幫貓整D嘢 DIY Projects for Cat
這次的內容許多都和貓有關，包括一個用來顯示吃什麼的「雞牌」、用來和貓玩耍的手袖、種貓草，另外介紹用膠瓶保護幼苗的裝置、用插枝方法種通菜，並分享兩道美食：蘿蔔雞湯和冬菇支竹炆腩肉。
This post covers various items related to my cat, including a handmade chicken tag labeling her food, a protective arm sleeve made for playing with her, and the cat grass I grow for her. I also share how I protect young seedlings by upcycling plastic bottles, and I how propagate Morning Glory. Finally, I showcase two yummy dishes: Mooli Chicken Soup, and Braised Pork Belly with Shiltake Mushrooms and Bean Curd Sticks.
1. 雞牌 Chicken Tag
我家的貓咪很挑剔，不是所有口味的罐頭都肯吃，有些一定要混和她摯愛的零食──風乾雞肉。為了方便我和老公溝通，我用雪條棍和木衣夾做了這個「雞牌」，上午餵貓的老公用它來標示今天的罐頭要否加雞，晚上餵貓的我憑「開牌」、「冚牌」的訊息，知道要如何處理餘下那半罐罐頭。
基於這個安排，家貓多了個花名叫「雞牌妹」！
My cat is quite choosy when it comes to her food, and not all canned food meets her standard. Some flavours require mixing with her beloved snack – dried chicken – or she won’t touch the food. To facilitate communication between my husband and me, I created this ‘Chicken Tag’ using a popsicle stick and a wooden peg. After feeding the cat in the morning, my husband uses the sign to indicate whether today’s canned food needs to be mixed with dried chicken. When I feed the cat in the evening, I got to know whether I need to add chicken to the food based on the tag’s position (standing or lying down).
2. 貓手袖 Protective Arm Sleeve
「雞牌妹」喜歡和老公玩捉手。每次玩耍，老公都得穿上長袖衣服，以免被抓傷或咬傷。我拿一件舊衣，剪下衣袖，縫上橡筋，製作了這厚厚的手袖，不但方便穿戴，更使人貓都玩得更盡情！
My cat loves playing hand-tag with my husband. To avoid scratches or bites, my husband had to put on long-sleeved clothes every time they played. I made a protective arm sleeve for him by repurposing an old sweater, cutting off its sleeve and sewing on an elastic band. Not only is it easier to wear, but its thickness also makes playtime more enjoyable for both the cat and my husband!
3. 種貓草 Growing Cat Grass
除了種菜給自己吃，我也種草給貓吃。以前在香港到街市買幾元麥米就可以種很多輪，英國可沒有那麼便宜的種子，兩鎊多一包種子大概只種到兩三次。
我的貓咪很喜歡「隊草」，每天毒癮一發作就坐在花園門口牢牢望著我，直至「毒販」向她供貨！
I don’t just grow vegetables for ourselves; I also grow grass for my cat. Back in Hong Kong, I could buy wheat seeds for just a few dollars and plant them multiple times. In the UK, seeds are more expensive. One pack would cost more than two pounds and only lasts for two or three rounds of planning.
My cat adores her ‘herbal drug’ tremendously. Whenever she craves it, she would sit by the garden door, eagerly waiting for her ‘dealer’ to supply her with a fresh batch!
4. 保護幼苗 Protecting Young Seedlings
播了一批青蘿蔔的種子在農地上，卻被蟲吃掉了幼苗！種植袋中的幾棵仍未遭殃，連忙拿膠瓶保護一下！
I planted a batch of green turnips in the ground, but the seedlings were eaten by pests! Fortunately, the ones I grew in growing bags remained unharmed, so I immediately covered them with some plastic bottles to protect them!ots.)
5. 通菜插枝 Propagating Morning Glory
我種植通菜，是從亞洲超市買通菜來浸根、插枝繁殖的。這比起用種子節省時間。我在5月31日把通菜插枝，7月5日第一次收成，35天就有得吃，然後過了16天，又有第二輪收成，用來做腐乳通菜，十分鮮嫩。
I grow Morning Glory by rooting and propagating cuttings from store-bought plants I get from Asian supermarkets. This method saves time compared to starting from seeds. With this batch of Morning Glory, I planted the cuttings on 31st May 31st. On 5th July, I had my first harvest – only after 35 days. Then, after another 16 days, I had a second harvest. I enjoyed them with fermented tofu; they tasted so tender and fresh.
6. 蘿蔔雞湯 Mooli Chicken Soup
最近買的蘿蔔總是皮很厚又起根。批掉一大堆皮後，我決定不要浪費，拿來煲了個蘿蔔雞湯！
The Mooli bought from the shops lately has thick and rough skins. I had to peel off a large amount of skin. Then I decided to make a Mooli Chicken Soup in order to use and save those peelings.
7. 冬菇支竹炆腩肉 Braised Pork Belly with Shiltake Mushrooms and Bean Curd Sticks
冬菇支竹炆腩肉。英國的肉質素很高，腩肉又香又可口。
Braised Pork Belly with Shiltake Mushrooms and Bean Curd Sticks. A delicious Hong Kong dish enhanced by the quality of meat in the UK.
