The first thing people ever say when they walk into our backyard and notice all the animals is, "Do they all just get along? Dogs, Cats, and Chickens??" Then they shake their heads and stare. Adam and I are used to it and do our best to assure people that the chickens are not food or sport for the four legged critters. The cats grew up patroling the coop (for a couple of weeks, the birds are enjoying some yard time and we're all ok with that - we had a lone chicken that needed reintegrating anyway). Occaisionally one of the dogs will remember that they are INDEED a dog and that dogs should chase chickens, but we do our best to reinforce to the dogs that if they eat (ahem, PLAY WITH) the chickens, then there will be no chicken eggs to find and eat. Ever heard the phrase "egg suckin' dog"? They love eggs - it is the weirdest thing.
They share... we didn't teach them to - they just did it. Chickens love cat food. Who knew? What I do know is that a bag of cat food is a LOT more expensive than a bag of chicken food. (Note to Husband: we gotta do somethin' about the chickens, baby. I'll help. Really...)
Also, note violet down there by the *pond*. This is a big deal for poor, delicate V. You do not know how much courage that dog has summoned to be sitting where she is. She is not quite the brave country dog. More like a fragile broken thing that is finally recovering and becoming her true self. Good for you, V. (I know that I am talking to a dog on the computer. I know that she can't hear me or even if she could, she wouldn't completely understand, ok? Just cut me a little slack here...)
See, the chickens need a new coop and run*. Their old one is ok, but we have the materials to make them a better one that I can get into to feed/water/health check/collect eggs and not hurt myself (my back ain't so hot). Adam does most of the coop and pen work with the birds because of that right now, but I'd really like to dote on (spoil) them myself.
It has been too cold and muddy to build one or fix the run they escaped from, so right now we have chicken au naturale. We like it when they free range, but then they eat our garden (and our not so cheap garlic fertilizer -I'm not completely over that yet and it happened last year). We settle for feeding them all of the garden scraps (tomatoes - they LOVE tomatoes) we can.
** a run is where the chickens hang outside during the day - the bigger the better the happier the chicken - and we like happy chickens around here)**
Sometimes though, I wonder. Am I going to wake up one day to a big pile of fur and feathers in my backyard??
I think sometimes they wonder the same thing...
I just have problems with his face when I tell him to get down. He looks at me like I've deeply injured his self worth. Then he does the leg thing, I throw my hands up in the air and just walk away...
They share... we didn't teach them to - they just did it. Chickens love cat food. Who knew? What I do know is that a bag of cat food is a LOT more expensive than a bag of chicken food. (Note to Husband: we gotta do somethin' about the chickens, baby. I'll help. Really...)
See, the chickens need a new coop and run*. Their old one is ok, but we have the materials to make them a better one that I can get into to feed/water/health check/collect eggs and not hurt myself (my back ain't so hot). Adam does most of the coop and pen work with the birds because of that right now, but I'd really like to dote on (spoil) them myself. 
Sometimes though, I wonder. Am I going to wake up one day to a big pile of fur and feathers in my backyard??
I'm starting a new blog for the new year to go along with this one. Time and again the Lovin' Husband and I have been told to branch out and show the world our dogs. The time has come to do just that. Please visit our new blog www.pennynroscoe.blogspot.com . Let us know what you think. And check back in here, as well. We're branching out, not going away! 
Really, I am wearing a tank top. Also, we both have pants on. Hee Hee. I found this pic from this past summer and it made me happy, so here it is. I love that he is just so much taller than me that my head fits at his shoulder and neck. The garden is behind us and kind of blurry. Also, if you look close, you can see the gray in my hair. 
Who me? Oh, Hi! I'm going to have the chicken and artichoke casserole for my super duper birthday luncy at the tea room. See? Here it is... Mmmmmm....
And here we all are in our "Fields Girl" glory. Seriously, that's what we go by to the people who helped Ma and Daddy raise us. We're proud of it - it isn't a bad thing. 
These are from Rachel and Sadie's Christmas Concert. It went well. I don't know why I dread my students' performances, so. I guess I get nervous for them. 
This is my first attempt at embroidering and I really had fun using my imagination on the flowers. 
I got the birdie pattern from a book by Aimee Ray, but everything else is from my own head.
These are my sweet, lovin' parents. I LOVE them and they make me SOOO happy and would do ANYTHING for me. They always told me I could be anything I wanted to be - I could do anything I wanted to do - that there were no limits in life. They taught me to dream...how to be me and all that. I've never once doubted that they loved me. They're always loving and supportive and I am so thankful that they are mine!!
This is my sweet darling Kate. Soccer player extraodinaire... She is my first niece and she and her brother taught me how to be an aunt. Time flies...it seems like she was a baby yesterday and the girl just turned 16. I have loved watching her grow and develop her own style and personality and am only sorry that I do not get to see her more than I do...
