Daffodil Sunday and Easter are both on Sunday this year. How perfect that they’re together! MUSICA
Our snowdrops are finally up! I know most of you are way past the snowdrop stage, but our spring is coming very slowly this year.
I thought, since it’s almost Easter, and it really is spring, I would give you my recipe for the easiest Bunny Cake in the world, in case you need something fast, but festive, kid-centric, and of course, delicious!
A couple of our Girlfriends sent photos of their finished Bunny Cakes, I thought you’d like to see ~ So creative! Dried apricots for teeth!
Love the carrot! Mini-marshmallow teeth! You can tell they had fun decorating! If you make one, try to post it to my Facebook Page; we’ll love to see it!
The great thing is the Bunny Cake doesn’t require any special equipment, just two 8″ cake pans and some jelly beans!
But if you would still like to have a Lamb Cake, we have some lamb molds left in our web store. It’s such a special cake for a Spring Tea, Mother’s Day or a Baby Shower. (Lots of lovely tried-and-true Tea Party recipes in the “Spring Tea” link ~ choose the one you like on the teapot and click on it.)
I told you Spring is coming very slowly here, this was our first day of spring on Martha’s Vineyard.↑ Welcome to my world.♥
Yes, but when?
And here they are, bless their hearts, demonstrating the thwarting of reality!
They have risen above! I have to tell you, that cold dirt smelled like heaven! Aren’t they wonderful! Like clockwork!
We have to rise above reality too, because it is definitely not time to put away the coats and jackets.
Despite the lovely morning light and the adorable kitty, we still need to keep the house cozy, and keep ourselves warm . . .
Clean clothes, warm from the dryer, is a most delicious way to keep warm!
And then there’s this way ~ with a mixing bowl and a 375º oven . . . for some
I thought I’d show you my recipe for Rhubarb Crisp. This is not a fancy dessert, but it’s perfect for a family dinner, wonderfully seasonal, old-fashioned and delicious. And so easy!
I’ll put the recipe at the end so you can print it out. First you make the Topping ~ with oats, brown sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and softened butter.
Crumble it together with your fingers until it looks like this, then set it aside. Wasn’t that fast? See what I mean?
Then you make the Rhubarb Filling I measured my rhubarb stalks to give you an idea of how much to buy, each stalk was 18″ ~ the recipe calls for 5½c. chopped rhubarb ~ and we used three stalks.
I chopped them into ¾” pieces . . .
measured them . . .
And put them in a mixing bowl, along with flour, sugar, cinnamon and the zest of one orange. Mixed well . . .
and stirred in a quarter cup of fresh squeezed orange juice.
Beautiful! The rhubarb exuded juices and made a wonderful orangey-cinnamon sauce.
Spread the rhubarb filling into a buttered 8″ square baking dish . . . sprinkle over the topping . . .
And pop it in the oven for thirty minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
While the Rhubarb Crisp was baking I looked out at the feeders and found we had a visitor I hardly ever see ~ a Tufted Titmouse! Such a cutie, with those pale peach feathers under his beak and wing and those big round eyes, not to mention the hair-do! He’s very shy and very quick, zipped in for a seed and right out, fast as a hummingbird. I was lucky to get this picture.
Since I had the camera, I thought, Hello Girl Kitty! She’s shy too, but not so fast.
The timer went off, I pulled the bubbling hot crisp from the oven. It made the kitchen smell wonderful and kept it warm for our “spring” day that’s so much like winter it’s really hard to tell the difference. But then, I didn’t really care anymore!
You can serve it hot with vanilla ice cream, or cold with whipped cream. I made it for a dinner party ~ for our friend Peggy’s birthday.
But we also had a gluten-free guest in our midst, so we tried something new and it worked. We made a mini ice-box cake, the kind you make with whipped cream and the thin chocolate wafer cookies?
(If you’ve never made one, the Ice Box Cake was what my mom always took to Baby Showers in the 1950’s and it’s DELICIOUS. Just spread whipped cream between Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies, stack together and cover with more cream and refrigerate for at least three hours before serving.) In this case, we tried it with chocolate-chocolate-chip gluten-free cookies, and it really turned out good!
So there you go my Girlfriends. Some bunny does love you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Happy Easter and Happy Daffodil Sunday!
I thought I’d let our Studio kitties say goodbye from California . . . on the left is Sammy, and on the right is Sasha. . . Kellee and Sheri dressed them up for St. Patrick’s Day! Aren’t they adorable? Even better in person!
I also wanted to thank you for all the lovely comments for my friend Margot Datz, her darling elf, her precious gnome and the naked leprechaun ~ and her wonderful art! There are so many talented hardworking people out there who we don’t get to hear enough about so XOXOXO to all of them too! I especially wanted to thank you for taking the time to “like” Margot’s Facebook Page. She has thanked me every single day, and so I have to thank YOU.♥ You have made the day of someone very wonderful. And mine too. But what else is new? XOXO Love You!
OLD FASHIONED RHUBARB CRISP
8 servings 375º
TOPPING
- ½ c. flour
- ½ c. oats (regular oatmeal)
- ¾ c. brown sugar (packed)
- ¾ tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- ⅓ c. butter, softened
Preheat oven to 375º. Mix Topping ingredients together in a medium bowl. Use fingers to make it crumbly. Set aside and make the . . .
FILLING
- 5 ½ c. rhubarb, cut into ¾” cubes (3-5 stalks)
- ¼ c. flour
- 1 c. sugar
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- zest of one orange
- ¼ c. fresh squeezed OJ
In a large bowl, mix rhubarb with the dry ingredients. Add zest and OJ and stir well; pour into a buttered 8 x 8″ baking dish. Sprinkle topping over rhubarb evenly. Bake 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream, or cold with whipped cream.♥
Hi Susan:
Something I fear is amiss. Your “blog” has only the title and bears tantalizing tags, but no way to open the blog. Gremlins are apparently running amok in your computer or server.
Wishing you , Joe, the kitties, all your family, friends and all who enjoy the pleasure of your company in person or through your writing and art a very happy holiday and a very busy and enjoyable Spring. Marty
Amok! 🙂
Hi Sue. There doesn’t seem to be any content to this post. Something wonky is happening ; /
Yes wonky. But Joe made me a big plate of carbs for lunch so now I feel better. xoxo
hahaha! carbs fix everything! Happy Easter to you <3
Hi Susan,
There is nothing after the title of your post. Is it just me or did something not take.
Anyway, hope you and Joe have a happy Easter Sunday.
I know, I hit “publish” and it disappeared. I redid it . . . it’s up now, sorry!
help!! I am wondering what happened….all that showed up for me is the title…Easter and Daffodil Sunday. NOTHING ELSE is there. oh, no !!!!! how do I remedy this….or, is it a glitch on your end, and will “fill in” when fixed???? oh, dear!!!! I don’t want to miss what sounds just wonderful. HELP!!!!????? a very blessed, happy easter to all….and, a lovely spring also.
It all disappeared Chris! I just got it back up.
thank you! oh! thank you….and, the computer-gremlins….for getting it fixed. I just could not BEAR the thought of missing out on such wonderful-ness as you ALWAYS do provide. mmmmm. rhubarb crisp…..our rhubarb is coming up, but is just in its’ first year, sooooo is nor supposed to be harvested this year. but…..I will surely harvest some @ the grocery store!!!!! got to have this…..mmmmm……we have daffodils…and, even some “mini-daffs” that were hear when we bought our home. never had seen anything like them before. neat. trying to “encourage”…no, make that “urge” bluebirds into a special little home hubby made for them….sparrows being rude and squatting in there tho. well, happy weekend and happy spring to all. and…my admiration for Margot as well. WOW!!!!!! all love to all. xo
Happy Easter, Susan and girlfriends. Such a wonderful Spring post. In Central MA we still have snow but some grassy patches are showing up more and more. The day is nice 57 degrees. Love the bunny cake and just might attempt it tomorrow with my 4 year old grandson. He loves to bake with his Nana. Never too early to start kids baking and helping in the kitchen. Its such a fun time…
Happy Easter everyone. I received the lamb cake pan for Christmas so I’ll be making your lamb cake tomorrow. I think I’ll frost it with 7-Minute icing and coconut. Loved your snow-drops Susan. The studio cats are beautiful as are Girl Kitty and sweet Jack.
I dearly love snowdrops. They are so sweet and brave. We have had several warm days here in central West Virginia. I was able to do yard work and play in the potting shed. I love smelling like dirt at the end of the day.
This reminded me of my childhood, when I would go cut the rhubarb from the patch and make rhubarb crisp and even sometimes strawberry-rhubarb pie with my mother. I can smell the deliciousness now and taste the tartness of the rhubarb. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed your post and a Happy Bunny Day to you, Joe, and your wonderful kitties!
HappyEaster to you! It’s all there now, as I read from a ski chalet at the top of the world, with beautiful sunshine and simply meters of crisp white snow 🙂 The Easter bunny is definitely around, I can see his tracks outside!
Love to hear that Gill!
Still cool here Susan, but spring has sprung for sure. All our snowdrops are passed, but our daffodils are blooming beautifully. Looking forward to Easter decorating and have already done some Easter baking (simnel cakes- yum). Happy Easter to you and Joe, and all the Girlfriends X
Lovely, lovely post, Sue. My mom who passed away a few years ago used to make me a bunny cake (minus the bow tie) every Easter. I’ve been missing her especially these days with Easter coming. Thank you for bringing a smile to my heart (as you do all the time) with the pics today. The birdie at your feeder is adorable. Such natural beauty! Grateful to you for taking the time to share all this with us. Happy Easter to you, Joe, Blog Daddy, kitties, your family and all the girlfriends! May you all find new joys during this season of renewal.
Love your blog and would love to know about that adorable yellow bowl! Is it antique? If not, do you sell them in your store? I love it! Happy Easter and Cheery Wave from Bev
It’s antique . . . sorry, I wish I had more of them!
Hello everyone, I too love the yellow bowl! I have a set of nesting bowls just like it, only in the 30’s green color. They were made by Homer Laughlin, the Fiesta Ware company. The bowls are quite hard to find. I’ve never seen the yellow before.
It’s April 3 and I just realized it’s “April”! My favorite month!! That’s what this long winter did to me. My husband thanks you in advance for the rhubarb recipe.
My pleasure Ann! 🙂
good morning Susan and girlfriends. just dropping in to wish everyone a Happy Easter. been busy with baby peeps, they need 24/7 care each day, fresh water, food and clean straw and they have to stay warm… 98 degrees… under their sunlamp. we just had our freeze warning and alerts lifted, its 38 degrees outside, partly cloudy and we are expecting rain and possibly snow through the weekend… snow on Easter??? something is wrong with that picture, isn’t it supposed to be sunshine and flowers instead of rain and snowflakes??? what is daffodil sunday??? never heard of that. we had fun yesterday, first one of our turkeys, Putsy, decided to wander out the front gate and attempt to go down the road, luckily I saw her and went flying out the front door to chase her back into the yard, then the ducks were squabbling with each other and chasing each other round and round the pen, looked like duck races going on in there, then we had a bit of a cat fight in the backyard with our barn cat, Furby, and some of the strays that are trying to take over her territory. she showed them who was in charge of the yard and hopefully today everyone will settle down and behave, I don’t need another afternoon like that, but it does give one quite a workout…LOL!!! well Happy Easter wishes to everyone. hugs….. 🙂
What a wonderful post! I so enjoyed your snowdrops and seeing a (rare) picture of shy girl kitty! She’s beautiful with amazing eyes and a little pink nose! Lovely Rhubarb crisp recipe! In England we call it crumble!
What a wonderful snug place you have by the open fireplace too and your kitchen is such a homely place with pretty lighting! Did you make Hot Cross Buns today?
Happy Easter to you and Joe and the kitties!
Pretty, Rhubarb Crumble!
Thanks for the rhubarb crisp recipe! I had a similar recipe but not with orange zest and juice. This one sounds yummier and my rhubarb is coming up! Can’t wait to try it!
Happy Spring! Happy Ressurection Sunday!!
Oh, Susan, we love you and your wonderful blog! How do you do it? Every post lifts spirits, encourages, shares beauty and inspires. I notice so many items in your pictures that I have collected, too. I do feel we are kindred spirits. I noticed the quintuplets spoon — Yvonne; I have the Annette and Marie spoons. Didn’t even know what they were when I first bought them — just thought they were so cute. The Dionne quintuplets were born 13 years before we were, but I remember reading about them when I was growing up.
I now have all of your books and can’t wait until your next one comes out, so that one will be signed by you. Please let us know when we can expect it or them. I think I remember reading you’re working on two. Is that right? A book signing in or near Charleston, SC, would be so exciting! Let me know if that’s a possibility, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help that happen.
Happy Easter to you and Joe!
I’m delighted that all was back in place before I tried to look at it. Your blog posts always put a song in my heart and a smile on my face. They warm me up inside when it’s colder without than it should be…………Spring is coming. Here in northeast Ohio I look out the window beside my computer and smile at the raggedy golden tatters of my spring witch hazel, knowing how spicy they would smell if I were outside. Snow drops are naturalized in many places since I’ve been spreading them around since 1980 and Lenten lilies and blood root are up and showing color, along with spears of daffodils and day lilies. Spring is coming! Oh, yes it is…..And now, perhaps I need to go and bake something. Your blog has made me hungry!
Stop! You are making me homesick! 🙂
Also from NE Ohio – looking forward to a visit home from the end of May through the beginning of June and getting a second spring because of it!
I can see it – and it is beautiful as always! When I see Girl Kitty I always think of the phrase “It is good to be Queen.” She is so regal. The studio kitties look thrilled with their St. Patty’s Day paraphernalia! They are adorable. But that yellow bowl, oh my goodness it is gorgeous. Happy Easter to you, Joe, Girl Kitty and Jack!
Lovely post, Susan! Happy Spring and Happy Easter to you!
By the way, I love your yellow mixing bowl! A work of art. 🙂
Thank you for that rhubarb crisp recipe. I love rhubarb and can’t get enough of it…even eat it raw. Also I love your yellow mixing bowl. I have the same set in green that I found at an estate sale. Either Hall or Hull right? So good to see Spring colors popping up. Our snow has just barely left and more coming tonight so it’ll be a while before the tulips,daffodils and iris can stop coming from the grocery store! Have a lovely Easter weekend.
There’s an ‘H’ on the bottom! Happy Easter Cindy!
It was bugging me if it was Hull or Hall so looked it up on eBay and it’s Homer Laughlin. Can’t have anything bugging me! Mine are listed as Aqua/turquoise. Love the yellow though.
LOL! One of those “H’s!”
Happy Easter to you and yours!!!…I hope you will have a sunny spring day this Sunday…those weather prognosticators are predicting 2″-4″ of that white stuff…don’t want to say that “s” word anymore…for us on Easter Sunday…EGADS!!!…not a snowdrop or robin to be seen here yet…our Little Traverse Bay is still nothing but ice and it is 32* right now…we are certainly ready for something besides winter, but each day that goes by brings us closer to some warm weather, spring flowers and ROBINS!!!…xoxo…
Blessings on you Rae Ann! xoxo 🙂
Your snowdrops will be up soon–discovered mine blooming last week, and saw our first robins about the same time. Slow but sure!
Hi Susan!
What a lovely way to welcome Spring inside, while we wait for warmer days outside! Mmmmm! Can’t wait to try your Old Fashioned Rhubarb Crisp! We are big fans of your Cranberry Apple Crisp here. I tucked some cranberries into the freezer over the holidays. So, I’m planning to bake it again on Monday for some very special friends! Your yellow mixing bowl is just gorgeous… a perfect touch of Springtime!
Wishing you, Joe, and the kitties a Joyous Easter!
Sunny hugs!
Dawn
♡♡
I love that yellow bowl! Did you get in England? **your cat faces! It’s like, ‘awww Mom – do we HAVE to put these ribbons on . . well ok – but make it quick!’
I think we found it in Iowa! It’s a sweetheart isn’t it?
I love the Rhubarb recipe, but where can I find the Ice Box Cake recipe? Mmmm good. …I’m hungry already! !!
I really told the whole recipe right there in the post. It’s very easy!
Happy Easter to you, Joe and the kitties! Happy to see that there are some signs of Spring showing in the Vineyard! Our rhubarb is up and I have a crumble planned, but will make custard to have with it as that’s what my very British husband prefers? Xoxo
I like the custard too!
Nothing wrong with my post Susan!!!
I enjoyed this letter very much and thank you for the yummie recepies!!!
What a lovely bird is a Tufted Titmouse!!!
Have a wonderfull Easterday.
Trudy from the Netherlands
Hi! It’s all there now and I loved every bit.
Regards from very Sunny California
Happy Easter Susan!
I got it up and wonderful as usual! I am definitely going to make the rhubarb Crisp. My elders pt grandson is always asking if it is good. Spring has been slow to come here to Indiana as well. We are supposed to get rain with some snow tonight but in the 50s tomorrow so we will get there. My mom made icebox cake too but she sliced bananas and vanilla pudding between the cookies and frosted with the whipped cream. Yummy and all of it was eaten at one sitting with 5 of us kids. Happy Easter to Susan and Joe and all the girlfriends.
Yummy on the bananas and vanilla pudding!
I saw every thing. Made me hungry.
I had rhubarb crisp at someone’s home last night. It was delicious, but very tart, and required equal parts ice cream to sweeten it up. I think the rhubarb was just too green. Would that be the case?
Anything with rhubarb usually calls for lots of sugar, maybe the person who made it didn’t want to do that. . . but rhubarb sort of requires it. I like tart with sweet, but not if it’s too much of either thing.
I think the hostess went light on the sugar for health reasons. It was good but kind left everyone’s teeth feeling fuzzy.
Have a Happy Easter.
hahaha, fuzzy teeth!
Happy Easter! So much to celebrate!
Such a Springtime posting!! Great to realize warmer weather is really coming to New England! Your rhubarb recipe sounds scrumptious – must try it. My mother cultivated a rhubarb patch in her garden with a starter plant from a friend. Isn’t that the way many of us watch our gardens grow and remember good friends.
I saw the ’empty’ blog earlier. I am so sorry you had to re~write, but happy you did. I lost one once, despite having saved it along the way. Such a nuisance as they don’t just throw themselves together!
Daffodowndillies are nearly over here now ~ I had some amazing double ones whose heads were so heavy they bent the stems and kissed the earth. I do still have some lovely, deep coloured centre ones that will just miss the weekend, so I’ve ha them either side of Easter! Meanwhile, I’ve lost all my snowdrops ~ not a single one appeared, but the pink camellia has more than made up with their seemingly out of season exoticness.
Well, that Bunny Cake may be the easiest, you say, but it sure doesn’t look it once it’s all gussied up with frosting and such. A real work of art! I wonder if I could scale it down and use two six inch Victoria sponges? I’ll give it a go and let you know.
I love that Sunday is Daffodil Sunday! To fall on Easter Day adds more specialness to such a sunny flower ~ oh! Welcome Spring!
Sending wishes for a Very Happy Easter to you and Joe, Girl Kitty and Jack, and everyone who reads this message too!
~~~Waving~~~from Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
I’m sure your scaled down version will be adorable!
So yummy looking. I just love the peek into your home, all cozy and warm! Happy Easter! Xo
Pammy! 🙂 nice to see you here!
My Mom used to make ice box cake for her bridge parties. I have made it and when in the fridge it becomes like cake instead of a hard cookie…..yum….you will love it. Thanks Susan. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh, what a treat as usual…the lovely art, the recipes, the happy greeting; thank you, Susan! I hope you and Joe have a wonderful Sunday, as well.
I know nothing about your lovely snowdrops…or snow. They must look gorgeous coming up; so alive. Sorta how I feel about tulips beginning to force but I don’t think I’m going to get any this year; it wasn’t cold enough for the bulbs. Susan, the weather is crap in SoCal; I know I complain about it all the time. As you probably know, Governor Brown just imposed new, mandatory water restrictions this week because the Sierra snow pack is like non-existent. Pretty soon, no green lawn anywhere I guess. Just an ugly, brown world but, like you said, rise above! It’s nearly 90 degrees (f) outside with hellacious winds right now at noon-thirty but I’ve gotta go out in it to do errands; yuck! Anyway, you’ve brightened my grumbly mood, so off I’ll trot (and huff & puff).
By the way, ALL the cats are the sweetest! And I had to laugh at Joe covered in warm laundry. I had a really-small beagle…runt of the litter who never grew much…and she was always cold on the hardwood floors of our former/old cottage, so she’d jump into a basket full of warm clothes out of the dryer and just nosedive into it to bury herself in them to where all you could see was the white tip of her tail. Gosh, our animals…how they make us smile!
I bought Margot’s book…looking forward to reading her…thanks for the introduction in your last post. Also, as I’ve said before, your assistants in the shop, Sheri and Kellee, are extremely-nice and helpful customer service reps.
Thanks again for putting a smile in my heart today; you give love…it’s a beautiful thing!
You might need just the tiniest little wood box, filled with dirt and pansies to get you through this. Or a few little herbs you could cut for the table. I won’t take much to give you back a sense of earthly beauty.
Do you know, I had three new rosebushes, already matured from a nursery, planted from last year and it was so hot today that two vigorous, tall stems with beautiful peach & pink blooms actually ‘fell’ flat on the ground. The whole stem from the ground to tip just keeled over. I’d never seen anything like it. I guess they just couldn’t take it anymore. Several SoCal bloggers who are gardeners I read are lamenting equally. It’s a new ‘normal’ if you’re trying to grow things. I have raised planters with gorgeous lettuces trying their best but they are wilted by noon; I told my husband, ‘we have to pick tomorrow, there’s no choice.’ I have a walled-in porch/deck and six herbs in their pots have shriveled (chocolate mint took it hardest); I think they’d do better inside with sun from the window and air conditioning. And this is only earliest April. Could the East and West coasts be more polar-opposite right now?
Okay, end of rants about weather. I like the pansy idea. And my husband brought home daffodils for Easter from the grocery store today. We adapt!
Yes, we do adapt! xoxo
Poor folks! Hot and windy. It must be like living in a convection oven!!
Thanks for the rhubarb crisp recipe, it’s one of my favourites. Also, the bunny cake is delightful. Could certainly use this recipe any time of the year, especially for a birthday for my five-year-old grandsons. Sorry your spring is so late in arriving, but when it gets there in full blossom, you will enjoy it all the more. Lovely photo of Girl Kitty, she looks so composed and relaxed. Love the girls from California, too. Have a great Easter. Hope the Easter Bunny brings lots of chocolate surprises.
YUM . . . I greatly covet the yellow embossed bowl used for mixing the topping. Rhubarb crisp is the best thing. I will try your version soon. So glad your snowdrops have finally emerged. We are having thunder and lightening with hail to make up for the previously warm sunny stuff. Crazy weather patterns!
Hi, Sue Sue!
Love this post! I cannot wait to make the bunny cake this year. I have never made it with pineapple in the frosting. Sounds delish.
Blessed Easter to you all!
Hi Susan
Happy Easter to you and Joe and your kitties!!! love the recipes and everything in your sweet post. I didn’t have a problem with reading the blog post? I read that some of your girlfriends did? oh well. I read it and enjoyed it. Happy day Susan
deezie
At first the post got put up without the actual post, but it’s fixed now!
I you, Joe, and kitties have a blessed Easter!!
I forgot hope!! Should say, I hope you, Joe, and kitties have a blessed Easter!
I make that bunny cake of yours every year for Easter. It’s so easy and cute. We have those little tufted Titmouse birds here in Texas and they are darling. They zip in and out of our feeders. That is, when the squirrels aren’t doing acrobatics and hanging upside down stealing the bird food! 🙂
Happy Easter to you and Joe. I’ve always loved the bunny cake as did my children. Thanks for another wonderful blog!!!
I’m so glad I read this post after the wonky-zonky computer problem! Pure delight, Susan —- and I love, love, love your mixing bowl!
Sending blessings from here on the farm.
Happy Easter you two! Your post is an extra treat for the Easter weekend. xoxo
~Happy Easter!~
Happiest of Easter to you and Joe and the sweet kitties! Love the yellow bowl! And the snowdrops!
I love Rhubarb it is my husbands favorite pie. I will have to try the crisp!
In So. California we skipped spring altogether and went right into Summer.. I need a respite from the heat and dryness, but it is beautiful every day.
Thank you as always for your wonderful post!
Come here, respite galore!
Just read your book: A Fine Romance…. and I. loved it…. thank you so very much. I also love England and the English gardens, and have been so fortunate as to have been able to visit England several times – as we live som much closer to England than you do, I hope to go there soon again.
You are very lucky Sussi. Nice to meet you!
Hi Susan: I’m late getting to your blog entry, but I guess it’s a good thing! Everything is up now and shipshape! Lovely memory of the rhubarb! We grew it!! And my mother’s rhubarb pie was scrumptious. Sadly we can’t get it here! 🙁 But I’ve made some wonderful caramel filled decadent frosted brownies (until we can get Rachel’s over here)! And lovely strawberries for shortcake on Sunday! Enjoyed the kitties, the bunny cake, the titmouse and seeing Joe in the warm laundry! And lovely to see the snowdrops pushing up through the snow. Each phase of spring is so delightful! We do wish you and Joe and wonderfully Blessed Easter and Happy Spring. Jane xo
Thank you dear Jane!
Dear Susan,
That crisp looks Yum! Our rhubarb is almost there and I am going to try this recipe. Thanks!
Jo
PS~ where did you get that WONDERFUL yellow bowl? Oh, I just love it! :O)
I think we found that the last time we drove across country . . . one of those big wonderful group shops in Iowa.
It’s a beauty! Stay warm.
Jo
We have the most wonderful group shops (antique malls) in historic downtown Prescott Arizona too! You need to explore them sometime when you visit yo daddy-o 🙂 xoxo
I need to get over there next time!
Mesa too!
Happy Easter, Susan! Love this blog! I used to make the Bunny cake for my children every year and now make it for my grandchildren. Everyone loves it. I’m also making your Lemon Butter cookies. A real treat we all love! YUM! 🙂 I also wanted to tell you I read Kate Morton’s “Forgotten Garden” and “Secret Keepers.” What wonderful novels. A real literary talent. Thank you for introducing her books in your blog! Have you ever tried to put strawberries in the Rhubarb Crumble? Wonder if it may be too watery. I may try it and let you know how it comes out! Our daffodils are jus starting to poke through. Can’t wait to see them. Take care. Love you! OX
You could reduce the OJ a little?
What Glorious fun. This post made me laugh….well the first few comments and the situation with the post. Love the snow drops, must plant some for me . I have daffys…but it has been 90 here a few days. Cool and windy today…..but we hardly get spring. We get Summer, summer, summer, a touch of fall, my favorite , favorite FAVORITE season. Autumn is Awesome is my them…I am from Arkansas…the Ozarks. Transplanted to wild west Texas. ….I am as scattered as the West Texas Wind…..then we get winter and then a hint of Spring and then Summer. I do so miss Spring in Arkansas..wild Dogwood and Redbuds. Daffodils and Forsythia….and on and on….but I can forgo the Tornadoes….Well thanks foer the lovely post. Have a great Spring.
Deborah,
You hit those weather seasons right on the nose! It seems spring and fall only last two weeks! Let’s face it…..if you can live here…you can live anywhere!
I miss home (Ohio), too. I go back every year to get my fix. Or as one of my friends says, I get recycled!
Nice to meet a fellow West Texan!
Chris
Hi Chris, nice to know we aren’t alone. I love Texas but I do have to make a pilgrimage to the Ozarks.
Another wonderful post, Susan. Your rhubarb crumble looks delicious. The white painters pants in your laundry took me straight back to the 70’s. We used to wear them with a bandana as a belt and Farrah Fawcett hair. Sigh.
I should try that! 🙂
I had white painters overalls! LOL You could use the pockets for your brushes or garden tools…
Happy Easter to you and yours, Susan. Lovely bunny cake; thanks so much for giving us “girlfriend examples” of the cake.
I recently got hooked on Emma Bridgewater. I bought her “Toast & Marmalade” book. Beautiful photography and the bio is fun, too. I have the heart “Mummy” half pint mug and heart lunch plate. I also just ordered from your shop, the rose pattern tea towel. These are very special to me and will only be used by me, Eat your “heart” out kids!
I love snow drops don’t you? They are so sweet and unassuming yet brave to be poking up out of the ice and snow. Like a challenge to the ebbing winter cold.
Thank you for your lovely blogs. They are a treat! PS-Girl Kitty has pretty green eyes! Bye now.
It’s not often that I read your blog, shoot out of my chair, and bake, but at this moment, 15 minutes after reading your post, there is a rhubarb crisp in my oven! You reminded me that I had frozen last year’s rhubarb bounty, and there were still a couple of bags in the freezer. Having previously discovered the delicious combination of blueberries/rhubarb/apple (Bluebarple Pie!), I added a handful of frozen Oregon blueberries and a pint jar of spiced Gravenstein apples from last fall, and oh, what a happy hubby I’ll have tonight!
Happy Easter to you and yours, Susan! He is Risen!
Love Bluebarple Pie! 🙂
Pie sounds fabulously delicious. He is risen indeed!!!
I am in Vineyard Haven visiting friends for the week (left sunny and 80 degrees in Fairhope, Al). Did love reading about your friend Margot. I am going to go by the Whaling Church to see her murals….want talent and personality!
I meant to write , what talent and personality.
Hope you were able to see it Kay!
Talk about long winters–up here in Nova Scotia, I still have 3 and 1/2 feet of snow stacked in the yard! The robins are flying from one shrub to the next looking for any leftover berries. I wonder if my crocus are growing under all that weight? I figure it will be May before it is gone and I find out. Thanks for the re minder that spring is happening somewhere. TTFN
Have a blessed Easter everyone!
Your snowdrops are beautiful! I do believe all the snow just made them that much lovelier! I have a set of bowls like your beautiful yellow one, except mine are turquoise green, they were my grandmothers. For the ones wanting to know, they were made by Homer Laughlin in Newell, West Virginia. They are becoming hard to find, as everyone has fallen in love with them. They are known as Apple Tree, and sometimes Orange Tree kitchenware bowls.They can be found in green, melon yellow, old ivory and turquoise. I would love to be able to find a yellow one like yours : ) I wish you and Joe a Happy Easter!
I got to enjoy Every Single Line… twice! I had to go back and reread the recipes and look at kitties…. Where is our Jack? Is he the little bundle on the back of the sofa in front of the fireplace?? This morning, I stripped my bed and pulled the duvet apart to wash the cover. I came back to discover my Annie had snuggled down into the comforter and only had two eyes and the tip of her nose showing! Our snow drops are still not blooming…. 🙁 Glad I got to enjoy yours! Delish! Hoppy Easter!
Yes, he’s the bundle on the soft, he’s also sitting on the kitchen counter! Hoppy Easter Martha!
The rhubarb crisp looks lovely,can’t wait to make it. Have a wonderful Easter.
Here in the north we still have two feet of snow on the ground with temperatures dipping below -10C at night. I am envious of the beautiful snowdrops….Perhaps later in April a few flowers will rear their heads, although it looks as though we may still have snow in the bush by May. LOL
rainy and cool here- snow’s gone and i’m having a hard time waiting for the violets to start showing themselves…
thanks so much for the recipes……will definitely try the bunny cake (i’m a bit intimidated to try the lamb cake) now that 3 little grandbabies are coming over on Easter Sunday!
Buona Pasqua to you and Joe…….
Dear Susan and Joe and Kitties, A Very Happy Easter to you all! God’s blessings and I’m hoping it gets warm by you very soon. With hugs, Gail & Joe xoxo
Hi, Susan. After reading your post, I realized I was remiss in not commenting on Margot’s amazing accomplishment with the murals at the church. My goodness! And she wasn’t afraid being up so high on the scaffolding? Her talent just blew me away…..like your art does. Anyway, thanks for sharing. Oh and her grand baby is adorable!!
Happy Easter!
Nancy (from Bakersfield)
No, she’s not afraid, but she’s very careful!
I see you’ve been laying on your belly on the cold ground taking pictures again… thanks for the close-up! Is there anything more awesome than spring flowers? Such a strong desire to poke through the cold earth to feel the warmth of the sun. I wish everyone had a little patch of snowdrops or crocus in their yard! No matter how hard the winter, they never disappoint!
I’ll be making a bunny cake with my little 3 yr. old helper, Izzy, and will try to remember to post a photo. I always make a dark chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting and coconut “fur”. One of those traditions that started with my mother-in-law over 40 years ago and continued with me for over 30 years now! The only thing that’s changed over the years is my helpers ~ now it’s my granddaughter 🙂
Wishing you and Joe a very Happy, Blessed Easter!
xoDebbie
Dear Susan,
Love, love, your book, A Fine Romance
Going to England with granddaughter in May…want to join us?
Where did you get fresh rhubarb in April???
Have a very blessed Easter!
Penelope Carlevato
Our market has it already! Going to England, lucky you! Have a fabulous trip!
Hi Susan!
What a cozy post! You are the perfect addition to any holiday. I also love the little flourish of forget-me-nots scattered between some of the paragraphs. They are one of my favorite flowers and I just did an illustration of my own featuring them! Take a look at my portfolio sometime… I certainly hope that you will find the work improved since I last shared it with you!
I hope you have a lovely Easter and stay warm… And I have to tell you, I love to see Jack on your kitchen counter. Every kitchen should have a resident kitty!
You’re doing great Jake! Isn’t it fun what practice can do!
What a darling laundry pile!! That would be a fun one to fold up neatly!!!
Happy Easter to you both and the kitties!!
Linda from Idaho where the weather has been late springy–had to have the lawn men in for mowing and tree trimming etc. My apple tree is blooming, peach tree blooming. nectarine tree blooming, tulips, pansies, sage, all blooming!! Sunroof open on the car and lawn furniture out of winter covers!! Hope it warms up there for you!
I hope spring (proper) gets to you soon, it has definitely sprung here.
Thank you for the recipes, why is it one can never have enough recipe books or gardening books?
I didn’t get a chance to comment on the post about Margot’s painting, fashion etc. but that is one seriously talented lady. I also look forward to visiting her facebook page.
Anyway, full moon tonight and Easter eggs tomorrow :), yum.
I hope you and Joe have a very Happy Easter.
Good morning! Our snowdrops have faded now, but I picked a bouquet of daffodils yesterday. Had to wade through all the mushy rain drenched yard to get them, but totally worth it! Happy, blessed Easter to you sweet Susan and all my blog girlfriends!
Happy Spring and Happy (day before) Easter!
Before I leave for work to put more ‘Spring’ out in my little gift shoppe, I thought I would put myself in the mood and read your latest entry. I have a question, dear Susan….
I have been looking for YEARS for the Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies!! At one point, I checked for them online and finally found them… at $35 a box! Alas, I did not get them. Does your local grocer carry them?? Do you find them anywhere special?? I had thought they were no longer being made.
I have several Tufted Tit(mice?) who visit me along with their cousins, the sweet Chickadees. I put some black sunflower seeds in a small container on the outside ledge right outside my kitchen sink, and they have been providing me with a show for a while now. This morning, I went into the kitchen to find Lily (one of my kitties) on the counter (where she KNOWS she is not allowed). I knew something was up when she didn’t immediately jump down, and sure enough… there sat a very happy squirrel eating the bird seed. Lily, by the way, has Jack’s temperament but they are exact opposites (except for the mustache, since he is a gent of course) in coloring. I am sure if they knew each other, would be partners in crime and keep each other quite amused. I also have King, who is so much like Girl Kitty. A big, sweet gentle soul of a Siberian who tolerates Lily’s antics. I am sure I see him just shaking his head, at times.
Thank you for your posts. They always sweeten my day. Happy Spring!
Yes, both here and in California, our markets carried those cookies. Don’t give up!
Josie, some grocery stores put the Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers in the section with the ice cream topping and ice cream cones. These are often on an end cap and/or near the freezers with the the ice creams. Rachel
Josie — in our stores the wafers are not in the cookie section. They are usually by the ice cream toppings. Try there! Arline in Burbank
Susan, you’re once again a huge bright spot in my week! I’ll definitely be trying the rhubarb crumble…I was just thinking the other day that I needed to try to find fresh rhubarb in the local markets. My parents and grandmother in Ohio had it in their gardens, but here in Texas…??? In case I can’t find fresh, will frozen work as well?
Like everyone else, I love the yellow mixing bowl. If I had tons of space, I think I’d collect mixing bowls — they’re so “homey,” and just give off a reassuring vibe of all the wonderful cooks who have come before us and made such delicious treats with them. I collect (among a ton of other dishes) Crooksville Pottery’s “Silhouette” pattern. It’s similar to something Hull did, but the Crooksville is also known as “Drooling dog” because its silhouette (at a tavern table) shows a dog below the table with tiny specks coming from his mouth to the floor; hence, “drooling.” It’s a pale, creamy yellowish color, with the shilhouette in black, and I love using my set of mixing bowls in that pattern. Hopefully, the good cooks who had them before me are watching over me, helping me turn out yummy treats.
Happy Easter to all — family, friends and kitties!
I’m a mixing bowl person too, they have so much personality in their simplicity.
I have been looking every day for your Easter post and this one was worth the wait!! Those Bunny cakes are just the cutest ever and do look very easy to make. Thankfully, the Snowdrops have bravely soldiered on through a long tough Winter and given everyone on the island hope and delight this Easter weekend.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend and thank-you for the “Eastercard blog post” for all of us Girlfriends!! xoxo to you and Joe and Kitties! I hope the Easter Bunny stops by your house with a little something special for your afternoon Tea!
We have had 70’s here for several days with tulips and dafs coming up so when it was to freeze last night we had large sheets of plastic to cover everything. It was 29 degrees this morning! Crazy Kansas weather. The cakes are really cute I remember making these when my kids were small. Glad Spring is finally at your door. You and Joe have a blessed Easter!
Thank you Susan for the wonderful recipes. There is nothing I’d rather get more then tried and true recipes from friends. Happy Easter
They are always the best!
Hope your snow melts quickly! I’ve been raking the yard enjoying all the freshly sprouting plants under the leaves oh and I know what you men about the smell of dirt is there anything better then that in the Spring. The Tuffted Titmouse here are singing up storm I have a lot of them that frequent my feeders I always think their little dark eye looks like a small chocolate chip such cute birds. Girl Kitty always has the sweetest look to her! Have a hip hobbity Easter !
I did some raking myself, and found daffodils about 3 inches up! It’s happening, in its own sweet time!
Loved the ice box cake idea! Yes, my mom brought them to baby showers but did yours ever make them pink for Valentine’s Day or green for St. Patrick’s Day? Such a happy memory of simpler times 🙂 Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Book Writing ♥ xo P.S. Did you happen to see the article in the new Tea Time magazine about tearooms in Scotland? Something to file for your next BIG trip:)
Ooooh, I need to look at that! Thank you Mary!
Clarinda’s tea room in Edinburgh, sheer heaven. We happened upon it walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Still have the fully hand-written receipt. Pictures: google.com/search?q=clarinda’s+tea+room+edinburgh&rlz=1T4TSNJ_enUS437US440&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=TiQhVdryLMuvogSM6ILoDw&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1103&bih=403
Ooooh, that looks like my cup of tea Carrie, thank you!
Hi Susan, me thinks we share a Birthday month. Not liking the 75 but it is what it is. Pat Boone was my teenager heart-throb and April Love had special meaning just for me! Happy you finally have Spring.
Look forward to your Blogs and re-read them several times. Just reread A Fine Romance and so anxious for the new book.
With all you have to do, but, here you are posting yet another wonderful post! Thank you Susan. Your wonderful artist friend is a real talent. What a life she must lead. Good that you two are friends. You no doubt provide a lot of mutual encouragement to one another. Love her mermaid pictures, especially the one of the fisherman lovingly carrying a mermaid out of the ocean.
The two CA kitties are so sweet. The one black & white cat has the same questioning eyes, as Jack. I know they aren’t related, but “could” be.
Few people enjoy rhubarb, but I’m one who loves the taste of it. Thanks for the terrific recipe. Rhubarb used to grow wild, beside our garage, in my Gram’s backyard. Gram liked baking rhubarb pies. YUM. Here in CA, when I mention rhubarb to friends, they turn up their noses. Guess you had to grow up with rhubarb to really enjoy the taste of it.
After attending church tomorrow, I’m having our family over for an Easter brunch. Today, I’m baking a Rainbow cake, which has four differently colored layers, perfect for Easter. The simple rabbit cake was perfect when I tried it a couple of years ago, but the lamb mold & I didn’t have much luck. It turned out looking like a frog. It made for good Easter conversation that year though. It’s good for my family to know that I make mistakes sometimes, not very often (tee hee), but sometimes. Happy Easter, God Bless, (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
Smart Tufted Titmouse! If I knew that you were baking rhubarb crisp I would show up for a visit too!! 🙂 One of my favorites.
Although we don’t get much snow down here, we have a lot of cold. We have had a day here and there of Spring. However, yesterday kept getting hotter and hotter, as I did the yard in the am and grocerying in the pm. I had to keep changing clothes! I was beginning to think it was me.
Smart Tufted Titmouse! If I knew that you were baking rhubarb crisp I would show up for a visit too!! 🙂 One of my favorites.
Although we don’t get much snow down here, we have a lot of cold. We have had a day here and there of Spring. However, yesterday kept getting hotter and hotter, as I did the yard in the am and grocerying in the pm. I had to keep changing clothes! I was beginning to think it was me. Finally, I looked at a thermostat, and it was 85!!! What happened to Spring??? Thankfully we had morning showers today for the flowers. I have millions of daffodils. I am so glad that they didn’t die down yet.
Your bunny cake reminds me of cakes my mom made when we were little girls. I wonder if my sister remembers all the different cakes. There was a little book in the 60s; that had all the designs one could make with round, square and rectangular cake pans! One year my mom used a bowl and a cupcake to make my sister an igloo birthday cake! It had marshmallow frosting and the ice blocks were made by melted chocolate outline. She has a February birthday! We still LOL about THAT cake!
I always love the bunny though…
(Half of what I first sent disappeared! Spooky.)
LOL, it is spooky! I think that all the time!
Happy Easter to you and Joe and the kitty children! It is sunny and warm here in Rochester, Michigan, and I am down with the “creeping crud” aka flu! I stayed well all winter, getting ready to make delicious Easter dinner and wear a lovely flowered jacket to church, when wham, the crud hit! It is rampant in Michigan. But I pray this missive finds all of you well and readying for a delightful Easter day. Loved your post full of flowers, kitties, good things to eat and hilarious Joe! It brightened my day. May the hope of the resurrection bring you peace and comfort in this troubled world. God bless with love, from ME!
And the same to you Lin, God Bless, with love from me too xoxo
Happy Easter to you and the whole family. Spring has finally sprung in central NJ just in time for Easter too. I can finally go outside with a light jacket. Yeaaaa! Our tiny crocuses have popped and the daffodils are throwing up their green shoots. Alas, the lawn is still brown as toast but who cares, it will get there sooner or later. Thank you for the recipes and great pictures. My sister is supposed to bring the lamb cake tomorrow. She called the other day and said the head fell off when she took it out of the pan and is in a panic. I told her to use toothpicks and stick it back on and use icing as the glue to hold it together. Is there a trick to de-panning it without it loosing its head? Jersey hugs………….
Yes, there really is! Go Here and you’ll see. . .
Hi Susan, I did go there and just unmolded mine. It worked like a charm. Ears, head and neck intact. Thanks.
Ta daaa! 🙂
Thanks for another cozy blog. Loved seeing Jack in the kitchen waiting to assist you. The crisp looks divine. As children, my brother and I would have contests picking the rhubarb out of the garden and seeing who could eat it without making a face. No wonder I grew up to be a sugar addict! Seeing Joe under all the warm dried clothes made me laugh. My cat, Louie, is always nearby when I fold my clothes for the very same reason. Warmth. The California cats are beauties. Happy Easter!
Hi Susan! Aw! The studio kitties are very sweet! Look at them, all Top-of-the-Morning-ish!
Don’t you LOVE rhubarb? It’s so irresistibly sour and sweet in crisps and pies!
Your house looks super cozy and I’m glad you have snow drops!
Thank you for the happy hello! Happy Easter!
Lovely post as always–so full of ideas and inspiration. My grandmother always made that ‘icebox cake’, as she called it, and it is a very fond and yummy memory. Thank you for sharing the recipe so I can introduce it to the next generation of our family. It is a keeper.
Susan.
What a day….My sweet husband woke me up about 5:30 AM to see the Blood Moon. It was still in the eclipse part…but since I was up…we made his coffee and my tea and sat in the patio and watch it transform into the Blood Moon…..well it was more rosie pink…but it was the start of the day and the first thing to add to my “Blank Wall” for this day. We did our 5 mile walk before it got to hot and then the fun started….baked and prepared for the Easter Feast on Sunday… and even planted some flowers for the entrance to the house. So now we will get ready for the full moon to rise in a couple of hours…and enjoy an Italian dinner tonight…deliver of course… (We’ve worked to hard to make dinner)hahaha But the nice part was coming in from all the work and finding your new post. Thanks for making the end of the day so GREAT. Happy Easter….Love, Susan P.
What a handsome Titmouse at your feeder! We have titmice in our yard year ’round here in Raleigh. They are especially fond of unsalted, shelled peanuts, so we purchased a peanut feeder a few years ago and boy, is it popular! Not only with titmice, but also with downy woodpeckers, chickadees and our Carolina wrens. When we had snow covering the ground for 5 straight days this winter, the peanut feeder was also VERY popular with bluebirds. We were surprised and delighted to see that.
I made your bunny cake a couple of years ago and it was a hit! 😉
That rhubarb crisp looks absolutely scrumptious and the final product with a scoop of ice cream – heaven! I’m still drooling. Thanks for the recipe.
Happy Easter weekend to You, Joe & Kitties. xoxo
A Very Happy Easter to You, Joe & the Kitties (east coast & west coast)!!!
Happy Easter to you and Joe and the kitties! Don’t you just love Spring?
I was surprised to see your yellow bowl. I have the same pattern in a bluish
green that belonged to my Great Grandmother. They are a 4 piece nesting set. The pattern is called Apple Tree and was made by the Homer Laughlin Company. If you look at the mark again, you should see that the right side of the “H” is an “L” with a Co to the right of that. I have never seen the bowl in your lovely yellow color. I think yours is rare. Thanks for another great post! And thanks for the Rhubarb recipe!
The H is fairly strong on mine, the L is barely, and the Co isn’t showing at all, but thank you for that information. Perfect name for them!
Happy Easter Susan! Yes, Spring is here…just not there…lol I couldn’t believe all your snow on the first day of spring! Oh, that rhubarb crisp looked so nummy! It won’t be long and our rhubarb will be springing up, I will have to try this recipe! Love the picture of the bird! We have chick-a-dees that are like that..zip in and zip out! Hard to get pics of them too… Joe’s picture is so funny…nothing better than warm clothes out of the dryer!! Blessings to you…
Happy Easter dear Gert!
Been wanting to try rhubarb for a long time now. My mom used to make it when I was a kid. Your recipe looks yummy & easy, so I think I’m gonna give it a try. Please though, tell me where you got that lovely yellow bowl, I’d love to have that exact one. Adorable kitties. Happy Easter Susan.
I found it in a group antique store a few years ago on a cross-country trip . . . so you just need to watch for it when you’re out and about.
Happy Easter and Spring to you and Joe and your kitties. Wishing you warmer days ahead!