Merry Christmas Wishes

I grew up in a Reformed Jewish home in a neighborhood of Protestants. I enjoyed looking at Christmas lights, but I never yearned for a tree of my own or a visit by Santa.

There was, however, one aspect of Christmas that captured my imagination. When little, I read a picture book about how the animals talk (in English!) on Christmas Eve. I didn’t need that magic with my own dog (who I perfectly understood) but I oh so wished for a barn in the backyard, filled with animals, and one night of the year when I could snuggle in the straw with them and listen to them talk.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my home to yours.

house at night

Comments:

  1. Wishing you and your family and all the animals at Little Pond Farm a “Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.
    Thanks Terry for Hen-cam,goat-cam and all wonderful “blogs”.

  2. Merry Christmas to you and your family of chickens. My husband, Tim and I have become fascinated with our 3 beautiful chickens: Henrietta, Dixie and Dora Belle. They have been each laying an egg a day and we realize during the PA winter their production will drop and it has slightly. We were wondering about frozen eggs? When we get a frozen egg from their coop we have been immediately eating it – all well and good but how many eggs can a person eat a week? what is your recommendation for keeping, storing, using frozen eggs? Love your hencam and stories. How to order “Tillie Lays an Egg”?

    Cluck, cluck, cluck, sherry

    • Yes, eggs will freeze if left in the nesting boxes. I don’t eat eggs that cracked in the coop for fear of germs getting in. Those I feed to the dogs. If it’s frozen but not cracked, go ahead and eat it. Egg white freeze nicely. Thaw and use for meringues, etc. Egg yolks can be frozen, but you have to add a bit of sugar. If I have excessive eggs, I make pudding. Can never have too much custard! I promise a custard tutorial after the new year. Also, quiches freeze nicely, both baked and unbaked.
      Order “Tillie Lays an Egg” from any online seller, or ask your local indie store for it. Go here for links.

  3. I’m sure you listen, and I’m sure they have plenty to say. Aren’t the animals great?! Have a great holiday…Happy Hannakuh and Merry Christmas!!

  4. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Thank you for keeping my lunch break at work interesting and enjoyable all year!! The house looks beautiful! Stephanie

  5. I love your animals and stories. They make me feel warm and fuzzy. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakkah

  6. My grandmother was Jewish and married to an Irish Catholic fella. They had 4 daughters one of which is my mom. When a Catholic marries someone of another faith the children must be baptized and raised Catholic. I wish sometimes it didn’t go that way because I like so many things about the Jewish Faith. My Grandmother taught her grandchildren so much about her faith, God and the Bible. Well Terry Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas. God bless and keep you and your family.

  7. Happy Solstice, and May your New Year be brilliant! And spring be not far behind…so the hens can go out and play! Oh, and I, too, freeze eggs when I have a glut of them. Whole eggs with nothing else added…just stir them with a chopstick, do NOT make little bubbles or froth because they dry out. Stir them altogether until blended. Freeze in small containers with tight lids. They are thick when thawed, but make the best scrambled, and are perfect for baking. I keep a little ceramic heater in my coop set just above freezing, so the hens have warm toes and combs. No, they don’t need it, but it makes me warmer to know they are comfy….and the eggs don’t freeze at all. Best regards, Lucy

  8. Terry, thanks and Happy Hanukkah to you and your family.

  9. My sisters, brother and I always debated what our pets would say at midnight on Christmas Eve…and my husband, children and I discuss this magical idea as well. I did not know the idea came from a picture book! Do you happen to recall the name of the book? Happy Hanukkah to you and your family!

  10. Just found your site while googling for live cams. What a delight it is! I’ve already sent a link to several friends. I love your farmette and all your animals friends.

    • I just looked at your site. I’d LOVE to have donkeys. And a horse. Sigh.. No room here. Though I could squeeze in a few more chickens :)

  11. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all.
    My grandmother always told us an old wives tale that God granted the rooster his crow on the birth of Jesus.
    Linda, I too was born into a mixed faith family, my dad is Jewish and my mother Catholic. I was introduced into both faiths as a child and “enjoyed” both.

    • If the rain has washed all of the snow away, you’ll have to get your white Christmas here at HenCam.
      I’ve heard that the reason that roosters are on weather vanes is because of that religious connection. I’m not sure – I think their crow is enough to place them up there!

      • It’s a white Christmas here in Fort Worth! The kids are thrilled and I am just as excited. I think this may be my second white Christmas I have ever seen. I hope that your holiday is filled with Joy and Peace. I know I find a little peace when I check on your flock almost every day.

        Thanks!!

  12. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with Hope and Prosperity. We so love to watch your animal family and hear about the goings on at Little Pond Farm. Our girls are enjoying their Christmas Eve meal of yogurt, banana’s and oatmeal with a cabbage pinata. We’re having our White Christmas via the Hencam.

  13. I remember when I was growing up a cartoon called “The Night the Animals Talked” It made such an impression on me that every Christmas Eve I always make sure the stalls are clean and in order for the night the animals talk.

    • I don’t remember that, but it would have been my favorite if I had seen it. I just checked Netflix for the title, and all I got was “The Night of the Living Dead.” Not exactly the same thing.

  14. Happy Holidays to you and your household (outside and in)…. can’t wait to hear what you received as presents! I love your Christmas version – talking animals, nestled in straw sounds perfect!

    I have always said someday I will have a chicken coop big enough that I can hang a hammock in it and sleep with the girls one night!

  15. Dear Terry,

    i wish you and your Family a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

    I take a look on the Hen Cam every day since two years. Its a wonderful side, i love your hens and your blog is very good!

    Many greetings from germany
    Susanne( sorry my English is not so good)