Dishes & "Dagnabit, Audrey"

I'm playing with my little cupboard again. You know I love white & cream dishes.

And tea-pots.

I love the handle on this pot

My tea-pot from South Korea

This works great when it's just one for tea.

Again..love the handle. The silver spoons were found in an antique shop last week.

See the newest little tea-cup lover in our family

She has her own box of dishes at Nan's but I am looking for a little cabinet like the one at the top of this post for her to keep her dishes in for when she visits. I think I'll do mine up with some of her dishes just to show you soon. We are working on 'raising the pinkie' just because it makes us laugh. Yep, still working on that.

This little gal will be 2 on Sunday. That should be a fun celebration.

"AUDREY!"

"Dagnabit"

OK...that's better.
I'm joining http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/ for Let's Dish & Kathy at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.ca/ for Home and Garden Thursday
hugs, Deb

All in a Day's Cat-sitting

I have been asked by a reader of my blog how to go about finding and interviewing a good cat-sitter in her area. I wrote the following in 2012 for anyone interested in starting an in-home cat-sitting service. This information also helps the perspective client with the interview.

I can't speak for all cat-sitters but with my cat-sitting service, it all starts with an in-home interview. The interview gives a prospective client an opportunity to assess the cat-sitter while the cat-sitter has the opportunity to describe the extent and cost of the service.
Personally, I do not charge for this visit in our town. Outside of our town limits there is a small charge to cover the gas.
The interview should last between 20 and 30 minutes in the cat owners' home. (  I do not take cats to care for into my own home. My service is to care for cats in their own home, not mine. The reason I do this is because I truly do believe that cats are happiest left at home in their own environment while their owners travel. ) I always want to meet the cat/cats during this time so they are a little familiar with me when I return to care for them. It is nice for the owner to see whether or not the cat will be accepting of the sitter. Nine times out of ten, the cat is very curious and welcoming and that sets the mood. If the cat is stand-offish, the owner can then inform the sitter of ways to bring the cat around whether it be with treats or toys or just letting it be to decide on it's own when to approach. Once the initial introduction is done, it is then time to move on to discussing the care of the cat. References from existing clients is always important to have for the owner. Being 'insured and bonded' will also show your professionalism. I always bring with me a contract or introductory form which provides the client with a written description of my services, charges and includes a section asking the owner to fill in in case of an emergency with their cat. This part of the form should also be signed by the owner. During the first interview, this form is filled in and it is then that I am able to find out about any medical problems, feeding instructions and other details.
During the first interview, I find that many behavioral problems with the cat may come to the surface. This is the time to discuss this and possibly offer some advise through my experience with cats over the years.
At the end of the interview, the house-key should be given to the cat-sitter and all instructions for the house should be gone over. This can include lights, opening and closing of curtains, mail brought in and  whether there is to be a radio left on for the cat. I always think that is a good idea so the house is not completely quiet when the cat is on it's own.

If you are about to hire a cat-sitter, be sure that they are willing to work 7 days a week. A good pet-sitter should feel that she/he is on duty 24/7 while you travel. They also need to be flexible if you are delayed from your trip. The cats in my care are no different than my own and I have the same time and concern for their well-being.

I am now going into my 20th year cat-sitting. Up until three years ago it was part-time and now it is a full-time business.

                                                         

                                                                                     
If you are looking for a cat-sitter in your area,  please go to your local vet clinics & pet stores to find out if any of their clients or customers are registered with them as a professional cat-sitter.   I have my business cards in all the clinics and our local pet store. The staff at the store know me well and recommend me highly. My vet also sends clients my way.

There may also be a Pet Sitters International in your area. These are professional pet-sitters that are licensed and bonded. Check your local phone book or their website.

I hope this information will help you to find that reliable & loving cat-sitter you require. And if anyone is thinking of becoming a cat-sitter but is not 100% sure, offer to care for friends and family members cats first and see if it is something you really love and can commit yourself to 24/7. Once you know for sure then start up your business. I guarantee you will love it and never look back. I have never thought of this as work because ...
                                      I love what I do.

hugs, Deb

Cats in windows and meet some of the kitty clients

The Mother's Day weekend was busy for cat-sitting. Many people travelled to pamper their moms so I got to pamper more cats.
Let me introduce them to you...
They are all regulars and in my books they are all the Cat's Meow!

Here they are...
                                        otis

Lola

Rosie

                  Buddy & Chase

Emmi & Didi 

(who love treats)

Max

Maddy

& his friend, Joe who I have yet to photograph.

So it was a busy weekend with eight more cats at my home to care for. Yes, you read right...8 gorgeous cats. 6 belong to me and Ruby & Hugo were visiting for two days. It was a total of 18 cats to feed, water, freshen their bathrooms (haha!), provide play and a grooming, if requested. I loved every minute of it.

The weekend was gorgeous & sunny so of course there were cats in windows, too.

This one I captured from the car (yes, I was parked). Quite exotic, isn't it?

This one way waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up high in an apt.building.

this one is so pretty.

I've been asked to do a post on what to look for in a cat-sitter.  Drop by tomorrow.

hugs, Deb

Tea with Riley

I don't think you are ever too young to enjoy tea.

Well, alright it is just milk but if she hangs around with Nan long enough

she'll be wanting the real thing in that cup

and we are working on the 'raised pinkie'

               OK...we have a ways to go but she'll get the hang of it.
                She knows she's to blow on it and just sip

and always have a second cup

and good conversation with your guest

                                               is a must.

                                          Cheers, Riley
                               Cheers, daddy

hugs, Deb

I'm joining up with a few parties

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.ca/

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

A fun weekend

This weekend was full for me. I had cat-sitting to do for all the Mother's Day travellers , animals at home to care for and two little visitors to add to the group. Ruby & Hugo stayed with me while my daughter, Jess & Mike were in Toronto for a few days.

Ruby & Audrey
It was interesting to watch the reunion between Annie, Audrey & Ruby. It went well but not without some hissing and snarls on Friday night.

The hissing was from Ruby, who had to find her place amongst this group of cats. Hugo felt right at home and just settled back into the office again.

 This was all old hat for him. He found a basket and never much moved his butt all weekend. I just sat back and observed. I love to study cat  behaviour.  By Saturday morning, Ruby had settled and was in full play mode with her sister, Audrey. So, other than a lot of feeding and cleaning up after cats (who else could do it with such pizzazz), I enjoyed being there for their reunion.

This is a little heavy with photos but they are just so darned cute together.

                                     Ruby..the chase was on.

Annie & Ruby

Mom & two girls on our staircase. (Annie, Audrey and Ruby)

I'll post some photos of my kitty-clients later. They were all regulars and it was great to see them again.

Sunday, Mother's Day brought all the kids home, including Jess and Mike. The retired-guy is in Waterloo visiting with his mom this weekend. She is 87 now and every Mother's Day is so special.

All I did was bake a cake and the kids took care of the rest.  

Our Brittany is celebrating her 2nd Mother's day and is expecting our grand-son this September. So today was both our day. After dinner, we had tea and cake. Riley hosted her own tea-party.  She's becoming quite the tea-server. Her dad is a good sport and drank many cups of tea (milk)  from Riley's stash of tea-things. "Pinkie up, dad." (well, sorta)  I may have to get her her own china cabinet. ;-)

I hope you had a beautiful Sunday with, or remembering, your mom.

hugs, Deb

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my mom who will always live in my heart.

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. 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.

To all the moms I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day.

hugs, Deb

Special ladies in my life

My Aunt Frances, My grandmother, My godmother, Aunt Vera and my mom.

Special ladies in my life.
I expect they were in their 40's in this picture. My grandmother would have been 70 something. 4 women who raised families, worked hard all their lives and laughed even harder. They loved a good joke, family gatherings and a hot cup of tea. All four were great cooks, loved to bake and had the most beautiful gardens and vegetable crops you have ever seen.

 It was always a treat to sit at a table with these three sisters and listen to all the old stories that were still fresh in their minds and meant something very personal to them.

We would gather at Vera's, put on the tea, grab the cookie jar filled with home-made peanut butter cookies (her best) and sit for an hour of pure entertainment.

Even a little card table would do fine for these ladies as long as there was a good, hot pot of tea close by.

            My grandmother, Aunt Vera, cousin Leslie, cousin Cheryl, my mom & Aunt Francis.

Stories of them growing up on the farm, finally getting to the big city, falling in love and raising their kids.

 I was about 20 when I last had the opportunity to join them on a Sunday afternoon. All four sitting at the table was a special treat for me. I moved to Toronto with work and weekends home were rare.
I still remember the last time we all gathered.  My grandmother was in her 90's and still joined us at the table.

The next time I came home it was for my grandmother's funeral. It was a very sad day but it was so wonderful to see how these three women were there for each other. They had so many memories to share of their mom. They were strong women and they were proud of their roots and their heritage.

All but one has now passed away. I wish my Aunt Frances, 92 years old and a mother of 8 a very Happy Mother's Day.


My favorite photo of my mom as a young woman.

Yes, she loved her cats, too.

hugs, Deb