Sunday morning dawned brilliantly sunny in British Columbia at my Aunt and Uncle’s lakehouse. I awoke from a deep sleep and wandered groggily into the kitchen to hearty greetings from my kinfolk and the heavenly scent of my Aunt’s Cranberry Orange Scones. My Uncle poured me a steaming mug of coffee and we all visited while my Aunt dusted the scones with powdered sugar, whipped up honey butter and mixed fruit salad. Then with arms laden we trooped out to the sunshiny deck for breakfast. Delicious! 🙂
After such a lovely repast, Mums, my Aunt and I headed out into the warm summer air for a stroll through the hills. The sun hid behind the clouds but left its warmth behind. What a gorgeous day! The air smelled of wild Alberta roses and new leaves and tree sap, the wind sighed through the waving grasses and fields of wild flowers, and rustled the silvery leaves of the poplar trees.
Poplars and birches are my favorite trees in the whole wide world. They remind me of Canada and Russia and a childhood spent climbing them and imagining grand adventures running away from bad guys and rescuing those in distress. Isn’t this grove of poplars even more magical with those sunny Brown-eyed Susans blooming at their roots?
I love Canada. 🙂 Where is your homeland, dear ones? What bit of nature always makes you think of home?
This is my contribution to Wanderfood Wednesday hosted by the lovely Wanderlust and Lipstick. Pay them a visit to see all sorts of splendid travelicious foods.
Auntie Janet’s Cranberry Orange Scones
(From The Best of Bridge)
Ingredients:
3/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
1 egg
2 3/4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup coarsely chopped cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup sugar
rind of 1 orange
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 cup icing sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Beat buttermilk and egg in small bowl and set aside.
- In large bowl, measure flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in butter until mixture resembles small peas.
- Mix in cranberries, sugar and orange rind.
- Add buttermilk mixture and stir until soft dough forms. Using your hands, form dough into a large ball and place on floured surface. Pat out to 1″ thickness. Cut in 4″ rounds.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake scones for 15 – 20 minutes.
- While still warm, brush with butter and sprinkle with icing sugar.
- Makes 8 large scones.
My homeland? Russia 🙂 Although I don’t know if I still consider myself completely Russian. I mean, here in Spain I’ll be always Russian, no matter how perfect my Spanish is (if I don’t say I’m Russian, nobody guesses it). But in Russia I’m already “the girl from Spain”. I’m in a strange middle. Luckily, I don’t regard it as something bad and I don’t suffer from it 🙂
And birches reminds me of Russia too. I remember that we had some friends who lived near the French frontier, where you can find some birches (they are rare though). The man had Russian parents, spoke Russian and felt Russian even he have never visited Russia himself. When he once saw how a car embedded itself in a birch, he had a heart attack (luckily, he survived).
I have made these scones from Best of Bridge and they turn out perfect every time. I live in British Columbia in the Okanagan. It is indeed beautiful here but growing up in the East I think of walking through the woods with oak and maple leaves underfoot, a Springtime forest full of trilliums and picking wild raspberries in the summer.
My home was northern Michigan. So I know exactly why you love Canada. And those beautiful birches!
Super recipe from your aunt. I love scones!
Aw, Ksenia, I’m so glad you like the birches too. 🙂 I love the huge groves of them in Russia! I’m a “strange middle” too but, like you, I don’t mind. I think it makes us interesting. 🙂 My goodness! I’m so glad your friend survived!!!
That’s so good to know, bellini! 🙂 I’d never heard of Best of Bridge until last weekend, but I sure like the scones. 🙂 You’re from the Okanagan!! I’ve driven through there so many times. 🙂 I was outside Kamloops on this trip, and used to live in Creston and Prince George, so I’m a BC girl too. 🙂 Ohhh, your walks through the woods sound just wonderful!!! 🙂
Oh, that’s great, Barbara. 🙂 I lived in Northern Michigan for a while too, so I can picture your environs well. 🙂
First of all, what a great recipe – I can’t wait to give it a shot this weekend! Second of all, I, too, am a Canadian (Alberta Rockies to be precise) so I completely understand your love for the birch trees and the Alberta wild roses. No matter where I travel, this will always be home 🙂
Oh Stephanie, how lovely that you’re Canadian too. 🙂 I hope you love scones! They are perfect weekend fare with strong coffee and lots of butter. 🙂
Wow, I wish I had YOUR scones for breakfast! They look delightful, as does your bucolic homeland.
My homeland is Maryland. With its miles upon miles of shore. Our beautiful chesapeake bay and beaches. Crabs, crabcakes, sweet corn and tomatoes. Our state flower, the Black-eyed Susan, handed down to my mother from my grandmother and now to me, grows in the front garden. Quirky, eccentric, essotaric Maryland. Edgar Allen Poe, John Waters…David Hasselhoff…Maryland.
Oh thank you, Angela! I’d happily share. 🙂 Yes, Canada is a beautiful, wonderful place. 🙂
Tracy, Maryland sounds absolutely heavenly through your eyes. 🙂 I love that you have a black-eyed Susan passed down through generations. What a treasure! 🙂
I just made the most flavourful Ginger-Beef recipe for supper last night from Best of Bridge. Mom had made that and the scones for us while she was here meeting the boy… The thought occurred to me, like Julie & Julia, I might just cook my way through my Best of Bridge cookbooks- I haven’t disliked one recipe yet! Have you ever tried cooking your way through a cookbook? Once Upon a Tart perhaps (that is your favourite isn’t it)?
I love a good scone.
Oh that sounds divine, Yeller! 🙂 I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Best of Bridge until this weekend. I’ve never cooked my way through a cookbook, but I’ve come pretty darn close with Once Upon a Tart. I really should try everything. 🙂 Love you!!
Me too, Duchess. 🙂 I want to try these again with Devonshire cream or clotted cream or sour cream. Mmm. 🙂
Krista I love how you appreciate every aspect of life. And considering what you’ve been through I can imagine it would taste all that much sweeter! What part of reminds me of home? The smell of Eucalyptus trees and beautiful beaches! 🙂
yum, yum. I’ve got to start visiting your blog at some other time than an hour before dinner! Can’t wait to try these!
That means so much to me, Lorraine. Thank you! I’d give you a big hug if my arms could reach to Australia. 🙂 You’re right, being in darkness for a long time makes the beautiful things of life absolutely precious. Mmm, I love the smell of Eucalyptus trees! 🙂
Oh thank you, Margo! 🙂 I’m so happy they delight you. Happy dining! 🙂
I’m originally from Missouri. When I see open fields, I’m reminded of my home state. In terms of food: St. Louis, Missouri is known for toasted ravioli! So delicious, although surely not as good as homemade cranberry orange scones. 🙂
Wow. What pretty pictures! Sounds like the perfect day. My home is in Connecticut, and raspberries always remind me of home. I’ve never made scones. Can’t wait to make them gluten-free!
I’m Canadian…………Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’ve lived in Asia for almost ten years now. Your post made me a wee bit homesick. My Dad’s property has lots of poplar trees, and he always has a freezer full of whole cranberries that he picks every fall:)
Those scones look amazing!
I grew up in a place called Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Because of the poplar trees
Open fields are wonderful, Sarah. 🙂 They remind me of the prairies of Alberta. Toasted ravioli sounds fabulous! I’ve never that before but would love to try. 🙂
I’ve never been to Connecticut, Funki, but it sounds wonderful if raspberries are there. 🙂 I’ve not tried gluten-free scones before, but I will soon. 🙂
Oh, it’s so nice to know you’re Canadian too, Nancie. 🙂 I’m glad my post gave you happy memories of your Dad’s place. 🙂
Oh, that’s great, Leslie! I didn’t know you were from Missouri. 🙂 And I didn’t know Missouri had poplars too! 🙂
My homeland is Canada, but I haven’t lived there in over eight years. Recipes (and rambles) like this really make me miss home!
These cranberry orange scones seem like just the thing to celebrate a lazy weekend morning with the family. And what gorgeous pictures! I can’t imagine living next to such scenery.
I haven’t lived there in 19 years, Carrie, but those places and foods still make me homesick too. 🙂
Isn’t it fantastic, Joanne? I just love it out there. Such a heavenly retreat. Next time I hope to go canoeing. 🙂
So much incredible food… so little time. This is on my list! And your accompanying photos are really beautiful!
Those scones look lovely! I’ve used dried cranberries in scones, but never fresh/frozen. I’m excited to try! Yum!
I’m so glad you like the scone recipe, Beth. 🙂 They were wonderful!
Thank you, Katie! My aunt did a splendid job. 🙂 I’ve not baked with fresh ones either, but mmmm. 🙂
Your posts are little works of art; I love the photos in this one and the recipe for scones is delightful; cranberries are one of my favorite berries.
Thank you so much, Joumana. 🙂 You encouraged me so much today. 🙂