Charlie

This is Charlie enjoying some sunshine and watching me bake.

Happy First Day Of Spring!

I know it is spring, today it is 1 C so good to be above zero!
I have yet to see a red winged blackbird , the true sign it is spring here in the Kawarthas.
I have seen a couple of robins and the squirrels are mating and the snow has  been melting off  making everything a mud hole .
I have a beautiful hyacinth plant in full bloom filling my house with its  pungent,  intoxicating scent.
They have always been my father's favourite plant in spring.
I have grown to love this plant almost as much as the lilacs!

What is your favourite spring plant?

Lemon Scones For Tea Time

Lemon Scones For Tea Time!

Seeing as it is almost spring and we have had a few sunny days where the snow is starting to melt off and turn everywhere you go into a mud hole.
 I felt we needed something light and cheery at tea time.
I loved the citrus smell in the kitchen as I was mixing it up.
Lemon is one of my favourite flavours.
What flavour reminds you of spring?

                                Lemon Scones

 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt,1/4 cup sugar 4 packets of True Lemon dehydrated lemon www.truelemon.com/‎ and 1 tablespoon of baking powder.

Mix together in a large bowl and set aside.

1/4 cup of shortening cut shortening into the dry ingredients until  no large chunks are visible.

In small bowl beat 2 eggs (reserve some egg white to brush on top of scones before baking),1/2 cup of greek lemon yogurt   mix until batter comes away from sides of bowl (don't over mix or your scones will be tough).

 Turn out onto floured board and roll out to be 1 inch thick cut into wedges and brush with your egg whites.

Place scones on  parchment lined pan and bake 12 to 15 minutes on middle rack of preheated oven at 400F.

Once cooled make a icing to drizzle over   of scones with icing sugar, lemon juice and melted butter just add 1 cup icing sugar and make a paste with the lemon juice and butter let cool and add more icing sugar if needed to make it pourable but thick.

Enjoy with a lovely cup of tea and a loved one .

Loving The Sunshine

Today I am so happy to see that sun shining even though it is -15C out there.
I think like everyone else in Southern Ontario I am getting really tired of all of the cold and snowy weather.
I am looking forward to going for walks without my snowmobile boots on !
I think it makes for a much better work-out with them on...  I can just picture me walking down the main drag in June wearing snowmobile boots because it makes for a better work out LOL!

Are you tired of the cold and snow yet?

Apple Cinnamon Scones

I know I have neglected to write the last few days, but my grandfather passed away and we have been finding it quite hectic.

Today I decided to make scones and have made strawberry ones, and plain ones as well as peach and plum scones so this morning I chopped up my green apple fine and  caramelized it with butter and brown sugar and cinnamon.

The results were so tasty I swear I have no idea why I hadn't done this before now!

2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of baking powder.

Mix together in a large bowl and set aside.

1/4 cup of shortening cut shortening into the dry ingredients until  no large chunks are visible.

In frying pan caramelize the apple with a  bit of butter and brown sugar and cinnamon, remove from heat to cool.

In small bowl beat 2 eggs (reserve some egg white to brush on top of scones before baking),1/2 cup of cream and add the caramelized apple, mix until batter comes away from sides of bowl (don't over mix or your scones will be tough).

Add more cinnamon at this point if you want, then turn out onto floured board and roll out to be 1 inch thick cut into wedges and brush with your egg whites and sprinkle with coarse or decorating sugar .

Place scones on  parchment lined pan and bake 12 to 15 minutes on middle rack of preheated oven at 400F.

Enjoy with a lovely cup of tea and a loved one .