Cherry Cardamon Scones

Since I am a bit behind on the Gracious Hospital-i-tea Blog-a-thon AND I had a request for my scones, I thought I would share this recipe with you. (this fulfills the "What to serve at a tea" question ) :)

Cherry Cardamon Scones

2 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. ground cardamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
6 T. unsalted, softened butter
1 egg
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla extract
2/3 c. dried cherries, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degreesF. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (do not oil or spray) and set aside. Combine flour, sugar,baking powder, cardamon, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in the butter until it is well mixed and the flour resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

In seperate medium bowl, lightly beat the egg. Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla. Add this to the flour mixture. Stir to combine. Gently fold in cherries.

Drop the scones into 8 rounded balls on the parchment lined cookie sheet a couple of inches apart. The scones will rise and enlarge considerably. Bake until golden brown, about 17-20 minutes. cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.

Tea

This week's assignment from Gracious Hospital-i-tea Blog-a-thon:

April 27 - May 3 The White, Green, Black, and Herb of Tea Tell about your favorite tea. How do you prepare it and serve it? Milk and sugar? Plain? What are some of your best memories of serving or sipping on this tea? Share a picture if you can. Tell the health benefits of the tea(s) you prefer. Where do you purchase your tea? Is there someplace you enjoying purchasing tea from? Who from and where?

I just love to drink tea, more importantly I like the ceremony behind tea. When I drink it in the morning or afternoon, there is something special about it. I can't really say that about any other beverage that I drink on a daily basis.

I love hosting tea parties for my girlfriends so that we can try different teas. In the fall, our favorite was Autumn Orange Spice and when I host my Jane Austen theme tea parties, I serve a black tea from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England.

In the spring, Strawberry Kiwi and Rose Tree Cottage Pasadena Rose (made from the roses off of the Pasadena Rose Parade floats) go quite well with scones. Of course, my ol' morning standard is Earl Grey.

I have lately been brewing some Lipton Green tea with Mandarin Orange flavor to have iced with my lunch. Quite yummy!

Thanks for peeking at my blog! Go to Gracious Hospital-i-tea Blog-a-thon to see more ideas with tea.

Becoming Jane Tea

Invitation to Tea

Fabulous Friends!
I love Cath Kidston style
Yummy desserts
I had "the girls" over for tea and a movie, Becoming Jane. Even though I had "major DVD malfunctions" we had a lovely time watching (most of) the movie. My DVD player died toward the end of the movie so I had to describe the end of the movie to my friends :( During the movie we enjoyed Cherry Cardamon scones with Devon cream and Rose Tree Cottage tea.

It was a gorgeous day in sunny So Cal, so lunch on the back patio was fabulous! I served Black & Blue sandwiches (roast beef with bleu cheese spread), Smoked Turkey & Brie on baguette, green salad with mandarin oranges, Gorgonzola and candied walnuts and Raspberry lemonade. For dessert, I served brownies, lemon squares, Madelaine's and fruit tarts.

My friend, Lissa, recently returned from a trip in Amish country and brought us all back a souvenir of a quilted key chain.

While we were discussing me hosting a backyard Sound of Music Sing-a-long this summer, I told my friends the very first song my children heard was "Eidelweiss". I sang it to each one of my 3 children right after they were born. Without hesitation, 4 of us broke out into song, doing our best to harmonize. I just love my friends!

Next month, my friends, Suzanne and Belinda, are hosting a lawn croquet tea party. I can't wait!