Cat TV

In the summertime, there are so many little 'perks' to cat-sitting in our area. I love to drive the back-roads and enjoy the country sights. I think deep down I really am a 'country girl'.
Many of my clients have beautiful gardens by the water and some like to feed the wild-life all year long. I guess that's ok,  right? I'm never really sure about that.

I sat for a minute to enjoy a Timmy's coffee and watched Cat TV as the birds, squirrels and chipmunks arrived for their morning treat. I always throw a handful of mixed seeds and nuts on the back porch to entice the wild-life at this house. Of course, it's not really for the cat-sitter but more for the resident cats.

"Holy, did you see the size of that pigeon?"

Boredom never sets in for the two resident cats at this home. 'Cat tv' is on all day.

"Awwww....I could just cuddle you both to bits."

Never have I seen so much handsomeness in one house. ;-)

Well, it`s been a busy day having seven houses to visit and some twice a day. Can you be dog-tired from cat-sitting. Ha!

Tomorrow we celebrate Canada Day. "Ka-boom!"

"Happy Canada Day" to all my Canadian friends. We are 147 years young.
hugs, Deb

Farewell to June.

Audrey can look normal.

It's hard for her but she can do it. See her little splash of white on the chest. She says that's what makes her stand out from the rest of the greys. We'll let her think that.

This last weekend of June was a busy one for this cat-sitter. It wasn't all work, though. Can I call this work? Hardly.  After caring for stay-at-home kitties, I spent a good part of Saturday planting flowers and enjoying the weather. I've been wanting a bird-bath but found them so expensive at this time of year so I got creative and used a serving dish, a few shiny stones and a log that was in the yard. Tada! My 'cheap' rather rustic bird-bath.

It's barbecue season and the most fabulous barbecue weather this weekend. Veggie-burgers are my choice for dinner.

And here's a few of my weekend charges.

Smudge - she is still around until mid-July so I had the opportunity to see her again. How I will miss this darling face when she moves. :(

Bella & Tigger

Flash & Quincy

Caesar & Ace (photo coming)

Stunning, isn't he?

Zoe (This is my favorite angle of this magnificent cat)

Penny & Zoie

                                (photo taken last winter)
Ten fabulous felines to pamper to my heart's content. Well, that is besides six at home.  ;-)
I'll have two more to photograph tomorrow. They are new clients so I'll be showing them off soon.

Enjoy what's left of this fabulous, +30C, strawberry short-cake eatin' weekend.

hugs, Deb

Foodie Friday

Six gorgeous, brown, organic eggs from free-range hens;  fresh from a local farm & boiled to perfection. I made egg salad for the weekend and was so fortunate to be given fresh onions from a clients' garden to add to it.  
My potted oregano is growing well and will taste great in a stir-fry tonight. 

It's such a pretty herb.

6 brown eggs, chopped onion, mayo to taste, pepper, salt and a dash of paprika. That's it. Easy and delicious.  

I always have company in the kitchen. Today it is Lily, our 18 years old white, domestic short-haired cat. She is doing well although she is very thin now. She keeps me hopping with her 6 small meals a day but I don't mind. I'll always make time for my sweet little Lily-bug.

"Oh, Audrey...I didn't see you there. Are you here to keep me company, too?"

"I heard there are 6 meals being handed out. I'll take mine to go."

"Oh Audrey...your 3 meals a day is quite sufficient. You'd be as fat as a hog if you ate that much. "

                                                         "Her rudeness reaches such levels. "

=^..^=

Cat-tip-for the-day=^..^= barn cats

Did you know that a well-fed barn cat catches more mice than one that is not fed? It is because they take their time while hunting and make less mistakes because they are not starving. So, feed your barn cats, please.

hugs, Deb

My cookies

"AUDREYYYYYY"

=^..^=

=^..^=

"AUDREYYYYY"

"Oh for heaven's sake...what does she want now?"

                               "WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?"

"ARE YOU AWAKE?"
=^..^=

=^..^=

"That woman is so daft I could scream."

"Audrey, I found those cookies you heard about on the radio called Audrey's Patisserie but they are for people, not cats.
They have lots of chocolate in them and chocolate is a NO-NO for cats." 

  And by the way, they are very, very...very yummy."

"Did you hear that? And she knows I'm starving. I can't even stand up I'm so hungry."

"Well, now you can see what I have to put up with around here.
My name is Audrey, I am 2 1/2 years old and I need a home where they share their cookies and provide cardboard boxes. 
Text me."

=^..^=

Cats-in-windows

I spotted two real beauties today

but there was no way I was getting this first one's attention for a photo. No sir, not without dangling cat-nip, I guess.

This gorgeous Bengal did not need any enticing to pose for the camera. Happy to oblige to break up the day.

"Check out these stripes, lady."

The phone is ringing off the hook and emails are coming in daily for cat-sitting needs. Sometimes I think I could use an assistant. Oh ya, I have the retired-guy. haha!
I'm certainly not complaining. This is always a busy time of year as people open cottages, head out on road trips, and visit far-away places.
I will have quite a line-up of feline faces to show you at the end of the week. Most of them are my regulars and some that I have not seen for awhile. I look forward to caring for them all. I just filled my bag today with fresh treats, nip and new toys for my charges. A box of note paper, extra scoop bags & a clean brush are a must. I also pack an extra camera battery. Oh yes, and something that no cat-sitter should be without...a clothes brush. :-)))


I'm sorry if I haven't been by lately to your blog but I have had a problem with my Reading List and was unable to see your posts for a week now. It seems to have straightened itself out, though. *smile*

hugs, Deb

Looking back...

Why is it when I sit still and look across the little field of daisies, buttercups and clover that my heart settles? I had no idea as a child what this little piece of land would always mean to me. How coming here would flood my mind with happy memories of warm summer mornings; the sound of bees and hens around the gardens and the comfort of my grandmother's contentment of having her grands around to spoil even just for a little while.

I can still see her in the vegetable garden filling her apron with carrots and potatoes for our dinner. Her faithful tabby cat, Maggie, never far from her sight. She was precious to my grandmother and lived a good cat-life.

I can count fifty maples sitting here and remember my grandmother tapping a few for the nectar.

The dilapidated hen house that exists still today, and seems to take great pride in that, opens my memory to scenes of children filling tin pails with fresh eggs, even tiny ones from the banty hens, and brings back the sound of excitement and laughter.

I can hear the old well handle being cranked to fill the one tin cup with cold, delicious water. 

I still have that old granite cup on a shelf today.

It would be rubbish to anyone else; a treasure to me.

These are memories of days gone by and the love of a wonderful grandmother.

It's no wonder, sitting here and looking about, makes me feel I have returned to a little piece of paradise. 

I'm sending you over to visit a beautiful blog today.  Rooted in Thyme http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.ca/ has posted photos of her vegetable and flower gardens and I think all you gardeners would love to pay Jody a visit. Enjoy!

hugs, Deb

Around the house...

Here's the story on how the cats are getting along in our home.

Lily at 18 doesn't give two hoots about the newbies, Joe and Rae-Rae. She barely notices them.

Sierra hates them both.

Annie loathes Joe and tolerates Rae-Rae.

Audrey is terrified of Joe and hates Rae-Rae.

Joe tries to be the dominant by stomping around like John Wayne but he is actually, deep down, a coward.

He tried to make friends at the very start of their arrival but my cats would have nothing of it.

Now he likes stomping and scaring all the women. BUT...if Sierra gets mad at him he runs like a girl.

Rae-Rae stays upstairs all day and lies in the sun or on a bed. She will hiss at any cat that enters the room but that's it. She never makes a move for them. In the evening, she does her walk-about downstairs but hisses at any cat that comes near her except for her darling Joe.

Joe is bored with Rae-Rae and prefers stirring up trouble with the others.

Joe secretly has a crush on Annie but knows that she will pulverize him if he touches her.
All this but no blood shed so I'm happy.

Kane thinks they are all nuts and always has.

Well, I'm off to kitty-sit. I snapped this photo of one of my very co-operative kitty-clients.
He's such a handsome boy.

And I have my first basket of fresh strawberries just picked this morning to create a strawberry short-cake for dinner. Don't you just love summer!
hugs, Deb

What a Crock!

This big crock is to hold our cat-litter. It was what I went back to the Log Farm Antiques for today. It was cheap and the exact thing I was looking for. When you have 4 cats and 2 free-loaders in your home you go through a lot of litter. I wanted the container to be much prettier than the cardboard box so this will do just fine. Maybe this can be my cat-tip-for-the-day. Find yourself a great container and fill it with your cat litter. Make sure it has a lid and add a scoop of some sort. I used an old coffee mug. Voila! No more eye-sore.

I couldn't pass up this little crock as I looked about at the Log Farm yesterday. Since I sent another bag of 'good stuff' to our local thrift shop last week I feel I can add to my collection of pottery. One thing in...ten things out. Sooner or later I will be surrounded by only those things that I love. ;-) I'm on a mission.

We are having beautiful weather. There are festivals all over our little town and everyone is out and about.

The sun is shining for Rae-Rae. Or so she thinks. =^..^=

I have something nice to share with you. I was shopping for pet food today at a shop where they show kittens that are in need of homes from our local shelter. There had been 4 there a few days ago and now  sat the last one all alone in the cage. This little 9 week old kitten looked lonely to me. I wondered how long it had been alone. I was just about to ask the staff when I looked over and there was a woman filling out a form and paying her fee to adopt this last little kitten. Her eyes were smiling and she was anxious to hold her. I could tell this was going to be a good home. So, off went the last of the 4 black kittens. Made my day!

hugs, Deb

I'm bowled over...

My new 'find' at the Log Farm Antiques. http://www.logfarmantiques.com/

It is a pottery bowl dated back to the 19th century. (so I'm told). The owner said this was the oldest bowl she had ever found in all her years of antiquing. I know a potter in our area and would love to find out from her what she thinks. It really doesn't matter one way or the other since I didn't pay much for it at all.  I can just imagine how many delicious desserts were made in this, if that's true. I'm heading back there this weekend to pick up another item I saw. I thought I needed time to think on it but turns out I don't. :)
Can you tell it was a windy day? ha!

I, of course, had to try it out so, after I scrubbed it well, I made some chocolate chip walnut cookies for the cookie jar the old fashioned way.

Mixed together and then add 1/2 cup of walnuts and chocolate chips

Isn't this a beautiful thing. It really is a great bowl and feels wonderful in your hand. It's perfect for those 'all in one bowl' type recipes.

Like this one...

In one bowl mix ...1/2 cup soft butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/4 tsp. vanilla. Mix well.
In a 2 cup measuring cup measure out 1 cup flour adding 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch. Mix in cup and add to bowl mixing all ingredients together. Add your nuts and chocolate chips. I use 1/2 cup of each. Grease cookie sheet (I use parchment paper) Drop by teaspoonfuls and bake at 350 for 10 min.

                                So Darn YummY!

I said "so long" for now to two fabulous, fluffy felines, Puff and Moe today. Oh, I will miss these two gorgeous cats. I will be hearing Moe's boisterous purr in my sleep tonight. Hope mom and dad like to travel. *wink*

Off to kitty-sit.

hugs, Deb

A pristine pot

After a busy morning of cat pampering, it's time to sit awhile and enjoy a cup of tea in a beautiful, new to me, tea-pot. This, along with many other pieces of glorious pottery, was a birthday gift from my youngest daughter. She found it in a thrift shop in Ottawa and it was obvious that it had never been used. It is a perfect pot with a beautiful glaze, perfect pouring spout, bamboo handle and has a special addition to it that makes it unique.  It is signed by ANNE. It is not dated but I expect it is from the 80's. Our Annie sits next to it and purrs.
I love it's fat little belly which is another similarity to my Annie. *wink*
I could not have ordered one more perfect. Annie felt it only fitting that she model with it since her name is so close to the potter's. It also matches her green eyes.

It's one more beautiful addition to my home.

Time for tea;

in my pristine pot and steeped for 7 minutes.

Won't you join us. 

I'm joining Jan at http://jannolson.blogspot.ca/ for Share your Cup Thursday

and Home Sweet Home at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/

hugs, Deb

A 'grand' day

While I took care of some country kitties this morning, the retired-guy and our favorite (and only) grandson, Bradley took to hiking around the beautiful property and check out the big rocks.

We had just come from a very early 'breakfast out' and my kitty-clients were ready for their breakfast, too.

Before heading back to the car I came across this glorious group of poppies and thought.."Yep, gotta get me some of these."

Gorgeous colour, right?

I think these are my favorite by far.

And to Bradley's delight we came across a painted turtle making the long trek across the dirt road so he got a little help and was placed in the tall grass.

But not before we took a picture of him hiding his head from these weird people he came upon.

Stay safe, little guy.

Bradley was taken home for his nap and then it was off to Almonte to care for stay-at-home kitties that require one visit a day.

I always try to fit them in around noon to break up their day.

Oh, did I mention it is gorgeous today with the sun shining and just a light, cool breeze?

Purrrrrfect!

I haven't shown you some of the beautiful pieces of pottery that I received for my bday.

You won't believe how beautiful my next tea-break will be. 

I'll leave that for another day.

Audrey is yelling from the living-room. Apparently she just heard on the radio that there is a new product line of cookies called Audrey's Cookies.

I'll have to find out what that's all about.

Have a great day! 

hugs, Deb