'HE' is my 'SHE' now........

A few posts back I blogged about my cat Mason and his feline urinary problems. Well, shortly after that post, his condition deteriorated and he became totally blocked. Which, as I had explained is life threatening. This time it was so bad (because of scar tissue from the previous times), they could not catheterize him. So, in order to save my little buddy, they would have to perform an emergency surgery called a perineal urethrostomy. In other words, Mason became a girl cat.

The vet said he had more damage than anticipated and the surgery took over 2 hours. All I know........I am glad I have my buddy back :) Worst thing is this happened just before we were to leave for a family vacation. I was ready to stay back and have my family go without me. But, my husband was frustrated because I have not been on a family trip in seven years! I always stayed back to help with my mother or father.

After I explained to the vet that my husband really wanted me to go on this trip, he said they would keep Mason for the time needed (which ended up being 14 days). I visited him every day until we left, called the vet's everyday while on vacation for a check up on Mason, and couldn't wait to see him when we got home. I did have a nice vacation though :)

So, now my little 'guy' is doing GREAT.

Well, aside from his shaved butt! He seems to be as happy as ever!

A great sign is his 'chirping' he does at the birds out the window. When he was sick he hid and would lay in rooms that were darkened.

Back to playing hide-n-seek.........he thinks I can't find him ;)






Playing with his yarn!







AND........sleeping in my chair......the little stinker. I don't mind sharing as much anymore!

One thing he didn't lose....the attitude when I point my camera right in his face! He only tolerates it so long!

But, right now I'll take him any way he is!!

Anticipation for the reflection......

Every year I look so very forward to this particular bloom. You see, the tree is in my parents yard, right outside the breakfast nook window.

I remember many a visits where my mother and I would sit at the table and talk and look out at this tree. She would always comment how beautiful the blooms were year after year.

I love the beauty of the bloom, but I love the memory I have of my mother more. This tree is the reminder, so that is why these blooms are so special. It is the reflection I have that means the most.

I plan to frame this picture and bring it to her. I hope it brings a smile to her face and helps her remember some of the beauty surrounding her life :)

Cute Colby is one............

Our little guy is not so little anymore. Colby recently turned one year old and is still as loving and playful as he was the first day we brought him home.

This first pic is after my hubby gave him a bath. So fluffy!

A couple of weeks after we had him. One of my favorite pictures of him.

A couple of months old here....






Recently, he was intently studying a little bug......so cute :)

and......here is "The King" sitting on the back of the couch. He loves to sit up higher than anyone else, kind of like he is in charge!

Well, come to think of it, he does 'rule the roost'! Well, most of the time anyway :)

Lemon Cheese Bars

I seem to make these quite frequently, as these are my son's absolute favorite. Then again, most things with lemon flavor he likes :)

These bars are super easy and only require 6 ingredients.

Lemon Cheese Bars

1 Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix (it actually calls for Duncan Hines)

1 lemon (zest and juice) using 2 tablespoons of the juice

2 eggs

1/3 cup Canola oil

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature

1/3 cup sugar

Combine the cake mix, oil and only 1 of the eggs.

Mix at low speed 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides down with a rubber spatula until crumbly.

Reserve 1 cup for the topping and set aside.

Using your fingertips, press down the remaining crust mixture in a lightly sprayed ( I use Pam) 13 x 9 inch baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Leave the oven on.

For the cream filling mix, place the cream cheese in the same mixing bowl used to prepare the crust, with the same beaters...no need to wash yet. How nice is that! Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until creamy.

Add the zest only from the lemon,

2 tablespoons of juice from the lemon,

the remaining 1 egg,

and the 1/3 cup granulated sugar.

Beat on low speed, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the sides occasionally until well combined and creamy.

Use the rubber spatula to spread the filling mixture to the sides of the pan, covering the crust completely.

Scatter the remaining 1 cup of the crumbly crust mixture over the filling.

Bake until crust is golden brown and the filling starts to set, 14 to 15 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into 24 bars.

They are very yummy! I have had people request I make these for different occasions, they are that good! Easy to make....

15 minutes prep time and 27 total minutes bake time.

I found the recipe in a book my hubby bought me a while ago, called 'The Cake Mix Doctor' by Anne Byrn (page 312). There are a few others that are quite good in this book.