It’s rainy, muddy, slushy, icky. You better get your chore boots on and get to work.
Well, now, hold on. You know you’re not getting off the porch that easily. She’s spotted you from Dog Blankie Central. Annabelle is leaping right over Coco. She can’t wait to see you! (Don’t feel bad about the blurry picture. It’s hard to take pictures of animals in motion. I feel your pain.)
And seriously, hold on, or she’ll suck that bottle right out of your hand.
She’s got it down in two seconds flat. She’s a vigorous sucker. Which is a good thing because the rest of the gang is waiting for you.
This one’s extra hungry. She’s waiting right inside the feed box.
She doesn’t want to miss a thing.
That’s better. Only they don’t share well, so you’d better lay some hay down along the fenceline. You don’t have enough hayracks and feed boxes, so you make a makeshift hayrack every day along the fence. You are ingenious!
Or something…. Anyway, stop admiring yourself already. Mr. Cotswold is going to break out of his pen if you don’t rush over there with some hay.
It’s bad enough that he can only look at the girls from his pen…. Bad enough that the little goat wether sometimes dances on two feet outside his pen to make fun of him…. Do you have to feed him last, too?
Remind him that he’s not really last. The goats are still waiting for you over there.
Over there through all that mud and muck.
I’m glad it’s you and not me who has to do all this.
But, everybody’s up! Your job is done for now.
Oh, wait.
Now everybody’s up, including Mean Rooster. I think you should go in there and collect eggs. (What? You don’t want to do that? Why not?)
This segment of the population doesn’t even get up.
Don’t be thinking about leaving Giant Puppy behind now that you’re done with your morning rounds. She wants back in with her little lamb.
I hope Coco doesn’t jump all over you. She’s pretty messy.
Of course, Annabelle is hungry again. You’re weaning her, so she only gets a bottle in the morning and at bedtime. You’d better have a bucket of sheep grain handy.
She likes to stick her whole head in there. And you like to hold it for her while she eats so that it’s almost like feeding her a bottle. She’s used to being hand-fed.
Good thing you brought her a box of hay, though you spoil that lamb way too much, letting her spend the day on the porch just because it’s raining and because the other sheep called her a dog and made her cry.
You really need to get hold of yourself and get control of your animals.
I hope you don’t mind cleaning this up.
In spite of the mess, you’re gonna miss her when she’s not on the porch anymore.
You’re gonna end up with a 150-pound sheep sleeping on a blankie outside your front door, aren’t you?
I don’t know what I’m gonna do with you.
I have an article in today’s Charleston Daily Mail about the little store in town. Read the newspaper feature here!
amber says:
You are hilarious. You really should turn these stories into children’s books. Oh, we have a mean rooster also, but the bad thing about him is…we thought all along he was a she. We hand raised him, kept him apart from the otheres because they beat him up all the time, and now he is crowing…lol. He is an Araucana, and I really wanted some green eggs, but oh well.
On March 27, 2009 at 4:23 am
Christine says:
ROTFL! Hey, if it makes you feel any better I have a chicken living on my back porch.
On March 27, 2009 at 4:28 am
Chris says:
That last picture is to die for….
I started Cole Dempsey last night….had a hard time putting it down!
On March 27, 2009 at 4:30 am
Cheryl S. says:
Awww . . . I love your pictures.
On March 27, 2009 at 4:46 am
Shelley says:
The last photo says it all! My heart has melted and I would definitely let that lamb stay on the porch! Is Annabelle Coco’s only favorite now?
P.S. I did a post on you today – I want to be like you “when I grow up!”
On March 27, 2009 at 5:00 am
Diane says:
Your black cat looks just like my cat. Love that face. Annabell is so cute with CoCo sleeping on the porch. She is going to have a hard time adjusting to the sheep pen. lol.
On March 27, 2009 at 5:02 am
mim says:
What happens on the farm, stays on the farm….unless you read it here..I have a cat that thinks its a dog…rescued it when it was a kitten off of I-64, vet didn’t think it would make it but he pulled through it…of course our dog took him under his care and now Interstate (cat) thinks he is the same as Ein (dog)…
On March 27, 2009 at 5:02 am
Fencepost says:
Great story, Suzanne!
I have chore boots AND mud just like that here on the farm.
Love that last picture!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:11 am
ML says:
Oh I just love the pic of Coco and Annabelle sleeping together, all cuddled up, it’s just so stinking sweet!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:12 am
CindyP says:
Yes, definitely should be a children’s book. I read your animal posts to Alex (3 yrs) when he’s here. He loves all the pictures! He wants to buy a baby sheep like Annabelle 🙂 I let his mother know, Nana can’t have sheep !
P.S. I would gladly buy a pair of barn boots if I could have a farm!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:24 am
trish says:
i think i might buy a pair of those boots just to run errands in.
i so wish i could have a 150 lb sheep and/or chickens on my back porch.
love it!!!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:32 am
Linnet says:
If I had a sheep as cute as Annabelle it would live on my porch too. Even when it got bigger:) Oh and I tried your Cinnamon rolls from yesterday and they were a big hit! Thanks!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:45 am
Lucy says:
What a neat blog to read so early in the morning. That little baby lamby is getting way too big too fast. I love every photo here.
On March 27, 2009 at 6:18 am
Eric Hegwer says:
Cat likes Chicken. I’d watch out.
On March 27, 2009 at 6:19 am
Sheila Z says:
Coco is still my favorite. Sign me up for the Coco Fan Club.
On March 27, 2009 at 6:59 am
JeannieB says:
Love it, You just can’t imagine how much your blog means to me. I think you are the greatest for sharing your life with us.
On March 27, 2009 at 7:08 am
Nancy K. says:
How could you even THINK about separating Annabelle from Coco??? I think the Farmyard Gods would turn “Mean Rooster” loose on you forever!!!
On March 27, 2009 at 7:08 am
Staci says:
I love Annabelle! I couldn’t even think of making her move from the porch.
On March 27, 2009 at 7:14 am
wildcat says:
I wouldn’t make a very good farmer…Annabelle would probably be living in my house and sleeping in my bed with me! I’d never have the heart to put her out there in the sheep pen! ROTFL
On March 27, 2009 at 7:18 am
Okie Sister says:
OMG, that last picture is absolutely Priceless. :happyflower:
On March 27, 2009 at 7:38 am
Cathy says:
I just love your blog and entries like this one make me feel so warm and fuzzy. Thanks for the perfect Friday post.
On March 27, 2009 at 7:54 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
This was fabulous, Suzanne! It’s a rainy day in Georgia but your post made me feel warm and fuzzy…oh, that was the cat hair. Can I come live with you? Oh, wait, no, I’m moving to Iowa. Well, can Annabelle come with me? You’ll probably never be able to seaparate Annabelle and Coco now. :sheep:
On March 27, 2009 at 8:41 am
Sheila Bergeron says:
Very enjoyable, good job!
On March 27, 2009 at 8:45 am
Lisa L. says:
Definitely a childrens’ story in there. I love that little porch sleeping stuffedy. So cute!
On March 27, 2009 at 9:10 am
JC says:
You need to keep her on the porch forever. She’s a dog in a baby sheep’s body :happypuppy:
On March 27, 2009 at 9:13 am
Kim W says:
Who do you think will be bigger in the end – Coco or Annabelle? lol
Blessings from Ohio…
On March 27, 2009 at 9:22 am
Sandy says:
And just what is wrong with a 150 pound sheep on the porch?
On March 27, 2009 at 9:25 am
trish says:
I really enjoy your writing. I also read your column about the store. It’s so nice to have this blog to look forward to everyday.
I loved the blurry picture of annabelle jumping over coco!!!! too funny!
I show pictures of the animals to my 18 mo old grandaughter and she loves them!!!
On March 27, 2009 at 9:27 am
Donna says:
OMG, is that not the CUTEST thing in the world – Annabelle drinking her bottle, hopping over Coco to get it…and Coco and Annabelle sleeping head to head…Ohhh, I love the farm animals! They are all so sweet. I would have to sit there and rub Annab’s and Coco’s head all am…play with them, hug them…LOL I would NEVER get anything done.
On March 27, 2009 at 10:08 am
Lisa P says:
Annabelle is just too cute for words. The mean rooster hasn’t become dinner yet?
On March 27, 2009 at 10:31 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Not yet, LOL.
On March 27, 2009 at 10:34 am
SuzieQ says:
Last picture…”and all’s right with the world!” :snuggle:
On March 27, 2009 at 10:34 am
Leah says:
Annebelle is the cutest little sheepdog!Ha,ha!I enjoyed your arcticle about the country store too! :wave:
On March 27, 2009 at 10:41 am
Kris7 says:
Precious!
Is that a coffee can Annabel’s eating from? We use those for dog food scoops. I told hubby…we can get sheep now, we have the equipment!
Do you take a shower before or after the muck? I make a huge deal about changing kitty litter, so I’d be a farm wimp.
I agree with Leah: the country store article is awesome! And so is your upping stone article! My faves!
Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com
On March 27, 2009 at 11:04 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
I take a shower AFTER!!!!
Yes, I save coffee cans to use as big feed scoops! They’re great cuz they have a handle and they’re the perfect size.
On March 27, 2009 at 11:46 am
The Retired One says:
Hi!
I was referred to you blog by a post by Shelly (Building a Log Cabin)..so glad she mentioned your blog. Loved the photos of the animals on your site….I felt like I could reach out and touch them!
We just got back from a trip to Florida…and we drove thru West Virginia…LOVED it there, it was so pretty…the mountains/hills were so neat.
I will add your blog to my favorite list!
I would love it if you would stop by my blog called The Retirement Chronicles, located at: https://myretirmentchronicles.blogspot.com
If you like it, please sign up as a follower….I would love that.
On March 27, 2009 at 11:41 am
Molly Montgomery says:
You all need to check out the Baa-Studs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2FX9rviEhw&feature=player_embedded. This is RFLOL.
On March 27, 2009 at 11:43 am
cgReno says:
Please have a 150lb sheep on your front door step always sleeping with Giant Puppy. I would. Its OK to think outside the box…..from: the UnFarmer in Reno.
On March 27, 2009 at 11:44 am
gwen says:
wonderfull photo’s, too much fun to be had.
it breaks a very rainy and dark today, no spring really, so love this
hugs
gwen :moo:
On March 27, 2009 at 12:42 pm
catslady says:
Animals on parade – love it :sheepjump: :snuggle: :woof: :chicken: :sheep:
On March 27, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Estella says:
Great photos of your animals.
On March 27, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Susan says:
You always make my day!
On March 27, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Brandy says:
That last picture made me “awwwwwwww!” *G*
On March 27, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Val says:
Love the last picture!
On March 27, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Claudia W. says:
Love all the pictures of the animals. They all LOVE you don’t they???
I just wanted to let you know I have gotten all the parts to gether, to send out your knitting pamphlett. I should get it in the mail in the morning.
I really hope this does the trick for you. It sure helped me. Enjoy!
On March 27, 2009 at 6:38 pm
kritter keeper says:
so cute and so perfect. keep the lamb on the porch and learn to love mean rooster. he has to have some good (non-edible) qualities?? my good husband says no to any more farm animals so i truly enjoy reading your blog and seeing your photos!
On March 27, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Shannon says:
This is my first visit to your blog, and what a first impression! This was so much fun! That last picture is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!
On March 27, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Sally Valentine says:
Suzanne, this is my favorite blog yet! I dearly love looking at the pictures and then reading what you’ve written. The dog and lamb love is so sweet! Thank you for my smiles!
On February 20, 2010 at 4:32 pm