Savory Scones

I may have picked the wrong night to turn on the oven (heat wave, 83 degrees today. Yuck.) but I had to make these Tomato Feta Scones by Savory Sweet Life on the Etsy blog and they are delish!

I had to make a few minor adjustments to the recipe. I didn't have garlic salt, a food processor, a baking stone or even parchment paper, but I made due and if someone doesn't take them away soon, I may eat another. I really love savory baked goods. If you have the ingredients, they're an easy to prepare treat. Great with wine or coffee. :-)

My adjustments:

1) For garlic salt I used Mrs. Dash, Original Seasoning Blend (salt free, which is good because the feta & the butter (oh, I didn't have unsalted butter either) are plenty of salty.

2) Instead of roasted red tomatoes from a fancy (read expensive) deli, I used Green Chile & Roasted Tomato Chunky Salsa from Archer Farm. Next time I want to try real roasted red peppers (I roast them straight on the gas range. Super yummy, but tomatoes, I'm not sure how that works. Experiment. You may find something better.

3) I love feta cheese so it was a must, but cheddar or Swiss would make a good substitute if you're making them for kids or someone who's not a feta fan--I can't imagine.  

4) No parchment paper or baking stone, no problem, a lightly buttered baking tray worked great.

5) Mine were thicker than 1" when I flattened the dough & stickier (surely from the salsa) so I cut them into 6 pieces instead of eight. They're big, fluffy and dreamy.

6) Also, because of the size & density, I baked them for nearly 25 minutes. Check on them often.

Thank you Savory Sweet Life. This is exactly what I've been wanting.

dahlila xo

Making Valentine's Cards

When Etsy announced they were partnering with Citymeals-OnWheels and inviting all Etsy artists to make homemade Valentine's Day cards I got as giddy as a kid on, well, Valentine's Day. :-)

I broke out the colored stamps, vintage ribbon, craft paper, yarn and glue. Etsy said, "pretend its for your sweet, sweet grandma," and I have.

I wish my own grandmothers were still alive. I would LOVE to deliver Valentine's Day cards to them--all three of them. (I actually new my great, grandmother who lived to be 98.)

Valentine's today, feels mostly for school children to share over juice, and new couples to share over dinner and wine, but there's an enormous other age category out there (in here) who deserve a Valentine's too. I am so happy to share my few cards with them.

Thank you Etsy and CityMeals-on-Wheels. This Valentine's Day will feel a little less lonely knowing I got to send a Valentine's to someone who really needed one. :-)

dahlila

Share The Love

Etsy is partnering with City-meals On Wheels to bring Valentine's Day Cards to the elderly. City-meals On Wheels serves over 18,000 people, that's a lot of cards.

You can help by making  them or you can purchase them from Etsy sellers to donate to the cause. Either way it adds a whole new delightful meaning to Valentine's Day for me. I hope it does for you too. :-)

For more information, please read the Storque article, Special Delivery: Share Your Love 2010. Now I'm off to find paper, cut out hearts & razzle dazzle them with a little love.

dahlila xxoo

Sweet & Pleasing

I found this festive watering can at my favorite thrift last week. I bought it to sell, but when I got it home and arranged it for photos, I fell in love with it. It's so simple and cheery and makes the perfect flower pot for long stemmed flowers. It's unique, colorful, whimsical. How can I let it go?

Normally I am a very focused vintage shopper. I love what I find, but I'm also clear that this is my business. I am buying for customers. If I kept all the goodies for myself I'd just be some hording collector. And really, what fun is that? Sharing is better.

And yet...once in a while I keep a piece or two for myself. Nothing huge or dramatic, rarely expensive, just a little something sweet and pleasing for myself. Sometimes I keep them for a while, sometimes for a very long while, but eventually most lovelies I pass on. Isn't that what Vintage is all about? ;-)