Ever since adopting sisters, Miss Agatha and Miss Beatrice, four months ago, trying to get any work done has been a challenge. As soon as I sit down at my desk, they race over to chase the bug that’s always running across the monitor, aka the cursor. Anyone else have this issue with their kitties?
On this particular day, Beatrice was busy writing out a Post-it-Note list of treats that she and Agatha need the next time I go grocery shopping.
When Beatrice isn’t working on her next treat list, she likes to help with whatever puzzle I’m working on at the moment. Helping me usually involves scooping up mouthfuls of puzzle pieces and running off with them before the human makes her give them back.
Agatha likes to go straight to the puzzle board for her puzzle pieces.
My grandsons come over several times a week to play with the kittens. Since the kitties have shown such a strong interest in puzzles, the boys like to let Beatrice help with placing the pieces where they go.
My youngest grandson would get the piece started, then his brother would let Beatrice push the piece into place with her paw. It was definitely a group effort. Ha!
After doing such a good job, Beatrice was rewarded with lots of kisses on the back of her neck.
Here’s how the finished puzzle looked.
This puzzle will always be my favorite since Beatrice personalized it with a few tiny bites, a reminder of this special day when the boys were still young enough to love coming over to Mimi’s house to work puzzles with Beatrice and Agatha.
If you’re looking for a puzzle to inspire and get you excited for the warm summer days ahead, here are a few of my favorites from the past.
You’ll find this beautiful Victorian beach house with the prettiest garden, available here: Beach House.
I could so move right into this house! Look at all those wonderful windows! I love a house with a lot of big windows for sunshine and views!
This puzzle is available here: Beach House with Lighthouse.
If I had a beach house with a porch like this, I would never leave the porch!
This dreamy beach-house porch is available here: Seaside Porch.
I couldn’t find the photo I took of this puzzle once it was completed, but it was a fun one! I would love to do this one again in the coming months. You’ll find it available here: Beach House with Dogs, Cats, and Butterflies.
I just recently discovered that there are special storage books for safely storing completed puzzles. Usually, I break mine apart once done so they can be enjoyed again one day, but this book would be great for those puzzles that I want to preserve and keep. You’ll find a lot of great puzzle keeper/storage books available here: Puzzle Keeper, Puzzle Storage Book.
My favorite way of preserving puzzles can be viewed in this previous post: The Easiest and Best Way To Preserve a Puzzle Without Using Sticky, Messy Glues.
If you’ve been following BNOTP for a while, you may remember when I tried my hand at some of the White Mountain Murder Mystery puzzles.
The first one I completed was this one that’s set in Egypt. These puzzles are so much fun! The large center picture of the puzzle that’s depicted on the outside of the box is never the same as the one that appears as you complete the puzzle, so the clues appear as you work the puzzle. I own two of these puzzles and just purchased a third one today.
If you would like to try your hand at solving one of these mystery puzzles (they are not hard, just fun!), you’ll find this one available here: Murder Mystery Puzzle.
This is the one I ordered today. When my youngest grandson was here today, working on a puzzle that he had chosen from my puzzle collection a few days ago, I mentioned that I had ordered a new mystery puzzle. I was so surprised when he asked if it was like the Egypt mystery puzzle I had done a while back. I had forgotten that he knew about that one. He wants to help me with the new mystery puzzle once it arrives. I love that I can share puzzles with my grandsons because it’s something we both love and enjoy. You’ll find the Hollywood Murder Mystery puzzle here: Murder Mystery Puzzle.
I also ordered this one last night. Actually, I think this will be the one we do next. My grandson was really excited when he saw that this puzzle includes cats and the Northern Lights. He shared with me how he got to see the Northern Lights the last time they all went camping. I hope to see the Northern Lights one day! The Northern Lights/Cat puzzle is available here: Northern Lights with Cats.
I’ll leave you with this silly scene from earlier in the day. Beatrice and Agatha are getting so big, but they still aren’t too big for the occasional WrestleMania. That is Beatrice’s tush that’s sticking straight up in the air. They are too funny and have really brought this house to life with all their antics this winter.
Oh, Susan! I just love this post more than I can convey in words! Your sweet grandsons with the kittens just gives me heart squishies! Kudos to the three of you for making sure Beatrice and Agatha didn’t make off with some puzzle pieces permanently! As I think of it, have you ever worked a Wentworth wooden puzzle? They have pieces shaped like the subject of the puzzle. I ordered mini puzzles in tins as favors last Christmas. They seem like they’d be in your wheelhouse. Again, this post is so joyful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Selma! No, I don’t think I have, although I have done wooden puzzles before. We’ve been working on a University of Georgia wood puzzle for several months. It’s a really hard one since most of the pieces are in the shape of sports activities/players.
Beatrice looks like my Charleigh with big paws and longer hair. She is bonded with Peanut, but Peanut has had enough of her biting her on the neck. What fun times for the boys to have Mimi and two cats down the street and a movie room! What a good move to buy that house.
As a side note. Do you know of the Jolly Christmas Shop online? They have Dept 56 and your village pieces.
Awww, Charleigh sounds beautiful! No, I don’t think I’ve heard of that shop, but I would love to check it out.
I ordered the Northern Lights puzzle right away! Those are on my Bucket List wish to see someday! This should be a really fun puzzle to work. Great price too!
Special memories indeed with your grandsons.
That price was awesome! I can’t wait to work that one, the colors are so pretty!
I’m loving seeing kitties and with your grandsons having fun. Sweet memories.
Thanks, Nancy! ♥
I too…am known as Mimi to my grandchildren! For years, I thought it was a name bestowed only to me….until I heard a grandmother ask her little one if she wanted Mimi to purchase something for her! We had a great chat…happy to meet another Mimi!!
Thanks, Charlotte! It was a BNOTP reader who suggested the name, Mimi, when my first grandson was born and my son/DIL were telling me that I needed to decide what they should call me. I think it’s pretty common, I see it on shirts and pillows and things online from time to time.
love the cats and the grandsons you are so right to realize how important every minute enjoying them is take care
I do love spending time with them!
Oh Kittens! They are a handful and pure entertainment. Beatrice and Agatha or so cute. I love that your grandsons love to come play with them. 🙂
Thanks, Lynda! Oh my gosh, the crazy antics they pull every day. Just caught Beatrice trying to run off with a puzzle piece as I was writing this comment and when I went to close down the puzzle board and cover it, it wouldn’t go down. Turns out Agatha was underneath. lol I’m sure I’ll miss these fun escapades when they are older.
Just getting interested in puzzles, but realize I need a puzzle board. There are so many on Amazon it makes my head spin. Any suggestions? Been reading your blog for years. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
Thanks, Elaine! This is the board that I use. https://amzn.to/4ryhFj7
It’s showing that it’s currently not available, but I’m sure it will come back into stock soon. It’s a great one.
Lately, I’ve been thinking of adding one that has its own stand to the movie room since my grandsons often like to do puzzles in that room.
Just think about where you will most often want to sit when working a puzzle. If it’s at your dining room table, you may want the kind that I have that will sit on a table, although it’s better if the height of the table is adjustable so the board won’t be sitting too high.
If you prefer doing them while sitting in a chair or on the sofa, maybe consider buying one that comes on a stand so you can adjust the height.
I’ve been eyeing this one:
https://amzn.to/3Obk0S8
Just do a search on Amazon for Puzzle Board with a stand and check out the reviews. Once you work a puzzle on an adjustable puzzle board, you’ll never want to do one on a flat table again.
One more tip: my favorite puzzles are the White Mountain puzzle with the larger pieces because the completed puzzle will almost fill up my puzzle board, so try to get one where the surface area of the board where the puzzle will go is at least 34 inches wide by 25 inches tall.
Some companies make rotating boards that you can rotate for when you’re working vertical puzzles. My board doesn’t do that, but I don’t mind since most of the puzzles that I like are not vertical puzzles.
Adorable! (Both the kittens AND the boys.) So glad you have so much life with you this winter. Thanks for reminding me of the mystery puzzles!
Definitely! They keep me on my toes! I think I’ve found the fountain of youth, adopt kittens and you’ll never get old. Ha!
Susan, I was given that puzzle board for Christmas. Would you tell me the dimensions of the table yours is sitting on, please.
I love your kitties with the boys- so dear.
Sure, it’s approximately 24 inches front to back and 46 inches wide, but it doesn’t need to be that wide.
The puzzle board itself is 27 inches (front to back) x 35-1/2 inches wide, so a little of the base of the puzzle board hangs off the front and back of the table that I’m using. Since the width of the puzzle board is only 35-1/2 inches wide so a table that’s around 40 inches wide would be wide enough.
This is the table that I purchased for it: https://amzn.to/4kL7RiX .
I like that table because the height is adjustable. I have it one of the lower settings.
When I see posts like this, I am so happy for you that you took the plunge and bought a house near your grandsons. I don’t know how you can ever leave to go back to your Georgia house. These wonderful moments will live in your heart forever. Happy Valentine’s Day.
I do love seeing them as often as I can. Not sure if I will stay here a lot longer because of how much I dislike the weather and the insane property taxes in this state.
Loved this post: the Kitties are ADORABLE! And they add so much interest and joy to your life…and to your Grandsons! So fascinating about the puzzles. I can’t do them but love the pictures!
Thanks so much! Judy, don’t be afraid to try them. You could start out with a 100-piece puzzle or a 300-piece and I think you would be amazed at how easy they are to do. And there’s no rush, you can take all the time you wish. They ground me and give me a lot of comfort from the hectic pace of life. One BNOTP reader described doing puzzles as almost like a meditation, and I have to agree. They are truly comforting to work on.
Those feline babies are so adorable and precious! I know they constantly entertain you. Cats are so amazing! They are smart and have awesome personalities! I’m so happy that your grandsons are enjoying as much as you. Also everyone enjoying the puzzles makes for lots of wonderful memories. Something all three of you will always remember! I know you are loving every moment! I will send pictures of my feline gang to you. One house cat and 4 outside cats. All totally rotten! But very loved!
They do! I would love to see pictures, Linda! Maybe with time, you’ll be able to persuade the outdoor ones to come live inside. 🙂 I wish I could have 10 cats, they are so much fun!
I was wondering if any of the puzzle pieces would receive a puncture mark! I love that the boys come over to be with you and that the kittens and puzzles are something you all share. Those puzzles are really pretty! I do have a cute pic of my cat staring at the computer screen. Sometimes she hits the wrong key.
Awww, love that! Beatrice keeps accidentally stepping on a key that puts my computer to sleep. I had forgotten about that key, so she did me a favor showing it to me again…just wish she wouldn’t hit so often! lol
Everything you posted is just so delightful! Those kittens have me WRAPPED!!! Thanks for all the great puzzle info. Your grandsons are growing UP!!!
Thanks, Vickie! They def have me wrapped around their little finger!
What a fun post! I love seeing your grandchildren do the puzzles with you. What a treat. I did a double take when I saw the first pictures of this post (where your kitties are staring at the computer screen). That house looks exactly like a house in Savannah on a beautiful island called Isle of Hope. My sister in law used to babysit at that house. It faces the beautiful inter coastal waterway. We used to say you should be required to sit on the front porch or be in the front yard everyday to look at the beautiful waterway.
Thanks, Jen! Oh my gosh, it really is a small world! I took that photo on a trip to Savannah with a friend. We drove over to see Bonaventure and ended up going to Isle of Hope, too. If you would like to take a little “virtual stroll” down that street, you can do it in these two posts that I’ve linked below. That house is in the second tour below.
https://betweennapsontheporch.net/isle-of-hope-home-tour-part-i/
https://betweennapsontheporch.net/travel-destinations-isle-of-hope-home-tour-part-ii/
I LOVE that house! Here’s something funny: the only thing that’s ever bugged me about that photo was the small tree in the front yard that blocks the right side of the house. I’ve always wished it wasn’t there so I could see the whole porch. It’s such a beautiful home!
Well, a few months back, I did search for that street on Google Maps and virtually “drove” down the street and the tree is now gone. I thnk it was removed the year after I was there based on the photos I found online. I wonder if someone bought the house, and decided to remove it. It makes me want to go back and take that photo again. 🙂