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, June 30, 2016

Needlework Update - June, 2016

Good morning,

Here we are again with another month's worth of needlework projects that have been finished. 

This one is a new original design. The raspberry sherbet colored baby sweater and hat set features ice cream cone buttons and an ice cream cone crocheted toy.  This is in size 12 months.
Two more afghans were completed this month, too.  The one above is a flower garden of summer flower colors and...
...this one features lavender pink flowers.
This tote is just the right size for a small tablet.  This one sold immediately, but I plan to make more to restock the shop.
It was also a month of hats...
...and more hats!
 


Some of these have already gone to their new owners and others are in the shop.
This toilet tissue cover was a special order.  The image is a little dark, but that is a decorative kitty button in the center of the flower. 
And, I made several more.  


 
 Some are still available in the shop.
 This pin cushion is topped by a happy dragon...
...and here's one with a cute little frog. 
Here's another with a happy bumble bee.
Of course, this one is the standard bearer.  :)
Several turtles hatched this month.  The one above is a custom order for a flat turtle to fit into the side of a back pack.  The colors were also specified to match the back pack.
This larger, taller turtle version is great as a well behaved office or dorm room pet.
Of course, my turtles come in all colors.

I made several small mug rugs...
 ...that immediately found happy homes.
 I then made four sets of these larger versions that will accommodate a drink and a snack.  All four of the burgundy and pink sets sold immediately.
 So, I just made a few more of the large version with scalloped edges and put them in the shop.
 And, finally for this month, I knit this pair of finger-less gloves as a custom order for someone with sore hands.  I'm delighted they fit perfectly!


That's it for the needlework items that have flowed from the needles and hooks this month.  I'm finding these updates fun to review months later to see what I was making and when.  I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoy seeing all the beautiful things you make, photograph, bake, and grow!

All the best,
Lois

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Original and Traditional 
Hand Crafted Designs
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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Bar Server - Bull & Bear - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

This gentleman was the nicest bar server you could find anywhere. 

I'm only sorry I didn't get his name, but I imagine I will see him again at Bull & Bear aboard Freedom of the Seas.

A great advantage aboard a cruise ship is never feeling rushed.  I enjoyed one drink with my friends Martha and Russell over a two hour period as we watched the people walk by on the Royal Promenade. 

Total relaxation at sea. 

:),
Lois

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Good morning,

There are many reasons I enjoy the Port of St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., but the main reason is that it is a U.S. port in a beautiful place.  And, I can mail cards and letters home from the U.S. Post Office at the mall on the dockside.   
You'll see all kinds of vessels here from the modern yachts to the...
...tour boats that are designed as pirate ships.
Beyond the dock is a large, very lovely shopping center with large stores with names most people will recognize.

To the right in this picture is Havensight Mall, the older dock shopping area where you can get the usual souvenirs or stop for wings and a beer.

All the best,
Lois

Monday, June 27, 2016

All Lined Up and Ready to Assemble

Good morning,

This is so pretty I had to take a picture.  These are 80 lavender pink flowers all lined up and ready to border in green to make another afghan blanket.

This is my own game of Tetris with a real prize at the end - a finished blanket!

:),
Lois

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Sweet Suite Friends

Good morning,


Today's images were taken at Freedom of the Seas' Suites Luncheon.  Those guests who are living in suites are invited to a special luncheon in Chops where we enjoy a "sampler" lunch of goodies from all of the specialty restaurants on board. 

In the image above are two of our dear friends, RCCL Pinnacle Members Martha and Russell. 
Here's another, Walt...
...with his wife De (right) and another friend, Martha.
 Of course, I have to include a picture of some of the food!  These are only three of the items that made up a fabulous lunch!

Yum!

Lois

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Reflections at Sea

Good morning,

I'm walking on the shaded side of the ship today where it is a perfect day to get the reflection of the sky and sea in the windows of the main dining room. 

I just love how the sky and sea appear to extend directly on to the ship.

Beautiful!

Enjoy,
Lois

Friday, June 24, 2016

Potty Stop for Service Dogs on Board

Good morning,

I'm often asked where the service dogs on board a cruise ship go to relieve themselves. 

Here's the answer:  tucked away on an aft desk is a potty stop just for them.  All the supplies and a covered trash can are provided by the ship.

So, now you have that important answer just in case someone asks you. 

;),
Lois

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Twin Exhaust and New Carpet

Good morning,

These images were taken on Deck 4, aft, of Freedom of the Seas.

The ship is constantly being maintained with new carpet even while at sea.  Here you see several rolls of carpet waiting to be installed.  The week I took these images several of the staircases were being re-carpeted. 
Another interesting sight here on the aft of the ship is the twin exhaust system for the emergency diesel generators. 

Those are quite a bit larger than the twin exhaust on our SUV!

An interesting fact: if you divide the amount of fuel needed for propulsion to move this ship one land mile by the 6,000 people on board, you use less fuel per mile than you do in your SUV to drive yourself to the grocery. The rest of the fuel used on board is for everything needed to power a small city the same as you would use on land:  lights, air conditioning, cooking, etc.

Lois

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Celebrity Encounter at Bull & Bear

Good morning,

So, I was a little early at Bull & Bear to meet my friends Martha and Russell for a little liquid refreshment on a Saturday afternoon.  As I browsed the menu, who should stroll down the Royal Promenade of Freedom of the Seas but...
...Shrek! 

He waved, I waved, and he strolled over to my table. 

I invited him to have a drink, so...
...he sat down!  :) 

All this was fine until his handler/companion said, "No, Shrek!  You are NOT going to have a beer!"

So, sadly, Shrek had to leave, but not before I got these great pictures!

;),
Lois

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Traveling Down the Water Highway

Good morning,

This is my view from the aft of Freedom of the Seas as I took my afternoon walk. 

There are 101,000 horses running around in the engine room creating this wake.  Wow!

:),
Lois

Monday, June 20, 2016

Viking Crown Lounge - Freedom of the Seas

Good morning,

I've published quite a few images of the outside of the Viking Crown Lounge that I have taken from the deck below.  Today's images are of the inside of the Viking Crown.
This round lounge high atop the shop looks like a space ship from the outside, but inside is comprised of several areas, all with a fabulous view.

What a lovely place to relax and enjoy your favorite beverage.  :)

All the best,
Lois

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Happy Father's Day from the High Seas

Good morning,

We are celebrating Fathers Day on the high seas and are remembering our wonderful Dads with love. 

We hope all Fathers have a fabulous day today with those they love.

All the best,
Lois

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Penny PACH 2

Good morning,

Today's post is a brag about our eleven year old Labrador Retriever, Penny, who has just won another Agility Champion Title!

And, to add to that thrill, she is #3 in the USA:

AKC Top Dogs in Agility PACH Competition for Retrievers (Labrador)
January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015
1 MACH PACH Points South Bunker Boy JH MXS MJG MXP6 MXPS MJP8 MJPG PAX XF T2BP
2 MACH PACH3 High Peaks Lime Creek Front Of The Line JH MXS MJB MXP9 MXPG MJP8 MJPG PAX3 NF
3 MACH3 PACH Penelope T. Labrador RN MXG MJC MXP4 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX MXF T2B2 T2BP

Congrats to our Penny and our Daughter, Catherine, who has trained her.

:),
Lois

Friday, June 17, 2016

Puss N Boots Birthday Hugs

Good morning,

We have Dreamworks Characters on board Freedom of the Seas and they are always a hit when spotted around the ship.
This sweet little girl is celebrating her fifth birthday...
...and Pull N Boots made it extra special for her.
This little guy was a little more cautious about the big kitty!
But, plenty of adults also flock to have their pictures taken with Puss, even Captain Toni!

Such fun!

 Enjoy

 Lois