Picture This!

Thanks so much for all of yesterday's fly-repelling solutions...
it's good to know that I'm not the only one struggling with these awful creatures!

I mentioned in the past that I had given serious consideration 
to trying to write a children's book about the farm.
The main stumbling block for me was my lack of artistic talent...
ie: I can't draw.  Not one bit.
And let's face it, equally important to the story are the illustrations.

As luck would have it, a friend divulged that her daughter could do the illustrations.
And after a visit to the farm, her daughter presented me with this:


You've got to admit...
she nailed it!  That is MaryAnn to a "T"!
Right?
(Thanks so very much, Leoti!!)


I think I have a solution to my quandary.
I must admit, I am excited!
Perhaps with a collaborative effort we can produce something publishable.
What do you think?

Later in the day as Hubbs and I were on our way to the garden to pick dinner vegetables,
I noticed that Millard was outside and quite a distance from his home.


Yay!!
Finally the boys have ventured out for a bit of fresh air.


Milton and Milroy were also outside the house.


George... inside....was not convinced that it was safe to leave.


As for Milford.... he was still in Statler and Waldorf's house...alone.


Further on in our journey to the garden, we stopped at the pigpen
so that I could visit with MaryAnn.


I talked with her about the fact that she might be famous one day.
She promised that she would never let it go to her head!
She also asked if I thought she should shave her mustache.
What do you think?


The boys took the opportunity to rest a while.
Ok, well, Oakely and Sam were wrestling...
which made it impossible for Hubbs to actually rest!


Finally we reached the garden and picked our dinner vegetables.
Yes, those are purple carrots!


And dinner was courtesy of the letter "C"!
(cauliflower, chard, cucumber, carrot....just a coincidence!)
There's nothing better than dinner picked right before it is prepared...
the freshest of fresh!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Maybe you could write a farm alphabet book!

Kathy from Tasmania
jaz@octoberfarm said…
that is perfect! she did a great job! this is so exciting!
Lynne said…
Exciting . . . and with a child illustrator too . . . WINNING!
Anonymous said…
You're so right about nothing better than the freshest of fresh. I have no idea why we waited so many years to have our own garden... we will probably expand it a bit next year.

Bee Haven Bev said…
Leoti is 30. She is quite talented in many mediums and is an excellent baker. Her mother is my friend...and owner of my favorite little coffee shop.
Suzan said…
You would have a wonderful children's story book about the farm and farm life!
Gone Country said…
I bet last night's dinner was awesome with all those fresh veggies!

Your friends' daughter is quite talented indeed! What a beautiful rendering of MaryAnn. I look forward to seeing what y'all come up!
tpals said…
Excellent artwork!
Patsy from Illinois said…
MaryAnn don't shave the mustache. Waxing is the way to go! Lol. I don't comment enough on how much I love your blog. I read it every day and miss it on the weekends but that just makes me look forward to it on Mondays. Keep up the good work. That illustration is great. Looks just like her.
This N That said…
She did a wonderful job..WOW..I'm excited about things to come..Can't wait..With your magical story telling abilities and her artistic ability, it has to be a winner..Good luck..
Kris said…
That drawing of Maryann is darling!!!
XO Kris
Susannah said…
So happy to hear about your book. Be sure to let us know. We are getting blessed with a lot of food from our garden, too. It tastes so good. Cucumbers galore!
Sarah said…
That Drawing was wonderful! If your story book is anything like your blog I'm sure it will be amazing! We're growing our first big garden this year and our cauliflower is just starting to look a bit like yours. I can't wait to taste it! I also wanted to say thank you. Your blog as well as a few others, was what inspired me to try my own hand at writing a blog, and so far I'm having a ball!
Country Gal said…
Wonderful post and photos and that drawing is fantastic . I think you two would make a great story book of the farm ! Hope it all goes well cause I want to buy one when it has been done and published ! Thanks for sharing ! Have a great day !
Tara said…
Oh WOW!! That is a great drawing!

It must be so exciting to have it fall into place!
Tara
Rebecca said…
I think the drawing is nice, but......I also think you are a lovely photographer and you could write your book and use photos to illustrate it! Kids would LOVE the realness of that. My grandson does!
Ellen in Oregon said…
I can see why you are excited about the prospect of writing the book now. Leoti's drawing cpatured Mary Anne's personality. It would be interesting to see what other expressions Leoti would be able to draw of Mary Ann as well as a few of the other animals on the farm. Since Leoti is clearly very talented, does she have a portfolio so you could see sample of her range of work? How does it work if you find a publisher? Does the publisher decide who does the illustrations or does the contracted author make that decision? Do you find a publisher based on the text on its' own & then submit illustrations you have chosen & then they decide what they think would sell best in combination? I just wondered because you might want to have some samples in color also. I personally like the 50's look to the drawing of Mary Ann. Sometimes simple illustrations are best depending on what age group your book targets as well as the lifestyle of the parents who would be most likely to purchase it.
I am so happy you have tenatively found the missing piece to going forward with your book. Can't wait to see what happens.
Please do not shave Mary Annes' mustache off. She may be a role model for young girl pigs when the book makes her a barnyard superstar & I am sure she would want to be protrayed as being the natural beauty that she is - inside & outside. Waxing her excess bristles would make her seem like she was pressured by today's superficial media.
I was thrilled to see that a few of the bachlors decided to get out & about. Makes you wonder what suddenly clicked in their tiny brains that made them become brave - cabin fever perhaps? Hope the other guys will make it to the outside world before Summer is over or you may need to give them Vitamin D after sitting in the dark for so long.
Bev,
That is one talented woman.. Her illustration is ~spot on ~ I say, go for it... I think a children's book would be wonderful!
Wishing you a beautiful week. This is such a great post.
Thanks for sharing.
fondly,
Penny
Unknown said…
As great as you are with photography? Have you never witnessed the intense indulgence little kids enjoy whenever you hand them a photo album? Ask Tyler which one he would prefer!
AWW CUTE post:) so lovely pics.

Check out my new post and....

Have a great week dear

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)
Unknown said…
What a wonderful drawing....perfect indeed!

Love that you pick your veggies fresh for dinner....wonderful.