B U N N Y C A K E ! Fast easy, do it from a mix! A little big band morning MUSICA ♥
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
HAPPY EASTER GIRLFRIENDS! A new Willard starts going out on Tuesday ♥ Sign up sisters and girlfriends for a surprise in their email boxes. Fun surprise here on the blog that day too. Blessings for a wonderful weekend. Love you, XOXO
Happy Springtime, Susan! I got my first Willard yesterday, and it was the perfect afternoon read. I live in an area of California where spring has eluded us this year, and the summer heat is already beating down. Your spring pictures were a lovely refuge. Love the treasures you’re offering. Thank you!
Happy Spring!!! It makes my heart sing!
I thought I made a comment, but can’t find it, so-o-o … I’m commenting again.
Love the Easter baskets!! They are so cute! Who says only children get baskets at Easter?! How refreshing that your dad sent such thoughtful gifts!
My Willard arrived yesterday!!! What a treat!!! I did, indeed, enjoy it with a cup of tea and an Easter cookie or two. What fun!! Can’t wait to try the recipes!
Thanks s very much for all the joy you add to the lives of your “blog followers”!
Love and xoxo!
Just received my first “Willard” and loved every word of it. Just as when I read your blog, I have to keep a pen and paper next to me to jot down sayings, poems, etc. Also keep my printer on so that I can print pictures that are too wonderful not to have for my journal or to use to decorate a letter to my niece. You bring joy to my days!
I would so love to be one of your winners, I checked back to be sure my posting from yesterday was here, but alas, it wasn’t, so I am sending another one! All that you do is just simply wonderful, from the Christmas Memory scrapbooks which I faithfully fill out for the last 12 years, to special recipes in your cookbooks, your paintings, quotes, all of it. Thank you for all that you do. I am looking forward to seeing your latest book.
Enjoyed reading Willard for the first time yesterday and enjoyed !!! Right now I’m watching for the bluebirds to return to my backyard.
Thanks to your book, A Fine Romance, I feel like I have been to London. I will probably never get there, so this made it extra special. Thanks.
I always feel like I’ve been on a beautiful journey after having read your blog. It’s like being wafted along on a light summer breeze, visiting happy, warm memories, all the while being encouraged to organize a happy life/day/hour with your charming recipes and ideas. Heavenly!
I can’t wait for this new book. Love “A Fine Romance”, gave one to my mom and she loves it as well. Thanks for your influence to our lives.
Hi Susan I was so happy to see the new willard this morning it made my day. I am drinking my first cup of coffee and just enjoying your beautiful home, gardens, recipes and jack and girl kitty. What fun! Lots of Love and Joy to you and your family. Sherry
Just lovely as usual
Oh my goodness I love the little yellow shells featured in your blog! I’m currently decorating a guestroom with a lighthouse theme and those shells would be so pretty in a little soapdish in its bathroom!! Do you know if they are anywhere in California?…..Or must I come to Martha’s Vineyard? :))
I think you might have to come here!
Dear Susan, thank you for your lovely blog. We just can’t seem to get spring going, here in Canada, it’s still cold, very windy and the snowflakes just keep trying to land on our gardens. Your beautiful blog has brought me warmth and sunshine. Looking forward to your new book – another for my collection.
Thank you and do keep warming our spirits.
I have enjoyed your books and writings for years. May you continually be blessed with such writing ability for the happiness and memories it brings others.
This was my first Willard! What fun & warm fuzzies! Thank you for taking the time & care. My day was seriously brightened.
Thank you for your beautiful and cheerful newsletter! I especially loved the part about your mother. My mother was from England and would have loved your book. She was also a singer. She has since passed away but left us with many wonderful traditions that I am now trying to pass down to my granddaughter! They are some big shoes to fill 🙂
I have been collecting your books for years and many of your recipes are favorite “requested” recipes my kids want for birthdays and special occasions. But for me – they are like visiting with an old friend – i just love to pour over them and read them again and again.
Thanks again – have a great day!
Susan, I am so glad we are ‘friends’. I always get a smile on my face when I read your website/blogs. I got one of the first books from you Fine Romance. I did read the book and now I pick it up all the time to go down the ‘streets’ of London with you again. Today I ordered Beatrix Potter’s journal. I can’t wait to receive in the mail. Thank you so much, Marilyn
I bought your cookbook ,Heart of the Home, back in the eighties, thanks to you I could make a pie crust, and lemon chicken, and my favorite yogurt dressing :). I loved A Fine Romance, and my grandchildren love the hot milk cake!! What a joy it is to read your blog. Thank you so much !
I love your blog and I collect your books. They are beautiful and uplifting to read and linger over the illustrations.
I collect shells but don’t have any jingle shells so please enter me in your give-away. Love reading “Willard” and have many of your delightful books already. Keep up the inspiring work –you have such an amazing talent!
In Greece, NY Spring has been coming and going! Today I did find little violets with stems long enough to pick in our backyard . I got out a tiny old glass bottle for them and was enthused enough about all the flowers that would be available in our yard in the not-too-distant future, that I washed all the vases that have gone (mostly) unused over the winter months. Now they’re all fresh and sparkly – and waiting to be filled. Take good care! Alice
Dear Susan,
Thank you for all the grace notes you have added to my life. My friends and I cannot wait for your new book to come out, but it is a joy to sit down and read your other books again. You
really help me to enjoy all of the seasons to the max!
I live near Chicago, and after our extreme winter, your latest Williard was most welcome!
Thank you for “Willard”! Reading it reminds reminds me to stop and “smell the roses” and take some quiet time for myself.
Hi,
I just recently found your website and it is wonderful! I just love everything about it! Very fun and informative and love the great pictures! Thank you for taking so much time to do this!
Have a great day!
Jeni
You are living the life of my dreams… well almost… minus the cold and plus horses = perfect! I’m a librarian, would-be author, anglophile, horse owner-rescuer-trainer, jouster-in-training and mounted archer. When it all gets too much, I need an escape, and your book, A Fine Romance, was my most recent excursion! Thanks so much! Love your website and delicious-looking recipes! (Haven’t had time to try one yet).
Kimberly
Jouster in training!! You are my first jouster in training! It sounds fun . . . where do you live?
Hello Sue,
What a joy to read Willard again. Thank You for the all the happy adventures, wonderful pictures and stories, I could almost smell the flowers and hear the ocean! A cup (or 2) of Earl Grey and Willard was a perfect end from my busy day. I can’t wait for your next book! Thank You so Much.
WOW….
I definitely need to visit Matha’s Vineyard at this time of year. What fun, sunny, colorful pictures you sent. We are maybe having spring here, one day it is sunny and warm and then the next day we get snow. The grass is barely showing signs of green around the edges. Thanks for cheering me up.
so love your inspiring pictures, thoughts, and dessert!
I love springtime too~!
Hello Susan,
So glad I found you on Facebook. I enjoy your writings and art work very much.
Loved your newsletter. I’m glad you are back. I missed you over the winter. You made my day.
Thank you for all that you do and for bringing smiles to the faces of all those reading your blog and Willard’s. 🙂
Susan…The delivery of Willard and your blog to my inbox is always such a welcome, refreshing, and uplifting little gift.
Thanks for continuing to share your energy, talent, and unique perspective on life with all of us.
Dear Susan,
This winter has been, in a word, dreary. So I thank you for this latest spot of color in my life, friend! It reminds me that even the harshest of winters can dissolve into bunny cakes and bird houses 🙂 Best of luck with your thinly veiled heroine. We are rooting for her!
– Cerene
I so look forward to cheery posts from you … and if I ever make it to the east coast of our neighbouring country where you live I will be snooping around your neck of the woods in bookstores and shorelines and maybe I will bump into you 🙂 ….
in the noticing and writing and illustrating of ordinary things, they somehow become extraordinary. thank you ~ r.dueck, ladner, canada
Had a lovely timeout reading my Willard. The thoughts, pictures and words there fill a person with good feelings of love and kindness for everyone. Makes one go out and spread the cheer with a kind word and a smile.
Hi Susan!
It is a very windy day here in New Hampshire, with gusts up to 40 mph, and a lot of stuff is blowing in and out of my yard, and making it tooo hard to get any real work done outside. So, nothing left to do but come inside, put the kettle on, and check my e-mails, and low and behold the nicest thing to blow in to my life today, is my ol’ pal WILLARD!!! yay! yippee! wahoo! Thanks Susan!
Hi Susan,
I was so happy to receive my autographed copy of “A Fine Romance” and then to see in “Willard” that Sir Paul was reading it too! My bestest girlfriend had a double mastectomy recently and she loves you! As a get well soon present I gave her my copy of “A Fine Romance” and she was over the moon! She is recuperating beautifully now and daily delves into the book. (She was married in a Scottish castle and like me is a dyed in the wool Anglophile). Thanks for all the happy moments!
Merry Spring!
Kathy
Merry Spring Kathy and love to your girlfriend too!
Thank you for taking me on the wonderful vacation with you to England on the beautiful ship and to dear Beatrice’s. I recommend your book to everyone I meet…thank you for all the beauty I bring into the world.
You are the sunshine of my day. I love getting Willards and love getting your blogs. They truly inspire the best that is in me to come out. Especially when I don’t think I have any best to give. Thanks so much for all your wondrful inspiration.
Your blog and Willard updates bring so much joy into our lives! Thanks for all you do. You are truly an inspiration.
Just started “A Fine Romance” last night. Ahh … a breath of fresh air! I am going to pour myself a cup of tea and read a bit more. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to!
I hope you like it Betty!
Happy Spring !! I so enjoy your writings and beautiful art work ! I have always admired your work for years but this year is different. I feel I have found a kindred spirit. It all started with such a Long winter,feeling a little blue and house bound for too long. My 89 year old British mum living with us has been a challenge to our family. But we are muddling through. I needed a little me time and found myself at our local book store. I asked about your book “A Fine Romance” with the only copy in my hot little hand I sat and read a Little . I fell in love with it and knew it was coming home with me ! You have no idea how much of a wonderful escape your story was for me. I hated to put it down when I needed to get things done. Having parents born in England I have always had a love for anything British. Your story is very similar to our family history . I would love to tell you some of the similarities some time, your book helped me on a difficult day, and to remember the good things in life.
Thank you so much ! (Hug) I loved reading my first Willard today too! I think you need to go back to England soon so you can write another amazing book.
Thanks, Trish S.
Thank you so much Trish! xoxo Very nice to hear from you!
Hello Susan…….from a very Autumnal New Zealand! How lovely to read about your budding Spring just as our temperatures start dropping and my mind wanders to the warm comforting soup recipes on my kitchen book shelf!
I first came across your beautiful artwork and books on a trip to the USA about fifteen years ago…..might have been longer because, at the point, if memory serves me correctly, Joe was a very new flush to your cheeks!! How happy I am to read of your happiness 🙂
A move from South Africa to New Zealand saw your treasured books buried deep in packaging tissue for years on end and a few weeks ago, I finally got to unpacking my mystery boxes and rediscovered your inspiring work and writings. I am now on line and visiting your page whenever I feel like a “pick-me-up”. As soon as I send this off to you, I will be signing up again for your delightful Willard news letter!
With warmth,
Jenny
Happy fall Jenny . . . and Joe and I celebrated 27 years in February!
Love, Love, Love Lemon and can’t wait to try the Lemon Roll!!! Thank you for the delicious recipe and the lovely pictures.
Hi, Susan,
I have another Pen Pal that I enjoy hearing from, too. Your messages, whether through Willard, or YOU, are wonderful and fun to read. Today I am sharing Willard and You with a new friend. She will thank me for a long time to come. We like the same things you write about, share, cook, and whatever makes us smile…or laugh out loud. Thanks for all you do!!!
Hi Susan, love your books! Have several of your holiday books and certainly enjoy them. So glad I found your blog and signed up for Willard. Looking forward to the next adventure.
Your blog, Willard and the Lemon Roll recipe filled my day with joy!!!!
Thank You!
Love the Willard you just posted and the musica you selected too.
Happy Spring!
I love reading your page and newsletter! The music as I played it today just took me to a place of peace and calming! It gave me a feeling that the music of Perry Como and Tommy Dorsey was still playing on the radio and it played while I read!! Thank you for such wonderful stories and writings!
Susan, I love your writing and all the fun ideas you have and share with us. I just read your wonderful book: “A Fine Romance” and feel as though I DID make the trip with you, Joe and Petey. I would still love a signed copy and then I could give the copy I have away to someone else to enjoy. Thank you for being you.
I’m just so happy you liked the book Joellen! Thank you for telling me!
I left you a comment this morning, but it just isn’t there! So, I’ll send this again and say that I loved your long blog that I saw this morning, and also the Willard. Hope Vanna can sort this out–I’d love to get another one of your books for my friend!
loved the journey this post took me on!
loved the photos!
will really love the cake, I love lemons!
can I come there and live with you? teasing
just enjoyed this so very much!
Happy to have you here Annie!
Thoroughly enjoyed A Fine Romance. Waited a couple weeks and read it again. Wondering if you wrote book in the completed size or larger and printed smaller? Keep Willard coming. Have started to collect Gladys taber because of you. Iam also lucky to have a Joe in my life. When I saw all the things you took on your trip I saw myself my husband usually asks “are you staying the same amt of days as I am?” Quietly he makes the dozen trips to load the car. Fondly joan
So happy you liked it. It was written to size … just as it was printed. Love your Joe. xoxo
I loved opening your spring e-mail letter today! It instantly made me feel refreshed!
Thank you for the new Willard newsletter, enjoyed it all. 🙂
Loveeeeeeee jingles !!!!! Loveeeeeee Susan !!!!
Loveeeeeeee the book!!!!
I Love Willard and everything you do. I feel so blessed to have a computer where I can access your wonderful talents online. Can’t wait for a new book. I’ve read A Fine Romance twice now……it was brilliant! And I love the connection you bring all of us to New England where I grew up in Newport, RI. One of the most beautiful places in the United States. I hope to travel next summer and take my children and grandchildren to show them where their grandmother grew up. Happy Spring, dear Susan.
Oh Susan what joy to read Willard ,In Nz we still have to get through Winter but your blog made me fill with joy at the thought of Spring , Thank you dear Susan,Barbara Timaru NZ
Thank you Susan, for your inspiring words and art. I am a cake baker and love writing quotes, sayings, etc. on cakes for my customers and I use many of your quotes. The last cake I made was a 4 tiered chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting and I wrote in black buttercream most of the song of “What a wonderful world” starting at the top of the cake and winding down and around all 4 tiers ending with …and I say to myself, what a wonderful world! I put the cake on a carousel and the guests could turn it as they read. It was so fun listening to most of them singing the song as they read. The 60 year old customer was thrilled.
Brilliant Linda! So fun!
Hi Susan , love your blog,and Willard.Also loved your book ‘A Fine Romance’. I plan on reading it again soon. You are so inspiring and fun to read.
Thank You
Susan,
Love all of your work and delicious recipes. Always look forward to what’s new. Can’t wait to try the Lemon Cake Roll.
Count me in!!!
Sept 1990, I wrote in The Heart of the Home, “I fell in love with this book! Spent my Sat. Evening (Jim’s at a Renezvous up North) reading this…was touched to tears while reading “Breakfast” page 138. Who at an absolutely heartwarming, delightful book. And there are a few quotes from Gladys Tabor….my maiden name is not common.” (esp out west, where I live Richmond, BC (Steveston actually…Susan, you & Joe would love it here!). Several books later, I feel exactly the same way! I have 3 journals I’ve filled with moments as we drive between here & our grandsons, 1,000 miles away in Oceanside CA.
Thank you Susan, for providing pages for me to dive into my Bliss Station.
Love Mary Lou
How sweet that is Mary Lou!
“Willard”, a springtime treat as I wait for ice out on our lake in northern Minnesota. Thank you for warming my day!
This week I have been in and out of a nursing home sitting with my quiet 89 year old mother. She was a constant talker and I have quite a number of her stories locked in my heart. I saw the Keepsake book and the mom book and I thought this is a lovely idea and it truly would be a keepsake for generations to come.
Keep up the good work we all love it!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
My mom used to make jelly roll cakes and they were the best. I need to try one. Thanks for the wonderful picture directions.
Susan you are such an inspiration. Thank you for your wonderful blog. The things you create are so beautiful.
So nice to hear from you again. I loved “A Fine Romance”. I’ve loved your books and paintings since the 70’s. You never fail to make me happy!
Hi Susan… Still waiting for Willard, I signed up months ago but just signed up again so Willard can find little ole me!
I’ll check on that Wende!
Please. enter me in your gift give away. Thank you.
Everytime I read your blog,or really anything that you write I feel swept back into my childhood. I imagine we are the best of friends, having tea in the back yard and letting our imaginations travel where ever they may! Thank you Susan Branch!
Happy Spring, Susan!
I’m celebrating by lining my freshly spring cleaned cupboard shelves with your beauteous cherries shelving paper! Cherries are my favorite fruit, flavor, and fragrance! Your joy is contagious, and I’m glad to have caught it!
Oooh, sign me up for the give-away Susan! … and I’m signed up for the Friends of Gladys Taber weekend in June, so I’ll see you there. <3
Thank you for the wonderful, spring filled Willard! I have missed you!
Susan,
So good to hear from you.I took some time to read all about your adventures this past year.It sounds as if you have had a glorious time.Thank you for keeping us updated on all that is happening.
Hi Susan! I was so happy to see the Willard in my mail box! I just smiled to myself like I had found a hidden treasure just for me and tucked it away until I found a block of time to myself to savor it. Loved it!!! Thank you for giving us, your fans , the joyful, stress free break we all need! You bring sunshine in your writings and pictures no matter what the weather. Just looking at your calendar each morning starts my day with cheer. A Fine Romance is just lovely! Keep it all coming!
hi i posted a comment yesterday evening between 5 and 7 central time about your apricot jam tea. and it hasnt shown up just wanted everyone to know how wonderful it was:)
Thank you Charissa . . . just taking me a while to get them all “moderated.”
ahhhh no problemo then. Didn’t mean to rush you at all I just love the tea and wanted all the girlfriends to know:)
Oh, I know Chrissa . . . in fact I think I did find your other comment. But still, love hearing from you! xoxo
You are living my idea of a perfect life! We are moving from South Florida to South Carolina in the fall – where we hope to enjoy our new yard and all the seasons like you do. I loved spending this morning with you catching up. God bless you as you enjoy His creations!
sooo enjoyed willard this morning….i play music at a pre-school in the santa cruz mountains and a. your adorable is one of our favorite songs…..there is a darling board book with illustrations of beautiful, happy children singing the song…..keep on singing…..
❤️
Susan, you are a remarkable woman. Your writings, drawing and pictures make me homesick for New England(live in FL.now) You invoke such wonderful memories. The sights, sounds and smells of Springtime. Wish it could be bottled but you are the next best thing to bring it all to life.
Thank you so very much for allowing us to share with you.
At the end of the Willard, I was delighted by the mention of the words to the song that began with “I wish you bluebirds in the spring, to give your heart a song to sing”. It reminded me of words to another song “there’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover (England) tomorrow, just you wait and see”. I have to get the new book to see if you went to Dover on your journey! Dover Castle is such an awesome place. Loved the mention of your mom singing. My mother played piano and our home was also graced with beautiful music!
Happy spring to you! Carolyn Winslow in North Carolina
Hi Susan,
Really enjoyed both Willard and the blog post. I have read “A Fine Romance” and was so impressed with it that I booked a trip to England for this May. Can’t wait! Also, I was surprised to fine the bunny cake at the end of the blog. I made this exact cake for my first daughter’s first birthday many years ago. Still love it. Thanks for brightening up my Spring morning.
Good for you Irene, have a wonderful time!
Hi Susan….I LOVE your style!! Everytime I see “Willard” in my “mailbox” I can’t wait to read it! I, too, adore Beatrix Potter and her adorable characters. I can’t wait to plan a trip to England (probably not on the Queen Mary 2, though) so I can follow in your footsteps! Even if it’s not to happen in the near future, I am getting your book to get me started!
All the best,
Pam Dini
Connecticut
How I loved reading my first ever “Willard”. What a great start to a beautiful spring day! Thank you Susan.
Your blog brightens my day! You just reminded me to run out in my garden to say good morning to the 3 new little tomatoes that just popped out on our tomato plant! Love your recipes and the music to go with them! Thank you!
Thank you Susan so much for the Willard. Your posts always inspire me! And it couldn’t have come at a better time. What a breath of fresh spring air it was! I am now ready to go out into the garden and put my hands back into the earth, put out my bird feeders and commune with nature.
Have a wonderful spring! : )
Your words and watercolors make my heart sing. Today you put a little SPRING in my step and got me hummin’ the LEMON JELLY ROLL BLUES! Thanks!
I have missed Willard so much! Glad he is back!
I love all things Susan Branch–esp the fabric!
I love love your blog AND Willard!
I just LOVE everything you do, Susan! I can’t get enough!!
Hello. I LOVE all that you do, you make me try to be a better, more creative and relaxed person. Thank you.
To be so talented and have such a positive attitude about everything..reminds me of all I have to be thankful for..especially love your cats..
Susan Branch you make me smile every time I see your name, your books, your cards, your artwork, your Willard! You are amazing! I loved seeing your diaries in this months newsletter. It reminded me of the journal my kids bought for our ranch home. We keep it out on a shelf so our guests can sign in and share their thoughts and experiences when they visit. I hope to have many volumes thru the years!
The older it gets, the better it will be!
You are so thoughtful! Thank you!
Shelley
You are so talented. Thank you for sending “Willard”. I’m going to make myself a cup of tea and curl up and read it!
Dear Susan thank you for your post! You are amazing writing all those wonderful books, The Willard News Letter, and The Blog! Can’t wait for your next book. Thank you for bringing such happiness into my life! I hope you and Joe had a wonderful Easter!
Lucy from California
Hi! I love all things “Susan Branch”. The paintings and drawings with words are lovely. It’s my dream to one day visit England. I don’t have all things of Susan’s in my collection yet but I’m collecting them. I also have a small shop in my house where I sell some of her things. I enjoy reading her blog and Willard.
YOU are a breath of fresh air my dear !!!!
Dear Susan, you are the most generous friend. I love everything you do. God bless.
Hi Susan,
I enjoyed your book, “A Fine Romance” and can’t wait for the next book. I am also a watercolorist and enjoy your artwork. I signed up for the blog 2 months ago and enjoy reading what you and Joe and the 4 legged “kids” are up to. I also have two 4 legged “kids”, 1 dog, 1 cat. Keep writing so I can keep reading.
Entering contest