Dining Out

Good morning,

While shopping this week we saw this lone Canada Goose enjoying a morning meal.

I stopped to snap some pictures and I was eyed...

...then the goose decided I wasn't a threat and went back to eating lunch.

Watch your step!  There was a minefield on the sidewalk. 

;),
Lois

My Honey's Tea Dipper

It is good to be an engineer.

I have suggested an alternative use:  dip strawberries in chocolate.  ;)

Breakfast for Dinner

Good morning,

One of our favorite meals is breakfast for dinner.  That can mean a wide range of foods, but it always includes traditional breakfast foods.

This time we had french toast, red grapes, and sausage with onions.  That's real Canadian maple syrup on that french toast, too. I only ate two of those;  the third piece was shared with three sweet pups.

It's "Breakfast Anytime" at our house.  :)

Lois

Spring in Cincinnati

Spring in Cincinnati

The image says it all.

Crossing Party!

Good morning,

Back when my hubby worked at sea and I sailed with him, we enjoyed many traditions of life at sea.

Whenever we "made a crossing" between North America and Europe, we would have a shrimp, mayonnaise, and fresh bread dinner one of the evenings while at sea.  The mayonnaise was Norwegian and came in a tube that looked like toothpaste.  The mayo was spread on the bread and shrimp placed on top to make little appetizers that became a whole meal.

This was the entire dinner and it was fantastic!

Great memories!

The image above was taken during a "reenactment" we enjoyed at home recently.  No crossing, but the shrimp, mayo, and bread were delicious.  ;)

Lois

Sleeping Beauty

Good morning,

Catherine and I spent an evening in the living room watching a movie and the pups gathered nearby.  Wendy took up her position on a couch in front of the fireplace.

I snapped these pictures with my phone when I realized she was out cold and snoring. 

So cute!  It's a rough life here for the pups.

:),
Lois

A Pile of Projects

Good morning,

This is a snapshot of my work in process chair:

1.  (upper right) Honey Golden Long Tunic Sweater for daughter, Catherine.  This knit project is taking FOREVER! Since it is a long tunic sweater, it is about the same as knitting a dress with long sleeves.  I've finished the front and back.  I am now I'm working on the sleeves. I'm quite happy with the way the fabric is developing.  The finished garment should fit perfectly and have a lovely drape to the fabric.  Under the purple flowers are my notes and computations for Catherine's sweater. 

2.  (upper center) Burnt Orange Cables and Lace Sweater.  This knit project has been on hold for awhile.  The back is finished and I'm working on the front now.  I pick it up and work on it once in awhile, but would like to finish Catherine's sweater first so she has a chance to wear it before the weather gets too warm.  The burnt orange sweater will be available in the shop when finished.

3.  (left bottom) Flowers for a Royal Purple Afghan Blanket.  I switch between knit and crochet to give my hands a rest from the same repetitive motions.  Afghan blankets have been very popular and great sellers in the shop so I like to keep designing and making more of them to keep the shop stocked. 

These are all large, time consuming projects so I haven't had many "finishes" lately to photograph and list in the shop.  I'll have to change that and get some more smaller items made, too.

What are you making, baking, planting, photographing now?

All the best,
Lois

Snow Day Baking - Banana Blueberry Walnut Bread

Good morning,

Sometimes snow days make for the best days, don't they.  ;)

We didn't "have" to go out anyway so it wasn't a problem to stay home during our last snow days.  I had bananas that My Honey noticed were calling out to me:  "Banana Bread!"  So, I obliged and made banana bread.

While mashing those bananas I realized there weren't quite enough of them so I added some fresh blueberries.  I came up with one of the best quick breads we have had in a long time.  Of course, quick breads are more like cake than bread, but "bread" sounds so much lower in calories than "cake."  It's definitely not!

I used the basic banana bread recipe from my Mom's Betty Crocker Cookbook (every recipe my Mom ever made started with "1 cup sugar") plus those blueberries and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.

Yum!

Lois

Learning a New Language

Good morning,

My Honey and I have traveled the world and always try to speak at least a few words of the local language.

Thankfully, our friends Martha and Russell of Dallas gave us this language arts text book for our upcoming road trip to Galveston.

We are studying hard for our trip!

;),
Lois

My Honey's Current Projects

Good morning,

My Honey is having a grand time with his new CNC woodworking machine.  He's developing new designs daily.

These are coming soon to our on-line shop, EvensensProductions.com. Stay tuned!

Ideas welcome!

:),
Lois

What a Difference a Day Makes

Good morning,

Today is the second day of Spring.  Right.  Sure, it is.  I took this picture through our dining room doors this morning. 

See that big bush covered in snow in the center of the picture, just beyond the shrubs?

As published in yesterday's post, this is a blossom on that bush outside yesterday.

There is a saying in Cincinnati:  If you don't like the weather, just wait a few hours....

*sigh*

Lois

Welcome Spring!

Welcome Spring!

Fish Soup

Good morning,

My Honey made fish soup on St. Patrick's Day and it was oh, so good!

We considered adding a little green food coloring, but decided the green bowl was enough to celebrate the holiday.  ;)

Yum!

Lois

CNC Project Preview

Good morning,

Kjell has programmed his CNC machine to engrave a lovely design in walnut wood for the top of a hand crafted box.  Seeing how the machine engraves the designs he prepares on his computer is incredible!

Stay tuned!

Lois

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Good morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today's the day for the wearing of the green.  We're all Irish today so I'll be wearing green, but no green beer for me.  How about you?

Enjoy the day!
Lois

The Snow is Gone. The Sun is Out. But, it's always something....

Good morning,

The snow is gone and the sun is out, but it is still cool outside. 

Yesterday morning when I took the pups to the kitchen to let them out at dawn I heard a terrible thumping sound from the basement.  I went down to investigate and be sure there wasn't something happening that was critical to getting people out of the house. 

I found the noise was coming from the main furnace.  No smoke.  No bad smell.  Just noise.  So I woke my resident Chief Engineer who discovered it was one of the fans that had worked its way off the shaft.  He turned it all off at the circuit breaker and I called the heating and air folks.  I love those people.  We've used them for years and they come as soon as possible.  The fan is fixed and the main furnace is now back in service.

I'm hoping we don't need to heat the house too much longer this season.  ;)

I hope all is going smoothly where you are today.

Lois

Boneless Ribs

Good morning,

It was still snowing yesterday morning so I baked boneless ribs in the oven. 

Basic food.  It made the house smell wonderful all day and was delicious when we finally sat down to eat.

We are so looking forward to Spring. 

All the best,
Lois

Cincinnati Weather

Good morning,

Yes, that's snow.  No, it's not welcome here.  Yes, this is typical for Cincinnati.

That clump of daffodils is barely visible out there in the snow.  That's the same clump of daffs in the first image of yesterday's post.  *sigh*

It's a good day to stay in by the fireplace and wait for tomorrow's weather.  It just could be more like Spring.

;),
Lois

Spring Flowers Inside and Outside

Good morning,

The daffodils are blooming and I enjoy going out to see more of them every morning.  The large King Alfred Daffodils have been blooming in the same spot for nearly 40 years.

I added this row of mini-daffs along the side of the yard about 30 years ago.  It's so much fun to see them return every year.

Inside the house the Blue Woodland Flowers have blossomed on this afghan blanket.  I have just finished this lovely blanket featuring 80 flowers.  These are the flowers I showed you in my post on February 25. 

The inspiration for this afghan blanket is a woodland meadow with beautiful blue flowers sparkling in the morning dew.  Click to see more views of the finished afghan blanket. 

Welcome Spring!

All the best,
Lois

Waiting Patiently

Good morning,

Those sweet pups are all lined up giving me the "stare" treatment.  It's almost dinner time and they would like for me to believe it is much earlier every evening. 

Kjell took a picture of them all lined up like this and a friend said they look like a reverse Oreo cookie.  Cute. 

;),
Lois

Hi Mom!

Good morning,

So, I pushed in the desk tray that holds my computer keyboard and look who is here!

Miss Wendy is always nearby.

I love that pup!

;),
Lois

Pansies!

Good morning,

As we entered Home Depot yesterday I had to pause to take a few pictures of the Pansies already available for sale.  The colors of the one above are exactly the colors I plan to use in my next afghan blanket.  Beautiful!

It's still a bit chilly for me to sit outside and plant flowers.

But, I certainly enjoy seeing them here at Home Depot!

 Spring is so welcome here!

All the best,
Lois

Playing With Colors - Planning Ahead

Good morning,

At the moment I'm joining 80 squares and putting the border on a Woodland Flowers Afghan Blanket.  I'll be publishing pictures of that finished project soon.

While I'm working I'm always thinking of the next projects.  I'm even thinking of the next projects as I'm falling asleep and waking up.  I've been playing with colors by putting yarns into boxes.  Since the Pantone color of the year is purple, I'll be making a Royal Purple afghan blanket next.  The colors look so pretty for Spring, too.

What are your next projects?  :)

All the best,
Lois

Who could that be?

Good morning,

Coffee time.  Computer time.  Working on the shop time, then shopping time.

We're off to the toy, er, uh, wood store today.  ;)

Happy Thursday!

Lois

Look What Wendy Got in the Mail!

Good morning,

Our baby, Wendy, has a new title:  Canine Good Citizen.  Wendy met all of the requirements for this title on Valentine's Day and the certificate just arrived in the mail.

In the same mail Wendy received a certificate as an Achiever Dog.  To be recognized as an Achiever Dog, she has received titles in three areas, Canine Good Citizen, Dock Diving, and Agility.

Congratulations to Wendy and her trainer (and our daughter), Catherine!  We will need to build on a new room to display all of Wendy's ribbons and certificates. 

Daddy and I are so proud!

;),
Lois

Wendy's New Toy

Good morning,

Wendy has a new soft toy to take to bed with her as of this past weekend. 

Wendy participated in agility trials last weekend.  The participants are allowed to pick out a toy and Wendy picked out this huge fuzzy "bone" shaped toy as her prize.  It is so sweet the way she goes to sleep with a soft toy in her mouth. 

What a sweetheart!

:),
Lois

Anniversary Sushi

Good morning,

I couldn't resist a picture of our Anniversary Sushi dinner.  We took Catherine along with us since all three of us love sushi.  The sushi topped off soup and salad.

We plan to celebrate all month.  An Italian dinner is on the horizon, too.

Yum!

Lois

Anniversary Flowers

Good morning,

We celebrated an anniversary this week. 

My Sweetheart disabled the gate alarm so he could sneak out and get this balloon and flowers without me noticing.

What a romantic guy!  :)

Thank you!  I love you, Sweetie!

Lois

Going Green

Good morning,

Between all the rainy days we have had a couple of sunny days.  It seems every time a ray of sun hits the yard, the green goes crazy.  The Honeysuckle seems to be sprouting in motion before our eyes.

The Ivy stays green year round, but the leaves have perked up and new shoots are forming everywhere.

Soon the Winter brown and gray will be beautiful Spring green.

Enjoy!

Lois

Aunt Carol's Kalanchoe

Good morning,

Aunt Carol sent this image of her blooming Kalancohe this morning.

I gave Aunt Carol the plant on her birthday last November.  The plant was rooted from pieces that had broken off (a terrible accident with good results) from our plant and was only leaves then.

It is so much fun to see the blossoms!  Obviously, this sweet little plant likes living at Aunt Carol's house!

;),
Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - March, 2018

Good morning,

This month's Needlework and Wood Working Update features only one wood item and it is a very special one.  My Honey has a new CNC  (Computer Numerical Control) wood working machine and has spent this month getting it set up and working beautifully. .See my earlier post here.

After several test items with the machine, Kjell made a cribbage board for me for Valentine's Day.  Thank you, Sweetheart!  He has so many more ideas and projects coming soon!

 I made a Black and White Afghan Blanket during the winter and listed it in our on-line shop.  That first one received many, many views and "favorites," then sold very quickly.  So, I've now made another to restock this very popular item.  What a perfect gift for a black and white wedding.  It will look stunning with any decor.  $155.

 This colorful stained glass design afghan blanket was also finished during the past month.  I truly enjoy designing with colors.  This item and many other color options are available available in the shop. $155.

 This fellow was "hatched" this month.  Our turtles have become very popular as dorm room pets.  One lady who ordered one for her friend told me it is a "comfort turtle."  I hadn't heard that one before!  Cute!  Small, $8;  Medium, $10; Large $16.

 More color!  This shawl scarf features so many happy, bright colors to add style to any coat, sweater, or dress.  Wear it as a shoulder, neck, or head scarf.  $24.

 If you are a regular reader of this blog, you have seen these luggage identifiers.  They are fantastic to identify your luggage in airport, cruise terminals, or anywhere else your luggage is stacked with other luggage.

 These three sets of luggage identifiers were made this month to restock the shop once again.  They are only $5 for a set of six and are priceless when you are looking for your luggage.

 Of course, we're happy to make up custom orders for whatever color you'd like to have.

 Toilet tissue toppers have also been very popular this month so here are two more to restock the shop.  $8.

 I made them in blush pink and lavender this month.

 Here are three more "Find It Keep It" baskets.  Use the basket for those items you tend to misplace and need quickly when you're ready to leave the house:  keys, glasses, cell phone, etc.  They are also great to keep small items handy:  cotton balls, cough drops, lipstick, eye liner, etc.  These baskets feature a loop that opens to be able to hang the basket on a door knob or it can be closed for the basket to sit on a table or shelf.  $8.

 And, finally, several cloche hats/chemo caps were made this month.  $8.

 

 

 Those are the items we completed during the month of February.

I hope you enjoy seeing what flows off of the knitting needles, crochet hooks, and from the wood workshop!

Do you have ideas for what else we could make and offer in the shop?  Please share them with us!   We are always developing new designs while also keeping the shop stocked with those that are very popular and sell out quickly.

All the best,
Lois

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