Author: Eileen Slovak
I am an Author Novelist living in Virginia. My body of work includes: published non-fiction articles, this blog, fictional short stories, a published short story series on www.Smashwords.com, flash fiction, poetry and one published novel "Secret Agent of God", a spiritual thriller. Thank you for your interest in my bio. For more: amazon.com/author/eileenslovak
Cozy Snow Daze!
Ten great reasons to stay inside where it’s cozy and warm!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/breakfast-cookies-3864548.amp
Happy New Year all!
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Pet Safety at Home
After a tumultuous start, Loki’s finally settling in. He had some sort of gastroenteritis that we weren’t sure any of us would survive.
Somehow we all made it through!
Loki Pokey photo by Katherine Slovak
We’re still navigating the co-cat coalition…
News to me was that cats may at times need probiotics. For Loki’s uncontrolled bowel, our veterinarian prescribed a combination of antibiotics, prescription food, and a probiotic regimen which I was only able to administer by mixing it in liquid and using a syringe. It was several weeks of hell!
I was skeptical about all of this at first but ultimately it worked.
The veterinarian thought Loki may have eaten something toxic. All I know is that he was a very sick kitten.
Plants, the veterinarian said, are often the cause. We were referred to the ASPCA website to review a list of toxic plants: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/17-plants-poisonous-pets
It has been awhile since we have had a kitten roaming the house. It was a little like having a baby again! Everything goes right into his mouth.
We still have no idea if Loki came to us ill, or if he got into something in our home. Regardless, he survived thankfully!
Typically, cats are very neat and easy to cat box train unless there is a serious issue.
Right now he is a bundle of energy, a coiled spring ready to snap! Teenagers!
We are counting our blessings that he is both healthy and happy!
Happy #Caturday all! And Merry Christmas!
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This Christmas Give Yourself the Gifts of Faith, Redemption, and Charity!
I’m not about to lecture anyone…Lord knows… I have always considered myself a “catholic in progress”. Both spiritual and religious, I spend a great deal of time questioning, always seeking answers for the unexplained.
But this year, I let friends and family know that I was scaling back on gift exchanges and the “trappings of Christmas” and decided to focus instead on the “reason for the season”.
https://www.nsgrotto.org/
With rising inflation and gas prices, empty grocery shelves, and supply chain woes, after two years of COVID-19 riddled with grief and loss, I refused to be disheartened. I planned to take back Christmas this year!
My family went back to church in person, no masks! And we went to confession, which always makes me feel physically lighter, as well as spiritually elevated.
While I truly believe God is all around us, I was missing the community, the ceremony, and the sanctity of being in a sacred place of worship on a Sunday morning.
I was concerned about crowds but attendance is way down. I was concerned we would be judged for being away for so long but instead, we were warmly welcomed.
The third part of this plan was charity: giving charitable gifts to great causes, volunteer organizations that I support, and random acts of kindness, large or small. You do not have to be wealthy to make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate, and no matter how bad you may have it, someone always has it worse!
In the fight against darkness, never surrender, always seek out the light!
Merry Christmas all!
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Crazy Caturday Pics
Advent Calendar Brilliance!
Wine and cheese!
This year we were lucky enough to snag one of these wine advent calendars from Lidl. They fly off the shelf just as soon as then become available. At around $60.00 for the box, we hoped for the best. So far, so good.
Also a Lidl best seller is the clever Ilchester cheese advent calendar and what better to go with wine? The cheese advent calendar (in the refrigerator section of course) costs around $14.00.
December 1st:
Tonight’s pairing was a mini bottle of Chardonnay (equal to one large glass or two small ones for sharing) and a lovely English sharp cheddar. I would really like to know more about this wine and the cheese because both were terrific and fabulous together! The wine was just as the mini label stated, buttery, pear, Meyer lemon and vanilla.
Cheers to twenty-three more days of wonderful surprises to come!
Happy Advent all!
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Ten Beautiful Things Part 2
Hibiscus “bruise” in full bloom
photo by Katherine Slovak
Finding beauty is not difficult, beauty is all around us. Noticing, and appreciating beauty when we discover it is the hard part.
Have a blessed and beautiful day!
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Turkey Day Wine!
Looking for a great bottle to pair with the bird? Really anything goes, but for this very American meal, I like European wine best.
The traditional rich flavors of the Thanksgiving feast need a high acidity wine for balance. Try French, German, or Italian white wines or even lighter reds for a better pairing. This makes perfect sense if you think about the liberal use of butter and cream in French, German and Northern Italian food.
If you’re undecided, sparkling is an excellent choice and the bubbles will help aid with digestion.
We began the day with a Cremant De Bourgogne, or what I like to call affordable French champagne.
For more options, let me take you to the cellar!
German Riesling is fruity and often sweet but not always. Look for a dry variety if you prefer less sweetness. Riesling also has a little fizz, and is an excellent option for guests who are not big wine drinkers but like to have a glass on special occasions.
In my house we serve the turkey with a sausage stuffing, so light reds, or rose also pair well.
If you are strictly a red wine drinker, I can’t think of a better meal to enjoy with Pinot Noir. I usually prefer rich reds like an Old Vine Zinfandel or a Merlot, just not today. The wine should not compete with the main event: turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, or pecan pie, and all of the fixings.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving all, and I hope you are enjoying yours with family and friends this year!
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Loki’s Feeling Low
We suffered a major setback when shortly after joining our ranks, Loki showed signs of major dysentery. The veterinarian gave us a plethora of things to try like medication, special food, and probiotics. He’s hanging in there, but it’s been a rough few weeks. I’m hopeful all of this will work.
He’s still playful, and sweet, and has even convinced Licorice that he’s not so bad.
We’re hoping and praying it’s not serious, but it’s hard to know. The vet does not seem entirely sure what’s going on with the little guy which is frustrating.
You would never know he’s suffering by looking at him, right? Hoping for a better week this week!
Happy #Caturday All!
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Autumn Splendor
Writing & Wining 