Tag Archives: Guinea Pigs

A1 For Effort!

Together.Smiling

Yesterday was bright and dry and we managed to maintain  good humour despite all our machinery being broken. I planted a bunch of seedlings including some lemons which had been left at our gate on New Year’s Day by somebody (we think we know who the gift bringer was…so thank-you Dave).

Assorted Seedlings.
Assorted Seedlings.

Gnome was in top form and got out the manual lawn-mower…look at that…the sheer motivation of Gnome to get out there and do something.

Manual Mower.
Manual Mower.

But of course Gnomes are rather ingenious creatures and the tinkering of machinery is what life is all about. So he has started reading a book on small gas engines (thank-you to a Hawaiian Gnome for giving us this book) and he has decided that it would be a lot more efficient to attach the tiller engine onto the manual lawn-mower in order to motorize it…watch this space for more Gnome Rigging.

Gnome.Reading.Book

This morning was not so bright and cheery since Gnome woke up with a swollen hand. About two weeks ago, a huge prickle penetrated his left knuckle area. At the time, he managed to pull it out but unfortunately, part of it actually got stuck inside. We had to cut the area open in order to remove the foreign body. However, with the way life is on the farm, Gnome never really got round to resting it completely in order for it to heal. Hence we have a Gnome unable to do any work but sorely tempted to do work. We had to end up wrapping the hand  in a scarf so that he couldn’t move it at all…looks a bit like a sock puppet!  Here is a picture of him holding our new year’s baby.  This is a straight haired lemon agouti guinea pig.

Gnome Holding Piggy.
Gnome Holding Piggy.

At least he can enjoy the piggies!!

Paradise Piggies: Merry Christmas!!

A Merry Christmas to you all from the Piggies at Paradise Pastures!  Wishing everyone a Happy Festive Season and they are all looking forward to Christmas Pudding tomorrow..

Piggies Are Ready!
Piggies Are Ready!

Message from Mayor Gnome:

“Happy Christmas Everyone!!  And may all your dreams come true in the New Year!”

Mayor Gnome
Mayor Gnome

“Get Ready Piggies For 2016…Gnome Buddy Does It Better!”

This story, all names, characters and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious.  No identification with actual persons, places, buildings and products is intended or should be inferred.

Paradise Piggies: Toddler Tickling Time 5pm.

Munchkin.in.the.Wind

This is an MGNews special bringing you the most exhilarating and high velocity news from Paradise Pastures, a home for Paradise Piggies.  Mayor Gnome took some time out today from his busy schedule to talk about the most special time of the day for him.

Toddler Tickling Time: 5pm Every Night.

Mayor Gnome.
Mayor Gnome.

MGNews:  Good Evening Mayor Gnome.  Thank-you for this exclusive interview.  In this year’s election campaign, you had promised Toddler Tickling Time every night.  How is this working out for you and the community?

Mayor Gnome:  Oh yes, delightful. This is valuable time for me and I find the whole experience uplifting and joyful.

MGNews:  What do you like most about it?

Mayor Gnome: Sharing with the community.  All you need to do is to look into the eyes of one of these piggies and that is all you need.

MGNews: What kind of response have you received from the toddlers?

Mayor Gnome: Well they make a lot of squeaky noises which I take as a positive response!

Piggies Are Happy.
Piggies Are Happy.

MGNews: Thank-you Mayor Gnome for sharing your thoughts with us.

This was a MGNews exclusive interview with Mayor Gnome.  You better Belize it!  We will leave you tonight with a gallery of toddlers from Paradise Piggies.

Cute Piggie.
Cute Piggie.
Friendly Piggies.
Friendly Piggies.
We Love Toddler Tickling Time.
We Love Toddler Tickling Time.
Playful Piggie.
Playful Piggie.
Piggie!
Piggie!

We can’t help but love Mayor Gnome.  Keep up the good work…and keep funding our network!

The Magic of Mayor Gnome.
The Magic of Mayor Gnome.

Paradise Piggies: New Style Cafeteria.

Munchkin.in.the.WindThis is MGNews bringing the most sought after top news on the Paradise Piggies residing in the gated community known as Paradise Pastures.  Last week, we had been informed of Mayor Gnome’s new dietary plan for the residents which was met with positive gurgling and munching noises.  Well, there was only one small unforeseen problem…the coconut squares did not fit into the feeders.

Coconut Squares: New Yum Yums For Piggies.
Coconut Squares: New Yum Yums For Piggies.

Of course, our Mayor Gnome has come up with a great solution.  He has scrapped all the piggie feeders and made the dining area into a cafeteria-style complex.  Now, that’s what we call a classy resort for Piggies!

Classy Cafeteria.
Classy Cafeteria.

The piggies are thrilled with this new up-beat modern way of dining.

Paradise Pastures. Jungle Style Resort.
Paradise Pastures. Jungle Style Resort.

Comments From Piggies:

Guinea Pigs at Paradise Pastures.
Guinea Pigs at Paradise Pastures.

Matilda-Piggie:  Weee Weee love the new dining room!

Gorgeous George-Piggie:  There ain’t enough of them.  We should all get our own coconut square…we still have to scrabble about in the cafeteria.  Who does Mayor Gnome think he is kidding?  This is still not silver service!

White Ratty-Piggie: Well apart from the toddlers piling on top of all of us, it is rather marvellous!

Well, Mayor Gnome is certainly developing Paradise Pastures into the most desirable Piggie Resort in Belize.  His superior intellect and foresight shines through everytime!

Mayor Gnome: What A Guy!
Mayor Gnome: What A Guy!

The Fate of the Banana Blossom.

Munchkin.BossieHello Everyone!!  For our dedicated followers out there, you may remember that about a week a ago, Gnome gave me two banana blossoms (flowers) to give to the guinea pigs.  I promptly refused because I was determined to make yum-yums out of them.

Banana Blossoms.
Banana Blossoms.

Well, I did some research on preparation of the banana blossom for cooking and this is what I did.

I took off the outer petals (bracts) of the banana flower, layer after layer, until I got to the inner piece which looked  like a little cabbage.

Outer Parts of Banana Flower.
Outer Parts of Banana Flower.

While taking off each petal, there was a  layer of florets in between the bracts, which are pictured below.

Cleaning Banana Flower.
Cleaning Banana Flower.

According to my research, you can eat these florets by painstakingly going through each one of these to remove the outer calyx and the pistil.   I did one for the picture and then thought to myself that it was extremely tedious and I wasn’t bored and hungry enough to do the rest.

I finally got to the heart of the flower.

Cleaning banana flower.
Cleaning Banana Flower.

I cut it into pieces, as instructed, and placed them in vinegar water to remove the tannic properties.

Soaking Banana Flower.
Soaking Banana Flower.

After, a couple of hours, the tannin was partially removed to leave edible parts that tasted like cabbage.  They didn’t taste that great and I didn’t think that it was worth all the trouble of preparation and soaking time to get something so bland and uninteresting.

I decided to give the rest to the piggies after-all.

Piggies Like Banana Blossom.
Piggies Like Banana Blossom.

In conclusion, I am glad that I tried to prepare the banana blossom so that I could make up my own mind as to whether it was worth it or not.  Outside the cultural context of eating banana flowers in India and South East Asia, I can only view this as a poor cabbage substitute.  For the amount of energy, time and effort required in preparation, I would rather give these flowers to the piggies to enjoy.

Farewell To Grandma Stumpy.

Together.CourtyardThis is an MGNews Special to present a Farewell To Grandma Stumpy.  Our lovely and wonderful Grandma Vanessa Stumpy passed away peacefully in her sleep on the 3rd of October 2015 at her home in Paradise Piggies.  She died at the grand old age of 8 years old.

GrandMa Stumpy.
Grandma Stumpy.

Grandmas Stumpy is the Grandmother of all the piggies and she mothered generations upon generations of piggies on Paradise Pastures.  She will be sorely missed by all.  She was our Sunshine, she was the lovely piggie with a gorgeous heart of gold.  We Love You Stumpy!!

Grandma Stumpy You Are The Best!!
Grandma Stumpy You Are The Best!!

The funeral was held today at Paradise Pastures.  All the piggies gathered to pay their respect.

Grandma Stumpy Reception.
Grandma Stumpy Reception.

The Duckies and Goosie came to say their solemn farewell:

Quack Quack Farewell To Grandma Stumpy.
Quack Quack Farewell To Grandma Stumpy.

Mayor Gnome and Doctor Munchkin were in attendance at the funeral to send Grandma Stumpy off to Paradise Piggie Heaven.

Together.in.UniformA few words from Mayor Gnome:

Farewell Grandma Stumpy.  I promised you Freedom, Fresh Grass and Beyond.  Make haste to the Kingdom of Paradise Piggies and we shall meet again one day in ‘Beyond.’  We Love You!

Funeral Pyre For Grandma Stumpy.
Funeral Pyre For Grandma Stumpy.

This one is for Grandma Stumpy!!  Please let us join in a Farewell with “The King” to help Grandma Stumpy along to her appointed place in Paradise Piggies Heaven.

Amazing grace, oh how sweet the sound
That saved a wreck like me
I once was lost, though now I’m found
I was blind, but now I see
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Then when, when we first begun
Too many ages false and spent
I have already hung
This face and flock He saved us by
His endless grace will leave me whole
Amazing grace, oh how sweet the sound
To save a wreck like me I once was lost, but now I’m found
I was blind, but now I see

Paradise Piggies: The Results Are In!!

Munchkin.in.the.Wind
Paradise Pastures, Toledo, Belize:

15 Guinea Pigs eligible to vote (ie. Over the age of 6 weeks).

VOTES:

Mr. Arnold Wang: 1

Magical Rodent: 4

Mayor Gnome: 8

Spoiled Ballot Papers (eaten or chewed up): 2

100% TURN OUT!!

Mayor Gnome Wins with The Majority!!

Mayor Gnome Wins The Big Prize!!
Mayor Gnome Wins The Big Prize!!

WELL DONE MAYOR GNOME!!
All Piggies will be celebrating in Paradise Pastures tonight!

Re-election For Mayor Gnome.
Re-election For Mayor Gnome.

Mayor Gnome Says:

Thanks Piggies!!

It is crazy out here in Paradise Pastures with all the whooping, chirping and weeeing. We are totally beside ourselves  with the joy and excitement!!

Happy Piggies on Paradise Pastures.
Happy Piggies on Paradise Pastures.

And…we haven’t finished yet with all the news.
Mayor Gnome has appointed Magical Rodent as Deputy Mayor!!

Magical Rodent Appointed Deputy Mayor of Paradise Pastures.
Magical Rodent Appointed Deputy Mayor of Paradise Pastures.

Mayor Gnome:

I like Magical Rodent. She may be mad but her heart’s in the right place. Besides, she’s got audacity and guts of steel…my kind of mouse!

Magical Rodent:

Hmmmm…position accepted, albeit reluctantly.

Any last words from Arnold Wang?

I'll Be Back!
I’ll Be Back!

Sounds like there will be a sequel…

Paradise Piggies: Newsflash!!

Munchkin.Froggie.Jumping
YOU won’t believe it!! WE can’t believe it!! MGNews PrimeTime Sunday brings you an exclusive news flash.

Mayor Gnome has changed his campaign!! The day before the Mayoral Elections, no less!!

Here it is guys:

THIS IS A PAID ADVERT!!!

Freedom, Fresh Grass and Beyond!
Freedom, Fresh Grass and Beyond!

MAYOR GNOME PROMISES: FREEDOM, FRESH GRASS AND BEYOND.

I Guarantee 5pm Tickling Time For Toddlers!!
I Guarantee 5pm Tickling Time For All Toddlers!

MAYOR GNOME PROMISES:  5PM TICKLING TIME FOR ALL PIGGIE TODDLERS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR!!

Well, this certainly is a change of heart from Mayor Gnome. Tough love has been replaced by promise of love and fresh air. Mayor Gnome had done a complete U-turn!!
It looks like GOOD prevailed and Mayor Gnome has won the battle against EVIL!

MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. What a whizz…we can’t get enough of this election. This is awesome beyond all proportions. Out of this world!!

Don’t Forget MGNews PrimeTime Monday Mayoral Election 21st September 2015, Paradise Pastures. 6Pm Central/Mountain Piggie Time.

THE RESULTS WILL BE IN!!

Paradise Piggies: Reader’s Poll Results!

Munchkin.in.the.WindReader’s Poll Results and Last Day before The Mayoral Elections 2015, Paradise Pastures!!

MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. We are all in a tizz!! We are soooo excited, we can’t contain ourselves. The suspense is killing us. We look back at all the campaigns, the thrills and the spills, the good and the evil, and twists and the turns, it has indeed been a roller-coaster ride all the way to Election Day.

We are proud to present to you the results of our Reader’s Poll.

Who is the best candidate?
Gnome.Self.Satisfied
Mayor Gnome  66.67% .

Sharp.Ruri.Rat

 Magical Rodent  33.33% .

Claude.Evil.Mode

 Mr Arnold Wang  0% 

So, is the Reader’s Poll a reflection of the votes on Paradise Pastures?

We are literally on the edge of our seats…

Who is it going to be? 

Arnold Wang, The Pie Man.
Arnold Wang, The Pie Man.
Magical Rodent, Mad T Mouse.
Magical Rodent, Mad T Mouse.
Mayor Gnome, El Diablo Blanco.
Mayor Gnome, El Diablo Blanco.

Results Tomorrow 21st September 2015, MGNews PrimeTime Monday. 6Pm Central/ Mountain Piggie Time.

You can’t miss the Election of the Year!!

Paradise Piggies: Reader’s Poll!!

Munchkin.in.the.WindOne More Week. 8 Days and counting. MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. Boy, we are keeling over with excitement.

Mayoral Election 2015, Paradise Pastures, 21st September 2015.

Mark the date on your calendar because it could possibly the most exciting day of the year! Tonight, we give the viewers the chance to vote in our Paradise Pastures Poll.

You can vote as many times as you like and you have 7 days to do it in. Get Your Votes in Folks!!

Will it be Candidate No.1:

Mr. Arnold Wang, The Pie Man.

Time For a Game Change Piggies!
Time For a Game Change Piggies!

He is a straight talking, fearless kinda guy who wants to make meat pies out of the piggies. Nothing wrong with a man trying to make his way in the world.

Will it be Candidate No.2:

Magical Rodent.
Magical Rodent.

Ms. Maddy T or Magical Rodent or Mad T Mouse.

Wow, what a mouthful of names but she’s worth the name dropping because she promises to lead the Piggies to their new underground home. She will create the “Universe’s Super Being Piggie” from this community of Piggies and whatsmore, she wants to return to the surface to enslave the humans. A bold statement from an intelligent and thoughtful rodent.

Will it be candidate No.3:

Tuff Love. Nuff Said.
Tuff Love. Nuff Said.

Mayor Gnome, El Diablo Blanco.

Looking for another term at Paradise Pastures. Tough Love Gnome needs no introductions. Even although he has gone through a sinister campaign change, the Piggies still admire his audacity and panache. Despite all the evil and darkness, his charm may prevail and he might just win on the strength of his good looks.

Start your voting now!! The Reader’s Poll for Paradise Pastures Mayoral election 2015 starts now. Be proud, be a part of it. Don’t miss out on your chance to vote.

MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. 6Pm Central/ Mountain Piggie Time.

Vote For Your Favourite Candidate Now!!

Results of Poll next Sunday Funday!!  More Fun Than You Can Imagine!!