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.
Hi, Susan.
I love, love your posts. I come home from work, make a hot cup of coffee, turn on my computer and seek out your blog. May I say, I love everything about your posts, esp the one written about Girlfriends, you see, I long for a best girlfriend and feel when I read your blog, I am one of your girlfriends.
Thank you, Susan for your warmth, kindness, and love of others. Blessings!
The little birds are precious and I can’t wait to try the cake!
Donna
Those might be the sweetest S&P shakers I’ve ever seen! Adorable! Tweet! ♥
This cake recipe reminds me of one my Grandmother made. She did a brown sugar syrup icing which she poured on top and put under the broiler until it was bubbly. Then, we had to wait until the cake cooled and the brown sugar turned solid before we could eat it. Oh, my gosh! I’m nearly gone thinking about it. It was SO good! I would have loved your green pedestal cake plate with the globe. I collect mostly green Optic Block Depression glass — because my cake baking Grandmother had my first pieces of it — dessert dishes which I’m sure came out of oatmeal boxes. Today, I put my green Optic Block coffee cups under my “Pastries” bell shaped lid. So pretty — and non fattening! I must try the cake recipe and see if I can concoct my Grandmother’s topping — of course, she had no recipe for it — my bet is butter and brown sugar with some vanilla.
Pls put me in the random number generator!
Singing your praises for parting with these little “tweethearts”. 🙂 Am sure they’ll be loved and adored in their wonderful new home!
Sweet little birdie S&P shakers. How unique, with the screw-open bases. I have some amber glass bears that stand on their hind legs and have nice fat tummies to hold the salt & pepper. They could all be friends!!!! lol.. Thanks so much, Susan, for another special give-away. Your blog always makes me happy!
Baking a cake tomorrow for my sister’s b-day…chocolate raspberry….yummy!!
The cake sounds wonderful & easy, I’ll have to try it this week. Thanks for the picture of Jack-I’m afraid I’ve fallen in love with your cat & anymore, a post without a picture of him is like a day without sunshine. Pitiful I know.
Can’t wait to make the cake and the sauce! YUM TO MY TUM! And the bird salt & pepper shakers would be the icing on the cake!!
THis cake will top of Sunday dinner tomorrow. thanks Susan. And that cake plate/dome, I’d rush right out and get it. Thanks for another sweet giveaway.
I am hosting Bookclub next week that that plain cake looks like the perfect finish for our dinner! Wonderful timing.
The birds look adorable too – definitely interested! 🙂
Would love the birds!
Is that wooden thing under the pan really meant as a pan cooling rack or was it originally something else?
It was always a cooling rack — I’ve had it for years and years — originally there were two, but one of them didn’t make it! It’s silly, but I love this little thing . . . so I’m glad people are noticing it!
I will be trying this recipe for an upcoming tea party! My friends and family actually refer to my dining room as the “Bluebird Tea Room”. I love birds, so those cute little birdie S & P shakers would find a happy home here. 🙂 Thank you, as always, for the delightful blog.
Those two little birds are just precious! And I can’t wait to bake the cake. It really looks heavenly. Almost too pretty to eat . . . but then again, how could anybody resist? Thank you so much!
Hello Susan! I love your website and am looking forward to being inspired by your artwork and ideas!
Those birdies are so cute. I collect glass birds, most of them purchased in W. Virginia at Tamarak, and almost all of them were given to me by my husband and children for Mother’s Day and birthdays! Your birds are simply lovely. Have a lovely week.
Ruth
That cake is devine! My son Alex really like the “melted ice cream” sauce! He picked up his bowl and drank it after he finished his cake! Thanks!
I love old recipes and part of the appeal is that many are so simple, with ingredients already in the kitchen. No running to the store for odd items you’ll never use again. I just located some of my Mom’s recipes in the last few weeks and so far I’ve made the applesauce cake and the baked cup custard (both marked as “Nanny’s 1929” meaning my Grandma!) They smelled wonderful and tasted like, well like I was a little girl again.
Thanks for the milk cake recipe…I’ll be trying it tomorrow.
Love your birdies…hope whoever is wishing for them the hardest wins!
Thanks for sharing the milk cake recipe. I’m just imagining it melting in my mouth right now! 🙂 Looking forward to trying it. Also, those bird salt and pepper shakers are just adorable!
Susan, you are always so clever with all of the little touches. I love how you put the recipe on the crocheted hot pad. It reminds me of some passed down of grandmas and great aunts. I’ve been trying to figure a fun way to enjoy them. I don’t dare use them to take things out of the oven. I need oven mitts up to my elbows. Not so quaint but I’m dangerous other wise! Thank you for sharing so much with all of us and helping us to belong to such a great sisterhood!
I would either just hang the old family potholders where they could be viewed as “art” or even go so far as to frame them which would mean they’d not collect dust and have to be laundered as they get fragile with age. I have some my grandmother made as well and that is what I’ve decided to do — frame them.
Your milk cake is baking in my oven as I type! Shame on me for being distracted by it (shh…I’m supposed to be doing homework). But I thought, better to go ahead and put it into the oven and then be able to finish up my homework to the delicious aroma of cake baking, rather than continue to be distracted by the idea of it as I try to work. (we’ll see if my plan is fruitful) By the way, today is my son’s 18th birthday. Sadly, he is not a fan of cake! (I know, I know…HOW can that be?? Who doesn’t love Birthday cake? It is truly a sad state of affairs.) I’m hoping he will like this one, because it reminds me of a buttermilk pie recipe I make that he DOES like. Possibly we’ll have arrived at a “Birthday cake” for him once and for all. Thank you, once again, for your timely and divine inspiration! I’ll let you know how he likes the cake! 🙂
*I typed this earlier, but for some reason kept getting an error message when I tried to post. It looks as though no one else is having trouble, so I’ll try again. 🙂
And we have a winner! Everyone loved the cake…including the Birthday Boy! (hubby even requested seconds.) Thank you again Susan! This one goes into the recipe binder for sure. 🙂
Yay!
That cake looks and sounds sooo yummy! And I am so enjoying the pics of the dishes you designed. How I wish they were available!! I’d love to have those cute, CUTE birds–I’d give them to my daughter who has a real thing for birds. But, since we live together, I’d get to enjoy them too!! Thank you for your blog posts–they always are a bright spot!
Love the birds! The cake looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing your gifts with us.
Loved the birdies and the cake. I have been in the baking mood this week it was bread and rustic apple pie , next week milk cake. Have a happy day.
and best birdie to you…
Love to bake especially old recipes. thank you for sharing, and you have the cutest little kitty cat!!! Those little birdies are adorable and will grace the house of it’s winner! Good luck one and all and blessings to you today!!!
Susan – Thanks for the recipes. I’ll be making this cake very soon. The salt & pepper shakers are adorable – would love to win them! Always looking forward to your next blog post. Take Care – Andrea
The cake looks delicious. Can’t wait to make it. The birds would look nice in my kitchen.ha! Weather has sure been up and down. Looking forward to spring. Thanks for all your inspiration!
Thank you for the opportunity to win these darling little birdies.
I have just the place for the spring green birdies! Hope, hope, hope! I’m trying the cake tomorrow!!
A Sad story. My husband chopped down our big, old olive tree! Boo hoo! How MEAN! Something about, “too messy, and ruining the roof and a lopsided danger in winter storms” etc. But we girls know the real truth about these male behaviors. Too many blow-up action flicks. It’s all about the POWER! So, now. . . no bird song in the morning:( The little bird shakers would be such a comfort. chirp, chirp. Thanks for the chance to win! You are very generous!
I love visiting you with every new post. Everything you post makes me smile and I will definitely try the Milk Cake-just the right size for the 2 of us. I love doing things the old-fashioned way (no electric mixer needed). I’ll gladly toss my post into the drawing for the delightful birds.
The adorable birds remind me of my parakeets! Sooo cute! Love your beautiful dishes and wonderful recipes! Thanks for sharing these things!
Susan,
I love all your books and have been a fan for years. Thr bird s&p are so cute. I love grabbing a cup of coffee and relaxing and reading your blogs. It is like a mini vacation.
Thank you
Pat
Ackkk I want that cake right now! 11:49 pm is not exactly the time to go bake a cake though, so I shall have sweet dreams thinking of it’s yumminess!
The birds are just the cutest!
Thank you for the recipe.
The cake sounds delicious. I just refilled my pantry with more vanilla beans. I use vanilla bean seeds in almost everything I bake. My sugar storage container looks silly with so many “used” vanilla beans sticking up in the sugar, but the sugar smells heavenly. Your bird s & p shakers remind me of the birds in Spring. Ahhh….birds.
1/21/2012
Love the little bird shakers. In the process of creating a room all my own and these lovely birds could find a new perch in that room. Also, love the cake recipe. Might try adding blueberries, one of my favorites, and perhaps a hint of nutmeg!
Wishing you well as you pull together a special room for yourself. I’m aiming to have such a room myself in this coming year. I began my room last year but my grieving process decided it wasn’t done and things got stalled until end of the year. Some lovely serenditous readings at the New Year got me over the bump and I’m ready to go again. If neither of us win those birdies, I vote we each keep an eye out for a pair of birdies appropriate to our special rooms — deal?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the birds!! I SO SO SO need them! No, really, I do 😉
Hi Susan, this recipe kind of reminds me of my Grandma’s Lazy Daisy Cake. My 13 yo old daughter collects s/p shakers. Would love to win those for her! Love, love your blog!!
I’m so anxious to make your hot milk cake and sauce, that I can’t wait another minute! Just had to stop and thank you first for sharing the recipe. Have a blessed Sunday, Susan! 🙂
Very cute! Would love to win them!
Cake looks good too, will have to try it.
Thanks.
The birds are so cute, I love looking at your dishes. I love to look and buy dishes Your wedgewood dishes were so pretty, I would have bought them too. You bring happy thoughts to my day and nights.
La-De-Daa…La-De-Dee… This cake will certainly be enjoyed by my sweet family some time near noon on Sunday. Should we be so blessed? The cake plate would have indeed been mine. It would want to come home with me and enjoy making memories. Sweet—m-e-m-o-r-i-e-s. . . . . . . We are talkin’ Kodak,memories!
And oh! those sweet-sweet-sweet little birdies are singin’to my heart!
Thank you Susan again,for such boundless love.
Veronica
Milk cake sounds enticing enough for me to actually cook.
Oh this cake looks fabulous! Yummy……..can’t wait to try it. Simple enough even for me.Thanks for the recipe! Thanks also for a chance to win the cute green birdies! How I wish your dishes had been made! They are all so lovely.
My favorite was the whistling tea cup. I just love birds. The crystal is beautiful also. The nicest things about your designs is that they all look like authentic yesteryear. Vintage style is my style! Except when it comes to some essential modern amenities. BTW I didn’t notice Jack in the photo ’til you pointed him out, isn’t that terrible! I was too busy looking at that cake! My apologies to Jack. I love him so. Hope you’ll post another video of him playing soon.
Susan,
Last yr I started collecting salt & pepper shakers & I decided that they had to have some special significance to make it into my collection. These would be very special because I met you quite a few yrs ago in Anaheim, CA at a book signing. Please pick me, a very long time fan.
hi susan, love vintage recipes i will be trying the cake,,,,i want to find the yellow tomato conserve that was mentioned in the recipe and use whipped cream too…….also love the little salt and pepper birdies .what a wonderful give away to bring spring alittle closer..thanks for sharing girlfriend
Oh,my how I love simple plain homey things… and of course cake !
Blessings !!!!
Oh, what sweet birdies! Thank you for the cake recipe – it sounds simply delicious. I’ve been away from the computer for over a week, while my daughter & littlest grandgirl were visiting from out of state, and though I haven’t missed anything else about the computer, I HAVE missed your blog! They left early this evening (sniff!) and while sadly missing them (already), I decided to give myself a treat and visit your blog to catch up. It was just what I needed. Thank you for (virtually) being here! Happy weekend to you!
p.s. I’m so glad Jack is doing so well, post op!
p.s.s. I hope Wedgewood has kept all your wonderful design ideas on file and will decide to do them someday. Love them all – especially that adorable whistling bird cup. I want one!
Getting excited to see who wins the S&P shakers. Tried to send a post earlier but I guess the internet was too busy. People seem to really want these little green birds. Looked on ebay today but not any as cute as these. You definitely have good taste Susan!!
I woke this morning to beautiful snow. A great day to cook I thought. As the Pumpkin Breads were cooking and the smell filled the house, I took my tea to sit by the window and watch the darling birds feeding in the back yard. I can’t remember a time when I have seen so many Chickadees, Tit Mouse, Wren and Cardinals all together at the same feeder. I looked around my old kitchen and realized I would not change a thing. Everything is comfy and cozy and has a place.
Your beautiful green bird salt and pepper would be a perfect addition.
PS- I have basically the same receipt for a Milk & Butter cake that I received from my Aunt Martha in Maryland 25 years ago.
Susan you are the best. I purchased your first book back in ’87 and have been following you since. Love the blog and I look forward to it every few days .
How cute are the salt and pepper shakers!!!! I’ll have to wait to try out the cake as I’m in Okinawa with my daughter. It looks yummy! I would love to find a cake plate like that too. I’ve got three blogs to catch up on. I can’t wait to see what is in those!! Have fun gals, I sure am.
We’re in the middle of summer here so the oven is on as little as possible and we’re into salads, BBQ’s and eating outdoors. Sooner than we’d like though, this season will be gone and we’ll be moving in to cooler weather when cake making will be looked forward to.
I love the little green shakers. Thankyou for the opportunity to be in the draw
When reading about the sauce for the cake…(I hate to show my ignorance about cooking) but I bought some vanilla powder… because it smelled so darned good, but I don’t know quite how to use it. Do you have any suggestions? Does one use it instead of liquid vanilla and is it the same amount?? Sorry so many questions.
I’ve never used it — haven’t seen it either . . . I only know that real vanilla is a miraculous thing. Did you look at the ingredients, what’s in vanilla powder? If it’s mostly vanilla and you really want to use it, I would say maybe a teaspoon and then taste? Sorry I’m not more familiar with it!
Susan, I just looked up the place I purchased the vanilla powder. http://www.buttecreekmill.com It’s a wonderful old mill that is on a creek and it grinds it’s own flour, etc. I get the most wonderful organic oats, cereal everything. On their website they have old recipes…. and you can order stuff! (ya know we need our ‘stuff’). karen
I use vanilla powder on fresh fruit … a little shaken on it brings the natural sweetness of the fruit out without adding sugar. I also use it when canning fruit or jam, etc. Same thing. It adds a richness to whatever you add it to. With jam, you still need to add the sugar but it makes a better product. I get it in the bulk spices area of a favorite supermarket, “Central Market”, in Poulsbo, WA. You girls from the Seattle area might know of these fabulous markets. It is available from amazon.com in their groceries, etc., section as well. Enjoy. Jackie in Las Vegas
Nice to know Jackie! It was new to me!
Happy to help…lol. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Jackie in Las Vegas
Thank you for sharing the cake recipe. I would love to try it.
Thanks, also. For sharing the pictures of your beautiful dishes. I love dishes too.
I was thinking your designs on the square plates would make gorgeous stationery.
Going to the Ikea website right now!
I really enjoy your blog. So many warm, cozy things.
Kathy V.
Absolutely love the S & P Birdies, as my grandson would say tweet tweet when I ask him what does the birdie say. This cake reminds me of my grandmothers sponge cake which my whole family still makes and we use for strawberry shortcake, very simple cake crispy around the edges and oh so yummy with strawberries and whip cream or even plain. Thanks for sharing!
Love the salt and pepper shakers – so sweet! Your blog is gorgeous – I’ve always been a big fan of your books, just to look at the drawings is a treat, so I’m loving your blog, too!
Thanks for the chance to win those sweet little birdie’s / they are so cute. Thanks for sharing with your blot.
Its 7:30 am and -9 outside……..I’d love cake and little birds!!
As cute as those little birds are I am in love with the cake plate. If I had room I would collect those. Your design is lovely – just a bit of color with that green stand. Oh how I wish I had room!
The cake looks delicious. Maybe later this afternoon!
Thank you for sharing.
Joan
Milk cake sounds just the thing to serve with berries from the freezer. What a lovely blog. I so enjoy it. Your little birdies would be very happy here with me at the gateway to the North Yorkshire Moors. We are not too far from the sea so they would not be too homesick and there are big skies for them to swoop about in when not being admired on my little table. Fingers crossed. Wishing you love, peace and joy. Carol
LOVE the birds! 🙂
Thanks for the beautiful inspiration you give us every day! Everyday and everyday as my Grandma Sophie used to say! Can’t wait to try the milk cake. I have an “everyday” recipe for coffee cake that is just plain food, simply prepared and simply delicious, too, that my family just loves!
I LOVE those little green birdies. But my bgf loves them, too, and she is too shy to write a comment here. Sooooooo, if the Random Picker Whatchamacallit shines it’s light on me, I will see that she gets them, because she’s probably the biggest bird lover ever, after Susan of course.
Spent all day yesterday trying to make my 1950’s ranch kitchen look like Susan’s beautiful vintage kitchen. Ever try making your 2001 white stove look like hers? Plop a narrow board (found in the garage) on top to mimic the shelf, add some vintage salt shakers, hang your cutest tea towels on the handle, and there you have it. Well, not quite, but use your imagination.
Perfect idea!
Hi Susan!
I am so looking forward to making this cake this afternoon. It looks so yummy and comforting for a cold wintery day!
And I think your little birdie salt & pepper shakers are the abolute sweetest I have ever seen!
Thank you for all your postings on your lovely blog. “Visiting” with you everyday is always one of the highlights of my day.
Blessings,
Cheryl
Ahhhh…so that is what a rounded teaspoon should look like. I was taught to level, always…now I have an excuse for my failures.
Birds are wonderful – I am keeping my fingers crossed that they migrate to my home. If not, I am sure they will be cherished no matter where they nest.
Just so I’m not being confusing — when a recipe calls for a teaspoon, that’s when it’s level — a rounded teaspoon is the thing with the extra at the top!
I have been organizing recipes since the New Year hit. Going through bits and pieces of magazine paper and news clippings, stumblig on recipes I have not baked in years and thinking this is good cake baking weather myself. The Milk Cake looks yummy, I may have to try this one out!
Thank you for sharing.
You truly are the kindest most giving person. You bring such joy with your books, blog just sharing your everyday life with us all which is so rich and anything but ordinary. So wish the designs you’ve shared could become a reality, so many I’d grab right up for myself. Perhaps one day. Thank you for all the joy you bring to me each day in my home. Love reading and checking in with you sometimes more than once a day 🙂
Thank you Lisa — and all you wonderful girls who’ve been leaving comments!! I’ve been loving reading them!
When I am feeling blue I always come and look around at your blog. It always lifts me spirits and inspires me.
I love dishes! I was inspired today to atleast think about taking the doors off of my cupboards.
Thank you! annette
Susan – whenever i am feeling stressed or out-of-sorts your blog is the perfect remedy. i always feel set straight again after reading one of your posts – there is just something about your writing, pictures, sharing that makes me feel good:) sending a big hug and a big thank you, Glynys
Happy to have you here Glynys!
I just returned to the blog to write down the Hot Milk Cake recipe. My Cowboy is in the kitchen with bacon sizzling on the griddle. When I opened up the site and the sweet bird chirps, he hollers out “Good Morning Susan!” 🙂 Love that man! <3
Tell the Cowboy we said Hello!
Good morning Christine!! I’ll one up ya….I got breakfast in bed!! (I shouldn’t be so smug however….sometimes I think he only does it to wake me up!!! tsss!) your pal from Oregon.
Whatever his reason, works for me! What a doll!
Will enjoy baking the cake…just like my grandmother used to make. Plain, simple and totally yummy with some berries and cream.
I would so love to win those darling birds. Thank you for kindly sharing your treasures with us! I will feel so blessed to win one of them someday.
Hello and good morning, Susan
Those darling birds….simple little bits of happiness to look at and adore. Why does anything old seem better? Because it has been pre-loved and cherished. There is an intangible quality that exists in those tiny little treasures that speaks to NOT being trashed or thrown out to make way for the “new”. It’s fun to imagine the actual trip through time those little birds have taken…. and how many owners have valued them. Hope I’m lucky enough to receive them. Thank you, you are a delight!
I start every morning with a peek at your blog it always makes me smile. I especially love your Gladys Taber quotes. My mother, a dear friend and I all collect her books. The darling salt & pepper shakers would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift for my bird-loving Mom. Thanks for sharing them with one of us!
Janet
p.s. I thought I had the only fetching kitty until I saw your Jack at work!
Loved the post, you take great pictures! I love great old recipes, especially those simple ones. Of course I’d love to win those green birds, they would look great in my kitchen where I display seasonal cheer!
Your artwork is beautiful and I would LOVE to win those darling salt and pepper shakers!
I’ve known you longer …went to your debut in Long Beach , sponsored by Dr. Trendle..therefore I should win!
A poem:
How now brown cow …..
My doctor told me “lose 10 pounds ”
I see your recipes–not fair
Cups of sugar everywhere!
How’s the old diet going ?”.”………?.”……”…….”…..”;%#^>€ it !
Thank you father 🙂
Love it! Needed a good chuckle for the day;))
What a perfect little cake. Just like my husband likes. Will be a good recipe to switch out with the butter pound cake that he favors.
And what sweet little birdies!! How I would love to have these in my cottage kitchen!!
Hope you are staying warm and having a comforting weekend!
Good Morning Susan!!! I just love your blogs,,yesterday I printed out the last ones so I could read them in my “recliner”,,I am getting ready for hip and knee replacememt and look so forward to them and yesterday saw the Peter Rabbit room, it is precious. I too wish your dishes were available, they are beautiful, I did buy months back the candlewick cake dish,, reminds me of my mothers dishes. I am anxious to try your milk cake, it sounds delicious, maybe later I can make it! Thanks for all the enjoyable hours I have looking at all of your “stuff”! Sally
Good luck with your surgery Sally! I have a really close friend who had both hips replaced last year — I couldn’t believe what an almost overnight change it made in her life and how quickly she recovered! All my best to you!
Dear Susan,
I love your blog and only discovered it a short while ago. Had been receiving Willard for a little while before this and was very familiar with your books (which I have a few) and your calendars which I buy every New year now and also love and are one of my favorite purchases. Found you while vacationing in Cape Cod years ago and was introduced into your world which I’ve always shared a similar love for family, homemaking, pets, and inspiration. I love that you post something almost daily and the pictures and music that go along with the blog post are wonderful and such an additional treat. I hope to enjoy it for many, many together times ahead. I love the birds S&P and shakers and am posting my name here for the contest giveaway which I hope you pick my name. I hope those 2 lovely birds fly into my home next. Got the perfect nesting place for them.
Another fan,
Jean
Dear Susan,
I love reading your blog, I have a new friend. Your recipes are delicious!
I would love to win those sweet little birds. I can hear them “tweeting” in my kitchen already.
Thanks again for giving me something to look forward to daily.
Elizabeth
Hallelujah! I think you’ve just found my mother’s old recipe for what she called her “sponge cake” – one of those I failed to copy before she died. Can’t wait to make it.
Also, btw, I’m still in the process of looking up all the movies on your list and my library has most of them; however, they’re always out, so I’m thinking you probably have a bigger following than those who get emails from you. Please add Widows Peak – the clothes, the cars, the boats, the story – wonderful!
I’ll clean a shelf off I the china closet, they will be at home with my green depression wade. Luv your posts!
Love the little birdies! Almost missed your last post because I was so busy reorganizing my kitchen and dining cabinets to look like yours!
🙂
I just love you “fantasy” green glass bottom and etched clear glass cake cover. Oh, it speaks to my heart. I can imagine how glorious a birthday cake, wedding cake, happy day cake would look so much better, just by being placed inside this cake cover. Please, please, please with sugar on top, get one made!!
I always thought that maybe if this blog grows, they will come ask me again!!
The best way for your ‘ideas’ to be produced is for all of us gals to email Wedgwood. Can’t exactly ignore 1000 angry women now can they?!!!
ps…from the number of these posts…maybe they better add some little green bird S&P shakers…
This is about the cake plate. Please pursue other makers. I think your china designs would meet with great success. Here are some possibilities…..Lenox (made in America), Libbey Glass(featured in J.C. Penney and in many gift and gourmet stores) Waterford…for that thin quality, specialty glass.,Godinger Serveware in Dublin. Another approach would be directly to Macy’s for their Home Essential Line or The Cellar. And of course, QVC. What a designer you would make for them and their own dinner and serve ware. The tie-in with your cook books would be a logical addition. Check it out ….your name recognition is growing all the time. It’s an opportunity to be explored. Your ideas seem to flow out of you as natural as can be and not, I might add, in a small trickle. Your ideas come in a great sun-lit wave of creativity.
All great ideas Gale!! Thank you!
Hello Susan!
Thank you for inspiring me with your words and pictures!
So charming!
love the cupcakes! will have to add that to my list for Ikea! and those birds are adorable – will make my table feel like spring even if it isn’t nearly spring outside!
Susan, Hi there, Now that I’m able to get around in the kitchen again (I got a new left knee for Christmas, arthritis did a number on the old one), I’m ready to try that delicious looking milk cake. Ray and I love cake and the plainer the better. Wouldn’t mind winning those cute little bird shakers too. They would look so neat on my kitchen window shelf. We got snowed on yesterday. I’d say about three inches of light, fluffy stuff. Did you escape that storm that passed through? Warm hugs from Central Jersey…..
Oh no, no escape for us, we got it all — so beautiful today!
Hi Susan, I’ve been collecting your books for years and absolutely love reading all your posts on your blog. Just the background itself makes everything you write even much more meaningful! So pretty. I would love a chance to win those beautiful green birdie shakers. They would be perfect in my kitchen! Thanks for all the pretty things you give away!
Hi Susan
Its me Kimi again, I just had to tell you that I just notice the wooden bakers rack holding the Milk Cake. You know something my sister in law Lena has that very one shes in her early-mid sixties don’t worry age does not bother her she says its only a number I agree! I just wanted to tell you I recognized this wonderful rack and I love anything wood. I so enjoy all your house utensils… XO
Hi Susan! Love the bird shakers. Thank you for the chance to win. I love birds and enjoy feeding them in my backyard. Also love your blog. I also enjoy how I am able to read other bloggers from clicking on them on your blog.
I agree with the many others who would love to see your dishes for sale. I really like thin glass that is etched with flowers and other designs. I’m sure I would purchase your items if I found them for sale.
Have great week!
Julie
What wonderful little birds! My great-grandma used to collect salt-n-pepper shakers, I am blessed to have several of hers. I would enjoy adding your little birds to my collection.
Yum, the milk cake looks and sounds good. I’ll be baking it this week!
Thanks for your blogs, photos, drawings, and giveaways.
P-l-e-a-s-e- find a way to have your small domed cake plate made! It is gorgeous, unique, and one-of-a-kind! To have the tweety bird salt & pepper shakers sitting next to it would look lovely, too. Your father is funny, good sense of humor-love it! Have a beautiful day Susan!
I am a first time blog reader. Love it and love the bird s&p shakers, they would look so cute in my kitchen.
Cloudy,cool day here in So.Cal, Now I have a receipe to go along with dinner tonight,,sounds yummy,,the little green birds look so like spring,,would love to have them on my kitchen windowsill,,thanks for all of your cheery blogs,,,Judy
With the birds chirping in the background of your blog, you’d think the sweet little birdie S&P shakers were calling my name! tee hee
Oh your cake stand is beautiful!! And the color of the glass on the bottom of it is gorgeous (hmmm, could my favorite color be …..green?)
But your bird salt and pepper shakers, well, that = me in LOVE!
How I would love to have them fly all the way to my hometown and
nestle into my little kitchen!
Thanks for your always entertaining blog and Willards.
It is one of the favorite parts of my day – when I can take a minute of out my busy, hectic schedule, to just sit and read your posts.
Thanks Susan!
Love your posts – so filled with inspiring words and great ideas. The little birds are very vintage cute, and would look great in my kitchen garden window!
How did you know I collect vintage s&p shakers….would love to add these adorable birds to my collection!