We are alive, well, and have yet to be trampled by moose.

I'm not sure where the time has gone!
Many sweet emails have wandered into my inbox.
Some of you have wondered if I will ever "blog" again.
And today, I decided "Yes...I will blog again!"
And there you have it!


"Why?"...you might find yourself asking.
What has all of a sudden sparked my blogging urge?


Well, it is the possibility of my small children being trampled by large moose!
I find that quite blog worthy.


It wasn't long ago when I posted a "friendly neighbor email" from one of my...well... friendly neighbors.
In that email she warned about the possibility of a cougar attack on our property.
If your memory needs refreshing you can find that post HERE.

So, after receiving this most recent email...
I felt it was my duty to share with you.
You know...so that you could pray for us.

Something scary happened this morning. Marci  had one dog trampled by 2 moose on her front porch and then they went after her other dog who was tied up outside! Tyler had to chase them off their porch TWICE!! And there are 3-4 steps to get up on their railed porch. Who would have thought!

We have had visitors of the "moose" variety.
The possibility of a "trample fest" taking place has kind of thrown a damper on the "special-ness" of their visits!

This is the proof of the visitation just feet from of our front sidewalk.



Oh, by the way, since we are on the topic of "friendly neighbor" emails. 
When browsing through my inbox to cut and paste the above note, I was unfortunately reminded of this one.
I'm thinking this is a tad more disturbing.
But I'll let you be the judge!

HOWDEE EVERYONE!!!

Before the holidays descend upon us, let's get together for another morning coffee/tea time.

I believe there will be updated information to share regarding the recent rash of burglaries in our area as well as the level-III sex offender who is now living very close to all of us. Please be sure to invite your neighbors to this get-together as it will probably be the last one before the holidays..

Signed,

Your Friendly Neighbor

Hmm...sounds like a cup full of  "glad tidings of comfort and joy" .
And in case you were wondering...I wasn't able to make it to that little "get together"!

Signed,

Annie Julie Get Your Gun!

p.s.  This is "for reals"!  I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

 

Speaking of burglaries.
We've had one of our own.
Here is the pre-burgled photo.


The aftermath!


The culprit?
Or... the only one unable to "conceal the evidence"!



And finally...if you enjoy The Peanut Gallery...would you be willing to give me a vote at Top Mommy blogs? It's the brown blinking button below with the little lady that is trying to juggle one too many things in the air!  It is just one click away. I might even move up in the rankings to number 278,987th!!
And I would give YOU all the credit!
However, do not let me force your hand in this.
Do only as your heart desires.
Truly, that's really all we can ask for here at the Peanut Gallery!

The email that made my day.

We have been drinking in the sunshine these past few days. 

L-boy is toddling around in all his glory.

Spending countless hours in the great outdoors.

My kids romp in the forest for a good part of the day.

We pick ticks from our bodies on a continual basis.

Good times to be had by all involved!

So, today, imagine the "joy" that overtook me when I opened my email only to be greeted with this friendly neighborhood warning.

Just a note so you will be aware----

I was talking to Shorty D. yesterday. He farms for a neighbor on Sunny Rd. Apparently the neighbor found very fresh cougar tracks on his property this spring. With the moose and elk activity we have seen, it is not surprising. Be alert when you and/or your children are outside... Looking forward to seeing you soon - we are working on a date for our next morning coffee group.

Have a great day!

Have a great day?

Right after I figure out a way to strap my shotgun to my back.

Oh wait, I don't own a shot gun.

Well, then...my machete!!

Remember this?

Yes...She'll do in a pinch.

I can just see the headlines now.

Machete wielding crazy woman wards off cougar attack to protect her young.

It is my sincere hope that you have a peaceful,

and restful, cougar free weekend.

Somebody's got to!

Mom n' Me Monday was created in an attempt to make myself get in the picture with my kiddos. When my kids are grown, I don't want to look through my photos only to find that I am not in any of them! So, I'm on a mission to "capture" these memories.
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We spent this weekend on our "de-forestation" project.

Yes, we live in the woods.

By woods I mean, 100's of pine trees and their offspring.

We are trying to "thin out" areas so that the trees that remain can grow strong and healthy.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

D-man, with his own two hands, created a great diversion for the kids.

What could be better than a swing, and a launching pad?

The boys have spent hours swinging.

So, I thought I'd join them for a bit.

I feel I should add a small disclaimer on my choice of outfit.

I know it's AandW Rootbeer meets "sporty Susie".

It's why I used a 70's action on all these photos.

Otherwise, the sheer clashing of colors might have sent you on your merry way.

I truly AM concerned about the safety of my children.

TRULY, I AM!

Why, yes, since you asked, that IS a bleach stain my pants.

Is there a problem?

S-girls first try on the flying machine.

Her evil mother insisted.

Poor thing.

I feel bad, I really do.

Did I mention there is a foam pit below??

And at the urging of my offspring and  my cheeky husband.

Against my better judgement.

I took the leap of faith...

And rode like the wind.

Due to the size of the branch(or the lack thereof) the rope is tied to,

I am officially making this my first and last ride on the "swing of death".

I choose to remain safely on the ground.

Until my next lapse of judgment, that is.

And, just because I can't help myself.

Do you ever get that feeling like "you're not alone" even when no one is in plain sight?

Well, I had that feeling this evening.

Sure enough, upon further investigation,

I found I WAS NOT ALONE.

This little blood sucking beast had taken up residence on my head.

And that really "ticks" me off!

Yes, I give you permission to cringe at that last play on words.

It is late, and I need sleep.

THE END.

I promise.

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I can't wait to see your pictures. You can grab the code under the button below and paste it into the body of your post. Then add your link into Mr. McKlinky below.

To use Linky tools, be sure to link your Mom n' Me Monday post, not your main blog url.

To do this, go to your blog. Click on the title of your Mom n' Me Monday post. The url in your browser window will become a direct link to that post. Copy that url and paste it into the Linky tools window, along with your name, or your blog's name.

If you don't want to grab the Mom n' Me button, just link back to the Peanut Gallery so other's can join in if that's what their little heart's desire :)!






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The Great Outdoors

A few years ago, D-man was driving down the highway and noticed a for sale sign on a little chunk of land. A few days later we were the proud owners of a wooded hillside. Long story short, we now live in the "little house in the big woods"!

Yesterday, with a forecast of clear, sunny and 60 degrees, we decided to venture out and be one with nature.

The ladies and the man were allowed their first "free range" of the season. I've been bad about letting them out during the winter.

Free range=chicken poop on my feet

Mmmm, there is something so inviting about all that dead growth...isn't there?
Come on spring!
I'll be happy when she has sprung!



Let me take a minute to discuss Brewster. First off, he was a surprise.
We ordered a pullet run.
However, Brewster is obviously not a pullet.
He is also a tad on the confused side.
He communicates regularly with us.
The thought of a rooster crowing at first light is romantic.
The actuality of a rooster crowing everytime he sees a human is a tad irritating.
Brewster hadn't reached puberty back in the fall when we were still spending most of our days outside.
One day in the dead of winter, he began to crow.
Initially, it was such a sad attempt.
He was a late riser and never crowed until about 9:00 am.
He quickly mastered his morning greeting...however, it turned into something more.
He's obviously not being "heard" in a henhouse with 5 hens.
Possibly the reason for the crazed look in this photo.


So he communicates with us.
Every.time.he.sees.us.



But these make it all worthwhile.


However, I'm pretty sure you don't need one of these...


To get these...


Brewster was not impressed with that last bit of information..


Bolt takes a catnap.
All that "chicken stalking" is hard work.


Living on a property overgrown with pine trees has its benefits.

When a little boy gets the itch...


To cut down a tree...


He can!



But the most pleasing part about living "in the woods"..

Is the glamour.
Eye candy, I'm tellin' ya.
Eye Candy.