Strawberry Scones

It is that time of year! Our annual strawberry picking adventure was yesterday. It was hot, like really hot but we managed to pick six pounds of berry goodness. Of course a strawberry treat always follows. This year it is Strawberry scones…but I think some ice cream will soon follow.

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup roughly chopped strawberries
  1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Dice the butter into small cubes and toss with the flour mixture. Work the butter into the flour with a fork or pastry cutter until it looks like coarse bread crumbs.
  2. Whisk together the sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the sour cream mixture into the well. Using a wooden spoon or stiff spatula, mix and fold the sour cream mixture into the flour mixture. Be as gentle as possible.
  3. When almost all the flour has been incorporated (it’s ok if there’s still loose flour at the bottom of the bowl), turn the dough out onto the counter. Pat it into a wide rectangle and sprinkle half of the strawberries over half the dough. Fold the dough over onto itself and pat again into a wide rectangle. Sprinkle the remaining strawberries over half the dough and fold it over itself again. Fold it once or twice more to work in the strawberries, being as gentle as possible so as not to smoosh the strawberries. If any strawberries fall out, press them into the top.
  4. Press dough in a scone pan or form a disc and cut into 8 wedges. Refrigerate for one hour.
  5. A half hour before baking, heat the oven to 400°F.
  6. Remove the scones from the refrigerator. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the scones are firm on the sides and golden-brown on the top. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Perfect on a spring day!

Fresh as can be!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full plate. What’s for Dinner

May Day in Annapolis

I hope all my fellow Mamas are enjoying a wonderful Mother’s Day. This week was one of my favorite celebrations in Annapolis, May Day. Local businesses and residents decorate their front porches and doors with beautiful floral arrangements. Enjoy some of my very favorites.

This little nut made me a Mom…

Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Butterscotch Shortbread

It is really true, the simple things in life are the best. Who would think you could create something so sublime with flour, butter and salt. Add a little brown sugar and you take it to the next level of yummy. Butterscotch shortbread does not last long in my kitchen…I stand guilty for my part of the cookie disappearance.

I use a short bread pan to bake, but a pie dish will work as well. It might be fun to roll into cookie balls and press with cookie stamps or pretty press.

It’s been a strange spring for us here in Annapolis. Winter still is putting in an appearance but hopefully spring has it on the run. The cold, overcast weather just does not belong in May.

The Usual Cast of Characters

1 cup of all purpose flour

1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter

1/2 cup of packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon scotch or vanilla extract.

The Steps to Glory

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees

2. Beat butter and gradually mix in brown sugar and salt

3. Add scotch or vanilla and gradually add flour. Beat until smooth and well combined.

4. Press evenly into pan and push down with a spoon.

5. Score the bottom with a fork.

6. Bake for about 55 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Let shortbread cool completely before cutting into squares.

Can’t wait to walk without a winter coat.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full plate

Spring in Charleston Part 3

And the rain came down…and came down…and came down! What to do in Charleston in the rain, I mean, I guess we could explore the lovely gardens and historical houses and get really, really wet…but I’m not a fan of sitting in wet clothes. Inside it must be and, thankfully, Charleston had some things to offer.

Our first stop was the aquarium. I had some reservations about crowds and keeping a little space apart but I was surprised at how well everything was organized. Make sure the pre-buy your ticket and go early.

The highlights were the beautiful, huge turtles that swim so serenely in their large enclosures. It was actually pretty mesmerizing to watch them. The Princess enjoy the fish darting around and the educational area in the turtle hospital. I learned much about turtles myself.

When we left the aquarium it was raining even harder. Thank goodness we had umbrellas as we waited for the free city shuttle. We headed to King Street for our next adventure…perfume making! We actually saw this place a few days before and my science loving Princess thought it might be a fun thing to do. I thought it would be fun as well, so we spent a delightful hour crafting our signature scent. The process was so well laid out that we never felt overwhelmed. What a special memory we made at Tijon perfume lab. I highly recommend it.

We were sad to bid Charleston behind but we have so many lovely memories to cherish. We can’t wait to visit again.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Happy Easter!

An oldie but goodie post from the past…Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen today,


Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!


Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!


Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Wishing you a happy and blessed Easter Sunday!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star.Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday