Daring Little Darla

Darla climbs to the tippy-top of their tower and takes in the view.

A Little More Luigi

Luigi's long gone,, but I still had a few more pics of this dashing young lad to share with you...

Sunday Stretch

Ears back... paws forward... booty up... and streeeeeetch.

Now repeat.

Looks Can be Deceiving

I'm not grumpy, I'm not serious, I'm not stoic. My chin just makes me look that way.


Spend a second with me and you'll see I'm actually a sugary sweet, boisterous little boy.

Just thought I needed to clarify that. Looks can be deceiving. Thank you.

Love, Olly.

Spreading the Word...

I know that their story had been bouncing around the cat bloggin' world, but just in case you haven't heard, there's a very special bunch of kittens over at Love and Hisses who can use your help...

Please pay them a visit here.... Thanks!

THIS JUST IN... thanks to all the kitty-lovin' folks out there in the world, they've raised the necessary funds for the Love and Hisses babes... Still,, I encourage you to visit the site and read their story.

All Together Now

From left to right:
Olly, Arthur, Darla and Benny Musselman.

Sleeping Sitting Up

These kittens are funny. They bounce around, and when they get tired, instead of pulling themselves away from the action and climbing into bed, they just stop and sit on the sidelines. Their eyelids get heavy, their shoulders start to slump, and the next thing you know, they're sleeping sitting up.

I've seen kittens do this before, but I've never seen an entire litter with this particular napping habit. I have to say, it's pretty entertaining watching these little bobble-heads nap in this position.

Half a Nap

Luigi and the Bean

We had a little visitor the other night, Mr Luigi Fortunato! When we came home with him, Butterbean was waiting in the window. I unzipped the carrier, and out he pounced. Charlene jumped off the window ledge and onto the floor, right next to the boy. He purred and purred and circled around her.

Charlene rarely plays favorites with the kittens, but of all the Fortunato kittens, Luigi was probably the one who received the most attention from Charlene. Mostly, because he was the one most willing to receive.

They spent the evening bouncing around the house. They chased each other up the stairs and down the stairs again and again. There was a lot of wresting on the living room rug, and of course, lots of pinning and licking. It was a joyous reunion.

Luigie has grown so much since he left our nest. He's very lanky and his tail is SUPER long. His baby face is looking a little pointier and his whiskers are starting to darken. Though his looks are shifting, what remains the same is his sweet little demeanor. He purred almost the whole time he was here.

Arthur's Got His Paw on my Pa

Perhaps you recall, my dad is sort of a kitten magnet. Click here to see for yourself.

Adorable Arthur Musselman

I'd like to introduce the fourth and final kitten in this kindle. Please say hello to our lovely little lilac point, Mr Arthur Musselman!

The Musselman Twins!!

You've already met Olly Musselman (on the right) but he's got a twin! Meet the only girl in our group... Darla Musselman!

They're not quite identical, but their markings are very similar. Darla is a tad floofier and has more white on her chest. Olly has more white on his chin, which makes him look grumpy, but I assure you he's not. They both have one long, white eyebrow whisker. If you're facing them, Olly's points left, and Darla's points right. They're both wearing the daintiest pair of gloves on their front paws.


Even though they are so similar, Darla definitely looks like a little girl.

Another Musselman Man

When the new kittens arrived, I contacted Christine, our naming rights contest winner, and shared with her a picture of "her" kitten.

She promised to give it some good thought and would contact me as soon as she made up her mind. Later that afternoon, emailed me with her selection.

This handsome fluffxedo boy has officially been named Olly Musselman! AND it suits him perfectly!! Thank you Christine!! Nice work!!

The First of the Musselman Men

Hello, I'm Benny. Benny Musselman.

Beanie Baby

Here's little baby Baby Butterbean all tucked into a stocking cap/ sleeping bag, asleep in Craig's arms. She's was just six weeks old when this photo was taken.

Small Fortunatos

This shot was taken shortly after the Fortunatos moved in. They're such tiny little waifs in this picture. It took some time, but they all fattened up and they left our nest with robust bellies.

That Girl Gets Around!!

Just in case you didn't know already ...

You can follow Charlene on Twitter.

You can be her Facebook friend, just search for "Charlene Butterbean", and add her. She'll friend you right back.

And you can be a Facebook Fan, by joining this group.

I'm Sorry.. We're Just Too Sleepy

I was hoping for one last group shot before everyone left the nest. The were all too sleepy (or too busy making biscuits) to cooperate for the camera.

Dominick Has a Reflective Moment

to see another IBK caught in a reflective moment,,, click here.

First Glance at the Fortunatos

This picture was taken in the HS foster room on the day I met the Fortunatos. I had just loaded them into their carrier and they were waiting patiently while we did the paperwork.

This picture makes me itch for more kittens.

We're first in line for another batch. Kitten season is still going strong, so it shouldn't be toooo long.

Until then,, I still have a bunch of Fortunato pics to share with you....

Such a Serious Little Seal Point

and such a sleepy little Seal Point

Butterbean and the Boys

First Day, Last Day

The picture on the left was taken on the day Dominick and his siblings moved in. The one on the right is from the day he left.

He transformed from a baby-faced boy, into a sleek, handsome young man.

Bye-Bye Brothers... Farewell Fortunatos..

Leanne, who's a dear friend of my dear friend, came down to meet the boys last Saturday. She has a pair of seven year old kitty siblings, and had been giving serious thought into bringing a new little kitten into the mix.

When she met the pair she fell in love. She knew she wanted one for sure,,, and maybe the other too. She just needed to sleep on it first.

After a good night's rest and much thought she called and said she that two kitties would be much better than one. I agreed wholeheartedly, and of course, so did Dominick and Luigi!

Yesterday she came and picked up the precious pair. I think her only regret will be not taking them home with her last Saturday! They belong together,, and they belong with Leanne!