Day Trippin'

Our first day of vacation and the Taylor's had a great day planned for us.  A day trip out of Seattle that takes us through the Skagit Valley, across Whidby Island, and a ferry ride back to Everett.

We had a beautiful, crisp Seattle day for our trip.  We headed out in two cars up I-5 to the Skagit Valley and drove through what in the spring is Tulip Land - we're told that the valley was settled by the Dutch and that tulips of every color and variety grow here.  We stopped at a fun fruit stand, with wild blackberries growing in the parking lot and a variety of Northwestern fruits, berries, vegetables, fish (including the biggest king salmon filet any of us had ever seen!)

Then, we stopped in La Conner and strolled down the main street.  LaConner is right on the water (such big boats!), and the whole feel of the town is that of a fishing village from times gone by merged with an eclectic trendy town.  The crafts stores were amazing.

Abby, was sure glad to get out of the car seat!

We drove to Deception Pass, and although having grown up in the Northwest, I had never been there before.  How had I missed it?!  Sooooo beautiful!  We had a picnic at the beach and learned about the legend of the Indian princess who became a sea creature.  Lynda's picnic was wonderful.  Thursday night, Lynda baked cookies for our picnic dessert.  She called them "Disaster Cookies", but Handsome Son and I loved them.  For our Friday picnic, the cookies were soft and yummy, and reminded me of some cookies our mom used to make.  "Sister," I said, "These remind me of Rocks."  Handsome Son and Beautiful Daughter said, "Mom, that's not very nice."  But Dear Sister knew what I meant.  Here is the recipe for "Rocks".  Don't let the name fool you.  These cookies are soft and spicy, and Oh-So-Yummy.  Guess I should have baked them for my kids when they were small.

Rocks

3/4 c shortening

1-1/2 c brown sugar

3 eggs

1 t soda

1 t  cinnamon

1/2 t cloves

2-1/2 c flour

1/2 t salt

1/3 c milk

1 c softened raisins

Cream shortening and sugar.  Beat in eggs.  Add dry ingredients and milk.  Stir in raisins.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes at 350*.

Enjoy!

Finally, to finish up our trip, we drove across Whidby Island, where we had planned to explore a fort built for a war between the U.S. and Canada that never happened.  Sadly, we missed our turn, and with an unhappy baby in the other car, we headed for the ferry, and back to the house.  This was Dear Son-In-Law's first ferry boat ride.  The ride was short, but the views were spectacular! 

Thank you, Taylors, for a lovely day!