A Day on Whidbey

Soft morning light through tall grasses


I've spent most of my summer painting the house (Jerry joined me last weekend to reach the high bits on the big ladder)

At the end of the each day, we head to the beach



or up the hill past fields of red and pink poppies

(my beach attire)

Other days we go sailing or gather neighbors for beach barbecues

(Barbecue kings)

Mom's Amazing Chocolate Brownies

Adapted from Betty Crocker Cookie book from 'The Best Cooky of 1920-1930'

"Men love them - so do women and children" - 1963

Cocoa Brownies (Mom's non-dairy version)

1/2 cup corn oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (opt)

Heat oven to 350*. Mix oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Blend dry ingredients, mix in. Stir in nuts. Spread in well-greased pan, 8x8x2". Bake about 30 minutes. Cool, cut in 2" squares.

Fabulous with some fresh berries and ice cream - So Delicious Coconut Ice Cream for us non-dairy folks!

Happy Summer!

I wish you all a fabulous, care-free, soul-rejuvenating and creative summer! I will be hanging out with my family on Whidbey Island, with no internet, no phones. But will pop over to the old country store (with wi-fi) every now and then to post a photo or two.

I'll be back at the end of the summer and hope to see you at my Autumn Festival on Whidbey Island - registration is now open for individual classes - only a couple of seats left!

Thank you dear readers for commenting on the bead soups, your diversity of color choices and project ideas were so fun to read!

And so, the winner is...

bellajoya!

The image of wearing your signature piece pretending to be a medieval queen... while doing chores around the house, gave me the giggles! Please drop me a line and let me know where I can send your beads!


p.s. this is the last day my on-line shop will be open until October...

Bead Soup Give-A-Way

In celebration of Summer, I am offering a free Bead Soup give-a-way…

To enter to win a box of my Bead Soup Collection, simply tell me which Bead Soup you would like, and what project you have in mind!

Just so you know... starting this Friday (June 2)
I will be closing shop for the summer so I can spend time with my family...

ON-LINE STORE OPEN THROUGH JULY 2, 2010
www.gilbertdesigns.net
Bead Soup Collection
Seed Bead Medley
EYE FOR COLOR
Earthtone Color Wheels
Beaded Colorways (while supplies last)
Jewelry Instructions on CD

CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER
OPEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER, 2010

winner to be announced on Friday, June 2

Weekend Bliss

Just a quick trip
to visit family
in an idyllic spot
on Detroit Lake, Oregon

Thank you Joan and Janette for inviting us to your piece of paradise!

Summer Solstice

I spent mine watching my son in sailing lessons.

While a great blue heron ('Perry') watched on and waited for handouts from fellow fishermen.


And a lost blue parakeet evaded my outstretched hands - I hope he finds his way back home.

Turns out we hit the darkest June day record which made for a very cold swim test (including capsizing and righting the boat).

My son and a buddy shivered in towels...


and were captured by a photographer from the Seattle Times...

They made it on the front page article featuring our Pacific NW weather guru: Cliff Mass!

Milwaukee as the sun goes down 2