I was all set to write a post about how Twiggy is going into a visible, full molt. Last week I took this photograph of her, with loose feathers all askew. See them at the top of her leg and at the base of her tail? They’re falling out.

I waited to do this post, figuring that by this morning, the coop would be ankle-deep in white feathers – proof that even Twiggy needs to go through her yearly molt. However, I didn’t find feathers. I found this.

Twiggy’s last egg was laid on November 16. It’s been exactly three weeks, which for this White Leghorn over-achiever was a long enough rest. No matter that tomorrow the sunset is the earliest it’ll be all year (just after 4 pm) and I don’t turn on a lightbulb at night. Twiggy is back in production. I’m not surprised that it’s not a standard two-ounce large egg. This one weighed in at over three ounces!

(By the way, if you’re looking for a gift for a chicken keeper, you can’t go wrong with a

The shell was thin as the finest porcelain, but the inside of the egg was normal. There were two visible whites (yes, there are two in fresh eggs, one around the other, one thinner, one thicker) and a yolk that was a lovely dark color (the Girls have been eating squash) and upright.

It was delicious.

I don’t know whether this was a one-off or if she’ll keep laying. I so enjoyed having a good egg for breakfast, but I’d also like to see Twiggy replace those ragged tail feathers with new ones. As with so much of animal keeping, time will tell.

Last week I had a bit of a Martha Stewart Moment. I typically don’t go in for the sort of extravagant creations that this decorating maven is known for. But, awhile back, in a style magazine I saw an idea that I liked – using gourds for vases filled with flowers, I used that inspired idea and changed it up a bit. I bought three buttercup squashes, three small pots of fresh herbs, and some delicate cut flowers. I lopped the tops off of the squash, removed the mushy seeds and strings and scraped them out just enough so that the pots of herbs fit in the centers without tipping. I lined them with tin foil, which held water long enough so that I could add the flowers, which would then stay fresh for the Pie Party.

It took more work that I anticipated, but I loved the result.

If I do say so myself, I think they’re the prettiest Thanksgiving centerpieces I’ve ever made.

I selected squash, not gourds, because I was thinking about what would happen to them after the party. I knew who’d appreciate them after the flowers wilted. Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Ladies!

I’ve collected hundreds of vintage photographs of people and their animals, and this image of a child pulling a wagon with his rooster and hens through the snow is one of my absolute favorites.

The clothing is hand-me-down. The coat is too small and the boots are too big. But that boy and his rooster are set for adventure!

Are you looking for a holiday card that expresses your joy during this season and your love of chickens? (After all, joy and chickens go hand-in-hand!) I’ve turned this image into a card. It’s available to purchase here.

Also, a gentle reminder – if you start your on-line shopping via the Amazon link on my HenCam homepage, I get a small % of the sales, and it costs you nothing extra. Doing this keeps the HenCam going. Thanks!

I never tire of pie. Not the baking, nor the eating. Which is why my Thanksgiving tradition doesn’t include turkey and the fixings. It’s just pie. This year, three dozen people came to my home for my annual Pie Party. I made 19 pies. 25 crusts (a classic butter rolled-out crust and graham.) I followed a few recipes. most that I’ve created, but also some from books and magazines. Inevitably, there’s a pie that I invent on the fly. This year it was the layered lemon, cream cheese and cherry pie.

There were two savory pies, a Corn, Tomato and Cheddar Tart, and an Onion and Gruyere pie. These were made with homegrown red onions.

Also made with homegrown ingredients was the Peach Pie with Dried Apricots. I can’t grow apricots, but this year was a bumper crop for my one peach tree. It had a walnut and oat crumb topping.

There were apple pies made with locally-grown heirloom apples. One with a top crust, the other with an almond and ginger crumble.

Every year I make a Toll House Pie, which is like a big chocolate chip cookie. Except it’s better, because there’s pie crust. This year I also made a Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie. That was like a big chocolate chip cookie, but for adults. Not all of the bourbon bakes off.

There was also Lemon Pie, Chocolate Pie, Raspberry Cream Cheese Pie, and that Cherry Invention. I set 8 pies out at a time, and as they’re finished, replenish the array.

I made enough pies so that my son could take one back to Detroit (where he’s in college) and for us to have leftovers. But none of the savory pies remain. I might just have to make another pie…

Finally! Twiggy, the White Leghorn, has stopped laying.

Twiggy is as active as ever.

And just as voracious.

I don’t see signs of a molt – no white feathers. No pin feathers coming in. I guess this is as much a break as she takes. We’ll see how long it lasts. I don’t expect to see one of her white eggs until February, but you never know with this hen.

Scooter shows no such hesitation at reducing his activity level. When he goes out in the morning, he tip-toes over the frosted leaves. Scooter has already enacted his winter plan.