The "Easy" Perfect Scone

Blueberry Scones

& Other Variations

1 Cup regular sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
3/4 tsp. salt
1 Cup butter (cold)
1 egg slightly beaten
1 cup raisins (optional/see note)

1. In a small bowl, blend sour cream and baking soda, set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease baking sheet.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cream of tarter, and salt. Cut in cold butter. Stir sour cream mixture and egg into the flour mixture until just moistened. Mix in raisins (optional) or other fruits/chocolate chips/nuts, etc.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly (do not over-work). Divide dough in half. Pat into two 3/4 inch thick rounds. Cut into wedges and place two inches apart on prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes in the preheated oven until golden brown on the bottom.

Note: I have tried this recipe using chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, and dried or fresh blueberries instead of raisins and they worked wonderfully. (Pictured are fresh blueberry scones) The top of the scones can be sprinkled with sugar or brushed lightly with egg wash before baking if desired.

High Tea...

      I've only attended an "official" high tea three times in my life. Today was a special day with three very special ladies. We planned to attend this tea over a month ago. Our desire was to go during the Christmas season but they were completely booked! Now that I think about it, I am happy we didn't get to go during December. There were so many other fun things during that month, and having tea with my friends to celebrate the new year makes this occasion very special.

I thought I would invite you to join us...

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving,

making every day a holiday and celebrate just living."
~ Amanda Bradley

      My poor friends. Every time we go anywhere together, I pull out my camera...like the paparazzi! They are very kind and don't complain...much. But I can almost hear them thinking at times, "here she goes again!" Sometimes they're afraid because they never know what I'll do with the pictures I take. They could very well end up on the Internet:)

I thought the napkins were folded so lovely. I didn't want to use mine! But I did.

      The first course was a delicious (warm) blueberry white chocolate scone with blackberry preserves and creme fraishe.... I gobbled it down so fast, I forgot to get a picture! Ops...sorry.

This was the second course ~

This little thing (Celebration Crostini) was sooo good, I need the recipe!

      We were told we could try as many of the different tea selections as we wanted...so we did! I can't believe we actually drank four pots of tea!

This was our final course ~

In the middle is Pear William...yum!

      The food was very good, and all the different teas were wonderful. We had Apricot Brandy (two pots), French Creme Brulee, and Royal Wedding Tea. Our favorite ended up being the Apricot Brandy so we started and finished with it.

It was my friend Sylvia's birthday...I think she had a fun day.

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." ~author unknown 

It's nice getting out with the girls and sharing tea and talk.


Friends are precious.

“The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships.”~ Abraham Lincoln

   

  

      Thank you for joining us for tea today. 

                                                                                                               

 

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
- Bible: Ecclesiastes

The Creamer

      I wrote this poem after an unexpected trip (rabbit trail) to an antique store in the hope of finding a creamer that would look OK with the red rimmed sugar bowl I got at a flea market. I had one in my hand that I thought would suffice...no red rim...didn't match, but that was alright since I mix and match things all the time. But no...that wasn't my Heavenly Father's plan that day...as once again, He revealed His love to me.

by Charlotte Foster

Just a little creamer,

May not seem much to you.

To me it represents a love,

That’s always fresh and new.

It comes to me in many ways,

Some simple and some not.

At times it’s unexpected,

And other times it’s sought.

Little trinkets of Himself,

To find when unaware.

Confirming in my heart again,

That He is always there.

He follows me to silly places-

My favorite antique store.

 Reveals He knows my every thought,

And that He’s gone before. 

For on my knees down on the floor,

And moving things aside.

I got a glimpse of something,

That someone seemed to hide.

Around in back, behind a vase,

No, it just couldn’t be!

The red rim of a creamer,

My Father hid for me.

All alone it sat there,

No more useful role.

I didn’t mind because you see,

I own the sugar bowl!

Only He would know that,

And only He would care.

Only He could know that day,

That I’d be shopping there!

But as it is written:

 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man,

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

      If He is so loving and good to us here, how much more can He possibly be preparing for eternity? I cannot even imagine! His love is displayed in everything around us; the beauty of His creation in the changing seasons, the song of a bird outside our windows, the opening of a flower as it reaches its head toward the sun...and yes, even a creamer!

I pray you will take notice today of His love for you, in whatever way He reveals it.

Don't forget to enter to win the teacup GIVE-AWAY!