Simple Joys and Prince the Cat

Morning Light and a Simple Start

The morning began with sunshine peeking through the windows. I woke up feeling motivated and ready to tackle the day. I opted for a light breakfast: a fried egg and toast with jam. Nothing fancy, just something quick and satisfying before diving into housework.

After breakfast, I washed the dishes and wiped down the counters. I've found that a tidy kitchen brings peace to the entire house. It sets a calming tone for the rest of my day.

A Familiar Visitor

If you’ve been following along, you know there’s been a cat visiting us regularly. This little feline drops by at different times. Sometimes, he comes for food or attention. Other times, he just wants to curl up and nap.

Recently, I tied a ribbon with a small note to the cat's collar, hoping to find out if he had a home. Days went by with no response. Then, one morning, the cat returned. But, to my surprise, the ribbon and note were gone. I wasn't sure what that meant. Perhaps the note had fallen off. Maybe the owner wasn’t interested in reaching out.

Despite the uncertainty, the cat kept coming back. Even at night, while I caught up on sewing projects, he would curl up nearby and keep me company. He started acting more like he belonged here. He jumped in front of my laptop for attention, hid under the bed, and chased paper scraps I was trying to recycle. I decided to call him "Kitty." It felt like we had developed our own quiet understanding.

A Note Appears

After a morning walk and grocery run, I returned home to find him waiting at the back door. This time, he had a collar and a tiny folded note.

I could hardly wait to open it, but I decided to shower and make a cup of tea first. I took a little break with dessert and sat down to read the note. That’s when I learned the truth.

Kitty was not a she. He’s a boy named Prince.

It made me smile and feel a bit embarrassed all at once. He had been so affectionate and sweet that I assumed he was a girl. Now he has a name, and it suits him perfectly: Prince.

The note reassured me that he has a loving home and that his family knows about his frequent visits. It was a relief to know he wasn’t lost, just a little wanderer who chose our home as his second favorite.

A Home That Adjusts

Now that Prince is a semi-official member of our household, we are making small adjustments. He has been treating the carpeted stairs like his personal scratching post. So, I started working on a DIY cat tree using a tree stump wrapped in twine.

We’re also updating the water bowl and adding soft covers to the furniture. These simple changes make our space feel more cat-friendly without sacrificing the calm and clean aesthetic I love. Although we haven’t brought him fully indoors, these adjustments help us feel ready for whenever he decides to stop by.

Folding, Ironing, and Thoughts on Linen

By midday, it was time for more housework. I folded microfiber cloths and then pulled out the iron. Linen is one of my favorite fabrics. It’s breathable, soft, and perfect for summer. However, it wrinkles easily.

Sit down, and it’s wrinkled. Move around, and it wrinkles again. Still, I keep ironing because I love it. It’s like many things in life—imperfect but worth the effort. Just as with a linen dress or a cherished routine, we keep going not because it’s easy, but because it brings us joy.

Preparing Dinner and a Special Treat for Friends

Later in the afternoon, I began preparing dinner. I had marinated chicken strips in milk overnight. Now, it was time to dredge them in flour, dip them in egg wash, coat them with panko, and freeze them for meal planning. Once frozen, they will be quick to deep-fry on busy evenings.

As the chicken chilled, I switched to baking cookies. I’m visiting a friend for her birthday this weekend, and we all decided to contribute to a homemade brunch. Instead of store-bought icing, I wanted to experiment with natural colors. I used organic powders like matcha, turmeric, and strawberry. I mixed them into the dough before pressing them into floral molds. After a short freeze, the cookies firmed up enough to release cleanly from the molds. I saved two special cookies for my kids and let creativity guide the rest.

A Few Words on Sewing

After lunch, the kids played outside with Prince while I returned to my sewing table. People say sewing is 60% pressing, but I also find it’s about learning, making mistakes, and trying again.

I fell in love with a particular fabric during a spring sale at our local store. The colors reminded me of early summer—soft, warm, and full of promise. I turned it into a skirt using about four meters of fabric. I wanted to buy more, but by the time I returned, it was already sold out.

There’s something so satisfying about sewing your own clothes. You get to choose every detail. You can always add pockets. It’s one of those slow hobbies that teach patience, reward, and creativity all at once.

The Beauty of Everyday Life

This week felt like a quiet turning point. Prince has a name, a home, and now a place in our hearts. The house feels more alive with his soft paws roaming through it, even if only for short visits.

And as for the rest—the folding, the baking, the slow stitching—it all reminds me why I love this kind of homemaking. It’s not about perfection; it’s about noticing the beauty in routine and letting the little joys brighten the day.

Thank you for spending time with me. If you’d like to see all the moments I mentioned, you can watch the full silent vlog here:

📹 Watch the vlog on YouTube

Until next time,

Amy