You will remember that the Pigs had their paddling pool confiscated because they mistook it for a toilet. I have experimented with all kind containers that I can fill with water for them to wallow in. Usually they just empty the water out and play on the concrete. Shoving the offending receptacle around with their snouts.
Yesterday it was in the nineties and trying to rain but all we got was humidity so I took apart a dog crate and put the bottom half in the pigsty then turned on the hose. 
It was an instant hit! Just right. Pigs do not have active sweat glands so they do not really sweat, plus these domestic pigs have very little hair to help them cool down so heat stress is something we need to be very aware of. This is why they love to wallow. The concrete barn floor is a great coolant for them, they will clear a patch and lie on the cold floor. The barn is the coolest place on the property when it is hot. We live an old fashioned life with no air conditioning so the barn is even cooler than the house. But like Our John and his swimming pool, the pigs love to cool off in water.
Why I decided to make brownies on the hottest day so far this year is anybody’s guess. But I had the oven on for the bread, and as I have used the gas anyway, I hate to waste the heat by only cooking one thing. I came across this recipe at Chef Connies blog. It make 250 brownies. And I want to make a big batch to take to the old folks home for The Old Codgers last day. But it is best to practice a recipe first. So I halved the recipe and cooked up a storm. They are divine. Very chocolately. And not icky sweet!
Plus they will freeze well.
Do you think Daisy’s shape has changed? I have a feeling the calf has dropped. Suddenly I can see her ribs. And it is not from a lack of feed either! 
Good morning. This morning when I woke up, though intent on a wee Sunday sleep in, the farm sounded different. Which put me on the alert immediately. I could hear the sheep calling to each other but there was something not quite right. So I looked out and lo and behold there was a little flock of sheep milling about my work station. The cats were all sat up on the work bench looking askance at the bad behaviour. The night paddock gate was wide open behind them. I did grab the camera, but only let off one shot. 
So I scooped out some of their treat feed, called out their dinner call and they obediently followed me back into the field clammering for a taste. 
By then the whole farm was awake and expectant and so my day has started upside down.
Good morning. Your comments were wonderful yesterday, you are such stunning pen pals! We have had some fantastic discussions lately in the comments section. Isn’t life grand!
Now I had better warm Minty’s bottle and begin work for real. I need to get as much done as I can out there before it gets too hot. Summer has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. Don’t you love it?!
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “The Perfect Pig Bath and dark chocolatey Brownies”
Good morning! Those sheep are quite the clever escape artists aren’t they? What a gorgeous sunrise you had this morning.
Can’t wait for Daisy to have that baby and your brownies look delicious! 🙂
Yes I have to remember to double check that gate, it has a habit if springing back out of its latch, especially with Minty crashing about as she jumps through it. c
good sunday morning! those look like very happy piggies! i don’t think i know who the old codger is? is he going back to his home? i bet they loved those brownies. we are in for an awful hot day again today. no rain in site. our ground is cracked and hard. we haven’t had rain in a month.
Everyone needs to adopt one old person and the old codger is mine, he is in hie nineties and lives not far from here but has been in a retirement home having therapy after a fall , Ton Ton and I visit him every friday. he is hoping to be able to come home to his own house soon.. Morning Joyce c
Those pigs are so cute!
I bet the cats let the sheep out 😉
Ah yes.. they would have done that for some mild entertainment while waiting for their breakfast,naughty moggies! c
Such happy piggies! Pigs (and ducks) never fail to make me smile!
Christine
Morning Ireland! c
I’m in the midwest too. Minnesota girl here. Can you give a state? Your critters are the best–oh how I need a lamb!
Stacey
We are down in central illinois! Lost out on the flatlands!! c
Your pig wallow is fabulous…….for now Celi! You’ll have to keep being creative my friend, as they will grow like crazy and soon only one at time will fit the dog kennel, and after that, not even one!!! Our pigs huge now!!! Let me know what you come up with. Ours have made a big wallow near their house and we fill it every few days. Di
Oh dear you are right.. in fact i think they are having a growth spurt right now! c
Would you look at the pigs – gorgeous! What fun!
Clever little lambies.
Have a happy day.
🙂 Mandy xo
morning mandy! c
Mm, brownies. Such good things. A recipe that makes 250? Now sounds just up my street. Enjoy them! 🙂
250 small ones, but it is so rich it is like eating fudge!! c
Ah, that’s the best kind of brownie! 🙂
Well, I think I prefer the brownies over the pigs.
Somehow your postings had disappeared from the WordPress Reader a week or two ago. Have you switched to your own internet domain at around that time? Anyway, after unfollowing and re-following your blog they are back again, so I can read them more timely now.
Yes i did Klaus, i went to dot com, but was assured that both addresses would still read.. what should i do as I think I may have lost a few other people along the way too, now that i think about it.. c
I still got email notifications, which I usually only browse, as I prefer to read my followed blogs when I have the time. You could recommend readers who experience the same problem (blog postings have disappeared from the WordPress Reader) to unfollow your blog and follow it right away, which will then work with the new address. It’s just two clicks at the same location. Of course they first have to read that advice, which might take a while.
This is true, well like you i am sure they will find me eventually, no-one will be lost forever, i will find them! c
that is so nive of you to adopt the old codger1 i bet he enjoys your company! i cook for all the old people in my neighborhood. especially for the holidays. i make sure they all get good treats! they really appreciate it.
oh everyone loves holiday treats, that is so kind of you joyce.. c
The picture of the pigs is absolutely precious. Very creative of you–that dog crate. I can’t wait to see Daisy’s calf!
She is plodding about so slowly now patricia, i do feel for her.. it being so hot.. c
Morning, Celi. It is hot here too – hot enough that I only left yesterday for the gym. Got a lot of work done at home, however. Resist the temptation of lying down on the barn’s floor. It’s going to be a hot one again.
Well it is 1pm as i am returning your comment and you are absolutely right Bill , it is very hot today, I shall attempt to resist the barn floor! c
Good morning! We could use our own adult sized piggy bath this weekend…mid to upper 90’s. A little wallow sounds great to me. Happy Sunday!
Cool water would be just the thing! morning betsy! c
No more piggies going wee, wee, wee.
… all the way home! exactly Alice! c
Good morning, Celi. It is late spring here in northern California. Cherries have come in and the first apricots, but the big prize in the market yesterday was fresh basil — I bought a big bunch for pesto and I succumbed to a purple opal basil plant and some Thai basil in pots: hopefully, I can keep them alive and fence them off from the local snail population.
That basil will love a warm corner of your garden, snails are such a bore.. cherries AND apricots.. lovely .. c