Thursday, August 11, 2011

RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE SCONES

These delicious scones are a popular item here in the Pacific Northwest!!
Located in Lynden, Washington, there is a wonderful little place called the "Lynden Dutch Bakery."  They bake scones similar to these for their shop and for many local coffee shops.  The scones are HUGE, moist and oh so yummy!!  If you're ever in the area, be sure and stop by!!   
I have tried many raspberry scone recipes but these are about as close as they come to the ones made by the Lynden Dutch Bakery.
  
Raspberry White Chocolate Scones
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups raspberries
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Powdered sugar for dusting tops
Raspberries for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Cream butter and sugar together until smooth.  Add the eggs and mix until combined.  Beat in the milk and vanilla until smooth and well blended.
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix well. 
Stir flour mixture into the creamed mixture until JUST combined.  DO NOT OVERMIX.  Fold the raspberries and white chocolate chips into the batter.
Scoop by 3/4 cupfuls onto a greased and floured jelly roll pan.
Bake at 375 F. for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden on edges.
Remove from oven, let cool slightly while still in the pan.  Then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Lightly dust the tops with a layer of powdered sugar.
Top with a fresh raspberry if desired.


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Thursday, August 4, 2011

"DAYS FOR GIRLS" GARDEN PARTY

On July 30th, we held our 2nd Annual "Days for Girls" Garden Party.

 This wonderful event celebrated the work of thousands of giving volunteers and generous contributors that help make this mission possible.

100% of the profits raised by the organization go to assisting the girls and there are no 'overhead' costs involved, as everything relies completely on volunteers.

Even our garden party was generously arranged and organized by many people who contributed their time, talents, dishes, food, auction items, etc. to this event.

Have you ever heard of "Days for Girls"?

It is an organization formed by a woman who was helping organize sustainable orphanages in an impoverished country. 

While she was there, she realized many girls were missing DAYS of school and/or work because they did not have access to feminine hygiene products.  She was also horrified to learn that some of the girls were using corn cobs or tobacco leaves as make-shift pads, which caused many infections!!  AND/OR they were being sexually exploited in exchange for feminine products!! 

So...she decided to do something about it.

She wanted to give them back their 'DAYS'.

And she has...

And she still is...

Here is our Founder, Celeste, surrounded by MANY appreciative girls!!

Drifting out of the kitchen windows in the background, is the delicious aroma of lunch.
The chefs prepared a delightful selection of 'sweet' and 'savory' treats for our enjoyment.


The tables were set and ready to go.

I was the "Tablescaper"
Is that a TITLE?  Because I want it... ;)
It was soooo much fun!!


I borrowed little birds, nests, candy dishes and other decorations to decorate the tables with.

AND we had an INCREDIBLE florist who took flowers from many of our yards and arranged them into MASTERPIECES for all of the tables.

Everything worked out perfectly and it was a beautiful day!!






All the napkins were tied with the crocheted strings that we use for kit bags...so precious.

A short stroll on a beautiful path led to a gazebo where we enjoyed delicious 'savory' foods.

Look at the adorable butterfly tongs!!

A "Kit Assembly Table" was located nearby for those wishing to assist us with filling orders.

Each "Kit" contains:
A fabric carrying bag
A Gallon Ziploc Bag filled with:
2 water-resistant shields
10 flannel pads
1 pair of panties 
2 safety pins (to adjust panty size)
1 washcloth
1 bar of soap
1 extra gallon Ziploc (for carrying wet items)

Here's what a typical kit looks like.

Everyday, "The She Castle" receives huge boxes of wonderful items sent from many generous people:

Some send washcloths.
Some send panties.

Some send handmade shields and pads (the patterns can be found on the Days for Girls website).

Or other items.

As you can see...there are MANY WAYS to assist this endeavor!!
And we LOVE the help!!

 If you'd like to get involved,
it makes a great service project for youth groups, church groups, or anyone wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of girls all over the world.

For more information:

or on Facebook:
Days for Girls

Or if YOU would like to send items:
Days for Girls
810 H Street Road
Lynden, Washington
98264




The Silent Auction included a fantastic array of items!!


The Auction tables were FULL.

And so were our hearts...

ITS ALL ABOUT THE GIRLS.

Currently, Days for Girls is organizing some teachers to go to the impoverished countries and help the women learn how to make the kits for themselves and for people of their communities.



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