Mr. Pibb!!!! (More on Mr. Pibb and our 11-hour odyssey to fetch him in tomorrow’s post. We were gone all day yesterday doing the fetching, so I haven’t had a chance yet to put that post together with all the photos.)
Meanwhile, the 2010 Bloggies are open for nominations!
Suzanne, why, why, why, are you doing this to us? Did we not already do enough with that dratted SAM-e thing? Yes, yes, you did. I hate to ask you to do something else! (Especially so soon.) The Bloggies competition is the longest-running, most prestigious blog awards program on the internet. Winners, and even just finalists, receive a good amount of exposure. (The winner receives $20, by the way. The real “prize” is the opportunity for exposure to new readers.) Last year, I was a finalist in the Best-Kept Secret category. The reason I want/need to do this again is because the exposure of being a finalist will help me continue to grow this website and work full-time on it. This website is my dream. The difference between voting in the Bloggies and voting in the SAM-e contest is that you only have to vote once to nominate me in the Bloggies. (No daily voting! Do it and you’re done.)
Here is how it works:
Go to the 2010 Bloggies page. The page scrolls sideways instead of down. A blog may be nominated in any category you deem fit. In order to make a nomination, you must nominate at least three blogs, so put some of your other favorite blogs in mind and have the URLs handy.
The URL for this blog is: https://chickensintheroad.com
If you believe my blog is worthy of nomination, please help me by doing so! (If you don’t believe it’s worthy of nomination, or you are offended by my request, you are free to not do so.)
I want to take a moment to say why I’m here and why I do this. There are two reasons. One is because I’m trying to make a living as a writer. My work is offered freely and this website is supported by advertising. (Let me tell you, when you write about how to live a simple, frugal life spending little money, that really reels in the advertisers.) I’m just a girl on a farm with a dream to make my living from this website. I work hard! Two, well, two is best summed up in this comment that was left here yesterday on a post several days back:
“I just want you to know that I have been a loyal reader of your site for close to a year now. Recently some major tragedies have occurred. I’m 28. I left my verbally abusive husband, in Canada two weeks ago. I rejoined my family in California after a three and a half year miserable marriage. The day before yesterday he informed me via email without addressing me by name that HE has decided the marriage is over. He’s a cruel man, but I loved him.
Last month I lost my grandmother and she was my best friend. I was her caregiver up until she died of metastasized breast cancer. All that to say that during this heartbreaking time in my life, your website, your blog, brings me so much encouragement. Your simple life gives me hope. I want to move to some remote area, surround myself with animals and be just like you. Your blog is like a little life line and I’m so grateful to you for dedicating yourself to it. It’s your ministry. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Writing this blog is a passion to me. It’s not just about making a living. It’s about making a difference. My little difference in the world. I receive many comments, and emails, like the one above, that’s just the most recent one. Every single one of them mean so much to me. I want to be here, doing this, for you. For some time now I have devoted full-time to this website. (There’s a lot more to it than “just” writing the posts as a website of this extent requires a lot of behind-the-scenes work as well.) As I said, this website is my passion so it doesn’t feel like work. I often think of it like a ministry because I know that in various ways it is meaningful to people, and that’s important to me. On other other hand, I have to support my family with it or go put in an application at Target because I have to take care of my family. Voting to nominate me in the Bloggies will help me keep doing what I’m doing. Please help me if you believe this website is worthy.
You may vote once per email address. (In other words, you may vote more than once if you happen to have additional legitimate email addresses.) Your vote to nominate my blog will not be counted until you receive the validation email and return your confirmation.
Categories my blog may fit into include Best Photography Weblog, Best Food Weblog, Best Humorous Weblog, and Best Writing of a Weblog. You can nominate a blog in one or multiple categories. My best chance of actually winning one would be if my blog were nominated in multiple categories, and if you all combine your efforts by nominating me in the same categories, it will give me the best shot at making the finals.
Nominations opened January 1st and will close at 10 pm EST on January 12.
If you choose to help me with this, THANK YOU!!!
P.S. If you don’t get your confirmation email, you can email the Bloggies coordinator to confirm.
Gen says:
I will vote tomorrow, I *PROMISE*. And, super-duper bonus: I have THREE valid e-mail addresses!!! I’m SOOO important (she says with tongue firmly planted in cheek), and am grateful to use them all for YOU, Suzanne, and your little critters (family included). Mr. Pibb is a darling, it was nice seeing him next to the chickens as it gave perspective to his size. He will make his way in the barnyard soon, cutie-patootie!
On January 4, 2010 at 1:12 am
Blessings says:
Suzanne,
Jubilantly I will vote for you!
Your such an inspiration, your wisdom is endless and much appreciated!
FYI: My DH loves the pepperoni rolls and asks all the time when I will make more!!!!
~~HUGS~~
On January 4, 2010 at 2:24 am
JoLinda says:
I need help!!!! I do not read other blogs so can someone just let me know who two of their other favorites are and I will do it that way. Suzanne is my ONLY blog to read every day.
On January 4, 2010 at 4:51 am
CindyP says:
Mr Pibb!!! What a cutie!!! That’s a very long ride for a goat, BUT look how cute he is!!!
Will be more than happy to vote for you! Even if it was like Sam-e, I’d do it. Because I’m thankful for you just as you’re thankful for all of us! :heart:
On January 4, 2010 at 6:07 am
Tracey In Paradise ,Pa. says:
:woof: I tooo will vote for sure!! I too have had one of the hardest years of my life..Losing my sis to colon cancer among some other things. Your blog gives a boost,inspiration and always a smile..Like a big hug!! In my mind you deserve to win everything and be paid highly!! I love love your work, your family and your life. And no doubt in my mind you work very hard. I am tired out just reading your posts some days!!God Bless you and your family!!
Hugs Granny Trace
On January 4, 2010 at 6:20 am
Sandra says:
How do we know what categories people are nominating in? We need to know that to combine efforts.
On January 4, 2010 at 6:49 am
Kelli B says:
Waiting to hear which category everyone will be voting you into…
On January 4, 2010 at 6:55 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Re which category, the safest, best chance is if you vote for this blog in multiple categories (the ones I listed above in the post). Thank you!!!
On January 4, 2010 at 7:00 am
Diane says:
I will give you a vote. I check into your blog every morning.
Mr Pipp is so cute. Cant wait to hear about his adventers with you.
On January 4, 2010 at 7:10 am
Liz in Wis says:
Suzanne, I find your website to be addictive. I check in each morning to see what you and your critters are up to. Love your pictures. Mr. Pibb is very photogenic; what a nice addition to the farm.
On January 4, 2010 at 7:13 am
Dianna McBride says:
You can count on me for my vote, in multilple categories, Suzanne! I SO agree with Liz of Wis….you are ADDICTIVE! 🙂 You’ve given me courage to try things I’ve felt were beyond my abilities. Surely I can do this little thing for you!
On January 4, 2010 at 7:32 am
Claudia says:
Welcome Home Mr. Pibb!!! I just voted! :sun:
On January 4, 2010 at 7:36 am
Debnfla3 says:
Of course I’m going to vote!!!!
I read your blog every singe morning and return off and on all day long!
Your blog has been a soothing balm to my wounded soul after losing my Mom this past April. I was her caregiver because she had COPD/emphysema/CHF and couldn’t do much at all. I miss her with every beat of my heart! But reading your blog sooths my pain because a lot of what you write about is just how I was raised by a wonderful pair of parents. Brings a little bit of childhood back into my days.
Deb
On January 4, 2010 at 7:54 am
Phyllis Ryan says:
The new “baby” is beautiful. I nominated you this am and will keep my fingers crossed.
On January 4, 2010 at 8:00 am
Wendy says:
Just voted to nominate CITR in the categories you mentioned. LOVE this blog – and you Suzanne! It’s always my first stop in the morning.
Thank you for sharing your life with us!
On January 4, 2010 at 8:01 am
Betty Ireland says:
Done, done, and done.
On January 4, 2010 at 8:09 am
Chic says:
Suzanne your Blog is the first thing I look at once my computer is turned on in the morning. I have made many of your recipes and they are now in my recipe box…you and your family and critters are part of my every day life. I’m heading to that web site as soon as I hit the submit button! Mr Pibb is so cute..i’ll be looking for your post tomorrow to learn all about him. :hungry2:
On January 4, 2010 at 8:25 am
shirley says:
I put my computer in overdrive to get to that website and nominate you. The irritant was that I had to vote for two more, and there’s no one to compare to you.I nominated a couple of other gals that I read occasionally, just so they would accept my entry.I didn’t want to though, because you’re by far the best.
On January 4, 2010 at 8:41 am
Jo says:
So, we can only vote *one* time (per valid email address) and only in *one* category? Or can we vote for you in multiple categories? I’m not trying to be dense, really. Maybe I should go back and re-read.
I guess for me your food, photos and stories are so wonderful….but if I were to narrow you down to what draws me here: it’s your stories/writing. I love your stories. The photography and recipes support your writing. For me, anyway. :happyflower:
On January 4, 2010 at 9:58 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Jo, you can nominate the same blog in multiple categories!
On January 4, 2010 at 10:28 am
Nancy says:
I found your blog by accident searching for a homemade detergent recipe….I haven’t missed a day since…oops, not quite true, I was camping for 3 days in the mountains of Vermont and they had no service…but I caught up quickly when I returned home! Like so many others I have had a tragic 2009 and your posts have given me the peace and tranquility I need to start my day. Thank you! I’m off to vote!
On January 4, 2010 at 10:01 am
Jo says:
Ok, so I read the directions at the awards site and I think I get it now. :dancingmonster:
On January 4, 2010 at 10:11 am
Julieanna says:
You absolutely have my votes!! :wave:
On January 4, 2010 at 10:33 am
Moi says:
The Bloggies isn’t loading right for me, even after refreshing a few times. Must be the cloudy weather messing with our satellite service. Argh. Can you remind us a few times before nominations close, pretty please?
On January 4, 2010 at 10:57 am
claudia w says:
Of course I am going to go and vote for you! You are my first stop every morning with my coffee!
Mr pib is so darned cute! Can’t wait to see more about him!
On January 4, 2010 at 11:43 am
catslady says:
That was quick and painless lol. Good luck, Suzanne!! Oh and your latest addition looks like a cutie!!
On January 4, 2010 at 11:48 am
Melissa Marsh says:
I voted!
And I also have to say that you and your blog, Suzanne, inspired me to leave a disastrous, abusive relationship, as well, and to find my happiness. I’ve never been more content or more happy in my life! THANK YOU!!!
On January 4, 2010 at 11:59 am
Robin says:
I too long for the country life and love your blog. Just like many other followers I stop here first thing in the morning.
My daughter of 14 also loves to hear what all the animals are doing on your farm, she will say to me “What are the Farm Lady’s animals doing today?” So I show her all the photos and she just loves it!
Thank you Suzanne for your inspiration everyday. :hug:
On January 4, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Destiny D says:
What I appreciate so much about your blog and blogging style is that you do it joyfully and have made it clear that it is what you love to do. I follow a handful of blogs, and I can’t tell you how tired I get of people who lure us in to their blogs and then complain about the time it takes to blog. (I had to make a choice – read or blog myself. I choose to read blogs.)If I had a dime for every time I read a blogger say “I’m taking a break!” I could buy myself a break and go on wonderful vacation!
Thank you for everything — I love it all!
On January 4, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Angela P says:
:heart: Absolutely count me in! I was very shocked that you did not win the Sam-e, by the way did anyone check out who did win???? Hmmm??? Very well…umm…. not who I thought “should” win. Im crossing my fingers for you Suzanne. I am a true follower, this web site is happiness to me. Everyday my family asks me how you are. They know I love Chickens in the Road. Im voting now!
Oh, elcome home Mr. Pibb. Your going to love your new place.
On January 4, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Miss Becky says:
Mr. Pibb is adorable! I can’t wait to read the story behind his journey to you. I nominated you in 3 categories ~ writing, humor, and photography I believe. I just wanted to get the nominations in and it was just after midnight when I did it, so best of luck and I will do it again on my back-up computer! You rock Suzanne!
On January 4, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Lynette says:
Welcome home Mr. Pibb ~ you are going to LUV it here!! Can’t wait to see more pics of you!
Suzanne, I voted for you in multiple categories….Good Luck! :happyflower:
On January 4, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Janessa says:
OK the picture of the goat sitting in the seat of the car seriously made my morning! Too cute!
On January 4, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Gena says:
I too found your site when I was going through a difficult time. My 19 year old son was dying with cancer. I could read your blog and find a few moments of peace and hope. I don’t know how you do it, Suzanne, but you help many people with this blog. You bring peace, hope, and happiness to so many people. After several years I still read your blog first thing every morning. Thank you for all that you do. May God continue to bless you and this blog.
On January 4, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Karen Anne says:
I tried to vote, but never got the verification email from them. I spent them an email about that, hope I can get to vote. I had been sure to check the spelling of the address I gave them.
Good luck!
On January 4, 2010 at 1:47 pm
JOJO says:
:snowman: :woof: :snowman:
Nominated you in several of the catagories, and was happy to do so.
I can wait to see more of your new “kid”–just look at that face, dont to just want to hug him??? What a sweetie pie!
JO
On January 4, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Jessica says:
Am voting now, it’s going to take awhile to find two other blogs for each category that I am nominating you in. I do read a lot of other blogs, but this one is by far my favorite. Good luck Suzanne!
Hello Mr. Pibb!!
On January 4, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Yvonne M. says:
I’m with JoLinda, I DON’T READ ANY OTHER BLOGS! I read the best and don’t need the rest! I noticed first thing (after seeing Mr. Pibb) that you changed your photo! Looks great. I’ll be voting as soon as I can come up with two others to vote for….have no idea! Good luck. :shimmy:
On January 4, 2010 at 4:39 pm
S T Shelley says:
consider it done. I voted for you everyday before and I surly can vote for you this once. there is one condition, tell me where you got that big fry pan with a handle on both sides. I would love to have one. Kiss the PIBB for me. He is a sweetheart.
On January 4, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Are you talking about the pan in the Homemade Hamburger Helper post? It’s a Viking pan. They are insanely expensive. (I bought several Viking pots and pans back in the day when I was a spoiled suburban housewife.) They are actually amazingly strong pots and pans (and somewhat heavy) BUT very expensive.
On January 4, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Jo says:
Wow! I love your new picture! :sun:
On January 4, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Hannah says:
That comment was so touching! I think I speak for everyone when I say your blog has reached out to us and we thank you for your devotion. Chickens in the Road is worthy of such titles. :purpleflower:
On January 4, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Deborah R says:
OK – I nominated you in these categories:
Best Photography of a Weblog
Best Food Weblog
Best Topical Weblog (Country Living is topical!)
Most Humorous Weblog
Best Writing of a Weblog
Weblog of the Year (were you too modest to suggest that one?) 😀
Good luck!
Please do me a personal favor and remind us when it’s time to go back and vote for the finals.
On January 4, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Tracy in MA says:
Well, that Mr. Pibb is sure cute! It looks like he’s sitting in the front seat next to you. Who knew goats could ride in the car like that. I love your goat pictures and stories so much that I want a goat myself. You make them seem human. Thank you (and your goats) for being so entertaining.
On January 4, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Cranberry says:
Done! I don’t know how you do it Suzanne, every… single… day… thinking up stuff and taking pics for lil’ old US!! It’s a true breath of fresh air every day, a little gift from you to us, and i wouldn’t come back every day if i didn’t like you! Keep up the good work, Happy New Year, and Thank you!!!
On January 4, 2010 at 7:43 pm
JOJO says:
:snowman: :woof: :snowman:
Suzanne, I have re-read your post several times today, as well as comments left by your readers. I can honestly I am writing this with tears in my eyes.
You have such a great following, they all seem so kind and tender hearted. Like many of them, I to have found solace in reading your daily columns, not wanting to go into details, it has taken me to a new level in my life, and I thank you so much. We all have our crosses to bear and when we find something that can lift our spirts and give us a reason to create and do good things, we hold on to it.
You should feel so proud to have improved the quality of life for so many of us, there is a special place for people like you.
Thank you.
JO
On January 4, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Valerie says:
What JoJo said.
Voting done for today. Tomorrow is another day. Nice thing about owning one’s own website is you can make up as many email addresses you want. Discussed this with my horses and donkeys, and they all wanted to vote for you. But see, they have hooves and it’s hard for them to type, so I had to do it for them all. The deck cats wanted to vote, too, but I told them they can vote tomorrow. Maybe the ones with mitten-paws can type, I don’t know. They may need help, too. Just sayin’. :shimmy:
On January 4, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Barbee' says:
Karen Anne,
Just some thoughts. Hope you are able to get it straightened out.
Could their e-mail have gone into your spam folder/mail box? Did you check it? Does that address by any chance automatically forward the incoming mail to another address?
On January 4, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Last year, this was the email address to confirm with the Bloggies coordinator if you didn’t get your normal confirmation email: [email protected]
I don’t know if that email address is still valid or not, but I do know the same person is the coordinator this year.
On January 5, 2010 at 6:32 am
Barbee' says:
Once the nominations window closes, Thursday, January 21, and Finalists are announced and voting reopens to choose the winner, should we get organized and everyone vote in the same category? If we spread our votes out over more than one, we might not be affective. Or, am I mistaken? What do the rest of you think?
On January 4, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Birdi says:
im off to vote…you just have to win this! I commend you for your passion. With all that is going on in the world today that makes us do daily things that are not a part of our dream…if i could help someone by this small step realize theirs …its an honor. You are respected by me for all that you do. you go girl!!!
On January 4, 2010 at 11:23 pm
kerri says:
I will certainly be voting for you tomorrow, Suzanne. We appreciate all the hours of hard work you put in to make your blog such an interesting site. I know just how much work goes into a post because I’ve spent many an hour doing just that.
Your writing, photography and content are all superb and you deserve to win.
Mr. Pibbs is so cute sitting next to you on the car seat 🙂 What a long trip you had to collect him! Looking forward to hearing more about him.
On January 4, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Karen Anne says:
Barbee,
I use Thunderbird for email, so I can do my own spam filtering. The spam folder gets highlighted if anything is in it. Nope, not there.
And I have my ISP’s, Cox’s, option selected to send me all email, even what they think is spam. However, I know they throw some away that they “are sure” is spam without forwarding it to their customers. They have some perfectly legitimate sites blacklisted so I never see email from them, and their tech people are zero help.
I didn’t get any response from the voting site to my email asking about this, so either that got filtered out or they are backed up. It looks like I won’t be able to vote boo hoo.
On January 5, 2010 at 12:36 am
Barbee' says:
Karen Anne, things are seldom simple, aren’t they. Well, nominations can be entered until Nominations close, Tuesday, January 12; 10:00 PM EST Maybe something will cough it up before then.
On January 5, 2010 at 1:18 am
paulukon says:
I found your blog just last week or the week before–looking for a cake mix from scratch. Haven’t made that yet, but found the quick mix and have made some fabulous biscuits and can’t wait for the weekend to make other things!
Would you please consider letting the RSS feed include your entire post? Like many people these days, I follow so many blogs I have to use a reader (I use Bloglines). Only a few lines of each post are sent from your feed, so I have to click and wait on each post. Sometimes, I have the time for that–but only because I follow just a few blogs that don’t include the entire post. And I usually only follow those that realllly interest me. I know from experience of another blog that I’ve read for two years that just finally went to full post feeds: I read almost every post all the way through now, while before I would follow the link only a few times a week (she posts about the same amount as you do). A lot of feeds include ads now, so you can’t go with the losing revenue that others used to claim as a reason not to. Please, please! I love your blog, but I’d love it more if I could read it all in my reader.
thank you!
On January 5, 2010 at 11:33 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Re my RSS feed, advertising is not why I don’t post a full feed via RSS. The reason I don’t post a full feed is because there are many, many sites that steal blog posts via RSS feeds, just posting the RSS feed to their own websites. I found repeated and increasing instances of my posts being fed via RSS to these types of sites. They are set up specifically to steal content, publish it on their own sites, and grab traffic from search engines using other people’s content. A partial feed doesn’t entirely stop theft (nothing can truly stop it) but it makes it more difficult.
These are called “scraper” sites and can actually overtake your original content in search engine rankings–just one of numerous ways scraper sites hurt the original author. So, I’m sorry, I do understand your request, but I hope you understand my desire to protect my original content. I try to make my posts worth your extra click.
On January 5, 2010 at 11:53 am
Chris says:
Coming out of “lurking” status to say that I nominated you for several categories – here’s hoping!!
On January 5, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Mel Meister says:
I voted for you in several categories. You are doing with your life what I wished I could have done. I guess in some small way, I am living part of my life with you.
Good Luck!
Mel
On January 10, 2010 at 10:29 pm