animal kingdom / DAILY FARM LIFE / IN MY KITCHEN / life on thomas run

cause for celebration

I feel like a proud mother. Or maybe a proud mother hen. We've been waiting for this day since September. And lately, with all the spring-like weather, and rooster hanky-panky, I had a feeling it would be happening soon. We even gave them a freshly cleaned out coop and fluffed up those nesting boxes, just as a little encouragement.

Someone else in this house has been anticipating this day even more than me.

So when I woke up Friday morning to, "MOM!!! WAKE UP! You are going to scream your pants off!" I knew what was coming before I even opened my eyes.

(And yes, Emma does wake up before me some times. And she sneaks downstairs and does things like burn toast and set off the smoke alarm (Thursday), or sit and draw pictures at the kitchen table, or bring all the outside barn cats into the mudroom for "snuggling". )

On Friday, she must have sensed it was THE day, because she got up, got dressed and went to let the chickens out and check for eggs, very early.

And she was right!

cause for celebration

EGGS!!! WE HAVE EGGS, people! Three of them, in fact. And two of them later in the day–because, you know she checked almost hourly. That's one egg from every hen.

I feel so proud.

chick chart

And we're keeping track–the official "chicken chart" has been placed on the kitchen wall and a tally system is in place. So far, we've collected eight eggs. And Dan, to the shock of our children, fried up a few of those eggs Sunday morning. The girls, apparently, are on an egg strike.

And when I went to the grocery store on Sunday afternoon, I walked right on by those shelves of eggs. There's nothing like the feeling of producing your own food, even just a little bit.

Gets me excited for this year's garden.

And makes me want to give these hens a day at the spa or something…for all their egg-laying work.

I feel like a proud mother. Or maybe a proud mother hen. We've been waiting for this day since September. And lately, with all the spring-like weather, and rooster hanky-panky, I had a feeling it would be happening soon. We even gave them a freshly cleaned out coop and fluffed up those nesting boxes, just as a little encouragement.

Someone else in this house has been anticipating this day even more than me.

So when I woke up Friday morning to, "MOM!!! WAKE UP! You are going to scream your pants off!" I knew what was coming before I even opened my eyes.

(And yes, Emma does wake up before me some times. And she sneaks downstairs and does things like burn toast and set off the smoke alarm (Thursday), or sit and draw pictures at the kitchen table, or bring all the outside barn cats into the mudroom for "snuggling". )

On Friday, she must have sensed it was THE day, because she got up, got dressed and went to let the chickens out and check for eggs, very early.

And she was right!

cause for celebration

EGGS!!! WE HAVE EGGS, people! Three of them, in fact. And two of them later in the day–because, you know she checked almost hourly. That's one egg from every hen.

I feel so proud.

chick chart

And we're keeping track–the official "chicken chart" has been placed on the kitchen wall and a tally system is in place. So far, we've collected eight eggs. And Dan, to the shock of our children, fried up a few of those eggs Sunday morning. The girls, apparently, are on an egg strike.

And when I went to the grocery store on Sunday afternoon, I walked right on by those shelves of eggs. There's nothing like the feeling of producing your own food, even just a little bit.

Gets me excited for this year's garden.

And makes me want to give these hens a day at the spa or something…for all their egg-laying work.

Uncategorized

the winners and a recipe (if you dare)

if i told you...

If I told you how I made these crackers, I think some of you might think it was a small stroke of genius, and others of you might think it was unsanitary and gross. But when I went searching in my drawers for a small heart-shaped cookie cutter yesterday, I came up empty. And you know, that heart-shaped paper punch wasn't the cheapest thing in the world….and those sheets of wonton wraps fit so nicely into the paper punch, and slide out so easily…..and then perfectly-formed, crispy, crunchy salty little heart-shaped crackers are born and I'll never look at another paper punch the same way again.

If you're interested in the details, aside from the paper-punch part, the crackers can be made from wonton or egg roll wraps (in your produce section). Brush both sides with olive oil, salt them (or cinnamon, whatever floats your boat.) Bake them on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper, 350 degrees for a few minutes until golden brown. But watch closely they go from brown to burned while your back is turned. Hey, that rhymes!

Alright, alright. Enough. Here are the winners for last week's fun round of giveaways. Thank you all for stopping by, playing along. Come visit again and even say hello, will you? There will be more giveaways, too…so stay in touch.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::THE WINNERS ARE ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Milkshake CD and DVD:
Melissa H.

We SERIOUSLY need some new music around here. I'd love to win this one, thanks!

Blue Yonder's Book of Days: Paula

I thought I posted, but didn't see the secret code thingy. I'd love to be entered in your drawing…dd would love this.
Paula

Handmade Hellos, from Chronicle Books: Carrie

How sweet is that book! Awesome.

PEEK Mobile Email: Jenny Bracken

Sounds great! Pick me please. I've never even heard of one before.

if i told you...

If I told you how I made these crackers, I think some of you might think it was a small stroke of genius, and others of you might think it was unsanitary and gross. But when I went searching in my drawers for a small heart-shaped cookie cutter yesterday, I came up empty. And you know, that heart-shaped paper punch wasn't the cheapest thing in the world….and those sheets of wonton wraps fit so nicely into the paper punch, and slide out so easily…..and then perfectly-formed, crispy, crunchy salty little heart-shaped crackers are born and I'll never look at another paper punch the same way again.

If you're interested in the details, aside from the paper-punch part, the crackers can be made from wonton or egg roll wraps (in your produce section). Brush both sides with olive oil, salt them (or cinnamon, whatever floats your boat.) Bake them on a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper, 350 degrees for a few minutes until golden brown. But watch closely they go from brown to burned while your back is turned. Hey, that rhymes!

Alright, alright. Enough. Here are the winners for last week's fun round of giveaways. Thank you all for stopping by, playing along. Come visit again and even say hello, will you? There will be more giveaways, too…so stay in touch.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::THE WINNERS ARE ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Milkshake CD and DVD:
Melissa H.

We SERIOUSLY need some new music around here. I'd love to win this one, thanks!

Blue Yonder's Book of Days: Paula

I thought I posted, but didn't see the secret code thingy. I'd love to be entered in your drawing…dd would love this.

Paula

Handmade Hellos, from Chronicle Books: Carrie

How sweet is that book! Awesome.

PEEK Mobile Email: Jenny Bracken

Sounds great! Pick me please. I've never even heard of one before.

Show & Tell

Show & Tell: The Book of Days

Showandtell_updated

Some days, it is the community of mothers in the blogging neighborhood that keep me going–that inspire me, that encourage me, that remind me about things that truly matter matter in life. They remind me to slow down, take note, to enjoy each moment of the day for what it may or may not be. And Stefani, of Blue Yonder is one of those people. Her blog is full of inspiration, honesty and some downright funny tales from her life raising three young men in Texas.

The Book of Days

This year Stefani launched a new project called the Book of Days. It is a monthly journal that she keeps with her children and now shares with all of us. Stefani describes the Book of Days:

The Book of Days is a monthly journal of mindful experiences,
natural pursuits, yummy recipes, and science experiments. It is meant
to be a simple way to make family time fun.

Each edition comes with illustrated pages to download, print and put
in your own binder. You can make one for each child, or just make one
big family book. The Book of Days is geared toward families with
children ranging in age from 3 to 12, but could be adapted to suit
older or younger kids.

3220501794_c413982543

The book also comes with a detailed Parent Field Guide that provides
seasonal reading lists, ways to expand each month’s activities, and
ideas for slowing down and holding onto the magic of each day of the
year. The activities are simple and only require easy-to-find supplies
that you may already have at home. However, with the added suggestions
in the Parent Field Guide, each section can be expanded to provide
several days of fun and learning. 

I can speak from experience that the book of days is a great way to mark time with your children. It is brimming with simple, fun ideas and is a wonderful way to capture your days.

And Stefani is offering one of you the chance to win a year's subscription to the Book of Days. Each month you'll be sent a link and code to download your free copy to print and use! Thank you, Stefani.

You can read more about the book of days, here at the Blue Yonder Ranch online shop . You can also see the book of days in action in the flickr group.

You know the drill….leave a comment for your chance to win. All winners from this week's giveaways will be announced on Saturday, February 14th.

Showandtell_updated

Some days, it is the community of mothers in the blogging neighborhood that keep me going–that inspire me, that encourage me, that remind me about things that truly matter matter in life. They remind me to slow down, take note, to enjoy each moment of the day for what it may or may not be. And Stefani, of Blue Yonder is one of those people. Her blog is full of inspiration, honesty and some downright funny tales from her life raising three young men in Texas.

The Book of Days

This year Stefani launched a new project called the Book of Days. It is a monthly journal that she keeps with her children and now shares with all of us. Stefani describes the Book of Days:

The Book of Days is a monthly journal of mindful experiences,
natural pursuits, yummy recipes, and science experiments. It is meant
to be a simple way to make family time fun.

Each edition comes with illustrated pages to download, print and put
in your own binder. You can make one for each child, or just make one
big family book. The Book of Days is geared toward families with
children ranging in age from 3 to 12, but could be adapted to suit
older or younger kids.

3220501794_c413982543

The book also comes with a detailed Parent Field Guide that provides
seasonal reading lists, ways to expand each month’s activities, and
ideas for slowing down and holding onto the magic of each day of the
year. The activities are simple and only require easy-to-find supplies
that you may already have at home. However, with the added suggestions
in the Parent Field Guide, each section can be expanded to provide
several days of fun and learning. 

I can speak from experience that the book of days is a great way to mark time with your children. It is brimming with simple, fun ideas and is a wonderful way to capture your days.

And Stefani is offering one of you the chance to win a year's subscription to the Book of Days. Each month you'll be sent a link and code to download your free copy to print and use! Thank you, Stefani.

You can read more about the book of days, here at the Blue Yonder Ranch online shop . You can also see the book of days in action in the flickr group.

You know the drill….leave a comment for your chance to win. All winners from this week's giveaways will be announced on Saturday, February 14th.