Taters and Cheese: Shopping Round the World

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. Are ya’ll at home like us, or are ya’ out shoppin’ with all the other mad hatters? MOL  Wouldn’t do us any good to have lots of green papers to spend today cuz we’re getting’ a really late start.

 

Dezi lays atop the liberty cat tree while Raena stands sniffing at the shelf

 

 

          That’s wha’ch’a get when you keep mommy up till 6 a.m., Raena. A late start. 

 

Me?!!! you make it sound like it’s all mine’s fault mommy didn’t go to bed till 6 this meownin’. I’s thinkin’ your just as much to blame as me. After all, you had the exploration zoomies too.

 

          Wha…uh…hmmmmm  Me doesn’t ‘member any such thing.

 

 

 Dezi and Raena look out door from cat tree and small perch

 

 

Well sissy, ‘member it or not, you was havin’ just as much fun as me. Anyways, do you ‘member Phenny woofin’ ‘bout this Shoppin’ ‘Round the World posty with him and Bacon? You meowed that we were gonna purrticipate this month cuz it was featurin’ an ingredient mommy’s had intimate knowledge of this past year. I’s never purrticipated in a shoppin’ posty befur; what do we do?

 

          Yeah Raena, me ‘members. We quit postin’ cuz mommy couldn’t affurd to shop. But this past year she’s ‘bought more taters than purrobably the whole blogosphere. So, to purrticipate, we link up like ya’ just did and then we post a tater recipe and list the purrices of the items we used.

 

 8 pound bag of jumbo potatoes

 

 

 

I’s see. Well, fanky fanks to some furiends, mommy went shoppin’ just the other day to pick up some goodies fur Fanky Fanksgivin’. Among the groceries she brought home was a bag of big ole bakin’ taters. And, this month’s topic just happens to be Taters. Mommy got that big ole 8 pound bag of jumbo taters on sale fur the holidays at $1.99 + tax. That’s the cheapest she’s seen taters in the last couple of years. Most of this last year she’s had to pay $4.99 a bag plus tax.

 

          Sure ‘nuff Raena. Mommy likes to keep butter on hand in case we need medicine or somethin’. The last pound of butter mommy bought was $4.57 + tax. So, we’re gonna meow ‘bout a delishus baked cheesy tater and cheese fries. Here’s the recipe along with ingredients and costs.

 

Baked potato and cheese
Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com

 

 

 

Cheesy Baked Tater:

  • Lg Tater fur each eater: 8 lb. bag on sale $1.99 + tax

  • Butter, the real stuff not that margarine: $4.57 lb + tax (we had some already)

  • Cheese, mommy purrfurs Sharp Cheddar: $4.99 lb + tax (we had some left from the yummy red rind LouLou sent us last March)

  • Bake tater in 400° oven fur 1 1/2 – 2 hours (till tender)

  • Slather tater with butter and top with grated cheese

  • Dig in and Eat while it’s warm

 

 

Cheese Fries:

  • Several Lg Taters: 8 lb bag on sale $1.99 + tax

  • Cheese (see above)

  • Fryin’ Oil, mommy likes corn, but we had some vegetable in the cabinet: 24 ounces on sale fur $3.99 + tax

  • Slice Taters into fries

  • Heat oil to 350° and drop sliced taters.

  • Cook till golden brown 

  • Remove from oil and dab excess oil off fries

  • Place fries in heap on cookie sheet or baking dish and top with grated Cheese

  • Put in oven or broiler and broil till cheese melts

  • Optional Toppings: Bacon, Chives, Ham, Pepperoni

  • Dig in and Eat while it’s warm

 Cheese Fries

 

 

 

Mommy does luvs her cheese doesn’t she sissy? And butter. Mommy luvs butter like any good Southern Belle. I’s luvs cheese too, but mommy won’t let me have very much. She says it stops things from working right and means I’s have to have extra butter spoons. Anyways, either of these dishes can make a meal. Mommy says ya’ get a starchy vegetable, a little protein and dairy.

 

          That’s true Raena, but me would rather have some meat. Me wants me’s protein from a nice juicy rabbit, not some cheesy tater.

 

 Wild bunny rabbit eating grass

 

 

 

Mmmmmm Rabbit. I’s with you sissy. Well, we better go now. We’ve still got lots of extra luvvin’ to take advantage of. Mommy says we’ll be takin’ Monday off. Seems last year the innernets was so busy and slow, we could hardly get anythin’ done.

 

          Yeah Raena, Cyber Monday is a big shoppin’ day. All those who didn’t shop today or didn’t get everythin’ they wanted today, will be trollin’ the net fur deals a purrlenty. We can’t wait to see all the tater recipes today. Maybe mommy can get a few new ideas.

 

 Dezi watches Raena atop the Liberty cat tree

 

 

 

Maybe sissy, but I’s thinkin’ mommy’s purretty tired of taters right now. Anyways, let’s go play. Maybe we can even go fur a stroll later.

 

Till the next time……………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee 

Dezi’s Gotchaday: From The Brink

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. I’s so x’cited. Today’s is sis Dezi’s Gotchaday. I’s know mine’s Gotchaday was the bestest day of mine’s life, and I’s know sissy feels the same. But the truth is, I’s don’t know anythin’ ‘bout sissy’s special day. It happened long befur I’s was even born. We were all meowin’ and chattin’ it up last night and thought ‘bout all our new furiends that have joined us this last year. And well, we figger you purrobably don’t know how sissy got gotted either. So, we thought we’d re-play Dezi’s Gotchaday fur everypawdy. We hope you all enjoy our story. 

 

 Dezi in a blue frame with blue hearts diamonds and roses

Happy Gotchaday sissy.

 

 

          Thank you sweety. It all started a few weeks earlier in November of 2009. Lexi and I had just lost her sweet brother Ransom. We were still grieving and altho’ I knew I needed to find another Service Cat to help Lexi, I just didn’t think I was ready yet. One day right before Thanksgiving a friend called and said they received word of a backyard Ragdoll breeder with a litter of 11 kittens that were near death. My friend was part of a dog rescue and didn’t know a lot about kittens. She also knew I would be looking for a new kitty soon, so she asked if I would come take a look at the kittens when they rescued them. Reluctantly, I said yes, just give me a call when she had them. The day after Thanksgiving she called and said they had 11 tiny kittens, please hurry. 

 

Baby Dezi her first week at homeMe, a few days after mommy brought me home.

 

 

     Oh mommy, me was so scared. Me was the runt and was soooo sickly and small. Me had been put in a basket with all me’s littermates and shoved into a cage with bars. It was so cold. The peeps were all runnin’ ‘round and put some dishes in the cage with us. We didn’t know what to do with ‘em and one of me’s brofurs nearly drowned in one of the bowls. The peeps who kept callin’ themselves our rescuers thought we were much older than we really were. Me and all me’s littermates were so stinky. We had the runny’s and most of us had it on our bloomers. We all huddled up in a corner in the back of that cage and tried to sleep. Me wasn’t sure how many more times me was gonna wake up from me’s little naps. Me thought this might be me’s last nap. And amid all the stinch, me drifted off to dream what might be me’s last dream.

 

 Baby Dezi lays in a basket atop a soft bath towel

Me was lookin’ up at the sweet smellin’ lady that is mommy A.

 

 

     Suddenly, me was jostled awake and put back in a basket with me’s littermates. Me was sooooooo cold and scared. Me heard slamming doors and then outta nowhere, me smelled the sweetest smell ever. Me tried so hard to get up to the edge of the basket to see where it was comin’ from, but me’s littermates kept pushin’ me back down. Me heard another door slam and then we were all poured out of the basket onto a really cold floor. Me’s littermates all huddled together and started playin’. But not me. Me wanted to find that sweet smell. Me didn’t know why, but me just knew ifin me could find it, everythin’ would be okay. Me’s eyes were a bit cloudy, they hadn’t been open fur too long and me still hadn’t learned to focus real well, but me thought me saw somethin’ in the direction of that sweet smell.

 

Baby Dezi scratching the cat perch pole
See meez wormy belly?

 

 

     Me’s belly was all bloated out from the worms inside and made it hard to walk. But, me headed in the direction of the most divine smell me had ever smelled. As the sweetness got closer, me suddenly caught the smell of sadness and hurt. Ifin me could just get to the smells, maybe me could help. Me waddled on faster now. Finally, me hit a dead end right into the smells. Me wiped at me’s eyes tryin’ to focus better and then me reached up with me’s paw and started pullin’ me’s self up towards the warm sweet smell. Me had furgotten all ‘bout me’s littermates, me didn’t know where they were and didn’t care. Me finally reached a landing, some place flat, and laid down to rest. It was warm and smelled so sweet. Ifin this was me’s last nap, at least me would be warm.

 

Baby Dezi puffed up for intimidationMe was quite the spitfire back then.

 

 

     And then, me felt the most luvving touch ever and was lifted up off me’s resting place. Me’s whole body felt warm and me felt safe fur the furst time ever. Me suddenly felt a heart beating strong and began to purr in rhythm. The sweet smell overtook the stench attached to me’s bloomers and me was no longer afraid. Then me felt a warm air next to me’s ears and the sweetest voice ever said, “You’re my destiny, and that’s what you will always be.” Hmmmmm? Destiny? Me didn’t know what that was, but ifin it always smelled so sweet and felt so warm, me was glad to be it.

 

          Yeah sweety, I had had my heart broken so many times, I swore to be everything you needed, but I was never going to let myself completely love you. I told myself that I would and could give you a great life even tho’ I wasn’t going to get attached.

 

Meez keepin' and eye on meez new mommy. :)
Meez keepin’ an eye on meez new mommy. 🙂

 

 

     Me could sense you were hurting and sad mommy, but me just knew everything was going to be alright. Fur the furst time in me’s life, me wasn’t afraid anymore. The voice that had shoved me and me’s littermates into the basket asked the sweet smelling lady that was holding me tight to her chest ifin she was sure. She told her me was the runt and was even sicklier than the rest of the litter. Me’s cloudy eyes saw hands bringing over me’s littermates one at a time and even saying which were their favorites. The gentle hands that held me never let go. They continued to cradle me next to the warm beating heart and the sweet voice said again, “No. She is my destiny, and perfect in every way.” The gentle hands put me on a big soft blanket and out into the big open air. Me could smell all kinds of things now, but me kept focusin’ on the sweet smell that had cradled me and made me feel safe.

 

 Baby Dezi on top of her first cat tree

 

 

     We drove fur what seemed like furever, and at one point me fell into a deep sleep and stopped breathing. Me awoke to the sweet smelling lady cradling me and blowing hot air into me’s face. We finally arrived at a place that the sweet smelling lady said was to be me’s furever home. And she told me that she would be me’s furever mommy. And that me never had to be afraid again. Me was right, Everything was gonna be okay. 

 

Lexi lookin' at meez like shes wants tu splat me. mol
Lexi lookin’ at meez like shes wants to splat me. mol

 

 

          And I fell madly and deeply in love with you darlin’. Dezi and her littermates were not quite 3 weeks old when they were rescued. They were covered in fleas and had tape worm. The breeder had been dosing them with over the counter round and hook worm treatments daily for the last week. There was speculation that the breeder had also used an over the counter flea treatment on them as well. Needless to say, the whole litter was near death from dehydration and diarrhea, and no closer to being worm free than the day she started treating them. Dezi almost died 3 times on our way home, but with love, patience and proper treatment, she survived, and thrived; and quickly fell into her role as Service cat and helper to Lexi. And the vow I made to never love another quickly faded each time I looked into her blue jean diamond eyes. Dezi saved me as much as I saved her and maybe even more so.

 

 Happy Gotchaday Dezi from Timmy Tomcat and family

 

 

Dezi, the day you chose me to be your mommy, was one of the best days of my life and something I’ll never forget. You are and always will be my angel, my sweet sweet Deztinee. Happy Gotchaday beautiful. I love you very much. More than anything in the universe.

 

 Dezi laying in mommy's lap

Me luvs you mommy.

 

 

     Fank you mommy, me luvs you more than anythin’ in the universe. Me luvs you too Raena. And fank you to all me’s pawsum furiends. Me is so very blest to have all of you in me’s life. Me also wants to Fank awnty Vonda fur me’s Gotchaday duck noms, and uncle Pete, Timmy, Einstein, Fitz, Rumpy, Buddy, Toby and Buttons fur me’s card and the green papers. Me is one blest kitty girl!!!

 

Dezi and Raena in an animated Happy Thenksgiving frame

 

 

Fanky fanks sissy. I’s luvs you too. I’s so fanky fankful you and mommy found each other. We really are blest kitties. Happy Gotchaday to you, sissy. We also wanna wish everypawdy a very happy and blest Fanksgivin’. We’re gonna go now and start the Gotchaday luvs fest. We do hope you enjoyed hearin’ sissy’s Gotchaday story, I’s sure did.

 

Till the next time…………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Mommy A: Black  

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee   

Blest Sunday: Bouncy Backs, Blowing Leaves & Gratitude

Raena, where are you? It’s time to write our Blest Sunday posty.

 

 Raena sits in amazon box

 

 

          I’s playin’ sissy. Did you see me the other day when I’s played bouncy on mommy’s back?

 

 Dezi lays on cat tree shelf looking inside, while Raena lays atop the cat tree, looking out.

 

 

Yeah Raena, me saw it. Me doesn’t think mommy thought it was very much fun tho’. Whatever made you do that in the furst place? 

 

 Raena lays in house on liberty cat tree

 

 

          Well sissy, ya’ know when mommy sat down on the human potty, she just happened to see somethin’ scurry across the floor. It was the teeniest biggest ginormous hairy spider ever. Let me tell ya’, that sucker was flat movin’ too. Without meowin’ all of mommy’s business, let’s just say, she couldn’t zactly get up and stomp on that teeny ginormous intruder. So, mommy bent over, took off her shoe and stretched her arm out to whack it. I’s quickly assessed the ‘sitch and decided that mommy’s back looked like too much fun not to take advantage of. Besides, mommy already had the spider, and it wasn’t like she was gonna let me play with it anyways. And, bent over and stretched out like that, made her muscles ripple and bounce. So, I’s jumped on mommy’s back and held on fur dear life. What a ride!!! Well till mommy let out a scream that is. I’s don’t know why she hollered like that. I’s almost lost mine’s balance till I’s dug into her neck. Mommy hollered at me and told me the furee ride was over and to get down. Oh well, She quit movin’ ‘round so it wasn’t really fun anymore.

 

 Dezi and Raena lay together on the floor

 

 

Me’s not sure mommy ever thought your claws diggin’ into her back was fun Raena. Me’s guessin’ that’s the reason we got a claw clippin’ last night. 

 

          Ya’ reckon, sissy? I’s hate claw clippin’ time. I’s don’t know why mommy can’t just let our claws grow like they wanna?.

 

Well Raena, me doesn’t like claw clippin’ either, but, mommy says clippin’ is necessary to keep ‘em from growin’ into our paw pads or ketchin’ on everythin’. And me can tell ya’ ketchin’ your claws on the cawrpet ain’t no fun at all. Me guesses mommy’s right. Sometimes ya’ have to do things you don’t like fur your own good. Just don’t let her know me said that. She’d ‘spect me to stop fightin’ at claw clippin’ time. 

 

 Leaf Blower

 

Leaves being blown from porch
Leaves being blow off porch by mommy A

 

 

 

          That may be true sissy, but I’s still don’t like it. Anyways, did you see what happened the day after mommy blew all the leaves off the purrch? 

 

Clean porch after blowing all leaves off
Almost all the leaves are gone after mommy’s leaf blowing adventure

Oh Raena, mommy was so furustrated. There’ she’d dragged the leaf blower out and spent all that time blowin’ leaves everywhere but our purrch. And, the next meownin’, Mr. Whirrly Wind came thru and blew twice as many as befur back onto the purrch.

 

 

Leaves piled up on porch
The leaves are back

 

 

          Yep sissy, the mailman came to the door to drop off a package; and when mommy opened the door, leaves blew in all over the place. It was so windy, mommy couldn’t even get the leaves back outside. I’s will say, I’s just luvs the leaf blower. Mommy wields that thing better than any ole Mother Nature wind storm. 

 

Gift of Primal Freeze Dried Chicken, Rabbit and Duck sent by Vonda

 

 

Yeah Raena, mommy is getting’ better at it. You should’a seen her the furst few times. Me thinks she made more of a mess than we had befur. Least now, she can get ‘er done without bein’ covered in dirt and mud when she finishes. 

 

 Dezi and Raena check out the Primal Freeze Dried cat food sent by Vonda

 

 

          What did you think of the surpurrise we got sissy? 

 

Dezi sniffs the bag of Primal freeze dried rabbit sent by VondaMmmmmmmmmmm Rabbit, me’s favorite.

 

 

The one from awnty Vonda? Me luvved it. We can never have too many bags of noms, that’s fur sure. She was so sweet to send ‘em to us. Hopefully, it means we won’t ever run outta food again. She even sent an extra bag of the Primal Duck fur me’s Gotchaday. Fank you sooooooooooooooo much awnty Vonda. We really purreciate ya’ and the noms.

 

 Raena sniffs the Primal Freeze dried Rabbit food while Dezi looks on, sent by Vonda

Mmmmmmmmmmmm I’s smell Rabbit.

 

 

 

          Sure ‘nuff sissy. Fanky fank ya’ awnty Vonda. I’s saw a giant bag of our favorite, Primal freeze dried Rabbit. We’re also very fanky fankful to awnty Donna. She sent mommy green papers to register our car. I’s don’t know why we have to register it, and mommy gets so angry that the State charges so much, but, we’re grateful to be legal again fur another year.

 

 Dezi's face close up, selfie

 

 

Yeah Raena, mommy says you’d think we’d have the bestest roads in da U.S. with what they charge. But alas, Oklahoma roads are pawful. Anyways, we are so very blest to have furiends who luv us and help us out when they can. We are blest to have a luvvin’ mommy, a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in and toys galore. We are blest to be a pawrt of a community of cat luvvers who care ‘bout each other and suppurrt each other. We are so grateful fur all our furiends. We can’t ‘magine a life without all of you. We are Blest!!! And as always, we wanna remind you to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur the blessings in your lives. 

 

Raena lays on cat tree looking towards the chair

 

 

          We also wanna link up with the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. We do luvs posin’ fur fotos. (Raena sees something outside and runs to the cat tree to look further) Did you see that sissy? C’mon, let’s go see what it is. 

 

Till the next time………………………………………….Be Blest!!! 

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue 

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs ands Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Chatting Cats: Time To Blow The Leaves

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. (Raena zooms thru the house) Sissy!!! Look’it, the sun’s shinin’!!! Hurry, ya’ don’t wanna miss it!!! 

 

 Dezi walks down hall

 

 

 

          (Dezi slowly saunters toward the living room) RaenaBelle, calm down. It’s not like you’ve never seen sunshine befur. 

 

 Raena lays in liberty cat tree cubby

 

 

 

But sissy, it’s been gone furever!!! When ole man Winter got here, Mr. Sunshine left. I’s thought he went and packed his bags like Ms. Fall. 

 

 Dezi and Raena look out the door and window from their perch on the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

          Raena, you know Sunshine, Fall and Winter are seasons, right? They don’t really have bags to pack. That’s just somethin’ mommy says to make fun fur us. 

 

(Raena looks around as if thinking about what Dezi just said) Hmmmm Well sissy, bags or no bags, Mr. Sunshine’s here today, and mommy says he’s gonna be gone again tomorrow. 

 

 

 Dezi stands in middle of floor licking lips

 

 

 

          Okay Raena, whatever. Mommy’s gonna have to get the leaf blower out befur we can go fur any strolls. Have you seen all the leaves on our purrch? 

 

Yeah sissy, I’s did. I’s don’t like those big ole trees any more than mommy does. All Summer they drop dead leaves and harbor those nasty web worms. And, ifin that wasn’t bad enuff, now they’re droppin’ all their leaves right on our purrch. Ya’ know some of our furiends post fotos of all these purretty rainbow colored leaves; but none of our leaves look like that. They’re all brown and holey from the worms. Ole man Winter just makes everythin’ look yucky. And did you feel that bump on your last stroll? Mommy said that was cuz of a crack in the pavement from tree roots.

 

          Yeah Raena, those trees do cause a lot of purroblems. But, we can’t do anythin’ ‘bout ‘em, so we just need to help mommy with the leaf blower.

 

 Dezi looks out window from cat tree while Raena lays sleeping atop the tree

 

 

 

Am I’s gonna like the leaf blower sissy? 

 

 

          Well Raena, it’s a lot louder than the carpet monster, but let me meow ya’, mommy gets really crazy with it. Oh The stories me could meow. MOL 

 

Really sissy? Maybe you could meow a few durin’ our upcomin’ playdate?. 

 

 Dezi lays on the chair arm and gets loving from mommy

 

 

 

          Maybe Raena. Me can’t wait to see who our guests are gonna be. Are you and mommy plannin’ a surpurrise fur me’s Gotchaday next week? You know it’s the day befur Fanksgivin’. Me hasn’t heard ya’ll meow or talk ‘bout it at all. Surely mommy didn’t furget?. 

 

Oh purrlease, sissy. You don’t think mommy could furget your Gotchaday, do you? Mommy’s always sayin’ how blest she is to have you choose her to be your mommy. But, I’s don’t know ifin mommy’s plannin’ anythin’ fur your Gotchaday. Ya’ know, money’s been real tight lately. I’s do know she’ll give ya’ lots of extra special luvvin’. And what more could a kitty ask fur?

 

          Me just knew she would be the purrfect mommy, Raena. Didn’t you feel it too? 

 

 Raena lays in mommy's lap and gets loving

 

 

 

Yep sissy, I’s sure did. We sure are blest kitties. I’s not only got a pawsum mommy, but I’s also got you. Even tho’ you can sometimes be grumpy, I’s know you luvs me too. Well, guess we better go help mommy with the leaf blower ifin we plan on getting’ in a stroll today.

 

 Dezi and Raena atop the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

          There’s one more thing me wanted to meow ‘bout Raena. Lately we’ve had several peeps ask ‘bout our fone service. Ya’ know, we use the magic jack. Mommy says peeps wanted to know what we pay fur service, how we like it and ifin it has to be connected to a catputer that be turned on all the time. Furst, we pay fur service once a year. Our payment fur the next year is due this month, and be $39.00 plus $3.00 fur 911 service. That 911 fee was added a couple years ago when peeps started droppin’ their land lines and usin’ cell fones more offen. Secondly, it doesn’t have to be connected to a catputer at all. It plugs into a wall outlet and your innerent modem. And thirdly, we really can‘t complain ‘bout the service. We can call all of the US and Canada fur furee. There’s no long distance charges or hidden fees and taxes. The only time we don’t have service is when the ‘lectricity’s out or the innernets be down. And well, what with cordless fones bein’ used fur those who have land lines, they don’t have service durin’ power outages either. So, we hope that helps those of you who were wonderin’. 

 

Fanky fanks sissy. C’mon, let’s go play in the closet while mommy gets the leaf blower. Since the closet’s off limits, who knows what we might find in there. MOL 

 

Till the next time………………………………………..Be Blest!!! 

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

 

 

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee