HOMEMADE

Everything is homemade this time of year, so let’s celebrate! 🎃 Because really, it’s one of the most amazing and wonderful things that make us human … our creativity! All hygge, all the time! MUSICA? 

So what’s been keeping me busy at home? I’ve been working on new embroidery kits. I want a large, old-fashioned HOME SWEET HOME cross-stitch, and thought the words should be stacked, and decided to wrap embroidered flowers around the first ‘H’ and the last ‘E’ … so first I drew them in pencil  . . .Here are the embroidered letters so far . . . I think its going to be cute. I’m going to make a pillow out of it to match my blue kitchen! I’ll let you know when it’s done.  In the meantime some of our 

. . . like this one, have arrived at the Studio! The Redwork Ornament Kit is here! The little house with the heart is already hanging in my kitchen! These ornaments take no time at all to make, so simple!

And “Tea Party,” a counted cross-stitch kit has also arrived!A nice way to spend the evening, light some candles, put on a good old movie or listen to some good old musica and sew something up for the holidays. Creativity is the best! There are no better words to say than “I made that!”
And what else? . . . Oh yes, Martha’s Vineyard Isle of Dreams has gone in for a second printing . . . the printer just sent me all of this ~ to approve color, paper, and layouts ~ so that’s been keeping me busy too. The only difference in the new printing is that we fixed some spelling and punctuation mistakes 😜 (better late than never), and added a banner to the cover that says, “New York Times Best Seller” (my first and only on that august list, so I want everyone to know it)!

The new printing won’t be in until February (if all goes as planned), but we saved back a few signed copies for our Blog and Facebook Girlfriends, just in cases you need them for gifts. 💞

Joe and I are still in the throes of planning our trip to England and Ireland . . . we think and talk about it a LOT, every day ~ we’ve picked out some houses we like (to rent!). I keep thinking about the baby lambs we will see there in the spring and have begun to paint them . . . because I’m going to keep a diary while we are there, and paint a new book of this trip when we get home! That’s why we’re taking such care to plan interesting places we want to take YOU!  Before we know it, it will be time to GO!And don’t forget . . . May 11!

My shadow helps me paint … there’s always room on my art table for a kitty. My theory is that cat hairs in watercolor add to the homemade quality and make every page more valuable!

See this? This is an old painting of the village of Lower Slaughter in the Cotswolds where we will be staying for two wonderful weeks. This painting was done in 1903, but I’m pretty sure this town hasn’t changed a bit. The stone cottage we’ve rented is one house down the narrow little road on the left! You can almost see it! It’s across from the Old Mill, and walking distance to pretty much everywhere. When we get there, I’m going to stand right here, and take this exact same photo as it is today. Hopefully there will be descendants of these very ducks waiting for me.  I can’t wait!

And here’s what else I was doing one cold, late-fall, sunny morning when we got back from our walk ~ making crisp HEART-SHAPED WAFFLES.  

They’re so quick to make from scratch, and so delicious and festive and homey. I put a recipe for them in my LOVE Book (p.41) … but recently I found the most perfect waffle iron, not electric! and wanted to show you because there will be many times in the months to come where heart-shaped waffles will be the perfect thing. This time I used a girlfriend-approved gluten-free waffle recipe made with crunchy cornmeal . . . so here we go! First, into your mixing bowl goes 3/4 c. medium-grind cornmeal. (Don’t worry I’ll put the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

. . . then add the same amount of gluten-free all-purpose flour. I got mine from King Arthur Flour ~ measure for measure, and completely interchangeable for “real” flour.

Whisk in baking soda and baking powder   . . .

add cinnamon and nutmeg . . .

And a tiny bit of sugar . . . and whisk all dry ingredients together well.

Mix a cup of buttermilk with two beaten eggs . . .

Melt two TB of butter over low heat . . .

Add the buttermilk-egg mixture to the dry ingredients along with the melted butter, and whisk until well blended. It’s supposed to be thick.

And here’s what makes it fun. You know whenever I get something I love I try to carry it in our web store? Well, this pan makes these waffles so easy ~ all you do is pour the batter into one side of the pre-warmed pan. (It’s coated so nothing sticks, although I also spray it lightly with vegetable oil~ the top separates from the bottom for easy cleaning). And something I didn’t do, because this was my first time using this pan, I didn’t take a spatula and spread the batter evenly. But you can and should. The first time you use this pan, it seems like you might have to hurry . . . but you don’t, you have all the time in the world, because you can regulate the heat under it. And the handle doesn’t get hot!

You just fill one side of the pan with batter, put the lid down, and wait a few minutes while it cooks over medium-high heat. And yes, you can peek! And if it’s going too fast, pull it off the heat, or lower it . . . and yes, it works with an electric stove too.

And while I was waiting the few minutes for it to cook, just outside my kitchen window  . . .

… a squirrel was having his breakfast too!

He saw me see him! Here’s where he tried to decide if I was real, and if I was, how actually close was I? He finally figured it all out, and went right back to stuffing his face, confident of the double-glass that separated us, oblivious to me and my camera!

I turned the waffle maker over, cooked a bit longer to brown the other side, and there they were! You can lift the lid and put it back down until they are the crispness you desire. You can see that if I had spread the batter better, the hearts would have been perfect! But perfect?

Joe thought they were perfect, buttered and syruped. And that’s all that mattered.

Here’s the pan … it’s very thin and can even go into the dishwasher. Way better than the old electric waffle irons!

When we sell them in our store, we include the recipe card above, with the original recipe. Hope you get a chance to try them! (By the way, the recipes work in any shape waffle iron!) Next time I’m going to add a little bit more milk, and put in 1/4 c. cocoa powder and make chocolate waffles!
And I’m  sure you are all fully aware, next Thursday is

A L R E A D Y ? ? ?  Yes!

And for me, first thing I have to do is get the bread for My Grandma’s Turkey Stuffing. It has to be the cheap kind, forget about any fancy “healthy” bread, these soft old-fashioned loaves I used to get my baloney sandwiches on are what makes the perfect Grandma-approved stuffing texture. 🍁

This recipe is on page 106 of the original Heart of the Home, on page 112 of the 30th Anniversary Edition, on page 64 of my Autumn book, and I think it might even be in my Christmas book ~ BUT if you don’t have those books, here’s the How-To . . .

My mom made this dressing every Thanksgiving of my growing-up life, and I’ve made it every year from the time I was able . . . my grandma learned the recipe from her mom . . .  it’s the way I’ve kept my mom and Grandma close every Thanksgiving.  The butter and sage fill our kitchen with fragrant memories of home. It taught me that you can do that for people, with foods and smells of their childhood, you can take your loved ones back in time. If you have someone new coming for Thanksgiving this year, and they want to bring something, ask them to bring the food of their childhood. 🍲

So onto the ironing board goes the bread tomorrow because it must air-dry for three days! Can’t dry it in the oven because, like everything that matters, this luv-lee recipe won’t be hurried. ⏰
And I’ve already made the first half of the gravy. This little trick for added abundance is such a huge help, because you can never have too much gravy! I’ll make my cranberry sauce on Wednesday so it will be icy cold . . .

The thing I love about this recipe, besides that it’s the most delicious I’ve ever tasted . . .

. . . is the color! Isn’t it pretty? Very gorgeous on a mostly brown Thanksgiving plate. Here’s the recipe . . .

Could not be easier!Another colorful thing for your table, especially if you are feeding children or even the young-at-heart, is my layered Jell-O … festive on the table, and absolutely delicious too … it’s not too sweet ~ it’s tempered with sour cream, adds a wonderful lightness to an otherwise heavy meal, and you can find it on page 62 of my first book, Heart of the Home.

I’m trying to decide my Thanksgiving table settings . . . which plates do you like? I have these two vintage designs from Vernon Kilns … that one ⬆️ is called “Chintz” ~

This one is called “Delores” ~ I mix and match both designs when I use these two.

OR, should I use these?  This is the Johnson Brothers “Windsor Ware” I used for our waffles ~ I like the purple with other fall colors . . . time for decisions! It’s all coming together, slowly but surely, for my favorite holiday! I love tradition ~ And this one, all about counting our blessings, is even older than our country.Touch hands, touch hands with those who stay . . . 🍂 Be sure and take you and yours on a walk in nature for a breath of fresh air on the otherwise soul-eating Black Friday (still trying to figure out who’s idea this was, and I think I know 🤑) and make it a tradition in keeping with the word “Thanksgiving.” Maybe then it will become Green Friday. 💞

Here’s my darling Jack. Who watched the entire waffle-making experiment from the kitchen table and never changed this expression!  But I read everything I need to know in those green eyes. We rub our foreheads together, and there’s information transfer. 💓

Jon, from England, who works for the manufacturer of our bone china cups, came to the Island to visit us yesterday. Joe asked him, “Would you like a cup of coffee, or tea?” And Jon said, “Yes, please, coffee.”  I sat in front of the fire talking to Jon ~ Joe went to make coffee and when he came back he brought this tray for us! So pretty! I jumped up and said, “Don’t touch that, let me get my camera!” Joe. What a guy. I’m reminded every day. Blessing counting!

With all my L O V E …. XOXO 

H E A R T  –  S H A P E D ,   G L U T E N  –  F R E E ,   C O R N    W A F F L E S 

  • 3/4 c. gluten-free all purpose flour
  • 3/4 c. med. grind cornmeal
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 c. milk or buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp. melted butter

Lightly spray your waffle iron with vegetable oil, and preheat it. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter. Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk eggs well, whisk in buttermilk. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients along with melted butter and whisk until well mixed.  Use a measuring cup to pour batter into the waffle maker, filling each heart, spreading the batter to get into all the holes. Close waffle maker, cook for a few minutes, turn the pan over, cook for a bit longer. Check for color, and cook until browned and crisp. They pop right out of the pan when you are ready. Keep warm in the oven while you make more, or serve immediately, hot with butter and heated maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit. If you’d like chocolate waffles, add 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder to dry ingredients, and 1 TB additional milk. ❣️

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502 Responses to HOMEMADE

  1. Diane says:

    I’ve just finished reading your blog post, but have not yet read all of the comments. I apologize if you’ve already answered this question, but where did you get the adorable light blue little pot that you used to melt butter for your heart shaped waffles? Do you know who manufactures it? I would love to get one. Thank you.

  2. Jeannie says:

    A walk on your path to the shore is a perfect way to start any day! We were only 3 for Thanksgiving dinner this year, smallest ever, since we’ve been married, just our eldest son and us! Our younger son and his family moved to Wilmington NC in August, he is attending UNC Wilmington for his Jr. & Sr. year. So proud of him, but miss them! They lived just down the path from us, so it’s really hard on us! We did not go to any malls or other busy shops on black Friday, however we did stop at an antique mall on the way to have dinner with on 86 year old friend of ours! Much more fun!

    So exciting to anticipate your next trip across the pond, can’t wait to see the picture you take of the ducks and pond!

    Jeannie
    Tweet tweet!

  3. Ruth Hoffman says:

    Hi Susan! Just finished reading “Isle of Dreams” for the second time! With my family on a Thanksgiving cruise (a first) and it was the perfect accompaniment. I enjoyed it so much (again) and was pleased to hear it is going for a second printing. Is Vineyard Seasons still in print? It is the only book of yours I don’t have. Glad we will have an Ireland book to look forward to. Thanks for spreading joy and inspiring us in so many different ways!
    You are appreciated and loved!❤️

  4. Gill says:

    Whoo hoo! I wonder if you’ll be in England for the Royal Wedding!?

    • sbranch says:

      Now wouldn’t that be wonderful! Let me know if you hear they’ve set a date! It must take a while to plan a royal wedding!

      • pat addison (cave junction,OR) says:

        I was reading where they plan to marry in May after the Duchess has her baby at Windsor at St. George’s chapel. wouldn’t it wonderful to be there in time for a royal wedding??? I think it will be a more casual affair than Kate’s and William’s wedding since she was married once before and is divorced.

  5. pat addison (cave junction, OR) says:

    Good Morning Susan and Girlfriends. how was your Thanksgiving??? we had a feast, turkey cooked out on the grill and basted all day long, turned out beautiful and delicious. we had tons of side dishes and pies, safe to say we made piggies out of ourselves. but I can still zip up my jeans with no problems, so I wasn’t too much of a piggy. sadly though my MIL managed to somewhat cause a few problems that day, and as a result FIL is finally agreeing to get her tested for dementia, her mom had it and dies with it, so did her 3 sisters and her brother has it now. we sadly suspect she does as well, she is no longer able to cope with the housework and forgets how to cook things, a prime example would be her green bean casserole this year. normally it is great especially with the fried onions in it, but this year I have no idea what she did, but it looked dreadful and she forgot to add the onions. she also brought a pecan pie (something she could make in her sleep) and it was soupy. it was undercooked, and missing a few things. so tomorrow FIL takes her in for testing and hopefully she can get o some medications to help her. we also suggested he may want to have somebody come help out with household chores and light cooking for them and see to it she takes her meds. we will know soon enough if this is the problem or not. well the barnyard is extra busy, the wild turkeys dropped in to visit and stayed to have breakfast so I have to go put out some extra feed for the birds and then get busy with the laundry and taking down the Thanksgiving decorations and start getting out the Christmas items. enjoy these last days of Autumn, winter is coming soon and its going to be a cold one. holiday hugs everyone….. hugs…… 😀

  6. Suzette Shoulders says:

    Dearest Susan, I just read your Thanksgiving blog post today, since we have been gone for Thanksgiving! For years I have done an ‘advance ‘ turkey, so I have lots of brown meat ( I love it) and gravy, and plenty of dressing! But NEVER had thought of buying extra turkey wings to do gravy in advance! I will remember that, I hope!! I found out this year that doing TG in someone else’s kitchen is pretty stressful, and I assumed many things would be at my daughter’s that were not… like a roasting pan, a baster, and an oven thermometer! She now has all three… OH, well!

    As for dear olde England! I have been in Lower Slaughter, and walked around that dear little creek, and we were surprised by a large number of baby swans there! Maybe you will see some in May when you are there! I was there in May of 1997, so it has been a while! I never tire of England, and the history and delights of the land and villages everywhere there. Special memories , happy travels to you and Joe! Hugs from Oregon, Suzette

  7. Debbie Boerger says:

    So much to be thankful for…medical marijuana for one thing. No “high”, strictly anti-inflammatory. I can’t tolerate other types. And for advanced arthritis, that’s really all they can do for someone with it in their neck. Ouchy.
    And I’m super thankful that I’m getting a bucket list checked…a sleeper from New Orleans to Chicago the last week in April. There was one deluxe bedroom for the price of the little roomettes. We went downtown to the station and got good advice from the ticket agent. We can drive, stopping to see friends in the panhandle of Florida.

    Thank you, Susan, for being such a great travel guide. I figured that if I had lived in a tiny camper for months at a time, sailed on various small sailboats in narrow births, I could certainly do a train. The motion of a gently rocking boat puts me to sleep, and I’ll bet the train will do so as well.

    Now to catch up on the blog comments.
    Debbie in Tampa now

  8. Teresa says:

    I love this post, full of all things wonderful. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I think that layered jello looks fabulous. I will have to check my book for that recipe for next year and one of these days, I will make that cranberry sauce. Everybody here likes the jellied one from the can. I did find those LU cinnamon spice cookies today when I went shopping and they are FABULOUS! So crumbly and spicy–love them–I just wish they didn’t have high fructose corn syrup in them. Oh well.

  9. Sue says:

    Dear Sue and Joe
    The wedding is in May… Crossing my fingers. Oh the celebrating if you are.. the pubs will be going wild with everyone watching it on tv. You may be there then. If nothing else you will probably see bunting everywhere. Lucky you.
    Love Sue

  10. Debbie Boerger says:

    All the TG leftovers are gone, so Tom and I are going to a Thai restaurant for a much needed pallet cleansing. (Probably used the “pallet”, but you all know what I mean). Have you ever had sliced dressing and cranberry sauce on a toasted sandwich? I worked so hard on that meal, not one crumb was allowed to be wasted.

    I wanted to tell you how stunning I find the painting of the blue corn. That one must have taken some steady fingers. I particularly like the dark cob showing around the kernels. Really makes them almost 3-dimensional. You are such a gifted artist as well as person. You give so much to the world, and it does make a difference.

    Love you, Dearie, as my Maine folks say,
    Debbie in Tampa on a lovely afternoon

  11. Caroline says:

    I thought that this morning! I think you will be there for the wedding! and so all of us! I heard it will be this Spring!!! How lovely!

    I called my Senators …I love Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.. They always do the right thing and represent Connecticut very well.

    I long to hear more about your meditation practice:) Maybe this hibernating winter: such a great season for introspection. I sit in silent splendor everyday after my walk, on rock or dock, communing with all the beautiful nature on our pond. I once heard that prayer is asking God and meditation is listening for the answer. This makes me glad:) I have beautiful, sometimes stressed out young adults.. one is 18 yr old snow flake girl. How I would love to give her the gift of meditation but she seems not to be able to hear it from me:) You, she loves! and might be able to listen to your future CDs!!! Hope your day is a wonderful! Caroline

    • sbranch says:

      I think no matter what side our senators are on, they all enjoy hearing from us and getting a feel for what we’re thinking. Even when you’re on the same side, those guys need the support too! I hear you on the meditation Caroline. I really do want to give that, I think I could do a good one. Yes, the prayer and listening…and He made you and gifted you with all the answers… just have to get to that place where you can hear them. Hard to be young. You’re tall so you think you’re fully baked. I promise to try harder. Winter is perfect for it. xoxoxoxo

      • Caroline says:

        I will be quoting you in my journal with Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Issak Dinsen, and Louisa May Alcott:) Will share your quote with all my friends too! Blessed day to you wonderful soul!

        • sbranch says:

          OH MY. Such amazing company . . . beyond happy. Thank you! Could you seat me between Louisa and Mark?

  12. Jennie Lou says:

    Oh! Lovely gluten-free waffles! We missed eating stuffing this Thanksgiving, as he must now be g-f and I, like Mrs. Spratt, am not. So we took your waffles, substituted a bit of salt for the sugar, some onion, sage, thyme, garlic & pepper for the cinnamon & nutmeg and topped our savory waffles with leftover turkey and gravy made with cornstarch not flour —- ah—–and a side of cranberries with orange zest! (Sort of a fried-chicken-and-waffles meets the Macy’s Parade). We hope the weeks between now and Christmas are filled to the corners with the charming, little details of a perfect December for you and your Joe and all your dear ones, and every one of the people who sit and read your blog and like me, are filled with that warm feeling of family.

    • sbranch says:

      VERY creative GF holiday food! Wonderful! I just bought a cookbook called America’s Test Kitchen Gluten Free Cookbook. It has almost solid 5 stars on Amazon, and I think I’m going to love it! I don’t have celiac, but some of my friends do ~ and I’m just curious because I’ve found lots of recipes I’d eat ANYWAY…so why not! Corners already filling up with the sweet details that make up the Christmas season, wishing the same for you! Thank you Jennie Lou!

  13. Lori Hamilton says:

    Now that Thanksgiving’s over and I finished cleaning and decorating, may I say “Merry Christmas?”
    I was thinking of planning a trip to England in May for the picnic but our older son has decided to get married that weekend so…….nope! And now I hear that Prince Harry is getting married in May as well so YOU might be in the midst of all the excitement “over there.” Can’t wait for your blog(s) and the new book. I’m rereading your trilogy and writing down all the quotes that I especially like.
    As for Black Friday, I stay home and appreciate the quiet. And drink tea.
    Thank you for blogging!

    • sbranch says:

      Merry Christmas Lori! Yes, we’re thrilled to hear about the wedding…I think all England will be celebrating just like they were during for the Diamond Jubilee. Can’t wait! And happy wedding to YOU! Wonderful!

  14. pat addison (cave junction, OR) says:

    good afternoon Susan, and Girlfriends. just a fast note between chores to say hello and let you know Susan that if you missed The Mortal Storm it will be on TCM gain on December 7th at 3 your time, 12 noon my time so if you missed it, you can catch it this time. have a good weekend everyone, busy here taking down the Fall decorations and putting up the Christmas, got it all down and up just have the window scenes to do and I can do that over the weekend. whew!!! sausage and soup tonight, its cold out there…39-41 degrees and cloudy. looks like the snow levels may be dropping, be nice to have a white Christmas and before I forget if any of you want to enjoy the old Christmas specials like the ones with Bing Crosby and his family, the King Family and others try looking in at the gettv channel, for DISH it is 373 here and last night it was Bing Crosby, starts at 5pm my time. enjoy. hugs….. 🙂

  15. Bonnie L says:

    Oops! Promised this recipe some time ago, but it is not too late to enjoy late fall and in to winter, or anytime, really!

    Apple Dessert

    1 cup sugar
    1/3 cup butter or margarine
    1 egg
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla
    Sift together – 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, add to above
    Add 2 cups diced apples and 1/2 cup nuts (if desired)
    Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes

    My aunt (from Iowa) did not tell me how to prepare the pan for baking so I will say that I just lightly grease and 8 X 8 inch pan.

    This recipe is great warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or anytime with whipped cream, or no topping necessary!

    Enjoy!

    So thankful for you, Susan, and all the girlfriends. My life is so much richer!

  16. Marcia Ceisel says:

    I just wrote a small comment and then apparently pushed the wrong button, so I will start again: I was saying that I am so glad you found Lower Slaughter! We chanced upon it in 2004, and it is PERFECT. I even looked up cottages to stay in some lucky day, and I’ll bet it may be the one you will stay in. May I suggest: take a walk up to Upper Slaughter. There is a gate very close to the Old Mill. You will walk up a field with huge chestnut trees, see lambs gamboling, cross the small creek, see fences made of woven willow branches like those in Neolithic times, to Upper Slaughter. Don’t miss the church there. Parts are almost 800 yrs old if memory serves. The walk up to it is lined with ancient yew trees. The pagans thought yews represented ever-lasting life, so Christians put them in their churchyards to try to entice the pagans to their church. Or, newly converted pagans put them there ‘just in cases’…have tea at the Lords of the Manor –On another day, have dinner (very formal) at The Slaughters Manor House in Lower Sl, also for a casual lunch in a lovely yard overlooking the river: the Washbourne Court Hotel. This is my FAVORITE part of England — just magical—I am so glad you will be there. I will be there in spirit, as I am a passionate Anglophile and your biggest fan! Hugs, Marcia

    • sbranch says:

      I know about that gate, just across from our house! Eeeek. I can’t wait. Joe and I stopped at Lords of the Manor in Upper Slaughter for breakfast one lazy Sunday ~ we’ve wanted to go back ever since. Now we will be able to walk there from our cottage! Two wonderful weeks! Could not ask for more! Thank you Marcia, so wonderful reading your words!

  17. Robin says:

    It would be wonderful if you could do a stitching/sewing/knitting/etc. book too! And, can’t wait to see your snapshot(s) of the village in the Cotswolds.

  18. sylvia in seattle says:

    Loved seeing you paint on Twitter today 🙂 Great drawing of the ship! Exciting that you may be in England for The Wedding. What fun. Mixing up cookie dough today. Gotta go. Boy am I organized this year 🙂 A miracle. Oh and THANKS for the tip about books on YouTube. Great. Love listening while I do stuff. Merry Merry.

  19. Regina says:

    Just thought I would let you know Dec. 8 is National Brownie Day! Our school staff is honoring it so we will have brownies on Friday. So maybe you and your followers could honor the day too. Now we have a “reason” to bake brownies, though I know who needs a reason? Thanks so much for your wonderful posts, Susan. Truly inspiring and uplifting.

  20. Debbie Boerger says:

    Super moon was lovely last night. We went over to the little bay side park after supper, sat with others who were in awe. Lovely breeze. I’m determined to appreciate the best things about being here in Winter… even though I miss Maine.
    Our wreath and box of greens arrived, and I have the best of both worlds. What a silly girl to complain!
    Speaking of appreciation…we’re going to spend 2 days exploring the DDay-WWII museum in New Orleans, before Our Big Bucket Trip on the City of New Orleans. Of course my musica will have Arlo Guthrie’s “Ridin’ on the City of New Orleans”. Thank you so much for being the inspiration to just Do It!

    Thank you evah so much, Dear Lady,
    Debbie in Tampa

  21. pat addison (cave junction, OR) says:

    Good morning Susan, and Girlfriends. brrrrrr it is cold here, try 28 degrees and we only warm up to 32 today. got the fire going and the cats are curled up near the woodstove for the warmth. they got a teat this morning, hot chicken broth…. well its warm and its good for them. Happy St. Nicholas Day everyone. a Dutch tradition of welcoming in the holiday season, the night before children and their parents leave their shoes outside by the front door and if they are good St Nicholas comes and leaves chocolate gold coins, oranges, nuts and presents in their shoes and if they are naughty his helper, Black Peter leaves them lumps of coal. hope you were all good and got good things in your shoes this morning. been busy breaking up the ice in the water tubs for the chickens and trying to keep warm myself. got some small decorating to finish up and then get the cards addressed and signed and out in the mail by the weekend. busy time of the year. Happy Holidays everyone….. holiday hugs….. 😀

  22. Beth Bruno says:

    Dear Susan – I am late in getting to read this blog, but it is lovely as always and I am so delighted you included a gf recipe for me to try! Going gf has been a challenge, but also an adventure and I love to try new recipes that my husband will eat and enjoy as well. I will be really happy when Krispy Kreme gets on the bandwagon and creates a gf donut! Driving past the “hot and ready” sign is the hardest part of living gf. 🙁

    Thanks again for all the time you spend putting together beautiful posts for us to relish and glean inspiration from. ♥

    • sbranch says:

      “Hot and ready?” Cruel and inhuman! 🤣 I just got the America’s Test Kitchen Gluten Free Cookbook and I’m loving looking at the great recipes. Check it out!

      • Beth Bruno says:

        Susan – I made the waffles yesterday morning and they were Soooooo good! We both loved them. I have enough left over to pop in the toaster this week for quick breakfasts before work. Thanks for the recipe! And I will check out the cookbook. I am trying to make a notebook of all the gluten free recipes I print out and I am putting your waffle recipe on the cover! :)♥♥♥

  23. susan says:

    Love your blog, Susan!!

  24. Vicki Whitsitt says:

    Hi Susan,
    Thank you so much for your lovely blog, photos and artwork – these truly brighten my day, week, month… you get the picture 🙂
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

  25. Toni from Sylvania OH says:

    Hi Susan…going thru these posts, saw one from Debbie Boerger about medical marijuana with no high. How does that work? I’m VERY interested as I have bad arthritis and cannot take IBPF. Too bad on the kidneys. Would love to know about this. A happy and holy Advent to you and yours, Toni from Sylvania OH xoxo

    • sbranch says:

      I don’t know but I hope Debbie will see this…possibly you could get more information if you Googled the subject. I hope you find something that helps!

  26. Sally says:

    You will be in the U.K. during the Royal wedding! Yeah!

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