Julie's Blog

Glacier is a wonderful place to visit in the summer and fall. Early in the summer some of the park roads are closed by snow so July is a good time to go. The wesite http://www.glacier.national-park.com/info.htm will link you to information about Glacier and how the progress is going for this year on snow removal and road closures. Glacier was made a forest preserve in 1900 and became the 10th national park in 1910. I was encouraged to visit this area because our climate is changing and the glaciers are melting. We saw a lot of wildlife, some of which was in the road in front of our car! There are fantastic lakes in Glacier and on the way there. I love the streams full of rapids, the mountains, and the wonderful smelling pines trees. Here is a picture. Enjoy!

I hear about Seasonal Affective Disorder every winter when there is less sunshine. It can cause fatigue, lack of energy, depression, and weight gain from a desire to eat foods high in carbohydrates. I recently found out that this is also a problem in the summer and the symptoms are the opposite of winter SAD. In the summer is becomes a type of mania with agitation, weight loss, sleeplessness, and anxiety. It is called Reverse SAD. Unlike the social withdrawal during the fall and winter months Reverse SAD has symptoms of hyperactivity, unrealistic enthusiasm, and increased social activity. One interesting site on this subject is from the Mayo Clinic. Here is the link. http://mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=2

 A little fun in the sun! Hanauma Bay

This time of year fills me with hope. Melting snow, warm weather, and the sight of bulbs starting to grow. I would love to go to Holland and see the tulip fields blooming. I see there is a tulip festival in Washington. This year it is March 27th. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. There will be a special celebration this year including a raffle, dessert auction, dinner, and music. Has anyone been to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival? Here is the link to get more information.  http://www.tulipfestival.org/

Blend together

2 c flour

1 c brown sugar 

1 c nuts

1 c margarine

Sprinkle in pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Take out half of the crumbs to use on top.

Cream

1 large package cream cheese 

add 

1 c powdered sugar

carefully fold in

1 large package lucky whip (whipped) 

Pour over crumbs. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top of mixture and refrigerate.

Fix

1 package Danish Dessert according to the directions ( strawberry or raspberry)

add

1 package frozen strawberries or raspberries

Cool

Cut cream cheese mixture and top with Danish Dessert mixture. 

by Lynne Chilberg 

Melt 1 package (4 oz) Bakers German Sweet Chocolate and 3 T butter over very low heat. Stir; then cool.

To make cheese layer cream a 3 oz package cream cheese with 2 T butter. Gradually add 1/4 c sugar, creaming until fluffy. Blend in 1 egg, 1 T flour, and 1/2 t vanilla. Set aside. 

To make chocolate layer, beat 2 eggs until light colored. Slowly add 3/4 c sugar; beat until thickened. Add 1/2 t baking powder, 1/4 t salt and 1/2 c unsifted flour. Blend in chocolate mixture, 1 t vanilla, 1/4 t almond extract and 1/2 c chopped nuts. 

To bake spread half the chocolate batter in a greased 8 or 9 inch square pan. Top with cheese mixture. Spoon remaining chocolate batter over top. Zigzag knife through batter to marble. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Coll. Makes 16

From Lynne Chilberg 

This  is a family favorite and a hit at dinner parties.

In a small saucepan, cook until melted ( do not boil )

1/2 c butter or margerine

1/4 c unwhipped whipping cream

1 c brown sugar

Pour into 2 9" round pans or 1 13" X 9" pan. 

Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

In a bowl

1 pkg devils food cake

2 T flour

1 1/3 c water

1/3 c oil

3 eggs

Beat two minutes

Spoon gently over pecans. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool 5 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a rack. ( praline side up )

Frosting

1 3/4 c whipped whipping cream

Gently fold in

1/2 c powdered sugar

add

1 t vanilla

Frost praline side up. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired. Refrigerate cake. It is best after it has been refrigerated three hours before serving. 

I have been selling real estate in vernal for about 7 months. This weekend I went rock hunting for petrified wood outside Vernal. I was thrilled to find several nice piece. This area used to be tropical about 50 million years ago so it is possible to find petrified coral, palm tree wood, and even sea turtle shells. The area of Vernal is known for the amazing fossilized dinosaurs bones found there as early as 1909. My next venture might be hunting for garnets or plant fossils in the area!