Can we talk scones?

Or Skohn's?
Or Skon's?
Or Skahn's?
Or Skoan's?

Apparently, there are many names for this small quick bread. Who knew?

Since I made mine with raisins (English version) let's stick with 'Scones', shall we?

Have you ever had a scone?
Were they hard?
And dense?

Most scones that I've had were that way. And although they can be quite satisfying with a cup of coffee or tea- I'd say they're nothing to write home about.

Until now.
Behold.
The tastiest scone ever.
I mean ever. And ever.




Even the recipe title boasts of it's goodness.

World's Best Scones! From Scotland to the Savoy to the U.S.!
Recipe by Friendly Food



1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk



1- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2- Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or rubbing between your fingers until it is in pea sized lumps. Stir in the currants. Mix together 1/2 cup milk and sour cream in a measuring cup. Pour all at once into the dry ingredients, and stir gently until well blended. Do not overwork the dough!

3- With floured hands, pat scone dough into balls 2 to 3 inches across, depending on what size you want. Place onto a greased baking sheet, and flatten lightly. Let the scones barely touch each other. Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of milk. Brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash. Let them rest for about 10 minutes.

4- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the tops are golden brown, not deep brown. Scones can be reheated if not eaten promptly by wrapping in aluminum foil and heating in oven until heated through or split in half and toasted.

*I drizzled them with a bit of icing. (Confectioner's sugar & milk)



These things rock my world.

WFMW

How do I display my two year-olds artwork?







Thanks to some Pottery Barn inspiration, two wooden star hooks ($1 each),
a bit of blue paint, wooden clothespins, and some leftover wire hubby had,
I made this art display for my little guys room.

I love how simple and inexpensive it was to create. It adds such charm to his room, and I can change out his artwork as often as I'd like.

Cheap and cute? Works for me. =)

Visit We are THAT family for more Works-for-me Wednesday ideas, tips and inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!
-Jen

I need to lay off...

... the tomatoes & cucumbers heavily drizzled with italian dressing, a few pinches of salt and pepper, sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Need.to.lay.off.

I'm eating this stuff daily. =)

Friday & Saturday

went something like this.





The kids played in the sandbox all day on Friday.



After my sister picked up Angelina, she headed to the Sec. of State to get her license/tags renewed (She turns 30 today-- Happy Birthday sis!!) She said that they had to wait an hour and finally when her number was called, there was a pile of sand in Angelina's seat. Hehehe. oops.






My bleeding hearts are blooming so I brought some in.


I even planted some pansies.

Half of Saturday was ruined by pesky thunderstorms but today is looking lovely. Now if there was only a way to extend the weekend...

Happy Sunday!

Aloha Friday! - Weekend plans?

Woo-wee! I'm so happy it's Friday! Are you??!

My Aloha Friday question is:

What's your weekend plans? Anything fun & exciting?

This weekend the temps are supposed to get up in the 80's! Woo-hoo!!
{{ So excited! }}

Early Saturday morning I'm hitting the Farmer's market for the first time this year. Yay! We might visit our local historic mill and farm- maybe even bring a picnic. On Sunday we'll just be relaxing.

What's on your weekend agenda? Is it going to be nice where you are?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

WW: Daddy's sidekick

Daddy's sidekick.



If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

Happy WW!
-Jen

She was standing beside my car, her hands gripped on her metal shopping push cart when she started to speak.

I quickly glanced up at the woman in the next parking spot as she was slowly backing out. She was watching, waiting to see what would come of this old woman, with crazy silver hair and her shopping cart filled with a toilet seat lid and other miscellaneous items.

She was watching us, and I was searching her face for recognition that she knew this old woman. She pulled away with the same puzzled face as I wore.

She spoke so fast with a deep, harsh voice, it startled me.

'Give me ride? No?' She asked in her heavy accent.

'Where to?' I asked. Glancing nervously around as I start to load my groceries in the car.

'You put my stuff in your trunk, no? I give you money. I walked. To look.' She's pointing towards the back lot of the grocery store.

I have no idea what she's talking about. I'm just looking at her trying ot decide what to do.

In her broken English, I see just an old woman wanting a ride.

She's freaking me out a tad though, and I'm having this inner dilemma.

I have a car full of groceries and I have no idea where this woman wants me to take her.

I blurt it out. Ashamed even as I speak and point over to the Target next door. I need to go there , I tell her. And, I watch her face.

'Yes. Yo go. I walk, Miss.'

Oh my goodness, Why did I say that? The weight of guilt is feeling like a thousand pounds. Why am I not giving this old lady a ride?

I sit in my running car questioning my reluctance and then I make a decision.

I pull slowly around towards the front of the parking lot, searching for her. She couldn't have walked too far. And then I spot someone loading her cart and items into their trunk.

I feel so small.

Sometimes, I just want simple.
Simple ingredients. Simple recipe. No fuss, no muss.

I had three very ripe bananas calling out to be mashed and baked into delicious muffins.
I knew just the recipe.
Seven basic ingredients.
Three easy steps.


Banana Muffins

3 ripe bananas
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. oil

1- Mash the bananas, and add the sugar, the
slightly beaten egg, and the oil.
2- Mix in the dry ingredients.
3- Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

*Top with chopped pecans before baking if that's how you roll, too.

Simplistic baking at it's best.

Happy Monday!
-Jen

Yesterday's weather here in Michigan was heaven.
I spent most of the day outside soaking up the warm sunshine.

Haley & I went on a nice long walk, talking.
I cleaned up a bit in the yard.
And after dinner, it was so nice to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee outside listening to the birds.

Today is cloudy and cool.
But I have a reminder of how beautiful yesterday was...


My Forsythia is in bloom. So, I clipped a few branches and brought them inside.

The day ended just as nice as it started. Enjoying the company of my daughter while watching my favorite movie.



And, guess what? She liked it!

Aloha Friday! Vacation?

Yay!! It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Any vacations planned for this spring/summer?

No big vacation plans here. We are going to rent a cabin in northern Michigan (off of Lake Huron) mid-summer. Otherwise, we don't have anything else planned. Hubby mentioned taking some of our summer weekends and visiting the lighthouses we have here in Michigan. Sounds good to me. =)

Any big or small vacation plans?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a great weekend!
-Jen

Afternoon on a hill

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
And then start down!

-Edna St. Vincent Millay


I love those days when nature soothes the soul, don't you?

WFMW

What do you do with leftover chicken?



Make chicken & rice salad!

Mix together:

1 c. or so of cooked brown or white rice
1 c. diced or shredded cooked chicken
1/2 c. frozen peas thawed
1/2 c. finely diced veggies & such. I use onion, celery and black olives
Salad dressing of your choice - I use ranch most of the time.
Salt & pepper

Voila-- Lunch! Works for me. =)

Happy Wednesday!

From as far back as 1937

these books have been around. Can you believe it?

Raise your hand if you had a paint with water book as a kid! {{raises hand}}


I picked up a couple of them for Nicholas at Target for .89 each.



What a deal, eh? The little ones really enjoy them.










Here's Haley becoming just like her Mom, hiding from the camera.



Happy Monday!
-Jen

Aloha Friday! Favorite thing?

Woo-hoo!! It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

What's one of your favorite things right now?

Here's my most recent favorite thing:



Hello, you beautiful brown bottle of cocoa butter lotion, you.

I just love the smell of you and the heavenly way you absorb. No greasy residue from you. Just plain softy (I think I just made up that word) goodness.
I love that I can get a big bottle of you for under $5. The frugal girl in me thanks you for that. I definitely think you & I will be best of friends in the summer when I'll need you the most. I've been a happy girl with soft skin ever since I brought you home last week.

Seriously though, how nice is it to find a product that you love and that works and doesn't cost an arm & a leg?! =)

So, what's one of your favorite things?


Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a blessed Easter weekend!
-Jen

Guess I've been taking this B.W.O. (blogging without obligation) seriously. Hehe.
It's been over a week since my last post.

Why?

Hmmm, no particular reason.

Nothing new. Not crazy busy. Just being. Know what I mean?

I'm still waiting for the really nice warmth to hit us in Michigan.

Meanwhile, I'll keep dreaming of planting herbs and more lavender in the garden while continuing to keep myself busy inside the house.
We've had a few nice Spring days, but nothing to brag about it.

Here's the kiddos enjoying some fresh air on one of the fair weather days...






But Mom, how can we look at the camera with the sun blaring in our eyes?

Hope everyone is enjoying Spring so far. Happy Sunday. =)