Currant Scones and ‘m Back on Air

Did you miss me?

I missed you all terribly.  I did let all my facebook friends know that my little guy, the one who was my favourite but now isn’t, downloaded a virus onto my laptop.  He and the boy nextdoor are into something called Mindcraft (or it could be Minecraft – who really cares), and on Sunday morning Alfie thought he would download it onto my computer.  It’s just he downloaded a PC version with a virus onto my Mac.

The virus is called Alot and it took over my toolbar, removed google (something I use a hundred times a day) and kept giving me those nausea inducing pop-ups that jiggle about and say I’ve won a prize.  I tried all day Sunday (when I wasn’t at the Mudgee Wine and Food Festival) to get rid of it and couldn’t and obviously Alot has been designed with permanency in mind.


Currant Scones

On Monday I phoned my Mac experts who are located about an hour from where I live and they told me I’d have to bring my laptop in to see them as they’d have to check to see if it had infiltrated the hard-drive and all this other technical jargon that’s not in my vocabulary.

Monday night I asked Arabella to have a look at it.  Now she’s handy because a few years ago she came second in her Year in Computer Studies – second because a blind student came first.  Oh dear.  I think that’s politically incorrect.  I think what I meant to say is that a visually impaired person who can’t see the computer screen, came first.  Arabella wove her second-place magic and was able to restore my toolbar and google and get rid of those jiggling ads.  Hallelujah.  But, she said damage could have been done to the hard drive so I’d still better take it to the Mac experts.

On Tuesday I drove my Mac to the hospital where I was expecting an admission and a few days in Intensive Care but I saw a different technician who told me Macs can’t get viruses.  And I felt like an idiot.  He checked to make sure Arabella had removed the bug from everywhere and finding just one more spot where it was hiding, there were a few clicks of the keys and it was gone and I was on my way, no charge!  Do I hear a second Hallelujah!

Currant Scones with Plum Jam and Whipped Cream

I came home, nursing my recovering laptop and was on the phone to my mother as I walked through the door of my empty house enjoying the fact that everyone was at work, uni or school.  My mother and I chatted for a few minutes while I walked from room to room and then right up behind me I heard in a deep loud voice, ‘Hello’ and I jumped in the air and let out a high pitched scream and very nearly dropped my lap top as I turned around to face my intruder.  It was Archie who had come home from uni early.  I gave him a piece of my mind letting him know that the unwritten rules are that when someone enters the house you call out to let them know you’re also home and you never, ever, sneak up behind them.

Then it was off to meet Alfie at the pool for his swimming lessons where he’s in some sort of a remedial group for slow learners and and has been for forever so with so little progress I’m just not sure why I’m paying them so much money, then home to take Arabella to the Orthodontist.  Alfie was dragged along for the journey and we heard the good news that Arabella’s teeth are just fine since the braces were removed but then he had a look at Alfie’s mouth and I knew it wasn’t good when the orthodontist uttered the word, ‘Issues’.  Although only seven, it looks like we’ll be starting Alfie’s treatment in a few months time.  And he’s so excited!

I came home and started getting the dinner going but also made a batch of scones because as some of you are aware, last week was Celia’s (Fig Jam and Lime Cordial) International Scone Week and bloggers were asked to post a scone recipe.  Forever behind and yes, although I’ve missed the deadline I did want to post my recipe.  All was going seemingly well with the scones made and the cream whipped and Celia’s President Plum Jam out on the bench when I turned my back for just a second and returned to find Alfie giving the perfectly whipped cream a whipping it didn’t need and I looked and screamed out in horror at the curdled concoction in my stainless steel bowl and the knowledge there was no more cream in the house.

Celia’s President Plum Jam

It was at that point I admitted defeat and consoled myself with the thought that as I’m already a week late with my scone post, what’s another 24 hours!

So Celia, here it is…

Nothing curdled here!

Sultana Scones (I used currants)

Makes:  16

Degree of Difficulty:  2/5

Cost:  Very inexpensive and you can flavour these with whatever you have on hand.

  • 3 cups Flour
  • 4 1/2 tspns Baking Powder
  • 1/4 tspn Salt
  • 50g butter
  • 1/2 cup sultanas (or currants)
  • 1 dessert spoon sugar
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cups milk

Sift dry ingredients, rub in butter with fingertips, add currants and sugar and milk.  Mix quickly to a soft dough with a knife.

Turn out on a floured board, roll lightly till about 15mm (3/4 inch) thick, cut and place on a cold oven tray.  Bake in a hot oven 230C (450F) for 10-15 mins or until golden brown.

This recipe is from the Edmonds Cookery Book.

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Comments

  1. Wow. I have a Mac too and it’s reassuring to know that it’s still the safest way to go. Do you ever get the feeling you’d like to shut your family into a room for a while, and just get on with life? the scones look delicious. I can tell that you are not easily daunted.

  2. Your life is so exciting with the kids etc. And the scones are lovely.

    My excitement – 5 hr round trip out of town last week, to see an orthopedic specialist, and to be told that I should have another hip replacement (my third one, but the first on my right hip). It’s scheduled for Aug 30. Before that I have to go back again next week (leaving my house at 6am to get there in time) for a pre-admission clinic. Pretty much a ‘sucks to be me’ situation. 🙁

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/

    • hotlyspiced says:

      I’m so sorry to hear that. I do hope the operation goes well for you. Unbelievable that you’re having to go through this for a third time. I hope your recovery is speedy xx

  3. Oh dear Charlie, I am so glad to hear that everything is fine now… This is so beautiful recipe, if I have a time I want to cook for this weekend and I will share with you again. Thank you so much, have a nice day, love, nia

  4. SusurrousRing13 says:
  5. I think, dear Charlie, that if anyone had an excuse for lateness, it would be you! What a challenging few days – I’m impressed you got to the scones at all. I’m glad you did though, because they look wonderful and I imagine they’re just the thing to sit down with when you’ve recovered from a computer shock, and a surprise son shock, and an orthodontist shock.

  6. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

    Ooh we have a jar of that lovely jam from Celia too 🙂 It’s delicious! And macs are more secure than Windows but can still get viruses so don’t feel silly at all (just search for ‘can macs get viruses?’ 🙂 ).

  7. Amy (Savory Moments) says:

    Oh – computer viruses are awful! That stinks…. These little scones look delicious though. I love currants.

  8. foodrehab says:

    damn PC viruses! My anti virus software expired the other week and I refused to use my PC until I upgraded! LOL But nonetheless, glad you came back with these amazing lookin scones. Don’t you just love smelling them as you open them up fresh outta the oven?! ,

  9. The Café Sucré Farine says:

    Very yummy looking scones and who cares that your late!? Oh and I love MACS. such wonderful customer service! So glad you’re up and running again!

  10. Minnesota Prairie Roots says:

    Did you send Alfie to the corner what with the virus and the finger dipping? Yeah for Arabella. My in-house techie leaves for college soon about five hours away. I hope he responds when I text or call with a computer emergency.

  11. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    The scones look lovely. So glad you got your computer issues fixed easily and cheaply.

  12. Dealing with a computer virus is never fun. Nonetheless, welcome back and thanks for the food goodies.

  13. Sounds like an exciting start to the week. I would have freaked when Archie popped in. Heart attack! And the more I learn of Alfie, I’m sure he and Mr. N would be fast friends (whose mouth also has “issues”). I see dollar signs in our dentist’s eyes.

  14. Oh darling. I fight the minecraft demons and my boys all the time. Glad to have you back.

  15. You surely lead an exciting life, Charlie. We always have a fantastic experience with our Apple service and the Genius Bar. We’ve taken our mac’s, airports, iPhones, iPads, iTouch and have never been charged a cent. It’s certainly worth the extra money up front for the cost of the products, they are well supported. My friend in Illinois was having trouble with his laptop and he took it in to the Genius Bar and they told him it was because he didn’t have enough RAM. The girl went to the storeroom, came out with more RAM, opened his machine, popped it in and presto. NO CHARGE!
    SInce you are so far away, you can set you laptop up with Remote Software, such as Timbuktu http://timbuktu-pro.en.softonic.com/mac. You would give them access and they could remotely correct whatever is wrong with your machine. It saves an enormous amount of time. You just have to make sure you are sufficiently password protected.
    That scones challenge sounds like it would have been fun, wish I had seen Celia’s blog (must get her onto my ever growing reading list). At least Alfie wants to help in the kitchen, there will always be some casualties!
    Happy Wednesday (lucky you, it’s probably Thursday for you already), my dear friend from Australia.
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  16. claire @ live and love to eat says:

    I did miss you, but I love currants, so this makes up for it! 🙂

  17. Hello Charlie, I had the same issue last month but it was not on my mac, it was on my pc. So frustrating! i knew macs dont get viruses but you had to check anyways. Lovely scones! Hugs!

  18. Judy Purcell says:

    Current scones are my absolute favorite … whipped cream is a must, clotted cream even better. I almost didn’t finish reading I was so memorized by the photo. I feel your pain over the computer stuff, been there more times than I can count! Ugh, always feels like such a time waster since it has most often taken far more than 24 hours to fix and is ALWAYS at an inconvenient time. Love your scones, glad you are back with us. 😉

  19. And this is why I own a Mac, after spending a career in programming and Information Systems working with IBM and Microsoft hardware. Let’s just hope not too many follow suit or it will become more profitable for the nefarious types to create Mac-base viruses.
    They may be a little late but these scones, jam and all, look delicious! THey were definitely worth the wait.

  20. Thank goodness Mac’s cant get viruses! I have a PC and it’s forever slowing down and I don’t now what’s the deal. I might have to suck it up and get a mac next…but glad you had a happy ending! Your scones look mighty tasty 🙂 And if I were you I’d forgive your not-so-favorite-anymore child because he’s so darn cute!

  21. I’m so terrified of something going wrong with my laptop while travelling! It’s bad enough that the place I’m staying right now hasn’t had internet for three days. Ugh! 😛

  22. Choc Chip Uru says:

    Ugh viruses are so frustrating! Right now I am working on a computer which does not start half the tie so I understand! But very nice to have you back now with such gorgeous scones 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  23. Jed Gray (sportsglutton) says:

    Viruses can be such a pain and it is terrible that you got one on the Mac. At least it didn’t destroy everything.

  24. Suzanne Perazzini says:

    Love the scones. I will be taking my laptop with me when we go to Italy next month but I have my own personal computer engineer with me – dear hubby. He does come in handy. There’s nothing like computer problems to spoil your day.

  25. Oh yes, we missed you! I have two Macs and I have antivirus software on both since Macs have become such commonplace now. Love your pretty little scones with jam and cream. Now I want scones for breakfast!

  26. My mac is giving me loads of trouble–it crashed all day yesterday. I’m asking for a new one for my birthday!

    I had real cream the other day–I’m hooked!

  27. Go Arabella for getting most of the nasties out of the computer before it had to go to the Mac hospital! My computer at work acquired a lovely virus earlier this year (no idea why) and it was the worst time trying to get it back together.

  28. Glad you are back up on the air. Nothing worse than a computer virus. The unnecessary stress that is involved questioning if you have lost everything or not.

  29. Tina @ bitemeshowme says:

    I was told that Macs are prone from getting viruses. Whoever told me that lied. How rude. Good on Arabella for beginning the life saving process. Your kids are so useful, though not sure about the act of getting a virus on the computer.
    Always love home made scones! Slather on the jam and cream please!

  30. Minnie Gupta says:

    Minecraft or mindcraft – even I haven’t been able to differentiate. But that’s ALL my 9 yr old does when left to his own devices. At least it’s based on building stuff, instead of destroying.

  31. Oh no that’s why you didn’t post! I was getting a little worried…and thought maybe one of the kiddies had gotten sick or in any trouble hehe glad to know that it was just your computer and that you’re not ill 🙂

    WOO HOO! Arabella saved the day hehe! My whole family use to come to me and ask me for computer advice but really i’m not that great… lol

    Damn i missed out on the international scone day too…. would have loved to participate maybe another time ~

  32. I wish I knew more about computers and cars! Glad the laptop is okay. I have told my kids that if I catch them on my laptop it’s big time trouble for them. Let them screw up their stepfather’s computer!!

  33. Norma Chang says:

    Do you ever get tired? Just reading your post makes me tired, don’t know how you do it and always with such grace and humor.
    Those scones sure look yummy, I have been following many of the scones posts and all look so delicious, I think I gained weight jusy reading about them.
    Norma Chang http://gardentowok.com

  34. Claire @ Claire K Creations says:

    I did miss you Charlie! I had forgotten your Facebook post the other day and wondered to myself where you’d gone hoping nothing bad had happened!

    I thought you were going to say you dropped the laptop when Archie snuck up on you. I held my breath reading the next sentence!

    I’m pretty sure Celia said that International Scone Week would go for two weeks so you’re right on time!

  35. yummychunklet says:

    Welcome back! I’ve been away myself, so I’ve been playing catch-up on all the blogs.

  36. cityhippyfarmgirl says:

    That’s a busy few days!
    Now you’ve just encouraged me to update all my computery thingys that need doing… well encouraged me to ask Mr Chocolate to do it anyway.
    As for scones, I’m having a scone fiesta as well. I blame Celia and Joanna entirely 🙂

  37. Charlie, the scones look wonderful, but oh what a drama you’ve had! PS. It’s really Pete’s jam, not mine.. 😉

  38. InTolerantChef says:

    I think you deserve wine, lots of wine, and I might join you 🙂 I sure hope your week improves sweetie!

  39. Just one day I’d like to follow you around. Just one day.

    Those day-old scones with fresh whipped cream look fantastic! I wish my day one scones looked that good.

  40. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says:

    Oh dear what a time you have been having Charlie! Lovely scones!
    🙂 Mandy

  41. What a nightmare! Although you wrote down your experience with humour so I’m hoping it wasn’t that traumatic. At least it’s all sorted now though…poor you! These scones look fantastic.

  42. tania@mykitchenstories.com.au says:

    I did wonder where you were . MMM I thought I had liked you on face book which would have alerted me. Lovely scones .

  43. Welcome back! Yes its amazing Macs don’t get sick, but more amazing there was no charge! Lovely scones!

  44. I so need to get myself a Mac. How funny is it that braces are once again cool. my boys who luckily for me have straight teeth so far all try to convince me that they really need braces. I can remember putting rubber bands on my teeth when I was in school and pretending I had braces as I just thought it was so school the way the girls with braces flicked their bands. Strange. Watch that mindcraft game – of they are playing other kids or worse strangers, it can get pretty dark. i have actually banned it from my boys the mean mum I am 😉 x

  45. Barb Bamber says:

    Better late than never seems to be my own motto these days! Love the scones and yay for your daughter getting rid of that “stuff” on your computer! Mine froze up because I had too many photos on it.. go figure!?

  46. I laughed all the way through your story, Charlie. I was afraid for a moment that you were going to say that with Archie sneaking up you dropped the computer or something! And your “politically incorrect” comment–well, only you! I don’t think life is ever dull in your household, and if I had your schedule I’d be eating way too many of those delicious scones! I would be nibbling at them until they are gone. Delicious! As sorry as I was to hear that you had computer trouble, it was fun to connect with you so immediately on the subject through FB. I sometims think it isn’t at all important and I could do without it entirely, but then there’s a moment like that and I was glad to see your name pop up! 🙂

  47. Gretchen O'Donnell says:

    I adore scones. MUST TRY.

  48. My kids are on Minecraft as well, you need Kaspersky anti virus

  49. Yesterday Today Tomorrows says:

    YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  50. sounds like you’ve had a hectic few days! sounds like you need to lock yourself in a room with these scones and have some alone time!

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