"RAINDROPS ON .... "

... on FLOWERING JASMINE... 2.24.11 @ 4:55pm

JPE & I had an "unexpected" gift today!
 

We got home from WORK before 3:15pm!! 

What a treat!!!

Belinda from UPSIDE DOWN BEE hosted & selected the WEEKWORD! Yes, I'm still playing - wish you were too!

I get a kick out of learning NEW words; visiting different blogs; and trying to "stretch my imagination" to take a picture that suggests my interpretation of the WEEKWORD.  Belinda's selection was "L-A-G-N-I-A-P-P-E" which I had never heard of AND is a word native to Louisiana... 

you can read the definition at my original post HERE or AT THIS SPOT!

I stretched the definition to be "an unexpected gift"...
 

JPE "gifted" us with homemade SCONES for our tea-time!

BENEFIT of coming home early from work!!

DRIED CRANBERRY SCONES

(makes 12 scones)

• 2 c flour
• 3 TBSP firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 TBSP baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3 TBSP cold butter, cut in 3 pieces
• 1/2 c dried cranberries
• 1 c heavy cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 TBSP granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheet (we use a SILPAT LINER to prevent burning on the bottom).

2. Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt & cinnamon in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in dried cranberries.

3. Whisk together heavy cream, eggs & vanilla in a small bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in egg mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overmix.

4. Drop by heaping spoonfuls into 12 mounds onto baking sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

Although we've not used other dried fruit - you can substitute dried apricots or cherries. AND, you can also use COARSE SPARKLING SUGAR to add that gourmet touch!

JPE topped his scones with HIS homemade peach jam... aren't I a "lucky gal" to have such a WIZ in the kitchen!?? 

WISH you could smell the kitchen! 

this recipe is "melt-in-your-mouth" goodness...

My "gift" to you... his favorite scone recipe...
have a cozy weekend...
(ours will be wet, drizzly & chilly)