Cats and Card Shower, 1-9-26

Let’s start with cats – I love cats!

Mortie and FluffyBun – Mortie wants to be friends but…

you are looking for someone to send cards to, I have a dear friend who has MS and is in a assisted living facility. Her mind is sharp but, her body prevents her from doing all the things she loves. Her husband is older and he tried for several years to care for her at home. She needs assistance for her daily functions. She is a huge Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. Purple and Gold all the way! Jennifer is in her mid 60’s now and had a very active life working at IBM and Kinko’s. She has volunteered many hours at her daughter’s school, church and community. She loves cats and reading. Books on tape, movies and her faith are her enjoyment in life. She use to collect all the MacDonald’s kid toys for years and was a avid garage sale bargain hunter. Her husband who is in his 90’s visits her often. I am impressed with her memory, it is better than mine!
Her name and address are:
Jennifer Whipple 
Room A112
Madonna Towers
4001-19th Avenue NW
Rochester, MN 55901

I am sure that Jennifer would love getting a card or note in the mail. She has some very long, boring days. Her MS limits what she can and can’t do anymore. Medicare won’t pay for her to have any physical therapy which she badly needs. 
Thanks for considering her!

Sent to me by her friend Judy.

A reader asked about the quilt hanging in my entry. It’s called the Christmas Sled. Available for $5.00.

From Teresa

Time for a card shower – meet Jennifer Whipple.

If you are looking for someone to send cards to, I have a dear friend who has MS and is in an assisted living facility. Her mind is sharp but, her body prevents her from doing all the things she loves. Her husband is older and he tried for several years to care for her at home. She needs assistance for her daily functions. She is a huge Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. Purple and Gold all the way! Jennifer is in her mid 60’s now and had a very active life working at IBM and Kinko’s. She has volunteered many hours at her daughter’s school, church and community. She loves cats and reading. Books on tape, movies and her faith are her enjoyment in life. She use to collect all the MacDonald’s kid toys for years and was a avid garage sale bargain hunter. Her husband who is in his 90’s visits her often. I am impressed with her memory, it is better than mine!
Her name and address are:
Jennifer Whipple 
Room A112
Madonna Towers
4001-19th Avenue NW
Rochester, MN 55901

Her friend Judy sent me the info – she’s a good friend. She says:

Any time this winter would be a big boost for her to get mail. She can have something to talk about, share with others and find out that people do care about her. I plan to visit her and take her three pairs of McDonalds Grinch socks and some new clothes. The Grinch socks I hope will give her something fun to wear and recall her other McDonalds collections. Every woman deserves a few new clothes to add to their wardrobe. I know that funds are very limited for anything extra, even physical therapy. I just don’t understand the thinking of Medicare to not pay for physical therapy for her. Having MS it would help keep some of those muscles etc from getting tight.

Thank you for considering Jennifer for this card shower!

Judy

Oh my, how can we NOT send cards to Jennifer. I’m sure the time gets long for her and hopefully we can cheer her up. I’m going to address my card tonight. I hope you’ll join me in the next few days and find a card for her as well.

Just received this picture of Clarence – he looks like Colton! Remember big old Colton?

My day – it was such a gorgeous day I decided to run errands in Mason City. I’ve been meaning to buy a new bed for upstairs so went to Ashley Furniture and did that, went on to Hobby Lobby, Walmart (I think half of North Iowa was there today!) and then suddenly I couldn’t find my phone. Obviously I couldn’t call somebody. Got to wondering if I even had it with me when I left home. Sigh. What to do. I drove home, got Rick’s phone and started calling my phone. Finally someone answered it at Ashley Furniture – good grief! So back I go to get my phone. Not a bad trip in the end – I ate at Burger King.

So now it’s time to address my blocks on the calendar quilt. I’m dreading this.

We didn’t get a flake of snow and I took the dogs all the way to the hay ground this afternoon where they ran like the wind! Hazel was muddy all the way to her shoulders – great fun!

Almost forgot – here are those recipes from Mortie in the pan.

You can see how many times I’ve used this recipe by the smudges!

Good grief, this got long – I’m tired!

34 thoughts on “Cats and Card Shower, 1-9-26”

  1. Hank's Mom

    I have a card addressed to Jennifer. It’s a handmade card with an adorable picture of the Hankster. I hope Jennifer will enjoy it.

  2. Kathy in western NY

    Seeing all these adorable kitties makes me want to get one again. Nothing like a cat snuggling into your lap as I’ve always had one till last year. I miss having a cat. Two elderly dogs are enough right now. I do love the pictures.

    1. Teresa from Maple Ridge, BC

      Yes Suzanne, that is the pattern. This is the second quilt I’ve made of these cute elephants. The first, I made full size. I’m about to make another for a baby gift. They are easy to make and so cute when done. Thank you forth compliment, I do find it’s best if the two fabrics used have higher contrast so the ears show better. Good luck and have fun making one.

  3. Marie Cox

    Loved all of the cat pictures. Your Swedish Puff recipe is the same as my Kringla recipe. I took it to the fair when I was in 4-H. It’s an easy recipe with yummy results.

  4. Jo in Wyoming

    Oh! That Mortie is a cutie.
    The quilts are fun today. All the pictures are fun today.
    I worked today and sold lots of fabric for baby quilts. There must be something in the water!!!

  5. Suzanne

    Ah, Mortie…what a little lovebug. You could have a blog that was simply Mortie pictures and antics! I’ll bet the readership would be high. Such a charming little companion. Bet you bless the day she showed up in your yard.

  6. Jan in AZ

    A card for Jennifer will go out Monday a great way to start out 2026! It was good to see Jamie respond a few days ago on the blog, another card recipient. Teresa, your elephant quilt is colorful and cheery. 🙂

  7. Erin

    Love all the pictures and recipes! Thank you for all of them! The sled wall hanging is just wonderful! Everything about it is just perfect for winter/Christmas.
    I’ll get a card off to Mrs. Whipple. We are almost twins.

  8. Carolyn Rector

    Love the cat pictures.
    I don’t understand why Medicaid won’t pay for Jennifer’s therapy. Crazy!!
    That’s my granddaughter’s cat, Gus, watching football after I turned off the bird video. And he decided he wants the dog’s couch after about 8 months of living here!! He is the boss.

  9. Teresa from Maple Ridge, BC

    All the cute cat pictures. I will try to get down to the barn and get some pictures of our four barn cats. I am allergic so if I pet any of our cats I need to wash up really well after or suffer.
    Thanks for posting my quilt picture.
    Just so people know, our quilt guild donates quilts to our local hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit in the hopes that every baby that is born there, receives a quilt. The quilts only need to be 36” x 36”. It is a wonderful program we have. The guild provides members with backing and batting to help keep the cost for the maker down. Each February we have a challenge and members make a quilt based on a theme-this year is water- we usually get 50 quilts or more so can’t wait to see all the quilts next month.

    Has anyone else started working on the dirty dozen quilt for January? My elephant quilt was a ufo from last September so it was very easy to finish.

    1. Suzanne

      Is your elephant quilt Wendy Sheppard’s pattern called “Stomping Ground?” I’ve been wanting to make that one forever. Yours turned out super cute!

  10. JustGail

    I’d think twice about sending Jennifer money to cover therapy. IF she is on Medicaid, there are asset tests, and monetary gifts may cause cuts in those benefits.

    Thanks for the Swedish Puff recipe, perhaps I’ll give it a try when I’m fully back on my feet. Maybe it’s time to get a stand mixer? Mortie in the pan looks like she’s thinking that petting her really needs to take priority over baking. Especially since she doesn’t get to eat any of it. Stay up and plot revenge – too funny!

  11. Deb in Idaho

    Good morning to all, I make cream puffs for Easter every year. So I may try your recipe. I will be sending a card out to Jennifer. I wish I could have a cat but the family is allergic so I stick to dogs. I’m thinking of forcing some daffodils, the winter is so long and dreary we need some happy flowers.
    I’m working on a ufo,just want it done. Have a good day!

  12. Paula in Kansas

    I was so happy to see the first cat picture because that’s my cat, Old Yeller. He was a stray, probably dumped, and we saw him in the neighborhood for a couple of years before my husband said “we need a good mouser.” So he started putting food and water out in the backyard by the gate and here we are, almost 6 years later with our now chubby mouser. He’s spoiled; lives in the garage where he has 3 beds, his cat box, and plenty of food.

  13. Jay

    Your Swedish Puff recipe is identical to the Danish Puff I found in a Betty Crocker cookbook 50 years ago! Whatever we call it, it’s delicious, and can be made gluten free with gluten free flour.
    I, too, love cats and seeing all these cat pictures is lovely. Thanks!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Jay – my grandma made this every Saturday when we went to her house – I never appreciated it as a kid but it’s my favorite now. My grandma was Swedish – I suppose she just changed it to fit her! Ha!

  14. Diane Lange

    How can we send donations for Jennifer to have therapy? I’d be glad to. Could her friend flinders out how much and collect the money. I can’t stand to hear she can’t have the therapy she needs

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Diane – I can email Judy and see but that’s a lot of money, don’t you think? Will her facility even allow it? I’ll find out more

  15. Sandy

    Hi Mary ,love little mortie in the pan, l hope she makes you some ice-cream in the summer ☀️! My brother has just arrived from Australia, we are going out for dinner with my son Andrew and his wife, very windy here today! All the leaves l swept up yesterday are back! Will try and find some photos of our cats tomorrow. Take care everyone ,best wishes from Sandy

  16. Sheryl Harrison

    All the cats are beautiful! And everyone does wonderful photography. Beautiful pictures!
    Hello to Jennifer! I noticed the Mornings With Jesus book on her table. Mom loved that devotion book and always ordered that and a couple other Guidepost books every year.

  17. Angie in Baltimore

    Smudged recipe cards just show it is a loved recipe. When I was in 3rd grade my teacher had us bring in recipes and for Mother’s Day we made a cookbook and the cover was oil cloth. I am 76 and I still have and love it just reading the students names and wondering where are they today?
    Mortise is very photogenic love seeing her antics

  18. Sara in indiana

    Pretty kitties! Sending good wishes to Jennifer. Hope Fluffy Bun comes around eventually (soon) and decides Mortie is a great friend to have.

  19. Christine in AZ

    I love all the cats. I grew up with them but allergies / asthma took over as a young adult so now I admire them from afar.
    I will definitely send a card to Jennifer.
    No rain today but dang was it cold! (A high of 41 … in Phoenix!) I hear all of you laughing but hey – my blood is thin.
    I finally got my fabric for my new year start (civil war snowball quilt) so that makes me happy.
    Have a good weekend everyone!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Christine – I absolutely KNOW how cold 41 degrees must feel to you! Today it was that here today and it felt chilly to me

  20. Dee from Shell Rock

    I love the cat pictures! And yes, I’ll get a card out to Jennifer tomorrow. It would be so awful to just be sitting there. I have no idea how Medicare decides. I was recently in the hospital, they sent a bill to medicare, one big one, then one for 50 cents. Really? And the sled pattern, I hit a thrift shop and found this pattern, all cut out and ready to sew. It’s going to be a donation wall hanging. I’m off to play Hillbilly Bingo tomorrow and then our town is having a potluck. My beef roast goes into the crockpot before I go to bingo.

  21. Cynthia in Minnesota..Ghent near Marshall..…

    Mary, It was a lovely day today for sure! Loved the sunshine! Regarding your recipes, I was able to see only copy #4, the topping, the other three just had question marks in their place! (?)!

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