poor Phil
Can a simple dozen eggs be the visual highlight of the day?
Yesterday morning at about 7:20 am, that poor Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, only the 18th time it was so I’ve heard, and therefore we shall have an early Spring! While I do indeed feel sorry for what they do to him, dragging him out of some kind of engineered tree stump and making him pose in front of cameras and crowds, I am happy for whatever glimmer of hope he lends to the next several weeks of weather. Now, I hope he’s gone peacefully back to his place of slumber and can be left, alas, alone.
February often finds me in a terrible slump as my efforts at strident coursing through seem to hit a snag and, as I look out over the landscape, the reality of how long it will take until we start greening up seems to hit home (weren’t we just greening up here a few short weeks ago? how cruel). While I try to tell myself that the bright white light ricocheting off the snow is such a help, it really is just a constant reminder to me just what time of year it is. I do enjoy seeing lots of colors blooming, albeit elsewhere, on the internet, let’s say, and am anxiously anticipating seeing what will return in my own yard while I’m still stuck eyeing my snow-crushed boxwoods. While, I’m looking forward to seeing the new clematis (3 or 4), a new variety of peonies and some new roses I planted last year, plus a chock-full bed of narcissus in front of the stable – I seem to be embedded in the stuck zone. (there are lots of puns in this post in case you haven’t noticed). Now the push is really on to keep myself positively occupied (or traveling somewhere fun).
My plans yesterday included taking a friend on a little sojourn out to find her a new table and chairs for her apartment in Manhattan. I had been out scoping on her behalf and we finally made it out yesterday to Oldwick, a relatively quick and pleasant drive, to meander about. Our endeavor was quite successful and we “sandwiched in” a nice quiet and peaceful lunch at the Tewksbury Inn.
a very nice lunch
here’s a priceless metaphor – life comes in all sizes, shapes and colors, a great reminder of the wonders of nature (is it wrong to covet someone else’s dozen eggs?)
While there we were treated to this lovely and, to me an adorable dozen eggs that were given as a gift to the shopkeeper at The Magic Shop by a local friend from her chickens. While I tried to imagine the different ladies who had so kindly given of themselves, I had to refrain from begging to take these home or seeking yet another such dozen……. We discussed her crew of bantams and how her dog protects them from intruders (no details, thank you) and I felt a wistfulness settle in. We discussed how the bantam roosters are very good at only beginning their calls of the day when the sun comes up vs other varieties which can make a great racket at earlier hours. The Magic Shop, btw, is one of my favorite places to browse for trinkets and usually a lovely small selection of quality antiques. Of course their selection of toys and clothing for small children is a local legend.
Beforehand, I took the opportunity to bake up some scones for my friend, not just to offer to her as a gift but to cheer me too, as I always feel better on a day that I bake. Please don’t tell Alice that I am buying blueberries from Chile……….
BUTTONS OF BLUEBERRIES SCONES with Orange and Toasted Pecan Sugar makes 9-10 scones
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tblsp baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
zest of one half large navel orange
1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
8 tblsp unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
egg wash
fresh blueberries
3/4 cup pecans, toasted, cooled and ground in the food processor with 2 tblsp sugar
Orange Sugar Syrup – 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup water, cook until reduced to syrup consistency
Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In bowl of your food processor, whir together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, nutmeg and orange zest. Add butter and pulse 8-9 times or until the butter resembles small peas. Dump dry ingredients into a low, wide bowl. Make a well in the center.
In a 2 cup measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, orange juice and yogurt. Add into center of dry ingredients. Working with a dough scraper, gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet. When the mixture begins to hold together, knead into a coherent mass with your hands. Transfer to a lightly floured board and roll out to 1 1/4″ thickness. Cut out scones with a 3″ round fluted cutter. Place on the baking sheet and make a small well in the center of each with floured fingers. Place blueberries in center. Brush with egg wash and gently apply the pecan/sugar mixture to sides and around top edges. Drizzle a small amount of the orange sugar syrup over the blueberries.
Bake for 20 minutes or until nicely browned and puffed. Remove from oven and drizzle the remaining orange sugar syrup over each. Serve at once.
The day was pretty darn successful, I think. Now just figuring out how to survive through the next 6 weeks…….. Hope Phil has unleashed some pretty mighty mojo.
this white landscape would be a lot more cheery to me right now (photo courtesy adamthegardener.blogspot.com) are there snowdrops in Surrey now? maybe I should go and see for myself………..