Wendy's Birthday Party Goodies!

 Good morning,

We celebrated Wendy's birthday number eleven this month.  Of course, we had to have a party!

 This is a Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Cake.  Wendy got the inside, we got the outside.  What a deal!  She also got plenty of extra treats and cuddles throughout the day.

 Of course, Wendy got a new toy!  She had a little help from her siblings opening this one.

Lily managed to remove the squeaky in the first ten minutes....

Happy Birthday, Sweet Wendy!  

Love you,

Mom

Norwegian Waffles

 Good morning,

This month on May 17, we celebrated Norway's Constitution Day.  Of course, Norwegian food was in order so we had a shrimp party (cooked shrimp served on my home made bread) and Norwegian Waffle Cakes for Dessert.

Catherine made these wonderful heart shaped waffles topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.  Ah, yes, quite a lovely celebration!

All the best,

Lois

Work in Process - Honey Gold Hat

 Good morning,

My current project is a Honey Gold hat for the shop.   I have made quite a few larger projects recently, so it's fun to make some smaller items that give me that wonderful feeling of completion.  Of course, I also keep an eye on what is selling in the shop to keep popular items in stock.

Retirement is good.  We are enjoying our Etsy Shop that we started in 2011.  Wow, 14 years already!

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

More Firewood

 Good morning,

Spring clean up included removing two medium sized trees from our front yard.  One was a Red Bud tree that had died;  the other was a volunteer Hackberry tree that was hanging over the sidewalk.

 Of course, the wood becomes firewood for the next season.  Our friend, Bill, removed the trees, cut them into fireplace-size pieces, and tossed them over the side fence to the side yard. 

 Kjell moved them to the back yard next to the patio. I don't think I want him to move them to the log racks since they are so conveniently close to the patio door where they are easy to take inside when needed. 

Of course, our little Lily had to select her favorite pieces and take them to her deck chair.  If only I could train her to bring in just the ones I want when I want them in the winter.  As it is now, she tries to sneak one in once in awhile to chew up on the carpet.  Nope, don't want that!

Ah, yes, life with pups....

:),

Lois

Peonies in Bloom

 Good morning,

These peonies have been blooming ever since we arrived here in 1979.  I did move clumps of them and am so glad that I did.  This one was originally in the back yard, next to the stone wall.  I moved this clump to the front  yard where they would be safe from dog zoomies.

 The blossoms are so full and heavy that they only last until the first rain and wind blow them over.

 So, we enjoy them while we can.  The ants always enjoy them, too.

Ah, yes, Spring!

Lois

Memorial Day - United States of America

 

Memorial Day - United States of America
Freedom is Not Free
Image:  Old Glory beside I-95 in Florida

More Iris

 Good morning,

More iris are in bloom in our front yard.

 I love it that the different colors bloom just a few days apart so there is a constant parade of beautiful color and aroma.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Driveway Blossoms

 Good morning,

The bees are so happy with the hedge beside our driveway.  And, it's pretty, right?

We just have to be very careful when getting out of and into the car to open and close the gate.  

You win some, you lose some....

All the best,

Lois

Robin on Watch

 Good morning,

We have a very friendly robin in our yard.  She has spent a great deal of time on top of the umbrella frame where Kjell was working to mount his new wind vane (see yesterday's post for image of installed wind vane.)

Years ago when I was able to spend a great deal of time in the garden, I had very friendly robins that would hop next to me as I was sitting on the ground planting flowers.  We also had a big happy bunny that would follow me around.  I'd talk to them and they would come closer and closer.   I love having all of the critters nearby!

Happy Spring!

Lois

Needlework and Woodworking Update - May, 2025

 Good morning,

 Welcome to this month's Needlework and Woodworking Update where we assemble images of all of the items we have completed since the last update. This was definitely a month of blankets!  Scroll down and take a look.  :)

Above is a generous size Christening, Bris, or Naming Ceremony Blanket for your newest family member. It is made of soft, washable acrylic yarn that can be used for generations to come. More information and images are here.  $75.  Only one available.

 Gorgeous colors of Earth, Sea, and Sky are displayed in this New Large Rustic Afghan Blanket.  $185.  More information here. 

 Back in stock!  This 52" x 52" Northern Lights Afghan Blanket is soft and warm.  $125.  More images and information here.

 The blend of Burgundy and Pinks makes this textured design Lap Blanket a lovely gift for all ages.  $60 and ready to ship.  More information here.

 This generous size Soft Orange Bobbles Scarf is just the right fashion statement for Fall.  $40 and ready to ship.  Only one available here.

 Kjell is having a great time with his 3 D printer.  He has designed and made a wind vane for the back yard.  It's fun to watch it spin and turn.  It is good to be retired!

See more than 300 items in the shop here.  Questions?  Please ask!  

So, that's it for this month.  We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, likes, shares, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!

All the very best,

Lois

Lunch on the Patio

 Good morning,

Daddy decided to enjoy some cheese on my newly made bread and he suddenly got quite an audience.

 Ten eyes were trained on Kjell and what he was eating.  

Not much gets past this bunch....

;),

Lois

A Bath for the Fishies

 Good morning,

As promised in an earlier post, here are images of Catherine cleaning out the gold fish pond.  

The pond is generally self sustaining, but we drain it once a year to get down to a thin layer of sediment and refill.  We don't clean it out completely because the fish need a layer of sediment in the bottom.  The fish get plenty of food from Mother Nature so no feeding is necessary.  In the winter we heat the pond so it won't freeze, but otherwise, Mother Nature is in charge.

 As you can see Lily is Catherine's helper.  Lily got right into the thick of things, of course...

 When she gets near the bottom of the pond, Catherine empties a little at a time to find fish hiding in the muck.  Lily is helping identify anything moving as Catherine pours out one container of water at a time. And, yes!  They did find more fish hiding in the bottom

Catherine and Lily found eleven or twelve fat gold fish.  They lost count somewhere in the middle of the process.  

As soon as the pond was refilled, de-chlor was added and she waited for it to take effect, Catherine returned the fishes to their happy home.  

All is well for another year!

Thank you, Catherine and Lily!

Love you,

Mom

Work in Process - Orange Bobbles Scarf

 Good morning,

The current project is a Burnt Orange Bobbles Scarf.  I've developed bobbles patterns before, but can't find where I might have written them down.  Anyway, I really like this new one and will surely make something else with it soon, too.  The fabric created is spongy and warm so there are so many uses for it.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

New Supplier of Chicken Necks

 Good morning,

Our pups have been on a raw diet their entire lives.  Recently, our supplier of chicken necks retired and closed their shop.

Catherine researched and found Tewes Farm Store in Erlanger, Kentucky, to fill the gap.  

 Catherine and our friend Bill made a trip to Tewes and got the first batch of food for the pups. 

 The pups are very happy!

Ah, yes, the yummy raw diet will continue to be served....

;),

Lois

Mothers Day Goodies!

 Good morning,

We celebrate holidays here and Mother's Day seems to be a major holiday!  Son Don sent these goodies that included...

 ...yummy treats...

 ...and chocolate!  Thank you, Don!

My Honey gave me beautiful red roses with the help of his secret shopper, Catherine.

Catherine took us to dinner (see May 11 post) and cleaned out the goldfish pond.  I used to clean out the pond every year, but for several years now my back has not allowed me to do so.  Catherine cleans out the pond as part of her Mothers Day present to me every year.  Of course, Lily had to help.  Images to come!

I hope all Moms are continuing to enjoy Mothers day all month!

All the best,

Lois

The Pool is Open

 Good morning,

The pool is open at Erica's home and our pups are thrilled.  

The Labs are Elsa (in the pool) and Lily.  The Border Collies are Teddy, center, looking at Tilly almost out of the picture on the right. 

Soon it will be time for dock diving for the pups.  I hope they get a chance to compete this year!  Our Wendy did so well a few years ago that she was invited to Nationals in Orlando which is quite an honor.

Summer!  Yay!

All the best,

Lois

Flashback Pups

 Good morning,

I recently came across this picture of the pups playing.  The image is dated 2016.

From left to right:  Wendy, Teddy, Erik, and Penny.  

Wendy and Teddy are still great friends.  Teddy's mommy is our friend, Erica, and Teddy is here often while his mommy travels.  

Of course, our sweet Erik and Penny have both crossed the rainbow bridge.  They were life long friends and we want to think they are running, playing, and resting together forever.

Ah, yes, sweet memories....

Lois

Scallops in Wine Sauce for Dinner

 Good morning,

This was a really fast, tasty dinner.  

One bag of jumbo scallops tossed in flour with salt and pepper.  Remove the scallops after browning on each side for three minutes in a little olive oil on medium high heat. 

Add a half medium onion chopped to the pan and brown.  De glaze the pan with a cup of white wine, add some garlic, and a tiny bit of flour to thicken sauce.  Return scallops to sauce, spoon over angel hair pasta, and add a little cheese.  I think the whole process took no more than 20 minutes. .  

What is your quick warm weather meal?

Lois

Work in Process - Lap Blanket

 Good morning,

I'm currently working on a lap blanket in burgundy and shades of pink.  These colors are just outstanding together.

When finished, this will be listed in the shop where there are more than 300 other items ready to ship now.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the best,

Lois 

Jewel of the Seas Solarium

 Good morning,

Today's images are more from Catherine taken when she was aboard Jewel of the Seas recently.

This is the Solarium, traditionally for adults only.  

 Each ship has a different theme and this one seems to be Africa.

I get a kick out of the people relaxing in deck chairs beneath the giant sleeping elephant.

Looks like fun!

All the best,

Lois

Happy Mother's Day!

 Good morning,

Happy Mother's Day!  We hope all Mothers have a fabulous day with those they love.

Catherine took Kjell and me out to dinner on Friday night to celebrate Mother's Day and avoid the Sunday crowds.

 We have a J. Alexander's Restaurant near us and enjoy the food, service, and atmosphere.

 Thank you, Catherine, for a lovely meal together.  

Love you so much!

Mom

Annual Return of the Iris

 Good morning,

The Iris are back in all their glory.  So pretty!

These are special because they remind me of the Iris my mother had planted along the side of the home where I grew up.

Wonderful memories in flowers....

All the best,

Lois

Strawberries and Cream

 Good morning,

I really should have titled this Cream and Strawberries....

Regular readers know we love fruit with whipped cream.  This was just marvelous.

Yes, there were strawberries under that cream - lots of strawberries.

;),

Lois

Nature's Inspiration

 Good morning,

I've often mentioned that I get inspiration for my knit and crochet projects from nature.

I took this image of clouds above my patio. The scene is just so peaceful. Such clouds were my inspiration for the afghan blanket pictured below.  It is so very soft and comfortable.   

This is my interpretation of those clouds in crochet.  The yarn is so very soft and reminds me of clouds gently moving across the sky.

More images and information about this blanket are here.

If you sew, knit, or crochet, where do you get your inspiration?

All the best,

Lois

Chops Restaurant - Jewel of the Seas

 Good morning,

There are several excellent specialty restaurants on board Royal Caribbean ships.  Catherine sent me this image of Tuna Tartare that she enjoyed at Chops aboard Freedom of the Seas.

She positioned the first image so that we could see her view of the sea as they dined at Chops.  The restaurant is quiet with candle lit (no real flames on the ship) tables and excellent personalized service.

Yes, cruising is lovely.

Enjoy,

Lois