Susan

Welcome to my new blog website! My name is Susan. I have been blogging since 2007. On Raisin Toast I share family life, our new journey in retirement in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the building of our last and smaller home, my artwork, quilting, stories, and more. I hope you will enjoy what I have created here! Welcome! Don’t forget to Subscribe to my Newsletter!

Fine Art Pastels

New Paintings

Painting in Oils & Pastels

Back Country

Susan January 25, 2024
I just finished this painting recently of a winter mountain landscape. I love painting rural landscapes, there is something about them that is peaceful. Product Details “BACK COUNTRY” Soft Pastel on Paper 9×12 AVAILABLE. This painting is not framed. $225.00 FREE SHIPPING You can see…

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Big Bear Bob

Confessions

Family Stories

Front Porch

New Home Build

Samuel

Sarah & Matt

House Plans and Headaches

Susan January 12, 2024
The featured photo above is the home that my parents built in 1970-71. I was 11y/o when I, my 2 brothers, and parents, moved to Brookeville, Maryland, on 8 acres, overlooking Tridelphia Lake. Those were wonderful years that I look back on fondly. We have…

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Fine Art Pastels

Friends

New Paintings

Painting in Oils & Pastels

Studio

Transitions

Susan January 6, 2024
A new pastel painting that I completed today. 9×12 Soft Pastels on Art Spectrum Pastel Paper. It’s been quite the transition for me and my family, as we embark on building our last home in the mountains, but I am of the adage that anywhere…

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Master Artists

Painting in Oils

Painting in Oils & Pastels

Studio

Snow – according to Aldro T. Hibbard

Susan January 2, 2024
One of my all time favorite American Artists is Aldro Thompson Hibbard (1886-1972). His snowscapes make me want to move to Maine or Vermont, or at least visit and do some painting during the winter months. I absolutely love the way he paints. His work…

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Faith

Fears

My Opus

Fear of the Lord

Susan December 15, 2023
Recently, I posted Proverbs 1:7 on Facebook. If we reflect on this scripture, it can leave us puzzled as to why we should “fear” the Lord our God, and what, exactly, is the purpose of this “fear” and why does He want us to “fear”…

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Faith

Family

My Opus

A Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours

Susan December 7, 2023
Here we are bringing another year to a close, it all goes by so fast I’m afraid to blink anymore. But here we are, thinking about 2024 and what the year might bring – and how we can survive the inundation of political ads and…

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Recipes

One-Bite Tomato & Mozzarella Skewers

Susan November 22, 2023
This wonderful recipe is one of my Big Bear’s favorite from my friend Beth Sollars, If you are having guests for the holidays, these skewers are perfect for entertaining and keeping your family and friends happy while watching the football game and waiting for that…

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My Opus

Poetry and Essays

The Sun is Still Rising

Susan November 3, 2023
By Morgan Harper Nichols The sun is still rising,the wind is still blowing,and out here in the wild,you are growing. And there might be dayswhere you might struggle to feel it’s true,and you might struggle to trustthat here in the wilderness,there is more ahead of…

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Family

My Opus

Samuel

Sam the Sandman

Susan October 13, 2023
He sleeps. My grandson Sam loves when grandma (that’s me) comes over to play and take care of all his needs while his parents go to work. My daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Matt, are both in Ministry. Sam just turned 1y/o and has a…

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Susan

Back Country

House Plans and Headaches

Transitions

Snow – according to Aldro T. Hibbard

Fear of the Lord

A Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours

One-Bite Tomato & Mozzarella Skewers

The Sun is Still Rising

Sam the Sandman

A Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours

Mother's Double Dutch Quilt Part 3

The Greatest Gift

Aging: Staying Youthful and Beautiful

Thanksgiving Table Runner Day 5

About Raisin Toast

Meet Our Contributors

About Susan

Latest posts

A Festive Time of Year

The Lion and the Lamb

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

The Pioneer Woman Comes to Charlotte

Apple Cranberry Streusel Pie

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