We are back from our vacation on Englewood Island. One wonderful week. Our friend Mary kindly let us use her two story beach house on this beautiful Island. Thank you Mary.

 Isn't it breath taking! Her house is right on the beach.

LiliBeth had so much fun

 Tristan loved the water.

 The front of the house facing the Island.

 My older daughter Stephanie aka sparkles!

My daughter Melanie and myself.

My wonderful Husband.... exhausted. He had to put the sailboat away.

Tj,  my daughter Stephanie's boyfriend, yes he came with us :), Timmy,  my second son ( Thomas my oldest could not make it) and Melanie.

 Mother and Son moment :)

 He even posted this picture as his Facebook profile picture....I must be cool :)

Even "Elwood" our dog came with us, he is totally devoted to Melanie.

Stephanie and me

 Tia , my daughters friend also came with us.

My daughter Melanie shot this picture.....she is so talented!

Late Night Boutique Logo

 My son Timmy created this logo for my Late Night Boutique blog. He is an amazing cartoonist.  I had this idea about a feminine owl since owls are late night creatures . He went straight to work and came up with these choices.

 I like her sleepy eyes.

her eyes remind me of Garfield 

I would very much like your input on which owl to choose for my logo.  Thank You

Wheat-Gluten-Dairy Free Chocolate Chips ala Stephanie

 My daughter Stephanie baked these delicious cookies for her dad, and us of course :) She did a fantastic job! That girl can bake!

 As soon as I came home from the dentist I had to have one, or two and they tasted sooooo good. My Stan (her dad) is going to love them.

2 1/4 cup spelt flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup butter or smart, earth balance if you have dairy issues

3/4 cup organic cane sugar

3/4 cup organic brown cane sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips 

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Beat in a large bowl, butter, vanilla extract, brown and cane sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking soda, and sea salt and add to the creamy mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.( if you using nuts, add them as well at this time.)

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8 to10 minutes, or until golden brown.

 Another wheat/gluten free cookie without the cardboard taste :)

Wheat-Gluten-Dairy Free Yummy Cookies

LilyBeth and I made these delicious cookies for daddy (Stan) yesterday. I have to say it is quite a challenge to create new recipes and change the way I have been cooking and baking for years. Since my husband has been off wheat, gluten, and dairy his health has improved immensely. I'm somewhat disappointed in most of the wheat/gluten free products you can purchase. Flavor and taste is of the importance in our house, so we just have to get to work and start creating flavorful, yummy recipes.

 We needed to give these cookies a name and Tristan and LilyBeth came up with "Jelly Flowers." I like it!

 I'd like to share this recipe with you.

 3/4 cup butter (if you're dairy sensitive use a dairy free substitutes like earth balance, smart balance or grape seed oil/olive oil).
1 cup organic cane sugar
2 eggs
 1 1/2 cups spelt flour
1 teaspoon creme tartar (or baking powder)
1 cup oatmeal (grind in a blender or coffee grinder)
3/4 cup ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Raspberry or strawberry jam
organic cane powder sugar

Cream butter substitute with sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg. Add vanilla extract. Combine flour, baking powder, and oats and add to the creamy mixture. Stir in ground almonds: mix well. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness. Cut out with any cookie cutter you have. Repeat with remaining dough and cut out with the same cookie cutter, if you have a smaller cookie cutter, of any kind, you can use it to cut out the center of the already cut out cookies. Just make sure you cut out the same amount of top and bottom cookies.
Place on a slightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Spread a desired amount of jam onto the bottom cookies. With a small sifter, sift the powder sugar over the cookies with the center cut out. Place the the center cut out cookies over the jam filled bottom cookie, forming a sandwich. EAT :)

Mother's Day Surprises

I hope your Mother's Day was as special and wonderful as mine was. My wonderful daughters Melanie and Stephanie surprised me with a cake and candle. My older son Thomas took me shopping :) yes he did! My little ones Tristan and LilyBeth gave me lovely homemade cards and kisses, and my son Timmy wrote a surprise poem for me that he read in church. It was written to me, but I'd like to share it with you because I think the content of it could pertain to any mother of an adult son.  My wonderful husband went clothes shopping with me and found the perfect dress, I love him!

Extra Large Beach Bag....... Beach Her We Come!

 My friend Sandy and I got together yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours to sew some beach bags. She is so creative; I love her :)
Both of our bags looked very different when we were done. I like the blue, green and yellow colors, this bag just asked to be taken to the beach.

 Believe it or not, I fit three big beach towels in this bag and still have room for more!

 Both sides have an outer pocket for more stuff :)

Here is a close up on the fabric, isn't it beautiful.

 Two lime green ribbons  on each side secures everything in place so that nothing can fall out.

 You could also use the ribbons to tie your keys onto it.

 An inside pocket to hold small items. I lined the inside with PUL a washable wipe-able fabric. So you can toss your wet swimsuit right into this beach bag and it won't wet through.. 

Almost Finished With The Girl's Room

We are almost finished, Yeah :)

 As we put the room back together after we painted, we were trying to use what we had on decor. Most all decor was given to me through out the years. So, here it goes. The mirror came from my husband's mother, it had a gold frame so we painted it the same color as the trim in this room.

 This was a great find on craigslist, not to mention super comfy! Inside this two seater is a hide a bed and the food stool opens and holds all the bedding. Super cool.

 The cute pictures and the little wicker nightstand were a gift from my friend Becky, thanks again Becky :)

 Even when you are 18 and 15 Teddy bears are still cool.

 These bears have been with us for almost 11 years.

 My dear friend and mentor, Janet Berg, gave me this lamp a long time ago. It used to grace her living room for many years. I always liked it and will cherish it. I miss you Janet.

My friend Mary made this beautiful apple quilt ; she is so talented in quilt making. I'm so jealous. 

This used to be deep dark navy blue. I love the colors we chose. So bright and cheery, it opened up the whole room.

 I found these beautiful glass knobs at Marshalls, they give it just the right touch,

We bought the baskets at Homegoods on clearance :)

 The built in closet turned out wonderful, everyone approved .

We still have to paint the door and the base boards, as well as touch ups here and there.

  "Elwood",  Melanie's dog lays faithfully under her chair as she does her school work. He is so sweet.