Friday, 5 July 2024

Jack Black The Cat Happiness factor

I have a cat I used to have two but now we’ve just got Jack and he’s always just been there as the cat my son has grown up with.I am sure the cat called Jack is happy in his heart , Jack at times does look like some sort of tortured hipster artist or poet who is desperately seeking their muse .The aimlessly wondering in then meowing and the staring into the middle distance are the signs of a true artist as your best work is done when you just stare and it is never just aimless staring .


Then there is the cat food first it was the posh stuff hand blessed by Monks in the Le Loire valley ( this strictly may not be true ) , Jack soon went off the posh stuff just after we had bought a case of 72 pouches , I mean obviously Jack is a blossoming restaurant critic and is yearning after a Michelin star meal I suspect , and will utter four letted tirades if everything is not up to his high standards. But now Jack likes Tesco cat food that is gravy based and touch wood he seems to be holding firm on this , so should I stock up on this cat food.


Jack would be a life observation comedian to delivering startling truth observations on life but he wouldn't be deemed rude as he would be good old happy Jack ( tongue firmly in most on the happy part ).Jack announces himself in a room sometimes and you have to work out he precisely wants and it often turns into an Alan Carr gameshow style programs ( does anyone really actually watch the, , it is time that I can never get back )





And when you have a cat you really do pander to its needs from a day bed in the front door to leaving on Classic FM for it to making sure it has its Teddy bear for bed time .I say Bed time but this usually signals having to let the cat out the front door and 2 minutes later opening to let it back in again.

Summer Smoked Trout New Potato Salad

Summer daze smoked trout potato salad ideal for those summer days eating Al Fresco upon your terrace ( in my case my decking )


Summer I admit is rather confused at the minute and I have worn my winter coat this week . Summer will be here I'm sure of it ~ halycon days are the long fun filled days we remember from our childhood.

Smoked trout and new potato salad
Smoked trout new potato salad


Ingredients

Smoked trout
Mixed salad
Bacon bits

Jackies Vinaigrette

1 0z light olive oil
4 oz white wine
1 clove chopped garlic
1/2 Dry mustard
1/8 Cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp Brown sugar

Method 

Make the vinaigrette in advance of frying the bacon and warming the smoked trout through.

Cook the new potatoes enjoy for 2 people put to one side.



Combine 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper,1 clove chopped garlic ,1 Tbsp Brown Sugar ,1/2/tsp dry mustard 1 oz of light Olive Oil , 4 oz of white wine vinegar in a suitable bottle / container that will allow you to drizzle over the salad.



Fry the bacon bits till lovely and crispy , I got my bacon bits from the village farm shop and they were £1.65 , then if you wish also warm through the smoked trout ( you don't have to but it does gives a beautiful roundness to the dish. next mix them together . Combine this with the cooked new potatoes.

View of the boating club
Just popping to the village farm shop


Place on a bed of mixed salad.

Drizzle over the Jackies vinaigrette

And enjoy

Hopefully outside.


Thursday, 4 July 2024

Jack Black The Cat My Life And The Amazon Box

In a cat eat cat world there are those who prefer the hipster way of life with their cat pates and cat soups and their ambient temperature mineral waters , I was once parry to this world of opulence and proclivity towards this finer side of life.I slept in the very best of cat bunk beds , I slept in a modernist cat stool cave thing , the sort of thing that Batman would get for his cat if Batman had a cat but who it to say that he doesn't have a cat.But I am a cat whose form at function can not be pinned down by the needs.Us cats and box go together like tea and cake ,thunder and lighting, the world know knows we love a good box it is what the internet what was built for.


There is security in a box and I am pretty sure that given he state of British politics that soon enough my own human pet will climb into a box very very soon.How needs Disneyland when you have a box it is your very own theme park , I mean I can't get to Disneyland anyway though there is a huge mouse to eat I hear.


Human pet orders a fancy bed then I will sleep in the box it came in , the human can if they wish store items in the bed I simply won't sleep in and I am doing my bit for helping with saving the planet by recycling the box so it is a win win really I think.




Jack The Cat And Politics

I have had more cat dinners than there has been Prime Minster and I think it is time for it to stop , I wouldn't be bribed some treats did turn up in the post today and it was a bribe so I wouldn't stand this General election.

Basically British Politics is like  using the cat flap I come in and go out



1. 23 1/2  hours naps for all .

2. An Amazon box to sleep in I reject your hipster modernist stool bed

3. As much toilet paper and kitchen roll as you want to shred.

4. That brand of cat food you like but then you won't like but will like.

5. Nail file and more cats on television 






6. No restrictions on the import of ping pong balls.

7. The sofa backstop .... the sofa is mine all  and I only let you use it out of common courtesy.

8. Classic FM 24 hours a day and a copy of the Guardian and NO Aled Jones stand ins ever ever gain on Classic Fm 

9. The right to hiss at nothing that is there.

10. The right to walk to the front door loop round and come in through the cat flap * repeating this action to your hearts content.



Welcome To The Midweek Chillout

Midweek Chill Out: The Wednesday Wind-Down

Ah, Wednesday. The hump of the week, the fulcrum of our weekly grind. For many, it's the turning point from 'Just get through this' to 'Weekend is coming!' But here at the Ninjakillercat blog, we don't just get through Wednesday—we celebrate it. Here’s how you can turn your midweek slump into a serene soiree of chill vibes.

Morning Rituals: Starting Right

The key to a tranquil Wednesday is setting the tone early. My midweek mornings start with a gentle wake-up. No blaring alarms here, just the soft chimes of nature sounds. A quick stretch and a few mindful breaths later, I'm ready to face the day.

Tea is non-negotiable. My kettle and I have a deep, meaningful relationship. This isn't just about tea; it's about starting the day with something that brings joy. Pair that with a slice of freshly toasted sourdough, topped with avocado and a sprinkle of sea salt, and you've got a breakfast that's both nourishing and soul-soothing. ( in reality though it is non rescript cornflakes from a randomn supermarket)

Midday Escape: Lunchtime Zen

By midday, it’s easy to feel the weight of the week. That’s why a proper lunch break is essential. If the weather’s nice, I head to my favourite local park. There's something magical about eating al fresco, with the rustling leaves providing the perfect backdrop. 

For lunch, it's all about simplicity and flavor. A vibrant salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, a handful of walnuts, and a tangy vinaigrette does the trick. And if I’m feeling indulgent, a small chunk of artisan cheese never goes amiss.( though again in reality your sandwich goes limp from all the summer rain ; not a euphemism ! Afternoon Delight: Cat Nap and Cuddles

Here’s where the Ninjakillercat comes into play. Mid-afternoon, I find myself a cozy nook, preferably one bathed in sunlight. My cat, a master of midweek chill, curls up next to me, purring contentedly  or just death stares me till I perform the service it requires and then it nonchalantly walks away. A 20-minute cat nap is rejuvenating, and if you’re lucky enough to have a feline friend, their warm presence can make all the difference unless it has it claws sunk into you and you desperately need the toilet !

Evening Unwind: The Art of Doing Nothing

As the workday wraps up, it's time for some serious unwinding. Ditch the screens for a bit. Instead, light some candles and let the soft glow fill the room. I’m a big fan of lavender-scented ones for their calming properties.

Dinner is kept simple but hearty. A bowl of homemade pasta, perhaps with a light tomato and basil sauce, is perfect. It’s comfort food at its best, and the act of cooking can be incredibly meditative.

Post-dinner, it's time for a bit of pampering. A hot bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oils can work wonders. Put on some mellow tunes—Bon Iver or Norah Jones are my go-tos—and let the day's stresses melt away.

Night-time Serenity: Preparing for Tomorrow

Before bed, I take a few moments to journal. Nothing too intense, just a few lines about what went well today and what I’m grateful for. It’s a gentle reminder that even in the midst of a busy week, there’s always something to appreciate.

Finally, I set the stage for a good night's sleep. A cup of chamomile tea, a few pages of my book, and I’m ready to drift off, knowing that I’ve made the most of my Wednesday.

So there you have it, folks. Your midweek chill-out, Ninjakillercat style. Embrace the Wednesday wind-down, and you’ll find the rest of the week a little brighter, a little lighter, and a whole lot more enjoyable. Until next time, stay chill and keep purrin