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
Love your blog so much. My friend Lois, who goes to the Vineyard every year because her grandfather built a cabin there many, many years ago, told me about it. I am very blessed/happy that I get to meet her there in August and she said I need to get on your website to refresh my memory. (I visited for the first time in 2002) One of my favorite things was walking up & down the beach collecting shells & rocks. We don’t have an ocean in Nebraska, so the beaches are a very, very special place. Thanks!
You will love it! I know you know that! I’m happy for you.
Oh my goodness, Susan! This Willard, while long in coming, was well worth the wait! It was wonderful — with news about your new book, a delicious recipe and a giveaway to drool over! You brighten my days! I have long admired Gladys Taber, but thanks to you, I am now a member of the FOGT and will be attending the reunion in June. It’s going to be incredible! (Are there too many exclamation marks in this post?) You simply make me feel happy and excited about life! Thank you!
Barbara W.
How great Barbara! Will see you there!
Feeling a little “blah” today and thought to myself on this gray day, “I could sure use an SB post, but I think it’s too soon.” Then bing, bang, boom and one pops into my inbox! Hurray!! I have one of those Bunny Crossing signs, too. A friend brought it back for me from … England! One of the Momma bunny’s ears got broken off somehow over the years. My first cake was a jelly roll! And I have a tea party to prepare for my Kindred Spirit girlfriend in two weeks, so I may just have to make this cake for us. Thank you (a kajillion times over) for being YOU!
XOXO Jana, thank you. Have a most wonderful Tea Party!
You make the cake sound and look easy. It looks so elegant. My mom used to make a “jelly roll” with grape jelly instead of the lemon filling. Lemon is perfect to welcome spring. You are right about the gifts – they ARE “a fun giveaway for spring, to celebrate the change of season, a box from the sea.♥” And to offer two – double the fun!
Hi Susan
I check your blog everyday, just to see if you have written anything new. It is always so inspiring and makes me feel happy. Thank you so much for sharing your time with all of us. Your home looks like such a lovely place.
Thanks, Susan, for the cake recipe. Since I love lemon, I will be trying it. The weather in the northeast has been beautiful lately. We are getting our gardens ready, too.
As always Susan, thank you for your inspiration for how to celebrate the season…..thank goodness spring came to New England just in time for Easter!
Happy Spring to you, Joe and the kitties! Can’t wait to read Willard.
Happy, Happy Spring Susan! And thank you for the lovely Lemon Cake recipe…..
I plan to make it soon! Your blog is delightful. I look forward to an inspirational and relaxing read each time I receive one!!
Thank you for the effort you put on making every blog post look like a page from a well written book ! I wish you all the best ! Tzella from Athens, Greece.
How kind of you to say that Tzella . . . xoxo Hello to Greece!
What a beautiful place on earth for spring you have! I loved the movie Enchanted April – I will definitely have to read the book. I didn’t even realize there was one so I am excited! Anyone would be delighted with those lovely shells, I would imagine. My daughter has always loved the sea though at 16-1/2 has only seen it once except from an airplane to China to adopt her sister. At age 3-1/2 we found a fish shop called Pisces Pet and they had many species from the ocean. They were delighted and amazed she already could name so many. I think she may live someday as you do by the sea. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I loved New England long before I saw it. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you turn out to be right. How fun, you can go visit her!
I love your beautiful posts, have been following for a couple of years now. The jingle shells are beautiful…I just returned to Pa. from Florida where I collected them myself and I love the idea of putting them on my windowsill!
I have your wonderful book “A Fine Romance” and am on my second reading…I can’t take one page at a time like my friend is doing – I devoured it in two days!!!!
At first when I read the recipe for the cake I was hungry for that! Then the recipe for the eggs, mmm, might have to make both. If all of the pictures of birds and gardening and Joe hadn’t made me think of Spring, those two recipes definitely did!
Susan I would love to win the wonderful goodies. You are always so kind
To do a give a way.
Susan, I absolutely love your blog and the way you share the sweet parts of your life. I love seeing the snippets of you artwork and the recipes you share. Thanks so much.
Happy Earth Day!! Hope you had a beautiful Easter Day!! The lemon cake looks so yummy and refreshing, it would be perfect to make for Mother’s Day!! Love your blog, you inspire me every time I read it!! Hope you have a wonderful day!! 🙂
I so enjoy your blogs. They are a breath of fresh air for me. The recipes are always delicious. I too have been working in my garden and yesterday I ordered a bee skep from your web store. I can’t wait til it arrives. I hope Vanna picks me.
I adore the Snipe tin – too bad “snipe” has such negative connotations – they are a fun bird! Thanks for a ray of sunshine, Susan!
Susan, you bring such nostalgia for me with pictures of your home, your recipes, books and the things you collect. The expressions you use when you write. Thanks for all the memories of family gone and living far away. Haven’t got my Willard yet, but looking forward to it! xxoo
Oh, memories of my British grandma came flooding back to me as I read this post – the lemon tea roll was her favorite!! Thanks for sharing –
What great pictures! I am so looking forward to all of my daffodils and forsythia coming out too! I know it will. Thanks for getting me more into the spring fever! Love your blog.
What a fun blog post…filled with so much anticipated spring! Can you send Joe over to help me in my gardens?? We got through half of them last weekend…but have a few more to go!! (smiles) Your cake looks amazing, I have never tried a roll before, you are making me think “I can…I think I can!” Yummm. And…the bunny baskets! Loved it…I bought my 12 year old son a basket and bunny and filled with treats…I couldn’t resist…the bunny was too darn cute! The older guys said, “Yeah, he’ll act like he’s not interested…but he’ll love it!” ha. I thought that might be the last bunny basket around here until grandchildren arrive, but now seeing yours, no one’s ever too old for a bunny basket, right?! Loved it…Have a great day!!
Never too old for a bunny basket. What we are on the outside has NOTHING to do with what we are on the inside! 🙂
Thank you so much for the lovely recipe, going to try this one for sure.
I just made an orange chiffon cake, so we need to finish that one first before another cake comes into my kitchen.
Reading your great newest blog from Serbia where Spring Sprang awhile ago and the leaves are fully out, the flowers up and I will have Springing Spring to look forward to when I go home in two days.
The lemon cake looks delicious. I make a similar chocolate log at Christmas but lemon is just right for Easter.
Happy Spring Susan!!! Thank you for the lovely pictures & recipe for lemon cake; cannot wait to make it. It is spring here in Western PA; daffodils popping up along with tulips & trees getting a little green. My favorite time of year – so filled with hope & lovely fragrance. Also, thanks for giving us opportunity to win something free….very generous of you.
Enjoy your lovely days. Pat W.
This cake looks wonderful, I’m thinking of making it for my mom’s birthday, she loves anything lemon. Thanks for the giveaway, Susan!
Spring is here! Can’t wait to get into my garden (like you)! Would love to win these lovely gifts! Pick me – Pick me!!! Please oh please 🙂
Enjoyed the recipe!
Look forward to making it for my family…
Thank you, Susan, for sharing the lovely photos of your spring.
Spring’s a little different here in Florida: )
Hi Susan,
I’m sitting in my almost empty livingroom, few boxes for the move and some chairs ect.are still here. This week we’re moving! We’ve had a lovely Easter, kids have made some windowdecorations and ofcourse we ate some easter eggs! That cake looks so jammie!(erg lekker) Hoping to win the giveaway.
Lots of love And Happy Happy Spring (that song from Astaire and Bing was it? Spring spring spring, is still in my head)to you.
Love Willemien
This is it, Willemien! You are doing it! xoxo Sending love!
I love your blog.
I love your giveaways!
But most of all, I *love* Jack! I scroll thru the blog waiting for the first photo to appear with that adorable little guy!! He makes me smile.
Love, love, LOVE your blog and your wonderful wit and wisdom. I’ve been collecting “all things Susan Branch” for years and get SO excited when I find one of your treasures in my travels. You are the sweetest of the sweet and the sunshine in my day. ♥♥
Happy Spring! Love the Season Change.We have had so many nature events lately it is hard to keep up…lunar eclipse, dogwood winter. Love all your fun books and shells. I’m looking forward to your new book and the cake today will be on the on its way to the brand new Triplet’s house. So much cuteness.
What’s a dogwood winter? xoxoxo For Triplets!!!
Thank you for the lovely lemon cake recipe … you make a kitchen-averse gal WANT to bake! Certainly for my favorite flavor in the world: Lemon. And the chance to win citrus-colored jingle shells, AND books, AND a tin, AND … oh, just something special from such a special person! Thanks so much. Happy Spring!
My hammock’s all ready for a great Spring read! Fingers crossed!
Today is my father’s birthday, had he been here he would be 99! That’s so hard for me to believe!
You are a sweetie for your wonderful giveaway. So many beautiful things! All of us commenting would love to win, I’m sure.
Thank you for the blog, that’s the winner for me! I so enjoy reading the blog, absorbing your artwork. You inspire me!
Hi Susan,
I am now craving lemon cake and sunshine! I remember getting Willard in the mail many moons ago. I still have the little stickers that would come with it!
~Kelly
Wish we could still do that, it was very fun. Choosing the cute stickers, the stamp with the heart on it!
What lovely spring gifts. I am looking forward to Willard in my inbox. 🙂
Hi Susan,
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog (and have to confess to checking obsessively every day in case you have posted something new!). I also love reading your books because I find them so life affirming. Thank you.
Lucy, UK
xoxo Lucy.
Susan, since you “wish to give” I’ll wish to receive! Thanks so much for the beauty and joy you share with us with each post. LOVE the music–just the pick-me-up I need this afternoon!
Love, love, love you, Susan. Your blog is like reading a letter from an old, dear friend. Can’t wait to read my WILLARD when it arrives. I still have all my old ones that used to come in the mail.
I, too, am looking for all sorts of excuses to wander outside and see what new things are pushing up out of the warming earth. This morning on my run through the countryside of Lancaster County (PA) I rescued a kid (baby goat if you aren’t “country”) who had gotten his little head all twisted and caught in the gate. Probably thought the grass looked greener on the other side! His mamma was “baa-ing” for help as I ran by, caught my attention, and the little guy was soon reunited with his mamma. I enjoy your blog and your word pictures inspire me. Thanks!
Good job Melanie! Poor baby.
You remind me of my new favorite song, Happy, by Pharrell Williams. It seems nothing could get you down and me either when I’m reading your blog and thinking about all the good things in my life.
Thank you for brightening my day!! That was a gorgeous bird in your driveway! Wish we could see those here in TX. But we’ve got pretty ones here too. Love and blessings to you!
It’s always a pleasure to read your amazing posts! Your happiness brings joy into my days.
Thanks for the yummy recipe, I’m going to try it asap!
Happy Spring from Italy!
Sue “sells sea shells by the seashore”…or gives them away? Sweet! Count me in, I’ll add them to my Pismo Beach shell collection 🙂 Thanks!
Hello Susan,
Have a wonderful Spring! I know I am not the only one that enjoys looking out your windows at the changing scenery! Thank you for sharing!
Hugs, Cocoa
Your Mother’s Day Cake looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
We’ve been loving this weather here in IL. My kids are too little to say that they want to play outside so they just bring me their shoes when they want to go out! Isn’t that the cutest? I must say, I hope I win the Mom’s Story book. My mom had a stroke a few years ago and I dearly wish I had gotten her story before that. I want to write down my own story for my daughter <3
It’s the cutest! Yes, it’s good to write things down. Never so much for yourself as for others.
I can’t wait for the Willard! I am a new subscriber and am really looking forward to my first issue!
Thanks for the delightful recipes, music, and musings about springtime. I’ve been looking out and admiring our feathered friends, too. Lots of yellow finches in the maples today. Thanks for creating such a beautiful blog for all of us to enjoy!
How could this be a better day…..it couldn’t! Sunshine, birds singing, wild sweet orange tea AND Willard! And a blog post! Life is good…and so are you, Susan Branch!
Hi Susan! I am soooo excited about “Willard” – I feel like he is an old-time friend! I should be receiving my copy soon, but in the meantime, I made your delicious lemon cake – sooooo yummy! 🙂 Thank you for sharing the recipe. I am hoping you draw me for the “adorable prizes” – the shells are lovely along with the other items. I can have a “sad day” and I long onto your blog and everything is happy, as soon as I hear that sweet little birdy chirp across the page, I smile. Thank you for creating such beautiful things that bring not only happiness and a smile to you, but to all of us too! Blessings and Happy Spring! XOXO Debbie
And thank YOU for being here! xoxo
I am a huge fan of your blog and your new giveaways are exciting! I enjoy the peek into your corner of the world and your wonderfully positive outlook.
Thank you, Susan, for such a peaceful place to “come”! I still have your winter/snow picture (of your home) as my wallpaper! It’s too pretty to change!
Thanks for the picture of Martha’s Vineyard. I love to read your blog. Makes me feel happy. I made a cake for Easter using a pan in the shape of a lamb. First time in years I had even tried something different. Made it for my grandkids. They loved it. Even though one of them kept calling it a rabbit.
LOL!!
Thanks for all this springtime cheer! It was great to get the Willard after such a long hiatus. And how are your CATS? I would love to read that book by Elizabeth von Arnim.
They are wonderful. Happy, healthy, tiny paws tucked under little chins.
Hi Susan……..I have loved your work for years now. You just keep getting better and better. Thank you for so many smiles!………..Susie
Thank you for all the inspiration you give us all. I have been a Susan Branch fan for years and years. Keep it coming Susan!
Hi Susan,
I thought I would be a little more traditional this year thinking of the chocolate covered peanut butter eggs I use to so painstakingly decorate with icing putting everyone’s name on one. Trust me, I AM NOT VERY GOOD AT DECORATING WITH ICING. When I realized how much my family has grown over the years, I decided this wouldn’t be a good idea. So, I decided to make bunny sugar cookies instead as this would be alot less stressful. They turned out ok. At least, they looked like bunnies. I think next year if I get this traditional feeling again, I will go for your bunny cake. I think I might be able to handle it. Isn’t it a treat to look out your window and see a new bird in your garden. I always enjoy seeing if there are any newcomers especially in the spring and fall when migration season in under way. Right now I am trying to track down which tree in the neighborhood a woodpecker is hanging out in. Happy Spring
Jayne
You can handle it Jayne. Beware of the “traditional feeling!” LOL!
Stuffed egg recipe is similar to my grandmother’s, except she didn’t use celery, and she added Colman’s mustard. So good. I think the secret is the relish. Oh, and she dusted them with paprika just to make them pretty. Whoever is chosen for the giveaway will certainly enjoy it!
I love the Willard’s! I share in your celebration of spring and admiring your wonderful gardener at work. I would treasure the shells as I have jars and jars of such “specimens”. Happy Spring Susan! Linda L in beautiful Texas!
Happy Spring Susan! Thanks for such a nice Willard! I enjoyed it very much.
My best friend’s mother introduced me to your cookbooks when I was in high school. I have been a fan since and just turned a milestone age. Thanks for making life so pretty.
Thanks for being here!
My darling sister made your lamb cake to bring to Easter Dinner and it was beautiful & delicious. The only thing was the blue coloring she made its eyes with ran a bit so it looks like its crying. It was a difficult decision to slice or not, but slice we did. And guess what, she went to an auction and successfully bid on a Petey doll just like yours and won the bid! She said the auctioneer kept referring to the doll as “the Cracker Jack doll” so I suggested she name her doll Jack. What a hoot, so many Jack’s! Anywho, count me in for the drawing. I could give the shells to my sister and share the book with her too. NJ hugs……..
What a hoot! 🙂
Wow! What a great blog today! First, I’ve never seen a bird like that one before. He almost looked like he was a toy. So brightly colored! Beautiful!
Second, your photos really capture the true senses of Spring. I feel like I can smell the new earth in the garden, and the Forsythia in the yard and my favorite, the sound and smell of the ocean. Reading your blog is like watching a favorite movie, music included! Thanks for the great recipes. Oh, and Lambchop! I haven’t seen her in a long time.
Of course your giveaways are always fun but so not necessary. We girlfriends would be here anyway. I wouldn’t miss any dose of Susan Branch I could get!
I’m a present person, I think it’s more for me! xoxo
Ah, such a lovely blog post to sit and devour with my afternoon tea and cookies:-)
pick me pick me 🙂
Susan, thank you for a lovely read A Fine Romance. You came to my country and we are coming to Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. I hope to see you there! Wonderful book with fab illustrations! Good luck with your new book. Best wishes from an English Girlfriend x
Oh, how nice Isabel. Ms. Strawberry fields. xoxo
What Fun to get Easter packages in the mail from your Dad! SO Cute!! Your lemon cake looks and sound so Yummy, too! Mmmm….
You come up with the Best give-a-ways! One of these days, maybe I’ll be fortunate enough to win one…..(keeping my fingers crossed!)
We just saw the Presidential helicopters fly by our house on their way to view the Oso landslide that happened a month ago today! We live quite away west of the area. Never dreamed anything like that would happen so close to home, though. It’s been wonderful to see all the local community support for the towns and families affected.
It’s a beautiful Spring day here, today……the tulips are blooming!
Looking forward to getting Willard in my mailbox! (I keep checking!)
Hugs,
Laura
I am totally in love with your blog! I would love the shells and the gardening book, please put me in the drawing for it. I too love the beach, cats like Jack, gardening, baking, and quilting. Maybe you could give out one of your quilt patterns next as a give a way, your hat pattern is so cute! Thank you for an inspiring blog and all the wonderful things you write about. Hugs, Jane
That’s a great idea . . . will do that. Remind me if I forget!
I can hardly wait to try making your yummy lemon cake. . . I can almost taste it now! Also loved all of your beautiful spring pictures. Looks like the Vineyard is way ahead of MI in terms of what is blooming. Gives me hope! Also loved you cute little grosbeak. I love it when a different bird arrives at my feeder.
Happy spring, Susan and thanks for your wonderful insights to everything around you!
Lee
What a wonderful gift to win! Your cake makes my mouth water so I will have to leave now and go make the cake! Bye now!
I was so delighted to see WILLARD in my email today! As instructed, I sat back (with a glass of iced tea, as it’s a warm day here in So. Calif.) to read and admire your life, words, drawings and quotes. Many times the corners of my mouth turned upward, especially with the photo of your hubby working away in the garden 🙂 Yummy recipes too! Count me in as “excited” about the prospect of winning your giveaway!
Hi Susan, Are there really people out there who wouldn’t want a box of shells??? I suppose there are, but that’s not me! I hope I win. I always enjoy reading about all of your traditions – loved the Easter baskets!
What a wonderful Spring time blog from you on a really gorgeous day here in Texas! The Lemon Cake looks yummy. I have made a Pumpkin Roll that is very similar. I will have to try to make this one. Thanks for sharing your Easter with us. Loved your Easter Bunny Baskets from your dad. So very cute.
Looking forward to Willard arriving very soon.!
Love all things Susan Branch!
Susan, you are the best story teller. Sharing your New England spring makes me feel as if I were there. Sharing “your” treasures as gifts to your readers/friends make them even more special. Thank you!
Love all the photos today! Especially the forsythia… it’s my favorite flowering bush, and the first to bloom here in East TN. Never lasts long enough, the bright yellow makes me so happy. But, it’s followed by the redbushes and the dogwoods, and they are my favorite flowering trees. They look like purple and white and pink lace out in the midst of the trees and along the sides of the roads, and lucky for me, they last a good long while. I love specimen trees in people’s yards, but seeing them wild in the woods just makes my heart sing! Such a special gift from God!
It’s great to have you back!! With all your delightful stories, artwork and treats! And recipes! I’m looking forward to your new book — it can only be delightful, too! Thank you!
Reading Willard made my afternoon. Curled up in my chair, after a visit to the ocean, I come home to find Willard in my inbox. yay ! I love reading everything you write. The lemon cake reminds me of my Nana, she used to make jelly roll cakes, and I was fascinated watching her roll it up just like you did. Thank you for everything you share. You are so special. xox
Hi Susan,
Thank you for sharing the wonderful recipe and the photos of your home. I always look forward to reading your blog.
Janine
Willard has been the highlight of my day today.
Earth Day became even more special with wonderful Willard coming to us.
Can’t wait to make the lemon cake. Thank you and Happy Spring!!
As always, I loved Willard, and your blog! Thanks for sharing with us — you make the world a better place!
Thanks Susan,
From Sue
Happy Easter dear Susan and Joe!
Thank you for yet another gorgeous blog post. It is so much fun to (virtually) stand beside you in your kitchen and watch you bake. I have a lovely Nordic Ware loaf pan made especially for lemon cakes. When the loaf is turned out of the mold, it looks like fresh lemons have been strewn across the top of the cake. Thank you for reminding me to take it out and use it! 🙂 I’m looking forward to my first Willard. I can hardly wait! Three cheers for Spring!
Hi Sue – it always such a delight to receive your posts. They make my day!! The lemon roll looks delicious – think I will make it tomorrow and enjoy it with a cup of tea out in the porch. Here in New Brunswick, it is too early to enjoy the cake in the garden. We still have lots of snow in the yard; there is no sign of daffodils yet.
If Vanna would draw my name, I’d be ever so grateful 🙂
Happy Earth Day to you and Joe.
Thanks again, Susan, for all the joy you have spread. We love you!
My Virginia girlfriends will be at my house one day soon, and I am going to make this yummy cake. My husband loves lemon so he will get some, too. Thank you for offering another TWO drawings. You do spoil us. I wish we could all get together sometime and share tea and goodies and talk about our gardens and what we’ve read and the good movie we saw because we do share so many subjects of interest. I love to read what everyone has written. Happy spring, Girlfriends!
What a fun give-away! The shells in the tin look so pretty and who wouldn’t love a gardening book! Thanks for bringing beauty into so many lives!
It is always a pleasure to read the blog and Willard!!! Checking for a new post is one of my morning rituals! I love the picture of the little girl petting the lamb. My father was an ag teacher in high school and we raised sheep and pigs. We were always bottle feeding babies in the garage. Thanks for your inspiration!
Pick me! Pick me! I sooooo miss living at the beach and collecting sea shells!! I would cherish these shells forever and a day!
So, glad to hear and see that spring has sprung where you are, it’s arrived here, too, in Colorado!
Happy book writing~
cheers,
Dawn
I so loved your blog today! Happy Earth Day, everybody!
Yes, spring is here and I must always remember to enjoy just “being” and not take for granted anything Mother Nature bestows upon us!
I am supposed to say “hello” to you from Annie Smith, whom apparently interviewed you via a podcast awhile back? A fellow quilter from up northern CA way, she had a color class I took a week or so ago down here in the OC..and just loved it. She is quite a talent and a kindred spirit –
She did! Hello back to Annie! She is a doll, so much wonderful energy.
Happy spring Susan!
So nice to read your blog and hear how things are getting ready to burst into beauty on the island. We live in No. Ky and have been having some great weather. We have mowed the grass twice. Daffodils have been fabulous this year and my Lilly of the Valley are springing up also. Love this time of year. Don’t you agree?
2 chances!! Hip hip hooray ! Thanks for sharing ! Made a lambic cake for Easter !
Just love reading anything by you. You warm my heart!
Susan, your Lemon Roll will be just perfect for this mother to make for my Son and his wife as I visit them here in California, June Lake. Surrounded by so much beauty it takes my breath away. The mountains look liike giant cupcakes since it snowed last night. I know you know this area–we are about 5 miles from the Yosemite gate. I share your love for the starry sky here. We are so CLOSE to them! Happy belated Easter my dear girlfriend and thank you for all the ice thigs you do.
I do know it, how gorgeous, and how good it must smell!
Susan,
Thanks so much for the opportunities to share in the treasures.
And thanks too for the birdies…I so miss the east coast cardinals.
Joining you in loving Spring!
Spring has sprung here in Wisconsin also. Ducks and loons on the lake. Love their call!
My Mother in law always made that cake but filled it with raspberry jam. I have continued the tradition but will have to try your lemon filling next time. Loved the flower touch.
Happy Spring! Thanks for the exciting post and recipes.
Hi Susan! Happy Earth Day! Looking forward to receiving Willard but enjoying your blog as I always do! I love all you create, you are so very talented!!! I am sure you hear this all the time but it seems like we know you and you are so like my friends. Plus we have been enjoying your books, calendars and all you do since the beginning, our daughters too. Even my granddaughter knows who you are! For years I journaled in your “Days” books and I just gave my sister and myself “Grandma tell me your story” and can’t wait to start on it!! Thank you!
Linda
Thank you Linda! xoxo
I am so pleased that you were rewarded by the visit of those beautiful grosbeaks!! I seem to have alot of woodpeckers these days in my neighborhood. I have thought of those yellow delicate shells every now & then & think they make an excellant gift along with the tin & special books. I just purchased The Book Thief today so can’t wait to start it. Looking forward to the new Williard as well. Remember we share that name for our Granddaddy (that’s what I called mine) I must insert that Aristotle quote alongside my nature photos! Thanks for everything you do for the Girlfriends!!
Happy Spring! I love the litte baskets with the names on them. Great post.
Thanks for such a wonderful offer of the books and shells and everything (I’d love it just for the Emma tin! Who doesn’t love a snipe?!!) I’m not a very adventurous cook but I think I might give the Mother’s Day cake a try. We love lemon anything. It sounds wonderful. Thanks again and enjoy these wonderful spring days! Happy Earth Day!