Green is the emblem of optimism. Like a green traffic light, setting us free to GO! It’s also the color of Spring! This will put you in the mood even if spring is coming in on little duck feet where you live! MUSICA!
IT’S SO CLOSE!
Still a lot of attitude out there! (Dark cold short days do that to a person!)
But, as we know . . .
JUST SING!
This is our idea of OH MY GOD IT’S SPRING!!! SHOUT IT TO THE ROOFTOPS. Daffodils!
JOE! COME LOOK, TULIPS!
So we walk under leafless gray trees, through the woods to the gray sea . . . breathing clean ocean air, listening to the most 
wonderful English accents reading us the most wonderful books, still a little bleary-eyed from jet lag caused by daylight savings time, but too absorbed in The Last Bookstore in London to care. And THAT’S how you fight reality! Which I know you know. And P.S., that book was wonderful, you would love it! We get inside these stories and don’t want to come out. On the rare days we decide to just listen to the wind, the stories are now in the woods and wrap themselves around us as we walk. We fed the woods and the woods feed us back.🥰
We commune with the sun, when it comes out, we lap it up ~ and my watch says, “Good Girl, you walked 23 miles this week,” and I give myself a gold star, and my dad whispers, “Good work.”
And all the while, I know this dreamy thing is coming . . .
I’ve been getting lots done. Staying close to home, watching some fun TV, just BEING. I’ve so enjoyed this period of quiet, of rebirth I believe, just in time for spring, I’ve been deep in the throes of what I call the 
foundation for the creation. It’s working, I feel excited, my head is filled with ideas, I’m always grabbing note paper, writing in my diary, or typing out a quick paragraph of ideas … I can’t wait to see where they go. You might remember that during the Pandemic I shredded most of my diaries, freed them, is the way I like to think of it. (You can read about the philosophy of shredding HERE) . . . I kept a few pages, but let most of them go. I still have several diaries, my dinner-party diary of course, my England diary, a couple of others . . .
and this one (above) . . . it’s a long diary, it goes from 1992 to 2007! It comes from pre-internet days, before digital cameras ~ before phones, or blogs! When we still shopped in actual stores! So much good stuff in that book, almost the entire 90s! Little notes, bits of art, photos, plus, I didn’t say anything quite as moronic as I did in those first books.
Of course, I saved this page. So funny, asking that question while I’m writing! I just didn’t know yet. But I imagine that even Shakespeare asked himself this question when he was young. It’s got to be a question every dreamer asks themselves in some way or another. Which makes me think, for my own little world, that maybe I wasn’t a late bloomer like I thought, I was probably right on time.
Anyway, back to this diary, only one problem: Poor thing was dragged onto too many trains and is now coming apart. It had a cloth spine… what was I thinking!
It’s a very fat book . . . but the pages are still holding together,
. . . they’re stuffed with all kinds of bits and pieces, a newspaper clipping when Frank Sinatra died in 1998, my first national book tour schedule for Girlfriend’s Forever in 2000 (by train), a note from me to God thanking Him for not “letting me have arthritis,” lovely bits of fan mail, a recipe card from my mom for Green Bean Casserole, a ticket stub for Miss Potter ~ and so much more, making this diary even fatter . . .
This is how the happy gene manifests . . .Good old 1999!
I don’t want to lose this book . . . so, yesterday it went off to Mitzie Pratt, a bookbinder here on the Island… she will put it back together for me, and give it a brand new spine! There are a few blank pages left in the back . . . so maybe I will give it a 
little 2023 update.
And other things I’ve wanted to do have also been checked off my list ~ I finally got our wedding rings in to be engraved ~ I’ve always wanted to do that, and it’s finally happening.💞 Sending some of that love out into the world all alone someday. Also, I found a 1923 dime on my dad’s grave the first time I visited, I took that in too, to make a pendant out of it. He was born in 1923! And it’s 2023. So this is the perfect time. I’m having them put a gold ring around the outside, with a loop for the chain.💖 For forever. And, guess what just came in? ⬇️ Samples!
Our cups!!! They arrived from England for approval, which they definitely got! Color turned out great! They do such an amazing job!❤️ They’re being made now and, as promised, will ship at the end of April. I just wanted to show you. I can’t give an exact arrival date right now, because once anything is shipped these days, no one is ever quite sure when it will get to its destination. But never fear, we will stay on top of it, as I receive notices and more information, I will share it with you!!! I’m thinking May . . . but we will see.
Aren’t they wonderful? I’ve already had tea in all of them! Took ’em on a test run! ❤️ We haven’t sold out yet, they are all still available, but I should say if you want the Queen Elizabeth cup, you probably need to order soon.
My book, Fairy Tale Girl has been hard to find anywhere but on our website, and we’re down to just a few, saved just in cases, for Girlfriends. . . because we sold out everywhere else! So now, it’s being reprinted . . . the printer sent me the entire book so I could check the pages for color and layout, be sure the cover is right, and make sure it has that new book smell. I am still getting thank you letters for this book, warming the cockles of my heart.
And not just one book reprint this time . . . two!
Because A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside has also been missing in action! Thank you so much for liking them! You know it’s all you . . . your word of mouth that has made this possible. Mom’s to daughters, sisters to sisters, girlfriend to girlfriend ~ and so many of you took that word of mouth to Amazon.💖 Such a huge help! Word of mouth, my very favorite thing. Who do you trust more than your mom or BFFs? No one! I love it for my books, for movies, restaurants, exercise, for EVERYTHING actually, and feel just the same about it for the books I read … We are a sharing bunch aren’t we!?! Kindred spirits!
Oh yes, they sent the ribbons too! All approved and I bet we get them in the next month or so.
And yes, we also ran out of our fine art giclee prints . . . they are all being reprinted and will be coming to the Studio any day now! Beautiful reproductions on heavy watercolor paper ~ the color is so good it’s very hard to tell the difference between them and 
the originals! I left enough white paper on the sides and top so you can frame them if you like. I will sign and number them before sending them to the Studio for our webstore. And SURPRISE! See the geranium there on the right? That is a print of the very first painting I ever did, when I was 30, before I even knew I could paint. Painting this geranium with my brand new Birthday watercolors was a real awakening. I have one here in the house and I thought it would be fun as a giveaway ❤️❤️❤️ . . . I’ll personalize it to whoever turns out to be the winner of our drawing … so leave a comment (you’ll see where to do it directly under the end of this post… click on the word “comment.”) I just want to show how much …
And that’s the truth! You’re family! One of my favorite things about winter is how quiet and hushed it is here on the island. Tourists aren’t here yet, ferries sometimes stop running due to the weather, otherwise I can hear the boat horn echoing every time it leaves the dock. We have church bells clanging and ancient sad sound of foghorn too. All we need for perfection is a train whistle! Dark quiet mornings before sunrise, just me and Jack, a cup of tea, and my watercolors, are a pure gift to my life.
I’ve been painting . . . so fun to watch a piece of art come to fruition … the smell of the paper, the pencils, it’s back to school time for me. I start with a sketch, decide where her shoulders should be, what her hair might be, hat or no hat, what groceries should she have, what colors, everything . . .This is where the eraser comes in handy. I think of my eraser the same way as I do my seam ripper . . . tools I could not live without.
Once I like the basic idea, I redraw it on the “good” paper . . . Then comes the scariest part . . . putting on the first paint. Still scary after all these years!
Then I begin adding the layers of paint, trying not to hurry, enjoying every hair in my two-haired paint brush! Right here is where I sometimes want to stop! I love it right now! But then, I think, those lips, gotta do them! I’m trying to get ahead of next year’s calendars with some new art. And while I paint, thoughts and ideas pop into my head, so I write them down before I forget, sometimes it’s just a few lines, sometimes I have to stop because the idea takes pages . . . Everything seems so inspiring to me! Must be the longer light in the day, Spring! Or maybe the books we “read” while walking, I think about them, the magic the authors portray with their words, those wonderful wonderful words . . .
So in honor of St. Patricks Day AND the first day of Spring, I thought I’d give you some GREEN. I file my photos in lots of different ways, and one of them is by color! For all of you suffering from constant storms, and for everyone else living on the edge, ready for some green, I give you . . .
Almost time to mulch and dig my picket fence garden . . . and I can’t wait!
Green, most wonderful quilt, and Jack, one happy cat, make my kitchen a little bit of heaven.
Slippers warming next to the heating vents. So I can take off the cold ones and put on the warm ones. Foxy, don’t you think?🤠
The green rag-rug collection getting a little fresh air.
Luv-lee green glass, antique store find.
From my 2020 English Countryside photo Calendar…
. . . I should have included this miniature car covered in artificial grass in that calendar! Must totally disappear driving through the hedgerows! English people have the best sense of humor!
Green!
My happy cutie in the English Countryside, wearing his Scotland scarf.
In honor of Girl Scouts Week, my cooking badge. Didn’t quite make it to the sewing needle, still pinned on my sash where my mom put it.❤️
A window in a cottage in the Cotswolds. Kitty curtains framed in Green!👏
Driving through Vermont in the snow.
And the reason I LOVE clover and let it do anything it wants. But what I really need are sheep!🍀
Here we are at Carrie’s house in Oxford. As you can see, she has the charm decor gene in spades ~ loves green too!
Here’s how to make them: Cut stem flat against artichoke. Rinse it in water. Boil a pan of water, enough to cover artichoke. When it boils, add 
all ingredients except lemon juice … Check it after about 20 minutes to see if fork slips into stem easily. It’s done when it’s soft. Drain, and squeeze on lemon juice just before serving. It’s good hot or cold. Pull off a leaf, dip the wide end in mayonnaise, or mix mayo with lemon juice, or try melted butter ~ and pull “meat” off with your teeth. Keep going this with each leaf until the leaves are too flimsy. Then scoop out the center choke, dip and eat the “heart!” Yum. Fun to grow and they make the perfect dinner for losing that last 10 pounds, or the first 20. Here’s why they’re good for you!
Me, on a walk in the New Hampshire woods!
Needlepoint pillow. Goes with walls, lamp shade, green in chair, little Irish house roof on hutch. Goes good with Christmas too!
Me, way back when I lived at Hollyoak, when the cows escaped into my backyard from the farm next door, and I ran outside to see them, paintbrush in hand!
Beach booty. Heart shaped rock for the collection.
This is the color we get in spring . . . I call it “screaming New England green.” It’s like the day green was born! So green it even reflects on the gray roof of the house and turns it green!
Despite what this camera says, this is green . . . and it’s our dining room the way it was in 1989 a few days after we moved in ~ I’m playing house, setting the table for our first dinner party in our new home, which, I can tell by the bowls, nutcrackers, and lemons, was lobster! I’m pretty sure I bought the white paint for the trim and started tearing that wallpaper off the next day!🤪 That’s Girl Kitty. Jack isn’t born yet.
First thing I noticed about my first house on the island, when we drove into the driveway ~ it had a name. On a green sign nailed to a tree.
Black beret, but a green jacket and green pants . ..
And this, soon we will be drying our sheets and tablecloths in the salty wind and dappled light of the green-drenched island. It’s gonna happen!!!
ART, my dears, is what you THINK IT IS. Which is almost everything!
So book-time, walk-time for me and Joe . . . off I go. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! If you’re in California, you’ve had SUCH a 
tough winter, but I envy you your lupin and poppies that will be popping up any day. Hillsides and beach walks full of them, your reward, and you deserve every bit of it! Texas bluebonnets too . . . probably something to look forward to every where! Here’s to us Girlfriends! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’d like a chance to win the Geranium giclee!
Your pal for life,
Your love for life is contagious!
thank you for the green! 🍀💚 it’s my favourite colour and you will find it everywhere in my house. your green photos are especially welcome today as we have fresh snow on the ground for st. patrick’s day. aargh. yes, please to the geranium print. i have the perfect spot.
Thank you Susan for your lovely blog posts! Geraniums are my favorite flower…and my Dad too was born in 1923
Another gloomy day in southern California, but YOU bring in the the sunshine, dear Susan! Thanks for all of the green on this St. Patrick’s Day and for the opportunity to win your geranium. ☘️💚
Thank you for a happy start to my day. Your blog is always a breath of fresh air that clears out the soul. So much love to you, Jess
Love, love, love you, your posts, your house, your heart… thank you for sharing and blessing us with joy.
Oh, Susan, how delighted would I be to win your geranium painting?! I am grateful for the opportunity to try! I know just where I would hang it! I’ve gotten lost in your books and even in the music in them. They evoked so many memories from my own early years! Keep painting and writing and dreaming and living your whole life! Thank you for the green imagery this fine St. Patrick’s Day, and top o’ the mornin’ to ya!
Blessings,
another Susan
Susan,
Thanks for all the green and a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you☘️
Your pot of geraniums is proof of what’s to come ☀️
Cindy
Susan you don’t know me but you always make me so happy! In the last 5 months I have (quite unexpectedly) completely changed my life at age (dare I say it) 60. I sold my family home, I retired from my job, I moved in with my “boyfriend” (can someone please invent a suitable word for a significant other past the age of 17?) of 16 years (when I was so sure I would be independent forever). The first thing I unpacked in his place (now my place) was your books. They scream “home” to me.
Thank you for always being an inspiration and a shining light in my life. Life truly is the greatest adventure and love makes it sweet.
“On my honor,” Girl Scouting rocks. Best badge? Pen Pal! So glad you have it shown in “Distilled Genius.”
I love the print of the geraniums. Every time I see that, it makes my mind go back to your whole life story; where it began. I love this Willard, too. I am so anxious for spring to come and stay, not just visit. Our daffodils are in full bloom now. I have some miniature ones that are always the first up. For years, I would pick little bouquets and put them in my tiny SB vase/toothpick holder on the windowsill above my kitchen sink. It always made me so happy. I would pick fresh ones every few days to replace the ones in the vase, until they were all gone. Last year, my granddaughter broke the vase, and almost my heart. Of course, not just broke, but shattered. I went to your website to order a new one, but they are no longer available. I even called the studio in California to see if, just maybe, they had a spare somewhere. No luck. I am searching and have a “wish list” on several sites in the hopes someone will put one up for sale. We shall see. Anyway, thank you so much for the Willard. I thoroughly enjoyed every word and picture.
What a lovely post! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for brightening my day.
What a lovely, cheerful post! Thank you xxxxx
Love everything you do Susan! Your art makes me so happy!
Happy spring Sue & Joe!🌷
Wonderful blog. Look forward to visiting your lovely island in a few weeks. This is the first time I am visiting in spring (usually fall). I am staying just down the road at the old Thomas Chase house (1717). Maybe I’ll see you out on a walk which I plan to do lots of. 37 degrees here this morning on San Juan Island but suppose to get up to 60 this afternoon 🌞Hope you have a fun St. Patrick’s Day🍀. Aloha, Mary
Such a wonderful post enjoyed it with my tea.
I LOVE ❤️ YOU MORE 💖💕❤️🥰
Thank you so much for the latest Willard stories. Love all. May the luck of the Irish be with you today on St. Patrick’s Day. We celebrated St. Urho’s Day with a lovely pot of mojakka for dinner, which is traditionally made by my Finnish husband.
I knew, I just KNEW, that there would be a new blog post today, didn’t even see the notice on Twitter, just clicked on my little Susan B button and TA-DA! there it was! Yes, so much, would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that geranium print! Love this all things green post today. So happy to hear from you and Happy St. Patty’s Day. I think Stewart is a Scottish name but close enough to Ireland, right? Thanks again for everything you do to make our lives so sweet!
Your writing and sayings and artwork all make me smile.
Happy St Patrick’s day. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us 🥰
Love the verdant loveliness!! I love the red geranium print, I do my front porch in red geraniums every summer. Such cheerfulness!! Plus it was my mom’s favorite flower, so I feel like she is enjoying them wit me.
Your posts make me so happy! 🤞🏻I win the print! I’m taking my dream trip to England this fall;4 weeks of driving around the country. 2 weeks in 2019 just wasn’t enough!
I love all your green and also the reminder about your new cups. Off to order mine. 😁
Thank you for your encouraging words and pictures. They always make me smile.
Good Morning and Happy St. Patty’s Day to both you and Joe! A bit of luck wished for Jack too! How exciting to have a new blog post with my tea this morning! Thank you! I LOVE green…..mainly because it was my Mother’s favorite color and I miss her so💚. She had such a green thumb and loved her flowers! Your pictures of green are gorgeous as always!! So excited to receive your new cup with your lovely artwork of the Queen. A Birthday present to myself!! I just recently introduced you to a new letter writing friend of mine. She is all a twitter over you, your art and books!! Which is perfectly perfect since Twitter is where I first learned of you😘💕. Thinking I may need to buy her the Fairy Tale Girl book! She just finished A Fine Romance after I shared about our trip aboard the Queen Mary and our trip to England in our letter writing group. The theme was Jane Austen of course….so I had lots to share!! Thank you for everything and everyone LOVELY that you have brought into my life! THANK YOU for the lovely giveaway of your art too! I know I will be squealing when I or another lovely girlfriend wins it!! Top of the morning to you and all of the girlfriends!!💚🌈🍀
It’s still winter here in Colorado, so reading this was a breath of visual fresh air or as everyone in England seems to say; “Simp (pause here) ly Gorgeous!” Thank you for metaphorically throwing open my windows to the signs of Spring.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🙃🍀 to you and Mr. Joe ! It is a special Birthday 🎂 for my grandson Victor today ! He is 13 🍀. He was also naturally born at 3:17 am ! Wow 🥰. He also a a boxer named Mazie who was born on his birthday. Mazie is named after the Maize and Blue here at the University of Michigan where my daughter is a nurse. My husband’s family has lineage to Ireland . What a celebratory day it is for us ! 🥳 Have a wonderful day !
Pam
Oh Susan you’ve done it yet again – brought me to tears with the joy of it all! Always, thank you…Just love the 1923 dime found on your Dad’s grave which will now be worn around your neck or on your wrist! An idea – a Girl Scout mug! My GS Senior troop (four of whom started at VanAlden Elementary in Reseda) still has reunions. We look for things to give each other and, well, a mug drawn by a fellow Valley scout would be just the thing. Loving you and Joe from Colorado!
From California….my geraniums are starting to bloom just like your first painting!
Love reading Willard! Sets me in for a magical day. Happy St Patrick’s Day to you! 🍀💚🍀💚 Love the geranium painting and what it represents. We all have that one at the beginning of our dreams. 💚🍀💚🍀
It is so true how we inspire each other! You have fed the joy in my life since I purchased your Christmas cookbook from Priscilla Peddler. So happy I discovered you so near the beginning of your journey. You were an influencer before that was a thing. Because of you, I have read Gladys Taber and Amor Towles. I have an awesome memory of spending time on Pismo Beach and seeing all the central California coast has to offer. Thank you for your blog, books, calendars and joy as I sip my morning coffee from one of my mugs! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! 🍀
Thank you dear Susan for your green post my favorite color; and soon my world will be greening up ! St.Patrick’s day is here beautiful spring green can’t be far behind. Thank you for the chance to win the beautiful geranium giclee! Enjoy your wonderful spring!
Slainte, Susan and Joe. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!💚☘️💚
Hi Susan! Thank you for Willard; I so enjoyed reading this while my daughters and I are holed up in a surgical waiting room at the Cleveland Clinic.Their dad and the love of my life is undergoing open heart surgery and Willard put many smiles on my face during this stressful time, especially the beginning, with green being optimistic. Much needed at this time. So just wanted you to know how much joy you always bring me and someday I hope to meet you. Sending love, hugs, and positivity.
Thank you Susan for such a breath of lovely Spring. We all needed this after such a long cold winter. I can hardly wait to get out into my garden. My Corned Beef is braising and the soda bread is warm so Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all.
Susan Havey ☘️☘️☘️🍀
My youngest son was born on St. Patrick’s Day ☘️ It was a lovely way to see new coming up all around us! I adore your beautiful books.
Wonderful cups, Susan. Such a great tribute to our beautiful Queen.
Hoping and waiting with toes tapping for the green world to burst into bloom.
Enjoy the weekend…
The geranium print is so luv-lee. I would be so lucky to have it!
Thank you for all that green Susan! Sending you love from Vermont and 2 new feet of snow 😂🥴.
Thank you for the breath of spring!
I have just spent a wonderful time reading about your life and exploits and what an enjoyable time it was. I haven’t the words to describe how much I can immerse myself in your reflections and art. So beautiful and inspirational at this time in our world. I am so happy that you have carved out this beauty for yourself. Thank you for sharing it with us!
💖🍀💖🍀💖🍀
Dearest Susan,
Thank you for yet another wonderful and inspiring blog. It’s always such a treat to hear from you. Love the new cups, so pretty, but you know how much it saddens me that we are not able to buy them this side of the pond, even though they are made just down the road. I’m sobbing inside now. But, I feel honoured and proud that you chosen to have them made in the UK. Thank you so much for blessing our Potteries with your business and I hope that every girlfriend who buys one, or more, will feel blessed when they drink from a cup made in Stoke.
Take care dear heart and love to Joe.
With much love from Ann in Chester xx
As a fellow native Californian, I would love a copy of your first painting of a geranium, practically our native flower!
“Reality is something we rise above.” Love it! Is that from you Susan? Love you and all you do. I have all your books and feel like you are a good girlfriend! I have my own love story with my hubby of 43 yrs. We are taking a leap of faith and moving to a new state after 35 yrs in our home sweet home! Love, Teresa
So happy to be reminded of the joy that is soon to be here: Spring! I think you’re right that you can feel it in your bones that all that glorious-ness is just around the corner. I’m looking for a plant to replace my poinsettia (yes, it’s still going strong!) and your geranium contest has given me the inspiration for what to put there. PS I love your farewell, “Your pal for life”, it is sooo heartfelt Susan and returned by all your Girlfriends!
I love your photos from today and from the past. I’ve been a follower for several years and thoroughly enjoyed all your Williards. Take care.
Thank you for the beautiful post and photos. Take care.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for always brightening my day.
Susan, I feel so blessed to be one of your girlfriends! I tell all my friends about you! I have your books and I love your artwork! You have inspired me so much! In fact, I just finished writing my life story and sent it off to the printer last Monday! Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Now I understand why you get so excited about your books and things. I love everything you do! Thank you!!
Once again, I loved reading your blog post, Susan! Your beautiful words, art, and photos make my heart sing!🥰☘️
What an uplifting post – thank you!
what a joy to read from not-quite-spring Chicago! here’s to green season, (hopefully) coming soon.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Susan! Your newsletter always makes me smile. The garden is still covered in snow here in Calgary but it’s starting to melt. I’ll be watching for the bulbs to show some growth.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We are celebrating our little green budgie Paddy’s “Gotcha Day!” today. We adopted him one year ago today because we wanted a little parakeet friend for our blue parakeet Percy. The bird store was having a special discount on green budgies that day. I love reading about all your adventures, reading your fabulous books and watching your book talks online.
Your blog always brightens my day! Cant wait to get my Queen Elizabeth mug. Ordered one for my BFF too. We love all things Susan Branch 🙂
I love all your kind, inspiring words and thoughts. My husband and I are still going to England some day. Have to hold on to those dreams!
Happy St. Paddy’s from our green hills in Northern Calif. I love these posts!!!!
Looking forward to spring, it’s been such a long winter it seems! I love geraniums, I get some for my hanging pots on my patio every year! Some year I’ll have to do a window box full of them like they do in Paris! Sending you some spring sunshine from Eugene, OR!
Thank you for the beautiful post! Green is my favorite color too. There is never too much beautiful green to see. 🙂
Happy St Patrick’s Day and happy day today! Wishing you and Joe the happiest of Spring! With joy, Susan (Grandma Sue Sue!)
I love spring but I have to admit that I love the coziness of winter. Tea drinking, book reading, soup making, organizing winter.
Thank you for the lovely little bits of green! 💚☘️💚
Dear Susan… dear, dear Susan. Ushering in the first days of spring with sweet and happy thoughts… green! Green! The color of life as it shoots through brown or gray earth! Promise! Everything you share is filled with love and a particular kind of whimsy… I love the robin on a stick! Yeah! Well, it’s been a long winter up there on the island. Been thinking about you Hope I win the prize. Be well, take good care of You, and Joe, and Jack, and all things that grow! 2 hair paintbrush! Perfection!
I have always loved that geranium painting of yours and would love it in my kitchen. It reminds me so much of my mother and her love of geraniums. She was allergic to them, getting terrible red eyes after trimming them, but always planted lots at our lake house. When I was there, I would take care of them for her, but as an adult, had the same problem she did. Yours would not make me itch. Your Willard was a whopper! Thank you. It was a chock full marvel of inspiration for spring. The children in our neighborhood felt it, as well as I did, last evening. They were out biking and scootering in parkas and some shirtsleeves while we have about 3 feet of snow left in our yards.
Thank-you for this happiness!
i have that cooking badge too! thank you for reminding me of my happy years as a girl scout!
and thank you for the wonderfully spring-y post!
Native Californian and things have been extremely rough. Won’t quit raining because Mother Earth heard our cry for rain..loud and clear. But yesterday it was sunny and all the birds were going nuts in Golden Gate Park. I found 3 ladybugs this week..so I know Spring is coming but we are so drained and water logged. It’s been an unbelievable winter here and ready for a change.
Thank-You Sue for the “Green” St. Paddy’s Day post. Always a fun & inspirational read for me. Keep up the great work that I so enjoy. Hugs to you & Joe, & a pet or two for Jack.
Sending you a train whistle from the edge of my property!
I was outside, chatting with my best friend on my phone, when a train went by. I apologized for the noise, and she said, “Don’t. That’s the sound of my childhood!”
I love it too!
Ahh! Ohh!
Geraniums, a joyous Springtime display of nature’s art
Brought to life by Miss Susan, fulfilling her dreams of a new start
We have enjoyed her ‘start’ from the very beginning and now
The very idea of a ‘drawing of her dawning’ is most beguiling
And a wish for many hearts
Best of Irish Green Luck is filling my wistful heart
That, soon, I could be a proud owner of Miss Susan’s work of ‘heartfelt art’.
Dear Susan…oh I love all the GREEN…from plants to quilts to rooftops of tiny houses….and I love your new sketch…the woman who looks like she just shopped at the farmer’s market…spring peeking up…still stay cozy, plan for visits with friends and bouquets of flowers everywhere in the house….happy day, dear one….watch “Escape to the Country” where England city dwellers look for a house in the countryside, but even more enjoyable, are the segments they do on the local crafts people, or bakeries, or gardens…..it makes me want to rent a cottage in the Cotswolds for a week, and walk, and sip coffees….love you Susan
from Regina, Seattle
Such a breath of fresh, warm air on this cloudy, chilly day here in New Jersey. All the green made my morning. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Love ALL the green and your creativity! My collections from the natural world fill my heart as did seeing the pic of your heart rocks. I believe Winter in New England has a magic of its own as well as creating an opening for the lush of springtime green. Thanks for your inspiring post. I have the perfect spot for your beautiful watercolor!
Love the geranium! My grandmother (Nannie) always brought her summer red geraniums in to the back of the kitchen by the window to keep in the winter. Such great memories! Thank you for a lovely read!
Yes! This has been one long, wet winter here in the S.F. Bay area! Some folks got through it and some are still trying. The Poppies are out and the flowering trees are putting on a show!! I love this time of year! Growing up on the east coast I do miss the type of Spring I have wonderful memories of. So, as they say – “Bloom where you are planted”!!! Blessings as we get the warmer weather soon! I just have to be patient!
Love your blogs and would love to win!
Lovely blog post! I never say no to green! Thank you for dishing up a lovely helping of it! And the lovely memories, too….They are always appreciated. A lovely Spring awakening to you, Joe, and Master Jack! Hugs!
Oh, how I needed this breath of fresh air today! It’s St. Paddy’s Day and this was like a pot o’ gold~ My day is now not so gray.
always wish you the best~ Wendy
Thank you for a beautiful post inspiring me to journal and prepare for the green of spring! 🍀
Hi Susan, I just love your blog and it’s so inspiring!
My very favorite flower is a red geranium 🌺
I would hang it in my art studio/ library 📚
If I am not the lucky winner, I know anyone will love it!
Thanks again for your beautiful blog, it brings me so much JOY💕Wendy
Happy Spring to all! I love geraniums! (The best part is that nice snap when you break off the old blossoms!) I have a lot of them–mostly pink. Every winter I bring all my pots into our unfinished basement, and keep them alive until spring comes. I also clip stems and place them in water to make new plants–reproducing more each year. I think some of my plants go back at least ten years, and they have multiplied! So I would love to win your geranium print! Thanks so much for the chance to win such a treasure!
Oh, what a lovely blog you gifted us with! I love your “green” pics. My late mother-in-law, Elizabeth Sullivan (nickname Murphy) loved St, Patrick’s Day, of course! Every year, right after Christmas she would start making green carnations out of crepe paper, hundreds of them, and give them away on 3/17. She always said, “Everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s Day!” I always envied you being able to take a daily 3 mile walk everyday; and no arthritis! I have had arthritis in all my joints for years, probably due to jogging when I was young. Well, I’m happy to say I am now arthritis free! Over the last few years I have had my hips, knees, and shoulders replaced and am able to walk for exercise! My theme song is, “Hips, shoulder, knees, I’m done, yes I’m done!”, sung to tune of “Heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.” 🎶🎶 Love to you and Joe xoxo
Hi Susan:
I wanted to thank you SO much for being you and sharing it with us. I had a very bad bout of PTSD in 2022. I re-read all your books three times! Why? Because they reminded me that we all have troubles, but that good can come from, or maybe beside, all the pain. Thank you for sharing your stories!! I feel that they saved me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Susan – I am reading A Fine Romance (for the third time since I bought it) as I plan my very first trip to England next year. It is the perfect travel guide. It is also a perfect love story about the darling English people and I can’t wait to be there! I am glad you are finding such success with your books and prints and mugs, etc, etc. It is because you capture the life so many of us aspire to, and we hope by having those things around it will leave a little fairy dust magic in our own lives.
Happy, happy spring! Hugs to you and Joe. Beth
It turns out geraniums are friends for life, too! Oh, the wonders!
Thanks so much for “springing ” this Willard on us!!!💚💚💚
And thanks for recommending Still Life and now The Last Bookshop in London. I have been a voracious reader all of my life and love all forms of reading including audiobooks. You can get so much stuff done all while reading an audiobook. My husband, who is not a reader, does not think that listening to a book is the same as reading!! He’s wrong. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Kentucky.
You continue to inspire me, even when I’m having an uninspired moment.
Robin
I would love to win a copy of your geranium print!
Susan Branch, you are a gift. You make me smile and feel better just looking at your pictures and stories. Thank you.
I remember how green England was. It took my breath away. Looing forward to winning your geranium! I love red
Hi Susan, I look forward to your delightful newsletter each month! You are such an extraordinary person! Don’t ever forget how truly you are. I knoq I won’t! Much love. Until next time.
I look forward to reading your blog, your art is beautiful.
Hello my pal O’friend,
I meant to write last time, but t’was buried in boxes 📦 My five year old self approves of your five year old self for not forgetting the belly button.
Good not to shovel snow this Winter, and yet I still need cozy flannel in Winter. 👢no to this, yes to this 🥿or this 🩴 ! Windy and rainy here today. Planted 🌱🪴vegetables. And a flower 🌺 or two. Wearing a hat 👒 of course on ☀️ sunny days.
None of my notebooks were ever so thick, I bought them for the pretty covers in good old fashioned bookstores 📚. Some were too pretty to write in…
OX, OX, ox ☘️
Margot
I loved all your green pictures! Really put me in the mood for spring! So happy to read your post this morning! Happy Spring Susan!
Well you have to comment if you want a chance to win, and who wouldn’t want the geranium giclee! (Pick me! Pick me!) I so enjoy your blog posts and look forward to every Willard. My favorite color is green and never tire of all it’s beautiful shades. We too have had a miserable Minnesota winter and are anxious for Spring!
Such a warm bit of sunshine on a gloomy Delaware day. Thank you Susan, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and Joe! ☘️💚
Hi, Sue ~
What a beautiful, inspirational, hopeful topic ~ SPRING! I am trying with all my might to hold on in the face of the cold, damp, gray, snowy, sloshy, muddy reality outside my windows. But I know I go through this every year about this time and Spring always comes…..so I have faith. In the meantime, I bought a bunch of yellow tulips and they seem to be doing the trick.
When I read your posts, I marvel at how much alike we really are. Sometimes, it’s like you’re writing my exact thoughts! I’ve been staying close to home, too, and when I’m not dreaming of my garden and planning a fun Easter gathering with my grandchildren, I’ve been trying to declutter my closets and drawers -so much “stuff”!
I also want to thank you for introducing me to Hayley and the Enchanted Book Club. I can’t join at the moment but I have so enjoyed her website, zoom chats with YOU and actually found a link to some absolutely beautiful editions of some of my favorite classics. I bought the sweetest copy of “Heidi”, a book I haven’t read since I was 10 years old! Here I am, at almost 68, loving every page as I read by the woodstove every night.
Thanks for all you do and share with us, Sue!
btw…I have been looking at your geranium print for years-since I first went to your website-and have almost clicked to buy it several times. It’s just outside my budget so I would be over the moon if Vanna drew my name.
Peace, Love and Shamrocks,
Debbie P
Green is my absolute favorite color, any shade is fine with me. Your blog about Green was just what my weary winter mind needed!
Here in California our hillsides are covered with golden mustard grass.
Your newsletters are a breath of fresh air in a stale house with closed windows surrounded by piles and piles of snow in Minnesota! Bless you and yours for the inspiration and for the green (my birthday is St Paddy’s Day although I’m not Irish). Wishing everyone well on the chance for a watercolor geranium, but putting in a special wish that the recipient is me 🙂 Happy happy Spring happy happy Everything