a belated christmas picture

I don't know why I didn't upload this picture since it's one of my favorites, and Shiro is just...just so sparklingly beautiful :D No photoshop retouching here!

 

A little angel under the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a happy holiday! We added a hefty ornament to the christmas tree...big and black and furry...

It's feeling a little bit like Christmas...

I wasn't sure if I wanted to take out the Christmas tree this year, since I know that the kittens are going to be all over it.  But what is the holidays without a tree?  Now it's out, and we have so far learned that Kuro (the black one) likes to climb trees. go figure. I haven't caught him in action yet, but I hear the bell ornaments jingling now and again...Pictures of the tree, and Kuro munching on the fake branches.

**kitty kat korner** - hanging kuro 2

Here's another picture of Mr. chair-climber in action. I particularly like this photo cuz it's got nice colors, and the reflection of the lamp in the mirror is looking kinda neat and fancy.  I am rather itching to get that oil-painting started up again (since so many have commented that I am being lazy for not finishing it), but oils are so messy...

**kitty kat korner** - hanging kuro

Kuro seems to like to hang on the side of the chair.  In fact, he likes dangling 1/2 of his body off the back of the chair, and trying to catch his tail on the opposite side.  It's easier that I show you...

He stays in this rather uncomfortable position and attacks his tail for at least 15 minutes.  It's incredible this guy...making anything into a new exciting game.

**kitty kat korner** - new toy

I think it was last Thursday I got home from freelancing early, and decided I would not sit in front of the computer or turn on the TV.  So what does one do?  I decided to make a small catnip toy for the young'uns.  It's the little green thing with a golden bell on it that Kuro is so adamantly playing with.  I had some loose ribbon pieces I made into a little pouch, and stuffed it with catnip wrapped in a crinkled napkin.  I'm glad they are enjoying it...though in hindsight I think they are way too young for catnip.  Sensory overload  = really jumpy cats.

**kitty kat korner** - kuro in a bag

I think our poor kitty wanted to tag along with us on our weekend trip to Ann Arbor..
(this was taken thursday afternoon). Unfortunately he wasn't allowed to come...I think he was a bit upset.

**kitty kat korner** - concentrating kuro

I think he's looking to attack the camera strap. The weather's been nice during the day, but it's getting pretty cool at night. I feel the change of season when the cats start to join us on the bed so we can all cuddle at night. It's about time we upgraded our full size to something larger....
Have a good weekend!

and finally...

This weekend we FINALLY saw some color change to the cayenne peppers! They looked like they were fully grown, maybe a month ago? But it just wouldn't turn red...but ohh, good thing we were patient. I need to find a recipe to use these scrumptious peppers.

And while I was outside on the balcony, I saw this thru the screen door:

Big head cat! hee hee.

**kitty kat korner** - i'm a new fan

Did everyone have a good labor day weekend? I have lots of pix to upload, but before that...my BFF introduced me to this site, Linus in Hats. No need explain. This is my favorite picture so far. AHHH!

from Linus in Hats.

A special stained glass tribute to Tono

This is going to be a rather long post, so brace yourselves!

I was in Ann Arbor for about a week to start this daunting stained glass project (I think I might have mentioned it). Due to my absent-mindedness, I forgot the USB cable for the camera, so couldn't upload progress shots. But here's the story:

My mom is a fantastic stained glass artist. She's been at it since as long as I can remember, and has created some fabulous pieces. Since I had this talented teacher and resources, I wanted to make a special urn for our beloved cat, Tono. I created the design myself, though in hindsight that might have been a mistake since I really didn't understand the fine art of glass cutting. Not to give a stained glass online workshop, but you start off by cutting the glass pieces to the approximate shape of your design, then finely grinding it down. Basically you're making glass puzzle pieces to put together.

From the (top left) - that's me using the grinder to shape the glass. (top right) Loose jagged edged glass pieces pre-grind. (bottom left) The smallest glass piece I used for the project. (bottom right) The progress of grinding all the glass pieces.

Now as a post, that took a paragraph, but the whole cutting/grinding ordeal took four almost 10-hour days of hard work. I know that seems like a long time for so little, but we're talking about cutting glass!

(top left) - After the cutting and grinding, you wrap each piece with a thin copper foil tape. You put the melted metal ontop of it and solder the glasses together. (top right) - The five panels of the box soldered together and complete! (bottom left) - putting the box together. That's me using the soldering iron. And voila! (bottom right) The box put together!

At this point, we ran out of time to finish the box, and I went back to Chicago with my mom. There's tons of more steps in between (which was another whole day of work), but finally, after a week of hard work, Tono's urn was complete!

It's just as I imagined. Maybe better. It looks beautiful with the sunlight through the glass. The angel wings sticking out from the left side of the box lid and the little green feet at the bottom of the box were my mom's clever ideas. That really completed the look. ♥

And so, a fine chapter closes in the adventures of stained glass making. Thanks to my mom for her guidance and support!! Tono's gonna love it.

It sprouted!

And finally some summer weather this month of August. Along with a little sprouting on top of Shiro's little head...Oh, Shiro. You are so adorable.♥

A dedication to my dear Tono

I am sorry for my absence the past two days. It has been a difficult start of the week.

Tono, our 14-year 11 month old tabby cat had to be let go last night. He suffered from what we believe was a brain tumor. In the end, our poor kitty lost his vision in his right eye due to an ulcer, lost motor skills on his right side, which resulted in a sort of "lock-jaw" which made him unable to eat. Soon his left eye followed the same fate as the right, and when we took him to the vet for the last time, he was a skinny minny 5 pounds.

We were told by the vet that once his motor skills started to go askew, his behavior would follow. He would get reclusive, and his quailty of life would diminish. If only that were the case. Tono - with all the physical handicaps that he endured - was still lovable and appreciated our company may it be on the couch or in his closet where his bed resided. I hadn't heard him meow in months, but when he was comfortable on our laps, he would purr like always. Even just an hour before the dreaded vet visit, our Tono was lovable as ever. That made it so difficult. We knew his spirit was strong, but he was so physically frail.

I would like to dedicate this post and the rest of the week to our beloved Tono. He had a strong will and an even stronger heart. I am going to miss him so much.

Tono 1994-2009