By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Good morning,

Kjell took this image with his phone camera last night while he had the pups outside.  

The moon is so bright that it lit up the neighborhood.  

Beautiful!

All the best,

Lois

Selfie with Elsa

 Good morning,

This was fun.  While I was watching the news, Elsa asked if she could get on my lap and, of course, I said she could.  She came up for a little snuggle time.

I tried to take a selfie and got mostly Elsa.  My arms aren't long enough and I don't have a selfie stick to take the picture from further away. 

But, I really like this picture.  

Elsa is my sweetheart.  She knows when I don't feel well and she sticks with me trying to make me feel better.  I love that girl.

It certainly is cold here.  I don't care what the calendar says, it's winter here!

All the best,

Lois

Pals

 Good morning,

It's not often that these two slow down long enough to get such a side-by-side picture!  Kjell snapped this picture of Lily and Elsa on the loveseat in the living room and sent it to me.  We're not quite sure what Lily is chewing on....

Lily is working hard to become a productive member of society here.  We have to have eyes on her constantly because she does all of those things expected of an eight month old puppy.

She is darling and we love that kid, but WOW is she a handful! 

Elsa and Lily stick together most of the time.  The bond is strong.  It's interesting they are also aunt and niece.  They were both bred by our friend Alicia Miller, of Millstone Labradors.  Our older two Labradors, Erik and Wendy, are Idlebrook Labradoors, a different breeder

And, so, here is proof that there are brief moments of peace here on the South Coast of Ohio.

;),

Lois

Work in Process This Week

 Good morning,

With Thanksgiving and all the other activities this month, I'm not making very fast progress on this afghan blanket that I started a couple of weeks ago.  I snapped this picture with my camera phone last night as I was crocheting the last squares together.  I'm now working on the border, then it'll go in the shop.  

I am very happy with the cream flowers on green, then the lighter antique white border.  When finished, I think the blending colors will be quite pretty when the blanket is spread out on a couch or bed.  It will be lovely for St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Easter....  There are quite a few other afghan blankets finished and in their own shop section.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?  I just love seeing what you are making.  There are so many talented people out there!

All the very best,

Lois

A Christmas Tree for the Home of a Puppy

 Good morning,

Thanksgiving is over so we are ready to celebrate Christmas.  

Back in the "old days" we had a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree trimmed with old and new ornaments.

Now that we have a fairly new puppy (Lily, age 8 months) we have gone to a table top tree out of her reach.  ;)  The Santa hanging on the lamp shade graced our door on board Freedom of the Seas.  Yes, I crocheted that fellow and he has come out of hiding here every year since we came home to retire.

We hope you enjoy the Christmas and Chanukkah season!  Happy Decorating, Everyone!

All the best,

Lois

Black Friday Weekend Breakfast

 Good morning,

This is my favorite breakfast on Thanksgiving weekend.

Look at it this way:  some people have a donut and coffee for breakfast.  I'm a pumpkin pie fan.

;),

Lois

Time for Leftovers

 Good morning,

Today it will be leftovers from this wonderful turkey.

In years past we had a big family gathering for the holidays at our home, but since both Kjell and I are experiencing back pain, we aren't entertaining as we did before.  We are very thankful for our daughter, Catherine, who was kind enough to prepare a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for us.

We hope you has a great Thanksgiving with family and friends, too.

All the very best,

Lois

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving
from Elsa and her "siblings" Erik, Wendy, and Lily
as well as the rest of us here in the Evensen household
Kjell, Catherine, and Lois (that's me!)

Laundered Money?

 Good morning,

I hope I don't get in trouble for laundering money....

Seriously, I wish I had started collecting all money that has come through the washer for the last 60 years.  I generally toss it on the top of the dryer.  I remember number two son stopping by from time to time to pick up as many coins as he could find there.  Of course, many of them were from the his pockets.  ;)

Ah, yes, those were the days....

Lois

Continuing Professional Education

 Good morning,

This week I'm completing a course to renew my Certified Public Accountant license in the State of Ohio.  Other professions (doctors,lawyers, etc.) have similar requirements.  Although I am not actively working, i.e., going to the office every day, I continue to keep my license current just because it's important to me. 

In Ohio, we need 120 hours of Continuing Education every three years;  this one is a fourteen hour course.  License requirements are similar in other states.  We can select the courses we want to take from an approved list of courses available. Catherine selects and buys courses for the number of CPAs in her practice to complete. The subject matter has to do with her client base.

I had to laugh when Catherine brought this course home from her office for me to complete.  Hmmm.  I wonder if it's a hint.  This is a fourteen hour course.  I've worked on it a couple of hours for two days this week.  The more I learn about the details of Long Term Care, the more I am determined to stay right here in my home until the hearse comes to take me away. 

I wonder what the subject of the next course will be.  ;) 

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Lois 

Puppies at Play

 Good morning,

Catherine sent me this video of our Lily playing with our friend Erica's puppy, Vivian.  

Lily is quite gentle with Vivian, unlike the way Lily and our Elsa often play!

So cute!

:),

Lois

First Christmas Cactus Bloom

 Good morning,

Yesterday's post was about a late bloom in our outdoor garden.  Today's post includes an image of the first Christmas Cactus bloom in our indoor garden.  It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but here come the Christmas Cactus flowers!

We have another Christmas Cactus plant in another color, too, but there are no buds at all on that plant.  We shall see!

All the best,

Lois

One More Bloom

 Good morning,

Although we've had several nights of temperatures below freezing, one last marigold blossom was determined to open.  

Today we had rain most of the day.  The raindrops on the blossom are just beautiful.

It won't be long before everything is brown and gray until Spring.  Well, I'm sure we'll have a few bright white days of snow, too.  :)

All the best,

Lois

Learning from The Master

 Good morning,

Lily, age 8 months, is learning from Erik, age 14 years, all about supervising Mom in the kitchen as she makes dinner.  You can see he is whispering instructions as she wags her tail thinking about this fun job.

The most important thing is to lie right in front of the sink so Mom has to step over you.  Always be on the lookout for food falling to the floor and grab it as quickly as possible.

And, remind Mom that all food has to go to the Lab for testing.

;),

Lois

I Just Want to be Close to My Daddy

 Good morning,

What makes this image image of Elsa sleeping unique is where she is sleeping.  

Her body is on daddy's ottoman (foot rest), while her head is on his legs.  His legs are being held up by the foot rest on his Lazy Boy recliner.  There is a valley all the way to the floor between the ottoman and the Lazy Boy foot rest directly under her neck.

She's sound asleep and snoring from time to time.  She just wants to be close to her Daddy. 

 So very sweet!

Do you have a crazy dog like this?  

;),

Lois

Bread Flour

 Good morning,

I just made two loaves of bread again, as I do every two or three days.

Something came to mind about the flour.  There are some people who swear it's necessary to use a certain type of bread flour to make really good bread.  Do you have strong feelings about this?

My experience is that a good brand of flour is all that is necessary, Gold Medal is one,  I find it most important to use unbleached flour.  My reason is that I don't want the chemicals used to bleach flour to end up in my bread.

The house always smells so wonderful on bread days!

Enjoy,

Lois

A Call From Billie Bird

 Good morning,

I received a phone call from my grand bird, Billie, last Sunday.  His dad/my son, Les, placed the call for him.

I get the biggest kick out of hearing Billie in the background when Les and I are chatting on the phone.  Billie is 14 years old and is as sweet and friendly as he can be.  When we visited Les and family several years ago we enjoyed Billie as he got to know us, too.

Something tells me a meeting between Billie and our family of Labradors wouldn't go so smoothly, but who knows.  

Billie is a sweetie.

;),

Lois

Work in Process This Week - Green and Cream Afghan Blanket

 Good morning,

Cream colored flowers are blooming in a box on my dining room table this week.  When there are eighty of them, I'll put them together to make a large green and cream afghan blanket for the shop.  I love the softness of the cream yarn I'm using for the flowers.  So very nice!

 We have a variety of afghan blankets in the shop and ready to ship now.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

Special!  

This is Black Friday Month so there is something happening in the shop that doesn't happen very often.  There is a Sale Section with additional items being added every day.  Come take a look here to find special prices on hand made and unique items for those special people and for yourself. 

The front door of the shop is here and we invite you to take a look, there, too.

Tough Life

 Good morning,

Wendy lives a hard life here.

If there is such a thing a reincarnation, coming back as an Evensen Pup might not be a bad choice.

;),

Lois

Veterans Day - United States of America

 

Thank you, Veterans!

Needlework and Wood Working Update - November, 2023

 Good morning and welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update.  

The afghan blanket above is new to the shop.  I love the way the colors blend with each other.  It was fun to work on this one and watch the colors and design develop.  $185.  Only one available and ready to ship.  More images and information here. 

 This Lap Blanket is a popular color combination that receives rave reviews.  Enjoy this one yourself or give it as a welcome gift.  $60.  More images and information here.

 This super soft wool blend basket weave hand knit scarf, also has a matching hat available.   Scarf information here, $38.  Matching hat is here, $36. 

 Ah, yes, pot holders/table pads.  I've been making these for years for myself, my family, and for gifts.  They are very popular in the shop, too.  They are 100% cotton, wash beautifully, and seem to last forever.  I am still using similar pot holders that I made more than 30 years ago.  They make great hostess, shower, anytime gifts.  They are available in several colors.

The pot holders pictured above are available here, $20/pair. 

 Here is the solid yellow version, available here.

The turquoise version is available here.

The set of pot holders above was a custom order that has been delivered.

This Deep Purple Toilet Tissue Topper will compliment bathroom decor.  $8.  Available here.

This Emerald Green Toilet Tissue Topper will fit Christmas, St. Patrick, or any day bath decor.  $8.  Available here.

The color on this Navy Blue Toilet Tissue Topper looks much better in the listing and, of course, in real life.  It has a light blue satin ribbon bow.  $8.  Available here.

There are many other Toilet Tissue Topper colors available in our Home Living Entertaining Section.  $8.

And, finally, three more cloche hats that were a custom order.  These have been delivered to the buyer.  We have dozens of similar hats from $8 and ready to ship available here.

There are no wood items to show you this month, but we look forward to what Kjell will finish for next months' update.  Many of his items are currently available in the shop now.

We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, likes, shares, favorites, pins, and purchases, too! Thank you for your support of our small business since 2011.

Our shop continues to be a great deal of fun as we enjoy our creative sides in retirement from totally different professions.  We hope you'll shop with us as you shop for special people this holiday season and year round.   The front door of the shop is here and we hope you'll come for a visit:  EvensensProductions.Etsy.Com and find something you love.  

All the very best,

Lois

Waiting at the BMV

 Good morning,

It's something we have to do every four years here in Ohio:  renew our drivers' licenses.  

I renewed my license last week.  Ohio has done a great job of streamlining the process.  If you're young enough, you can do it on line.  I'm not.  ;)

In contrast to past years, the wait time wasn't bad at all.  The kind lady in position #2 took care of my renewal, snapped my picture, and sent me on my way.

I'm good for another four years on the highway.  

;),

Lois

Who Booked Economy Class?

 Good morning,

Elsa and Lily jumped into the same kennel while waiting for their turn at the dog club last weekend.  They didn't seem to mind the close quarters.

These two have become great buddies, but they sometimes play so rough we are concerned.  We break up the wild play and they both look at us and wag as if to say, "What's wrong?  We were just playing...."

Kids!

;),

Lois 

Photo credit goes to Catherine.

I remember when

 Good morning,

We had ham and cabbage for dinner last weekend.  I remember when a small cottage ham was less than $5. That wasn't so long ago.

Today is election day here in Ohio and probably in many other places as well.  Know your candidates, know what they stand for, and vote accordingly.  

We certainly did!

All the best,

Lois

Three Young Ladies

 Good morning,

Our three young ladies participated in a trial at our dog club this weekend.  That's (L-R) Elsa, Lily, and Wendy.  

Our friend, Susan Ball, took the picture.

Such pretty girls!

:),

Lois   <----- proud mama

Work in Process this Week - Soft Wool Blend Scarf

 Good morning,

The current Work in Process is a wool blend basket weave knit scarf.  I sold a very similar one recently and since I have enough yarn to make another, I am doing so.  I have a matching hat in the shop and someone might like to have both matching pieces.

The colors in the picture above don't do the yarn justice.  I was using only the light from the lamp next to my chair when I snapped this picture.  The hat is the shop is the actual color of the yarn.

With the chill in the air, it just feels right to sit by the fireplace and knit.  What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

Autumn Aromas

 Good morning,

Ah, the smell of the fireplace.  It is wonderful to have it warming the living room once again. 

 And, yesterday was also bread making day so we had the lovely aroma of fresh bread.

Happy Fall!

Lois

Happy Birthday , Don!

 Good morning,

Our son, Don, had a birthday this week.  We took him out to dinner last night to celebrate. That's his daughter, Anna, on the right.  We are at our favorite sushi restaurant, Tokyo.

 We started the evening by opening presents.  We teased that Elsa had ordered Don's present on line and wrapped it for him.  Actually, it was a collection of gourmet goodies all individually wrapped and packed inside a dog treat box.  The effect was great.

I think he likes his presents.  :)

In addition to dinners, we ordered lots and lots of sushi.  The seven of us had no problem finishing off every single bite.

 

This is Don and his friend Shannon.  

We all had a lovely evening!

Happy Birthday, again, Don,

 

Love you,

Mom

My Supervisor

 Good morning,

That's Elsa in the image above intently watching what I am doing.

 I am crocheting a pot holder and Elsa is my supervisor.  She is watching every stitch, every move I make.  If she had opposable thumbs, I would teach her how to do this.

Elsa is so sweet and also very patient.  She will sit for the longest time just concentrating on what I am doing.

She is precious.  

All the best,

Lois

Pure Protein

 Good morning,

It was time for some straight protein and this did the trick.

I prepared this filet mignon more well done than I usually like, but it sure was good!  Those are onions in wine sauce on the top.

Oh, yum!

OK, now back to salads for awhile....

;),

Lois