Keeping Current with Currants

The other night as I was sitting out in our back yard, I glanced over and realized that our currant bush that my hubby planted a few years ago was loaded with berries that needed to be harvested NOW!  Every year I ponder what to do with them.  Some years we just haven't had enough of a crop to do much, but since there were so many I decided I didn't want them to go to waste.  

So I got busy picking!

After picking all of the stems off I rinsed them in a strainer.

 I then checked out my handy little recipe ap on my phone and did a search for recipes with currants in them.  I was surprised to see there was quite a collection!  Currant Conserve, Spiced Currants, Currant Cake, Current Wheels, etc.   I finally settled on Sharon's Buttermilk Currant Scones.  They turned out absolutely delicious,  and were a big hit at our house, so I though I would share the recipe with you in case you too don't know what to do with your currants this season.

After baking them I put them in a basket before serving them

Sharon's Buttermilk Currant Scones

3	cups	flour, all-purpose
1	cup	buttermilk
1/3	cup	sugar	plus
2	tablespoons	sugar
3/4	cup	currants
1	teaspoon	orange zest	grated
2 1/2	teaspoons	baking powder
1/2	teaspoon	baking soda
3/4	teaspoon	salt
1	tablespoon	heavy whipping cream
3/4	cup	butter
1/4	teaspoon	cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400F.
Use an ungreased baking sheet.
Combine the flour, 1/3 cup of the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork to mix well and aerate. Cut the butter into the flour mixture, using a pastry blender or two knives or working with your fingertips, until the mixture looks like fresh crumbs. Add the buttermilk, currants, and orange rind. Mix only until the dry ingredients are moistened.
Gather the dough into a ball and press so it holds together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly twelve times. Divide the dough in two and pat each half into a circle 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.
In a small bowl combine the cream, cinnamon, and remaining 2 tb sugar, stirring to blend. Brush the dough with this glaze.
Cut each circle into eight scone shape pieces (circular, or wedge). Place the scones slightly apart on the baking sheet. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are browned.
Serve hot.

 

I served ours with Raspberry Jam and a dab of whipped cream!  So Yummy!  Enjoy!  And feel free to share current recipes or ideas that you have used with your currants!  I'd love to hear!

Janna

Read more at: http://recipeland.com/recipe/v/Sharons-Buttermilk-Currant-Scones-4776

Hot and Thirsty?

I don’t know about your family, but this time of year in my house everyone is constantly hot, thirsty and wanting something cold to drink.

When Dave and I were in Hawaii one thing that I enjoyed, was wherever you went, whether it was in the lobby or at the pool, they had glass dispensers of fresh water available. It wasn’t just plain water, but it had sliced lemons, slices oranges, etc.

So when I got home I went on a search for a glass dispenser to use in my house. Much to my dismay, they were pretty expensive. I didn’t want to spend that much money. But one day I was in Big Lots (gotta love that store) and sure enough, (who would have guessed), they had a gallon and a half glass dispenser for only $10.  So I promptly purchased it and brought it home. 

I’ll have to say it has been a hit. I use it every day! It’s so easy to fill it up first thing in the morning. To add flavor you can slice a few oranges, lemons, limes, or cucumbers.  Whatever you prefer.  Switch it up and try new things.

 

I also like to add some mint from my garden.  

It adds a nice flavor.

Fill up about half way with water and then the rest of the way with ice. It stays cold for hours, and everyone can help themselves whenever they feel the urge to quench their thirst.

I also bought some clear plastic cups and had everyone put their names on them so that they are using a new cup every time they want a drink. That keeps us from dirtying numerous glasses and having to run my dishwasher all of the time.

So good and refreshing!!! And it looks pretty too!   

In fact, I think I’ll have some right now! Ahhhhhhhh! 

Wish you were here to have some with me!=)

What are you doing to stay cool this July? 

I’d love to hear about it!

Janna

Make Your Own Fountain!

Every time I walk past the fountains in the garden and lawn section of the hardware store, I think how lovely it would be to have one.  The sound of running water is so therapeutic.  Unfortunately, I cannot justify the amount of money they are asking for something so unnecessary.  Yet, every time I walk by the fountains I find myself wishing I had one.  A question I often ask myself is, “how can I use what I already have to make what I want?”  It has almost become a hobby for me to see how I can take what I already own and use it to make something I would enjoy.  I apply this to many daily situations.  For example, how can I take what is already in my freezer or in my pantry and make supper?  How can I put what clothes I have together to make a new outfit?  What leftover paint can I use to spruce up a room or piece of furniture, etc., etc.  You get the idea.

So I began brainstorming on what I could use from home to make my fountain.  I had an old washtub.  In my garage attic was a hand pump that we bought but never reached its intended use.  I had an old washboard in my basement.  I found an old pail that had a hole drilled in the bottom because it once had plants in it.  Now all I needed was a small pump to circulate the water and the tubing to connect to the pump and run up through my hand pump!  I went back to Lowe’s and found that they sell small pumps for fountains!  Yaaayyy!  The one I chose was $23.99.  The tubing was $7.00.

I knew I would have to choose a location for my fountain where electricity was readily accessible.  I also wanted to position it where I would hear it and see it and enjoy it the most.  The deck seemed to be the most likely place.  I put two bricks in the washtub to elevate the pail which I turned upside down and set on the bricks.  This also provided a perfect place to hide the little pump which would circulate the water.  I connected the tubing to the pump and ran it up through the hole in the bottom of the pail, up through the hand pump.  (We had to remove the inner mechanics of the hand pump for the hose to go through.)  I filled the tub with water, plugged in the pump, and alas, I had my fountain!    We have enjoyed it so much!  It is fun to have it going when we entertain or when I take a moment to sip a glass of ice tea on the deck!  

RomaLee

Freedom

With the 4th of July upon us, I have been doing a lot of thinking this year about the word "freedom." Freedom applies to many of different things and people, but on Monday we will celebrate the freedom of our great country, 

The United States of America.

This past week my family watched the HBO series, "John Adams" starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linne as John and Abigail Adams. If you have never watched this amazing series it is well worth the investment to buy or rent it. It's a brilliant portrayal of what it cost our forefathers to make this land an independent nation, create a fair and balanced Constitution, sign our Declaration of Independence and fight for our freedom. Posterity now enjoys each and every day, and without much thought, the opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which cost our forefathers virtually everything they they held dear .  Celebrate our freedom this 4th.  And celebrate the men and women who made this life we live possible.

I am certain that many people in 2011 do not comprehend the cost and sacrifice of those who have gone before us so that we can have the privilege of freedom we enjoy today. We take so much for granted. As you celebrate Independence Day on Monday, take time to reflect upon your freedom, and how differently things might be in your life had not so many before us, and still yet today, sacrificed their families and their lives so that we could get together openly with our friends and families and have BBQ's, play games, and watch fireworks. 

I encourage you to pass down our country's history to your children and grandchildren, so that they will always know their heritage and its cost, can appreciate the freedom we enjoy today.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Janna