Strawberry Shortcakes and Vanilla Sugar

Our tiny strawberry patch is now in full production.  Each day I collect a good handful or two of berries.  The ugly berries go into jam, the pretty ones get eaten right away.

I like to slice the berries, toss them with a big spoonful of vanilla sugar*, and eat them with cream or yogurt.  

Today we have scones left over from yesterday's afternoon tea.   There's only one thing to do....

Eat strawberry shortcake!  

*To make vanilla sugar:

Split a vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds.  Stir the seeds into a cup or two of fine sugar.  Pour the vanilla scented sugar into an airtight container, add the 'bean' pieces and seal the container.  After a few days the sugar will be ready to use in coffee, for baking, or over fresh strawberries.