Melt In Your Mouth Chocolate Chip Scones

When I say these scones are melt in your mouth delicious, I'm not kidding. I've never made scones before because they seemed like a lot of trouble, and some of the ones I have eaten in bakeries have tended to be dry.

But my family and I love baked goods in the mornings, especially on the weekends when we have more time to enjoy them. So I decided to give these Chocolate Chip Scones a try, and I'm so glad I did.

I don't know if it made any difference, but I made the dough and then let it set overnight in the refrigerator, instead of just an hour. It's simple to roll it out into a narrow rectangle, and then cut it free-hand into triangles. The dough could also be used to make other kinds of scones, and I'm thinking that cranberries and walnuts would be delicious together, too.

I can see myself bringing these to a friends' house to enjoy with coffee soon. And wouldn't it be nice to bring them to your child's teacher as a thank you for all their hard work? These are just so yummy, and so worth the time it takes to make them. They are also wonderful when they are reheated in the microwave the next day, with a little butter.

Recipe for Chocolate Chip Scones

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 eggs
1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
3/4 cup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk together flour and baking powder in a medium sized bowl.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat 3 minutes on high until pale and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Slowly add the flour and baking powder mixture into the egg mixture, blending well.

Then add yogurt, again mixing until blended. Fold in chocolate chips until blended throughout the dough.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (This recipe may be made in advance and refrigerated overnight.)

When ready to bake, on a floured surface, roll dough out in a rectangle shape, 1/2 inch thick and 4 inches wide. With a knife, cut the dough into triangles. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

 

 

 

Join me for the #IAmProtective Twitter Party 9/19

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Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know we do and we’re excited to host a party about how we protect the things we cherish!  On FRIDAY, September 19th at 11:00 am ET, please join us for the #IAmProtective Twitter Party where we’ll be sharing tips and resources to help you protect the things that are important to you, and giving you a chance to win prizes! We’ll also be sharing information about a great contest and opportunity to help others during the party.

My children are all adults now, but when they were young, we had plenty of Protective Insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. I felt comfortable knowing they would be financially provided for if that need ever happened. Now I'm concerned about my own financial future as I am older now, and trying to plan for my later years. Join me for the #IAmProtective Twitter Party and share what you are protective of.

Join me and RSVP for the #IAmProtective Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

DATE: Friday, September 19th

TIME:  11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

PRIZES: 5 - $100 Visa Gift Cards

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HOSTS: @AleaMilham, @DentistMel, @Mammamoiselle, @FrugalFamTree, @tsue1136

SPECIAL GUEST: @ProtectiveLife

RULES: #IAmProtective Twitter Party Official Rules

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Join #IAmProtective Twitter Party 9/19 11 am ET. Prizes $550 http://t.co/4DtAbfHG7m #shop
— Frugal Family Tree (@FrugalFamTree) September 10, 2014

How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

TIP:  How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!

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Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!

Easy Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Muffins







Cinnamon is one of my favorite flavors, and it reminds me of fall, and all the coziness that comes along with that season.

These great tasting muffins are topped with a cinnamon streusel and powdered sugar glaze that will make your morning start off on a happy note.

Besides tasting so yummy, they are super easy to make. They are made with Bisquick Mix, that old favorite from so long ago, and one my mother always had in her cupboard. I grew up with pancakes, muffins, waffles, and more made from it, and I am actually a bit nostalgic about it.

I do enjoy baking from scratch, but sometimes I pull out the Bisquick for an easy recipe like these muffins. And if you have any left over, a quick 15 seconds in the microwave makes them totally fresh allover again.


Recipe for Easy Glazed Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Ingredients:

Topping:
1/3 cup Bisquick Mix
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons firm butter or margarine

Muffins:
2 cups Bisquick Mix
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg

Glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
In a small bowl, mix together streusel topping ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix muffin ingredients until well blended. Spoon into paper liners, about 2/3 full.
Sprinkle with topping. Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Let muffins cool before glazing.
To make the glaze, mix the tablespoons of milk and powdered sugar together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle glaze over muffins and let set before eating.

Makes 12 muffins.

Smarter Sims & Weirder Stories: Living a "Sims" Life

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

Finally The Sims™ 4 has arrived! My husband and I made a whole day of having fun playing the game and eating snacks on my day off. The first thing we did was Create A Sim to make our family on the game and build mode for a house. Funny enough just like in reality we had to compromise on the way the house looked and which neighborhood it would go in (but then I did realize he can make his own game too!).

Cute to see the child it made from my character and my husband's. 

Since the game first came out and my husband and I played in college we always giggled that we would be playing "real" The Sims™  once we were out of college. We are grown up now but still there is a kid inside that loves to play video games. The best part of The Sims™ 4 is the way the personalities are way more in depth with big personalities. I was cracking up at the way the characters were acting from picking traits that myself and my husband do have. 

The Sims™ has always been a fun little escape from reality. I like it since its a design game too. I am not a fan of app type of games as much as PC games so for me this is an epic game. It has depth of characters, good story lines and tons of replay value. 

We had a blast playing the game over the last few days and have been having several "SIMS" moments at home.

The funny thing about The Sims™ is how it really is like real life. Our personalities dictate what we like, what we need and what will bring us joy. It is to learn a little about humanity to play The Sims™ 4. How will your dream home look, what will your dream career be, find out when you play! #Sims4 

After we grab some snacks I will be heading back to my job as a writer, my beautiful home and my adoring son. (Thankfully my SIMS character has the same life on the game as I do in reality, well sorta lol) #CollectiveBias

I shopped at Walmart for my copy of The Sims™ 4. I grabbed some Sour Patch Kids Gum, soda, chips and candy for a day of enjoying the Latest PC Game. I encourage you to shop for the game soon since my store shelves were sold out!! 

Be sure to enter the SIMify yourself Facebook Contest here: https://www.facebook.com/simifyyourself. There are $8000 in prizes to be won including the grand prize where you could win a trip to Maxis studio in California! See the official rules here: https://collectivebias.box.com/shared/static/bgg20pn7ujnmkha77b6p.pdf

Spicy Beef and Potato Soup

September has always been the start of the new year for me. Going back to school is a very big deal, I think. It was for me when I was a child, it was for my own children, and now it is the same for my grandchildren.

I'm so happy to tell you that my grandson Jayden, who started second grade on Wednesday, loves his teacher and new classroom. I know I'm not responsible for him the way his parents are, but believe me when I say I was pretty anxious to know how that first day went.

September is also the time I start thinking about cooler weather, and the hearty soups and stews that my family enjoys. I love making soup in my big pot, and there are so many easy soups that can be made with very simple ingredients.

This Spicy Beef and Potato Soup is made with ground beef, potatoes, and corn, items that many of us already have on hand. This recipe makes a nice big pot of soup, with a delicious tomato flavor, and even the kids will love it.

Recipe for Spicy Beef and Potato Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
1-1/2 cups frozen corn
4 cans (8 ounce each) tomato sauce
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons black pepper
1 tablespoon hot sauce

Directions:

In a large heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat, cook beef until browned, drain off fat.
Add potatoes, onion, corn, and tomato sauce. Stir in 4 cups water, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 1 hour or until potatoes are tender and soup has thickened.

Makes 6 generous servings.