The Big Reveal: Caturday Art and Sunday Guest Selfies

Greetings, Effurrybody!


Well, as purromised, it is time to reveal to you all where Mummy went to for her vacation earlier this month.

Nobody managed to guess, or even come close!

Mummy went to Montenegro, a beautiful little country (even smaller than Israel!) between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, a land of lakes and forests and delightful little mediaeval towns, which was once part of Yugoslavia before that country disintegrated. Of course, She will write about it in her own blog later this week or maybe next. However, in the meanwhile, as promised, here are a few guest selfies of some of the kitties She met there, for inclusion in the weekend's blog hops - the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Delightful and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet.

So, furrst up, here is a kitty whom Mummy met in  Stari Bar, the Old Town of Bar:

 

Just look at that furry impressive pink tongue!

We artified this picture with LunaPic's Floating filter at 60%. Isn't that adorable?

In the tranquil gardens of the Piva Monastery, this sweet kitty made a beeline for Mummy. Kitties always know where to find love.

And here is the artified version, using LunaPic's Fantasy filter at 75%:

In Budva, a charming little walled town on the Adriatic coast, Mummy met this lovely ladycat:

We thought Dreaming at 40% would be a furry suitable way to artify her pawtrait, because she looked as if that was what she was doing (mol).

 Here it is:

In Kotor, another mediaeval, walled town which Mummy visited on the last day of her trip, they really, really love kitties. Mummy will explain why in her own bloggie (when She gets round to writing it). This fine figure of a feline is guarding the Family Jewels (mol):

And here is the artsy-fartsy version, using the Flowers filter at 55%, slightly toned down with an overlay of Grey at 35%:

As we said, in Kotor, they love kitties furry much indeed - so much so that they have a Cat Mewseum there. It's quite small, but packed with antique books, old photos, movie posters, newspaper cuttings and all sorts of paraphernalia relating to cats.

In the window of the Mewseum, this beautiful kitty was on guard. 

If you biggify  the picture, you can see behind her into one of the rooms, and catch a glimpse of some of the items on display. Entrance is only 1 euro.  There is also a collection box there for donations for feeding the street cat population of the town - although Mummy thought the cat population there was furry well-fed, because all the restaurants and cafes, as well as private citizens, put out loads and loads of food for the kitties. And the Mewseum also sells many items of cat memorabilia, to raise money for this worthy cause.

We used Our Favourite Filter to artify this picture - Nouveau at 70%.

Do you have a favourite? Let Us know in the Comments section below.

Now, here are the blog hop badges:

        

In other news, Uncle D. is here again, just in time for the High Holy Days. And once again, We had to give up Our Room to him!!!

Now, kitties, this evening is Kol Nidrei, the eve of the Mewish Day of Atonement, so We are going to finish off now and help Mummy get ready. That means We may not have time to visit many of you until the day after tomorrow, but be sure We shall visit.  In the meanwhile, We wish you G'mar Hatima Tova (גמר חתימה טובה - A Good Final Sealing). May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.

Shana Tova From Us All: Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies

Hallo Again, Effurryone!

It's Us! We are back!

Well, strictly speaking, WE were not away. We were here all the time. It was Mummy who went off on vacation, leaving Us in the care of her Cleaning Lady, Ms. M. She is back now, and We promised to reveal where She has been. However, nobody managed to guess - and We realised that We hadn't really given you a fair chance, as We supplied no clues. So We have decided to wait another week before revealing Mummy's holiday destination and give you a hint or two.

So, furrst of all - it's somewhere Mummy has neffur been before. We recommend browsing through Mummy's Own Blog for clues as to where she has been - and She's been to quite a few. That should enable you to eliminate a few places.

Secondly, like Israel, it's an Old-New country.

Thirdly - it's not too far away (so you can rule out Antarctica - MOL).

Next week, We shall reveal Mummy's Mystery Destination and also, show you some pictures of the kitties Mummy met there. 

Now, We are a bit late in posting to this weekend's blog hops but better late than neffur. We usually post on Sundays, but yesterday, Mummy was still rather exhausted from her trip. We thought We might skip another week, but next Sunday is already the second day of Rosh Hashana, Our Mew Year and We wanted to wish you Shana Tova (a Good Year) before it starts.

So, for Our Entry in this week's Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and in the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Delightful and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet, We have made a Rosh Hashana greeting card, featuring the three of Us up on the Promenade overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, which is just below the Enchanted Forest.

And here is the artified version, using LunaPic's Quirky filter at 45%.

And now for the blog hop badges:

        

Now all that is left for Us to do is to wish you all a Happy Mew Year - Shana Tova (לשנה טובה תיכתבו ותיחתמו - Leshana Tova Tikhatevu Vetihatemu - May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year).

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.

Three For The Price Of One: Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies

Greetings, Effurrybody!


Queen Trixie here, Furrst of My Name etc., etc.

We have a special treat for you all this week!

Although it is, strictly speaking, My Turn to lead the J-Cats on this weekend's blog hops - that is to say, the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Divinely Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie,  and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Deliciously and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet, - this week, We are giving you Three for the price of One (mol).

In addition to this regal pawtrait of My Impurrial Self in a New Box (or rather, a Box-Within-a-Box) bestowed upon Me Us by Mummy's Cleaning Lady, Ms. M, you are also getting - at no additional cost - a Charming Pawtrayal of Fraternal Affection between my brofurs, Caspurr and Shimshi:

The reason for this Generosity  is that We won't be posting next week, due to the fact that the Staff (aka Mummy) will be away on Vacation - her furrst propurr vacation in four years. Yes, yes, We know that technically, being retired, She's purrmanently on Vacation - but this will be her furrst trip abroad in four years. In a few days time, She (and her Opposable Thumbs) will be boarding an airy-plane and travelling to an Undisclosed Destination for a Whole Week, during which time, Ms. M will come effurry day to feed Us and play with Us a bit. We hope she also brings Us some new boxes. 

We don't really want Mummy to abandon Us for a whole week, but Ms. M has promised to message her effurry day from here, on video, so We can meow to Mummy. And We really want Mummy to enjoy her holiday and not feel too guilty for heartlessly deserting Us in such a way, instead of taking Us with her or, better still, just staying at home.

We aren't going to reveal where Mummy is going to until She is safely back home with Us and then She can tell Us - and you - all about her Adventures in....Wherever. We bet none of you can guess where She's going, but you're welcome to try. Just for your own a-mews-ment. No prizes for guessing right - other than knowing you were cleverer than effurryone else (mol).

Now, here are the artsy-fartsy versions of Our Selfies. Furrst of all, ME, Queen Trixie. We used a favourite of Ours, LunaPic's Frida effect at 85%, with a light overlay of Tuscany at 23% (or maybe it was 25%. Mummy's not sure). Thus:

And here is the artification of Caspurr and Shimshi's Two-Fur. They chose two more LunaPic art effects - Quirky at 96%, lightly washed with Sadness at 17%:

Let Us know in the Comments section below, which you liked best - as well as where you think Mummy is taking her Vacation.

Next, here are the blog hop badges:

        

See you in a fortnight's time!

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.

Tummy Shots With Shimshi: Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies

Hallo again, Effurrybuddies!

It's Me again - The Mighty Shimshon (Shimshi for short) aka The Little Purrince, Furrst of My Name, Master of the Queen's Mischiefs and Captain of the Guard.

I have to admit, it's still so hot, it's furry hard to get My Brain to work propurrly and plan New Mischiefs. In fact, all a kitty wants to do in this weather is chill out (if such a thing is humanly felinely pawssible) and nap.
However, it isn't quite as bad as it has been. It's hovering around 30 degrees Celsius, which is a VAST improvement on last week.

Anyway, it is MY turn this week to repurresent my fellow J-Cats in this weekend's blog hops - the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Divinely Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Deliciously and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet.

Here are the blog hop badges, before We forget:

        

Since Trixie and Caspurr's last selfies were Tummy Shots, which made effurryone squee, I decided to bow to Public Demand and add my own Tummy Shot. I hope you like it, as well as Our Choice of Artification.

As so often before, We used a filter and frame from LunaPic:

This was the Stained Glass filter, which We know is a favourite with many of you. It certainly is with Us!

We also thought this version, where a tapestry based on the artification hangs in the PhotoFunia Gallery, would please you:

Mummy hasn't been doing much this week, as She, too, has been overwhelmed by the heat, but She did find time to make some tuna patties. She was inspired to do so by Katie Isabella's Mommy, who posted on Facebook about the salmon patties she made. Mummy thought She could do something similar with tuna. She was furry satisfied with her tuna patties, but as She scoffed the whole lot and didn't share them with Us, We are unable to express an opinion! She says they had chopped onion in them, and that onion is furry bad for kitties - but We suspect that is just a Feeble Excuse!!!

Now, Dear Anipals, as Mummy's Caterwauling Club is still on vacation till next month, and She has a bit more time, We made her go and create a jigsaw puzzle for you this week - and here it is.

And now, it's time to visit Our Furriends. Till next week then.

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.

Melting! Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies

Greetings, Effurryone!

Caspurr here! It's My Turn to lead My Fellow J-Cats on this weekend's blog hops - the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Deliciously and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet.

Before I do that, Trixie asked Me to remind you that this coming Thursday, August 17th, is Black Cat Appreciation Day. That being the case, We shall be having yet another one of Our Famous Picnic Pawties up in the Enchanted Forest on Thursday afternoon at 5 pm Israel Time, to which all Our Furriends are invited. The great thing about the Enchanted Forest is that it's slightly cooler up there than in the rest of the country, because of being - well, Enchanted, and all that.

Dearest Anipals, it reached 40 degrees Celsius today in Jerusalem, with a Real Feel of 42 degrees!!! That's 104 Fahrenheit with a Real Feel of 107.6! We are also promised thunderstorms after midnight!

According to the Weather app in Mummy's Flashy Box Phone, it has now dropped to a "mere" 37 degrees Celsius. She put out extra bowls of water for the street kitties, of course - but what will become of the poor babies if this weather continues?
We have Our Own Methods of cooling down, of course - and Mummy discovered this really cool hack (pun intended) for use in the Study, which has neither Air Conditioning, nor a ceiling fan. If you put a big bottle of water in the freezer, so that the water turns to ice, and then put it in front of the table fan, it really cools down the air. Of course, it also helps that the Study faces north, while most of the other rooms face south!

Anyway, as you will see, the Weather has had a Big Influence on Our Art this week. Furrst of all, here is My Selfie:

We thought you would all appreciate another look at My Tummy. You do, don't you? Go ahead - admit it (mol)!

Now, in deference to the Extreme Heat, the furrst artification uses LunaPic's Flames filter, at 90%:

Don't worry! I wasn't really on fire!

The next artification purr-sonified Our Desire for a respite from the heat, using the Splash filter at 85%, with an overlay of Cold Rain at 70%:

Last, but not least, We went completely overboard, using the Waves filter at 75%, plus the Reflecting Water animation - but without the animation (mol):

We were going to leave the animation in, but it made for a furry large file and when Mummy tried to resize it, the animation disappeared. But We think it still makes for a furry pretty picture and enables you to imagine me dozing by a pool of cool, clear water.  Don't I wish...

Next, here are the blog hop badges:

        

Well, that's all for today. See you at the picnic on Thursday, We hope - and if you can't make it, We're sure to find another reason to pawty in the near future and in any case, We'll see you next week.

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.

A Birthday Coming Up: Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies With - Queen Trixie!

Hallo again, Effurrybody!

As promised last week, here I am again, Queen Trixie that is - Furrst of My Name, Empurress of Jerusalem, Israel and the Entire Middle East, Queen of Hearts, Guardian of the Boudoir, Alpha-Kitty Extraordinaire.  And why am I here, for the second week in a row, leading the J-Cats as We join the weekend blog hops - the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Deliciously and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet?

Two reasons. One - my Pesky Brofurs photobombed Me last week, and Mummy promised me Compensation (I would have settled for a plate of salmon mousse, Mummy). And two - next Shabbat, August 12th, is My Birthday. Being a well brought-up Ladycat, I will not, of course, reveal My Age - though you could purrobably make an educated guess if you read About Me in the right hand sidebar.

Anyway, you know what birthdays mean, don't you, dear anipals?

That's right! A Pawty! (It's been quite a few weeks since We had one of those, hasn't it?)

As usual, We will be celebrating this most Auspicious Day next Shabbat afternoon, at 4 PM, up in the Enchanted Forest, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem.  We look forward to seeing you all there. There will be Mewsic and Dancing and lots and lots and lots of Noms. And, also as usual, if anyone feels like arriving a bit early to help set up the Bar - Welcome. We can always do with a helping Paw!

Okay, now to business!

We found it hard to pick out just one Selfie, so here are FOUR to choose from - each with a different LunaPic artification. Tell Us which one you like best in the comments section below.

Furrst of all, a beautiful selfie which displays My floofy tummy, and you can also glimpse My Purrfect Fangs:

We artified this with Splash, at 30%:

The next picture shows a bit more of My Fangs - well, quite a lot more, in fact (mol):

This one was artified, using the Art Nouveau effect at 40%:

Next up is My Purrsonal Favourite, which We artified using LunaPic's Floating filter at 55%:

Here is the artsy-fartsy version:

Mummy and I like that one purrticularly, because of the way it emphasises My Eyes.

And last, but not least, a selfie which turned out a bit blurred, but which, for that reason,  lent itself well to artification with Renoir, set to 80%:

And now, here are the blog hop badges:

        

In other news, Mummy did blog about the situation here in Israel, as She hinted She might. Mummy says She found it emotionally exhausting to write about, and She felt quite drained by the time She finished.  She tried furry hard to be objective, but it is hard to escape the Obvious Conclusion, which is that Humans cannot be trusted to govern themselves and that the World would be a much better place if it was ruled by Cats - as Nature intended!!!

Well, that is all for now, dear furriends. We look forward to seeing you at the Pawty on Shabbat afternoon.

Till then - be well. Be safe. We love you all.

Photobomb! Caturday Art and Sunday Selfies With - the Three of Us

Greetings, Effurrybody!

Today, it was supposed to be My Turn to lead my fursibs on this weekend's blog hops - the Caturday Art blog hop, hosted by the Wise and Beautiful Athena and her HuMum, Marie, and the Sunday Selfies blog hop, hosted by the Delicious and Predictably Unpredictable Kitties Blue and their HuMom, Janet.

However, as you will see, things didn't quite turn out as planned!

I got photobombed by those pesky mancats, My Brofurs!

I wanted Mummy to retake the photo - or else to use one of the many photo editing apps available to simply vanish them from My Pawtrait, but Mummy had other ideas. She said that I would, instead, lead the blog hops next week, for My Birthday, and that She would turn this - PHOTO FAIL - into a beautiful, artsy-fartsy Ussie.

Well, since I am, at least, in the foreground and all eyes are naturally drawn to Me, I yielded gracefully - and here are the results.

Artification no. #1 - using LunaPic's Bridge art effect at 78%: 

Artification no. #2 - using a new (for Mummy) effect called Submarine, at 51%:

And finally, no. #3, using a combination of Flowers (38%) and Sadness (25%):

Mummy is, in fact, feeling a good deal of sadness this weekend, over the deep rift in Israeli society because of the battle over the plan for judicial reform, which you might have read or heard about in the media (although probably skewed in such a way as to show Israel in the worst pawssible light). You know kitties, yesterday, July 29th, was the 49th anniversary of her immigration to Israel. How could She have imagined, all those years ago, on the eve of such an Adventure, and full of Hope, what the Future would hold? 

But We are not going to write about that now, because it makes Mummy so furry sad even to think about it. Maybe She will write about it in her own bloggie, but then again, maybe not - because, as We said, it breaks her heart even to think about it. 

Instead, We are going to introduce you to two more members of Mummy's Collection, and tell you about the wonderful Oneg Shabbat We had on Furriday night.

Please welcome Selena and Algernon!

Selena and Algernon are classically trained caterwaulers, who have appeared on the stages of the world's greatest shrines to Mewsic - such as the Metro-paw-litan Opurra of Mew York, Claw-vent Garden in London and the Purris Opurra. They gave Us a most enlightening talk on the History of Opurra and and then treated Us to a recital of famous arias and duets. We finished up with a few rousing opurra choruses, which they taught Us.

Now, it is time to put up the blog hop badges:

        

And that's all for this week, dear furriends. We hope to catch you later as We hop those blogs. 

Be well. Be safe. We love you all.