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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Saturday, January 24, 2026

Christmas in January

 Good morning,

We have quite a few scheduling conflicts around the holidays so we enjoyed Christmas in January with son Don and family.  Catherine made all the arrangements and Don took all of us to dinner at our favorite Tokyo Restaurant.

We enjoyed the hibachi this time and I grabbed a couple of images of the chef preparing our food.

 Ah, yes, we enjoyed the whole show of the flames during the preparation.

Thank you, Don, this was a fantastic evening!  The company and the food were fabulous!  Thanks, Catherine, for making all the arrangements.

Love you all!

Mom

Friday, January 23, 2026

Herb Garden Progress

 Good morning,

Our little seedling herbs are slow, but sure.  Actually, I'm not concerned that this is going slowly because there is no way I can plant anything outside right now.  This weekend we are expecting extremely low temperatures and snow so no outdoor gardening will happen.  

This has been a fun adventure with our hydroponic garden.  When I was a child, we started seeds using potting soil in old pressed paper egg cartons in metal sheet cake pans.  They were great because we could plant the entire section of the egg carton and the new seedling out in the garden.

 Wherever you are, I hope you are warm and comfortable (or those friends below the equator cool and comfortable) this weekend.  

All the very best,

Lois

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Snow in the Forecast

 Good morning,

We've had very cold weather again this week and now snow is forecast for the weekend.

I've brought in some firewood, but I just can't carry very much any more because of my back.  I appreciate it greatly when family members bring in firewood for me.

It's a funny thing about my back.  It seems we can order anything on God's green earth from Amazon except a new spine....

OK, I know....

Lois

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Chair Checker

 Good morning,

Lily is the chair checker when Daddy gets up from his recliner.  

You see, on movie night we had popcorn and there just might be a piece or two of popcorn that he dropped in his chair.   Lily is very good at checking for those things.  Popcorn is never wasted here.

:),

Lois

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Favorite Fish Cakes

 Good morning,

Last week Kjell made meat cakes and this week it's fish cakes.

I did a little research here on my blog and find I published his recipe back in 2011 so here's the link if you're interested:  Kjell's Fish Cakes

We love this "taste of Norway."

Enjoy!

Lois

Monday, January 19, 2026

Work in Process - Blue and White Lap Blanket

 Good morning,

My project this week is a Blue and White Lap Blanket.  These make wonderful gifts for students so school colors are very appropriate.  When I was looking through my yarn supply for this project, I realized both my University and my High School had the same school colors: blue and white.  When this one is finished, it'll be available in the shop.

 I have a similar green and white lap blanket and many others in a variety of colors and sizes in the shop already.  

What are you making, baking, growing this week?

All the very best,

Lois

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Guitar Dad

 Good morning,

Wonderful sounds are coming from our "library" where Kjell is learning new tunes on his guitar.   

I'm regularly serenaded as I sit in the living room.  I love it!

Retirement rocks!

;),

Lois