Trouble in the Pumpkin Patch

Cassy and Johnny discover new vegetables and short recipes, from local animal friends. They learn about.. * Parsnips * Cabbage * Squash

It was a breezy day and the cherry orchard smelled great. Every pet knew Mr. Rush wouldn't be home to stop them from enjoying a game in the crisp grass. After running and playing a game of hide-n-spook, Cassy and Johnny started to get hungry.They thought of their favorite crunchy snack the whole world, 

!Extra-Cheesy-Puffy-Doodles!

Knowing April and Julie will be home soon, they begin the short journey home. "Come on Johnny", Cassy explains,"It's almost 3:00 and our pets will be home in no time." 

 

Trotting past the old water mill, Johnny sniffs out a trail. Tiny paw prints and a familiar smell, "Peanut Butter?",he questioned. He needs a second opinion,"This way Cassy", he exclaims "I smell peanut butter."  Everyone knows Cassy has a weakness for peanut butter cookies, so together they sniff down the trail.

Around the water mill, under the wooden gate and past three apple trees but suddenly, the trail was gone. "Wow!", they both gasped.The trail lead them to a veggie garden with rows of crunchy carrots and tasty turn ups. They wondered down the paths, reading the tags of all sorts of colorful vegetables.

As they walked around they noticed a familiar smell, and then realized who's trail they had followed. It's Sasha Squirrel, a good friend they met last autumn. "Hello there." she squeaked.  "Cabbage is my favorite root vegetable", she admits,"i only pick one, that way Mr.Rush isn't too mad."

  While Sasha shares her  Colorful Coleslaw recipe with Cassy, johnny continues to look around."Make sure to get  fresh cabbage."suggests Sasha. 

Suddenly, hopping with excitement Johnny  announces, "Look Cassy, Cherry tomatoes, my favorite!" 

Waving farewell to their friend,Cassy joins Johnny.While chomping down a few juicy, little tomatoes he finds a row of suspicious leafy suspects. 

"Cassy, what are those round plants?", Johnny asked. Sniffing around layers and examining the clues, Cassy is ready to answer. With a proud posture and confidence in her coat she announces,"Lettuce! These green bumps are lettuce." 

Noticing the confused expression on Johnny's face, she continued to remind him of the wrinkly, green leaves humans put between the cheese and turkey. "You know,when they make a sandwich." she explains. 

"Oh, i get it."He says 

 Just then, the ground rumbled and before anyone could move a paw, Senor Gopher popes up.

"Good afternoon neighbor, didn't mean to scare you,just came up some yummy parsnips." Smirked the old Gopher.

 He started pulling and packing parsnips in a sac. "They look like yellow carrots, do they taste like carrots?",asked Cassy.  Senor Gopher pauses, wiggles his tail and scratches his head, "Well", he explains"It's a carrot with some attitude!, A kick in rear,a spicy bit!". Rubbing his belly he adds,"It's the secret ingredient to my beef stew." With that being said he tossed the sac in the hole, and said his good byes.

Well after a detour like that, the fluffy companions were running late.They know you need to greet your pet when they come home. "We need to take a short cut."  stated Cassy. "Oh, no,muttered Johnny, Not through Bob's garden." It was the only shortcut, but all Princess S**t-sues are masters of desize, so she had a plan. 

With fake mustaches and dark sun glasses, they were ready to sneak though. Just as the fuzzy intruders squeeze behind the gate, Cassy recognizes a voice. "It's Bob,hide!" she shrieks. They jump over the green onions and hide behind the pumpkins.  

While Mr.Bob fiddles in the garage, they look around at the odd plants growing next to pumpkins."Only squash." Said a small voice. Johnny was searching around startled. " Up here, yo-hoo,on the gate." she said again. It was a young friendly Finch chatting with Cassy and Johnny, while they hid from Bob. She talked about squash soup her favorite warm meal. She also suggest they run behind the pumpkins and hop over the pepper plants, so they don't get caught. 

Mr. Bob closes the garage door and strolls back inside,"OK,Bye" they wave.Taking her advice,with their noses to the ground and tails in the air, they were off. Almost home safe, a loud scream "Ah! -look Bob in the Garden!". With that being herd, the garden intruders hopped over the pumpkin vines and ran through the peppers. Flashing lights and loud yelling is all they noticed as they raced though the rosemary bush, and slid under the fence. 

With only seconds to spare they cleaned up, and waited for April to arrive. "Hello sweethearts, greeted a warm voice, i picked you up a treat. " teased April.

 Slowly she opened the bag, they knew that smell,there was only one snack that cheesy "Extra-Cheesy-Puffy-Doodles" they exclaimed. 

After a short nap, Cassy woke up to the laughter of her pets. "It's the funniest picture I've seen," laughed April,

 "Mrs. Sharron just e-mailed it to me."  

Julie leaned over and glanced at the computer screen.

"I wonder who would dress there dog like that?" she giggled ,"I sure wouldn't."

 Still wondering what was so funny, Cassy peaked at the screen. "Wow" she gasped.  

"That cat and dog with a mustache looks really familiar."