The beautiful rhipsalis plant and new portraits of the kitties
For the holidays, my kitchen was decorated with two stunning rhipsalis plants. Rhipsalis is a genus of more than sixty species and are mostly epiphytic spinless cacti. An epiphytic plant is one that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. The name, rhipsalis, comes from the Greek word for 'wicker,' referring to the flexible branches of many species. As you can see from these photos, rhipsalis can have long, trailing stems, such as the ones I grow. These plants grow nicely as hanging baskets and really grab peoples' attention. My curious little cats are also drawn to these unusual and beautiful plants.
1 Rhipsalis is an unusual and hardy house plant. This one blooms once a year and the sea weedy foliage gradually turns a beautiful white with flowers we will photograph.
2 Princess Peony loves to tear the rhipsalis.
3 It is a wonderful plant and looks like a long green wig. It sits upon a marble pedestal between my kitchen and the servery.
4 Empress Tang was also curious at what was going on. There are two rhipsalis plants flanking the doorway.
5 Tang is very interested in rhipsalis.
6 She is a dominant calico Persian.
7 She has an adorable face.
8 She seems to enjoy having her picture taken.
9 Peony enjoys playing with her 'toy tree.' It is fashioned from a real tree bough and hung with many cat toys.
10 Vivaldi is twelve years old and very regal. He puts up with the new kittens very well.
11 Tang is really fun and playful.
12 She obviously loves the camera.
13 Another pose
14 Vivaldi also loves the camera.
15 Hiding?
16 One of my favorite photos
17 Bartok was a bit grumpy this day. He did not want his nap interrupted.
18 But he did allow for a good close up.
Hi Martha, beautiful unusual house plant perfect place in the kitchen, your kitties are so so cute. Amazing and beautiful photos.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 5th, 2010 at 4:57 am
Beautiful plants and kitties... but, do the kitties try to eat the plants? Are they poisonous?
Posted by: BB | January 5th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Hi Martha,
That's a pretty special plant - I like it and your cats just make me smile. They are simply adorable!
~
Welcome back to U.S. soil! I can't wait to hear all about Bangkok! So far, the pictures you put on Twitpic have been great. Well, I'm off to run my errands and catch a matinee later. Enjoy your day. Trish
Posted by: Trish | January 5th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Love those kitties. Is there a difference in grumpy and grouchy? Kathy and I discussed terms used to describe moods of many while we were having lunch at TACO JOHNS. Tomorrow is the day we are starting Action Plan. Bartok's
photo is wonderful. Will see you on TODAY. Life is good in Dakota.
Posted by: ann | January 5th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Happy 2010, Martha!! (I'm not sure if you received my New Year wishes so I'm tossing it to you again!).
Your plant seems to be very maintenance free and would be nice for people that are always on-the-go.
I really like the toy tree for your kitties. I am going to make a toy tree for my brother's two cats. My mother's 20 yr. old Persian cat, Beau, passed away a few days before Christmas 2009. The loss is too much for my 76 yr. old mother. She is still not ready to go back home yet because it is so difficult for her to see his little toys and food dishes. And she isn't ready to pack them up.
The mourning process is the same for pets...very painful.
Here are a few photos of Beau that I took two years ago.
http://www.downeastvintage.com/beau/DSC08334.JPG
http://www.downeastvintage.com/beau/DSC08322.JPG
http://www.downeastvintage.com/beau/DSC08339.JPG
I would like to give a special New Years shout to Cindy Bricker! I enjoy reading all of my fellow MSLO bloggers posts and I especially enjoy reading Cindy's.
Happy "2010" everyone!
~Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | January 5th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Happy New Year Martha! I look forward to seeing the pictures of rhipsalis with the blooms. Oh my! The family of cats and kittens is simply beautiful. I hope that they are warm..this cold spell welcoming us into the New Year is quite the hello! I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity this year as well. Thank for your your New Year's wishes! The treat of the photos of the farm - the land, the staff, the animals -- was a fantastic way to end the year on the blog. I enjoy your blog. It is truly a gift to surround yourself with such good people -- all goals worth achieving are made enriching with a good crew of talent and good character! Wishing the MSO family a great 2010! Here is to making memories this year for the 2010 most reviewed blog entries!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | January 5th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I love the plants! Very unusual. I wonder if they're hard to find...
Posted by: how it grows | January 5th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
He looks so grumpy..grrr........... what a cutie
Posted by: jbperl | January 5th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Nice kitty pics. Have you ever had any of your cats (female) spraying? Can you have Marc discuss this sometime? I have one indoor only kitty that does this at times even when box clean. You have so many so would appreciate any suggestions. I've never had this problem after having kitties all my life.
Posted by: MJ | January 5th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Love, love, love this plant! It's just wonderful and looks to be quite easy to care for - I am going to search for one here in BC.
The cats are too cute - and you're right, that little Tang likes the camera and the camera loves her. Not a bad picture in the lot!
One thing I would like to mention is that your Blog title on the Home Page has not changed for a few days, and had I not clicked on your Twitter link - I wouldn't have known about today's Blog or the 'Best of 2009' Blog.
Posted by: Donna Olson | January 5th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
I've never seen kitties like this! Howuch do they weigh?
My little Maggie is a domestic longhair calico and was rescued at about 4 weeks of age. She is almost 17 years old now. She was the runt of her litter and almost died, she still weighs only 5 pounds!
That being said, she holds her own and fended off a raccoon who came into the house via the doggie door a few months ago!
Way to go, Maggie!
Maggie is best friends with our 2 year old golden retriever, Summr.
Happy new year Martha! I love your show and your blog.
Sincerely,
Bonnie
ps. I am trying to locate more of your original copper cookie cutters from Martha By Mail. I wish I had bought them all so long ago! Alas I could only afford a few. I've had some luck on Ebay... Any suggestions on completing my collection?
Posted by: Bonnie Adamick | January 5th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Ok....I need directions on how to make the toy tree!...Please. Nice pictures!
Posted by: carol | January 5th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Hi Martha,
Bartok..photo 18 of 18.. The caption should read, "Get out of my face !!"...I looked into those eyes that speak and for sure I think this is his comment!
LOVE it and had to laugh..Reminded me so much of one of our kitties, Vernon, whom we sadly had to say goodbye to not long ago..Don't you love their attitudes??...Kitties of all ages and sizes, they truly rule!
Were these closeup shots taken with your Canon 5D Mark II? They are extraordinarily sharp and intensely clear and colorful.
Happy New Year again to you Martha, and also your wonderful fuzzy and furry friends.
Posted by: Becky HK | January 5th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I love your persians and your seal point. I didn't know what one of your cats were though. I have a black persian with orange eyes. Her face isn't totally flat, though. I am going to breed her if your interested in one of her kittens. I'll give you one for free. I love animals.
Love, Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Kmetko | January 5th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Love the cats. I'm always wondering who takes care of your babies when you travel and if they go with you to your different homes.
Posted by: Sarah | January 5th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Great photos Thanks very much.
Posted by: K L Brown | January 5th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I love the new kitties, they are so cute. Thanx for the pics
Posted by: JackyS | January 5th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Martha, loved that you put beer in latkes. Please tell me how to bathe cats- I read it on Twitter, but I can't remember and my cats really need it- thanks.
Posted by: Carol Sweet | January 5th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I love you cause you represent all females in every way. please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Gleni | January 5th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Heh heh-- plant looks like Cousin It.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | January 5th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Martha, your kitties are absolutely gorgeous! They are very photogenic. I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
Posted by: Lisa Garrett | January 5th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Martha you amaze me,always on the go.Where do you get your energy?The plant reminds me of Cousin It. Cats are gorgeous.
Posted by: Helen Griffith | January 5th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Wow. You should wear that on your head in the next Halloween edition! Seriously!
Posted by: Laura | January 5th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
The kitties are just adorable. I wish mine would pose for pictures like yours.
Posted by: Shannon | January 5th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
that plant looks like "Cousin It" and I couldn't find any kitties anywhere
Posted by: jerry eileen cline | January 5th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Hi Martha, Welcome home to you, Kevin and oops, forgot his name! Sorry! Your show was fabulous today and it was fun learning more about your trip to Thailand! I'll bet your animals were glad to see you again! I've never heard or seen the rhipsalis plant, but it is fascinating! I love how your kitties were drawn to those plants! They are soooo cute!! Loved your episode on the Today Show today! You looked great and all of the recipies were great! Glad you are back home!!! Love you, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 5th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
This plant looks like cousin 'IT' from The Addams Family
Posted by: Lauren Romanowski | January 6th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Congrats on the new kitties!
Martha, you amaze me. Back late from 26 hours of travel and up early the next morning for the Today Show and your show, looking fresh and energized. I wish I had a quarter of your energy.
Posted by: Patia | January 6th, 2010 at 3:44 am
Seeing your cats reminds me of a recent tweet that was sent to me from LAT Unleashed, which has really wonderful animal stories/pics. (no affiliation) Anyway, a cat went missing for weeks as the owners frantically searched. Finally one day it showed up on their doorstep having dragged itself home after being hit by a car - weeks earlier! My gosh, it's such an incredible story (with photo). And the cat also has a fancy name: Giggle Blizzard! Lol.
Sweet photos, Martha. Thanks!
Posted by: Marie | January 6th, 2010 at 5:30 am
What an interesting plant. I wonder if it's one even I couldn't kill. And if so, how could I find one in KC? Sounds like a little trek to the plant nursery is in my destiny soon.
Posted by: mar | January 6th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Thank you for sharing the photo's.. my teenage daughter and I LOVE kitty pic's! Yours are adorable!
Posted by: Maria | January 6th, 2010 at 9:10 am
thanks so much for the kitty update. we need more pictures of all your cats in the future, pleaseee. they should have a blog too! how are the adopted cats doing? betty
Posted by: Betty Hammond | January 6th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Martha, your kitties are just gorgeous. I get so much pleasure from my three. Your plants are so interesting - thanks for sharing!
Donna
Posted by: Donna | January 6th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
What a gorgoeus plant, where can I get one?
Posted by: Eco Products | January 6th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Oh, what beautiful little 'boys-n-girls'! For any of my regular fellow-readers reading today's blog, you only KNOW that I'm in my glory today while doting over ALL of these kittiecat photos of Martha's! -- cat-lover that I am!
~
The (kittie) girls (not the 'girls', as in Frannie and Sharkey) are growing nicely, and what beautiful little poses you've captured of them, Martha! I am sure they are curious and playful (AND are [my proverbial] 'furry little balls of badness' [giggle] )! They bring such joy to a household, don't they?!
~
I was grateful for the close-ups of Vivaldi and Bartok - I was able to take in their individualistic features better than ever. Little Bartok did look a little moody, but those whiskers! - those majestic whiskers of his, and those eyebrows!... (And) little Vivaldi's little black nose just melted my heart, not to mention those crystal-clear blue eyes of his! Oh, I could just scoop 'em all up in my arms and hug them 'til they popped - I just love them so!
~
Thanks as always, Martha, for sharing your wonderful menagerie with us...based on the numerous posts before mine, there are many other admirers of your little friskiefritters!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | January 6th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Oh, that plant is delightful! Like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
And your kitties are wonderful - so cuddly 
Posted by: Krista | January 6th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Martha, you have the most beautiful cats! All in one household too. I am fasinated with your
two Rupsalis plants. Are they sold in a garden center. I have a pony-tail plant that has a tail 4 1/2 feet long. It loves our sunroom. Bet I could grow a Rupsalis plant too. Thanks for sharing the photo's of your cats. I love to see their progress. You take such beautiful pictures with your new camera. Sylvia CMGCLS@cox.net
Posted by: Sylvia | January 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
A beautiful plant. It looks just like Cousin It.
Posted by: M Kelly | January 6th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Martha,
Like the cats - they have great character as does the Rhipsalis plant. If it had eyes and a tail it might be mistaken for the Kitty from the Green Lagoon. Can you recommend a nursery here in Maine that might carry them?
JD
Posted by: JD | January 7th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Martha. I am fascinated by both the plant and the cute kitties. They are precious. I had a calico when I was a young girl and she was so precious. May they have a long and happy life and bring you much joy.
Posted by: Judy Lawhon | January 7th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Hi Martha,
First of all, I'm a big fan of yours and I also love kitties! I have four of my own including a himalayan persian. I actually saw you at a New York catshow back in 1999 or 2000. I was curious if maybe you bought one of your beautiful cats from that show?
Posted by: Kathy Hudson | January 7th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I have the Rhipsalis plant that you have although have never known the name of it. The florist I got it from said it was called the "Bad Hair Day Plant". I need something taller to put mine on as it is on a plant stand. My husband built a little fence around it so my Teddy Bear Pup would not destroy it. It facinates her....piece by piece. I have never seen it bloom by the way. It has been root bound for a long time and can't imagine how to re-pot it. I have rooted several for friends too.
Posted by: Judy Williams | January 9th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
As this is my first time on this blog, I wasn't sure where this suggestion belonged, so feel free to move it to a more appropriate spot.
Loved the Rhipsalis photos and your kitties are adorable, but I'm really writing to give you a homekeeping tip. After using a pastry cloth and rolling pin cover, I have found that if you shake off all excess flour and then use the edge of a spoon or the blade of a butter knife to scrape off as much of the dough residue as possible, then soak in Oxi-Clean, and then launder, they will come clean as new.
Posted by: Joyce Schillinger | January 9th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
I really love your lovely cats! You truly are an excellent cat lady!! I especially Love Vivaldo, the facial expressions are cute and funny! My Cousin has a kitty that likes to wake her up in the morn. by rubbing her face(kitty kisses)and rub the(nose drainage)all over. Now she kind of broke out w/ spots or blemishes all over her face. She does wash her face 2x daily, can there be a way of preventing the kat from rubbing her nose on the face?
Posted by: Nicole Pliska | January 10th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I have to say "Peony". She is so colorful! I wish I could just pick her up and give her a snuggle. LaVerne, Cottage Hill Farm.
Posted by: LaVerne Lesznik | January 11th, 2010 at 11:25 am
ahhh now your talkin!...gatos galore!...Bartok is a hoot! my favorite is Vivaldi, but the kittens are adorable also...saw them hiding in the basement washroom...so cute.
meeuw from Kitty
Posted by: delia | January 13th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Martha,
Your cats are precious. I also have a number of furry friends at my house. Two cats and three dogs. How do you keep the pet hair under control?
Posted by: Lisa | January 23rd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Wow, what a great plant for you AND your kitties! Love your photos, serenity and calm come to mind.
Happy 2010.
Lisa Illman, President The Kritter Kommunity, LLC http://kritterkommunity.com http://krittersthattwitter.com lillman@kritterkommunity.com 1-888-8KONDOS
Posted by: Kritter Kondo | January 24th, 2010 at 4:23 pm