For the Love of Scones

I love scones.  I must say, they are definitely a newer love of mine.  I grew up with biscuits and cake, pies and homemade breads and lots of baked goods, but never had a scone, until about 6 years ago.  They are so wonderful because they are like all those yummy pastry things rolled (or rather kneaded) into one!

Now, maybe you don't think of yourself as a baker, but don't let these little darlins intimidate you.  Martha Stewart says, "The secret to making delicate scones is handling the dough as little as possible" (marthastewart.com), and she's right.  The less you mess with them, the better they are! So, here are some of my favorites:



Glazed Lemon Scones

I made these just yesterday...lemon and summer are one of my favorite combos.  Now, I WISH I could tell you where I got this recipe originally.  The bottom of the torn out page of a magazine says FAMILY FUN so when I googled to investigate, I found the exact recipe and picture on a Disney Family website, so who knows?!  Either way, you can get the recipe by clicking HERE.

Another favorite is, of course, from Martha.  I've made these several times and they are no-fail too:





Blueberry Scones www.marthastewart.com

I got this recipe from a Martha Stewart Living, but you can find it HERE.

And, if you just want to keep things simple, and I do love simple, you can find these at Target!



I've had cranberry and vanilla. They usually have several varieties and they are delicious!

Try them and let me know how you LOVE them!







Dad



From my journal, dated June 21, 2009 and Days With Dad:


Today is Father's Day.  Definitely a surreal experience.  Even stopping for a card and gift  was the strangest thing...do we assume that this is his last--then, do we indicate that? Do we say it?  Do we say what we're all thinking? It's so truly...odd.

So, I saw Dad today for the first time since he left the hospital.  His weight has dropped even more and he is as thin as I remember him as a very young girl, though without the muscle tone, the sturdiness...the strength.  He is not eating---totally uninterested in most foods which is difficult to watch (since all of our family celebrations, Father's Day included, have always centered around and celebrated food!)  However, he is somewhat ornery and silly today which is Dad, my dad, though of course unseen at the hospital in 3 1/2 days...no silly there, no light hearted laughter, no...

It's a strange thing to sit around and talk about the end of life. You know, with Grandma
Chappy, we knew death was imminent but didnt' talk about it openly with her, but with Dad, today, we talked about it like we would the score of last night's game or the weather.  It just is.

Dad told me he was proud of me and wanted me to take care of the girls.





Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love and miss you today more than ever.

Yard Sale Yummys

Okay, first of all let me say, I know I often use the word yummy for that which is inedible.  So, if you're mouth started to water or you were thinking, "what weirdo buys food at a yard sale?!", I apologize.

The Nester is having a fun little linky for Yard Sale Finds.  Now, I must admit, I'm not a HUGE yard sale-er.  I love thrift stores but this linky is ONLY for yard sales. So, I thought I'd share my few treasures from yard sales.

My Ruth Orkin picture of the American Girl in Italy.  I love her.  I feel like I know her and imagine stories about her.  I think I really just kind of daydream about her because I want to go to Italy to eat, cook and live!

I'm not sure what it is about chairs and me, but I don't think I've bought a "new" chair since before I was  married when we bought a little country table with four chairs (that was when I was in my blue and mauve phase!).  The chairs above were a local teachers' and they were her Grandmother's chairs...lots of nostalgia.   I bought all 6 of them, painted them, recovered them and have used them in my dining room for 7 years.  (they used to be covered in red toile!)  The other chair was unpainted too. It's in  my living room now.

Last but not least...I love this little treasure too.  I've hung it in a window, set it around in various places,  and am currently using it on top of an urn for a side table (however, after seeing it here, I might hang it right where I propped it for this picture!)

Hope you've enjoyed my yard sale finds.  What treasures have you found?

I'll be linking up my finds at Nesting Place...you should too!

Girls Night Italiana!

I was so glad to get to host a Ladies Night Out at my house this weekend for some awesome girls from my my church!  We decided to make it a "pot-luck" Italian theme...EVERYTHING was delicious!

I made Stromboli...so easy, I'll post the recipe soon...

I also made Berry Strata, a Giada recipe,

mmm!  with fresh whipped creme, its as tasty as it is beautiful.  You can find the recipe here.

Andi made Lasagne Rolls

Oh my gosh, they were amazing!  I'm totally making them this week!




Lara, Andi, Kristi




Lisa, BJ, Jan



I really wanted to have it outside with strings of white lights and a little bistro feel,  but with the threat of thunderstorms and a 92 degree temp, I decided indoors would have to do it.

So much fun!...
I'll be sharing my little party when I link up at Centsational Girl!

The Great Outdoors

A hundred years ago, or so it seems, right after my divorce, the girls and I lived in a little townhouse.  It had a little patio outback just big enough for a little table, some chairs and a flowerpot or two.  I loved that little patio.

When I saw this picture

Centsational Girl

it made me think of the dinner parties I threw back there.

I used 

red toile fabric and creamy muslin to cover EVERYTHING!  (that way you can use a cheapy patio table and some folding chairs!)  If only I had taken pictures....

Another favorite was some Martha Stewart Everyday dishes that I bought at KMart right after my divorce (2 4-piece place settings on clearance). They looked kind of like these:

I still use them all the time.  They are definitely one of my favorite things.

What's your favorite summer treasure?