New Year's Eve

Good morning,

We hope you have a safe New Years Eve and Happy New Year!

Don't forget this is a night when there are many loud firecrackers.  We are fortunate that our pups aren't afraid of loud sounds, but so many are afraid. 

It's a good night to be sure your pets are safe and comfy at home, preferably with family. 

Regarding the image:  Penny is in her kennel where she goes to relax on her purple afghan blanket whenever she wishes.  We never use the kennel for discipline and leave the door open all the time so that she can go there whenever she wants some peace and quiet, especially when we have company and there is a great deal of activity in the house.  When there are children in our home, they are told the dog is tired of playing and wants to relax when she goes to her kennel "house."  Since she is a show dog, she is comfortable in her kennel when she goes to shows, too. At night, Penny sleeps in our bed with us.  ;)

Happy New Years Eve!

Lois

Christmas Eve Dinner

Good morning,

Holidays are wonderful, aren't they.  We have great company and terrific food to share.

We are home for the holidays this year.   These images were taken Christmas Eve when our friend Erica, son Don, and Aunt Carol were here for dinner.

Catherine did the majority of the cooking while pups waited to see of something yummy just might fall their way.  They got some good treats, too.

We hope your Christmas was wonderful, too.

Lois

All My Helpers

Good morning,

I have so many helpers.

This is Wendy sitting in her Daddy's chair next to my chair in our sitting room.  She's keeping Daddy's chair warm and keeping me company while Daddy is working in his wood workshop.

Penny is here next to my desk, too.  Penny is our "queen."  She is a sweet soul who will be twelve years old next month.

Of course, Erik is here, too.  He is the body guard for all of us.

And, finally, another portrait of Wendy.  We sometimes call her "Wendy Woo Woo!"

 Life is good.  It is good to be home.

Lois

Birthday Roses

Good morning,

Earlier this month I had another birthday - they keep coming whether I want them or not.  ;)

My Honey was so sweet to give me these beautiful red roses.  Taking pictures of them allows me to share them with others to enjoy and to always be able to remember them. 

Thank you, Honey,

Lois

Maple Pork Loin

Good morning,

I love the Internet.  With all of the wonderful cookbooks we have and enjoy using, I sometimes browse recipes on the Internet, too.

I came across this one for Pork Loin and just loved how it turned out.  The picture above is the pork loin I made from this recipe:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/133042/maple-baked-pork-loin-roast/

We enjoyed it and highly recommend it.  Easy and yummy, too!

Enjoy,
Lois

Christmas Poinsettia

Good morning,

This beautiful delicate pink and cream poinsettia was the door prize I won when we went to the dog club Christmas party.

How pretty!

Lois

Merry Christmas!

A Blessed Merry Christmas

From Our Family to Yours

The Night Before Christmas

Good morning,

There is a whole lot of gift wrapping...

...going on here.

The kids are waiting for Santa.

 He's not easy to see in this image, but Erik is at the top of the image.

 Wendy is in the middle and Penny is at the bottom.

 They are determined to see Santa when he arrives with their gifts.  ;)

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

Love from our family to yours,

Lois

My Photo Assistant

Good morning,

This pup is everywhere!

Wendy follows about a half step behind me wherever I go.  The morning I took this picture I had set up a photo-op at the end of the living room to take pictures of an afghan blanket for our shop.  Wendy wanted to help so to get her out of the way where she would only be able to give advice, I instructed her to get in the chair and put her in a "stay."  We chatted throughout the photo session.  She did a very good job of staying in the chair while giving me advice about lighting, angles, depth of focus, and all kinds of other photo-type things.

She's so cute!

It's so good to be home!

Lois

She gives good advice.  The afghan blanket I was photographing at the end of the room is listed here.  ;)

After Dinner Nap

Good morning,

What a tuckered out puppy!

Wendy is snoozing on Catherine's lap after another yummy holiday meal.

It's good to be home.

;),
Lois

Bloomin' Orchid

Good morning,

Now that we are retired from the high seas, I can be home to take care of my plants inside and out once again.

We got this orchid when someone was going to throw it out because it was in such bad shape.  It still had a green leaf so I was happy to spend a little time and effort on this one.

Now it is looking quite healthy with more leaves and beautiful blooms. 

I love taking care of plants and was delighted to see it bloom and to finally know what color the flowers are!  Since we are no longer going to sea for ten weeks at a time, I am able to care form our plants regularly.

Love it!

Lois

Puppy Play Date

Good morning,

Today's series of images was taken in our driveway during a puppy play date.

Our friend Erica's dog Teddy was here to play with our Wendy.

Erica shows her dogs as do we so it is important that they be socialized to enjoy being with other dogs.

 When Teddy was just a pup he visited with us a couple of days a week while his Mommy went to work.

 Teddy and our pups see each other at dog shows, too, and each is accumulating titles.

 But, it's so nice to have some play time to play keep away with a good friend.

 They are good friends for life.

:),
Lois

Lab Blanket

Good morning,

I saw this blanket displayed at a recent dog show.

Of course, most of you know I'm partial to Labrador Retrievers.  This blanket is just gorgeous.  It wasn't for sale, just being displayed, or it would probably be in my house by now.

;),
Lois

Yummy Foods for Carol's Birthday Dinner

Good morning,

It's time for pictures of food again.  ;)

These are some of the items we made for Aunt Carol's birthday dinner last month. 

Above is bread I made...

...and these are mushroom appetizers that Catherine made.

Catherine also broiled salmon...

...and prepared brussel spouts on the stalk.  The sprouts were delicious made with real maple syrup.

And, of course, a crunchy, fresh salad made the meal complete.

Ah, yes, it is great to be home cooking in our own kitchen with family once again.

;),
Lois

Aboard Allure of the Seas

Good morning,

These are our friends Russell and Martha Hooker with Captain Tore Grimstad and another office aboard Allure of the Seas.

Captain Tore sailed with us aboard Freedom of the Seas a few years ago. 

Thanks for the image, Martha and Russell!

Lois

Crown Loft Suite - Allure of the Seas

Good morning,

Today's images of the Crown Loft Suite aboard Allure of the Seas are sent to us courtesy of Martha and Russell Hooker.

This suite includes an elevator inside the suite. 

And, of course, there are also conventional stairs.  ;)

This suite has large living areas with huge windows to enjoy the sea outside.

Multiple bathrooms are handicap accessible.

 Elevator controls.

 Notice the art work at the top of the stairs.

 Gorgeous, just gorgeous!  Beyond the curtains beside the bed is a balcony and the sea.

 The suite was decorated by the housekeeping staff for Martha's birthday.

 Beautiful!

Thank you, Martha and Russell, for sharing images of this gorgeous suite aboard Allure of the Seas.

 Lois