About this Blog: Bread making recipes, knit and crochet projects, wood working, gardening, digital imaging, travel, cruise ships, Labrador Retrievers, and more....

About the Header Image: Idlebrook Wendy Darling Evensen "Wendy" one of our four Labrador Retrievers.

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Thursday, July 31, 2014

T Shirt Sale on the Pool Deck

Good morning,

Just in case you don't want to leave the pool deck to purchase a t-shirt on a cruise, the sale comes to you.

The shirt racks are brought to the pool deck where a big sale happens and plenty of people show up to take advantage of it.
Then, of course, they can turn around and go back to the important part of the day on the pool deck.  :)

Enjoy,
Lois

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Johnny Rockets

Good morning,

Here is a switch from the elegant food I usually show you aboard Freedom of the Seas. 
There is also a Johnny Rockets restaurant where you can get these!
There is a full menu of Johnny Rockets treats...
 ...and the restaurant is designed to look exactly like a Johnny Rockets diner you find ashore.  We got there when the restaurant opened.
 I ordered a "single" which is HUGE.
 By the time our food arrived, the place was packed.
 The servers dance to the music...
 ...both inside and outside.
 Johnny Rockets is a fun experience, but not one I enjoy very often.  In fact, I only go there when we are sailing with family or friends.  If I went there any more often, there wouldn't be enough time in the day to walk the deck to work off the pounds!

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Surf and Turf with Family and Friends

Good morning,

One of the most aspects of cruising is the food.  We enjoyed surf and turf with family (daughter Catherine and granddaughter Anna) and friends (Martha and Russell) recently in Portofino, Freedom of the Seas' Italian Restaurant.
That's Catherine as her lobster tail is being removed from the shell by the excellent staff.
Anna was very fortunate to have the wise council of Martha and Russell regarding additional scholarships for this Fall when she begins her studies at Xavier University.
Martha and Russell are such special friends!  It is wonderful when we all sail together to enjoy friendship and life at sea.

All the best,
Lois

Monday, July 28, 2014

Needlework Updaate - July, 2014

Good morning,

It's time for the monthly Needlework Update once again.  I've worked on more sweaters this time so have fewer items.  Above is a Just Peachy sweater in my own design.  It has been sold and has gone to live in Texas.  
This is a wool blend yarn gray sweater that has gone to live in Ohio.  This is just gorgeous soft yarn. 
These are six tiny crocheted party favor baskets.  They are also perfect to hold fancy soaps in the bathroom.
Here's something a little different for the shop.  She is a Granny Doll that little girls can hug when grandma can't be with them.  So cute!
I also made a couple of...
...highly textured roll brim hats.  Warmth in color and style.  :)
This sweet little green turtle is now living in Ohio...
 ...these three octopus found homes in New York and Hawaii...
 ...and this little octopus went all the way to Malaysia.
I also restocked the shop with...
 ...a few more...
...cloche hats that may be used as chemo caps.  They are designed to fit snugly below the hairline or the brim may be folded up.  Warm and comfy!

What have you been doing during the month of July?  I so enjoy seeing your needlework and sewing projects, gardens, and digital images. 

All the very best,
Lois

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Alex Visits on the Fourth

Good morning,

I am absolutely intrigued with the wonderful Dreamworks characters that are aboard Freedom of the Seas.  Above you see a Dad with a little one who is just in awe of the giant Lion.
I took these pictures earlier this month on the Fourth of July...
...so you can see the ship is celebrating in style. 

Those balloons were dropped later in the evening when the huge Fourth of July party was held. 

No, no fireworks on board, but we sure did celebrate!

All the best,
Lois

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Looking Up, Looking Down

Good morning,

I took the above image while standing on Deck 5 of Freedom of the Seas.  I was between the glass elevators outside the main dining room looking up at the decks above.  What a beautiful view!
Looking down is quite pretty, too.  The flooring of different types of granite is quite spectacular. 

And, to think all of this floats at sea.  Wow!

Enjoy,
Lois

Friday, July 25, 2014

Pause for Refreshment - St. Thomas, USVI

Good morning,

Our friends, Russell and Martha, were on board Freedom of the Seas with us at the same time our daughter and granddaughter were on board. 

My Honey had things to do on board the ship so just five of us went ashore together.  While daughter and granddaughter shopped for souvenirs for the folks back home, Russell, Martha, and I stopped at the Havensight Cafe for a cold drink.
This is also a good place to get a sandwich, but we had gotten into port after lunch this time so had eaten on board.
This outdoor cafe has fancy fencing (bars around the bar), that provide for an interesting setting while you sit inside.  You can watch people passing, but it is somewhat difficult for them to see inside.  This makes for a perfect "people watching" location.

All the best,
Lois

Thursday, July 24, 2014

All Tied Up in St. Thomas, USVI


Good morning,

While you are aboard a large cruise ship, it is easy to forget just how big it is.
However, when you step ashore and see the ship in comparison to the people standing on the dockside, the ship size comes into perspective.

I took these images from the dock in St. Thomas, USVI.

All the best,
Lois

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Mr. Cardinal Caught on Camera

Good morning,

Here's another fun shot from one of our security cameras at home via the Internet.  It's fun to take a peek at what is happening from the camera's view whether we are at home or far away.

It seems Mr. Cardinal had shown up for his photo shoot this beautiful morning.

How fun!

Lois

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Seafood Skewer - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

While our granddaughter, Anna, and daughter, Catherine, were aboard Freedom of the Seas with us we enjoyed quite a few wonderful meals.

Here Anna is ready to enjoy the seafood skewer in Portofino's Italian Restaurant.  There are several specialty restaurants on board the ship and we tried to visit each one at least once while Anna and Catherine were with us. 

Enjoy!

Lois

Monday, July 21, 2014

Anna and The Wall

Good morning,

One of the sports activities available aboard Freedom of the Seas is the rock climbing wall.
Our granddaughter, Anna (left), was up for the challenge...
...got all signed up and strapped into a harness and helmet.
Cruise staff are at the wall to supervise and provide for a safe climb opportunity.

 Here goes Anna!

 The climb is more challenging from up there than it is from down here where I'm taking pictures!
 She made it!
 Such fun!

You go, girl!

Love and hugs,
Grandma  :)