Evening Sky

 Good morning,

This gorgeous sky greeted me when I stepped out of our back door.

Wow!

:),

Lois

Chicken Necks!

 Good morning,

Our friend, Bill, brought us another 50 pounds of chicken necks and backs that are a part of our pups' raw diet.  He brings them directly from a butcher on his side of town so the chicken is very,  very fresh. 

 Kjell packs them into plastic containers that we freeze until we need them.  

Of course, there are six extra eyes watching this whole process.  And, yes, all chicken must be Lab Tested before it is packed and frozen.

;),

Lois

Sleepy Puppies

 Good morning,

The pups spend most evenings nearby in the living room as we watch TV.  I'm busy knitting or crocheting while Kjell is working on his computer.

That's Wendy above, so totally relaxed in Catherine's recliner.

 Our Elsa's nickname is Peanut because of the strange ways she gets comfy.

And, Erik is next to my chair.  I didn't use a flash because I didn't want to wake him.

The funny part of all of this is that they are so close they sometimes have us blocked in so we have to step over these bodies to get out of our chairs.  Elsa always manages to escort me when I go upstairs because she knows she'll get a half a cookie in payment for her diligent protection.

Life is good.

:),

Lois

Just a Few More

 Good morning,

Although we have had freezing temperatures here, these tomatoes must be living in a sheltered spot.  We have managed to harvest just a few more. 

These are delicious!  We are saving seeds for next year.  

:),

Lois

Beware of This Beauty

 Good morning,

These pretty Fall leaves are poison ivy.  So as pretty as they are, they are also dangerous.  

I'll have to remove them while wearing gloves.  We don't use poison in our garden because of the dogs, the bees, etc.

It's getting cold here.  Stay warm!

Lois

Work in Process This Week and Black Friday

 

 

 Good morning,

This Burgundy and Browns Large Afghan Blanket is this week's Work in Process.You see the centers here and when finished they will be surrounded by two more rounds of shades of brown.  As it is coming together, it is quite stunning!

 It's rather time consuming to make these, but I enjoy them which makes it much less of a task.  

When finished, you'll find this in the shop.  

Today is also the traditional Black Friday and start of the holiday shopping season.  We hope you'll take a look in our shop at the many, many hand crafted items that will make beautiful gifts for people of all ages.  

Come see several hundred items available: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvensensProductions

We sincerely appreciate your likes, shares, comments, favorites, pins, tweets, and purchases, too! Thank you for supporting our USA small business since 2011!

All the very best,

Lois

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving from Wendy and Elsa
(and the rest of us, too!)

We all hope you enjoy the day with family and friends!

Firey Sunrise

 Good morning,

This gorgeous firey sunrise is what I saw form my driveway very early when I took the pups outside.

There is a valley between us and that skyline of Xavier University.  In the distance is Bellarmine Chapel on the campus.  We can hear the beautiful, regular chiming of the church bells.

 Have a lovely day!

Lois

Work in Process This Week

 Good morning,

This was my WIP until just recently when I finished it and put it in the shop.  It's a lap blanket that folds corner to corner to also be a comfy shawl.  The medium weight yarn makes it perfect to use either way.  I love the soft sea colors.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the best,

Lois

Swedish Meatballs

 Good morning,

Today's images are courtesy of daughter, Catherine.  Thank you!

Catherine and a friend (of Swedish descent) go to IKEA once in awhile just for the Swedish Meatballs.  Yes, they're good, but we really like our Norwegian Meatballs.  Aside:  There is an international dispute about whether Norwegian or Swedish meatballs are the best.  Of course, we know what side my Norwegian-born hubby supports.  ;)

 Even the trays are friendly at IKEA!

I don't shop there, though, because I am insulted by their concept of "keeping you in the store" by making one-way routes throughout.  There is even a sign that reads, "This elevator only goes up."  Sure.  Yes, I know you can beat that system, I just am not comfortable there. 

At least the meatballs are pretty good.

;),

Lois

Fall Treasure Hunt

 Good morning,

The title is misleading.  In the Fall when those pretty leaves are hitting the ground faster than they can be mulched or raked, there is a mine field (NOT a treasure hunt) in the back yard.

You know that dog poop is out there.  You just don't know where!

Happy Fall!

Lois

Queen City Skyline

 Good morning,

This is the skyline of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Queen City of the West.  Actually, that name came before there was more "West" in the USA.  The "Queen City" part comes because the city is on the Ohio River with seven surrounding hills forming a "crown." 

Ohio is now known as the "Midwest" but that's not even quite accurate.  

We ARE on the western edge of the US Eastern Time Zone, so I guess that counts.  ;)

At least WE know where we are!

All the best,

Lois

Another Birthday Dinner?

 Good morning,

We just couldn't stop celebrating Catherine's birthday.  

This dinner was at Cin City Steak restaurant which is inside a local casino.  Above is a lobster tail appetizer.  Yes, it was even better than it looks!

 This is My Honey's favorite place to order French Onion Soup.

Then, we did it again.  When the main course came, we all dug in without getting pictures.  The filet mignon was fabulous!

 And, then, a special dessert for the Birthday Girl.  ;)

Catherine's needs are simple (check out that shirt):  coffee, dogs, books.  ;)

Happy Birthday, again, Catherine!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Perfect First Rise and Loaves

 

Good morning,

I'm back to making bread several times a week.  The first rise on this batch of dough was so gorgeous I had to take a picture.

The two large loaves of bread turned out perfectly, too.  I wish I could share the aroma and taste with you.  

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

 All the best,

Lois

A Beautiful Fall Morning and Feathered Visitor

 Good morning,

A beautiful sunrise and we have visitors already.  :)

The sweet little birds visit our feeder as soon and as long as there is enough light.

 I have been putting small pieces of my home made bread (no preservatives) on the ledge in front of the camera. 

Such fun!

:),

Lois

Night Sky and Jet Stream

 Good morning,

The jet stream seemed to underline the moon in the sky about 10 PM when I took the pups out for "last call" before bed time.

The lighting from below was from Xavier University and the surrounding neighborhood.

So calm and beautiful.

All the best,

Lois

Birthday Fondue Dinner

 

 Good morning,

We celebrate birthdays for more than just one day.  This celebration was at The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, in honor of Catherine's birthday last month.  We were invited by Catherine's friend, Erica, to join them for dinner.

 I managed to get a picture of this healthy salad...

But missed the pictures of the main course of steak, chicken, and seafood.  It was just so good that we all forgot about our cameras.

 But, here's dessert, arguably the best course of all.

Thanks, Erica, for inviting us and Happy Birthday again to Catherine. 

Love you,

Mom

Erica's Pigeons

 

 Good morning,

Our friend, Erica, now has another link in the food chain at her country home. ;)  She has homing pigeons that are "learning that they are home now" before they can be released.

 Of course, when our pups visit Erica, they are very interested in the new critters living there.

It will be fun to watch the progress of this new endeavor.

 :),

Lois

The Gang is Together Again

 Good morning,

Due to schedules, world travel, and health issues, it had been three years since a similar picture was taken of these six people all together enjoying at luncheon at the Greyhound Tavern in Northern Kentucky.

The usual suspects on the left are Kjell and me.  The couple in the middle are our friends Captain Tor (who was also our best man) and his wife Teresa (my dear friend at sea as we sailed with our husbands as well as at home).  The couple on the right are our friends Gary and Lynne.  Kjell and Gary are retired;  Captain Tor is still active.

All six of us are/were connected with Royal Caribbean International and we all live within a hundred miles of each other in the US heartland.   That's somewhat unusual since so many of our other seafaring friends live on coastlines around the world. 

 So, that's a little insight into people who are dear friends and who mean a great deal to us.  

Until next time....

Lois

Veterans Day - United States of America

 

Veterans Day - United States of America

Take time today and every day to honor and thank those who served
to keep us free and this flag flying over our great nation.

Fall Cookies!

 Good morning,

From Halloween to Thanksgiving pumpkin cookies appear everwhere!  

A wonderful client of Catherine's CPA firm always keeps her office stocked with these goodies.  She was kind enough to bring some home for Mom and Dad, too.  

Yum!

;),

Lois

Fall at Spring Grove Cemetery

 Good morning,

We live very close to Spring Grove Cemetery, a U.S. National Historical Landmark and the third largest cemetery in the United States.

Not only is this a beautiful place of eternal rest for those who are buried here, it is a beautiful place for the living to visit at any time of the year.  

Kjell and I enjoy visiting in the Fall to photograph the Fall color.

 

 Especially in the older sections of the cemetery many famous Cincinnati names appear everywhere.  Above you see the family burial site of the McAlpin family who owned one of the largest department stores in Cincinnati.

 Among them are founders of Procter and Gamble, Sterns and Foster, Supreme Court Justice Salmon P. Chase and many Civil War Officers.  A complete list is here.

I stayed with the car and took pictures while Kjell moved around with his camera.
 

Here is some fascinating reading about one of the nation's oldest cemeteries.

All the best,

Lois

On the Pillow Between Us

 Good morning,

I woke up to someone snoring and look who I found on the pillow between My Honey and me.  ;)

We said no one would ever come between us, but this leggy blond (Elsa) doesn't count.

;),

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - November, 2022

 Good morning,

Welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update.  This is where we share what we've made in our wood working and needlework studios during the previous month.

We are very proud to be Etsy Star Sellers for every month since the Star Seller Program was announced, July 28, 2021.  Sellers are rewarded with Star Seller Status for Excellent Reviews, On Time Shipping with Tracking, and Quick Message Response Time.  Our EvensensProductions.com shop has had a 100% rating since the program began.  Thank you, Etsy, for the recognition!

When shopping for yourself and for gifts, we hope you'll take a look at what we have available to ship in one business day.  EvensensProductions.com  Gift wrap option is available at checkout, too.

Above you see a very special custom order guitar.  Kjell made it for the 60th birthday of our dear friend and the best man in our wedding.  The party was delayed a few weeks, but we finally got together to celebrate.  Kjell has another guitar in process in his workshop now. 

Kjell also restocked his wood plaque and photo stands in the shop this month.  We currently have them in two sizes.   Info here.

This medium weight, extra large Brilliant Rainbow and Off White Afghan Blanket is similar to others that I have made and that are sold, but this one is much larger.  This one will top a Queen Size or Double Size bed.  $190.  More images and information here.

There are three new sets of extra large double-thick 100% cotton pot holders/hot plate pads in the shop.

These are large enough for men's and women's hands and make perfect snack mats, too.

These are $20/pair and are available here. 

A warm wool blend scarf and hat set were added to the shop this month.  Scarf:  $38.  More images and information here.

The matching hat images and information are here.  $38.  One size fits most.

This was the month to make hats!

Our cloche hats make great sleep hats, helmet liners, and chemo caps.

We have dozens of them available in a variety of colors in acrylic, wool, and cotton.

From $8.  See them all out here.

 

This Tissue Topper was a custom order and has been delivered.

There are several more new Tissue Toppers in the shop this month.

There are dozens of Tissue Toppers available at $8 each and there are many colors from which to chose.  See them all here.

Thank you for your encouragement, comments, likes, shares, favorites, and your purchases, too!  We hope you'll check out our shop when shopping for unique items for yourself and for gifts.  Here's the front door of the shop where you'll find it all! 

All the very best,

Lois