Cruising-along

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.

Did I miss it, or has the Daily Specials list been posted?

Good morning all! Another drizzly, cool morning here in the PNW. Supposedly the weather will improve this week. Won't complain though, since so many of you are going through high heat and humidity now. Like so many others, I prefer a float (any kind -- I especially like an orange float) over a soda, we've seen many bald eagles flying overhead here, and prayers for all refugees. I can just hear Jackie Gleason saying that 🙂 The meal sounds oh so yummy but yikes on the sodium content. Not long ago I only watched carbs, now the sodium content is even more important to me. Tonight I won't be cooking though, DD is making dinner for us for delayed Fathers Day. Last night we had the salmon with asparagus, rosemary and balsamic glaze. It was good! I added some orange peppers too. The drink sounds good but will pass on the red wine. Have never been to New Guinea. I was too busy planning my wedding in 3 months so there was no possibility of attending the Newport Festival in '69 even though I did live in CA at the time. Prayers for the 5 people missing in the sub -- so sad, and it doesn't sound good if they aren't found soon. Jacqui @kazu I hope Ivan feels much better today! Sandi @StLouisCruisers Good luck to Ren's team today! Yesterday I got the first bloom on my new Clematis (Dr. Ruppel). It will meet and blend with the Jackmanii on the other side of the arbor.

Good morning all! Good days to celebrate today. DD has both her kittens with her at work most days since she works from home most of the time. Since they're still kittens it can be challenging as you can imagine. I've gotten photos of one or both on her shoulders, hanging off from her, and chewing on computer cords. She loves it though. I think all our kids don't have work today and know the DGSs don't have school in honor of Juneteenth. As our older DGS said, they get a 3-day weekend, and then 2 hours of school on Tuesday and then get summer vacation. Too bad they couldn't just end school last Friday, but what do I know LOL. Good quote, I'll pass on the meal (prefer beans and meat in my chili), and will pass on the red wine and drink. Tonight we'll be having the salmon with asparagus and potatoes, recipe from a few days ago. I agree with Gerry @ger_77, I prefer drinks that aren't rimmed with salt/spicy mix. Also will join her with the pseudo martinis and pass on the real martinis with olives. 😉 Yesterday was crazy weather for June -- rain all day, very heavy at times, even hail (tiny but hail). Thunder and lightening! I was surprised all my flowers made it through that deluge. It feels so cold I even turned on the fireplace last night (!) Sandi @StLouisCruisers Congratulations to Ren's team and good luck tomorrow! Lorraine @cruising sister I'm sorry the kids lost out on the house. The right one will happen! Seems to be the way things are going now, at least here it's just nuts. DS and DDIL lost out on 3 or 4 houses before finally getting the one they have. And houses here are going for half again the asking price at least. Thank you Nancy @ottahand7and Vanessa @JazzyVfor the photos of Puerto Madryn. We haven't been there yet, but it's on our itinerary for the South America/Antarctica in 2025. Terry @smitty34877 I hope the visit with the oncologist today goes well.

Good morning all and Happy Fathers' Day to all the Dads out there! DH fished a lot in the past, but not now for years. Not me, I can't sit still that long lol. There won't be many picnics here today, it's pouring rain this morning and rain predicted now for days. I don't panic easily, but if the circumstances were bad enough I might! I'll pass on the meal, even if I substituted chicken for the tofu. Some of the other ingredients don't agree with me. Will pass on the wine too, but the drink looks like a very nice dessert. 🙂 We were in Rotterdam overnight on the VOV in 2018. The first day we went to Amsterdam and did all the touristy things (will save those photos for when we have Amsterdam) and the second day we did the Splash Tours in Rotterdam, a fun day! Photos below. No big plans here yet today, we'll be getting together with the kids for dinner on Tuesday because they're camping this weekend (where it's drier lol). I'll have to ask DH what he would like for dinner today. @Cruzin Terri Ugh, I hate it when all our bags don't arrive with us -- and it has happened to us way too many times. I hope your bags show up soon, it's good you have a few days in London. Nancy @ottahand7 Thank you for posting photos of your beautiful irises. They're all gorgeous, but I think my favorite is the apricot colored one you posted the other day. Here are photos taken from the Splash Tours in Rotterdam. Erasmusbrug Bridge Euromast Original HAL building Original Rotterdam The Shipping and Transport Building I bought some tulip bulbs that bloomed the next year.

Happy birthday Susan @durangoscots!

Ditto!! He's great!

Did you get photos of them? I'm wondering if I've seen them on other ships...(still can't help with names, sorry!)

Good morning all! Well the rain/drizzle has begun, and according to the forecast will stay with us for the next week. Much cooler too. This is more typical June weather for us, not the hot weather we had before. We eat a lot of vegetables here, and I would love to take a road trip. Our last one was a couple years ago when we did a big loop and went to several national parks. Usually jugglers don't interest me, but I do remember one on a BHB who was a lot funnier than the comedian we had!! Good quote, and DH keeps me laughing every day. I'll pass on the meal, drink and wine, and have not been to Colon. Prayers for all in need and a big cheer for all who are celebrating.

The odds of seeing the same formation is very low, if not 0. They do "mix and match" for the blues clubs on HAL. We usually see one or two familiar faces each cruise, but have never seen the same formation twice and we go to BB King every cruise that has it.

Good morning all! Another kind of cloudy day, mid 60's again. But at least not raining (yet). I'll be finishing the laundry I started yesterday, and do some gardening. Today would have been my sister's 82nd birthday. She passed after a long battle with cancer at the age of 69. She and I shared the love of gardening, and I always feel her presence in my garden. I love fresh veggies and the best are freshly picked from my own garden when possible. Waterfalls are wonderful, as are nursing assistants. I admire everyone who is in the medical field, it's hard, hard work. Good quote, will pass on the red wine. The drink sounds interesting, not sure about it, but would try it. We don't have Fluke here (I see that it's an east coast fish) but the coconut rice would ruin it for me even if I substituted another white fish. And sadly even low sodium soy sauce is off limits for me so I try to avoid dishes with that ingredient. Airlie Beach is on the Grand Australia itinerary and I'm trying to find something to do there. One idea is to walk part of the Bicentennial Walkway if it isn't too hot. Hoping there will be some photos today! Here is a photo of our most well-known waterfall, Snoqualmie Falls with Salish Lodge in the background. Prayers for the families and victims of the horrific crash in Manitoba. How very, very sad.

Yes, I just did this a few weeks ago and it was also a 5-day Pacific Coastal.

Good morning all! We have a couple days of sunshine before the drizzle is back. Maybe heading to 70 F today. I love nature photography and follow several photographers online. Prunes are ok, and believe smiles hold a lot of power. I like the quote, and the meal sounds very yummy. I've printed off the 2nd recipe (you had me at balsamic glaze) but will make it another night. We've had a lot of fish the past week. Rosemary isn't usually an herb I would choose, but in this recipe it sounds great. My neighbor and I are each growing some herbs in our front yards and are sharing. She's growing Rosemary, so I'll pop over and snip some when I do make this. Will pass on the drink and red wine. We've been to Scotland but not to Lerwick. Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for the great photos. All the talk about painting houses and now I'm thinking maybe we'll do that next summer. I do still love the color we have (similar to Jack's @Heartgrove) so will try to have it matched as closely as possible. We also have Hardie Plank, I didn't know it can pull away! Getting my hair cut is tops on the agenda today, and then probably gardening. Not sure what we'll have for dinner, I'm thinking maybe pork chops. Gerry @ger_77 Happy Birthday to your DS! Susan @durangoscots great news that Bandit is doing well!

Good morning all! We have a cloudy day with a high in the mid 60's. I don't care for Bourbon, have done a little family history on Ancestry and also the Mormon site. My Mother's side has been traced back to 1100 but it's all much too complicated for me to keep up with. DH spent 4 years in the Army (and was in Viet Nam one of those years) and then retired from the Navy. In honor of Flag Day here's one of my favorite photos -- our youngest DGS helping DH raise our flag 6 years ago. Good quote, I'll take a hard pass on the meal. Not only does it have cilantro, but what's up with chicken and waffles?? I'll keep mine separate. The NZ wine sounds great, and I'd probably like the drink. Red Bay was on our Voyage of the Vikings itinerary in 2018, the only port in New Foundland and we had to miss it because of fog. We were disappointed, but hearing about the bugs maybe I should feel relieved lol. Thanks for all the great photos! Terry @smitty34877 I'm sorry yesterday was a tough day. It sounds like your DH has a great medical team, keeping you in my prayers. Lorraine @cruising sister I agree with the others, it sounds like that woman has a jealousy problem. Keep your head held high and in time she'll probably wise up. 😉 Roy @rafinmd Happy Heavenly Birthday to your dear brother. He was born 2 days before my sister who has been gone now for 13 years. Graham @grapau27 We've only done the Panama Canal once, in April. We had absolutely no problems with insects, but the heat and humidity was intense. Today I'm meeting up with my BFF for lunch, so will scoot now. I hope everyone has a great day! Photos from our near-miss of Red Bay. It was even foggier than this at times. The Captain was wise not to try to use the tenders that day. We did get a glimpse off some of it as we gave up and departed.

Oh thank you, Lenda. I had a feeling what I saw wasn't the right one. I did look up and down the regular grocery aisles too and didn't see it. Maybe our local Haggens would have it... thanks again. I hope your internet stays on now, that can be very frustrating!

The rain is back this afternoon so my weeding and deadheading was cut short. Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser I may have found the pad Thai kit at the big box store -- it was in the refrigerated section and has chicken -- but when I read the sodium content I thought better of getting it, darn. It also has cilantro, which was no surprise. We did find plenty of other things to buy though and as usual I went for a couple things and came out with a cart-full. 🤣