HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVERYONE! MUSICA Good Morning! I’m thrilled to say there are twenty-seven hundred entries for our Spring Fling Giveaway, wow! That’s almost shocking! But don’t worry, you still have a much better chance of 
winning this than you do the lottery! Isn’t that comforting? I woke up this morning to another hundred and fifty new comments ~ so I don’t think we’re done! I thought I would give it one more day so everyone has a chance to enter and announce the winner TOMORROW, with a new post to show you how I’ve been decorating for spring. (Remember this is Smallville, don’t get your hopes up too high on the decorations!)
Wishing you the Luck of the Irish and a big pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. Don’t forget to wear something Green so you don’t get pinched!
One of our Blog Girlfriends (Lorene) mentioned something interesting in her comment that I thought you all should know: She said the reason they carve an “X” in the top of Irish Soda Bread is to let the fairies out.♥ Be sure to do that, Girlfriends! Let the fairies fly!♥
In the meantime I’ll be in my same old spot . . .
So, until tomorrow . . . an Irish Blessing and a wee bi’ o’ the sampling’ for ye . . . w’ love from Paddy McSue. ♥
My son is studying in Limerick (bagpipes…Great Highland and Uilleann)this semester and has played in two parades and will be playing with his pipe band in a local castle. Rumor has it that he may down a Guinness or…two, and his twin brother who is visiting on Spring Break will probably have an Irish Coffee…or two. Ah to be young and having an adventure!
I so enjoy getting your newsletters in my inbox. It is like a fresh breath of spring to be able to scroll down and see your lovely artwork and all the other goodies you manage to pack in.
Thank you!!
Christi
Happy St. Patty’s Day to you!!!! Wish me luck in the drawing! Take care… have a great day! Loretta/Santa Nella, Ca.
Happy St Patrick’s Day, Susan. Crossing fingers to win!
Happy St Paddy’s Day Susan! So glad Spring is just around the corner, hoping the weather matches the calender.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you and all. It’s a happy day and I love your blog. I look forward to every little bit you write. Thank you so much.
Top o’ the evenin’ to ya, me girl! Hope you’ve had a lovely day. And so glad to have one more day to add my comment to the long list of wonderful things written to you and about you. You are such a light in this world and give us all such a lift. I thank you again and again for this beauty that you share with us.
Have needed to hang onto your sunshine the last few days. My dear sweet 14 year English Cocker has a stroke this week so am holding her paw. She is recovering but slowly. So I reread your blogs to cheer me up, and watch dear Jack retrieving ponytail holders to make me laugh.
Blessings to you, dear lady.
Carol
Wishing you and your doggie all the very best.
Happy St. Patty’s Day to all!
We all love the way Susan’s blogs with musica make us smile no matter what’s going on in our lives.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Susan & Joe!
Happy St.Patrick Day! I am Irish and we always make a cross in the top of soda bread asking God to bless our food.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Just took out of the oven my first attempt at Irish Soda Bread…can’t wait to try it.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day ! Sure ‘n I want to catch a glimpse of the wee folk today!
Happy St.Patrick’s day. A typical spring day in Western Mass., sunny almost 50 about noon, now it’s gray,incredibly windy with rain,sleet,snow, the sun is out again. Looking forward to corned beef,cabbage with root vegetables and Irish soda bread.
Wouldn’t I have the luck of the Irish if I was to win! Thank you for sharing your warm spirit!
Would love to be the name drawn for your “little happy” giveaway 🙂
I love the musica song and video as Well as the art of course. The bread cross tid bit about the faries tickled me, Thank you for sharing. Your whimsical uplifting style always brightens my day. OXOX
I just adore reading your site. It takes me away to a great place in the middle of my corporate day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too!
St. Patrick was a wonderful man. He dedicated his life to his Irish homeland. Who says we can’t go home again? I do every day when I remember to give thanks for all the blessings God has given me.
It has taken me this long to even figure out HOW or WHERE to sign up for the giveaway! 🙂 I’m a little slow with this jig! Here’s to the luck of the Irish that I found the right spot!
Oh, and nice blog .
Hooray, you’re here! Now remember this for the next time! 🙂
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Susan! I just took my Irish Soda Bread out of the oven. I just heard today on the show “The Chew” that the reason for cutting a cross in the dough is to let the devil out!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Susan & thank you so much for the gift of your art which gladdens all our hearts so!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The Luck o’ the Irish, Susan! Have a wonderful St Patrick’s Day and Happy Spring!
I just love to see what new picture you are sharing with us and you words which are always a pick-me-up to start or end a perfect day! Thank you, Susan!
Gardening is so soothing to the soul, especially after a very cold winter.
My Mother is celebrating her 90th St. Pat’s Day, she is 100% Irish. Hope I win! Pam Betz
Happy Birthday to you mom!
I wish your posts could have a “love” button so you would know how many people love your blog even though they may not comment!! Happy St. Patricks Day!!
🙂 Melissa!
Have loved your books for years and enjoy giving them as gifts to friends.
Just curious— a while ago in one of your posts you mentioned working on a book titled “Pancakes”—-was I dreaming or is that something for the future?
Received this message from an Irish friend today and am passing on to you–
May your troubles be less and your blessings be more…and nothing but happiness come through your door !! Happy St Patrick’s Day!
It’s half done, but I am onto other projects now, and after these, I will go back again, because it’s a darling little book I want to finish. Thank you Susan!
I want to make sure all of the Girlfiends know that tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 18, Diane Sawyer and Julie Andrews are hosting a trip to Salzburg for the 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music. A full hour, including a trip to the real home of the VanTrapps! 10:00 PM Set your DVR. Are you pick in’ up what I’m puttin’ down? I heard that in an Irish pub a few years ago. It wasn’t until I had been home for awhile that I learned people everywhere say this!
I’m pickin’ up what you’re putting’ down 🙂 what channel? Must be ABC?
“Whereever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you” Have a Wonderful Day!!!
I would Love to win the Book, I Love Susanbranch.com, Happy St. Patricks Day!!!
So would love to win the giveaway! Also would like to find a Gladys Tabor book
Susan you are a treasure! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I am not Irish, as far as I know! I am English and Italian. My mother and father met at the end of WWII in England and wed there and honeymooned in Truro. Enjoy your briskets, everyone!
Happy St Patrick’s day! Love your blog…especially the paintings!
I met my husband on St. Patrick’s Day 27 years ago, so it is always a very special day for me. Happy St. Pat’s to you!
Today I’m enjoying catching bits of some of the old Irish movies on TV and sending you my favorite Irish Blessing:
“May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.”
Happy St Paddys Day to ye!!
HAPPY ST.PATRICK’S DAY!
In the small city where I grew up, in Michigan, there was always a big parade on St. Patrick’s day – this blog post makes me remember – thank you. I’ll be back there next week for my dear mama’s memorial service. Probably my last visit home. Thanks for your lovely work, as always.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thank you for offering such a wonderful giveaway. I enjoy your books and your blog.
Happy St. Padràig’s Day! I’ve got me green on and me Irish eyes are smilin’!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Hi Susan, love your posts! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I have had the pleasure of visiting Ireland. What a beautiful country. My Dad’s family was Scotish-Irish. He remembers a member of the family visiting them, from Ireland, when he was a little boy. What a great memory he passed on to my sister and I. Love your blog!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Paddy McSue. Enjoyed the Irish greeting. From Marian McK.
please sign me up for the spring fling give away. Hope I am in the right place.
Yes, please! I want to win the Spring Fling Giveaway. It’s 89 degrees here where I live today. Doesn’t feel or look a bit like Ireland, (I’ve been a few times) but I just ate a green cookie, with my Tea…..and that works for me! We celebrated with our family on Sunday with a big Irish meal. We do this every year as a family tradition. Wishing you all a very Happy St. Paddy’s Day.
Love your blog, always look forward to new posts!
Two of my favorite artists, for years and years, have been Tasha Tudor and Susan Branch! What a wonderful combination of talent! Did you two of you ever meet?
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the lovely Colorado prairie.
No, I never met her. I wish.
I am in love with Jack. He has to be the cutest cat with the biggest personality that I have ever met – (or seen, since I haven’t really met him). Happy spring to you, Joe, Girl and Jack!!
It has been a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day here in Florida.
Even in the Arizona desert you’ll find my family and I celebrating with Irish soda bread and corned beef and cabbage boiled dinner. My husband said why do we eat this only once a year!
I’m a first-time poster, but long-time enjoyer of this wonderful blog. When I’m feeling blue and there is no new blog post, I either read all of the comments (from all my new online friends — what a lovely feeling!) or I read/re-read older posts from Susan. When Isis died on Downton Abbey, all I could think of was the charming neighbor dog of Susan’s called Iris. Did they ever get another doggie? I love your giveaways and finally decided to toss my hat into the ring! ‘Dia dhuit’ (‘God be with you’)
No they didn’t. I keep trying to talk them into it, but we all know Iris was one of a kind. xoxo
Love reading your blog and have enjoyed it for a few years now. I always hope to win one of these giveaways and will keep entering until I win (or get too old to care).
Happy day of the green to all! It’s a great day out here on St. Simons Island, azaleas all getting ready to bloom. Fingers crossed. Maybe I will have some of that Irish luck.
The best part of today is finding you posted a new blog!!! So fun! Wish you could have seen my cat Rory when the musica played. He tilted his head and stared at the screen wondering what the heck was that music..So funny!
85 degrees in South Carolina on this St. Patrick’s day! Love the sunshine and all the green! Tomorrow it changes to colder weather. Oh spring come soon! Love, love, love your work.
Happy St. Pad day’s day!
Would love to win, enjoy every post over and over again. Still have all the Willards you use to send.
I’m always ready for a surprise
Hi Susan,
We’ve celebrated St Paddy’s day twice this year and we aren’t Irish although many people think that I am (red hair & lots of freckles)
How fun! I love that you do this! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day to everyone!
O, such a sweet post today. That darling little girl painting away. And Xs on bread so the fairies can flit about. And a happy day to all of you. Spring is upon us. The daffodils need to be re-named happy-dils because they are doing a great job of it in my backyard. The birds are back and singing to let everyone know. After a long dark winter we need their songs this year…..
Your blog is my happy spot each day!! Thank you for sharing a piece of you life with me. I’m feeling lucky this beautiful St Patrick’s Day!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hope it’s warming up in your area. We were over 80 degrees here in Texas!! Happy Almost Spring!
You’re blog always brightens my day!!!!
Your photos are awesome
Happy St Patrick’s Day “Lassie” from Maryland You bring so much sunshine
to our day.
Married an Irishman and what fun!
Playing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” on my little leprechaun music box.
Beautiful blog….thank you.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
My girlfriend and I spent the afternoon baking up a sweet surprise for our families. A St. Patty’s Day Cake with a rainbow inside. :o)
May love and laughter light your days,
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours
Wherever you may roam…
– Irish Blessing
Hmm, I heard today the you carved the x on top and it’s actually for the cross. Then to let the fairies out you pinch the top of the bread. But I don’t know which is actually correct! In any case I am wearing my added green shirt as I always have Emerald green earrings and my engagement ring is a large Emerald with two smaller diamonds! When they were younger they would try and get me if I didn’t have green clothes on but I reminded them I wore the green all year long! What ever your ancestry we are all Irish today!
I’d be out like a light if I had one of those….. !! lol
Happy Almost Spring, Susan! We can smell it in the air now, can’t we? Enjoy that gorgeous island of ours!
XO,
Martha
Happy St. Pat’s Day! May all the blessings come your way in 2015!
would love to win! Me, Me, Me!!!
Hi,
Very happy it’s almost spring here in Ct.
Katie
Hi, love ALL of your blogs. You are so “down to earth”, Susan, and enjoy life so much. It always lifts my spirits to read your blogs!!! Happy St. Pat’s day!! We have lilac flower buds already here in WA. state—very early spring! Joyce M.
the music was perfect. I let it play, and play, and play 🙂
It has been a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day here in Tennessee with some of the green leaves and green grass starting to pop through to welcome warmer, sunny days. Thanks for your warm and gracious blogs as they keep me smiling.
Happy St. Patricks Day to you and yours!
I’m enjoying watching The Quiet Man this evening to celebrate the occasion. I celebrated my 69th birthday yesterday and am savouring the memories of a year ago today being in Dublin , Ireland and watching The St. Patricks Day Parade there. What a beautiful country. Thank you to all those wonderful Irish immigrants who brought us their spirit, faith, food and culture for us to enjoy. Thank you for the Irish Coffee recipe. The illustration of the child is so pretty along with yours. Your illustrations are how I became a fan of yours. I have always been a fan of illustrators who are detail oriented and touch my heart. My favorites are Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Joan Walsh Anglund and you of course. Norman Rockwell is the only one I got to meet and loved him even more after that. What humility. Looking forward to Vannas dive tomorrow. Hope she doesn’t make it too hard on you to get her up. Hope that she put her pretty pink slippers by her bed for tomorrow. I will cross everything crossable for good luck. Till tomorrow XOXOXO!
Happy Birthday Luci!
Thank you Sweet Susan
You and I share a birthdate. May you have a blessed and happy year!
Thank you Donna and the same to you! How thoughtful.
Wishing you a beautiful Irish Spring!!
Blessings!
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Susan,
I just started reading your blog a couple of months ago, and I love it! I absolutely adore the Betty Crocker Kitchen Gardens book and have been a fan of Tasha Tudor’s books and artwork for years. I would love to be entered into the giveaway, if not too late. Either way, thank you for your words and for the beautiful art that you share with us. You have a true gift.
Sincerely, Christy Vargo
Wearing of the green. Little green leprechauns and 4 leaf clovers!
love your blog. hope i win. typing with one hand. just had rotator cuff surgery 🙁
I like your go-for-it-ness . . . typing with one hand. Hope it feels better soon Pam.
I had Irish soda bread and shamrock cookies over the weekend, and I wore green to a St. Patrick’s Day party today. It’s always fun to celebrate this day! There’s more snow in our weather forecast, but it shouldn’t last long!
You are a delight!!!! Please sign me up for the Spring Fling give away… yes, please!
Worked all day & just got your wonderful blog- happiness!!!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day Susan! Feels like spring in Western Colorado – sunny days with birds singing their hearts out with joy! Love your give a ways!
I have one red headed son and three red headed grandchildren (out of
nine) so I am doing my part for St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Hello Paddy Mc Sue.. Have to tell this funny story that happened every St Patrick Day in our house when we were young. There 8 children in our family, I am #2 from the top. Every St Patricks Day My Dad would say “Don’t forget to put on your orange today it’s St Patricks Day.. My Dad was French Irish. My Mum was full Irish..maiden name Shane. Now talk about getting the olde Irish dander up my Mum was so Irishly mad let me tell you … “Get your Green on and off to school you go”.” Now do it. ” Wow, we new what not to ware was Orange. Every year same thing. Mum’s family were big drinker. Irish for sure. I think my Dad did it on purpose just to get her goat. The things we remmeber when we were young. Dad gone now but we still tease Mum about it. She is 84 young today. My neice was born the 17th to my youngest sister. One of my sisters did ware orange to school one year and she never did that again cause boy did she get teased bad. She told people what Dad told her and she never wore Orange ever again. LOL. Ha- Ha -Ha. Happy St Patrick’s Day to you. Rainbows, Hugs and Kisses to you and yours. Thanks for sharing today.
🙂 Linda!
Happy St. Pats Day. We had a lovely Day at a Dodgers Spring Baseball game! A balmy (aka HOT) 90 degrees!
Your website always makes me smile!! Hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!!!
As with many holidays, we have strayed from the original intent. Being the humble man that he was, I doubt that the real St. Pat would have understood all of the hoopla. Never-the-less, it is a fun day!
Hi Susan
Since you are keeping the draw open, I will drop my name
into the barrel. Maybe the luck of the Irish will be with me
this time.
Hope you enjoyed St. Paddy’s Day.
Susan M
Happy St. Paddy’s day!!
What a blessing you are to me Susan. Hugs & love to you!
Happy St. Pats –
We celebrated with a baked ham and fresh asparagus, along with heavenly rice! Now for an Irish coffee.
Thank You – Toni
I come to your blog to escape into your magical and adorable world 🙂 Please enter me in the Spring Fling contest, thank you!!