Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Welcome Author Victoria Hamilton with Fresh-Baked Scones and a Cozy Tote Giveaway!


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-mallets-intended-victoria-hamilton/1119058654?ean=9780425271391
No Mallets Intended
A Vintage Kitchen Mystery



It's my pleasure to welcome author Victoria Hamilton back to our Kitchen! 

Today Victoria is sharing a lovely recipe for fresh-baked scones; news about her new Vintage Kitchen Mystery, No Mallets Intended; and a fun comment-to-win giveaway. 

Details of the giveaway are below. But first, please welcome Victoria Hamilton... 

~ Cleo











I love tea and scones, so I suppose it is no mystery that when Jaymie, my protagonist from the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, was casting about for something easy to give away or sell to folks at the Dickens Days festivities in Queensville Michigan, she decided upon scones; in No Mallets Intended they are lemon cranberry mini scones. 

This recipe is close to one I have used before, but I did a few things differently this time. And I love scones far too much to make them mini, so these are full size. I also made a lemon drizzle for the scones, AND toasted candied pecans to chop and sprinkle over the drizzle. It’s over-the-top good, perfect for an afternoon tea, or brunch, or just… well anytime! I think they are kind of festive.

Make the toasted pecans first. You won’t regret it, and your main problem will be keeping from eating them all before the scones are done!




Cranberry Lemon Scones 
with Lemon Glaze & 
Toasted Maple Pecans 

From the kitchen of: Victoria Hamilton 


Toasted Maple Pecans

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pecans 

1 Tblsp. Butter

1 Tblsp. Maple Syrup

1 Tblsp. Brown Sugar (I used Golden)

1/4 tsp salt


Instructions:

1 – Heat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

2 – Melt the butter and brown sugar in a bowl in the microwave or a small pot on the stove.

3 – Add the maple syrup and salt, and stir to mix.

4 – Add pecans and stir until they are coated.

5 – Pour the pecans on a parchment lined tray and place in oven.

6 – Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, stirring halfway through the baking time. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn! I did them in a toaster oven, and they turned out perfect!

7 – Remove from oven and let them cool on the tray. I stirred them a bit when they first came out of the oven and then spread them out to make sure they didn’t stick to each other.


These are awesome even as a snack or an ice cream topping, but these are to chop and sprinkle over the scones.


Lemony Cranberry Scones 
with Lemon Glaze


Ingredients:

Scones:

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

5 tblsp. cold butter, chopped

2/3 cup buttermilk (Because I didn’t have any, I used the buttermilk cheat, which is milk with vinegar/lemon juice, and the scones turned out just great!)

1-1/2 tblsp. lemon juice

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. lemon extract – I like the extra boost of the lemon extract.

3/4 cup dried cranberries (I used Ocean Spray Craisins, which are sweetened)


Glaze

1 tblsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. lemon extract

1-1/2 tblsp. milk

3/4 cup powdered aka icing sugar

Instructions:

1 – Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment, or use a silicone baking sheet. Or use a no stick baking sheet, as I did!

2 – In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.

3 – Chop in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until mixture is crumbly, or do as I did and rub it into the flour with your fingers until it resembles oatmeal. If you rub the butter in, be sure to leave the texture of the dry ingredients mealy.

4 – Add in the buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon extract and dried cranberries. Mix until just incorporated.

5 – Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a circle about one knuckle deep. Yes, one knuckle. That’s how I measured, using the distance from my thumb knuckle to the end of my thumb, OR if you’re a real science measuring nut, that’s about ¾ of an inch thick.

6 – Slice into eighths. I used a cleaver to make the cuts, (I use the cleaver for a lot of things, including cutting pizza) but you can use a knife or pizza cutter, whatever is clean.

7 – Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.


8 - Make the glaze while the scones cool simply by mixing the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl.

9 – Drizzle over the cooled scones, or glaze them, whichever you prefer. Then sprinkle with some of the chopped Toasted Maple Pecans.


These scones are really good, lemony and light, but not too sweet. They are best the same day they are made. Now, make a cup of tea and curl up with a cozy mystery and a scone!

~::~



About No Mallets Intended 


Jaymie Leighton is excited and a little nervous about her current big venture, completely redoing the kitchen at Dumpe House—now the Queensville Historic Manor—in time for the December opening. But the house is mired in controversy, a challenge to the heritage society’s right to own it, and questions about the author hired to write a pamphlet detailing the Dumpe family history.

Jaymie just keeps her focus on the exact color right for the kitchen, and assembling all the accouterments, including a Hoosier cabinet! She’s also got much to think about in her personal life with Daniel acting a little odd, and her friend Heidi dragging her in to the trouble between her and her fiancé, Jaymie’s former boyfriend Joel.

But a late night whack on the head with one of the antique mallets Jaymie has been cataloging for the society and a dreadful murder right on the house’s doorstep draws her once again into murder and mayhem. Jaymie faces her most cunning and dangerous opponent yet, but with Valetta by her side and the police chief’s approval, she must figure out whodunit before they do it again!

~::~

Victoria Hamilton is the author of three nationally bestselling series, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries as Victoria, and the Teapot Collector Mysteries as Amanda Cooper. She is also the bestselling author of Regency and historical romance as Donna Lea Simpson.

Victoria loves to cook and collects vintage kitchen paraphernalia, teacups and teapots, and almost anything that catches her fancy! She loves to read, especially mystery novels, and enjoys good tea and cheap wine, the company of friends, and has a newfound appreciation for opera. She enjoys crocheting and beading, but a good book can tempt her away from almost anything… except writing!

Follow Victoria!

Visit her Website

Friend her on Facebook

Like Vintage Kitchen Mysteries on Facebook 

Follow Vintage Kitchen Mysteries on Pinterest 

Follow her on Twitter: @MysteryVictoria



Comment-to-Win!


Leave a Comment on this post
by Thursday, Nov. 6 at 12 Midnight,
and you will be entered to win a copy of
No Mallets Intended, Victoria's new
Vintage Kitchen Mystery, and this
fun "Cozy Up to a Good Mystery"
tote bag!


108 comments:

  1. Cranberry Lemon Scones with Lemon Glaze &Toasted Maple Pecans recipe looks yummy! I am drooling over the pictures. :) Victoria Hamilton is a new author for me, and I am looking forward to reading No Mallets Intended.

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    1. I forgot to add my email: myrifraf (at) gmail.com

      Thank you :)

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  2. Looks yummy! This would make a great Thanksgiving breakfast. :D

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  3. Yummy recipe...thank you for the chance to win, I hope to get a chance to read this fun novel :)
    jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. These sound delicious--right for the season, and with a great blend of tart and sweet, soft and crunchy. I'll add them to my endless "Must Make" list.

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  5. oh my. I love scones. have never made them, now I really want to! Victoria, your books are wonderful! thank you for sharing them with us!

    Annie

    mysandycat@aol.com

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  6. This book looks wonderful! I can't wait to try your recipe
    Kim
    Kjohnson952@yahoo.com

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  7. I own the first three books in this wonderful series and I love the recipes. I can always use another carry bag too. I'd love to add book 4 to my collection.

    NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I promise that if you send me these goodies, I will bake some scones, make tea, and begin reading!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  9. Fantastic. This book looks great.

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  10. Scones are my favorite indulgence. So tempting. Thanks. Beautiful start to a day. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. Delectable scones and love lemon which is my favorite flavor. Tea and scones are perfect for fall and winter. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. The bakery near me has the most delicious lemon cranberry scones. I think I need to run out and get one now. kphans08@gmail.com

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  13. The book sounds great, can't wait to read it.

    lauraalbert@hotmail.com

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  14. I love scones and your recipes sounds like they would be easy to make. Wishing you much success with your latest release. It's a great series.

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  15. I love tea! Scones go great with any cup of tea. Do you have a favorite tea? I like them all, but lately loving Earl Grey! Yum! Thank you for the recipe. I think I'll jot it down & see if my daughter will give it a try. She's the baker in the family. :-)

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  16. Oh my I just enjoy these cozy mysteries so very much and I would love to read this one. The storyline is a real winner.

    cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

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  17. Yummy! Can't wait to read this book.

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  18. The book looks great and so do the pecans!!

    sbandjz at yahoo dot com

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  19. Yummy!!! Looking forward to trying them!

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

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  20. yummy recipes and great giveaway -- going to make the scones tomorrow. jody.714@hotmail.com

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  21. Oh, they sound so yummy!
    Loved the first in his series - looking forward to more!
    Won the bag already bu my Mom was jealous and wants one too!

    cyderryATyahooDOTcom

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  22. I look forward to your new books with great anticipation. :-) Looking at the pictures of the scones it appears they are served on "Friendly Village" china? I believe this was one of my mother's favorites. (She did have many different sets of dishes and many large cabinets!)

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  23. I love the tote, recipe sounds wonderful too ! kathambre@yahoo.com

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  24. Love the tote bag and wish I could be the winner. Thank you for giving away such a nice gift.
    CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net

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  25. Wow the scones look good! And thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. Sounds like a great book. Love these type. sclickner@juno.com

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  27. I'm not a baker, but I just might attempt these scones...they sound great. Can't wait to read the book!

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  28. Scones and tea are a favorite of mine. Looking forward to the book, miller1563@tx.rr.com

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  29. Sure could have enjoyed one of those scones, this morning! Congratulations, Victoria...happy release day! I'm looking forward to reading "No Mallets Intended".


    patucker54 at aol dot com

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  30. Oh im going to the market after work!! These look to DIE for!

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  31. Both the book and the recipe look great!

    lkleback@hotmail.com

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  32. Welcome to MLK! What a lovely recipe; looks like a great new series! Congrats!

    Daryl aka Avery

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  33. These recipes sound delicious! The combination of flavors in the scones sounds great! I would love to read this book. =)
    melissasbooksnks at gmail dot com

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  34. I love this series and look forward to reading the newest. And now I'm hungry!

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  35. Looks like a great cozy mystery.

    xzjh04@gmail.com

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  36. Thank you for the recipe, makes me hungry.

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  37. Thanks for sharing your recipe, it looks delicious. I have had a weakness for scones for years.

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  38. The cranberry lemon scones look particularly delicious, and the new book sounds wonderful too. I always wondered if you could bake scones without having a real scone baking dish, and now I know you can. Thanks! rencw@verizon.net

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  39. Thanks for posting the wonderful recipes. I hadn't heard of your books until just now. Yay! A new-to-me author!

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  40. I think I'll have to make a double batch of those pecans so I have some left for the scone recipe. Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  41. Love - love - love this series! I've never had a scone - really! - but your recipe sounds wonderful. Cute tote.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  42. No Mallets Intended was downloaded this morning on my Nook. Now to find enough time to read it. Sandy Smith

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  43. Looking forward to it!

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  44. MMMMMMMMMM sounds good. The scones and the book!

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  45. I like scones and these sound good

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  47. I can't wait to read Jaymie's new adventure. Thanks for the scones recipe, they look delicious!

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  48. I love scones! And cozy mysteries. A great combination!

    ElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com

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  49. Can't wait to read "No Mallets Intended"....sounds interesting!
    Thanks for the recipes and contest!

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  50. It would be great to nibble on some of those pecans and scones and read this book. A great way to spend a fall day.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  51. cup of tea,scone and curl up with a good mystery what could be better than that

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  52. Nice time to curl up in my favorite chair with a good book. Looks like this would be a great one :) Patty Degmetich

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  53. The scones look delicious, and I look forward to reading this new installment.
    dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  54. Hit in the head with a mallet - ouch! I have to read about that. A friend of mine makes scones and I always thought they would be too hard to make. I can do this! And those pecans, I would have to make a double batch, some for snacking.

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  55. Those scones look so yummy and I love this series! Looking forward to reading this book.

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  56. I loves scones and these look so tasty. Will be making them soon while reading your new book:)

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  57. I love all your books. Cozies with food are my favorite.

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  58. the scones look great and easy to make and I can't wait to read your newest book such a great series!

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  59. I asked for this book for b-day,just waiting for it. Love the recipes here

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  60. Lemon and cranberries in scones sounds yummy! Thanks for the new book and the contest!!
    grace dot koshida at gmail dot com

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  61. Both the book and the recipe sound delicious! Thanks for that!
    londonandlisa@gmail.com

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  62. Yummm...scones and a new book in the series.

    kaye.killgore@comcast.net

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  63. The recipe sounds delicious. Every time I hear about scones I can't help but think of Michael Palin as a lumberjack "and have buttered scones for tea".

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  64. Can I just say yum! Anything with pecans and maple syrup is okay with me. But I do love scones and tea aswell. But again YUM!

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  65. Those scones look amazing.

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  66. I've been looking for a good scone recipe and a new read!

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  67. Great recipe and good book to read!

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  68. I enjoyed reading the recipe even though I may not bake the scones. Or, maybe I will. They do sound scrumptious.
    I notice the embroidered tablecloth in the picture. It's lovely. I haven't done embroidery for years and years. I now have the urge to take it up again.
    Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

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  69. Recipe looks yummy!! raco774(at)aol(dot)com

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  70. No Mallets Intended, Victoria's new
    Vintage Kitchen Mystery, and this
    fun "Cozy Up to a Good Mystery"
    tote bag look so GREAT!!!

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  71. I am a big fan of scones, and these look yummy. Would be a great treat for Thanksgiving. I'm also a big fan of cozies.
    6186pep(at)msn(dot)com

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  72. I hope I win.I've never read Victoria Hamilton's books but I would love to!!! All the series sound great. Thank you for a chance.

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  73. The scones look so good, love the tote and can't wait to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com

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  74. I would leave no 'scone' unturned if I got a chance to win this book!

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  75. I love this series! - Laine "Laineshots" (contact via facebook)

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  76. Oh my...sounds delicious! I am also drooling over the plate...my weakness. I can't wait to read NO MALLETS INTENDED!

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  77. I don't know which recipe to make first. They both sound so delicious. Scones always go well with a cozy mystery.

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  78. I'm a real bag lady, so I'd love the tote.
    Great play on words title. Judy

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  79. Thanks for the recipe - I need a scone to go with my tea right now.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  80. Welcome, Victoria. I am really excited about reading your book. It sounds great.I am always looking for new authors to try. And now I also get to try your scone recipe. Yum! Sounds like a win win to me.

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  81. In my house the pecans would be gone before the scones were even made :) I usually cut my scones before baking, so this is going to be a nice way for me to go about making them, now.
    lenikaye@yahoo.com

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  82. I don't think I have ever had scones with a glaze on them before - they sound amazing.
    jenne.turner@unt.edu

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  83. Love this series! afarage(at) earthlink.net

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  84. The cranberry-lemon scones looks fabulous, and I'm always looking for a new series to read and love!

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  85. These look wonderful. Perfect with a cup of tea and cozy. Love this series.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  86. The scones sound delicious and the book even more so.

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  87. The cranberry-lemon scones sound delicious and the book even more so.

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  88. Love the series! And know I'm going to love the scones! Can't wait to try both!

    Tennisace50 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  89. I never thought of putting a glaze on scones, but why not? These sound wonderful, Victoria! Thank you.
    Looking forward to reading your latest.

    lola777_22 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  90. Glad to hear from everyone! A few notes... scones are simple to make, and these ones are light and lemony! The glaze is nice, too, but not necessary, really. The runner under my Friendly Village tea set is a vintage one, another of my collections! I just love vintage and hand embroidered linens. Thanks everyone for participating! And good luck... there's still time to comment to enter to win!

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  91. Those scones sound delicious, I always love coming on this blog and seeing what new yummy recipes you'll have :)
    amy2read (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  92. Thank you for a chance to win the book and tote.

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  93. Looks yummy! Love both of your series. Would love to win! :)
    scouts579 (at) aol (dot) com

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  94. I really like this series and hope to win this next one. Thanks.
    dotkel50 at comcast dot net

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  95. Mary DeBorde
    zenrei57 at hotmail dot com

    <3 Btw - those Transferware dishes are LOVELY!!
    Oh my gosh, I am feeling all cozy just reading this post - delectable scones and a charming mystery make me want to purr like a cat <3 TY for the sweet giveaway!

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  96. scones and lemon, 2 of my favorites!

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  97. Those scones look delicious! They don't look hard and crumbly like some I've tasted. I love your Pinterest vintage board too. I was checking it out yesterday. The Pyrex is AMAZING! Would love to read No Mallets Intended.

    Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com

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  98. Nothing better than a scone, a cup of tea and a good book on a blustery day! (It is very windy here today, even had our power go out for a bit!)

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  99. Scones!! These look delicious ... thank you for the recipes.

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  100. I love scones, and these sound delicious!

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