One of our dog clubs has their holiday party in January each year so they don't compete with all the other holiday parties in the month of December.
This year the party was held at a local casino and featured a buffet dinner of prime rib, chicken, and all the sides.
The image is of the dessert tray.
Sadly, Kjell and I didn't attend this year, but Cath brought us a few left overs that we enjoyed tremendously!
Happy January!
Lois
Good morning,
Each year we have a Summer Solstice Picnic and Swim Party with our Sons of Norway friends. This is the first year we've had to have the picnic inside because or rain.
Yes, that's a Christmas tree. Our hosts, Susie and Glenn have kept the tree up for the past three years as a sign of hope. I'll not explain what that means here, but I understand them completely. Perhaps that hope will be realized soon.
There were about thirty people at the "picnic." From the looks of my snapshot, we would be more aptly called the "Grandparents of Norway."
;),
Lois
This is why we made the trip across the Ohio River to Northern Kentucky: Lunch with good friends. We manage to get together at least a couple of times a year and it is very special when we do. The common thread of our many years of friendship is the three guys who have worked or do work for Royal Caribbean. Also, Tor was the Best Man in our wedding sooooo many years ago. ;)
From the back: Tor and Teresa, Gary and Lynne, Kjell and me.
Sadly, the seating arrangement and noise in this restaurant weren't optimal for conversation. We'll look for another one next time.
But, it sure was fun to see everyone!
If you have good friends, don't wait to see them. See them often.
All the best,
Lois
Royal Caribbean ships have a wide variety of specialty restaurants on board.
We especially enjoyed our dinner at Mariner of the Seas' Izumi restaurant.
The dessert was fantastic, too.
When you cruise, don't miss the specialty restaurants!
Lois
Catherine and her friend Erica went to Hawaii recently. Erica was kind enough to send me some of her pictures to share on this blog, so here they are. :)
The fireworks show was visible from their hotel.
There is beautiful wildlife in the air and...
All the best,
Lois
We had lunch with friends Tor and Teresa at the Buckhead Mountain Grille yesterday. It was a rainy/overcast day - definitely a bad hair day!
Photo credit for the first image goes to Tor.
We have to do this again soon!
:),
Lois
Since we cleared all of the bushes and most of the vines along the stone wall in the back yard the pups have had a good time "walking the wall" again.
Here are Erik and Lily doing just that. We had three large compost bins behind those bushes since 1979, but they were destroyed when the last big tree fell in the back yard. We finally got the bins cleared and all the "stuff" that was still in them has been spread along the top level. The pups are finding all kinds of treasures in there! Old toys and balls were swept up in leaves during the year and tossed into the bin. Those things are great finds for the pups now.
Happy Spring!
Lois
The beautiful white iris have bloomed at the side of our front porch again this year. Lovely.
What is so nice is having the memories of all of these flowers. These iris were given to me by a friend of 50 years and has since passed. Seeing those flowers bloom every Spring brings back loving memories.
All the best,
Lois
Due to schedules, world travel, and health issues, it had been three years since a similar picture was taken of these six people all together enjoying at luncheon at the Greyhound Tavern in Northern Kentucky.
The usual suspects on the left are Kjell and me. The couple in the middle are our friends Captain Tor (who was also our best man) and his wife Teresa (my dear friend at sea as we sailed with our husbands as well as at home). The couple on the right are our friends Gary and Lynne. Kjell and Gary are retired; Captain Tor is still active.
All six of us are/were connected with Royal Caribbean International and we all live within a hundred miles of each other in the US heartland. That's somewhat unusual since so many of our other seafaring friends live on coastlines around the world.
So, that's a little insight into people who are dear friends and who mean a great deal to us.
Until next time....
Lois
Our friend Bill and his pup Penny are hiking in Colorado. Bill sent this picture today of Penny who is surely having a blast spending so much quality time with her Dad.
I asked about the shoes that Catherine ordered for Penny and Bill said Penny decided not to wear them.
Stay safe, my friends, and we'll see you in another week or two!
:),
Lois
This is not a religious blog, but it is the time of year to recognize the importance of the season for millions of people around the world and right here at home.
For Christians, the Easter season is a time of reflection and hope. In this time of war, instability, and illness, many of us find prayer especially comforting and renewing.
My personal prayer is for peace and healing. And, for all those who are ill and suffering both around the world and here near and dear I pray that they will heal and renew in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lois
It's looking more and more like Christmas around here!
Our friend, Erica, brought us this lovely centerpiece. How sweet!
Thank you, Erica!
Lois
