Hey, Hibby! Yoo hoo! Hibby! Benny lost his visor somewhere between where you’re standing and here. Be a dear, please, and bring it to us. Thanks!
Ooh, everything looks so lovely! It all looks too beautiful to disturb. All right, then. I’d like a gingerbread cookie, please. No, not right now, thank you. But I’m sure my brother will drink my share, too. Oops, gotta run. Benny’s ready to start “the walk”. If Hibby finds the visor, just give a holler. We won’t be far. I’m going to pick up Flossie for her picture with Santa. I hope she behaved herself and stayed on the nest. When Harold picked her and the tree up earlier, he promised to keep an eye on her until we got here. Yes, isn’t she the cutest little thing in that bearded hat? She does love her accessories. Wait’ll you see what we got her for Christmas. Nope. You’ll just have to wait. [Giggles] Now, to find our tree. Flossie! Yoo hoo!
Here she is, Benny!
How are you, Flossie? Have you been a good little girl? Did you miss me? I missed you. Cluck. Oh, I knew you would. You look so adorable sitting there in your Christmas finery. Would you like to get your picture taken with Santa, now? I’ll bring you right back to your nest, as soon as Trudy’s done. Okay, oopsa daisy. Up we go!
Oh, Flossie, I love you! Let’s go see Santa. Flossie!! What’s that in your nest? You really must be enjoying yourself. This was no place for three clucks. Oh, my. Well, I’ll get Benny to clean them out before we get back. You’re such a good chicken. I know, it’s just like home, isn’t it? Sitting out under the palm tree with a lot of friends coming by to say “hi”. Coming, Benny!
I’m glad that Hibby found your visor, and it looks none the worse for its misadventure. Janie, honey, are you having fun? Sure, Benny likes whipped cream. No, thank you. Whipped cream is not good for chickens. You girls look stunning, by the way. So festive and cheery! Can I get you anything? Would you like me to hold up the fort while you take a break? All right. Just call, if you need anything. We’re going to make our way through the trees and get Flossie’s picture taken with Santa. Say “thank you” to Hibby for me. Gotta run, before Flossie does three clucks again. She did! Can you see her nest from here? Uh huh, she left breakfast for three. Sure, you’re welcome to take them home.
I’ll be glad to bring them by later, Johanna. We’ve got loads at home. And if you ever need more, let us know. Flossie’s a grand layer. Grand Champion, you know. That was a joke.
One cookie coming up! Oh, before I forget, Nanea says to say “thanks” for searching for the visor. I know, she is the sweetest thing. How about a candy cane for later? No, Janie, I don’t think whipped cream on the cookie would taste very good. Besides, it’d be very drippy to eat while you’re walking. Maybe Hibby will come by later for a cup of chocolate with extra whipped cream. Right, Hibby? [Wink]
What a great idea! If you’ll just save some of that whipped cream for me, I’ll come back around after I’ve seen the trees. You know, I was a bit nervous about moving to a place I’d never even visited. But everyone on Islandshire is so kind . . . I feel like I’ve always lived here. No, I hadn’t heard. Well, maybe the new girl would like to room with me until she finds a place. I’ve got all that space back of the store, and we could become true Islanders together. Let me know when she arrives. Right now, though, I’m going to take a look at the beautiful trees. First your grand Wool Week affair, and now this. It’s like a little bit of heaven right here on earth. And Janie, bless you for sharing that servant’s heart of yours. Keep up the good work!
She sure is a nice girl, isn’t she? We’ll have to see if she needs help working on her health-food store. Well, that’s a place where they sell food and medicine that’s good for you. Sure, I suppose they sell chocolate. Dark, dark chocolate that’s organic and certified Fair Trade, I’d imagine. [Giggle] Don’t worry, Janie. You’ll love it just as much as you do the stuff you eat now. Maybe even more. I don’t know. Soon I hope. Since Amabel closed, we have to go off-island for everything. Anyway, Hibby seems so alone. Let’s see if we can’t get her and the new girl together sooner than later. Oh, look who’s here! Hi, Girls!
Pssst. Hey, Blitzen. The crowd has thinned. Doesn’t look like anyone’s coming any time soon. Let’s take a break. I’m hungry. Those cookies they left for me have been calling for a while. You stay right there, like a good little boy.
Hey, Blitzen. Ondonneron, boy. Over here. Bunty’s coming, and we want her to see what a good job we’re doing. Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas. Googie. How’s my goddaughter doing? Does she like all the lights? Which ornament? I’ll get one for her tomorrow. Now, Truannie, what would you like for Christmas? Tell Uncle Eliot– I mean, Santa, what you’d like, and he’ll make sure you get it.
