Chicken Business

Good morning, or should I say afternoon. It is a beautiful late summer day outside. Dottie (our escape chicken) and her cohort, Dottie, have not ventured out into the yard yet this morning. I found out yesterday that they have figured out how to get back into the chicken pen once they are out- a new feat.

We have 5 "Dotties"- they are all Barred Plymouth Rocks and I cannot tell them apart. There are also 5 Rhode Island Reds, which I loving refer to as "Red"...all 5 of them. Sly, our rooster, is a BPR as well. He has begun crowing all the time now- either warning sneaky hawks to stay away, or competing for loudest rooster with our neighbor. Shirley is the only BlackSex-Link we have. She was actually the runt, but turned out the perfect size and can definately hold her own, even with Sly. Dolly and Molly are our mystery hens. We are still not sure what breed they are, but they're a beautiful orange color. Henrietta and Hazel are 2 of our Buff Orpingtons- there are 3 more, but without names. And, we have 5 Light Brahmas with feathered feet. I haven't named them either.

Will enjoys feeding our "babies" fresh produce from the garden. Yesterday they got a pumpkin that had cooked too long in the sun. They finished it for breakfast.

What a joy it is to see such a flock of different colors and personalities strutting around the pen, making their 'henny' noises....or crowing, as the case may be.

Let's Start at the Very Beginning...

...a very good place to start. (How many of you are singing now?) What a whirlwind of a year it has been. I guess I should begin by saying, Will and I are married! Our wedding was held at Westminster Presbyterian, PCA in Paxton, IL on January 29th, 2011. It was a lovely 40 degreesF outside. The ceremony and reception were beautiful. I felt like a princess in my dress (complete with blue, heeled Mary Janes). Our honeymoon was a Southern tour. We touched 9 states in 8 days, but didn't stop in all of them. On Friday, Will had planned a surprise for me: he took me to the Grande Ole Opry in Nashville! I had always wanted to go, but hadn't ever been able to. We left on our honeymoon right before the blizzard hit!

Mr. William Cannon and I live in Tuscola, IL- central. We have 1 acre, which is the perfect size, but our yard backs up to his uncle's farm- pastures full of cows! I have truly enjoyed being a farmer's wife thus far. Canning, freezing, haning laundry out on the line, baking, I even made homemade noodles! We have 24 beautiful chickens- 1 rooster and 23 hens. They are a variety of colors (and personalities). We're hoping for eggs in a month or so. It'll be wonderful to be able to share such farm fresh treasures with friends and family!

Well, that catches you up...almost. I am 32 weeks pregnant! We are expecting our little Baby Boy Cannon on October 24. I am sure he will be a sweet mess. According to Will, we are going to have beautiful, model-worthy children! I know he will be right if they all look like him. We're both excited, and nervous. He will be the first nephew, grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides of the family. Spoiled??

I hope to keep updates on here more often (at least once a week). Thanks for reading!

Ridin' the tractor...

On Saturday, I drove down to Camargo and rode in the tractor with Will. Harvest is all but finished. There are 2 late bean fields left that won't be ready for a couple of weeks. We were pulling a tool called the "ripper." That was for about 2 hours. Then we stopped and took a walk to the pond and fed the fishies. The Cannon Farm has a nice pond with blue gill and maybe some other kinds. [I didn't learn my different fish in Girl Scouts. Will can tell what they are even under the water].

His great-aunt Martha had us all over for supper that evening. His parents, grandparents, Will, & I joined Aunt Martha and Uncle Dale. They were having a special family supper because Will's great uncle Tom and his girlfriend, Dorothy, were in town from Sacramento, CA. The meal was delicious. Sarah, Will's mom, amde Texas sheet cake for dessert. Mmm. Lovely end to a perfect Saturday.

I have begun training Martha at work. She was hired as my replacement. My last day is January 20th, 9 days before the wedding. So, I have about 3 months to train Martha. Things went really well today; I hope she didn't feel overwhelmed. My brain can sure get fried after a day like today. I think she'll do great. Martha is very personable and friendly. She has caught on really fast.

Annie's birthday is Thursday. She'll be 10! Oh my goodness. Will and Kami are coming up for supper and cake. It'll be fun! I cannot believe she is already ten. My, how time flies.

Tennessee Showers

Showered with Blessings Part II

On Saturday night, we had a family shower. Granny hosted it at her house at 6:30. There were so many guests that came! I was overjoyed and felt very honored and special. It was fun introducing Will to everyone, all of whom have known me since before I was born. Granny (and others) made a lovely supper of snacks, finger foods, chili, etc. She ordered a cake from Roger, who does lovely work. He even used the icing in the colors of our wedding; olive and dark purple. The decorations were even well thought out and extra special; lights around the carport, wedding bells hanging form the ceiling, and purple napkins and table cloths. We were showered with more beautiful gifts. Everyone was so thoughtful and generous. I enjoyed talking to to many different people, some I hadn't seen in years. They are all family, though some are not blood relatives. It was wonderful to hear everyone say to Will, "Welcome to the family."

Thanks to Granny and Grandpa for hosting such a great evening. Thank you also to everyone who came, wished us well, and helped us celebrate our upcoming wedding. I love everyone!

Showered with Blessings

On Labor Day weekend we traveled to Tennessee for no less than 2 bridal showers. Will, Mom, Kami, and Annie went with me. My extended family had never met Will before, so I was glad to get to finally introduce him to them. We are so southern. I think he definately enjoyed himself. Granny out did herself cooking, as usual. On Friday evening after supper, we all just sat out on the porch and talked. Amber came over after work and Uncle Sonny, Wyatt, and Codi were around some as well.

On Saturday morning, I drove Will around Fairview where I grew up. We saw the school, our old house, and down in the valley in and around Fernvale. The weather was beautiful. It meant a lot to me to be able to show Will my town. I am sure some things about me became clearer as he was introduced to everyone and everything. Lots more hills than Illinois.

Our first shower was at 2 in the afternoon. Holly McClung, one of our dear friends, threw the shower for us. Kevin stayed in that house full of girls, bless his heart, to keep Will company. Will had wanted to come and meet my girlfriends. The guys headed up to the loft to watch football and talk. Charlotte and Lisa were the first to arrive. It was wonderful to see them! Holly, Claire, and Annabelle were our hostesses. Rachel and Avery Rist; Kathy, Katie, and Emily Whitehead and their sister/daughter, Jessie Mikrut [and baby Mikrut on the way]; and Tarah Coleman and Mrs. Stella Rogers.

It meant a great deal to me that they could all come. They overwhelmed us with the sweetest gifts. The refreshments were excellent. Thank you to my hosts for their sweet preparation, ideas, games, love, and encouragement! You are all very dear to my heart. Thank you, too, to my sweet friends who came and celebrated our upcoming wedding. It was wonderful to see everyone and share those memories! I love y'all!

Farm Fresh

This evening I went to a friend's farm just outside town. I went for farm fresh eggs. She has twin daughters who are raising chickens. They have a large chicken pen with hens and roosters as well as pet ducks that come when called. It is lovely to hear the farm sounds; quacking ducks, cooing hens, crowing roosters.

Lorraine was making peach jam from Michigan peaches. She had at least a case. The girls showed me 'their' peaches, each absolutely enormous! They are going to the Illinois State Fair with their family tomorrow. Their cousins are coming in from California for a visit. Lorraine also told me that her daughter is coming in from Indiana this weekend, bringing her Belgian waffle maker. The twins' birthday is Saturday. Their birthday breakfast includes homemade pancakes topped with apples, Belgian waffles, and bacon.

I always love being around the Coffey's. Lorraine has so much knowledge and experience in so many areas. She and her girls are always pleasant, attentive, and welcoming. I went for eggs and came home with farm fresh eggs, peaches, and a small gourd. I love the farm life.