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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Sunday, September 30, 2018

Quick Chicken Casserole

Good morning,

Did you ever get so busy that you didn't think about what you'd make for dinner until it was almost dinner time?  That's how this dish happened.  I've made similar dishes back when the kids were small.

This one was so easy!  First I baked two large chicken breasts in a covered dish (similar to this one) with only 1/2 cup water.  350 F for one hour and the chicken was finished.

Remove the chicken from the first dish and cut it up in what I call "hunks" then place it in another dish (without baking drippings) with:  1 can of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken or cream of celery), 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup cream cheese.  Mix well and top with one package of frozen pepper and onion stir fry veggies (or whatever veggies you have available), then freshly ground pepper.  Bake another 1/2 hour.

The prep time of 1-1/2 hours goes quickly because you don't have to be in the kitchen most of the time.

Yum!

Lois

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Tumble and Catherine at the Office

Good morning,

Mr. Tumble sure has a hard life, doesn't he!

I took this picture of Catherine and Tumble at Catherine's office in her conference room.

Tumble goes to work with Catherine almost every work day.  It's much nicer than staying home in a kennel while his Mommy, our friend Erica, goes to her job.

Tumble is growing up to be a show dog.  He is getting socialization so that he will be comfortable around many different people in different places in any situation.

What a sweetheart!

Lois

Friday, September 28, 2018

Ohio Corn Fields

Good morning,

Here are a couple more images from our recent road trip. 

We've had a great deal of rain in Ohio this year so the corn did very well.
Across the road from this field the farmer was harvesting corn in another field.  I wasn't able to get a picture of the harvesting because of the angle of the shot.

What a beautiful day for a road trip!

Lois




Thursday, September 27, 2018

Ohio Horse Farm

Good morning,

Ohio has many horse farms.  I took this image as we were moving along at 70 mph on I-71 North between Cincinnati and Columbus.

What a pretty place!

All the best,
Lois




Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Tricycle Motorcycle

Good morning,

As a couple about our age passed us on their red tricycle motorcycle, My Honey said with a chuckle, "Maybe that's what we need."
No, thanks, I'll pass on this one.

;),
Lois

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Cell Towers Everywhere

Good morning,

It seems every Ohio farm is growing cell towers this year.  There is a huge crop between Cincinnati and Columbus.  ;)

Seriously, I remember very well the lack of service between major cities not too many years ago.  It's good to be able to stay connected now.

All the best,
Lois

Monday, September 24, 2018

Passing Kings Island

Good morning,

We finally took a short road trip in our new car.

Just  North of Cincinnati is Kings Island Amusement Park.  It's closed for the season now and certainly looks quiet!
We haven't been to Kings Island since the grand kids were little.  We don't miss it at all!

I guess we've outgrown roller coasters.

;),
Lois

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Let's Go!

Good morning,

A few days ago Catherine moved the dog kennels from her old white Edge to her new blue Edge.  Wendy had to get in on the act.  Generally, when kennels and other dog training materials are being moved around in the car Wendy knows it's time to go to the club for classes or a dog show.  Whatever the event, Wendy considers it all a game and great fun.

Is that cute or what!

Lois

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Fireplace Time!

Good morning,

Here in Ohio the weather fluctuates dramatically at this time of the year.  One day it can be 91 F, the next 65 F. 

Recently, we had a couple of cool evenings so I took the opportunity to enjoy the fireplace for the first time this season. 

I'm looking forward to more sweater weather!

I hope the weather is good wherever you are.

All the best,

Lois

Friday, September 21, 2018

Duck Hunter

Good morning,

That's our Erik with a duck in his mouth.  He didn't find it here in our back yard, but he does have experience retrieving ducks during gun dog training.
Catherine had taken Wendy to a gun dog class, but Wendy said, "You have to be out of your mind if you think I'll put that smelly dead duck in my mouth!"

So, Catherine brought the duck home for Erik to retrieve a few times.  ;)
Catherine disposed of the duck shortly after all pups were treated with hotdogs.

Background:

Erik was in gun dog training, then hurt his knee.  After surgery and a long recovery in early 2017, he has not returned to gun dog training.  Instead, he has taken the job of Chief of Security and my personal sidekick here at home.  He still enjoys swimming and running.

Wendy trains in Agility and Dock Diving.  She has ribbons and titles in both activities and seems to prefer Dock Diving.

Penny, our senior, is a retired Agility dog Champion.

All of our canine athletes are such happy pups!

Lois





Thursday, September 20, 2018

Time for Breakfast!

Good morning,

A few days ago I stood behind Catherine as she was hand feeding the pups their breakfast.  What a perfect photo opportunity.
That's Tumble, our friend's Brittany pup who comes to visit us every work day so his Mom can go to work and he doesn't have to stay home in a kennel.
These two are our Wendy and Erik.
Even Mr. Tumble has learned to wait patiently until his name is called.
Our course, our senior, Penny, is always the first fed.  There is definitely a seniority order here.
 Our boy, Erik, slobbers when food is being prepared.  I have all of those little rugs in the kitchen to use as stepping stones rather than slip on wet spots.  We use our floor cleaning machine often.
 The pups have a raw diet that Catherine and I prepare for them twice a day.  They are all show dogs and extremely healthy.

They are also so very well behaved.  There is no fighting among these "kids."  They just wait for each name to be called, then step forward for Catherine to hand feed them. 

When I feed them in the evening, I have a different MO: I use bowls.  Each pup has his/her own place for dinner.  I prepare all the bowls, then put them down in order of seniority while calling each name.  There are never any fights or arguments among the pups. 

These are such good pups!

Lois

Friday, September 14, 2018

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Good morning,

Earlier this month we celebrated My Honey's birthday with a friends and family dinner and yummy cupcakes.

It is so wonderful to be home!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Lois

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Edges, Edges, Everywhere Edges!

Good morning,

It appears we have a used car lot in our back yard right now.  We bought a new Edge (above)...
...Catherine will get our last blue edge (right)...
...and our friend, Bill, will have Catherine's last Edge (that white one).

Needless to say, we really like our Edges!

I feel a road trip coming on....

;),
Lois

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

The New Toy

Good morning,

Lots of painting was going on in our garage when My Honey received his new CNC machine.
All of the parts arrived in a big box...
...so first he spread them all out on the dining room table to check them all.
After painting he took them to the basement and laid them out to dry.
And then the assembly began.
 In this image it is still only partially assembled, but in real time it is all put together, a case has been built around it to contain dust and noise.  My Honey has already started making things with it.

The difference between this new CNC machine and his first one is the size.  This one is much larger, thus can make bigger projects than the first one.

Nice!

Lois

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Office Guard Dog

Good morning,

Catherine sent me this picture of Mr. Tumble on duty as the office guard dog. 

What a handsome guard dog!

;),
Lois

Monday, September 10, 2018

More Firewood!

Good morning,

Last weekend Catherine and Bill helped a friend from the dog club clear some trees from her property.  They brought the wood home for firewood!
These pieces are not so big that they have to be split.  When the weather gets just a little cooler, Kjell will saw them into fireplace size pieces and I'll stack them on the wood pile.
Thanks, Bill and Catherine!
This wood will help keep us warm and toasty this winter.

:),
Lois

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Fair Isle / Scandinavian Intarsia Sweater Progress

Good morning,

This sweater is taking longer than most, but I'm making progress on this Scandinavian intarsia sweater that I showed you earlier.  I'm up to the yoke now so as soon as I get through all of these pretty stitches I'll add a collar, do the finishing, photography, and it will be listed in the shop.  

I'm already designing the next one....  :)

What are you making today?

Lois

Update:  A reader just asked a few questions, so here's more information for anyone else interested:  This sweater is an Adult Small, $190.  Actual measurements will be taken when finished and given in the listing when it is added to the shop.  Sweater prices vary by size and design.  If you'd like to pre-order this one or have additional questions, send me an email to Lois@EvensensProductions.com. Please write "intarsia sweater" in the subject line of your email.

Click here to see our hand knit sweaters that are ready to ship now.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Penny - Forever a Joy

Good morning,

Here are a two more portraits of Penny, our senior dog.
What a sweet soul.

Lois

Friday, September 7, 2018

Deer Antlers

Good morning,

Catherine, our daughter, has a client who owns a large portion of land that includes quite a large deer population. 

When walking the land, this gentleman often finds deer antlers that have been shed in the natural cycle of a deer's life.  This time, though, he found the entire skull with antlers attached.  Beautiful!  Kjell will probably mount this one for our recreation room.
He brought a box of antlers so that we can cut and give some of them to the pups.  The pups love to chew them and it helps clean their teeth.  Of course, we will saw off the pointed parts that could hurt the pups.
Deer antlers are available in pet stores to be used as chew sticks for dogs. 
 It's lovely to have these direct from the wooded land nearby.

All the best,
Lois

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Jewel in the Ohio Valley on the South Coast of Ohio

Good morning,

I took this image a few days ago as we returned to Cincinnati from lunch in Northern Kentucky with friends who live in Louisville. 

Our city on the South Coast of Ohio is always a welcome sight as we come home. 

Beautiful!

Lois

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Lacy Fungus

Good morning,

Our older wood pile continues to produce some beautiful fungus with lovely designs and colors.

Enjoy!

Lois

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Needlework and Wood Update - September, 2018

Good morning,

It has been a busy month in my honey's wood workshop and my needlework studio!

Above you see an Engine Telegraph, the device used in older ships to communicate between the bridge of a ship and the engine room.  The one you see above is not in the shop for sale, it's in our recreation room.  Several of our friends immediately said it would make a fantastic beer tap.  Perhaps the next one will be just that for the shop. 
This lovely afghan blanket was sold last month just before it was finished.  I just love these colors of ocean spray and white caps.  More new afghans are on my to-do list!  In the meantime, we have others available ready to ship here.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/evensensproductions/624688472
Four beautiful engraved jewelry boxes were added to the shop this month.  This large box features Swans.  $72.  Click the image to see more images and details.

All of the boxes have inner sliding drawers and blue flock lining. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/624713470/hand-crafted-hardwood-box-engraved-eagle
This lovely box features an Eagle in flight.  Note the beautiful mitered corners on these boxes.  Click the image to see more images and details.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/624718454/hand-crafted-hardwood-box-engraved-swans
This is a slightly smaller box with Swans.  $68.  Again, click the image to see more about this item.
-box-engraved
And, finally, an Egret in flight.  $68.  Click the image to see more.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/639244095/new-patchwork-sweater-adult-34-38-hand
In last month's Needlework Update there was another new Patchwork Sweater in adult size 34-38" chest.  That sweater was sold so here's another for the shop.  $160.  Click here to see more images.
This lovely Scarf Shawl was a custom order that has been delivered to the buyer.  If you'd like to order a similar scarf shawl, I'll be glad to make up a custom order for you.  $42.  Visit us at EvensensProductions.com and click the "Request Custom Order" tab.
Here is a new item that is not in the shop yet.  Kjell made this one for me with an engraved Yellow Lab, of course.  It's a business card box that folds shut to be carried and...
...folds open to sit on a desk to display cards.  Nice!
This one is already spoken for...
 ...and this one is Kjell's.  Nice!  I'm hoping he'll have boxes similar to these available for the shop soon.
Here's a toilet tissue topper that's available in the shop.  $8.  Click here to take a look at more images.  These are popular items so I am always making more to keep the shop stocked.
And, finally, here are four more cloche hats for the shop. 
The first two are to restock those recently sold.
These last two are a different pattern stitch.  I made these for the shop several years ago and they sold out quickly. 
 I'm finally getting around to making more.  We have more than 60 Cloche Hats in the shop.  To see the wide variety we have available, click here.

So, that's it for our August projects!  It has been a fun month of working with wood and yarn.   

Thank you to all who encourage us and to our wonderful customers.

All the very best,
Lois