Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Trashy Tuesday - My new/old Truck


Hi Friends…

I can say without a doubt this is the LARGEST trashy find you have ever seen from me!

Lookie what I got!!!

A 1938 Dodge truck!

Truck

A friend of Mr. Primcats has had this truck sitting in the driveway of his house for at least 20 years. It was his father’s. I have admired it many times. I love rat roddy old vehicles. The father passed away and my Mr. jumped on the chance to get it for me.

It’s rusted and a complete pile… but if I get my way this baby is gonna be parked in our yard and planted. It’s currently on a trailer out back and all the neighbors have been asking about it and when we tell them what we are doing they LOVE the idea.

Alas it is not up to us, or the neighbors… we are waiting on zoning approval. Sigh. We have VERY strict zoning laws in out township and cars that don’t run are a big NO NO. However, we have been told that if we tag it historically that we “may” be able to do what we plan. So while I still have hope it will happen… here are some inspiration pics of what I want to do.

Do you not love this???? Look at that tree growing out of the bed! Squee!!!!!


TruckasPlanter

Above photo by: Lynn Viehl   More pics here: http://pbwindow.blogspot.com/2012/10/truck-as-planter.html

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And this one. I love all the vines in this!!!! And another tree in the bed.

Isn’t it cool how it “drove” into the flowerbed?

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Above pic source unknown. repin on pinterest.

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Look at this one… wait until those petunias bloom!

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So that is my plan. :)

Lets say a little prayer zoning will let us do it because I think this will be awesome!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Friday, April 26, 2013

Foodie Friday ~ Easy Shredded Chicken


Hi Friends,

Today I thought I would share my easy shredded chicken recipe with you. There isn’t much to it, but it’s very flavorful.

And EASY.

There is no work to this.

I don’t measure anything, just add to taste, so here is what you need.

Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts

Stovetop Stuffing - chicken flavor

Cream of Chicken or cream of celery soup

Water or chicken broth

So your first step is to put your Chicken breasts in the crockpot on low with enough water or broth to almost cover them. Go to work for 8 hours… come home. Done.

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Next, take them out of the crock pot and place them in the mixer. They fall apart when you do this so really you don’t even have to break them up. But if they don’t break just make them into large chunks.

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Turn the mixer on low.

Shred chicken.

Walla.

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See… told you no work. ;)

Next you want to season and wet with the stuffing mix and soup.  I don’t measure. I just add and taste. Add and taste.

So add and mix and taste until you get the consistency and taste you are happy with.

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Back in the crock pot on warm for a few hours to really cook in the flavor.

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Tada! Done.

This also freezes really well so don’t be afraid to make a ton and save for later dates.

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

One more bunny…

Hi Friends,

Happy Tuesday!

Here is the other bunny I purchased from Traci at


Peter Cottontail chilling in the living room.

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Just so cute!

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Perfect details. ♥

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I bought him because of how he way laying.

Holly lays like this and it just makes me smile. :)

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Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Sunday, April 21, 2013

A little spring… a little late…

Hi friends,

I seriously slacked BAD on Easter/spring decorating this year. As in… almost non-existent. Isn’t that sad?  I think so. But I just didn’t have it in me. It was just SOOOO cold and I was in a spring funk. Brrrrr does not make me feel like bunnies and flowers. Though you would think after 36 years living in this state I would KNOW we only get 4 warm months a year and they don’t start until June.

*Shakes head* I hope someday I can convince the mister to move somewhere warm. I really hate the weather here.

Any way… I did make a few Spring purchases from Traci at

York Mountain Primitives

that I want to share before it’s to late and you are all wondering why I am sharing bunnies an July!! LOL!

In the farmhouse kitchen…

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There he is…

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With his lettuce snack…

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Isn’t this set just the cutest? I really love him.

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Tracy also sent me this sweet little heart as a thank you.

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So perfectly stitched with love. Thank you Tracy.

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I will be back later with the other bunny I purchased.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Friday, April 19, 2013

Foodie Friday ~ Eggplant Mozzarella Melt

Hi Friends,

I come to you today with an eggplant recipe that is so good!!!

Yum! Yum! Yum!

I made this with a friend and it was the first time I had ever tried eggplant. Holy Moly I have been missing out! So good!


Eggplant Mozzarella Melt

eggplant

The recipe is a Martha Stewart Recipe and comes from here:


Ingredients

2 large eggs 
 
Coarse salt and ground pepper 
 
3/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs 
 
Olive oil, for baking sheet 
 
1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
 
1 loaf (8 ounces) soft Italian bread 
 
2 cups store-bought tomato sauce 
 
8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread breadcrumbs in a pie plate or shallow bowl.

Oil a rimmed baking sheet. Dip eggplant rounds in egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs, turning to coat completely; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake (without turning) until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, split bread lengthwise, and place cut side up on another baking sheet; press gently in centers to create a well. Layer both halves with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. Bake until cheese is browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes.

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And here is our version!

Sorry… we were out of beautiful wood planks to display it on! Haha!!

Much cheesier and so darned delish! 

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I hope you take the time to make this dish!

You will not be disappointed!

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Thanks for stopping by today.

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Thrifty Thursday ~ Pottery

 

Hi Friends,

Happy Thursday. I hope everyone's week is winding down nicely. I sure am ready for the weekend. Can’t get here quick enough.

I was checking my drafts from blogger and found this Thrifty Thursday Pottery post from 2 months ago that I had composed but not posted so I’m sharing some finds from over the winter today.

Love this piece. So pretty!

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And this one.

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Two little sponge ware pieces.

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Cute little votive holder.

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And a piece of Williamsburg Pottery.

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Thanks for stopping by today!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

My first PIF treasure arrived…

Hello Friends,

Back in January of this year a lot of us signed on for a PIF 2013, Pay it Forward … and I received my first one a little while back.

Wendy from

Ravenwood Whimzies

made this pillow just for me.

Isn’t it the cutest?

 

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I placed it in my dining room on a ladderback.

It looks so adorable there.

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Thank you so much for making this for me Wendy!

I love it. :)

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Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I won a new treasure!!!

 

Hi friends,

Happy Tuesday!

Look at this pretty necklace I won from Sue over at

 

Wicked Faerie Queen

 

 

Win

Isn’t it cute?

Can’t wait to get it!

Thank you Sue for being so very generous on your birthday!

If you want one too you can head on over to Sue’s Etsy and get one for yourself!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WickedFaerieQueen

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Caturday ~ Feline Nutrition Q & A


Hi Friends,

Yep, it’s that time again!

whoah-it-caturday[3]

Let’s talk more about what’s in a raw feline diet and what a proper diet can do for your cat.

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Would a raw food diet for dogs be similar to one for cats?

Not really. There may be some similar ingredients but over all cats have much different requirements than dogs.

Dogs are omnivores and can utilize plant based matter such as veggies and grains. Cats are obligate carnivores, the only strict meat eaters on the planet, and they can not and  do not utilize nor digest plant matter in a useful manner.

A cat should be fed a strictly raw meat, bones, and organ diet while dogs diets can vary greatly.

A very readable scientific paper on a cats specific requirements can be found here:


Another large difference between dog and cat Raw diets is that cats must have a lot more Taurine in their diets than dogs, again pointing to the obligate carnivores that they are. Taurine is found largely in the strong muscle meat of animals. It is found in all muscle meat but the stronger the muscle the more Taurine in it, which is why it is so important to feed a proper whole prey model diet consisting of meat, bones and organs. The most Taurine enriched muscle in the body is the heart because it is the hardest working muscle int he body. 

Without taurine (Meat) a cat will die.

Cats are obligate carnivores.

Dogs are omnivore’s.

Ergo, no. A cats diet is different from that of a dog.

A dog can live off a cats diet but a cat could not live on a dogs diet.

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How important are grains, vegetables and fruit to a cat's diet?

Grains, vegetables and fruit are completely inappropriate for a carnivore. 

Cats are obligate carnivores, strict meat eaters and can not utilize plant based matter. They are meant to eat meat, not vegetables and grains such as corn, peas and rice which are common in many manufactured cat foods.

As confirmed in “The Carnivore connection to nutrition in cats”, by Dr. Zoran, found at http://www.catinfo.org/docs/DrZoran.pdf, cats can not derive the proper nutrition from plant matter, either grain or vegetable. Cats bodies are created to absorb nutrients from meat only, not rice and peas. 

Cats even lack the digestive enzyme to digest plant matter, further scientifically proving thier lack of need or want for these matters. That alone should prove the importance of meat in your cat’s diet.

Furthermore, cats have absolutely no use for the carbohydrates that grains provide and they end up suffering from obesity, diabetes and other diseases because they can not utilize the sugars these foods load them down with. 

A fantastic essay written by Michelle T. Bernard on why cats don’t need vegetables and grains can also be found at  ttp://www.blakkatz.com/catsarentweasels.html . Her book is also a fantastic resource.
I own it, use it and highly recommend it!

http://www.raisingcatsnaturally.com/ She has been raising cats on a raw meat diet for over 20 years.

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What types of issues with cat’s would switching to a raw diet cure/prevent?

I have marveled many times at my cats and the miracle that happens when you feed a cat raw. From life threatening IBD (Irritable Bowel) and FLUTD Feline Lower Urinary Tract disorder) to the simple vanity of a perfect shiny dandruff free coat. My husband and I, along with our vet, have seen the improvements happen in our 14 cats with our own eyes. We also cured 3 of our cats fully of diseases that were about to end thier life. Raw feeding SAVED Meow, Phat Boy and Baby Bear. Saved them from death.  

Deadly feline illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, allergies, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), bladder stones, kidney stones, urinary tract blockages and Urinary Tract Infections (FLUTD), with and without deadly crystals can all be treated and cured with a species appropriate raw diet and the guidance of a vet that has taken the time to educate themselves about feline nutrition.

I am glad to know that my cats likelyness of getting the above diseases is very very low now because I am feeding them the way nature intended. 

Both of these websites cover a lot of information specifically on how Raw diets cure ailments. 


A proper diet, quite simply, is the basis of all health and wellness. A feline body that is fed an appropriate diet of what nature intended it to eat will have the absolute best chance at fighting off any illness that could possibly befall it.

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I hope you enjoyed today's Caturday!

Until next time…
Carmen and the Primcats


Friday, April 12, 2013

Foodie Friday: Cheesy Garlic Baked Potato’s

 

Hi Friends,

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Happy Friday!

I always see the best recipes on the internet and I think I will start sharing the ones that really tickle my fancy!

Here’s today’s from https://www.facebook.com/AttitudesInTheKitchen.

Cheesy Garlic baked potatoes with Herbed sour cream:


Ingredients:

16 ounces potatoes

3 to 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

4 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and fresh black pepper

Fresh chives (diced)

Bacon (cut into large chunks)

Shredded Cheese of your choice- 1-cup

Sour Cream, recipe follows**

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.


Using a wooden spoon as a cradle, place each potato in the spoon and make several parallel slits into each potato top making sure not to slice completely through.


Place 3 garlic slices between slits at the crown of each potato. Toss in a medium bowl with butter and olive oil.


Place on a baking sheet lined with tin foil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.


When the potatoes begin to “fan out” it’s time to make the magic happen.Carefully slip a hunk of bacon into each slit of the potato like so and continue to cook

Once the potatoes and bacon are fully cooked (use a knife poke test), coat the potatoes with heaping helping of shredded cheese.


Bake until tops are crispy and potatoes are cooked through, about 1 hour. Transfer to a platter and top with Herbed Sour Cream and chives.


Herbed Sour Cream:


1/2 cup sour cream


1/2 teaspoon garlic powder


1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves


Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper


Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Season, to taste, and refrigerate until use.

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YUM!

I haven’t made this yet but intend to try it soon!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Gathered Treasures Spring Show

 

Hi Friends,

Happy Thursday!

I wanted to make sure to tell you about an amazing show this Saturday in Mansfield, Ohio.

Gathered Treasures

Don’t miss it!

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http://blackcatprimitivesgatheredtreasures.blogspot.com/

or

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gathered-Treasures-Primitive-Antiques-Show/221383034595434?fref=ts

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

2 more giveaways

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to tell you about 2 more giveaways going on!

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First, tomorrow is Sue’s birthday and she is having a fun giveaway for some pretty Jewelry! Head over and say Happy birthday and sign up!

http://wickedfaeriequeen.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-birthday-giveaway.html

 

Next is this fun giveaway from Barefoot Primitives. Don’t miss it!

http://barefootprimitives.blogspot.ca/2013/04/big-200-followers-give-away.html

 

And don’t forget about Earlene’s giveaway that I posted about earlier!

Happy Thursday!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Primitive Passion Decorating Giveaway

Hi Friends!

Just popping in to let you know that Earlene from

Primitive Passion Decorating

is having a Spring giveaway!

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She has been having a problem with her blog NOT showing up in our blogger feed. She has been posting regularly but she is still not showing up so no one has been stopping by. There is now a link on her sidebar for you to sign up via email to have her posts sent to your email so you don’t miss them.

Head on over and say hello, sign up for the giveaway and sign up for her emails.

Have a great day!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Caturday with Christian the Lion

Hi Friends,

Lets take a break from feline nutrition today and enjoy some heart felt awwwww moments together about an amazing big cat and his Dads who did right by him like nobody else ever could. ♥

Today I want to share with you one of my most favorite cat documentaries.



A Lion Called Christian


It is a 45 minute documentary and if you can’t watch it right now… bookmark it so you can come back and watch it later.

This is such a beautiful cat story and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Happy Saturday!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Trashy Tuesday ~ Trash Picked Treasure


Hi Friends,

Way, way back in late 2010 I posted that I came across a huge pile of trash and pulled some treasures out of it.


One of those treasures being this wonderful antique beauty!

Look at the leaves in it! It really was trashy!

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For 3 years it has sat in the basement waiting for the right moment to find it’s place in our home.
While dusting the bedroom a few weeks back I realized that it would be great in the bedroom to replace a really bad dated 70’s dresser.

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So I bribed Mr. Primcat and a friend to carry that ugly laminated bad boy to the basement and bring that dresser/armoire thing upstairs to replace it.

After a LOT of scrubbing and oiling… TADA! 

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So much better!

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We love the tv up high too. Easier to see from the bed.

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Love this mama cat and kittens. ♥

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Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed your visit. Come back soon!

Until next time…

Carmen and the Primcats