Hi Girls, Get your giggle ready because we are in delights-ville of Spring and all the sweetness and color and happiness fresh air and new growth can bring!!! MUSICA
This silly boy says Hello!
Green coconut and jelly beans, a star bow-tie and marshmallow teeth!! Who could ask for more!?🌸🌸🌸 I put the instructions to this bunny cake in one of my calendars years ago and I STILL get photos of this homemade charm from our girlfriends! For some it’s been passed on, mom to child, and become a family tradition! I think it’s because it’s the easiest cake EVER, but has all the festive charm of even the most complicated! If you’d like the recipe, HERE it is! It’s wham-bam, thank you ma’m, and voila! You get an Easter gold star!⭐️ 
Ran next door to deliver a bunch of daffodils to our new darling neighbors . . . the whole family was there, grandma, moms, dads, children, sisters, nieces, all around the table dying eggs! It was ADORABLE! They told me the secret to the bright colors is that you put TWO color tablets in each glass of water!👏 Now why didn’t I think of that!🤣
I always have to visit Donorama’s Nursery in Edgartown this time of year. They put out the BEST displays. It’s a treat for the senses! There are still no leaves on our trees, and despite the first blooms of daffodils, the predominant color where we walk in the woods is BROWN ~ so my eyes and nose are beside themselves in that place!🌷🌷🌷 Ahhhh . . .
Just thought I’d throw this in . . . I made it for my mom years ago . . . I painted me and my first two brothers for a greeting card . . . I have always wanted to learn to paint people . . . I practiced on us! Plus, rabbit-rabbit!😁🌷
Time for little spring celebrations every chance you get! Guess what? We were just invited for a May 6th TEA PARTY to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles! This was their invitation below … how could you not be excited? Feeling Inspired????👏 Have a party! It’ll force you to clean the house and get some flowers. Gifts for friends! Gold stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
Yes, I’ve been painting! Because that’s what I DO!
Sooo romantic, it’s the colors isn’t it! Most delicate in the spring, and vibrant at the same time!
Beatrix Potter was the queen of this coloration. Total inspiration!🧡💛💚💙💝
Like for vibrance . . . look at these TWO flowers in a field of brown. And even though you are listening to a book on your ear pods, how can you not STOP
And take pictures of them? Both up close and further back … because that surprise pop is pure celebration . . .
Can you see them? Now you know why I go to the nursery!
And what were we listening to? This! A historical-fiction novel, The Nightingale, about two French sisters, Isabelle and Vianne along with their friends and family, and everyone in France… doing their very best to survive the occupation of France by the Nazis. Now I know how horrible it was. My review… I loved it and cried my eyes out at the end. At first, I didn’t love it. But after a couple of hundred pages, the real action started and even though it is a novel and not a true story, I learned a lot and I now have a thirst for more. Gold Star.⭐️
Reading, while walking with the love of your life . . . joy of joys in the spring!💖
Now here I am, shadow girl, out behind the barn, picking daffodils, all dressed in spring wildflowers!
You see? No leaves . . .
Also, out behind the barn, kitty grave yard. All my girl kitties and man kitties, and my one William T. Aristocat III, are buried here.🌸
And here comes the forsythia!!!
Don’t forget
So many little ways to celebrate this time of year … give yourself the beauty that you deserve, the peace of mind and heart, and love every precious moment.
So I’m on a diet again. Exercising like crazy. Feeling good! This time, because everyday starvation no 
longer works, I am giving in to the Keto Diet, mixed with a little bit of Intermittent Fasting. If I didn’t like clothes so much, I wouldn’t do this! But if you see me stop loving clothes, then just go ahead and kill me. It’s the way I am, born this way, but fun is fun, and I’m up for it!💖
It’s not a bad diet. You get all the sauces and olive oil and mayo you like. Tons of protein, some veg, blueberries, salad dressings, even butter (I haven’t gone that far yet) and basically nothing else. I’ve lost 10 libs. With this glorious weather, plus 10 lbs off, and yes, this IS my birthday today, I am HAPPY!!! (I wasn’t going to tell you, but then I couldn’t help myself! Doesn’t everyone LOVE their birthday? Birthdays make me feel 6 years old!🎈)
When I’m working, or sitting around, or knitting, or watching TV, or whatever, and get an idea, I often just do a quick squiggle in case I go back later and find it has become a full blown inspiration! Like this one I showed you in my last post . . .
And now here she is! I love her! See? Practicing people. She’s probably my best one so far. She’s been waking me up in the morning and calling me to the art table!🎉 “Give me freckles she screamed!”🤣
Then one day, for at least the 10th time, I was watching the wonderful LINCOLN movie, directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, and thinking how he is a man who is constantly giving us gifts, and this is definitely one of them! Between him and Daniel Day Lewis, and many others, like Tommy Lee Jones, I could watch this movie a million times and never get tired of it. While watching, I was squiggling. 
And I Love Lincoln so so so much, I thought, wouldn’t he be good for a calendar page? Shall I paint him? He was Ours! Our Pride! I could practice some more. I could always throw it away if it was awful!
I’m reminded on how much you notice about someone when you are painting them. We became best friends. I love his compassion, the empathy I found in his eyes, the honorableness in everything about him, and his hellbent determination despite EVERYTHING. Plus, the purple tie was the bomb, and he had some good hair! A few years ago Joe and I went to the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois. Let me say, their website does NOT do it justice. It is SO wonderful. You learn so much! You would love it if you are ever in the neighborhood, but it’s worth a trip if for no other reason but the War Gallery Exhibit, which I cried all the way through. Came out of it and there was a museum guard there, dressed in uniform, I said to her, “How can you stand it, how are you not crying all the time?” She nodded and said, “I know.😥” Inspiration is everywhere! 
So, speaking of clothes, have you seen Inventing Anna on Netflix? It’s a pretty-much true story about this girl who totally and completely scams New York high society pretending to be what she is not. And while scamming, she is dressed to the nines!👏👏👏 You can see how she got away with it, kinda. Plus, she has this little accent that you get sort of addicted to. We loved it!
Now for the winner of the geranium giclee giveaway … did you think I forgot? Never! Watching Vanna gearing up for the deep dive into the vat filled with all of your names!
Here’s the original that hangs on my dining room wall ~ the first painting I ever did . . . I thought I’d show you how I framed it 
in case you, the lucky winner, want to do that with yours! So let’s see what Vanna came up with … the room is filled with ticker tape names, blown up by her fins . . . here’s my squiggle of the sinuous, mermaid-like, jet-setting Vanna … soon I will paint her. Note her flowered swimming cap. Today she’s in a silver body suit, sleek as a dolphin. And very very beautiful. In the eyes. And our winner is . . . LEE in MI!! (The Lee with the word Butler in her email address, who gave potted geraniums to guests at her wedding!💝). I will write you Lee, and then please write me back and give me your address and this luv-lee giclee will be going your way very soon!
We’re all winners today, it’s Spring! And here’s the newest news on cups . . . they ship first of MAY! Is that perfect or what? While we are celebrating the new King, we get to remember his wonderful mom. (And one guess for which cup I’m drinking out of today! Hint, it’s my birthday.😆 🥳)
Guess where we’re going? Ever hear of Patriots Day? It’s a holiday belonging only to Massachusetts that comes with very big celebrations! Because we are the proud owners of Lexington and Concord and that’s where everyone heard the shot heard round the world!
In Boston, they have the famous Boston Marathon… but in Lexington, on Battle Green, surrounded by houses that were there way back when . . . they have THIS!⬇️
It’s a reenactment!👏 I’ve never been to one!
With drums and muskets . . .
. . . smoke and action, and it all starts at 5:30 in the morning! Mysterious dawn, like Christmas morning! Wearing my warmest Uggs with the bows in the back! It’s going to be freezing out there!
Here’s the arrival of Paul Revere! No phones, no texting, only word of mouth, and horseback! And Joe and I are going! We’ve been to 
the area before, right around the corner is Louisa May Alcott’s House. The whole area is wonderful and old, and the graveyards of our ancestors speak volumes. Can’t wait. Got a kitty sitter for Jack!
We have reservations for lunch here . . . the village pub since 1716!! We’ll walk where they walked!
And here’s how it looks on the inside . . . my total cup of tea! I adore history, trying to put myself into other days and feel a little of what they felt. 
Well to me, drenched in the beauty God gave us, of the seasons and the sky and the water and the wind, every day is Earth Day.
My last word because it’s my Birthday and I have to GO! Wishing you the happiest of Happy Days! With all my Love, Anna Susanna Branchburger III. A mere 76 years old today!
Happiest of birthdays dear Susan! Wishing you much happiness and good health in the years ahead. Thank you for sharing yourself and your wonderful gift with us. You have brought me (and so many others) such great joy and I am grateful.
Cheers,
Mari
Happy birthday 🎂, so many more.I like you was addicted to Anna,what a scammer.As my dad would say she had a lot of brass.Spring has spru g here,enjoy your beautiful island as I will mine.Mary Elizabeth Marshall Lawrence
She was FUN to watch!xoxoxo
Happy birthday to you🎶🎂🎶. Thank you for all the wonderful joy you bring to all of us! Blessings for another trip around the sun 🌞.
Sending warm wishes to you, Susan, for a splendiferous 76th birthday!!
You will really enjoy your time in Concord! Paul & I made that trip from California years ago and loved every minute of it! We stayed at the Concord Colonial Inn in Concord, MA (before there were cell phones) and I hand wrote out a framed recipe for Buttermilk Cider Chicken that was hanging on the wall in the restaurant. The recipe is awesome & we have enjoyed it for years. Just wondering if they still have it and would give you a copy if you requested it?
May you thoroughly enjoy your birthday celebratory trip and share with us your experiences when you return.
Sending love from Patti & Paul in Pleasanton, CA
ill be looking for that recipe!👏👏👏
Please share recipe, if possible. Sounds good!
Linda, the recipe is on Fast Fabulous Foodie, Dec. 8, 2007. There is even a drawing of The Colonial Inn.
Rachel
YOU are a treasure EVERY day ♥️🏠‼️
Happy Birthday, Susan. Happy Spring to everyone.
You say you “have a thirst for more” after reading The Nightingale. After watching the beautiful movie, The Book Thief, I had a thirst for more too. I wanted to know how people in Europe survived during Nazi occupation. Since then, I have read over sixty WWII books, learning something new in every book. I’d like to share some of my favorites with you and interested kindred spirits here in Willard land.
Novels–along with The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer (Germany and France) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie
Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Guernsey Island).
Many novels are written about real people and real experiences, such as, We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter (Jewish family in Poland).
Non-fiction–War in Val d’ Orcia by Iris Origo (Italy). A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (France). The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel and the George Clooney by the same name. From an English perspective, the diary, Nella Last’s War and The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson about Churchill and London during the Blitz.
I would have to include the amazing Ken Burn’s series, The U.S. and the Holocaust. I can’t even begin.
That’s the tip of the iceberg. It’s been an extraordinary learning experience for me. May I add, all this thanks to BOOKS and films found at a LIBRARY.
That’s what happens when your heart wakes to history. You just can’t stop and don’t want to. Thank you for the suggestions, I kept them all, I can’t wait to read them. I loved the Splendid and the Vile … and others, but you have lots I haven’t read!!! Yay! Haven’t seen the Ken Burns series either, but I will see it when I get home. Thank you … I imagine you read Schindler’s List … as good as or maybe even better than the genius movie. Thank you!!!❤️❤️❤️
Darlene, You are the reason Librarys exist!! In this dangerous time here in Florida, we must push back against the banning of books. When I was told by a teacher that the classrooms in her school were being surveyed for the “verboten” books, I thought I’d throw up. I jotted down a couple of WWII books you listed that I haven’t read.
Thank you!!
Hi Darlene
WWI and WWII are two of my favorite time periods where books are concerned. I have read most of the ones you mentioned and recently finished The War Girls by V.S. Alexander. I am currently reading Beneath a Scarlet Sky and look forward to reading War in Val d’Orcia (I just ordered a copy). Have you read The Paris Architect, The Girl in the Blue Beret, or The Room on Rue Amelie? Also, The Sixth Lamentation. The last may be difficult to find, but is so good. We all think we know how we would act in a given situation, but , truth be told, we don’t. Unless faced with the situation itself, we really don’t know how we would act. We might surprise ourselves. I have so much respect for those who put themselves (and their families) in danger in order to help others. I wear a cross of Lorraine (the symbol used by the French Resistance) for that reason. Just thought of another book-The Yellow Bird Sings. Happy reading
Wrote them all down!
Happy Birthday Susan. Like everyone else I really enjoy your blog.
My dad was in the British army and captured at Dunkirk. My mom was a teen growing up in Belgium. My grandmother, moms mom, was in her late 50s and hid British and American soldiers from the Germans. Dad escaped from the Germans and he was one of the soldiers grandma hid in her attic. Eventually he was re captured and held in prison camps for 4 years. After the war, my dad returned to Belgium and married my mom. They lived in England where my sisters were born. In 1950 they immigrated to the USA….then I was born. I’ve loved hearing all their war stories and usually avoid reading about WWII. None are as dangerous or courageous as my parents description. The Nightingale was so very close to what was happening during that time. I don’t cry over books but that one I cried. Even after reading it I cried.
I cried too. What a family history you have!!! I’m touched just reading about it. I want more! Write it down!!!😘😘😘
Happy Birthday, Susan!!! Whenever my birthday comes, I feel super excited too.
I find it actually gets better as you get older!!!🤣🥳
Happiest of birthdays Sweet Sue! You really give us so much; so much beauty, so much charm, so much happiness, so much inspiration. For which I say, “Thank You!!”
Hopefully you are still celebrating your glorious birthday! The Royal tea party sounds like fun. I still miss Queen Elizabeth but wish King Charles III the best. We are full blown springtime here in Texas and I do so love the color green of the new leaves. The mowing season has begun. Happy to see your post and your Lincoln painting. Excellent!
Happy happy birthday dear Susan. I too love my birthday one month from now May 13th so I know how you feel. Can’t wait for delivery of my Queen Elizabeth cup. That will be a happy day too
I hope it arrives ON your birthday!!!👏👏👏
When you’re in Concord, be sure to go into Nesting. It’s a fabulous little store upstairs from the Main St Grill. I’ll also suggest going into the Concord Cheese Shop, Priscilla’s Candy, and the bookstore.
Love, love , love this blog post! Got me in the mood for Spring! So glad to hear you enjoyed The Nightingale and The Last Bookshop in London, two of my absolute favorites. Fabulous stories of such strong women surviving such a difficult time! Happy Birthday, my friend!
Happy, Happy Birthday Susan!!! may there be many, many more. if one can believe it we finally have a dry week here, and lots of sunshine. my tulips are starting to pop out, and i think the daffodils are finally coming up, they were buried under 3 feet of snow. but with all the snow and rain we have gotten it has made our drought situation a whole better this year. maybe we can finally avoid those nasty wildfires we are plagues with each summer. the chickens and ducks are loving the sunshine, and it must be spring … the male ducks are very busy trying to get the girls busy laying eggs and hatching some for ducklings. the hens are getting into their broody mood so maybe this summer will extra good with all the peeps. we also discovered we have 3 new owls hooting about the back property, hopefully they can work with our barn owl and get rid of the rodents (mice and rats). the ducks are also having crow wars with the crows. if a crow lands in the chicken pen, the ducks attack and you can hear the cawing and quacking as the ducks chase the crows round the pen yanking tail feathers out. its hilarious to watch. the cats are enjoying watching the birds and squirrels run around the yard, the squirrels looking for acorns and the birds on the feeders and splashing in the huge puddles left by the rain. life is good here in the country. Happy Birthday Susan, have a wonderful day. hugs ….. 😀
Pat, I Love the stories about life on your farm. 🙂
Thanks ever so much!!
Hello Debbie, i try but it is really the birds that cause all the sensation. i have never seen ducks go after crows like this, it is absolutely hilarious. now i will admit when we had Jake as the only rooster for the girls the ducks were going after him for going after the female ducks. they chased him round and round the pen and plucked out his tail feathers, we had the only bare butt rooster in Oregon i think. but every summer the ducks picked on him and we had a bare butt rooster for the summer, they left him alone when the cold weather set in. i guess Jake just never learned to leave the female ducks alone. they do get along with our newer rooster, Chance, at least they are not chasing him around and plucking out his tail feathers. and we are so delighted to have 3 new owls in the trees along with our barn owl, maybe now we can get that rodent population down and under control, been a less rats around the last month and very few mice, keeping my fingers crossed on that. we even built the new owls some nice owl houses according to directions we found in the Farmer’s Almanac. we even have 2 bat houses to coax in some of the bats around here for pest control. hopefully they will get rid of some these pesty bugs, mosquitoes, gnats and termites, beats paying out for a pest control company to come and get rid of the pests, rodents or bugs. have a good day. hugs ….. 😀
Have a very Happy Birthday!
Happy, happy Birthday Susan! The flowers at the nursery are stunning! I can almost smell them and the crisp cool air flowing thru your home. I absolutely loved and cried over The Nightingale…..a movie is being made! Happy Spring!💜
Oh are we so happy you were born…
Sharing with us beautiful colors of spring, your sketches and recipes and words of sheer wisdom…do celebrate like crazy in your cozy island home…..dance and sing and keep the colors shining in the garden and your art…we adore you
Well you know the feeling is mutual!! xoxoxoxo😘
I am a day late, but Happy Birthday! I hope it was wonderful! I too am an Abe Lincoln fan. His memorial in DC is amazing, but he has a special statue in Gettysburg, PA. Just brought my grandchildren there and my granddaughter climb onto his lap 💕. My grandson read the Gettysburg address to us. It was a special day.
💖💖💖💖💖
Dear Susan, thank you for your latest ‘willard’, it’s always a joy to open my inbox and find such a delight waiting for me. I want to thank you for recommending Still Life by Sarah Winman. It was one of those rare and precious books that contained such exquisite writing that I often had to stop reading and just savour her words for a moment or two before I could continue. I am now half way through The Last Bookshop in London and I’m loving it! I thought I’d return the favour and send you a few titles I’ve loved. Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abb; The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams; and A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier. Happy Reading.
Thank you Audrey! Read and loved The Dictionary of Lost Words, and made note of the other two! There are more Sarah Winman books … we’ve read A Year of Marvellous Ways, and reading now Tin Man. She is something ELSE!!!💖💖💖
Happy Birthday Susan, enjoy your special day!
😘😘😘
Happy birthday! Thought I’d share this quote as I just celebrated my birth “month” in March.
“We should never forget our birthdays or the birthdays of those who are close to us. Birthdays keep us childlike. They remind us that what is important is not what we do or accomplish, not what we have or who we know, but that we are, here and now. On birthdays let us be grateful for the gift of life.” -Henry Nouwen
Lovely. And they make you recognize, and feel, just one day a year, that somehow, because your mom told you so, you are special.💖
Hi, Susan! The happiest of birthday wishes to you! My birthday is April 19th, also known as Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. There is a slight correction to be made regarding Paul Revere’s ride. He never made it to Concord! A gentleman names William Dawes finished the ride for him. Please see https://www.paulreverehouse.org/the-real-story which gives further information on that date. There are also directions to re-create the Ride and it will give you a real appreciation for the risks that he took and just how dangerous it was during the night. My grandfather took us (myself, my brother and sister) to the Patriots’ Day parade in Arlington/Lexington (where I am from) where they reenacted the ride complete with Mr. Dawes starting his part of the ride. Grampie used to tell me that the parade was for me…what a wonderful grandfather he was! And it snowed more than once, too.
Thanks for the great article and be sure to bring an umbrella – forecast is for cold rain. Enjoy!
Did I say he’d gotten to Concord? I’m sorry, you are so right! I love the poem, I love his house in Boston, I love the majesty of what he did. So interesting, how everything came together! And yes, you had a wonderful Grampie!!! Happy almost birthday Susan! We leave this morning at 9 am, it’s 8:10 right now! Excited!
Thank you Susan for this link!! I have never been inside the Revere house, but I have been in the Old North Church. I haven’t been to Lexington or Concord either, yet!
Margot
See, look at all the fun stuff you have in your future!
Happy Birthday Susan! ❤️🥳 April birthdays are the best. I am an April Fools Day Birthday Girl. My girlfriends took me out to lunch complete with a Crown, birthday sash, lobster roll and a pink Cosmopolitan. (birthday day drinking, lots of giggling). You continue to inspire, amaze, and bring Joy to us. Thank you Birthday girl. I hosted Easter this year and made your Bunny cake for my 5 little grandchildren (same as I did for their Daddy’s). They loved it. Even though they mostly ate the jelly beans I used to decorate the bow tie. I am so happy you are heading to Concord. I hosted my son and daughter in law’s rehearsal dinner there five years ago! He is in the military and was married on the Hanscom Base in their chapel. The Concord Inn was perfect and everyone loved it. (PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS. VERY UNNERVING TIMES) I absolutely love your painting of Abraham Lincoln. Beautiful.
I visited Blithwold Mansion in beautiful Bristol Rhode Island Monday for their Daffodil days. They have hundreds planted. They also have afternoon tea. Remember how much we appreciate, love and need you. ❤️ xo
🙏🙏🙏🙏 All my prayers forever Andrea, Happy Birthday! and thank you for the ideas!😘
Happy birthday Susan!!!! Celebrate all week! Your blog and insta fill my heart with joy and inspiration! Your creativity makes the world a better place! Enjoy, best wishes for a happy and healthy year ahead!
Hope you had a GREAT one yesterday and that you continue to celebrate for as long as you like!
A blog on your birthday! Bless you. Hope you enjoyed your day.
Loved all the spring pics. XX00
Happy, happy birthday to you, a bit late but still wishing you all the best of everything and enjoy another trip around the sun! I am fond of good ole Abe as we share the same birthday! We are enjoying summer like weather this week in Wisconsin! Always a surprise and I know it won’t last but enjoying it as long as I can.
Happiest birthday wishes Susan🎂
What an utterly delightful post! Thank you for giving us all a birthday present on your birthday! Happy day, happy evening, happy life. I know you are living it!
Happy Birthday Susan! May you continue to share your LOVE with all of us and may you be Blessed with good health and even MORE Love! Marybeth
Happy Birthday! I love your blog and can hardly wait to read what you have been up to. I will be 75 in October and can related to everything you say about the good old days. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s have so many fond memories. I grew up in New Jersey the opposite coast from you but I can related. Do you think you may write another book about your last journey to England? Thank you for your entertaining blog, books and art.
Memories, such a GIFT of growing older . . . remember, we hardly had any when we were 16!🤣💖
Let me join the chorus of “Happy Birthday!!” I hope it was simply lovely. Today I went to get a massage (at a friend’s house) and I saw your book Distilled Genius on her table and exclaimed I had it too! She said it was a gift from her mother and you and her were “girlfriends”. I laughed and laughed at that and explained all your groupies were your “girlfriends”. I grew up in Illinois so we’ve always been proud of our native son, Lincoln. While visiting my best girlfriend a few years ago we drove down to see the museum and I was very favorably impressed. Here in Northern CA it’s still brown (except for the pine and cedars) with those bright pops of daffodils. Just love them too! We leave for Jolly old England in 12 days! I think of you always when we go. Just try to soak up every minute. So again, celebrate all month–at our age we can justify it 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday, Susan! And happy winning to the winner of your potted geranium! So fun to read what you’ve been up to and what you are going to do! You make 76 look young! XOXO
From Sunny Southern California…
Hope you had a lovely Birthday! Enjoy this crazy weather! The Cape is so fickle, your pictures are Devine and I eagerly await your next Willard. I love your Distilled Genius quotes come in handy for my scrapbooking ❤️ Take care you two!
So lovely! How exciting to be going to Patriot Day in Massachusetts and be in living history. Spring has sprung in Paso Robles with wildflowers everywhere. Our vegetable garden is being planted and bulbs are up with bees all over the rosemary purple flowers.
Looking forward to seeing more of your Patriot Day trip!
You deserve the spring you are getting!!! xoxoxo
Happy (belated) birthday. Birthdays are wonderful, they remind us just who we are and how lucky we are to be celebrating another one.
I just have to pass this one tidbit on, MA is not the only state that celebrates Patriots Day..ME also celebrates it. I think because ME used to be part of MA.
Maine was at one time part of Massachusetts. It became its own state in 1820, becoming the 23rd state admitted to the United States of America, although its northern borders were not finalized until 1842.
About Maine: History
Ohhh, maybe all the 13 original states do… I didn’t know! Love the history, thank you Judy!
No, I think only MA and ME have that honor. Yeah for our states!😍
Happy Birthday dear Anna Susanna Branchburger III. Thank you for your wonderful artwork and the blogs of your life that you share with us. I just finished a wonderful book about the French resistance by Fiona Valpy, The Beekeepers Secret that I think you would enjoy. Happy Spring
There have been birthday wishes all over the internet for you, on blogs, Facebook, Instagram, everywhere!! And for Gladys, too. So Happy Birthday Susan. I hope you make it a whole month of celebration. I would think a spring birthday is a wonderful thing, every thing new and fresh and just beginning. I hope you do a blog post on the Patriot Day Celebration!
Waving from Texas!
I didn’t know that! How Nice!💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 I think I’m feeling it!🤣 I’m taking pictures of everything here in Concord/Lexington. It’s just as I hoped it would be.💞
Happy Birthday, Happy Spring my Dear!!
Happy, Happy Birthday Susan! I know I’m belated, but I think you can celebrate all month! You are the most vibrant 76 year old I know- age does really appear to be a number in many regards! I appreciate your beautiful tribute to daffodils because I have always found them to be the epitome of hopefulness. We had a baby girl a little over a year ago during COVID lockdown. She is an absolute joy, but it was a very tough, isolating time. I remember walking outside and seeing two daffodils popping up amidst all the grey and thinking that was just the reminder I needed that spring would inevitably arrive again. Love the Easter bunny cake and looking forward to making it when Zoe is a little older- she will adore it! Patriots Day sounds riveting- I know y’all will have a blast- pun intended! Sending all my love from Alabama to y’all!
I finally had time to sit and read every single Comment here. Love doing that.
Andrea’s post about making the Bunny Cake for her 5 grand kids…the same she did for their daddy. You are a Tradition now, Dear Lady.
Hope you are having Such a wonderful time on your getaway.
Mucho Grande Love,
Debbie
The comments are the BEST!! Here I am, on vacation, and I can’t tear myself away!🤣🤣🤣
Happy Birthday! What a nice time of year to be born. I have an April baby, came on his due date. I knew by that he’d be an engineer–and he is!
So happy you are going to Patriots’ Day in Lexington and Concord, a thrilling experience. My heart literally pounded when I heard the distant but oncoming drums of the Regulars. It is so real. Get there EARLY if you want a front-row place as a lot of people have the same idea. Two hours is not too much. Worth the wait.
Happy, happy birthday! I hope you twirl with the joy of being alive! May all of the sweetness that you send into the world find its way back to you.
I’m sure this is not news to you, but just down the road from Lexington (in Concord) is Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with Author’s Ridge. It’s beautiful. Though I always visit in the fall, I’m sure spring is every bit as lovely. It’s touching to see Louisa May Alcott’s headstone covered in mementoes and notes. Nice place for an afternoon stroll.
Hope you had a Happy Birthday, Susan. We’re experiencing a typical Wisconsin spring: 80’s one day, then snow showers and back to forties the next. We’ve talked for a couple years of driving down to Springfield to the Lincoln Museum. I hope we can make it this summer. Admit I cannot share your excitement about the coronation. He’s already king – became king the exact moment mummy died Why spend money the UK simply doesn’t have (people are choosing heat or food since they can’t afford both) on a dress-up pageant? I’m guessing it must gall his sons to have to witness “Queen Camilla.”
I think it’s about the history … this pomp and circumstance has connected the UK since the beginning. Traditions, even ones that make no sense, are often the glue of a country. Certainly the monarchy is a huge attraction to tourists. And without them, none of the rest of England would even make sense. Nothing is ever perfect, there have been huge changes for the better and a whole lot of sins live in every country’s history, but I think knocking out 2000 years of history needs to be well-thought out. Like what do you do with Westminster Abbey?🙀 Just talking in general, not specific to you! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
I love the Royalty and would love to visit England someday ( esp after reading your book) I remember watching Prince Charles and Lady Diana marry on TV. it was so magical. sometimes I think the media blows things way out of proportion ( like they do here in the States) But I still think it’s fun to watch.
Me too … every one too judgy-judgy these days, especially the media . . . 💞
Hope your Birthday was the best!! I loved this post!
The Happiest of Birthday Wishes to you, Susan! I pray that this day and the days ahead are filled with the joy you bring to us all. God Bless!
Birthday Greetings, dear Susan….what a light you are to so many and we are blessed to share life with you! I would love to be at the Patriot’s Day in Concord. I have an ancestor who was a Minute Man. That has always been special to our family. So here I am stuck in the Midwest, but happy to bloom where I’m planted (for 79 years). My Dad was in the Navy in WWII. I have read many books about that era and have learned so much. History is wonderful stuff! Carry on sweetheart…you have so much yet to share with us.
The very happiest of birthdays to you, dear Susan! You are a treasure!!!
Susan! Happiest of Birthdays! Thank you for the Willard. Giving us gifts on your birthday. Love you!
Happy Birthday, a little late! As soon as I saw your breakfast picture, I thought, ‘has Susan gone Keto’? A really good fresh market butter is a MUST, or you will have a hard time getting the fat. Some days I eat a salted bit of a quarter square of cold butter. Or I dip it in some Swerve, like a butter cookie. If you feel a bit of Keto flu, take some salt in your hand and lick it. And the electrolytes powdered drink additives are wonderful. Dr. Burg’s lemon, or raspberry, is my husband’s and my favorites. We have a glass every day, and you could add alcohol and stuff for a favorite drink/coctail. I am able to turn any recipe into Keto now, it is three years now we have been Keto, and I have several of your recipe books, plus my Julia Child ones, not throwing out any of them. I did buy a Keto recipe book I use for Keto pancakes, cookies and cakes as baking is iffy making keto. I lost all my post marriage weight. 40 lbs the first 8 months, not to mention all the new found energy! We both have done well, but my sister got very sick on it, so it is not for every one. Lovzies always! —dezi
Very inspiring Dezi! Thank you!
Oh joy joy joy to you!!!
Happy Happy Birthday! I love Kristin Hannah. My favorite is The Winter Garden! Enjoy your posts. Thank you for all of the inspiration. It is already summer here in South Florida, skipped right by spring 🙁
Happy belated birthday Susan! And thank you for the lovely spring time message. I was amazed when I read your paragraph about Paul Revere because I thought you had “slipped in” the fact that you got a kitty SISTER for Jack. But when I went back and re-read it I realized you wrote kitty SITTER! Must have misread it because I had a kitty sitting on my lap! But it gave me a good chuckle! Kisses for Jack!
Happy belated Birthday Susan!! I hope you had a wonderful day! I just LOVE your blog posts! They just cheer me up. I am known for going back to previous years but in the same month we are currently in to re-read some just to get inspired. It’s such a treat and I thank you!
Happy Birthday Susan! Wishing you a daffodil- bright day of flowers, tea, sun, lambs, crowns, cakes ( just for today), rings on candles and all of your wishes coming true!
Happy belated birthday, Susan
Thank you for the lovely post. You will absolutely love the reenactment!
I’ve been to several, although not the one in Lexington/Concord. I’ll have to add it to my to-do list. My favorite was the July 4th reenactment in Gettysburg. Those soldiers were so brave, walking up that hill straight in to gunfire. The day I was there, one of the re-enactors was actually injured, but fortunately not too seriously. It really made you aware of how dangerous artillery fire was, including for those firing the canon. I hope to visit Louisa May Alcott’s house and the surrounding area in the late Spring (my trip has been postponed several times due to Covid restrictons). I will reread your previous post prior to visiting. Maybe I will also place flowers on her grave.
Have you ever read On the Night You Were Born? Although it is a children’s book, I’ve given it to a few very special adults. I think I speak for all the girlfriends when I say that we all celebrate the night you were born and the special gifts you bring to the world. Enjoy your trip
Awwww.💖💖💖
An addendum to my previous comment- I too love the Lincoln painting. Wouldn’t it make a lovely mug with some of his quotes (especially with the country so divided)? Just a thought (a strong hint actually!)
I LIKE it!!!👏👏👏
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!
How like you to share your birthday with us by giving us a Willard! Thank you!
It’s a gifty kind of day!💖
Happy belated Birthday to you, Susan.🎉
Love your portraits.
Happy Spring too!
🌷👒🌷👒
Many happy returns (belated) for your birthday!
When I think of Abraham Lincoln I am reminded of my 2nd great grandfather Peter Whitmer who met Lincoln on May 29, 1856, in Bloomington, Illinois at a political convention. Lincoln gave a speech that is referred to as Lincoln’s “Lost Speech”. It is said that the speech was an impassioned condemnation of slavery and the reporters forgot to take notes.
Probably too awestruck!👏👏👏
Happy Birthday Susan! Have a wonderful day! We were privileged to visit Lexington and Concord. What an amazing historical place. It gave me chills to know it was the place of the first battle of the Revolutionary War. I love history also and I recently started watching the Lincoln movie. He truly was one of the best Presidents.
A great movie!👏👏👏
I haven’t made the bunny cake in years…it’s fun and yummy and always a big hit! I need to make it again – maybe next year.
I can relate to your hunt for color in late winter. My husband & I downsized last fall and moved to a new development – our neighborhood has cute houses with picket fences BUT
sod yards that turn brown in the winter and newly planted shrubs & trees that disappeared in the winter landscape. In February, I was so desperate for color I scrounged around a garden center & found some pansies to put in pots. The past month has been a gradual return of color and I’m liking my little neighborhood better!!!
Delayed birthday greetings to you. Prince Archie, George Clooney and I will be celebrating our birthday May 6th while watching the Coronation. Two reasons for cake on that day.
Happy birthday Susan and many more! And speaking of birthdays, I’ve been wondering…how old is Jack? Always love seeing him!
I think he might be 12, although that is very hard to believe!!🙀
Happiest of birthday wishes sent your way 🩷💐🎂🎊🎈🩷
Happy birthday beautiful soul. You bring such happiness to so many, including me! You are a gift to this world. Enjoy your special day and wishing you a splendid year. xxx Sue
I had to go back and read this post a few times! Me? Lee in MI is the winner?! Whoo hoo! Thank you so very much and the giclee will be framed and hung for sure – Thank you for posting how you framed this. In June will be our 40th wedding anniversary and Geo (my lucky guy) and I are having a small dinner party to celebrate! I am going to have potted geraniums to give to my guests then too! I just pulled out my scented geraniums from the garage that I put to go dormant over the winter, so exciting to get the garden areas ready for this happy new season. Bless you and I hope you have the happiest of birthday months! May the celebration continue! Also, my daughter, a librarian in FL says Patriots Day is also a state holiday in FL. Have a fun time!
That’s you Girl . . . I wrote you! 🥳💘💘💘
Congratulations Lee. Enjoy your print and your anniversary. What a lovely idea- giving geraniums to your guests
Thank you Dianne! The print is beautiful and so appreciated!
Susan…Happiest of birthdays to you. Another year around the sun and you are still as cute as a button! Stay healthy and happy, and as always, thank you for sharing all your wonderful talents and charm with us. XO
Happy belated birthday dear Susan! I haven’t posted in so long and I’m ashamed that I missed it! I don’t know how?! I have it written on all your calendars thorough out the house along with our family and friends’ special days.
I was just sitting here sipping my tea and thinking it was a good time to catch up on your posts, I’ve always saved them for “special”, when I’m alone and can go as slowly as I like and reread them and gaze at the beautiful pictures to my heart’s content. Your blog has always been my happy place and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Many hugs and well wishes!
🌷🌷🌷😘
Happy, happy birthday my friend. ENJOY your birthday month!!!!!! 💕❤️💕
You have GOT to read “And There Was Light” by Jon Meacham!! I am a librarian and thought I have read all the Lincoln books, but this book gives amazing new insight and perspective.
I LOVE John Meacham… I’ll get it! Thank you!
Dear Susan
I’m Thrilled that you had a good Birthday!!! You are Beyond Wonderful and you look SO young. I think being positive as you are helps a person to look younger. Congratulations on your weight loss. I struggle with my weight daily, however I have been at my goal for years. I have been a member of Weight Watchers for 50 years!!! I can’t believe it. I feel so much younger. Have a Wonderful year!!!! Thank you again and again for all you have done for me and for countless others.
HiSusan! What a sweet painting, it reminded me of Anne of green gables straight away!:) (The 80’s version, with the actress Megan follows) Thank you for all the recommendations, the book and the movie I still haven’t seen about Lincoln, and the Netflix show too! It was also good to be reminded of your bunny cake recipe, my mom made this a couple times when I was a kid in the 70’s, and my daughter actually made it once a few years ago as a teen when just starting to bake:) We all loved it:) Can’t wait to get the Queen tea cup, ..I won’t even open it, I’ll just have the hubby wrap it up for my mothers day present:) Thanks for all the special quotes you always insert into your blogs, I often keep them for my own collection..or print and put on the fridge:) Happy belated birthday!:) Thanks again for just everything:) ~Tanya, Portland Oregon
Happy Birthday Susan! Mine was the day after yours. Hope you had a wonderful day.
Happy belated birthday fellow April Girl! 💐. Seventy six years young. Congratulations! It’s an accomplishment & should be celebrated as such. My own 61 birthday is just around the corner. Not sure where all that time went but it did. My darling husband will turn 64 a few days after & likes to ask if I will still feed him. Of course! ❤️
Hugs to Joe & Jack.
Laurie
=:3
That was our song too, and Joe is STILL feeding me!!
Happy Birthday, have a wonderful, magical day.
A belated Happy Birthday Dear Susan! You are so young of heart & still a delight to us all! Love your “DELIGHTS of SPRING”, thank you so much! Hugs & God Bless, Joan
Happy happy birthday! Many hugs and wishes are sent your way!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Suuuuuuue, Happy Birthday to you!!!! I am sure your day was special! What a great idea for a tea party! Sorry grandchildren, it will be a tea for breakfast on Coronation Day.
Thank you for taking us along on your Patriot’s Day getaway over in the place where we began. Love it, especially the videos. Taking a break from doing one of the “little” jobs in our bathroom….cleaning out the sink drains. Yucko, but so satisfying. Have vinegar, baking soda and my trusty flexible thingy with the brush on the end. The Lovely Tom says, why don’t we just hire a maid? What maid will clean out the drains??
I’m thankful to have drains to clean, clean water, indoor plumbing and refrigeration. Hot here in Florida. No rain in months..unlike Ft. Lauderdale getting 3 feet in 24 hours.
Have safe travels back to Martha’s Vineyard.
Debbie in Tampa
She might not empty the drain, but she will make the bed up clean!! And vacuum the house! She would make your life easier, and you will then be giving someone work! A WIN WIN! xoxoxo
Happy Birthday Susan!
I didn’t receive your blog post in my email. I’m glad you posted the link on fb.
We finally have green showing in our yard and the roadside. Farmers are working the soil
and that rich black is replacing brown corn and bean stubble.
I haven’t seen any daffodils yet. It snowed this morning and the wind blows strong.
However we had a couple of days last week that where the mercury reached 90* 🤷🏼♀️
Happy Spring!
Belated birthday blessings, dear Susan! You are a blessing to all of us!
Saw your Twitter videos. You need to practice saying Concord like someone who lives in Massachusetts and not California.
LOL, I think I can, but if I do, I will not feel normal!
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Susan! And wishing you many blessings for the coming year!
Susan my mother gave me some advice years ago that I have followed ever since. If you gain weight, don’t go and buy new clothes. Instead keep wearing the ones you have. The tight feeling will remind you of the need to lose some weight so you don’t feel stuffed. This really works. Plus you save money. Her other advice to me was to eat 3 small meals a day. A big breakfast, a smaller lunch, and an even smaller dinner. She also taught me that as we age our metabolism slows down and you may need to start doing just two meals a day. My mother and aunt are in their 80s and they look fantastic. I am 58 and I can vouch that her advice works. I have already started to make my meals smaller and bumped up my exercise and walking. routine.
That is such good clean common sense, I love it! Your mom is a wizard.
Happiest Birthday to you!!! I know you feel how the beauty of the Earth is celebrating you.
In the Spring, I am constantly thinking of that poem, “Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold…” Just beautiful and so inspiring!! SO much hope and plans for the garden right now:) May all your wishes come true!!
They kinda have, Care. xoxoxoxo Thank you.
Happy Birthday, dear Susan….every day is a celebration when you love Life as you abundantly Do!! Celebrate on and keep enjoying the moments.
Noting how you two enjoy history through books, I want to recommend to you the writings of Rhys Bowen.
She writes evocative, period novels filled with history, facts, and great characters. Each stand-alone captures and carries you along on the adventure. Try them…I think you’ll like them! 💕
I’m late to the party, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say “HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!” I hope it was a lovely memorable one and I hope that you’ll write about the reenactment, etc. Thank you for another beautiful post. The way you string words together is just as pretty and inspiring as your pictures and paintings. By the way, I especially love the picture of your shadow illuminating the little blue flowers of spring.
Happy Belated Birthday dear Susan ! Some of my dearest, sweetest friends have birthdays this month…I sent birthday wishes to one this morning her name is April! We swapped pics of our grandkids and promised to get together soon. I enjoyed your loverly blog!
Thank you Dear Lady for that excellent advice on getting a house cleaner in. I actually enjoy dusting, as it gives me time with my “treasures”. Not so much hands and knees stuff. I love looking at it as giving someone work. I’ll ask around and get some recommendations. The Lovely says Thank You!!!
Debbie in hot and humid Tampa.
Changing the sheets! You’ll love it!
Happy belated belated Birthday wishes to you!! I celebrated mine March 18 and my hubby April 1, 2 weeks apart to the day and both same age 76 yrs old also! I always want to save you posts to read when I can enjoy a cup of whatever but was so busy this time I only now got to sit and enjoy the BEST of the web. Living in Illinois I visited a lot of Lincoln history as a student but I think it must be must improved now. Bucket list. Our midwest weather was beautiful last week breaking records for warmth and sun but now we’ve had snow and wind. Definitely challenging for any gardening! Put my name in for that geranium BTW I have overwintered my dad’s since 2007.
Happy Belated birthday! I so enjoy your newsletter! Your art and the wonderful quotes always give me a lift.
More book suggestions:
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
The Baker’ s Daughter by Sarah McCoy
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
I’m sure you have more book referrals than you ever thought you would get. WWII books can be difficult to read but ther is so much to learn.
Happy Days.
Vicki
Happy, happy birthday dear old friend. Where have the years gone. I’ve often thought of you as a younger sister since I’m 5 years your senior. Funny since I was the youngest in my family and you … the oldest in yours. I like the adventure you two have planned in your “neighborhood”. Sure saves on Joe’s back not having to gather up the multitude of necessities many of us “need” when we travel☺️. Hugs, judi
Your girl water color makes me think of Anne of Green Gables. And the Bible verse is one of my favorites. Happy Day, Happy Year to you and your love of your life. Wonderful post, as usual.
Happy Birthday!!! I hope it was awesome! I love your painting of the girl. She reminds me of Anne of Green Gables. Happy Spring!
Happy (belated) birthday, dear Susan. Hope it was wonderful.
Happy Birthday (a little late but as heart-felt as ever), dear Susan. I think April is the best month to celebrate a birthday because it is packed with potential, new beginnings, and surprises (mostly in the garden)! My birthday is in April as well – and I am pretty sure I arranged that 🙂 … You are the best gift ever and I am so very grateful for you and all the love and laughter you bring to me and to this world. Thank you for being wonderful you. Love, Valerie
I loved this post~ so patriotic and etc. Hope you enjoyed the Colonial Inn lunch and that you got to sit on the porch. I agree, there is a joyful child-like aura about birthdays. May you experience many more!
Happy Birthday, Susan!! This blog is filled with so much!! First, I need to take more pics of my surroundings. The freckled girl is perfect. Let’s bring Abe back shall we? Geraniums are my favorite!!! That Happy Birthday cup – I am ordering it right now for a special friend. xoxo
Happy Belated Birthday Susan! Thank you so much for all the amazing inspiration!