Morning Marigold

 Good morning,

Another beauty bloomed this morning.  

These are just so lovely!

Enjoy.

All the best,

Lois

Goat Cheese Salad - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

Erica sent us another picture.  

This Goat Cheese Salad with Craisins and Walnuts looks marvelous!

Yum!

Enjoy,

Lois 

 

 

 

Seasons 52 Reservations

 Good morning,

We were delighted when our eldest son, Les, was in town and invited us to dinner at Seasons 52. 

 The restaurant is very close to our home, but we had never been there.

 The company was fantastic.  Thank you, Les!

The Cedar Plank Salmon was delicious!  The service was tops!

Les was very careful to request a table with chairs with arms for me when he made the reservation in advance.  I'm a little (ha!) older now and appreciate the arms on chairs more than I ever knew I would.  The restaurant took his reservation request without telling him that there are no arms on any of their chairs.  Guest comfort is so important to make the dining experience a positive one.  Yes, I enjoyed my meal and especially the company, but restaurants should be honest about confirming reservations with such requests.

Thanks, again, Les.  It was wonderful to see you!

Love you,

Mom

Naked Blonds Sun Bathing

 Good morning,

That title will surely bring in some lookers.  ;)  

Our girls love to soak up Vitamin D on sunny days.  Above is Elsa. 

 And, this is Wendy.  They are certainly well fed.

The pups have a hard life around here, don't they....

They are precious!

:),

Lois

Izumi Meal - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

Here are more images from our friend, Erica, from Independence of the Seas Izumi Restaurant.

Above is Goyoza... 

 Here's a favorite:  California Roll.

 And, here are Tuna Tataki Roll and Sashimi.

Oh, how I wish I could order delivery!

Thank you for sharing the images, Erica!

All the best,

Lois

Today's Blossom

 Good morning,

This is today's summer blossom that greeted me on the patio this morning.

I love flowers.

Enjoy,

Lois

Bread Day

 Good morning,

The house smells wonderful today.  

These two loaves are just out of the oven.  They're made with brown sugar and sour cream.  

Oh, so good!

Sorry I can't sent you some through the Internet....

Lois

Note:  My bread recipes, etc., are here on this blog.  Scroll through the Bread posts to find recipes, tips, and tricks.

Independence of the Seas Junior Suite

Good morning,

Our friend Erica sent us this image of the Junior Suite she and Catherine shared on board Independence of the Seas.  They enjoyed back to back cruises but had to change suites between the first and the second cruise.

This looks quite comfy to me!

Ah, yes, cruising....

Enjoy,

Lois

Healthy Brunch ala Kjell

 Good morning,

Kjell makes yummy meals.  This is a healthy brunch he made:  two poached eggs, toast, cheese, and a banana.  The chives were grown locally - just a few feet from our back door.  :)

Thanks, Sweetie, it was delicious!

Love you,

Lois

Return to Jungle Jim's International Market

 Good morning,

We made another trip out to Jungle Jim's International Market for Kjell to pick up some flavors from his home country, Norway. 

 It is amazing to just walk through this huge store to see all of the food items from around the world.

 When we got home, Kjell made Norwegian Beef/Pork Meat Cakes (we'd call them meat balls here in the USA) with traditional Norwegian spices.  It's the Nutmeg that makes the difference.  There are many recipes for Norwegian Meat Cakes on line.

In Norway, the peas are mashed, the potatoes are boiled and served with sour cream.

It is a delicious meal!  Kjell always makes enough meat cakes to freeze some for quick meals in the future.

Enjoy!

Lois

Tagliatelle from Giovanni's Kitchen

 Good morning,

Our friend Erica enjoyed this Tagliatelle from Giovanni's Kitchen aboard Independence of the Seas.

That looks go good I wish I could get some carryout for dinner here at home tonight!

*sigh*

Lois

World Cup Cupcakes

 Good morning,

Catherine and Erica were traveling during the World Cup Games last month.  

The chefs on board Independence of the Seas prepared a beautiful display of cupcakes for guests to enjoy.  It seems Erica got there in time to get a picture before the cupcakes were consumed by hungry guests!

Fun and yummy, too!

Enjoy,

Lois

Steak Salad - Independence of the Seas

 Good morning,

This is a steak salad that our friend Erica enjoyed aboard Independence of the Seas.

 I'm so impressed with how much steak is on that salad!

Yum!

Enjoy,

Lois

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