31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 3: Raspberry Scones with Lemon Glaze

Believe it or not, this was my very first time making homemade scones. Something I've Been Wanting to Do.... but was, to be honest, a little intimidated to try! I'm not sure what else you can make, other than scones, to get that 'I am a true home-maker' feeling! We loved the fresh taste of the berries and the lemon glaze. And no need for intimidation!

What you'll need:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tb. baking powder

2 Tb. sugar

5 Tb. butter, cold, cut in chunks

1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing

1 cup fresh raspberries

1/4- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Zest from one lemon

1 Tb. butter

How to make it:

1. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, powder and sugar). Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter. The mixture should look like tiny crumbles.

2. Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Fold it together until just mixed. Then fold in the raspberries, being careful not to mash them.

3. Press the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. (Approximately 12 x 3).

4. Cut the rectangle in 1/2, then cut those halves in 1/2. You should have 4 squares that you then cut in 1/2 on a diagonal giving you a triangle shape.

(This is where I have read, the less imperfect, the more beautiful. In that case, mine are gorgeous!)

5. Place the scones on a cookie sheet and brush the tops with heavy cream.

6. Bake @ 400* for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

7. Glaze: Let the scones cool for a few minutes before topping with the glaze. In a microwave safe bowl, mix confectioners' sugar and lemon juice (The amount of juice depends on how thick or thin you like your glaze. I like don't like my glaze disappearing off the scones so I use less lemon juice). Add zest and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds. Whisk the glaze until it's smooth, then drizzle over the tops of the scones.

31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 2: 'Captioning' Pictures

So simple, right??? Well, as Something I've Been Wanting to Do.....
I haven't taken the time to figure out how to add captions on my favorite pictures, until now.

                                                                                                           

My 31 days of October.....

A sweet friend from high school is participating in a '31 days of ____' for the month of October . Her particular 31 days are entitled '31 days of Fall from the Kitchen'. Sounds yummy, right?

I decided to try it out, with some hesitation, I might add. I'm not a daily blogger, nor did I intend to be when I started. But I liked the thought of this challenge and I have a huge list of things "I've Been Wanting to Do...." Some cooking, lots of organizing, some 'brand-new-to-me' things to try, crafts, decorations and more!

Over the next 31 days, join me as I challenge myself to tackle things I've Been Wanting to Do and remember to blog about it! 

Jar-O-Lanterns

What You'll Need:

Glass jars (jars used in canning or saved jars from jelly, pickles, etc.)

Orange Paint

Brown Paint

Paint Brush

Painters tape

Surface preparations (trash bags work great for this)

Ribbon, straw decoration, etc.

Tea light candles

Here's How:

1. Prepare painting surface and painter. :)

2. Tape faces on the jars, using the painters tape, cut to desired shapes.

3. Ready, Set, Paint! (our favorite part)

Paint over the tape and around the jar, saving the top to be painted brown after the orange paint has dried.

4. When jars are dry, carefully remove tape.

5. Decorate with ribbon (optional, of course).
 Add a tea light, light it, and enjoy your 'Jar-O-Lantern',
guaranteed never to rot.

Chicken Pot Pie

What you'll need:

1 cup mayo

4 T flour

2 cups milk

2 cups cooked, diced chicken

2 bags of frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

2 ts. chicken-flavored bouillon granules

1/4 t pepper

1 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls

Here's How:

1. Melt mayo in a heavy saucepan over low. ( I know, sounds strange.... that's why I included this picture.) 

2. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.  

3. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick and bubbly. Stir in bouillon, pepper, chicken and vegetables. Cook until heated through.

4. Spoon mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Unroll the crescent dough and stretch to cover the top. 

5. Bake at (preheated) 375 for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let the pot pie stand 10 minutes before serving.  

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

I found the 'original' recipe for this here. I've adapted it a little to satisfy my love for fresh tomatoes and basil. Not to mention cheese! If you can't find sun-dried tomato dressing, Italian dressing will work too. We enjoy our Bruschetta Chicken with vegetable noodles or rice.

Who doesn't love dinner straight off the grill? Especially if your husband is grilling!

What You'll Need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup sun-dried tomato dressing (plus more for marinating)

2  tomatoes, chopped

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil, chopped

Here's How:

1.Have your husband heat the grill.

2. Place the chicken in a big re-sealable bag. Pour dressing over chicken to coat.

Seal, shake, refrigerate (Minimum of 10 minutes).

3. Grill chicken, on both sides, until almost done. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup dressing, tomatoes, cheese and basil.

4. Place chicken on foil squares. Top with 1/4 of the tomato and cheese mixture. (Repeat) Fold up sides and ends of the foil to form a pocket and cover chicken.

5. Return the chicken to the grill. Grill until tomatoes are soft, cheese is melted and chicken is done.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I recently purchased a container of oats, twice, thinking I had forgotten to buy some on my last trip. Needless to say, we have plenty of oats around here! What better way to use some than oatmeal cookies? I found this recipe in a kids cookbook called, 'The Cookie Book'. Only, they didn't have chocolate chips!!! Who would want oatmeal cookies without chocolate? Not me, so here's what I made... 

What you'll need:

2 cups uncooked old-fashioned oats

1 1/3 cups flour

3/4 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 sticks softened butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 T honey

1 t vanilla

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Here's How:
1. Preheat your oven to 350*

Combine oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

2. Beat brown sugar, butter and sugar at medium until blended and then kick into high until it's light and fluffy.

Add the egg, honey and vanilla; beat at medium until blended. (When adding honey, spray the measuring spoon with cooking spray and the honey will slide right out!) 

Gradually stir in flour mixture and chocolate chips, 1/2 cup at a time. Don't over mix!

3. Drop by tablespoons, 2 inches apart.

(I ALWAYS use a baking stone for cookies rather than a sprayed cookie sheet.)

Bake 12 ish minutes until light golden.