This certainly is a surprised chook but no this is not the surprise –
This is the surprise! But in a way no surprise at all. 
The Matriarch walked into a wild scene at the hairdressers yesterday, they were all excited because a stray kitten had wandered into the salon, walked down the back and was sleeping on their couch. Everyone wanted to keep him but no-one really could.
My mother in law looked him over, pronounced him worthy then tucked him under her arm and brought him out to the farm. Problem solved. 
His real name has not yet been discovered but he seems to answer to Little Puss. I am not a real cat person, I just hate mice but Our John and The Tall Teen are smitten.
Good morning I hope all is well with you. I have my second-to-last tomato sauce in the crock pot and then I will make as much sweet thai chilli cauce as I can. That should about clear the frozen gardens of anything worth preserving. The wine is doing what it is meant to be doing and there are green tomatoes lining the benches in the cellar.
Now for my other surprise. This year I am going to participate in Nanowrimo. This will last a month. During that month I will write a short book as at the end of the month I have to present a book containing 50,000 decent words. This is under 2000 words a day.
I have been practicing each day, to see if I can fit it into my day, and writing flash-in-the-pan fiction with 2000 legible lightly edited words takes me just over an hour and a half.
This fits very well into my schedule as it is set up now. I will be replace my short story writing period from 1 – 3 with this writing challenge. (My short story for Writers Digest is in it’s final draft). Have no fear Nanowrimo will not affect my daily blog. I can do both, and the farming and the house and the family. This is the quiet time of year.
So how about that for another surprise. This is part of my training to be a proper writer. It will force me to pound the keys for two hours or at least two thousand words a day. Until November 1st I shall work on the planning. Life is full of exciting challenges. Are any of you doing the challenge? Quite a few of you gave me a good nudge on this one so I suspect I will not be alone.
Now you all have a lovely day.
celi
On this day a year ago. parmesan crackers
The Kitchen's Garden 
72 responses to “A little Surprise, then Another one…”
Little Puss looks like he is settling in nicely, so much to explore no doubt:)
Lobe the kitten! All personality! Considered NaNoWriMo last year and foolish fear stopped me…like they would lock me away if no one liked it! So if you my hero are going to do it..I shall also!!! YAY!
So much excitement at the Farmy!! A new sweetest kitten (will you take a photo of Puss.. in your Farm Boots for me? Hee hee, bad humor this morning, what can I say, it’s snowing so I have to keep trying to laugh:) I’m sooo excited for your new writing project. I bet you’ll have your book written early, you’re always bursting with ideas and words.. I get a taste of it here, like a tease.. and then you’re gone for the day! Will you be selling it as an ebook after:D Where do they post all the books at the end?? xx Smidge
Oh lord – what a challenge, but I know you´ll rise to it!
Wow – adoption is the best – welcome to Little Puss! He picked you – you know? So will you sharing your writing when it’s all finished? Good luck Celi!
Nudge Nudge! What a great surprise indeed and a wonderful challenge for you to be taking on. I know you will do very well. Not a smidgen of a doubt about that. The new kitty could be a named for a famous author, to accompany your new adventure. Perhaps the name of an author who is a great inspiration to you, hence every time the kitty visits you, you are reminded of this fantastic writing journey you have begun. Incidentally, I have missed a few posts (apologies) and was wondering if there was any news about the missing kitty?
no they are both gone.. sad.. c
How exciting. Somehow you will manage with flying colors. Proud of you.
Little Puss looks like a keeper. A hardy one. Old Tiger looked like this – he was fearless and a great hunter in his time. Not a natural cat person, but some cats have quite a work ethic and I can respect that. They all have their own personalities – will be interested to see how this one fits the farmy puzzle
Miss C you have inspired me to take the plunge, I have signed up to NaNoWriMo. I look forward to the whole experience and I’m so glad you and Sharyn will be there too!
Aaah, welcome to NaNoLand!
Don’t see you having any problems with those 50K words.
I’ll be there again to write about my avatar.
Have you registered already? I would like to add you as a writing buddy, but was unsuccessful in finding you there.
you have such a good spirit. very Kiwi cool. Mauri ora (life to you) and stay hori Kiwi funny.
Glad you like the blog. And: i’ll keep the home fires stoking (ahi kaa) in cyberspace then with our Kiwi view. As you are with your Am-Kiwi views.
Love your blog! Original and groovy cool. You feel the manaaki of home in your voice, though you are far away.
http://horiwoodblog.com/2012/10/15/farmland-scribes-of-foreigners-kiwi-fabulous-abroad-midwest-usa/
Good for you to do NaNoWriMo! I did it last year, as a rebel–non-fiction. Great experience, I highly recommend it.