Eggs

January 4, 2010

I love having my own chickens and getting fresh eggs. Every morning I walk from my house to the barn to feed the animals. As I approach the barn the chickens hear me and begin "talking" to me. They greet me by flying up above the partition of their coop so they can see me and confirm I'm really there. When I open the gate to their pen they all rush forward and gather around my feet, making it really difficult to walk.

I check their water and food, and then head for the hen house. This the best part--gathering the eggs. It's like Christmas--okay, maybe more like Easter--when I slowly open the door to reveal what my chickens--my wonderful, smart, talented chickens--have given me today!

Sometimes it's only two eggs--it is winter after all. But sometimes it's as many as six eggs. And they are all a beautiful variation of green: sage, mint, moss.

I don't know which hens are laying and which aren't. Maybe they take turns. I'm sure they will all be laying when summer comes along. Then I will have nine eggs a day! I can't possibly use them all, so why I bought nine chicks to raise, I can't tell you. Of course, I didn't know then that they would all be hens, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

And it's funny how I can't waste any of the eggs. When I used to buy eggs at the store--you know, those plain, boring, white eggs--I never thought twice about making an egg-white omelet and tossing the yolks. I know it's healthier to eat just the whites, but I can't waste any part of what my "girls" have created for me!

So, it's eggs for breakfast each morning; scrambled with veggies, over-easy with turkey bacon, hard-boiled for egg-salad. Oh, and don't forget the deviled eggs I make as an appetizer for almost every party I attend!

Anyone need any eggs?