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

Old Glory - 24/7/365

  

Good morning,

We fly Old Glory 24/7/365 at our home.  Of course, we have lights on the flag so it is lit at night.

Recently, the light fixture we had on the ground aiming up at the flag was stolen.  Kjell realized the light was "out" so went outside to check and found the entire fixture was stolen.

So...  

 ...it is good to be married to an engineer.  

Kjell has constructed a light from the bottom that is powered by the sun and shines straight up at the flag.  Along with the light from the top of the pole, the flag is very well lit at night.  The light and solar panel you see in the image above are anchored to the flag pole so that it would take tools, strength, and time to remove it all.  So...

...we also have a camera system on the flag pole.  

It's always something, isn't it.  Hopefully, we won't have any more problems with theft in our yard.   

Happy Fall,

Lois

Salmon and Manicotti

 Good morning,

This was an easy-to-make dinner for two. 

Catherine brought home two pieces of salmon that I baked in lemon juice, butter, and dill. 

 She also brought us two Take Home Entrees from Olive Garden.  

 I baked the salmon for 45 minutes on 350 F,

...heated the manicotti in the microwave for 3.5 minutes per instructions...

...and plated two yummy meals!

Thank you, Catherine, for bringing home the good stuff!

Love you,

Mom

It's (Almost) That Time of the Year

 Good morning,

It's Fall.  Leaves are turning, the air is cooler.  

Not only do we have Halloween decorations, but Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are also in the stores and on line.

Actually, there are only 76 days until Christmas so for some people it's not too early to plan.  

Where has 2025 gone?

Happy Fall, Everyone!

Lois

Innocence

 Good morning,

They look so innocent when they are sleeping, don't they....

Ah, how looks can be deceiving.

Yesterday I told our two year old Lily she is lucky she is so cute.  

;),

Lois

By the LIght of the Silvery Moon

 Good morning,

The moon has been brilliant the past few nights.  I took this image when we took the pups out for last call around 10 PM.  

The buildings you see across the street and beyond are Xavier University.  Yes, we're close, literally right across the street.  I've always loved hearing the bell chimes from Bellarmine Chapel on campus.  I'm an XU grad and have taught there. Several family members are also XU graduates.  Xavier is family.

So peaceful.

All the best,

Lois

Work in Process this Week - Brilliant Rainbow Lap Blanket

 Good morning,

We recently sold the Brilliant Rainbow Lap Blanket that was in the shop so it was time to start another one.  I enjoy working with this yarn, but will soon run out of it.  It is made by Lion Brand and has been discontinued.  

 When finished, this blanket will be in the shop.  There are currently more than 300 items available in the shop that are ready to ship now.  Come take a look!  EvensensProductions.Etsy.com

 What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

Irish Stew for Two

 Good morning,

Figuring out what we'll have for dinner each evening for just the two of us is sometimes a bother.  Yes, we both love to cook, but we also both have back issues that make it hard to stand in the kitchen for very long.

Daughter Catherine has been great finding easy to make dinners for us.  Sometimes they are just so-so simply because they are pre-made, but sometimes we get a real winner.  She picked up this Irish Stew at Costco and I'll put it on the grocery list for her to get it again. 

 The meat was tender, the veggies were not mushy, and the gravy was tasty.  Win-win-win.

Thank you, Catherine, for doing our grocery shopping and finding yummy meals for us.

Love you,

Mom

Lily's Logs

 Good morning,

Lily is at it again.  She's taking logs from the log rack and collecting them on her "deck chair" on the patio.

She chews on them for awhile, then goes and gets more.  We have to be careful where we walk, especially when we take the pups out at night.

In a couple of weeks it'll be chilly enough to start the fireplace.  I'll collect logs from the patio collection first.

Kids!

:),

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - October, 2025

 Good morning,

Here are the items we have completed since the last Needlework and Wood Working Update.  

Above is a Red, White, and Blue Lap Blanket that is great for all ages from baby to granny.  $55.  Only one available.  More information and images here.   

 This soft and cushy scarf will be a welcome addition to your wardrobe this winter.  It can be worn with the neck line rolled over as shown, or flat.  It's unisex, only one available, $48.  More information and images here.

 This super comfortable toboggan hat matches the scarf above.  $38. More information and images here.

 And, if you prefer a beanie style hat, this also matches the scarf above.  Only $14, more information and images here.

Kjell has been having a wonderful time with his newest 3D Printer.  He has designed and created a clock with his printer that is similar to the one he previously made in wood.  I am in awe of Kjell's design skill. We'll be keeping this one, so it's not in the shop.
 

Both of us have other items in process now that you'll see next time.  Thanks for stopping by, for your encouragement, comments, likes, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!  We are so enjoying our creative sides now that we are retired from the "real" world.  Or, perhaps THIS is the real world!  :)

We hope you'll stop by our shop and browse.  We would be delighted if you selected something for yourself or someone special to you.  https://evensensproductions.etsy.com 

All the very best,

Lois

Kjell's Yummy Cheese Omelette

 Good morning,

Kjell has been making the most delicious omelettes.  

This one is a cheese omelette with his special ingredients:  1 T mayonnaise, 1 T sour cream in addition to two eggs, a little milk, and cheese topping.  He makes it in a small corning ware dish in the microwave.  It's so light and fluffy!  

Thanks, Sweetie!  You are in charge of all omelettes here!

Love you,

Lois

Adding:  yes, I took a bite out of the toast before I took the picture.  I couldn't control myself between the kitchen and the dining room.  ;)   

Whole Wheat Bread Today

Good morning,

The house smells wonderful!  These are two loaves of whole wheat bread, just out of the oven.

Oh, yum!

:),

Lois

Elsa the Therapy Dog

 Good morning,

That's Elsa, the most precious friend anyone could have.

Last week after a doctor appointment I didn't feel so well so took a nap.  Sweet Elsa was right there with me making sure I was comfortable and loved.  They just know, don't they, when you don't feel well.

What a sweetheart!  That dog is so very special.

 All the best,

Lois