A queenly heart, American Jane, and Biscuits/Scones

I finished block #11 for the 1857 quilt.  I am finding that some of these blocks are quite a challenge for me.  But, I keep telling myself, the only way to improve my skills is to try to do something more difficult than I've done before.

The thing I'm working on in between hunkering down with the applique blocks is this little project.  It helps me breathe deeply and not tense up. I find these fabrics just cheer me up.

I have cut out 32 blocks so far but that is only half of them.  I find it interesting that the 1857 quilt has 64 blocks and now I'm working on another one with 64 blocks.  I hope I don't confuse them somehow.

As I cut out the blocks I put them in sandwich bags.  That way, if I drop something while I'm transferring them from the kitchen to the sewing room, I won't loose anything.

The blocks are just so cute!

I made biscuits yesterday again AND I think I found a wonderful recipe.  It is from the Farm Journal's Cookbook and it's called Crusty Hot Biscuits.

This picture doesn't do them justice.  They were flaky and crisp as my teeth broke the surface and then soft and tender inside.  Just the best.  I'm still going to try other recipes but this just may be the winner.

Crusty Hot Biscuits
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 TB sugar (I didn't put any sugar in)
1/3 cup lard (I used Crisco)
2/3 cup milk
1 egg

Sift together dry ingredients. Cut lard into mixture to make coarse crumbs.  Add milk, then the egg.  Mix with fork until dough follows fork around bowl.

Knead on floured board five or six times.  Roll or pat to 1/2" thickness. (I patted the dough until it was 2" thick.  I thought 1/2" wouldn't be tall enough to have a fluffy inside.)  Cut with biscuit cutter.

Place on ungreased baking sheet about 3/4" apart and bake in very hot oven  - 450 degrees - 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 16 biscuits.  (Except since I made them so thick it only made seven.)

Delightful!!!
Robin