A Three Dog Night!

Critters a-twitter!

It was early evening, and outside Critter Cottage the birds were settling down for the night. However, inside the cottage Kayzy's Critters were all a-twitter - if non-feathered critters can twitter!  Always interested in what Nana was making, part of the fun for the critters was in trying to guess what her newest creation might be. As they strained to see what Nana Kayzy working on, the guesses flew freely.
 

Fur-Elise admires Randyll

"It must be a bear," announced Randyll the Rabbit, a recently creation of Nana's. "The feet are too small for a rabbit," and he surveyed his substantial bunny feet with satisfaction. Randyll was a very self-assured young buck, and his confidence in his own opinion was boosted by Fur-Elise's, who thought he was the cleverest bunny she had ever met!



"Hmm, I'm not so sure about that," responded Kenneth the Koala. "Mind you, being a marsupial and not a bear I am not an expert in beariness, but this critter-to-be appears to be developing a different sort of personality to that of a bear."

Babette and Kenneth

O'Shaughnessy and Lah-Fing

"To be sure, his head doesn't seem the right shape for a bear, you know," offered O'Shaughnessy, who didn't often bestir himself to contradict his fellow critters - but the temptation to put the young Randyll in his place was too strong to resist.

Shirley wishes for Wilbur's wisdom

The guesses and opinions continued to fly. "I wish Wilbur were here," said Shirley dreamily. "He would be sure to know what sort of critter it is that Nana Kayzy is making." There were groans across the room. Everyone knew that Wilbur could do no wrong in Shirley's eyes, but this was too much.

Come off it, Shirl!

"Come off it, Shirl!" cried Jo-Mo. "Why should Wilbur know any more than we do? He's a great mate, but . . ."

It's a dog!

Suddenly a high-pitched puppy cry of "I know, I know!" echoed by deeper doggy tones drowned out Jo-Mo's protest. Rosita (another recent addition to Nana Kayzy's fold) and Digger (famous for his treasure hunt with Dennis the Dancing Duck) then declared together, "It's a dog!" and Nana Kayzy looked up from her sewing, smiling her affirmation of their discovery.

It's a very doggy dog

 "How clever you are!" Nana said. "It is a dog, and a rather disreputable dog at that. I'm going to call him 'Ruff'." After this revelation Nana returned to her work, and before long it was clear to all that Ruff was indeed a dog -  a very doggy dog!

"Whoo-hoo!" cried Digger, "thanks, Nana! We dogs are in the minority here, so a third woofer is just what's needed."

Ruff salutes Rosita

Little Rosita didn't say anything else, but continued watching Nana as she put the finishing touches to Ruff.

Then, without warning, Ruff suddenly turned his head and saluted Rosita, making her  puppy cheeks blush to an even deeper shade of rose pink than normal.







Nana smiled to herself and thought, "This could be the start of a beautiful friendship."

It's a three dog night!

Postscript: All the critters featured in this post are available for adoption. More information on each of them may be found on our For Adoption page or by emailing us at kayzyscritters@gmail.com 

Booff - Bear on a Mission

"Come here, Booff, and sit with me," said Nana Kayzy. "I've got something very special to tell you."
Booff, very eager to have some 'special' time with Nana, climbed up onto her knee and looked up at her expectantly.

"Booff, my dear, you are a very special bear. No other bear in the whole wide world is just like you - you are one-of-a-kind - and you were created for a special purpose."

Staring wide-eyed at Nana Kayzy, Booff wondered what his 'special purpose' could be. Perhaps he might have to leave Nana's hug, and travel to far away places to discover his special purpose. He shifted uneasily on Nana's knee. He was beginning to feel a little anxious.

Nana smiled at Booff, and said reassuringly, "Now, now, there is nothing to worry about, my Booff. You know that I always have your best interests in my heart and on my mind."

Because Booff really did know that what Nana said was true, he relaxed and again looked up at Nana, waiting to hear what she would say next.

"Yesterday a very special baby boy was born into our family, Booff. This precious baby is Daniel and Naomi's firstborn, and they have named him Jasper. Now Jasper is going to need a very special bear to take care of him, and I think you are that bear. But because this is such an importance mission you have to be sure that you want to take it on. It is a lifetime mission, and will take special gifts to be able to fulfil this special purpose."

Booff was overwhelmed that Nana would think that he had the gifts needed for this great mission, and his heart leaped with joy at the thought. "Oh, Nana Kayzy, do you really think I can do it?"

"I do indeed, dear Booff," replied Nana. "You are a gentle bear, with a kind and loving heart, and these are the special gifts you will need for your mission, should you choose to accept it."

"Then I accept my mission gladly, Nana!" cried Booff.

Later that day Nana Kayzy, Grandad, and Booff headed off in their car, invited by the new parents to meet Jasper.

Booff sat watching as the introductions were made, and when it was his turn he was presented to Naomi and Dan, with an explanation by Nana Kayzy that Booff had come to join their family and to help in caring for Jasper. If bears can blush, Booff did just that as Naomi took him in her arms and welcomed him into the new little family.

Later Nana Kayzy drew him aside and quietly encouraged him with gentle words of wisdom. 

She  hugged Booff one last time and then took him over to Jasper, who was asleep in his mother's arms.

After asking permission from Jasper's Mum and Dad, Booff moved closer, to acquaint himself more intimately with this tiny person he was to care for.

Then Nana and Grandad had the joy of nursing Jasper for the first time - and O what joy it was!








Jasper even smiled at Nana, making her joy complete.

All too soon it was time to say farewell, and to leave the little family to rest. So Booff waved goodbye, already missing Nana and Grandad, but knowing his special purpose and the love of his new family filled him with a sense of destiny, hope, and even a tinge of excitement.

Notes on Nana Neglect

As I write this, there are a couple of my furry friends sitting on the table near me, waiting, watching. . .

Yes, these two have languished unknown and unappreciated until today, because of Nana Neglect! However, they do not accuse; they just sit quietly, hopefully, expectantly even, and this encourages me to leave self-recriminations behind and get on with the job, er, blog!

Without trying to justify my neglect, I should explain. I am not a salesperson, and although I originally began blogging to share my love of bearmaking, and to allow my critters be seen and appreciated by others (and hopefully find good homes), my blog has been more about sharing life events in general than about Kayzy's Critters. This is partly because I do take quite a while to create a critter, and also because there are many other interesting things to write about, and little time to write. However, that is no excuse for Nana Neglect.

It all started last week, when a friend kindly pointed out an error on my blog. The problem was that I had put an incorrect email contact on the For Adoption page. Logging in to correct the fault, I then looked down the page at the last entry, and was shocked to see that it's been almost 3 months since I updated the page. This wouldn't be shocking, except that I have made several critters in that time, so at the very least I should have respected their critterhood by letting folk know they exist.
Well, I apologise to you, my critters, and without further hesitation introduce you to your blogging public.

Lah-Fing

This young panda is full of fun. His happy face reminds me that life is good, and to be enjoyed and celebrated, whatever may come!

















His vital statistics are:

• Height: 33cm from tips of ears to bottom of feet
  

• Fur: black and white German Schulte mohair.
  
  
• Paw & footpads: Sculpted grey leather and black mohair.
  
• Eyes: Black deluxe English glass, with white ultrasuede highlights,
  using black Copic pen to shade the eye area.
  
• Nose: Black embroidered
  
• Mouth: Applied open mouth, with ultrasuede tongue and Copic shading.
• Joints: Locknuts, with wobble jointed head.
• Stuffing: Polyester, with glass beads in his tummy.
• Adoption fee: AUD$175.00, plus postage and packing.

Fur-Elise

A small bunny with big dreams, Fur-Elise was my first attempt at designing my own style of rabbit, with a beary look. She loves our garden, and enjoys gathering flowers.

• 
  Height: 24cm tall
  

• Fur: White English mohair.
  
• Paw & footpads: Sculpted white ultrasuede, with airbrushed detail.
  
• Eyes: Black deluxe English glass, with white ultrasuede highlights and airbrushed shading.
  
• Ears: Cute bunny ears, wired to enable posing in different positions, they have airbrushed ultrasuede undersides.
  
• Nose & mouth Pink embroidered, with airbrushing.
• Tail: Cute ball of fluff!
• Joints: Locknuts, with wobble jointed head.
• Stuffing: Polyester, with glass beads in her tummy.
• Adoption fee: AUD$140.00, plus postage and packing.

In my next post I will introduce you to some more of my critters, but thought it best to highlight Lah Fing and Fur-Elise because they have waited so long. If perchance they call out to you, and you want to know more, my (now corrected) email address is kayzyscritters@gmail.com.

Welcome to Krümel Das Allgäu-Bärchen and Encourage One Another, who recently joined our blog as followers.

A Tale of Two Teddies

Teddy bears have a way of endearing themselves to almost everyone, including me. Whether the bears are mass produced or handmade, ancient or modern, they still tug at the heartstrings, don't they? My fascination for creating teddy bears and other critters is just as strong as when I began several years ago, but I haven't been as interested in the old ones, the bears of former days - except, that is, for two particular ancient bears of my acquaintance. What follows is the tale of these two teddies.

 

TALE ONE: PINKY

Pinky was my childhood companion, and continues with me to this day. She was given to me when I was two years old and recovering from a serious illness. I am sure her devotion aided my recovery and development from the day she became mine. And Pinky's care of children didn't stop with me. She also brought up my sister and three brothers, passing from one to the other through the years, and her appearance tells the story.

My Pinky

Pinky has been loved so well that her pink fur is all but gone (only few pink tufts can be seen around her neck and leg joints). She has large patch on her chest, sewn on by my mother, who worried that Pinky's innards were about to escape. The fabric having given way around her joints, one arm and her head are secured by my mother's stitching also.
       Her original amethyst coloured eyes were lost and substituted with buttons at some point, but awhile ago I found some suitable new eyes, so Pinky can see again, and keeps my hug of bears under her watchful eye. Her nose and mouth were mostly worn away by many childhood kisses planted on her muzzle through the years, but a delicate operation was performed, and now Pinky's gentle personality can be seen again.

A noble bear indeed!

I discovered a few years ago that Pinky is a Barton Waugh bear, manufactured in Australia in the late 1940s, but her ancestry is not important. My Pinky, faithful friend and lifetime companion, is a noble example of what teddy bears are about in this world - loving, comforting, and giving more to their owners than can be expressed in words, being good examples of what we human beings are created for too.

TALE TWO: PERCY

The first time I saw Percy was late last year, at a nearby market fair.  As I walked into the hall where the market was held, Percy greeted me. There he sat, in a basket among a bunch of other elderly bears - all of whom had seen better days. Percy smiled up at me and my heart melted. I should have taken a picture of him there, amid his sad companions, to remind me of the momentous meeting, but time was short and I needed to set up my own table, so I just smiled back at him and moved on.

Smile, everyone!

Having sorted out my table and settled the critters (who often need encouragement when they are on show), Percy seemed to call out to me, so I introduced myself to the lady on the table next to mine (where Percy was) and asked her about him.
       She didn't know anything about Percy's ancestry, so with permission I removed him from the basket and posed him on my neighbour's table. I then took a picture of him, and sent it with an SMS to my friend Claire, who knows about old bears.

Percy - could you resist him?

Claire couldn't pinpoint Percy's heritage either, but his charm had its effect on her also, so together we came to the conclusion that first Percy must be rescued - we could talk about his past (and future) later. So I made an offer for him, the offer was accepted and Percy came home with me, where he immediately made himself an indispensable member of the Carney household and hug.

We still don't know where or when Percy was born, but we know he has lived life to the full till now, and he continues to endears himself all who make his acquaintance and to make me smile.

 

EPILOGUE: TWO TEDDIES ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Although Pinky has been quite happy all these years without a close teddy friend, when she and Percy met I knew they belonged together.

My best friend

Although you can live a fulfilling, productive and happy life alone, if someone comes along who understands you, empathises with sufferings experienced, remembers and laughs about things from a common past, enjoys common interests and is simply your friend, an empty space within is filled with love and peace. I have experienced this with my darling husband, Martin, whose love and companionship brings constant joy and peace to my life,
and also with a number of close friends and family - I am a blessed woman!

In a teddy bear way, I felt that when Pinky and Percy came together something similar happened. Just look at this picture and I am certain that you will agree.

Do you remember having lots of fur, dear? Ah yes, those were the days!

Easy Christmas Recipes

It's a busy time of year, isn't it? I apologise for my blogging slackness of late - so much to do, so little time!

To let you know I'm still alive, I thought I'd just quickly post 4 easy Christmas recipes which I make each year and give to friends. I hope you find them useful, too. 

FRUIT SLICE (pictured in the centre of the plate)

250g dried fruit, finely chopped or minced (apricots, apples, prunes, cranberries, etc)
2 cups coconut
1 cup icing sugar
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Extra coconut, crushed nuts or icing sugar (to coat the slice or balls)

1. Mix all ingredients (coating) together, and form into small balls or a long roll.
2. Toss in extra coconut, icing sugar or crushed nuts. 
3. Set in refrigerator. 
4. If you have rolled your mix, when it is firm, cut into small circles, as pictured. 
5. In hot weather, it may be advisable to keep in the refrigerator. However, I have not needed to do this. 

Fruit slice and Easy Coconut Macaroons

 EASY COCONUT MACAROONS (pictured around the plate edge - and one on top!)

2-1/2 cups coconut

3/4 cup castor sugar

2 Tablespoons self-raising flour

1 large egg

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1. Put coconut, sugar and sifted flour into a mixing bowl.
2. Stir in lightly beaten egg, milk and vanilla.
3. Mix all ingredients together well.
4. Roll mixture into walnut-sized balls, pressing well together.
5. Place on oven trays, lined with aluminium foil (no need to grease)
6. Bake in moderate oven 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. (Makes about 30).

 ALMOND BREAD

 3 egg whites
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 cup plain flour
125g (4 oz) whole unblanched almonds

1. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, gradually add castor sugar, and beat until dissolved.
2. Fold in sifted flour and whole almonds, combining well.
3. Fill into a very lightly greased loaf tin (20cm x 10cm) or 2 small tins (20cm x 7cm). Bake in a moderate oven 30-40 minutes.
4. Leave in the tin until completely cold. Wrap in aluminium foil and put aside for 1-2 days.
5. Using a very sharp knife, cut into wafer thin slices.
6. Place slices on oven tray, put into a slow oven 20 minutes or until slices are completely dry and crisp.

 LEBKUCHEN (GINGERBREAD)

60g butter
2/3 cup golden syrup
1-3/4 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of sodea
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cocoa
30g mixed peel
2 Tablespoons plain flour, extra
Raspberry or strawberry jam
125g dark chocolate

1. Melt butter over low heat in medium sized saucepan
2. Add golden syrup, bring to boil, remove from heat and leave standing for 10 minutes.
3. Add sifted dry ingredients, milk and finely chopped peel, stir with wooden spoon until smooth, cover, stand at room temperature for 1-1/2 hours. The mixture will become thicker.
4. After this time, turn mixture onto a surface dusted with the extra flour. Knead lightly, workin on only enough of the flour until the mix loses its stickiness.
5. Roll out the mix to about 3mm (1/8 inch) thickness. Cut out with cookie cutters in Christmas shapes or hearts (I had to use teddy bears also!) Place on lightly greased trays, leaving a little room between each for spreading.
6. Using the end of a wooden spoon, gentlypush an indentation into centre of the biscuit, being careful not to push right through. Fill with a dot of jam.
7. Bake in moderate oven 8-10 minutes or until golden. Leave on trays until completely cold.
8. Melt chocolate in microwave, 30 seconds at a time until melted enough. Alternatively, melt chocolate in a bowl or double saucepan over simmering water. 
9. Cover the base of each biscuit with chocolate, either by dipping or spreading with a knife. Wipe off excess around the edges, and place jam-side down on trays until chocolate is firm. This should make approx. 40-70, depending on how thinly you roll out the dough.

Welcome to RusaLena, who recently began following this erratic blogger,

And a very merry Christmas to you all!

There's still a Spring in my step

The paddocks near our house are beginning to change from green to a pale browny gold colour, as we near the end of Spring in the Adelaide Hills.

View of our paddocks browning off

Our garden is still looking lovely though, and a thrill runs through me as I wander around, taking in the sights and smells of our unruly but lush (at present) garden.

Roses, lavender, viburnum,  chrysathemum, geranium, plumbago, etc. etc.

Red Geraniums

Throughout Spring I've tried unsuccessfully to capture with my little digital camera the vibrancy of the new life all around me.

David Austin's Graham Thomas rose

Nevertheless these pictures still give a little glimpse of the prodigality of the season and its Creator.

Tequila Sunrise

Purple irises with Golden Celebration rose

Mystery rose (root stock from a dead Abraham Darby, I think)

Evelyn,  another David Austin rose

The Children's Rose

Mr Lincoln rose

Roses are my favourite flowers and our garden reflects this,

but everything living, growing thing has its own glory - even the weeds that share the garden beds with the plants we want there! 

Seduction rose accompanied by select weeds!

Jasmin bush covering a fire sprinkler

Apricot Nectar rose

Soon we will take on the challenge of keeping the garden alive through the warmer months, and I will dream of cooler weather again. But for now I will just drink in the beauty around me, and be thankful for today.

Another mystery rose

P.S. Guess who I found while I was wandering in the garden just now? Kelvin (I name all visiting koalas Kelvin) was grunting away in a tall gum tree just outside our house fence, so I just had to share him with you too. I am a blessed woman!

Kelvin poses for the camera

Eat a Pie Floater and Prosper

First, let me apologise for a lapse in posting lately. Life doesn't always allow time for the luxury of blogging, but never mind - here I am now. I would normally share a new recipe on my Kayzy's Kitchen page, but given the number of times we have eaten pie floaters recently, and before the Aussie weather gets too warm to enjoy this dish, I have decided to feature my version of the great South Australian Pie Floater here as well. I hope you will be inspired to give it a go!

PIE FLOATER - KAYZY STYLE

 

The star of this dish is the soup, which is delicious on its own - and addictive! But if you want to use it as the main component of a homemade Pie Floater  (South Aussie classic), this soup will raise the floater to a higher level of culinary delight!

Curried Green Pea Soup with extras

500g frozen peas

200g cauliflower, chopped

100g Silverbeet or spinach, chopped

50g reduced fat butter or margarine (I used Devondale Light)

2-3 Tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons curry powder

4 cups water

3 teaspoons chicken stock powder

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint

salt, pepper

Optional: ½ cup evaporated milk, cream or fresh milk

1. Boil water in a large saucepan
   
2. Add peas, cauliflower and spinach to water, reduce heat and cook until tender.
   
3. Remove vegetables and water from the pan to a bowl. If you have a stick blender, proceed to step 4. If not, puree the vegetables, mint and a little of the vegetable water in a food processor or blender until smooth, then proceed.
   
4. Heat butter in the pan, add flour and curry powder, stir until combined. Remove pan from the heat.
   
5. Gradually add vegetable water to the pan, stirring well to combine and prevent lumps forming.
   
6. Return pan to the heat, add stock powder, and stir until stock boils and thickens.
   
7. Reduce heat, add the vegetables and fresh mint to the pan, and blend with stick blender.
   
8. Reheat the soup, test for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. If desired, add optional evaporated milk, cream or milk to the soup and reheat before serving, but I think this soup is delicious enough without this option. Serves 4-6.
   Note: Cauliflower and spinach may be omitted from this recipe without affecting the flavour, but I think their inclusion makes the soup yummier.

Pie Floater Instructions

1. Buy (or make) meat pies – any variety will do, but plain meat pies are fine. (I will add a recipe for meat pie at a later stage.)
   
2. Reheat pies in a moderate oven until hot (15 minutes).
   
3. Pour a good serve of curried pea soup in a large soup or pasta bowl, allowing room for the addition of a pie.
   
4. Place a pie (upside down if you are a traditionalist) on top of the soup in each bowl, and watch it sink!
5. Swirl a splodge of tomato sauce or ketchup on top, and serve! If you are really bold, add a dash of vinegar also. I don't think this adds anything to the dish, but some pie floater officianados swear by it.
   Note: You will need a soup spoon to eat this culinary masterpiece.