Welcome Cindy..I hope you love it here, as much as all of us do!

Hello all.  I am a 44 years old and live in the suburbs of St. Louis, MO.  I have been an intensive care unit nurse for 22 years.  I am married to my dear husband, Tom for 12 years now.  I have 3 children:  DS-20, who is away at college, DD-19 who is studying here in St. Louis to be a pastry chef.  She wants to move to Alaska. and DD-7 who is in 1st grade.  We have an old man (15) labrador/chow, a crazy, very crazy beagle, 2 house cats, and 2 little hammies.  We have a small garden and I try to do everything frugally and simply.  I want to teach my children, at least the impressionable one, to value relationships over people and to see the value in being self-sufficient.  We are always trying to find a way to move to the country.  When the kids are out of high school… when the real estate market is better…. when I can get my pension….I am doomed to living in suburbia.    I love reading Suzanne mostly because she had the guts to do it. I love the Slanted Little House post.

Welcome Tabbimama…I enjoyed your post.

Ahhh.  HERE'S the getting-to-know-you thread!

Retired. Hoping that by hanging around those who cook well, some may rub off.  (Collecting cook books for years didn't do the trick, but who knows.)  Cooking is necessary for survival, but I can't seem to like doing it nearly as much as talking about it or eating the results.

We live near Charleston WV, close enough we can run into town if we run out of milk, but far enough out that we don't hear any traffic except a few neighbors and lost souls.  We mostly collect stray critters.  We are also far enough out that we have bad critters in the woods around the house.  And not so welcome racoons and possums.

We garden a bit.  Only a few spots sunny enough to properly grow veggies.  Unfortunately, most of that space is driveway.  So we have mostly flowers with some raised beds and former compost areas for garlic, tomatoes, peppers.  Also, we combine veggies among the flowers in between the house and the kennel.  (Did I say that we collect strays?  Yes, we need a kennel!  And an understanding vet…)

We are recovering from my Dad's Alzheimer's.  (We lost him 3 years ago, but I am still exhausted from the experience.)  Mom is with us and celebrates her 97th birthday Tuesday.

So, this is a very fun place to hang out to get new ideas, be reminded of things we used to do, and just be entertained.  Thanks everyone!

I was born in Roane County, West Virginia.  I lived there until I went to Marshall University.  It was there I met my husband.  He joined the Air Force, we married - and have lived all over…Mississippi, California, North Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Texas.  We have two children - grown and on their own, and one grand-dog.  We have a four year old springer spaniel living at home.

My family still lives in West Virginia.  I visit quite frequently - and met Suzanne and the critters this past October.  (It was so cool!)

Hi I'm Leah. I've already been posting a couple of months,but never knew about this thread. So, I just jumped in with both feet,because I got such a warm welcoming from everyone.

I'm barely 50yr old. I was born and raised here out in the country in IN. My greatgrandpa had a farm here on wihich I spent a great deal of time. His dtr, my Nana, lived there 65yrs.They had hogs, chickens,few cows, and horeses. He made sorgum and molasses too. They had an orchard and a lg garden.My dad alwalys put out a lg garden too, and we had different fruit trees and grapevines. We had horses, dogs,and cats and lived out in the country. Alll the women on both sides of my family were great cooks.so, thus the interest in a country living blog.

I've had a nsg career 30yrs now, am diviorced, have 2 children in their 20's. 1 sweet grandbaby, girl. I have 2 adult cats and 1 kitten.

I like to take pictures, scrapbook, read, bake/cook, and family visits and get togethers.

I found this blog through a nurse friend of mine,farmers wife,mother of triplets and photographer, Tanya. She had Chickens in the Road listed as a favorite blog on her blog the Farmhouse Kids-Tales by the Dairy Wife powered by Feedbitz thesiekmantriplets.Blogspot.com,shes' posted here before. I'm so glad I found it,I think it was meant to be, because I have made friends here that mean a lot to me. I'll be seeing you! Leah

Welcome everyone!  It's good to finally “meet” you! 

Hi Patti! I think it's great you get to stay home with your babies, they're only little for a little while. Come back and see us! Leah

Hi, Patti!!!  We're glad you're here!!!

SD30 said:

Hi, I live in California. Married 22 in June. Have 3 kids one boy and two girls. I raise sheep, rabbits and my kids show sheep and  goat so 6 months of the year we have 2 or 3 goats. Hobbies are reading, sewing and I just started gardening again. SD

Welcome to everyone new!

SD - I missed your introduction (until now!)  Sure hope to hear more from you soon!