u/Berkshirelady413

Hi all — I care for an outdoor colony of 6 stray/feral cats in Lakewood, WA. I've already got a doghouse set up as shelter for them, but I need straw bedding to actually insulate it and keep them warm/dry. I found a dust-free wheat straw bedding option Amazon wishlist for straw. (HealthiStraw FarmStraw Coarse Cut, 3 cu ft compressed / expands to 10+ cu ft) that would work well, but it's $36.89 and out of budget for me right now on top of everything else the colony needs. Proof of hardship: I currently have no income, so I'm not able to cover this cost myself right now. Photo attached showing the doghouse shelter and the colony being fed. Not asking for cash — just help getting this if anyone's willing and able. Any boost/share appreciated too. Thank you for reading.

Real talk — it's been 7 days. The wishlist showed as fully cleared on Aug 4, but nothing has actually arrived, and I've checked USPS Informed Delivery with zero packages scheduled. If you ordered something and it's actually on its way, please drop a comment or send me the tracking/delivery estimate — I'd love to be wrong here. Otherwise I'm going to assume this batch didn't go through and figure out another way to keep these 5 fed. 🐾 Thank you to everyone who's genuinely helped before — this isn't about you. UPDATE: I’ve had to make a new wishlist. I still urgently need cat food for the stray/feral colony I care for, especially larger bags. If anyone is able to help, the updated wishlist is here: Amazon wishlist The cats still need food. ❤️🐾

Hi all! I care for an outdoor colony of 5 cats in Lakewood, WA. No car, so I rely on delivery for food. They do well on Wellness, Nulo, and I and Love and You — Purina and Diamond and Friskies cause vomiting for them, so those are off the list.

Wishlist here if anyone can help: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19IHYFZ8883KU?ref\_=wl\_share

Our neighbor was kind enough to give us their grill, however, I am just now learning my boyfriend doesn't know how to use a gas grill. (It just needs to be cleaned, only used 1x). Idk how to use any grill. Any help will be much appreciated! And yes, we were given the propane tank, too, but don't know how much is in it. Fyi, he knows charcoal, just not gas.

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I care for a colony of 5 outdoor cats near my home — most are strays, one is fully feral, and I handle their TNR care myself (13 years of animal welfare experience, colony management is a full-time labor of love). Feeding six cats consistently adds up fast, and any donations of dry or wet cat food would go a long way in keeping them fed and healthy.

I do have a wishlist, https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G15G0X3NR1R?ref\_=list\_d\_wl\_ys\_list\_1 if you can possibly help, I'd be so grateful.

Thank you for reading 🐾❤️🐱🐈‍⬛🥣

Pickle Jar Coffee Vanilla Ice Cream

No machine, no cream, no problem! A creamy coffee vanilla ice cream made in a pickle jar with just 5 ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 pinch salt

• 4 cup ice (for the ice bath)

• 1/4 cup table salt (for the ice bath)

STEPS

1. Add 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 pinch salt into a large clean glass jar. Seal the lid tight and shake until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Fill a large bowl with 4 cup ice (for the ice bath). Pour 1/4 cup table salt (for the ice bath) generously over the ice — don't be shy, this is what drops the temperature low enough to freeze your mix.

3. Nestle the jar into the ice bath. Shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes, then let it rest in the ice for 5 minutes. Repeat for 20-30 minutes until the mixture is thick and milkshake-like. ⏱ 30m

4. Transfer the jar to the freezer for 30-45 minutes. ⏱ 45m

5. Remove from freezer and stir well with a long spoon, scraping the frozen edges into the middle. This breaks up ice crystals and keeps it creamy.

6. Return to the freezer for another 30-45 minutes until scoopable. ⏱ 45m

7. When the ice cream holds its shape and scoops cleanly, it's ready. Serve straight from the jar!

NOTES

You need a large jar (a gallon pickle jar works perfectly), a big bowl, lots of ice, and table salt for the ice bath. The sour cream makes this surprisingly rich and creamy without any heavy cream. For a stronger coffee flavor, increase coffee to ¾ cup and reduce milk to ¼ cup. Leftovers keep in the freezer — just let sit out for a few minutes before scooping.

Was browsing Lemon8 app and came across this old chocolate chip recipe from the lady's Great Grandma!

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I was on the app Lemon8 and found a lady farmer that, among other things, posts pics of old cookbooks! And some old recipes in them! Guys, she is as crazy about them as we are!

The Monstrosity Burger

The air-fried bacon jam chicken sandwich, rebuilt as the juiciest burger you've ever had. If it doesn't drip, you didn't do it right.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 thick chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded to ¾"

• 4 tbsp bacon jam

• 4 sharp cheddar slices

• 2 brioche burger buns, buttered and toasted

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (for bun spread)

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp smoked salt

• 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional, barely there)

• 1 tsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp butter (for basting)

STEPS

1. Butterfly your 2 thick chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded to ¾" and pound to an even ¾" thickness. This is the #1 juice secret — even thickness means no dry edges while the center catches up. Don't skip this.

2. Combine 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp smoked salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional, barely there), and 1 tsp brown sugar in a bowl. This is your 'You're Welcome' rub.

3. Coat each breast generously in 4 tbsp bacon jam — both sides, don't be shy, this is your moisture lock AND your flavor glue. Roll in the seasoning blend until fully crusted. The jam holds the rub on like armor.

4. Let the coated chicken sit at room temp for 10 minutes. Cold meat straight to heat = uneven cooking = dry burger. Let it breathe. ⏱ 10m

5. Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Cook for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway. The bacon jam caramelizes, the brown sugar crisps, your kitchen smells like victory. Internal temp should hit 165°F. ⏱ 18m

6. The second it comes out, dab 1 tbsp butter (for basting) on top of each breast while screaming hot. This is your juice insurance policy. It melts in and keeps everything from tightening up.

7. Lay 4 sharp cheddar slices on each breast while hot and tent loosely with foil for 2 minutes. Let it melt completely — not just drooped, MELTED. ⏱ 2m

8. Let your meat rest 3 full minutes. This is non-negotiable. Cutting early = all your juice on the cutting board instead of in your mouth. ⏱ 3m

9. Spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise (for bun spread) on both bun halves (moisture barrier so bun doesn't go soggy). Bottom bun → cheese → first chicken breast → extra 4 tbsp bacon jam (DO IT) → second breast → second cheese → top bun. Press down. Accept your fate.

NOTES

**The juice secrets in order of importance:**

1. Pound to even thickness — this alone fixes 80% of dry chicken problems

2. Bacon jam on BOTH sides — it's a moisture seal, not just flavor

3. Butter baste straight out of the fryer

4. THE REST. 3 minutes. Every time. No exceptions.

**Upgrade options:** Add a fried egg between the two breasts. Caramelized onions under the bottom cheese. Pickles cut the richness perfectly if it gets too rich (it will).

Back porch apartment homestead in progress! Slow start this year, but we're getting there. The African Violet was a rescue — found abandoned on my porch in a tiny pot with no drainage and barely a tablespoon of soil. Got her into a Home Depot bucket with proper drainage and good soil, and she's already flowering. Had to trim two leaves off the banana tree but she'll bounce back. My Meyer Lemon is already blooming — I actually harvested one lemon back in March! The lemon tree and banana tree were both gifted to me.