Say a little prayer for us

As I write this my beautiful little Ginger cat Biff is at the vets on a drip I'm out of my mind with worry so I thought I'd blog a bit to take my mind off things.

Biff is nearly 16 I know he's a good age and he has had kidney trouble for the past four years.Within the last few months he has lost his hearing and got arthritis so I know things aren't looking too good for him.

Over the weekend he stopped eating and looks depressed just not his usual loving self, so I took him to the vets this morning and he is starting to dehydrate.Up to press he is on a drip and I am waiting for results on his blood work, I think once these arrive we'll know a lot more at what's been going on, I guess the time may be coming where I have to let him go.

I have dreaded this time coming as he is the only cat I have left as I have lost several over the last few years. I cannot imagine my life with no cat in it.





There has been a cat in my life since the day I was born I don't know what it would be like to have no cat to share my home with.

Biff didn't have an easy start in life when we rescued him he had been abused and neglected by his previous owners by the time I got him he not surprisingly had little or no trust in humans.It was a long process but he eventually started to trust us.Over the years he became a very loving and trusting cat who followed us everywhere, his greatest pleasure in life is sunbathing in his garden.I'm praying real hard for the phone call that says he is coming home tonight, don't know what I will do if he isn't.

Please say a prayer for him.




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Happy Valentines day

One thing the Victorians did so well is send a Valentines day card. Victorian cards are still amongst my favourites.

Apple Oak cake

I tend to do most of my cooking on a weekend as I work long hours during the week and don't have to much time. I tend to do my Yoga during the week when I get home rather than having to start cooking so cooking has to be pretty quick such as stir frys and pasta.

This weekend I have made Butternut squash soup for work. Also made some vegan meatballs which will be quick to add to spagetti one night when I come in. Have made a spicy sausage casserole for tea and a 5 bean chili which will do for a couple of nights mid week.

At weekend I like to try something new as during the week I tend to just have a yogurt or fresh fruit after my meal but I like something a bit naughtier at weekend.As a new Vegan I am keen to try out new dessert menus as I am new to the whole concept of baking without using eggs, I have to say everthing I have made has turned out well so far. This weekend I made an apple oat cake which turned out very well it is an oatlike cake but the layer of apple in the middle really makes it tasty. Last night we had this with cream and tonight theres enough left to have it with custard, there was even enough to send a couple of slices to my mum.

Update on my Vegan journey

When I embarked on my Vegan journey a few months ago I wondered what was in store for me, would I struggle going on holiday, could I ever eat out again,could I ever give up cheese, yeah the usual questions I guess most new vegans ask themselves. I have only been on my path for 5 months but I can honestly say I never felt better or ate better.

When I was just Vegetarian it was very easy I guess I got used to the same boring meals now I am Vegan I searched out more recipes and am open to more different foods I have never eaten a more varied diet in my life ever and people ask me whatever do I eat!I really wouldn't have time to write up everything I do eat,instead I'm going to start posting more recipes I am discovering.

I am also starting to veganize recipes something in the beginning I wouldn't have had the confidence to do. I am starting to feel confident in the kitchen again.I have been Vegetarian for 36 years before I finally opened my eyes to the egg and dairy industry, like many countless vegans before me I just presumed it would be too hard.

My other big discovery in life is Yoga only being a devotee for a few months but already I can see my body shape changing I am becoming stronger,more energised and more supple not sure why I started yoga at the same time as turning vegan but they seem to go hand in hand for some reason.

At this very minute I have an apple cake in the oven it is a new recipe so before I post any pics I had better make sure it turns out ok.

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A Blog spring clean

Decided it was time for my blog to have a spring clean it was looking wintery and I am now looking forward to spring. Seeing as I am heading to Monte Carlo in the Spring to see Rafa Nadal play Tennis I thought I'd get myself in the mood for Monte Carlo and Provence by going for the beautiful cobalt blue colour I always associate with Provence.

I was due to go last year but my holiday was cancelled because of the Volcano ash that erupted on the day we were due to fly, so fingers crossed for this year.

So I think I will go a little overboard in posts about Provence over the next few weeks to really get me in the mood.

The Wind by Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass

Oh wind, a blowing all day long,
Oh wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all

Oh wind, a blowing all day long!
Oh wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!



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Serenity Winds

As child I always loved the wind I loved to feel it on my face,I loved to run in it and fly my kite.This love has stayed with me throughout my life. My mum told me stories about the wind and how it can blow you away just little stories you made up for children but I loved them, she made the wind feel alive for me.

I love sitting indoors on a windy day reading and feel comforted by it's sound, the wind has always comforted me. I even have CDs of wind and find I love listening to them before I sleep, within minutes I'm asleep that's the power the wind has on me.

This week we have had gale force winds and whilst everyone has been complaining about them I have been loving them.There is something very magical about the wind and when I came across this pic it reminded me how I feel it is called Serenity Winds and I think it's beautiful.

Of course it can be destructive as only mother nature knows how but it's the sheer power it has that amazes me.