Christmas from the Heart of the Home

I love the content of this book, but I was disappointed the book jacket was cut in multiple places. One of the reasons I like Susan Branch books are they look great stacked on top of each other with their beautiful book jacket spine labels showing, however I can't put this one on my stack. It would have been nice to know about the book jacket before ordering.

Brings back happy childhood memories of the holidays.

No matter what else is going on, this book is a wonderful holiday "pick-me-up". You will feel instantly more "Christmasy" after looking through it. I keep it on my coffee table throughout the holiday season.As with all Susan Branch books, her watercolor illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They rnage from adorable little elfs to sumptuous holiday table settings.The recipes are clearly written, her cookie recipes are particularly good and she offers great tips on presenting cookies as a holiday gift.This is a great book to browse through around the holidays!

This is a gorgeous book to own. It contains a wide range of Christmas topics. My favorite being the stocking stuffer page(page 58),crammed with ideas for things to put in stockings. It contains ideas for things to make your Christmas special or to make someone else's Christmas special. I liked her idea for gathering friends and family together for a picture while holding up a sign that says "I love you,(name here)!" or writing Merry Christmas in the snow and sending the photo to a loved one who is far away! There is a page dedicated to making gravy...ideal for someone who still needs help with the basics. Also, recipes for beautiful side dishes such as delicate and simple creamed pearl onions. She shares her ideas for decorating and gift giving (a jar of homemade star-shaped croutons!) This really is worth owning or giving as a Christmas present.

I am now ordering my third copy of this book to give to another relative who wishes a copy. I have had the book for more than 5 years and use it every year for Christmas cooking. Every Christmas Eve, I prepare one of Susan Branch's recipes and everyone's mouth waters in anticipation. This is the best book a Christmas lover could have. It's also a wonderful recipe book for those who are not fond of complicated Christmas recipes. This year, I made the Bread Pudding with Whiskey sauce for the first time and it was out of this world. The illustrations are fun and by now, I know the text better than Ms. Branch. Highly recommended.

My introduction to Susan Branch's "Christmas from the Heart of the Home" was about a year ago. A friend had it out and had decorated her home for a party using some of Susan's wonderful ideas ... I just "loved" the little ideas she had, so I immediately went out and purchased my own copy. I am marveled at her beautiful artwork, lovingly hand printed recipes and stories, and realistic drawings of everyday items. You can tell there is "love" in every stroke of her brush. By the time I finished reading every page, I felt I knew Susan personally, like an old friend. I have added other Susan Branch books to my collection, and have enjoyed the same quality, ideas, recipes, etc. I am continually amazed at her talents, and the care that she puts into each page. My sister visited me this Christmas and fell in love with my books. Although of meager means, she couldn't resist starting her own collection. My sister and I live hundreds of miles away, but Susan Branch has brought us even closer together. I am going to seek out her "newsletter' information next. Anyone who is lucky enough to own one of Susan's books will not be able to resist purchasing another. She is wonderful! Thank you!