Christmas Morning "Reinsheep"

http://youtu.be/2-9oArxm40A

Images of Christmas Eve

Chickens roosting... in my bedroom

This is how I found my bed two nights ago... and they are still there!  At least my boys know that chickens like to roost up high when they sleep!  Ah, the knowledge of farm(ette) children! I wish you all a peaceful night's sleep.  In the morning, I hope I can say, "I slept as well as a hen roosting high in coop!"  I'm off... my oldest "chick" is having a hard time falling asleep.  He has the pre-holiday jitters and just can't calm down-- oh wait, maybe it was the advent chocolates and egg nog!

Can we come in...

 

When I came home from work yesterday, all the chickens were standing on the back mudroom porch.  It wasn't raining and it wasn't snowing, so I was very confused by their behavior.  Then... I figured it out.  They were hungry little hens!  They tried to follow me right into the mudroom (where they "know" we keep bird feed- which is one of their favorite treats after human scraps.) We were out of bird feed so I went to the kitchen to look for scraps.  I admit, I was too lazy (and way too over dressed) to get them some chicken feed from their coop.  I also knew Farmer J would be home soon and would do afternoon chores.  In the kitchen, I found some of their favorite snacks: leftover mac and cheese, crusts from PB&J sandwiches and leftover oatmeal.  Our hens love sharing a farm with a family with young children! 

 

Since Farmer J set up a light (on a timer) in the coop, put a heater in the coop and set-up the heated water dish, the hens have been much happier and have started laying eggs again.  In the course of three days, we got TWO eggs! On a typical summer day, we get 10 eggs.  I think its very obvious that chickens, like most of us, dislike the short days and long nights.  Thankfully, tomorrow is the winter solstice and from that day forward... each day will bring us more and more sunlight (even if it is only by a few minutes at first). 

 

 

Fall on your knees...

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

 

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'

Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born

 

Images of Christmas all around me...

My job places me within many hospitals across our state.  Most of my time as a therapist was spent working within a state hospital with absolutely no religious ties... at least no longer.  Some of the hospitals I have worked within during this advent season are very much tied to a Christian faith.  Since ancient times, medicine and religion have been mixed.  Within most medieval hospitals, care was provided by monks and nuns.  Interestingly enough, still in 2014, some things haven't changed...

 

Below are pictures I have taken while at "work".  Beautiful pieces of art and beautiful images to see leading up to Christmas!

 

Away in a manger...

The boys and I made gingerbread stables at the boy's school.  I hope you enjoy the colorful pictures from our fun day celebrating the upcoming birth of "baby Jesus" (who was represented by an animal cracker, red teddy bear, marshmallow and oddly shaped tootsie roll.)

 

 

Happy Holidays from Una, Ciaran and Padraig!

Made With Love

'Tis the season to make gifts from the heart.  One morning last week, Pickle got an idea into his head that he MUST make homemade bath crayons (mainly for his own use but also to give away).  J was willing to be Pickle's right hand man in this messy, but very fun and extremely sensory rich, project!  And finally a use for the food coloring we have had in our cupboards for 10 plus years!

 

 

Basically, the end result was blue soap...but Pickle had fun with his Dada and learned that not all experiments/projects/gifts end up turning out!  Next time little man! There is always next time!

 

My mom and dad came to the farm last weekend and helped us make holiday sweets.  I worked on the seven layer bars, thumbprint cookies, and bon bons while my mom made her amazingly sweet and rich fudge (that literally melts in your mouth!)  She made so much that we have enough to share with others.

 

So where do you put all the fudge you want to give away as gifts and not eat yourself (which it is quite possible to do because it tastes heavenly)?

Luckily for us...right by our stairs to the second floor, there is this little secret hiding place.  This area is out of the children's reach and puts the fudge out of J's and my mind!









What a glorious sight!  I wish I could share some of this with all of you right now!  But I can't.  And, the recipe is no secret...it's on the back of a popular "marshmallow" whip jar! 

Jim and Mary, the owners of the farm, surprised us with an early Christmas gift.  I'll only share the edible items (found within our lovely goat print canvas bag) with you now!  More to come...

For J and I, homemade relish and jalapeno ketchup from veggies grown on the farm!  We haven't tried the relish yet but the ketchup is AMAZING, especially on a quesadilla.  Not too spicy but so rich and lots of complex flavors. 

For the kiddos... root beer (as "Mr. Jim and "Miss Mary" know what a special treat soda is to our boys) and hot cocoa with homemade marshmallows!  And I've tasted the marshmallows and they are airy and light and sweet and have just the most delightful texture.

Last week, Pickle so enjoyed his afternoon hot cocoa warm up on an especially cold day!  Thank you Jim and Mary so much for the kind gifts (and the love that goes into all homemade holiday presents).

Turning from food to crafts, I am finding 1-2 homemade ornaments and/or Christmas decorations in the boy's backpacks each week. 

 "the decorated twig" ornament by JJ

 

"the colored star" ornament by (oops, can't honestly remember- thank goodness for teachers who have the children write their names on the back of their projects)

 "the holly berry" ornament by Pickle

 

You will not find any tree that looks like ours on Pinterest.  I cannot describe this tree as "pretty", "beautiful" or even unique- as I'm sure there are thousands of Christmas trees that looks like ours all over our own state! But our tree is colorful, fun, busy and full of so many memories! This year, the boys strung the lights and hung the ornaments themselves (with some help from me and Miss Elsie).  There are clusters of five ornaments on top of each other and then spots without a light or ornament.  The lights are hanging this way and that and most of the bubbly lights (like the one below) are upside down.

But I love our tree.  I cherish all the homemade ornaments, from this year and years before (even some ornaments Farmer J made as a child).

 A few years back, my mother in law made each of us beautiful stockings.  This stocking shown is one of the boys.  There is so much detail...and each one is different.  I can't imagine all the hours that went into creating just one stocking... let alone four!  Made with love indeed!  Thank you Mima!  I think of you every time I pass by a stocking!

Many years ago, my mom gave us this tree.  She made all the cross stitched ornaments herself. The boys love looking at all the different ornaments, touching the decorative lights and counting the miniature instruments.  Someday, this Christmas decoration may be in JJ or Pickle's home... and the 'made with love' tree will be cherished by my grandchildren.  Thank you mom for the holiday heirloom. 

I hope you all have the chance to make something homemade or receive something homemade this Christmas season, as you can never put a price tag on something made with love!