Christmas in Black & White

 

ELLIE:  Whoa! Mr. Waffles!!! Where did your orange furs go?

WAFFLES:  It's called black & white photography, Ellie. Didn't you see Gloman sneaking around with his black & white camera while we were doing the holiday decorating? 

ELLIE:  Decorating? You mean with all the tissue paper stuff? I love tissue paper stuff. 

WAFFLES:  And boxes of ornaments. You're not allowed in the ornament boxes though. Only adult cats are allowed ornament access.

ELLIE:  What if the ornaments are on the tree thingy? Can I–

WAFFLES:  No tree access, no ornament access, Ellie.

ELLIE:  But Mr. Waffles, why have a tree and ornaments and stuff if we can't play with them?

WAFFLES:  Good question, Ellie. According to Glogirly, it's one of those because I said so things.

ELLIE:  Mr. Waffles, I'm glad you're here to explain stuff. 

ELLIE:  Even if it doesn't make any sense. 

About Today's Photos

Even though Christmas is SO last week, we thought you might like seeing a little bit of Glogirly's decorating. And if you're curious about Gloman and his black & white photos, it's true...he really does have a camera that shoots only black and white. It's called a monochrome. Don't worry, Waffles still has all of his handsome orange furs. 

Happy Early New Year!

The next time we see you it's going to be NEXT YEAR already!!! We don't have any big plans here other than to stay up until midnight for our big countdown. Glogirly and Gloman will probably go out on the deck and yell Happy New Year to the starry sky. And there will likely be some champagne involved. 

It's also possible that Waffles will be donning his famous coat and tails. ...that is, if he can still fit in it! LOL!

WAFFLES:  Whaddya mean, IF I can fit in it???

Six Sleeps Until Christmas!

WAFFLES:  Ok, Elie. This is it. Our last blog post before the big day!

ELLIE:  Big day? You mean like Monday? 

WAFFLES:  Like Christmas, Ellie. You know, Santa Paws, Rain Deer, tissue paper and presents?

ELLIE:  PRESENTS???!!! I love presents. Remember that cool Christmas feather toy that Santa Paws gave me last year? 

WAFFLES:  I remember a cool Christmas feather toy that Santa Paws gave ME. 

ELLIE:  Wow! I didn't know that you got one too!

WAFFLES:  Ellie stole my Christmas feather toy again. 

ELLIE:  Christmas feather toy? I haven't seen any Christmas feather toy.

Meowy Christmas from the Mountain Cats!

By the time we see you next week, Christmas will be so, yesterday. Literally! 

Most importantly, we want to take this moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Thank you for letting us into your inboxes and hearts all these years. (12 years to be exact!!!) You're like family to us. And that's what today is all about. Family and friends and sharing love. We also want to share our wishes with those that are alone today, missing someone they love, struggling, or sad. Please know that you are in our hearts and never alone. We love you so very much.

Santa Splaining

ELLIE:  So, Mr. Waffles?

WAFFLES:  So, Ellie?

ELLIE:  So,  when are we going to work on our letters to Santa?

WAFFLES:  Well, first you have to make sure you're going to be on his nice list, not his naughty list.

ELLIE:  But Mr. Waffles, I don't even know how to be naughty. Except maybe for that one time I got stuck in the kitchen cupboard. But that's because you opened the door and showed me how to go inside. Oh, and then there was that time I got locked in the shower. But that's because you closed the door with me inside. Oh, and then–

WAFFLES:  What are you saying, Ellie? That I'M the one getting you in trouble? 

ELLIE:  No, I'm just saying you're the one that's opening and shutting all the doors and stuff. 

WAFFLES:  We're going to have some splaining to do for Santa. 

About Today's Photos

Don't worry, both Ellie and Waffles have firmly established their permanent position on Santa's nice list. Though when it comes to well-intentioned mischief, Waffles is the instigator 99% of the time. Ellie is an excellent student though, so we suspect they'll be tag-teaming in no time!

Getting Ready for the Big Man (or CAT!) in the Red Suit

WAFFLES:  So are you ready, Ellie??

ELLIE:  Ready??? Ready for what, Mr. Waffles?

WAFFLES:  Well Glogirly put that Christmas collar on you, so that should be the first clue that she's getting ready for the big man in the red suit.

ELLIE: Don't you mean big CAT in the red suit?

WAFFKES:  Whaddya mean, BIG CAT in the red suit?

ELLIE:  I don't know, but your red suit is looking kind of...well...small-ish. 

WAFFLES:  It's not small-ish. I've been working out. 

ELLIE:  Um...it kind of looks like your food dish has been working out, Mr. Waffles. 

We're Getting Ready!

Now that the Thanksgiving dust has settled, it's time to get ready for one of our favorite holidays. Glogirly's hanging our stockings with care and hanging the pretty glass ornaments way up high in the air. We're looking forward to a quiet Christmas in the mountains, but that doesn't mean we won't be making it look all sparkly. Glogirly remembers decorating the house for the holidays with her mom when she was young, so every time she pulls out the decorations from storage, it's like a nostalgic trip back in time. 

Ellie and Waffles are always happy to help!

 

Remembering a Special Thanksgiving Conversation With Waffles & Katie

As we look back over this past Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we're reminded of how many friends, family, and blessings we are so very grateful for. It's hard to think about all the special people and animals in our lives without thinking of our dear Katie. This was our second Thanksgiving without her, but she lives on in our hearts every day. Today's blog post is one of our favorite conversations between Katie and Waffles. Thank you for being such an important part of our lives. 

"Thankful"

KATIE:  It's Thanksgiving this week, Waffles. What are you thankful for this year?

WAFFLES:  You mean like chasing bugs and fetch toys and stuff? And my girlfriends? I'm definitely thankful for the ladies.

What about you, Boss?

KATIE:  It's hard to put into words, Waffles. It isn't any one thing. It's lots of little things. Lots of little, wonderful things.

WAFFLES:  How little, Boss? Like the bug?

KATIE:  Not exactly, Waffles.

Like the sunshine in the morning that warms us and the blue jays that fly by our window.

Like how every time I roll over on the rug, Glogirly will pet me in just the right place.

Like how Glogirly talks to us in her sing-song voice. And how she sometimes even sings to us.

Like how Gloman picked me out of all the shelter kitties and adopted me for his girl.


WAFFLES:  And like how Glogirly picked me! You know, when she adopted me!

KATIE:  Now you're getting the hang of it, Waffles. Though as Glogirly tells it, you picked her.

We have a warm house to live in with comfy beds, plenty of toys, healthy food, and lots of windows to watch the world through. We live in a home that's filled with laughter and joy. And we have a forever family who loves us with all their hearts.

WAFFLES:  I love YOU with all my heart, Boss.

KATIE:  I know. 

I love you too, Waffles. But if you EVER tell anyone I said that...

WAFFLES:  I know.

Gratitude

We get a little misty-eyed here during the holiday season. Sometimes we get busy and lose sight of how fortunate we are. Thanksgiving is a beautiful reminder of how important it is to never take our blessings for granted.

We especially want to thank YOU for welcoming us into your hearts and inboxes. For laughing with us, singing along with Waffles' silly songs, and sometimes, even getting all teary with us. Thank you for welcoming sweet Ellie into your hearts. Our friends and readers bring us so much joy throughout the year. We just want you to know how thankful we are for you.

We love you with all our hearts. 💕

Waffle Wagon Hijack

WAFFLES:  Do you ever get that feeling that someone's watching you?

ELLIE:  I can't even see you, Mr. Waffles. How can I be watching you?

 

WAFFLES:  I can see YOU, Ellie. And I know you're watching me. I wouldn't be surprised if you try and hijack my Waffle Wagon.

ELLIE:  Hijack?

ELLIE:  What's a hijack? I like sitting up here really high and stuff. But my name's not Jack. It's Ellie.

WAFFLES:  Hijack is you trying to steal my Waffle Wagon. I've got your number, Ellie. 

ELLIE:  What's my number, Mr. Waffles? I kind of like four. Or maybe two. Yeah, two. Like you and–

WAFFLES:  Not that kind of number, Ellie. 

About Today's Photos

Ellie has a new favorite toy. Or rather, playground. She's discovered just how much fun the Waffle Wagon can be. But only when Waffles is IN it. She spends HOURS in and on it every single day. Sometimes she'll just sit in it, waiting for Waffles to join her. Other times, when Waffles is already inside, she'll attempt to negotiate a joint partnership.

Her favorite spot is up on top of the bonnet. It's anything but stable and takes a lot of balance and kitty-agility. And the best part about it is the mesh screen that she can peer at Waffles through and the opening on the sides where she can reach down to taunt him and as Gloman calls it, "tweak his beak." 

The tray table and cup holder attached to the handle is pretty fun too. That's where Ellie keeps her plastic bottle caps, a.k.a., her other favorite toys.

Nap Help

ELLIE:  Hey, Mr. Waffles! You look kind of lonely over on that chair all by yourself. Maybe you need some company.

WAFFLES:  Busy, Ellie. Very, very busy. 

ELLIE:  Busy doing what, Mr. Waffles??

WAFFLES:  Oh, you know...cleaning between my toes, getting ready for an epic nap.

ELLIE:  Nap?? What a coincidence! I'm getting ready for a nap too. Maybe we should nap together.

WAFFLES:  Zzzzzz...

ELLIE:  Mr. Waffles?

ELLIE:  This is WAY better. 

About Today's Photos

On the days that Glogirly makes her bed, Ellie's favorite spot is right smack in the middle of it on top of the cushy comforter. It's funny, on the days she doesn't get around to making the bed, Ellie never lays on it. 

No matter what kind of bed making day it is though, inevitably both Ellie and Waffles end up in the bedroom chair that sits next to the window. There's a pretty view of the mountains out that window, but they'd never know! haha!

It's Getting Sparkly Here!

ELLIE:  Mr. Waffles!!! You're all sparkly and stuff! 

WAFFLES:  I'm feeling a little bit sparkly, Ellie. But these are just Glogirly's Christmas lights. 

ELLIE:  Christmas??? You mean like Santa and stuff? Isn't it kind of early?

WAFFLES:  You know Glogirly. She loves Christmas and thinks we should be sparkly all year long.

ELLIE:  Isn't that kind of confusing for Santa though? I mean if we're always sparkly, how will he know when to come visit us? And bring presents? 

WAFFLES:  Don't worry, Ellie. Santa knows. It's kind of a long wait though. It's a whole 47 days until Christmas. Plenty of time for a nap. 

About today's Photos

Don't worry...we're not hanging our stockings and batting around Christmas ornaments quite yet! Glogirly's just getting ready for a special family Thanksgiving celebration. Like most people, we haven't been able to share any holidays with our family for quite some time now. So Glogirly wants everything to be all sparkly for our guests. Truth be told, she keeps a few twinkle lights up year-round. 

Rest assured, once the turkey and mashed potatoes are gone, Waffles and Ellie's stockings will be hung with care. And the fancy glass ornaments will be hung very high and out of reach with care.