My friend, Sophie ...

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Thought I'd share my friend Sophie's Web site with you. You can check out Sophie's World here: http://sophie.weborglodge.com

Me posing for a photo in the foyer.

It was nice and sunny today, so Daddy spent most of his time getting the garden area he is creating for our backyard all ready. You can see photos below of what Daddy has been up to ...

Garden shed and Daddy's pick-up in the backyard.

Side of the garden shed and garden are Daddy is creating next to the arbor.

Garden area Daddy is creating in backyard.

Daddy's garden area is next to the small vineyard area he has planted in the backyard.

Have a delightful upcoming week! ~ Robert

The Perfect Thursday ...

Happy Thursday! The sun is shining, blue sky is peaking through the clouds, and I'm enjoying life! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest blog entry. ~ Robert

Daddy continued working on the fence he is building around the garden in the back yard behind the garden shed.

Daddy managed to plant some sweet corn in the one raised garden bed he got done making the other day. Now he plans to water the corn so it can grow big and strong.

Above are some of the tools Daddy is using as he builds the garden fence.

Meanwhile, is was inside taking my usual afternoon nap on the recliner that is in the family room. Mommy put a fresh baby blanket on the recliner for me to use while her Daddy did stuff outside in our yard.

I love my baby blankets, because they are nice and soft, thus making for a cozy nap time. Mommy loves the baby blankets because they keep the furniture from getting hairy and stuff. As if I would shed all over the furniture or something! Oh, please!!!! I don't think a little hair would hurt anything. In fact, it might add to the cozy ambiance of the furniture decor. However, Mommy disagrees and feels compelled to cover furniture with baby blankets before I get to take a nap. So, what ya gonna do! If I try to say something on this issue, Mommy just accuses me of having "Cattitude" so there is no sense arguing with her over it.

A lovely spring day!

Peonies in our yard.

Wednesday was a lovely spring day. Mommy took some photos in our yard showing off some glimpses of spring here in Iowa where we live.

Close-up of peonies in our yard.

Daddy's mini-vineyard continues to grow in our backyard.

Daddy has also been working on making raised beds for the garden area behind the garden shed in our backyard.
The posts around the garden area are for the fence Daddy plans to install. And, as you can see by the photo above, Daddy isn't done painting the backside of the fence by the garden shed.
I think it's going to be awesome looking when done.

The flowers in the window boxes Daddy made for the garden shed seem to be growing nicely.

While all the natural beauty and wonders were occurring outside, I was sound asleep in the family room recliner. When Mommy came in, she snuck up on me and snapped some photos while I was sleeping. See photos below ...

Me asleep in the family room recliner on top of one of my baby blankets. I was sound asleep so didn't even know Mommy was taking these photos of me.

Well, that's it for now ... Have a great day!!! Stop back and visit again soon!!! ~ Robert

It's Wednesday ...

Happy Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by ...

Daddy is currently at work, as you can see by the photo above.

And, while Mommy was working in her studio here at home, I was taking a nap on the sofa in her studio as you can see by the above photo.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Robert

Happy Tuesday!

Hi! Thanks for checking back to my blog ...

So, last night Daddy and Mommy watched the Antique Roadshow on the public television station.

During the show, Mommy drank some Coke and ....

... I took a nap on Mommy's lap throughout the entire broadcast of Antique Roadshow.

Meanwhile, Daddy slipped out into the kitchen to snatch a treat for himself from the Swedish Cookie jar that sits on one of the counter tops next to the antique coffee grinder.

Later Daddy, Mommy, and I headed toward the stairs so we could all go to bed. You can see our open stairway in the background on the left side of this photo. You can also see my kitty scratching post on the left side.

Above you can see what Daddy and Mommy have displayed at the top of the open stairway. Sorry the photo is a little blurry but it was shot as we were passing by on our way to bed. Although blurry and hard to make out in the above photo, the art hanging above the shelf is called "Homeward Journey" by artist Julie Kramer-Cole. In this dark scene, Julie Kramer Cole has placed the image of an Indian in full glory riding his horse into the heavens ... and all this, camouflaged in the bolts of lightning. The soft, clean colors of western artist Julie Kramer-Cole allow the drama and emotion of her images to shine through. I think that her Native American and camouflage artwork reveal unexpected slices of life. Below is a close-up of "Homeward Journey" ...

Mommy snapped the photos above and below, as I was getting all settled in the bed in my kitty nursery for the night.

In the background of the above photo you can see the antique Four Winds quilt that is more than 100 years old and hangs in my kitty nursery. I think it has pretty bright colors and is rather cool looking!

New antique sewing machine ...

Hi there! Thanks for checking out my Monday blog entry ...

So, after watching Mommy make a quick lunch in the kitchen including pork egg rolls and steamed rice, I decided to go upstairs and check out the antique sewing machine that's just been added to our home decor ...

On Sunday, Daddy and Mommy went to antique auction and came home with this really cool looking antique Singer sewing machine. Neither Daddy or Mommy sew, but they both thought it would add a great ambiance addition to our 1920s home. I agree!

Below are some more photos of the sewing machine ...

After checking out the latest addition to our home decor, I headed to one of the bathrooms to get a drink of water from the sink ...

Happy Weekend!

Hi! Thanks for checking back to my blog. It has been rainy and cooler this Saturday, so I have enjoyed relaxing in the shelter of my home and watching birds outside the window from my lamp table perch in the formal living room.

Mommy went to a luncheon at Our Savior's Lutheran Church this afternoon with Grandma. They were guests of one of my Grandma's friends. It's this annual luncheon thing put on by the ladies of the Lutheran Church here in Albert City.

Above is one of the centerpieces on a table at the luncheon Mommy and Grandma attended this afternoon. I think the lemons and limes are a nice touch.



When Mommy got home, she decided to bake a cake. She decided on baking a Strawberry Coconut Cake. (See recipe below.)

Strawberry Coconut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Cake:
1 1/2 boxes of white cake mix
5 eggs
2 cups water
3/4 cup oil
1/2 box of strawberry jello (3 oz. box)
1/2 cup of chopped strawberries
Icing:
16 oz sour cream
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 box of strawberry jello (3 oz. box)
7 oz bag of sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup of chopped strawberries
1 (8 oz) carton of cool whip thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients for cake with an electric mixer. Pour into 3 (8 or 9 inch) round baking pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Place in preheated oven and bake for 22 minutes. Let cake cool completely before icing.

Mix all ingredients for the icing, excluding the cool whip. Place one layer of cake on a platter and cover the top with 1/3 of the coconut mixture. Add the second layer and cover that layer with another 1/3 of the mixture. Take the remaining 1/3 mixture and add the 8 oz carton of cool whip. Add the 3rd layer and cover the entire cake with your cool whip mixture. Garnish with strawberries.

Farewell to Socks ...

It just was brought to my attention, via word of meow, that former White House cat Socks lost his battle with cancer at the age of 19. He had been battling cancer of the jaw and his condition was rapidly worsening.

Following his tenure as the White House's official cat, in 2002 Socks went to live the remaining years of his life in southern Maryland with Betty Currie, who was President Bill Clinton's personal secretary. Socks made public appearances with Betty at animal welfare events and at events for military families.

In a statement to People.com, the Clintons said, "Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere. We're grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years."

I sincerely extend my condolences to Betty Currie and the Clintons for the loss of their beloved Socks. ~ Robert

Mourning David ...

Above actor David Carradine poses for a photo at his home in the Tarzana section of Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 10, 2004.

Mommy and I are sad today. Actor David Carridine has died tragically. David, who starred as the wandering monk in the long-running Kung Fu television series, passed away in Bangkok on June 3, 2009. Kung Fu was Mommy's favorite TV show when she was a little girl. She never missed an episode the entire time it was on the air. Now she owns the complete Kung Fu TV series DVD set that she watches on occasion if she feels the need to be inspired by a positive "blast from the past."

Thai police have told reporters that a hotel maid discovered Carradine's body in a wardrobe with rope around his neck and other parts of his body.

The actor became an iconic figure after playing Kwai Change Caine in the 1970s television series Kung Fu, and remained a well-known martial arts figure after writing several books and videos about the discipline.

After a long run of less high-profile parts, he was feted and found new fans after winning hte role of Bill in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 hit Kill Bill.

The son of the thespian, John Carradine, he was also called John but changed his name after following his father into showbusiness. Three of Carradine's brothers -- Bruce, Keith and Robert -- also went into acting.

The Spirit of the Bison

So, although I am cat, I do realize that Mommy's favorite animal remains the Bison. But, Mommy does stress that she also loves cats, which is good news for me since I am a cat. Above Mommy poses for a photo with her stuffed bison, Tatanka. In case you are unaware, Tatanka is the Native American word for Bison.

As you can see by the photos above and below, Mommy also has an extensive Bison figurine collection. They are proudly displayed on top of the piano in the formal living room.

Mommy also has some wooden bison displayed on the end table/magazine rack in the family room, as you can see above.

Mommy also has a stuffed bison that she has named Roam displayed in the far right corner on top of the entertainment center in the family room.

In addition, Robert Bateman's bison print "Chief" is displayed above the window in the stairway.