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!🧡
🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡
Love and blessings to you and yours…Happy Thanksgiving!
Love your Blog. It is so warm and cozy to read. Love the pictures of your home, and Jack the Cat, and of you and Joe. Wishing you and Joe a Happy Thanksgiving. Look forward to every word you write.
Maryann
We had thunderstorms last night hope the winds blowed the the candle sticks my way. Really enjoyed reading your words this morning.
Such a nice way to start a day with your inspiring writings!
I hope I win the candlesticks – my friend would love them and she is so hard to find gifts for.
I loved this month’s blog! Put me in the holiday mood so I ordered on of your mugs as a gift. I will have to get one for myself too. Last year I bought the calendars as gifts and people loved them! I have one for myself that I have enjoyed so much.
I am Willow Pippa on Twitter because of identity theft but my real name is BJ Beavin. I have been following you for a while now and look forward to your photos, books, and monthly blog with news!
Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Happy holidays!
Aha! BJ! Love when I get the secret inside info! Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Thank you for the lovely photos!♥️
So excited to get & read a Willard. Love your drawings & writing.
Can I print a copy of your “Leaves coat the bottom of this puddle on the road” photo and frame it for my own personal enjoyment? If you flip it upside down so the trees are right side up, it’s even more breathtaking. If not, that’s ok.
Course you can. Thank you!🍁
Thank you Susan , I so enjoy your letters and feel I have found a kindred soul in you and all your readers. Its nice knowing other people get as excited and ‘filled up’ as me by the simple beauty in everyday day gifts of nature and of home.
Here in Ohio our autumn was also extended. A stretch of warmer days will end tomorrow then fall rushes in with rain, winds and cold. It may even snow a little! The smattering of colorful leaves will fall like snowflakes to be raked and gathered for the gardens as mulch or piled high for children to toss and fall into leafy cushions. Today the sun shines through the golden leaves, gilding the very atmosphere. Thank you for the lovely “Willard”. It has enhanced the enjoyment of the season. Many blessings for Thanksgiving Day to you and you loved ones and to all!
Thank you for sharing such beautiful stories and pictures.
Missing the Cape, it remains in my heart forever🧡🍁🍂🧡
Weather report from southern tip of the Calif Central Coast: 82 degrees at 9am on Veteran’s Day with Santa Ana wind bending the palm trees from east to west but with bluest sky and fiercest sunshine; clear as a bell; not helping our parched landscape, though. I don’t know if you’re still coming here anytime soon, Susan, but the 101 north like just south of Carpinteria/La Conchita (Bates Rd-Rincon Pt area-Santa Barbara county line) has one of those big digital freeway signs (CalTrans) that say sternly-pleadingly, PLEASE CONSERVE WATER, SEVERE DROUGHT (we’re pretty barren out there on the coast highway these days, although I think the ocean mist keeps certain little seacliff nooks a teeny bit green!).
I love the prayer you printed, in your lovely hand … ‘for the beauty of the earth’; also, that blue and orange tablescape is unexpectedly beautiful (I’m thinking of a runner with oranges, like Cuties or navels or tangerines, for a diff time of year; pumpkins so perfect for autumn of course, with my Blue Willow; add persimmons!), but I’ve loved all your ‘Fall’ interior and exterior photos today, as always. And photos of Jack; so fun, especially elonnngaaated; he looks like a pretty good chunk to hug (I had a Maine coon cat who got up to 22lbs [the veterinarian wasn’t worried about it]; very big boy).
On the pilgrim candlesticks, where they are holding a candle each, what is the vessel for the candle, I can’t tell, is it supposed to be like a small version of a bushel basket or some kind of scheaf bundle or just whatever one’s imagination wants it to be? They’re so rustic and wonderful and unique, looks like a heavyweight-substantial base for the metal art, so that they don’t tip over easily with a lit candle; I’ve admired yours for a long time; thanks for sharing!
I think it’s just your imagination, but you’ve got a good one, so let’s go with the bushel basket! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Such a lovely Willard Susan, and yes so many blessings at this time of year. Enjoy every moment of those leaves. Ours are turning quickly here in Yorkshire. Take care
Dear Susan, Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes, color and joy that you always send when you write to us. I do remember Ellen from your book. I am just about to read all three again. You bring so much sunlight into our lives and a wonderful breath of warmth. I love your house and I am so happy nothing was damaged. God is good. Thank you again.
Cease
You have the most wonderful and adoring fans! Thank you Bunny for such a great contribution. I always look forward to your posts and have been following you since my 4 girls were very little. Now Im a grandmother of 4 and still share your books with my new little ones. You always inspire. Thank you
Am I too late??? Even so, it’s always a delight to read your blog thus, I win no matter what!!! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us again and again!
Susan I love those candlesticks! And your Christmas tablecloth.
Oh, blessings! I love when there are too many to count – which is almost always the case. <3
Susan, I always enjoy reading your stories, especially this month. What a wonderful writer, painter, story teller you are. Thank you for making my day, as you do for many people. When reading your writings you make people feel like they are right there with you. Thank you for being “YOU”. Linda
💖❤️♥️💖❤️♥️💖
Hi Susan,
Happy fall and Happy Thanksgiving! I love the pictures that you shared with us. They are so beautiful. I especially love it when you post pictures of Jack. He is so handsome! We have nicknamed a black and white cat in our neighborhood Jack in honor of your kitty Jack but his name is Oreo. Every time we see him we have to say “There is Jack.
I get warm and cozy every time I read your writings. Thanks for the Blessings you send with them.
Thank you so much for the lovely Willard. Got my booster today so I can see my new great grandbaby for Thanksgiving. Being thankful this year for every good thing.
Always such a refreshing blog to read! I enjoy the autumn 🍁. A beautiful time of year. Those candle sticks are amazing!
Hi Susan! I am so excited to share with you that your Apple Cider Donuts have become a favorite at our home and famous at my work place. I work in retail and work with many women of all ages. I have had the opportunity to connect and build friendships with some wonderful young women in their early 20s who have asked me to teach them to cook. Boy was I surprised! I have had 3 young women in my home and our first recipe was your Apple Cider Donuts! We had such a wonderful time together and the donuts were wonderful!! We even took our extras to work and shared them with our coworkers! These donuts have also been served at my coworker’s best friend’s baby shower and my son-in-love has requested the donuts for Christmas! Thank you for sharing a recipe that is so full of love and good taste!! I am looking forward to more opportunities to share time and food with more young ladies! AND, I have become the “work mom”. My daughter says this is a high honor. The funny thing is, I feel like the lucky one! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
I could NOT love this more! So fun, and look at YOU … such an inspiration, and bringing amazing texture to young lives! I agree, you are the lucky one. Being able to GIVE is such a great gift! Enjoy!💞💞💞💞Thank you for sharing, Amy!
I, too, loved “A Gentleman in Moscow.” So looking forward to the movie!
Such a gorgeous art filled autumn post, Susan. Many thanks!
Thank you Joe for standing in line to get these pilgrim’s and Thank you Susan for all of your blessings you give us thru your words and art and the simple joys of life
Happy hearts see Blessings galore!! 💝
Hello Willard…. It’s been a while.
So lovely to catch up. ❤️
I loved this post– thank you so much! And many thanks to the generous Bunny for donating the candlestick holders; I’ve admired those for years!
Always enjoy your letter! …and those candle sticks!!! I always look forward to my “Susan Branch mail” and, about the time I’m desperately looking for it, there it is! Thank you so much for your words of joy, happiness, memories and pictures of the kitty, the island, your home, your friends …I could go on but, you know what I mean.
Good Morning Susan! I finally had a quiet moment to sit down and read your lovely Willard. When ever I read one of your posts, I immediately feel my neck and shoulders, relax, my breathing and heart rate slow and i let out a long, slow exhale. Kind of like meditation, which I’m not very good at btw. You are so good for my soul. I just love how you see the good in everything.
I am so happy that your dear friend from California has moved back to the island. Your mugs are beautiful as usual and that red table cloth is to die for!
I have loved those pilgrim candle sticks ever since you started featuring them in your photos.
Things are busy here. We helped our oldest daughter, Jessie and her husband Billy move into their first home. So very exciting for them! I feel like it was just yesterday that my Bill and I moved into our first home in 1987. (We’re still living in it btw!) It brings back lots of sweet memories. Time flies so quickly. We have been renovating our downs stairs bedroom and the girls little bedroom into a master bedroom and bath. We have been in a construction mess since last february and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My hubby is tiling as I write this (love my handy guy). I am very excited! I found a beautiful pencil post bed on fb market place for a song and I have a quilt top that I pieced waiting to be quilted to put on it. I might send it out to be machine quilted, which I have never done before, but in the interest of getting it done, I think it would be wise.
The weather has been really beautiful here. We are taking a break from the bathroom/bedroom mess and going up toVermont to visit Bill’s brother this weekend which will be lots of fun. Just visiting, eating good food, maybe a cocktail or two and visiting some antique shops as well.
Much love to you, Joe and Jack <3
How fun to design a quilt for your new bed in your new room!!!! And almost done! Very exciting Mary … hard to live through renovations, but worth it in the end!❌⭕️
Enjoy seeing all u do; art work , photos, recipes, seeing the things u collect to make your home a real warm cozy atmosphere..we have the same taste in our choices ; plus i am an artist too.! ♥️ Thank you .
Just love the quotes and poems. They put us in an autumnal mood and nudge our spirits on the right track. They are the best!
Yesterday was a SusanBranch Day for ME!!!! I was at my favorite thrift shop & found a cookbook of yours “Vineyard Seasons” first edition 1988 in mint condition !!! Then later last night I opened my email to a new Willard!! Lucky me!! Had to write especially to tell you I love your drawings of children—always have felt they are the best of your artwork as they are so completely yours—-no one else paints them the way you do and they should always be included in everything you draw (well within reason!) I was surprised to read you are hesitant to do them as they are always so special . I still also think you should write children’s books and have your little freckled faced girls as the stars of the books….they could be a child’s version of Susan and her friends (like me ha ha!!!) & their misadventures! Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Linda from Idaho where the weather is rainy but no snow yet—leaves turned and falling and all the strays at my house are tucking into their heated cat houses at night and getting their thick fur coats. Two look like Jack without the mustache!
I am new to your blog and am so grateful to my friend who recommended it to me! Can’t wait to see how you decorate for Christmas. Heading off to check out your store online. Thanks for a lovely afternoon.
Thank you, dear Susan, for sharing your life with us: a warm life, a kind life, and an inspiring life.
Hi Susan, Thank you so much for the Willard! I’m in the middle of reading A Gentleman in Moscow. It’s so hard to put it down! Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!
A perfect post! Wonderful to read!! (My son’s mother-in-law makes the pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving! Last week my granddaughters were already talking about it!! Yummy!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thank you for another great Willard and a reminder that there are blessings all around us. And thank you to Bunny for blessing one lucky reader with the beautiful candlesticks.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love it when your posts come out. I have bought all of your recents books for both myself and daughter and have bought the Santa mugs for my two granddaughters, daughter and myself. I also have about six more mugs myself. I have also bought a lot of your older books sometimes securing two for daughter and myself. Needless to say we are both big fans. I buy 2 each of each calendar and desk pads. We love the desk pads. My daughter & family traveled to your island several years ago for vacation & wish we could live there year around. I would love to win these candlesticks to give to my daughter. Thanks so much keeping us all uplifted.
Me please🙋🏻♀️
It is Fall here in Minnesota, too. The leaves have been so beautiful! Your decorating inspires me to get decorating here. It has been so strange not entertaining with CoVid but our numbers of cases and deaths are still going up here so it will be a Winter of no company unless vaccinations and boosters are had…😕
Blessing #758 is you, dear Susan, reaching out to all of us. Thank you! May your Thanksgiving and Christmas be ones of delight, coziness, joy and the Light of God’s love shining over all.
♥️♥️♥️
This is my second post because don’t see the first one. Love your messages.
Give your Jack extra love. I just lost my sweet Tuxedo girl Ivy. She was 17. Love your books and how you share happiness with us all.
I’m so sorry Heidi … Our little critters mean so much to us.😪
Hi Susan
I got my booster on Saturday.
Thanksgiving with one of my daughters and family this year. Makes me so happy!
Joy to you ❤️
M
When I count blessings, You are among mine!
Thank you for another sweet post. Enjoy seeing your Autumn pictures from the island. We have had a glorious Autumn here in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. The leaves have been at their peak the last few days. Love, love, love! My favorite time of year. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
I absolutely love everything you do, make, write, draw & share! I’ve been giving your Heart of the Home cookbook to every bride-to-be at every bridal shower I’ve attended for as long as I can remember (with a special note tucked inside the page with your “Lemon Chicken” recipe, which I think it’s page 90, lol). Thank you for sharing your talent with the world… those of us who found you are the luckiest girlfriends of all! You are an inspiration beyond words! Thank you, Susan!
Your newsletters make my smile 🙂
Thank you
I look forward to your letters. It’s a time for me to stop and just let my mind imagine your home, you town and state. I get a mini vacation if only in my mind. I have never been to New England, but I am so in love with New England. One day I will have the opportunity to visit. Thank you for writing these letters and letting me get away if just for a little while.
Fall is my favorite season, next comes spring. I have been putting my gardens to bed and enjoying the changing leaves on my Trike (just hit my goal of 1000 miles for the year) It is such a feeling of freedom to be out on the trails. I don”t know if you accept photos but this is what the fall looks like in OH /Users/jrusty/Desktop/IMG_0521.jpeg/Users/jrusty/Desktop/65765245470__1A4B9246-1E36-4224-A37F-F084358863B3.jpeg
I love photos, but this blog doesn’t seem to have a place where they can be left. You can always put them on Facebook! ♥️
I just finished reading A Gentleman in Moscow” I didn’t want it to end. Alexander Rostov was the most delightful man.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan, Joe and Jack. I can imagine how excited you are to be able to entertain. Enjoy!!!
I look forward to reading your Willard. I wait until I can sit down and enjoy every word and picture. Thank you for sharing your cozy home and your beautiful walks!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Reading your “notes” are like a call from a friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Having an East Coast Thanksgiving this year in Silver Spring Maryland.
Have not seen the grandkids in a long time.
Blessings to you and yours 🦃
Wonderful candlesticks for the season! Making your coffeecake for breakfast tomorrow. Yum…:)
Happy Fall from Southern California!
It doesn’t look like Fall outside, but inside I try to make it feel like we are in your neck of the woods.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍁
Fellow girlfriend,
Lisa
I love Willard! When it comes I make a special time with no distractions to read your wonderful newsletter. I would love the pilgrims they would go with my other two I have that I love so much. My Mr. Turkey would like them too. (no it’s not my husband). I love fall and all my decorations.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you for the blessing of a nice newsy post. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
SO NICE TO GET A WILLARD❤️
This post made me cry when I saw the picture of the people meeting up with their loved ones after so many months, years, apart. A beautiful post of gratitude! Thank you.
I am currently reading LINCOLN HIGHWAY from Amor Towles. Such a story teller he is. I take the book to bed every night, looking forward to this time all day. P.S. I do love your Christmas tablecloth!
Hi Susan – I would love to win those candlesticks. They are so unique. Here in Atascadero, CA there are lots of oak trees (as you know) and because of the drought in California I have seen quite a few trees down….and not because of a storm.
Oh no, that’s sad! I hope the recent rains are helping a bit.🧡
Dear Susan….thank you again so much for another Willard….it is like a breath of fresh air each time, much needed in these difficult and uncertain times….so much sadness all around…..I love your photos of the beach, and the autumn leaves, and of your precious kitty…..!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!! God bless you! Love, Donna from Montana
Just a word or two 😀
You are magical!♥️
I always feel better after reading your blog. Thank you for the happy thoughts.
Thank you for a very enjoyable Willard!
Happy Thanksgiving you you and Joe and Jack!
Yikes… Sorry for the typo. That’s what I get for typing when I should be sleeping. 😊
Ha ha ha! xoxo
Oh dear, you called Susan a “you you.” 😊😊. I do that when I get frustrated, and my hubby says, “You called me a “You you!” LOL.
HAHAHAHAHA🤣🤣🤣
Enjoy reading your blog and books. They bring me such pleasure and joy. I visited MV several years ago and made it a point to see your beautiful home. Hoping to get back to MV one day soon. Such a wonderful place. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.🦃🍁🎄
Love those candlesticks / so charming! Never saw anything like them either!
Thanks for a fun Autumn journey! Jack and Ripper need to be regulars. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear Susan, Thank you for the wonderful fall message. My favorite time of year. I miss being able to make my own wild bbittersweet wreath for my front door Your phitography is just wonderful and loe the walks you and Joe take. The cheesecake looks delicious. I hope I can make it. Many blessings to you and your Joe and Jack
Your newsletters always put a smile on my face! I love the picture of Jack investigating the mantle. Decorating for Christmas early is a wonderful idea!
You are the best blessing ever! Thank you so much for sharing your storybook life with us! Choose joy and it will be your best friend! Thats you! Happiest Thanksgiving and Christmas to you three! Blessings from our hill in Idaho.
Happy happy Fall 🤎🍂🎶 Much love to you and yours Dear Susan
My backyard was a shower of gold today and I hated to go to work and miss the show. Love your nature pictures and your expressions of gratitude for the blessings that surround you. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is my favorite hymn and a good one to sing anytime of year! Thank you for the letter.
Love love love New Willard and like you decorating for Christmas! Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for our family and just heard I am going to be a Great Grandma!! Counting all of my many many blessings!!
Susan,
When I read your words, they are like a gentle messages that makes me think. You inspire me to be grateful for all I have.
Susan, you are so generous, thank you for this giveaway. The candlesticks are lovely and perfect for your American thanksgiving. In Canada where I am (south end of Vancouver Island) we had our thanksgiving in October, but the candlesticks would look great on a Christmas table as well. I’m getting as excited as you are about your trip to England. Looking forward to seeing the ship sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and following you all the way to Merry England.
Oh my goodness, wonderful as always Susan! I love this time of year and I feel like I am right there with you and Joe and Jack. Your cheesecake looks devine, look forward to trying it. Blessings of the season to all.
Thank you for your letter. It allows me to take a moment and dream, to slip away from the daily grind, to visit a place in my mind that I have never been too. I have never visited New England, but I am so in love with New England. I will someday make it up that way and I can’t way. Again, Thank you for your letters.
Dear Susan: I was delighted to receive your blog when I checked my E-mail. To see the island, & the ocean makes my heart happy. So sorry to see those lovely trees down from the wind!! Sadly, several years ago we lost several trees in our community and our yard from a micro burst that came through. It sounds like that was quite a wind that came through the island! I appreciate your naming all the different things “Blessings”! Reminds me to do the same!!! We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year with our family & all of us are so excited to be together. I am considering that the “Biggest Blessing”!!! Thank you Susan for your cheerful blog, lovely quotes and sharing of “Island Life”! Hello to Joe and Jack! Hugs!!!!
All the autumn feels in this post to warm my heart! I’ve always admired those pilgrim candlesticks – what a sweet blessing from your reader to send them!
So lovely to read the November Willard, it just warms my heart ♥️ as they all do! Happy Fall to you Susan, Joe & Jack🐾 I’m so very grateful that your words are always a blessing to me🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A time for church, family and great food. It is not as crazy as other holidays, not as much worry over buying the right thing, or having everything decorated just so. You get to relax and spend time just enjoying each other’s company.
Happy November from sunny and warm this month in CA. Reading your blog is like a shot of sunshine when I am down. I am definitely making the cranberry marmalade and maybe the cheesecake. Please keep going–we totally need you, Susan!
Susan, you are a blessing to me. You encourage me to enjoy each day and the people in my life. Thank you!
Dear Susan – It was so nice to see your “Blessings” post. I have been having trouble with my computer and haven’t seen you in quite awhile. Gave me a nice “boost” sitting here at nearly 2 AM awaiting out first Michigan storm. Thanks. Luv, Jo
Have a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving, Susan!
What a great Willard! Loved every picture! How sweet of Erin and friends to invite you, looked like a wonderful time. Those beautiful candlesticks have called to my heart for years and I would be honored to have a pair. I do believe Jack will eventually find a friend in Ripper. Especially sharing ,more time together. Praying that all goes well for you and yours.
You are one of my blessings!
Love these so perfect for Thanksgiving. Look forward to reading about THE trip!
Thank you, your post made my day a little brighter you truly live a magical life.
P.S. love the pilgrim candlesticks.
Feeling very blessed this year and wishing the world the same!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for blessing us with another beautiful post. Love you and your blog. Wishing you, Joe, Jack, your family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for your lovely Autumn greetings. I read it as I enjoyed an early morning coffee while waiting for ‘Snippy Doodle’ to finish baking in the oven. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your kitchen must smell like heaven!
God bless you, Susan
and
Thank you for sharing your joy!
Thank you for another beautiful blog, Susan! Cheers to Fall!
I have been checking for your new blog post almost daily. Glad to see it in my emails. Happy Fall Y’all!!
Thank you for such a wonderful blog. It is always a good morning when there is a new blog entry in my inbox. Happy Thanksgiving.