Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas!

Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas, friends!

You better believe we've still been getting festive over here. Our trees and other Christmas decor are still up, and we're still watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music.

Evan decided to go for a few partial shots of his handsome face, because what's more festively artsy than that?

We do still have a couple more festive posts to share this week. After all, though today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, tomorrow is the Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day. That's the day when the three Magi, or Wise Men, visited baby Jesus and gifted him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In some cultures, little gifts are exchanged on that day as well, and I started doing that with my family a few years ago in order to extend the festive fun.

Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas to all!

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Festive Doodle of the Day

I got a couple of my new Christmas doodles finished up, scanned, and uploaded this weekend. I had a few belated Christmas gift doodles to finish up as well, and while I'm glad I got those completed, they did keep me from getting to all of the forgotten Christmas doodles I'd hoped to finish. That's okay, though, and you'll get to see those gift drawings I scribbled up very soon as well.

All that said, one of the new Christmas doodles I finally finished relates to the story I've been having fun writing. I've mentioned it a few times over the past year or two, and there are indeed some Christmas scenes in the part of the story I'm working on. This is the story I've mentioned that stars the extra special kitty named Hobo, who was heavily inspired by my own Evan. He of course gets some Christmas gifts from his human, which he finds under their makeshift Christmas tree.

The concept of their living conditions does play a role in the story, especially in the beginning. What's more, I included those details because I never want to forget where I came from. My family comes from very humble beginnings. The star on Hobo's tree in that drawing is based on the star that topped my family's early Christmas trees, and that star was a piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil. I honestly love that. You might not always have something fancy or perfect, but you can always find a way to make the magic happen.

That's a lot of rambling. My apologies. I'll stop now. Yet again, Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas!

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Tip of the Day

Something that comes along with offering outdoor ferals and strays shelter, which we previously discussed, is warmth. There are a great many considerations to make when it comes to offering warmth to ferals on cold winter days. We'll start with considering the size of the space the cat will be occupying, such as the size of the shelter you have for ferals and strays, as that affects how heat is trapped. Shelters should of course be large enough to fit one or a couple cats, or even a few cats if you care for that many who get along. At the same time, though, the shelter should be small enough that cold air does not easily circulate throughout it. A shelter that is not too large will better trap and insulate heat. Another consideration to make when it comes to the shelter's construction and heat retention is the doorway. Though you don't want to block entry or exit or make ferals feel trapped inside a shelter, try your best to block drafts from entering through doorways. If possible, keep entrances faced away from the wind and drafts, such as by facing the doorways toward a wall of your house or other building, so that the shelter's entrance won't directly face open air.

In addition to the warmth that a shelter itself can offer, there are more direct heat sources that can be put out for ferals and strays. One simple option includes heating pads or beds that do not directly produce heat themselves, but that instead contain material that allows the bed to radiate heat. There are beds on the market that are said to warm to approximately the animal's body temperature when they are lying on it. There are also electric heating pads and heated beds that do indeed produce heat, allowing for immediate access to a warm place to sleep. Of course, always be cautious and aware of the dangers of burns and fires when electricity and heat comes into play, and go the safest route possible. That being said, also keep in mind that any bedding made with fabric, whether heated or not, can become and remain wet as well as dirty, and therefore can prevent a cat from wanting to use it. We'll further discuss bedding material in an outdoor shelter in tomorrow's tip.

All of the above being said, you can also go for heat lamps or some form of space heater to use inside an outdoor cat shelter. This is of course yet another option you have to research, though, to ensure that you get one that is safe for outdoor use, and that will be the most practical to prevent burns, fires, and so forth. All in all, when it comes to providing heating sources for outdoor ferals and strays, do your research and take all precautions possible. Always be aware of the dangers of burns or fires when it comes to electricity and heat, and choose and use heating sources accordingly and wisely.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Festively Fun Eddy on the Ninth Day of Christmas

Hello, friends! It's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. _________ is a New Year's tradition for me.

2. _________ is not the same as _________.

3. I would pick _________ as my theme song for 2026.

4. I'm a coward when it comes to _________ but brave when _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. Watching While You Were Sleeping as the clock strikes midnight is a New Year's tradition for me.
(While You Were Sleeping is a romantic comedy from 1995 starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of the romance genre. That said, I genuinely enjoy this movie. It's the only romcom I like, and it also takes place around Christmas and the New Year. My sister and I always go to my parents' house and we all ring in the New Year together by putting this movie on. We even sometimes manage for it to strike midnight as the characters are having their own New Year celebration.)

2. Saying is not the same as doing.
(I've known some people in my life who will say they're going to do something, and then they never do it. It drives me crazy when people act like saying something is just as good as doing it.)

3. I would pick "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen as my theme song for 2026.
(I feel like I picked this song for a similar fill-in in the past, but it's simply what immediately came to my mind. Not only is it my favorite Queen song, but it gives me a lot of energy. I also have a great deal I want to accomplish this year, so the theme of the song also just fits.)

4. I'm a coward when it comes to my own medical procedures but brave when my furry babies need medical care.
(I'm a bit of a wimp when any needles or other sharp tools approach me. I've found ways to manage my anxiety with that sort of thing, mostly that I don't look at what a needle or other tool is doing and that I have to lay down for blood draws, but I still can't keep some of that anxiety away when it comes to myself having anything like that done. When it comes to my furry babies, though, I can be present and keep a brave face. I used to work at a vet clinic and helped with lots of blood draws and surgeries there, and so it doesn't bother me when I'm helping a furry baby through a medical procedure. I'm glad that I'm far better at that sort of thing with my kitties than myself.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

We're making our way through the Twelve Days of Christmas, today being the ninth day, and Eddy's Christmas tree still excites her very much. So much so that she often gets quite active and blurry around it.

It's not even the official day of bloopers, but that's what my Eddy has for you all today nonetheless.

Merry Ninth Day of Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since I still need to scan and upload my new festive doodles for the final days of the Twelves Days of Christmas, I'm yet again sharing a flashback doodle. I always forget about this one until I go through my archive of drawings, but I'm always happy when I rediscover it. This one was inspired by A Christmas Carol and was clearly created for the New Year in 2023, though I've come to wish I hadn't put the actual year on it. So, let's just pretend it says 2026, shall we?

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on caring for ferals and strays outdoors during the cold winter months is to, if possible, offer them some sort of shelter. Even a makeshift shelter is better than no shelter at all. For example, outdoor tables and chairs can be arranged to form a shelter under which a feral or stray can get some respite from direct inclement weather. Another cheap, makeshift option includes turning a Styrofoam cooler upside down to form a shelter, with a door cut out as an entrance. Other relatively cheap storage containers can also be used to create makeshift shelters, again simply by cutting out a door and ensuring that it is safe for use. Of course, if it is possible, you can also buy or build a sturdier, more permanent shelter, such as one constructed out of wood. Another option, although of course only if it is safe and free of dangers, is to allow ferals and strays to spend cold winter days or nights in a garage or shed. Again, only if they are free of potentially dangerous items, a garage or shed can be used as a warm place for ferals and strays to spend cold winter days or nights. All in all, if you are able to, consider setting up some form of shelter to help ferals and strays have some respite from the elements. Even a makeshift shelter formed out of materials you already have could be a great benefit to them. Our next couple of tips will discuss feral cat shelters and their components in more detail.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We hope your 2025 ended beautifully, and that your 2026 is off to a blessed start. We're enjoying a peaceful beginning to this new year, which is a great segue into Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is of course here to share her gratitude, and she's not only thankful for a new year of new beginnings, but also for our Christmas village.

Thimble is always like Godzilla to those poor village folk. She tosses their houses around and stomps all over them, and she loves doing so.

Don't mind the fake bones on our platter and all that good stuff. On Tuesday Tonks shared a photo of our Christmas tree in which a skeleton's head could be seen peeking through the branches, so there's not much I can say other than our house is just a weird place.

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Of course we didn't forget about the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. _________ is a New Year's tradition for me.

2. _________ is not the same as _________.

3. I would pick _________ as my theme song for 2026.

4. I'm a coward when it comes to _________ but brave when _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends! Happy New Year and Merry Eighth Day of Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

I worked on a couple of my in-progress festive doodles as I waited for the clock to strike midnight last night. We're still in the midst of the Twelve Days of Christmas and so the festiveness isn't over yet. That said, for today I'm actually still going to share a flashback doodle. That's because it's the sequel to the old New Year's Eve flashback doodle I shared yesterday. So, here you go.

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Tip of the Day

We've been discussing care of ferals and strays during the winter months, and over the past few days our discussions have all been about food and water. We do have yet another tip on this specific topic. When it comes to offering food to ferals and strays, try to keep the location and timing of the feedings as consistent as possible. Keeping a predictable feeding schedule and food location can help an outdoor cat know when and where they can find food. Conserving energy is a very important thing for outdoor animals in the winter, and knowing when and where they can successfully venture out for a meal can indeed help ferals and strays save much needed energy, rather than wasting their energy only to find no food present at their feeding station. Therefore, if you feed ferals and strays, keep in mind that it is very beneficial to the animals if you keep their food on a consistent schedule and in the same location.

Merry Seventh Day of Christmas and Happy New Year's Eve (With Angel Astrid)!

Today, I have a sweet memory of my sweet angel pup Astrid with some of my outdoor Christmas decor.

Those festive pieces are helping decorate my front yard again this year. We've been having lots of wind storms, though, and despite lots of tent stakes and other attempts to keep them standing, I've had to pick them up off the ground so many times lately. The poor reindeer keeps getting decapitated by the wind, but luckily his head is easy to reattach. And now that I'm looking at these photos, I'm pretty sure I put his antlers on backwards when I reinstalled his head just last night. That doesn't matter right now, though, as the best part are the memories I have of my dear Astrid.

Now, Merry Seventh Day of Christmas and Happy New Year's Eve to all! We hope the final hours of 2025 treat you well and bring you much peace and joy. What's more, we hope 2026 treats you with kindness and bestows you with many blessings.

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

I have 4 days off of work starting tomorrow, and so I hope to use that time to finally finish up some of my festive doodles that are in limbo and finally share them in the final days of the Twelve Days of Christmas. For today, though, I have a doodle I scribbled up for a New Year's Eve many, many years ago. It's yet another one I'd love to recreate in my more current style, but for now this is the original piece that I've shared on many New Year's Eves.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on winter feral care is to remember to put water out for ferals and strays you care for. This sounds and often feels impossible, given that water indeed freezes in cold temperatures. However, it is often possible to make water accessible to ferals or strays even in the winter months. Yesterday's tip discussed ways to successfully feed moist food to ferals in the winter, and most of those methods will also work for water. You can start by simply checking the water as often as possible, and removing ice or refreshing the water to ensure that it remains a liquid and not a frozen solid. You can also warm the water bowl, or even put out warm water, to delay its freezing. Other options include putting microwavable heat pads beneath the water bowl, using an electric heated bowl, or using another heat source in the area where the water is kept. With all such options, though, always keep safety in mind, and only choose and use heated products that best prevent burns and fires.

There are a couple of other considerations to make when putting water outside for ferals and strays in the winter months. To begin, try to keep water bowls elevated off of the cold ground as much as possible, to help keep it from freezing rapidly. In addition to this, using a deep bowl inside of a wide bowl will also help it to freeze less rapidly. Another option is to have a source of running water, such as by offering water in some sort of fountain, as moving water does not as easily freeze. And yet another way to help keep water from freezing rapidly in the winter is to put the bowl in the sun.

It also important to note that, as much as is possible, try to avoid putting water near where ferals or strays might sleep. This is because spills can indeed happen, and damp bedding material can make warmth and comfort difficult. So, there are many considerations to make when successfully offering water to ferals and strays in the winter months, but it is indeed possible, and of course also beneficial to them and their health.

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas (With Tonks, Another Tonks, and a Skeleton)!

This Tonks Tuesday brings us to the Sixth Day of Christmas. Indeed, as we've mentioned a couple of times, the Twelve Days of Christmas only begin on Christmas itself, and of course we celebrate them all the way until the end. And then some.

That said, today Tonks wanted to show off another shot of her with her favorite Christmas tree. Tonks is a bit blurry in this one, and the lighting is far from ideal, but there's one little detail in here that I just love. On the right side you'll see a figurine. I didn't realize this little character was visible when I snapped this photo, but it's quite fitting. It's a Funko Pop of a Harry Potter character, that character being Tonks, after whom my little calico is named.

If you look on the left side of that photo, through the Christmas tree you can also see the face of one of the skeletons that sits around in my house year round. I again didn't even notice this detail until after I'd taken the photo, but if suddenly noticing a skeletal face peeking through the Christmas tree doesn't sum up my house, I don't know what does.

Merry Sixth Day of Christmas, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Since I still need to scan and upload new festive doodles, as well as finish some that are sitting in limbo in my notebook, how about another doodle in the old series of houses from famous Christmas movies? This one is from Home Alone, of course with a kitty added into the mix.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday we discussed feeding feral and stray cats outdoors in the cold winter months. As we mentioned, dry food is a good option in the winter as it will not freeze like moist food. However, moist food still has its benefits, and so today we're here to give some tips on how to feed moist food outdoors in the cold months with at least some success. To begin, you can resort to putting moist food out only when you know the cat or cats you feed are present, so that they will be able to eat it immediately, giving it little to no time to freeze. Sometimes, though, you might not know when a feral or stray cat will show up for a meal. In such cases, there are ways to potentially offer moist food to ferals and strays, without the moist food freezing rapidly.

To begin, you can simply check on the status of moist food as often as possible, and warm or replace food that has become frozen. What's more, a source of heat will obviously help keep moist food from freezing at a fast rate, although you of course have to ensure that this source of heat is safe. This could mean doing something as simple as warming the bowl in which you put the moist food, or warming the moist food itself, to a safe temperature. There are also both electric and non-electric heat sources that can work for keeping bowls and their contents warm. For example, there are microwavable or otherwise warmable heating pads that can be placed bowls to help prevent the rapid freezing of moist food that is fed to outdoor cats in the winter. There are also electric heated bowls that could keep moist food warm enough to prevent freezing. Other options of course include using a more extensive heat source within an entire feeding station or shelter, details which we will further discuss in upcoming tips. One important detail, though, as we mentioned just a few moments ago, is ensure that any heat source you use is safe and that it will not cause burns or fires. Always do your research before using any item that entails electricity and heating, and choose and use accordingly and wisely.

The last note to make here is that you should still of course make sure that moist food is not spoiling, such as if it manages to get too warm or sits out for too long. If a heated bowl or heat pad causes moist food to remain warm for long periods of time, do be sure to remove any uneaten food prior to spoilage. It might be cold outside during the winter months, but depending on the methods you use and the duration of time that outdoor cats' moist food is sitting out, it is always best to be aware of the potential for gastrointestinal or other issues that could result from the consumption of spoiled food.

Mancat Monday: The Christmas Tree Chewer

I've already missed some Twelve Days of Christmas posts this weekend, and then I forgot to hit publish on today's post until this late hour. But, that's okay. Life is busy this time of year, and that's part of the festive fun. We're finally here, and you better believe Evan is ready for some merry continuation on this Mancat Monday.

One of Evan's favorite things to do this time of the year is chew on the Christmas trees. I'm lucky in that he doesn't actually ingest any of the tree, and he doesn't chew on any of the lights or anything beyond the ends of the branches. He treats the tree like floss, and he's done this for all 12 of his years.

I've gotten a number of photos of this boy gnawing away on the poor Christmas tree, as you can see in this post here.

Do you see how big of bites Evan is taking? It's honestly quite impressive.

Merry Fifth Day of Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Due to the continued holiday craziness, I unfortunately did not get any new festive doodles scanned and uploaded. I still plan to do so soon, but for today we have yet another flashback. This is from the series I scribbled up a few years ago that was inspired by the houses in famous Christmas movies. Today, we have the house from A Christmas Story, of course with an obligatory kitty.

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Tip of the Day

We're sharing a repeat series of tips on how you can assist strays and ferals during the cold winter months. Today's tip regards feeding strays and ferals, and it is to make sure you understand the pros and cons of feeding dry versus moist food during the winter months. Dry food often takes more energy than moist food to digest, and animals need to conserve as much energy as possible to stay warm in the winter. That being said, moist food that is not immediately eaten can freeze during the winter months due to its high moisture content. For this reason, it is typically best to ensure that dry food is offered to strays and ferals in the winter months, as it will not freeze and therefore will be readily available even after sitting out for some time. All in all, though, it is possible and often beneficial to feed both dry and moist food to outdoor strays and ferals. Tomorrow we will further discuss how to successfully feed moist food to strays and ferals in the winter.

Merry Second Day of Christmas!

Hello, friends! We hope you all had a merry and blessed Christmas! We're now ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. The best part of 2025 was _________.

2. My focus word for 2026 is _________.

3. I always _________ in the days after Christmas.

4. I've had enough _________ to last a lifetime.


My answers are below in bold.

1. The best part of 2025 was time spent with my furry and human family.
(After losing my parents' kitty Talon in April and my sweet pup Astrid in September, I'm so grateful for all the time I got to spend with them as well as with my other human and family members. I miss our angels so much, but getting what time I did with them and my other family this year was a blessing.)

2. My focus word for 2026 is becoming.
(I recently heard someone mention this as a word of inspiration and encouragement. At first I thought it sounded odd, and it honestly still does. But, I like odd things, and it's growing on me. There's a lot I envision myself and my dreams becoming. What's more, I know that if I employ discipline and hard work, my dreams and I can indeed become those things. So, becoming is my word for 2026.)

3. I always continue the festive celebrations in the days after Christmas.
(Christmas Day is only the First Day of Christmas. You know those famous Twelve Days of Christmas? They have indeed only just begun. So, I'll happily continue watching those Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music and simply doing all things Christmas.)

4. I've had enough sugar to last a lifetime.
(Just in the past couple of festive days alone, I've indeed had more sweets than I had any right to eat. I've feasted on plenty of other food as well, but I especially overloaded on the sugary goodness.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

We'll still be sharing lots of festiveness around here. After all, as we mentioned above, Christmas Day is only the First Day of Christmas. That means today is the Second Day of Christmas. We still have 11 out of 12 days of Christmas to go, and we're so very happy about that. All that to say, our blooper queen Eddy of course has some festive outtakes to share today, and they co-star her favorite victim red ribbon on her beloved Christmas tree.

That there red ribbon is a tough one and has so far done well to survive Eddy's festive assaults. The previous ribbon had to retire this year, and it did so in tattered pieces. This new one, though, hasn't even budged and is still firmly in one piece. I'm honestly impressed.

Eddy and all of us here wish you a Merry Second Day of Christmas!

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Festive Doodle of the Day

After falling devastatingly behind in creating new Christmas doodles throughout this month, I'm trying to finish and share some of them for the Twelve Days of Christmas. And I do indeed have a new one to share today. This doodle doesn't even look all that in-your-face Christmassy, but it was inspired by my favorite Christmas movie of all time.

That there is based off of the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. At the beginning of the movie, the main character takes his family to go cut down their own Christmas tree. He finds the perfect one, which is far too large for any normal house. He also failed to bring an ax or saw with him, and apparently summons some sort of superhuman strength to rip the whole thing out of the ground. None of it makes a lick of sense, and I love this movie so much. Oh, and as I always do when creating art based on my favorite movies, I threw some kitties into the mix, as you can see.

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Tip of the Day

Did your kitty or pup get new toys for Christmas? We're thinking many of them probably did. Now that all such new Christmas gifts have been opened and are being enjoyed, consider going through your furbaby's toy stash, pulling out the ones they don't use, and donating them to a shelter or rescue. Many shelters will accept such toys as long as they are clean, as well as easily cleaned, and in good condition. Of course, it is nonetheless always best to do your research regarding an individual shelter or rescue's requirements for donations. Donating toys that your kitty or pup has accumulated but does not use not only keeps your furbaby's toy stash at manageable levels, but also of course benefits shelter kitties and pups who are awaiting their forever homes. This might also go for unopened cans of food your furbaby will not eat, and even clean blankets they do not use. Christmas is indeed the season of giving, and even though the 25th of December has passed, that spirit of giving does not need to come to an end.

Happy Three Kings' Day!

Yesterday was the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Today is the Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day. This day commemorates when the three wise men, or the magi, visited baby Jesus and gifted him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In some cultures, this is celebrated as something akin to a "little Christmas". Sometimes gifts are given to loved ones on this day, oftentimes in the form of three gifts in honor of the three gifts baby Jesus received from the three wise men. In our family we do give small, simple gifts on this day, and the kitties and pup are of course included in that.

After playing with his new toys, Evan of course took a nap under the Christmas tree. Because it still 'tis the season.

Do you see that needle-less little sprig there above Evan? That's courtesy of this boy chewing on the tree. He doesn't actually eat any parts of the tree, thankfully, but he does chew on it. In the photo below, you can even see one of the victims needles on Evan's side.

Oh, and don't mind Evan's wet fur in that first photo. This incontinent boy with sometimes messy megacolon gets lots of baths. They're certainly not his favorite thing, but they have to happen nonetheless.

To finish off this post, even on January 6th, Christmas isn't yet over. That said, we are going to share a couple more days' worth of Christmas goodness here on our blog. Not only am I just now finishing a couple of Christmas doodles that I didn't complete while sick at Christmastime, but we also haven't shared what our wonderful Secret Santa Paws sent us. That is in no small part thanks to an issue I'm having with my phone's camera and storage, but I am sorting that out and we will finally be sharing our amazing Secret Santa Paws goodies this week.

Happy Three Kings' Day, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip regards what type of bedding to put in an outdoor cat shelter, such as for feral cats. We'll start by cutting right to the chase and saying that an ideal form of bedding for an outdoor shelter is straw. A cat can burrow down in straw in order to stay as warm as possible in the cold. Unlike blankets and towels, straw will not hold moisture, and therefore will less likely freeze or become uncomfortable in rain, snow, and so forth. This is one huge reason why straw is often a better choice over cloth bedding material, because it can repel moisture, and can therefore allow for a consistent, dry, warm form of bedding for outdoor cats. Straw can also be more easily replaced or replenished, as opposed to cloth bedding, should it get dirty. That being said, do make sure you know the difference between straw and hay. They are not the same thing, and hay will hold onto moisture, become wet and uncomfortable for outdoor cats, and can also become moldy when wet. Go for straw, not hay.

If you do put out cloth bedding for outdoor cats, check it regularly. If it is wet or dirty, be sure to replace it, clean it, and so forth. Try to keep all cloth bedding in areas where it is least likely to get wet, so that feral or other outdoor cats can use it comfortably. Cloth bedding works best in shelters that are free of leaks and that are in some way heated, as that will help it remain dry and comfortable.

Friendly Fill-Ins on the Tenth Day of Christmas

Hello and happy Friday, friends! It's time for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the firs two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. My guide word for 2025 is _________.

2. I am counting the days to _________.

3. 2025 is the year that I will _________.

4. I need to better organize _________.


My answers are below in bold.

1. My guide word for 2025 is focus.
(I was ready to type out that I hadn't yet decided on a guide word for this year, but then I serendipitously saw an article about focus, and that genuinely seemed like a good one. So, I'll go with focus. I'm actually pretty good at focusing sometimes, but not enough that I've accomplished everything I'd like to. So, I'll focus even more on focus, and go from there.)

2. I am counting the days to autumn.
(I don't want to wish the year away, and I want to enjoy every day I have with my furry babies and my human family. That said, once the Christmas season is truly over, I wouldn't mind if we just started over at autumn again. It's when the best time of the year begins, so I can't help myself.)

3. 2025 is the year that I will finish one of my stories.
(I love writing, as I've mentioned here before. I have a number of writing projects in various stages, as always. I want to finish at least one in 2025, and I am determined to actually do so. There's one that is calling to me the most, so I'm almost positive I know which writing project will be getting most of my attention this year. For many years I've failed to complete any full writing project from beginning to end, but I truly intend to change that in 2025.)

4. I need to better organize my kitchen cabinets.
(My kitchen cabinets used to be so organized. Then, over time, I accumulated new pots, pans, bowls, and that sort of thing. So, now those cabinets are in great need of a declutter and organization.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

***

It's time for your Eddy fix. So, on Christmas Day, Eddy shared this here festive photo of her and her favorite Christmas tree.

What Eddy didn't show you were the many times that I'd come home to find this tree a bit naked. See?

When I find the tree like that, I have to go on a hunt for its ribbon, as Eddy loves to hide it. Most often, it's tucked somewhere in her cat tree right there beside the Christmas tree.

I didn't realize the ribbon wasn't in focus when I snapped that photo, but it is indeed tucked in one of the cat tree cubbies. I put it back on the tree, and Eddy has happily removed it many times since.

Merry Tenth Day of Christmas, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

Last year I scribbled up Krampus, but more of the Krampuss variety. It was one of my favorite drawings of last year, simply because it was so fun to draw this spookily festive little guy.

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Tip of the Day

Something that comes along with offering outdoor ferals and strays shelter, which we discussed yesterday, is warmth. There are a great many considerations to make when it comes to offering warmth to ferals on cold winter days. We'll start with considering the size of the space the cat will be occupying, such as the size of the shelter you have for ferals and strays, as that affects how heat is trapped. Shelters should of course be large enough to fit one or a couple cats, or even a few cats if you care for that many that get along. At the same time, though, the shelter should be small enough that cold air does not easily circulate throughout it. A shelter that is not too large will better trap and insulate heat. Another consideration to make when it comes to the shelter's construction and heat retention is the doorway. Though you don't want to block entry or exit or make ferals feel trapped inside a shelter, try your best to block drafts from entering through doorways. If possible, keep entrances faced away from the wind and drafts, such as by facing the doorways toward a wall of your house or other building, so that the shelter's entrance won't directly face open air. There are of course flaps and other coverings that can be placed on doors, as long as they don't deter cats from entering.

In addition to the warmth that a shelter itself can offer, there are more direct heat sources that can be put out for ferals and strays. One simple option includes heating pads or beds that do not directly produce heat themselves, but that instead contain material that allows the bed to radiate heat. There are beds on the market that are said to warm to approximately the animal's body temperature when they are lying on it. There are also electric heating pads and heated beds that do indeed produce heat, allowing for immediate access to a warm place to sleep. Of course, always be cautious and aware of the dangers of burns and fires when electricity and heat comes into play, and go the safest route possible. That being said, also keep in mind that any bedding made with fabric, whether heated or not, can become and remain wet as well as dirty, and therefore can prevent a cat from wanting to use it.

All of the above being said, you can also go for heating lamps or some form of space heater to use inside an outdoor cat shelter. This is of course yet another option you have to research, though, to ensure that you get one that is safe for outdoor use, and that will be the most practical to prevent burns, fires, and so forth. All in all, when it comes to providing heating sources for outdoor ferals and strays, do your research and take all precautions possible. Always be aware of the dangers of burns or fires when it comes to electricity and heat, and choose and use heating sources accordingly and wisely.

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Merry Ninth Day of Christmas!

Hello, friends! It's Thursday, which of course means Thimble is here for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is grateful that our Christmas trees are still up. She loves keeping them company.

I will never take our Christmas decor down before January 6th, that being the Epiphany, or Three Kings' Day. I will also only take the Christmas decor down on a weekend, when I'm home from work. So, this year, the trees will be up for over another week at our house, and I'm more than okay with that. And so is Thimble.

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. My guide word for 2025 is _________.

2. I am counting the days to _________.

3. 2025 is the year that I will _________.

4. I need to better organize _________.

Merry Ninth Day of Christmas, and we'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on caring for ferals and strays outdoors during the cold winter months is to, if possible, offer them some sort of shelter. Even a makeshift shelter is better than no shelter at all. For example, outdoor tables and chairs can be arranged to form a shelter under which a feral or stray can get some respite from direct inclement weather. Another cheap, makeshift option includes turning a Styrofoam cooler upside down to form a shelter, with a door cut out as an entrance. Other relatively cheap storage containers can also be used to create makeshift shelters, again simply by cutting out a door and ensuring that it is safe for use. Of course, if it is possible, you can also buy or build a sturdier, more permanent shelter, such as one constructed out of wood. Another option, although of course only if it is safe and free of dangers, is to allow ferals and strays to spend cold winter days or nights in a garage or shed. Again, only if they are free of potentially dangerous items, a garage or shed can be used as a warm place for ferals and strays to spend cold winter days or nights. All in all, if you are able to, consider setting up some form of shelter to help ferals and strays have some respite from the elements. Even a makeshift shelter formed out of materials you already have could be a great benefit to them. Our next couple of tips will discuss feral cat shelters and their components in more detail.

Happy New Year! (And Merry Eighth Day of Christmas!)

As the title of the post says...

Happy New Year, friends! And Merry Eighth Day of Christmas!

If 2024 gave you any trouble, Astrid gave it one final punishment for you.

We hope, purr, woof, and pray that you all enjoy a 2025 that is filled with good heath, happiness, and many, many blessings. Peace and joy to all!

Oh, and since we're still in the midst of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Astrid wanted you all to see the cookies she ate up on Christmas Day.

Astrid is a very good girl and waited patiently while I got a closer photo as well.

Don't worry. That pouty pup got to start eating the cookies as soon as that photo was snapped.

Again...Happy New Year and Merry Eighth Day of Christmas to all!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We've been discussing care of ferals and strays during the winter months, and over the past few days our discussions have all been about food and water. We do have yet another tip on this specific topic. When it comes to offering food to ferals and strays, try to keep the location and timing of the feedings as consistent as possible. Keeping a predictable feeding schedule and food location can help an outdoor cat know when and where they can find food. Conserving energy is a very important thing for outdoor animals in the winter, and knowing when and where they can successfully venture out for a meal can indeed help ferals and strays save much-needed energy, rather than wasting their energy only to find no food present at their feeding station. Therefore, if you feed ferals and strays, keep in mind that it is very beneficial to the animals if you keep their food on a consistent schedule and in the same location.

Happy New Year's Eve! (And Merry Seventh Day of Christmas!)

Tonks wants to know if you'd like her to tell you a scary story?

Once upon a time, Tonks's human of a mom called her over, promising toys and treats. But then, that lying human pulled out a nail trimmer, and Tonks's claws were brutally cut. See? Isn't that a scary story? And for poor Tonks, it's unfortunately a true one.

Tonks considered telling a different sort of scary story to round out 2024, but she decided otherwise. So, instead, Tonks and all of us here are wishing you a Happy New Year's Eve! We hope 2024 has treated you with much happiness and many blessings.

Oh, and Merry Seventh Day of Christmas!

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Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

This year's plan of making new New Year's Eve and New Year's Day doodles didn't happen, but I'm telling myself that's okay. I do have this one I've shared for the past few New Year's Eves, so why not share it again.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip on winter feral care is to remember to put water out for ferals and strays you care for. This sounds and often feels impossible, given that water freezes in cold temperatures. However, it is often possible to make water accessible to ferals or strays even in the winter months. You can start by simply checking the water as often as possible, and removing ice or refreshing the water to ensure that it remains a liquid and not a frozen solid. You can also warm the water bowl, or even put out warm water, to delay its freezing. Other options include putting microwavable heat pads beneath the water bowl, using an electric heated bowl, or using another heat source in the area where the water is kept. With all such options, though, always keep safety in mind, and only choose and use heated products that best prevent burns and fires.

There are a couple of other considerations to make when putting water outside for ferals and strays in the winter months. To begin, as is possible, try to keep water bowls elevated off of the cold ground, to help keep it from freezing rapidly. In addition to this, using a deep bowl inside of a wide bowl will also help it to freeze less rapidly. Another option is to have a source of running water, such as by offering water in some sort of fountain, as moving water does not as easily freeze. And yet another way to help keep water from freezing rapidly in the winter is to put the bowl in the sun.

It also important to note that, as is possible, try to avoid putting water directly in a location where ferals or strays might sleep. This is because spills can indeed happen, and bedding material can make warmth and comfort difficult. So, there are many considerations to make when successfully offering water to ferals and strays in the winter months, but it is indeed possible, and of course also beneficial to them and their health.