finding beautiful tea-cups & a few updates

We are still eating THE LOAF cake. It is much like a coffee cake but lighter.

It`s a tea cake in my opinion. The red and white tea towel in this photo came all the way from Denmark. It was a gift from one of my cat-sitting clients. They actually do not have a cat anymore as their Turnip lived a full, long life and has passed on now. So I actually was just house and plant-sitting. So sweet of them to bring me back a gift.

I am using the above tea-cup quite a lot lately. I think it`s so pretty & it`s nice to see the roses when you get to the bottom of the cup. I have had so much luck lately finding beautiful tea-cups and saucers at local antique and thrift shops. I don`t have a favorite anymore, I love them all.

My kitty client Toady is a bit camera shy. If he only knew how handsome he is. I must show him his refection in a mirror.

 Dominique`s cap

Audrey says ``Howdy`` and wants you to know that she has forgiven me completely for handing her over to aliens yesterday.

She`s such a love-bug.

She did not find it funny at all but she does not hold a grudge.

hugs, Deb

Spayed

                                                       (photo taken last Spring)
Well, the monkey's did fine today. Ruby went home and Audrey is settled in the spare bedroom. She is to be kept quiet for 4 days. "OH MY GAWD......are they kidding?"

We'll, we'll see if there's less fuel in her tank anyway.
They were a big hit at the clinic. The ladies loved them. I had no doubt they would.

Thank you for all your sweet comments on their 'big day'. Two more cats spayed with no chance of ever having kittens. Yah!

The retired guy just asked me if I was staying with her in the spare bedroom tonight. Oh for goodness sake, of course I am.

hugs, Deb 

Connect with your cat

Little Audrey and Ruby went in to the vet to be spayed today. They should have been spayed long ago but because of their health issues, which was a nasty bacteria called Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin (showed up as blood in the stool) transferred from the mom, they all had to be on anti-biotics and watched carefully. The vet felt it best to wait until they were really strong to be spayed. It took many months for them to recover.A result of a bad start for the mother who I fostered for our local shelter last September. So, off they went today. I won't relax until I hear that all went fine. I have a gorgeous tuxedo to care for and some keys to pick up for cat-sitting this weekend so I will be busy this morning. We had a wicked storm last night and finally got a fair amount of rain. I had my tomato plants sitting on the deck ledge when it hit and down they went. Not too much damage though. Both plants have at least a dozen tomatoes on them.

After dropping Audrey off for surgery this morning, I got thinking about the connection we have with our cats.

 How important our cats are to us. Here's some ways to enhance our bond with our feline friends.
                                             Connecting with our Cats
I cringe when I hear people say that cats are aloof, cats are not friendly, cats don't care about their people, cats are all the same. Really? Boy, it is obvious that they don't know or care much for cats. They certainly have not taken the time to get to know and be drawn in by the magnetic personality of the feline.

Why is it that some people are so willing and ready to make a dog their bestie and yet will not give any time to bonding with a cat.  They walk, talk to, play with and cuddle their dogs who in turn give it all back to them. Yes, man's best friend. Then they completely ignore the cat and expect the cat to be all over them with their charm. No..it doesn't work that way. They need the 'invitation' and the assurance of your respect and love just like the dog does.

Take a few moments each day to connect to your cat. Really connect.

Most cats love to be combed and brushed. They feel so good after.

An imprompt play-time is always accepted by a healthy, happy cat. This builds a bond.

Talking to your cat is something that they really do love. Try it. They will respond in their own personal way.
They love to listen to a familiar voice.

Learn to read your cat's body language. The tail position tells you many things.

I had a cat that loved to dance around the room with me. I would hold her up to my shoulder and we would dance in the kitchen. She would hang on and purr. She loved it.

Pamper your cat. It will make them feel the love and be happy to return it.

Look at your cat, have eye contact and tell them that they are very special to you. They know exactly what you are saying.

hugs, Deb

Me & the Travelling Susan Apron had a blast. So here's what we made before saying "Good-bye".

In between chasing after two crazy, 10 month old cats at home and cat-sitting for clients, I still found the time to work some magic in the kitchen. Wearing the Travelling Susan Apron led me to memories of very special women in my life. That is the magic of this apron, it leads you. Thank goodness because I was pooped and needed to be led by the nose. I felt honoured to be amongst all the lovely women who have had the opportunity to wear the apron while baking or cooking something that was special and personal to them. While wearing the apron, I was instantly drawn to the memory of one of my mother's well-known loaf cakes.

It was so good, asked for often by anyone who had sampled it and an easy to make addition to a gab session over a hot cup of tea.

I believe my mom may have put this creation together herself because she just called it...

                              THE LOAF

1/4 cup butter

1 cup of white sugar

2 eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup sour milk

(I add 1 tsp of vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes)

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp soda

1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl, combine 3 tbsp. of brown sugar with 1 tsp. of cinnamon..set aside.

Easy Peasy, here we go...

Cream together the butter, eggs & sugar. I always use brown organic eggs.

Mix well

Add the remaining ingredients ending with the vanilla

Add half of loaf to the pan. I line it with parchement paper.

Then add on top 1/2 of the sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Now add the rest of the mixture on top of the 1st half.

Add the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture

Now it is ready for the oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour on middle rack.
See how nicely it rises. This one split at the top and you can see how nice and gold the cake is. It is definetely a loaf to share.

This loaf was so delicious with Strawberry Tea.

While making this and wearing this magical apron, I was once again in my mother's kitchen, my Aunt Vera's kitchen or my grandmother's summer kitchen listening to tales from their past and laughing 'til our sides hurt. Those are memories that, as an adult, I depend on to give me strength to face life's challenges sometimes. My granny, my mom, my dear Aunt Francis and my aunt/God-mother Aunt Vera. 4 strong, hard-working women who always loved and cared for their families. Aunt Francis is now 91 and still a very active woman and we cherish her so much. My grandmother, mom and Aunt Vera have passed on but they are still a strong presence in our lives. 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 answers and who's face I see when I hear myself laugh. All these things give me strength and today, while wearing this wonderful apron I enjoyed some very special memories.

We have experienced some very hot weather lately which has kept me out of the kitchen so before I pass this apron on I decided to make a cool, summer treat for you. This was passed on by my mother-in-law, Mabel who is also a wonderful baker and the best mother-in-law/grandmother anyone could ask for.

                                                  Strawberry Swirl
This is one of those recipes set aside for a hot day when you need a light, cool dessert.
Here's what you need:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tbs surgar
1/4 cup butter
2 c strawberries (frozen or fresh)
1 3oz strawberry jello
1 cup water
1/2 lb marshmallows
1/2 cup milk
1 cup whipped whipping cream

Mix crumbs, sugar & butter and press into the bottom of a 9x13 dish. I don't have one so I used a 9x10 and it worked.
Sprinkle 2 tbs sugar over strawberries
Let stand 1/2 hour
Dissolve jello (only the hot water)
Drain strawberries and keep the juice
Add water to juice to make 1 cup.
Add to jello
Chill until partially set
Combine marshmallows and milk and heat and stir until melted
Cool and then fold in whipped cream
Add the berries to the partially chilled jello
Swirl into marshmallow mixture
Pour over crust
Chill to set (4 hours)
Cuts into 12 servings

Chill for 4 hours. Delish!

I couldn't let this wonderful apron leave our little town without passing it on to another blogger/baker & cook. Sue from Just Sayin' was very excited when I asked if she would wear this magical apron and see where it leads her in her kitchen. Sue is a mom and grandmother of twin 1 year olds better known as 'the peas'. Cute! cute! cute! So, although it is not crossing any oceans and will stay in Ontario a little longer I think you will be happy to see what another fellow Ontarian will create in her kitchen.

Thank you Susan from My Mother's Apron Strings for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Susan Apron. Thank you Meggie from Meggie on the Prairie, Scarlet from Tales from Beyond the Nook, Elaine from Pear Tree Log and Jane from The Maple Syrup Mob.  It's just so fun to have met you all through the magic of this  travelling apron. And "Welcome, Susan" to the Sisterhood.

It was a hoot! Right, Audrey...yah!

                       "Thanks Jane for the cat grass seeds. I'll grow 'em then I'll eat 'em"
                                                              Love,
                                                   the audacious Audrey
hugs, Deb

                                        

a little addition

I found this while walking Kane the other day.

 It was sitting at the road with large pieces of furniture that someone was giving away FREE. It was ugly but I knew it would look ok if painted white.

 Pretty china makes any old thing come to life.

Audrey and Ruby have worn themselves out again on the stairs. It was like watching the Indianapolis 500 all weekend.

Ruby had her favorite spot for napping.

Ruby & Hugo are heading home tonight. It was fun having them but not near the fun that Audrey had. Now it will be back to all the shenanigans we see as a result of  her pent up energy. I play with this kitten every night after dinner. We have a feather on a rope, a mouse on a rope, balls, furry mice, a cat-dancer and so on but nothing replaces another young cat. NO...I am not getting her a permanent friend to play with. I enjoy our evening play-time and she will soon grow up to be just as lazy as the rest of them.

Off to walk Kanie. We are having the best weather you could ask for.
Hope you are, too.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims in Colorado. I am so saddened by the state of our world.

hugs, Deb

They're toast

Two very tired kittens

God love them...they're toast.

and then there's mom who was so sure she was down to one.

"Am I having a bad dream?"

Annie is DONE with all this nonsense and wants some peace and quiet.

She's been hiding out in the office all day.

She was joined by Ruby for awhile, though.

Quite a resemblance.

They don't like each other all that much, though.

Ruby hisses & growls at Annie and Annie is very indifferent to her.

I guess when Ruby flew the coop there was no turning back.

19 year old Cali wants in now after spending the morning on the deck.

She'll find a spot, usually the bathroom sink upstairs, to sleep the afternoon away. 

"Oh ya, my home is right out of Better Homes and Gardens :-b"

I have a Cats in Window for you today.

I'm just back from cat-sitting Bud and Chase. These are tabby brothers and they are wonderful cats.

They are indoor/outdoor cats but while on my watch they stay in so I try to make their days as busy and exciting as possible. I always leave a pile of seeds just outside their window so they have a bit of entertainment.

They had a visitor before I left today.

 This will either drive them totally nuts or entertain them for awhile.

Not sure.

See you tomorrow, boys.

hugs, Deb