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!🧡
🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡🍁🧡
You are an inspiration. When I read your Willard/blog, I always want to do something special like you do. Thank you!!
💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞
♥️
Alo-ha-ha Susan … how I even LOVE YOU more💗 Evie in San Diego
🌴🌴🌴♥️
My heart sings … as I read your reply (November 14) … difficult scrolling through 6 different times!! I feel deep gratitude in having this connection w/you … this is our third Thanksgiving/Christmas w/o
my dearest Mom .. yes; I’m doing much better moving along but probably never getting over it❣️
I pray you’re doing well and looking at the 🌟 🌟 stars!!
Just like you Evie!🌟💫🌟
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! I love all of your work and have connections to Arroyo Grande/SLO too! My stepmother worked at CalPoly for 30 years! Blessings to you!
Hello from Northern CA Susan. We finally have had a couple great storms go through our area giving us much needed rain and turning our leaves to the fall colors we love and filling our lakes and reservoirs. I spent the last few days up at our cabin near Burney Falls getting it ready for the winter. I was overjoyed to check my email on returning home to see your always positive and colorful and just happy post to read. And reading the notes from all the girlfriends, it reminded me of an article I read recently about being positive. A close friend of my Mom’s has always reminded me to be positive. She was our “Pollyanna” and I have always tried to live life that way. Why not, right? If we have a choice to be happy or sad….I choose happy. The article, which I’ve forgotten where I even read it….sorry….said we only have to switch a word. What a concept, but what a great way to change our conversations with others and our thinking about each day. That word is “get” instead of “have”. I “get” to go do something…..instead of I “have” to. So easy to change just one word. I’ve been working to not only use that in my thoughts, but to also use it in my conversations with others. You, Susan, inspire us all to see the blessings of our homes, families, and to live our lives well, and be positive. Thank you for all you do, and we appreciate you so much.
Cheers,
Jan from Northern CA
Right! Choose happy!🥰
Had our first “real” snow here in the mountains of Idaho. Skiing opens on Thanksgiving day. Just got out your Christmas book. You can never start too early. Happy fall!
Reading your November Blog just got me in the mood for Autumn Decorating.
Have a wonderful Holiday!
Thank you, Susan, once again for lifting my spirits. I take in every word and every picture and read it over again to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Your outlook on life is catching. Storms have been plentiful in Seattle this fall too, making for lots of trees and branches down. – even a tornado warning yesterday for Bainbridge Island! Happy Fall — my favorite season of the year.
Love your Autumn Willard. Thank You for sharing your Autumn beautiful life. Love the leaf with eyes, a treasure.
Dear Susan….so luvly to hear from you with your November Willard….and to share your photos….I especially love the potential friendship of Ripper and Jack….oh these critters just tug at our hearts. I love your homey home when the power went out…..and the book club that is right on your island and your dinner together. That is just the best…..thankful…..you remind us of thankful….sending you love and wellness and even if your power doesn’t come back on, you will light up the world!
love you from Seattle, where leaves are falling and swirling
Thank you for a wonderful Willard full of good news, fun ideas, and beautiful pictures. Special thanks to Bunny for parting with the Pilgrim candlesticks so one of us can enjoy them! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Fall is my all time favorite! Thanksgiving the best! Going to give myself a little treat, the little Christmas book circa 1956…I finally read a library copy this summer, and now I have to have my own! Would love to win the pilgrims! My Thanksgiving decorations are out and ready for the big day.
Oh good, someone else has fall mixed with a little Christmas. Are we anxious to get together, or what? Such a fun blog. Always inspiring. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you for the lovely fall inspiration!
I loved your photos on autumn colors being slow to show. Here in Texas we are now getting some color but it isn’t at its peak until December, just in time to clash with Christmas red. We had a storm in October that blew out about 25 electronic devices, anything with a control boards. Storms are getting more extreme! I love the candlestick holders!!
Beautiful Willard❤️ Just what I needed. Getting excited for holidays with family, it’s been too long😕 Blessings to all🥰
Good Morning Susan from central Texas on a lovely fall day. OH, such a nice long post with a wonderful theme….blessing! I need to make a list of mine and put it where I can see it every morning and night. I am baking/decorating Christmas cookies for a funeral….yes, a funeral. The wife loved Christmas…her friends decorated their house a few weeks before she passed away. Her husband ask that the meal after the funeral be Christmas-y. He must be a wonderful man.
I know you are glad to have Elaine back home. You and she have so much history together. I read an article somewhere and noticed so worked with Joe back when. He dog is adorable!!
You must have decided not to not take a train trip to California…boo hiss on Covid. Since we have a family member with break through Covid(hospital stay and still not back 100% since July!!) we have decided that each family will do their own dinner and we will Zoom at the end of the day. Now, I will just pray that Christmas will be better. All of us have had 3 shots, but I still wear 2 masks when I am out. When you see how bad it can be, well…..I am just extra cautious.
Ok, Annie Hall’s Butter Cookies are waiting for me. Thank you for that recipe…it never fails!
“Hello,” to Joe, and a pat or three for Jack.
Love, Rachel
Hi honey! Yes, you are smart to be careful.❤️ My unvaccinated brother got covid… I texted with him everyday… he didn’t die, but he sure thought he might. Hearing it as I did every day, I honestly didn’t realize it could be so bad!!! I think they leave that part out! I mean we all know we don’t wish to die that horrible way, and all alone, but the pain on the way there is just NOT a walk in the park! My brother was well about 4 minutes before he went out and got vaccinated! That made me happy!💖 You guys stay safe, love the celebration of life, you are the best! Happy Baking! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
How delightful to open my email and find Willard! The photos are fabulous and the sentiments heart warming. November is the month to practice Thankfulness. Each day I list something(s) I am thankful for. It encourages me to gives thanks everyday for things big and small. Happy Thanksgiving to all the girlfriends!
HI Susan,
Loved the post as usual. Also love the give away pilgrims. I have the
candles already. Thank you for being Susan.
Hugs Nancy Jo
Living in exILe but thankful for many blessings and your wonderful Willard is right at the top!
Transports me to another place and time!
Thank you, Susan!
Susan you bless us all with your happy heart. Thank you for another wonderful Willard. 💕
Susan,
This was truly a welcome Willard, so cozy and lovely as always. Love seeing Ripper, really adorable and of course, that handsome Jack of yours too. THAT green eye! I’m grateful you made it through the storm without too much happening. Sad for the tree, good for the roses! And that tablecloth, wow! I love it and enjoy when share these beautiful items for the home. Red and white are very popular this year, but it’s always been a favorite of mine. I decorate seasons with pillows and other textiles too. I have always been a textile gal. I even opened a little online shop selling fabric during the pandemic! More of a hobby as so much competition. I think this comes from my mother who taught me to sew. Also, when she was young in N. Ireland, she was a weaver and so textiles were a part of our lives. We had Irish Linen tea towels and such. I still buy them when I travel there! How kind is that, of Bunny to send you something to give away-and what wonderful somethings they are? Thank you Bunny for giving us this opportunity. Ta ta for now. Looking forward to A Holiday Celebration on Dec. 4 with you and the Enchanted book club!
Wishing you, Joe and Jack a very Happy Thanksgiving and the blessing of friends and family. Stay well.
Love from California,
Maureen
Blessings all around! Thank you for another dose of inspiration and beauty in the Autumn Willard!
A joy to read your Willard in my mailbox! Thank you for the beauty you put into the world!
Susan, you’ve had many wonderful blessings. I’ve enjoyed every one! I love pets and Jack and the Ripper top all! So cute and so clever. How wonderful to have your friend ‘next door’! You look like sisters. Our autumn was late also, Indiana. But we’ve been bathed in the Golden Glow for a lovely week now. We have fab news. We will be blessed with our first great grand, a boy, in March! Take care💛🍁🧡🦃🤎gmapat.
Thank you, Susan, for the wonderful WILLARD! I love the beautiful pictures and seeing Jack, all dressed up in his tuxedo! He’s always the best dressed! Also, love the leaf with eyes, all ready for Halloween. That leaf gives new meaning to “leaf peeping!” Ha Ha! XOXO,Sharon in New Hampshire
!
Such a fun Willard this time! I always love to see what Jack (and You) are up to. 🙂 Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving, and that Pumpkin Cheesecake looks amazing! Hugs, Susan
Happy to see a post of you after the beginning of October and to read that you both are okay.
How lovely of Bunny to give the beautiful candles away to your readers. I like these a lot and never seen these in our country.
It’s very busy here at home,so it was very relaxing to read your post between a lot of boxes for moving house in a few weeks.
Take care,stay save and lots of love to you both and every girlfriend, Trudy from the Netherlands
What a lovely ode to Autumn, Susan. Autumn is my favoritist (misspelling included on purpose) time of year and here in Decorah we had a bang up one, the best in years. I moved to a new, old home in mid October and have 2 of the biggest Maple trees in my front yard (it’s not called Maple Ave. for nothing). They were the last to change colors – a beeyooteefull red orange – and the last to fall’ Don’t you just love the rustle of newly fallen leaves on the sidewalks as you amble (you must amble, no walking fast during Autumn or you miss the great sounds) and then the crunch of the leaves as they age. Bix loves burying his nose deep in the piles as we go out for our walks. I too live in an old house, part having been built in 1860. It will be a work in progress (a LOT of progress) but I feel so comfortable here and this part of Decorah is so much friendlier than the area around my condo. I am too rebellious to live in a condo – don’t like having to ask permission to do things. This new, old house however is the reason I have to cancel on the wonderful trip in May with you and the rest of your adoring (yes, we do adore you, Joe and Jack) fans. I will need to use the money on my home (so much more than a house don’t you agree) instead.
I have been very, very long winded, although that would seem to indicate that I have been talking so substitute whatever the word would be for “long winded” writing (rambling maybe) but I do have to say that the quote you used from Brian Andreas was wonderful, as are so many of his, and did you know that he used to live here in Decorah? His books, cards and frameable art are sold in many stores here and one, Story People, is all Brian Andreas all of the time. One more claim to fame for our little town on top of the eagles and the fact that we live in a crater formed by a meteor that fell millions/billions of years ago. They even put together the bones found here of a 6 foot scorpion – sure wouldn’t want to meet one of those guys in the dead of night.
I am so glad that your tree that fell during the Nor’easter didn’t cause much damage and that you all are alright. Also loved the bit about Jack and the Ripper. In my case it’s Bix who would rather ignore the cats, especially Silas who likes to get up close and personal.
I guess I have taken up enough space and given you a case of eyestrain so until we meet again, I hope everything keeps coming up blessings for you and yours and remains ticketyboo.
Much love to you, Joe and Jack
Brian Andreas, love him… and me too, don’t like to ask permission; the word no is anathema to me!!! I’m a yes kind of girl!❤️
I love your positive attitude. Something we all need to practice.
I thought of you guys when I heard about the NorEaster. Silly, I don’t even know you but it made me think of your book. Speaking of books, yes, Gentleman in Moscow was fabulous! Have you read The Boys in the Boat? Have great holidays.
Debbie Sisk
Definitely on my list!!
Yes, I’ve always noticed those candlesticks and loved them! I received my
Blessings cup and have had tea twice. Happy you’re able to celebrate Thanksgiving at home with actual people again. Phew! Blessings to you.
Thank you Susan for spreading your joy to all. I am speechless at your ability to reach into our hearts and say what we are feeling! Happy Thanksgiving!
Great Willard..all fall, food and coziness. You are very lucky to have a fireplace and someone like Joe. Very. That big tree thg hat dell you could see that black rot at the base. So glad no one was hurt. As storms to clear the weak branches and trees. Yay wood for the fireplace!
That leaf with eyes was very New England spooky. Bless you Joe, jack and all people on MV island be safe.
Debra
Those candlesticks would look great on my table. Thanks for a great Williard!
As my 93 year old sister in law says, “you bless my socks off!” I love reading everything you write, and the candlesticks are awesome.
Thanks for the newest, festive post! Just made my day to read it. Hope you and Joe have a wonderful fall and a very happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful lovelies with us. I would love to win the pilgrims.
Loved the Willard. I have a cup with feet that is similar to your cup. Mine has an Emblem that says International Year of the Child 1979. It has a little bear attached to the cup. The cup has red shoes and blue polka-dot socks. I had forgotten until I saw your drawing. Thanks for all the pictures you put in your Blog.
Happy Fall🍁🍂
Your house looks beautiful…
Hello Susan!
Oh! That picture of Jack investigating the mantle! I do love that kitty. And, I love that you catch and share his whimsy with us. And the Ripper! How adorable are the two of them!! Of course, I loved all of your post but Jack always jumps out at me. Critters always take over my heart.
I join in with all the Girlfriends in thanking you for Willard. Brightens up the morning, for sure! I’ll be outside today enjoying one of the last pleasant fall days before the Pacific Northwest rains get really serious.
But now, I wish a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!
♥Deb♥
What a lovely post and pictures…. and so much kindness … Thank you and Bunny! I love the candlesticks! I collect mismatched ones when my Geo and I go out antiquing. Wishing you much happiness and many blessings over the holidays.
Makes me wish southern CA had a fall!
Fall is the best season! Not only for what it is, but for all there is to look forward to while you’re enjoying it! I’m definitely feeling like that old Frank Sinatra song – doing my Christmas dreaming a little early this year. 🙂
Happy autumn and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Love the candlesticks. Sometimes very hard to find nice Thanksgiving items.
Thank you Susan for always sharing light and beauty with us in your blog and in your books. They are JOYFUL!
Sheron
Your Christmas book reminded me so much of my childhood Christmases that I sent one to everyone in my family. So many lovely memories!
I love everything about this one! Probably because I love fall most of all.
I adore the cozy photos!
And I am definetly going to try to make the pumpkin cheesecake.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Julia
Thank you for the latest Willard. I always look forward to your pictures especially those that include Jack. Love those candlesticks too.
Fall is is beautiful. Our leaves have been hanging on, wanting their show to linger. I love driving different ways to see all the glorious colors. Most years we get a windy rain storm and they are gone.
Another wonderful Willard. Thanks!
So thankful for a November Williard and those candle sticks…..swoon 🙂
Have loved seen your pilgrims come out for Thanksgiving for years. I thought they were one of a kind! Amazing that a someone bought them to share.
The fall weather is so refreshing in our NC mountains and gets us outside in nature where there is no covid. The colorful mountains make my heart sing! Wearing cosy warm clothes and chunky boots is just my style while inhaling the wonderful woodsy aromas. I’ve been lucky enough to experience fall at the beach and it, too, is inimitable. Thank you for introducing us to A Gentleman in Moscow. Delightful read that paints rich sensory pictures to lift the spirit out of deprivations of any sort. Susan, your writings provide precisely this same inspiration ! Thank you for the beauty you share with us in good cooking, home treasures, and art that makes our spirits soar! LOL Ripper and Jack are an engaging pair! Bless the gifts our darling pets so lovingly give us. Seasonal decorating is so simple and easy to do with accessories. Easy to have a whole new look to put us right in the mood and keep a smile on our faces. You are so appreciated, Susan!
Lovely words, pictures and blessings from a most lovely woman! Thank you! May you be forever blessed with all that is good! You bring joy and comfort to so many people!
The pilgrim candlesticks are so cute! But ,Susan. ,to hear from you was such fun. It makes my day! Thank you. May thanksgiving fill your heart. There is so much to be thankful for this year.
Oh Susan! I just received your new Christmas book from a sweet quilting GF for my birthday and absolutely was transported back in time – loved it! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe & friends and family who will be lucky enough to be sitting around your beautiful table. Love your posts and this Willard was such a nice surprise today!!!!
Dear Susan, not sure my comment went through. The candlestick Pilgrims are so cute.put my name in the drawing,please.
This year has been hard but there are so many things to be thankful for….I am learning that even the hard things can be blessings. There is a poem that I love . The author is unknown.
One line that always strikes me is: “ Oft times He weaveth sorrow and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper ,And I the underside.” I sometimes get caught up in the hard things and forget to see how they will work in my life to make me stronger or wiser or more tender to those around me. Thankful for the learning process!
Me too Barbara … sometimes it takes years, but there always comes the day I see the hard things as God’s blessings. 💖
Thank you, Susan. Your posts always brighten my day. Glad you weathered the storm as well as you did. My husband and I have both read The Gentleman in Moscow. Oh so good. Best to you and Joe.
Thank you for your inspiration! Such a pleasure reading. My favorite quote by e.e. Cummings “ Thank you God for this most Amazing day.”
love your blog, thank you so much for your books:)
Oh how lovely!! There hasn’t been a post, ever, from you that I haven’t felt a little more pep in my step after reading. And how kind of an SB girlfriend to find us all a treasure to try for! Thank you! 💕
😅😘🥰
I love reading your blog and Willards – always so inspiring!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and quotes. Your posts are always a welcomed break from a hectic world.
Beautiful pictures. I so love the colors of the leaves.
I hope all my granddaughters will find and love you as much as I do!!
Sign them up for my willard …. it’s a free gift from grandma!💞 HERE
Pilgrim candlesticks! What a treat that would be!
YOU are a blessing!
I love, love, love Gentleman in Moscow. Hands down one of the all time great books. So if you love it as well, check out his latest the Lincoln Highway. It’s wonderful!!
Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble
Thank you Susan for the beautiful November Willard. Your pictures are gorgeous. We miss the nor’easter storms of New England! After being shut in for so long I loved seeing your Maine trip, looked like heaven. Love the care and beauty of your drawings, I miss the stickers you used to have with the hearts ♥️♥️ And the few I have left I still use and think of you and smile. Stay safe and comfy in your gorgeous home.
Lovely Willard Susan…Always happy to see you in my Email!!!!
How sweet of Bunny to send the pilgrim candlesticks to you to offer to us. Thank you, sweet Bunny. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I loved A Gentleman in Moscow so much that I got it on Audible so I could listen to it with my husband!
I love all of your books, but Autumn was the first one. I discovered it in a book store soon after I got married and as I was reading it I felt like someone had given me a cozy blanket and a cup of tea. Over the 16 years of my marriage it has given so much inspiration and joy! I’ve often looked for those candlesticks…it’s so fun that Bunny found them and was willing to let them be a giveaway!
What beautiful photos of your life! I have wondered if you are still following the eating plan of a while back, and if so, how is that going? This time of year is not conducive to my “clean eating” plan.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe!
It’s gone good, very slow, but I’ve managed to get rid of 23 covid pounds! 👏👏👏 Easy come, excruciatingly slow go.🤣
If my math is right, I’m comment 470 – oh my, see how happy you’ve made so many folks?! I’m always tickled when I see your name come up with a new post. You never pop in and out with a short post…it’s always one to settle in with and linger over. Thank you…we know it takes time to put together, and we all appreciate it! Mary
Love your posts and the pictures – so inspiring.
Did I miss it? I always look forward to your annual Full Moon schedule for the coming year but I haven’t found it yet. Have I missed it and where can I find the 2022 bookmark sized schedule?
I appreciate any guidance on this!
Thank you,
Sharon Norville
A person who sees blessings everywhere is blessed indeed!
Hmmm. My earlier post didn’t go thru so another try. Loved everything about your Willard/Blog today. Especially loved the photo of Jack sitting on the open dictionary–who knew he was such a reader? 🙂 But could you tell us about the lovely painting behind him? Artist? Title? Painting or print?
Your book club friends did an amazing job and the table setting is absolutely beautiful. And I feel calmer just virtually walking down the lane…so lovely.
And as you often remind us, tomorrow is Veterans Day–11-11. I have just finished digitizing for the family some photos of my late father-in-law who served in the Pacific theatre, island-hopping from one terrible battle to another. Lest we forget….
It was a gift from a long time ago, it’s an oil painting called Teatime by Pamela Kay. 💖
Thank you! Love it–and your blog, so full of wonderful things.
Your life is so wonderful and full of love and everything wonderful.
Lucky lucky you.
another lovely list of fun and sweet sentiments! I hope you got my novels I sent…Being Ethel (in a world that loves Lucy) and the others…would love to hear you did! Blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!
I just have to say, Bunny Perkins sounds like the sweetest person EVER! If I had found those on ebay, they’d be in MY house. Thank you, Bunny, from all the girlfriends. And, thank you, Susan for the blogpost. I always look forward to reading them. Right now, in mid-Missouri we have just reached the peak of the fall foliage. I literally get giddy with joy everyday on my walk just soaking up all the beauty around me. In fact, that’s where I’m heading right now. We are supposed to get high winds starting tomorrow, so I better go enjoy them while I still can. Happy Thanksgiving!
Your blogs are always wonderful. I was introduced to you in Tennessee and when I moved (temporarily) to Morro Bay, realized that you are from San Luis Obispo! I was so excited to find that your books are sold all over Central California shops. Thanks again for this delightful blog.
I’ve been an avid reader for over 50 years ~ but there are always just two books remaining on my bedside table . . . Martha’s Vineyard – Isle of Dreams and The Book of StillMeadow. Both are like a salve for the soul. Finding you and your books and all your “treats” has been such a blessing. I just finished your puzzle (which is now hanging above my bedside table too). Thank you for being you, Susan!
Afternoon Susan! Isn’t this Fall just THE best one yet? It’s nice and long, and I’m soaking up every minute of it.
Thank you for sharing a piece of MV with us.
Hi Susan! Always love reading your words. They bring such joy. Loved the dinner party at the book club! How wonderful Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe! Lorraine
Just received my 2 mugs. They will be so wonderful for Christmas gifts, had almost forgotten about them. Thank you!!!
Thank you Bunny and Thank you Susan!
What lovely candlesticks! And how incredibly grateful Matt & I are at having had a few days in Edgartown for my retirement/birthday getaway. Can’t wait until my sister gets her rabbit mug! I told her something was coming her way, but not what. She & I rabbit, rabbit at the first of every month, so the perfect not a birthday, not a Christmas present … just some shared joy via your mug.
Your lovely post is my blessing for the day! Thank you.K
Savored your blog, word by word, thought by thought, picture by picture, recipe by recipe. Filled with what is lovely about life, friendship, love, pets, and nature. Much gratitude to you!
Coming home after a long day at work and reading your positive post on blessings really cheered me up. The candlesticks look beautiful! Thank you.
I remember getting Willard in the mail and being, oh, so excited to open it. I so love these glimpses into your beautiful world! I aspire to make the perfect table, be the perfect hostess, but alas, I fall a wee bit short🤷♀️
Thank you for sharing your wonderful blessing of story telling and painting.
So happy to see your blog today about blessings! I am about to take my doggy for our daily one hour walk in the forest. It always lifts my spirit to be in nature with my special furry friend
I feel blessed everyday I get to spend with him!
Thank you for such a beautiful post.
Wishing you and your family the Best Thanksgiving.
Thanks for the yummy recipes too.
Mary
I was excited to get my shipping notification for the cups, can’t wait! Also, my daughter, now 24, loved the Warrior books when she was young too.
A Gentleman in Moscow was great and is being made into a movie. I ordered Overstory two weeks ago and it’s in my stack. Now listening to The Thursday Night Murder Clib which is British and has the best narrator. Also being made into a movie. You two will love it!
Want a nice surprise! Whenever I find a new Willard in my mail, I drop everything, grab a mug of something and plop down on a sofa in the den. Love the Thanksgiving pictures with the pilgrim candlesticks! And you are sooo right…the Blue Willow and orange decorations are a gorgeous smash of color!
Best wishes for a Blessed Thanksgiving!
It seems like it has been so long that I’ve gotten a “Willard”. It is soooo
good ! Blessings, oh for sure !
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Hi Susan,
It seems everyone I write or talk to is having a late Autumn 🍂, but that’s okay with me. I kept thinking in early October, why isn’t the heat kicking in or why am I so hot 🥵. Lol
I love that Westie!!! The pets must match your decor! Speaking of decor, I had an idea. What if you had a piece of glass cut for your dining room table? Then if someone spills your quilts wouldn’t get stained if someone spills.
Love the cards…
John Muir and Wm. Morris, such wisemen.
🤗
Margot
Good idea!