THOUGHT PATTERNS

The return of Noonie, the vagabond cat

It's been a while since the last time we saw Noonie, six months or more even, but today she appeared agan, back in her usual spot, taunting the cats behind the window. Looking good and healthy, bigger and stronger. I'm glad she's back as I kept wondering through the months she was gone whether something happened to her. Today she also visited our home as well as our porch and front yard. Here is a little photo-shoot that Noonie and I did...

Noonie in our succulent garden...

Noonie in our front yard... 

Looking as cute as ever...

Exploring...

:)

Hey... play a song for Noonie, why don't you...

Back at the neighbor's back yard...

Deciding to head for home, wherever her home is...

We're glad you're back, Noonie!

xoxoxo

{read more about the adventures of Noonie here, here and here}

{all photos Tina Tarnoff}

On apple tarts and lost and found cats

I made this apple tart a few days ago. I don't often bake but when I do I have a tendency and a desire to make something more fancy. Which usually tastes too sweet and not that good. On this occasion I decided to make something with apples as I had tons of Granny Smith apples wasting away (my favorite apples to munch on). I chose Ina Garten's (Barefoot Contessa) recipe as I've already tried several of hers and they tend to turn out well. My edges got burned a bit as I left it in the oven too long, but that was easily fixed. The tart turned out very tasty. Simple ingredients - flour, butter, sugar, apples... + some apricot jam and a lot of brandy for glazing... 

The gorgeous Freesia flowers were brought by a friend. They are incredibly fragrant. 

Our visiting kitty Noonie stopped visiting for a while but appeared again a couple of days ago. While she was "missing" we saw a notice posted in the neighborhood "Tabby cat with white paws found, call Melissa." I was tempted to call and say - hey this might be Noonie, she's not really lost just likes to gallivant - but before I acted upon it (or made Terry act upon it) Noonie appeared again, the notice was gone and all was well in the world again (or our neighborhood at least). So, I guess whoever does own Noonie must have called Melissa.

Noonie, the troublemaker.

Here she is, back at our place...

xoxoxo