Bogi..The "Fancy Feast Cat"

Bogi came into our lives about 15 years ago when we were moving to our current home which is about 100 years old. My daughter was very young and the neighbor kids told her the house was haunted. She would not sleep in her room, so I told her that cats would not sleep in a room that was haunted and that we would buy her the Fancy Cat she had always wanted. Now we are more into animals in need of homes, but this was a special situation...and it worked. Flash forward 15 years,we do not have our daughter in the house, she is married and on her own, just this Fancy Cat.

The crazy thing about Bogi is that for the past 15 years, at 5:45 am Bogi begins his crying meowing rant. Believe me this will continue, getting louder and louder until someone in the family appears and gives him his can of moist "Fancy Feast" Cat Food.
Do not try and give him a different cat food or even a different variety, only the sliced variety of "Fancy Feast".

Perhaps I have missed my golden ticket by not contacting the company that makes "Fancy Feast", so if you know anyone who works there...pass this on. Thanks!!

It has been such a hectic week, which when you are in the Construction Business that is a great thing!! However, I have not been able to escape the Blitz Builders Office for long enough to get to the local Kroger. So I am trying to be very creative with what I have in the fridge. I made a dessert out of left over sweet potatoes and fried apples. A little cinnamon, nutmeg, cream and marshmallows..great dessert.

I had some great whole wheat pasta and fresh broccoli....add the cheese and a great meal for me. Left over spicy Chilly for Randy and we are good to go.

Voila!! Dinner..but I must journey to Kroger tomorrow. Magic can not be worked two days in a row.

BLACK PUSSY WILLOWS

I am on a desperate search for signs that Spring is just around the corner. The gray skies opened up to brief glimpses of sunshine on Sunday, so I took full advantage of the opportunity to survey the gardens.

My Husband was getting some leaves up(really late fall clean up) and I noticed the first small spike of the daffodils questioning if they should be emerging. As the sun decided it had teased us enough I quickly rushed over to checkout the Pussy Willows. Not yet....not even close enough to bring inside and force it to open. But soon, soon we will see the fuzzy black tips. My Black Pussy Willow is one of my favorites.

Until then I will worry like I do every Spring about the bulbs popping out to soon, the piles of leaves I still have around and the plants resting in the Herb House anxious to come back to life. So back to the seed catalogs...one of the happiest chores of winter.

Super Bowl Sunday

Today has been a hectic day...My daughter in-law had a baby shower, it was great baby fun. This will be my first grandbaby, it is a little boy. I have been giving my daughter in law, the books I read my baby Jake.

Babar...Goodnight Moon..The Run Away Rabbit...Go Frog Go and Richard Scary's Big Book Of Trucks...

We had plans to go to a Super Bowl Party but life as gotten in the way..so my husband and I are having our own party.

Crackers with cheese
Scallops marinated in garlic and french dressing

Roasted Root Veg's
Scallops wrapped in Bacon

Sauteed Baby Spinach with fresh Parmesan cheese


Apricots dipped in Milk Chocolate/pistachio's

We have decided that maybe our own personal Super Bowl Party is the BEST!!!

Upon arriving on Sanibel at the wonderful house we rented for the month of December, I noticed an empty clay planter. I knew it was perfect for an herb garden.
I was able to find some fresh herbs to plant. Basil,flat leaf parsley, curly parsley, dill,cilantro, oregano and thyme all helped fill the planter. Even with daily trimming,the warm sunshine and moisture helped the once sparsely planted pot overflow with herbs. For my family, these gems helped flavor our food all month long, for the next renters a special treat from Basil Becky. I even left my go to favorite recipe for "Tomato and Basil Salad", and a note by the herbs...saying "please use me"!!!

RECIPE
Take any fresh tomato( I love to use a variety of Heirloom's), slice these delights and arrange on a platter. I lightly grind salt and pepper directly on the tomatoes, then slice some fresh mozzarella cheese and arrange on top. Of course my favorite step, I tear lots of fresh basil on top of the cheese. For the dressing, I prefer a light sprinkling of good virgin Olive Oil and a splash of my Opal Basil Vinegar. I have used an herb vinaigrette, or a balsamic vinegar dressing as well This always a hit!