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 three Labrador Retrievers.

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Sunday, August 17, 2025

More Firewood - Again!

 Good morning,

There is not supposed to be a tree on the top of our garage. 

 If you look carefully above the red propellers of Kjell's weather vane, you can see where the limb is split from the tree.

We've had so many rain storms with high winds that we have been getting a steady supply of firewood all summer. 

 Fortunately, our friend Bill was able to come and clean up the problem.  Thank you, Bill.

I'm actually looking forward to Fall!

All the best,

Lois

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Busy Bee

 Good morning,

Catherine sent me this image that she took outside a local restaurant.  

The pretty image reminded me that we no longer have glads in our garden.  I'll have to add some for next year!

Thanks, Catherine.  Very pretty.

Love you,

Mom

Friday, August 15, 2025

Jungle Jim's

 Good morning,

Does that look like an amusement park up ahead?  Well, you're close if that's what you thought.

That yellow vehicle was once at an amusement park, but is now at the front of Jungle Jim's International Market. 

When I was a child, Jungle Jim's was a highway fruit stand.  My goodness, how times have changed! 

 Kjell and I enjoy trips here to pick up food from Norway and beyond.  If you crave something from somewhere else, this is the place to find it.

 Of course, you may have to sell some stock to shop here....

 We stocked up on brown cheese and cod roe.  Both are yummy treats from Kjell's childhood.

We were in line to purchase some fresh fish, but it was way too long to wait for our number to be called so we passed.

There is so much to see and buy here!  Check out the Jungle Jim's Website.  Be sure to click around the site to see it all.

Yum!

Lois

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Hooked!

 Good morning,

There's a specialty restaurant aboard some Royal Caribbean ships called Hooked.  It specializes in seafood and it appears Catherine ordered something very special!  

Kjell and I haven't tried this restaurant yet.  I'm sure we will the next time we get a chance to cruise.

Yum!

:),

Lois

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Crochet Artwork Aboard Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Catherine sent me this artwork from Symphony of the Seas.  

What a clever way to include crochet doilies into the artwork!  

Thanks, Cath, I really enjoy this one!

Love you,

Mom

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Towel Critter

 Good morning,

Towel critters are special treats left by cabin stewards aboard RCCL ships.

This critter seems to be watching TV.

Cute!

:),

Lois

Monday, August 11, 2025

Izumi Restaurant Aboard Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Izumi is another specialty restaurant aboard Symphony and many other RCCL ships.

We enjoy Asian food, so this is a favorite of ours! 

 Oh, yes, seafood!

Enjoy!

Lois

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Johnny Rockets

 Good morning,

Johnny Rocket's is a specialty restaurant aboard Symphony of the Seas and other RCCL ships.  

This restaurant doesn't have stores in our neck of the woods in the USA, so it was new to us years ago when we encountered it aboard RCCL ships. 

 The food is good, however surely terrible for your diet!  It is delivered by singing and dancing servers that add to the fun of dining there.

Enjoy!

Lois

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Sweet Treats in the Suite

 Good morning,

These are only a part of all the lovely touches of cruising aboard Royal Caribbean ships....

Yes, these are yummy.

Enjoy!

Lois

Friday, August 8, 2025

Cheesecake at Chops!

 Good morning,

Now here's a favorite of mine!  Cheesecake at Chops Restaurant aboard any RCCL ship is amazingly good!

Thanks for the image, Catherine.  I can enjoy how it looks without the calories.  *sigh*  

Love you,

Mom

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Nassau Light House

 Good morning,

This is a familiar sight to many cruisers.

This is the light house at the entrance to the Port of Nassau, Bahamas.  

It was an overcast morning when Catherine took this image which adds to its beauty. 

 Enjoy!

Lois

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Main Dining Room - Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica spent a week aboard Symphony of the Seas, but didn't eat in the main dining room this time.  They enjoyed all of their meals in the specialty restaurants this time. 

 However, while walking through an upper deck, they passed through the main dining room so Catherine snapped a few pictures.

That round table in the center is used as the Captain's Table when he or she eats in the dining room.  We have also used the table for the Chief Engineer and guests. 

 The main dining rooms are similar on all of the RCCL ships, except some are much larger than others due to the overall size of the ship.  This dining room is three stories .  

Beautiful!

Enjoy,

Lois

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Liftoff!

 Good morning,

Last week Catherine went out on her balcony aboard Symphony of the Seas to call me while the ship was in port in Port Canaveral.

Suddenly, she asked, "Is there a space launch today?"  I see something!  People on board are cheering!

I immediately did a search on my phone and, sure enough, there was a space launch.  It was due the previous day, but delayed because of weather.  

It's nearly impossible to see anything on the video, but still fun to have.

Kjell and I sailed out of Port Canaveral every week for six years before his retirement in 2016. We never saw a space launch!  How very cool that Symphony just happened to be in port when it happened!

All the best,

Lois

Monday, August 4, 2025

Carousel aboard Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Sometimes it is hard to remember you are aboard a ship when sailing with Royal Caribbean.

This carousel is aboard Symphony of the Seas.

How fun!

Lois

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Jamie's Restaurant - Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica enjoyed all of the specialty restaurants aboard Symphony of the Seas.  

Jamie's is now in the space where Giovanni's used to be.  Jamie's is a more relaxed atmosphere and is excellent for lunch.  Kjell and I ate at Jamie's aboard Mariner of the Seas. 

 Meals start with marvelous rolls. Yum!

I think the gals were enjoying the food that came after that too much to take pictures of it.

;),

Lois

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Symphony of the Seas

 Good morning,

Symphony of the Seas is a huge cruise ship that is one of the newer members of the Royal Caribbean fleet.

 When aboard, you can imagine you aren't even on a ship. 

Catherine and Erica strolled around the ship as soon as they came aboard and were kind enough to send images for us to share.

The walkways, shops, and restaurants give the feeling of being in a beautiful little town

And, of course, as aboard all RCCL ships, there is a casino.  This one appears to be larger than others I've seen.

Thanks for the images, Cath and Erica. More images to come!

 Lois

Friday, August 1, 2025

The Ladies Are Traveling Again

 Good Morning,

Catherine and her friend, Erica, have landed in New Jersey on their way to Symphony of the Seas for a week-long cruise to the Bahamas.

 Have fun, ladies! 

More images to come!

:),

Lois