Cruising-along

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

I hope we can cruise with Carolyn and Maurice someday.

Lenda I hope to cruise with you some day too!  (but I'm sure Gerry @ger_77 would rather that Maurice sails with her). 😉😁

30 minutes ago, CNSJ said:

On Princess I need a mini-suite to get a loveseat/sofa.

We recently booked our first Princess cruise (just a one-week get away) and our Deluxe Balcony shows it has a sofa.  I do see that regular balconies don't have one (?) 

As for HAL vs Princess, we'll see how they compare after that cruise.  I have heard good things from friends about Princess, so it may become our 3rd go-to cruise line, or maybe it won't.  

Jacqui @kazu Gorgeous peonies!!  I hope the foot nurse can help.  You're overdue for some improvement!

Terry @smitty34877 I hope Tana's fever breaks soon -- praying.

@bdrcole Thank you for the great photos of Bodo.

Gerry @ger_77 I'm giggling too!  

Elizabeth @Haljo1935 The position you had to have your shoulder for the scans sounds so painful 😞  

Brenda @bennybear Now I'm really jealous.  Janis Joplin was one of my favorites, I would have loved to see/even just hear her live.  Gone too soon. 😞  

Good morning all!

As Karen @luvteaching has said, we're having a beautifully sunny, warm day today.  I have the windows open to let in the cool air but will be closing windows and blinds in a bit to stay cool.

Three good days, I'll pass on the meal (unless the eggplant is left out) 😉 would try the drink and would like the wine if it isn't sweet.  Have not been to the port.  I don't know yet what will be on the dinner table tonight...we should bbq....maybe chicken.

I think the house is as kitty proofed as it will get, we just have one more couch to cover (the double recliner).  In 3 days our lives will change for a month LOL.  DD is so excited about their trip, they haven't taken such a long vacation since the children were born.  DSIL is taking a year sabbatical and it starts the day they're leaving -- very happy for them!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Good morning all!

It's another beautiful morning in the PNW.  The next 3 days will hit 80 (I know that sounds cool to many of you, but it's probably our high so far this year).  Then it will cool down again.  Typical June weather, it doesn't know what it wants. 😉 Our heat won't come until July, more likely August.

Interesting collection of days.  I like watching surfers but wouldn't dare try it, I'm too uncoordinated.  I love lamb!  Debbie @dfish do try it on a BHB.  On the GANZ I asked the chef what their secret was to the wonderful lamb dishes we were having.  He said marinate overnight.  I would try the drink but pass on the red wine.  Have not been to Oslo, but hopefully we'll get there on the '26 World.  Thank you all for the great photos! 

I lived in the Bay Area during the Newport Pop Festival and DH and I were engaged.  There were many more entertainers performing than just Jimi Hendrix.  I would have loved to go, but DH, being in the Army then, wasn't allowed to attend any of "those things" happening in the late 60's. How times have changed.

Elizabeth @Haljo1935 My heart aches for you.  My nephew committed suicide at age 16 and my sister and BIL never, ever got over it. It affects the whole family.  Sending gentle ((hugs)).

Terry @smitty34877 I'm sorry to hear that Tana has a fever and headache, and especially that she has no appetite.  

Nancy @ottahand7 Happy Birthday to John!! 

This came up today in my Facebook memories -- A Tiger Swallowtail on one of my Lilies 7 years ago. 

For the Garden Club...

Good morning all!
It's a beautiful morning here, and a string of sunny days is in the forecast.  Mid 70's today, up to the high 70's Thursday-Saturday.

When DD and DS were small I had a Garfield cake pan I used for a few of their birthday cakes.  

I'll pass on the meal and wine but would like to try the drink.  Dutch Harbor is on the itinerary for our cruise next summer.  This year's cruise was just there and reports are that there's one local transport-type shuttle for $50/pp (!) to take you a few miles....and no HAL excursions. Looks like our day there will be just to wander around on our own.  Thank you Roy @rafinmd for the great photos!

I think I'm over that flu-type whatever it was I had, thankfully it was short and mild.  You can take me off the care list Vanessa @JazzyV and thank you. 🙂  

We have a few things to get done here today, both inside and out.  

Happy 76th Birthday to @SusieKIslandGirl's DH!

@Cruzin Terri  Yay on the negative test!  I hope you feel much better soon.

21 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

I booked early and kept a watch on prices. I think I rebooked 3 times for a lower price. The senior price ended up better than the member price.

That's what I always do too -- great minds think alike!

A very late good morning to all!

I never watched Superman, countering hate speech should be every day, and someone else can have my Sushi. 🙂  The meal sounds yummy but I'll pass on the wine and drink, have not been to the port.

I'm very late today because I slept over 10 hours (!) Feeling a little bit better, at least so far this morning, but the headache is hanging on.  Besides that, DH and I spent some time this morning deciding on what cabin we want for that Princess cruise -- and now we're booked!  It will be Nov. 2-9 round trip LA with an overnight in San Francisco, a day in Ensenada and a long day in San Diego.  Thank you @Haljo1935 and @SusieKIslandGirl for the tips and advice!!  Now I need to download the Princess app.  I had already been looking at the Crowne Plaza for the hotel, it seems to be highly recommended on CC and Tripadvisor.  It will be interesting to see how Princess compares with HAL.

@Cruzin Terri I'm glad your DH is still testing negative but sorry you still are feeling bad.

Gerry @ger_77 I also love Miracle Whip and grew up with it.  I prefer it over mayonnaise in most things like tuna salad and potato salad. For a sandwich I use mayonnaise. 

@Overhead Fred What a gorgeous Peony!  Thank you for sharing.

@cunnorl I highly recommend romecabs also.  

We're finally rid of the rain, yay!  Hope everyone has a great day.

20 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

We"ve done Princess many times w/most recent just before Covid shutdown. They had already launched the medallions but not the tiers/levels of packages, so I'm no help with those.

Medallions worked well, but we learned after boarding that people w/pacemakers should not use them; no issues getting a key card.

We love the International Cafe - most similar comparison is Grand Dutch Cafe.

I don't recall the class of ship, but there's one where the spa entrance is out in the middle of the deck and made us uncomfortable. 

We've always had good service and their Creme Brule was fabulous. 

Thank you I appreciate it! 

Our DD's in-laws just returned from a cruise on Princess so I know about the medallions (no pacemakers here).  We're seriously looking at a 7-day on the Discovery Princess (2 years old).  It would be round-trip Los Angeles in early November.  DH will call tomorrow!  

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Carolyn, I hope you feel better soon.  Stomach/flu is not fun.

Thank you Lenda.  It really hasn't been bad, just chills, stomach twinges and slight headache -- it could be much worse.

Still not up for salmon, but hopefully tomorrow.  I have everything to make that delicious Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Strawberry Relish.  Best recipe I've ever gotten on the Daily (thanks again Debbie @dfish!  

I hope whatever this is hasn't affected my mind because I got a wild hair this afternoon and started looking for a Pacific Coastal between now and our cruise next June.  Trouble is, neither HAL or Celebrity has anything that would work for us.  So we're looking at Princess....never have sailed Princess -- any tips anyone??

48 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

The big news for me is that I booked the 2026 GANZ cruise. I loved, loved the GANZ this past Winter so will go again.

Nice!  I see that one will be on the Zaandam -- did you book the same cabin you had on the Volendam?  I loved the GANZ, but it was once and done for me because of the heat and humidity.  I'm really glad to have done it though!  

Debbie @dfish SO glad the A/C tech got things going again for you.  I was worried when you said how hot it would be.  Your ideas for the house sound good!  We'll want photos, of course, when the work is done.

My plan to have salmon tonight has changed.  I'm having some mild stomach/flu symptoms and that just sounds too rich.  I have no idea where/how I got anything, I haven't been anywhere in days and DH is fine.

Good morning all!

Our rain is slowing down, and we'll get sunshine later this week and up to 80.  Then back down to the 60's.  It has been a very strange late spring/early summer.

I love root beer but had never heard of Stewarts Root Beer. I don't think we have it here in the West.  Crocodiles are ok from a distance, and combating desertification is so important.

I know I would like the wine from NZ, maybe on the drink, and maybe on the meal.  I've never had a Galette, the 2nd recipe looks the best to me.  Like others, I've been to Denali but not to Talkeetna.

Sandi @StLouisCruisers I'm glad your cough is getting better, hope you feel much better soon! And happy CC anniversary!  I always miss my anniversary, I see it was 3 weeks ago -- 17 years.   I didn't realize you're on next year's 28-day Alaska -- I don't think you've joined the roll call (?)

Happy Birthday Susan @durangoscots!!

2 minutes ago, Roz said:

 

This has been my experience as well.  Never had clothes come back shoved in a bag.  How awful!

We're really spoiled with HAL's laundry service.  There are a lot of things I don't like about how Celebrity does it (and the cost).  So we only take short cruises on Celebrity!

We’re getting some surprise sunshine today, not what was predicted!

When I was in the backyard I was delighted to see that my favorite color Poppy is blooming. 
 

I’ve really enjoyed seeing all the Dad photos today. 
 

@XBGuy I may be the only one who said I love Chenin Blanc (but only dry Chenin Blanc)

1 minute ago, SilvertoGold said:

Are they still doing the little note? Last year, yes. This year, no, at least for us, so far.

We got notes every time on our 94-day cruise this year. (and that's a lot of notes!)  😅

On the laundry slip you have a spot to mark if you want things folded or on hangers.  I always mark "on hangers".  Everything other than socks and underwear comes back on hangers.  Socks and underwear are folded and in a nice basket.  

Good morning all and Happy Father's Day to all fathers!

Good selection of days, and I love Chenin Blanc.  I'll pass on the meal, drink and wine, have not been to the port and have no desire to go.  

We celebrated Father's Day last week because the kids are leaving soon on their month-long road trip.  I'm sure DH will get some calls today though.  I plan to make a crock pot roast beef dinner (we're having cool, damp weather so it sounds good).  

I lost my wonderful Dad 6 years ago, he was 101!  We're so lucky to have had him so long, and even more lucky that he was healthy and had all his faculties to the end.  We miss him terribly.

Terri @Cruzin Terri I'm so sorry you have Covid now and hope you start to feel better very soon.

Sandi @StLouisCruisers Very sorry you're still feeling poorly -- sending hugs.

The grand-kitties will arrive a week from tomorrow and I've gotten the biggest room kitty-proofed.  Both couches in there are covered now, all ways to get underneath them blocked (we'll see how well that goes!) and all breakables locked away.  Next up the rest of the house and the hardest couch to cover, the double recliner.

Here's one of my favorite photos with my Dad.  It was taken at Mt. Baker, Dad's favorite place on earth.  I'm the baby in Dad's arms.

47 minutes ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

Would love to know your magic potion for the moles. Miserable creatures along with the miserable deer! And the Seattle area never did see any rain. I finally gave up and watered the flowers.

I’ve had a lot of success with this. 

A tip I got was to cut them in half or even quarters. Whole worms aren’t necessary. 
And it’s still raining here 😞 in the convergent zone. 

I'm so enjoying your live-from -- excellent as always!  This is so helpful for those of us on next year's cruise.  

What did you do in Sitka -- or did I miss it? 

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

@Cruising-along Oh no on the moles in the yard! Very nice Ketchikan photos.

Thank you Vanessa 🙂  When I went out earlier (it's raining too hard now) I didn't see any sign of the mole so fingers crossed it found the poison. Of course the rain has brought slugs to the garden, another problem entirely!

Also we lost power for about a half-hour -- it's been an interesting day and it isn't even half over yet. 😉  

I'm always impressed by how you mention everyone's photos -- thank you!

Good morning all!

We're getting a bit of rain this morning, it started last night.  We do need it, I've been having to water everything lately.

All important days, I would try the drink, would like the wine, but pass on the meal.  I prefer my asparagus cooked.  We've been to Ketchikan at least 3 times, and will be there again next June on the 28-day Alaska. 

Bon Voyage @Himself!

Gerry @ger_77 Please with your son a very happy 42nd birthday from us.

Tina @0106 Happy Anniversary to your parents!

As always I had a really nice afternoon and lunch yesterday with BFF.  When I got home, though, I saw that "The Mole(s)" had started up in the yard.  They had stayed away until now because I'd put down fertilizer a month ago. They don't like that.  So now, as the grass seed I put down is coming up, is when they choose to have their fun. 😞  I put down my poison "worms" and hope it works yet again.  If not I think I still have some Grub-Ex.  To top it all off, a neighborhood cat left me a little present on the walkway (!)  A dead shrew.  Later I saw the cat watching closely at the mole tunnels -- GO KITTY!  

Our first cruise, like many people in the NW, was to Alaska.  In 2004 we went kayaking out of Ketchikan.

In 2019 we were with BFF and her DH.  She and I took the tour of Dolly's house. DH and her DH went back to the ship. 🤣

We've seen the Lumberjack show twice, always a fun time.

Last year we saw the Saxman Native Village show.  It was very good!

9 hours ago, scluvsrain said:

We took a private (non HAL) tour out to Thompson Pass and Worthington Glacier.

Great photos! You certainly have had good weather.

Could you let us know the names of the private tour companies you've used?

Thanks!

Good morning all!

Chop Suey is probably the only Chinese dish I don't care for.  Thanks to my parents' research, we have a lot of our family history, and I'll celebrate Flag Day today.  Funny quote, I'd like the meal but only if the avocado is left out.  Both the drink and wine sound good.  We've been to Fiji but not to Dravuni.  It sounds so familiar, I think it was on our GANZ itinerary but then changed.

Roy @rafinmd I hope your tests go well today.

Sandi @StLouisCruisers I'm sorry you're still having that awful cough -- hope you get over it soon!

@Lady Hudson Bon Voyage!

@DeniseT Congratulations on your successful presentation!

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser I hope all goes well today for your DH's shunt adjustment appointment.

@Cruzin Terri Very glad you're almost home!  Safe drive.

Today I'm meeting BFF at our favorite place in Mt. Vernon for lunch. We always have a lot to catch up on.

Amber is doing well, she gets home visits from nurses, speech, occupational and physical therapists.  It has been a rough road, but she's doing amazingly well all considered.

Good morning, Jacqui --

We have canceled the Volendam November 9, 2024 42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage cruise.

Please add us to the Volendam January 4, 2026 132-day Grand World Voyage.

Thank you so much!