Saturday, August 22, 2009

" My Week "....

It's been a pretty busy week around here, which is really nothing new. The Book Mobile, as my husband calls the mail carrier, brought some good stuff this week. I had never read Under The Tuscan Sun, I read on a blog this week it was entirely different from the movie and much better.

It is one of my favorite movies so I decided to get the book. I found two more by the same author so I got all three. I'll be "going " to Tuscany this fall, at least via these books anyway! I also read how good John Harwood's two novels Ghost Writer and The Seance were, so I ordered them too.

Stalking Irish Madness was recommended by Willow @ Willow Manor and Vicki Lane @ Vicki Lane Mysteries recommended The Natural Laws of Good Luck. The New Seed Starters Handbook I got for future use in the greenhouse!









Again we were privileged to see a gorgeous Sunset this week.....






Well, it's easy to tell Oscar Wilde from the others but I can now tell 2 of the girls apart! I guess 2 out of 8 is not bad for one week ?






Meet Queen Victoria! She's one of the Australorp/Rhode Island Red mixed!

She runs the show in the yard! She is called Vicki for short !! HA!





The other A/RIR mixed is Madame Willowmena ! She's definitely 2nd in line to the throne!

She's Willow for short! :)






As you can see....Vicki is the one who decides WHEN it's time to go to roost!







That's Willow following Vicki's lead.................Can't wait to name the others!








Now TC has his spot to wait for the Peek Gang to come out!









Can you believe they were 9 weeks old last Wednesday? Duke will be going to his new Mommy soon. We will miss him so much!










Lucky for Patch, he gets to stay @ Swiftwater with Mom & Dad.......... :)












These are two really smart puppies. They are fully house broke. They will go to the door and whine to go out to potty! They know their names and the words outside, potty, eat, bedtime, good morning and who wants to go inside? Which is what Hubby said to get them to come to the door for this pic!











Henry Wadsworth has decided the Pond House rail is a good place to fish from....













I fed the fish for Hubby the other evening and took this of the big Catfish eating.........














As you know, my Peppers are unbelievable! I made Pepper Relish this week. I was told this makes a Hot Dog into a gourmet meal. It's true, we tried it last night! Click on the PR link and go to Mennonite Girls Can Cook for the recipe!















Today I am making Pepper Butter! I saw the recipe @ The Self Sufficient Life, click on the PB link for the recipe..........

















Have a great weekend everyone! Thank you for all the comments both on my blog and Lady Katherine's!! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers !!!

















39 comments:

forever lost said...

what a nice day...books, pups, catfish, AND home made pickle relish!
how do you find time to read and write!
love all your book selections, and perhaps I need a list of my own!

Unknown said...

LOL, on naming some of the chicks after bloggers! Have read Harwood's Ghost Writer and thoroughly enjoyed it; will put Seance on my list as well as Under the Tuscan Sun since it's different from the movie (which I also loved).

Glynis Peters said...

Oh I loved this post and your books sound great!

Reader Wil said...

Wonderful post, Carol! Your two "big" boys are really very adorable and very handsome. I am sure you will miss the one that's leaving. You have been very busy.
I'd like to know the ISBN of Vicki Lane's books, for I can order them here, which is quite convenient. Could you send these numbers to me?

Sherry Austin said...

No chicken named Trixie?

(Chicken) Pox on all o' y'all!

:)

Carol Murdock said...

Hey, Boots! Welcome! It's a real OLD MCDONALD's around here!I have very little time for either at present but I WILL catch up come Fall and Winter! :)

GS....oh I can't wait till I can tell the others apart and name them!! :)

Hey Glynis...Thanks! I'm really looking forward to these reads!

Reader Wil...Thanks! Duke id going to my Aunt so I will get to visit him! The #'s are on their way!The books are all % star reads! :)

Trix...there is no way there won't be a Trixie in this bunch! I just haven't picked out the most cantankerous one yet!HA! :)

Carol Murdock said...

Sorry Wil...I'm in a rush!! HA! That would be Duke IS going to my Aunt and Vicki's books are 5 stars reads !!! :)

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, my, I loved Under the Tuscan Sun. I have all the Frances Mayes books. She is a wonderful writer, and I'm partial to good memoirs.

The sunset is gorgeous, chiclets, and pups are all adorable. Fun post as usual.

Gotta run. Heading for a cookout with friends at the cabin, and some river fun. Woo Hoo! The weather is delightful, too. Have a wonderful weekend. See ya!

Renie xox

Vicki Lane said...

What a fine looking hen Vicki is -- sorry to hear she's bossy.But someone has to make the first move. (I can't imagine myself pushing Willow around!)

What a lovely haul of books! I hope you enjoy The Natural Laws of Good Luck --it's all true, no matter how far-fetched some of it seems. And I think the writing is beautiful.

KB said...

Those pups sure are smart - knowing all that English already! I am very impressed. I bet that you'll miss Duke (having them leave would be the impossible part for me, and I do mean *impossible*) but I'm glad that Patch is staying.

What a flock of chickens! I can see how busy you are...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Good Morning Carol... I do have one question. WHEN do you have time to read those books????? ha ha

Ozzie (short for Oscar) looks like he is king of the jungle. I'm sure he keeps all of his ladies in line...

Cute picture of the kitty 'watching'... AND your new puppies are just precious. They are really growing.

Hope you have a great day on the Murdock Farm and Zoo.... ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Carol Murdock said...

Renie...WOMAN you need to tell us what you take to have all that energy!! WOW! I'm really looking forward to Frances May's books!

Vicki...she's not really bossy, she's just a leader and it's not just Willow who follows her! HA!
She's a very regal chick!!Your review was so good I am really looking forward to this one!

KB...he wouldn't be leaving if he wasn't going to my favorite Aunt who I see often! HA!

Betsy...thanks sweetie for your kind words! I go to bed with the chickens and read! I'll have lots of time come fall and winter!! :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

E I E I Oooooo! All the critters and produce look so good and healthy. :)

BlueRidge Boomer said...

Love!!!...the names of the chickens!! and can't believe how big the boys are.....

Enjoy....LindaMay

Lady Katherine said...

Hi, First, Thank You! For all the prayers and Angels you sent over to me. I had a rough six weeks, for I know about my surgery, then Five deaths. I never told my family even to this day all that will happen, or on my blog. It's been an emotional roller coaster for me. Last night I did not sleep at all, for the first time, I let myself think about it all.
I'm doing great, for just waiting for all this to end. lol I bought a lot of new things, added more hens. I went yesterday and bought 2 Marons that will lay chocolate color eggs this fall. I have been working non stop on my house remodel.
I love this post, a great mixture, roost for your chickens, pickle relish, catfish, pond house.
I love Under the Tuscan Sun!!!!
I got to email you, hubby just drove up with an antique mill saw and an antique double washing machine. Got to go see! Don't let me forget to email you! lol
Oh, I can see the washer, its great. I got go. Thank You Your an Angel!

Captain Hook and Lady Crochet said...

Carol,
I love the chickens! Are they not addictive??? I just got in the door from letting ours out for the day...and I must have stood there and just watched them for 15 minutes or so. PS: Thanks for the plug! Let me know how it goes...it really is awesome stuff!

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Oh I'm so glad to see your ladies. Beautiful birds. Sounds like you had a nice week.

:-)

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Carol,
I love books. Your collection looks great and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time reading. The chickens are pretty, especially Queen Victoria. I can see she's the queen. Your puppies, the kitten are so cute, too. The home-made pepper relish looks really good. I've never tried pepper butter, but bet it would be real good, too. I enjoyed your posting. Thanks for recommending these books. They are sound like good reads. Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a great weekend with the chickens, puppies, and little kitten.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Carol,
In regard to the Joe Pye weed posted on my blog, the plant does have seeds. They grow wild in the woods and on the roadsides.

Carol Murdock said...

Angie...Ei Ei O is right! HA!
Or Hooterville may fit better!!

Linda...love nameing them chickens! Ha!

Lady K....thinking of you sweetie!!

Lori...I'm Lovin it! They are fun to watch! Got it made and it "looks" wonderful!

Jayme..as long as them coons stay away I have a good week!! HA!

Brenda Kay...hope you do read some of these! This is my first try at Pepper Relish and Pepper Butter!The relish is wonderful, I'll try the butter in a day or two!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Sounds busy, but fun! Pretty birds and cute pups. And another lovely sunset!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Deb Shucka said...

Adorable pictures. It doesn't seem possible, but those puppies just get cuter and cuter. Love your chickens.

Missy B. said...

The pups are too cute! And I love your chickens!

I have given you an award! Please pick it up at my blog:

http://missysbooknook.blogspot.com

Simple Man Makin It Do said...

Oh, no I will be using the old washing machine as decoration only! lol I have a brand new one, Now I do have an old wringer tub washing machine I use to was my wool and mohair in. I been out for hours changing chick and chickens around. I have two Rhode Island Red Roosters, one goes out with three hen free range, the other stays in with my hens. I finally sat and watched him the last few days, he runs them off from the food! Now, Big Red my other Rooster calls them to the food. Now he is in a coop by his lonesome! I left my paint can open and did not finish painting today! Another day.

Lady Katherine said...

Oh, I did it again, I been working on hubby site and forgot to sign out! So I am commenting as Simple Man! Just in case this is Lady Katherine! lol

ceecee said...

Catching up with you on this Saturday night. The rooster and the hens are so elegant. I don't know when you find time to read - the farm is like a whirlwind of activity! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Catherine

Jeannette StG said...

The chicken coop turned out very nice, Carol!!
And oh how I wish I could go with you to Tuscany- there are amazing landscape scenes I would want to paint there! (as well as the Mediterranean shore, sigh)

Unknown said...

Those puppy mugs... oh so squeezable. love all the chicks and books too. Read Under the Tuscan Sun several years go, great read. If you like food travels, you'd enjoy A Year in Provence, and his subsequent books, by Peter Mayle.
You feel like your traveling through country French eateries...
thanks for the reminder, that many are called, few walk the walk...

A Brit in Tennessee said...

You've got a regular little chicken farm going on there ! Love the names...
They all seemed to have settled in very nicely, I 'spect they like their new "digs".
Sad time when the little puppy leaves, I always hated to see them go, but I'm sure he will have the best of homes, otherwise he would be staying with you.
The pepper relish looks "to die for "....such a talented gal you are Ms. Carol :)

Elenka said...

I never thought much about chickens, but they really are quite beautiful, aren't they?

Janet, said...

Wow, you got a lot of books in the mail. I know you'll enjoy reading them all. The puppies are just adorable.

Marguerite said...

I've just finished reading "Under the Tuscan Sun" and I really enjoyed it. Looks like another very productive week, there. Love the new names. Thanks so much for the link to the pepper relish recipe! I can't wait to make it!

I_am_Tulsa said...

I love how your kitty is peering over at you, and the puppies are so adorable! I tend to order books by the bulk too but they have been stacking up so high...especially since I am not a very fast reader.
Thank you for sharing the titles I always love seeing what you have bought!

Elizabeth said...

I think you will love your virtual visit to Tuscany.
It is really so very beautiful.
Loved your chicken photos too.
One day I'll have chickens.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I watch "Under the Tuscan Sun" over and over again. I'll have to get the book now!

You are cracking me up with the naming your chickens!

Kathryn Magendie said...

Those are the cutest little puppies and the prettiest chickens :)laughing at their names ...tehehheheh

And Books books books! I love books! :)

It is cool here -- we've had a cool front come in so that it feels like fall already!

Pepper butter - ohhhhhhhhh!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Now I wish I had a better name so one of those beautiful chickens could be named after me. So much here to comment about - pepper butter, Rhode Island Reds, the cat watching the chickens. Enjoyed it.

Tess Kincaid said...

I am so honored to have a hen named after me!! And I am sure she is just following that chicken protocol and following Vicki around because, after all, she is QUEEN Victoria.

(how did I miss this fun post?)

Thanks for the giggles, Carol!! :D

Sherry Austin said...

Where's Trixie GoLay???