Spotty, a.k.a. Catherine

Really? my picture? where's the food?

 The first Islander to greet us when took possession of our house was a little black cat. She climbed a tree next to our deck, leapt over the railing, stopped to meow hello, sauntered across the deck and settled on the lounger for a snooze.  We were immediately infatuated!  She has visited for a snack, a nap or a scratch behind the ears, almost every day since.  I've never met a friendlier, funnier cat -- she does a figure eight around my ankles, meowing excitedly, while I fill her dish (yes, she has a dish...and a bag of cat food in the pantry).  She feigns indifference and disdain but can be easily influenced with a saucer of milk. She loves people and follows us around the house, settling down where ever we happen to be, just in case she's missing something :)




Looking at our kitchen
window waiting for
a sign that
food is on the way.

A white patch on her chest earned her the name Spotty.
On an island full of feral cats, she is so comfortable around people and so prefers a comfy cushion for her naps, we thought she must belong to SOMEONE close by -- but who? After a brief stalking episode and some chatting with the neighbors, it seems Spotty is owned by a gentleman down the road, but indeed, divides her time and appetite between THREE other families including us - hilarious! And while she prefers to remain anonymous and doesn't answer to anything at all, her name is Catherine.  For some reason, I think that's funny too -- it reminds me of Catherine the Great, and this cat definitely has a queenly attitude!

Anyway, she's a sweetie and lovely company when she decides to drop by -- here are a few more shots of her in one of her kingdoms!



Do NOT Disturb

Keeping me company while I hang the laundry.

 

"I know you think this is your new couch, but you'd be wrong."

Easy Peasy Fresh Guacamole!

Every now and then, I feel like creating with food.  Usually, the mood strikes in the late fall when I'm overcome with my hunker down-stock up on cosy winter comfort food-we might not make it out til spring fears and stock the freezer to bursting with spaghetti sauce, chili and all manner of baked goods that will last til May (pause to consider a recent episode of Doomday Preppers). 

 

 Anyway, I've been inspired in the last couple of weeks in a different direction...fresh island grown fruits and vegetables! They are growing on trees and in the ground everywhere on Maui (we even have 13 fruit trees in our own yard -- but more about that another time).  Avocados, mangos, bananas, lemons and limes, oranges and gorgeous tomatoes too -- their colors are so vivid I can almost see the vitamins in them!  And, I'm in love with avocado-- delish! So, I've made a quick and easy-peasy recipe for guacamole and included some photos to show this beautiful produce - enjoy!

 

Ingredients
 2 avocados, 2 ripe tomatoes, juice of one lime, salt and pepper to taste

Peel avocados, slice fruit from the seed.
 

Mash avocados.
Chop tomatoes and add to mashed avocado.
Squeeze juice of one lime in the mixture.
Mix and add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
I like it with hint of lime taco chips - YUM!!

Even the bits for the compost are pretty!