Cat Nap Wednesday (On Thursday)

 I had a bit more wrapping to do yesterday. I went to get the gifts and when I returned I found I had a helper. 

She wasn't much help though. She decided to play with her toys and then fell asleep!

We hope everyone is enjoying this festive and busy time of year. We plan to get back on track with regular postings after the new year. We've both have had colds and now a stomach bug. Darn!

We wish everyone a year filled with peace, joy, and great health.

~Michele

Cat Nap Wednesdays (on Thursday)

That's not Katie!!!???

 Still not Katie!!! 

OK, these are pictures of other people's pets. Our local shops "Enerdyne" and "Brain Store" hosted the reindeer visit last Sunday. It's always a fun event! Mazie, this beautiful pup, belongs to our friends who own Enerdyne. She was all decked out for the event and even had bells on her collar! In this picture, Mazie had just come outside and was quite interested in the reindeer. 

 OK ... now here's sweet Katie. She enjoyed a bit of sun, in the window, yesterday .

~Michele

The decorating continues....

Macro Monday

I think you have a general idea of the above item.

If you are not sure yet, then perhaps this next pic will help. 

It is, of course . . . 

. . . a Christmas ornament.

Happy Holidays!

Andy

Holiday Decorating

A few pix from around our house of Michele's decorating eye.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Andy

Another view of the recent Macro Monday subject.

Cat Nap Wednesday (on Thursday)

Katie is saying "is it really that time of year again??"

Kate decided to help me with the decorating till her nap time. I've had this sweet drummer boy for over 30 years. He was made by a very dear friend who I don't get to see often enough these days. Isn't he just the cutest??!!

Well, it didn't take long for Katie to decide she would rather sleep than decorate! She doesn't know the fun she is missing! ha ha!!

Happy decorating!!

~Michele

Macro Monday

Any guess on the subject of the above?

It is pretty simple when you think about it. This will help.

It is "Frosty-the-Snowman" . . . gulp . . . under glass. 

Michele captured him many years ago and has not let him go since. ;->

Andy

Macro Monday

Before the snow flies in our area, here are a few more shots from the summer.

Happy start to the Holidays!

Andy

I know, this "shedding" might turn off some. Sorry--it is just nature!

Cat Nap Wednesday

A few silly shots of our cat . . . who LOVES tissue paper!

Andy

Macro Monday

Can you guess the subject?

Here is another hint.

It is the herb called dill!

Andy

Foodie Friday-Molasses Bars

Molasses Bars*

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C oil

1/2 C dark molasses

1 egg

1 3/4 C unbleached flour

3/4 t baking soda

3/4 t cinnamon

3/4 t ginger

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t cloves

1/4 t salt

1/4 C boiling water

1/2 C raisins 

2 T course sugar to sprinkle on the top, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine sugar, oil, and molasses; blend well. Add egg, blending well. Add flour, baking soda, spices and salt; mix well. Add boiling water stirring gently till well blended. Stir in raisins. Spread into a well greased 13 X 9 pan, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and cut into bars. 

Yield: 36 bars

*adapted from Pillsbury Best Cookies 

I have baked this recipe in my mini muffin pan; baking for about 10 minutes. They come out really cute. 

To me nothing says fall and the holidays better than spicy, molasses treats. I love them in all forms; cookies, cakes, sweet breads, scones ... hum, I think Andy needs to try making a gingerbread ice cream!!

~Michele

Cat Nap Wednesdays

 

Katie says BOO! She was very confused by this gourd I brought inside for her today.

She thought she wanted to touch it, but wasn't quite sure.

Finally she decided it was an "OK" Halloween item! 

As far as her recovery goes, I am very, very, happy to report that she is doing much better. It seems her medication was upsetting her stomach and she would not eat. We know that cats can't not go too long without eating before they develop "Hepatic lipidosis", commonly known as fatty liver. This happens even quicker in an overweight kitty. So this was very scary, as she was turning down food day after day. I hand fed her, small amounts, around the clock. Last week she was tested for Hepatic lipidosis and the test came back negative. Yay!!! About 12 hours after her last dose of medication she started begging for food ... and has not stopped. We can't thank the Vets and staff at the "Suttons Bay Animal Hospital" enough. They always go way beyond the call of duty to help. Thank you, Thank you, to everyone at the clinic!!! 

                        Katie is happy to show off her Halloween card from Aunt Lory!


~Michele

Our thoughts go out to everyone on the east coast as they begin to heal and rebuild. 

Some Fall Pix

While we didn't get out this fall as much as we intended, we did get some shots. (Before fall is completely gone I wanted to share these so Macro Monday will be back next week.)
Andy

Foodie Friday: Goat Cheese Ice Cream w/ Balatons!!

Yes, the goat cheese is for real and it is fabulous. It tastes like cheese cake ice cream and worth effort!
Andy

• 2 cups 2% milk
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• about 6 ounces fresh goat cheese (chèvre)
• 1/4 teaspoon French Grey Sea Salt
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup finely chopped dried balaton cherries

Thoroughly mix about 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch in a small bowl. Mix with a softened silicon/rubber spatula the goat cheese and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. 

Combine the remaining milk, the cream, and sugar in a large (4-quart) saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat and boil for 4 minutes--careful not to let it boil over. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch mix. Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, whisking, until slightly thickened; about 1 minute then remove from the heat.

Slowly whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Cover the bowl and let stand in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

Pour the chilled base into the frozen canister (we use a Donvier ice cream maker) and spin until thick and creamy adding a couple of spoonful's of the chopped cherries with each turn. Eat when thick and freeze any leftover sealed with an airtight lid. If you are like us, this won’t last long!

NOTES: Yes, we use Shetler's for all milk! We have not found a local provider of goat cheese yet, but will keep trying. Cream Cheese is made with cow's milk and the goat milk equivalent is chèvre or goat cheese. Balaton cherries are not as sweet as regular dried cherries, but much stronger on flavor. Fortunately, we live in the cherry capital and can get local dried balatons.

Lastly, a big thanks to Jeni's Ice Cream for the inspiration!
http://www.jenis.com/goat-cheese-with-red-cherries-pint/

Andy

Macro Monday

Here are a few close-up shots from this summer. It's just past peak here and despite a couple of weeks of rain it was one of the most striking falls we can recall. Hope you are enjoying fall too.

Andy

Pic 1 of 3...

Pic 2 of 3...

Pic 3 of 3.