scones

These are one of our favorite morning treats. I love them because:

A) They are easy!!

B) They are vegan.

C) They are yummy!

D) My kids eat them. (You can't say that about very many things that I make)

This recipe is adapted from the original Raspberry Scone recipe found in Babycakes (awesome cookbook for yummy treats!)

Berry Scones

2 cups whole wheat spelt flour

1 T baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup coconut oil, plus more for brushing (I've used veggie oil in a pinch)

1/3 cup agave nectar

1 T vanilla

1/4 cup hot water

1 cup fresh or frozen berries (we love using blueberries, but raspberries work well too)

1/4 cup raw sugar

**Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or use a silpat. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the oil, agave nectar, and vanilla and stir together until a thick, slightly dry batter is formed. Pour the hot water into the batter and mix. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the berries just until they are mixed into the batter.

    For each scone, scoop 1/3 cup batter onto the baking sheet. Space them 1 inch apart. Lightly brush the tops with oil and sprinkle them with raw sugar. Bake the scones on the center rack for 7 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet 180 degrees and bake for another 7 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes.

But who wants to eat them at the table? They are best enjoyed on a rainy morning, in a fluffy nest like this.

With strong coffee and slouchy sweatshirts.

And maybe a great story told by a little boy, who loves talk about an airplanes flying by.

And of course, you should share them.

Enjoy!!    

good stuff

We have had a couple of good home school days in a row. I'm encouraged. We've been talking about public school next year...

but afternoons on the deck combined with iced tea and eager learners has me reconsidering.

Maybe it was all the running and playing that we did earlier in the day. Whew! It was windy but fun anyways.

Speaking of wind...our patio umbrella (which was apparently not bolted tightly enough to its base) blew up on our roof the other evening. It hung out there for a few days. I'm sure we were the laughing stock of the neighborhood. Carl would never want you to know, but he's kind of afraid of heights. I waited till he was gone to climb up there and yank it down. 

We've been eating well- or at least I have been eating well. Making yummy/pretty food is one way that I like to take care of myself. I knew no one else would eat this iceberg wedge...but I think it's important to do something nice for yourself now and then. Yummy.

The kids ate watermelon instead.

Oh, and we made these popscicles (but we used soy pudding cups instead). So easy, and they're all gone! Must've been good.

Also making me smile: 

I lost my debit card two weeks ago. It took me a week to admit it. I kept thinking that I would find it- but I just couldn't. Carl just hates it when I do stuff like this, I wasn't excited to tell him. It took me another week to find the time to go to the bank and deal with it. Turns out that my card had been found by someone who reported it missing and the bank inactivated it. So, I walked out with a shiny new one (with a much easier to remember pin#) and thankfully my account wasn't misused.

The forms are all in place and the concrete truck comes at 9am tomorrow. I'm getting more driveway out front, a sidewalk around back, and a huge patio! Pretty excited to say goodbye to some of the dirt around here! Guess I'm gonna need some more outdoor furniture?!

This could work. Can you say poolside lounging? We'd look good laying here don't you think? You bring the fruity drinks, I'll provide the glasses and tiny umbrellas.

I sent 2502 texts last month. I laughed out loud when I saw this on my phone bill remembering some of the totally frivolous conversations that I had. Thank goodness for technology (and unlimited messaging). That's a lot keeping in touch that probably wouldn't otherwise happen! Even my Grandma is getting with the program. With 4 LOUD children, sometimes it really is the only polite way for me to communicate!

My lettuce is coming up. Miraculous because I haven't watered it once. Guess I'd better get with the program if I expect to grow a single thing. Where is my irrigation???? 

I saw this the other day. Great words to live by don't you think?

Hope you've got some good stuff going on too. If not, make it happen.

I've been up to my elbows in:

Laundry. I washed all the bedding, and towels, and curtains, and rugs over the weekend. It was a perfect day for hanging them out to dry. I just love drying off with crispy stiff towels and crawling in to bed with clean sheets that smell like sunshine. 

Yard work. I planted all my outdoor pots. It feels nice to have a little color here and there. I can't wait for them to fill out, get bushy, and flower.

And Babies. I had a 12 hour double header at the birth center yesterday. Two mamas, two labors, two babies, a couple of curve balls, one midwife, and me. Whew! 

So after 3 days of work, work, work, I finally got a shower, some clean clothes, and something other than a ponytail.  

The kids and I are headed out to have some fun!! This girl needs it.