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
Good evening Susan~I’ve been checking my email on and off all day long and voila!!!…8 PM tonight Willard was there!!!…I read it immediately…in one sitting…and enjoyed every bit of it…Thank you!!!…we’re a few weeks behind you here in northern Michigan…FINALLY most of our snow is melted, but there are still snow piles around and would you believe there were flakes of snow in the air this afternoon!!!…the water in our Little Traverse Bay right off Lake Michigan is still icy and this afternoon there was a mitten shaped state of Michigan iceberg floating in front of our house…good thing we got a photo of it because it broke into dozens of little bits of ice…little bitty green shoots from my favorite yellow daylillies can be seen, but we haven’t seen a daffodil or tulip blooming anywhere yet and the grass is still wettish brown…36* was warm enough for me to sweep off our front porch today and I’m itching to get outside and do some digging!!! Thanks again for all the inspiration you give us…xoxo…
Hello there! Lemon filled cake, good books and shells from the beach? Sounds like heaven to me! Health and happiness to all on this Earth Day!
Thank you for another post filled with treats of sweet perfection — the giveaways and the lemony spring cake! You always deliver sunshine and a breath of fresh air!
Susan…what a lovely, sweet way to let us share Spring’s awakening on Martha’s Vineyard…thank you!
I can hardly wait for your new book to be finished and then published. You are a national treasure Susan!!!!!!!!!
Happy Spring Susan! So wonderful to relax and read Willard! Thank you for all the Spring Inspiration!
Hi Susan,
Your bird photos are one of my favorite things about your post….except of course Jack photos, Joe photos, food photos. 🙂 I am making the lemon roll cake tomorrow for a special guy I know. He does a lot of gardening for me just like that fella in your photo does for you.
My Willard hasn’t arrived yet but when it does I am making a cup of tea for sure!
xoxo Pam
I am so relaxed now! Had my tea, read your lovely blog, and now am imagining a piece of that lemon cake. Looks delicious!!
I love your blog and your giveaways Susan! Here’s hoping!
Love cake rolls, and this one looks just perfect for spring!
Always enjoy your blog….and I mimicked my white picket fence after yours. 🙂
I’m glad to hear that — my garden has given me years of happiness.
That cake looks yummy, you temptress! And your blog is always so beautifully done and cheery. Thank you, Susan.
I am definitely going to make the cake
Thurs we leave for Paris then on to England and Scotland just finished your book
Can hardly wait you have made me so excited
Love to you and Joe and your kittys
What a wonderful trip!
Gifts from the sea…and books? How divine! You are always so sweet to us. Must be that sweetness from the lemon treat! Enjoy your week and thanks for all the joy you spread! Hugs from Florida, Diane
Hi Susan!
Just love love love your blog! And I love to see those beautiful pics of your home. Especially Spring time pics!
Oh, Susan! Everything you share is wonderful! We just love the same things: all things heart and home! Your gifts are cherished by me more than you know! You put so much love into your work and I cherish it all because it comes from your good heart. Maybe I’ll be one of the lucky ones, but I’m so lucky just to have your influence in my life. I cherish and care for my home and loved ones, my cat too,more because of you!
Hi Susan! Hope I am in the right ‘comment ‘section for a chance to win the jingle shells, books …I LOVE all your stuff! I think I have osessive compulsive disorder when it comes to ordering stuff on your website! Ha! I am reading your book ‘A Fine Romance ‘ and I just love it and the way you write!! I feel like we are old friends! You are so down to earth and so funny <3 how I wish I could meet you someday! I used to wear those long Laura Ashley skirts too and just loved them. I am 59 years old and I have to tell you that I was surprised about your age because TRULY I thought you were around 40!
Me too. 🙂
Love the Lamb Chop puppet amidst your Easter Baskets! How I envy you, living by the sea. Thank you for your wonderful blog. Looking forward to reading the Willard! Woohoo! Blessings to you!
Happy earth day what a great guy your joe is. He really makes you happy and your dad is the sweetest dad. You are a lucky woman!
Just love your blog. Brightens my day every time I see a new posting. Love the Mermaid Toenails. I am originally from New England so I am familiar with these shells.
Attending a class re-union this summer and planning a visit to the Vineyard is a must.
I signed up for the Williad letter, hope I receive one. It will be my first. How exciting!!!
Happy Spring!!
So many sweet things in this post! From the darling cup towels (that is what my mother taught me to call them) hanging from the handles of your stove, to the sweetest ever bunny crossing sign…..ahhhhh, spring has arrived!
Your Willard made my day! We’re only beginning to see signs of spring here. Thank you for the window into your world 🙂
yum lemon cake love anything with lemon. I also got to have fresh strawberrys here in california on easter they were amazing yum mouth watering. thanks for your lovely writing and drawing love the color mixtures. also love kitties and joe happy spring 2014!
Sweet Sue ~ I lovedlovedloved the presence of little “Lamb Chop” behind the Easter baskets from your dad and Jeannie! My heart skipped a beat … it’s been years since Shari Lewis has appeared on TV with her spunky lamby friend. I thought Lamb Chop had retired, but a quick search revealed that Shari’s daughter, Mallory Lewis, has taken over the reins. Lamb Chop now travels extensively, doing lots of events for the military and American history shows for school children. Hurray! for another generation to meet this sassy, liberal, opinionated six-year old. Thank you for including her (and my apologies if I am late to an established conversation). XoXo
It’s been a long time coming but SPRING is finally here! Thanks for the sweet give-aways.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your beautiful blog — you always brighten my day.
Oh what a SWEET post! The cake looks delish … might have to try my hand at a roll cake! Spring is late this year in Chicago, but looking at this sunshiny cake and Joe working in the garden, flowers can’t be far away! HAPPY SPRING! Thanks for the give away!
Oh Happy Day Susan! – You are always so kind and sweet! I always look forward to receiving my Willard and am never cross at all about the time in between- it is a gift after all. 🙂
“Elizabeth and Her German Garden” is one of my favorite all time books- I love the babies called by birth month and the “Man of Wrath”!
Your cake looks scrumptious and so full of Spring- just lovely!!!
xoxoxo
Gabi
As always….there YOU are!! Just at the right time with all the amazing, beautiful things of life to share with us. A little coffee break has turned into a nice visit with you and the girlfriends. Sure wish I had that lemon cake,too!! lol You are too sweet, thinking of us, with such a special giveaway. Thank you!! Enjoying gorgeous spring weather here in S.Louisiana and loving it! Just let me know when you are ready for that visit down south. The invite is still open 🙂
Hi Susan!
Springtime, you make my heart sing! You make everything groovy 🙂
Luv ya!
Lynn
Ohhh…I am saying “Thank You” in advance for drawing my mame as a winner! I so would love to win either prize you are giving. I don`t normally win things but I can almost taste winning this! I also want to taste that wonderful cake….have to make it soon!
Thank you also for such beautiful and inspiring blogs!
Hi Susan, I didn’t know how much I missed getting A Willard until I received it today. It gave me some quiet time and tea time. Thank you for being you. I have been a fan of your since way back and so look forward to everything “Susan Branch”.
I loved seeing the cake cooling on the beautiful vintage crocheted potholders. I also enjoyed seeing the red breasted grossbeak. I hope he comes to your yard all season long.
Your Mother’s Day Cake looks scrumptious Susan! I am enjoying your photos and I can even smell the yummy scent of lemon! I love shells of all kinds–in fact I have shells in my bathroom as accents to a blue theme. I try to pick up shells when I travel to add to my collection. When our daughter married seven years ago she also did their first bathroom in seashells which I was so touched by. I lived in Germany for many years and the German people have a very special knack for gardening with beautiful flowers everywhere–especially in window boxes. I’d love to win your shells and special book of “Elizabeth and Her German Garden’ and your “A Fine Romance” book. You are so gracious Susan…Sincerely, Debbie
Oh Susan, thank you!! It was so worth the wait to hear from you. Love & Hugs, Nancy from Cincinnati
Lemon luscious! I must try that cake — looks heavenly! Perfect for Mom’s day too! Love your shells – I have a collection from Sanibel we adore too! Thanks for another fun giveaway contest — please enter me! So very nice of you! Have a happy Spring!
I, too, have appreciated and taken acute notice of every little unfurling of color or delightful scent or sound that informs us that Spring has finally arrived in New England! Cheers to enjoying our own “enchanted” April!
Once again your blog is such a sweet treat. It has been a Susan Branch day for me as I found a number of your books at a local store and snatched up every single one. Just a week ago we had snow in Indiana but I think spring has finally arrived and I think this time it may stick around a while; at least until summer. Thank you for all the inspiration; in more ways than you know!!
Wonderful post and getting ready to sit back (with a cup of tea☕️) and enjoy your latest ‘Willard’! Love the recipes you share…Sooo good & sooo do-able! …Always loooove hearing from you! ❤️ ~ Happy Spring!
I discovered you years ago when I purchased a darling box of little square cards sporting clever quotes, excerpts and such completed in your lovely whimsical hand.
I did not fully discover you Ms. Susan Branch until I was near the bottom of the stack and had reserved one or two cards that I didn’t dare part with (Ewe’s not fat, Ewe’s fluffy) and casually turned the box over to see 162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/ That is where I began the journey learning about you, Joe, dear friends and your family. Learned of Willard immediately (when snail mail must have been on its way out) and sent you a postcard in the USPS as was requested. At a later date when visiting the Cape for the first time I decided to send you a postcard from the Chatham Bars Inn one spring in the early 2000’s. I did not get a Willard snail mail reply because I am sure you were transitioning to the web. That card was huge and pretty! There were only 12 guests that first week of April years ago at the CB Inn and when we had a nice drive to Provincetown (every inch of roadway to ourselves with a sprinkling of snow to boot!!) Did not get to MV or ACK. Will do that this summer!! I will think of you as I walk the streets of your beloved winter home. All my best to you.
your blog is always a bright spot in my day, music and all!!
Hi Susan –
I love your blog – especially the beautiful photos (I have the same little stuffed
“Lamp Chop” toy too!), pictures of Jack, and recipes. It is a great source of comfort to me. Bless you!
Oh my, such wonderfulness. What is it about Spring and lemon cakes? So perfect. I look forward to receiving my Willard. And maybe Vanna will surprise me by choosing my name!
What a fabulous give away!!
That lemon cake looks heavenly.
What a lovely gift. I would love the shells especially. A wonderful reminder of Mass. I miss it so. Thank you.
What a wonderful ending to my day, I opened your blog and you had a new entry. First, the bunny baskets are absolutely fab and ultra cute. Then I read on to the cake. I love, love, love lemon cake, when my mother was alive she would bake me a lemon layered cake with coconut frosting on my birthday- such memories (thank you). But, then I read down to the book give away, not only did I read Enchanted April, but saw the movie (many times and eventually bought it when it was first out in VHS). OMG how delicious it would be to have the 1900 edition of Elizabeth and her German Garden. Most of all I would cherish receiving “A Fine Romance”. I continue to buy your book (I believe I am up to six) and give them away as special presents. To receive one from you would mean that I would have to keep it and then finally, I would get to have my very own copy. Hoppy Spring.
Hello,
What a wonderful blog today! That lemon cake looks delicious…anything lemon is a favorite of mine.
I love the jingle shells in the tin…I have collected some of them at the beaches I have been to.
You have outdone yourself with giveaways this time.I would be pleased to have any of them.
Can’t wait for Willard, it has been since last summer…so I have been really waiting for the new one to be written…thank you for our new Willard!
I love your Easter baskets..they are just too cute!
Hope your Easter Day was a beautiful one.
Kathie from Limerick, Pa
So glad to find a new blog…high lights my day! We have had Spring all Winter here in central California which is bad for water but the spirit is not complaining.
I am so glad you have Jack to help you with all you do…give him a tummy tickle from me.julie
Happy Spring Susan!
Wow, a new Willard, a new Blog with a great recipe and an awesome giving away, not sure you can ever top that one. Really enjoy your enthusiasm, makes me smile after a very long day at work. Hoping to make your tea cake very soon to bring some cheer to a friend. What keeps the cake from breaking when you roll it in a tea towel? Is it because it’s still very warm? Never made a cake like this before, but I am willing to give it a try.
Made your bunny cake for Easter, we all loved it! Take care and have a great rest of the week. Hugs
Hi Susan-
A lovely Springy post, which I needed. We’re still a bit cold and the garden too snow-covered to work in, here in Michigan, but I am hoping we will be able to very soon. Recipes look wonderful. I love anything with lemon and that lemon filling looks great. Must try it soon.
Have wanted to get Elizabeth’s German Garden book for some time, so this would be so nice to win or any of your many other goodies. Happy Earth Day! So nice to see Spring on the Vineyard. Enjoy!
A man who gets down on all fours and gets his knees dirty, and makes a garden look as lovely as yours, wins the romantic prize in my book any day! And your Joe is that man!
He certainly knows what YOUR “love language” is!
Happy Earth Day to you and yours, Susan!!
<3 from West Michigan, where the snow has finally melted, and the grape hyacinths are in full bloom!
Hi Susan!
Thank you for another inspiring and energetic post! Love it.
Was LAMBCHOP part of your Easter basket treasure? If it’s the one I think it is, it always sold out at the last place I worked. He’s a puppet and both adults and children adore him! For the adults – the fond memories, and for the children the adorableness of him.
Hope this finds you both continuing to enjoy and celebrate the gifts of spring. Tweet!
Erica xo
Yes — Dad sent me Lambchop!
Willard and mail all in one day on my gosh! Happy happy happy Spring! I just can’t tell you how much fun it was reading both of them today, my day ended perfectly!
We have had four beautiful days and the garden has gone crazy. I now have bleeding hearts blooming with lily-of-the-valley, violets all over, azaleas and jack-in-the-pulpit. I love the smell of Spring and the dirt while I’m planting. Walking At dusk is so calming and peaceful. I was so excited about seeing the Jingles, they are my favorites to pick up on Sanibel Island.
Thank you for the congratulations on my retirement, I just couldn’t have picked a better time to do it!
Everytime you show us a picture of your oven with its lovely temperature setting dial I want to cry. These ridiculous new stoves with their frustrating as heck digital temperature setting command boards that don’t respond to my fingers, thumbs or elbows should be banned.
Right ON Vickie. We should March! 🙂
i have collected shells for years. i have the ones i collected from my honeymoon in a glass box.
Happy Earth Day to all! Walked in a local arboretum today…viewing all the beauty of this earth.
Byeeeeeee!
Kathie from Limerick
What a delectable post, Susan…everything from the baked sweetness, to the jonquils and Joe in your garden, to your pretty little birdhouses, to the red-breasted grosbeak, to your bunny surprises is delectable. But most delectable of all are your books and those you love, particularly Elizabeth and Her German Garden, and the pretty little shells all done up for a lucky winner. Of course, I hope it’s me, but I’ll still be happy to know that some lucky person is on the receiving end of your generosity.
It’s been a hard winter and cold spring, but my jonquils are finally blooming, so that’s good news, but no sign of buds on my redbud tree, pink dogwood, and magnolias! I’m hoping they’re just confused and will soon show signs of life. I’m afraid to look too closely at the wisteria that finally bloomed for the last two springs after 8 years!! (sigh) It’s reached for the sky by growing up my lilac, and spreading to the Japanese cherry and crabapple trees, putting on quite a show for this far north.
Well, I’ve rattled on long enough. Thanks for brightening up my day, Susan.
Sara
The cake looks so good. Can’t wait to try it. We see the grosbeaks in the spring and early summer when the seeds hard to come by in the woods. They usually don’t come out to visit. They are so beautiful. Happy Earth Day.
You’re never too old to get an Easter basket, are you?!!!! Your Mother’s Day Cake brought back memories of high school Home Economics. In cooking class, we learned how to make a Jelly Roll, very similar to your lemon roll. I think I would like it even better with a lemon filling!
It would be a real treat to win something from Martha’s Vineyard or the great books. Tomorrow’s my birthday–I’m feeling lucky!!!!
Can’t wait to make your Lemon Cake! Looks yummy and pretty, too.
Hopefully my Willard will be in my inbox tonight. I soooo look forward
To each and every method you choose to communicate with me. Thxs!
Good prizes for your giveaway! Why, yes, I’d love to Win!
I can’t wait till your new book is published!! It sounds so intriguing and I am sure you are enjoying every writing moment. Happy Earth Day to you and your beautiful family there in the cape. I would love to win some shells from your walks.
I am so glad that you are back. Thank you for sharing the spring cake receipt…I am sure that my husband will enjoy it with a cup of Earl Grey Hot….
Anxious to hear more about the new book….will keep my eye on the blog to hear more.
Enjoy this wonderful spring!!!!!!
I love you Susan. Thanks for all the beauty you bring to the world. The closer I got to the end of “A Fine Romance” the slower I would read. I didn’t want it to end.
I so love reading your blog. It takes me to a very comforting place. I too love the wonders of each and every season, the love of friends and family, and reading, painting, as well as all the home arts. Thanks for sharing!
Earth Day, so fitting that you are sharing a beautiful Spring day with us! The seashells remind me of childhood days at the beach “Susie sells seashells by the sea shore” played shells for hours. I have spent many hours reading and re-reading “A Fine Romance” I also purchased it for my sisters who have enjoyed it as well. I can hardly wait for your next book to be published. I’m smiling right now. Thank you again for all the inspiring moments Susan 🙂
The lemon cake looks yummy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Just when I thought your giveaways couldn’t get lovelier, here comes another one! Thanks for such a delightful blog post!
I love you, Susan Branch!!!
Are other blog goddesses as generous? I think not. What lovely gifts…and I can almost smell the cosy old book smell. Thanks for the post, recipes, pictures and wished.
Lovely welcome to Spring! I am so evicted about a new Willard.
For the past year I have lived in bed or on the couch – SO grateful for the internet that allows me to the follow adventures of friends like you! I am lucky to have a birdfeeder by my window and I wonder about the adventures of my feathered friends who have faced such awful weather ordeals this spring. Getting ready to have my hubby put up our oriole feeder filled with grape jelly – and not the generic version – oh no- they love Welches. All the best in your writing!
Thank you Hope. I hope you feel better soon xoxo
Thank you for the wonderful recipe! I must try it. I made a strawberry cake for Easter which was very nice. Spring does seem to be more glorious than usual. The red bud trees are just marvelous, as well as the lacy-looking dogwoods. They almost remind me of white lights in trees at night, but they’re “on” all day!
Susan, You are a “Domestic Goddess”! You wear me out just reading your blog….up before the birds to work on your book, whipping up yummy treats, taking your daily walk, loving Joe and the kitties, staying in touch with we “Girlfriends”, and living life to the fullest….how do you do it all!!!??? Sending you love and “good energy” from Ohio!
Happy Happy Spring! We miss you but we are happy you are working so hard to make such fun things for us to see and read. Bless you and Joe in all your efforts.
So wonderful to have two posts to read from you today! Thanks so much for taking the time to wish a happy spring to your girlfriends. Signs of spring are showing up here in northeast Kansas. Our crabapple trees are in full bloom, redbuds everywhere, and Bradford pear trees are gorgeous. As I was walking into our YMCA tonight I was hit with a wonderful aroma of spring flowers and looked around and saw a lilac bush just beginning to bloom! My all-time favorite flower. Hoping all our girlfriends are enjoying the much anticipated spring weather.
Your blog and pictures always make me smile. I have a big orange cat that I love dearly! Thank you xo
Hi Susan! Thank you for a chance to win such a lovely gift! You’re forgiven for making us wait so long for a Willard. ;o)
Love all you do,
Amy
This is a beautiful spring post! I love all of it, but I have to say when I scrolled to the picture of the beach, I was in awe and envy. To take a stroll on that beach every day, you have a wonderful life, and you are a beautiful person Susan, because you share your joy with all of us! Thank you.
It is my favorite part of the day, to go to that spot. xoxo
Dear Susan,
I made myself a cup of Lavender Grey Tea and took out 4 Lemon Butter cookies out of the container my oldest daughter, Stacy, gave me on Easter and then read your blog posting and Williard! This year we had a “Tea Affair” themed Easter – and our granddaughters enjoyed it also! Those sea shells of yours are amazing – are they only found on Martha’s Vineyard? Being a “California Girl” myself, until 3 years ago when we left CA behind to retire and be with our daughters and granddaughters and we moved to Pennsylvania, I never saw sea shells like that on Laguna Beach! So now that we’re only about an 8 hour drive away, we can visit Martha’s vineyard to see them, right? Back in 2010, we drove up to Arroyo Grande to your “Yard Sale” – found a lot of treasures and you autographed a few of your books for me and Stacy! I also have a picture of the two of us – I couldn’t figure out how to post it here, maybe there’s another place to post it?
You can post pictures to our Facebook page . . . but they didn’t give us a spot for that on the blog.
Yes!!! This Willard was well worth the wait! I have been afraid to try a cake roll, but this one looks so delicious and your easy to understand instructions gives me the courage to try it 🙂 And yes, my man working in the yard is definitely an aphrodisiac…better than any cologne! lol! Happy Spring ✽
Hello Susan~~~Thank you for another wonderful post!!! You just have the touch that gives a special meaning to all you do:0) ~~~ Can’t wait for my Willard to arrive & I will make the cake. I have never made a sponge rolled cake because they always seemed so difficult. Your tutorial is very well done & looks easy. Just takes patience I guess. Love the Joe & Sue Bunny treats you received! Looks like Lamb Chop wanted a sample! I would have thought Petey would be trying to snatch some too~~~:0) ! Thank you for sharing the shells & books with us. You are so sweet.
XOXO,
Linda
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to finally win one of your give aways! I would happy with anything but I really like the seashells. I have never been to your part of the world (and it doesn’t look like I’m going any time soon) so I would love a piece of it! Hard day today with some bad news just a few minutes ago. It looks like I will have to say goodbye to my beloved 13 year old favorite feline. Just breaks my heart but your post recentered my world and give me a smile. Thank you, Susan
Thank you Susan for the recipe and a chance to win some wonderful things. Happy Spring!
Happy spring! The lemon cake looks so good. I really want to make it. I love your happy blog. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, I hope, I hope.
I have tried to do cake rolls before, always unsuccessfully. Ha ha ha, no one ever told me before that you were supposed to pull the towel out as you go! I feel so silly–I’ve always tried to extricate it from the rolled up cake! I wish I could just have a slice of yours.
Extricate. Why didn’t I think of that word! 🙂
I love you Susan Branch! I look so forward to your Willard letters and anything new from you. I’ve been a fan for years and years. I even have a VERY treasured hand written thank you card from YOU going back many, many years! Your fans adore you and all your creative, lovely products!
Thank you so much susan I have misses all the sweet musings and quotes of everyday experiences and your thoughts of season change. Wonderful Willard!!!
Susan,
Thank you so much for sharing your joy and love of life with us girlfriends! So wonderful to be reminded to stop, look and listen to the lovely things around us – all that beauty there for the taking! Here in Cincinnati we’re just about exploding with spring! Daffodils & tulips & cherry trees & redbud trees & crabapples covered in pink ruffles….with the dogwoods starting to peek out & creeping phlox spilling beautiful blue flowers over our rock walls. No secret here – I’m wild about SPRING! Happy spring & happy Earth Day to all 🙂
Love to curl up on a comfy chair,eat some of that delicious loooking lemon cake ,sip some hot tea,read those books and think of the sea looking at the pretty shells!
Thanks Susan for your inspiring post.Your writing is a pleasure to read !
Thank you for the sweet wild bird photos. We have added some bird feeders this spring to our garden in CA and are enjoying the different birds who come to our little sanctuary. So peaceful to watch them nibble the seeds. Love Enchanted April, the book and the movie, one of my top ten movies. Thank you for always thinking of your FOSB gals.
We are longing for spring here in northern Wisconsin, so thanks for the beautiful spring blog article.
Dear Susan, you had me with tears in my eyes and giggling at the same time, again. ♥ Then I simply continued to quietly savor & indulge. Thank You.
Oh, the joys of Spring. I love your photos and your paintings. So refreshing! So glad to hear Willard is coming. Going to check my e-mail now.
Blessings,
GiGi
What a wonderful treat to receive your blog email today. I’d love to
win the shells, book, etc. ! Please have Vanna pick my name.
Pat S. in Lebanon
Wow, that was a nice long post! I just got finished reading Willard, also. Nice to catch up and see what you’ve been up to! I’m going around my yard also and putting out all the knick knacks. Fun fun!
My Willard finally arrived!!! I got a nice cup of tea and enjoyed every word! : )
Well worth the wait! So nice that Spring has finally arrived in New England! We worked for it this winter, didn’t we?! The air is warm and there are flowers popping up all over the place. Happiness! ♥ I wanted to tell you that I have made your lemon roll in the past and it is wonderful! So easy and -OH-that filling! Yum! Just seeing your photos I want to make it again. Thank you for this awesome give a away to celebrate Spring! Can’t wait for your new book! This heroine sounds like my kind of gal! xoxo
Love, Love, Love your blogs and Willard. Thanks for all the lovely pictures and thoughts. I love shells and have quite a collection but no jingle shells. Yellow ones, how heavenly! Would love some. Thanks for being you and for brightening my day.
Love, Connie
How creative and thoughtful! Not to mention generous! Who ever receives this gift is very, very lucky. What treasures you do share and what happiness you bring. I sure do enjoy your blogs…check or a new one every day and read them through twice. Again I say, “thanks for all you do and share with us.”
The cake looks delicious, and I can’t wait to try it!!! I bet a dob of real whipped cream on the side might help with the delicious tanginess of the lemon 😀 Oh, and I would so love to win the seashells! I collect them (and dirt and rocks) from wherever I travel. They’re my all time favorite souvenirs!
Willard!! Can’t wait til tomorrow as I haven’t received my copy yet! I’ve missed you so. Trying to “get out of my box” this Spring and try new things. I’m not much of a baker, but love anything lemon. I may just have the courage to try that cake.
My best friend and I met you in Grand Rapids, MI at Schuler Books. We felt like we’d known you forever. Thanks for chatting with us for so long! P.
thankyou for the breath of spring! here in the desert it is already in the 90’s – all of our trees are leafed out and the palo verde is in bloom – with chartreuse bark and leaves with sweet yellow flowers so thick you can scarcely see the branches! I must admit to missing the ocean air though – I grew up in California. There are compensations – here we have dozens of quail visit the yard, chuckling to one another, with a dozen wee babies in the spring. They follow mom and dad single file and warm your heart to look at them! Enjoy your awakening surroundings!
Tinlynnie