Needlework Update - May, 2013

Good morning,

It is time for another Needlework Update!  This has been a very busy month with the needles and hooks.

Above is a Sunshine Yellow Lacy Pinafore in size 4 to 6 years.  It has a decorative yellow cat button on the yoke. 

This pinafore is in soft mint green yarn.  It's size 18 months and includes a matching head band with flower to match the flower with decorative button center on the yoke.

 This one is my original cable and lace design and I so enjoyed making it.  It becomes a game to sketch out the designs, then write up the patterns as I make items such as this.  At this writing, it is available in the shop.

This purple wool scarf is on its way to live happily in Italy with a matching hat.  ;)

Yum!  More zero calorie cupcakes.

I can't seem to "bake" enough of these.  They are such fun and perfect to accompany a birthday card for a friend.

And, of course, crocheted dish cloths that can be used as mug rugs (my favorite use), snack mats, and wash cloths (especially great for baby)...

 ...are always welcome.  :)

Two more turtles...

..."hatched" this month, too.  :)

I have had a great time working with entrelac knitting patterns.  This piece is made with sock yarn for a pillow cover that I will complete when I get home. 

Many of these items are already in our on line shop, EvensensProductions.com.  You're invited to come over and take a look.  :)

Here's next month's preview of what's on the needles now:  There's always something fun and I love working on designs for one project while knitting or crocheting another:

A purple basket weave knit sweater - adult size
Another knit entrelac piece still in design that will probably be a cowl/cape.
A purple knit wool hat and cowl scarf set to go into the shop.
A pink child's sweater in design phase.

What are you making now?  I love to see you blogs and what is flowing off of your needles and hooks as well as what you are growing in your garden and baking in your kitchen.  I also so appreciate your comments.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging. ;)

All the best,
Lois

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Windjammer Lunch - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

We enjoy eating lunch in the Windjammer Restaurant often aboard Freedom of the Seas. 

 I enjoy being able to sample many different types of food and there are so many available.  I have to go heavy on veggies and salad or I would be way too heavy to walk over the gangway when it is time to go home!

It is all so good!

Enjoy,
Lois

Freedom of the Seas Solarium Pool - Adults Only

Good morning,

This is the solarium pool aboard Freedom of the Seas.

This is one of several pools on board and the only one reserved exclusively for adults.

It is a perfect place to get wet, read a book, sleep in the sun....  Ah, listen to the quiet!

Enjoy,
Lois

Early Morning Walk - Deck 12 Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

This is one of my favorite places to find some Vitamin D while I get a little exercise.

We were tied up in Labadee, Haiti, the morning I took these images.

While so many other people go ashore to enjoy the ports, I often stay on board to enjoy the ship.

There are two lanes here:  one for jogging and one for walking.  I stay in the walking lane.  :)

What a beautiful way to start the day.

Enjoy!

Lois

Memorial Day - USA

Good morning,

Memorial Day is observed today in the USA.  We remember our those who have died defending our country and...

...support our troops currently serving.

Today's images were taken at Xavier University, Cincinnati, USA.

Remember those who are gone and thank a current service person today!

All the best,
Lois

Medical Evacuation from Labadee

Good morning,

People get sick and need medical attention everywhere, even on cruises where they sometimes need to be evacuated to a hospital for specialized care.

These first images are of the crew converting Freedom of the Seas' helipad from an observation deck to a helipad for an incoming helicopter.

We are tied up in Labadee, Haiti, so the helicopter will have a stationary spot on which to land.

Without the zoom from the upper part of the ship, you can see the dock walkway to the island.

The crew continues to move quickly.

 

 When it was time for the helicopter to arrive, the foot traffic on the dock to the island was stopped and everyone on the forward part of the ship was asked to move for safety reasons.

 

I positioned myself just behind the forward mast and soon could hear the helicopter approaching.  If you look closely you can see it right in the middle of the sun in the image above.

 

 The helicopter circled the ship....

 ...then approached the helipad from the port side.

 There were a few other people out on the deck watching, too.

 The helicopter landed on the deck and was gone in less than five minutes in the opposite direction.

Sadly, there was another medical evacuation later that afternoon.  The second patient and condition were unrelated to the first.

I've witnessed many evacuations over many years, but never before have I seen two separate evacuations in one day. 

All the best,
Lois

Pelican Beach - Port Canaveral, Florida

Good morning,

As we sail out of Port Canaveral we pass a small boat launch area that the pelicans have taken over as their own private beach.

It is fun to watch them walk (waddle) into the water from the sand and "play" in the water.  Pelicans are such sweet creatures and sometimes a little goofy.

They even have a special observation deck where they can bid us a bon voyage. ;)

As we sail out to sea there are always a few sea gulls following along looking for a snack that gets churned up from the bottom of the channel.

All the best,
Lois

White Roses in the Sun

Good morning,

It was fun taking pictures of these beautiful white roses.  I received them one evening and looked forward to being able to take pictures of them in diffused sun light the next morning.

The white pedals are so very delicate and there is the faintest tinge of pink along the edges. 

Mother Nature does such a wonderful job growing roses.  Lovely.

All the best,
Lois

New Dock in Port Canaveral

Good morning,

It's interesting to watch what is new in the various ports of call. 

These images are of a new dock being constructed at Port Canaveral.  I understand the port is being widened for larger ships, too.

There are always changes and every cruise is different.

All the best,
 Lois

A Walk to the Post Office - St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Good morning,

We are in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. once again.

We have always loved St. Thomas, but we don't always get off to do much because of on board schedules.  

I took a quick walk to the post office this time so I could get items into the U.S. mail.  My Honey and I have had lunch at the restaurant on the right in the above image when we have come ashore together.

There is a large shopping area at the port so you don't have to go downtown to get what you want or need.

It's so very convenient when the ship can "park" right a the curb next to the shopping center.  ;)

 That's not a homeless guy lying there on the rock bench.  He's wearing a crew badge and is on the phone.  Crew members look forward to being able to get a good connection to be able to call family and friends.  It looks as if this fellow is working on his tan, too.  ;)

 I walked on down the street past many more shops...

 ...to a very welcome sight.  :)  There's a full post office here, too, so I can purchase stamps when I need them.

All the best,
Lois

Another US Navy Ship in Port Canaveral, Florida

Good morning,

Here's another beautiful bright white US Navy ship in Port Canaveral, Florida.

I made a point this time to get a close up of the name to show our friend and reader, Mark D, that it really is a US Navy ship painted white.  Mark asked me about the color a few weeks ago when I posted other pictures of white navy ships. Perhaps things have changed since you were in the Navy, Mark?

What a lovely sight.

Waaaaay off in the distance on the left side of the above image is Cape Canaveral and NASA.

All the best,
Lois