The month for
And guess what? YES! They’re here!
Blessing #1: The new cups started shipping out to you guys last week! If you haven’t gotten yours yet, they are on the way!!! They crossed the pond using every form of transport, plane, ship, train, truck, and slow boat to China … we don’t know how because no one would tell us, but the miracle is, all the way from the luv-lee potteries in Staffordshire, England, to Arroyo Grande, California, they have arrived! And for the most part, in one piece! Thank you for your never-ending patience! Reward? MUSICA!
The color turned out great! Here’s what the backs look like. As you can probably guess by the slow pace of the all-of-a-sudden infamous “supply chain” … unfortunately we will not be getting more of them before Christmas!! I THOUGHT we’d get these by September!!! If you were waiting until you saw the whites of their eyes, your time has come. They are here! And if this is the first time you’re seeing them, you can read more about them and see other designs we still have in stock HERE.
Blessing #2: Fall has come on very slowly this year.👏 A long fall is what I hoped for, and a long fall is what we’re getting! Usually, by this time, the leaves have turned and fallen and we’re raking them up . . . but right now the colors are at their best, and when you look out the window you see them, orange and yellow sparks twirling past in the wind. This was our walk in the middle of October! Green as green can be. Note the smooth and leafless road…
Then came a wild nor’easter! Worst winds I’ve experienced since I moved here! Wind gust was clocked at 96 MPH in Edgartown on the other side of the Island! This was our walk the day after … lot’s of visible wildness!
Tattered and torn leaves, branches, and pine needles carpet the dirt road to the sea ….
And a lot of missing sand, carved out and taken away . . .
I noticed this leaf on the ground, stepped right over it, but after a few more steps I felt I HAD to turn back and get a better look. WHAT was that? And take this picture. Right? The perfect cut-out “eyes” in the leaf were enough, but it wasn’t until I enlarged it that I saw the eyes had EYEBALLS!!! I’ve been saving it to show you. A wee note from nature!🍁
Storm was raging when I woke up and came downstairs in the dark, flashlight flickering around the kitchen like a lighthouse beam … the wildest of winds knocked out electricity for a lot of the island, including us … but our good old gas stove saved the day! The kitchen was warm and smelled like last night’s pot roast.
I lit myself a path through the wood room, flickering flames into the living room to my studio beyond … time to paint. It was a storm, but it was cozy and like a step back in time. No TV, no computer, a moment to just BE. Just like Gladys Taber said it should be!
Threw on a jacket and went outside to check on things the next day … at first I thought the wind had chipped the paint off the arbor! But those marks are tattered leaves plastered to almost everything, the arbor, the house, the car. The storm prematurely blew lots of leaves right off the trees! But our house stayed strong, as she has done since 1849. Knock on wood. These new type of storms we’re getting pack a wallop!
Lost one big tree behind the arbor … which was kind of good ~ it didn’t hurt anything, not even the picket fence, and it had shaded-out the roses on the arbor for years, so now, I get to grow roses again! A win-win! Blessing #4.
This is over our back fence behind the barn to the neighbor’s yard. They lost a tree too. This one is actually schmooshed right up against the windows of the house, but still no damage. Lots of huge old trees down all over the island…but we were lucky, no injuries that I’ve heard of, and all is back to normal. Blessing #5. Blessings galore.
And now? Thank goodness the storm didn’t take ALL the leaves! And they’ve finally turned color . . .
I took this picture of the back garden from an upstairs window… when the sun comes up and goes through the trees, we get warm gold light inside the house… Blessings just too many to number…but I think you can see them!
And here we are out walking in the woods …
Which are now ablaze . . .
Even the beach grass is on fire!
Lots of wild bittersweet . . . Mother Nature decorating earth. Just for us! How blessed are we?! I’m losing track!
This was today . . . the crows are having a field day!
Leaves coat the bottom of this puddle on the road, and trees reflect in the water. Isn’t it gorgeous?
This is the reward at the end of our walk . . . this little sandy salty windy beach…
We are listening to the book The Overstory right now, one ear-pod in Joe’s ear, one in mine, so we can listen together … it’s a Pulitzer-Prize winning novel and love story to Nature. Could NOT be in a better place to hear it . . . had to stop and smell a tree at one point, put my nose right ON it . . . so inspiring! Did anyone read A Gentleman in Moscow? That was our last read. I’m still not over it! My sister is reading it now; she calls me and we become the tiniest bookclub in the world hashing everything over!
When we got back to the car this was waiting. I PROMISE with all my heart we did not put that leaf there. It came on it’s own, just like you see it. Another blessing. 
Madly in love with nature . . .
Today it’s only about 48 degrees! Cold. Joe (Blessing extraordinaire) made us a fire, and now he’s outside putting on the storm windows . . .
While Jack investigates the mantle. All is well!
For those of you who read Fairy Tale Girl or Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, you might remember Elaine? She had the dog called Boxcar, was my boss at the record store, and fired me too? (Not her fault, she had to, I had become useless which you know was NOT MY FAULT!) She’s been my dear darling friend since 1971. She lived here on the island for 10 years, moved back to California 20 years ago but kept her house here ~ and now she has retired from working at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and moved back here two weeks ago!!! I couldn’t be happier. She was born in Boston, so New England is really her happy place.
Elaine drove across country with her darling Westie, Ripper! He’s standing on his back legs in order to get a better look at Jack. Isn’t he adorable?
So, we now have Jack and the Ripper. But I have to say Jack is not that fond of the Ripper. Ripper would just like to lick Jack all over. But Jack is saying,
“Don’t even think about it.”
I’m just happy to have a cat that goes so well with the decor! Would hate it if he clashed!
But how could you go wrong. This is the secret to decorating. It’s like a movie set. Plain and unadorned. That way when the season changes . . .
I take the summer decorations upstairs and put then away until next year. . .
Then all I have to do is stick in different pillows, some fall flowers, quilts, and voila! It’s fall! Same thing and suddenly it’s Christmas!
Joe, Elaine, Ripper and I went off-island a few days ago. The first time any of us had seriously gone into stores for three years. We went to Pottery Barn. OMG. 
Every Christmas thing was out, sparkly, red and white, candles, and fluffy throws, perfect pillows, glass chandeliers … everything to set your heart on fire. The whole thing went to the happy zippy part of the brain. I was as excited as Ripper when he goes after Jack! We threw money at the cash register, bought tiny end tables, white felt and red sequin Christmas trees, napkins, candles, and star shaped pillows came home with us.
And this appliqué tablecloth! Needs to be ironed, but I wanted to see it on the table the minute I got home. I am going to LOVE Christmas this year, and I think I’ll just start now and have Thanksgiving and Christmas be a dynamic duo! Lights Camera Action!
We got our greeting cards back in!!
William Morris would be proud, recipes make them useful!
All about love . . .
Feeling the blessings! Especially when you think that this year we are going to be together. Fingers crossed it stays this way!
What else? I’ve been painting! Heading for my studio with Jack and my tea in the morning. . . listening to old movies while I do my watercolors …
Practicing people ~ I love painting people, but I’m still so nervous, I do the drawing, but putting on the first bit of paint is scary! The cup, you ask? I have that cup in real life only the shoes are blue. Isn’t it funny? Had to paint it.
This is my newest one… I love her … she hasn’t been scanned yet which is why the picture is so dark, it’s only a photograph. The book? My 8-year-old niece was reading it; she was OVER THE MOON about this series of books ~ so I thought, in her honor, I should include it in the new calendar.🧡 Normally I don’t have to turn in calendars until the first of March, but due to “supply chain” issues, the fact that everything is taking so much longer, they need them this year by January 1. So that’s what I’ve been doing. 2023! Eeek.
Something lovely happened. Erin, bottom left, called me out of the blue … she said her book club was reading my book Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams and said they loved it so much would I would come to one of their meetings so they could talk about it … I’d never met any of these girls, and yet they all live here on the island! So of course I said yes… And here we are!
Look at Erin’s table! Isn’t it gorgeous? I wanted you to see it for possible Thanksgiving inspiration! That blue and orange together was spectacular! I didn’t even know it was going to be dinner! They all brought recipes from my cookbooks! I was so honored I was almost (stressing on that word) speechless! I got to hear about how they met! You know I have this closeness too with my girlfriends, but it was wonderful to be in the bosom of that same thing with a whole different group!
I love seeing other people’s houses! Erin’s house was wonderful. I loved how they put their library of great books all in colors!! Cute! And yes, Joe was there too, along with Erin’s husband, they ate in the kitchen and only came out to pour wine and wait on us! Men can be so adorable!💞
Yes! Second printing of Home for Christmas has arrived!!! In the Saint-Nick of time … considering the “supply chain” ~ we got lucky! Big help that we had it printed in the good old US of A!
If you need to be taken back in time to a 1956 Christmas, this true story will do it for you … in detail!
I had a wonderful time writing this book. It was especially good during the time I was losing my mother, my first and forever best girlfriend, to be immersed in the warmth of her love every day as I wrote and painted this memory. Definitely a blessing. Like a dream. ♥️
And speaking of home and the generosity of girlfriends . . . I got the best thing in the mail the other day… and it wasn’t even for me, it’s for you!!! Yes!
You’ve seen my autumn decorating for years now . . . and something almost everyone comments on that you can see in this picture is…
my Pilgrim candlesticks! They come out every year . . . I found them in an antique store about a thousand years ago and have never seen another set.
They are just perfect this time of year!
Aren’t they wonderful? The black is the best! But guess what? These aren’t mine! These are going to one of you!!! Yes, our girlfriend Bunny Perkins from 
Ohio spotted them on Ebay and sent them to me to give to you! Wasn’t that just the sweetest thing?! You know Joe hates having to stand in line to pick up packages at the Post Office, but this one, he forgave me for! Leave a comment at the bottom of this post (you’ll see a whole bunch of tiny words and near the end, click on “comments.” Just a word or two is all you need to leave in order to be entered for this giveaway!) Thank you Bunny! You’re a blessing, so very kind and thoughtful of you!
Have you guys seen the pictures of families reuniting at the 
airport now that they can come into America from other countries again?😥 It’s just like Love Actually (best movie ever made). After all these months, people are throwing themselves into each others arms and sobbing with joy. Sisters hugging sisters, couples hugging grandchildren. Makes you cry … makes your heart soar.
We get to have Thanksgiving at our house this year! I’m so excited! I was just reminded by one of our girlfriends that it’s the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving!!!!🍁 The chicken stuffed with my grandma’s dressing was delicious last year because of course it was just us. But this year we get to have the real thing, with good old friends, light the candles, bake a pumpkin cheesecake. I already ordered the turkey! Yay yay yay yay!💃🏼
Here’s the guaranteed-to-please recipe from my Autumn Book . . .if you need it to be gluten free, all you have to change is the gingersnaps … get the gluten-free ones and voila! If you haven’t made this recipe I highly recommend it. Easier to make and more delicious than pumpkin pie, in keeping with the season!🍁
Well, the clock keeps ticking and the hands move closer all the time to when we’ll be heading off on our trip to England on board the Queen Mary 2. I think about it all the time! May 1. Here we come! I got my booster, yesterday we got our flu shots! Staying healthy! First requirement for getting on that ship! Where are we now … oh yes, must be around blessing #757. ♥️
Bye for now girlfriends. Going out on our walk with our book! I hope you are doing well and feeling festive. Both the quote above, and this one below, are very nice to read at our 400th Thanksgiving dinner! With all my love . . . .🎃 And don’t forget to sign up for the giveaway!🧡
🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡
I love these candlesticks and enjoy them. Never seen any like them. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
I So Love Susan’s Blogs and read a new or old one almost every day! I Love the Candlestics but not as much as I Love Susan. ❤️
❌⭕️🤣
I love these candlesticks and would enjoy them. Never seen any like them. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Your post is just what I needed!
So nice to hear from a girlfriend.
Jack is such a handsome cat. He reminds me of our solid black male, Louie.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
This Willard warms my heart and spirit, just what is needed as chilly weather moves in. This year, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving. I want to try making your Pumpkin Cheesecake (my gift to myself). I have springform pans, but I’ve never seen a pan as deep as the cheesecake you photoed..??..I’m sure what I’ve got will work. Thank you for blessing us with your talents. And Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Just fyi … my springform pan is just a normal one. Deeper than a normal cake pan … if that helps!🍁
L–O–V–E–D, lovedlovedlovedlovedlovedloved A Gentleman in Moscow! thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!!!
My e x t r e m e pleasure!!!🧡
Your newsletters are always a bright spot in my day, bringing a smile to my face and joy in my heart. 🥰 Will be making your pumpkin cheesecake for my birthday! 🤗🥳
Always excited to see what you are up to on the Vineyard. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Such a lovely letter, thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you😍
Thank you Susan, thank you Bunny, thank you, Joe, for standing line!
Another post from you that makes me smile. Thankful for the joy you bring to us all.
Love, love, love when a new Willard shows up! Another delightful blessing! So glad you and your home weathered the storm so well. The pumpkin cheesecake looks delightful. Thanks for the lovely pictures and paintings.
Susan,
I just got home from a wonderful sewing retreat with six high school and college girlfriends
at an inn in Batesville, IN. You would have loved the surroundings and inside. The breakfasts served each morning reminded me of you with the old china and antiques throughout the Inn.
Everything about it could have easily been written in your Willard. Receiving your Willard after I arrived home was perfect timing! Happy Thanksgiving! Love your pilgrim candlesticks!
Too many blessings!👏How wonderful!🧡
I so look forward to your Willards. I love your enthusiasm for life. Thank you! I do love your pilgrims, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for some pilgrims of my own. Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving!
Wishing everyone a truly wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Loved this Willard! I’m loving autumn, and your lovely post helped! The leaf on the beach! Wow! Spooky!
I adore those pilgrim candle holders. When I was reading what you wrote, I thought you were going to say you had some made!, LOL. But, heck, your giving away some originals! What a find, and what a generous gal to have bought them and sent them to you for some blessed winner! Count me in.
Autumn Blessing to continue for you!
That was so thoughtful of Bunny! What a nice thing to do. I know whoever wins them will treasure them.
Thank you fir the beautiful Willard. Happy Thanksgiving to you & Joe; enjoy your friends & family.
Holiday Blessings to you, Joe, Jack, and your lovely family. Thanks for this uplifting post.
I love the way you find beauty all around you, in even the smallest things.
Happy Thanksgiving, Susan, Joe, and Jack! When I count my blessings I count you. Thanks for all the joy you add to my life.
Pining for fall here in the desert southwest. I have leaf garlands all over the house and leaf clings on the windows. The smell of a baking apple pie completes the illusion.
I was happy to get my Rabbit Rabbit mug!
Ohhhhh yes! Christmas & Thanksgiving duo! Love it!
Your home always looks so warm and cozy. I love it! I love old homes. I have a repro saltbox outside of Houston, of all places. My favorite TV show is Houses With History on HGTV Wednesday nights. The only TV show I watch actually.
Your house shutters look to be working ones. Did you close them during the storm?
Barbara
No, they do close but we’ve never found it necessary~ I think they were necessary before we had things like heat and storm windows. I love houses with history too!🍁
What fun to see how many of your readers were smitten with those lovely Pilgrim candlesticks. Hope whoever is lucky enough to win them appreciates your thoughtfulness in sending them to a new home. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear Susan,
Thanks to your recommendation, I am reading “A Gentleman in Moscow”. I’m a little over half way through and enjoying it very much. My recommendation for you is to run, not walk, and get a copy of “The Lincoln Highway”. I loved the book! It is the newest one written by Amor Towles. I am also a huge fan of listening to books especially because this author, in my opinion, knows how to tell a great story! You must treat yourself to this new book 📚.
Oh, by the way my Rabbit Rabbit cup arrived.
Happy reading. 😊
I love your white couches and chairs. How do you keep the white so clean?
Thanks for a wonderful blog. I love the pilgrim candlesticks. It is very hard to find
Any pilgrim decor in my town.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Belle
We don’t have kids or a dog… I suppose that helps. Otherwise, they’ve been like this for years… we eat there often, I guess we’ve just been lucky!♥️
Thank you so much for this beautiful blog and Willard! It was filled will incredible inspiring photos and happiness! It’s been a challenging season for some of us and I certainly needed to be reminded of all the beauty out there and to give thanks in all things!
Especially loved meeting the Ripper and Jack! The photos made me laugh (I needed that so much)! Also the beautiful puddle of leaves… breathtaking!
And the leaf with eye sockets and eyeballs… and the leaf tucked into the handle of your car door! So much beauty in this blog!
So happy that your best girlfriend Elaine is back in the neighborhood!
Blessings on you all and thank you for lifting my spirits! God knew I needed to see this today! So timely! 🙏 thank you
Susan, you have so much to offer us, (your readers) and I especially loved the last two quotes that you shared. Grateful for the opportunity to read your posts and reflect on them.
Such beauty all around…..enjoy the beautiful autumn and Christmas to come!
Loved reading your blog post just now—saw it had arrived while at work today—always a treat to look forward to enjoying later! Love the pilgrim candlesticks, but all of your blog pics and writings have helped get me excited for Thanksgiving…I have had your autumn cookbook for years—will have to make that Pumpkin Cheesecake this year! So happy for you that your girlfriend moved back to MV❤️
Many blessings to you and Joe for a lovely, festive Thanksgiving🍁🦃🥧
Worried if you were safe from the storm and glad to know you came through ok. Your blog always cheers me, I feel a surge of happiness when I read it. Your quotes and comments make me feel all is right with the world! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and Jack.
Hi Susan,
Love this Willard! I, too, take photos of reflections in water when out walking. And, yes, I did read, A Gentleman in Moscow. Loved it!!! I also read, The Pursuit of Love. I’m now reading Hamnet. Thank you for the recommendations!
Take care,
Denise
My dear friend and I so look forward to your newsletters…they bring such happy feelings. Thank you
Bunny is a remarkable person to search out the Pilgrim candlesticks and then mail them to you. There are wonderful, generous, selfless people out their…thankful # infinity. Pilgrims & Native Americans say a lot about the courage of those that came to our land. Squanto, was one person who taught the Pilgrims how to survive in this land. The Native Americans have always had respect for nature…we can learn from them still.
Joan
One thing they knew about Nature that we might not know is their lives depended upon it (as do ours). We’ve gone a little too far from Nature and may think it comes from the furnace or in a package from the grocery store!🍁
Love reading your blog! ❤️❤️❤️
I know the chances of winning are teeny-tiny, but I had to try anyway. I always feel like I have just spent a half hour with a friend when I savor each word of your monthly, newsy, most genuine letter just for me! Thank you Susan.
Better chances than the lottery! 😃❌⭕️
Hi Susan,
Here’s a poem I wrote for Thanksgiving a few years ago…
Blessing the Feast
For turkey feast and pumpkin pies,
For cranberry sauce and loving eyes,
For wineglasses full,
For joy and laughter,
For all of the leftovers on the day after,
For family and friends on this Thanksgiving,
For blessings uncounted,
I’m glad I am living
Hope you like it. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Lots of friends & family and good food. No presents to buy or cards to send. Just a happy get-together day.
Love your blog,
Donna
I love it.🧡 Thank you Donna!
Always wonderful to hear what you have been up to Susan. Happy Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Sending hugs.
I love the candlesticks! So unusual. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you gor all the lovely nature descriptions that inspire us!
Wishing you a Happy Thanks-Living season, Susan. Thank you for your inspirational blog. Love every post you send out to us!
Soulful post as always. Thank you.
Another girlfriend
Thanks for being you Susan!
Your new Willard was such a wonderful surprise! I always use my blue and white Spode at Thanksgiving because that is what I have. That table setting inspired me to combine them with more orange. Thank you! (I’d love to be part of that book club. Look at all those “yes” faces!)
Well said! Yes!👏
So happy to see the new Willard. That certainly was quite a storm. Glad all on the island were fine. Too bad about the trees. They are magnificent beings. Thanksgiving will be great to spend with relatives this year. Last year I baked my first turkey in 50 years. It seriously injured our oven taking over 7 hours for a small turkey. The oven died the next day. Luckily the burners still worked.
Had to get a new oven which came in time for Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
So enjoyed your beautiful post, thankful heart, and counted blessings. Such a beautiful walk you get to enjoy! How lovely to meet new friends at the local bookclub, and enjoy them cooking your recipes! I must try that pumpkin cheesecake, it looks delicious! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, and thank you for a chance to win the gorgeous candleholders!
Completely enjoyed the Willard! Love all the holiday decor! Having downsized this year, most of my usual holiday “stuff” is gone so I am simplifying and looking for new ideas. Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for the wonderful Willard post! I loved everything you shared and have always loved the black candlesticks! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!
Joanie
Your gift is sharing yourself with all of us. Thank you. 💛
Susan- reading Willard is just like the very best snuggle! And I truly love your quotes/ I always wonder how you find just the perfect one to slip
into your writing. Ohhhh those candlesticks as well – they are just the most special ever! Wishing you the best Thanksgiving ever!!
Loved this latest Willard!
Brings back memories of childhood on the farm in Ohio. The storms that would come in with “howling” winds, rain and the safe feeling of being in the old farmhouse as it would creak and moan!
Love the candlesticks; have never seen any like them before! Like someone else said, it would be hard to put them away so if they came to me, they would not be banished to the storage…they would be out all year long!
Thanks for this latest Willard and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving…yum yum on cheesecake… COKE
Dearest Susan,
The Willard is a gift to all of us and today for me – a much needed pick-me-up. Thank you
for sharing your gifts with us.
With gratitude,
Susan L.
I so love your sharing of all the blessings you see around you. Isn’t it the best to have an attitude of gratitude? This has filled me with beautiful and happy thoughts as I’m ready to turn out my light and go to sleep…
Feeling grateful and thankful!
Everything in this post was beautiful. Loved the dinner party and the after storm pictures. And I love your living room that you can change out with the seasons. So calming and pretty.
The quotes you choose and pointing out the blessings of nature are a gift to receive. Thank you, Susan!!! Warm Autumn wishes to you and yours.
Dear Susan..
I could literally feel the joy come out of the pages and the blessings flow…..
It is SO good to see life returning to normal and realise how grateful we are for the small things in life and for our friends and neighbours.
Take care
Love from England.x
As always you brighten the day. Thank you.
Connie
Dear Susan,
This Willard came on a day that I really needed to count my blessings. Slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the simple pleasures of Autumn. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement.
Loved this latest post! How thoughtful of Bunny to share the candlesticks!!
Thank you both!
Susan – what a joy! Bunny is a darling girlie and how kind of her to give the candlesticks to you as a Give away to us! You will be inundated 💗💖💓
Absolutely adore Jack and now you have the fabulous Ripper too! Hilarious photo – I love it when animals ‘sit like humans’!!!
The whole Willard has been a joy from start to finish!
We are on the move – finally – after six months of house purchases falling through: we are moving on Thanksgiving Day!!! Auspicious or what??
We are moving counties here in the U.K. so I will be Karen from Northamptonshire instead of Cambridgeshire 😂🤣.
Moving to a cosy cottage and I can’t wait!
With love
Karen x x x
Cambridgeshire (for two weeks only!!)
U.K. 🇬🇧
Happy Move Karen! So exciting! 🏠♥️
What a lovely post!! I was missing your gorgeous pictures and paintings. Have an amazing autumn!. Thank you so much for remember us of all the blessing surrounding us.
I read “A Gentleman in Moscow” about 2 years ago. I loved, loved, LOVED it! I rank it among the best books I have ever read, and the Count one of the best heroes in literature. It’s one of those books that is so good, you want it to go on forever. Shortly after I read it, I saw in a news article that Kenneth Branagh had bought the rights to it, and planned to make a movie of it. According to the article, Branagh planned to play the part of the Count himself. Though I love Branagh, and think he is a wonderful actor (NO one has ever been a better Henry V!) he’s just too short to be believable as the Count. I don’t know what happened to the plan for the movie–possibly “Belfast” got in the way–but I have never seen any further info about it.
I am so looking forward to Amor Towles’ next book–“The Lincoln Highway.” It has just come out, and I’m seeing it in all the bookstores, but am trying NOT to buy it, so I can use it as a gift idea, when family ask what I want for Christmas this year. (Along with Anthony Doerr’s latest, “Cloud Cuckoo Land.”) I sneaked a peak at the first paragraph of L/Highway in the bookstore this week, and really can’t wait to read it.
Love all the photos–especially the leaf with eyes. Happy Fall/Happy Thanksgiving.
I feel like you and I just had our own little (semi)-private bookclub! Loved every word! Me too is all I can say!🧡
Dear Susan,
I so look forward to your lovely (in every way) blog posts. The pilgrim candlesticks are wonderful. Are those Vernon Kilns dishes on your table? I think we have the same set at our beach house. We love them and they came with the house when my husband bought it ages ago (before we were married). We are fellow Anglophiles and used to housesit houses in London for many years in the summer.
Yes, good eye, they are Vernon Kilns! 👏
Happy Fall to all of you!!!
Hi, Susan. It’s been awhile…I had some catching up to do so I’ve been reading some of the Willards I had missed. Such lovely pictures and words. Loved the story about having dinner with the book club group. You looked wonderful in the picture. Sorry you missed the trip to Cali in September, but glad you will be coming out this month. Hope you have a delightful trip. Happy Thanksgiving!🍁🍁
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
Hi Nancy! So nice to see you again! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!🍁🧡
As you ‘Sweet Susan’ always do,extend to ‘us’ a welcome true. Heart to heart we share together,it matters not,wind and weather. Sunshine light’s our friendship deep,always and forever to keep…To you and your blessings abound !
What a blessing to have Elaine move back to your area! When I visited my bestie a few weeks back, my parting words to her were, “I wish I lived next door.” It is a three and a half hour drive to her home so we don’t see each other nearly as often as I wish. As we grow older, our dear friends become more important than ever. Blessings to you and yours…
Hi Susan! And a big Thank You to Bunny! I have to say, I shop at the greatest “antique “ shop online as well. If I had found these, I don’t think I could be as unselfish as Bunny with those particular candle sticks. There absolutely famous!
I live in SW Florida, so it takes a bit more effort to get into the holiday season. Thanks for your lovely photos, they really do help!
I loved A Gentleman in Moscow and bought his new book but haven’t read it yet. You might like Klara and the Sun; it’s really good too.
Thank you Susan for your inspiration, makes my heart sing!❤️
Such a fun post to read. I enjoy every one of them.
Susan Branch . . . . . YOU are a blessing!
I can get lost in your newsletters; no matter what is going on in the outside world, I always go back to “warm and fuzzy” feelings when i read your words and see your beautiful illustrations and photographs. Thank you for that happiness, Susan.
Willard was a wonderful surprise to find in the wee morning hours. You bring so much joy to the world through your writings. May you feel all the love that you give to others. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
I add YOU to my list of blessings! 🌸 love reading your blogs and of course your books! We have a house on the Cape and your decorating always inspires me! Yummy recipes filled with love, bless not only the tummy but the soul….those candlesticks are awesome and I would treasure them as you do….pilgrims lighting the way toward bliss….🌸
Bless not only the tummy, but the soul….💞
I am so happy to read your blog and remember the things that are really important in life! You bring Autumn right into my home and I am so grateful for you.
Getting an update from you is like a hug from a dear, longtime friend. Susan Branch, you make our world a warmer place. Blessings, to you, Joe, Jack and all!
Hi Susan, Happy Thanksgiving and blessings to you!
Thank you Susan. I have loved your books and pictures since I was in my 20’s and I shall be 60 next year. You make my heart sing.
I’ve been doing this since I was in my 30s and I’m in my 70s now, so we are traveling this road together! ♥️
Me, too! I was 28 and now I’m 57!
Sharing the planet . . . xoxo
It’s always a joyful moment for me when I see another missive from you in my email. Time slows down and I find myself exhaling while I read. Thank you for what feels like sanctuary.
As always, beautiful photos. Nothing like Autumn in New England. 🥰
So good to have you back, I just love the Ink Spots music. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I’m going to order A Gentleman in Moscow soon, in fact right now.
I wasn’t going to celebrate ANYTHING this year, I just wanted to skip over Halloween, Thanksgivings and Christmas and go right to dark cold January. BUT after reading this I am inspired. My husband thanks you, he loves to decorate for every holiday and now we will do it together!
YAY! 👏
🍁Lovely Willard as always.🍂 Autumn came late to the Chicago area as well. Our trees finally changed last week after our first hard frost. Everything in nature is a good two weeks behind. Climate change has become so obvious even for the deniers. 🌎 I too finally hit the stores after receiving my Moderna booster. This year let os give special thanks for the scientists, researchers, doctors and front line workers who are helping us get thru this awful Covid. Having the vaccines, especially now for our children, has been a miracle.🥰
As always, thank you for your post! I just melted into it for at least half an hour and can’t wait to do it again! You are a blessing ❤️
As always, thank you for your post! I just melted into it for at least half an hour and can’t wait to do it again! You are a blessing ❤️
I love that … “melted!” 🧡🧡🧡
Diane Heep beat me to it! That’s what I was going to say and will still say it … you are a blessing, Susan!!
♥️
And just as I hit the button, I saw that my email address was misspelled. 🤪 So JUST IN CASE those awesome pilgrim candlesticks pick me as their new caretaker . . . I am commenting again, this time with the correct spelling!
Thats good… “Vanna” ~ our “Random number generator,” knows to choose from only one for each person… such a smart girl! xoxo
Susan – Thank you for such a fun and lovely post! I love all the paintings and the poetry. Just always makes me happy. Love the candlesticks sooo much and want to win them for our home! 🙏🙏🙏 Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. 🦃🎉❤️
Just love all you do for all of us with your lovely and soul enrichment blog.
Always eager to to see and hear MORE!
Hi Susan! Loved the Pottery Barn story. I warned my husband – the first time we are able to go into Target you may see me buying “EVERYTHING”! It didn’t turn out too badly but boy was it tempting. It’s amazing the small things (and large things) that you miss during a pandemic. We’re going to a junk sale tomorrow – life is very good!
This was the B E S T Willard ever! It’s filled my heart with joy, love, thankfulness and hope! And let’s not forget inspiration—because that pumpkin cheesecake will be made!
Thank you for reminding us to look for blessings in the simple things in life.
What a delight to read your “letter,” Susan! I feel like I could be besties with so many of your commenters!
What a loveleee post. Leaves are MAGNIFICENT things. They are green, and then “poof” they are gold, red, orange, an almost purple. Nature’s surprises are the best. xoxo
Thank you SO much for your blogs and all your books and things! I enjoy them all so very much! I love all the pictures, quotes and your art! So fun!
What a lovely blog post you did. I always look forward to it. My Christmas decorations are up already. Just couldn’t wait to make the house feel cozy
I look forward to your posts and read them right away! They cheer me up when the world news gets in my head and I know I can’t fix all the horrors in the world I am reminded to bring my thoughts closer to my home and my small world and the happiness and joy that lives in the little things 🥰
Me too… all that you said. Bring it on home!♥️
Happy T-giving! Every year before dinner and after grace we read “The Barn” a poem my brother wrote. He lived across from a magnificent barn and worked there for 13 years harvesting apples with the Amish and Mennonites. Sadly, it came to an end. They saved the barn dismantling every piece and it was rebuilt far out in the country. That barn was a piece of my brother’s soul. We are thankful for it and for the work it provided for many. I read The Gentleman… and now can’t wait to read “The Lincoln Highway”. Awesome reading/writing encased in that book! Enjoy your celebration and ty for all you do for all of us – Scatter joy – Mary
Beautiful story about the Barn!❤️
I watched another Benedict Comberbatch movie, ‘The Electrical Life of Louis Wain’, on either Netflix or Amazon. I Absolutely loved it. True story, Victorian England, an artist who is said to have popularized the custom of keeping cats as pets. It’s more than that, though. His little kitten, a black and white, named Peter, really saved him in a very traumatic time of his very traumatic life.
Up in time to see the golden dawn, as the clock is ticking away for departure. So many pieces have to come together: move all canned and bottled goods not used down to the “root cellar”, dry goods get sealed in big Zip Locks and stored in fridge (after it is washed inside) to keep them safe from any little mousies who happen to get in, use all fresh food, move everything that will freeze and burst from the bathrooms down as well, finish boxes to go to UPS and gifts to friends, what seems like a hundred little details, including thank you notes to my doctors who have taken such good care of my ailments. Tom is done with outside things and will help with the schlepping of heavy totes down cellar. Having skipped a year during our escape from Florida, I’d forgotten how much there is to do, shutting down a house for a cold winter. I call it the nomad life.
I look forward to having more sunlight, one plus being in Florida, watching the drapes of Spanish moss swaying from the big live oaks in our neighborhood, walking the brick streets, exercising in our little condo pool, going out to eat!!!
And then…I’ll have time to read all the books recommended as well as all the Girlfriend comments to this Willard. You are a gift, Dear Lady.
Mucho Big Love,
Debbie in Maine
You’re doing it Debbie! It’s going to be such a nice change this year! I wrote down the Benedict movie! Sounds wonderful, thank you! Bon Voyage!❌⭕️🌴😘