About this Blog: Bread making recipes, knit and crochet projects, wood working, gardening, digital imaging, travel, cruise ships, Labrador Retrievers, and more....

About the Header Image: Idlebrook Wendy Darling Evensen "Wendy" one of our four Labrador Retrievers.

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Needlework Update - April, 2013

Good morning,

It's that time again for another Needlework Update of what flowed off of the needles and hooks since last month's update.    

The brown tweed unisex turtleneck sweater above features rows of eyelets.  It will be listed in our Etsy Shop, EvensensProductions.com soon.  It fits adult sizes 38 to 40 inch chest.
 The sweet Fair Isle knit sweater and hat set above is in size 18 months.  It will be available in the shop soon, also.
Here's a teddy bear sweater in 24 months size.  So sweet!
I absolutely LOVE this cowl for a man or woman.  I was playing with pattern stitches and came up with a design to make a stylish cowl with a beige design on the outside and a very soft warm fleecy inside.  It can be warn as shown "bunched" as a cowl, flat and folded as a cowl, or pulled up over the head as a hood.  It will be available in the shop, too.  I've got to make one of these for myself.
 This is an extra large crib size baby blanket in very, very soft mint green yarn. 
Of course, I need to have a quick-finish item once in awhile and always need a turtle to keep me company.
 I've had time to "bake" some zero calorie cupcakes since I've been here, too.  ;)
 I've made four more sets...
of mug rugs/wash cloths/dish cloths/spa cloths/snack mats...
...with a button band so that they can be rolled...
...or folded in fan shape to give as gifts or display on your bathroom or kitchen counter.  If you're preparing a gift basket of bath, spa, or baby items, this is an excellent item to include.

Some of the mug rugs are available in the shop now.  Some of the items you see pictured here will be in the shop the third week in May as soon as daughter, Catherine, takes them back to Cincinnati for me so that they are available to be shipped.  If you have questions about any of them, availability, or want to reserve an item, please ask.
I finished these flowers, too, while I am out here floating around.  ;)  They are going home to be made into a baby blanket.  I don't have the rest of the yarn here I want to use to finish it. 

And, preview time!  I generally have several items in the design and construction process.  I like to have something small to take along and always have large and small projects I am constructing in boxes and tote bags sitting next to my chair.  I sketch new projects, assign the yarn and needles or hooks needed, then put them in a tote bag or box next to my chair.  As I am working on one project, I am thinking about the next.
What are you making now?  I truly do enjoy seeing what you are quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, cooking, baking, and gardening....

We now return you to our regularly scheduled blogging. ;)

All the best,
Lois

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Independence of the Seas Leaving St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

Good morning,

Today's images are a series I took of Independence of the Seas as she left the port of St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.
These images were taken through the windows of the bridge of sister ship Freedom of the Seas.
Watching this huge vessel back out and turn around is so very beautiful.
 And, off Independence of the Seas sails to her next port of call.

Beautiful.

enjoy,
Lois

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Christian Radich

Good morning,

While out walking deck 12 of Freedom of the Seas one sunny day in St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies, I spied a sail ship in the harbor.
I looked closer to see a Norwegian flag flying on her stern.  I looked even closer to see she was the Christian Radich, a Norwegian training ship.  What makes her even more important is that she was My Honey's first ship when he went to sea at age 16.  See that forward mast?  He has climbed that.  ;)
We went to lunch in Freedom's Windjammer Restaurant and sat where we could admire Christian Radich while we ate.
 My Honey had gotten more information about her visit here to St. Maarten.  She was on a charter with guests on board!
 I went back to deck 12 later in the afternoon with my Canon mirrorless camera to get some even better quality pictures.
 How beautiful!

I know the Christian Radich pretty well myself since we have a large model in a glass case in our living room.  The model was my gift to my husband on our tenth wedding anniversary.   The last time we saw Christian Radich in person was in Oslo, Norway, when she was tied up in front of the ship we were on, Splendour of the Seas.

Click here for more Christian Radich history and information.

Enjoy,
Lois

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Independence of the Seas - St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

Good morning,

I took today's images while walking deck 12 of Freedom of the Seas while we were docked in St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies.
Tied up beside us was Independence of the Seas.
Independence is a sister ship copy of Freedom, so looking at her is like looking in the mirror.
We are so close tied up on opposite sides of the dock that I cannot get all of Independence in the same image.  ;)
The ships are facing in opposite directions which made for even more interesting image angles.  :)

Enjoy!

Lois

Friday, April 26, 2013

Mariner of the Seas and Celebrity Constellation

Good morning,

I took today's pictures from deck 4 of Freedom of the Seas.  We are all at anchor in Grand Cayman.  Above you see our sister ship, Mariner of the Seas.  She's a different class of ship and slightly smaller than Freedom, but she is a Royal Caribbean sister.
Royal Caribbean owns Celebrity Cruises which makes the Celebrity Constellation pictured above our cousin ship.  ;)

They are all so pretty!

All the best,
Lois

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Red Rose!

Good morning,

I hope you don't get tired of roses. 
When I receive one or more once in awhile, I always take pictures so I can keep them forever and share them, too.  ;)

This rose is thanks to my wonderful husband.  He surprised me with it for no particular reason.  What a sweetheart! 

All the best,
Lois

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Freedom Bow

Good morning,

On a beautiful, sunny day I took a walk around to the front (forward) part of Freedom of the Seas and up to the helicopter platform.
From the helipad I took this picture of the front of the ship.  All of those windows along the top are the bridge, including the wing bridges on each side so the captain can see straight down and along side while docking the ship.  What a beautiful day for a "ship shot" with my camera!

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Monday, April 22, 2013

Sorrtentos and Bull & Bear

Good morning,

I'm out roaming around aboard Freedom of the Seas with my camera again. 

Above is Sorrento's Pizzeria, one of our favorite spots.  :)
Outside the restaurant are a few more tables along the painted brick wall.  Yes, this is aboard a ship.  ;)
Across the Royal Promenade from Sorrentos is the Bull & Bear Pub.  This is a perfect place to sit with a brew and watch the world go by. 

The windows on the decks above are windows of "inside" cabins that overlook the Royal Promenade.  The "feel" is of a street in an old European town.

Enjoy,
Lois

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Vibrant Curiosity in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Good morning,

Just one image today.  The largest yacht in the image above is the Vibrant Curiosity in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Whenever I see a really gorgeous and/or interesting yacht I look it up on line to find out more about it.  This one was built in 2009 for German Billionaire Reinhold Wuerth.  Wow.

Lovely, eh?

Lois

Saturday, April 20, 2013

US Navy in Port Canaveral

Good morning,

I snapped these three images of US Navy ships in Port Canaveral from the window of our suite aboard Freedom of the Seas.
It was late afternoon and we were sailing off for another week at sea.
I really enjoy seeing the other ships and activity at the ports.

I hope you enjoy seeing what I am seeing.

All the best,
Lois

Friday, April 19, 2013

New Shops - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

Recently I showed you an "under construction" zone on the Royal Promenade aboard Freedom of the Seas.
New shops were being built and now it is time for the grand opening.
The captain and other senior officers are present...
 ...as well as plenty of cameras and an audience.
 My pictures are from the side...
 ...but I got the important ones.  ;)


 And, finally, here are a few of the people involved in the renovation and construction of the new area.

All the best,
Lois