Solstice, being very important-y.

It is a super-duper important Solstice this year. All full moon-y and lunar eclipse-y and once every 700 years-y. Very excited, and presents too!

Solstice, waiting for presents.

Today, we decorate our Yule tree, wrap presents hang stockings. Tomorrow, we will open presents and stockings and have a big meal, with tofurky and pumpkin pie.

Vanain, hanging on till presents tomorrow.

I might have time to sew up a skirt for the tree, as to get the tree to stand straight, I had to stick my scissors in the back of the base. Looks a bit silly. Not sure if it's festive.

Banshee, under the tree, not really sure what is happening.

Also, still working on making many presents, as didn't have gobs of money this year. And I need to make the pie crust for tomorrow, and the stuffing.

Food prep for tomorrow.

So, I wish everyone a happy Yule-y day tomorrow, and merry festivities in general. We will be back with fun new blogs in the New Year.

Gratuitous cute kitty shot. Solstice and Sherlock, it's love.

-Melina

So, it's been awhile since the last post. That's because we have 2 more cats and finishing the big order. Love it. Tired. But love it.

Today was the first time it snowed this year. I ran around yelling 'ho,ho,ho, look kittehs, soon santie paws will be coming, yay!' I put Banshee in the window to see the snow, and he was fascinated. I think he'll love when we have the first snow on the ground, we always bring in a handful for the cats to play with. Photo opp.

We actually have some really cute holiday ornaments in our store. Denise is working her hands off making them. Really, really cute. I sorta hope we have some for our tree, but I doubt it this year.

Also, in 4 weeks we'll be on vacay! So can't wait. The count down is on. After tomorrow, only 3 more Sundays left. Oh, except for Denise, she got screwed into working the 19, so 4 Sundays for her. Sucks. But I'll spend the day cleaning, it'll make her feel better. : D

So, everyone, have fun getting ready for the season. It's all about food and presents. Lol.

- Melina.

Vanian getting up and leaving, wanting to have no photographic evidence of tolerance. Note little brother Banshee in the background.

Pretty Sherlock.

If you know Denise and I, you'll be aware that there are a couple of new arrivals at our house. Two lil' bundles of joy were 'delivered' last Wednesday. Their names are Sherlock and Banshee. they are both boys, and adopted from Sonya's cat rescue.

Sherlock again. Someone has learned to smile with his eyes. Look at the pretty pose.

Banshee, with Solstice in the background, neither look too thrilled.

More pretty sitting from Sherlock. Seriously, this cat knows how to work the camera!

They are feral, and need much love. Luckily, we've got cuddles enough for more. And more. And more. Four is enough for this apartment, but when we get a house, we'll be loading up with some more kitties and doggies as well. Yay! So can't wait. : D

So, while Solstice and Vanian are getting used to their new baby brothers, we are working harder than ever. Scooping poops, feeding, watering, playing and of course snuggling.

Banshee, however needs so modeling lessons.

Sherlock hamming it up, and the rather large arse of Solstice looming, like an unpleasant odor.

Also, busting arse to make more money to pay for litter, food, pay off debt and save for house for more bebes (and a car!!!).

Life is freakin' awesome!

Vanian wanted nothing else to do with this stupid photo shoot. He left in a huff.

- Melina. : )

Work? Me?

No!!! Me tie tie. I could not possibly move. My feet are crossed and my paw is irretrievable.

No, you go on, I'll just stay right here, thanks.

Awww, man. Just go away already. You can't see me. I'm in my hidy-hole.

Seriously, I'm starting to get really pissed.

Finally, she can't see me and bug me. So comfy.

This is a story, about ours cats, and what they think is their money.

'Hey, look at dis, monies on the floors. Mom, can I buy some red pleathers pants dat lace up the sides?'

'It looks like der is enough monies.'

'Good, he's gone from my monies. Stoopid brothers. Me and blishie likes monies more dan him.'

'Mmmmmmm, nom nom nom, monies, smells like de heavons!'

'Oh, it tastes like de-lisious-ness. Loves monies. My monies'

'Mmmm, still tast-y-ness.'

'Monies, I loves you sooooo much. You are so beaui-fulls. I will never leaves you alones...'

'Oh, no. Stoopid brothers coming back. Stoopid, stoopid dumb dumb.'

'What you want? Nothing to see here. Go away...'

Melina. The very tired mom of the money hungry brats.

Making stove-top espresso!

So, last Saturday, Earl touched down in Halifax. We lost power an hour before that. For just over 24 hours, there was no power at our house, on our street.

Luckily, there is no better place to be than at a witch's house during a power outage, as we have more candles than you've had hot meals. I don't know why, but it's so true.

The first order of the day, coffee. I had a stove top espresso maker (thanks Diane), and after Juan I got a couple of dollar store tea-light burners, for just such an occasion. So, sitting burner on the top of the stove (har, har, stove top) and added a few more tea lights under the burner, I made us espresso. Denise was a non-believer, said I couldn't do it, and I told her she'd soon be laughing out her arse. in about 15-20 minutes, we were drinking lovely and very tasty espresso coffee. : D

About mid-afternoon, I wanted a sweet snack, so I made mud pies (no, not with mud, some folks call them haystacks or macaroons). Again, Denise was amazed. More laughing out the butt.

Tree that was.

Blurry, but holy crap, look at the tree!

After using up all of the computer battery by watching downloaded episodes of 'Being Human' (which is freakin' awesome, btw), we did some tarot readings and then argued. At this point we each retired to our own room to have some naps. Hoping power would be restored while napping. It wasn't.

Mmm, veggies burgers? Oui!

When we woke up and got up and re-convened in the living room, still no power. Crap. So, after very cold semi-shower clean up, we went for a walk, hoping Needs would be open. But we met a friendly guy on the street, who said Circle K was open, we legged it, snapping some photos on the way. The store was soooooo hot, but we got some snacks.

Later that night, we wanted to eat a proper meal, so I said I'd make some veggie burgers. This time Denise didn't scoff, and was please to have sauteed onions and mushrooms on the veggie burgers. Yum!

With mushrooms.

The next morning, I heard a neighbor taking to a 'power guy', I got out of bed, stumbled to the open window and mumble-yelled 'when's power back?' She jumped, and said in an hour. I was so happy. And about 20 minutes later, we had power. I was so friggin' happy.

Get the burger nicely browned on both sides.

The moral of this blog post? Earl is a poo face, and be really happy that you can avoid talking to your loved ones with a multitude of electronic distractions. I know I am.

K, very bad photo of the finished burger. Note the hole in the bun, It was where I accidentally burned the bun. Burned buns. Ha!

-Melina : D

Food falling in line? Check. Store becoming more eco-friendly by the day? Check. TIME TO SHOP!

As luck would have it, we happened to find the most amazing store really close to where we work. It's called PurAlternatives and they have the most incredible selection of environmentally friendly skin care. Not all vegan, but it was easy to find this great oil there.

It may seem weird to put oil on your face, but your skin just drinks this in overnight and it does an amazing job of softening all those nasty lines. Trust me, I'm picky! If it did nothing I wouldn't bother. Waste o' cash money, and if you know my cat you know that's not gonna happen!

I also found this great skin cream by Derma E. They do not use animal by -products, animal testing or ingredients that are not cruelty-free. YAY!! Makes my skin sing! Woo hoo!

More fun products to shop. This is an awesome start! Vegan and prettifying and junk. WOW!

~ Denise

'K, I have a new/better obsession in the last few months. Organic fabric (and produce, soap, skin care, chocolate and olive oil).

The fabric was even nicer in person, as I ordered it on-line (my first on-line fabric purchase!). I just ordered more. I really can't wait. It's too bad that I can get this type of fabric locally, but it's simply not available. And I just listed my first all organic bag. I love it and would like to keep it for myself, but Denise would throttle me. : D

I'm really proud of my latest bag, not just because it is organic cotton, but it is so well constructed. If I do say so myself.

And, today, I'll say how much I love Dr. Bronner's soap. Love! Love! Love!

-Melina

Working hard, trying to get stuff done. I get stuck in my kitchen, some weekends. This weekend was one of those. I made a big vegan 'butter chicken'. Kerry from Effiehandmade seemed quite fond of it.

Doing overtime in our day jobs is exausting, and we are trying to see our friends. Some, haven't been seen in months and months. Not cool.

So, we are making changes in our lives and as well the Etsy shop. And these changes go hand in hand with the fab store in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Our Mother's Keeper. Leesa White, the owner of the store, is equally fab as her store.

We'll be in touch again, soon.

- Melina