It’s Good to be Back
This weekend we finally got my stove in! I’ve proclaimed my love of this stove before, I sing its praises all the time. Anyone who knows me well, has heard me talk about my stove.
Having this beauty back in the kitchen is like having my right arm back again. It’s familiar, comfortable, and I know it’s nuances. With this stove I’m back in business, not that I wasn’t cooking before, I’m just a really happy cook now! Not to mention, it feels a little more like home around here with one of my favorite things back in use!
What’s your favorite home appliance?
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The Sweets aka Little Softie
Last week, a few people asked about The Sweets, our little half feral garage cat. She made the move with us, with flying colors thanks to those Thundershirts! I had half tamed her before our trip and she’s become even more tame afterwards. She’ll even sit in my lap now (every now and then). She’s really good about letting me pet her, though she still won’t let Mr Chiots pet her very often (unless he’s the bearer of a chicken wing or some food for her).
This little cat is really worth her weight in gold, we’re so glad her mama brought her to Chiot’s Run so long ago. She’s a valuable part of our family, one of the only pets actually earning her keep. If you’ve never heard her amazing survival story, check out A Series of Unfortunate Events.
She gets the HUGE garage all to herself and she seems to love it. She’s claimed the upstairs as her domain. We leave a side window open for her to come and go as she pleases. Back in Ohio we had a pet door in the garage for her.
She’s been such a great outdoor cat. Back in Ohio she kept our gardens free of moles and chipmunks and our garage free of mice. So far it looks like she’s being a great mouser here as well, I often see her hunting mice around the chicken coop. Perhaps a cat door into the storage area of that building will help keep any mice out of the chicken food.
Funny thing about this little black cat, we didn’t give her a proper name because she was a garage cat and we didn’t want to get attached. We started off calling her “Little Softie” but then she earned the nickname “The Sweets” because of her personality. We really do love her and are certainly glad she’s here in Maine with us.
Do you have nicknames for your pets?
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Hello Snow
The night before last snow started falling from the sky. There was an inch or two on the ground when we went to sleep and we woke up to four. It continued snowing throughout the day until we had about 6 inches of the lovely white stuff. Lucky for us, with our LONG driveway, we got this old red truck with the property. Mr Chiots went out in the morning to plow the drive. I’m thinking this truck should be featured in our Christmas card next year!
I must admit, Mr Chiots and I LOVE the snow. We enjoy hiking in it and being outdoors in wintry weather. For Christmas this year, we got each other snowshoes and now it looks as if we’ll be able to put them to good use!
Any snow in your garden yet (that is if you’re in the snow areas)?
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Cultivate Simple 10: Real Food for Your Pets
This week we discuss feeding your pets a raw/real food diet. Over the years when we have mentioned this people have always had questions. We discuss our reasoning and methods as well as good ways to start out. Leave any comments or questions below and we will cover them on the next episode.
Featuring the lovely Angel Chimes.
Real/Raw Food for Your Pets
Raw Feeding FAQ’s:
Cooking with Mr Chiots
Mr Chiots recommends these cookbooks:
His apple crumble was pretty good, we discussed a few changes that might make it better, like the addition of some crystallized ginger and more spice in the crumble.
Hugh’s Apple, Raisin, Walnut Crumble
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:54 — 69.3MB)
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Quote of the Day: Gandalf
“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.”
Gandalf the Gray in The Hobbit
When Mr Chiots and I were at this movie on Friday, this line immediately struck me and I knew it would be my quote for today. I have certainly found this to be the case in my life. Small deeds of ordinary people really help make the world a much better place. There have been countless small experiences that make my day almost every day. This is one of the benefits of working for a small non-profit.
It can be something simple as having coffee with your neighbor, turning in a lost item, paying for someone’s lunch, spending time with someone, listening, planting a seed, buying from a local farmer, or just smiling at someone on the street. I think, far too often in our drama focuses society, we think it has to be big boisterous visible acts that make a difference, but in reality it’s all the little things that get noticed and remembered.
What small acts of kindness or love have made the most difference to you?
