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! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
So much fun to go through old boxes and closets you haven’t been through for years. When you get to be our age and we are pretty close in age, everything is nostalgic and brings back memories. Looks like you were practicing drawing people before you knew you really could draw. Love that picture you painted of yourself. There is a touch of the Susan Branch creativity starting right there. Anyway, loved this post. Thanks for sharing the memories.
So happy you are well! So enjoy reading Willard!
Great Willard…glad your California dreaming hasn’t turned into a nightmare…heart goes out to all those in harms way. This crazy weather is very real, I hope we are all paying attention…this is where it hurts for those who love their own heart-of-the-home lives. Be safe.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hello, I have followed your stories and have read so many of your books for many years, you transport me to another world when I read about your adventures. I am so glad you share your stories (especially your England adventures) and I wish you could, one day tell us how you do your watercolor paintings and how you write out your words. Maybe you could create a DVD on watercolor painting and word art. I have no one to teach me. I would be happy to purchase the DVD if you create it. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Happy Anniversary🥂
I love unearthing old treasures. Such wonderful memories. Thank you for taking us with you.
I love all the treasures you are finding in the CA house. The picture of you and Joe years ago is so precious. Thank you for bringing positivity into my life. A little low right now. But I know spring will come and all our flowers will bloom. I so look forward to your Willards. Good luck with all your packing in CA. It does look like an amazing place to live, especially the weather. Well, except for the rain recently.
Karen from Upton MA
Yes, the light will return across the land! Hold on Karen! xoxoxoxo
Susan Branch notepads – like grocery list size – would be awesome!
Loved Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. Always a treat to sit at my little desk and read your blog with a cuppa tea. You are pure sunshine, Susan. 💕
What a time travel trip you are having! So fun to find things you’ve forgotten about. Moving is never fun, what discovering old things is what makes it tolerable! Good luck for the remainder of your California trip!
Hi Susan,
I love hearing about all the treasures you are finding in your CA home. The picture of you and Joe years ago and now today made me smile. I look forward to reading the Willards. I save them for the afternoon, so I can have my tea and a cinnamon bun while I read them. Your positivity is so inspiring. It picks up my spirit since I am a little down right now. Glad you are safe from all the storms.
I hope you are still there when the flowers are blooming. I would love to see your garden in bloom out there. Spring is so uplifting. I tried to post a comment but it didn’t post. I am going to try again. Enjoy your time and friends in CA. Karen Dale from Upton, MA
I think of this as a bonus “Willard”! Certainly wasn’t expecting it but a very nice surprise.
My kids know that on my Christmas list every year is a new Susan Branch Calendar, which my middle son faithfully gives me. One year, the faithful son accidentally ordered a 2019 calendar instead of a 2020 one! My treat to myself is to stay home on New Year’s (either Eve or Day) and update my new calendar. I keep all of them as I love the artwork and recipes!
Thanks Susan! Yes, I’ve headed back down the Tracy Chapman rabbit hole. So happy I saw her back in 1995 – one of the best shows ever. She is adorable and has such a twinkle in her eye.
Happy Anniversary and Valentines Day Susan and Joe. Love Willard!
I love your art work. You always seem so positive – maybe it is just what you choose to share but I would love to know how you deal with difficult times and with aging. I struggle.
Yes, let’s reach a tipping point for goodness! I love that thought. Thanks so much for all the good you do for my heart! Have loved your work and your attitude and beliefs for years, doesn’t do any good to keep it to myself!! Thanks for everything and Happy Anniversary to you and Joe!
Dear Susan
Happy Valentine’s Day 🩷💕🩷 to you and Joe
Always look forward to you sharing about your life.
Thank you
From all of my heart
Joy Woodman
Thank you for always brightening the day of my Mom and myself with your wonderful Willard! We have been big fans of yours for such a long time, she introduced me to your world and I’ve been a fan ever since! She’s about to turn 87 soon and now I print each Willard for her to read since she doesn’t get on the computer much anymore. She enjoys the artwork so much and having the printed page in her hand makes her smile. One of her favorite Christmas gifts is your bluebird cup which I purchased for her several years ago after she saw it and fell in love with it. Thank you again for spreading happiness and hope in a world that quite often seems lacking in both!
Such a great look back! Happy Valentines next week !
Very nice!! Always fun finding things you haven’t seen in a long time. They almost seem brand new!! Thank you for sharing.
Hi young lovers 💌
I was hoping your were writing to announce you had an offer on your California house!
You will,it is just a matter of time. Good luck and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Did I miss the February bunnies?🐰 Debby
Happy, Happy Anniversary dear Susan and Joe! Thank you for a wonderful Willard! I am so glad you survived the storm! Hugs from Buffalo!
Greetings from SoCal. I’m glad you and Joe made it through the rain! We did, too, thankfully, but my husband had to rescue an Amazon driver who was stuck in a driveway off our dirt road! Love you, love your books, love your cups, love you artwork, love your calendars, love your Willards!
Tracy Chapman was amazing! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and glad you are back in our beautiful state.
How much do I love your newly found paintings? THIS much!!! It must have been so much fun finding these little jewels for you. Since we live in Massachusetts, the one you are so generously giving away is perfection. April here is one of hope and nature’s songs. But the tea party at the kitchen table makes my soul sing! Can’t wait to see your finishing touches!!
Love your work, particularly your words of inspiration.
Have your books , too.
Happy anniversary and many more !
Hopefully all goes well with the house and travels.
You inspire me!
Bev
I always enjoy reading Willard.
Happy ❤️ Day, Susan! I loved reading this Willard and learning about all your hidden treasures from long ago. Such wonderful discoveries! Happy Anniversary to you and Joe! Stay safe..and dry. Your travel by train inspired us to take the the train to the Grand Canyon few years back and another train trip to Glacier National Park. It’s fun to follow your adventures across the country!
The painting is beautiful! That orange kitty!
Thanks for taking us to California with you.
So fun to see all these treasures left at your California house! I just love it.
I absolutely love the Willard’s and what a shock to see that one of my original Susan Branch books is thirty years old and being revised! Where do the years go?
I love your stick person. When my girls were young my Dad always thought they were geniuses because they added fingers to their stick people. I guess that means your are a genius as well!
Oh, my dear, Susan, what a delight it is to open my e-mail and find a Willard waiting for me. I am eager to receive the cup I ordered. Your work inspires me so much. I think I’ve always been a frustrated artist, and one day I may just pick up a brush and paint something wonderful. Meanwhile, thank goodness, there’s your delightful, whimsical work to enjoy. Please don’t ever stop doing what you do!!
Happy Valentine’s to you and Joe. Thank you for another Willard. I enjoy them immensely!
It’s been a minute since I moved, but I finally have help unpacking boxes. We’re working on my bookcases. I am so happy to have my Susan Branch collection out where I can see it. You inspire and encourage me! You’re in the company of other strong women that make me a better person. Thank you!
You guys are so cute! Happy Anniversary! I watched the Grammys for the first time in years. I’m so glad. I cried when Joni Mitchell sang and I’m playing Fast Car by Tracy Chapman while driving my fast car on my errands.VW bugs are turbo now!🚙 I think the reason we have eclectic taste in music is because we grew up listening to the transistor radio all day long. I listen to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran and I’m 67! 🎶📻 Enjoy your trip.
It’s always fun finding new and old treasures! I enjoyed seeing yours. Happy anniversary!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Joe and all the gal-entines out there! A Willard in my mailbox and then the sun come outs! What a day!
Happy 37th Anniversary! Love your Willards, love your art, love your love of art and music! And I agree with you about this year’s Grammy awards show…so enjoyed Tracy Chapman’s and Joni Mitchell’s performances.
Thank you for taking us out of ‘this world’ to ‘your world’ with each blog posting and Willard. From your first book to your last, blogs and Willards in~between, it has been a far~away~friendship. Thank you for sharing your art and the art of life with us……..
So loved Joni Mitchell on the Grammies. It looks like an amazing time in CA. Happy in love anniversary to both of you !
I’ve made delicious homemade “Mac & Cheese” with those pasta nests. Oh so yummy!
Thanks for all the joy you continue to bring into our lives. I’ve always loved the Susan Branch calendar hanging in my kitchen. It reminds me of the simple joys in life. Keep on spreading the love.
Ooh ooh ooh, I would love to win the painting.
I always enjoy reading the Willard.
Love Willard!! You inspire me to do more in my life!
Happy Valentine’s Day❤️❤️❤️
How wonderful to receive a Willard with all your memories and musings. Just a breath of fresh air! Placed my order for your wonderful, tea cups. My husband makes fun of the size but I don’t have to refill my morning tea.
Hello Susan, I’m glad you are here in California. I’m in Murrieta ,Ca and getting the same weather…can’t believe how cold it is . .Burr
I remember seeing your April in New England is one of your early calendars maybe- the one that has a green cover and hold together by a spiral do dads.
How nice that you are discovering your art from yester-time. I love that you are offering it to the Girlfriends. Finger crossed that you pick my name.
Enjoy your time in California .
Always enjoy your Willards. Just made your Corn Pudding recipe from your Autum Cook Book and put in the oven for part of our evening meal. Smells wonderful. Please add my name to the Valentine’s give away: April in New England. Love to all, Sharon from Montana
Hi Susan, yes! Joni was amazing and Tracy was inspiring! I’ve watched the u tube replays many times. I would love to win your painting. I have the perfect spot! Thanks for being you.
Lynne
Susan, so glad to find a Willard when I opened my mail!
I would like to suggest a novella on Amazon. It’s called Parsnips in Love. Written by Porochista Khakpour.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy
Blessings. Lee Bowers
As usual, such a delightful read! Happy Anniversary to you and Joe!
Love, Love, Love the Willards! Thank you for all that you create!
We named our daughter April. Love the painting. Married 54 years this coming April.
Going down memory lane brings back a lot of emotions! What a great time capsule you have discovered! I love the Kindergarten art. I teach First Grade and their art is my favorite. 🖌️👩🏻🎨
Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your time in California! ☀️
Happy Anniversary!
I love all of your books. They are all my favorites. I read every Willard over and over so I am sure I don’t miss even a speck of it!
Crazy weather you’ve had. Glad everything is okay. Love all the bits and pieces you found.
I really enjoy seeing a new Willard in my email! I know for the next few minutes I’ll be catching up on what’s new on Martha’s Vineyard and now in California! And I love all your pictures from both present day and the past. Hope to see lots more in the future! Happy Valentines Day
Susan , I have all of your books and buy your calendar every year. They bring such joy into my life ! I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day !
Barbara
Memories…… how very emotional the last two Willard’s have been❤️ I don’t know how you can part with that beautiful property. I especially loved seeing the Girl Scout Pledge in your previous Willard. Be safe and so happy you made it through all that scary California weather!
So happy you are back on the Central Coast. I actually live in Atascadero! We meet many moons ago when you were a guest speaker for the Newcomers Group of Morro Bay. We had lunch at McClintock’s in AG. And it was marvelous♥ Love the Grammys. It’s so fun seeing all you are discovering from the past. How fun for your new owners…a treasure hunt! That would be enough incentive to buy 🙂
Oh my, what a happy Willard! Thank you for taking us through your early artwork…. so much fun!
One of the things I love most about you Susan is the fact that you have the ability to enjoy wherever you are at the moment you are there. From coast to coast you enjoy your life and the ride in between to and fro! Best of luck to you on getting your lovely place in California ready to sell.
Oh! Memory lane how sweet. I remember your shop in Arroyo Grande so loved shopping there when visiting my father-in-law. Happy times.
Just love reading Willard and find out what is happening…Happy Anniversary to you both & much happiness ❤️ for the future.
Dear Susan…
What a wonderful Willard! I enjoyed every word of it.
Hope you and Joe enjoy the rest of your time in California.
Have a safe trip back home to Martha’s Vineyard.
Barbie
Love this Williard! Love seeing all of your wonderful treasures that you are discovering and pondering over and remembering! I too have been going through totes and boxes of things kept for the 48 years of being married come May. Memories that have been packed away for quite some time. Trying to downsize, so everything can be more manageable for the future. It is difficult to part with some things, but then I think someone else will give it a new life and love it.
Carry on with your discoveries and enjoy the great feelings and memories! What a great Valentine to yourself!! XO
Hugs, Candice in Ohio
Love cats, any color! They are all unique just like us! 😻
I wob that painting! 😁 And we spent our honeymoon in New England 38 years ago. 😊
I love these trips down memory lane and seeing the treasures that have been tucked away for so long! I’m glad you’ve pulled them into the light of day. So many good reminders in your “No Time for Love?” piece. Thank you for being you! Karen
I love seeing your back when memories. What fun to go through boxes like that! I have your fabric, the line that had sailboats. It is darling. Keep the Willards coming!❤️❤️❤️
I was just at Trader’s Joe today, too bad I read this until I got home. Next time I shop. I love their Mint chip ice cream, FYI.
Would love to win your painting. I’m in Northern CA so postage will be cheaper! haha
We had quite a lot of rain up here. My cabin was out of power for 2 and a half days.
Mary Ann
I love having a new Willard to look forward to after work! Thank you!
Pick me Vanna, pick me. I love yellow and have a yellow kitchen calling out for this print! Looking forward to spring after our crazy storm! Barbara Thomas
Thank you so much for sharing all this! We are starting to declutter our home of several decades and this inspires me to approach it as a treasure hunt!
Thank you for sharing your time in California with us. I haven’t been there since the year after I graduated high school, 1977. I love the painting you are gifting because, like you, I LOVE New England!! And Cats!! And all things Susan Branch!!
How fun to see all your treasures you uncovered.
Happy Anniversary to you and Joe. Wishing you so much happiness in the year ahead! xo
Happy First Date anniversary!❤️
I would LOVE your print for Valentine’s Day
My irritant is streaming! I just want my cable box back!
I wouldn’t mind having the antenna on the roof! 6 channels … and we had it all! abc cbs nbc million dollar movie, ozzie and harriet, etc. TV went OFF at midnight, and didn’t come back on until 6am! Glory days. I read constantly, went swimming, played hide and go seek, and rode my bike.
To quote a famous, dear person…”I wob it!”
What fun to see your stick figure drawing. I saved each of my children’s first “self portraits” also.
What wonderful discoveries, and such sweet memories. I think I’ll trace my grandgirl (she’s 5) and let her paint a self-portrait. It’ll be a lovely keepsake for me and then her.
Missed seeing Jack! He’s always a favorite, you must miss him so much. : )
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love seeing your art process and early talent!
Oh how I love that Autumn book, certainly one of my favorites! Stay safe and happy anniversary to you both. We will celebrate our 46th in June…how did that happen so fast?
Happy anniversary, you crazy kids! xo
Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine’s Day!
“To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth”.
As usual, your Willard is a treat, and your adventures in CA are
captivating—-what delightful treasures you’ve discovered!
It’s amazing to think you had your creative spark since kindergarten,
and look how far it has taken you!
Love that yellow kitty, who reminds me of the sweet boy we had until a few years ago. Buffy was 20+ years old when he passed on, leaving us heart broken, but so blessed to have had his company for more than 18 years! We still miss him….
Best wishes for all your endeavors, and thanks again for the lovely updates!
Stay well and dry and happy!
My favorite kitty was a yellow Tom cat that looks like the cat you painted! I would so enjoy this painting!
As always loved your Willard!!!
Tucker was a great movie! You’re right, why do you never see it available to watch? Also, I loved the cute outfit you wore to the premier. Remember when people used to dress up just to go out to a movie? We went to the symphony yesterday evening and it was so disappointing to see how people dressed…jeans, work out clothing, shorts, hiking boots and even barn boots! It’s more fun when people dress up and make it an occasion, I hope those days aren’t gone for good.
Me too. It much more fun! England is good at that!
I love a good treasure hunt and yours sounds great! I’m glad you survived the storm with everything intact! Happy Valentines Day to your and your sweetheart of a husband!
Thanks for sharing so much of your life with so many of us! Your books, art and cheerful heart are delightful!
My husband and I will be celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary this month, too, so Happy Anniversary to both you and me. I’ve been worrying about you our there so it was a relief to see and read Willard today. Looking forward to your next post! Do take care!
Hi Susan! Thanks so much for this wonderful Willard. I’m SO glad you, Joe, your property, and the west coast team all survived that awful atmospheric river! I actually like the ‘Stick People.’ I think it’s because I recognize them from my 1980’s closet, especially the shoulder pads in the jackets!😀 Of course you’ve captured the patterns of the clothing in exquisite detail as usual. Also, another perfect cake in the other painting, and the cherry wallpaper & heart chair in the watercolor, are all lovely! Thanks for sharing your west coast adventure with us, & congratulations to you & Joe on your ‘1st date’ anniversary, occuring perfectly during Valentine’s month of course! Happy Valentine’s Day Susan! Enjoy, and good luck cleaning out the rest of the house, not an easy task, but worth it just for finding all of those past treasures! I also love “Fast Car” & “Both Sides Now.” It’s music and art that sustains and connects us all. Love, Julie Kapadia 💞🌹🙂
Loved sharing your walk down memory lane!
Yes! Leave messages around your house for new owners to find! They will enjoy finding every one of them!
Kellee is your treasure!
Thank you for Willards…
Dear Susan, What a beautiful treasure to find! I have loved your art and writings and books,.. then when technology came into the world I jumped on following your blog. It all started with a beautiful anniversary present from my sister back in 1986, “The Heart Of The Home”! I look forward to all your posts about life in Martha’s Vineyard and your travels to the U.K. I totally understand as I have been there twice and have fallen in love with it as well! Your art and whimsical writings bring joy to so many people and is so needed! Thank you so much for all your hard work!
I really enjoyed the Grammy Awards Show way more than I expected to. I watched for Tracy and Joni and got Jon Batiste, Stevie Wonder and so much more. I am smitten with the photo of you and Joe canudaling on one of your earliest dates and still in love so many years later. True love is real🥰 Side note, I was a nurse in a small cardiology practice for many years. We could have 8 lines ringing at once, but the phone was always answered by a human and rarely did we have dropped calls. Occasionally, even the doctor picked up. We would say, “It’s probably for you anyway.” LOL! The olden times.