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.
I would love to win these cute little birds!! Can’t wait to try the Milk Cake!! Thanks Sue =]
I’ve never been a very good cook and never tried baking, but your books and posts are so inspiring! This cake seems something even I could have a go at! What measurement is a cup? It’s not something I’m familiar with in UK. Thanks Sue x
Here are US/UK Measurement Conversions — Another way to make it easier is to just get a set of measuring cups and measuring spoons — something like this at Crate and Barrel will ship to you . . . Hope this helps Jane!
A cup is approximately 250 ml.
Oh yum, yum, yum!! This is the recipe I have been wanting! I will make the cake and sauce tomorrow for Sunday after church (if I can wait that long!) The birdies are so sweet-tweet!
Susan, this is a cake I grew up with! My Nova Scotian mother baked this for us frequently and we always loved it. She always split it in the middle and filled it with raspberry or strawberry jam. It was a real favourite with us. I still bake it today. Many happy memories are attached to that cake! Love the cake dome. It’s too bad that none of your lovely designs ever came to fruition. I am sure they would have been good sellers all round! Those salt and pepper shakers are so sweet. I have a space here that would be just perfect for them, right next to my Blue Tit ones (A gift from a dear friend) on the top shelf of my sideboard. Oh, I can just see them now. Could I be so lucky? Probably not, but a gal can dream, and I often do. Have a great weekend! xxoo
Oh what a Yummy Delish Cake!! I want the cutie pie cupcake pan to cook them in and I think an easy powdered sugar glaze with Orange Zest and Juice enough to bring it together for the first batch…and then I would have to make a square cake like yours and make it into a light Strawberry Milk Cake (like Shortcake)
~Mummm Muuummm Mmmmm!! I ADORE those Sweet Birds!! I have just the place to put them! I have a vintage S&P of a sweet bluebird couple the colors are wonderful. They look like they are to be placed close together to snuggled together as if in a cozy little nest they just built for Spring! ~Your Beautiful birds are the shade of Green I call Susan Branch Green! I have one of your cookie jars it has a green lid with a little house for the knob. Hopefully when the economy picks up we will be able to enjoy your so beautifully designed pieces in our homes and on our dining room tables, and stacked up all pretty on our hutches! I am getting excited just imaging my dream dining room with your dishes and glasses and accessories everywhere with my goodies all mixed in!
Oh this cake looks sooo delicious! Wish I had a piece right now! I will definitely be making it soon.
The darling little birds are precious! They would have a great home in my kitchen!
Hugs,
Donna
Dear Susan and FOSB – 5:40 a.m. Saturday Jan 21, 2012
Snowing since about 2:30 p.m. (or earlier) here in Gloucester County NJ.
All the snowy weather supplies are in, all the errands run, and the windshield wipers are up as we are expecting freezing rain after the snow – our first since end of October. Fireplace serviced earlier this week so we can get cozy in the great room with no fear of a chill. Just me and mom, (Lois), who celebrated her 85th b’day yesterday! Those little birds sure would look great among her china bird collection.
I think we will bake a cake today… ;-}
Blessings – Marcia in Sewell
They say it’s coming our way . . . I’m to the point where I’ll believe it when I see it, but hope springs eternal! Have a great day Marcia, and all the girlfriends!
Marcia, I learn something new every day and today you taught me . Living in the South (Texas) we hardly get really cold weather and the comment about raising the windshiled wipers “up” is a new tip for me. Never would have thought to do this! Please wish your Mom a Happy 85th Birthday from me – I would love to hear some of her stories about life, etc.
Hi Marcia. Wanted to wish your mother a “happy birthday”
Marcia, Wish your mother a Happy Birthday, belatedly. Sounds like you were completely ready for the stormy day yesterday, hope you got some baking in. We finally have some snow in southern New England but temps in the fifties are forecasted for Monday. Missing my mom as I read your post, the twentieth was her birthday too.
Oh my gosh I want those birds. I want them for myself, I can’t get over how cute they are, but I know my mom would love them a little bit more. Until I read this blog I thought my mom was the only person putting birds on her Christmas tree. Displaying birdy things brings her delight. Come on random number generator!
Well, I just woke up, (and of course came here first to see what words of wisdom you have for us Girlfriends!) looked out the window and Wa-la…LOTS of snow here in Ohio! It’s beautiful! That cake looks so wonderful! And the birds…well, they are so “tweet”! Have a cozy, warm weekend!
This cake is going to be wonderful! Baking is my therapy 🙂 Let us eat cake! Thank you Susan!
Perchance I am making a trip to Ikea on Monday and will look for the cupcake pan and paper cupcake liners…….
Oh, and I would LOVE to own those sweet little green birdies!
Have a happy weekend,
Lorie Hartsig
What a wonderful recipe and posting to read on a cold winter’s day! A couple of days ago I had trekked through the snow to my girlfriend’s house and there we read together your previous blog — we sat and admired every detail of your beautifully designed glassware, wishing it were out there somewhere in real life. What a gift you have, Susan. As we sat watching the winter birds flitting through the snow, we came to the darling set of tweetie salt and pepper shakers and they took our breath away — then we read on to find they would be a give-away. What a kind heart you have! BTW – I have a chair of almost identical fabric in my front living room. We got it about ten years ago at the JCPenney homestore. I’ve seen similar patterns at JoAnn Fabrics. Enjoy your winter days, everone!
Hi Cathy! I can picture the footprints in the snow leading to your girlfriends house!! Love it — thanks for saying hello.
I live in beautiful SW Florida and am waking up to lush green, blue skies, mangroves and manatees…..no snow here! Those little birdies would fit in perfectly…….
Good Saturday morning to you, Susan! Again, you are my inspiration and I’m looking forward to trying your Milk Cake recipe. Even here in northern Vermont, the landscape is without snow. I’m wondering if this is the reason that the birds have been almost non-existent at our feeders and warmed bird bath this year…they’ve found other sources without the snow cover??? But, there were 14 Robins on the ground in our yard this week!!! They must be confused as we are. Anyway, your precious Salt & Pepper set would be a welcome due to grace our table any time of year and bring some wimsy to this dismal winter landscape. Thanks for your blog: I love your artwork, your stories, the pictures of your home that you share and your kitty antics. You have taken the top spot in my daily favorite places to check online each day. Happy weekending to you….
I actually love that little wooden ladder thingy (I’m sure that must be the technical term!) you have your cake cooling on! But the bird S&P shakers- well I already mentioned my mother had similar ones when I was little but they were blue….whatever happened to them? She doesn’t know- thinks one might have broken years ago. I’d love to be the happy owner of these pretty green ones so…..fingers crossed. xx
ooooo delightful birdie giveaway! *squeak* Thought I’d try to throw my name in this time before the comments get up into the thousands and bring your site down like the last giveaway (you generous gal you).
The snow is just beginning to powder down in Weymouth.
Have a marvelous Saturday!
XO
Christy
Good morning dear Susan – It is snowing and I am about to make your cake. Then I will ask some friends to come for tea and we will have the cake and I think a dollop of lemon curd will do fine.
I had to put my cat down last year after a 17 year friendship. She was a wonderful cat and moved with me 4 times!! Well, I have just adopted a 2year old cat after watching all the antics of Jack. Her name is…are you ready??? Emily Dickerson Quinn and she is lovely but still a kitten in many ways. Didn’t realize how much I missed a furry purry cat. Enjoy the snow. JQ
oh Judy! how lovely to invite the girlfriends for Tea and cake! I’m sure they will love the invitation 🙂
SNOW!! We finally have it . . . coming down outside my studio window!! Happy!
our Michigan snow came yesterday afternoon and all night. The sun is coming up today so it’s going to be beautiful and bright and I will need sunglasses to drive 🙂
Snow SNow SNOW, wonderful! And, we finally have rain, & some snow in the Sierras, more to come! Have a wonderful Saturday, with maybe a stroll in the snow!♥
Hooray!!!!! And California is finally getting some real rainy season style rain!!!!!
Happy for you Susan, now you won’t mind if those of us who have braved wintry mixes for a couple of days and ice over night might not share your same enthusiam….I’m still wanting that all day snow falling so gently without blowing, screaming WINDS!!! Sorry, I don’t mean to steal away your love of snow please ENJOY!!
That cake looks wonderful! I should resist making it, but ……..!
A favourite here is saffron cake. It’s a local delight, a sort of tea bread with saffron added. It tastes lovely plain or with butter spread on top. However, somebody once told me that it tastes even better toasted with jam and clotted cream on top. I wish they hadn’t told me, because I tried it and they were right! Not good for my post-Christmas weight-loss plan.
Love those cute little birds – it’s lovely to hear the birds singing away first thing in the morning, getting ready for nesting in the spring. We just hope that our kitten doesn’t get quick enough to catch them. We’ve put a bell on his collar and he doesn’t seem to mind it, so maybe the birds in our garden are safe!
Snowing like crazy this morning in Connecticut. I am so going to make the sweet little cake. I would also love to win the bird salt and pepper shakers as I have a great affection for birds. Right now I am looking out the window at the feeder and it is loaded with Juncos, cardinals, titmice, and woodpeckers.
Hi Susan
Thank you honey for the Milk-Cake recipe! I’m going to use this for my up coming tea party everyone brings their own tea cup, we all will talk about why we love our cups and where we got them, also everyone brings finger food! You can guess whats Mine? yup Milk-Cake I will make sure everyone knows it came from you. OK love ya and once again enjoyed your blog…
I’m wishing that the little birdies were tweeting on my porch as I gaze out at the Seattle snow — it finally stopped! Can’t wait to try that simple cake — a perfect ending to a little Sunday dinner I have planned for my family. Let it snow!
It is a cold, snowy day here in upstate New York. A squirrel has taken occasional refuge on my porch. I looked out one day and there he was looking back at me! He comes by twice daily for nuts and apples. Such a cutie! I do love your blog. I’ve never seen anyone quite so kind and homey as you. Sometimes you just make my day with your warmth and joy. I am getting up to go into the kitchen and make hot milk cake. 🙂 Sounds like a good way to start the day!
I love to make simple cakes like that! it just cracks me up that MOST people think that the ONLY way to bake is from a cake mix. Gosh…you have all the ingredients on hand, just toss something together. Yes Susan I most assuredly will make that simple cake. The process is just as fun as the end result. As far as the 2 darling birds…..LOVE that the bottom unscrews! I’ve never seen that before, usually it’s a cork or a fitted piece of plastic 🙂 It makes those dear birds all the more charming! PLUS does it matter that my kitchen is green and brown? I have a set of Le Creuset pots/pans in the bright kiwi green that were gifts from my husband over a few years (Christmas, bday, Mothers Day) and eventually got nearly the set. LOVE them so much that I keep them on top of my fridge – just too darn pretty to hide in a cabinet. Used the biggest Dutch Oven last night to make a hot soup for dinner….With all the fresh new snow yesterday my tummy was craving a bowl of soup. I never use a recipe, it’s just whatever is on hand….and sometimes I wish that I had jotted down the ingred so I could duplicate. But after working all day, then driving home in the snow, I’m just happy to have dinner, rather than spend the time making a list for future reference. So last night it was soup and little cornbread muffins. YUM. Pick me for the little green birds! 🙂
I have just recently discovered your blog, although I have been a fan of your artwork for many, many years. I did an internet search to see if I could find one of your “Stay” cups and was quite disappointed to not be able to find one on a place like ebay, etc. Oh well. Maybe one of these days, I will be shopping at an out-of-the-way antique mall and glance into a far corner and have my eyes alight upon one. Wouldn’t that be joy?!!! Your little green birds are so adorable. I would so love to have them wing their way to my home. Thank you for all your inspiring and beautiful work.
Oh, I love your birdie giveaway! Sweet, sweet, sweet!
Good morn to you, Can almost hear those birds singing outside on this frosty morning.
They must be waiting for a piece of the milk cake. Thanks for the old- fashioned receipt! Will think of you when baking it. Happy Saturday!
No snow in Cape Coral, FL – half sorry/half glad. I grew up in CT, so I do miss it once in a while. Planning on going to the beach today so I can console myself with the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. In the mornings, I can usually see dolphins swimming and playing – that definitely makes up for lack of snow!
As for the pretty birds, I will invite the girlfriends for tea. I picture white dishes on my pink tablecloth, pink and green flowered napkins and the green salt and pepper shakers for a lovely accent.
Thank you for your generosity, Susan.
I wish all the girfriends a lovely day, no matter how we enjoy oursselves!
Cake looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it! Susan, thanks for all your wonderful recipes and ideas.
Can’t wait to try the cake! I’ll do mini cupcakes so I can have a little at a time…I’m still working on that fluff Girlfriend! xoxo Jacqui
Jacqui, let us know how the cake recipes translates to those cute mini-cupcakes, will you please? I don’t want to ruin a whole batch of batter by experimenting. Thanks! xoxo…kp
Will do Karen! Sunday is bake day for me:)
I have gotten hooked on checking your blog every couple of days. If there isn’t a new one, I just reread previous ones. I’ve always wanted to live in an older house in a wonderful little community and peeking in at yours has got me thinking about making changes around my house to make it more comfy cozy. I feel a connection; I’ve been a fan of Peter Rabbit and friends (they are classic, you know-one of the absolute two books every child should have. The other of course is Winnie the Pooh) and even had a Peter Rabbit guest bathroom in our last house. As a teenager I used to enjoy going to this one particular used book store to look for old books to bring home. Brought home some (maybe) 1st editions of Charles Dickens. (I think I have an English thing going on and it goes way back). Would love to make a home for your little birds here in Virginia!
Thank you!
Hi Susan~the small-glass-domed-cake-stand is beyond precious! Thanks for the recipe. I’m happy SNOW came your way. Enjoy the beauty of it. Weather in Williamsburg is mild, cloudy, and rainy. Off to a birthday luncheon today with a fun umbrella. Hey, we have to make the most of what we have at the moment.
I wish you and the Girlfriends a happy weekend!
Bliss!
Marie xo
Hi Susan,
I’m baking milk cake today, too – Tres Leches Cake – I hope mine turns out as nicely as yours! Thanks for the inspiration.
Leslie-Anne
Hello Susan!
I printed out the milk cake recipe and can’t wait to try it one of these days. Thanks for sharing it with us. I too, love old recipes. Have a happy Saturday and a wonderful weekend. xo
I love your Blog and your quilts. The bird shakers are awesome, I have a thing for birds and am working on an embroidery of a bird for a quilt. Put me in for your drawing please.
I have a “thing” for birds, so I would love to own them. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I tried to leave a comment earlier but I don’t think it went. I love the sketch of the cake plate. I collect green dishes. When I go shopping or yard saling my poor husband sighs and shakes his head. Pretty dishes are my weakness.
Do you know your cake recipe is very similar to one my gramma made when I was a child? Thanks for sharing your recipe!
We are having our first bit of winter weather here in the valley. It snowed last night and now we’re getting freezing rain.
I would love to win those little birds. They would look so cute on my windowsill.
We woke up to SNOW!! Yippee! I made the cake complete with the
Sauce!!! The sweet aroma got Joe out of bed and down the stairs.
Needless to say he had milk cake for breakfast! A winner recipe especially
For a snowy day. Thank you Susan! Now I’m curling up with the Willard letters!
My copy arrived yesterday. What perfect timing!!!
Sounds perfectly lovely!
I always love recipes, but this one tops them all because of one simple phrase: “allow your kitty to watch”. Hilarious…I didn’t even see him in the photo at first because I was concentrating on the recipe directions. As for a weather update, here in north/central VA we had a dusting last night that turned to icy slush. But it is still freezing rain as we speak…making cookies for a friend today. Perfect!
Good Morning Susan,
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Bet it is good with coffee .
Have a wonderful weekend.
p.s. you are way better than Martha Stewart 😮
LOL!
I couldn’t agree more. M.S. recipes have too many steps and take too long… And the end result isn’t always worth it!
Susan’s recipes are fairly quick and always delicious!
Oh thank you!! Happy to hear that. . . I really do try!
The snow has passed here in Iowa, about 5 inches and fluffy, oh yes and it is 13 degrees below zero! Those pretty green birds would seem a harbinger of spring.
The milk cake looks so delicious! I think it will be something I bake one of these days, perhaps very soon. Just found this lovely blog recently and it is a bright spot every day. Love those kitties! Thanks for the inspiration and good will.
I would so love to have those green birds- they would settle in so nicely with the green and yellow tulips bud vases that were once my Grandmother’s.
Thanks again!
Mary
What adorable little green birds, masquerading as salt and pepper shakers! I hope RNG picks me! If not, I know one of the other darling girlfriends who watch this blog and post wonderful comments will give them a good home.
Thanks for the Hot Milk Cake and Vanilla Sauce recipe – looks divine! Can’t wait to try it, and serve it on pretty old dishes.
Love that milk cake- will have to try it soon. Just found your blog recently and it is lovely! Thanks for the inspiration. Love to see those kitties- looks like Jack fully recovered from his procedure.
Please enter me in the green birds give-away. They would look so sweet with the green and yellow tulip bud vases that were my grandmother’s.
Thanks!
Love,
Mary
I’m trying the cake this weekend. My kids eat all the sweets in the house so fast and bakery is getting so expensive.
What a lovely post to wake up to on this snowy day in Indiana! Thank you for the recipe! The little birds would find a happy home with me, and I am hoping and hoping that the RNG picks me!
love,
Betsy
Those are the “tweetest” birds and would find a great nesting place in my china cabinet. Get it? (Oh brother, do I need my morning coffee!) 🙂 Thank you, Susan, for another heartfelt give-away.
Snow and Saturdays go together perfectly ~ one can enjoy and a cup of cocoa and watch the snow float to the ground and later build a snowman ~ aaahhh! Thanks for the recipe and I plan on baking it for our dessert today as it looks so yummy.
Linda x
The birds are absolutely adorable! I’ve never seen S&Ps with twist-off stoppers instead of cork, rubber or plastic. So priceless of you to be willing to pass them along. As always, thank you for sharing yourself and your corner of the world with the rest of us…
Milk cake seems to be quite the rave at the moment, I’ll have to try this! Those birdies are so cute and in my favourite colour as well. Love your blog Susan.
I have a great friend who I would love to give those birds to as a gift! She loves birds…any kind… and oh…the hot milk cake is great!
I love cakes like this! Yummy 🙂 I would be tempted to have this for breakfast.
Have to admit that when I saw the picture of the vanilla bean being scraped, I thought it looked like a teeny, weeny miniature piece of chocolate cake! Shows where my brain is half the time!
Thank you for the recipe and I’m glad you don’t have any snow. Enjoy the nice weather.
I would love to win these little birds. Thank you!
Have your ears been burning? My sister-n-law/BFF is visiting this weekend from Camarillo,CA. The house is full of family – we’re all attending the events at the National Western StockShow. While the guys are walking stalls, auctions and booths in Denver, Lauri and I are enjoying every minute of our Susan Branch Weekend! We are poking through little shops in Lyons, Lafayette, Hygiene, Boulder and Louisville. We are taking our time looking for SB treasures, like S&P shakers, lonely cups with saucers, birds, teapots, dish towels, hearts (found an adorable Heart shaped plate that is perfect for Valentine’s Day!) We break up our shopping trip with tea breaks and book stores! We just love our girlfriend time but of course, having dinner with 16 of us around one table is also a delight! We’re off to our grandson’s Basketball game and then onto 3 collectible stores! No snow in Colorado but its perfect weather for a trail ride! xoxo love the recipe!!
Thank you so much for your generous doses of inspiration. You make the ordinary ~ EXTRAORDINARY~ I think that is such a gift to all of your fans (especially your Franklin St. fans) because we need to be reminded of the value of simplicity. Deep down we all get tremendous amounts of joy from the Home Arts, but in your blog we find a like hearted soul who brings our attention to the beauty of simplicity and places value on things so many others take for granted. xo
The birdies are singing here in central Florida and your birdies would be a perfect addition. Thanks for another great recipe. You’re the BEST!! Hugz!
Love the darling bird salt and pepper shakers. They remind me of my Great Aunt Helen. She was always very serious, and practical, and well…a little intimidating. BUT she had the most incredible collection of salt pepper shakers. She had pairs os animals and elves, friuts and veggies, holiday motiffs, and my favorite Hiawatha and a Brave. It was like a crack in the hard shell giving everyone a glimpse into her lighter side. I loved to look at them. Did we ever use them…YES! On special occasion we certainly did!:)
Before I leave this wonderful site and start my day, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy this site!!! I’m not much of a computer person, but I can’t get enough of this wonderful place! Thank you so much for all your hard work! I can tell by reading the posts that I’m not the only one who feels this way ! Have a great day everyone ! I’m sure I’ll be back later today after I get my flea market fix in. Where I’m at, here in Indiana, we didn’t get the snow fall. So I’m able to go out and enjoy the day for a bit. Think i’ll get some fixings for that chili I saw on here. Yum
Hi Susan and friends! My daughter is known around our town as the “bird girl”. She has a tremendous rate of success of raising and releasing baby wild birds that cannot be returned to their nests. She even coached me through the release of a beautiful little house sparrow last summer. Baby as we called him was brought to me by our cat, Sam, who layed Baby quite gently at my feet. We just couldn’t believe it, but he had carried Baby so gently that he didn’t have a mark on him. The next day we decided to put Baby in a large bird cage and sit him outside for some fresh air. Within minutes two sparrows started fluttering quite excitedly around the cage…. and started feeding Baby through the bars! When we saw where the parents were nesting, we knew we couldn’t get Baby back to that nest. So, early each morning we took Baby out in his cage for the day and the parents would take care of him through the bars. When we were certain Baby could fly we had a grand release day. We took the top off the cage, he flew into the nearest tree and his father flew right over to him….. absolutely made me cry. Nature is so beautiful. Now, as you may have guessed, my daughter the bird lover, would absolutely treasure these beautiful salt and pepper shakers. It would give me the greatest pleasure to give them to her. And, now I’m off to bake that cake! Blessings – Glenna p.s. Earlier this week I ordered the Nancy Luce print from your website and printed off your post from last summer about her. My daughter’s birthday is coming up and I knew you would have great appreciation for Nancy. Thank you so much for your blog, your books, your recipes, your insights, for connecting all of us kindred spirits. You are loved and appreciated.
that cake sounds so good, i am making it today, and your bird salt and pepper shakers are adorable, they remind me of my uelita, she loved birds, and i have a small collection of lil birds because they remind me of her, thanks for sharing them they are very beautiful. i’ll let you know how my cake comes out!!
Susan, Love the birds, they would be most at home in my kitchen!
Have you ever considered putting together a book of your designs for dishes and crystal? I would love to be able to sit down with a cup of tea and page through those drawings. Just a thought.
It is cold here, and it snowed some more last night (the dogs are loving it), and I decided yesterday morning that I am not going ANYWHERE this weekend! I am stitching a new cross stitch piece that honors the victims of the Salem Witch Trials and cooking yummy food….my Mother’s Italian lentils and rice one night and lasagna another…and now, baking this cake. Think I will make a maple-pumpkin sauce for it. Yum! BTW, if I am chosen to receive the birds I will take very good care of them, and keep the cat away!
Thank you so much for this wonderful blog! It makes my heart sing everytime I read it. I just know those sweet little birds would love to come and live on my windowsill.
I love the cake recipe! I have many old ones like this where the verbage is antiquited, and lists things I am not quite sure of! You are getting to be quite the photographer! These are some beautiful pictures, thank you for putting such color into our day, Susan…I think deep January is such a good time to take pictures, and heat up the oven for cake! Your birds are glorious!
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely little recipe and these sweet birds. Our whole family would enjoy them so for our tea time. It is snowy and icy today and so it is perfect for a bit of warm cake like my grandparents used to make (she is 103 and still doing well). Best wishes to you and Joe!
Can’t wait to try the yummy cake recipe and the bird salt and pepper shakers are adorable! Blessings to you Susan.
Love the little bird s&p shakers! I am going to make the milk cake today for my mother (97) to try and see if she remembers having them in years past. Thank you!
I can see those little birdies in my kitchen!
I felt a huge smile cross my face when I saw the salt and pepper birds. I am so hungry for spring. Seed catalogs fill my weekends. Yesterday we had ice and everything is covered. Don’t think I can even get in my mailbox and I haven’t ventured out yet to get the morning newspaper. Yes, please sign me up for the birds. I can hear them tweeting right now. Lol. God bless.
Hello Susan,
I told you I would get back to you with how much snow and ice we got here in western PA. Not a lot of snow, maybe about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, but we have a nice coating of ice. I laid in bed last night and listened to the sleet hit the window of my bedroom. Just staying at home today, reading, drinking hot tea, listening to classical music on the radio and eating the food I cooked last night. Yumm! Have a good day.
Yum, that looks so good! Love your pics, the color pf them is so beautiful.beautiful. I collect ceramic birds. I decorate my window sill in the spring with them. Know it is too soon for spring. Love the salt and pepper shakers. Thank you for such a great gift and a chance to win.
Good morning Susan!
Those darling little birds would be a perfect birthday gift for me as today is my birthday! Just reading your blog is a blessing – it makes me feel cozy and loved, thank you for writing. Please, RNG pick me for the birdies.
oh how sweet the little birdies are! I adore them! It is a rainy day here in So Cal, and a perfect day for staying in and baking a cake. I pulled up the Youtube you linked of Let’s all sing and my five year old girl whipped her head around from the tv in surprise and smiled with delight….so glad I stumbed upon your lovely site!
I LOVE those cute little bird salt and pepper shakers. I have many serving pieces with that exact green color. They would fit in perfectly:) Thanks for the massive amount of time that you put into creating your blog for us.
Helen
Pick me, pick me, pick me….I love the birdies. What is not to love. The old music is simply wonderful. I play it every time as I read your blog. What an inspiration you are to all of us. Love your decorating with the old “stuff”. Don’t we all just love “our stuff”?
Susan that cake sounds so good and today is just the best day to be inside baking up a storm,let it snow outside! Those little birds are just so cute! Thanks for the chance to win them! You find the most adorable things!
Adorable for the adorable 🙂
I get shivers just thinking about having a piece of Susan Branch in my home!!
You are the most fun & generous heart ever.
I promise to “water, feed & nuture” the baby birds!
Connie xo
I made this cake last night and OMG it was deeelish:) the cake was simply good without the sauce, b…u….t… when the sauce was added the cake was simply divine. The texture and and taste was definitely elevated to another level. I would love it if those two little birdies flew right into my life….. I would definitely have to make another Hot Milk Cake to share with them. Thank you so much for this wonderful post. Btw, I would buy your charming cake plate…. are any of your dish ware available to buy (like The Proper Tea set that you designed for Lenox China)?
SO glad you liked the cake — and no, sorry, Lenox is all gone . . .
That cake looks delicious, have to try it. Would love to have those sweet little birdies in my home. Thanks Susan.
Oh! Susan! These little birds are SO sweet! I can practically hear them singing, now! (They remind me of my Grandmother’s kitchen. So lovely in green checks and little pottery vases and salt shakers in her window sills!) I just know these babies need to sing in MY window sill!
The Love books I had ordered arrived yesterday and it was sheer delight to open them! You have made it special to even open the box! The books were wrapped in lovely heart print tissue and sealed with some of your stickers! Even the magazine was wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with a sticker! You go the extra mile to make an order a special treat. I want to thank you for this. I saved my box to open after i finished doing up the dishes and laundry…….then opened the box and savored the book and magazine with my lunch. I enjoyed the article about you in the Romantic Homes Magazine. All the entries were good but I thought yours was the sweetest, genuine and heart warming entry of them all!
I bought the extra copy of your “Love Book” as my Valentine gift for my best friend who introduced me to your blog. We both check your website every single day and when we talk……YOU are one of the first things we talk about. Your blog is a cheery medicine to ward off winter time blues! Thank You So Much for everything, Susan! WE LOVE YOU!
Oh I love those green birds, they will have a ‘Tweet Home’ at my house. I have made your wonderful brownies and spiced nuts (I should be mad at you for that recipe, every time I walked passed the jar I had to have some – so I keep making more). Next will be the cake. Thank You. By the way we had rain in California today.
Hi Susan,
I was wondering if there is any stamp or date on the bottom of those little guys? I’ve been collecting pottery and glass birds for some time now and have never come across any quite like those you have. They really are unusual, where do you find all the great items you collect?
Can’t wait to try the milk cake, sounds yummy!
Thanks again for all you share with us “GIRLFRIENDS”
It’s an icy day here in Ohio…not much moving at all…as my hubby just said lets make cookies(what he really meant was why don’t “I “make cookies) Well maybe!love the salt and pepper shakers.thanks for being such a nice friend
We,re all waiting with bated breath for the new book…
Pat Beckman
( ps ..love my new cutting board)
Right now it is -32C here in northern Saskatchewan. My family has just gone out to the field beside our farm to go snowmobiling. I am getting ready to fill my kitchen with the smells of borsht, buns, and now I think I will add a cake to that scenario. I think I am very lucky to live where we experience the full four season-sometimes all in one day! But is what makes us hardy northerners when we can say “Wednesday it was -50 (which it was) and our power went out for 4 hours (which it did) and we still survived the day!” We wear that like a badge of honor!
I would find a good home for your birdies, right in my china cabinet made by my grandpa, and would grace my table when I feed my family. Thank you for parting with your treasures and sharing them with us, it says alot about your character, and the grace in which you live your life, sharing so much of yourself unselfishly to us, your faithful readers. God Bless you.
Good Afternoon Susan! As usual your post was just what i needed! We are covered with ice today, and so what a perfect day for baking and that cake looks like the perfect recipe…. And oh could i ever use that breath of spring that those little birds say to me…. they would just be perfect in my little kitchen and my kitties would love them too…lol
No snow here…just ice – YUCK! It’s a perfect day to bake Milk cake, the kitties (Poppy and Molly) agree! Poppy loves the bird tweeting when I turn your blog on and she tilts her head and loooooks…..LOL. She’s also love the bird salt and pepper shakers – If I’m the lucky winner they would have to go somewhere up HIGH. LOL! You bring joy to my day Susan and have inspired me to pick up my watercolor brushes again! THANK YOU!!
Looks delicious!
Susan, the salt & pepper shakers are dolls! I would love to win them so I can gift them to my daughter who would adore them. She’s a new mama to twin baby girls.
No snow here but we have rain in Pismo Beach!! I would love those cuter than cute birdies on my window sill greeting me every morning. Thank you for your inspiring site I check it every day!
My daughters and I are off to bake your hot milk cake in my mother’s old pink Pyrex square pan. Thank you for the inspiration! P.S. Love the birdies!!!
Hi Susan, I have a perfect spot for those birdies! I have a beautiful large bay window over my kitchen sink that has my collection of ceramic rabbits and birds, both new and antique and they’d be a perfect addition! Crossing fingers and toes! Now I’m off to help my husband dig us out of the 8″ of snow we got here yesterday in the south subs of Chicago after putting a pot roast and veggies in the oven. Oh, and just an observation, but have you noticed how many of your girlfriends here are named Deb/Debbie? My guess is they were born in the 50’s like me and were named after a parents favorite actress….I was named for Debra Padget who starred in The Ten Commandments….I bet a lot of the girlfriends were named after starlets! Anyway, have a happy weekend and to you and the girlfriends, stay warm!
Hi Deb, I don’t think my Mother named me after an actress since she spelled my name Deborah; I was born in Japan (Military brat) 1955 so my parents missed Elvis and most of the 50’s here in the States?? I asked her once and she said it was in the Bible and she liked the spelling. I also have noticed how many girlfriends have our name…..my nieces call me Aunt D which I also like.
One famous actress with your spelling is Deborah Kerr ( An Affair to Remember and The King and I and who could forget the beach seaon with her and Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity ) Glad to meet you, other Deb : – )
Oh, I love those sweet green birds, they will have a ‘Tweet Home’ at my house. I have made your wonderful brownies and spiced nuts (I should be mad at you for that recipe, every time I walked passed the jar I had to have some – so I keep making more). Next will be the cake. Thank you! We had RAIN in California this morning.
The little birdies are just beautiful. Remind me of Spring on this cold ice covered day! This cake would be wonderful with fresh strawberries and milk. Love those old fashion recipes, just like grandma made.
I’ve always loved a simple cake best, and this one sounds just right for those days when we want to make a “little something” to accompany tea in the afternoon. Thank you for the recipe.
The cake sounds delicious – will have to try it. I’m running behind on the recipe front so I’m making your chicken stock right now while the snow falls gently outside my kitchen window. Sigh. When it falls straight down like this – in little fluffy flakes – not much wind – it looks like a magical fairyland. Lucky for us it’s a Saturday – no work – so we can stay home, cook and sew and enjoy our warm and cozy nest. Enjoy everyone! -Kathy
I would love to win those beautiful green birds!
I adore these sweet birds! I named my first son Judah Byrd 🙂 it’s a family name on my husbands side, but I loved it because I’m a huge bird lover. Oh how the birds sang at my wedding…we were married on the Roseman Bridge in Madison County. The birds approved 🙂 I just have a special place in my heart for birds. (oh, and my middle name is Willow..so it all just fits)
This recipe sounds DELICIOUS! I cannot wait to try it. The pictures help so much, too since I am just learning to cook 🙂 BTW, the bird shakers are adorable. Green is my favorite color & anything with birds makes every room happier!
I can smell and taste that cake all the way to Iowa. I know your little birds would make a welcome addition to my kitchen windowsill that looks out on our bird feeders which are adorned with cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, juncos, and other hungry little guys that need extra food to keep warm after our latest snowstorm.
Hmmmm..the next time I’m in IKEA…….I love the look of those muffin molds. They would be fun for my littlest granddaughters.
once…in a fit of sweetness & light… i included
my precious bluebird s & p shakers in a
giveaway on my blog…sniff…sniff…green
replacement birdies just might help me
deal with the loss! ;}
{i am wholly, utterly & completely ignoring
the cake since the yuletide fluff i see in
the mirror is a daily reminder that i have
enjoyed enough cake…enough for all of
north america! ;}
m ^..^