Wing Bridge - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

This the view of the Wing Bridge of Independence of the Seas that Catherine and Erica could see from their balcony.  

How fun to be able to watch the action!

Lois

Lamb Dinner in Chops

 Good morning,

This is the main course Lamb that Catherine enjoyed aboard Independence of the Seas.

Of course, there was a lovely salad, veggies, and dessert too.

I was never hungry while on a Royal Caribbean ship! 

 Yum!

Lois

Summer Flowers in the Morning Sun

 Good morning,

Today's blossoms are just beautiful!   These are from seeds I sprinkled in a pot a few weeks ago.

 These are early morning images taken on my patio.

 It is just so lovely to be greeted by these beauties of Mother Nature.

Enjoy!

Lois

Midnight Snack Run

 Good morning,

Last night the "kids" borrowed Dad's keys to make a Midnight snack run.

They selected steak and whipped cream for themselves and picked up some Pop Tarts for us.  We don't eat Pop Tarts, but it's the thought that counts.  

;),

Lois

Chandelier in Main Dining Room - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning, 

Erica sent us this lovely image of the huge chandelier in the main dining room of Independence of the Seas.  She noted that it was carefully constructed to keep from moving and swaying as the ship moved.  

So pretty!

Thank you,

Lois

Sea Day

 Good morning,

Sea days are the very best.

:),

Lois

Welcome to Bremuda

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica visited Bremuda aboard Independence of the Seas. 

 Notice the sail ship beyond the white tents.  The crows nests are fun to see, but what I really enjoy is the Norwegian flag on the stern.

I didn't get any more information about the sail ship.  Maybe next time.

All the best,

Lois

Windjammer DIY Breakfast

 Good morning,

Today's image is from Catherine.  She and Erica made DIY breakfasts in the Independence of the Seas Windjammer the morning she sent this image.  It looks yummy! 

When Kjell and I cruised as guests, we enjoyed room service for breakfast so we could enjoy our coffee on the balcony.

Either way, we didn't have to do the dishes.  I love cruising!

:),

Lois

Izumi Restaurant Menu - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

I was recently asked about the menu at Izumi Restaurant aboard Royal Caribbean ships.  Catherine sent me this image of the menu on board Independence of the Seas.

Enlarge the image to see the details. 

There are several specialty restaurants aboard.  This one is a favorite! 

 All the best,

Lois

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

 Good morning,

Catherine sent me this image from Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a restaurant in Greater Cincinnati.  I looked it up and there are two of them nearby.

This looks delicious!  Kjell and I will have to try it!  Well, I guess we'll wait until after my implant is complete.  I'm in the middle of an eight month process of getting a dental implant since Lily knocked out my front tooth.  Lily's side of the story is here.  

Yes, I still love her.

:),

Lois

Doggie Deck Chairs

 Good morning,

For some time we've had one "doggie deck chair" (left) on our patio.  The pups share, but sometimes it gets a bit crowded.

Catherine ordered a second deck chair (right) and the pups are quite happy now.  If we had room for a third deck chair (we don't!) we would get one.  In the meantime, two pups fit on the chair on the left, but now it's rare that all three want to stretch out at the same time.

It's a dog's life here....

;),

Lois

Sister Ship

 Good morning,

It is more and more common to see other cruise ships at sea.  Of course, there are more and more cruise ships out there!

When close enough, they often exchange greetings of three long blasts of the ship's horn, returned by the other ship, followed by a short blast from the first thip, then returned by the other ship. 

 Lovely.

All the best,

Lois

Giovanni's Table

 Good morning,

Giovanni's Table is a favorite of ours.  These images were taken recently aboard Independence of the Seas by our daughter, Catherine. 

This is visible on a desktop screen.  If you're seeing it on your phone, I hope you can enlarge it. 

 Of course, cheesecake is, well, you know....

Oh, yum!

:),

Lois

Junior Suite - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica enjoyed back to back cruises aboard Independence of the Seas.  This is how they found their second suite with all of their luggage already transferred from their first stateroom to this one.  Royal Caribbean made the transition very easy for them.

Lovely!

Thank you for sharing your images, Catherine.

Love you,

Mom

Stateroom Treats

 Good morning,

How lovely!  These treats were delivered to Catherine and Erica's suite aboard Independence of the Seas.  

With treats like these, I would be able to skip some meals!

Lovely!

Thank you for the images, Catherine.

Love you,

Mom

Salmon Luncheon - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

More food!  Of course, a very important part of cruising is the fabulous food that is served on board.

This is the luncheon main course salmon on board Independence of the Seas.

I happen to be a lover of salmon, so this looks fabulous to me!

Ah, yes, enjoy,

Lois

Special Luncheon for Consecutive Cruisers

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica enjoyed back to back cruises aboard Independence of the Seas recently.  

Royal Caribbean does a great job with these special people to make the transition day easier for them.  If changing staterooms, they stack their luggage in their first stateroom and after being escorted through immigration (required sine 9/11), they are treated to a special luncheon. 

 After that luncheon, it's time to go to their stateroom for their next cruise where they will find their luggage waiting for them.

Wonderfully smooth transition!

RCCL knows how to do these things.

:),

Lois

Portrait Setting

 Good morning,

This is a spot on board Independence of the Seas where you can take your own unique pictures.  OK, not a formal portrait, but a pretty cool setting.

Fun!

Enjoy,

Lois

Crab Cakes

 Good morning,

Another favorite!  Crab cakes are so delicious on RCCL Ships.  The only advantage of enjoying them through Catherine's images is that I miss the calories.

Thanks, Cath!

Love you,

Mom

Carpaccio

 Good morning,

This is one of my absolute favorites when cruising aboard Royal Caribbean ships.  

This Carpaccio was served on board Independence of the Seas and my daughter Catherine was the lucky one who was there to eat it.  :)

Oh, yes, it's good....

Lois

Pool Deck Snacks

 Good morning,

You'll find food and drink everywhere on a cruise ship.

This "food dispensary" is on the pool deck of Independence of the Seas.

The first day you come aboard a cruise ship, it's a good idea to take a stroll around each deck to see what is there.  Otherwise, it's possible to get through your entire cruise and miss many interesting places and some tasty food.

Enjoy!

Lois

Strawberries in the Suite

 Good morning,

It pays to be Loyal to Royal Caribbean.

Catherine and Erica received these lovely strawberries in their suite aboard Independence of the Seas.

Goodness they look wonderful!

:),

Lois

Needlework Update - July, 2026

 Good morning,

Welcome to the current Needlework Update!  This is where we share needlework items completed since the last update.  

Above is my signature original afghan blanket design in my favorite colors:  New Large Afghan Blanket in Shades of Blue and White.  It was hard to put this one in the shop rather than keep it for ourselves.  $185.  Only one available.  More images and information are here. 

 This is a favorite, too.  The Blue and The Gray Lap Blanket will be welcomed by a man or a woman.  $65.  More images and information here.

What a lovely gift for a student going off to school.   This one happens to be in Georgetown colors.  There are other colors in the shop, too.  

See more afghan blankets in many sizes here.    

 This is a lovely baby shower or first birthday gift.  The turtle is all crocheted together with no loose parts.  The blanket is warm, yet airy enough to use as a breastfeeding cover-up.  $65 for the set.  More here.

Our Babies and Children Section is here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/EvensensProductions&section_id=57765808 

Since they take awhile to make and I want to be prepared for the season, I spend much of the Summer knitting and crocheting hats for Fall and Winter.  This is a washable wool blend Scandinavian Intarsia design.  $40.  More images and information here.

 These are available in a range of sizes so there is something for everyone.  $40. More here.

 

So many colors and designs available!  This one is also a wool blend.  $40.  More images and information here.

 

And, patriotic colors for the USA, Norway, and many other countries.  This is also a wool blend.  $40.  See more about it here.

This blue and white Scandinavian Design Blue and White hat is knit in washable acrylic yarn.  $38.  More information here.

Our Basket Weave knit design provides a lovely warm texture. Fits 24"-28".  $38.  See more images and information here. 

We have dozens of similar Hats, Scarves, and Headbands available to ship now here

Our popular Cloche Hats can also be used as Chemo Caps.  They fit snugly below the ears or the brim can be folded up.  They roll to fit into your coat pocket.  Only $10.  More details here.

This is a similar hat in Charcoal Gray washable acrylic yarn.  $10. More here.

And, finally for this month is a lovely Cloche Hat in shades of blue and white.  $12.  Details here.

We have dozens of similar hats from $8 available here. 

Enjoy 15% off orders of $25 or more on everything in the shop through July 31. Use coupon code 0726USABIRTHDAY15 at checkout.

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Click an image for a link to that item or come see all of our more than 300 items available to ship here: https://evensensproductions.etsy.com

Sending a gift? Gift wrap is available at checkout.

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We sincerely appreciate your encouragement, comments, shares, favorites, likes, pins, and purchases, too! We're celebrating our shop of 15 years: https://evensensproductions.etsy.com

All the very best,

Lois

Lamb on the Grill

 Good morning,

This image was captured in our own back yard.  Kjell was preparing lamb on the grill.  It tasted even better than it looked and smelled!

Yum!

Are you grilling outside this summer?

Enjoy!

Lois

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

 Good morning,

As Forrest said, "Life is like a box of chocolates... 

 ...you never know what you're going to get."

This box of chocolates was a gift Catherine and Erica received in their suite aboard Independence of the Seas.  

Lovely!

All the best,

Lois

Salmon Salad

 Good morning,

Salmon Salad for lunch served in Chops Restaurant aboard Independence of the Seas.

It looks scrumptious!

Enjoy,

Lois

Corn Hole on the Glass Bridge

 Good morning,

This sure looks like fun!  It's a game of Corn Hole on the Glass Bridge of Independence of the Seas. 

 The game is between crew members and guests.  What fun!

Thanks for the images, Catherine!

Love you,

Mom

Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

 Good morning,

Are you singing that title yet?  I'll be singing it all day.  ;)

We've been doing a great job of having healthy snacks (most of the time) as we watch TV in the evening.  

OK, there are some evenings we have ice cream, but, hey, we are trying!

;),

Lois

Front Porch Flowers

 Good morning,

Here are today's blossoms that I grew from seeds.   

 These are growing on my front porch.

It's amazing how easy this is to enjoy Mother Nature's beauty.  I just toss some seeds in the pots on the porch and wait.  

So simple;  so pretty!

Lois

Salmon on the Grill

 Good morning,

Kjell prepared salmon on the grill and it was terrific.

He wrapped the salmon in aluminum foil with lime, peppers, spices, and olive oil. 

 A short time on the grill was monitored by his food thermometers - see left side of image.

He has the cook job here!

Yum!

Lois