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 . . . 💝
Thanks you much for another month of cheeriness. So appreciated!
Such a beautiful post!!! Happy October !!!
Love everything about Christmas. Wishing for a “normal” holiday season!
Thank-you for the gift of your wonderful photos & words of inspiration. And new words…”dampanic” is brilliant.
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year….a looong time ago when I was a kid I would race home after school, change my school clothes and jump bareback on my horse Echo and off we would go…meeting my friends and riding through the crunching swirling leaves on our horses. Mindlessly chattering about school, boys and our horses. It is quite a memory. ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Sue.
Your new Christmas book is on it’s way from Amazon, I can’t wait !!!
This time last year we were on your beautiful island celebrating our 50th
Anniversary at The Hob Knob. We have amazing memories. We sure needed
those memories during this crazy year. I love the quote “God gives us
memories so we can have roses in winter “. Happy Fall Sue !!!!
Such a delightful love letter, Susan! It was such fun to join you for two virtual gatherings so far!💕 So glad there will be more to come. I am truly savoring Home for Christmas… trying to make it last as long as possible! Reading your story makes me want to write my story!
Heartfelt thanks for being YOU, dear Susan!
Big hugs from Illinois,
💗Dawn
So happy whenever you do a new post. Makes for cozy reading! Autumn is my favorite time of year and there is nothing more beautiful than an October sky. Loved all the beautiful sky pictures. Things are just starting to turn here in Williamsburg VA. It is beautiful. May we all peacefully enjoy the glories of this season. 🧡🍂🍁🎃
I absolutely love your blog and books. The little book reminds me of one I loved as a child illustrated by Joan Walsh Anglund. I spent many a lovely moment relishing her artwork. I would love to read the one you have.
I adore this musical setting of “Perhaps They Are Not Stars”. It was my privilege to play piano for the Atascadero High School Treble Choir in a concert in 2019. So happy to see your quote!! youtube.com/watch?v=xE–WVIX3lk
And I found your fabric prints on Spoonflower and am making face masks – so excited! Love your fall leaf prints…
Hi Susan—As a transplanted Southern Californian, you will know that September and October are among the hottest months of our year. I love, love, love Halloween! We don’t know yet whether the kids will be allowed to trick-or-treat here in San Diego County this year–COVID is on the rise again–but I planned to decorate anyway! I wanted to start decorating the yard last week, but it has been in the (very high) 90s and up into the 100s (114 and 111 two weekends ago in my corner of eastern SD County!) for the last 4+ weeks. I finally started decorating the yard yesterday (106!!!!!), and kept working on it today (102!) Obviously, with this heat, fresh pumpkins are not part of the decorating scheme. Hopefully, I will be able to finish the outside tomorrow, and then can work more on the inside of the house. It doesn’t feel anything like Autumn around here; but, at least it is starting to look like it in my yard.
Wishing you a happy–and safe–Fall.
Your girlfriend……VickeyB
Appreciate your gift of skies
Have been trying to learn to paint
What a wonderful subject to practice on!
Thanks Susan for your sharing!
What a beautiful post today…Those skies!!! You always take the most beautiful pictures, I could just get lost in them!
Rabbit Rabbit to you! Autumn is in full force in Central Massachusetts! Stay safe 💕
Luanne
I love that quilt! So pretty!
& Lois Lenski has been a favorite author/illustrator of mine since my grade school days, almost 50 years ago! Lol
Thanks for the giveaway,
Elizabeth
It’s been many years since I heard the name Lois Lenski! I loved her books when I was a youngster!
Old time memories are the best. I grew up stinging popcorn and cranberries and making home made ornaments. Good memories. Thank you for bringing them to mind with your darling little book.
Love your new fire pit. And the pumpkins. And the pretty Fall colors. It has finally cooled off somewhat here in Kansas but things are still pretty green. We never get the vibrant colors some other places do, but still look forward to Fall. Oh, the moon is so pretty tonight.
I love the sky! I love in northern Illinois, farm country! We often have what I call “a forever sky”! It looks like it goes on forever!
I keep thinking of the song from White Christmas” “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep….” A good reminder for crazy times. Loved your post!
Jenny
What beautiful sky pictures! I loved them! Our skies have had many colors too, but it is due to the wildfires in California. Thank you for always bringing a smile to our faces, especially during the pandemic, and reminding us of how beautiful autumn and the month of October is all over the world!
Oh, would love to have “Once on Christmas” . Plus my last name is Thompson!! Also love Lois Lenski illustrations.
Susan– What a great idea to burn our 2020 calendars and other mementos on December 31. I have one child, a daughter, who was part of the Covid Class of 2020 and all that DIDN’T go along with that (Prom, class trip during spring break to DC & NYC, end-of-year senior festivities). We made the best of a virtual honor’s night and graduation. So, yes, I believe we’ll join you and mark the end of 2020 the same way. Thanks for the idea!!
Susan, I love the fire pit! I would advise NOT to put your feet on that ring – either your shoes will melt or your feet will! Our son built us a brick pit and we love sitting out there at this time of year. My favorite time of year. I have always thought of it as a “new beginning” time – I guess it was the back-to-school feeling that does it. I LOVE to watch the flames and hear the crackling, talking quietly (or loudly) along with it. Then watching the glowing embers at the tail end of it, like a living, moving thing. We have been having fires already, even in toasty Tennessee as we are having Autumn already!!!
I received my Christmas book this week – it is adorable! I LOVE your rendition of Santa on the front – it looks just like him!!!!
Absolutely love this post. You have so many beautiful photos of the sky! I was just talking with a friend about you the other day. We were discu how much you inspire us to love our homes. Cheers!
Susan: What a great refreshing blog. I loved all your photos of the sky–
they were beautiful! You have a wonderful eye seeing the nuances of our
wonderful sky in all its majestic colors. We had a complete rainbow here
in Michigan this past Monday just after a rainstorm. I think rainbows tell us
there are all kinds of possibilities. We will get through this isolation and
this year when we remember the infinite possibilities when we see a rainbow
or the moon or the clouds or the sun–always changing. Thank you for the inspiration.
A lovely post, as always. You make me slow down and appreciate what I have. Some of the views from our kitchen windows show bursts of autumn color. Lots of reds and yellows. I just finished reading all five volumes of the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. I think you and other gentle readers here would enjoy them. It’s a family saga set in England, very character-driven. I have found the books a lovely escape from our pandemical world. Maybe others here have books to suggest so we can all help each other get through these trying days?
Dear Susan,
Love your ending. Thanks for making Fall so beautiful. Can always count on you to share the beauty, something we all especially need lately.
Janet Hellmann
Quilts have been on my mind of late – and there one is on your page! It’s beautifully vintage, and I can only imagine the ladies circled around at a quilting bee, gossiping and stitching. It would be a lovely quilt to have.
Once again, I was sad to see your post come to an end. Thank you for being so generous with your heartfelt words and pictures and sharing your life with us. Bless you, Susan.
Susan, I cannot believe you are giving away that darling quilt that you have had for years AND the BOOK!! I LOVE all things old (which is why I am learning to love myself – ha!) and these two offers are too generous on your part, Thank you for sharing the sky pictures. The sky, even when frightening looking, is always beautiful. Happy Fall, sweet girl!
When I got your Christmas book in the mail, I tried to wait as long as I could to read it (savor it) I think I lasted about 3 days and gave in… I loved it!
Thanks Susan, for a lovely blog post! We need more smiles! 🙂
Happy fall. Boy did September fly by us. That’s okay…want to get this heathen election over with. Then on with our favorites; the lovely holidays!! Yay!
Thank you for the lovely cloud, pumpkin, quilt, kitty pictures and magical words. Your artist eye always lifts me up. I went outside tonight to check on the harvest moon
+ 1 and it caught my breath. “Rural England is too beautiful to be left outdoors” is one of my favorite quotes. Thank you for introducing me to it! As always, I’m excited about your giveaways. Just your blogs are enough to fill me.
I enjoyed the glimpses of sky…thank you ! Faith H
What a festive post! I loved all the sky pics! Each and every one soooo different! And most were breathtaking! Your fire pit melted my heart. I have a weakness for fires like this any time of year! Today I found some tea light candles that smell just like marshmallows!! I had both my husband and my son close their eyes and imagine being by a campfire, then I put one of the candles by their nose and asked them what they smelled, they both said “smores”! lol. I know you will LOVE your new fire pit! We have a similar one in our patio and love it! The last picture, of Jack looking out the window with pumpkins in the background was perfect!! Good luck to everyone in your generous book giveaway! Both are treasures!! Happy October!
I always love your blog. You bring out the magic and joy in every season!
Love,love, love your blogs!! They bring me peace and an escape from all the drama and grief that is 2020. So thank you so much. ❤️
Fire pits are great for a cool cozy evenings. That is a very nice one. Thanks for the sky!
October is the start of the holiday season! Thank you for the inspiration!
REALLY enjoyed the sky photos! My sister is a photographer and her favorite to snap are clouds so made me think of her. xoxo
Your blog posts are such a joy to read and I enjoyed traveling along on your ‘sky’ journey. I had a great aunt who lived on Lake George in upper New York State. Each evening, she made it a point to take a picture of the setting sun from their dock and add it to an album. What a treasure! Thanks for spreading such light during these ‘dampanic’ days of darkness. October is a favorite time of year as the calendar turn means that I can once more enjoy your ‘Autumn’ book– the very first book of yours that I ever purchased (and that set in motion my on-going devotion to your blog and your other books). Wishing you, Joe, and Jack a very happy (and safe) month on the Vineyard.
I received your book, Home for Christmas, this past week and sat down and immediately read it. I enjoyed every bit. I have enjoyed your artwork for years and look forward to each of your blogs!
Oh the stories a beloved old quilt could tell! Beautiful!!!
Dear Susan – you are indeed one of life’s treasures!!! Every blog and pictures that you write and post always have something we can all refer to in our lives – so similar to your endeavors (me 79)! I have received my big order – the Santa Book which is just adorable – Heart and Home Calendar – plus 2 mugs – one the bluebird for husband – and all things for me – great stocking stuffers. Also your three wonderful books takes us all to places that we can visualize if not there in person – always wonderful descriptions. Happy Fall – we in NC are now starting to also see some Fall like weather. Best wishes to both you and Joe – and we all pray for peace – 2021?
Although I am running the A/C to offset this unbearable California heatwave, your Fall pics take me right back to when I lived in the Berkshires and savored the cool sweater weather and every colorful leaf on every country road. Thanks for always lifting our hearts Susan!
Dear Susan, Again another wonderful post. I love the fall and your photos are so perfect. The skies are remarkable, the colors so beautiful. Thank you for them. I wonder tho, did you happen to catch a bunch of Unidentified Flying Objects in the one photo you took of your rear view mirror when driving your car? Our Vermont color is fantastic this year and a bit early, too. I am sure it is a gift from God, we do need something to cheer us up right now. We have two kitties and they love to sit and look out the windows and watch the leaves fly by, just like your Jack. Stay safe.
I enjoyed this newsletter to a huge degree. Perhaps being isolated because of the virus made it especially wonderful and meaningful. Keep them coming and this one made my day, month and perhaps year!!!
My comment seems to have not gone through for some reason. 🙁
Longing for a New England October. Thank goodness your newsletter arrived today, filled with photographs and the reminder that the seasons are changing. Can never “get enough” of your words, art, and inspiration – doing what letters can accomplished between friends. Thanks!
Your posts are always so uplifting. The beautiful skies and the wonderful fall pictures. I too, take many pictures of clouds and sunsets. I think it is because the beauty of each one is never repeated. The quilt is lovely.
Your posts always warm my heart! I recently reread my copy of A Fine Romance and lived it just as much the second time around! 💗
Another great blog when life is so comlicated. I enjoy each everytime you post. Thanks so much sharing your timr, thoughts, and pictures. Please enter me in your drawing.
Susan, your sky photos are so beautiful. They really lifted my spirits. There is so much sadness in this world right now, and we need all of the beauty we can get. Here on the West Coast, we have dealt with smoke in our skies that drifted to us from the wild fires in California and Oregon. We are blessed that this time it is in the high atmosphere here in Washington. Enjoy autumn there on the island. If we ever can travel safely again, a visit to Martha’s Vineyard is on my bucket list.
Stay safe and healthy, and keep inspiring us.
Linda
I always love your blog posts. I can hardly believe we’re in October already. Please give Jack a pat for me.
I loved all of your photos, but the best one you saved for last. Your kitty is just wonderful in all of your posts.
Simply, I love quilts. Please enter me.
What a lovely fall post! My favorite time of the year. Thank you.
Thank you for your beautiful post!!I absolutely loved it!!!God bless you Susan!!❤❤❤
Susan, so many of your comments resonate with me!! Especially ~ Thinking “What do I have to give?” is the true secret to a happy life. I love it and this is me! Your blog was wonderful and uplifting at a time when so many need it. Thank you!
Have a wonderful time with your new fire pit!!❤❤❤❤
Oh my dear Susan, your timing is always perfect, I know I say that every time but I mean it every time. What a treat it was to be part of the Titcomb zoom. I received my book and I am am in love with it. I haven’t gotten very far because I teach ( this virtual teaching is soooo consuming) but, I take a little bite whenever I get a break. Thank you for those enchanting pictures of the sky and the water. I hope you enjoy every minute of autumn. It’s my very favorite time of year. Thank you again….. stay safe, stay well……and remember to wear your mask. Smiles and hugs, liz
Beautiful pictures! I loved them all. We get some pretty sky portraits here in the Pacific Northwest too. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. thank you! For all your books and all your inspiration.
Here’s to a lovely October for all of us! Thank you for reminding me to seek out the beauty that God so graciously and abundantly shares with us!
Yes! A boring 2021 sounds perfect.
Thanks for the reminder that there still is “somewhere over the rainbow”.
The Vermont skies send best regards, Sept sunsets the best of the year in my estimation with a backdrop of blazing trees…just pinch me, and thank you for reminding us to just look…it is there…and it is free for all. A show unmatched, humbling, sheer awesomeness!
🔥 pits are the best! We have burned our way through several over the years, Enjoy!
Hi Susan, Thank you for your recent blogs and book. I read a Home for Christmas a couple of pages at a time, first thing each morning. It set the tone for each day taking me back to the preparations of Christmas at my home leading up to magical Christmases at my grandmothers’ homes in Central Massachusetts. To a time when we enjoyed the festivities leading up to the 25th almost as much as Christmas Day. So glad you wrote this story. All the best, Jennie
Fall is such an invigorating time. On the bicycle trail, the leaves are beginning to fall and turn here in Ohio. I discovered the joy of the bicycle again because of Covid! After the garden was cared for I was mostly sitting reading, not a bad thing but not good for the body sitting so long…so one day a thought came, “buy a bike”, I hadn’t ridden for at least 40 years. I came upon a quote by the great C.S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream!”; I bought myself a trike, it’s ‘candy purple’ and it brought me to life. I had promised myself to ride at least 30 minutes a day! It was not hard to keep because it was love at first ride and I have clocked in 580 miles since the beginning of July. I am out in the wilds again (Ohio has fantastic bike trails), watching the changing seasons and feeling great! Getting some great photos and meeting some new friends. Everyone should try it and I think they are, my bicycle shop is having a hard time filling orders. (P.S. I am 85 years young.)
Susan, Just LOVE all your posts, thanks sooooo much for sharing your sky pics with us. I always like looking up at the sky, seeing so many different cloud formations that look like animals, flowers, etc etc you name it, it’s there for you to discover. Thanks again, keep writing & clicking that camera 🙂 . . . . .
Absolutely loved all your SKY pictures. Such a beautiful peaceful comforting gift of art from God. All free for the taking every day. Sentimental journey this week as I turned 70 years old. Feeling a little bittersweet….about all the years gone by….but so thankful to be healthy and alive. Missing my sweetheart who passed on 2 years ago in September, but thankful we celebrated 45 years together. Love the fall days. Can’t wait for my Christmas books to arrive.
Enjoy your fire pit.
It’s always a red letter day when there is a posting from you! I know you will enjoy your fire pit – there is just something special about gathering around a fire – can it be something in our dna, instilled by our early ancestors?
Barbara W.
I always love your kind and thoughtful words, beautiful photos and illustrations — and your generous giveaways!! Thank you!
Loved your book ‘Home for Christmas’. I get to enjoy it again, as I am reading it to my 84 year young mom. Your book is bringing alive stories of mom’s childhood that would have stayed forever silent. So grateful.
My husband if 48 years passed away recently, so Especially Loved all the gorgeous pictures of the sky….heaven, where he now resides..
I love all of the quotes you use and your lettering and art work makes them magical. Thank you!
I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
~Anne of the Green Gables
Happy October Susan 🍁🌻🍂… our favorite time of year. Thank you for the lovely photos of sky. As my husband & I are on ‘Porchview’, staying at home, we are just amazed by the clouds, moon, nature..so wonderful. We all have so much to be thankful for & that includes you, Susan Branch & your blogs that give us hope, inspiration & appreciation of what is important in our lives.So grateful for you.
Oh,.,I got totally lost in your sunset pictures…so beautiful. I always smile when I see one of your posts in my inbox. So happy, and hopeful. We need that these days. So keep it up, enjoy October…it’s my favorite month! 😉
What a sweet little book–I love Lois Lenski! Her artwork graces many books remembered from my childhood, including the covers of the Betsy Tracy books. She wasn’t just an illustrator, she also authored many books, including the hard to forget Indian Captive. Great find!
Hi Susan,
I know I’ve said this before but it bears repeating…each time I see a blogpost from you in my email my heart just sings…because I know my day is going to be happier and just more fun after reading what you have to share.
It would certainly be great fun to win one of your gifts, but your blog is my real gift. Thank you. Stay positive but test negative (heard that recently and liked it).
Love all your pumpkins and decor. Jack seems to be enjoying them as well. I’ve been doing a few cross-stitch pumpkins for my coffee table bowl. One has a black cat inside the pumpkin. It’s so cute. The giveaway quilt is wonderful and as a quilter, I know how much energy and imagination has gone into the making of this one. Thank you for being so generous.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for all you share! Love all the photos of the wondrously everchanging sky, and especially the fabulous full moon on October 1st. I’m looking forward to the blue moon on Halloween! Enjoy your firepit!
Thank again with love,
Jane
My 70th birthday is October 23! I sure would love that book! I have enjoyed Lois Lensky’s illustrations for years. As a retired kindergarten teacher, I have read many of them to my students! Happy Fall, Susan!
Oh, my favorite time of year! Leaves are turning and nights are cooler. Here is California we wish with all our hearts that this smoke would clear up. Thank you for your beautiful words and pictures to lift hearts and spirits.
I always love your posts. So uplifting! And the quilt is gorgeous!!!
Thank you so for lifting my spirits! I drink my tea from your bluebird cup each morning. You are my sister from another family. So much fun reading your posts and all your books.
Happy Fall to you joyful lady. 🌾
Susan, What wondrous skies! You have an eye for beauty, for sure. Your house looks so Fallish-love the pumpkins over the door and the BOO in the window. Enjoy the new fire pit! That quilt will look perfect on my antique twin bed…..Your forever friend, Julia
Thank you for the lovely pictures and thoughts to savor, as with each new blog post. One of my favorite sky pictures in our photo albums is the sun setting over the Menemsha beach of your dear island. My husband and I were blessed to celebrate our 40th anniversary there several years ago. May you and Joe be blessed to add many beautiful memories to savor in your heart this fall.
Those skies!!!!
Love your fall shares, and of course, Jack keeping a watch over! We love our fire pit at the lake. The guys become real “warriors”, like they can only make fire! Ha! Well, we ladies make the s’mores and they best behave if they want one!
Happy October to ya!
My very own signed copy of Home for Christmas arrived yesterday, I just love looking at the cover. The next surprise, this wonderful wish of October goodness arrived today and just as I started to read, we took an evening walk to see the big beautiful harvest moon. Thank you for sending such wonderful cheery messages, we need those, you are a sweet blessing!
Oh how I love your posts! And your Zooms. And your books!! You inspire me with your quotes – I send a “Nana’s Wisdom” quote to a granddaughter off at college every morning. She secretly loves them, I think!💕 Thanks for your positive views always. I still would love to experience a Susan Branch England Tour schedule🥰 – so fun!
“Once On Christmas” definitely looks like a book I’d treasure! Lois Lenski’s
illustrations are among my favorites!
Somewhere over the rainbow, we will lick the isolation of covid! And in the mean time, thank you Susan for your words of cheer and wisdom and hope. We need you more than ever. And I really need that quilt or that book, wow!
Wow, what a special book! I would love to win it and can’t wait to read yours!
Love your encouraging words in my mailbox! Thank you for entering me in the contests.
Sweet Jack has a fun view! Thanks for including him each time you write!
Thank you for your lovely post. Enjoyed all the sky pictures!
Two of my favorite things are old quilts & old books so I’m delighted with the fun giveaways. Now if only I could be the winner 😍
Happy Fall!