Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Mish Mash Tuesday

Good morning.  I am feeling a bit better today.  I think.  I was wide awake this morning at 5:30!  So I turned on the telly and watched Dancing With The Stars that I recorded last night.  I have no favorite.  I love the three left!!
Last night I made sausage and egg burritos for my crew.  I hope my girls keep on giving.  Because we are sure enjoying the eggs!!
Yesterday morning I made french toast for Noah.
When I make french toast, I use eggs, of course.  A splash of milk or half &  half, some vanilla, a sprinkle of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
I sometimes have a hard time finding whole nutmeg.  So when I do, I snatch it up, and store the nuts in a sealed jar.  I grate the whole nut, directly into my food.  Nutmeg is good in both sweet and savory dishes.  I love it things like puddings, custards, french toast and pies.  And I use it in pasta and egg dishes all the time too.   If you can't find whole nutmeg in your regular spice section of the market, look where they stock spices in clear cello bags.  They are much cheaper purchased this way, and they often stock the whole nutmeg there too. 
Let's talk syrup.  Most people probably buy log cabin, or Aunt Jemina syrup on the cereal aisle of their supermarket.  I used to too, and it tastes okay.  But once you try pure maple syrup, I kid you not, you will never buy that artificially flavored stuff again!!!
I bought this one with a whole vanilla bean in it, at fresh & easy the other day.  It is expensive, but you can buy a large jug of pure maple Vermont syrup at Sam's Club for a very good price.  You only need a very small amount, and the flavor is so superior to that other stuff.  You will never go back!
As you can probably tell, I have been cooking with eggs a lot!  Say hello to my little egg layers.
Actually, that is Beatrice.  She is the only one who has not laid an egg yet.  She is also the only one who will be laying a white egg.  But you can see that she has reached maturity now with full comb and wattle. So it should be any day.
The other 4 girls are all laying.  They are not all laying daily, but I get 3 and sometimes 4 eggs a day.  That adds up fast!
That's Chickas, Ham and Tillie.   Chickas has a funny little mustache.  And Ham has feathered feet. 
They are all very docile and come right to me when I come into the coop or approach them when they are out ranging.  They each have their own distinctive personalities.  Ham is the ruler of the roost.  Beatrice is low lady on the totem pole. But thankfully, she doesn't get picked on, which can often be the case.

They are all pals and get along great.  I have two nest boxes in the coop.  One is a wooden box from the feed store.  It was Snacker's box.  And the other one is a decorative box I had from Michael's or something?  You do NOT need to go buy a box at the feed store.  They are pricey, and they don't even prefer that box.  They mostly lay in the wine box from Michael's!  Go figure!  Just as long as it is large enough for them to get inside, they don't seem to mind.  My other girls,   "The Little B's"   liked to lay eggs in my garden and in leaves in the grove!!
I went out early this morning to feed them, and Sammy was just jumping down out of the box.
Thank you Sammy!  I just love raising chickens!  I would love to have a Roo and hatch my own chicks too.  But I don't want my neighbors who are nearest the coop to be upset.
Have you done your shopping for Thanksgiving?  We have.  We ordered the entire meal at Marie Callender's.  The whole turkey and ham feast.  With green beans, double mashed potatoes, double gravy, double stuffing, corn bread and pumpkin pie with real whipped cream.  We go early in the morning on Thursday to pick it up.   Kind of odd really.  I love to cook.  And we order our Thanksgiving meal?  We started this a few years ago to make it easier, and we found that we enjoyed the day so much more!   I enjoy it more.  I don't kill myself cooking and cleaning, and setting tables.  I just enjoy the family.  We all enjoy the food.  And it makes for a very pleasant day.  We used to always have Thanksgiving with my entire family.  Usually at my Mom's.  But since my kids have had their little ones, it seems to work better for them to be closer to home.  I miss being with my Mom and Nana on Thanksgiving though. And of course, there is no better cook I know, than my Mom!!!   I do plan to cook a turkey too.  If I get my ducks in a row, I will cook it on Wednesday, tomorrow, and have my first Cooking 101.  How To Cook A Turkey.
That's it from the farm.  Have a great day!
XO  Kris

23 comments:

Bethany said...

We're having 30 people so yeah, shopping has been finished. I'd rather order the meal like you, though....

Heather - The Good Life said...

Kris, looks like your "girls" are being very productive. :-) I'd love to have fresh eggs, but not sure how much I'd enjoy cleaning out the coop. I imagine the rewards outway the other "stuff". :-) My family is small, so I don't mind the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and hubby is off work to entertain the little one while I do the baking marathon tomorrow. Looking forward to your cooking 101. Take care. Heather

Anonymous said...

So that's why Noah told me over the weekend that he likes when Gamma makes him breakfast better. Duh, can't really compete with that! Lol

Holly said...

So lucky to have such "giving girls". I went to Vermonth several years ago and bought a gallon of maple syrup and split it up between family and friends. You're right, you can't beat it. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and give my love to your family.

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I'm glad you are feeling better and hope your are back to perfect by Thursday. Some of my old friends in Ca. would go out for Thanksgiving dinner and I thought that was a great idea but never have. Have a wonderful & warm week.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Noreen

byhooks4u said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you. The whole nutmeg thing has caught my interest..I am going to be hunting some down. I agree with you with the Maple Syrup, well worth the extra cost. We love it.

Dawn said...

Can't wait for the cooking class:)

Janna said...

Hey Kris! Sorry, I've been busy the past few days and just caught up on your last 2 posts. The photo of what Claire does to her room during nap time is something my daughter has been known to do when I thought she was sleeping. Little monsters! I'm excited to read your Turkey 101 since I've never cooked on myself. My husband has cooked them before, but the past couple of years my bro-in-law deep fries them instead. Oh, and I just added yours and Genn's buttons to my blog :) Thanks for adding mine to yours.

Janna said...

p.s. love that your ordered from Maries. There is one within walking distance of us, and I would be SO tempted if it weren't for my hubs and bro in law doing the cooking most years.

Teresa Kasner said...

We're doing the whole turkey thing.. hubby has been doing the turkey and dressing for yearsssssss... and I do the potatoes, green bean bake, candied yams, etc. Can't wait to photograph it all!

*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*:._.:*~*:._.:
*H*A*P*P*Y* *T*H*A*N*K*S*G*I*V*I*N*G*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

Sorry I didn't know you were sick...hope you are better. I got a cold coming on so am glad I don't have to do the whole dinner thing myself.

I love your girls....they are so pretty. Those white ones are knockouts! I too am looking for ways to use the eggs..although I love them hard boiled...those omelets are wonderful too.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

I'm so jealous of your chickens. I've always wanted to have a brood. If we ever move, we will definitely choose a home where we can have chickens! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Nicolle said...

I guess I've only had maple syrup a time or two. I will have to pick some up. That looks really good that you have, with vanilla bean. I bet it's delicious! I love cooking too, but the idea of ordering the Thanksgiving meal sounds like pure heaven to me. I think that is so smart. Like you said, it gives you so much more time to just enjoy your family for the day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

xo.

Pam said...

The Marie Callenders in AZ all went out of business. We have ordered from Boston Market in the past and it was so much easier. Looking forward to your cooking class on turkeys. Cool to see your chickens and their eggs! I love your posts!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Hello girlfriend!! So nice to see your comments! Thank you!

I wanted to stop by and wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving full of love and laughter! And maybe you can come up with a creative way to use the leftovers with your eggs afterwards??

Big hugs!!

PS I am with you - real Maple Syrup can't be beat!!

Lauri said...

I'm glad to know about nutmeg. I'll have to be on the lookout for it. Have a happy thanksgiving...I am a little surprised that you don't cook but I think you're right about not spending all day in the kitchen and enjoying the family instead.

Sue Pinner said...

Thanks Kris the stars are a lot of fun to make
Hope you have a wonderful Thanks Giving tomorrow x

Petunia Pill said...

You are always such a wonderful treasure trove of information! I would like to volunteer to be an adopted grandchild. Do you have any room for another? LOL

And I love your idea to buy the meal so you have the chance to enjoy the family. I'm breaking tradition and cooking my turkey today (Wednesday) this year for the very first time. I'm also teaching my 22 year old daughter how to make a turkey - maybe next year she'll do the cooking! I remember when my Mom taught me how. I still have my scribbled notes from that day! Good memories! Thanks for your great blogging talents! Hugs, Annette

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Kris, your girls are so sweet! Aren't their eggs the best! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, Maryjne

Unknown said...

So, I'm a day late on commenting, I scrolled through quickly last night before crashing. I would love to be one of those kids who get yummie Kris-ie breakfast like real VT syrup and real Nutmeg sprinkles. But, whole nutmeg is the key isn't it. OK, off to make my next dish, but just wanted to wish your a very special day tomorrow with family. But, I can only imagine the fun your whole gang will be having.

Gobble,
Kate

Cheryl said...

Glad you are feeling better. Have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving!

Stacey said...

So Ham ended up being a girl huh?? lol.. All your cooking with eggs sounds delish.. And, I've had the Marie Callander's Dinner as well, and it's GOOD!!! So much easier and less stressful :) Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Robyn said...

Love reading about your chickens.. My husband has approx 16 hens and one very territorial rooster I like to call Henry VIII because hes just a varmint LOL...We get A LOT of eggs too and supply our neighbors with them as well :)