Hi Everyone! Between WILLARD (which starts going out this morning and finishes Wednesday night) and this post, I think I’m going to wear you out! But in the Willard I promised you a recipe, I promised “make-up gifts.” (Too long since last Willard, should call them welcome-back gifts). But first, we need MUSICA . . . and I need to show you what my dad, better known as “Blog Daddy” and his darling wife Jeannie sent us for Easter.
Is that cute or what? I get the bunny with the bow and I’m seven again. It’s got green peeps, it’s filled with those 
little chocolate eggs with the thin crispy crust and my favorite dark chocolate-covered coconut bars. Thanks Dad, thanks Jeannie! There’s me and Blog Daddy → . . . Such a cute surprise! (We were so young!)
I hope Easter weekend was as beautiful where you are as it was here! We’ve been getting amazing doses (as in medicine) of spring, drinking it in, making it almost impossible to stay inside, stay home, stay down. We want OUT! We pop this music into the player and off we go…
The island is coming alive and it’s fun to drive around and look at it. You can see we are still waiting for leaves on the trees, but the air is filled with the sweet smell of thawing earth, the light is new, and the sailboats are coming back. It’s perfect timing . . . Happy Earth Day! It’s today! Pretty smart of the powers-that-be to tuck Earth Day into this beautiful time of year! For extra enjoyment, for frosting on the spring cake . . . Check out the Washington DC Cherry Trees in bloom! They will put a song in your heart.
And now, here’s the recipe for the cake I wrote about in Willard, an old-fashioned lemon-filled sponge cake, soft as a baby’s hiney, perfect for spring birthdays, and gorgeous as a Mother’s Day Tea Cake.
And since I made this cake for Easter, I thought I’d show you just how easy it is to put together. Making this roll is much easier than you might think if you haven’t done it before.
So set your oven for 375° and here we go . . .
Butter a 10″ x 15″ cookie sheet that has a rim (jelly roll pan), then lay down a piece of waxed paper (allowing it to go over edge), smooth it into the corners and into the butter, and then butter the paper too.
Put the yolks of three eggs in one bowl and the whites in another.
Beat egg yolks a little bit then add a cup of sugar and . . .
Beat them until they’re thick and lemon colored . . .
Sift a cup of flour together with salt and baking powder . . . (don’t worry I’ll give measurements at the end)…
And stir it in to your batter along with six tablespoons of hot water . . .
Beat the egg whites until stiff and glossy.
While you’re doing that take a peek outside . . . oh, my, what a DAY!
And LOOK!!! I begin calling for Joe . . . we have robins by the herds, we have gaggles of cardinals, whole families ~ (not that I will ever take them for granted), but see that bird on the right? We never see that bird. ever. Got out the bird book where we find out it usually likes woods and thickets. This is our driveway . . . he is a “rose-breasted grosbeak.”
We ooh and aaah over him for a few minutes . . . He must have spring fever, coming over for some dessert seeds.
OK, that was nice, but back to “work” ~ folding in the egg whites . . .
And then the zest of one lemon . . . Now spread the batter evenly on your well-buttered cookie sheet and put into oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
While it’s baking, lay out a clean dishtowel and sift over a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
When the cake is done, and wafting fresh cake fragrance to the neighborhood, bring it out of the oven and use the edges of the waxed paper to turn it out onto your powdered-sugar covered cloth . . .
Voila! While still hot, carefully peel off the paper. Then take a pair of sharp scissors and cut off the crispy edges of the cake all the way around . . .
You can eat those crispy edges immediately, but from experience, if you eat them all now, you’ll have nothing to dip in the lemon filling you’re about to make. Just sayin’ . . .
Now, using the dishtowel begin to roll up the cake. It’s fairly malleable while it’s hot so you can make a nice roll, just pull out the towel as you go . . .
Once it’s all rolled, just leave it there and let it cool while you make the filling. Essentially it’s in training now to be a roll.
LEMON FILLING: In the top part of a double boiler, put two whole eggs, a cup of sugar, the grated rind of two lemons . . .
The fresh juice of two lemons and two tablespoons of melted butter.
Pour the juice into the double boiler through a fine sieve if your lemons are like mine and filled with seeds. Stir over simmering water for fifteen minutes until the filling is thick. Cool slightly. (Más MUSICA Girlfriends?)
Then it’s time to unroll your cake; carefully peel it open until it’s flat ~ it goes very easily . . .
Pour over the lemon filling and spread it almost to the edges, but leave it thick in the middle. (Don’t forget to save a little bit of filling to dip your cake clippings in if you have any left.)
Roll the cake back up, not TOO tightly, because you want the lemon filling to stay inside. I roll and lift the cake a bit as I go so as to keep the lemon from squeezing out the sides. Move the cake to an oval serving plate.
Sift over a little more powdered sugar ~ the cake is beautiful, but I decide it needs a little Easter decoration . . . so I run outside to pick some of my pretty yellow (non-toxic) forsythia flowers . . . any excuse to go outside is a good thing.
And voila! Like little butterflies. Your cake would be just as pretty with wild violets, pansies, johnny jump-ups, or roses . .
Now, soak the dishes, while you’re at it, notice the guy in the garden . . . that really good guy in the garden? Doing the aphrodisiac-thing women love?
Mulching and getting everything ready . . .♥
Go ask him if he would like a piece of Lemon Cake . . . Tell him you will bring it and he can eat it in the garden.
He deserves this . . . tender soft sugary cake with the most lemony of lemon fillings . . .
And while you’re out there, find reasons to stay . . . Hang up your bird houses . . . because you LOVE the serenade of birds in love . . .
Go take a picture of your old bunny crossing sign … take note of good mulchy dirt . . .
Give up looking for more to do and go on a walk! Such an amazingly gorgeous weekend.
Remember these Jingle Shells I found on the beach . . .?
. . . and then arranged on my window sill?
Well, one of our Girlfriends mentioned how much she would like to have some of these genuine Martha’s Vineyard jingle shells . . . so yesterday, out on our walk, I collected these . . .
And I put them in this Emma Bridgewater tin as a surprise . . . because I thought they might be a fun giveaway for spring, to celebrate the change of season, a box from the sea.♥
Jack agreed. I tied the box up in a little bag. Then I thought maybe not everyone wants shells, but I bet everyone would love an original 1900 copy of the wonderful “Elizabeth and Her German Garden,” the first book written by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth von Arnim (she also wrote “Enchanted April” which you would love if you haven’t already read it). So I added that . . . Look at the beautiful raggedy edges on the pages of this old book . . . (Of course, If I’m doing anything different at all, Jack is immediately involved. He has an inquiring mind that wants to KNOW.)
So I put them together and thought, that looks nice, but something is missing . . .
A Fine Romance! Yes, must have that in the package. I hope you like it! I’ll sign my book and the Elizabeth book to whomever wins the drawing . . . All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment; right here at the bottom of this post you’ll see the tiny letters “comment” ~ click there and say anything sweet and you’ll be entered.
But is that enough when it’s been almost a year since your last Willard? Don’t you owe the Girlfriends something else? Maybe not “owe” but “wish to give?” Oui! I think so! So Vanna will choose TWO names this time, and the second name drawn will get these two Keepsake books (guided “life story” journals with lined paper, places for photos, sewn-in ribbon bookmarks ~ and lots of fun questions to be answered in their own handwriting by mom’s, grandma’s, aunts, sisters), more Mother’s Day festivities! xoxo We are starting early because we know that the best way to remember Mother’s Day is to forget it once, but we never want that to happen!♥
Here’s the recipe Girlfriends!
CAKE:
- 3 eggs, separated in two lg. bowls
- 1 c. sugar
- 6 Tbsp. hot water
- 1 c. sifted unbleached flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- grated rind of one lemon (zest)
- sifted powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 375°. Butter a 10″ x 15″ cookie sheet or jelly roll pan, one with a rim. Line it with waxed paper leaving some to hang over edges (an inch is fine). Set pan aside. Separate eggs into two large bowls. Beat egg yolks, add sugar and beat until thick and lemon-colored. Stir in hot water and dry ingredients. Beat egg whites with electric beater until stiff; gently fold into egg batter. Fold in grated rind. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake 12-15 min.
Immediately turn finished cake onto clean dishtowel lightly covered with sifted powdered 
sugar. Carefully peel off waxed paper. With sharp scissors, cut off the crisp edges of the cake. Using the cloth, roll up cake pulling out cloth as you go. Leave it covered and rolled, set it aside to cool while you make the filling.
FILLING
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
- zest and juice of 2 lemons (strained if necessary, no seeds please)
Put all ingredients into top part of double boiler. Beat well and stir til thick, approx. 15-20 min. Cool slightly.
FINISH
Unroll the cake, spread on the filling, and roll back up. Cool completely. Transfer to serving dish. Sift over a tiny bit more powdered sugar. Add flowers if you like, edible and unsprayed, violets, pansies, roses, johnny jump ups. Here’s a list of edible flowers.
Now something everyone needs the week after Easter, a delicious recipe for:
These make the most delicious just-home-from-work treat, on the porch while you watch the green things growing. Which is what I hope you’re all doing these days, just as crazy with spring fever as we are. ♥ Deep breaths of the gorgeous outdoors, that’s the only “cure.”
Happy Spring, Girlfriends . . . I’m off to work on my book, my new addiction, a few hours every morning, trying to figure out what our heroine is going to do next (she seems to have a mind 
of her own) . . . housekeeping, gardening, normal life in the afternoon. Don’t forget to leave a comment for the seashells and books. Also, if you have any trouble with WILLARD, be sure to let me know. He goes to lots of addresses now, it takes a couple of days for them all to go out, but if you haven’t received him by Thursday morning, check your spam box (because I’ve heard he can take a detour) and then let me know . . . you can write either here, or on Twitter, or on FOSB (Facebook), and we will be paying attention!
XOXO
Strawberries and cream (that’s my ‘something sweet’ :0)
Susan, thank you for doing the posts ~ they seriously bring smiles to my face!
Hi, Susan,
Thank you for the chance to enter your Springtime giveaway. I look forward to reading the latest Willard…I used to get them in the mail!
Dear Susan,
Started my day with your Willard and post over a cup of your Earl Grey tea. Bliss! Thanks for the inspiration. Now off to my garden to plant phlox. I’ll be thinking of you in Martha’s Vineyard writing happily! Robin
I love all of your books! Thank you for sending out the Willard email and letting us know about the drawing!
Hello Susan ! Happy Spring to you too ! I enjoyed both the latest blog and the long awaited for “Willard” ….. I remember way back when “Willard” use to arrive via snail mail. 🙂 Any one of your chosen gifts would be exciting to receive, but I think my little Granddaughters would LOVE if Grandma received the box of “Mermaid’s Toenails” from Susan Branch !! They already know “who” Susan Branch is ! 🙂
Remember I asked you about mermaids having toenails and you replied:
Magic! *♫*✱ •*¨*• .☆.♪• *¨❋ **•• *¨✱*•★.* ♪* ✱ •*¨ ✸*•.★ .♫•*¨☆ ✱*•*♥. . .
See you at “Stillmeadow” ! Take care, Helen
See you there Helen!
Your blog post is such a “sweet treat!” I’ve ordered one of your blank recipe books to create a “Family Recipe Album” for my son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, who loves to cook. Wedding is in mid-June! I’m going to make sure she sees your blog!!
What a wonderful wedding gift!
Thank you for lifting my heart and my spirits, Susan. I’ve had the most difficult year of my life and I often turn to you to remind me that life is still beautiful and worth living.
Hoping things get better for you soon Roxana xoxo
Love the idea of a Mother’s Day cake. I’ll try it this year! Thanks.
Just in case anyone was following the conversation between you, me and Erica here is an update. Erica was correct that the fork is Alvin Sterling “Majestic”. I have discovered that within that pattern there are several flowers used on the pieces which is why the photo I first saw wasn’t the same as your piece. Mystery solved! And, Susan, I love that you just happily collect, display and use all your pieces rather than “worrying” over the names & makers 🙂
Wow I did it! Answered this post in between helping the Grandboys built a fort out of the sofa cushions( they are on April vacation and my Daughter had to work
The rest of my message didn’t make my first post so here it is. The boys are on April vacation and I am trying to keep them busy on a very raining day.
So first they wanted to make a fort out of the sofa cushions,then the little one took apart the coffee table(which he put back together,he is 5) now we are planning to make cookies,Gingersnaps,Yum. In between all of this I enjoyed your fabulous Willard. Thank you for bringing the Sunshine in.
I opened my email this morning to find your latest Willard. With great restraint I waited until my tea was hot and my egg and avocado plated before sitting down and opening it. What a treat to share with my breakfast. (I never feel like eating too early, so I eat after my husband goes to work.)
This blog post popped up in my reader yesterday but when I saw it was about the Willard, I left it until today. I’m glad I did. My morning treat was doubled. Thank you for the joy you bring to the world in general and my little corner in particular.
I love reading your blog. You always have such fun drawings and pictures that take me away to your world.
The cake looks delicious!
Thank you for the recipe! My husband’s favorite flavor is Lemon, so this seems like something he would enjoy. I’m going to give it a try.
Thank you for bringing so much springtime JOY to my day and my mom’s day! We love you! Have a wonderful week filled with flowers and love and sweetness! YOU are the adorable one!!
I am so glad that Willard is back. I kept checking my regular and Junk mail, so sure that I had received it, but didn’t get it. Sob,sob – I’ve been removed from that mailing list. Now I know better. Willard was on hiatus. As I was reading Willard, it struck me that you even make raking leaves(ugh) a romantic pleasure.
Susan! I love this post and I Love Lemon cake of any kind…my favorite. Will definitely be making for my Spring Tea in May. Thank you. Enjoy reading your blog regularly and looking forward to new WILLARD, xoxox, Angel
You have such a wonderful way of bringing me right into your world…I feel like your next door neighbor (wish I was!). You always brighten up my day with your simple, down to earth, heartwarming lifestyle. If I could have tea with anyone in the world, it would be you! (And Joe, Girl Kitty and Jack too!)
You just inspired me to savor an English muffin slathered with Plugra butter and dripping orange marmelade. Oh, and freshly brewed coffee. I know none of this was mentioned in your blog but TREATING YOURSELF WELL WAS! So that’s what I did and thank you for reminding me to enjoy special moments. Now….out to the garden to play in the dirt and tuck in the ageratum and dusty miller!
Woo hoo! A new Willard! Can’t wait to read the newest installment! Thanks, Susan!
Oh, shells from the sea, they will jingle me to smile. I came across Elizabeth Von Arnim about twenty years ago by reading her German Garden in an original edition of her book and unfortunately had to give it back to a dear friend who borrowed it to me. As I was reading it, pieces of the pages would fall upon me. Every word of hers touched me as I am a gardener. This gift of her book would make me so very happy and grateful to be able to cherish such a special part of happiness. You have inspired me to feel and do creative things that have been inside of me for 70 years. Thank you so very much, Bobbie from Spokane, WA
LOVE seeing a recipe for Stuffed Eggs (real name in the South, “Deviled Eggs”) NORTH of the Mason Dixon Line!!! hahaha!
Always FIRST to go at Covered Dish gatherings…so it is IMPERATIVE that you have a pretty Deviled Egg Plate underneath to show off when they’re gone! Wouldn’t that be a FUN thing to collect? I bet you have several, Susan!
Sharing your China Obsession! :))
I have always been fearful of making a cake roll, but I believer that you may have inspired me! It looks absolutely wonderful and not impossible….maybe I can, I think I want to try! Thanks a bunch!
Hi Susan, you must have a collection of shells from your California days–I have mine, too. But oh how lovely to have some from the east coast, where I have never been, but it holds such a romance for me. I’m so glad you love it there and share so much of it; makes me feel like I’m there too. Ah Spring, so grateful for this change in the seasons. Here in the Northwest we have a lot of clouds, so when the sun does come out, I have to come out too! Happiness! xox 🙂
Thank you for the delicious looking recipes! We are in FULL bloom here, and my herb garden is full of flowers . . . except the lavender, but soon! Your posts are such bright spots to any day! Tell Vanna that I would LOVE your book, which I have purchased TWICE, but had to give away BOTH times . . . for worthy people . . . my mother-in-law (who was born in London) for her birthday and my mother for Mother’s Day! 😉
I have only been able to peek at it!! I keep hinting to my sweet husband and children that I need one for Mother’s Day!!
Happy Spring to you!!
I LOVE lemon! And spring! And Willard!
Thank you SO much for sharing with all of us ~ I will forward my email to my daughters and daughter in law….I am hoping they will take some time to themselves and enjoy your news as much as I do!
We have a cottage on the beach of Lake Huron and I collect ‘sand glass’ from there. It’s lovely in a clear mason jar with a lamp sitting atop it. I found a lampshade at a local bazaar one year that has pastel shells on it and the top layer is cut and curled away from the inner layer. Very pretty~
I’ve been for Willard for what seems an age (ever since the last one). It was wonderful with Musica, my favorites. Thank you for thoughts, poems, quotes, recipes, and . . . everything.
Happy Spring, Susan! Thank you for your inspirational posts. I enjoy your books and your blog.
Pick ME!!!
Loved the picture of the Grosbeak & Cardinal. Also the blooms in your garden. Jack is always the star of the show. Would love to own the shells (I have a small collection) and the books. You brighten my days.
Hi Susan!
What a wonderful post! I just got home from Key Largo visiting my daughter for Easter and came home to St. Louis to beautiful Red Bud trees and Dogwood in full bloom. Jonquils and Tulips galore. Spring is wonderful! Looking forward to making this cake for Mother’s Day. Keeping my fingers crossed to be the winner of the wonderful Seashells and book. Have an incredible day!
Chris
Love anything lemon, fat grosbeaks, men gardening and seashells! Thank you, Susan, happiest spring indulging in your memories for your new book! Cannot wait to delight in it!
Spring has sprung. I just returned from Easter with my grandson in NC, what a glorious week. A nice surprise to find Willard in my mailbox and the promise of a giveaway. It was great to reconnect with you and all your goings on.
Thank you for your lovely posts on Spring!! And love that a Willard is on the way! Happy Spring to you!
“Enchanted April” is my most favorite DVD in the world. I play it when I’m doing my embroidery, and I can imagine the flowers I’m embroidering are at my feet, instead of my craft room carpet. I’ve only recently discovered your work, and I love your blog! Thank you for so much joy!!!
Looking out my sunroom window at the trees and bushes greening. Grateful for other hearts who sing at this sight!.
That cake looks lip-smacking good! Will have to make it soon. But not before heading to Martha’s Vineyard for a girl’s weekend on the 25th! Have a lovely room at the Kelley House in Edgartown and then my friend, Lisa arrives back on the island to run the Clark House in Vineyard Haven once again! I don’t know who is more excited – her or me! I will give you a sprightly spring wave as I explore the side streets of VH.
Susan, I love “Willard” and your blog makes my day. A friend of mine is going to England next week. I gave her my copy of “A Fine Romance” to read. She loved it, but she is going to only be in the southern part of England. I don’t know if the countryside is similar or not.
Oh yes, all the first part of the book was in southern England … Sissinghurst, Charleston and Bateman’s are all there for starters. Tell her to have a great time!
Just enjoyed, to the fullest, your wonderful blog this morning…and all your pictures of nature.! Our world is so very beautiful and, yes, we need to be out in it, savoring our springtime! Oh, and I need to tell you, Susan, that I’m re- reading your book. It’s charming all over again. Thank you for including us in your world.
Hi Susan,
Yay, love the new cake recipe – more so because all its ingredients are available here! Hope my novice baking skills will stand up to it. Can’t wait to try it! Please include me too in this giveaway!
What a lovely post! If you live in Florida, you do miss spring. The cherry blossoms are gorgeous!
Have a wonderful day.
Thanks so much for the happy post. I am also infused with the pure joy of spring after a long, hard winter. Thanks for all you do – this blog is always a bright spot in my day!
Susan, You make everything look so easy to do! I am sure that if I tried to do that cake roll, it would never turn out looking like it belongs on a bakery shelf! I am going to try doing it this weekend and I thank you for sharing it with us. The pictures make it easy to follow the instructions.
So enjoy Willard and your blog – thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Susan,
I went to your book signing at Vroman’s in Pasadena a few months ago. I thoroughly enjoyed A Fine Romance and never wanted it to end. It brought me such joy and calm in my heart just like your blog and your Willards.
I cannot wait for another one of your books!
Susan, your writings, drawings and photos put me in a happy place. Thank you.
Such wonderful gifts! Would it were that I be the lucky recipient this time….I would gift one of my bestie friends with your Fine Romance book, which I already own. I collect shells, too…I have some from my trip to Ireland years ago. Love your “Spring” pics and comments.
what a fun treat! can’t wait to try the mother’s day cake!
What a beautiful post Susan! It was a particular delight for me because here in the williwacks of Maine we still have piles of snow covering our daffodils. And today is a particularly drab day. I would love, love, love to win your drawing. I live inland in Maine and one of the things I miss about Massachusetts is the ocean. So, those seashells would be wonderful. The whole package is just wondeful. I love Elizabeth Von Arnim too. I borrowed the books so would love to have my own copies and always, any copy of one of your books is a treasure. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for infusing my day with such color. Happy Spring! Anne
Oh, how I wish my Mom were alive so I could make this wonderful lemon cake for her! During the last few months of her life, she had a real craving for anything lemon and I made many a lemon meringue pie for her!
Thank you for this recipe. I will make it in honor of my Mom!
Happy Spring! ♥♥♥
So happy to get your recipe for the Lemon-filled Sponge Cake…. made my mouth water. My daughter and I were put in charge of dessert for Easter dinner this year. We made Lemon Pie and Pistachio Dessert. This is what happens when you put the “decorators” in charge of dessert….not much nutrition, but they sure were pretty. We got high marks for spring color and they tasted good. But now we have a new recipe for next Easter….so excited to try this. And of course, there’s the trial runs before next year…mouth watering again. You have a lovely giveaway this time. Someone will be very lucky. I’ve never seen the book you have offered this time “My Story – A Keepsake Book”…is it new, or out of old stock, or have my “cabbage leaves” just been drooping a little too low lately?
Is this the same lemon cake from one of your books? Because I make that cake, and I adore it. It’s probably my absolute favorite cake recipe. Fortunately, nobody else in the house likes it. (more for me!) They say it’s “too lemony”. I say there’s no such thing as “too lemony”!
You are a breath of spring. We had cardinals in the backyard on Easter Sunday too. Don’t see them often in North Dakota. Have never heard of jingle shells. Very delicate looking. Thanks for sharing the recipes.
SHELLS! BIRDS! BOOKS! And an Email from you, a perfect day. Thank you for your positive words and outlook. You help me to be thankful for every little thing. May God bless you.
Love the spring picture!!! Brightens my day.
First of all, you are an inspiration to all! You shine like the lemon. A friend was recently told she had cancer and because of you and your blog I would like to give the shells to Nancy. What a nice way to lift someone’s spirit with such a simple piece of nature. Thank you
Hooray for spring! Even in the rainy Pacific Northwest is smells. Terrific and the tulips daffodils and camellias pop out in all the green. Can’t. Wait for your new book! Fun!
Susan how generous you are! I tell my husband about your adventures and your post and he just looks amazed.
There are not too many artist or writers who maintain such a wonderful kinship with their reading “sisters”.
You are truly one of a kind and I know you are loved!
Loved the Willard……liked catching up…and sending love from Las Vegas…to you and Joe.
Lemon anything….so pretty! Can almost taste it! Loving that Spring is finally here and hoping I get to see the Rose Breasted Grosbeak as he passes through. They are a beauty.
Those jingle shells are lovely as is the Emma box. You may have already answered this but why are they called ‘jingle shells’?
I’m not sure, that’s just the name I’ve heard them called. But they are very thin and click together in your hands. Maybe a take off of “jingle bells”.
It is a daydream coming over and reading your blog every time. Just feels me up with happiness and a big ol’ smile across my face!
Hi Susan, I would love to have the tin of shells as they are my favorite to look for as I walk the Jersey shore. They are hard to find there as the beaches are cleaned daily. Then of course, I would love to have the books. I am enjoying “Girlfriends Forever” my very first of your books. There is so much information, things I have forgotten, growing up at that time. You had a wonderful teen life.
Hi Susan,
I got Willard today after a nice outing taking my son to toddler time at my local library. It is nice to spend time in your lovely world.
I started reading your books when I was in my 20’s and still love them almost twenty years later.
I love to win your giveaway especially A Fine Romance.
Wishing you a wonderful and happy Spring .
Best wishes,
Shell
Love you Susan!! Willard was amazing as always!!!
such a happy happy post!! Have missed spending time with you Susan, new grandbaby, Malakai, is keeping his Grammie completely in his grasp! Oh, what sweet little hands he has…..I have enjoyed your post even more this time with all the “spring” and sunshine and sweetness…thankyou….you really give so much joy….Looking forward to Willards…and all the “fun” of this year….blessings to you and Joe and the sweet kitties….Evangeline
love to see Spring, springing all over the country!!
I began reading your new book a couple of days ago and I am in LOVE with it!
That cake smells delicious…
I’ve been searching for the perfect lemon cake recipe and you delivered!
Hoo-Rah for Spring and for Susan!
Happy Spring! I always enjoy your posts. This recipe sounds heavenly.
Love lemon! Your cake looks amazing. My granddaughter will love helping me make this for our Mother’s Day tea! Thank you Susan! xo
I love your enthusiasm for all things, and I can’t wait for your new book to be out!
Hi Susan, oh how I love your posts, your Willard and your delicious recipies. I’m planning to make your lemon filled cake for my lemon-loving grandson. My daughter-in-love gave me Emma Bridgewaters book Toast and Marmalade because I introduced her to Emma through your website. I would love to receive your giveaway as a surprise for her. Thank you for all the happiness you share with Everyone!
What a beautiful blog post! Thank you Susan.
One time you were gifting a Johnson Bros cup and saucer, I didn’t win, so I went and bought myself two just like yours. That made me happy and I use them every day for our afternoon tea!
I can almost taste the lemon cake! Loved the spring pics and especially that too cute grosbeak! Friday would be my mom’s 86th birthday. I’ll have a picnic in her memory. She always asked her mom if she could eat her sandwich outside in the woods. She loved her picnics all her life! Me, too. :-). Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom!
Such a lovely post on such a dreary day in Natick! Will try to make the lemon cake this week – looks scrumptious! So does Jack!
Happy Spring 🙂
Pam
Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I’ve got a wonderful feeling,
Everything’s going my way.
And I hope I win the great prizes that are given away.
I made your cake last night and brought it to work. Everyone loves it and it is almost gone. One of my co-workers thinks this recipe will be perfect for coffee hour at her church on Mother’s Day. I introduced her to your website so she can get the recipe. Thank you for all that you share with us.
I am reading A Fine Romance right now and enjoying your adventures so much!
Blessings,
Sharon
Your blog posts are like gifts! I find such joy and inspiration in them. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the drawings. Happy Spring!
Good to see that you know what to do when life hands you lemons…Make cake! Thanks for the beauty break…now, back to the dignified work. sending a wink and a giggle for the day.
Thank you for your delightful and pretty Spring blog and you have certainly outdone yourself with your Willard this time. Wonderful. Always makes me smile. Had a tooth pulled yesterday and they really brightened my morning…Can’t wait to try your new teas. Happy Spring!
Another giveaway? You Spoil us. But I don’t mind. My heart skipped a beat when I saw you are adding you book to the give away…how I would love to have that book. 🙂 I have heard so many good things about it that I am just itching to read it.
And then you surprise us with another giveaway!! Now we are double spoiled.
I’ve got my fingers crossed.
I am also enjoying digging into the dirt of my flower beds and vegetable garden. Me and my room mates are enjoying our house so much. I love decorating and making it really homey. You have such good ideas for stuff.
Thanks for sharing your day and your lemon cake. I have yet to receive my Willard but I know that if it doesn’t come by Wednesday I will be checking in with you guys.
Thanks,
Elmina
I can hear the birds singing, smell the earthy dirt, feel the warm sunshine, taste the lemon cake, and see the beautiful yellow jingle shells, jonquils and forsythia. Thank you for bringing a breath of spring to my day. I think I’ll go for a walk.
This post and the music put me right in the springy mood! Thanks for always brightening up my day, Susan 🙂
I’m fairly new to your blog but love it! I can’t wait to try out the cake; always wanted to try a cake roll but never thought I could do it. This one looks so good (I love lemon filling) I HAVE to try it. I’m looking forward to my first Willard too.
It doesn’t feel quite like spring here yet (northern MN – 37 degrees today) but you sure make me yearn for the green grass and flowers and sun!
I love your little birdie……I have never seen one down here in Dunwoody Georgia either
Carole mazurek
LOVE the new Willard………….one question….will there be more Martha’s Vineyard charms in the future? I must have one…
can”t wait to make the lemon cake…gotta jot that recipe down right now. Happy Happy Spring!!!! and will you be coming to upstate New York any time soon? we would love to see you up close and personal……
What a treat after a challenging morning here. I could feel the breeze and smell the lemon cake….which I have to try. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. Shells and books, can it get any better than that?
I was thrilled to see the rose breasted grosbeak as I have never seen one here in Nova Scotia. Along with the lemon roll recipe, this was a delightful blog post. (our gardens are similar with pickets around so always enjoy seeing yours unfold through the seasons) Kind regards, Gardeningbren
I live in the middle of the desert so I NEED the shells to enjoy the ocean. Well maybe not need but would live to share some little bit of your part of the world. Lovely blog today and I am so happy the snow is finally gone for you. I am still drooling over the book about England too. If it wasn’t for kids and grandkiddies, I would probably live there at least part of the year. (Oh yeah, and money was no object, tee hee)
Oh ! Balm to my soul on this rainy day! Cozy and springy !!
Hugs~
Lori
What a luscious looking lemon cake!!! Mmmmmm…….. You are ahead in the spring is popping stage than me!! But by next week our forsythia should be in bloom!!! I can’t wait!!! I love the bright colours of yellow in our gardens!! Looking forward to daffodils, tulips etc. blooming too! Been a long cold winter this year, so our gardens are weeks behind here in Ontario, Canada.
Cake, flowers, gifts, Jack, music, fresh air… your blog is good medicine! Thank you!
Susan – I just love how you take any activity and make it into something special. It is a nice break from the rush around world we live in! You are definitely on “island time” and that is a good thing. I am enjoying seeing spring come to the Vineyard.
Thrilled to see Willard back….just has to be saved to read and re-read. Thanks Susan for sending sunshine, even if it is gray, cloudy and rainy 🙂
Lots and lots of comments for wonderful gifts! Happy Spring, Susan…the lemon roll cake looks delicious!
Oh wow! So much love packed into one blog post! I love the old picture of you and Big Daddy (was it?); the beautiful birds (yes both of them!); the seashells (love collecting seashells and seaglass by the seashore!); and the recipes. I can almost taste that lemon cake!!! Yes lots of love packed into this blog post. Thank you so very much!
That cake looks heavenly. So pretty with the forsythia blossoms.
I have that same bunny crossing sign! Things are coming alive here also.
Can’t wait to get my WILLARD! pam
I love Willard and reading it this morning with a cup of tea was perfect. Hope I win. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely recipes!
Have never read that author before will look her up!!