SUMMER DREAMS???
Are you insane? you might ask.
No, the good news is you’re free to dream any time of year! Plus, due to my new circumstances, I 
have no choice but to become a new harbinger of spring for all you Girlfriends who live in snow country.
What choice do we California dwellers have?
Plus, I LIKE the idea. How about some MUSICA? YES! And, I want you to know, we DO have winter here! It happens most days, sometime between midnight and when the sun comes up, really cold in the mornings, you need a jacket! It’s 44º degrees right now, at 6:30 am, with a pink 
sky behind the horizon, and I’m wearing a warm shawl. It’s Perfect sleeping weather. 
I still light cozy candles every night and get under my Grandma’s nap blanket to watch Hacks with Joe and Jack. We are not totally devoid of seasons. It’s just no matter what the temperature, it’s pretty much heaven, only sweater weather. And it’s true that lettuce and chives and sweet peas and grass and lots of other things GROW in this chilly weather. So in the name of love, and because I remember how long these gray winter months can be, I send you from my imagination, Summer Dreams and . . . 
Let’s start with a Jack Update!
I know you’ve all been wanting details of how Jack’s been getting along in his new home. Thank you for your patience. I’ve been waiting too. To give you the good news. Cats do not like change. At least one doesn’t. I worried about him, got him on a schedule the minute we got here; and I was nice when he wasn’t. I worried about him if he seemed to sleep too much. I bought him cat grass. I didn’t push him. Everyone knows naps are healing. We took him to the vet for checkups. And waited. He didn’t like anything, especially he didn’t like the smell of this place.
He would not sleep with us, would not even come into the bedroom or the bathroom for months, in fact pretty much never got out of a chair in the living room where I’d put a soft blanket … or from behind my computer on my desk, where I’d put a pillow so he could “hide.” Leaving him to go back east for Christmas almost did us BOTH in.
But as you can see from these photos, he’s better, getting used to it here, and coming back to his old self. Joe made him a new scratching post.
He sleeps with us again now, naps with me, gets up with me in the morning, yawns while I make tea, follows me everywhere, stands at the 
screen doors, front, back, and side, keeping in touch while I’m out in the garden; he interacts better with barn kitties (who we adore) when they come up on the deck. He has nooks he claims as his own, he watches tv with us … sits next to us or on our laps … he rubs foreheads with me, doing brain exchange of love. I know it’s bedtime when he jumps down, looks at me with crazy eyes, stiffens, starts to run, stops, turns, and DARES me to chase him, and I jump up, and he takes off running, and what do I do, I chase him. Because he’s my boy!
He drinks from the faucet. It’s become “something we do.”
While we get ready for bed, he waits in my sock drawer. I wonder how many Martha’s Vineyard smells he finds around the house and what he thinks about that? Every time I rub the outdoor cats, I come in and rub Jack. I’m hoping he won’t know the difference between him and them after a while.
Jack is 13 years old now. Doesn’t that seem impossible? So many of you have known him all his life! Remember? Here he is when we first brought him home 
.
And here he is in my desk drawer this morning… Life is good. We are happy. We have beautiful sunny mornings filled with bird song, and starry nights ~ it’s very dark out here, the moon was in a waning crescent phase last night, the thinnest of the thin, and tonight, it will be a new moon and totally dark, in case you’d like to go out and take pictures of stars! 
Cross-country move update: we left this bird bath behind in our old garden back east, if you can imagine.
In our quest to “downsize” and be “good” and “not take too much,” and all that rot, we almost lost our minds! But when 
got back to the Island over Christmas, I took one look at this rare treasure sitting out there in the frozen tundra, a gift given to Joe for his 50th birthday, and decided to cut out all that nutty thinking ~ we scrubbed it with a wire brush, so we wouldn’t take any critters to California with us, wrapped it, put it onto a pallet, got it on a truck and sent it to California to be with us. And there it is , here in our English garden, in prime position, visible from my kitchen window. Bringing all the good ju-ju of garden love with it. 
I mean look what it DOES! 
My garden performer.
And remember this old blue bird-house that was hanging in the cherry tree in my Martha’s Vineyard garden? (I love this picture. One of our girlfriends did a little computer work on my photo, and made it look like a painting!)
Well, we brought that too. It’s in the tree next to the picket fence garden, right outside the window behind our sofa. I hope we get a little family to watch! We also brought our old sundial to put out back in the new orchard. Beloved old garden things are lending a quiet kind of magic ~ familiar, ordinary, starts to look like forever in our garden.
Here, in the land of perpetual summer I’ve been so happy and inspired, feeling the light, drawn outside to walk and plant and dream. I’ve had luv-lee time to think and reflect, outside, in nature. Even walking out in the morning to feed the barn cats is 
heaven. I’m getting stronger as the stress of last year (the last five years, or maybe since 2016, when your dad dies, and then your mom, today is her 95th birthday
, and there’s covid, and your brother Jim dies, and your darling Uncle Dick, and the winter is dark, and you don’t know what’s wrong, and people depend on you, and you feel like you’re letting them down, the kind of normal life things we all experience 
, happy gene or no happy gene) ~ that overwhelming sadness has slowly been slipping away ~ and then a while back, Joe asked me for the recipe to my Parsley Salad, and while getting it, I realized this year is the 30th anniversary of The Summer Book! Another shock to the system. Set me to thinking. And I realized with a stab of joy in my heart, I’m not done. In short dearest ones, because of that, and in response to so many requests, about a month ago I started writing and painting, fooling around with The Summer Book, then planning a surprise.
Since I live in perpetual Summer now 
, how about a 30th year anniversary revision? I could introduce it to a whole new generation! I’ve been waiting to tell you till I was a little further into it. Kellee and Judy loved the idea, so we all decided … this is the DAY I would tell you and we would put it up to PRE-ORDER. Because we think this book says Hope. I’ve probably gone a little crazy, thinking about what you’d like, I added a bunch of new pages and a new cover, new endpapers, lots of new recipes, sections on tea, and homemade jam, more self-sufficiency, and more about the garden . . . at my art table here, surrounded with the sounds and smells of summer, even though it’s not even spring, there is dirt on my hands every day, and look what happened!!
Isn’t it pretty? The Summer Book has turned from blue to green!! Of course it did, because my whole life turned green when we moved to California . . . so while Jack naps in my desk drawer, I get my morning tea, listen to the birds, watch the sun rise, and work on my new book . . . look how it’s coming along . . .
My new pages are building and I’m having so much fun doing it ~ I can’t stay asleep! One peep out of those birds, one moon beam sliding in from a corner of the window, and I’m UP. We’ve been told if I get the art to the printer by the end of March, we can have the brand new Summer Book in the studio by the beginning of JULY!!! Is that perfect timing or what? And thirty years! I’m working in a time machine, all those memories! Do you realize we didn’t have cell phones thirty years ago? It almost seemed normal to hand-write a book! Everything has changed. We can use a good celebration! And be more in touch with our beautiful healing earth and all of its charms. Sign up HERE to PRE-ORDER your very own copy that will come with a bookplate which I plan to sign for all the new books we send out from our Studio! We have to think of something fun to do to celebrate!
Inbetween times, I’ve been testing new recipes for my new old book! Look at this happy DELICIOUS pink dip … YUM! I GREW part of it in my garden! Not telling you which part yet.
And this big potato pancake . . .for the crunch! I didn’t grow the potatoes, too early in the season, but I grew the chives. Everything counts! Know what else we brought along with the bird bath and house? All my old pots and pans I bought when I was in my 20s and have used for every cookbook I’ve done! Can you imagine I tried to leave them. But they’re perfect. Thank goodness we got a second chance.
(No, house hasn’t sold yet.
)
Here’s another new recipe for the Summer Book . . . a tray of the best cheese blintzes in the world, that you can freeze and have anytime! You don’t even have to thaw them to cook them! And recipes for jams to go with them! I’m glad most of you have the original book, because this will be almost a a whole new book . . . I can’t help it, I’m so inspired by my garden, the dirt, the compost, the potting soils, my new wildflower orchard to-be, the mornings and the moons at 4 am, and every sweet green thing growing. And after thirty years, I find I have more to say about the subject!
And there will be a recipe for this, my new go-to healthy yummy lunch, a plate of crunchy, nutty, garden-grown delights . .. a pasta kale salad, YES, there is PASTA under there . . . Can’t wait to write about the secret that goes into this dish, why it’s so easy, so fast, so good, with an Asian flair that’s different than any others I’ve tasted.
So besides this, as if it’s not enough, what else new do we have for you . . . Mostly little things . . .
Like these dishtowels! Cute, don’t you think? They look great with that salad , did you notice? It’s the Green. And the red is good too! Means they go with everything, even Christmas, even 
Valentine’s, and definitely summer, because Nature goes with everything. Ever since we made the big move to California, I’ve been trying to make my house into a garden. I love my new dish towels ~ they’re perfect, 100% cotton …and I got lots extra for you, just in cases. OH! That reminded me ~ have you seen the new Mad About the Boy Bridget Jones movie? Throw your jaded heart into the sea and get ready to believe again. Took me about 20 minutes! It’s so CHARMING! EVERYONE’S in it! The writing is brilliant … not only Bridget Jones, but watch for hints of Miss Potter and Love Actually, too!
Our creative girlfriend Janie made us new springtime heart banners with birds and flowers to hang in our windows!
I left my old one in the window of my Vineyard house, so she just sent me a new one! So when people drive up to my house, they know what to expect! (This one is actually white, which do show up best, but all that light on the other side makes it look black!)
A treat for my very own self.
XXX
We got a new bird feeder. It’s green of course, that’s why I got it. Plus I wanted something homey, not a contraption. Who knows if it will work, but it’s cute! And not expensive. It’s metal. I love it so far. And so do the birds! I’ve already taken about 4,000 pictures of it. It hangs about 10 feet outside my kitchen window and it packs more joy into 
it than you can imagine. A narrow tray seems to keep the bigger birds away. I haven’t seen squirrels yet, but it’s new here and so am I. We may not even have squirrels! I got it at a local hardware store, but since it was the last one, I looked for it on the internet to try and put it on our website. To no avail. So, just in cases, I checked out Amazon. And voila! SO, because everyone on Instagram who saw that video was asking me where I got it . . . so, I’m giving you the link. (FYI, As you know, I’ve been sharing links to things I love for years ~ I WANT you to find things, and I love it when you tell me the good things you find! But recently Judy thought Amazon should start paying me when I do this! So, we are trying out the Amazon Affiliate Program. Because our company is so small, we want to keep it up and running. So if you get one of those birdhouses, you should know, Susan Branch Studios will get a little bit for pointing you in their direction. But don’t buy it because of that, buy it because you WANT IT! What I really need is to find a Skechers Affiliate Program!
)
Back to real life, these cards just came back in, just in time for a springtime note to a girlfriend . . . or sister, or mom. They come in packs of 10, from me and Emily Dickinson!
I am so in the mood to celebrate sunshine, so we had more of these made, because why not dream a little? And another reminder, something else you can do to be ready for this spring and summer . . .
I love these food umbrellas, so Vicky (Victorian) . . . no bees in the lemonade! No flies in the pie! And since I wanted one, Kellee went looking for them so we could put them in our webstore, and she found them! It’s big enough to go over a pitcher, and makes the table look wonderful.
I’ve already used it! Twice!
I know this is the moon MOST of you are seeing now, it’s COLD out there, I check east coast weather every day . . . I remember it very well, never think I don’t miss the charm of it. And, interestingly,
. . . to this harbinger of spring, while researching a little for the new Summer Book, I happened to read that even looking at PICTURES of blue skies, dirt paths, grass and flowers, birds, dogs and cats, gives our worries a break, refreshes us, reduces stress and depression, sharpens our brains, and brings mental well being. That makes me so happy. You don’t even have to be here . . . it means I can help right from my desk!!! Bird peeps HAVE to be good for us.
I’ve always love nature and every year the feeling has gotten stronger. Can you see me there? I’m like a very large chameleon lizard on that tree.
Here’s the little chunk of dirt out back that Alfredo threw a packet of wildflower seeds into last year, and now, when I walk out there, there it is, just coming up, in its 2nd year! Just saw the first lupine in there yesterday! Thank you Alfredo. And Thank you God. I say it every day. This whole thing feels like a small rebellion to the tyranny of time. Because it all comes to a stop in the garden.
Here’s our new spot for the end of the day … rocking away on the front deck . . .
Found out, after the birds ate most of the seeds we put down the FIRST time, that we needed to cover the seeds lightly with hay. Who knew? Apparently NOT Google. So we did it again, more seeds, more water, and HAY.
The seeds are now UP, the tiniest of the tiny. Don’t forget your glasses if you wish to see them, but they are there! It’s going to be gorgeous! Anticipation is thrilling! Don’t even THINK I won’t be taking you for a walk here!
Along with the dream, which is essential, it’s good if there’s a plan. Sometimes you don’t know the exact dream, so instead of trying to get it whole, look for the clues. Little things you think, like “I’ve always wanted to do that” . . . Nobody automatically knows how to make a plan, especially if they aren’t exactly sure of the dream 
, it took us YEARS to figure out how to do what we just did, pack up, give things away, move … we all have to make it up. Nobody likes making it up, it’s hard, because it’s very likely that you might have to give something up to have your dreams come true, and what if we make a mistake? But one foot in front of the other, and those steps will turn into seeds that will give you your flowers of tomorrow. So it’s worth it. Something like that. I know you know . . .
This is the plan for the path in our new wildflower orchard … the wildflowers will go everywhere, but as they grow they will be mowed in a pattern much like this, only one lawn-mower width, through the flowers. Established fruit trees are where there is an X
, Zeros are where the new trees will go, and the whole thing will have a hedge around it, and paths will go through the hedges, as “doors,” which will lead to other gardens, when we get done making what we have. Decorating will never end! Our old sundial will go right there, at the 4-way stop. Might let two of the lolly-pop trees grow together to make an arch at the entrance. If we don’t feel around 5 years old walking that path this summer, then I have not done my job correctly.
A letter from one of our girlfriends . . . of course I kept it. I remind her, she reminds me, and around we go. Because if I can find my magic, and she can find hers, that makes it very likely we all can.
Bye for now Girlfriends. Remember, hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune with no words, and never stops at all. . . . Spring is coming, soil knows it even if you don’t yet. And Faith? She is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark. Okay, Grasshopper (as my dad would say), tell us about optimism.
Oh, what a great post! I am SO glad you got to go back and get some of your favorite things. We made the same error…got rid of TOO many things we loved and sadly they are gone for good when we downsized. A bird bath so similar to yours…but I know someone else is enjoying it now – and we live in an apartment on the second floor with big windows. The couple downstairs has 4 bird feeders and the birds flit up past our windows like a Disney movie! No planting for us…neighbors who rent a plot in our community keep us supplied with their excess ( I keep them supplied with muffins and baked goods..) so I will have plenty of produce to use in recipes when I get the NEW Summer Book – love my original, glad there is room on the shelf for the new one. Have fun with all your plans and plants !
It all works out, and sometimes, even better than what you first imagined!!!
Thanks for a lovely spring – can’t wait to see what’s next! Love to Jack the cat.
Love the bird feeder! Ordered mine as there were only a few left! Can’t wait to get it and have that bond with you!!
xoxo from Washington State!
So glad you like it . . . xoxo
So glad to read the update on Jack. My kitty and I are moving this summer and I’m worried about her. We’re going from a large fabulous house with great views to a small condo luckily with littler views at least. The vet says as long as she’s with me she’ll be okay. Fingers crossed.
I saw my snowdrops First time today in NE Ohio!
Beautiful post,makes me feel your joy,so happy you found new joy in an old place.Live like you are 20 again.Someone said pick an age and stay there.Love your life,like mine it’s a wonderful adventure to be cherished….Mary Elizabeth Marshall Lawrence
I instantly fell in love with your feeder, followed the link and it’s on it’s way to my cottage. Thanks so much for the tip! I’m glad to hear that Jack is finally adjusting. Our fur babies are so important to us and we can’t really be happy if they are sad. By the way, everything I choose now is green too. I’m currently trying to find a green paint for my front door, just like the lovely green shade on so many English cottages. Wish me luck!
Hugs from, Susan and Oliver (my little Yorkie)
Dear Susan,
Thank you for valiantly trying to bring some cheer and optimism into our lives right now, when it is sorely needed. I feel like this most recent Willard tries just a little too hard to pretend that all is OK, when it very clearly isn’t OK. We who love the Earth, love humanity, love children, love our homes and cooking and gardening and cats, and hanging clean sheets on the line… we are not OK and pretending doesn’t help. Would it be possible to acknowledge the dark days we are finding ourselves in, while still reminding us that there is a lot of good in the world?
No matter the season, you are ALWAYS a breath of fresh air!! Love your posts, your books, and your “happy gene”!
Love love love this post! It is beautiful here in north Georgia – 60s and 70s – and I have been outside playing in the dirt. I smiled throughout this uplifting, heartwarming message. I am so glad you are happy+++ with your move to California. I truly understand the need for sunshine and the great outdoors! Big hug and lots of love!!
I’m so glad Jack’s finally comfortable and happy in his new home
Hard to believe he’s 13..I remember when you told us about going to the shelter just to check out the kitties, didn’t really intend to adopt one that day but took a carrier along with you “just in case”, but there he was! Serendipity! Love the plans you and Joe are making for your property, love the fact that you know without a doubt it was time to move back to CA (fingers crossed that MV home sells SOON!), love that you share your wonderful pictures and musings with us, love the precious photo of you and your beautiful mom on her heavenly 95th birthday, and love the drawing you decided to use for your new summer book..Gladys Tabers’ My Own Cape Cod
I’ve already ordered it
xoxo
Hooray, hooray!!! Jack’s back! As a kitty lover and slave to two of my own, I’ve been missing that beautiful boy and hoping he was okay. It’s wonderful that he’s getting adjusted to his new home and settling in.
We’ve had freezing, a/c running, freezing, and — maybe finally? — spring here in Houston. The trees are in bud, as are the gardenias, and it’s time to plant and re-plant. Like you, I love watching the birds on my feeders and birdbath, but am constantly fighting the squirrels — the little pigs! Most interesting of all is that I still have my Christmas wreath on the front door. There’s a bird’ nest in it, and the bird is using it. Makes me feel hugely guilty every time I go out the door and disturb her. Hopefully, she’ll have babies in it one day soon.
As always — love your posts, and especially love seeing Jack looking happy.
Ah, Sue! Such a balm to our troubled souls! All that lovely California green! I do remember when Jack joined the family. It’s good to know that he is beginning to feel at home in his new surroundings. He probably misses the staircase with the hair band game. The Summer Book, included in a picnic basket college graduation gift for April, was my introduction to you in 1995. Set me on a search for all the others I had missed! There is always room on my shelf for any of your revisions. Looking forward to the possible arrival in July….xoxo Nellie
Oh Susan…30 years since your wonderful Summer Book! I have a very worn/loved copy and have gifted it to countless of my children’s teachers as the perfect end of the school year thank you gift. Perhaps now, I can give it to my grandchildren’s teachers!
Where has the time gone? Thanks for all the happiness you spread. Bless you!
Lov-lee post, mah dear, but I enjoy your fall and Christmas posts most of all…I just tolerate the other seasons…can’t take the pollen in the spring and then it’s just HOT for summer. Guess it all depends on where you live, huh?Congratulations on your new summer book, girlfriend.
Dear Susan, I have a dear friend who lives in another state. She has had a particularly rough year with the loss of her dear husband and her own health issues. She has always been a voracious reader, but has been struggling to focus on any book. I sent her Distilled Genius (which I bought at Battenkill Books, my local bookstore) with the thought that here was a book that she could dip in and out of in small bits. I knew that she, like me, loves quotes. She adores it and assures me that it has brought her joy. I thought that you would want to know. Your writing is a blessing. Thank you!
Thank you, Thank you, for a Much-Needed Drenching in Joy! This is Such a lovely Willard! I know all of us are Major Happy that You are so Happy. And now that Jack is seeing his way to be more contented in the new digs, all is well. I love that you retrieved the birdbath and your old pots and pans! They were back on MV missing you so much. We are making all those same decisions here. The Lovely is pampering me, saying take what you want to have in Maine. We’ve spent many hours reading literally thousands of cards from family and mostly those exchanged between the two of us. I have pared them down to just one flat bin, that can go under our bed in our loft in Maine. We’ll sit in front of the fire and read those aloud to each other. Boy, was I racy with the ones I wrote Tom every day when I’d be in Maine by myself, working on the house and garden, and he’d be still in Tampa. Oh, my!!
I’m looking forward to getting the new edition of the Summer Book! I’m still cooking, in fact, finding new things to try. My fingers aren’t as nimble as they were even 3 or 4 years ago, so drawing is not an option for being creative. Cooking fills the bill.
This Willard is one I know many of us will reread more than once! Because it’s beautiful, and because we love You, Joe and Jack!!
Sending Mucho Grande Love,
Debbie in on Ballast Point
It was a joy to read this. My goodness, I resonated with the living in two places with vastly different winters. Six years ago I returned to small town Australia after over twenty years in Vancouver, Canada, and though I miss my dear friends there (literally every day!), the blue sky winters here haven’t for a minute lost their charm. (In fact, I’m quite sure that I bore folk here going on about the glory of winter sunshine!) It’s also true that winter evenings and mornings can be very chilly, and central heating is not the norm here, so cosy blankets and hot water bottles are frequent companions. Lest I (we) become over enthusiastic in idealising how wondrous midwinter gardening is, I will say that the mid-late summer bugs that damage/eat through plants, and the weeds, which are not killed off by a few months of ice and snow, nearly do me in! The gift of being able to recover your beloved birdbath and birdhouse was a reminder that joy is often found in the small things… Happy gardening and bird watching!
Hello Sue,
your Willard! It is so uplifting with it’s promise of spring flowers and new beginnings. I just bought wildflower and sunflower seeds to plant today. I’m thinking I need to pick up more.
Love, love, love
The spring rain has perked up our seasonal creek and there is new growth on many of our flowers and trees here in spring 2. I will think of you and Joe, when I am out working on our ‘yard’. I too like to decorate with vintage and classic yard decor, a few at a time.
Attended a rose pruning class at our county extension garden too!
Thinking warm and loving thoughts of you.
Melin
Yes … your post is lovely as ever
feeling new growth in your CA garden with Birthday wishes for your Mom today 2/27 and my Mom 2/13/23… my favorite Cousin Grace became an angel before Christmas and leaving a beautiful memorial at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow… Audrey Hepburn “… wish I can send you a photo!! A-lo-ha-ha, Evie in San Diego 
Susan, I enjoyed this blog so much ! Your home in California seems perfect for you and Joe, and Jack ! I loved hearing about how Jack is adjusting, and seeing his cute little kitty face
. I love the new Summer book in green ! Will it be in bookstores around Cape Cod this Summer, or just available through pre-order ? I will love it !
I’m glad that you’re feeling well and stronger ! This move may have been the best thing for you !
Susan, I enjoyed this blog so much ! Your home in California seems perfect for you and Joe, and Jack ! I loved hearing about how Jack is adjusting, and seeing his cute little kitty face
. I love the new Summer book in green ! Will it be in bookstores around Cape Cod this Summer, or just available through pre-order ? I will love it !
I’m glad that you’re feeling well and stronger ! This move may have been the best thing for you !
Your posts always have and still do warm my heart and make me so happy! We drove past your house once on an RV trip to the lake. So when you describe your
garden and and yard, I can just imagine how beautiful it will be. So happy you are in California now and enjoying fulfilling your dreams! Thank you for your wonderful words and descriptions of your garden and house! It never gets old! I am excited to get your new Summer Book and try new recipes from you! Thank you and take care!
You seem truly in your happy place with sunshine and hope emanating through every word. California dreaming right along with you! Best, Janet
Hi Susan
, As always this is a sweet refreshing letter from you.
My sweet, kind, gentle, giant farmer man went to heaven in January.
I’m not looking for sympathy, I’m very happy for him. I just miss him
And wanted to tell the world I miss him. I will be fine.
Love to you and all the girlfriends
Carol
Oh Carol, I am sorry.
I hope you can feel my giant hug … it’s a new world without him in it. I know exactly what you mean about being happy for him. I’m glad you told our world. I know you’ll be fine, and we’ll be here, on your side, with our prayers for you and your sweet man.
Thank you, I feel the love.
Oh I am!!!!!!!
Dearest Carol, what a beautiful tribute to your beloved man. From your words we know that you were blessed to walk this world with him for a time, and he was doubly blessed to share his journey with you, too. Sending you love. I’m remembering you in my prayers.
Thank you Shannon
Carol, I’m holding you close, and wishing that words would help. But only Time can heal that kind of pain. You can be sure all of us here in the Willard Family grieve for you, as many have experienced the same kind of loss. Sweet, kind, gentle farmer man tells us who he was.
Hope you have all the support you need right now.
Mucho Love,
Debbie in Tampa
Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. It is great to tell the world. He’ll always be in your heart. I will keep you in my prayers.
What could be better than a farm life in Iowa with a wonderful farm man! I like my farm boy turned sailor man. Farmers are special!
We send you our love & sympathy.
Margot B. from the dairy state.
The happiness in your writing is shining through! Just like that beautiful California sun. (Said enviously from northern Illinois.) I am so glad to hear that Jack is finally settling in. And…a 30th anniversary edition of your Summer book – wonderful! I have the original. Can’t wait to see/read the new edition.
xoxo
Hello, dear Susan! Telling us about your wildflower orchard makes me think of a Secret Garden I planted with my fourth-grade students. We read the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett and then with the help of a landscape architect we designed the garden just as you have done. It turned out to look like a T-shirt. We surrounded the garden with shrubs to make it a secret. We had to figure out the area of the garden and from that determine how much fertilizer we would need to buy. We planted the flowers of The Secret Garden like heather. When it was all finished, we had a special presentation for the dignitaries of the county. We sang songs from the musical, and a girl danced around the garden and found a key for the garden gate!
Oh that sounds just magical! I wish I was there!
My great aunt gave me her first addition copy of Secret Garden when I was six. It will always have a special place in my book shelves, and a bigger place in my heart.
Oh what a special post
So inspiring and can’t wait to start my garden. The best part though, was seeing sweet Jack in your drawer and on the back of the couch. Had to be a teary eyed moment for sure. So glad he is finding his home sweet home again. Hoping to see pics of him chasing those hair bands again soon.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring us dear Susan. You are the best
.
Xoxo,
Debbie
We ended our Amazon account so I’m glad you’ll still have your shopping site. It’s great to hear from you. Fingers crossed you’ll sell your house soon.
Dear Susan,
I’m so happy that you and Joe are content in your new old house in California, enjoying the perfect weather, sunshine, fresh green nature. I’m sad that you are no longer on the Island, but it sounds like things have worked out in God’s perfect timing. As it always does. Here in Pittsburgh it’s starting to show signs of spring and I have to say I am ready for it! As always, your blog is a breath of fresh air and inspiration to be creative. Hi to Joe and Jack! And here’s hoping that you’ll find a reason to one day visit my neck of the woods.
Dear Susan,
I forgot to ask, will you be sharing more of your Holly Oak video and will you and Rachel be working on a project together about how your friendship originated? I know that you did a talk about it on your Girlfriend Cruise a couple years ago but it would be lovely if you would share again with us!
Seeing your birds at the feeder reminds me to recommend a documentary in current release called Every Little Thing. It is about a woman in Los Angeles who cares for injured hummingbirds. The photography and story is amazing. Your short video of the activity at your feeder is almost as good as if we were in your house looking out your window. So colorful.
All lovely! I hope you are spreading straw and not hay! Cheaper I believe and should not have seeds in it. :o)
This cheerful Willard is a welcome respite with todays woes. I’m glad Jack is settling in becoming a Cali Cat. There’s a gal on YouTube named Angela she has a channel called Parkrose Permaculture, she had a video on growing quince which I know makes good jelly and seems to grow well in her garden. She talks about so many things knitting permaculture, community responsibility, and she’s in Portland Oregon.
I just know that your wildflower and orchard garden is going to be glorious.
The smaller wildflower garden that is already blooming is special too.
It looks like you will have various fruits to make pies, crisps, pies and more.
Thanks for the encouragement in taking the first step to get started on a new project. Your garden plans are motivating me to get started on refreshing a
succulent and native plant garden. As always, thanks for sharing so many special parts of your life: new bird feeder and all those robins and goldfinches, Jack and your revised Summer Book. Thanks for bringing us sunshine and joy !
Hi Susan,
As always, I enjoyed reading your inspiring post. Your garden will be beautiful when complete and such beautiful skies! Absolutely lovely! You made the right decision to move and start creating ideas on your new canvas. Have fun!
XO Linda
Dear Susan—a wildflower orchard? Brilliant! I can completely envision it based on your drawing and yes to the natural arch utilizing the lollipop evergreens would be so stunning. Glad to read that Jack is adjusting. He is such a love. Our girl Heidi is the same age and could be Jack’s sister. Continue your healing path Dear Susan—you are a gift from God and bring joy to our troubled world. xo Karen in Bonney Lake, WA State
Thanks for the joy. I needed to read this and look for my magic. I have been ill for 9 days and have to rest to get better. The Summer Book is my favorite. I am a summer Moon Child so had to pre-order the 30th Anniversary books. I have my 50th High School Reunion this summer. I want to get going on projects. I can’t wait to be well so I can spread wildflowers. My friends taught me about hay for growing flowers and grass. I am allergic to hay. The birds and squirrels eat every seed or flower except the roses. I am wondering if a wild seed mat they sell protects the seeds so I don’t need hay. Thanks for all the inspiration. Another Glad game gal. Your Twitter X friend you met in 2018 at Apple Farm. Best always, Karen Baron
Use bird netting! It’s reusable. We had a strawberry patch on the island that lived under bird netting. I remember you Karen! 9 days is too long down. Lots of water, a breath of fresh air everyday, old movies, and lots of sleep. Sending love…
You sound so happy and you brightened my day. I needed this blog at this time. Thank you so much.
Dear Susan, I don’t know how you do it, but you post your Willards just when my heart needs a heavy lift. And your Willards are just that — and more! I’m sole caregiver for my darling husband who lost his vision to an aggressive form of glaucoma in spite of just as aggressive attempts at treatments. Loss of vision has led to rapid and advanced cognitive decline. My health is going at a quicker pace than his physical health so I worry about being able to care for him and all the ‘what ifs’. Your wonderful, cheery, optimistic are so helpful and I just wanted to THANK YOU! Please give Jack a scritch for me. We buried our beloved 20+ year old kitty boy in December and miss him so. Thank you for sharing your kitty boy. That helps, too! BIG HUG!
Oh that’s hard, Sue. Yes the worry. That’s the thing. Getting our minds away from that for just a little while is such a blessing, but not always easy. Hugs to you and to your guy from me
, and a snuggle from Jack.
Dear Sue, My Lovely Tom and I are experiencing the same as you and your husband. He’s 85 with recurring, metastasized prostate cancer. I have Alzheimer’s, but we’re reaching out for all the help that’s available. I don’t know where you live, but there really are many organizations that are able to help you care for your sweetheart. If he is under a doctor’s care, he can recommend a social worker for you both, and help you find what you need.
Sending you both
Mucho Love,
Debbie in Tampa
Yes there are Debbie and it makes me so happy you are getting some TLC from care givers. They are the best. And so are YOU! xoxo
PS I came across this today and thought of you: “Have you ever considered that God has fallen in love with … you? He sends you flowers every Spring. He sends you sunshine every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He listens to you. He can live anywhere in the universe, but He chose you, your heart. God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way … Amen: Author Unknown
That is perfect. I have absolutely considered it … how could I not? I wallow in gratitude every day! xoxoxo
That is so beautiful. Thank you.
One of the “good things” I found because of Susan Branch (you!) are my Rose Chintz dishes, an entire set, including tea pot and sugar and creamer. I fell in love with yours from a photo of your hutch on the island.
Amazon wont have them, but I call them My Susan Branch dishes !!
Also, a small facebook group I am part of brought up your name, and someone exclaimed “you are Susan Branch’s girlfriend?”….to which those of us “who know”, happily chimed in Yes !! I’m her girlfriend too !!
Pre-ordered my new book ! ps I love green
pps would love to see more of your ‘favourite things’, so we can aspire to the life of Susan Branch even more, like quilts, lace, vases, glasses !!
Thank you, Susan, for this much needed dose of pure HAPPINESS!
Ah, I literally can feel it in my soul. Flowers, green, birds singing, that is what is happening here in my little piece of the world in Gilbert, AZ. It is the most beautiful time of the year here, and I just planted two tomato plants in pots with a tall trellis around them, then clipped white netting around to keep the critters out. I planted my pots outside my kitchen eating area window with 5 kinds of dwarf sunflowers, the seedlings will be protected with netting in place, so when they sprout, the birds can’t get them (I learned last year!). I place the pots up on an old bench and a couple of tables I have had forever, this way we can see it all from the island and sink area, as well as the table!
I think of you and your gardens often, Susan, and I can’t wait to see all you do here in your California home, and I can’t wait for the new book! So happy that Jack has settled in, too! Happy Spring! Nancy (the Snowflake Lady).
Loved this post, or should I say misery loves company! So glad for you to have the opportunity to regain favorite things. After moving two years ago, not a day goes by that I remember something else I’ve lost forever. I will think good thoughts and continue to plan my garden. It’s amazing that Jack is 13! I’m glad he’s coming around as well! I must be part cat because I don’t do well with some changes as well! Can’t wait for the new Summer Book! Yahoo……something to look forward to! Thank you dear Sue!!!!
Thank you for all of the green green grass – it is like a balm. We have sun today, and it’s shining off the snow and so beautiful – but the path from my steps to my car is about twenty feet of ice, with a melty layer on top for extra slipperiness, and it’s – well, it’s challenging! I thank my smart friends who have taught me to walk like a penguin, put on my brightest scarf and hat, and think about how cozy my car is going to be when I get there. Note that I say “when,” not “if” – have to keep the glad game going at all times, and never more so than in winter. We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat.:) Thank you for sharing all the beautiful green growing things in California with us! It is really wonderful and somehow does start to shift perspective somehow – because our growing season is right around the corner, and all the melting is just the prelude to what you’re doing right now. So thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding us!
Boy did I need that post! Thank you for the jolt of sunshine
… not feeling great about supporting Amazon at this moment in time, but, will gladly order from you! Thank you, as always, for reminding us of all the good in this world.
Dear Susan, Your post reminded me how joy does need a bit of a push sometimes. It was written in your letter how you took a turn in the sunshine and let that stimulate your heart. Thank you for reminding us that we all need to take a deep breath and let joy back inside us.
Even Jack has a new perspective ….barbara
Wonderful post! Tennessee is having our usual crazy weather…snow last week, 75 degrees this week and 37 this morning! The birds are happy, the sun is shining and the daffodils are blooming. February 27th is a special day in my family as well, my grandaddy’s birthday and I became the mother of the cutest brown eyed baby boy on Feb 27, 1982. Precious memories for sure. Your blog always lifts my spirits and encourages me to be creative. Thankful all have settled into your new “forever” home
Love this Willard.
And I love to read the conversations in the comment section as well. So many thoughtful girlfriends sharing thoughts on life experiences and dreams yet to come true. This is how we make it through life, sharing life, sharing dreams and being thankful for all. Thank you for writing to us once again, Susan. Thank you for a lovely distraction.
Absolutely Kim! The comments here are the best! We have so much in common … doing our best!
Thank you! I simply adore your optimism –
Spring is my most favorite time of year, because it’s filled with promise and hints of what’s coming. On my walk yesterday I could see so many tiny hints of buds on trees, and big hints of bulbs peeping up. And yay for a new Summer book – I need to pull mine out and revisit, it’s been too long.
Good morning~Willard was just what I needed this morning as two strong guys shovel the snow off the roof of my 118 year old cottage right next to the house I live in during northern Michigan winters! We’ve had more snow this year than in many years…the ski resorts, motels, restaurants and shops are delighted. I am not! The older I get the longer it seems winter is. So your talk of spring was a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you!
Thank you Susan, again and again. I love that you brought back the bird bath and other MV garden memories! It’s all looking wonderful, and Jack is adjusting.
I want to read this again later but, for now, look up tonight and see the Parade of Planets. They won’t be seen like this again until 2040!
PS: I still think you are mad to leave a place like MV but each to her own and I understand why you did. My daughter is taking me there to re-re-revisit for the umptiunth time in September for a special birthday sojourn. She loves swimming, I love walking on beaches, and we love each other.
We think alike about the central California coast. You call it perpetual summer. I refer to it as the land of eternal sunshine.
And we both know it’s heaven!
What “a breath of fresh air” you bring to us! I just finished a watercolor class, then got your Willard. Oh my, such inspiration! I’m somewhat a quoteaholic, too, … is there such a thing?
, and your Willards give me so many wonderful ideas. I can’t wait to illustrate and put together a cute little album for my great nieces when they were small. Sooo cute! Anyway, thank you so much for the inspiration you bring and for sharing your new life in California so generously with us. Truly, “a breath of fresh air!” I’m absolutely loving your photos and quotes and hearing about your new life in California!
I am so ready for warm weather Spring. Just finished baking your orange chocolate heart shaped scones for Valentine’s Day. Today, just before your Willard arrived in my mail box, I placed a large order from Burpee Seed catalogue. I bought some Herbs, Cosmos, Snapdragon, Zennia seeds. My flower pots on the patio (30ft) of them are full of daffodil and tulip bulbs. Last week I found some Lily of the Valley Pips at Walmart and couldn’t pass them up.
All my friends are talking about their gardens, flower and vegetable. Gardening renews us by giving us hope in the future as well as the feeling of the dirt and sunshine. It was a woman that planted the first garden by accident. Thousands of years ago the family had to move to find food and shelter. A woman had gathered plants in her Apron to feed her family and the next year when it was time to move on the family didn’t have the strength to move to search for food. But as spring approched she noticed something growing near by, it was some food that had grown from the seeds that fell out of her apron. they realized they could plant food and stay in one place.
Wow that was a great blog! So much fun!. So glad Jack is finally settling in.. He is such a cutie pie…. Also, glad you brought the bird feeder, bird house and all the special things from Martha’s Vineyard. I pre ordered the summer book.. Don’t have that one and love it that you are adding more summer fun to it. I also loved the new Bridget Jones movie.. It was perfect. Thank you for keeping hope and joy alive for us and encouraging us thought these scary times….
Beverlee
Dear Susan—Welcome home! So glad to get the new Willard! Was wondering how Jack was doing and have worried about him! We have a “Mr. Sims” who is the same age (orange tabby) and he is unhappy with us when we leave for a couple of hours to do errands and shopping! LOL!!! And lets us verbally know all about it when we return! So I have really wondered how Jack was doing in your absence! Glad to know he is doing better and adjusting to his new home/surroundings. We have had some pretty cold weather here in Provo, Utah, but not much snow in the valley, however a lot in the mountains which is wonderful for those who like to ski! A rainy week coming up but no complaints since we can use the water. Very excited about your new book! yay! I’m from California, grew up in Anaheim and loved California! So appreciate the adventures of you and Joe and Jack resettling there. Love seeing the photos and seeing the garden growing. Your Willards are always like a breath of fresh air and cheer and I appreciate them greatly even if I don’t always send a hello in return! Thank you so much! Take care, Hugs to you all! And an extra under the chin rub to Jack! Best, Sandi
Hello after a few years! I remember when Jack arrived. I cannot believe it is that long ago. I have also moved since last late fall. I still have to get all my things, but am getting there. Mark passed away 4 years on March 18th. Life stopped. I stopped. Everything in my heart was taken over by GRIEF…and that is how it felt…capital letters. Grief is heavy. Grief is mean. Grief is tricky…but grief is all the love for our dearly departed that has no where to go now. Losing a husband is one of the hardest things I have ever done and I never want to do this again.
What started to pull me out of this darkness was my son. He was worried because I did not go anywhere and did not want to go anywhere…when i HAD to go someplace. People saw me smiling, but inside, I was broken. My son invited me to his fiancé’s birthday. I went to help him be happy. I met someone and he was kind enough to be patient and understand that I was not ready…and here I am.
I am finding happiness again and trying to accept happiness. I just told Adam this morning that when I smile or laugh, I still feel guilty, or wrong, or that I should not. Little by little, I am coming back to life and that included YOU, My Dear Susan Branch. You have been in my life for many, many years and I treasure you. Thank you for all you do and thank you for bringing happiness to so many kindreds around the globe <3
A heart-breaking, beautifully written description of terrible lonely pain. I’ve always thought that it probably happens like that, that life would stop. So nice to hear from you Denise, and to know the engine of life has begun again for you. Makes me very happy you shared that. Blessings Denise. It’s a brand new world. xoxoxoxo
I am so glad that you are getting your happy back! And you know what makes me happy? A new Summer Book!!! That was my first SB book. I got it the summer after I got married for my 27th birthday. (That’s how I learned to cook!) Now, 30 years later, I’m gonna get another one! Yay! And….my son is getting married! So, I’m getting my new daughter-in-law-to-be a copy as well. I have given this book to my step-daughters and cousin when they got married. I can’t wait to give Audrey hers. I love how you have been part of my life and family for so many years!
I really loved this. Your obvious joy in life inspires me.
Susan, I am so glad you decided to send your birth bath on to California. I worried about that and your wonderful, magical stove. I hope whoever gets lucky enough to buy your house will love the stove as much as you did. I love the views from your front deck. What a way to end your day, rocking and enjoying the view. It sure is making me wish for spring.
Spring is in the air in Washington State (see another comment from a “Washintonian”…ah, the Pacific NW), temps are warming up and soon the bulbs will be just itching to push their way through the warming earth. I have loved all things Susan Branch for so many years (could be about 40+). I really, really miss all the scrapbooking stickers, monthly stickers, etc. that you use to make & I could buy at Michaels’s (regional craft store) but alas, no longer available. BUT, what I really, really would like to see you offer again are the 12 month note pads; the month was displayed at the top, with lines and then a wonderful SB graphic at the bottom. I bought so many while they were available and would you believe after all these years I am down to my last set. Oh please, reproduce these and make available again. You always inspire, encourage and promote the best in us all. This Blog just made me want to get all my Spring decor out and especially all my bunnies (inside and out). We have bunnies that live in our area and they love to nibble on my grass so in honor of them I scatter a few concrete and iron ones on my porch and flower beds. We have two hydro-electric dams where I live (Wenatchee, WA): Rock Island Dam and Rocky Reach Dam where there is a lovely public park area and there use to be an entire “herd” of bunnies but they were over-populating the place so they were all transported away but I do believe a few escaped and now we have a few in our little neighborhood, so my affinity for bunnies! GO BE LOVE, the world needs us all!!!
Dear Susan,
I just placed an order for The Summer Book and can’t wait to get it! I love knowing you are in California, enjoying all the precious treats this state can give! (I live in Orange County, so we are loving the sun, warmer days, and flowers popping up as well.) I am glad you brought back your bird bath! Is the photo with the blue birds from this month? We love our yearly bluebirds that come, but don’t expect them for awhile still. We will be staying overnight in Arroyo Grande in a month after an anniversary trip to Carmel. I will think of you when we are in your town! Happy Spring!
Beautiful Willard Susan. I can’t wait for 30th anniversary your Summer Cookbook and spring
Oh Susan…..I am so glad things are going good for you and the new move. I think we all feel that way we love you so much. I M. Stone excited that you are doing a “new” book!! I’ e been waiting eagerly for that. I have to ask….will you ever let Jack outside? I can’t imagine he would ever run off since he’s so attached to you. But I do understand your reluctance. Good times are in store for you and we are all behind that for you. We all ove you!!
Oh glorious days and what wonderful news! Living through you to get more true bits of Spring, as I’m a gal of the cold WI northwoods yet. I love all of your seasonal books and look forward to this 30th anniversary edition. Your new place is becoming an absolute dream and thank you so much for taking us all along on your enchanted journeys.
Blessings. xoxo
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this immersion into sunlight and joy and goodness and home and homemade and friends and petty-pets and flowers and food and all the goodness of this life!
Very fun to read your blog. Sounds like jack is coming around. So I’ve been reading the book Loren. (Michaels)He talks about going to Martha’s Vineyard for John Belushis funeral, which made me think of your book and your story about seeing many of the snl people coming in to the restaurant you were sitting in by yourself. When books collide! So had to start reading your book again. Glad you are doing well so sorry to hear about your brother. Looking forward to your new book. Sitting here in disbelief over Vance and trumps temper tantrum at Ukraine s hero Zelensky. Trump brings out the worst in everyone. Such a horrible excuse for a man.
Wow! More joy coming through every word. I am so very happy for you, Susan. I am so glad you have gone back to creating more goodies for us and suggesting more for our yards. I am so happy you have found more of you in California.
Tomorrow is March 1st. Time for me to turn over my wildflower patch and sow some seeds.
Thanks for such an uplifting blog post when things are so dismal. All of your posts on media are wonderful. I love you.
Thank you Peggy, I love you back! I feel so lucky to have gotten to know so many of our Girlfriends . . . seems impossible, but after all these years, here we are! March 1st! The words sound like fields of daisies!
Another wonderful, magical post! Thank you! I am so happy thinking of you in California!
And that makes me happy too! xo
Thank you for the wonderful post. I’m so excited about the new Summer book! The original Summer book was the first book of yours that I bought. It resonated with me. It took me back to hot summers when the only reprieve was the air-conditioned library and memories of me, hunched over on the floor, drawing while my parents watched television. It made me realize I had lost that childhood love and wonder of drawing. In my youth, I took design at college, but it was tough on me, and I remember never caring if I drew anything ever again after graduating. That in itself should have told me that I should have taken a different path.
Now, with grown children (my youngest just got his driver’s license today, Lord help me!), I am back at school taking studio fine arts and trying to find what type of artistic practice works for me. Better late than never! Thank you for being an inspiration, and I am thrilled about the new book! I’m so glad you, Joe, and Jack are adjusting to life in California. I can’t believe Jack is 13! I remember when you got him as a little kitty! Like you, I live in California (I’m in SoCal), and it’s time to start cleaning and getting the garden ship shape. I have no idea where you and Joe get all your energy for the plans you make, but it is contagious, and I thank you both so much for sharing it with us.
Yes, big hugs from me too! So glad your back to the Central Coast of CA! All your West Coast girlfriends are waiting to join you in a fabulous gathering!! Maybe a book signing (I joined you last one at Apple Farm!), a picnic in Cambria or Brunch in Avila?? It’s not England but it’s beautiful! Hugs from Atasacadero.
Hi Susan. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming post. Reading it was like finding a treasure of gold – getting better with each statement. Also, as one of your girlfriends already mentioned, you are a “treasure.”
Please consider making a postcard with your quotes about hope and faith and optimism.
We need your optimism and we want to spread it!
I loved the valentine post cards you created a couple years ago with the pretty girl carrying a heart.
Sending lots of love to you and yours.
Dearest Susan,
What a lovely, wonderful, magical post! Thank you! I am so happy thinking of you in California, and that you are so happy being there again! And darling Jack is getting to be his old self again, that’s a good sign!
I hope your wildflowers will grow and can’t wait to see the result. We have snowdrops in our small back yard and a few daffodills are coming up, so spring is not far now.
I REALLY hope this reaches you, I have posted a comment so many times , but for some reason it vanishes…Hope you don’t thing I’ve gone and disappeared…Happy MARCH and lots of love from Nicoline and Gabri (who is now just 3 months away from retirement, yeah!!!)
So great to hear you were able to bring a few more of your treasures to California. I am also a fan of Bridget Jones!
Dear Susan. Thank you so much for this lovely post. I had a home in central CA with a lovely yard and space for a small garden which I loved. A few years ago I sold that home to move to the Pacific Northwest. And after ooking and looking for a place to rent (they’re very hard to find up here) I’ve recently moved into a very nice rental. This is my first spring in this house and while I don’t have much room for a “proper garden” I do have a place to sit outside to just enjoy the sun and sky and watch hummingbirds flying all over the place. And today I even noticed little daffodials coming in. So after reading this post I realized: Hey…there is some room to put a few veggies in the ground and some colorful flowers in pretty pots. So I’m now excited to just go for it and create my own little nature refuge.
SO wonderful to read that Elizabeth. The tiniest bit makes such a difference. Plant chives. They have wonderful flowers and they make you feel even kind of “self sufficient” when you go cut them for your salad … and maybe a pot of Sweet 100s cherry tomatoes.
Hallooo! I have been awol a long time and I’m not sure anyone will remember me. I recently found you again when I joined Bluesky. So much has happened for us both. You downsizing to move to California, me downsizing as the day will be coming when I have to move into a care home. I am downsizing now while I still have control over it, and I have the say in what happens to the things I have to give away or sell. I would rather do it now than relinquish control to someone else when I am unable to do it for myself. Hopefully, it will enable me to make my cottage a safer place and allow me to remain independent for as long as is possible.
Over recent years, one by one my dearest friends have gone on before and now I find that I am left behind, alone and grieving for their presence, while I also grieve the demise of my own health. An incurable, neurological condition is hard to accept as it slowly robs you of all you enjoyed doing. I do not give in, I find solace in art and try to adapt as things worsen. Art is wonderful therapy and I will continue for as long as I am able to hold a brush, but I find that I can no longer garden. It just isn’t safe for me any longer. That makes me sad, for as I believe Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” . . .
Few things are more pleasant than the warm glow of candles burning in the gloaming of a mid summer evening, and I have discovered Prices eight hour and ten hour tea lights. They are amazing as they swing in the gentle breeze, and twinkle like silver stars hanging in branches as the sun sets in the west and the cooler hours descend. I use the ten hour ones every day in the winter to keep my tea hot in its pot on one of those table top food warmers, the kind you see in restaurants.
Jack is handsome as ever. Has it really been thirteen years? I remember sweet Girl Kitty too! Where did the years go? Cats do not like moving, not one jot. Whenever a new kitten arrived in my childhood home where I lived many decades past, my grandmother would butter the kitten’s paws. The kitten would naturally lick the butter off and all the scent of its previous home with it. Apparently, it would not be able to sniff its way back to its old home. Old Wives Tale? Who knows but it worked.
I cannot wait to see your wonderful wildflower meadow!
Sending Love, God only knows we need more love in this strange world in which we find ourselves!
Deb in Wales {Celtic Heart on Bluesky}
See? So HARD not to reply, but I just have to work on the book … but here is Deb, and I haven’t seen her here in sooo long! Welcome back Deb!
Thank you for this magical Willard. –love being reminded of the Summer book.
and the news that Jack is settling in. Good health to y’all. Stay strong in Love, that’s the thing now. Notice, honor and cherish the joys. We got this. Rollin’ into Spring.
Susan, I can’t believe 30 happy-always-anticipating-for you years! LOL! salve
I think the latest Willard is as beautiful as any previous. I am so indebted to you for the inspiration I have received from your books as well. But I am like Jack having a difficult time adjusting to CA. I am very spoiled in that when I couldn’t afford to buy the books I found them at the library and bought the calendar each year for myself and friends at a discount store. For the first year they had none of your calendars. I know the CA location is best for you but I loved your New England setting . But like Jack I will adjust.
As always, I love reading about your corner of the world, and I am so happy that Jack has settled in a bit. I immediately ordered the book of course! I often think of you back in our state and your gardens sound so wonderful!
Such a beautiful post Susan, your life sounds magical at the moment. Discovering your garden there and making plans for so much beauty. Cannot wait to see the results. It looks like a beautiful property to be making the most of. I plan on ordering your new Summer Book soon. It is wonderful to see the pictures of Jack and read about his adjustment to California. “He doesn’t like “anything! Poor Jack, but I am very relieved he’s “coming around” and relaxing a little. Your post was a wonderful way to start my Saturday. Keep up the good work.
I am so glad that Jack is finally settling in in his new home! Susa,, I love how happy and content you are as you are settling back in, too. And, my goodness, you and Joe have so many wonderful plans coming up for your gardens! Terrific! Well, I am off to peruse all the new goodies in your shops! Be well!
Thanks for the delightful post! It’s always a bright spot in my day. I can’t wait for the Anniversary Summer Book I’m sure there’ll be all kind of goodness in there.
Oh thank you, thank you for this lovely Willard. It was a particularly special one and really hit when we need it most. You’re such a life raft! I have the Summer book and I’m going to order the newest one too! We have hummingbirds like you have song birds. We had to put up 3 huge feeders and still have to refill them several times a day. Thank goodness for Costco sugar. At dusk, we get about 50 little zoomers, 3-4 per hole, filling up with nectar before they go into hibernation for the night. It’s so amazing that they do that. If I can figure out how to post a photo, I will.
I’m very excited about your garden, orchard, and meadow, please share lots of pictures and updates! Way to use creativity to keep the wolves at bay, Go You! Lots of love from the center of the storm (DC)
I love your blogs each month! They are just delightful!! I bought a new bird feeder in blue just like your green one and can’t wait to get it. Years ago you bought curtains for your home on Martha’s Vineyard and I immediately looked up the company you posted and bought beautiful lace shower curtains. We still have them and I love them to pieces. We are getting ready to sell our home since our children have moved on, but making the decisions of what to keep and what to sell is very hard! We’ll get it done but not without some tears here and there!! Thanks for what you give me and keep me on track when I hate getting ready to move!
Having such a beautiful place to come home to in California must of helped in making the decision to move there. Do you think you would have moved if you didn’t have the California house? Maybe Joe, Jack and you would have stayed in Marthas Vineyard and found a smaller house? I pre ordered the new SUMMER book, it is so wonderful these days to have something fun to look forward too!
Susan,
I loved the reminder that sometimes you just have to go for it, put one foot in front of the other. You’ll never know if it was a mistake, because you’ll be busy planning your new future! You will definitely never know because we’ll all be telling you how envious we are of your beautiful place and all of it’s charms!
Also, LOVE those clouds, skuttling across the beautiful blue sky!
Dearest Susan,
What a lovely, wonderful, magical post! Thank you! I am so happy thinking of you in California, and that you are so happy being there again! And darling Jack is getting to be his old self again, that’s a good sign!
I hope your wildflowers will grow and can’t wait to see the result. We have snowdrops in our small back yard and a few daffodills are coming up, so spring is not far now.
I REALLY hope this reaches you, I have posted a comment so many times , but for some reason it vanishes…Hope you don’t thing I’ve gone and disappeared…Happy MARCH and lots of love from Nicoline and Gabri (who is now just 3 months away from retirement, yeah!!!)
A few days ago, I saw that there was a new Willard ready to read, but I purposely saved it for this morning, as today marks 11 years ago I lost my husband of nearly 50 years. I knew your post would give me the uplifting “umph” I needed today. See how you provide so much joy to many of us in various ways?!
I’m so happy you brought back that adorable birdbath that I have admired and loved for years. I have two birdbaths of my own but neither is so wonderful as yours!
I also have the green bird feeder in my Amazon cart, as we speak. Loved the video of it. I just need to figure out where to hang it (on WHAT to hang it) so I can see it from my sewing room window.
Thank you for the many delightful and funny posts. I so enjoy them.
Hugs to you, Joe and Jack!
Thanks Susan, it’s always such a joy to read your blog
Susan
Your “Willards” are always a joy to read! So good to catch us up on Jacks new life in California. Sounds like he is himself again. My little guy is 12, and I thought I’d pass on some info I learned at my last Vet visit. She mentioned our pets get arthritis too as they age so I thought what could I do to help him. Found some cat treats from Pet Honesty that are Hip and Joint Health. Within not even 2 weeks, we saw a positive change. He started running around the house at full speed again. It was something we had forgotten he used to do. I break it up in two feedings and treat them as kitty treats. Just an FYI since you mentioned Jack is now 13. Their little lives are going much too fast. Our fur pals are the best.
Susan, your post is calming & inspiring as always & I am glad you all are slowly
adjusting to your new home & routine.
Your subject, as always, is very timely as I was just thinking this week that I
thought you posted years ago that you were able to start seeds first just on a
plate in a damp paper towel near a light source, & then once they sprout, you move
them into (still inside) dirt? I would need to do this too living in the mid-Atlantic,
& I have some old but special seeds from my Grandmother’s Chinese Money Plant
I hope to sprout by trying multiple methods. Like you said, I know I can google &
get unending conflicting suggestions but any advice you have from doing it
successfully, I would gladly accept! Either way, thank you for always sharing
daily life with us
Hi Susan, I so enjoyed reading about Jack’s adjustment to your California home.
You are correct; I have never had a cat that liked change. Glad that Jack is finding happiness in familiar and comfortable things. (A secret that escapes some humans!) I love your bird feeder – it looks like a bird cathedral. I also wanted to let you know that I was gifted your water color set from my husband for my birthday and it is extraordinary. The colors are so rich, you only need a little paint. Oh, one more comment: The photos that you include are all exquisite and much appreciated in gray, frozen New Jersey.
Your posts ALWAYS give me the warm and fuzzies and I needed that today. Thank you – come on Spring!
Hello Susan! So happy to see this post today.
My sister discovered Summer Book 30 years ago on display in B. Dalton in NYC!! We were hosting a 35th anniversary for my parents and she was looking for inspiration. We certainly got it and have been on a journey with you ever since. Good Lord willing, my parents will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this August. Will have to mark the occasion with recipe from the new book!! ; )
So happy to see you and Joe (and Jack!) are well. Keep spreading your sunshine. Just seeing snowdrops in NY. Such a welcome sight.
xo
Hello Susan, Joe, Jack, Barn cats and all…Your Willard was perfect timing for me…I lost my twin sister very suddenly last December…and continue to go through the roller coaster of emotions that something like that brings…I simply want to thank you for lifting my spirits….Happy March!
Love and hugs…Beverly
Susan – I am so glad that Jack has finally taken to California life. Jack is such a character! I’ve been following you for years and I do remember when Jack arrived on the scene. I have a black cat named Zorro who will be 13 on Friday, March 7th – our kitty boys are the same age! (I have another white cat who will be 8 in April. He’s polydactyl – he has 24 toes!)
Your Willard was indeed a bright spot in our whacko world. Thanks for sharing all the lovely pictures and sentiments. It’s still Winter here in Illinois, and seeing the sunny pictures and all of the green does give one HOPE.
Best wishes to you and Joe and Jack and all the crew!
Do comments sometimes disappear? I wrote a comment, but it isn’t here?
So sorry, I’ve just been on this deadline for the new edition of the Summer Book that I haven’t had a chance to “moderate” yet … decided this morning to go ahead and put them up without trying to answer them. Miss doing that, but I really want the rest of you to read them too!
Hi Susan – love seeing the pictures of your West Coast home – back here in Maine it has been a cold, snowy traditional winter..looking for signs of spring! Days are getting longer, and that’s what matters and keeps us hopefully that warmer weather is around the corner. Looking forward to the revised/new edition of the Summer Book – will be picking it up to adding to my shelves along side it’s original. Fingers crossed for the beautiful, well-loved Martha’s Vineyard home to find it’s new family. xoxo Jacqueline