Opening gifts - puppies get to go first!
Mr. Henry (our faithful guard cow) and a simple outdoor Christmas tree.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Nye Christmas 2009
Enjoy the pictures of our 2009 Christmas! Hope yours was wonderful!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Frosty Morning
We woke up to a beautiful frost this morning. I know that probably sounds crazy to my Minnesota friends that I would be excited about frost, but it's almost like getting snow down here in South Carolina! Plus, it really is so pretty. Enjoy the rest of the pictures below.
Molly and Major taking care of business. They like frost better than snow because it means their little paws won't freeze!
Last flower standing from the summer. The pansies above actually only grow well down here in the fall, winter and spring because it is too hot for them in the summer heat.
Frosted fall leaves amidst frozen lemon thyme.
A beautiful, frosty, front porch view.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Pumpkin Scones
I found this recipe at www.joyofbaking.com. It was very yummy and enjoyed by us on Thanksgiving morning. I love scones, or heart scones, as Jessica would say.
PUMPKIN SCONES
Scone Dough:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/3 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup fresh or canned pure pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
Egg Wash:
1 large egg
1 T milk or cream
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and place rack in middle of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins and pecans/walnuts, if using.
In a separate bowl mix together the buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla and then add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together. Do not over mix the dough.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough gently four or five times and then pat the dough into a circle that is about 7 inches round and about 1-1/2 inches thick. Cut this circle in half, then cut each half into 4 pie-shaped wedges (triangles). Place the scones on the baking sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash.
Place the baking sheet inside another baking sheet to prevent the bottoms of the scones from over browning. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
NOTE: I used pecans and did not toast them and they turned out fine. Also, I used the full 1/2 cup of buttermilk and the scones were a little more moist than they probably should have been. They were still very good though. I also sprinkled sugar on the top after applying the egg wash.
PUMPKIN SCONES
Scone Dough:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/3 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup fresh or canned pure pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
Egg Wash:
1 large egg
1 T milk or cream
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and place rack in middle of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins and pecans/walnuts, if using.
In a separate bowl mix together the buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla and then add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together. Do not over mix the dough.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough gently four or five times and then pat the dough into a circle that is about 7 inches round and about 1-1/2 inches thick. Cut this circle in half, then cut each half into 4 pie-shaped wedges (triangles). Place the scones on the baking sheet. Brush the tops of the scones with the egg wash.
Place the baking sheet inside another baking sheet to prevent the bottoms of the scones from over browning. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
NOTE: I used pecans and did not toast them and they turned out fine. Also, I used the full 1/2 cup of buttermilk and the scones were a little more moist than they probably should have been. They were still very good though. I also sprinkled sugar on the top after applying the egg wash.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Craft Show Day
Today a couple of friends and I went to some craft shows in the area. Unfortunately, they did not come close to comparing to the ones I was used to up in Grand Rapids, so I was disappointed. I got a great dog collar for Major and a couple of other items, but regardless it was fun hanging out with friends for the day.
These are pictures I took outside before I walked over to Angela's to leave. The thresher is busy taking up the soybean crop today.
Pictures below are from the craft show at "The Dairy Barn"
Unfortunately, traveling from one spot to another, Angela sped up some to try to make it through a light, and she got caught. Gave us a lot of laughs, but she has to fork up some money for it. We almost asked the cop if I could take his picture for my blog, but thought better of it. I got the next best thing - the squad car with lights flashing. Sorry Angela! The next picture was my view outside of the passenger window while we were waiting for him to write up the ticket. Nice view at least!
Lunch at O'Charleys with Angela and Jessica. Thanks for picking up the tab, Angela. You're the best!!!
These are pictures I took outside before I walked over to Angela's to leave. The thresher is busy taking up the soybean crop today.
Pictures below are from the craft show at "The Dairy Barn"
Unfortunately, traveling from one spot to another, Angela sped up some to try to make it through a light, and she got caught. Gave us a lot of laughs, but she has to fork up some money for it. We almost asked the cop if I could take his picture for my blog, but thought better of it. I got the next best thing - the squad car with lights flashing. Sorry Angela! The next picture was my view outside of the passenger window while we were waiting for him to write up the ticket. Nice view at least!
Lunch at O'Charleys with Angela and Jessica. Thanks for picking up the tab, Angela. You're the best!!!
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