Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Scones



I recently found a recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry Scones, which looked and sounded delicious. Unfortunately, I had no raspberries OR white chocolate chips, but I did have blackberries and dark chocolate chips. So I set about making my variation. I'm posting my version here as the recipe I followed was way, way, too wet (I had to add almost a whole cup more flour) and I also had to increase the cooking time. They turned out pretty well. I like scones, not so light and cakey, not too sweet, no need for perfection, they are deliciously rustic.

Blackberry Chocolate Chip Scones



Prep time: 15 mins    Cook time: 20 mins    Total time: 15 mins    Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or use 1/2 Tbsp vinegar and add milk to make up to 1/2 cup, let stand 10 mins)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup blackberries
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • Sprinkling of granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees/F.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and sugar. Whisk together.
  3. Using a pastry cutter, two knives (or if your butter is hard enough- a cheese grater) cut in the butter into the flour mixture.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.
  5. Add the chocolate chips to the flour mixture and stir to distribute.
  6. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Mix until it is consistent in texture. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle in another tablespoon or two of flour, or if dough is too dry, add another tablespoon of buttermilk. The dough should be able to come together to easily form a ball but without being overly sticky. Do not overmix as the dough is delicate.
  7. In a small dish, smash the raspberries with a fork just to break them down a bit.
  8. Incorporate the smashed berries into the dough.
  9. Using your hands, roll the dough in a ball and flatten slightly into a disk shape, about 7-8 inches in diameter.
  10. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the disk into 8 wedges to form the scones.
  11. Transfer the scones to a baking pan lined with a silicon mat or parchment paper.
  12. Using a pastry brush, brush the scones with the tbsp of milk and sprinkle the granulated sugar over the tops.
  13. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
  14. Once they have cooled slightly drizzle the tops with melted chocolate (because you can never have too much chocolate). 
I enjoy these for dessert, a snack, or even breakfast...how can you go wrong?


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

These three have got to have one of the best fathers out there! I am so grateful for the father my husband is and the relationship he has with our children. They know they are loved, they know they are safe, there is no fear. I do not feel like a single parent, we are parents together. My children are so blessed (as am I) with the love and encouragement that is poured into their lives - every day!

James you are appreciated and loved by us all! I hope that is something you will never, ever doubt. Thank you for who you are and all you do. Happy Father's Day!

Just for fun, here are the previous three years :)

2011
2010
2009

Friday, June 15, 2012

A Day in the Life - June 2012

Often photographers end up neglecting the documentation of their own families. Sometimes it can be due to being too busy with client work, or a lack of inspiration, or just not being able to balance everything. This is my 'Day in the Life Project'. I have chosen the first day each month to document, from morning to night, so that each month I am guaranteed photographs of my family and my life.

June 1st was a regular school day, but I then headed out to a Women's Retreat and my husband headed out to take the kids on a mini-camp out.

These are not technically perfect (far from it), or portrait-worthy, this is just real life. If you are doing something similar leave me a comment with a link to where I can follow along with you, I would love that!

Click here to see May.










Saturday, June 9, 2012

Bjerke Maternity Sneak Peek {Mill Valley Maternity Photographer}

 
If you have been following my blog for a while, no doubt you will recognize this beautiful Mama to be. I met her as a child, she babysat my children, I was there taking photographs on her wedding day in 2009 and now she is about to have a child of her own.

Yes it makes me feel old! But I feel privileged to have met her and to continue to be a part of her life and to be the one who gets to help her document some of these important milestones. In just a few short weeks there will be newborn photos and I cannot wait!

Enjoy your sneak peek Jenny and Mark, so looking forward to meeting your little guy and watching you grow as parents.