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!!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Looks like we might have got an almost-frost overnight this morning. I am collecting zinnias left and right as well, and thoroughly enjoying them. The calendula is still going like gangbusters as well. It it wonderful to pick a fresh blossom to add to morning tea along with other foraged goodies and our honey.
Although I haven’t met them IRL I surely do love your kitties!
How is the knitting project with the honeycomb sections for lack of a better description going?
Have a great day - off to hang out laundry and then celebrate my dad’s 90th with him!
Jeanie said…
Today's Kitty Blog was wonderful. We no longer have cats because family members are allergic, so this was the next best thing. You have such a nice variety of cats. Your posts from the last few days have been so interesting. I hope you have a great day today!
Jody in GA said…
Thanks for today's post on the kitties. I am currently the caregiver for 4 cats who give my life so much pleasure - I can't imagine life without cats! They are such a blessing to me.
Love to see all your animal adventures. Catching up with the kitties was nice today. My Annie is 14+ and I was afraid I would lose her last January. Some meds have perked her up. Every day is a gift.
Tracy said…
Lovely to see and read about the kitties. I am thinking about adopting one someday. Yum your bread looks delicious.
Your friend, Tracy in MT
Marcia LaRue said…
I love seeing all of the family cats ... especially Pete and Ivy (she is such a beautiful girl)! It will be fun to see who shows up on the camera!
It looks like you have a ton of little green tomatoes still on the vine ... will they ripen at all?
THE BEARDED ONE said…
THE POST AND PICS ARE ALWAYS A JOY...ENJOY YOUR DAY OFF AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE...KEEP SMILING !!!!!
This N That said…
Nice kitty blog..Glad they are all well..Moll looks her age poor thing..Glad that Ivy is trying her "paw" at being sociable..
We are supposed to reach 80 this weekend..Hopefully your frost didn't kill everything.
Will be fun to see who's visiting the cat food..
Hope your day off is for fun!!! Hugs
janie said…
My Mom passed last November at 85. Her home is selling on Monday. Today I move her kitty that is 15 to My son's home. We have two kitties at home and do not think they would " allow" another kitty. So off we go today and I will still get to be part of this precious kitty's life.

Enjoy your day, Janie
Love your kitties. We used to have a lot of them, but they've all passed on.
I wonder what happened to that pretty orange kitty that used to hang around, and also the beautiful black and white one. Thanks for the update.