Cruising-along

Not dumb at all! I always thought it was for Power of Attorney! 🤣😂

Good morning all and Happy 4th of July! We'll be having a quiet day at home today, probably will do some gardening and more cruise planning. . We try to stay off the roads this holiday, as much as possible anyway. The fireworks around here have been going all week, as usual. Tonight it will really get loud, but I'm prepared to turn up all the sound machines so we can sleep -- kind of anyway! 🤣 Fireworks are illegal here, but that doesn't stop them. They were going last night well after I went to bed, and if this is a normal 4th, it will be 2 or 3 in the morning before they stop. The same thing happens on NYE. We'll be having BBQ tonight (ribs), potato salad, and maybe a fruit salad. I'm not a fan of most country music, but do like some. It won't be hot enough here to fry an egg on the sidewalk, I think it will get up to the low 80's F today. Will pass on the red wine, the drink sounds good, and so does the meal (without cilantro). Last night I made the shrimp cakes w/the lemon aioli sauce and they were good. I think I still prefer the crab cakes I make (I got HAL's recipe on a cruise and have tweaked it over the years). But the aioli sauce was great!! Because we lived in Southern CA and our DS and DDIL lived in the Los Angeles area for years before moving up here, we've been to Los Angeles many, many times. The only times we've cruised there (San Pedro) was on Celebrity Pacific Coastal cruises. We've been to all the usual touristy spots and Disneyland many times (DDIL was an Imagineer at Disney before moving here). Not sure where all my photos are... Sandi @StLouisCruisers Thinking of you on the anniversary of your dear Dad's passing. Lorraine @cruising sister Condolences on the passing of your aunt. I hope things go as smoothly as possible in making arrangements for your other aunt and their home. Terry @smitty34877 It was good to hear that Lou has improved, and can possibly come home soon. Jacqui @kazu I'm sorry Ivan has to take both meds now and especially that he's started to balk at taking them. @Cruzin Terri Thank you for the photos of Haugesund, a Norway port we haven't visited. Paul @kochleffel Thank you for the update on the kitties. I think Susan @durangoscots has an excellent idea, to sit quietly and lure them out with treats. Sounds like they're especially shy and just need some encouragement possibly. Good luck!

😞 I'm so sorry to hear this.

Good morning all! Interesting collection of days. I'll pass on the sweet drink and red wine, but the recipes are all so good it's hard to pick one. I think I'll make the one with the lemon aioli, and add some red peppers and chives. Hopefully that will be dinner tonight if I find shrimp today on our grocery run. We've been to Norway a few times but never to Stravenger -- thank you to all who post photos today! Joy @Seasick Sailor Ouch about your poor toe! I'm sure it's extremely painful, hope you're doing ok. Jacqui @kazu I'm sorry to hear that Ivan is not doing well yet today. Hopefully the meds are the main reason he's drowsy and no appetite since that is a side effect -- in any case I hope he feels better soon. Terry @smitty34877 I was very sorry to hear that your DH had some setbacks yesterday. I'm hoping today will be better. Paul @kochleffel Did I miss it or have your kitties come out of hiding? We would love some photos! Jake @Crazy For Cats I hope the cutbacks at work are done. Have a great day everyone!

😢 I hope everything will be alright.

Sharon it was a fun day (and cruise!) Apparently I had no problem finding some wine to buy 😉 This is a SV and apple wine blend. I do remember a lot of it was on the sweet side, but this one wasn't bad. Thank you so much Sandi! Our back yard is fenced, not where these flowers are -- but we don't have a problem with rabbits and deer where we live -- but a huge problem with slugs. That's an on-going battle. 😞

Good morning all! I'm late this morning, I got side-tracked doing cruise research and you know how that goes! Our beautiful weather continues and slowly heating up to the mid 80's by Wednesday. I seem to be forgetting way too much lately. Funny, just last night I read that WA state has the second most UFO sightings in the US. No, I haven't ever seen a UFO but would like to. @Nickelpenny thanks for sharing your experience, that must have been something to see! Disabled Recreation Day is a worthy and important cause. I'll pass on the meal (mushrooms and risotto), drink (coconut) and the red wine. We haven't been to the port of the day. Yesterday I spent hours potting and re-potting and got all the annuals planted that I bought the day before. Today we're going down to see DS and DDIL and see their progress -- they got new doors for the "barn" (storage building etc.) and he's starting a fence around the area DDIL has her vegetable garden. It has been demolished by marauding rabbits and deer. 😞 Debbie @dfish Sorry to hear about your sinus issues, hope you feel better soon! Lorraine @cruising sister How sad about your aunt and sad about the hoarding too. It makes it so hard for family trying to help. Here are some photos of what's the latest to bloom in my yard. I'm loving the Lilies and Astilbe especially. Lots more Lilies coming too. The Sweet Peas are just starting to bloom now. You can see white flowers at the top right.

Good morning all and Happy Canada Day to our friends and neighbors up north! I'll pass on the chicken wings (spicy or not), love the jokes and memes here every day, and devotion to duty is a commendable trait no matter what "duty" it is. I'll pass on the spicy drink and red wine, but love a good Greek salad -- especially in Greece! We've been to Halifax many times. Usually we rent a car, we've been to Peggy's Cove a couple times, Titanic Cemetery, the Public Gardens, the Market, Citadel and Lunenburg. I won't post photos, there are too many and too much like those already posted. Well it didn't take long for me to give in, and I went to the big plant sale yesterday at my favorite nursery. 30% off pretty much anything. I only wish I needed more and especially wish I had more room to add more! But I found some annuals to fill more pots (I'm sure I can find some empty pots around here) 😉 So that is what I'll be doing today. I hope everyone has a nice day!

Good morning all! Another gorgeous morning here, sunny and heading for low-mid 70's again. My favorite nursery is having a big sale and I'm trying to convince myself that I have no more room! We'll see how long that lasts. 🤣 Interesting days, will pass on the red wine and meal. I love Halibut but not with olives, dill or eggs. The drink sounds good. We have been to PEI a few times. Happy Birthday Lou! @smitty34877 Good to hear that the bloodwork was improved today. Happy Birthday to Brenda's DH! @bennybear Jacqui @kazu Gorgeous peonies! @Denise T Sorry to hear you have neighbor issues. Good neighbors are worth their weight in gold. Debbie @dfish Very sorry to hear that Sue has another migraine. Paul @kochleffel Happy Retirement! Gerry @ger_77 Darn about those dents. 😞 Hopefully they can fix it -- if not, I'd be insisting on a new door. Jake @Crazy For Cats As others have said, if Jasper has a thyroid condition, it's easily treated. One of our cats lived to be 17 on meds. Karen @luvteaching Thanks for checking in, you have a beautiful day to be in La Conner. Continued prayers. Lorraine @cruising sister I'm glad to hear that baby Murphy is doing well. Here are my photos from our 2 visits to Charlottetown. In 2012 we rented a car and drove to Anne of Green Gables. Anne's bedroom Dining room Pantry/kitchen We took a long walk around the grounds and through the woods. The second visit was in 2016 and we stayed in town, walked around, and visited the Beaconsfield House. It was erected in 1877, presented to PEI by the government of Canada in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of its joining the Canadian Confederation. Original hardware View of the Veendam We had excellent lobster rolls for lunch

Good morning all! At 7:30 west coast time there were 3 pages already -- most likely this will be on page 4 by the time I finish typing! DH is the camera person in our family, I just use my phone but the newer phones do a fine job for my needs. Our family are big huggers, I'll pass on the mud. We get enough of that every winter and spring here. 😉 We've finally "dried out" and are having beautiful summer weather. Heading to the mid 70's today and warming to the low 80's by next week. The quote is often times very true. Sadly I've known many people who don't act like Christians the other 6 days of the week. The drink sounds good, will pass on the red wine. The meal sounds delicious!! I'll pass on making it myself (ingredients I wouldn't use often) but would love it if someone made it for me. 🙂 Tonight we'll be having the salmon with the strawberry basil relish. Debbie @dfish last night's chicken skewers was a big hit! We loved it and the recipe is definitely a keeper. Hopefully we'll be in Ushuaia for the first time in '25 on the South America/Antarctica cruise. Thank you everyone for the wonderful photos! Lorraine @cruising sister Prayers for little Murphy and her surgeons when she has the surgery on the 6th. @Oceansaway17 Bon Voyage! Terry @smitty34877 Prayers for a successful treatment plan. I hope the complications aren't serious. Jack @Heartgrove The house is looking great! Vanessa @JazzyV I'm so sorry to hear that your friend is entering end of life hospice. My dear sister also fought cancer bravely for 10 years....so sad. This is the first bloom on my newest rose bush "Radiant Perfume". Ha-- just made it to page 3!

I think what frustrated us the most (besides getting a different answer each time DH called) was the fact that we had to send everything over and over. Miraculously, weeks later, they always said they didn't get it so we'd send it again...and again. One person would say no problem, $$ is on the way, another would say we had no case! A total mess but we finally were reimbursed. DH is stubborn enough he wasn't going to give up, and it was a large claim.

Good morning all! I'm loving our weather this week, lots of sunshine and mild temps (low-mid 70's). Perfect gardening weather. I have a love/hate relationship with insurance. On one hand we've had USAA for our home and car insurance for decades and are very happy with them, plus DH worked in the past as an adjuster for a major insurance company. But travel insurance we've had less than stellar experience. Long story short, there's one company (highly recommended by cruisers online) that we will never do business with again because of their extremely poor customer service when filing claims. Terry @smitty34877said it right. "Be prepared to fight with them". I will add "be sure you have a LOT of patience". I have one piercing in each ear and have no desire to have any anywhere else. 🤣 The wine sounds like the kind of Chardonnay I would like, the drink sounds good too. And the meal -- I've printed off the first recipe, it sounds SO good and we'll be having that tonight. Debbie @dfish I have to tell you, whenever I make one of your recipes (like the creamy lemon chicken piccata last night) DH many times will say "ooh, fancy food"! LOL!! I told him I'd let you know. By the way, the creamy chicken lemon piccata was good, and he loved it, but I prefer the piccata without the cream. It was nice for a change though. Rich @richwmn of course you know who I thought of when I saw that Cozumel is the port today. Our dear mutual friend. 🙂 We have been there only once, in 2017 on the Koningsdam. Too bad we were never there at the same time. The day we were there we visited with our friends, had lunch with them, went to their home, and they took us to a beautiful beach. So not any photos of Cozumel, but here's one from the beach. I remember it was a hot, but windy day. Karen @luvteaching Thank you for checking in. Continued prayers for you and for your family and friends during this sad time. Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad your DH looked good and that he finally got a room yesterday. Gerry @ger_77 How exciting about your new door! I remember back when you said you'd be getting a new one. Jack @Heartgrove Good to hear that the painting is continuing well. Please remember to post photos when it's completed.

Karen @luvteaching my deepest sympathy on your loss. Continuing prayers.

Good morning all! Our morning is starting with the usual clouds for this week, and sunshine this afternoon. Low 70's F again. I'll take it! Yesterday I bought a flat of strawberries from a local farm and will hopefully be making freezer jam today. And strawberry shortcake, of course. 😉 I've been using a lot of onions lately, and we always have green onions in our salad. Funny, I need to find new sunglasses and have been looking around. Maybe I'll find the right pair today! I admire Helen Keller so much, she was an amazing person. As usual, a funny quote from Mae West. I printed out the last recipe and will make it tonight for dinner. I don't usually like heavy cream in my meals, but this sounds interesting so will give it a try. The last recipe has a little less sodium so that's the one for me. I'll try to lower it even more. DH loves capers so he gets them all. Both the drink and wine sound good too. Dog Point is one Marlborough wine I haven't seen at our local Total Wine store. We missed Kauai on our Hawaii cruise in 2011, I was sad to miss it. It isn't on the Grand Australia itinerary either. Thanks to all for the great photos! Karen @luvteaching my heart breaks for you. You've handled everything with such grace, and I'm sure your DH knows how much you're doing for him. Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad to hear your DH is doing well and hope he gets a regular room soon. Jake @Crazy For Cats Yikes about the cutbacks at work, but good that your position is safe now. Paul @kochleffel I hope the kitties appear today! Good that they're using the litter box though. 🙂

No kidding about not knowing what causes these quirky pains! And the older I get the easier it is to happen. Good idea to institute quiet time, we have to do that with the grandsons too. I run out of steam way before they do.

Thank you for the update Terry. Good to hear everything went well! I hope you can get some rest tonight.

Thank you Vanessa and Lenda -- this afternoon I'm doing much better! Just a hint of the pain that I had. It's crazy how little things that used to be so easy now can knock everything out of whack for seemingly no reason.

Good morning all! We're having great weather this week, summer is creeping in finally. I must have done something yesterday while gardening because last night it hurt to turn my head and the pain went up my neck and up the back of my head. Maybe a pinched nerve (?) After taking a pain pill and sleeping well it's a little better this morning but still painful so I think I'll take it easy today. I guess I look at the quote differently. I can think of several relatives who talk too much -- constantly. I believe they can't tolerate quiet and their own thoughts, and must fill the space with words. Thankfully not many people are like that because it's exhausting to be with them. I love lamb and would like this dish if the spice was cut down some. Also would like the drink but pass on the red wine. Have never been to the Philippines. Happy Birthday Carol @mamaofami! Terry @smitty34877 Thinking of you today as your DH has his surgery. Prayers for a successful outcome and swift recovery. Continued prayers for Karen @luvteachingand her DH. Also prayers for Ann @Vict0riannand DH Pat, Joy @Seasick Sailor's DH Allen, and Annie @marshhawk's DH Chuck @catmando. Lorraine @cruising sister Oh no about the broken toe! So sorry that happened. Welcome home @Nickelpenny thank you for "bringing us along" on your road trip. 🙂

Annie @marshhawk sending prayers for you and Chuck.

Good morning all! It's another cloudy morning, but sunshine later like yesterday. Heading for the low 70's and I have a lot of weeding to do in the back yard. Mainly pulling more of those invasive weeds -- Debbie @dfishdid you ask your friend what they're called? The ones you found in your front yard? I love log cabins -- and Nancy @ottahand7yours is gorgeous! I don't think I've ever had catfish, but would like to try it, and definitely will celebrate seafarers! Great quote from Groucho Marx, I would love the meal (without the olives and dill) and would like the drink and love the Marlborough wine -- one that we have regularly. We were in Mykonos on a Celebrity cruise in 2011 -- love that port, I can't believe it's been so long since we visited. It's heaven for all cat lovers (I drove my BIL, who was with us, nuts because I stopped to pet all of them). Photos to follow. Happy Birthday to Jake's @Crazy For Cats DH Juan! Prayers for @luvteachingKaren's DH. Prayers for @Vict0riann Ann's DH Pat. Prayers for @Seasick Sailor Joy's DH Allen. Prayers for Terry's @smitty34877 DH and his surgery tomorrow. Bruce @aliaschief Ouch about your fall! I hope your knee and head are ok. Tina @0106 Thank you so much for posting the Beatles video -- I don't know how I missed that, I was a huge Beatles fan. Our day in Mykonos. We took a tour to Delos and walked all over Mykonos (mostly petting cats) 🤣 Shoreline of Mykonos And the windmills We toured to Delos Ancient temple on the hillside We looked down at Delos from the hillside. The holes on this platform are where the feet of the statues stood. We went to the museum in Delos Ancient wall mural Back in Mykonos and the kitties And I met Petros, the resident celebrity. Gorgeous sunset as we left Mykonos.

Good morning all! It's a cloudy, cooler morning here north of Seattle. Waiting for the sunshine the weathermen are predicting! When DD was little she had a collection of fairy dolls (cannot remember what they were called), that's as close to a fairy that I've been as far as I know. 😉 The only food truck I've ever been to is owned by the previous owner of an excellent Italian restaurant (he's from Milan and had the restaurant more than 20 years). He "retired" from that and is doing his dream, a food truck. And it's excellent of course! He's in 2 locations, Bellingham and Mt. Vernon. Funny, we had take your cat to work day and now take your dog. Our family covers both -- DD works from home and has cats, DS works from home and has dogs. The quote strikes me funny, not sure I agree...we love sweet and sour chicken or pork. I have a great recipe for it, but it's a lot of work so I've taken the easy way and just use a tiny bit of bottled stir fry sauce from the Asian section in our commissary. It doesn't take much and is yummy. Oh and I do the stir fry, not the coated chicken. If I'm feeling ambitious, I would choose the 3rd recipe -- yum. The drink sounds good but will pass on the red wine and we haven't been to Japan. This weekend DD and family are camping again, DH and I are going down to their house to "check on" (play with) their kittens. I'll also leave some cookies for their return tomorrow. I like to surprise the boys that way. Sandi @StLouisCruisers Happy 51st birthday to your DD! Happy birthday Sharon @Sharon in AZ! Welcome @P&PNH! Paul @kochleffel Congratulations on your retirement. Jacqui @kazu may your happy memories comfort you today on your and Jose's 29th anniversary. (((hugs))) Nancy @ottahand7 Good news that your toe is feeling better! Joy @Seasick Sailor I'm sorry to hear about your DH's medical issues. Prayers sent your way. Again, Karen @luvteaching praying for your DH, you and your family.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this, Karen. Sending prayers and lots of hugs to you.

Good morning all! We're enjoying a couple days of gorgeous weather, lots of sun and will get up to the mid 70's today. Yesterday between gardening several neighbors and I chatted a long time, catching up on each others' lives. With all the rain and cool weather we've had lately it was nice to be out. Support and respect for our Daily widows. My BFF was widowed and now, after a decade or so, is remarried to a wonderful man who we all love dearly. She (and he) know how lucky they are. She certainly wasn't looking for another marriage. I don't have much pink in my clothing other than a sweat shirt, and it will be too warm to wear that today. Last week I was wearing it though. I should be "letting go" of possessions, but I'm just not "there" yet. Instead I feel that I've been letting go $$$ as I book tours for the Grand Australia -- a lot just this week lol. Will pass on the red wine, would try the drink, and not sure about the meal. It could be very good...but tonight will be bbq steak, potato salad and asparagus. We've been to Iceland but not this port. Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserfor the great photos! HAPPY 80'th BIRTHDAY Roy @rafinmd!! Enjoy that cake and ice cream. 🙂 Nancy @ottahand7 OUCH about the toe!! So sorry that happened. Thank you for the photos of the Iris -- beautiful colors! Jacqui @kazu I'm sorry you had a rough day yesterday 😞 How is Ivan doing today? Bruce @aliaschief It was extremely crowded at Mont-Saint-Michel when we were there in 2009 (?) too. Wall-to-wall people.

Good morning all! It's still barely morning here on the West Coast. Busy morning, the tours for our Grand Australia are really popping up fast now so a lot to keep up with. I love chocolate eclairs but don't remember the last time I had one. A hard pass on onion rings. We have a lot of beautiful rainforests here in WA state. Funny quote, I'll pass on the meal and make stuffed peppers tonight. Will pass on the drink too, but would try the wine if someone else is buying! We haven't been to this port but it's on the itinerary for the 2025 South America/Antarctica cruise. Thank you Nancy @ottahand7, Sandi @StLouisCruisers, Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser, Tony @sailingdutchy and Vanessa @JazzyV for all the great photos! Happy birthday John @ottahand7! Roy @rafinmd Happy 80'th attainment day! I hope you have minimal pain and bleeding after your extraction. Lorraine @cruising sister I know it was a hard to give up the Mustang. (((hugs))) Bruce @aliaschief I'm drooling over your photos from your cruise. You're going to some of my favorite spots in the world. Joy @Seasick Sailor I hope the medical issues aren't serious and are soon over. Sandi @StLouisCruisers I'm sorry Ren's team lost this time but know you're rightfully proud of him and the impression he has made. It looks like we have a beautiful day and it's back up into the low 70's. So gardening it will be. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning all! It may be finally summer, but we joke here in the PNW that our summer never really starts until July 5 😉 Today will be better though, actually predicted to be 65 (compared to the 50's lately) and sunny! I've never been skateboarding, but our son had one when he was in his teens. I won't be doing yoga today, unless you count the squats, bends and reaches I'll be doing gardening lol. I did do yoga when I was younger, and probably should start it up again (if the body could take it!) We love stuffed peppers here, but ours would have ground beef. I have some peppers and plan to make them soon but not today. Will pass on the drink and wine today, have never been to the port. We had a nice time last night at DD's house, she made some awesome tacos for us and it was nice "catching up". I was able to sit down and talk with the DGSs about a "project I need their help with". This winter they will gather gently-used t-shirts and shorts they have outgrown and school supplies that DH and I will bring when we visit Fanning Island on the Grand Australia. The boys seemed quite intrigued to be helping with this and asked a few questions. I printed off some photos of Fanning Island and the children that I showed them. @erewhon Wonderful news about your good report from the specialist! Jack @Heartgrove Happy heavenly birthday to your dear sister. It seems June is the month for several here with heavenly sibling birthdays. Jacqui @kazu I hope Ivan continues to feel better, today gets better and better, and the set-back this morning was only from the meds. Annie @marshhawk Prayers for Momma Norma.