Giovanni Wall Art

 Good morning,

This lovely display is on the wall in Giovanni's Restaurant aboard Brilliance of the Seas.

Uh, does this remind you of some other restaurant?  Cracker Barrel, maybe?

Hmmmm....

;),

Lois

Catherine in the Kitchen

 Good morning,

Catherine fired up the grill last weekend to prepare a lamb leg. I had already thawed out chicken breasts to make over the weekend so she marinated and grilled them at the same time. 

We have left overs for another meal, too! 

The meal of salad, really yummy mashed potatoes, lamb, chicken, and mushrooms was delicious.  But, what made it even more special is it was made by Catherine and shared by all of us.  

All the best,

Lois

Yarn Shopping at the Port

 Good morning,

Catherine sent me these pictures while on her Canadian Fall Foliage cruise last month.

This is where the yarn comes to the port!   

 Of course, she went inside and looked around.  The yarns were gorgeous!  She didn't buy any, but is sure is fun to see this!

Enjoy!

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - November, 2025

 Good morning,

We've been busy since the last Needlework and Wood Working Update.  

Above is a Sorbet Pastels Lap Blanket for all ages.  It's super soft and the stitch texture is warm and comfy.  $60.  Only one available.  More images and information here. 

 Our Brilliant Rainbow Lap Blanket is a favorite!  It's a perfect size for chair, wheelchair, car, or wherever you would like to use it.  Only one available.  $75.  More images and information here.

 This Cloche Hat/Chemo Cap is perfect for cooler weather.  It's double strand, super soft, and squishy so is so very comfy!  It's Large-Extra Large 24"-26" so will accommodate most hairdos, too.  Only $16.  More images and information here.

This is another double strand Cloche Hat/Chemo Cap that will be a favorite this winter and into Spring.  It's 23"-25".  Measure your head at the natural hair line to be sure of size.  $16.  More images and information here.

We have dozens more Cloche Hats/Chemo Caps in a variety of sizes from $8 here.
 

 I've restocked our Navy Tissue Topper.  These are not only lovely to refresh your bathroom appearance, but make terrific host gifts when you go visiting.  $10.  More information and images here.

 We have more Tissue Toppers in a variety of colors in our Home Living Entertaining Section here.

Kjell has been busy designing and making nifty things with his 3d printer.  This is a spring loaded bread bag clip.  I make two loaves of bread in each batch so he made two of the clips that we use daily.  Sorry, this is not in the shop. 

And, finally for this month, that device that holds the solar panel and light to our flag pole was designed and made by Kjell with the use of his 3D printer.  We had a stick-in-the-ground simple light on our flag, but it was stolen a few weeks ago.  Kjell went to work to solve the problem.  To take this one, it will require tools, strength, and time.  Oh, he also added a security camera on the flag pole so we'll have a live video feed if anyone messes with our flag pole.  Such a shame it has come to this....

So, that's it for this time.  We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, likes, shares, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!  We hope you'll shop https://evensensproductions.etsy.com for yourselves and for gifts.  Come take a look!

All the very best,

Lois

Autumn Morning Sky

 

Good morning,

What beautiful skies on an Autumn morning!

 The Northern Lights have been visible in our part of the world for the past few evenings, but we are in the city where there is too much artificial light (street, house vehicle lights) to be able to see them well, much less photograph them.  There are lovely images of Northern Lights this week on Facebook from friends who live further out from our city lights. 

I remember my Dad taking all of us into the country where it was very dark to see the Northern Lights when I was a child.  Of course, we have seen them in Norway, too.   

 One of my favorite original afghan blanket designs is inspired by the Northern Lights:

If interested, more images and information are here.
 

All the best,

Lois

African Violet Rebirth

 Good morning,

This sweet little African Violet was having a hard time this past Summer.  So, I placed her in a window where I could watch her daily and carefully water her to bring her back to life.

I had a great feeling of success when I spotted this blossom!  Soon I'll groom her and put her in a bigger pot.  I don't want to stress her with a move quite yet.

Yes, it's time for winter indoor gardening. 

:),

Lois

Warm Bread on a Cold Day

 Good morning,

Ah, yes.  Warm homemade bread on a cold day.  This one is Light Whole Wheat.

I wish I could share the aroma with you!

All the best,

Lois

-------------------------------------

Shopping for the holidays?  Come look!

EvensensProductions.Etsy.com

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It's Just Too Early!

 Good morning,

It's just too early for snow!

Perhaps we'll have a white Thanksgiving.  ;)

Stay warm!

Image credit to Kjell.

All the best,

Lois

Veterans Day - United States of America

 

Veterans Day
United States of America

Thank a Veteran Today and Every Day 

 

 

Tug Mister Bean

 Good morning,

This little tug reminds me of children's books.  So cute!

This is the Mister Bean and crew who were helping cast off lines of Brilliance of the Seas in Sydney, Canada.

Image credit to our friend, Erica. 

All the best,

Lois

Fiddling Around in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

 Good morning,

Here's a fun image courtesy of our friend Erica.  She and Catherine came across this huge "fiddle" while strolling around Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

How very cool!

Thanks, Erica!

All the best,

Lois

Merchant Mariners Memorial - Sydney, Nova Scotia

 Good morning,

This is the Merchant Mariners Memorial in Sydney, Nova Scotia.  

There is a Canadian web site that gives more information about it here:  https://veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canada/merchant-mariners-memorial

Catherine and Erica visited this memorial on their recent Canadian cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas.  Thank you. Erica, for sharing the image with us.

All the best,

Lois

Wild Life - Sydney, Canada

 Good morning,

I love it.  Erica shared an image of exotic wildlife in Canada.

They do look comfy, don't they!

:),

Lois

Brilliance of the Seas Wing Bridge

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica had a balcony stateroom aboard Brilliance of the Seas that was near the wing bridge.  

It is fun to watch the navigation activity!

Enjoy!

Lois

Celebrity Ship in Halifax, Canada

 Good morning,

Here's another lovely image from our friend Erica. She took it while it was at anchor in Halifax, Canada.

She believes this is a Celebrity ship.

Ah, yes, cruising....

Enjoy!

Lois

Halifax Lighthouse

 Good morning,

What a lovely sight!  The Halifax, Canada, Light House.

I love seeing these pictures so kindly shared by Erica and Catherine.

What wonderful memories of all the years we sailed at sea.

Enjoy!

Lois

Nova Soctia Brewery

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica enjoyed walking around the ports of call while on their Fall Foliage Cruise to Canada aboard Brilliance of the Seas.

What a fascinating old building for the Nova Soctia Brewery.

Thank you for the image, Erica.

All the best,

Lois 

 

 

 

Charlottetown, Canada

 Good morning,

What a pretty place!  This is Charlottetown, Canada.  Our friend Erica took the image while on a cruise with our Catherine aboard Brilliance of the Seas.

This was a Fall Foliage cruise;  you can see the leaves just beginning to change color.

Enjoy!

Lois

Captain's Corner - Brilliance of the Seas

 Good morning,

Regular Royal Caribbean cruisers know that the Captain's Corner event can be different from ship to ship.

Aboard Brilliance recently the Captain, Chief Engineer, Hotel Director, and  Cruise Director all met to answer questions.

This is always an interesting event where questions can be asked and answered.  I remember on board Freedom when we were there, it was also pretty funny, too.

If you get the chance, don't miss this!

All the best,

Lois

Happy Halloween!

 

Good morning and Happy Halloween!

Today's image is from the archives.  It was taken in 2016 aboard Freedom of the Seas.

The handsome Chief Engineer on the left is My Honey, Kjell.  The guy in the middle is not only headless, he is nameless.  And gentleman on the right is our friend Captain Toni Calne.

Ah, yes, good times on board!  Kjell's retirement is great.  I was very fortunate to be able to sail with him for the last 20 years of his 31 years with Royal Caribbean.   We miss the people, but we don't miss the job.

We hope you have a safe and happy Halloween!

All the best,

Lois

Cruise Ship Find

 Good morning,

This one is new to me.  For some time there was a "thing" to hide ducks around the ships for others to find.  I haven't seen this character before.

All of this hiding and finding business happened since we retired from cruising nine years ago.   

Interesting....

Lois

Sweaters - Halifax, Canada

 Good morning,

If you forgot to bring a sweater on this cruise, you will certainly have plenty of choices to purchase one or many more.

These are for sale in Halifax.   Since Catherine sent me the image, I didn't get to see the labels to see if they are hand made.  I don't think these are, but they are beautiful.

What a fun itinerary!

All the best,

Lois

Port of Halifax, Canada

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are in the Seaport of Halifax, Canada.

Kjell and I visited this and other ports on this itinerary more than 20 years ago.  There have been many changes!

All the best,

Lois

Froggie Towel Art

Good morning,

One of the fun things about cruising aboard Royal Caribbean ships is returning to your stateroom and finding towel critters made by your cabin attendant.

I'm guessing this is a froggie.  Any other ideas?

More to come....

Lois

Dinner at Chops - Brilliance of the Seas

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica enjoy the specialty restaurants aboard  Royal Caribbean ships.  Chops is a favorite! 

 This time she ordered Rack of Lamb.

Oh, my, so good!

Enjoy,

Lois

Lily Update

 Good morning,

Thanks to all who have asked about our Lily following her surgery to remove a very expensive sock from her small intestine.  See posts earlier this month for details.

Lily is doing very well!  It's about a week and a half since surgery and we are having a time keeping her calm.  Her long incision looks great!  

On the 30th, she will have her stitches removed and she'll be able to romp and play again.

Is that doughnut cute or what!

All the best,

Lois

Cheese and Tomatoes Salad

 Good morning,

More good food aboard Brilliance of the Seas.

I love these salads and can eat one for a light lunch.  Nothing more needed.

:),

Lois

Giovanni's Restaurant aboard Brilliance of the Seas

 Good morning,

Above you see the mural in Giovanni's Restaurant aboard Brilliance of the Seas.  

We always enjoyed the Italian food aboard Royal Caribbean ships.  The atmosphere makes it even better.

Thanks to Catherine and Erica for sharing their images! 

All the best,

Lois 

Izumi aboard Brilliance of the Seas

 Good morning,

My goodness, this looks fabulous!

That's a sashimi plate in the foreground and a truffled lobster roll in the background at Izumi Restaurant aboard Brilliance of the Seas. 

 Catherine and Erica report they are having a fabulous time!

Oh, the memories....

All the best,

Lois

Port of Boston

 Good morning,

Cruise ships and commercial vessels share many ports of call.  

This is an image from our friend Erica taken from her balcony aboard Brilliance of the Seas.  Brilliance was just about to sail when this image was taken.

When in ports it is interesting to watch the loading and unloading activity of container ships.

More to come!

Lois 

 

 

 

Pub Aboard Brilliance of the Seas

 Good morning,

This is the pub aboard Brilliance of the Seas. Each Royal Caribbean ship has a pub where it's fun to gather and watch the parade of people going by.

Have fun, Catherine and Erica!

We look forward to seeing your images.

Love you,

Mom

Here They Go Again!

 Good morning,

Happy Birthday, Catherine!

Here they go again!  Catherine and Erica are in Boston to board Brilliance of the Seas for a Fall Foliage cruise.   Kjell and I enjoyed this route numerous times aboard Splendour of the Seas.

Here's hoping for great weather!

More to come....

Lois

Lily's Home Health Care

 Good morning,

Now that Lily is home from her surgery (see earlier posts this week), we have blocked off the end of the living room, put down a king size comforter, and have added items to make Lily comfy as she recovers.  

She has her basket of toys and her Private Duty Nurse Wendy.  Her other Private Duty Nurse Elsa is also nearby.

She doesn't spend much time here, though, because her post op meds make her sleep a great deal so she sleeps in her kennel.  We call it her "house."   

 Lily is being a very good patient.  She is only allowed to go outside on a leash, is not permitted to climb steps or get onto furniture, and must wear her party hat at all times.

We're giving her plenty of TLC, though, and hopefully, these two weeks will go by quickly.

Thanks, again, for all of your kind words and prayers for sweet Lily.

All the best,

Lois

Lily is Home

 Good morning,

Our sweet Lily is home after a very difficult week.  She came home late yesterday afternoon and I grabbed Kjell's phone to snap a picture of her before she came into the house.  She looks tired, but her tail sure was wagging to show how happy she was to be home.

The back story:  Lily swallowed a sock that got stuck in her small intestine.  The surgeon at MedVet did a great job of administering saline solution orally, then moving the sock through her system to the inevitable end.  To do this a long incision was made in Lily's belly.  At least there was no need to make an incision in her intestine.  That was exceptionally good.

So, Lily is home, the sock is in a jar on the table, and aftercare and medications have begun.  Lily has to wear her party hat for two weeks.  Activity is restricted:  no climbing stairs or furniture, no playing with her siblings....  

Oh, and that was an expensive sock.  We were quoted $10,700 before she was treated.  We don't have the final bill yet, but believe it will be slightly lower after an adjustment.  I'll check my credit card statement later today when everything has a chance to post. 

Thank you to everyone who wrote and asked about Lily.  You are so very appreciated.  It was a very difficult week for Lily and the rest of us, too. 

All the best,

Lois

Lily's Surgery Successful

 Good morning,

That's Lily sprawled across Catherine's knees and an adjacent chair at the Vet.  They are waiting to see the doctor after an ultrasound and before Lily's surgery.

I'm happy to report the surgery was a success yesterday afternoon.  Lily had swallowed a very expensive sock.  Well, certainly not expensive when we bought it, but expensive to get it out of her.  She is scheduled to come home this afternoon and will have two weeks recovery.

We hope Lily is tired of eating socks!

Thank your prayers and kind words for Lily.  It has been a difficult week for Lily and the rest of us, too.

More recovery photos to come....

All the best,

Lois

Prayers for Lily the Lab

 

 Good morning,

Our sweet Lily is in the hospital because, as Labs are known to do, she has swallowed something she shouldn't.  We don't know what it is yet or if surgery will be necessary. She had an ultrasound yesterday, received fluids and pain meds overnight, and will have another ultrasound today.

Please keep her in your prayers.  Thank you. 

This is an image of our two year old Lily from last Easter.  

Lois

Image from Viera Wetlands

 Good morning,

Today's image is one that Kjell took several years ago when we visited Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, Florida.  

Kjell was going through some of his old images and came across this.  It is just so pretty, I had to share.   

 Enjoy,

Lois

Dough Man Face

 Good morning,

It's that time of the week again to make bread.  The face you see above is the not-so-happy dough man as I started to knead after the first rise.  I suddenly realized the dough was looking at me.

I talked nicely to him, divided him into two portions for two loaves, and kneaded each portion before putting them into the bread pans to rise again before baking. 

 They looked very happy and yummy when they came out of the oven.  

Ah, adventures in baking....

;),

Lois

Acorn Squash

 Good morning,

I harvested this acorn squash from the front yard yesterday afternoon. It's wet and sitting on a kitchen towel because I just washed it off. 

 The back story:

 While cooking, Catherine sometimes tosses seeds from veggies she is preparing into the front or side yard.  Well, this one "took" and sure enough, we have a lovely acorn squash.  It seems only one seed sprouted into a vine, but there are a couple more small fruits still growing and a couple of flowers.  If it stays warm enough, we may get another one or two to the kitchen.

This is such fun!

What did you grow this summer?

All the best,

Lois