Yes, these California storms were nothing less than astounding, as you may have seen in the news, with scary words like BOMB CYCLONE (still don’t know what that was, but now I know don’t want to know), and ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS … I now know what this is and wish I didn’t! But we are fine and nothing got wet but the grass . . . there’s Joe out there making sure we’re safe. Now we know why it’s all so spectacularly GREEN around here! So! Ready for a new Willard? Let’s GO!💝 MUSICA!
Guess what arrived this morning? YES!!! Through rivers of rain, life-threatening wind, flowing mud, and flooding canyons ~ the boxes I’ve been waiting for, all the way from England ~ inspired by real life, I dreamed them, and now they’re HERE! The new cups! They made it!
LOOK! Shiny bright new. . . just in time!
Box-loads of them! As always, first come first serve, if you preordered, the first shipment will be going out this afternoon . . . we’re trying our very best to get them to you in time for Valentine’s Day!🥰
And plenty of time for Patriot’s Day in April!
And, don’t forget, we also got more of this one ~ for everyone who missed it first time around! Special for the Anglophiles in your life. Celebrating the long productive life of Queen Elizabeth II, this 16-oz. Commemorative cup! Filled with one of my private blend teas, this one is the Fine Romance Tea, Earl Grey with Lavender, rose petals, honey and cream!💖 YUM! Be your own Valentine!💞
For Anglophiles like me. I couldn’t love it more!🇬🇧
And this little cutie too . . . the Happy Birthday cup, for the Birthday friends in your life, in the smaller 11 oz size! All three of them arrived today! Won’t be long now until they come to a mailbox near YOU! Thank you for your patience!!! If you have been waiting to order until they actually got here, you can go HERE to secure yours now!🥳
This is one of MY best gifts, Kellee, she’s DEFINITELY tied to MY heartstrings!💖
Joe and I drove up to see her and the new studio yesterday . . . it was wonderful to see how Kellee has arranged everything ~ she did such a good job! ~ moving is such a good thing, we’ve unearthed things we haven’t seen in 
YEARS … like this appliqued quilt I designed for a new fabric line (new at the time) called Tea Party that Kellee hung over our cutting table. Note teapot on top shelf of appliquéd cabinet, and then I put the whole fabric collection on the shelves! And bordered it all with bluebirds of happiness because happiness, history, stories, and comfort is what quilting is all about! These fabrics are long gone, but we still have the pattern for the quilt, in case you’d like it!
The Studio is just an old warehouse, mostly furnished with shelves and tons of books, puzzles, charms, cups, tea things, vintage things, stationery things … but it does have lots of windows, lots of light, and Kellee put down cozy rugs and made a perfect office for herself and a darling little kitchen where she hung our sailboat cups.
Is that YOUR Autumn book sitting on top there?💘
I loved wandering around, seeing the products, and promised Kellee I would design more cards and notepads . . .
I got to smell our new kitchen soaps in their little wooden holders … the Genius Soap is made with Tea Tree and peppermint to enhance alertness and focus! Cute for a blue kitchen, soft and soapy. The oatmeal is the same, no rough herbs to hurt your hands, lovely soapy smell. I use the lavender all the time, but now I get to try the two new ones! Kellee and I wandered around for a while, then we went next door with Joe and Joel (Joel is the man who just brought our shopping page into the 21st century! I hope you like it!) and ate delicious Mexican food (a good Mexican restaurant next door was a BIG selling point for this space!) and discussed what good news we’ll have for you the rest of this year!💖
It’s inspiring, being here, in all new surroundings, seeing old friends, being close to Trader Joe’s😂, having so many good 
memories, getting organized ~ even when it’s raining, it’s a feast for the senses. No problem if it rains, we have a lot to do ~ mostly going through files, drawers, closets, barn, storage rooms, cleaning, and getting everything into piles . . . speaking of finding things ~ I’ve discovered so many things here, a note from my mom, a hilarious letter from my sister, childhood photos of my grandma, an old set of cookbooks, a collection of old paintbrushes . . . and bits and pieces like this:
Old pieces of art I haven’t seen in years. Been so fun discovering them and remembering doing them. See the cards I blotted my paintbrush on? I saved them from my very first 
book, Heart of the Home ~ I couldn’t throw them away! As you can see, I’ve always been trying to learn to paint people . . . either from magazine pictures, or made up, or from real photos, that’s a pencil drawing of me and my two brothers as children on the right… and that’s a portrait of our friends, the Schwiers, above it. It looks like Peggy, but definitely not Bob (except for the hair) ~ which is why it’s still here! And you can see me practicing Martin Luther King Jr. before I put him in my 2000 wall calendar! I think I spot Vanna in the center of the page, in the sunglasses, next to the baby jumping out of the egg (which never made it into my Baby Love book). That painting above is an original, painted on d’Arches paper, not even signed yet, just sitting in a box, I don’t know why! I’ll have to think of something special to do with it!🤔
Check this out. The stick people of 1988 … I started getting excited about painting clothes, as you can see from some of the paintings on the floor . . . I still have the jacket and the 
headband, my sister has the pin ~ I wore that exact outfit to a movie premier my friend Jane (who worked for George Lucas) took us to in 1988. The movie was wonderful, called Tucker, a Man and his Dream. I never see that movie anywhere for some reason, but it was great. That outfit was much cuter when the ruffled skirt flipped around! The Yuppie guy in the painting (who is not Joe) ~ his brown saddle shoes, and starry suspenders, was all made up. Thank goodness because I didn’t leave a lot of room for brains in that tiny head! Hers either for that matter! 😂 
I couldn’t give them hardly anything to drink because their hands were too small to hold it! But one does not give up. One hides the imperfect art in a box for 20 or 30 years until one feels brave enough to show it so that all her friends know that things wanted, must be worked for.💖 I have like three paintings of stick people. It’s like a collection, my stick-people period.
I’m going to paint a little more on this and you’ll likely see her in a future calendar! She doesn’t look so bad! And her puffed sleeves are back in style! I was smart this time, I hid her hands!
You’ve already seen this on a calendar page about Creativity! The original stick person! I drew it in kindergarten. One of my first adventures in drawing people! Note that I am trying out the fat arm and fat leg vs the thin arm and thin leg…six fingers vs five. It’s all about trial and error! My mom put this in my baby book! Good strong representation for the belly button!
This was folded up inside my baby book too … It’s HUGE, almost 5′ tall framed ~ it’s poster paint on kraft paper, also painted in 
kindergarten. I forgot about it until Joe found in the back of a closet. The reason it’s so tall is because it’s “actual size.” My teacher, Miss Caldwell, had the whole class lay down on paper, and she traced around us, and then we got to paint ourselves! I was so excited to see it again. I had it hanging in my studio on the Vineyard at one time, but immediately it began to fade really fast . . . so I took it down and it’s been face-to-the-wall, hidden ever since.
Here it is … how it was, the only photo I have of it as it originally was … you see the colors? So I took a trip to the art store the other day and bought poster paints, children’s paint brushes, and fixative, and if I have the nerve, I think I will try and restore it! Something interesting to think I painted it when I was five, now again 71 years later! My eyes look more like that now than then, I’ve grown into them! But I’m way better at putting my lipstick on. Note that learning to paint people takes time!💞
Found this too … never used it … I wrote “No Time For Love?” in the early ’90s, because I was irritated by my answering machine😂 and couldn’t get a real person when I called a business😬!! Ahh, the innocent 90s. I thought I could see the future and I didn’t think I liked it. The words I wrote scream out for editing, but I still think I was right!😆 Only now it’s phones! Don’t even talk to me about drones! (You see lines going off that page? Those are misspellings or grammar that I needed to fix! But since it went nowhere but into a box, I didn’t bother.)
Back to art . . . This half-finished painting is another find . . . it was here too ~ I have no idea when I started it. It was completely drawn, but only about ⅓ of it was painted … I had painted the table ~ but everything on the table was only in pencil, and the chairs were white. Then, one of our first mornings here, I woke up inspired, thinking “Brown, those chairs should be brown!” Which, as you can see, I did, and I’ve been working on it ever since! I wob it.💕
Happy Anniversary to Joe and me!💞 February 6th was the 37th Anniversary of our first date! Here we are just a couple of weeks later at Holly Oak, my little house on Martha’s Vineyard that had quilts for curtains. Talk about gifts!💝 He’s how I know God loves me and wants me to be happy.💝
I’ve had such a good time with all these California discoveries, I think I’m going to leave a treasure hunt, complete with map, as a surprise for the new owners of this house! I’ve been thinking about it . . . like a time capsule, or something. I’ll tell you more about that in the next Willard . . . Until then, how would you like a chance to own an original watercolor painting, signed to you by me? For Valentines Day, I thought maybe my girlfriends would enjoy one of my “finds.” The one with the yellow kitty! Kitchen art if I’ve ever seen it!
“April in New England is like First Love,” which it is! The painting is almost 10″ x 10″, it isn’t framed, and it’s not signed, so I can put a TO and FROM on it (for whomever’s name is drawn) and sign it! I think, by the looks of it, I painted it at Holly Oak probably in the 1980s, when I was discovering first love (in more ways than one)! Just leave a comment, and you’ll be automatically entered. (To enter: Under the last words of this Willard, you’ll see a whole bunch of tiny printed words; the last one will be a number with the word “Comments” … click there!) Happy Valentine’s Day!
One more thing, I wanted to pass you a tiny Trader Joe’s tip … get the Trader Joe’s fresh-dried pasta in little nests, probably about 6 or 8 in a package (we ate them, I don’t have them in front of me!).🥰 Drop one or two of the little noodle nests in boiling water for just one minute, toss them in a peanut salad dressing (opt), and add them to any salad, spinach, Asian, it’s all good! Makes a person so happy to have noodles in her salad!🥳🥳🥳
One more quickie, hard to stop, did you love the Grammys? Tracy Chapman!😢 Joni Mitchell!😭 Everyone! All that creativity! Like us💞, creating our lives every day! We never know if we’re inspiring others, but it’s my dream that through us, dear girlfriends, when we’re a source of the joys that bring us happiness, we’ll pass that on, inspire others, and bring us all a more beautiful world.💝 Let’s reach a tipping point for goodness! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!
The Willard is such a treat to enjoy sitting on my sofa with a cat in my lap and a cup of tea in my hand. Thank you Susan for sharing your incredible talent and insight. You bring such joy to your readers!
Hi Susan! So glad to hear from you and that you’re safe in the rains of California.How busy your time must be there and how much you’ve accomplished. What great finds too! Watched the Grammys too and just cried when Joni sang. She is such a treasure. I just love her and all her artistic work. The yellow kitty in the picture is dear to my heart, sadly I just had to say goodbye to mine. He was eighteen years old and the sweetest. Best of luck in the sale of your home . And safe travels back to Martha’s. I can’t wait to be there again this summer. Love to you both and thanks for all the joy you bring!
I love your trip down memory lane. Makes us all look at our life full of treasured memories.
Heart of the Home was the first book of yours that I bought and I still love it after all these years.
Thank you for this little nugget of happiness. I needed it today. Hope you continue to find more old gems during your California stay.
So happy to have read this tonight, win or lose, reading your words and memories, it’s just so fine!
You’re romantic outlook on life inspires me. Thank you, fellow California girl.
Happy 37th first date anniversary to you and Joe! February 6th is my and my husband’s first date anniversary too! We celebrated by going out for a glass of wine to celebrate 31 years. I was so excited about sharing your first date anniversary that I told my husband. He was surprised that other people celebrate their first date too, especially after that many years! Take care and I always enjoy your blog posts!
Dear Susan,
What comfort and joy I feel when I see your art, your words of fun and positive perspective (your font choice screams adorable) and your view of beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, your travels throughout Europe, US and now Santa Barbara. I grew up in New England, visited MV and miss it terribly. You are a true Yankee, atrust and a joy to follow. I have lived in So Cal now for 40 years and I hope to visit your new venture as soon as it’s open! All the best!
Oh, yes, yes, yes, please! What joy it would bring to have an original
watercolor. When you said you would have to think of something to do with it, I was thinking to myself, why not have a drawing and give it to one of the girlfriends! You must have heard me! Glad your trip west is going well despite the heavy rains. Be safe!
I am always delighted to find a Willard in my mailbox. Reading it is such a wonderful treat. I lived in SLO or a couple of years in the 80’s when, as a registered nurse, I worked in the French Medical Center Cardiac unit. I so loved exploring the area. So many pleasant memories arise. Thank You for sharing your exceptional talents with us. You bring such joy to so many.
I would love to win your picture. I’ve always wanted to comment but am nervous about emails and leaving behind info. I saw you in Madison,Ct. at RJ Julia’s. I love your books and everything about you and your positive attitude. I love the Vineyard and visit there once every year. Wish I could live there. I have just redone my kitchen over after 40 years and it is so beautiful now. I would like to hang your painting in it. My best to you, Joe, Jack and all your dear friends.-Carol
Thank you! For every way you touch our lives! Art, music, photos, the written word! What a treasure you are to your “friends” here! A painting would be a special gift!
We miss your store in Arroyo Grande so much! As a local, do you have a list of places that carry your products on the central coast?
Such a wonderful adventure with your travel through “memories”! Enjoyed this Willard as
you are near places I grew up in. The landscape looks familiar and the area so rich in wonderful vegetables! Most people do not even know this part of California! Thank you for allowing us to see your life from the past and sharing your memories!
Love the Willards, Susan. Makes my day!
Susan, I have just recently begun following you and this is my second Willard. I’m so impressed with your artwork and your writing. Thank you for sharing. And safe travels whenever you return to MV. 🥰
I love getting your letters every month. And I pull out your books for each season-6 mo ahead. I just can’t wait to go back and read them through-over and over. Thank you for your positive attitude in everything you do. It’s always a cheery reminder that life is good. God bless.
Congratulations on your First Date Anniversary. My husband and I celebrated our 48th in early January— married 45-1/2 years. 🙀 At the moment, we are planning our first trip to England, and having read your “A Fine Romance” twice, I have it handy to use as a reference as we narrow down the places we MUST see this first trip.
I’m so glad the Concord cups have arrived stateside, and it won’t be long before they reach their final destinations!!!! And love the watercolor!
Susan,
The ‘No Time for Love?’ belongs on next year’s calendar for February! And just like it is! Wonderful! So happy to have a Willard waiting for me tonight! Thank you!
Really? You think so? If I do, I think I might have to remind the young ones how INVASIVE the answering machine was to us!😂 I’m not sure they would understand, it seems so normal now!
I have a ginger cat named Scotch. He has one ear up and one ear down. He is my delight.
I LOVE every Willard and find them inspiring, hopeful and nostalgic! Thanks so much! I have followed you and collected every cookbook since the beginning! Keep up the good work!
I’d love to win this artwork! Your words and art heal my soul after the loss of my dear friend Sandy (did you get the handwritten card I sent to MV for you?).
We’ve been away for a while, I’m not sure, when did you send it. I’m so sorry you lost your friend!😢
Kitties, chair and basket all a gal can ask for. I would cherish the picture!
We are celebrating 60 years married on February 8th!! Congratulations on your anniversary!! You have only 23 more years to catch up to us!! Hears to the next 23!! February weddings are special!
Congratulations!👏👏👏💖💖💖
Such a happy Willard! Thanks for the post. I recently read your book The Fairy Tale Girl. I feel like I know you so much better now!! Willards are more personal to me now that I’ve read your book. I’m hunting around for the next book. 🙂
The good ole days. It’s nice to revisit the past. Two years ago we renovated our kitchen and turned our garage into a family room.. But two months before, we started, to clean out everything.. All the cabinets, closets, and THE GARAGE….yike… We have lived in our house for 43 years, and were married 52 years at the time.. We had lots of STUFF.. It was hard for me.. I made three piles: Give away, Throw away and Keep.. That didn’t work… I did keep a lot, but I finally put my big girl pants on and got rid of so much. I asked my kids if they wanted anything to go ahead and take what you want… They took nothing.. The house was finally complete by Thanksgiving 2022. I loved looking and reminiscing about each piece of STUFF I handled.. In the end I have a beautiful Kitchen and family room.. So light and bright. I have one space in my kitchen that needs a piece of art… I would love to to hang your art piece there. This way I would have a special cat, to watch over my kitchen. Enjoy your house cleaning Susan.. (Don’t cry).
Much love to you.
Your Girlfriend from Upstate New York.
Barbara
Hello Susan and Joe, how wonderful you get to go thru all those memories. Good luck on the sale of the property and definitely set up a scavenger hunt! That would be priceless for the new owners. Happy first date anniversary. 🙂
Susan, what a delight finding Willard today. So uplifting & full of positive thoughts, as always. You are such a talent & bring so much joy, humor & creative thinking into my days. Thank you. Excited about the drawing for your original artwork…it would be an honor to hang in my home. Enjoy findind your treasured memories in CA.
Glad you’re safe from the crazy rain bomb! Happy Valentine’s Day and I think I need to get my hands on a new cup!
Dear Susan…what a delight to find Willard today, brightens my day..thank you. Enjoy finding those treasured memories. Would be honored to hang your art in my humble little house.
I loved your little walk back in time and all the wonderful discoveries you shared with all of us. Yes, it takes time to learn just about anything. Your words remind us to take that time.
I would be thrilled to win the painting with the kitty. Thanks for the chance.
I love reading these! I’d love to win the painting.
I wob the unfinished painting of the kitchen table too!! The brown chairs 🪑 look great! I first fell in love ♥️ with your art, when I saw 😍 how you drew things in the kitchen. Funny huh?
Have more fun 🤩 finding things, packing, and helping Kellee. Stay dry my friend 🌤
Happy Anniversary!! 🥂
OXOX
Margot B.
Yes, please! Love reading Willard and following along with your adventures. You inspire me again to try drawing and painting. Thank you!
So exciting to get a new Willard! Sorry you’re getting an ark full of rain but the mountains and hills are so beautiful now.
Enjoying reading about your adventures in California. Wishing you a safe trip home.
Dear Susan,
So happy you are safe in California. I wish you a very happy valentines day.
I am blessed to have found you many years ago when I purchased your Christmas cookbook. I use the many delicious recipes from year to year.
I adopted my two Tuxedo kitties because of your Jack.
Love You!
After over a year I am finally getting Willards again! Yippee for me!!! I will be spending hours reading to see all that I have missed ~ Happy Valentines Day to You & Joe ~
Love reading every Willard. You have been an inspiration to me throughout the years — not just as an artist but also as a human being. I just know we would be fast friends should we ever meet. Thank you for putting so much good into the world.
I enjoy your newsletter and all the cheerful drawings and observations. When I taught 1st Grade, I had my class trace around their bodies on the butcher paper. We cut out 2, leaving a few inches extra, like a pattern seam. We colored our front body and back body, stapled around the seam and shuffled with paper for full-size dolls. We colored them to match the outfits we were wearing. I had on my favorite corduroy jumper with boots and turtleneck, I loved that jumper. We sat each doll in the child’s desk for Open House. My doll was sitting at my desk. That was the best project ever. Everyone was so excited and the parents were thrilled. It was wonderful. They got to take their dolls home, of course.
I checked out 7 of your books from the library. They were wonderful and I wonder that I never read them before. I had purchased your Autumn Book some time ago. Time flies. I have lived in TN, SC, NJ, CA, OR and now MS. Almost GA and Fort Myers, FL. I am a storyteller, writer and karaoke/chorus singer now. I also love your cats. They are beautiful. We are without a cat companion at the moment, and we miss ours terribly. We have Canadian Geese perched on our roof each morning, looking over our place for a nesting site. We had many adventures with them last year. They seem a bit early this year, but what do we know? Thank you for your wisdom and glimpses into your adventures. I find a lot to think about in each one—and I feel at home.
I just love all the treasures you are finding! I had lunch with two high school classmates today. Our 50th reunion is coming up and I guess we have decided to attend. We are convinced that we are much too young for this!
Happy Anniversary! Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?
I love to read each Willard! It is one of the few times I retreat and read and soak up all the beauty. It reminds me of those I love – and especially the dear friend (and artist) who first shared your giftedness with me. So, thank you for sharing with all of us and spurring us on and encouraging us. No Time for Love? was my favorite gem of this newsletter. Much love to you.
Love the little painting
Hi Susan, I have loved your cookbooks, and all the others and are on my bookshelves in front of me. They bring me so much joy. I would love a drawing.
California is a wonderful state in spite of the varied mix of weather. I’m glad you two are enjoying it.
What a wonderful Willard! Art fun news! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I love how your momma kept special drawings. I do that too for my son. I am going to get that blue soap!
I grew up in New England and agree that April is a lovely month there. And it is lovely to read every Willard. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Thank you for sending out a “Willard” so soon, I bet there were a number of us a bit worried about you in San Luis Obispo, with that atmospheric river and winds and heavy rains! It’s a great relief to know you and yours are doing well! You are such a dear, and what fun to see your art… loved that kiddo with ‘thin arm and leg and thicker arm and leg’!! Made me laugh out loud! Hugs from Oregon, Suzette
It is so fun to unearth forgotten treasures and relive the past! Have fun wrapping things up there in CA and selling the property. I love the new cups and would love to add a Susan Branch painting to my collection of them and all the books.
Hello Susan! Such a delightful surprise to find a new Willard today! Perfect timing for me…I had been packing and sorting some of my parent’s things (both passed within the last 14 mos) and it was a rather tearful, joyous with reminiscing, emotional time. So your cheerful words were perfect for me. Thank you with love❤️ Also, want to thank you and your staff for such wonderful customer service with my orders! Always well packed and prompt. Now, after seeing the new mugs, might need to add to mine. Glad you are safe from the storms and enjoy your time in California!!
Hi Susan,
I stumbled across your book Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams this past December at the library and it made the darkest and coldest month infinitely cozier! (and I live in California!). It was the font that caught my eye – because I have the Heart of the Home cookbook – and I thought could it be? Had no idea you’d written a trilogy or had a website or done any of the breadth of creative work you’ve accomplished over the years. Made me wonder where I’ve been! As a twenty-five year old in the mid-80s, I worked as a producer for a radio talk show in Palm Springs and that’s how I came to acquire Heart of the Home because I booked you as a guest! In Isle of Dreams, you mentioned how much you loved doing radio programs all over the country to promote Heart of the Home. I remember loving getting a sample copy of the cookbook which I still have today! Reading Isle of Dreams, it was so inspiring to hear the back story of how it came to be. I probably talked to you before the show, warming you up to go on air with the host. I’m excited to have found your website, Willard, etc. and plan to keep reading. Next up: Part 1 and Part 3 of your Trilogy!
Ha! So interesting! Hello again!!! ❌⭕️ Every 40 years whether we need it or not!😂
Such fun seeing all of the beginnings of your dream work! I came across some of my old poetry and artwork a couple of weeks ago and it is making me want to get back to it. Thank you for sharing. I just spent the month of January drinking my morning coffee and other refreshments with your birthday mug. Now I am enjoying the February hearts mug. Such fun. You bring more light to so many people’s days. You will never know the impact you have.
❌⭕️❌⭕️ thank you!😘
Thanks for the love you shower on all your girlfriends. Fun to hear about what you’re finding in your move and what you’re learning about yourself. Happy Anniversary!
A warm, wistful, wise and wonderful Willard, thank-you so much Susan! Wishing you and Joe a very Happy Valentines Day as you meander down memory lane together, the best place to be! xoxo
Susan, I so enjoyed seeing your kindergarten art and how far you have come. One of my granddaughters is 5 years old and is an excellent artist! Her ability amazes me and it’s fun to wonder what if anything will come of it. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe! 💌
My husband Tom and I will celebrate 45 years of marriage in July 2024 and we had a few more valentines days before that! ❤️
Sue, I always wob weading your Willards! They bwing a smile to my face! I just turned the Big 7-0, and am getting used to the new digit, but creative and positive people like YOU give me inspiration!
Always look forward to reading the Willards, whats new in the shop,n ur travels….thanks for bringing sunshine thru ur adventures.
So happy for your Anniversary!! Happy Valentines Day too! Love the pictures and thoughts ❤️❤️🙏
I love the nostalgia in this Willard. Almost brings tears! I am trying to learn about watercolor painting and want to give it a slow and steady try. You are such an inspiration😘💕
Always enjoy your Willard. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Me! Me! Pick me, Susan! I have the perfect frame in mind already 🙂
This picture was done around the time I first discovered your books. Love it and them.
Dear Susan ~
Yes! I agree that to be an inspiration to those around us is a great calling. And you are certainly an inspiration to me, my daughter and my granddaughter. Thank you!
Teri
🥰❌⭕️❌⭕️
What treasures you have found! How wonderful that you’ve shared them with us! Thank you for being you – wonderful you 🙂
I have to agree about the Grammy’s. I don’t always watch, but I did this year and so happy I did. Especially to see Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell. You and I are about the same age, and I thought it was very nostalgic. Love you and all you are.
You brighten my day-or night. Whenever I read your Willard
And happy, happy belated anniversary!!!!!!
Thanks for showing us your earlier (and earliest) art work….just charming! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Have been a follower for many years n have shared your art n writings w my daughter and now granddaughter! Would luv to pass done your artwork to her for her 16th birthday in march!…and be the winner for my 80th in June! Luv to all…a bushel and a peck!
💘💘💘
Dear Susan,
In this crazy world, you bring peace to my soul. Happy Anniversary to you and Joe! ♥️
Dear Susan,
It’s always a treat to read a Willard, especially while I am trying to survive the winter doldrums. 😉 I’ve been loving your words and art since the Country Living days early in my marriage.
Thank you!
Rebecca
Loved the picture of the fabric stash. I’ve been reorganizing my own stash as I am a quilter. Making quilts for charity has really made my transition to retirement so enjoyable. Taking time to read has lead me down unexpected paths. Both have created a garden of new friends. Glad you and Joe are safe. Spring is just around the corner. Can’t wait. Take care and safe travels.
Susan,
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe! 😘🥰❤️
Thank you for the lovely update from California.
Stay safe!
Hugs,
Kathy
I would love to have a painting! I lost my husband of 60 years last fall and am going on a trip to London in memory of all our fun times. So enjoy your Willards.
What a wonderful thing to do, finding joy on the memory trail!💖
Love you beautiful art! Happy Valentines Day!
Since reading Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, I often think of your rich and heartfelt story and how wonderful your life has blossomed. It would be heartening to have one of your paintings as a reminder. I hope you and Joe had a fabulous anniversary, and many more to come. I am looking forward to a birthday February 11, and my outlook has become more focused on the good stuff. Good health and love to you and Joe. Happy Valentine’s Day! MH
Oooh, so excited that the Queen Elizabeth cups came in! Can’t wait to receive it! It’s so fun to read this Willard while re-reading “A Fine Romance” in preparation for our trip to England and Scotland this summer. Enjoy your years of treasures and memories… It touches my heart that so many of them are made with love by you❤️
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Joe!
Hi Susan and Joe! Lots of love to you guys and Happy Anniversary ❤️
With much love from Santa Barbara- Jeannette Hirschberg
Joan
My girlfriend called and asked if I read the latest Willard (we always call when it arrives). A happy surprise. Thank you.
I imagine you’re having a lot of fun finding old treasures …I love the nostalgia of going through such memories.
Enjoy your Anniversary & Valentine’s Day.
Spring is nearly here!
Love your Willards! Met my husband in April of 1964 and I have a “yellow” kitty named Sunny. I NEED that painting, lol Thanks for so much good entertainment.
Enjoy being a California Girl again, if only for a while! Love that you’re sharing the experience with all of us.
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you for sharing all the things made of paper that you have saved. I have boxes of paper memories. They are all marked “ephemera”. One of my favorite words and perhaps yours too.
Ha, ha! I’ll be needing a magnifying a magnifying glass to find “comments!” I would loove to win a Susan Branch original. Looking forward to receiving my Queen Elizabeth II mug. Much love to you and Joe and to MORE anniversaries. All the best, Memarge:)
Thanks again for keeping us informed of your adventures! Susan, I have just the place for the painting if I win, nestled in with all of your books in my bookshelf!
I Love all things England too❤️ Happy Valentines Day!
Your Cali adventures sound so fun! Hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day!
It’s always fun to discover things from years ago that bring back memories. I enjoy your pictures and your Willard’s. Happy Valentine’s day.
Love your kitty print from the 80’s!
Dear Susan
Isn’t it fun to discover long forgotten items from your past! You can amaze yourself with all that was accomplished by you. As always I admire your exceptional talent and thank God for you sharing and giving others so much joy.
Happy Anniversary/ Happy Love Day! Thank you for sharing your time here in CA with us all!
Enjoyed reading the new Willard today!
I snickered when reading that “…I didn’t leave a lot of room for brains in that tiny head !”
I too had a life sized body outline drawing done of me by my second grade teacher, in 1953. We were to color it as what we wanted to be when we grew up. Where I came up with the idea of a nurse, I am not sure. By 1970, I was indeed a nurse. By 1990, I was Nurse of the Year for my county. By 2024, I have five of the china cups that I rotate five varieties of Earl Grey blends, including A Fine Romance. I think I grew up just Fine❣️ Happy Valentine Day to you and Joe.
I could NOT agree more! Nurse of the Year! WOW! Add my thanks to those of all your patients! Meant to be!!!💖
Happy Valentines Day ! Thank you for your happiness filled blog.
Susan, you are SO right about time being the most important thing in life, besides good health. It makes me smile to read how wisely you use your time bringing so much happiness to the Girlfriends with all that you do. Wishing you an endless supply of it!
Always fun to
This little corner of the internet is such a happy place. What a wonderful idea! To share a painting! I’m 51 and just started watercoloring. Loved your style my whole life and recently found you on Instagram. Thank you Susan! ♥️