One of the toughest things, so far, about quarantine is not being able to hang out with my friends.
I live alone, so I really rely on my friends in the neighborhood, my classes at the nearby yoga studio and my interactions with colleagues for human connection. We are doing the best we can – Zoom meetings and phone calls and virtual yoga (so much virtual yoga), but I miss just sitting in a friend’s living room, or inviting someone over for tea.
The other night, my friend Lauryn had a brilliant idea: a virtual baking date via FaceTime. We decided to start with Molly Wizenberg’s Scottish scones, about which I have raved here more times than I can count. They were on her blog a million years ago, then appeared in her first book, A Homemade Life – which, in addition to being gorgeous and funny and delicious, is one of the books that landed me my Shelf Awareness review gig. (I had to write a few sample reviews, and Marilyn, my editor, was already a Wizenberg fan – she asked me about Molly’s banana bread when she wrote me back to tell me I’d gotten the job.)
Anyway, I sent Lauryn the recipe and (for good measure) a photo of the ingredient list, and we gathered bags of flour and sugar and cartons of half-and-half and mixing bowls, and I propped up my phone inside the kitchen cabinet so it wouldn’t keep falling over. And we baked, with her husband and kids moving in and out of the frame, and me dashing to the cupboard to dig out the baking powder, and both of us struggling to scrape the zest (lemon for her, orange for me) off our respective graters.
We lost the connection a few times, and had to repeat ourselves more than once, but we caught up a bit, about the day and the weather and this weird new life we’re all living. And it helped. And the scones – need I say it? – were delicious. Mine (with dried cranberries and orange zest) are above; Lauryn’s (with lemon zest and crystallized ginger) are below.
Are you baking in these days, friends? (My friend Jess calls it “distractibaking,” and I suspect she’s not alone.) Do share, if you are. Be well.
cakes, tea and dreams 
i love this!
What a great idea!
What a great way to be together enjoying each other’s company, doing something you both enjoy. My friend posted pics of the lovely bread she baked on FB and shared the recipe. We’re still able to get fresh baked bread from a local bake shop, so I haven’t ventured into bread making. I have made the most delicious banana bread. Stay safe and well, we’ll all get through this.
Mmmm…banana bread. Take care, Kay.
Lovely idea. We grow our own rhubarb so going to make a crumble. Take care. X
Oh, yum! I love rhubarb crumble.
Great idea!
I’ve been baking, too. Banana-blueberry- pecan bread and brownies loaded up with dark choc chips, marshmallows and slivered almonds. House smells great!
Yum!
Thank you so much for referencing Molly’s scone recipe. I’ve thought about trying it for years, but only turned to it this afternoon. I made them with dried cranberries and orange zest– perfection! Definitely a keeper. I’d love to hear about more of your and others recipe finds in these stay-at home days.
Your scones sound delicious! The other night I made some homemade Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies (substituted pecans for walnuts) from https://www.modernhoney.com/levain-bakery-chocolate-chip-crush-cookies/ They are SO good and freeze well!
Yum!
Your friends seem like a creative bunch and virtual yoga? What? Why am I late to this party?! I’m going to try that out with some old gal pals this weekend; thanks for the tip.
Hope you enjoy!
i’m spending my birthday during this lockdown period and my friends have arranged a little virtual baking party for me – your post has made me so excited !
Oh, enjoy!
What an amazing idea! I have started to do that with some ladies here in the UAE and we have such a wonderful time while staying at home!