Hello everyone! So GLAD you could join me today for all good news, and of course, the MUSICA. . . Are you ready for
Looking for me?
XOXO
Now you know where to find me!♥️
Still recipe-testing, writing, painting . . . I want this new Christmas Book to reflect all the Christmases we’ve had since I wrote my last Christmas cookbook in 1989! That was forever ago ~ it’s been out of print for over 15 years. As I began to try to update it, I realized, we need a new one! This recipe for Candy Cane Ice Cream really should be the Belle of the Ball in my new book . . . 💃🏼 So PINK, pretty, festive, and delicious ~ wonderful refreshing flavor alone, or with anything chocolate! And so easy to make for all the wows and eye-rolling it feeds you back with!💘
XOXO 
And now you know why it takes so long to write a book! Writing the recipe is almost as delicious, for me, as eating it! Almost! Painting is like coloring, only you draw the outlines, and then you get to fill them in! Writing that word “charmingly” … can you see the fun involved with doing that? Really! It has the mini-vibe of flying.😂
The heart finds its morning . . . . Don’t you love that?💗 Word MUSICA!🎵
Here’s another beautiful recipe . . . . it’s a savory bread pudding with a thick toasted-cheese crust.😳 With asparagus and fresh herbs, perfect for a Christmas Book! Good for Breakfast, Lunch, and/or, Dinner! Coziest ever!💝
It makes a lovely side dish . . . but a main dish too because it’s full of protein, lots of eggs and milk. It can also eat gravy for lunch. If you get my meaning.😊
Besides cozy recipes, my new Christmas book has lots of photographs and a section on WINTER . . . the New Year, Diaries, Snow, Sleeping Weather, Resolutions, Valentine breakfasts, Reasons to go on Living, and so much more. There are Holiday Parties and Entertaining, Traditions (new and old), Christmas is for Children, How to be a Good Guest, Domestic Bliss, Gifts, the Table, old dishes, and vintage everything! You know why? Because I’m vintage! Sharing times gone by . . . for the ones still to come.💝
So yes, we are putting my new book up for presale today! But we 
probably won’t get it from the printer until July! Everything is taking longer, and as you know, COSTING more: production, shipping, taxes, etc, but it is so helpful, being as small as we are, to have some idea of how many we should order ~ we always run out too fast, no matter what it seems, so we’re trying to not let that happen! And the minute the books come in, sometime around the 4th of July they go out . . . first ordered, first sent! They go out and so do we! Joe and I, once again, “off to see the wizard,” as my mom would say! A new adventure, driving cross-country to meet you and sign your books at, hopefully, your local bookstores! Unless, of course, there is no gas, then we’ll take the train! We’ve been seriously plotting and planning this year. Because I’ve been thinking . . . and I didn’t want to crawl out of town 
in the dead of night ~ just disappear… I’d much rather go on the top of a hay truck shouting, WASN’T THAT FUN???? Because this is probably my last book (notice “probably), and our book tour will definitely be our last ~ Don’t worry, I feel wonderful, I’m not sick, I’m going on this book tour to CELEBRATE! It’s time ~ I’d love to have a few years to play in the garden, and go to LUNCH, and get 
healthily on THAT BOAT again! ~ do all the wonderful things that old people do . . . I’m about to turn 79. Going to turn 80 next year (planning to live until 100 💝), but what we’re doing feels like perfect timing. I owe everyone so much ~ you especially, my darling girlfriends, and the lovely bookstores who’ve been so GOOD to me . . . the connection we’ve shared, the LIVES we’ve shared, all growing up together, figuring things out … has meant the world to me.♥️ I knew your new babies, and you knew my DAD! I just couldn’t bear to go without a proper good-bye and thank you. So here’s how it’s going to go . . .
I want to make our goodbye as fun and pretty as possible . . . I couldn’t have done it without Y❣️U ~ so besides the new Christmas book, there will be a new 16-oz., thin lipped, bone-china WINTER CUP; a dated-on-the-bottom, made in Staffordshire, England, beautiful cup! With huge amounts of gratitude built into its DNA. Because yes, that is possible in this day and age. Infused… it will forever be like drinking stars.
But one cup is not enough . . .
I needed to leave a solid memory for my first little house on Martha’s Vineyard ~ Holly Oak 💝, the gift that kept on giving …. any of you who’ve read Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, or have followed this blog, know about Holly Oak, my little cottage in the woods on Martha’s Vineyard. Sitting there, like it had been waiting for me ~ I found it in the nick of time . . . like a fairy tale.💞
Holly Oak, 1982
This is only a paper mock-up wrapped around a cup, so it will be prettier in person.♥️ Many of you probably remember the fireplace that Carlton built for me at Holly Oak? Remember his wainscoting? That was my green chair, and my basket full of quilts, my ticking clock, my living room filled with dreams where I sat and wrote my first book. The quote by a wise Martha’s Vineyard poet seemed perfect for this moment… not just for me, for all of us, our blueberry pies, our household ways . . . the beautiful little things we have always celebrated together. Both cups, WINTER and HOLLY OAK, and the Christmas Book are up for Presale as of today . . . the cups will arrive right around the same time as the Books (late July) and they will very likely be our last…♥️ I’ve always told you these cups are collectible, but maybe never said HOW collectible … they are only available here, and there are only 500 to 1000 of each design in the entire world.👏 So if you have them, USE them, because they are very sturdy bone china, but save them too.💞 
The bottom of HOLLY OAK is a reminder to choose your world . . . you see a cupboard full of vases in the darling kitchen of an old black and white movie and you say to yourself, when I grow up, I shall have a cupboard full of vases. And I will find them every where, in thrift stores and yard sales. And after a while, you do.💞 And it gives you joy every time you open the cupboard.💝 You see an old film of Queen Elizabeth christening a ship, and you say to yourself, someday, I’m going to go on a ship to England. And you do. And you discover it isn’t even hard! It can’t hurt, you know, having those little things you want. Might as well. Clock is ticking anyway.
Writing books wasn’t even my dream … way back then, I wasn’t yet aware I could even have a dream like that …. it was the idea of someone I looked up to, a girlfriend, of course, her
name is Jane Bay . . . I had cooked for her and given her a recipe box full of illustrated recipes, so she knew I loved to cook and paint and make things, and it was her idea I should put those things together and write a cookbook. Instant denial took over and lasted for years, my initial reaction was the normal, who, me? Way back then in the early 80s, the understanding of self-esteem had not yet filtered down to the little people ~ it was just coming into fashion … but one day I thought maybe I should try . . .and then I made it my dream, because of the confidence Jane had in me. And finally, I did, I wrote a book. Because, I thought . . . might as well.⏰ It’s still a surprise. There is a Susan Branch, and then, my friends, there is me.💞
See? There’s Holly Oak, with the sign on the tree just as it was the first time I saw it. One bedroom, an old 1950s stove, 2 acres of woods, wild blueberries, and a homemade bird feeder hanging by one chain. I tried it on like a dress, and it fit perfectly, just my size. I surprised myself when I heard my voice say “I’ll take it.”💝
Several of my books have sold out and have been out of print for a while, even Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams, ⬆️ my NY Times bestseller! But not for long . . .
Autumn too . . . and Summer! These three of my children are at the Printers right NOW! Part of the saying good-bye, we didn’t want to hang up the spurs and leave an empty saddle, or something like that. We wanted the cup to runneth over. The children healthy and running around in their small corner of this crazy very beautiful world.💝
We never got to go on tour for my new Summer Book when it came out last year . . . but now this tour can be for everything! And it will start here in California, and we will honor our darling Diane Keaton and everyone will come dressed like her . . . imagine, she was such a style icon, her hats, belts, skirts, shoes . . . and we will take a million pictures and laugh and have SO MUCH FUN!💃🏼
Everything gets going as soon as the books arrive ~ Nothing ever happens as fast as I think it’s going to, so the tour will start later than I originally thought, we may not get on the road until August . . . But the books will be here no later than July ~ I’ll keep in touch with dates and hope to see you somewhere along the road.💞 I am going to apologize for something, get ready…I hate charging you what we have to because of what we’re being charged. I’m sorry. It is very difficult for small businesses these days, not just ours. We have been so lucky to have so many affordable years! And I am ESPECIALLY sorry about shipping costs. We used to fly our cups home to us … that ended 2 cups ago, now we pay more, and have to pay close attention on how the cups are packed for the ship and pray they arrive in one piece, and aren’t backed up in Long Beach. But we forge on. And so do you. Thank you for your trust. We always have been in it together.💝 I just couldn’t go without a last cup (or 2).
And when we’re done, while we’re on the road, we’ll have 2 cups on the website (until they’re gone), and nine of my children will be in print ⬆️.💞 Plus this,
Our new 2027 calendars will arrive in May I think, or June … we heard it would be early this year. I decided to make my newest Wall Calendar a celebration of Spring Street … what a joy that house was to us …I honored and said goodbye to, and celebrated, with all my heart, the seasons in our beautiful old house on Martha’s Vineyard ~ with a mixture of photos and art and love. It’s as close to being that House Book (so many of you have requested) I think I will ever get! What a dream!💫🌟💫
Yes, this is making me very happy (for the work, and probably the champagne helps!) So everything starts happening around the end of May. When I finish the Christmas book we will start contacting the bookstores and setting up dates . . . . And I’ll update you as we go along. If you have a special bookstore you’d like us to visit, be sure to tell them . . . They are very busy these days, but if they hear YOU want us, they are very likely to be welcoming. They really like to know that people will come before they set up a date. Totally understandable!🙃
So then what, you might ask … Well, we are planning to close down the Studio where Kellee works in October!😱 I know, shocking. But I don’t know how else to say it! But it’s going to be organized! I promise. And it’s symmetry! I love symmetry! My first book came out in October 1986, it will be exactly 40 years to the month! I think that’s amazing, because I just figured it out … it was as organic and not quite planned as the rest of my life has been. For instance, the great people at Time Factory who have manufactured my calendars since
2006 have a warehouse! And they will do all our shipping from then on, we’ll still offer books and calendars and who knows what Time Factory might want to make! But one thing you should know, Kellee has always been the person who made sure my books had the signed bookplates, but doing it this new way means that 💞touch will unfortunately be missing, which is why you have to come to the signings! So I can do it in person. And don’t worry, the books will still have ribbons …. And if I want to do another book, or some other project, I can, but you see how long they take! And I keep promising Joe that I will stop.💞 But it won’t be as bad as we think . . . Because I’m not giving up the blog! I want to stay in touch, shoot the breeze, tell stories, see how everyone is.💞 And then next Spring, we hope to get on board the SHIP, and travel 
across the Atlantic and go see Rachel and Paul! And stay for a couple of weeks in London, which we have never done, because as you know, we are firmly English Countryside people, but I fear we might have missed something, so we’ll find a little place in London, go to all the big city museums, and climb onto those red double-decker buses, stroll through the parks, along the river, and see everything London has on Winston Churchill and Beatrix Potter, and the rest of the time we’ll be walking along old paths under ancient trees, feeling the history of the countryside, going to pubs with Rachel and Paul, and come home whenever we want!👏 Let me know if I should put up a link for the ship we’re taking, as we get closer, in case anyone wants to join us next March.😊 YES!
One more tune to hum along with . . .
Ommmmmmm…… Oh to be at sea, heading for the English channel in the spring!🙏 A thrill to even THINK about!
And to do our part to get through all this, still upright, strong, and ready to gooooo . . .
So here’s what we do . . .
We eat our Wheaties. Joe goes to the gym, and I walk every day, these days I go at dawn, walking in the shade and shadows of the hedges as the sun begins to streak across the fields, beating the afternoon heat, while listening to my book (Beneath a Scarlet Sky, very good, harrowing 😵, WWII in Italy, keeps you on edge, makes me want to walk to see what happens next) . . . and before I go to work, I lift my weights, and roll around the floor stretch out and do planks and everything I know to stay strong. Once in a while, this includes an adventure… 
Just recently I climbed to the top of our driveway (we live in a small valley and my watch counts this little climb as a set of stairs, so of course I gotta do it! I’m getting credit for 9 sets of stairs a day … we have two driveways ~ nicely dirt, because we do not pave paradise!👏) I turned at the top to go back down the driveway and saw this down the driveway. How wonderful! Not normal! I thought … “Must be the fairies running ahead to make me a diversion!”💫🌟💫
It turned out to be a 1921 Model T! Belongs to my neighbor. All original! My Grandma was 12 when this marvel came out. LOOK how MUCH it looks like a carriage … take off the front, hook up some horses, and voila! You’re Jane Austen, off to Bath. Ahhh the olden days. Takes me back.🤩
Of course I stopped and visited with Jeff … learned all about it. What a marvel!!! The spokes are wood! The windows are made of real glass. Look at that little oval window in the back! And of course, I love the shadows… I think this car could be compostable. Not a speck of plastic on it.👏 Would you like to see it go? I can DO that! (Remember when the only way we could be in contact was when I sent out my Willards, once a YEAR, via snail mail? Look at us now baby! So wonderful to be at this age with one foot in the past and one in the future, from one phone in the living room to a phone in my pocket, a conduit of my grandmother’s memories to my own. She was alive for two years while Mark Twain was still alive, and he was alive when Abraham Lincoln was alive, so to know me is to almost be in touch with Abraham Lincoln, is the way I see it!) 💝
XOXO
Out walking another day … down the road comes my neighbors, Staci and Jeff . . . I was like a traffic cop … waving my arms, bringing them 
into our driveway and down to where Joe was working in the garage… Look how high the door is … it really does look like an old carriage! Big thanks to sweet neighbors, and to the fairies who obviously came with us from the Island!
I’m not gardening much, because my primary goal (➡️ ship!💘) requires me to be in the house, but I’m still managing to water! I’m just keeping it all alive until I have time! And weeding . . . I stop on may way back to the art table from my walk, especially on a rainy day like this one when the roots are wet and malleable,
. . . and pull like 12 weeds in the wild flower orchard . . . every little bit helps . . . hence my hands, because I never take time to put on gloves, and I always stay out there longer than I think I will. . .I just keep a fingernail brush next to the hand soap in the kitchen! Quite the Slobovian. “The land I belong to is grand-grand-grand!” 🎵🎶🎵
And things grow here without me anyway! Roses, hydrangeas, and ranunculus are blooming … Alfredo just trimmed the hedges for me. I’ll take you on a garden tour soon. It’s 5:30 am here and the twinkle lights are glittering in the tree outside my window.
It’s how I feel! You may think you see insanity in those eyes! But it’s really amazement at the happiness. Have to go now … hope you enjoyed all my new news! Some parts were hard to say, but all things considered, all things are pretty darn wonderful. Stay with me through this . . . and soon I’ll come see you!💞
Off on my walk!💞💞💞 Happy Spring!!!💞
Love all the news! I just preordered the book and cups! Can’t wait for the house calendar!! I love my world with you in it! Wob Wob Wob you!!
Love
Lori Metschan
xoxo
Wob wob wob you right back Lori!
Pre-ordered the Holly Oak cup and book. Can’t wait! I always look forward to your blog and Like to enjoy it at my adorable desk with a cup of tea.Thank you for always sharing your heart and lifting ours. You truly are walking sunshine. You are loved right back! <3
Love “adorable desk!” 😂 Thank you Becky!
This post evoked opposing feelings — happiness for you, with some feelings of sadness that this is the end of an era. You’ve been with me as an inspiration since the late 1980’s when I first learned of you through Country Living magazine. At the time, my husband and I had recently purchased a c. 1842 Greek Revival house in Connecticut and were embarking on life’s journey. Two precious children would follow. You were a guidepost for making each day special . . . for seeing value and importance in simple pleasures . . . for the feeling of connectedness in being a steward of owning a historic house. I incorporated what I learned from you in our daily lives and in special occasions and holidays. Thank you so much for all that you shared through your books, your posts, your blog. You have enriched my life and that of my family and I thank you sincerely. You are a treasure, Susan Branch!
Well, I could never ask for more than this as a legacy. Thank you Cathy . . . Girlfriends always share what they learn, always hoping we can help. You make me feel like I did. ♥️
I just pre-ordered 2 books – one for me and one for my BFF Patti (it’s a surprise). I can’t wait. As for age .. you,ll be 80 next year, and I’ll be 77. How’d THAT happen?? Weren’t we 40 like….yesterday? Time flies when you’re having fun. I like to think I’m young at heart. Last year I told my daughters I always wished I had learned how to tap dance. First they laughed (hysterically), and then got me tap dance lessons! One daughter even joined me. What fun! And great exercise.
I bought your first book in 1987, and have purchased all the rest over the years. Consequently, I feel like we’re old friends. Thank you for all the wonderful memories – and more to come through calendars and blogs.. Can’t wait to see what the future holds – for both of us! ❤
We were 40 like yesterday! No one knows how very true that is until they get where we are! Ohhhh, I always wanted tap shoes!🤣 With big black bows! So fun! Good for you, that’s exactly how it’s done!♥️♥️♥️
Wanted to write before I preordered. I get it- it makes me sad, but I get it and I’m so very happy for you and Joe. Thank you for EVERYTHING!
Oh Zoe, thank you… I’m feeling it. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Oh Susan – big changes coming for you and change is good! Cannot wait for the Christmas book. Love my old one, that pink ice cream looks amazing…and the cups!!! We are kindred spirits – it is my goal to live to 100 as well. Dear husband and I doing the same things…walking ( up 5 sets of stairs to breakfast with friends in our building each morning), trying to eat well, and ENJOYING LIFE. I adored my job as a school librarian and thought I would shrivel up when I retired. I love retirement – time to read, lectures here where we live, time with friends, old and new movies, time for EVERYTHING together! Together is the key! Excited for you to get on the Big Boat. We are traveling a lot – little river boats and exploring places we have never been. Going as much as we can as long as we can. From the musical Baby I keep hearing this song in my head “What a journey, what a ride, what a trip to take together…we can make life anything we say!” You have made a wonderful life…keep enjoying it in this new season. Blessings to you and Joe!
Oooooo, Ann, sounds so good. So MUCH to look forward to! I’m looking up that song . . . not sure I’ve heard it and it’s PERFECT Musica! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Oh my goodness, I had no idea that new cups would be coming out ! I adore the Holly Oak cottage cup and had to order it. I have the Winter cup in the smaller version, but may have to order another larger one. I cannot wait to see this adorable cottage cup. Out of all of the cups, and I have just about all of them, this could well be my favorite. ❤️
Thank you for all that you create, dear Susan.
I have been a fan since day one … long long ago when the actual paper Willard came thru the post. So many happy S B memories throughout the years-
♥️
I’ll never forget after Heart of the Home came out, receiving my first fan letter. I was SO SURPRISED! Very unexpected, and what a wonderful gift.♥️ Changed my life. And here we are . . . girlfriends forever!💘
My dear Susan, WHAT? All of this made me teary. No more books or cups? But…I want only the best for you and you deserve all the time you want to putter, take travels to England and drink champs! Can’t wait to see you. I think you should have a grand birthday party with your girlfriends 🎉 Btw, did the new owners move into the Vineyard house? ❤️
My birthday is on the way . . . I always love it! Probably small this year, so much to do to get ready for everything, but my favorite part is ALWAYS the good wishes I get on that day. Puts a glow on me that lasts a very long time! Next year, my 80th, we’ll be in England! Perfection. No new owners yet . . . we’re waiting for just the right people to come along!♥️♥️♥️
As always loved the blog and all the GOOD news. Puts a smile on my face! The blogs are definitely my sunshine no matter what is happening in the outside world! Of course, I ordered a cup and the book. Looking forward to a great summer to winter read and lots of good tea from the cup!
GOOD news, as always and forever. xoxoxo
Always a treat to get an email when I’m at work that one of these posts is ready to read! Thank you.
💝💝💝
Oh no 😢 , what is this about all of the “lasts.” Last book, last cups, last tour. I had not read the entire blog before my previous post.
Once again, so many memories. A good part of our lives shared. A way of life …
I don’t know what to say. Even the warehouse closing. I remember the first book, Willards in the mail, my first book tour at a book store in Sonoma CA, the book store long gone. Being with my mom, who is now also gone, and being in a grocery store where I found a delightful SB illustration/article in a Family Circle magazine. Book signings, gatherings in SLO, where too the Apple Inn is sorely gone. 😢
It’s going to be a new chapter, aging as we are.
Happiness wished for you, Joe and the kitties.
A million thank yous filled with ⭐️ stars-
Much love & appreciation Susan Branch ♥️ From our house to yours. 🏡
Look what we have . . . these memories together. I forgot all about the Family Circle article . . . I think it had stickers! But you didn’t, it’s a memory we share. Amazing … memories of our moms . . . it’s just been a gift to do it together. Nobody alone. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Getting ready to order my Christmas book. I love Christmas….
It was so much fun seeing your art “process” and was wondering if Joe erases all your pencil marks after the paint dries? It would be lovely to see your process from painting to erasing & then “what comes next”??
I live in AG (Arroyo Grande)…. my niece always thought I was meaning AG was agriculture. Funny! The reason I mention AG, it’s a shame not to find a place to host a book signing in your hometown. Monarch Books (AG) is too small to accommodate a crowd, but it would sure be nice to see you in person.
Over the past few years, we’ve spent a bit over 4 months in the UK. Our daughter & SIL lived in Marlow for two years. It’s a lovely country village? town? along the River Thames. Now that they’ve moved back to California, we won’t be traveling to England as often. Boo! Hoo!
Do take care!
Guess where I’m doing a signing in AG? I’ve been invited by the woman who runs the decorating store that used to be MY store in the Village, to have my signing there!!! I will see if that cute little Monarch Books would like to host it. That would be perfect! Love to connect those dots. But also, I’m doing the first Event for these books in the Secret Garden of Sycamore Mineral Springs Hotel and Spa! Near Avila Beach. So I’m very happy! Joe doesn’t erase for me, but he does scan the art and send it to Kellee so she can make it all digital to send to the printer! You were smart to get a daughter to live in England and had that very best excuse to GO there! If you’re like me, you’ll get more homesick for it all the time . . . maybe have to go back!😂 Best to you Christine! ❌⭕️
You’ve read 84, Charing Cross Road, right? After Helene Hanff published that, she was able to finally go to England. She wrote The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, then Q’s Legacy. Both books have loads of London adventures, if you want ideas!
I have read it but it’s been a long time! That would be perfect ship reading!!! Thank you for the suggestion Connie!♥️
I was thrilled to see the Holly Oak cup. Painting you did of it is on your Autumn card which I adore. I have preordered. Want to keep you forever. You have brought so much joy to so many. I do hope you get some “me” time. You and Joe Deserve it.
I hope I live on in hearts, it’s been a wonderful life. Yes, we are both looking forward to going out to PLAY!😊👏👏👏👏
Susan,
Thank you for so many wonderful years of following you and loving everything you do. I am glad you are going to still keep in touch and hopefully I will get to one of your signings. Wish you all the best in the world.
😘😘😘
Oh, Susan we all knew this day would come. Although I am sad, I am so very happy for you and Joe and wish you many years of great adventures ahead. I thank you for all the light and joy that you have brought into our lives. AND I am so very happy that you have left us with some wonderful treasures. The Holly Oak mug. Oh, yes!!! Also grateful that you will be still be bringing us joy with you blog! Wishing you, Joe and Jack many blessings. Anne in Maine
Hi Anne … thank you so much for your kind words! Lovely to see you here. 🥰
Hi Susan
Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tail.
Hans Christian Anderson
You’re living it Girlfriend!!! ❤️
Enjoy
Fairy tale parents, fairy tale best girlfriends, fairy tale house, fairy tale job … I had help! Thank you Sharon. 💫
Hi! YES! Please put up a link for the ship. I was all set to go with you last year. I do understand why you had to cancel. I still went to England but I flew. I will only take the ship over with you.
I hope to see you in Ridgewood, NJ when you go on your book tour. I have seen you twice there.
Listen to Joe and spend lots and lots of time together. I give this advice as a widow.
I love the owners of the bookstore in Ridgewood … I’m sure we will be there! And just think, the third time is a charm!😊 I’ll be working on getting that link! 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 Happy Spring Terry!
It’s been a long time since I’ve written but ALWAYS read Willard and remember our earlier days! The highly active days of the ” golden age” of Susan Branch when the Girlfriends club began! I’m going to write a long snail.mail letter to catch you up on me But for now, just. to say LOVE LOVE all the exciting news! I use my cups every day! I have 6 and must add the new MV one! I’m going to find you somewhere on your. Book route. when the time comes so I can give you another hug! ❤️ Love to you and Joe, Jane
Was just looking at a picture of the first time we met in person… I do need that hug! You are a marvel, Jane, I’m so happy we’ve stayed in touch. ❌⭕️
Always love reading your blog! Kudos on making time for you & Joe now. Although hard, you can pick and choose little projects if you wish. You have left a mark on all of us that will not be erased. My mom & I met you at a bookstore in Hudson, OH back in 2016?? It is still one of our cherished memories. 🩷
That’s why I go! Making memories! Meeting the faces behind the names! Pure pleasure, Annie.🌺🌺🌺🌺
Maaaaan! I just KNEW this was coming. Leaving one coast for the other, I said out loud to myself, “She’s winding down!” You absolutely deserve every second of doing what you want til you’re 100!!!! You are one amazing lady that I immensely enjoy. You’re my idol! You keep me moving and enthralled with my 78-year-old life. 😆 I ordered EVERYTHING!!!! And cannot wait to get all of it. Will look forward to whatever the future holds and I’m very happy that will still include you.
Ohhhh Jeni, I knew too, just had to think about how I wanted it to go … and then get it going, and then tell you, and then THANK YOU … I have loved every moment!😘
What happened to my post to you?
Here is this one, I’m moving through, reading them all, doing what they call “moderating” ~ I’m pretty slow, so sorry . . . busy, but getting there! I’ll look for your original . . . ❌⭕️
Yay, new Willard! If a spring book ever comes along that would be a delight, but as it is you’ve blessed us with so many wonderful treasures, and more to come through the blog and your storytelling here 💗
It’s Enchanted that has me most interested for my future. It’s SO all there… just ready to be put together, but it would take a couple of years. We’ll see what happens!💗
Hi Susan,
I truly hope you continue to make the wall calendars forever because I’m not sure what I would do without it. It’s one of my favorite things in my kitchen and I love it so much.
Were you able to sell your house on Spring St? I think you mentioned in a previous blog that someone was interested in it. Such a beautiful house.
Still not yet. It’s an old house, and many people really need marble counters in order to be happy these days!🤣 But of course, there’s more to it than that … it takes just the right people to feel that connection to history and want to be part of it, be the caretaker for an old house, keep it alive and well. We have faith the perfect people will come along. The calendars depend a bit on what Kellee wants to do in the future. My right hand person 💝. . . might want to try something else… time will tell. 🌟 It always does!
Love the Holly Oak cup! I sadly missed out on the 250 anniversary American cup. I bought your chapter of Enchanted when it first came out and really enjoyed it! I have about 5 or 6 of your books and will get the rest. I’m so glad you will keep blogging! Take care!
I will Tammi . . . lovely to hear from you!♥️
How wonderful to escape the political chaos
(which I need to stand against) and enter this beautiful space with you and all the girlfriends. Now I will go back to making banners and painting posters refreshed and in balance. Deepest gratitude, as ever and always.
Without you I wouldn’t be writing a Christmas book and that’s where I do my escaping, at the other end of my pen. 👏👏👏❌⭕️
Preordered the Christmas book and both cups. They will come this summer for my birthday! I enjoy your blogs and am looking forward to your book tour this summer/fall. Hoping you will be somewhere nearby. I would love to come see you!
Thank you for always brightening my day!!!
Mary Helen
And vice-versa Mary!💞
Dear Susan. SO happy to hear you and Joe are healthy, happy and doing well. I know you didn’t ask me to chime in, LOL, but you have my 100% approval to begin winding down a bit to enjoy some time just for you! You have poured into so many of us. It makes me teary to think of the way you have touched so many lives, mine included, by who you are in this world! Thank you! And, yes, please do share the ship trip link! Love, Karen
See what I mean? Please always chime in!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ Working on that ship trip link!
I’m so glad you’re making a Holly Oak mug! I could just crawl into your Martha’s Vineyard book, and often do, metaphorically speaking.
Cried a little reading this Willard. May the people at Time Factory be worthy! I hope I get to meet you on your book tour. I’m came very close once when you were in Asheville, but couldn’t get there.
I can’t tell you how much I love the Time Factory people! Casey, my contact there, has become a real friend . . . just love her. And her husband runs the shipping department. It’s a family affair. They will take very good care of everyone. I hope to see you along the way Joanna!💘
Yes, would love ship news!
Let me see if I can get us a discount and keep us somewhat together. . . .
I’m SOOO thankful for The Willard that’s so full of wonderful ideas, fun, recipes, quotes, etc. Thank you for the time you spend to give your girlfriends all these treats to keep in our hearts!
Do you miss your home on Martha’s Vineyard? In a small way, I was disappointed when you decided to leave there, but could understand your reasons. You are such a love‼️ The flowers in your yard are SOOO beautiful!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE come to the Chattanooga, TN area on your book tour. There’s quite a few girlfriends here who would love to see you. I’ve preordered the cup and the Christmas book. I have all your cups except one. I treasure them all‼️ Each year I place your wall calendar on my wall and receive so many comments as each page/month is read.
I know you’ll enjoy your trip to England. While in London visit the War Room where Winston Churchill did the WWII planning. It’s quite something. Also, I’m sure you would love to visit the London Tower where the dazzling Crown Jewels are. In the same building there’s a HUGE very detailed doll house; a must-see. Have fun in England!!!
You’ve made my world a nicer place to be in‼️ XOXO.
It’s funny, if I had left our Vineyard House earlier in my life, I’m sure it would have broken my heart . . . but timing is everything. And the MEMORIES there … I just had to buy a new 4 gigabyte hard drive to keep my photos in, because the 2 gigabyte was FULL, with 150,000 photos and 30,000 videos! 😁 I can visit my house in any season, at dinner parties, and TGIFs with my girlfriends. I can see all my kitties, I can be young or old, dressed up or looking pretty hideous, I have my mom and dad and darling brother, all alive and talking. My dad kissing his wife and laughing. If I had to leave this house suddenly, that hard drive would be the first thing I grabbed just before I scooped up Jack! So, about Spring Street, I am just so grateful. And I live now in my own version of an English Garden, with year round access to the soil.💘 After all is said and done, I couldn’t be happier… I heard something the other day… makes so much sense to me …. Happiness it not something to hope for in the future, it’s something we find everyday when we are grateful for the smallest things in life. My mind is blown daily. ❌⭕️❌⭕️
You had me at ranunculus. 🙂❤️
Ha ha ha…. I know exactly what you mean!🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
You dear lady!😢 I will say, some parts were hard to read ( I know you can’t do this forever) 😞but you deserve time to putter in the garden, spend time with Joe and travel back to England. I’m so blessed to have all of your books…I have read and re-read🥰
They bring such joy as do your Willards😘 Thank you for sharing so much with us and I know you will stay in touch🥰💕🌷🌻🌹🪴. Because of you, I now have dear friends I consider family in England…a gift I could never repay. Thank you 💞💞💞sending a hug!
Oh Karen, thank you for your sweet words ~ they mean the world to me. Change is the one thing my parents didn’t talk much about! I wasn’t sure how to talk about this, but you are all so wonderful, and make it easier. Disappointing people is not my middle name. Thank you … we are so blessed. ☺️♥️💞
I’m about to pre-order the Holly Oak cup and books, but first things first…
Merci mille fois, a thousand times thank you, for shining your light, sharing your joys, and just generally being who you are. I cried through much of this post, but am smiling down to my pinky toes in gratitude. Boy did the world need you to be just what you made of yourself!
Since you asked, Yes, pretty please, put up the link to your ship.
The Model T is charm itself on your lovely driveway. She really moves… loved that sporty U turn! My mother used to tell me about her mother turning the crank to get theirs started. Your linking Abraham Lincoln ~ Mark Twain ~ your Grandmother ~ Susan Branch knocked my socks off!
Thank you for always making me feel young and limitless.
Bunches of love, xoxox Coco
Our bodies may change, but as long as we have our health, a pure gift we need to work at, young and limitless is what we are. We can do ANYTHING!♥️ Thank you for this beautiful note . . . Loved it. xoxoxo
Congratulations on your well-earned retirement. I’m sooo happy to hear that you will continue to blog because, like blog daddy before, you are “blog big sister” to me and I love having you in my life. You have brought me so much joy and sunshine over the years, starting with your Christmas book which I first read in 1992 when I was pregnant with my first child. I have pre-ordered the new Christmas book and winter mug and am already looking forward to pulling them out next December. Thank you for everything!
Thank you back Laura Ann! 😘😘😘
The first time I saw your name was on a little book I bought in the early 90’s when I visited California and went to Catalina Island. I loved it even though I can’t fry an egg-it had a very “homey” comfortable feeling about it. Well, I finally got married to a wonderful cowboy who is an amazing cook. I have ALL your books and he has prepared many of your recipes. Yummy! This almost feels like when I graduated from Harvard and my friends and I parted ways. We remain in each other’s hearts all these years later, but sadly don’t see each other often. We do send photos and talk from time to time on the phone.
When you are in London you must not miss the Victoria and Albert Museum. It took me 2 days to see the treasures on display. I feel selfish with my time these days as I am getting older. We go where we enjoy our time and see the sights and places of our choosing.
We live on a ranch in the Rocky Mountains that bring us joy. We ride up the mountain in the morning on our horses to watch the sunrise. I think it is similar to you taking your morning walks.
So, Happy Trails to you and wishing you and Joe much happiness! Treese/Colorado Cowgirl.
I’ve known you a long time Treese . . . I love hearing about your ranch and your horses. A lovely life you’ve made for yourself. ❌⭕️❌⭕️ Thank you!
pre-ordered! have been with you since the snail-mail willard days, and wishing you only good things, always.
I know your name, long time friend! xoxoxo