Vict0riann

Good morning, Dailyites, and condolences to Graham, @grapau27, Pauline and especially Sarah on the loss of her father. DD and her BF are in St. John's and I hope they are not snowed in this weekend. I imagine they need to be back in Gander for work after the weekend. It is her birthday tomorrow. I don;t think I have had chicken stroganoff, but DD's BF made us a delicious moose stroganoff when we were last in NL, and afterwards an also delicious Dutch Baby for dessert. Vanessa, @JazzyV, thanks for putting me on the list - my eye problems are very small ones, compared with some, my vision is still good. I must say, sitting waiting, I studied a poster of the eye and its parts, and I was just fascinated with the intricacy. Whoever thought up eyes did an amazing job of it!

Good morning, Dailyites, Friday at last! DD blew a "fuse" the other day, and the time on the microwave is off. Pat says he won't reset it for now, as we change times on the weekend and he can do it then. That's okay with me. Interesting days! I think I am an international woman, as I was born in China, grew up in the Philippines and Canada,and lived in the Bahamas, Colombia, Kenya and the US. And I've "stood" on all seven continents. Ann is my middle name, but I have to use my first name, Penelope, when travelling, as that is what is on my passport. Prescriptions here in BC are partially covered, it all depends on one's income. My Prolia is expensive, but it does last for 6 months. It's worth it to me, as I hated having to take Fosamax. Now younger DD has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, I don't know what she is going to do. I didn't have a good appointment with the eye doctor yesterday. Impending macular degeneration - he saw "bumps"! And the cataracts are progressing, but he could still just up my prescription, I really do not want the surgery. Fortunately, DS gave me the "family discount", so I will get my new glasses in a few days, and I have to start taking one of those eye vitamins.

Happy 55th Anniversary, Martha and Tony, @sailingdutchy!

Happy Birthday, @RedneckBob! 🎂 And good morning, Dailyites, I wish for you all the best today. The carrot cake was a success. "Better than store-bought." he said. I did add a little orange zest, because I happened to have one in the fridge, but I couldn't really taste it, so I don't think it is vital. The skin flap is still hanging from my thumb, so I guess it didn't go into the cake, maybe just a bit of blood, no one will notice... Last night I won a lot at a stamp auction, so must go and pick it up, and I have an eye appointment in a little while, so I won't hang around. I made an appointment next week for my Prolia injection. I had wanted to see the dentist just before the shot, but he's on a cruise (!) so I'll just wait six months. There's lots to do this month, including Covid shots, and a lot of updating as we got new passports.

Thanks , Roger. It seems like purchasing ahead of time is a good idea. Do you know how they sort out the 5-star discount?

Carrot cake is iced and cut into 24 pieces. Two are plated and ready for supper, the rest are separated on a cookie sheet in the freezer for an hour. When they are hard I’ll wrap them for storing in the freezer. Should keep us going for a while. I licked the beaters from the icing.

Carrot cake is out of the oven! Just a small amount of thumb in it... 😉 Now I remember why it was so much easier just to buy it!

Good morning, Dailyites. I'm happy to hear that Sam may have a reprieve, But it's true what Jacqui says, we've had that happen, too. It may be the adrenaline from the vet's visit! We have been to Hilo, but my pictures are similar to those posted, to I thought I would answer @0106. Thanks for your message - I think we have had Michelle before, Pat said she was "unobtrusive"... I'm sorry you don't have Cesare on board, he is a lot of fun. When we had Niko as CM and Cesare as Italian chef on NS, we had an amazing Italian Cellar Master's dinner in Canaletto, I just have to show you my pictures. The desert was to die for! But we started with special drinks and tasty morsels by the Lido pool and then progressed into the Canaletto. Even the Hotel Manager joined us and a jolly time was had by all. I was hoping for something similar next cruise...

Thank you Melanie! I bought the carrots and cream cheese and will make it tomorrow.

Good morning, Dailyites! @Heartgrove, I'm sorry about your well-loved Sam, it's a difficult decision to make, but the kindest thing to do. And @marshhawk, I hope Chuck's surgery went well. Have a good nap. Still some snow on the ground here, but it should melt as the day warms, The hummingbirds are not happy with our weather, and this is the week of our annual flower count! I need to ask a favour - I need a recipe for a carrot cake. No pineapple or raisins, just nuts, and grated carrots please, not whizzed in a blender. I was looking on line and nothing appeals to me. I have been buying a carrot cake (Pat's favourite) from the grocery store for the last few years but they suddenly discontinued it. I used to make one but I can't find the recipe. Thanks in advance! We were in Heraklion, with our DD, in 2016 on a Prinsendam 42-day cruise in the Med. It was a wonderful time.

Quick question - was that Jerk lamb shank spicy? I don't know much about jerk seasoning, but I would like to try it if it's not too spicy hot. (In our house we use caliente and picante - I like caliente but not picante!)

I’m really enjoying your report, especially the food porn…. I agree that that lobster roll in Nami Sushi is the best!

We are Ann and Pat, and have enjoyed Cesare’s spaghetti carbonara on a couple of cruises! He is quite a character. The last time was on the Viking Passage in 2022, before that I think maybe it was on Prinsendam.

We're getting your snow now! Suddenly, everything is coated with white. I'd better bring in my tender hanging fuchsia...

Glad you are having a good time! I have a few questions if you have the time for a bit of research - I noticed spaghetti carbonara on the Lido late snack menu, and I wondered if the Italian chef on board was our friend from Victoria - Cesare? He was on the NS in 2022. Also wondered who the Cellar Master is? If you are busy having fun, don't worry about my requests, fun is much more important, and we'll be on board in a month and will look into it for ourselves...

Bon voyage! Take good care of my ship...😁

Here she comes.

Growly toot from X

That is a large ship!

Made it in time! I'll be waving at @0106 !

Good morning, Dailyites, Bon Voyage @0106! I hope to be here to watch sailaway. I have requested-a-wave for our departure, too, on April 7. It has always worked out very well when I've done it. We visited Arrecife ten years ago, on the Maasdam's Atlantic Adventurer, we loved that cruise! Lanzarote is very interesting and volcanic, I see I took 3 posts to talk about it last time on the Daily. We have to head out for church shortly, so I'll wait until we get back to review. Actually, we only drove through Arrecife, so I enjoyed the pictures of the big city today! That whole cruise seemed to be volcanic, our Cellar Master, Miguel, had fun bringing on interesting wines. I'll say a prayer for you all at church.

Good afternoon, Dailyites! Thanks for the mention, Graham, March certainly came in like a lion yesterday. We had wind, rain, snow pellets, and then sunshine, all in one day. We are threatened with a couple of freezing nights next week, and then I hope winter is done for! March has to get ready to go out like a lamb. I bought radish and scarlet runner seeds today. I know it's too early to even think about the beans, but after I clean up my little vegetable bed, I will plant some radishes and see what happens. My vegetable bed is about 18" by 3 feet, so I definitely have to practice that old "square foot gardening". Pat's favourite lettuce is "Red Sails" and I never seem to find seeds, but occasionally can buy a few plants at the garden centre. I'll be looking for those, too. I usually put them in a big pot on the deck so I can get at them easily from the kitchen. Bon voyage to those preparing to travel - that'll be us in a month! I go to the Navigator every Day to check what's on the menus! I noticed that for the Lido now there is a "Late Night Snack" menu, which I don't remember seeing before (but mainly I check the MDR menu). A Bbelated Happy Birthday, Chief! Sounds like you are having a great time down under.

Yes, order it ahead of time. If we’re going somewhere hot, I like having one in the room . It doesn’t always appear though, I have had to remind the steward on occasion.

Wear pink! One lady in our group was in a pink wetsuit and the dolphins nuzzled her, must have thought she was one of them...