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.
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Whisk a couple of eggs within an inch of their lives.
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Gradually whisk in the sugar . . . beat well.
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In goes the first half cup of flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
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Stir well . . . then add the other half cup of flour and the hot milk with butter . . .
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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.
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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 . . .
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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!)
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
Your post is so Tweet and so are the little birdies. Love them. And saving the recipe for the cake. Sounds like something I would like to make for the girlfriends. Hubs not so much. He is an apple pie kinda guy. So glad it is Friday planning on getting some sewing done and probably working on project on through the weekend. Cold here, it was -2 this morning. Staying in except to go out and collect eggs and check on the hens. Have a great weekend!
Hi SUSAN,
tHAT DOES LOOK GOOD, I wrote it all down. Thank you. Love the little birds, I would love it if they flew to my house.
Nancy Jo
Just what I needed to read today.
It’s a sad day here, for our 17-year-old tomcat Boris is sick and after months of losing weight and now a week of not eating, it’s his time. We’re all gutted, but as we all know when we adopt a pet (and he was a stray who adopted US more than 15 years ago) we must do what we must when they’re in pain with no hope of recovery. It’s going to be a tough weekend ahead…but thank you SO much for bringing me a bit of cheer. Truly.
Pam, in Montreal
sending you lots of hugs for you and your family, my deepest sympathy for the loss of your furbaby. 🙁
Pam, I am so sorry to hear about your Boris. I know how hard it is to lose a cherished member of the family and you have my deepest sympathy.
Pam,
So sorry to hear about your furry buddy Moris. It is so painful….and sad….and leaves a hole in your heart. I lost my Maine Coon….Pookie after 18 years…and I miss her everyday. Don’t know if this idea will help you, but there is a wonderful website PetLoss.com that has a chat feature, where people all over the world, who are in the same situation talk to each other…….they also have a wonderful candle ceremony every Monday night….that honors our furry friends that have passed to the rainbow bridge. It is a supportive community, and it helped me cope, during those hardest few weeks without Pookie. I hope it may give you some comfort too.
Deb
Oh, Pam. I understand your pain as we had to make that same sad decision in November for my sweet English Cocker. I am still so heartbroken and I know you will miss your little one more than anyone can really understand. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the time ahead. So very sorry….
So sorry Pam. Hugs xoxo
Thinking of you and your family Pam….we also unfortunately have had this experience. Gutted is right…..sending hugs xoxoxoxoxo
Me too Pam, sending love . . .
Pam, So sorry to hear about Boris and the hard decision you have to make for him. We all have had this experience when you love a pet, and my thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Thank you.
What a lovely community this is here, so much love and so many heartfelt wishes sent to a perfect stranger. It is much appreciated.
Pam
Oh, Pam! How sad for you this weekend. 17 years old….my goodness! What a wonderful member of your family he was all those years, I’m sure. Blessings and hugs to you….xoxo…kp
That cake looks yummy! I baked today too… a double fudge layer cake for my son’s 14th birthday tomorrow, gluten free brownies & Snickerdoodles!!! It’s snowy & blowy & cold here in northern Illinois, the perfect weather for cake baking!! Oh & my family is also getting cream of chicken & rice soup & grilled cheeses for dinner… comfort food!!! Hey, how’s Jack? My 10 year old daughter loves your Jack updates. Keep warm & have a wonderful weekend!! Laura
Susan – cozy day here in Connecticut – good day for baking ! Supposed to get a few more inches of snow tonight. 🙂 Have to ask you …….. did “you” crochet the pretty “pink and white pot holder” ? Hope YOU get some snow also and can enjoy “cozy January”. 🙂 Take care, Helen
Susan, my Mama used to make a hot milk cake when I was a child. I never got the recipe from her. I’m hoping this is what I remember from Mama. Your recipe looks wonderful and I will be making it soon. I so wish I could put it under your cake stand–so lovely. I wrote to Wedgewood yesterday and hope they will reconsider your beautiful designs. Thank you again for all your inspiration! ♥
I’ve never posted a comment on a blog before, content to be a quiet girlfriend way at the back of the group~ but shyly I wanted to thank you, Susan. As we dig out from inches of snow, topped with freezing rain here in the pacific northwest, I realized how much joy your blog brings me, how it helps to “set” my mood and life seems somehow bigger! I look forward so much each day spending time with you. That’s why I wanted to say thank you. You give so much! (that not being just the sweetest s/p shakers EVER!) Last week, I was in the Goodwill and there on the bookshelf was a copy of Stillmeadow Sampler. (I already own that one) I wanted to purchase it for my friend Susan to offer for a give away! Thank you for the friendship you lend! I’m looking forward to New York and all the other things you share….Give kitties kisses for me!
Oh how I just love anything OLD!!
I posted about a old piece of a dress I found at a thrift store on my blog today! Love the precious birds!!
Any day is a good day to bake a CAKE!!
Let it SNow
JOY
Trace
Okay, I admit that I have several bird s&p shakers. That said, I still would love to add the “green” birds to my flock. The cake plate is to die for! How I wish some company would make that! It looks like the most wonderful cake plate in the whole wide world.
Can someone cancel this comment. Somehow I now have 2 of almost the same comments. My computer is strange sometimes.
Oh my, those little birds are just the thing to help with the sometimes long wait for spring!
The birdies are so sweet, love them!
Me, me, me…….fly to me, little birds! I’ll give you milk cake crumbs, promise! As always, DonnaRay
I would give those super cute green bird salt and pepper shaker set to my sister for her birthday!!! Linda in Keno, OR.
Your designs for Wedgewood are wonderful! Does Wedgewood own them or could they be sold to a manufacturer who would produce them?
Love the little birds, too. I have a nice sunny spot in my kitchen for them, if I’m lucky enough to win them.
Good luck to everyone else, too!
I LOVE the little green S&P birds, although I know I won’t win them. But that’s OK — they are fun to look at. Kitty Jack is growing into a fine young man! He is adorable, and all your cat-lover girlfriends (myself included) would like to win him too! Thanks for the great recipes and descriptive photos. Always fun to click on your blog and find something new!
Thanks for the cake recipe. Today is a perfect day for making a simple cake!
Also, what I love about this cake is that it is all basic ingredients that I always have on hand! Perfect! Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE the bird salt and pepper shakers and I pray that the RNG picks me this time?! 🙂
Susan I wish you would pursue getting your dishes made again! I would buy it all! TWEET TWEET:)
Where to begin? The birdies are so cute, the cake sounds delish – and now I’m inspired to bake that — and also make the little granny square potholder upon which you displayed the recipe. Thank you, too, for saving that marvelous list of movies for us. All from my all-time very most favorite blog!
My name is Sophie, I’m eight years old. I would like the little birds so I could play kitchen. I would take very good care of them. If I win, I will give one to my mommy. Thank you. I hope you like my letter.
Since it’s going to snow tonight, and since this cake seems so delicious and easy and I happen to have all the ingredients, and since my husband is always so appreciative when I bake something–I think I’ll just have to make this cake later. How can I not?! Once again Susan you’ve made my life a little brighter (and my husband’s too)!
Heating the oven and about to pop this cake in. Raining here in our little fishing village of Morro Bay, CA. Perfect weather for baking. THANKS for the recipe! Love the birdies.
The little green bird salt n peppers are to cute! I haven’t seen any the screw open like that either, very handy. I’ll have to try the milk cake recipe , my husband doesn’t like icing so he should love it ! ( I don’t know how anyone could not like icing !!! ) Thanks
Tweet-le Dee, Tweet-le Dum, May I have some?
The recipe I use is call
ed hot milk sponge cake. It is the cake I use for strawberries and whipped cream in early summer. The recipes sound the same. It is delicious.
I LOVE the little bird salt & pepper shakers! They are too adorable! I must try the milk cake recipe over this cold weekend. I enjoy trying old recipes from my Grandmother’s cookbooks and I like the simplicity of these dishes. Thanks for sharing!
Those birds would look darling in my green kitchen! Thanks for adding your favorite movies. I’ve been watching all the ones I’ve missed. So much fun!
Hi Susan! I love the bird salt and pepper shaker set. I look forward to your blog everyday to see what you are doing. I also think that you were so brave to move to a place where you didn’t know anyone. I wish I were that brave. I love your ideas and your pictures are beautiful. You really have a knack for photography! I can just see those salt and pepper shakers sitting on my patio table this spring!
Susan, thanks for a yummy looking cake recipe…I think it will be perfect for fresh strawberries and whipped cream in a few months, too. And thank you for a wonderful blog…I enjoy reading and re-reading everything. xo
Dear Susan,
Okay, I am new at this. This is my first “comment.” 🙂 My girls and I read your beautiful and inspiring blog, but this is the first time I’ve left a comment. My 15 year old daughter said, “Mummy, did you see the birdies??? You have to leave a comment because they are so sweet, and they’d be perfect for our kitchen!!!” I am thankful that at 15, she loves you’re blog as much as I do!!! You are a blessing and an inspiration. Thank you for sharing you life with us!!!
Lovingly,
amy
Okay, I admit that I have several bird s&p shakers. That said, I still would love to add the “green” birds to my flock. The cake stand with dome is to die for! How I wish some company would make that! It looks like the most wonderful “sweet keeper” in the whole wide world. The tiny cupcake adorable.
Oh my, your blog just sings to my heart 🙂
Those little birds are adorable and the hot milk cake looks delicious!
It is warming up here in S. Alberta. We are now at -2F. By next Wednesday we should be at +50F. As usual, our cold spell lasted for about 1 week (thank goodness no longer). Expected a few flurries – just enough to look pretty.
I was wondering if using skim milk would effect the texture of the milk cake? Looking forward to baking this treat!!
Have a wonderful cozy weekend, Susan and everyone.
Since I saw the bird salt and pepper shakers and then read your blog on baking a cake, I keep singing “Sing a Song of Sixpence”. My grandma would rock me and sing that to me. Sweet memory.
Oh my, I love those sweet birds. LOVE them. And, I would mind a platter like that either!!! Did you say you designed it for Wedgewood? Gorgeous. You mean to say they didn’t give YOU one? You have such a beautiful collection of beautiful things! I always admire the things around your home that make it so homey! Thanks for the chance to win. Have a beautiful day! ~Sally
Not only does this recipe sound good and easy, but has just the basics that are in my pantry and frig right now. I have a very old cookbook from my Swedish grandmother that calls for things like butter the size of a walnut. I’ve never actually cooked from it, but now think I might give it a try.
I’m so glad I checked your blog today! Always fun to see what treasures you are sharing with us Girlfriends! Thank-you for inviting us into your warm and cozy kitchen! We ventured out for groceries today for the first time since our 12 inch snowfall earlier this week. It is slowly melting away thanks to the rain. Next, on the horizon is a wind storm! What a crazy week it’s been! (here in Western Wash) Hoping we don’t loose power! Your cake recipe looks delicious, and best of all, Easy! (my kind of recipe!) The cake dish and cover you designed looks beautiful. Glad you’re keeping a file of all the dishes you’ve designed. Would really love to see them actually get made. (Hopefully, in our lifetime!) Love those darling little bird salt and pepper shakers, too! So adorable! Loved watching the little birdies out in the snow foraging for food in our backyard. Even discovered a new species I hadn’t noticed before! Precious little Golden-crowned Kinglets! They hover over the snow before landing and then they’re off again in a blink of the eye!
Blessings to you, and all the Girlfriends, too!!
The salt and pepper shakers would look perfect in my kitchen window with all the birds outside looking in, most jealous as these ones would be toasty warm! We hit -41C this week and it’s been a day of baking today so everything smells warm and delicious.
Never heard of hot milk cake, but I’ll try anything with cake in the title. Those little birds are too cute for words.
This morning I took my two dogs, Cocoa and Honeysuckle (lhasa apso and pomeranian), outside for a few minutes. I heard noises in our holly tree, looked up, and sitting on a branch, looking down at me, was a little gray, fluffed bird (so cute) – and not at all concerned to see me and my pets – who then continued eating the bright red holly berries on the tree! My immediate thought was that holly berries are poisonous (right?) Then I decided that if that little bird was eating them they must be ok for him/her. I came inside to look at my bird book and decided it is a least flycatcher. So cute! Just like your little birds.
Hi Susan!!!! The Birdie S&Ps are beautiful, and I love anything with birds on them. Not too many years ago, a dear friend called me to her home and gave me her entire miniature S&P collection. She had been a military wife for over 25 years and had collected the S&Ps all over the world. She knew that I would cherish her collection and now I proudly display them on shelves, on tables, just about anywhere that needs a wee little something (not necessarily just the kitchen or dining room). These little birdies would make a nice addition (Please Mr Random Number Generator, pick me!!!!).
The milk cake recipe is just like one that my mom has made since her High School Days in North Louisiana. It is called Creole Sweet in her recipes. She always adds finely chopped pecans on the top and a little sprinkle of cinnamon & sugar. I think I will have to bake that this weekend and have friends over for a cup of tea.
Have a great weekend!
That tiny cupcake looks so cute, aren’t I glad I have an Ikea close by, will have to check
On the pan soon. Will definately have to try that cake recipe, you made it look and sound like heaven. And I do love those little birdies, they are just so cute. Keep up the lovely posts I do so enjoy reading them!
Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet……those birdie shakers are soooooooo sweet!!!! (And I’m lovin’ that song!!) I’m hoping these little birdies wing their way to me!!!! (I’m a bit of a greedy bird, but I love them!) Your blog and all that you do makes my heart sing!!!!! xoxo Kathy
I can’t imagine how many of these cakes will be made tonight and tomorrow!! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for another wonderful girlfriend post~
Hi Susan! We are snowed in here in Chicago today, so guess what is on the menu for dessert tonight?? I’m going to run to the kitchen after this post and start my cake! 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe. As a collector of old and unusual cookbooks, I entertain myself by reading wonderful recipes such as these. It certainly gives me a glimpse into what it was like to be a homemaker in the past. With their ice boxes and chickens that they had to clean, it must have been a real production to get dinner on the table every day! These birds would be an awesome addition to the rest of my BIRDS OF HAPPINESS collection. Thanks for a great blog … been a FAN for MANY years … and thanks for the give away!
I love hearing where everyone lives, and the different weather reports. =) We are supposed to have rain here in Arroyo grande, CA….the first we have had all winter! We are pretty spoiled here, and I am so thankful we never have to shovel snow!! And Susan, I do love birds too, thanks to your influence! I love decorating with them now, along with some cute birdhouses. And I love my bird clock like yours too! =) I was just making some coconut cupcakes when I read your BLOG with a fun new recipe. I will try those next! I have a pot roast cooking in the crock pot, so the kitchen is smelling pretty good right about now!
Have a great weekend everyone!! xoxo
Here goes….it is 76º here right now and my husband has the back door OFF to replace the weatherstripping! So, I am going to make milk cake because it is my birthday and it looks delicious. We are going out to dinner with our daughter and we can come back to have cake! My husband loves cake without frosting. Maybe a little vanilla sauce, though.
Precious little birds! My bff took me to lunch today and we were discussing you and everything that we love about you, which is everything! We share our love of Martha’s Vineyard and are trying to get the ‘GIRLS’ to go back for our 20th year next year. I do not believe it will take much convincing.
Stay warm all of you snowy people. I would not mind some of that snow but it does not seem likely in these parts this year.
Precious little birds!♡♡
Oh…I love the cake stand with dome…so delicate and lovely. If wishes were fishes…don’t know the rest but I would wish for your dishes!
I love the old recipes. The cake looks delicious and the bird salt and pepper shakers are so cute! I don’t think I remember seeing S&P’s with twist off bottoms. How clever and how nice of you to give them away!
Thanks for the yummy milk cake recipe, the birdie salt and pepper shaker drawing, and for the gracious way you share your time and your talents with all your girlfriends. Sweet Susan, you have no idea how much loveliness and charm you gift us with. My mother and I discuss your books, recipes, and your blog, and as we grow still even closer, we feel as though you truly are one of our girlfriends. Thank you!!
We’ll be getting snow/sleet/rain starting around midnight, so tomorrow will be an excellent day to make this yummy cake. I like Pat Mofjeld’s idea of making a sauce from the frozen cherries. Actually, I have a bag of Trader Joe’s Very Cherry Berry Blend which would also make a good sauce.
Oh how your blog brightens each day! A million thanks are not enough. I love seeing your designs for the Wedgewood line. I would have to collect every beautiful piece! Fingers crossed that new interest in creating them will be generated. Love, love, love the green bird salt and pepper shakers. Wishing you a cozy January weekend.
In a photo album my mom had, there is a picture of 2- or 3-year-old me and a hot milk cake made in loaf form and the candles across the top. I think that recipe must have been from a Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (the one with the red tartan cover) but I bet it’s similar to yours; it was my favorite birthday cake for years.
Alas, my mother stored the albums in old steamer trunks in a damp corner of the basement and they reeked of mildew when I was cleaning out the house in October; they currently are in quarantine in a storage facility and when spring comes, I’ll be removing the photos outdoors–where the mildew won’t infect the house!–and then baking the photos for a couple of years in an uninsulated attic, which ought to take care of the mildew. And then maybe I’ll scan one and send it to you, Susan! In the meantime, I’m going to make that cake this weekend, as we are on our third snowstorm in a week (after an exceedingly mild winter) and this time, the high temp is in the single digits Fº! Cake with vanilla sauce sounds great to me!
Would love those little birds on my kitchen ledge above my sink, they would make me think cheerful thoughts while doing kitchen duties! Thanks for being so generous.
It is snowing like crazy here in Chicago! Finally! Be careful what you wish for! I was so excited to see a recipe today, I am in the mood for baking and I have everything on hand…I even have rose chintz plates!
I love the little birdie S&P’s!! They look so vintagy! Please pop my name in the hat!
Have a great, warm and dry weekend!
XO,
Jane
Your green cake stand with the thin etched glass dome would have been gorgeous! I have a white Wedgwood dessert set that would have been perfect with that cake plate … Pour the tea and pass the Hot Milk Cake, please … lol Thanks again, Sue, for another great recipe and pictures and a wonderful weekend to the Girlfriends. Jackie in Las Vegas
The cake looks delish and easy to make. My kind of recipe. 🙂 Love the bird S&P shakers. I have a few of different kinds of birds ones I have found at Garage sales and Thrift shops which I love. So count me in. I also got the new Romantic Homes Magazine..February Issue yesterday with you in it. Short but Sweet article. 🙂
The cake looks yummy Susan. When the diet is well under way and taking effect I shall be trying that! By the way I received two of your books yesterday and two more today. Happy days.
As i was scrolling down and caught a glimpse of the birds…I whispered outloud and to myself…ohhhh they are sooo cute. They need to come live with me in Texas!
Hi Susan, So nice to see such a nice blog. once again. The Hot Milk Cake is just about the same as my Granny made. She just had one more egg added to her recipe. As I remember she loved hot chocolate sauce to go with her’s. Sure will have to make some this weekend. My birthday is next week and my choice of cake was the dark chocolate with 7 min. frosting. Decorations on top were pink plastic sunbonnet girls and little pink birds that held the candles. I still have them and they might just go on this years cake.
Girlfriends are getting in touch with Wedgewood and asking them to rethink not doing your designes. I do hope to one day own afew tea cups with a whistling birdie on it. Tea parties will be so much more fun. 🙂 And if I’m lucky a new home for the little salt & pepper birds.
Enjoy your snow if you got any out at your house.
Girlfriend hugs!
Sue
The cake reminds me of one that my Grandma used to make when I was little. I will have to try it to see if it tastes the same. The birds are quite adorable, they would go great with the rest of my bird collection. 🙂 Thanks again Susan for the recipe of your simple, home baked goodies. Always a treat. Shelley xo
Thank you Susan for bringing this recipe ‘back around’ for me – I use to have the recipe but it ‘left the premises’ and I am so glad to be making it again. It is just the perfect little cake for ‘drop-in company’. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity for the little tweets – they certainly would be happy living with me.
I recently had a giveaway of a Susan Branch calendar on my blog which was very well received and there were many compliments about you also. It just made me happy to brighten someone’s day in Iowa. Judy C sends warm wishes.
Love all your designs for dishes! Love the singing birds too…..how can they not brighten your kichen! My mother used to make milk cake when we were little and we loved it! Brings back good memories!
The cake plate is beautiful!! Love the green~~~also love the little green birds…please count me in on the drawing. I just had a shelf built above my stove and they would be so at home there alongside Miss Tabatha Twichett—my only Beatrix Potter treasure. Stay cozy.
So sorry the small domed cake plate (& all the other wonderful designs) didn’t get made! Sooooo, after looking at f.o.s.b. on Facebook, I sent an e-mail to Wedgwood like some of the other ladies had done! We’ll see! Jack is a very good cake guard, no missing pieces – yet! xo
Thank you Joan!
you’re welcome….girlfriends unite! xo
Did the same thing – that cake plate deserved to be made.
I love the cake plate…the green is beautiful. And the birds…so so sweet. I just had a shelf built above my stove and they would be so at home there—alongside Miss Tabatha Twitchett…my only Beatrix Potter treasure.
I love the little bird shakers and hope I win them. I need a little ray of sunshine after a round of chemo. Thanks for the recipe. It sounds yummy, will bake when I feel better.
Cynthia~
Just want to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you deal with your chemo. I have several loved ones who’ve endured that and I know how hard it is after each round of chemo ends. Wishing you infinite rays of sunshine and wishing you well!
~xoxo~
Pamela Jo
Cynthia I hope you win too! You deserve it after chemo. God Bless! ♥
Have friends and a sister who have gone thru chemo years past — hoping you will have as little trouble wtih the process as possible. My mother also went thru it in her 60’s and lived to be 90 — so a long life after chemo is wished for you as well!
That’s right, as my girlfriend’s mom said, the only way to it, is through it!!
Cynthia, stay strong my dear. Look for the rays of sunshine every day, whether it’s the smile of a friend, a cup of tea and a chat, or something beautiful seen out your kitchen window. Prayers and hugs xoxo from SWH
p.s. I hope you win the birdies!!!!
Thinking of you Cynthia….xoxoxoxoxoxo
YUMMY!!! Thanks for the delish recipe and your “charming ” way of presenting the recipe! The bird shakers are in their spring green feathers!
Oh Susan….I adore those little birds so much! We have a parakeet named George that looks just like those sweet little birdies. You would love George! We have had him since he was a baby and had to syringe feed him baby food. He sings all day and loves to be rubbed on the neck and beak. He even sings to my “Girl Kitty” while she sits at his cage watching and day dreaming of a parakeet snack :0)
That green cake plate with the beautiful dome is to die for! I would definitely buy it for my kitchen. And I love the birds…I have always been a ‘bird person.’ Those precious s/p shakers would look great in my kitchen window. Here’s hoping!
The weather’s just cold here in Oklahoma. Finally had to get out my coat to wear today. You girlfriends ‘up north’ can keep your snow. We’re just fine here in OK without snow, and especially without ice. LOL!
Thanks again, Susan, for making my day special. xxxooo
Thank you for giving your adorable birdies to one of the girls, good luck to everyone!! Susan, as I’m scanning your Milk Cake recipe with my back toward Jim I hear “honey, what kind of cake did Susan bake”….he loves cake!! haha so, I am reading him the recipe and I’m sure we will be trying this one for sure. I am happy it is a plain cake (wink, wink) since we all are counting calories still…or are we eating sweets again?? WooHoo I have eaten so many salads this month and even though they are very good/healthy….IT ISN’T CAKE!!!!
Love the birds ***would love to have them! I think I will order the cupcake pan and papers. I remember when you posted a picture before and wanted to get some. I think everyone should write to Wedgewood and have them reconsider. I know all the girlfriends on here would by everything! I know I WANT the bird tea cup.
absolutely !!!
I know…I WANT those Sabrina champagne glasses…boo….no fair!!!!
I’m always so glad to someone else steals petals and leaves from their plants in the winter for sweets-decorating purposes. 🙂
And yes! to cake weather. Tomorrow was going to be a cookie-baking and cinnamon roll-making day here, but I’m always up for a good piecea’ cake too, so. . .the night is young. 😉
And I love the birds. ‘Love birds, love, green, and love shakers that aren’t too detailed and “fussy.” Yours are quite a find–I can hardly believe you’re able to pass them on to someone else! 🙂 But grateful, I am (said Yoda-Val). 🙂
Have a great night, Susan and friends. ♥♥
I love the little birds and the cake looks yummy! I’m at home with a sick child today. I showed him a video of your cat Jack playing and he thought it was funny. Our cat is no longer with us. He lived to be 18 1/2. We have a dog and a guinea pig, but I miss having a kitty to cuddle up with!
Thank you for the cake recipe, it looks yummy! I would love to win the bird salt and pepper shakers – I love birds! My husband was actually taking pictures of the birds in our backyard today, so pretty against the fresh snow we’re getting here in Illinois. We can still enjoy nature, even in the winter! Baking and bird-watching sound like the makings for a good weekend!
Love the simplicity and ease of the cake…I’m thinking when I make it I will frost it with a fluffy white frosting. And the birdies…love those too…keeping my fingers crossed hoping to win them!
Sitting inside cozy on the couch while the weather is wild outside. The love the way bird shakers, and maybe need to bake this weekend…
Cute, cute, cute! Yum, yum, yum! Gotta go order that mini cupcake pan – thanks for sharing, it is just too cute!
Fingers-crossed-in-California 😉
I love plain vanilla sponge cake. There’s something both homey and elegant about it. But I’ve never tried it with a milk sauce as you’ve suggested. Sounds yummy.
The birdies are so sweet.
I now keep a couple of recipe cards near my computer for moments when one of your delicious recipes appears:) The birds a very dear, the vibrancy of their color and their sweet expressions make them very intriguing. I know that whoever ends up with them in her “nest” will love them! Thanks for everything you do to brighten the lives of so many. Xo
You make me want to bake bake bake. Love your recipes, dear Susan. I think that cake would be good in a trifle too. I am enjoying Nashville with my daughter, granddaughters and SIL while the NorthWest dries out. Would love the little green birdies, so darling. Thanks for the sweet giveaway! Blessing to you.
Susan, I love to bake!! Today I am working on Sourdough bread. I hope it turns out. If not I will practice, practice, practice. I love birds. Chicken, roosters, song birds, owls , all kinds and because of your inspiration I have started my own salt and pepper shaker collection…..What fun!!!! Enjoy the blog so very much! Thank you
Just chirpingly loverly reminding me of days long ago when I would play with my Grandmother’s s & ps deciding which ones to place on her dining table that I now lovingly own. Would love to win the s n’ p shakers!
I would love the birdies. Perhaps they can come and eat the panty bugs I’m battling! At least they would cheer me up as I plod through this…g r r r …
I have been searching for a cake that is simple but sweet and this seems to be it! I can’t wait to go home tonight to make it. I am assuming that whole milk is necessary and not any other of the reduced fat ones?
Your plain cake recipe sounds simply divine! Of course serving it on such a pretty plate and adorning fork would add more deliciousness to the picture. I tried to scratch and sniff my computer screen but it didn’t work. Guess I need to retire to the kitchen and try the recipe myself 🙂 Thanks for sharing this tasty morsel and the chance to acquire those darling birds. -( any relation to k-k-kicking burd?)
:-)!
Hello Susan, I am new to your blog, but not to your lovely work. I was so pleased to stumble upon your little corner of the web…I come here often for a bit of sweet repose. You never disappoint. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and photos. 🙂
Rhonda
PS. Please enter me in the little birdie giveaway…I’m feeling lucky. 😉
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the neat recipe for the milk cake, looks very simple but good. I bought a baking pan today with little hearts and I’m going to attempt to try it in the pan, wouldn’t it be great for Valentines Day?
Love the little birds too, they are simply adorable. We got 3 inches of snow today and 4-6 expected tomorrow, it will be a great day for baking, hope you get a little of the white stuff too! Now it feels like winter! Have a great weekend dear friend.
The birds are so cute…the cake looks wonderful. I know what I will be cooking for my husband this weekend! Thanks.
OOOoah, my heart melted a bit when I saw the Wonderfully sweet salt and pepper shakers !!!! Little birds and in my Favorite color ….. it couldn’t get any better !!!!! Oh but it did …. when you showed how they Unscrewed to fill !!!!! My heart melted Completely !!!!!
Thank You for such a Fabulous give-away and a chance to win :0)
I am off to bake a cake …. and then on my way to IKEA to buy the muffin tin !!!!
Thank You :0)
Hi Susan, This is my first time commenting on your blog. I did not know it was so easy—computer illiterate maybe :o) I can find my e-mails and blogs but that’s about it. Anyway, I love, love, love your blog! It is always so inspiring and happy! It always makes me smile or laugh. I love your books and your oh so happy art! Thank you for your time you give to others in writing, painting and blogging. I, for one, truly appreciate it as I know all of your “girlfriends” do. :o) Now that I see how easy it is to leave a comment I will be “talking” to you more often. :o) Thank you again! (Must try the cake, then share the recipe with my daughter-n-law who loves to bake! Sounds scrumptuous! The birdie salt and pepper shakers are soooo adorable!)
Be encouraged as you always encourage others!!!
Deborah :o)
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song” Thank you Susan for singing to us daily!
good afternoon susan, hello everyone!!! what cute little birds, they would look so sweet in my kitchen window, just hope the cats leave them alone. they leave my shawnee pottery elephant alone ( only because i threatened to skin them alive) and they leave my little jars alone so they may leave the birds alone. i love the cake plate design, any chance of someone making it and having it on the market??? may have to give that cake a try, and guess what i found… a website that sells stoves, they look like old antique stoves but are modernized for the home and you have one as an electric stove, a gas stove and they even have a wood burning cookstove. go to: hhtp://www.hearthlandapp.com enjoy looking. hugs everyone……. 🙂
Would caramel sauce in the bottom of the bowl work with this cake ?
Sounds Yummy~! Maybe some hot cocoa , too, while we’re at it ?
Thank you for sharing the joy !
linda
Those little bird shakers just grabbed my attention! Somehow over the course of my marriage a birdie theme has developed in my house. From the first wedding gift of a little bird napkin holder to the most recent gift of a small frame with two love birds on top. It was an anniversary present from my mom with a fuzzy photo of my husband and I at the local county office getting our marriage certificate. Such an unplanned but delightful collection! It has come to symbolize our harmony and to remind us daily how lucky we are to have found one another.
Spring is in the Air.. (but a little snow first so we don’t upset the birds by flying home too early.) So happy to be included on your girlfriends list… Enjoy our visit every day.. nancy
Oh my goodness, I got so excited when I saw those sweet little birds, and than I read on to see they were in a give away, I could hardly contain myself.
They are precious.
Hope I win.
Love to win the little birds and have them help me await Spring! The minute Christmas was over I was so ready for Spring- need to stop at Valentines Day and decorate for that, then on to daffodils! I look forward to checking in with you daily!!! Thanks for all you do for us.
Love the birdies, and the cake recipe sounds wonderful! Thanks!