Well, it isn’t quite April, but almost! Right now everything seems to be almost: Pandemic is almost over, Ukraine has almost won, the tulips are almost up, it’s almost time to go to England, and my new book is almost here, it’s almost April, almost my birthday, and my sisters are almost here! The only thing not almost, is this Willard! MUSICA
So here begins the painting of the cover of my new book. I had an idea of how I wanted it to look, but at this point, I’m thinking, I hope I’m going to like it … but I had a ways to go. . .
And here I’m beginning to love it because of the moon in the middle ~ but I’m nervous to do the border I have in mind, because I might ruin the whole thing . . .
I wanted to paint the sky over the Atlantic we see when we’re on a ship, a huge profound ice-cold, blue-black starry sky that says “infinity” . . . and now I’m happy because it looks like I remember it.💖 If I’ve done the best I can, “good enough” is my middle name. Am I done? Not yet, I think …. it needs a little something more . . . a little more magic . . . And I have to change the line above my name… the correct word is quotations, not quotes . . . 
And there it is! Voila! The finished cover from. . .
And today is the day Distilled Genius goes up for presale . . . you can order your copy HERE . . . They are due in to the Studio at the end of June … they will be printed in the USA, with a hard cover, and a ribbon bookmark, so they SHOULD be on time! I hope we’ll have enough to last through Christmas because, due to EVERYTHING that’s going on in the world, we’ve been told we won’t be able to get another printing until 2023 ~ I just never know for sure how many to get. But if Distilled Genius is something you really want, please try to put your name on it now!❤️
What a labor of love writing this book has been! My days have been spent with the geniuses of the world. Can’t ask for more than that! I almost didn’t notice it was March! And now, poof! It’s almost April!🌸
I thought you’d like to see a few pages so you have an idea of what you will get . . . this one is from the chapter called The Secrets of Life.✍️
This is from the chapter on Happiness . . . As Lewis Carroll wrote, “What use is a book without pictures?” Luckily we don’t have to worry about that!
Page 234 is in the chapter called Breaking Up ~
and this one is in “Women” … we also have Chapters for Love, Creativity, Diaries, Writing & Writers, Courage, and Fairy Tales to name a few.
At the end of each chapter there are blank pages, so you can include your favorite quotes!💞
And the next bit of exciting information is
THIS SATURDAY, April 2,
I will get to say Rabbit-Rabbit and celebrate spring with 1000 of you in person!👏
. . . that is if you click HERE to sign up to join a Webinar with me and Hayley Solano and her Enchanted Book Club ~ grab a cup of tea 
or coffee… (or gin if you’re in England!) And join us at 3 pm my time, 2 pm in Chicago, 1 pm in Denver, noon in California, and 8pm in England! This Saturday, April 2! Check the time in your area to make sure. It’s free, sign up and you’ll automatically be sent a link to join … We’ll take questions and talk about creativity and the new book and spring and any questions you might have about the trip to England and all kinds of girl talk! ♥️
Most of the time, I think all I do is work … but I forget! The best part of doing a blog is looking back at my photos and realizing how much fun I’ve been having. After painting and writing in the early hours, our morning walk in the fresh cold air is so beautiful with the sun shining through the trees, almost an out-of-body experience. The outdoors is not one bit like the indoors … two very separate things . . . We’re still bundling up in sweaters and jackets, hats, gloves, scarves . . .
We each put an AirPod in our ear, and turn on our book of the moment on my phone via Audible . . . and off we go, through the woods to the sea! We could NOT 
love it more. We just finished The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, and NOW, we’re “reading” Brideshead Revisited, an old classic about English society in 1923 … written by Evelyn Waugh. I somehow missed both the series and the movie … but being an Anglophile, I could NOT love this more! It was first published in 1945, during the war, and the writing is amazing ~ I would almost go so far to say awesome! Memories of times gone by, a step back in time in story and language, and for frosting on the cake, it’s read by Jeremy Irons, who acts it rather than reads it. You’ll love it if you haven’t read it! Even the parts that puzzle me are okay because his writing is so eloquent and engaging.
And at the end of the dirt road, is this . . . before we turn around and retrace our steps to home, we stop and breathe and count our blessings and say a prayer for the world, especially for Ukraine (⬅️ click there for charities), we grieve for the brave moms and dads who we just KNOW are going to win this thing! Like most of us the world over, I’ve fallen totally in love with these people fighting for freedom for all of us … I don’t think many of us do well understanding such cruelty.🇺🇦 But the outpouring of help from the world is certainly making a difference.
We are lucky it’s peaceful here on our little island where the daffodils have begun blooming and where the earth is turning green again . . . and we cleaned the house!
We had to. First off, it’s spring, time to bring in more light and cheer … and secondly, we had to clean up because our dear friend wrote a book about his immigrant grandparents called Blood Pudding … and we invited 60 people to a book party which we had last Sunday! We dusted and vacuumed and moved furniture around . . .
We turned the dining room into a reading room ~ and filled the house with flowers, opened the windows, turned up the heat, lit a fire, brewed four kinds of tea, made cucumber sandwiches and two tea cakes, and had a lovely Sunday afternoon celebrating with our friends!
And when they all went home we had leftover cake and a clean house! How perfect is that? 💖
Extra good because my two youngest sisters, Mary and Shelly are coming to stay with us next week to help celebrate my 75TH BIRTHDAY!🥳 I’m so excited! And then it’s Easter, and then we GET ON THE QUEEN MARY 2, May One, and hit the high seas! And we’ll get to hug under that black starry sky for real! With lots of you! It’s definitely a red letter month and it hasn’t even started yet! If any of you sailors want to bring books to the ship for me to sign, I’ll be happy to do that! 
That face is a bit of now I feel ⬆️, I’m always afraid to go away, afraid I’ll never see Jack again 🙀, but NOTHING WILL STOP ME.🔪 I just have to step over the fear … so that’s that about that!✌️We’ll be getting another booster FYI, just for extra safety on board, our plan is to have fun and not get sick!👍
We can’t take Jack, but we’ll take his best friend, Petey. Petey rides for free. And so will all of you armchair travelers! We won’t forget you!💞
What else . . . oh yeah . . .
It’s almost April Fool’s Day, you will need to be ready! This is a gummy worm and that is the shower drain. Need I say more? Even though I’ve done it before, Joe NEVER expects it! Oh the power!😂
Also, Kellee reprinted some notecards for you . . . cheery notes for spring, two styles in each package of 10… you can see they are pretty on all sides! Find them HERE.
Don’t forget to treat yourself . . .
From our kitchen window we see that apple slices are a big hit . .
A frozen ear of corn, very popular!
Dishwasher went on the blink, Joe had to get on the floor to see what was going on under there ~ he fixed it! And I got a great shot if I do say so myself! I always say a man fixing things around the house is a pure aphrodisiac!💞
One of my girlfriends turned 71 a couple of weeks ago … we found the perfect candle for her … I made the cake for her party, where we did our girlfriend tradition of putting our rings around her candles … we made a wish along with her, when she blew them out, all our wishes came true.💫 It’s magic! I’ll need to make one for me! And now, must go … leaving you with one of my favorite quotations …❤️❤️❤️❤️
See you Saturday! 
P.S. I have a nephew named Jesse who’s in his twenties & teaches art in China! He is Holly’s brother and my sister Mary’s son … Mary just sent me this picture he painted on an outside wall of a building in China, on behalf of Ukraine! Makes me so happy! That’s my boy!💖 What a small world we actually do live in!💞
Wishing you the Happiest Birthday every, sweet Sue! Much love always!
It’s always a treat to receive your Willard in the middle of my work day. It gives me an excuse to take a break! I’ve ordered your book and signed up for the webinar, so I’m all set! I’m just sad that I can’t go on the cruise!!
Just ordered the book, can’t wait!
Beautiful! Wish I could join your webinar but happy to be going on my last ski weekend of the season – will see what the snow is like! Thank you for a lovely read.
Wishing you a very happy birthday, Susan! What a wonderful way to spend the beginning of your 75th year!!!
Thank you for being a blessing in all of our lives! We do enjoy your positive outlook and love of life!!!
Enjoy all that is happening!!!!
I did not walk – I ran to my computer to pre-order your new book and I am in a boot for a foot issue but it was worth every step. hahah Cannot wait. thank you so much
Yes! We can now pre-order! As soon as I am done here I will hop on over and pre-order the book. I actually love pre-ordering before something is published. It’s done, I can forget about it and suddenly one day there is a pleasant surprise in the mail!
Also I might add I don’t have dementia 😂. It is a constant worry for me and people tell me all the time when I forget something, you just have a lot on your plate right now and you’re stressed! Yes I’m stressed, I’m worried I have dementia. Well I have been searching for that wonderful whole grain bread you gave us the recipe for from the nuns. But my google search just didn’t have the right words and I couldn’t find it. If I could just remember the name. And low and behold….it’s Mother Effie’s bread just popped into my head and I searched and found the right blog post !! Yay for me. 😀. Now I need to get all the ingredients. I am just hungry for that great bread.
I’m so ready for spring. The temperature’s good, we really, really need rain and this awful wind needs to stop blowing! But my hummingbirds are back a little late and my barn swallows are back right on time. Life is good.
Off to order a book❤️
Hooray for Jesse! Another artist in the family! I recognize the heart he painted next to “We’re With You”💗 Thank you so much for the list of charities to support in the Ukraine. It is so strange to live in a world that produces so much horribleness and at the same time, so much beauty and Love.
I’m clinging to the abundant Love and giving as much support to fighting the horribleness as I am able.
SUSAN! As always, I have deemed your latest blog as MY FAVORITE. This happens every time I get to read a new one!
I also pre-ordered the new book and cannot wait to receive it.
I love your nephew’s painting. I wish I could post a photo of the stained glass window I created in honor of the Ukrainian Warriors.
Spring in Iowa is having a tough time deciding what it wants to be….. some days its 70 and sunny, then it rains and the wind blows like Mariah…. then it snows!
Today, we’re back to gray skies and wind and cold.
I am headed to my cozy reading spot with a cup ‘o tea and a book set in Italy. I plan to return to my beloved Tuscany in October. It will be the first time in three years – the longest period I’ve been gone since 1996!
Best to you – can’t wait to follow along on your trip to jolly old England!
As Johnny Mathis has sung, “The best is yet to come and babe, won’t it be fine!” Thanks for bringing us all along with you for “the best”! Happy Spring!
Such exciting stuff. Early wishes for a happy birthday month and a wonderful next trip around the sun. See you Saturday.
May the Traveling Gods Shine Upon You, Joe, Petey and all the Friends going and coming on your wonderful trip !!!!!
So much excitement!
I just ordered 5 copies of Distilled Genius – can’t wait to get them 🙂
Thank you!
💙💛
Love your nephew’s artwork! 🌻🇺🇦🙏🏼 Can’t wait to join you Saturday.💙💛💙💛
I just love that mural Jesse painted! How wonderful! xoxo Lisa Hay
Me too Lisa! I hope he sees it here!💖
Rabbit, Rabbit early. Have a wonderful 75th birthday with your sisters. Thank you for another great book, I am looking forward to receiving.
Happy Day! I scooted over to the store to preorder 2 books…one for me, one for my sweetest niece in law…and then hopped on over to register for the webinar before I even finished your post! And then I went back and read it twice❤️So excited for the trip, I’ll be one of your armchair travelers. Thank you for always being our happy heart, our dear, optimistic cheer leader. “When I count my blessings, I count you twice” Much love xo
Susan, I’m so excited the new book is Almost here! I couldn’t place my order quick enough! Sheer delight! I love the cover! The shooting stars were the perfect added touch! I feel the magic.
You won’t remember this, but when you and Joe were here in Austin in 2016 for a gathering and book signing at Book People, you signed my book on the, cover page and also on page 121, Chapter 6 where you include the Hyacinths for the Soul quote. Hyacinths for the Soul, was the name of our Catalina 22 that we owned the first years of our marriage, and now the name of my blog. What fun vivid memories I have of that event. You and Joe were so friendly! We all talked and laughed for a several hours. It was a highlight for me to finally meet you, though I felt as if we truly have been always been close friends just from reading your books all these years. My Susan Branch book stack keeps growing!
I so wish I were boarding that ship with you and the others. Crossing on the QE2 has long been a dream, and this would have been the perfect opportunity. Not to be, so I’ll be one of those virtual pals traveling along for free. Thank you for generously taking us along!
Happy, Happy Birthday!!! Sister time will be a perfect way to celebrate! There is sure to be lots of love and laughter!
Hugs from Austin ~ Love, Sarah and Sadie
Happy Birthday to you, dear Susan❤️
The love and beauty you bring to the world is of inestimable value. Thank you!
Signed up for the webinar. Preordered the book. Hooray!! And thank you.
Happy Spring! You have so many great things happening these next months. How very exciting. And I know you will be sharing some of it all with us.
I recommended The Lincoln Highway for my book club last month. Everyone loved it. It made for good discussions.
Your book cover is PERFECT! The stars are wonderful.
I’ve been enjoying my bunny mug. Bunnies abound this time of year. Thank you!
Have fun with your sisters. ❤
Ok I did it! Pre-ordered your latest book NOW. I usually wait and then I am cross with myself, so this time I won’t be annoyed with me. And what grand anticipation! Love the cover, recognize some of the quotes from past books, so excited. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pre-order ❤️
Hi Sue,
All of us have been missing you but now we get it, what a busy month! I ordered the book just minutes ago, can’t wait to see it in person. Happy exciting Spring!
Lillian in Northfield XOXOXO
Loved this blog today. I pre-ordered your quotations book. Something fun to look forward to. Can’t wait until it arrives.
Here in Iowa we don’t have daffodils yet but our surprise, or as we like to call them “naked lady” lilies are about 6″ tall. We call them “naked lady” lilies as the plants leaves come first, die back and then tall, straight stalks with beautiful flowers arrive with absolutely no leaves. They are quite lovely to see.
Looking forward to a new month full of warmer weather and all the surprises of spring.
Hoping all the girlfriends spring dreams come true.
Hi Susan~I just finished reading The Lincoln Highway…I was surprised about the ending, were you? No sign of spring here in northern Michigan…ice, sleet, rain, cold…Little Traverse Bay is still ice🥶…this too shall pass…
I knew they needed to get rid of that Dutch! What a troublemaker. I enjoyed the hole in the boat! The grab for the money! I’m just glad about who won and who lost! (Trying not to give anything away!)
Such a beautiful, uplifting post! I love the walk pictures, and you will love Brideshead both the movie and the series, filmed in Castle Howard.
I am grabbing the book!!! And maybe more tea, your teas are so good.
Looking forward to the Zoom.
Have a great, great, happy trip ! Bon Voyage!,🚢⚓️🍾💐!
Marge Hess
Good afternoon Susan, so tickled to have a new Willard in my email today. No better way to spend a rainy, windy, chilly day than reading your updates! I have pre ordered your book; so exciting. Something to look forward to, much nicer than bills. Have a blessed day.
I love all your books (Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams is my favorite, read it 3 times so far) and Willard. I’m looking forward to your latest book.
I’m sure your English trip itinerary is full but just wondered if you were aware of the Beatrix Potter exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum? It started in February this year and goes through January 8, 2023.
I’m a fan of her too and enjoyed your writing in Beatrix Potter & Me (parts 1 & 2) and A Fine Romance about going to her Lake District home. You listed so many good books about her. I would also suggest “A Victorian Naturalist, Beatrix Potter’s Drawings from the Armitt Collection” and Beatrix Potter’s Art by Anne Stevenson Hobbs if you haven’t seen them.
Ukraine is on all of our hearts. I just want to open my home and take in Babushkas that have no family. I want to make pots of tea and offer them my kitchen. They are such strong women!
Almost! Many of us are saying that along with you! I hope I’m keeping up with what I should be doing before packing that suitcase and hopping on board!
What merry times you’ve been having! A party for 60 people! Yay for a clean house and leftovers!
I’m very envious of that walk to the sea you are able to take whenever you wish. It would be healing/therapy for me!
Exciting to have another webinar, and exciting to preorder that book!
Birthdays abound in my family, too…four by April 27…beginning with my sister’s 79th this Friday.
Sending all good wishes to you! March? In like a lamb, possibly out like a lion tonight with storms!
Love and hugs,
Nellie
See you soon Nellie!!!🎉
Hello Susan, Girlfriends. Happy Spring!! the snowdrops, tulips and my shy little violets are coming up, the trees are getting their green leaves and life goes on. sorry i haven’t been around, been extremely busy. we lost a large portion of our new flock to a fisher … a close relative to the weasel and i have been scrambling to replace the loss. plus we have a broody duck and a broody hen sitting on their eggs and boy is that duck ever mean. she snaps at you if you get too close to her eggs. the hen jut fluffs up and clucks at you. but the beginnings of a busy barnyard for this summer. we have also suffered a loss of one of our cats, Midnight. he was a little black cat i found over 13 years ago under our front porch, he evidently caught a cold and never got rid of it and passed away Sunday March 20th the first day of spring. so we are a little sad at our loss. it is kind of lonely here without Midnight about… he followed me everywhere and petting him was like petting black velvet, he was my little lovebug. 🙁 still at the sobbing stage these days, but i will move on. the other cats need a lot of extra love and attention now and those crazy ducks and chickens keep me hopping. wishing you all well, and keep praying for Ukraine… they can win this war, i know they can but we have to help by reminding our politicians to grant them the weapons and the humanitarian aid they need and donate to whatever charities we can to aid them and help them recover. got to run, chicjen war going on… rooster vs. crow and the hens are helping the rooster. this dhould get interesting. stay well, stay safe, stay healthy and stay happy. hugs… 🙂 🙁
‘See’ you this Saturday!
new book pre-ordered! cannot wait – i know i must! hugs from here
Oh the book will be fabulous…all that wisdom in one place! Pea green with envy of your upcoming trip…ahhh, on my bucket list/wish list. The thing is, I have a feeling…if I went, I’d never want to come home. What would I do?! My heart’s desire…a little stone cottage, surrounded by a stone fence, and sheep everywhere. Yep…I could never leave. Happy Easter, Happy Birthday, Bon Voyage, Happy giggles with your sisters…sounds like the best days ever! Mary
Yay for a new blog and congrats on the beautiful book! Can’t wait for it to arrive!! Also a new girlfriend chat! Love those. Signed up for that too! It’s perfect timing. Right before hubby and I go for our latest booster shot.. So wish we were going to England with you all, but will be following along at home, so tweet and post all the fun for us arm chair travelers.. We are with you in spirit for sure! I always get anxious before a trip too.. have a hard time leaving Gigi too.. (our little kitty). Hope to be traveling in the spring of 2023 to England.🤞 You are all going to have a wonderful time!!!! ❤️ Twitter Beverlee 🤗
I thought your next book was Enchanted… I bought the preview and looking forward to rest. I will be pre-ordering your new quote book though.
Hi Susan!
Happy almost April! Just wanted to tell you that I LOVED the 2 new painting of little girls in your new book. The detail is just scrumptious!
Safe travels-
Nina
My friend, Katie Graves and her hubbie are traveling with you in May. She is so so so excited. Good Thank you for sharing sample pages of your new book, but frankly I would have been happy to buy it sight unseen. And, I love the tradition you have with the birthday candles and friends’ rings. 😍
💖
Thank you once again, Susan, for brightening my day. Where I work, we now are able to allow some visitors, and our patients are so thrilled to once again be able to attend some in-house activities. A therapy dog has made a visit after more than two years of restrictions, and the faces of those we care for showed excitement and love. Spring has sprung here, in our gardens, and the flowering cherry trees are breath-taking. May your birthday month bring so much happiness and many special memories. Blessings to you, my friend.
I get so excited over your blog posts, I always save them for either my coffee time in the morning or wine time at night. Tonight it’s with a wonderful glass of red! They always give me such a cozy feeling inside (your posts, not the wine. Well maybe both) Signed up for your zoom! Excited about spring! And happy birthday month to you! Can’t wait to hear about your trip to England. I’ll be following along dutifully.
P.S. Petey is a bit frightening.
P.P.S. your nephew’s mural gave me chills! How awesome!
Susan, I always look forward to your blog posts. I signed up for the webinar this Saturday and ordered your newest book! You put so much time and love in to your books.
Happy Birthday next week. My 72nd birthday is tomorrow. I live in Virginia and the tulips and daffodils have bloomed and many of the flowering trees!
I hope to watch you sail out of New York’s harbor on May 1!! My daughter and her husband from Denver, will fly to Paris that same day. After a few days in Paris they will join a cousin who has been living on a houseboat on the canals of Southern France for two years. They are finally receiving visitors after the pandemic.
So much to look forward to!! Take care and safe travels. See you Saturday!
Happy Birthday Diane!🎉 Lovely about your daughter … great trip, Bon Voyage to them from me!
Jesse’s painting gives me hope, both for Ukraine and for the future of our youth. He is quite the artist! Thank you Susan for the umpteenth time you’ve given this ol’ heart a big lift—can’t wait to read your book of quotes, the one from you on the break up page moved me so much, I can certainly identify & am still thinking about that one. Hugs. Julie
I ordered your Distilled Genius book. It will be wonderful!
Thank you!
I absolutely love the book title. Timeless and classic, just as you are!
Have a wonderful 75th birthday!
P.S. I adored the pics of your happy squirrels!
Goody!!!👏👏👏
I love that you have included P J Bailey’s “We live in deeds, not years;…”
I first heard the lines during a talk by the editor of Yankee Magazine. I have used it many times when sending a sympathy card. It says so much about a life well lived.
Looking forward to your new book.
Have a blessed and memorable birthday, Sue. Can hardly wait to turn the pages of your latest book. Something for me to really look forward to!
I’ll seek out another booster shot soon, too, but your post is, as usual, a booster of joy! Thank you (and especially thank you for the sparkling “end of the dirt road” glorious beach photo. ahhhhh… summer’s coming!).
….instead of “quotations from Susan Branch” how about “quotations curated by Susan Branch” or “quotations selected by Susan Branch”. When it reads “quotations from Susan Branch” it sounds to me like you are taking credit for the quote itself…..
Sounded like that to me too, so I removed “from” … All the quotes, where possible, have been credited to their authors, I was just afraid people would think it was a whole book of Susan Branch Quotes!😳🤪
What a treat this blog is for us in the Southern Hemisphere. The sheer delight of your coming Spring oozes from every sentence and picture.
Our Autumn is currently being heralded by endless rain and the picture of your road, dry enough to walk on, was heartwarming.
Such an exciting blog!! I preordered the new book! Happy Spring!! Happy April! Happy 75th birthday! Happy Easter!! See you Saturday!!
Your new book looks wonderful.
Happy upcoming birthday, Susan!
And soon to set sail. How exciting. Good for you two.
Continued blessings!
Dear Susan
can’t wait to read your new book, hear and read of your adventures as you sail the pond and have a wonderful visit to England, Happy Birthday! take a deep breath, and have a wonderful time with all your friends and especially Joe,
Blessings and Bon Voyage,
Diane Ely
I love the cover of your new book and can’t wait to hold it in my hands. Your nephews mural is wonderful and he is very talented like his Aunt.
Thank you Susan, will you post the link to the Enchanted Book Club moment for us that can’t be there? I have a baby shower. Looking so forward to meeting you and the others on the QM2. Anything you want from California?
Hugs,
~patty
Our dearest Susan….so much to celebrate for and with you….you WILL see your critter Jack again after your trip…he will purr and greet you to hear all about England and for you to tell him why he is cuter than kitties in the UK! I know our sweet critters become so important to us, but keep Petey and photos of him on the ship closeby to your bed…..Ukraine -when I visited in 1992 with a delegation of teachers, I had food poisoning in Kiev and was in bed for 2 days….they brought me vodka mixed with berry preserves, and soup, and even artisan crafts if I wanted to purchase, since being laid up, I missed the crafts fair….they were so kind to me, there across the world….all this evil needs to stop…..how? just thank you for you, and your friendship to us all, to celebrating life’s moments, and treasures….I am going to London, to Charleston, Great Dixter, a trip rescheduled from 2020, in June…..you have a wonderful birthday, a wonderful brilliant trip, and do write us all to let us know what you are up to, what your explorations are teaching you, how our England is faring….love you lots, m’dear,
Regina, Seattle
You have a beautiful home. It is so lovely and warm.
It is always a joy to find your post and read up on what all is new with you. Loving quotations myself, I look forward to ordering your new book. Also, the very best wishes for a wonderful birthday! I know it will be a great time!
XO Linda
Oh my goodness…the new book looks fabulous!! I pre-ordered and can’t wait to hold it in my hands to read. I am looking forward to this Saturday’s Zoom session also – yeah! You have a lot of exciting things coming up to look forward to. Have you ever tried to do Facetime or some other phone thing to see /talk to Jack while you’re away? I don’t know why I just thought of that. You maybe do already. Here’s to a wonderful April, May and forward! Safe travels and journey’s mercies to you and Joe!
Thank you for this wonderful Willard!!! I am so excited abound your new book!!! Wishing you an early Happy Birthday!!!
I LOVE Ukraine! Those people are such an inspiration. And their president. “I need ammunition. I don’t need a ride.” 🙂 And did you see the Polish mothers that left strollers at the train stations for Ukrainian moms arriving with little children? That just made me weep.
I love your quotes and will definitely be ordering your book! You made me into a quote collector from the first calendar I bought of yours decades ago! Can’t wait to see the book.
Happy Birthday Susan!
Hope you have a safe, wonderful trip.
Hope Jack will be well taken care of. He will miss you!!
Happy Spring!!
Have been waiting for the opportunity to tell you how much I love the February calendar page paying tribute to Beatrix Potter…beautiful!
Looking forward to receiving copies of your new book.
I love the finished cover. It’s so joyful ♥️
Dear Susan ~ Happy Spring🐑🌷and Happy🎂Birthday with extra sprinkles!
My husband and I will be sailing on May 1st with you. We are so thankful things worked out for us to come and excited for this adventure! He’s not fond of boats and I’m not fond of flying, so I told him I’ll hold his hand on the ship if he’ll hold mine on the plane 🙂
Love Jesse’s painting…and our wonderful young people who are our hope for brighter tomorrow’s. 💗
See you on the QM2, Susan 🚢. Now I have to decide which one of your books I’m going to bring to have you sign 📚. It will either be Isle of Dreams or A Fine Romance 💕.
Decisions decisions.
Wonderful art work your nephew created. I wish nothing but the best for Ukraine and its brave people 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
‘Cause I need to say it while I’m thinking it: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! It may be a bit early but at least I didn’t forget, right?
Sounds like you have perfection ahead in your plans, may all your birthday dreams and wishes come true.
Happy birthday and safe travels. Lovely blog. 🥳 🧳🛥
Will your new book be available to buy in the UK? Xx
What a treat to have preview pages from your quotations book!
And to focus on the joy of life in springtime!
Thank-you!
Happy Birthday Susan!
I am so excited about your new book! I placed my order as soon as I saw the link for placing a preorder! Something to look forward to. Thank you Susan. I so enjoy your work.
Hey Birthday Girl,
What day next week is your birthday? I’m about to celebrate my 70th on Wednesday, the 6th. Happy, happy day to you (and us), Susan!!
Hello Susan, I love the way your Willard’s make me feel !! Nostalgic, warm and fuzzy, amused, enlightened, hopeful, thankful……. Thank you ! In one of your photos above, I noticed on your kitchen table a beautiful crystal piece, it has a banana in it ! I’d love to know the history of it. It’s certainly perfect to hold bananas ! I love quotes, I hope to get one of your beautiful books. And the most important thing, Jack is beautiful.
I look forward to your next Willard. Iris Shubert
Thank you for your gift of good cheer shared through your wonderful art! Hugs!
Castle Howard, the filming location near York, was a must-see for me after I fell in love with the original ‘Brideshead Revisited.’ The grounds and garden alone are worth the admission price. I hope you get to visit it.
Me too!💖
Wonderful to hear from you the day before a Rabbit, Rabbit day!! An early surprise for us all, thank you! Good to hear about the new book’s progress – the cover looks beautiful in your very own style! Waiting to hear how much the postage will be for my very own copy!!
Lolilolled at Joe on the kitchen floor!! Really made me lol 😂 – thought at first you might have knocked him on the head with a pan – but then I thought no, too much love in that house for that!! Then I wondered if Jack might have got stuck behind something and Joe was trying to release him…but then there were cute pics of Jack and his moustache to delight us!
Amazed at Jesse’s art (only hope he doesn’t get into trouble in China, for painting it in public – so worried about the CCP and how they react to people standing up for the rights of anyone!)
We’ve been fundraising like mad over here for Ukraine as people all over the world are doing – and if we had room, we’d have taken in a Ukrainian to stay. A lovely friend of mine is awaiting a mother and son to come…so we are putting things together for them to welcome them here and help 🇺🇦
Your blog/Willard is a beacon of light in a very dark world Susan, thank you.
Looking forward to your trip over here to 🇬🇧 yay!!
Love to you, Joe and Jack 🐈⬛
Karen x x x
Northamptonshire
U.K. 🇬🇧
Thank you Karen, for what you are doing. YOU are the beacon of light!❌⭕️
Thank you, Susan, as always!
Hi Susan, I can’t wait to see the new book; ordered mine already! I love the spring notecards but they are not on your shopping website. Maybe they will be available sometime today? Your blog is the perfect start to my day. Thank you!
Another book, AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! I love the dragonflies – what a great finishing touch! Fear, schmear! Go and have a great time! It’s spring!!!! Can summer be far behind?
Thank you for always showing up when I need you. So looking forward to the new book. It’s exactly what I dreamed of. Enjoy your birthday with your sissys and thanks too for taking us along to England once again.
❌⭕️❌⭕️
Thank you, Susan, for this uplifting post – quotations, illustrations, photos and all things good. We share the birthday month of April. I will be one year older than you and I’m grateful for every year. Happy Birthday! May your month be filled with many blessings! Peace for the Ukraine~
Happy Birthday Ann!
How could I resist! I pre-ordered the book and I had to buy some of the notecards! I always love it when you have a new post up. It cheers my day to no end. And with all of the tumult in the world at the moment, don’t we all need a little more cheering up! I have loved seeing all of your photos and catching up with some of your goings on. Positively delightful. April is going to bring us lots of wonderful things for sure. All the best from early morning in Nova Scotia where the day is promising to be a fine one. Marie, Nutmeg & Cinnamon =^..^=
Spicy kitties!
Hi Marie! Hoping to again get back to Nova Scotia, both of us having had the 2nd Booster. We’ve been to most of the regions, which are almost like visiting different countries. May take the ferry over this time. We live in Maine, but the drive “up and around” takes at least one night on the road.
Where do you live in NC?
Debbie in Tampa, soon to be back in Maine!!!
Hi Debbie! I love Maine! I have travelled there many times! What a beautiful state you live in! I live in the heart of the beautiful Annapolis Valley! This is where I grew up! We will soon be celebrating Apple Blossom season here. One of the prettiest times of year!
I forgot to with you a Happy Birthday! I hope your birthday is the best one ever! xoxo
Interesting post, loved it except for the comment on Ukraine. If you are there, the WAR is NOT over…and what to do with all of those who left the country and rebuild. My niece’s non-profit is helping young girls who have been replaced from their homes. I’d say this is just the first chapter for the Ukraine situation. . Not sure where you are getting your news. You go on a nice trip to England and others are suffering. I think your comment was poorly made.
I wasn’t saying it was over, I was saying Ukrainians are winning, with heart, courage, stamina, determination … I admire them so much … I go with Gladys Taber who said, “Believing there is hope for the world is a way to move toward it.” I LOVE how the whole world is stepping up, even tho it will hurt each country’s economy, some things matter more than money. I pray every day.🙏 I put a link in that comment so everyone who can send a little to help will find it there. 💖💖💖
Dear Susan,
Do you know the fact that you lift our spirits and brighten our days after a long, cold winter here in Maine? I pre-orderd your new book and this one, too, will be a great success!! It sounds like you are going to have the best April and May a girl can possibly have! The saying, “Good things come to those who wait”, it’s not true. Good things come to those who go and get it! So, if anyone reads this comment, go get what you want, do not wait. This is not a dress rehearsal, is it? I think I have had too much coffee! Shine on, Susan!!
Precisely, if you want it, you have to go get it, because it won’t go get you! ❌⭕️
Happy early Birthday Susan!🎂🍨 Just pre-ordered my copy of the new quotes book😍!
So many good things to look forward to! Fortune comes in waves 🌊. We have to believe that when hardship comes around. We’re captives on the carousel of time…Brideshead Revisited is an interesting story. It was recommended highly to me years ago by a Catholic priest. The film series with Irons is very good but the book is so well written. It’s a classic story of finding the light through the darkness. Irons’ character is a painter and ends up with a commision to paint Brideshead. That is my favorite part 🏰.
See you soon…… three of my favorite words. Looking forward to our Saturday gathering. Thank you for taking us aboard the QEII if we can’t be there in person! May you have fair winds and following seas!!!!!
Oh I love quotes. Thats exciting your book is almost done. I haven’t ever heard of the tradition to put rings around the candles and make wishes. How sweet and fun!! Happy early birthday!! Enjoy your celebration with friends and family. 🎂💜🌸
Your Willards are always such a beacon of light, and it’s so sorely needed in this dawn of spring when winter hasn’t quite loosened its hold. Thank you for shining your light on all of us!
Your post is just what the doctor ordered! Thank you 😊. Have placed order for 5 books, one for me and the rest as Christmas presents. ( Hope I remember where I hide them till then😁)
See you Saturday!!!!
Blessings
Carol
PS: Your home looks beautiful! I love to entertain for that same reason.
Thank you for doing these wonderful newsletters! It made my morning as I am dealing with some tough family stuff… it provided me with a respite before I have to go back to that. You bring joy to others always!
I just pre-ordered the quotation book. The cover is beautiful. The shooting stars took it over the moon. Very excited. Happy Spring. Blessings to you, Joe and Jack. Also Jesse’s mural is beautiful.
It’s always a big surprise when your Willard arrives! I’ve ordered your new book because I don’t want to be disappointed with not being able to have it when it comes out! It looks great, thanks for the preview! I hope things continue to get better in the world and this pandemic goes away for good, we’ll be traveling with you via armchair, like so many others. Sorry to say we had to cancel the trip, my doctor advised us to, but thank you for taking us with you! Happy birthday in advance dear Susan! My youngest turns 35 that day also, special day and people! Have fun with your family, let us know what you do. See you Saturday! xoxoxo
Hi Susan! Happy Spring! Signs of this beautiful season are appearing here in Midcoast Maine We have bald eagles building a nest, the red-winged blackbirds have arrived and so have bluebirds. Rabbit, Rabbit a day early. I loved your blog as always. I can only imagine how excited you and Joe are to be heading across the pond on QM2! The anticipation is wonderful isn’t it. I think I had mentioned once that we have our own Petey doll! My husband was on the QM when he was 6 years old as his Mum was from England. Have a beautiful day and looking forward to your new book! Love, Karen xoxo
Looking forward to the webinar!
Happy Birthday, Blessed Easter and Bon Voyage💙🇺🇦💙
Thanks for taking us along on your adventures 🥰 So looking forward to getting your new book❣️Great mural painting.Inspiration for us all🥰❣️
I look forward to receiving Willard in my inbox and read every word! Although I wish I could get Musica to play as I read. Thank you for sharing your talent….I would love to go to England but for now I’ll come along as an armchair traveler. “Fair Winds and Following Seas” ♥️
Just got my book pre-ordered! I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to following along virtually on your trip to England!
Quotes..since I am10 I have loved them.Sad my first pocket book of quotes is long gone.
Love that you left blank pages.
What an energizer bunny you are.
Happy 75th💕
My friend,Sarah..her blog’s name is Hyacinths for the soul.She loves you.
+Thanks for bringing some sunshine into our spirits on this cloudy, cold, windy day in Pennsylvania.
Happy travels to England! I love England and have enjoyed it’s beautiful pastoral scenery a few times. I think I’ll reread ‘A Fine Romance’ while you’re gone so I can relive my travels and travel along with you.