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 . . . 💝
“I can smell Autumn dancing in the breeze,
The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sun burnt leaves.”
Thank you for restoring peace in my soul!❤️
Hello Dear Susan,
Susan of Mosshollow Hill from Twitter here to say thank you. Reading your blog calms me and inspires me, as it does to countless people as evidenced by the fact that you have over 2,000 comments already! 🍂🎃 Autumn is my favorite time, and once I scrolled to the images of pumpkins my heart smiled even more. But it’s the sky that I wanted to share with you today. This summer I took a 6-week online course in felted paintings by the brilliant Scottish artist Moy MacKay. I’ve been wet-felting for over 10 years but wanted to take a course on painting with fiber, and I found her work on Instagram. You would LOVE her, so here’s her website: http://www.moymackaygallery.com/ and next time you’re in Peebles, Scotland, check out her gallery! (Incidentally, if you have ever watched the lovely show The Paradise, the main actress is from Peebles…)
Now I look at skies totally differently and through the eyes of a felt painter. The course was on summer landscapes, and you lay out the sky first. Looking at all of your sky images, I started imagining how to lay out the wool for some of them-some looked like Maxfield Parish paintings! When you mentioned adding blues to the sand, I GOT IT!
So I hope you and Joe and Jack are enjoying your fire pit and the fall colors. This is the first year we won’t be able to head from the Central Coast and over the Eastern Sierras to see the gorgeous fall foliage there, but I’ll enjoy images and videos online. The fires have made the air quality so bad, and my partner is recovering from knee replacement surgery, so we’re homebound even more than usual during the shutdown.
Thank you for the Titcomb’s reading. I can’t wait to gift your book to my mum, and I look forward to reading my copy the day after Thanksgiving while I’m curled up in front of the fire with my cats and dog.
Hugs, Susan.
Hope I’m not too late! Love the quilt and especially love your positivity! ❤️
“Your pal for Life…”. Now how very cool and joyful is that! Thank you, Susan, from the bottom of my heart for sharing your gifts with us. We are blessed, and I am so grateful…
Hello,
Moved North from Florida this year. Enjoying the beautiful Fall colors! This morning I was happily taking photos of the lovely colorful leaves. Loved your skies.
Dear Susan, Rachel from Texas introduced me to your blog. I think it is wonderful!!!! Love your pumpkins, photos and skies.
Greetings Susan from Oregon: I’m soon on my way to my local library for Gladys Taber’s book ‘Still Meadow Road’, (I read her stories years ago), and your name came up mentioning that you have used many of Glady’s quotes; this information led me to your web site and what a delight! I don’t spend much time on the computer; however I’ll be back and sign up for your monthly emails.
The illustrations from the Christmas story are easy on the eyes.
What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful sky pictures!
I know everyone tells you this, but I’ll say it again. It’s a happy day when I see a new email from Susan Branch. You fill me with inspiration, and make me feel like everything will be okay. Your pictures are just lovely. The world is a beautiful place, isn’t it? And autumn is the very best of all.
Was so sorry to hear about your mom. I lost mine quite young, almost 49 years ago. And I still miss her so much. That doesn’t go away. But your memories will keep her with you.
Thank you for sharing! Happy October!
Was so happy to see this beautiful post.I lost my sister, unexpectedly a few weeks ago and have been having a hard time. So thank you, Susan for sharing your life once again.It always makes my day!
Hi Susan, When I was a little girl, I would see those bright rays of light shining through the clouds in the sky and I would think to myself ” that is God shining down on us”! It made me feel so special. I did receive my Christmas book, but I am waiting until it gets closer to Christmas to read it. My Autumn cookbook is on e coffee table to inspire for now. Thanks loads!
Got your donut pan for the large donuts a few months back. Tonight my 13 year old granddaughter and I made your Apple Cider Donuts and they turned out heavenly! They smell so good! It was a fun project for us to do together on a Fall evening. Now outside for a fire in the firepit, cider and the donuts!
Awww..Such lovely autumn-reminders! Thank you Susan, even here in Canada, we can lose track of covid-time & need your latest recipes and decorating ideas to jog our memories of fun years gone by!!!
I’m loving your generous quilt-offer & vintage book for the current drawing but realize I am way down your list of possibilities….way up here north of the border!
Happy Thanksgiving Susan & friends!
I just read your post. Just what I needed before bed. It calms me and soothes. You take care.
Once again, I feel myself lifted by your words, and photos, and messages of hope. I’ve been in desperate need of this post with the state of the world being what it is. Thank you, dear Susan, from the bottom of my heart. 😘
Me! Me! I have nothing else to do in my Idaho winter wonderland than read a good book 😍
Thank you for those beautiful pictures and warm thoughts! And thank you for telling us about the vintage Christmas book – I love Lois Lenski’s illustrations, so I’ll be looking for a copy as well!
Thank you for an uplifting post! I really needed it! My cat Fuz passed on yesterday and it’s been just over a year since my son entered Heaven. I would say this is a hard time of year, but the whole year seems hard right now. But then there are wonderful people like you to remind us to see God’s love and beauty in each day.
So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Not the Heaven part, but the separation part. A reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice to make a way for those that believe and accept Him as their Savior to join Him and have eternal life!
Susan- seeing your sweet leaf strings in the windows again made my heart sing!
Enjoying our beautiful October with the migrating Warblers winging through Williamsburg,
Virginia!
Hugs and Blessings!
Winette and 2 Beagles named Anni & Graci
I plan on making a quilt this winter, but your giveaway is so lovely. mine is not going to be so pretty. Love your blog. ThanksJ
Thank you Ms. Branch for the reminder to basque in the simple pleasure of sky viewing! Your blog continues to inspire and encourage all of us. The quilt is so lovely, crossing my fingers now.
Susan!
Your photography is truly breathtaking!! Skies are always SO inspiring and how often do we
become so focused on what’s happening inside that we fail to lift our eyes UP?!?
As JT sings…”Look up from your life…”
Our harvest skies here in Central Illinois(near the Sangamon River and Abraham Lincoln’s New Salem Village where I often walk) are putting on a glorious show these first days of
October. I’m slowly getting my Fall/Halloween treasures placed around my cottage, thinking about each as I place it and remembering where and when I found it; each year the memories seem more precious to me as I look toward birthday number 82! I’m grateful for every one of them.
I loved seeing Jack peering out the window of your lovely MV home…my Stella-Kitty talks to me, too, and often head-butts me to get up and let her have my place on chair/sofa/bed! We have to negotiate😻!
Blessings to all there on the Isle of Dreams… I’ve loved my visits and savor the memories.
Stay safe!
JLB
Love you, Susan!
good morning dear Susan…I don’t use Twitter or Facebook….so this is the only avenue of communicating with you….this Sunday morn, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you, your words, your colors, your speaking out and speaking clearly and openly…..autumn is upon us, Covid is still our nemesis…..craziness and hatred are still making their presence known – loudly – we will light candles, hug our critters, have coffees in our back yards with loved ones, we will vote, we will be work for peace, for acceptance, for human rights, for truth….and we’ll make Susan Branch soup….sending love love love,
Regina, Seattle
A beautiful post this month!
Thanks for EVERYTHING!
Your precious Christmas book arrived and what a gift it is❤️. I wrapped it up and gave it to my 87 year old mother as an early Christmas gift – because we all need our spirits lifted! It was absolute balm for her soul. She read it in one evening, with her cat on her lap and recalling all of the Christmases that she and Dad orchestrated for the 6 of us kids. She said -“What a dear, dear book! I hope that you kids have as many wonderful memories of Christmas as Susan B. has.”
Your books and blog posts being me joy, but probably not as much as they bring to my mother. She is not able to get out as much anymore, but your lovely stories and photos transport her and remind her of all that is sweet and good in our world. Thank you 🙏🏼
Happy Fall to all !!!! We are enjoying every minute of it this year in northwest Ohio. The weather has been magical and is there nothing happier than pumpkins scattered everywhere like chunky confetti.
I checked out “Once upon a Christmas” every year from the local library when I was young. Good memories.. Thanks!
xooo
Thank you for giving the gift of letting me life second hand thru all your happenings! I love it so. I am thankful for all your postings of great ideas, educations, cooking/recipes, seasonal things, light heartedness, ponderings, and for some reason the images used here are even bigger, making it far easier to see it all. Your blogs always have long term effects of happiness, casting an eye about our house and life. Thank you again!
Just got my copy of your new Christmas book the other day. An anniversary gift from my husband. It even came gift wrapped! Who but you & your team would think to do that? I have yet to open it. I’m saving it for when I can give it the time & attention it deserves! Thank you.
Laurie
=:3
My sister went to a book signing in Salt Lake area a few years ago and met you .( she was thrilled) I’m able to have a few of your cookbooks thanks to my sister .. would love to win the Christmas book for her . Enjoy your blog and beautiful artwork 💕
Bit by bit I’m reading the comments. Somehow very comforting to know we aren’t alone….nor are we “different”.
It’s a perfect Fall day here in Maine. Got up before Tom and started making lists. Lots to do for Winter. So excited. We drove over to Acadia Nat Pk, forgetting about the “Leaf Peepers”. Oh, my, bumper to bumper, but so beautiful. Brilliant maples among the conifers, the sea and mountains and lakes of this special place. Many places will close tomorrow for the season, but we think Bar Harbor will keep going as long as they can because they lost so much revenue this Spring and Summer. The Park stays open in Winter for cross country skiing and snow mobiles on the carrage trails that have a good thick coat of snow. I Know! The awful noise! Poor animals. Oh well, just another thing I do not need to worry about.
Hope your fire pit party was fun. We are hoping for a few of those with our neighbors before the snow flies…(Listen to that ole Southern Gal….talking about snow flying! Yipee!)
The Lovely Tom is ‘resting’ his eyes, and I think I’ll do the same upstairs in my comfy bed, before it will be time to “get supper on the table”. Did your Mom say that? Of course she had a whole Team to feed.
Mucho Love, Dear Lady, So grateful for all you do for us,
Debbie in Maine until the World turns right side up again.
Forgot to say how Very Much we look forward to pretty Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning. And the outfits she wears…just Gawjus!
I wish I lived on your island…..it looks so beautiful. Thank you for your blog. I look forward each of your updates. X
My favorite time of the year and you make it extra special!! Thank you for being so creative and spreading joy in these trying times. Wishing you blessings for the coming holiday season. I love Lois Lenski and have a few of her books. I would love to add this book to my collection. Fingers crossed!!
We too just bought a fire pit…small 18X18 to fit on my garden table, so that Walter our black schnauzer doesn’t burn his whiskers…I have been entertaining all spring and summer in my garden which has kept me sane and your idea on New Years sounds outstanding
I so look forward to your posts. They are always so kind and up lifting. Also, such beautiful photos:)
I do love vintage children’s books and have never seen this particular one. It looks charming! I am ordering several Christmas gifts tonight – puzzles and books galore to keep us busy through what I fear will be a long winter! I love your blog, only found it recently. Thanks so much!
I love reading your blog. Thank you for your patriotism, your love of creation, and your youthful heart and soul. It’s nice to read uplifting and simple thoughts during these times of so much ugliness. But we believe in the goodness…and that’s all that matters 🙂
Reading your wonderful words and looking at your beautiful images has helped to chase off the Sunday scaries – thank you so much!
Hi Susan!
Thank you for all of the mercurial skies that you sent in your last blog. Did you know that just by looking up you can improve your mood? It seems so simple, but it’s true. I’m using all of the tricks in my bag to keep an even keel. Of course, you are at the top of the list, but I thought I’d share another gem that is keeping me going. One of them is Flora.Forager on IG. She is currently posting a Fairy journal. Bridget (FloraForager) composes beautiful fairy homes, costumes and woodland scenes from flowers, leaves, berries, mushrooms, etc. The story of a daring woodland fairy accompanies the artwork. I have been meaning to share it with everyone because it has kept me enchanted for a while now.
I hope God continues to send you huge helpings of grace everyone (especially you Susan)
Lots of love,
Nina
I LOVE your newsletters, they fill me with joy!
I appreciate how you always help to put things in perspective. I am drinking my coffee this morning from my “A Red Letter Day” cup and thinking how blessed we are to have you in our world! Thank you for your beautiful artwork, prose and 💕!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your gift to us . . . the sky!!!!! WOW! I am in awe of the beauty you captured for all of us, dear Susan! Have a wonderful rest-of-your October and have a very Happy Halloween!!! Hugs from my family to yours!!!
O for the love of October! If I could just figure out a way to “bottle” the smells of Autumn….. Susan thank you again for being such an uplifting bright spot in our world. Our world that seems to be much too unkind lately. A very happy Autumn to you, Joe and of course Jack. XO, Amy
I’ve just finished reading your lovely post for the fourth time, as I just had to get “lost” in the sky once again. The clouds and sunsets fill my heart with joy. So I went for a walk before posting my comment. Such a blustery day with the crunch of leaves underfoot- pure bliss. I unfortunately didn’t find any treasures to arrange in a vase when I arrived home. You have such an eye for beauty, though, and I am so thankful that you chose to share it with us.
My Christmas book remains hidden, although it gets harder with each passing day (especially when I read the comments). I relive my memories instead, as we grew up in the same era.
I absolutely love the quilt- such beauty in simplicity. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Have a wonderful day
I love reading about your adventures and the illustrations . Always get a calendar because it brightens these dreary months especially during the Covid Pandemic . You Susan are the best keep spreading the joy .
Jimmie Ruth
Dear Susan,
I never wanted A Fine Romance to end!!! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it and would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the joy you so generously disperse throughout the world.
Everything you create is a balm and a boost for the weary of heart and soul.
May it come back to you 10000000000 fold.
With gratitude,
Tanis
So very nice of you Tanis, THANK YOU for the kind words. xoxoxo
I so love your blog Susan,This time of crisis can be so stressful I love coming here and looking at all the beautiful pictures and encouraging words.I’m going back to watching movies of simpler times like Anne of Green Gables,Little Women,Lark Rise to Candleford and just having fun spending time with my daughter,Thank you for inspiring me to enjoy the little things.
Again, thanks for being a light and inspiration to so many in these challenging days. I always look forward to your posts. I received the little Christmas book and can’t wait to make it part of our holiday tradition. I have several tiny Christmas books that I put out each year and a place is reserved on the bench near the fire for this new one. Blessings to you and Peace.
So late to be commenting! Your sky photos are wonderful. I have enjoyed them over and over. What an eye you have, thanks for sharing. And of course I love the autumn photos, inside and out. October’s bright blue weather–do you know that poem? This is one of my favorite months in New England and you always capture it perfectly!
The quilt is beautiful, and I would love it to have a new home here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia! Happy Fall, Susan!
Your blog always cheers me up and reminds me to enjoy the beauty around me.
Love the pumpkins over the door!
Susan,
Thanks for the gorgeous pictures! I was in Cohassett, MA once for a meeting and awoke early. There was a sunroom next to my room and I grabbed the quilt off my bed, wrapped it around me and watched the sun come up and the tide come in. One of the most glorious sites ever. Something I will never forget! Thanks for reminding me “in reverse!”
Thanks for the wonderful cloud pictures! Especially the lambs tails. My imagination said cotton balls but next time I will see adorable lambs tails!
I love the old quilt. From an antique store? Wonder about the creator of such art…. I can imagine a hard working farm woman with chores and family – quilting for a break from daily work (considered therapy in today’s world) and of course necessary for warmth on a cold winter night. The quilt reminds me of my grandmother who loved to quilt. She would name that pattern immediately if she were still with us. She lived in North Alabama. On our yearly visit to Alabama from SE Texas, my mother would bring scraps of material to contribute to my grandmother’s quilting bag. It was always exciting for my sister and I to recognize our dress scraps that had been lovingly worked into Granny’s new quilts. Thanks for the memories!
I love new “old” books! Someone is going to enjoy and appreciate the Christmas book. A delightful addition to a collection of Christmas books or to a personal library. You are thrilling all of us book lovers with the possibility of winning this treasure!
After enjoying ” A Whole October of Good Luck” I feel like I’ve had a mini-vacation away from the dampanic!
Susan,
Wow– another AMAZING, heart-warming post! You inspired me to create a vintage autumn playlist featuring Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, and so many other greats. ‘Tis the season to be cozy! I received Home for Christmas shortly after the Zoom event with Titcomb’s. I’ve already read it several times. I just got married on Oct. 3rd (only immediate family and a few friends properly distanced!). My husband and I are looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. Even though we’ve been together for a few years now, blending each of our family’s traditions with our traditions as a new family is simply thrilling. Thank you for keeping the candle of hope and love burning today and every day!
Your newsletter made my day. It makes realize how grateful I am to live in a world with such beauty and color. You make the world a better place, and I need to be reminded of that too often. Thank you.
Thank you…I just finished reading “Home for Christmas” and I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Memories of my childhood came flooding back in your words. I also grew up in the San Fernando Valley not far from your home. We sure were lucky. And, I hope I’ve made good memories for my children! This year I’m going to make Christmas delicious and homey, say goodbye to 2020 and plan on wonderful days to come!!
Thank you again….”those were the days my friend”
I love your sky pictures and comments and I now will look at the skies with new eyes that you have opened to appreciate their unique characteristics and beauty.
I’ve been a fan for many years!!!! Every blog just gets better and better. What a delight to always be surprised each time.
Add my name to the drawing list for your special treats. Happy Fall! Next year has to be better than 2020.
Your photographs are as lovely as your paintings, Susan! I, too am grieving this summer and fall, slowly absorbing the loss, trying to honor the life of our son. Thank you for sharing some beauty.
Thank you so much for being a bright spot in this difficult year. I always look forward to your posts and each new beautiful thing that you create. Don’t ever stop!
Made my evening catching up with you.
I love love the photos of the ocean sunsets!
I hope I win the Lois Lenski book so I can show it to the grandchildren! We added #11 about 3 weeks ago! And I got to spend a week in Indiana holding him and being with my daughter. Now I am back home, helping my mother in love move from her house of fifty years to assisted living. Please pray for us if it comes to mind. This is very hard for her and overwhelming to me. Thanks and hope you are enjoying fall to the fullest!
All I can say is, “ Que sa ra sa ra, what will be will be”…that sums up our days for now, later on is just waiting around the corner, you’ll find it Susan, we all will, those beautiful skies and all the happy times, just waiting for us to return. We LOVE our Mothers, forever and ever.
Dearest Susan,
Thank you for your refreshing words and inspiration during this most difficult year. I’ve loved your books, tea cups, and spirit-lifting artwork. And I’d love to win this lovely quilt or the vintage Christmas book.
All God’s best blessings!
~ Kathleen
Your fire “pot” looks charming. Perfect for a cozy autumn night. xoxo
Your fire “pot” looks charming. Perfect for a cozy autumn night.
Hi Susan
Thanks for the lovely sky photos… extremely uplifting . Its a sunny but cold day in England today. Blue sky with those fast moving clouds. The trees are only just starting to change colour. I’m sitting trying to finish a Halloween hanging in time for the end of the month but first I had to read your Blog again and listen to Bing. How happy am I.
Best wishes to you all
This comment in a recent book I read
“we die once when the last breathe leaves our bodies. we die a second time when the last person speaks our name”
Thought it was a reminder to always talk about lost loved ones
Just last night, after a day talking to my sister while on Ancestry, I looked up a relative born in 1663. When his name came up, it provided a link to his father, and when THAT came up, there was a link to HIS father, and pretty soon I was all the way back to 1144!!!! I was evoking some NAMES!!! Phillip, three Jeremiahs, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Jenkyn, all the way to Cadwgan Elystan, whose son was Sisslet . . . (names got interesting the further back I went…) Jencks family, from Buckinghamshire and Shropshire England, until the sword-maker Joseph Jenckes immigrated to America around 1640. My great-Grandmother was Alice May Jencks. I met her at her house in Sioux City Iowa. She’s the mother of Willard (Jencks Smith) My grandfather, my mom’s dad. I love talking about them, imagining them, wondering where I could find one of those swords!
Ohhhh, I Love this, Sue. My best friend says that the deeper you get into the past, the more she finds you are related to just about everybody.
Wonderful you got to meet your Great Grandmother.
Debbie in Maine, still very colorful.
Yes, LOL, that’s what I realized too. it’s almost dangerous to wing out to the brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and heaven forbid, 7th cousins! BUT I had to do it once, because my 7th cousin is Winston Churchill!🤣 Getting there was like math … it took pencil and paper, columns of names and arrows going all which way, but I did it! Jennie Jerome was our link, she was a Murray and so was my grandmother! We are having such fun with it … and I DID find that sword! It’s in a museum in Wales and shows on his Wikipedia page (Joseph Jenks b. 1632).
Thank you, Susan, for the beautiful post–the sky, the woods, the sea, the rainbows. All so lovely. And topped off by a photo of your kitty!
I always look forward to your blog posts. Besides the wonderful upbeat words, the cheery décor and sweet illustrations…I really enjoy the background music you select. Cheers! Stay safe and well. Lisa xoxox
I can’t wait to give your Christmas book to my best friend. I know she will love it as much as I do. It gives me so many memories of 60 plus years ago. And I still live within 2 miles from where I lived then!
Love the quilt!. I am always astonished at any quilt….how many stitches, the pattern of the stitches, what the quilter was thinking about while quilting all those stitches, what project the quilter is doing now….on and on, and then I enjoy how comfy and warm I feel when I am under them.
I have wonderful memories of crawling under the quilt at my grandmother’s quilting bees that she had at her house. I was in charge of picking up needles, thimbles, and anything else they dropped or needed. In return, I got to hang out under the quilt and dream…
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Your post was such a joy to read. Love your sky pics! If I had a fire pit, I would toss my 2020 calendar in on Dec 31stat 11:59 PM too.
AS a wise person once ,”This too shall pass.”
Hope you’re having a wonderful fall day! I’m still working on it!
Hugs, Karen C from NC
Susan, you are so right! We still have to put out our pumpkins, the heck with the dampanic!
Love your ‘Home For Christmas’ book!
Thanks so much for what you do. Every time I receive one of your posts, it grounds me again into the things that are most important in this life!
I am so happy you are you and you share with us.
Thank you so much Susan Branch. Love your blog. Every post feels like a lovely gift, makes me happy when I see one in my inbox. Why not, indeed!
Aloha from Maui! It’s funny to say I feel like I’ve known you all my life (I am 22). My mom would cut up your calendar after the year was over and fame them. Pictures/Art, quotes were cut, framed and hung everywhere; in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, etc. We would always make your recipes, so now it gives me great nostalgia to come back. Reading your blog gives me a warm heart. I love to listen to the music, drink tea and relax here. Keep it up all you do! Xoxo
LOL, yes, well, sounds like you have, Ka’ena! So nice to hear from you!
Greetings from Delaware. I was so excited when my book arrived. All I could think about was that good things really do come in small packages. Thanks for all your posts. I still miss getting my “Willard” in the mail, but I realize that would be impossible now. ❤️
Yeah, I miss it too … good old snail mail. Was fun!
What wonderful pictures on the blog this time. Love them! I have been reading the book and now hearing it was inspired by Once upon a Christmas makes it even more special. My mother read Lois Lenski books to me as a child. You can’t find them anymore. I already have my calendar and am enjoying my new bluebird mug. My oldest daughter was trying to ‘borrow it’ last week.
I just want to write and thank you for the encouragement you exude on your blog and within your books. I sent “A Fine Romance…” to a friend in an assisted living home in California. Due to Covid restrictions M has become extremely lonely. She is without friends where she lives and unable to phone so communicates exclusively by mail. She has a love of England, tea, writing children’s books and rabbits, you are the perfect combo. She writes “Susan makes me smile”, “I feel as if I am on the trip with her”. God has blessed you with a talent that touches many hearts and uplifts the soul thank you so much.
I’m so glad Sherri … I have an uncle stuck in a nursing home too. He’s lived there a very long time, but he is now deaf, which makes all outside communication impossible. My heart breaks for these people. Send love to your friend … xoxo
I’ll forever be indebted to one of our neighbors on Hog Bay. She lent me your 3 biographical books a number of years ago. She is another Anglophile, and loves books and all things UK. We’ve been chatting by email re how we deal with life’s troubles. She told me about a new strategy she heard about. She goes out to her shore at high tide and Dumps her worries, etc. into the water, letting the outgoing tide carry them away.
I’ve been going upstairs to our big picture window overlooking the bay. This time of year the Sun sets so much more southward, that it winks warm light through the thinning leaves and reflects golden on our bay. I can take my little glass of white wine and Toast our 3rd Generation star, which gave birth to All that ever was and All that will ever be, animal, vegetable, mineral, here in our little Solar System. On that scale, we are truly One.
Mucho Love and Gratitude, Dear Lady,
Debbie in Maine
Lovely Debbie! xoxo
I do something like that too. I go to our little blessed alter, light the blessed alter candle, and picture Jesus on the cross. I think about my worries one by one and lay each one at the foot of the cross. Just like the Saints tells us to do. It works. Yesterday I was so worried about our Country, the hate and strife; worried no matter who wins the White House there will be a civil war in the aftermath. so I went a laid that at My Lord’s feet. There might still be a civil war, but the peace I feel I complete. God bless all the girlfriends and our great country.
Susan, thank you for sharing the beautiful sky photos. Love reading your posts. It is a bright spot in my day. Love.
Your book “Home for Christmas”! Swoon…. Read it as soon as it came the mail.❤️
Dear Susan,
About a year ago, my new friend, also named Susan, introduced me to you and your books. I fell in love with your very self, because I am very near your same age and your life in many ways has been my my story too. (Maybe we are long distance relatives?) Anyway, today I am celebrating my friend Susan’s birthday by baking her your yummy hot milk cake, and I am serving it on my grandmother Haviland china. So much fun!
I am SO glad I met you!
Hugs from your new friend,
Jilly Bean
Jilly Bean! How cute! Nice to meet you… say hello and Happy Birthday to Susan!
Beautiful time of the year. We still have lots to be thankful for. Stay safe. Love the quilt.
I haven’t read through ALL the comments yet, but did you mention WHERE is your little GHOSTIE, Casper👻, in the upstairs window???
I LOVE that little guy so much! Always reminds me of “Georgie” the gentle, amiable ghost of to the Whittakers of childhood favorite books! How I love connections to “the good ole days” when neighborhood children ran far and free on Halloween and every other day…when neighborhood moms watched out for ALL the Brood…and bologna sandwiches were served wherever you ended up at lunch time!!! Such magical days! TRICK OR TREAT!!!
He’s up there Beth, shining out into the neighborhood, watching over all that is good!👻
Always love your morning science and autumn arts! You are DA BEST! Stay pure, humble, and true… stay you! Xo
October,,,,,,,you have always been my favorite! TY SB
Thank you, Susan, for creating a sweet escape spot! Your music, pictures and words help relieve the stress!
Hello Susan!
I love your blog posts so much. My heart skips a beat when I see a new blog post from you in my email box. It’s like sitting down to read a long entertaining letter from one of my favorite girlfriends!
Love the quilt. I just recently decided to start looking in some antique and gift stores for a quilt myself.
Have a wonderful rest-of-October. Fall is my very favorite season…partly because it leads into my favorite time of year…Christmas. Can’t wait to read your blog in December.
Karen
Ah, Autumn! My favorite time of the year, when God dips His paint brushes into all those beautiful colors and splashes them across our trees and forests!
Thank you, Susan, for reminding us of the beauty of Autumn!
“And I think to myself, what a wonderful world…” Thank you for bringing this lovely tune to mind every single time I read your words and smile at your lovely watercolors and know that “all is well with my soul.” And Lois Lenski is a part of that wonderful world!
Love the fall! So many things to be thankful for. Love the quilt. Stay safe.💖
Susan, thank you for sharing your gift of joy with your readers. Happy fall!!!
Oh Susan I love your new Christmas book so much. I got it just in time to read in the car as we drove to visit our daughter who is away at college. Your sweet book made me “homesick” for the stories my Mom and Aunt used to tell me of their growing up and their Christmases. They are both gone now as I lost my dear Aunt just this September. How they both would have loved your book. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. Love to you, Joe & Kitty Jack!!
Laura in Illinois
I have loved you for so many years–you are what the world especially needs now. God bless you and all you do!