Hi Everyone! Happy Autumn! Did you miss me? I definitely missed you! I’m still not sure my blog will work right, but I know you will let me know if you encounter road blocks. Ever since it shut down back in July my IT person has been working on it . . . he has also invited all our Willard girlfriends to join us here on the blog . . . which I’m hoping will work well too . . . it’s all a big experiment! But welcome! We have lots to catch up on! Let’s give it the old college try!🧡 Did I forget MUSICA? Oh no I di-ent!
It’s getting cold out there on our walk through the windy woods to the sea, crows are flying low, daylight is shrinking, a cozy knitted throw is near my favorite chair, candles are in their 
wooden holders. I put out my fall kitchen rugs and dish towels …. there’s a pumpkin on the table and flowers in my little vases . . . I especially love marigolds.🧡 I plant them every year just so I can have them this time of year. When you cut a branch like this and put it in water, it will keep going, the buds will bloom as you take off the faded ones … they brighten any corner and bring fall indoors!🍁🍂🍁
I’ve been doing fall cleaning chores … washing windows, airing quilts, oiling my table and wooden spoons … letting that oil sink in to make the wood more beautiful.
Getting ready for a cozy winter . . .🧡
I use mineral oil, the food-safe kind they have at the drug store. I brush it on with a pastry brush. The top three spoons are finished, I let the oil sink in for a few days … and I’m getting ready to do the bottom ones … isn’t the color difference amazing?
So, what’s new? Been a very long time . . . well, my newest news is that a couple of days ago I was wandering around the Internet, looking at house plans and ideas for decorating, and that’s when I discovered a fabulous new trend they are calling GrannyChic” or “Cottagecore” ~ and so, being of the granny age and curious, I thought, “What is THAT?” … and I discovered . . . you should hold on to something . . . this . . .
Look familiar? Believe it or not, this is Granny Chic. It’s a thing!! “Like your grandma, but hip,” one blogger wrote. 🤣
This is it too, looks like my girlfriend’s (who actually IS a granny) kitchen! It’s described as “a back to nature philosophy 
of simple old-house-living with pre-worn furniture, vintage books, delicate china, wallpaper, toile, flower gardens🌸, baked cakes, cups of tea you drink curled up in front of a fire with a kitty, learning to knit and embroider, feeding birds, arranging flowers, and listening to old music. “It’s a world like your grandma’s house where life is more whimsical and magical in an imagined past full of good things.” How about that my friends? Everything we LOVE!💞
“It’s baking fresh bread, listening to the radio, wearing a floral apron, and “simple closed-toe clogs.” One blogger said it could “dethrone Hygge!!!” Don’t you LOVE it?!! They even mention Laura Ashley! I am so HAPPY. We are IN again! I thought we were going to spend eternity in heartless minimalist-ville, but apparently, it’s OVER! Think of all those beautiful old “dated” kitchens HGTV ripped out! They’re going to have to put them all back! And the fireplaces they painted over!!! Eeeek!
Hygge, Cottagecore, GrannyChic, GrandmaCore Aesthetic, Grandmillinnial Style, whatever you choose to call it (they even have FarmCore and FaerieCore), antique stores are going to LOVE it! And now maybe they will want all that great stuff we’ve collected! And think of 
all the lovely hours spent wandering through antique stores ahead for the people who never heard of this before! They’re going to have so much FUN! Just no better way to have an original house than finding fanciful one-of-a-kind things at yard sales and second-hand stores. What’s next? CraftCore? Handwritten letters? Dinner parties? Anything can happen! It’s just an all-time win-win-win for the creative heart because HOME brings inner joy ~ it’s an especially big win for the Doily Mentality!😁
There are books and magazines for the “new” style and there’s fashion too, elegant simple things like this they are calling the “new Modesty.”🧡
And also, they are wearing 1970s granny dresses, cotton, long to the floor, with puffed sleeves. Even in Paris!
And when they put up pics of CottageCore houses, they look like this!!!🏠
And this … someone must have taken a trip to the English Countryside. So basically, you can count me in. Hippest of the hip … pure granny chic ~ should never go away again! Old is history, family, beauty.
I can’t tell you how much I love being hip and happenin’ again!😂
The chic-est of the chic!💋
What do you think. . . too granny? I’m sure SOME understand about the smell of freshly ironed clothes, don’t you think?
Anyway, I’ve been lighting candles and making chicken stock . . . ’tis the season . . . Couldn’t love it more. Let’s see, what else … So much happened over the summer . . . I can’t begin to tell you everything in one post ~ but here’s a little taste . . .
It was a beauty. The Island was packed this summer. A little scary in the Covid way, we had relatively high numbers … but we didn’t interact with many tourists, so we had our little safe pods of friends ~ it was the kids working in restaurants that took the brunt of the contagion . . . I can’t WAIT till this thing is over! I know it will be. These things always go away sooner or later, and we have way more ways to fight back than we used to.👏
We walked almost every day, our woods are still mostly green … we’re having a nice long fall this year 🍁 . . . these days we always have air pods in our ears when we walk, one in Joe’s, one in mine, sharing books as we hurry through the woods to the sea … I have Audible Books on my phone …
I’m one of the very few people in the world that had never read Wind in the Willows … Joe wanted me to hear it, he read it as a child, I don’t know how it got away from me! So we listened together … what a wonderful story. The description of each of their homes! Pure charm! I started looking deep into the woods wondering about all the life going on in there that we never see!
We read and loved Hamnet and the Pursuit of Love (have you seen the new Pursuit of Love movie? SO wonderful!!! Staring Lily James from Downton Abbey! Written by Nancy Mitford, the eldest of the famous (or infamous) Mitford Girls) ~ It’s on Amazon Prime. I hope you have it! The costumes/clothes are darling.
Right now we’re reading A Gentleman in Moscow. I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how much we love this book! We’re only about ¾ through it … I PRAY it holds true and doesn’t veer off into some sort of kidnap murder torture story, because so far it’s PERFECT. The Count! Adorable! (Please let him stay adorable and don’t let anything happen to him or anyone he loves!🙏) And please don’t tell me how it ends! The writing in this one is amazing. So good one would like to somehow examine the brain of Amor Towles to figure out HOW he THINKS of the things he does! We’re constantly repeating some of his word choices to each other and shaking our heads!
We took pictures of the Harvest Moon . . .
And counted stars over our house . . .
And had outdoor birthday picnics with our friends . . .
And dinner parties on their porches.
And at our house too . . .
We fed them the big beautiful tomatoes we grew in the garden!
Our dahlia garden grew strong and tall, and we learned so much! For one thing, next time we need to plant them earlier! May rather than June! It was torture waiting for the first ones to flower!🤣
They’re still going strong . . . we’re told they will last until first frost. 👏
We filled the house with them!
I go out to cut flowers or pick leaves of lettuce and Jack begs Joe to pick him up and hold him at the screen so he can watch me!
I planted two patches of lettuce for the fall season, and we’ve been eating amazing salads ever since! I always forget to do this, but not this year ~ I think it’s even more rewarding than doing it in spring! Lettuce likes colder weather too!
I designed and turned in the calendar covers for 2023! (Nice example of CottageCore if I do say so myself ~ kissing birds says it all!💞)
We had planned to go to my Studio in California by train for a family reunion (and a Kellee reunion💞) and stay the whole month of September but at the last moment we canceled … very disappointing but it just didn’t feel safe and we didn’t want to take a chance on bringing everyone together and have it turn into a Covid-cluster. Not worth it when we’re talking about our beloveds. We’re going to try again in November when we hope things are better. Instead, we drove ourselves onto the ferry, and went camping on Lake Sebago in Maine!
Camping in this cozy cabin, Granny Chic Style!
Having dinner among the pines, with wood-smoke spicing the air . . . can you smell it? 
We even had a porch with rocking chairs and a fireplace. It was heaven. And our first official get-away in 2 years!
We visited roadside stands 🎃, did Christmas shopping, ate lobster next to Camden harbor🦞, and visited a wonderful DAHLIA GARDEN… and we arrived home just in time for the rising of the Harvest Moon.🌕
When we got back, I waited in line and got my booster. I had Pfizer, Joe got Moderna so he is still waiting for the big okay. I feel a little bit like Superwoman now…💞
That’s enough of summer because it’s already October, and I’m sure you’re wondering where your cups are! I know you know Covid has thrown the shipping world into a tizzy … but no, thank goodness, your cups are not sitting on a ship in Long Beach Harbor! They were picked up in England at the manufacturer on August 12 and put on a slow boat that came in on the east coast … and our most recent news (2 days ago) is they were on a train heading for California, a very good sign, and Joe is GUESSING they should arrive at the Studio by October 15th. For sure, they are on their way, and the minute we get our hands on them they will be in the mail to you!! I’m so sorry they’re late!
BUT, in the meantime, very good news, the puzzles have finally arrived and are all stacked up in the Studio ready for the the cozy season! Hopefully we won’t run out this time because from what I can see, shopping is going to be a bit iffy this year. Backup jams, candies, and cookies are going on my list!
And the Calendars are Here! Much later than usual, but perfect timing for 2022!
And the new printing of Autumn got here in the NICK of time! I’m so excited to revisit some of my favorite recipes … 
And the second printing of Home for Christmas just arrived too.👏
Okay, a few more things, first off, ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT GOING TO ENGLAND AGAIN? Sailing past the Statue of Liberty on the Queen Mary 2 together? And our Picnic? If I was a person who said squeee, I would say squeeee! I think about it constantly!🚢 And if by chance you don’t know what I’m talking about, go back a couple of posts, scroll to bottom of each of them (I always put the ship news at the bottom of the posts for easy finding) and find out how to join us aboard the shipleaving NY Harbor for Southampton, England on May 1, 2022.🇺🇸🇬🇧
Also, another VERY interesting PBS special that I think you’ll like is Citizen Hearst … the story of William Randolph Hearst, 1863-1951. Chock full of old photographs and videos, his life takes up a huge time-period of American history ~ so you get all that too! Really interesting.
I’m doing a Zoom party for a group with the perfect name of Enchanted Book Club on December 4th. There is room for 400 of my dearest girlfriends, so if you’re interested, it’s first come, first serve, and free. It’s at 3 pm EST, 2 pm in Chicago, noon California Time, and 8 pm in England and I’d LOVE to see you there! Register HERE. (Addendum: Best news! We already have 450 of you signed up for the Zoom! 👏 but The Enchanted Book Club upgraded their Zoom account so we have room for 1000 now! 💞Yay!)
Well, off I go for now! Hope you are doing well . . . If everything goes okay today with this blog, I’ll be back soon with MORE! One way or another I’ll let you know! Write and say Hi! ❌⭕️❌⭕️ 
Ooo so good to see your blog and Willard again. Here we are close to Halloween; I’m busy sewing a second purple dinosaur costume for a granddaughter who is two. Lots of pattern adjustments on this one.
I have a couple questions: 1. so happy to get your pocket/purse calendar. It needs a list or two of birthdays so i gotit early to fill in before New Years. Is it possible you have a sticker or something to mark: Pie of the Month? I bake by seasonal fruits and need a reminder. You do such cute and thoughtful drawings, that I thought I’d ask .
2. Any chance of a cookbook on just pie? I;ve been sorting my pie notes and didn’t realise I have so many. I’m trying to organize them so I can find them more easily. Some pie cookbooks ahave great recipes & ideas but need some drawings to make the book POP!
We are loving autumn gifts – pumpkins, leaves, chilly mornings, smoke scenting the air, marshmellows (I’ve got to make some) and finishing the to do chore lists (pouring concrete, last minute mowing, apple picking, fall walks..) Hope your chore list is almost complete too
Susan you are such an inspiration and amazing person❤️
I needed your post, like you and many others I’m missing my Mom and Dad especially this time of year. I lost both of them 7 months apart 11 years ago, but it still seems like yesterday. Thank you for your wonderful reads. I bought your puzzle a few months ago, my Daughter and Granddaughter helped put it together. As all of your books and calendars it too is beautiful!! I’m going to have it framed and put in what I call my Granny bedroom!!! Thank you again for the little uplifting reads❤️❤️❤️
Beverly Stone
I’d really like “Lynn reed Maust” to please take her rants elsewhere.
This blog is a place for laughs, lighthearted fun and friendly exchange.
I appreciate that Susan has taken the highest of the high road here (thank you for showing grace and elegance even in this tough and serious situation) but enough has to be enough. No one deserves to be attacked on her own blog that she so lovingly creates and puts out for everyone’s enjoyment.
“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
― Dale Carnegie
So glad to hear from you! Like any old friend – happy you are back! CottageCore! GrannyChic! I’m finally ‘in style’! Sending hugs!
Susan, Glad you’re back! Yes, I did very much miss you!!I am rather worried you have become a bit burned out by blogging, and I wouldn’t blame you. You probably think, what on earth can I post that is new? Here in wonderful autumn weather Central Arizona! I have gone back many times into your archives and am truly amazed at how little you repeat your self. That is a rare talent to keep so may affixed to your blog all these years! A Pollyanna extraordinaire! I am grateful I found you last year just at the Lock Down! Thanks so much for not stopping, even though it might feel old, I for one really look forward to your posts.👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️💋🥰
Here in the Verde Valley, the leaves are still very green, but we are in sweat shirts in and out these perfect days. Pulled out a lot of Zinnias to get seeds before the first frost, as the flowers seeds are ruined after that. Ready to plant pansies for the fall/winter pots. The “English garden” is going to be completely gutted this fall so I can till it very well. Could not keep up with the weeding this year. Yes,some flowers last almost the whole year and have planted wintering flowers too in the past, but with a good tilling and compost layers, I believe next spring and summer the garden will look much better. Having to take out herbs and lavender first to pot them. First time, so I hope they survive the screen porch for this winter. 🤞🤞
Like your ex-husband, mine also had a made up term for my decorating style. I had doilies too, but he termed mine, “Thrift store/attic”. Very true. I took it as a complement, though it wasn’t meant to be, I’m sure. My beloved hubby Lawrence loves the way our home looks. He says it’s so cozy. People who visit rarely leave without mentioning how cozy and warm our home is. Inside and out. Like our “girlfriends” I never cared what was the trending fashion, I just loved what I loved and did cozy. The dusting is the only drawback though.
I wish those people who want to voice their political views would do so on Twitter, or else-where, because I love that you keep your blog spot free of dissenting opinions. This is our “Happy place”. Right? There is a little blue bird on upper left column, you can click on it to go to Twitter, or Facebook, etc to see what SB is doing on those sights. Just saying. 🥰🥰
Good Monday morning Susan! First off, I’m sorry this comment is soooo late. I wrote a long one, then lost it:( Don’t you hate it when that happens ?) Then life got in the way! I love this post…and reading about the granny chic …I love it! I also have marigolds and enjoy them through the fall. They are so hardy! I have filled my wheelbarrow with them for years! This year we got some regular ones, plus some that were bigger. Not sure if they are a new breed or I’ve just never seen them before. I am so happy that they have your website up and running again. I have missed you. (Also, my Willard email accidentally got deleted…I’m so sad…you know how I love Willard!)
Have a blessed day!
Gert
Whew, busy day catching up. Wash done, big Italian meatloaf in the oven. I hid a surprise inside for the Lovely Tom…lots of pepper jack cheese.
We had an absolutely perfect 4 nights, 5 days in Rockland area. Thanks to you, Miss Susan for reminding me about Primo. Our meal was fabulous. We were in a big room that I think had been part of an attached barn, so it wasn’t crowded. They’d made it very interesting with odd rustic bits and pieces on the walls and between tables. Food was AbFab! Waiter hilarious. We totally stuffed ourselves with cocktails, wine, appetizers, mains, and desserts. Tom had pork, I had duck. The amuse bouch was a shot glass of lobster stew?? I told the waiter that my bouch was amused! Went back to the Inn and basked in the light of the full moon.
Took the back way home, which goes over steep hills and dale, past very old, very lovely farms, ancient stone walls, stunning Fall color.
And the beauty continues with a picture perfect day today. It is chilly, expecting frost tonight, but maybe not here.
Thank you, Susan, for the Twitter posts. I always enjoy going down that trail. You do the work, I thank you.
Happiest of Falls for all of us. Kids soon to be vaccinated, hopefully that will help make it less likely that another, maybe more virulent mutation will occur. All unvaccinated people are petri dishes for this…..so, don’t be surprised that we are way, waaaay beyond giving you a pass, and you Know Who You Are. Don’t make me even more furious than I am. Missing seeing our families, losing over a year and a half of precious life….in lives that are drawing to an end. 81 and 76. You do Not have the right to do the misinformation dance!!!
Be glad, very glad, I don’t come to you and give you a good “Talking To.”
Manchin and Sinima are a disgrace, aren’t they?
OK, enough rantn’ and ravin’. “Have” ( one of the ways the people of Pompeii said Be Well) Everyone.
Mucho Love to you, Dear Lady, and Dear Joe and Dear Jack,
Debbie immersed in a gawjus sunset in Downeast Maine
Hi , we are currently on The Vineyard and I was wondering if you have any of your mugs , calendars or puzzles for sale at the local shops? Always excited to get my new calendars 🥰 Thank you PS A bit nervous about the upcoming weather as we are on Lake Tashmoo and they are calling for very high winds😳 any tips for white knuckling it 🙏🏻👍🌊
Hi Linda… well I hope you have your electricity back! That was one of the biggest storms I’ve experienced in my 40 years here on the island… maybe the biggest. And you are here! I hope you’re okay… Let me know when you can! Much better today, but you’ll need your sweater!
YAAAAY! So happy you are back!!! It was a long time and I really missed your posts. I tried to register for the December 4th zoom but said admission is closed….Maybe you are at max? Anyhoo, I hope you post more frequently now that you are up and running…This was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Oh My, I know everyone is fingers and toes crossed that no harm comes to anyone on the New England coast tonight, especially “our” Susan, Joe and Jack. This is a pretty good Nor’Easter, eh? Don’t mind the rain, however. If power goes out before supper, we’ll enjoy a romantic, candle light meal. Hope you can do the same. 😉
Sending Mucho Love and Thanks,
Debbie in Maine
Oh so lovely to see you again! Your blog makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It is the best thing to read before I sleep. Guaranteed to make for sweet dreams. So glad you are staying safe. 😊 Kit
Thanks for posting on Twitter. We’re all relieved that you two “old girls” are unscathed. I had my oil lamps all out to light, just in case. Didn’t need them…not yet, anyway. I just started Gentleman in Moscow. Just what this “old girl” needed.
Stay safe.
Debbie in Maine
Glad your power is back. I’m thawing 3 pounds of ground venison to start on my real mince meat. Got out the old meat/veggie grinder so I can do the suet, our apples, whole orange, some of the raisins, etc. So excited, as I’ve not made it before.
Still have more than 10 pounds of moose and deer in the basement freezer.
Happy Halloween!
Debbie in gawjus, sunny, windy and chilly Maine…just as it should be!
I always enjoy your blog, your pictures and tidbits. I also got to go to Maine. My brother lives in Rockport, so I get to go there a lot. If you get to go again, please go to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor. You will not be sorry. It is an amazing place. And they have a dahlia garden to die for! I wish I knew how to sent pictures, but alas I am technically incometent.
Susan – I can’t thank you enough for recommending the book “A Gentleman in Moscow”!!!! It is one of the most well written books I’ve ever read which is saying a lot at 75 years old. What a wonderful command of words – such word pictures. I’ve already recommended it to my sister and put my request in at our local library for The Lincoln Highway by the same author.
I’m so happy you like it… I couldn’t agree more! Wonderful magical book. What a way with words! Another world!
Ditto, Carolyn!!!
Never would have picked up this book without seeing the recommendations here. It was so wonderful. Just ordered a couple more for gifts. Thank you!
As I adored “Gentleman” so much, I got another by the same author, Rules of Civility. The writing is extremely “smart”, and there are many great observations about life in general. Over all, I found the dialogue and thoughts of the major speaker, a woman, to be completely “off”. I find that’s often the case with even the best of male writers writing from a woman’s perspective. The Lincoln Highway looks to be great.
Happy Winter Reading, and thank you, Susan, for the recommendations.
Debbie in Maine until Sunday…bitter sweet
Dearest Susan, my heart has been so jumpy thinking of you, more like “worrying” about you and I don’t know why! I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciate you. I started today rereading “Martha’s Vineyard. Isle of Dreams”, I can’t even guess how many times I’ve enjoyed this book or the others. I always seem to reach for your books around the holidays when I want life to slow down a bit and enjoy the little things that mean the most. You are such a talented writer, seriously. I treasure those books along with others that you introduced me to, Stillmeadow and Gladys Taber, Hill Top and Beatrix Potter, your books seem so fitting with these treasures.
I guess I worry because you don’t seem to post as much and I don’t want you to feel guilty or obligated, you shouldn’t! I have noticed that you’ve posted a couple of times to Instagram so I can assume you are fine. These last six years have been a roller coaster, the last two with this virus has pushed us all thin. A good friend recently admitted that she has lost the joy of day to day life with the constant anger and uncertainty that this country seems to be immersed in. I just wanted to check and let you know I’m here sending all my love and energy your way even more right now than usual. You mean a lot to me. Just want you to be happy and well cared for.
Okay, enough mushy stuff. Geez! I can go on!
Love you much dear heart.
Ginette
Ribbit, Ribbit everyone. It’s, November 1, and the whole house, and maybe the neighborhood, smells of mincemeat. Took both Tom and myself the last few days to get near the stage of putting it in the jars, and sealing them in a hot water bath. We still have many pounds of moose meat in the freezer. This is made with deer, which, by the way, is delicious if you add some fat.
I decided to resurrect the ancient iron meat/veggie grinder. Couldn’t even remember how to assemble the parts….drool. Tom to the rescue. Today we ground the 16 cups of our own apples, scrubbed, cored and peeled by me yesterday. We ground 2 whole navel oranges, one whole lemon, 2 pounds of golden raisins, and some suet. Deer is extremely lean. Grinding the suet last night was the cause of some unlady-like language. Deer meat was sauteed a few days ago and frozen. Now, all of that mixed with a quart of fresh apple cider, molasses, 2 pounds of brown sugar and spices, is cooking in a slow oven in 2 roasting pans, for 4 hours until very thick and ready to go into the jars. Heavenly smells. Will be giving as gifts and mailing to Tampa for a taste of Maine at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
PS. I think this will be the last time the old grinder gets used in my kitchen. I’ll borrow my lovely neighbor’s food processor, if I decide it will work as well.
I need a Nap!!!
Happy Fall, Mucho Love,
Debbie in Maine
So so enjoy your newsletters. I’ve been waiting for the design world to bring back warmth to homes, so glad you shared those pictures. Now maybe they’ll finally close back up some of the open concept areas, LOL. I live in a big city, so it’s a breath of fresh air to see your home and the grounds and the walks to the sea. When I win the lottery – that’s my mantra, I’m moving to the island.
Thank you for always brightening my day.
This was a beautiful post Susan, thank you. I love Fall, it’s my favorite time of the year. Sad news, my father (98) passed away in October and my husband last June. I have been sick with my second bout of diverticulitis recently, so it’s not been the greatest year. And we thought last year was bad! Looking forward to my two new cups arriving. I have 9 already so really didn’t need anymore, but the Rabbit Rabbit cup and the Blessings cup spoke to me! Is the supply chain debacle holding up the cups? So looking forward to your next post. Keep up the good work!
Squeeeee!! (Is that right?) I love the picture of you in your cowgirl outfit. I have a picture of myself all decked out in my Dale Evans one with my little brother, who was 3 on his rocking horse. Looks as though you mastered spinning the 6 shooter on your finger. 🙂
We had our first frost this week, and that was the end of the flowers in the bit pots. They’ll go on the compost heap. I Finally!!! finished canning all the jars of mince meat. It was mostly fruit, and I must say it’s delicious.
8 more days, counting today, to get everything ready to shut the house for the Winter and pack boxes to mail. We are flying an airline that goes direct from Bangor to Clearwater, but allows only one checked bag, and they charge $$$ for that. Even charge for a carry on!!! Actually, it costs less to UPS things. The one thing I won’t mail is my recipe collection, many in the handwriting of long dead loved ones. I still sit down and flip through in order to make out the grocery lists….doesn’t everyone? HA, I never did until we realized that Tom doing the shopping saved us literally many hundreds of dollars and spoiled food. I’d go up and down all the aisles and just grab what looked good. I still go occasionally just to check out what’s new. I’ve revamped many older recipes over the last 17 months. We never went out to eat until very recently and had no takeout out here in the Boonies, so it was cook or prepare 3 meals a day. I know untold thousands of cooks around the country were doing the same.
But….now fully vaccinated and boosted, we look forward to the local restaurants in Tampa. I just have 10 Covid pounds to shed until I can get comfortably into my Glad Rags!!! Also looking forward to seeing my precious step daughter and my oldest and dearest friend in Tampa…a 52 year friendship that has stood the test of time. Having no kids of my own, I appropriated her 3 daughters. I loved the tag, “Other Mother”!!!
Be well, Miss Susan,
Mucho Love,
Debbie in Maine PS. below
Love looking at your Twitter post, Dear Lady. You are a wee two years younger than I, so we share memories of the 50’s. So cute you are, standing on your very own front porch at Holly Oak. You were so very Brave and Strong to do what you did. All those tears and fears were stepping stones to your precious Joe and a rich life on Martha’s Vinyard. I like to think of my first marriage and move to Tampa as my stepping stones to The Lovely Tom. Sometimes we do have Fairy Tales come true, don’t we?
Susan, I am so grateful I followed your how-to oil my wood spoons. They never looked better and will surely be used by my daughter as they are so we’ll preserved! Thank you! My home is very cottage core now with beautifully finished wood utensils, Susan Branch seasonal banners, my mother’s vintage linens rounded out with antique finds, and my FIRST Susan Branch bone china cup – the winter one! Love how it feels in my hand and is a pleasure to sip my Earl grey lavender tea out of! It just cries out for an elegant place setting, cloth napkins, and lovingly prepared fresh foods. Dreaming of our England tour in late August! What to pack to look stylish and be comfortable. A beautiful journal has already been started – detailing the reservations, payment schedule, and itinerary, and special things we are planning to make the trip unforgettable! Fall is in full swing here in western North Carolina. Pretty colors, crisp leaves, and sweater weather. So welcome after a steamy summer! We remain healthy and are so thankful for the vaccine and mask protection. We’ll continue to be cautious and enjoy the blessings of home and be grateful for our family and our jobs. We are indeed blessed beyond measure!
Whoo Hoo! I just got your Bluebird and your Turtledove mugs for my birthday! Tea for two, Happy days! Xxx
Your freshly oiled table looks gorgeous! I see your ironing board set up and the smell of my mom ironing tablecloth’s comes rushing in 💕. I love Jack, he’s so darn cute. I love Martha’s Vineyard, such fun memories of visiting. I cannot wait to set sail on May 1. So many wonderful things in life 😊
Thank you for the joy, seeing the miraculous and sharing it🎉❣️🎉
Susan,
I still have some original “Willards” (remember when you wrote them out in your lovely hand, and sent them by snail mail?) that I keep in your cookbooks.
I just finished Amor Towles new book, The Lincoln Highway. I can’t recommend it enough! Wonderful book!
I do remember… wish we still could do that!!! But at least this makes them happen more often! Great to hear about the Lincoln Highway!
Blessings upon blessings! 💛🧡🤎
Love,Love,Love everything Susan Branch!!
I just adore your blogs, Susan.
LOVE me some Susan Branch!! I wish I could still get the checks ~ yes I still write checks sometimes : )
What a wonderful way to spend time this afternoon reading your blog!
I look so forward to receiving your newsletters and I love to shop for your things. It brightens my day!! Thank you for you 🙂
I really relate to granny chic! Its totally me in a nutshell. Thanks for sharing that, and all the rest! Loved it, and for being granny chic all the while. I love your stove more than anything, btw.
Willard makes my heart happy……every word and picture…..THAT was my blessing today and I kindly thank you for sending it my way.
So very excited to discover a new post. Also glad that fallen tree didn’t harm people or property!! How generous of that girlfriend to offer up the wonderful candlesticks. Blessings to you for the holidays ❤️
I am leaving a “word or two’ for the opportunity to have those lovely, lovely candlesticks on my Thanksgiving table. Thank you for bringing beauty into this world through your work.
Susan it is always so nice to read your blog I wish I was there by your fireplace with a cup of hot tea chatting with you it feels like days gone by at my grandmother’s house have a beautifl season and Happy Holidays
I discovered you when I was a young adult-and a college artist. You always uplift me with your inspirational quotes, beautiful paintings and photographs (I’m a life-long New Englander, and I love that you seem to find the beauty in all you see in our surroundings)! Thank you ❤️
Maybe because I didn’t grow up here! It still all a sort of miracle to me!
Little brown church, blessings. to have those wonderful candlesticks.. thank you,
happy thanksgiving and a very blessed christmas season.
Thanks for this beautiful blog in my Inbox! It’s always a fun way for me to escape at the end of the day~ 🍁🧡☕️
This might be one of my favorite Willards ever!!! Savoring it entirely!!!
I always get excited when I see I’ve received an email from you. I know I will find a gentle offering of goodness and hope through your writings, drawings and photos. I feel like saying, once again, “Life is good.”
Makes me happy to hear that Renee … we do have so much to be grateful for!
Dear Susan
Your words and inspirations have filled my 💖 with love, and gives me a good feeling that our lives will hopefully be back to normalcy soon. Thanksgiving will be here with my kids and 6 grandkids. I will use a few of your words, when we each tell what we are thankful for.
I hope our Love for each other will show with each hug. Thanks for a fantastic journey to see the beauty our world holds. Your home looks so cozy, and the furnishings are beautiful. Just what I love, well used things!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
Of all the blog posts I follow this is by far my most favorite and the best!!!!!! Hands down!!!! I meet Susan briefly many years ago when her book Autumn came out at a book signing in my town and she could not have been sweeter! I’ve been a fan for over 25 years and look forward to each and everything she shares. Look forward to whatever the future holds for her to share with us all.
Thank you Denise!!!❌⭕️
How wonderful that you are doing a give-away! I love the decor-it makes me feel safe and sound, too. I am reading Gentleman In Moscow and it’s delightful-the author is a grand wordsmith, to be sure. I do so love this newsletter and appreciate all that you put into it.Greetings form the Bay Area in California-hello to everyone!
What a lovely thing to sit and read Willard on this rainy Fall morning in Maine.
Just really wanted to say how much I enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow, and that I still think about it often. I may have to read it again this Winter.
Happiest of Holidays to everyone.
Thank you for the November Willard! I just retired after 33 years in public service and will have time to make more of your recipes and to decorate!
A daily activity now is time researching my family history – and the discovery that on my fathers side we are descended from two couples who traveled to America on the Mayflower – John Alden and Priscilla Mullins and Stephen Hopkins and Elizabeth Fisher. The Pilgrim candlesticks would be a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving table, especially this year, the anniversary of the 400th Thanksgiving!
I just love ancestry! Those discoveries are so much fun! ❌⭕️
I am going through some hard times and reading your newsletter is a blessing. I am ready to start the day with a smile on my face and hope for better days in my ❤️
Thank you, Susan💕
Me too, 🙏 wishing right with you Susan!💞
So many blessings and so much to be thankful for 💝 your blog being one of many. Whenever I’m craving that coziness, I look to Willard and Willard never disappoints!
Happy Thanksgiving blessings to all with love 🍂🍁🦃🍂🍁
Love your art work! So sorry about the storm’s destruction! Thanks for a nice Giveaway! 🙂
How sweet of her to be willing to buy the candlesticks and give them up for us. Looks like you’ve been having a wonderful time. I’m glad you have your friend close to hang out with. I love looking at pottery barn things. How exciting for the book club girls and you and Joe. Happy Fall!
Lovely pictures, great news about cups. Happy holidays to all
I always love receiving a Willard. All the pictures are beautiful and I always like to get updates on Jack.
Fell in love with these candlesticks! To win them would be dream come true. Thank you for the chance,
Please enter me in for the pilgrim candle stick holders—-Oh how I would love to win them ! I love them ! I enjoy all your posts so much. Happy fall and Happy Thanksgiving !
Hi Susan,
I love getting your emails and reading the latest edition of Willard. <3 It is so enjoyable to sip a cup and tea and read what you have written. It is like catching up with an old friend. And as to the Granny chic style, well, we were cool before it became popular. lol The candlesticks are absolutely adorable! If I won, I may have to keep them our all year round. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing with us. Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you blessings.
I live on Kauai, born in New Jersey. I so enjoy seeing your Fall photos. I miss the change of seasons.
Pumpkin cheesecake! Yum. The best…
Thanks, as always, for your letter. The best remedy for NW blues!
I would love it if you would make a Thanksgiving Book mark and a new Christmas one…thx
So good to hear from you.
Susan, I’ve enjoyed and treasured all the the Willards I’ve received over the years. Living in Hawaii where we basically have only 2 seasons (Hot and Hotter!)
I’ve had to vicariosly experience the seasons (especially Fall, Winter) through your talent and sharing of your life. Aloha and Mahalo for teaching me to appreciate the abundant blessings in our lives.
The pilgrims are adorable!!
Susan, I love everything you do!! My best friend is also Susan. My grown grandchildren still call me Grandmommy! So many things you write, watercolor, publish, and love are after my own heart. Your home looks a lot like the one we built and live in, down to the white clapboard and shutters. I wanted it to seem lived in. My friend Susan says she likes to come over because it really does seem that way—-down to the stacks of books everywhere that “overflew” our gazillion bookcases. Oak floors, white carpets, flowered rugs, and chintz. So, I shall say have a wonderful, warm Thanksgiving with those you love and we plan to do the same!
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Being from Minne-snowtah, I am not familiar with the beautiful area where you live. You have this fascinating way of sharing your neck of the woods that makes me feel like I can smell the smells and walk the walks with you! I live in an English stone cottage and every little detail in your home is right up my alley! Thank you for sharing the pictures with us!!
I about did back flips over the candle holders! I picked up a cross stitch picture in black and cream (black being my fav color ever) in Gettysburg and it reminded me of those silhouettes!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
We have so much to be grateful for….
I do love those candle sticks they would make a great table scape for thanksgiving I was glad to get your blog I am reminded about my Aunt who died in February of this year she’s the one who told me about you I am so glad she did your stuff reminds me of her she was a crafter and a sewer and loved life Thank you for that
I’m 59 and have been collecting your wonderful artwork, books, dishes, etc. since your first book in 1986! 🙂 I’ve loved the pilgrim candlesticks that you put out in the fall and would love to win a set. However, I’m one of those people who don’t win contests or raffles. But I’ll continue to love your work!
Thank you for everything you give to us.
But, remember, as a happiness thing, we have a much better chance to win this than to win the lottery!💖😘
Oh, so happy am I to sit in my Jammie’s and read your Willard with a cup of strong hot tea and two sweet dogs nearby. The photos are wonderful to see your part of our country and all the favorite loves of your happy home. I’m a granny to a sweet boyo named Forrest who will truly be a child of the outdoors and I just know that Fall will be his favorite time of year like his grandma’s . A wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving to you and your Joe and Jack.
Enchanted with Willard in my email. You have such a generous heart for sharing the things that make life homey and good. Have loved reading Autumn every year along with anything else you share. Best love and blessings. vicki
Truly enjoyed your blog and have missed it. It’s like a visit from a good friend. I love the candlesticks and they would look lovely on anyone’s table at Thanksgiving. I’m so happy to have Thanksgiving again and with everyone coming. Might be 30 of us and so Thankful. I can’t seem to but I wanted to send a picture of my Posies in a Glass Sugar Bowl that I set the table with each year. I let our guest take one home because I can always find more at Goodwill. I always fill the posies with Flowers, bits of Rosemary and Jade from our garden. Blessings to all!
Your blog always amazes me by its lovely art, details, quotes, photography, recipes and so much more.
The little Church in the Wildwood stoneware piece! Where did you ever find that? My favorite hymn as a child, and I used to sing it to my Grandmother. Would love to find one!
It was one of those blank porcelain Menu stands you can write your dinner menu on (or a poem, or anything) … I wrote that hymn for our Thanksgiving dinner table! Look HERE for the stands.
I have throughly enjoyed your posts. This one is so timely that I had to share it with my girlfriends! The recipes sound delicious, and the pictures are just darling! Thank for the decorating ideas too.
Lovingly,
Alma
Autumn Blessings, to you DEAR SUSAN and Joe, and all who cherish h<3me and friends and bless our entire world!
I love your walk visits and the beautiful pictures you take!
My dear Susan,
So enjoyed your Willard! So happy to hear Martha’s Vineyard survived the storms, I thought about you all and said a few prayers! How wonderful to finally enjoy your autumn weather. And, yes, time for Thanksgiving and Christmas! As the song goes, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!!!!” Wishing you and Joe wonderful surprises and blessings during these beautiful holidays! BTW, received my Blessings mug and my wall calendar for 2022, so happy. Your staff in SLO are awesome ladies!
I know they are! Thank you for telling me though, I will pass it on!❤️
That was the most wonderful Willard! I have been penpaling for about 36 years (I’m 50) and a few dear pals & I, try to spice things up and write fun things and include pictures. So ,this was so much fun to read! I love your life and appreciate your talent. I would love to find the pilgrim candle holders -they are wonderful. I do hope you are well.
I have been a fan of yours since my daughter gave me your first book for Christmas in 1996. I think I have most if not all your books. The “Summer” book is one of my favorites and The Pancake Story. I have re-read it so many times and it gives me such a warm feeling. Have a wonderful time next May on your way to Great Britain.
How clever! Thank you, Susan!
Happy Thanksgiving~~
Reading your Willard on a wild and woolly day here in Marlborough MA. It has made me feel very cozy and I am actually enjoying the weather!
Love love this Willard! So happy there was so much to read!
SO enjoy your newsletters! This one was amazing – so many fabulous experiences this summer; great ideas for the holidays; lovely photos of the gifts of nature on your island; fun times with friends, old and new; and, oh, those gorgeous tomatoes! ❤️
I really loved seeing all the pictures – so beautiful and relaxing to just scroll though all of them. Your Thanksgiving table was charming with the pilgrim candlesticks. It reminded me of something my dear Grandmother Beech would like. Hope I win the drawing!
So glad to see Willard, always interesting.
Susan….your newsletter is always a highlight when it arrives in my email. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with us. Have a blessed holiday season.
Missed you so much! Love your mugs, drawings,stories and photos! I read the blogs several times. They are so lovely! Keep sending your happy ideas. They make my day! The candle sticks are the best. Wish I could find a pair for my thanksgiving table too. Keep up your charming emails. I so enjoy them.
I love your fall Willard. You add comfort and coziness to my heart as well as my life. We are having a riot of spectacular fall color in Seattle now along with lots of rain and wind! Just tonight our kitchen door blew open and set off the alarm. Ghosts? Maybe, we live in a 1912 house as sturdy as they come.
I ordered three more cups as my bluebird cup has a crack in it from so much use!
Thank you for sharing yourself, your art and interests,
Many of us share them with you,
Kindly,
Julie
,
I love the Willard every time and I share it with my sister, daughter, God child and friends and they all love it, too! I bought all of them your calendar this year as well by asking who wanted one for Christmas and they all said yes, please! We love your books, recipes and all of the ways you bring joy and fullness to life. Thank you so much for being you!
Thank you Karen. You can sign them up to get a Willard of their own if you like, although the connection you have by sharing it is a wonderful thing … anyway, it’s a good free Christmas present!❤️❤️❤️
It is Sunday afternoon in Volga, SD. A cool dreary day for sure. What a beautiful blog and all the photography to go along with. Thank you for blessing me to stay at rest and delight in reading The Willard.
Love the candlesticks and, of course, your news is always interesting and fun to read. We, on the west coast, were plummeted with high winds last weekend but only 50-70 mile gusts. Strong enough to fall trees here in redwood country. We were without electricity for 27 hours. Thank you for your lovely Willard!
Loved reading the newsletter! Like you I am delighted GrannyChic is a thing and homes will be taking on a cozy feel again. Love the pilgrim candlesticks they would look lovely on a homespun/woven tablecloth and a delightful memory refreshed each Thanksgiving. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the labor of your love, for all of us to enjoy.
This was a most lovely, long retreat from the difficulty of 2021. Am I alone in finding this year more difficult than 2020? Thank you for sharing your seasons and beauty with us. It buoyed my spirits so very much. Blessed Thanksgiving to you all.
You aren’t alone… we keep doing what we’re supposed to, and it still doesn’t end. Very disheartening. But we have to keep our sunny sides up, there are bright moments to hold on to. Stay strong Patricia… xoxoxo😘
Was back in Nashville, TN for the CMAs and was able to drive to Memphis, TN. I am native San Diego, CA and have never experienced the changing of the leaves. But we were blessed as they are having a late autumn and we were able to see all the beautiful yellow, oranges and reds. I only wish we could have stayed longer to take in this entire experience. It was so beautiful!
I love your older issue of Autumn , I read it every year at this time, good recipes, thank you so much, Mary
Just love receiving your newsletters, photos, & ideas. Such a lovely way to spend the day.
I found your site several months ago recovering from lung surgery. A friend lent me your two books about your life. They were such an inspiration for me. Thanks for sharing your talents in such a unique way!
Thank you Carolyn … I hope you’re all better now! 🧡
The candlesticks are wonderful. I love to use sentimental objects to tell my grandchildren stories about their ancestors or the history of a place. Seems like they remember it more when. There is something tangible for them to hold and inspect. It’s Nana’s Show and Tell. I use heirloom Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations, their parents’ toys and books, photos of their ancestors, etc. so the candlesticks would be a great addition to the Show and Tell collection. Thank you, Susan, for always making our homes such wonderful places to be.
Family stores are the best! They’re like glue!❤️
Your blog made my day!!! It IS like talking to an old girlfriend or one of my sisters! I have 6 sisters, no brothers. You are so blessed to have brothers, I loved your picture with them!
I am so disappointed that your Winter cup is out of stock! Maybe you will have more made! Hint, Hint!!!
You are such a blessing to all of us, I hope you feel the love!!!
I’m taking the hint! ♥️
I would be thrilled to give a home to the pilgrims.
I love your books and the artwork ❤️.
I have collected your things for a very long time and would love to honor my Thanksgiving table for many years to come with the Martha and George candleholders contest!
Wowee! Your pumpkin cheesecake is so beautiful! 😋 Our family loves all your calendars! We love reading all the wonderful family traditions in them and make them apart of our lives because traditions make memories and we thank you so much for helping us make such valuable memories! Our family sends you and yours a blessed holiday season! It’s the best time of the year!
Thank you Jessica!
I have all the books behind those candle holders’