The Inglenook

 Inglenook

This is the nook.  Many of the elements of the house were patterned after the work of Frank LLoyd Wright, and this is one of them.  In his early work, Wright (a father himself) often inserted these cozy spaces for family to gather in.  The distinctive trim work is also his design. 

It is a wonderful little space.  The house itself is large--3400 square feet.  The ceiling soars, the feel is expansive. I would be lost without the nook.  Adults will often ask what we use it for, but children always know.  Mine immediately brought pillows and blankets and books and cozied themselves in as if they had been there forever.  A good space for tea, scones, and a bit of Sherlock Holmes read aloud with a British accent. We'll get to that sometime.  Bruce and I used to have a Sherlock night regularly, BC (before children). Two out of three of them are still too squirmy for such an entertainment.

Kate's Ridiculously Easy Scones

2 cups Bisquick or Jiffy baking mix
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar, plus a bit more for sprinkling
1/2 cup dried currants, raisins, mini chocolate chips, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Preheat your oven to 415 or so.  Mix the first three ingredients together first, then add your goodies.  [By the way, if you add nothing, this makes great shortcake.] Drop onto baking sheet or stone in heaping tablespoonfuls--should make 10-12 scones.  If you try to make them bigger, they won't cook through. Sprinkle with sugar and bake 10-12 minutes.  The peaks will be quite brown.  I poke at one and break off a bit to make sure it's cooked inside.  Cool on a wire rack.  Serve with butter or jam or a bit of whipped cream.

Now you know the secret of my bake sale successes.

Enjoy!

Kate