Cinco de Mayo 2012

This is the fifth year that  KC has been celebrating and hosting a Cinco de Mayo Party.

We are joining in on the festivities and getting into the spirits...er spirit and celebrating as well.

See you at the party and if we don't see you there, have a wonderful Saturday!

Gardening Wednesday

Moe:  I don't go out to the garden, I watch from a comfortable spot.

I figure that is the safest thing, except for some advice like 'grow more catnip for us, please'.

Mindy:  I often  look out at our garden, but not today.  

I am catching up on some rest.  It is early in the gardening season, I am waiting for the hummingbirds to arrive for the season.  Mombean says 'any day now', she put out their feeder today.


Mike:  I am keeping a general eye on things.   It is hard to keep track of mombean, because she has been going in and out to the garden so much today.

I believe I am exhausted, watching the comings and goings!


Cookie:  I am the one that loves the garden the most.  I sometimes get to go outside into it in search of my favorite blades of fresh grass.

Today, while mom was fixing up one of the gardening beds, she saw this creature.

WARNING: Stop reading now if you are the 'ewwww' type and don't like things that are long, skinny and move fast.

Are you still reading?

OK, here it is:

Yes, it is a snake.  Specifically a Garter Snake.  Apparently it is called 'garter' because it's pattern resembles the same pattern that used to be found on men's sock garters.  We're much too young to remember that tradition!   Mombean saw it while she was working on one of the garden beds.  In our part of the world this is the most common snake and is not very large - less than three feet.  It is completely harmless - unless you are a bug, slug or some other small creature like that.

Mombean says that this one was an unusually brave snake.  This is because even though she is a giant compared in size to it, the snake tried to scare her off by its hissing.   She says it doesn't actually make a sound, but opened it's mouth to make itself look bigger.   She tried to get a photo of this.

She wan't fast enough and this was the best she could do.  At lease she tried!  She hopes the creature will help control the critters that like to eat our plants - you know, the valuable ones like our catnip.

What kinds of gardening adventures do you have?  

Sunny on Sunday

A sunny day means sun puddles!

Moe:  I've found mine!

Mindy:  I'm going to watch some Bird TV, the sunshine brings them on!

Cookie:  My eyesight isn't all that great, so I'm going to get a few chin scritchies, OR I going to scatter all of the papers on the 'bean's desk as payback for the the flea treatment I got yesterday!

Mike:  Yes, Cookie, I got that smelly flea treatment too.  Don't you think we both deserve at least a whole can of 'Stinky Goodness' for each of us? 

We hope everyone out there is having a great weekend!!  Our is good, except for those two snowflakes Mindy saw out of that window.  Anyone else see those snowflakies?

In the Garden on Thursday

Mindy:    Our garden is quickly showing signs of coming back to life after the wind, snow and rains of winter.  Spring seems a bit early this year, and that is fine with me!

We have our first rhododendron out in bloom!  I have to show you this, I am so excited to see it.

Mr. Pheasant is still coming to our bird feeder and he often brings his two lady friends.

One more backyard critter.



This birdie can get a bit loud when it pecks at our wild apple tree.   At the suet feeder, the noise is not so bad.

Hope you enjoyed the tour -  even better I'm hoping your own yards, gardens or planters are showing signs of spring.  Have a lovely day!

Rain on Tuesday

Not just rain - pouring rain.  Mombean says we really need rain.  However we don't get to see much activity on our 'outdoor TV' during a downpour.   Some hungry birds come to our feeder and of course our 'regular customer', the tasty looking squirrel.  It seemed  to think it is better to get rained on, than to go hungry.

Cookie: I was not happy to see how wet the deck was, bleh!  However, I love going out on the deck even if I don't have much sight, I can still hear things and smell some of the tasty blades of grass.  Just not today.

Mindy:
I think this is the perfect opportunity to relax and get some beauty rest.  It is important to look good, I say!

Moe:   This chair is mine, all mine!  Besides, it is close to both the front and back doors - and - I can snoopervise any activity in the kitchen!

Mike:  Wake me up when the rain stops.

 Everybody, please, have a grand day, no matter what the weather is like where you are.

P.S. It looks like we have a new Blogger interface, and if you are reading this, then we managed it without any trouble.

Cookie's Backgarden Thursday

Cookie:

I am out on our deck, just for a few minutes.   I am looking a little crabby, but that's probably because I didn't find any fresh green grass.  Mombean says it is starting to 'green up' especially if we get the predicted rain this weekend.

I thought I would show you our backyard critters, they are always fun to watch. Here is the chipmunk, it loves the corn and nut mix we put out.  Mombean says she knows of at least two burrows where it stashes its horde of seeds.

Next is the male pheasant.  It likes to stand on our big rock and squawk.  Sometimes, he brings his two girlfriends.

One more for your entertainment.   The squirrel - can't forget the squirrel, because it is a permanent fixture in our yard year round.   Here it is invading the "squirrel proof" bird feeder.

Hope all of you find the wildlife as entertaining as I do.   Have a great day!

Tabby Tuesday

Mindy:

 

I am under this chair, spying on Moe and Mike.  They don't notice me, but I can see them.

Moe must think there is catnip on the mat the way he is rolling around on it, but it is really mud from the garden.

...and here is Mike

he is lying on our 'S' - he doesn't realize he supposed to play with it, not take a nap.

Our Tuesday afternoon is damp and foggy.  How about the rest of you?  How is your day going?

Good Bye BonBon

We've taken some time off to remember our buddy BonBon - aka Bono.  He has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge  because of kidney failure.  BonBon came to live with us three years ago and we feel lucky to have had him share our lives and home since then.

We're gonna miss our buddy - the only non-tabby cat in our crowd.

"Dear BonBon,
the four of us kitties and mom and dadbean wish you GodSpeed and send our love with you.  We won't forget you and have many happy memories of you to keep in our hearts.

Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike
and da mombean and dadbean"

ManCat Monday

White Wednesday

White is for Wednesday - that means me - Bono.  My day to post, and I don't need to fight over the computer because the other kitties are searching out  nice sunspots to enjoy some heat and get some rest.

 

However, look at me -  I managed to snag the box with the heating pad.  Lucky me!  My not-so-young, stiff joints really enjoy the warmth.   I can stretch out and also keep an eye on all the goings on around here.

Here are two things I have been keeping my eyes on.

Mombean puts out some cracked corn for this large birdie!

And this is the other critter that likes our seeds, especially sunflower seeds.