Cats Meow

 Yesterday morning arrived in the 30's - and Jack Frost paid us a quick visit.  As I walked the horses up to the upper pasture for their morning graze, I noticed just the slightest hint of light frost on the grass.  Knowing that a killing frost may be right around the corner, I headed to the garden to cut as many of the remaining zinnias as possible.

I also harvested the rest of the peppers, the saffron, and three remaining butternut squash.  This one, a perfect buttocks squash...

which was lodged in the wire of the trellis on which it grew...

which ultimately ended up in the oven, roasting to be used (along with an earlier-picked squash) in this pumpkin streusel loaf.  Because this year's harvest was plentiful, I substitute butternut squash for pumpkin in all of my recipes.

Oh, how I will miss this color in the coming months.  But then, that makes Spring all the better, doesn't it!  Every season has its beauty and wonder. 

And by the way, cold weather has not stopped Forrest from going for his morning swim.  He doesn't seem to mind the cold at all - there's just no stopping him.

I was reminded, yesterday, that it's been a while since I have featured our kitties on a blog post.  Everyone  remains healthy and happy.  Pete, is definitely the king of the barn - but he rules with a soft heart. 

 Occasionally he pounces on one of the other kitties, but it's always in fun.  He loves Forrest, and Forrest loves him.

Moll is the old gal of the barn.  I have no idea how old she is, as she arrived as an adult... well traveled, with a saggy, carpetbag-ish belly filled with life stories we shall never know.

Despite her constant sour-puss expression, she is a love and is always nearby when the pig is getting attention.

And the Bea's... whom one can never tell apart,

 are always running to and fro, in and out of the barn - between naps in the hay.

 

It's been eons since we last saw "Half-cat Pat".  It's been weeks since we last saw Cheerio sunning himself on the macadam ramp to the upstairs of the barn.  However, the 24/7 supply of dry cat food has been disappearing at a rapid rate.  That leads me to believe that there are kitties who visit at night - stopping by for their daily meals.  (Either that, or perhaps another wild critter.  We shall soon know for sure, as we have placed a game camera in close proximity to the cat food dispenser.). More on this subject in the days to come!

As for our home kitties... Bobby (at 15) is still enjoying his adventurous life - coming and going as he pleases, from the comfort of his heated bed in the garage. 

  Ivy, our house cat, has finally made peace with Forrest. 

 He is eternally curious about her and loves to follow her around.  Every day or so, she gives him a good swat on the nose just to reinforce who's boss!

To answer a question from yesterday about knitting patterns.  If there is a certain item that I am yearning to knit, I search the website Ravelry to find pattern options.  There are free patterns and patterns to purchase through this website.  The last three projects - purple and yellow shawl, cardigan sweater, and the wrap that I just started - were patterns I found at our local fiber arts store, Humble Stitch.  I also get emails from several yarn companies featuring patterns that I sometimes use.  Finding patterns that I want to knit is never a problem.  The only problem is finding the time needed to knit all of the beauties that I want to knit!

PS:  I will be away from the farm today, and as a result will not be writing a blog post for tomorrow.  See you Thursday!!