The Material Girl

Another boring Tuesday. Tomorrow is my last day of work at Dynitech, the merger is final on Thursday and we'll be known as Earnest and Associates. I'm sure the next couple of weeks will be nightmarish.

The quilt postcards continue to come right along. I picked up some index cards at Staples yesterday and made another card last night. I'm thinking about playing around with some paper piecing.

Ugh, must go to bed.

Recovery

Back to work today. Last Friday was my last one off for awhile, so I'm glad I made good use of it. The merger takes effect this Thursday.

My eyes are really burning today. I think it's a combo of sewing all weekend and then staring at the comp screen. Of course, I'd rather be home sewing today, too, but I probably need to show some productivity around here soon. ;)

Yesterday I ended up finishing up the cutting part of a Turning 20's quilt, and managed to get all of the blocks sewn up. I'm kind of at a standstill until I figure out what I'm going to do for a design wall in my new studio. The old ones are still downstairs, and I'm thinking I'd like something different this time. They were 5x5' (I think), and that's not a really good size for me, I need something taller and narrower. I'm thinking about utilizing the closet doors in some way, but then there's the problem of possibly needing something in that closet when I've got blocks all over the doors (and you all know me...that would happen!), so it's all kind of up in the air.

Anyway, the top came together a lot faster than I thought it would. It's probably a one-time only pattern, I don't really see me making lots of these, but they would be quick to do for the Juarez project, which is probably where this one will end up going unless someone else claims it first. The colors are bright yellow, red, blue, green and black. Somehow I ended up with an extra block, but I think I'll probably turn it into a pillow or something. The blocks are huge (16") and I really don't need any extra parts!

I can't remember if I blogged this already, but for those of you who don't know, my Aunt Frannie (mom's friend) fell and broke her shoulder last week, please keep her in your prayers. She may be undergoing surgery for this tomorrow if the dr clears it, and then will have a long road of recovery ahead.

Oh, and we're quilting at church next Saturday (the 3rd), finally! I've really missed that over the last couple of months, and I'm excited to show off my new puzzle quilt, and maybe some postcards :) I need to find some card stock so I can make up some more. Novelty prints are perfect for those, but unfortunately I don't have very many. I think a shopping trip may be in store! (no, say it isn't so! ;) )

Some of you have emailed about the retreat I went on this weekend. It was through a local quilt shop, there were 12 of the most interesting and nicest ladies, and a good time was had by all. We all worked on our own projects for the most part, although there were a couple of different classes. I learned how to make the easiest pillow cases, and that's going to be a new addition to quilt gifts from now on.

Okay, off to order some more machine needles. I used up my last size 70 this weekend. Finally!

Listening to: Socialburn - Everyone
Reading: The book on earthworms, still. They really are interesting!

Oh My, A New Project

I learned something new today and now I can't turn my brain off. (shut up)

I made a fabric postcard, and it was so easy! I have all these ideas now, I need to get them down before I forget them.

One of the ones I made today is a get well soon card for a friend of my mom's. I stitch and flipped bright purples, hot pinks, vibrant yellows and wild orange around a gerbera daisy print. Then I wavy quilted each seam, and zigzagged the edges. I need to scan it so you can all see what I'm talking about, and then get addicted just like me. :P I'm seeing a use for all of those "too big to quilt with" prints in my stash, and I now have more fabrics to shop for! Yay! It's a win-win! Heh.

Anyway, I was thinking that I could use ribbons for embellishments, sequins, buttons, yarn, feathers ((!) this would be really cool for bird prints), the possibilities are endless.

The other one I made today was one I can use for valentine's day next year (okay, I got a little carried, but I found the fat 1/4 and knew right away what I was going to do with it). You might all be getting special cards from me! :)

I also finished up the puzzle quilt today, and it turned out really cute if I do say so myself. I used a lot of hot air balloon prints, with really bright, fun solids. I indicated "missing pieces" of the puzzle with solid black, which sets off the whole quilt and really makes it look like a puzzle. Right now it just has one border, and you all probably know me well enough by now to know that I always like 2 borders, but I think I'm going to leave it the way it is. I think the Linus group is going to love it. :)

Ok, entirely too many :)'s today...sorry. :)

This has been a really restful weekend for me. I don't think I realized how wiped out I was after being so sick for 6 weeks at Christmas. I think another retreat might be in the works for this fall, I can't wait! And I'm still looking forward to going home tomorrow (but not the packing/unpacking, yeesh!) and setting up shop again in the studio. I have fresh ideas, another new project (a 30's turning twenty project that I think is going to go to Juarez eventually) and renewed enthusiasm for my favorite hobby. What more can a girl ask for?

A Quilting We Will Go

So I'm at this quilting retreat, and lo and behold, free wifi! :)

Today was pretty productive, I started and got over halfway through a new Linus Project quilt, it's going to look like a jigsaw puzzle when it's done. I hope to get the top finished tomorrow morning, and then finally get started on the music quilt from last fall's shop hop.

Poor Carl...he's all alone at home this weekend. Well, as alone as he can be with 2 giant dogs and 2 kittens. And left to fend for himself food-wise, too. I was a bad wife and didn't set him up with a chicken pie or anything before I left. How could I? I had to load half the sewing studio into the car! You people would not BELIEVE all the crap I've got with me. I'm sure you've all had a good laugh at my expense today...I ended up bring a giant bag of fat quarters and odds and ends, plus my rotary mat, every ruler I thought I might possibly need (even though I've only used 4 so far), ironing pad, little Clover iron, scissors, pins, you name it, it's in that room. I only hope it all goes back into the car as easily as it did the first time.

Ok, going to watch Failure to Launch and then going to bed. I'm sure I won't be able to sleep, which means I'll be sewing again at 2am. :)

I can't Believe I'm listening to this

Alright, enough with the Panic Channel emails. Please don't judge their entire cd on Crapitol's release of Why Cry. Teahouse of the Spirits is REALLY good, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Planchette series. Just buy it already. *shakes fist* I hope the band can stick it out through the whole StupidNova tour, and get on with things.

Anyway, I got turned on to a new (to me, anyway, for all I know the rest of you have been holding out on me!) group today...Shitdisco. Yep. For real. I was looking up the release date of the Klaxons debut (March 12!) and found a blurb that said they were equally good. That remains to be seen, but so far they're not bad. :) See? This is what happens when you keep an open mind. LOL I was totally expecting something else. I'm sure you can all imagine! I'm digging their I Know Kung Fu right now...it makes me want to get up and dance around like a monkey, can't help it!

Anyway, I'm sure you're all industrious enough to find the Klaxons disc right now if you want to...I'd recommend it. So far it's pretty impressive. Unless Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins or Arctic Monkeys have astonishingly good records this year, this could be album of the year.

It's Friday eve for me, folks!

By the Way

I'm in Southern Illinois. It snowed all the way here this morning, and it's still flurrying a little bit. I'm. So. Sick. Of. Snow.

Anyway, we shopped a little in Marion and Carbondale, and then Marion some more. That's about it.

I need a nap. I stayed up last night to finish Scar Tissue (Anthony Kiedis biography) and then couldn't sleep for thinking about it. Still digesting it, I'll probably read it again before it goes back to the library. Definitely more interesting than the worm book I'm also reading. One thing that struck me while I was reading it is that all of the people he doped with are still probably in that life if they're still around at all. I felt really sorry for them, I mean, we all know his life turns out alright in the end, but what about the rest of them? He had a lot of support to get well, people checking up on him, etc., which I think is something they seem to be missing. Anyway, just a random thought.

Ok, time for the nap.

True Men Don't Kill Coyotes

Ugh. I'm off today, it's a good thing. A pack of coyotes was having a heyday in our neighborhood last night. They woke me up around midnight and carried on for an hour. Normally this would not be such a problem, but it took me forever to get to sleep because I was listening to The Panic Channel (seriously, really good...run out and get ONe RIGHT NOW!). Dave Navarro is a genius. I can't help it. I still have a dream that JA will reform for one concert at a location I can get to within a day. Ha!

Anyway, it sounded like this pack of coyotes had ahold of somebody's puppy, it was carrying on so. I know there is at least one guy out here who has dogs outside, I hope it wasn't one of them. :( Anybody who could leave their dogs out on a night like last night needs to have their head examined, we set a record low, -11. Today's windchills are to range from -15 to -30. I have to get out to go to the Babylock dealer at some point, not looking forward to it.

I'm going to quilt the latest Juarez quilt today, I think I've picked a pattern, but it'll be free motion, so it could change up some. Ok, gotta get busy

Don't Try This at Home

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. Blech.

The Russian and I hit an auction in Glenarm for all of 10 minutes and then went to dinner.

Enough of you have emailed me about the voicemail we got the other day that I've considered posting the contents of it. However, it's really not appropriate, so if you really (really) want to know, I'll email it. For the rest of you who are just curious, I'll say he gave us some good ideas of how to waste time in a snowstorm.

Have any of you locals seen this?
Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for
the Springfield market:

"Chatham Barbie"

This princess Barbie is sold only at White Oaks Mall. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

"Rochester Barbie"

The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

"Jerome Barbie"

This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife,a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills), unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.

"Panther Creek Barbie"

This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

"Lovington Barbie "

This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

"Virden Barbie "

This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Jerome Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

" Southern View Barbie"

This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Southern View Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

" East Side Barbie"

This 16 year old Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED, bus pass and Link Card. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

" Downtown Springfield Barbie/Ken "

This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

Somebody wake me when it's spring

12" of snow, 5' drifts, 45 mph winds. That was yesterday.
Today it's 13, feels like 0 and we still have 12" of snow with 5' drifts.
It's pretty, but I really wish it would melt quickly.

I finished up the Juarez quilt top last night, I'll probably quilt it Friday. I found the sashing fabric and the instructions for the 2nd botm quilt from last year, the batik. It'll probably end up going to the Linus project, I really don't have any use for a psychedelic batik quilt. If I hurry and finish the top tonight and tomorrow night I can quilt it Friday too, maybe.

Had a very amusing voicemail last night from someone in Florida (he had the wrong number). C and I were cracking up for the rest of the night, I think we'll have to save it for posterity. He finally called the number back to let them know they had the wrong number, and it was some chick's husband's friend who called (we think). Anyway, thanks for the entertainment, whoever you are!

Snow (Hey Oh)

Yep. We got it, varying amounts overnight, average seems to be about 6" so far with another 8 possible today. So the Big Jeep got to go to work today, made it fine. Had an interesting time coming down the street my office is on, no plows had been through and the drifts were pretty high. Nobody else is here yet, I'm wondering if we're closed now. LOL

Supposedly the hardest hit areas are supposed to be along the I-72 corridor, which if I look right outside my office window, is what I see. Not much traffic out there today.

I got sidetracked last night and didn't finish off the 9-patch for Juarez, but I should still be able to finish it up by Friday, easy.

Just Wasting Time

Ahem. We have an announcement. There's a new addition in our family this week, I ended up bringing home a Babylock Imagine serger Friday. So far it's a real dream, works great. I finished the 50 scarves with a little help from the Russian, and we turned them in yesterday morning. Finally!

I'm working on finishing up a twin-size quilt I picked up at auction last year. Actually, I got enough blocks for a king, but twins work best for the quilts we give away so I split the blocks in half. It's just a nine-patch, but the blocks were all hand pieced. I am, of course, machine piecing the sashing...I do not have the time nor the patience for hand-quilting, let alone hand-piecing. I'm planning on having the top finished by Friday so I can put it on the frame and attack it with the Juki.

I'm wondering exactly when it is that MTV plays videos. I finally picked up Stadium Arcadium this weekend. Favorite track so far is the title with Charlie (from Jupiter) a close 2nd. Korn and Amy Lee are performing together on Elite 8...I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think I liked them better separate.

Anyway, it's snowing now. Before that it sleeted for a couple of hours, so I'm sure tomorrow's trip to work will be interesting at least. Total accumulation is forecasted to be somewhere between 8 and 12", which means we'll probably get 1.5 if Guessin' Gus's streak continues.

Welp, the Russian is doing laundry, I should go do something productive, except the Cure's festival 2005 is on. Hrm. Must. Not. Get. Sucked. In.

The Friday Digest

So much for a day off to work on scarves. I got home with my newly serviced serger last night and promptly figured out that it is not fixed. In fact, I have all new problems now. The upper knife won't stay in place, and when it does, it doesn't actually cut anything. So I have about 4 scarves that look terrible and another 48 or so that aren't any further along than they were 2 weeks ago when I took the machine in for servicing. Color me, Not Happy.

So I'm at Panera this morning borrowing their high speed connection to do some serger research and figure out what I'm going to buy today. Most definitely NOT a Viking. I don't have anything against Viking machines (Obviously...I have a D1), but the dealer is starting to be a pain, and with no in-house tech I'm wondering what I'll do if and when something happens to my computerized machine. I certainly don't have time to have something worked on and then have to wait another month for the next troubleshooting party. Anyway, enough about that. My blood pressure is going up. ;)

I did get the blocks of the month caught up to December last night. I'm going to swing by Calico Hearts this morning to pick up the January blocks and ask if we can have the February blocks during our retreat (they normally come out the last Wednesday of the month).

People-watching at Panera is kind of fun. At this hour of the day you have the old guys who meet with their coffee-klatsch, the rushed worker bees grabbing bagels for their office, and people like me. That's pretty much it, even though I'm not sure who else in here got up early on their day off to research sergers. There's a guy one table over who brought his oatmeal from home. I didn't know you could do that here, never thought of it. Not that I'm a huge oatmeal fan, anyway. And since I was here last, they've installed a fireplace, 4-sided, which is really nice.

Tomorrow we're going to St Louis, I'm probably just going shopping while the Russian does his thing at the woodworkers show, unless there's some fabulous tool I'm supposed to look at (as if I'd know what I was looking at!).

And the big news of the day yesterday: Vicki Lynne Hogan Marshall is dead, aka Anna Nicole Smith. I'm sure most of you will find this rather amusing, but the Russian and I used to watch her show on ET when it was on. I'm wondering if it will go to syndication now. I kind of hope not, those really weren't her better days. Our favorite character was Bobby "LuxURious" Trendy, her decorator. LOL I had forgotten about him until this, he would show up with the craziest materials for her house, and then be a complete jerk about EVERYthing. Still kinda sad that she died, she had a pretty rough life, but by choice, not circumstance. I saw an interview with her mother this morning on GMA (which, btw, I was kind of surprised to see...I figured she wouldn't talk for a week, at least), it was interesting. Not quite the small town girl she always led everyone to believe she was. I didn't realize she was from Houston, and the last time I was living there, it was anything but a small town. Anyway...RIP ACS

Snow Monday, in accumulating amounts this time. Better than getting it tomorrow, for sure. I'll probably hit Penzeys tomorrow, C&B, REI and Whole Foods, at least. I'm undecided on whether or not I'm going to the Galleria, but I might try to hit up a yarn shop if I can find a good one.

That's all, folks!

My work email address is changing, mail me if you need it.

Found out today I can still do discrete math. I can even explain it to someone who doesn't know it.

I wish Microsoft had a Sudoku game like Freecell, with numbered games all the way to a billion. I would be so fired for lack of productivity.

I'm still undecided on the trip to BJ's Friday. At this point I'm thinking I'll skip it, we're going to St Louis this weekend, and I really don't need anything, anyway.

This post was brought to you by the letters E and Q, and the number 4.

Fabric (what else?)

I ended up working some more in the studio closet last night. I'm starting to think I have more fabric than will fit in that area. This does not bode well for future shopping trips. I really don't want to have to go back to my *ahem* alternative storage measures.

It has been brought to my attention that Walmart is eliminating most of their fabric departments this year. I have mixed emotions about this. I don't buy fabric at Walmart, because I try not to shop there at all. I support my local shops every chance I get (especially local fabric and yarn shops! And I'm certain that I'm a huge reason why they are all thriving!). :) Anyway, I realize that for some people Walmart may be the only option they have to purchase fabric. And even that thought leaves me with mixed emotions...if those people had supported their local shops, they wouldn't be left with substandard Walmart fabric in the first place. There. Somebody had to say it. However, the Russian and I were at our local Walmart a couple of weeks ago for one reason or another, and I happened to make a point of asking the lady in the fabric department if they were losing theirs, and she said that not all stores are losing their fabric, and she happened to know that that particular store was keeping theirs. (This is the superstore on Dirksen) So, if Walmart is your only option, don't lose immediate hope, but do see if you can find a local shop somewhere to support. You might have to drive farther, but I guarantee the quality you find will be a LOT better than what you were getting at Walmart. I'd rather pay $9 a yard for good quality stuff than $2 for crap that won't last through the 3rd washing. BTDT.

Anyway, off the soapbox! I've started on the red/black quilt, last night I managed to stitch the Thangles, and tore off one set. I have 3 blocks to finish up by Friday when I take them to Calico Hearts to pick up the 4th. I kind of like that they require you to finish blocks before you can get the next set, it keeps me motivated. =) Otherwise, I'd been one of those people who would collect the whole set and not get the thing put together for another 6 months or a year. I'm getting excited about finishing up the closet, the Russian installed shelves in half of it, so I have little plastic (open!) bins on that side, and the bigger (clear) rubbermaid type bins on the other side. I got a labelmaker and have been a label-making fiend recently, so everything is marked.

Friday is going to be Fleece Scarf Day at our house. I have 52 scarves or so to finish up once I get my serger back tomorrow, and I intend to be DONE with them by the end of the day. So help me, if that serger breaks again in the middle of sewing, I'm walking it down to the lake for a "float test". ;)

Merger issues seem to be going smoothly, we had a big meeting yesterday and then individual ones. I still don't know who my new boss will be. I doubt if they'll be as cool as my current one, tho. :( We'll see.

I found the box of 4.5" quilt squares last night, I am more determined now than ever to make a Sudoku quilt. Stay tuned!

The Studio

I finally got around to making a page for the sewing studio tonight.

The Sewing Studio (please be gentle)

The Russian has a woodworking meeting tonight. I went to check on my serger today, but due to weather it's not going to be back until Thursday. I'm having serious withdrawal issues. :( I can think of so many projects I want to start with it! I need new pajamas! I want a new jacket! I found the perfect piece of silk last night in my stash! Somebody talk me out of buying a new serger just for the coverstitch, ok? I don't want to buy a separate machine, but I keep thinking of all the things I could do with one. Maybe I'll go cut out some more hats. Wait, I need the serger for those, too. :( woe is me.

Snow today, just a couple of inches, if that. However, we had a lot of pileups on the interstate, including one RIGHT OUTSIDE MY OFFICE WINDOW! A car flipped over onto its side...and was extremely fortunate to not slide down the 50' hill next to the road. There's a railroad that runs underneath that section of highway, could have been a really nasty ending. I think next week we're supposed to be back in the 30's. Yay! This below zero crap has got to go.

I'm off Friday, planning on finishing up the rest of the scarves, presuming I get my serger back Thursday. B&J in Champaign is going out of business, I was going to make the trip but then I remembered that that's the shop in that little mall downtown? (is that right? If I'm wrong somebody mail me) Anyway, I went there once for a shop hop and wasn't terribly impressed, so I'll probably skip it. And I really have no other reason to go to Champaign. Might as well stay home and sew. Saturday we'll be in St Louis for the Russian's woodworking show. He tells me we're bringing home a fence, but I don't think it's for the dogs. ;)

It's Official

Well, I can announce it now for everyone to know, I guess. Dynitech is merging with a company called Earnest & Associates off the east coast. We'll be one of 7 branch offices, headquarters are in Baltimore. I think it's effective March 1.

My house is clean! My house is clean! :) I even did a water change on the salt tank, but it needs another one. Didn't see Kelly last night but I think he's still in there. Still shopping for new livestock. I haven't narrowed it down at all.

Big news in Springpatch this week: Amanda Hamm (the mother who "watched" her boyfriend drown her 3 children over in Clinton) was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but will serve 14 months (in addition to the 3 she's spent since her arrest) in prison. Her children drowned in 4.5' of water when her boyfriend rolled the car into the lake, and she didn't even try to save them...she was too busy talking on a cellphone. That's all I got to say about that.

I am hopelessly addicted to sudoku. I bought a book of them, but they're too easy (and I mean they're REALLY easy). My pda has a game of it, but it writes its own puzzles and frankly they're not very difficult, either. My mom gave me a desk calendar for Christmas that's about right. The week starts off easy and the puzzles get progressively harder with Saturday being the hard level. Anybody have a good pda version that has different levels?

Warm Up America Sunday is this weekend during the superbowl. DIY is running a Knitty Gritty marathon from 5-11 est, I'll probably knit up a square or two while it's on. Check with your local yarn shop to see if they accept squares for joining. They're really easy, you can even garter stitch them (7"x9" total), and it's for a great cause. If I'm not knitting, I'll be quilting. I need to get a scarf finished that I've ripped out twice and restarted, and I have another covert project still on sticks that needs to Just Be Finished.

Wind chill today: 0.

I'm bringing a heater back to work after lunch today. This is ridiculous.

My mother lands in Springtucky tomorrow night and will probably beat me to my house. We're going to a Beth Moore study this weekend, at least it's within a mile of my house. The temperatures just keep dropping.

Speaking of dropping, my level of respect for Steve Martin as an actor took a real nosedive last night. I got Shopgirl from the library (thank goodness I didn't pay anything to rent it!). This is probably the 2nd worst movie ever (second only to the Ladykillers). I don't know if it's just his fantasy life, or if he really did have an affair with someone less than half his age, but the whole thing was just wrong. The movie is based on a novella SM wrote, and I understand it's probably just as bad, but I'll never know for sure, because there is NO way I am wasting anymore time on it. As it is, I think SM needs to come over to my house and clean bathrooms so I can at least get the time back from watching that drivel. Bleh. Flat characters, boring storyline, horrid lighting. Horrible.

In other news, I finished another block of the month on the blue/yellow quilt. I'm thinking about changing the borders and sashing, but I'm not sure what I'd use that would be any better. The whole thing is blue, yellow and white. I could do blue and white sashing with blue borders, maybe. BTW, I still hate Thangles. I'm using the 3" ones for this, and they seem even harder to remove. No more Thangles. I don't care if it's the last project available, I'm not using them.

Wow, that's a lot of negativity for one day, huh?
Let's see.

I still love my Dyson. I'm REALLY loving the new sewing room, I'm just about to the point where I have everything in its place. The Russian is going to make a new ruler holder that will hang on the wall. Kenny and Vic are the SR mascots, they're either pulling thread all over the room or knocking stuff off of tables. They have 2 little baskets to sleep in, but both prefer to sleep in the same one, usually with Fat Kenny on top of Vic. I'm afraid that Vic will one day suffocate under the girth and mass of Fat Kenny. Can't remember if I posted about it or not, but we went to Three Dogs Bakery the last time we were in Peoria. I picked up some biscotti for the dogs, which has gone over really well. The cats got Alaskan Salmon (dehyrdrated). This stuff is like crack for kittens! The guy warned me that they might not like it until I rehydrated it, but it's not necessary; they go nuts for it. If you don't mind paying a little extra for human grade food for your pets, give it a try. :)