New Blog

Sorry for the inactivity on this blog of late. I have started a new blog:

http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/

Mostly chickens and ducks, but also some great egg recipes and farm life, if anyone is interested.

Hope to see you there !

Eggs !

Our little ones have just started laying a beautiful rainbow of eggs. I admit I have been a bit obsessed with taking photographs of them lately.  But they are SO much easier to capture on film than the chickens - the eggs are much more cooperative !

August Update

Sorry for the lack of new posts.  Life has been busy with 7 chicks, 11 pullets, 3 hens, our horse, cat and a new puppy.  The days just fly by.  Now that the heat of the summer is upon us tho, it means alot more time in the house, so I'll try to update the blog more often.

A new wreath for the front door of the house...

means the old wreath gets relegated to the tack room door. I think its a nice addition.

We've got tomatoes ripening like crazy. In fact, today I'm baking a tomato pie - the recipe is posted under the Recipes tab.

And of course, we have EGGS !  Lately I've been on a kick photographing them.. I'll post a bunch of the photos in another post later today.

Raise chickens, knit a sweater, grow vegetables....

Check out my facebook page FRESH EGGS DAILY !

Raise chickens, grow vegetables, knit a sweater, ride a horse, make jam, dry herbs, milk a cow, sew an apron, pick wildflowers
...dedicated to inspiring others to live the simple, wonderful, natural hobby farm life everyday.

Our Little Garden

Our little garden has already yielded peas, beets, lettuce and some nice herbs included dill, basil and parsley. Can't wait for the tomatoes and cucumbers.

A friend who wanted some eggs got a nice suprise of some fresh parsley and flowers to dress up the carton.

Our little magnolia bush has huge flowers on it for the second year...

And there's nothing like fresh eggs scrambled with a bit of cheese and some fresh herbs !

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

The days have been just flying by....the heat of the summer is upon us, so staying cool is our top priority.

The chickens always enjoy some cool watermelon...

The ducks spend alot of time in their pool but sometimes a big bowl of cool water is just fine with them also...

 Bella is six months old now and weighs about 50 pounds....

Happy Easter....3 more ducklings join the flock

Sweet Cardamom Bread

Ingredients:

3/4 C warmed heavy cream

1/4 C sugar

1/4 C butter, softened

1/2 t salt

1 t cardamom

1 egg

3 C flour

2 1/4 t dry yeast

Directions:

Add ingredients to bread machine in order given.  Select 2lb white loaf cycle.

Optional - brush with cream and sprinkle with sugar just prior to bake cycle starts.

Happy Easter !

What's Easter without a few baby chicks and ducklings ?

Chicken Pot Pie

Crust:

Combine 2-1/2 C flour, 1 t salt and 2 sticks cold butter in food processor. Slowly add 1/2 C ice water until dough holds together. Flatten into two discs between plastic wrap. Chill for at least an hour.

Pie:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Melt 1/3 C butter in saucepan then slowly whisk in 1/3 C flour. Add 1-1/2 C milk and 1-1/2 C water and simmer until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, parsley and thyme.

Roll out bottom crust and generously fill with cooked shredded chicken, 2 cooked sliced carrots, 1/2 can green beans, 1/2 cooked chopped onion and 1/2 can corn. Pour liquid over top and cover with top crust.  Vent, brush with milk and bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT advocate the eating of chickens (chickens are your friends, NOT food !) but this pot pie is just SO darn good !