I do laundry every Wednesday. Everyone knows that if their favorite pants aren't clean, wait until Wednesday. When I fold laundry, we watch the British Bake-off together. If you haven't seen it, it's a show where everyday folks in the UK are tasked to bake all manner of goodies, from cookies to cakes, bread, pizza, and french patisserie. We are charmed by the lovable people, accents, and creativity. My 5-year-old has declared that he is going to become a chef and has been begging me to put on a Bake-off in our home.
Enter my Holiday resolution. This year, I'm not sending Christmas Cards. It feels like an act of rebellion for me. Typically, this is a Holiday Tradition that I love, however this year I started to feel stressed about getting a photo where everyone is looking at the camera, with their hair combed, and fully dressed. I noticed this feeling in late November while I was planting thousands of bulbs, and decided that I am choosing something different this year.
Farming has deeply clarified that there are not infinite hours in the day, only what I choose to do with the time I have. This season, I'm choosing the Bake-off instead of Christmas cards. I'm slowing down and making a conscious choice to make a family memory rather than something that felt heavy this year. Most likely, I'll be thrilled to send Christmas Cards next year, but tuning in and giving myself the grace to choose something different, feels revolutionary.
Friday, all of my kids are baking their own signature scones. Let me tell you, their combinations are really out there and I can't wait to see what they create. It sounds like we'll be seeing some Peanut butter glaze and Sprinkles enter the competition.
Below is my go-to Holiday Scone recipe that my Mom gave to me and I've made them 100 different ways and they're always great.
I hope you feel empowered to choose exactly what you need this holiday season,
whether it's adding something new or letting go.
Our Favorite Scones
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 Stick of Butter, cut into cubes
3/4 cup Buttermilk or plain yogurt
Optional: 1/4 tsp. Almond extract
Optional add in's:
1C. dry cranberries with orange zest and 2 tbsp Cinnamon sugar on top
or
2 Tbsp. Poppy Seeds with zest from 1 lemon and 2 Tbsp Powdered Sugar with 1/2 a squeezed lemon for glaze
1) Mix dry ingredients, and cut in butter (I pulse in a food processor a few times until the butter is pea-sized). Stir in milk/yogurt. Stir it into a soft dough then knead on a floured surface until everything is combined-- about 10-12 times. Don't over-knead or they'll lose their tenderness
2) Cut dough in half. Form x2 6-inch circles and place on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice circles into 6-8 slices. No need to separate them, they break apart beautifully once baked.
3) If adding Cinnamon sugar: sprinkle a bit of water on your hands and wipe it on the surface. Sprinkle with Cinnamon sugar.
4) Bake @ 375 ° F for 18-22 minutes or until medium brown
5) If making Lemon glaze, let cool for 5 -10 minutes on a rack then add glaze over the top.
6) Enjoy with loved ones for an extra good effect.