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
My very first Willard ever and I loved it!!! I’ve been buying your wonderful books for years…but A Fine Romance was just over the top lovely! I am determined to sail the QM2 and spend a few weeks in England! I have begun a notebook and am making plans! I am 77 years young and next year it will happen! Thank you for the lovely dream inspiring pictures and descriptions!!!
tHANKS FOR another lovely post! It always makes me appreciate the little things when I read your Blog. THANKS FOR SHARING your wonderful talent with us all! have a lovely SPRING!
Susan,
I have been a fan for years! I am so pleased to leave my simple comment. I truly love your artwork on all the wonderful, useful things you put it on. Please, never stop. I am also a cat lover. Mine are two sweethearts who happen to be Siamese. My husband and I met over a Siamese over 45 years ago. We have had many Siamese since then but
never another female named Flower. His Mom raised them and was trying to get a home for the last one…well to make a long story short I heard about this through the grapevine and volunteered to take her. Guess who delivered her to me?! My future husband…that’s how we met.
I absolutely look forward to your blogs and Willards. Thank you.
Jo-Anne
Love seeing Spring from your part of the world, the birds, the flowers and that cake!! Thank you!
happy spring susan
I remember receiving the original Willards in the “snail” mail…those were the days!
I think my Delete button must be too close to my Post Comment button, as I had written earlier (with wonderful words) & now it has gone away, I guess to computerland! So, GF, I shall try again to let you know I thoroughly enjoyed this blog from the bunny duo to the XOXO at the end! Love the paintings, musica, quotes, recipes, photos – all of it & thank you so much for taking time out from writing our new book, to give us this lovely read! And, your prizes are fantastic, & I’m thrilled for the winners already as Vanna does choose just the right names! And, I had a lovely visit with Willard, it’s all been a wonderful week of treats! Oodles of thanks! Bless you!! Here goes – I’m trying again – Post Comment, not Delete!!! xoxoxoxo
Here it is Joan!
I did it! Yay! 🙂 ♥ Joanie
WooHoo – a Willard in my mailbox! The first thing I did was forward it on to my good friend, Jenn. Then we could both sit back for a fun read! Thank you so much.
You’re so welcome!
Beautiful post Susan. The lemon cake sounds soooo yummy. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hubs and I drooled over your lemon sponge cake. He dreamed of sitting down with a friend, a pot of coffee, a bowl of whipped cream and your cake, complete with no regrets. You’re super, Susan.
Dearest Susan,
As I write I notice: already 2200 comments. Sure glad I don’t need to be Vanna White!
There is no keeping up with you. Lots of new EVERYTHING! all the time. I get tired just thinking of all you accomplish–but I’m sure glad you do.
Thank you for all the reminders of how beautiful our world is and especially for the lemon Mother’s Day cake! My two sisters-in-law are coming for a week beginning Mother’s Day and guess what I’ll serve? RIGHT!!!
Love/Hugs,
ElFe
Same to you ElFe!
Love th Willard and the delicious tease for the next book! Can’t wait. Thanks so much for enriching my life!
Great receipe and beautiful pictures too.
so fun to read yours again…the lemon cake looks fit for a Queen!
I make a Strawberry Chantilly roll, sort of similar but stuffed wtih whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
You’ll know our hills are Irish Green and the evenings turn everything blue-green and the new calves across the way frolick and kick happy to be alive in the SPRING grasses!
thanks Susan!
Hi Debby!!
I commented on my phone while waiting for my kids at the dentist 🙂 I cant find it …so here I am again reading the Willard and trying to find something yummy to make for dinner/dessert. Happy Spring
I so look forward to every post from you! I love the gentle style and verse you create. The photographs are wonderful and I want to walk right into each. Bless your very talented heart and fingers! Thank you
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Happy Spring — the rose-breasted grosbeak is a beauty, isn’t it? And it has a lovely song! Keep your fingers crossed that it will stick around for the summer. We’ve had a few bluebirds here, so radiant with their color. Thanks for all the fantastic photos — I just wanted to reach out and touch all the beautiful yellows — the flowers, shells, lemon rind! I’m still waiting for our forsythia here in northern Indiana. We’ve had such cold winds — our flowers are turning their backs, waiting for sunshine! Have a wonderful week, everyone. Spread kindness and generosity! Ethel
WOW, over 2000 comments. I love your posts. Thanks for sharing. Going to England this summer and plan to follow many of your suggestions.
What a lovely post! I very much enjoyed reading every word, every letter. I am fortunate to share my birthday with Earth Day (bearthday?), and so this was a special post to read. How I would love to see a rose-breasted grosbeak at my feeders! Mostly darling yellow finches, cardinals, and one whimsical red-headed woodpecker who makes an occasional cameo. The lemon roll looks luscious (definitely in the plans for the weekend), and your Vineyard photos are dreamlike! Thank you, sweet Susan, for sharing your world! 🙂
Happy Bearthday Linda!
Thank you, dear Susan, and half of that to you, as well! 🙂
You have a way with words that makes me feel like we are old friends!
A Fine Romance is now my travel guide for a dream holiday in England. Don’t stop writing books!
Each of your books has been a reason for celebration at my house. Do you realize just how terrific you are? I was just thinking back to your first little videos and giggling right along with you. Thank you for taking us along on your walks, peeks out the window, and trip of a lifetime! Xoxoxo!!
xoxo Thank you for coming along! It would be no fun without all you girls!
Two years ago we had a backyard full of rose breasted grosbeaks. They were so beautiful. They stayed for a day and off they went. We’ve looked for them in the spring but haven’t seen them again. I had to laugh when I saw your picture!
Thank you for writing such a lovely blog. You say things I have always thought about spring and my yard and flowers. I thought I was just weird to think like that but now I know I’m normal. Home is such a wonderful place to be!
Yes you are, normal! 🙂
Susan, your photos and words are like a spring breeze chasing away the remnants of winter from our hearts and homes. Reading your inspirational and cheerful posts makes us all feel a connection with you, even though we’ve never met. That’s your magic. Thanks for the recipe. I now know that when life hands me lemons, I can make… lemon cake!
love the color of your jingle shells…all i have collected are pearl colored. my favorite time of year is fall & your shell remind me of fall. also have enjoyed A FINE ROMANCE my daug, gave me for my birthday. i also gave her a copy for her birthday. i also have seven of your books. love all of them. ann
I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your spring.
After a very busy week at work I am so happy to finally settle down and read my new Willard and visit your website! Thank you for always taking time for us!! Happy weekend, dear Sue!!
I always love reading your blog and seeing your pictures…it reminds me of home in CT even though I haven’t lived there since I wasc12!
Congratulation! Over 2000 posts here. We, the girlfriends, DO adore you. I have to admit it, you really had me with the aphrodisiac gardener shot of the hubby on his knees in the garden. Ha! You make the cake look easy peasy with your wonderful instructions. You seriously could do an interactive ebook without much extra effort. Xxxooooo happy spring!
Just a couple more videos and it would be done!
Thank you for all the beautiful words, drawings, pictures and recipe!
You are a joy!
I love Spring! What a nice giveaway.
What an amazing give away!….and I must say…I’ve never seen a rose breasted grosbeak….but I’d certainly love to see one and hold him too..he’s so darling !
Lemon is my favorite! I have never made a rolled cake, but once again you have inspired me to try something new and fun. Happy weekend and Happy Spring!
Thank you for the cake recipe and the chance for the shells and books giveaway.
I’m printing out all of your recipes and saving then in a special notebook.
Cheers! Rita
My 87 year old mother LOVES your “Fine Romance” book (and so do I!). She would love to have a copy of “Elizabeth and Her German Garden”. If I won it, I would give it to her! Thanks for your inspiring and interesting blog, and your lovely book!
Hi Susan,
I’m hoping I’m not too late to sea shells raffle! Thank you again for your wonderful gifts!!
Lucy in California
I love your enthusiasm for and sharing of the wonderful nature around you. Spring has sprung big time here in North Carolina, everything is in bloom, the birds are singing, it’s warmish and gorgeous and I am trying to soak it in as I’m packing to move back to So. California, where I also grew up. It’s nice there, but I will miss the seasons. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Susan,
I love your books and I can’t wait to see who wins this drawing! Best of luck to everyone 🙂
Con-
What a lovely spring post! Your new bird neighbor is beautiful. We don’t have cardinals or the rose-breasted grosbeaks here in the Black Hills. The lemony cake roll makes me think of my mom who loved all things lemon. Happy spring!
Thank you for sharing a lovely cake recipe and a view into the beautiful Martha’s Vineyard. I certainly envy the greening up that is occurring and hope we get some soon here in New Mexico.
“Willard” was wonderful! I’ve just finished A Fine Romance, and it was more than wonderful!! Thanks for all that you do…and the recipe for the lemon cake looks so yummy…It will be a great treat for Mother’s Day!
thank you for your God-given talents!!!!! you brighten our WORLD:)
Well, truly, you do the same for me xoxo
I must tell you how nice it is to read your blog. Life can get hectic here but every time I open up your blog, it brings me peace and puts a smile on my face. I happened across your Girlfriends book a year ago at the library and one snowy afternoon I opened it up and didn’t put it down till I was done. Ever since then I have been hooked. I got your Heart of Home book recently and I have made three of your recipes this week. They have all been a hit. Especially your Herb Roasted Chicken along side your Grandma’s Turkey Stuffing. Oh my, words do not describe. Thank you for being my friend through good times and bad.
Now you are making me hungry! xoxo
I am so excited about the book you are working on! I read A Fine Romance so quickly and I wanted it to last a long time…..I think I will read it again this summer! Anyway, Happy Spring to you!
Thanks for the lovely update and recipe. You do so much for and we thank you.Love the flowers in your yard. We too, had a Grosbeck stop by our feeder. But he didn’t stay long, and off he went. I wonder just where they go. I just keep filling the feeders in hopes they will return. Love birds, they’re part of the ‘home’. Stay well…Marge
The shells are beautiful. I have never seen ones like those! The birds are definitely singing their song here in Texas we have so many doves in our trees. My cat Smithers is at every window watching every move. I know the rest of the country is awaiting Spring and just now seeing its signs. I believe we may be headed into Summer already with a high temp of 86 today!
I’m still in two sweaters this morning!
I love reading this blog. The cake sounds Devine, must try it.
With great anticipated joy, I opened my first “Willard” and was overwhelmed with the beauty and joy I received from reading it! Thank you so much Susan for sharing with us your love of beauty and writing and drawing. And to think we might receive a gift from you of beautiful seashells and books–beyond belief! You have made my day a little brighter and don’t we all need that? And now, with just a little skip in my step, I will start my day of laundry, cleaning, and enjoying the beautiful music of birds outside my window 🙂
Susan, thank you for sharing these delightful tastes of spring!
I love, love, love reading your blogs; the pictures of your home (all Spring looking), MV and a recipe to boot. Thank You
Golly, it’s spring everywhere, at last…..er…..well…..in our hemisphere, anyway. Lovely Easter baskets, those. We need something like that so we don’t have to re-invent the basket every year. Our quilt guild has a Secret Sister program and I’ve been having fun giving your books to my SS……a little bit of you and some fabric is a great gift for a quilter/homemaker. Thanks for the springey, bouncey time, today.
Well, you said to say anything sweet so here it is…anything sweet. I’m sorry but I had to do it. It made me smile, hope it brings a smile to your face too.
I can’t wait to try your cake. My husband loves anything that has lemon in it, he always loved my Mom’s lemon pie and I still can’t make it like she did even when she was standing there right next to me telling me step by step what to do. I am going to make your cake and it will be a success! Yep, I’ll keep telling myself that! Thanks Susan for all you do.
:-)Brenda!
Hi Susan and everyone! Loved Willard, the tea cake recipe and those gorgeous birds!! Everything else too!! Looking forward to your new book Susan, how ever long away it may be! Thanks for all the beauty you share xoxo
I’ve read your book twice and have enjoyed it so very much. Love England, I am an Anglophile through and through. Thank you for your wit and charm.
~ Judy
Thank you for that lovely review! xoxo
Happy Spring! Like you, we’re waiting for the trees to leaf out, but the little signs are everywhere and we welcome them!
xo
Claudia
Thank you for another wonderful post ~ and for the new Willard, of course!
The lemon cake looks divine, would love to have a slice to go along with my coffee this morning! Have a wonderful weekend, Susan!
I’m so glad Willard is back! Missed “him”! We too have been glorying in a picturebook spring – so often the southern states leap from winter to summer but this year we’ve seen more forsythia and dogwood than ever. Sometimes the dogwood reminds us of all the amazing snow we had this year – both have been thick on the hillsides and in the woods! Thanks for reminding everyone to appreciate what God has put before us!
Hello Susan! Your beautiful post is the best picture of the Spring upon us!! From the lemon cake, to your new bird friend, and your perky daffodils in your yard and shells from the ocean!!!!! (Love Jack’s face peeking over the prizes you are offering!!!!!) We were gone up North this past week for a family funeral, and then came home, finding out the next day I had to attend the funeral of my best friend’s mother. 🙁 I’ve been away from your blog for a week now, and this is the best medicine for the heart and mind…..to see and read the cheerfulness from your Martha Vineyard’s Springtime setting! Thank you Susan for your dose of sunshine, and the chance to win such fine goodies!!!! (Keeping my fingers crossed in Dearborn, Michigan!!!!)
Welcome home Carilyn! I’m so sorry about your losses. xoxo
Hurray for Willard!
Hi Susan!
Loved the latest chapter of my favorite Saturday indulgence…your wonderful blog. Between that, and Willard earlier in the week, life has been good. You made me miss the gorgous forsythia that my dad planted in our yard in Ohio. Unfortunately, he’s been gone since ’86 and my mom sold the house eight years later so the forsythia in my life are long gone; I’m not sure if forsythia grow in the hot Houston area where I live, but you brought back a lovely memory of true spring. If I’m not fortunate enough to win one of your great give-aways I plan to look for some pretty shells of my own on an upcoming cruise to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda.
Happy spring from another Sue!
I can always dream…
Such a happy and inspirational post…as always!
Happy Spring, indeed! There is nothing like the burst of inspiration and energy that I get after reading one of your posts and this one was no exception. The cake roll looks absolutely fabulous and cannot wait to get in the kitchen and follow your instructions in making one. I also love the idea of the “box of the sea” and the shell collection looks so lovely. What a wonderful gift that would make to the lucky recipient! Elizabeth von Arnim’s books are such treasures as well–what a lovely combination!
It is springtime in the Pacific Northwest, but one of the wettest in years. Don’t worry, thiugh, we do wet really, really well, especially when the rain is falling on blossoms.
Oh, my….Thousands of comments. I would love to win this prize. You think up the most wonderful gifts… I really appreciate the time you put into your blog posts. The pictures tell the story right along with your special words. Thank you for brightening my world.
Hope your day is lovely,
Balisha
It is raining, in the loveliest of ways!
Hi Susan,
I really enjoyed my first Willard!
Thanks!
CJ
There is nothing that makes me smile faster than one of your posts!
From your wonderful pictures to your beautiful home on an amazing island with incredible food! I love every bit of everything you write, paint, craft, cook and sew!
I love my life, but wouldn’t mind having yours for just one day!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing it so willingly with us.
That cake looks absolutely spectacular! I love lemon desserts. Now I know what to do with the plethora of lemons hanging from my tree in the backyard. Thanks!
Love reading your blog. Love England and I live on an island also. You are delightful. Thank you, Rose
With only a couple thousand comments, I’m sure to win! I am sooo excited for spring and seeing flowers everywhere. Love the birds. Because of some of your posts last winter of the birds on your bird feeder, I put one up this past winter. It’s a free standing one just 5 feet away from my kitchen window. All winter long, during our polar vortex, I got to enjoy life while I stood at the kitchen sink. It made me so happy. Thank you!
It’s a great thing isn’t it Patti! xoxo
Oh I do hope the box of shells smells like the sea when it’s opened — because I live in land-locked Colorado and miss the sea!
What a lovely world you present. The lemon roll is on the menu; Thank you. Jack is a sweetie. I love his markings.
Thank you for this awesome Easter – Spring recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
Susan, thanks for another lovely blog! You give me hope that someday I will have a beautiful home & can enjoy cooking, the seasons, & my family.
Hope you enjoy Spring to the fullest after this long winter!
Much <3 from Baltimore, Kristen
No matter where you are you can make even the darkest place better . . . even with a jar of yellow dandelions. I’ve done it so I know. Don’t wait for the house.xoxo Kristen
Thanks, Susan, this brought tears to my eyes! You are right, sometimes I wait until everything is perfect but that means I waste today. Will try to leave each day to the fullest even if I’m not where I want to be yet. Thank you <3
When you first moved to your little house here on the East Coast, were you scared? Did it feel like home right away?
I was a little shell shocked actually, and it felt more like I was in the right place than it felt like home.
Interesting…can’t wait to hear the whole story in your next book 🙂
Thanks for a little reminder about the contest. You certainly know the way to a girlfriend’s heart with these prizes. I recently read Elizabeth’s German Garden on my Kindle, but having this original copy would be heaven! And those little seashells……so sweet 🙂 But winning your other two books (which are ones I don’t have) would be awesome also. Enjoy this beautiful weekend Susan!
I’ve missed Willard. Welcome back.
Love the give away, thank you for the chance.
Love your blog.
Oh, what a great time I had reading your blog today, I just got a new computer and I could not wait to reconnect with you and all the fun, and wonderful comments. It’s really exciting about the new drawing also.
Thanks Susan
Great Blog!
Love seeing your pictures!
How lucky to have your own gardener!
Beautiful touch with the forsythia on the cake!
Your writings and drawings bring joy to my soul. You inspire me to feather our nest and to pay attention to all the beauty around me! Thank you!
You have the BEST blog that I look forward to, thank you.
I have my computer set so that when I go on line, your page pops up first. What a treat this morning, to see the Glory of the Snow and the pears on your window sill! I’m going to go out and cut a few for my sill right after I finish this. You are an inspiration, you make me smile, you keep my heart light…thank you! Sending love on this lovely day.
What a wonderful little taste of spring! We are just starting to see bits of spring in Michigan! These pictures help to remind us of what is to come:)
Thanks for the preview!
Always such good ideas!
I love your blog, your art, your spirit! I have all your books except a Fine Romance! Off to read Willard now! Thank you for all you do!
I have a 82 yr old girlfriend who told me about you 3 yrs ago. She makes cards for her family for all occasions and liked your letters and stickers. Since she was unable to find them she asked me to look. I went on your blog and I was hooked! I loaned her my book A Fine Romance and she just loved it. She is so sweet and loves having tea parties. I wish your Willard was in print so she could read it. (She doesnt have a computer)
Lovingly, Sandy
I love your stuffed egg recipe and they do go quickly! I can never resist a deviled egg. Also, I have your white and red birdhouse. Its very pretty and it looks so cute sitting in our guest bedroom which has a bird/nature theme. Have a lovely Spring! xoxo
Merci BeauCoups for this wonderful Willard! I already have A Fine Romance and the other book, but I love the seashells!
Oh, my goodness! It was so wonderful to open that Willard, I feel so loved by you, Susan. You are just the BEST GIRLFRIEND ever! I am so grateful to your mother for all she has done to make you who you are. She did good. Many spring blessings to you and Joe and Girlkitty and to the ever-lovin’ Jack boy!
That tea cake had me drooling!! LOVE those shells, too! Going to see if I can find those books by Elizabeth van Armin at our library … would be fun to read! Have a beautiful Saturday 😉 Linda
I’ve only recently found your website and read my first Willard. I set to work immediately making 2 sticky toffee puddings because the first one wasn’t enough for my family and I’ll most likely have to make another very soon. I appreciate how everything you do makes me slow down and appreciate. My life goes so fast these days and taking a moment to appreciate is a rare treat. I’d very much love your gifts for my sister who is always there for my family and me whenever we need anything. She has been a huge fan of yours for years, and bought every book for my little girl when she was a beginning reader. She’s a wonderful person who deserves a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for all the joy you have brought my family.
Loved reading your Willard—a friend sent it to me. I really enjoy your writings, drawings, recipes, sense of humor, photos—everything!
Looking forward to your next book!
Hi Susan, hope it’s sunny at your house today as it is here. I love the pictures of the pretty spring flowers and the delicious looking lemon cake! Have to try that sometime soon! But I have to ask, what are the yellow flowers in the pots waiting for Joe to plant? The ones by the daffodils? They sort of look like a yellow creeping phlox.
The books in your giveaway would be great to have, as would the shells, so pretty and they remind me of the sea, which I wish I lived closer to. Have a wonderful weekend, oh, and thanks for the Willard…I didn’t realize it had been that long since you put one out, but I always enjoy reading and rereading it because you always put such good stuff in it! Thanks!
I so enjoyed your newsletter. Happy Spring! Thank you for sharing a bit of Martha’s Vineyard with us. My husband and I love the Cape and have spent a holiday there for the past few years. (but not this year, because we have a new grandbaby coming!!). Your books are hard to come by here in Canada, but I keep looking!! Have a wonderful day!!
Hi Susan,
I adore your books and recently found your delicious website.
I am a fellow quilter, gardener, and lover of all things English (thanks to my
English grandmother who lived with us). I visited England 25 years ago with my mother and hope to return. ( I’ll certainly use “A Fine Romance” to guide me.) I especially want to see Beatrix Potter’s house and the Lake District which we missed last time.
You’re right about trying watercolors. I started painting 8 months ago. I knew I could do it from the first little painting. very exciting!
Happy spring!
Terri G.
Stonington,Ct.
So funny, I was planning to make my parents Breakfast for Dinner tonight, but I wanted deviled eggs for Dad. Sounds like that is stuffed eggs to me! So we’ll just have to try that out. And surely a Lemon Filled Sponge Cake goes with breakfast foods? I think so… 🙂
Love your little yellow shells, those in our neck of the woods ( SC beaches) aren’t yellow tinted much. What a thoughtful sharing gift idea!
last time i ever won anything was is the sixth grade…i now am in my sixtieth decade of life! any consolation prizes…like wine? oh,my…..
Dear Sue…
Spring is so wonderful! We just welcomed our 16th Grandbaby…”Baylee”…our first girl after 10 years of boys! Ha Ha (Hopefully, oodles of little butchers in the bunch!) That brings us to 11 boys & 5 girls; from 20 yrs down to 2 wks!
I’m getting tons of inspiration from your blog! I need to start writing down the journal that’s been floating around in my head for the past two & a half decades about our family business! After all, with the heritage my husband’s forefathers left us, (among other things, his 5th great grandma was the first white woman to live west of the Monongahela River; the Frontier in the mid-1700’s), keeping that Pioneer legacy on paper will be the livelihood for our descendants.
Your words always whet my appetite & the music is out of this world! I grew up listening to Tommy Dorsey (Dad played in a dance band in college) and Percy Faith is an all-time favorite. Remember “A Summer Place”? Dreamy, eh?
Toodles for now!
Happy Flower Blossoms to you!
Love, Bunny XO
Many congratulations Bunny, on that new Grandbaby, from me and all the Girls! xoxo (Decided to put a little ooooomph in that congrats!)
I love spring and your blog featured the epitome of the season!
Thank you for your talent, generosity and most of all, friendship! You bring to everyone your love of life which really lifts my spirit! Have a wonderful weekend! Mary
Wonderful spring news! Thanks for the Willard and the giveaway!
Thank you Susan once again for such a wonderful post, i can almost smell your cooking from here. thoroughly enjoy see beautiful creature in all your posts.
Thanks you
Beautiful cake. Because of your drawings I saw years ago, I wanted a garden and now I have a huge one!