Spring business...or busy-ness...

This morning when I awoke, I knew there were several things I really should accomplish. 


1. Wear green, listen to lively/fun Irish tunes, and eat great food. It's St. Patrick's Day after all! Hope yours was grand! Made the traditional Irish Soda Bread (best recipe ever, from an Irish cookbook mum bought in Ireland several years ago), and looking forward to enjoying the rest of it at lunch tomorrow with friends. Mmmm. Along with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, etc. 

2. Iron. *Check. Nothing exciting there.


3. Practice piano. *Check. Beethoven Op. 27/1, I have conquered you (evil laughter). Good feeling. :)


4. Try a new craft I've been wanting to do for a while- make a flower pin. *Check. 
This is the second one I did today; light yellow with a small pearl ornament in the center. Pins either in your hair or on a schnazzy jacket/cardigan, or anything really. Love it, muchly! I see more of these in my future. Very easy to make- no pattern required. Just lots of hot glue. Now, that's MY kind of craft. :)

5. Exercise. *clears throat* If practicing piano counts, I did overtime. If not, well...there's always Monday...


6. Blog. Which, *check,* I am now doing! Ah-hah! There are a few reasons for my intentional sabbatical from blogging, which I will now list FYI (for your information, if you care to know. If not, skip down to next paragraph). 


a. I spend a lot of time on the computer each day, howbeit school related, email, frivolity, research, etc. and blogging was one thing that wasn't really 'necessary.' Neither is pinterest or facebook, but still...


b. Blogging was listed among my new year's goals. However, I am excited to report that the other goals for this year (extensive reading on various subjects, devotions, personal goals, etc.) are going so splendidly, that I've had little or no time to even think of blogging! Many times I've done/seen something and thought, "That would make a really great blog article." That's as far as any of them have gotten. 


c. I'm realizing that it's far too easy to share my thoughts and problems on cyberspace before I talk to the One who actually has the answers: God. I've been doing this for the past few months, and goodness, what a difference. Do I still seek council from people? Of course. But, knowing that God is personally interested in seeing me succeed and prosper helps me to take confidence in confiding in Him before blabbing to others. Do I enjoy facebook, etc.? Yes. The problem lies when ones reliance for rejuvenation, inspiration, and encouragement comes from seeing how many friends can be added in 10 minutes, versus thinking about the C.S. Lewis/Ravi Zacharias devotional thought for the day, or that 'little' matter God is working on in your life. No, I do not think about Chronicles of Narnia all day or sit in a meditative state. :) However, keeping Christ at the forefront of my thoughts, rather than an afterthought or 'emergency plan,' makes life better all around. That's what I've been attempting. God is helping me, and I am grateful. 


So. Here's the paragraph you can skip to if you found the previous comments/thoughts repulsive, weird, strange, or otherwise odd. Which, may be most of you. All 3 of you.


In all seriousness, God has been good. And, I'm finding it extremely rewarding to focus my emotions, efforts, thoughts, words and actions centered around pleasing Him 24/7. I'm even attempting to become less sarcastic. It's a work in progress. :) 


To end these 'returning' ramblings, I thought I would share a few of the books I've been reading and would recommend to you. 


1. The Resolution for Women (centered around the movie "Courageous." Phenomenal movie and book, very convicting for women in any stage of life, and very practical. Awesome read.)


2. "Hook, Line, and Sinker." New novella by one of my favorite authors, Susan May Warren. Short book, cute theme, great message, neatly portrayed. You should read it for fun.


3. "The Grand Weaver." A new book I received for my birthday by another favorite Christian apologist/author, Ravi Zacharias. An amazing book about how God weaves the events and circumstances of our lives together. God has a plan in everything.


4. "A Year with C.S. Lewis." An incredible -read-once-a-day- devotional from one of the greatest authors of all time- C.S. Lewis. I find myself re-reading the devotional each night before I go to bed. The thoughts shared within the pages are incredibly practical, deep, thought-provoking, and can be convicting. Not for the faint of heart searching for a "Now I lay me down to sleep" devotional. For those who are serious about knowing God, and discovering more about Him. 


My apologies for the many rambles shared...this happens when I return after a long blogging absence. :)


Best wishes for a terrific holiday weekend. 
Until next time...

Sensational scones

Today has been officially declared 'sleep, cold-medication, reading, blog-catch-up, lesson plan' day. :) 
I posted this picture on Facebook of some scones I made, and many expressed interest in acquiring the recipe, so here it is. Do enjoy! :)

Blueberry Coffeecake Scones

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour                                1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar                                                      1 teaspoon vanilla 

2 teaspoons baking powder                                1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon salt                                                 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed, drained frozen blueberries

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled                           1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

2 large eggs                                                         dash of all-spice or cinnamon

crumb topping

3/4 cup all-purpose flour                                      1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar              1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled 

Preheat oven to 375* and grease a large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into 1/2 inch cubes and distribute them over the flour mixture. With a pastry blender or two knives used scissor fashion, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, stir together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and lemon peel. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine. The dough will be sticky. With lightly floured hands, gently knead in the blueberries until evenly distributed.

Pat the dough into a 9-inch diameter circle in the center of the prepared baking sheet.

To prepare the topping, in a small bowl stir together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut the butter into 1/2 inch cubes and distribute them over the flour mixture. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the dough to cover. Press the crumb topping lightly into the dough. With a serrated knife, cut the circle into 8 wedges. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and a cake tested inserted into the center of scone cones out clean. (Often takes up to 45 min. to completely bake thoroughly.) 

Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes. Recut into wedges, if necessary. Freezes well. 

Makes 8 large scones. 

Enjoy this favorite! It's absolutely delicious with a cup of fresh, hot, mint tea. :) 

Boston Recap.

Rarely do I post a multiplicity of pictures on my blog. No excuse, I just haven't made it a practice. :) If you thrive on photos, my friend, this truly is for you! Here are a few of my favorite photos from our summer venture to the New England States. Hope you enjoy my attempts at photography, as well as an envious glimpse at the gorgeous landscapes of the East Coast. 

Marine Museum- Washington, DC

Sunset at Plymouth Harbor, MA

Bear Skin Neck, MA, exploring
fishing villages of the Coast

Quaint scenery

Flowers of New England are fantastic!

Adorable places, begging to be captured.

Trinity Church, Boston, architectural 'giant'
in the US.

Hyanis Bay, Massachusetts 

One of the most fascinating harbors I have

seen in quite some time...

rather captivating.

Not to be forgotten is the stunning beauty of Cape Cod!

Absolutely magnificent. 

Ice houses on the bay in Glouchester.

Boston Public Library: the US's
first public library.

Beauties of Cape Cod.

Privileged to visit the grave of one of my
favorite authors:
Louisa M. Alcott

Seaside fishing at Glouchester.

Seaside scenery of rugged Bear Skin Neck, MA.
Looks very Irish. :)

It was so neat to see a Cranberry Bog!
The tiny, miniscule red berries will be harvested
September/October. 

Quaint beauty of Hyanis Bay, Yarmouth. Such unique scenery.

Stunning, dark and alluring scenery of Cape Cod.

Beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and delicious food. :)

I'm quite convinced that New England (second only to

overseas) is home to the US's 

absolute best seafood!

Hands down. 

Thus concludes my very brief photo synopsis of my Boston/New England trip. If your appetite has been whetted for more scrumptious views of the East Coast, a few (hundred...) more pictures may be found at my Facebook page. (Elizabeth Davis.) :)


until next time. . .