I just got a peek at my me-to-me Mother’s Day gift. Somewhere between Oregon and Southern California is this baby… a Rachael Rossman portrait of our cat, Weebee.

Weebee in watercolor

We consider Weebee the 5th member of this family. Ok, let me clarify, we, as in everyone with exception of hubby. Weebs is our crazy cat/dog of the fantastic breed known as Abyssinian. Some people call her psycho kitty (see photo below), but let me just say this right off the bat she is one of THE COOLEST cats you will ever meet. Sure she is a little bi-polar (hey who isn’t right??) but when she gets to know you she will “talk” and fetch stuff like a dog. She is neat, clean and strikingly sleek and happens to blend in perfectly with my granite counter top. Did I mention her favorite hangout is a fruit basket? Weebee is a Scorpio, she’ll be 7 next fall.

She is my 6th degree (albeit a big stretch) of separation from to the Pioneer Woman. In March I entered weebee’s photo in Ree’s cat photo contest. The Flickr Pool for Pioneer Woman has over 70,000 amazing photos. Weebee is buried somewhere in that pool.

This was my first entry – so happy to hear it made the Pioneer Woman laugh at 5am.

This shot is featured on the back of my Moo cards, doesn’t go unnoticed. The back-story on this shot: Weebee runs out the door at every opportunity she gets and this time was no exception. Door opens she goes flying out but this time she stops and notices the Kangaroo Paw were hanging low enough for her to gnaw, she could not resist. This cat is addicted to tall grasses, flower stems and Ritz crackers.

She was also featured in Group 3 – I call this chameleon kitty – can you believe the match with the IKEA rug? She doesn’t sit still often so this was another shot where many things were working in my favor.

Pioneer Woman is where I first saw Rachael’s work. Last January Ree (or P Dub as she calls herself)  posted a story about watercolor artist Rachael Rossman who had sent her a pet portrait of her beloved basset Charlie.

Unbelieveably cool.

I hadn’t thought about those paintings until I read the story recently on PWs blog about the her book signing in Portland. Ree mentioned that she got to meet the lovely artist who had painted Charlie!

Ree (the Pioneer Woman and Rachael)

I think I would have peed myself.

I had to know more about this talented girl. Turns out she is more than just a girl, she’s a mom and a wife and works in her studio at her home in addition to a regular paying gig! Juggling it all. Her kids must have access to the greatest art supplies!

I found her ETSY store through her website and immediately emailed her about her work. Rachael quickly got back to me and within 24 hours I sent photos and my order was placed. Few weeks later and here I am looking at the preview anxiously awaiting it arrival. edited to add: I see she is 6-8 weeks out now on her work… better order soon if you are thinking Father Day! Also spotted… a Mother’s Day GIVEAWAY for a FREE 5X7 on her BLOG !! But you have to ACT FAST – she is picking a winner on Sunday! Click on the image below to visit her site or click here to enter the giveaway. **ENDED** winner is here.

I love when the universe works in synergistic ways.

Oh yea and just in case you thought I was kidding about the whole Ritz cracker addiction…

you’re welcome.