Hodgepodge and Dust on the Bookshelves

Believe it or not, those are bookshelves.

1. In honor of the date...when were you last sent on a 'fool's errand'?

My first thought was, 'when I was told to vote in a Presidential election,' but that would be the cynical side of me speaking. It does feel like the political parties are so similar and both run by big money, but I'll keep voting as though it matters.

2. Peter Rabbit, Bugs Bunny, The Energizer Bunny, The Easter Bunny, Rabbit (Pooh's friend), White Rabbit (of Wonderland fame), or the Trix Rabbit...which of these 'famous' rabbits can you best relate to right now?

Probably Peter Rabbit. I'd like to be in Mr McGregor's lovely garden, wearing my pretty little blue coat with brass buttons (quite new) and eating my fill of greens and veggies. Then I'd go home to eat scones and jam. Okay, maybe it didn't work out that way for Peter, but that's because he wasn't a very smart little rabbit.  And now that you're hungry for scones and jam, here's my recipe for Cranberry Morning's Americanized Scones (not to be pronounced sCONEs, mind you, but sCONs, or possibly even sCOONs. Who knows.). Anyway you pronounce them, these are delicious and should be served with hearty black coffee. I just can't get into the tea thing, although I have given it several attempts. I'm blaming my Scandinavian roots.

Recipe - Blueberry and Chocolate Chip Scones:

2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar (or even a tad less)
2 1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 stick of butter, softened
3/4 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (or more!)
1 bag (1 1/2 cups?) blueberry-infused Craisins (dried cranberries) or dried blueberries.
3/4 c. heavy whipping cream or 2/3+ c. half and half. I've made them both ways.
1 t. almond extract
1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 c. raspberry or blueberry preserves

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter with pastry cutter.

In a small bowl, beat egg, heavy whipping cream, and extract. Add chocolate chips. Toss Craisins in a couple t. of flour to separate them, then discard the excess flour. Mix all ingredients together, stirring just until mixture is evenly moistened. Drop appx. 2.5 inch spoonfuls onto greased jellyroll pan. These spread on the pan, but not a lot. I get a dozen on a jellyroll pan.

Bake 375 degrees for 18 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then top with preserves (optional).

You won't be sorry.

Note: I don't usually put the preserves on top because then they're pretty messy, so it's up to you whether you want to pick up a scone with your fingers, or use a fork.

You're allowed to put a little half and half in your coffee. :-)


3. When did you last find yourself scrambling to get something done? Explain.


This week, probably at the last minute, I will be scrambling to get ready for a small group of women from our church, meeting at our house on Saturday, all coming with the intention of getting to know one another better and presumably hoping to have a good time. They have varied interests, so it will be interesting trying to pull it together. I think there will be some baking (scones), some crocheting, and some mystery movie watching going on.

4. Last time you were up at the literal crack of dawn? Why? Last time you stayed up all night? Why?

 Charing Cross Tube Station

I'm almost always up at the crack of dawn or sometimes before. Why? Because who wants to spend half their day in bed and miss the sunrise?? Since we got home from Jolly Ole, however, I've been sleeping later. It was nearly 7 AM when I tripped downstairs yesterday morning! This is not good. The last time I stayed up all night? Probably the first day we were in London.

5. Crack a book, crack a bottle, crack a joke, crack an egg...which have you done most recently?

Cracked a book, a great devotional for Lent, 'Lent for Everyone,' by N.T. Wright. It's a little late for this year, but I highly recommend it for next year, if you're looking for something deeper, less formulaic than many devotionals out there. And, as you can tell from the cover, there are three volumes covering Matthew, Mark, and Luke, so they can be rotated. This has been an excellent devotional.

6. What's your favorite part of a typical weekend? Tell us why that's so.


Friday night is my favorite. I know I don't have to rush for anything the next morning, and if I indulge in a little too much dark chocolate or coffee, it's almost always on a Friday evening, for it doesn't really matter if I feel horrid the next morning. I know, I know. I should get over that, and I'm making an effort. A little effort. A tiny effort.

7. What's something I'd find on a bookshelf in your home? Other than a book I mean!


Dust, mostly, but also odds and ends, knickknacks, and whatnot. Here are a couple photos to prove it. Please ignore the dust.

 Dust, Books, Christmas Knick Knacks (don't rush me!)

and 'Henry.'

 Dust, Books, Hall's Cough Drops

When did they get there?!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

On Sunday, we got to attend the birthday party of sweet little Lucy, our youngest granddaughter. It was her first birthday! Here she is in her new party dress, with her four year old brother entertaining her with a glow toy. Also in the collage is a little cousin, our youngest grandson, who just turned 7 months old. His mama sent me that photo. Looks like mischief, doesn't he! :-)  They're both such happy babies.

Upper left photo taken by Nana.

Random Thought #2:

I was looking at my phone a few minutes ago (It's after 10 PM Tuesday as I finish this) and I see the following temps on my home screen (these are in Farenheit): York 39, Wausau 51, Denton 75, London 42, Durham 35, Dallas (WI) 51. England is cold tonight! Brrrr. Glad I'm in balmy Wisconsin, where we're expecting 70 degrees tomorrow!

February of 2014

On one of those mornings that I was up before the crack of dawn.

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