'Walking the dogs'

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Today we went for a walking at Beckys land.
This is Becky with the crew behind her. Hubert and Maggie rode over with Becky and I took Belle and Penny with me in my truck. I was afraid Penny might not do well with her dogs, so I figured I could put her back in the truck if necessary. It wasn't. She did well. This was her first big romp with new dogs!

There were lots of new smells to take in, and lots of places that needed to be marked.

Hubert found a good smell to roll in. Belle patiently waited her turn, and then...

She showed him how an Aussie rolls!

Maggie allowed Penny and Belle to romp with her in her creek.

Maggie likes to lie down and get the full effect of the cool water. Penny really wanted to jump on her, but she wasn't quite sure, because Maggie is alot bigger than her.

It was a good walk, and Belle and Maggie only had a little scuffle at the end, but I'm pretty sure that Belle was 'protecting' Penny, or at least it seemed that way. There was no blood, just alot of noise and scuffling around, but Becky grabbed hold of Maggie and put her on the leash for the last leg to the trucks..

Belle was ready for her noon nap. She has that satisfied look on her face.Penny fell asleep on her lion slipper. Shes just worn out!

In fact, the dog couch was even more inviting, and they both opted for a good sleep!

Thanks Becky!

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Plants and bird houses

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My friend Becky and I stopped by Lowes the other day after our childrens litererature group, aka 'kiddie lit', and perused the sale rack at the back. I found this treasure for a buck!!! It's a butterfly plant of some kind, the name has slipped through my sieve of a mind, but as Becky said, "the pot is worth that!" I also bought some potatoe vine plants of varied colors for 30 cents each. The geraniums were a whopping 50 cents apiece, and I planted them in one of my metal buckets. I haven't got pictures of them yet, but I will.




This is a crepe myrtle growing in my back yard that has made a comeback this year. It was all but dead, and then I put the 'Hollytone' to it this spring, and well, you can see for yourself. The bird house in the background was here when we bought the place, and although it is supposed to be a martin house, I have seen bluebirds nesting there each year.






The wigelia I cut back this past winter never did bloom, but it looks very healthy and green and bushy, so maybe next year it will bloom. Meanwhile I continue to plant more things...Becky gave me seeds from several of her plants, and if I don't get a notebook and write down the names, I won't be able to tell you what they are when they come up!

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Gettin even

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Well, looks like we left the dogs in a little too long tonight.

Belle seems unconcerned..

Penny is totally oblivious..

Several stuffed animals lost their stuffing tonight and had to filed in the bucket.
The 'self' watering tank..(3 gallons)..became the swimming pool, and one of the wood window sills got 'custom trimming'. Guess they were really pissed at us.

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Chow Chow

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So, is it chowchow or relish?




This is what I have been doing all morning, and now the house smells wonderful. I chop and peel all ingredients the old fashioned way...with a knife on a chopping block. I think it makes for a more homemade look when all the pieces are unevenly chopped. I had to use up the already ripe tomatoes and some green along with the ripe. This will simmer for hours and then I will put it into jars later this evening.

The recipe I use is called Grandma's Relish. Naturally I never follow a recipe to the letter, and I really don't know how my 'relish' will turn out from batch to batch. I made it two years ago and one of my friends that prides himself on being a 'rebel' and continually gives me grief about being a 'yankee', told me that....and I quote.."You make darn good chowchow, for a yankee." I guess that was just about the best compliment he could muster! He later told me that if I had any left, he would be glad to buy it! I did end up giving him my last jar, in token of my appreciation for him trimming my horses hooves. By the way, my horses name is 'Rebel'. I thought it fitting for a 'yankee' to ride a 'rebel'!



Penny like to watch me at my computer. She seems to enjoy the noise, or maybe just the fact she is near me. Bob came in and chatted after work, so of course the dogs are all over 'daddy'. Belle got the best spot, on his lap.

She won't let penny on his lap. Such jealous little boogers, these dogs!

A drizzly day, and I am still hoping for more rain, maybe through the night, or tomorrow. I have cucumbers waiting for some attention. Tomorrow may be pickle day, unless I go see my grandson, Caine. I'll get this 'relish' all put up and decide if I have the energy to pickle! I need to do some breads too, zucchini and some apple loaves....I love cooler weather!!!!

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