Hi pies 
Did you have a happy Wednesday?! I love Wednesday. No class. LOVE!
This morning I woke up at 4:30, obvs. 
I don’t know why!
After a few hours of reading and pitter pattering around the house I went for one of the illest combos to date:
That baby was harsh and totally smarted on the way down. My eyes were watering and I shivered and everything! But I liked it! Is that weird?
Analogous to taking tequila shots, kinda!
I packed some necessities to graze on between work duties.
For dinner, I went all kinds of craze and made cauliflower mashed potatoes using this little bag o’ stank.
I steamed the bag, then added some flavor based on Katie’s recipe (thanks bonita!).
I liked them! The texture was amaze! Smelled like ass in the kitch.
And just like every other night this week, I had a v. large salad
Contained:
- green beans
- celery
- tofurkey
- fake vegan cheese
- red pepper
- homemade balsamic dressing
- nooch
- dill pickle relish
So bomb!
Unrelated: Rob and I are so conflicted over what to do about our sweet little kitty friend.
Henry and Annie are very interested in her. We leave the windows open all day and some of the blinds pulled up so they can interact.
We love her so much and want her to be a part of our family, but it brings me to tears (like, tears are running down my freakin’ face right now!) to think about what would happen if it didn’t work out!
Le sigh. I can’t get into it.
If you’re a person with pets that has adopted another into an already-established pet family, I’d love to hear about it. Can you share a little of your experience with me?
I’ll be back tomorrow with a post about my fave Target purchases as of late! Talk to you then sweet peas Love love.
P.S. You know I’m eating some tofu pudding (Caroline calls this tofudding – she is so clevers!) once I publish this.
Posted by lindsey on November 12, 2009 at 12:35 am
you are so sweet to be conflicted over the stray keekee… I am with ya! Sadly my mr. cat doesn’t enjoy the company of any animals, but I’d just test it out! OR take that cat to the vet and see if it has a micro chip and if it belongs to someone!
if the kitty is homeless (or tagless) test out the companionship and check for claws and such! If there’s not a lot of hateful hissing, I think it could work! =) Good luck!
Posted by peaceandpeanutbutter on November 12, 2009 at 12:51 am
Awww thinking of you and your kitten. Maybe you can try to bring her in, and see what happens? It’s worth a try!
Beautiful ensaladaaaa Erin! As usual
Posted by Mama Pea on November 12, 2009 at 1:51 am
Can you guys just leave food for her outside and not bring her in? We had outdoor cats growing up and now just have the one indoor cat.
Posted by Amber on November 12, 2009 at 4:04 am
I’ve commented about this before when you were talking about it, maybe you remember. Anyway… the short version of my story goes somethin like this: I had 2 indoor, declawed cats. There was a stray cat always around the ‘hood, and it was like negetive 30 degrees one night and I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I brought her in and locked her in the bathroom, away from my cats. When I decided I wanted to keep her (which took approx 45 seconds), I brought her to vet to get her tested for any kitty-diseases, so she wouldn’t infect my cats if she had anything. All was well and good, so I introduced her to my cats and this part is important— They didn’t get along at first. Most cats are like this when first introduced, it takes them anywhere from a few days to a few months to be comfy with each other. But it almost always works out.
OK so this isn’t a very short version.
The stray I took in does have her claws and she only took a few swats at my cats, and they learned quickly that she had claws. Even when she made contact with one, it was only a tiny scratch on his nose, no biggie.
Now they are all lover-buddies and sleep together, eat together, play together.
Something to consider since it’s a very similar situation as yours. I hope you take her in! Animal rescue is the best feeling ever.
Posted by Erica on November 12, 2009 at 4:35 am
Your dinner looks so yummy. I want to make mashed cauli for din din now! I know a lot of people have had very good experiences bringing new pets into a home where pets already exist. There is lots of info about it online. Frank seemed to be fine when we tried to bring the new dog into the house (too bad she took a bite out of Josh
). Enjoy your Thursday gf
Posted by Shannon on November 12, 2009 at 5:39 am
oooh, i don’t have any experience with new pets, we went one at a time :/ good luck! you haven’t named your new tab yet!!
Posted by Chocolate-Covered Katie on November 12, 2009 at 6:09 am
Awww, YOU are the bonita!! Made me so so happy
I would love to adopt another pup, but I don’t think my grouchy old lady pup, Molly, would be too happy ’bout it.
Love you, babe!
Posted by ksgoodeats on November 12, 2009 at 6:10 am
When I was little we “rescued” a cat. He was a stray but kept hanging around our house. Everything was fine with him – he was kind of crazy but he got along with our dogs (we didn’t have another cat). Good luck with whatever you guys choose to do!
Posted by Shelby on November 12, 2009 at 6:11 am
Mmm, love cauliflower mash!
Posted by verbalriot on November 12, 2009 at 6:17 am
My mom loves cauliflower like nothing else in the world…my dad loves mashed potatoes…maybe I can get them to meet in the middle with this
Aawww, I would get kitty! My roommate has 2 cats, 2 dogs and 2 birds at home, all coming into the house at different times. And NOW, she’s going to bring the cat we have here home with her too…so far, all her pets are getting along fine!
Posted by MelissaNibbles on November 12, 2009 at 6:48 am
If you’re serious about keeping the cat, you’ll want to introduce it slowly. Start by leaving food out then letting the other cats eat with her/him. See how they interact for a few days and then let it come inside and see how it goes from there.
Posted by Kelsey on November 12, 2009 at 7:10 am
my mom found a weimeraner running around our street late at night and, without telling my dad who was in Germany (of all places!) on a business trip, took her home. My family has 3 cats and a pug, so this was a lot of pet already, but nothing crazy happened. I think the initial introductions are tense and a bit hesitant, but with time everyone takes a liking for one another!
Posted by rebecca lustig on November 12, 2009 at 7:13 am
Ooh good morning lovely lady! I’m glad I just came across your blog– it’s fabulous, and so are you!
Your insightful and entertaining post brought a smile to my face and motivated me to come up with a clever and delectable dinner tonight.
Have a terrific day, I look forward to reading your next post!
with love,
rebecca
http://fromheretothereinpurple.blogspot.com
Posted by Jenny on November 12, 2009 at 7:16 am
green is the new black, after all.
unfotunately I’ve never had a pet [ unless you call goldie, the goldfish I won at a fair when I was 5 and died before we got her home, a pet ] but I am so sorry to hear about the heart-wrenching decision you have to make for your precious
hopefully the other bloggies can offer better advice than I.
I love you lots though! does that help!?
Posted by Andrea (Off Her Cork) on November 12, 2009 at 7:24 am
Awww kittie friend! I totally understand your situation.
Love tofu pudding! That’s how I make my vegan chocolate pudding and it’s heaven. In fact I haven’t had any for such a long while. Hrmm…..
Posted by Brandi on November 12, 2009 at 7:41 am
we only have one cat right now, but we really want a puppy – I’m not sure how our cat will deal with it!!! she is not really good with other animals, but maybe it would be different if it was one in our house?
Posted by Katie on November 12, 2009 at 7:56 am
I do love green. That looks like one strooooong drink. Burns a lot I me thinks.
I think you should try. My dog is dog aggressive and we added a new puppy a couple years ago and they adjusted. She still doesn’t LOVE the new one, but she likes her OK. It’s just the grandma/young pup thing going on.
Give it a try… Can’t hurt right and they may LOVE their sister.
Posted by kbwood on November 12, 2009 at 8:05 am
i havent jumped on the juice bandwagon.. i always see it on your blog though! i need to try it. that salad looks awesome! ive basically lived off salads this week too..good luck with your cat!
Posted by Laura on November 12, 2009 at 9:20 am
Hi! Love reading your blog. I thought I’d comment on the kitty-friend front. When my boyfriend and I moved in together our kitties HATED, HATED, HATED each other. We used the Feliway plug-in, and it took a few weeks but the kitties tolerate each other enough now to sleep on the bed together
. Honestly not sure if it was the plug-in or just time that helped them, but they are much more friendly/tolerant of each other! When my sister moved in and brought her cat, we had the same sort of aggressive behavior for about a week before all 3 kitties got along or at least remained neutral.
Posted by Shelly on November 12, 2009 at 10:10 am
I’m going through this right now. We have a bit of a colony of outside cats that we feed because we are soft-hearted like that. Well, 2 were hit by cars, resulting in broken legs, about a week ago (and a few days apart). My neighbor adopted one and had his leg fixed and we’ve taken in the other. Of course, we have 2 miniature schnauzers who like cats, and one cat who doesn’t! Currently the new little kitty, Pancake, is living in the bathroom because he has a pin in his leg and doesn’t need to deal with our giant unfriendly cat, Homer. Homer has heard the cat meowing and must be able to smell him, but he’s pretending like nothing is wrong. I think he’s in denial. But I’m hoping eventually the cats will meet and get along because I haven’t been able to find a home for Pancake and I love him!
Posted by elise on November 12, 2009 at 10:58 am
yum yum. cauli mash – i want!! we have house guests right now though, so im trying to keep kitchen stank to the min. kinda hard, ya know?
dude, you are my hero bc even i gagged a bit just READING about your AM green juice. wowzah.
Posted by Evan Thomas on November 12, 2009 at 11:05 am
Mashed cauliflower sounds awesome! I’m thinking of asking for it to be at Thanksgiving. I’d love to try it out
Posted by Stacy (Eating To Live Love Laugh Tri) on November 12, 2009 at 11:36 am
I tried to mash cauliflower one time and it was an epic failure. It looked and smelled like dirty white farts…it was disgusting!
I am so glad that yours turned out better!
Posted by Krista on November 12, 2009 at 12:49 pm
My 2 older boys were 12 & 6 when I brought Pepper home last Christmas. It took about a month before everyone was happy, but there really were no huge issues. We introduced the kitten gradually to give the older boys some time to get used to him. It sounds like Henry & Annie kinda already know this kittie, though!
Posted by Kate on November 12, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Hi Erin,
You always make me laugh. Thanks.
I read a hint from dear ‘ol Heloise about cooking stinky veggies. Add a tablespoon or so of vinegar when you cook them and it really cuts down on the feet smell.
Good day!
kate
Posted by Menden on November 12, 2009 at 1:56 pm
This time last year I took in a kitten that had been abandoned. I was really worried about how my dog would react…she’s always been absolutely fine around cats, but she’s also been the center of my attention for about 9 years now. Plus, the kitten was old enough that she really wasn’t much of a baby any more, and I was worried about how she’d be around the dog.
Long story short – we introduced them to each other slowly, and patiently…and now they’re best buds. I even catch them snuggling together every once in a while
I’m sure it may be a different scenario with cats than with dogs, but if your heart is telling you to consider taking the kitty into your home, I say give it a try!
Posted by Megan on November 12, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hi, Erin:
My cat Gracie was 2 years old when we adopted our other cat, Piper. At first she HATED her…anytime Piper would come around, Gracie would hiss and growl, then run under the bed. So, Piper was kept in another room for a few days, and I’d open the door while I was home so they could get to know each other on their terms…I never forced Gracie to be around her. I also got two litter boxes initially so Gracie didn’t feel like Piper was getting too much into her territory. They eventually warmed up to each other, and now they are the best of friends! Best of luck with the new addition if you decide to keep the cat!
Posted by Heather Eats Almond Butter on November 12, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Our kitchen stinks 24/7 between nightly Brussels sprout roasting and CD’s rekindled love for bacon. Basically smells like someone sh*t a Waffle House.
Poor kitty friend. That picture with the blinds pulled up broke my heart.
We currently have 2 pups, and CD wants a 3rd, but I have your same fears. Plus, there is no way I can take 3 dogs on a walk!
Posted by Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) on November 14, 2009 at 1:51 pm
The experts all say that you should introduce pets to newbies very slowly. Like thru a door or window as you’re doing. And that it can take weeks if not months for them to connect. Hang in there!
Posted by Marianne on November 14, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I call it the tofudding as well
We’ve brought pets into established pet homes before. Generally, they get used to it. Sienna and Wilson are still working things out (aka – they still want to kill each other), but we can leave them roaming the house by themselves now when we aren’t home, which is good. I think generally, if we aren’t there, they sleep all day. It takes some time, but they sort out their pecking order.
Posted by Dani on November 30, 2009 at 4:32 am
Hello,
I haven’t posted on anyone’s blog before but when I stumbled across yours and saw your kitty dilemma I thought I would post
I have rescued a cat. I already had a cat and two small dogs. The family living next door from me moved and left the cat behind to fend for himself. He used to come into my backyard and cry.
I couldn’t turn my back on him so I took him in. At first my other pets were a little unsure but now they all get along. The cats have formed a bond and often sleep together and clean each other.
I would love for you to take the cat in, it might take some adjusting but I think it would be worth it to see one more happy kitty
Dani