my word of the year (also...butter)

 

All the well-known bloggers are posting their word of the year, the word they're going to live by for 2017, the one thing that sums up who they are and what they want to be.

They're choosing deep words: Quality. Peace. Joy. Intentional. 

I have a word too, but I'm not that noble.

My word is carbs.  

Or maybe humor. 

Or honesty. 

Mostly just carbs though.

 

Let's work through this logically. Does anything smell better than a freshly baked loaf of artisanal bread?

No.

Is there anything lovelier than a good conversation with a friend over a cinnamon streusel muffin with a pat of melting butter and a cup of steaming coffee?

No way.

Do people cut veggie platters on their birthdays or blow out candles stuck in pot roasts?

Of course not! Egads. They eat cake!

I think you see where I'm going with this.

I'm actually not a "word of the year" kind of girl. I'm more of a "this is how I was raised, it's who I am, and it's what I want my kiddos to emulate" kind of gal who looks beyond the years to the kind of life I want for them and for me.

And I want them to love good food, find the joy and humor in life that causes them to laugh so hard their stomachs hurt, and to be honest--even when it isn't popular or fun.

Actually, especially then. 

Lucky for them: Carbs will always be popular!

And fun.

We can even toss honesty into the mix . . . because carbs honestly always go better with butter--toast, biscuits, noodles, all the things--which means my children will be taking a little bit of their homey dairy goodness with them no matter where they are.

Actually, maybe butter should have been my word. There was a time when I didn't think there was much of a difference between margarine and butter, but my foodie friends rightly chastised me, causing me to see the error of my ways.

Now I'm all: Butter for life!

{My dairy farmer didn't even con me into saying that. But just try to look a Holstein cow in the eye and tell her margarine is just as good as butter. I DARE YOU.}

So what's your word of the year?

Apple cinnamon muffins?

Eggnog bread?

Chocolate buttermilk scones?

You can be honest. And even funny. We'll all still know carbs are where it's at.

Chocolate Buttermilk Scones (or Biscuits)

3 T. sugar, divided
1/8 t. cinnamon
2 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1/3 c. butter
3/4 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/4 c. butter, melted

Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and remaining sugar; cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly.

Add buttermilk and chocolate chips, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 3-4 times.

Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness; cut with a round cookie cutter or biscuit cutter, or cut into triangles. Arange on a lightly greased baking sheet; sprinkle with sugar mixture.

Bake at 425 for 15 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter.