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
This Easter cake sounds SOOOO yummy!! I think I will make it for dessert for my family dinner this Sunday!! “Why wait?” I say!! lol
Love you kaboodles and kabunches Susan!!
Susan, thank you so much for the recipe. I can’t wait to make that cake for my mom!
Susan,
Thank You so much for all you do to brighten the day. You have no-idea how much it means when you post a new blog entry or a “New” Willard comes out. It is just so nice to sit and read it and relax for just a few stolen minutes sometimes. Thanks again. Janet from Macomb Michigan.
Every “Willard” is such a lovely gift from you.
It is almost good enough to eat!
Many thank yous!
I think it’s sweet your dad and his wife sent you and Joe easter baskets. My husband sneaks an extra basket, alongside the kids easter bunny deliveries. It keeps me from feeling guilty about raiding the wee ones sweets, lol. Thank you for another great post (totally worth the wait) filled with eye candy and great give aways! That lemon cake looks delicious! Going to see if Willard is in my inbox now. Cheers and Thanks!
Sarah
It would be so lovely to pay it forward with the books and tin. Your generosity, creativity and kindness are so appreciated.
Hi Susan!
I love, love, love reading your blog…. But today’s is spectacular!! The photos you share are amazing and I thank you for taking so much time to make us girlfriends happy! Looking forward to your next book….. I have them all and display them in various places in my house.
Makes my world a little brighter! Happy Spring at last!!!
susan,
Thanks so much for sending another Willard! It was such a breath of fresh air getting to visit Martha’s vineyard in the Spring time. Please don’t wait so long to send another willard! Good luck on the book!
Sandy
I can’t wait to try the cake, my boys will love it. I do so love getting these e-mails, it’s a cozy visit with a dear friend and always leaves me cheerful for the rest of the day (and reminds me to call my girlfriends for coffee or tea or just a chat!). Thank you, Susan, we appreciate you SO much!
Thank you for sharing the lemon cake recipe! My mouth and belly felt happy even though I was just reading the instructions and listening to the perky songs. Spring is coming and going from our area. We are relishing all the little signs that show its footsteps. One day soon, it will stay for a long visit! Thanks for creating such lovely gifts for us.
Susan,
I love the photos of your cozy home and garden – and the great tutorial for the cake. I will, indeed, make that one soon for friends!! You bring a joy to everyday things that is contagious!! Thank you!!!!!
Blessings, Judith
Sigh…you always make me wish we were neighbors.
Thanks for the lovely pics and the delicious recipe! I have been inspired!
I hope you and Joe had a wonderful Easter! Happy Spring!
How sweet, what a fun giveaway.
That cake looks fantastic!
Don’t you all love the grosbeak??? They’re migratory and we get them for a total of 2 weeks. They LOVE safflower so we try to put some out right away when we see one-keeps ’em a little longer at our feeders! FYI-I started pen paling and have 5 yes 5 pen pals from England!! Not to mention the others I have throught the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France! I mention you to ALL of them and I want to send A Fine Romance to them as gifts! They’ll love it!!!!
Where do you find your pen pals Anna? Thank you!
Love Willards, and all SB books
Definitely making that lemon cake … the sun is shining, the temps warming and “my Joe” is working in our garden … think I will go out and give him a hug!
Love the daffodils and Mother’s Day cake recipe. Hurray for Springtime!!!
Your Mother’s Day cake looks so yummy! Wonder if I could get one of my four daughters to make one for me!! Thank you for sharing!
The shells are just so beautiful. They look so delicate! I have a shell dish in my bathroom that is just waiting for some delicate shells to fill it!! LOL
Want to send my belated birthday wishes to you. I know that you had a wonderful day. I wish you many more!
You inspire me me! Can’t wait to try out the lemon cake for my mother’s 91st birthday party this weekend!
Thank you!
Aahhhhh, NOW it’s officially SPRING! Opening Day for our local Farmer’s Market season, AND yet another priceless post from Susan. Life is good!
I can’t wait to try that recipe! I was wondering, what do you do to keep your little gated garden weed free along the fence?
I must make your lemon cake!! It looks devine! I need to make sure I have all of the ingredients…the grands will be so excited! Thank you~xoxo
I so enjoyed reading my Willard this morning and loved the frog do much that I ordered him along with a “My Story” journal. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, Susan, you are amazing! You always manage tobrighten my days with your blogs. The lemon cake looks difficult but with your step by step pictures, I think I will tackle it. We get together with our kids for Sunday dinner most weeks. They would love this. Thank you!
The beautiful pictures, the shells, the breeze, and the tangy lemon all just blew into my office and made my day oh so much better and brighter! thank you! What a treat it would be to win either giveaway- Vanna I do hope you choose me this time
Thank you Susan! It never fails, whenever I am feeling a bit blue, there is a Willard, a blog post or lucky me a letter from a penpals I got from FOSB. I so enjoy your books and posts!!! I am so grateful and can not wait for the new book! Happy Spring to you!
Lovely post as usual! I’m looking forward to trying the cake. I love lemon in cake! What darling Easter surprises you got from your dad and Jeannie! How thoughtful they were! Those Jingle shells are cool! Aside from your blog I have not seen them before. I will have to do some research on them. It would be great fun to win all the goodies you have packaged up.
Love reading your posts!
Thank you, Susan, for spreading your passion on all things simple and wonderful. The lemon cake looks luscious…of course I pucker up (pun intended!) for all things lemon. Enjoy these perfect spring days.
What a super duper give-away! How on EARTH am I going to get any work done while I’m crossing all these fingers?
When baking use lemon in anything and you have me officially drooling (NOT a pretty sight) – I’ll certainly be following your step by step photographs to make the yummy lemon roll!
Thanks for your creativity, MUSICA, recipes and . . . .
Your page has become my new obsession!! It’s so beautiful and charming !!
Oooooohhhhh, pick me, pick me!!!
Thank you for the opportunity. I love so much your books and other things. I’ve been a big fan for many, many years and still have some of the paper Willards that I got in the mail with a bookmark or a sticker. I always loved opening them to see what was new. All long before this internet thingy existed.
Your “prizes” are the best and just keep getting better.
I love to make pumpkin rolls so this will be a great change for spring and summer
Thank you Susan for this cute post, what a wonderful Easter surprise from Blog Daddy….wish mine was still here too! Hug him for all of us Girlfriends please <3
If you wrote a blog everyday, it wouldn’t be too much. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes. They are always the best!
Thank you for the wonderful blog post! It is so refreshing to sit and take time to read and look. Very nice! I would like to try the lemon cake. It looks delicious!
The cake recipe sounds delicious!! I can’t wait to try it!
As always love getting your Willard and all blog posts. You are so inspiring and I just love your recipes too!!!
Thanks for everything!!!
Wendy
I should have used your Stuffed Egg recipe for Easter Brunch
HaPpY SpRiNg!!
You do such a nice job on your blog. Everything looks so lovely. Hope I win. Cheers!
Thanks for the lemon cake recipe. I love anything made with lemon. Happy Spring everyone
What a lovely cake! I think I will hint very loudly to my daughter what a good idea this would be. =) Looking forward to renewing acquaintance with Willard.
Have yourself a cheerful day doing whatever it is you will be doing!
I was hoping to wake up and find a basket on Easter…..but nope!
Hi Susan,
My daughter and I met you in Wilmington, Ohio at Books and More when you signed my book. It was so delightful to meet you and Joe. I love your blog and your joie de vivre. I love how you find so much pleasure in the little things. You inspire me and I am trying to be more like you. Thank you for bringing so much joy to others and sharing so much of your life with us. It is very uplifting!!
Love, Debbie
Hi Debbie!
This post is full of delicious.
Hi Susan ~ What a nice surprise to see “Willard” in my inbox. I thought maybe I had been deleted since I hadn’t gotten one in so long! I love the shells. My daughter lives by the beach in CA and we were just there for Easter because she has a new baby girl and it is my first Grandchild. I couldn’t be more in love. She is so precious but she lives 6 hours away!!
Can’t get enough of her. Anyway back to the shells (it’s easy for this new Grandma to get distracted when I start talking about my Granddaughter), the shells are so pretty and remind me of the beach!! Also I am also a writer so your diary books look like so much fun. I have had a pen pal for over 45 years and we still write to each other almost every week. We both love the old fashion style of “letter writing” which I think is a dying art. It is really hard to find stationery these days that are bigger than a note card since our letters are usually several pages long. So keep up your “Willards” and I always look forward to reading them and maybe, just maybe, some day I will make it to Martha’s Vineyards!! Have a great day. Diane 
Happy Spring!! Bought a lamb cake at a bake sale for Easter.
I love the photos of each ingredient. It helps me imagine being in your kitchen and getting to watch you cooking us up a treat! And probably better for you, because I would totally want to help and then I would definitely get in your way!
You would have to give me cookies or banana bread or something to keep me occupied so I wouldn’t get in your way! I so wish you would have a “Day in your life” adventure and one of your girlfriends (Me, of course!) could come and visit for the day in real life!! Besides watching you cook, I would so love to watch you paint! I keep saying I will try it someday, but too busy with my little ones for that right now.
Happy Spring!
Maureen
What a joy to read your blog. I could picture myself standing in the kitchen with you talking, and rejoicing over the peeks of Spring outside the window. The Lemon cake smells delicious and it will be nice to share it with you. God bless.
I haven’t commented in ages, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity for the lovely give-away!
I’m recovering from shoulder surgery, and I’m going to read your blog over from the beginning! I thought it would be the perfect thing for a little pick-me-up!
Happy Spring girlfriends!
Happy Spring, Susan. Thanks for Willard and your blog. You brighten up any dreary day. Would love to win the Jingle Shells to go with my Oregon Coast agates. Love your bird pictures. We have the WA State birds – goldfinches- flocking to our feeders as well as some big Flickers.
You are my doppelganger although a decade behind me. Wrote and illus a column in MA for 3 newspapers for 10 years called Common Crackers, similar type but in black and white. Love Eliz. Von…. I have a letter written to me by both Gladys Tabor and Tasha Tudor. Spent 1 month, twice in Cumbria by myself and yes I sneaked a seed in Beatrix Potter’s garden. The backyard of my B&B looked out on The Shire. I am an Anglophile from way back. Why did you wear a skirt in many pix from A Fine Romance? Cold or comfort?
Nice to meet you Carollee. I’m thinking skirt . . . comfort yes, but it was also pretty chilly most of the time … but mostly comfort I’d say.
Just finished reading the Willard email, so thought I should dash over here in case Vanna wants to draw my name. Hope you are having a most marvelous day/week. Of to the garden to tackle the dandelions, so spring like and so invasive. Husband is stalking them with his puller and brings them back to the house to show off his ‘trophies’. Apple trees are beginning to bloom, so hopefully no more SNOW.
Dear Susan,
I have never entered a blog contest before but with yours I thought I would try!! I love your site, blogs and most of all your sweet way with words! I read a Fine Romance and was so sad when I finished it, that I prolonged ending it by only reading one page at a time, a day the last 50 pages!!!
Also I love your kitties!!! Some day maybe I will get a chance to meet you in person….
Happy Spring,
Jeanne Calkins
Would love to win these things! I always look forward to Willard!!
i have been following you wonderful Willards and now your blog for a long time.
Your blog is so refreshing and it always makes a cloudy, day sunny!!!
Say hello to your sweet kitties, they are so cute…
The lemon cake sounds delicious. Can’t wait to make it.
Dear Susan-lovely update! I am amazed how everything is suddenly springtime at your home. Where does all that snow go? Hope you birthday was wonderful.
Your Springy Willard brightened my day like no other e-mail that has hit my in-box and I’m talking hundreds of e-mail daily. I read it all the way to the end, savoring every word, thought, smell-o-vision and simplistic wonderful words of life you imparted to me. Keep on writing, Susan; you are loved beyond measure from all your girlfriends!! (& probably a few “guy-friends” along the way, none so great as your dear hubby, Joe, oh, and Jack the cat) I can hardly wait to try your lemony cake as it sounds so yum dillicious, like a pumpkin roll in the fall-this is going to be a perfect “Welcome to Spring; take a load off your winter blues”.
From Indy with oodles of love, Suetta
A received A Fine Romance from my husband for our 40th anniversary. We enjoyed checking out your blog while you were on your trip and now we have our very own keepsake book. Perfect since ours has definitely been “A Fine Romance”.
Oooh, such a lovely post!! Crossing my fingers and toes for the giveaway! ♥
Oh how I love the photo of the pudgey red, grey, and white birdy!!!!! Love this giveaway too!
Your blog is a lovely bright light on an otherwise drab April day. The photos are beautiful, it takes “how to” directions to a new level. I’d love to know what kind of zester/microplane you use. I can’t find one that works so well.
The jingle shells look so pretty on the windowsill. Thanks for sharing.
Gerianne
Love reading your blog. You are like sunshine on a grey day.
I have never seen such beautiful shells as your jingle shells. I have shells all in my bathroom but none as such as these. How lovely these would be to add to my collection,and can one ever have to many books? I say No we cannot. Thank you for such a wonderful blog & yet another yummy recipe.
Lamb Chop’s expression, sitting there between the baskets, pulled me right in!
WANT to make the lemon roll and eat it all up.
I loved the grosbeak break!
Well I just got back from a potluck where I volunteer and they had the best lemon cupcakes. Remind you of something? Everything is coming up lemony!
Loved the recipe for the lemon cake. I will make it this weekend.
It snowed here in Park City, Utah last night, so this blog post brightened my day. I also have the flu
So depressing.
I miss New England so much. We used to take the ferry over to MV each spring to see the beauty there before the summer crowds converged. Always a special treat. Here, all mountains and deserts and sagebrush. Not my fav. But your blog keeps me in touch with the east. I love it. Thanks!
the lemon cake looks divine. still rain & snow in Montana … spring takes its time.
Happy Spring!
love you and your blog! I was just thinking yesterday I need to get your book and read it ….i am sure Spring would be a perfect time
Oooooh that cake looks so delicious! I think I’ll try my hand at it and surprise my mom on Mother’s Day!
Would love to win one of your “treats!” They look like such fun! I have your Homemade Revipe book and use it over and over again filling it with recipes to use now and pass on.
That cake looks so yummy! It looks so beautiful on the island, I hope to get to see it one day in person. Thanks so much for your generosity and the chance to win.
Michelle
You take us with you. Thank you! What a generous gift – yourself.
I so enjoyed your book A Fine Romance And enjoying the blogs .Thank you for it All .I had a wonderful Easter with my children and grandchildren. I would love to win anything that you are giving away
I think today’s photos are wonderful! Your yard must be a grand place to visit. Never heard of your darling bird. Hope he hangs around a while LS
Yum, that cake looks so good and lemony!! I have been craving anything lemon lately and this made my mouth water!! Beautiful post and gift-away!!
So happy to see a new post! And anxiously awaiting Willard! Thank you! Forget-me-nots and violas are blooming in my yard. Yeah!
Your blog is as enchanting as everything you do and a real joy to read! Thank you for the beauty of your words and pictures….together they are divine!
A picture is worth a thousand words, indeed!
Gald to see that spring is making its way to the Island!!!!
What a COOL duo of goodies being shared! I will be back to read all the comments — in need of a good cheery lift — come read comments here. The shoreline photo made me wish I could walk to a shoreline just like that — maybe one day I’ll be spending time where I can walk to a brook or a creek — but meanwhile it’s a drive to the shoreline — fortunately we do that frequently.
What a great dad you have! I hid eggs for my daughter and soon to be son-in-law. (Yes I am having a ball planning a July 19 wedding! Ethel n I were out today looking for mom dresses). Anyway, even at their ages they loved the egg hunt! And you will always be Daddy’s gal! I love that he did that. Thanks for the lemon cake recipe. I will surely try it since lemon is one of my obsessions! Happy Spring!
Thanks so much for the uplifting words. You do them SO well. Happy Spring to you too!
Love the lemon cake recipe and the darling tin box full of shells – oh, to win!
The spring peepers are serenading and the forsythia is in bloom and the English bluebells leaves have emerged – sure signs of spring! Thanks for the chance of winning your lovely set of prizes. I enjoy your blog and Willard very much!
Wonderful post! Wonderful Williard! Wonderful you! Thank you for the springspiration, and great recipe. Love seeing your garden growing too. I have had my dose of what I call natures prozac, and that is standing in the dirt and willing things to GROW! You can always count on Mother Nature. Love.
Oh it is so wonderful to read a Willard again! Yay! Thank you! And can’t wait for the new “historical” book!! WooHoo! xoxo
I love you! My big sis introduced me to you years and years ago and my whole fammily loves you. Love your books, your home, your cats, your site!
Loved my first Willard. I was recently introduced to Susan by a good friend and immediately traveled with you and your hubby on your wonderful trip to England! The pictures of the birds were a great introduction to spring! Thanks for all you do through words and your awesome artwork!
Hi Susan,
After this long, blustery (is that a word?) winter, I am as happy to see Willard as I am to see spring. I’m also enjoying seeing all the green poking up where it should and getting ready to pluck what shouldn’t be in the garden. But I will happily sing in the sunshine and get my hands dirty.
Blessings, Nancy
Such a delicious-looking cake! I love your photographs of the process. And your bird visitor is gorgeous. Happy Spring (we have had 85+ degree days here in Central California, but the temp has dropped to the mid-70s. Much nicer). – Fawn
Oh my gosh… how generous of you! Would love to win this!
Thank you for the great pictures of Spring in your “neck” of the woods. It is warm and sunny in So Cal but oh so dry. We need some moisture in a bad way!! Your Easter baskets were too cute – thanks for sharing pictures.
Oh Susan! THANK YOU so much for sharing the bird pictures. They are beautiful! Have never seen your new one before! I added a new feeder to the front yard with a new type of food. They seem to really like it because the other feeder in the back has been refilled with the other seed and has NOT been touched..:o( Oh well observing them from the one feeder. LOL! Those shells are just lovely. We have several here in Florida but have not seen the yellow ones…usually only see them in white here! Have also been eyeing that book in several different places. I know it is a gem!! How kind of you to always being sharing those things that delight us girlfriends!! One lucky lady will be squealing soon and very soon! Oooh and another recipe to try and it is LEMON! One of my favorite flavors!! Love how it makes the house smell so fresh, new and clean. Thank you!! Oh and by the way….How SWEET your father is. I just LOVE your Easter baskets. How stinkin’ cute is that hair bow!?! Joe….you are the MAN!!! Out there busy as a bee!! I know it will be beautiful when all done :o) Just love the look of your flowers, trees and gardens! Thank you Susan for sharing them with us. Gives me inspiration to work in my own!! Have a lovely day!
Hi Susan,
My first Willard! Yay! I love reading your blog. Since I’ve only started this year I’ve been spending each day catching up. You are such an inspiration. The cake looks lovely and yummy. I’ll definitely try making it. And the pictures of your cutie-pie Jack and elegant Girl Kitty always make me smile.
Enjoy your spring.
Ellen from Virginia.
I haven’t walked the beach since we moved 5 years ago, I miss the peacefulness that becomes me when I did, no matter what time of day or year. Thank you for sharing your treasures with us – hope Spring is beautiful where ever you are.
Such a wonderful post,and give away…oh,my…pick me…pick me pretty…pretty please
Blessings dear soul
Love Love Love your visiting rose-breasted grosbeak. Thank you for sharing his handsomeness!