Friday, December 28, 2012

Bake Sale Report + the recipe for the Best Cream Scones

A few weeks ago we had a bake sale in our driveway to raise money for our adoption.
We were given a total of $1,450 by generous friends, family, acquaintances & strangers!

We were blown away!  What a blessing!  Thank you to everyone!

And, here's a recipe that many folks have requested.  Cream Scones.
These are from Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Baking,
which is a super awesome cookbook.  I highly recommend it.
These scones are so good because they have a high fat content.
And, I think it matters that there are no eggs in these.
All other recipes I have found online have an egg or two in them.
I believe adding an egg to your scone is a bad choice.
Have your egg on the side, scrambled or however you like it.
But don't put it inside.

Best Cream Scones

2 cups Flour
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons grated Lemon Zest
6 tablespoons cold Butter, cut into small squares.
1/2 cup dried Currants OR dried Apricots OR Chocolate Chips OR whatever
3/4 cup Heavy Cream

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Combine your dry ingredients (1-5) until well mixed.
Cut in your butter until it forms large, coarse crumbs about the size of little peas.
Scatter your fruit or chocolate or whatever, over the dough.
Pour in the cream and mix until you form a moist mass.

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured counter and gently press it into a ball.
Press your mound down into a round that is about 1/2 high.
With a large knife, cut your round into 6 - 8 wedges.
Place the wedges onto your cookie sheet,
leaving about 1 inch of space between the scones.

Hopefully you have a little more Heavy Cream left.  About a tablespoon, or so...
Brush the tops of your scones withe cream.  Then sprinkle with sugar.

Bake in your 425 oven until lightly golden brown on the tops, about 13-17 minutes.
Let cool slightly.  But, these are good warm!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

P.J.'s in Wonderland





We went hunting for awesome Christmas lights.
Or, as Moira said, we were looking for Wonderland.
We found it!
(Drive up Hilltop off of San Jose Soquel and you may find it, too.)


Thursday, December 20, 2012

He Knows

I haven't been on the blog much.
I don't know what to say about some of the hard things that are around us all.

The shooting at Sandy Hook - what a heartbreak. What a massive heartbreak.  Why?

My friend Ian, who was suddenly diagnosed with a very serious form of Leukemia.
How can this be?  He was so healthy. 

Darling little Daisy, at age 8 diagnosed with cancerous tumors 
for the fourth time in her life.
How?  She's so young.

This is the real hard stuff of this world.  I really don't have any words for it.
I mostly just pray.  And even then, I usually don't know the words.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, 
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
Romans 8:26

I remember a story about a little 2 year old girl, teaching her own grandma about prayer 
in times such a this.  When you don't know what to say, 
it is okay just to give their names to Jesus.
I learn from her too, and I offer up names.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, 
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:15-16

He knows.  He knows my heart.  He knows their needs.  He knows the pain.  
He is able to sympathize with all our big, ugly, confused feelings.  
So, even in my lack of words, I can come boldly, in faith.

He knows His good plan.  He knows how to accomplish it.

Jesus, Ian.  Jesus, Daisy.  Jesus, Laura.  Jesus, Karen.  Jesus, Arielle.  Jesus, John....




Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas Gathering

I printed these for the kids and decided to color one myself.  Just so, so cute.

Paper Nativity - Made by Joel
Source: madebyjoel.com via Erin on Pinterest



Way, way, cute telling of the Christmas story.  This is a must see, must share.
We watched it at Scott's company party.
And, I've watched it a couple times at home with the kids.  Watch.
(Doesn't the sheep look like Moira?)

The Christmas Story by St. Paul Art and Media



Can I get a raise of hands for everyone who loves the Jesus Storybook Bible?!
Watch The Nativity story video here.


We checked at the library for a CD of the Nutcracker music.  NOTHING.
What?  Are you kidding me?  I came home and Googled it - Bam.
Free Nutcracker audio downloads


I'm hoping to make some of these little treats.  Tonight?

Sea Salt Caramels



I did so much baking for our adoption fundraising Bake Sale
(which was a smashing success, by the way),
that I wasn't planning to bake anymore.  But, maybe these again.
They are just SO tasty.

Chewy Chocolate Chunk Ginger Cookies