Kinda Random: Kittens, Lambs, Quilts, Easter

Easter is approaching.   A few "awww" moments have recently occurred.

Two nights ago, there was a knock on my door.  My neighbor, Wayne, was out there holding this.  He gave it to me and said he had made it for us.

He told me that he had been a professional baker for 20 years--his family had owned a bakery--I did not know that!  It was a tradition in his house to make these for his children every year, and he wanted us to have one.

Is this cool, or what?!  It is a pound cake.  My aunt saw my Facebook post about this, and she said that this is a traditional Polish Easter Lamb Cake.  Well, it's too beautiful to eat!  :-)  Sweet Pea went for the jelly beans immediately.  Haha.  What a nice way to brighten our evening!

Last Thursday, March 26, our cat Rosa had kittens.  The photo above was taken when the kittens were only four days old.  Their eyes still aren't open yet.  Sweet Pea was so happy.  This little gray stripey one is her favorite.  She's named it Spidey.  We will keep one kitten from this litter, given that PJ passed away.  Sweet Pea wants to keep this one.

There were two calicoes, too.  (There was a fourth kitten, but it died right after it was born.)  This kitten is really a loud one.  It cries a LOT when you take it away from its mother.  Isn't that cute?  No teeth yet.  (Sweet Pea wants to keep this one, too.  We'll see if we can talk Papa Pea into it.)

Rosa is a good mama.  We had a bit of sadness, too, though.  See the calico on the left?  Well, I let Belle out the other day and forgot to keep an eye on her.  She had pulled all the kittens out of the box by grabbing the towel and pulling it out.  She had played with the kittens and actually killed this one.  I came out and found the little calico...it was alive, but I could tell its neck was broken.  It died about 5 minutes later.  I felt soooo bad.  I'm still feeling really down about it.  She also mauled the gray one, but it seems to be okay.  Sweet Pea has just been heartbroken over this.

I couldn't resist this little snack mat that my friend Brooke made.  I love the Lil' Twister design, and the Ruby fabric is one of my FAVES.

I put my African Violet on it.  Yes, this is proof that I have now kept this plant alive for over a year!  And it's even thriving!  (Remember, I blogged about it here when I got this plant.  Look how much bigger it is now!)   I am really proud of myself!  Grandma, this is for you!

My niece and one of Sweet Pea's friends had birthdays recently.  So, Sweet Pea and I made more Wee Mouse Tin Houses.  Click the name to get the pattern.  (See my review of this pattern here.)

I got some corduroy to make these out of, as the pattern calls for.  You might remember I made the last ones out of fleece.  I found the corduroy a little harder to work with...it was a little harder to turn these little guys than it was to turn the fleece.  But they were still super fun to make and are really cute!

I took Sweet Pea to a movie a couple of weeks ago.  It was a 3D movie (the non-3D one was sold out.)  We don't do that very often.  She wanted the slushie instead of a soda.  She loves the spoon/straw.  What kid doesn't?

As you know, I'm traveling again right now.  Last time I was traveling, I was in an airport lounge and saw this magazine cover.  Isn't this just beautiful?  I thought it was good quilt inspriation.  I would love to make a quilt like this sometime.

I love how quilt inspiration surrounds me in my life.  Papa Pea and I have been so busy, we had to make a lunch date with each other to see each other a couple of weeks ago.  We went out to lunch at this quirky little restaurant in Kalamazoo that I just love....The Crow's Nest.  It's small, in a quirky part of town, all old brick walls...you get the idea.  They display art for sale in their restaurant, and it changes every month.  This month it is all quilts.  Beautiful.

I hope quilt inspiration surrounds you and that you enjoy your Easter weekend (or Passover, if that's what you celebrate).  It is a time of rebirth, joy, and renewal.  I hope you all experience some of that this weekend and for all your days to come.

Until next time,

Mama Pea

Comments

[Caroll D]

I love all your pictures! I'm so sorry about your kitties. Rosa looks like my Sassy and I can see why Little Pea chose the one she did. Love that twister mat. Do you know what size template was used? I love those tin houses and have been collecting them. Your violet is beautiful. Makes me want to get one again. Yes, that one picture would make a beautiful quilt. Do it! Enjoy your trip.

[terriaw]

What a nice neighbor to make a lamp cake for you! It's so beautiful and looks like a lot of work, even for a professional baker.

Those baby kittens are so adorable. They do look fragile too. Heartbreaking to hear what happened to a couple of them. Mother nature can be so harsh.

Adorable little Wee House tin set! Just makes me smile.

[Shelly]

Love the blue tongue! Sorry about the kitties. Tell Papa Pea that calicoes are the best mousers (and always female). So if you keep her, you'll have less mice . . .

[Lynn]

That cake is amazing! Looks yummy too.

Hope little grey kitten is still okay! Also hope you have a great trip!

[Allie]

That cake is too amazing - I would find it hard to eat, it's so pretty! What a nice neighbor. The kitties are just adorable, but oh how sad about the ones that didn't make it...your African Violet looks wonderful on that darling mat, that's the only plant that thrives under my care, I kill everything else. Love the little mousies and that blue tongue, lol!!!

[Amy]

What a talented baker and sweet neighbor!! Lucky you!

[sisLH]

What a nice neighbor! I love the kittens -Too sad about Belle -I can't picture her doing that -Poor Swt P. If Papa doesn't let you keep the other, bring it here when you come. I did not even recognize Sweet Pea in that picture -tell her maybe it's the blue tongue that threw me off. Did you actually get to eat with Papa or were you looking at all the quilted walls?

[Brooke]

Wow!! Thanks so much for the shout out!! You're the best! Hope you enjoyed Easter and have a fun week traveling.....
Can't wait to see you next month - oh my goodness - next month!!! Ekekkkkk!

[Deb]

What a great neighbor. I hope you're enjoying your time away with Sweet Pea (how was she about leaving the kittens behind - they're so sweet).