Two Black Cats

Garden pics

2007-03-30T15:00:00.000+01:00

A few signs of spring.

Hermes is growing up

2007-03-30T14:56:00.000+01:00

Hermes has just discovered the sink!

He also has a habit of climbing into any open cupboard, or even the washing machine.

Arty curls up

2007-03-09T08:43:00.000Z

This is Arty curled up in the lid of my daughters sewing basket. He must have seen it every day for years, but he has never slept in it before!

Sorry that we've been absent for so long - with the nicer weather gardening will resume and so will this blog.

More details to follow.....

Velvet in the sun

2006-10-01T12:47:00.000+01:00

Velvet enjoys a patch of late summer sun.

Please don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at Pets Garden

2006-10-01T12:27:00.001+01:00

A reassembled compost heap - complete with carpet - this has become a favourite sleeping place for the cats!

2006-10-01T12:27:00.000+01:00

A new waterbutt - ordered in about June - but never mind - it'll be useful next summer

2006-10-01T12:20:00.000+01:00

Pretty pink geraniums

2006-10-01T12:19:00.001+01:00

One of four sunflowers

2006-10-01T12:19:00.000+01:00

My hebe continues to flower beautifully

2006-10-01T12:18:00.001+01:00

Late pink roses

2006-10-01T12:18:00.000+01:00

A lovely orange dahlia.

Hermes - a growing kitten

2006-09-22T10:15:00.000+01:00

Close encounter with a dog in the garden.

Upside down play!

This photography stuff is complicated.

King of the castle!

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

Catblogging - new look cat beds

2006-09-15T14:32:00.001+01:00

Oh - a neatly folder pile of clean towels. What an excellent bed.

Aren't I handsome?

Two tier cat beds!

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at Justin's Random Thoughts and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Sorry - but I am back now!

2006-09-03T11:40:00.000+01:00

Sorry that blogging has been non-existent for a couple of weeks. So here is a text-only blog entry to catch up with the news.

On Thurs 24th August my daughter, K, got her GCSE results - and we are all so proud of her - she has 8 and a half A*'s and 2 A's (the half was from short-course RE taken in year 10). Her friends also did amazingly well - which bodes well for their entry into the 6th form at the start of the new term.

Her school have decided that the 6th form will wear 'office clothes' so they have to wear black suits (skirts of trousers) and white blouses. So we had a shopping trip - all I need to do now is to turn up 2 pairs of trousers.

On Friday 25th we had a nice Chinese meal with my mom and dad to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.

Last Wednesday K and her dad went to London and saw the new Tom Stoppard play Rock 'N Roll, and they got his autograph and also autographs of several other members of the cast.

Last week I did 4 days invigilation for ICAS (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland). This was my first paid employment out of the house for about 18 months, and so was quite scary at first. But there were 2 other invigilators who were great fun - both had connections with my old secondary school so we reminisced a lot. There was quite a lot of admin (which I enjoy) and it wasn't as boring as I thought it might be - and the candidates were great - very mature and polite.

I travelled into Birmingham on the train - with about a 10 minute walk each end - and even that was fun. And R took charge of all the cooking - so it was a nice role-reversal.

The cats were funny as well - they were SO pleased to see me when I got home - and ate their food with great relish! (it didn't seem to occur to either of them that they could 'ask' for food from R or K!) Also, as the weather has been quite Autumnal they are staying inside more and spending a lot of evenings on my lap.

Then yesterday I had the final tutorial for one of my OU courses, and next weekend is a revision weekend (more of that later).

So now it's 'back to school' week. R goes back tomorrow (with 2 days for the staff only), and K is back on Wednesday. I've got lots of OU work to do - and mega-plans in terms of house-tidying. I'll let you know if I stick to my plans!

I will also track down the camera and take some pics of the cats and the garden!

Tagged

2006-08-22T14:27:00.000+01:00

We have been tagged by Fat Eric - so here goes:

5 weird things about us:

Velvet loves human food - he comes running whenever the fridge door is opened. Arty will only eat catfood! Neither will eat cat treats.
Neither Velvet or Arty will drink water from a bowl - maybe a dripping tap - maybe the toilet (yuk) but usually the pond in the garden.
Velvet distrusts the catflap. Somedays he has to open it with his paw many, many times just to check it still works.
Velvet loves to lie on top of me with his head on my shoulder. The only trouble is he then tries to bite my chin!
Velvet and Arty are 'trained' to come when I click by tongue and call 'kittens'. This may seem odd as they are fully grown cats - but means I get both to come running.

5 weird things about me

I prefer maths to housework. But actually I prefer most things to housework, so maybe that isn't totally weird.
I like cold chinese or indian food.
I rarely listen to music. Occasionally Classic FM radio (as background sound) or Beautiful South. I listen to BBC Radio 4 a lot.
On the music theme - I hate any music first thing in the morning. I mean really hate it!
I don't like shopping and neither does my daughter, K.

I'm not sure if those are weird or not - let me know!

Sorry that blogging has been light

2006-08-22T11:36:00.000+01:00

We spent last week in Seahouses in Northumberland. Rather mixed weather - but a nice relaxing time. I've posted a few photos. I hope that I can return to regular blogging soon. The garden is looking a little untidy but plenty of vegetables to pick. The cats are fine - they are really pleased to see us!

2006-08-22T11:30:00.000+01:00

Torrential rain on Thurssday led to some interesting scenes outside our window.

2006-08-22T11:22:00.002+01:00

The view from our flat in Seahouses

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Seals on the Farne islands

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Kittiwakes on Inner Farne

2006-08-22T11:21:00.001+01:00

Inner Farne

2006-08-22T11:21:00.000+01:00

Longstone Lighthouse in the Farne Islands

Weekend Catblogging - a new silver tabby kitten

2006-08-06T10:01:00.000+01:00

Does my coat look good on this rug?

Ah - much better - a cream rug and a toy mouse!

This is Hermes.

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at TBIFOC and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Outings this week.

2006-08-05T10:47:00.000+01:00

This is a rather poor quality picture of Patrick Stewart who we saw in The Tempest at Stratford (Royal Shakespeare Company). An excellent production.

We also went to the cinema and saw Stormbreaker - which was great fun. A PG rating so lots of action but no blood or swearing.

Meet Hermes!

2006-08-04T15:58:00.002+01:00

Here is Hermes. He is the new kitten who belongs to P, K's dad. He has a Silver Tabby mom, and a British Blue dad - hence the lovely colouring. He is settling into his new home really well - and I am sure he will feature a lot on my blog in the future.

What fun

Upside down kitty!

Bookcases are for climbing!

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

Cats in the garden

2006-07-30T12:29:00.000+01:00

It's a relief to have the camera back - so early on Sunday morning I took a lot of garden pics (below) - and of course the cats have to 'help'. Velvet checks out the potatoes, and Arty surveys the garden from the top of the fence.

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at The Scratching Post and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

End of July - Garden update

2006-07-30T12:20:00.001+01:00

A sungold tomato - nearly ripe

2006-07-30T12:20:00.000+01:00

A courgette flower

2006-07-30T12:19:00.000+01:00

Sunflowers

2006-07-30T12:15:00.000+01:00

Lots of little green tomatoes

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Redcurrants

2006-07-30T12:14:00.001+01:00

The first sweetcorn tassel

2006-07-30T12:14:00.000+01:00

Sweetcorn

2006-07-30T12:13:00.001+01:00

Sweetcorn

2006-07-30T12:13:00.000+01:00

Courgette and pumpkin plants

2006-07-30T12:12:00.001+01:00

Flowering herbs

2006-07-30T12:12:00.000+01:00

Fennel plant which is now about 8 feet tall

2006-07-30T12:11:00.000+01:00

Runner beans

2006-07-30T12:07:00.000+01:00

Red haricot beans

2006-07-30T12:06:00.001+01:00

The first runner beans and the first globe courgette.

2006-07-30T12:06:00.000+01:00

Some newly dug potatoes. They have been a good crop so far, and very tasty.

A Black Cat with a touch of colour.

2006-07-28T09:49:00.000+01:00

Velvet knows that a touch of colour contrasts beautifully with his glossy black fur!

A touch of pink and green

Now add a green toy.

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

Flickr pics of Tigger and Poppy

2006-07-23T12:59:00.000+01:00

I don't have my digital camera this week - so I have loaded some lovely old pics of cats that I 'owned' in the past. Here are two, but also have a look at the Flickr album on the left sidebar.

Tigger and Poppy were brother and sister - very loyal and playful cats.

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at Creatures of the Earth and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Too hot to pose!

2006-07-21T12:19:00.000+01:00

We know it's Friday - but leave us alone - it's just TOO hot to pose! (especially if you are black and fluffy).

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

Arty needs fuss....

2006-07-16T13:19:00.000+01:00

Arty needs fuss. First he sees me in the garden with Velvet - so he climbs down the roof.

Then onto the fence and down onto the patio.

And finally joins me on the lawn - with a happy tail, and a big stretch.

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at For the Junta and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Holidays.

2006-07-14T19:14:00.000+01:00

My lovely daughter, K, is 16 - and looking forward to going to University in 2 years time - but suddenly became aware of her domestic shortcomings. So - we have spent her early summer hols (*) learning some basic cooking - washing - and ironning! Its amazing - she loves it.

But now, she is on holiday with her dad and some friends, in Cuba. I'll find a link soon. I am sure she will have an amazing, relaxing, time - but I am missing her already.

* - 4 weeks extra following her GCSE exams.

Arty likes to help...

2006-07-14T14:07:00.000+01:00

Arty is a very clean and tidy cat!

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

A garden update.

2006-07-14T14:06:00.001+01:00

We are having really hot, sunny weather here at the moment. The next few photos are and update on what is growing well at the moment.

A lovely deep purple clematis.

2006-07-14T14:06:00.000+01:00

A pretty orange lily.

2006-07-14T14:04:00.001+01:00

Redcurrants. mmmm.

2006-07-14T14:04:00.000+01:00

Courgettes and pumpkins in dappled sun.

2006-07-14T14:03:00.000+01:00

Sweetcorn in dappled sun.

2006-07-14T13:50:00.000+01:00

A rather untidy bed containing courgettes, tomatoes and sunflowers. The lovely blue flowers are self-seeded borage.

2006-07-14T13:49:00.000+01:00

Runner beans with lots of flowers.

2006-07-14T13:48:00.001+01:00

Tomato plants scrambling out of a grow bag.

2006-07-14T13:48:00.000+01:00

A courgette plants showing a few flowers and a tiny yellow courgette.

Meet Lizzie.

2006-07-09T11:37:00.000+01:00

Lizzie is one of the new kittens that I introduced before. She has just left her mom to live with some good friends of ours. Her brother will be moving to live with K's dad P - in about 2 weeks.

What a pretty girl.

I'm sure both kittens will be featured on my blog many times in the future.

And of course don't forget The Carnival of the Cats at Music and Cats and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Please can I come in?

2006-07-07T19:26:00.000+01:00

Please can I come in? It's dark and cold out here.

Ahh - so much better - a lovely pile of clean washing to sleep on.

P.S. Don't worry about Velvet - he has a perfectly good catflap to come in and go out through. It's just that an open window is much more tempting!

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

Where's it gone?

2006-07-02T20:14:00.000+01:00

Velvet and Arty prove that cats can see 'things' that us poor humans cannot. Or am I just watching too much Dr Who?

Check out this week's Carnival of the Cats at Watermark

And if you are into quizzes this is a new daily quiz hosted by my husband.

I plead guilty - blogging has been light.

2006-07-01T20:49:00.000+01:00

Sorry folks - I have been very remiss with my blogging for the last few weeks. Just loyal Cat Blogging on Fridays. The reasons? Mainly my marking - just as SATS finished the A Level started and is about to finish. Also my daughter K is at home, as she has finished her exams. I am really enjoying having her around - but it takes up my time and computer time (whilst she chats on MSN and role-plays).

The garden has also taken 2nd or even 3rd place. Although most veggies are doing fine. Exceptions are - onions/garlic need weeding. Lots of rogue borage in the toms/courgettes. I find it difficult to 'weed' these because they are so pretty. I've finally planted the last few courgettes and tomatoes and the last minute purchase of sweetcorn.

In the flower areas - the plus points are the roses, and a few little climbers. But I still haven't planted the front tubs or the baskets - so lots of rather sad annuals still on the patio. (memo to self - do these before the marking next year).

Tonight is a big night for K - her end of year 11 school Prom. She looked lovely when she went - and I hope she has a really good time - with pics maybe?

I also apologise to my fellow bloggers - I have been remiss at reading your blogs - and even worse at making comments - sorry!

Mean time here are a few garden pics:

1-2-3 Stretch

2006-06-30T14:03:00.001+01:00

First is Arty's stretch.

Then Arty shows Velvet how to stretch.

The it's Velvet's turn

And finally both cats stretching.

Please have a look at Friday Ark at The Modulator

A New Kitten

2006-06-23T13:29:00.000+01:00

Aren't they gorgeous. There are three kittens with a silver tabby mom, and a British Blue dad. My daugher's dad, P, is having the little male that is being held up in the last photo.

I'm sure he will settle in well with P and Cyril, and will appear here a lot in the future.

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator

Friday Catblogging - where are they?

2006-06-16T15:38:00.000+01:00

First find your cat!

Then zoom in...

Then entice him to play...(notice the claws!)

Suddenly there are two....

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator, Carnival of the Cats at Mind of Mog and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

2006-06-16T15:37:00.000+01:00

Pototo plant with white flowers.

2006-06-16T15:34:00.000+01:00

An electric blue/green mayfly (I think). We get lots of them around the pond.

2006-06-16T15:33:00.000+01:00

A pretty white 'old rose' which was a 40th birthday present from friends several years ago.

2006-06-16T15:23:00.000+01:00

Potato plant with purple and yellow flowers.

Marking progress

2006-06-12T17:22:00.000+01:00

Apologies for very light blogging recently. I went to London last Tuesday for the A Level maths standardisation meeting, and so I was due to start A Level marking on Wednesday.

However on the same day I received another 200 SATS papers with a final deadline of 14th June! Consequently they have taken priority over everything else - so no gardening or even lounging in the sun!

All the SATS marking is finished - I need to complete the final admin tomorrow and then get on with the A level!

Garden Update

2006-06-12T17:18:00.000+01:00

A lovely pink rose, a trough of mixed herbs, and white water lilies.

2006-06-12T17:11:00.000+01:00

A grape vine, with a canary creeper

2006-06-12T17:10:00.001+01:00

Runner beans

2006-06-12T17:10:00.000+01:00

A lovely orange rose.

Fluffy or sleek?

2006-06-09T15:59:00.000+01:00

Arty is fluffy

Velvet is sleek

Which do you prefer?

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator, Carnival of the Cats at Gigolo Kitty and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Friday Catblogging - fluffy or sleek

2006-06-09T14:39:00.000+01:00

Arty is fluffy

Velvet is sleek

Which do you prefer?

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator, Carnival of the Cats at Gigolo Kitty and Weekend Catblogging at Eatstuff.net

Photo Friday Challenge - "new"

2006-06-02T14:32:00.000+01:00

This is an old photo from when the kittens were "new". Ohh so sweet!

Friday Catblogging whatever the weather.

2006-06-02T14:11:00.000+01:00

Velvet is a happy cat whatever the weather. Earlier in the week it was cold and grey so he curled up in a lovely warm bed.

But yesterday the weather was warm and sunny, so I helped mom to hand the washing out!

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator

Sunday garden progress.

2006-05-28T19:13:00.000+01:00

At last a dry day! After England had successfully won the cricket, I did some general pottering in the garden. I transplanted all the small herb seedlings into two planters (chervil, lemon coriander, dill, ordinary coriander and parsley), transplanted some lettuce and sorrel seedlings into the veg bed, planted out 4 sunflowers (3 about 18inches tall, one a bit weedy), and the last few morning glory plants (rather weedy too).

I'm having a losing battle with the snails and courgettes - I've now lost 6 plants! I've got 3 left in pots which I am trying to grow as big as possible before planting them out! So I also re-sowed another 6 courgette seeds, and 3 butternut squash (following zero germination) earlier.

I sowed the final growbag with assorted lettuce, plus a row of radishes and beetroot, and then covered them with the plastic cloche lids. A bit of an experiment really. Pics will have to wait as it then decided to rain!

Velvet in the jungle...

2006-05-28T10:08:00.000+01:00

Velvet retreats to the cool undergrowth.

Can you still see me?

Check out this weeks Carnival of the Cats at Nobium and visit our Australian feline friends at Eatstuff.net

Friday Catblogging - Playing in the Sun.

2006-05-26T11:27:00.002+01:00

Fun in the sun with a piece of grass - Arty shows his huge paws

Arty playing

2 black cats and one piece of grass - enjoying the sun!

Velvet joins in too!

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator

Exam marking update

2006-05-25T12:20:00.000+01:00

SATS marking is now all complete - I am just awaiting the Grade Levels (due next Tues) to do the borderline checking and completion of the final levels. I might possibly get some extra papers sent out - but it seems a little late for that now.

The A Level standardisation is Tues 6th June - and the pre-meeting examples are up on the website - so I've marked enough practise ones to get an idea of the markscheme and made a list of questions to ask at the meeting. This year's paper seems easier to mark - but maybe that's just that I am more experienced.

2006-05-22T15:55:00.000+01:00

Velvet and I grabbed a brief dry few minutes to take these photos in the garden. Here he is inspecting the gap under the herb planter!

2006-05-22T15:53:00.000+01:00

Another very wet day. K took her first two GCSE written papers today - Spanish Listening and Music Listening. Both seemed to go quite well.

2006-05-22T15:50:00.000+01:00

Radishes.

2006-05-22T15:43:00.002+01:00

Broad beans.

2006-05-22T15:43:00.001+01:00

Potatoes!

2006-05-22T15:43:00.000+01:00

I think this is ajuga.

2006-05-22T15:42:00.000+01:00

The Clematis Montana that I thought was dead earlier in the year.

National Composting Awareness Week.

2006-05-22T11:07:00.000+01:00

Personally, I think all gardeners should compost their garden and kitchen waste - and preferably have a wormery as well.

In addition some local councils collect garden waste for composting or shredding, which is an excellent idea.

However, this weekend has been so wet that NO gardening has been possible, and the grass is SO long!

Also I have lost 4 courgette plants (probably to slugs). Please can we have some sun soon?

Cats and Bathrooms!

2006-05-21T17:08:00.000+01:00

Arty relaxing on the bathroom rug.

Check out this weeks Carnival of the Cats at IMAO

and WCB from Australia at Eatstuff.net

2006-05-19T14:35:00.000+01:00

Feeding time! I know I've only got 2 black cats - but sometimes at dinner time we are joined by

Patch

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator

The Great Tomato and Courgette Experiment.

2006-05-14T16:16:00.000+01:00

For many years I have grown tomatoes and courgettes. Sometimes I have used growbags - which seem effective but ugly - sometimes using troughs - and sometimes using the veg plot if I have spare space.

So this year, as I have germinated so many plants - I am going to use all 3 methods. Not exactly a scientific trial because of a range of varieties have been grown. Pics are below - and I will keep the blog updated.

2006-05-14T16:12:00.001+01:00

Trough with 2 courgette plants.

2006-05-14T16:12:00.000+01:00

Trough with 2 tomato plants (the sunken plant pot is for watering)

2006-05-14T16:10:00.000+01:00

Veg plot with 7 asssorted courgette plants (and haricot beans).

2006-05-14T16:09:00.001+01:00

Grow bag with 2 F1 courgettes

2006-05-14T16:09:00.000+01:00

Grow bag with 2 tomato plants (honest!)

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Climbers, beans and sunflowers - not to mention the tomatoes and courgettes (out of shot).

2006-05-14T13:45:00.000+01:00

Oh dear what a lot of plants - all needing my attention this week!

Sunday is for sleeping cats.

2006-05-14T13:22:00.000+01:00

Arty says 'it's Sunday morning, please let me sleep'.

Check out this weeks Carnival of the Cats at Watermark

Arty likes to help...

2006-05-12T09:55:00.000+01:00

This week has been a bit light on blogging and gardening as I am busy marking exam papers. Luckily Arty is happy to help. Here he is guarding the papers!

Check out the Friday Ark at The Modulator