Spring Weekend

We've been blessed with a warmer than normal Spring this year. All of the plants are blooming early, which means we have to start our work early, too.

Mike wanted to put down crabgrass killer on Saturday. The problem was that we have grass seed in the dozens of divets in the yard that we needed to protect. We came up with a solution.

The solution worked great, though we are still unhappy that the divets are there in the first place.

Next it was time to aerate. We haven't done it for so long and were really overdue.

While Mike was doing all this work, I did some planting.

3 new mugo pines

Heather by the patio (next to four others)

Heather by the milk house

A blueberry tree added to the stand of others we already have

As always, Mattie wanted in on the fun. He is such a helper.

 

How are you spending your Spring?

Meet Miss Molly

Last year we met, fell in love with, and gave up a great little homeless kitty. We named her Molly, and we'd like to share her story.

The Return of Ms Kitty

I thought she was gone. Really, I thought she'd been out on a day pass or sneaky escape when we last saw her. We haven't seen hide nor hair since the last time I posted about Ms Kitty. Then again, we were gone from home for 12 days...

In fact, Ms Kitty is still around. Mike looked out the window last night and saw her uphill out the bedroom window. I talked to her for a bit from the bathroom window, but she wasn't too interested in seeing me when I went outside (read she ran away).

This morning she was hanging out with Mattie under the truck. The weird thing was that her fur was all over the place. It was like she molted. Or someone ripped her hair out. When she walked away it appeared she might have part of her skin ripped (I do not know if that was indeed fact).

I decided to lure her in with some tuna Pat got for Mattie last week (he only likes the juice, not the meat). It didn't take her long to come over and have a snack. I got some very bad photos with my cell phone that I'll just skip posting.

Little did I know that tuna must be an aphrodisiac for cats. For Mattie, anyway. Next thing I know, she's back under the truck with him, ass up and him, well, you know. Guess no one told him he's NEUTERED!

Plagued with rain tonight, I took some food out to the barn in case she was seeking refuge. She was in there and ran for cover when I went in. I put the food down and talked to her for a bit. I went in again later, scaring her again, and chatted as I walked by.

Maybe we'll have a new barn cat. I just wish I knew what was up with all this loose hair...

More on Ms. Kitty

So... Yes, I am still on the kitty kick. And, I still think Kitty is a girl. I'm even thinking of names for her.

Don't get askeered for me falling in love yet; I don't think she'll be around long term (though it would be nice if it works out for her to be a barn cat).

We picked up the car from the shop yesterday and when we got home, she was in the driveway. She ran under the potting shed and we couldn't spot her. We gave up and went out for ice cream. When we got back home, she was out again. Zoom! Back to the potting shed.

As a sneaky way to lure her out, I took out some cat food. Tricky, right?! She came out and nibbled a bit. I got up to get my camera and some canned food; off to the potting shed again. She came out while I was inside (Mike stayed out) but then retreated when I came back out.

I sat up shop waiting for her to come back out. At that point, Mike had quite enough and went in to iron. After a good little bit, she made her way out.

I think she's thinking, "I see you see me, and I don't like it."

After a little bit she wandered over to under the front of truck. I slowly approached. Creep... Creep... She was watching. Mattie had enough of this creepy crap and just went to the truck. She came back to see him. I stopped about 10 feet from the back of the truck.

Hi, Girlfriend. Didn't know you were going to meet the folks today.

Really, mom, I'm not interested in her. We're just friends.

I'm now about 7 feet from her; she is perfectly happy and content

She even did a rolling around and stretching "I'm so happy" number

She's watching Mattie check out the kitty buffet

It was at this point that I decided to try to creep closer. No dice for me. She said, "Danger! Danger! Human too close!" and fled.

That progress isn't too bad for 3 days!

You know I'll keep you posted!

There's a new cat in town

We were outside on Sunday when we (Mike) noticed a cat on our stone wall. It was Mattie's size. He was with it, very closely following, as a matter of fact. I think it is a female because he was right with the other cat and not the least bit stand offish as he was with Midnight.

We got home last night and scared the dickens out of the little thing, who was sleeping in the driveway with Mattie on the patio table. She took off like a shot. I saw her later in the barn.

I'm not sure if she belongs to someone or if she is a stray. We left out food for her last night. I don't know if she ate it or if it was another animal.






I'm happy that Mattie has someone to hang out with. He seems to be having a good time. If that means having another kitty around for a while, that is ok with me. I'll try not to get attached.

By the way, the cat looks a lot like our first cat, Scrumpy. He was handsome and sweet -- I'm sure you've all heard his story by now.


The "new" cat has similar markings in the face and a fluffier tail. I don't have pictures of her yet (since she runs when she sees me, as all smarties should).



I will take broad liberties and post a few more pics of Scrumpy...

I'll keep you posted!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mattie Lou

I just love him.

On the prowl

He's always on the move (except when he's not)

 

 

 

He's getting tired of this picture stuff

Oh the RAPTURE...

I think this pretty much says it all for today...

Nuff Said...

Catpuccino

This is too funny...

Catpuccino:
I hate it when all the cream sinks to the bottom.

See, it isn't just me!!!

Is Your Cat Plotting to Kill You?

I got this from a friend today. OMG -- it is too funny!

Signs of Impending Disaster (via I can has a cheeseburger)

Don't we all feel we are surrounded by mounting disasters some days? I know I do!!!!

Simon's Cat

The latest adventure (embedded below). I just love this cartoonist.

17 Things You Should Know About Me...

IIn case you are not aware, I, Mattie Horgan, am a cat. I know, I know, it is hard to tell, because I hold such power over humans they often have difficulty distinguishing me from their own. I am, however, part of the superior race, the Cat Race.

That said, I thought it would be helpful to share some important things you should know about me (the most important cat) and all those other cats. Credit: The Oatmeal

I give thanks to your friendship

This really says it all...

Meow!!!

Well, everybody, here I am. Home alone. Again. Mom's out in Kansas City, wherever that is. Dad's out with my favoritist kids, Connor and Fiona. And I'm left here at home. It's ok because I have all the computers and the remote. Heh heh heh...

Anyway, its been raining all weekend, but I am having a fun time meowing at Mike and trying to trip him.

Hope you are having fun, too!

I love this...

It was just too good to pass up!

But (via ICanHasACheezeburger)

Speaking of Halloween... And no, it is not Mattie. But, it could be!

What a Cutie

This post serves no purpose other than me to show off how cute I think our cat is...

When we left on Saturday for Pat's yard sale the grass was pretty wet. Mattie wanted to be out, and in the yard, but didn't want to get wet. So... Wouldn't it be great to lay on the table?!

I just think he is such a cutie!

Julie and Julia -- the day after

We went and watched Julie and Julia last night (as I mentioned yesterday). I liked it. I didn't love love it, but I did like it. I loved the Julia part and her relationship with her husband Paul. The Julie part was ok. Fine. I think they contrasted things the way they did for a reason.

So, you might wonder (or, maybe not), is The Julie/Julia Project blog still up? Why, yes, my sweets, it is. And it looks just like the one in the movie. Now let me tell you, you can read the entire contents if you wish, but navigation is not uber-friendly. Blogs have been around for about 10 years now. The Julie/Julia Project began on August 25, 2002 when blogging was only 3 years old. So what? Well, the navigation is a little clunky. You have to use the calendar on the right to navigate through the blogs, clicking on highlighted days, or the next month, to advance.

Now, what about this: which of Julia's recipes were shown in the movie? Well, thanks to the power of the internet, I found a list here. It is not comprehensive. Moreover, I'm not convinced all the recipes linked here are from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Some of the ones that tickled my tastebuds are included: Bruschetta, Beef Burgundy, Artichokes with Hollandaise Sauce (I thought that looked killa!), and the Chicken with Cream and Mushrooms.

But. But. But... The grande finale, the pièce de résistance, was not included in this list! The final dish Julie made was the Pate de canard en croute. You remember it, don't you? The boned, stuffed duck in pastry crust? That's the one! I'm not sure what I think of it yet. The jury is still out.

On to other tidbits of interest... Julie's kitty in the movie that looks so much like Mattie, was played by a tom named Terry. Powell writes about her real cat Maxine's "not inconsiderable role" in her story. Folks, Julie loved her cat Maxine. A photo of the real Maxine is on the right. You can read all about her real role in the story here along with other parts of the real story that the movie butchered.

Finally, you may be interested in checking out Julie Powell's current and active blog, What Could Happen. Her last post was made just over a week ago.

Smiles!

p.s. Julia's Boeuf Bourguignon recipe can be found on Knopf's website.