New and Improved 'Nip!

As the Rudester reported on Monday, when the 'rents went on vacation our 'nip plant bought the farm. It was pitiful and I know that this photo is hard to look at. But that's what no water and 90+ degrees will do to a plant. We were very, very sad.

Now, I have to give credit to the 'rents. They felt bad that there would be no 'nip crop to enjoy on those long summer evenings, so Mommy went out and found what was sure to be the last living 'nip plant for sale in our little corner of O Hi O. Daddy was a hero and planted the new nip so we can have party-time on the deck again!

...Extra added value - when the plant is watered, Rudy gets a little sippy. It's all good kitties!

Photo Hunt - Addiction

Well, this week's hunt was pretty much a no-brainer for us kittes at casa de O Hi O. This is our baby 'nip plant. It will feed our addiction all summer long! Roll 'em if ya' got 'em kitties!

Thankful Thursday - Harvest Time

Rudy and I snoopervised Mommy while she harvested the 'nip.

Mommy says it did not count as snoopervising if our eyes were closed.
Whatever Mommy, you still did a good job!

Summer's End...

...means that we are getting to the last of our fresh catnip.
We won't miss the hots, but just as the 'rents are going to miss the fresh taste of tomatoes, we will miss the sweet, sweet smell of fresh homegrown 'nip.
Happy Friday everyone!

Easy Like Sunday

We lost all of our electricity this morning. There was a bad car crash that made it happen. We hope that the beans that were in the accident are OK.
I had a lot of fun on the deck yesterday. Here I am going back in the house after an afternoon of nipping and napping.

The hots really did a number on our plants. Luckily there was plenty of leaves left to let us all have some fun. Diamond even ate a few leaves. He didn't see what all of the fuss was about...

There is some chicken marinating in the fridge, Daddy is going to be the BBQ king today! YUM!

The Rudy Report

Hi there kitties! It's me, Rudy with a Rudy report. I had to work hard this weekend - hard I tell you! I spent all of my time guarding the 'nip plants - see how much work it is? There were a few hissy fit disagreements about who should be in charge of the 'nip guarding, but as the Mancat of the homestead, I prevailed. Oh, and to make my job even harder, there's another plant just like this one on the other side of the deck! I tell you, it's a hard life here in O Hi O up on the deck! It's a good thing that the BBQ grill was going all weekend and I had plenty of meaty goodness to keep my strength up! I hope your weekend was as sunny and sweet as mine. Life is good kitties!

The Wild Life...

...in O Hi O. The birds and Tick and Tock (and a dozen or so of their squirrely pals) continue to enjoy the birdy buffet. These photos were taken earlier this week.

But something wonderful happened yesterday! The temperature started to climb and a lot of our snow is disappearing! Mommy says that hope springs eternal and that maybe we are finished with the sub-zero weather for the season.

So in the spirit of hope, Mommy and Daddy bought this and some catnip seeds.
If the snow melts and the temperature starts to climb, time outside on our deck can't be too far off! WooHoo!

So, in other news, my boo-boo is healing, but I still look like someone clawed me in the kisser. I might show you some photos later this week. There is no infection and it does not hurt. I've also been given some sweet awards and I need to tell you about those! Stay safe and warm and well kitties - and I hope you have a special Valentine to be sweet to. As many of you know I have a twisted relationship with this rogue Tabby. Maybe I'll make him a little somethin'...who knows...

Only November...

...and we already are missing our deck!

Formerly Feral Flying Friday

Daddy is leaving on a jet plane today.

He won't be back for 4 night sleeps!
And to add to my misery, look at my 'nip plant!
The only good news is that it might rain! That would be a very good thing because it has not rained here in over a month. The grass is as dead as this 'nip plant!
Mommy says that I will get extra snuggles from her and that all will be well. So maybe life won't be as awful as I think - I know that I have much to be thankful for, so kitties - here's to a rainy snuggle-filled weekend. Even if Daddy won't be here...Sob!

Catnip

Sometimes a kitty needs to let go and have a little fun. Yesterday was one of those days. We spent the morning on the deck enjoying the sun and the breeze before it became the oven of H. E. Doublehockeysticks outside. Mommy bought some new catnip that we had never tried before. She opened the package and spread some around on the deck. She has to spread it far enough around so that we don't get hissy over each others "stash." Below is a photo of me enjoying this new catnip.
Kitties, if your beans are ever in a store and see this type of catnip, tell them to please buy some for you. It's awesome! It's called West Paw and you can buy it here. You will not be disappointed! There are no stems or fillers. Just the good stuff. Our fresh 'nip plant is not long for this world because of the awful heat so it's good to have back-up!

I'm just glad they don't make dognip. Diamond is silly enough!

Saturday Caturday - Powder

"Mommy, I need a little help here!"

"My 'nip got stuck!"
"Can you help?"

ps - Skeeter, please get well soon!

How To Dry Catnip

My Plant got a little "haircut" yesterday!

Yesterday Mommy took some of my catnip plant to dry out. That way, we will have fun, fun, fun throughout the cold months! Do you want to know how she did it? Here are the instructuions -(Thanks to wikihow)
Wait until the plant is at least five inches tall. Then, taking scissors, gently cut the plant at the base so you have long stalks of catnip. Be aware that you will want to cut more than you think you need, because the plant is going to dry up and it will turn out to be less than it was originally. Once you have all the stalks you need, secure the catnip together with either yarn or heavy thread.
Find a dark area (the linen closet is always the best, but any closet will do). Keep in mind that the plant must be hanging upside down and the door must be closed most of the time for the herbs to dry properly. (And remember to make sure it is secure from prying little kitty paws!)
Stick a tack to the inside of the door, and tie your catnip around it. Keep it closed and let the drying begin!
Within four to eight weeks (or more depending on how dry your house is, how little sunlight you expose the herbs to etc.) you will have completely dry catnip! Enjoy the smell and watch your cats go wild for the favorite treat!
Mommy is going to put the dried catnip in baggies and keep it in the freezer.
She's such a child of the 70's...

Wordless Wednesday - Wishing...