Solitude and Cinnamon Scones

There is something to be said for being able to appreciate the times in our lives when solitude prevails. For mothers, in particular, so many of our years are filled with multi-tasking from the crack of dawn, until we crawl into our beds exhausted after the final chore has been done. Moments of solitude are rare, and for some of us, unless we make an concerted effort to create it, is can simply be non-existent.

Taking time for ourselves has great value. So often we tend to lose ourselves somewhere in the middle of our To-Do lists. We need that quiet time, to just "be".  To read a book, take a walk, or have a long, hot bubble bath. For me, its a cup of tea, a warm scone and a good book. 

Whatever it is for you, be sure to make time to be with yourself.

In the end, you're the best company you'll ever have.

Speaking of scones, I found this recipe at This Simple Home, and it immediately caught my attention because it used cinnamon chips. I'd bought a package of them during the holiday season on impulse, but had never found a recipe that seemed to suit them. Then came these. I adapted the recipe slightly since I didn't have any sour cream on hand, and they still turned out great!

I hope you try these out,  and while you're at it, enjoy a moment of solitude on me.

Cinnamon Scones

(adapted from This Simple Home)

Dough:

2 cups flour

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

6 tbsp butter, chilled

2/3 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Mix-Ins:

2 tbsp flour

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Topping:

egg or milk
sugar

In a small bowl, combine the mix-in ingredients together, then set aside.

In large bowl, make the dough by first combining the first 5 ingredients. Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry blender until it resembles coarse meal.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk and vanilla. Mix together. Add the mix-in ingredients and the cinnamon chips. Using your hands is the quickest, easiest way to do this. The dough will come together nicely.

Place the ball of dough on to a greased cookie sheet. Form it in to an 8 or 9 inch round. Score into triangles (8 pieces) 

Brush the dough with egg or milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown on top.