Santa is Late this year

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Santa is Late

I don’t spend a lot of time or effort on Christmas. After all. it’s just me and the furry “kids” –  2 cats this year. I am limiting my crazy cat lady tendencies.  I always feel that the cats don’t know it’s Christmas so if I don’t feel like decorating the only one who misses out is me. This year I was perplexed. I have a pre-lit tree that I usually put in the corner but all my corners are taken up with cat trees.

 

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Christmas Past

I thought about stringing lights on one of the cat trees but figured that was a disaster waiting to happen. Just when I’d about given up I saw a reel on FB for one of my favorite cats. Kurt’s owner had gotten him a Christmas tree scratching  post! It was adorable!

The Christmas Cat Tree

The Christmas Cat Tree Scratching post comes in 2 sizes. The small one is 3 feet high. I figured I could put it in front of the fireplace where the cat’s toy box is so I looked up the web site to order one. $349.00! Nope not going to spend that no matter how cute. 

Christmas Future

 

I was disappointed but I’ll get over it

There is a Cheap One

Well needless to say the Elves at the North Pole got busy and I found a link to the 365Outlet which was discounted overstock items and they had the scratching posts for. get this- $48.00! I am willing to take a chance on a $48.00 knock off so I placed my order. 2 Weeks ’til Christmas. It’s going to be close. 

SHIPPED!

On December 13 I got an email saying my order had shipped and a tracking code so I could track my package. So now I wait. Knowing it so close to Christmas I didn’t jump right in to check the tracking code. I waited until December 21. That’s when I found out that the tree was coming from China! LOL. It wasn’t just made in China is is being shipped from there too. 

I’m guessing its on the proverbial “Slow Boat”! It has left the shipper and the tracking line moves a little bit every day. Maybe we’ll have it in time for next year.  I think this is an example of you get what you pay for.

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Christmas Present

 

At least the cats don’t know they are missing anything. They were content with new cat nip toys and some balls and of course a paper bag and new empty box.

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Christmas Present

Happy New Year 2024

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Happy New Year 2024

May be an image of fireworks and text that says '2024 HAPPY NFW H YEAR'

Out with The Old

Clean slate. Happy New Year. The page has turned. No resolutions. I’d only break them anyway. But I would like to improve on a few things. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a retired person in 2023. I must say that I like retirement except for the money restrictions so on my out list is money worries. I think I am going to look for a part time job in the spring. Need to let the bad weather pass before  making a commitment. My joints insist. 

In with the New

New goals are really old goals. Just making a new commitment to them. One is my blog. I haven’t been doing much so I haven’t had anything to post. I’ll try to do better. Two are my cats. I want to try to teach them some tricks. Balboa used to play fetch but now he only chases the ball and then runs back to me but never brings the ball back. Banner acts interested but doesn’t really engage so maybe I can get them both to play more. 

So cheers to 2024.  May it be healthy and prosperous for all!

Its Cranberry Time

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Cranberry Time

Cranberries, love them or hate them.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner the cranberries are coming into their own. This time of year you can find cranberry bread, cranberry muffins, cranberry sauce, Cranberry jam, cranberry juice, Cranberry Christmas Cake and now I have a new keeper. Cranberry Breakfast Cake.

photo credit-internet

Blueberries and cranberries are close cousins and every fall the bogs of southeastern Ma and Cape Cod blossom as cranberries are harvested and fall festivals abound. 

How cranberries evolved into a Thanksgiving favorite

Cranberry Harvest- photo credit internet

I’ve always loved cranberries from cranberry sauce to cranberry cocktails like the Madras Cocktail. But its only been in recent years that I’ve started baking with the little red berries. I love the Cranberry Christmas cake (follow link above for the recipe) but I only make it once a year. Its too sweet to eat large portions and there is too much for just me but now I’ve added a new recipe- Cranberry Breakfast Cake. 

Cranberry Breakfast Cake

Cranberry Cake- photo credit Deb Neumann

 

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Plain Flour
  • 1 Cup white sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 Cups fresh or frozen Cranberries
  • 1/2 Chopped toasted walnuts
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 Tsp almond extract
  • Confectioners sugar to dust

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350° . Butter a 9 inch round cake tin well. Set aside

Whisk: flour, sugar and salt together. Stir in cranberries and walnuts. 

In a separate bowl mix together the melted butter, eggs and almond extract. Stir into dry ingredients. Batter will be very stiff if you are using frozen berries.

Spread into prepared pan.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown.

Serve warm, dusted with confectioners sugar.

Notes

*Although called a breakfast cake this is great as a dessert. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

*Be sure to mix the cranberries and walnuts into the dry flour before adding the liquids. This will keep the berries and nuts more evenly distributed 

* The recipe calls for almond extract but I’m not a fan. Next batch I’m going to try the old standard of vanilla extract. 

Cranberry Breakfast Cake – Photo credit Deb Neumann