Bear and I are continuing our oh-so-relaxing holiday at home with popcorn and movie nights and coffee dates in town. We’ve been sleeping in too, and that’s been heavenly. One of the things that makes me smile every day is Bear bringing me my morning cup of tea. Yesterday he spoiled me rotten by bringing me breakfast too! As the wind raged outside we were cozy under a feather bed, sipping cuppas, eating homemade bread topped with fresh tomatoes, and reading good books. Pure bliss, I tell ya. 🙂
My friend Tom sent me a box of new books to read, and I’m thoroughly enjoying this whodunit written by JK Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
It was downright chilly and windy yesterday, so I had to bundle up a bit for my late afternoon hike. It felt so wild and wonderful out there, the cold turning my cheeks red as I headed into the bush with Luna.
Each day I find new treasures and this day was no different. I love these new pink spires blooming next to tiny purple orchids.
My artist friend Leslie has me on the lookout for a kangaroo skull to use in a piece she’s creating, so now I’m seeing bones all over the place! I think they are amazing things, especially bleached white by the sun, looking like their own pieces of art in a woodland setting.
But it’s the colors that charm me most. Great swathes of yellow in a sea of green with little pops of red, purple, and blue.
Our comfort food treat this week was scones, fragrant vanilla oat ones topped with maple cream, plump cherries, and a scattering of pomegranate arils. Scones are lovely any day, but on wildly stormy dark ones, they’re perfection.
What is your favorite treat on a blustery day?
Vanilla Oat Scones
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup whole grain flour
1 cup oat bran
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
1 large egg
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 egg beaten (for brushing scones)
raw sugar
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 F (240 C)
- Stir together flour, oat bran, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Add butter and cut in with fingers or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In cup, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture and toss gently with a fork until well incorporated.
- Dump dough onto well-floured surface and knead lightly just until dough comes together. (If dough is too wet, add more flour.)
- Press into large circle about 1-inch thick. Cut into wedges and place on baking sheet covered with baking paper. Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with raw sugar.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until scones have risen and tops are golden brown.
- Serve warm with butter or maple cream and cherries.
Maple Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tsp maple extract
2 Tbsp maple syrup
Directions:
- Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form.
- Stir in extract and syrup.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Just beautiful!
Thank you, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂
I never tire of your gorgeous eats arranged on gorgeous plates. 🙂
Vanilla oat scones – they sound delightful Krista 🙂
Looove these shots!
I’ve never had an oat scone but it’s what I want right this minute. How wonderful!
How strange and wonderful. I made scones as well, and with the time difference, I like to think that we were making them at the same time! When I post photos, they will be in your honour. The bone remnants are a beautiful discovery. It makes me happy to know that you and B are enjoying this patch of tranquility. XX
I think those skeletons would freak me out a bit 😉 What’s maple extract? Is that something you sneaked back into the country with you?!
JK Rowling is writing mysteries under a pseudonym? I had no idea, but I’m glad to hear it! We had a blustery day on this side of the globe too. Rain turned to snow, and our trip to the park got cancelled. My son and I consoled ourselves with tea: lemon zinger with sugar for him (unstirred), rooibos with cream and sugar for me (well mixed). Next rainy day, I may try those scones. They look amazing!
Now I want a scone and a good book beside me. Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe, my friend. I hope you are enjoying April…and that your days are looking more and more like spring.
It’s blustery here and a treat would be hot chocolate for me 🙂
What a beautiful blue plate! And the scone looks good too. I see you’ve used maple syrup and maple extract. I don’t have any maple extract and I’m not sure i’ve ever tried it. I’ll be on the lookout xx
Those vanilla oat scones look delicious. I’m going to have to make them. Your photos are wonderful, the bleached bones look very dramatic. GG
Gorgeous! They sound bloody delightful, Ill take a plate please. Fav blustery day treat… Scones, or caramel slice, or an Arnott’s biscuit, or banana bread… Haha, this little piggy will eat anything really. LOL 🙂
Your scones look so lovely!! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying your break!
This recipe sounds and looks amazing, I will be giving this one a try. On a blustery day, I am most inspired to cook a beautiful hearty meal while listening to the soft melodic sounds of my favourite music and enjoying a glass of wine. Otherwise, a mug of creamy chai, curled up on the lounge watching something that makes me engage in dreaming.
Ooh yum…your scones look delicious….perfect with a cup of tea and looking out on the ever changing landscape!
Gorgeous pics and lovely recipe Krista. I love the addition of the maple to the cream.
I love holidays at home although your home would make it all the more special what with the stunning outside! I must make scones this week!
Ooh now you have given me a craving for scones! Crazy that there are ‘roo bones randomly scattered around!