SCONES

Made one last batch of scones in this kitchen this morning.   Every time I make them everyone asks for the recipe - so I thought I would take my first shot at sharing a recipe on this new blog.   First - this is not my original recipe.  I found it several years ago on one of the blogs I really enjoyed called GG Notes on the Journey, then the name changed to Fondly, Glenda.   But, both those blogs have seemed to vanished from the internet - and I hope that the author is well and just got too busy to blog.  So, here is the recipe for super easy and delicious scones...

The recipe calls for apricots and white chocolate - but I have made them with cranberries and walnuts, dried cranberries and pistachios, and hope to try them with chopped apples and walnuts in the Fall !

Chop the apricots into small pieces.  Combine the dry ingredients and then with a fork mix in the heavy whipping cream.   NO butter in these...none of that mixing in until it reaches a pea like consistency.  Just mix in the cream and gather the dough - it will be all in pieces - onto a floured board or silicone mat ( this one is fantastic!) and knead several times.

Divide the dough in half and with your hands flatten and shape into a disc shape.  I use a crinkle cut tool like my mom used to use for her lattice pie crusts.  It makes the scones look a little fancy, but you can use a knife.  I also divide each disc into 8 scones...not 6 as the recipe states.  I like them a little smaller.  You can also just roll the dough into a long roll and slice into rounds  - the the triangle shape is traditional for scones.

Place the scones on a baking sheet on parchment paper.   I have been using parchment paper for the last 10 years...always though it was not necessary, but oh - it is wonderful for scones, cookies, and other baking needs.

Bake scones at 425 degrees for 11 - 12 minutes.  

While scones are baking mix butter and sugar in a small saucepan and heat on low until melted.  I sometimes use a little more butter  - especially if I will have only 1 Tablespoon left over.  Today I used half a stick of butter...or 4 Tablespoons.

Mix with a pastry brush....

and brush onto the warm scones as soon as you take them out of the oven.

Optional directions....serve on a pretty napkin with some English Breakfast Tea in Paris mugs...ENJOY!

 These scones freeze beautifully in a plastic freezer container layered with wax paper.  Easy to pull out and defrost when guests pop in.    

Baking is over...time to get back to packing ! 6 weeks from today we will be waking up in our new home...maybe enjoying a scone on our new patio...if they last that long!

Sharing this idea with others on http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Another busy day on the road to our next chapter...
First thing in the morning the delivery of our new La Z Boy chairs.  So happy to get them before the move since our old ones are gone and we need comfortable seating.   First one was delivered and set up - perfect!  Then the delivery man comes in and says the wrong chair is the other box.   He suggested we refuse delivery and they will re-order.  UGH!  But, in the light of all the sorrow in the world today this is NOTHING.  Hoping the new replacement chair arrives soon...

Next stop...search for a chandelier for our dining area.  We both loved this one...modern and different.  Got it on sale and used an extra 10% coupon which makes it even more attractive.

Then a stop at our new address....and much progress has been made.  The building will be turned over to the community on July 1...so there is a lot of work and landscaping going on.   That is our window and porch...and we met some new neighbors who snapped this shot of us in front of the unit below us.   It is so exciting to see where we will be 6 weeks from TODAY!

Can't see it too well in this photo, but the pergola on the roof deck now has canvas on it to block the sun, as well as clear railing so we can enjoy the view.

Before heading home we stopped at the clubhouse for some delicious ice cream and enjoyed it while sitting by the pool.  Wish I had my suit as it was so inviting!  And...on the way out...John just had to try the vintage pinball machines in the game room.   Have not heard that pinball sound in years...think he will be enjoying these machines in the coming months! 

Making progress toward our BIG move.  The dining room is packed an finished.  It looks like chaos because of the step stool in the middle - but that is a safety issue.  If it was not there it is very easy to bump your head on the dining room chandelier!  There is a method to our madness - dining room items are packed, labeled in ORANGE with an ORANGE sticker.  All orange stickers will go to the main area of the new apartment.  Other colors for other rooms - hoping this makes it easy for the movers and easy for us to unpack !

First blog post !   I love reading blogs and now that I am retired and embarking on a new adventure it seemed like the perfect time to start my own.  Don't know if anyone will be interested or if anybody will read it...but I hope to share our adventure of downsizing and moving, life as a retired couple, travel, books, decorating, food, and maybe even a bit of over 60 fashion.   Right now starting a blog is the last thing I should be doing as we endeavor to pack up and move.  But I have to start somewhere...and this is it.