New England fall to all of us! My husband retired in June and it had been our hope to be in New England this year to see the beautiful colors, but Covid had something different in mind. Enjoy your beautiful weather and that gorgeous fire pit!❤️
“Some where over the rainbow”……love it. That surely left me with a big, big, smile. Thank you Susan ! Oh how I love October. My birthday is the 10th. My wedding anniversary is the 28th. I just love the fall and everything else with it. But I also love, love, love quilts ! I think of all the special love that is put through her hands as she takes every stitch and all the thoughts that were thought of during the process. If walls could talk ? what about a quilt ? what type of energy is stitched into that quilt ? I would surely love to own it. I would talk to it and ask it many questions.. Happy Fall ! enjoy watching the fire fairies dance around in your new fire pit !
Your post was just what I needed this morning to lift my spirits. Here in California there are several big fires burning, it’s hot outside, and it’s too smoky to go out. Your post, with all of the blue skies reminded me that someday we’ll have blue skies again… and I for one, will be very grateful!
Susan Rogers,
I’m in California too and it’s just horrible! I pray we see rain and blue skies soon. So unhealthy to even try and take a walk outside 😥
Lol! My nice long comment just disappeared!! 😂😂 Well, I’ll just say thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Tra xx
As always, I am so happy to see your email in my inbox. You bring me such peace and joy. You brighten my day, and lift my spirits. Thank you for all you do! I LOVE my Home for Christmas book and my mug which arrived safely. Missing hugs and girlfriend time during all of this and looking for a brighter future!
💖Love your wonderful sky photographs, awesome clouds, ooh such beauty. You must be looking up often these days…thinking of heaven, your mom’s new home. 🌥The sky always makes me feel closer to God. Thank you❣️
Janice
Am always excited to open my Gmail when there’s a newsletter from u! Ur writings are lovely and uplifting! Thank you♥️
Hi Susan,
This is the third letter that I have read from you and I am “hooked”. Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us out here.
Blessings,
Gigi
Happy Halloween !
Hi Susan! You just popped into my inbox and I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts. This is my favorite month and I am going to enjoy it to the fullest. It would be lovely to win that sweet quilt to cuddle up in this winter, and I think I love old books almost as much as you do – thanks for the chance to win one of them! Sending hugs, Lin
I would love to be a winner…though I truly feel like a winner every time I read a post from you! Love, love, love YOU!
Happy Autumn! Loved the post as always. So sad that children will be denied trick or treating. In our town, my church is having a “Drive Thru Harvest Party” this year. The kids can play simple games through a car window (masks required of course) and they will receive lots of candy!! We usually have a huge block party attended by a couple thousand. Not this year, but at least it is something for the children to enjoy. And the adults who participate and see their excitement!
Take care – stay well – we’re doing pretty good here on the coast!
Hi Susan.
Love the sky photos… my husband and I are always watching the sky, day and night. Love wishing on a star. It was 3 years ago this month, that we stood in front of your beautiful home, taking pictures, complete with your little pumpkins above our heads. We missed you, as I believe you were in Maine while we were on MV. Oh well. Still magical just to see your home. Thank you for the beautiful post! 🤗
How lovely to get your blog today. Has been a rough week for a variety of reasons and my antidote was to work in the garden. Dug and readied the trench for planting garlic; took out tomatoes plants that have done their job wonderfully; weeded (always weeds); and later will plant an olive tree in the front yard. To fill my cookie jar I will make ginger cookies that are delicious. Thank you so much for helping us all stay grounded today in our cozy homes.
Your blog posts are a balm for the heart during these uncertain times!! I’m looking forward to your Christmas book. Hopefully I will have it in my hands next week. I’m in Germany. 🙂
Hello
I love that beautiful quilt hanging on your clothes line getting a good airing. I use to quilt a lot but had to stop, just getting to old. In my eighties now. Did have so much fun making them with my granddaughters. Just ordered your I Love Autumn Charm, it is on its way. Really enjoy every month reading your newsletter.
Have a wonderful autumn. Love Ruth
I just love your blogs. They “take me away” for just a little while. It’s like “ahhhhhhhhh”. This year I stole your “pumpkin over the front door” idea. It looks wonderful! Thank you, thank you…
Always a delight to see Susan come on my email.
You certainly do have an 👀for taking photos. I am so happy to see my favorite island ! Been visiting the island for 70 years now.
You make it come alive🥰. Happy Fall🍁. Peace, Barbara
Happy October, girlfriends! Best month of the year! (Ok, I may be a little prejudiced, since my anniversary and birthday are both in October….51st and 71st, respectively!) Thank you for another wonderful message to raise our spirits, Susan, a ray of sunshine in our dampanic world. We’ve made it to the last quarter of this crazy year…yay!
Although I live in the south, my heart is always on the Vineyard. My hubby’s family is from Edgartown, and for the past 38+ years I’ve been on the Vineyard at least once each year (and in all different seasons). It is indeed a gorgeous island. We even have an infant son buried in the Edgartown cemetery in the family plot (we lost him way back in 1985). I am so very thankful I found you and your blog!! By the way, I ordered and received your 2021 calendar and I love it so much, I’ve ordered three more for three of my friends as their Christmas gifts!
You give so much of yourself to make all of us happy. Thanks for the optimism in my inbox today! XO
Happy Fall! Thank you for your cheerful emails!
OH MY OH MY WHAT A WONDERFUL WILLARD. THAT NIGHT STARS PIC..I SAW ORION. I always read thru super fast 1st time. Sort of fast 2nd time..then 3rd time I read Willard I go slow and savor every bit..like a good meal. The ocean pics I sooo love. That beautiful Shenendoah ship.pic..gorgeous
The loveliness of this newsletter came at just the right time!
I look forward to your blog and have read every one. Always inspired!
Oh Susan, you always lift my spirits!! You make me think and remember days gone by, good wholesome, innocent lovely days growing up. I love the seasons as you do and look forward to each and everyone as they all have their own special qualities about them. Thank you for posting just the right pictures that are me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We have a fire pit too and just love it so I know you and Joe will too!!
Many blessings to you both, Marilyn
Dearest Susan, thank you for making 2020 more bearable. Your joy shines through even in the darkness. Thank you for being you.
October is my favorite month, and your beautiful letter has started it off on a happy, positive note. Thank you for always reminding us that there is beauty all around – we just need to pause to see it. Love and good health to you and Joe. 💕
Hi Susan! Thank you for this newsy and pretty pictured bright spot in my day. I’m in my car waiting for my daughter to come out of the orthodontist- can’t go in with her anymore due to the aforementioned dampanic! I’m so sorry trick or treating is not on for your island – your Autumn book has been a constant in my home for many years and your Halloween always seems idyllic! It’s still on where I live in Ohio so I am brainstorming safe and sanitary ways we can distribute and collect for the kiddos. We will enjoy it for you and you will be with me, on my coffee table with your book and in the kitchen (maybe as I cook up some of your chili!) Thinking of you in this, our favorite of seasons. Enjoy ❤️ And cheers! 🥂
In these hard times for all of us, I really appreciate your blog posts and your Twitter posts. Thanks!
Dear Susan, I read Home for Christmas a few days ago and went thru several tissues! I was born and raised in Whittier, California and am about 3 and a half months older than you! So much of what was in your book about your childhood reflected mine too! It brought back many memories, mostly good but a few sad ones too.
I have all your books and look forward to your blogs and just thoroughly enjoy anything from you!
Like you, I went ‘East’ as a young woman and ended up in Michigan, but a part of me will always be in Southern California! Now I spend summers in Michigan and winters in Florida, the best of both worlds, at least for me.
Thank you for all you do, but most especially, for me at least, your wonderful books!
Lisa MacDonald
Love the window with “Boo” for Halloween! So cute!
Susan,
It certainly seem like fall fell here in SW Michigan. The trees are putting on their beautiful Fall coats and they are falling! We have already had our first frost☹️. I would love an opportunity to win the quilt or the book. Thank you for thinking of us. Now on to a cupcake tea to take the chill off. Enjoy your fire pit!
Oh thank you for this fabulous and long, wonderful post on a Friday, I will savor it all weekend. Thrills me to see your pumpkins above your door, I love your fire pit and I’m enjoying my Christmas book already. That led me to pulling out my other Susan Branch books. It’s a Branch-A-Palooza! Cheers, my dears … 🍷🌕🎃🛀🏼🌹
I always love everything you have!!!! I sure wish I could live where you are! We live on Hilton Head Island, SC. I do love my old house here 🙂
Hooray! A new blog post to raise our spirits! A red letter day indeed!
I immediately shared your blog to my daughter who loves Clouds …and the sky that goes with them …These will ”make her day” …
Thanks …need to go back are read the blog again …
I would love to have the vintage Christmas book. I collect then! Brenda Kincade
Thank you for bringing joy in all that you do. Your art and words bring peace to difficult days. Happy Fall.
Happy October, Susan! My birthday is this month; sure hope I win one of your treasures. 🙂
Thank you so much for this blog Susan. Keep safe and blessings from NZ.
Brenda
Oh my!! To win that little book would make my heart sing.
Hello Susan, Happy OCTOBER!
Love the joyful quilt. What a special find.
Your pumpkins over the door are just too cute!
Thanks for the smiles 🎃
Susan, I just love your blogs! As soon as I see one in my inbox, I drop everything to read your uplifting words and look at those wonderful pictures. Can’t wait to hear how you’ve dealt with the “extra luggage packed in your trunk”! Many of us here in NE Ohio are trying to “whittle down” to our normal size again before the holidays hit. Ugh….no fun giving up the goodies!! Please keep sending your blogs….even my husband enjoys them.
Thank you! You always lift my spirits!
Peggy
Your emails are the best gifts! Thank you for sharing your life and reminding us of the simple beauty which surrounds each of us daily. The 2022 calendar cover is precious~I’m already excited about it and I have two of your 2021 calendars waiting to be displayed and used. Enjoy your new cozy new firepit and snuggle up to your love.
Happy fall!
Love your pictures & words as always! I have your Autumn book out & every year go through & enjoy the pictures & recipes. My favorite time of year but also hard. My husband & I would have been married 65 years on our anniversary. That date on Sept. 30 & his birthday coming on Oct. l5th. He is no longer here & memories are bittersweet. I have a lot to be thankful for & one of those is your blog! Will look for your Christmas Book as one of my “Thankfuls” is the bookstore & guess what, the library is open again!! Give Jack a hug for me & Thanks Again!!!
Thank you , Susan, for your hopeful post. We really needed it after hearing the news about the Trumps. How sad they got the virus, but hopefully a painful lesson for all the non-maskwearers.
Your Christmas book is so timely as we will need to share traditions and joy vicariously if the virus lingers. A happy Santa face is a hug of love to everyone.
Thanks for being you!🥰
I really needed your newsletter today. So many Americans saying so many hateful things to each other…tends to make me forget my normal upbeat, life is a chair of bowlies nature! But then, lovely pics of the sky’s unbridled gorgeousness, the green grass of England, and pumpkins…and voila, all is back in balance. So thank you!
Hi Susan,
I have your new Christmas book on my wishlist and am looking forward to reading it on a cold (outside) but warm and cozy (inside) day.
Your skies were WONDERFUL and UPLIFTING. THANK YOU.
Oh Susan! Your email arrived on a “down” day🙃. Just reading and seeing your skies and all the lovely lighthearted, relaxing things changed my attitude🧡. I think I’ll reread all your books!! It’s just what I need. Anyway, keep walking your paths of beauty and thanks for sharing with us! Happy Fall🍁🍂
As ever and always, thank you Susan! 💕 Happy Autumn! 🍂🍁🍄
I just love your pumpkins and the leaf garland that you hang over the kitchen window. It thrills my heart. These blog posts really make my day, thank you.
The sky photos are so special Susan. Your blog really perked me up and is helping me to make the transition into Fall. Tonight we may have frost here and some plants will have to be covered. The pumpkin stacks are guarding the front door and a beautiful wreath with Fall leaves in brilliant orange, yellow & red is gracing the door. Happy October!
Beautiful, beautiful blue skies. Loved all the pictures so very much. Thank you for sharing.
Happy October!! I would never burn my Susan Branch calendars. I have many, many from many years ago. Sometimes I may cut out some of the quotes or pictures and use them in letters that I still write, or in my journals, or in my scrapbooks. Never, never get rid of anything by Susan!! Peace and blessings to you this October and every month.
I absolutely love all your cloud/sky pictures! I, too, am a sky watcher and am in awe of the beauty of nature!! Oh so many beautiful things to see that as you say are /// “free”.
I have so enjoyed your new book! Your books and your blog help us all get through the insanity of 2020. Thank you for taking care of us!
I got my Christmas book!! Beautifully done as always. Love how God paints us so many beautiful skies everyday. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites. Love the pumpkins and the giveaway!! 🎃🍄🐿🍂🌼Happy October Susan!!
THANK YOU!! This was just the thing I needed today. Seeing the little message you had a new posting made me get away from everything else going on and come right to your blog. And I’m so glad I did!
I scrolled ever so slowly through the pictures of the sky. Funny, but I’ve spent a lot of time lately, looking at the sky each day, noticing the shades of blue and gray, the clear skies or the cloudy ones, and of course the sunrises and sunsets. Your pictures were like a wonderful continuing therapy for calming thoughts and feelings.
Even seeing the quilt on the clothesline was a happy and calming thing to focus on during these difficult times.
Again, thank you for this post – it was very much needed – and very much appreciated!
‘I ran across this lovely quote today:
“A birdsong can even, for a
moment, make the whole world
into a sky within us, because we
feel that the bird does not
distinguish between its heart and
the world’s.”
Rainer Maria Rilke
Your post was a “comfy blankie” around my shoulders today. Lovely photos … I could see, hear, and feel them all just as thought I were there with you when you took the picture. Happy October to you two!