Chocolate Scones

We baked these wonderful scones last week and they were gone so quickly *wink* that the girls wanted to make more. So, they each got their own mixing bowl and added the ingredients and made their own. We varied one batch due to running out of orange juice. I substituted milk and we added cinnamon, they were great! Here is the recipe.

1 3/4 cup flour 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed & chilled
1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini chips
2 tsp baking powder 3-5 tbsp orange juice
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease pie plate or baking sheet.
In a large bowl, whisk together the four, sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender or large fork , cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chocolate chips. Mix in orange juice to form dough. You may have to add a bit more to make it stick together.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Pat or roll into a 9 inch circle about 1/2 inch thick. Put into pie baking dish or cut with biscuit cutter and place on baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven about 10-12 min until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

*with about 3-5 min left in cooking you can sprinkle some course sugar on top for added taste!

Windowsill Herbs

I am always using fresh parsley in my recipes. It adds such a crisp taste and added iron too! Our climate is mild enough to grow it all winter, so I try to keep a bunch handy on the windowsill.
It is especially wonderful in my Israeli cous cous.
2 cups boiling water
1 cup cous cous (large pearl or Israeli)
pinch of salt
fresh chopped parsley
grape seed oil

Heat oil in saute pan and lightly toast cous cous. Add water and cover, simmer about 15min. Add parsley halfway through simmer time. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and salt to taste. Perfect side dish or main meal (tastes great with toasted chick peas)

Herbal Cleaner

I love to use lavender and peppermint essential oils when cleaning and freshening. Today, I added just 2 drops of peppermint oil to my steam mop. The entire room smelled fresh and clean! I have 2 of my DH's socks tied in a large knot I use as my laundry softener. I add 5 or 6 drops of lavender oil every other load and pop it in the dryer. It keeps the static away and makes my laundry smell heavenly!

Simple toys

Lily & Brooke had so much fun flying these wooden airplanes. Remember these?

In this age of electronics it is nice to see something simple spark fun, creativity and joy!

Welcoming Olive

After much consideration within our "dog" family-home, we decided to rescue a 5-month old black kitten. She showed up at a friend's warehouse and he fed her for about 2 weeks and tried to get her used to people. It worked! She is such a sweet, outgoing cat.

Our dog is still getting used to the idea, so we've given her her own room for a few days.

The vet said she is a healthy kitten ready for a loving family. We are glad she has come to ours.

After 2 days of debating and many funny, cute names, the winner is- Olive!

Snow Day

The weather report predicted 2-4" of snow in Charlotte, so I packed up the girls Monday afternoon and we drove to my sister's house. It stated snowing Tuesday morning early (around 2am) We woke up and sat awhile in front of the window gazing at the large, fluffy flakes.
Then, 7:45am, the kids were bundled and with sleds in hand began their first experience playing in the snow! What a spectacular day.

Warming up by the Fire

Saturday we received a truckload of firewood delivered by a friend. It was so cold, but my sweet hubby made a fire in our backyard firepit. Lily & Brooke and him enjoyed the warmth and roasted marshmallows, while I served the hot cocoa.