Best Country Ribs Ever

 Good morning,

According to My Honey, my country ribs are the best ribs ever.

Hmm.  I think he wants me to make them again! 

My secret, of course, is Stubb's Bar-B-Q sauce.

Spring is coming!

:),

Lois

Clean Toys

 Good morning,

These are only a few of Elsa's toys spread out to dry after a trip through the washing machine.  She had taken 40 to 50 of them outside during the three weeks of snow and ice and they stayed there until we could get them unstuck and back in the house to be washed.  It's nice to have them clean again!

Elsa and the other pups have quite a few toys.  They get a new one when they have a successful run at the dog club and we buy plenty of them ourselves.  The nice thing about the pups having their own toys is that they don't chew up things that aren't theirs.

No, I don't mind washing them at all.  In fact, I like the idea of the toys making a trip through the washer every once in awhile.   I certainly don't want them inside on the carpet after they have been outside in the snow, ice, and mud.

It's good to be retired.

;),

Lois

Total Relaxation

 Good morning,

This is sweet Elsa cuddled up in the blankets and pillows on the couch in front of the fireplace last night.  I took the picture from the end of the couch with only the light from a table lamp.  I wouldn't want to wake her with a flash, you know....

It's rough being a Labrador here.

;),

Lois

Work in Process This Week

 Good morning,

This week I'm working on another Stained Glass Flower Garden Afghan Blanket to restock the shop.  The really nice thing about these selling out is that I enjoy making more of them.

There are similar afghan blankets in a variety of colors in the shop now here. 

The weather is warmer here now, but the ice and snow hasn't quite melted away yet.  I'm finally able to walk from my patio to the driveway and pick up many of Elsa's toys that she took outside.  If you missed that post, here's a picture.  There are still many more of her toys on the lawn, but it is too soggy to retrieve those yet.  

I hope the weather is beautiful wherever you are!

All the best,

Lois

Is it Christmas?

 Good morning,

It felt like Christmas yesterday when a large box arrived from JoAnn's with my order of yarn.  I was in need of some of my most used colors so it was time to order.

You can see Elsa is checking out the box.  Her treats also arrive in large boxes and she wanted to see if this was something for her.  Not to worry, Elsa.  You won't run out of treats and I won't run out of yarn.  

;),

Lois 

You Look Close

 

Good morning,

Kjell snapped this picture of Erik who had just rested his chin on Daddy's knee when we sat down to watch TV together after dinner.

Erik:  What 'cha doin', Dad?

Dad:  Taking your picture, you handsome old man!

Erik:  Got anything to eat?

Dad:  You can't fool me!  I know Mom just fed you.

Erik:  Did she tell you?

Dad:  No, I just know these things.

What a sweetheart!

:),

Lois

Hot Out of the Oven

 Good morning,

The temperature got above freezing today, but it'll take several days of these temps to get rid of the snow and ice out there.

In the meantime, it was a bread day.  Oh, yes, very good!

Spring is on the way.  I'm sure of it.  Yes, it really is.  I believe it!

Lois

 

 

 

 

 

Toys in the Snow

 Good morning,

These are only a few of Elsa's toys scattered around in the back yard.  She takes one out each time she goes outside, then gets busy with other things and forgets to bring them back in.  I don't mind all that much, but I generally pick them up and throw them down the laundry chute regularly.  After being outside, I don't want them back in on the carpet without washing.  Washing them isn't all that hard and they can always use cleaning anyway.  

I was on my way out to pick some up last night and about killed myself on the ice on the steps.  I'll just wait until the temps are high enough to melt that stuff.  We are expecting the temp to go over 40 F today!  Yay!

I hope you  are warm and comfy wherever you are!

Lois

Bright and Beautiful

 Good morning,

One of the advantages of all of this snow outside is the light it reflects all day and even at night with the security lights shining on it.

I took the image above this morning.  It's on the side of the house that usually doesn't have much light until the afternoon/evening.  With the snow on the ground, we enjoy light through this window most of the day and even at night with reflections from the snow.

So, there are advantages to that cold, white stuff out there!

;),

Lois   (looking forward to temps above freezing very soon!)

Hug It First

 Good morning,

This was a perfect gift for My Honey, our resident wood worker, for Valentine's day.  

We love using sustainable materials around here and wood is certainly sustainable.  

 We've lived here for nearly 42 years.  We have many trees on our property and love them for their shade and beauty.  As they need to be removed, we use them to keep us warm in our fireplace inside.  We are growing wood here much faster than we are using it in the fireplace.

We hope you're staying warm this very cold winter!

Lois

Catherine's Potato Soup

Good morning,

Catherine made a triple batch of potato soup in the crock pot this week.  What's so great is being able to stop by and get a cup once in awhile during the day.  

Of course, the house smells wonderful.

This is such good cold weather food!

Happy Winter,

Lois

The Cold Snow and Ice Just Keep Coming

Good morning,

The snow and ice just won't quit.  We just got several more inches on top of what we got last week.  It's hard to see in this image, but the street is completely covered and still has not been plowed. 

The temperature has stayed below freezing here so the old snow just won't melt. 

We here in Ohio don't have it as bad as those in Texas, though.  Down there they not only aren't as prepared for serious snow, their source of power, windmills, is not keeping up with the demand.  The windmills don't operate well in freezing temperatures, just when they are needed the most.   The current national politicians have stopped the flow of other low cost fuels, so now the only alternative is purchasing high cost fuels from other parts of the country.  My source for all of this:  current news, most channels.

We hope you are staying warm wherever you are.

Lois

Just One More

 Good morning,

OK, just one more picture of Kjell's artistry with food.  

This is the breakfast he prepared for me on Valentine's Day.  Now how sweet is that!  

Yes, he has stolen my heart.

:),

Lois

Artist or Marine Engineer

 

Good morning,

My Honey loves retirement.  He has so much time now to do fun things like arrange his winter indoor picnic lunch.

I sense a four blade propeller here, don't 'cha think? 

;),

Lois

Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

We hope you enjoy it with those you love.

I'll just sit here and watch...

 

Elsa:  You're eating lunch?

Me:  Yes

Elsa:  I'll just sit here and watch.  You never know when you might drop something.

Texas Barbeque Sauce

 Good morning,

I made ribs recently and used this Texas barbecue sauce. 

Perfect!

I added an Asian cabbage salad...

...and Norwegian sour kraut for a truly International meal.

Oh, my, this was good!

Lois

And the Snow Keeps Coming

 Good morning,

We now have 14 inches of snow on the ground with more coming.

 The wall to the upper level of our back yard has just about disappeared.  You'll also note Catherine's car is missing next to ours.  She is getting around town as she needs to do in her Edge.

The bright snow through the glass of our front door is just beautiful.

I hope you're staying warm and comfy wherever you are.

All the best,

Lois

Breakfast for Dinner

 Good morning,

There is something so comforting about making your own meals at home.  This breakfast was actually served at dinner time.  

Being snowed in isn't all that bad.

;),

Lois

White as the Driven Snow

 Good morning,

We had a whole lot of snow last night.  In fact, the city is calling it a Winter Storm Emergency.

This is Erik trying to turn himself into a white dog after being out only a couple of minutes to potty before bed time.  

The dogs enjoyed romping in the snow.  

Happy Winter!

Lois

Coming Soon! Another Flower Garden Afghan Blanket

 Good morning,

I've been busy making flowers again for another afghan blanket.  The weather is cold and the afghan blankets are selling as fast as I can make them.

This current one will have a medium green border.  There's a similar one in the shop now in Tropical Flower colors here.  There are many other afghans available to ship now here, too.

I truly enjoy making these!

What are you making, baking, growing today?

All the very best,

Lois

Update:  This afghan blanket is finished and is in the shop here if you'd like to take a look.

 

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The Best Part of Waking Up

 

Is Elsa as Your Pup

And Folgers In Your Cup

 

On a Cold Winter Afternoon

 Good morning,

I snapped this picture of Wendy as she snoozed her way through the afternoon on the couch in front of the fireplace.  Her head is resting on a small flannel blanket with dog bones printed on it.  Catherine picked up a couple of those recently;  the people and the pups enjoy using them.

The story of the afghan goes back much further.  I made this blanket circa 1970 for my Mom and Dad.  Mom used it until her death in 1985, then Dad used it at his home and later at our home when he moved in with us in the 1990's.  As the grandchildren came along I always had enough afghans in the living room for everyone, humans and dogs.  Most often the dogs used them on the couches and the grand kids curled up under them on the floor.  The afghans are washed often and still look fresh and new.

 Just for fun, here's an image of David and Erik taken in 2011.  So very sweet.

Retirement is good.

Lois

Fried Fish Balls

Good morning,

Before I met My Honey, Kjell, if someone had asked me if I wanted to have some fried fish balls, I would have certainly said, "ewwwwwww."

Well, they're pretty good!  Kjell made them for lunch this week and served them on toast with mustard and some bread and butter pickles.  

Excellent!

;),

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - February, 2021

 Good morning

Welcome to our February Needlework and Wood Working Update.

I'm starting with Kjell's beautiful wood working this month and have so many pretty things to show you!  This is definitely the month of the Cutting Board!

The cutting board above features an inlay wine glass.  Shortly after listing it in the shop, it was sold and on the way to its new owner.

 This one is still here because it is for us!  The letters spell out the words "Cutting Board" in the Runic Alphabet. 

This cutting board was a custom order and has been delivered to the buyer.  She has sent us pictures of her using it, too!  Fantastic! 

This lovely cutting board is hand crafted of Walnut, Cherry, Wenge, Maple, and Purple Heart Woods is available in the shop here and is ready to ship.  $153.

And, finally, here is the fifth and last cutting board he made this month.  It is hand crafted of Walnut, Wenge, Maple, and Purple Heart Woods.  What a lovely wedding, anniversary, Valentine, or hostess gift.    More images and information are here.  $160. 

This is a custom order afghan blanket that has been shipped to the buyer who selected the colors to match the room in which she will use it.  It was such a pleasure to work with this lady.

  This basket weave sweater was a local custom order and has been delivered.  We have quite a few sweaters and other items available for women and men, available to ship now here.

Hats!  I love making these Scandinavian Nordic Knit Intarsia hats.  This one is available here.  $36.

Here's another ready to ship available here.  $36.

And, finally, I made more of these...

...toilet tissue toppers...

...to restock the shop.  I'm told these Toilet Tissue Toppers bring smiles when used as gift bags for toilet tissue in these days when toilet tissue is a coveted commodity.  $8.  We have them available in a variety of colors here.

Come see what else we've made at EvensensProductions.com!  We make Valentine's Day and every special event easy for you to send something special without leaving home. We have more than 300 items available in the shop to ship now.  Gift wrap is available at checkout.

We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, likes, shares, favorites, and purchases, too!

All the very best,

Lois

Yummy Dessert

 Good morning,

We don't drink much alcohol around here, but that doesn't mean we don't eat it.

That yummy dessert is vanilla ice cream with Baileys Irish Cream.

Oh, yes, this is good!

;),

Lois

Fairy Bird House

 Good morning,

I took this picture through the French doors in the living room.   Our little Fairy Bird House that Kjell made is so pretty in the snow!   

Ah, yes, Happy Winter....

Lois

Italian Night

 Good morning,

This staying-home thing isn't all bad.  We are enjoying our own cooking.

I made the Italian meat sauce and spaghetti this time and served it with salad and garlic bread.  

Are you cooking mostly at home or ordering food from restaurants when you have to stay home?

All the best,

Lois