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