Trip to Washougal, WA

It has been quite a while since I posted to my little blog.  Most things I have baked have been things that are already on my blog, so need to post those.

I recently got to escape the heat here on the Texas Gulf Coast for a visit with one of my best friends and her husband who live in Washougal, WA, just across the river from Portland, OR.  Oh, what a beautiful spot on this earth it is.  If I lived in a perfect world with the ability to live there, I do believe I would choose this place.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.

From my friend's home on a clear day you can see Mt. Hood.  What a grand mountain that can be seen whenever you are out and about on the roads.

The day after I arrived we took a day trip to Timberline Lodge which is at the summit of the mountain.  What a beautiful, historic lodge.  We had a delicious lunch there and enjoyed looking out at the mountaintop.

My friend's aunt owns a cabin near the mountain.  Her back porch overlooks this beautiful stream.  The sound of this stream is so beautiful with the water rushing by.  I could listen to that sound all the time.  Just so peaceful and beautiful.  

My friend has a Tea Party business, Timeless Teacup where she rents all you would need for a beautiful tea party.  She invited her mom and a friend and we had a tea party.  Her things are so beautiful.  I will post some recipes of some things we had.  So fun.

On my friend's deck are two blueberry plants.  What a treat to be able to pick fresh berries right on your deck.  It doesn't get much easier than that!

Lacamas Lake is nearby.  I can never get enough of these beautiful trees. The lake is so peaceful and serene.

The beautiful Columbia River.  My friend's home overlooks this river.  Everywhere you go you see this river from different vantage points.  It is just the best.

Cottonwood Beach.  This beach beats the Gulf of Mexico on any given day!  Just beautiful and peaceful.  A bit colder than we have here though!

My last night there I saw a beautiful rainbow.  What a nice way to say goodbye!

TRIP TO WASHOUGAL, WA

I recently took a trip to Washougal, WA which is right across the river from Portland, OR to visit one of my best friends and her husband. It was great to leave the hot, humid Gulf Coast to enjoy cooler temps and being able to sleep with the windows open. Nothing better. I believe the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places I've ever had the pleasure of traveling to. It was a rainy trip and some of my pictures had to be borrowed from my friend from a previous time. Despite the rain, I had such a wonderful time. The trees were just beginning to turn color and once in a while there would be a beautiful yellow or orange tree in the midst of the green ones. Such beauty. My friend's new home overlooks the Columbia River and on a clear day you can see Mount Hood. I am so lucky to have a friend who will share her beautiful world with me. I can't wait to go back!

Washougal River

Apple Orchard

Countryside

Beautiful fruits and vegetables.

Mount Hood

Apples

Outside Pittock Mansion

Trip to Kennebunkport, Maine

My cousin and I went to Kennebunkport, Maine this past week. We both had wanted to go to Maine since we were young girls. Hurricane Sandy was hitting just days before we were due to leave so we were wondering if we would get through as we had to change planes in Newark, N.J. Things improved and we were on our way.

We were in Kennebunkport during the 'peaceful season'. We stayed in a cottage at the Maine Stay Inn which was cozy and the 'big house' was lovely. Warm cookies every afternoon. Yum.

I had my first taste of New England Clam Chowder the night we arrived. It was delicious. For lunch the next day my cousin had a bowl of 'Souper Chowder' which included clams, lobster, and scallops. It was great. I tried my first lobster roll. It was not as good as I thought it would be, but the lobster couldn't have been more fresh. Fried clams were also great.

Sightseeing took us to several lighthouses and the Maine coastline is just breathtaking. It turned very cold while we were there (which was a great respite from the hot Texas weather we are still having) so we were happy to experience that. The night before we were due to leave a Nor'easter came through and dumped a few inches of snow. We woke up to a beautiful sight, although a little anxiety about having to drive to the airport. It all turned out well and we were on our way back home to Texas with great memories.

Cottage at Maine Stay Inn

Maine Stay Inn

Beach in York, Maine

Nubble Lighthouse

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Bug Light House, Portland, Maine

Bush Compound, Kennebunkport, Maine

Going home day.  A Nor'easter blew through the night before we left. 

Trip to Washington, D.C.

I've been in a blogging slump lately as far as baking or cooking, but I went on my first trip to Washington D.C. in April. I had hoped to see the cherry blossoms in bloom, but they bloomed early this year and there weren't too many to be found. I had a great trip though with so much to see and do.

Cherry Blossoms

Union Station

Capitol Building

Washington Monument

White House

White House

Arlington Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

National Cathedral

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Senate Building

Lavender Sugar Cookies

Back in June I took a trip to the Texas Hill Country to see the Lavender Festival. Sadly due to the drought and excessive heat this year the lavender fields were dry and not blooming.

Last week I was fortunate enough to travel to the Portland, Oregon area to visit a friend and got to see the most beautiful lavender fields. They were amazing. The area is so lush and I have never seen such beautiful flowers. It was a welcome escape from the horrible summer we are experiencing. The weather there was just wonderful and I enjoyed every minute. My friend is a superb cook and thought these cookies would be a good showcase for our lavender. These cookies are taken from a recipe of Penny McConnell from Penny's Pastries in Austin, Texas.

AMAZING SUGAR COOKIES

Butter Sugar Cookie Dough

1 cup butter, salted
1 cup granulated sugar (7 oz.)1 large egg
2 tablespoons whipping cream
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups (15 oz.) unbleached flour, unsifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
We added 2 teaspoons culinary lavender to these cookies.

Cookie Glaze

3 to 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon flavoring (almond, orange, lemon, etc.) We used lavender syrup.
1/4 cup warm water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In mixing bowl with a wooden spoon or in a heavy-duty mixer, combine butter and sugar using low speed with mixer. Do not over mix. Add egg, whipping cream, vanilla and almond extract all at once to butter/sugar mixture. Mixture will probably look curdled. Mix just until combined.

In separate bowl, mix flour with baking powder. Add dry ingredients to liquid. Mix to form dough. Give dough a quick knead, then roll out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Bake on parchment-lined sheets until set and very lightly browned around edges about 12 minutes. Cool before decorating. Mix up glaze and drizzle over cooled cookies.

This dough rolls out beautifully. A good tip is to use powdered sugar instead of flour to roll out to keep the cookies from tasting too doughy.

Oregon Trip

I recently connected with a long ago girlfriend who now lives in the Portland, Oregon area. I've been to Oregon before but not to this area. I think Oregon is one of the most beautiful states we have. I was treated to some sightseeing that was just stunning. Lots of shopping in consignment shops and antique shops looking for treasures. So much fun. Except for one rainy day (but I love rain) the weather was so wonderful. After months of hot and humid Texas weather this was a welcome treat. Here are some pictures from my trip.

SWAN ISLAND DAHLIA FARM





MULTNOMAH FALLS




COLUMBIA GORGE