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@1ANGELCATI'm so sorry for you, but grateful for Houdini that you allowed him to venture over the Rainbow Bridge where he'll have the most amazing time with his friends. Huge hugs coming your way. @NiagarawineI found a number of tutorials on the internet, this one is the closest to what I actually do. I don't use batting, just place the backing piece good side up and start laying the triangles on it before sewing. I've found it much easier to piece them together by ironing the triangles first, but that's just my method. If you quilt (which I obviously do not!), I'm sure you'll have other ways of doing them. They're easy, and I have to admit, some of them are really nice looking when you use coordinating fabrics!

Checking in - glad I'm not late for the Zuiderdam.

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! I had no idea what foam rolling day was, thanks for the explanation. Being the recipient of a number of root canals, I'm very appreciative of the relief they bring, even though getting one is a major ordeal. I feel for those who suffer from chronic immunological diseases and wish there was a cure for them. Finally, an accurate weather forecast. I hope everyone who was able to, enjoyed the northern lights last night . . . here the clouds started rolling in around 8 last night. I went out around 10:30 and was able to make out a few streaks in the sky and by the time I came back in to tell DH maybe we should get in the car to head out of the city, he was sound asleep. Oh well, I'm enjoying all the photos on the computer this morning. Bon Voyage to @MISTER 67, @StLouisCruisers and @Niagarawine; I hope you all have wonderful cruises. @StLouisCruiserslooking forward to seeing you on the webcam at sail-away! @1ANGELCATmy heart breaks for you as you take your sweet Houdini to the vet to make his way across the Rainbow Bridge. @smitty34877I'm so glad to hear extra family have arrived to help with Tana, giving you some much needed rest. @marshhawkI hope you had some OTC meds that helped with the pain from your oral surgery. Not a lot on our agenda today, just dismantling my sewing station at the dining room table and putting it back to it's normal function. After completing the 8 sets of 4 coasters, I now have 53 sets made, which I hope will be enough to give 1 set per household at our Summerfest barbecue in July. As the replies start coming in, I may find myself making another few, who knows? I'm taking a hard pass on the drink (not a fan of bitter stuff), would gladly drink the wine, and did you know right now Wendy's has a decent Cobb salad? Thinking about that, I'm going to suggest because it's so nice out today that DH and I take the roofless car to Wendy's to pick up a Cobb salad for me and a junior whopper for him to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in pain, in need, in turmoil, in wars, in the paths of devastating storms, and now in the paths of forest fires in northern BC, Alberta and northern Saskatchewan. Cheers to all with celebrations today. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! Wishing all Mexican mothers a lovely Dia De La Madre, I've never had a Hostess Cupcake - my mother was a baker extraordinaire, so didn't need to. We've never had hamsters, as I've never cared to have rodents in the house, tame or otherwise. Although, thinking about it, they'd be easy to take on an airplane as an emotional support animal. LOL It's a beautiful, sunny day out there already this morning and as I suspected yesterday, the buds are starting to open on the poplar trees behind us. Soon we won't be able to see the neighbour's house at all, as the trees and our Virginia Creeper vines on the fence make our yard so secluded during the summer. I'm not sure how far south this will go, but there's supposed to be a "severe geomagnetic storm" today which is expected to produce some amazing Northern lights tonight. DH and I are planning on heading out of the city late in the evening and will situate ourselves so that we can enjoy whatever Mother Nature has to offer. Hopefully the clouds will stay away so we can see them. Here's what I found on the Weather Network: @marshhawkI hope all goes well for you at the oral surgeon today; I'm so happy to hear you got an even better sale after your lengthy phone call with the gentleman. @Denise Twishing your sister a very Happy Birthday! @StLouisCruiserssafe travels as you make your way to FLL today. @RMLincolnI hope Richard's eye pressures continue to be stable with the extra massages, drops, etc. Not a lot on the agenda today - DH has to lay low, as he really overdid it yesterday. He wanted to make some order in his garage, and of course, didn't know when he should quit until I came out and read the riot act to him. I'll be keeping watch on him to be sure he's not doing much - hopefully will work on his book, etc. which is mental work, not physical. I've got 8 more sets of coasters to iron and topstitch before putting the sewing machine away for a while again, so that'll keep me busy. The living room looks strange because DH's electric recliner is missing - the buttons stopped working, so I called the store and they came yesterday to take it to repair. It's strange because it's 2 years newer than mine (same style), yet his stopped working and mine's fine. The store said they'd have it back by Saturday, which is great service as far as I'm concerned! I'm sure I'd like the drink (I've copied out the recipe for the TA taste testing), will let others have the wine, and am not sure about the recipe. Does anyone remember the delicious ground turkey burger that Planet Hollywood used to serve? I remember the flavour was delicious from the first bite to the last. Checking their online menu, it looks like they don't serve it any longer; too bad, it was yummy. It's Friday night, pizza night here, so late this afternoon I'll head out to a little shop not far away and pick up something cheesy and delicious to have at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief, in wars, and in the paths of destructive storms. Cheers to all with celebrations happening today. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! Will figure out how to celebrate Europe Day, definitely appreciate Home Town Heroes, and DH enjoys Moscato, so we're all good. I've read a couple of books on the code-breakers and found them fascinating. I think @marshhawk and I are on the same page; when I saw Euripides, the first thing I thought of was his mother who MUST have been named Ifixades. Sad, isn't it? LOL Another bright sunny day here on the "frozen tundra" and as I look out the computer room window, I see hints of green starting to form on the tall poplar trees behind our house. Today might be the day we uncover the fountain and get it ready for another season. I called our lawn fellow yesterday and he's not able to come until Saturday, but after that will come weekly on Thursday or Friday so it looks good for the weekend when we normally have visitors. Sending good wishes to @marshhawk and @Nickelpenny for your upcoming dental and medical procedures; I hope both are successful. @smitty34877I'm happy to hear you've got help from the younger ones - we can only do so much by ourselves, and finally have to let others assist as well. Not a lot happening here today - I'm having lunch with a friend who will be retiring at the end of June. It'll be fun getting together with her and hearing about her plans for travel, as she's been putting it off until she retires. I think Australia is one of the locations she's hoping to visit, but she may have to convince her husband that's a good place (he hates spiders and poisonous snakes, and of course, has read all about them). I'd definitely enjoy the drink of the day, would like the wine, but it's a little pricey, and think today's menu suggestion is one that would make a great brunch entree. I've got salmon thawing in the fridge that I'm planning on doing the same way as the Everything Bagel chicken with potatoes, etc., for us to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief, and in the paths of devastating storms. Cheers to all with celebrations. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! I had no idea what the disease was - thanks for the explanation. We have a disaster plan in place for Sochi and I wish the world was cruelty free, but that's just a pipe dream, I'm afraid. The rain lasted through most of the day yesterday, but that didn't stop us from picking up Ollie and heading out to a couple of nurseries to see what they had to offer. Right now there are lots of hanging baskets, but if we wait a couple of days, they'll be on sale for Mother's Day gifts, so we passed on most. I didn't say all. I purchased a package of 6 succulents - I can kill almost anything but them, so they're safe. Succulents thrive on neglect, so they're my kind of plants. This morning the sun is shining already and the weather station is telling us we could have a high of 20C (68) which will be great for the trees that are trying to bud out. We were in Da Nang a number of years ago on the Maasdam during our S.E. Asia cruise and enjoyed it immensely - will have to look for photos. As @Quartzsite Cruisersaid, we'd go back, given the opportunity. I like the quote but would also add chocolate so you have a balanced diet; wine in one hand, chocolate in the other. @luvteachingsending you gentle hugs as you mark your DD DH's birthday today. @RMLincolnI hope you get good results from your colonoscopy. @cruising sisterhow heartbreaking for your friend losing 1 of her grands, with the other in serious condition in hospital. @kazuI hope the "horse pills" are doing their trick on your foot. @marshhawkoh my gosh, I'm glad you & Chuck are safe! You have to drive for yourself and everyone else as well! Good luck today as you deal with his leg issues. @dfish I have to tell you yesterday's menu suggestion was dee-licious! The combination of honey mustard (I used store-bought) and Everything Bagel seasoning was sooo good! The chicken turned out moist and tender, and the potatoes were just as we like them - crispy and crunchy. I must admit I didn't have cauliflower, but made corn on the cob as a vegetable, but the whole meal was a hit. I'm not sure about the drink of the day - who regularly has grape vodka in their cupboard? I'd like the wine, and the salad sounds good as one that should be served as an evening meal on a hot summer day. Today DH is having coffee with his band mates at Tim Horton's, so he's going to be bringing home roast beef sandwiches that we can enjoy for dinner at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief, in storms, and in turmoil. Cheers to all with celebrations. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! I'll happily celebrate Cosmopolitan day, especially if it's a Grapefruit Cosmo! I hadn't heard of cystinosis, so thanks for the explanation. I'll let all my white wine friends enjoy my share of Sauvignon Blanc. A great quote, and thank you for the integrated circuits, as that's what keeps us all together today. Well the "frozen tundra" isn't frozen any more, it's soggy. The rain began off and on yesterday morning, then around 6:30 last night it really started coming down. Looking out the front window this morning, it's still raining, there's water running down the street, and the lawns in the area are already looking much greener than a couple of days ago. It's amazing what rain will do that water from the tap won't. I'm sure it has something to do with the natural ions in rainwater. @kazuI'm so sorry your foot is giving you such problems; I do hope you call the salon where you had your pedicure to complain about it - they need to know they've caused issues with their service. I hope the antibiotics do their trick. @JazzyV yikes on your BFF! How fortuitous that his accident happened on the first day you were able to get back in the driver's seat! @RMLincolnI'm glad Richard's eye seems to be progressing well; keep up the good work. @dfish and @Haljo1935 good luck to both of you at your medical appointments today. @Cruzin TerriI'm glad you and Jim had a serious discussion about future travel - you both want to be able to go away and feel comfortable, and talking about it is the first step. @smitty34877good idea about the A/C to help with the pollen in the house. @marshhawk sounds like you're herding cats this morning, LOL Good luck at the vet's with all of them. You're getting serious work hours, just make sure you have some "you" hours in the day as well. @Mr. BostonI've been meaning to ask, how did your open house go? Have you found a new property in Maine? I've got breakfast this morning with my retired colleagues, so it'll be interesting to see what's happened in their lives over the past 2 months. I missed last month's gathering as DH had a medical appointment, so today is catch-up day for me. It'll also be a chance to hear about one who just returned from a Mediterranean cruise. I'm not sure I'd like the drink of the day, but have copied out the recipe for it to add to the "gotta try" drinks on next year's TA. I think I'd like the wine, but it's a little pricey. Looking at the food offerings for today, I'm thinking the second recipe that includes potatoes will be what I'll make, but substituting cauliflower for the broccoli to please DH, and we can enjoy that at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in wars, in storms, in turmoil, and in pain. Cheers to all with celebrations today. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! I had to look up Joseph Brackett - still not sure why he gets his own day. I'm pretty sure I've been on a diet most of my life; I was born big and when I was adopted at 18 months, was already on skim milk. I like the idea that housework is homework, it sounds better to me. Welcome back @kazu; Sandi did an admirable job in your absence, but it's good to have you back. I really hope you can get to the bottom of your foot issue - that sounds serious! The grey clouds that appear to have been all over North America are back again with us this morning. Looking at the forecast for the next 2 days, it appears rain is in our future with 65% and 75% chance of it for Monday and Tuesday. I'm so glad the people came and did the spring yard clean late Saturday afternoon during the dry spell, as the yard looks much better and the rain will have a chance to get directly to the grass and soil. What we didn't realize however, was the damage caused by voles - little buggers made huge tracks all over a couple of sections of lawn. Of course we didn't know they were there, because they were tunnelling underneath the snow. Looks like we'll have to get some grass seed to restore the damaged areas. DH already has a plan for the voles for next winter - he's calling it his "winter trapline". LOL I'd like to try the drink of the day (already have it written down for our Daily-ite testing on the Oosterdam), would probably like the wine, and I think the salad suggestion would be a good one. Both DH and I like pears, and don't get them often enough, so tossing them into a salad sounds like a great idea. Because it's going to be cool and rainy, I think it's a good time to use up some of the frozen bagged coleslaw cabbage and turn it into a simmering pot of borscht that we can enjoy along with some crusty buns from the bakery at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in crisis, in grief, in pain and in turmoil. Cheers to all with celebrations today. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

Bon Voyage! What a great way to celebrate your birthday!!!

Any "live from" thread that begins with a cookie review is okay in my books! Bon Voyage - thanks for taking us with you!

Bon Voyage everyone - have a wonderful cruise!!!!

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! I look forward to the cartoons every day in the newspaper - they're always uplifting. I can't wear Chanel No.5; it turns rancid on me; when I do wear a fragrance (which is rarely), it's Alfred Sung. Childhood Stroke Awareness is so important - for the children and the parents as well. Happy Sinko de Mayo!! A bright sunny day in the offing for us today, but the overnight temperatures are still dipping into the freezing zone, so the plants will stay indoors for a few more days. Looking at the forecast, we could get more rain tomorrow and Tuesday, so we'll see what happens - maybe the plants can head out to the deck on Monday. @StLouisCruisersplease congratulate Morgan on her graduation - a wonderful accomplishment along with her new apartment. @HeartgroveBon Voyage; have a great cruise! @YourWorldWithBillBon Voyage to you as well! @kazuwelcome home - my thoughts went to you right away this morning, remembering the date and Jose's memorial. Yesterday we went over to visit Ollie and came home with an entire vehicle full of things she wanted to either give us or donate . . . it got to the point that Maurice nearly ended up being a hood ornament, there were so many things. Telescopes, tri-pods, a couple of netbooks (one with Windows XP, the other with Windows 10), an original iPad, a Samsung tablet, an original iPod, and those were just the electronics! Lots of stuff for us to work on - DH will manage the telescopes, etc., while I'll deal with the tech things, not that I'm very good at it, but at least I don't think you can fix them with an axe like DH does. I'll give the drink of the day a pass, would definitely like the wine, and because it's Cinco de Mayo, one of the Mexican style restaurants has a deal on tacos which we'll go and pick up to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in grief, in turmoil, and in wars. Cheers to all with celebrations happening today. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry

I enjoyed tagging along with you through this live thread. I hope you have an uneventful trip home and I'm sure Ivan will be delighted to see you again!

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! Great respect for firefighters - they put their lives on the line with every call and deserve far more than they get in compensation. I do respect chickens, although I also eat them. Every morning when I get up I check the Key West PTZ webcam to see if I can see any of the chickens - with a few exceptions, almost every day I've managed to pick them out wandering across the streets. They always make me smile. I'm not sure what a National Business Broker does. Margaret Thatcher was an amazing woman. We left the hotel yesterday morning around 9:30, heading for home and arrived around 4:30 after stopping a couple of times for gas, to stretch our legs, and for a leisurely lunch. Sochi was happy to see us, although annoyed as well. While we were eating dinner, she sat in the middle of the kitchen with her back turned to us as an insult for having left her. LOL No amount of coaxing could get her to turn around until she wanted to. @JazzyVI'm so happy to hear you're getting more rest - I do hope it will continue indefinitely. @StLouisCruisersa "household pest" . . . . . ugh. @marshhawkI chuckled reading that you're keeping your colouring book next to you while you work - good for you! I hope Chuck's situation will improve soon. Everyone is talking about rain - is there a solid cloud all across North America? We drove through clouds and scattered showers yesterday and I see it rained more overnight. We're expecting overnight temperatures to go below freezing for the next couple of nights, so we'll be bringing the plants into the house for the night. I might just end up lining them up in the living room window and leaving them there, rather than carting them in and out. I'd like to try the drink of the day, although wouldn't Prosecco with strawberries be a lot easier? I'm sure I'd like the wine, although it is a little pricey, and the menu suggestion sounds delicious and super easy. We don't often have cod, though, so I'd have to go out and buy some. I've got some chicken breasts thawing that will be prepared almost like today's cod recipe, and cooked in the air fryer to be served along with green beans and small baked potatoes at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in turmoil, and in various stages of the grieving process. Cheers to all with celebrations. Smooth Sailing! ☺️☺️☺️ Gerry P.S.: @dobiemom I didn't see your post when I hit "save"; we are both on the same track!

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily! We have a lumpy rug in our bedroom, I’ve accidentally worn 2 different coloured shoes, and think all pets are special. Except snakes. And lizards. Last evening we sat in the hotel lobby with @jhannah and Donna and visited for a couple of hours. None of us were hungry after the huge lunch we had at Bubba Gump’s, so we enjoyed coffee/cocoa and conversation until it was time for them to retire. They wanted to get to bed a little earlier than usual because the airport shuttle was booked for 3:30 for their morning departure. We all agreed it’s been a great 2 days together, getting to know one another on a personal level, sharing stories of our pasts, and hopes for the future. DH and I are so happy we decided to make this spontaneous trip. Speaking of Maurice, he was blown away by the responses to my late afternoon post yesterday. He said he’s so happy to know he’s got so many friends cheering him on and also said to say thank you for your support of me through all of this. In a short while I’ll wake DH so we can grab breakfast in the lobby and make our way home. Because we have all day, there are a couple of stores I’d like to stop in along the way, so we’ll have the time to do that. I’ve had a rum runner (strong!!), would like to have a sip of the wine if someone else is buying, and do like carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I’m pretty sure on our way into the city we’ll stop and pick up pizza to enjoy at the kitchen table tonight. And wine. Prayers to all who are in pain, in turmoil, in grief, and in storms. Cheers to all with celebrations going on today. Smooth Sailing! 🙂🙂🙂 Gerry