Do you remember that saying? Something like ‘jackets are things for kids to wear when their mothers are cold’. Well when The Matriarch came out to the farm yesterday (and it was awfully cold yesterday – snow flurries even), she saw that The Big Dog’s coat had been removed last week when we all thought that spring had finally come.
“I heard on the radio that this cold weather will be lasting another two weeks” she said, patting the dog” and these old bones know for sure that those Old Dogs bones are rattling together they are so cold.”
So when we were out she bought The Old Fella a super dupa brand new Dog blanket. This is not a jacket, oh no, this is a horse blanket made for a dog.What luck it was to see the dog at the feed store wrapped up in one. All I had to do was point! (I love little owner operated businesses.) As I was buckling him into it he literally leaned his head on my shoulder with gratefulness. 
This one is waterproof too which will be perfect in the spring rains. We have instructions NOT to take any clothes off that old dog until the nights are properly warm.
On the other hand, John cannot bear to wait another moment more to plant out a few of his tomato plants. So we have made little water jug covers for them.
When we made the honey mead we bought distilled water and saved the plastic containers. I cut out the bottoms and threw away the lids. If you look carefully you will see that there is a stake next to the tomato plant, the plastic jugs slide straight down onto that stake through the hole at the top so you can close them up at night and on a hot day, slide the cover up the stake, allowing fresh warm air to the plant. It is nice to get a few out early. The bulk of the tomato crop will have to wait for warmer nights.
The pea hens did not eat the garlic.
and left us a tiny patch of lettuce. More is sown of course, but this little mouthful is being watched with impatient anticipation.
Now the peafowl are living in the Peacock Penthouse up in the Gods of the barn and get their milk and weeds and hen food delivered by the dumb waiter who climbs up the ladder balancing all these things in her hands twice a day. I miss having them roaming about. But they are very calm and quiet sat up high, watching all the goings on. And there is plenty of room for the tail. No sign of eggs yet though.
Good morning my darlinks. Today we will begin to build the pig palace. Charlotte and Sheila are desperate to get outside again. Though sometimes I think it is me who is desperate for Charlotte and Sheila to get back outside. But one way or the other it is time.
The bees come in a week! Won’t that be great. The only flowers in the garden so far are daffodils, but I have missed my buzzy mates.
My cardinal is calling. I feed him in the tree house so that the guineas do not eat all the seed, he is in the top of that tree calling in the sunrise. I think we will have a sunrise this morning, time for me to get up and see.
I know you will all find some loveliness today. Don’t forget to look for it. Remember to see it.
love your friend celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Put on your jacket, Mum is cold.”
What a cool dog coat…where or where do I find one for the Fuzz?
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Tell me his size and i will pick one up for you! Fuzzy will love it! c
I’m not sure…he is a Australia Shepherd/ Sheltie mix and weight 40 pounds. Email me the amount and I will send you the money asap.
We are nasty cold again today. I am so tired of winter and would love to be singing the Beatles song….HERE COMES THE SUN!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Actually I would think one like your Old Chap would be perfect!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Really looking forward to the bees. Fascinating little creatures. Good morning to you, c, and all the farmy! 😀
i am excited to show you all the bees in ONE delivery box! it is the most extraordinary sight.. c
Mothers do know best. A styling dog coat! And in Chanel’s favorite black and white. V.
Sartorially splendid!
I wonder if the pea hens would swipe peas, too, if you planted them. I suppose it would only be logical.
I will ask them, they are screeching outside the window! c
i am so glad old dog has a new warm spiffy coat! have a great sunday!
The Big Dog is looking very dapper indeed! I hope it warms up for you soon! xx
Thanks for the garlic planting info Cinders! I will do that this fall…what do you mean you harvest on the shortest day?? Did I read that wrong? 🙂
The only way that jacket could be better is if it were hot pink. Dogs are color blind right?
The Matriarch has such a tender heart. I’m glad her compassion extends to Big Dog. This looks like it will be very nice for him. I suppose peahens don’t want bad breath, seeing as how they have that handsome Kupa’s attention. Can’t wait to see the Pig Palace. I know it will be first-class digs!
Celi, you will never live the ‘dumb waiter’ comment down: did an initial double take with sleep perchance still in my eyes and then could not stop laughing! So much happening but had another laugh at John’s comment about the slimming effect of stipes on old Dog: he looks VERY comfortable. And yes, parsley does work after garlic; have used that little trick for years. Have a relaxing night 🙂 !
The dumb waiter! BAHAHA! Love Big Dog’s reaction to the new blanket. Lucky boy.
I wondering if it is possible to distract the pea hens from the good stuff by planting a multitude of garlic around it, and with garlic spray. I think only if they produce a flock of babies will they live doen their greedy exploits. I love old dogs, give Big Dog a pat from me 🙂
I am hoping for a flock, to sell that would be good for the farm.. I shall give old dog a pat for you this morning, he is always last up nowadays.. c
There’s no other bird call I like more than the cardinal. Reminds me of when I was a kid. I used to sit in the window and try and talk back to him. Every time I hear one I smile. 🙂 Glad Big Dog is keeping warm. Yesterday was burrr!!!! 🙂
I was thinking about you when i was out in my winter coat! Wondering whether you had to drag yours out of the closet again! c
Nope! Didn’t do it. Froze instead. 😉
stubborn, i like that! c
Hi Celi
Thanks for your reminder about looking for the loveliness. It is lunchtime here now, and I have found it in so many places – thanks to you!
You know Celi, reading your blog is one of the happiest times of my day. Thank you. It’s even more lovely when I’m having a bad day – you bring sunshine through your blog.