Sights from around Crooked Acres.
A few weeks ago, Fred was digging near the wood shed, and found this bottle. It’s a little salt shaker! Unfortunately, the lid was almost completely corroded, but how neat, right? I wonder how long it had been buried there.
Little chick, enjoying the rays.
One of the grape vines on the back yard fence has produced two little bunches of grapes.
When it gets hot – and it’s going to get REALLY hot here for the next few days – George likes to hang out under the chicken coop.
The pond, currently. Yeah, it’s green. We need an aerator. But the catfish don’t seem to mind.
The ducks, all four together, as usual.
We gave up and went, as Fred termed it, “full redneck.” That’s one of those relatively inexpensive pools, and it’s realllllly nice. The good thing about small pools is also the bad thing about small pools: they warm up quickly. It’s practically like a sauna in there these last few days. Luckily, when there’s a breeze it’s pretty pleasant. (And please note, I am not 4 feet tall. I was sitting on a foam noodle, floating.)
When Fred and I go out to the back forty together, George and Gracie get SUPER! OVER! EXCITED! and we have to make them sit down and get calm. Here, George is barely restraining himself, and Gracie’s like “I knowwwww. We’re nauuuuuuuughty. ::sigh::”
“GEORGE HAPPEH. YOU GOTS SNACK FOR ME?”
“I’m the good pup, right, Dad? Aren’t I the good pup?” SUCH a good pup (okay, they both are.)
I think these chicks are particularly pretty.
Fred told me that this is a Katydid.
“WHERE COOKIES?”
Angry Muppet and one of her babies.
Honestly, this Silkie is the best mama hen we’ve got. Most of the other hens are pretty good, but the Silkie wins Mother of the Year every time. This is my favorite Silkie-and-babies picture, from 2009:
The Jalapenos are happy this year.
So are the Banana Peppers. I’ve already made a batch of Hot Pepper Butter. Which is a misnomer, really, there’s nothing hot about Banana Peppers. I’m a wimp when it comes to spicy stuff, and they’re not hot to me. The Pepper Butter is good on burgers and sandwiches – and I’m usually not a fan of any kind of pepper.
Pattypan squash. It’s a good thing that I have a freezer full of squash, because the squash bugs are starting to take over. We squoosh the eggs when we see them, but there are an awful lot of plants out there.
Busy bee.
Sungold tomatoes are our absolute favorite cherry tomato. We grow them every year and eat them like candy. SO good.
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Miss Fianna is thinking judgmental thoughts about you.
Cap’n Floof, eye on the toy.
That cat bed was ON the bed, and then the kittens knocked it onto the floor and it slid part way under the bed, and it’s become one of the Stompmonster’s favorite places to sleep.
“Dis my OTHER favorite place to sleep. A man’s gotta have options.”
I’ve said it before, but let me point it out again: General Grumpy’s got the LONGEST “fingers” I’ve ever seen on a cat.
Kennebec in the sun, and Agata in the cave.
Pretty girl.
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Wellington. Don’t you just want to boop that belly?
Caspian keeping an eye on the feather teaser.
Wellington, doing the same.
Snack time for the ‘Maters. We’ve got Mr. Stripey at noon, Wellington at 1:00, Caspian at 6:00, Dingwall Scotty at 7ish, and Sungold at 10:00. (I should have used the blue dish since they’re all boys, but the ‘Maters are secure in their masculinity. For a few more weeks, at least, bwahaha.)
I swear to you, I just cleaned those mirrors two days ago.
Camera strap: best toy EVER.
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Joe Bob and Newt, having a confab in the back yard. Which is unusual, as they generally don’t care for each other. Maybe they’re mellowing. Or too hot to fight (which is more likely).
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Previously
2011: Pile of McMaos.
2010: If that’s not the epitome of abject misery, I don’t know what is.
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: “So, I says to her, I says ‘Look. You want to pet me. I don’t want you to pet me. Your love burns my soul.”
2006: No entry.
2005: “Momma, your feet stink.”