La-De-Daa ♫ Perfect Cake-Baking Weather!

La-de-da, la-de-da, another day , and here comes the weekend!  No snow for us, but I know lots of you are socked in!  Perfect!  It’s cake baking weather!  Cake baking, with this music, and soon, a pair of darling green salt and pepper birds winging their way to one of you lucky girls. ♥  What a day!

Just in case anyone forgot how truly darling these birds are, here’s the photo again!  You can almost hear them tweeting a song about spring! 

Also, I wanted to show you another item I designed for Wedgwood that I really wish I had today!

It would have had the thinnest glass top, etched lightly with flowers, and would have been perfect to cover and keep our delicious  M I L K  C A K E fresh!

So!  I found this “old Vineyard recipe” for Hot Milk Cake in our local paper.  I’m always attracted to interesting old recipes that say, “This is plain food, simply prepared, and absolutely delicious.”  What’s not to like?  Thought it could be perfect for a tea party; had to try it.  

Here’s the original recipe as printed, although I finished up the directions with suggestions for things such as what size pan to use, what is “a little salt,” and what temperature to bake it at. I’ll rewrite the recipe and put it at the end of this post so you can print it out.  I broke the rule and “thought” about frosting it, but didn’t; and since I was “fresh out” of yellow tomato conserve, I made a sauce to puddle in the bottom of a bowl full of  cake. Y U M !  It’s still not fancy, never fear . . .

So here’s what you do:

Set the temperature for 325 degrees.  See how easy it is?  Piece of cake!

T H E   C A K E

First you get yourself a “rounded teaspoon” of butter (love the way old recipes are written — this was much easier than one that reads add a “knob” of butter!); drop the butter into a half cup of whole milk and heat it on top of the stove until hot.

Whisk a couple of eggs within an inch of their lives.

Gradually whisk in the sugar . . . beat well.

In goes the first half cup of flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla.

Stir well . . . then add the other half cup of flour and the hot milk with butter . . .

And that’s all there is to it!  Pour the cake batter into a buttered 8″ square (or round) cake pan.  Bake 40-45 min.

Pull it out of the oven when the edges start to pull away from pan, or check it with a toothpick in the center . . . allow your kitty to watch . . .

Let the charmingly plain little cake cool while you make the sauce . . . (There’s Jocelyn’s two Love books, all ready to send to her!  Remember?  She was the winner of our last drawing!)

So, for the sauce, which is also really easy, scrape the seeds from a 1″ piece of vanilla bean, put it in a small pan with heavy cream and sugar, bring to a boil, stir and cool.  Chill.

I tried the cake, as suggested, plain and unadorned, and it was wonderful.  I have to say I would like to bite off all the chewy edges first (like corn on the cob), so good!  BUT . . .

. . .  then I added the sauce and this is when the heaven’s parted and this cake melted in my mouth becoming God’s Gift to the World; I was proud to be human and able to cook.  The sauce turns it into a kind of pudding cake.  Just delicious.

You could also add the zest of either one orange or one lemon to the cake batter if you wanted.  Probably currants too and even mini chocolate chips if you were so inclined.  It’s a plain cake — and if it would be good with yellow tomato conserve, as the original recipe says, I think you could put it with anything.  Mmmm, strawberries and whipped cream! ♥

OK, I guess that should keep you busy — that, and then of course, you have to leave a comment at the bottom of this post if you’re interested in the birds!  We’ll let our Random Number Generator choose a winner for this drawing in a few days.  See how the bottoms twist off for easy filling?  Pretty wonderful!

OK girls, off I go.  Scroll down to get the recipe if you want it.

Also, btw, not sure if you know, but I moved the list of my Favorite Movies up to the top of the blog, under where it says, “All About Me” — click there, you’ll see the movies in the drop-down.  In case you’re looking for them!

Had to toss in a photo of this cheerful little cupcake.  I bought the cupcake pan with the deep narrow pockets and the cupcake papers to go with it a while back at Ikea. I just found them on their website — the cupcake pan is red and only $10, and that’s the cupcake papers in the upper right hand corner of their page; aren’t they cute?  I love mine and thought you might like them too. I bet you could make plain cupcakes from the milk cake recipe!  I forget what recipe I used here; it was last winter, there were no flowers, so I stole this one from my African violet!  I think I was thinking “spring” then too!  Have a wonderful weekend girlfriends! XOXO

  S A U C E   for  H O T  M I L K   C A K E

  • 1″ piece vanilla bean
  • 2 c. heavy cream
  • 1/4 c. sugar

Slit vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape seeds into small saucepan.  Stir in cream and bring to a boil.  Add sugar, stir well, let it cool. Chill well.

H O T   M I L K   C A K E

  • 1/2 c. hot milk with 1 rounded tsp. butter melted into it
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 c. flour, divided
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Butter an 8″ square or round cake pan.  Prepare milk and butter.  Whisk eggs well in a med. bowl.  Gradually whisk in sugar and beat well.  Stir in 1/2 c. flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla.  Stir in other 1/2 c. flour, then the hot milk/butter.  Pour into cake pan; bake 40-45 min.  Pour the chilled sauce into a dish and put a slice of cake on top.  Enjoy.


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1,422 Responses to La-De-Daa ♫ Perfect Cake-Baking Weather!

  1. dottie says:

    Susan — I must tell you I made a special stop at Ikea when we went shopping for some clothing for me today — I HAD to pick up one of those red muffin pans to make tall, skinny cupcakes from the delicious sounding hot milk cake! And I even found one package of the colorful papers for the pan! I LOVE it! Not only that I actually found a few items of clothing including a jacket of red and charcoal houndstooth with glittery silver threads, fully lined — it is rather a retro looking piece and I fell head over heels for it! Would have missed it had I gone shopping when I planned later this week — found it because I wanted to get to Ikea — there’s a serendipity there, I do believe!

    • dottie says:

      P.S. — the tall little cakes are delightful and delicious ! I tried a powdered sugar glaze but hubby and I both found it FAR too sweet — the cake itself is sweet enough and perfect as is! Since I was baking anyway, we also have two loaves of banana bread on hand and this morning I have a pot of oolong to sip with my homebaked goodies — thanks to you, Susan.

  2. Cindy Maulin says:

    hi susan…hope this finds you warm and cozied down…..it’s been cold and rainy here all day..soooo..i took your advice and whipped up the milk cake…..my husband just told me that it reminded him of a cake his mother made when he was little..who knew!?!?!?…anyway..built a fire, brewed the tea and settled in to watch the NFL championship games….thank you for the great recipe…yummy!!! oh, my girlfriend received the book i sent her..:Girlfriends Forever” and absolutely LOVES it….so many wonderful things in there for us girlfriends….you have a new fan!!! XOXOXOX love, cindy

  3. Connie B says:

    Thanks so much for your cake recipe. It is very similar to one my grandmother has passed down. She made a homemade blueberry sauce for her cake and was that ever good. I’ll have to put my cake making on the back burner because remember we are on a diet–you for your New York trip and me to fit into some favorite clothes come warmer weather. PS still only a dusting of snow in Minnesota !

  4. Buzz'n Bea says:

    Oh, shoot my reply did not go through… I’m trying again. As usual I loved your blog. The birds are tweeting they want to come to my house.

  5. Buzz'n Bea says:

    Now they are both there…. go figure. Don’t you just love computers at times. NOT.

  6. I love all things vintage and am wishing for the birdies! Pick me! Pick me!

  7. Just Cats says:

    Hi Susan
    When I logged on and the birds chirped my cat, Audrey almost jumped through the screen. She is still looking for that bird. Love your post as always. Deb

  8. Gwen says:

    Dear Susan,
    Thank you for sharing your creative spirit! I visit your blog often and thoroughly enjoy everything! You my friend, are a constant well of inspiration & sunshine! Thank you for taking the chill out of these cold New England months!

  9. Patty O says:

    Not sure if it is too late, but those little birdy salt and peppers would have a really nice home here in my Indiana kitchen! It is 40 and going to rain here tomorrow. Quite the different winter!!! Happy Monday tomorrow to you Susan!

  10. Tracey says:

    I came to this blog late and hope this comment gets through.
    Ever since I read about the cake that’s all thats been in my
    thoughts so it is in the oven now. I am also preparing the sauce.
    Thank you Susan. Oh and the salt and pepper shakers are darling

  11. maggie ann says:

    What a delightful post…I enjoyed every bit of my visit. The cake plate you designed is beautiful and the salt & pepper birdies are delights. Thank you for such a visual treat!

  12. Laurie says:

    I so enjoy reading all about your life Susan, and have loved your artwork for years! I love birds so very much, both real and not-so-real. My favorite view from our home is from my kitchen window. I look at our lovebird fountain where real birdies take their daily baths. Would love to win the adorable salt & pepper shakers 🙂

  13. Janet says:

    Love the sweet birds. Can’t wait to try the cake and sauce. Your blog is so wonderful. Look forward to reading it and the wonderful comments Thanks for all your hard work.

  14. Janet says:

    Love the sweet birds. Thanks for the wonderful blog. Look forward to it. I think the music makes reading it so much fun. Thanks for all your hard work.

  15. Phyl D says:

    That cake sounds delish – simple is gooood.

    Susan, was wondering if you’ve ever eaten at Tea & Sympathy in the West Village of NYC? Just wanted to mention it, as it’s one of my favorite “British” places to grab a bite to eat when I’m in that area (great for lunch, late afternoon tea or dinner but I usually like to go there around 2 – 3pm when it’s usually less crowded as it is a very small cafe). Here’s a link to their website:

    http://www.teaandsympathynewyork.com/home.php

    There is also a British gift shop next door as well as a fish and chips store next door called “A Salt & Battery”…the owners of that shop appeared on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown cooking show… I’m pretty sure they won that challenge.

    Just wanted to mention these…hope you and Joe have a wonderful time in NYC. Looking forward to your future blog updates on that. Cheers!

  16. Dottie says:

    The more i read your blog the more in love i am with your style. I always knew I liked what you did and I am finding we have so much in common and its refreshing to find kindered spirts who like the same as I. I an a bit of a romantic, country, english, american, flowers, birds kind of girl. I would love those birds. One year for Christmas I bought my mom and my sister individual salt and pepper shakers for their tables for the holidays. There is nothing like seeing your 8 year old neice and 9 year old nephew fight to put them on the table at grandma’s house.

  17. Kami Lambson says:

    The cake looks wonderful! I am going to try it. This blog reminds my of my grandmother who lived in a real log cabin and got her water from the ditch in front of her house! She made cakes and things from scratch – and most of all – she collected salt and pepper shakers! She had cabinets full of them that people would bring back to her when they traveled! Thanks for bringing back the memory of my grandmother, her baking, and her salt and pepper shakers. Most of all thanks for always sharing such uplifting blogs!

  18. Marcy Cady says:

    Hi Susan,
    Thank you for your blog, and all of your delicious recipes! Those little birdie S&P shakers are the cutest ever. I collect S&P shakers, and these would be the best and definitely most antique ever, if they were added to my collection!

    I looked for you at Road to CA Quilt Convention this past weekend, but couldn’t find your booth. Bought some of your fabric 2 years ago, and wanted more. Guess I’ll have to order it off your website. Take care. xoxoxo

    • Marcy Cady says:

      Hi Susan,
      Thank you for your blog, and all of your delicious recipes! Those little birdie S&P shakers are the cutest ever. I collect S&P shakers, and these would be the best and definitely most antique ever, if they were added to my collection!

      I looked for you at Road to CA Quilt Convention this past weekend, but couldn’t find your booth. Bought some of your fabric 2 years ago, and wanted more. Guess I’ll have to order it off your website. Take care. xoxoxo
      PS The video of Jack is just too cute!! I love his mustache.

  19. Diane says:

    Oh how lovely you are! The cake is divine and the birds are darling. Keep bringing us beauty and charm.

  20. Sharon Madzoeff says:

    My comment also disappeared???!!! Sent one on the 20th and I can’t find it anywhere!
    Is there a full moon again?

    • sbranch says:

      We think, not sure, but we are thinking our server isn’t big enough for the likes of us — we’re looking to move ourselves somewhere else . . . So sorry, it’s not you! Not even the moon!

  21. Colleen Cessna says:

    I just love the bird salt and pepper shakers. Never seen ones that the bottom twists off to put in the salt and pepper. When my Mom passed away she had 75 pairs of salt and pepper shakers, I don’t have them all, but these little birds would make a nice addition to my collection if I should win. I love your blog, your designs, everything that you do. Your an inspiration to me. Thank you, Colleen

  22. Mary S. says:

    LOVE the domed cake plate you designed!! Green is my favorite color! Another reason I would absolutely love to have those birds!! AND I collect bird things!! Those are soooooo darling – I have never seen any like that!
    This really cracked me up, “… allow your kitty to watch”!
    OH! I forgot to say on your last blog – thank you for posting the music from “Midnight In Paris”! That is one of my very favorite movies!!

  23. Love starting my week with reading your post… Thanks so much Susan, for all the lovely inspiration!
    The little birds would be soooo wonderful in my garden-themed home… so keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
    Have a lovely week, Audrey

  24. Kari says:

    Susan,
    I love your recipes, and cannot wait to make them. First order of business, save enough money for a stove that works:P

    With smiles,
    Kari

    • sbranch says:

      What a smart way to start! 🙂

    • Karen D says:

      I hear ya’, Kari!
      I just moved to this house 2 months ago and I’m having trouble with my oven. It is not an all the time problem – it’s much worse! It just seems to shut off once in a while – in the middle of baking something!
      It’s so aggravating!

  25. Leslie McDonald says:

    The shakers are so cute!

  26. Angie says:

    Love the salt and pepper shakers! Missed checking in over the weekend… now up and at ’em after a mostly sleepless night of weather warnings, storms, power outage, and then my kitty pacing the bed the rest of the night. Good grief!! But, we’re all safe and the power is restored. I’m rejuvenated by reading your blog, and now off to the shower and a full work day!
    Have a great Monday!

  27. Melisa Gibson says:

    Cake looks yummy and the little green birds are just precious, a touch of springtime in the winter.

    Love visiting your blog…thanks for sharing!

  28. Barb Straub says:

    This cake reminds me of my grandmother’s plain corn cake that she used to make. It was so simple and so very elegant. It made a wonderful crust on the edges too. I have often wished I had that recipe. So many things today are made with “all the fixings” and it takes away from the pure taste of the recipe itself. Can’t wait to try the milk cake and have some tea! The little birds are so precious and someone will be very lucky to be their new owner!

  29. Kathleen Kelly says:

    I love the cute little bird salt and pepper shakers! I even have the perfect windowsill in my kitchen for them! Love your blog too!

  30. Susan says:

    Hi Susan, Love the birdie shakers. Are you familiar with an apple cake recipe that is put in a cold oven. My mother remembers a cake that my grandmother made, she said it was delicious. We searched for it but could not find anything. With your love of old recipes, thought you might have it. Also, I found a wooden paddle but it needs cleaning. Not sure what it was used for. Someone said to boil it. Thanks, Susan

  31. Mary Eva says:

    Susan, I absolutely love coming to the Blog to see what you have to say, then read what everyone else says, it makes my day and I connect with someone who grew up during the same time I did. Love the recipes, but mostly LOVE all your Johnson Brother dishes. I collect them myself and those green birds would love MARVELOUS with my Vintage Ivy set. Thanks again for cheering us all up.
    p.s. You really NEED to make all those wonderful crystal pieces, especially the cake plate.

  32. Natalie says:

    Thank you for the Milk Cake recipe. I can’t wait to try it. I am thinking that maybe a rhubarb strawberry sauce would also be delicious on this. I have some rhubarb frozen from this last summer. I have lived in my house for over 23 years and that rhubarb patch was already there. How lucky was I? It’s very large and I am known as the rhubarb go to lady in my family…

  33. Betty Warren says:

    After reading your dish and tea blog and envying your dish collection, I have spent every penny of my Christmas gift money to buy more dishes to add to my collection! My husband is moaning and groaning about where we were going to put them. Would love the little birds to add to them. Thank you.

  34. Jo-Ann says:

    Those birds are so sweet and the cake looks so yummy! Add my name — I just came across your blog and want to read more!

  35. Christina LeDee says:

    I look forward to your blog postings. They start my day with whimsy as do the little birds.

  36. Patricia from Philly says:

    We did get snow on Saturday and, in anticipation, Friday night I made the milk cake with sauce, so we were sooooo ready! Then, Greenfingers showed up from Netfix! Toooo perfect a snow day!
    Thanks, Susan, forthe movie recommendation. We loved it!

  37. Penny Hoopes says:

    love those birds,,,,,,,,,,,will try the cake. sound yummy.

  38. Irene Potter says:

    I have been searching for some antique s&p’s! A pretty tough job here in Tampa though…your little birdies would be so happy being “snowbirds” down here in Florida! Your blog starts my day on the happiest of notes…thanks for all you do!

  39. Kathleen Smith says:

    You have already made my day and it is only 6:20 A.M. out here in drizzly southern California! (We need the rain badly, so mustn’t complain….!) Thank you as always for another yummy recipe–will make it tomorrow for my bridge pals. (Always love to see Kitty in the background helping out…!)
    Happy Monday…

  40. Susan Otto says:

    I too love old fashioned cake recipes. I just posted a soup recipe that has been in the family for three generations, maybe longer. Tried and true recipes are the best.

  41. Dawn says:

    Dear Susan, just wanted to say “THANK YOU!” for being my inspiration this past week while I created decorations for my daughters H.S. Dance Invite…you kept me company in the wee small hours of the morning as I imagined you creating all your …Magic*! You work so hard to give life it’s PRETTY! I so wish I was a plate maker so I could make your BEaUtiFul dish patterns come to life for real! They are just lovely!!! Anybody out there???? Take care & you said it’s fun to know where we are from, so……..
    just to let you know – it’s SNOW*ING in Minnesota* !!!

    • Pat Mofjeld says:

      Yes, in St. Paul, MN, it is a winter wonderland this morning! The evergreens are gorgeous and the snowplow just went through. It looks like “instant Winter”! 🙂

  42. Tammy B says:

    Hi Susan, thanks for your lovely blog. Sometimes I keep my computer logged in at your blog just to feel like I’m hanging out with Susan and her kitties. So fun and cozy! Hope you get snow soon! The little birds are charming. 🙂

  43. Tammy Mabry says:

    Oh my gosh the cake looks so good. I think I’m getting hungry. Love the birds too! Thanks for sharing.
    Tammy Mabry

  44. W Collins says:

    “Tweet tweet” sing the darling green birds. Oh my! Could it possibly be?, that the RNG will pick me! If not, I will be on the look for a similar pair when antique shopping. Jack gets more adorable in each photo! XOXO to Jack!

  45. Melissa says:

    Thank you Susan for the cake recipe! It looks simply delicious. I am not a big baker but I think I will definitely have to try this recipe out. Have a wonderful Monday!

  46. Barbara Stillman says:

    Hey Susan!
    Thank you for the recipe for your hot milk cake. Those cute birds would look so cute on my window sill here in Georgia! Thank you for the chance to win these cuties!! Have a great day! Hugs from Barbara in Georgia

  47. Caro says:

    I just love those bird s&p shakers. You always find the most interesting things to post about, thanks for sharing.

  48. julie says:

    Tweet tweet tweet! I’m in love with those shakers! Crossing my fingers and making a wish. 🙂

  49. That cake and sauce sound/look positively drool-worthy… Yum.

    I don’t think I could ever survive the winter without having the sweet permeation of treats bubbling in my oven (and in my mouth)! ♥

  50. Sherryl says:

    Am I interested in the birds? AM I INTERESTED IN THE BIRDS??!? (sorry, didn’t mean to yell) Of course I’m interested in the birds! I adore them! You are so kin and generoush. I hope the random generator will be kind and generous as well. And thank you so much for the cake and sauce recipe. They look absolutely delish and are on my list to try next week(as soon as I manage to finish up the ginger cookies I made on Saturday… )

  51. Debbie Ann T. says:

    Love those birdie s & p shakers. They are darling. <3

  52. Maryann Mullen says:

    We are wintering in Florida, but will copy the recipe and make it come Spring. I still have my Mother’s cookbooks from the 1920’s and there are so many old fashioned recipes in them that need to be remade. So simple – so delicious! I made my first cake back in 1944 from one of those books… a One Egg Cake, it was called and my Mother wrote in my Baby Book that I cried because I wanted to wash the cake pans first before we had to sit down for supper. She said, “I wonder if she’ll cry to do the dishes when she’s 18!”

  53. kathy g says:

    I have the Hot Milk Cake recipe too; the crusty edges are the best I agree!
    Snow and icy conditions here in Iowa; no school; a wintry day to sew or bake cookies! It’d be fun to be the winner of the birds!

  54. Those sweet little birds are just adorable. And would like right at home in nana’s china cabinet that lives in my dining room. 🙂

  55. Carol in KS says:

    Thank you for the delicious looking/sounding cake recipe! Those S&P shakers would look so nice with the little Heart of the Home house picture frames I was so lucky to find several years ago! I so wish more of your designs had/would make it to market!! Thank you for the fun postings!

  56. Evelyn says:

    That cake looks delicious and those little birds are adorable. I seem to have bird decor all over this house, but none in my kitchen. Just sayin’….

  57. Barbara B says:

    I can’t help myself I’m going to make your Hot Milk Cake today!! The birdies are absolutely adorable. They just couldn’t be cuter – I have the perfect spot for them. It’s a great day in Michigan – 40 degrees.

  58. susan desimone says:

    just perfect for a winter tea party… thank you <3

  59. Sue says:

    Thank you for your wonderful blog and all the energy you devote to it!

  60. WendyO says:

    I love the birdies! And I love your blog. It brings me a smile every time I see one in my inbox! Happy blessed day to you, Susan!

  61. Kathleen M. says:

    Susan,
    LOVE the birdie salt & pepper shakers!! Have never seen anything like them. I would love to win them ~ but in case I don’t, will put them on my “wish list” to look for when my husband and I are out antiquing in our great Pacific NW. All your lovely dishes are on the “wish list” as well. Just to have a few pieces would add so much to our home. I DO have a nice set of Chintz dishes that my grandmother left me before she passed away in 2003. These little birdies would be a beautiful compliment to those dishes. She loved birds!

  62. Ilene says:

    I love these darling birdies, and I love your blog! Missed your booth at Road to California this year and was sad when I realized you weren’t there. I’ll just have to shop at the online store! : – )

  63. Sequin says:

    Hi Susan,
    Your blog and books are reminding me to “know beauty” from cakes and cats to the wonderful wanderings through your house, the seasons, color, art, and all the thoughtful girlfriend comments. Thanks for bringing so much inspiration to all of us and distracting me from the gray skies here and my flooded basement! All the water is gone and all is well today! Love the bird salt and pepper shakers and especially your designs for Lenox.

  64. Cathy Geisler says:

    This has been one of my favorite recipes for quite a few years, can’t remember where I first found it. Hadn’t made it for awhile, but after seeing your blog got busy and baked one, made my family very happy♥ I put chocolate icing sprinkled with coconut on mine, but sometimes use it for strawberry shortcake mmmmm! Thanks for jogging my memory! Love your darling little birdies, so sweet, would love to hear them tweeting on my shelf♥

  65. Chris S. says:

    That cake looked so yummy! Made me hungry.

    Thank you again for all your posts…I really appreciate everything!

    Chris

  66. Sharon J. says:

    I came across THE most beautiful trip to NY and I just HAD to share….you’ve all just got to see this….take a peak here silverboxcreative.com/blog/

    Enjoy!
    xoxoxoxox

  67. Martha N. says:

    It’s a rainy day here in NC and that cake looks like the perfect rainy day treat!
    I love those little birdies! They’d look so cute nesting in my Grandmother’s china press!

  68. Juanita says:

    mmmm! Can’t wait to try this cake. TY for the recipe. I sure would love to give the birds a nice home here with me. 🙂

  69. Mary in Phoenix says:

    Love the song … brings back memories of my 93 11/12ths year old mom singing it to me. Love the recipe … will serve it at my next tea. Love the birdie S & P’s … they truly are darling and unique. Love your blog … it is very generous of you to write. Thank you from the bottom of my ♥. Wishing on a star that comment #1129 is the luckiest 🙂

  70. Lynn Rue says:

    Good Morning Susan,

    I’d love to win the birds, so adorable! Hope my number comes up, so to speak!

    Thanks as always for your amazing blog

  71. Anita says:

    You’ve done it again–another yummy cake to try! Will I ever be able to shed that extra 10 pounds I’ve been carrying around??? Still trying–I found the tofu noodles, and am trying them this afternoon. Maybe that will allow me to try the cake too. ;-0

  72. Melissa R says:

    Love the cake recipe- I think it might be a “lighter” version of a Pound cake I was thinking I might make. I hope to have a Valentine’s/bday girlfriend tea in a few weeks so you keep inspiring me in that direction with your blog subjects. Thx!! I got a subscription to Tea Time magazine for Christmas and I have my Mother-in-law’s tea cup collection that I have never used- I hear Tea Party calling my name! Love love love you!
    Melissa

  73. Laurie says:

    Oh, my Mom would SO love these little birds! She loves the color green, and birds, and of course, YOU!!!

  74. Nubby Frauenzimmer says:

    I think that some Lemon Curd (homemade from my Meyer lemons) would just be pure heaven, as well! Can’t wait to serve it to my tea party girlfriends. 🙂
    Nubby

  75. Jill says:

    What a deliciously simple topping for the cake. Yummy! Thank you for always showing us a beautiful and delicate happiness. 🙂

  76. Laura C. says:

    I love your little birdies. I also have dishes I have collected as well as many left to me from my mother and grandmother. In fact, I have so many I have to limit my trips to antique stores because I always find something I can’t live without!

  77. nancy gilpin says:

    Love, love, love the birds! My favorite color of green. Keeping my fingers crossed, Nancy

  78. Amy Welsh says:

    Hi! I have a salt and pepper collection-some from my Grandmothers–and some of my own—pick me! 🙂 (PLEASE!) btw–I love everything that Susan Branch does! — xoxo

  79. Genan Kirby says:

    Ohhh pick me, pick me!! 🙂

  80. Marcia Massie says:

    Good morning!!!! I loved seeing a hot milk cake recipe. I grew up with my grandmother making the hot milk cake with a thin layer of white frosting. I have always loved it!!!! You are so special to me. If you were close to me, you’d be my best friend. I love the bird salt and pepper shakers. They’d look beautiful in my kitchen. I have all your books and look forward to your new one!!!!

  81. Ann says:

    I love the shakers!! My grandmother had a wonderful collection and I am blessed to have set from that collection….a little donkey pulling a covered wagon. The shakers are the wagon cover, split in two (if that makes sense)…but they are darling and I DO cherish them. 🙂

  82. Janice Russell says:

    I love the little birds! I would love for them to fly to my house!

  83. Kelly Bryant says:

    Perfect post today – the weather is truly awful here in Chicago and I’ve spent the morning debating whether or not to bake a carrot cake. Weather vs. Diet you know…. I will try the recipe – I think many things in our life today have gotten too complicated, to excessive – simple is nice!
    Kelly
    ps.The birds sp shakers are super cute!!!

  84. Lori Hemmis says:

    I just had to tell you my HotlMilk Cake turned out as pretty as yours:) I can count on one hand how many times I have baked, so I was pretty proud of myself when it came out of the oven. I also subsituted the milk with Almond Milk the vanilla flavor:) I own an RV Park so I plan on making it for my campers. Thank you so much for this blog, I look forward to getting it:)

  85. Susan says:

    The milk cake looks delish! And so does Jack. I love how he sneaks into so many shots. He follows you everywhere. (Which I’m sure delights your girl kitty since it gives her a break from his attentions.) How quickly he’s become such a big part of the household.

  86. Debi Hutchinson says:

    Love those sweet birds! Adding my name to the drawing. And, as always, I love your blog. I actually love my bubble baths and so I print your blog so I can soak in the tub reading it! My favorite time of day!

  87. ginny says:

    Susan, Love the little birdies. I can visualize them already perched on my jelly cupboard!
    The milk cake sounds so yummy and easy to make! guess I will have to make me one today. By the way, my jelly cupboard is white and green!

  88. Carmel says:

    I just love the cake display you designed for Wedgewood as well as all the beautiful items in your last blog. It’s so hard to think we’ll never own any of those precious pieces! Did I miss something on one of the blogs and there’s hope?The bird shakers have the sweetest facial expressions. You sure can pick ’em! Take care everyone. There’s ice out there for many of us.

  89. Kristen Price says:

    Hi Susan
    My mum told me about your blog & I just love to read what you’re up to. Your lovely home & china just puts me in a “memory lane” mood. I had the pleasure of inheriting my great aunt’s cookbooks & old recipes that I love to read. I could sit all day and read old cookbooks.
    I would love those darling birdie shakers 🙂 Thanks for sharing your world. (I am also an old movie hound, so a lot of your choices hit home with me.
    Best wishes – Kristen

  90. Linda Gilliam says:

    Susan, I anxiously await your posts, they are SO homey and filled with warmth!
    I have eight real birds at home and would SOOOOO love to win those beautiful birdies!
    The hot milk cake recipe is almost exactly the one my grandmother used to make …it looks SO yummy, going to have to make that one soon!
    God Bless
    Linda ([email protected])

  91. Kelly says:

    Oh how I wish Wedgwood would have continued with your ideas!! I love all of them… And I surely would love the birds to brighten my dinner table!

    Thank you Susan for sharing. Kelly

  92. Cheryl Jasina says:

    Oh Susan..those birds would be perfeccccccccccttttttttt..was feeding and watching the real ones out my window and visited the pet store and saw blue finches..glorious!! hope I win!

  93. Gina says:

    Susan- Thanks for the cake recipe. I was wondering what to fix for dinner… forget dinner, I think I will make cake! 🙂
    In response to the latest post about the snow… We are having beautiful 70’s all week. Great for growing lettuce, but the snow is so beautiful. Thanks for posting. I have been waiting for snow pictures from you!

  94. queenmum says:

    Happy Monday, Susan! I commented on Saturday but apparently it didn’t go through, so…it is windy and rainy here in the Southern Tier New York and all of our wonderful snow is going away, but we will get more later this week. The dogs are out now, and will come in with muddy paws…thank heavens our cat stays in. She is a Siamese who was a stray, and her name is Winter (because my son said she looks like the snow after the winter has gone on for awhile!). She and her two siblings used to live outside of a skating rink and ate the junk food given her by the teenagers; we rescued her when she was about a year old. She still loves junk food, and we love her. I know she would love to have the green birds to gaze at…the ones at our feeders are too far away!
    Stay warm, xoxoxo from queenmum

  95. Jennifer Cooper says:

    I love the snow pictures. We just have rain here in Southern California. The birdie salt & pepper would be so fun.

  96. Susan, hello from rural Maine. First time commenter, long time lurker. Greatly enjoy your blog and your style of living. Those little green bird s&p shakers are darling, please put my name in the hat. If they became mine I would be torn between keeping them for myself and giving them to my mother for her approaching February birthday. Along with some miniature daffodils or blooming paperwhites. Something sweetly cheerful – just the ticket this time of year.

  97. Mike Davison says:

    Oh would my wife love those bird salt shakers. I would score big points with her if I won them.

  98. Meghan S. says:

    Those are adorable. Reminds me of all the wonderful memories of trinkets at Great-Grandma’s house. 🙂

  99. MaryG says:

    The birdies would be so sweet on the shelf behind my sink. Susan you always make me smile 🙂 Thanks for sharing your talents.

  100. Susan M says:

    Hi Susan
    Just read your new posting and thought I’d better come here and enter my name for the green birdies. I think I’m like the 1200th or so to enter, but like the lottery, you cannot win unless you have a ticket. Hope you are enjoying your snowfall. Love coming here and checking on you and all the like-minded girlfriends. The comments are great to read on days when you are too busy to put up a new message.
    Thanks for being here
    Susan M

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