Vote for Gracie! (Thank you!)
Sights from around Crooked Acres.
Morning Glory in the rain (LOVE these flowers!)
I think I’ll be pulling up tomato plants this weekend. The green tomatoes look gorgeous, but they split (or get eaten by worms) before they can ripen – and the ones that ripen are really bland. On the up side, I’ll have a ton of green tomatoes to freeze, to make green tomato chili this winter!
Carrots have finally popped up – took them 10 days to germinate, I’d about given up hope. (I really should have planted them three weeks earlier, but I just couldn’t get motivated!)
Of the 30+ cabbage seeds I planted, I ended up with 10 regular cabbage and 5 Chinese cabbage. I don’t know how we’ll eat alllll that cabbage (and that’s assuming we actually get full-sized heads, which you can never assume here at Crooked Acres. We haven’t had much luck with cabbage, but that doesn’t stop me from trying!)
The catnip is happy. Next year, I’m planting it in the BIG raised bed. You can never have enough catnip. (On a side note, I read that you can make tea from catnip leaves. What I wonder is, do you then walk around with catnip breath and the cats following you around trying to climb into your mouth? Anyone know?)
Chickens looooove watermelon.
A lot!
I was focusing on the chicken on the log and didn’t realize that the pigs were posing prettily in the background!
Pretty little chick.
Mama hen and babies.
Another mama hen (and one of her babies in the background).
Pretty little hen.
It is absolutely amazing, how fast these ducks are growing!
I love the white at the tips of their wings. Still no idea on the sex of any of them.
Considering his/ her next move (the other three were just off-camera).
I’m not sure what Gracie was looking at, here, but it certainly had her attention!
::thlurrrrp::
George enjoyed his evening snack.
“What?”
Time for the nightly ear rub. If dogs could purr, that’s what he’d be doing.
Checking for cookies.
“If I smile at you, will you give us cookies?” (Answer: NO. They’d already had their cookies!)
And, some sounds from Crooked Acres – whenever we walk out to the back forty, the chickens know they’re very likely going to get some scratch, so they come running from all over. (Special appearance by George, who hopes there’ll be a snack for him, too.)
Guess whose turn it is to attempt to get the feather teaser THIS time?
Patty looks like she’s thinking “Why, that’s simply AMAZIN’!”
So close!
Taking a break to show off their pretty eyes.
Be vewwy vewwy quiet. He’s huntin’ wabbits.
It looks like he snagged a fuzzy blue ball that he’s juggling, but that’s actually laying on the floor a few feet away.
I swear, Patty DOES do more than just sit around and watch what Charlie’s doing, I swear she does. But sometimes she just can’t take her eyes off him, I guess!
I love Everett’s brown-orange eyes.
Molly loves her belly rubs.
Three-way fighting (l to r: Sally, Everett, Harlan)
Nyah.
Lucy and Molly partake of some refreshing cool water.
Harlan relaxes.
Lucy keeps an eye on things.
Stinkerbelle, atop the kitchen cabinets, keeping an eye on Buster.
Previously
2010: Martin and Jake: it’s a love-hate-love-hate relationship.
2009: Is it not amazing how the tiniest things can make the worst smells?
2008: Did I mention SHADDUP, YOU?
2007: No entry.
2006: No need to send out the announcement that we’re freaks just yet, I suppose.
2005: What a fucking day, I tells ya.
2004: Which makes me think he’s out there talking shit about me, of course.
2003: I know I’ve lived in Alabama too long when 70 is a bit too cool for me.
2002: No entry.
2001: I swear, my work is NEVER done.
2000: No entry.
LOVE the picture of the chicken on the log with the pigs in the background. Also the ducks make me giggle.
Ever consider making sauerkraut? Goes great with pork.
If I get to choose, I’m spending my next life as an animal (any animal) on Crooked Acres. I could be doted on by two adoring humans who would spoil me silly. God knows that isn’t working out for me so much in THIS life. 🙂
Just not as a pig, devil! And probably best to avoid being a rooster, too. It’d be a marvelous life, but regrettably short.
I can’t wait for Robyn to get goats. You know it’s gonna happen… *evilgrin*
Not pig or a chicken, i dont want to go to freezer camp.
Love the look of love George is giving Fred in that picture! Too sweet!!
I love George and Gracie! So I know you used to say they are working dogs not pets, has that changed? I think if they decided to stop guarding the flock and the hens were taken by hawks daily you would still decide to keep them.
Robyn, you *need* one of these! Think of the photo opportunities!!!
http://www.suck.uk.com/products/catscratch/#range
I actually think I can follow Gracie’s line of vision to see what she’s staring intently at, but I’m afraid it’s gonna be that damned frog, so I don’t want to blow the picture up full-size. (c;
My parents’ biggest dog, Patience – if you rub her ears in just the right spot, oh my! She just groans and moans, deep in the back of her throat, like she’s having the longest, slowest orgasm ever. And half the time her eyes are rolled back in her head and she gets wobbly on her feet. Seems like about 1 out of 3 dogs really dig the ear-rubs, but I’ve never known a dog who’s more vocal about it than Patience. And she’s usually a very NON-vocal dog, which makes it funnier.
Hae you ever pickled green tomatoes? My husband does it every year and they are sooo good!
Yay for the “Sounds of Crooked Acres” video! That was really neat – just like I thought it would sound like. Makes me wanna go live on a farm.
That first picture of Charlie Peppers? Invisible Volleyball!!
Things look, and sound, marvelously bucolic at Crooked Acres. I almost envy you, but there’s more work to do there than I like.
Here’s a recipe for you [I know, you could have googled it for yourself, but anyway. here it is]:
Catnip Tea Recipe
Catnip is known by a number of names, including catswort, catmint, and even field balm. It’s a perennial in the mint family that’s best known for its ability to drive cats wild, but before you use all your catnip on kitty, consider the medicinal uses for catnip that you might be able to take advantage of.
Catnip contains nepetalactone, a natural sedative that can help you relax and get to sleep at night. It’s also a muscle-relaxer and antispasmodic that can be used to treat stomach cramps. It may even help lessen the symptoms of migrane.
The next time you’re having trouble settling in for the night or your stomach is bothering you, try a cup of catnip tea. I’m sure kitty won’t mind sharing a little of his stash with you.
Catnip Tea Recipe
1 tsp. Catnip leaves (dried)
6 oz. Boiling water
Steep for 5-7 minutes
I’ve also read that it goes well with some lemon balm, and a little honey, of course. Enjoy.