Happy Easter

I've had 4 dates with different people this week. I'm getting tired of the smoling 62 year old, Jim. He's old.

I tried to like Ricardo and had a second dinner date last night. I'm attracted to the fact he speaks Spanish and will bend over backward to please me but it's not enough. That's sad if I can push someone around I am not interested. There are other things too. I couldn't wait to get home only to discover Dancing with the Stars was over. It took me a long time to get to the rerun.

There are a lot of people with grown kids out there that are screwed up. I had a date with Phil, an engineer from England on Easter. The night before a man who works at Lockheed. Last Mon. i saw Jim.

i had 2 guys come and clean up my yard. I have to rebuild my fence and to trim 3 trees of Italian Cyprus the estimate was 7k.
Well that's 2 things I can't afford. Since it's totally down and I can see into my neighbors yard I know they are eager to get it done. It would be nice if insurance would pay for both.

Here in CA we build tall fences to create privacy from our neighbors. My backyard was totally private. In the East you have open back yards.

Maybe I'll get some money from an income tax refund. I paid my property taxes. I'm glad the house and car are paid off but as tiny as it was will miss the deduction.

I gave Caro 2 bags of lemons.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
Lots of berries? Make Shortcake!

Strawberry Shortcake (Better Homes & Gardens)

Ingredients:
•1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
•1/4 cup sugar
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1/4 teaspoon baking soda
•1/3 cup cold butter
•1 egg, slightly beaten
•1/2 cup dairy sour cream
•2 tablespoons milk
•5 cups sliced strawberries
•3 tablespoons sugar
•1 recipe Whipped Cream
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet; set aside. In a medium bowl combine flour, the 1/4 cup sugar, the baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl combine egg, sour cream, and milk. Add to flour mixture, stirring with a fork just until moistened.

2. Drop dough into 8 mounds onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

3. Meanwhile, combine 4 cups of the strawberries and the 3 tablespoons sugar. Using a potato masher, mash berries slightly; set aside. To serve, split shortcakes in half; fill with strawberry mixture and whipped cream. Top with remaining sliced strawberries.

4. Makes 8 shortcakes

Thursday, April 1, 2010
Strawberry Scones








Scones – from "Tamasin's Kitchen Bible" by Tamasin Day-Lewis (converted to imperial measures)

Yield 12-24 (depending on how you shape them)

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cup (450g) All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup (50g) sugar (+ more for sprinkling)

6 Tbsp (85g) butter (cold)

and either

2 tsp baking soda + 2 tsp cream of tartar + 1-1/4 cup (300ml) buttermilk, sour milk, yoghurt or sour cream (mixed together)

or

2 tsp baking soda + 4.5 tsp cream of tartar + 1-1/4 cup (300ml) homo milk (full fat) (mixed together)

1/2 – 3/4 cup strawberries(100g) or other fruit or dried fruit

Directions:

•Preheat oven to 425F/220C and line a baking tray with parchment
•Sift together flour, salt and sugar. Grate/rub in butter and quickly mix in liquid until spongy.
•Lightly knead until smooth and roll to about 1/2" – 3/4" (1-2 cm) thickness.
•Cut out scones with a 2" cutter...or whatever size you want, set on prepared tray for 10 minutes. Lightly brush with egg/milk wash and sprinkle with sugar.
•Bake for 15 minutes or until a nice golden brown. Cool for about 5 minutes on sheet pan then move to rack to cool.
***I have made these with blueberries and also dried cranberries with some lemon zest added in. Truly a wonderfully versatile recipe!