This is Why I Love My Cat

No dinosaurs were harmed in the making of this photo.  That mouse she's got, however, was definitely eaten.

  

I am not a "cat person."  My cat doesn't come inside, she doesn't really play with toys, she has no interest in cat nip, and yet, she is an important part of our family.

I decided to take on the cost and complication - hello vet and vacation sitter - of owning "cats" after our second summer in this house.  Not only were voles eating ALL my red cherry tomatoes - ya, they were voles, I caught one but that's another story - but, they were also starting to gnaw and chew and dig around my house.  And I was NOT interested in having a house-mouse issue.  So we "picked - up" two cats.  "Picked-up" because here in rural Oregon, practically every farm and farmer has "barn cats" that widely breed and roam.  So, we caught one from a farm, and had a farmer catch an additional one for us (Smokey).  Well...  farm kitty #1 was not the brightest (though she was super-cute).  After having them both fixed and vaccinated, Buttercup was hit by a car.  Smokey was alone for winter #1.

The next Spring, I said, "ok, we can try for another cat, a companion for Smokey."  And so, we got Pickle.  Pickle was a champ.  Friendly with the kids, even following them into the kiddie pool (or was it a kitty pool?  ha!).  But a bit too brave.  Before he was even old-enough to be fixed, he disappeared in the night.  He had taken to escaping from the safety of the outbuilding and I'm afraid he was eaten.  Possibly by an owl or hawk.  More likely by a coyote.  Smokey was again alone.

But not for long.  A neighbor wanted to pass-on an older cat, Ginger, to give her space to roam as well as make space in their suburban home for two new puppies.  I said, "sure," giving fair warning about the demise of two previous kittens.  I hoped that this cat would be wary enough to survive as well as big enough to stand up to tough Smokey.

Here it is, about to be summer again and Smokey and Ginger are still around.  I wouldn't say they are the "dynamic duo." But they are learning to abide together.  They each staked out their prospective corners of the property but have learned to co-habitate enough to report for morning roll-call.  Every morning they wait patiently at the glass door for their breakfast treat and tolerate a quick pat on the head.  

So, that is why I love my cat.  She has survived the dangers of being a "barn cat."  She reports, dutifully, every morning so I can keep tabs on her.  And, she is the most-awesome rodent-control!  I feel WAY better about having a murderous cat patrol my house than leaving piles of rodent poison out everywhere for rodents and slugs to crawl through and ingest (yes, slugs- you squish them and green rodent poison comes out, it's super-gross!).  And, even though she is very "cat" about it - everything is on her terms - she is a part of our family. 

Make your Own Yogurt

My friend, Emily, turned me on to this a year ago.  You use a purchased yogurt culture and milk to create your own yogurt at home.  Because we can go through a lot of yogurt at my house and because the stuff my wallet likes isn't the best stuff for my body, I gave it a try. 

You have to start this project on a day when you will be home because there is lots of waiting.  But, it's simple, easy, and delicious. 

I recommend reading a few "recipes" first to get an idea of how it works and some tips and tricks.  Then give it a shot. 

You will need a slow-cooker, a large-thick towel, a whisk, and a milk thermometer. 

You will also need cheese cloth and strainers if you want Greek yogurt.  But I skip this part because straining yogurt is a MESS!

Here are a few sites to check out:
http://livesimply.me/2013/05/06/homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot-recipe/

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/foolproof-crockpot-greek-yogurt-and-i-mean-foolproof.html

Last Pumpkins

My stored squash have been mostly eaten.  The last butternut and spaghetti had their soft spots removed and their insides roasted sometime in January. The last acorn went well before that.  But the plethora of pumpkins was not was easily overcome.  Shelves lined with pumpkins large and small waited for use.  Occasionally a few would succumb to mold and mildew. A few were eaten by slugs... my bane.  And my husband reports that some were visited by mice.  (Seriously Ginger Cat, you sleep 5 feet away!)
And now we come to March and the last remaining 4 pumpkins.
I brought them inside, washed them off, oiled them up and baked them at 350° for 45 minutes. I then cut their tops off and allowed them to cool.  I scooped their seeds out.  I scooped their flesh out. And I sent the rinds to the compost.

Here were my last 3 tributes to garden pumpkins.

Pumpkin Seeds

Seeds
Oil
Salt n pepper

Rinse seeds until free of most slime.  Put in a bowl with oil and salt n pepper. Toss to coat. Place evenly on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350°.  Turn once on the cookie sheet and bake until golden brown.


Pumpkin Soup

Roasted pumpkin
Roasted apples
Roasted onion
Roasted garlic
Broth
Salt n pepper
Thyme

This recipe is really nice if you can roast all your veggies until brown (about 30 minutes) before hand but is just as nice with sauteed veggies or raw veggies.

Add all ingredients and begin to warm.  Use an immersion blender to blend away all chunks.  Season to taste.

Nice toppers are:  yogurt, sour cream, paprika, fresh thyme, or roasted pumpkin seeds.


Carmel Pumpkin Pie

Pie crust shell
1 Cup roasted pumpkin
4 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Cup cornstarch
1 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup brown sugar

If you want a creature texture, puree the pumpkin prior to use.

Beat the eggs add spices then pumpkin, sugar and cornstarch.  Mix thoroughly then add to pastry shell, leaving at least 1/4 inch room for caramel.

Heat butter on stovetop over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Drizzle over pumpkin pie.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until the center no longer jiggles.

Weeds!

Weeds!
Just like this blog.
Time flies when you don't give them the attention they need.
Oh, I've been thinking about both.  The weeds.  The blog.  The things I should be doing but can't seem to find the time.
Where did February go?  And now March is almost over as well.
But, you have to make the time for what's important.
Tiny chips at the big wall.
I weeded for two hours this morning.  In the cold, blowy, March rain.
I did 4 rows.  That makes 7 rows total weeded this year.  7 out of what has become 11, somehow, out of 10 that ended the season.
I wanted to do more.  I thought about doing more.
But just as it is now, past 10 pm with a big day looming tomorrow, the time has gotten away from me.
So, I chip, chip, chip.
I plan.
I think.
Someday I will have the time to weed.
Someday I will have the time to put down all the thoughts that scamper like mice through my brain.
But for now, I must put the day away.
Goodnight Day.
Make room for tomorrow.