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
Susan, you have the most thoughtful giveaways! My grandmother was German and everything she touched grew beautifully! My Mother was never that interested in flower gardens, but she instilled the love of a flower garden in me. Today I opened my fairy garden. Something I can’t wait to do in the spring; and they are now dancing and enjoying spring! 🙂
Happy spring!
Connie
Susan! What a yummy, delicious, sunny, Martha’s Vineyard Spring sort of post! I was going to leave a quick comment to get in on a possible “win” in the wonderful girlfriend gift department, but I ended up reading all of the posts – they were that wonderful 🙂 It is Spring here in Virginia – sunny and 80 today! – just came back from antiquing trip with Mom – loving the sunshine and the fun finds. Jingle shells!!! Have Mason jars full of them, having collected them since a little girl up north – little drops of sunshine they are! Look forward to trying the lemon cake – thanks for that good recipe! Hurrying along & my thoughts are going a miile a minute – must invite you for tea so we can talk! ;-)~ On to Willard!!!!! Happy Spring!!!
What a nice surprise to find your cheery newsletter waiting in my inbox when I came home today in a heavy shower! Spring is my favorite season followed by Autumn. As a gardener, I too feel like I am waking up after this winter’s smothering cold and snow blanket to finally feel the warmth and smell the scent of the soil and daffadillies again gives me hope!
I was excited to see your lovely photo of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak – one of my favorite birds and such a lovely song it sings! They love to eat the catalpa seed from the long pods in our neighborhood. As you can see by my email birds are one of my passions.
I look forward to trying the scrumptious looking cake as baking is my third hobby as my 90+ cookbook collection can attest!
A Blessed Easter to you, Susan and a Happy Spring to One and All!
So looking forward to a new Willard, I always enjoy it. Happy Spring to you. The leaves are out here in NC along with the beautiful spring flowering trees and azaleas. I was even able to eat lunch outside today at school. Thanks so much for your blogs and posts. They do my heart good.
Oh how fantastic it would be to win either package!
Thank you, thank you, Susan, for my first Willard….it gives your blog a run for its money in both beauty and creativity. I am so happy Spring has finally arrived in your part if the world….I have looked at your darling garden often on Home Sweet Home, and isn’t it great that you have a garden helper who likes cake! Cheers! Donna
Oh Susan, I just loved this post. The adorable birdies, the delicious-looking cake (I can smell it from here!), and the part about Joe working in the garden being an aphrodisiac…you are just too precious! Such a joy to read. I would love to win the shells in that beautiful Emma Bridgewater tin. Because of you I love everything Emma now! 🙂
Anything Sweet ? My thought is that really good man you have out in your garden ! True Love ^;^ (smack) I think of Marthas Vineyard as such a magical place I would love to visit someday and could only dream of living, and only if in a beautiful comfortable home such as yours. When I open your blog and hear those cute little birdies chirping I know I am in the right place. I totally enjoy reading Williard. I allow myself to be taken away and dream of such a finer place to be. I appreciate all of your recipes you share with us (especially the hands on photos since I am a visually person!) Thank you so much for making my days brighter !
My husband and I visited your beloved Martha’s Vineyard last spring.
It is a delightful place. Now when you post pictures and talk about
Martha’s Vineyard it comes to life for me. So good to hear from you again!
Best wishes on the new book!
The cake sounds lovely and it’s do pretty. Thanks for sharing the recipe and a chance to win the shells and books.
I had no idea wild violets could be used to cake decorate! My yard is loaded with them…must bake a cake!
Hi Susan, Thanks for the blog and your lemon cake looks delicious. I have never done it with lemon but only with chocolate with ice cream in the middle. But, growing up, my folks would also buy “jelly rolls” and we loved those – but they were store bought and probably not half as delicious. Loved the Easter baskets from your Dad and Jeanne. I’m wondering if they made them and even put the embroidered names on them! So sweet and guess what – I love coconut eggs with dark chocolate too……………actually Mounds are my favorite candy bar. Your deviled eggs sound so yummy so I’ll have to try them next time I make them. I’m getting ready to read your Willard next since I saw it listed in my email! So excited to get two things to read today! Thanks again for the give away gifts……….that is very sweet of you to do such nice things.
Hugs & Best Wishes, Gail xoxo
Hey Susan, Glad that spring has arrived in your corner of the world. These are really beautiful right now in N.C. Please enter me in the contest!
Shirley
Do you KNOW how much I love your blog? I get a smile on my face when I see it in my email box. Just delightful, home-loving, cozy, old-fashioned goodness all over the place! I have searched ebay high and low for that Garden book- how I would love to win it!
What a wonderful post on such a beautiful day. You bring so many surprises with each post you share. Thank you for caring about each of us that you are willing to give us a piece of yourself. Friendship is so special even with friends you have never met in person. Cannot wait until Willard reaches my mailbox…what a lovely time it will be.
Spring has arrived here in Northern Illinois! The daffodils are blooming, the tulips are trying! I have my oriole feeder ready for when they arrive! We are lucky enough to have the grosbeak here every summer,he is a beauty! So happy warmer weather has arrived! Happy Spring!
So good to hear from you Susan! I can not believe it has been an entire year since our last Willard! I’m so enjoying the spring. It is my first New England spring in 18 years!! We have recently returned after living states away. Hoping to have Vanna choose my name for those wonderful shells. My fingers are crossed as are my toes!
“Anything Sweet”
I do as I’m told, and really don’t want to miss out in case these are the magic words that will send something winging it’s way to my mailbox.
Love your excitement about spring. I feel the same way. It’s definitely here in Texas. The Roses are blooming! Can you believe it?? Today was the most absolutely beautiful day. Being outside is joy. What a wonderful gift from God!
Your lemon cake looks delicious. I bet the man in your garden was surprised and happy.
Thank you for all you do to spread joy around the world. He, well, she, who spreads joy can’t help getting splashed with some herself.
We are having GREAT weather, Easter was a perfect day 70’s,great food,family,kids did egg hunt outside. Not ready to do in flower beds but rake winter mess. Birds everywhere !!!!! Love the shells,would fit with my collection from past vacations.
Have a great spring !!!!!
You are so very sweet and thoughtful. Loved, loved, loved “A Fine Romance”. Looking forward to your new book.
Shelley
Happy Spring Susan! Love reading about spring arriving on MV. Was there ever a spring more appreciated? I don’t think so if you lived through this winter. Your shells looks like jewels and I’d love for Vanna to pick me. The shells alone are a treat but the books, too? Big shout of joy! Your lemon cake is very like one I’ve made for years out of Betty Crocker. For spring I usually make & fill it with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Another version is cocoa cake with just whipped cream, which the men love. I will try your lemon version, yum! Looking forward to Willard any minute now!
Thanks, Kathleen
What a comfort you are! We just moved and here I sit in the middle of lots of boxes reading my favorite blog. Heaven. Thanks for the respite Susan.
What a lovely bunch of pictures and a very lovely cake! Thank you for sharing the recipe. So excited to see a new Willard and thanks for the give-away! 🙂
Thank you for all you share with us. Your blog brightens every day!
Happy Spring to you to! Thank you for all your great pictures, stories and recipes! It is always fun to read your blog!
Thanks!
Amy Johnson
Just had a chance to read WILLARD, a pleasure, as always.
Oh to curl up with a delightful book from you would be such a treat, to soothe a world of craziness. To escape for just a bit would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing the emerging of Spring on the Island. Happy Earth Day!
Sigh…it was so wonderful to read WILLARD. I can smell the lemony goodness of the roll and hear the birds tweeting merrily! What a lovely read and oh my such a generous giveaway! Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe can’t wait to give it a try 🙂
Oh dear Miss Susan, I love, love, love anything lemon. I can’t wait to make your cake. Baking is therapy for me right along with writing. I am 54 years old and I am going to go to back to school. I am going to a culinary arts college. I don’t care, if not now, when. I am not to old and I’ll probably be pretty good at it b/c I’ve been doing my own brand of cooking for about 35 years now. Wish me luck. Love you, Miss Susan. Would love those shells !!!!! <3
Oh how lovely… a new blog from you Susan and that its Spring. I love all the NEWNESS that Spring brings. I love the jingle shells, so beautiful. I wonder if anyone on MV has thought to make some kind of jewelry out of them ? How delicate and beautiful they would look as a necklace maybe ? Thank you for the recipes… love to be inspired by new ideas ! You are such an encouragement. Happy Spring to you and Joe and Jack and Girl ! Can’t wait to see your garden grow !
Joy from sunny California
Oh Happy Spring! I have been clipping great vases full of my roses and giving them to my BFF and even the new neighbors next door (with the new little girl …named Emma Rose). She is so sweet! Anyway, just printed the cake recipe and am headed to my BFF’s to share. Yum! Please let Vanna know that I would love either gift! I will be surprised if she chooses my name…but there is a chance…..maybe? Enjoy Spring!
Cheers,
Jan from Northern CA
I so enjoy reading Wilard, and especially listening to the music to set the mood. “overjazz records” is just wonderful!! I would love to be entered to win the shells and book. Your art is a favorite. I read the entire book: A Fine Romance, and plan to read it again! Blessings from sunny Southern California.
Thank you for the lemony recipe! It smells like spring. I love how the jingle bell shells also look like little lemons!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for including all of us Girlfriends in on your wonderful busy life. You are such an inspiration and I always look forward to reading the next Willard and trying the next best recipe. My children and co-workers have never had such delicious baked goods. 🙂
I can’t wait to read your next book.
Have a wonderful day!
Shelley
Hi Susan, I love Springtime. It’s so wonderful to see green again. I love the blooming trees and flowers, but one of my favorites this time of year here in Oklahoma is the green of the winter wheat growing. Miles and miles of bright green landscape. It makes you want to jump out of your car and take off running through it. Love, love, love your wonderful giveaways. It would be fantastic to win either one of the giveaways. I’m a book girl so you can never go wrong with a book! Happy Spring to you!
O Happy Day! The last of winter and the beginning of spring♥ Thank you for reminding us to enjoy every moment. The beauty of life lies in the simple everyday things around us. I cannot think of a nicer gift than jingle shells collected by Susan Branch, a girlfriend that I admire so much!!!
We were in England last Fall when we heard about your book from other members of the BPS. Couldn’t wait to get home from the Lake District to buy a copy. Loved every picture, every story…especially, the Beatrix Potter mentions.
Best wishes,
Margaret
Enjoyed Willard a lot. As well as your blog posts. Your positive outlook and the magical way you look at life is very inspiring. Have never read Elizabeth and her German garden but loved the book Enchanted April as well as the movie. Happy book writing. 🙂
Susan and Joe, thanks for being a part of my world. I’ll be making that Lemon Roll regardless of my new diet! I’ll be making those deviled eggs for the next family gathering too! Love Willard’s return, love the photos of the birds (my beautiful birds are Blue Jays and they have returned again) and I think Martha’s Vineyard should be on everyone’s bucket list! That is, regardless if they get there or not, just wishing is a dream in itself! Till next time, keep writing the next chapter for all of us.
Marilyn
Lovely post! Love the rose-breasted grosbeak. We have evening grosbeaks visiting our feeders at this time of year here in the Willamette Valley in Oregon — a wonderful sight every spring. Ours cheep magnificently. Happy Spring!
My 2 daughters & I love everything you do! Your books (each of us has all of them), your Willards, your Blog, just everything!! xxxooo
Susan, Your cake looks so delicious! I only wish I had this recipe for our family Easter gathering as the dessert I made was a huge mess! Oh well, next time! Thanks for all the beautiful pictures posted on your blog – always enjoy seeing your house and all the beautiful flowers! Loved your book and really looking forward to the new one. Happy Spring and Happy Earth Day!
The Willard post just made my day, all the lovey pictures. The lemon cake might surpass the wonderful milk cake in “a fine romance”. I’ll be trying the lemon cake real soon. I just love the shells. I would love to win, but if not, reading your blog everyday makes me feel like I’m actually talking to you. Make my day. Thanks for all the great stories. I’m also married to a Joe, aren’t they great. Can’t wait for the new book.
Marcia
Susan, Your spring post is lovely, and I know how you feel. What a long winter, so spring is all the sweeter for the wait. I especially love lemons, so the cake sounds great. Here on our little acreage, we are getting lots of eggs, so we have had egg salad, deviled eggs, and I’ve been wanting to make pound cakes. We love our chickens…sometimes I think of your story about the lady who kept chickens on your island. We have 11 hens laying almost every day, and one broody hen on the nest. Hens are the best mothers ever! I can’t wait to see them with their babies. I’m off to check for eggs! Thanks, Rebecca
As the mother of one son, I sometimes disregard the need for sentimentality. My 19 year old is anything but and I let him sway me in that regard. And then my mother and grandmother whisper in my ear and say “Christy, some day he’ll appreciate having these things. Don’t get rid of everything.” So then I try my best to hang on to things, and to tell him the stories behind the few keepsakes I have so that he’ll know why they’re still around. That is, if I can get him to sit still long enough. ~sigh~ Anyway, Susan, you keep me grounded and remind me that we must hang on to our past, because without doing so, we lose so much of who we are. Thank you for that. And thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait to try it out–I love lemon anything!
Christy in SoTex
Thank you for that Christy. I could not agree more. xoxo
Dear Susan
Thank you for the wonderful spring sights and sounds. Here in southern California there just isn’t that drastic of a change in seasons. I grew up in Wisconsin but have lived on the left side of the states for over 40 years and still yearn for the amazing seasonal changes.
Your blog was so refreshing and I appreciate the moments I sneak away and lose myself in your words. Happiest of Spring to you!!!!
Love from Carrie
Oh Susan! What a perfectly lovely day in Seattle. And your blog post AND Willard gave me such energy as I promised myself to do some chores and shopping before tea and a biscuit and reading all about life of MV. You just set my heart a’ singin! Thank you for all of the effort you put into every word. If we could just bottle our joy, we could save the world! Now I’m off to the garden to cut a huge bouquet of purple lilacs.
I love your writing & illustrations! And, I am really looking forward to reading Willard during my “tea & chocolate time.”
Hi.
I can’t wait for the new Willard! I’ve missed him!
The rose-breasted grosbeak is gorgeous! I love the cardinals too – especially your photos of red cardinals in the snow. Sadly they don’t visit us in England, but I can enjoy them on your blog.
Looking forward to the new book.
Every Blessing,
Jane, Manchester. Xx
She is here!! We cheered at the arrival of Brooklyn Louise Farmer! The best part is that she is healthy and precious and loved by all. Easter is such a great time for new babies. Funny Grandma (that’s me) spent the week taking care of the three sisters and mom and dad. Now I am very tired and ready for a vacation! We are blessed! Loved your Spring pics and yummy recipes. Hurrah for the famous book! Wishing you FUN creating the new book! BFF you are amazing! I am once again in awe! Consider yourself HUGGED!!
Congratulations!!! Now she is going to have to get herself a farm in Brooklyn! What a darling name!
Susan, I have not been reading your blog very long and I have to say that reading your
lovely blog brings such joy and excitement to my life. It just brings out the happy in me.
I do hope I will be lucky enough to win your drawing for I am very anxious to read your
books. Can’t wait until your next post in your blog. Hope you will have a, happy,happy
Spring. Terri C.
Ooooooo… We LOVE all the activity here on your blog. And what another splendid, filled-to-the-brim joy bundle today’s episode is.
As for the giveaways… oh what an altogether ‘loverly’ gesture! We’d love to be a part of the draw.
Mr. Jack is so sweet… we love his inquiring mind. And I’m so glad that good man in your yard got some of the scrumptious looking Spring Cake.
I just read this quote, which seems to describe what you do perfectly:
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
Happy Day………
Brenda
I am a fairly new reader and I must say I LOVE <3 your blog!!!Full of all things lovely…I am glad to have found you Susan and I hope to be entered in to your drawing…Hugs from Oregon~Sharon Goemaere <3
Hi, I am a transplant New Englander originally from the South. I love seeing your weather versus further inland. I would love to receive your gift especially since I haven’t bought the book yet. I visited England in 2006 and 2007 when my husband worked there. Helen
Your site is just a spring delight….I can smell the lemon cake, hear the birds, rejoice in the flowers and hug on Jack! Just love all the “hominess”…thanks!
I absolutely love to read your blog and see what new things you are doing for the season! We are having beautiful weather here in the south and.could not have asked for better Easter weekend weather. It’s also turning out to be a beautiful week! I would love to win anything that you have for a giveaway! You make everything so fun!
I love your your drawings and graphics. Makes me smile every time I see a new post because I know I will get to spend a few minutes on the east coast!
Dear Susan!
Thank you for sending so much joy my way! Spent much of today getting our camper ready for the season. We greased the wheel bearings on our own for the first time! It was a comedy of errors, but we did figure it out! Next year will be so easy!
I am drooling over the cake! It’s lemon! Nothing better except maybe MORE lemon! Cannot wait to make it! Thank you for being so generous with your valuable time and wonderful talent!
Planted everything purchased yesterday – oh how we do love Spring at our house- mostly perennials, azaleas and a lot of all that was wanting to come home with us. In NC we are so fortunate to be early with warmth and to be surrounded with so much opportunity to find native plants and things that thrive here. I loved seeing your cottage garden getting it’s “dressing” back in great anticipation of all the beautiful flowers that you will have this summer.
We will be on the look out for the Grosbeak – such a magnificent bird. Oh I do hope he will come for a visit… we do have very good and special bird seed here in our yard. Just ask all the squirrels that live under our squirrel-proof feeders. I love, love this giveaway – so personal and so wonderful. Thank you for thinking of all of us and I will definitely keep my fingers crossed. Judy C
What a lovely post. Your energy and awe of the simple things inspire me. I thank you for the smiles and positive reinforcement you bring to my life. Happy Spring!
…..what a cake…..can’t wait to make it and thanks for sharing….Spring has sprung!
AHHH…Glorious Spring!! Ain’t life grand??
I always know there is going to be a smile on my face soon when I see your name . I am so missing that new birth of Spring now that I live in SoCal. Nothing like that smell. Thanks for sharing a piece of your. Lorna
That sure is one beautiful and tasty cake, Susan – thank you so much. Judy C
Oh my! What a great post! The lemon cake looks wonderful. Thank you for the joy you bring in every post. I mean that most sincerely. I look forward to every one!
Love the fact you always have great bird photos on your blog. The Snipe tin is great and as an avid gardener I would love Elizabeth’s book.
How can anyone not say something “sweet” about your blogs? Love reading everything you post.
Ah, Spring! It has arrived in California. A nice mix of sunny, breezy, cloudy, chance of rain, sweet smell of mowed grass and the sound of birds. Getting ready to decorate for Mother’s Day and make a new recipe of lemon cookies. Would love to win your latest bundle. Love the shells and books. Speaks to me of summer at the beach.
How can anyone not say something “sweet” about your blogs? Love everything about them.
It’s a perfectly beautiful day here in Waco, Texas. The corgis and I have been putting in our annuals today. . . .pink begonias, Gerber daisies and Margarita sweet potato vine. The front porch looks like it’s dressed up for prom.
I love your wonderful blog and have loved your books! It was a happy day when I discovered you!
Thank you, Susan, for your post today! I was smiling the entire time I read it. I am a bit mobility challenged but each day I spent time by the windows if I can’t get out and watch the changes in the season. Isn’t it truly wondrous??? And I at least get out on the porch and look over the railing to see my daffs and tulips in the front garden patch and watch the trees budding and leafing out. One day I could see across the street, and five days later, the leaves on my Japanese Maple tree were so abundant, I couldn’t see the neighbors’ homes anymore! Magnificent!
My friend picked me up this morning to go out to breakfast. It was a bittersweet time since she is moving 200 miles away in a couple weeks and this is probably the last time we can have an unplanned, spontaneous outing like this. But thanks to e-mail and technology, we’ll be able to stay in touch between many fewer visits. While in the restaurant, there were a couple ladies who came in and were looking at each other’s newly sewn quilt blocks. I used to be a quilting instructor so I perked right up, eventually going over and checking out their blocks (quilters tend to do things like that anywhere and anytime!) I think I might have made some new friends and may have some new “peeps” to keep me busy when my other friend is gone. She and I – and the new gals – seemed genuinely pleased. I’m so glad I noticed and felt compelled to comment this morning. It helped to be able to smile some more and be reminded of the many good things in my life as I read your post. And to have a new recipe to give my daughter who loves to bake to make me for Mother’s Day! I can’t wait!
I don’t comment often on your posts, but I read and thoroughly enjoy every one. It’s an “event” each time you post a new one! Thank you for sharing pieces of your life and yourself. I’m sure there are many of us who might not say anything, but just love both the anticipation, as well as the results, of your blogging. What joy you add to my life! I am grateful! Much love to you and Joe and Jack and Girl! Judy
xoxo to you too Judy.
Happy Earth Day, Susan! Thank you for the Willard, too. I still have my paper “snail mail” copies of the Willard from way back when 🙂 I keep them with pretty stationary and other ephemera that I just can’t seem to part with. Count me in the drawing for the “Elizabeth and Her German Garden” book and Emma Bridgewater tin full of yellow jingle shells/SB keepsake books! They would feel right at home in Idaho. Have a delightful week.
Happy Earth Day Susan! You are so generous! I love how joyful you are! It is so beautiful outside and soon it’s time to get gardening! Thank you again for this post and the upcoming Willard as well as the give aways!
Thanks so much for sharing some wonderful recipes and some amazing Spring photos. It’s so good to see the forsythia buds and catch the views from your windows, right along with you.
What a beautiful springtime posting! The lemon roll looks scrumptious and I use your stuffed egg recipe for every family gathering. They always disappear quickly!
Happy Spring!
i enjoy reading your blog. thank you. joanna
Oh how I do enjoy reading your posts. Can’t wait for the new Willard. Thank you so much for all you do !
Nicki
Thank you Susan for each and every blog post! I made a bird feeder from an older teacup and saucer and we put it right by our sliding glass door by the patio. The birds come right down to eat and actually scatter the seeds everywhere while they’re at it. So funny to watch them “run” from spot to spot to get every last morsel! My 89 year old mother loves to watch them that close.
Recipes…birdies….and seashells, oh my! Such a pretty post again today. Love your generous heart with not only sharing your gorgeous photos and recipes but also the giveaways! You are the best girlfriend EVER! Wish we could give back to you the way you give to us! xo
Love to see pictures of your yard and home. Glad to see spring arrive so Happy Earth Day to you!
Oh, Susan, I have loved you for years and years. I fell in love with you and all things “Susan” after buying your first card in a shop in Ashland, OH. Since then, I have collected your books and enjoyed the writing and illustrations as much or more than the actual recipes (although they were wonderful, too). You live life so ‘abundantly’ and your blog is always so uplifting and I get carried away and take a little vacation, each time I read it.
Love the little seashells! Spring is not quite here yet in central Oregon, so hard to wait. We do have lots of birds to keep us entertained. Humming birds are just now arriving.
We have had snow off and on today, brrrr!
Susan, Susan, what a treasure your blog is to all the girlfriends. The seashells are a delight. Of course, in North Central Texas, no such treasures are found. It seems like a yellow theme: shells, forsythia, lemon cake roll-yummy, and stuffed eggs. What a lovely way to welcome spring. Thank you. I will get my husband to print your blog out for Drinda. So nice to know we can print your blogs for friends who do not compute. Thank you,
Love and bunny hugs,
Shirley
Hey there!
Ohmygosh … I love that little box with the shells in it! It is the cutest thing! I love old books, too. I have a collection of them, although I specifically bought a few of them at library sales for background pages on different projects. I’ve passed that trait down to my daughter because she’ll come over and spot a book that calls to her and ask if she can have it. “Of course you can have it, my darling dear.” 🙂 Thank you for the pictures and recipes, Susan. Happy Spring!
I simply love this blog! We are kindred spirits I know. I see so many of my own ” treasures”in your photos. I love all your books ,calendars,journals …I could go on and on! Thanks for sharing your life with us . I feel blessed indeed! Happy Spring Susan Branch !
I always enjoy your blog and “Willard” was worth the wait. Thank you for sharing with us all, it is just what we need to renew for Spring!
Happy Earth Day! I’m eagerly awaiting the new Willard! Can’t wait!
Susan,
I have always wanted to write a book for my children. I have made several attempts but gave up because I had no direction. About two weeks ago I was in Barnes and Noble and they had your book Mom Tell Me Your Story. I bought it! Question for you; do you recommend any pens for writing in it? The pen I started to use went through the paper a bit. I am so excited to have this book! Now I have a direction! Thank you!!!! If I win another copy I will bless someone with it as a give-away on my blog!
Thank you for the lemon cake recipe. One of my dearest friends is soon to celebrate her 50th birthday, and she loves anything lemon. Your cake is going to be her birthday cake!
Happy Spring!
Terry
Probably shouldn’t use a wider tipped felt pen I would imagine, but there are so many good pens out there now. Choose one that feels good in your hand and that you like the color of the ink.
Thank you!
Your bunny baskets were darling and so was what I think looks like Lamb Chop! In any case it’s a sweet little lamb! The cake looks lovely and maybe when my family come home from working on the west coast I’ll make it for them. My Easter was quiet and wet and dreary outside. Poor children and ruined egg hunts! But I’m sure the Easter Bunny visited them anyway. Seashells?? I’d love to see them in my mailbox. I never get tired of hunting for them. One can never have too many! *L* But whoever wins the two drawings will love these treasure I’m sure! So Vanna do your thing and make two of us very happy. *S* Hugs to all and enjoy the beauty of spring. In the Carolina’s, at least on the coast, we have azaleas and Dogwoods blooming and some of the bulbs are already done blooming and others have yet to show us their beautiful flowers. Where ever you are their is beauty all around!
I want to sit down in a comfy chair and have a cup of tea and a piece of that lemon roll and watch for rose-breasted grosbeaks——–i feel myself relaxing just thinking about it!
What ever and when ever you write something I will read it 🙂 Your books, blog, and newsletter( Willard) inspires one’s soul for what’s good in our world and it’s people. Thank you for the pleasures, and please don’t stop. Have fun in your world of writing, what a magical place it must be 🙂
Anything with lemon just seems to go hand in hand with Spring and your lemon cake is definitely one worth baking. Thanks so much for the recipe, am looking forward to reading my copy of WILLARD when it arrives. Always enjoy reading your blog, Susan, you embrace life the way we all should. Thanks for another giveaway, Lindy
SIGH !!!!
ALWAYS an inspiration, Susan. Seashells and springtime … wonderful!
Spring
Its spring its spring
Oh I just can’t wait
To find fruits on the vases
And flowers on my plate
I want to hear the warm sun
And feel the robin singing
Watch the scent of the flowers
And smell the butterflies flying
Its spring its spring
I’m so full of glee
For the people will bloom
And the flowers will be happy
The gray fields shall be covered
With the magic of the meadow
And the brown sky shall be painted
With the blossoms of the rainbow
Its spring its spring
How can I be blue?
For it is the time of spring
And only the spring brings you
Arvie Calimlim
THANK YOU!!!
Always look forward to the Willard coming out and your posts. The lemon cake looks wonderful, Happy Spring.
The stuffed egg recipe sounds divine! I know it is unusual, but my Grandmother, who didnt have much money, would make for our family EVERY Eastertime a large jar of pickle hardboiled eggs and beets and a large tin of chocolate chip cookies . It just doesnt seem like Spring and Easter without the special eggs. I am going to try this recipe! I am so happy you are finally experiencing some beautiful weather in your neck of the woods. I love the pics of the cute little bird on your driveway! Maybe it was such a hard winter and the little fellow is happy to not have to struggle to find food. I loved your Easter baskets from your dad. Too cute! What a sweet father you have. Have a wonderful week!
Oh my gosh! My mouth is watering after seeing that cake. I am picturing some friends and myself sitting on my back porch sipping tea and eating a slice of that cake. What a wonderful way to celebrate a fine spring day!
Every time I see a Willard in my inbox, I grab a chocolate bar, a cup of tea, and make myself comfortable to read what my friend Susan has to say! Fall just started for us here in Brazil. I would love to add the sea shells to my collection, as a reminder that warm weather will come back soon… 🙂