Pixel - You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You never know, Pix, how much I love you

Please don't take my Pixel away

When I was probably around 5 years old, my parents thought it would be great if we got cats for me and my brother.  We thought it was a great idea!  What it probably was is that a friend in town had kittens and we had a country home so cats would be great for us!  What I didn't know is it was a start of a beautiful trio of black felines, each bringing such joy to my life.

First there was Inky.  he was my first black cat, dark as midnight with golden eyes.  Loved him so much!  He would sleep with me at night as I clutched him like a stuffed animal, and he loved it.  Truly loved it!  I fell asleep to his purr and found it hard to fall asleep otherwise.  He was a great cat!  Then, a few years later, I came home from school to the worst news ever.  He had gotten into something, or possibly bitten by something, that was poisonous.  My parents rushed him to the vet but living out in the boondocks, they didn't get there in time and there was nothing that could be done.  I was devastated.

Fortunately for us, another family in town had kittens to give away, and wow, they had a black one!  I was overjoyed!  I named him (of course) Inky Junior.  I wrote his name down "Inky, Jr" and, well, Dallas was big at the time, and I asked my parents if I could call him JR.  They said whatever you want!  And, there you go.  HE was the best cat ever!  But, he had a diva side!  He would get mad at me and "leave" for weeks at a time.  We believed he lived down at the barn in the front pasture (told you it was country living!) but we never knew for sure.  Once he was not mad anymore, he would come back like nothing happened.  He would sleep with me too, not quite like Inky, but he would sleep on my bed.  He was with me though High School and then I left home for college.  My 4th year of college I moved into an apartment for the first time and I choose to bring him with me.  This was the best decision ever.  I thought he would have a hard time transitioning from a farm cat to a house cat, but he was old and wanted to be with me so it worked out.  Then, one day, he wouldn't come out from under the bed, and he stopped eating.  He was 15 years old and sick.  I had to make a horrible decision one month before my wedding, and my Mother graciously took him to the family vet at home and put him to sleep.  This was the worst day ever.  I was actually trying to figure out how to get him to be in the wedding.  So, it hit hard.

Dean and I got married in 1995, and were living in College Station for about 6 months and I said, "Hey, I want a cat!  A black one, can I?"  Dean said "Sure!" so I called the animal shelter there in College Station and asked if they had any black kittens.  They said, why yes, we actually have 2!  I was overjoyed!  I went to the shelter that moment, saw the first black cat (not a kitten, he was about 2 or 3) and then this estimated to be about 3 months old black kitten that was apparently found nearby.  I stuck my finger in the cage, he purred and rubbed it and that was it.  Love at first sight!  Poor Dean!  He thought it would take weeks to find the right cat, not the same day I asked if we could get one!  We named him Pixel.

Now, Dean didn't grow up with many pets, so he wasn't so sure about this one.  He made silly rules like he can't ever sleep on the bed with us.  Dean actually thought a closed door would keep him out of our room.  Pixel had something else in mind, he would sit by the door and paw the door non-stop in perfect rhythm.  Bang Bang Bang Bang.  He would do this until we opened to door.  He would Never Stop!  So, he got his way (and mine) and slept on the bed with us. :)

Then, being the young college student married couple we were, we moved often.  I mean OFTEN!  We started out at (1) Lincoln Square apartments, then to the (2) Silver Spur apartments.  After I graduated, Dean's job moved us to Denver, Colorado, and Pixel had to ride in the cargo area of the plane!  This was fun!  I couldn't find him when we got to Denver, but all was well.  He was frantic!  I don't think he liked it much.  While in Denver, we moved into (3) Mill Pond apartments.  Then an unfortunate accident happened and we had to move to (4) Lakewood, but I don't remember the names of those, we were only there 6 months.  But, while Dean was in the hospital, Pixel visited him often.  Was really good for all of us.  Then, once our house was finished in (5) Castle Rock, we moved there.  This is when Dean made the HUGE mistake to get another cat, and that would be Jack!  That's a whole other story.  After a while living there, we decided it was time to move back to Texas, so we moved in (6) "Tom's house" on the Ranch my parents were working on.  Once I got a job in Houston, we moved to (7) Kingwood in yet another apartment.  This was just until our 2nd home was built in (8) Humble, which was in 2005!  So, from 1995 to 2005, Dean, Pixel and I lived in 8 different places!

Pixel lived his older years out happily and playful.  He and Jack only got real close when we got Buddy in 2008, then in 2010 we were blessed with Jake.  We just KNEW Jack would love Jake and Pixel would have nothing to do with him.  Boy were WE WRONG!  Pixel LOVED Jake almost as much as he loved me, which warms my heart.

A few months ago, Pixel started slowing down.  Jake would take care of him with such sweetness.  Pixel fell of the couch arm one day, so Jake put his blanket under it because it was soft. And, one awesome afternoon, Jake took an nap with Pixel laying in his bed at his feet.  So very glad I got the picture.

Last week, we noticed he was not walking as well as he was, and he was staying in one place for longer times.  Then, over the weekend, he stayed in only one place, just under Dean's desk, and only got up to get some water or use the box.  Then, Tuesday morning was the last time he ate something, so we called to make an appointment for Wednesday to see if we could help him.  By Wednesday afternoon, he could no longer walk, so we knew this appointment's purpose had changed.

Pixel had kidney failure, which is the number one cause of death for an old cat.  When we took him in, he laid on Dean's lap the whole way.  He tried a couple of times to get up, but wasn't able to.  We talked to the vet for a while, then discussed our options and we both felt the best thing for Pixel is to help him slip away.  At approximately 5:30 pm on May 7, 2014, at 18 years 9 months, Pixel slipped away peacefully.

Every time I took him to the vet, I would sing "You Are My Sunshine" with his name in the song.  I just couldn't do it this one last time.  He took my Pixel away.

Pixel was the best cat ever!

Pixel laying on Jake's bed while he naps

Mid March - at the vet getting a check up

Halloween 2013

I loved dressing him up for Halloween!

This was probably 2000, Castle Rock Co

in our first apartment in College Station 1996

He got his head stuck in a Kleenex box once!  Yes OF COURSE I took pictures, then helped him get out!

around 1997

Santa (aka Dean) got the Cats these little beds.  They used them probably about twice.  Buddy actually used them more when he was a puppy.

Humble, Tx about 2005

Halloween picture from 2004 - Kingwood

Halloween I believe a few years ago.  Probably 2010

He was about 4 or 5 months old here!  College Station, TX

His first Christmas Tree in College Station, 1995

He LOVED the tree and climbed it every year until we got Jack in 2001.

Not sure why that made him stop?  Jack never climbed the tree.

Castle Rock, soon after we got Jack.  Probably early 2002.  HE HATED JACK at first, was so mad at me for about 2 weeks.  He would growl and hiss at me every time I walked in the room.

College Station around 1997

He would always get into the computer box if Dean took it apart!

Gosh, I miss him so!

Happy Halloween!!

It's been a fun month building up to Halloween!  Then, it turns out to be really wet and rainy, so may not get to trick or treat today, but we will still have some Halloween FUN!

First, I had fun with my finger nails this month!  I wasn't able to get them "done" so I just painted my own natural nails, as short as they are.  :(

 

 

We also enjoyed some Fall fun at 7 acre woods in Conroe, TX.  It is great outdoor fun for a almost 3 yr old, and they had pumpkin patch for pictures.  It was great!

We then had to do our pumpkins for the big day!  Jake and I painted a pumpkin red and blue, then I carved it up.  The next one we didn't paint, but we did "gut it" together.  He didn't like that as much and decided playing with Mickey would be better.

And, the big reveal.  Jake's Halloween Costume is...

CLARK KENT!!

I actually CANNOT believe I got this photo!  He was in NO MOOD to obey this morning (all over toothpaste).  But, in the end, and with a promise to show him the picture after I took it, he did what I asked, which, lets' face it, such a MONEY SHOT!

I said "Say Cheese".  He stuck out his tongue.  He is SOOOOO much like his Daddy!

So, I hope everybody has a safe, hopefully dry, and 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The many faces of Jake

Jake likes to play with our phones.  ESPECIALLY the camera part.  On Dean's phone, he has about 500 pictures, almost ALL of them are from Jake, which mostly are extreme close ups of his nose and some of Daddy's feet!

However, every now and again, I manage to get him to let ME take the pictures with my phone.
Here's a few...

 

 

Have a great Day!

I don Like En La Das!

Last night I made one of my favorite dishes.  Sorta.  I've had an EASY and YUMMY enchilada recipe I've been using for years!  It's adapted from a skillet enchiladas recipe, that's not really enchiladas, but yummy all the same.  Okay, so I just did the sauce idea from the skillet enchiladas.  What the heck, I'll include both recipes.

Back to what I was going to post in the first place.

I decided to make my life easier last nice, and make a healthier version of enchiladas than usual.  I usually do the flash fry of the corn tortillas thing to make sure the tortillas roll instead of tear, which of course makes the dish yummy, but greasy.  Instead of rolling, I stacked.  So, essentially, I made Enchilada Lasagna.  Or as I'm going to call it Enchilada Casserole!  I served up a nice chilled (since he doesn't like hot food) plate for Jake, which included rice, his favorite thing to eat other than cookies or fruit snacks.  So, I ask him to take a bite.  He says OK and picks up a piece with a fork, and put it to his mouth, made a FUNNY FACE and said "I don Like En La Das!".  Oh well.  Maybe Next time.

Here's my take on Enchilada Casserole that Jake did not like.

Enchilada Casserole

1 small package corn tortillas (white or yellow, whichever you either have or like) I think there were about 20 in the package.  Used all but 2 of them.

2 cans MILD (for the boy which didn't matter anyway) Enchilada sauce

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Shredded cheese - I used Fiesta blend

Green onions, chopped - Optional (can use white, but I like the green onions better)

Cilantro - Optional (neither one of my guys like it, but I LOVE IT so, I put it on part of it.

In a large bowl, mix the 2 cans of enchilada sauce and 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (do not add water or milk).  Place a thin layer of sauce in bottom of 9x13 baking dish.  Layer tortillas, then cover in sauce and part of the cheese.  Repeat layering until all tortillas are gone, then top with sauce and cheese and onions and cilantro.

You can also add a layer (or two) of ground beef or shredded chicken or even pulled pork if you want!

Bake at 400 until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly!  Serve with Rice and Beans or a small salad with sour cream  YUMMY!

Yummy Cheesy Layers instead of individual wrapped Enchiladas

Tasted the same! Easier to make!  

The Skillet Enchiladas are so easy too!

1 lb ground beef

1 small finely chopped onion

2 cans MILD Enchilada sauce

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 cups crushed tortilla chips (thick makes it really taste like enchiladas)

Shredded cheese - I used Fiesta blend

Green onions, chopped - Optional 

Cilantro - Optional 

In a large skillet, saute onions in a little olive oil.  Add Beef and cook.  In a large bowl, mix the 2 cans of enchilada sauce and 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (do not add water or milk). Add sauce to skillet, mix well and heat through.  Turn off heat, and gently add chips and mix.  top with Cheese, cover and let the cheese melt.  THAT'S IT!  YUMMY!  

I can't remember where I got this one, I think it was in a ground beef cook booklet I bought as an impulse at the grocery story when I was first married so I could learn to cook for two instead of "college food".

Happy Eating!

Pinterest WIN!!!

Okay, so Dean and I have been trying to plan our meals better to make grocery shopping easier, and its a way for him to help me for our busy schedules.  So, this week, I wanted to try something different.  When I usually want something different, it's usually pork.  We eat a lot of ground beef (tacos, spaghetti), steak, and OMG a ton of Chicken, as well as pizza (cause the boy likes Pizza!).  So, Pork is different for us.

When I do buy pork, it's usually either pork chops (duh!) or a pork loin/roast and I do the crock pot thing.  I wanted to do something REALLY different this time, so I found a pinterest idea for a pork loin wrapped in bacon and roasted for 40 min or so.  YUM!

Pinterest Link Here

Looks Good, YES!  Very simple, marinate (or buy already marinated) pork loin, wrap in bacon, and roast at 375 until internal temp reaches 165.  Hey, I CAN DO THAT!

So, I bought a pork loin, followed instructions, and this is what it looked like before roasting

MMMMM Bacon

And, I did make a minor mistake.  I put the pork roast on top of the bacon, instead of just the ends and wrapping the top with the longest pieces.  And, we bought cheap bacon, so it was mostly FAT.  I also could not find my wire rack for my pan, so all the fat rendered from the bacon needed to be poured out half way through the cooking.  It also took longer than 40 minutes.  It took about an hour, but I think it was because it was a bigger roast.

So, this is how it turned out...

The bacon all unwrapped from the top. 

 It's not tight and pretty like the one on Pinterest.

HOWEVER, even though it did not look picture perfect, it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS and oh so tender!!!  Wow!  Even Dean said it was restaurant quality!  :)  Jake didn't eat much of it, but that's ok.  He ate all his rice and peas and a few bites of pork.

And, since this pork roast is big, and we are only three people, I was able to make a "Round 2" recipe I found on Food Network for a Open Faced Roasted Pork Sandwich!

Open Faced Roasted Pork Sandwich

with Cole Slaw

Food Network version

I didn't follow this one, but I was inspired by it.

I took some sour dough bread slices, lightly veggie oiled them and grilled the on my grill pan.  Then, I chopped up a potato (kinda small) and onion and boiled them with a lot of salt and a little pepper.  Then, chopped the pork roast (bacon and all) and mixed it all together, then topped the bread, then topped with cheese and threw them in the broiler until the cheese melted.  No mustard, mayo or dressing, just the salty sweet pork and potatoes!

Again, Dean complimented me by saying this was BETTER than anything we could get at a restaurant, it tastes like it's from Panera!  I had to agree, it was AWESOME and very hearty.  SCORE!!!  Even Jake liked it this time!  Well, he thought he was eating potatoes, but he din't like the cole slaw.

Cannot WAIT to try more Pinterest Food Ideas!  I pin so many I forget to look sometimes.  And, most of the time, those ideas just don't work out.  But this one was a HUGE success!