The tea cupboard

I have found a new purpose for my little french country cupboard. It is so small that it really cannot hold very much china so it has now become 'the tea cupboard'. This little cupboard has held many things in the last two years and it has been fun to display different dishes and tea-cups. I think one of my favorite displays was when I filled it with my Spring tea-cups.

I have since given away most of these tea-cups.

 It has also held children's dishes for little Riley. 

But now that the step-back cupboard has taken over it has a new purpose.
I like to be able to see the varieties of tea that I have to choose from when I want something different and up 'til now the boxes of tea were in a kitchen cupboard and hard to see. Now, I can pick and choose without boxes of tea falling on my head.

AND ... you can drop on over and go straight to the cupboard and I will brew you up a cup.
Perhaps you would like a fresh out-of-the-oven pumpkin muffin with that?

I just baked a big batch this morning. I think these are so good year-round.

                                     The Tea Cupboard

The doors are always open.

We can always start with tea. 

"What is it Audrey?"
"Do you like the tea-cupboard, Audrey?"

"NOT SO MUCH."

"Why not?"

"I don't see any cat-nip tea in there."

"That's because when you have nip, Audrey,  you go all bonkers.

                                                                     

                                                                "I'll bonkers her one."
                                                                 
=^..^=

This and that around the house

Today was the first 'quiet' day for cat-sitting in a few weeks so I decided it was a 'Me' day. 

I finally had some time to meet with two friends, Martha and Bobbi,  for lunch. It's great to catch up and have some 'face time'.We enjoyed a lovely lunch in Almonte at JR's restaurant.  The food is great and the company even greater. We talked for two hours straight. :)

It was very hot this afternoon and plants were taken out to catch some rays on the deck. This little Rosemary plant will be transplanted and placed on the island IF it can escape the jaws of six felines. We'll have to see about that.

I love dusting the dining-room and made some time for that today, too. It takes me much longer than it should as I start to play with the dishes. That is what they are meant for, right? I guess you'd have to say it is an obsession of mine. One of them, anyway.

That little photo is of Natalie, Ronna and myself having tea on one of their visits. If you haven't met these girls do go over to their wonderful blogs and say "howdy". Natalie has quite the menagerie of rescued animals on her hobby farm and Ronna, who is owned by four fabulous kitties,  can bake a cake like nobody's business.
http://knatolee.blogspot.ca/
http://ronnas.blogspot.ca/

Audrey has finally settled on a bed much to Sierra's dismay.

                      "Check out my new BFF. Ain't she a peach?"

"Oh, Audrey."
Obviously Sierra is a deep-sleeper.

More cat-sitting requests have come in so it looks like it will be a 'kitties galore' weekend coming up.  It is the Victoria Day weekend in Canada,  afterall.  Lots of parties and lots of travellers.

I'll be attending a party/barbeque, too, this weekend celebrating a little 4 year old's birthday. Should be lots of fun and let's hope the rain holds off. Fingers crossed.


hugs, Deb

12 Charges to pamper

I could use a bit of R&R right about now.

The last few days have been so busy with Mother's Day celebrations and cat-sitting for travellers.

I have so many gorgeous cats to show you and enjoyed meeting some new ones this time around.
So many black beauties (4 in total), torties, grey and whites, gingers, tuxedos, grey tabbies and a harlequin (mostly white with a few larger spots of colour). I tell ya, it was a colourful parade of cats this week.

Let me introduce them...

Tigger

Bella

Marvin

Tootsie

Sparrow

Jack and Ford

Ella

Buddy (Check out his personalized box. haha!)

 &

Ebony 

who wears her heart on her belly.

We have had some cooler, rainy weather here today. 

We have a long weekend coming up here in Canada and fingers are crossed that there will be some nice weather for outdoor activities. 

hugs, Deb

What made you smile today?

Well, first off, we have had days and days of warm winds and sunshine. And, it has been in the +20's all weekend.

That's enough to make the grumpiest of grumps smile.

And around the house...

My new pottery pieces on the island.

Joe 

and Rae-Rae enjoying some rays.

Rae in the Rays

Seeing all the grands at breakfast on Sunday. Thanks Mike for the incredible pancakes topped with maple cinnamon whipped cream and fresh fruit. Delish!

                                     Gwyn, Bradley & Riley

DIL Brittany, me and daughter Jess.

Spending the morning with two of my favorite moms. The wind almost blew us away.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and a fun Mom's Day.

I'm still very busy cat-sitting as people travel home now from visiting their mom's this weekend.

Off to kitty-sit some gorgeous felines.

I'll show them off soon.

Oh yes, and Audrey wants you to know she has a favorite Mother's Day photo, too.

Audrey singing to her mom.

Poor Annie.

hugs, Deb

Daisies for mom

To my mom...

Who's hand I feel on my shoulder when I need encouragement; who's voice I hear in my head when I need some answers. Whose face I see when I hear myself laugh. I feel your pride rush over me when I watch my kids move on in life and find their way. You were always very proud of them.
You were my first friend, my idol, my hero and my biggest fan. I was always so happy to introduce you as my mom. I love my memories of you and they keep my feet on the ground and my soul full of hope. You gave me strength to face this world. "Thank you mom,  for that."

Tomorrow being Mother's Day, I wish all the mom's a very Happy Mother's Day. And to my daughter-in-law Brittany and my daughter, Jess, who are two of the most loving moms I know, it will be wonderful celebrating with you. . "Happy 1st Mother's Day, Jess".

hugs, Deb

Bringing home a treasure and plans must be made to make Audrey more comfortable. :-b

After cat-sitting this morning we were off to ANTIQUES to pick up my new treasure.

This is the owners' home and the shop is in back. Gorgeous place.

It is painted white pine and the hardware is all wood. The drawers are deep and slide easily and not a chip or scratch anywhere to be found. Funny though, I do have plans to stress it up a bit. It has a small back piece that is not in this photo and I will show that once it's in place. It is incredibly heavy.
My plan is to leave it white for now but down the road will probably strip it down to the wood.
Estimated age is late 1800's. It has some very nice detail on it and I will show that once it is home.
It will replace an IKEA dresser in the bedroom. *big smile here*

Now I'm waiting for the lilacs to grow on our tree so I can put a big vase of them right on top to enjoy.

"So Audrey, what do you think of his lovely new addition to our home?"

"Blah! blah! blah! How about spending some of that kitty-cash on a bigger bed for 'moi'. How do you expect a cat to get any sleep around this joint when she keeps falling out of bed?"

"Oh sorry, Audrey. I didn't realize your life was the pits here. What kind of bed should I buy you, my most precious little princess?"

"AUDREY?"

ZZZZZZZZZ

=^..^=

Get comfy and have a peek at this weeks' Cat-in-Window photos

This is Tootsie (my kitty-client) in her window where she enjoys watching the birds at the feeders.

On my walks with Kane I spot many cats enjoying their windows.

This week was especially good to capture the sun-worshipers.

Look at this magnificent Bengal.

This beauty is one of our local store cats.

"HI backatcha"

I almost missed this one. Can you find the kitty?

And look at this magnificent tabby...

I captured him from two angles

                                                            He was very interested in the dog.
And back home I captured free-loader Joe who just happened to score the best window for bird-watching this morning. Does he look a bit smug or what?

He's the king around here, you know. Although his fair maiden, Annie, would throw him to the lions in a heart-beat.

Well, I was 'hunting' again today and this time it will take our trailer to bring home my treasure. It's bought and tomorrow I'll swing by again and pick it up. Show you soon.

hugs, Deb