One little Santa snuck right in.

I know it's early and I did tell family that Santas come out in December but I snuck this guy into the kitchen tonight.

I need his expertise when I bake for Christmas and I'm starting to put things away in the freezer now.

He has a kind face. I like that.

Audrey WAS sleeping...

and then not.

I figured Santa was toast. She has to inspect the additions to our home but she considers this kitchen decoration absolutely useless. She tried to eat the basket contents but gave up quite quickly when it did not meet her standards. Plus she heard  "No, no, no Audrey."  Which really means nothing to her but she'll not look at him again.


One of my readers made a wonderful suggestion if you are cat-sitting for travellers. If the cat or cats are shy and do not like to be handled, sitting down on the sofa and reading a book out loud gets them used to your comforting voice. She said this worked very well for her with a shy cat.  I did have a cat years back that I would read out loud to and this would lull the kitty off to sleep. It is a great suggestion and one for you future cat-sitters to make note of. "Thanks Christine". 

Do not disturb

I have little woodland beasts that I put here and there at Christmas.

 The deer and squirrel are my grand-daughter, Riley's,  favorite so they sit on the table for now. But this post is not about my decorations, really. It is about my cat, Annie. I did not have the heart to disturb Annie's favorite resting spot today as the sun shone through the window and covered her with a sun-puddle. So, she stayed and joined my decor.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this cat? And...I have no doubt in my mind that she knows it.
She just has to look into my eyes and I, in turn, see her peace, her joy, her love.

She is an old soul in a three year old body. She requires a lot of my time and I am happy to give it. And without a word of a lie we share a love of china. *stop laughing.* When I bring dishes out of the cupboard she must inspect them and, with a gentleness of a fawn, walk around the fragile pieces and then sits to watch me play. She will keep me company for as long as it takes.  I guess we share a fascination for pretty things.

I so enjoyed a post today at http://mycornerthroughmylens.blogspot.ca/. You will love Cathy's posts on her love of family, friends and some special dogs. Today she showed her gallery of favorite photos. It is lovely the way she has put them together so she can stop and admire them at anytime. You will love her writing and if you are a mom you will want to read today's post. Her photographs are beautiful. Drop on over and have a peak.

I'm coughing like a fool today while I drag myself off to visit little old Twinkle. Cats don't care if you have a cold; they want dinner.

hugs, Deb

Monk's Blend tea

Well, so much for the milder weather. The cold has returned and I had a bag of tea-leaves that needed to be steeped. Monk's Blend sounded interesting when I saw it on the shelf at our local health food store.

I  had just the right treat to serve with it. Nothing fancy today as I was soon out the door to go shopping with someone very special but let me tell you the tea was amazing. Jess and I added just a bit of honey to this fruity blend.. The retired-guy joined us and we all loved this tea.






Originally it is believed that this blend was developed by Tibetan Monks; infused with universal life energy to support their life's desires, especially the work that they did by hand. Tea is an item that these monks considered good for the soul. Monk's Blend is a delicious infusion of Ceylon Black Tea, vanilla and grenadine. A lovely flavoured black tea, sweet and toasty. To be enjoyed day or night. Steeping Instructions: Use 1tsp of tea per 6oz cup. Steep for 3-4 minutes in boiling water.





My family asks me around this time what I would like for Christmas. First thing that comes to mind...delicious and wonderful tea. I'm pretty easy to please. One year I got tea-books, a tea-pot, tea-cups, white cream and sugar bowls  and so many amazing teas to try. I loved it.
The retired-guy always says "Just get me a case of beer." The kids just shake their head.
"What a pair!"

Annie was guarding the little kitchen tree today.

She is such a calm, loving & gentle cat. She's my little Peach.

And how about this little apple of my eye. Look who is starting to give Nana a big smile now.

and then a giggle...

Little Gwyn is over two months and weighing in at eleven pounds now. She had a fun afternoon at Nan and Gramps and enjoyed looking at all the tea-cups in the cupboard. Then we were off shopping for Aunt Allie's birthday present. It was cold out but nothing a steaming hot chocolate couldn't fix.

No news on Molly and her babes yet but if you are planning to travel this Christmas and need a  cat-sitter please scroll down to my previous post for some tips.

I'm joining Sandi athttp://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/ for Tea-time Tuesday. (better late than never)

hugs, Deb

There's no place like home

I continue to decorate the kitchen Christmas tree. YES! It is still standing although Audrey spends much of her day sitting by it pondering her next move. Cinnamon sticks add a nice aroma as you pass by. The Christmas music has begun and I baked chocolate cake for dinner while listening to Breath of Heaven by Vince Gil.
The out-door lights are ready to go on anytime now. We are having some very mild weather,  which is nice after the cold snap that surprised us last week.  And I'm thankful for the warm nights for the ferals in our area. I'm still feeding some if you were wondering. I barely ever see them but the food is eaten nightly. 

Sierra knows how to sleep. She is a master at 'tucking up' and  has perfected many yoga positions that I remember when I joined a class a few years ago. This one is her own, though.

                         What to look for in a cat-sitter
I believe, after 20 years of cat-sitting, that there is 'no place like home' for your cat.

The first step to finding a good cat-sitter is to contact your vet clinic in your area and ask if there is a cat-sitter registered with them that they can recommend. If you are lucky, you may find that one of the vet-techs will provide cat-care in your home while you travel. Also, your local pet stores may have someone who is advertising through them and hopefully will have business cards there for the public. The best way to find one is word of mouth. The cat-sitter should be bonded. Always ask for at least three references and CALL THEM before your first meeting.  Ask the cat-sitter if there is a fee for them to meet you and pick up the key so you don't find out after the fact.

Once you have found someone to care for your cat then the next step is to have a meeting with them in your home. Have a list of questions written down to ask and do expect the cat-sitter to also have many questions about your feline. A well-organized sitter will have a form for you to fill in that will provide them with all the answers they need about your cat, your home, your plans of travel and their fees. There should be a form that gives her/him instructions as to what to do if your cat needs vet-care while you are away. This needs to be signed by you with explicit instructions.

Your cat-sitter should immediately show interest in your cat and be willing to spend a bit of time for the cat to get to know them. That way it won't be such a surprise to your cat when she/he arrives to start cat-sitting. Show the cat-sitter where everything is kept and where the litter boxes are located. Be sure to go over the cleaning regime. Have the food cupboard well stocked and in easy reach.

Ask the cat-sitter what she/he will do to bond with your cat. Will they play and  take time to groom if kitty allows?

If there is daily medication involved have the sitter arrive at a time when you are pilling your cat so the process can be shown easier. I recommend pill-pockets if the cat will eat them as it will be less stressful for your cat and no chance that your sitter will lose a finger. *ouch*

If there is insulin for diabetes to be administered the cat-sitter will have to arrive at a time to see the procedure and you must be very sure that they are comfortable with this. They need to know all the signs to watch for so again I can't stress how important that they come with some experience.

When trying out a new cat-sitter I recommend you do this when you are away for only a couple of days. You need to build confidence in the sitter before leaving your cat for an extended length of time.

Be sure to get your sitter's email address before you leave. That way, you can keep in touch daily for the first time if you so wish. Your cat-sitter should be fine with this.

Leave a key with your neighbour as a back-up for your sitter.
Go over what lights should be left on for the cat (and there should be a few) and leave a radio on perhaps in the kitchen so the cat feels less lonely between visits. 
If you require two visits a day, keep curtains open where the cat likes to sit in the window and have the sitter close them at night. 

So that is a bit on 'what to look for in a cat-sitter'. Because I am in a small town most of my business has come from word of mouth but I do advertise at vet clinics and pet stores.

Remember - you must feel comfortable with your cat-sitter so take your time with your interview.   A love for cats should be clearly evident.

If there is anything I missed and you have questions...ask away!

hugs, Deb

The Kitchen Tree

 Just like every year, I am getting anxious to bring home a Christmas tree.

 

We don't have far to go; just a hop, skip and a jump across the street to the tree-farm.

Ain't this one a beaut?

Christmas 2012

The kitchen tree is done and still up-right. I placed it in the window where I think it will stay safe. *nervous grin* Audrey has only sniffed at it so far. I do believe she is worried about that 'letter to Santa' I threatened.  We'll see how it does by morning.

I expect she will topple it once and then be bored with it. Lily can sit by it all she wants as she has a soft paw and is quite content to sit and stare at it as she has her nightly ration of milk.

She has always loved a little treat of 2% milk in her tiny bowl and she tolerates it just fine. Not all cats do.

                                                          Christmas cup-cakes & golden apples

Cinnamon buns for the morning

Gingerbread men & ladies & cupcakes

A chocolate cupcake queen. Every home should have one. 

And I topped it with a little china creamer.

I enjoy having a tiny tree in the kitchen to look at as I cook and bake. Even the cleaning up part goes easier. So, the decorations are coming out slowly but surely. The phone is also ringing and emails are coming in for Christmas cat-sitting. I have two kitties I am caring for this week and then it starts to get busy. Bring it on!

I'm sorry I did not get a post done yet on what to look for in a cat-sitter. I am looking back to find one that I did last Christmas season and would like to re-post it. This week I will post one for sure.
Please drop over to a beautiful blog called Estelle's athttp://themainehouse.blogspot.ca/ and read the post she wrote on little Molly and her brood of nine. It was so kind of her to spread the world.

Now I'm off to cat-sit.

I'm joining up with http://camera-critters.blogspot.ca/
hugs, Deb

I'm done pleading so I might as well bake..

"Sit down, Audrey. We need to have a discussion about Christmas decorating this year. I can't believe I am about to plead with you to let me have a Christmas tree in my kitchen but here I am. What do you say? Can I trust you to keep your evil little paws off of it?

"Hmmmm! I'll have to give this some thought."

"Remember last year I gave you your own 'bird tree' to do with as you pleased and you completely ignored it after destroying my kitchen Christmas tree the year before?"

"No, I don't recall that. I think you are losing it"

"No Audrey. What I am losing is my patience because I LOVE Christmas trees and I want one in my kitchen again.

Can I trust that you are a bit older and have more will-power to be a good girl and keep your clawdhoppers off my decorations?"

"Have I ever told you that when you wince like that you look 90?"

"Alright. I see we aren't going to come to any agreement today. So, I'll take my chances and not let you run this house. I'm putting my foot down (maybe two) and if I find my Christmas decor scattered two ways to Sunday you are not getting the feather wand you wrote Santa about, along with your plea for him to rescue you from the prison you are in and take you back with him to the North Pole. I'll write him a note about you he will soon not forget."
                                                                     "Alright"
                                         "Get a grip on yourself."

 

"yah...a kitchen tree."

Alright, on to some baking...
This cake is one that I like to keep on hand in the freezer over Christmas. It is swirled with cinnamon and sugar and is great served warm or cold. I guarantee you will enjoy this. 
                                      The Loaf Cake
My mom called this 'the loaf cake'...plain and simple.
1/4 cup of butter                               
1 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups of flour
1 cup of sour milk (add a 1/2 tsp. of vinegar to milk)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all the above ingredients together.

In a separate bowl mix together 1 tsp. cinnamon and 3 tbsp. brown sugar.

Put half of the cake ingredients in pan then a layer of cinnamon and brown sugar.
Then add half the ingredients and a layer of cinnamon and brown sugar on top.

Cook 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

Scroll down to see the 9 kittens that the little rescued cat, Molly gave birth to last weekend. If you can help the rescue by donating to provide KMR and vet care for these 10 cats, please go to http://www.catrescuenetwork.org/  I promise to keep you posted on how they are doing.
Thank you.

kitten photo

So far all is well.

I have been told there is not a runt in the bunch.

They are all similar size and looking good.

I have been asked to keep the photos coming so I will, for sure. This is the only other photo we have for now and I hope to get one with Molly soon. Thanks again for all your support for this little family.

hugs, Deb