Refined Felines

Thought I would share a few photos of the new kitty condo. It's very nicely made and sturdy. Looks like a little piece of art—especially with Sparky the cat model. Chili was on it as well, but then he got all belligerent when Sparky wanted on, so we had to pull him off and let Sparky give it a try. Needless to say, Chili is off trying to figure out our early demise.


Sparky is always the first one to try out the new stuff. He settled in as soon as it was assembled.


I like it!

Pepper & Sparky checking out the cubby and padded cushion.

Bountiful Basket Morning

This is my second week participating in Bountiful Baskets. It's a produce food co-op that buys organic and/or conventional vegetables from the growers/distributors at deep discounts. For a participatory contribution of $15(conventional) or $25 (organic) you can get a basketful of produce. One would pay much more at the grocery store for the amount of produce received. Every other week they distribute the baskets to various Valley locations.

Below are a couple of photos of what was in my basket this week(I purchased the conventional basket). I had a friend that got the organic. She got beets, raisins, zucchini, kale, oranges, apples, peaches etc. I think I got a bit more in the conventional basket, but am going to go organic next time to mix it up. The fruits and vegetables vary depending on what can be purchased and what is in season. I was happy with my basket this week because I got strawberries and lots of bananas. I also got a huge bag of potatoes that I'll have to divvy up between the neighbors. Way too many for Matt and I. You can also purchase bread (However, you get 3 or 5 loaves and I don't have enough room in my freezer to store the extra loaves). They had rounds of cinnamon bread, a tuscan crusty bread and multi-grain. Something else to try but maybe after I clear some room in my freezer. At times they will offer extras like an "Asian Pack" with bok choy, green onions, snow peas and more. They had that the first week I participated and the next time they have it, I'm definitely getting one. It looked fantastic.

What I love about my Saturday morning pick-up is seeing all the different people that show up to pick them up. People really do see the value of eating healthy.







Sparky is our farm kitty. I think if he were still on my parent's farm he would be lying in the garden, all summer long, nibbling on all the vegetables.

Glorious Day...

The nice thing about being a pet in our household is every day is like Christmas. We spoil our pets rotten. Luckily, pets are pretty easy to please. Kobi is quite content this morning after having his Christmas egg and sausage for breakfast. It's rainy and cold today so he also got a dose of his prescription medication for arthritis. I can always tell when he is a little lame. He's doing pretty good for a 14 year old dog. He has no issues eating and he still sprints to the door if he thinks Matt is bringing him steak from Durant's.

The cats are happy to have a nice fleecy blanket to cuddle on when it's cold (Chili and Pepper).

Sparky lives up to his name each and every day. Here he is modeling Matt's snowboard.


Merry Christmas! May your holiday be filled with small comforts and great happiness.

Now I know what to do with Sparky...

Sparky is my yellow barn cat that sometimes has WAY too much energy. He climbs up my leg all day long to get me to play with him. Perhaps he needs to go to cat agility...

The Bowl's Always Half Full...

I was practicing with a new lens on my camera today. Matt got it for me for Christmas after reading a Merlin Mann's 43 Folders (now one of my favorite geek "e" sites). The lens is a single focus 50mm. It is great for portrait photos. It actually forces you to be a little more selective and creative with the close shot. Here's one I liked of Sparky doing his favorite thing... eating out of the big kitty food bowl which always seems to have food in it for him. He's an appreciative little Michigan barn kitty.