It's my favourite day of the year. Christmas Eve Eve. You still have all the excitement and anticipation of Christmas without the pressure of the Christmas Eve party and the sinking feeling that comes at the end of Christmas Day. My life has been made slightly better by the fact that I've decorated my chicken coop for Christmas. It will stay decorated until after New Years.
So Christmas Eve Eve it is! The most wonderful day of the year.
I plan to take things a little bit easy today. I have a few things to get ready for my annual Christmas Eve party, but it's only family so it's not like I'm out to impress anyone. I just want to have a warm, comfortable night where none of the adults leave crying.
I'm going to knit a little, drink some Eggnog and see if I can't start to like wine or any other alcoholic beverage for that matter. I used to like Cognac. I used to have class. Now I like Diet Coke out of the can and sometimes I suck water out of the tap.
Of course I'll spend a small portion of the day with the chickens. I wander out to check on them several times a day, usually when I take my coffee break, so I expect today won't be any different. I'll put on my parka, pull on my Bogs and wander outside to see if there are any eggs. Then what I typically do is go inside the run, squat down and have a little chat with the chickens. Yes. Yes I really do. I can't tell you how many times people have come wandering into my backyard to find me sitting in the run with Cuddles, the friendly chicken, in my lap, sleeping. The chicken is sleeping. I am not. You can never let your guard down that much in an enclosed area with animals that can't tell the difference between a grape and your eyeball.
If you don't care about seeing a chicken coop all dolled up for Christmas (gasp) you can take a look at my house decorated for Christmas over the past several years.
So in an effort to make us feel like we're spending a bit of this, my favourite holiday, Christmas Eve Eve, together, I have for you my final post until the New Year.
THE CHICKEN COOP DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS
Update: These original lanterns on my coop have since been replaced with black, matte lanterns very similar to these.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Lucy
What lucky ducks...er, chickens. I just hope they won't be traumatized like I was every year when all the lights and decorations had to come down and be put away. Happiest of holidays to you and the entire family. We've heard stories of some of them. This should be a good opportunity to get a few more.
Susan
Your house and coop look elegant and festive. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, the fella, Betty, your sister, your niece, your neighbors and the chickens. Thank you for all the laughs and wonderful crafts, recipes and advice over the past year!
Nancy
Merry Christmas to you Karen, the fella, the pie Nazi, Betty, the girls and of course the kitties..Thanks to all of you for the many laughs that you have given us this year..we look forward to the next one..enjoy your well deserved vacation..we will miss you..Hugs..Nancy
Barbie
Have a wonderful Christmas Karen! I will miss reading your blog every morning! (until after the new year I mean) I just love you! I'm pretty darn sure that if we were in the same town we'd be the best of friends! We have soooo much in common! From preferring chips to chocolate and the non like of wine and such! LOL (just never developed a taste for it) and believe me I've tried. It looks so good when others drink it! And I LOVE that you sit with your sweet chicken Cuddles while she sleeps! Something I would probably do if I had chickens. Thanks for all the inspiration you give me daily! I hope you have the best ever Christmas Eve Eve!
Cindy Marlow
Karen:
Warmest wishes on this great day of Christmas Eve Eve. I want to thank you for bringing such joy and merriment to my holiday. I can't remember when I have looked forward to seeing all the marvelous things you did to prepare for the blessed day. You are greatly appreciated (and anticipated) and I hope that this year the Christmas Day let-down is less than usual.
Susan
I'm happy to see you let your girls out of the coop to forage and stretch. I used to sit with my girls too (a stoopid mink slunk in and kilt them all years ago; I need a new coop). I LOVE chickens!
Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful new year. Thank you for all the smiles you have brought me this year. XOXO
Karen
Susan - I used to let them out for hours and hours. All day, if I was out there with them. Too much poop and mess. So they're in the run with 1/2 hour jaunts outside every few days. Gonna figure something out for the spring that's a reasonable compromise for both of us. :) ~ karen
SK Farm Girl
Merry Christmas to the Fella, the chickens and, of course, you Karen! May the season be warming to the heart, filled with family and friends and oodles of love! Glad you are taking some time off from your blog, but how will I live without my "crack candy"? LOL! To my fellow bloggers, I wish you too a wonderful holiday season - Peace and Love to all!
PS: Karen the eggnogg with Irish Cream is trully delightful and almost as grown-up as Cognac! Cheers to all and to all a good night!
Celia
WOW!!! Like, that's the sexiest chicken coop I've ever seen! Love the grey colour (my fave colour of the moment). It's like a fancy club. The chickens look really healthy...and obviously well-loved!
BTW, where did you get those tall plant pots? Want those.
Bobbi
Karen,
Wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases and the happiest New Year ever !!
You bring joy to my life everyday and I can't wait to see what our new year brings.....
Your blog is the first thing I read everyday before my email.......gives me a smile and giggle to start my day....and sometimes I am inspired to do something you have suggested........mostly, though, I am a lurker.
Brie
Merry Christmas Karen! To the fella, chickens, and kitties as well! Thank you so much for the entertainment this past year. I'm currently reviewing plans for our new coop...Seeing yours over and over is making me a bit envious of your design capabilities..... I think I may be crushing a bit. Kidding. Maybe. Anyway, have a wonderful holiday and I hope the party goes well.
Ruth
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
cred
The coop looks lovely~ I've been wanting to make a swag like that for my door for the last 5 days (from our christmas tree trimmings) and I still haven't got to it. And there you have 2, for your chickens. Puts me to shame.
Looks fantastic~ hope your Christmas is just as lovely as your festive home.
kelliblue
Merry Merry Christmas Karen...and to your fella, the fella's father, and your flock! :)
Your chicken coop is gorgeous, and definitely looks more festive than my entire house. Hmpf.
Kim
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and I will be counting the days til your next post!
Cheryl in Wisconsin
Your family is very lucky to have such a wonderful atmosphere to relax in. Your chickens have grown to be beautiful, majestic beings. You must be so proud of them. I noticed your absence of snow, we don't have any here right now either. I look forward to photos of the chickens in snow (once/if we get some).
Have a great holiday.
Mickey
Karen
The chicken coop is absolutely beautiful!
Merry Christmas to you and yours and to all who visit your website.
Mickey
Karen
Thank you Mickey! ~ karen
Ann
Merry Christmas back at ya. My chickens say cluck, cluck, cluck and why is our coop not all decorated like Cuddles is? Maybe that is why their egg laying has slowed way down. It is simply not festive enough for them out there.
Leslie
Looks amazing - great job!! Country Boy wants to know if KFC stands for Karen's Fried Chicken??
Karen
I'm trying to figure out how to make an angry face, hold on. .... >: { There. Kindda like that. ~ karen!
Leslie
You know that's the exact response he was hoping for....next time just ignore him :-). Enjoy the holidays
Sharm's Outlet
I LOVE your coop
Katharine
When I was a kid we used to call this day Christmas Adam. Because, you know, Adam came before Eve.