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”
Safe travels. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your son and family. Do watch the weather, there’s a blizzard forecast for Christmas Day, so depending on your date of return you may just miss it. Love the mobile couch with soft piglet grunts – a couch to love you. I don’t have any new book recommendations, that wasn’t something possible this year as what reading I’ve done has been mostly history to incorporate into the family history I’m working on. A couple of old favorites if that’s okay, “In This House of Brede” by Rumer Godden and “Ring of Bright Water” by Gavin Maxwell.
Safe travels and Happy Christmas, miss c!
Merry Christmas, darling one! Have a wonderful time with your family! xxx
Have a lovely holiday, Celi!🎄🎁💝
Happy Christmas to you and all on the farm!
Enjoy every minute of your trip.
Safe travels and jingle on!
Waiting for sunset on Christmas Eve is like standing toes-over-the-edge on a high diving board.
Every year we’d cruise casually by the window to keep an eye on the sun’s progress until it was officially evening.
Then the shout “Christmas Eve Gift!” would ring out.
You see, the traditions says that the first person to voice that phrase on Christmas Eve to another would be graced with good fortune and joy all the next year.
(And of course, whomever was first won. Everything was a contest…)
It’s more difficult to be first now with caller ID.
As all those who have become my friends in blogland are spread widely across time zones, I’d like to wish you all “Christmas Eve Gift” now.
And as I already feel so fortunate to have such wonderful readers and writers in this neighborhood, I wish to share any phrase acquired good fortune and joy with you in thanks.
No matter where you are or what you are guided by, hope you have a very merry Christmas and a new year full of adventure and joy.
Peace on earth and goodwill towards all creatures great and small.
Safe journeys lovely … how exciting 😃
Lovely photos as always, safe travels and Happy New Year!