I was feeling frustrated yesterday evening because the holidays are over and school’s back in session. That means sports and more sports and running around every evening for sports. Did I mention the sports? I am so downtrodden and woe is me, too much to do and too little time. You know, stupid sorry for myself stuff. On my way to pick up the Princess from basketball practice, I stopped by the little post office in town. In my box, I found the nicest letter and I want to share it with you because I want to let you all know how much I appreciate you. Many of you have written me kind notes such as this telling me that I’ve had an impact on your lives and I want you to know that you have an impact on mine, too. When I am down, you lift me up and encourage me and inspire me.
(I’m removing specifically identifying information because I didn’t have time to ask anybody permission to share this note. The card included a hand-painted picture of a view from her friend’s farmhouse, which was beautiful.)
Dear Suzanne,
I just wanted to tell you what an impact you have made in our lives. We live here in Montana. (Town name removed), Montana, in fact. It all started with a friend who is in Iraq. She was craving bread and wanted to make some for herself. I needed to find her an easy recipe, and I found Grandmother Bread. It spread from there! I shared your blog with some gals from work. We are a bunch of women working in a small space. It is a very high-paced pharmacy and positive attitudes are in short supply. Now our watercooler talk is about Clover and her cookies. You spread happy thoughts and create happy places. We have made Snickerdoodles and Grandmother Bread. I canned batches of pears, pickles, and Caramel Apple Jam. We have spread the word to Iraq, Honduras, and Korea.
She is a painter, and goes on to tell me that there’s “….something about being small, in a small town. Country folk will survive.” (How true is that!)
What a wonderful note, and it completely turned around my woe-is-me mood. So, you girls at the watercooler at that pharmacy in a little town in Montana, this cookie is for you.
Honey: “I thought this cookie was for me.”
Nutmeg: “I think that cookie is for me.”
Clover: “I’m pretty sure that cookie is for ME!”
Honey!
Save yourself!
Oh no! Poor Honey. Clover and Nutmeg never let him have a cookie.
Clover! Nutmeg!
This is no way for ladies to behave!
Head-butting over a cookie is so unseemly!!!
You’re such a sweetheart, Honey. You never fight about anything. What a good little wethered goat you are.
Though if you would stop eating my shirt…..
….and climbing all over me so my jeans look like this, I’d be happy.
Honey: “You know what would make me happy?”
Honey: “They’re not looking…..”
Honey: “….at the cookie. Ha!”
Honey: “I got the cookie! I got the cookie!”
Honey: “I GOT THE COOOOOOKIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!”
Clover: “I raised him to have manners. I don’t know how he turned out this way.”
P.S. Another nice note was posted by Debbie in the comments yesterday and I wanted to be sure everyone saw it because I HAVE NO SHAME!
The 2009 Bloggie nominations have started. Let’s all go to the bloggies to nominate Chickens in the Road. We love you, Suzanne!! and Coco, Spartacus and all the chickens, Nutmeg, Clover and Honey!!
– Debbie in Memphis
If you want to nomimate Chickens in the Road, I would be so grateful!!! The more nominations, the better the chances of making the finals, and also if you make a nomination, you’ll be part of the pool from which voters will be chosen to cast ballots on the finalists, which would be fun! Note: You have to nominate three blogs, so be prepared with a couple of other blogs to nominate. Also, if you should choose to nominate Chickens in the Road, please nominate it in the best-kept secret weblog category, which is where it would have the best shot.
When you arrive at the bloggies page, scroll to the right (not down) and input the following information under best-kept secret weblog:
Nominee: Chickens in the Road
URL: https://chickensintheroad.com
Scroll on to the right some more to complete the Captcha (word verification for spam) and input your email address. (If you get an error, you may have filled out the Captcha wrong. Check that you’ve filled out all the required spaces.) You’ll receive a vote verification email, and you’re done!
If you don’t want to nominate this blog, nominate some other blogs! It’s fun! This is the most prestigious blog awards program–get involved to support your favorite blogs! If you do choose to nominate my blog, thank you! I need every nomination I can get–your vote counts. It’s very difficult to make the finals in this competition.
(If you’re confused about the process, click here for more info in the forum.)
P.P.S. If you don’t know two other blogs, scroll through the comments on this post and start clicking! You all have a bunch of great blogs!
Cookies for everyone!
callie brady says:
Yea!!! I voted for you! :heart:
You deserve every good thing that this new year brings to you and your family. You do bring happiness to me whenever I read you blog as you remind me of what is true and important in life. I check your blog during the day and before I go to bed. And I love clover and her kids. Their antics cheer me to no end. We used to have goats and I miss them. Thank you for sharing your life with me/us. I can’t say enough good things! :clap:
On January 3, 2009 at 2:32 am
Debbie in Memphis says:
:woof: Thank you so much for all the fun and laughter you bring to us. My daughter and I have to check your blog first thing every day. She’s 9, soon to be 10, and very envious of you and your farm. She keeps asking me if we can get one
It’s our dream. My husband and son love all the wonderful recipes that I’ve found with you. I hope this year brings you and yours – blessings, happiness and health.
On January 3, 2009 at 2:40 am
robin says:
So glad to see Honey! That is a treat in itself.
You have made an impact our section of the world.
Have shared your recipes and farm with friends and family.
Very enjoyable at end of my day because the beginning
is rushing to work. Simple wonderful recipes and
excitement of “i can do it and will” makes my day!
Having family to share recipes, hints, ideas, trials,
joys, is an encouragement to do the same…and the
women in our family have shared your ideas, recipes and
the men have enjoyed the benefits.
The very best of health, joy and happiness this year
to you and yours…and thank you!
On January 3, 2009 at 3:32 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
Yes!!! It’s me!! The one who usually rolls out of bed at 9 or 9:30!!! Couldn’t sleep, so of course I wanted to see what you were up to and found Clover and the kids in a delightful discussion/tug of war over a cookie! Now I have to try to figure out the bloggie award thing so I can nominate you!
On January 3, 2009 at 4:45 am
Heidi says:
I am going to have to send honey some cookies so them dog gone girls dont get them… LOL I have a thing for boys, can you tell?! LOL
On January 3, 2009 at 5:33 am
tillie says:
yipeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! cookies for everyone!!
good luck with the bloggie awards…you deserve the grand prize!
On January 3, 2009 at 7:19 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
OK – I did it, Suzanne! Voted you as best kept secret – and of course picked my daughter’s as the best new blog in 2008 (www.loessismore.blogspot.com) as I rely on that as one way of seeing what she, my SIL and their 3 dogs are doing so far away from me. Please give us an update on your new column – doesn’t it start soon?
On January 3, 2009 at 8:29 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Thank you, everyone!
Nancy, my first column comes out in the paper Monday! If it’s also online (I think it will be), I’ll post a link as soon as I have it!
On January 3, 2009 at 8:35 am
heidiannie says:
I voted for you and a couple other blogs I read, as well! Funny how blog friends can almost be more open and vulnerable than real friends. And I do consider you a friend Suzanne. Good luck on the awards!
On January 3, 2009 at 8:43 am
SkippyMom says:
I was getting the warm and fuzzies…and then the goat pics’…awww…love ’em…and then?
not so much.
Good luck with the bloggies. I am so happy that you have figured out the best place for your readers to post your nomination. lol. I have to say – your blog is entertaining, but from all the blogs I have ever read [that have been nominated/won] – it usually AFTER a blogger gets nominated and is in the finals that the blogger will ask for votes…I honestly have never seen someone shill for a nomination.
Nice job! :woof:
On January 3, 2009 at 10:33 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
SkippyMom, the information provided in this post was in response to people who asked me yesterday what category they should nominate this blog in, among other questions about the process. I didn’t want anyone to feel frustrated, so I was trying to answer in this post all the questions I’d been asked. I didn’t know the bloggies were open for nominations until yesterday when Debbie brought it up in the comments. A lot of people aren’t even aware that a contest like this exists–which is one reason the same “famous” blogs win every year. I think everyone should post about it on their blogs. (And I have seen others do so, by the way.) It’s time for some new blogs to show up in the bloggies instead of the same ones over and over. Go support your favorite blogs and post about it on your own blog!
Thanks!
On January 3, 2009 at 11:29 am
Shelley says:
:bananadance: I will definitely nominate you – you are top blog in my eyes! One of my friends & I also have discussions about which of your recipes we’re going to try and what we think Clover is up to. Love your blog and appreciate you being here. Thank you.
On January 3, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Toni says:
You’ve got my vote! Your blogs always bring a smile.
I am also a single mom and I often envy your life. Your quiet life in the WV country-side seems idlyic compared the hustle of living in a Los Angeles suburb. I know it’s not a bed of roses all the time, but you’ve got a lifestyle I dream of. At least I can live vicariously through your blog!
Thanks for sharing your life with us. Love the stories about Coco, the chickens and of course, Clover, Honey and Nutmeg! From a former lurker!
On January 3, 2009 at 12:04 pm
mary says:
Rise above it Suzanne. You go girl! You’ve got my vote. Now if I could just get my goats to eat cookies!
Mary
On January 3, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Susan Flemming says:
Voting done. It will be great fun if you win… though then you sure wouldn’t be the Best Kept Secret anymore. :thumbsup:
On January 3, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Leah says:
Of course I’m voting for your Suzanne. :shimmy: To the rest out there: Watermelon , Watermelon, Rhind,Rhind, Look at the Scoreboard and See Who’s Behind!!!JK!I think it’s great that blogs are becoming so popular and appreciate everyones efforts. :clap:
On January 3, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Estella says:
I love to see the antics of Clover, Honey and Nutmeg!
On January 3, 2009 at 2:21 pm
maddie says:
Hi Suzanne. Great post, as usual. I’ve been skimming through the holidays and didn’t realize just how much I’ve missed Clover and the gang! I’ll just take a moment to say that since I’ve discovered Chickens this past year, my visits here are like a breath of fresh air. You’ve also inspired me in a number of ways. Take care and here’s to a fabulous new year.
I’m off to nominate you on the blog thing… 🙂
On January 3, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Brandy says:
I smile every day I read your blog. So I can totally understand the others that enjoy it as well.
And good going Honey on getting that cookie!
On January 3, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Donna says:
Ohhh, that Coco…MOST precious pup EVER!!! Well, next to Dukie, of course!
I am so glad Honey got a cookie!!!
I vote for Suzanne’s blog as best blog EVER!
I like the letter from the girl in Montana and agree – I have a friend in Libby Montana – they are good people up there.
On January 3, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Leah says:
I Love the new look of your blog….with See More of Chickens in the Road forum topics listed on the side with all the pretty pics. :love:
On January 3, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Darlene says:
Clover, Nutmeg and Honey are so funny!! And you actually feed them cookies, lol.
Thanks so much for the blog info. I’ll be there to vote for you!
On January 3, 2009 at 7:19 pm
CATRAY44 says:
Going to nominat/vote for you right now and I wish I had a billion shillings to give you, lol!
On January 3, 2009 at 9:32 pm
nancy h. says:
You get my vote! Next year I hope you are too well known to be in the secret category. GOOD LUCK!
On January 3, 2009 at 10:18 pm
catslady says:
I’m going over now to see if I can figure out this voting thing
Love hearing about the cookie “wars” lol.
On January 3, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Marilyn says:
Let me just say…….
I love your blog!
On January 4, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Beth Brown says:
I’m glad you posted it – you do have the best blog and I didn’t know that we could vote on it!
Happy to vote for you and good for Honey! Those sweet little wethers . . . my Tommy (wether)is the same way.
BTW, we’ve added another to our little farm. A 14 year old white horse who is so sweet – the llama lloves him! We bought him before he was sold for slaughter.
Any chance you’ll be adding a horse or 2? I know that we’ve been warned against buying from an auction but he seems to be healthy and he certainly is a sweetheart.
On January 5, 2009 at 10:09 am