Meow

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Finishing up three or four posts that aren’t cooperating. They’re not funny enough, they have no point, no denouement, no zing–nada. Instead of a rational thought process, I’ll offer up a scattered smorgasbord of tasty appetizers instead of a whole meal.

Remember these cats?

bandit in a boxOur Bandit used to talk to us that way. After a while, I started answering her back. She’d say, “Meow“, I’d respond, “Meow”. She’d stroll into the kitchen and greet me with a head nod and a brief “Mew”. I’d imitate her head nod and answer her. She tried so hard to communicate with us! If we didn’t go to bed at the same time every night–if we stayed up a bit longer than usual–Bandit marched into the family room with an outraged sense of purpose-maintain eye contact–and kind of growly-meow, walk a few steps toward the bedroom, and then walk back to us. If we didn’t follow her, she’d leave in a huff and wait on the bed and if we didn’t move quick enough, one swipe of her her paw let us know she was pissed. She had the sharpest claws. They spoke volumes.

One day, the captain said something to me and I didn’t hear him. Instead of saying, “What did you say?” I said, “Meow?” He seemed to understand what I meant because he repeated himself. That one meow led to complete conversations in cat language. Angry meows, grunting meows, questioning meows, and mews in agreement. We just have to remember not to do it when anyone else is around. I’m not sure many people would understand. Meow?

We worked out at the gym this morning. Before we left, I asked the hubs to take a couple pictures of me. See the hairband with sparkles and the Hello Kitty slippers? Starfish?

me2 Pictures of me

Late this afternoon I heard a hawk in the eucalyptus tree across the street. It let me get really close for these pics! The colors were magnificent. I wish I took better photos.
hawk2 Hawk in tree
Chocolate cake was requested by my tugboat man; I whipped up an easy one bowl version. It was sooo good! It’s lowfat but really moist. The recipe is below.
choccloseup chocolate cake

One Bowl Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Glaze
from Better Homes and Gardens

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk ( I use half non-fat milk and half cold coffee)
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease and lightly flour a 9×1-1/2-inch round or 8x8x2-inch baking pan.2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed just until combined. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg and beat 2 minutes more. Pour batter into prepared pan.

    3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan. Cool thoroughly on a wire rack. Spread with glaze.

Chocolate Glaze
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup cocoa
1  cup confectioners sugar
3 tbsp. water or coffee
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Stir in cocoa and water. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens; do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, gradually add confectioners sugar; beat with wire whisk until smooth.

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56 thoughts on “Meow”

    • No, check it out, only 1/4 cup oil. Reduce the sugar a bit, no prob, and you can eat the whole thing like I will! Oh lucky you to have a kitty. I’ve been without too long!

      On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 7:59 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo

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  2. I have full on “meow” conversations with one of my kitties (Belle), but she never cooperates when I’m trying to record it. She seems to know that if she talks back when I’ve got the camera out her voice will forever be captured and shared on here. One day though I will trick her into talking with me when she doesn’t know I’ve got the camera out and rolling.

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  5. That cake sounds good! Seems to go along with my “Be healthier but don’t go crazy” New Year resolution. I’ll have to try it!

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  6. Well, aren’t you just as cute as they come! If I’d known you could whip up a cake,I would have asked you to guest blog! I had a cat that used to tell my son to wake up…I mean he used to say,(as clearly as a cat can,”Wake up,Ant”, after hearing me try to get Anthony up for Kindergarten.(Visiting hours at the sanitarium are 2-4 over other Saturday,if you want to visit me.)

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    • That’s funny! I am so lost without any pets in my life right now. I haven’t been without animals since I was in high school. sigh. Yes, I bake. A lot! My mom taught me everything from scratch–bread, cakes, cookies, gefilte fish, everything! I have an applie pie post I’m working on. You’ve owned your own bakery, I’ve been told I should sell my stuff and I researched it. My biz name was “Family and Friends” How’s that for a coincidence! our local and state regs made it impossible for me to do it. I wanted to start out of my house and not use a commercial oven and they wouldn’t let me.

      On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 9:52 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo

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  19. Love the pics of you of course, the Hello Kitty slippers, the cat in the box, the talking cats (I’ve seen them before many times), and the recipe. You are killing me though with all these brownies. And now I have to cook again LOL.

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    • I just made the most killer carrot raisin almond bread with only 2 TBS oil. It’s unbelievable. I’ll post the recipe. And it’s easy for you people who have a zillion children. Glad you like the meow speak. I knew you would have already seen the talking kitties. Me too a ton of times!!

      On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 4:20 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo

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  20. My cat talks to me too, usually he meows in quite a demanding way most nights, as if he’s saying ‘Get to bed, can’t you see it’s dark outside and I want to sleep on your back’.

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