Scones and Cream

When in Australia visiting Tuesday's dad we discovered scones and clotted cream. While my mouth says it was the find of a lifetime, I am not so sure that I can say my waistband would agree.

I have been going through some pictures and got a craving for scones. I looked at loads of recipes and settled on two that sounded easy to prepare, looked yummy, and had good reviews.

Here is the one I made (and it turned out great!)

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English Cream Scones

Servings:  16 small scones

Ingredients:

 2 Cups All Purpose Flour ( I used unbleached). The recipe recommended using a scale for accuracy. They say it makes a big difference so I did weigh out the 9 ounces.

1 TBLS Baking Powder

4 TBLS Sugar (I used the "less" refined)

1/2 tsp salt

5 TBLS Cold Unsalted Butter (I used salted as it was all I had on hand) cut into cubes

3/4 Cups Heavy Cream

1 Egg - slightly beaten (oops forgot to beat in advance)

1 tsp Vanilla

2 TBLS Sugar to sprinkle on top (I skipped this step as I thought that there may be a bit much sugar in these anyway. Traditional scones are really not very sweet)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Place flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and butter into a bowl (if you are among the blessed to have a food processor put ingredients into there and pulsate in 3 second intervals until it looks like coarse meal) and with a pastry blender (2 knives will work too) mix until you achieve coarse meal texture. I never really got to a texture that I personally would call "coarse meal" but this was close.

In a large bowl stir in the heavy cream, beaten egg, and vanilla. Mix by hand until it forms a slightly sticky moistened dough ball. If you have a stand mixer you can also mix on the lowest speed with a dough hook for a few minutes.

I strongly suggest at this time you remove your wedding and other rings. 

Don't ask, just trust me!

Flour your working surface and grab enough dough (about 1/4 of the dough) to form about the size of a baseball and gently roll it into a ball. On the flowered work space flatten the ball until your disk is about 3/4" high with the center slightly higher then the edges. At this point you can sprinkle the tops with sugar if you are going that route.

Cut each of the circles into 4 pieces. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, or on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes until the bottoms are golden. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

And this is what we ended up with!

Strawberry & Cream                                              Lemon Curd and Cream

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Clotted Cream

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 TBL Confectionery Sugar

3 oz. Cream Cheese 

Soften cream cheese, add sugar and mix with hand mixer. Add heavy cream and beat until soft peaks form. Do not over beat or you will have whipped cream instead of clotted cream. The consistency should be like very thick cream, not fluffy.

These have been taste tested and family approved. I will try them out on company very soon.

                                                                                

Helpful Household Hints

I found a lot of these while looking through Pinterest. Pinterest is a wonderful source for finding creative and economical tips for around the house. I will include links whenever I can to the original site where I see the tips. If a link is wrong or no longer working just let me know and I will fix it if I can.

Please feel free to leave your feedback on any of these that you try or to leave a tip of your own!

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Don't you just hate trying to find the end of a roll of tape? Here is a great fix using a plastic bread tag as a tape marker. Just fold the end of the tape over the plastic bread tag, and your tape will be ready to use next time you reach for it.

From Martha Stewart. Slip-proof your rug: To give an area rug some traction, flip it over, and apply lines of acrylic-latex caulk every 6 inches or so. Once dry, you can safely put down your rug; the rubbery strips will hold it in place.  

marthastewart

Restore a vacuum to maximum power by cutting the lint and hair from its roller brush using a seam ripper. This is a huge time saver. I have used scissors before but the seam ripper is so much easier and faster! I hate to admit the number of hours I have spent over the years picking away at the hair stuck in our sweepers roller bar. I have often thought that we could house a kennel and not have as much hair as our two girls managed to shed!

realsimple

If you break your blender container you can substitute a mason jar.

Remove gunk from the sole plate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

realsimple

Love this idea. I hate climbing up to clean the tops of our kitchen cabinets. They seem to be grease and dust magnets which is a deadly cleaning combination. Once I have the length of the first sheet, just tear a bunch off the same size and you can switch out clean for used in minutes.

Inthiscrazylife

You can freeze heavy cream or buttermilk. I have all kinds of recipes that call for small amounts of these and then the rest either goes to waste or I find my self baking enough to pack pounds onto the whole family! Just fill ice cube trays and freeze. When solid store in freezer zippy bags.

Homestead Revival

Only time will tell, but if this works as well as everyone on Pinterest says, it will be terrific! Cinnamon in the sandbox keeps the bugs away. You need to use a cup to a cup and a half of cinnamon and mix it into the sand.

I love this idea. Bobby pins have a way of escaping to never be found when needed (they can always be found when unwanted like when vacuuming!) 

onefrugalchick

I have often run my sponges through the dishwasher to freshen them up, but if there is not a load about to run this is a great idea. Soak sponges in water with either white vinegar or lemon juice, place in microwave for one minute on high. Be careful when these come out as they will be HOT! Use tongs or an oven mitt to remove.

shine

Color Code Keys - I find myself stumbling around looking for the "right" key too often. When I saw this idea I thought this is just what I need! So far, so good . . . the polish is holding without chipping or peeling.

offbeathome

     

Cloth Diaper Terminology

You've finally decided to cloth diaper and you want to look up some information on how to get started. You search for a cloth diaper group  or look up a cloth diaper blog and it looks like people are speaking another language! What does AIO,CD,PUL mean? HI my name is Amber and I felt the same way at one time. No need  to worry, Here is a list of common cloth diaper acronyms.

CD: Cloth Diaper

Pocket Diaper: This is the number one choice for CD moms. There is a pocket opening between the outer shell of the diaper and the inner layer that touches babies skin. inside this pocket you can place an insert you wish to use.

Inserts:  this is the absorbent material for the diaper (can come in many forms, microfiber, bamboo, cotton and hemp)

AIO: All in one diaper, no need for inserts. Everything is one piece making it super easy to use and no need for "stuffing" you diaper like a pocket style. Since this is an all in one this style diaper does take longer to dry.

AI2: All-in-Twos. The diaper has an absorbent layer (like an insert) that attaches to the inside of the diaper with snaps. You can remove the layer for washing and then snap it back on. The closures are also adjustable.

PUL: PUL stands for polyurethane laminate – it’s a water proof material used to make outer shells of diapers

Aplix: This is similar to a Velcro closure, but is said to be softer and more durable. This is also known as the Hook & Loop closure

EBF: This refers to a baby that is exclusively breastfed.  EBF poop is water soluble and doesn’t need to be rinsed before placing in the washing machine since it will rinse clean.

Fluff Mail Term referring to cloth diapers.  Example: I’m expecting Fluff Mail (my cloth diapers) to arrive tomorrow.

Doubler: Another liner that can be added to the diaper and that can “double” the absorbency of the diaper. 

Diaper Sprayer: Attaches to most toilets and allows you to “spray” and rinse your dirty diapers over your toilet.

Silicone Necklace Giveaway!

What is a Birth Doula?

Following is an article that Suzanne Banks Fredregill, certified DONA Doula, wrote for us (and you!) here at Mon Petit Mardi. 

What is a Birth Doula?

Like nurturing Earth Mothers, birth doulas empower laboring women to own their birth experience and to fully participate in the process by providing education, emotional support and physical comfort measures. The Greek term “doula” means “Mothering the mother”, a tradition long practiced in ancient societies where women birthed within a community of other women.

Today’s birth doulas do much the same. They are professional labor coaches who, through intensive training and often a personal calling, provide support for pregnant and laboring couples.

Doulas provide childbirth information to assist parents in making educated decisions about the birth process. They help develop birth plans and advocate for its’ use. They also serve as a liaison between parents and medical staff so the birth experience is a natural event and not a medically managed condition. Doulas also offer comfort measures to provide natural relief, thus reducing the need for pain medications and other medical interventions.

Studies of the use of doulas show a 25% decrease in labor duration, a 30% decrease in the need for pain medications, 40% reduction in the need for oxytocin induction, 50% reduction in c-section rates, and a 60% reduction in epidural use. Increased breastfeeding success, greater reported satisfaction in the birth experience, and more positive newborn assessments have also been associated with professional labor support. Dads also report much more positively when they have someone to provide guidance and encouragement for them, as well.

If you are interested in hiring a doula to personalize your birth experience, contact Doulas of North American (DONA) . Their website can help you locate and hire a doula, answer questions about qualifications and training, and provide birth and postpartum fact sheets. www.dona.org

Be sure and watch for our upcoming article on breastfeeding from Suzanne along with a giveaway of a copy of her 2010 updated book on breastfeeding!

Suzanne has written two books on breastfeeding: 

Everything Breastfeeding Book 2010

You know that breastfeeding is good for your baby--but nursing doesn't always come easy and it can often leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. But The Everything Breastfeeding Book, 2nd Edition is here to help! This friendly, accessible guide helps you make the best choices for you and your baby. It features balanced, practical information on:

·         Finding the most comfortable positions

·         Managing pain and swelling

·         Establishing a feeding routine

·         Pumping and milk storage

·         What to do if your baby is resistant

This updated edition of a parenting classic also includes all-new information on BPA bottle safety, legislation, and tips from real moms who've succeeded. Packed with advice on every aspect of breastfeeding--from latching on to weaning baby off the breast--The Everything Breastfeeding Book, 2nd Edition is every new mom's best friend.

Breastfeeding (Everything You Need to Know About...) 2004                                                         It may be surprising to learn that breastfeeding does not always come as naturally as many mothers expect, so this professional yet friendly handbook offers support and confidence, from preparing to breastfeed and the most comfortable positions, to coaxing a reluctant baby. The ultimate guide to successful breastfeeding any time, any place, anywhere.

About the Author

Suzanne Fredregill, CBE is a Certified Breastfeeding Educator, a Certified DONA Doula, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, a Certified Childbirth Educator, a Licensed Master of Social Work, and the mom of two breastfed children.

Ray Fredregill is an assistant professor of communications at a private college, and an experienced scriptwriter and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism/mass communications.