Chatterbox...

Chatterbox.... 

After 12 years of marriage, I finally convinced Keith that we needed to adopt a cat. Keith was convinced he was NOT a cat person and after much talk and hours of Pros and Cons on pet ownership, the kids and I went to the local pet shelter. We had a cat picked out. A very nice black and white cat.... his name was Freddy. As the kids were petting Freddy, I was standing against what I thought was a wall. All of a sudden I had a gentle pat and a grey paw on my shoulder, I turned around and there was the most beautiful green eyes and a handsome grey cat that greeted me with a burr. 

I quickly turned around, told the kids to put that other cat up: THIS was the cat we were adopting. Thinking back on it...it happened just that quickly, put Freddy away and hello Chatterbox. He came with the name Chatterbox and soon we discovered that he was very chatty. He would burr to greet us, purr the loudest, meow to tell us about his day, let us know he needed pets, he needed treats, he wanted to door open to lay in the sun. Chatterbox he remained. He was two years old, born in 2006. He'd been surrendered because his owner moved to an apartment that didn't allow pets. 

Their surrender of Chatty to the animal shelter became one of the biggest gifts of our lives. He loved us all fiercely, each in his own way. His two main people were Ellie and Keith. Once the Pandemic hit and Keith worked from home for a year, every morning several times each morning, Chatty made it his habit to mosey in and have a little "Bro Time" as we came to call it being cuddled and petted by Keith. Then he'd go back out to his Pocohontas beanbag and take a nap. He would lay on Ellie's chest and purr the LOUDEST, I've ever heard a cat purr. Greeting us all at the door every time we returned home, he was more like I imagine a dog to be than a cat. 

Last evening, I had given his treats after his loud protestations that it was time for them.....and just 30 minutes later, Ellie heard him meow softly and sort of stumble...She ran to him and picked him up. He died in her arms. He was old - 17. Although Chatty wasn't very fond of 3 year old Ellie, he sure did love 17 year old Ellie. And I can't think of a better way for him to pass. God sure did take him in the best way possible. He wasn't sick, just old and he passed quickly and peacefully in the arms of the human he loved the best. 

I could post 10000 pictures, but I'll leave it at three. 

Chatty we loved you with our whole hearts. We shared just shy of 16 years with him. He was a member of our family. Our hearts are broken and we are grieving. He was laid to rest in our flower garden. Again God in his divine providence took him when all of us were off work and able to come and sit with him, pet and hug him, before we took him for burial. We will make a memorial stone for him. And he will never be forgotten as long as we draw breath. He was the most awesome cat I ever had the pleasure of mothering. My heart, just aches. Please pray for my Ellie, she is having a rough time of it. We all are, but especially her.

Until we can one day meet him again at the Rainbow Bridge, for I cannot imagine heaven without those souls that loved us, and we them as we walked this earth. God created a true friend and wonderful spirit the day he created Chatty.  

Chatterbox "Chatty" Pfeiffer 

2006-2023

March....

~ Greetings and Warm Welcome to my Blog ~

Today just a quick share....

Last week I put out a new FlossTube Video that shares what I stitched in February 2023: HERE

I did a tutorial on Patchwork Pears....HERE

And TODAY I made this: 

Southern Squash Casserole

Now I know technically I'm a Yankee, but I can cook with the best of the Southerner's 

bring it on :)

I've tried several recipes and I've come up with a size and taste that pleases my people. 

Here it is: 

12-15 smallish summer squash. Small guys are more tender and less seedy. 

Wash and sliced 1/4 inch thick

2 Vidalia Sweet Onions, chopped

Melt 4 TBS. butter in a pot and cook the squash and onions until almost soft, with just a bit of a bite to them left. Then put all in a strainer for 5 minutes to drain off all the extra liquid. 

Meanwhile grate: 1 cup of sharp cheddar and 1 cup of cheddar (did you know that grating your own cheese is best for creaminess? Grated/Shredded cheese you buy has an anti-clumping agent on it so that the product will be very dry when baked. It is cheaper and better for cooking to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Takes just seconds if you have a food processor. 

In a bowl combine:

the grated cheeses

2 beaten eggs

1 c. sour cream

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp granulated garlic

1/2 c.  parmesan cheese

MIX WELL, then add in the onion and squash; mix to combine all together.

Pour into a prepared 9 x 13 pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Then make topping: 

1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers; crushed

plus 2 tbs of melted butter and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

mix and then sprinkle over top of casserole evenly. This isn't as crackery as some casserole recipes because we want the mouth texture and taste but not to overwhelm that delicious squash with a hit of spice from the cayenne.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and top golden.

Enjoy and whistle Dixie...this is DELICIOUS!