Disclaimer: If you’re a landlord, you may want to shield your eyes from the next paragraph.

Scott and I, being apartment renters, were able to squeeze some benefit out of the current economic recession. Much to our delight, apartment prices in the New York area have dropped just enough to make relocating worthwhile. I admit I wasn’t eager to pack up my long forgotten Long Johns but rationalized that it was all worth it, as I shoved another shoe tree into a box. If the savings could afford us an extra dinner out here and there, then move I would.

Obviously, it didn’t make sense to buy groceries when most of my kitchenware was already stashed, but I also wasn’t willing to pay $7 for a breakfast sandwich on the way to work. So I dug out a bowl and a sheet pan and mixed up this quick batch of scones to bake and freeze. Every morning we pulled a couple of these out, let them defrost on the counter while we got ready, and warmed them for 30 seconds in the microwave. Then we made a picnic on top of the stacked boxes, with a side of  jam and coffee. At first glance it may seem we were living like paupers, but rest assured, those mornings we were kings. These scones made us feel like luxury was in the air. We’d sit there, asses on cardboard, breaking off flaky, buttery bites, and leisurely sipping our drinks with pinkies high up in the air.