A Taste of Norway

 Good morning,

We're fortunate to have Jungle Jim's International Market near us where we can get foods from all over the world.

Since My Honey is Norwegian by birth and American by choice, we enjoy foods popular in both countries.  Pictured is a favorite.  Kjell fries the fish balls in butter, olive oil, and spices.  He serves them with potatoes, carrots, and a yummy white sauce with herbs (locally grown in our library hydroponic garden) and garlic that he makes himself.  

An image of the meal prepared is in my earlier post here. 

For those not familiar with fish balls, think of them as meatballs, only with fish instead of beef or pork.  The name of the brand of fish balls translates to House Mother.  I really like the traditional artwork on the can, too.  

What traditional foods do you enjoy?  

All the best,

Lois

Work in Process - Tunic Sweater

 

 Good morning,

Here's another Work in Process that I am working on between other projects.  I switch between knit and crochet to give my hands a rest.  It seems knitting is harder on my hands than crocheting.

I've designed this sweater for Catherine.  Her favorite style is a tunic and she likes the yarn.  I've finished the back and have started the front.  It's too warm to wear this now anyway, so I'll continue to work on it alternately with crochet projects.  

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the best,

Lois

Kjell's Salmon and Shrimp

 Good morning,

This image doesn't do the food justice.  This is Salmon in a Shrimp Sauce that Kjell made.  It's served with potatoes and carrots.

The trick to the salmon flavor is that it is pan fried on both sides.  The sauce contains shrimp, tomatoes, white wine, herbs from our hydroponic garden in our library, garlic, and lots of patience.

It was fabulous!

Thanks, Sweetie!  I love your concoctions!

Love you,

Lois

Tulip Magnolia in Bloom

 Good morning,

I have good news and bad news about our Tulip Magnolia.

First the good news!  It bloomed this week!  How gorgeous! 

 This is how it looks through our dining room french doors.  The screen door doesn't help the picture quality, but it's still pretty.

 I'm so glad I went outside to take pictures!

 This Magnolia came with the house 47 years ago and it has been a pleasure for us every Spring!

I'm so glad I went outside on Monday and took pictures.

Now for the bad news.  :( 

We had a hard freeze on Monday night.  Those gorgeous pink flowers are now all brown and falling off.  

There will be a few blossoms that missed the cold and will still bloom, but the full glory of the tree is gone for this year.

Mother Nature isn't always nice.  I'm just grateful for the few hours we were able to enjoy the glory of this tree in bloom.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!
From all of us in the Evensen Household!

Work in Process This Week - Baby Blanket

 Good morning,

This week's Work in Process is a baby blanket.  I'll make a toy turtle to match which will make it a lovely baby gift.  There are other blankets and sweaters for babies and children in the shop ready to ship now. 

I am also waiting for sunny days to photo hats that I've finished, but have not yet listed.  I like to photo them in both natural light and with flash to show the stitch details.  

I have more ideas than I have time!  On my agenda are more baby blankets, turtles, dolls, and a large Brilliant Garden Afghan Blanket.  Someone wrote and asked me about a large afghan blanket with brilliant flowers and a bright green border similar to a lap blanket already in the shop.  So, that one is perking in my mind while I'm making other items.  

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement, comments, shares, likes, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!  Our shop is very special to us as we enjoy our retirement from our professional lives.  And, a reminder, this is our Evensens Productions Fifteen Year Anniversary on Etsy!  To celebrate, we have a sale running for March only, 15% off!  Use this coupon code at checkout:  0326ANNIVERSARY15.

What are you making, baking, growing this week? I love reading your blogs and hearing about what you other creative people are doing!

All the very best,

Lois

Coming Soon! Tulips and Iris!

 Good morning,

Coming soon to our garden are Tulips and Iris.

Today, though, there is snow in the forecast.  

Mother Nature is teasing again!

;),

Lois

More Daffodils

 Good morning,

More Daffodils are blooming along the stone wall in our back garden.  These yellow and white Daffs bloom seven to ten days after the King Alfred bright yellow flowers.

Beautiful!

I love Spring!

Lois

Fresh Turkey for the Pups

 Good morning,

Yesterday was turkey day at our house.  We feed our pups raw food that we purchase directly from the grocery and butcher.  Today it was 40 pounds of fresh turkey directly from a local butcher.

Usually, we just get the trimmings, but this time, we got a half of a turkey in the box.  What a surprise! 

 Kjell does the cutting and grinding...

 ...and if you look carefully at the top right corner of the picture above, you'll see one of his three supervisors.

Kjell packs the ground turkey in tubs that we freeze until we're ready to use it.

It takes about an hour to get it cut, ground, and stashed in the basement freezer.

Below you'll see a short video of the process.
 

Of course, the three Lab Supervisors are also Lab Testers so they get a piece now and then during the process.

We're good for another eight to ten weeks before we have to repeat the process.

Happy dogs, happy life!

Lois

First Crocus

 Good morning,

Mother Nature gave us the first crocus blooms today.  

These beauties have been blooming beside my driveway for more than 35 years.  

Lovely!

Happy (almost) Spring!

Lois

Sweet Little Buttercup

 Good morning,

Yesterday morning I was greeted by this sweet little buttercup.

Soon the entire back yard will be covered with a blanket of these little beauties. 

I'll have that song in my head all week.   

All the best,

Lois

More Flowers on the Way

 Good morning,

It's lovely to see these daffodils, tulips, and day lilies poking up through the ground.  Years ago, I planted these with a "planned random" (yes, an oxymoron) pattern.  The way it worked was the best part:  there was color for most of the summer.  

When one of the types of flowers began to die back, the next would bloom.  There are even different types of daffodils and tulips that bloom at different times.

My back and knees don't allow me to garden like I used to.  One of the wonderful thing about living in the same house for 47 years is being able to see flowers bloom that I planted 30 or 40 years ago.

Spring is almost officially here!

All the very best,

Lois

Daffodils in the Rain

 Good morning,

Our Daffodils have bowed their head in the (almost) Spring rain.  

It is so wonderful to see beautiful blossoms again!  Each morning I go outside to see what Mother Nature has brought to us to enjoy.

Happy (almost) Spring!  We are enjoying beautiful weather right now, but could still have some very cold weather before Winter is truly gone.

All the very best,

Lois

Happy Sour Dough

 Good morning,

When I took this batch of bread dough out of the oven after the first rise (no heat for first rise, just oven light turned on), and prepared to knead it once again, I noticed he was smiling at me.

Yes, he was quite happy!   

 That batch of sourdough made two gorgeous, delicious loaves of bread!

It is good to have happy sourdough.  

;),

Lois

Peace Lily

 Good morning,

Our indoor garden is perking up now that the days are getting longer.  Our Peace Lily will soon have a new blossom.

I'm so happy to see the daffodils pushing up through the ground outside, too!

We are having some very warm days, there are insects swarming in the air, and the soil smells of fresh rain.  But, it's still only March so we could have more very cold days.  

I hope the weather is lovely wherever you are.

All the best,

Lois

Celebrate With Us!

 Good morning,

Our shop, Evensens Productions, is 15 years old and we are celebrating with first-time 15% off shop wide!

We hope you'll come and shop to celebrate with us!  Use this code at checkout for 15% off your entire order this month only:  0326ANNIVERSARY15.

We have nearly 300 items for all ages ready to ship to your USA address!

Evensens Productions, LLC

Thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts, for your encouragement, comments, favorites, likes, pins, and purchases, too!

Questions?  Please ask!

All the very best,

Lois

Norwegian Fried Fish Balls ala Kjell

 Good morning,

This is another yummy Norwegian-style dinner prepared by Kjell.  Those are fried fish balls and boiled potatoes topped with his delicious white sauce.  He used herbs we grew in our living room in our hydroponic garden.  That white sauce is a real winner!

Yum!

Lois

Work in Process - Brown Basket Weave Hat

 Good morning,

I'm getting back into the swing of things producing items for the shop.  

This is a dark brown basket weave hat that already has a ribbed brim and will have a pom pom when finished.  When finished, it'll be in the shop where there are already nearly 300 items ready to ship. 

What are you making, baking, growing this week?  I love hearing about your projects.

All the very best,

Lois

Needlework Update - March, 2026

 

Good morning,

Welcome to our Needlework Update!  This is where we show you what we've completed since the last Update.  

Above is a gorgeous Warm Rich Browns Large Afghan Blanket.  It's lovely for a man or a woman.  $185.  More information and images are here.  Hint:  This is a great Easter, Mother's Day, or Father's Day present!

 This Christening, Bris, or Naming Ceremony Blanket is very popular in the shop.  $75.  Only one currently available.

 This Lap Blanket in Royal Blue and White is a lovely gift for someone special or to use yourself.  The colors just might be your school colors, too.  $55.  More information and images are here.

 This Wool Blend Basket Weave hat was a custom order and has been delivered.  I'm currently working on a dark brown hat in the same design. When finished, it'll be available in the shop.

This Pure White Cloche Hat is new in the shop.  $10.  More information and images here.

This wool blend hat is available here.  $12. Only one available.

This Royal Blue hat is available here.  $10.  Only one available.

And, finally, here's a brown Cloche Hat that was just added to the shop.  $10.  More about this hat is here.

 That's it for another Update.  We are both planning and making things for the shop.  We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, likes, shares, favorites, pins, comments, and purchases, too!

 Please stop by to see the  nearly 300 items we have available to ship now at Evensens Productions!

You'll note there is no wood working update included this time.  Kjell is still taking time off from wood working since his cataract surgery.  He has to be very careful not to get dust or wood chips near his eyes.  We hope to have him back in his wood workshop soon!

All the very best,

Lois

Happy Anniversary to My Honey!

 Happy Anniversary to My Honey, Kjell!

Yesterday was our anniversary.  This year we celebrate 27 wonderful years of marriage and 10 years of retirement. 

 Thank you for the lovely flowers, Sweetheart.

 Thank you to Catherine for the tray of cookies from the same wonderful bakery that made our wedding cake.

This is my gift to My Honey who makes such yummy meals, especially those with a Norwegian flavor.

Last night we cooked at home.  Next week we will celebrate with a dinner out at a restaurant. 

Life is good!  

I love you, Sweetie,

Lois

Signs of Spring

 
Good morning,

When I was out in the back yard with the dogs yesterday afternoon, I saw the daffodils poking up in front of the stone wall. 

We have had temperatures in the 60's and down to zero over the last few weeks.  Now that the daffs are poking their leaves up we know Spring is getting close!

All the very best,

Lois