Getting particular about the free food . . .

The freeloading cats on our front porch are all front and center each morning and evening for whatever we might want to offer them in the way of food. We usually keep dry cat food on hand and a few cans of the 'good stuff' as a treat. Last night, we had leftover rice fritata and put that out for them. The two gray cats immediately dug in happily. The Siamese came over, tasted a bit and wrinkled his nose in distaste. Thinking it might be just that corner of the dish, he jumped over one of his friends, pushed him aside, and tried from there. Didn't like it. Howl the Siamese did this a few times until he gave up in disgust and just glared at the other two who were obviously enjoying the treat.

We did note that the mixed vegetables in the fritata were not to anyone's liking. The smaller, gray cat would take in a big mouthful of food, chew, swallow, and then spit out pieces of carrot and green bean. Given their age in cat years, typical teenage reaction to good food!

*A fritata is a cooked mixture of rice, mixed vegetables, egg, cheese, and herbs fried in a big 'pancake' in the frying pan - a favorite of my children - kid and cat friendly! :-)

Chick's Exciting Day . . .

Ever since the stray cats have taken up residence on our front porch, Chick has been desperate to give them a good doggie snuffle, a chance to smell exactly what the critters are and would she like them. Yesterday, I had the door open a crack and one of the cats was standing right there. Chick came up behind me and immediately pushed her nose into the door opening. The cat glanced up, stopped to stare, and then went right up to Chick's nose and sniffed it. Chick snorted in delight. The cat jumped back. I closed the door and Chick went back to gazing out the window happy in the knowledge that she now knew what that animal smelled like . . . and still not sure exactly what it was.

Cheer Up Stuff . . .

"An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it."
-- Jef Mallett

"Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious."
-- Brendan Gill

"If one sticks too rigidly to one's principles, one would hardly see anybody."
-- Agatha Christie

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."
-- Charles M. Schulz

The Liberal Mind Set . . .

I don't understand liberals especially when it comes to abortion. A year or so ago, in Miama, FL, a late-term baby was delivered alive before the clinic could 'take care of matters'. The baby was put into a trash bag and thrown away - alive, effectively killing the baby. According to the article, even some of the pro-choice people were taken aback. Uh, if the abortion had gone to plan, the baby probably would have been dismembered or partially delivered, stabbed in the back of the head - alive, effectively killing the baby. Why do the liberal abortion factions see a difference here? They got the same result so why the consternation?

I don't think any of us could take on even a fraction of the pain this must cause the Blessed Mother when she sees the life her Son sends so brutally treated. Doesn't say much about us as a civilized society. Scary to think what further indignities the future holds for us and the fragile unborn.

Something to think about in this world of ours . . .

“I will see the hand of God in all that happens to me, attributing nothing to individual people, who are but instruments used by Him in the work of my sanctification.” ~Blessed Raphaela Mary

The Quilt Progresses . . .

Time and inspiration were with me, today, as I continued work on my recent quilt order. Every 'bump' you see on the front represents pins holding the back together and awaiting handsewing. I was happy to get the basic body of the quilt together today. It is now down to where I can work on it while I watch television this evening. I keep records of the time spent each day on it for preparing my bill for the quilt. I'm blessed as my customer understands that $10 an hour isn't overcharging and a quilt can't be finished in two hours! I had someone consider $20 for a quilt as overcharging!

My favorite (NOT!) episode in my quilt-making dealt with a woman who told me she was ordering the quilt and would, in turn, be donating it to a charity event. Given that information, I went to some extra effort on the quilt and didn't charge all that I could given the intricate pattern she demanded. I presented her with the finished quilt and the detailed bill showing time spent, fabric costs, and hours employed in making it. She grabbed quilt and bill and cheerfull told me that she would see that I get a tax receipt for our income tax returns, and left. She didn't pay me! She decided that her donation was going to be my donation! I was in shock. My husband was livid as I had put aside family time and chores to get this done for her and was counting on the extra income of $175 which was not what it was actually worth. A priest friend joined the ranks of us base human beings and offered to slash her tires for me.

Live and learn . . . The same woman has mentioned needing to order another quilt from me . . . I just head in the opposite direction! Lesson given, lesson learned! Oh, and I never got that tax receipt, either!

Easy and popular dinner . . .

For some reason, pork seems to be on sale a lot lately. There are only so many pork chops one can put in front of their family before you are faced with a mutiny. I'm always looking for ways to use a bargain meat purchase, save money, and make the family happy, too. This is a favorite method and the family will actually look forward the leftovers . . . if there are any!

Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

About 2-3 pounds of lean pork
1 small can of diced chilies
1 large onion, chopped
8 cloves of fresh garlic, smashed and chopped
1 16 ounce bottle of favorite barbecue sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1-2 teaspoons chili flakes

Mix all the ingredients in a crock pot. No need to cube or cut the pork. Set on 'high' for six hours and forget about it. About 20 minutes before serving, shred the pork and let it simmer with the top off the crock pot so the sauce can simmer a bit.

On toasted hamburger buns, place a slice of your favorite cheese (I like Provolene) and top with a generous amount of the pulled pork, top with the rest of the bun and serve. You can serve it with a salad on the side but I doubt anyone will notice it!