Cranberry/Orange Scones

On my recent trip to Washougal, WA we had a tea party.  Among the goodies we had were these scones.  I learned on this trip that the proper pronunciation of the word is "scahns" not scones that rhymes with bones.  It just doesn't sound right to me, so I'll probably still rhyme them with bones!

CRANBERRY/ORANGE SCONES

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

1 stick butter cut into pieces

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cup heavy cream.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and orange zest.  Cut the cold butter into 1/2 inch pieces.  Cut butter into flour until it resembles small peas.  Add the dried cranberries and stir.  Pour cream and mix together just until moistened.  Pour onto floured board and pat down to about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut with a biscuit cutter or a cookie cutter in a shape you like.  You can also form it into a circle and cut into wedges.  Place scones on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Brush cream over tops and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 425 degrees for 13-17 minutes until golden brown.

Trip to Washougal, WA

It has been quite a while since I posted to my little blog.  Most things I have baked have been things that are already on my blog, so need to post those.

I recently got to escape the heat here on the Texas Gulf Coast for a visit with one of my best friends and her husband who live in Washougal, WA, just across the river from Portland, OR.  Oh, what a beautiful spot on this earth it is.  If I lived in a perfect world with the ability to live there, I do believe I would choose this place.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.

From my friend's home on a clear day you can see Mt. Hood.  What a grand mountain that can be seen whenever you are out and about on the roads.

The day after I arrived we took a day trip to Timberline Lodge which is at the summit of the mountain.  What a beautiful, historic lodge.  We had a delicious lunch there and enjoyed looking out at the mountaintop.

My friend's aunt owns a cabin near the mountain.  Her back porch overlooks this beautiful stream.  The sound of this stream is so beautiful with the water rushing by.  I could listen to that sound all the time.  Just so peaceful and beautiful.  

My friend has a Tea Party business, Timeless Teacup where she rents all you would need for a beautiful tea party.  She invited her mom and a friend and we had a tea party.  Her things are so beautiful.  I will post some recipes of some things we had.  So fun.

On my friend's deck are two blueberry plants.  What a treat to be able to pick fresh berries right on your deck.  It doesn't get much easier than that!

Lacamas Lake is nearby.  I can never get enough of these beautiful trees. The lake is so peaceful and serene.

The beautiful Columbia River.  My friend's home overlooks this river.  Everywhere you go you see this river from different vantage points.  It is just the best.

Cottonwood Beach.  This beach beats the Gulf of Mexico on any given day!  Just beautiful and peaceful.  A bit colder than we have here though!

My last night there I saw a beautiful rainbow.  What a nice way to say goodbye!