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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Saturday, January 31, 2015

All Tuckered Out

Good morning,

Our little Wendy is seven months old and enrolled in Pre-Agility classes at our dog club.  She has already completed Puppy Kindergarten. 

The classes are so much fun that Wendy just collapsed into a deep sleep when she got home.  So cute!

:),
Lois

Friday, January 30, 2015

Grav Laks for Brunch

Good morning,

It is good to be home and preparing our favorite foods. 

Above you see a Norwegian treat, Grav Laks that we enjoy making at home.  It takes a few days to prepare, but it is worth the wait.

If you'd like to give it a try, the recipes for the salmon, eggs, sauce, and bread are here:


It's always good!

Enjoy,
Lois

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Warm Weather Mind Games

Good morning,

As I write this, I'm in Ohio where it is still dead in the middle of winter.  I'm working on mind games, though going through images I took at our hotel when we were recently in Florida.
Ah, yes, the memories.  ;)

Seriously, we will be going South again in a few weeks.  As much as we enjoy the weather in Florida, there's no place like home.

All the best,
 Lois

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Return to Bonefish Willy's

Good morning,

Here's another regular stop for us when we are in Melbourne, Florida. 
We always plan a mid afternoon lunch at Bonefish Willy's.
The food is great...
...we've never had bad weather...
...and the view is lovely.


 When we travel we seek out independently owned restaurants.  I can't remember any time we have been disappointed.

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

See Ya Later

Good morning,

Here are the last few pictures from a recent visit to Viera Wetlands.
These fellows don't cause any problems as long as they aren't provoked.  There are no fences between the people on the road and the alligators in the water here.
See ya later, alligator.  We look forward to our next visit.

Lois

Monday, January 26, 2015

Still Enjoying Viera Wetlands

Good morning,

I am still enjoying images from a recent trip to Viera Wetlands, Florida. 

Here are a few more that I haven't shared here yet.
Every time we go, we see something different. 

When it is gray winter in Ohio, I love to look at these pictures. 

All the best,
Lois

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Penny's Weekend Haul

Good morning,

We need to build a new room on the house to display Penny's ribbons and certificates.  On Saturday and Sunday last weekend she earned all of the above at an AKC Agility Trial. 

Many of Penny's ribbons and certificates are displayed on walls in our home. Many more are part of an enormous life-time collection she has now all categorized in safely in storage drawers.
Penny will be ten years old this month and is still going strong.  In people years, that's 70 years old!  She is in wonderful physical condition and just loves what she is doing.  She gets so very excited every time the show equipment is being loaded in the car.

Our daughter, Catherine, trains and shows Penny and our other dogs.  What a team!

I had to brag a little once again.

;),
Lois

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Wendy's Favorite Toy

Good morning,

This is a phone camera image that I took in very low light.  Miss Wendy was snoozing with her favorite toy, her pink platypus, in her mouth.

She is just so cute!

:),
Lois

Friday, January 23, 2015

Viera Wetlands Resident

Good morning,

It's a beautiful day for sun bathing at Viera Wetlands. ;)  For some reason, I just love turtles.
Gorgeous!

Enjoy,
Lois

Thursday, January 22, 2015

A Beautiful Day at Viera Wetlands

Good morning,

Here are a few more images from our recent visit to Viera Wetlands.  Above you can see an observation platform where you can get a higher angle to see and photograph.
I don't see many Red Winged Black Birds in the North any more, but there are plenty of them here.



 What a beautiful, relaxing place. 

The Viera Wetlands is formed with recycled waste water. 

Enjoy,
 Lois

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Standing Guard - Viera Wetlands

Good morning,

Viera Wetlands near Melbourne, Florida, is one of our favorite places to visit.
When we arrived earlier this year, these fellows were standing guard near the front entrance.
Beautiful!  It's wonderful to be able to get this close to photograph them.

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Sonny's BBQ

Good morning,

I'm going through recent travel pictures again and came across this one I took at Sonny's BBQ in Viera, Florida.

If I were ANYWHERE near this place, I would be on my way there right now!

*sigh*

Lois

Monday, January 19, 2015

Yummy Treats Inside!

Good morning,

Wendy is enjoying a (pet store) "bone" filled with peanut butter. She will tell you all about it:
"I know it is in there!  I can see it!"
"I can taste it, too."
"See that black bottom going by there?  That's Erik staying close in case I should put my peanut butter bone down."   
"Yes, I see Erik going by.  I am ignoring him."
"Maybe if I chew off part of the bone..."
 ...I can get to that peanut butter."
 "Yes, Erik, I see you, but this is MY peanut butter bone!"


It is fun to watch the interaction.  Our three dogs don't show any aggression toward each other, but they do patiently stay close when there is something they would like to have for themselves waiting for an opportunity to quietly get it.

They are so cute.

;),
Lois

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Lap Dog

Good morning,

Anna stopped home from XU between classes and sat down on the couch to tell me about her day.  Erik got on her lap to be sure she didn't leave soon.
We need really big chairs (or couches) for this lap dog.  ;)

The pictures from my phone camera aren't great, but they sure are cute.

Enjoy,
Lois

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Flashback: Christmas Fun

Good morning,

I'm having a good time going through pictures we took just after we got home from the high seas.  We were away a week longer than scheduled so made it just in time to come home to a delicious Christmas dinner made by daughter, Catherine.

Above is grandson, Alex, who just fits one of the love seats in front of the fireplace.  He does a great job of entertaining himself with a Christmas gift.  ;)
Grandson David is a little too tall for the other love seat.  He's sharing it with Wendy as she plays with a new toy.
Anna and her sister Kate enjoyed some sister time.  Anna is living with us now while she attends Xavier University.
Of course, Aunt Carol was here, too.  :)

It is so good to be home. We're glad we made it just in time to celebrate the holidays with family at home, even though we weren't here early enough to put up all the usual decorations.

All the best,
Lois

Friday, January 16, 2015

Never Shop While You Are Hungry

Good morning,

Very close to some of our favorite stores there's an IHop.  Since we believe we should never shop when we are hungry, we stop in here once in awhile on shopping days.
Hmmm.  What shall I have?  It's hard to decide.  OK, I'll have the Doublt BLT with Onion Rings.  My Honey had an omlette.

It was all so good that we declined dessert, BUT...
...our favorite waiter brought us this with two forks to share.  My first thought was to get a carry out box.  The waiter said, "Sure," and went to get a box.
He didn't get back fast enough.  ;)

Enjoy!

Lois