Random Acts of Kindness and Silver Linings

Light

This past Wednesday I started to feel lousy at work.  Back issue reared up its nasty little head and I just felt like someone had pulled the plug on me and all energy had drained out.  Checked calendar and saw we were clear (barring any unforeseen emergency), called the doctor, they could fit me in Thursday afternoon, perfect.  Called my boss, saying I was feeling lousy, calendar was clear and if it would be okay to take Thursday and Friday off.  Bless her, she said yes.  Random act of kindness.  She could have just as easily said no, there's always something to do at the office.  But, Silver Lining, she said yes.  I think she could tell by my voice I really needed the time off.  I felt whooped.

Soon I was out the door, heading home.  Then I remembered the felines were out of dry food.  Sigh.  This meant a stop at Publix.  Luckily there is one right on my way home from work.  I pulled into the parking lot and Silver Lining, a parking space right up front.  Grabbed a cart and headed in.  Grabbed a couple of things, might as well stock up so as to not have to go out once I was home, except for going to the doctor.  In the pet food aisle I bumped into one of my co-workers who told me cat food was BOGO (buy one, get one free).  I told her I was looking for a cat litter scoopy thingie (yes, I know, my glamorous life) and had she seen any?  There they were way up on the highest (i.e. unreachable for either of us) shelf.  Well, Silver Lining, a very nice lady put some heavy boxes on the floor, stepped on them and got me TWO of them, bless her.  I thanked her, she smiled and said "We all have to help each other!"  Random acts of kindness always get me.  They are, to me, messages from the Universe telling us that, yes, people may blow, but there are good ones around, we just have to look for them.  After about 30 minutes, I was all stocked up, paid and on my way home.

Got home, pulled into my parking space, unloaded.  Home.  Bliss.  Changed into my comfies.  Took my meds, fed the kits and got in bed with a new book, The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd.  One of my favorites is her The Secret Life of Bees, I love that book.  This one is proving to be a bit harder, it takes place during slavery and it is a tough read.  Her writing has a way of drawing you inside the story, it is like you are there.  Another favorite of hers is Traveling With Pomegranates, which she co-wrote with her daughter.  It is one of my night-table standards, right along with Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott.  My neighbor called asking if I could possibly drive her and her youngest to the pediatrician in the morning.  No problem, said I was off the rest of the week and going to the doctor the next day, I'd drop them off and then head for my doctor's appointment.

Thursday morning, my neighbor called early saying her husband could take them to the doctor, not to worry.  Then the doctor's office called and rescheduled me for Friday at 12:45, which was just perfect because, frankly, all I wanted was to stay home.  I needed, no, I craved the peace and quiet of home.  Had completely forgotten the are renovating the apartment next to mine.  Much whirring, hammering, sawing soon ensued.  But I was home, in my comfies, mug of hot cafe con leche in hand.  Silver Linings all over the place.  I worked on some of my little Whimbles stories, savoring being home in the middle of the work week.

Friday I went off to the doctor.  Where I was greeted by a lobby full of hacking, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, gasping patients.  Surely, I thought, one of Dante's circles of hell must be waiting in a doctor's lobby.  But, hey, no cause for complaints.  I have insurance, it's all good.  My name was called and in I went.  Everything checked out, got two shots for my back.  Started feeling slight relief right away.  By the time I got to Walgreen's to pick up refills, I was feeling way better and by the time I was on my way home, I was feeling quite good.  Decided to try and sneak in a bit of shopping and went to Home Goods ... by myself!  It's been a while since I've ventured to the stores on my own.  Prefer to have someone with me, in case my back acts up, or whatever.  But, nope, I felt like "me" again and off I went.

I love that store, always has such a nice stock of soaps and sniffies.  Happily dawdled for about 30, 45 minutes, then paid and came home.  My neighbors were pulling in at the same time, helped me carry my bags in.  She was going to the mailbox and offered to get my mail, I sheepishly confessed I hadn't been to it in a while, I pay my bills on line and my friends know to mail me at the office.  Bless her, she checked my mailbox and came back with a slew of holiday cards. Josefina said she would keep my mailbox key and check my mailbox for me.  The area where the mailbox is always gives me the heebie jeebies.  Have I ever mentioned I have lovely neighbors?  I do, I do.  Happily cocooned the rest of the day, read all my Christmas cards which gave me the warm fuzzies.  Promise to send out Valentine's Day cards ON TIME, not like the Halloween cards which are still sitting on my kitchen counter, addressed, stamped ... and waiting for Halloween of this year, sigh.

Saturday, I woke up feeling so much better that I decided to clean.  Spent the greater part of the day scrubbing, cleaning and mopping.  Reorganized my little pantry.  My neighbor called saying they were off to do groceries and did I need anything, I said light bulbs.  No problem, they'd get me light bulbs.  Random act of kindness.  Then walking into my kitchen I tripped over some art supplies on the floor and took a spectacular fall.  Landing first on my right arm and then on the right side of my face.  Once I got my wind back, checked nothing was broken, my jaw hurt like the dickens, hauled myself back up, got some ice for my rapidly-swelling jaw.  My neighbors came by with the light bulbs and seeing my jaw, went to get some ointment for it.  Her husband, always the gentleman, replaced my porch light's light bulb. She fussed over me, saying to rest, put some ice on my jaw, rest, rest, rest.  Tsk, tsking all the while.  They are some of the kindest people I have ever known.



Ouch!

Later another neighbor and friend, Miuri, called asking if she could drop by with a little something from her kitchen.  Her "little somethings" are always delish and I was in no mood for cooking, major Silver Lining and random act of kindness for her to call.  Soon I was feasting on some truly delicious meatloaf and rice with veggies.  She sat at the table with me, keeping me company while I snarfed down her delicious dinner.  Then my neighbor, Josefina, called again and said she was bringing me dinner, when I told her our friend was over and had brought me dinner, she said fine, you have lunch for tomorrow then.  Over she came bearing Chinese fried rice and soup.  Deeelish.  I do love my neighbors.  Miuri and I talked for what seemed like hours, she is an excellent listener and you can talk with her about anything under the sun.  She reminds me of my friend Connie, they both have this air of serenity, peace about them.  Josefina always said that we would be great friends and she was absolutely right.  We three have a great friendship.

Sunday I woke up late, had Josefina's dinner for brunch with a cafe con leche.  Spent the day writing my little stories and watching movies.  Had a lovely quick chat with FGM Martha, She of the Whimbles.  Really have to get my stories off to them, I keep tweaking them.  I was supposed to meet Stephanie (a/k/a Faboo Fleaing FGM), but we rescheduled.

It didn't occur to me until today that I might have had a concussion from knocking my head on the floor (twice, it bounced the first time).  I remembered the time I was bike riding and went into a skid, flew off my bike and hit my head on the hub cap of a car parked where we were riding our bikes.  I dented the hub cap.  Silver Lining being I actually DO have a very hard head!  My grandmother put an icepack and vinegar and salt on the huge bump, I smelled like a salad for days afterwards.  She must have been watching over me this Saturday when I banged it yet again.

Had to put The Invention of Wings down, take a break from it.  It is a very hard book to read.  Maybe because of the subject matter.  I will never be able to wrap my head around the fact that people thought it was okay to own people.  To actually believe they were not "quite" human.  WTF?  How could they possibly rationalize that?  And they went to church!  That is what really blows my mind.  How in blazes could they read the Bible, go to church, proclaim themselves as "Christians" and buy and sell people, tear families apart, abuse, punish, torture?  Put the book away, started re-reading Traveling With Pomegranates.  Love that book.  It always makes me think of Mom.  Miamamma.  She was such a special child of light.  That is how I think of her, a Child of the Light.  When people tell me I am such a "strong" person and bla, bla, bla, I always think well, I had one heck of a role model, didn't I?  My parents and grandparents were major Silver Linings in my life.  To have been given them was a HUGE act of kindness from the Father.  They say one picks out one's parents, family, when choosing to reincarnate.  Well, all I can say is if I ever do find myself having that choice, I will choose them all over again.  Absolutely.  Lord in Heaven, I am all over the place with this post.  Maybe I did whack my head a little too hard ...

So, what started out as an almost melt-down at the office turned into five days off, a Silver Lining and act of kindness on my boss' part.  A stranger's climbing on boxes to get me two cat littler scoop thingies, neighbors bearing dinner and checking up on me, making sure I am okay, Silver Linings and random acts of kindness, all.  Not having to leave my cocoon during a cold snap, waking up to warm, snoozy cats and hot cafe con leche, not having broken anything when I fell, Silver Linings.  Someone once said we have to be kind because you never know if it is an angel we are helping. I believe we should be kind because it is the right thing to do.  You never know when a single act of kindness, which may not seem like much to you, may just make that person's day.  And who knows?  Maybe it IS an angel you are helping.  Then again, I believe we are surrounded by angels all the time.  Some are earth-bound, some in Heaven, but always looking out for you, for me, for us all.  Many, many years ago, going to the bank with my grandmother, she fell at the door into the bank.  It was the late 60s, hippies everywhere.  Several men in suits, all starched perfection, walked right past us.  A hippie, long-haired, dirty jeans, weird tunic-type top, ran over to us, helped her up and went and got her some cold water, gently leading her to a chair, he made her sit down until she caught her breath.  He asked how were we getting home and I told him my Dad was next door at the Thrifty drugstore.  He asked for his name and went and got my Dad.  I wish I could have seen my Dad's face when this young, long-haired, ponytailed hippie guy ran into Thrifty calling out his name.  He was very tall, very kind and quite gentle with my grandmother.  I do not remember his name, but I have always remembered him.  He was a Random Act of Kindness and a Silver Lining combined.

Well, time to go get ready to rejoing the world tomorrow.  Silver Lining, it's a short week.  Today we were off in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  I have this lovely picture in my head of Dr. King and Nelson Mandela sitting on a terrace up in Heaven, having a cup of coffee and talking.  That would be a soul-feeding conversation.  Talking about all they went through, all that has been accomplished, all that has yet to be accomplished. I hope, I pray, one day we will all see beyond skin color, beyond differences, see that in reality, we are all one.  Children of the same Father.

Until next time, be blessed, be kind to each other and keep the faith!



Celebrate Friendships and Silver Linings!



New Year's Resolutions ...



CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, DANCE TO THE MUSIC!



1. Eat more healthy stuff, more fresh fruits and veggies (frozen is fine for smoothies), less white sugar (one exception being a bit of sugar with morning café con leche), try to stick to mainly vegan diet.
2. Drink more water, lots and lots of water.  As the youngest of a good friend told me "Mommy says it keeps her wrinkles filled in." Here's to filled-in wrinkles, sans Botox!
3. Get at least 7 hours sleep daily, 8 being the ideal amount.
4. Trust whatever sky I am under is the sky I am supposed to be under, as Frances Schultz says in her New Year's post "But when it is overcast and uncertain, I’m just going to sit with it, knowing there is a glimmer on a horizon somewhere."  This is the link to her blog and that particular post http://www.francesschultz.com/9575.
5. See the good, count my many, many blessings.
6. Always have camera with me.
7. Write/blog/paint/create!
8. Spend more time with FFFGMs* and friends.
9. Go fleaing more with FFFGM Estefania of the Michigan Macedonian Tribe.
10. Wear less black, more color (this is going to be a toughie).
11. Keep a stock of champagne and chocolate truffles on hand.
12. Ditto Publix frozen peach, cherry and apple pies.
13. Ditto those amazing croissants from QVC.**
14. Garden, garden, garden!
15. Buy a beat-up pick-up for hauling treasures home.
16. Breathe, be here now, here be.
17. And always dance in the rain!

*FFFGMs - Frankly Fabulous Fairy GodMothers.
**Weekend brunches fare, yummmmmmmmm!

... So, what are your resolutions?



Remember to Dream!

 

Weekend Roses



Recipe For A Nippy, Rainy Weekend

Hot Cocoa with Marsh-a-Mallows!

Have been keeping a low profile since late Thursday, dealing with a rather unpleasant bug.  Woke up Friday morning feeling like a semi had rolled over me, backed up and rolled over me again, several times.  Emailed my boss saying I was feeling off, would be in as soon as I evened out.  Bless her, she told me to stay home, keep an eye on things remotely, she'd call me if anything came up.  So, I stayed home. The day was rainy, cool, grayish, with the sun coming out once in a while.  Decided to make a big pot of my "cure-all" homemade chicken soup.  Soup simmering on the stove, remembered I had a peach pie in the freezer and into the oven it went.  Lit my candles and settled into the sofa with a stack of magazines, mug of hot cocoa at hand.

Peach Pie, Looooove Peach Pie!

Late afternoon my neighbor called, her girls (big fans of Cake Boss) were making a red velvet cake and she had some questions. She came over and borrowed some silicone molds.  I went back to my cozy-comfy couch and can I just say, God bless whoever invented Puffs tissues?  Spent the rest of the day guzzling chicken soup, orange juice over ice, taking cat naps and snuggling with some very snoozy cats.  Headed to bed early.

Pink Tootsies!

Saturday morning woke up feeling a bit better.  Had my morning cafe con leche.  Took a shower, changed my pj's, put on my pink and orange sockies and it was back to the sofa, this time settling in for a Downton Abbey marathon, Season 3.  The Boys, Miss Millie and Smokey all settled in with me.  Had a lovely phone visit with my lovely friend and neighbor, Miss Miuri.  A while later there was a knock on my door and there was my other lovely friend and neighbor, Miss Josefina.  She came bearing gifts, some truly delish red velvet cupcakes.  We visited, making plans for going shopping next weekend and cooking up something delicious.  She left after a little while.  I snuggled into the sofa again, red velvet cupcakes close at hand.  Bliss.

Yummo Red Velvet Cupcakes

I have many Silver Linings in my life, my neighbors are a major Silver Lining.  The other day speaking with Miuri on the phone she said "I went to Mass and prayed for you."  She has no idea how that truly touched me.  Miuri praying for me, calling to say hello and how are you, Josefina and her family inviting me into their home to share holiday dinners, taking me shopping at Costco, red velvet cupcakes when I'm feeling "ugh," acts of kindness which heal one's heart and feed one's soul.  Kindness is so needed in today's world, which can be a harsh place at times.  How lucky and blessed am I to not only have good neighbors, but neighbors who truly take an interest in me, share meals, care about me, call to see how I am feeling AND bring me deeeeeelish cupcakes.  I know if I need someone in the middle of the night they are there for me.  They have taken me in as one of their own.  Silver Linings all over the place!

Comfy-Cozy Sofa (note the snoozing felines)

I love my sofa, it is comfy, cozy, cushy and has soft, squooshy pillows. The cats are of the same opinion. Sitting cozily snuggled into my sofa last night, I realized the recipe for a Nippy, Rainy Weekend, for me anyway, is comprised of snuggy comfy socks, chicken soup, lovely neighbors, orange juice, hot cocoa and red velvet cupcakes.  Add a comfy-cozy sofa, an entire season of Downton Abbey and a dash of snoozy cats thrown in for good measure.  Stir well, enjoy.  I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed.

Well, it's Sunday night, time to get ready for the week ahead.  My freshly dressed bed awaits, pillows and comforter fluffed.  A new week dawns, let's make it a good one!

Until next time, pay it forward, keep the faith, look for the Silver Linings, be kind to each other and blessed, blessed, blessed be.

 

Last Weekend of 2013

Friday Night Lights

Yesterday, Friday, I got to come home early.  It has been a very odd work-week.  We worked Monday, had Tuesday and Wednesday off (yay!) and back to work Thursday and Friday.  There were precious few of us at work those two days and we were most assuredly not on all four burners.  Next year, I am taking the holidays off.  Period.  Thankfully I was able to leave early both days, thanks to my boss.  Friday, I was particularly antsy and bless my boss who picked up on my mood and told me to go home whenever I wanted.  Five minutes later, I was on my way home.  It was about 3:00, or so, traffic was blessedly light.  Lit my candles, popped a blueberry pie in the oven, ah, bliss.  No matter how bumpy the day, the minute I am home, I breathe peace.  My kits around me, pie bubbling in the oven, it started raining and I thought "Perfection!"  Wrote a bit.  Called some friends I hadn't called in a while.

 

Yummy Jammies

Is there anything more comfy than being in one's pajamas earlier in the day than usual?  I swear, I could LIVE in my pajamas.  Don't know who it was that said "All one really needs is a divinely appointed and comfortable bed!" but I so agree with that.  Took a few pictures.  Remembered the salmon I'd bought at the beginning of the week, with pesto basil butter, yum!  As soon as the pie was done, in went the salmon.  I made a lovely little tomato, spinach, mushroom salad with sun-dried tomato and garlic vinaigrette.  When the salmon was done, I arranged it prettily on top of the salad, then plated the other fillet and called my neighbor.  They are always feeding me, I figured it was time to repay their generosity with something from my kitchen that's not chocolate-covered!  I remembered a bottle of wine my friends from Talley, Miss Jodie and her hubby Alan, brought down when they visited in the Spring. Opened the bottle, let it breathe.  Made a note on my "To Buy" list to look for wine glasses like Olivia Pope has on Scandal.  Yes, I admit, I am obsessed with that show.  Tried the wine.  Oh, my!  So good!  Had a glass with dinner while watching Miracle on 34th Street, the black and white version with Natalie Wood.  I think there is a colorized version, but I prefer the original in black and white.  If that makes me an old fogey, so be it.

Java Love

Today I got up, had my first cafe con leche (have I said how much I absolutely LOVE my Keurig?), wrote, read, watched the latest 007, Skyfall (wow, intense).  I kept expecting one of the supposedly good guys turn out to be a traitor, but nope.  Didn't expect it to end the way it did though, although there was a good bit of foreshadowing, still I thought they were just throwing red herrings in.  But nope.  Those chase scenes, wow!  Spent a good bit of the afternoon going through Hollye's blog, http://www.thesilverpen.com, looking for recipes.  I love her "Friday's Fixin's" posts, they are delish and healthy.  Watched "The Secret" on NetFlix, it's really quite interesting and ties into my Mom's theory of projecting positivity and focusing on the positive, the good, the Light.  I really believe her attitude is what gave us a longer time with her than what was originally given.  She was, is and will always be a major source of inspiration for me.  
Anyway, dinner time rolled around and I thought, hmmm, I still haven't used all of those lovely mushrooms I bought earlier in the week, there's some spinach left and also lovely grape tomatoes, one salmon fillet from last night, I'm going to invent something!  Put on a pot of boiling water and pitched some pasta in there.  Chopped up the tomatoes, mushrooms, some onions, drizzled some EVOO into another pan and added them into it, shredded the salmon and added it in, remembered I had sour cream, boom!  A generous, VERY generous dollop, added to the pan with the mushrooms, salmon, etc. in it.  Some half and half and then I remembered the wine.  Ah!  The wine!  Poured myself a glass and added a good dose to the pan.  Let the whole thing simmer, scenting the cocoon, for a bit.  By now the pasta was al dente, drained it, tossed it into the pan with the salmon, mushroom, tomatoes, etc. and mixed it well.  Oh, my!



Miss Jodie's Cheesy Cornbread Muffins

I am planning a traditional Southern menu for New Year's Day, Hoppin' John, cornbread, along with brownies and cookies and cakes and pies, oh my! Because what would the Cozy Cocoon be without the scent of something sweet perfuming the air? New Year's Eve, however, it's a shrimp, cheese and fruit tray, along with champagne and bunches of grapes, 12 in each bunch.  I may do traditional Southern for New Year's Day, but New Year's Eve, it's Cuban tradition time, 12 grapes to be eaten precisely at midnight and a bucket of water pitched out the front door.  One year I doused a neighbor that was walking up to our front door, oopsies! I rarely talk about my memories of Cuba.  It is a feeling difficult to describe.  Those memories are preserved, if you will, like one of those perfect little scenes in snowglobes.  Only someone took my snowglobe and shattered it all to pieces and no matter how much my parents tried, they could never put it back together.  The strongest memories are those of the holidays.  I don't know why. But they are the best memories.  Of all my family gathered under one roof, sitting around the dining room table, talking, eating, passing plates of food around.  There was music and laughter.  Tobacco and lemony cologne scented the air, along with "lechon asado" and always laughter.  Rollicking, rolling laughter.  My parents dancing a "danson" down the hallway.  My grandparents joining them.  The huge tree in the living room twinkling with miniature, multi-colored lights.  Another one in my bedroom.  Both with these amazing Nativity scenes which encompassed entire little towns, sheep grazing on real grass and my Dad grumbling about how long it took to set it all up.  I am an American, but I do remember and hold fast to my Cuban roots. 

Well, I have rambled once again.  Tomorrow, it's off to market to pick up the New Year's Eve/Day ingredients.  Definitely will be buying more salmon, I'm making it a point to eat HEALTHY in 2014.  Lots of salads, fruit, zip red meat except for once in a blue moon.  More salmon.  More red wine.  Gallons of water.  Barbie Breakfasts on weekends.  Did I mention wine?  Mimosas are a menu staple.  Krispy Kreme donuts once in a blue moon.  I know, I know, not the healthiest of indulgences, but they take me back to a cold night long ago and far away, when I spoke English in public for the very first time ... to order "one dozen glazed donuts, please!" at this marvelous donut emporium in L.A. which had a huge donut on its roof.  I wonder if it's still there.  We got our treats and headed home to dunk them in my Mom's cafe con leche (she made the best).  In speaking with one of my friends this afternoon, we commented what a bumpy year it has been all around.  We've had health scares, lost loved ones, it's been like walking a tightrope at times, trying to stay focused on the good, the positive, the Light.  We both agreed it is way easier to drift into the dark, but we are too stubborn to give in, thank you very much.  Yep, it's been a bumpy year, but we have made it through.  God willing, we'll make it through 2014, may it be filled with health, joy, faith, laughter, good friends, good food (and wine!), chocolate (a must!), antiquing, adventures, learning, treasures yet to be discovered.

I've got my DVR set to record the Rose Parade.  I do hope everyone will be watching, it's a tradition at my home.  Wishing all the Happiest New Year.  Remember, be kind to each other, keep the faith, look for the Light, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming and BELIEVE!

Believe! Cookie Jar

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Candlelight

Well, children, it has been a lovely Christmas!  Yesterday friends came over, everyone dressed in their holiday finery.  Hugs, chocolate cake, presents, cats running around getting into wrapping paper, candles scenting the air.  Followed by a deeeeeelish dinner with my lovely neighbors, everything was SOOOO good!  Presents were opened, it was Minion Mayhem.  Must confess, I love them.  Best thing of all was sharing Nochebuena with this wonderful family, seeing the look of pure joy on their youngest's face when she opened her presents, their oldest giving her parents a hug when she opened her presents, their tree twinkling merrily.  We feasted and talked, talked, talked. Food for the tummy, for the heart, soul.  We took our elderly neighbor a Christmas dinner plate, which I know he enjoyed.  They walked me home, I changed into my pj's, lit my candles once more and settled in to watch Christmas movies.  What did we do before DVRs?

Beautiful Miuri and Her Lovely Family

 

 

Miss TippyToes and Her Beloved Minions

Handmade Peruvian Nativity Scene

Love my PJs and Angel Pin!

Today I woke up feeling sludgy, weeks of averaging about 4 hours of sleep a night finally caught up with me.  Got up, had my morning cafe con leche and got right back into bed.  The felines approved, they snuggled right in, yawning, stretching and then curling up.  Have spent a snoozy, relaxing day.  Watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the bazillionth time.  Never gets old.  It's a Christmas tradition!  Had a very late brunch, yummmm!  Oh, yeah, totally a Pajama Day! Especially since I am sporting my spiffy, wonderfully cozy, soft as a baby's blanket new pajamas, pale pink and printed with little cats running all around. Have I said I love my neighbors?  I do, I do.  They love me, they feed me and got me the coziest pajamas ever!  I must have been good this year, because Santa has been just lovely, comfy cozy pajamas, a gorgeously glittering angel pin, a beautiful print I'd been eyeing for months from Most Marvelous Magical Fairy GodMother She of the Whimbles, deliciously scented sniffies, monogrammed accoutrements and towels for my powder room from my lovely co-workers, a most marvelous present from my lovely (yes, I know, I use that word a lot) boss, scented candles galore, two days at home in the middle of the week, family to share with, we are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed.  Watched scads of schmaltzy Christmas movies.  Dashed off an email to my lovely boss, who I have not called thinking she may be resting.  I do hope she is feeling better and a much-planned trip can take place.

Cozy Comfy Sofa

Time to hit the sheets, tomorrow it's back to the office, but hey, it's a two-day work week!  How lovely is that?  Oish, I am so nicely nested in my cozy comfy sofa, maybe I'll just snooze a bit right here.  Ooooh, this weekend is a Fairy GodMother Weekend!  Must bake a lemon/caramel/white chocolate pound cake AND Snickerdoodles!  Combined with a Pajama Day, now that's a recipe for a Perfectly Wonderful Weekend.

Wishing all a peaceful, joyous Christmas!  Until next time, be kind to each other, keep the faith and BELIEVE!

Christmas Eve at the Cozy Cocoon

Reason for the Season

Friends dropping by, cakes in the oven, cookie dough chilling in the fridge, cats getting their whiskers singed because they poked their snoots into pine-scented candles, frosting to make, wishing I had my Dad's recipe for the "mojito" for the "yuca," as mine never tastes quite as good as his.  Holiday tunes fill the air, reminding me of the saying "Make a joyful noise!"  Neighbors calling about what time dinner will be served.  The Nativity scene looks quite beautiful in the candlelight.  I look around my cocoon, my kits all snoozing in one furry lump after having noshed, tummies full, they snore away.  My heart is full.

Photos of babies growing up much too fast.  "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" playing and reminding me of driving around one Christmas Eve blaring along at the top of my lungs, unaware the car windows were down, oopsies!  Which, of course, explained the funny looks and smiles from other drivers.  Chocolate cake frosted and ready to go.  Cards signed, sealed and stuck on corresponding presents.  Coordinating who is riding with who for Midnight Mass.  Guava cheesecake and champagne on order for New Year's Eve.  Old friends calling, new friends chatting.  Frances Schultz' Christmas post, http://www.francesschultz.com/9561, Christmas Blessings and the Met's Creche (photo below), arrives in the email at just the right time.  The creche is truly spectacular, the tree with its angels, most wondrous.  Took me right back to Christmases from long ago and far away on a beautiful island.  Sweet, magical memories.  We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed.

Wishing one and all a blessed, joyous Christmas!


Photo from Frances Schultz' blog

Two Years Ago Today ...

First Day Home - 12/23/2011

Two years ago today, on Friday, December 23, 2011, Bella Bella Smokey Noella came home.  I had lost my two girls, Rosie and Cata, a little over a month earlier.  A very dear friend had been emailing me stories about kits up for adoption, but although they all were wonderful, I just was not ready.  Then she emailed me about a little girl up for adoption for almost a year.  She had been at her vet's since February.  Her parents had dropped her off to go on vacation and, tragically, both passed away.  There was a picture attached to the email, of a chubby, wide-eyed tabby.  Her name, Smokey.  At first I said no, thank you.  But something about those eyes just grabbed me and refused to let go.  Christmas was around the corner.  The idea of that little girl spending the holidays all by herself, waiting to be taken home by someone, just burrowed into me.  So, I called the vet's office and made an appointment to go see if I liked her.  They were very nice at the vet's office, but I could hear the doubt in the vet's assistant voice.  Apparently various people had looked at her before and changed their minds.  I thought, what in the world would make this little girl so difficult to place?

"The Look"

Halfway to the vet's office I made up my mind, Smokey was coming home with me.  Period.  I stopped at a Pet Supermarket, bought a carrier (Sherpa, very cushy-comfy-cozy), litter box, litter, food, two feather fishing wand thingies and a squeaky toy.  Got to the vet's office, everyone was so nice and happy someone was willing to "take a look" at Miss Smokey.  It was obvious they were very fond of her.  I filled out papers, showed my i.d. which if I remember correctly, they photocopied.  I liked they were so thorough, showed they really cared about her.  They warned me she was not a "lap cat" and usually did not take to strangers. She was 10 years old and people want only kittens.  I said I thought that was pretty unfair.  Same goes for kids up for adoption though, once they are past the "cute" stage, it's really hard to place them.  I think that sucks.  The vet assistants told me she did not like to cuddle and she was a "plain" tabby.  I told them I didn't give a fig what she looked like, she was going home with me.  The waiting area was empty, it was late in the afternoon.  There was a large crate with a sign saying "Take Me Home, Please" or something along those lines.  Good grief, that was where she spent her days.  Sitting there, seeing other cats, dogs, whatever, arrive with their parents and leave with them.  While she waited.  That just broke my heart.  I sat down to wait, they had taken her inside to groom her a bit before presenting her to me.  They told me, again, she probably would not warm up to me.

Lavender Girl

Well, the door opened and they brought my girl out.  I held out my arms and they put her in my lap, she was bigger and heavier than my girls, but I held up my hand and she head-butted me, purring.  The girls at the vet's said she had not done that with any of the others that had seen her.  I said, well, that's because she was waiting for me!  They asked what I was going to call her and I said she was used to Smokey, Smokey she would stay, I was just adding Noelle to her name, since she was coming home at Christmas.  She was great to hold because she is declawed on all four paws.  Had never seen a cat declawed on all four paws, but no scratching!  We put her in the carrier without a hitch. Last time THAT happened, she now grows extra limbs whenever a trip to the vet is called for.  I think it is a trait shared by most felines.  They really loved her at the vet's, making me sign a form saying if I decided I did not want her, I would take her back to the vet's and not turn her over to Animal Services or some other type of shelter.  I readily signed, no problem.  The office manager helped me taker her in the carrier to my car, along with a big bag of food, "She's very fond of her food" she told me.  Yeah, I got that, she was (and is) a hefty little girl.  Solid.

Got home, unpacked all her stuff, let her out of her carrier, put some food and water out for her.  She walked around, sniffed everything, jumped onto the dining table.  Sniffed some more.  I changed into my comfies, turned on the t.v., there was an NCIS marathon on and I settled in.  Soon she hopped onto the sofa next to me and, I swear, watched t.v. next to me.  I took a few photos of her.  She settled in.  It was all good.  My girl was home.  Bedtime came along, she got in bed with me and snoozed.



Made You Look!

The next morning I could not find her anywhere.  Now, my place is a whopping 576 square feet.  It's perfect for me, but there's not a whole heck of a lot of room to hide in.  I figured she was hiding under my bed.  No problem, I could peek under there.  Hanging upside down, trying to see under my bed, I almost broke my neck and had one heck of a time hauling myself back up.  Decided she would come out when she was good and ready.  Went and got myself a cafe con leche.  It was Saturday, the 24th, Christmas Eve.  Since the 25th was on a Sunday, we got Monday off.  Giving me three days at home with my new baby girl.  Perfect.  I lit my candles, mixed up a batch of brownies, started to watch a holiday movie, all was cozy and sure enough, about an hour or so later, out came Miss Smokey, calm as you please.  She gave me a sideways look as if saying "Ha!  I saw you almost break your neck!  Made you look!" before hopping onto the sofa and settling in next to me.  She put one paw on my lap and placed her head on top, purring away like a little motor.  Yep, I was in love.  I had been pretty blue about losing my two girls, Smokey made me see the bottle half-full again. I call her my little heart healer.

Groom n' Snooze Time

In the months that followed we got used to each other and developed our little routines.  I discovered she likes wet food for breakfast and dinner, but also likes a bowl of dry food to snack on during the day.  If the water in her bowl is not fresh, she will sit by it and give you "The Look" until you put fresh water in there.  She is persnickety about her litter box, sitting in front of you after she does "her business" once more giving you "The Look" until you scoop and clean.  She grooms herself fastidiously after eating and likes a nap afterwards, having a tendency to sometimes fall asleep in the middle of a particularly lengthy grooming session.  I have a picture of her doing just that.  Cracks me  up every time.  She is a master thief, she'd give Bilbo Baggins a run for his money, having once stolen an entire grilled cheese sandwich when I turned my back for just two seconds!  Dragged it under the dining table and chowed down, making little smacky noises as she ate it.  And, yes, she ate the whole thing.  Grooming and a long nap followed.

Her Royal Feline Highness

She has proven herself to be loyal and comforting.  Sticking to me like glue when I have been under the weather.  Picks up on my moods and unfailingly makes me feel better, whether I am wheezing, dealing with tummy troubles or just plain blue.  She is a very serious girl, until she sees a ribbon fluttering or one of her feather wands, then all sense of decorum flies right out the window.  She loves clean sheets right out of the dryer, rolling around my freshly-made bed while making happy kitty noises.  Her favorite meal is Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets, followed by anything with salmon in it.  She is my love.  Tolerates my hugging her and calling her my Fuzzy Love Muffin (I swear she rolls her eyes when I do that).  Loves to sleep perched on my hip.  Does not appreciate it when I move around in bed, patiently waiting until I settle in once more  and then perches on my other hip, muttering what I am sure is in kitty-ese "I do wish you would stop this turning over, it is interrupting my beauty sleep, you inconsiderate human!"

We were quite happy, just us two, until this summer when first The Boys arrived.  All was fine as long as they were tiny and contained in their kennel.  Once they were big enough to walk around without possibly getting stuck under things, well, there was a bit of an adjustment period.  But she soon showed them she is The Boss.  Then Miss Millie came along almost at the end of summer.  Maybe because she's another girl, she took to Miss Millie a lot quicker than she did to The Boys.  Taking Miss Millie under her wing, as it were.  When she feels The Boys are playing too rough with Miss Millie, she will march over to them, smack them and then take Miss Millie away, giving her a thorough bath.  Almost as if saying "There, there, now you are all nice and clean again.  They won't bother you any more!"

After losing my girls in 2011, I never really expected to fall so much in love with an opinionated little girl, with very elegant whiskers and a most defined personality.  But I did. I am eternally grateful to my friend who sent me the email and to the vet's staff who took such good care of her.  I realized losing my girls, who had very long, happy, well-loved lives, opened the path to Smokey coming into my life.  I call her my Bella Bella Smokey Noella.  Every night when I get home from work, I open the door and she is there waiting for me.  I go "Bella, Bella!  There's my beautiful girl!" and she prances and preens, welcoming me home.  The Boys and Miss Millie stay in my room, door closed, when I'm not home, giving her full run of the rest of my nest.  I always make sure to spend a good long while just with her, we watch a little t.v., she has dinner in peace and snackies afterwards.  I make sure she knows she is my special girl. She is, after all, my Fuzzy Love Muffin and I am ever so glad she chose me.

Bella Bella Smokey Noella and Me