Damp, dreary, gray, foggy, mucky, melty days.
We've had a few of them in a row.
And this is as good as it got....
all weekend...
soggy-foggy.
The temperatures are a bit warmer this week for the time being,
so our snow is melting quickly.
With the exception of one area of our farm....
our apple orchard...
Siberia, as I love calling it...
seems to have its very own little micro-climate...
several degrees colder than the rest of the world.
It's true...
and weird.
It happens every winter.
It might be Spring-like all over the farm...
but it's Winter in the orchard... for...ever! (it seems)
It was the perfect weekend for baking...
scones.
And sewing...
more of this quilt.
And making lip balm...
Amanda and I poured about 20 of these tins.
We are planning on pouring our lip balm
(made with our own bees wax and other moisturizing ingredients)
in kraft paper (recyclable) tubes next week.
I've also been making a bunch of these little lined, zippered pouches...
They are the perfect size for a cell phone, or small camera,
credit cards and money.
Sadly, we were unable to see Tyler this weekend,
as he was at home with a stomach virus.
By Sunday, his mommy had succumbed to the same virus.
We are hoping both will be well and able to come for a farm visit next weekend.
Comments
Thanks for the get wells....Amanda is fine. I probably don't tell Tyler's mommy's name much...cause I always call her Tyler's mommy. Jenn is Tyler's mommy and they live about 45 minutes from us. Amanda lives with us presently. Kids....it can all be so confusing. Andy lives about 45 minutes away and Ryan lives in North Carolina. That's the four of them.
Now, for the scones. Go to the King Arthur Flour blog and search for scone recipes. If you make their basic scone.....and then I add the zest of a lemon, chopped walnuts and fresh or frozen blueberries to that recipe. The trick with scones is this....
Your butter should be as cold as possible when you cut it into your flour. I actually freeze my butter for use in my scones. Then cut the butter into as small of chunks as you can to cut them into the flour with a pastry cutter. You will still be able to see little chunks (pea sized or smaller) in your dough...which should be a little crumbly. If you over mix scones, they become tough. If the butter is too warm, they over-mix.
I often make them with orange zest, walnuts and dried cranberries. Or lemon zest and candied gingerroot and walnuts.
YUMMY!!!!
I hope Tyler and his mom are feeling better.
Soggy, foggy makes for some great photos . . .
That lip balm looks wonderful! I have such dry skin I could smear it all over, ahhhhhh!!
No sewing for me, just a little crocheting and knitting. I have to get in the sewing room for Am. doll clothes. Love the quilt top. Can't wait to see it done, make sure pictures! Here's to a great week ahead, hugs!!
Your quilt is so pretty. Love the fabrics! I have been making pouches similar to yours. They are addictive, aren't they? I also made up some lip gloss from our bees wax, first time ever. But I need to order some tins. I've found a few places, just haven't placed the order. Where do you get your?
Hope the kiddies are better now.
Lip balm....wow, looks nice. Do you sell it? LOVE the quilt! LOVE it!
Hope your loved ones are well soon! We are all coughing and sniffing here.
xo Kris
Good to see you and Amanda are enjoing some stitching time..Fun!!
Hope the flu keeps away..poor Tyler and Mo..yuck..
Keep well and dry..lol
J.
I love how your quilt top came together. I have always like the hourglass design - simple, but striking. Are the colors for Valentines Day?
I wanted to share a tip about making scones. I love everything about scones - except the cutting in of the ice cold butter. I have no patience for it and, yet, scones would not have their buttery lightness without this step. Last week I got the idea of using my box cheese grater. I took the almost frozen sticks of butter and grated them into the dry ingredients. It was done in about a minute. The butter shreds were evenly distributed and they rose better than when I use my pastry blender. They taste was even a ltlle better (all in my mind I'm sure). They really were flakier. The bottom line was that it is super quick and takes the work out of the scones. If you try it make sure you put the sticks of butter in the freezer 20 minutes before needing them. Wish I had thought of this years ago.
Last thing - Did you tell your farmer neighbor to be on the lookout for those jerks stalking your farm. Maybe he could get the license # if he see them again. State Fish & Wildlife might also be able to give you some advise.