A Baked Breakfast

Cherry Scones

I was in the mood to do some baking for breakfast this morning.  Cherry scones immediately came to mind.  I love cherries and this is a quick and simple recipe. 

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 tablespoons cold butter

2/3 cup milk or buttermilk

1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped

In mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  Stir in chopped cherries (or your choice of dried fruit).  Stir in milk.  Turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth.  Cut with biscuit cutter. ** Note:  I use a scone pan and don't bother with the kneading - I simply add enough milk to make the batter moist enough to spoon into the pan.  My mixture resembles a thick muffin dough.  Bake at 425 degrees 7-10 minutes or until brown.  (It takes 15 minutes with my scone pan).

Topped with clotted cream and served with a steaming cup of English Breakfast tea.  Deliciousness!

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker
Courtesy of The Photographer

I freely admit that I am biased, but the Photographer is a very gifted artist.  His work has been featured in several national and international publications and he has won numerous awards for his photography.  He has an eye for capturing the natural beauty that most people see but don't really "see".  His work inspires me to look for the beauty in everyday occurrences and objects. I thought I would share some of his photographs.  Just my favorites.  Just because I love them.   And because I love him. 

New Teacup

A New Treasure

I spent part of the day at my local antique store.  I try to get there at least every two weeks just to see what they have new in stock.  This week was a bonanza!  The owner had been to an estate sale of a retired caterer!  I purchased this teacup and saucer, both in excellent condition, for $2.  I also found a set of 24 clear glass punch cups for $5. 

I have my eye on a fabulous late 1850s settee.  It will need a bit of work to make it usable so I am waiting for the price to come down a bit from the now listed $850.  I can already picture it, recoverd in a plush velvet fabric, in the sitting area of the master bedroom.

Bathroom Renovation

The Master Bath
Courtesy of the Photographer

One of the first things we did when we purchased our home was remodel the two upstairs bathrooms.  The previous owner's built the house and they have a much different aesthetic that I have.  The master bath consisted of white ceramic tile flooring and white walls with a black toilet and a black 4x4 inch tiled vanity which contained halloween orange sinks.  I kid you not!

Pierce's bathroom was wallpapered in the ugliest wallpaper I have ever seen!  Shiny silver (think aluminum foil) covered with a variety of 6 to 8 inch animals - bright orange tigers, brown giraffes, etc.  Brown tile floors were "accented" with a chocolate brown sink surrounded by a  halloween orange tiled vanity.

Pierce's sink and vanity have been replaced but the room still isn't complete.  While removing the wallpaper, I discoverd that no sizing had been used on the walls before adhering the paper.  Meaning pieces of drywall came down with the paper! The walls need to be spackled and sanded before painting can be started - a task I will begin early next week.

I purchased some supplies today and picked up a few paint chips as well.  Slowly but surely the room is coming together! 

Pierce's Presentation

Pierce marching into "battle"
Photo "aged" in Photoshop
Courtesy of The Photographer

Pierce spent the day at the State Capitol.  He was involved in a "Living History" presentation to raise awareness and, hopefully, more funding for historical programs throughout the state.  He has been a history buff since the age of 5.  My husband and father in law are major history buffs as well.  Sadly, I don't know the difference between WWI and WWII.  History was never my strong suit in school.

My father in law was a Civil War "relic hunter" whose interest began when my husband was 5 years old.  He was tilling up new ground for a vegetable garden when he unearthed the remains of a civil war soldier!  While discussing the "find" with state authorities, his interest was piqued upon learning that the State of Virginia is virtually full of undiscovered relics such as bullets, belt buckles, etc.  Using a special type of metal detector, my father in law amassed quite an impressive collection before his death last year.  His will stipulated that all the relics were to be left to Pierce, whose own fascination with the Civil War began when Papa took him into the "relic room" and gave him a few relics as a birthday gift. 

Thus began Pierce's venture into the world of "living history".  At the age of 5, we began attending every single battle, presentation, etc.  At the age of 12, he joined his "regiment" although, due to regimental regulations, he had to wait another 4 years before he could carry a gun into "battle".  He and a few other reenactors spent the day discussing the importance of remembering our state's history and how "living histories" make the topic come alive and, hopefully, more interesting for school children.

Pierce's love of history has translated itself into a college double major of Political Science and History (with a concentration in the Civil War, of course).  To say I am proud of him would be such an understatement.

Spring Fever

Detail of White Tulip
Courtesy of The Photographer

Although the weather today is cool and the forecast is calling for rain over the next few days, I definitely have spring fever.  This is mostly due to the fact that I received another gardening catalog in the mail today.  My thoughts are of hydrangea, roses, tulips, lavender, lilac, coreopsis, and coneflowers.  And of playing in the dirt - which is one of my most favorite things to do. 

I have big dreams for the front lawn area this year.  Our "front hill" is actually a gentle slope that extends from the front patio down to the front field.  It is crowded with Redbuds and brush but I dream of clearing it and planting loads of my favorite flowering shrubs.  I want fresh flowers everywhere in the house this summer!  With Pierce's help, I think I can get it accomplished.  What, after all, is the point of having a big, strong 20 year old living under your roof if you can't sweet talk him into manual labor every so often?

I ordered all my vegetable seeds in January and am eagerly anticipating time for planting.  We have plans for expanding the vegetable garden this year.  We do raised beds because we have red clay soil.  Which is not fun to try to double dig.  I need no sweet talk for this project.  Pierce loves to work in the vegetable garden. Our last frost date is May 16th, so we still have plenty of time to get the beds built and filled.

The most difficult part is the waiting!  Not much got done this past winter - it was so blasted cold and we had so much ice and snow that traveling to get any sort of project supplies was pretty low on the "to do" list.  We basically spent the winter at home, hanging out and enjoying quality time together. But the snow is behind us now and with spring fever comes the need to do something!

Elegance Recycled

Candles made from "recycled" items

I adore vintage china and silver and am always on the lookout for the odd teacup, etc.  I realized a while back that I spend quite a bit of money on scented candles - I have at least one burning somewhere in the house every day.

I considered making my own candles when I couldn't find a particular scent I like to use during the winter months.  I ordered a candle making kit and the next day I was making candles.  I sorted through my antique shop treasures and used a few to make one of a kind candles like the ones in the photo above:  a vintage sundae dish, tea cup (saucer not pictured) and silver plated sugar dish (cover not pictured).

Cheap, easy , effective, recycled and elegant.

The English Country House

My two new favorite books

Both of these books were Christmas gifts from the Photographer.  He is well aware that I am a hopeless anglophile and, luckily for me, he has no objection to feeding my addiction.  I spent countless hours snuggled up on the sofa this past winter - sipping a cup of hot tea while I scrutinized each and every photograph and soaked in each and every word - making notes as I went along.

I highly recommend both of these books if you are interested in period architecture or decorating.  They are a literal feast of photographs that feature the architecture and interiors of English homes.  The different architectural types span over 7 centuries and range from charming cottages to grand Georgian and Palladian manor houses.

My Bear

Baron Nicholas Von Claws VI
"Bear"
Courtesy of The Photographer

My most faithful, loving and noble companion.  A Christmas gift from the Photographer 13 years ago.  It was complete and total adoration (for both of us) at first sight. The  finest dog I have ever had the pleasure of belonging to. 

A White German Shepherd.  My 130 pound lap dog. My white knight and protector - constantly at my side, whether I am awake or sleeping.  So very playful and gentle with children yet extemely ferocious if he senses danger.  Quite simply, the canine love of my life.

Hello and Welcome

Photo of our home, courtesy of the Photographer

My husband (the photographer) and I bought an old stone house and 80 acres of land in the country and have been working on fixing it up ever since. We enjoy taking time for our shared passions - antiques, photography, our pets, and books. We are the parents of Pierce, a 20 year old college student who is my life's work and eternal joy.

This is the story of our journey. It's a journal - a chronicle of our life, as we live and work towards creating our personal reality - a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.