About this Blog: Bread making recipes, knit and crochet projects, wood working, gardening, digital imaging, travel, cruise ships, Labrador Retrievers, and more....

About the Header Image: Idlebrook Wendy Darling Evensen "Wendy" one of our three Labrador Retrievers.

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Sunday, August 2, 2026

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

Saturday, August 1, 2026

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

Friday, July 31, 2026

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

Thursday, July 30, 2026

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

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

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

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

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

Monday, July 27, 2026

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