Cat Lady No. 215...A Little Nip of Tea

Cat Lady Carlotta enjoys stitching catnip mice for her terrific tabby Gunther, but she always sets aside a few pinches of the herb, also known as catmint, to make herself a soothing cup of tea.

She recently learned that, according to Dr. T. Ombrello of the UCC New Jersey Biology Department, catnip has a long history of use as both a beverage and a medicine.

"Before European trade with China began bringing large quantities of fine Eastern Tea to Europe, Catnip tea was a domestic favorite especially among tea loving residents of the British Isles. "When growing the plant for this purpose, mature leaves should be collected while they are still fresh and dried in the shade (not in the sun, or the volatile oil will be lost) for several days. One teaspoon of the dried herb is then added to each cup of boiling water and allowed to steep. The tea should not be boiled or, again, the oil will be lost. The drink is an excellent source of vitamin C."

Read more about the Wonderful World of Catnip in the complete article by Dr. Ombrello: CATNIP

Thanks for visiting!

This original ACEO watercolor illustration has just been listed for sale...add it to your collection by visiting my Etsy shop:
Cat Lady ACEO

Cat Lady No. 154...Craving Doughnuts

Illustration Friday
(theme:
"craving" )





It's time for tea...and Cat Lady Phoebe and the triplets are craving doughnuts!





Today is Salvation Army Doughnut Day.
Observed on the first Friday and Saturday of June, Doughnut Day was established in 1938 to honor the work of Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts for thousands of soldiers in World War I.

Here is the original recipe for enough doughnuts to feed an army, reprinted from the Salvation Army website:

Salvation Army Doughboy Doughnut

7-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup lard
8 eggs
3 large cans evaporated milk
3 large cans water
18 cups flour
18 teaspoons baking powder
7-1/2 teaspoons salt
8 teaspoons nutmeg

Cream sugar and lard together, beat eggs, add evaporated milk and water. Add liquid to creamed mixture. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in large sieve and sift into other mixture. Add enough flour to make e stiff dough. Roll and cut. Five pounds of lard are required to fry the doughnuts. Yield: approximately 250 doughnuts

Happy dunking!


The purrfect mug for dunking doughnuts!

This ceramic mug features Susan Faye art and a large, easy-grip handle. Treat yourself or give as a gift to someone special.

• Measures 3.75" tall, 3" diameter
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

You will find dozens of Cat Lady mugs available at my Cafepress shop: Susan Faye Mugs

Cat Lady No. 115...Theatrics

Illustration Friday
(theme:"theater" )

Humphrey unequivocally enjoys his Sunday afternoon re-enactments of Masterpiece Theater with Cat Lady Ruth Ann; and yet today, for some inexplicable reason, his mind is bewitched and beset with wild and untamed dreams of the pheasant hunt rather than jolly parlor room theatrics.


Hey all you creative types...Time is running out! Cat Lady Belinda needs your help naming 5 new kittens. Don't miss out on the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for April featuring 3 different fabulous Cat Lady prizes. Visit the link for complete details on how to enter...

My handsome cat nephew Tamayo is famous! Vote for him in Etsy's weekly poll at http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=44 (he is the Custom Cat Portrait item). If you aren't already a member of Etsy, it's easy to sign up!

The original ACEO watercolor illustration of Humphrey and Ruth Ann is currently up for sale in my Etsy shop: Tea Party No. 2

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 86...Tea Time with Tabbies

Illustration Friday
(theme:"poise" )

Like any good hostess, Cat Lady Millicent always remains the perfect picture of poise at tea time, even with the unexpected arrival of the Rapscallion Lads: Rufus, Rupert, and Randolf.

The tabby triplets, while not particularly fond of tea, do enjoy a spot of cream now and again. As for Millicent, her weakness lies in crumpets, especially those drenched in butter and honey.

If you would like to make home-made crumpets for your next tea party, here is a recipe: Home Made Crumpets.

Thanks for visiting!

This original ACEO watercolor illustration of Millicent and her Tabby Trio is currently up for sale in my Etsy shop: Tea Time with Tabbies

"Tea Party No. 1" is also available on gifware and t-shirts at my CafePress Shop:
www.cafepress.com/SusanFaye

Time is running out! Don't miss out on the 365 Cat Ladies Giveaway for March! Visit the link for complete details on how to enter...