Feb 24, 2015

I Found Summer

Let's see a show of hands-everyone who would like a little less cold and a little more sun?  Me too.   

So, today I took my two little charges and met some friends at the botanical gardens about 50 miles from here.  It was wonderful.  It smelled like plants, looked like a jungle and the heat and humidity were wonderful.
The kids could take their jackets off and run round and round.  We walked along the palm lined paths and admired the hibiscus in bloom. 

Then we put on our jackets, hats and mittens and ventured out into the frozen city.  What a blessing to have this resource so close and free of charge.

This was a great way to stop the cabin fever that's been rearing it's ugly head from time to time. 



Feb 12, 2015

The Best Scones

I usually don't like scones.  They're dry and tasteless.  Maybe it's  because I usually buy them at the gas station bakery?  A couple of years ago, while sitting in a tea house, I was served the most delicious scones.  Soft and tender and addicting.  So, now knowing what a scone was supposed to taste like, I went in search of a recipe that would yield such scrumptious biscuits.
And now I would like to share it with you.  This recipe is from "The Old Farmhouse Kitchen" cookbook.
The Best Scones

Sift together:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tsp.baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Cut into flour mixture like pie crust:
1/2 cup butter

Mix together in a cup:
3/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add to dry ingredients until soft dough forms.  Roll into 8 inch disk.  Cut into wedges.  Separate.  Bake at 375 got 12-15 minutes.  Best served hot.  If adding berries or chocolate, mix into flour before adding the sour cream mixture.

I also drizzle with powdered sugar icing.  This morning I didn't have any sour cream, so I used warm fresh cream I had setting out to make butter.  It worked just as well.

Enjoy!

Feb 24, 2015

I Found Summer

Let's see a show of hands-everyone who would like a little less cold and a little more sun?  Me too.   

So, today I took my two little charges and met some friends at the botanical gardens about 50 miles from here.  It was wonderful.  It smelled like plants, looked like a jungle and the heat and humidity were wonderful.
The kids could take their jackets off and run round and round.  We walked along the palm lined paths and admired the hibiscus in bloom. 

Then we put on our jackets, hats and mittens and ventured out into the frozen city.  What a blessing to have this resource so close and free of charge.

This was a great way to stop the cabin fever that's been rearing it's ugly head from time to time. 



Feb 12, 2015

The Best Scones

I usually don't like scones.  They're dry and tasteless.  Maybe it's  because I usually buy them at the gas station bakery?  A couple of years ago, while sitting in a tea house, I was served the most delicious scones.  Soft and tender and addicting.  So, now knowing what a scone was supposed to taste like, I went in search of a recipe that would yield such scrumptious biscuits.
And now I would like to share it with you.  This recipe is from "The Old Farmhouse Kitchen" cookbook.
The Best Scones

Sift together:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tsp.baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Cut into flour mixture like pie crust:
1/2 cup butter

Mix together in a cup:
3/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add to dry ingredients until soft dough forms.  Roll into 8 inch disk.  Cut into wedges.  Separate.  Bake at 375 got 12-15 minutes.  Best served hot.  If adding berries or chocolate, mix into flour before adding the sour cream mixture.

I also drizzle with powdered sugar icing.  This morning I didn't have any sour cream, so I used warm fresh cream I had setting out to make butter.  It worked just as well.

Enjoy!