Well, it looks like the actual book list is going to be a work in progress for a few days as yesterday AND the day before became very busy on the farm what with one thing and another and I did not get around to condensing your comments into a List. However if you want to have a quick look for a good book check out the comments in the last post.
This is going to be a fantastic collection of very, very good books for us to read during the holiday season and into the year 2017. Two thousand SEVENTEEN! Merciful heavens but that came up fast.
Finally, I think I have all the ducks in a row for John to take over while I am gone. Just about everything began to unravel these last few days. But I think we have tied off the threads and averted any disasters. And things are back on course. Until it isn’t. 
All the animals were laying about in pools of sunshine yesterday morning – it was lovely to get sun. And as things melted we were able to get the last of the maintenance jobs done – we had a few doors and gates frozen shut that I wanted opened before I went plus I managed to chip all the ice off the milking room floor and give it a good clean.
Don’t worry Lady I am only away for a few days. No need for the growly face.
Our wee Baby Barrow has gone to his new home and they love him but Nanny Boo and I are miserable. After he had gone poor old BooBoo kept looking and looking for his little buddy which made me feel even worse. He was such a dear. But if I wanted a pig to live in the house I would not want one who is going to grow to be as big as Sheila. That would be like having a small fat couch grow legs and follow me about the house. Just imagine! But I do miss the little barrow. 
I begin my travels today. It takes just over an hour to drive up to the Metra which I take up to Chicago then Uber or train it out to the airport and then, if the weather gods agree, off I fly to Canada to spend Christmas with my son and his family.
The airport will be nuts so I hope to get to the airport early, the lines through security are always bedlam at O’Hare – they will be even worse today. But I like airports – the anonymity of it all appeals to me. I zone right out and shuffle along happily living in the single task world of travel.
I will be writing and talking to you all again tomorrow so until then.
See you on the other side!
love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
74 responses to “Bye Bye”
Hope O’Hare is kind to you, safe travels and happy landings in Canada. Laura
I hope so too. So far so good. I am at the train station awaiting my train to Chicago .
A small fat couch following you around the house…. I sat there cackling for ages after I read that, to the point where the Husband was looking at me even more strangely than usual! One of these days, the book I want to add to the book list will be YOURS. And I realise I forgot to add mine. It’s heavy going, but so, so interesting: Alan Turing: The Enigma, by Andrew Hodges. It’s about the origins of computing as much as the man, his life and times, and it’s fascinating for opening your eyes to how much we take computers and what they do for granted.
And his life was not a very happy one, but definitely an interesting one.
Indeed, and he’s influence thought in all sorts of areas. A very singular man.
And a great addition to the list ! Thank you . C
Perhaps someone will find an abandoned kitten for Boo – it would be a bit more house friendly. Apparently my sister is nursing a sick hedgehog, but i think her dog would eat it if given the chance.
Bon voyage 🙂
Look at marmalade though! Do we want another marmalade?
Ha ha – maybe not, but Boo wants a baby 😉
Joyeux Noël and safe travels.
Thank you Nadia – I can just imagine your wonderful Christmas dinner!
Actually not making it this year. We are invited to our French neighbours for Christmas Eve dinner.
Safe travels! Enjoy the family and your time away. Poor Boo.
I am on my way and already decompressing- it up all up to john now
Safe travels and no problems travel on your Christmas trip – have great time!! Sad about little Piggly leaving – poor Boo – his Buddy and Mommy both leaving – maybe I should go over and nanny Boo!!
Merry Christmas Celi. Enjoy your time up North!!
I hope there are no problems – going from one winter city to another even deeper winter city is always dicey .
I’ll wish you a very happy Christmas, c, as I’m apt to be busy with other matters for the next few days. Safe journey!
Have a wonderful Christmas weekend misky! Love love c
Safe great relaxing invigorating renewing eye-opening travels!
I am really looking forward to lots of rest for my tired body. I feel a bit like boo. Worn out.
this is a good one Kathy!! gave me a good laugh!! we need BooBoo along to nanny the grouchy Amtrak riders cause Amtrak is probably an hour late ~ as normal!!!
this was supposed to be a note back to kathryningrid Sorry!!
but ~ yes I bet you are worn out Miss Celi!!! I know exactly how I feel arriving at O’Hare for a 3 wk trip to Europe!!! lots to finish before I leave the house!! but a few glasses of wine on the 9 hr flight just relaxes me out!! So when you arrive in Canmore enjoy that beautiful country side up there with a few glasses of wine and those beautiful dogs!!
Safe journey! Gayle would have loved the small fat couch following you around comment! I’ve been reading mostly picture books and middle school readers as I’m a elementary amd middle school librarian. 2 favorites are: Ghost by Jason Reynolds and When the Sea Turns to Silver by Grace Lin (her 3rd lyrical weaving of a new adventure through Chinese mythology – just fascinating).
These two are for middle school readers? That is great. I know a few readers of that age.thank you
Safe journey!! Enjoy your family in Canada! And wow, that’s alot of books to compile.
I will do it this afternoon at the airport. That will keep my busy ! C
I wonder how long before you get recognized in the airport by one of the farmy? Safe travels!
Gosh! Wouldn’t that be strange!
I once heard a famous world traveler say he would probably wake up some day & find himself in Hell & it would be an airport. Since you world travel so much too, it’s good to have your better opinion of those places. I hope Boo will take his long winter’s nap now, & everything will go easy & well for John while you’re off on your snowy Christmas sojourn in Canada with your family up there. A Merry Christmas to all of you & your dear creatures. My best new book I’ve read this year is Sarah Bakewell’s At the Existentialist Cafe, Freedom, Being & Apricot Cocktails about the jean Paul sartre, Simone de Beauvoir & their circle of friends who created the philosophical movement & ideas about being & life in the 1930s cafe of Paris. It is so well written & entertaining that it goes down as smoothly as an apricot cocktail! The other book I read with an online group this year is Leo Tolstoy’s great & immortal War & Peace. I highly recommend this book as “un projet” – “do something!” as the Existentialists suggest for better living. As if every one of you don’t have plenty of projects going anyway.
Two more great books. Thank you . C
Thank you! The Sarah Bakewell tome seems right up my alley – perhaps I can just somehow make myself another Yule present! Hmm: ‘War and Peace’ – my parents had a huge library on the rugs of which I ‘brung myself up’ as I always say: well, only child of middle-aged social parents etc etc . . . Taught myself to read at 5 [Estonian kids only went to Primary at 8 at that time], was allowed to read anything I found on the shelves – managed ‘Anna Karenina’ in a year and THEN began ‘W&P’: it took little me 1 1/2 years, but I never cheated or omitted a page: oddly enough Natasha Rostova is still my favourite literary character, Pierre B the guy I would now have loved to have met. Wonderful reading at obviously whatever age . . . read first, then watch the v elegant movie with Audrey Hepburn and her then great love, Mel Ferrer . . . . fuzzy warm . . . oh Happy Holidays everyone . . . , my Season’s wishes will come at New Year 🙂 !
Bye bye safe journey.
Bye bye !
Be happy on your holiday adventure… keep warm and toasty.
There are tough Chicago policemen on the train- walking the aisles- i wonder what that means?
I think many cities have additional staff out just to be on the safe side. I will be unexpectedly flying to Nebraska. A nephew passed away the 23rd.
Have a beautiful and safe trip our sweet friend. Destress and relax as much as you can. Sending you much love for a great holiday. XOXO – Bacon
i will de stress as ordered. Just as soon as I stop fretting about snow and planes. You know how I am.