The Kittens

After doing some research, one of the kittens we rescued is a Snowshoe cat. This photo isn't the actual kitten as he's hard to get a photo of right now.His coat is very white and I think he's handsome,
Sbowshoe's are a genetic varient of Siamese cats and are now recognized  as an actual breed.  Kittens go for around $500 and up.We are fortunate to get one for free.They've been around since around 1960.

I hope to get a photo of ours so you can see the handsome guy. HIs face is so distinctive and now as a kitten, he gets into trouble on a daily basis. But he's so loving and cute, you can't get very angry with him.

His sister is also Siamese, very light coloring....much like this cat

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I think she's prettier than this photo and she has piercing blue eyes. I call her Sky. She's taken to me and wants to sit on my lap most of the time if she could. Our older cats get a little jealous of her..She's sweet and affectionate, almost dainty.

The one tht gets into the most trouble doesn't look like these too at all. He looks like an all American short hair. His coat is greyblue and we call him Blue. He has four white feet and is very curious. He's gotten himself into some silly situations, like climbing in the dishwasher and into cabinets.

here is a photo a found with the exact color of his coat, The only differenct is his four white feet/

            This ia a Russian blue kitten but he does look alot like our Blue.

More Yard News and a Recipe

We're still working away on the yard. Its taking alot of time as its been so hot. Most days are in the 100 + temperatures. As I type this, its 106 outside. It seems like the heat bothers me worse now that I
am getting older. I can only take about 15 minutes before I need to go inside. Alan feels the same so that's what we do.
During the week, our son works so we do what we can. I get up early so to do the work before it warms up too much,

Alan and a worker removed all the agave cactus from along the fence line. Alan broke out on his right forearm from the juices of these plants and doing research found out they are toxic to humans,
I' m glad we're getting rid of them for all our sakes. They look like this:

 

What anyone would plant these in a backyard is a puzzle. But they are gone now which is a relief.
The area where they were still needs some work. We're going to rebuild the shed there.

You can see pieces of the cacti which we are getting rid of. We got rid of 6 50 gallons bags of cacti so far.  The shed we're building is large and will cover most of this area. This yard has been a huge job, our most challenging ever but very satisfying to see things falling into place however slowly.

I've been learning how to cook with a electric oven. One thing I like is that it doesn't get the kitchen hot while baking. Nice in the summer time! I baked this Blueberry Coffee Cake this morning.

Ita tasty and nice for a summer breakfast. Easy to make too and our grandson (7) loves it.

Blueberry Coffee Cake
2 cups flour
1 cup plus 1 T. sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 t. salt
Mix all together and then

Stir together 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup melted butter (cooled)
and 1/2 cup milk. I've found I need a little more milk when mixing.

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry. Then add 2 cups of blueberries. I used frozen ones which work well.
Put in to a 9 by 9 square pan. and bake at 400 for about 22 to 24 minutes. I made a little streusel for the top of this one. Just mix 1 T. soft butter, 1 t. of cinnamon, 1 T. brown sugar, and a little flour, Mix well and drizzle it across the top.

I've baked this several times and everyone likes it. I make it sugar free for my husband as he's diabetic. Just substitue any diabetic sweetner instead of the sugar.