Hugging Scones

I usually get an extra hug when I pop these scones out of the oven . . . that's why they are called The Hugging Scones! It is quite possible to get your husband to fall in love with you all over again by intoxicating him with these baking aromas.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 currants
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
1 egg whisked
1/4 cup milk

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter (or you may use two dinner knives) until the mixture is crumbly. Using a fork, stir in the remaining ingredients.

Knead the dough on a floured surface six times, folding it over each time. Roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Bake 20 minutes until the tops are brown.

Or, to make traditional triangular scones, roll dough into a large 1/2 inch thick circle and cut crosswise four times to make eight scones. Bake it as a whole 20 minutes (or a bit longer) until the tops are golden. Seperate the triangles when cooled.

Presentation: Every Christmas morning I bake these scones and serve them warm in a basket lined with a fresh tea towel and with a cup of raspberry preserves holding a tiny spoon. We eat them while opening our presents.

Baked Apple & Butternut Squash Soup

Baked Apple & Butternut Squash Soup is a delicious, nutritious, and cozy comfort food. The baking aromas will fill your heart and home with pleasure.

My passion for social change - divorce rates

I'm on a mission for social change and my passion grows to help reduce divorce and inspire longevity in marriage. My motivation runs deep. I believe that divorce is damaging the psychological health of this nation and is particularly damaging to children. They emulate us, repeating a cycle of dysfunction. The divorce rate and its ramifications are out of control. Take a look at these statistics:

* The US divorce rate is 49%

* 50% of those age 30 and under are projected to have at least one divorce in their lifetime.

* One million children will watch their parents divorce annually. Half will witness a second divorce before age 18.

Personally, I've experienced divorce through the multiple marriages and subsequent divorces of both my parents, and a dozen of my personal friends. I can tell you first hand that living in a twenty-one year marriage is the greatest feeling in the world. Of course, we've had our own thoughts and temptations of divorce. But, we didn't act on them. We just let them pass us by and did not give them attention or energy. Where the attention goes, the energy flows.

It is worth it to stick it out! A long lasting love life is not without cycles of temptation, frustration, and exasperation. But it also must embrace acceptance, compassion, patience, and forgiveness. Hang in there. I will help you and teach you how.

Delenee

AM NORTHWEST KATU-TV

Hello all!
Exciting news from a new author. . .
I've been invited to be a guest on the AM Northwest morning show in Portland - KATU-TV on Thursday, November 12th ! Check out their website. They have many best selling authors featured on the show and I am so excited!
November 12th is just two days before our twenty-second wedding anniversary. I want Glenn on the show with me . . . what do you think?
Post me your comments!
Delenee

Read the whole book in one sitting...reader comment

"I could not put it down! I read the whole book in one sitting. The combination of recipes and insightful stories was a beautiful way to tie together food and relationship advice. It made me laugh and cry!!! A different and inspiring way to heal, strengthen, and love your marriage."
Reader comment 10/13/09

Ready to dive into marriage; A letter from a reader of Happily Wed and Happily Fed

Dear Delenee, October 4, 2009

I had to write to you after anxiously awaiting your book, getting it and reading it in a few short hours. Your e-mail came at such a time when I really needed some kind of a message…just like that! I love how life can work like that sometimes! I was married before and met my now fiancé (named Glenn J) shortly after my marriage ended. At that time I never wanted to get married again but 3 years later we were engaged while on a romantic trip to California wine country, staying at an amazing bed and breakfast. We have now been engaged 2 years and he is getting a little anxious to make wedding plans, understandably. I have been honestly, afraid, even though I know I want to be with him, I am afraid of “marriage” messing up the good thing we have. We have been having so much conversation of connection, commitment, life goals, wedding plans, etc., etc. Honestly, after reading your book I feel so much more confident and ready to dive into our marriage with an open mind and heart and a lot of determination.

It is so weird because he is a chef and one of our dreams is to someday own our own bakery/café (I love to bake) and one of my dreams is to write a book. It is so inspiring to know you two are doing, or have done exactly that, even while having hard times and raising your children.

Making dinner together has always been a big thing for us. Our conversations in the morning often start with “what are we having for dinner tonight?” It has always been our special time of connecting. We have recently decided I will make him dinner all by myself 1 night a week (he always cooks with me as his helper usually talking his ear off J) to give him a break. Thank you for the book, I will so be using it and recommending it to all of my friends. Looking forward to my marriage, café, and the book I someday write along side my own Glenn.

Lotsa Love,
Leah

Glenn, the main character in my life and my book!

This is a pic of my man, my husband, the one-and-only, Glenn Brugman. He's dark and handsome.

This was a good --scratch that--a great moment. The wine-- a Malbec from Argentina, served at Cafe Reese. Out the window, fall approaches bringing golden leaves given no choice, but to give way to change.

I choose to look at this picture as a great moment. I will remember it as transistion.

How you view your ever changing life reflects in your heart, in your words and in your streaming thoughts. My glass is half full.

Look how nice my husband looks in a turtle neck! I love him. I want to kiss that grin. He holds his head high. (Maybe the turtle neck offers support. Ha ha).

This blog's recipe on love: A big part of a happy marriage and a happy life is how you choose to look at it and yourself in it. Delenee