Red Porch Lilies

 Good morning,

Our Red Porch Lilies are gorgeous again this year! 

 I filled two pots on the porch with these several years ago and they return year after year with very little care (intrusion) from me!  

 We can enjoy them from the living room and dining room, too.  The image above is through the dining room french doors.  Since taking this picture, I've gone out and removed the Virginia Creeper that is trying to take over my life.  The pot to the left of the lilies is filled with Marigolds growing from seeds.  Marigold blossoms coming soon.  There are matching pots of lilies and marigolds on the other side of the steps.

Happy Summer!

Lois

Indoor Gardening - Peace Lily

 Good morning,

My indoor garden is much easier to control than what is going on outside.  

This pretty Peace Lily was a gift from Catherine many months (maybe even a year?) ago that came home in a small pot.  I've re-potted it, talked to it nicely, and have watered it carefully.  A little coffee helps keep the acidic soil just right, too.  It seems my Peace Lily is at peace with the world and is quite happy in our dining room! 

Catherine brought me several other plants, too, and I've run out of indoor space for them.  I'll have to get more creative about where I can put them....

All the best,

Lois

Another Storm - Another Tree Down

 Good morning,

Well, it happened again.  When our friend Bill cleared the honeysuckle along the back fence, I asked him to keep a tree that was growing in the center.  He carefully cleared around it and it looked great!

Well, that tree was happy for awhile until we had so much rain and another storm that took it down.  I'm not quite sure what the tree is, but it has very pretty little decorative leaves.  It, and another like it near the pond, is a "child" of a tree that was here when we arrived 46 years ago.  The wood is hard and the leaves don't pollute the pond when they fall.

So, another tree down.  More firewood.  There has been so much rain it's impossible to clear out/clean up the yard.  And, since this one came down, a branch from a large tree by the patio has come down....  *sigh*  Bill doesn't know about that one yet....

I know we'll have plenty of firewood for this winter....

Happy Summer, everyone!

Lois

Needlework and Wood Working Update - June, 2025

 Good morning,

Welcome to this month's Needlework and Wood Working Update!  This is where we collect images of all items completed since the last update.

Above is an absolutely elegant Large Afghan Blanket that is Creamy White and Gold.  $185.  Only one available.  More information and images are here.

 This Lap Blanket is extra long that will easily cover from lap to toes.  It's a lovely blanket for baby or to brighten a hospital room.  The colors and design remind me of childhood summers spent watching soft, pretty yellow and black caterpillars.  Those days were so much more simple without computers and cell phones.  $60.  Only one available.  More information and images here.

 This super soft Honey Gold Scarf will compliment your Fall wardrobe.  60" x 9" Only one available. $40.   More information and images here.

 This simple cloche hat will keep your ears warm;  or, you can fold up the brim.  This hat can also be used as a chemo cap.  This hat is made from the same dye lot yarn as the Honey Gold Scarf above.  More images and information about the hat here.  $10.  Only one available.

 And, finally, this is a super soft cloche hat that can also be used as a chemo cap.  With the edging folded down, it covers your ears.  $14.  Only one available.  More information and images here.

 Kjell has designed and built a Screech Owl Home and it is already sold.  The great details of his design feature safety entrance, drainage, a fold up roof for cleaning, and more.  See below to build your own!

 Kjell has published the plans he wrote for the Screech Owl Home and we have them available here.  So, if you are a wood worker, you can purchase Kjell's plans for this item for $5.

Come see the entire shop here! 

That's it for another month!  We truly appreciate your encouragement, likes, shares, pins, favorites, and purchases, too!  

All the very best,

Lois

Dinner at Chops

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are enjoying the dining package offered by Royal Caribbean.  This was another dinner in Chops, the Steakhouse Restaurant aboard Serenade of the Seas. 

 Not only is the food and service excellent, the views are lovely.

Ah, yes, cruising....

Enjoy!

Lois

Radiance of the Seas - Sitka, Alaska

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are aboard Serenade of the Seas all tied up in Sitka, Alaska.  Next to them is sister ship, Radiance of the Seas. 

 These two ships and their sister Jewel of the Seas were built especially to cruise Alaskan waters.  They are gas turbine ships so have different/fewer emissions.  

I love this size ship.  

More to come....

Lois

Mystery Towel Animal

 Good morning,

Towel animals made by cabin attendants are a fun part of cruising.  

Usually, it is easy to determine what the towel animal represents.

Anyone have any clues about this one?

;),

Lois

Celebrity Solstice

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are aboard Serenade of the Seas, but there are several other ships out there, too.  This is Celebrity Solstice that will be on a similar itinerary this week so they'll see her often.

What beautiful scenery!

Stay tuned...

Lois

Saliling Out of Vancouver

 Good morning,

And, they're off!  Catherine and Erica are sailing out of Vancouver, BC, Canada, for a cruise to ports in Alaska. They are aboard Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas.

 Thank you, ladies, for sharing your images with us!  We'll enjoy the cruise with you.

:),

Lois

Crusing Perks - Diamond Plus

 Good morning,

Back to Cruising!

Royal Caribbean has a great loyalty program.  Catherine has reached Diamond Plus level and is enjoying the perks!

It pays to be Loyal to Royal. 

Fun!

:),

Lois

Happy Father's Day

 Good morning,

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers of both human and fur babies, especially Kjell (my honey) and sons Don and Les!  

We love and appreciate you every day of the year!

Image:  Sunrise in our neighborhood.  The beginning of another beautiful day.

Hugs to Dads!

Lois

Flag Day - United States of America

 Good morning,

Today is Flag Day in the USA.  Of course, Old Glory flies outside out home 24/7/365.  The flag in the image is on Jewel of the Seas where there is a Tribute to Veterans ceremony each cruise.  

Today is also the 250th anniversary of the US Army.  Be sure to watch the big parade on TV!

All the best,

Lois

 Photo credit goes to Catherine. 

Chops for Lunch

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are enjoying Chops Restaurant aboard Serenade of the Seas for their first meal on board.

From experience, I know the food in Chops is fabulous! 

 Ah, steak salad... 

 ...and carpaccio.  This was one of my favorites at Chops.

In addition to great food, the view from Chops is lovely.

Thank you, Catherine and Erica, for sharing your images!  More to come!

Lois

Paddle Wheeler in Vancouver Harbor

 Good morning,

Spring has definitely come to Vancouver.  This is a paddle wheeler in Vancouver Harbor.

Catherine and Erica are on board Serenade, soon to go to lunch....

;),

Lois

Vancouver Cruise Terminal Artwork

 Good morning,

This beautiful sail ship is on display at the Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal.  The ship Catherine and Erica will board is a bit newer....   ;)  

 More history on display in Vancouver.  

The Serenade of the Seas cruise is about to begin!

Stay tuned....

Lois

Plant Wall in Vancouver

 Good morning,

Catherine knows how much I enjoy gardening so sent me this image of a plant wall in Vancouver. 

How pretty!

Thanks, Cath.

Love you,

Mom

To the Ship!

 Good morning,

After three flights and lots of waiting, Catherine and Erica have made it to Vancouver and are on their way to Serenade of the Seas for a cruise of the Inside Passage of Alaska.

So fun!

More to come....

Lois

Vancouver Airport

 Good morning,

Both Catherine and Erica are sharing images of their trip with us.  

This artwork is in the Vancouver airport sent to us courtesy of our friend Erica.

Very nice!

More to come!

Lois

Milwaukee Airport

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica are on another adventure, this time to a cruise in Alaska.

Today's image is from the Minneapolis airport, the first stop in a flight across the continent to Vancouver.

Stay tuned!

Lois

May I Have Your Attention Please

 Good morning,

That's Elsa's chin against my knee as I am sitting in my recliner.  She doesn't move, she doesn't make a sound, she just stays there with her warm chin against me until I notice her.

What does she want?

Usually a cookie.  Or, a cuddle.   She doesn't complain.  She doesn't interrupt. If she want to go out, she brings me a toy. 

Elsa is the sweetest pup ever.  Yes, we love them all and they all have different personalities, but this one just reads me and I read her so clearly. 

Elsa is precious.

Are you a pet mom or dad?

:),

Lois

Fun Dinner With Family

 Good morning,

It's always fun to see family when they can work a visit to the home town into their busy schedules in Washington, DC!

Our son Les, wife Diane, and twins Sarah and Sophie joined us for dinner at J. Alexander's recently. 

 The twins have finished their under graduate degrees and have been in the work force for a year. 

 Catherine and Kjell completed the group.

Kjell and I had ribs this time.  I took home more than half of mine that I enjoyed the next day for lunch.

Les ate a healthy salad.  I'm in awe of his self discipline.

OK, we did go a little wild for dessert.  This is the Ice Cream Tower.  Oh, my, it's good!

Cutting the Ice Cream Tower into portions for everyone is serious business.  Looks like I got the side-eye while the master carver was at work....

This sure was fun!

Love you all,

Mom

Pink Peony

 Good morning,

Our pink peonies are in bloom, but, sadly, there has been so much rain and the blossoms are so heavy, that most of them are laying on the ground.   

 Still, they are beautiful and the aroma is just fabulous!

I love flowers!

:),

Lois

Patience

 Good morning,

Standing in line. It's a part of life, isn't it....

I was at Walgreens waiting to pick up a prescription.  Around the corner, before the counter, there were three more people.  The line moved fast, though, so it wasn't too bad.

I wonder how much of our lives we spend "waiting."  These days it gives us a chance to check our email and even do a little shopping, though....

Walgreens delivers, but I pick up our prescriptions because it gives me a chance to pick up other things we need in the store.  Since my back hurts when I stand, I grab a basket to hold on to while I wait.

Ah, yes, another Tuesday....

All the best,

Lois

Dad Made Gravlaks!

 Good morning,

We love Gravlaks here.  It's a Norwegian treat made of raw salmon cured in alcohol.  We like cognac the best, but Norwegian Aquavit is also good. 

Above you see the side of raw salmon Kjell prepared for our most recent treat. 

 After preparation, here it is served a few days later.

 I didn't get a shot of the serving plate before much of it was gone.  :)  

 Scrambled eggs are an important part of the meal.

Catherine made the sauce. 
 

 And, I made the bread.

The Gravlaks recipe is here if you want to give it a try. 

 Enjoy!

Lois