Texas Yacht in Crown Bay

Good morning,

My friends, Martha and Russell, recently spent two weeks on board Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. 

Martha sent me quite a few images of the ship as well as the image above of a Texas yacht in Crown Bay, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

I'll be sharing Martha's Allure images over the next few days.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed receiving them.

Thank you, Martha!

Lois

Catherine in the Kitchen

Good morning,

The aroma of tuna melts drew me to the kitchen.

I found our daughter, Catherine, there making these yummy treats:  tuna salad on bread covered with two kinds of cheese.  She had melted it all in the oven and it was ready to eat.

Sometimes the most simple food is the best to hit the spot!

:),
Lois

Let the Sun Shine In

Good morning,

One of the delights of living in an old home is the architecture that is not often found in newer homes.  Our home is not huge, but it is comfortable. There are much larger homes just a block away.

We've spent nearly forty years (so far!) restoring this home.  The original leaded glass window had been replaced by frosted (what I've always called "bathroom glass") when we arrived in 1979.  The previous owner said she thought the leaded glass that was here was "old fashioned."  I politely didn't comment (she was a well-known Cincinnati artist married to a physician), but, "old fashioned" is what this home is all about!  I suspect the original leaded glass needed repair that the owners didn't want to have repaired.  We could see the side supports for the original window so knew it once existed.  Without any other information or pictures, we didn't know the colors of the original window, but suspect it was in keeping with the times of the home's building and included greens and yellows as are in neighboring homes.


About ten years ago we commissioned this new window that reflects our tastes and carries the blue and white theme of our Greek Revival home. Andersen Windows replaced the window, then we had a small company from Northern Kentucky design and make the leaded glass window that is encased in glass on both sides for protection.  This is such a beautiful focal point of our home that it was well worth the time and very reasonable investment to make it happen.

When we arrived in 1979, the hallway was painted mauve (yes, dark red!) and the columns and woodwork were dark gray.  The chandelier was a black iron Spanish design.  My first impression was The Addams Family decor.  We immediately repainted the walls a very light blue and the columns and woodwork white.  The window and chandelier updates came much later.

I took today's images with no inside lights turned on.  The sun sets behind this window and there are trees that cast shadows on it.  As the wind blows there is movement that is just beautiful as the sun's rays dance through the glass.  When the hall lights are turned on, the hall is bright and beautiful.

This window restoration project was worth the years of waiting.

Lois

Happy Birthday United States of America!

Good morning and Happy Independence Day!

I took today's images from my dining room of the flags flying in our front yard.

That is the flag of The Great State of Ohio flying below Old Glory.  :)

Here's a better perspective of our view while we're eating. 

We know all too well that freedom is not free.  We thank those who keep us free so that we are able to celebrate yet another year of our Republic.

Happy Birthday USA! 

Lois

Needlework Update - July, 2017

Good morning,

It's that time again for the monthly Needlework Update of what has been created this month.  This has been a month of afghan blankets and hats.

Above is a stunning Black and White Afghan Blanket that is currently available in the shop.  What a lovely gift for the bride and groom, especially for a black and white wedding.  Or, it is a beautiful gift for yourself.

Also available is this sweet lavender and green Baby Blanket and Matching Doll.  This is a Newborn or First Birthday gift that she will love for years to come.  It is also available in shades of pink.

This was also a month to restock the shop with Cloche Hats that also make wonderful Chemo Caps. 

You can see the more than 60 of our hand crocheted Cloche Hats available now here.

Next month we'll have more wood items to show you, too.  My Honey has been working hard in his wood workshop making gorgeous items for the shop.

We sincerely appreciate all the positive feedback we receive.  All of this wonderful activity keeps us high in the search engines so even more people can find us.  Thanks for the encouragement, likes of our Facebook Page, favorites on our shop items, and, for your purchases from our on line shop,  EvensensProductions.com.

Special!  Get it before it's gone!  Each year Etsy (the on line "shopping center" where we have our Evensens Productions shop) promotes a Christmas in July event.  We're participating in the promotion and are offering a 10% discount shop-wide, $50 minimum order, through the event that ends July 10, 2017.  The coupon code to use at checkout is CIJ17EVENSENS.  

All the best for another wonderful month and we now return you to our regularly scheduled blogging.  ;)

Lois

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Salmon Cakes

Good morning,

Here's a quick summer meal we enjoyed a couple of nights ago.

These are salmon cakes, also known as salmon patties when I was growing up.  They are super easy to make quickly from a pound of fresh cooked salmon or canned salmon if fresh is not available, eggs, milk, onion, saltine crackers, butter, and pepper.  I served them here on fresh spinach seasoned with garlic.  The cakes are topped with my home made horseradish seafood sauce.  The side to all of this yummy flavor is pure applesauce (no sugar).

When I was working and came home to three hungry kids, this was quick meal to make that we all enjoyed. 

Yum!

Lois

Bread of the Day - Light Whole Wheat

Good morning,

The bread of the day is Light Whole Wheat. 

We have a dear friend of nearly 40 years, Elsa, who lives on the block behind our home.  Our properties back up to each other and we have a short area of fencing that we call the bread and jam exchange. 

Elsa makes jams and jellies and I make bread so we often share bread and jam with each other.  Elsa received one of the loaves of bread you see in the image above this week and we received a jar of her fabulous orange marmalade.  We have the best of both worlds!

All the best,
Lois