I was taking a break from the farmy things and was sat on the couch doing Social Media things when I heard a commotion outside.
I looked up and found Poppy, my beautiful hereford piggie looking back at me through the screen door, of the porch. TonTon was right behind her muttering to himself. “I told her – I told her. There is a rule about pigs on the porch. No Pigs On The Porch – the rule says. Don’t think I didn’t tell her miss c but will she listen? O!h No!. Pigs will be Pigs, she said to me and ran up the steps. Ran! UP! The! Steps!
“Then back down the steps and back up again in case she missed something. This pig is trouble, miss c. I knew it from the moment I saw her. There she goes again. Up and down. Up and down. You had better bring Power of the Bucket out here and lead her back to her paddock. Bloody pig.” Mutter. Mutter .
“Just bite her on the arse”, says BooBoo. “Just a little nip to move her along. I’ll do it if you like. I am always in trouble anyway.”
“We can’t. “says Ton. “It is mean to bite pigs bottoms. They are just so .. I don’t know – obvious.. it doesn’t seem fair somehow”
Poppy was escorted by her entourage back to her paddock where she lay down to have a wee sleep with her friends. Can you see Manouchki the kitten?
How about now.
Poppy is Manouchki’s new playground. But when Poppy moves the kitten leaps clear. So now Poppy stays very still while her kitten explores. 
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy
miss c
ps The proof for Letters for my Little Sister is due to arrive today. If it does not arrive my head may just blow right off my shoulders. I have to say I am beside myself with terror. Even though my co-pilot Melissa and I combed that manuscript for errors, I just know something will have got past and will show up in the printing. Too late now for those though. The type has been set – the Proof copy is for colours and formatting. Let’s hope it is all right and I can say GO.
There is a facebook page now just for this book, just for this period.
https://www.facebook.com/Lettersformylittlesister?ref=hl
Pop over for updates if you feel so inclined!
The Kitchen's Garden 
47 responses to “Poppy’s Day Out”
You make me think that Dr. Dolittle is really a woman called Cecilia 😉
It’s wonderful the way the words precede the actions of the animals. You’re created a story book for grown ups!
Wonderful photos of Poppy and Minouschi interactions. I knew Tima was going to tell Poppy that she’s allowed in the house sometime 🙂 Relax, I’m sure the book is perfect. Laura
So funny, and the kitten on poppy is uber cute!
Just wrote a long reply and internet went down sigh!!
Try again – I am sure the book will be great and I know you are a great writer that cares about spelling, grammar and continuity – unlike some of the books I read these days!
Picked up 4 new hens last night – Orpington Reds, supposedly good layers. They are only young and not laying yet. Hope my older girls are kind to them.
Got them from a friend who has a huge farm with chickens, cows, goats, donkeys, horses and at least 24 bee hives! he has just bought the farm that backs on to him, so has added another 80 acres! They grow everything too, and he gets his tomato plants every year from me (started in my green house). he likes that I try new heritage plants every year. Says this year they were exceptional! Makes you feel good when someone appreciates the work you put into growing good stuff doesn’t it?
Hey Miss C,
Just re-reading thus post with my 6 year old daughter, our morning ritual. She thinks you should write children’s books about the farm with the animals as the characters.
I agree they would be awesome…..
Until tomorrow morning,
Lori and Evie.
tell Evie, (this is a little secret just for her) that i am doing just that with a most wonderful secret illustrator in Italy..ssshh though.. it is still in the gently summering stage.. c
That is awesome, we patiently await it!!!
I think you should use your own photographs 😉
Me too!
This woman in brilliant! I promise you will love it. y photographs do not have the clarity for print.. so few of them do really, i take these shots on the fly! c
Oh thank you for making me laugh today, particularly the conversation between TonTon and Boo. Does Boo mind being ursurped by Poppy the Pig as the kitten’s playmate? Proofs – there seems to be a law that no matter how hard, or how long you check over final proofs, and even when you have a rest and go back to them refreshed, something will slip through. Don’t worry and don’t let anything spoil the thrill of seeing your book printed, bound and wonderful, I’m sure.
Poppy is the funniest pig. I love her. It looks like her maternal instincts are kicking in perhaps with Manouchki? Good sign that she will be a good mother.
I hope the book arrives today. When you open the box or envelope, just imagine the Fellowship clapping and cheering with delight with you. 🙂
Happy Friday!
Poor Boo, not even a tiny taste of Poppy’s luscious hams! Poppy was just curious and missing you (or perhaps your bucket…) and she’d probably seen TIma being an Indoor Pig from time to time.
“Pigs will be pigs.” SO TRUE!!
Wonderful news about the book. Hopping to the website now.
Hopping to Facebook … not website. 😉
What a wonderful story this morning!!! Poppy and Manouchki at the playground aka Poppy!!!! Adorable. I am sure that Poppy just missed you but the dogs certainly were flummoxed on how to get her down off the porch, weren’t’ they? Great news about the book! I am sure it will be wonderful and we are all going to revel in the finished product “she says as she types wiping sweat off her brow due to yet another infernal hot flash”.
Never underestimate Power of the Bucket, tis the Swine Herds friend.
It is the first thing I tell my helpers, if you have a break out grab Power of the Bucket, but be aware, they KNOW when there is nothing in there! So make sure to Load your bucket. c
That Poppy sure is a cutie! Isn’t it about time for her to be bred? Both of our GOS sows are due to deliver the first week of October. No more midwinter birthing! Piglets are just too adorable! xo
She was born in February, so it is a bit early, she should be bred to birth when she is one.That being a nasty month she will be bred in december to farrow in April/May and lets hope it is not too cold!.. though she will have a little house with a lovely area just for piglets under a light. Working on that too soon.. A couple of months yet.. c
That should be perfect timing! As you know we were taken by surprise when both of our sows got pregnant, one being quite young and both gave birth in the super cold of last winter! Awful! Our male is a big sweetheart, and very virile and fertile!!! So now we have it figured out, thank goodness, and will have no more babies midwinter! Will Poppy have a boyfriend, or will the lady vet be in charge? So exciting! xo
Miss A loved this story. I read it to her multiple times at her request. She liked finding Manouchki too. 🙂