One of my frineds gave me a book to read.  It is called the Silver Needle Murder and it is A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs.  In the back of the book are recipes and suggestions for tea parties. The recipes sound so good I had to try a couple.

The first recipe is for Key Lime Scones. So I am simply calling these Lime Scones since I used regular limes that are readily available in my local grocery store.

Lime Scones

2 1/2 cups flour

2 Tbs brown sugar

1 Tbs baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 stick butter

1 cup milk

1 large egg

Grated zest from 3 to 4 small key limes (I used 2 regluar limes and the small grate section of my cheese grater)

Mix flower, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter using a fork until mixture is crumbly. In a separate bowl combine milk, egg and lime zest. Now add this to the flour mixture and stir unitl well blended and dough is quite sticky. On a floured board form into a roll. Slice of circles and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Brush circles with milk and bake at 425 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.  Serve with Devonshire Cream and thin lime wedges for garnish.  These taste best if you bake the night before and warm up the enxt day (the lime flavor comes through better).

Devonshire Cream

1 3oz package of cream cheese softened

1 Tbs sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 cup heavy cream

Cream together cream cheese, sugar and salt.  Then beat in heavy cream until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Chill until time to serve. Yields about 2 cups.

I'd post a picture of these . . . but they were soooooo good.