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 love the Fall too.Also the beautiful nature pictures you give us .It makes me feel less cooped up! Thank you!
Beautiful skies and Halloween, they do a heart good.
Oh, I’m in love with all the pumpkins, especially that sweet one on the fridge! I’ve received my calendars, and have already started writing in the pocket one. I cannot wait to receive the puzzle. They’re all bound to make this winter a bit better.
I love my Home For Christmas Book! I took it up to sister Judy’s who is battling cancer and have been reading it out loud to her and sharing the pictures. We are reminiscing our childhood Christmases together. Would love to be lucky enough to win the old Christmas book too or the precious quilt! Thank you for sharing your life with us! it makes ours so much more enjoyable
Happy October! Such a beautiful and cozy time of year.Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and reminding us to appreciate all the wonderful gifts God provides if we just look around!
Susan, you are a breath of fresh air! I love the way YOU love nature. The sky, the sea, the leaves, everything, and you bring these everyday things to our attention! I so enjoy your letters, and I wish you a wonderful Fall!
When I received my copy of this precious book, I thought I would wait till the season to read it….but I began just a bit and was so enthralled I couldn’t put it down! So many memories of our family Christmas came flooding back…every word was so beautiful…written with love, I laughed and without giving certain parts away, I teared up as well. I will read it again and again as Christmas approaches…thanks, Susan for this wonderful gem!
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for such an uplifting post. I loved all the beautiful pictures of the sky. Your quotes are also inspiring in a year when so many things are depressing. At times, I too think that I’d like to burn my 2020 calendar, but then I remember that my first grandchild, a beautiful little girl, was born on May 31st. That was the best gift ever. We can always find a silver lining in the clouds. Your posts always make me smile 😊.
Thank you,
Jane
Love your sky photos! It is what I love the most about living on Cape Cod, those wide open ever changing skies
well ok, the ocean too : )
Loved this especially the sky views. Loved the comments especially Homemade Happy Life’s to take a bath with the window open and a good book. I admit my beverage is sometimes a glass of wine but….
I love the quilt. So much love and time put into making it.
Cindy
I love the kitty peering out the window. Our church again will have pumpkin sales to support our youth. I must find a way to get some for our table centerpiece.
The book was written the year my husband was born. 🙂 Lovely.
Your blog was so appreciated today…..Life has thrown some curves lately,
but reading your blog gave me lots of food for thought!
Thank you!
Susan, Thank you for these uplifting posts! I so look forward tot hem. They just make me happy. We all need some happy!
I am speechless.. This is such a generous giveaway. Thank you for our kindness and generosity.
That quilt is beautiful…your new book is lovely and you are so very precious to all of us. Thank you. ❤️
Dear Susan, thank you sharing your photos of the skies. I took a friend for a road trip today to see the beautiful colors of fall and the skies today were amazing. I’m a quilter and even if I don’t win the quilt I would like your permission to copy it. You have brightened my day . Thank you and God bless you and Joe.
The quilt is so beautiful…pick me, please!
Susan your sky pictures were glorious! All the colors and shades with or without clouds. One of my favorite things to take pictures of as well, that or flowers. Nature is so wonderful to capture. Love your photo too of your set up for zooming – I have done the same as I read books last spring to the first graders at the school I use to teach at. Looking forward to seeing how your fire pit works out! Enjoy and of course thank you for the opportunity to receive the quilt and book! Lovely! Happy Fall Fun! Going to search the backroads of WI tomorrow to find pumpkins for sale.
Oh, my dear Susan…you ALWAYS know how to bring joy to my day! The photos of the sky are breathtaking and just took me out of myself to those beautiful places…I’m amazed you remember where and when you took them! I’ve been re-reading your trio of books and I feel like I’m there with you at the little cottage on Martha’s Vineyard. You are such a brave, inspiring soul and I thank you for the gift of your writing and beautiful painting. I start my day with tea in my Susan Branch teacup, then it’s off to the office where I sit in front of your calendar blotter, then at night it’s time to try another recipe from your Heart of the Home cookbook…it’s like you are right there with me! Thank you so much, my friend! God Bless!
Happy, color filled, leaves blowing October to you Susan! Tuning in to TCM to watch Dracula and snuggling up with my white, deaf cat Ymir. I call him Boo this month! Enjoy every wonderful day this month!
The older I become the more I seem to appreciate VINTAGE, so your blog continues to delight me. Many, many thanks, Dear Susan! Alice
I’ve been reading your Autumn From The Heart of the Home book. I reach for this every Fall and enjoy trying a few new recipes. Thanks so much…..
I am loving the Christmas book! It’s putting me the Christmas spirit even with Covid!
I love your blogs. So uplifting, especially in the 2020 times!
Susan, Thank you for brightening my day! I have been a little blue with all the things going on in my family and the world. Your post was just what I needed. It would be wonderful to win the quilt or the book. The quilt is really cute. I love Christmas so anything to do with it is terrific! And Thank You for the beautiful pictures – so relaxing and wishing I could just walk into some of them. Hope you have a had a beautiful day! Joan P.
We collect. We love. We give to another collector. I’ve been doing some of that. Beautiful quilt that I would take good care of.
What a wonderful wonderful letter. Thank you for sharing everything with us, most especially the joy of little things. Love the firepit. Happy October.
Susan—
I used to look forward to your page in Country Living all those years ago. Now I’ve recently rediscovered you! I just read A Fine Romance and Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams (I’m going backwards). I’ve got Fairy Tale Girl on its way to me. A little (or a lot😊) of your writing and art every day is my medicine for coping with the world right now. Thank you!
I so needed your words today. We are preparing to sell our house in Fl and move back to PA. It is an emotional and exhausting time Your blog lightened the load for a few hours. Thank you.
Susan, Your new Christmas book was an early birthday present to myself and I enjoyed it more than I can say! Our holidays will be different this year, won’t they? But they can still be made so special. Thank you for your positive voice and art. We need your brightness so much these day.
thank you so much for your blog posts–they literally lift my spirits in the midst of this tiresome pandemic (wear your masks, people!)–and to have the chance to win a copy of Once on Christmas–I checked it out of the library so many times the librarian suggested to my mother that perhaps it would be nice to locate a copy I could have permanently. This did not happen, so fingers and toes are crossed that Vanna finds my name.
Happy Autumn!
Hi Susan,
Love waiting to read your post at the start of each month. A ray of sunshine and something to look forward to during these uncertain times. You’re the best!💕💕🎃🎃
Hello Susan,
I just love every word you type. I look forward to your blog every month. It is so comforting to read. Have a wonderful, happy, cozy fall.
PS; love your pictures, the scenery of Martha’s Vineyard, England, and of course pictures of Joe working around the house and yard, and most of all photos of Jack. I have three cats, and I just love them.
gl
Thank you for this fun post! Love reading your blog, books, cookbooks, they make my day❤️
I came home from an exhausting day of teaching Spanish to high schoolers to find your lovely email and post. Such a welcome reprieve to see those marvelous skies and read about your fire pit, your new book, and the book events. So much better than masks, trying to social distance from students, and disinfecting between classes. October is my favourite month of the year – it holds Canadian Thanksgiving and my birthday and is usually very pleasant weatherwise, here on our Island on the other side of the continent. Your giveaway items are just lovely – you are full of sweetness, Susan, and generosity.
Have a most wonderful autumn weekend!
Celebrating my favorite month of the year, our gorgeous harvest moon, and eternal LOVE right here with all the girlfriends and our dear Susan. My book arrived from Titcomb’s, but I’m saving it for a little closer to Christmas! So thankful for this cheery spot on earth that pops up in my inbox now and again. So. Thankful.
Susan your photos and words always cheer me up, thank you!
Susan, thank you for taking us soaring through the skies and beyond! I also love sunsets that mingle with cloud formations. It’s magical!
Also, thanks for keeping us sane during this dampanic. It’s hard to maintain our spirits but I think you do a masterful job.
Love being one of your girlfriends,
Becky in Maryland
Another wonderful post that lifts my spirit! God bless you girlfriend 💟
I loved reading your new book. What a lovely story.
Love Fall. Your home looks so charming! Thank you for the wonderful read.
Another lovely post, thank you! Like you, I am also fascinated by the ever changing sky. My partner/significant other is a painter and the skies in his paintings are amazing.
Also, I’m happy to see that I’m not the only pumpkin collector out there, I think I have one on every surface in my house! 😉 🎃
I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of your Christmas book in the mail but would love to see a copy of the book you mentioned that inspired your story. I have a couple of books that Lois Lenski illustrated and I treasure them. They take me right back to my grade school visits to the library. Thanks for the memories! 📚
I have received my 6 coffee cups and 2 Calendars. They did not disappoint. Love Suzy
Dearest Susan, I’m sure all your girlfriends feel this too, but I just had to say it out loud…reading your blog posts and viewing (make that inhaling!) the photos and art just FLOODS my whole being with happiness! I can actually feel it! And I always make myself do my chores before reading them, because they are like a sublime dessert – needing to be savoured, as befits an artistically-crafted treat! Bless you…
These are hard times for us all. Thank you, Susan, for bringing good cheer & beauty with every post & with your art. We must all remain hopeful & VOTE!
A delicious new post! I’m loving all the lovely photos, and I’m so glad you ended with Mr. Jack! Thanks for all you do to help us keep our spirits up and our hearts open! I do appreciate it greatly! Stay safe, stay well!
I have the book “Once on Christmas”. I love it!
Loved this breath of fresh air to end another nerve-wracking week at school. Was nice to just relax and enjoy looking at the beautiful sky and THOSE PUMPKINS! Love them! Thanks for being you!
One of your best blogs ever! I just hooked a Klimt rug with a band of sky like yours on the water. Burning up each page of 2020, a joyous experience!
Thank you Susan for sharing your lovely sky photos! I wish we had some audio to go with some of them as I could almost hear the seagulls and breezes in the background. I too have pulled off the road sometimes to sit in awe of the beauty of a skyscape or sunset – our world can be so over-whelming in it’s beauty sometimes.
I would be happy to win either of your gifts as I love quilts and old books.
I am saving reading your new Christmas book until Nov 4 in case I need it as an antidote to post-election malaise. In 2016 I buried myself into Gladys Taber books to sooth my aching spirit and find hope.
Hi Susan,
You brighen my day every time I see a new Post from you (:
I received your new book and have already read it….loved it so much.
Thank you.
It’s been a difficult year for so many, but we must feel blessed, because
we are in so many ways !
Happy Autumn from Colorado !
I am loving your book! I’m trying to read it slowly, but when it’s over I’ll just start again. Thanks for the reminder of what’s important.
I see there is bittersweet along your walking path, and you brought some home! that’s my sure sign Fall is here! oh, and by the way, loved all the videos you posted on twitter today of the drive thru Edgartown……I remembered all those beautiful homes in town. Thanks.
I love taking pictures of the sky, too—especially the sunsets! My husband is making a firepit this year. I’m hoping it will be done in the next week or two, I’m so looking forward to sitting out by it and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.
What a lovely post! I’m so sorry about your ma.💗
Susan, you will so enjoy your firepit! You better stock up on Graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows for Smore’s. Also order Joe some “color cones” to throw in the fire. I put them in my hubby’s stocking every year. Have an enchanting Autumn!
Susan I have been looking for the book Once on Christmas since I saw it in one of your blogs. I just love everything that you suggest. Keep the suggestions coming. Thank you
Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!!! I love it!!! Been saying that since High School in the early 60″s. I am loving fall here in Oregon and I love Christmas….Can’t wait!!!
Thank you for Lifting us up in this very strange year of 2020. ♥️
Oooh, I can see all the warmth and coziness you will find around your new firepit! Happy October and thanks for a chance to win a little something of yours.
What a pretty quilt! And….I LOVE the baby pumpkins over your door!😊
I would feel so blessed to win this darling quilt! My patchwork quilt (made by my grandmother) has seen better days, and this quilt would fill the void rather nicely! Thank you for the opportunity of winning!
Hello Susan, Hello Girlfriends… Happy October and Autumn blessings. we are doing fine here, the Slater fire is now at 50% containment, but we remain on high alert due to the dry weather and warm temperatures. but we are okay and grateful to the fire crews for all they have done to keep us safe. i remember seeing a quilt like that somewhere many years ago when i was a kid. i don’t know the pattern though. we have some lovely colors here, golds, reds and oranges and last week i harvested my pumpkins and put them on hay bales for drying and curing, gives them a richer color. what a beautiful Harvest moon last night and we are getting a blue moon this Halloween, care to try to spot the Halloween witch riding across it Halloween night??? guess its time to get out and mulch down some of the leaves, beats raking them up. and anyone need any acorns, ours are coming down by the tons… the squirrels are extremely happy right now. well got to go check on the hens and collect the eggs, and start supper preps. hopefully sometime next week the rains will come in and do some more good for the ground and help the fire crews get that fire out. will pop in again sometime later. stay well and stay safe and stay happy. lots of loves and hugs…. hugs… 😀 Happy Fall everyone!!!!
Happy Fall! Scatter joy!
Hi Susan! I received my Christmas book and read it immediately! Then re-read and then once again. It’s just what I needed during this time. Something to look forward to, at least on FB, with my precious granddaughters who live in MN, while I am in Michigan. I’ll share my book with them and tell them my stories of growing up with 6 siblings and how we celebrated Christmas. I hope you and Joe have a happy and cheerful Christmas season!
You have the loveliest perspective on everyday happenings….. the sky with it’s many moods. Thank you for reminding us to appreciate the world around us. I love Jack looking at the pumpkins! …. that is totally Fall.
Moving to Central FL from Cape Cod about 14 years ago now (how time flies!), I find I so miss Fall in New England. Thank you for facilitating my being an armchair traveler! Love, love, love your fire pit!
Itis always such ajoy to find a new blog post from you. We think alike on so many levels. Happy October!
Oh Susan, I’m a quilter and I love the quilt, and the book is adorable. Thank you so much for sharing your home, your books and your thoughts with all of us. You’re going to love your new firepit too, and that’s an excellent idea, pitching 2020 into the fire, and making high hopes for a refreshing, relaxing, New Year.
I love all your posts, but most especially when you include Jack.
I love the artwork too.
I love all your Fall decorating! Inspires me to decorate at my house, too.
I’d hang that quilt over my fireplace for everyone to see. It’s beautiful!!
And the book. . .I have a collection of Christmas books that I out on my coffee table every year.
What a lovely post, thank you. I loved the afternoon tea at Titcombs &, thanks to my wonderful friend in the US, I have your Christmas book, but I am saving it for the Christmas season, as we might need cheering up by then here in the UK with more & more local lockdowns being declared.
Always love your posts like a visit from an old friend. So sorry to hear about your mother.Could not wait until Christmas to read “Home for Christmas”I just loved it. Made me think of the Christmas’of my childhood I was born in 1951. I have a Christmas story you might enjoy.When my sister and I were about 5 and 7 ,Santa left one of his very large shiny black boots in our fireplace.(my father was a police officer and the boot was his but we didn’t realize it) my parents thought we would be excited to see such a thing, instead we both through back our heads and starting screaming crying. We thought Santa would be mad and never come back to our house., After calming us down, my Father told us he knew an elf friend of Santa’s and took the boot in his car. He went to the only drugstore open on Christmas and bought bubble bath in the shape of Yogi Bear(never forgot it) and brought it home as a”thank you “from Santa . My Sister and I retell that story every year (now to our Grandchildren) we never forgot that Christmas ,but not for the reason my parents thought we would! Again so very sorry about your Mom,mine left us 9 years ago and I think of her every day. Love from Janice (I’m the one who’s son thought we were related because I talked about you so much when he was little.He’s 38 now with 2 children. I met you at Titcombs,
Such a sweet giveaway contest! I love the Eskimo legend about the stars–thank you.
Love your blog! It is always so uplifting! Beautiful quilt!
Hi Susan!
Gorgeous skies! I love sunsets, and fell in love with sunrises when we lived in Wyoming – gorgeous! As always, your words and pictures inspire me – I will get out the decorations and enjoy them. Received your new Christmas book – I grew up in So Cal also – brings back lots of memories – thank you!
Lots of love,
Mary
Loved all the pictures of the sky, especially the ones with water. As usual, your post is a respite from everything going on.
Wouldn’t want to bribe Vanna, but fingers crossed!! I have been a Lois Lenski fan all my life–grew up with the “Small” books and, to the chagrin of my family, continue to announce at dinnertime, “Come and get it calls the cook at noon!” from Cowboy Small. Happy Halloween!
Dearest Susan, I love every one of your blog posts, but this one is so filled with goodness that my heart is about to burst. The beauty of the natural world, the cozy spookiness of Halloween and fall, a giveaway, and then the Over the Rainbow Grande Finale!
Exactly what our world needs is the beauty and love crammed into this page you’ve created for all your girlfriends. I’m so grateful to count myself as one. Sending all the love back to you, Joe and your sweet Island.
Blessings, Martha
Happy Fall Susan,
I loved the pictures you posted of the moon, clouds, sunsets and sky. I zoomed the event at Titcombs Bookstore and received a lovely “Thank You” from them. They are a nice family business!
Enjoy your new fire pit,
Julie M.
There’s too much stress and it won’t go away,
The news piles on stories day after day.
Just when I think things are looking too bleak,
Susan Branch sends a blog and I’m happy for weeks!
Thank you for your wonderful post. I’m surrounded by smoky skies in the Napa Valley. Can’t even see the moon! Thank you for giving me something to look forward to. This, too, shall pass!
Happy October! I got my Christmas book! So excited! I’d love to be in the drawing. ❤️
Wow! The photo you left us with (of Jack) is a wonderful Halloween picture! I would LOVE to be entered in the drawing. Thank you! Here’s to a lovely, tradition filled autumn, ladies! Perhaps we can even begin new traditions to cherish this year.
Love, Jean
Thank you for the beautiful photos of the sun, sky, and moon. Mother Nature’s artwork! What a beautiful world we live in. Fall is my favorite season and I look forward to it every year. I’m never disappointed by the colors and smells of fall.
Happy October ! Days of chilly winds and warm sunbeams. Evenings with hot apple cider and cozy throws. Enjoy, old Man Winter is waiting in the wings.
Hello Susan, I really enjoyed your gallery of sky photos. Thanks for sharing. Would love to win the little Christmas book.
Oh, Susan, your sky photos are amazing! I scrolled and scrolled this post several times after reading every word. Just beautiful captures!!!
Do you know the 2007 movie, Under the Same Moon? Your comment about the sky following us where ever we go, brought this movie to mind. It is a touching story of a young Mexican woman working in the US illegally while her little boy is back home in Mexico with his grandmother. Before the mother leaves, she tells him when he is lonely for her, to look up at the moon, for that they are both under the same moon. It’s a sweet story.
Your gifts are both amazing. What treasures! Speaking of, I’ve been checking the sale section, hoping your silver spoons will soon be listed. Any idea when? I don’t want to miss the opportunity.
Happy October to you and Joe. I put out my pumpkins today. I sprayed them with clear acrylic, which made them shiny. My friend tells me it keeps the squirrels from gnawing on them, and thus prolonging thier life. I usually have to toss my pumpkins before Halloween. Between the heat and the squirrels, they suffer. Will see if this solves the problem.
Hugs from Sarah and Sadie and Austin.
I too was blessed to find Once on Christmas and your Home for Christmas is a perfect companion! Many prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones. Stay safe.
Thank you for the wonderful sky photos from hither, thither, and yon! Yes, nature is the best artist and it’s all free for those who look!
Your blog posts are such a lovely boost to the heart and soul and I thank you for the bazillion positive vibes you sent out to us all and to the universe.
Today I neared the finish line in making 5 small Christmas quilts for some special friends from high school – 51 years after graduation – so I am delighted.
Wishing you well – be good to you, take care, and stay safe.
Hugs from a bit south of you – in Virginia!
Your monthly letter makes me happy. I run to make a cup of tea to have when I read. This is my favorite time of year. It’s not as beautiful in Oregon as in New England but we do have color changes. I love Halloween. It is the most fun holiday of all. Thanx for being you. PS love sky pics
I’ve been a quiet follower of your blog for sometime. My heart always feels a great deal lighter and more encouraged after I’ve read one of your posts. Thank you for leading us all in the right direction. Life IS a gift to be celebrated. God Bless you.
Thank you for chance to win the beautiful quilt.
The quilt is beautiful! The color palette reminds me of a quilt my dad’s aunt made In the flower garden pattern. Hope I win it!
Oh, dear Susan. We had such a day here. Farm visit day, with the vet and his able assistant coming to examine and vaccinate our five dogs. But I had to keep my distance, due to COVID. And they needed to figure out when to wear their masks and when their masks were, to be frank, freaking out the dogs. And our dogs tried to understand why I wasn’t comforting them, except from afar. It was stressful. It was uncomfortable. It was exhausting. And yet, I did see how kind and patient our vet and his staff were with our dear dogs. And I watched our dogs be braver than I felt. To end such a day with a blog post from you feels like a true gift. Thank you! Just what my heart was calling for.
Oh I would love to win the “Once on Christmas” book! I have several old books that I lay out at Christmas. So fun to look at these books and read to little ones at the most wonderful time of the year!! Thank you for your generosity!!
I just loved all the beautiful pictures of the sky. They were magical and uplifting. Thank you so much for posting them. They brightened my day!
Oh, Susan! Thank you! I am always encouraged by your posts and pictures and lovely little art everywhere! (And Jackie~boy!🐾💕)
Thank you for sharing and bringing a little happiness!
Your blog always cheers me up!