We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Getting Ready For the New Year #CaturdayArt
(Created in Photo Lab)
Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!
Mommy's answers:
1. On New Year’s Eve, I do what I do every other night, cuddle with Mudpie on the couch while watching TV or reading. I do stay up until midnight, but I do that every other night too!
2. One goal I have for 2018 is to eat healthier, especially by cutting out the mindless snacking.
Mudpie's answers:
3. In 2017, I accomplished the total and complete takeover of Mommy's heart. Even though I held it in my paws since the first time she saw me!
4. I was a purrfect angel in 2017. But then again, I was before that, too.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Unboxing December's CatLadyBox
The theme of December's CatLadyBox was "Meowy Holidays"...this is what was inside!
Featured Cat Lady Artist The Dancing Cat: This piece is titled "Holiday Visit". How cute are all the kitties arriving at their friend's house as he watches from an upstairs window?
Vintage Cats Cocktail Glasses (CatLadyBox exclusive): You can't appreciate how beautiful these glasses are until a drink is inside. All the pictures people posted on Instagram of their glasses filled with eggnog almost made me wish I liked eggnog!
Winter Snowkitty Shirt (CatLadyBox exclusive): This is one of my favorite CatLadyBox shirts ever. I love that it's winter themed and not just Christmas so I can wear it all season long (over a long-sleeve shirt, of course!)
Glowing Cat String Lights Set (CatLadyBox exclusive): When I pulled these out of the box I just gasped. A string of cat face lights is something I never knew I needed in my life until I held them in my hands. They won't be packed away with the Christmas decorations...I'm leaving them out all year!
Mitchell the Moose & Wild Cardinal Catnip Toys: Mudpie is crazy about the feathers on the cardinal's head, and the adorable little moose made it's way into my Christmas decorating! I love moose.
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Interested in purchasing individual items from past boxes? You can do that too!
Disclosure: I receive a discount on my CatLadyBox subscription as a thank you for my monthly review. Regardless of compensation received, we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Secret Paws 2017
The wait has been nearly unbearable but I *finally* get to tell you about my Secret Paws package which came last week from our friends Oliver, Nubia & Renegade at Katzenworld! I should warn you right now, this post is filled with blurry tortie shots!!!
We love the box everything came in even though we don't know what it says!
I believe in being very "paws on" in everything I do so I immediately started pulling stuff out. Who needs a human's opposable thumbs?
These are all the goodies I found inside (pardon my tushie in the corner): a valerian gingerbread man, catnip dolphin, nip knot, a catnip cushion with a cute little chick on it and fun tassels, some freeze-dried treats, Ciao lickable treats that I've been dying to try, and a Katzenworld keychain!
I threw myself right into the pile and could smell the gingerbread man right through the packaging.
Hurry up and open it, Mommy!!!
Move along...there's nothing to see here.
Then my eyes locked on the nip knot and I was a goner.
These pictures were all taken during the initial nip knot frenzy. You can even see the slobber in the last shot! Eventually Mommy realized getting a decent picture of me playing with the nip knot wasn't gonna happen and she decided to shoot a video instead.
These next pictures are total bloopers but they crack Mommy up so she decided to share them. I'm a bit embarrassed by how much I lost control but Mommy says there's nothing wrong with a kitty having fun.
Mommy thinks Gingy and I were quarreling here. I was just zonked out of my mind.
He's taunting me, isn't he?
Mommy and I both want to thank the Katzenworld kitties so very much for their purrfectly wonderful gifts. We couldn't have asked for a better Secret Paws!
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Many thanks as well to Truffle and Brulee's mom Paula from Sweet Purrfections for organizing this wonderful event that makes many blogging kitties very, very happy.
Now I have a very important question...how many days until Secret Paws 2018???
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
I'll Be Stylin' at the Vet In My Gen7Pets Carry-Me Sleeper Pet Carrier (& Surprise Giveaway!) #ChewyInfluencer
Meows from Mudpie!
Sadly, Christmas is over, and now I have something else on my mind. My annual wellness visit was due earlier this month but Mommy was super nice and said we could wait until after the holidays. That sounded really good at the time but I know a week from now the holidays will officially be done and my doom is imminent. (Maybe I can cross my paws and hope that a series of really bad snow storms will come and Mommy won't want to drive me to the vet?)
Anyways, when the dreaded day arrives I know that I'll be the most stylish kitty at the vet's office thanks to my brand new Gen7Pets Carry-Me Sleeper Pet Carrier that our good friends at Chewy.com sent me to try out. Mommy loves how easy it is to carry. No more dealing with the handles on my heavy hard-sided cat carrier, which wasn't comfortable for either of us because of all the jostling around inside. This soft-sided carrier has a comfortable shoulder strap (it also has handles if that's what you prefer) making it no different for her to carry than one of her many tote bags. I love that it makes me feel more safe and secure being close to her.
And the very best part? When I arrive at my destination (aka the exam table), Mommy can unzip me and the side panel becomes a cozy pull out fleece bed! Roomy side pockets will also allow me to bring along a toy or two, or maybe even a package of my favorite treats. All the comforts of home while on the road! The mesh windows will give me a great view while keeping me nice and cool during summer travels.
Did you know one of the best ways to make travel easier for your cat is to acclimate them to their carrier before you have to go anywhere? When my sleeper carrier arrived Mommy set it up in a corner for me so I can check it out and sneak a snooze there if I want. Since when she's home I always want to be on her lap or on the couch beside her she has no photographic evidence of this actually taking place, but the other day she noticed a bit of my fur on the bed so I've given it a test drive at some point when she wasn't around!!!
The Gen7Pets Carry-Me Sleeper Pet Carrier is brand new - it was launched at this year's SuperZoo - and is currently available at Chewy.com for $69.99 in a choice of two colors (Heather Gray or Heather Navy).
SURPRISE GIVEAWAY
Guess what? Unfortunately I can't give away a pet carrier, but the nice peeps at Chewy have offered one lucky reader in the US one of their popular Meow You’re Talking Goody Boxes! Didn't get enough toys or treats for Christmas? Mudpie's gotcha covered!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: We received a Gen7Pets Carry-Me Sleeper Pet Carrier from Chewy.com as part of their Blogger Outreach Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own and we never recommend a product we don’t fully believe in.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
The Ghosts of Boxes Past
Meows from Mudpie!
Are you out shopping for Boxing Day? Would you believe Mommy had to go back to work today??? We had a purrfect Christmas together and will be telling you all about our pawsome Secret Paws package very soon, but in the meantime we hope you'll enjoy this look back at some of my favorite Ghosts of Boxes Past...
Are you out shopping for Boxing Day? Would you believe Mommy had to go back to work today??? We had a purrfect Christmas together and will be telling you all about our pawsome Secret Paws package very soon, but in the meantime we hope you'll enjoy this look back at some of my favorite Ghosts of Boxes Past...
Monday, December 25, 2017
Meowy Christmas from Melissa & Mudpie!
This is the fourth year we've had our Christmas card designed by the amazing Ann at Zoolatry. I didn't have any "big ideas" this time around, unlike previous years with our Tiny Truffles Christmas Carol series and last year's plum pudding card. I just wanted something simple with Mudpie in front of a snowy window beside a stack of books and a coffee mug.
As we look out the window on this Christmas morning it's almost as though our card has come to life...it's actually snowing!!! We may live in Vermont, but a white Christmas is far from guaranteed. This is a picture purrfect Christmas.
We'd like to wish each and every one of our dear friends the happiest of holidays, whatever you'll be celebrating. You make our days so much brighter with your kind comments and support. Thank you for being a part of our online family...we cherish your friendship more than we could ever express.
We'd like to wish each and every one of our dear friends the happiest of holidays, whatever you'll be celebrating. You make our days so much brighter with your kind comments and support. Thank you for being a part of our online family...we cherish your friendship more than we could ever express.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Caturday Smorgasbord: Art, Poetry & Fill Ins
(LunaPic's Needlework effect)
Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!
Mudpie's answers:
1. I can’t wait to see my Secret Paws open my gift to them.
2. I have had the same cat beds and food dishes for as long as I've lived here. (Maybe it's time for some new stuff, Mommy!)
Mommy's answers:
3. I would not mind if Santa were to bring me a tortie sister for Mudpie.
4. On Christmas Eve, I always take a picture of the tree with all the presents underneath.
Lastly, we decided to try our hand at Angel Sammy and Teddy's Photo Poetry Challenge where each week they give us a photo prompt to write a poem about. I struggle with writing (and reading) poetry so I'm not sure we'll be able to rise to the challenge every week, but the given photo immediately put a funny little idea in my head and I went with it...
3. I would not mind if Santa were to bring me a tortie sister for Mudpie.
4. On Christmas Eve, I always take a picture of the tree with all the presents underneath.
Lastly, we decided to try our hand at Angel Sammy and Teddy's Photo Poetry Challenge where each week they give us a photo prompt to write a poem about. I struggle with writing (and reading) poetry so I'm not sure we'll be able to rise to the challenge every week, but the given photo immediately put a funny little idea in my head and I went with it...
Mommy said Mudpie was going to the vet
It was time for a checkup she claimed
She didn't know her cat had other ideas
And swore that someone would be maimed
Unsuspecting she drove down a long, lonely road
Then with a loud pop she swerved to a stop, got out of the car and was pained
To discover that someone had messed with her tires
But Mudpie would never be blamed
Friday, December 22, 2017
Festive Feline Finds from Cats Protection UK
Meows from Mudpie!
Today we wanted to show you a couple things we found on Cats Protection UK's website that we love and think you'll enjoy.
The first is their holiday video of the year which features the real life story of Kozal, a 16 year old cat who waited over 7 months to find his forever home, but now lives with a new family who will be spoiling him like crazy this Christmas. Have a tissue handy!
Today we wanted to show you a couple things we found on Cats Protection UK's website that we love and think you'll enjoy.
The first is their holiday video of the year which features the real life story of Kozal, a 16 year old cat who waited over 7 months to find his forever home, but now lives with a new family who will be spoiling him like crazy this Christmas. Have a tissue handy!
Then there's Mommy's new obsession...cat-themed snowflakes! She saw some online at the end of the season last year and didn't bother to make any, but Cats Protection posted an easy peasy PDF on their blog last week and she's been snipping like crazy during our cuddle sessions on the couch at night. This is a paper craft even she can't mess up!
Have you gotten crafty this Christmas season?
Thursday, December 21, 2017
8 Christmas Specials to Watch With Your Cat
Christmas movies and holiday specials...who doesn't love them? The only thing that can make them better is curling up on the couch with a cup of cocoa under a pile of blankets and a cat. Mudpie and I have been doing a lot of that this holiday season and I'm pretty sure we'll be doing it even more over the next couple weeks. I can't quit Christmas cold turkey; I have to be weaned off of it, so it's not unusual for me to be sitting by the tree catching up on recorded Christmas movies well into January.
We decided to share a list of some of our favorites just in case you have a little quiet time over the coming days to wind down and enjoy some kitty cuddles!
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever
A lonely cat living in a mall pet shop develops a sour outlook on life until, in the midst of the holiday rush, she meets a very special 12-year-old girl. I must confess, the people in this movie are unbelievably annoying, but Grumpy Cat is so darn adorable that she makes up for it.
The Muppet's rendition of Charles Dickens's classic tale puts a unique twist on a favorite holiday story. Not technically a cat movie (although there are cat puppets), but this is easily my all-time favorite Christmas movie. A year without watching it is a year without Christmas for me. I can't believe it's now 25 years old! I still remember watching it in the movie theater with my mom back in 1992 and being completely transfixed by it.
ALF's Special Christmas
We decided to share a list of some of our favorites just in case you have a little quiet time over the coming days to wind down and enjoy some kitty cuddles!
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever
A lonely cat living in a mall pet shop develops a sour outlook on life until, in the midst of the holiday rush, she meets a very special 12-year-old girl. I must confess, the people in this movie are unbelievably annoying, but Grumpy Cat is so darn adorable that she makes up for it.
The Nine Lives of Christmas
When a stray cat adopts Zachary Stone, he falls in love with the little guy in spite of the fact that he wants to stay away from responsibility. When his new pet brings him into contact with Marilee White, Zach begins to see that the single life isn't as fulfilling as he thought and that the "wrong woman" might just be the perfect match. This is one of those rare occurrences where the movie is just as good as the book. Check your local listings because it's still airing on Hallmark Channel during their Countdown to Christmas!
Santa Claws
Santa is allergic to cats, so he does not give them as gifts. Tommy has been SO good and he wants one kitty but the whole litter climbs into the sack. When Santa has a allergic reaction, the kitties have to deliver the presents on time.
A Garfield Christmas Special
"A Garfield Christmas Special" finds the surly fat cat on an old-fashioned holiday at the family farm with Jon's mom and dad, brother Doc-Boy and feisty grandma, who's the cat's meow. I watched this again just the other night and I love it every bit as much as I did when I was a little girl and it was on TV every year. This is my favorite scene that never fails to bring a tear to my eye...
Felix the Cat Saves Christmas
When the Professor and Rock Bottom plot to create the world’s biggest blizzard in order to ruin Christmas, Felix the Cat and Poindexter must travel to the North Pole to help Santa Claus and save Christmas.
Muppet Christmas Carol
ALF's Special Christmas
ALF and the Tanners prepare to spend Christmas in a cabin. When the owner comes to visit them, ALF accidentally jumps into his trunk and he is taken to a hospital and given away as a Christmas gift to a little girl. As a child of the 80's I was obsessed with ALF, and the very first thing I bought when I got my first DVD player were the four season box sets. This one hour special was broadcast on METV a couple weekends ago and I cried through the whole thing. ALF may be hysterically funny, but he can also tug at the heartstrings.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure
When the kingdom of Arendelle empties out for the holiday season, Anna and Elsa realize that they have no family traditions of their own. So Olaf sets out on a merry mission to bring home the very best traditions and save Christmas. I'm probably one of the few people who isn't crazy about Frozen. (The day I saw a little girl skipping down the aisle in Kmart belting out Let It Go was the day I realized I'd heard it one too many times.) I loved Olaf's Frozen Adventure though. It has kittens. In sweaters.
When the kingdom of Arendelle empties out for the holiday season, Anna and Elsa realize that they have no family traditions of their own. So Olaf sets out on a merry mission to bring home the very best traditions and save Christmas. I'm probably one of the few people who isn't crazy about Frozen. (The day I saw a little girl skipping down the aisle in Kmart belting out Let It Go was the day I realized I'd heard it one too many times.) I loved Olaf's Frozen Adventure though. It has kittens. In sweaters.
Amazon Video
Do you have any favorite holiday specials or movies that you watch every year?
Does your cat enjoy watching with you?
Do you have any favorite holiday specials or movies that you watch every year?
Does your cat enjoy watching with you?
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Remembering My Christmas Angel
Christmas is a time to remember those who are no longer with us, and this year will be my third Christmas without Truffles, one more than we got to spend together. The feelings aren't as raw as they were the past two years, but she's still on my mind and in my heart every single day.
Since her portrait, paw print, and ashes rest on a table in the living room that gets moved to make room for the Christmas tree, I had to find a new spot of honor for her during the holiday season and created this special Christmas memorial area. Each year I've changed it a bit but the biggest change came this year because the white tree I've been using started to discolor and it was no longer pretty enough to use.
The table seemed dark without it until my December Meowy Holidays CatLadyBox arrived. In it was a string of cat lights which I put in the cat face wire bowl that came in November's box. I also added the cozy silicon light that came in a box earlier this year because it looks like a snow cat (as well as an angel)!
I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. At night I turn on the lights and my little angel shines like the brightest star in the sky.
Since her portrait, paw print, and ashes rest on a table in the living room that gets moved to make room for the Christmas tree, I had to find a new spot of honor for her during the holiday season and created this special Christmas memorial area. Each year I've changed it a bit but the biggest change came this year because the white tree I've been using started to discolor and it was no longer pretty enough to use.
The table seemed dark without it until my December Meowy Holidays CatLadyBox arrived. In it was a string of cat lights which I put in the cat face wire bowl that came in November's box. I also added the cozy silicon light that came in a box earlier this year because it looks like a snow cat (as well as an angel)!
I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. At night I turn on the lights and my little angel shines like the brightest star in the sky.