40 Comments
User's avatar
Chris Anselmo's avatar

Please don't injure yourself building the catio. 🙏 We can't afford any Pizza Year video delays.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

I need all ten fingers intact by the end of the catio build, that’s for sure 😬

Expand full comment
Amelia Wilson's avatar

I am dying over the Catio and I demand more cat-focused content. I want to see them walking on their leashes!!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Amelia, this is a very slippery slope, but: you have emboldened me to share more adorable cat-walking photos in the next update! 😜

Expand full comment
Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Yes, please! I second, Amelia!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Speaking of cute pet-related things: I just discovered there's a whole cottage industry of catio furniture, and am thisclose to buying tiny beach chairs with palm trees for each of them.

Expand full comment
Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Omg 😂😍 this sounds spectacular. They at least need a kitty hammock

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

On it! 🫡

Expand full comment
Amelia Wilson's avatar

Do it!!!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Expand full comment
Kristen Luiso's avatar

that berry ricotta cake looks fantastic!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

And the best part is that it came together in one bowl and fifteen minutes, tops!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Omg I just watched the video of Chelsea Fagan and her saying “institutional validation is a drug” will be imprinted on me forever! I never heard about this woman before.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Right?! I know you’re focusing on your own writing this summer/sabbatical, so I bet you’ll love all of her videos on the subject.

Chelsea founded The Financial Diet, so I’ve been loosely following her since my financial-planning days…and then she went and wrote a really fun romance novel!

Expand full comment
Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Chelsea Fagan is incredible and SO nice (I'm signed up for her newsletter). I don't really use Insta often, but when I do I always enjoy her stories as well.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

She seems so cool—and she's always so generous with what she shares about her own life and work!

Expand full comment
Aja Frost's avatar

I am not a prime catio candidate (no construction skills or cats) but would *love* to know more about this project!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

I’m delighted to hear this—I’ll definitely share more, then! I think I remember you mentioning in a recent newsletter that you have plans to set up your own backyard, so: solidarity. 💪 (FWIW, I have no construction skills either! It’s a learning journey!)

Expand full comment
Alexandra Stafford's avatar

I am excited you will be sharing more about this project! We have longed to build (or have someone build) a catio for our cat Jedi. She spends much of the day in the windowsill transfixed by squirrels and birds and chipmunks, and I know she would love a catio.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

First of all: Jedi is an *excellent* cat name. I’ll definitely share more catio progress as it happens!

I’ve been really impressed by the DIY plan I bought from Catio Spaces (and it could be easily handed off to a handyman). As an unskilled laborer myself, I wildly underestimated the time commitment—other people called it a “weekend project,” but for us it’ll be a summer project 😂

Expand full comment
Alexandra Stafford's avatar

Thank you for sharing Catio Spaces! I see the link now in your post, but I missed it earlier. We have a few house projects going on at the moment, but builidng a catio has now moved up the priority ladder as it feels more doable. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

And now I'm excited to hear about *your* eventual catio project! 😅

Expand full comment
Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Friday Postcard!!! I LOVE THIS! These glimpses into your life are just the loveliest.

Maddie, what a beautiful gift it is to have your mother's letters. So fascinating. So wonderful. Isn't it so fun to discover the different lives of a parent, before they became your mom/dad? I love that you're saving the stamps too!

I am SO excited for this catio!!! I keep trying to convince my sister to build one. YOU GOT THIS! I can't wait to see the finished product, they are going to live their best kitty lives!

Those snacking cakes look delicious. 😍

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

It's *so* special to be able to get to know my mom as her own person, long before I existed. It's a privilege I don't take lightly! ❤️

And your interest in the catio seals the deal: once it's finished—which, knock on wood, will happen within the next month—I'll do a full recap. While I understand why your sister hasn't built one yet (it is so. much. work), the end result promises to be a feline paradise! I'm so excited for my fur babies 🤗

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

doing your own home improvements is so satisfying, isn't it? my proudest moment was replacing my garbage disposal on my own while my brother in law facetime -talked me through it.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

SO satisfying—and empowering! Having a tangible success like yours makes you feel capable of figuring out just about anything, right? 🤩

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

yes!

Expand full comment
Marissa Burdett's avatar

I loveeeeed this postcard and seeing what you've been up to! I've got Criterion Channel in an open tab to check out. I'm thrilled that you're enjoying Chelsea Fagan's novel. It was a top read last year for me and I am kind of obsessed with her as a human, too.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

This makes me so happy to hear—and Marissa, you are in for *such* a treat if you subscribe! 🥰

Expand full comment
Sarah Li-Cain's avatar

Oh gosh am I invested in how your catio turns out? Heck yeah!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

The people have spoken! More catio updates to come! 😜

Expand full comment
Jamie's avatar

I loved A Perfect Vintage! And Snacking Cakes is one of my favourite cookbooks.

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Why am I not surprised that we’re totally on the same wavelength?!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

What a nice way to start my morning, Maddie! The catio, the pizza video, the letters, and loved the links about mid-Tv and family meal!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

I’m so glad this kicked your Friday off on a positive note, Jolene—I know you’ll love the article about family meal!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Loved it and it reminded me of my days in NYC!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

Oh, how perfect! 🥰

Expand full comment
Erin Henderson's avatar

I will now eagerly await these postcards! Checking out alllll the links!

Expand full comment
Maddie Burton's avatar

This makes me so happy to hear! The Quaintrelle Weekender is an inspiration 🤗

Expand full comment
Erin Henderson's avatar

Awww, you! 🥰

Expand full comment