Our Ramses

After 22 healthy and happy years, our Ramses died this last Friday. He was one of a kind and we are so lucky he stayed with us for so long! 

Born in New Mexico, he fully embraced our move to hot and humid Savannah. In fact, he loved the weather here more than anyone, always outside basking in the sun. The warmer the better.

Ramses loved our two previous dogs (Moe and Puna), but Winslow was his special buddy. After all, he raised Winslow from a puppy! Almost every night he would clean Winslow's eyes and make sure his eyebrows were in good shape. We never quite understood what the eyebrow thing was about, but Winslow loved it.

And often Winslow would return the favor and lick Ramses' head until his ears were inside out and he looked like he had plunged his head into water.  Tucker, Louie and Peabody (our other cats) have rallied around Winslow and keep him company. Winslow loves all "his" cats and luckily they love him.

Of course Ramses was also quite sophisticated and an avid art critic. I never knew if sitting on one of my paintings meant approval or disapproval.

As I looked through all our photos, I realized how few of them show Ramses from the front.

Most of the photos are like these. Wherever we sat, he tried to get onto one of our laps. He helped with computer work (this was the last photo I took of him),

keeping us warm,

helping us relax,

and he always supervised my knitting.

You were a special cat, Ramses. My lap feels quite cold without you here to warm it. And our house is strangely quiet without your constant chatter.

Until we meet again...

❧ Silke

Moments in time

A new painting, already sold and traveling to it's new home later this week. This one makes my heart very happy!

Ramses saying: "Good morning! Now feed me!!!"

Winslow and his buddy Zachy keeping me company while I paint.

A cozy evening by the fire.

Whole wheat pancakes with wild Maine blueberries for breakfast last weekend.

Mussels and homemade bread for dinner a couple of nights ago.

Evidence of painting.

Two of my favorite things. Knitting and painting.

My art on a tote bag. Isn't it fun?!

My art on my iPhone. Eeeek!!!! Can you tell I'm excited! I got these items through my Society6 shop.

I hope your week is filled with many fun moments!! I'm going to bundle up now and take Winslow and Zachy out for a walk in the cold.

Much love,

❧ Silke

A cozy Sunday

I'm glad you all enjoyed my Savannah post. It's such a pretty town, isn't it?

Finding my happy moments today was not difficult. It's a cool and sunny November day and I am snuggled under my oh so soft crocheted blanket with my knitting and Ramses by my side.  

Earlier, Winslow was curled up on the guest bed,

And this morning Louie was snuggled in nicely on the back porch.

I hope your day is equally relaxing and cozy!

Kitty Love

With our animals there's never a shortage of photo apps. The day we returned from our little road trip, Ramses decided he would not leave my lap, so I snapped a few pictures.

Of course, he always loves to help me knit...

Deep in meditation!

And we're knitting again...

Our two outdoor kitties, Louie (on the left) and Tucker at a stand off. They are two semi-feral cats who have adopted us. And it seems that both are here to stay.

Louie is a total snuggler and Tucker is becoming incredibly playful and trusting.

See what I said about Louie and snuggling - he found his place on Daniel's lap. And once he's settled, he can stay that way for hours getting his belly rubbed. Too cute!

With loud purring, our three kitties send you much love and wish you an amazing Thursday...

❧ Silke

Trying to read...

Last weekend the weather was so perfect that we spent much time out on our back porch reading. And this is what happens every time:

The cats see an available lap and ... well, you can see for yourself!

And of course Winslow has to be part of it all as well.

We wouldn't have it any other way!

Wishing you a beautiful evening!

❧ Silke

Moments in Time

Do you ever have days when you feel just incredibly content? When your little world is just as it should be and you wouldn't change a thing? I had a day like that yesterday and I took some pictures along the way to share with you. 

Ramses making a nest in the pine needles Daniel was about to clean up.  

Pine cones from the garden. They all came down during the recent windy days and now look pretty in the house. 

A picture of peace: all three animals in one spot. Can you spy them all? Just click on the picture to make it bigger. That huge begonia we grew from one leaf that we picked somewhere in town last year.

Louie being very intense.  In reality, he was just stretching toward me to be petted. He loves to cuddle.

The last hydrangeas on the window sill in the kitchen (I love that picture of Daniel in Ireland).

The last of the purple basil picked and ready to be used in our favorite Thai chicken dish next week.

Surprise yarn I got in the mail. I had ordered a super cheap packet of five skeins of this cotton yarn, but the color was going to be a surprise. It couldn't have been more perfect for me! And each skein is over 300 yards long, so there's enough for a nice project or two!

Now to the food! The chicken broth I made on Friday was transformed into a delicious chicken noodle veggie soup yesterday ~ to eat next week and for the freezer for later.

Fresh out-of-the-oven pumpkin pie I made on Friday.

Delicious!!

Last night I made a green salad with pears, blue cheese and walnuts...

and risotto with crispy sage leaves and pears.

Nothing grand, but somehow everything felt special. A day to be savored. And that I did.

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!!

❧ Silke

While resting yesterday...

Yesterday - between sneezing and sniffling - I did a lot of resting in our most comfortable reading (aka nap) chair. While I was sitting there, I took a few photos of the things around me to share with you today.

Cashews - one of my favorite snacks! I have to dole them out to myself in small portions because I could easily eat a whole pound in one sitting... Well - ahem - I did finish all of what we had left in the pantry yesterday! Not really a small portion. 

Right in front of me ... lookie there ... my art! :) Pretty, no?

And to my right on the living room table (please disregard the dog hairs on it... Winslow is like a big fluff muffin - his fur flies around everywhere) - one of my dear friend Vicki's gorgeous fall nests! If you are interested in growing your blog, head on over to hers (click here) and join the blog party she is planning. And if you knit or crochet, you might want to participate in her very worthy Pink Scarf Project. You can read all about it on her blog.

Ok, now a view our our front entry way. Doesn't the floor look shiny? Well, it's an illusion...I really need to get out the mop soon! But not today...

I love those skinny windows next to the door letting in light, but I don't always like that people can look in from the outside, especially when I am home alone. I've thought of putting up a curtain rod and sewing two narrow panels of sheer (but not see-through) material. Do any of you have a suggestion?

Ok, back to the from-the-chair sightseeing tour.

On the fireplace, a little bit of halloween decoration (we bought these waaaaay back when we still lived in Michigan at Horrocks, a fantastic country farm store I still miss) and some of my favorite pottery from Germany, which seems to multiply every time I visit my family.

And speaking of waaaaay back when - my mother bought these little etchings probably over thirty years ago. I still love them!

To the right of the chair: the aquarium - or as I also like to call it, my meditation station. It is impossible to watch the fish and feel any kind of stress or anxiety.

Now we've arrived at my lap and a throw I am crocheting for us. Did you notice how I chose a color that is compatible with both Ramses' and Winslow's fur?  Pure necessity at our house! If beige looked good on me at all, that's the only color I'd ever wear!

Friends, there is absolutely no way to sit on the chair (or really anywhere) without Ramses joining you. It was hard trying to dissuade him from sitting right on the knitting and crocheting projects, but he finally agreed to settle on my legs - and consequently refused to look at me for this photo. I tried for five minutes and gave up. Cats!

So different from Winslow, who was happy to pose for me, sweet boy that he is ... as long as he didn't have to lift his head. It was an exhausting day. NOT!

"Where was Daniel?" you might wonder. He was in the kitchen cooking up a pot of delicious midwest chili for us and making our most favorite corn bread recipe (double yum!!), which I might just have to share with you in a future post. 

But for now I am back to sneezing and sniffling and resting and keeping all of you who are in Hurricane Sandy's path in my thoughts! 

Wishing you a most wonderful Monday!

❧ Silke