Oh Hey California - why you so cold?

It's kind of freezing here. I packed shorts and tank tops and probably the thinnest jacket I own. Hahahahaha. But it's been a blast and while I don't want to leave the familiarity, I can't wait to get home to our baby bunnies :) While A has been being a wonderful, amazing, hard-working hubster and has been busy at work, I have been able to spend time with friends and family and even go to Knott's with my sister which was a blast. There was pretty much no one there, we did almost everything you could do there minus perilous plunge, some of the kiddy rides, and the rides that were closed which unfortunately included montezuma's revenge. But it was a blast. Nothing like riding Ghost Rider in the back :p NOT the smoothest ride ever. We were both blessed to be able to see old friends and we are constantly reminded that this is just one more step toward our future goal.

And this whole time I haven't been able to stop from thinking of how incredibly blessed by God we are.  :)

So here's to future Cali trips and to looking forward to the warmth of AZ! (I shall regret that statement in a few hours).


-S

Recipe: Cinnamon Chip Scones

Hellloooo Yummy Goodness!
While I was back home in California visiting family and friends - my mother-in-law told me about Cinnamon Chip scones and decided we had to make them before the Hubster and I went home. I am SO glad she did! These are delicious!

Now I'm not sure where she originally got the recipe, but from my understanding she first tried these at a church event. And since these are SOOO delicious, I have decided that it must be shared with the world! So here you go:

Ingredients
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter; very cold cut into pieces
2 eggs
1 cup mini cinnamon chips [they aren't sold in California, but you can order them here]

-egg wash (optional - gives the scones a more finished, glazey look though!)
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350*F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a small bowl, blend the sour cream, vanilla and baking soda, and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt. Add in the butter, using a pastry blender -blend until butter is in pea-sized pieces.
Add in the sour cream mixture and eggs into the flour mixture and mix until just moistened.
Fold in cinnamon chips (taste few too!)
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface [it will be sticky...VERY sticky], and knead briefly - if too sticky add more flour. Roll or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick round. Cut into 12 wedges, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. You can easily shape these any size you want.
If you choose to do the egg wash, brush the tops lightly with egg wash.
Bake 13-16 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting Glaze
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract extract
2 tablespoons milk
Directions
Mix the cream cheese with the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Drizzle over cooled scones in any fashion you choose. We just put it in a ziploc bag, cut the corner off and drizzled over the yummy goodness that is the cinnamon scone.



Whoever came up with this amazingness, thank you. It's delicious!

Cali Trip

     This past trip to Cali has been such a blessing! I've definitely not been doing some things that I promised my self I would do which is obviously a reflection on my lacking self-discipline, but you know what? I'm not perfect, so whatever. :D   Apart from that I have been able to see old friends and acquaintances and catch up on the last 2 months of their lives, been able to share with them the past 2 months of our lives in AZ, relaxed, caught up on Drs. visits, did a little shopping (scored a great purse for under $5 that only needs slight modification to make it a little more functional), and most importantly, spend time with Family!  It's amazing to see how God is working in the lives of our friends here and to be able to share with them how He is using us - though I'm still praying about where I should serve in the church at home.
     My heart is filled with so much joy and I am so grateful for all that God is doing through us and all that Christ has done for us!