Cat vs Raccoon

 After four months my red boy barn cat is quite tame and I can pick him up!

 But life got complicated when this little-ish raccoon discovered how much he likes cat food.

 Red Boy is as sweet as pie and waits for his food.

Unfortunately, Mr. Raccoon has discovered feeding times and pushes the cat away.
What to do?

Mutton anyone?

Saw this on the shelf the other day and wondered what it was like. I'm not a big fan of canned meat at the best of time...but mutton? Reminds me of an old Seinfeld episode where he hid the mutton in his pocket.

Crazy Flower Cake

 I made this crazy flowered cake -- chocolate with chocolate chips inside -- and donated it to the annual Madagascar School Fundraiser where they hold a cake auction.

 Here is the auctioneer in the background trying to get bids for my cake.

 And here's the lucky family who shelled out $265 for the cake! All for a great cause.

Aren't these kids adorable?

Those Peanuts Aren't for You!

 A couple of improvements this winter/spring have proved fortuitous for a local raccoon. A hanging peanut feeder and a new flat bird shelf were just perfect for this guy.

He simply stood on the bird feeder and reached down a peanut.

 I wondered why I was going through peanuts so darn quickly.

Cute but pesky. So now the peanut feeder has been brought in for the season and I've been monitoring my outdoor cat's supper to make sure Rocky isn't eating it. Hopefully with the lack of available food, he'll scram soon.

Luggage Cake

A friend of mine is moving out west, to Red Deer, Alberta to live closer to his family. There was a potluck in his honour yesterday, and I offered to make dessert.

Here's an idea of how big it was. A double layered cake, vanilla and chocolate. It was a real challenge to make and was a big hit at the party!

So long for now...

Jack returned home to Montreal last night after a two week visit to the country.

 My cats were getting used to him and he actually struck up a tentative
friendship with Oreo.

 He and Nutmeg were almost at the friend stage until Jack had the audacity to eat her food. Lots hissing ensued. But all in all, Jack was a delightful house guest and I am anxious for his next visit.

Just Visiting

This is Jack's fourth sleepover because his mum and dad are travelling again. This time he's decided that it's HIS house and to heck with the other three cats. He marches around, eats their food, they growl and he kind of just looks at them and keeps going. Actually, it's pretty easy having him around and the girls are getting used to him. He's a sweetheart.

Coltsfoot

These delicate flowers seem to be absolutely everywhere. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) are usually the first plant in spring to bloom...a few weeks before the dandelion, but are often mistaken for them.

5th Annual Picnic in the Woods

 Today it was 20+ C so we decided it was time for our annual picnic in the woods.
Especially since this is likely the last time we can get back into the woods this year and there are virtually no bugs.

 This time I brought homemade hot ginger squash soup out back from a thermos.

We also had a hot baguette, cheddar and some olives.

 The picnic table has less and less leg room as it sinks into the ground. Next year? 

A new table!

Richard and I also had a hot cuppa tea from yet another thermos in my collection.

To celebrate the season, we decided to drink a bottle of champagne.

Nothin' but the best...

And yes, we also schlepped out champagne flutes into the bush.

 Ahhhhh. Bliss!

 Love this shot!

 For dessert, I also served a dark chocolate Lindt bar. Perfect picnic I'd say.

Dandelion time

I just love dandelions. I know many people see them as weeds but they remind me of being a little kid and bringing my mother a big bouquet of them. She always carefully placed them in a glass of water and put them on the table. Real harbingers of spring.

Spring has finally sprung

...and my lawn is scattered with crocuses.

Blind Date, sort of...

 Natalie and I had been chatting online with fellow blogger Deb  for a few years now, I think, and we decided it was time to meet her. She loves cats as much as Nat and I do...in fact, Deb is a professional cat sitter! Here we are having tea in her home.

Then we hit the streets and Deb showed us the sights of Carleton Place. Here's Nat taking a photo of the mighty Mississippi River.

 We were so lucky to have a sunny albeit windy day.

 Our first really nice sunny day of spring so far.

 Deb took us to one of her favourite local haunts, a fish and chip joint.

Yum!

 We all enjoyed the healthy salad (with fabulous curried house dressing)...

... before eating the fabulous the fish and chips.

 Then we decided that we might as well check out Almonte too, just a few km down the road. The Mississippi is just crazy fast here!

 Did you know that basketball was invented by James Naismith who was from Almonte? 

His likeness sits in the centre of the town.

At a local bookstore, the children's section had a cat chair. I loved it!

 Nat took this pic of Deb and me at the mighty Mississippi.

A good time was had by all. It was like we had known each other all our lives. 

Can't wait to meet up again!

M&Ms cake

This is a version of an M&Ms cake that I saw on Pinterest a while back and thought I'd give it a try. Three sizes of M&Ms (peanut, plain and mini) that I bought at the Bulk Barn on a chocolate iced cake. Was fun, easy and looks great.

The End of the Snow...Finally

Last weekend was probably the last time we'll be able to play in the snow. And drag out wood on the toboggan.

 It's also the best time to spot the baby spruce I planted last spring.

 Planted when we suffered a major drought and high heat, I feared not many of the two dozen seedlings I planted would actually make it through the year.

But they did! Most were buried all winter in our tons of snow and only in the last week or so did they appear.

As soon as the snow is gone, and I expect by this weekend for it to be history, they'll be harder to spot. Lucky I marked them all with bright orange tape!