Keeping Indoor Cats Happy

I receive a news letter from Dr. Jon at http://www.petplace.com/ and he usually has some neat tips for cats that let you live with them. He also promotes his "favorite" products. You should check out Dr. Jon if you have cats and want to learn about their health, etc. This article about how to keep your indoor cat happy is one that I enjoyed reading....not going to let Callie Ann and Lizzie Tu read it, because they are already too spoiled!

Callie Ann

Lizzie Tu

 A bored cat is not a happy cat ... and unhappy cats tend to have more behavioral problems.

Bored cats are known to have unhealthy or destructive behaviors such as scratching, aggression, depression, lethargy, over-vocalization/crying, increased or decreased appetite, and sleeping more. Bored cats also have more problems with urinating outside the litter box.

As I've mentioned before, keeping a cat indoors has many benefits. Among other things, it minimizes the chance for outdoor traumas such as being hit by a car, animal attacks and common infectious diseases, just to name a few. Indoor-only cats may live twice as long on average over indoor/outdoor cats.

But with the decision to keep your cat indoors comes the responsibility of making sure your indoor-only cat has the things he or she needs to be happy.

What do you think? Is your indoor cat bored or happy?

Here are some tips to help stimulate your cat so he or she can have an enriched happy environment:

First - Evaluate your home environment. Is it cat friendly? Are there lots of things for your cat to do, play with and watch? Consider the things cats enjoy...do you have them in your home?

Next - Think about what you can do to enrich your home with things that will make your cat happy. This may be as simple as moving a chair by the window to give your cat a view. There should be windows to look out of, things to watch, places to climb, and plenty of safe toys to play with.

Here are 7 ways to keep your indoor cat happy:

1. Create a Window View . Think about getting a window perch or window seat for your cat. It is important for your indoor cat to have a "view" and the ability to watch what is going on outside. This is a great way to create a stimulating environment. There are commercially available "window beds" that attach to your window frame. Cats love these. Another option is a cat tree placed near a window that allows an outside view.

Our cats get up on the back of the couch and look out the window. They also lay between the back of the couch and the window on the window sill and sun. We open the bathroom window every morning and evening for them to sit in it. They also go out into the garage and sit on the shelf we made for them to look out that window.

2. Rotate Plenty of Toys. Cats become bored with the same toys after a while. A great tip is to hide a toy for a while and then reintroduce it. Keep a supply of toys that you rotate. My favorite cat toy is the " Undercover Mouse". It is one of the best cat toys I've seen in a long while. This toy is like a "mouse hunt" indoors. It has a wand that randomly moves under a piece of fabric. The tip of this wand, which looks like a mouse's tail, peeks out from the edge of the fabric and cats just love to chase it. For more information, go to: www.petproductadvisor.com/undercovermouse.

3. Get Some Catnip. For cats that are sensitive to catnip, offer your cat some catnip to enjoy periodically. Also, "marinating" toys in catnip when you put them away is a great way to encourage your cat to enjoy them even more when you reintroduce them.

4. Schedule Playtime . Schedule time twice a day to play with your cat. Allow him or her to chase the ball, laser pointer or feathery flyer. Take at least 10 minutes out of your day to play with your cat. You can even do this while you are watching TV in the evening.

This one made me laugh...schedule time...really? Our cats TELL US when we are going to play with them. They bring the shoe strings and mice to us. Our cats play fetch with mice and just about any of their other toys.

5. Give Plenty of Love Time. Some cats really want a little of your time and attention. Encourage your cat to curl up with you when you are resting.

Our cats will only allow you to pick them up or hold them when it is their idea. This photo of Dennis with Callie Ann on his lap is a rare happening. Lizzie Tu usually gets up on my lap every evening for a few minutes to be petted and loved. Callie Ann "puts me to bed" by getting up on the bed for her nightly petting and then off she goes.

                                                              Dennis brushing Callie Ann

6. Grow Some Cat Grass . Some indoor cats love to chew on a little cat grass - just like they would if they were outdoors. It is easy to grow and very healthy for your cat.

7. Give Your Cat a Spot of Sun. Cats love the sun. Find a nice window where the sun shines in and place a cat bed in that location. If you have the blinds or curtains closed, consider opening them so your cat can bask for a while in the sun.

Lizzie Tu

Usually there is more sun coming in the front door, but our cats love to lay in the sun there when we open the door for them. Their favorite place in like I mentioned above, in the front window.

 

Climbing posts, scratching posts, cat grass, windows perches, window beds, toys and a view to watch birds or squirrels are all great ways to enrich your indoor cat's life and prevent boredom.

Check out Dr. Jon at http://www.petplace.com/ and read some of his other topics about cats.

Recycle Store Bags

Recycle those neat store bags you get when you purchase something.

Recycle the front of a birthday card you received.

Just cut off the front of the card and glue it over the store logo.

Or you can use scrapbook paper to glue over the logo and decorate the bag.

You can decorate both sides of the bag or

you can just write on one side of the bag like I did in the photo.

Gold paint pens are used a lot around my house.

I have recycled grocery bags by gluing old Christmas cards on them. I gave the decorated bags to a group that was putting together Christmas "baskets" for those in need. They were much better than the plain brown grocery bags they had planned to use to give to the people. On those bags I also used ribbon trim, etc. to make them more festive.

Webb's Feed and Seed

WEBB'S FEED AND SEED INC. PEA RIDGE, ARKANSAS

CELEBRATES 75 YEARS IN BUSINESS!

In the very North West corner of Arkansas is my hometown Pea Ridge. One of the most enduring businesses has been Webb's Feed and Seed, established in the 1930's by Hugh and Nell Webb. As a farm supply store and poultry production firm, Webb's was influential, especially in the 1940's, in greatly expanding he local broiler industry, thus improving local farm incomes. The store, now owned and operated by Fred and Mable Webb McKinney, continues in its original location on East Pickens downtown.

HISTORY OF WEB FEED AND SEED

1936 Webbe's Electric Hatchery and Feed opens

1940 Fred McKinney goes to work at the feed store

1942 Ralston Purina franchise obtained

1944 McKinney and Mable Webb got married

1946 Hugh Webb Sr, Wilson Webb, Fred McKinney and Russell Walker formed partnership

1950 Business was incorporated

1950 McKinney attended Purina feeding advisory school

(my entire childhood Fred was always winning some type of award from Purina)

1952 Walker sold to partners

1961 Hatchery operation sold

1971 McKinneys buy remaining stock of Webb Feed and Seed Inc.

2011 Celebrated 75 years in business



1950's

Fred McKinney turned 90 years old this year and is the brother of my Aunt Beulah. Fred was one of the first people to greet us when we moved to Pea Ridge. My Mom opened a restaurant just a couple doors down from the feed store, in what is now the City Hall. Some of my fondest memories of Fred is the massive chicken barbecues he would do for various organizations to raise money for philanthropic projects.

There were always live chickens or baby calves in the feed store to demonstrate how feeding them in a certain way would boost their growth. Just down the street was a chicken hatchery, where baby chicks were hatched under big lights.

So many things in Pea Ridge have changed, so it feels good to return home to see at least one thing that was there during my childhood.

Braum's Biscuits and Gravy

Sometimes on the weekend we wake up and just don't want to cook. Those are the mornings we jump in the car and run to Braum's and grab their double biscuit and sausage gravy breakfast. Yummy! My husband sometimes gets a side order of scrambled eggs too.

What is your favorite fast food breakfast?

 Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us.

Halloween Themed Jewelry

I love themed jewelry...I think it is a old people thing? I have jewelry I wear in October, November and December that reflect the holidays. I have lots of jewelry supporting breast cancer. I have Valentine themed jewelry, etc. Have fun and wear some themed accessories once in a while. The point of this is don't take life so serious!

Have a fun October...fall is such a beautiful time.

Chicken, Tomatoes and Potatoes

Chicken, Tomatoes and Potatoes One Skillet Meal

Cover the bottom of a large skillet with thawed Chicken Breast Tenders

Dump on a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies

Add a layer of sliced potatoes

Add a layer of thick sliced onions (optional)

Cover and cook on medium low heat for approximately

1 1/2 hours or until chicken is done.

Serve with a green vegetable or salad and you have a quick and easy meal.

Washita Theatre Chickasha, OK

The Washita Theatre opened in 1941, replacing the original building that was destroyed by fire. It was a movie theatre for sixty years and closed in April 2001.

The Chickasha Community Theatre bought the Washita Theatre and completely renovated the historic building and transformed it into a playhouse type theatre. There ae 768 seats in this building at 511 Chickasha Avenue, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Just one block south of the main highway going through Chickasha.

If you are ever in South West Oklahoma it is worth your time to drive through Chickasha and see some of the beautiful historic buildings and other sites. Note the two buildings next to the theatre. We were in a hurry or I would have captured more of historic downtown Chickasha.

Chenille Stem Pumpkin Craft

Chenille Stem Pumpkin Craft Magnet

Granny's Love aka my Grandson loves refrigerator magnets. I was thinking he needed a magnet for the month of October, so I wanted to make something quick and easy.

2 orange chenille stems (pipe cleaners)

hook together at the end to make one long stem

Pieces of a black chenille stem for the eyes, mouth, and stem

Magnet...I used a piece of one of those free advertising magnets

Glue...I used Elmer's, but hot glue would be faster

On a flat surface circle the ornage chenille stems into a tight circle.

Cut the pieces of black chenille stem and form the eyes and mouth.

Cut the magnet to fit the back of the "pumpkin."

Glue every thing together and use a piece of black to make a stem.

The glue was not quite dry when I took this photo, but I had other things to do so I was in a hurry. This same idea could be used to make a Christmas Tree or Turkey or Valentine Heart. It is such a cheap craft and children have so much fun putting magnets on the frig.



Fresh Fried Fish

Our friend Gary went fishing and brought us these beautiful striper filets!

My husband rolled them in cornmeal mix with a little red pepper sprinkled in the mix.

Dropped them in his trusty cast iron skillet with hot oil and fried until golden brown.

Drained on paper towels.

Served with spicy sweet potato fried, cole slaw and hush puppies.

This is the finest plate of food ever! There is nothing that compares to the taste of fresh fish!
(For the entire meal prep you have to see the three previous posts.)

Hush Puppies

HUSH PUPPIES

2 cups Shawnee's Best White Corn Meal Mix

(Shawnee's is Made in Oklahoma)

1 cup buttermilk or sweet milk

1 medium chopped onion

1 egg, lightly beaten

Mix all ingredients.

Drop by the spoonful into hot oil.

We used a tablespoon, normal people use a teaspoon.

Brown on both sides.

(This oil looks dark because it was used to fry fish before the hush puppies.)

Take out of the skillet and drain on a paper towel and serve with fish, brown beans or any other meal you might like a cornbread type side.



3 Ingredient Coleslaw

3 Ingredient Coleslaw

1 medium head cabbage

1 bottle of Kraft Coleslaw dressing

1 tablespoon or more Chef's Style or Salad grind Black Pepper

Quarter the head of cabbage.

Corsely slice the cabbage.

Pour on the entire bottle of Kraft Coleslaw dressing.

Add at least one tablespoon or more of Black Pepper.

Mix all ingredients, cover and refrigerate to allow the ingredients to combine the flavors.

This coleslaw tastes just like the coleslaw that was served at Fred's Hickory Inn in Bentonville, Arkansas when I lived there. I loved going to Fred's for their slaw and baked beans. I think it is because of the larger pieces of the cabbage, that the slaw is so good. Other slaws have the cabbage in grated small pieces and have runny dressing. This is the perfect coleslaw!



Sweet Potato Fries

This is my new favorite thing! Spicy Sweet Potato Fries.

They also come in a plain variety without the spice.

To cook just preheat your oven to 400 degrees and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Gwen

Wow how time flies...it is already my sister Gwen's birthday again! Another year!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GWEN!

Dad, Mom, Gwen and Me

Gwen and Mom at Gwen's wedding.

It seems as we get older the years roll around with alarming speed. All we have are the memories of the days gone by, the fun we had along the way, and the knowledge to be thankful for the blessings we have received.

When my sister was born and "dethroned" me I did not think she was such a blessing, BUT after 56 years I have learned how lucky I am to have her! Happy Birthday to my baby sister...I love you! 

Kobel's Station Foss, Oklahoma

Foss, Oklahoma on Historic Route 66 is another town that suffered with the building of Interstate 40. Foss today is only a reminder of a town that started in the late 1890s. The shell of Kobel's Gas Station, which also served as a cafe and bus station, can be seen in the photos below.

Sad site of once busy corner.

Substitutions

Do you ever start to fix something only to find that you do not have the exact ingredient called for in the recipe? Here are some SUBSTITUTIONS you might want to try:


Recipe calls for:                                       You can use:          
1 T. cornstarch..........................................2 T. flour
1C. cakeflour............................................1 C. less 2 T. all-purpose flour
1 square chocolate..................................3 T. cocoa and 1 T. fat
1 C. melted shortening............................1 C. salad oil
1 C. milk....................................................1/2 C. evaporated milk and
                                                                   1/2 C. water
1 C. sour milk or buttermilk.....................1 T. lemon juice or vinegar 
                                                                    and sweet milk to make 1 C.
1 C. heavy cream......................................2/3 C. milk and 1/3 C. butter 
1 C. heavy ceam, whipped......................2/3 C. chilled evaporated milk
                                                                    whipped
Sweetened condensed milk...................No Substitution
1 egg.........................................................2 T. dried whole egg and
                                                                   2 T. water
1 tsp. baking powder...............................1/4 tsp. baking soda and
                                                                   1 tsp. cream of tartar or
                                                                   1/4 tsp. baking soda and
                                                                   1/2 C. sour milk, buttermilk
                                                                    or molasses; reduce other
                                                                   liquid 1/2 C.
1 C. sugar.................................................1 C. honey; reduce other
                                                                   liquid 1/4 C. and reduce
                                                                   baking temperature by 25
1 C. miniature marshmallows.................10 Large ones cut up
1 medium onion.......................................2 T. instant minced onion or
                                                                   1 tsp. onion powder
1 garlic clove............................................1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 T. fresh herbs........................................1 tsp. dried herbs

Do you have substitutions you use when cooking? Leave a comment on this blog post and share your ideas.

                                                                                                       

7 Tax Tips for Job Seekers

TaxACT On Line

TaxACT online is a site where you can fill out your yearly income tax information and send it to the IRS. I receive e-mails from them with tax information updates. We can always use tax tips!

IRS Tax Tip 2011-11

Many taxpayers spend time and money updating their résumé and attending career fairs. The Internal Revenue Service reminds job seekers that you may be able to deduct some of the expenses on your tax return.

Here are seven things the IRS wants you to know about deducting costs related to your job search.

1. To qualify for a deduction, the expenses must be spent on a job search in your current occupation. You may not deduct expenses you incur while looking for a job in a new occupation.

2. You can deduct employment and outplacement agency fees you pay while looking for a job in your present occupation. If your employer pays you back in a later year for employment agency fees, you must include the amount you receive in your gross income, up to the amount of your tax benefit in the earlier year.

3. You can deduct amounts you spend for preparing and mailing copies of your résumé to prospective employers as long as you are looking for a new job in your present occupation.

4. If you travel to an area to look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can only deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. The amount of time you spend on personal activity compared to the amount of time you spend looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job.

5. You cannot deduct job search expenses if there was a substantial break between the end of your last job and the time you begin looking for a new one.

6. You cannot deduct job search expenses if you are looking for a job for the first time.

7. The amount of job search expenses that you can claim on your tax return is limited. You can claim the amount that is more than 2 percent of your adjusted gross income. You figure your deduction on Schedule A.

For more information about job search expenses, see IRS Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions. This publication is available on www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

TaxACT Free Federal and Deluxe Editions include the guidance and forms for job search expenses and other miscellaneous deductions. For more guidance on the tax implications of changing jobs, unemployment, and dozens of other major life changes, take advantage of TaxACT Life Events. Free Federal Edition users can view one event; Deluxe users can view an unlimited number of events. Start your TaxACT Online return now



Quilt Show

These are only a few of the quilts that were on display at the Historical Society Quilt Show.

Check out the detail in work around the edge of this quilt.

This quilt square was made at Elk City, Oklahoma in 1933!

There must have been a quilting club, because there were several squares of the same type with different ladies names on them. It made me wonder why they did not put them together and make a quilt. With all the different fabrics it would have been a bright quilt!

Look at all the little pieces of different fabric on the "fan" of this pattern.

I love all of the top stitching that adds to the design of this bright colored creation.

I remember the first time our 4-H Club, when I was a very young child, got together at our leader's house and made a quilt for a family that had lost all of their belongings to a house fire. Our leader taught each of us exactly how to make the proper stitches. She had a huge quilt frame set up in her living room, and we all gathered around to fininsh the quilt. We were all very proud of that quilt and even more proud to give it to the family.

This quilt show made me think of all the hours of work it takes to make a quilt without the modern sewing machines and quilting machines. I think both hand quilted and machine quilted are beautiful works of art. It is sad the youth of today are too busy to learn how much fun it can be to make a quilt.



Elmer's Crafting Memories Sweepstakes

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All entries must be received by 11:59 pm, E.T., on 12/31/2011.
SPONSORS: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA and Elmer's Products Inc., One Easton Oval, Columbus, Ohio. (hereinafter referred to as "Sponsors").

THERE ARE TWO (2) WAYS TO ENTER DURING THE PROMOTION PERIOD:
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Easy Swiss Steak

My favorite thing to do while shopping the meat counter is to first go down the line to see if there is anything with a REDUCED sticker. As you can see by the label I scanned below the savings can be huge. Always look at the sell by date, if you do not intend to go home and use it within the time frame just stick it in the freezer. 

When I saw the round steak I thought SWISS STEAK! We make EASY SWISS STEAK...only three ingredients. Round steak, onion and a can of tomatoes with green chilis already in them.

Put the round steak in a large skillet. My husband cut this steak into serving size pieces before he put it into the skillet. Cut the onion into large pieces and put on top of the steak. Pour the tomatoes with green chilis on top. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat, cover the skillet with a lid. Cook until the meat is fork tender. My husband cooked this steak for about one and a half hours.

We ate this cheap-n-easy Swiss Steak with hominy and canned okra. It is a "old people" thing to eat like this, so you can serve with your favorite veggies, cause I know you said "yuk" when you looked at my plate below.

We had enough Swiss Steak to have our supper, lunch the next day for both of us and a couple servings we put in the freezer to have for later. We often cook enough to have at least four servings, because we both take our lunches to work. This is a major money savings to not go out any buy lunch.