My Seussical Life for 2005 March 9

Samuel has an awful habit of not using his napkin at the dinner table. Instead, when he feels the need to wipe his face, he sprints to the living room and face-plants into the couch cushions, smearing food into the upholstery. So, when you come and sit on our abomination-of-a-couch, please be merciful in your judgments. It is not our wish to be unkempt, but the toddler in residence is not fully house trained.

Make these scones. They are the British kind, not the southern deep-fried sort. If you have any left, share them. Your friends will come groveling for the recipe.

Cream Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ cup sugar

¾ cup “mix-ins”

1 ¼ cups heavy cream, plus more for brushing

Turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Whisk to blend well. Add the “mix-ins.” Stir the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula while pouring the cream, continuing to stir until a soft, sticky dough is formed.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly (8-10 times). Pat the dough into a circle ½” to ¾” thick. Cut the circle into 8 wedges and place the wedges an inch or so apart on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each scone with cream and sprinkle generously with the raw sugar.

Bake at 425º until golden brown and springy to the touch-about 15 minutes.

Mix-ins can include dried fruits, nuts and chocolate bits, or a combination. Favorite mix-in ideas:

Dried tart cherries with golden raisins

White chocolate chunks with quartered dried apricots

Chocolate chips with dried tart cherries

½ cup dried currants along with the zest of one orange

Atticus came home with a note from Parker that says (in darling preschool handwriting) "A. I. love. you." He also reported that Parker said she wants to marry him. His emphatic response: "Mom--I'm going to stop her!"

Classic case of unreciprocated love.