Sunday, May 1, 2011

May Day Assortment

First of all, here's the cover for the fifth Elizabeth Goodweather book Under the Skin. The quote is just a place-holder till they get one for this book.

I'm pretty pleased with the picture; what do you all think? You can go HERE to read an excerpt.

A flock of about fourteen turkeys was wandering around our barn yesterday, I managed to get a picture of this handsome fellow as I was on my day down the road to meet our new milk cow. A second milk cow. . . Justin has dreams of cheese-making ,... I think we need some pigs.

 This is a used cow, unlike Marigold who we raised from a heifer. Silverbell is a Jersey from Yellow Branch, the same small dairy herd as Marigold. She was born six years ago at this time of year when the wild silverbell trees were in bloom.
Silverbell has just been dried up, in anticipation of a blessed event in early July.  She and Marigold are curious about each other in a guarded way.
At four weeks old, the broiler chicks are at that awkward age -- part fluff and part feathers. It's cool enough at night that they still need their heat lamp.
What a beautiful month April was!  There's a slide show of its highlights over at my latest Goodweather Report (a monthly newsletter/blog) if you want to check it out.

Posted by Picasa

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Great cover. Can't wait to read what's inside. Your spring pictures are wonderful.

Martin said...

Very atmospheric cover, and a neat snapshot of life on the farm.

Pat in east TN said...

I love the cover ... it that your driveway or a road in your area? Looks like it could be.

A second milk cow and more chicks ... busy times at your farm!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Great cover Vicki. I've got the same question Pat does - it that your driveway? The photo has a very "mystery around the bend" effect.
Sam

Brian Miller said...

ah you did have a beautiful april...the turkeys are cool...we had some wander up yesterday as well...personally i love the cover...

Vicki Lane said...

It definitely could be a road near us -- but it's something Bantam Dell came up with and I don't know where it was taken. I like the 'mystery around the bend' effect myself.

dannie said...

The cover really sets your expectations of a mystery and can be any bend around our county.
We really have been enjoying the turkeys. They seem to be plentiful this year. We bought a turkey call but found out it works better as a dog whistle! I think the male turkey is so entertaining as he struts his sstuff.

Helen T in SC said...

I love the new cover and Silverbell is a beautiful milkcow. I can't help but wonder what will happen to Marigold's gorgeous calf. If I remember right, you had 2 males born close to each other. Do they stay on the farm or where do they go from here?

Stella Jones said...

The cover of your new book looks intriguing. I'm soon to read 'The day of small things' and looking forward to it immensely.

Love the turkeys, chicks and gorgeous Jersey cow. Your farm sounds wonderful.

NCmountainwoman said...

I love the cover! But I voted for "Elizabeth Goodweather Mystery" instead of "Full Circle Farm Mystery!"

A used cow! Too funny.

BB said...

Love the cover pic. And the farm pics are just gorgeous. I can picture the serenity on your property.

Folkways Note Book said...

Vicki -- Beautiful shots of your farm animals and environment. Your book cover sends out foggy waves of mystery. -- barbara

Vicki Lane said...

Alas, Helen, there is not much to be done with non pure bred bull calves except the freezer. Marigold's calf is still with us but sooner or later...

Even with pure bred, only the very best are kept as bulls -- one bull is plenty for twenty cows.

Desiree said...

I have left a comment on your other blog, Vicki. Welcome to Silverbell. The chicks are so cute in their gangly stage and the blue bench set amongst blue flowers and lush greenery is thoroughly charming. You live in a fairytale world but I know you are all extremely hardworking fairies ;)

Jean Baardsen said...

I like the cover - great picture - really draws you in. But I did wonder why "the" in the title is in a different font from the other two words? As for the cows - now you have gold and silver - perhaps Justin can find a third cow with copper in her name. :o) Beautiful photos, as always!

jennyfreckles said...

Love the book cover.... love Silverbell, she's pretty... love the way your bench matches the blue iris.

Vicki Lane said...

Jean, That change of font puzzled me too. However, mine not to question why...

NCmountainwoman -- I too voted against FCF Mysteries. But again, it's not my call.

Margaret said...

..what does "broiler" chicks mean? That they are destined to be eaten?

Vicki Lane said...

Yes, Margaret, these biddies are our future fried chicken. They are specially bred to grow fast and be butchered at ten weeks. But they will have a happy life -- outside, as soon as they are fully feathered -- and a quick and humane death. We put fifty in the freezer last year and it wasn't bad at all.

Susan M. Bell said...

Love the cover. I think it's my favorite one yet.