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Mar
17

Look What We Did

Completely gratuitous picture of Annabelle.
superlamb21
(Thank you to Donna, who played with my photo of Annabelle to create this fun lamb-in-the-sky version.)

Yesterday, I did not win an award. However, I did win, in fact, we won, six weeks ago when this blog was named a finalist for Best-Kept Secret in the 2009 Bloggies, when a little blog about a little farm in (of all places) West Virginia made it to the stage where such blogs are usually overlooked.

The first time I had a manuscript make it past the first-round editor and up to a senior editor for consideration to publish, that book was ultimately rejected. I didn’t know at the time that soon enough I would sell over two dozen books. At the time, I thought that might be the highlight of my career. I almost sold a book! I told my (then) husband, “We have to celebrate!” I insisted he take me out to eat and I drank wine and we toasted the peak of my literary career.

I don’t know if I’ll ever win a Bloggie. This might be the peak of my blogging career. There were probably a lot of high-powered people in internet-land scratching their heads at the finalist list six weeks ago, wondering how the heck this blog got there, but I know. You made it happen. You let me be a voice on that stage for all the real blogs about real people and real farms, people with no money and no connections, just heart and hard work, and dirty work at that. Thank you soooo much! Scratch their heads they might, but we were noticed. Congratulations to all the blogs that did win yesterday–and congrats to us, because we won, too. Look what we did.

Let’s celebrate! (Who wants to take me out to dinner?)

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Posted by Suzanne McMinn on March 17, 2009  

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  1. 3-17
    3:35
    am

    :hissyfit: Sorry you did not win this year. I guess you will be our little secret for a little while longer. :turtle:

    Kathleen in Michigan - Reply to this comment Reply
  2. 3-17
    3:59
    am

    You’ll get them next year. And we’ll all be here to celebrate it with you. Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories and life with us!

    Debbie in Memphis - Reply to this comment Reply
  3. 3-17
    4:28
    am

    How many miles from OKC to WV?? I don’t think I can make it by dinner time today but one day. You are a very gracious and real person and that’s we have gravitated here. The best is yet to come.

    okbarb - Reply to this comment Reply
  4. 3-17
    4:42
    am

    Sometimes the best is overlooked and this time I am sure of it. How close are you to Princeton, WV? I will be “home” in a few weeks to visit and I would gladly tqke you out to celebrate how happy your blog has made me.

    Cece

    Cece - Reply to this comment Reply
  5. 3-17
    4:57
    am

    If we were closer I would take you out to dinner. Any excuse for dinner is a win for me. lol. Keep blogging there is always next year. For us that follow your blog you are a winner to us. :)

    Diane - Reply to this comment Reply
  6. 3-17
    5:04
    am

    And Annabelle jumped over the moon! :sheepjump:

    I would love to buy you dinner and a shot of vodka (I could use on of the weak bottles of vanilla you showed me how to make — you know if you open it before vanilla stage, it’s better than Smirnoff’s Vanilla Vodka? – yep tried it!)

    Think of all the added readers that came here just from the nominations!! And many of them have joined the forum giving even more ideas and opinions on questions and projects everyone has! You had to upgrade servers just to accommodate all of us!!

    Even if you didn’t win officially I believe you won…..after all, you have all of us!! :heart:

    CindyP - Reply to this comment Reply
  7. 3-17
    5:36
    am

    Well, in the meanwhile please know that there are legions of folks who enjoy reading your blog every day, awards or no-awards! :yes:

    Kate - Reply to this comment Reply
  8. 3-17
    5:52
    am

    You are the winner to us SUE!!! Thanks for all you do to keep us involved in your life! LOVE YA!!

    Heidi - Reply to this comment Reply
  9. 3-17
    6:38
    am

    Shoo, we are the winners hand’s down! I thank you again for sharing your life with us.

    You are welcome to come to dinner here! The Grandgirlies are spending their Spring Break with us, and we are having a high old time cooking and playing.

    Kathryn - Reply to this comment Reply
  10. 3-17
    6:39
    am

    As everyone has already pointed out this morning – you DID win! Your blog is fabulous and real. I love it, and you are my second stop every morning (sorry, but my daughter’s blog is first!) We all love you!

    Annabelle just doesn’t realize how famous she has become. What a little beauty, even in the sky! Get that girl a tiara – “Annabelle in the sky with diamonds!” And I giggled over the farm picture – but the sheep actually looks quite calm. :sheep: :purpleflower:

    Nancy in Atlanta - Reply to this comment Reply
  11. 3-17
    6:51
    am

    You’re a winner to me;)

    Mental P Mama - Reply to this comment Reply
  12. 3-17
    6:52
    am

    :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! I’m sorry you didn’t win, and I thought for sure you would!!Your blog was the best, and I did check out the others. Well, we all love you and your blog, so please do consider yourself a winner. I’ll take you out to dinner this summer, so don’t fret! It looks as though you have dinner lined up until then, so you’ll be ok! LOL:! That little lamb is SOOOOOO cute!!!!!! Have a great day, and luck o’ the Irish to ya!!!! :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover: :clover:

    MARY - Reply to this comment Reply
  13. 3-17
    7:02
    am

    You need to stay under wraps so that you can sweep the award next year!

    Love the photo of Annabelle. You need to make a poster.

    - Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

    Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife - Reply to this comment Reply
  14. 3-17
    7:44
    am

    You have more followers on Facebook than PW- and all of your readers love you and are loyal to your blog- so if the bloggies awards are blind to the beauty of down home on the farm in WV- we aren’t!
    I’m not coming to WV anytime soon, or I’d take you out to dinner- but it sure looks like you have a lot of legitimate offers you should take into consideration!
    Better luck next year, Suzanne!

    heidiannie - Reply to this comment Reply
  15. 3-17
    7:49
    am

    I’m with Kathy and Bee you are a winner and we are the big winners for having you. You have given us so much and continue to share your life with us. You have given us many new friends and a happy place to hang out in such bad times. Proving that we can make it through and have a good time in the process. I love your blog and can not imagine a day without it. No matter what is going on in my life at the time your blog always makes it better and no matter what is going on in yours you still think of us. Thank you for all you do. I wish that someday I too can take you to dinner.

    Linda - Reply to this comment Reply
  16. 3-17
    8:25
    am

    I can’t afford to take you out to dinner, but my step-dad makes a mean homemade wine.

    Diane - Reply to this comment Reply
  17. 3-17
    8:42
    am

    If you would EVER come to Iowa we could have dinner and wine. Not necessarily in that order.

    In glancing at some of the winners and contestants in many of the Blog categories, I am fervently glad that I do not read the majority of them – lots of sarcasm and trash talk. I really enjoy your blog and a few others of QUALITY (Bakerella, Pioneer Woman); maybe because I can relate to the farm/food thing so well! Keep up the good work and keep trying to give manners to that Clover. 8-)

    IowaCowgirl - Reply to this comment Reply
  18. 3-17
    8:46
    am

    I BEG TO DIFFER…WE didn’t ‘make it happen’…YOU ‘made it happen’ FOR US!!! You are living the dream that so many of us have and we are living vicarously through you. :snoopy: So keep ‘em coming!!!! You win OUR award and THAT’S what’s important! :heart:

    By-the-way, the pic of the flying lamb is adorable! :sheepjump:

    Blessings from Ohio…

    Kim W - Reply to this comment Reply
  19. 3-17
    8:50
    am

    I enjoy reading your blog every morning. I look forward to your photos every day. I read your recipes, and drool, but have never try any of them. Yet. (I fear I gain poundage just looking at them.)

    Thanks for being here.

    Becky - Reply to this comment Reply
  20. 3-17
    8:52
    am

    Echoing what a others have said, You are a winner!!

    I’ve just been so pleased to have discovered this blog because of that contest.

    I’ll pop open a bottle of cyber champagne for all of us.

    Liz V. - Reply to this comment Reply
  21. 3-17
    8:55
    am

    My name is Susan, and I’m a Chickens in the road addict. :sheep:

    I’m not sure how anyone could read your blog, and NOT think it was the best, but clearly, they missed something!
    If you ever make it to CA, I’ll take you out to dinner. :chicken:

    Su - Reply to this comment Reply
  22. 3-17
    8:59
    am

    It is so wonderful that you take the time you do and spend the money that you spend to make so many people happy everyday. It is VERY much appreciated. This is my first stop everyday and just reading about your life has taught me so much and gotten me through some rough times with sanity intact. (somewhat) lol
    Your “family” is our family. Such a good feeling. :clover:

    Happy St. Patty’s to all! Especially my grandaughter who is 100% Irish!!! Love you Audriana

    trish - Reply to this comment Reply
  23. 3-17
    9:12
    am

    I MIGHT BE THE LEAST LIKELY READER. I’LL SOON BE 75,A RETIRED PASTOR, AND DISABLED. YOURS IS THE FIRST BLOG I LOOK AT EACH DAY.
    THE PHOTOS AND THE STORIES ARE INSPIRING. MY DAUGHTER AND HER DAUGHTER ARE NOW READERS AND HAVE PREPARED A NUMBER OF YOUR RECIPES. SHE BROUGHT ONE OVER THE OTHER DAY; PEPPERONI ROLLS. WOW!

    MAX YOUNGBLOOD - Reply to this comment Reply
  24. 3-17
    9:43
    am

    Well, you may not have won the Bloggies. :hissyfit:
    But you’re sure a hit with all of us! :sun:
    We are just a different kind of people. The ones in love with the simple things in life.
    Love the aeronotic lamb pic. Great job, Donna!
    I’d be glad to take you out to dinner, but since my recent employment lay-off, I can’t even take myself out to dinner.
    But if I ever get a job and get back to WV, it’ll be a celebration!!

    Fencepost - Reply to this comment Reply
  25. 3-17
    9:44
    am

    You are a winner…that is why we all come here. We all love you, that is evident in the amount of readers you have. I for one will keep coming back and keep voting for you when the time comes around again!

    Claudia W. - Reply to this comment Reply
  26. 3-17
    9:56
    am

    I love the picture of Annabelle! Such joy and happiness. Speaking of joy and happiness, your blog is the absolute winner in those categories. You are my second stop of the day (my daughter’s blog is first.) I once had a small farm in WV,too and I went through the same learning curve you’re going through but you are able to write about it so beautifully. You fill my heart every morning with your love of life and chickens, goats, sheep and children. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

    Jean - Reply to this comment Reply
  27. 3-17
    10:26
    am

    ANY reader of this blog is a winner!! Couldn’t go a day without you.. :fairy:

    SuzieQ - Reply to this comment Reply
  28. 3-17
    11:08
    am

    You won in my heart long before I first attempted to make my pitiful excuse for Grandmother bread:-) This is my last stop of the day and it really does make my day….like saving the icing for last, I save this blog for last as it is indeed my favorite. Thanks for all you do for us!

    Kaliope - Reply to this comment Reply
  29. 3-17
    11:19
    am

    :clover: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! :clover:
    Not to be redundant but with this blog, everyone is a winner! You share your life with us, we give you some feedback and enjoy all the stories, the photos and recipes of this wonderful best kept secret blog. Word of mouth and mentions in the news is working. You might get some new regular readers from the Bloggies finalist list. CONGRATS to you Suzanne! And hugs to Annabelle and all the other critters… no Clover, Giant Puppy, Dukie, Honey, Nutmeg, Sparticus and all the rest… we love you!!! And the humans too. We haven’t heard much about your guy lately… I hope he’s still enamored with you and your farm. He’s a good farm hand to help you out so much. Also love to GEORGIA, how is she? You need to write one blog a week or so about the humans! They get left out.

    Jodie - Reply to this comment Reply
  30. 3-17
    11:21
    am

    PS. I will gladly take you and anyone with you to dinner if you happen to pass through the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I now work in Dallas downtown… NEW JOB yeah!!! Woo hoo! :snoopy:

    Jodie - Reply to this comment Reply
  31. 3-17
    11:32
    am

    What would your prefer? Chinese,Mexician,Italian,Greek,Steak? Now look what you did…made me hungry,ha,ha!You are a WINNER in our eyes,Suzanne!!! :hug:

    Leah - Reply to this comment Reply
  32. 3-17
    12:05
    pm

    Happy St. Pat’s Day! And what a day….little Annabell jumping thru the clouds!

    As for the Bloggies….you are the only one “keeping it real” and we love you for it. Visiting you is next to being there. We’ve come to know you and your loved ones (including your “pets”, I just can’t bring myself to calling them animals, lol). You’ve shown us what your farm means to you and we, in turn, get to enjoy that. You’ve shown us the hard times and hard work which inspires each of us. You give us the courage to try new things only because you show us how easy it really is. Only you could do all that.

    Thanks so much, with all our hearts, for sharing your life.

    God bless.

    Darlene - Reply to this comment Reply
  33. 3-17
    12:33
    pm

    Award or no award, we’ll all be hanging around reading your farm tales. We don’t need an award to let us know about the great time we have following your farm adventures! And I’ll bet your making it to the finals introduced others to the blog we already loved.
    ~Jenny~

    Jenny - Reply to this comment Reply
  34. 3-17
    12:37
    pm

    Hi Suzanne:

    While it may have been a disappointment not winning, I think you have the right attitude. You’ve been writing about the seasons…trying to rush Spring and remember what happened?

    So, I say to you: Go listen to The Byrds. The singers. The oldy and moldy, Turn Turn Turn.

    To everything – turn, turn, turn
    There is a season – turn, turn, turn
    And a time for every purpose under heaven

    I read you everyday…and I don’t say that to ANY other writer!

    Hugs from Wisconsin. (I have a thing for sheep, too. That’s how I found you. My niece got a flock of sheep last year and just called last week that her 20 ewes were ultrasounded and she is expecting 44 babies! Whoopeee. Some twins and 2 sets of triplets!! and I am going to buy one…and keep it on her farm 2 hours from Milwaukee. I get to have my very own Annabelle. sigh. Life is good. Soooo Goood.)

    Peace to you.

    AmyCook in WI - Reply to this comment Reply
  35. 3-17
    12:55
    pm

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Suzanne! You should come out and celebrate with a Celtic band (ACC) tonight. (Downtown C at CR Coffee house) Here’s their website: http://www.acelticconsort.com/

    Celebrate, and celebrate some more! Have fun whatever you decide to do! Kaye

    Kaye Manro - Reply to this comment Reply
  36. 3-17
    12:58
    pm

    :hug: It’s all been said! We love you and your blog and your family and your animals and, and, and… That pic would make a wonderful cover for your calender next year or a cover for that children’s book that we all insist you write :clover:

    catslady - Reply to this comment Reply
  37. 3-17
    1:51
    pm

    You are our winner and that’s what counts!

    Brandy - Reply to this comment Reply
  38. 3-17
    2:15
    pm

    You’re a winner in my book, Suzanne!

    Estella - Reply to this comment Reply
  39. 3-17
    2:21
    pm

    That picture is too adorable! :snoopy:

    Bonnie Ferguson - Reply to this comment Reply
  40. 3-17
    2:26
    pm

    Well, yes, I’d love to take you to dinner. Split a bottle of wine. Talk knitting and spinning. I think it’s a huge deal even be a finalist in the bloggies. You did good, woman! :sun:

    Kacey - Reply to this comment Reply
  41. 3-17
    2:54
    pm

    Congratulations to the little blog that could!

    Lynn - Reply to this comment Reply
  42. 3-17
    4:25
    pm

    Now I’ve heard the saying when pigs fly, but lambs?

    Would make a lovely Easter card that one. She’s a little treasure.

    Winifred - Reply to this comment Reply
  43. 3-17
    4:53
    pm

    :snoopy: YOU make my day! I’ve never read blogs before, and your’s is the ONLY one I read. I look forward to them each and every day. You have so much energy and TALENT! I have lived in WV all of my 46 years, but never on a farm. You are doing a fantastic job and I just know you will be writing many other books besides romance – cooking, crafts, raising animals, etc. YOU TRULY ARE A WINNER SUZANNE!!! Best of everything to you and thanks for making Wild, Wonderful WV your home, we welcome you with open arms. :snoopy:

    Yvonne - Reply to this comment Reply
  44. 3-17
    5:28
    pm

    {{{{{{{{{{{Suzanne & Family…including all the critters}}}}}}}}} I stop by for a little ‘Chickens in the Road’ pick-me-up every morning. Your pictures, recipes and stories are a wonderful way to start the day. And I’m SOOOOO glad you liked my Photoshopped version of Annabelle flying. I had so much fun playing with that photo. It just called me to play with it, and make Annabelle soar through the clouds.

    P.S. You are a winner! You’ve made so many people smile and laugh on your journey from the Slanted Little House to your animal filled Farm House….that makes you a winner in my book.

    Donna Mc - Reply to this comment Reply
  45. 3-17
    5:43
    pm

    :clover: I found this blog because someone tweeted about it on Twitter and I’m so glad I did. It’s just a piece of joy in an otherwise hectic world and I truly love the pictures and bits of farm wisdom you pass along. Thank you for being here. You are a winner to me. :heart:

    Betsy Norman - Reply to this comment Reply
  46. 3-17
    7:05
    pm

    Congrats on being a finalist! I was pulling for you. I love your blog! If you are ever in Kingsport, TN or I am ever in your neck of the woods, dinner is on me.
    :woof: :woof: :woof:

    Fran - Reply to this comment Reply
  47. 3-17
    7:24
    pm

    been searching for fellow west virginia blogs for some time now…yours is really awesome! i am also very glad you allow access to other blogs who comment; some of those blogs are really well designed. such talent out there! it is very inspiring to me!

    kritter keeper - Reply to this comment Reply
  48. 3-17
    7:45
    pm

    Congratulations on your nomination! I voted for you, just so you know, and was really disappointed that you didn’t win an award. Your blog is delightful and you are an extraordinary person. Blessings to you!
    Lacy Razor

    RazorFamilyFarms.com - Reply to this comment Reply
  49. 3-17
    8:01
    pm

    Oh heck, what do they know anyway! I LOVE reading your blog every day. Thanks for so much entertainment!

    Ellen - Reply to this comment Reply
  50. 3-17
    8:50
    pm

    Award or no reward, we adore you Suzanne and this site is just so wonderful to come back to every day. you do a wonderful wonderful job, here’s to you as I raise my glass of Crystal Lite!
    :shimmy:

    Cranberry - Reply to this comment Reply
  51. 3-18
    7:46
    am

    I love your blog. I voted for you.
    I always feel better after checking Chickens in the Road.
    Please know that as soon as our home sells I will send you money for that celebration dinner.
    The economy is rotten but the blessings of God are good.
    Thank you for bringing joy to my day.

    Patty Norton - Reply to this comment Reply

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Suzanne McMinn



The Slanted Little House

"It was a cold wintry day when I brought my children to live in rural West Virginia. The farmhouse was one hundred years old, there was already snow on the ground, and the heat was sparse-—as was the insulation. The floors weren’t even, either. My then-twelve-year-old son walked in the door and said, “You’ve brought us to this slanted little house to die." Keep reading our story....



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