What to do on a crazy windy day!!

(Left) Mwenzi (orange/white tabby/|Maine Coon) is visiting for the first time.  This is one social big boy.  He wasted no time at all in meeting and greeting all of his fellow vacationers.... This boy has 'schmooze' written all over him...  He also loves people and height.  You can't go into the group area without him getting up and coming for a visit.  Rolling around on the 'bridges' and pawing at you, to get your attention, is one of his trademark behaviours.

(Right) When Mwenzi isn't occupying his time with the kitties and people, he loves to chat up BigBird1 (just click on pic to enlarge).  I'm told that Mwenzi is Swahili for friend/companion.... What an unusual choice of name for this guy!!!  His charm even works on BigBird!

(Left) Our adorable Bandit (black/white) left moments ago.  This little cutie visits us regularly and is way more interested in and tolerant of the other cats than she's ever been.  Her senior 'almost 19 years of age', seems to agree with her... We'll see you again before too long, my little Bannie!  Bye for now.

(Right) Baby Oden (grey/white) and his brother Merlin went home earlier this week.  You know,  sometimes toys are just made for certain cats?  Some are just such a perfect fit!  Oden couldn't have found a more entertaining one.... He could fit through it and would get himself 'tangled' up in it, while chasing the dangling balls that hang from it (when it's actually standing upright).... He had too much fun with this one......

(Left) And, if he did get bored with it, he'd move right on to the next one.... with the original toy still in toe!!  He also loved the pipe cleaners... Looking for a cheap investment with loads of play value.... Pipe Cleaners are the way to go...!

As for today, Wednesday....

 (Left) Let's call this one 'Zapata in the City!' .... Andrea and I were so pleased with how her City Scape turned out.... I think Zappi loves it too!  This is the first official pic of it... Now, we build around it... Oh, lets see... Sky Scrapers, bicycle paths, and so much more..... Our handsome Zapata is having a grand old time with his old play friends...and will be with us for a while longer... He sends out a big Hiya to his family....

 (Right) My handsome little GizzieWizzie (grey/white).... aka Gizmo, just left yesterday with his brother Simba.  These boys should be properly exhausted after their Easter Festivities... sounds like their dad should have a few great stories to exchange with the boys.... I'm guessing that the little ones didn't get up to as many shananigans as their dad did though.... After the fun filled holiday.... Now, we Rest!

 (Left) Wakey Wakey Cajsa (black/white)... This gorgoeus little Miss doesn't look a whole lot bigger than yesterdays baby Oden, but she is almost a full grown girl now.  She is a true climber and outdoorsy kinda gal.  She and her brother Olaf are in for an extended Holiday this visit.  They are both doing great and enjoying all of the entertainment.

(Right)  I have a whole series of Romeo (dark tabby) pictures that I will refer to, each time, as Plus One!  I was lining up for a nice pic of our gorgeous calico Tammy, when out of the corner of the frame, who should appear but my little Cameo Boy, Romeo.... This is his signature move... So, this one is called Tammy Plus One... not to be confused with Cali plus One, or Catou and Marcello plus One.... and so on, and so on..... You too cute Romeo!

Let's call this one Tuesday!

(Left) So, what did some of our other guests do while their families were off playing in the sun?!  Well, our charmer Eclipse (black) got up to 'some of this' and 'some of that'.... and a 'little of this' and 'a little of that'..... This pose should give you an idea of how this handsome little guy likes to pass his days.... He's having sooo much fun with his buddies....

(Right) We temporarily positioned this 'treehouse' in the first floor group area over the weekend... (before it gets transformed into something else)... Our gorgeous girl Noel (grey), aka 'Miss Sunshine Girl' couldn't resist the new diggs.... She spent a lot of her weekend doing 'pretty much the same kinda things that our boy Eclipse, above, was doing... I hope that all of their people had as much fun!

(Left) These little munchkins just returned home.. Some people may recognize Merlin (black/white) from previous visits... That's his new little brother Oden (grey/white)... Baby Oden is only a couple of months old.. but boy is he Fearless... what a climber... The first time that I 'rescued' him from the top of this treehouse roof, I was sure that he was 'stuck' up there and not sure of how to get back down... Silly me!  He was right back up there before long.... Such a climber.... I was telling his folks that I was much surprised to never find him climbing on top of the town house roofs... The true height lovers head straight for them... I suppose that there is plenty of time for that!

(Right)  More with our furry show stoppers... This gorgeous girl is Melodie (tortoise shell)... Not often spotted alone, especially when she's in 'play mode'... this girl knows how to party!  She and her friends like to burn the candle at both ends...  She went home yesterday (Tuesday).... Just to clarify that, as I am posting this today, Wednesday.... We had quite a few sleepy faces return home yesterday... Too many chocolate Easter mice!

Sorry for the delay folks... lets try to catch up now....

(Left) That's 'Mister Kitty', to you!  Our handsome little old friend Mickey (dark tabby/white) is enjoying a fun filled vacation with many of his old  buddies.  This little guy has a few favorite sleeping spots but the rest of the time, he's hanging out and mingling... I have a bunch of crazy, playful girls that spend their days entertaining the gang.... but, when he's had enough, he's out!  He rolls into such a tight ball of fur, that nothing penetrates those cute little ears of his.

 (Right) Another striking young male, Diablo (Abysinnian) doesn't look like any of my other furry friends.... He's unique all around. He is scheduled to return home early this week.  He is a great one for playing, especially trying to catch the runaway mouse or pipe cleaner.... I've said it before... this guy would be a real danger to the mouse population, if he were to venture outside.

 (Left) Another newbie for you... Rhuby (orange tabby) had arrived shortly before I took this pic last week.  She was so taken by all of the playful cats, that she couldn't help herself.. she had to join in the fun.  Her mom mentioned that she is very social.... No Kidding!  Female orange tabbies are supposed to be rare and a bit cranky... not this little Miss!  I've been calling her Rhuby Tuesday, since she arrived.  She's having a ball with Catou (white/dark tabby), Maman, Eclipse, Jasper, Tuckie, Cali... just to mention some of her new friends.... This girl would have so much fun with a new sibling.... but, for now, she'll have to 'make do' with a whole melange of furry felines.... I know that she can handle that!

(Right) Yes, yes.  That's our handsome boy Jasper (black), back for his regular visit with BigBird2.  Our adorable girls Missy (black/white) and Maman (grey/white tabby) had an action packed, exciting weekend too.  BigBird2 loves all of the attention that the kitties give him... and  they never tire of his constant teasing and playful sense of humour, towards them.  Let's just call it business as usual!

As we kick off to a long weekend....

(Left) Our gorgeous girl Suzie Q (tortoise shell) has so many unique characteristics.... one, that she demonstrates most days, is to perch part of her body comfortably somewhere or on something.. while the other half of her body is either resting on something higher or lower than the front half...That's what she's doing here.... and, the front half isn't always the higher half!  Now that's funny to see!... She will happily sit for an hour in those poses... I can't say off hand that I've seen many other cats act like this.  She is definitely unique!

(Right) Kuzia (dark tabby/roof) wants the whole world to know how much he loves his Kitty Cab... nothing like a full-on body hug to show his adoration.... That's our black & white charmer Spike in the airplane overhead.... and our adorable Alley (dark tabby), although harder to see, inside of the other Kitty Cab, to the right of Kuzia.  It must've been the middle of the afternoon when I snapped this pic of them all....

(Left) Simba (fawn/white tabby) is almost relaxed to sleep, as he sits in the morning sunshine.  This gentle giant is visiting with his brother Gizmo.  It is impossible to mistake this handsome charmer with anyone else... His brother Gizmo looks a whole lot like Marcel(lo) though... Yesterday afternoon, I found Simba very casually waltzing up to Marcello, (right in his 'bubble' actually) thinking that it was Gizmo.  Marcel found Simba just a bit too friendly.  It had only been a couple of days since they'd met... Even Andrea and I need to see their faces, to know for sure which boy it is....


(Above/right) Each morning my little helpers gather around the fish tank to give me a hand with the fish feeding...This morning, our charmer Bootsie (orange tabby) was the first on the scene.. As soon as I click the fish tank light on, the fish get excited and swim to the surface... at about the exact moment, furry kitties flock to the front and top of the fish tank, hoping to 'help' catch any over exuberant fishies that try to escape their home... Gold Stars all around boys & girls!! Everyone is just so helpful and selfless...

 

(Left) Yes, that's our playful Cali (calico) again, hangin out of the airplane... She had just culminated her 'work out routine' up there.  Marcello (grey/white) was dazzled by her agility and speed and watched her with big bright eyes, to see if he could learn any new moves. These 2 playful kids are gonna love all of the new crazy kitties that are arriving this week.  Get your running shoes out.. and make sure that they're properly laced up, my little furry friends.

If it weren't Wednesday, it would be 2's Tuesday!

(Left) Let me introduce a couple of newbies for you... This handsome grey Tonkinese is named Octave.  He's visiting with his brother Bemol, below.  This little Mister is gentle and friendly but not nearly as outgoing as his brother.  He has discovered the joys of 'height'... and is often seen lounging or snoozin' on one of our big stuffed cushions... His brother on the other hand, is everywhere!... They did great and got on very well with the other cats.

(Right) I knew that Tango (black) and Cali (calico) would be fast friends.  They met last Friday and spent every day since chasing each other around.  Cali is visiting with her sister Missy, pictured yesterday.  Tango is visiting with her very playful sister See-Saw.  These 2 girls will need an extended nap once they return home.

(Left) There's the boy!!  This handsome lad is Bemol (red Abysinnian).  He's the brother to Octave, above.  This energizer kitty doesn't slow down often.... or, even stop.  He's all about Go, Go, Go... What a face!  He's quite the cuddle suck too... He is really into the whole 'play and socialize' thing... As busy as this boy is on any normal day, I still think that he's getting a real work out at the B&B... I have another Abysinnian coming in tomorrow... Yes, Diablo is back!

(Right) More Zen kitties... Schmellow (grey) here is visiting with his brother Moe, from yesterday.  My little Schmoe here loves being brushed and will start his low, mellow purr motor shortly after I start.  These boys have visited a few times over the last 2 years.  They are gentle and schmoozie..... and real easy to get along with. 

(Left) Our gorgeous girl Viva (calico) and her brother Sammy left earlier this week.  As you see, she had a playful, fun filled holiday with us.  I took so many pictures of her at this time... and was disappointed to see that I'd captured so many side and back shots of her and few good face shots... She's another of my challenging kitties to photograph when she's in 'goofing around mode'....

Easter Weekend is shaping up to be a Black & White event!

(Left) Ahh, come on... turn the lights back off... close the door!!  It's true.  I did stumble upon Eclipse (black) having a mid afternoon siesta with his gorgeous gal pal Peppy (black/white).  These cuties have met on previous holidays.  Peppy often favors the rocket for her lie-ins.... It isn't that common to find Eclipse curled up in here though.... Hmmm.. Wonder why he did it today... What could it be?

 (Right) Our handsome big boy Waldo (black/white) was in one of his regular playful moods... It was a trick to get a good shot of his face cause he kept lowering his head and doing back rolls... He's my big kitten... Oft times, he's shy and lays low... but, when the mood strikes him, he's all play.  WallyWallyWaldo is having a fun week with his buddies and sister JesseBeans... No.  That's right.  Those aren't their real names... just a few more 'Mel-isms' from my collection....Get used to them... I'm not likely to change!

(Left)  Getting a full face shot of our charming Moe (black/white) isn't a cake walk either... This shy little guy will head for the hills when he's nervous.  He and his brother Schmellow have visited before so Moe remembers me.  Once I can find him, he's perfectly fine... but he does tend to be a bit of hamm too... for the camera... lots of full body rolls and summersaults... So, enjoy this full face pic of him... it may be a while before I can get another....

 (Right)  In her younger days, Missy (black/white) would spend most of her days hiding out in the lower kitchen cabinets.  For the past year and a bit, she's gravitated to our big comfy pillows... even in the daylight.. even when strangers drop in... Her hearing still seems to be in tact so I think she's just mellowing with age.  Having a new little fire cracker for a younger sister could explain it all too.

(Left) More black & white cuteness and ooey gooey goodness.... Charlie Chaplin here, has discovered our big blue pillow.. just like so many kitties who have come before him... He sends out a big heart felt Meow to his dad and young Andrew... Charlie doesn't seem to have a care in the world.... just look at that smile!

I was starting to think that this was the long weekend!

 (Left) So many gorgeous boys and girls to add to the mix.... Sammy (grey/white tabby) and his sister Viva are visiting for the 2nd time.  Mr. Social here, is already unpacked, settled in and enjoying the activities...  So is his sis, but she's still a bit camera shy today... neck scratches all around though!  These 2 are looking forward to a fun weekend of climbing, playing and....stretching (that one's for their folks)...... Most of their buddies have now arrived... cocktails and apps at 8pm!

 (Right)  We weren't expecting our handsome Kuzia (dark tabby) this week.. but, there he was... We're happy to see him again for the first time this year.  He's also getting settled into his favorite spaces; the pirate boat and town houses.. I've yet to catch him napping in the handsink though, this visit... He's a charmer... once he lets you get to know him!

(Left) There's our adorable JanieBeans (dark tabby) again.  She arrived this morning and wasted no time in getting re-acquainted with the scratching posts...I rather like her new technique here, of sharpening her front claws, while all stretched out and comfy.  It's true.. they don't have to go far to find a scratching apparatus...and, unlike at most cats' homes, they never get told to 'get down from there!' or 'don't scratch that!' .. this would explain why so many cats head for our scratching posts, shortly after arrival... and after taking a quick stop at the buffet of course!

(Right) This little beauty can't believe how fast the last few weeks just flew by... Belle (white/dark tabby) and her sister Sassy have spent many a day and each night, roaming around and investigating.  They are in 'count down mode' now, and are so excited at the prospect of seeing their folks again... So much to tell them.. so many stories.... If I were them, I'd make a big pot of coffee, cause this is gonna take some time!

It's been a busy week.. just wait til tomorrow!

(Above/right) This rowdy fire cracker girl arrived yesterday afternoon with her sister See-Saw.  Tango (black) is a bundle of energy, who seems to be able to go off in 2 or 3 directions, all at the same time.  These 2 girls were here a few weeks ago for their first visit.  They had a great time then and have taken no time at all to adjust and re-integrate with their old and new friends.  You don't often see Tango 'sitting down'.... She's a little spinning top, that only seems to move faster, as she gets going.                                         (Right)  Our gorgeous girl Jesse (tortoise shell) and her brother Waldo also arrived yesterday.  Andrea has never met these 2 before since she started working at the B&B.  I asked her if she'd seen Jesse yet, the new tortoise shell... She answered, 'You mean the chatty one!?!'... Yes, that's our girl Jesse... She is a talker... Good thing she's such an outgoing girl...she has so many buddies to chat with.

(Left) Yes, Spike (black/white) has arrived again and landed himself in his favorite place, inside of the spaceship.  This handsome little guy has met many of the other current guests before, on previous holidays.  He will be Easter-ing with us and a whole load of playful felines... That's his kinda par-tay!

(Right) This would be the adorable See-Saw (dark tabby), sister to the litttle fire cracker above, Tango.  It sounds like this cutie was getting a bit stressed with all of the commotion that's involved in selling a home... We have already had so many cats in this year, who were in the process of listing/selling homes.  Many people prefer to know that their kids are calm, safe and not scurrying out the door, when strangers arrive to view the home.  See-Saw settled in straight away and has been her usual schmoozie self... always on the look-out for neck scratches...

Donuts anyone....???

 (Left) This is a sneak peak picture of one of our new wall designs... Mathilda (dark tabby) is the first kitty to get a full view of the whole room... Andrea and I were trying to create a couple of 'bubble  throwers' on the wall, that spouted out big round bubbles, all around the room.... By the time that she had the 'bubbles' painted up, we conceded that they looked more like donuts.  So there you have it, our new 'donut throwers'.... You will see more of the whole room as the days go on... We had a lot of fun with this design... and with all of the new wall murals that we're working on....

(Right) More sun bathing beauties... Our girl Sassy (dark tabby) loves to stroll and lounge around in sun beams, for most of her day.. Her sister Belle shares the same affinity for warm, toasty snoozin' spaces.  The girls are finding it entertaining and interesting to see and meet so many new people and kitties.  They still can be a bit on the shy side with people.  They will be going back home and back outside in a few short days.... hopefully the beautiful heat and sunshine will follow their folks back from the sunny south.

(Above/left) Our adorable girl Naomi (dark tabby) looks like she's 'off to the races'.... on her pink and ivory chariot?!? ... ok, her ferris wheel....She does look rather in charge though, doesn't she?  She's a cutie and has always loved the ferris wheel.... She's not that partial these days... low down or high up, she isn't fussy.... she's never been a fussy kinda girl!

(Above/right) Pee-a-boooo, little Boo!  Our gorgeous girl Suzie Q (tortoise shell) loves to play, be coy and oft times, tries to come off as aloof... but, even those times, she's still really just trying to engage you in a bit more play... The only difference is that she's going to more effort to make it look like it's your idea!  She's a smart, crafty little gal... She makes me laugh, each and every day... You too cute Suz!

Nothing like a bit of sunshine to make people think 'Travel Time'...

 (Left) This picture was taken Friday afternoon, shortly after Skye (Siamese) and his sister Sophie arrived for a long weekend stay.  He and BigBird2 go way back... and he didn't waste any time in rekindling their friendship... While he was at that, he made sure to get to know Melodie (tortoise shell).  Both of these kitties are incredibly playful and fun loving, all around... They both had fun this weekend.  We'll see Melodie again real soon.

 (Right) How much for that gorgeous white feline in the window?!  Or, as Zaria (white) would say... how much for that big blue fishie in my window!?  Oh, what the hay!  Give me a price for the whole lot.... I'd hate to break up such a tasty set!!  Oh, not so fast my little ZarZarBean.... I think that I know what your game is.... How bout I talk your folks into getting you a nice marine library book instead... You can come and visit my fishies any time that you like... but, I'll be checking your little white pockets on the way out the door!

(Left) It must be spring time... otherwise known as Cat Roll Time.... When these little guys get dreamin of hummingbirds at our flower boxes, they get all weak in the knees... and well, they seem to fall over... Well, not fall exactly.. I guess it'd be more accurately described as a Roll.... This gorgeous little Siamese is named Sophie.  She's the sister of Skye, above.... She's quick to give you the 'Stop, Drop and Roll' routine, that so many of my guests seem to adopt, while they are vacationing at the B&B... Just don't call her Rover!  She will NOT roll to Rover!  Besides, she's waaay too cute to be a Rover!

(Right) A couple of adorable dark tabbies... to add to my tortoise shell collection... That would be our little beauty Feline, to the right.  She's been with us for a few weeks and is scheduled to return home before too long.   And, that schmoozie little hamm, up in the spaceship, is Romeo... Another visit and another collection of blurred up pics of this handsome little guy... You see, he'd much rather be 'stuck to you' than be a part of your pic.... That being said, he does love making his Cameo shots.. In a perfect world, I think he'd have the 'picture taker' in the pic, with him, as it's being taken.... Romeo and his siblings have had a fabulous visit so far.

Lazy, not so Hazy, days of Spring time...

(Left) While Andrea and I were busy painting away, yesterday afternoon, in the back room, our furry friends re-grouped for a lie-in...  On the far left we have Melodie (tortoise shell/front) bunking with Feline (dark tabby), in the middle is our lady's man, Marcel(lo), and on the far right bed, we have Maman (grey/white), who had only arrived a few hours earlier.... I hear saws sawing....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz... the sounds of peace.

(Right) Also yesterday afternoon, I found Chouie (orange/white tabby) rolled into a toasty ball of fur, settling in for his afternoon nap... My chatty little lad is supposedly going home today...

(Left) Here comes little Miss Catou (white/dark tabby).... This charmer is another of my Greeters... She insists on meeting everyone that stops in, pops in or looks in, through the hallway door window... She's having a great time with her buddies...She'll be especially happy to know that Sophie and Skye just arrived a short time ago.... Can you say 'playful Siamese'?!?  Catou, and her family, will be delighted to see them again!

(Right) More lazy, sunny lie ins... This one from this afternoon.... Hard to see, in the hot air balloon basket, at the front left, is our adorable Zaria (white), all sunk down into her blankets... That's our boy Bootsie (orange/white tabby) on the ferris wheel, and our gorgeous sisters Alley (dark tabby/window ledge) and Naomi (dark tabby/corner bunk beds).... It has been a steady day.... and now, We Nap!  Let the Pillow Kneading begin!