• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup cold salted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/3 cup chopped candied ginger
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, optional
  • Glaze
  • 1/4 cup softened salted butter
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup or more confectioners' sugar

The empty lot that once sat beside us became the home of a beautiful family four years ago.

I had prayed about the neighbors that would someday live next to us. These folks would be the closest to us living right next door.

As we all know, “a good neighbor is a found treasure.”

Chinese Proverb

And my mother has always said that “a good neighbor is worth a million dollars.

 

Welcome to the Neighborhood

I remember hearing that the beautiful newly-built home next door had been sold. I was both elated and excited to meet my new neighbors. The morning the Gencels moved in I preheated my oven.

I had hoped the plate of warm orange glazed scones would provide a loving welcome for this new family.

Loving cultures of all kinds, I was delighted to learn that the husband was originally from Sweden and his lovely wife was from Sri Lanka. Their two sons are precious, and in an age when lots of kids play indoors, we enjoyed seeing and hearing the boys play outside together. The boys reminded me of my sons when they were young playing outdoors together. We enjoyed sitting on our back screened in porch watching and listening to the boys play.

Sometimes they would even invite me to roller blade and play with them. I love these kids.

Did I roller blade with them? Um, no. But only because I didn’t own a set of roller blades. And Kevin, this old lady of 29 and holding would have beaten you; just sayin’!

Over the years our families shared recipes and even enjoyed dinner and a few wonderful meals around the table together. They are great cooks and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing both of their extended families visit frequently. What was once a quiet place waiting to be a home became a place filled with life, love and family.

A few months ago we learned of the job transfer that would take their family to another state. The peace and admiration once shared between two neighbors would now become treasured memories; memories of a close family, laughter, fun and good food.

Thankful for the opportunities to watch this family grow, we thank God for the new adventure and opportunities this loving family will experience and we pray that they will be welcomed by the very fortunate neighbors about to receive them.

Recently Dilum spoke about the orange glazed scones I brought to them four years ago. This morning my son Nathaniel and I surprised them with a batch of warm maple butter pecan scones for Dilum, her sons and her beautiful parents.

 

Just darling, isn’t she?

We look forward to keeping track through phone calls and of course facebook. I look forward to hearing all about their new adventures, the new folks they meet along the way, and of course any recipes Dilum would like to share with me.

Here’s how easy the scones were to make:

In a food processor, add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pulse a couple of times.

Add your cold butter pieces and pulse until small your butter is the size of small peas.

Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and add pecans, chopped ginger and dried cranberries. Toss the pecans, ginger and cranberries in the dry mixture and add your heavy cream stirring with a fork just until it comes together.

Turn the dough onto a floured board or counter.  This is where the fun begins!  Gently press the dough together until it can be easily kneaded.  Don’t you just love the feeling of dough?  Knead the dough about ten times, or until it is nearly smooth. Roll the dough out into an 8-inch circle. Cut the circle into 8 wedges.

Place the scones on a greased baking stone or cookie sheet. Bake the scones for 15 minutes, or until they’re lightly browned on top. It is fun for children (and you too) to watch the scones “puff up” in the oven.  They do so because once the dry acid in the baking powder is added to wet ingredients it begins produce carbon dioxide bubbles, just like yeast.

While the scones are baking, make your glaze.

In a small bowl stir together softened butter, maple syrup and confectioners’ sugar.

When the scones are removed from the oven, place on a wire rack with foil, parchment paper or anything to catch any excess glaze. Spoon the yummy glaze over each scone. Let dry just a bit and eat warm or room temperature…

…with a cup of tea, coffee or a nice big glass of milk!

Enjoy, friends!

Oh, and make some for your neighbors!

xo Elise