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,
Your blog is such a treat! Thank you for the time, creativity and love you put into it!!! I can’t wait to try the cake recipe, I’m going to make it (in cupcake form) for my book club this week. The birdies are adorable . . . . fingers crossed!
I love reading your blog…..the bird shakers are precious!
A cake will be my husband’s reward for having to work on a Sunday. 🙂
Wipe the slobber off my chin…that cake sounds wonderful! There must be an awful lot of people who want those cute little birdies…it took so long to load the comments!!!!! They are precious!!! How “tweet” of you to offer them!!! (Couldn’t help myself : ) ~*
Thanks for all the wonderful lighthearted videos! I remember my mother making this cake. I will try it again soon. The salt & pepper shakers are an inspiration during these winter months.
I love seeing your home and how you enjoy the simple things in life even though you are a “star”. . .love the bird salt/pepper shakers.
Susan,
Thank you so much, well, for just being you! I have always loved your beautiful art and your web site. Since you have started this blog I have realized you are kind of the best friend that I have never met. It is great to come here and look at your dishes, your ideas, your house… musica! Thank you! I am the mom of 6 boys and three with various forms of autism…it can be an lovely, joyful, very challenging life at times. Your blog is a fresh breath of air for me. I think of that movie Julie and Julia… your my Julia! Godbless, Teresa
Six boys, oh my! I thought my four brothers were a handful! God bless YOU Teresa, I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for calling me your Julia! 🙂 you can’t imagine how that makes my day xoxo
Thanks Susan! You made my day also!
The milk cake sounds great! It reminds me of an old recipe I found in my mom’s recipe box. I will have to try it soon on one of these cold winter days. Thank you for a chance to win the bird “saltandpepper” shakers- a reminder that Spring is coming!
Christine
Helllooooo Susan Branch!!
I have MISSED my favorite blog on the WHOLE internet, but we decided to move and I did it all by myself, through half of November and all of December and then I have been unpacking and assembling our new home.
I have so many wonderful decorating ideas I have gleaned from your precious blog that I am putting in to use in our new home now and I have you to thank for them…”Thank you Susan!!”
I love the little birds, they are so pretty and so perfect for any kitchen decor. I would love to add them to my new kitchen, IF your magic selection machine should happen to select me to win them that is, he he he.
I need to take a day to catch up on all of the many wonderful posts you have made on your blog while I was busy packing out and then unpacking, I just HAVE to know what I missed! So, I will bake myself something yummy, brew a pot of scrumptious tea and then sit myself down in my comfiest chair and dive right in, savoring each days post as I go. Ahhhhhh, life is good, as long as I have your blog to look forward to once again that is…Thank you SO much!!
Ta Ta For Now!!
Gamma Rori
Congratulations on your move!!! Glad to have you back!
The cake recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank-you so much for sharing..I can’t wait to try it. The s&p shakers are sooooo lovely…you are so kind to part with them. Oh and I really, really wished that your plate designs would have come to fruition…they are all just lovely. Maybe someday soon?
I love the cake recipe….I love plain cake that you can add a few ingredients and make it make you feel “so in your own little moment”! And the S & P shakers remind me of my grandma….I guess I got my love of birds from her!
Cynthia
I would love to add those beautiful green birdies to my collection of salt and pepper shakers. I got a set of cardinals for Christmas…..male and female, love it!
I think the milk cake sounds great. I bet it would be good with strawberries and whipped cream in late spring or peaches and cream in the summer. Love the salt and pepper shaker set…..so cute!!!!
Thanks for the cake recipie. It looks wonderful. I can’t wait to try it.
Also, thanks for the chance to win the adorable birdie shakers. You have the most wonderful give-a-ways. Thanks for always thinking of us girlfriends!
These birds are so precious they’re making me want to run out and shop for cute vintage things. Seriously!
I’m planning to do that one day this week just because of these birdies — so you are not alone!
That cake sounds yummy. My husband loves anything with vanilla in it so I am going to have to try this one. I love the green love birds. That’s so nice of you to put them in a giveaway. I am new to your blog and just love everything about it.
Have a wonderful day.
Ruby
Oh I just love the tall cupcake shape. It will make cupcakes so much more fun! I think the delicious cake recipe would make perfect cupcakes. I don’t have anything like the bird salt and pepper shakers. They are adorable. It would be a treat to win them but just seeing them and your willingness to give them to one of us is wonderful.
Thank you and thank you so much for your wonderful blog!
Dear Susan,
Thanks for all the photos of your pretty dishes. I love seeing them as I love antiques. It feels like I have come to your home for a lovely cup of tea and you are showing me around. In reality I am sitting in our home office and my Wonderful husband is doing work homework on his laptop, in the next room. We live on a quiet beautiful lake out in the country. I love to check out your blog from time to time and get your newsletter. I love your beautiful artwork, photos, stories and yummy recipes. I collect salt and pepper shakers but don’t have any antique ones in my collection. I started collecting them just for holiday table decorations but friends and family have given me ones as gifts. So I would love to enter your drawing. Thanks, take care and sorry for such a long email. Take care.
Love,
Crystal
I think I used to make this cake years ago–thanks for reminding me!
Karen in Breezy Point
Love your blog. You’re like have a big sister for me who shares so many tips and great ideas that makes my life so much easier and fun. Thank you! I’ve recently discovered Pinterest and it too gives me so many ideas and recipes and household tips. So good to have so many girlfriends sharing all the best ideas. But your blog is a more personal touch and I have enjoyed your writing with Willard and now this! I have your wall calendar every year, a variety of your books, and a little book of postcards I found years ago by you that I only use sparingly as I love them! I’m thinking of framing them! Anywho, big fan here! Will definitely be trying this lovely little hot milk cake recipe! I did find an old wooden recipe box in an antique store that I am filling with recipes like these and decorating the recipe cards with my own little doodles. It’s my creative outlet along with blinging out simple cards for Christmas or Valentine’s & birthdays. Thank you for the inspiration across the board! ♥
Wonderful Katherine, like a scrapbook in a box!
Cake recipe is definitely a keeper and can’t wait to try it., Salt and Pepper shakers are so darn cute. I love birds and would love to have those two cuties sitting on my table.
Love your blog – look forward always to new posts. Thanks!
Good Morning Susan! 🙂 I just love your blog, you inspire me!!! My little girl says “hello and good morning “sugar” Branch”, too!!! Love, Sheri
Your square pan reminds me of my first cake pans given to be by my momma and which surely at one time belonged to my grandma who was a wonderful cook and gardener. Her square chocolate cakes were always one layer frosted with vanilla butter cream. The remaining batter? It was placed in a green rectangular ceramic container with a flat lid (don’t know what that pre-Pyrex material was called) for me and my brother because the first thing we asked when we got to her house was, “Do you have any chocolate?” She ALWAYS did, and for Sunday dinner she always made salmon croquettes for us(because we loved them) in addition to whatever she and my grandpa and mom and dad were having. She died when I was 10 years old — my first experience of death. Heartbreaking. She would have loved the birdie salt and pepper shakers and I do too!
Good Morning,
I almost let this slip by. I would love to win these birdies. I have a few bird planters and some birds on the wall (from my grannie when I was in the 5th grade) and bird books that I have had for years. As others, I so enjoy your blogging.♥
The birdies are darling! Very old fashioned looking. And the cake sounds wonderful.
It’s always such a happy treat to read your blog. You have no idea of the comfort and cozy warmth you give us. Love the bird salt & pepper shakers.
Jane
Love, love, love the bird salt and pepper shakers–they would look adorable sitting next to the antique chick S&P shakers on my shelf! And green is my favorite color! wedge wood really should make that cake stand WITH the domed top!
I find that each time I come to your web-site…I am in for an up-lifting treat for my day. I have long loved your books, your writing, your penmanship! and the fact that you live in Martha’s Vineyard. I would love to be you! But…instead I just enjoy what you bring to me through this web-site and your books.
The salt and pepper shakers are so cute! I could use them in the spring when I host a bird themed tea party. A few years ago I bought a number of bird figurines fairly inexpensively at a resale shop. I place them around a center piece of spring blossoms or place them at each person’s spot. I hunt for napkins that have birds on them, make placecards with a little bird on it, and use little salt plates with a sweet blue bird image as tea bag holders. The menu varies, but it is a delightful time to connect with friends and new acquaintances. If you lived closer…I’d love you to come! (Michigan is a bit of a ways from Martha’s Vineyard it seems!)
Oh, I loved your piece about the moon! It looks the same in Michigan :)…but the moonrise you featured took my breath away! Happy day!!
Love the cake recipe, I’m going to try it today. The little birdie salt and pepper
shakers would be a wonderful addition to my little bird collection. I love your blog, it’s the first thing I check in the mornings. Thanks for all your great ideas.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed:)
The Birdies are adorable, just like you! They would look so cute in my small purple kitchen. Thanks for your old/favorite movie list, I’ve started to appreciate the old classics this past Christmas & look forward to viewing many more during the long winter…….
LOVE it — a purple kitchen? Fantastic! That sounds like something I might do — really it does.
Can’t wait to bake the cake. Sounds as though berries from the freezer would be a perfect accompanyment. Would love to win those little birdies. I am sure they would feel at home here at the gateway to the North Yorkshire Moors. Not too far from Scarborough so they could smell the sea and not get too homesick.
Fingers crossed. Carol B XXX
Susan, I honestly don’t know how you can bear to part with the darling green bird salt and pepper shakers, but since you are being so generous, I want my name (or is it number) in the hat for a chance to win them. I can’t imagine how excited I would be if my name were drawn. I might just swoon.
I love the recipe for the little plain cake. Like some of the others, I think my mother had a similar recipe, too. Seems like she baked them in a little tube pan.
I loved seeing all of the drawings for dishes that you designed. I just love those romantic designs. And while I’m going on and on, I really enjoy seeing your dishes in the shelves. I love dishes–it runs in my family on both sides; I was doomed! lol.
O.K., so, I sent the hubby out again for the ingredients! Every time you put a new recipe on here I HAVE to try it. Can’t wait. Also, visited my first IKEA with my daughter. I could not BELIEVE it!! I just stood there in awe! Going to the website now to order “zee pan”. Thanks Susan.
The salt and pepper shakers are so cute. They remind me of the little green parakeet we had when I was little. “Tweetie Bird” would sit on my mother’s shoulder while she drank her tea. Mom would always pour a little tea into her saucer so Tweetie Bird could share a few sips. Thank you for your wonderful blog which always helps me recall special memories.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for being such an inspiration to me over the years. Your creative spirit touches every aspect of your life and I strive to do the same in mine. I just love those sweet little green birds, they are just adorable. When we lived in New England, it was my frequent “feathered” visitors that made the long winters bearable as I’m a southern girl. Your salt n’ pepper shakers seem to capture their cheerful personalities. Speaking of cheerful, the milk cake recipe seems perfect for any occasion and I look forward to making one soon. Thanks again for being “YOU”
XOXO Stephanie!
Don’t laugh, but as I was reading this post I kept thinking…I hope there is a recipe for this cake….looks sooooo good! I have all of the ingredients for it so there are some people in our house who are going to really appreciate you tonight!
Susan
I enjoy reading your blog. Each one is like getting a beautiful gift to open! The birdies are sooo cute. Isn’t it wonderful—-how little things can bring such joy. Thank you for all the great recipies and art and for always reminding us about the little things.
Hi Susan! You have long been my bouquet of inspiration, and a constant reminder of the most important stuff-of-life…My husband & I were blessed to meet you @ one of your book-signings in Portland, Oregon. To this day, you remain one of my life’s very best mentors. Have long-imagined that if I could, I would love to curl-up and live w/in the pages of your precious books….Thank you for opening your heart & home to all of us…and for bringing joy & comfort & peace-within to oh-so-many. You have been and always will be…an earth angel. Sending blessings to you!!
How sweet you are Donna, that was so nice!
Love your home and your blog. I can see those birds in my newly painted
kitchen.
Hi Susan, This cake sounds terrific! I’m having a girlfriend over for lunch this week and we will be trying the cake- can’t wait! I live in Texas where today, it’s nearly 80 degrees with the wind blowing up a storm. As far as I’m concerned, any day is a good day for cake. Cheers!
I love, love the little birds ! so cute and they would look just perfect in my yellow and green home. They would be perfect with the mementos from my mom.
The cake sounds yummy too.
I just put pineapple upside down cake in the oven, I love the “old” recipes!
I use that sauce I mentioned with the cake as a sauce for pineapple upside down cake too!
We just finished inhaling that milk cake!!! Oh my it sure is yummy!!!!!! My son went back for seconds 🙂 Everyone loved it! It has such a warm rich flavor. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Love the birdie s/p shakers. Susan, I really just want to live with you! You won’t even know i’m there, I won’t make a peep… promise!
ooooh, i would love to win those sweet salt and pepper shakers. please put my name in the virtual hat and pick meeeeeeeeeee pretty please 🙂
It’s always fun to see what’s new and also to compare antics of our black and white kittens!
I love everything about the website. Sometimes, just lingering over a lovely photograph of flowers or a sunset while enjoying my morning coffee brightens my day. Thank you.
When I first caught a glimpse of the vanilla bean in your post, I thought, “God love ‘er, she burnt the first one just like I would’ve !” haha I, too am an edge lover and that little Milk Cake looks so divine !! I’ll have to go with the real whipped cream to top mine…yummy !!
Just tried your cake recipe . . . and it’s a keeper!! Thanks so much! 🙂
I love those green & white birds. I have quite a few salt/pepper shakers in my collection, but nothing like these. I love reading your blog!
I’ve just been enjoying my variety of birds outside my window, nibbling away at the little cabin-like feeder. What a joy to have those little green birds to sit on the sill to keep them company! (And what stories they could tell each other!)
i love green — i love birds — i love the green birds!
Susan,
You are so much fun. I don’t know how you part with all your treasures. I have mementos from my two mothers-in-law and from my mom but can’t seem to let go of any of them.
Can’t wait to try the yummy cake!
Cecelia
There is chili on the stove, and now I know what we will have for dessert. A great treat for a cold day. I love old recipes!!!
I have a question : Where do you get whole vanilla beans ?
At the supermarket in the herbs and spices department — or at a kitchen shop, or I’m sure you can find them online.
Thanks , I’ve never really looked for them before , didn’t know what to use them for ha ha.
You don’t use them everyday, but they’re wonderful in puddings, sauces and cakes . . . ice cream too!
If you go to http://www.mountainroseherbs.com you can order them, organic cheaper than conventional, in the supermarket.
So, I made your Milk Cake last night as a surprise for dessert. My family loved it and deemed it a “keeper”. Needless to say, they were not surprised that it was a Susan Branch recipe. It was delicious and so easy to make! Perfect for a snowy Sat night by the fire 🙂
Happy to hear it Beth!
One of my friends LOVES birds and the color green. Would love for the random generator to choose me, so that I can give these charming little birdies to her. She will give them lots of love!
Mmmmm cake. Love the birds! Have to enter! Thank you for your little notes into our inbox.
Just found your blog through Cozy Little House. So glad I did. A real perker-upper on a gray day. Will hope to visit often. Even the little green birds are delightfully cheerful~
Mmmm, in the mood for cake now! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Your design for the cake plate is so gorgeous! These little bird shakers look like they belong right next to it.
When I saw this cake, I thought how yummy it might be sitting in a puddle of lemon sauce (your recipe) made from the Meyer lemons from my girlfriend’s tree. So I think I’ll be leaving now and see about baking that cake. I’ll let you know how it turns out! =^..^=
Your kitty sign is so cute ! Luv it !
I would love those cute birdies! It would be tough, but I would have to give them to my bird loving girlfriend Cathy! Thanks for making my dreary gray January days brighter with your blogs.
You can take a gloomy day and make it bright and cheerful. Will make the wonderful cake Thanks so much Susan!
Oh,Susan! How I ♥ love ♥ the little salt & pepper shakers! I don’t usually “pine” for the little gifts that you share. Not that I wouldn’t love to have each and every one of them – it’s just that there are so many of us and each of us would love to have a surprise!! But, these, I’m pining for! I have collected salt & pepper shakers since I was 5 years old! (I’m MUCH older than that now:) ) These are the sweetest little blue birds!
Anyway, now that you know how I TRULY feel… I have been missing your blogs for almost a week now! I’m just here taking a break from doing some clean-up. Such a mess here! We had a surprisingly huge and heavy snowstorm, which caused the power to go out (and no water since we are on a well), then rain and a big freeze, which created the gorgeous but extremely destructive ice storm, then power out to more than a quarter of a million households, and on and on and on! There are manymanymany trees down, first due to the weight of the snow, then the ice, then the tremendous windstorm. We were extremely lucky that no trees came down ON the house! Lots down everywhere around us, though. We’ll certainly have years worth of firewood! We don’t get very much terrible weather in the Pacific Northwest but we sure did get it – all in just 3 days! It was so bad that I was extremely nervous about going up to the barn to feed the alpacas during all this because when you hear a loud >> crack << it meant there would be a huge branch or a tree coming down and I kept picturing my husband having to come find me and I would be skewered to the ground with a huge fir tree through my body! Yikes! It wasn't very much of a stretch for my imagination to get there!! It's all over now, we are all just fine, our power and water came back on overnight (oh, the sweetness of a shower… ), and the animals are shaking off their jitters. I'm even able to come in and read all about what you and the girlfriends have been doing!!! I do love this blog you created for us. For so many reasons.
And, since I have electricity 🙂 I think I may try your new old cake recipe tonight. I think the smells of a warm kitchen is just what is needed around here!
Well, it looks like WWIII outside my door. Better get back to work. Thank you, Susan, for the nice diversion.
Happy Week to all of you. Stay safe, and be sure to appreciate what you have. It can all go away in the blink of an eye.
Love to you all.
Deb
PS – ♫ Fly to me, little bluebirds ♫
Well, I know they’re green, but, you know what I mean 😀
I just adore those sweet little birds. I don’t have any figural salt and pepper shakers but these could be a start of my collection if my name is lucky enough to be drawn out of the virtual hat! I can’t wait to try the cake recipe.
That cake looks yummy! I will have to try it soon. Please count me in for the birds. That are adorable.
I was admiring your cakeplate picture again and I like the idea of a thin glass. (Sometimes it’s easy to drop the heavy ones.) It’s just beautiful and I would buy that in a heartbeat…as well as your other stuff. You certainly know what women like!
Susan! I made your Milk Cake and decided to make the sauce to go with it…OH! You are so right! That is heavenly!
Such sweet inspiration! The little birds are delightful and would be a perfect addition to tea time. They’d also be perfect on the birds & nests display that my daughter and I have on our living room ledges each spring. The green birds would be the perfect addition to place next to the antique bird books my 4th grade teacher left to me (along with each of the letters I wrote to her thru the years–I had no idea she had treasured every one), beside the little songbird nest that a spring storm blew down in our garden. We promise to give them a loving home!
Trying again with all my heart…! Please lordy, let me emerge from moderation one of these days! You are the charmingest, Susan!
I had forgotten how much I loved your artwork and books and things until I found this website again, and ordered stickers. I love the bird S & P shakers, and all of your design ideas for Wedgewood…too bad they never came to fruition.
I have a question – are you still in Martha’s Vineyard, or did you move to CA a few years ago? I really can’t tell from the website – except for the little comment about no snow for you in the latest blog…
I’m living on Martha’s Vineyard, but visit California at least once a year and usually for a couple of months — my mom lives there and I have a studio there. Nice to see you Susan!
Happy Sunday, Your blog has really helped me through being snowed in for three days. I just finished my first Gladys Taber book, LOVED IT thanks for all you add to my life. Those daring green birds would find a good home here at Saratoga Nest on Camano Island.
My goodness! I don’t usually wait this long to check in, but it’s been a busy weekend and now that I’m here, I see I’m commenter 1037 or so. !
The cake looks yummy, and I love the tall skinny cupcake picture! Very cool.
The pictures in this post and the last of the dishes you designed for Wedgwood are so beautiful, so imaginative — really sad that the timing wasn’t right for them to go into production. The cake plate is fabulous. Just fabulous.
I have a pair of cardinal S&Ps my cousin gave me last year, and I have loved having them on the table this winter. Spring birds would be nice, too! Thank you, Susan, for the joy you bring to so many.
Home sick in bed I think it looks easy enough for me. I know it will make me feel better… thanks for the medicine Susan…
Feel better!
Hi Susan, the cake recipe sounds scrumptious and I’ll be trying that one for sure! The birdies are precious! Just want to add that we celebrated my mom and dad’s 50th wedding anniversary which was pure magic. You were a part of it, as I decorated the scrapbook we made for them with your beautiful anniversary stickers and I wrote something special for them on your beautiful stationary…….thanks 🙂 xoxo
Hi Susan,
I love love love your blog and call it my “daily dose of good cheer”. I am new to following you on yor blog and can only say “thank heavens” I found it by accident. Your calendar ( my first) hangs in my kitchen and I love the art and all the wonderful “notes and quotes” I knew you were a kindred spirit when you mentioned Gladys Taber. I first knew about her from a cousin who gave me one of her books……..35 years ago…..and immedialey knew I was hooked as Gladys was another kindred spirit. Had to write when I saw those little birds……they are too cute, Maybe they will reside at my house.
ThanksSusan for spreading all that happiness.
I love the birdies! Both of my daughters would love them, so if I win them, I will just have to keep them myself to prevent hard feelings! Hee-hee!
Can’t wait to try that cake sounds delish! Cute lil birds too !
Yummy! It’s not raining anymore here in Cali but I’m off to make this milk cake. Thanks for all you do for us GFs, Susan. Even though those beautiful pieces were never made, I can still dream of seeing them in my kitchen! There is still hope for someday!
Love your bird shakers, they would be perfect to add some spring zing to these dreary winter days. Love your blog, cannot wait to read it each day. We too have a black and white kitty…Sylvester.
Such lovely little birds…reminding me of all the beautiful things to look forward to in the Spring. I can’t wait to try the cake recipe!
The bird salt and pepper shakers are so cute. I was just commenting today about how cute the little winter birds are. Their music is better than any human can even think about creating. Thanks for the chance to give them a home at my home!
The recipe sounds great for making the house smell good and our tummys feel good. Thanks for all that you do with this blog!
I love birds! I feed them and love to watch them. Your cute little birdie salt and pepper shakers would look so nice in my home!!! I sure enjoy reading your blog!!!!
I love the cake recipe.
Perfect snowy day for baking. No one can get up our hill, so our pup is out visiting with everyone trying to get into town. We walked in the VH yesterday. Lovely romantic idea except it is a 2 mile walk and got colder by the minute, but wouldn’t have changed it. Thanks for keeping us going through the winter. 😉
The cake looks delicious. The birdies are precious. If I win them, I’m going to give them to my daughter who loves green, and like her mama, adores everything Susan Branch. Thanks for being a day brightener. I’m doing a Valentines give-away over on my blog if you’d care to enter. I’d be honored. Love, Laura Lee
Fun, fun, fun to be a new(ish) reader of your charming blog! I love getting to know Jack…and Girl Kitty too. (I am still in awe of Jack’s ability to fetch! ~big smile~)
Would I love those sweet little birdies? Absolutely! And thank you for offering them, even though I know that only one of your girlfriends will get to meet them in person (or is it “in bird”?).
~ Cheryl…who became one of your girlfriends after discovering your book Autumn and learning that you adore autumn as I do!
The sauce is made and the cake is in the oven, yum. Susan, the china you designed is incredible. If only it was to be made, I would make a mad dash to buy especially the cake stand and the lemonade pitcher, with more pieces to follow. You are so incredibly talented.
Hope you, Joe, and the kitty-kids had a good weekend.
P S … The Girl Scout pen pal badge I ordered came in the mail, it is SO cute ! One never out grows the girl scouts : )
This is my first time ever to write a comment. I just adore this website and Susan Branch. Wouldn’t the sweet birds be a wonderful reminder of this great step into the new world of F.O.S.B.?
Welcome to the neighborhood Cindy!
The cake looks absolutely wonderful. I’m headed for the kitchen now to make some cake!!! Thanks for the the recipes and photos and for this blog! Your the greatest Susan!
You are such an inspiration..you never cease to bless my socks off..can’t wait to make the cake..I collect salt @ peppers and am obsessed with all things birdie lately, please pick me 😉
Lady Susan,
On the road, but just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your blog these past few days. I really like your dishes a lot. My mother in law always made the little cake. All very comforting. Oh and I think those little bird shakers are really neat too!
Hugs..
I can’t complain about the winter Denver’s been having. I’m ashamed to say that it was 68 yesterday. Even though it’s been warm, it’s always cake baking weather. Thank you for the milk cake recipe. My boys are going to love eating it! The birdie salt and pepper shakers are darling too.
I love sharing my collections with my friends and really enjoy that you share your collections in your blog. The birdies shakers are so cute. I love that the bottoms unscrew.
My mother just turned me onto your blog. I love your books – especially Girlfriends – and Willards. Now I can’t wait to catch up on your blog!
The birdie shakers are adorable! What a fun treat for the winner of your giveaway.
What a yummy recipe. I’ve never heard of a milk cake. My grandmother made a Cream Cake.. But the recipes are not very similar. I can’t wait to try it.
And I love the “puddle” of sauce.
I also dearly love the sweet and elegant covered cake platter you designed for Wedgwood. How beautiful. I can visualize my shortbread hearts arranged on the plate, or any number of delightful sweet surprises. I love to use cake platters for things other than cake!
Sigh!!! Love that copper pot… and your stove, right down to the dial! haha. I made your cake and it was old fashioned goodness. Those birdie salt and pepper shakers would love to come to my house. Oh, and thanks for sharing your dish cupboard with us, Susan. So much fun!
What a Cheery Pair! I love these little green birds! I can just see them settling in with all my favorite green dishes, then greeting me each morning at Breakfast. I once purchased a little blue bird and painted it green. This little bird sits atop my favorite heart shaped trained ivy plant. I love green!
Those cute little birds are just about the exact color of my kitchen walls… They would look really great there!!!
As usual your blog is delightful. The birds are darling. If I would win them I would have to give them of one of our girlfriends, not that I would not like them. However. she lives in an old farmhouse and her kitchen would always be calling them to fly over as they are perfect for it.
Blessings,
I made the cake! It was deeeelish! Fresh berries this summer on top of that cake would be heaven!