Monday 25 March 2013

Goodbye Midge




It's been a sad week for me as I said goodbye to my dear, sweet cat Midge. She had been in our lives for 17 years and was a sensitive and gentle little cat who loved to sleep under the covers with Taigen and always waited very patiently for me to finish my morning cereal so that she could lick the remaining milk. She came to me via a lovely neighbour of my Aunt Mary who had a farm with many cats, but Midge was from a small litter that were from her house cat named "Momma Cat". I first set eyes on her when she was 6 weeks old and immediately fell in love with her half black/half orange head with it's perfectly neat division and her black mask that always made her look a bit "owlish" to me. We collected her several weeks later, and found ourselves leaving with 2 cats not one! A beautiful orange tabby kitten had fallen for Taigen and it was not going to be left behind. The kittens squirmed all the way home on the laps of our kids who valiantly managed to keep them from crawling around on the floor of the car. It has been love ever since and although we still have our beloved Jinx to cuddle and hold and beautiful Ruby to play with, there is an absence yet...

Friday 8 March 2013

Mexico Lindo!




I first discovered "The Zapotec Art"  www.thezapotecart.com  when my husband bought me a beautiful hand loomed wool carpet depicting the "Tree of Life". After much "oooohing" and "aaaaahing", he showed me the shop around the corner from my Mother's condo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. That was last year and needless to say I have since been back to buy more rugs (both for myself and as gifts) and have referred a number of friends and family to them. I love this place!!!  The shop is staffed by 3 brothers (of a family of 6 brothers and 4 sisters), with Mom and Dad taking care of business back at the family factory. The first brother I met was Alberto, who is not only kind and knowledgeable, but also offers excellent customer service and a warm smile and hug everytime we meet. I recently met his brothers Samuel and Francisco who are equally engaging and helpful. Their work is gorgeous, and if you're anything like me and love the bright colours of Mexican art, you will be enthralled. The shop is  modest space that opens directly onto the street and is covered from floor to ceiling in multicoloured, multi-patterned rugs, table linens and bed spreads. Everything seems to catch the eye and one is left a bit dazzled. If you're ever in Puerto Vallarta, I urge you to pay them a visit and enjoy the beauty of these hand loomed textiles and perhaps bring a few home for yourself?