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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Friday, May 31, 2019

Red Rose

Good morning,

This beauty is blooming in our front garden.

Lovely!

Lois




Thursday, May 30, 2019

Another Bread Day

Good morning,

We'll enjoy this with shrimp and mayonnaise open-faced sandwiches in the Norwegian tradition today. 

Yum!

Lois



Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Wendy's Favorite Spot

Good morning,

This sight greeted me one afternoon.  Wendy was in her kennel napping.  We leave the doors open for the pups to use their kennels to "get away from it all" and they use them often for naps.  Wendy has pushed her blanket to the side.

She was sound asleep and snoring happily. 

So sweet,
Lois

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Peonies in Bloom

Good morning,

The peonies are beautiful again this year.
I transplanted this clump of peonies from the back yard to the front when I moved here 40 years ago.
They continue to grow and bloom year after year. 
And, a view of coming attractions!  The iris are coming soon. 

Happy Spring!

Lois

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Roses from My Honey

Good morning,

I just love roses, but love the guy who gave them to me even more. 

:),
Lois

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Another Batch of Snow Drops

Good morning,

Another batch of snow drops popped up in our garden. 

We have quite a variety of plants in our yard. We don't use poison on our lawn to kill weeds because of the dogs.  So the only control is to pull and cut them.  That's fine with us.

I remember a radio garden show and the gardener saying, "If it's green from the street, leave it alone."  I agree.

Lois





Friday, May 24, 2019

Elsa's New Collar

Good morning,

Our sweet Elsa is modeling (OK, sleeping in) her new rosebud collar.

She is wearing it to puppy classes every Wednesday evening. 

Precious. 

:),
Lois




Thursday, May 23, 2019

Alex and Elsa

Good morning,

Our grandson, Alex, picked Elsa up and I just started snapping the camera...
Elsa liked the new vantage point.
That's Penny in front of Alex.

Elsa likes being held.  She soaks up all the attention she can get. 

;),
Lois

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Another Bread Day

Good morning,

It was another bread day here.  This time it was cheddar cheese bread. 

I decide what kind of bread to make when I look in the kitchen to see what's available to go into it.  We like any kind of cheese bread here. 

Yum!

Lois




Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Hanging Out with Mom and Dad

Good morning,

A sleeping dog is a good dog.  Elsa played hard one evening, then dropped on one of the dog beds in our sitting room.

We can hear her sleep, too.  She snores.

So cute!

Lois





Monday, May 20, 2019

Joint Venture Ribs

Good morning,

Kjell started these pork ribs (rolled and standing) on the smoker, but the rains came and drove him inside.

We brought the ribs in and I finished them in the oven.

So, these are Joint Venture Ribs and they were delicious!

;),
Lois

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Frog Dog

Good morning,

Having dogs is such a pleasure.  Each of our four is so very precious.

Our baby, Elsa, is still a "floppy puppy" and gets herself into such darling positions.  This frog position is one of her regulars. 

So cute!

I hope you're not overdosed on puppy pictures!

;),
Lois




Saturday, May 18, 2019

Tumble Visit

Good morning,

Our four pups were very excited when they realized Catherine had brought Tumble over to visit.
Tumble is our friend Erica's Brittany.  He came to visit us almost every weekday morning when he was a baby for socialization with other dogs and people while his Mom was at work.  It was much more fun than staying at home.
That's Tumble in the foreground.  He's all grown up now and is showing in Conformation.  He is well on his way to being a champion.  We are as proud of him as his Mommy is.

The pups enjoyed having a play day together.

Lois

Friday, May 17, 2019

Lunch with Good Friends

Good morning,

We enjoyed another lunch the day after having lunch with Catherine and her staff.  This time the cast of characters were, from left:  me, Lynne Glandorf, Kjell, Teresa Olsen, Gary Glandorf, and Tor Olsen.  These are friends from our years at sea and we always enjoy getting together again. 
We had lunch on the "North Coast of Kentucky" at the Greyhound Tavern. 

This was such a fun day!

Let's do it again soon!

Lois

Thursday, May 16, 2019

After Tax Season Luncheon

Good morning,

Our daughter, Catherine, invited us to join her and some of her office staff (some couldn't make it that day) for an after tax season luncheon.
It was our first time at the Italian Restaurant, Bravo, and we enjoyed it very much.

Thanks, Catherine, for inviting us to join you and and others from Berberich & Berberich, CPAs.

Lois

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Waiting Room Crochet - Baby Blanket

Good morning,

I snapped this picture while in a waiting room right after I had started this baby blanket.

It's amazing how much I get accomplished while waiting!

The blanket is now finished and is listed in the shop with a matching turtle.  Click to see the finished blanket and turtle.

All the best,
Lois




Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Adult Beverage Time

Good morning,

The weather has been beautiful lately.  We hadn't opened a bottle of wine for weeks, so it was time.

Retirement is good!

:),
Lois

Monday, May 13, 2019

Play Hard Sleep Well

Good morning,

That's Wendy at the top with Elsa after a wild and crazy play session.  These two play chase and keep-away, then drop into a deep sleep.

Elsa is now more than 30 pounds, nearly half of her expected adult weight.  We expect her to be larger than Wendy when full grown.

Sweet pups!

Lois

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Happy Mothers Day! Lunch at Bruegger's

Good morning,

We hope you are enjoying Mother's Day!  

We are so happy to welcome Spring here so that we can enjoy an outdoor meal at Bruegger's Bagels.

This restaurant is close to our post office and shopping so it is sometimes just too easy to stop in for lunch or a snack.

We generally have the same thing:  smoked salmon, cream cheese, and all the trimmings with hazelnut coffee.

Yum!

Lois


Saturday, May 11, 2019

Elsa and The Unicorn

Good morning,

The pups play hard here and they have their favorite toys.  Elsa carries her pink unicorn to bed and cuddles up with her.
Elsa is beginning to look more and more grown up, don't you think?

Lois

Friday, May 10, 2019

Time for a Walk Among the Red Bud Trees

Good morning,

Catherine, the pups, and I took a walk together on a beautiful Spring day when the Red Bud Trees were in full bloom.
We live in an old neighborhood with many mature trees.
This little park is just down the street from our home.  We often see deer here.
Four dogs at the same time can be a challenge.
Not only did I take the pictures, I got to carry the prize (poop) bag home.

;),

Lois

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Erik and Elsa - Nap Buddies

Good morning,

This is the sweetest photo.  Erik was sound asleep on Penny's bed when Elsa cuddled up next to him. In addition to the color difference, the size difference is dramatic.

When Elsa first arrived at our home Erik wasn't so sure we needed to keep her.  He didn't treat her badly, he mainly ignored her.  When she moved in close, he would move away. 

Then he began to stand nearby when she went outside to be sure she was safe.  He takes his Chief of Security job very seriously.

When I took this picture he was still asleep.  When he awoke, he was surprised to see her there, but wasn't upset about it at all.

Each of our four dogs has a wonderful, sweet personality. It is so much fun to watch them interact.

Lois

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Victory in Europe Day

Good morning,

On this day in 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies of World War II.

Freedom is not free.

Lois

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

So Many Steps to Take

Good morning,

Sweet little Elsa was all stretched out and snoozing when I took this picture.

So very precious.

Lois





Monday, May 6, 2019

Needlework and Wood Update - May, 2019

Good morning,

Our Needlework and Wood Updates feature items Kjell and I have made during the previous month. Many of those items are available in our on-line shop, EvensensProductions.com.

Above is the New Colors of Sea Foam and Marine Blue Large Afghan Blanket.  $155.  More images and information here. 
This steel blue heather basket weaver sweater was a custom order and has already gone to it's new owner.  More sweaters in adult and children's sizes are available in our shop, EvensensProductions.com.
This generous size baby afghan blanket and turtle toy are an excellent new baby or first birthday gift.  $50. More images and information here.
This is a wool blend cloche hat, $12.  Off white with tan band here.
This is also wool blend, $12, in hunter green with white and tan band.
And, another wool blend in tan with navy and white band.  $12.  More info and images here.
This hat is made of 100% non-allergic soft acrylic yarn.  It's black with red, yellow, and blue highlights.  $8.  More info and images here.
Two more tissue toppers are new in the shop this month, too.  Above is white, green, and yellow.  $8.
And, finally, a tissue topper in green with a brown ribbon.  This has been a very popular color so it is restocked once again.  $8.  More info here.
 

Kjell has filled orders for personalized pet kennel tags this month.  They can be custom ordered here.   He is working on several projects this month that will be featured next month. 
   
We'll be back next month with more!  Thanks so much and we hope you'll come visit us first at EvensensProductions.com when you are shopping for Father's Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Baby Showers, and every other occasion.  We have nearly 300 unique hand crafted items made in the USA and ready to ship world wide.

All the best,
Lois

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