lunch box love notes

Sending my girlies off to school was really hard for me. I miss their sweet faces all day long and have been working to find myself again without my once constant companions. Lunch box notes have become both a creative outlet and one of the little things in my day that I cherish most.

Each morning while my girls are eating breakfast, I pack their lunch and put together a little love note. I have a happy stash of stickers, papers, cards and markers in my kitchen cabinet. On some days, I take my time and carefully craft a work of art or a message with special meaning. On others, the note may just be a quick “I love you.” Cosmo Cricket makes a line of scrapbook papers that can be cut into mini-cards, perfect for quick notes and so adorable! I love looking for new supplies. And now my girls have started to keep some of their favorite notes taped up on the bathroom mirror. Ahh, the joy lives on!!!

the best scones in the world!

This is really the best scone recipe I have found. They are so simple and so perfect every time (except for my mistaken substitution of baking soda for baking powder on occasion – yikes!). It makes me so happy to throw these together for my hubby and girls on the weekend. My friend Stephanie, who gave me the recipe years ago, always makes hers with chocolate chips, and the original recipe called for finely shredded lemon peel. Both are delicious, but for my family I’ve found that the simple recipe is truly the best. And the whipping cream and sugar on top are key! For special occasions I do serve with homemade whipped cream and jam – yummy! Something to make you smile – enjoy!

Scones

1  1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whipping cream
additional whipping cream and sugar for top 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Blend in cream and mix until crumbly.  Knead in bowl into a ball.  Flatten the ball on a lightly floured surface and cut pizza style into 8 wedges.  Place on cooking sheet one inch apart.  Brush with whipping cream and dust with sugar.  Cooks 18 minutes