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
O happy glorious Spring here in New England! And added blessings to those husbands who help out in our gardens!!
Thanks always, Susan, for your lovely thoughts and special writings.
Susan I love your watercolors! I just ordered three of your cookbooks for my three granddaughters…it will be a big surprise for them!!
Wrote in earlier but didn’t see it on your comments so I’m trying again loved your blog I read today everything looked so sunny including your recipes! Thanks Again love the blogs.
Love the new Willard mostly because of info about the British store in Grapevine, Tx. I’m only two hours away…Road Trip!!! Thanks for a lovely read..
I haven’t been there yet, am dying to go!
I told my husband that’s what I want to do for Mother’s Day. Cannot wait!!
I love the bunny baskets your dad and Jeannie sent! I too work with the Easter bunny to deliver baskets to adult friends, others who have done something nice for me or just look like they need a visit from the Easter bunny. There are so many messages this time that I might have missed an answer to this question, but would your dad share where they got those adorable bearers of sweet treats? Thanks for the lovely recipe. Must try it! And thanks for another lovely post.
Thank you Susan! Really missed your “Willard’s”! Hope it won’t be too long until the next one!
Hey Susan I truly love your posts so inspiring, just learning the whole blog thing hope this reaches you!
It did!
Enjoyed both the Willard (my first!) and this blog post. Thanks! Loved the dad and Susan picture. So glad he is still with you. Love your journals. Have you considered doing one for grandparents to do for grandchildren? My husband and I care for out four month old granddaughter while her parents work. We spend 11 hours a day together and I’m keeping a daily log and taking lots of photos (because she gets cuter every day). I’ve been looking for a nice way to preserve our memories for her. Happy spring!
Love reading the blog and love to read the Willard! Makes your day and makes you smile with the simple pleasures of everyday life. Thank you Susan. Please enter me into the drawing-very exciting!
Thanks, Denise
Oooh! That cake looks so yummy! I am so happy Spring is here!! and as always, I love reading your blog and seeing your pictures! Happy Spring!
This is one of your prettiest gifts yet!
Susan,
Nothing like a sunny yellow lemon cake and beautiful spring day to lift the spirits. Even the jingle shells look like miniature suns. I would like to know what the name of those chartreuse plants are under the birdbath that are waiting to be planted. Happy Spring!
They are Sedum — pretty color!
Your cake is lovely!! I made a sponge cake for t he first time for easter. I will have to try your recipe!! I love your blog!
Love you!
Hello Susan,
I drank my English tea, the way my grandmother made it and enjoyed your blogpost. Thank you!
Mary 🙂
It said I already posted my post, but I never saw it in comments above. Will this one post??
Received my first Willard today. Susan, you are my sunshine!
I always love pictures of Jack. He reminds me of my cat, Buddy. Please enter me in the drawing.
I have never seen jingle shells but they look so beautiful and fragile. I love your blog and all the signs of spring you have posted . A welcome sight after the long hard winter we have had here in MI. I can’t wait to make the lemon roll for my mom & daughters Mothers Day tea. I also love the new diaries. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas and inspiration.
Sweet Susan, Willard was wonderful.. you never fail to fulfilll… I like sedium in my garden too, as a child we called it the frog plant. If you tore off a leave and bruised the skin on one side , then very gently peeled the skin from the “meat” of the leaf and blew into the rest, it would puff up like a frog’s throat. Have you ever heard of that?? Of course, my mimaw did not appreciate the destruction of her plant….haha
This plant seems to have lots of fun things about it … it’s my first time to plant it.
Hi Susan,
Spring has arrived in Glastonbury, Connecticut and it’s wonderful to see everything growing. Your lemon cake looks delicious and although I’m not a baker, I may even try and make it.
Gaynor
Save some for me please! xxxx
Oh, my, my!!! Just got back from a trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks and found Susan’s blog in my inbox! Not sure if I am too late for the drawing, but late or not, I was so happy to read your latest blog!! The lemon cake roll looks incredibly yummy!!!!
I have loved your artwork and calligraphy for years! Thank you for not hiding your talents under a bushel…..and happy spring!
That cake looks amazing! I love lemon-flavored goodies! 🙂
Happy happy spring-time . . . and oh, yes! A man working in the garden is romantic indeed!
Love those sweet little shells…they will look very pretty on the window ledge in my sewing room. I look out on our deck which is full of spring goodness and the hangin baskets are ready for a few spots of color to be tucked in amongst the green background. Its a quick and easy way to have the seasons right there at eye level. Yes, in SoCal, Long beach to be exact, Spring is a delightful season too! Thanks so much for sharing with us, looking forward to this new book!
We are just moving into a house that was built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. So many things about it have brought you to my mind many times. I think you would love it. And oh how I would love winning one of those special gifts from you!!
Blessings,
Robin
Happy new old house Robin!
On Tuesday my students and I went on a field trip to Mt. Vernon. The flowers, trees, and landscape were so pretty, I thought of you! I pulled in the drive later that night, and a delicious smell from all the flowering trees was amazing. I couldn’t help but think, “Susan would love this moment right now.” Thanks fore minding us to treasure the moments.
Thanks for the DC cherry blossom link too. It’s inspired me and I think I’ll grab my sketch book and head to the memorial and do a little drawing. Enjoy your weekend!
*for reminding
Thank you for thinking of me!
Thank you so much, Susan, for this lovely opportunity to put my name in for your lovely gifts. I’m sure it will be appreciated and treasured by whoever is chosen.
I love, love, love your blog and am a recent subscriber to Willard. They are a feast for the soul! I am a kitty lover too 🙂
Oh I love your website and “Willard”. I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Martha’s Vineyard last September and it was so gorgeous. I could live there year round. I purchased “A Fine Romance” in your local bookstore, A Bunch of Grapes. I waited on purpose to get in there. It’s a part of my treasured collection of all your books. Looking forward to your new book!
Humm..always hopeful my name will be pulled. I have never seen the yellow jingle shells so pretty, yellow is such a happy color!
Just home from visiting friends in WA. over Easter. I introduced her to your blog ~ I’m hoping she has beginners luck and wins the books and shells! We’ve never seen the jingle shells ~ they are delightful ~ and speaking of delightful ~ thanks for being your delightful self and writing another delightful blog! Spring is awesome on your piece of heaven! And what a charming gardener you have! C: Blessings! Cathy in Idaho
Spring has arrived here as well, but its hard to get the gardening done between rain showers – but thats ok- just part of living in the pacific nw. Your outdoor bird pics are so pretty, what lovely birds you have there. My favorites here are the bluejay, goldfinchs and the good old red breasted robins, oh, and of course hummingbirds. Your blog is still wonderful to read and the Willards are just an extra bonus. You are one busy bee! Thanks for spreading the joy!
The shells remind me of years ago, maybe 40, when our children were small we would vacation at the beach either in Va. or N.C. and those same shells were often collected by the little ones and brought back to our vacation house to be washed and packed to carry home. In fact I still have a few that I have kept in a shell collection. Would love more to add to it. As the children got older and left home to start their own families, shells stayed behind. I’m sure they have repeated the same tradition with their own little ones.
I love your blog, the Willard, and most of all, your book A Fine Romance. It is one of those special books that you hope will never end, so I am happy to hear that you are writing another one….can’t wait to read it!!
Was looking for a cake recipe to do for Mother’s Day…have not made a Jelly Roll in 30 years!!! It is time I revisit Jelly Rolls! Thank you for the inspiration & the new recipe! Now about those sea shells…being a lover of all things ocean first and Pacific Ocean 2nd…I do not have any Atlantic Ocean sea shells. (Did not get to walk the beach on my 1 trip to the east coast.) How about we negotiate a trade…I will send you Oregon sand dollars for your cute little…what are they called…Jingle shells! I have never seen them other than on your blog…they are very cute! And they would fit right in with my craft room theme…playing at the beach!
Thank you so much for the sweet Willard & blog post. So full of lovelies. Will have to put those titles on my “books to read” list and the cake looks heavenly. Perfect for a spring or summer day.
I quietly sighed, a delightful sigh that is, as I slowly read every word by word of your newest Willard and then your blog post. Two delightful stories in one evening ~ just perfection. I am looking forward to reading your next book ~ so wishing you happy days of writing and exploring through your journals… We will all be as patient as possible…
Thank you for everything you share with us.
Hi Susan,
I would love to win your giveaway. I love your blog and newsletter. I admire Elizabeth Von Arnim and I’m looking forward to your new book…
Joyously,
Betty @ My Cozy Corner
Susan,
Sent Willard to my cousin in Northern California. I know she will love reading it as much as I do. My best friend, Jerri Ellen turned me on to your books years ago. As a former teacher, many students also gave me your books as gifts. Lucky me!
I loved your lemon jelly roll cake recipe. Wow! Brought back many memories of my Grandmother Opal, in Iowa, who always made us chocolate jelly roll cakes. I plan on making yours very soon.
Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Kathy
Always a pleasure to read your blog, Susan. Although I don´t write in comments every time I´m always reading it, it brings me peace and joy to do so. God bless you
So busy finishing up papers for school that I forgot to look outside. What a delight! My daffodils are blooming!! I just had to stay outside awhile and breathe in the fresh spring air. I can’t wait for school to be over, so I can begin my daily walks. Aren’t you lucky to spot such a beautiful bird in your own backyard? I always keep my bird book close by for those moments when you spy a bird you haven’t seen before. I agree with Eileen. A Fine Romance must be savored slowly. But when you’ve finished, you can always begin reading it again as I did. Oh, how I want to follow in your footsteps.
Honey, cookies, brownies. ice cream, chocolate and your lemon cake! You said to say something sweet! So I said six things…all things that I love! Glad that spring is showing up for your side of the country. Happy to say that we on the west coast have had 70 degree plus days for most of this spring and part of the winter. But then you haven’t had our earthquakes! Have a wonderful Friday! I so enjoyed your Willard and catching up with you!
Lee
As always, I love your blog. Your writing and art and thoughts and the give aways! So glad you are finally getting Spring, it was early here and we are all glad to see it.
I love those expressions of love between your family members: the Easter “baskets”, Joe working in your garden, the cake you made for him……that’s how a nurturing family should be. My cat Amber (named for Gladys Taber’s last kitty ~ and also because she’s yellow) sends greetings to Jack and Girl. She appreciates how they oversee their household ~ and she’s no slouch at that either!
I found your Summer Book in a favorite bookstore, which led to other books of yours and then to your blog. Love at first read ! For all of it ; the illustrations, your photographs, the stories, the recipes. I saw so many recipes I wanted to try, and made the Irish Beef Stew for my first attempt at re-entry back into cooking, after having “retired” from the kitchen a few years ago, and it was wonderful. Then on to Lemon Linguine, and I think my interest in the kitchen is beginning to reawaken. Hard to resist when the recipes sound so good, come out so well, and it’s all wrapped up in a pretty book.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you Cynthia.
Beautiful Willard post! Here I thought I had been missing all of them this past year. Just saw all of your new memory books at Sams Club last night. Wonderful spring inspiration on your blog as well!
Good Morning Susan,
I read your blogs every morning at my desk. ( I arrive to work early ). It just warms my entire being. We share a lot of the same likes. I collect books, cookbooks , all of yours, aprons, rolling pins, vintage things and more vintage things. I love to craft and treasure hunt. Your home and Island are just so cozy and wonderful. I cannot say enough to show my appreciation for your talent and everything you share with all us!
Karen
P.s Thank you for introducing me to Gladys Taber. I am now an FOGT member!
Susan,
The Mother’s Day cake looks wonderful! I make a pumpkin roll just like that and everyone always loves it! Can’t wait to try this!
Thank you!
Spring has finally sprung!! And I’m happy as a Lark! I’ve got cardinals, little wrens of different colors and Doves. I have a pair of doves that come here every year and they are so sweet! Thanks for all your beautiful pictures and yummy recipes you sent. Made my Spring Day!! Huggies, Marie
As always a perfect morning read…and this morning a double treat, Willard and a blog entry. Would love to win either gift, but truly gifts are not necessary, the best gift of all is sharing yourself with us all.
Your recipe for lemon cake reminded me that I have not made a rolled cake since our second year of marriage. And, that was a long, long time ago. Thanks!
Dearest Benefactress, Keeper of our Dreams and Grand Dame of all Good and Glorious Things,
You have really outdone yourself with this blog. Those delicate honey colored gifts from the sea are so genteel and breathtakingly lovely, oh my my. And placed in the ever so charming tin seems almost beyond the pale but THEN you’ve thrown in the books – my heavens, what generosity and thoughtfulness. Each time I’ve seen “Elizabeth and Her German Gardens” in your webstore, it’s given me pause.
Your lemon roll rocks! I’ve yet to meet anything lemon that I haven’t wanted to either hoover or lather myself with. Mom made a chocolate roll every Xmas and we have yet to give it a whirl as it has seemed very intimidating, though we have her beautiful handwritten recipe with exacting instructions on how to successfully roll it on the cloth. When I turned 18, my best friend in college had her Aunt make a lemon dinner for me and friends – well you can just imagine. And then lemon bars and lemon meringue pie to boot!!
Seeing Joe working in the garden made me even more enthusiastic for some future gardening I have in store. My neighbor has so very kindly offered to build some raised beds so that I can have a cut flower garden and maybe throw a few veg in for good measure 🙂
Lastly, the “rose-breasted grosbeak” is like something you would have painted. I saw my first cardinal a few months ago and was beyond thrilled as it was unexpected and I’ve always wanted to see a cardinal. Maybe some day I’ll see that little humdinger of a grosbeaker.
Cheers my dears, Carrie
You are so cute Carrie! xoxo Thank you! Wishing you grosbeaks and cardinals!
I have never heard of jingle shells, what a fun collection to hunt for on your walks! We are finally enjoying some spring weather here in the Midwest. Such a lovely time of year! Thank you for Willard and all your inspiring posts on your blog-love it all!
Thank you for this! Happy Spring!
I have made pumpkin roll cakes in the past but will have to try this lemon version as soon as possible.
Thank you for sharing!
Spring seems to be slow in coming this year, but I guess that makes it all the more special. Your blog is so cheery and colorful and I really wanted to pull that lemon cake right out of the pages and take a bite. Wishing you all the best on your new book. I am now writing a blog and am so enjoying the creative process. Love to see Joe working outside as my husband too is outdoors constantly beautifying our land. Have to really appreciate those special guys in our lives.
That Mother’s Day Cake should have a “Drool Alert” posted at the beginning. I’ll be sure to try it this Mother’s Day, it looks so scrumptiously delicious! I know I’ll love it! I love just about anything lemon.
I was born and raised in SoCal and I miss getting lemons fresh off the trees. And oranges and grapefruits and avocados! I didn’t have trees myself, but had some generous friends who did have them. One place I worked at for a few years had a couple of avocado trees outside and when they were perfectly ripe we could go out and help ourselves. By the second year, I was actually beginning to get a little tired of avocado. Thankfully, it only took a day or two to come to my senses!
I was going to say . . . 🙂
I love your blog and am so happy to see that Willard is back. Thank you for all your joy and inspiration.
Hey there,
Enjoyed the “Willard”.
Thank you.
Ooooo, I love anything lemony, will make this!
e Willard was worth the wait! It’s wonderful to read them no matter how they are timed. Last year, I gave a Susan Branch book to my besties from my high school days including a pre-order of A Fine Romance for a February birthday! So many to choose. The Huron Chicks have enjoyed your Willards and blog entries through the years. We have plans to celebrate our fiftieth birthday year on Hilton Head Island this October. I plan a very cool girly activity involving journals and photos. Of course, Susan Branch supplies are involved! Happy Spring! I plan to make the lemon cake next weekend. I can smell it now….
My besties from High School will be at my house in June! Can’t wait!
I just read “Willard”. Congratulations on selling the world wide rights for “A Fine Romance”to a Taiwan publisher. ! It is so exciting that the book will be published using Chinese Handwriting Font with your art work. It is marvelous that your book is receiving world wide recognition. Just think of the thousand of new girlfriends who will be able to enjoy and be inspired by “A Fine Romance”.
It’s just such an honor! And a surprise.
Want to be in the drawing, but more exciting – we had our very first, very own rose breasted grosbeak here in Tallahassee, Florida! He came to the feeder off and on yesterday and was back this morning. Another fun connection to you dear Susan! Have a wonderful day enjoying your spring!
Susan, I love your Willard newsletter! I have been missing it. What a wonderful giveaway you’ve put together for your readers. I live in MA but don’t get out to the “islands” as often as I’d like. I think I will ask a couple of my friends to take a weekend trip to the Vineyard this summer. I need to find a good place to stay for a couple of nights. Your Four Seasons books are displayed year round in my living room, and your calendars are annual purchases. My daughter has framed some of the artwork and hung them around her house. 🙂 I hope you had a lovely Easter.
How wonderful to read about spring in MV in todays’ post. We are expecting (more) snow today where I live so it was a welcome read! Enjoy the weekend everyone!
Just read my copy of Willard and enjoyed it so much! I would love to experience the spring in Martha’s Vineyard, I can almost hear the birds and smell the air! And I love collecting seashells 😀
Oh just to have any beautiful creation from Susan’s collection would be such a treat!!
I loved your picture of your Rose Breasted Grosbeak. We used to have several that would come and visit, but haven’t seen them in quite sometime. They have the most beautiful singing voice, as well! You will recognize the female, which is much duller in color and no red throat, as having striking outlined eyes and a very tufted head. I miss seeing ours…so enjoy yours! Also, thank you for always reminding me that the little things in life are so important!
I hope he comes back and brings her. We’ve only seen him that once.
You are like a big sister to me! I am the big sister in my family so I never had one. I attend an annual tea every year last years speaker was Laura Ingalls Wilder! With my degree in literature and love of historical novels I love love loved A Fine Romance especially since I will probably never go even though I am Scottish English Irish heritage. I have kept diaries too and can’t wait for the historic novel! I am reading My Beloved world by. US Supreme court Justice Sonia Sotomayor! I have a stressful legal job, am teaching my teenager to drive and my husband has had several procedures and I found out my Dad is not well! Willard was just what I needed to boost my mood! You inspire me so much in cooking, baking, sewing, and writing. I bought your tree mold pan and made the chocolate cake at Christmas! It was divine! I love Jane Austen and all your quotes! You lift my spirits, teach me fun things I can use in real life! I am on my second marriage, live in California and subscribe to the same Tea Time magazine and Victoria. thank you for being such a wonderful person aside from your art I look forward to taking tea with you again soon as I so missed Willard and was glad it made it to my inbox this week! Many blessings this Spring to you!
Thank you for being here, you are one busy person! I’m sorry to hear about your dad. xoxo
Love the Lemon cake recipe–now need an excuse to make it! Also loved the pictures of the Vineyard–we used to live in MA and had friends who lived for a while in W. Tisbury. Also like the beads–how do we order from you? Spring has not arrived as much here in IN so the pictures were wonderful. Thanks for the colorful and whimsical presentation.
If you go to the top of the blog you’ll see a little purse that says shopping. Click on that and you’ll see the beads. You are so welcome Milly.
I forgot to say you art is so adorable just like you!
Good morning to you Susan ~~~
Just got home from vacation and have gotten caught up with your 2 posts. I’d like to add my name to the pile for the seashells and book. I hope that you haven’t had the drawing yet. Had a wonderful time on vacation, but so happy to be home once again and out to my newly planted garden and the landscaping that we did before leaving.
We’re off to Spokane to see the twins. Can you believe that they will be 1 year old in a couple of weeks!?
xoxox,
Carol M
Loved the Lemon cake,it was a hit!Spring slowly getting here.Every other day is rainy then a spring day.Enjoying every day.Would love shells and books also,have
a vice called books. Willard is great this time. Thanks.
Wow Susan you have been busy! Just what I needed after a testosterone filled British superbike race weekend at Brands Hatch. It was great to come back to a blog update and a Willard! (has it really been that long since the last one?) I often look through the older Willard’s on your blog so maybe that’s why it doesn’t seem so long. They always cheer me up!
Anyway hope you had a fab Easter and I’m so glad Spring has finally sprung on the Vineyard. There was one thing I wanted to ask and I probably know the answer to this but “does the work in your garden ever overwhelm you?”
Since we moved to our new home in December I’ve been in love with the garden it must have once upon a time been someone’s real labour of love. I don’t know how they ever left it! However as beautiful as it is its hard work!
There are beautiful blossom trees, Apple, pear, plum, there are rhododendrons and daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, bluebells, forsythia, camellia’s, roses, rhubarb and things I don’t even know! I think I need help as I’m a novice! Do you think you and Joe could pop over & give me some advice! xxxx
I more or less confined my garden to that little picket fence area you’ve probably seen. We’ll plant a new tree sometimes or some bushes, but for the real “work” of the garden, we’ve kept it small. I learned to do this by having a really big garden! 🙂 Your garden sounds like heaven.
Thank you Susan I cannot take the credit but I do appreciate the love and hard work that has gone into it before we came…..xxxx
I feel that way about all our spring blooming trees — a secret prayer “Thank you Mrs. Bowditch” — to the lady who lived in our house for 40 years before we did.
🙂
I have many of your cookbooks ,Fall and Christmas are my favorites . I love the recipes but love the artwork and seasonal suggestions even more .I never get tired of browsing through them ! Now your ” romance” is at the top of the favorites list . I have read it 3 times and gave it as a Christmas gift to all the women on my list . They love it too ! Thanks for sharing your creativity !
Thank you Cathy!
I love it too! I just started reading it for the second time and want to purchase it for my special girlfriends! We have been blessed to have Susan touch our lives.
I am becoming such a groupie! LOL
What a joy to read your current Willard!! I have passed your website to some of my girlfriends and they, too, look forward to all your wonderful words and recipes. It’s really a special time for me when I am “lost” in all your writings. Wish I could have all of your postings combined in a book (maybe that’s something you could do for all your fans)!!!! You are soooo talented – don’t ever stop!!!! What a blessing!!
Hi Susan,
I so love your blog! As a fellow writer, I understand the muse, and I know the new book will be as wonderful as “A Fine Romance.” But I sure miss it when you aren’t writing your blog! Good to have you back…at least until the book muse grabs you again!
Pam
What a lovely little gift! Shells and books. I will be making the Lemon Sponge Cake. It looks delicious. Loved the Bunny baskets and the pic of Jack helping you get the gifts ready. Kisses to the Kitties! Belated Happy Birthday Susan!
Just so thankful to be of the nesting, baking, quilting,reading, painting, lunch with girlfriends species of woman. Not to mention being gifted with gratitude for the lovlies of nature, not the least a dog by my side and a cat purring on my lap as I begin my morning with a cup of coffee. Through your blog it is so much fun to realize that there are so many of us. When we take over there will be peace on earth!!!! If only.
If only. We need more converts!
Oh the joy you gave me today! I feel like a long lost friend has come to visit. Thank you for ALWAYS taking the time to reach out to all of us “stranger friends” out here in the wide world. Your words always transport me to Martha’s Vintard. (a place on my bucket list) thank you for sharing all of your darling videos as well!
Your new book sound lovely. Enjoy the process of writing it! It is like waiting for the arrival of a new born baby! All your hopes and dreams all wrapped up in the “what may come” is so exciting.
Have a wonderful spring day. All my love to you Susan, Maureen
Happy Spring, Susan. Your cake looks absolutely divine. Can practically smell lemony, powdered sugary goodness from here. Every bit of this post was wonderful and has me grinning from ear to ear. The photo of Jack supplied my fix. Thank you!
Hello Susan..this was such a beautiful blog! The cake, the birds, the flowers..everything! The bunnies your Dad sent are so adorable! My husband is going to LOVE that Lemon cake. And it looks so pretty with or without the flowers. I love things dusted in powdered sugar!
Thank you so much for making all of our days a little brigher..I always feel so happy after reading one of your blogs!
Trish
Fingers crossed!
A beautiful Easter with 2 month old, strawberry blond Nora, my first granddaughter. A house full, brimming with so much family, food, love, laughter, I thought it would burst from happiness. ( you are correct,things do taste better in small houses!) A son serving our Country in the US Army, a constant worry, recent surgery for my hubby and his mother; was feeling so stressed. So your Willard and Blog gave me a a little vacation, to cherish the good times, and stay strong during the difficult ones.
Your blog is a breath of spring.
I was first lead to “Elizabeth’s German Garden” through Rosamunde Pilcher’s “The Shell Seekers” which makes this give-away of the book plus the shells seem very appropriate! I had to get a copy of Elizabeth’s book through inter-library loan and could only keep it for a few weeks. I would love to a have my own copy – it would go on the shelf next to “The Shell Seekers” and Louis MacNeice’s “Autumn Journal” a beautiful piece that also plays a large part in “The Shell Seekers”. I love that about books you treasure, that they can also lead you to others that become personal favourites. Glad your spring has sprung – here on the Central Coast of California, we don’t, as you know, have the snow and freezing temps, but it’s also wonderful to see the poppies and lupine come back!
Erin in Morro Bay
Poppies and Lupine, purple and orange wildflowers lining the roadsides . . . and how about Montana de Oro!
I am in the middle of reading your new book. My dear Sister in law Julie sent it to me for my birthday. It is a treat to be taken away on your trip. Makes me feel all warm and cozy inside! Now your Willard came to me ( Willard is my loving stepfathers name) now I want to bake ! Thank you for being you !
This beautiful Willard was worth the wait! I just love, love, love spring, and you have captured the fresh new feeling so well with these pictures and recipes. Thanks so much for an uplifting break from my very busy week!
Thanks for sharing the yummy recipes! I so enjoy reading your blog; I always save it for last because I know I will enjoy it the most. Like a little gift to myself on the day it arrives! Please enter me in your generous draw, if it’s not too late! Thanks so much!
You’re right on time Michele!
Love the cake recipe. Here it is Friday and no Willard yet! What’s a girl to do? Just going to wait patiently and enjoy our beautiful spring sunshine today!
I sent your comment to Kellee, hopefully she’ll see what has happened to your WILLARD!
Happy Spring! Cake looks very yummy and I have fresh lemons, so I think I will try it this weekend! Thanks for the recipe!
xo
Love recipes where all the ingredients are already in the house!
Ah spring… A season of possibilities. Here in CA we didn’t have much of a winter so Spring was early. I already have 3 tomatoes on my tomato plants! I hope our drought isn’t too bad this summer. Your blogs and pictures always make me a bit homesick for MA. Perhaps some seashells will cure me? Lol. Always love visiting your world. Thanks 🙂
Yummy cake Susan!
Dear Susan,
You have such a gift in bringing JOY through your illustrations and writings. Met you at a QVC book signing in Aug. 2000. I have enjoyed your cookbooks for many years. Martha’s Vineyard is one of my favorite places. Love the ocean too.
Blessings to you and your hubby,
Mary Rickeman I look forward to reading that new book you are writing.
P.S. I can relate to you in growing up in a big family. I am the oldest of 8.
LOTS in common!
Your new Willard was so wonderful, describing the many ways you “take time to smell the roses”. The things you notice and write about nature are especially dear–they remind me of the things we all were aware of in years gone by, both by us as children and by previous generations. Individuals were more in tune with nature, because they were out in it, not in office cubicles, autos or even family rooms with TVs and electronic social media. Communing with the out-of-doors is a natural relaxant, and I thank you for reminding us & transporting us briefly through your writing. xo P.S. No Willard email as of Friday afternoon, so I found it via the link on your blog.
Thank you Susan for your beautiful spring posts. I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed a Willard until I was reading this most recent one. Aaahhh….just perfect!
What adorable giveaways. Some two persons are going to be lucky winners. I always love when you do step by step instructions. (My dog is barking and distracting me.) This is a cake that I never would have attempted – and now I think I’ll give it a try. Maybe I can do it! Happy Spring – and belated Happy Birthday!!!
Just read your new “Willard”—–so excited to find out the name of the blue flowers that I have in my flower bed – they were given to me by a friend who had them in her yard and she had no idea what they were, only that they are beautiful, and I agree!) And the name is as beautiful, “Glory of the snow”. Any other name wouldn’t do them justice …………… Thanks Susan!
Happy Earth Day Susan, Thanks for the recent Willard. Going one year without a Willard doesn’t seem so bad when we get to see your blogs or see you in San Luis Obispo. Glad you had a nice Easter!