It's Always Something - Storm Damage

 Good morning,

We woke up yesterday morning feeling lucky the storms passed here with only making lots of noise and rain, but...

Then Kjell took the pups out and found this.  Our car was tucked in behind our home, but something big found it.  I've submitted a claim to our USAA insurance.  The earliest appointment for Safelite to come here and replace/recalibrate our windshield is next Monday.  It's a good thing we're retired!  And, we are all safe.

 I hope you avoided damage during the recent storms if you were in the path of destruction.

 All the best,

Lois

The Back Wall

 Good morning,

Mother Nature took down two huge trees in our back yard during storms in the last few years.  You can see the trunk of one on them at the left of the picture at the end of the fence.

The two missing trees made a big difference in the design of that part of our property.  We had had a row of bushes along the top of the stone wall you see in the front of this image, and large honeysuckle bushes along the retaining wall at the back of the property.  Most of the bushes were damaged by the falling threes.  In fact, that little bend in the chain link fence rail was made by one of those trees coming down.  Our gold fish pond is at the far left end of the stone wall.

Now that the land is cleared back there, we're growing ivy to cover the retaining wall and will encourage it to grow on up to cover the chain link fence.  I was concerned with the two big trees and all of the bushes gone that we wouldn't have as many birds in the back yard any more, but that is not the case.  We have two other large trees out of the picture to the right.  

I was very glad to see the birds still visit and sing to us from the remaining trees.  

The pups are delighted to have more space for their zoomies. And, it's harder for them to hide from us when they go out at night.

So, here it is Spring. It shouldn't be long before that area is all green again.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Work in Process This Week - Lacy Lapghan

 Good morning,

My current work in process is a lacy lapghan in two shades of blue.  This one is a light to medium weight and will be perfect for cool Spring and Summer evenings, to keep by your reading chair, or have in the car.

It's fun to be making something with a different stitch.  I have recently finished a large afghan blanket that I haven't photographed for the shop yet.  It's been a busy week and the only days we have been home it has been raining. I like to have sun shining through the french doors when I photo afghans for the shop.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the best,

Lois

Yummy Lunch on Home Made Bread

 Good morning,

There is nothing like home made bread.  It makes the house smell so wonderful while baking, and eating it, especially while still warm out of the oven, is fantastic.

The bread was still so warm and soft, it was hard to cut.  This corned beef and cheese with mustard sandwich was fabulous.

 If you're interested, I've published many bread recipes here.  

Yum!

Lois

Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC

 Good morning,

Spring is beautiful in our Nation's Capitol this year.  Our son, Les, lives there and sent me this selfie with the cherry blossoms and the Washington Monument in the background. 

I asked him if I could use the image and he reluctantly agreed.  I think he looks great!

Happy Spring!

Lois

The View of Spring from Inside

 Good morning,'

A few days ago I posted pictures of our Tulip Magnolia from outside the house.

This is the lovely view we have from our dining room

I just love Spring!

Enjoy,

Lois

The Life of Idlebrook Bjorn Erik Evensen AX AXJ XF DN

 

 Good morning,

We said goodbye to our beautiful Black Lab, Erik, this week.  He lived a long life from April 4, 2009 - March 26, 2025;  he lived to be nine days shy of sixteen years old, a long life for a Labrador Retriever.  

Erik lived an outstanding life and we are delighted that we have such wonderful memories of him as well as so many images of the life he lived.  If you care to walk down memory lane with me, I've published a few of the highlights of his life here.

Above is an image I've treasured since it was taken the day we brought Erik home and he was immediately hugged by our grandson, Alex.  

 Our Penny immediately took Erik into her care and they became life-long friends.  I love Penny's smile. 

 

 Our bed was a favorite spot.  These two kept us warm on many a cold night.

 

 Erik was very helpful.  Here he is watching over the goldfish in our back yard pond.

 

 Erik and Penny were all-season dogs. 

 Erik and his sisters were dock divers and competed when the weather turned warm.  Erik also participated in Gun Dog activities. 

 

 Erik was one of our team of Kitchen Lab Testers who were on duty every time we were in the kitchen.  Erik's shiny coat is credited to his raw diet.

 

 Another winter and another lovely portrait of Erik.

 

  Labs are known for their love of water.  Here Erik and Penny are playing ball in the pool.

 

 "Lean on me"

 

The pups always got excited when Catherine loaded up the car to go to dog shows or to visit friends.  Our pups travel in kennels in the car for safety reasons.  Should there be an accident, we wouldn't want them running on the roadway and there's no chance for a happy dog to jump on the driver's lap.

Erik was a canine athlete!

 

And, he was very good at it!  Catherine was his trainer and the two were an incredible pair at agility dog shows.

These are just a few of the many, many ribbons Erik and his sisters brought home.  In fact, we have so many ribbons we have run out of walls on which to display them.

 

 Erik tore a muscle in his leg and needed surgery in 2017.  Since he couldn't climb steps, we blocked off the end of the living room for his recovery room.  Catherine set up an air mattress so she could stay with him each night and we were with him each day.  

 

Of course, Penny was by his side throughout, too.

 

 Erik recovered well with lots of TLC and therapy. 

Erik and his sisters got along beautifully with the neighbors who were happy to bring them treats at the fence.  That's our neighbor of forty years, Elsa, who loved our dogs, too.

Then Father Time and Mother Nature caught up with our Penny.  When she passed, Erik grieved as much as we did.

Erik was delighted when baby Wendy came to live with us.

Erik loved holidays and family events.  Here he is opening his present from friends in Texas.

Erik was always happy to nap with the grand kids.  Here he is with grandson, David.

Catherine was Erik's trainer.  She also put together the pups' raw diet menus. 

Kisses!

This picture was fun.  Catherine was on her way to the office to work long hours during tax season.  Erik had had enough of it and was trying to keep Catherine from leaving the house.

Bath time!  Erik looked so handsome in his red bathrobe.

This past winter we have had more snow than usual.  Erik had to go up and check the heated goldfish pond in that deep snow. 

And, finally, one of the last images of Erik with his beautiful white muzzle.  Until the last couple of days when his cancer took over, Erik was still happy to eat his food, wagged his tail, and enjoyed being near us being petted and loved.  We said goodbye to him on March 26, 2025.

We'll miss you, goodest boy.  

 Thank you for the love and joy you gave us.

We will see you again.

Love you, 

Mom

Red Bud Garden Daffodils

 Good morning,

We have several red bud trees on our property.  Two of them are near the front porch and provide the perfect setting for a garden of seasonal flowers below.  

The Daffodils are coming into bloom, soon to be followed by tulips.

 I remember planting these so many years ago when my back cooperated my gardening endeavors.  

Oh, yes, Spring!

What is blooming in your garden?

Lois

Tulip Magnolia in Bloom

 Good morning,

Welcome to Spring in our garden!  Our Tulip Magnolia is in bloom.

 This lovely tree came with the house when we moved here nearly 46 years ago.  It has been cut back several times (sometimes by "helpers" who had no clue) so has developed more into a bush than a tree.  But, it is gorgeous and we love it!

Happy Spring!

Lois

Mr. Erik

 Good morning,

Here's our Mr. Erik lying down on the path the pups have created between the patio and the gold fish pond.

Erik will be 16 years old on April 4.  We have some sad news about Erik.  He has a cancerous growth on his left front paw and, of course, we have consulted a vet oncologist.  Due to his age and the location of the growth, surgery isn't an option.  For awhile, it didn't bother him much, but then after a few months it began to grow and became tender.  

Last Tuesday the vet gave him a chemo treatment and he is on other medication to reduce swelling.  He is so much better since the chemo!  

Erik still enjoys his food, wags his tail, and enjoys being near us wherever we are.  We are all so very happy now that the pain is under control.

Still, we know Erik's days are numbered. There is not a mean bone in Erik's body.  All he has ever known is love and kindness and he responds in the same way.  Erik has had a long career in agility, dock diving, gun dog, and other canine activities.  Please send positive thoughts his way.

Thank you so much,

Lois

My Weighted Blanket

Good morning,

Last weekend we had two guest dogs for a couple of days.  With our four, that made six dogs in the house.

Overnight, someone had to go out - I can't even remember which one it was.  Anyway, after all of them woke up and had to go out when one did, I decided to nap in my recliner until Catherine came home to take over doggie duties.  I put a light blanket on my lap, reclined, then Elsa asked to come up.  

 This was my view with my (Elsa) weighted blanket on my lap.  Those are my slippers out of focus at the top of the image.

Elsa is wonderful.  She is the most relaxed, easy going pup of the bunch.  

All the best,

Lois

Total Relaxation

 Good morning,

I'm reminded I should always read directions before assembling my Labrador Retriever. 

Wendy is out cold and snoring in a living room chair.  

Life is tough.

All the best,

Lois

Sweet Little Buttercups

 

 Good morning,

The "Sweet Little Buttercups" have started to bloom.  Soon the entire backyard will be covered with them.  Some people consider them weeds, we look forward to them.  

 Now I won't be able to get that song out of my head all day.  

Happy Spring!

Lois

Ivy in the Trees

 Good morning,

This very hardy ivy is growing in most areas of our property.  It was here when we came nearly 46 years ago and I'm glad to have it.  I have rooted and replanted pieces of it as I've wanted to move it to new areas;  I've also pulled it out of areas where I didn't want it to be.  It has always been very cooperative.

In the image it is climbing on a tree near the back of our property.  It is also growing on and partially covering the retaining wall at the back of our property.  I'm going to encourage it to completely cover the wall now that we have removed most of the Honeysuckle Bushes along the back.  I love the aroma of Honeysuckle, but the bushes have minds of their own and are hard to keep contained.  

Spring!  It's so great to have things growing again!

What's growing in your garden?

All the best,

Lois

Storm Clouds

 Good morning,

We've had some tremendous swings in the weather here the last couple of months.  We can have a 50 F degree swing in temperatures in just 24 hours.

We can have beautiful sunny days, followed by terrible storms.

We are lucky we haven't had the worst storms here.  Those who have experienced the terrible storms across the country are in our prayers.

All the best,

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - March, 2025

 Good morning,

 Welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update.  I'm back to shades of blue and green to start the month.  I love these calming colors.  The New Large Afghan Blanket above is a great size for your couch, chair, recliner, or bed.  $185.  Only one available.  More images and information here.

 And, I continue to stock Cloche Hats that can also be used as Chemo Caps.  There are dozens of them available to ship now here.  From $8.

 I'm always working into the future so am already thinking about Fall.  Here's a Shades of Brown on the Diagonal Scarf that will be a stunning fashion statement when the weather turns chilly once again. $40. Only one available here. 

 And, here is a matching Slouch Hat.  $40.  More information and images are here. 

Kjell has been marking time in his workshop and man cave!  He's been making beautiful clocks that are so much fun to watch as they tick away the seconds and minutes.  This one will stay in his man cave (our recreation room).  Very cool, Honey!

 Kjell has many wood items ready to ship in the shop.  See them all here.

So, that's the Update for this month. 

We sincerely appreciate your likes, shares, pins, favorites, comments, and purchases, too, since we opened our shop in 2011.  This has been and continues to be a fantastic retirement project for us to enjoy what we do and offer it for others to enjoy, too.  We invite you to see the entire shop here.

All the very best,

Lois