Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in – go here and just click on the player in the top right corner. 

I’m cooking up somthing great for this week’s show. The amazing duo behind the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks, Vickie and Jo Ann, will be on Thursday’s show to share about their company, the cookbooks and so much more.

For a chance to win a copy of one of their beloved cookbooks, Harvest Table, leave a comment {HERE} (or email amy@litfusegroup.com if the comment box isn’t working). Winner will be notified next week via email.

A word from Vickie and Jo Ann about Gooseberry Patch:

Back in 1984, we were next-door neighbors raising our families in the little town of Delaware, Ohio. Two moms with small children, we were looking for a way to do what we loved and stay home with the kids too. We had always shared a love of home cooking and making memories with family & friends and so, after many a conversation over the backyard fence, Gooseberry Patch was born.

We put together our first catalog at our kitchen tables, enlisting the help of our loved ones wherever we could. From that very first mailing, we found an immediate connection with many of our customers and it wasn’t long before we began receiving letters, photos and recipes from these new friends. In 1992, we put together our very first cookbook, compiled from hundreds of these recipes and, the rest, as they say, is history.

Hard to believe it’s been over 25 years since those kitchen-table days! From that original little Gooseberry Patch family, we’ve grown to include an amazing group of creative folks who love cooking, decorating and creating as much as we do. Today, we’re best known for our homestyle, family-friendly cookbooks, now recognized as national bestsellers.

One thing’s for sure, we couldn’t have done it without our friends all across the country. Each year, we’re honored to turn thousands of your recipes into our collectible cookbooks. Our hope is that each book captures the stories and heart of all of you who have shared with us. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just discovering us, welcome to the Gooseberry Patch family! Learn more at www.gooseberrypatch.com.

Here’s a fun recipe from the Christmas in the Country Cookbook:

Berry Scone Mix in a Jar

2 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. vanilla sugar

1/4 c. powdered milk

2 t. baking powder

1 t. lemon zest

1/4 t. salt

1/3 c. shortening

1 c. sweetened, dried blueberries

Stir together flour, sugar, milk, baking powder, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry cutter or fork, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in berries. Pour into a one-quart, wide-mouth canning jar; pack down gently. Add additional berries to fill jar if necessary. Secure lid; attach instructions. Store at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, or freeze up to 6 months.

Instructions:

Place scone mix in a large bowl; toss gently to mix. Add one beaten egg and 1/4 cup water; stir just until moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; quickly knead gently for 12 to 15 strokes, or until nearly smooth. Pat to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place one inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly; serve warm. Makes 6 to 8 scones.