Are the Parties Over yet?

Good morning,

This is Bjorn Erik, our Chief Security Officer. 

Erik has had a busy couple of weeks with visitors and big meals being prepared here.  We've also had lots of snow and work getting the pond deicer to work for the fish.  Of course, Erik helps with all of these things.

Erik is looking forward to a few days off to just sleep.  ;)

All the best,
Lois

Happy New Year 2018!

Good morning,

Happy New Year!  We were all prepared with our Sparkling Cider to celebrate the new year.

No hangovers here this morning. ;)

All the best for a wonderful new year!

Lois

Goodbye 2017 - Hello 2018

Good morning,

2017 has flown by for us.  This is the first year we haven't traveled outside the USA for My Honey's work.  He retired at the end of 2016 and our plan was to stay home for the first year which is exactly what we have done. It has been wonderful being home to enjoy the family, actually live in our home, sit on the patio in the summer, and use our kitchen, not just pass through every few weeks between contracts at sea.

We plan to travel a little in 2018, but only for short periods of time.  Then we'll be back home to enjoy the retirement life right here at home where the heart is.

We hope 2017 has been good for you, too, and wish you all the best for 2018.

Lois

On the Hook Now

Good morning,

On the crochet hook now is a Blue Lovers Afghan Blanket.

I've finished 70 of these pretty squares.  Only ten more to go, then I can put the final rows on on them all that will join them together.  Then the scalloped edge border will complete the blanket and it'll be ready to go into the shop after a photo session.   

What are you making on these cold winter days?

All the best,
Lois

Wendy's New Mr. Snowman Toy

Good morning,

Santa sure got it right with Wendy's Christmas present!  She just loves her new snowman and immediately took it to the dog bed we had moved under the piano while there was so much holiday traffic at the other end of the living room.

Wendy sampled the "carrot" nose right away, but Mr. Snowman doesn't seem to mind and is still smiling.

Wendy brought Mr. Snowman to bed Christmas night, too.  What a sweetheart. 

The celebrations continue!

Lois

Doggie Christmas Portraits

Good morning,

Each year we line up the pups for a picture in front of the Christmas tree. 

Here are Penny (almost 13 years old), Wendy (3), and Erik (8) being very good while we snap pictures. 

The pups were also very good about not bothering the gifts that were under the tree even though there were toys and collars for them wrapped and in those stacks.  Of course, with their super sensitive noses they know what is inside the packages before they open them.

What sweet pups!

Lois

Juleribbe and Bread

Good morning,

This is how the Juleribbe looked when it came out of the oven. It is baked on top of a bed of veggies, but is not served with them.  That crunchy skin is the best part of it all!  In the middle of each piece is a layer of fat that some people eat, but we each discarded, then a thin layer of very, very tender meat.  Yum!

This is the happy chef who made the Juleribbe.  ;) 

I baked a monster bread for the Christmas dinner.  Anything left is great for turkey sandwiches, french toast, and just plain eating.

We're getting close!  I have more images coming from a different camera.

Are you still celebrating?  We are!

Lois