Lime and Ginger Scones w/Butter Lime Glaze

I am not a big sweets eater. I've said that many times.  However, sometimes I will make something that I absolutely DO NOT want to share...these scones were one of those desserts! I straight up wanted to hide these from E and B...not even kidding!

There is no butter or oil in the cake recipe but the cake is moist and tender thanks to an entire cup of ultra rich coconut milk!  This cake is heavy on the lime zest and lime juice and it pairs so nicely with the ginger.  It is a winner!
Lime and Ginger Scones w/Butter Lime Glaze   What You Need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 Teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 Tablespoon lime zest
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

For the glaze:

• Two Tablespoons melted butter, cooled
• Two Tablespoons fresh lime
• 1/2 Teaspoon ginger
• 1 cup powdered sugar

What To Do:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or use nonstick spray
• Place the first six ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk well.
• Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour the coconut milk, cream and lime juice into the center.  Use a large rubber spatula to fold the milk and cream and juice into the dry ingredients. Don't over-work
• As soon as the dough starts to come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead the dough a few times, gently.
• Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle that's about 1/2-inches thick. Cut the circle into wedges like a pie.  
• Place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are firm and the bottoms are just beginning to brown
• Cool completely before adding the glaze

For the glaze: 

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, melted butter, lime juice and ginger
• Whisk everything together until smooth
• Smear the glaze onto the cooled scones and enjoy!

Happy Monday!

via

Happy Saturday!

Baubles: NinahB

The 40 Series #6: When People Show You

 

   The first person I claimed to be my BFF betrayed the heck out of me.  Like it was so bad I wanted to physically drag her down Brown Street and all up and through the University of Dayton.  To say I hated her is an understatement.  I mean we were as thick as thieves, we partied together (every Thursday - Saturday), churched together, traveled together and so on.  If you saw one of us, you saw both of us or the other was not too far.  That was my dawg!  The bouncers at the clubs we frequented had buddy nicknames for us because we were hanging so much: Ren and Stimpy, Beavis and Butthead, Laverne and Shirley...lolol.  We used to have a ball!   I was having so much fun and enjoying all of the perks her pretty brought us I ignored all of the glaring, neon signs that she was a loser.  Her dimples and charm opened many a backstage door, free concert or club entry or rounds of drinks we never had to pay for or pay for.  The attention she garnered from men always worked to my benefit and I actually met some really cool people in the process.
However, for as pretty as she was she was so sickeningly insecure.  Every chance she got she spoke ugly about women who were prettier, smarter, more established than she was.  She would get to know a person just so she could tear them down and make herself feel superior.  She was a liar, a cheat and a thief.  Hustling me is how she almost got them paws put on her...lol.  It was not funny then but now...thank God for grace! As soon as we fell out, best believe the rumors started about me. 
I also know another young lady who upon first meeting flat out told me she likes petty gossip.  Unlike my dealings with my former friend, I took her at her word.  As sure as my skin is brown, this young lady is a definite busybody thriving on the heartache, pain or sadness of others.  How terribly sad of a person do you have to be to enjoy people's pain, to relish in spreading gossip? And chile don't get me started on the older women that gossip and are catty and petty and simple.  They should be embarrassed!!  You are supposed to be the example!
That person who constantly breaks promises The one that always lies to you The coward who's constantly talking behind your back
They've shown you over and over who they are, how they operate; don't be surprised when they behave, towards you, exactly how they've always behaved!

What I know for sure about ME: when you show me who you are, I believe you the first time!

#The40Series  

Spiced Glazed Pumpkin Scones

I really love fall...well Texas' version of fall.  While I love the changing of the colors, the cooler days and fall fashion, my most favorite part of fall is the food!  Braised meats, hearty soups and stews and delicious fall desserts!

Pumpkins and apples are at their best right now and I am all over it! This is a recipe from last year and I only slightly tweaked it.  I added a sprinkle or three of ginger cane sugar.  The house smelled so good while these were baking up!

Spiced Glazed Pumpkin Scones

What you need:

For the Scones:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground  nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 large egg

For the Spiced Glaze:

• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

What to do:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• In the bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
• Cut the butter into the flour with a fork and mix until the texture resembles coarse cornmeal, with the butter pieces no larger than small peas.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, cream and egg. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, and form the dough into a ball. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a 1-inch thick rectangle about 4 inches by 12 inches.
• Use a large knife (or pizza cutter like I did) to slice the dough making three equal portions. Cut each of the portions in an X pattern (four pieces) so you end up with 12 triangular slices of dough.
• Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until light brown. Place on wire rack to cool.
• While the scones are cooling, make the glaze by mixing all of the glaze ingredients.
• Drizzle, spoon or spread over the cooled scones.

Happy Monday!

via

Happy Monday!

via

Fresh Lime Tarts

 

   I say this often, but I work with, not only super smart people, but folks who grow stuff!  The Southern Girl in me loves this....cause I can't grow a doggone thing!  however, I do have fond memories helping my grandmothers in their gardens!  I love it even more that they know how much I love cooking and baking and happily share their bounty with me.   Such was the case with these limes that were picked from my co-worker's tree.  She bought a grocery bag full of these beauties for me.  So guess what this week will be full of? That's right, lime inspired dishes.  First up, these really delicious tarts.   I used my regular recipe for a tart crust that can be found here and the lemon curd that can be found here.  I simply subbed the lemon for lime.  I also added lime zest to the crust after I took the dough mixture out of the oven.  My colleague had never had a lime tart before so I made sure I bought one for her lunch time pleasure! 

Happy Monday!

Via

The 40 Series #5: I LOVE My Family

I come from a pretty big family.  Growing up in our small Mississippi town was everything.  I loved that during most of my childhood I could walk to ALL of my grand and great grandmothers houses on any given day.  I am truly blessed that I had and have the opportunity to know my great-great grandmother AND my great-grandmother.  My maternal and paternal grandmothers are full of so much awesome.  The family picnics and holiday dinners; barbecues and late nights telling family history and just having a good ole time together!  They are everything.  

I would also be remiss to mention that all family is not blood.  My best friends are like sisters to me and I am thankful for their presence in my life.

What I know for sure about me is that despite everything, family is very important to me.

#The40Series

The Forty Series #4: Change My Attitude

I've been dealing with some power struggles lately.  Power struggles that have turned ugly from all parties involved. This morning I prayed to have my attitude change about the situation. There was a lesson, there is always a lesson, and I have been too angry and frustrated to receive whatever lesson that was being taught.   My time with my God is usually while I am driving to work.  I mean it's an hour plus drive so I have plenty of time!  As odd as it sounds, having my conversation with God, aloud, calms me and makes my prayers more real, if that makes sense.  So this morning while driving to the office my only prayer was for God to change my attitude about this power struggle, to help me learn the lesson and to protect me.   Well, halfway to work, the lesson hit me and brought me to tears.  The tears were because part of the answer was not what I wanted to hear. Stop giving away your power and this is not your end game.  The not giving away my power part has to do with me doing something I've been putting off for a while. I really don't want to do it.  Like REALLY have no desire whatsoever to do it but I know it is necessary, it has always been necessary.  I will talk about it, plan for it, buy what I need for it then proceed to talk myself out of it.  As much as I have reservations about how this is all going to work out, I trust that God has already made provisions, I just need to continue to work on my attitude. 
The end game part is the hardest for me because I have the vision but I don't know how that vision is going to come to pass.  Like, the lessons don't seem to go together but they do.  Controlling my power and whatever the end game is going to be.  While I don't see how all of this is going to work out,  I am going to trust the process, most importantly I am going to trust God.  
Another lesson that became clear was taking ownership for my part in this power struggle.  I wanted confirmation that I was right and that the situation was ALL someone else's fault. I wanted to make myself less culpable.  I couldn't; I'm as much at fault with this power struggle as the other parties involved.  I realized that while I can only control my actions and attitudes, those actions and attitudes can effect outcome. I just have to decide if the outcome is going to be positive or negative.   What I know for sure about me is that sometimes a change in attitude can change an outcome. 
#The40Series

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Plastic Flower Pot Drainage Holes...Without A Drill!

When one of my favorite cra.ck houses, Big Lots, had a summer clearance sale I went ca-razy!  I mean 70% off planters? Yes please!  However, imagine my surprise when I am ready to fill these babies and there are no drainage holes!  I didn't even know they made them that way.

Since I am new to this whole DIY thing, I don't have a lot of the tools.  I mean I have the basics, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, etc.  However, I have not invested in a good power drill.  What's an un-savvy, unskilled DIY'er to do? Improvise! 

A quick search of these here inter-webs proved fruitful. See how easy:

 

The 40 Series #3- I Am Not A Hair Snob

 

    In my world, for my hair...it's just hair. I've had relaxed hair, natural hair, long hair, short hair, colored hair, highlighted hair, damaged hair, healthy hair, pregnancy hair, after pregnancy hair and probably everything in between except weave...though I am toying with the idea of a sew-in. Hair for me is just like any other accessory, it changes.  

I decided to go natural this time for my daughter though. She is one of few brown girls in her school and even fewer with natural hair. While she never felt any kind of way about her hair, cause it's full of awesome, I never wanted her to begin feeling any kind of way about it. Like it isn't pretty enough or long enough or straight enough or any of those things that people will say in an attempt to shake her confidence.  

So one day before we headed out to the docks for fresh seafood and fun, we stopped by my BIL's barbershop.  He hooked me right on up.  B thought I was gutsy for doing it and kept telling me how pretty I looked. #GeniusKid

  When I got that cut folks constantly asked me "What did E think" or "How did E feel about it." I said some variation of "what should he feel about it? It's my hair!"  I would NEVER be with a man that felt some kind of way about how I wear my hair.  It is my hair. Period. He loved it by the way as he does any hairstyle I've had since we've been together.  He simply doesn't care. He doesn't love me based on how my hair looks!  

What I know for sure about me: It's. Just. MY. Hair. and it grows back!
#The40Series