This week I found myself in the oddest little place ever! The basement of a radical bookshop called, “News from Nowhere.” Now isn’t that a rather marvelous name? I was there enjoying a Moroccan meal and a quiz in support of the Moroccan street dogs and cats, NO face-painting this time. Over £700 was raised on the night which will be used to neuter over 200 street animals.
It’s the type of place where PLOTS have most definitely been hatched, nice ones mind!
Everywhere you looked there were specialist and diverse books and leaflets for one kind of protest or other, and the walls as you entered were full of graffiti such as this.
Now I rarely ever win in raffles, but just look at what I won here! A simply delightful bird feeder from Africa, carved from a courgette by local boys, initially as a hobby but something that has now turned into a thriving business, and a fabulous shawl from India! Not to be sniffed at eh?
Here is the feeder on the tree stump in the courtyard. The dunnocks have quickly taken a shine to it.
Now, you would think that was quite enough wouldn’t you? But no….my lucky streak continued……this time I won a giveaway on Sue’s blog, a marvelous voucher worth twenty pounds to spend at a gardening site….browsing the site had me feeling like a kid in a sweet shop. I think I’ve settled on organic veg seeds! Thanks so much Sue.
My next stroke of luck came when I found this simply delicious recipe on Nikkipolani’s blog……..{What a name eh? It was the name of one of her cats!!!]
It was so simple to make, tomatoes chopped with basil, and garlic fried in butter or olive oil which the spaghetti was then tossed in. I added a few sweet red peppers and chili flakes into the frying mix……oh….you HAVE to try this, the combination of the cold toms on the hot spaghetti……unbloomingbelievable!
I must also thank my blog buddy Keggy who sent me Jacaranda seeds as she loves the flowers on these trees. We are now both attempting to grow them so I shall let you know how we get on! It WILL certainly be a challenge!
Last, but not least on the gift front, came another, in the form of unexpected help from a friend, through the ether, Thank you Kitty for giving your time and expertise so willingly! You have helped far more than you know!
Now….sighs…the CATS! Remarkably, they are beginning to settle down. Comfrey, the three legged cat sits outside the front door day and night yowling; no-one seems to know the cat locally so maybe the owner has died or moved away. The next move is to put a collar on the cat with my phone details and a short note. I tried that with Curly cat to no avail! Anyway, Comfrey has spent the week hissing and spitting at Curly cat, and in the end, out of desperation, I simply asked him not too….and….wow…. he heard me and duly obeyed!!!! These cats behave more like dogs, they seem to understand my every word and trust me, even when I have the dogs on leads they still approach me!
So peace has been forged, and now the cats can be stroked together and have even been nose to nose peacefully….I’m really surprised!
I do wonder if there’s an invisible sign on the door announcing that all cats are welcome….
I released seven birds today….
I was astonished at how calmly they all toddled out….
One even pecked at the grass, it was that chilled, am I becoming invisible I wonder? I am sat in front of them with a camera!
They all eventually settled on my roof, preening away……so the bird feed will have to be increased!
And finally….
I asked hubs if he could get me a small sunshade for the courtyard to paint under when it’s raining…..he seems to have bought a sail that would float a small boat!
It is far too big for the courtyard but does make an excellent cover for when we chiminea, now we can sit out and enjoy the fire in the rain!
I should be so lucky lucky lucky – should be your theme tune this week. Love the calabash bird feeder so unusual. Nice to know you told the cats to be friends and that they took notice. Nothing worse than warring cats.
Now that would have been the perfect title for this post….and now of course the song is running around my head!!!
Oh gosh, warring cats are a nightmare aren’t they? I have some news re the cats and shall tell all on my next post. Thanks Elaine.xxx
p.s. I planted some of the jacaranda seeds in a pot in a south facing bedroom. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that because I can now see something small and green starting to emerge. I hope the cold doesn’t kill them. I think I should have waited for spring.
Any news on yours ? 😀
I planted mine the day they arrived, they are in the greenhouse and yesterday I noticed one or two tiny tiny green shoots…..you can always keep yours indoors somewhere warm until Spring, I plan on keeping mine in the greenhouse. Sounds like we are at the same stage…..what fun eh?xxx
What a great bookshop ! and what a great name too ! I would love to see something like that near where I live (sighs).
It really does seem that lady luck is shining on you this week. Those prizes are not only beautiful but useful too. I love both of them. And clearly the birds love their feeder.
I don’t know if Comfrey the cat will live up to his name, but comfrey in the plant world is very difficult to get rid of LOL !
What a poor thing with one missing leg. I seem to remember seeing him on one of your previous posts. So glad to see the two felines are getting on so well. You don’t want any cat fights now do you ?
And that umbrella is just the job for your painting. Lucky you. Hubs is very thoughtful getting something like that.
Hope your lucky spell continues and in the meantime I shall have a go at that recipe. Sounds delicious 😀
This bookshop would certainly appeal to you…..full of old, rare and unusual books.
I love all my prizes too and the feeder is perfect for the small birds, it’s just the right size for them and keeps the bigger birds out.
Hahahahaha…..I love that comment about comfrey…..yes, he is the same as the plant for sure. There has been some interesting development re the cats….I shall tell all in my next post.
I hope you enjoy the recipe, it’s unbelievably tasty! Thanks Keggs.xxx
This is such a joyful post. 🙂 I think all those freebies were karma kisses for all the good you give the world. If you’d like some blue mist flower seeds, email me at gardenatcasamariposa@gmail.com and I’ll send them right over.
Thanks Casa and for the seeds, how very kind of you. What a lovely thing to say, Karma kisses….I love that, now I’ll have to try and be nicer…. I rather like all this good luck and it continues with your seeds.xxx
The bookshop sounds like a good one and my sort of place. The pasta sauce is the kind we like to make too – quick and delicious with home grown ingredients. Glad the cats are settling in together. I do miss our Gino when I read about other people’s. All the best with growing a jacaranda bush from seed as it would be a great addition to your garden and, lastly, I can just imagine you all enjoying a bar-b-q in the Autumn rain under that great umbrella- um- sunshade. Let’s hope we get some sunny Autumn days as it can be a lovely season when we do.
It is a fascinating little bookshop, if you want an unusual or rare book you’ll find it there. Yes, fast and delicious, my kind of meal and so good in this lovely warm weather we’ve been having.
Ahhhh…..you must miss your lovely Gino, I still miss my old dogs, Gino was well loved though and had such a wonderful life, you can give no greater gift than that to an animal.
I was thinking it would be good to bbq under too, that would be nice in the evening with the chimmy blazing away. Thanks Linda xxx
Well, with an intriguing name like that, I’m not surprised the bookshop drew you in 🙂 What a lovely string of good things in your life. Not least of which is spaghetti and tomatoes. I bet it was lovely with home-growns. You already know my (non)success with tomatoes, but the basil has done me proud this year.
Are you sure “Doolittle” isn’t your middle name? Because getting cats to tolerate one another practically requires magic. Good to hear they are cooperating.
Well done, you, on those winnings! I used to say I-never-win-anything too, until a local hardware store called to ask if I’d come in for a photograph on the teak bench I’d won. The bird feeder is very nicely turned out — even the birds think so 😉
I love it that your hubs didn’t skimp on an umbrella. An off-set one is perfect for what you need!
It is an intriguing place too….I must go back and visit the bookshop as opposed to the basement.
Yes, lots of lovely happening for sure. Your recipe is delicious, initally I had to use dry basil as mine didn’t grow, but have since made it with fresh and wow!
I must admit to being surprised by the cats, to give up the war so easily!!!!
Oh how lovely that you won the bench,,,,,
The sail is rather useful over the chimmy, thing is it hasn’t rained since he bought it! Thanks Anne.xxx
What a great name for a shop, and a bookshop at that, one of my favourite haunts next to the garden centre. Love all your prizes too, especially the birdfeeder. Nice to get some good luck isn’t it 🙂 .
It is a great name isn’t it….very mysterious, a little like the bookshop. I must say they are my favourite places too. Ah yes, you can’t beat a little luck. Thanks Paula.xxx
Too bad there are no special places like “News from Nowherethese” over here… in fact you could spend hours in such a book-shop…
And I find it even more fantastic you have been able to make a collection of more than 1,000 francs for dogs and cats Morocco…
Ahhh Dina, there are so many animals that need help, everywhere, in every corner of this planet!
You may feel wonderful to be able to do something in an active way…
Currently we have problems with little cat Ebony, she’s only 6 years old. The last week she has been three days to the vet clinic, she received infusions but now she still don’t want to eat. She had a big problem with the pancreas, but we do not know the reasons. Now we must nourish her with “syringes” special highly nutritious jelly, ditto for the water, hoping that in a few days she’ll gain some appetite again .
I am desperate, the vet recommend me to “relax” and not stress… but it’s easier said than done.
Sure watching your spaghetti with tomato sauce you feel hungry…
Good that Curly and Comfrey are well seattled in your gorgeous garden 😀 (I would too…)
I leave you with a big hug, and wish you a good week :-)claudine
What a shame you don’t have any zany little bookshops.
It was a great amount raised and it will make such a difference for the street animals over there, as you say animals are suffering all over the world…..it’s heartbreaking.
I shall send love and positive vibes to your little Ebony….I really hope she gets better soon, I know exactly how you feel, it’s awful when our beloved pets are ill……let me know how she gets on.
Big hugs to you too Claudine. xxx
Another fab post! Those prizes are absoflippinglutely gorgeous – both the shawl and the bird feeder which knocks all others into a cocked hat … (whatever that means!!?) – but I love it! You are really a bit of a Mrs Doolittle, Snowbird – a descendant of St Francis of Assisi maybe??? – and I love the parasol!
Lol……thanks Gilly! The prizes are rather smashin’ aren’t they?
I wish I was a distant relative of my hero St Francis of Assissi…..glad you like my sail!!!xxx
Glad to have been a party to your good luck 🙂
Thanks Sue, I’m still toying with what to order!!! xxx
I think you should check your astrological chart….clearly you are in a period of good will and good luck…and it’s rubbing off onto the cats, birds and everything else:)
Love the bird feeder and the scarf…oh I love that scarf….and will try the recipe.
Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend. Janet. xxxx
Thanks….I think you are right Janet, the gods do seem to be smiling on me!
I am so pleased with the feeder……the birds love it too!xxx
What lovely, useful items have blessed your week! Probably not luck so much as karma: you share your love and generous energy, and back it comes! 🙂 As it should. The seeds sound exciting: good luck with them all, especially the jacaranda
Love the recipe! Thanks for passing it on, Dina! Perfect for this time of year, that’s for sure.
So happy to hear the cats have settled down and listened to you, cat-whisperer that you are!
The bird release photos are sweet, as is your darling awaiting your presence beneath the huge blue umbrella. 🙂
May your blessings continue and may ours, as they do each time we read your posts! :0
Now that comment about karma has me thinking! I will have to up my game methinks!!! What a lovely thing to say!!!
The recipe is simple and utterly delicious, I’ve now made it three times and it never disappoints, it’s especially nice in the sunshine.
There have been some developments on the cat front, I shall tell all in my next post! I must say I didn’t expect them to suddenly make their peace…..animals have a knack though of getting it don’t they?
That bird release was one of the best ever, they took ages pottering around the garden, it makes it all worthwhile to see an end result like that……lovely it was.
Lol….what’s hubs like….he always goes over the top, he is a sweetie though!
Thank you Kitty, you always say such lovely things.xxx
I smiled at the idea of your sunshade, umbrella style, being able to sail a boat; I think it would have to be a wee boat in a sheltered pond somewhere.
How did you organise the cats not to pounce on the released birds? the birds do seem to be very calm. It looks like a good result.
Dawg/s seem to have left your centrepiece to be one, does that piece of fencing do the trick?
Cats have sensed they have found a safe haven.
The bird feeder is very attractive and blends in rather well with the surroundings. The Dunnocks should be well camouflaged when using the feeder.
Nice raffle result. The voucher makes two; what will the third delight be I wonder. xxx
Lol yes, I do tend to exaggerate….a wee boat it would float….in a wee pond!
Ah yes, it’s a tricksy operation releasing birds, I always bring them home after a rescue shift so the cats are hungry and waiting for their food, I then feed the cats in the front garden and release the birds in the back or in the courtyard if I think it could be a problematic release.
You wouldn’t believe how well the fencing works, the tiny box plants that hopefully will one day be a hedge are now jumped or hopped over when the beasties gallop out at horrendous speed! Thanks Menhir.xxx
I love the bird feeder. I hope you keep feeling lucky.
I am impressed by your umbrella/ sail. Now you can be outside whatever the weather.
I’ d love a peep into your greenhouse. What have you got in there?
It is a pretty little thing isn’t it, and perfect for the smaller birds, they disappear in it. I am getting used to the sail, it’s great for chimineering in the rain…..we could also have a bbq under it….still need a small one for the courtyard though.
I shall put some pics up on my next post showing what is currently in the greenhouse, I never seem to have any space in it! Thanks Chloris.xxx
Good to read the news from your part of the world, Dina. I was stunned by the graffiti, but after thinking for a while… there doesn’t seem anything wrong with making tea. And anything is better than making war… And it doesn’t surprise me at all that cats find their way to you. Your garden looks splendid. I enjoyed the pictures very much. How nice that you’ve been feeling lucky lately. Wishing you continued luck for a long time to come. xxx
Like you I was taken aback at the graffiti too and then thought that there were worse thing people could scrawl on a wall! Yes, anything is better than waging war, something you know a lot about. There have been some interesting developments on the cat front which I shall talk about on my next post…..Thanks for your good wishes, how are you, well I hope. I am missing you and your posts. How lovely that you dropped by, it’s always wonderful to hear from you. Thanks Shimon.xxx
Being a veteran tea drinker that second picture had me nodding and smiling.
You’ve certainly been lucky recently. Good to see that the cats have reached an accord so to speak.
Nice post and lovely pictures. xx
Ah yes, you are a huge fan of tea aren’t you….and peace no doubt!! I have some rather interesting news on the cat front which I shall talk about in my next blog. Thanks Flighty.xxx
It must be your lucky week, I do love that bird feeder, very posh indeed. Glad to hear that the cats are getting along now, it will make life so much easier, not to mention giving your ears a rest after all the howling.
I think Lady luck has been shining on me…..and I am enjoying it! The bird feeder is lovely isn’t it, I am now pondering trying to make one from a courgette! Thanks Jo.xxx