Debutante Ball - Happy Birthday Truffle!

It's finally here!  Truffle is one year old today.  She was born at 1:35 pm on June 2 and weighed just 2.9 ounces.  She is only a little over 5 pounds now and won't get much bigger.  We also want to take a moment to remember her little brother, Beignet, who was born at 1:53 pm.  Unfortunately, he is at the bridge with Sweet Praline, but he'll always be part of our family.

In honor of Truffle's first birthday and entry in to ladycathood, Mom Paula is hosting a Debutante Ball for Truffle and all of the CB has been invited.  Even though Brulee is still a baby (she won't be a year old until August 27), she is allowed to come to the ball under the close supervision of Mom Paula.


Before entering the ballroom, Truffle pauses in the beautiful southern garden for her official portrait for the ball.

Truffle and Brulee walk up the master stairway into the grand entrance of the majestic ballroom.  Truffle is wearing a beautiful jeweled crown for her grand entrance.  Little sister, Brulee, has a crown of pink flowers on her head.  Both have been to the Purrfect Persian Salon to have their silver floof groomed to purrfection for the occasion.

The grand ballroom is exquisite.  As she enters, the orchestra begins  playing and the cats of the CB begin to arrive in style.

The first to arrive is Mahoney of Marg's Pets and boy does she arrive in style on her golden carriage wearing a crown fit for a queen.  We wonder who she is saving that second crown for . . .

The second guest to arrive is very mysterious about his/her identity.  Can you guess who this is?  In his/her own words:  "I'm wearing a mask to the ball, so no one will know who I am (though the toof might give me away).  I have dressed as a Southern gentleman cat because I'm sure I'll have many more dances on my dance card with the lovely Miss Truffle is she doesn't know who I really am.  Happy Birthday!  P.S.:  I apawlogize if I should offend anyone's sensibilities by my manner of dress.  Miss Truffle isn't offended at all.  

Zoey from Zoolatry

The first couple to arrive are Abby and Sammy Meezer.   Abby is also from the south and is definitely a southern belle!  Sammy Meezer describes his lady love as a "petite dynamo, like Scarlett O'Hara."  

Next to arrive are brother and sister, George Clooney and Neytiri from Clooney's Num-Num Fund.  Neytiri is setting off her beautiful blue eyes with a diamond necklace to "die for" and George is a dashing gentleman in his black tie and tails.  The dance card for this this sibling pair is sure to be filled tonight.

"Look, Mom!  Brian's arrived and he's brought me flowers." Brian is such a nice southern gentleman. Did you know he only lives a couple of hours away from us?  Doesn't he look dapper in his fancy shoes and white hat and bow tie?

Madi, a ladycat from North Carolina, honored us with her presence this evening.  Madi tells us that being a Southern girl, she knows pearls are a must have for a proper debutante ball.  Her tiara is loaded with the precious pearls.  Doesn't Madi look a lot like Laila?

The next ladycat to arrive is Katie from Glogirly.  Katie insists that diamonds are a ladycat's best friend and she comes to the ball drenched in the most magnificent diamonds one can find.

Kozmo and Callie arrive at the debutante ball next.  Kozmo's Sweet Pea is wearing her Lady Belang Belang Tiara and a Dolce & Gabanna silk wrap.  Callie's Sweet Ba-Boo is wearing his top hat and a daring purple bow tie.  Both are sharp dressers for sure!  They are looking forward to a magical evening of romance and fun.

The next to arrive is the grandest dame of them all, Cheysuli.  Would you believe she let Ichiro come with her?  We don't know if Chey allowed him to come with her or if he was a stow away in the carriage. Either way, we're glad to see them both.  Chey explained that Gemini was staying home, probably hiding under the bed, hoping that Ping will come comfort her.  You see, Gemini is very shy.

The next group to arrive are the famous cats from Wendy's 3-D cats - Dante, Dylan, and Domino.  They have each dressed in their finest and are bringing gifts and good wishes to the tiny diva.  Being the magnificent mancat that he is, Dante arrives dressed in a tuxedo ready to dance the night away with Truffle.  Dylan is escorting his ladycat, Halle to the event.  They are such a handsome couple.  Of course, Domino is escorted by the equally handsome Milo!  No one can wear a fancy dress like Domino.

Dante

Dylan and Halle

Milo is incredibly excited to be taking his beautiful Domino to such a romantic occasion and are thrilled to be helping Truffle celebrate her birthday.  Milo is going to ask Truffle and Brulee to dance - with Domino's permission.  But most dances will be saved for Domino.  Milo and Domino are very much in love.

Ellie and Allie from Friends Furever are arriving in their coordinating Hello Kitty ballgowns.  Allie chose the blue and Ellie chose the more girly pink.  Cousin Trooper joined the girls and is escorting Lexi and boy do they look like they just stepped off the red carpet.  Who knew Lexi was such a stunner and Cousin Trooper is a very handsome tuxie in his tuxedo.  Tamir will be arriving at the ball a little later with his special ladycat.

Allie and Ellie

Lexi and Cousin Trooper

The inimitable Hansel (formally known as Ludwig Van Hansel) arrives next.  Hansel is known worldwide for his melodic voice and his masterful command of the keyboard, causing all the lady cats to swoon.  Attending Truffle's Coming Out party and Debutante Ball, he plans to perform several of her favorite tunes, and will feature the never-before-heard piece, ODE TO TRUFFLE, a composition created especially for her on this special occasion.

Breaking news!!!  The official photographer caught Miss Truffle in the lounge, sharing a private and quiet moment with the handsome and dashing Master Rumblepurrs, her escort for the evening.  Being the ultimate gentleman and setting his hat to the side, Rum has just presented her with two new fur-bows to complement his silk tie, and is about to pin a matching corsage on her furry, fluffy ruff.  But wait - we spot two very small, gold ribboned boxes - what can they be?  What secret lies within?  Chocolates?  Rubies and pearls?  Aaah, perhaps they will soon exchange Friendship Rings . . . only time will tell for this sweet pair.  Now, off to the ballroom for their first official dance . . .

Hannah and Lucy arrive next, showing off their fabulous dresses for the Ball.  Wait a minute!  Is that a bottle of the bubbly catnip?  Is it time for Truffle to have her first niptini?

Alfie and Lola are looking forward to a fun time at the Ball.  Alfie is a bit shy about being romantic but he adores Lola.  Lola is wearing a special hat that Judi-bug made for her - so it has extra special meaning right now with Judi-bug being ill.  Alfie and Lola will dance together but also Alfie wants to ask Truffle to dance too, as she is the birthday girl.

Cory is stepping out for the first time as a single ladycat since her boyfurriend and love of her life, Whitey, went to the Bridge.  She is a bit nervous . . . so escorting her are 3 of her brothers . . . Nigel, Figaro and Madison.  Of course, they will keep a watchful eye over their sister and also hope for a dance with all of the ladycats.

Cory in a beautiful pink ball gown!

Nigel, Figaro and Madison

Baby Patches arrives on the paw of the debonair, Minchie.  When these two Turkish Angora cat step on the dance floor, it immediately clears as they perform a very graceful waltz!  We think Minchie wanted to do a tango, but Baby Patches said she couldn't do those moves in her southern ball gown.  Laila also arrived with her brother and was ready to meet all of the eligible mancats at the ball and dance the night away.

Baby Patches and Minchie

Laila

Chester is one of our newest furriends on the CB.  Chester is an Exotic Shorthair mancat from New York City, who is a little aloof, but a proper gentleman.  Shester doesn't know many of the cats from the CB, but he would like to have one dance with Zoey, if she will let him.  (We wonder if she'll take off her mask!)  Chester is quite the ladies' man, having been a former breeder and thinks he can win Zoey over with his catitude.  You wouldn't know it, but he was actually a terror in the cattery, starting fights with the Persians, so Zoey might have met her match in Chester.  Chester doesn't like wearing hats, so after he makes his entry, he will be removing his hat, just like a proper gentleman should.

The Prancer Pie family is the next to arrive.  Aren't Princess, Precious, Prancer, and Princeton spiffy in their southern attire?  We think Prancer and Princeton and laying low because someone found a bottle of nip near the punch bowl!

Mozart and Junior, from Random Felines, drop in to wish Truffle a very special birthday!  Of course, they also add their names to Truffle's ever expanding dance card.

Katie Isabella arrives at the ball dressed in red, which offsets her beautiful black and white fur purrfectly.  

Esme, from the Critters in the Cottage, quickly joined Katie Isabella at the top of the stairs.  She stops at the entrance of the ballroom, waiting for her escort.  We wonder who he could be . . .

Look over in the corner of the ballroom!  We can't believe it!  It's Uncle Bhu!  He took a little time to drop in and check on Truffle and Brulee.  Bhu was one of Sweet Praline's (our sister-before-us) special mancats and he feels it is his responsibility to watch our for Truffle and Brulee.  We are so happy to see Uncle Bhu.  Unfortunately, we're afraid little Brulee is wearing him out with all her chatter.  But Uncle Bhu is being very patient with Brulee, telling her stories of Sweet Praline and their special times together.

The notorious pair and furriends of Father Tom are delighted to attend the ball.  Tinker and Anastasia (she should really take these events more seriously, sheesh!).  They refused to have their picture taken together since they ::ahem:: don't exactly get along.

 Anastasia is the town gossip and she just can't believe what some of the cats of the CB are doing!

Tinker just sits quietly aside and watches his date in action.  After all, this is their first date.  We think Tinker may have been in the nip-spiked punch with his bow tie askew!

The siblings from the New England area arrive together and are having a blast at the bell.  They aren't used to the humid South, so they stay near the air condition and fans.  We're so happy to see Lilly Lu, Mikey, Maxie, and Callie Rose.

Now it's really time for the fun to begin!  King Spitty has arrived with Nellie on his arm.  Even though Spitty has a date for the evening, he is over asking Mom Paula's permission to become a gentleman caller for Truffle.  Nellie doesn't look too happy about this conversation.  But, Spitty will be Spitty.

JJ, Treasure, Tiger, Georgia, and Tillie are huddled in deep conversation over by the orchestra.  JJ brings a beautiful red rose for Truffle and Treasure has designed a very special birthday card for our diva-in-training.

Tiger, Georgia and Tillie went all the way to Paris to find the latest in fashion for an old fashioned Southern Debutante Ball!  Aren't they gorgeous?

DaisyMae Maus (aka DMM) Fairy Princess and Formalwear Lucky Charmz (aka Charmee) couldn't miss the opportunity to visit with all of their furriends at the ball.  It was really nice to see them at the ball (their brother Sparky Fuzzypants went to the bridge this week).

DMM

Charmee

We can't believe it!  Sparkle the Designer Cat has arrived at the ball wearing a stunning strand of pearls that any Southern Belle would be proud of!  Sparkle explains to the local society reporter that she opted not to wear her tiara because she didn't want to wear something gaudy that would take the attention away from Truffle.  We wonder what type of report Sparkle will take back to the West Coast . . .

Sparkle takes a moment to stop and interview Master Samuel (aka Sammy) and Master Moose (aka Moosey .  Sammy is resplendent with his monocle and checkered bow tie, while always-dapper Moosey makes a bold statement with his fashion-forward  peacock feather boutonniere.  Both gentlemancats expressed great delight at attending Truffle's Debutante Ball.  "Truffle is such a sweet young ladycat and we are both so happy to be here with so many of our friends to celebrate her coming out," the brothers said.

We do believe we see a distinguished gentleman all the way from across the pond talking to Uncle Bhu in the foyer.  Ginger Jasper is another one of Sweet Praline's special beaus and he also feels a connection to Truffle and Brulee.  GJ and Bhu reminisce about their co-starring roles in As the Paw Turns with their favorite diva, Sweet Praline.  

The boys from Cat's Cats decided to have a little fun and made this special greeting for Truffle.  We think they've been in the nip, too!  

Ben, Casper, Kip, Jimmy, Archie (in order)

Tamir and Gracie arrived at the ball in style.  Tamir surprised Gracie and rented a Cinderella Coach to get them to their destination.  He's such a gentleman.  Gracie leans over and whispers in Tamir's ear, "Oh, Tamir, unlike Cinderella, I don't have to be home by midnight!!!"

Gracie and Tamir pause a moment to have their photo taken on the Grand Staircase.

Derby and Ducky are the last to arrive at the ball.  They are hoping it's not too late to get on Truffle's dance card.

Well, what do you know?  Diego Hamlet Moonfur (Hammy) pestered his brother, Rumbles, to come along to possibly escort Miss Brulee.  He went out and bought a hat and everything.  Mom Paula says Brulee is still a little young to be dating yet, but Hammy and Brulee sipped some lemonade and chatted on the loveseat beside Mom Paula.  Is there another romance in the air?

We hope you've enjoyed a little Southern Hospitality at Truffle's Debutante Ball.  She had a blast being the center of attention (what diva wouldn't?).  We wish you safe travels back home and look forward to seeing you in  August at Brulee's birthday party.

Happy Birthday Dear Truffle.  We love you!