Scones Moms recipe

 This is how my mom taught me to make scones.

In a bowl like a 4 cup measuring jug place 2 cups of flour

4 teaspoons of baking powder

A dash or pinch of salt

 In a cup measure ¼ cup oil

Add a dash of vinegar (about 2 tablespoons or so)

Fill it with milk

Now add this and one beaten egg to the dry ingredients.

Using a butter type knife cut through the mixture then scrape the side. Using the knife to cut the liquid in makes you not overmix it.

Once it is all mixed in turn out onto some wax wrap.

Fold the wax wrap over and pat the dough down to about ¾ inch thick.

Open it up and cut with a cutter.

Place on baking sheet. Fold any leftover dough together using the wax wrap and cut again till all the dough is used.

Bake at 400 for about 8 minutes or till golden just beginning to turn.

Serve warm with butter (or margaine) and jam or lemon curd. Top with whipped cream I cheat and use the can type.

 Enjoy

Micheal 1

The Stories in no particular order.

OK Chazel thanks for wanting these and here goes nothing.

Well it is Michael’s birthday and I am missing him, and thinking of him, so here is a Michael’s story for you. Spike (yes he was my first Spike) and somehow lately they have Royalized him in the family and talk about Michael. But Spike. Spike was short and little for his age. He loved sports and so did whichever he could at the time. He also always thought if Robert had done this or that, he had to too and had to do it at least as well, if not better. Yip the little brother syndrome.

 Well he used to run long distance and always came third. It drove him crazy. I mean no matter how much he tried, he came third, as the other boys just had longer legs and well, he couldn’t make his grow faster. So….. one of the school masters (read teachers) said to him try something where you compete on a more level field. He then suggested boxing. At least in boxing you don’t fight by age group, but by fighting weight groups. Well he dutifully took up boxing and was pretty good at it as far as I remember. I was a bit too little and frankly I never really cared that much about who won what and how often. My mother, who couldn’t stand the sight of blood and probably the thought of some kid punching her baby, would sit at each match facing the back. I as the baby sister, who thought he hung the moon, was a horrible little thing who didn’t mind blood that much and would stand on the chair yelling “Kill him spike” Yeah, I am not a very nice person, sorry to say.

  Anyway, back to poor Spike being little and at an all boys school. Well as was the custom in those days (and these too unfortunately) kids would pick on him and harass him. He quickly learned, that when he punched, if he put his middle finger out a bit, it hurt more. Obviously, they didn’t do that in boxing and had gloves, but this was the real world and survival. That my dear children is how he became known as Spike.

Fast forward a few years and we were living in the place we all nicknamed the “Game Reserve” as all the apartment blocks were named for game animals. We lived in Widerbeeshof or Winderbees court if you prefer which was a block of apartments in a row. 8 of them, 2 story duplex apartments. We lived in #8. Michael had a friend who lived in about #4 or 5 I forget exactly. On this day his friend was really angry and was pitching a fit and stomping and such around their pint sized garden. It really was tiny, it had about 2 feet of grass on one side of the walkway and then the windy dryer or clothes line that looked like a square naked umbrella on the other side. That was the yard. Anyway, my sister was walking past, and greeted him and he cussed at her big time. Spike who was following her down the road heard it and jumped the fence to confront his friend. The friend would not apologize and so a fist fight ensued, and the friend’s sister came out to intervene. She grabbed Spike and held him, so her brother started pounding him. Well she then let him go as that wasn’t fair and Spike punched him a good one and gave him a bloody nose. He then hopped the fence, walked around the block of apartments and knocked on the other door. When the mom opened the door, he apologized for punching her son and explained that he only did it as he had cussed at my sister and wouldn’t apologize. Then off he went to clean himself up. Michael always looked out for us girls and actually most girls.

My brothers didn’t often fight, but usually it was if a girl had been treated wrongly.

My dad had left a party once,  as someone was cussing in front of my mother. I guess it just stayed with him. I know it did for me and people often say it’s only words, or it’s not that bad. It’s normal nowadays. All of those might be true for them but for me ladies and gentlemen don’t use bad language period.

I think it drives my kids crazy but hey Crazy is a good place to be.

 Jas 3:10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Jas 3:11  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Would you want your baby girl to say those things?  If not don’t say them

Paint fairies

Paint Fairies

It was a lovely day and well it was painting time. I love painting and was excited to start my new project. I got out the paint and paper. I fetched the clean water. Sprayed the paint palette. I was ready to begin.

 I drew the outlines and chose the brush. The time had come and I dipped the brush into the water and then came the fun part, choosing the paint. Watercolor painting is like a dance you take some color or paint if you will and add some water. Then you pick up your brush, dip it in the water, and dive right into your chosen color. You lift it out and carefully (or not as the case may be) place that brush on the paper and watch the magic begin to work. You add a little different color or some water and lo and behold, the paint starts to dance. The more water you have the further it goes, slipping and sliding, swirling and whirling and suddenly it stops. You have reached the end of the water flow. You can go back and add other colors but be careful, too much of a good thing, is never a good thing as we all know and too many colors and oops you have mud. Well I danced and worked and it was one of those days. A day when the paint doesn’t just flow off the brush and go where I had hoped. It was more of a push me pull me type dance today. Maybe even a fight at times. Now fighting is not nice and usually it spoils things. You know what I mean. The game you are playing, or the job you are doing or worse still the friendship. Definitely not good.

Well there I was painting and muttering to myself as usual. I painted then stopped and frowned. This was not looking right. I hmphed and tried again. Still not looking good. Finally my friend Glenda who was sitting watching me said. Leave it alone now and let the paint fairies do their work. Lets have some tea. Well I looked at her like she had lost it. I mean paint fairies?  Not knowing where else to go with it I lefct it and we went and had some tea. It was peaceful and fun and we talked way longer than we probably should have, but that was fine too.  Glenda was ready to leave and she said lets go see if the fairies have done their work. I looked at her and squinted my eyes as I thought hmmm this is Glenda one of my oldest friends, in all the years I have known her she has not lied to me, so why would she start now. I decided she must know something I didn’t and off we went to check. Well looking at the painting, somehow it didn’t look quite so bad anymore. Maybe she had something here, maybe there were paint fairies after all and I had just never seen them so didn’t know.

The alarm fiasco

The new joke of the week

Being ADHD has it’s up sides and it’s down sides hee hee

 This week I was trying to get back up to speed after being away.

 So I vacuumed one afternoon while Mark was out. Nothing unusual there and as usual Jet (the robot vacuum) ran out of juice and went back to recharge before continuing.

 Later that evening we decided we needed a few staples like ice cream and went off shopping. Marks phone rang on the way down there and when we arrived he checked and it was a junk call trying to sell us something. So we shopped happily and as we were checking out he again got an 800 number and said boy they are persistent tonight I don’t need to talk to them twice. Right after that I got one from the same number. It often happens that way so I too chose to ignore it.

 We came on home and came inside and Mark is trying to turn off the alarm and says “hey this thing is acting funny” I reply “just hit it again” Which he does and it stops. Right then my phone rings and it is Barb saying, um there is a problem with your alarm and John is on his way over as the alarm company couldn’t get you. How weird right? Oops then we check and no those 800 numbers were the alarm company. SO Mark is on the phone and I say oops well we are here can you stop John. She checks and he is on his way. No he doesn’t have the cell phone with him as she has a doctors appointment and needs it for tomorrow early. SO I am at the window watching for John and to arrive and Mark is on the phone trying to talk to the alarm company and please explain and figure out why it went off in the first place. I have gone all around the house and put on lights outside and checked through the windows for anything. I come back and hear a strange beeping. Oops I suddenly realize it is Jet he has decided he has enough juice to go and try again and is now stuck on the table leg where he has gotten himself balanced. I realize he is the culprit of the alarm and house him again, while telling Mark.

 Then I go back to the window to watch for John. I look up and down the street and the cops have a car outside the neighbors hmm. Wonder why they didn’t come to the door. SO out we go to find them. They come around the house and  I brightly say, Hi so so sorry about this and get a stony look. Are you the key holder asks the lady. Um yes we are, our names are and we tell her. Do you have ID? Um yes, would you like to come inside while I get it out my purse? SO the very nice ladies come in and check then explain that they saw people walking around so were being cautious. Lightbolt moment They thought I was the lookout for the thieves oops. They did not laugh at us for ignoring the calls, they did not lecture us, They were in fact very professional and very kind. Thank you to them.

 Well all ends well and John arrived and got hugged and off he went again.

 Moral of the story make sure your toys are put away properly before going out and about

Tomato Jam

Tomato Jam

6 pounds of tomatoes Skin and chop
6 lemons squeeze and grate rind
6 pounds of sugar
1t salt
1Tablespoon ground ginger

 Cook tomatoes in lemon juice gently till pulp

Remove from heat and add  Sugar, salt and ginger

Boil till setting point is reached on a thermometer

Pour into prepared jars and seal

Painting supplies from recyclables

Painting supplies from recyclables

I often repurpose things for my painting supplies.

 These are a collection of bottles I use. All are small and so are great water containers some are better as they have bigger mouths.

You can find these in most grocery stores but some are from my travels and are from the toiletries in hotels. You can often buy these in the grocery store aisle where they sell travel stuff.

 The second one from the left is a small bottle that came in a kit one had salad dressing and one had a marinade. They are slim and yet hold quite a bit and fit in tiny places

The next shot is of my painting palettes for travel.

 One is an eyeshadow box where you can trade out shades but has lovely spaces for  4 colours or even 5 if you use the slot for the brush as well. The one problem is it doesn’t open flat so the mirror does not become a good mixing place. There are others out there this is just an example and check out the dollar stores they have then there too. Then the small yellow and white one is a pill box from Targets $1 spot. The white lifts out so is wonderful as it will go in a pencil box actually 2 will fit and leave space for 4 small ½ pans and a brush or three.

The altoids tins are the mini ones as you can see and I put sculpey clay in them and pressed out holes for the paints. Then I baked it and then painted the lid with appliance touch up paint to make it less likely to rust and also to give a nice mixing palette.

The last one is a Johnson and Johnson first aid kit that I places 2 pill containers (they came 7 to a box in a larger box that would work well for other supplies as well, each one is for one day) I pulled the lids off to save weight. Then I added a few extra ½ pans down the side and some of that expanding sponge which is great for holding everything in place and for cleaning your brush off when you have too much water or paint.

 In case you didn’t notice they are lying on a thin chopping mat that I was given after a function a friend did and it is great for placing your paper on to paint. Great for when you wet both sides to hold it and stop buckling and also to catch paint that escapes

The next picture is  odds and ends. A bug spray (from the dollar store) makes a great mini mister when it is empty

The second bottle is a tiny shampoo bottle but when it opens the lid can become a very small water container. The pink lidded one was from sprinkles. The next one is a button container from Hobby Lobby and is a great way to carry pencils pens and all those fun things or short brushes.

The top box is a photo box and I will show you how it became a small travel lit all on it’s own that fits perfectly in a pocket of my travel jacket. Great for painting on planes as well.

The last one I found in my pantry. It had had those stick things you mix into bottled water in it and will be a very cute container for a micro kit. I am still working out what I want in it.

These are my plastic containers Ok some of them the flat thing works as a great palette and comes from my dishwasher blocks I use. It keeps them apart so the gel cover doesn’t stick to each other but is flat with small sections just great. Could also be used for paint and cut to size and stacked in a gift tin

Next is the insert that held either the snack sized crab cakes or mini Quiches I like and as you see makes a great palette. Can also be cut up to make small bowls for mixing pours.

The next one is a pringles small snack container and makes a great water container.

The last is my favorite water container made from the new styled Yogurt containers, the ones with the stuff you add to the yogurt. You can have two sides one with dirty water and still have a bit of clean to add to colours

The next picture is my gift card tin. I have a set of Donna Dewberry’s brush that has exchangeable heads so you only need one handle and a travel brush. In it fits the micro altoids tin of paints and a mini mister. I use a lid from a spice bottle as a water container and a small piece of sponge. The lid is also painted white for easier mixing and rust control

The next one is my “photo” container from Hobby Lobby and in it I can get a small altoids tin, some aqua brushes, a mini mister. My small doodad that holds the micro paint kit attached to the pad, wax crayon for resist and a small piece of sponge. A pencil and sometimes a sharpie or Pilot pen too. Then all I have to add is the pad.

I also have a really tiny set that is just my thin moleskin with a tiny piece of paper tucked into the back with some paint dots on it and in my purse I carry an aqua brush that is like a fountain pen style so doesn’t mess.

I have found these cute little clear envelopes for carrying business cards that stick inside things so have my paper palette in one of those in the book without the flap. It can also hold a few small pieces of paper to paint on in the kits.

 Well thanks for bearing with me and hope this helps the other addicts out there

This is the setup I often take in a ziploc baggie works wonderfully

Funnies from the European trip part one

Funnies from the European trip

Well it’s time to confess some of the weird and wonderful happenings.

I live in Texas where there is no public transport soooo I only take public transport overseas. I did grow up with it and it doesn’t intimidate me, although being in another country and not speaking the language can get a bit tricky at times. Still I was going with my hubby on a trip of a lifetime to Europe to have fun and fulfill a few dreams. He poor guy was going to work.

We often use the Metro, or subway or bus or whatever when overseas and off we went. But this time I was alone part of the time and well a girl can’t be too careful. I mean I did grow up in South Africa on the lesser side of town half my life and well careful is good. My Aunt lived in Zimbabwi and they weren’t allowed to use or carry guns and so she taught us to carry hairspray. It burns when sprayed in the eyes and will give you the few seconds advantage. So off I went with my very small can in my pocket. The added advantage is they don’t know what the can is off should you have to pull it out.

 I travelled many a day into and around foreign metros, around the town walking on my own and felt fine about it. Then came the day we went to Giverny. A huge dream of mine. Yes I am a painter as you all know and what could be more amazing than going to where Claude Monet lived and painted. We caught the train from Paris and went to Rouen for the morning and had a wonderful time seeing where they kept Joan of Arc and all the wonderful old buildings, the museum and it’s impressionist collection and passing display as well. We also saw the hotel Astrid yes you read right I was very excited to see it.

 Then back on the train to Vernon and off to catch the bus to Giverny. Being the good child that I am I saw the signs for wearing your seat belt so decided to comply. I whipped it up and over my lap and click.

I froze then yelped. Mark says I, I have something cold and wet and smelly running down my leg. He just laughed and was no help at all. Do you know how hard it is to undo a seat belt when you are trying to be quick and squirming and laughing. Yep you guessed it. I had managed to jam the can of hairspray between the belt and my leg spewing hairspray all down the leg. Did I mention it was cold and rainy that day. Luckily it did not smell tooo much and I didn’t have an asthma attack or chase off the rest of the bus.   Will tell you the inside pocket and section of my rain jacket was stiff as a board. Also as Mark remarked I did have a small section of my leg rewaxed, when I tried to unglue it from my leg later.

Moral of the story keep the can of hairspray in your pocket but make sure it is not trapped when putting on your seat belt.