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.
Hi Karen, those are some lucky chickens. May they continue lay golden eggs for you year round because for the life of me I can't justify how on earth they deserve such special treatment. In my belief (buddhist influential that is) they must had done some awesome things in their last lives to earn such privilege in this live. Merry Christmas my favorite blogger!
Thanks Chau! ~ karen
Aw, your favorite day just happens to be MY birthday! How sweet. I stopped by your blog today to steal your fella's quote about drinking for the holidays... maybe you could consider it a birthday gift to me? Have a happy Christmas!
christmas eve eve is my favorite day of the year for that very same reason. everything is ready and i have time to relax before the craziness ensues..the calm before the storm. didn't even read my blogs yesterday!
i wish you and the fella and the chickens, cats and extended family a very merry christmas and a happy new year. i look forward to seeing what you come up with in 2012!
My Dad, among many other things, was a master carpenter and beef farmer. While you visit your chickens, he would visit his cattle. Good news or bad - anything that touched him emotionally - would eventually find him in the barn, talking to his cows. The cows are gone now, so his dog gets an earful!
Merry Christmas to you and yours - including your chickens!
All about Karen's coop the girls were bragging up the fine decor! That is really pretty. You are going to spoil them. Best wishes for happy holidays and a great new year to you and yours Karen.
Thank you Taria. Same to you. ~ karen!
Merry merry Christmas! Lovely pictures...what a wonderful place for the chickens to call home!
Love the photos - chickens are so photogenic! :) Merry Christmas!
christmas eve eve is one of my favorite days also - as well as new year's eve eve. and i thought i was alone! that's some chicken coop you've got there. merry christmas!
If I lay some eggs will you decorate a tree for me too!
Dionne - Heh. Depends what colour they are. ~ karen!
Why golden eggs of course, only the best for you!
D~
Merry Christmas Karen! Just came inside from combing my wet hair out on the deck whilst visiting with my kitties. They seem to always know when I step out for a minute. So what if it's 28 degrees? Having 11 adults and 3 kiddie over tomorrow. I'm beat. Love having a short visit with my kitties--it restores me! Thanks for a great blog--I look forward to it so much!
And my fella thinks I'm weird because he gets presents from our cats! Love how you decorated the coop to go along with the rest of your yard. Those are some lucky chickens! Hope you, your fella and all of your family have a wonderful Christmas! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the new year!
That is so sweet! I'm going to get my cat to get some gifts for my husband! Thanks for the idea :)
I rarely drink either, but I did grab a bottle of Bailey's. I add it to General Mills Swiss Mocha coffee, (prepared by personal preference with milk and/or sugar) and topped with whip cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a maraschino cherry! The Coop looks amazing, love your posts and blog, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas, Karen! I must tell you that I did your whole 'get all the work done by December 4th pledge" thingy and I thought I got it all done but I learned an important lesson...when you have 3 kids...nothing is ever "done" in December. I think I am still stressed as ever. And still running around trying to get more done (cooking, baking and getting the table ready for Christmas dinner and such). PLUS...the husband decides on some last minute shopping and wants ME to wrap!
I love that it's decorated! So cute!
Karen, I'm only a recent disciple- er, I mean follower of your blog, but I've enjoyed your posts. Per the inclination of others today, I am going to wish you and the fella (and your respective loved ones) a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And damn! chickens never had it so good!!! Cheers!
Thanks Melissa! Glad you found me. Us. ~ karen
Christmas Eve Eve is my birthday. Which means today is my birthday. Which means you're celebrating my birthday as the best day of the Christmas holiday. Thanks for taking the time to care. :o)
If I wasn't knocked up, I'd drink your portion of wine that you don't like at my KID-FREE (can you feel my excitement) dinner out with The Dad.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Yep there is nothing like talking to the chickens. My Grandad had around 20 at one stage and I would be found in there talking to them for hours....much more entertaining than listening to the adults.....
Merry Christmas to all!
xxoo
You must clean your backyard patio daily! I clean my patio and within an hour, my chickens have already pooped all over the place and scratched up lots of dirt onto it. I would be afraid to take a picture of my patio right now;) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Well ... if you were taking a *picture* of your backyard you'd probably clean up a bit first. Besides, they weren't out long so they didn't make too much of a mess. (I do clean up after them frequently though) ~ karen!
Merry Christmas Karen
I love the festive coop, and you are not the only one talking to animals. I can be found talking to my squirrels as I am feeding them. And I also only drink diet coke. I guess we have a few things in common. Like our name, and our mothers use to work on the switch board!-anyhow will look forward to your blog in the new year.
Thanks Karen! Merry Christmas! ~ karen
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Karen! Like many of your readers, your blog is at the top of my to-do list each day. Thanks for that! :)