The Delightful, Cheerful and Talented Susan (s)

Do you know Susan? 

Yes, I have have five sisters and three sisters-in-law, and one of them is named Susan!  Susan is the oldest of our siblings, the first child, the top of the totem pole, the one who probably changed more diapers then any of us put together!  (We always helped my mom change diapers of whoever was younger than us!) When I was in junior high Susan went away to college.  I didn't see her any less than I did when she was at home, as she was always in her room studying!  LOL  She was top of her high school class and top of her graduating college class.  Talk about talent, my sister Sue (guess her name changed somewhere along the line) has more musical talent than I could ever dream of!  Sue is now the MOB.  Yes, the honored position called "The Mother of the Bride".  And, if ever her smarty-pants needs to come in it has been for this wedding.  Her daughter, the bride, is just finishing up a school year of teaching in Africa!  So they have been planning and organizing the wedding long distance.  They use emails and Skype and that's all, they haven't seen each other since Heather became engaged!  My niece Heather, is going to be boarding a plane in just a couple days to fly back to the states. 

(photo taken at a distance by a close friend)

 Her wedding date is July 29, so she'll  have just weeks to prepare in person.   Just one favor, could you please pray for Heather and her groom, Mr. Q., that all goes well in travels?  Oh, to make the love story even sweeter, Mr. Q. proposed to Heather in Africa!  Whew, they'll have a story to tell their children! 

Next up on our Susan list is Susan Branch.  Guess who has a new blog?  Guess whose book you can win?  Guess which artist I've loved, admired and been cheered by for many, many years?  Yes, Susan Branch.  I have several of her books, and her wall calendar hangs beautifully in my kitchen. So cheery!  I once wrote to Susan and asked her to write a "Spring" season book.  She was missing that season in her line up.  I didn't hear back from her, she's so busy drawing and all, but if she comes out with a "Spring Book", you can thank me!   ;)

You can shop her store for her wonderful, cheerful and art-filled books here.  I think "Girlfriends Forever" is my favorite!

    (all the Susan Branch images used on this post are via SusanBranch.com)

Be sure to check out her Recipes page on her website, too!

I love my sister, Susan!  And I adore Susan Branch's artwork!  How's that for a Wednesday double love?

   Hugs, Heidi

Sisters and Friends

" A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. "

(six sisters=six friends)

"Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood."

 ~Louisa May Alcott

                          

(six sisters=six friends)

(I saved a few of these vintage photos but didn't note where they came from.

I think on Flickr...if they belong to you, let me know and I'll give credit due!)

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life."

(My five sisters and me....I'm second from the left.)

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can  supply..."   ~Jane Austen

(My precious Mother and all her girls...my sisters and sisters-in-law,

and Claira!.)

"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other."

(I was so blessed to be asked to paint this sign for one of my

Etsy buyers.  I will now offer this in my shop!)

I was blessed to be born in a large family, with five sisters and three brothers, there were nine children.  We moved quite a bit while growing up, but no matter where we lived on the West Coast, I my friends always moved with me!  Then when my brothers got married, one by one, three more precious and special sisters were added to my life. In addition to my family, I count so many other girls/ladies as my "sisters", my "sisters in Christ".  You know who you are, right?  I love you all!

A friend can be a "sista", too, you know!

Blessings, and hug a sister today!         ~Heidi

Some of the quotes I used came from The Quote Garden.

Linked to "Get Your Craft on Tuesday" here.