This is a first

It's funny how inanimate objects can mean so much to us sometimes. 

It might be a pair of cozy slippers that are broken in and molded to our feet. And we can't bare to throw them out even when our toes are starting to sneak out the front.

Or a little memento from a special date or vacation that brings back memories. And well, it doesn't take up that much space on our dresser.

Or moms, how about that adorable outfit you brought your firstborn home in?

I think the most special things are the ones with good memories attached.

This one is near and dear to my heart.

I know it's only a stainless steel bowl, you say. But it's more to me then that.

When this bowl came out it meant my mom was whipping up one of her incredible, flaky crusted, mouth watering (are you getting the picture?) apple pies.

Or dad was preparing his yummy b-b-q sauce for some special dinner. (Sorry, my vegetarian friends, but I did grow up eating meat;)

Memories, good memories is what this bowl is about.

Oh, and see that little ring on the side? When mom would open the cupboard to get that bowl out, you'd hear that thing "clang-clanging" against the side of the bowl.

So on my last trip home, guess what I snagged out of the kitchen? Yep, that bowl was my top priority! (Sorry dad, you'll have to use something else.) 

And now it has a special spot in my kitchen cupboard. And puts a smile on my face when I pull the shelf out and hear that ring doing it's thing. :D

And today, well I'm pretty sure it was a first for that old bowl. Pretty sure it's never been used before to make communion bread!

"Clang, clang"

A good day in my kitchen :)

I consider this to be a good day in my kitchen. Lots got done. Of course, I didn't get much done anywhere else!

Homemade pizza for lunch!

Five quarts of pasta sauce made (after peeling all the tomatoes!) and canned.

A double recipe of Giant Carob Chip Cookies baked.

(Recipe from www.veganpantry.com)

One and a half bags of swiss chard washed, blanched, weighed, chopped and frozen. Ok, so this didn't actually get done until the next day :P

But I did get a batch of Lemon Poppy Muffins baked. (From my new cookbook; "The China Study Cookbook"

And made a batch Granola (also from www.veganpantry.com) made and into the oven. This is before it go all nicely toasted and crunchy.

Now to clean up the mess in the kitchen!

I just bathed my cat...

I don’t make a habit of bathing my cats. Most cats aren’t too enthusiastic about being put in a large sink and dosed with water. On, a funny note, this cat didn’t seem to mind. He purred the whole time I was scrubbing him and didn’t even mind the “getting wet” part or the rinsing. He is a strange creature.

The reason for the bath was a fly strip.

You know those fly strips. You hang them outside, in the barn, in the garage; to catch those nasty pests. They’re incredibly sticky, hence the reason why they work so well. You have to be very careful when you hang them. Don’t you dare touch the thing or you are stuck!

I happen to walk out the front door at just the right time. Sauntering across the front porch (with a strange look on his face) was Zeus. (Zeus is one of our “new” kittens that we picked up at the local feed store a few months ago to help with the rodent de-population.) Wrapped around Zeus’ neck, front legs and shoulder area was a fly strip. (I’m laughing just seeing it in my head again). Apparently, Zeus must have been in the garage (where I have several hanging), probably batting at it, like kittens do, and it “attacked” him! Guess the fly strip won. *wink

The "culprit" with the rubber gloves I used to safely remove it and bathe him.

So Zeus is now grooming himself (after his bath) locked in a wire dog crate until he’s dried. I still may have to shave part of his hair as part of him is still sticky. Although, I did manage to wash the dead flies off of him.