Daily Art - Foto Friday (Week 2)

Another week gone already?! This month seems to be flying by - although not sure if that's just because I've been super busy and done a lot of running around. Regardless, I'm back with Foto Friday to document my progress with the 365 Photography Project.  I feel like I'm getting into my groove with this, and really trying out some new things - both on camera and with a little bit of Photoshop magic.

Hoping you all have a fun weekend planned!

Daily Art - Foto Friday

So that you can all see what I've been up to with my Project 365 photography adventure, I'm going to try and start doing "my week in photos" each Friday.  That will be a picture from every day each week...I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear which are you favorites!

Daily Craft - A swap haul!

In an attempt to get rid of some of the excess in my craft space, I signed up for a destash swap on Craftster - which involved each pair swapping craft supplies that they're not using.  I guess technically it's not reducing the stash, but it's obtaining "new to me" things without additional cost right?  (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). 

I sent my original partner a bunch of knit and crochet supplies, seeing as she said crochet was her new thing - yarns (both commercial and recycled by me), a crochet hook roll, stitch markers etc.  Unfortunately, my partner turned out to be a flake.  I would like to gripe for a moment about those that flake on organized swaps.  The fact is that crafty types are very giving people.  We're constantly making things for those around us, donating supplies or making things for charity groups, offering free patterns and tutorials to help others perfect their skills.  Quite frankly, not holding up your end of the bargain is crappy.  Of course, for every flake, there are hundreds of wonderful crafters out there who keep up the good name.  Big thanks to my swap angel, Connie, who sent me a substitute package to make up for the one I was supposed to receive but didn't!

She sent me some lovely fabrics.  I intend to turn the blue/green fabrics at least into quilted coasters, which I had fun making previously.  

She also sent me a bunch of jewelry findings and beads, even going to the trouble of making sure that I have at least 2 of each bead in the package.  How did she know that I'm an earring addict?

There was also a "slice of pie" soap bar, and some Halloween stamps.  Never quite managed to get a good picture though as Deuce tried to claim the soap for himself.  As you may recall, this is not the first time...

Daily Gripe - Urgh, sick again!

Seriously, whatever mutant disease has taken over my body, I would like you to leave now.  Further to that, who is the genius that makes cold/flu capsules the size of a small child?  I know it's bad when I wake up to Deuce's sweet, furry little face sniffing me in the middle of my Robitussin/Sudafed/Dayquil induced coma.  I think he was checking if I were still alive, given that I'd been face down on the bed for several hours straight. 

See, he knows how to look loving and concerned! 

Have a HEALTHY weekend everybody!

Daily Review - Finding the perfect cat food!

Our baby cat Deuce is now a little over 7 months old. There are a million different opinions out there as to the best diet for cats and which foods are best. When we first got the little guy, I had looked around for some tips as to how to read a cat food label, whether dry or wet food was better (naturally finding arguments for both), how much to feed him etc. We opted for a mixed dry/wet food diet and he gets around a quarter can every morning and evening of Hill's Science Plan Kitten wet food, plus Purina O.N.E. Healthy Kitten Formula as his dry food during the day.  Our vet said he's incredibly healthy and he's obviously done well with what we've fed him so far.  Now it's time to look for the right adult food for him.

Our vet suggested we switch him to adult food around the 9-10 month range.  The question of course is which one?!  The choices are really pretty extensive and, while he's not a picky eater (the only thing he doesn't like are fish flavors), we do need to find something that he agrees is good as well as good for him.  One of the best things to look for in cat food is that there is a good amount of proper protein and not an over-abundance of unnecessary grains.  For example, if chicken is the first ingredient that is good.  Chicken meal is even better as it's already been baked to remove bacteria and excess water, therefore the actual chicken quantity that is in the food is increased.  I also found this interesting article from the FDA regarding pet food label requirements.

Premium cat foods, such as Innova and Wellness, can be very expensive.  I feel like we're looking for something in the middle, but I'll tell you that it's ridiculously overwhelming.  It's amazing how Hill's Science Diet is so popular because looking at the ingredient list, it doesn't seem to be the most appealing.  In fact, animal by-product is the number one ingredient when I'd much rather be feeding him the more wholesome bits.

There was a Nutro representative in-store at Petco today, so I took a closer look at their products, both Nutro Max and Nutro Natural (the more premium grade food).  They certainly have the benefit of using chicken meal.  The other product that I think is my first choice, although definitely on the pricier side, is Blue Buffalo Spa Select, which has both deboned chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients.

After all this, I still haven't truly made a decision and I haven't even started to look at wet food yet as those labels are even more confusing to read due to the "moisture content" equation!  I think it's worth looking at though.  How could I not give my furry little boy a good diet to keep him healthy and happy?

What do you use?  Do you have any suggestions?  I would love to hear them!