Easy Scones

She packed 2 bags with all her necessities: pencil case, art projects, books, a huge stuffed animal to sleep with, jump rope and violin (she has to practice every day – it never happens at home, but every time we go away the violin has to come with us!). I packed two and a half things in a plastic bag and as usual forgot an important thing or two at home.

I am so grateful to the inventor of the GPS, convinced he was thinking of me – who can’t tell North from South. Now I can get lost over and over but always find my way home!

Route 1 was hiding in the fog, as usual. Bend by bend there’s a constant feeling of anticipation and then the next curve reveals the glorious ocean view – and the vacation begins.
We talk a little, are silent a little and listen to music.
I have time to appreciate this child who knows exactly what she wants at age 9, and can make me laugh. She seems like nothing and no one else I know.

We stop to look at workers in the fields, the ocean, animals and the goat dairy farm. We munch on pizza, catch a romantic movie, walk under giant trees, stop to pick strawberries. Enjoy our time alone and miss the rest of the family.

Soon we’ll be far away, in a different country with different views. This is a goodbye trip.

Jam is one of those things that never fail to excite me. And if jam, the best thing next to it is a scone.
I have a deep fondness for English scones. Not the huge dry ones that are most often found here but the real , fresh ones, with moist interiors and the crisp outside that are the best baked goods you can make in 15 minutes. As good as eating breakfast at a really good bakery.
In England, next to the tea, you slather them with jam and that heavenly thing called ‘clotted cream’, the mother of all heavy creams. Since England is far away, I serve mine with crème fraiche and homemade strawberry jam and it’s nothing less than wonderful. ..