Tag Archives: Paradise Pastures

Paradise Piggies: Game Change With The Pie Man.

Munchkin.in.the.WindWelcome to MGNews, sponsored by Casa Mascia Apothecary.  Mr. Arnold Wang has been shamelessly coined the “Pie Man” because of his desire to literally make all the piggies in the gated community of Paradise Pastures into guinea pig meat pies. This week, MGNews PrimeTime Sunday, offers Mr. Wang the chance to speak out.

No Messing Around With The Pie Man!
No Messing Around With The Pie Man!

Here is an exclusive interview with Mr. Arnold Wang:

MGNews Reporter: Mr. Wang, thank-you for taking part in this interview with MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. Tell us, are you going to make meat pies out of the piggies?
Mr. Wang: Yes, I am. Not only will I make them into delicious pies but I will also make them rich!
MGNews Reporter: How will you make them rich?
Mr. Wang: I will take a portion of the guinea pig community and sell them “on the hoof” for instant cash sales. Furthermore, some of these piggies can be sold off as pets.
MGNews Reporter: How will you the guinea pigs profit from this?
Mr. Wang: I will build more breeding units for Paradise Pastures.
MGNews Reporter: Mr. Wang, you sound like quite an entrepreneur, do you think you sell yourself enough to become Mayor?
Mr.Wang: Definitely. We need pragmatism. We need money. As soon as the piggies realise that they exist only for the sake of making money, then they will come round to my way of thinking.
MGNews Reporter: Thank-you Mr. Wang. We wish you luck in your campaign.

Mr. Wang.  The Man Who Can.
Mr. Wang. The Man Who Can.
Money, Money, Money For Paradise Pastures.
Money, Money, Money For Paradise Pastures.

What the Experts Say:

Mr. Richie Rich is a successful cattle farmer in Belize:

This is the way to go. I certainly agree that the animals exist only for money-making and profit. It makes no sense to have them around for no other reason. Money always makes sense. The Guatemalans and the Mexicans will certainly bring in their Guinea Pig Trailers to buy them “on the hoof.” And if Mr. Wang wishes to add a higher value to his guinea pig operation, then he can consider his own brand of meat pies and sausages.

Ms. Melina Bottomley is a marketing expert from New York:

Marketing will be the way to go for Mr. Wang right from the get go. 50% of his profits should go back into marketing of Guinea Pig Pies. The marketing blitz is all that counts to clinch this sale. Newspapers, Radio, Television, The Works! He needs an angle though…mmm..probably “grass fed” and “organic” are words he should be using. Not to mention that the piggies are “free range” or “free voting” or whatever. This will work!

Brendan Beamer is an owner of a large chicken operation in Belize:

If it’s not chicken, he won’t be able to sell it!

Edgar Simpson is an ordinary bloke on the street:

Pretty intimidating…especially with the gun.  Not sure if the piggies can handle such aggression.  They might want to hire someone from Human Resources.

Casa Mascia. Supreme Pet Soap, Maximal Velocity Soap.
Casa Mascia. Supreme Pet Soap, Maximal Velocity Soap.
The Pie Man.
I Use Casa Mascia Soap. Do You Have a Problem With That?

Well, the Pie Man is certainly very confident with his economic forecast. Is this what the Piggies want on Paradise Pastures? Do they want to be bred for profit and no fun? Will he get their votes?

Tune in again next week to MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. 6pm Central/ Mountain Piggie Time.

Remember, it’s only Funday if you make it PrimeTime Sunday!

Paradise Piggies: Piggies in Focus.

Munchkin.in.the.WindMGNews PrimeTime Sunday bringing you the latest news on the Mayoral Elections 2015, Paradise Pastures. We give you the News that matters…the tears of joy, the tears of sadness, the ups and downs of the Paradise Piggies. This week, MGNews puts the focus on the piggies. Let’s take a trip down to the gated community to ask the residents what they think of the three candidates.

Mr. Arnold Wang a.k.a “The Pie Man.”

Mr. Game Change promises economic action in  Paradise Pastures. Piggies should be bred for meat pies or pets in order to promote profit, confidence and usefulness in the community.

The Pie Man.
The Pie Man.

What the Piggies Say:

Grandma Stumpy on the right.
Grandma Stumpy on the right.

Grandma Stumpy: He is certainly a scary looking man, no doubt about that.
MGNews Reporter: What do you think of his policies?
Grandma Stumpy: His what? Say that again, son, I’m a bit tone deaf…

Matilda Piggie.
Matilda Piggie.

Matilda Piggie: He makes me want to run into a mound of grass and hide…weeeeeee!!
MGNews Reporter: Would you vote for him?
Matilda Piggie: I suppose if he scared me enough I would vote for him…

Magical Rodent a.k.a “Mad T Mouse.”

Magical Rodent promises to take the cavy community “where no cavy has gone before.” She aims to lead the Piggies back to the wild to breed a Super Being Guinea Pig to rule over Homo sapiens.  Power to the Piggies!

Power To The Piggies!
Piggies, Destiny Awaits! Or I Will Eat My Hat!!

What the Piggies Say:

GrandMa Stumpy.
GrandMa Stumpy.

Grandma Stumpy: Universe’s Super What? Dat fi True?

Matilda Piggie: Wow…she wants to breed us into a Super Piggie! She is scary too!

Dishawn Piggie: Hmmm…I always felt that we, Cavia porcellus, had more potential as a species. Her complex hybridisation program is worth more research. Having descended from the domesticated species Cavia tschudii, we cavies would certainly find it a challenge to become wild again but it doesn’t mean that it is not a possibility.

Mayor Gnome a.k.a “El Diablo Blanco.”

Mayor Gnome has taken a decidedly tough stance this year. His empathy and sympathy has been replaced by “Tough Love.”

El Diablo.
El Diablo.

What the Piggies Say:

Piggies in Focus.
Piggies in Focus.

Grandma Stumpy: Oooh, I always vote for Mayor Gnome!
MGNews Reporter: Why?
Grandma Stumpy: He’s a right handsome young gnome, that’s for sure!
MGNews Reporter: And his policies?

Gorgeous George Piggie: What’s happened to MG, eh? Tough Love, eh? More like Tough Luck! He’s turned into a right evil bugger!

Matilda Piggie: He is scary too!!!

Dishawn Piggie: He doesn’t even have a party manifesto. What a Joker!

Juanita Piggie: I fear that something bad has happened to Mayor Gnome…no compassion and no love. He is dark and moody…where is the old, happy MG? (She makes the sign of the cross…she is a Catholic Piggie).

MGNews Reporter: And the policies?

All Piggies in unison: The What?

Well, there you are. We have Mr. Pie Man, Mad T Mouse and El Diablo Blanco.

How exciting…what a bunch of Cronies we have this year for The Mayoral Elections!

Who’s it going to be?? Tune in next week. MGNews PrimeTime Sunday. 6pm Central/ Mountain Piggie Time.

Funday Sunday: All The Fun You can Stand. 9 more weeks and counting!!

Paradise Piggies: Candidates For Mayoral Election 2015

Munchkin.in.the.WindGood News for MGNews! We have managed to land ourselves the PrimeTime Sunday slot to bring to you the latest in the Paradise Pastures Mayoral Elections 2015. We have 10 weeks to go and counting. This week we have the pleasure of announcing the following candidates.

Mr. Arnold Wang. Campaign “Game Change.”

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

Money talks, money rules!! We need to make money from these piggies! I am looking at a game change; more money to the piggies, more money to the people, money in our pockets. These piggies need to be bred for food and/or pets. Why else do we have Paradise Pastures. For fun? No. Profit. Vote for me…I promise wealth and prosperity.

Magical Rodent. Campaign “Universe’s Super Being Piggie.”

Where No Cavy Has Gone Before!
Where No Cavy Has Gone Before!

Something deep inside of us knows that we can be something more. I am the Rodent to lead all the piggies out of Paradise Pastures and into the wild, to form an underground colony. Our goal: a breeding program to breed the “Universe’s Super Being” from guinea pigs. We will produce a supreme being of such intellect that we may one day return to the surface to rule over humanity and make slaves of these puny humans! Ha! Rodents Rule!!

Mayor Gnome. Campaign “Tough Love.”

Tough Love Piggies!
Tough Love Piggies!

The Piggies simply can’t do without me. They are naive and simple and need to be caged in like little animals because they lack the brain capacity to survive on their own. Vote for me. Security for the placid and the weak!

Mayor Gnome’s New Campaign is completely out of character this year. No more Mr. Nice Guy. It’s Mr. Tough Guy!!

So, there you are. Who is it going to be folks…looks like it will be a close one! Tune into MGNews next Sunday PrimeTime for more exclusive election news. 6pm Central/ Mountain Piggie Time.

Don’t Miss The Most Talked About Election of 2015!!

Paradise Pastures.
Paradise Pastures Mayoral Election 2015.

Transform your Sunday into a Funday, only with MGNews!!

Home-made Miso Tasting.

Mad About the Beans.
Mad About the Beans.

Hello there every-one!!  Hope you are having a good day.  Today, I have two miso tastings from the time when we “were mad about the beans” and made buckets and buckets of home-made miso.

The Shiro Miso: has a higher proportion of white rice to bean (we used blackbeans instead of soya beans since we live in Belize).  We have actually been eating through our supply for the last month or so and I was afraid that I would munch my way through it all without doing some proper feed-back.

Shiro Miso.
Shiro Miso.
Shiro Miso Ready to Eat.
Shiro Miso Ready to Eat.

Shiro Miso Tasting:

Gnome says: overall, it is a light fermentation product; will continue to build complexity with aging. Less salty, sweet and mild tasting.

Munchkin says: I have used the shiro miso in soups, marinating of meat and to flavour pot roasts.  All flavour packets have been replaced with a dollop of shiro miso (in fact, we have ramen noodles with this miso).  It is so mild tasting, you need a whole tablespoon in a bowl of miso soup.

Hatcho Miso with Beef Jerky:  Miso made from bean (blackbean) koji alone.  We also added beef jerky and black pepper to make it into “Meat Lover’s” Miso.

Meat Lover's Hatcho Miso.
Meat Lover’s Hatcho Miso.
Meat Lovers Miso.
Meat Lovers Miso.

Meat Lover’s Miso Tasting:

Gnome says: Obviously needs more time to develop but at this stage, still very, very tasty.  Has strong mushroom overtones with meat undertones.  Can do with more black pepper.  Will certainly reach an exquisite taste and will peak in ten years or so.  A true masterpiece that has to be waited for.

Munchkin says: Beefy!!  Let’s start eating it!!  Yum.  So rich and creamy. This miso has such intensity of taste, you only need one teaspoon to make a bowl of miso soup.

There is nothing like home-made miso…you can’t buy it for love nor money!!

 

THIS IS A PAID ADVERT!!!

TOMORROW, ONLY ON MGNEWS PRIMETIME SUNDAY.

WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE CANDIDATES FOR THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS 2015, PARADISE PASTURES.

6pm CENTRAL/ MOUNTAIN PIGGIE TIME.

Mayor Gnome: Will he get re-elected?
Mayor Gnome: Will he get re-elected?

DON’T MISS MGNEWS!!

Paradise Piggies: Dark and Ominous Beginnings.

Munchkin.Wind.Long.HairThis morning, due to heavy rains, the maternity wing of the Paradise Pastures guinea-pig gated community was not inspected. Early afternoon, the maternity ward was found wet and sodden due to a leakage from a faulty water bottle.

All bedding was wet and most importantly, one baby was lying in the wet  grass suffering from hypothermia. The piggie was found by Dr. Munchkin (DRCOG), who had come to the facility to conduct a ward round.

Dr. Munchkin
Dr. Munchkin

Baby Rogelio was rushed to SCPU (Special Care Piggie Unit) for intensive care.

Hypothermic Piggie in Paisley Suite.
Hypothermic Piggie in Douglas (SCPU) Suite.

Despite all due care and attention, the baby was not able to be resuscitated and died at 3pm this afternoon. Mother Matilda must now be brave and strong to give her best to her remaining two babes.

Matilda Piggie with Babies.
Matilda Piggie with Babies.

When asked to comment, Mayor Gnome declined. Apparently, he was out of office and is currently on the road starting his re-election campaign.

Mayor Gnome Declined To Comment.
Mayor Gnome Declined To Comment.

This sad event brings ominous dark tones to the beginnings of the Mayor Election Campaign.

Grandma Stumpy on the right.
Grandma Stumpy on the right.

What does Grandma Stumpy have to say about all this?

Stumpy: We’ll get through this…we always have.  Since I was knee-high to a grass-hopper Mayor Gnome has always pulled us through.  He won’t let us down this time…

We hope for her sake and the community of Paradise Pastures, that she is right.

New Look Gnome.  New Look Campaign.
New Look Gnome. New Look Campaign.

The Paradise Piggies must soldier on despite the unbearable loss…what does the future hold for Paradise Pastures?

Paradise Piggies: Close Call For Mayor Gnome!

Munchkin.in.the.WindOn Wednesday morning of this week, Mayor Gnome called an urgent meeting to discuss a serious maternity issue.  After the last blunder with the homeless baby piggies, he has been extra cautious with decision making for the gated guinea-pig community of Paradise Pastures.

Mayor Gnome: Unsure.
Mayor Gnome: Unsure.

The problem was this mother piggie…look at the size of her!  A young teenager, in her first pregnancy, 10 days past her estimated delivery date.

Post Dates Matilda Piggie.
Post Dates Matilda Piggie.

Mayor Gnome called in the Dr. Munchkin DRCOG (member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) for her expert opinion on the matter.

Dr. Munchkin
Dr. Munchkin

This is what Dr. Munchkin said:

Here in Toledo, Belize there are no facilities available for induction of labour simply because of the small population of this area. The council would have insufficient funds to maintain such a facility.  I have examined the young mother and she has an unfavourable, unripe cervix and three foetuses can be felt high up in the uterus and at present, there are no signs of her going into labour.  Since this is the first pregnancy for this mother, she would be categorised at high risk so I would recommend an urgent elective c-section.

Mother Matilda was admitted into the Susan B Anthony Maternity wing for observation with a view to a c-section scheduled for Thursday morning.

I tell you what…Mayor Gnome must have been praying ALL night for a miracle because…

This morning, Matilda had a normal labour and gave birth to three sprightly new babies.  Cor Blimey…it’s a Piggie Miracle!!  As soon as the babies’ bums were licked, Mayor Gnome whisked the babes off into the Paisley Suite for a photo shoot:

Three Little Piggies.
Three Little Piggies.

Dr. Munchkin was seen shaking her fist at Mayor Gnome! How dare he snatch these babies away from the mother at such a critical bonding time!

She marched into the middle of the photo shoot to take the babies back to their mother!  What a scene…angry Dr. Munchkin with her bulging eyes and Mayor Gnome with his “Devil-May-Care” attitude!

Mum Reunited with Babies.
Mum Reunited with Babies.

What’s Mayor Gnome up to?  Swiping these babies so quickly to get a picture?

TRYING TO WIN VOTES FOR….

THE MAYOR ELECTION 21st SEPTEMBER 2015!!!  BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.

We have a sneaky suspicion that Mayor Gnome would rather not be square…

He Wants Piggie Votes...at any cost!
He Wants Piggie Votes…at any cost!

Is there a dark side to Mayor Gnome?

Paradise Piggies: Baby Blunder and Condo Cock-up!

Munchkin.in.the.WindIt’s not all paradise for the piggies at Paradise Pastures presently.  Mayor Gnome has found himself in the piggie line-of-fire as a rogue guinea-pig mother gave birth to babies outside of the maternity suite in the late hours of Monday night.  In his defence, Gnome says that this mother has had a poor attendance record and had failed to book into the ante-natal clinic.  As a result of this, two shivering little piggies were found wandering the streets of Paradise Pastures this morning.

Two New Girls: Addy and Issy.
Two New Girls: Addy and Issy.

In attempt to quell trouble and potential piggie up-rising, Mayor Gnome improvised immediately by putting the two homeless babies in a quickly constructed Special Care Piggie Unit (SCPU).  The Douglas Suite:

Baby Piggies in SCPU.
Baby Piggies in SCPU.

Upon release from SCPU, the babies were re-united with their mother in the The Susan B Anthony Maternity Wing:

Piggies in Maternity Ward.
Piggies in Maternity Ward.

Mayor Gnome acted quickly.  But was it quick enough?  There is trouble brewing and this could be the start of something bigger.  Mayor Gnome better watch out…there’s a condo shortage and we have an exclusive picture right here:

Condo Shortage!!
Condo Shortage!!

Not enough condos to house the piggies!!  What does Mayor Gnome have to say about this?  Destitution in Paradise Pastures…what next??

Not Looking Good for Mayor Gnome!
Not Looking Good for Mayor Gnome!
Mayor Gnome: The End of The Road??
Mayor Gnome: The End of The Road??

Mayor Gnome: We need a solution…or YOU ARE OUT!!

Paradise Piggies: It’s Raining Bananas, Hallelujah!

Together.PointingIt was a really, really hot day today…so hot that it felt like we were walking in painfully slow motion, trying to wade through heat.  And so, after miso making duties this morning, I had more munchkin duties to attend with.  One of the main things was to process (cut and dip in lime juice solution) a whole bunch of ripe bananas and sun-dry them.  Phew…I couldn’t take the thought of cutting about fifty bananas in the baking heat!  I bleated in despair through a sweaty head of hair at Gnome and as usual, he managed to turn the situation into a positive one.  And, so Gnome declared, “Let the bananas rain down on my piggies!”

Today has been officially named National Piggie Day in Belize.  To commemorate this day, a gift of sweet bananas was given to the community of Paradise Pastures.

Yay!! Bananas!! Chomp, Chomp.
Yay!! Bananas!! Chomp, Chomp.

In addition, Gnome personally made a Pom Toy (courtesy of Piggieworld) with 5 pieces of coloured yarn and a fork.

Mayor Gnome Loves His Piggies!!
Mayor Gnome Loves His Piggies!!
Piggie Pom Toy Made By Mayor Gnome.
Piggie Pom Toy Made By Mayor Gnome.

Official inspection of Pom Toy.  Our rural piggies are not sure what to make of it…can you eat it?!

Piggie Inspection.
Piggie Inspection.

Remember to mark on your calendar: 24th of March is now officially National Piggie Day in Belize.  We might get them to wear national costume next year!!

Paradise Piggies: What New Beauties!!

TogetherEverything is pretty peachy at Paradise Pastures presently.  Last night, our first mother was admitted into the brand new maternity ward with cervical dilatation and contractions.  Later on this afternoon, the proud first time mother gave birth to two beautiful female babes:

Baby Dehlia-Piggie. Oh, what a beauty!!
Baby Dehlia-Piggie. Oh, what a beauty!!
Dehlia-Piggie Frolicking.  Moving all four limbs!!
Dehlia-Piggie Frolicking. Moving all four limbs!!
Juanita-Piggie.  Perfect Poise.
Juanita-Piggie. Perfect Poise.

All Piggies are happy and making their happy noises; their hearts sing out to Mayor Gnome for providing the Maternity Ward.

The Susan B Anthony Maternity Wing.
The Susan B Anthony Maternity Wing.

The Susan B Anthony Maternity Ward comes fully equipped with water, biscuits (Cachorros) on tap, plenty of leafy greens, cabbage and a Midwife!!  Mayor Gnome has certainly pulled out all the stops for this spacious facility.

Mayor Gnome:

Looking Good!!
Looking Good!!

Back on Track…Mayor Gnome Does it Again!!

Paradise Piggies: Mayor Gnome Restores Confidence.

TogetherAfter last week’s tragic case in which three young guinea pigs were snatched from the gated community, life has not been the same for the citizens of Paradise Pastures.

Mayor Gnome offered his condolences for the two lost babies.  A gift of fresh grass was given to the community:

A Gift of Grass For The Piggies.
A Gift of Grass For The Piggies.

This was not enough to sweeten the Piggies as all hell broke loose soon after with squabbling, squeaking, squealing and general mis-conduct.  Two days ago, the surviving baby guinea pig tragically passed away:

Piggy Chloe.
Piggy Chloe.

Mayor Gnome’s attempt at a Filibuster was met by angry Piggie wild fire.  The community of Paradise Piggies demanded immediate action and resolution.

Our Mayor Gnome has come good and restored confidence to the Paradise Piggies!  He has built 4 new luxury condominiums and one of them is the maternity ward:

Piggie Maternity Ward.
Piggie Maternity Ward.
Official Piggie Inspection of Condos.
Official Piggie Inspection of Condos.

The Piggies are absolutely delighted by this new and hurried construction and they feel that they can “re-build” the community from here.  There was a heart-felt gurgle of pleasure when they inspected the facility.  And, in addition to this, Mayor Gnome has installed a delinquent “time out” area to house hooligan piggies.  This is called Southpointe:

Southpointe Delinquent Suite.
Southpointe Delinquent Suite.

Hooray for Mayor Gnome!!  Our Hero!!

He Gets Things Done.
He Gets Things Done.