Holidays, 2015

Holidays, 2015
A Winter Scene - red door, a dusting of snow, and a vintage bicycle

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Inspiration

I am SO EXCITED to have a link from Susan Branch's website.....so I wanted to talk today about inspiration for just a moment.


This will be worth it....so stay with me....INSPIRATION: what is it?  For me, it's that light of fire, that spark, that nudge, that WOW, that's it....I KNEW IT ALL ALONG....that's ME!!!!!  That's inspiration.  (for me)

A L-O-N-G time ago, I came across one of Susan Branch's books....I read them over and over like old magazines; honestly there is so much inside each one, you don't get it all in one sitting.  It's not a recipe book...well, there's recipes in there, but there is so much more.  Her life is in those books....she lets out bits and pieces of it each time she writes....those pictures are all pieces of her life.  The old vintage stove, kitties, pottery, teacups.  You know what I mean, right? 
                                                                
Anyway, one thing led to another and soon I'm interesting my middle daughter in her calendars....and guess what?  She loved them and she's just like me....reading every bit of them like a story. 

Well anyway...ONE Christmas I was looking for an SB calendar for my daughter and I couldn't find it anywhere.  I drove from store to store, made phone calls and it was just a few days away; what was I going to do?  Finally, I found one, the last one and it was hers.  For years, I didn't get myself a calendar; they were expensive as I was a single mom raising three girls on my own.  I wanted them to know good things; I could get a free calendar somewhere.  They deserved their own favorite calendar and now this middle daughter was 'hooked.' 
                                                                 
Two years ago,  I got myself one for the first time.....they are pretty special....I know Susan inspires so many of us, each in our own special way.....but for me, she inspires me to be myself.  I LOVE to cook, clean, garden, make my house inviting for family and friends.  I LOVE to iron my pillowcases and my napkins. 

I'm an old-fashioned girl and for a lot of years, before I 'met' Susan in her books and calendars, I struggled with who I was, always trying to be 'more modern.'  But guess what?  That's not who I am......in fact, I WANT to own a b&b.  I want to decorate it and cook and clean and put handwritten notes on their pillows when they arrive....

The Girls Gets Real is about just that....being ME, no matter what.  That's what I'm best at....I've been a teacher pretty much all my life, so today's lesson is this:  Be YOURSELF.....and be darn good at it, too!!

This past Christmas, I also got my middle daughter a copy of Susan's first Willards that were hand-written.  Here she is on Christmas day opening it up....see that smile?  Inspiration in the making.
                                                                           
Thank you Susan Branch for being one of my greatest inspirations.....

I love you,

Joann....The REAL GIRL in Colorado xoxo

17 comments:

  1. While all of us have a slightly different version of our "Susan" story, they are really all the same. We are drawn to her cuz she loves us where we are, not where we're going to be. AND why we're drawn to each other! Love you on your journey! Thank you for opening your life up and sharing. xo

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  2. I loved reading this post, Joann! I can relate to you on so many levels. Susan is such an inspiration in my life and in the lives of so many others. I can thank Susan for introducing me to you, along with other dear friends, who I've "met" because of our common interest - Susan Branch! Bless your heart! Cheers to you and Susan! xoxo

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    1. Yes, SB is quite the matchmaker....like minds and spirits, coming together to spread the joy!! xo

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  3. I love this post, Joann! I feel the same way, and you did such a beautiful job of putting it into words. Plus, it makes me happy to know that you finally got your own SB calendar :-) xoxo

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    1. You know, I LOVE the calendar, but I would be just as happy just getting my daughters the calendars they wanted.....I guess motherhood has truly suited me. Thank you so much for your post....I really appreciate your friendship. xo Joann

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  4. I couldn't agree more, Joann. I first met Susan with her Heart of the Home cookbook. (My ex-husband gave it to me for Valentine's Day!) I purchased Vineyard Seasons soon after, Summer, the Love book, and then lost track of her.

    I have been lucky enough to find her calendar most years; however, this year I purchased one from her website, along with her blotter (LOVE it!).

    I work in academia, but am a homebody. Yes, I understand the B & B dream. I also had it for a long time. In fact years ago I met a couple who purchased the Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, VT. Guess what? They were from Colorado and lived behind me on Ken Caryl Ranch. They have since sold it but it is amazing. My "new" husband and I were married there 10 years ago.

    Just curious - what part of Colorado do you live in? I'm in Texas now, but we plan to retire there. My daughter, granddaughter and stepdaughter all live there. I lived there for 26 years and miss it SO MUCH!

    Susan

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    1. Susan, leave me your email and I'll write to you.....Thank you for your wonderful post....I'll look into the Rabbit Hill Inn...how awesome!!!

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    2. Thanks, Joann. I look forward to hearing from you! My personal email is susanbryza@gmail.com.
      The Rabbit Hill Inn is still incredible!!:)

      Warmly,

      Susan

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    3. Susan....when you decide to come back to Colorado, let me know!!!

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  5. I'm so glad you finally have your own calendar and, more than that, that you're accepting yourself for who you are now without trying to fit into some stereotyped standard. All the things you love and want sound pretty amazing!

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    1. Hi Emily!!! Thank you for your post; I really appreciate it. "Know Thyself" I do.

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  6. I don't know what was offensive about my question that got it deleted. Joe and Sue, unless it is a very recent wedding, are not married. Why is that offensive? The anniversary they celebrate is the answer of their first date or something like that. Every long time reader or islander knows this, not a big deal. I was just wondering if she had announced it on her blog and I missed it. Many people, like Joy Behar, finally marry their partners after being together for years. It's sweet. Or maybe Sue feels like Joe is her common law husband, I don't know. But she called him that on her Twitter a few days ago and I wanted to know if I missed a wedding announcement.

    Marcy

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    1. Hi Marcy,

      It certainly isn't offensive--true love is amazing, whether married or not; I simply don't know the answer to that question. I think it's a sensitive subject for people, especially us gals who were born in the 40's or 50's who are pretty old-fashioned. Especially after a 'not so nice' marriage or an awful divorce, many women decide not to marry again, but the relationship is truer and richer than any married relationship at times. I think, though, it is difficult to 'talk' about it---what do you call 'him'? My fiance'? My boyfriend? If we call this 'person' our 'partner,' then people don't know what you're talking about since partner is now used more frequently with same sex relationships. Just by his first name? For us 'old-fashioned' girls with new-fashioned ideas, it's sticky at times. I think it tugs at hearts in so many ways.
      Susan probably wouldn't mind if you just asked her....LOVE is LOVE.....
      And I know Susan is deeply loved....and that's what's important.

      So, if I'm the REAL GIRL, then I have to be real and tell you that I'm very sorry I deleted your post. I saw it and immediately thought: "I no, if Susan sees this it will feel so awful; she'll feel like she has to explain." I apologize; many bloggers don't allow posts until they are approved. Susan is so open about so much of her life; I'm sure she'd be happy to give you an answer but I don't believe it is my place to speak for her. Thank you so much for understanding.

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    2. I meant: OH NO....(after immediately thought)

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  7. It should say, "...is the anniversary of their first...".

    Marcy

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  8. "'old-fashioned' girls with new-fashioned ideas"

    That's so cute. No apology needed, this is your blog after all. I completely understand, I thought I had offended someone. Maybe she'll talk about it sometime, it might help some people. I was surprised when I learned that her parents are divorced. I guess because I don't consider it that common for their generation. But, then I thought, that's just the reality of families, even in beautiful books.

    Love your blog and tweets, you seem like a loving and devoted Mom. I bet you were a great teacher, too!

    Marcy

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    1. Thank you so much Marcy.....and I agree that I do think it would help a LOT of people!!! You're a sweetie....xo

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