Vanilla Blackberry Scones

This is the best scone recipe I have ever used and best of all no butter is needed.  You can mix up the dry ingredients anytime and then when your ready to bake just add cream (and vanilla if desired). Perfect for those mornings where you would rather spend time sipping coffee on the deck with family or friends then stuck in the kitchen trying to prepare breakfast.  They turn out so moist and fluffy even the non-scone lover can appreciate this treat.  This recipes can also be ubber versatile, just substitute the blackberries, chocolate chips and vanilla with whatever you prefer.  Dried cranberries, cherries, nuts and white chocolate are just a few ideas.  

Vanilla Blackberry Scones

2 c Flour

1/4 c Sugar 

3 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 1/3 Heavy Cream

1 tsp Vanilla 

1 c Dark Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 c Blackberries (can use fresh or frozen)

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Add the cream and vanilla.  Knead until a soft, smooth dough forms. Gently knead in chocolate chips. Roll into a circle about 3/4 of an inch thick.  Sprinkle blackberries on top and cut into 6-8 slices.  Lay the slices a couple inches apart on a cookie sheet and bake 11-13 min at 400 degrees.

mary janes

These are such a sweet little pair of mary janes baby booties.  The best part about these is the a-mazing step by step tutorial on You Tube.  The video is especially helpful if you've never crocheted baby shoes before.  Once you've mastered the soles (which I think is the hardest part) you can do tons of different styles of shoes/boots and the bottoms basically stay the same or at least very similar.  If you would rather have just the written pattern you can find it here. http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/2009/08/crochet-baby-mary-jane-slippers.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKVpKx5qMAg

Baby Boots

My first original pattern!! I'm pretty proud of these little boots.  I will write the pattern out and post it later.  I just wanted to get a picture up because I was so excited to finish them.  Is it horrible that I'm so ready for winter to get here so I can start bundling up!?  Also would love to hear some ideas about how to make the bottoms non-slip for my little toddler. 

Raspberry Cake

I just rediscovered this recipe that I used to make all the time growing up.  I even did a demonstration speech in high school giving instructions to make this.  Back when I was sure someday I would have my own cooking show...   
Anyways I made it again for a 4th of July cookout.  I totally forgot to get a picture right away and it was gone before I could grab a piece for photographing.  I'll have to make it again before I add my own picture. 
I substituted a cup of blueberries in with the raspberries to add that red, white and blue theme.  

This is the photo that came with the recipe on the Taste of Home website... http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Royal-Raspberry-Cake  
Mine looked slightly more patriotic :) and was served without ice cream.


Raspberry Cake Recipe

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbs baking powder
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 cup milk, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 2-1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed 
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Glaze:

• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tbs milk
• 1/2 tbs butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• In a bowl, whisk together the first three ingredients; set aside. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, beating well after each addition. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Spoon berries over top.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until center of cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool 5 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients, add more milk if your glaze is too thick; spread over cake, leaving berries exposed. 

Summer Baby Hat

This is my first attempt at a crochet summer hat.  I'm very sad that I misjudged the size and it's too small to fit my daughter but oh well an adorable hat anyways.  The flower (which was a gift)  is actually secured to a hair clip and can clip on easily to any hat or headband.   Its a pretty standard crochet flower with a ribbon running through the top of the petals and a sparkly gem glued to the center.  It's just the perfect touch to this hat!