It's always something, isn't it....
Yes, a rhetorical question....
We stay home a lot since retirement. In fact, we stayed home for a full week and when Kjell went out to start the car to go to an appointment, the battery was dead. Fortunately, I was able to move his appointment a little later in the day so he could make it after charging the battery.
I guess we need to go drive around every few days....
;),
Lois
This lovely Iris greeted me yesterday morning as I looked out my front door. Of course, I had to go outside and get a close-up image to keep and enjoy.
This clump of Iris is at least 30 years old. In a couple of weeks, we will have lived here for 48 years. I love seeing the flowers I've planted through the years return to bring us joy year after year.
Happy Spring!
Lois
Look who brought home a blue ribbon yesterday!
Our baby Lily with her trainer/our daughter Catherine performed a qualifying run at the AKC Trials yesterday! We are so proud of them both!
Photo credit goes to Catherine.
Love you,
Mom & Dad
Some people will see contrails (plane vapor trails) and others will see a cross.
Lovely,
Lois
The Honeysuckle is beginning to bloom in our back yard.
Some people think Honeysuckle is an invasive species, a weed. I love it! I remember the sweet smell from my childhood.
One person's weed is another person's bouquet.
Happy Spring!
Lois
Good morning,
Welcome to our Needlework Update where we collect images of all items completed since the last Update.
Above is a Baby Blanket and Turtle Toy that is a perfect baby shower or first birthday gift! $65. Only one available here.
We have dozens of Cloche Hats/Chemo Caps in the shop in all sizes and colors here. From $8.
That's it for another Update edition. There are always more items in the works so check back again.
Our shop, Evensens Productions, is our retirement endeavor. We've been at this for 15 years now and enjoy it tremendously. We stay in touch with old friends and have met so many new lovely people along the way. We sincerely appreciate your shares, comments, favorites, likes, pins, and purchases, too!
All the very best,
Lois & Kjell
Steak prepared perfectly by Kjell. I made the fries that were pretty good, too.
Ah, yes, Steak and Fries for dinner.
I had a big salad for lunch so I had a balanced day.
How do you like your steak?
;),
Lois
Kjell sent me these pictures yesterday morning while I was working at my computer on deck 2. He was outside pressure washing the patio and cleaning off the pups' "deck chair" where Lily collects toys and logs.
The older dogs are thrilled to have the cleaned chair, but notice Lily is already bringing sticks and chunks of potting soil back to chew there as soon as the space is vacated by Elsa.
If only we had more room for more deck chairs. We purchased this one years ago for Penny who is now in doggie heaven. The other pups love to use it. too.
More fun to come! The weather is warm.
All the best,
Lois
Kjell sent me this image and it took awhile for me to figure it out.
It's Elsa channeling Winnie the Pooh. I'm sure she'd like to be Winnifer the Pooh.
She's under the old oak tree where the dogs have dug out a hideaway.
Cute. Messy, but cute.
;),
Lois
Kjell was wearing this shirt yesterday.
I know who bought it for him. Her name is Lily.
;),
Lois
Another winner! Kjell made dinner last night.
That is an image of his fried fish cakes and shrimp with potato and special white sauce made with herbs from our garden.
Yes, Yummy!
:),
Lois
I'm now working on a pink and white baby blanket that will have a matching doll. This is such pretty yarn!
I finished the blue and white blanket and turtle that I featured a few days ago. The images are taken, but not yet formatted for the shop. I have to write the listing, too. Just making the items is only part of the process of getting hand made items into the shop.
There is a blanket and doll set already in the shop in pastel colors. There are nearly three hundred other items in the shop ready to ship now. We have quite a few of them will be beautiful Mother's Day gifts. Come take a look!
What are you making, baking, growing this week?
All the very best,
Lois
Kjell came across this image in his files from 2012.
Pictured at the Chef's Table aboard Allure of the Seas are the Executive Teams from Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. We were in the Port of Jamaica together and were graciously invited to lunch by Johnny Faevelen, Captain of Allure.
That's Johnny, the gentleman in the center on the left side. I'm to his left (red hair is a clue), and my Honey, Kjell, Chief Engineer of Freedom, is to my left.
It was an exquisite lunch! I have many other pictures of the luncheon on my blog here if you care to take a look. Many other pictures of Freedom and Allure can be found on this blog by searching for the ship names. On your desktop, the search block is in the upper left corner of your screen.
Kjell has been retired from Royal Caribbean for nearly ten years after 32 years with the company. I was fortunate to sail with him for nearly twenty years. It was a wonderful part of our lives where we had a great "ship family."
Great memories.
All the best,
Lois
Kjell made himself a plate of his favorite foods.
Presentation is everything!
I love it!
:),
Lois
Elsa: I can explain, Mom.
Me: Oh? What happened?
Elsa: Well, there was a little critter outside. I was chasing it and it ran under your car. I had to go after it.
Me: Did it get away?
Elsa: Yes, it did.
Me: (quietly to myself) Oh, good!
I'm working on another baby blanket and will make a turtle to match. This will be available in the shop when finished. We have many other items in the shop for babies, children, and adults ready to ship now.
I love the colors in this one. My mind is always planning way ahead of how fast my fingers can crochet and knit. I think this color combination will make a beautiful large afghan blanket.
What are you making, baking, growing this week? I love hearing from you, seeing your blogs and learning about what you are making!
All the very best,
Lois
Even the "weeds" bring wonderful memories of childhood.
I remember sitting in the fresh green grass at about eight years old with my friends and making dandelion and violet necklaces. We also gathered bouquets of the flowers and took them inside to our Moms.
My Mom was a wonderful lady. She was always so happy and pleased when I brought her such presents as bouquets of weeds. She would put them into a glass of water and make them the centerpiece on our dinner table.
I was blessed to have a wonderful childhood.
All the best,
Lois
Kjell snapped this image of a garter snake on our front porch. He looks very well fed!
These characters are harmless and do a great deal of good in the garden. They eat all the critters that eat our plants so we're happy to see them around.
Of course, the pups think they should keep all snakes out of the yard, but this one was smart enough to be in the front yard where the pups can't get to him.
Ah, yes, signs of Spring....
Lois
I love Spring! Every morning I go outside to see the new blossoms.
Today I wasn't disappointed with this beautiful bright red tulip. I planted this many years ago - perhaps 30 - and it returns to delight us every year.
Happy Spring!
Lois
