Full Frontal #SundaySelfie

 We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Closing Out the Month of Love #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. You don't have to convince me to wear a mask. Last spring I was very hesitant to wear one and only did so when it became mandatory in so many places. Now I will probably be hesitant to stop wearing it!

2. Worrying about my parents is causing me stress.

3. Speaking from experience, cats are excellent stress reducers. Sometimes I feel like Mudpie is the only thing keeping me sane lately.

4. Over time, my opinion of blue cheese dressing has changed. As a kid I was repulsed by it, but now it's my favorite flavor of salad dressing!

February Pet Photo Fails

Meows from Mudpie!

Thank you for joining us for this month's edition of the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop. Wow, March is next week! I can practically smell the window whiffies now! (Mommy isn't as excited about the coming of spring as I am.)

My fails this month were taken a couple weeks ago when I was trying to snap a good selfie. Geez, I've been at this blogging thing for nearly 6 years now and with the trouble I was having one would think I'm an amateur!

What bad news is that TV spewing now?

Wait, I just heard a noise in the kitchen.

Do I have any squeezie on my nose? That sure would be embarrassing!

Oh piffle, let's just start over!

Some days you can't help but wonder why you got out of bed!

*****************************************************************

Those are my bloopers! Let's see yours!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Mudpie Interviews...Cat Behaviorist Anita Kelsey

Let’s Talk About Cats: Conversations on Feline Behaviour features 16 unique in-depth conversations with devoted feline experts, each chapter answering a question about our cats. An abundance of catty conversation points with many useful takeaways for cat owners to improve their own every-day connection with their cats.

This book, the first of its kind, presents the combined wisdom of experts from all over the world on the psychology, behaviour, diet and training of cats, in a relaxed and conversational style.Contributors include Jackson Galaxy, star of My Cat From Hell and composer David Teie,whose ground-breaking album, Music for Cats, was released by the Universal Music Group.Each illuminating chapter exudes a love for cats and a wealth of fascinating insights.

This book also includes advice and real case studies that offer the author’s own professional guidance on cat care topics, explaining the most important cat concepts, giving food for thought and expanding on all the most important issues and debates in the cat world.

Welcome to our blog, Anita! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and what inspired you to write Let's Talk About Cats? 

Thank you Mudpie. It’s not often a cat is interested in what I do!! I’m a human that has studied your behaviours and is called in to help owners understand them too. I thought a book of conversations with other experts might do the trick!

What do you think makes cats such misunderstood animals, making a book like this so important?

That’s a good question Mudpie. I think there’s always misunderstandings with cats kept in a domestic environment as pets because humans expect one thing from you and of course, you have other ideas! A nice balance is the best outcome and Let’s Talk About Cats enables humans to get that balance just right, I feel.

What's the most challenging issue you've encountered with your own personal cat(s) and how did you deal with it? 

Well, I have two personal cats I call pets. They are Norwegian Forest cats called Kiki and Zaza and they are now 14. I would say my most challenging issue was realising that not all cats can be happy as indoor only and once I learnt more about cats my challenge was to give mine a taste of outside life safely as well as keep them entertained and stimulated.

Perhaps you can solve a personal problem I've been having...regular readers of our blog know Mommy is pretty passionate about music (one artist in particular), but I am not a music lover at all! It annoys me and often makes me leave the room to seek some peace and quiet! I noticed one chapter in your books asks the question, Do Cats Like Music? Am I unusual in my intense dislike for it? Do you have any suggestions for us? 

Not at all Mudpie. Every cat is different just like us humans. What on earth does your mummy like music wise that makes you re-coil in horror? Some suggestions are that your mummy wears headphones on occasions to give you a break, doesn’t have the volume up to high, perhaps listens to her bad taste in music when you have popped out for a walk or that she buys you some music that may be more to your liking, like David Teie’s Music For Cats CD.

What's the most frustrating HUMAN behavior you encounter while working with cats? 

That they do not listen to me!

Lastly, what's the most valuable advice you have for cat parents? 

Excellent question Mudpie. Seeing life from a cat’s viewpoint is a good starter and one I know you would love to hear Mudpie, seeing as it’s all about you after all!

Once humans take their emotional response out of the equation and obtain a professional diagnosis on their own individual circumstances then a plan of action can be mapped out to help their cat as well as help the humans themselves understand and deal with the issue better.

Let’s Talk About Cats covers so many subject matters and the experts on each topic speak about them from the cat’s perspective. What’s not to like!!

About the author: 

Anita Kelsey is an author and cat behaviourist. She holds a first class honours degree in Feline Behaviour and Psychology (work-based BA Hons) and runs a vet-referred service dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of behaviour problems in cats.

She is also a cat groomer with master level certification and is known for her work with aggressive or phobic cats during the grooming process. Anita is an advocate for holistic gentle handling during grooming with a strong emphasis on educating clients. She is a full member of The Canine & Feline Behaviour Association. Anita is also a columnist for Your Cat Magazine and is on their experts panel giving advice on behaviour and grooming.

Dreaming of Spring #SundaySelfie

Meows from Mudpie!

Any other kitties out there getting a touch of spring fever? Temps in the 40s are predicted for the coming week and Mommy said maybe we can open the screen window for a bit! (We're brave Vermonters.) I've been spending less time lately cuddling in bed at night and more time in my cat bed by the bedroom window waiting for the sun to come up, then heading back there after breakfast for a little sunbathing. 

Mommy loves it when I still want to cuddle on the couch, even though I've been doing less of that lately too. She always takes a good nap when we're together and says I work better than a sleeping pill!

(As she's typing this I just jumped onto her lap, so off we go to dream land!)

We're joining our friends at The Cat On My Head for the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Caturday Art

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. I keep hoping this past year has been nothing but a bad dream, for many reasons.

2. Last year at this time, I was getting nervous listening to the news reports coming out of China, but never in a million years did I think we would be affected so greatly here in the US.

3. A cool, crisp autumn is my favorite kind of weather.

4. One random fact I happen to know is mares are pregnant for around a year. I googled it the other night while watching an episode of Mister Ed.

Mudpie's Dance Card is Full

Meows from Mudpie!

Oh my Cod did this little tortie have an eventful Valentine's Day! 

It's no secret that Bear Cat has a major thing for torties, and that I'm his best girl. (Sorry, Amarula...) Well this year he sent me my very own Valentine, and serenaded me with Conway's I'd Love to Lay You Down! I'm not sure who was swooning more when it showed up in our inbox, me or Mommy! (And Bear, I'm a very innocent little girl, so if the song means you want to lay down and take a nap together, I'm all for it!)

Then Mommy signed me up for Peaches and Paprika's Valentine Cat Match, and I got paired up with a very handsome house panther named Namaste! We sound like a very compatible couple...

What's a girl to do? It's all rather overwhelming. I think I need to go take a nap and give it some thought...

Mudpie 500 Zoomies Event Wrap Up

Meows from Mudpie!

Many thanks to all of you who participated in my annual Mudpie 500 Zoomies Event for our four-legged friends, and now it's time to announce the winner! 

Michael McDowell won the race, but sadly no one chose the 34 car. The second place car was driven by Chase Elliott, who was chosen by...

*drumroll please*

Four paws up to our sweet friends at the Four-Legged Furballs blog! Keep an eye on your inbox for a gift card from us.

******************************************

Speaking of NASCAR, Mommy asked me to tell you the story of how she became such a huge NASCAR, and in particular, Kevin Harvick fan. 

20 years ago tomorrow Dale Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Mommy had never watched a NASCAR race but of course she knew who Dale was and that his tragic death was a very big deal. Still she was surprised by the outpouring of grief she witnessed on the news and tuned in the following week to see how NASCAR would carry on without him.

A young driver named Kevin Harvick was placed in Dale's car and finished 14th in his debut Cup race. He won for the first time in only his 3rd start in a thrilling battle with Jeff Gordon, and by that time not only was Mommy hooked on NASCAR, she had chosen *her* driver. 

20 years later Mommy is still cheering Kevin on each week and has watched every one of his 58 Cup wins, putting him 9th on the all-time win list. His current 3 year contract will likely be his last and once he retires we probably won't be tuning in as religiously. NASCAR isn't changing for the better any more than country music is, and there just isn't anyone else on the track that excites us the way Kevin does.

15 Years Ago...

Leave it to me to use lyrics from a Conway song to memorialize a beloved cat, but 15 years ago and I still feel the same...

15 years ago today I lost a part of my heart when Sashi left for the Bridge. She was my first little girl, the first cat in my life that came from a shelter, and the first cat I adopted on my own as an adult. (She was a cat of many firsts for me, but she was also a last - the last cat I had that wasn't a tortie!)

She had been given up by her family at 9 years old. I was told many people thought she was beautiful but passed her by because of her age. Week after week I went past her cage at the PetSmart adoption center until I finally realized she was waiting for me. We were blessed to have 8 wonderful years together. Her passing in 2006 tore my heart into a million pieces. She was the first cat that was truly mine, and I felt like I had lost a child as she slipped away beside me on the couch after a lengthy illness.

That box was her favorite napping spot. I still have it.

Unlike my other ladycats, Sashi enjoyed playing dress up. She would let me put anything on her.

Her favorite treat was canned whipped cream. On birthdays we put a candle in it.

And nothing made her happier than a nice, warm blankie. She had a collection of cozy fleeces!

I have no doubt that Sashi was the first kitty waiting at the Bridge when Tara and Truffles arrived, and that they have a daily catnip klatch! I hope they all know how much they're still remembered and loved.

Meowy Valentine's Day!

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our answers (all answered by Mommy this week) for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

1. Years ago, I had a passion for roller skating. Throughout grade school we would often take field trips to the roller rink and for the longest time I was scared to death, but eventually I got the hang of it and became a speed demon! I wonder if it would all come back to me if I gave it a try today?

2. I used to want a dog, more specifically a dachshund, but now I don't. Staying in the house and curling up with a cat is much more my speed than taking a dog out for a walk multiple times per day!

3. I have just recently become interested in starting a second blog. Stay tuned!

4. I wouldn't be where I am today without my parents. They've always been incredibly supportive and there for me when I've needed them. 

We're also entering our Valentine's Day art in the Sunday Selfies blog hop!

Flashback Friday: A Valentine Memory

Meows from Mudpie!

Mommy and I went searching for a fun Valentine memory to share as a Flashback Friday, and what we found made Mommy's eyes leak. It was Truffles' last Valentine's Day in 2015, just months before she ran off for the Bridge, and what makes this memory even more poignant is that sweet Cody joined Truffles at the Bridge last summer. We hope they have something special planned this year for Valentine's Day now that they're reunited.

Here's Truffles' original post as she wrote it...

*****************************************************

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! Did you know that I got a Valentine gift this year? It's true! Cody from Cat Chat with Caren and Cody went looking for a little feline companionship and I was one of the lucky ladies that he picked! I hear he's playing the field a little bit, but that's okay. Mommy says that once you go tortie there's no going back!

This is the cute package he sent me:

It contained a sparkle fish and an elephant stuffie (how did he know that Mommy affiliates herself with the elephant party?)

I immediately gravitated towards the sparkle fish. (Check out the leg action!)

Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts, Cody. Call me!

Mudpie Interviews...Nick & Nora from Hiss H For Homicide

Nick and Nora are back in a tantalizing new mystery that’s far more dangerous than a game of cat and mouse . . .

Never one to turn away from a challenge—even when it goes against her better judgment—Nora Charles can hardly say no when an old friend of her mother’s comes to town seeking her help. The author of steamy romances has learned that her writing partner is severing their relationship and threatening to reveal dark and dirty secrets in a tell-all, and she pleads with Nora to intervene. Reluctantly agreeing to help, Nora pays a visit to the writing partner, ready to make her case—right up until the moment she discovers the woman’s lifeless body.

With the police convinced that Nora’s friend is the culprit, she and Nick begin delving into the dead woman’s past and her provocative tell-all. It soon becomes apparent that the woman had a knack for digging up dirt and wasn’t shy about exposing skeletons in closets, and before long Nora has a seemingly endless list of suspects who were at risk of having their darkest secrets revealed. With a police force intent on throwing the book at Nora’s friend and time running out, she and Nick must outwit a dangerous killer before they take their own secrets to the grave . . .

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview both Nick and Nora! We hope you enjoy learning more about them.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

Nora: I grew up in Cruz, California and moved to Chicago after I graduated college, where I worked on the Chicago Tribune and had my own crime column. After my mother passed away, I returned to Cruz to take over her sandwich shop – and become an amateur sleuth!

Nick: I was abandoned as a young kitten but I found refuge in back of a local magic shop. My first human, Nick Atkins, found me there when he was on a stakeout and adopted me. I stayed with him until he left on a case, and then I went in search of him and ended up on Nora’s doorstep.

The two of you seem drawn to mysteries. Can you explain why?

Nora: Well, I’ve always been a curious sort, and as an investigative reporter I was always drawn to puzzles to solve. Nick and I just seem to stumble into msyteries, although Leroy Samms likes to refer to us as “body magnets”.

Nick: I’ve always had a sixth sense about things, and Nora brings out the best in me, meow!!!!! As for the term ‘body magnet’ – HISSSSSS

Tell us about your most memorable adventure.

Nora: Truthfully, I never planned to become an amateur sleuth. It was just something that happened naturally. I’d say my most memorable adventure to date would be the latest, HISS H FOR HOMICIDE. An old friend of my mother’s comes to town seeking help when her writing partner severs their relationship and threatens to reveal some of her dark secrets in a tell-all she’s publishing. Nick and I head over to see the woman, ready to plead Marlene’s case, and then we discover her lifeless body. Needless to say, there are a ton of suspects to wade through before the truth is finally revealed.

Nick: I’d have to say that all my adventures with Nora are memorable...even the ones that aren’t published as yet LOL.

What about serious relationshps? Any romance on the horizon for either of you?

Nick: Solving mysteries keeps me pretty busy, but Alexa Martin’s cat does make my spine tingle!

Nora: Well....I’ve been dating Daniel, but now Leroy Samms is back in the picture, and that old college crush is rearing its ugly head. However, I can’t see myself getting serious over them or anyone, at least not at the moment. Then again, who knows?

What are your plans for the future?

Nora: To continue running the sandwich shop, and to keep on solving whatever mystery fate throws our way.

Nick: I agree. Nora will keep making sandwiches, and I’ll keep eating them. And the two of us hope to keep on solving mysteries for many years to come!

Do the two of you have any final words for your fans?

Nora: We are immensely grateful for their support. Without them, we would never have been given this second chance! We sincerely hope everyone will feel HISS H FOR HOMICIDE was worth the wait!

Nick: I agree. Our fans are important to us, and this fourth mystery has been a long time coming. (Four years, to be precise) We want everyone to know that we are back to stay, and, we hope, better than ever! Feel free to contact us through the human’s website! We love hearing from you!

T. C LoTempio is the author of the Nick and Nora mystery series, now published by Beyond the Page, and also the Pet Shop Mysteries, also published by Beyond the Page. Book Two in that series, KILLERS OF A FEATHER, will be out in the latter part of 2021. Cat-ch up with T. C. and ROCCO on their blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, and also her website, www.tclotempio.net

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February Retro Country Rewind #MewsicMovesMe

It's been a couple years since we premiered our mewsic feature "Retro Country Rewind," a look back at favorite songs that hit #1 during that month from 30, 35, 40 plus years ago. In this new year we'll be delving into #1 hits from 1971, 1976, 1981, and so on. Let's take a look at February for this freebie week in the Mewsic Moves Me blog hop...

35 Years Ago - 1986, There's No Stopping Your Heart, Marie Osmond

Since there's no Conway this month I'm going to start with my favorite. I've always loved Marie's voice and wish she had never left country music.

35 Years Ago - 1986, Making Up for Lost Time, Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris

45 Years Ago - 1976, Sometimes, Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner

45 Years Ago - 1976, Good Hearted Woman, Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

50 Years Ago - 1971, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Sammi Smith

Let us know if you have a favorite this month!

6th Annual Mudpie 500 Zoomies Event

WOOHOO today I'm taking my Sunday Selfie

from behind the wheel of a moving race car!!!

(And the 2014 Sprint Cup Champion's car at that...just sayin'.)

It's no secret that Mommy is serious about her NASCAR. The Daytona 500 is next Sunday and she is ecstatic.

Since she always calls my zoomies the "running of the Mudpie 500" I decided to start hosting an annual giveaway to celebrate this national holiday in our house and to make it fun for me and my friends too!

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment predicting the winning driver by midnight eastern on Sunday, February 14th. Don't forget to leave your email address too! We'll be giving away a $10 PetSmart gift card so my pals of all species can purr-ticipate!

In the event that more than one of you pick the winning driver, we will draw a name from a hat. If no one picks the winning driver, we will move on to second place, etc., until a winner is chosen.

Here are your driver choices:

No. 00 – Quin Houff – StarCom Racing

No. 1 – Kurt Busch – Chip Ganassi Racing

No. 2 – Brad Keselowski – Team Penske

No. 3 – Austin Dillon – Richard Childress Racing

No. 4 – Kevin Harvick – Stewart-Haas Racing

No. 5 – Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports

No. 6 – Ryan Newman – Roush Fenway Racing

No. 7 – Corey LaJoie – Spire Motorsports

No. 8 – Tyler Reddick – Richard Childress Racing

No. 9 – Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports

No. 10 – Aric Almirola – Stewart-Haas Racing

No. 11 – Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing

No. 12 – Ryan Blaney – Team Penske

No. 14 – Chase Briscoe [R] – Stewart-Haas Racing

No. 15 – Derrike Cope – Rick Ware Racing

No. 16 – Kaz Grala – Kaulig Racing

No. 17 – Chris Buescher – Roush Fenway Racing

No. 18 – Kyle Busch – Joe Gibbs Racing

No. 19 – Martin Truex, Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing

No. 20 – Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing

No. 21 – Matt DiBenedetto – Wood Brothers Racing

No. 22 – Joey Logano – Team Penske

No. 23 – Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing

No. 24 – William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports

No. 33 – Austin Cindric – Team Penske

No. 34 – Michael McDowell – Front Row Motorsports

No. 36 – David Ragan – Front Row Motorsports

No. 37 – Ryan Preece – JTG-Daugherty Racing

No. 38 – Anthony Alfredo – Front Row Motorsports

No. 41 – Cole Custer – Stewart-Haas Racing

No. 42 – Ross Chastain – Chip Ganassi Racing

No. 43 – Erik Jones – Richard Petty Motorsports

No. 47 – Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. – JTG-Daugherty Racing

No. 48 – Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports

No. 49 – Chad Finchum – MBM Motorsports

No. 51 – Cody Ware – Rick Ware Racing

No. 52 – Josh Bilicki – Rick Ware Racing

No. 53 – Joey Gase – Rick Ware Racing

No. 62 – Noah Gragson – Beard Motorsports

No. 66 – Timmy Hill – MBM Motorsports

No. 77 – Jamie McMurray – Spire Motorsports

No. 78 – B.J. McLeod – Live Fast Motorsports

No. 96 – Ty Dillon – Gaunt Brothers Racing

No. 99 – Daniel Suarez – Team Trackhouse

Here's the thing about the Daytona 500: it's a total crap shoot so you don't need to know a thing about racing in order to predict a winner. It's known as a "restrictor plate race" which limits speed and increases safety, to provide an equal level of competition. The cars all run in crazy scary packs and winning is more a matter of luck than anything.

Back in 2007 our driver Kevin Harvick won the race. My grandpa's boss at the time stood to win $1,000 if Mark Martin won, and Martin was leading until the last turn of the last lap when Kevin came from 7th place to win by fractions of a second. It was a thrilling finish, but grandpa never told his boss that Kevin was our driver! Check it out:

Good luck, have fun, and may the best man Kevin Harvick win!!!

Those Eyes #CaturdayArt

Visit more artsy kitties at Athena's Caturday Art blog hop!

And now our answers for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, hosted by 15andmeowing and Four-Legged Furballs!

Mudpie's answers:

1. February is the perfect month to cuddle with your cat(s).

2. Garfield is my kind of humor. Nothing better than a lazy, fat cat with an attitude!

Mommy's answers:

3. I have a subscription to CatLadyBox. I've gotten every box since they began in 2015 and I love it. I also subscribe to Catster and Modern Cat magazines.

4. I shouldn’t buy so many cat and Conway collectibles, but I do anyway. I shop responsibly and they make me happy.

Mudpie Interviews...Mr. Darcy/Dorian from Lynn Cahoon's Kitchen Witch Mystery Series

In the first in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s Kitchen Witch series, Mia Malone is starting over in Magic Springs, Idaho—where murder is on the menu . . .

What’s a kitchen witch to do when her almost-fiancé leaves her suddenly single and unemployed? For Mia Malone, the answer’s simple: move to her grandmother’s quirky Idaho hometown, where magic is an open secret and witches and warlocks are (mostly) welcome. With a new gourmet dinner delivery business—and a touch of magic in her recipes—Mia’s hopes are high. Even when her ex’s little sister, Christina, arrives looking for a place to stay, Mia takes it in stride.

But her first catering job takes a distasteful turn when her client’s body is found, stabbed and stuffed under the head table. Mia’s shocked to learn that she’s a suspect—and even more so when she realizes she’s next on a killer’s list. With Christina, along with Mia’s meddling grandma, in the mix, she’ll have to find out which of the town’s eccentric residents has an appetite for murder…before this fresh start comes to a sticky end. . . .

Includes Recipes!

Mudpie was very excited to have the opportunity to interview Mr. Darcy, the feline star of this series. We hope you enjoy learning more about him!

Welcome, Mr. Darcy! Thank you so much for chatting with me today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Mia?

Mr. Darcy -Mia and I have been together for years, even when she was living with that human who was horrible to her. She got me from a place called the shelter when I was a baby. I'd been separated from my family and put in this cage before I knew what was going on. I was really looking forward to some time alone, yes, I knew they were going to break up before they did. Heck, everyone knew it. And then her grandmother does this spell without any warning. How was I to know by jumping up on the table I was going to have this hijacker in my body.

Dorian -I resent being called a hijacker. Besides, you know cats aren't allowed on the table.

Mr. Darcy -Whatever. See, he's always telling me what to do. Have you met Dorian? He used to be a local witch. Now, he's just a spirit that thinks he can take over my body.

Dorian -Who's been opening the door for you so we can go outside? Mudpie, I swear, he's such an ungrateful cat. Maybe you should just talk to me.

Mr. Darcy -I'm the one being interviewed, not you. So shut up. Sorry, Mudpie, go ahead with your next question.

Is there a story behind your name?

Mr. Darcy -Mia loves romance. So when she saw how handsome I was, she had to name me Mr. Darcy.

Dorian -Hahahahaha, that's hilarious. Oh, you were being serious.

Mr. Darcy -Again, please be quiet. Next question.

What's a typical day like for you?

Mr. Darcy - It depends on what Mia's doing. On Monday, they cook for Tuesday's deliveries. So I have to watch the downstairs door to keep people from coming in while she and Christina are in teh kitchen. They turn the music up so loud, I think a troll could break the door down and they wouldn't notice. But Tuesdays, I get to sleep in. Same with weekends when they cater events. The days I hate are when they host events at the school. Too many people are around and Mia doesn't like me to wander outside. She's afraidI'm going to get lost. Or be stupid and run into the road. It's nice that she cares so much.

Dorian - And sometimes I magically unlock the door so we can go hunting at night. It's a little different hunting mice in the field rather than deer, but it keeps me from being bored.

What are the best and worst parts of living with a pair of witches?

Mr. Darcy - Mia's a witch, Christina isn't. The best part is Christina treats me like a cat. She lets me cuddle at night and she's very warm to sleep with. Mia tosses and turns too much. She's always been that way. I think she just worries too much. And, of course, the spells she should be practicing don't let her sleep well.

Dorian - She needs to accept her magic. She can be a really strong witch. And since we're her familiar, I could really help her develop to be a very powerful witch. Not just a kitchen witch, she could lead the coven.

Mr. Darcy - She doesn't want to lead the coven. She likes focusing on food rather than power.

Dorian - Agree to disagree.

Tell us about One Poison Pie, the new Kitchen Witch Mystery you star in.

I'll let Mia tell you about the book -In the first in New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s Kitchen Witch series, Mia Malone is starting over in Magic Springs, Idaho—where murder is on the menu . . .

What’s a kitchen witch to do when her almost-fiancé leaves her suddenly single and unemployed? For Mia Malone, the answer’s simple: move to her grandmother’s quirky Idaho hometown, where magic is an open secret and witches and warlocks are (mostly) welcome. With a new gourmet dinner delivery business—and a touch of magic in her recipes—Mia’s hopes are high. Even when her ex’s little sister, Christina, arrives looking for a place to stay, Mia takes it in stride.

But her first catering job takes a distasteful turn when her client’s body is found, stabbed and stuffed under the head table. Mia’s shocked to learn that she’s a suspect—and even more so when she realizes she’s next on a killer’s list. With Christina, along with Mia’s meddling grandma, in the mix, she’ll have to find out which of the town’s eccentric residents has an appetite for murder…before this fresh start comes to a sticky end. . . .

Can you give us any clues as to what's next for you and Mia?

Mr. Darcy - Mia has scheduled a reunion for her next catering event. There will be a ton of people around, but I'm sure everything will be fine. Oh, and Mia's mom will be visiting. She's a little tightly wound for my taste. Every time she visits, she runs a lint roller over her suit as soon as she stands up. Like I shed all over everything.

Dorian - I've been meaning to say something...

Mr. Darcy - I'm sorry Mudpie, I need to talk to Dorian about his rude interruptions. We need to end this interview early.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keeping Mommy Safe

Meows from Mudpie!

Monday night Mommy and I were cuddling on the couch when breaking news came on the TV that a shooting had occurred at our local mall! Details were sketchy at first but it appears there was a dispute of some sort, multiple shots were fired, and an innocent bystander got hit (thankfully he had non life-threatening injuries.) Incidents like this just aren't common to Vermont so it was pretty scary, especially since it's a mall Mommy goes to frequently. 

Well, I've decided to take matters into my own paws. Without her reusable bag Mommy can't go shopping, so I'm just going to plop my cute little self down on top of it so she has to stay home, safe with me. There's nothing she needs at that dumb ol' mall anyways.

(In case you were wondering, my squeezies don't come from that shopping center. If they did she would just have to take her chances!!!! MOL)

Sweet Stuff #MewsicMovesMe

The theme of this week's Mewsic Moves Me blog hop is "February 1 is National Baked Alaska Day. It is also Candy-making Day, Candy Decorating Day and Dark Chocolate Day. So let’s have songs about “sweet” things." 

Here's our eclectic playlist of songs with the word "sweet" in the title...

I'm probably going to surprise everyone by starting with some Conway gospel music. (Here's a little trivia for you...did you know he considered becoming a preacher as a teenager?) This song was recorded at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN in 1981 with only an organ, to be played at his daughter's wedding. It was also played at his memorial service (which I have on DVD but have never watched and don't believe I'll ever be able to.) It was included in the box set that was released after his death.

How can I resist a song with my name in the title?

So far today we've covered gospel music, classic rock, now here's a bit of classic country...

We hope you enjoyed our "sweet" choices today...let us know if you have a favorite!