Days of our Lives

Does today's shoot even feel like work?

Renée Jones: The thought of it seemed like work, but once you get out here, with the grass, the food and the picnic tables, you want to hang out and talk with everybody, so it's fun. Years ago, Ken (Corday, exec producer) would have a ... moreparty in the park. We'd all show up and people brought their dogs and their babies and it would be a nice cookout in Pasadena, so this reminds me of that.

How is life in Salem treating you?

Things are going well. Lexie is basically in doctor mode, so it's serious stuff. Thank God she wasn't taking care of Sami's baby, Grace! I sat down on Saturday to watch one episode, because I was on it, and ended up watching the whole week in a row. I was with the tissue, sobbing!

Were you excited when you heard Joe Mascolo was returning as your onscreen father, Stefano?

Are you kidding? Yes! I was also hoping I'd start being a bit stronger and maybe a bit evil at times. I used to get into the family rivalry thing, helping my father, but Lexie's trying to walk the straight and narrow. She loves her father and brother, but knows they're not straight, so it's a slippery slope there.

And life outside of Salem?

I just planned my summer trip: I'm going to the Atlantic and the Bahamas for two weeks. I've already booked time to go swimming with the dolphins and they have water rides! When I travel with my man, I like to kick back on the beach, but I'm going with my niece, so I just want to play in the water and act like a 10-year-old. She's 40, so she grew up before my eyes, but I don't know how she's almost caught up with me -- I mean, how she's passed me!

(James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Renée Jones (Lexie Carver) Deanna Barnert)