Babs Just A Babblin' Blog

A bit of Gardening, baking, blogging, knitting, sewing, family, friends and discovering hidden treasures along the way.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Perfect Scone

I've searched for so long. Tried many a recipes...all to no avail. Dry, yucky, hard, you name it.
Well, forget the past. I'm here to tell you I hit the jackpot!










These are cranberry orange scones. Easy to make....really. 30 minutes tops.










The recipe is from Jenny Steffens blogspot.com

Cranberry Scones with an orange glaze

2 cups plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice

In a mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt using the paddle attachment. Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch pieces. Add the butter to the dry ingredients and mix on low until the butter is mixed in and is the size of peas. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs and whipping cream with a fork. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the cream and egg mixture. Turn off the mixer once added. Fold in cranberries.

Put some flour on the counter. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface. Add some flour onto the top of the dough, then pat it out into a disk - about 8-9 inches in diameter. Cut the disk into 6 pieces like a pie.

Separate the pieces and put them on a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes.

To make the glaze, stir together orange juice, zest and powdered sugar.

You could do blueberry and lemon also. I did add orange zest to my scone mixture.

Please give these a try....I don't think you will be disappointed.
Babs!

Friday, June 29, 2012

A Camping We Will Go!




Heading to Holland State Park for the weekend. Made some 4th of July buntings to deck Lila out for the weekend.

I'll tell you all about it! Enjoy your weekend.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

JoJo turns One!






My birthday hat Mommy made but I didn't like it on my head.




So pretty.




My own birthday cake!




And one for the grownups also.




Look at my cake Daddy!




I share some with you!




Yum.yum.yum.




Mommy can taste too!




My birthday balloon. Thanks everyone for coming to my party!

Lovely Evening

Celebrated Maggie's birthday last evening outside. A bit breezy and even got chilly but it was still a nice evening.








Yummy Chicken Spaghetti



The birthday girl!



Ice cream dessert with Homemade Hot Fudge. Dee-licious.

Happy Birthday baby sister!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Sashiko Embroidery

This is the project I am working on this week for my online class.



I have the squares cut and marked. I am using the neutral linen for the sides and back. My inside colors are eggplant, merlot, and zinfindel. I'm ready to go except need thinner thread in an ivory color. White is too stark.

I'll show you my progress as I move along.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Birthday Times Two

Celebrating these two darlings!  Maggie and Joslyn Margaret...June 23rd birthdays.




Heading to Kalamazoo in the morning!  Party time for little Missy!




 And Sunday for the old Missy!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Do You Hold Hands?













I sure hope so....nothing feels so tender and warm.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Gorgeous Day!

I have a lot of handstitching for my class ahead of me.

Today was a gorgeous day, thus I headed to Grand Haven to sit outside a bit and stitch.



Down at the marina, all sorts of sights



Kids on bikes



Skateboarding, walkers, babies, old and young.



The breeze was abundant, the temperature warm, the sights relaxing. As for my stitching, this is what I got done.


Packed up and went for a walk downtown. What a pleasant afternoon!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Fathers Day





Happy Father's Day to my two brothers - you blessed me with your wonderful children!  Thank you.

And my Dad, Bruno......I miss you!

Love from your Favorite sister and favorite daughter!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Why?

I say I hate doing yard sales, yet......



This is what we are doing today. Had to get the extra stuff out of our house and garage! Feels better already.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Camp Thimble

I'm excited. I signed up for an online Handstitching Class this summer. The class is nine weeks. Rachel is our instructor. She has a blog Stitched in Color.
We are given assignments every week, have instructional videos, and a live chat every other week. One week of assignments and the next week to do our homework.
So far, here is my progress.




This is a reversed applique tank top. We learned the running stitch here.








And, we are making a quilt. YIKES. Here is the beginning assignment. Reverse applique in the center with the blind stitch. Lots more to go. I will keep you appraised of my progress.
It's been fun so far!




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Happy Birthday!





Happy Birthday wishes to my sweet sister in law Marlene! She is such a darling! Always happy, loves to laugh, loves to have fun. She is kind, caring, considerate, sensible and such a great mom to Sarah and Staci and my brother's boys.

Marlene is perfect for my brother Mike.  She is supportive and so loving...and the best caregiver.

I wish you sweet birthday wishes, Marlene.  Hope your year is happy and healthy!  Love ya!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Fun Times

Friday night in Orlando we had a great dinner at Magiano's at Pointe Orlando.  We had a fabulous server Kelly and great food.  Calamari, Caprese Salad, Fried Mozzerella with Marinara, fabulous house salad, Rigatoni D and Mama's Lasagna!  We were stuffed!


My nephew Drew toasted all of us who gathered....all the out of town guests.
 
Sad and disappointed, my brother and Marlene we not able to join us and they were the ones that were so generous to treat us to dinner.  Mike is suffering another detached retina so Doctor's order....face down for the weekend.


  Some weekend silliness!  Here's Jackie modeling for us....how to wear a pashmina and have the JackieO look.

Hot Chica's.....Sarah and Staci!


Mints anyone?  What? Are those condoms from Sarah and Staci's sex ed class?



Mike's eye patch, i.e. Sarah's bra cup!

Sarah!...Aunt Barbie's watching you!

And your reply.......!

Erik gets a mustache on his cake photo!  Mustache's every where.

Maggie gets carried away with her mustaches!

Sarah and Drew always silly but insisted they pose in a "nice" picture for once.  Great step siblings!

Great food.  This was Round 2...Tijuana Flats.

This was Round 1 - 4Rivers....BBQ beef brisket, BBQ pulled Chicken, Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Cheese Grits.  TO DIE FOR!

And our fabulous host and hostess....Mike and Marlene.  We had a great time!  Thanks so much for having us!