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.

Click the header image to see most current posts.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Very Hardy Rose

Good morning,

This very hardy rose is blooming in my front garden.  I planted it about 25 years ago along with 59 other rose bushes.  Only a few rose bushes remain now. 

This gorgeous pink is a favorite.  I'm so glad to have it in my garden.

Enjoy,
Lois

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Catalpa in Bloom

Good morning,

This lovely catalpa tree is directly across the street from our home.  It is in full bloom now as is the one we have at the bottom of our driveway.  The aroma from these blossoms is gloriously delicious.  The blossoms don't last long and because of our travel schedule we miss them every other year.  It is wonderful to experience them this year.

Enjoy!

Lois

Friday, May 29, 2015

Shopping Day for Mr. & Mrs. Goose

Good morning,

While out doing some shopping we saw Mr. & Mrs. Goose sauntering through the parking lot.  No hurry, and oblivious to the cars going out of their way to go around them.

Cute!

Lois

Thursday, May 28, 2015

I'll Be Retiring to My Suite for the Night

"I'll be retiring for the night after...
...a very busy weekend at the Agility show."

Today's post courtesy of Penny.  ;)

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Can You See Me Now? (This Post Not for Sherry!)

 
 "Ssssssssssh!  I'm hiding!"

Good morning,

This little garter snake scurried into a "hiding space" and sat quietly for about 20 minutes while an electric drill was used a few feet above him to mount new cameras.  He certainly was convinced he was hiding.  

We like garter snakes.  They eat slugs that eat flowers.  ;)

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Salmon and Salad

Good morning,

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know we like to eat.  We like it so much that we tend to put on too many pounds, especially when we travel and so many good foods are available. So, we are now home and working on removing a few pounds by eating even more good food.  ;)
My Honey rubbed salmon with garlic and seared it in olive oil.  Oh, this was good!
I put together salad and veggies....
which we enjoyed with a teaspoon of dressing and 8 ounces of 2% milk.

Delicious!

We have each dropped a few pounds already since we've been home from the high seas.  Now we just have to keep up the good work.  ;)

What is your favorite weight reduction (I hate to say "diet") food?

Lois

Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day - United States of America

Memorial Day - United States of America

Freedom is not Free

Today we remember and honor those who have served and have given their all to keep us free.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sharing Space with A Best Friend

Good morning,

I spend a lot of time at my computer.  Penny, my best friend and quiet companion, and I enjoy just sharing space. 

She's a wonderful ol' lady.

Lois

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Needlework Update - May, 2015

https://www.etsy.com/listing/230431355/large-afghan-blanket-mocha-caramel-sugar?ref=shop_home_active_1
Good morning,

It has been a busy month again.  Since last month's Needlework Update, I've made more afghan blankets for the shop...
...and some of them have already been sold and delivered.
This turquoise with white border is still available at this writing. I love these colors. 
This beautiful, brilliant pink cables and lace sweater was a custom order.  It, too, has been delivered.  A similar sweater in light yellow is available in the shop.
And, finally, I made quite a few hats.  Some were custom orders and others I made to restock the shop for those that have been sold since last month.
So, that's what I've been up to lately.  I sometimes surprise myself when I see how much I have made in one month.  I still wish I could knit and crochet faster to fill orders and stock the shop.  The link to the shop is below.

I am so very thankful to be doing what I enjoy doing.  I also appreciate your encouragement, purchases, and custom orders so very much.

How has your creative month been?  I love seeing what other bloggers are making and doing.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging.  ;)

All the best,
Lois

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Hand Crafted Original and Traditional Designs
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Friday, May 22, 2015

Brunch!

Good morning,

Being at home with family is wonderful.

Catherine recently made Sunday Brunch for all of us living here as well as Aunt Carol and our friend Bill.
Just before we sat down, I grabbed my camera and took some quick shots of the layout.  Aunt Carol brought the bowl of fruit...
...and the french toast casserole.  I made fresh bread and daughter Catherine made everything else. 

It was wonderful to share such a delicious meal with family and friends.  And, there were enough left overs to enjoy the next day, too.  :)

Home sweet home!

Lois

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Blondes Sun Bathing

Good morning,

I was going to title this "Naked Blondes Sun Bathing" but decided that would be too risque.

 This is the Blondes' Body Guard.

;),
Lois

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Here Come the Peonies!

Good morning,

Here come the Peonies!  That ant sure was fast.  I thought this was a sharper image when I quickly took it with my phone camera, but, hey, I got it before he moved around to the other side.  The next images are much better!
These very special peonies were here when we moved in back in 1979.  There were two clumps in the back yard so I separated a few and took them to the front garden.
I'm so glad I did that because the plants in the back have now gone.  I think they were under the path the pups have worn in front of the wall.  At any rate, these lovely plants live on year after year.  How pretty!

I just love seeing pictures other bloggers are posting of all of the flowers blooming in other areas, too!

Enjoy,
Lois

Monday, May 18, 2015

Priority Activity

Good morning,

Guess what I did right away when I got home. Yes, I made bread.  There is nothing like the taste of home made bread and the aroma in the house is fabulous.

I have more than 60 blog posts about bread and recipes.  Click here if you would like to see them.

Enjoy!

Lois

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Iris Welcome

Good morning,

These lovely blossoms were waiting for us when we pulled into the drive after nearly eleven weeks away.

What a lovely welcome in our garden!

Enjoy,
Lois

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Welcome Home Committee

Good morning,

This is the view next to my chair about an hour after we got home from Florida.  These are only two of three of our pups.  They make sure to stay close so that we can't get away again.  ;)

It is good to be home!

Lois






Friday, May 15, 2015

Snooze Required

Good morning,

We stopped in Savannah at our favorite Hampton Inn and were delighted that they had the pool open for us.  ;)
Some of the greatest things about coming off of the high seas and heading for home are the sounds of the birds and the aroma of flowers.  The wonderful aroma of the honeysuckle flowers was fabulous!

Enjoy,
Lois

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Engineering Problem Solving Flow Chart

Good morning,

I've seen some of these before and get a kick out of them.  Here's the engineering version of a Problem Solving Flow Chart.

Fun stuff....

Lois

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Perkins Lunch

Good morning,

I'm still featuring good food.  Do you get the idea we like to eat?  Oh, yes, you are so right!

This lunch was at Perkins in Dandridge, Tennessee.  It's a croissant chicken salad sandwich with one of the most delicious, fresh, tasty salads I can remember. 

Perkins will surely be on our list for our next road trip.

Enjoy,
Lois

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

I Hop Lunch

Good morning,

Now it's time to enjoy food OFF of the ship.  ;)  This was our first meal (lunch) after we left Freedom of the Seas in Port Canaveral and began our road trip back to Ohio.

That's a double BLT served with fruit instead of fries.  I was being good.  ;)

Homeward bound!

Lois

Monday, May 11, 2015

Heading Home!

Good morning,

This is a beautiful sight!  We're on the way home today.  :)

There's no place like home.

All the best,
Lois

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mothers Day and Kon Kiki Tour - St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

 Good morning,

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms out there including those who are "Mom" to those with four legs.  :)

Here's a colorful tour boat!
This one is in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

This group sounded very happy as they passed those of us watching from Freedom of the Seas

Enjoy,
Lois

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Take the Bus and Your Life Jacket

Good morning,

When you take the bus in Grand Cayman, bring your life jacket, too.

;),
Lois

Friday, May 8, 2015

Fish Market at the Beach - Grand Cayman

Good morning,

Under that white tent is a local beach fish market in Grand Cayman.  At the top of the image to the right you see Casanova's Restaurant where we had lunch.  We asked.  No, they don't get their fish at this fish market.  ;)
The fish certainly does look fresh and there are plenty of customers.
The tables are on an angle which provides excellent drainage.
 It appears the catch was good today!

 Lois