How Do I Love You? Let Me Count the Scones!

108, I believe is the accurate count. Danielle asked me to make scones and other tea party favorites for her senior recital reception, for about 50 people. 

Well, I have never made scones before so I was a little intimidated.

Alice helped me through the process, the girls have eaten at her shop in Manhattan and say the food is fabulous. So, I went to an expert.

I made a batch of three different kinds: Berry, Chocolate chip, and lemon poppy seed.  

So, this is how it went... 

First I mixed the dry ingredients. Next, mixed the butter in using a pinch drop kind of action.

It ends up looking like this

I mixed in berries, or chips, or in this case lemon zest and poppy seeds. 

Made a hole in the center and added the  buttermilk.

By the way. I didn't exactly know what lemon zest was. Thank you google. I bought this little zester and a lemon and I was good to go. Did you know you can actually watch a video on line, on how to make scones. (yes, I did) That's where I got that nifty pinch-drop move :)

After I mixed it all together I dropped it on a heavily floured surface.

 It looked like a hot mess!

Next, I gently gathered the dough and formed it into a 1 & 1/2 inch thick circle. 

This is the chocolate chip one after I already used some.

I cut out small little triangles because I wanted mini scones. 

 I brushed some of them with heavy cream and sprinkled with sugar.

Then baked them at 425 for about 8-10 min.

The lemon poppy seed ones got a lemon glaze. I think these are my favorite!

the last step was obviously the taste test. A few scones gave their lives for this!

Yes Danielle, I do love you very much and would do it all again (someday)!

Her Recital is May 4th at 5PM at Mansfield University. 

If you come, you will get to hear an amazing performance and taste my scones.

Junior Year Recital

Ken is home from Germany!

The best thing about our loved ones traveling is when they come home, especially if they are bearing gifts! Yes, this beauty is ours right from Germany. It is a Black Forest cuckoo clock with a hunting theme. Gee, wonder who picked it out. It is an 8 day wind up (as opposed to one day or a quartz). Sorry kids- cuckoo clocks do cuckoo the appropriate number of calls every hour. 

I can't wait!

Both Ken and My grandmothers had cuckoo clocks, so this is very sentimental. I wonder what our grand kids will think is sentimental when they think about us some day. Benny's favorite thing of mine is a big black stuffed dog Chris gave me for mother's day one year! 

Not sure that will cut it in the sentimental department :(

Ken had a good time in Germany along with doing all his military stuff, he came home with lots of pictures and stories. He bought himself a beer stein.

He said the shopkeeper said they have flip lids so the men won't have to hear their wives.

(Notice lid placement over ear)

He also brought me home a hand painted nut cracker. A leaflet of the history came with it. It says that the facial expression on the nut cracker may be due to the grimace people made when they tried to crack nuts with their teeth. It made children laugh. So, toy makers fashioned nut crackers after people of authority because they usually treated common people badly. This way, they could do the work of cracking the nuts for them.

You can't go to Germany without bringing back chocolate- yummy!

I'm eating one now:)

Cat Grass

My house plants don't stand a chance with having three cats in the house. Ken and I decided we should try cat grass to see if that would help. We bought some at pet smart. It looked like these little worm like pellets in a plastic box. The directions said, water and wait about a week, then feed to your cat! Well, I followed directions and stuck it in the back bedroom. We keep the door closed- it's the plant safe refuge spot. I forgot about it for a few weeks, I remembered today that it was there.

Whala, a container of grass!

The girls loved it! But, I soon found Macie chewing on the near-by floor plant. 

Well, maybe Marilyn will stop trying to chew on the cactus (I thought that was safe).

These happy kitties make me feel better for spending $6. on a plastic container of grass seed!

Ludlow Reservoir

Only a few miles from the house is a 3.2 mile paved path around the Ludlow Reservoir. 

This day was so beautiful, so I took a nice long walk!

It would have been ideal to have Ken with me and even better to have a stroller to push. 

With Benny in it of course :)

I did manage to walk 2 miles in and 2 miles back out. Here is the proof!

Gods beauty is all around us. 

I thank Him for this time in my life when I have time to really enjoy it.

Feline Survivor

With three cats in a small duplex it sometimes feels like a reality TV show! 

Let me introduce the players:

 Maggie- She's never lived with cats before and would prefer to keep it that way! She is beginning to show her dark side.

Marilyn- Used to be Queen Mom till she moved in with this cranky old lady! She tries to stay out of the drama but has to pummel someone occasionally.

Macie- Looks very innocent but is supreme instigator. She is very curious of Maggie and is pushing the issue.

We have all the drama any hit show has, 

even after a month together Maggie still does not trust these intruders. 

If only she could vote them off the game!

And why should she trust them- they seem to have formed an alliance against her!

There are challenges, like trap the other cat in a room. Macie likes this game best!

There is friendly fighting

And enemy engagements.

Truces are sought after

But not always welcomed.

The cats are always seeking safe refuge 

And meeting new challenges.

But in the end, they really are all from the same tribe!

Weekend With the Ezzo's

Ken left for Germany last Friday and Saturday morning I jumped in Horton 

(my Rav4) and headed for New Hampshire. 

Kevin and Kelly invited me to spend the weekend.

It was so great to see them, we spent a lot of time reminiscing.

Kelly and I decided to go shopping and boy did we find some deals! 

After a great meal we had movie night and watched "The Iron Lady". 

Koby, their dog hung out with us too!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was my mom's birthday and I really miss her a lot. She always made us feel like we were the most important people in the world on our birthdays. We didn't have much money but everything about the day was special. I always got to have my best friend Diane over for dinner and pick the menu. Every year I got a pink frosted heart cake because my birthday is a week before Valentines day.

I remember buying mom gifts on her birthday. I worked so hard to make her feel special. She loved Reeses cups, I don't know how many times she got one from one of us because we couldn't afford more. I think I'll eat one in her honor today.

When mom became a grandma she really blossomed! She was at every one of her grandchildren's events that she could possibly get to. That means so much to my kids, especially now that she's gone.

I learned a lot from you mom..

How to be a good wife


How to be a good mom


and


How to be a good grandma....



I just hope I can live up to the example that she set!

Duplex Domain

Some of you may be wondering, how does one fit all of their stuff in a small 3 bedroom duplex, when coming from a full 1800 sq. ft house with a nice big garage and shed. Words cannot express this dilemma so please enjoy some pictures of our densely decorated duplex!

When we owned our big victorian house on Pine St we though it would be great to buy these overstuffed couches and chase- The living room does support them but not much room left over!

Spare bedroom 1 is my changing room with dresser and closet.

Spare bedroom 2 has ken's overflow of closet close (such a clothes hog). His dresser fits in our bedroom and our bed of course!

We are thankful for a spacious hallway.

We have a small basement area.

And, the garage! Literally a walkway is all that's left.

I am not complaining, it's actually rather funny. I would live in an even smaller place if it meant I could be with Ken :)