Saturday Baking: Cranberry Scones

Cranberry Scones

Cranberry Scones

Makes 10 scones

1/2 cup dried cranberries (soak in little bowl of water)
4 cups self-rising flour (**see below for substitute**)
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
1/3 cup milk, plus a little extra for brushing
a pinch of salt

  1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Put the dried cranberries in a little bowl and cover them w/water.
  2. While the fruit is soaking, cut the butter into the flour and the baking powder (this can be done in a food processor, by hand in a bowl with a pastry blender, or in kitchen aid w/whisk attachment-make sure to put cover on bowl though!), until the mixture starts to look like breadcrumbs (don’t over mix!).  Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and make a well in the middle.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and milk together with a fork.  Drain the soaking fruit and add it to the egg mixture along with a pinch of salt.  Then pour this mixture into the well in the flour mixture, and stir until you have a soft, dry dough.  Add a bit more milk of necessary if the dough is too dry and doesn’t come together.
  3. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces, shape the pieces into slightly flattened balls, and the place them on a non-stick cookie sheet.  (I baked mine in a scone triangle baking pan-use whatever u have!) Brush the top of each scone with a bit of milk.  Bake the scones in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until they have risen and are a light golden brown.  Take them out of the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
  4. To serve: Slice them in half.  Top with lemon curd, jam, or whipped cream.

**Substitute for self-rising flour**

Combine all ingredients and use in place of self rising flour.

You can add any special ingredients to this recipe in addition to or in place of the cranberries!  (i.e., chocolate chips, apricots, etc.)

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Baking on a Saturday: Pretzel Bites

Pretzel Bites

Soft Pretzels:

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 package active dry yeast or 2 1/4 tsp.
3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
Coarse sea salt

For the cheese sauce:
½ Tablespoon unsalted butter
½ Tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup milk
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated (or velveeta)

Directions:

Pretzels: Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.

Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.

Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches and shape. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. We did about 15 bites at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.

Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating.

Cheese Dipping Sauce:

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese (or velveeta) until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper.

My boys love these!!

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Brownie Suckers

Mmmmmm!

i know i havent written in awhile (will post some further things that have been happening in my life) but for now…..i thought i would make you possibly drool a little bit with what i decided to bake today.  I made some delicious brownie suckers that are dipped in dark chocolate (this is my boys fav kind o chocolate!).

Mr. Wonderful is beside himself and sensing there might b some ulterior motive behind my madness.  Well there is not, i just felt like baking!  I have always loved to bake and after almost 6 months of not doing it, i came back with a special goodie!

I thought i would share my recipe so that you can bake some gooey kinda madness brownies too:

Brownie Suckers

  • Brownie Mix (use your fav) Box – bake as directed in a smaller pan. i used an 11x7x1.5 pan
  • Chocolate (again use your fav.)

***Beware….if you are not used to melting chocolate: melt your chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute.  no longer!  stir, stir, stir it until it is all melted.  If you nuke it for too long it will turn into a clump which basically is burnt chocolate.

  • Skewers (i just used my wooden kabobs and broke them in half)

Bake your brownies as directed and let them cool fully.  once cool, cut them with a knife (dip in warm water to keep the edges of your brownie clean).  I cut mine in apx 4×4″ size.  I then placed my skewer into the bottom of the brownie (i went 3/4 the way up the middle of the brownie).  Next, make a foil holder (like a box with one end open) just a little bigger than your brownie.  Place your brownie sucker in foil box.  Melt your desired chocolate and then pour it over the foil brownie sucker.  Although it may be tempting to pour a lot, a thin amount of chocolate over the brownie is enough or it will be hard to eat being so thick .  i placed mine on a small plate and put in the freezer for apx 45 min. to cool and harden the chocolate.  once set, eat and smile! :)

If you have the patience double dip (maybe just the corner) in an opposite chocolate flavor.  since i did mine in dark chocolate i would have dipped mine in milk chocolate on the corner.  my boys spotted what i was making so didnt get the chance to double dip!  maybe next batch!

After consumption Mr. Wonderful said that he ate too much but they were awesome!  The boys said they were the best and wanted more!  I agree that they were good but could of ate just half of it….chocolate overload!

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Season’s Greeting

I am hopeful that this message will get to you and help encourage you during this Christmas season!

As most of you know i am just a regular person with a regular past (well maybe not so regular)….i think my mother rationed about everything she could by adding a little water to it to spread whatever we had out just a little further.  My father finds it incredibly important to give to others in need and has been involved with feeding the hungry in Northern Indiana for many years by gleaning fields of local farmers. My brother and sis-in-law have fought cancer with their son, Austin, on and off for the past 8 years.  We have been blown away by the outpouring of help from our community.  Everything from meals, house cleaning, fellowshipping and prayers, prayers, and more prayers which is the best part of all (and to see what an awesome miracle God has done with Austin!)

This year I became involved with Fellowship Missions an organization to help the homeless and needy in our community.  I feel like there’s an ocean of need out there but my single small donation of time and love matters.  i feel like i can be like a contagious virus and spread the word of hope to others, to give hugs out to those that need to feel comfort, make jokes with those that need to hear laughter to brighten their day and to tell them all about Christ’s love.

Most of us don’t really understand what it means to go without.  I want to encourage you this holiday season to find someone that might need your help and give them your gift of time and love.  we are all equally entitled to be loved.

Give selflessly and expect nothing in return….volunteering is a magnificent feeling that could never be replaced by things!  Bless and Be Blessed!

2 Corinthians 9:7 (King James Version)

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Here are a few pics of our community dinners with the needy in our community:


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Free Sobe Life Water

Do you like SOBE Life Water? Here’s how to get them for free:

CVS is running a sale this week for BOGO Sobe Life Water (no purchase limit). To get them for free go here and play the “Flip the Cap” game and get a coupon for BOGO water. I was able to print the coupon off 7 times and scored 14 free life waters!  (normally $1.59/water)

so, you can stack the bogo cvs deal with the printed bogo manufactured coupons and get them all free!

Hurry in before cvs runs out!  Sale ends Saturday, July 10.

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Vuvuzela?

Have you been watching any soccer world cup South Africa 2010?  if you have you may have noticed the insane buzzing noise that is constant in the background of the broadcasts.  it’s all about this African horn called the Vuvuzela.  (see pic below)

well,  i decided that our family must absolutely have one!  I know…..more noisemakers in the house!  how many people do you know that can say that they actually own a vuvuzela?  i love to type the word and say it too!  vuvuzela, vuvuzela, vuvuzela!  it flows off your tongue doesnt it?  ha  anywho, logan is a huge soccer lover so i thought it would be a fun way to get him more involved in what’s happening with the world cup.

i think u all must join in and get one so we can hear the sound from around the globe!  go here and pick yours up (although they are on back order).  they come in a variety of colors.  we chose royal…..

Unfortunately, they are considering banning the vuvuzela because they are so annoying.  well, that’s a bummer, huh?  You can read the full article on the banishment here.  Go here for stats on the games.

Happy Buzzing!

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Austin’s Celebration!

We had a “Celebration of Life” for Austin on Sunday at my parents’ church, Pleasant Grove United Methodist.  It was such a fun morning for him.  It was also nice to be back at the church i grew up in with my siblings and their families.

In the service Austin’s Grama Sue sang a song, a friend of the family, Don Zolman, also wrote a beautiful song and sang it to Austin.  We also had some surprise moments for Austin:  1) Counsins, Kate and Carson, presented a baseball signed by the TinCaps baseball team; 2) a signed baseball and donations raised from a fundraiser made from the Warsaw Tigers Baseball Team w/coach presented by Austin’s brothers; 3) Papa Johns Pizza gift certificates from Pleasant Grove 4) a signed football from Peyton Manning (he wrote to say he was sorry he couldnt attend!) presented by Logan and Jacob; 5) a signed basketball, dvds, and t-shirt from the Warsaw Tigers Basketball Team presented by Coach Ogle.

The final part of the service was an interview w/Andy and Angie on the path that they have been on for the last 8 years with Austin.  The best part of the journey is how close our family has become and how we’ve seen God’s hand in every step of the road he’s laid out for us/Austin!  We’ve experienced things along the way that would just blow your mind…..stories that seem out of tales.  If you ever run into any of my family ask them about the things they’ve experienced along the way.  True Miracles!

Thanks Grandpa for organizing this fun day for Austin and thanks to everyone who participated and came out!

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Celebration of Life – This Sunday!

We invite the community of friends and family that have prayed for Austin McCleary to a “Celebration of Life” worship service this Sunday, May 23 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church @ 9:00am.

Come hear Austin’s miraculous story of overcoming cancer 3 times in his young life.  There will be some surprises to honor Austin and his family with their walk with the Lord.

The church is located at 2943 East 400 South, Warsaw, IN  46580

Shine for Jesus~hugs, bec

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Reasons I LOVE Being A Mom

I love being a mom and love how my mom and grandmas influenced me to live a joyous life. I love you mom, and mom-in-laws!

Some of the Reasons I love being a mom:

1) The laughter my boys create from being inside on a rainy day!

2) I love to watch my boys jump on the trampoline trying to reach the clouds.

3) Getting dirty from playing hard.  If you are a kid and come to my house you know only to wear play clothes!

4)  I used to love climbing trees but now I get joy from watching the boys climb up high!  Not too high though!

5)  Planting my flowers and flinging worms on the sidewalk for the boys to transplant.  Digging in general – its awesome stress reliever!

6)  Listening to the really (really) bad jokes my sons and nephews/niece tell.

7)  Being 30ish and not getting laughed at for using the slip-n-slide or hanging on the monkey bars.

8)  Celebrating our families miracles of beating cancer.

Just remember to tell your mom how much you appreciate her this mommies day!

One of my fav. quotes (cant remember where it came from):

“My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy.”

Happy Mommies Day!

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3 Free Mother’s Day Cards!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner….May 9, 2010!  Go here and create 3 personalized picture cards for $1.06 (tax and shipping included!) Normally, these cards are $2.49/card plus shipping & handling!  I just ordered mine today and they will take 3-7 business days to be mailed to me so i’d advise you to get them as quick as possible!  Enter Code:  CARDS4MOM to get 3 free!

Go to site, click on Cards & Stationery, Mothers Day Cards, create your card, save card and go to checkout.  Enter Code:  CARDS4MOM and you are all set!

Enjoy!

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