I have a good little, very short, Christmas Story for you! (In a minute!) But first, sweet old MUSICA! I’m looking around and it seems like these days, finding and living a fairy tale of your own making gets put on the back-burner way too much. It’s hard! We hurt for the discombooberation of the world. But it’s Christmas time. Magic time, when we remember ANYTHING is possible. The perfect time of year to renew our vows! 
💝 Giving ourselves and our beloveds that happiness at home, reminding ourselves of the faith and beauty that lives in us all, and doing all we can to lift the spirts of those around us. Reminding myself how that is done . . . all the little things, delicious food and kitchen smells from childhood, anything that sparkles, cozy blankies, socks, old movies, flannel jammies toasty-warm from the dryer, singing, extra hugs, walks in nature, quiet mornings and cups of tea. Long night’s rest . . . under the Long Night’s Moon . . .
But first, speaking of Long Night’s Moon, which we 
JUST had, and signifies, yes, the end of these short dark days!👏👏👏 On the Solstice, coming SOON, December 21st, we’re having a dinner party to celebrate the sun setting on the shortest day of the year! GOODBYE! Every day after that will get a little LONGER!! More light! What a wonderful Christmas gift!💝 And so, we segue to my traditional stocking-stuffer to help you remember to dance to the light of the moon in 2026!🎶🎵🎶
It’s 
my full-moon Bookmark, Bellisma Lunisima 💞 (“a hole in the sky, a supernatural nightlight” … 🎵 Jason Mraz), with the dates and the great Native American names for each of the full moons next year. Just click on the link, print it out, have it laminated at a UPS Store (or not), and voila!
I also have a special personal gift for one lucky person🎁 . . . we’re having a drawing! Just leave a comment at the bottom and you’ll automatically be entered into a giveaway that includes all the goodies you see below: There’s a set of two holiday notepads, a box of brass-plated Angel Chimes with candles, a signed copy of my little Home For Christmas book, two designs of my Christmas Cards, and two sets of the cards I love to use for thank you cards… because they have recipes on them!♥️ There’s a Santa dishtowel, a “Home Cooking” tea-pot plate for cookies (or to hang on your wall), and some darling Santa stickers for your cards and gifts! From me to you with LOVE!💝
I’m going to announce the winning name next week! So you get this before Christmas! It’s a lot, but we have so many good things in stock right now, I couldn’t just choose one!! In ADDITION, four more of you, my girlfriends, will receive a copy of my Home For Christmas read-aloud book, and of course, I will sign it however you like! So you can keep it, OR you can give it to a friend! 💝
And one more surprise, just ONE lucky person . . .
will receive one of the very last of our wonderful SANTA CUPS!!! For a merry merry Christmas with love from me to you!♥️
Don’t forget to leave a comment! (At the bottom of this post, you’ll see a line of tiny words and right toward the end you’ll see “Comments” … they hide it for some reason!❌⭕️)
Also, another wonderful thing . . . I am SO honored to have been recently interviewed for the new Beatrix Potter Society Blog . . . where they ask artists how they 
were inspired by the art and life of Beatrix Potter … such a good question for me.💞 I loved answering it. Hope you enjoy it too, just click the link above . . . I’m always especially happy bringing people together, to perhaps help new people to get to know Beatrix better! If you haven’t joined the Society yet, you would love it. I follow them on Instagram too. Good influences, people who have done wonderful things in their lifetimes, need to be kept alive ~ and there are a LOT of good people giving their time to keep that happening ~ the legacy of Beatrix Potter is one of them!!♥️ There is so much more to learn about Beatrix, and everything is so much more accessible these days!💝
As you know, I’ve collected lots of books about Beatrix, and read them all, and am always looking, when out and about, in used bookstores or flea markets to find my out-of-print or hard-to-find favorites to share with you in my web store!
This year’s crop includes the charming Peter Rabbit Natural Foods Cookbook Illustrated by Beatrix Potter!
I have to show you my copy, a gift, inscribed to me by a very young Girlfriend, Anna Baker.
Adorable, and a pure keeper! And the perfect example of young magic-making in a new generation ~ and I have to say, Good job MOM!💝 Beatrix AND cooking.💞 A win-win for a lifetime of giving, and receiving.
Here’s the cover . . . we have just a few of these in our web store, including the one that this one replaced! Another sweet Christmas gift.♥️
And this! Have you seen this?
It was a complete surprise when I found this large scrapbook filled with copies of Beatrix Potter’s original letters, photos, and journal entries;
showing her watercolors, her family, her books, her story, her paint box, written in her handwriting, if she had made a scrapbook, this is exactly what it would have, should have, looked like!💗 Someone did a WONDERFUL job with this.
I particularly loved how real it felt with all the three-dimensional items, her first Christmas card designs that open, a basket that you can lift the lid, an envelope containing that famous illustrated letter, for you to open, touch, unfold, and read, even a small photo book with pages to turn ~ all set in the English Countryside. It must have cost a fortune to publish this book. I would LOVE to know who DOES things like this these days!!! It’s really so beautiful.
And the secret part, the coup de grace . . . the most amazing thing, on the inside back of the cover is a hidden door that opens, easy to miss and a complete surprise. Waiting inside is a copy of her first book! So in case you find this book in a store, look closely, before you buy it, be sure to see if the little book is still there. (All my copies in our web store DO have the little books, just in cases!) It is HERE!
We also have a few copies of this totally charming old book . . .
. . . the first, most wonderful biography I read about Beatrix, that led me to so much more, when I discovered she was truly
I’ve shown you this book before ~ it has several of Beatrix’s line drawings in it, printed from the illustrated letter she wrote for the child of a friend . . .
I turned the page to this and I heard my book say, “It’s okay, you can paint in me” . . . which of course I did . . . Like a little coloring book! How fun to paint that little blue jacket!!!
All three of these books are in our web store!💝 If you love them, be your own Santa, and put one under the tree for YOU. We also have some of her wonderful figurines . . . AND our jigsaw puzzle! Back in stock just for this Christmas!
This is my stack of her little bunny books, waiting to be packed up to be brought to their new home in California, where they have been very happy on my “Heroes” shelf, where they sit imparting inspirational DNA while I do my 2027 calendars and update my Christmas Book with new art and recipes!♥️
So here is my little Christmas Fairy Tale . . .
As you know last year we moved across the country into a very old 1970s double-wide. It isn’t nearly as large as our old house, but we’d been wanting to downsize, and it was perfect for that! It had an open plan with lots of windows, and oddly, one entire WALL of mirrors, which 
normally I might not have liked, but it brought in a TON of light from the wall of windows on the other side of the room, which in turn brought in the garden, so it didn’t take long before I learned to love it a lot. Below, you can see the mirrored wall, it’s in the dining room part of the open room . . . you can see me there, reflected, and across the room behind me, you can see two lamps and tall windows in the living area, but it’s dark outside, so they are black. Sort of get it? Part of the kitchen is also reflected in the mirror. There’s a doorway to the hall on the right.↘️
I have to admit, making magic in a very old, untouched and un-updated double-wide is more of a challenge than making magic in a 150-year-old Captain’s House (on Martha’s Vineyard, which put us way ahead on the scale of magic from the get-go). Things like plaster walls, thick decorative trim around heavy wooden doors with antique brass knobs and fittings, with a shelf over the front door for pumpkins in the fall. . . these things do 
not exist in a double-wide. If you want them, you have to figure out how to get them! But if ever a challenge is worth it, this is the one. Being that this double-wide lives in the middle of an English garden that we accidentally planted here in 2004 with no expectation of ever living here ourselves! So it’s a double-wide in tree, hedge, bird-bath, hummingbird, and blue-sky heaven. So on we go, building our world, just like we did the first time. But isn’t making a home just the most wonderful thing? Most creative job in the world!👏👏💗 Never forget:
After a lifetime of dreaming, I know this to be true.♥️
So here is another shot of that mirrored wall … because really, if you don’t know it’s there, it can get a little invisible, and what I’m about to show you can be confusing! Call this the “Before” shot.
Of course we were spoiled, our old house came with an old fireplace, all full of ancient whispers, which we loved to decorate at Christmas . . .
. . . we NEEDED a fireplace back there, for our cold and snowy New England winters. But we realized, that due to the mild weather in California, 
we didn’t need or even want a fireplace ~ it would require space! What I actually REALLY wanted, was a mantle! This came to light last Christmas, when I looked around and said, “I have no mantle to decorate! What we need is a FAKE fireplace ~ and we could put it on that mirrored wall in our “dining room! It would reflect candlelight!🕯️ It would be so cozy!” And I gently mentioned it to my darling husband, saying simply, I need a fake fireplace on yonder mirrored wall kind sir, and him replying, something to the effect of, “your wish is my command.” Anyway that’s how I remember it.💞
And so it was. He found a mantle, he found some appropriate pieces to go with it, he made other appropriate pieces, we looked at pictures of other mantles and surrounds, we looked at our old one…
Joe began cutting, glueing, and drilling . . . I never knew his drill has a flashlight in it! How handy! And just like Michelangelo cutting his masterpieces from the marble, just like THAT, our mantle started taking shape.♥️
We just guessed what height to make it ~ the side boards for the surround, are leaning against the mirror to give us some idea of what it would be like… I really loved the fireplace I saw in one of the rooms of Jane Austen’s house in Chawton in the UK . . . narrow, tallish, simple, plain. All it needs is boughs of holly!
This is it, it’s in a tiny room.
But maybe ours would have more substantial mantle, with a sort of back splash like the one on the Vineyard. But tall and narrow… Joe put it on the floor so we could see what it looked like. I laid the sides a wee bit crooked, he straightened them and started putting it together. Pretty soon he leaned the sides against the mirror and balanced the mantle on top. I decorated it, lit the candles, went mad with delight, then undecorated it so he could he take it down. He added an apron, put it back up, balanced it again, I decorated it again, went mad, he took it down, added a tiny shelf at bottom of the apron … etc, three times . . . until we had it all! He glued and screwed it together, and stapled a piece of black velvet on the back. And once again, I decorated it!
And voila! here it is! It’s screwed to the wall ~ now permanent, staying forever ~ here Joe is doing the 
last bits, adding a hook for the other stocking, wearing appropriate head gear. “This is ridiculous,” I exclaimed, laughing out loud every time I looked at it.
I continued laughing while taking a thousand photos, so adorable. I could barely believe the transformation!
I had a mantle! I couldn’t wait to show it to you!!
It takes up no space, is 56″ tall to the top of the back splash; the mantle is 48″ wide and 9″ deep ~ and it changed everything. It even created a sort of natural space on the left where we could tuck in a tree. I’d already purchased a small one because I thought it might have to go on the table (it’s up on a plant stand now), but next year, it’s clear there’s space to have a full-height (but skinny) Christmas tree in the corner!! This fireplace is rocking my world! I love it so much.💫💫💫
Voila, the “after” picture! And now I have this little corner I can decorate for the seasons ~ there’s a place for pumpkins, candles, bunnies and chicks for Easter, for photos, flowers, books, banners, a lamp, or even a birthday cake! We get to have dinner parties in front of the fireplace!♥️ See that little card on the apron of the fireplace? Joe added a tiny narrow shelf (like we had on Martha’s Vineyard). I can PUT things there! And I now have a place where, if I want, I could have fireside chats on Instagram! Or read a story! That is why I would have to call this a Fairy Tale. Because like my mother told me, you can have anything you want, as long as you make it yourself can get your husband to make it for you! Proof positive:
PS, an addendum. After Joe finished his brilliant masterpiece, I went looking on line to see if perhaps others had had this same idea, a fireplace with no fire… a faux fireplace to add extra coziness and charm to a small room. In case my Girlfriends were thinking how fun this would be but have no Joe, I wondered if maybe it would be possible to BUY one that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Because you know, if you dream it you can make it so! I was surprised, shocked maybe, there are so many choices! Little ones, big ones, simple and fancy, whatever your heart desires!♥️ Mas MUSICA? Oui!
Look at this one, clean, elegant, free-standing, and only $150, voila! If I only knew! Ha! well, there you go! I’m so used to asking Joe, I forget that there are other ways to go about this! I love his best of course!♥️ This mantle is even a half-inch deeper than mine… there are photos of it in a living room scene when you go to their site. . . but if this isn’t your cup of tea, there of tons of other ones to choose from ~ some of them are electric and even include the fire!🔥 This world!💝
Speaking of this enchanted world, this wonderful magical outrageously beautiful world that we, the human race, positively do not deserve but are unendingly grateful for, I thought you would like to see what a California Christmas looks like!
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Yup, no snow. And I do miss that thrilling first snow of the season! But the only white you see here are the drifts of sweet alyssum that springs up everywhere in the cool weather.
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The breeze you’re hearing comes down our valley from the Pacific ocean, alyssum fragrance floats in the air, the sun comes out almost every day, shining golden light and long shadows on my daily walk, and the silk trees flower in pink! A total blessing for light deprived person, I put my face up to drink in the sunshine.
But we absolutely DO have winter, it’s freezing at night (40s!!!), sweater weather, for sure ~ even fingerless gloves sometimes ~ and flannel jammies of course, it’s even cold enough for me to put my grandma’s nap blanket on the bed! Extremely cozy! It just probably won’t snow.🤭
Instead, check this out!
It’s a jasmine vine that found this chair on our front deck and is making a home there! I know I’m going to be sorry I let it go! It’ll probably take hours to get it all out! But it’s actually so pretty, and . . . think . . .
. . . what it’s going to feel like to sit in this chair loaded with light pink jasmine, and just rock and smell the flowers!🌸🌸🌸 So, for a possible future moment’s pure delight, here I am waiting for it to bloom, as each day the vine gets more deeply entrenched. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Jack is sending you all his kitty LOVE!😻 So, off we go, onward and upward.Company coming today! Going to Farmer’s Market tomorrow. Need some local honey🍯, and definitely want to see what the farmers are doing for Christmas!🪴 Merry, Merry darling people. Get out into nature if you can, take lots of deep breaths, and stay hydrated!♥️
Don’t forget to leave a comment for the drawing! You can sit in front of your fireplace and read everyone a story of Christmas long ago! “Home for Christmas!”
I’ve been your fan and friend since we met! Haha! I would love to be a winner in your special contest this year for Christmas! Thank you for the opportunity to participate. Merry Christmas!
My mother had your books around when I was growing up, now, as a 2nd grade teacher, I have your calendars and books in my classroom! My students love your illustrations as much as they love Beatrix Potter’s (whom we read about in the first semester). I would love a copy of the Christmas read-a-loud for my class! Fingers crossed.
Loving all these Christmas ideas from this post!
May You & Joe have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas! Much love! ♥️🎁🎅🏼🧑🏻🎄🎂🥂🎄🕯️🔔
Merry Christmas!
But Not the Hippopotamus was my son’s favorite book of yours. It never failed to elicit those big belly laughs from him. You are part of a beautiful memory for the both of us.
Blessings! Been a real tough year with you know who in office! We teach out to help others and show our support to those oppressed. You are thee and we love and appreciate all you do! Would be an honor to win! Thank you Susan!
Love the transformation of your beautiful home. The mantel is the cherry on top! Wishing you and Joe the merriest of Christmases and continue spreading joy in this sometimes bleak world! As in A Christmas Carol “God bless us, everyone”.
Have loved you forever! Merry Christmas to you and Joe! Love your mantel. You always make a house a “home”!!!!
Merry Christmas! I love your new mantel, Beatrix Potter, and all of your books.Most of all, I love that you and Joe are now on the Central Coast, since that is where we live too! It’s so fun to read your descriptions of all the beautiful places here. Thank you for all the love and inspiration you give to all of us! ❤️
Thank you for your latest Willard message! It was so full of Christmas cheer and as always, it made me smile. You and Joe have worked miracles with your lovely new home, and the fireplace really ties it all together. I noticed the fun light fixture – just perfect, Susan. Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Dearest Susan…certainly hoping you and Joe have a delightful California Christmas this year! Welcome HOME!
❤️Kris Teachman Cramer
I enjoy your stories so much! Just finished adding dates to my 2026 calendar for the kitchen and found two lovely older copies of books recently I’ve been enjoying perusing thus season 🥰 Happy adventuring and Merry Christmas! 🎄❤️
Merry Christmas, Susan and Joe!
I have a mantle story. We live in the Phx metro area. Our home did not come with a fireplace. I am a Thrifter, so I set out looking for a mantle, and after a couple of years, I found one. Now I needed an electric stove, what we needed for at the “No Burn” nights here in the Valley. It took a couple more years to find an older one, but finally did!!
Yay for you Marilyn! I don’t think we’re quite done yet either, but we will see!💝
I love your blog so much. I’m 27 and I sent it to everyone I know over the years. It brings me so much peace and reminds me of my grandma.
I’ve loved “old fashioned” for as far back as I can remember . . . was writing letters from my grandfather asking for old photos when I was a teenager. I know the feeling!♥️
I love all your art. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!
It is always a joy to spend some time “with” you! I am finishing up the school year as a teacher and I took a short break between grading papers. I hope you have the Merriest Christmas! I thank you for filling my mind and heart with Christmas magic over the years that I have in turn spread to my children.
Love that Caroline!👏👏👏👏
Your beautiful books have inspired me to journal my very first vacation with my husband to Scotland next year. Thankful for you!
Merry Christmas 🎄
I loved this blog,altho all your blogs are delightful! And I love the fireplace your husband built, looks so cozy and a mantel is always needed to put the charming trinkets on. 🙂 When i first got married in 1988,my mother in law gifted me one of your cookbooks and I still have it. This is how I discovered your gorgeous illustrations and I love buying the calendars and books. Its so generous of you to gift these prizes,thank you! Wishing you & yours a wonderful and healthy New Year and Holiday Season.
I love it all Susan!! Have a very Merry Christmas!! ❤️
Beautiful! Merry Christmas to you!
I would love to win as my best friend lost her house in the Palisades Fires – not just her possessions, but her cherished collection of Susan Branch books. If I win – I will send everything to her, to cheer up her first Christmas without her special ornaments and family mementos. Your blog is wonderful – especially in a day and age where nostalgia and lovely memories need to be preserved. Thank you!
Merry Christmas Susan, Joe and Jack! I am a huge fan of all your work! Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us! My bookshelves are filled with your work! You are in good company and share the shelves with my other favorites likeTasha Tudor, Jan Karon, Rumer Godden, Barbara Cooney and Jerry Apps! 🎅🤶🎄
Happy Christmas from a forever fan in snowy Michigan. Thanks for being you and sharing so much with your FOSB tribe.
I love this Christmas giveaway. Hope I’m entering on the correct post. Merry Christmas and thanks for the fun giveaway!
You’re in the right place Kari!👏
Love reading how you transform your spaces into Home. I really resonate with your love of flowers, gardens, and cooking. Thanks for sharin
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Susan, I just love all your Willards. They are a source of such joy. Please know that you make the world a brighter and kinder place. I can feel my pulse slow down and the good emotions kick in when reading your posts. Wow Joe has done an amazing job on the mantle! A true Christmas angel! May you have the merriest Christmas and may 2026 be kind to the world. Wishing you all the best!
Oooo!! I would love to win the Christmas goodies!!!! Xoxo
Wishing you, Joe and Jack a very, merry Christmas and a much brighter, happier new year of 2026 for us all!! Xoxoxo
Merry Christmas! We had those angel chimes growing up and I would love to have them again.
Merry Christmas! I make your Christmas coffee cake every year for Christmas breakfast. Makes the house smell so wonderful🌲
Love everything you post, Susan. Thanks for brightening my day❤️
Please enter me in the Christmas giveaway.
Your art is so happy and I love that. TY for inspiring joy. 💕🎀☺️
Happy Christmas and New Year blessings.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest and healthy New Year! Love seeing the pictures as you transform your new home. Thank you for sharing your lives with all of us.
Merry Christmas to you and Joe! Thank you for spreading joy and sharing your creativity and talent with the world. This is a very special group of people you have assembled!
Thank you for bringing us such joy throughout the year. We all need a great big dose of it now. Merry Christmas to you, Joe and Jack (and the outdoor kitties). I wish you the happiest of New Year’s.
Susan, your blog posts bring such joy. Your wall calendar has a place in our home each year. Have a wonderful Christmas & New Year with all of those whom you love. 🥰🎄
Susan, your blog posts bring such joy. Your wall calendar has a place in our home each year. Have a wonderful Christmas & New Year with all of those whom you love. 🥰🎄
🎄A-lo-ha-ha …. Merry Merry Christmas to you, Joe and Jack🎄
Xoxox Evie in San Diego
Alo-ha-ha dear Evie!💞
Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Thank you for your wonderful artwork and positivity!
MERRY Christmas 🎅 🎄❤ 🎄
My Daughters theme for her Baby shower is Beatrix Potter. I have old snail mail and stickers from you years ago. Also the rubber stamps. So beautiful. I have always been a fan .
Love the mantel…it was definitely needed …leave it to you and Joe to figure it out !
Merry Christmas, Susan! I’m such a fan! Thank you for your wonderful blog, and beautiful art that I’ve enjoyed for a long time.
Your new home looks so cozy! Three cheers to being married to a handyman!!!
You make Christmas and the rest of the year so very Merry!
What a great inspiration! Making a mantle. Almost anywhere can be HOME.
Merry Christmas, Susan! Christmas is such a magical time for me too, because my birthday is in December and everything is lit up and sparkly! You have such a beautiful home!
Merry Christmas to you and Joe! 🎅🏻🎄☃️
Hi Susan & Merry Everything!
A new Willard is my first pre-Christmas gift & I love it! Also, love your new mantle & “fireplace”. What a brilliant idea. So cozy. Wishing you, Joe, Jack & the barn kitties a warm & wonderful Christmas & a peaceful New Year. xo
I love your art so much!
[email protected]
Oh, thank you for helping all of us keep the magic alive! Merry, merry Christms, Susan!
Thank you for the moon phases bookmark. I always find the individual moon names interesting. I have many of your books; I think my favorite is The Fairy Tale Girl. I’m a little older than you but identified with the story and enjoyed it so much. Have a Merry Christmas and keep up the good work! You’re living quite the life!
Oh, Susan! As always…SO lovely 💕 reading while pup sitting two doggos. Made my day. So wonderful to take a quiet break and breathe in sweet reminders from girlfriends. ❤️🎄 merry Christmas to you all! And kisses for Jackie~ boy! 💕🐾
Hi, Susan.
Thank you for adding so much 🎵 joy to the world 🎵 all year long.
Merry Christmas to you and Joe. I love that you are back on the Central Coast though I will miss all the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard pictures. Your mantel looks just perfect! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, Susan, Joe, and Kitty! We built a wonderful addition on our house to have family gatherings, and phase 2 is adding the fireplace. In the meantime, I bought an old fireplace surround and mantel at an antique shop, painted the wall at the opening black, and voila! Instant fireplace! Last year for Christmas, my family got me an adorable electric woodstove that has flames and heat (if wanted). I put it in the surround, added an overstuffed floral chair with a pillow and cozy throw blanket. It makes me so happy. Someday we will put in the fireplace but until then, bloom where you are planted!
Merry Xmas. Love what you have accomplished with your double wide ! Beautiful and love that you bless the farmers by attending their markets. Always my favorite place to shop. Sheila 🫶😘
Dear Susan,
What a wonderful post! You’re the best.
Love seeing all the pictures of your home and hearing about what you’re up to.
The mantle is perfect and I’m so glad you now have this wonderful addition to your home in California.
Take Care and Merry Christmas to you and Joe and Jack and the barn cats and and and …
Debi
Hello Susan, I hope you have wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!
I enjoy reading your blogs and have been doing so since snail mail..lol
I take out your books for every season and I think I have them all!
Merry Christmas!🎄
Merry Christmas to all! What joy, Susan Branch, you have brought to my life. My sweet mother gifted me with a book from your heart for Christmas, and I have loved and followed you ever since. Every book, sticker, mug, notebook-has brought me intense joy. I met you in person once when you were doing a show at QVC, and you were just as darling in person.
My sweet Mom is in heaven now, but I will never forget that she introduced me to you and all your charm. The merriest of Christmas wishes to you, dear Joe, and sweet Jack. And many thanks, for all the beauty you have shown me.❤️
Thank you for all you do – have all your books and they are a true inspiration!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Joe, Jack , the barn kitties and all your family. Thank you for always being an inspiration to all of us and for seeing the good in everything. You brighten our lives!!
I love the coziness of your blog posts and am excited about a Christmas gift I am giving my dear friend which is an out of print, signed copy of Martha’s Vineyard, Isle of Dreams that I bought on your website. So thank you for helping to make that happen!
I so look forward to hearing from you! Each “letter” is treasured! Joe did an amazing job with your fireplace and you decorated it beautifully. Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas!
Love the mantelpiece on the mirror wall! And isn’t having a handy hubby such a blessing!! Mine can build or fix almost anything. We won’t have snow here in Texas either. Probably close to 80* that day. So we will celebrate in shorts! I hope you have a very merry Christmas! PS just pulled out my Christmas cookbook to make Annie’s sugar cookies!
Your home is lovely. Christmas is just days away. I am waiting for the spirit to find me. I do have so much to be grateful for. Our tree is up only with the sparkles of the lights. The thought of decorating only makes me think they will then need to put away. No packages under the tree. Shopping not done. I have five beautiful grandchildren, a loving husband, a warm home and food. I do have so much to be grateful for. I wish all a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace and Happiness. ^:^
I’ve been one of your fans forever.
Yup I’m old… your illustrations and quotes are beautiful and uplifting.
O look forward to your Willard. Full of inspiration Thank you 😊
So happy to find your blog! Love your designs, they are so nostalgic for me. 🥰
Absolutely in heaven with your new home and that fabulous fireplace. And thanks for the links. In a few years I will be downsizing and having to give up my fireplace (which doesn’t work but has a great mantel, so I knew just what you meant!). I’ve read those three Beatrix Potter books — got the Margaret Lane in England in 1973, believe it or not and found the journal at a used book store. They’re wonderful. I’ll look forward to your interview. Meanwhile, sending many happy Christmas greetings to you, Joe and Jack. May your days be merry and bright!
Merry Christmas! My Christmas cards I sent this year where designed by you
New old stock, the Annie Hall sugar cookies one!
Love them, and saved one for, to me, from me.
Thanks got the chance to win and thanks for all the joy and beauty you bring to this world.
Hi Mary Pat!! Nice to see you here!
Hoping you and Joe have the warmest Christmas!! Always a joy to read your words and see your art ❤️
Best wishes for the Merriest of Christmases
Merry Christmas ! I look forward to reading Willard as soon as it is ready ! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family . Looking forward to a fun New Year filled with new Willard’s!
Merry Christmas,
Connie
Merry Christmas to my favorite fellow Beatrix Potter fan. I hope that you all have a magical Christmas and a New Year filled with good health, happiness and love.
Love all your work, but especially Christmas!
Love love love everything Susan Branch. I carefully hang your house flags each season! Would love to be selected
Merry Christmas! The Christmas cards I sent out this year were designed by YOU!
New old stock, the super cute Annie Hall sugar cookie cards.
I love them and saved one for me.
To me, from me!
Thanks for the chance of the giveaway!
It is always so wonderful to read your Willard’s and all the news they share with us!
You have such a beautiful, whimsical, sweet home. Merry Christmas to you and Joe!
I’ve loved EVERYTHING Susan Branch since I received my first calendar (would it be???) over 40 years ago?!?! I missed out on some of the beautiful mugs (not much $), but her colors and style bring peace to my soul. Thank you, Susan. ♥️
What a wonderful reminder to find joy in the little things this season (and all year long). I was also delighted to see the inspiration for your fireplace. A few weeks ago, I booked a spontaneous trip to London in January. I’ve planned a day trip to visit Jane Austen’s house, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for that fireplace!
I love your books, blogs, and facebook posts. I hope this is where I’m suppose to post for a prise. Even if I hear back from you it will be a delight. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
Thank you, Susan, for lifting our heart’s with your joyful love. You are an inspiration, a blessing when we least expect it!!!
May your heart be filled with God’s abundant grace this beautiful season.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for always spreading joy with your beautiful art! I now have a second one of your Christmas Memories Keepsake book.
How wonderful of you Susan! Truly needed to read your Williard today. You are the ray of sunshine that we are in desperate need of. Thank you! Merry Christmas! 🎄🎅🏼
Oh dear Susan, I will always love your blog. Just not nearly as much time to read it as I used to. Thank you for still posting content for us. Miss you! 💗
I Love Love Love Susan Branch! Also, my grandfather’s name was Willard!
Kindred spirits!
Wishing you the merriest of holidays 🎄🎅🏻🎄
I can’t wait to print off that full moon bookmark and use it in 2026! It was a goal of mine to look at every full moon in 2025 and I will continue that next year.
I love your blog and your books. Thank you for the possibility of winning a prize. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to all!
I sure look forward to the Willard newsletters! Thank you & Happy Holidays!
Love this very MERRY post! Thank you for the generous drawing! Fingers crossed, lol.
Wishing you and Joe a Merry Christmas in your new California home! 🎄Best wishes in the New Year! Thanks for all the great decorating ideas. Your new mantle looks great!
I always look forward to Willard. I have some that I received in the mail years ago. I miss that. Thank you for the joy you bring to all of us! God bless you! Merry Christmas!
Fun post! Love your new fireplace. Merry Christmas! 🎅
I absolutely love reading your blog entries. Always full of great ideas and inspiration as well as lovely photos. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Loved this post. You two are doing so many wonderful things to this place. Love the fireplace Joe built! Oh how I would love this giveaway! I have been your fan for so many years! Have a Merry Christmas you two! Enjoy every minute! I agree with Caroline, always fun to spend time with you. I was so happy to meet you when you toured with your book, and meet Joe.
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Loved this post. You two are doing so many wonderful things to this place. Love the fireplace Joe built! Oh how I would love this giveaway! I have been your fan for so many years! Have a Merry Christmas you two! Enjoy every minute! I agree with Caroline, always fun to spend time with you. I was so happy to meet you a few years ago when you toured with your book, and to meet Joe.
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I live in red brick century home in snowy Canada, that has plenty of charm and coziness, though no mantle here either. You have my mind whirring away with possibilities 😃 I so enjoy your Willards, and really struggle to consume them slowly to stretch out the pleasure. Alas, your posts are like chocolate for me – difficult not to inhale. Warmest, happiest Christmas wishes to your heart from mine 🎄🥂
After a long day of work, I love love loved reading your blog. I’m so far behind in everything – but your blog is just full of JOY!! It gives me such inspiration! The mantel pictures are amazing! I love how certain things speak to you and Joe makes them happen… 😊 I am glad you are staying at your new home for Christmas, but I did love the picture diary across the country via train last year – but I always go back to older blogs to see and remember all the adventures you two have! My hubbie and I are thinking of doing a trip by train too! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Eileen