Thank you for all the lovely comments on my 'Introductions' posts. I enjoyed writing them and it reminded me of all the good things about my kids. It's a good way to remember them since they change and grow so quickly and stuff they used to do only a year ago, they no longer do anymore.
I sent out Christmas 'thank you' cards using the photo above. I still have a few more to send out, I ran out of ink in the printer and need to get some more, but I have improved from last year. I think by the time I sent out 'thank yous' it was already February! I'm trying to do better with little things like that.
We have been busy cleaning house. Andrew has not been working very many hours lately-- his boss has cut back every one's hours and hired new people, so this past week, Andrew only worked 9 hours. Hardly worth the gas it takes to work 9 hours, but what is he to do? He has stepped up the job hunt and hopefully something comes our way.
With him home, we are getting some organizing done around here, as part of our resolution to get things cleaned up and de-cluttered. The living room got moved around and everything came off the shelves, then we eliminated about half of the stuff and put stuff back on the shelves. It looks so much better in there now and while no furniture was taken out, it also feels roomier. Amazing what a shift in furniture can do.
The office is currently getting worked on now. We took out more than 10 boxes of stuff, mostly items that I had up for sale on ebay and etsy that went unsold but never got moved back to the basement. The office became a place for things that Peter was getting into and there were precarious towers of papers and stuff teeter-tottering, one bump away from falling over. I had enough! A shelf got taken out, another shelf got moved, lots of papers destined for the burn pile, and I think we are a couple days away from completion. Looking good so far. We only clean after Peter goes down for his nap, otherwise he'd get into things and we'd holler and shriek at the poor kid.
It is bitterly cold up here. All that snow we got before Christmas has yet to melt away, and while it doesn't look like this anymore, there is still several inches of snow on the coop and everywhere else. Not a patch of grass showing except for where we shoveled out and where the chickens scratch.
With 6 hens, we average out to about 4 eggs daily. Today was 6 eggs but the other day was only 2. We have a heat lamp out there, and I think it helps keep the egg production going. Even the cats like to hang out in the coop at night, all snuggled in the straw. I plan to get more chicks in the Spring, I'm thinking 10 more, pullets only, no mixed males or females this time and I'll sell the surplus eggs for a little extra feed money. There is a neighbor down the road that sells farm eggs, so I hope she won't mind the competition.
I have 7 dozen eggs in the fridge now, and I gave away 3 dozen as Christmas gifts. Any tried and true quiche or egg recipes you want to share with me? I see recipes on the internet, but I'd like one from someone I know. Please share! :o) I'll be making eggs salad sandwiches for lunch tomorrow, which I don't think Gretchen will care for, but I think the other 3 kids will gobble up. That'll be about a dozen eggs there. Potato salad will also be on the menu pretty soon, and deviled eggs, yum!
-
7 comments:
That is a gorgeous photo of your brood!!
I'm now slowly starting to catch up with all the blogs I missed over the Christmas break. Apologies for being absent for a bit....Uni work has kind of taken over!! Hopefully normal service will resume soon!!
C x
Sounds like a busy productive winter for you!
Looking at the photo of the hen coop in the winter with heater inside makes one feel warm and sheltered from winter.
And I hope that your hubby will have better luck in his job search.
That's a lot of eggs!
I make a crustless quiche I found in a Meditteranean cookbook years ago that I have adapted over time.
It's:
1 c milk
4 eggs
1/2 c grated cheese
up to 2 c *other* (diced meat and/or chopped vegetables - and here's where you can be super creative. I've even used leftover taco meat and served with salsa and sour cream - delicious!)
1/2 tsp dried herb (I use tarragon, but you can whatever you like. The recipe called for dill)
Whip the eggs and milk until frothy. Fold in other ingredients. Pour into a greased pie plate and bake at 350° until the egg is set.
It's good in a crust, too, but I'm not good a piecrust, and so this recipe that doesn't use a crust appealed to me.
I love your intro posts!
I would love to be your FB/FV neighbor, but I seem to have misplaced your full name (the joys of online friendships) and email. If you remember mine, you could send me a friend request...otherwise, you should be able to email me from my profile.
Thank ya, Darlin!
Custard pie:
Make a one crust pie crust
In a bowl:
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
Mix the above 4 ingredients well and place in uncooked pie crust. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, sprinkle cinnamon on top and turn down heat to 375 and bake for another 20 minutes or so. Stick a knife in the center after 20 more minutes. If it comes out clean, it is done. if not bake for 5 minutes longer and repeat the knife thing. :) I loves me some custard pie. I hope you enjoy it too. We raise chickens too.
Oh I forgot one ingredient in the filling - 1/2 tsp salt. Sorry.
I enjoyed reading about each of your child. Amazing how much your kids have grown although I have met the first two. I see Sylvia in Teena, Gretchen in your husband, Peter in you and not sure about Evelyn though! A combination of all, perhaps? :)
Katherine
Post a Comment