The Last Scone

Today, I did ONE more variation of this recipe. And, just so Anita doesn't get her feathers all ruffled, I went to Kathleen's cookbook to see what was there and kinda went from there. The recipes are pretty simple, so variations are easy. This is not the "perfect" scone, but it does have a nice texture, and it is a cross between biscuit and dessert. So...maybe it isn't a scone...I don't know enough to figure that out and I am definitely out of the scone making business for awhile. I've been living on them and need a break.

TASTY SCONE

1/2 c Butter ---cut the following ingredients into the butter:
2 c white Flour
1 c 5 grain Flour
1/2 c Cornmeal
1 T Baking Power
1/4 c Sugar
Dash Salt

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs and milk
2 Eggs
1 c Milk

Add milk mixture to dry ingredients and mix, or knead, until moist. Then, fold, or knead, in the following:
3 oz Blueberries
1 c Walnuts

Dust the counter with flour to roll out your dough on. Roll out the dough until 1/2" thick, sprinkle with sugar, and then cut into squares. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake. They will expand, so don't place too close together.

Bake at 400 degrees for 14-15 mins.

HINTS: As with pie doughs, after the wet ingredients are added, handle the dough as little as possible. The more you handle it, the tougher, or chewier it will become.

When cutting the butter, if it was in the fridge, you might warm it by putting it in the microwave, and using the defrost setting, to warm it a little. (Maybe 15-20 seconds) Do not cut the flour and butter into the smallest or finest of particles, or your scone will come out compacted in texture.

I used fresh blueberries the first time and the scone turned out very moist. The second time I used dried blue berries and added 1/4 c milk, as the dough was dry. The next time I will try a little less "added milk" for the dried berries...perhaps 1/8 cup, as the dough was a little gooey when rolling out. But the taste was great.

The other recipe called for 3/4 c cream instead of 1 c milk. So someday, if I ever try making another scone...I might try that.

So that is the end of the scones. No perfect one found, but it was a delicious experiment! Happy baking....may you find the perfect one!

Protecting the Unborn Babies

Time is running out to sign the PETITION TO PLACE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 102 ON THE MONTANA ELECTION BALLOT. Close to 50,000 signatures on petitions are needed to put this amendment on the ballot. If you have not signed yet, please take the time to sign. The last day that it can be turned into the Elections Office is June 18th.

This amendment protects all persons at whatever stage of LIFE they are in, from conception-- to somersaulting five month pre-borns--to toddlers taking first steps--to teenagers--to great-grandparents…their lives deserve respect and protection.

This Amendment will change the MONTANA CONSTITUTION, if it is voted in BY THE MONTANA VOTERS this fall. The changes in the LAWS will come through the Montana Legislature. As Election Day approaches, please find out where your candidates stand on abortion and the law.

You can download the petition yourself at:

http://www.personhoodmontana.com/

Sign and collect the signatures of family and friends and then follow the instructions on the website for turning it in.

You may also go onto the Prolife Coalition website and click on “churches” and find one that you are familiar with and sign the petition there, or find out who is in charge of the petitions. The website is:

http://www.montanaprolifecoalition.org/

Also, tomorrow at the polls, after you have voted, volunteers will be available with petitions for signing.

The Personhood Amendment would change the Montana Constitution, as follows:

THE PERSONHOOD AMENDMENT

The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 17 presently reads: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”

CI-102 “The Personhood Amendment” would change Article II, Section 17 to read (underlined and ‘NEW SECTION’ are the changes):

Section 17. Due process of law. (1) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law (2) As used in this section, the word "person" applies to all human beings, irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency or method of reproduction, from the beginning of the biological development of that human being. (3) The legislature shall implement this section by appropriate legislation.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Saving clause. This amendment does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, or proceedings that were begun before the effective date of this amendment.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Severability. If a part of this amendment is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of this amendment is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid application.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. This amendment is effective upon approval by the electorate

------MONTANA ABORTION STATISTICS-----

The following is part of the report of the MONTANA VITAL STATISTICS, page 57, found at

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/statisticalinformation/vitalstats/2008report/2008combinedreport.pdf

There were 2,125 induced abortions performed in Montana in 2008. Of these, 1,916 were performed on Montana residents. Induced abortions have been reported to the Department since July 1, 1974, when the Montana Abortion Control Act was implemented. States no longer report induced abortions to NCHS and few states exchange resident abortion statistics. For these reasons, national abortion rates are estimates based on incomplete reporting and Montana’s complete resident abortion statistics are unknown. The statistics provided in this report are for those abortions occurring in Montana, and any references to Montana residents must be viewed asincomplete.

The statistic tables of the MONTANA VITAL STATISTICS are on page 118, found at:

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/statisticalinformation/vitalstats/2008report/2008combinedreport.pdf

Of the 2,125 abortions reported in Montana in 2008 (latest data available), 1,371 of these mothers-to-have-been had previous abortions.

The ages of these babies are 16, 14 and 8 weeks from conception:

How That Wind Dost Blow!!!

The rain is gone (temporarily) but gusty winds have blown in! Spent the morning in town and was hoping to unload the chips this afternoon, but it might be a good idea to wait a bit and see if the wind dies down a little.

Yesterday, as I was driving along IN TOWN, I noticed a movement along the bottom of the passenger side of the windshield. I looked over and there was a MOUSE staring straight at me and coming across the wipers. Had to double check to make sure it was on the OUTSIDE and then I turned on the windshield wipers. It flew over to my side and then the wipers swung back and it flew back and off the side and onto the road. Now I am checking out every little noise I hear in the cab!!! It probably came from the load of chips that I picked up at the City Recycle....so, I am a little reluctant to scoop the rest of the chips out with my hands!!! Later this afternoon I will move the pickup to the side of the house and drag the trailer over and then see if a transfer can be made from one to the other.

Since it is a bit on the cool side and it is so windy out, I think I will again try to make a new scone. That ought to heat the house up, as I am sure I will get a lot of hot air out of Texas!