Here Today Scone tomorrow

The lovely Catherine from Mollycupcakes sent me the red spotty pegs AGES ago and I have been looking for the perfect place for them ever since. I finally found that place on Saturday, and here it is!

So many customers have commented on my 'Menu washing line' and it's in the perfect place to be seen. Thankyou C, I knew I would get there eventually! Hopefully you will be able to see it for yourself again soon, when you next come to Cheltenham.

The tea shelf has now grown into two, and the collection is ever increasing. The newest flavour to grace the shelves is Chilli and Mint. Only two customers have braved it so far. We have bought Slimmers Detox Tea as well, but un-surprisingly the hot chocolate has sold better!

I discovered a jar of mincemeat left over from Christmas that I didn't want to go to waste and so it was turned into Mincemeat Cake. I think I may have to market it better if I make it again, it hasn't been a winner! I guess it's not an attractive title! Tasted lovely though. Just like fruit cake.

What has been a number one seller has been our homemade scones...I make them fresh every morning now (very therapeutic) and they rapidly disappear as the day goes on. I hadn't made scones before but they are so easy and really tasty, especially warm from the oven...so here is my recipe, try it if you dare!

Fruit Scones...

Pre-heat oven to 220 C

Sieve 1lb of self raising flour into a bowl with a teaspoon of baking powder.

Add 4oz soft butter and rub into the flour with your fingers

Add 2 tablespoons caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of sultanas/dried cranberries/raisins etc. and stir.

Add a little milk and stir with a palette knife or a silver spoon. Keep adding milk, a little at a time until the mixture comes together. Don't add too much in any one go or it will become a sticky mess. When the mixture comes together give it a knead for a minute and then turn out onto a floured surface.

Press the dough down with your hands until it's about an inch and a half high (I don't bother with a rolling pin, I go for the rustic look!) and cut out with a biscuit cutter. I use quite a large one -obviously the larger your cutter the bigger your scones will be! This recipe makes exactly seven with my cutter size....Place onto a baking sheet and put in the oven for 13-15 minutes. I don't brush them with egg or milk but some people swear by it.

I made heart shaped ones yesterday which worked quite well as well.

I keep looking out of the window in the vain hope that the two snowflakes that have fallen so far today are soon to be joined by billions more. Alas it hasn't happened yet. I love snow. R pointed out that the best sort of snow is overnight snow. I think he may be right. How fabulous to pull back the curtains in the morning and find the streets transformed into a winter wonderland whilst you have been snuggled up in bed. Magical. Give me Winter and big jumpers over Summer and bikinis any day, thankyou very much!

My favourite things about Winter would have to be,

1) Snow

2) Open fires

3) Big woolly scarves gloves and hats

4) Not having to display flesh of any description, and therefore not scaring any customers

5) Crisp winter walks along the river

6) Big mugs of tea and slices of fruit cake on a Sunday afternoon, snuggled up with a film on the telly

7) Comfort food!

8) A hot bubble bath followed by a comfy pair of pj's, ready warmed on the radiator

9) Thick socks and winter boots

10) Cold crisp mornings

11) Hot Chocolate

12) Big Winter coats

12) Hearty home made soups

13) Sticky toffee pudding (at any time of year in fact...)

I can see a food theme emerging so had better stop...you get the general idea though!

Time for a bubble bath. Swiftly followed by Roast Chicken. Yum.

Still no snow.

Nope.

Definitely not any.

Not so much as a white flake in sight.

Rubbish.

Maybe if I go to bed now then it will come quicker??