Faith & Agriculture~ Words of Wisdom

Defending for my Masters!

Yep, sounds crazy but thats what they call it. I am currently in Stillwater, OK and will be taking the final step to get that diploma. As many of you remember I "graduated" last May. Well, I had to execute my conference for women in agriculture, Dirt, Denim & Diamonds  and then present to my committee; how it went, what I learned, etc. THEN.... I will officially be done! I would have liked to have completed this process a little sooner, but you can't rush certain things. I am just happy to be spending a few days in Stillwater. I plan to mix in a bit of shopping!

Morals

Words of Widsom Wednsday!

VOTE

I am so blessed to live in a country where I am free to vote. I thought about this as I drove down dirt roads to get to the small town, to cast my vote. I think it is very important to vote, I'm not going to go on, and on about voting, because I think we have all heard enough but I wanted to share a friend of mine's blog that talks about Voting for Agriculture, please check it out here.

Chocolate Chip Scones

Bottom of FormTHEThese

These are AMAZING!

Scones

·         2 3/4 cups  All-Purpose Flour

·         1/3 cup sugar

·         3/4 teaspoon salt

·         1 tablespoon baking powder

·         1/2 cup cold butter, cut in pats

·         1 cup to 2 cups mini chocolate chips, or finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate( I added white chips...YUMMY!)

·         2 large eggs

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract or the flavoring of your choice

·         1/2 cup to 2/3 cup half and half or milk

Glaze

·         3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

·         7 tablespoons water, enough to make a thin glaze

·         1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

·2 large eggs

·2 teaspoons vanilla extractor the flavoring of your choice

·113 to 152g half and half or milk

Glaze

·397g confectioners' sugar

·99g water, enough to make a thin glaze

·1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

ections

1) In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.

2) Work in the butter just until the mixture is unevenly crumbly; it's OK for some larger chunks of butter to remain unincorporated.

3) Stir in the chips or finely chopped chocolate.

4) In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla or other flavor, and 1/2 cup half and half or milk.

5) Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all is moistened and holds together. Stir in additional milk or half and half if the dough seems dry, and doesn't come together.

6) Scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface. Pat/roll it into an 8" to 8 1/2" square, a scant 3/4" thick. Make sure the surface underneath the dough is very well floured. If necessary, use a giant spatula to lift the square, and sprinkle more flour underneath.

7) Cut the square into 2" squares; you'll have a total of 16 small squares. Now, cut each square in half diagonally, to make 32 small triangles. This is all easily accomplished with a rolling pizza wheel; if you're working on a silicone mat, be very careful not to press down too hard as you cut.

8) Transfer the scones to a parchment-lined or well-greased baking sheet. They can be set fairly close together; you should be able to crowd them all onto an 18" x 13" half-sheet pan.

9) For best texture and highest rise, place the pan of scones in the freezer for 30 minutes, uncovered. While the scones are chilling, preheat the oven to 425°F.

10) Bake the scones for 19 to 20 minutes, or until they're golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven, and allow the scones to cool right on the pan. When they're cool, cut each scone in half once again, to make a total of 64 tiny triangles. Don't be too particular here; in fact, if the scones are already a size you like, don't bother to cut them again. But if you decide to cut, don't stress about making them all the same size, or perfect triangles; trust us, no one but you will care once they're glazed and on the table.

11) Make the glaze by stirring together the sugar, water, and vanilla. If the sugar seems particularly lumpy, sift it first, for an extra-smooth glaze.

12) Now you're going to coat each scone with glaze. You can dip each one individually, which is quite time-consuming. Or line a baking sheet (with sides) with parchment, and pour about half the glaze atop the parchment. Set the scones atop the glaze, swirling them around a bit to coat their bottoms. Then drizzle the remaining glaze over the top. Use a pastry brush to brush the glaze over each scone, to coat it entirely. The glaze is very thin, so this is easily done.

13) Transfer the scones to a rack set over parchment, to catch any drips. As you pick each scone up, run its sides over the glaze in the bottom of the pan, both to use up some of the extra glaze, and to make sure all sides are coated.

14) Allow the glaze to set before serving the scones.

Yield: about 64 small (2") scones.

Scones

·11 1/2 ounces King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

·2 3/8 ounces sugar

·3/4 teaspoon salt

·1 tablespoon baking powder

·4 ounces cold butter, cut in pats

·6 to 12 ounces mini chocolate chips, or finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

·2 large eggs

·2 teaspoons vanilla extract or the flavoring of your choice

·4 to 5 3/8 ounces half and half or milk

Glaze

·14 ounces confectioners' sugar

·3 1/2 ounces water, enough to make a thin glaze

·1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Scones

·326g King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

·67g sugar

·3/4 teaspoon salt

·1 tablespoon baking powder

·113g cold butter, cut in pats

·170 to 340g mini chocolate chips, or finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate