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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Random Thoughts





  1. My Christmas Cactus is blooming!  Yes, it's a couple of months late.  Better late than never though, right? 
  2. I worked an auction today.  We were in a smaller room with a big crowd so my view for any photographs was obscured.  Lots of vintage animated toys.  I wish I had a front row seat just to be able to see them up close!  Many went for over $100.  Someone had a really cool collection! No trash to look through, so auction day didn't earn a blog post of it's own. :)
  3. One funny thing that happened around here was watching Alex with a chocolate glazed yeast doughnut.  He doesn't like chocolate so I didn't expect him to be interested, but he opened the box and took one.  He smelled it and then ate little bites around the sides, avoiding the chocolate on top.  Then he turned the donut upside down and nibbled the bottom off of it.  I showed him how to scrape the chocolate off with a knife, but also informed him that he was throwing out the best part! ;)  I really should have taken a picture!
  4. I saw the mother (of the four original kittens) feral cat crossing the back yard this week.  She looks to be pregnant. :(  All of this work getting the nine kittens spayed and neutered and it's discouraging to think that the daddy tomcat and two mothers are still out there and probably impossible to catch.  But at least I'm getting done what I can.  The next clinic date is March 10th.  I've reserved 5 spots...yes, I am the optimistic type. ha.
  5. Speaking of feral cats...  One of the younger kittens was sleeping up high in our crab apple tree this week.  He (or she...not sure about this one) slept about 30 minutes.   He was completely stretched out on a limb and enjoying the sun.  Hilarious!  I took photos but he was covered in too many branches to make a good picture.
  6. The Mister worked from home today.  And I worked out. ha.  Very unusual to say the least.  The best part was that he made dinner...AND did the dishes.  Whoa.  I really should check and see if he has a fever. lol.
  7. One of my favorite meals to eat out is Brio's Butternut Squash and Chicken Risotto.  I found the recipe online and made it earlier this week.  Yum.  It's not something you can whip up in 30 minutes, but certainly worth a little extra time in the kitchen.  This was also my first attempt at risotto from scratch...and it was not difficult at all!  I'll post pictures and the recipe tomorrow.


♥

130 comments:

  1. Does it make me sound ignorant if I admit I had to Google risotto to know what it was? Sounds good! What did the Mister make for supper?

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    Replies
    1. yes, you sound ignorant. lol. :) But...now you need to make it and your family will love it! There are ALL kinds of risotto dishes.

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    2. I saw that! I guess I should try making it. My family likes rice a lot. You have to excuse my ignorance--eating out for our family often includes a toy with the meal--if you get my drift. :)

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    3. Well, I love happy meals. Especially the fries with lots of ketchup. :)

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    4. Rebecca ~ he made breaden chicken patty sandwiches on buns with mayo and lettuce, sweet potato fries and grapes. :) Simple but good!

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    5. That sounds yummy!!! My hubby often makes eggs--when he cooks, or sometimes steak. He does most of the grilling. Happy meals are good--I like their coffee too. :)

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    6. I like anywhere I don't have to cook or do dishes. :) And yes, the coffee is good! :)

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    7. Yeah, somehow food that I didn't have to cook taste's better. :)

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    8. Breaded chicken patties? That's what I had for supper, too. And all I could think of was "Wow, I could've invited Pat!"

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    9. I now know of 3 food items that Pat will eat. Does he eat any vegetables?

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    10. canned corn and fresh carrots. :)

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    11. What a relief--I was worried about his health. :)

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    12. no calcium, though....I think his bones are going to shrivel. Maybe he takes vitamins. :)

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    13. Nope my poor bones
      They'll be brittle like ice cream cones..lol

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    14. rebecca ~ let's send him some supplements
      along with our compliments.
      Gee, Pat...at least buy the juice with calcium added
      so you'll be a strong-boned lad.

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    15. Bones work well
      So far as I can tell..haha

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    16. I'll send you some gummy
      vitamins that are yummy
      they are shaped like a bear
      or maybe a pear
      I really don't know
      but they get eaten with gusto
      by the kids at my bungalo

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    17. look at you rhyming so divine
      when the sun has just begun to shine
      you must be full of coffee already
      to be so clever, bright and witty.

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    18. I am impressed with your rhyming, too, but...
      I still gotta say that you're kind of a nut!

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    19. Full of coffee I am
      Nice Silver--quite a slam
      I'm nutty it's true
      But I live at my own zoo
      With snips and snails
      and mud in pails.
      Gonna have some time away
      At the dentist AGAIN today. :)

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    20. back to the dentist's chair?
      oh you poor, poor dear!

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    21. "With snips and snails"... and chickens...

      Sorry about the "slam." Couldn't resist!

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    22. My mouth is full of uninvited "holes" rrrrrr

      No problem Silver I know you're really sweet under all the ornery. :) You call me nutty---I call you sweet. :) I thought it was ironic that in all the searches for you at Pats blog there was no "sweet, and slightly over forty, gentleman" Hee hee!

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    23. Kind of a nut I will have to agree
      With the Grammar Nazi
      But it is fun to see
      Here when you visit Betsy

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    24. Oh, great, Rebecca called me the "s" word...

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    25. hahaha see comes back around
      And on you it's found

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    26. @Pat: This is even worse than the "sweet" conversation on your blog!

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  2. HI Betsy what nice look the plant with the flowers:)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Gloria!! How was your day?

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    2. thanks, Gloria! I'm enjoying it, even if it was supposed to bloom for Christmas. :)

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  3. Replies
    1. thanks, silver. :) Pink is one of my favorites. And it seems to show in my plant choices...christmas cactus, pink poinsettia, frankie.... haha.

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    2. Silver, just noticed this morning that my African Violet is about to bloom. Guess what color the flowers are? :)

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    3. Uhhh... I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess pink. (And I know they're not brown, like your eyes!)

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  4. Oh, and by the way Alex and I would get along great!! I would eat the chocolate off his donut. He could have the donut. :)

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  5. What a beautiful cactus, yes, better late than never !
    What antics the boys get up to, it must be like a circus around your house :)
    I'd like to live there for a day or so :)
    ~Jo

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    Replies
    1. oh, that was funny...yes a day or so and then you'd want to leave and recover. lol.

      A zoo outside and a circus inside. Yep. That just about sums it up! :) Love that. haha.

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  6. Pregnant again you say
    Better watch out for more kittens at your bay
    You'll have more than that other place the cat goes to see
    In a cage that causes him no glee
    Only two months late
    Or maybe ten months early is its fate
    I can relate to the picking around of only what you like
    The rest can take a hike
    And soo looking forward to the recipe
    That will just be great to see...LOL

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    Replies
    1. You're looking forward to a recipe? If you cook it, Pat, who's gonna eat it?

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    2. I know...I used to tease about that other place
      when I had zero cats my place to grace
      Now look at me about to break their record
      Too many more could cause some dischord!

      I'll dedicate the recipe to you
      you could pick out the chicken to eat, too!
      ha.

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    3. It's sarcasm, Silver
      It runs in Pat's veins
      From his liver
      and to his brains!

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    4. Oh. Sarcasm. Gee, I wouldn't know anything about that.

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    5. haha yep you can no longer tease
      As you have many cats to please
      If you don't count the weiner at that place
      Three more and you tie it with your kitty case
      I'll pick out the chicken too
      Wouldn't be the first time that came due..haha
      Yep as long as one doesn't pop
      The sarcasm will never stop

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    6. Are cats hard to please?
      If they do not have fleas?
      Do they sit up and beg?
      Or try to scratch your leg?
      I really don't know,
      Only have one at my show. :)

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    7. not only do they beg
      on your keyboard they put their leg
      pushing keys you don't want to type
      and acting like you're wrong to gripe

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    8. Or then they just chew the keys
      And scratch your knees
      Bit your toes
      And more woes

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    9. sleep on your pillow
      and let out a bellow
      lick your ear
      until you laugh with tears!

      Delete
    10. Dig at your butt
      Like some nut
      Until you open your legs in a square
      So he can sleep well at your lair

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    11. sleep with the back of their head in your space
      and twitch their ear if you breathe on their face.

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    12. Not in the mood
      To eat their food
      Until they have a taste of yours
      Bumming and jumping up off the floors

      Oh and I just noticed the apple juice crack below
      hahaha love it, yeah I was kind of slow

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    13. Laying in your lap
      to take a little nap.
      And dreaming, too, with little sounds,
      twitching paws and whiskers abound
      just as if they are chasing a mouse
      all around the house.


      The apple juice line has been there several days.
      See..you need caffeine to remove that brain haze. :)

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    14. Chewing on your cord
      Because they are bored
      Or want your attention
      Seeking a mention
      And costing $30 bucks more
      For a cell phone charger at your shore..lol

      Caffeine and calcium I need you say
      Geez so demanding at your bay..hahaha

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    15. Not needing to use the litter at all
      until they see you cleaning it down the hall
      then they must go in the clean box
      and wonder why you are looking so cross. lol.

      Nugget is the chewer at our house.
      Has cost us a few bucks, the little louse.

      Yes, demanding some health care for those like you
      but it's only because I care about you, too!
      I'll leave the cucumber suggestion to Dez
      but if you eat one, I'll fall over dead.
      lol.

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    16. Opening cupboards and going in to see
      What they can make a mess of for me
      Spreading it on the floor
      And then not even closing the door

      Oh that litter one I think they all do
      I clean it and they view
      Then one hops in
      Going in the litter bin
      Clean it and the next does too
      Coming and having a good poo...haha
      Cassie is the chewer here
      Or cords and plants I fear
      Orlin just chews strings, tp, toys and rubber
      And the corners of things but not my dvds like Flubber..haha
      Not sure caffiene is healthcare though
      But you never know

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    17. Letting out a little yelp
      when you accidentally on their paw step
      or wrapping their tail around your leg
      when you stand in the kitchen fixing an egg.

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    18. You had to fix an egg? Awww, that's sad. Who broke it? [ducks]

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    19. Goes through grocery bags
      Ignoring the old rags
      Going straight for the meat
      And running off with the whole tray thinking it's neat

      @Fox Ducks broke their own eggs you say?
      Oh that must have been a horrible day

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    20. A little bite you get with dread
      if you stop petting their head.
      As if to say
      you will pet me the whole day
      Don't even think about stopping
      or you my claws will be stalking.

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  7. Pretty flower, sweet! I think you had better catch that mama cat that keeps having all these kittens, poor thing! :D

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    1. I know! But how? She's so wild. Won't let me near her! I really need to catch the dad! Same problem there!

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  8. How nice to be served dinner (with dish duty to boot!)
    I'm sitting here commenting and Tom is doing the dinner dishes. Go Men!

    Nice to have you back.

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    1. It's a nice change, isn't it? Well, maybe Tom does it often. :) Actually, The Mister does dishes a few times a week...usually on the weekend. Cooking? Not so much. But I did appreciate it tonight! And it didn't taste too bad, either!

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  9. Is anyone else having trouble with posting blog posts? My dashboard seems to be malfunctioning.

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    1. I think it's you, Rebecca. You didn't know what risotto was, either. [ducks]

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    2. I just threw a box of Kleenex at you---you better duck. :)

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    3. Kleenex? Yeah, right, like that'll hurt. Nice try. :)

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    4. Well, it's the only thing near enough. I don't want to throw my computer--might ruin it. I have a bookcase full of books here, but they are mostly paperbacks. I didn't really want to hurt you just more or less annoy you. :)

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    5. You just wanted to annoy me? Oh, good, cuz you do that a lot anyway.

      Oops.

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    6. Oh. My. Word. You are full of it tonight aren't you?

      Betsy pays me to annoy you. :) hahahhahaha

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    7. Well, from your actions, I'd say she must pay you a lot!

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    8. She pays me in big yummy cookies. ( I think my nose is getting longer )

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    9. What kind? Those black & white ones?

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    10. Yes, those are definately the ones she pays me with--the big scrumptious black and white ones......yummy!!!!! :)

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  10. The squash and risotto sounds delicious...I have never made risotto from scratch either although I see Rachel Ray do it all the time! Love that your husband can cook, mine can't boil water!

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. Blondie ~ he really can't cook...or even grill! ha. Everything he made came frozen and he just had to put it on a baking sheet in the oven. :) But it was still great. ha.

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  11. Hmmmm...I need to get a Christmas Cactus. Yours is beautiful, late or not.

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    Replies
    1. they thrive on neglect. ha. Once I left it alone, it bloomed!

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  12. Your Christmas cactus is so beautiful. I love 'em. It is so hard to imagine scraping chocolate off of anything. LOL! Your Alex and I could have a good system between the two of us. ;) blessings ~ tanna

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  13. very pretty flower! my daughter whistled when she saw it :) Like Rebecca, I'm gonna have to Google Risotto too. I'm happy to tell you though that I tried another recipe of Chicken Marsala tonite and was quite pleased :)

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    1. yum....that sounds delish...and risotto is Italian, too! :)

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    2. It was indeed yummy! I served it on a bed of zucchini ribbons and spinach but of course no one ate THAT except me! ha I didn't really expect them too, but it looked pretty and one can always hope:) My husband DID eat the mushrooms though! I was amazed! and impressed! Rice however I have not convinced anyone of yet :) I'm glad you got a night off in the kitchen :) that's always fun!

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    3. don't tell them it's rice! It's so creamy, The Mister thought it was pasta!

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    4. zucchini ribbons...sigh...that sounds beautiful!

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    5. haha, thank you! I think I'll wait a few years for the rice. Maybe their future girlfriends will cook it for them first and they will come home and beg me to make rice! :) ha

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  14. My Christmas cacti have barely bloomed this year :-(

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    1. I don't know how you care for yours, Kathy, but this worked for me...

      bright sunlight and only water it about once a month...when the leaves are limp and wrinkly.

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  15. sounds like a great day.Too bad about the cats though, they sure can breed, we had a mother cat on the farm that had three litters a year.That sounds like a yummy meal for sure, and I was wondering would your son eat maple iced donuts, does he dislike all chocolate.

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    1. He does not like chocolate at all! I haven't tried any other kind..he just like the un-iced ones the best. He doesn't really have a sweet tooth...no cookies, dessert, etc. But the doughnut must have looked good!

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  16. oh yes, beautiful cactus, better late than never!!!

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  17. Cooked you dinner and did the dishes? How nice!!! You're going to need a dinner break with all those kitty cats running around! :)

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    1. It was nice, Jax! Maybe he'll do it again some time soon. ha. Although, the list of what he can fix is a little short. :)

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  18. ha...on the donut that sounds like it was a fun moment...sorry no swag from the sale but would have loved to see the toys...and nice on dinner and dishes....

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    1. very cool toys...wind-up ones from the 40's and 50's.

      yeah...dinner and dishes...did you send him a note? lol...

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  19. I wish my Christmas cactus would bloom!

    I'm with Alex on the chocolate doughnuts. Just saying.

    I love risotto! Can't wait for you to share the recipes. Sounds delish.

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    Replies
    1. Christian ~ next grocery trip I'll have to buy Alex some plain Krispy Kremes. Mmmmmm. :)

      and you're going to love this recipe!

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    2. Betsy, you can pay me with a Krispy Kreme donut this week. :)

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    3. Mmmm...yummy warm ones with chocolate on top? Heaven. :)

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    4. Maybe I better not---don't want to have to go back to the dentist. :) You can pay me with coffee......or sleep. :)

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  20. I've always wanted to be the guy who talks real fast in the auction

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    1. Hi Adam. :) When I first started working there, I couldn't tell what he was saying! And when you're expected to not only decipher it, but get the winning bid amount and bidder number and description of the item recorded in a computer without missing a beat, it's scary! ha. Thanks for visiting!

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  21. great shot of the cactus. the night blooming cactus outside where i live bloomed a month or so ago. it was pretty. i can imagine the cat all sprawled out on the branch pretty well:)

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  22. I wish my Christmas cactus would flower! I'm still waiting!!!

    Awwww Alex and the doughnut!

    Aww the kitties! Thanks for looking out for them! I hope hope hope if/when the kitties do get neutered their eartips will be ok!

    Take care
    x

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    Replies
    1. Oh, don't worry...I'm not letting them do anything to their ears next time. :(

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  23. The cactus blooms are gorgeous and love the doughnut story, it would have been so funny to watch but I would just cut the donuts in half and give him the bottom half.

    That was very sweet of the Mister to cook dinner, must of been a great treat for you. I too am looking forward to the recipe, it sounds delish.

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. good idea...then I can eat all the doughnut tops! :)

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  24. There is nothing random about those thoughts. They fit together like jig-saw pieces to form a picture of happy family life.

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    Replies
    1. and your comment, dear Alan, was the only thing missing from my day! Now the puzzle is complete! ;)

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  25. Its a beautiful bloom! It must have been funny to watch Alex with the donut. Sounds like you're doing everything you can to help the kitty population. its a shame you can't catch the mommas and get them fixed. Someday!

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    1. I know! Maybe some day...I'll keep trying. If I can at least get the ones living in my back yard, that is a start!

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  26. Hi, it has been a while since I stopped by your blog but I am happy to read that things are blooming! And glad to read that you are taking some time for yourself and even getting a little pampering where you can catch it. Oh, and I am with Alex. I'd nibble around the chocolate too. xo

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    1. Hi, Gary! Wow...where have you been? :) Great to hear from you. Need to come for a visit and see how your school year is going. No chocolate? What's wrong with you guys? lol.

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  27. Betsy love your plant and the flowers, are awesome, I bought yesterday a mint plant and is awesome too, love mint to have all the year.
    Dear I comment only when I can Im some days in the beach and I return Sunday I hope, I miss my home , and daugther you know, is difficult, how are the boys? and Spencer (lol), anynay when I have internet I comment! have a nice day!

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    1. Hi gloria! Hope you are enjoying the beach! Sounds wonderful! Just relax and rest! I have mint growing outside...it comes back after the winter. Miss you!

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  28. Betsy you dont believe that I have a headache! sigh!! Maybe later I can comment anyway I read all your post to the follwing day (lol)

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    Replies
    1. A headache while on vacation? Oh no! Hope you feel better!

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  29. Wow...Betsy...you are sure getting the commentors!
    But...you lead an interesting life. 8~)
    I have a Christmas catus blooming too(maybe we are suppose to still be celebrating).Though I took down decorations a LONG time ago.
    We can enjoy the(free) flowers on our catus...especially where I live...we just had snow yesterday. The sun is shining today! Its good...God is soooo good.
    Later,
    Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy ~ actually, I only have a few commenters, but they like to hang out and chat! lol.

      Maybe our cacti are blooming for valentine's day? :)

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    2. I posted a picture of my cactus on my blog. 8~)
      Yes....well you offered coffee for the commentors.;~)

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    3. Oh good,....I'll come and take a look!~

      Yes, the things people will do for coffee! :)

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  30. Interesting that in this mildest winter of all time, your Christmas cactus is blooming so late. Does that portend a cold spring?

    Do Harry and Spencer like chocolate? So funny that Alex would eat everything but the chocolate on that doughnut.

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    Replies
    1. I keep saying we are going to have an early spring snow storm!

      None of the triplets like sweets. Although H and S like Tootsie Pops. That's why I was so surprised at this! But Alex is the one willing to try a variety of foods. He did try chocolate before and shuddered at it and had to spit the bite out. lol. I guess he remembered.

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  31. What a lovely Christmas cactus. And how distressing to hear that feral mama is once again pregnant and that she is uncatchable. Looking forward to your risotto recipe...

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    Replies
    1. I know! But one litter is better than 4 or 5, which there would be if I didn't take the others in to be spayed/neutered. Maybe I'll be able to get to her in the future.

      Delete
  32. well, thanks! :)

    Are you related to "R"? (haha..that was really for Pat.)

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  33. lol lol at the way you talk about those cats Betsy :-) sorry to hear abt another 'pregnancy' there ... and number 6 made me 'haha' because my brain went faster then what the eyes read and i really thought that you will say ... 'i really should ... have taken pictures of that' ... :-) seriously, this is so very cool of your husband, wow!

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  34. My Christmas cactus has not flowered this year,last year it did twice,what is going on!!!!

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I'm serving coffee! Stay and chat!
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