Katie Kat Ventures Out

Alert: Cat on a harness!

So, we have/had this dilemma: Miss Kate longs to go outside. When we go out on the back deck with Saylor, she meows mournfully through the screen at us. So we started carrying her outside to sit on our laps. Then, we started walking around the yard with her in our arms. Now, this: the red rhinestone harness from IKEA! She loves it! But it's not so fun for us because she just honkers down and sniffs the dirt and just soaks in the outdoors in a very small area. She's taking it all in! It's so cute, but there's a backlash. Once we get back inside, she meows at the door for about an hour wanting to go right back out! Fortunately she only has 8 lbs. worth of kitty frame to make noise with, so it's not so overwhelming. But, we've created a little leashed monster! James is so protective of her. He says, "Maybe when she's like 6 or 8 we could try to let her off the leash." I'm not so sure I can wait that long, and though I would never leave her unattended outside ever, I'm dying to give her a little freedom. Thing is, her little feral beginnings make her a little on the flighty side. She's no calm pound kitty or specialty breed, just a little rescue from a storm drain. You can see her humble beginnings here.

Latest Music Love

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Chip In, No?

So, apparently back in the old days, when the Italian fishermen would come in from their day of work on the water, they'd all sit around by the docks, hungry, and decide to put together a little of this and a little of that from their nets to make a big pot of Cioppino! Only my belle mere would know this story, and she told us a few weeks ago when we made this very dish in honor of her birthday. I had 11 around the long table - no easy task in our small dining room. We were stretched almost to the kitchen!

And even Wikipedia corroborates the story: the name derived from the heavily Italian-accented cry of the wharf cooks for the fishermen to "chip in" some of their catch to the collective soup pot.

Below, our nephew Casey, stirs our day's catch. The green sprig in the background is from fennel bulbs which were diced and sauteed with shallots and onions to make the base. It turned out great...recipe here.

It's A Parade, and It's For Sherri's Birthday!!!

Is that special day here? Why, yes, I think it is! That is, if you're reading this on March 4th! It's Sherri's birthday!!

Who's that I see coming down the lane? Who could it be? Mrs. Felinski? Is that you? Well, yes, it is, and you have the whole fam damily with you today, don't you?! You must be headed over to Sherri's to say Happy Birthday!

Mrs. Felinski meowed, "Why, yes I am! I'm headed there now! And I hope she has some milk for these hungry kitties!"












Oh, and good morning to you, Mr. Pondswim! Nice tune you're playing there on your banjo. It's just the day to play Happy Birthday, because it's Sherri's birthday, donchya'know! Oh, but you knew, didn't you! I wonder what she's doing today? Seems there's quite a commotion building in honor of her day.

Answering slipperingly, he chortled, "Headed there now! Hope she has a spare fly for me to chomp!"









This is so great! All of these folks have lined up to wish Sherri a happy birthday! Even Mrs. Barksdale! My, that's some bonnet you're wearing there, Mrs. B. You're obviously in full birthday regalia!

Barking back with a snort and a growl, Mrs. Barksdale said, "Oh, I wouldn't miss Sherri's birthday for anything! I think she's the greatest!"


And, Bunny Figurine, you're here, too!?? Did you just run away from some estate sale table just to wish Sherri a Happy Birthday? Gee, your skin is radiant today, in celebration of Sherri's birthday. It's positively glass-like! Better watch out, or Sherri'll have you on her Etsy shoppe, sold, and boxed up before you can say Jack Robinson! Hee hee!














Miss Figurine glowed back, "Why thank you for that compliment on my glowing skin! I've been using that Prosacea that you lent me, and it's got my skin all squared away! Thanks for noticing! Have to hop now...headed to Sherri's so she can put me in a box and ship me off!!! I'm going to Paris!"

But, wait! Who is that coming in last! Marilyn!?? Too much! Get in here girl! Let's go get Sherri and have lunch! To be continued...at a later date!

Oh, to Nap Here

I am always attracted to pictures of beds with pretty linens. Not unusual, I know. I think it's because, lately, my napping habit has been cut to a bare minimum. I've had lots of work; good problem, I know. Still, I'm trying to get in more blog posts.

This pic really appeals because it contains one of my most favorite pattens: gingham! There's something so fresh about it. More images like this one can be found in the Toast catalog. They have such great photography.

Next goal: get out and comment at all the great blogs I have listed on my blog list! I do stop by, but sometimes I'm just too rushed to comment. Sending out warm wishes to everyone on this crisp March day.

xoxo,
Robin

My Colleagues

Yes, well, here at Essential Marketing Group, while we are hard at work with our crackerjack team of designers and developers via phone and email, we also have a few teammates right here at headquarters, a.k.a. spare bedroom. Well, hello there Mr. Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman! You're here early today! And I see Sadie the Scottie, looking ready to take on the world...of Westminster! Squirrely and Catkin are regulars, and I (laughing right now) can't remember what I called them the last time I posted about them.

Seems my collection of little figurines has grown. It's funny, when I go to estate sales and walk into a house with shelves full of teeny-weeny figurines, I always think, oh boy, look at all those tiny dust collectors! Yeah. That was then, this is now. Now I see some of these cute little goobers and say, um, how much for this one?

Tea at Mary's

I went to my mother-in-law's house for tea a few weeks back. She set a beautiful table with all the perfect things you would want for a nice tea party...paper doilies, linen napkins, floral china cups, pink roses on the table and tea, tea, tea. The house was warm and cozy, with a fire burning in the fireplace, and us five ladies were ready to sit and gab! And gab we did!

We even had the cup of Knowledge in tow. It sat overlooking the treats, poised on it's display dish, knowingly. ;)





















We had pastries from the French Gourmet, which is around the corner.





And, there were French macaroons and tiny cucumber and egg salad finger sandwiches...yummy shortbread, and hot-from-the-oven scones baked by Mary. They were so good, specked with currants. We ate and laughed, and laughed and ate. Great fun.

Missing Manka's

Okay, so it's been a while since we were there, but what a great place. It simmers on in my memory. Want to get away to a cabin in the woods in fabulous, and quiet NorCal? Go here.

This is how breakfast arrived each morning, with the NYT on top. Inside there was warm, home made granola with cream to pour over, and cinnamon buns fresh from the oven. A vintage thermos with hot, strong coffee was the crowning glory. What a haven of relaxation.

And, today I send out birthday wishes to the great beyond to my Mom. I had a candle lit this afternoon by a beautiful picture of her on the beach.

I Heart Lisa Mitchell

Helping Haiti

It's been so very sad watching the events happening in Haiti. On Larry King Live last night, Ben Stiller mentioned an easy way to donate. You just text the word HAITI to this number: 90999, and your phone bill will get $10 added to it. A small contribution for a worthy cause. The funds go to the Red Cross. You get a confirmation back on your phone which you reply YES to, then it is approved. You can also stop the "updates" by texting back the word STOP. They've already raised close to $2 million, which hopefully can be put to good use, and quickly.

This beautiful, colorful painting is by a Haitian artist:
La Sirene
Gerard Valcin (Haiti, 1923-1988)
Oil on canvas (20 x 24), c. 1985

Kate and Saylor - Early Evening Nap

Could they be cuter? Kate would so snuggle in, and does get quite close, but Saylor keeps a respectable distance 'lest her canine friends should see her canoodling with a kitty. Kate and Saylor - such loving sisters.

Merry Vintage Wishes to All

Wishing everyone a beautiful holiday...and a spectacular 2010!

t-Insanity

I think someone we know might have a wee bit of a prob with thrifting tins at estate sales. I just took them all out and squirreled the smaller ones into bigger ones (let the hubs think some of them found new homes. Not!) All I can say is I hope the vintage Remington Letter-Riter typewriter I just bought is not the start of some other, much heavier, problem.

So, I know I've been away for over a month but all I can say is: ugh, work. While early in the year I had no work to speak of (I'm a marketing writer by trade), now I am swimming in it. It's great to have the income, but I would prefer to dig through some spirit lady's dresser full of vintage linens. What would I do if money were no object? I think traveling, cooking, and baking sound like good ways to spend time. And maybe going out to dig for tins?

This tin, with the courtly couple, I bought off Etsy a while back. It was (is!) full of vintage sewing items. A fun purchase.

The next one, below, with the house scene, is German - from Nuremberg. Dis is a goot one!, as granny used to say. Oh I miss my grandmother, Wilhelmine Hubertina Slavic. She knew so much about keeping house, cooking, managing money, and generally enjoying life. I hope she is looking over my shoulder this minute, reading as I type.

Okay, until the next post...I hope everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying the c-c-c-old weather snuggled inside with a warm cup of tea.

And wishing safe travels to my friend Moni, on her way to Kolkata.