A Little More Snow

Good morning,

That's the view out of my sitting room window.  There's a screen on the window, but you can still see that white stuff out there.  We just got another inch of snow to cover up the snow already there that was starting to look a little dirty. 

Well, gee, it is February, isn't it.  ;)

Stay warm, wherever you are. 

All the best,
Lois

Christmas in February

Good morning,

As many of you know, My Honey and I travel for his work.  That means we miss some holidays and birthdays some years, but we always celebrate every holiday and birthday either before we go or as soon as we get home.

On this snowy February Sunday we celebrated Christmas, New Years, and Penny's Birthday with a yummy brunch and lots of family fun time.

Our son and family were here.  Above is Alex, our youngest grandson.  He managed to get a warm spot close to the fire.

Aunt Carol was here with her fabulous french toast casserole.

 Our daughter, Catherine, put together the rest of this fabulous meal.

 Soon it was time!  We have a large dining room table, but it is more comfortable for everyone to have a side table for the children.

 Our grandsons are engrossed in a chess game...

 ...then their Mom got her turn to play, too.

It's such a pleasure to have them all here.  Everyone just has fun.

 Presents!  Even the dogs get into the act.  Above Penny is opening her birthday present.  It's a collar that says "Agility" on it with special designs made just for her that I purchased from an Etsy shop.   

 For Christmas Penny and Erik got rubber chickens that they really, really love!  The dogs are both wonderful about opening their own and only their own presents.  They wait to be told what is theirs to open, then they tear into it just like any other kids.  So cute!

 Everyone had a blast.  When questioned, the kids said they think this double Christmas thing is pretty cool.

 And, the recipient of the Dr. Who scarf is................(drum roll, please).....our son Don.  He's very happy with it.  I was wondering, all the time I was knitting it, if he would really like it.  If he doesn't he sure put on a great act that he does!

 Erik and Penny played with their rubber chickens for the rest of the afternoon, squeaking, and squeaking, and squeaking, and squeaking....well, you get the idea.  :)  They really had fun!

 And, finally, we sang Happy Birthday to Penny and enjoyed enjoyed cake and ice cream. 

What a super fun day! 

It is so much more fun to reschedule dinners and gift giving and celebrations when we have to be out of town on the actual dates.  If we had just sent gifts or checks we would never have seen the smiles as the gifts were opened nor would we have been able to spend this precious time together.

All the best,
 Lois

Needlework Update - February, 2013

Good morning,

Here it is February already so here's the monthly needlework update of what has flowed off the hooks and needles since the January Needlework Update.

Do you know what that is up there in the first picture?  Dr. Who fans will know.  My son is a huge Dr. Who fan so this is his Christmas present, a scarf inspired by the TV character, Dr. Who.  My version is 12 feet long.   Since we were out of town from November to January, we are celebrating Christmas with the family in February.  The grand kids think this is a pretty neat idea to have another Christmas. 

I've made a couple more ponchos, the blue one above and...

 ...and this tan one.  The tan one is in our Etsy Shop at this writing.  I love these for in the car because they are easy on and off when wearing a seat belt.

 These are luggage identifiers.  They're so very handy you have to claim your luggage from among hundreds of others.  These are in the shop, too.

 More octopus...

 ...have come into my life, too.  These are so much fun!  They fit just about everywhere to keep me company.

 This scarf if now living happily in Texas.  ;)

 I've restocked the shop with two more...

...of these shawl/scarves.  I absolutely love this yarn.

 This is a Froggie Baby Set in size 12 months for a baby boy.  There are frog buttons on the sweater and hat.  The blanket is airy enough to gently lay over baby's face when you go out in bright sun or cold wind, yet will also keep baby warm.

 Some of these sets of 3 Mug Rugs/Spa Cloths/Dish Cloths/Snack Mats...

 have already found happy homes...

 ...and some are available in the shop...

 ...as of this writing.

Last, but not least, I have also "baked"...

...a few more plates of...

...zero calorie cupcakes.  I can't seem to "bake" these fast enough.  ;)

I hope you've enjoyed the February Needlework Update.  I'm keeping up with special orders, yet have a long list of ideas for what I want to make, too.


If you're interested in seeing more, many of these items and more than 140 other items are available at EvensensProductions.com.

I truly enjoy seeing what my other blog friends are quilting, knitting, crocheting, sewing.

We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging.  ;)

All the very best,
Lois

Snack on a Cold Winter's Night

Good morning,

It has been strange weather the last couple of weeks.  Cold one day, warm the next, cold the next....  It was cold yesterday so it was a good day to stay home to bake some bread, knit, and watch a movie.

Above is my Honey Egg Bread after the first rise and in the pans for the second rise.

About 45 minutes later, it was ready to bake.

35 minutes later it had filled the house with wonderful aromas and was on the cooling rack.

A little later in the evening while watching a movie we had a fresh bread and Norwegian Jarlsberg cheese snack.  Yum.  Oh, yes, and a little dry white wine was nice, too.

What is your favorite snack on cold winter nights?

Enjoy,
 Lois

My Faithful Friend and Assistant

Good morning,

Is this pure relaxation or what?  That's our Penny, my faithful assistant as I clean out the fireplace, load the dishwasher, do the laundry, cook meals, knit, crochet, sleep....

She is always nearby, usually very quietly and without fanfare keeping me company.

What a sweetheart.  I love her so much. 

Lois

Carew Tower Arcade

Good morning,

That ornate doorway above is the entry way to the Carew Tower Arcade in downtown Cincinnati.  The building was completed in 1930 and for many years was the tallest building of the Cincinnati skyline.

This is the interior of the Carew Tower Arcade.  I walked through here nearly every day when I had my office in downtown Cincinnati for more than 20 years. 

These old buildings are such treasures.

Enjoy,
Lois

Dixie Terminal Building - Cincinnati, USA

Good morning,

Above is an image of the entrance to the Dixie Terminal Building in downtown Cincinnati.

My Honey and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon wandering around downtown Cincinnati taking pictures. 

This is a gorgeous building that has been used as a streetcar terminal, stock exchange, office building, and one of the locations for the filming of "Rain Man."

This stairway led to the streetcars, later buses that traveled between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky across the Roebling Suspension Bridge.  That bridge was Roebling's prototype for the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

The floors, walls, and stairs are marble.

 The ornate building completed in 1921 included elaborate ceilings and archways.

 It is beauty from an earlier time.

Enjoy,
Lois