Take that S---bucks

Apparently, I've have coffee and sweet treats on my brain. Of course it probably helps that Sophia (almost everythime we are in the car) asks to go to the "Scone store" and I can't say no right?!!!! Well, with summer here and a goal of staying home more and not spending so frivolously, I needed to perfect the at home scone. Pretty simple infact and I am sure over the summer we'll be adding and tweeking along the way.
From start to finish I think they took about 30 minutes. Very doable with a toddler Sous Chef or for a momma fix durring nap time.

Vanilla Scones

For Scones:
1 c. Brown Rice flour
3/4 c. Unbleached organic all-purpose flour
1 T. Baking powder
1/2 t. Salt
1/2 c. Smart balance
1/4 c. Raw sugar
3 t. Maple Sugar
1 1/2 t. Vanilla
For Glaze:
1 c. Powdered sugar
3 T. Coconut milk
1/2 t. Vanilla
Mix the flours, baking powder and salt. Cut in the "butter"
In another bowl,mix the sugar, milk and vanilla. Combine the two, just till mixxed, careful not to over mix here, roll out on a floured board about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick, cut into rectangles then triangles. be careful and transfer them to a baking pan.Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until scones are starting to brown slightly and are firm to the touch. Transfer to a cooling rack.
While they cool make the glaze by mixxing powdered sugar, milk,vanilla. Add milk slowly to get the right texture.
When scones have cooled, drizzle glaze over the top of each scone and allow to set. I actually flip them over and glaze the bottoms (which become the top). I was once told the flat side keeps the icing and glaze on cookies better so it's just the way I do it now.

Enjoy and tweek as needed

On ice

It's no secret I love my coffee. It is my one and only vice, is there for me on cold mornings and evenings, fills my idol hands, the steam has often lifted many worries and daydreams, its bonded me to friends, is a conversation piece and so much more.

Now that it's summer and weather here is warm on the skin and much more pleaseing to the eyes my coffee is still a very present part of my day but looks a bit different, it's on ice. I brew a pot at night and chill it in the fridge to be used through the day. I switch it up a bit, a bit of dark chocolate, honey, sugar or cream. most of the time I spring for real cream (chemicals in the other stuff really scare me) But I recently found this cute little bottle of simple yumminess

I must be honest what caught my eye, was the bottle at first, But hey that's what the marketing department is supposed to do! I did some scooping at the store, went home, looked it up some more, then brought it home. Highly suggest it, if you are a daily creamer user or just looking for something fun for the summer.
So I'm off to enjoy a bit of what else Coffee....


Found this little tidbit- Coffee as a means of grace...

Yumminess

"Wendy's" Napa salad

A while back my husband's Aunt was in town and shared a super yummy salad she had at a friends home. I left that night with a mental note to recreate it at home. Well sure enough life happened and I forgot.
Today while picking through the produce department I noticed the Sample lady. Most times I waltz right past as, they typically are showcasing prepared food packs, or microwave meals and other treat that I try to stay clear of, but lately (Must be inspried by summer) they have had some pretty interesting dishes to share. And today.... I was reminded of my need to recreate this salad.
So who is hosting the next Potluck? Cause I know what I'm bringing!

Dressing
Just an estimate, measure to taste
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
A good heavy pinch of raw sugar
2/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons tamari sauce
Salad:

1 head Napa cabbage, chopped into nice shreds
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 pkg ramen noodles Asian flavor works best here (no meat seasonings used)
4 oz slivered almonds lightly toaste (you are going to toast again)
Smart balance

Wisk dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Chop cabbage and green onions.

Crush ramen noodles. Mix with almonds and butter and brown in skillet.
Toss all togehter and serve. Not a good one to leave hanging around, it will sog up.

Summer To Do List

I have so many boxes ro check off this summer, how about you?
1. Spend more time daily with God... SO often it's on the list but is saved till the end of the night. That needs to change.
2. Not make plans- hmm that seems odd on a to do list but this summer, I'm living more in the moment and not on the calendar.
3. More time at home- that reflects the above. Trying not to be running around everyday.
4. Train- I have a few runs in store for the summer and fall, so I'll need to keep up the work I started in January. More on running later.
5. Box- yep, Box. I have always wanted to take some self defense excerise type course and This lines up pretty good with my goal of developing my arms, so it just seems to fit.
6. Purge- Really I don'y need all this stuff anyway!
7. Last 10 lbs, enough said on that!
8. Love more- I need to keep working on knocking down some big walls.
9. Read more for fun- hopeing the the due date at the library helps me see to this one! got any good recs?
10. School- summer is a MUCH needed break, but my class is going to look very different next year and I need to scratch out time to help that go smoothly.
11. Put up for the winter- I really want to get about double the veggies and fruits put up this year. It was just lovely to make sauce in January from farm fresh tomatoes or share juicy peaches over homemade granola in February. I'll be at the market a lot.
I really just want to approach this Summer in such a different light then I have in years past. The list is simple and somewhat typical but hopefully it just helps to ground me a bit more.


2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV For we walk by faith, not by sight.

One Pan Pasta

Each season brings a new harvest of veggies that just beg to mingle with each other. Summer in our neck of the woods in no different..
We are about 3 weeks into our CSA and again, I am loving the surprise of the pick up.
With all the rain we have had I had some reservations about joining again but, when it came down to it, who was I kidding? I love being apart of it and being inspired to cook more, better, and different foods. It just plain ol' makes me feel good too!
We are also lucky to have a grocery store chain that strives to sell local farmers wares as well, so its easy to cook local at this time of year.
So with greens, onions, radishes, herbs, garlic scrapes from our CSA tossed with zukes, peppers, and corn from the market, the easy to make and eat 1 pot pasta begins.
This type of dish is so simple and can be tweeked in anyway there really is no need for a recipe.
But here's a loose break down:
Pick your pasta (Phi's pick mini BowTies) prep
heat about 2-3 T olive oil in a pan, lightly saute diced veggies (start with the longer cook time ones and move up) season with S&P, garlic, thyme (any of your fav combo's)
Toss in cooked pasta and some greens. Finish with a smidge of cheese and your done!
If you have a favorite one pot feel free to share

Genesis 1:29 ESV
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Welcome Back

It's been just about 24 hours that school has been officialy out for summer and I already feel like I can breathe better. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and feel like I have the best of both stay at home and working world lives, but there is something magical about the next 8 weeks. It always makes me laugh when I run into people I haven't seen in awhile around this time of year, as this is what they say, "Your winding down now" "Easy street huh?" and many others to match. In reality, its the oppisite, making classes for the upcoming year, meetings for service, paperwork, cleaning, packing, HEAT, teacher placements and so on. All of which make for a bit of a testy place. So when that last moment of work time runs out, the weight is lifted as well.

So here's to summer, being barefoot, seeing old friends, toodling the markets, travel, beach, parks, long bike rides, silly songs, PJ's all day, homemade ice cream, canning, grass between your toes, water logged skin, sun washed hair and skin, reading, impromtu dinners, late nights, long mornings, and being back in the blog world.... (Jeff saw me take some food pictures today and said, "oh good you are blogging again!" when I asked why he was excited, he said, "cause that means you'll be experimenting more and I'm excited for new food")

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I've been praying and waiting on a lot lately, how about you?
One of my goals in coming back to blog is to help get closer to my friends, family and maybe meet new people. I really want to encourage you to sign up as a follower, check back often, and refer people, and post comments.