**THE BBHQ NEWS YEARS DAY NEWS ROUND-UP** Where's Pandora? Parsley, Pandora & Fudge Are Plotting, Smooch Is Sleeping It Off, and Melvyn's Modelling This Weeks Top Pick Bandana **EXTRA EXTRA!!!** Jessie's Extra Strong Catnip

Epic Greetings Furbulous Furiends

Welcome to the BBHQ midweek news round-up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Woooo Hooooo! Finally, it's here, and WE MADE IT!!!! MOL

Here's to a truly terrific, pawsitively pawesome, epically epic 2025!

On Friday's Festive Photo Fails, the P.A. mentioned that Cat Dad bought her two prints for Catmas, and we asked which cat mew thought would be on the cat-themed art?

But nopawdy got it right because, as mew can see below, it's a supurr cute black house panther; therefore, it's Parsley! MOL

Just look at these; honestly, the P.A. looked like the cat who'd got the cream when she opened them!

She said, and I quote verbatim, "Fluff me, these are EPICALLY EPIC!" And then she added, "Best fluffing present ever!" 

We've been following the artist on TikTok for quite a while and loved the colour palette and style of the artwork, but there weren't any cats, and mew know what we say at BBHQ: The Wurld is Way Better with Cats! MOL

Anyhoo, then by some total freak of fluff, on the TikTok feed in mid-December popped up the picture on the left called A Cat in Moonlight - yep, that is a furbulous title for sure. And then fluff me as if by magic, a second one appeared. The one on the right is another in The Cats in Moonlight series. Well, mew can't just have one on its own, so both were quickly dispatched to BBHQ and are now sitting on the kitchen sideboard until the P.A. takes them for framing.

Mew can't catch your breath at how pawesome they are in real life, the colours/tones, the light, the shadows, the depth, the details, just everything is so sublime, a recipe for art purrfection in our humble opinion, and the P.A. is hoping more will follow. Paws crossed! MOL

If mew want to see other artwork, click the link below.

Visit Stephen Allen's shop on Etsy!

(FYI, this is not a paid or sponsored or affiliate link.)

Anyhoo, after waxing lyrical for the last minute, let's look at this week's top headlines at BBHQ.

First up in the news

Where's Pandora?

Pandora went into stealth mode with a supurr obfuscation spell. However, she missed a bit. 

Can mew see it?

We'll give mew a moment....

No?

OK, look at the base of the yew tree on the left, just above the back edge of the millwheel.

Yep, that's her epically fluffy tail arcing most gracefully, we must add, out of the tree. 

Please don't ask what she was doing; we don't know, but apparently, the invisible monster who lives at the back of the sofa aka Were-Dee-Go or W.D.G. (if mew watch Melyn's modelling videos, sometimes W.D.G. is about! MOL), anyhoo so W.D.G. has been moving silently and invisibly around BBHQ, so maybe Pandora, and we can only surmise had moved into the astral or invisibility realm so she could... what? 

a. see him in all his monsterly glory

b. was hoping by being invisible, W.D.G. wouldn't see her?

c. it had nothing to do with W.D.G.?

d. she just wanted to operate in stealth?

Or if mew have any idea's do let us know in the comments!

Next up in the news

Parsley, Pandora & Fudge Are Plotting

Don't ask me what these three heathens were doing or plotting, as I have no idea. The only thing I can hope for is that it doesn't involve tanks, any weapons, a new mission or my secret catnip stash being discovered! MOL

In other news...

Smooch Is Sleeping It Off

If mew're wondering why Smooch is flat out on the shroom in catnap land, we can answer this!

And it has something to do with our EXTRA EXTRA segment below! 

Yep, he got a little bit effervescent with the extra strong catnip and crashed! MOL

I have two words; fluffing lightweight! MOL

Finally this week

Melvyn's Modelling The Top Bandana Pick

Melvyn's modelling the final pick for December, and mew chose Jingle All The Way to start the New Year!

Sadly, after the video was created in TikTok, the usual witty text commentary vanished during the posting phase, so apologies for that, but Melvyn is still looking supurr epically cute, and he's really looking forward to 2025, as he is sure that a modelling agency will finally sign him up! 

Check out Melvyn's videos on your preferred social media channel:

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube

Which one is your favourite this week?

Which one should he model next?

Here's the bandana collection for January. 

The January Collection

Top row from left to right.

1. Off To Space

2. Zero Fox Given

3. Smart Cats

4. Owl at The Moon

Tell us your top pick for next week in the comments!

EXTRA EXTRA!!!

Jessie's Extra Strong Catnip

Oh my cod, a couple of weeks ago, the pawesome peeps at Jessie's Catnip** sent us a bag of the green stuff to try, and as we're Mewton-Clawson's most furmative authority on catnip, it was an offer we couldn't refuse.

Well, mew know we are catnip connoisseurs at BBHQ, so trying this was a must, as we love a bit of extra strong catnip.

And it lived up to ALL expectations and exceeded some, too. Mew've already seen Smooch, who's still in his catnip coma reverie after an early morning binge session.

Parsley, Melvyn and Fudge all experienced the epic hallucinogenic properties, with a full-on manifestation of a unicorn; yep, it's true; take a look at the evidence below. If that's not a unicorn manifestation, then I'm not Wing Commander Basil! MOL 

JESSIE'S CATNIP, SO GOOD IT MAKES MEW SEE UNICORNS!!! MOL

Fluff me, I couldn't believe it either, but there's no denying that anything which makes mew see unicorns has to be purretty epic.

Fudge even made a New Year's wish in the unicorn's ear, "Please, can we get a repeat order of Jessie's Extra Stong Catnip!?" 

And there mew have it, if mew looking for unicorns, just ask Jessie! 

And if mew're looking for some fabulously fur-tastic, whisker tingling, supurr strong catnip, just ask Jessie!

Jessie has mew covered. 

And on that note, furry many thanks to Jessie for making our New Year's Eve Pawty so much fun. Thank mew, mew are EPIC!

**Disclosure ~ Even though we were given this item free of charge for a review, our review is completely honest and reflects our own experience with the product.

That's us done for today. Amber will be back on Friday with another meowvellous book to kick off the 2025 book review season, and if mew missed any other posts, here are the links:

Meowy Catmas!

 Pre-New Year's Stonehenge Selfie

Boxing Day Extravaganza

Catmas Special Brain Training 

Festive Photo Fails

Check out the latest episodes of The Purrminator in Melvyn's epically epic origin story:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Sadly, due to unforeseen time constraints, Chapter Eight is not quite finished, so many apologies for that, and we'll resume the adventure next Thursday.

Once again, New Year's Blessings to mew all, and remember to always...

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team 

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another post! 

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com 

The B Team's Nine Stones Circle Altarnun Bodmin Moor Selfie on The Sunday Selfies Blog Hop **PLUS** Smooch's UK Historical Travel Guide

 

Epic Sunday greetings furiends

Welcome to another BBHQ selfie selection, this week we decided to bip to the wilds of Bodmin Moor in the Time Travelling Telephone Box and visit the Nine Stone Circle. 

The B Team's Nine Stones Circle Altarnun Bodmin Moor Selfie 

What a place, we couldn't catch our breath!

Mew know how much we love ancient standing stones and stone circles, see our previous trips to:

Castlerigg    Stone Henge    Avebury    Rollright Stone Circle    Aberlemno  

Druid's Temple in North Yorkshire Pentre Ifan    The Ring of Brodgar

 Boscawen-Un    Duddo Five Stones    Drombeg Stone Circle     Callanish Stones

Scorhill Stone Circle Hurlers Stone Circle     Moel Ty Uchaf Stone Circle

Boskednan Stone Circle The Brat's Hill Stone Circle Nine Stone Close

Here's a little bit of info from BBHQ's Historical Travel Guide, Smooch:

Greetings to all the history aficionados and travel enthusiasts out there!

As we glanced about undulating terrain of Bodmin Moor, we were mesmerized by the raw beauty of the landscape. With its sweeping vistas of heather-strewn hills and hidden valleys, this is a place that seems to pulse with a primal energy – a place where the past and present merge in a mystical dance. And as we approached the Nine Stones Circle, we could feel ours hearts quickening with anticipation. This ancient monument, dating back over 4,000 years, is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of our human ancestors. Getting closer, we could see the distinctive shape of each of the nine remaining granite stones that make up the existing circle, once thought to be twenty four stones. Some were tall and slender, pointed up towards the sky like outstretched fingers. Others were broad and flat, their surfaces weathered and pitted by centuries of wind and rain.

But what sets this stone circle apart from others is that some of the stones are partially submerged in the earth, giving the impression that they are rising up out of the ground like ancient sentinels. It's a striking and unforgettable sight, and one that adds to the sense of mystery and power that surrounds this place. Please note: The ground is very boggy in this area, so not a place where mew would go walking around - don't forget that we bip in and bit out and leave no trace. As we very carefully walked around the circle, we were struck by the way the stones seemed to shimmer and glow in the golden light of the late afternoon sun. Each one was carefully positioned to create a sense of balance and harmony, with the circle spanning 49 feet or 15m in diameter. But the Nine Stones Circle is more than just an incredible feat of engineering – it also has a rich and fascinating history. Archaeologists believe that the circle was used for ceremonial or religious purposes, possibly as a place of worship or a site for astronomical observation. And in prehistoric times this area was used for settlements as there is evidence of hut circles within a short distance of the stones. As some us braved the leap over the water to get closer to one of the sentinels, and I must say I nearly ended in getting rather wet! MOL But we could feel the earth beneath our paws thrumming with a sense of ancient power. Perhaps this was a place where people came to connect with the spirits of the land, or to mark important events in their lives. Or maybe it was simply a gathering place where people could come together to share stories and laughter.

From the towering tors that rise up from the moorland to the sparkling streams that wind their way through the valleys, Bodmin Moor is a place of raw and elemental power. And the Nine Stones Circle is a potent symbol of that power, a reminder of the deep and enduring connection between humanity and the land.

Whatever its original purpose, the Nine Stones Circle is a meowgical reminder of the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world. And as we gazed out over the wild and windswept expanse of Bodmin Moor, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to experience this place and its history.

Purrs

Smooch

 BBHQ's Historical Travel Guide

We're also joining in Athena's Fabulous Art Hop so do stop by and show off your pawesome arty-farty skills.

The effect was created with Befunky - AI Enhancer, Pastel 2 + colour changes to brightness and vignette frame.

We also turned this fab arty-farty picture into a puzzle, so do stop by the puzzle page and take the Puzzle Challenge, see if mew can beat our time of 11 mins 24 secs. 

We're off on a little garden safari, as there's some gardening jobs that need snoopervising, and mew know that we cats, are the best snoopervisors ever.

Smooch has already put his order in for lunch at exactly 1pm, so woe betide the P.A. if she's one minute late dishing up! MOL

If mew've missed any BBHQ excitement in the last week, here are the links:

Smooch Around the Wurld

Midweek News

Amber's latest Book Review

Claws of Terror Chapter 17

Dr Seuss Day

We'll be back tomorrow with a supurr fun post just for mew, so do stop by, and here's a little hint, get your colouring pens out! MOL

We do hope mew have an epic day, and don't forget to...

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

Don't forget to join in the pawesome Sunday Selfies Blog Hop with

 Angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer ~ visit them at their pawesome blog:

www.thecatonmyhead.com

Link up coming later...

Don't furget to subscribe to our blog and never miss another post. 

Graphics created with paid licence @www.canva.com & ios Prisma App or www.befunky.com

The BBHQ Midweek News Round-Up ~ Fudge Beaming About, Parsley Found a Sunny Spot, and Melvyn's Wearing This Weeks Top Pick Bandana

Epic Wednesday Greetings Furiends

Welcome to the BBHQ midweek news round-up!

How's your week going? 

It's been a little bit sunny, a bit breezy, and then a little bit cooler in the evenings the last few days at BBHQ. The wood burner has been giving out some lovely warms, so Amber is supurr happy about that! MOL

And when we were getting today's photos ready, we found this cute throwback of yours truly from April 2017, when I was being a great help in the Craft Room; I even had full control of the sewing machine, mew see that thing under my paw?

Yep, that's the sewing machine power foot, which I was, of course, in full control over as the P.A. was making something, though I can't remember what, but by looking at the evidence, red thread was in play! MOL

I miss all mew guys, and love that mew still visit us all the time to see what's cooking at BBHQ!

Anyhoo, let's look at what the heathens have been up to this week.

First up in the news 

 Fudge Beaming About

Fudge was up on the beam again. Honestly, he has height issues. If he's not several feet off the floor, he's going to make sure that somehow he's going to get elevated.

 Fudge is a Bit Windswept

Then the ginger ninja went outside, where it suddenly became a bit breezy, and this was his windswept look before he ended up the tree again!

Next up in the news

 Parsley Found a Sunny Spot

Parsley was lucky to find a hotspot in the courtyard on Monday, and it was really sheltered next to the raised beds, but sadly, a few minutes later, the clouds came and ruined it all. But at least he got some warms.

And finally this week

Melvyn's Modelling The Top Bandana Pick

Melvyn's modelling the final February bandana!

The catwalk run sort of went on the fluff, as Melvyn just kept flopping down everywhere, so this week's video features one catwalk run and a lot of really cute Melvyn shots! MOL

.

Check out his videos on your preferred social media channel:

TikTok

Instagram

YouTube

Each one has different mewsic. 

Which one is your favourite this week? 

Which one should he model next?

Here's the brand-new March selection. We've added a couple of Eastery ones as Easter is early this year! MOL

The March Collection:

1. Mice Cream Cones

2. Pink Bunnies on Burgundy

3.  White Bunnies on Teal

4. Lambkins with Yellow Fringing

Leave a comment with your top pick for next week!

That's us done for today. Amber will be back on Friday with another fab book, and if mew missed any other posts, here are the links:

Sunday Selfies

Smooch Around The Wurld - Port Douglas

Claws of Terror ~ Chapter 17

In the meantime

Epic purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team 

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another post! 

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com