Recipe for a Fun Spring Day

I'm so glad my Mum and I were able to head to Niagara-on-the-Lake yesterday for our postponed "birthday trip" (her birthday, not mine.) The weather was perfect and because it's early in the season, there were no crowds - just a nice amount of people on the street for a change. In fact, when we first got there, it was almost like we had the whole village to ourselves!

We had fun window shopping. I was extremely tempted to purchase one of these "vintage-style" tea towels but at $7.00 a piece, I couldn't bring myself to do it. They were lots of fun though! My favourite read: "I do believe it's important to eat 3 square meals a day - that's why chocolates come in a box!" 

I did buy a new pair of sunglasses - Yeah for purple sunglasses!

We had lunch at the Shaw Cafe (chicken salad with walnuts, blue cheese, and poached pear for me, turkey club on a ciabatta bun for my Mum). It was so peaceful to sit on the patio listening to the fountain in their courtyard and enjoy the sunshine. Felt like a mini-European holiday! 

The town is beautifully maintained and we enjoyed the flowers so much.

Especially this amazing Japanese Tree Peony in front of someone's house.

Here's a close-up:

Today is a bit mundane after such a wonderful day, but I have had fun making two batches of rhubarb freezer jam. Here's the recipe for anyone interested:

6 cups of finely chopped rhubarb

3 cups of sugar

1 package of strawberry or raspberry Jello

enough water to cook the rhubarb

Mix the rhubarb and sugar and cook in a heavy-bottom pot with just enough water so it won't scald on the bottom. Bring it to the boil and then let it boil for at least 15 minutes. Take off of the heat and add the dry Jello powder stirring well to incorporate. Fill glass or plastic containers. Let cool then refrigerate or freeze.

I also discovered the most AMAZING scone recipe today sort of by accident. I wanted something delicious to bring to my husband for a snack this afternoon that would highlight some of the freshly-made rhubarb jam. So I decided to make scones and couldn't find my usual recipe so I googled one and tried it.

They tasted every bit as good as they look!  Here's the recipe:

Whisk together 2 c. all purpose flour, 1/4 c sugar, 2 tsp baking powder & 1/4 tsp salt.  Cut in 1/3 cup of cold butter (I used vegetable shortening). In separate bowl, beat together 1 egg, 1/2 c milk, 1 tsp. vanilla. Add to the flour/shortening mix. Mix just until incorporated. Make scone size balls and pat them into flat round shape. Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet at 375 for 18 minutes. The recipe made 8 really good size scones for me. The recipe said to knead and roll out the dough but I've always found that tends to make them a little tougher so I favour the "pat into a glob" technique instead. Although if you followed the original instructions, the scones would probably turn out much smoother on top then mine did. As you can see from the picture, mine look a little bumpety on top.  :)