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, April 30, 2023

Lily Teething

 Good morning,

Our sweet baby Lily is teething so we are providing her many chew opportunities that don't involve shoes, furniture, carpet, etc.  

She's doing a very good job, but we are well trained, too.  If one of the three adults in the house can't have eyes on her, she takes a rest in her kennel where she is out of trouble.  It works well for all of us.  She is safe, the house is safe, and we all get a rest between play and cuddle periods..  

Ah, yes, puppyhood....

Lois

Saturday, April 29, 2023

White Iris

 Good morning,

The beautiful white iris have bloomed at the side of our front porch again this year.  Lovely.

What is so nice is having the memories of all of these flowers.  These iris were given to me by a friend of 50 years and has since passed.  Seeing those flowers bloom every Spring brings back loving memories.

All the best,

Lois

Friday, April 28, 2023

Napping By Daddy

 Good morning,

Lily is certainly a family dog.  She goes to work with Catherine most days where she gets socialization with clients and friends who want to meet her (who wouldn't?), loves to nap by Daddy on the patio, and plays tug a war with me.  She also enjoys the dinners I make for all the pups.  Food is a primary motivator with all of our dogs.

After all that, sometimes you just have to take a nap by Daddy with your blue lizzard.

Precious!

We are enjoying the puppy days.

Lois

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Queen on Her Throne

 Good morning,

Our little Lily is growing by leaps and bounds.  She has proclaimed she is Queen (lots of competition here!) and just loves the Deck Chair for Doggies.

We have had great weather for all of us to be outside lately so the pups are all getting lots and lots of exercise and play time.

Ah, yes, loving dogs.  I hope you've had the privilege to love and be loved by dogs.

All the best,

Lois

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Elsa and Lily

 Good morning,

When we introduced Lily to our other pups, Erik, Wendy, and Elsa, it was Elsa who was overcome with joy.

 Elsa and Lily love playing together.  Lily is very self confident and has no problem with the big dogs.  Of course, she had plenty of them at her breeder's home, too.

 Tug A War is a favorite game when Elsa and Lily aren't doing zoomies through the house and yard.

Our older pups, Wendy and Erik, are staying out of the way and mostly observing.  Erik is very good with puppies and tolerates Elsa climbing on him.  Wendy wants to know when we are taking that new kid back.  ;)  

The introduction of Lily to our pack has gone very well.  We've been through this before and know they will all become best friends within a few days.  

Enjoy!

Lois

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Catherine and Lily

 Good morning,

I took this image of Catherine holding Lily last Wednesday when we picked Lily up to bring her home.  What a sweet picture!  

Lily is growing so fast.  I swear she is an inch taller already!

I guarantee there will be more pictures of Lily here.  I hope you don't get tired of seeing them.

Lois

Monday, April 24, 2023

Orange Begonia

 Good morning,

Number One Son brought us this lovely plant last week, but I'm unable to put it outside until the possibility of frost has passed.  Within the past seven days we've had temps in the 80s F and have had frost.  Go figure.

Anyway, what a lovely gift.  We'll enjoy the pretty colors on our patio this summer.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Lace in the Trees

 Good morning,

This is the time of the year when the new leaves on our neighbor's trees appear to be green lace.

So pretty!

Enjoy,

Lois

 

 


 

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Guard Dog in Training

 Good morning,

Lily is in Guard Dog Training watching the neighbor cut wood beyond our back wall.

Our friend Bill has been working this week splitting wood and clearing bushes and vines from the upper level of our back yard.  We can see the stone wall again!  He has taken much of the debris and will be back for more.  Then Daddy will install lights along the wall and I'll plant new grass seed up on the top deck.

Another couple of weeks and the back concrete wall and fence will be covered by greenery, too.

Image by Daddy Kjell.

Happy Spring!  

Lois

Friday, April 21, 2023

Portrait of Lily

 Good morning,

Here's a portrait of our newest bundle of love, Lily.  Daddy took this image and it melts my heart every time I see it.

You just may see more images of Lily and her pack in the future.  Maybe.  Well, surely!

Oh, the fun ahead!

:),

Lois

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Welcome Lily!

 Good morning,

I'd like to introduce our newest baby, Millstone Tiger Lily Evensen (call name Lily.)  

Aunt (Lily's REAL aunt) Elsa is sharing toys and seems very happy to have a new puppy in the family.  Wendy and Erik seem OK with the new addition, too.  :)

This is a very sweet, smart, precious puppy who will surely find her way in front of my camera often!  

What a sweetheart!

:),

Lois

 

 

 


 

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Pizza Night

 Good morning,

This is one of the strangest frozen pizzas I've ever seen, but it was pretty good.  It was advertised as "crust will rise when baked."  Well, it sure did!

I can never make a frozen pizza without adding a couple of things.  In this case I added a few slices of salami and a little cheese.  

It looked strange, but sure tasted great.

Yum!

Lois

Monday, April 17, 2023

Lilac in Bloom

 Good morning,

This is one of my favorites, both for it's beauty and it's marvelous aroma.

Lilacs remind me of my mom's beautiful lilacs.  

Happy Spring!

Lois

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Sir Winston Churchill Daffodils

 Good morning,

Our blossoms of the day are Sir Winston Churchill Daffodils.

 These are not only beautiful, they have an amazing fragrance that I wish I could share with you here.

Gorgeous!

Enjoy,

Lois

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Red Tulips

 Good morning,

I captured these red tulips with the sun behind them shining through the translucent petals.

 Gorgeous!

 I love Spring!

:),

Lois

Friday, April 14, 2023

Deck Chair for Two

 Good morning,

The girls do a good job of sharing the deck chair.  That's Wendy and Elsa enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.

And, now, the question is:  will they share with their new little sister Lily when she comes home in a few days?  

Stay tuned!

;),

Lois

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Jail House Rock

 Good morning,

Kjell took this image through the screen door on our patio.  He texted it to me with the title "Jail House Rock."

It seems he and the pups were enjoying a gorgeous Spring day on the patio when the dogs felt it was necessary to bark at workers at the property behind ours.  To keep the peace in the neighborhood, the pups got a time out (jail time?) inside for a little while.  After paying their debt to society (the neighborhood), they were able to come back out and enjoy more of the beautiful day.

They are so precious.  Kjell couldn't keep them inside very long.

Ah, yes, Spring....

;),

Lois

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Red Bud Trees

 Good morning,

The Red Bud Trees in front of our home are blooming.  Lovely!

I took the image from my front porch.  That is part of Xavier University in the background.

So pretty!

Enjoy,

Lois

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Blue Lilies Returning

 Good morning,

Even the smallest things bring me great joy.  I'm so glad to see the blue lilies coming back in the flower pots I have on the front porch.  I believe this is going to be the third year for them.  

In a few weeks, I hope to show you pots full of beautiful blue flowers.

What's sprouting at your home?

Lois

Monday, April 10, 2023

Wendy Waiting for Daddy

 Good morning,

Kjell sent me this image.  He got up to go outside to grill some shrimp and do a few other things.

When he returned, Wendy was waiting for him at his chair.  

So sweet!

 Having dogs is knowing a special kind of love.

:),

Lois

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Happy Easter!


Love One Another John 13:34  3 D Engraved Cherry Wood  image 4 

Happy Easter!

We hope you enjoy the blessings of Easter with those you love.

Saturday, April 8, 2023

It's Patio Time Again

 Good morning,

It's patio time again!  The doggie deck chair is out for enjoyment.

 Daddy is grilling hot dogs.

 And, I made potatoes in the air fryer.

A note about that air fryer.  It's fantastic!  We've made quite a few things in it but the potatoes are the very best.  I cut potatoes in slices, strips, or chunks, sprinkle with a little olive oil, then add a half a package of dried onion soup mix.  I also add a little salt, then toss to be sure all pieces are covered.  They go into the air fryer at 400F for 20 minutes and you have fantastic potatoes!

Happy Spring!  Or, to our friends Down Under, Happy Fall!

Lois




 

Friday, April 7, 2023

Needlework and Wood Working Update - April, 2023

Good morning,

Welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update.  The items you see in this post are what we have completed during the past month.  

Above is a Blue Sparkle lap blanket.  The special blue yarn features an elegant silver thread.  $75.  More information and images here.

This is a large afghan blanket, also in blues.  $165.  More here.
This was the month to make a few more toilet tissue toppers, too.
There are quite a few of them available
in a variety of colors.  What a quick and easy way to dress up the bathroom.  $8.  Click here to see them all.

These 100% cotton large, double thick pot holders are a popular item.  They are $20 per pair and last for years and years.  I have been using mine for at least fifteen years now and they still look like new.

There are several pairs still available.  Click here to see the selection.

Every month I make a few more hats to keep the Cloche Hats and Chemo Caps section stocked.

 
 
 
Cloche Hats and Chemo Caps are from $8.  See the selection of colors and styles here

 It is time for vacation travel again and these luggage identifiers are very useful in airports, cruise terminals, or anywhere you have to find your own luggage in a hurry.  Put one on your carry-on, too, so you can show it to the porter or taxi driver to help you look for your luggage.



Each set of six is only $5.  They are perfect to use yourself or give as a bon voyage gift.  They make great place markers for travel group events, too!  See the variety of colors available here.


And, finally, this Mask and Ear Saver set was a custom order that has been delivered.  

Kjell has several wood projects in process this month.  Stay tuned next month to see what is finished from the wood workshop!

Come see what else we've made!  EvensensProductions.com

Thanks, so very much, for your continued encouragement, likes, shares, pins, favorites, and purchases, too.  We appreciate you more than you could possibly know! 

Happy Spring!

Lois

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Today's Blossom

 Good morning,

Today's blossom is a gloriously beautiful tulip.  The petals look like exquisite silk fabric.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Happy Birthday, Bjorn Erik

 Good morning,

Yesterday was Erik's 14th birthday.  Of course, he received extra loveys, treats, and attention.  He's a sweet old soul, always gentle and loving.  He has had many jobs here.  At the beginning he was a cuddle puppy, later he was a canine athlete agility hero, he enjoyed gun dog training, has served as our Chief of Security, and is now Leader of the Pack Emeritis.

Happy Birthday, Erik.  We love you so very much.

Love,

Mom